Bokutachi wa Akuma: Chapter Eighteen (Maruki Vampire Change)

It was a rare day, but today Maruki was alone. Aiya had started yet another new part time job, and Maruki had not gotten a treat for Satsuki in some time. With Aiya out of the house, and nothing to do there himself, Maruki decided to go out and get some fresh air and some treats and toys for Satsuki and Toki. The local mall’s pet store had cheap quality items, and Satsuki was a very hyperactive dog, she needed durable toys. There was a store for pet supplies many blocks away. It was a little high society, but Maruki did not care for the price, it would be worth it in the end.

Maruki had been browsing through the streets slowly, enjoying the setting of many people around him all doing what he was, shopping. Entering the district the pet store was in, Maruki slowed down, window-shopping thoroughly with each store he passed. Through the crowds of people, all going in every which direction that he passed, a strange feeling came over his head, making him feel ill. He stopped in mid-step, everyone around him seemed to slow down, but he knew that was his mind just playing tricks on him. Everyone seemed to slow around him, all but three men. One who had long, brown, wavy hair that carried a certain attraction to him; Two, very elegant and classy, he even looked like he could be international. Three, he was tall and thin, and pale as a ghost, the man looked like he could be anemic.

The three men came his way, the crowds around them parting like the Red Sea. The closer they drew to Maruki, the stronger the aura of those mysterious men grew, making him feel almost angry now. Even against a pure, cheerful spirit like Maruki's was not strong enough to battle a dark aura like these men’s. Their aura alone was strong enough to turn a pure spirit like Maruki's into one filled with hatred. The men were feet away, Maruki moved from their path just like everyone else did. He stepped aside as they passed, glaring at them as they did. He soon stepped back into his original place, accidentally stepping on someone’s foot, making both of them stumble. With that, his mysterious, dark aura diminished instantaneously.

“Ah~ sumimasen!” He bowed quickly, standing up quickly to bow again. “Sumi…” He paused, seeing the face of the person he stepped on.

“Ruka kun. What?” he searched over Ruka's face. “What are you doing here?” He looked to Ruka, seeing his eyes locked on the three men who mad him feel ill, and angry. Then, it struck him, his sweet, coffee eyes shot up and darted to the men again, barely visible through the crowd now. “Are those the people?” He almost shouted it, in a pure state of shock from his sudden epiphany. He leaned into Ruka’s comfort bubble and whispered loudly this time.

“It is them, isn’t it?” His natural child was coming out. That had been happening more often lately since their debut had been announced.

Ruka grabbed Maruki's arm tightly, pulling him from the middle of the crowd of pedestrians to the wall of the building. Maruki was about to make a small sound of pain when Ruka placed a finger on his own lips and shushed Maruki quietly.

“Shut up, they'll hear you.” Ruka was attempted to cover his scent from the men by following so closely behind them, they could only smell each other. “Stay quiet and follow me.” Ruka held Maruki's arm tightly for a few steps and, then released him from his surprisingly strong grip.

Maruki listened obediently and remained silent, not even questioning as to why he was now following Ruka. He gently pressed his hand over where Ruka had grabbed him, it had hurt more then he had suspected from such a small boy.

It was like playing ‘Spy’ for Maruki, keeping a close eye on the target, but hiding behind objects if they had gotten to close. Maruki had followed closely behind Ruka; the longer they followed the mysterious men the more it made the fear of them grow. They had followed the males for quite a few blocks now; Maruki was well away from the store that he had been looking forward to going to today.

Today, Akira wore a dark, deep coloured, red blazer, one of which; still exposed his perfectly toned chest. Kyoukei wore another, black and perfect pressed suit, this one was of much finer fabric then the last he wore. Yuichi wore his regular, dark tan suit. He had only had one suit, unlike the other two. Looking passed Yuichi, who was in the middle as usual, Kyoukei chuckled softly, looking at Akira.

“Should we let him know that we know he's been following us for some time?” Kyoukei chuckled lightly, the idea of being fooled by such a young vampire was in itself, hilarious.

Akira looked across Yuichi, smiling sinisterly back at him.

“Not yet. I see he has a friend with him now. This should make things interesting.” Having known himself, and now sensing fresh, young blood with him, Akira wanted to have a little fun with the young vampire. Akira had a greater sense of mind reading, yet it was nothing like those books humans would read about, but he could sense desires and desperations in humans and even this young, weak vampire. He had an idea to find his desperation and talk him into getting in, but that sinister thought washed away when he figured it would take too long.

