“Hi neighbor.� I jump from the new voice.
“Oh, hi.� I turn to see the human who lives next door to me. His normally messy hair is layered in perfect order, showing his dark blue eyes.

“Where are you going?� I ask.
“Oh, you mean why I am dressed up?�
He responds, “I’m going on a blind date, she is suppose to be really rich.�
“Well good luck.� I walk down the stairs.
“Wait!� my neighbor runs down the stairs. “Here, it’s raining.� He hands me an umbrella.

“Thanks, do you want to walk with me?�
“Sure.� We walk out into the rain. The heavy rain feels refreshing. I look over and watch my neighbor. His sorrow is written all over his face.

“What’s wrong?� I ask.
“Oh, I am worried about my date.�
“Why?�
“Uh…� he is hiding something.
“You’re not interested in it.� He blushes.

“You’ll make some guy happy.� I run off into the store. I turn around and wave bye to my neighbor before closing the door. The local store, Shijoku, has everything from games to clothes to furniture to toys. I walk down the brightly lit aisles and find the bedroom supplies area.

“May I help you?� an employee asks.
“No, I’m fine.� She leaves me. I spot black sheets. I quickly grab them and a new pillow. I must return home before the sun comes out. I walk to the check-out area.

“What are you doing here?� a sharp voice attacks my ears. I turn around; there stands Kaley, her anger boiling out of her.

“My one day off in the past month and I have to meet up with a vampire.� Her rambling amuses me.

“Sorry for ruining your day,� I walk toward her until I am six inches away from her, “would you like me to make it better?�

“No, that’s ok.� She moves away from me.
“Excuse me, it’s your turn.� The cashier tells me. I walk over and pay for my sheets and pillow. I wait until Kaley finishes her purchase.

“Don’t you have something better to do than hanging around?� Kaley glares at me.

“Well, what are you doing today?� I inquire. Kaley walks out the store and down the street. I follow, standing a little to the right of her back. I don’t bother to shield myself from the rain, neither does Kaley.

“I was going to have a nice relaxing time, but that no longer can happen.�
“Give me a definition of fun time.�
“In this weather, a nice nap, I have training tomorrow.� She turns her head allowing me to see her eyes, “Can you get out of my blind spot?�

“Sorry.� I move forward, walking next to her, “And you can’t still take a nap?�
“Because you’d follow me home.�
“And you don’t want me to know where you live?�
“Yes!� she turns her head to glare at me, I smile back.
“Ok, we’ll sleep at my house.� I run forward, grabbing her wrist and dragging her along.

“What?�
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything.�
“Ok, fine,� she responds, “If it gets you off my back.� She mumbles. I smile, dragging her behind. We quickly arrive at my apartment. I start walking up the stairs after her.

“I don’t like you behind me.� Kaley stops, making me walk in front of her.

“As you wish.� I continue walking up the stairs. We arrive at my apartment. I open the door.

“Welcome to my house.� I hold the door open for Kaley.
“You first,� she responds, grabbing the door.

I smile, “You don’t trust me,� I walk inside, “that may change.�

“I don’t think so.� She closes the door behind her.

“Meoaar� Kaga attacks me, bearing fangs. I quickly grab Kaga by the scruff of the neck and hold her. Kaley stands, glued to the door with fearful eyes.
“Sorry, it just bites.� I hold it in front of Kaley, showing her the harmless Kaga. Kaley lets down her guard, and tries to pet Kaga.

“Not yet Kaley, she needs to be fed first.� I place Kaga down and take off my boots. Kaga runs at me again.

“Kaga wait, you’ll get to eat soon.� Kaga stops and waits for me, salivating over her hunger. I roll up my sleeve, bend down and offer Kaga my wrist. Kaga bites and has her meal. After letting go, I pick her up and hand her to the pale faced Kaley.

“You can pet her now.� I state.

“Why would I pet a demon cat?� she puts Kaga down.
“Here, come and make yourself at home, I need to make the bed.� I leave her, taking my newly bought sheets with me. I quickly make the bed and clean up the blood that covers everything.

