The sound of a creaking gate filled the air but was almost instantly covered up with screams.
Cries of "Idol-sempai" and "Wild-sempai" filled the air as hundreds of girls surged against the one small female who was charged to keep them at bay. My gold eyes sought her companion but, as usual, he wasn't here yet. With a heavy sigh I dropped from my tree and waded into the fray, glaring and causing the firls to fall back into line.
"Thank you Zero," Yuki began, turning to come face to face with me.
"Oh! I'm sorry Kieko-sempai!" She started to bow but I caught her shoulder halfway down.
"It's Kie, Yuki. I know enough of your culture to tell you that. And if you must, Kieko-chan." I grimaced as I spoke, my japanese choppy.
"Yes. I'm sorry Kieko-sem... Kieko-chan," she beamed, speaking in perfect english for my benefit.
"Where is Zero this evening?" I fell back into english with a relieved look on my face.
"I'm here." His voice was agitated as he snarled at me in japanese.
"Your tardiness almost got Yuki trampled again," I snapped, still in english.
Ignoring me, he turned on the girls sending them running to their dorms.
Sighing I shook my head, my brown hair returning to it's natural purple.
"Are you going to patrol with us tonight, Kieko-chan? I know you aren't a guardian but I'm sure the chairman won't mind!" Yuki looked excited by the idea.
"No," Zero snapped, "She has to be returning to her dorms!"
"Well I wasn't going to, but now I will!" I smirked.
"Yay!" Yuki began to clap and jump up and down. "You do an aerial scan and then com do interior with me. Zero? Grounds!"
Zero just growled and stormed off.
Yuki shook her head and bounced off towards the school. She didn't like watching, or hearing, me change. I had gone on patrol with them a few times before. The first time Yuki made the mistake of being curious and staying to watch me change. The end result was her throwing up all over Zero as he cried out in pain. Ever since then, they stayed far away when I changed.
Once I was sure there was no one around I removed my uniform jacked and shirt, then I dropped to my knees. It was easier to keep my balance that way. My eyes fell shut as the sound of breaking bones and ripping flesh filled the air. I was beyond grateful that this process no longer produced blood as my leathery wings expanded. I shifted the backless top I wore under my uniform, making sure everything important was covered. Once I was sure of that, I reached for my shirt and jacket, folding them carefully and tucking them under my arm as I stood. Jumping high, I spread my wings stretching them lazily for a moment before flapping and gaining height. Once I was high enough that I could see the grounds I began to fly in lazy circles, eyes scanning for stragglers with the precision of a hawk.
"Zero, quadrant two, forty feet from the school. Three students, one male, two females," I whispered, the sound carrying directly into his mind.
As much as I knew he hated me, and hated that I could speak into his mind, I knew he would take care of the students. With a small smile, I sought a secluded area to change back so I could join Yuki indoors.
Spying one, I dove into the clearing, landing gently on my knees, one palm pressed to the ground for balance. Setting my shirt and jacket within easy reach, I closed my eyes as the same nauseating sounds filled the air around me. I bit back a cry as this process still hurt. Just as my wings finally vanished, I tasted blood. I flicked my tongue out across my lips and realized I had split my lip. I looked up, eyes wide, to find two blonde Night Class students standing in front of me. Ones eyes were red with bloodlust, but the others were wide with recognition echoing in the forest green depths.
"Take him to the school and return here," I growled. "I WILL be waiting." I sat back, settling down to demonstrate that I was fully serious.
He nodded, showing me he understood, and quickly began to drag the other, red-eyed vampire back towards the school.
Once he was gone I began to panic.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I placed my head in my hands and tried my hardest to think of a way to get out of this. I was so lost in thought that I didn't know that the vampire had returned until he spoke.
"You're a dragon." His voice was calm and without question.
"Yes, I'm a dragon," I grimaced at my japanese again, causing his next response to be in english.
"Why did we not know about you, Wise One?" He bowed low.
"That's why!" I sighed, glaring at the ground.
"Forgive me if I do not understand, oh Goddess of the sky."
"I am NOT a goddess! And I have a name! Did you even think about that?" I snapped, whipping a stick at his head.
Infuriatingly enough, he dodged it easly, looking at me in shock. "I..."
"My name is Kieko. You are to tell no one, not even your precious Kaname what you have found out." I growled, "Now, get back to class. I have to help Yuki patrol in the school.
He bowed low but did not move.
"What!" I snapped, causing him to flinch.
"May I escort you to the school? Since we are both going there anyway?"
I pulled on the shirt and jacket to my uniform finally, doing them both up quickly and growling softly to myself. He had a point, I knew that much. But did I really want to give in? Why not, might as well.
"Fine," I began walking towards the school. I thought it would be a slient walk. I was wrong.
"I won't tell Kaname. You rank even higher than him in our society, making it impossible for me to disobey a direct order from you." His english was flawlessly easy, with hardly even a hint of an accent.
I sighed, "I know. That's why I did'nt want anyone to know. And that is why I'm in the day class. Chairman Cross and I discussed that when I first came here from America to join his... program. Yuki, Zero, Chairman Cross, and now you... whoever you are... are the only ones who know."
He suddenly turned bright red and froze, bowing low. "I am so sorry! Please forgive me for my horrible manners! I am Ichijou Takuma, Vice President of the Moon Dorms, but you may call me Takuma."
"Thank you Takuma," I turned to look at him. "Shall we continue on?"
"Of course," he straightened up and smiled nervoulsy. A smile that might have made me melt under different circumstances. I still wasn't even sure I could trust him. Sure, these vampires were sworn to loyalty by ranks but... I wasn't exactly trusting.
I shook my head, banishing all thoughts of him being attractive and continued on towards the school
Takuma quickly caught up to me and looked at me for a moment.
"You helped Yuki earlier... your hair was a different color but... it was you. Kaname had said to find and thank you. She's always getting into trouble and Kaname does enjoy the help saving her." He spoke with a light laugh, his eyes closing in a cute smile.
Shaking my head, a small growl escaped my throat.
"He can take his gratitude and shove it. Your kind can't be trusted."
A hurt look crossed Takuma's features as he grabbed my wrist gently.
"How can you say that? You are a goddess to my kind!"
"Not in America. Here, sit. Let me educate you on American Vampires." I pointed to a bench nearby, jerking my wrist from his grasp.
He nodded and made his way over, sitting gracefully and watching me as I began to pace.
"Here in Japan you are cultured and refined. You have order, laws, a system, and honor. Both your humans and your vampires have very structured societies. Everyone knows the rules and follows them. Hell, even I try my hardest. In America it is different. There are no rules. Vampires feed on who and what they please. They pretty much run things, but they don't have the Council like you do. There is no order, no set of rules and no society. Your kind are why I'm the last of mine. Vampires killed my family Takuma. Their last wish was that I see that not all your kind are bad. It may be true that you're not all killers but you all still have that ego. Look at your friend they call "Idol-sempai." He sure enjoys the screams for him." My voice turned cruel as I spat the last bit at him. I finally looked up and into his eyes, only to find that look I hated so much.
His eyes were now filled with pity as he watched me. With a snarl I turned my back to him.
"Tell Yuki I returned to the dorms. I need rest. And get to class." I snapped, then began to run. I ran faster than any vampire could. I ran straight towards the dorms and the refuge of my room and bed.