So… we're back on board! Don't worry, Kaname had me retake my flying test because he was afraid I'll hurt his precious Yuuki. (smiles wickedly at Kaname)

Kaname: (cough, cough)

Yuuki: (laughs) Overprotective fool.

I can't disagree with that! And now we have Zero Kiryuu for the disclaimer because my dear Ichijo has quit…

Zero: Can I quit, too?

You haven't even started…

Zero: All right, all right. .Angel owns nothing in this stupid story… (sees the hilt of the knife protruding out of Author's boot) that I really love! Um… I see… uh… Seiren calling! Yeah, it's her! I'd better go! Bye! (rushes off plane)

He's way too lucky for his own good. Anyways, today we're flying through…

Chapter I: Gifted with a Secret

-No POV-

"Yunoki-sama! Yunoki-sama!"

Ariya turned to look at the guard, who burst into her room without any warning. "Jeez, Hiro. Don't you know that it's rude to burst into people's bedrooms without any warning? Especially the bedroom of someone who plans to take a nap."

Hiro stared at her dumbly.

Ariya sighed. These people have no sense of humor. "What is it?"

"Ichijo-sama is returning for the holidays, Yunoki-sama," he said respectfully.

"Cut it out. You know I hate that."

"Gomen, Yuno… ah, Ariya-sama."

The now seventeen-year-old girl narrowed her eyes on the dark haired guard wearing a tux. Hiro fidgeted.

"You say Ichijo is returning?"

He nodded, looking uncomfortable.

Sarcasm dripped into her tone, "I wonder what made him think of gracing our humble presences here now, since he's been gone for so long. I mean, it's not like any of us here are anyone special."

"You're special, Ariya-sama."

"And you're pissing me off. Leave me alone."

"Yes, Ariya-sama." He bowed and departed while she sighed and opened her drawer. From there, she pulled out a gold jewelry box adorned with small crystals. She opened it and rifled through it until she found the crystal, still clean and dust free even though the last time she'd used it was when she was nine. Time to see if he's really telling the truth and is returning now.

"Ichijo."

"Yes, Kaname-sama?" Her heart thumped painfully at the sound of his voice.

"You may return this holiday. I have nothing for you to do. Go and see your family, and then come back by the end of the month." She disliked the way Kaname spoke to him, like he was a servant and Kaname was a king. Hate for the older pureblood pulsed through her, and her hands tightened on the crystal.

"Thank you, Kaname-sama."

"Remember what we have talked about the girl."

"Hai, Kaname-sama," Ichijo said with a beautiful smile on his face. "Although I doubt that she remembers me. Ja."

Ariya's eyes began to water, but she immediately blinked them away. Crying shows weakness, and she cannot be weak.

But his words punched a hole right through her chest. Never doubt that I forget you, Takuma, she thought, stroking the crystal as the image faded away. Never.

She put the crystal away and curled herself into a ball, feeling tired. Her throat ached. She barely drank any blood – or used any blood tablets – since the last vision she saw of Ichijo. After that, she was too hurt to even look at it, but even without it, she could sometimes dream the future. Once, with the help of the crystal, she'd saved a little boy who'd been hanging from the cliff edge when she was only thirteen. Another time she stopped her otou-sama from drinking a poisoned drink at the age of fifteen.

It's like the crystal's been attuned to me, she thought to herself as she rocked back and forth. Then she remembered that she'd told no one about this gift, not even Ichijo. It's probably weird enough that I'm a pureblood orphan in the care of vampire nobles. It'll make it worse when they find out about my gift.

Then she sensed his presence, downstairs. Like a magnet and a lodestone, she flew down the stairs and threw herself into his arms.

Time to land! See, Kaname, told you I could do it.

Kaname: (grumbles) here, take it. (Tosses five bucks into Author's hand. Author smirks)

Yuuki: Told you not to bet like that.

Ichijo: (laughs)

Hey, where'd you spring from?

Ichijo: Er… I'm on… er… vacation! Yeah, vacation! And hey, there's Aido! Gotta run! (runs away while Author shakes head)

Please review and tell me if I'm a good writer and pilot. =) I need to know these things!