♧Inner Demon♧

Dear Mama,

You won't believe what happened today.

My bestfriend picked up a cat and we got to witness a bizarre magic show from a magician.

And things got more complicated than ever. I also got mistaken for a boy so why am I friends with the most simple yet complicated person again?

Yours,

M. A.

♧Inner Demon♧

Vampire, I concluded when the magician screamed, blood dripping down his chin as his fangs showed. The sight was gruesome enough to make people run for their lives.

The first thing I did after this realization was run towards Ryuusei. By now the magician was swinging himself on a pole with one hand, thanking the audience for their nonexistent applause.

"☆The crowd always gets more excited with this than magic!☆" He said, laughing maniacally and jumping infront of me, surprise etched in my face as a sudden mixture of disgust and annoyance made its way to my chest. The red, the pink and all the blood..

My head was pounding loudly at the sight.

"☆Isn't this young man speechless with my act! Applause!☆ "

Oh great... He thinks I'm a boy.. so I was right. I really did look cool when I'm wearing headphones. Mahiru just sucks. I blinked once before speaking very slowly as if trying not to hurl my words like a banshee."Am I supposed to run? " I deadpanned, looking very much unamused at the person infront of me.

Only a handful of people have managed to annoy me within the five seconds I've seen or heard them and he was slowly climbing up that list.

"☆AHAHAHA!! You're not scared?!! Would you like to see more?! Would you?!☆" Without warning, he lunged himself at me.

My eyes widen but I quickly dodged the attack, side-stepping and sweeping his other foot on the process on instinct. The magician landed harshly on the ground, grunting and glaring, looking very much confused at how I was able to effectively get away from him.

"Sorry, not sorry!" I was part of the karate club for a reason and my brother has always made sure that I'm not completely defenseless.

"Vampire?! " Mahiru shouted. Way to go Mahiru, you've finally noticed and maybe then you'll do something about our friend who is clearly losing a lot of blood over there.

I clenched my fists as I hurried to Ryuusei, pulling a handkerchief from my pocket and pressing it against the bitemarks as I instructed Koyuki to move him out of the way before Mr. Magician here decides that he's hungry again.

"☆That's right! You picked up one yesterday, didn't you?!☆ "

"Who the hell are you?! Kuro's friend?" Mahiru said, narrowing his eyes but I immediately smacked him in the head. He looks so surprised at how fast I was able to come to his side after applying first aid on Ryuusei.

"Ouch! Why'd you hit me?! "

"Mahiru, you're not blind. He just attacked me and Ryuusei! "Mahiru has the audacity to atleast looks sheepish at this.

The vampire just started laughing. "Right! I hate that black cat! Therefore, Shelter or Skewer? " He asked, running a finger down one of his sword.

"How about neither? " I replied, tilting my head. I squealed in surprise when the magician grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer and placing an arm around my neck. My eyes were wide at how uneasy I was, disliking the proximity he was holding me and how utterly girly that squeal sounded, much to my embarrassment.

"☆Come out! Come out, Sleepy Ash! I have something for you to show! Come and watch my magic show along with this young man! ☆"

"Get off, Sicko! BXB is wondeful but I'm not interested!! "

"☆The hell are you saying?! I'll skewer y--"

Before he could continue, he was kicked away by Kuro, sending him flying to a nearby shop, the glasses breaking from the impact. Again, the way he was able to execute such a flawless move astounds me and I have to remind myself that he's no ordinary guy but a vampire with extraordinary strength.

"Kuro!! " I felt a little relieved but was disappointed that I was not the one who retaliated and sent the magician flying..

"For now... " Kuro began. "Let's run away! " He said, running in his cat form. The profound feeling of gratitude suddenly left my chest as soon as he said that and I have no idea how Mahiru managed to grab my wrist to stop himself from being dragged away by Kuro.

Cue the argument and I am not surprise to find myself being a third party while Mahiru is asking Kuro questions, the vampire's move was obviously very cowardly so the reaction is quite normal.

