Chapter 25
Class started again like nothing happened that night.
She pretended like nothing happened, being careful to not even let Ichiru figure it out. Being careful to not jostle the meaty bit between her right shoulder and neck, she was great at pretending.
After class and after the main number of the Moon Dorm had eaten something, she began to make her way to the library within the dorms.
She walked down the hall, passing the boys' dorm rooms only for one of the doors to open. He grabbed her, pulling her into the room before slamming the door closed.
Kaname moved her until she sat on the edge of his bed, leaning over her a little with his hands on the bed on either side of her legs. He had this serious look in his eyes but his face didn't show much of what he was thinking.
Perse grinned, tilting her head. "A little bit forward but alright. What's up?"
He didn't look amused, his eyes flickering to the area hidden by her done up collar and shirt along with the ribbon the girls wore.
"Oh that," She put her hand on the shoulder, just barely on it so she didn't actually hurt herself again. "It's nothing. Nicked myself."
Kaname kneeled in front of her so they were at the same level. He reached for the ribbon, pulling both ends to undo it before she could stop him. She leaned back a little, getting a bit more distance between his hands and the ribbon which was hanging on with only the main knot.
He gave her a look, raising an eyebrow that questioned what she was doing and what she was trying to hide.
She took a breath in through her nose, slipping the white uniform jacket off and leaving it on the bed behind her. She reached up to undo the dark purple ribbon, putting it in his hand before undoing the top four buttons of her shirt until it barely covered her bra but showed off her collarbone and sternum.
He slipped the shirt off of her shoulders, showing off the two black bra straps and the white bandage on her right trapezius.
"May I?" He asked, looking from her eyes to the bandage and back.
She nodded, turning her head to the left as he began to pull at the medical tape to slowly peel it off.
Kaname almost made a hissing sound when he saw the area.
It was bruised, painfully so, and dark with blue, purple and red all over it. The whole muscle was painful to even look at, but surprisingly Perse made no noise or movement as he looked.
When he touched it with his fingers, barely grazing it with a fingertip, she flinched and bit away a whimper of pain.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" He asked, looking down a little as Perse kept looking away.
"It does,"
"Look at me,"
She took and released a deep breath. "Why?"
"Just look at me, little lightning bird,"
"Stop it," She smiled, looking up through her lashes before settling as she sat up straight. She sighed. "What do you get out of me looking at you, bat brain, besides you get to look at my gorgeous face?"
He rolled his eyes, chuckling only for a second before putting his hand on her shoulder, being careful to completely miss the wound.
"You tried to help Zero yesterday," He calmly said, glancing down at the wound. "And he attacked you?"
"I was helping him and I was almost finished with making him completely Human," She sighed, letting her shoulders relax as she slouched a bit and allowed a little glare out. "Someone decided to turn Yuki yesterday and not tell me. I'm not saying you had to tell me, but a warning would have been nice. I was finished up and sensed Yuki and her changing disrupted my concentration and fucked the whole thing up."
"Zero attacked you because of it?" He frowned. "How much does it hurt?"
She shrugged. "Eh. It'll just take ages to heal. Arcane bites do that. Zero's gonna have a bad reaction or at least he's gonna feel sick for the next few days."
"When will this heal?" He asked carefully, running his knuckles against the joint of her right shoulder.
"Don't really know. With Zero's unstable Magic and the small ritual we did, I dunno if it'll take a couple days to perhaps a few weeks," She said. "I'll have to keep it covered for now. Don't need the others to comment on it."
He frowned, "Can you not heal it?"
"Not at this point in time, Kaname," She half smiled, faying pleasantries. "Blood Magic drains a Witch quickly, and that still means I'm not at the highest level of functioning after trying to help Zero."
"Still," Kaname raised a hand to touch a piece of her dark hair. "You're injured and you still expect yourself to attend class."
"I've attended class in worse states," Perse waved a hand, making him stand up as she fixed her shirt and put her jacket back on. She didn't comment as Kaname pocketed the ribbon.
"From previous states of distress or injury, you stayed away," He said.
She rolled her eyes. "In previous experiences, I wasn't at my full power. Without that pesky little ring, I don't have a limitation on my gifts. All I have to do is stay under the radar until I turn eighteen and then I'm out of here."
"You'd leave Cross Academy so easily?"
"What's going to keep me here?" Perse sighed. "You've got Yuki, she's a Vampire now, and Sara can't wait to take over my position as head female. The triplets will follow me back to the UK, and as soon as I leave, Eita won't be allowed to attend unsupervised. That sorts out your Witch situation."
