Beta: EternalAngel
A/N: In a few chapters I'm going to delve into the past, and tell the tale of how Atobe became a vampire. I plan to do the same with some of the other characters as well. But for now, it's still Ryoma's story.
Comments and criticism appreciated.
"You're grounded. For two weeks."
"What!" Ryoma screamed, nearly dropping the bowl of cereal he was holding.
"That's what you get for coming home late, and not calling. You should have seen your mother this morning when she was going to work. She hardly slept at all because of you." Nanjiroh gave Ryoma a long stare over from his newspaper. "And before you tell us the truth about where you were all night, there is no chance in hell I'm lessening the time. In fact, I'm tempted to add more days, just for the heck of it."
"I told you, I was just out walking," Ryoma answered, refusing to remember anything about last night, because he was afraid his face might flare up.
"Hah!" Nanjiroh threw his paper down on the table, and Ryoma was shocked to discover there wasn't a dirty magazine hidden behind it. "The way you bawled your heart out last night tells another story, young man. And so does the state of your clothes."
"What about my clothes?" Ryoma asked, bypassing the bawling comment. He did not bawl.
"Your… underwear, son," Nanjiroh said and quickly lifted the paper before his face. "Now go to school! We will discuss this in detail when you come home!"
In a state of shock, Ryoma put down his bowl of cereal and left the kitchen, pretty sure his face had never been redder. When he was in the hallway, he put on his shoes and picked up his bag. His hand on the door handle, he muttered, "Old pervert," under his breath.
"Three weeks!"
0
0
Ryoma stepped inside the school and there she was, surrounded by her friends, her hair hanging over her face. One of the girls with her saw Ryoma and gasped, making Sakuno look his way.
She looked sad. Disappointed, crushed. And Ryoma knew it was his fault.
"Man, what the hell did you do to her?" Katsuo came to talk to Ryoma. "All morning they've been cursing you. You better go apologize right now, if you don't want the wrath of the whole school's female population on your ass."
Ryoma wanted. He really did. But if Sakuno forgave him, that would mean another date, and another date might end with Sakuno dead. Ryoma already had the death of one woman on his conscience, and he couldn't bear the thought of Sakuno's blood on his hands.
So he turned away.
"Echizen?" shouted Katsuo, following him to the shoe lockers. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" Ryoma snapped.
"Sure, nothing. That's probably why you're so relaxed!" Katsuo scoffed and left Ryoma alone.
Ryoma could feel Sakuno's eyes on him at every class, at recess, and at lunch, but he kept avoiding looking at her. He knew that if he looked at her, he couldn't look away again.
The last class of the day, and Ryoma kept staring at the clock, like everyone else in the class. Some teachers let the students go a little earlier when it was the end of the day, but Oshitari-sensei wasn't one of them. At the beginning of the year one of the boy's had started putting his books in his bag when there was still a minute left of class time, and Oshitari-sensei had stopped him before he left, and had lectured him on the virtues of accuracy for half an hour.
Class time finally ended, and the silent classroom was filled with sounds. Chairs scraping the floor when they were pushed back, muffled thumps when books were closed, sighs of relief and happy laughter.
"You coming to the arcade, Echizen?" Horio asked him, yelling more than normal, worried his voice would not be heard over the other sounds surrounding them.
"I have to go home," Ryoma said, and pushed past Horio, not wanting to answer the questions Horio would want to ask him.
At the door Ryoma looked back and saw Sakuno speaking with Oshitari. He frowned, and stayed to watch them. Someone closed the classroom door, but not all the way and Ryoma could still see them from the crack. He saw Oshitari place his hand on Sakuno's shoulder, bend closer to her face and speak, face concerned. Sakuno shook her head frantically, but when Oshitari placed his other hand on the other shoulder, she started shaking.
Oshitari seemed shocked, but soon recovered and pulled Sakuno in to a tight hug. He brushed her head as she sobbed against his chest, and Ryoma wanted to storm inside the classroom, and pull Sakuno away from Oshitari.
He tore his eyes away from them and leaned on the wall. He forced himself to stay there, to stare at the white wall across him, and listen to Sakuno's sobs. He closed his eyes, forced away the burning in the corners of his eyes, and ignored the desire to go to her.
It was quiet again when he opened his eyes and Sakuno was standing next to him. There were tear trails on her red cheeks, and a pleased, surprised smile on her face when she looked at Ryoma.
"Ryoma-kun," she said. "Do you… Did you wait for me?" she asked, hope bare in her voice.
