Blood

-----Yui's POV

I couldn't bear to run away like the others as I stayed just behind the broken down wall, watching over Kaede's fight. Sicily made sure that I stayed back, but I knew already that if I ran out there I'd only be getting in the way. Even from this distance, the impact of their weapons colliding made it difficult to stand, it was like an earthquake was happening right under our feet as we used the broken down wall as support.

I could barely make out what was happening as they were moving too fast for my eyes to follow. It was only when they stopped moving that I finally saw what was happening. But my body was filled with anxiety as I saw the monster slice Kaede with it's sword.

Mai: "!!!"

Suddenly, I heard Mai to my side let out a grunt, and when I turn to look at her for a second, I could see that she was holding onto her arm as if it were in pain.

Yui: "Mai?"

Mai: "Stupid. Getting trapped like that. Wouldn't of happened if you weren't holding back."

During Mai's distraction, I heard a loud crack as I return my gaze to Kaede where I saw a bright light flash, almost like a lightning strike. But when the light faded, the monster was nowhere to be seen, leaving Kaede alone on the battlefield. "I can't take it any longer."

I dash out from the broken down wall, dodging Sicily's grasp as I sprint out to Kaede. Sicily, Lillian and Mai followed soon after as I refuse to stop running until I make it.

Yui: "Kaede!"

Throwing my arms around her, I pull her into an embrace.

Kaede: "H-hey! It's not safe."

Pulling out of the hug just a bit, I notice that her arm was completely sliced open as her blood had gotten all over my arm and clothes.

Yui: "Says you! Heal that right now!"

Mai: "Yes. Please hurry up."

Kaede: "I was about to until you guys showed up. One moment."

I let go of her as she proceeds to heal her arm. I watch as the sliced open flesh slowly melds together until there was nothing, as if there was no injury to begin with, leaving only her arm covered in the excess blood. I feel like a ton of bricks had just got off my chest as I breathe out a sigh of relief, checking her arm with my hands to make sure she did in fact heal it.

Kaede: "I healed it, don't worry"

Yui: "Still, I wanted to make sure. A wound like that, you wouldn't last 10 minutes with how much blood was coming out."

Kaede: "I'm sorry for scaring you. I'll be more careful from-"

Mai: "You better be. This was the first time I felt something such as this, so don't let it happen again."

So Mai really in connected with Kaede like that? Does it work the other way as well? Like if Mai gets hurt, Kaede will as well? Whilst thinking that, I found myself looking at my hand that was now covered in Kaede's blood. This is the first time I've seen her blood. I know she's a vampire, but her blood looks exactly the same as a human's.

Kaede: "Yes yes~ But it's not like I could use "that" magic, so I'm sorry for holding back."

Mai: "Apology accepted."

Kaede: "Hmm? Ah! Sorry-"

Yui: "No no, It's fine."

She must've spotted me looking at my hand, but I reassure it it's fine. Actually, I do wonder how it tastes. Kaede has been drinking my blood for so long now that I find myself wondering what it'd taste like. I was worried whether it would be tainted by the sword that cut her, but my curiosity gets the better of me as I gently lick one of my fingers. The taste of it wasn't quite what I expected as there was a slightly bitter flavor to it as I found myself savoring it before swallowing.

Kaede: "W-What are you-"

Yui: "I was curious. You drink my blood all the time so I-"

Kaede: "Still, I have a reason. Besides, if you wanted to taste it then you could've asked ages ago."

Yui: "Oh?~"

We start heading back as we continue the conversation. It seems like with that monster's disappearance, the rest of the undead also stopped their attack. However I couldn't see for certain as I rely on Mai, but she doesn't look concerned, alleviating my worries.

Upon arriving back behind the broken down wall, we were greeted by Olivia who had stayed behind to help with the injured. Many soldiers had gathered, much more than there were before; most likely reinforcements from that sudden attack by that monster.

Olivia: "S-so much blood..."

Kaede: "It's all healed now, don't worry."

