"So, have you kissed?"

"Is he sweet?"

"Are you sweet?"

"Is it any of your business?" I cut through the insistent questions during crossover.

"But we're curious!" whined one of the girls.

"Please, we need details!"

"Why are you being such a spoilsport?"

I felt my headache come back as they piled on with their whining and pleading.

"If I tell you lot, you're going to have to behave and stop making this job difficult!"

They immediately formed into a straight line and were completely silent. I raised an eyebrow in surprise as the other side, monitored by Yuki and Zero, were still clambering and calling for the Night Class.

"…We have kissed."

They erupted into bouts of excited squeals and giggles.

"Neh, have you done it yet?!"

"Is he anything like Zero-kun?!"

"Is he a soft romantic?"

"Ladies!" my voice cut through their questions again as they began piling up again "Those gates will open at any moment! If you stay quiet and behaved, I'll answer one more question!"

"Just one more?!"

"Either that or nothing at all!"

And they formed back into the quiet, albeit agitated, line. I sighed, massaging my temples as the other side began shrieking loudly when the doors opened. I could see some of the girls fidgeting nervously. Why do they want to shout so much at these guys anyway? It's only annoying and bothersome.

"I don't think I've ever seen them so quiet," Aido commented as he strolled by me "Hey, aren't you happy to see me?"

"Beat it, pretty boy, else I remodel your face!"

Aido backed off as I glared at him.

"Scary…" he commented as he floated back to the other side that were shouting eagerly for him.

A lot of the girls looked put out and I raised an eyebrow. They all looked so torn between getting some personal information out of me and screaming out their love for the Night Class. Geez, I'm happy they're quiet but they don't have to look so damn depressed.

"What are you threatening them with to get them this quiet?"

Senri was floating by as well and I scowled at him. He just smirked and shrugged.

"Less of a headache aren't they? It's better that way."

OK, I wanted to flinch but I have a front to keep. Luckily, some of the girls did flinch for me because he just sounded so cold and cruel in that tone. This wasn't like him.

"Beat it. Get to class."

I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye before joining Takuma to go to the school building.

"Well done, Mana, you've tamed them."

Oh for fuck's sake!

"Class. Now."

Kuran hovered behind me, disobeying the order to go.

"What have you done? They're as good as gold."

A majority of girls blushed as I rolled my eyes.

"None of your business."

"Mana…are you free this weekend?"

I sighed impatiently.

"You keep asking but you'll always get the same answer," I growled.

"Eh, are you going to go on your third date with Ichiru?"

"What did I say about behaving?!"

The girl backed off into the crowd of girls who shot her an unsavoury look. Kuran stiffened behind me.

"Mana…?"

"Beat it, Kuran," I snarled as he walked round to give me a scolding look.

"…"

He was really acting like an annoying big brother now. I glared at him.

"Your pack is waiting," I sneered.

He backed off, his eyes promising that he was going to talk to me about Ichiru before following the Night Class into the school building. I let out a breath as Zero barked at the crowd on his side to get moving. I turned to my crowd.

"We don't have any plans for this weekend but knowing him, he's going to," I mumbled quietly and the girls zoomed in closer.

"Eh?!"

"Gossip time's over, get back to the dorms!"

"Aw, you're so mean!"

"Tell us more!"

"Mana-chan~!"

I bristled.

"Don't ever call me that again!" I snapped as Ichiru strolled over and swung an arm around my shoulders.

"I see you're chatting with your friends but I just want to ask you something real quick," he smiled widely and the girls squealed again, stepping in closer to listen.

"What?" I grumbled.

"There's this café I want to check out, want to go there Sunday afternoon?"

"EH?!"

I winced as my headache picked up again and sighed.

"Really? In front of a pack of lonely girls who have nothing better to do than fantasise?"

"Aw, how cruel!"

"Cross is so ungrateful!"

I felt my brow twitch.

"I could go for some coffee," I mumbled and Ichiru grinned.

"Pick you up at half past eleven!" he declared before kissing my head "Later."

"NOT IN FRONT OF-"

"KYAAAAAA!"

