Chapter CCLXXXVI: Encounter ~Bulaklak

Bulaklak sighed and rested her masked chin on her elbow. She didn't know how long it had been since Jeremy left with that Yoshi who was rushed in. It seemed like hours.

She got up and headed to the barkeep. In her low, gravelly voice, she told him, "Listen, if that Jeremy comes out anytime soon, tell him I went out and I'll be back later."

Without waiting for his reply, she left.

Sitting on the rim out a large fountain, she looked to the sky and sighed. What was she even doing here? None of this had anything to do with her... But still, she somehow felt drawn to the vampire. Like she knew him...

She shook her head. There was nothing this vampire could do or would do for her. She would merely stop and talk to him if he ever got done with the Yoshi, and then she would leave.

Turning over and looking at the waters of the fountain, she saw a strange figure flit behind her in her reflection. Her head jerked up and she jumped to her feet, instinctively drawing her wakizashi.

The figure seemed to know it had been seen, and it slunk into an alleyway. As she realized who it was, a menacing smirk painted itself on her face behind her mask. Running to a drainpipe leading up to the rooftops, she climbed up it and ran to intercept the figure.

In the middle of the alley, she leaped, landing in front of the figure. The figure gasped and turned to flee.

Bulaklak laughed a cold laugh. "What's the matter?" she asked, "Did the monster in the closet bite?"

The figure began to flee, but Bulaklak drew her wakizashi and caught the back of its shirt with it.

"There's a monster in the closet, little boy," she whispered menacingly in its ear, "Do you believe in ghosts? How about people who want revenge? I believe in those."

The figure moaned pitifully. "Please, Bulaklak, don't kill me! I won't tell Thorn you're here if you let me go!"

"So you're working for Thorn now, huh, Venin? What's in it for you?"

"Nothing, nothing! Please, let me live!"

Bulaklak seemed to consider it for a moment. Then she drew her wakizashi and in a flash sliced off Venin's left hand.

Venin screamed and held the bleeding stump to his shirt. Bulaklak laughed and picked up his hand, tossing it to him.

"How ‘bout you take that to Thorn as a souvenir?" she smirked.

Venin grabbed it and ran off in the direction out of town.

Bulaklak smiled behind her mask with satisfaction and sheathed her wakizashi. Slinging it over her shoulder, she headed back to the Blood Rose.