Farewell - Kaede

I sunk my teeth into the neck of the young wolf at the back of the guild. No one was around as blood filled my mouth, drinking it slowly to not kill the wolf who was obediently letting me do as I please. After some time I take out my fangs before using my light magic to heal his wound.

Kaede: "Thank you"

The wolf grew up to the size of a small wolf, unlike its tiny appearance 6 months ago. Fleur and Faye had also started to grow fond of the wolf, as after they realized it wouldn't harm anyone, they started to give the leftovers from the food people left in the guild's dining hall. Also during my hunting jobs for the guild, I do my best to carve up meat from goblins, trolls, and other wolves to the wolf; making sure it can continue to provide me with enough blood.

Faye: "You sure love that wolf huh"

Hearing Faye behind me, I wipe my mouth in case there was any blood, before turning around.

Kaede: "Ah, yeah. His fur is lovely to pat"

Faye: "I'm still shocked that you even managed to tame such a beast. Any sane person would of just killed it."

Kaede: "I'm not sure myself. Maybe I'm part wolf haha"

Scary... It's getting more and more natural for me to lie, to deceive, but I can't afford her or her sister Fleur to find out. I'm terrified to know what they would do if they were to figure out what I really am. At least now that I found a steady supply of blood, I no longer have to deal with that pain in my stomach, the growling when I'm close to them. The feeling of hunger I felt as I watched the sisters and others continued to make me feel like a monster, until now. "I'm sorry little wolf"

Faye: "I wouldn't be surprised haha. It's getting late though, aren't you cold?"

Kaede: "I'm fine, I was just about to come back inside"

It was actually the cold nights that I felt most human, as what I knew of vampires, they never felt cold. Of course this world's idea of vampires might not match mine, but still, it gives me relief to know I still share something that humans do, to feel a sense of cold, or warmth.

Faye: "Okay, I'll see you back inside then~"

Kaede: "Mmm"

She walks back inside, leaving the door open for me. I head pat the wolf once more before making my way inside, leaving the wolf outside as he still wasn't allowed inside with the rest of us.

Coming back inside, I could see Fleur being bombarded with with people at the desk wanting to be served. This place loves to get noisy around this time of the night.

Kaede: "I think I'll go out again tonight. Faye, do we have any jobs?"

Faye: "Nothing at the moment, only simple gathering ones."

Kaede: "I'll take a gathering job then."

Faye: "But you're a C rank now, and even coming close to B rank, you shouldn't need to-"

Kaede: "It's fine. I'll take it"

I just needed a breath of fresh air, and staying here at this hour just hurts. Not only because of the noise, but with a lot of people gathered here like this, it only makes my stomach yearn even more. The blood I get from the wolf only serves to prolong my hunger, so I needed to get out.

Faye: "Mmm kay~ But be safe"

Kaede: "I will. See you soon. Oh and give Fleur a hand, she looks like she needs it haha"

I take a job to gather more medicinal herbs. This job is quite a popular job since the soldiers and adventurers constantly need these herbs from getting into fights. I was happy though, as I could rely on this job to ease my mind.

Walking out the front, I look back to see the sisters serving the other adventurers before closing the door behind me, the cold air smashing into me as I let out a long exhale. "This is nice" Resting up against the door before continuing to walk out of Azalea.

After gathering the necessary amount of herbs, I find a patch of grass in an opening within the forest, resting myself as I lay back in the field, my eyes staring out to the bright full moon. Lately I've been doing this these past few months. Just laying out in the wilderness, listening to the sounds of birds chirping, wolves howling, the trees rustling as the wind blows through them. I start thinking about what other places are like, I have more than enough money from my jobs at the guild that I could go anywhere. I wonder if Fleur and Faye could come with me. Thoughts like these fill my mind.

My breathing becoming long and slow as I close my eyes, immersing myself in the grass, not knowing how much time has passed. Memories of back home fills my mind. Sometimes when it got late, Yui and I would star gaze like this if it weren't too cold. I wonder if Yui is still out there, is she also looking up at the same sky? I reach out my hand towards the moon before collapsing it above my head moments later.

Kaede: "I wanna go back"

Turning my head to the side as I open my eyes, realizing that I'm all alone in this field. I thought I was happy with Fleur and Faye in my life, and sure they have given me a place to stay and a happy atmosphere, but it's also painful, having to lie all these years, hiding myself from them, telling lie after lie. It's all just eating away at me. I love them, but maybe I need some time alone.

Letting out a long exhale, I have made up my mind.

Walking back into the guild, I see that the place is considerably quiet compared to before, with Fleur noticing my return as her gaze meets mine.

Fleur: "Welcome back. Turning in that gathering job?"

Kaede: "Yes... Also. I want to travel"

Fleur: "Oh? Like to other towns?"

Kaede: "Maybe. I just need time to gather myself. This place will always be home to me. I consider you two like family, so I promise I'll return."

Faye: "We feel the same way"

Faye had came around the corner to the desk, overhearing our conversation.

Fleur: "But where will you go?"

Kaede: "I only know of this town Azalea, so I don't know what other places are like"

Faye: "Well the closest town would be Oakvale if you head northeast. Further to the south would be Clesbridge, but I don't hear much stuff going on there. Maemont is quite a popular town that could even be called a small city, but that is far away, getting close to the capital, Inasdale."

This is the first time hearing of other towns and cities. Maemont sounds interesting but it seems quite far away.

Kaede: "If Maemont is popular then I might give it a go"

Fleur: "We could arrange a caravan if you like? On foot that would be nearly a week of travel."

Kaede: "Mmm"

I nod my head to her offer. I knew it would be a long travel, but a week? That's a little too much for me. However I may need to hold back my hunger during the ride over, or maybe we can stop at some places for me to quickly feast on something. I think that could work. While pondering at my journey ahead I notice Fleur's eyes start to become wet as tears start to build up.

Kaede: "Fleur?"

Fleur: "Ah no I'm fine. Just that I'll miss you is all. It's like you're my daughter, finally leaving the nest."

Faye: "It will be sad not having you around."

Kaede: "I promise I'll be back. You guys are family after all"

We all have a group hug, our arms wrapped around each other. I had grown to the same height of Faye, with Fleur being still taller than the two of us.

Fleur: "We'll be waiting for your safe return Kaede."

Faye: "Mmm!"

Kaede: "Will you look after the wolf while I'm gone?"

Fleur: "Mhmm. As long as he behaves hehe."

We laugh together before separating from the hug. The tears from Fleur seeming to stay just in her eyes, like she didn't want to cry.

Fleur: "Now get some sleep before I start to cry haha"

Kaede: "Mmm. I'll be sure to say goodbye before I leave."

Faye: "Oh, also you don't need to worry about jobs as every town has a guild like ours. So you're registered everywhere. You just need to show them your guild card."

Kaede: "Thank you. I'll be sure to check out the other guilds, but I doubt I'll find people as great as you guys."

Fleur went to hug me once more, a little stronger than before.

Faye: "Mhmm! We are pretty amazing haha. We'll hold you to that promise."

Kaede: "Yes"

I will definitely miss them, but it won't be the last time I see them, I'll make sure of it.