I yanked my arm away from him. My breath was ragged, and I faltered back.
"You want my help? You really have some nerve to ask me that after what you did to that woman! You could have killed her! You think I want to help someone like you?" I shouted, the vein on my forehead popping.
Sora stared at me, his eyebrows narrowed. He sighed as he hung his head while tapping hit foot.
"Truthfully, I only did that to lure you out. It was a sloppy and terrible method, and for that, I apologize," his voice trembled.
"But I didn't kill her. And I was never planning to." He looked back up at me, his eyes red around the corners as if he was trying to fight back tears. "I'm sorry you had to see that side of me, Rui."
"But why go that far? If you had suspicions about me, if you were watching me this whole time, you could have just asked!" My heart throbbed.
The sight of that night, it took me to a scary place. It reminded me of what I was to become one day, a blood thirsty beast.
And for Sora to do something like that, it was a complete betrayal.
"I wanted to see what you would do. If you would join me, or if you would attack. But instead, you froze in fear just at the sight of me. And even though you had an opportunity to finish what I started, you decided to help that woman instead." Sora stood up, slowly approaching me. "Why do you think you did that?"
I thought for a moment. I could have been overcome by my bloodlust, but at the time, all I could think about doing was saving her life. She was a person, not a meal no matter how much I craved to taste of her blood.
"Because she reminded me of me. When I almost died, I prayed that someone would come to my rescue, and I guess, I just didn't want to see anyone else die." I stood my ground, Sora was now in front of me, our noses almost touching.
"Good. That's a good answer, I was right to trust you. Because just like us, you still see the value in human life." Sora slyly smiled and patted me on the shoulder. "The Stray Dogs may be vampires, but we are nothing like those despicable nobles or the cowards who follow them."
"What are you all even doing here? Do you really think it's a good idea to keep a bunch of monsters in a small town like this? What if one your people loses control and attacks someone?" My voice was cold as my body trembled with every word.
Sora glared at me, grabbing me by the collar of my shirt. He shoved me against the wall, his eyes glowing red as he flashed his fangs.
I gulped, my body recoiling at the sight of him.
Sora truly was a vampire, beautiful and terrifying. Nothing like the goofball I had come to know.
"Don't you ever call my people monsters! The real monsters are out there, looking for us. I brought them here to keep them safe. The Suits are sweeping the cities and killing off any loose ends. My people deserve to live just as much as those pompous assholes on the surface do!"
Before I could respond, Sora roughly tossed me to the side. I slammed into the couch and fell on top of it. I stood up, groaning from the ache in my shoulder.
When I looked up, Sora stood in place, pinching the bridge of his nose while he took deep breaths.
"You have no idea what it's like out there. We're not dangerous, we're just trying to survive. And none of my people are killers! I take command of this place and have connections with people from the big cities who drop off blood supplies." He looked back at me, his eyes still glowing that deep shade of red.
"So don't worry. I keep all my monsters fed very well. The humans have nothing to worry about." Sora's eyes were sharp and pointed.
"I-I…" I squeezed my arm and looked away from him. I didn't mean to hit a nerve, and I was careless with my words. These people clearly meant a lot to him, and yet again I was callous and said something I shouldn't have. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
Sora just stared at me, the hatred and disdain in his eyes becoming softer before he sighed.
"Yeah, I know what you meant. Sorry, for getting rough with you. I'm just protective of them. They're my family, and they don't need any more mindless judgment. I thought you of all people could relate to that."
I hesitated, slowly walking toward him while still looking away. But I found the courage to look him in the eye, and then I smiled.
"You care a lot about them, and they seem to care a lot about you too. I've just been through so much that I judged you all before I even got a chance to know you."
Sora chuckled, and soon his red eyes returned to their regular hazel color.
"We've all been through a lot. I don't know your story or how you became a vampire. But just know, everyone here has a similar story. But you're one of the lucky ones, Rui."
He smiled at me, his eyes soft and gentle.
"You have the power to make a change for the better. You might be a Suit, but even the other nobles would want you dead. A Fool is a dangerous creature, after all."
I shuttered. Was I really that dangerous? I mean, I knew what I was capable of. Ever since I changed, I'd shown countless times how unpredictable and destructive my powers could be. I tried to kill Kaito, and I technically killed a person even if he was a homicidal vampire.
I took a shaky breath trying to shed my self-doubt. Sora's words echoed in my mind: "You have the power to make a change for the better". The weight of those words felt heavy, as if the future was slowly approaching, an uncertainty. The responsibility pressed down on me, unsure if I was ready to carry it.
But then again, how could I not try?
"Thanks, Sora," I muttered, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. "For believing in me."
Sora, still standing close, offered a small, acknowledging nod. The warmth that radiated from him seemed genuine, and my heart fluttered like it did that night we spent in his apartment.
