A Single Rose
Chapter 1 – Broken Resolve, Broken Hearts
Hiro walked up the stairs towards the dinning room, a box of chocolates in one hand and a bright, red rose in the other. Today was the day, the day he was finally going to tell Hime how he feels. He clutched the box tightly in his hand and sighed. As he walked down the hall, he began to think. He thought that maybe it wasn't the right time, that he would just make a fool of himself. When he reached the door, Hiro took a deep breath and placed the box of chocolates in his school bag. Hiding the rose behind his back, Hiro slowly opened the dinning room door.
There she was, as beautiful as ever. The afternoon sunlight glistened off her bright blond hair, and added a pleasant gleam to her red eyes.
"It took you longer to get home than usual, Hiro," She said, taking a sip of her Earle Grey tea, "What happened?"
"Sorry Hime, I stopped by the store after school to pick up a few things." responded Hiro, flashing a sly grin.
"What did you get from the store?" asked Hime, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Just some extra notebook paper for school, I was almost out." "
"Hiro, do you know what day it is?" asked Hime. Truth is, Hiro did know what day it was. It was the one time of the year where love was being spread world wide, and all love, no matter how ridiculous, could be looked upon as a gesture of kindness. It was Valentines Day. But instead of pointing that out, Hiro played it cool and simply said
"It's Friday, Isn't it?"
"Yes and no. It is Friday, but it has also been about four days since you where last replenished. You have to have noticed that you where getting weaker." Said Hime, shaking her head; "You should really pay more attention to these things, Hiro. I can't always keep track of when to replenish your life force." Hime brought her index finger to her mouth and bit down, slicing into her skin. A thin line of blood began to flow from her knuckle to the tip of her finger, "Now drink, Hiro. And live a few more days."
Hiro did as he was told and slowly walked towards Hime. The grip he had on the rose tightened, cutting into his skin. But he didn't let the any emotion cross his face. Hiro was getting used to feeling pain, knowing it had to do with him always throwing himself into danger. He did it all for her, all for Hime. Who, for some reason, never seemed to notice that it wasn't just her blood that made him protect her? No, it was more than that; it was because he had feelings for her. And as long as Hime was safe, Hiro didn't care what happened to him. He would take all the pain and suffering for her, and only for her. Hiro knelt down in front of Hime and took her hand in his. After he had finished drinking, Hiro placed a small kiss on the top Hime's hand and stood.
"Hime," said Hiro, a small smile spread a cross his face, "Do you happen to know what day it is as well?"
"What are talking about, Hiro?" Asked Hime, a little confused, "Don't you already know what day it is?" Hiro smiled at Hime and walked closer to her. Placing his hand on her cheek, Hiro said,
"I know exactly what day it is, but do you, Hime? Do you really know?"
A blushed crossed over Hime's face, something that Hiro has never seen before.
"How about I tell you," said Hiro, leaning in closer. "It's the time of the year, where I can say this and not get killed," Hiro pressed his lips against Hime's and then pulled away. Hime was now the brightest shade of red Hiro had ever seen. Her eyes where no longer calm and demanding, but instead they're young and innocent. Hiro had broken her resolve, and made her see how he felt.
"Happy Valentines Day, Hime. I love you." Hime looked up at Hiro, felling something she had never experienced before.
'No way, how did Hiro, of all people, break my resolve.' Thought Hime, feeling a little violated. But there was something else too, she couldn't help but want another kiss form her blood warrior. 'And do I actually have feelings for Hiro… No, he just caught me off guard, that's all. But why do I want another kiss from him… This makes no sense; I have to stop this before it goes too far.' Hime stood up and gather what remains of her shattered resolve.
"Hiro," Said Hime, her tone as sharp as a knife, "Forget it." Then Hime left the dinning room, Wondering If Hiro would be okay. As the door closed behind her, Hime leaned against the wall to her left and took a deep breath, to collect her thoughts about Hiro.
Hiro was frozen in place, unable to move. The only thought he had was one of sadness and hatred, hatred for the girl he loved. Not only did she reject him, but she did it in the worse possible way. It was like a kick to the face, but a hundred times more painful. His heart, shattered into pieces by the girl that gave him life. Hiro bowed his head and tears began to run down his cheeks. Hot, angry tears, that only reminded him of the pain. 'Why, Hime?' thought Hiro, gritting his teeth, 'Why can't you see how much I love you. How much I care for you. Are you really that cold hearted?' Hiro whipped away his tears and lifted his head, 'Of course you are; why I should expect less from the Princess of Monsters I don't know. You where born cold hearted and; therefore, always will be.' Hiro turned and made his way out the door, maybe a walk will clear his head a little.
When Hime saw the dinning room door open, she quickly whipped her eyes and stood up straight. She knew it was going to be Hiro to walk out the door, but she wasn't expecting what she saw. Hiro's head was held high and his shoulders straight. When he looked at her, Hime's whole body went rigid. The eyes that where looking at her, where not Hiro's. Not the eyes of the young and innocent boy who was helplessly in love with her. These eyes where cold and expressionless, only holding darkness and despair. When Hiro looked away from her, Hime relaxed and let out a calm breath. Hiro was walking down the hall towards the staircase.
"Hiro." said Hime, her voice tight and quiet. "Where do you think your going?" Hiro simply replied,
"Out."
"Out," Began Hime, "But you just got back. Why do you need to leave?"
"To get away from you." said Hiro, his tone cutting. Hime felt something tighten in her chest, as if something had broken. She heard the sound of quickened steps going down the stairs then the slam of the front door. Tears threatened Hime's eyes once more as she hung her head in shame. She closed her eyes and tried to force the tears back, but to no avail. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed something. In front of the dinning room door, it stem and thorns covered in blood, was a single, red rose with a tag attached. It read,
TO HIME: I love you with all my heart and soul, love Hiro.