Sicily: "You say it like it's nothing... You sure are unbelievable Kaede."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Lillian: "Your magic. You healed that wound in seconds like it was nothing."

Kaede: "Well, it's not the first time I had a cut like that, so I guess I had practice, fufu~"

So this wasn't the first time she's been cut up that badly? Now that I think about it, she didn't even look like she was in pain when I ran up to her, brushing it off as if it was just a graze or something.

Yui: "Still. Don't be reckless like that again..."

Mai: "Agreed. You may not find it painful, but I certainly did."

Kaede: "I'm sorry, okay? I promise I'll be careful."

Feeling content with that, I wrap my arm around her blood covered arm, not caring if I get dirtied by it as a smile forms on my face as we continue our walk back.

Garnet: "There you guys are! Wait! Are you okay?"

Following her eyes, I could tell she was looking at Kaede, clearly worried about seeing how much blood was on her.

Kaede: "I'm fine. All healed."

Garnet: "I-I see."

Kaede: "Actually, could you excuse me for a moment? I left Mell behind so I'd like to go and check on her."

She gently parts me from her arm, as if she was telling me she'd like to go alone. Even still, after seeing Kaede in that state, I don't want to leave her side.

Yui: "I'll come too."

Mai: "Of course I'm coming as well."

Kaede: "But-"

Sicily/Lillian: "Us too~"

Olivia: "I may as well come too then."

Kaede: "Not all of you!"

I take her arm back in mine, smiling away at her like the decision has already been made.

Yui: "Lead the way~"

Kaede: "Fine~"

Letting out a sigh, she begrudgingly accepts her fate as we follow begin to follow her along the same path we came from the cabin, leaving Garnet to head back to the tent with her brother.

Eventually, we arrive at a large tent that was a bit away next to the cabin. There I saw the familiar figure of Mell, waiting outside of the tent sitting down next to a lady. Mell having spotted us approaching, stands up and begins to run straight into Kaede. I let go of Kaede's arm for her to properly hug Mell.

Kaede: "I'm back."

Mell: "Y-you're bleeding!"

Kaede: "It's not my blood, don't worry. See~"

She wipes the blood off her arm, showing that there's no cut as Mell's happy expression returns with a smile on her face. It was a small lie, but she properly did it for Mell's sake, not giving her any unnecessary worries.

It was then that the lady who sat beside Mell approached us. She looked to be anxious as she nervously walked closer until finally, she was just a few feet away from Kaede.

Lady: "Sorry."

Kaede: "Huh?"

Lady: "I thought you were someone else."

Mell: "She thought your name was Selene, mom."

Mom huh? Looking at Kaede, she didn't react at all, seeming to have accepted being called that. And seeing Mell cling to Kaede like this, really does make it seem like a mother tending to her daughter, causing me to let out a chuckle, along with Mai surprisingly.

Mai: "Fufu~ Now this is interesting."

Was she laughing at something else?

Kaede: "Could you guys give me a few moments? I'd like to have a word with her."

Wait, Kaede knows this person? Is this why she wanted to come here alone? Before I could make up my mind, Mai had placed her hand on my shoulder.

Mai: "Come. These two need to talk."

Yui: "What?"

Kaede: "Yui. I won't be long. Oh and Mell, could you go with Yui as well?"

Mell: "But you just got back~"

Kaede: "I know, but I won't be going anywhere."

Sicily: "What's going on?"

Kaede: "I'll talk about it later. Could you guys just head into that tent over there?"

I look over where Kaede was looking as there was another tent not too far away from this one. I suppose if we're only this far apart it isn't too bad, and if Kaede will explain later then I have no problem with it.

Yui: "Okay. Mell?"

I reach out for Mell's hand and after a few moments, she gently takes my hand. I know exactly how she feels, not wanting to part from Kaede.

Kaede: "Thank you."

Lillian: "You better tell us later, yeah?"

Kaede: "I will."

With those words, we start to make our way to the opposite tent. Both Mell and I keep looking behind us, both making sure that Kaede was still there. "Hmm~" I wonder if Mell could look at me the same way she does with Kaede...