I hope you like the new chapter
Renge-chan was chatting so fast about the newest manga she read that Haruhi thought she was going to have a brain stroke. She was cold, and her body was still aching. She didn't know what was going on with her. She didn't sleep the entire night, waiting any moment to turn into a vampire after being bitten by one and at the same time thinking about the weird guy who bit her. What all of that meant? For a moment, she thought Renge-chan would know all about vampires by all the active ways she was chatting about her supernatural shoujo manga stories, but she realized it wouldn't be a good idea to give the redhead any ideas.
The wounds on her neck still hurt. But at the same time, she didn't feel scared of the idea that someone had bitten her and drunk her blood. She was so startled that she had run away the moment the guy let go of her. But he looked even more terrified when he stared at her back then. She could almost feel bad for him. Her hand went to brush over the bandaged wound, and she remembered the shocking pain she felt when he pierced his teeth into her flesh. He must have had extremely sharp teeth to be able to do that. The wounds indicated fangs.
"You know that Ootori guy is staring at you," Renge suddenly said. "Is there something I must know?"
"I forgot to return his book," Haruhi mumbled apologetically. "Maybe he thinks I am about to keep it to myself."
She laughed awkwardly and glanced back. He was talking to the Host club's prince, that obnoxious Tamaki Suoh. He looked so thoughtful. Haruhi quickly averted her eyes and returned her attention back to Renge. The redhead looked curious, and Haruhi decided to change the topic.
"So, have you already decided what you are going to wear for the Host Club's ball," she asked, knowing that it was not a good thing to give something to Renge-chan to rave about, but she wanted her focus elsewhere, other than the strange, handsome Ootori Kyoya and herself. Renge-chan might have been a bit too obsessive and mad, but she was quite sharp, too.
"I am still searching for the perfect gown," she screamed excited. "And you know what? You are coming with me to find it. Besides you would need a dress for yourself, because you are going to that ball with me, and no, I don't want to hear any noes!"
Haruhi sighed and nodded. She knew that Renge would drag her around eventually, so there was no point to refuse. She was so focused on the idea of seducing the 3rd-year Morinozuka guy that she wouldn't calm down until she got him. She looked back to see if the Ootori Kyoya was anywhere near, but he was left behind. They had walked away into the different section of Ouran High school.
She sighed. She was worried, but she had planned to meet that guy and ask him what was all that about. Why did he bit her? Was she going to turn into a vampire or something like that? And of course, she wanted to give his book back to him, which she planned to do yesterday, but was interrupted by the guy's crazy attack. Renge-chan pulled her into the classroom and continued to chatter about how in love she was with Mori-senpai. Haruhi had heard it so much, she was sure she was going to have nightmares about the two.
"We should quickly find someone for you," she said solemnly. "I can't be the only one dating. So, we can have double dates and trips. Oh my God, that sounds so romantic! I can't believe I didn't realize this before. We should find you a boyfriend. Do you have anyone under your radar?"
Haruhi frowned and shook her head. "Thank you very much," she raised her hands defensively. "I came to Ouran to study, not start romances with rich, damn bastards."
Renge scowled and wanted to retort something when the teacher walked in. They all hurried into their seats. She couldn't say the wound on her neck wasn't aching and reminding her of what happened the day before, but at the same, she felt strangely content about it. It confused her. She touched it again and then shook her head when the burning sensation returned. What was wrong with her? Why did she keep nudging at the wound as if it was some surprise box?
The classes went quite easily, she guessed, because she wasn't really paying attention much. Her mind was concentrated on something else, or rather someone else. She had no idea what to make of the bite on her neck. It was scary to think that vampires existed all along, or maybe he was not a vampire, but a crazy weirdo with awfully unnatural fetishes. No, she remembered his face. He looked just as much terrified. She was sure of it. She shook her head. She would confront him and clear everything out.
When the lunch break approached, she took her bag and sneaked out of the school. Renge-chan insisted on eating together, but she didn't like how others viewed her lunchbox and eating in peace was important. She wrapped her scarf around her shoulders and walked through the garden to the quiet place she found. But as she turned around and neared the bench, she realized it was already occupied by someone else. Her eyes widened in surprise, fear and excitement when she spotted the second-year student who had bitten her yesterday.