Maruki followed close behind Ruka, almost holding onto his arm. They were stepping in sync, and so with every step that was taken, Maruki was only centimeters from Ruka. The two followed close to the wall, Maruki's shoulder scraping against the wall every so often.

Kyoukei was the one who came up with the idea. He switched places with Yuichi for a moment and whispered it to Akira. His dark eyes lit up.

“That is brilliant.” He said with a trickster smile.

Kyoukei had switched positions with Yuichi again, moving him around like a puppet. He looked over Yuichi’s warmly and tenderly. Kyoukei took his hand gently, looking softly into his eyes.

“This is going to hurt Yuu, but don't worry. It’s all right.” Kyoukei’s smooth, airy voice was perfect for keeping Yuichi calm. It was almost like calming a goat before one would slaughter it. Yuichi looked to Kyoukei weakly, a slow nod and a soft, weakened smile beamed back at him. Kyoukei pulled out a small, yet sharp knife from his breast pocket, opening it slowly and carefully in order to not alarm anyone around them.

Kyoukei pressed that blade to Yuichi’s outreached palm, pressing hard and pulled away in one quick stroke. Yuichi winced greatly with one eye closing in pain. The fresh wound had blood pooling in his palm quickly. Kyoukei had him drop his hand, letting the fresh blood drop to the ground. The three men maintained their casual speed, allowing each drop of blood to be close together.

Akira’s part of the plan was to injure the human. Dropping a cloth on the ground and a small razor that he coincidentally in pocket right after the cloth.

Ruka and Maruki had remained at a safe distance from the mysterious men, making sure they could hide if by any chance they were to turn around. Suddenly a scent caught Ruka's sensitive nose, yet it was something he had never smelled before.

“What’s that smell?” He sniffed the air a few times, looking over at Maruki for a hopeful answer.

Maruki straightened up for a bit, focusing on the air. He sniffed a few times as well, smelling nothing. He then sniffed again.
“I don't smell anything.” He looked to the ground, ready to spy again. “Ruka watch your step!” though it was a whisper, he was still rather loud. Ruka had diverted his step, like Maruki had told him to. His step had avoided a rather large drop of blood on the concrete. Though on a shoe, stepping on something such as blood was still very unsanitary. Focusing on the trail of blood now, Maruki had completely missed that there was a handkerchief on the ground and with a perfectly placed step, he tripped over it and stumbled to the ground. With a perfect sense of judgment, Akira had dropped the razorblade at a perfect distance for Maruki to fall on it and scrap his palm, deeply. 

“Ah, itte.” Maruki had sat up and gripped his hand quickly, looking at the wound between his fingers.

The strange, intoxicating scent of the blood on the ground had already had Ruka's head in the clouds. He dove to the ground to assist Maruki up, now that the young man at his side was bleeding, he almost couldn't take it anymore. Though he did not know it, his body craved the crimson fluid. His body needed that perfect life source. Focusing on the wound on his hand, Maruki was at a vulnerability to the changing, instinctual Ruka.

Ruka had grabbed Maruki tightly by the shoulders, pressing him against the wall hard. It felt as if his back was nailed in place, Maruki could not escape this grasp at all. He wiggled from side to side, trying to get away from Ruka. In an instant he was scared for his life, and he couldn't understand why.

Maruki's wide, scared eyes fell upon Ruka's frightening expression. He shifted his body from side to side, trying to escape Ruka's tight grip. A piercing fear ran through Maruki's body, one only someone felt when they were faced with death. Maruki was staring his death in the face, and only moments ago, his messenger of death and the face of an angel.

“Ruka kun!” His cute, childish voice became high pitched and terrified. “Let me go!” he struggled further, trying to push this seemingly small boy off of him. Pushing his hands to Ruka's shoulders, he covered one of them with the dripping blood from his palm, too scared to feel that pain anymore.

Well ahead of the child spies now, Akira and his men turned to look at the scene that hey had just caused. Turning in opposite directions, Kyoukei and Akira kept Yuichi close for he was still bleeding from his hand; due to the amount of blood taken from him on a weekly basis, he could faint from anemia at any moment.

