Hunger Strikes

-----Kaede's POV

After getting back from my outing, I found myself feeling that same pain back when I met Silas when I joined back up with Yui; it's strange. The last time I drank blood was only a couple days ago, I should be perfectly fine, and even earlier today during class and when I was talking with Lillian my body was fine, so why now? I found it difficult to enjoy the dinner too, with the meal tasting completely bland like it had no flavor at all.

Now being in bed with Yui as she sleeps away in complete bliss around my arms, I struggle to even feel the least bit tired with that pain in my stomach still lingering. It's not even just my stomach now as being this close to Yui makes my whole body feel hot. I try to move my arms away from her to turn away, but she instinctively holds my arms in place, forcing me to continue to embrace her from behind. "I can't, this is too unbearable." No, I can't just attack her while she's asleep, I'll just try and bear with it no matter how painful this is. I could go on for weeks, sometimes months without needing to drink blood, so maybe this is just a really bad stomach ache? That didn't make sense either since I've been eating the same food as everyone else in school and sharing dinner with Yui and Luna, so what gives?

As I was thinking over everything, my stomach slowly started to feel at ease, however I find myself latched onto Yui's neck before I quickly take my fangs out from her neck with the taste of blood still in my mouth. "Since when... did I do that? I don't remember that. What- what have I done?" Looking at my nails, they were also protruding out in their dagger like state before I quickly turn them back to normal. "This... This is-" My mind floods back with memories of me waking up to find Silas dead in front of me. I feel myself trembling as I recall such memories as I look back over to Yui who... was not moving.

Kaede: "Yui!"

Fearing for the worst, I roll her onto her back before shaking her body. I stop for a moment to bring my ear to her chest. Seconds, felt like hours as I wait patiently for any sign of life until finally I could hear a single, faint heartbeat. Immediately, I try to heal her body with my healing magic, but her eyes weren't opening in the slightest.

Kaede: "Yui! Stay with me!"

More memories flash through my mind as I recall back when Yui was dying in my arms back home. The thought of Yui dying once more brings me to tears as I continue to heal her body over and over again, my tears dripping onto her face as I put in everything I have to trying and stabilize her when suddenly, I hear her begin to breathe once more. Just like that, time began to flow normally as I look at Yui, gently breathing away in her sleep. The wave of relief causes me to collapse on top of her with my body feeling completed spent as I struggled to move from on top of her. The sound of her heat beat was louder than just before as my head rests against her chest, the sounds of her heart puts me at ease as I lay there, not moving a muscle.

I laid like that for the entire night, unable to sleep as I had to make sure her heart was beating. Thankfully my healing must've worked since there was no issues, but on the other hand, I was completely exhausted.

Kaede: "Please wake up... Yui."

The sunlight was breaking through the windows which was the indicator for us to get ready for our classes, but Yui remained motionless with me laying on her chest, making sure she's okay. Even if she wakes up now, I don't think she'll be fit enough to go to class. Thinking that, I resolve myself to skip class as well to look after Yui, at least until she wakes up- Suddenly, I could hear the door to our room being knocked.

Luna: "Ell- Yui! Kaede~ You awake?"

I refuse to answer as I wait for her to enter. The door should be unlocked so I didn't want to leave Yui's side and remained where I am.

Luna: "I'm coming in-"

Opening the door, more light broke through into the room. I could hear Luna's footsteps getting louder until she turned the corner into the bedroom where our eyes meet.

Kaede: "Morning Luna."

Luna: "Kaede? Is- Yui okay?"

Kaede: "She isn't feeling well. I used my healing magic on her but it may take her some time to get better. Could you inform your teacher that she may be late?"

Luna: "Oh! Err~ Yes! But what about you?"

Kaede: "I'll skip class-"

Luna: "Why don't we take her to the school's nurse? It would be bad for you to miss out on even more classes, especially since you're already behind."

She's right, plus I even made up my mind on attending that technician summoning class. I know I should be attending, but I fear something might happen and I might lose Yui all over again. My fingers slowly grips onto Yui's clothes as I keep my head against her chest.

Luna: "I know you care for her, which is why we should get someone to look at her. We can check on her during our breaks okay?"

We? You had Yui all to yourself yesterday, I let you have that. Now you want to- "What am I thinking..." She's Yui's friend, I should stop already with this stupid jealousy, but all I want right now is to stay here with Yui.

...

Kaede: "Okay..."

We walked to the nurse's office with Luna leading the way as I held Yui in my arms. I ended up having to dress her myself, but it wasn't an issue for me. My biggest issue was what I did to Yui. On the walk over, I couldn't get that thought out of my mind; "I nearly killed Yui..." And even worse was that I didn't realize what was happening until after it happened, exactly like what happened with Silas. The fear that I felt back then came right back to haunt me now until finally, we arrived at the nurse's office.

Nurse: "Hey, what can I-"

She stops mid sentence as her eyes dart straight to Yui as I continued to hold her in my arms.

Kaede: "She's... She is-"

Luna: "Do you mind if she rests here? And could you look over her? We think she's sick."

Nurse: "Yeah uhm- Lay her there on one of the beds. I'll look at her and see what's the problem. You girls can head to class."

Kaede: "Actually can I come back here during breaks to check on her?"

Nurse: "Sure, as long as it doesn't take time out of your classes then you may stop by."

Kaede: "Thank you."

I lay Yui down on the bed, tucking her body inside the blankets before giving a kiss on her forehead.

Kaede: "I'm sorry."

I whisper to the unconscious Yui before leaving her with the nurse.

Exiting the nurse's room, I make my way straight to class not giving Luna any further explanation as I really didn't want to talk right now. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing, plus I wouldn't even know how to explain myself to her.

Entering the class I take no notice of the students who have already made their way inside as I take my seat. As I settled down in my seat, my frustration boils as I slam my fist against the desk, creating a dent before resting my face in my hands. The girl sitting next to me is clearly frightened from my sudden burst, but I couldn't find it in me to apologize right now; I'll apologize later.

I thought that I could live my life in peace now that Yui is by my side, yet I went and did something like this. What if I do it again and next time she actually dies? And if not, then maybe she'll end up growing to hate me. Maybe it's better if she sleeps back in Luna's dorm room, at least until I get this body of mine sorted out...