A Shift

Avalon shifted in her sleep, snuggling closer to the fairly warm body next to her, her hands grasping the purple shirt he wore.

Kai continued stroking Avalon's arm, watching her as she slept. Three nights, he had been there with her for three nights. She was beginning to gain her color back and the twinkle in her eyes were beginning to shine once more. Kai let out a sigh, moving slightly to get into a more comfier position, wondering how many more nights he was going to stay with her, talk with her until she fell asleep…

Not that he minded, he liked watching her sleep, she was at peace. When she was awake it always seemed like she was on edge, waiting for something that she didn't even know to happen, but when she slept, all that was gone and all that was left was peace. She was more at ease, more like the Avalon he had met all those years ago. It seemed age had done a thing or two to her—but more discreetly than with anyone else.

Kai closed his eyes, breathing deeply before opening them and staring at the white ceiling, many thoughts racing through his mind.

Brooklyn was gone, he left right after he broke the news to Avalon. The Hunter hadn't shown his face yet but Kai knew better, he knew he was waiting until everyone's guard was down…then he would strike, strike like lightening…

There was also the fact that he hadn't heard from Max yet. He didn't like that kid, there was something off about him…like he was hiding something.

"I…I don't know…" That was his answer to Kai's question. Kai narrowed his eyes, he was hiding something, he knew it. What kind of person doesn't know their purpose to being somewhere…there must be more.

"Don't go…" Avalon whispered, clutching onto Kai even more. Kai stared down at her sleeping form, his hand pausing from stroking her arm, his eyes softening a bit.

And then there was the fact that he was running out of time. Only a few more months before graduation and he was gone. That was the thought that struck out more than the rest, he was adamant about his decision—or at least, he was, that is, until Brooklyn decided to leave. Kai ran his free hand down his face, he had everything planned out. He was going to leave, leave everything behind him. Leave her behind him and start a new life. But now…now that Brooklyn was out of the picture, could he still do it? Could he still muster the will to leave? To forget everything that had ever happened in this place? To forget the one person whom he cared most about in this world? The one person he would go through Hell and back for? The one person who he'd kill every single person just to keep her safe? Could he? Was it as easy as he told himself?

Kai closed his eyes tightly shut, all these unanswered questions were giving him a headache. No one should have so many unanswered questions, especially not him. The guy who knew the answers to everything that involved his life and wellbeing.

He bit back a growl; angry with himself for even doubting the decision he had decided the moment he had saw her with him.

It wouldn't change, it couldn't. He was going to make something out of his life—something worthwhile, something that could only ever be dreamed of. That was how his life was going to be it was going to be perfect—so perfect in fact that it didn't involve her because she was nothing but a nuance to him…or at least, that was what he was telling himself…convincing himself.

Kai let out a sigh, exhausted from his own thoughts on his future. He glanced out the window, the night sky painted pitch black. His eyes slowly drooped to a close as his own darkness consumed him…

------

"Hey Connor…"

"Wha' iz it Maxie?"

Max shifted from the spot on his bed, glancing at the gruff man sitting in front of the television.

"What if they aren't here? What if we're just wasting our time?"

Connor grunted, "They here Max, I know they iz…I ain't been huntin' fer awhile fer nothin'"

Max nodded his head reluctantly, "I guess…but…wouldn't we have some kind of sign by now?"

Connor lowered his ragged cowboy hat, "They's knows we're here; they's just a waitin' till they's sure we gone Max. Be patient, you'll get yer shot at 'em, just wait."

Max nodded his head even though he realized Connor couldn't see him, "Yeah…okay…"

He turned his bright blue orbs towards the darkened sky, "…I wonder how Avalon's doing…"

-----

Avalon groaned slightly, snuggling her face into the fabric, trying to block the sun's rays. She inhaled the familiar scent and let out a contented sigh, tightening her grip on him.

"Do you plan on ditching?"

Avalon opened her eyes, glancing at the male and smiling sheepishly, "Nooo…just…sleep in a little?" She answered unsure of her own answer. Kai rolled his eyes, glaring slightly at her, "I don't think so, get up." He commanded. Avalon pouted, "But Kai! It's too early!"

"Hn. Haven't you heard the saying: the early bird catches the worm?"

"But I'm not a bird…" Mumbled Avalon, reluctantly getting out of bed. She stretched a bit as Kai made his way towards the window.

"Are you coming back?" Avalon asked, her eyes hopeful. Kai turned his head towards her, pursing his lips. "No…" He mumbled out before vanishing from sight.

