Rondo (Chapter Twenty: Addiction)

"Lin? Is something bothering you?" LinLin's father asked politely. He has never seen his daughter pensive. LinLin didn't respond to his question, still staring into space. Koharu hasn't called her in a while, and she was beginning to worry.

"Nothing Father, it's nothing." LinLin replied quietly. "I think I need some air." She left quickly, suddenly finding herself standing outside her house as the light blue sky was about to fade into a shade of gold, purple, and orange hues in the sky.

Around the area LinLin lived in, a swarm of people would discuss about recent occurances in the streets, eat at the resturants, play video games, and many more events. However, when the sky grew hazy and the moon would shine, odd things would happen in the night. Since it was sunset, it was unusual to see the town engulfed with silence.

Whirr....

A strong breeze sent chills down LinLin's spine. She stopped in her tracks, looking around the street. "Oh well, false alarm." she mumbled. Ever since her encounter with JunJun last night, all she could think about was her. Why was she having these feelings now?

Whirr...

"What's going on?" LinLin blurted as she heard the vexatious noise, still pausing in her tracks. There was no response, a whistling breeze could only answer LinLin's question.

"Qian Lin." A voice called into the distance, a powerful current absorbed LinLin. She squeezed her eyes shut, receiving a headache due to her name being repeated.

"WHAT?" She shouted, her hands covered her ears. A loud cackle erupted from the voice. “Do you seriously think that’s going to work?” LinLin’s face flushed a light pink color. She didn’t know how to respond. “Who are you?”

“That’s not important.” The voice retorted, another gust of wind surrounded the struggling girl. LinLin gulped slightly.

“Haha, I love antagonizing you and that vampire friend of yours.” LinLin’s eyes expanded. “Jun…Jun?” “Yeah JunJun, whatever her name is…” The voice scoffed.

“You sound so-“Familiar?” The voice sighed. “Yes, aren’t you-“Sayumi? The voice, now a girl, appeared in front of LinLin, grinning devilishly. “You’re correct.” “Aren’t you supposed to be with-“ “Koharu?” Sayumi crossed her arms.

“KOHARU! What’s wrong with her? Where is she?” LinLin panicked. “She’s not important anymore…I took care of her.” LinLin’s heart was thumping inside her chest. However, LinLin’s emotions revolved from worry to anger. “What did you do to Koharu?”

“Listen, you’re not ready to understand this situation.” Sayumi replied strictly. “Why not?” Sayumi tried to come up with an explanation. “You…just…won’t.” Sayumi stepped closer. LinLin stepped backward, puzzled. From all the descriptions and stories Koharu mentioned about her mentor…LinLin was shocked by Sayumi’s actions. She seemed so different. She then remembered Sayumi’s statement.

“Tell me what you told JunJun.” LinLin demanded. “No.” Sayumi stated. “Tell me what you did to them,” LinLin spoke in a calm and stern tone. “It doesn’t matter if I’m human." "What did I tell you before? No." "Tell me, please." LinLin almost sounded desperate.

"That's does it, I can't resist anymore." LinLin didn't realize the sky turned into a dark, hazy color. The moon shined on Sayumi's face, which was a pale color and beady eyes. She bared her fangs, chuckling afterwards. LinLin was stunned; she couldn't move due to Sayumi squeezing her shoulders tightly.

"Koharu was my first target, now you're next." Sayumi whispered before her fangs were about to sink into LinLin's flesh. LinLin closed her eyes in fear, but when she opened them, Sayumi disappeared like lightning. LinLin looked around the area; she was confused.

Thud.

"I knew you were going to do something bad to her." JunJun pinned Sayumi against the brick wall. "I wasn't going to do anything bad." Sayumi groaned in defeat.

Thud.

"I just saw you! Don't think I'm stupid! Then again, all you tracker demons think that vampires and humans are naive and dumb." Sayumi stared at JunJun blankly. "Ugh, never mind," JunJun shook her head angrily. "Now thell me the truth, were you about to turn LinLin into a tracker demon?" "Yes, I was going to turn her into one of them, but your crazy lecture isn't going to stop me." Sayumi confessed.

