Today's the day the qualifying rounds start or whatever they're called. Lulubell wanted to get here early like always, I'm sure we were up before any of the other competitors. We sit here on the stands of one of the many stadiums within the city's biggest rec center. Six floors, two Olympic pools, three smaller ones. Two soccer fields, gyms, shower rooms, the works. Lulubell dragged me all over this place this morning, making her usual comments and giving her rants about how she liked or disliked the area. I tuned out for most of it, thinking about anything else besides her opinions.

In the early morning, the lights of the building were not yet turned on. We walked down dark quiet hallways, that smelled of chlorine, and cleaning products. It's feels like walking down a high school hallway at night or when you get there at six am for a class. Nothing thing like creepy hallways and ugly brownish purple carpet to put the butterflies in your stomach at rest.

After about two hours of walking around aimlessly, others started to arrive. A few announcements are made and the first matches start.

Lulubell and I wait for our turn, sitting in a hall with a glass window overlooking one of the many arenas. She plays with a rubix cube, one that she stole from Fred our first year of college. She said she would give it back, but she never has and probably never will.

We wait and the butterflies return. I close my eyes, thinking about my first match. I didn't even know who I was going against and I wouldn't till about one minute before the match started. There is no planning, no strategies to be thought up. All we could do was wait and hope that whoever you got put up against slipped.

I hate waiting for things. I hate it because when you wait you have time to think. When you think you second guess yourself which can lead to fatal errors. The more you wait the more nervous you get.

Lulubell finally gets frustrated with the rubix cube and places back in her bag. She turns to me waiting for me to start up a conversation. I don't feel like talking so I said nothing, I was too tired from going to bed at midnight last night. I didn't plan on talking, but Lulubell would never stand for that.

"You know you wouldn't be so tired of you didn't stay out so late last night like an idiot." She says now braiding her hair.

I ignore her comment taking the rubix cube from her bag. She frowns at the fact that I don't reply.

"Don't be rude." She says finishing one braid and starting another. "You should of paid more attention to the time. I know you were off with your Prince Charming but for the love of god Hiro we have a tournament to win." She finished the seconded braid, looking at it on the camera of her phone, she makes a face before untying the seconded braid not happy with it and starting again.

I finish the rubix cube. "Yeah I know." I say softly.

Lulubell rolls her eyes and snatches the cube away from me. "What am I going to do with you?"

A speaker just above us announces my name telling me to report to arena four, Lulubell helps me up and the two of us walk to my first match.

I stand in the area which kind of looks like a basketball court only bigger. There are a few people in the stands peering down on us.

My first opponent is a Russian man. He's not overly buff or tall, he looks like an average guy with a cloak.

A screen appears in front of us showing a picture of me and my general info. From this I see that my opponent's name is Alexander.

We meet halfway shaking hands and exchanging good lucks. He didn't seem cold or scary like I pictured my first opponent to be; for that I am secretly grateful.

The starting bell buzzes and my first match officially begins.

Alexander wastes no time in sending sharp wind cycles at me, catching me off card and cutting my cheek and shoulder.

So this was a wind Mage, which means he's good in long distant attacks, I got to get close to him to do any damage.

I take Megabot out, sending him straight for Alexander. Alexander lets forth a powerful gust of wind knocking Megabot to the side. He then sends more wind cycles at me, slicing my side.

It was hard to see the wind or feel it because of the speed he was sending his attacks with, but now would not be a good time to stress about it.

I spend a good five minutes dodging Alexander's attacks. He got me good a few times. A cut to my arm and one more to my side, the same one as my other, while I hadn't even touched him yet.

When I get an idea-it was a terrible idea, but it was an idea. I send Megabot off to the side and try to gets Alexander's attention completely on me. Up until this point we have been on opposite sides of the area, now with my best efforts i come slightly closer, not close enough for the cycles to be anymore trouble, but enough to make my opponent uneasy.

Alexander's solely focused on me. So focused that he doesn't notice Megabot come up behind him with string. Before Alexander knew what was happening he fell to the floor tied up from head to toe.

The same bright screen from before appears showing the word 'winner' on my side and 'defeated' on Alexander's.

My first match was officially over.

I walk over to Alexander and help untie him from the string. To my surprise he isn't furious at me. We shake hands for a second time and he says to me-.

"Nice job, but aren't you a little young to be in this tournament." His accent is thick and his voice low.

"Why yes, yes I am." I smile and so does he. I wanted to ask him some questions when out of the corner of my eye I catch Tadashi watching us from behind a glass viewing area. He didn't have his usually cheery face and I suddenly felt nervous again.

"Are you going to be alright? I got you pretty good." Alexander says referring to the now bleeding cuts on my sides.

I had forgotten all about them till now and it wasn't till now that I felt them stinging and sore.

I looked back up to the viewing area to see that Tadashi is gone.