“I think we went a little too far Akira.” Kyoukei looked to his boss, a small smile on his thin lips. “He looks serious.” He was slightly taller then the rest of the crowd, yet he stood on his toes to overlook all the pedestrian’s heads. He saw the young human struggling to escape the powerful strength of the young vampire boy.

Maruki was dragged across the ground slightly, his back still firmly pressed against the concrete wall. Standbys did nothing to help, for all they knew this was a childish, domestic, teenage fight, or they were just playing. The strong, young boy had a vice grip on Maruki; his natural instincts were not letting him go.

“Ruka let me go!” Maruki was in a panic now, his adrenaline was telling him to escape, and fast. Kicking and flailing as best he could, Maruki caught a glimpse of Ruka's face from underneath his hood; his eyes were as red as blood and fierce as a warrior. Thin only made Maruki more frightened. “Ruka!” He screamed at the top of his lungs and yet still no one helped him.

“Someone please! Help me!” though he screamed and covered his attacker’s shoulder in blood, no one attempted to help him; they avoided them further to avoid getting involved.

At the peak of his fear, everything seemed to grow silent, like a silent movie. The streets boomed with a flash of light, it then slowly grew dimmer, as if the sky was turning to night. The sudden fear and pain he felt grew faint and distant; all his feelings were replaced with warmth and numbness. He could feel his entire body relax under what he assumed was still Ruka.

“Ru, Ruka.” His youthful voice was faint and weak. All his strength from moments ago seemed to be taken from his instantly.

Ruka had leaned into the crook of Maruki's neck, wrapping his lips around his sweet, glistening flesh. His instinctually growing fangs had pierced deeply into Maruki's thin flesh, right into the vein of his life source. As his eyes grew red with instinct, Ruka had lost all control over himself. As all vampires would have experienced, they would only be at the feet of instinct for the first time and the only time. As time would pass, the ability to control would grow though temptation would remain.

Maruki's grip on Ruka's shoulders loosened, his arms dropped to his sides weakly, the streak of blood sliding down Ruka's sleeve. His bright, wide eyes were lidded and heavy. Each blink that came after another became an eternal struggle to stay open.

And then, at that moment, with only a few drops left in his beautiful, flawless vesicle, did Ruka regain a sense of control. His weak, young body had been filled of its need for a fresh life source. He pulled away, his lips stained with Maruki's existence, dripping from the corners of his lips. Few of his last drops had seeped from the two puncture wounds from his neck.

Ruka had remained hovering over Maruki, one leg either side of his as he sat on his lap. His golden brown eyes blinked in terror as he stared down at the young, beautiful boy as he took his struggling breaths to stay alive.
“Ka, Kaore kun?” he held onto his shoulder, shaking him to try and wake him up. “Kaore?” He had not remembered his first name from when they had all met, but at least he had remembered his last name.

Behind him, the wall of the three men he was following had blocked Ruka and Maruki off from the spectator’s eyes. All were silent, staring down at the guilty Ruka and the lifeless Maruki whom was strugging to breathe to stay alive. Kyoukei had not expected the young vampire would go as far as to kill the young man, only scare him. Kyoukei stepped to the young vampire, kneeling down to him with a tender look in his stern eyes. He placed a hand on the young vampire’s shoulder.

“Do you want him to live?” he was already on the verge of complete death, it was only a matter of seconds. Ruka hesitated, his eyes darting over his shoulder to the pretty, elegant man. He nodded his head. “Then you know what you have to do.” Procedures like this were normally done in private, but there was no time in getting Maruki to a private area, he would not make it there in time. He was yet another thing that was never explained to him, but Ruka instinctively knew what to do again.

With the watchful eyes of the mysterious men, Ruka did what he had to do to extend this poor, innocent boys life to any length but this moment right here, right now. Ruka leaned into Maruki's now lifeless body and pressed his lips to his soft, now cold neck, his pink tongue licking at the wounds and the last drops of blood. Kyoukei, once the enemy was now a mentor for this young vampire.

Kyoukei leaned passed the young vampire, taking hold of the cold, lifeless Maruki's body, picking him up slowly and carrying him in his arms. The two men and the young vampire looked to him with curious eyes.

“We should take him somewhere quieter.” Kyoukei carried him only feet away to a shallow alley where pedestrians did not go; the other three followed behind him in a line, much like a funeral. As Kyoukei shifted Maruki and placed him on the ground again, Ruka crawled next to him again, leaning over him, next to the mysterious, elegant man.

