Callie: …

Sweeping Stardust: No, I still have writer’s block. And yea, Arisa gets more ‘gifts’.

Casey Drake: Thanks!

Chapter 18: Home Sweet Home?

Sure enough, it was a long trip, and not just because of Leiko (even though she was the main reason). They got lost many, many more times, not to mention being attacked by completely random demons. Each time, Leiko screamed so loud the demons almost ran away on their own.

After about a week, they began trying to find a village to get food. Leiko and Arisa didn’t need much, but the small supply Arisa had didn’t help Yuki with his sudden non-vampirism.

“Ooo! I see something!” Leiko said happily, looking through the trees. Sure enough, there were a few houses in the distance.

The trio walked toward it, coming out of the forest and into the village. It was rather gloomy looking; none of the houses had windows, everything was made of a very dark wood, and the village just had a general feel of death. Yuki’s eyes widened.

“We have to leave,” he said quietly, “Now,”

“Why?” Arisa asked, puzzled. Yuki looked at her.

“Let’s just say that this is where I grew up,” he said dryly. Arisa raised an eyebrow.

“We’re gonna be attacked by vampires in mere seconds, huh?” she said simply.

“Yup,” Yuki said, looking up, “Five… four… three… two… one…”

As soon as he finished, about ten vampires jumped out of nowhere, surrounding them.

“Told you,” Yuki muttered. Leiko started her ‘omigod’s again.

Arisa sighed, and asked, “What do we do?”

“Let them capture us,” Yuki muttered, “If we want to escape, it’ll be easy. And if we escape now, every vampire in the area will be after us,”

“Great…” Arisa muttered, glaring at the dark-haired vampire looming toward her.

---

The vampires roughly tied the three the wooden poles, Leiko moaning the whole time. “Silence,” the seemingly alpha snapped, causing her to whimper and do as told.

“Raidon, even though she is annoying, you don’t have to yell at her,” Yuki said softly. Raidon stared at him.

“Who are you?” he hissed, “Outsiders do not know the names in this tribe,” Yuki sighed.

“I don’t look that different,” he muttered, and to Arisa, “Do I look that different?” Arisa shook her head. Raidon stared at him, before scowling and walking off.

A crowd gathered, surrounding the platform they were tied on. A few murmurs started as some of them seemed to recognize Yuki. One boy with light brown hair around their own age moved up close to the platform, squinting at them.

“Yuki?” he said cautiously. Yuki looked down at him.

“Oh, hey Morio!” he said, grinning, “How are you?” Morio blinked at him.

“I’m fine,” he said finally, “What are you doing?”

“I think I’m about to be sucked dry,” Yuki said, his casually cheerful attitude not changing. Morio stared at him.

“You are way too calm,” he muttered, shaking his head. Yuki smiled.

“Maybe,” he said, shrugging.

“Who are they?” Morio asked, scowling at Arisa, who scowled right back.

“That’s Arisa,” Yuki said, giving Morio a look, “And that’s Leiko…” He trailed off, raising an eyebrow at the still whimpering girl. Morio raised an eyebrow at her too.

“She certainly doesn’t seem good for much,” he muttered, “You just keep her around for blood? Or was this an accident?”
“First of all, she’s a demon,” Yuki muttered, and Arisa didn’t understand what he meant by that, “And secondly…” He opened his mouth, showing Morio his teeth. Arisa saw that his fangs were still there, but they were more like unusually sharp canine teeth. Morio blinked at him again.

“Ok, normally this is your line, but I’m confused,” he said simply, eyes widening. Yuki snorted softly.

“Long story short, I’m not a vampire anymore,” he said. Morio blinked again.

“Um… how?” he asked.

“Very long story…” Yuki said. Morio sighed.

“Well, today is not your day to get caught, especially as a human or whatever you are now…” he said.

“Mage,” Arisa said simply.

“Fine,” Morio said, “Like I said, today is not your day. Mrai Issith.”

“Oh. Shit,” Yuki muttered, hitting his head back onto the pole with each word. Seeing Arisa’s and Leiko’s confused looks, he explained, “Sacred vampire day. Don’t ask.”

“What is it?” Leiko asked immediately. Yuki sighed.

“It’s pretty much a festival of darkness,” Morio explained, “Any humans or pretty much any non-vampires who come near a tribe or village during the day is sacrificed,”

“Great…” Arisa muttered darkly.

“You actually might get off,” Morio said, “Since you two are demons and Yuki used to be a vampire…”

“Doubt it,” Yuki muttered.

“Positive as ever, I see,” Morio muttered, “Well… good luck,” With that, he vanished into the crowd.

“Now what?” Leiko asked, bouncing as much as her bonds would let her.

“We wait,” Yuki said, shrugging, “Not much else we can do…”

“Wait for what?” Leiko asked.

“The other vampires to decide whether they’re gonna kill us or not?” Arisa said, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh…” Leiko said, blinking at her. Yuki sighed and looked out in the crowd.

“Oh dear,” he muttered, seeing two vampires that seemed to be coming for the platform.

“You know them, I’m guessing?” Arisa said.

“You could say that,” Yuki muttered.