“What are you doing?� Kaley asks, entering the bedroom.

“Making this room suitable for human life�
“And it normally isn’t?�
“It is, but it was trashed when a hunter went after me.�
“Oh, I could have just slept on the couch.�

“Its fine, here you can sleep now.� I say, lifting my head to look into Kaley’s eyes. “I’ll be on the couch.� I walk past Kaley and out the door.

“Oh, thank you.� Kaley sits on the bed and stares at the curtains.

“You can open the curtains if you like, as long as you close them later.�

“Ok, night.�
“Sweet dreams.� I reply, closing the door behind me. I lay down on the couch. Kaga jumps on my chest, joining me in my midday nap. I curl up into a ball and close my eyes. My mind quickly clears and I fall asleep.

chapter 5
Memories of Caged Bird

chapter 5 picture, ryushi in a kimono

I wake up to the closing of the main door. I look toward my bedroom and see the door open, Kaley has left. I sit up and walk into my bedroom. I open the curtain and see the night sky.

“Meowaaar!� I hear Kaga meowing at the front door. I walk over to her.

“Kaga, are you hungry again?� I hold out my wrist. Kaga continues to meow, refusing the meal.

“Fine, I’ll clean up then take you on a walk.� I stand back up and walk back to my bedroom. I quickly change into an identical outfit as the last one, white pants and shirt with a black trench coat. I notice the china closet still has broken glass in it. I pick up every piece of glass, not caring that the sharp edges cut into my skin. I take the handfuls of glass to the trash, dripping my blood all over the already blood stained carpet. The blood will be easy to clean up. I’ll clean up after a sundown snack. I walk back out of my room to the main room where Kaga stands still meowing at the door.

“Boy you are persistent.� I open the door and Kaga runs out hissing.
“Kaga, don’t leave without me.� I run out the door, forgetting to close the door, and down the stairs. I turn down the last flight of stairs and ram into something, making me fall on the stairs.
“Gomenasai� I apologize, I pick myself up, wanting to catch Kaga.
“Ryushi, thank god I found you.� I look up to Michael.
“Thank Kaga, not God, we don’t even know if he exists,� I say, “now what did you want to see me for?�
“I need your help. I don’t have much time.�
“First, let’s go inside my apartment.� I suggest.
“Ok, just for a bit.� He continues to worry, “I am wondering how to fight him.�
I stop dead in my tracks, and turn around, facing Michael, “the hunter,� I whisper.
“What should I do?�
“For now, let him have his way, just try to play to your strengths,� we both walk into my apartment I fall onto the couch, ready for a long talk.
“Tell me a better answer than…� his voice paused as he caught a scent.
“It smells like…� Michael’s eyes flash and his voice sneering “…human.�

“Hello hunter.� I notice Michael’s personality change.
“Tell me, why did you tell him not to resist me?�
“Because I wanted to see you.�
“…and die?� Michael moves closer to me.
“The time for that is later.� I stare directly back at him.
“As you wish.� Michael sits down on the couch next to me. “So why did you want to see me?�
“Tell me, why am I being hunted?�
“Can’t tell.� Michael’s lips were sealed.
“Then, why do you, Michael’s other personality, exist?�
“It’ll cost you.�
“Deal.� I was prepared to give up something to understand Michael.
“First, my request,� Michael moves toward me, “we talk in my bedroom, and second, tell me why your house has a human stench.�
“As you wish, it’s a deal.� It had been years ago when I was at Michael’s house.
“Ready to go?� Michael holds out a hand to help me up.

“Yeah,� I refuse his hand, “Let’s go.� We both leave my apartment, like a new couple. Michael plays with his advantage and grabs my hand. I try to care less about his action. Then he moves his arm to my shoulder, then to my waist. He draws me close to him and makes us turn onto Broadway.

“You must want to help a lot to let me have my way with you.� Michael taunts quietly.

