Chapter 1

The Samurai Who Joined The Academy

I looked up and felt the wind waft on my face, cooling the sweat that trickled down my forehead. I sighed silently, feeling the difficult emotions dancing inside me. I kept clenching and unclenching my hands into fist, making my kimono wrinkle. My front teeth gnaw on my bottom lip. I probably showed every sign of nervousness.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me jump. I heard a deep chuckle behind me, and it calmed me, knowing that it was only my Father. He grabbed my hand, and I hooked my finger on the belt loop of his slacks. We began to walk. I heard footsteps behind me. I knew that it was only my family, following us.

We walked in silence, and stopped. I felt uneasy again. Anxiety stirred in my stomach, as I felt my stomach drop. I don't know where we are, and it frightens me.

"Are you ready, Hikari?" I heard my father's deep voice. His voice always calmed me, in a way. It was what I always hear when I go to sleep, and to reassure me. His voice soothed me and urged me to walk forward.

I nodded my head, to answer my father's question. I heard a click and I knew that a door opened, either by one of my brothers or my father. A cold draft blew my hair back.

A gentle, yet excited voice was heard, as we entered the room, "Hosho-Chan! It's nice to see you again!" I knew that voice, and it comforted me that I knew where I was staying.

"Kaien. It's a pleasure to see you, as well. How are you doing?" My father asked.

"Oh, I'm doing fine. How about you? How is the association coming along?" Kaien replied, as they continued to catch up. A while later, my mother cleared her throat, to remind my father what we're exactly here for.

"Oh, yes. I trust you that my daughter would be safe in your hands, Kaien Cross. If not, you have my family to hear from. Understood?" Although, my father's voice was warm, it held a slight threatened note, making Kaien gulp. I heard him giggle nervously and reassured my family that I was in good hands.

"Very well. You were my friend from the very beginning, Kaien, and I trust you. Lets not break our friendship, alright?"

"Yes, yes. I understand how Hikari is your prized possession, Hosho, and as your friend, I will protect your treasure with my life. I assure you." Kaien's voice lost all the childishness, and instead, replaced with a firm tone, that meant he was serious of what he was saying.

I felt my father's hands on my shoulder, as I felt his warm breath blow on my face. By now, I knew he bent down to my size, as he stared to my expressionless face, that was covered by bandages.

"You will be safe, Hikari. I promise you that no danger will come your way. You are to listen to Kaien's orders." I nodded to my father's statement. I felt him kiss my forehead, as he patted my hair.

I now felt a slender hand caress my cheek. Her hands were cold and callused. My mother. Oh, how much I loved my mother. Her soft and sultry voice, was second compared to my father's.

"Protect yourself, Hikari. We love you very much. Be safe, sweetheart." She kissed both of my cheeks. I can still feel the tingle on my cheeks.

"Take care, Hikari."

"Farewell, sister."

"Until we meet again, young sister."

"You will be missed, Hikari."

"Come visit your family, sister."

"We'll come back. I promise."

I felt warmth inside me, wrapped around my heart. I smiled on the inside, knowing that my brothers will always love and cherish me.

I felt wanted.

I nodded my head as a farewell, then I heard the door click again. I stood stiff, as they closed the door, leaving me in the care of a good friend. I felt a hand on my lower back. I still stood rigid, as I heard Kaien's voice.

"Its good to see you again, Hika-Chan! Lets go explore, so you will have a good visualization on what the campus looks like."

He, then, lead me out of his office, and explored the grounds of Cross Academy.


Have you ever felt mixed emotions?

I had. Plenty of times, to be honest. For example, right now I'm feeling glad and upset about the new lifestyle I will have.

Its not like everything changed. I will still be caged like an animal, just as I had before. But, without my parents, I literally feel like an animal. And to make matters worse, I am an animal.

My thoughts jumbled in my head, as I was laying down on my new bed. I was used to sleeping in futons on the floor, so the soft bed was uncomfortable for my likings. I rolled to my side, and sighed. I start school tomorrow, and I cant even fall asleep. Its normal, though. I only sleep for three hours or so, before finally going to sleep.

I finally closed my eyes, and let darkness embrace me.


I opened my eyes, and groaned softly. I felt the sunshine on my skin. Have I forgotten to close the curtains yesterday night? But I ignored the thought, as I got up to prepare for classes.

I tried to find the uniform on the edge of the bed, that I placed last night. I got off the bed, and sighed, when I felt my feet touch the cold floor. I forgotten to wear my socks, like my mother suggested to. I felt for the wooded nightstand beside my bed, and found my silk-made ribbon. I quickly tied it around my eyes, as I skimmed the edge of the bed with my fingers and found the neatly folded uniform on top of the bed.