Ryoma stood straight and breathed. He'd forgotten to draw in breath when he saw Sakuno standing next to him, forgotten to keep his face closed, to not let her see how happy he was that she was here now.
How easy it would be to say 'yes', to take her hand, and say he was sorry.
"I need to talk to Oshitari-sensei," Ryoma said, and nearly took it back when Sakuno's smile vanished.
"You…" Sakuno fisted her hands and drew her mouth to a straight line. "You aren't…" She hesitated, squeezed her eyes shut and asked, her voice hushed, "Aren't you even going to apologize?" She opened her eyes once the words were out, unshed tears glistening in them.
Ryoma didn't answer, and Sakuno's mouth trembled. She fisted her hands, opened her mouth, but in the end, didn't say anything. Instead she slapped Ryoma on the cheek.
Ryoma looked at her, but couldn't meet her eyes. She stood still, holding her hand, breathing deeply and staring at Ryoma, who hadn't even lifted a hand to his burning cheek. Ryoma thought she might start crying again.
When Sakuno finally spoke her voice didn't waver at all. "I really liked you, Ryoma-kun. And I…" she paused to take in a shuttering breath. "I thought you liked me too. But I stood outside the movie theatre for over an hour yesterday, and waited all night for your call. And when your mother called, my mom had to take the phone from me, because I was crying so badly she couldn't understand a word I said! And you're not even going to apologize!"
Ryoma stared at the floor. "I don't care," he mumbled, waiting to be slapped again.
"You're such a liar, Ryoma-kun," she spoke softly, and when Ryoma looked up, shocked, she smiled at him. She looked sad, but when Ryoma expected more tears, Sakuno just sighed before turning away.
Ryoma couldn't help staring at her retreating back. Even after everything he'd done, no matter how much he'd tried to drive Sakuno away, she saw through him. Ryoma knew she'd wait till he'd go to her, and that she never doubted he wouldn't. And right now there wasn't anything else he wanted more.
"Why aren't you running after her?" Oshitari asked, and startled, Ryoma looked at the teacher who was standing at the classroom doorway.
Oshitari made Ryoma nervous, and it wasn't just his habit for physical contact. His eyes were always sparkling with silent laughter, and no matter what the conversation topic was there was always a barely hidden half smirk on the man's lips. "She's waiting for you."
"What were you doing with her?" Ryoma frowned at Oshitari, whose eyebrows rouse nearly to his hairline at the boy's accusing question.
"I was merely consoling her," Oshitari said, and smirked. "Despite what the rumours say, I do not seduce my female students."
Ryoma frowned, not entirely convinced. "You don't need to wear glasses," he said, just to accuse the man of something.
Oshitari chuckled and took off his glasses, folded them, and ran a hand through his hair. When Oshitari looked at him again without his glasses, Ryoma almost wished he'd put them back on. He'd never noticed the intensity in the way Oshitari looked at him, hadn't really looked at the man's face. Ryoma had always thought that without his glasses Oshitari would look naked, uncomfortable. He'd never imagined seeing this strength on Oshitari's face.
"No. I can see you quite clearly without them, Echizen-kun." He still spoke with that dragging accent, was still smiling, but the laughter in his eyes was more serious, and Ryoma felt vulnerable. It was as if Oshitari could see through him more clearly than anyone else. Saw the reasons behind the things he did, knew the truth.
"Echizen-kun," Oshitari placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, and Ryoma stiffened. He had an unrealistic fear that somehow by touching him, Oshitari could read his mind. "I know what is going on with you."
"Oh?" Ryoma asked, almost convinced Oshitari really did.
"It is not easy to discover you have so strong feelings for someone, especially when you are so young. It can be overwhelming." Oshitari patted his shoulder and took his hand away. "I wasn't just saying it, when I told you my door is always open, if you ever want to talk."
Ryoma wished his problems had been the kind he could talk to Oshitari about. Despite Oshitari's oddities, he felt reliable, someone who would take you seriously, listen to your problems. And Ryoma wanted to speak with someone who could help him make sense of the mess in his mind.
"Thank you sensei, but I'm fine," Ryoma said.
"You don't need to handle everything by yourself, Echizen-kun. There are people who care about you. Ryuzaki-san-"
"Is safer without me around," Ryoma interrupted Oshitari.
"Safer?" Oshitari lifted his eyebrows, and tapped his chin with the folded glasses. "Are you involved in something dangerous, Echizen-kun?" Oshitari asked, leaning closer, looking worried.
