Night Four:
"Hey, are you like planning on getting up? Seriously, if you don't wake up like now you are so going to be late for class again." I groaned, and cracked an eye open to see my roommate, her name being Nae, standing over me with her hands at her hips, and an annoyed expression on her face. I groaned from my sleepiness, and threw the blanket over my head, closing my eyes, and turning on side. I didn't particularly feel like getting up. I wanted to sleep."C'mon. Like get up, dude." She ripped the covers from my body. I sighed in annoyance, and sat up, rubbing at my eyes to rid them of sleep.
"Yeah. Fine. I'm up." I snapped, rubbing at my eyes again. She nodded, and started walking towards the door. I say started because as soon as I stood up, made my bed quickly, and began to put on my pure white undershirt, she stopped, and turned towards me with an angry expression I hadn't seen on her face before. I was confused, unsure of what I had done to warrant her anger.
"Dude you totally woke me up this morning with your yelling. So not cool." I gave her a confused expression. Yelling? What the hell was I yelling about? I remember having nothing but a good dream.
"What are you talking about? Why would I be yelling? I had a perfectly good dream." I asked in my usual tone as I began to slip on my stockings, and shoes. She shrugged slightly.
"Like you seriously expect me to know the answer to that? All I know is that you were yelling about something." I scrunched my eyebrows together, trying desperately to remember something, anything that could have caused me to yell out in my sleep as I gathered my school supplies and books, stuffing them into my school bag, but nothing came to my mind. When nothing came to my mind, I dismissed it as her trying to rile me up. I simply ignored her as we went to our classes.
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Lunch came too quickly for me, much faster than I had expected, but I was happy when it came around. I would need that hour to study for the upcoming chemistry test. I was pretty good with sciences, chemistry was a particularly good subject I excelled in, but there were somethings that I needed to brush up on. I would need that hour to study hard.
Once class had let out for our lunch, I couldn't have gotten out of there fast enough. The last thing I wanted was to have any of my friends, Zero and Yuuki included, to catch up to me. I didn't want them to distract me from my goal.
I chose the library, somewhere with the few amount of people around since everyone would be eating, and mingling with friends. I chose a seat near the back of the room. I dug out my chemistry book, and notebook from my bag, and began to study.
It seemed to me, like much of the day, that lunch had ended too fast. The bell rang, signaling it was time for my next class, P.E., so I quickly put my things back into my bad, and went back to my room to gather my P.E. clothes. I then had to hurry to get to the pasture, where the class was being held that day.
"There you are. Yuuki wouldn't stop bugging me about where the heck you were." I glanced over at Zero, and shrugged slightly." So where were you?"
"If it means that much to you, I was studying." I whispered back as the teacher came into view with a bright smile. I sighed, and tightened my ponytail.
"I'm sure a good portion of you guys are excited for today's lesson. Today, we will be horse riding." I groaned inwardly at the news. Horses hated me. I had long since come to that conclusion. Even when I was little, horses would go crazy around me. I still had a scar on the small of my back when a horse kicked my back when I was small. I had my "wonderful and loving" older brother, Yakumi, to thank solely on that account. "Alright, to start off, we have a slight shortage of horses this year. Due to this fact, I want everyone to chose one partner. I will be generous, and let you chose you own. Once you have your partner, I want you both to go and chose a single horse from the barn. Then, once your horse is selected, please meet back here for your next instruction." Great, and we had to have partners too. Though, I had to admit that at least that made me feel better. Maybe I could just put off the embarrassment of having the horse freak out on me, and have my partner ride it the entire time, if I could possibly get away with that. I began to look around to find someone who would be willing to do just that for me when Zero cleared his throat. I looked back at him with an eyebrow raised.
"Can I help you?"
"Yeah. We're closest to each other. Why don't we just partner up?" I looked at him, geniually thinking about it for a moment, and then nodded slightly.
"Ok. Answer me one thing."
"Fine. What is it?"