"I'm not sure if I believe in you yet," he replied, playful but with an underlying sincerity. "But I believe that you can believe in yourself. Don't let others tell you what you are. That's what the Stray Dogs represent."
The room felt smaller now, as if the space between us had closed in, and I felt… seen. Not just for what I was, or what I was to become, but for who I was trying to be.
"Do you really think that things will change?" I asked softly, my gaze falling to the floor. "All this… The Stray Dogs, the Suits, vampires… If we're supposed to be different, to make a change, how do we even start?"
Sora's expression shifted, more serious now. He took a slow step back, staring at the cork board.
"You start by doing what's right, even when the odds are against you. And when you have the power, you use it to protect those who can't protect themselves. That's what we've been trying to do, Rui."
I could see it in his eyes—the conviction, the fear, the anger. Everything that had brought him to this point. I wasn't looking at a vampire who was trying to manipulate me. I was looking at someone who understood the weight of survival, who understood what it was to fight for something greater than himself.
I wanted to understand that too.
"I want to help, especially now that you've offered me some clarity about your situation. I'm glad I understand now, but still," I hesitated, "I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of responsibility. I'm not like you, Sora. I'm still trying to figure myself out when you already know who you are. Not to mention there's him I still need to worry about."
I wasn't a free person. I was still Kana's slave even if he called me his pupil. I had no control over my decision without his knowing or his interventions. Even if I wanted to help them, who was to say that Kana would let me?
"When you mention him, I guess you're referring to your master." Sora leaned against the couch, placing his finger against his chin. "What kind of person is he? If you don't mind me asking."
"Well, there's not much I know about him. He doesn't talk about himself or his past. He just appeared one day when I was desperate to live. But if I could describe him…" My expression turned sour at just the thought of Kana.
"He's a good for nothing lay about who constantly insults and makes fun of me! He treats me like a slave and spends my money to buy him food and booze!" I huffed as I let out my frustrations.
I rambled on as I talked about everything I thought was wrong with Kana, but I neglected to say the good things about him. I stopped for a moment, thinking back on the things he had done for me. He wasn't all bad as I made him out to be in my head.
"But… he is always there for me when I need him. He's hard to get along with, but he grows on you. He's a nuisance, but, without him, I think I'd be living a very lonely existence. My life was quiet and boring before I met him." Without even realizing, my sour expression flourished into a brimming smile.
Sora listened intently, his expression shifting from curiosity to something more thoughtful as I spoke. His eyes flickered briefly when I started talking about the good parts of Kana.
"I see…" Sora murmured, rubbing his chin. "It sounds like you've got a complicated relationship with him. He might be a pain, but I guess there's some sort of bond there, huh?"
I paused, realizing that I had let slip more than I intended. Sora's casual observation caught me off guard. I looked away, a mix of frustration and embarrassment twisting in my chest. I hadn't meant to reveal so much, but the truth was, it was hard to ignore the strange sense of loyalty I felt for Kana—even if he was a burden.
"I guess so," I muttered. "But I don't know what to make of it, He's not like anyone I've ever known. I owe him for saving my life, but in exchange I gave him my freedom. But no matter what, his opinion means more than anything to me."
Sora's gaze softened, and he leaned forward slightly, as if trying to understand the inner workings of my thoughts.
"You're conflicted," he said simply. "I get it. That's not easy, especially when someone's holding that kind of power over you."
I let out a bitter laugh.
"You don't even know the half of it. He can hear my thoughts. He's always watching me, always making sure I don't slip up. It's like I don't even have control over my own mind."
That's when I realized it, my most simple error that I could have avoided.
Oh fuck. Kana can hear my thoughts!
"Sora, it appears I've made a big mistake! I need to leave, like right now!" I said and rushed for the door, but Sora stopped me by blocking me off.
"What are you talking about? What mistake?" Sora said, concerned. "What aren't you telling me?"
"You don't understand, I've made a grave error… I came here on a whim because I was fueled by my own selfish desires! But if my master finds out about your existence, then it will be all my fault!" My breath was caught in my throat.
"I don't know what he'll do. He's kind enough, and I've seen him save humans before, but you're different. My master is a noble… and he's not above killing lower ranked vampires."
The image of the woman getting impaled by Kana's ice flashed through my mind. The words he chose to describe her, calling her a filthy number, it was even more reason for me to panic.
"He's a noble?" Sora's voice was dark, scary even. "Please Rui, tell me his name. I need know." His tone was sharp, as were his eyes.
I didn't know what was going through his mind, but it was important for him to find out.
"His name is… it's—"
Damnit! Why can't I say it? Is my blood bond stopping me from revealing Kana's identity?
I kept trying to say his name, but the words refused to escape me.