"No, I just…" Ryoma fumbled, mad at himself for saying too much. If Oshitari had never mentioned Sakuno, he never would have said something so stupid. "None of your business," he finally spat out, and backed away.
"Echizen-kun…" Oshitari said and reached towards the boy with his hand. Ryoma backed even more, eying the hand suspiciously.
"I'm fine," he said one final time before turning, and walking away from the teacher. Soon he was running through the corridor, and didn't stop even when he was out of the building. He only stopped when the school gates were so far behind him, that when he turned, he could no longer see them.
Home was where he should have been going, but it was the last place he wanted to be now. He knew his dad would probably add more weeks to his punishment, but he would take those weeks, if it meant he could have these few moments to himself.
Not wanting to run into anyone he knew, Ryoma avoided the places he hung out with his friends, and any place he thought someone from his school might be. That left him with only a few places to go, and he finally ended up walking aimlessly in narrow alleys, avoiding any turn that might take him to where there would be more people.
When the sun set and the street lamps turned on, Ryoma felt his pulse speed up, and anxious expectation spread through him as he waited for a familiar voice to taunt him with whispers in his ear, and for cold hands to embrace him.
"You are not being wise." A voice that Ryoma had thought to never hear again, spoke, and he turned to look.
Fuji had been with him for years, as the boogie man in the shadows, behind every dark corner, lurking in the shadows of his mind. That he was here now, real, something he could touch seemed like another dream, only with the difference that he didn't feel chased. Fuji's presence was different from last night. The threat was confined and controlled, when last night it had been rampant.
"What do you want?" Ryoma asked, irritated.
Fuji smiled at him and came closer, and with every step he took, Ryoma felt the old terror return. There was no difference in Fuji's smile, his eyes remained closed, yet Ryoma felt the fear strangle him, making it hard for him to breathe, to not cry.
"What do I want?" Fuji asked, his voice remaining as a whisper. "Oh, so many things, Ryoma, too many to count." Fuji leaned closer, his voice growing softer. Ryoma was fixed in his spot not by fear, but by Fuji's nearly breathless voice and the silent pleading in his now open eyes that begged Ryoma to stay.
"Would you grant me a wish, Ryoma?" Fuji asked, and brought a finger to the boy's lips. "Would you?" A cold breath ghosted over Ryoma's lips and he blinked and shook his head.
"What do you want?" he asked again, but with less heat in his voice, his thoughts still muffled. He stepped back, putting more distance between them, staring suspiciously at Fuji, who blinked at him, hand still raised.
"Were you not listening last night?" Fuji asked, putting down his hand and smiling cheerfully again. "Soon, in this city there will be creatures that will not be pleased by the fact that you still live. My presence will discourage them for a time."
"You're here to protect me?" Ryoma shouted, and nearly snorted. "Why?" he asked, frowning.
Fuji shrugged. "Atobe," he said. "Has always been a selfish bastard. But for some reason he has decided you are worthy of his protection. I'm intrigued by that oddity. It is not something he would do for just anyone. It's something he's never done for anyone."
"That's it? Curiosity?" Ryoma asked.
"Can you think of a better reason?" Fuji responded, leaning his back on the alley wall. "Would you believe any other reason?" Fuji asked, looking at him from the corner of his eyes.
"So there is another reason?" Ryoma pressed, but got no answer. Fuji closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall, smiling serenely. And it started to annoy Ryoma, Fuji's aloofness.
"You know there are people following me," he said, hoping to get a rise out of Fuji.
"I know." Fuji answered, not even looking at the boy.
Ryoma huffed and turned his back on Fuji. "This is crazy," he muttered.
"Why?" Fuji appeared by his side, and Ryoma nearly jumped at his sudden move. He looked back at where Fuji had stood just a second ago, at least three meters away.
"How'd you do that?" he asked.
"I've always been fast." Fuji smiled.
Ryoma hunched his back, stuffed his fisted hands in his pockets, and started walking, Fuji by his side.
It was strange, to walk alongside the creature that had always been the first thing in his mind when he thought of fear. Even stranger was, that the creature claimed to be here for his protection, and that Ryoma felt safe with Fuji. It was probably stupid, letting his guard down. Nothing would stop Fuji from suddenly attacking him. But what good would it do, being afraid? If Fuji wanted to kill him, he'd be dead, whether he was scared or not.
Ryoma sighed, and relaxed his shoulders. He shivered, and his breath turned foggy in the cold air. He looked back at Fuji, wanting to see if his breath did the same. He wasn't surprised to see it didn't.