"Why are you running away?! " Mahiru yelled, pulling Kuro back to the scene but he was obviously putting up a fight.

"What are you doing..? Let me go! " He turned to his human form. "I can't face an insane vampire like him. That's why we have to run. "

"You're a vampire, too! "

"I don't know any of those people. This has got nothing to do with me.. "

"My friends are in trouble!! " Mahiru shouted grabbing him by the collar. "If we don't do something, they'll be hurt or worst!! "His hands were trembling and there was desperation in his eyes and voice.

"IF WE LEAVE, EVERYONE WILL BE KILLED!! SOMEONE HAS TO STOP HIM!! "

Mahiru has always been the righteous one between our group of friends and sometimes it can be his most appealing and annoying side.

"This sucks.. " Kuro said in reply, unfazed by his words at all.

"What a pain. 'He's too powerful'. 'It's hopeless.' 'Someone. ' 'Someone'. Everyone says it and I'd rather do that. "

"Then run away on your own. " I said, interrupting their conversation. Both Mahiru and Kuro turned to look at me but I continued without even looking bothered, a sudden strength and intensity on my voice as I worded my sentence with a lack of emotion.

"Run. No one is stopping you. No one would care if you run now. Anyone has the right to feel scared and afraid when face the unknown." I said aloud, crossing my arms and tilting my head. "But fear doesn't always serves as an excuse to act like a coward."

There was a pause at his movements but Mahiru was able to recover from my words.

"Fine! Let's go, Mitsuki! Let him be. " Mahiru said, grabbing me by the wrist as we fled back to the scene, no doubt intent to stop the vampire despite being so incapable in terms of strength.

However, I wasn't going to leave that easily without having the last words. I've always been vocal and that isn't going to stop just because a maniacal vampire decides to pay the shopping district a visit.

I glanced back at Kuro one last time. "What annoys you the most? "

His eyes widened, hands twitching for a bit as Mahiru and I disappeared from the alley.

From my position, I could see the magician advancing on Ryuusei and Koyuki. My friend's fearful expression made my head pound and I was about to take off when Mahiru let go of my wrist and zoomed ahead.

Unexpectedly feeling confused at the sudden loss of contact, I gaped when the brunette practically jumped on the magician, wrapping his arms and legs around the magician's neck and torso area.

My fingers moved on its own accord, snapping a picture. I didn't even know that I have my camera with me!

The slow panic that crept on me was starting to make itself known and I immediately crouched to grab a rock.

I was a member of the baseball club and I'm really good at throwing. My brother also makes sure that my aim is absolute... it doesn't help that one of my favorite people gives me a hard time while doing so. By now, I could hit someone in the face while my eyes are closed.

I swung my arm and threw the rock on the magician's head, effectively hitting him as he yelped in pain, taking his sword out.

At some point, I wanted to bash his head for being so rough with my Mahiru. The small bubble of annoyance was slowly growing and it isn't stopping. But I'm not exactly fit to combat a vampire like him right now.

I'm practically useless.

More importantly.... MAHIRU!!! Ahh!! The sword!!

My eyes widen, hands reaching out to stop the sword even if I have to grab it with my bare hands. but Kuro was already interjecting. The cold metal pierced deeply into his chest as he separated Mahiru and the magician.

My lips parted at all the red dancing in my vision and how grotesquely familiar all of this are.

"You're such a pain that I could die! " Kuro said, taking the sword out and covering the wound with his hand.

"Just what do you think you and I can do?! I haven't drink blood in hundreds of years. I'm just a normal cat right now! "

"That's a lot of blood.. " I covered my mouth with one hand, resisting the urge to vomit at the sight. My stomach was twisting and churning as dozens of unwanted memories threaten to resurface.

The blood, a constant reminder of what I've always hated and feared in my whole life.

A contract. Between two people.

I barely followed what was happening just in time to see the determination in Mahiru's eyes. I know that look, that look that says he's going to do something careless and irresponsible again.

