Volume 2- AWAKENING

CHAPTER 9

Everyone holds a secret….mine is the worst.

There were places that humans weren't meant to go or they would just disappear, I live in that place. Greanta, was my home now it's a wasteland due to the purebloods. They fear us. They hate us, but yet we strive for our future and we will fight back. Yes we will and it shall be the day we can celebrate when this tragedy is over. It's our war, and we are the hybrids.

"Is she coming?" Yagari asked Zero, both were wearing formal suits since they were hired by the association to attend the Ichijou clan's banquet. Zero had a flashback, Akane was carrying her dress, looking uncomfortable and nervous. He figured she wasn't used to this kind of lifestyle.

"I don't know, it would be better if she went home" he replies stoically

He sees Takuma coming towards him "Kiryuu-kun I'm glad you came even if this place holds a lot of memories" he says nicely

"Takuma, you haven't changed a bit" he replies

There were girls cooing over them, as usual Takuma waves and entertains them, but he was looking for the girl who caught his eyes. Zero as usual, ignored them. The crowd went silent, as the lady wearing a soft peach dress, tailored in modern simplicity. But those soft eyes stood out, the young men were speechless too, she walks down slowly, every movement was graceful

"Shiro-san, you look beautiful." Takuma fumbled "I'm so nervous now"

"That makes both of us" she replies in a well mannered way

"She seems to fit in" Yagari says smoothly, Zero said nothing, he just watched her. There was something different about her, it was as if she was wearing a mask to shy away from everybody. One of the pureblood elders was nearby, Akane felt suffocated by strange scents around her, her body felt hot she wanted to rip something apart. She went outside to breath, her hands shaking, she swore her nails were growing sharper, and hid away as she felt safer. What was happening to her?

"Akane"

She turned as sees Zero, she sighed in relief "Zero, I didn't see you…"

"Are the vampires scaring you?"

"Eh? Vampires? What?"

"Most of the ones inside are noble vampires, harmless for now"

"Should you be telling this to me?"

"I thought you should know"

"Maybe it is" Akane turned away "Somehow, I ache inside."

"Do you hate them now?"

"No, I don't think hate could describe that feeling, it's like, I want to run and stay at the same time."

Zero was speechless, Akane covered her mouth and blushed "I know that it doesn't make sense but it's the only way I could say it. I mean, if it wasn't by choice that they turned so I can't really say that they deserve to be killed. I actually, want to…give my sympathy…I somehow feel it. I feel the pain to lose someone I cared so much, even if I forgot, the feeling of hurt is still there. A void that can't be filled…"

Zero took her hand; Akane saw his smile "Get back inside before you get a cold"

The banquet ended well, but Zero, he never left her side. Everywhere she went his presence was felt, by that, she felt safer inside. The searing pain diminished for a while.

"Akane, you overslept again." Yori stated "Did you go home late?" Akane yawned and placed her head on the desk "I can't remember. I only remember Zero…" Mika glanced at Akane she looked away, stood up and left. Yori noticed and wondered what was wrong with Mika. The tormented heat hurt Akane, she hid in the dark, and she hasn't been feeling well lately. It was something inside welling up inside of her that she couldn't explain. There was a voice whispering to her You can't always run Akane

"What are you doing in here?" a husky voice interrupted

Akane turned and saw Yagari with this big loaded gun, she gulped "Are…you hunting Yagari-sensei?"

"I thought I sensed something pass by, did you see anyone?"

"No I haven't, who in particular?"

"Possibly, a Night student, they aren't allowed to walk around during the day." Yagari noticed Akane's health "You look tired Shiro-san"

"Maybe I am, I slept late last night"

Yagari touched her forehead; somehow, he knew the real person she is but that could not be revealed. Sooner or later he'll be able to tell her the truth. Right now, what and where she is made him feel relieved "You should go to the doctor"

"I feel fine sensei" she forced a smile

"Don't let me call Zero to escort you there"

"Okay fine, just don't tell him. He has better things to do than be concerned"

"Shiro-san"

Akane turned to him "Yes?"

"Are your nightmares still there?"

"No, not anymore" she lied, and then hurried back inside.

Yori and Mika walked to the hallways together, they were talking about the events coming the next week. Zero noticed the Akane's absence, Mika spotted Zero and happily greeted him

" Kiryuu-kun will you be helping us with the decorations at the Trade Fair next week? Me and Yori need a lot of heavy lifters." She says cheerfully

"Akane would appreciate it too" Yori added, Mika glanced back at Yori with a scowl

Yori didn't notice it

"I'll see what I can do" he replies quickly, his eyes afar off

Yori already knew and smiled to herself "She got sick, she's at the clinic"

Zero looked at her surprisingly and left.

With slow steps, Akane went to the clinic, she saw that the nurse wasn't present; she sighed and wished she never came. Instead, she sat down and gave it a five minute chance. Then as soon as she was about to leave an unfamiliar pretty nurse came

"I'm sorry I was late Shiro-chan, I had an errand to make"

"Its fine…um…where is Nurse Nako?"

"She felt ill this morning; I was called to replace her"

"I see, very well then"

"My name is Lora, so what can I do for you?"

"I felt a bit dizzy today, and the sun…it…hmm"

"The sun?"

"The sun's heat…it bothers my skin…somehow"

"Does that happen often?"

"No…this is the first…well I don't know if oversleeping is the cause haha maybe?"

"Maybe you should drink a lot of water and rest, you can rest here. And oh, I'll test your blood to see if you might be possibly anemic" Nurse Lora gave a slight smile

"Okay."

After the blood testing, Akane felt overwhelmed to sleep. Her eyes closed she was drifted away, Nurse Lora smiled as she saw Akane unconscious, she took the blood sample, smelled it and licked it "Mmm…I found you"