Vampires were dead, that is what Ryoma knew. Still they had breath, even if they didn't need to breathe. There was blood in their veins and a heart in their chest - that, he had seen with his own eyes. But there was no pulse in Atobe's wrist, no warmth in his breath.
He couldn't decide if it was the result of a miracle, or a curse that made it possible for Fuji to walk next to him, pretending to be alive.
Ryoma turned back to look ahead of him. The alley turned, and led to another one, that led to a street, from where he ended up in a parking lot. There were a few cars parked there, and the houses looked unfamiliar. He was lost.
"Do you know where we are?" Ryoma asked, and looked to his left, where there wasn't anyone anymore. "Fucking great," Ryoma cursed and dug out his phone. He'd wasted an hour walking aimlessly. There was a very big possibility he would never get to leave home for anything other than school. And the way things were going, he wouldn't be surprised if his dad decided home schooling was the thing for Ryoma.
He looked back from where he'd come, wondering if Inui and Oishi were still following him. They'd know where he was.
"Inui-san!" Ryoma yelled, holding his phone. He waited, but no one answered. Ryoma groaned and pulled on his hair, turning his gaze back on the parking lot. Someone was standing at the centre of it. A kid; with curly black hair, and white skin, wearing an old leather jacket, worn down jeans, and a pair of old tennis shoes that had probably once been white. "Great, a fucking delinquent," Ryoma muttered. He really didn't feel like getting robbed.
"No one's coming for you," the kid said. "You're all alone," he smirked.
"I don't have any money, you idiot! Go rob someone else!" Ryoma yelled, typing his mom's phone number on the phone.
"Yeah, well I'm not looking for money," the kid answered, smirking wider.
"I don't do drugs," Ryoma said. "Score somewhere else." He lifted the phone to his ear, waiting for it to connect, but the phone was snagged from him, and thrown on the ground. Ryoma stared at the shatters of his phone, and then at the boy in front of him. The kid was grinning, and licking his lips. Ryoma was beginning to suspect that this wasn't a mugging.
"You like sunbathing?" Ryoma asked, and the kid shook his head.
"Haven't seen the sun in centuries. Don't think it's changed that much, though," he shrugged, still grinning.
"Wouldn't know," Ryoma answered, surprised he could keep his voice calm. Reason said, he should be screaming and running, but he couldn't make himself feel scared. Despite wrecking his phone, the kid didn't seem threatening. The grin, although a little psychotic, was friendly.
"Akaya!" an older, taller man stepped from between two cars.
"Hey, Yanagi-sempai," the kid grinned. "Can I keep him?" he pointed to Ryoma.
"What? I'm not a fucking stray dog!" Ryoma screamed.
"But you're someone's pet," the kid said, stepped closer to tear the bandages off Ryoma's neck, and caressed the wounds with an absent look on his face.
"You should be careful Akaya," the man spoke. "How many vampires do you think there are in this city?"
The kid drew away his hand and jumped back, swearing. "Fucking hell, Yanagi-sempai! You could've warned me!"
"There should be no need for him to warn you, Kirihara." A third man stepped from behind Yanagi. "The scent is all over the boy." The kid growled at the man, who stared at Ryoma, not blinking.
"Two." Yanagi spoke. "Sanada, there are two of them."
"What do you mean?" Sanada asked, tearing his eyes from Ryoma and frowning.
"Fuji," Yanagi said, gazing at Ryoma. "Will you not greet your master?"
"Actually, I was hoping I wouldn't have to," a soft voice spoke, and Ryoma followed it, and saw Fuji grouched on the roof of a van that was parked a few spaces from him. "Besides, I don't think it's me he really wants to see." Fuji cocked his head to stare up the tall building behind him. "What do you think, Atobe?"
Only the shadow could be seen of the man standing on the roof, and even that vanished the moment Ryoma could separate the shades of darkness that formed the man, from the empty sky behind him.
"Sanada, no!" Yanagi screamed, and Ryoma looked to see the man holding on to Sanada, grasping his arm.
"Let go," Sanada ordered, face grim.
Yanagi blinked and stepped back, releasing his hold. "I don't understand what you hope to gain from speaking with him."
"It is not your concern," Sanada answered. "There are things between us that you could never understand."
"You should not go alone, let me come with you, and-"
"No!" Sanada yelled, interrupting Yanagi. He glanced back at Ryoma, and narrowed his eyes. "You have other things to do," he said, before disappearing in the direction Atobe had gone to.
