Night Thirty-Six:
A/n: Mna! I feel like a broken record! But I really am sorry for the late updates! I just re-read the entire story so that I can get acquainted with everything, and hopefully will have more frequent updates, but I promise nothing. Regardless, I want to thank everyone who has given this story attention. I'm serious. Whenever I see a new favorite, follow, review I'm like "wow! People are still reading this?! And like it?!" So truly, it just spurs me to want to write all the more, so thank you all! On other news, I'm also sketching out some things of certain characters. I do this for all my Oc's I create, and I already had a few of Sakika, and her Vampire Hunter Family done, but now I'm going back and adding some other characters, since my style has changed. I also have the ending already written out! I can't say for sure when it will be out, and perhaps one lucky reviewer(perhaps the one hundreth?!) will get a sneak preview of what it is! Let me know If you're intrested! Now! Onto the chappie! Happy Readings!
The next couple of weeks, everything was in a frenzy. Koume, Toma, and Shion made up the guest list. Soji and Chiari seemed intent on keeping me entertained at all costs.
"Lady Sakika, I believe the garden is in bloom, if you'd wish to see them."
"Lady Sakika, there's a lovely little night festival going on down in the town, if you'd like to attend. Should be a blast."
"Lady Sakika, we got some new clothes that Lord Shion ordered for you. They're imported, and so beautiful! You ought to check them out!"
"You should practice with your penmanship. It should look less little kid like, and more… Royal like. Show your status. I'll show you, Princess. Come."
"We have the most delicious sweets in the Parlor Room, would you care to join us for some?"
It seemed like I had an endless list of things to do. If this is what being a Pureblood Princess was about, I would rather go back to my old life. At least when I was a Hunter, I was allowed some down time to think about everything.
~.~.~.~
As time dragged on, I found myself missing the Academy. I missed the classes. I missed the people. I even missed the fangirls of the Day Dormitory. I missed the only family I had ever known. I missed just feeling… Human.
As the day of the party came, I had the entire day filled.
"Miss Sakika, we need to get you ready. Please get up. Lord Shion and Lady Koume won't be happy if you are late to your own celebration." Chiari begged me as I was still sleeping. I groaned slightly, opening my eyes. She then grinned at me."Come! We have a busy list of things for you to do! Come, come!" I followed her as I went through my usual routine.
I took my usual luxurious bath, and once I was out, I dried myself. Afterwards, Chiari applied my cosmetics. I couldn't believe it, but somehow, Chiari had managed to make me look near to perfection. She could really work some magic.
"Wow." Was all I said with a slight smile. Chiari grinned, nodding.
"Well, when you have all the time in the world, you find ways to fill it up! Come, Lord Shion has laid out the most beautiful dress for you." I followed the brightly smiling girl out the room, wrapping the towel tightly around me.
Laid out on my bed, was a dark red dress. It had a heart-shaped hemming that was also deep cut. It would undoubted show my cleveage. It had straps that wrapped around the neck, and a small choker necklace with a black, droplet pendent in the center. The top half of the dress was corset styled. There were small, boot-styled heels that looked alot like the ones I wore back at the Academy. I glanced at Chiari. She was looking at the dress with a distant expression, and then looked at me with a grin.
"Well… I'll just leave you to get dressed. I'll be right outside the door, so if you need me, just speak up." She spoke in a strained version of her normally happy tone, which told me she wasn't very happy at all.
I furrowed my eyebrows together, wondering what it was that she wasn't happy about, but then shrugged, shaking my head with a sigh as she shut the door to my room, and left me alone.
I hesitated, once I was alone to dress, and then reached forward, and touched the dress softly. It was velvety, I noted to my surprise. It was then that I felt a prick on my body. I looked down at my arm, where I felt it, and then something told me to go look out the window. In a rush, I ran to my window, being sure to stay hidden as I looked out.
Sure enough, I saw a black car pull up. Koume and Toma waited outside with Shion, looking with hard, reserved expressions as the door to the car opened. Shion grinned slightly, holding out his hand, only to look offended as a gun pointed at him. I held my breath, recgoinzing the beautifully made vampire hunting gun.
Zero… Zero… He.. He's here? Why?
I wondered to myself, watching with wide eyes as he stepped out. I knew that Vampire Hunters always chaperoned vampire soirees to make sure nothing happened, but to see Zero here was a surprise. I then wondered if, perhaps, Koume or Shion had arranged for this to happen. I furrowed my eyebrows, but the next person to step out was even more of a surprise. Mikami, followed by Yakumi stepped out.