She gulped the thickness in her throat, and taking a deep breath, walked towards him. Her steps were uncertain and slow, and her heartbeat was growing faster and louder. Her stomach felt sick and her mouth dried up. She instinctively touched the wound on her neck and winced as the burning, hot sensation tingled her skin. He looked so harmless and innocent from the side. She shook her head. She had made her mind that she would talk to him, and it wasn't the time to back away. Taking out the book she had intended to return, she straightened her shoulders and walked up to him.
The cold winter air brushed against her cheeks, whipping her short hair. Her stomach turned weak as she stood next to him. He didn't seem to notice her presence, as if he was occupied with some frustrating thoughts and didn't see anything around himself. She leaned down and greeted.
"Hello," he jumped up startled and looked back at her with confusion and shock and something feral, dangerous.
Haruhi gulped and stared at him, preparing for an attack, but it never came. The guy was so surprised by her presence that he just stared at her with the sort of astonishment people reserve for things they see for the first time. Haruhi noticed that the deadly pale colour had faded away from his face, and he looked quite lively today.
"I have brought your book," she said, pointing at it, internally grateful that she had taken it out of her backpack, and there was something to say to break the awkward, heavy silence. "You had left it on the bench yesterday."
She noticed how his eyes shifted from her neck to the book and he blinked. His posture was tense and rigid. It was as if he had no intentions of moving. But then she heard his voice.
"I am sorry," he said, curling his lips in disgust, as if the words that came out of his mouth were foul. "I shouldn't have done it yesterday. It was a terrible mistake, and I hope you are not injured because of it."
Haruhi raised her eyebrows. She wasn't still sure that it was a good idea to get closer to him, but his apology, for some reason, gave her a hope that she would be safe. She sat on the bench, on the edge of it, and now he was towering over her. She realized back yesterday that he was really tall, not as tall as Renge-chan's sweetheart, but taller than most. Her grip on the book became tighter and she, inhaling a gulp of air, looked sideways at him. He sat down too, on the other side of the bench, not daring to look at her directly and stretched his hand.
She tentatively gave him the book and then turned to face him, "Will I turn into a vampire?" she asked cautiously.
He looked back at her, and she noticed how his facial muscles tensed. There was something wild in his eyes that frightened her, but she wasn't willing to show it.
"I..." he looked at her warily and shook his head, "I don't think so. I have bitten my mother once by accident and nothing happened to her."
She sighed relieved. All of those worries for no reason! She shouldn't have tortured herself. A small silence followed, and then she spoke again, "Then how did you become like that?"
He didn't answer for a second, as if he was assessing her, trying to read some deception on her face, but then he looked away towards the trees where the fountains were frozen, "I was born this way," he sighed.
"Is your family like you too?" she asked curiously.
"No," he said reluctantly, pursing his lips as if he didn't like being there and talking to her.
"Then how were you born that way?" she scoffed, "that sounds really improbable."
He didn't answer, just gave her a look and fidgeted on the wooden bench. He wanted to leave, but wasn't sure if it was a good idea.
"I am sorry," she said, noticing his discomfort, "I was just worried about myself and couldn't keep the questions. It must appear I am prying."
He looked at her again, this time, the look of annoyance was less visible. But it seemed like he had paled again, as if he wasn't really breathing. She looked around for a second and then clumsily opened her backpack to get her lunchbox. She felt awkward after asking personal questions, which she didn't even think were personal when she asked them. It was her break, and she needed to eat before the classes would start. She noticed that his face wrinkled in disgust when she started to eat.
"Do you want some?" she smiled at him, trying to be ease the tension, "I can share. It's a bit too much for me."
"I can't eat," he said, looking at her food with disdain as if it was the world's most foul thing.
"Right," she said, "you don't eat human food at all?"
"I can't eat it," he sighed, "my body doesn't digest it for a while already."
"Does it taste bad?" she asked curiously, wondering how anyone could say no to the delicious smelling food. "Or you don't feel, you know, replete."
He gritted his teeth in annoyance, and she almost stepped back, seeing his threatening eyes, but then his expression softened, maybe he realized how scary he looked, "I can't eat human food at all," he explained, "it's not just the taste, mind you, it tastes disgusting, but if I could survive eating that garbage, I would have gladly. I did when I was younger, but with years my digestive system failed, and I can't digest anything I am eating, thus I can't get nutrition or anything at all."
Haruhi's eyes widened at his confession, and she looked at him with sympathy. "I am sorry," she said, "must be hard for you."
He shook his head, "I am fine," he said, not wanting to admit how much he craved her blood. She was so close, he could smell her. He wanted to drink her blood like he had never wanted anything. The desire filled his head and clouded his senses. He wanted to leave, but after what he did to her, he realized he owed her some explanations at least and no matter how unwilling he was, he found himself answering her questions.
