Chapter Fourteen—Hiding Secrets

The first week of the marriage assignment went by very quickly, too quickly for Kai, as he helped Anaya gather some things she would be taking to his grandfather's place. She often paused when he wasn't looking and regarded his face, becoming more and more worried with the blank expression on his increasing coming cold features. He ws withdrawing, not that she hadn't really expected it, but within the last week he had been doing so more and more, just when she had begun to think that he was going to open up entirely to her.

Wishful thinking.

And to top that off, the inu-youka was showing up more and more around her home, and at the school grounds. She was getting suspicious of the dog demon. There was no way that he would be hanging around on his own terms; someone was controlling him. Somehow.

Quietly, she had mentioned it to Astral and Celia, and the two had agreed with her. They had begun to sense some magic around the school, in its own way, it was normal, because the earth was filled with many magical aspects, but Celia, whose witch-hood was attuned to the water and skies, said that something was tainting the area, and Astral, who was attuned to the earth and trees agreed instantly.

Oh, hadn't I mentioned that those two were witches? Silly me, must have slipped my mind…

Anyways, with that out in the open, Serena had always been curious of the wicca, and their ways, but Astral had waved her hand. "We're not witches of the wicca, we're just magical beings." She smiled wryly. "Most wicca use magick, with runes, or whatnot. We are…different. We are one with our elements."

"I didn't think things like witches or demons existed." Serena mumbled.

Anaya barely heard her as she gazed around the school grounds with intent eyes. She was sensing that presence again…but every time she tried to lock on it…it disappeared. It was beginning to frustrate her to no end.

Finally, with a small inaudible growl she gave up, and turned her attention back to the others, just as a male walked over to them. Lifting her gaze, Anaya met the dark eyes of Devin and returned the smile he offered to her as he raised her hand to his lips lightly. "May I join you?" He asked the girls around, as his eyes stayed focus on her.

"Sure." Astral shrugged lazily.

He smiled once more, and took a seat next to Anaya. "I haven't seen you around for a while." She tilted her head at him. "Don't you come to school anymore?"

"Ah, very little, I have been busy with work you see." He gave an apologetic look. "My family demands that I help out, although I would rather be here."

Anaya saw his meaning, and smiled faintly at it, since she was always receiving compliments, from him, and other males around, all her life, she wasn't very flattered, but still, she could admit that he was very handsome, and had a certain…darkness, that she could relate to in him. And…that darkness drew her, like a magnet of sorts. She just couldn't figure out if that was a good, or a bad thing.

"What kinds of business to you do?" Celia asked curiously.

Devin smiled. "This and that, it varies from location to location."

The girls figured that he wasn't going to say much more else about the subject, so they politely dropped it and went on to discuss other things. Devin was the one that brought up the marriage assignment. "I heard that some classes had been placed into a marriage of sorts with partners."
"Oh yes, you weren't here for that." Celia smiled. "It's been very interesting so far."

"How so?" Devin asked giving her his complete attention. She smiled happily. "Well, I am partnered with Brooklyn, we have to keep a small journal of the things we do, and how we resolve the problems given in our marriage, its all very easy, Brooklyn is a sweet man."

"I heard you might be getting kids next." Astral smirked.

"So did I." Serena grinned. "That will be interesting."

Anaya smiled slightly. Devin hesitated. "And who is your partner for this?"

"Kai." She replied absently, missing a small flare in his eyes. Serena saw it though, and shivered at the bleak coldness of the look. "I see." His voice was still gentle and pleasant. "And how is that going with you two?"

"Actually, really good." She leaned over, resting her chin on her folded hands. "He's being a complete gentleman."

Celia suddenly looked thoughtful. Astral looked other. "What's up?" She asked. The other girl smiled at her. "It's nothing." She glanced to Devin. He noticed and smiled mildly amused. "Girl talk?" He queried.

Lightly she laughed. "Girl talk."

"I'll see you later then." He smiled at Anaya as he stood and with a incline of his head to the girls, went off. They watched him go with differing expressions. Finally Serena spoke first. "I don't trust him."

The three looked to her. "Funny," Celia said softly. "I was going to say the same thing."

"Ditto." Astral muttered.

"Hm." Anaya agreed humming softly. "Something about him has changed."

Serena slid a glance to her. "Like what?"

"His aura." Anaya said shortly. "It's difficult to explain." She glanced to Celia. "What were you thinking?"

The girl paused. "Have you noticed the boys have been…friendly? They don't look at quite as much like…" she searched for a word.

"Prey?" Anaya offered dryly.

Celia flashed a smile. "That works."

"I noticed it to…" Serena murmured. "Tala's…different, he's not as stuck on himself." She frowned. "It might be the bet, they still have a couple days left of it."

"But will they go back to being the way they were before?" Celia wondered. "I like Kane, but seeing him with girls all over him is a little revolting."

"Well…he might do that if you keep playing with him." Anaya said mildly. A small flush crept into Celia's cheeks as she averted her eyes briefly. Astral bit the inside of her cheek as she lifted her gaze to the sky overhead. "Hm, it's going to get cold tonight." She mumbled to no one in particular.

The girls looked at her with odd looks to her comment, before they started to laugh. Astral blinked at them with her grey eyes before she smiled sheepishly and chuckled along with them.

"Now ladies, may I ask what is so funny?"

Serena controlled herself and grinned over her shoulder at the tall red head that appeared. "Astrals thinking of becoming a whether reporter." She said cheekily.

"Hey!" Astral protested. "Aya could have told you the same thing."

"True." Anaya smiled amused.

Kane looked between them. "I'm confused." He muttered.

"Kane?" Celia tilted her head to see him. He stepped closer; have warily as he watched her. "Yeah?" He asked guardedly.