Yakumi, as always, looked ever so serious. He looked around with a distinct frown, almost disgust. His pistol was tucked firmly in sight by his hip. Meanwhile, Mikami, seemed more relaxed as he looked around with a slight grin. I couldn't see his weapon. He looked around. His eyes caught sight of mine. His eyes widened, and I quickly closed my curtains, and ran back to my dress.
I looked at it, my hands clenching it tightly as my heart pounded painfully in my chest. Why? Why were they here? It was bad enough Zero, of all people, was here, but Mikami and Yakumi as well? Is this why they had been grilling me about my past?Just to shove it all in my face?
I then began to wonder who else would show up, and none of it helped my nerves. Before it got too bad, I closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and letting them out to calm my nerves. I then relaxed my face, and began to get dressed. As soon as I had the second boot tied up, there was a knock at my door. I snapped my head up, prepared to see any of the three men I saw down there in the driveway, but quickly shoved it away as impossible. Why would any of them come up here anyways?
"Come in." I said in a firm voice, standing up. I fixed the dress so that it fit more firmly over my breasts, but not showing too much. I was thankful that it only showed the swell of my breasts.
"I knew that dress would look the best on you!" Shion exclaimed the moment he stepped through the door. I blushed slightly, looking away.
"I do like the way it looks on me." I admitted with a light laugh. I then looked at Shion with a slight smile."So… Is someone gonna do my hair, or-"
"Of course! Megumi will be in in just a few seconds to do your hair. You'll be the most beautiful girl in the room." He gently touched her cheek, making her blush.
"Alright, Princess, I'm here to do your hair!" Megumi, a girl with shoulder length, thick, wavy, strawberry-blonde hair, bounced into the room with a grin. I grinned at her, and then looked at Shion, who simply nodded, stepping out of the room." Alright! Let's get this done with!" Megumi shouted, grinning as she brushed back some of her hair from her amber eyes. She touched the beauty mark under her left eye for a second before picking up the brush, and began to brush through my longer hair. I smiled as I relaxed. There was something about someone else doing my hair that was always so relaxing.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
My hair was done in no time. It was half up. It was held by a small, golden band with a flower pendent showing brightly in the center. I was then lead out of the room with Shion, who had his arms linked through mine. I couldn't help but to feel absolutely beautiful, and elegant.
"Ah! And here she is! The reason we're all gathered here!" I stiffened, realizing that my mother had already given a speech to the hundreds gathered. I looked around, trying to see if I found any familiar faces.
Indeed, there were several that I recognized, and many of them were from the Academy. I recognized Kaname Kuran, Takuma Ichijo, Ruka, Aidou, and several others. Of course Mikami, Yakumi, and Zero were there as well, but spread out, watching the group of largely gathered vampires with varying expressions. However, as many people as I recognized gathered, there were several that I didn't recognize. AT least, not directly. Some were famous movie stars, famous singers, or politicians. All of them dressed elegantly, and holding wine glasses filled with the reddest blood I had ever seen. I stared at the glasses, but held back my urges. Now was not the time to become overwhelmed with my thirst for blood.
"I thought this was a small gathering." I whispered to Koume as I stood beside her. SHe grinned at me.
"This is small, my love." She said simply, and then looked at the crowd before her." After so many years, my daughter has finally returned home, and her transition from mortal to vampire princess has been flawless, as you can see before you. She has transformed into her true self, and has taken it very well. Please, enjoy yourselves!" Koume spoke so beautifully, so commanding and elegant, that it made me feel envious of the way she spoke with ease, but I quickly put away those feelings. Surely the ease of which she spoke merely came from the centuries of practice she had, Koume hugged me tightly. "I'm so glad to have you back." She whispered, kissing my cheek.
This seemed to be the cue that everyone was waiting for as a few began to cheer for a few moments before the usual chatter of a party began. Koume pulled back, smiling softly. I smiled, taking a seat beside her as people came up to us, wishing me many things, and even leaving a few gifts. I was surprised, but Koume acted as if this was normal. I took her lead, and acted as if all this was normal.
"It's good to see the Tomita family is finally back in order, and that we have one more pureblood. We have so few anymore. It really is a pleasure. Please, accept this as a token of goodwill." A older man with slat and pepper hair, and a dashing face said with a grin as he laid out a box in front of us.
"Thank you." Shion said with a grin, taking the box, and laying it on top of a mahogany table.
It continued like this for a while. People expressing gratitude, an offering me presents. Most seemed geniually happy, while I had the feeling that some of the others were kissing up, hoping to get on my good side in hopes of being able to ask for some sort of favor.
I was perfectly settled into this routine until I saw Kaname approach with his usual half grin. I stiffened slightly, but Shion placed a hand firmly on my shoulder. I looked up at him. He grinned slightly, which relaxed me. I took a deep breath, and released it as I looked back at Kuran.