'So Koharu was Sayumi's first target, and I was going to be next? What is a tracker demon anyway? Koharu...'

"Don't touch her, don't bite her, don't do anything to her," JunJun released her grip on Sayumi, trembling afterwards. "If I see you harm LinLin again, you're dead meat." Sayumi paused before replying, "I don't think I can keep that promise."

'I hate her...'

"You make me sick Sayumi." LinLin blurted unintentionally, covering her mouth quickly. "Go home LinLin." JunJun directed, still keeping an eye on Sayumi. "But what about Koharu?" "Koharu's going to be fine, okay?" JunJun gulped. She had never seen LinLin so upset before. "That's not true!" JunJun hugged LinLin, who was sobbing in her arms. "Let it all out." JunJun still didn't take her eyes off of Sayumi, who was about to escape. "Go home okay? I'll take care of Sayumi." "Okay...bye JunJun." LinLin wiped her tears, walking home. She had too much to think about the eventful eventful evening.

Diverting her attention back to Sayumi, JunJun realized that she escaped once again. "Damn, she's gone again." she muttered under her breath. She thought about LinLin, making a mental note to herself. "I hope she's alright, I must check on her in the morning." JunJun sighed before leaving the silent streets.
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"I want to go home..." Koharu whined, crossing her arms and pouting. Aika had been listening to her whine for a while, but she couldn't help but laugh whenever Koharu pouted. She cleared her throat replying, "How many times do I have to tell you? We have to keep you here for a while." "You never told me the reason why."

"Sayumi bit you, something's wrong with you...what do you expect?" Aika was ready to hear more of Koharu's whining, but she didn't hear anything. Aika still remained quiet.

'Why is she so melancholy?'

"Koharu?"

Aika almost jumped the moment she saw Koharu. Her eyes were twitching, transforming into beady orbs. Her teeth elongated, which revealed her fangs. Finally, her breathing stopped, and she was quietly.

"Koharu?" Aika called softly, inching closer to her. Koharu was breathing normally, but she was stiff. "Look at me Koharu." Aika whispered, scrunching her eyebrows.

"What just happened to me?" Koharu asked calmly. "You just..." "It's Sayumi, she turned me into this," Koharu pulled on her jacket. "I'm hideous." "What are you talking about Koharu, you're beautiful." Aika disagreed, smirking. "It's still her fault." Koharu mumbled angrily. "You didn't know she was going to attack you. Don't be shy, come here." Koharu moved closer to Aika, looking at her curiously. "What?" Aika asked, making an odd facial expression. "Nothing, nothing at all." Koharu blushed, diverting her attention away from Aika.

'Hmm...maybe this plan will work...' Aika giggled at the thought, noticing Koharu's blushing face.

"What's wrong Koharu? Are you scared?" Koharu gaped at Aika. "I'm not scared! I'm just shocked that I look so-" Aika put her finger over Koharu's lips, causing her to be calm.

"There's no need to yell, I'm right here." Aika whispered huskily before removing her finger from Koharu's lips. "Uh, s-sorry." Koharu squeaked in response. Aika chuckled, "You're hilarious Koharu." Koharu froze, whispering, "T-Thanks."

"Aika! Koharu!" JunJun called, not too far away from the two. "Yes?" Aika got up from the bench, about to walk towards her. Koharu grabbed her hand at the last minute. "Get up, JunJun's not going to harm you."

'But I bet she tried her best not to hurt Sayumi...'

"Aika! Let go of her!" JunJun pried their hands apart. "Relax JunJun, she's harmless." "That's because," JunJun lowered her voice to a whisper. "She just transformed. She's powerful as the time goes by."

"You do realize I can still hear you right?" Koharu titled her head and giggled. "Okay, you're right, but what are we going to do with her?" Aika knew Koharu was one of the "good' tracker demons, but will she transform into a "bad" tracker demon later? She certainly hoped not; she was beginning to like Koharu.

"I don't know." JunJun responded. "I'm too angry at Sayumi." "What happened?" Koharu butted in, raising an eyebrow. "Sayumi tried to make LinLin end up like Koharu, but I stopped her," JunJun sighed. "She's worried about you Koharu, but I told her you were fine."

