Crimson

-----Kaede's POV

With Olivia now gone from the room, I continue to hold Yui in my arms. Thanks to my sleep from earlier, I did manage to regain some of my mana, so I immediately began to pour it straight into her.

Kaede: "Hang in there, Yui."

Yui: "...!"

I could tell she wanted to speak, but the pain must be too much for her. I start to pour my mana inside her faster in hopes to lessen the pain if only a little. In fact, I'm not entirely sure how much my healing is working as all the other times, the people I heal are better within minutes. However, Yui is still not better even after 3 days...

Feeling her grip around me get tighter, I pull her into a tighter embrace, letting her nestle her head on my shoulder as I hold her dearly. Suddenly, I could feel her grip on me loosen. Fearing that she's about to collapse just like last time, I go to pull her away to check on her. But as I went to pull her away, she held me in place.

Kaede: "Yui?"

Yui: "..."

She remained quiet, but was different than before. Her breaths against my neck weren't staggered, but instead were long and deep breaths that tickled me slightly. Given the situation with her wearing only her underwear, I start to think if I misunderstood something? No. She wouldn't have tried something with Olivia still in the room. Then-

Out of nowhere, a sharp pain radiates from my neck. "W-what?!" It didn't take me long to realize what was happening as I could hear Yui swallowing, almost in a desperate fashion as it leaves me speechless. A few moments pass until I finally gather myself, trying to pull Yui away once more, but her grip around me only tighten as she continues to swallow my blood.

Kaede: "Yui... Stop."

Yui: "..."

Words had no effect on her. I'd like to do this peacefully, but she's giving me no other option. This situation... It reminds me of exactly when I killed Silas. Sure I'm not like Silas and I can handle something like this, but that doesn't mean I'll just let her continue. After hearing another gulp from her, I pull her away with more strength than before as her grip around me buckles, pulling her head away from my neck. That was when I saw her eyes... They weren't the crystal blue color I've been seeing all this time, but instead were clouded over with a deep crimson color; lifeless. And looking at her like this, there seems to be no indication that she's in pain as she stares at me with blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.

Kaede: "Yui. Snap out of it."

Yui: "..."

I expected as much. It's like she has completely lost the ability to think as I stare at her eyes that have been staring at my neck all this time.

Olivia: "I'm back!"

Yui: "!!"

For a split second, time went still as I saw Yui's eyes open with excitement. I didn't need to wait to find out what was about to happen. Fearing for the worst, I pin her down on the bed, holding her wrists above her head. I'm thankful even in my weakened state I can still manage to hold her back as she flails under me.

Olivia: "Yui?"

Faye: "What's wrong?"

Kaede: "Leave!"

I avert my gaze from Yui and look towards both Olivia and Faye who were still by the door. I'm aware how harsh I sounded, but I said it like that for their own safety, and also... I don't want them to see Yui like this...

Olivia: "..."

Faye: "W-we'll be downstairs, okay?"

Kaede: "Yes, thank you. Just give me a moment and I'll be there."

Faye closes the door bringing Olivia with her. I move my gaze back to Yui who was still frantically trying to escape my grasp. Actually, this wouldn't be Yui right now, right?

Kaede: "..."

Do I just let her finish? Thinking back again on my time with Silas, I only came back to my senses after what I did. I don't have any memories during it, so maybe if I let Yui have what she wants, or in this case needs, then maybe she'll wake up just like how I did. The question is, do I have enough for her? I'm strong sure, but over these past few days, I feel quite sluggish than I normally would. It's risky, but I don't see another way around it. And I'm most certainly not going to have Yui attack anyone else, she's my responsibility.

Kaede: "You want my blood, Yui?"

Yui: "!!!"

She showed no signs of stopping her attempt to free herself as he fingers were now clawing at my hands. It was then that I realized her nails were still like a human's and not like how mine are. It was a small discovery, but it still was relieving to see. Slowly, I lean down above Yui, brining my face closer to her before tilting my head, exposing my blood stained neck to her. Almost immediately, I feel her teeth bite down onto my neck in quite an aggressive manner as I try to shut out the pain. I've felt worse, but this is still quite painful as well.

Kaede: "It's okay."

I know I'm speaking to a lifeless husk of Yui, but I still try to say something, trying to get through to her deep down in those lifeless eyes of hers as she desperately swallows more and more of my blood.

Kaede: "It's okay."

My body starts to grow lighter, but in turn, Yui's frantic movements had also started to calm down, allowing me focus more on keeping myself steady.

Mai: "H-hey. What's going on now?"

Mai's voice echoed in my mind. I guess she's also feeling this pain as well. But it's not like there's any other way.

Kaede: "I'll explain later, just bear with it for a bit."

Mai: "Fine."

Kaede: "How is Lilith?"

Mai: "She's doing okay. She's been helping with the treatment of the injured, but with no attacks recently, she's been having to do other jobs as well."

Kaede: "Keep watching over her for me then."

Mai: "Of course."

.....

...

Yui: "...M-Mmm?!"

Suddenly, I could feel Yui take her mouth away from my neck as she brings her head back onto the pillow, facing me. It was then that I saw her eyes were back to their beautiful, crystal blue color. "Thank god." Seems as though there was another difference between us. Not only does her finger nails not grow, but her eyes actually change. It's good to know in case something like this happens again.

Kaede: "You awake?"

Yui: "Y-y-yes! But wait! Did I- Why did I-"

Kaede: "It's okay."

I repeated the same words I said before as I loosen my grip around her wrists, letting her free.

Yui: "Wait, so I did..."

Kaede: "Yes. You drank my blood just now."

Yui: "What!?"

Kaede: "It's okay."

Yui: "No it's not! We were just hugging before... So why..."

Tears started to form in her eyes as her face looked to be in a state of confusion and sadness. I know that feeling all too well. I'm certain I know what has happened, but I'm not very happy about it. I'm just hoping she can still live life as a normal human, and not deal with the struggles I have.

Kaede: "More importantly. How are you feeling?"

Yui: "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

I notice her gaze locked onto my neck as I quickly heal it.

Kaede: "It's nothing to worry about. Now, how do you feel?"

She slides out from under me as we sit face to face with one another.

Yui: "I feel... normal. All the pain is gone."

Kaede: "I see. That's good."

Normal... I'm unsure what normal really feels like after being in this body for so long. Normal for me, would be able to smell blood from far away, seeing in the dark, not being able to enjoy the taste of food. Our versions of normal are certainly different, so hearing her say that is relieving to hear. That being said, I'd like to experiment with her how much different she is with me. My fear now is that she'll become exactly like me; a blood thirsty abomination. I'm hoping she can cling onto her humanity; the humanity that has slipped past me.

Kaede: "Olivia and Faye came in. They were worried about you."

Yui: "I'm sorry..."

Kaede: "It's okay. How about you get changed and we can meet them downstairs?"

Yui: "...Mmm-"

She still had a depressed look on her face, but I remain smiling, trying to reassure her that "It's okay."

I had to use my blood magic to collect the blood that stained the bed and a part of my dress before drinking it. The taste was normal, like I was swallowing my own saliva with a slight bitter taste to it, but it's not like I have anywhere else to put it. If I were to compare the taste of my blood to everything I've tried, it was most certainly the worst. Even the goblin blood I used to drink when I was little tasted better than this.

After Yui finished getting dressed, we made out way downstairs as everyone began to crowd around Yui. Knowing what I know now, I pay close attention to Yui's eyes, but they remained the same, with the crystal blue color beautifully glistening in the sunlight.