Finally I finished chapter 2!! :D It's a lot longer than the first one. Again I do not own any characters except Tora Kuroki. All others belong to Masuri Hino
Chapter 2: New Surroundings.
Tora awoke the morning of the first school day of the year. She looked around at the room she and Zero shared. Even though it had been 5 days since she first awoke in it, it was still a bit of a jolt to be there. She turned her head to see Zero peacefully sleeping in the bed beside hers. [Zero had moved to one of the Headmaster's spare rooms prior to Tora's… arrival.] Both beds were rather large, very much like the rooms in the Moon-Dorm. A large window was in between both beds. When Tora turned her head to look out this window, she whimpered. Her neck was burning again. Zero opened his eyes to see Tora clutching her neck again. He rolled out of bed and opened the long white and black curtains. The cool autumn sunrise poured in the room. Zero came over to Tora and made her sit up. He took her hand away from her neck and examined it. He wasn't surprised to see it red still around the small puncture wounds.
"We should tell the headmaster about this. Are you feeling any better today?" He asked softly. The past few days, Tora had only been able to sit up. Zero had to carry her around if she had to go anywhere. He helped her to stand. She wobbled and fell into his waiting arms.
"I'll carry you again then," he said with a smile. Tora blushed. She hated not being able to walk. Zero picked her up effortlessly and started for the door. When they reached Cross' office, the older man opened the door and smiled kindly.
"Still not able to walk?" He asked concerned.
"I feel stronger today," Tora whispered turning pink as Zero set her down on the chair.
"She should be able to walk later on today. She stood earlier." Zero ensured the headmaster. Cross nodded and sat down.
"Now I'm sure that's not all you came to tell me," he said.
"Cross, we need to do something about her neck. It's just getting worse and worse." Zero explained. Cross looked at Tora and sighed.
"I'm afraid there is only one thing that we can do. We'll have to put the seal on it. You recognize the one Zero has don't you?" Tora looked up at Zero and nodded when she spotted his tattoo.
"I think we'll have you have it done when you're a little more active." Cross suggested.
"Now, Zero has been telling you of your duties as a guardian… I hope" Zero scowled at Cross. The older man seemed to shrink in his seat.
"Don't get mad Kiryu! Tora if you feel up to it you can go with Zero today. Your uniform is in the bag in your closet." He managed through Zero's strangling. Tora nodded and tried to keep back laughter but a giggle escaped, making Zero blush and put the headmaster down. He came over to her and helped her stand. She leaned to the side a bit before standing still. Keeping one arm linked with hers, Zero helped her walk to the door.
"Do you think you're up to taggin' along with me today?" Zero asked when they reached their room.
"Maybe after I eat I'll know better." Tora replied, her voice soft and quiet. Zero nodded and replied,
"I'll go get something now. Anything particular?" She shook her head as she leaned into her numerous pillows.
As Zero walked through the hall towards the headmaster's kitchen, he was shocked to see Akatsuki Kain and Hanabusa Aido coming towards him. He stopped in his tracks and pulled out his 'Bloody Rose' gun. Kain put up his hands as a gesture of peace and said reassuringly,
"Don't worry Kiryu; we're just coming to talk to the Headmaster. President Kuran ordered us to," Zero lowered his gun hesitantly and sighed. He moved out of the way so Kain and his cousin could reach the headmaster's office. Zero watched the two vampires enter the room before continuing on to the kitchen.
When he came back in the room. He heard the shower running. Tora's nightgown was thrown over her bed spread which had been neglected of its messy mass. He put down the tray on Tora's night-side table and walked over to the bathroom door. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
"Tora? It's Zero. Do you need anything?" he questioned through the slightly opened door.
"If you don't mind, could you bring me my uniform? I forgot to take it out of the closet." Was the reply. Zero opened up the closet he now shared with her and found a small black uniform that was Tora's. On the left sleeve was the prefect symbol. Zero paused and gently touched it with a gentle touch. As his fingers brushed the uniform, he remembered when Yuki had worn the same one. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. When he took out the uniform, he spotted a bag hung behind it. He read Tora's name. There was a note inside. Zero was curious and opened the bag. He unzipped the zipper to reveal feminine nightgowns, a few shirts and pants. When he went to grab the note, his hand first touched a laced pink bra. He quickly withdrew his hand as if scorched while turning crimson. He glanced over to the bathroom when he heard the water stop. Quickly thinking, Zero zipped the bag back up and brought it along with the uniform. He knocked once again on the door.
"Come in. I have a bathrobe on," was the calm reply. Zero took a deep breath and came in. He kept his head down until he stopped in front of Tora. Looking up, he saw her in a bathrobe that came down to her knees and her long silver hair was wet and combed back. He handed her the clothes before asking,
"Are you feeling better?" Tora smiled shyly and nodded.
"I'll… go now…Your food is by your bed. I'll... wait for you in the room," he explained awkwardly while turning to the door. Tora watched him leave and then looked down at the clothes he had given her. When she was dressed, she quickly tied her hair back in a braid and came out carrying the bag. When she slowly came out, she saw Zero sitting on his bed. She then put down the bag and took the tray of food. Her stomach growled furiously at the sight of food. Blushing, she clutched her stomach. Zero smiled and took an apple from his own tray.
"Go ahead and eat, you need food. Once you're done, we have to go back and see the headmaster. He said your weapon has come." He told her. Tora nodded as she started to eat.
Zero supported her once again as they walked to the headmaster's office. With every step she took, Tora got a little stronger. Zero had one arm wrapped loosely around her small waist so if was to fall, he could catch her. Iris froze when she heard Akatsuki and Hanabusa talking. When Cross' door opened and Akatsuki stepped out, he froze in front of Zero and Tora when he saw the young girl. Zero noticed the vampire's strange behavior as well as Tora's sudden frigidness.
"T-Tora?" The tall vampire breathed astonished.
"Oi! Akatsuki! What's the big ide---" Hanabusa stopped when he saw who his cousin was staring at.
"Uh… Akatsuki, um… Kaname will be wondering where we are. Let's go," he awkwardly stated. Hanabusa gently shoved his cousin out of his daze and pulled him down the hall. Tora followed the tall, handsome vampire with sad eyes until Zero gently pulled her into the office.
"Tora, do you know Kain?" he asked quietly. Iris closed her eyes tightly and shook her head.
"Ah Zero, Tora. Excellent, you've come.—
***
~Grr if I write 'Iris' I really mean Tora. Sorry to confuse if I have
Sorry to leave you hangin. Yes Cross' speech will continue in the next chapter. Hopefully I will get better at typing. I make too many mistakes and I get angry :P Thank you for reading!! Hope to see you next chapter XD