She stood in one graceful movement and turned reaching to link her arm through his. "Join me for a walk?" She asked with a small smile. "I feel guilty for not seeing you lately."

He forced a smile up, his eyes strained, and bitter. "Well…you've been with your…husband."

"He's just a partner for a class assignment. You're my friend." Celia leaned into him as they walked away. Kane felt his heart speed up, and looked down at her soft baby blue hair on his shoulder and sighed mutely closing his eyes. I give up. He thought.

Anaya watched them go with a look on her face before she smoothed it away. Our feelings are changing, on both sides…but for how long? She blew out a sigh as she looked over Tala and Serena as they talked. Tala actually was making Serena laugh, and it didn't escape her notice that those two were very close. In a friendly way though.

Right now, she had to be worried about Astral and Ozuma. Those two would talk, but, even from the beginning they had been attracted to each other, yet now it had escalated to something more. The sexual tension between the two of them was thick enough to bite at. Thinking of biting…the wind blew through her hair and she looked around slowly tilting her chin up to meet it.

There were still secrets within her that she hadn't told her friends. Though she had reason to believe that Astral had a suspicion…

Frowning lightly she swiped at the bangs that fell into her face lightly with the breeze. Secrets. Something that she couldn't stand herself, yet she held so many within her…of course…if people knew, she would most likely be…well, in old times, she would have been killed for it. Nowadays, experiments to the unknown were always the first thing that came, if you died, well, they would try to find something else to make up for the lost.

"Hey Anaya, what's up with that dark face?"

Turning her face, she found Tala watching her with a guarded look to his smile. She shook her head. "Ah, I was just thinking about…family."

"I thought you got along with them?" He sounded puzzled.

She looked away. "I was thinking of my parents." She replied quietly.

"Oh…" Tala looked at Serena and Astral for help. Both girls shook their heads. That topic was a little sensitive to her; it was best if they didn't try to linger on it. Picking up on that, the red head nodded faintly and began to tease Serena lightly, making her protest indignantly as the bell rang for class, signalling the time of their brief freedom over.

She could feel something in the air…it was…disturbing. Foreboding. Deadly. Just damn well plain wrong. Staring out the window of class, she ceased listening to the lecture, and drew the attention of fellow friends. Frowning to the sky outside, which was slowly darkening, adding more of a dark atmosphere to the mood she was feeling, Anaya didn't notice the loathing light eyes glowing eerily staring up into the classroom as the thunder began to rumble through the sky.

"My grandfather isn't home right now." Kai placed Anaya's bag down on the floor near his bed and turned to look at her. She was standing at the window looking out at the rain falling down. "Anaya?" He questioned.

She glanced over with a blink, then smile faintly. "Sorry." She apologized. "I…was thinking. What were you saying?"

Regarding her intently he repeated himself. "I have to go out for a couple hours to do some work." He paused, wondering if he should explain further. She nodded and looked back out the window. "I'll see you then." She replied quietly.

His brows furrowed at her lack of comment, lack of anything, but he left it alone. Walking out he grabbed a jacket, and quickly ran out to his parked Mercedes and left.

Anaya glanced up from the window when she heard the door open, she glanced at the time. Kai had said he would be a couple hours…only twenty minutes had passed.

Unless it wasn't him…Anaya felt her muscle tense as a tall figure stepped in, and paused on the sight of her. Cold grey eyes regarded her before a small, not entirely nice smile, although he tried, formed on Voltaire's lips. "Anaya Li…"

She looked at him feeling wary. "Mr. Hiwatari…" she greeted guardedly. "Kai is not here right now…"

"I am not looking for my grandson Anaya. I wish to speak with you." Voltaire held out a hand courteously. "Will you join me?"

Hesitating she stared at his hand before she made the worst mistake of her life.

Kai strode into his grandfather's mansion without saying anything to the butler, but the small protest the older man made had him slowing down and throwing a look back, half curious, half irritated.

"Master Voltaire wishes to see you in his office. The miss is with him all ready." The butler informed him. His crimson eyes narrowed marginally before he turned on his heel and walked towards his grandfather's office. Without knocking to announce himself, he let himself in, and found Anaya sipping tea while sitting before his grandfather.

Both looked up at him, Voltaire with no real expression, Anaya, her face smooth, but her dark eyes flickered with relief before she smiled faintly.

"You wanted to see me grandfather?" Kai asked slowly.

"Ah yes, Kai. Take a seat." Voltaire gestured to the chair next to Anaya. "We were going over family history." He glanced to Anaya. "Do you know anything about your wife Kai?"

Wife? Kai nearly started at the term, and shot his grandfather a look. "Not really." He replied keeping thoughts and feelings to himself, not daring to look at Anaya. But, he felt her tense.

"Anaya Li…" Voltaire smiled sitting back. "Really, that isn't your real name my dear is it?"

This time Kai did look at her. She sat very still, her bangs having fallen into her face. But finally, she lifted her chin. Kai stared at the stranger before him. Anaya's smooth face had darkened, and her eyes had become cold empty deep pools of emerald. "No." Her normally light voice was chilling and held an edge. "That is not my real name."

...Crraaaaaaap! I'm going to give away things in this...before I get a chance to write it up in Destiny and Fate...phooey. Well...it sucks, but I'm pretty sure you'll all be happier...---sighs with disgruntled look-- Hmph. Well enjoy...

OH CRAP HOLD IT! --whew-- Before ya'll go running off...I have an announcement to make...--ahem-- I'm shutting this story down. No, just kidding! Seriously! --evil laugh-- Nah, what I want to inform people who don't go and read the various things I write up on my profile page that I have started an account in under the penname of MidnightChaoticPhoenix, and I have started a story under there all ready! Its called Descent Into Darkness. Anyways, if your interested a little more into the magic and mystery of things...well...hey, its your choice.

Storm