Disclaimer: I do not own Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji (Wolf Girl and Black Prince) or any of the characters
"As if my day could get any worse," Erika sighed to herself as she stood in the entrance of the academy. It was raining heavily but she needed to return to the girl's dorm before curfew. First she had to sit through a useless history class and now she had to walk through the rain. She wanted to learn more practical uses for her magic and being able to create an umbrella was something she currently needed.
"I guess I have no choice," Erika resigned herself to running through the rain. She couldn't bother Sanda by calling her friend to bring her an umbrella. Anyways, if she stayed any longer than she might run into the one person that could make her day worse.
Just as she was about to take a step into the rain, a hand grabbing her wrist stopped her. She knew who it was before she turned to face him. Kyouya was the only person that would take her hand so easily. His smile was easy and she forced herself to return one of her own, fully aware of how his mere presence attracted attention to her.
"It's raining so let me walk you back to your dorm," Kyouya offered as any kind boyfriend would. He took off the cloak he wore over his uniform and held it above their heads to use as a makeshift umbrella. There was nothing but love in his eyes when he told her. "I'm glad that I caught you before you left. I would hate it if you caught a cold while walking alone."
"You're always there for me, Kyouya. Thank you." She leaned closer to him and they started to walk towards the dorms together. Erika could hear the envious whispers around her and tried to ignore them. She knew that everyone around them could only see a happy and supportive couple deeply in love. It was a relationship anyone would be jealous of.
But it was all based on a lie.
"What kind of idiot tries to walk in the rain? Are you trying to get yourself sick?" Kyouya criticised when they made enough distance from the academy. Now that they were out of earshot from the other students, he let his kind façade disappear. This was the devil she signed her soul to for the chance to study magic. The blunt, tactless man that was Kyouya Sata.
It had been a week since they started their charade but she still felt uncomfortable around him. She was certain that no amount of time would endear him to his current character, considering how rude he was. He picked her up from class and they ate together but whenever they had a private moment she was reminded that those acts of kindness were just that: an act.
"Hey, stop moving. You're going to get me wet." He jerked his cloak so that it would cover him more. Since she was holding onto the edge of the cloak to keep it over her head, she was pulled closer to his side. Erika was ready to snap at him and he kept testing her patients. "As my dog you, should do what if best for her master."
"I am a human!" She wished that the road to the dorm wasn't so long and empty. How anyone could think of him as a prince was beyond her but then again she knew very little of what he was like before he came to the academy. Having more pride than sense, she walked out from the protection of the cloak. "I'm not going to walk so close to a person I barely know. How do I know that you won't try anything?"
"Who would want to look at their dog in that way?" Kyouya laughed and she turned sharply at him. She was ready to yell another retort at him but he walked towards her until they were so close she could see herself in his eyes. He held the cloak over them once again. "But I can't have people asking why you caught a cold so just let me walk you home. If you want, just stand a foot away from me."
"We really could've avoided this if you just treated me like an actual human." Erika sighed. The only reason he was showing any kindness to her now was to avoid risking his princely reputation. The thought of using that to blackmail him came to her mind but he would just threaten to reveal the true nature of their relationship in turn.
She didn't want a repeat of their previous argument so interrupted him before he could call her a dog again. "I heard from my friend that you're in an advance class. What kind of magic do you use?"
"Don't bother talking to me about magic. I don't bother to use something so unreliable to solve my problems. Trying to use magic to solve your problems only makes it worse." He answered her with a frown and she wondered why he was attending the magical academy when he didn't want to bother with magic. But the way he spoke made her think that there was a reason for his thinking.
Erika didn't know if she should push him for an explanation since she wanted to be respectful but also wanted to defend magic. She was saved from having to make a decision when she saw that they reached the girl's dorm. Once she was under the protection of the canopy, she turned to him. "Thank you for walking me back and letting me use your cloak."
"Just know that I'm going to charge you for dry cleaning." He grinned at her and she wondered if he enjoyed being so sadistic. But despite his cold words, she noticed that his right shoulder was drenched. Had he been holding his cloak in a way that it covered her more than him? While she wanted to believe that was the case she didn't know if it could be true.
"Is something wrong?" Erika notice his steps become uncertain. She followed his gaze to see what he was staring at and saw that it was an orthrus. It was tied to the door but it seemed to be tamed as well. Kyouya stared at it with a mixture of pain and sympathy. She knelt in front of the dog and petted it, "Do you think it's someone's familiar. Poor guy being stuck out here."
"I really like dogs," He said in a gentle voice which surprised her. She listened to him complained about so many things that annoyed him she was starting to think that there was anything he liked. Kyouya's hands were gentle when he loosened the collar around the orthrus even if they shook slightly. Maybe he was a kind person after all…
"Dogs are really pure. If you tell them to wait, they'll stay there for years like an idiot. No matter how hungry they get or how bad you treat them, they follow their master with their large eyes. He loves his master so much that he'll even endure this cold and wait. It's so cute it makes me sick."