Avalon blinked; she was never going to get used to that…no matter how many times she's already seen it.

----

Kai arrived back in his room and began scavenging for his clothes. He was starting to contemplate on just bringing them over if he was going to keep spending the night over at her place. He paused, no…No, he shouldn't do that. It would be harder when the time came for them to go their separate ways…

His thoughts trailed off as his eyes softened, that day seemed to be nearing quicker than he imagined—

BAM

"Master Kai!"

Kai turned his head quickly, staring confusingly at the butler.

"Master Voltaire is in a rage. He had been searching for you! There has been a crisis!"

Kai strode out of the room even before the butler could finish his message. He pushed open his Grandfather's study door, and walked in without so much as a greeting.

Voltaire stood with his back to his grandson, his powder-like hands clasped behind his back. He stood staring out the window—the leaves of the large oak tree shading him from the sun's rays—his stern crimson orbs glaring hatefully at the world beyond his window.

"I told you to stay in the mansion" He calmly scolded.

Kai remained silent, his fists clenched at his side.

"You do understand that I am only looking out for your own safety? But it seems to be impossible if you don't comply with my rules. I had two of my men search for you—"

"So I heard" Kai interrupted with a snarl. Voltaire ignored the interruption as if it never happened.

"—You were with that filthy human again weren't you?" By now, Voltaire turned his body towards Kai, transferring the glare for the world towards his grandson, "How many times have I told you that she will be nothing but trouble?! Look what happened to your father?! If it weren't for you mother—"

"I wouldn't be here" Kai inserted in. Something flashed in Voltaire's eyes briefly before it returned to the icy coldness he had perfected.

"Yes…you wouldn't be here. My son would have lived—he would be the one leading our clan instead of me. If it weren't for her his dead heart wouldn't have softened to the point that if it were even possible it would have probably started beating."

Voltaire turned once more, frustration evident in his eyes, "Don't you see Kai?" He asked, "If you continue on this path you'll follow your father to his grave!"

"You'd enjoy that wouldn't you?"

Voltaire pursed his lips, turning to glare at his troublesome grandson. "What would you know what I would and would not enjoy?!" He barked harshly.

Kai sneered, "Oh please Grandfather we both know I am nothing but a burden to you. A mistake of my mother and father's union."

Voltaire's nostrils flared as he bared his fangs, "Yes, the union of vampire and human is forbidden in my eyes…but what has happened has happened and there is nothing I can do to change that fact. If I could I would have, but seeing as I have no such power I can only openly show my disapproval."

Kai scoffed, "You do a very good job at that"

"ENOUGH!" Voltaire barked, slapping the oak chair towards the wall, smashing it into tiny pieces.

Kai didn't flinch, but remained silent.

"You—You are just like your father! You believe that you are invincible because you are young, but you are not! You have not seen the world and its horrors as I have seen them! You have not lived as long as I have! You have not lost…the one thing that was your pride…"

Voltaire stared at Kai, "Tell me Kai, have you lost one thing that was your life? That meant everything to you? That you truly cared for—even if they didn't know. The one thing that you were most proud of, although you never said anything. Tell me Kai, have you experienced what I have experienced?"

Kai remained silent, too stunned that his Grandfather—His. Grandfather.—had shared something personal. For once in his life, Kai saw the age in his Grandfather. He truly saw what time had done to him—how his skin had turned powdery pale—almost ash like. How frail he really looked compared to what he had looked all those years ago. Behind the fierce façade, he was an old man—an aged old man.

Voltaire smirked, "No, you have not."

Kai snorted, "And this whole speech was to invoke some inner emotion within me?"

Voltaire snarled, "You inconsiderate, stupid boy! You truly are your father's son, through and through! At least your filthy human mother had some common sense!"

"Don't you dare call my mother filthy!"

Voltaire 'hn', "You have her weak heart as well, that useless beating. That is what makes you weak."

"My father's heart had never beat, can you explain that?"

Voltaire turned his back towards Kai, "It was his bitch that made him soft."

Kai growled, his fist clenching. Voltaire turned back, "And it seems that your bitch is doing the exact same thing."

"Don't. Call. Her. That." He gritted out, his nails digging into his skin.

Voltaire narrowed his eyes, "She'll bring you nothing but misfortune. Forget about her, she'll just hold you back—she's nothing more than nuance, a wall in front of your goal."