"Do horses like you?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it." I whispered harshly. He sighed, and nodded slightly.
"Yeah. I'm pretty good with them."
"Great. You're my partner. Come on." I began to walk to the barn with more confidence than I had really been feeling. Zero easily kept up with my pace."Listen, horses and I aren't exactly the best of friends. You just chose one that we can both ride, and I'll be fine." Zero glanced over at me, and then nodded slightly.
"Ok. Fine." I was so happy to hear that he would be taking control of choosing the right horse, that I had no problems walking inside the barn with him.
Zero looked around at the remaining horses before his violet eyes settled on a rather beautiful mare with a white and brown and black spotted fur. The horse had rather dark eyes, and when our eyes met, her nostrils flared in the way that horses do when they get angry. I felt my muscles tense up. He didn't seem to be afraid of her. He walked right up to her, and began to gently stroke her neck, trying to calm her down. I was impressed that it had worked.
I heard the class begin, and I glanced over at Zero, who was still petting, and whispering sweet nothings into the horses ears. I glanced from the opening to Zero, and back again several times.
"We really should get going back to class." I voiced, a sudden feeling of uncomfortablness overcame me. Zero glanced at me, and nodded slightly.
"If you're so worried about being in class, why don't you just head back?"
"Because I'm not going back by myself with a dumb horse." I voiced with annoyance very evident. Zero cast a glare my way. I sighed, and shook my head."Just please." I had resorted to begging. Begging. Me. That almost never happened. Zero glanced at me, and then smirked.
"Fine. I'll head back, but you're handling the horse there." He opened the gate, reigned the horse, and walked her over to me, holding the reigns out to me. I stared at him slack jawed. He merely chuckled at the expression." Trust me, there's nothing to fear about them." Sure enough the moment I went to touch the horse, it backed away from my hand, giving a snort, and a whine in protest. Zero again comforted her, petting her neck." Shh, it's ok. She may be annoying, but she won't bite." I sighed, and glared at him. I could punch him for that comment if it weren't for that stupid horse."You have nothing to fear." He whispered to the horse, but was looking at me as he said that. He again walked the horse forward, and put the reigns in my outstretched hands. The horse immediately began protesting loudly.
"Oh God, please make it stop." I whispered, reaching out a hand to touch it, but it immediately tried biting my hand. I almost yelped at the even that damn near occurred, and pulled my hand back swiftly, gripping it like she had bitten it.
"What is going on, Zero? Why aren't you guys out there? The class is beginning to wonder." I sighed as Yuuki came into the barn, a clear look of annoyance on her face."Zero, you really ditch class too much."
"It's not me. It's Sakika. The horse keeps freaking out on her, and she refuses to go out until it doesn't try to fight her every time she tries to touch it." Yuuki looked at me, and then at the horse.
"That's weird. Momo likes everyone." Momo? I almost wanted to laugh at the ridiculous name of peach, but the embarrassment of the situation over rode that initial reaction.
"To be fair, horses and I don't exactly like each other." I defended myself like a pouting child. Yuuki smiled over at me.
"Well, your whole attitude is just wrong. Maybe if you had a kinder reaction to them, they'd be nicer!" I had to restrain my first urge to roll my eyes at her overly positive attitude."Come on, don't look so down. Here, try smiling, saying something nice, petting her...Maybe Momo will warm up." Or maybe she'll decide to add to my scarred body, and attack me, I thought with a slight nod.
"Ok. We'll try it your way." I looked at the horses face as her nostrils flared. I smiled nervously, and held my palm out to her.
She looked at it being seemingly cautious. She sniffed, and then snorted, backing up as she made a protesting noise. I made my own noise, and backed up, tripping onto my backside onto the hay that was behind me.
"Ok. Let's try this again." Yuuki seemed determined to make this work, but I didn't want to suffer anymore embarrassment.
"No. I have an idea. Why don't you guys pair up. I'm not feeling up to this." I then got up, and walked outside. The teacher looked at me with an eyebrow raised.