"How sweet!"

"Aw, she's blushing!"

I felt like exploding as Ichiru took off.

"ICHIRU KIRYUU, YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO HAVING YOUR ASS DUMPED AND MOUNTED ON MY WALL!"

I turned sharply to the girls.

"And you!" I barked "Back to dorms now or I will make sure Riku finds a mate to make plenty of spiders to decorate your rooms with!"

They shot off. I took in deep breaths whilst trying to calm down.

"You just got your voice back, do you really want to lose it again?"

"What did I-?"

I whirled around and my sentence died as I saw Zero and Yuki standing behind me. I sighed, shrugging and folding my arms.

"I'm fine," I mumbled.

"So…"

Yuki had pranced up to me with a cheeky look and a massive grin.

"Another date?"

"It won't be…"

The sentence died again and I sighed.

"Yes…"

Yuki grinned and grabbed my hands, jumping up and down eagerly.

"We need to pick out what to wear!"

"Do we really…?"

"Yes!" Yuki shrieked ecstatically "Yori will love to help too, come on!"

I was dragged off by her and stumbled behind her. I dared to look over my shoulder and caught Zero's stoic gaze. I turned away a little too quickly and jogged alongside Yuki who was still chattering on excitedly about my date.

"I like pink!"

"I think bolder colours are the way to go. Maybe this shade of red?"

"No, no, she's going to a café, we need to keep it simple and light!"

I sneezed and coughed as Yuki assaulted me on one side with some face powder and Yori sprayed perfume onto my neck from the other side. I hissed and she backed off.

"I'm sorry, did that sting?"

"Nah, the bandages are on quite thick," I coughed whilst waving the cloud of powder away "Do I really need to have this make-up done?"

"Eh, but we never get to do girly things together!" Yuki whined as she brought out the lipstick "This is the perfect opportunity since you're the first to have an official boyfriend!"

"He's not my…I don't have to look my best for him!"

"Of course you do," Yori smiled as Yuki applied the lipstick on me whilst she combed through my hair that had been washed and dried earlier this morning "We'll make you look…like a fairy princess."

"Oh please no," I growled at her through the reflection of the mirror.

"Well ninja princesses don't normally wear pale colours."

"We should totally go for my pink dress!"

"No, no pink!"

"Aw…" Yuki pouted.

"My pinafore might go with that shade of lipstick though, Yuki," Yori consoled her as she began platting my hair "It's the light blue one, check to see if it's in the closet."

"OK."

I sighed as Yori pulled out her box of hair accessories and began putting in a couple of flower clips in my hair.

"There, like a forest sprite."

I scowled and stood so Yuki could press the pinafore to my figure.

"I don't know, it might be a bit tight," she muttered.

"Ah, it loosens up, see the belts?"

Soon I was standing awkwardly in front of the mirror in the not so tight pinafore, complete with a white shirt and tights.

"Why do I have to look like one of those Lolita girls in Takuma's manga?" I grumbled as Yuki just smiled.

"Ah, what are we going to do about shoes?!" she exclaimed.

"Hm, that is a problem," Yori clicked her tongue "My shoes will be a bit big for you."

"I could wear trainers."

I jumped as both girls scolded me for such an idea.

"Well I do have a pair of heels that will go with the whole look," Yuki cupped her chin.

"Yuki, please, I don't need this to be more painful than it should be."

Yuki pouted before Yori walked to the door. I glanced at her as she stuck her head out.

"We can't find a pair of shoes for Mana's date!"

"WHAT THE F-?!"

Fifteen minutes later and the girls finally left, content about finding me a suitable pair of shoes. My head was throbbing from all the compliments, the ideas, the squealing and the questions. Like good God, can't you just go and find your own boyfriends to fuss over for?!

"There, now you're…"

I flinched a little as Yori zipped forward and placed one of her necklaces around me.

"You're perfect," she smiled approvingly as I sighed "The bandages even compliment the outfit."

"What time is it now?" I yawned.

"It's just gone eleven," Yuki glanced at the clock and I fell onto my bed, yawning again.

"I need a nap," I muttered.

"No!"