"The strawberry I gave you," she smiled, "it was useless, wasn't it?"
She mumbled something about a perfect strawberry being wasted and then looked at him again. Haruhi's heart throbbed with painful long, exhilarating pangs. He must have felt really lonely, and it must have been difficult for him not to have any food he liked.
"So, you are only drinking blood?" she asked.
"Yes," he said coldly, perhaps hoping she would shut up.
"Animal blood?" she asked again, shifting in her place, moving a bit closer.
Kyoya inhaled sharply. The wind washed her smell towards him, and he thought he would faint. He rubbed his temple and sighed, trying to concentrate on her food. It smelled foal, and he hoped it would set his desire down. It would subdue her smell, it would take his mind away from her delicious soft skin, her warm, cozy heartbeat.
"No," he said with utmost concentration, "animals have various pathogens in their blood that's not suited for a human organism. I would just get a shock from it and get sick, even worse than with cooked food."
"Then you drink human blood," she said wide-eyed, "from humans."
Kyoya sighed, "from hospital," he said, wondering why was he digging his own grave and answering this girl's questions. If she went and told everyone about this, it would make a huge scandal. He wasn't sure anyone would believe her, but people wouldn't stop gossiping anyways.
"Then why aren't you having your lunch now?" she asked confused, "or you will turn pale and lifeless like you were yesterday and attack someone."
"Because I don't have any blood with me. Why are you asking so many questions?" he huffed frustrated.
She didn't say anything, just kept eating her food, and Kyoya wondered why he was still sitting there. He should run away from her as far as possible if he didn't want any problems. But her smell captivated him, it imprisoned him in his place, paralyzed his limbs and he couldn't move. Her smell had woken up all of his body, and he wanted to have her right then in the middle of the school yard, on the frozen bench, until nothing of her was left. The thoughts sickened him, and he clutched his hands with disgust.
"Are you hungry now?" she asked.
He didn't answer. He couldn't speak, he couldn't breathe. It was all wrong. He thought it was a great opportunity to apologize to her and make sure she wouldn't blurt out anything to anyone, but now he realized her presence made it hard for him, really hard.
She had noticed how he was staring at her food. He must have been very hungry, she reasoned, and yesterday he attacked her because he was starving. Now she realized why he was looking so pale and weak. It made her feel really guilty about having food she liked to eat. She came from an ordinary family, and she couldn't afford many delicious dishes that she would love to try, like fancy tuna. But now she realized that it was just a minor deprivation, something she could live on without.
She put her lunchbox down which startled Kyoya, and he narrowed his eyes, glancing at her suspiciously. She took out her jacket and rolled up the hem of her blue pullover. Having her skin so exposed, made Kyoya get crazy. He stood up immediately, intending to run away.
"Are you sure I won't turn into a vampire?" she asked again, making him linger his gaze at her bare arm.
"Nothing will happen," he said, "I don't think, at least, nothing happened before when accidents happened."
He had bitten a few people a few times before. He didn't drink their blood of course. But it was a genetic disease he didn't have any special active virus, or microorganisms that could have infected her.
"Promise you will stop when I ask you, and you won't drink too much," she said tentatively, stretching her hand towards him.
Kyoya stared at her in utter disbelief, fear and astonishment. Her hand was shaking, but there was a determination in her deep, soulful eyes. What was she doing? Why was she doing it? Questions twirled in his head. Did she have something in her mind?
"Why?" he asked coldly, "What's in it for you?"
She blinked surprised and retreated her hand, apparently she didn't expect that kind of reaction from him, "I..." she started, "I didn't want to offend you. I just thought you look very hungry. I have been taught to share with others..."
Her mother had always taught her that. She always spoke about the importance of helping others and being nice. Her heart trembled when she looked at him again.
"You have been taught?" he mocked bitterly, laughing so coldly that sent shivers down her spine, "You have been taught to share your blood with others? What else had they taught you? You think I am an idiot?"
"I..." she looked at him surprised. She didn't expect him to react that way, but he always did what she didn't expect. She gulped and blinked her eyes, trying to understand why he was angry, "I just wanted to help you. You are hungry, aren't you? Should there be something in it for me?"
"If I wanted to sleep with you, would you also help me with that?" he said ,staring at her face with pique. "How very nice of you! I don't know if you are foolish or just very good at pretending to be. Or..." he stood closer now, "you have something in your mind."