"Immortality suits you, Miss Sakika." Kuran stated. I nodded, putting a strained, friendly smile.
"Thank you, Lord Kuran." I said with a slight nod of my head. Kuran nodded, his eyes studying me for a moment.
"Do you have plans on returning to the Academy?" He questioned, tilting his head. I stiffened. I hadn't been expecting that question, and I wasn't even sure how to answer. Shion seemed to pick up on my nervousness as he answered for me.
"Please, Lord Kuran, save those kinds of questions for later. We did just get her back, after all. We don't want to send her away so soon." Kuran and Shion seemed to have a short stare down before Kuran nodded, once again giving his poke-face like grin.
"Right. Of course." Kuran said, giving me one last hard look before turning around, and leaving. I relaxed once his powerful presence left, and continued with the meet and greet with more energy.
~.~.~.~.~
Of course, the real issue I had was facing my once brothers, and Zero. I had left Koume and Shion, and had gone to mingle with some of the people. Some, I found, were friends of the family, and were more than happy to fill me in on nearly everything I would need to know to get through the night. Others, it was nothing beyond a hello, pleasantries, and then moving on.
All the while, in the back of my mind, I kept looking at Zero, who looked uncomfortable. I wanted to go over, and speak to him, but I couldn't risk it. I knew he would only attack me, considering I was what he hated most, and that hurt a bit to think about. After all, Zero and I had a bit of a friendship back when I was only a hunter, and I didn't want that to completely stop.
I was about to walk to Zero, or even one of my brothers, but before I could even step foot in any of their directions, I was stopped by a firm hand on my shoulders. I looked at the hand, and then followed it up to it's owner. I blushed immeditaly when I saw Akatsuki smiling at me.
"Akatsuki, it's nice to see you again." I said with a smile. Akatsuki smiled, dropping his hand from my shoulder as I turned to face him.
"Same to you, Lady Sakika." He said, bowing in respect. I blushed again, taking a step back as I smiled, putting my hands up.
"That's really-"
"It's out of respect. I can't just address you so informally anymore. It's seen as disrespectful among our community."His voice was calm, but his eyes held a different emotion to them that I couldn't place.
I didn't even know what to say at this point. Our stations were so different. I couldn't be so casual as I was before. I looked up at Shion and Koume, both of which were trying not to make it look like they weren't looking at me, but I could still tell by their careful eye glances towards me.
"I'm glad you came." I said softly, smiling at him after a moment of silence. Akatsuki looked at me in surprise, and then relaxed his face into more of a grin. I couldn't help but to have my heart skip a couple of beats by that expression.
"It's good to be here." He said simply, staring into my eyes.
I smiled slightly, and then looked over my shoulders to Mikami and Yakumi, both of whom were looking at me. I felt my heart sink into my stomach at the absolute coldness of Yakumi's expression, even if Mikami looked the same as always. Takumi was still my brother in my heart, and to see such a look of hatred absolutely crushed me. I wanted to cry, but turned around, and smiled at Akatsuki instead as he offered his hand out to me.
"Can I have this dance?" He questioned, tilting his head slightly. I smiled, taking the hand. He placed his other hand on my waist, and began leading the dance.
It felt oddly nostalgic, like the time at the Winter Ball back at the academy, to be in his arms again, and dancing. I forgot just how strong he really was, and how gently his hands were despite being so strong. It was an oddly comforting.
"Somehow, you turning out to be a Pureblood, isn't surprising." Akatsuki said, looking down at me. I looked at him, grinning.
"Yeah?" I said simply. He nodded, twirling me softly before settling back into our soft pace.
"Yeah." He said softly, his hands hiking just a fraction lower on my back.
I felt myself stiffen for a moment before relaxing with a little smile. I looked at him, blushing as I noticed him looking at me with an expression I once again couldn't place. Either way, it made me blush. I looked away bashfully with a small smile.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The entire night flew by without me really noticing. I was having a good time, despite the fact that I was saddened by my Yakumi's utter disgust towards me. I wanted to talk to one of them, but it seemed like anytime I so much as breathed in their direction, I was distracted by something else. It was highly frustrating. It was even more so, when the party was announced to be over, and everyone began filing their way out. I looked at Akatsuki as he left. He looked over his shoulder at me, grinning slightly, before turning on his heels, and walking out. I wanted to follow him, but resisted as Shion put a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him.
"You should head to bed." He said simply, smiling softly. I nodded slightly, taking one last look at Akatsuki's figure in the distance, and then looking forward as I was lead to my own room.