"I can't believe Sayumi would still do this to me. She's a vampire isn't she?" "No Koharu, she's even worse." "So, she's one of the tracker demons?" Koharu asked. "Yes, she's a tracker demon Koharu." "Too bad I can't do anything to stop her." "Then I can stop her." Aika offered eagerly." "No Aika, you're too young." "I have a solution." Koharu stated. "What is it Koharu?" Aika asked, still eager.

"I can stop Sayumi myself."
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"AH! I'm so late!" Eri had four bags filled with the shopping items she bought. She tried to get the keys from her purse as she got to her house. However, since her purse was a mess, she couldn't find the keys. "I think I misplaced them again." She looked up again, only to see her best friend in front of her. "Ai-chan, I didn't notice you were here...."

Ai was trembling, breathing heavily. "Ai-chan? Are you alright?"

"I'm cold..." Ai responded in a childish voice. "But it's warm outside, but it will be okay Ai-chan." Eri dropped her belongings and gave Ai a quick hug. It was something she and Ai would do whenever they were in a cold atmosphere.

"Eri," Ai finally spoke, her breath vibrating against Ai's neck. "I'm hungry..." "Hungry?" Eri tried to pull away, but Ai's grip was tight. "Your blood is so rich, I want to taste it again." Ai bared her fangs.

Eri could only shake under her touch.

Rondo (Chapter Nineteen: Decode)

"Damn it..." JunJun muttered, looking around the cluster of buildings that crowded her. Anger was boiling in her blood as she balled her fists, pouding them against the coarse and slippery road. "I cannot find her." JunJun slammed her fist again, but it met with a cool splash that suddenly came in contact with her clothes and her face.

JunJun stood up, trudging down the street, eyes wandering around the area as she picked up her pace. Thoughts of the enigmatic Sayumi clouded her mind. Why did she bite Koharu? Why would she harm her? Where is she?

"There you are," Words dripped with acidity when a dark voice spoke from behind. "You are JunJun I presume?" JunJun turned around, her eyes meeting the severe orbs of an obsidian hair-colored girl.

"Yes, my name is JunJun," the slightly flustered vampire replied, still making eye contact. "And you must be Sayumi I assume." Before the other girl could open her mouth and make conversation, JunJun asked,

"How the hell did you know my name?"

"Sayumi" cackled haughtily, shaking her head afterwards. "I've seen you with your trainee, Aika before." Sayumi winked after her explanation.

'So she has been stalking us?' JunJun was about to burst with fury, but she kept her composure.

"I also saw the both of you with Koharu-" "And?" JunJun interrupted, her nails ripping into the palm of her hands. "And I want you to say away from her." JunJun's orbs expanded in size.

'What the hell does she mean?'

"Why?" JunJun questioned, not a hint of hesitation dominated her voice. She streched her hands, which were numb. "I bit her of course." Sayumi chuckled in response.

"Interesting, but why did you bite her?" "Because," Sayumi tried to think of a reasonable answer. "I wanted her to transform into someone." "Like who?" JunJun narrowed her eyes, her hands balling up into fists again.

"You will see soon." Sayumi's words were poisonous, which made the vampire even more furious, yet curious at the same time. "Noticing that she was spacing out, JunJun closed and opened her eyes, coming to the quick realization that Sayumi disappeared. "Damn it." JunJun cursed again, suddenly followed by a sigh.

Continuing her trudging down the street, JunJun thought about Sayumi's last statement:

"You will see soon..."

JunJun knew it would have been impossible for Koharu to become a vampire, or could it be possible? She suddenly remembered when she was a trainee about the teachings of the tracker demon:

'Tracker demons are dangerous to the vampire and the human clan. The demons want to devour their blood so that the vampire clan can become fragile by the second."

JunJun shook her head at the memory. "Crap, that's not the right one." She mumbled angrily. Then she remembered something else:

'Tracker demons can also bite, but their targets are humans. Not only do they devour their blood, there's a chance that the unconscious human can become a tracker demon in minutes.'

JunJun was frightened once she remembered that. Sayumi's cackling laugh replayed in her mind repeatedly.

'No...no, Koharu's not a....she can't be a...'

"Damn it."