"He's a king, I fear that's all I can say. It seems his control over me is far too great to reveal any more than that. I'm sorry."
Sora stood there in silence, contemplating something. But as he thought, I could see his calculating gaze as he came up with some sort of plan. Then he smirked, not like his usual playful smirk, but one laced with intelligence.
"A king all the way out here in the sticks? Without a royal squadron? Interesting, very interesting," Sora said before he looked at me, smiling brightly. "Well, we can handle that problem later. He's your master and you seem close to him enough. If he asks, then, as leader of the Stray Dogs, I invite him to come visit us."
My mouth hung open, my eyes wide.
"Do you even realize what you're saying right now? I'm a Suit and already your people hate me! Can you imagine what'll happen if I brought a king with me? And what if my master lashes out?"
"As I've said it before then I'll say it again." Sora walked over, pulling me into a tight hug. "I trust you to do the right thing. When the time comes, I'm sure you'll know what to do. I'd bet my life on that."
I squirmed in his embrace, shy but receptive to the sudden show of affection. I didn't know what I did to warrant such faith in me, but I didn't want to let him down. Sora or Kana. I was at a crossroads, but I wanted to make this work out.
"Okay, if he brings it up, then I'll have no choice but to show him the way, you understand. But what you said about protecting the weak." We let go of each other, our locked gazes unwavering. "Then I'll use my power to protect those without."
"So, you agree to help us then?" Sora asked, hopefully. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he waited for my answer.
"I'm not making any promises! My master is the one who calls the shots here, but when it comes down to it… I understand your cause and I sympathize with you. I'll do what I can, but I need more time before I can give you a real answer."
"That's fine," Sora said as he patted me again on the shoulder. "As long as you understand us now and know we are not your enemy, then that's good enough for me." He checked his watch and sighed.
"The sun will rise any minute now, guess it's about time for you to go on home. I know I invited you to hang out, but I didn't think I'd be dragging you into this so soon."
I chuckled. After tonight, I was extremely tired. But at least it wasn't boring. What I thought was something that would divide us somehow only made me feel closer to Sora. I regretted that I doubted him, even for a second. To see him here taking care of these people, despite being my age, it made me respect him.
And it was also nice to know that I wasn't the only teenaged vampire in town anymore. There was finally someone I could talk to and relate with.
"Yeah, my master told me to stay out tonight and return in the morning. Guess I need to follow my orders like the good little pet I am." I said it as a joke, but I could sense Sora's sympathy in the way he looked at me.
"You're welcome here anytime, Rui. And like I said, if your master decides to stop by, he's welcome. But don't think for a second that I won't try to protect my own." It was a subtle threat, but also a declaration that if peace couldn't be established, there would be war.
"I'll make sure he stays on his best behavior, even when his best still isn't the greatest," I said half joking, but still serious.
After chatting for a little longer and sharing a few laughs, it was time for me to head home.
Sora opened the door, and to our surprise, our private conversation wasn't so private after all. As soon as that door opened, eavesdropping children scattered around, hiding behind their parents or underneath tables.
I sighed, no doubt they feared me yet again. I'm sure they heard all the tussle and yelling, or the fact that I was a Fool sired to a king.
The kid I had seen earlier before, the one who clung to Sora's leg wearing the baggy clothes. He surprised me since he was the only one who didn't run away.
Instead, he stood there shyly with his arms tucked behind his back. He approached me, stopping in front of and swayed back and forth like he patiently waited to ask me something.
I stood there, frozen, looking at Sora for reassurance who just gave me a casual nod, as if to tell me that it was okay. I sighed, kneeling to the child's height.
"Hey, mister? Is it true what you said? That you'd protect us?" He looked at me with his childlike eyes full of innocence and wonder.
My heart pounded and the tips of ears burned pink.
Was that all he was worried about?
"I told Sora that I promised to do what was right. And since he's my friend, I want to do the best I can and help protect what he cherishes. That includes you, right?" I smiled to him and I couldn't help but chuckle while gently patting his head.
The child smiled brightly before rushing into my arms, squeezing me tightly.
"My mommy told me you were a bad person, but you don't seem so scary at all. Thank you, mister." After hugging me, he quickly ran away and began playing with his friends again.
I could feel something warm dripping down my cheek from my eye. I wiped it away, only to see that it was a regular tear. I didn't understand what I was crying for. My chest felt so warm, like there were butterflies dancing inside of it.
"Are you alright, Rui?" Sora asked as he knelt beside me.
I chuckled softly before bursting into laughter. I wiped away the rest of my tears, finally understanding why I felt the way I did. That child touched my heart, his simple words of appreciation of something I hadn't done yet cemented me in my goals. I wanted to protect these people too.
"Yeah, I'm just happy. Happier than I've been in a long time."