“I am not, there is a limit.�

“Shall we find out?� Michael stops in front of the gate to his house. The golden gates enclose the mansion and the three acre lot from the public. The mansion’s four floors tower over the surrounding land.

Michael touches the gate, and I hear a small click as the gate opens, greeting Michael and me. We follow the brick path to the front gate. The only thing normal about the acreage is the eight foot tall hedges. The hedges hide a maze with unseen terrors inside. Michael lets go of me and I quickly create some distance between us. Michael’s aura grows large, seeping into the sky around us. I jump back, ready to fight if I need to. Michael moves his aura till it becomes a large ball around his left hand. He grabs something in the ball, and let’s his aura return to normal.

“What did…?� Michael stops me in mid sentence and opens up his hand, revealing a red, skeleton-like, aura key.

“Don’t speak within the house until we get into my room.� Michael warns.

“What? Why should I?� I protest.

“Just do it!� Michael sneers. He unlocks and opens the door. I take my shoes off and silently follow Michael into the main entryway. The large, dimly lit entryway contains two spiral staircases, both leading upstairs.

“Welcome home master.� A voice to our side greets. A tall, boney man bows to Michael.

“Hello Sariel, please bring the contents of room nine to my room.� Sariel, the butler, bows again and fades into the darkness. Michael leads me upstairs, dragging me to his room. The lighting made every hallway endless. We finally arrive at two large, gold plated, carved doors. I silently walk in, followed by Michael. Michael’s room is more elegant than his room in the vampire headquarters. The golden bed stand twists and turns, creating an elegant pattern. The wardrobe and doors are ebony wood, laced with thin coils of gold. This gothic decorating twists around every piece of furniture, even the chairs. I walk over to a chair and sit down. Michael sits in the other chair facing me.

“How do you like it?� Michael breaks the silence.
“It’s nice, though unlike you.� I smile.
“I built it for you, this room is yours starting daybreak.�
“You mean I am caged here.�
“So you want to know about me.�
“Don’t change the subject.� I protest.
“Sir, I have brought what you asked for.� Sariel says through the door. Michael motions me to be quiet, then walks up to the door and opens it.

“Thank you Sariel.� Michael grabs the black package and closes the door; only the creek of the door breaks the silence. Michael walks back to me.

“Here, put this on.� Michael hands me the package, the package is a black silk cloth. I hold it out in front of me, revealing the traditional Japanese kimono. The black kimono sparkles like stars. On the back, from one shoulder blade to the other is a pattern of a half sun and half moon design enlaced in gold. It is beautiful beyond comparison, but why would Michael give me this. He is more the person to drug me and dress me in it; at least this side of Michael would do that.

“It’s beautiful.� I respond to Michael.
“Only the finest for you.� Michael leans back in his chair.
“Whatever,� I mumble, “So start talking, why do you exist?� I try hard to stick to business.

“I’ll start while you put that on.� Michael insists.
“Not in front of you.� I yell back.

“As you wish, hide in the darkness while we talk.� I stand up and walk away from the chairs, finding a corner hidden behind a Shoji door. I quickly change out of my clothes. I put on the kimono and notice the obi is missing. I hear Michael’s voice as he starts his story.

“It was shortly after the spring of my 1762 death year. I went back to the mountains to train, so that when I saw you next, I could beat you.� His pause gave me time to speak.

“Michael, do you have my obi?� Chances are he kept it.
“Yes, come over here so I can put it on you.� His tone reminds me of a little girl wanting to dress up her doll. I walk over and allow him to wrap it around me, and then fold the bow in the back, pushing me into his chest more, so that he can do so and still face me. As he finishes, he pulls me gently at the waist while sitting on the couch, causing me to fall on top of him. I try to move, but he holds me down until I stop resisting. He instead turns so that my head is at his chest. Then he continues his story.

