The sun shone brightly through my window as I tied my hair back, feeling the silken strands slip through my fingers. Walking out of my room I saw Yukio, fixing his tie, and Rin, still clad in his pajamas, walking toward me
"My Ruby, you're up early," Yukio said, smiling down at me.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so excited to start class," I said, clasping my hands together. "Its my first day at the academy after all."
"How anyone can be so happy this early is beyond me," Rin said, yawning. "By the way, what were you doing out last night? You seemed pretty upset."
I clenched my teeth together. "I'm sorry, I had just gotten a bit homesick, and when I was young singing always helped when I was sad."
"Yeah, but you were glowing. It was mega weird," he said.
I tilt my head a bit, trying to keep from gritting my teeth. "I didn't know that, I think you were seeing things, silly."
He rubs his eyes. "Whatever," he said, yawning. "I'm gonna go get dressed." He waves at us as he walks away.
"So, what were you singing?" Yukio asked me, having already been dressed. We walked to the dining area together.
"Oh, it's nothing important. Just a hymn the people who took care of me taught me. I'm not sure of the name," I said.
"Maybe you could sing it for me sometime," he suggests while placing his hands together before eating.
"Maybe," I say smiling. "I'm not that good though."
He swallows a bite of rice. "Nonsense, I'm sure you're terrific."
I blush and gently place a bite of rice in my mouth. Rin runs in quickly, his clothes askew and sit next to Yukio to eat.
"Honestly Rin," I say, laughing. "Were you never taught how to dress properly?"
His face goes red as he grumbles, "it's not that big of a deal. They're just clothes."
I sigh and walk over to him, forcing him to stand. Fixing his tie and shirt I say, "your appearance is how everybody forms their opinions on you, it's the first thing they notice. Sometimes it can mean life or death, depending on the situation."
He looks down at me and then stares at the floor, blushing. "Yeah yeah, are you done yet?"
"Don't be impatient," I say, trying to hide my smile. "Maybe if you did it right the first time I wouldn't have to scold you."
Yukio laughs and places his tray of empty dishes on the kitchen counter. "That will be hard to convince him of, would you like to walk to class together Ruby?"
"Oh yes, I'd love to," I respond, smiling up at him.
"Wait, what about me?" Rin shouts as we begin walking out of the cafeteria.
"Well hurry up and eat," Yukio jokes. "You can catch up with us."
We leave with the sight of Rin stuffing egg and rice into his mouth quickly fresh in our brains.
"I have a question for you," Yukio says suddenly. "Now that we are alone."
"Hm, oh alright. What is it?"
"Why are you here?" When I frown he quickly corrects himself. "I-I meant, why are you staying in the boys dorm. Here, with us. I mean, we enjoy having you, but I don't understand."
"Well," I say. "Why do you and Rin have this place all to yourselves?"
He's silent for a while, frowning. "Special circumstances."
"Well then, consider me another special circumstance."
He doesn't say anything in response to that and he's quiet for the rest of the walk to class, a frown on his face.
The teacher was dull, the other students were rude and altogether the day was long.
I sigh as I rub the back of my neck, trying to get out the kinks from slouching over a desk trying to catch up on all the material. The day was finally over and I couldn't wait to get back to the dorm, having missed the fun conversations with Rin and Yukio.
Walking out of the classroom I start the trek to the boys dorm, with snide whispers and jeers following me, just as they had since I was a child, probably more so now that the freshmen had seen me walking with their famous Yukio however.
"Hey Ruby," I hear Rin shout, and I turn to see him running up to me waving with Yukio close behind him.
"Oh hello," I say pushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "How was your day?"
Rin simply groans and responds, "awful."
Yukio laughs at bit at him, and I smile. "Come on, let's go home," he says, motioning for us to follow.
I stop smiling and slow my walking. Home? This place? I mean, it's not bad but...could I see this as a home? With these two? Can even I have one of those?
"Is something wrong Ruby?" Yukio says, I jump.
"O-oh yeah I'm fine," I laugh. "Sorry, I'm just kind of tired."
He frowns but chooses not to push me for details. Walking in the front door, we sit for dinner and say our goodbyes, parting for our separate rooms.
I stop in front of mine and stare down at the door handle. Images of Yukio and Rin flash in my mind, pictures of smiles and laughs. I shake my head and square my shoulders, opening the door and swiftly closing it behind me.