"And your partner? And Miss Cross where are they?"
"I...I got hurt trying to get the horse out of it's stable. I may need to go to the nurse."
"Was it bad?"
"Yes. She bit, and kicked me. I'm really not-"
"Alright. Head to the nurse. I want a valid note from her saying you can't participate in any further activities if it's bad enough. Otherwise, be expected to resume tomorrow." I nodded.
"Understood. Thank you." I turned, and walked off as slowly as I could manage. Hey, I had to look hurt after all.
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I didn't go to the nurse. There was no need. Instead, I took my time wondering the halls. Few people were milling about, and a few even cast glances at me. Probably wondering why I wasn't in my class, but I paid them no attention. I was minding my own business.
I had wound up in a level that had nobody. I looked down over the intercreate railing, guessing I had to be at least three stories above the ground. At this point next to nobody was out. I sat by a partially shaded pillar, resting my head back so that my eyes looked upwards at the high ceiling above me. As usual, I let my mind wonder off. So much so, that I didn't even hear anyone walk up to me.
"Oh, Sakika. I didn't expect you to be here." I looked over at Takuma, who was holding a stack of books in his left arm, and a few papers on his other arm.
"Oh...Takuma, what are you doing here?" I wasn't sure what it was that compelled me, but I stood immediately, like I was going to help him in some way. What the hell was wrong with me lately?
"I think I just asked you that Miss Sakika." He said through a laugh that made my checks burn red.
"I...Well..." Like I wanted to admit that I skipped PE because horses hate me, and the Headmaster knew I always skipped out on Study Hall. Not that I was going to admit to that either."I...Got sick during P.E.. I was supposed to head to the nurse, but...I stopped here because I felt really light headed." Takuma gave me a look that suggested he didn't believe me, but didn't say anything as he merely nodded.
"I was just picking up some books, and going to get these papers to our dorm president...Would you like to help? These books are rather heavy.. Or do you feel not up to it?" There was a slight teasing tone to his voice. I felt my cheeks redden again.
"No. I'm fine." I insisted, reaching for the stack of books. He laughed slightly, and handed a few to me.
"If you insist. Here just take these ones." I nodded, and walked beside him as he headed towards the Moon Dormitory.
I looked around at the Moon Dormitory grounds, a place that I had never ventured into completely despite me being on the Disciplinary Committee. I had to admit that it looked really pretty, much like the rest of the Academy if not with a slight darker tone. Maybe that was Kaein's way of attempting to make the vampire's here more used to their surroundings. I looked at Takuma the same time that he looked at me. He smiled slightly.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked. I shrugged slightly, and looked up at the seemingly immense door. Takuma looked towards the door, shrugging slightly."Yeah. A bit over done don't you think?"
"Maybe. Just a bit." I concurred with no particular reflection in my voice as I waited for him to open the door. He took the hint rather fast as he quickly opened the door, and stepped inside. I was quick to follow him. I didn't want to be alone.
We walked down the slightly dimmed hallways, Takuma humming all the while, as he lead us to study room. He looked at me, his back on the door holding it open. He smiled a bit wider, and suggested with his head that I follow him into the room. I did silently. I sat the books down on a table where he had sat the books, and papers, and then looked around the room.
I couldn't help but be impressed by the number of books in the area. I seemed to be surrounded by books. I then looked at the desk. It was beautifully crafted piece. I ran my fingers gently over the smooth, shiny wooden surface.
"It's pretty isn't it?" I looked up at Takuma, who was leaning against a bookshelf with his arms crossed slightly.
"It's just a desk..." I removed my hand from the desk, and looked around the room. I suddenly began to feel uneasy. All of a sudden, all I wanted was to get out of there.
"The Chairman had it imported from a foreign country. Kaname likes to use it sometimes to study." I nodded slightly, my heart quicking up as Takuma walked to me." Why don't we talk a bit? I doubt you're going anywhere anytime soon." He sat on the chair of the desk, his face resting on his hands that were interlinked. I looked at him with a scowl, eyeing him.