I undressed myself, before grabbing , of what I assumed, a skirt. I slipped my legs inside the skirt, before grabbing a velvet texture. I buttoned the blouse with my fingers, and then skimmed the small buttons, to make sure that I correctly buttoned the right ones. I slipped on the blazer, and closed the blazer with a small button, I found. I grabbed the lacy ribbon, before I heard a knock on the door. I, quietly, maneuvered my way to the door, and opened it.

I don't know who it was, but I confirmed it was a female, after hearing the feminine voice, "Hi! My name is Yuk Cross, and I'm in the disciplinary committee, as well as a guardian of Cross Academy. I heard of your condition from the headmaster, and I fully understand. I'm here to guide you to class and any other necessary activities that you wished to do."

And the only though on my mind was that, this girl is very cheerful. She might brighten my school year.


Yuki's POV:

I feel so bad for Hikari-Chan! It must be very hard for her to adjust to the wild life of Cross Academy. I defiantly need to help her! Some of the Night Class students might take advantage of her, after all.

"Oh. Well, it looks like you already know me, by the way you have stated my name. it's a pleasure to meet you, as well, Cross-San." Wow! Her voice is so soft and smooth. But it's also quiet and monotone. Juts like Zero's.

"Please, just Yuki-San or Yuki-Chan is fine. Really, that just makes me sound old." I insisted. She seems like a nice person, too.

"No, I cannot. You have been very kind to me, and I in a way, I have to show you my respect." She said, as she struggled with putting on the school uniform's ribbon. She could use some help.

"Here. Let me help." I said, as I tied the ribbon, "Yeah. it's a real pain, when I first learned how to tie it, but you'll get used to it. It must be hard for you to go through this, huh?" To be honest, its surprising, how she actually dressed herself. I thought she would look a mess, but apparently, she cleaned up good.

"Not really. But I do admit, that it was hard in the beginning. But now, its normal, just like breathing." She said.

"There. Done." I said, triumphantly. "But, really? I don't know what I would be like if I was blind. And why are you wearing a lace around your eyes?" It was actually beautiful. It was made by dark silk, and it looked like Japanese kanji on the edge of the ribbon. Wonder what that is?

"Hmm? Oh, its just to cover my eyes from others. The reason is quite difficult to explain, though." She said, as she grabbed the messenger bag on top of her shoe cabinet.

"Oh, okay." Then, I nervously asked, " Do you, umm, need to hold on my hand or…..what?"

She stood there for a second, before saying, "Not if you want to. I could just hold on to your jacket, if you like."

"Okay." I grabbed hold of her hand, and guided her to the edge of my blazer. With that, we walked off to class.


Hikari's POV:

I winced, once we stepped inside the loud classroom. There was so much gum smacking, gossip, and foot stumping, that made my head spin and cross eyed. I clenched onto Yuki's blazer, as I slowly breathed in and out.

"Yagari-Sensei!" Yuki shouted from beside me, which did not help, considering that there was enough noise in this class, but softly gasped when I heard the name, mentioning.

Yagari? As in 'Toga Yagari'?, my head started to pound on the question, as we continued to walk towards, who I presume, Yagari-Sensei.

"This is the new student. Hikari Matsuzaki." Yuki introduced me. I felt a pair of eyes on me, pressuring my neck with invisible force.

I felt a someone grab my hand, that wasn't gripping Yuki's uniform. I assumed that it was a man's, concluding that it was slightly larger then mine's, and more callused. The warm hand that touched my skin, felt recognizable. The hard skin on the tips of his finger, brushed over the top of my hand, and tapping it twice. I knew who he was now. No other person knew our secret code, but him.

I smiled inwardly, and slightly pulled his index, middle, and ring finger, and gave him a squeeze on his hand. I heard him chuckle under his breath, and I let out a small smile.

"Its nice to see you again, Matsuzaki-San." Toga said. I felt Yuki's questioning stare, as she led out a ,"Eh?"

"Nothing. Go sit down, Cross-San." Toga said, as I felt her presence vanish beside me.

"Its wonderful to hear from you again, Toga-Senpai." I closed my eyes, behind the silk ribbon around my eyes. I felt more like my usual self, with him around again. Although, he used to be my mentor, I think of him as another Uncle in the family.

"I as well, Matsuzaki-San. How long has it been?"

"Too long, Senpai. And, I suppose that I will have to start calling by the honorific, again." I said. I heard him laugh softly, and cleared his throat. I felt many pairs of eyes on me, as I tried to ignore the curious gazes on me.

I heard them whispering;

"Is she the new student?"

"What's that arou-"

"Why is she wearing that across her eyes?"

"She se-"

Many questions pulled into my ears, as I heard the muttering between each other.

I gulped, knowing that I will soon be bombard with questions