Chapter 1~ Nightmare

It had to be done. There was no getting around it. I sighed as I pulled out the dagger from under my cloak. I had given him chance after chance and he still hadn't pulled through. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before looking at the sleeping form in front of me. At least the drugs would keep him from feeling any pain.

"I'm sorry. But this is something that's been a long time coming." I heard myself whisper, unsheathing the blade. The figure in front of me turned, revealing Hanabusa's peaceful face.

I shot up out of the bed, breathing hard. The sun was almost through the sky, casting the room in a pale golden glow through the window. Looking around, I breathed a sigh of relief that it had only been a dream. Or had it…?

"Ariao? Everything alright in there?" I closed my eyes when I heard Sorin's voice from the other side of the door. Between him and my healer, Rhyl, the two would swap guard duties around the clock.

"I'm fine, Rhyl." I called, leaning against the wall near the bathroom. These nightmares had become so much more frequent the closer to winter break we got. "Is Hanabusa alright?" I could almost sense his confusion at the question.

"I just checked on him a few minutes ago. He's fast asleep." Rhyl replied slowly. I heard a soft thud and knew he had sunk back onto the floor, back against the wall.

"That's good." I sighed, closing my eyes again.

Although it was hard for me to believe, two weeks had gone by since my brother, Nire, had been killed by none other than Hanabusa. I suppose that, in a sense, was where all the nightmares kept coming from. I was afraid that some of my brother's followers would figure it out and come after us again, this time targeting Hanabusa Aido.

Taking out my notebook, I went over to the desk and opened it to the back page. Dipping the quill in the ink, I drew some lines down on the page and started to work on the song for my brother's memory.

"He tried to kill you to gain your powers. How is it right to honor him with a song?" Hanabusa asked when I brought it up.

"He was still my brother. And before this…when I was younger, he was my protector. That's the part of him I want to honor." I replied. Hanabusa fell silent for a moment and I looked up at him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and held me close for a moment.

"I understand. In your place, I'd probably do the same thing." His lips met mine for a brief moment before he looked out at the sunset. "Just don't let the others know. Lord Kaname wouldn't be too happy to find you doing this."

"Thank you." I breathed, leaning against him. I knew he was right, but I wasn't going to let that stop me.

Unfortunately, it was easier said than done. Ever since the battle two weeks ago, Kaname had kept me close to his side, claiming that it was because he wanted to know if anything was threatening to happen. I had my suspicions however and old habits die hard. I suspected he wanted to keep an eye on me in case I either turned out like my brother or somehow managed to connect with my dead father, Rido.

Of course, it could also be because Hanabusa and I are only ones that Sorin and Rhyl listen to and he doesn't want trouble from them. I thought, for Hanabusa was always next to me wherever I was when we walked to class. Suddenly not feeling like putting notes on a page, I set the quill back and stood, grabbing my ocarina. Although it was early, I decided to head to the rooftop. As I pushed open the door, I saw Sorin come down the hallway with Hanabusa a pace behind him.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, meeting Hanabusa's serious expression.

"I just need to talk to you real quick." Hanabusa said, though I could tell it was forced.

"Sure." I said, puzzled. This hadn't been the first time Hanabusa had wanted to talk suddenly like this. Nodding a dismissal to Sorin and Rhyl, I headed back into my room. When Hanabusa closed the door, I sat on the sofa, waiting for him to join me. It was when he stayed by the door, that I really began to worry. "Hanabusa, what's wrong?"

"Just…just stay back for a minute." Hanabusa panted, leaning his head against the door. I caught a glimpse of his eyes and saw they were pure crimson now.

"Like that'll happen." I said, coming over and wrapping my arms around him. "If you're thirsty, just say so." I could feel him trembling beneath me as he turned in my grip. I met his gaze and blinked.

Hanabusa let out a soft growl and spun me around so that my back was now against the wall. One hand held me in place, while the other lifted my chin up. I closed my eyes just as Hanabusa shot forward, fangs piercing my neck. It was a long few minutes before Hanabusa calmed down enough to finally pull back, his eyes back to their normal icy blue.

"Better?" I asked, smiling at him to show there was no real harm done. Hanabusa met my gaze before looking away.

"How can you be so accepting of it?" He asked bitterly. "Doesn't it bother you?"

"I'd rather you not be in pain." I said, leaning against him. We'd had this conversation numerous times before. The result had been the same every time. Hanabusa would be mad at himself for having to drink my blood. I would lean against him. Then we'd kiss and head up to the rooftop. That had become our pattern for the last two weeks.

"You say that, but it still puts me in pain to be forced to take your blood to keep myself under control." Hanabusa said softly, leaning forward to kiss first the already healing wound on my neck, then moved up to meet his lips with mine.

"You really shouldn't worry about it." I said lightly when he'd pulled back. By the look in his eyes, I could tell he still wasn't that happy about it and I blinked. I wonder if something else is bothering him. He's never been this upset before. As if reading my thoughts, he shook his head slowly.

"It's nothing. I'll be fine." Taking my hand in his, he gently pulled me back towards the door. I smiled at him and let him pull me off to the rooftop. I pushed what had just happened to the back of my mind, determined to think that he was just feeling a bit off because it was still earlier than what we normally went by.

Hanabusa closed his eyes as the music began to fill him. Up here, it seemed like just the two of them were left. This was their private place to escape. Or at least…it should be. With Sorin and Rhyl now attending Cross Academy, that was a bit hard to do, since they were always there as guards.

Life as a Pureblood sure is hard. I never realized how much it might mean to have a bit of space! He thought, slightly irritated with the two aristocrats. Seeing as how he was Ariao's lover, he now had priority even among the other night class vampires, though he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. With a sigh, he let himself be taken away by the music Ariao was playing, a lullaby that her mother had taught her.

He had been afraid to tell her what had really troubled him. Over the past week-and-a-half, he had begun to have nightmares…or daymares really. This one was the worst yet since he seemed to be looking from outside his own body through someone else's eyes. They had been holding a dagger and mentioned something about chances. Everything became a bit blurry after that, but it had almost felt as if it had been Ariao that had been about to kill him.

Hanabusa sighed softly and I looked over at him. Something really is troubling him. I don't want to push it, but I want to help him too. I thought, pausing for a moment. Hanabusa's eyes opened and he looked at me, puzzled. Smiling, I leaned back against the small wall, setting my ocarina in my lap.

"We really should do something to make it a bit more cheerful up here." I said in an effort to make light of a situation.

"Like a small garden?" Hanabusa smiled back, eyes lighter now.