"Um yeah I'll be fine, now if you please excuse me." I say taking off out of the arena.

Despite the soreness from my injuries I jog up the the viewing area where I say Tadashi. At first I don't see him, the halls lay empty, but then I jumped when out of nowhere Tadashi appears again and takes my hand. Without a word or any explanation he drags me to the nearest bathroom, pulling me in and locking the door. He motions for me to sit on the counter, eyes never leaving the cuts on my body.

I don't move.

"Tadashi?"

His face remains unchanged. "Sit." He orders this time in a commanding voice.

This time I do as he says sitting on the bathroom counter.

He comes closer, standing in between my legs, his gaze still on my injuries.

He doesn't look like himself. He looks different, weather it was a good different or bad different, I don't know. I do know however that there is an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I wasn't afraid of Tadashi; I never could be, he would only ever do what he thought was right. ThisI know. Although I can still feel uneasy.

"You can't tell anyone about what I'm about to do. And don't question me about it later okay?" Despite the animalistic face, his words were caring and worried. "Try to relax."

What is he talking about?

"Tadashi wha-." He cuts me off with a kiss, bringing his hand to the side of my cheek that isn't cut.

"Trust me." He released my lips to slide over to my cut, his lips ghosting over it. He kisses it a few times as if apologizing for something he hasn't done yet. Then he slides his tongue out over the opening. Shortly followed after his actions an unpleasant stinging makes itself know, causing me to tense up. It stings like those alcoholic wipes, only ten times worse. I try my best to keep still but can't help jerking at the pain.

I sighed in relief when Tadashi pulled away, wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve.

"You not a vampire are you?" I joke, however Tadashi's face remains serious.

He takes my hand bringing it to meet where the cut on my cheek is...or was?

I feel around my cheek feeling nothing. I turn to look into the mirror to see that indeed the cut was gone, there wasn't even a scar left.

"H-how?" I touch my cheek several more times to co confirm that fact that my cut had healed.

Tadashi kissed the side of my neck, slowly moving down to my shoulder, sliding my shirt down to gain access to the gash on it. I held my breath knowing that this was probably going to hurt.

Tadashi followed the same procedure with this wound as he did the previous one. Kissing it lightly before dipping his tongue in the Crimson fluid flowing from the gash.

I inhaled sharply, my hand grabbing the fabric of Tadashi's uniform. I pressed my head to Tadashi's shoulder and closed my eyes, gritting my teeth.

Tadashi took his time nursing the wound, savoring the taste on his tongue, lapping up the blood as if a kitten was drinking milk. Keeping and easy pace until the wound fully healed. He didn't bother to even look at me, before sliding down to my the cut on my arm.

"T-Tadashi wait." I try to pull my arm away, but Tadashi holds my arm in place, my strength no wear near his. "Tadashi that hurts." I say still trying to move my arm away. His grip around my waist with his other arm tightening . He looks at me now and my breath catches in my throat at the sight of his eyes.

They're yellow...

I stare into his eyes seeing my reflection within them. I look like a scared mess, but at the moment could you blame me? And not only have his eyes changed but I can hear his heavy breathing. Hard breaths, not like the soft calm ones that the Tadashi I knew had. It was like he was a completely different person, almost a different soul and being altogether. The hunger in his eyes the tightness of his grip, it's almost like I'm about to be devoured. This was a new side to Tadashi, one I don't understand. While I fight the urge to squirm in his hold, we have a staring contest for what feels like hours. I'm too scared to blink or look away, it's the kind of fear and uncertainty that freezes you in place. I have to remind myself that this is Tadashi, but my thoughts contradict with what I see. Who I see is not human. I thought he was, I mean he never told about any of this. Who and what did I fall for?

Tadashi's grip loosens and he takes a deep breath in and closed his eyes. "Hiro." He begins, holding my arm up high. "Trust me."

"You said that already." I say giving up the fight to my arm. "It hurts."

Tadashi chuckles amused. "You've said that already too."

I attempt to pout sticking my lower lip out, the way Lulubell says is cute. It's the look I use to get away with everything, even with aunt Cass, call it my puppy dog face if you will.

Tadashi smiles, making his yellow eyes glow brighter. I bite my lower lip; he looks really hot right now...but still.

"You're scaring me." I say.

This seems to have an affect on him. He lets down my arm and his eyes dull slightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean lose this much control. It's just you Hiro you bring out the real me."

"This isn't you." I say, moving slightly in his hold.

What did he mean by the real him?

Tadashi sighs running his hand up my shoulder to my newly healed cheek. He swipes the area with his thumb. "Do you not like this?" He questions, eyes going back to chocolate brown.

"I never said that." I say.

I mean- well, how do I explain this. It's like I care but at the same time I don't. I don't feel like what's happening right now is necessarily bad or harmful, yet it gave me an unwarranted feeling in my gut. He healed my wounds which is great, it's just the way he's acting is putting me a little on edge. But maybe I'm overthinking this. As Fred would put it yolo.

