Chapter 136A Blush that Glows

Hitori was here! I felt so warm all of a sudden, my hand reached out to touch his face, guessing his location from memory. He felt very cold, wet and clammy, worrying me a lot. I wanted to hug him. I wanted to hold him.

Why was I holding back?

"Go ahead, Miss Amy." Nuru had of course seen me reach out to him, holding back.

She was right. He was lying still, but breathing calmly, on the sofa. I bend down, slightly sad I couldn't see him, wrapped my arms around him and held him tight. Tears rolled down my cheeks gently, crying inaudibly to the others. I was so glad to see him again. Faith giggles slightly behind me, in a very friendly and relieved manner. I held on to him.

"Nuru, can you make some soup for him and yourself?" Faith being responsible again.

Nuru stood closer behind me than I had expected, her voice gave me a little start. "Thank you, Lady Faith, I will."

I smiled, still holding Hitori, as I heard Nuru's retreating footsteps. I'd already forgotten all about her, and my own, need to feed. Something stirred inside of me and, ripping part of his sleeve, I bit his arm. Drinking his blood very slowly.

It truly was Hitori. The blood was fainter than the other times I drank it. But it was him, a rich blood with many little sub-tastes that combined into a lovely bouquet... and...

It happened again... It was not a clear picture, not a dream, but just a quick flash of some items mixed in the stream. I saw him showing a picture of a painting to people, they told him something I couldn't hear but I noticed how he put the picture back in his pocket. Someone touched me, I hadn't drunk more than perhaps two seconds of blood, but he was weak already. Faith's hand on my shoulder helped me to stop.

I stopped.

It took me a few moments to recompose myself, realizing what I had just done. I was glad Faith didn't speak or judge me, it wasn't needed to make me feel bad. A thought nagged at me though.

A picture.

Without thinking I let my hands wander over his body, zipping his coat open to find a picture in the breast pocket of his shirt. I held it up for Faith to see.

"This is this castle, isn't it?"

Faith sounded surprise. "Yes, can you see again?"

"No, it was in the blood." I turned around, leaving my left hand on his chest, my face toward Faith again.

"Do you always see visions if you drink?" There was awe in her words.

"No, I've only felt him strong once before... There is a connection somewhere."

"He's very cute." Her voice very playful. "I think I can imagine what you see in him. Can I ask?"

I was curious. "Ask what?"

"Did you kiss him?"

The blush felt hotly on my cheeks. "Yes... But only a kiss."

"Pity, he looks like a nice guy. And apparently you care a lot about him." She giggled. "I wonder if you realize it though."

"I do..." I paused for a moment. "A lot... I... Lo..."

My blush grew. Nuru's footsteps came to my rescue. I could smell the sweet taste of a simple bouillon soup in her hands. It's aroma wafted through the room like a gentle breeze. I stood up, finally taking my hand of his chest. I realized I wouldn't be able to tend to him myself. I looked down at him sadly, even when I couldn't see him. A pure reflex.

Nuru would have to do it. "Nuru, can you please feed him, please?"

"Of course, Miss Amy."

She sat down next to me and fed him the soup, spoon by spoon. For the longest time there was no other noise but Hitori swallowing the soup without seemingly waking up. Nuru took her time. She allowed ample time between each spoonful of the warm, feeding liquid. His breathing changed slowly while she fed him, from the more erratic shorter breaths to longer, easier ones.

It was nice to feel him getting better. But I worried, I still couldn't see him...

When would I see again?