I jumped as both girls were on either side of me.

"Mana, you'll rub off the make-up!"

"It's just half an hour and it's roughly twenty minutes to walk to the café, then you'll be able to have coffee."

I grumbled as I stretched my arms out.

"This seems like a lot of effort," I muttered.

We glanced at the door when someone knocked. Yori got up to answer it then turned to us with a smile.

"Mana, someone couldn't wait."

I frowned, getting up and approaching the door as Yori stepped to the side. Ichiru stared at me with wide eyes before throwing his head back and laughing.

"Oh how cute, you've put make-up on."

I snarled loudly.

"That's it, I'm getting rid of it!"

"Heavens no!"

Yori and Yuki stood in my path to the bathroom and I sighed deeply as Ichiru laughed again.

"It's not a bad thing, Mana," he smiled and I sighed "You look stunning."

I found myself fidgeting nervously before taking in a deep breath.

"You just going to stand there and look like a gormless idiot?"

Ichiru chuckled and bowed.

"My apologies."

He extended his hand, still bowing a little as his sparkling eyes met my gaze.

"Let's be on our way, my princess."

…

…

…

"I fucking hate you."

Ichiru just grinned as I accepted his hand and I closed the door behind me. I could just feel the other girls watching intently from everywhere as Ichiru led me off to our date.

I wanted to strike down the perverted waiter who seemed ecstatic to be waiting on us. He only had eyes for me as he took our order and only found my grumpy comments a delight. Gah, I could kill him! Ichiru's hand found itself intertwined with me and our joint hands were displayed on the table. I glanced at him and he seemed a little jealous with the attention I had been receiving.

"He doesn't look quite right," he muttered as he turned to me "So, keeping up in class?"

"Just about," I nodded.

"Good."

…

…

…

What does one do exactly on a date? Ichiru seemed content to just stare into my eyes and hold hands. I however didn't appreciate the silence. I felt agitated, I want to talk but what about?

"My bandages will come off tomorrow, the blemish should be gone by then."

"Pity, they look very becoming on you," Ichiru sighed.

"What's wrong with you?" I growled and Ichiru smiled, shrugging.

"Maybe because you're dressed to make them look beautiful on you."

"Yori's idea," I grumbled.

Ichiru smiled as he squeezed my hand.

"You'll look beautiful in anything."

My cheeks were growing hot as I sat back, looking out of the window. A while later the waiter came with our orders and I realised why he had been fawning over me and Ichiru said he didn't look quite right. I saw it in his eyes, he was a vampire. And I was his apparent target. I squeezed Ichiru's hand.

"I'm here, Mana."

My heart leapt as I tore my gaze from the bloodthirsty stare and found myself relaxing as I saw Ichiru's reassuring smile. The waiter was called away as I clung onto Ichiru's hand, the fear ebbing away. I then felt pathetic, why should I feel scared of him? I can protect my…self… Fear clung to me again as I patted myself up and down frantically.

"Mana?"

"I forgot Pearl Beauty," I muttered in disbelief.

"It's OK, Mana. I'll protect you. I promise."

I narrowed my eyes at his sincere stare.

"Seriously where are you keeping it?"

Ichiru grinned.

"You really want to know?"

"Not really."

Ichiru laughed and we began drinking our coffee. Ichiru did that annoying thing again where he spoon fed me cake and I ended up doing it to him too. Seriously, we're not a cutesy, happy-go-lucky couple that have hearts and sparkles surrounding us wherever we go! We were there for about an hour, Ichiru paying for us and then we went to walk around town. During this time, he seemed pretty distant. I didn't question it, I was just worrying about what song to sing at the talent show. I had begun doing some practices but I don't know what to sing. Should I do a cover to be on the safe side? Or do I just risk it with one of my own songs? It was when I began considering one of my own songs that I realised, Ichiru was leading us in circles around town.

"Do we actually have a destination to get to?" I asked and Ichiru hushed me gently.

I saw his eye dart behind us and he squeezed my hand.

"Don't look back, don't look suspicious," he uttered "But we're being followed."