I sigh giving Tadashi my arm. He seems appreciative taking my arms and bring the wound to his lips. His tongue slowly rolls over the wound.

This one goes by quickly; Tadashi finishing in less than a minute. His hand comes to meet the end of my shirt tugging it slightly. I get the hint and help him take it off.

The air in the bathroom was cold, giving my skin goosebumps.

"Think of something else." Tadashi says bending down to reach the gash in my Side, right around where my hip is.. This ones bleeding quite a lot. Red liquid rolled down, soaking my shirt and the top parts of my pants. It's a wonder how I'm not dead from the amount of blood lost.

Tadashi kisses the spot just above it making me wince. He finally indulges poking his tongue into the gash itself. I slap a hand over my mouth to keep myself from crying out. My other hand fisting my shirt, I'm holding it so tight that my knuckles turn white.

I try to take Tadashi's advice and think of something else. The tournament, Lulubelle, spells, anything! But I was always brought back to the situation by the stinging pain. My eyes start to water and tears start to stream down my face.

I guess I was being too loud, because Tadashi covers the hand over my mouth with his.

"I'm almost done." He states, taking a few last licks. His mouth is covered in blood, my blood. The thought made me shiver, and I reach over to get a paper towel for mutters a thank you and cleans himself up.

I stay silent, taking in the situation. I've never heard of creatures that can heal by licking others wounds. Or maybe I did and thought it didn't matter so I forgot. This is strange. The only healing magic I've ever received was by fairys and mages, two things I know Tadashi isn't. There were potions too, but they weren't used in this situation.

"Are you okay?" Tadashi asks kissing my forehead.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I say in a shaky breath. "What did you do?"

"I told you not to ask." Tadashi says sharply. I tense in his hold, not daring to look up at him.

He sighs and his breath tickles my neck. "Hiro I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get scared, but I really do need you to trust me right now and not ask anyone. Can you do that for me?"

I nod, letting Tadashi embrace me in his arms.

"Are you upset?" He asks leaning back to look at me.

I shake my head. "No, just surprised is all."

Tadashi smiles warmly, cupping my cheek and leaning in. "Can I?" He asks.

I don't reply, I just close the distance between us. There's a metallic taste lingering in his mouth, but I don't pull away until he does.

"I care about you a lot Hiro." He says kissing my neck.

I know you do, Tadashi I know you care about me. I know there's some things right now you can't explain, but if I give it time I'm sure those things will come out. You were just trying to help me and didn't mean for it to hurt. Overall I don't have a reason to be mad at you do I? I care about you too.

I moan as Tadashi bites my neck, sending vibrations from my head to my toes. He leans into me, pressing my body back more against the mirror.

I was so invested in Tadashi's actions that I didn't hear the speaker above announce Tadashi's name for a match.

"Ta-mmh-Tadashi you have to go."

"I do don't I?" He says kissing my neck one more time.

I giggle and slid off the counter.

"Come on I want to watch your match."

I found Lulubell in the stands. Her feet rested on the seat in front of her and she chewed on a piece of liquorice. Where did she get that from?

She notices me and holds a piece out to me. "Want one?"

I rolly eyes and sit next to her. "Sure why not."

I chew the piece of licorice; it was really hard, but I welcomed the sweet flavor over the taste of blood.

Tadashi match was about to start. He stood in the arena with both his swords on his back. His opponent was a man named Charlie, that's what the screen told me. This man didn't look so difficult, although he had a nice muscle build on his upper body.

Before the bell sounds Charlie eyes glow and he transforms into a wolf like beast.

"I didn't know werewolves still existed." I say to no one in particular.

"They're really rare. Almost all of them were killed by hunters. I'm surprised he had the courage to show up here." Lulubell informs.

Charlie snarls at Tadashi, bending down on all four legs. Tadashi drew his sword and waited for the bell to sound.

It sounds, three seconds past, and the match is over.

"No way!" Lulubell stands up from her seat. There's murmurs and gasps from the crowed. Both Lulubelle's eyes and mine go wide. "He won in three seconds."

The screen appeared with the winner sigh on Tadashi's side and loser on Charlie's. The screen replays the last three seconds in slow motion and Lulubell and I watch closely. When the buzzer sounded Tadashi with incredible speed, managed to move from his side of the arena to Charlie and hit him in the gut with the end of his sword, rendering the wolf paralyzed. All in the span of three seconds. The match was over before it even began.

"He's unbelievable!" Lulubell says.

I laugh smiling. "Yeah I know."

Tadashi sheaths his sword and exits the arena. Lulubell and I take a moment to process what happened. It was sometime before she sat back down and stretched her arms above his head.

"No offense to you, but I hope he gets out soon. I don't want to have to fight him." She says. "Hey Hiro is that a hickey?"