Preparation

-----Kaede's POV

Waking up, I was glad to see Yui's sleeping face beside me. I still can't believe that she went and did that to herself, like isn't there important arteries there? I was scared to death when I saw all that blood squirt out from her neck. But it did tell me something important, that Yui would go that far to prove her point. It was tough for me to accept but the way I was being was quite selfish in and of itself, even worse was that Yui was also suffering and I just didn't want to see her like that no more. So I've come to terms with this and will rely on her, like she said. It'll take me time to get used to it, but I wont hold back anymore and put my trust in Yui.

I pull the blanket over her shoulders to keep her nice and warm as I continue to watch her sleep, her gentle breathing almost putting me to sleep once more, however I do need to see Sicily and Lillian about that plan I told them. I'm sure if Fleur knew of me not being a human then I'm sure they'll take elves in as well right? Maybe Mell can even see Fleur and Faye as family in a way. While thinking all this, I realized that my hand has been gently playing with Yui's long, red hair; twirling it around my fingers.

Yui: "Mmm~"

Kaede: "Sorry, did I wake you?"

Yui: "No, I've just been enjoying you playing around with my hair is all"

She opens her eyes, showing no signs of having just woken up. How long has she been laying there while I play with her hair? Well not that it matters anyways, I continue to play with her hair as we lay together in bed.

Yui: "You going to see Sicily and Lillian?"

Kaede: "Mhmm. It may be the last time I see them for a while."

Yui: "Where are they going?"

Kaede: "Azalea. It's where Fleur and Faye live so I'm hoping they can help them out."

Yui: "Fleur... Hey her last name is Ilaria right?"

Kaede: "Yes? Oh~ Are you thinking about when I introduced myself to class?"

Yui: "Mmm, yeah. So is she like your adopted mother?"

Kaede: "I guess? I see her more like a big sister though."

Actually I never asked how old Fleur or Faye was. Actually the more I think about it now, don't demi-humans live longer than humans? Then could it be that Fleur is actually over 100 years old? Yet more questions fill my mind as my desire to talk with her rises, however I have to stay here for now while I study here, with Yui.

Yui: "I hope to see her one day."

Kaede: "That- was my original plan when we reunited. I was gonna take you back with me hehe"

Yui: "Then maybe when we get a long break like at the end of semester we could go see them?"

Kaede: "Mhmm! Sure!"

Fleur and Faye were very interested in meeting her so I have no problem at all, just sucks that I have to wait but at least I've found an interesting class and I'm actually learning something new. I'm still weary of what my familiar will be like though, like what if it starts attacking the other students randomly? I'll keep practicing in my free time in hopes to figure it out before showing it to the teacher and my other classmates.

We eventually get out of bed and get dressed in our clothes. Since I'm not doing guild jobs I chose to wear something different that I had bought. Its similar to my black dress but has more material, covering more of my legs with a purple color accompanied with tights underneath.

Yui: "You heading off now?"

Kaede: "Mhmm. I'll be back soon. Good luck with the-"

I could feel it build up again, that stinging pain in my stomach. It's not as bad as the other times but it'll only get worse if I hold it back.

Yui: "Hmm? What's wrong?"

Kaede: "Yui... Can I-"

Yui: "Mmm. I'm happy you asked me, here."

She pulls away at her shirt to reveal her neck to me. I couldn't dare finish that sentence but I'm happy that she caught onto what I meant as I go to approach her, gently holding her by the shoulders like last night.

Kaede: "Thank you."

Yui: "Mmm, thank you as well for accepting it."

I gently pierce her neck with my fangs as blood immediately rushes into my mouth. The taste just by itself immediately stopped the pain, but I may as well drink some while I'm here in hopes to prolong that pain again. Now that I'm like this, I never realized how calm Yui is when I drink her blood, her body never shakes or trembles and instead just accepts me. "I'm so stupid."

After a minute or so of drinking, I take my fangs out from her neck, licking up the remaining blood that remained as she let out a pleasant moan. "You know, this might not be too bad." I wont get ahead of myself as we already have our plans, so I stop with the teasing and quickly heal her wound.

We see each other off as I start walking out the academy's gates with Yui heading to join Luna. I do hope that they haven't left already to Azalea, I really should've been more specific on the actual day on the weekend instead of just that 'the weekend'. All I can hope now is that they're waiting there for me.

Eventually, I arrive at the inn, greeting the innkeeper before I make my way back up the stairs towards their room. It's still somewhat early in the morning so I opt to gently knock on the door, however to my surprise, the door opened immediately as a familiar face rushed into my waist as usual.

Kaede: "Good morning Mell."

Mell: "I missed you!"

Kaede: "Sorry. I was going to come yesterday but something urgent came up."

Looking up from Mell, I could see both Sicily and Lillian approaching us with smiles on both their faces.

Sicily: "I missed you too sis."

Kaede: "We still playing along with that? hehe."

Sicily: "Mhmm! You're my sister now whether you like it or not.

Lillian: "Seems as though you don't mind it either since you chose to wear that purple dress, the same color as our hair haha."

That was actually not intentional, but it's true that I don't mind being their adoptive sister.

Kaede: "I just thought it looked nice okay?"

Sicily/Lillian: "Sure~"

Kaede: "Anyways, so? Have you guys made up your mind on my plan?"

Sicily: "Mmm, when sis brought it up to me I was upset that I couldn't see you, but I do agree that somewhere like Azalea would be better for us."

Lillian: "Yeah. Being in this city is far too exhausting. We've actually already packed our things and are ready to go. We just wanted to wait for you."

Kaede: "Thank you. I was scared that you guys would've left already."

Mell: "We wouldn't leave you! You're coming with us!"

I gently pat Mell on the head before giving her the disappointing news.

Kaede: "Sorry. I'm gonna have to stay here for a bit okay?"

Mell: "..."

Sicily: "She's going to school now Mell. She can come visit us on her breaks okay?"

Sicily kneels down to her level as I continue to comfort her. I can understand where Yui is coming from about being relied on, this feels nice, being needed by Mell like this.

Kaede: "Mhmm. I plan on seeing you guys the first chance I get."

Mell: "...You promise?"

I also kneel down to her level, letting go of her head as I raise my hand to extend my pinky finger.

Kaede: "Pinky promise."

Mell: "Huh?"

Kaede: "It's a special promise that one can never break. Here, you wrap your little finger around mine, like this."

I help her wrap her pinky finger around mine before I clench mine around hers.

Kaede: "There. Now I can never break it."

Mell: "Mmm!"

She looked happy as she went to hug me once more. "I sure have changed huh... Or more like I've reverted my change." To think I would make a pinky promise again. The last time I made one was when I was in middle school back in my old world. "Thank you Yui."

Kaede: "So you heading off now?"

Lillian: "Yeah, we're going to take a caravan to Azalea with the money Yui gave us. Tell her I said thank you again."

Sicily: "Mhmm! Me too. We better see you there soon though!"

Kaede: "I made a pinky promise didn't I?

Sicily: "Yeah but only with Mell. You have to do one for all of us too!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight before me. Mell was a child sure, but Sicily and Lillian can act pretty child-like themselves sometimes. I stand up and give them both a pinky promise, smiling away at each other as we do so. "I wonder if this pinky promise thing will spread?"