"You're twisted," She found herself whispering and he gave her a confused look. He raised his hand and she flinched away from him.
"Be a smart dog and don't get attach to anyone." His didn't hurt her and raised her chin instead. Kyouya's red eyes were steady and she couldn't force herself to look away. "Love and magic are nothing more than sweet illusions. If you believe in either, you'll be hurt and left in the cold like this dog. You should take that advice too, dog, and leave your master."
Kyouya's last sentence was directed at the orthrus and he gave it another pitying look before leaving. Erika watched his receding back and continued to wonder about him. He spoke so cold but there was pain in his eyes too.
"Maybe you're a masochist," Erika chocked on the water she was drinking when Sanda made the comment. "I don't know anyone who would put up with as much as you are. I've been going to school with him for a year now and I never thought that he would be as cruel as you're saying but then again I've never spoken to him."
"He's the worst and the fact that he pulled the wool over so many girls makes him even worse!" Erika slammed her fist on the table. The others in the café turned to stare at her and she quickly sat down again. They were sitting in a café located on the grounds and she reminded herself she couldn't speak so openly about her situation. "I don't know if I can keep this up."
"Then just find someone you truly love." Sanda told her. "If you only need your parents to think that you're in a relationship, find one that makes you happy. I know that you've only came to this school recently but I'm sure you can find the right person. Maybe I can introduce you to some of my friends."
"I don't know if it's that easy," Erika sighed. "I've been really sheltered by my family so I've never been in a relationship before. I would like my first real relationship to be with someone I like rather than someone you choose for me. I've been so busy with magic that I never even looked at a person in a romantic sense."
"Really?" Sanda had known Erika for a long time but thought that she would have more of a social life. They had been friends when they were young. When Sanda left to attend the academy in the same advance program Kyouya was in, they would trade letters. "You must be the only person with no romantic experience at this age."
"I don't think my friend should laugh at me about that," Erika laid her head on the table. There was nothing wrong with being single and she was content with her magic. But maybe she should think about looking for a serious relationship that would still allow her to go to the school. The only thing that she would have trouble with was explaining the shift in their relationship to her mother.
"Who knows, maybe the person you'll fall in love with is closer than you think." Sanda encouraged with a smile. Erika was usually optimistic but once she thought over the guys she met so far she couldn't think of them in a romantic sense. "Just find a guy that loves you."
"Someone that loves me?" Erika thought back to all the fairy tales her mother read her as a child. It was a nice thought to have someone treat her like a princess. She looked out the window and finally noticed that a bird was knocking on the window. Curious, she opened the window and it immediately flew onto her lap. It turned to show a letter tied onto its back.
"Is it from him?" Sanda asked when she saw Erika's brow knot.
"I'm really sorry about this but I need to go. The dark prince is calling me." Her answer was a heavy sigh. After mumbling a quick apology and leaving some money to cover the bill, she left the café. Kyouya had written her a note that told her to meet him in the library. He didn't give her a reason or any more detail than the location.
Erika was already familiar with the layout of the academy and was certain that she would be able to find the library. It was a rather large building so even if she didn't know where it was, she could easily see it. She read over Kyouya's letter as she rushed to the library. She knew that Kyouya would probably yell at her if she was late.
As she turned the corner, she bumped into another person. Erika fell to the ground with an unladylike curse and rubbed her hands. They scrapped against the floor and she blew on them to ease the pain. She looked up to see who she just bumped into and saw that it was another student. "I'm so sorry. I was in a rush and I didn't see you."
"It's okay since I wasn't paying attention either." He started to reach out a hand to her but something stopped him. Erika didn't understand why his eyes landed on the note she dropped. "So you're Kyouya's girlfriend? I heard that he got one but I didn't think that I'll get to meet you. I must say that I was curious about the type of person you might be. You're as beautiful as I thought."
"I'm nothing special, really." Erika scratched her cheek and blushed at his compliment.
"You should be more confident about yourself. My name's Kimura," He offered her a smile that she thought much more prince like than Kyouya's. He took her uninjured hand and helped her to her feet. "I haven't seen you around the academy until recently. If this is your first year here I can show you around the grounds. I would like to get to know you more."
"I would like that." Erika answered quickly but it wasn't as fast as her heart at the moment. Even considering how few men she met and interacted with, Kimura was currently the kindest. He offered to show her around the academy when there was no need to.
"Are you sure that your boyfriend would be okay with that?" Kimura asked and she thought that he was sweet to worry about her and consider her feelings. "I know that if I were your boyfriend I would be afraid of someone taking you from me. You must have many admirers but I would protect you from the other guys trying to steal you."