"Why do you want to talk about my family? There's nothing to talk about."
"Are you sure?" He picked up a pen, and began writing on some paper. I looked at him with an eyebrow raised. For a moment in time, I was geniually at a lost of words.
"I...I really need to go back to the Sun Dormitory. I have classes that begin in like thirty minutes, and I can't be late to World History again." Takuma looked up at me, a look of slight confusion crossed his face for a moment before his regular smile came back into place on his face.
"Are you sure? I could always have Kaname talk to the Head Master, and have him explain that you were here." I wasn't too sure how I felt on that offer, so I merely shook my head.
"Um. No. It's tempting, really, but I can't ignore my studies."
"Well...You're welcome to stop by anytime you want." I nodded slightly.
"Yeah. Well...Good bye." I waved at him as I walked away. I didn't think I could walk away fast enough.
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"Ok. I give up. What the hell is wrong with you?" Zero asked impatiently during his tutoring time with me. I looked up at him, and shrugged slightly.
"Nothing's wrong. Can't you just leave it be?"
"You've been brooding all day. Obviously something is up."
"Just...Drop it." I went back to writing down the math problem.
"Fine. I will. Just don't complain later."
"I won't be."
"Ok."
"Alright."
"Fine."
"Ok." We fell back into silence, which is what I had wanted, but now that silence was back between us, it made my nerves spike up all over again. Something was making me feel like I was on pins and needles, and I hated the fact that I just couldn't figure out what the hell was wrong with me to make me feel that way. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Nothing was going on. So why was I so uneasy? I just couldn't figure it out.
Zero looked up at me again as another ten minutes of me being utterly silent passed between us. I could tell by his expression that he knew something was wrong with me. Was it that evident on my face? Was I really that easy? Or could he just tell that something was not right with me?
"So...Did you ever make it to the nurses office today? We're doing horse lessons the next few weeks, so...I hope you have the note that says you're hurt, and can't participate." I looked up at him with a sigh.
"No. I ended up just hanging around the halls. I'll just have to learn how to deal with horses." Zero nodded slightly. He went back to his own books." I told you I didn't need tutoring." I whispered.
"Sometimes I wonder." I rolled my eyes, and continued to write some notes.
We wrote notes for another hour or so before we headed to our separate dorms to get ready for the night patrol. I got my usual weapon, and hide it safely on a holster on my thigh. I put my hair up into a ponytail, a slight change from it usually being down, and walked out to help reign in the crowd of fangirls.
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The night seemed to just drag on forever with seemingly no break at all. I couldn't exactly put my finger on what was making me feel so restless, and it bugged me to no end that I couldn't figure it out. Zero and Yuuki ended up joining me on patrol sometime after we had started the whole thing. Yuuki seemed very happy to talk to me, but Zero merely sulked, or seemed to anyways.
I couldn't be happier when the time came to go to the dorms, and sleep. The night felt oddly taxing on me, and I felt more exhausted than I had in a very long time, and that was truly saying something. For the first time in many nights, I hadn't one single visit from any of the Night Class students, and I hadn't one single rose or note. For some reason, that really put me off, but I quickly shrugged it off, and crawled into bed where sleep quickly took a hold of me.
A/n: The plot seems to be thickening! What is it about Sakika's dreams that she just yells out in the middle of the night? Could it be something she just can't remember? Or is her roommate merely trying to blame her for nothing? What of Takuma? Why would he want to talk to Sakika about her family? Is there something she doesn't know about? Something mysterious? Or was he merely trying to be friendly? And what of her attraction to vampires? How will she deal with it? Will she be forced to continue the horse riding lessons despite the horses not liking her? Or will she come up with a plan? Do you know how to find the answers to all these questions, and more? You come back for more! Until then, read, review, favorite, follow, or whatever! Happy readings!