“As I was saying, I went to the arena. I walked in and was about to start my training, when I noticed bloodstains all over the arena. You had never shown your full power to me. I had only noticed a few times during training that you were holding back. So instead of training, I hid in the surrounding woods, waiting to see what caused the blood stains. Sure enough, after two days, the night of the full moon, I see you walking toward the arena, more like limping actually. I was curious as to why we never trained the nights of a full moon, and I was about to find out why. The moonlight lit up your red eyes and flowing beautiful black hair. It made you look, enchanted, mystical, like a god in human flesh. The wind though showed otherwise, it brushed back your hair, showing red liquid lit my moonlight, covering your arms and boots. Fascinated by how you could be injured that severe by anything, I followed, and watched you from above, as you entered the arena and walked into the center. No sooner had you reached the center; I saw some black shadows follow you in. The circled you, like a lion circling its prey. The shadows take solid form of some sort of shadow beast. These, shadow beasts, were the size of bear, but ran at the speed of a lion. They glimmered in the moonlight, similar to vampire aura. Nothing compared to any creature of the forest, these animals were skinny as an unfed dog, but they seemed to have one nasty bite as they attacked you. Your blood splatter on the arena floor, the shadow beasts rip into you, strategically attacking from two sides at all times. I only see a glint of your blade, as one beast disappears into mist, but not without the other slashing you to your fully exposed back. I watch as you spin, majestically so, and kill another, but the other, attacks your arm, engulfing it in a series of teeth. I hear your scream of pain as you fall to the floor and desperately stab the beast through the head, releasing your shredded arm.�

I watch Michael and notice his glee in telling the story, about my fight, especially me in pain. I notice Michael’s eyes showing slight hints of red, I am not sure if it because of the blood in the story, or if he really is hungry. I become tired of holding my head up to watch Michael, so I rest my head back onto his chest and listen as he continues the story.

“So this continued for a bit, and slowly you were showing signs of fatigue, and I thought I could just beat you right then. You were weak at that point, beautiful, and weak, you were like an Amazon woman in the last of her days. I watched as seven black cloaked people walked into the arena. They watch you fight the shadow beasts, but you seem to ignore their presence, which I suspected that even in your weakened state, could fell. You say something, possibly cursing, followed by your screams as your back is ripped open your back. One raises his hand, and all the beasts stop attacking and disappear. You stand, just barely, but are able to stand in the pool of blood around you. The cloaked group walks around you, making a small circle around you. I hear one of them speaking to you, distracting you from the attack from behind. To my horror, you fall to your knees at the back attack that must be to your exposed wound. The pool of blood seems to gush from your back, making half the arena floor covered in your blood. The one who talked to you, presumably the leader, motions tore stain you. Two members walkup cautiously and hold your arms, while another grabs your hair at the scalp and rips your head back so that you are staring at the leader. Your scream silences the forest as it rings through the valley.

“You finally bow to me, Ryushi.� he walks up closer to you, just out of arm’s reach,� we lost many men because of you.�

“They deserved it.� Your voice was as clear as a completely uninjured person.

“Why? Because they hurt you?
“Because they were weak.�
“So you are willing to die if someone beats you?�
“Does my answer mater?�

“No, because you will die tonight!� The leader bends down to your level, “and to think, such a pretty flower needs to be cut.�He puts his head right above your shoulder.

“Sir, something is happening.� another person stutters. The leader stands up.

“What is it?� The leader commands, annoyed. The other person just points a shaky finger toward the blood on the other side of arena. I notice it too, the blood moved, as if alive. First it bubbles, and then it molds it into a phoenix. Other sections of blood mold into a griffin, a large cat-like creature, a horse, a dragon, a cluster of small drakes and other assorted animals.

“You’re too weak to live.� I hear you say, a smile on your face. The animals attack the nearest cloaked person to them, swarming them. In a large splatter of blood they all are dead, or so I thought.�

“So you saw a vampire hunt against me, so what?� I know the entire story from my point of view.�I am getting there, be patient.�Michael moves his hand on my head and gently strokes my hair. The feeling causes me to relax and to forget a bit where I am.