"What do you now about my goal?!" Kai bit out. "You know nothing about me! You never have and you never will! You're just a selfish bastard who's looking out for his own wellbeing!"

"You judge what you don't understand," Voltaire growled out, glaring at his stubborn grandson.

"Then tell me Grandfather, what don't I understand?" Kai challenged, hardening his glare.

"I'm trying to save you from the same fate as your father."

"I can take care of myself"

"No you cannot. You are still young—"

"I'm eighteen for crying out loud!"

Voltaire rolled his beady eyes, "That's like two in vampire years. You have no experience of our way of life. That is the problem with you half-breeds, you think you know everything—that you are invincible when in reality; you are nothing but a defenseless baby, allowing curiosity to get the better of you. You won't survive very long if you play that way."

"Oh, and you're way is better?"

"Naturally."

Kai let out a low growl before turning hot on his heels.

"Denison was found this morning" Voltaire paused to let it sink in before he continued, "he was nothing but ashes."

Kai grunted, "He's on the move then?"

"Yes"

Kai sighed before opening the door.

"I'm only looking out for you Kai. You're all that's left of your father and the Hiwatari legacy."

Kai shook his head, "No Grandfather, I'm all that's left of your legacy." With that, Kai shut the door behind him.

Avalon wandered through the halls mindlessly, trying to get to her class when Mariam and Abbey approached her.

"Avalon!"

"Hey Avalon!"

Avalon stepped out of her stupor and turned to her two friends with a small wave. "Hey guys…what's up?"

Abbey and Mariam grinned, "That's all you can say to us?" Abbey teased. Avalon blushed as she shrugged. Abbey rolled her eyes, "We just wanted to know if you knew about the whole closing down of Darcia High."

Avalon furrowed her brows, "What?"

Mariam raised a brow, "You didn't know? Rumor has it that they're closing down the school. Some students have already left…"

Avalon paled and ran past them, leaving both Abbey and Mariam stunned.

-----

At Darcia, Kai was straightening his tie when something grabbed him from behind. Kai furrowed his brows as he turned his head. He raised a brow as he found Avalon staring wide-eyed at him.

"Avalon? What are you doing here?"

"I heard the school was shutting down and I wanted to make sure you didn't leave without telling me!"

Kai gave her a blank look, "You do know that you're late for class right?"

Avalon blinked, before her face fell, "Oh noooooooooooooo!!!!!!" She yelled before she ran back towards her school. Kai shook his head and returned to fixing his tie. He received strange looks from his fellow classmates. He glared right back, causing them to all turn and talk randomly at the same time.

Kai scoffed as he headed into the building still fiddling with his tie. He hated the thing, it was pointless and a damn burden!

"Kai"

Kai looked up and nodded at Tala, still fiddling with his tie. Tala rolled his eyes as he approached Kai and snatched the tie out of his hands, fixing it himself.

"I swear man, didn't I already pre-made ties for you?"

Kai rolled his eyes, allowing Tala to fix his tie; he was always good with ties.

"There" Tala examined his work before looking up at Kai, "You know you're going to have to learn to fix ties on your own right? I'm not going to be there every time you can't do it yourself."

Kai grunted and mumbled a 'whatever' before walking towards the classroom with Tala keeping pace.

"I heard Denison's dead"

Kai nodded, "I know, Voltaire told me"

"Are they starting the evacuation?"

"Don't know…most likely, but slowly…they don't want to cause a commotion that will lead the Hunter here. Plus, word is spreading that Darcia is shutting down."

Tala raised a brow, "How do you know?"

"Avalon came charging at me"

"Oh…So have—"

"No"

"Just think about it Kai"

"I already have and my answer is 'No'"

Tala sighed and mumbled under his breath, "Stubborn bastard"

"I heard that"

"That was the point"

"Hn"

"Hahahaha—You see that Max ma' boy?! I told ya they's here!" Connor, laughed aloud, throwing his head back. Max grinned slightly, "Yeah, you were right…Sorry I doubted you Connor"

Connor grinned at Max, "Tha's alright Max, but now yous knows, you're chance has finally come! Hahahaha"

Max gave a faint, but nervous smile, "Yeah…I guess…Heh…Heh…"

C.C: Finished! Yes! Sorry for the delay XD (I know I always say that, but it's true!)

Hoped you liked this fic, I might be able to update quicker for this fic since I already know how I'm gonna end it--maybe five more chapters? Not too sure yet. I'll try and get another one up by next week :D

Thanks for the reading and reviewing!!!

Later!