"I don't think Kyouya would mind," Erika said as blood rushed to her cheeks. Yes he was the kind of boyfriend she would like to have. "I'm still pretty confused about where everything is and Kyouya's too busy to show me around."
"Then how about I pick you up in front of the girl's dorm on Sunday?" He offered.
"I would like that very much!" Erika agreed quickly. His smile only grew wider at her answer and wonder if it was possible to fall in love at the first encounter. He only offered to show her around the academy but a part of her couldn't help but feel excited while the other half was surprisingly nervous. Maybe it was because it could be her first date…
"Don't you look like you're having fun Erika?" A third voice interrupted them. Erika turned sharply to see that it was Kyouya making his way towards them. Even though his smile looked charming, she could feel the irritation beneath. For once it wasn't directed at her but Kimura instead. Why was he mad? "Do I know you?"
"This is Kimura," Erika introduced them. She didn't know why Kyouya was angry at him but quickly made a lie to protect Kimura. "He was just showing me to the library. I got lost on my way to meet you."
"So that's it? Then you have my gratitude Kimura," Kyouya said stiffly and neither moved to shake the other's hand in the customary greeting. They exchanged a glare she couldn't read or understand before Kyouya turned away. He took her hand and started to walk away, "Let's go Erika."
"Okay," She said breathlessly but her mind wasn't on Kyouya. She looked over her shoulder to Kimura instead. He gave her a small smile but it was enough to make her heart feel lighter. Maybe everything would be okay if she asked him for help. Even when he disappeared from her sight, she kept looking in his direction.
"Are you listening?" Erika was rudely pulled out of her daze by Kyouya which made her all the more irritated at him. Once she was able to compare the two, she felt even less willing to put up with Kyouya. He hands tightened into fists when he turned to face her fully. "I asked what you were doing wagging your tail in front of others. I don't want you to see him again."
"I am not a dog- let alone your dog!" Erika screamed back. "And it's not like we're actually dating so you have no right to forbid me from seeing anyone."
"Are you forgetting your position?" Kyouya leaned down to face her. "You are the dog and I am the master. I'm saying this for your own good, stay away from Kimura. Do you understand me?"
"I understand. I won't meet him Sunday." Erika bowed her head at his piercing gaze. She had to purposely hide her face from him to hide her grin. Like hell she was going to listen to him! Once she told Kimura about her situation and he agreed to help, she would have no need for Kyouya. She would no longer be his wolf girl and she would still be able to learn magic.
She jumped back when an open book was thrust under her nose. Erika was confused why Kyouya was handing it to her. When she asked him what he wanted, he pointed to a passage and told her to read it out loud. With a sigh, she obliged.
"When the mirror was cast upon you, it bore no reflection. Instead, your coldness shattered it and now you will bear the scars of those shards. Dark heart covered by ice, you will know nothing but the storm, until you can see a sweet illusion for what it truly is." Erika closed the book to read its cover but it had no title. "Did you take this out from the library?"
"It was given to me," Kyouya answered after a moment. He didn't tell her anymore and she flipped through the pages to find that the rest of the pages were empty. "This is a spell and I want you to find a way to break it. I've been trying for years but I haven't been able to but an illusion wizard might be able to. What is the secret to your illusions?"
"That's hard to say," Erika answered and Kyouya gave her a heavy sigh.
"I guess it can't be helped considering how inept you are at magic. I was a fool to even ask you for help." Kyouya reached out to her and she thought that it was to take the book back. He gently took her wrist and pulled her closer to him so he could study her palm. His eyes were steady as he stared at the scrape on her hand. "Did Kimura do this to you?"
"Of course not!" She snatched her hand back though his words made her more confused. He couldn't possibly be worried about her. "I just fell and hurt myself."
"I have the clumsiest dog in the world," Kyouya chuckled to himself and she didn't know how she should take his teasing tone. Erika wondered what he would've done if she said that Kimura did hurt her. He turned and waved to her as he left. "I'll call on you if I think of anything else you can do to help me."
"I won't be your dog by then," Erika whispered.
"I knew the academy had a beautiful greenhouse but I didn't know it would be this grand!" Erika walked through the greenhouse in awe. It could rival the library in size and homed thousands of plants and animals from around the world. She almost never left her estate so this was the first time she was able to see such unique flowers.
And being with Kimura made it all the more exciting. He picked her up that Sunday and brought her to several places on the grounds. No matter where they went, he always made sure that she was enjoying herself and she loved his consideration. There were others in the greenhouse but Kimura kept her attention.
"These are beautiful," Erika whispered to herself as she brought a cluster of flowers to her nose so she could smell them more. Kimura was watching her with soft eyes and she found herself thinking that he was the first person to ever make her heart feel so light. He took one of the flowers and placed it in her hair with the same line many princes told their princess in fairy tales.
She touched the flower and thought, he could be the one.