“I looked for you after the explosion, and notice your body lay dead in the arena. I turn toward the arena and bump full force into someone. I was furious at you forgoing easy on me, and that you had died without me beating you. So I released all that emotion into my aura and attacked the person. Only after that did I notice that he was a vampire hunter. I watch as he eats my aura and makes it his own, then smiles, showing his vampire teeth. I stood frozen in shock.

“Were you watching?� his voice told me he was the leader, the cloaked people had survived. I open my mouth, but no words come out.

“A vampire, you may come in handy.� He grins again and leans closer to me. I feel a slight tingle as he goes through my mind.

“You love her, don’t you?� he moves to bite me. “Well now you can have her.� I feel his fangs puncture for a second before I blank out.

I woke up in a cell; my emotions of hate had become attached to my love for you. That, I learned later, was the leader’s power, to eat emotions and stick them onto another emotion. Every day, they whipped me, until one day, I submitted. I was taken to the president’s office and given two options; die or become a vampire hunter. I was not ready to die, so I became one. I was given a small room, where I sat, infuriated with what I had become. Slowly my emotions toward you, and my hunter thinking separated from the rest of my mind.�

“You created yourself to deal with the pain and emotions. That would explain it.� I conclude.
“Yes he did, and what is it?�

“Your personality split, and why I am nothing more than a doll to half of you.�

“I would more call you a bird, a caged bird.� His words remind me the situation I am in, so I try and squirm to get off Michael.

“You might want to feed before dawn.� I state, staring at his bright red eyes.

“I promised my other self I would keep you from running away tonight.� Michael sat up on the couch, moving me to his lap where he continues to playing with my hair, running his fingers through it.

“Well, I don’t feel safe while you’re hungry." I state, if he doesn’t feed soon he would become a rabid killing machine by nightfall tomorrow.

“Then I have no choice.�Michael stands up and quickly picks me up without any trouble, then carries me to the bed and lies me there.

“What are you doing?� I ask, remembering what was in Michael’s mind last time I was this close to him.

“Feeding.�He drapes himself over me, and bites my neck, allowing no blood to drop and soil the bed sheets. I am glad I drank the night before; otherwise I would be hungry after Michael finishes his meal.

After a few minutes, Michael stops drinking. His eyes return to their normal black color. He moves off me, instead, sitting next to me on the bed.

“I could have killed you!� Why did you let him do that?� The vampire Michael is back.

“Cause he won’t kill me, nor will you.� I have the confidence that my fledgling won’t kill its teacher.

“But he’ll give you to the hunters, and you’ll die!�

“That is my wish though, to die by a strong hunter, I have always wished for death.�

“That’s interesting, no tell me, why your house smells of human?� the hunter Michael came out.

I sigh and start my story, though a complete lie, I wanted to protect Kaley from Michael. If Michael found out I favor a human, he’d kill her instantly.

“Well, I came home to the mess that you caused in my bedroom.� I start of, avoiding the topic of Kaga.
“That wasn’t my fault, the other hunters did that,� Michael protests.

“Fine, whatever, so anyway, I looked at the mess and told myself I wasn’t going to clean it up. So I hired a maid to clean the room. Unfortunately there are no vampire maids, so I had to hire a human one, hence why my house smells of human.� I finish.

“And you didn’t kill her? You know what will happen if she says anything about the blood.� Michael warns, suspicious of my story.

“I erased her memory, plus it would look weird if a person vanished in the middle of the day.� I return.
“Ok,� Michael accepts my story, though I sense his suspicion. He stands up and opens the curtain; I curl away as the first ray of light comes over the city. He closes the curtains, returning the room to the nice darkness I live in.

“Welcome to your new home,� Michael walks out the door. He stops before shutting it. “I’m locking this door, and the windows are barred so don’t even try to escape.�Michael shuts the door behind him. I lay on the bed, permanently caged in this mansion. I curl up and take a nap. My last thoughts of the night turn toward Kaley and Kaga, and how much I will miss them. Staying here will never allowing me to see them.

chapter 6
Good Old Days of Killing