Kyoukei’s gaze rose to Akira, giving him a small nod. The wall of two people reformed at the entrance of the alley, for this part they needed more protection from the public eye. Akira and Yuichi distanced themselves from the area, having all the other pedestrians avoid looking in the alley. This kept a safe distance from the pedestrians and the lifeless boy.

The knife that Kyoukei had used to cut Yuichi’s hand had been pulled from his pocket again, and cleaned before it was handed to Ruka. Gently taking Ruka's hand, he placed the small blade directly in his palm.

“All it takes is one drop.” Though it was in good reputation for an aristocratic vampire to be a mentor to newer vampires, neither Kyoukei nor Akira had any intention on taking that dead boy as their own. They drank to kill, not to adopt.

Ruka did not understand at first, until his gaze fell upon that blade. Gripping it in his fingers tightly, probably too tightly, he pressed the lukewarm blade to his fingertip, and pulled away quickly. Being a vampire, Ruka would have to work quickly, for he healed at an extraordinary rate. The wound was deep, the droplet of blood formed quickly. Placing the knife on the elegant man’s lap, he did not take his eyes off of Maruki's pale face. The young vampire leaned over the lifeless body, his thin arm and shaking arm outreached to the boy’s pretty face.  Ruka tipped his hand over, his forefinger pressing to the boy’s full, blue lips. The single drop of blood fell, spreading across the crease of his closed, full lips, seeping down to his tongue. There was nothing happening yet, Kyoukei had wondered if they had taken too long.

In mere seconds, the colour had slowly returned to Maruki's full, lush lips. His eyes remained closed and his body remained still. With a tremendous jolt, Maruki's body stretched out, stiffening every joint as if an EMP struck his heart. He took a deep breath, as it he was underwater too long. Those sweet coffee eyes clenched shut at the same time his back shot up into a deep arch. His full, pink lips thinned as they spread wide, his newly born lungs let out a torturous shriek. In a split few seconds, Maruki's back dropped back down to the warm concrete. He had rolled to his side, gripping his stomach in pain. He took yet another strained, deep breath, each sounding even more pained then the last. He let out another scream of pain, his body curled in the fetal position, his entire body in torturous pain.

Ruka shot a glare to the elegant man, his eye twitching in anger. Kyoukei looked from the screaming boy to the young vampire who glared at him. Kyoukei raised a hand, silencing him before he would start cussing at him.

“This is normal, we all go through it.” It was a pain that was always forgotten once their new minds had control over them. Kyoukei had leaned over the young, beautiful boy screaming in pain on the ground. He pulled him to his lap, stroking his hair to calm him. Maruki had tears forming in his rightly squeezed eyes. “Calm down. Take slow, deep breaths.” Kyoukei whispered in the boy’s ear, trying to make him subside the pain on his own. The pain would last much longer if he would not stop it himself.

Maruki could barely hear the man in his ear; the ringing in his head was overpowering his senses.

‘Slow, deep breaths’ that's all he could hear, and he obeyed. Maruki slowed his breath to a slow, calm pace. Each breath was still just as painful as the last, yet he kept them under control. The slower he breathed and calmed himself, the quicker the pain was subsiding. He could not feel anything, not anything at all. His sweet, almond shaped eyes tried blinking open, but a pain like he had never felt before buried itself into his skull from his eyes sockets. The poor, newborn vampire screamed in pain again, clamping his small hands over his coffee coloured eyes, pressing the heels of his hands deep into his sockets trying to physically push away the pain.

Ruka was weak from the sun as well from the sun still, but he was willing to sacrifice himself for a few minutes for this boy, it was his mistake after all. As he was unzipping his hoody, Kyoukei placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from the annoying pain he would be enduring. Kyoukei looked to Yuichi who of which knew the look in his eye. Yuichi removed his blazer and placed it over Maruki's face. As soon as the blazer was placed over his baby-like face, he quickly relaxed on Kyoukei's lap.

Akira stepped forward, leaning down to the young vampire’s shoulder. He gave his dry lips a lick as he spoke.

“Get him home. He needs to rest.” In an instant these mysterious men had become allies. They were all kind and caring, understanding of the situation of this new companion.