"I was actually worried about today." Kimura admitted and she thought that he looked rather shy. "I thought Kyouya would come since he is your boyfriend. It's must be troublesome to have the prince be your boyfriend."
"I wouldn't call him a prince," Erika sighed and began to tell him about Kyouya. "He's actually pretty sadistic. I feel sad for anyone who actually dates him. They would need to have the patient of a saint and even if she did have that Kyouya doesn't deserve it."
"Eh? But aren't you dating?"
"No!" Erika quickly corrected him, thinking that this was her chance to explain her situation to him. "He's not my boyfriend. Because of this and that he's pretending to be my boyfriend. So you don't need to worry about Kyouya. In fact, I'm really happy you asked me out because I was thinking I would like you to be my real boyfriend."
"Are you serious? I can't go out with you if you're not Kyouya's girlfriend."
"Huh?" Erika didn't understand what he meant right away but she understood the pain she felt piercing her heart. Even if she understood it, she wasn't ready to accept it and laughed shakily. "Kimura?"
"And I wasted all that time and money. Sorry but I don't want to go out with you," He pat her shoulder but she was frozen in place from shock. "Kyouya stole my girl so I wanted to get revenge by doing the same to him. That was all you were to me but take care-"
"I thought I recognized you." A dark laugh came from behind them like the last time they spoke. Erika was shocked when Kyouya stepped out from behind a tree. "I thought women were the only ones petty enough to pull a stunt like this. If you had a problem with me, just come at me directly."
"You're the one that stole my girl from me so you have no right to act so mighty." Kimura raised his fists but they were shaking due to his nervousness.
"I don't remember stealing her. She just fell in love with me all by herself. I didn't give her the time of day so don't be angry at me or Erika. I'm not going to fight you. I hate violence." Kyouya shrugged and turned away from him. With a gentle hand on Erika's shoulder, he nudged her. "Let's go Erika."
She didn't move though. Kyouya frowned at how stiff she was and how she had been since he showed himself. Why wasn't she yelling and screaming at Kimura for tricking her? She always wore her heart on her sleeve so he was able tell when she lied to him.
Finally she raised her head to look at Kimura. "Was it all a lie, Kimura? Was everything you did… everything you said a lie?"
Even though her voice was even, Kyouya could tell that she was trying to stop it from shaking. Though she didn't let her emotion appear in her voice, he could see it tear at her body. Tears gather silently in her eyes but they didn't fall until Kimura started to laugh. Even then, she kept her back stiff with pride and expressed her pain in silence.
"Anyway, aren't you always chasing after guys? Did you think I would fall for you just because you have a decent face? I don't understand how a person can pretend to be with someone they despised but seeing you now I can. I can't stand cheap woman like you. But you did give me another way to get my revenge. There are so many people here I can tell them the truth right now."
"What?" Erika's heart stopped. She looked to Kyouya but he didn't react to Kimura's threat. She knew that his reputation was important to him and she didn't want her lie to drag Kyouya through the dirt. "Please don't! I made all of that up so please don't tell anyone."
The tears fell then and Kyouya took his hand from her shoulder. She felt as if she would crumble under Kimura's words once she lost the support of Kyouya's hand. Erika lifted her gaze when she felt powerful magic begin to emit from Kyouya. He didn't say a word as he watched Kimura step back but his glare screamed volumes.
The ground shook and the animals in the greenhouse reacted to his magic. They started to gather around Kyouya and snarled at Kimura. His magic was overwhelming but she could tell that it was controlled. "Erika wasn't lying and I can get pretty violent. I don't know why but when someone hurts something precious to me I can't control myself or my animals."
"I thought you said you hated violence!" Kimura screamed and people began to stare.
"Did I? I hate hearing people talk bad about what's mine more than I hate using magic. C'mon Erika." Kyouya turned away and the magic she felt started to fade. He ignored the stares around them and continued to pull her out of the greenhouse. "Man that was annoying. The next time you need me to save you I'll throw you out a window."
Erika began laughing but he could still hear the pain in her voice. Without thinking, he started to reach out to her. Only when she turned her large brown eyes at him did he realize what he was doing. Quickly he flicked her forehead, "You just had a terrible first love. You don't need to look so sad because now you know how he truly feels and you don't need to waste your time with him."
Erika touched her forehead and stared at Kyouya confused. Was he trying to comfort her? Confusing feelings swelled in her heart but she didn't know how to interpret them.
"Damnit," Kyouya swore and put a hand over his heart. He staggered on his feet and Erika ran to keep him steady on his feet. He looked so pale now and she didn't know why he was in pain now. He muttered for her to leave him though it was barely audible. Finally, he just placed his head on her shoulder and his body became lax in her arms.
My first chapter was pretty short and this is how long my chapters usually are. I was thinking of just moving the last scene to the next chapter but then the pacing would be much slower.