No. "Mahi--"

"Then let's do something about it, Kuro! " Mahiru shouted, as his wrist was shoved into Kuro's mouth. More blood came to vision and the words died in my throat before it could even reach my mouth.

A contract. Between two people.

I groaned. Of all the people, he chose a lethargic, almost inactive, NEET, lazy, indolent and just plain SLOTHFUL vampire to bind himself to. I didn't know which situation was worse, Mahiru's or Kuro's.

Though the neet was slowly gaining some of my respect back after he saved Mahiru. I didn't know what I would have done if something were to happen...

Bu that alone means something.

I was right when I said those words to him. Like the rest of them, they've been put down because of a burden.

"☆This is a bother, you've made a contract but the true nature of the contract is known as.."

Servamp. I found myself supplying.

A contract. Between two people.

The human and the servant vampire.

"Its V-A-M-P-I-R-E. You misspelled it. " I pointed, looking at the cards.

"🌟 I don't need you to tell me that, brat!! 🌟 " He looks really furious at me and I snarled back more ferociously than him. It was his turn to look surprise, somehow not anticipating that a boy like me is capable of making such a frightening expression.

Of course, it's the only expression I use when Sakuya backs down on his promises and the fact he isn't here is making me feel relieved and annoyed at the same time.

"Meow~" Kuro said, claws on his hands, his red eyes more darker and more evident than usual. Ruby red eyes in the dark has always been the bane of my existence and I unconsciously covered my right eye.

"What should we do? "Kuro asked.

"Defeat him! Save the damsel from distress, Kuro! "I yelled out after gaining my composure, pointing my index finger at Mahiru.

"Huh?! Who are you calling damsel?!" He shouted at me while I gave him a thumbs up

"Go, Kuro! GO! Save the sweet Mahiru-sama~" I cheered, running over to them.

"Anyways, we defeat him! " Mahiru ordered but I can't really call it that.

It's more like a request.

"....You read too much shounen manga." Kuro scratched his head with the claw.

How interesting. The servamp is much taller when he's standing in his full height and he looks just as menacing as the rest of them with his current expression.

"Servamps move according to their master's orders so I take no responsibility for my actions from now on. " Kuro's voice sounded dark and scary, a huge contrast to his lazy and bored tone that he often uses to communicate.

He then burst and darted with extreme speed that I could barely capture it with my eyes. The claws blurring from my view.

"Cool, right? " I asked Mahiru without looking away from the scene.

He absentmindedly nodded.

The spurt of blood and all the red spraying everywhere made me a tad shade lighter than usual as my head pounded vicisciously once more without warning.

No matter how many times I see it, it would still evoke the same feeling of avoidance inside me. Kuro's fangs were sharp and deadly, ready to clamp down on the magician's exposed neck as Kuro held him roughly by the hair.

"Mahiru. " I called out but the brunette was already on the move. He tugged at Kuro's chains to stop him from killing off the magician and the relief I felt, felt so misplaced that I kept my mouth shut, not trusting myself to speak at the moment.

The unexpected puff of smoke from the magician made us all jump as he turned into a pink ragged doll version of his vampire self. My annoyance came back tenfold.

A doll.

It's a doll.

"🌟 You shit! You shit! You shit! 🌟 " The doll cursed at us like crazy.

Wow.... What a loudmouth. No. A foul mouth. He's almost like me.

"Hey Mahiru. Can I kill him? " I asked, staring at the doll intensely

"No, no, no! Don't even joke about that, Mitsuki! " The brunette said, shaking his head vigorously at me, looking very much surprised at my choice of words.

I pouted, swiping the doll and shaking it. "But I want to strangle it! I seriously HATE dolls! They're creepy! Nii-sama always carries one with him! It's so stupid!"

"Oh right! You told me about your brother having weird fetishes. And those are dolls, right? "Mahiru asked for confirmation.

"Yeah! " I cheered. "So let's kill this one already!"

"🌟 Hey, stop! Don't shake me! 🌟 " I paused when the stupid doll spoke, Kuro's claws piercing its hat.

It was his turn to shake it.