Her face turned red at his remarks, and that made breathing hard for both of them. She had never met a person this distrustful. She was supposed to be the one scared and wary of him, not the other way around. But his words made her think. It was foolish of her to make such an offer to a complete stranger and yet, her heart scowled at her, demanding her to help this condescending bastard. Something about him made her feel very sympathetic. It was strange.
"It's just blood," she rolled her eyes, "I have plenty. I even intended to be a blood donor. I would have had the same reaction if you were bleeding to death and needed someone's blood. I would have given you my blood then, so stop making up things."
She took her bag and wanted to go away when he held her hand. She turned back to look at him. His face had bleached, and he had lost all the colour that was on his face initially. He looked even worse than he was yesterday when he attacked her. She dropped her jacket on the ground when his grip on her bare hand became very tight.
"Are you sure I can?" he asked with a pained expression on his face. He was scared to try, and he was scared that she was up to something.
She nodded and sat down. She wasn't really sure, and she didn't understand why she said everything she said. He held her hand in front of his eyes, and then she yelped as his sharp teeth went into her skin. It burnt and stung. She shook her hand mechanically, but he was holding it tightly. She could hear him gulping her blood. She could see how his face changed from horrid pale, into a lovely tender colour and how his wooden muscles shook and moved. He looked entirely obsessed. She felt she would faint any moment if he kept drinking, but he stopped.
He lifted his head and there was a blood on his lips. His silver eyes wide and mesmerized as if he had just witnessed something magnificently unbelievable.
"Are you alright?" he asked worried.
She nodded, and he let go of her hand. There were two small wounds on her hand and small drop of blood around them. She stared at the wounds and wondered how he could have made those holes so easily. She reached for her bag and took out a bandage and before she would put it on she licked her blood instinctively to make it clean. She wrinkled her face, it was salty and not good at all. His face changed when he realized she had licked her skin where his lips touched her, but it seemed she didn't give any significance to it. Only for some reason his body did.
"Tastes disgusting," she admitted.
"It's sweet," he confessed, not knowing why he wanted to reassure her.
"You look good now," she commented, staring at him for a second and then looked away.
This was way more intimate than she thought it would be. There was something chilling about the way he had looked at her. It was disturbing. She had never had anyone to look at her person with such wild lust and need. She inhaled the air and pulled down the sleeve of her pullover. He stared at her every movement, carefully examining her.
"Thank you," he said when she was leaving. She didn't turn back just ran away towards the school.
Kyoya walked up. His body was so alive and fresh. He thought he could have run a marathon. His classes started too, and he needed to go to school. Her smell was in his nose, making him feel relaxed and satisfied, and her taste was in his mouth. He closed his eyes and sniffed the air as if trying to collect her smell that might have lingered in the air after she passed through it.
He couldn't believe she had offered her blood. He pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth and then brushed the tip of it over the drops of rich, sweet blood. His heart was beating steadily, his muscles were relaxed and strong. Her blood had woken him up from his lethargic slumber.
When he headed towards the classroom, he stopped abruptly feeling someone hand on his shoulder. He didn't even need to turn to know that it was Suoh Tamaki. This guy didn't get the hint that he didn't want to deal with him.
"Kyoya-kun," he said cheerfully, "here is the invitation to the ball."
Kyoya took the envelop, and politely bowing, decided to move on before the chairman's son would come with more things to say.
"I have specifically asked Renge-chan if she will attend the ball," Tamaki Suoh smiled childishly, "and she said she will."
"Thank you, Souh-san," Kyoya forced a polite smile and kept walking, the blonde followed him.
"She comes to our club very often, Kyoya-kun," he said in a friendly voice, "I could have helped you with getting closer to her."
Kyoya paused and stared at Tamaki. He looked at his classmate attentively and then sighed, "I think, Suoh-san, you got the wrong impression. I am not interested in Houshakuji-san. She is not in my taste."
Tamaki blinked surprised and a little embarrassed, and then nodded.
"I am sorry," he apologized, "you were looking at her, and I thought... doesn't matter. I hope this won't dissuade from coming to the ball."
Kyoya smiled, "I will try to be present," he said politely, "thank you for the invitation, Suoh-san."
A/N- What do you think about this chapter? I was a little wary about having Haruhi offer Kyoya her blood so soon, because it seemed a little strange to me. But I thought she was always kind and willing to help and didn't think of things to be a big deal than they were. Wanting to know your opinion.