Oh, that's why we've been going in circles, he was checking to see if we were being followed…wait, being followed?! I took in a breath and exhaled slowly as we strolled through the park again.

"Who?"

"That lecherous waiter."

I swallowed uneasily, feeling a burning gaze at the back of my head.

"Should we find a discrete place?"

"He might not be a Level E."

"He's hunting me," I hissed "I don't like it."

"Neither do I. …"

I didn't like this situation at all. Unarmed, vulnerable and being stalked. This couldn't get any worse.

"We can't go back to the school, he might target the students."

"You want to confront him?"

"Not without Pearl Beauty."

Ichiru suddenly stopped, glancing at the bookshop we were now in front in.

"I could do with a good book," he said before tugging me into the shop.

He dragged me to near the back of the store, where a cluster of girls were clogging up the manga section.

"Ah, the new volume for Mystic Hearts is out!" Ichiru said and patted my shoulder "Could you grab a copy? I just want to check if Miss Hino has released her new book yet."

I opened and closed my mouth as he pressed his lips to the side of my head.

"He won't attack you in a crowd like that, I just need to check up on him in case."

I swallowed uneasily and nodded before letting him go and I walked towards the crowd uneasily. They were all giggling and gasping as I made my way to the shelves and began looking for the title that Ichiru had said. When I had found the book, I pulled it out and it slipped through my fingers as I caught the hungry gaze through the gap of the bookshelf. I gasped as the girls turned their heads as it landed heavily and I sighed.

"B-Butterfingers!" I stuttered and smiled awkwardly before stooping to pick it up.

My knees were shaking. I didn't like this situation one bit. I ended up staring at the blurb at the back of the book, trembling as I didn't dare look up again, afraid to see that blood-chilling glare again. Apparently I didn't need to. There was someone behind me, leaning over me, breathing down on me.

"Ah…you found a copy. I was worried they had been sold out by now."

I froze. He had snuck up behind me. His fingers brushed against my arms and grabbed my shoulders tightly.

"Quick, let's go buy it before the till gets too crowded."

"I…I think you're mistaken," I said as I continued to stare at the blurb "I don't believe I know you."

"Come on, stop playing around…"

He tried to pull me out of the crowd.

"Mana, there you are!"

I tore out of his grip and dashed for the silver head who had called for me. I ran straight into his arms and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I was afraid that I was going to get trampled by those girls," I smiled shakily "Let's…"

I blinked as I stared up at Zero. But the smile was still there and I swallowed, my knees still trembling.

"Shall we go?"

"I'll be with you in a moment," Zero said and I glanced at the till where Ichiru was.

I nodded before walking as normally as possible to the till. Ichiru took the book out of my grip.

"Sorry, but could you pay for this one?" he whispered.

"Yeah…"

I delved into my pockets and pulled out a money note. Huh, if I remembered to bring money, why the fuck did I leave Pearl Beauty behind?! I smiled as the purchase was made and we got the hell out of there. We were going down the road to Cross Academy when I finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Who the fuck was he?" I whimpered.

Ichiru was silent for a while and I noticed he was looking rather nervous.

"I'm sorry for this, Mana…"

"Not your fault."

He flinched and I frowned.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Let's just get you back safe."

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and he picked the pace up. My feet were burning from the shoes as he escorted me back to the dorms.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

Ichiru looked a little vexed but he nodded.

"Yeah, see you."

He jogged off, leaving me feeling rather insecure and bewildered. What was that about? That had gone weird. I was about to go into the dorms, thinking that Yuki might appreciate the manga volume I had unexpectedly gotten when suddenly…

"Mana!"

I whirled around and jumped as Zero approached me, grabbing my shoulders.

"Mana, do not go near Ichiru again!"

"What?!" I all but squawked "And where do you get off telling me that?!"

"Just listen to me," Zero hissed through his teeth "This isn't my personal thoughts getting to me, this is for your safety! He isn't safe!"

"Zero, you have no right to tell me what to do!"

I pushed him away.

"Goodbye, Zero," I said firmly before he could say another word "And thank you."

I walked into the building, swiftly slamming the door in his face.