"Do you think she's ok?" Yukio asks Rin, as he removes his tie and places it on his nightstand.
"What d'ya mean?" Rin asks, trying to shimmy his way out of his shirt.
"Well, didn't she seem upset earlier?"
"I guess, she could just be tired like she said though," he says, flopping down into bed.
"I guess," Yukio responds, pulling pajama pants up his legs. "Maybe I should go check on her."
"Really man?" Rin says. "That sounds kinda creepy, sneaking into her room in the middle of the nig-"
"I'm not going to sneak in!"
"Ow, ok man jeez. What's your problem?" Rin asks, rubbing his ears.
"Nothing, I'm just worried about her," Yukio opens the door and steps out. "I'll be back in a bit."
"Mhm," Rin grunts, already half asleep.
Stepping into the hallway, Yukio squints, trying his best to see in front of him. Placing his hand on the wall, he steps toward the kitchen.
Walking in, Yukio flips the switch and light fills the cafeteria.
"Ukobach," he calls. "Would you mind if I use the stove for a few seconds?" Ukobach squeaked his assent and sat on the counter, swinging his feet.
A few minutes later, Yukio walked out with a large steaming glass of milk and honey, and stepped through the dark hallway. Stopping in front of Ruby's door, he gulped and took a deep breathe.
He lifted his hand up to knock, but froze when he heard a soft noise coming from behind the door. He put his ear up to the wood and heard a gentle humming, a sweet lilting of vocal cords.
He nearly forgot how to breathe, his grip tightening on the glass to keep from dropping it. Placing his hand on the knob he soundlessly turned it, and opened the door, stepping into the room quietly.
He could now hear her clearly, she was facing the window staring outside. Her long nightgown pooled around her feet and hung on her shoulders loosely, her long blonde hair lay free of its confines cascading down her back and the moonlight shone off her pale skin.
"Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, were still in heart and conscience free; and blest would be their children's fate, if they, like them should die for thee…" she sang.
The door softly clicked behind him, startling her, causing her voice to stop. She turned to him, her eyes wide.
"I-I um…" he stuttered, and held up the glass of milk. "I-I thought that y-you'd um...maybe w-want something to...h-help you sleep."
She looked down at the glass in his hand as if confused as to what it was. He stepped forward slowly.
"I-I thought...you said you w-were tired and I thought this w-would help," he holds it out to her, staring at the ground.
She stepped forward slowly, as if she were a frightened animal. Reaching a hand out she timidly took the glass and held it between her hands, feeling the warmth seep into her palms. She pressed the rim up to her lips and took a sip, sighing deeply.
"W-well now that I know you're ok I'll just be on my way," he said, laughing awkwardly and turning to the door.
"W-wait," she said, grabbing his arm and nearly dropping her glass. He looked back at her, surprised.
She dropped her hand and stared at the ground, a strange look on her face. "What's wrong?" Yukio asked.
"W-would you stay?" she asked. "Please, j-just for a little bit."
He stood still for several seconds and nodded. She steps forward and places her head on his chest gently, and he gulps. He awkwardly places his hands on her shoulder and leads her to her bed. Crawling under the sheets, she shuffled over as if to make room for him.
"Come on," she said, patting beside her on the bed.
"Uh.." he started. "I um..I'm not sure…"
"What's wrong?" she said softly.
He stopped talking and sat on the edge of her bed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Um so...what's wrong?" She remained quiet. "Ruby, why did you seem so scared when I walked in?"
She was still quiet. Before he could ask again she whispered, "I had a nightmare." He stayed quiet, waiting patiently for her to explain further. "I've been having them for as long as I can remember."
"What are they about?" he whispered.
"Different things, it depends on the day. I've seen good people die horrible deaths, children losing parents, wars and famine…" she stopped herself and held a hand to her mouth, stifling a sob.
Gently placing a hand on her shoulder he said, "do you have any idea why that might be? Do you think you're possessed?"
"No," she whispered. "I know I'm not, it's something that comes with being me."
He stifled a yawn and softly laid down on top of the covers, facing her. "What do you mean?"
She was quiet before groggily saying, "you wouldn't...believe me."
He smiles sleepily. "Try me."
"I'm," she pauses to yawn, "the child...of..."
"Child of who?" he begins nodding off.
"G...od," she say before drifting off.
"Cool," he says, and falls asleep as well.
Hey there, so what did you think? Let me know please!
XOXO -Max