Weaving Bonds

"But why must I go? I went last spring, they don't even want me there, they're just measly human pests that wish to get on our good side, they –"

My brother's hand silenced me, and as he stood up, I could tell he was tired and frustrated, as his words came out harsh, heavy, and punctuated.

"You received the invitation, if you don't want to go I guess I can't make you; but what effect do you think that'll have on the council? Surely they'll be more then happy to receive a declination from you; if you don't go they'll take it that your words were false. Did you really mean it when you said 'we need to start reaching out towards humans of the higher class. We need to show them that we aren't the monsters they think we are' or not? What is it that you expect to happen Juuri?"

I look down at my folded hands, "I…. I…" I sighed looking away, knowing that he was right, but wishing he wasn't.

Seeing my disgruntled expression, he cupped my face and made me look him the eyes. "The day will come when we will be free of the council's eyes. But right now, we need to show them that we are committed, and still here. We can't let them think they have a greater percentage of control." He bent down to touch his soft lips to mine, then my cheek and forehead before heading towards the door, stopping to put on his long deep purple overcoat.

"I'm going out, please do try not to cause any trouble will you? Keep in mind what happened last time you snuck off" My brother shook his head in disbelief as he recalled the time I had jumped onto the pirate ship.

"No more early morning escapades you hear me Juuri? I don't know how many more rumors this house can take without it combusting." He looked at me, clearly joking, but absolutely serious at the same time. I wish I knew how to do that.

"Yes Onii-sama." I bowed my head and smiled too; but for an entirely different reason, as I remembered what he had said to me before Haruka's Guard had tracked me down. "Well, now you must come back and visit me soon; try using your head more though my dear. It might help with situations such as this…" Haruka was gone before he could see my smile turning into a wide goofy girly grin, I practically ran to the window, almost tripping over Rino's tail, and pushed the floor length doors to the balcony open with all my might. I leaned over the rails until half my body was over, and called down to Haruka who was about to mount his horse.

"Don't come back too soon Haruka-sama!" I yelled, waving my right, and hanging onto the windowsill with the other.

I could hear his laugh, and his men's low chuckles, as he called back.

"And don't you fall out of that windowsill. What use will a flattened wife be to me?" I huffed and pretended to look mad by pouting my lower lip and narrowing my eyes; acting the part can easier when Haruka and I bantered. Although it didn't help that my lips still held my grin. As he rode off, I counted to one hundred, watching him disappear into the trees.

I turned my head west, toward the rising sun, and let the warm ocean breeze caress my face. I took the pin from my hair and let the wind toss it all around me as I bit my lip. Van always liked it better messed up. He said it looked cuter and less "uptight". Oooh just thinking of him sent shivers down my spine.

Again, with the same enthusiasm as before, I took off not bothering to close the stained glass doors behind me. I ran as "royally" as I could to Haruka's and my chambers. There, I flung our king sized bed's mattress onto the floor and grabbed my secret bag of clothing from underneath. Just as I was untying my bodice my and aid burst in, and hurriedly began to untie my laces for me.

Breathlessly, she said, "I can give you more time than usual, but you must return 'fore the human's lunch hour, you hear? Haruka's always in a hurry to return to you my dear, and we must get you ready for Elchrist's party."

I whinned, "Aahh, I know I know, Ah, I wish I never had accepted their invitation last spring. All they do is whine and fawn over how handsome Haruka is."

She stopped untying my laces to remove the outer skins of my skirts, arcing her long eyebrows at me. "Well dearie of course they do! There's no man, vampire or not that can rival with his looks!"

She snorted and wagged a finger as I unintentionally moved my lips to form words that would contradict what she said. "Now you listen here, young miss, I'mma only goin along with this, 'cause you and Haruka have seem to hit a rut. You be smart to 'member the rules we set 'afore you started these secret meetings. No-"

I interrupted her as I had heard her say these things more than twice a minute when rare occasions when Haruka had business outside of our home arose. "No indecent actions, no running further than the coast, and under no circumstance, no matter what I must do, I must not weave an unbreakable bond with this man."

My words were but whisper at the end, as Van had already tied a thread around my finger. I sighed and lifted the cotton shirt over my head that she handed me. I gave her the same answer I always did, "I know… I know."