The three mysterious men rejoined in their formation, leaving Ruka and the covered new vampire on the ground. The three of them looked to Ruka, confident that he would do the right thing. They left, the crowd parting around them as they walked, ignoring the two boys on the ground.

Out of sight of Ruka's sensitive eyes now, Ruka was left alone with this older boy. His gaze fell to Maruki who lay under the blazer, guilt filling him again. He placed a hand over the blazer, pressing his hand over his eyes gently.

“Can you get up?” he moved his head. “Come on, stand up.” He placed a hand on Maruki's shoulder, pulling him up to sit. He was shaking, still trembling from the pain. Pulling him, Ruka had pulled Maruki to his feet, keeping his head covered by the blazer. He held him close, draping his arm over his shoulder. Maruki stood weakly, hunched over Ruka's shoulder, his body shaking in pain.

He could see the matte grey sidewalk, his almond shaped eyes blinking slowly and weakly, the light blinding most of his vision. His small hand pulled back the blazer as he lifted his head, his eyes squinting tightly. He looked up to Ruka who assisted him in walking.

“What?” He paused, gripping his head tightly. “What happened to me?” Maruki tried to keep his head up but the light burned too much. He had a slight memory of falling; his memory had been fogged by something as if one had fainted.

Ruka had looked down to Maruki, his chin dropping to his chest.

“Where do you live?” Ignoring him was best for right now. He didn't even know if he even had an answer for him. Maruki raised a hand, pointing weakly down the road in the general direction. “Okei.” He headed off in the direction Maruki had pointed in. adjusting Maruki on his shoulder, he held him close and moved at a decent pace that was manageable for Maruki. Ruka kept close to the wall, allowing Maruki to assist himself in walking as well.

It took them much longer to get home then if Maruki was alone and well. Ruka unlocked the door with Maruki's keys. Maruki was barely conscious by the time they stepped in the house. Ruka had no idea the layout of Maruki's house, but it was simple to find out. He carried Maruki to his bed, laying him down gently. The blazer that covered his head was carelessly thrown over the desk chair. A throw blanket that lay over the foot of the bed was gently placed over Maruki. Ruka looked down to him, his golden brown eyes filled with guilt.

“I am sorry Kaore.” He almost felt sadness. “It’s my fault.” Ruka had pat Maruki's chest, tucking him into bed quietly.

“Maa chan! I'm home!” The front door had opened, Aiya was returning from his part time job. “Where are you Maa?” Through the door closed, quiet pattering could be heard softly in the entrance of their home, Satsuki was running to greet Aiya home. The patter of Satsuki’s claws and the muffled sound of footsteps grew louder in both Maruki's and Ruka's sensitive ears.

Aiya peeked around the corner into Maruki's room, a bright smile beaming on his lips when he saw Maruki lying in bed.

“What are you doing in bed Maa?” He hopped over to the bed, plopping his butt down next to Maruki.

Maruki raised his head slowly, looking around the darkness of the room. There was no sight of Ruka anywhere, making Maruki question if all of that was a dream of not, having been outside with Ruka. His coffee looked to his closed, blackout curtains; the small amount of light that peeking in, blinding his sensitive eyes. He then returned his hazy gaze to Aiya who sat next to him.

“I'm just tired, that's all.” Tired was only half of it. Everything felt so weird, even speaking felt weird; not to mention his body was heavy in pain and each single movement felt as if he was being stabbed by thousands of needles. “Is it okei if I lie down for a while?” He didn't need permission, but if it were to upset Aiya, then he would not do it.

Aiya looked down at Maruki with a soft smile. He leaned on his side and lay down next to him, resting his head on Maruki's shoulder. He tilted his head up and looked up at Maruki sweetly.

“Only if I can lie with you.” His hand pulled at the blankets, pulling it over him as well. His arm draped over Maruki's chest, feeling it rise and drop slowly as he breathed. “If that is okei with you.” He smiled lightly and closed his eyes.

Maruki snaked his arm around Aiya's waist and held him close. He remained silent due to the splitting headache pounding throughout his skull. He held Aiya close, giving him the opportunity to fall asleep. He looked to the desk under his window, the tan blazer still draped over the chair; was it a dream, Maruki still did not know. Minutes of trying to decipher if it was a dream or not, Maruki had fallen asleep with Aiya on his shoulder.