"Pfft... It's even more funnier if it's Kuro doing it!" I said, pointing to Kuro who merely tilted his head in confusion at me.

"Okay. Our interrogation time starts now~" I declared before grabbing the doll once more and shaking it vigorously without restraint. "Why'd you attack another vampire like Kuro?! Answer me or I'll rip one of your buttons! "

"☆ Ahahahaha! Like I'd tell you, girly!☆ "

"So I'm a girl now, huh?!"

"Mitsuki.. Calm down." Mahiru placed a hand on my shoulder while I grinned wickedly at the doll.

"I'm gonna stab you with my needles, you stupid little piece of rags."I muttered darkly, taking out my small emergency sewing pouch which was no bigger than my three fingers combined.

"Wa-wait!! Mitsuki!! Seriously! Calm down!! "

"☆ Ahh! Get me away from the demon! ☆ " The doll yelled, shaking and kicking its doll feet while I stared at it menacingly.

"Hey... I think that's enough goofing around." Kuro told me and I stared at him incredulously

"Ah... I really wanted to play with the doll. Hey, Kuro. Will you let me? Hehehe... I'll buy you some ramen~ " Mahiru smacked my head, my grin never leaving my face as I said the offer

"Mitsuki, that's enough."

"Okay. Fine." I sighed, surrendering my hands and tossing the doll away haphazardly without a care.

I wanted to use the doll as an outlet but if Mahiru says enough then it's enough. I nearly puked at how much pink there was.

The doll kept ranting on and on about a guy who's named after a flower.

Camellias. That's odd. Where have I heard it before?

I'm sure someone said something to me about a flower, a fox and a vampire and there's also danger!

Who was it again?

Ah yes. It was Nii-sama who told me!

"Mitsuki..? " I yelped in surprise when Mahiru called to me.

"Mahiru~ Don't be like that! I was seriously surprised. You're gonna give me a heart attack. What if I have a heart disease. Then we'll have to deal about the hospital bills. "

He blinked at me before an irk mark appeared.

"Mitsuki! Seriously, this is serious! Who is this Tsubaki guy!"

I shrugged. "Don't know. Don't care. You don't expect me to know everyone. I mean.. I barely talk to other people except to you guys. " I said nonchalantly.

"Right. I forgot that that you're sometimes claustrophobic."

"Hey! Don't say it out loud~" I reprimanded. Mahiru always seem to end up blurting my secrets without knowing it.

Though this is a strange development. I have to learn how to share again.

And I don't like it.

After the events that have transpired, Kuro must've been exhausyed because he sprawled himself on the ground while lying down on his stomach, much the same way a cat would.

"Eh? Kuro!" Mahiru looked very surprised.

As amusing as the servamp's action were, it did not stop me from holding the doll and gazing *cough*glaring*cough* down at it.

Thankfully, it was quiet as it gazed back at me but I can't really tell. Because its eyes were buttons. If I didn't know better, he was studying my mispaired eyes in silence. I looked away.

"I'm definitely not alright at all. I'm going to be sore all over tomorrow. What a pain.. " Kuro said with his hands stretched way out. He is really living up to his name right now and his similarity to a cat is getting really amusing. Jeje doesn't act this way at all.

"Don't worry. Mahiru will give you a massage. "I said to lighten the mood.

"What?! "

Mahiru looked like he didn't want anything to do with what I said but we all know that Mahiru can be very giving and he only needs a subtle amount of coercion from outside interference to do what I suggested.

One day, he's going to thank me for this. Though I hope I end up finding a partner after they get together.

Out of the corner of my eye, something pink and purple flew pass me. How peculiar. The insect looks familiar and how could it not?

That butterfly and all that pink fog...

I would never be able to forget it. I rubbed my eyes, trying to fight the drowsiness. No.. this shouldn't be.

I must be hallucinating..

"Mmmm... I.. " I started to feel tired and weary. I didn't do much today and I'm certainly not sleepy..

I.. I won't sleep.. Must stay awake..

Ah. No.

I give up.