"Why would I want you to leave?"
"Why wouldn't you?"
There was a beat between the responses, long enough to warrant concern but not for bodily harm. Kaname stare at her like she was an enigma or she was being plain stupid. It made her drop her gaze, flushing a little as she presumed buttoning up her shirt.
She shrugged half-heartedly. "When you get used as a prop for Magic or as an image enhancer, when you lose your supposed worthiness, you get tossed aside. I don't need this show of false favours and allyship for you to get what you want. Just tell me what you want from me."
"You really don't see it, do you?" He let his hands clench by his sides. "You've been used, abused and taken advantage of and now you think everyone wants something from you."
"Isn't that true though?" She looked up from where she had dropped her gaze, eyes sharp and accusing. "You wouldn't let me into the Academy unless you wanted something from me. I'm the heir of the last line of Blood Witches. I've told you stuff I haven't even told the other Crowns. Why should I think you're any different in your agenda than them? Why should I trust you more than them?"
"I've protected you!"He spat out wildly, eyes red and glaring before he calmed them down to a light shimmer. "I've protected you against my own kind. I've lied for you. I've done things that would discredit me as a Pureblood. I have taken your side over my own kind."
"I never goddam asked you to do anything!" She laughed, disbelief in her tone as she touched her forehead to get rid of the building pressure of his anger. "I helped Yuki, I'm helping Zero. I've kept your secret!"
He froze. "What secret?"
"I'm not fucking stupid," Perse grinned, walking up to him. She got closer until there was barely a breath between them. "When Saint Gaea mentioned she knew you, I just knew there was something special about that. Something about you might need to disclose the information at a later date. As much as I want to believe it, Yuki is not your sister and you are not how old you say you are."
"And as much as I want to believe what you call yourself, you're not Human, Persephone," He said, not backing down. "You were never Human. You came into this school with false intentions and lies. Why should I believe anything you say?"
"I never lied to you about being Human," She said. "You're right. I'm not Human. I'm Magic in Human form, or that's what Saint Gaea said. I'm Chaos and I do what I want. And no, I didn't come to this school with 'false intentions', I wanted to get away from the Crowns and Order and that's what I did. Getting you involved with my shit was unintentional, so I'm sorry if it screwed up any plans you had."
"You came into this school and completely destabilised what efforts I've put here to keep peace,"
She rolled her eyes, "Peace is overrated. True unity is what's needed at this school, but I guess you're not ready for that conversation yet since it would take control out of your hands. If you'll excuse me, I've got better shit to do than argue with you."
When she walked over to the door and tried the handle, it didn't budge. She tried again, getting the same result. She kicked the door in anger, turning back to Kaname with a glare.
"Open the door,"
"No."
"And why not?"
"You're injured," He put his hand up to his forehead, the other arm crossed to touch his elbow to steady it.
"So?"
"You're injured in a dorm full of Vampires,"
"Again, so?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm perfectly capable of being safe whilst being injured in this dorm. Happened before and will happen again. Now, open the door."
She smiled when she saw him begin to walk over, thinking he would open the door but instead he crowded her against it. Her eyebrows furrowed, coming together to convey she was confused. When she tried to bow out and get distance, he just dragged her back until she was trapped between his arms, his chest and the door.
"What do you think you're doing?" She plainly stated, crossing her arms again.
He leaned over her, putting his forehead against the door to the side of her. "You're so infuriating."
"Never said I wouldn't be,"
She pushed at his chest gently but he didn't move away, only getting a little closer so their chests touched and his head fell so his forehead was barely touching her right, injured shoulder.
Perse laced her fingers into his hair as he sighed and slumped into her, pressing her into the door a bit further as his weight encased her. His arms started to move, wrapping themselves until he could pull her closer and keep her there.
Kaname Kuran wasn't the type of person to allow touches, never knowing if the next action would draw blood or not. To be touched by someone who was just as powerful, as dangerous as him, it was to be truly vulnerable.
Just as they could easily hurt each other, they could protect so much better because of their determination and possessiveness of what was theirs.
"Come on," Perse started, hand still gently tracing the back of his neck. "It's getting early and we both need sleep."
He pressed his face into the top of her head, making her bow it a little as his arms tightened, "No."
"To what?" She mused. "Sleep or stopping this?"
His arms tightened a little again before he finally allowed her out of his arms with a reluctant exhale of breath. Nodding to the door handle, he stepped back.
"Go ahead," He said, fully stepping back but still within arms reach. "Door's open now."
She nodded, half-smiling before bowing her head to tease him before leaving the room.
The door closed with a quiet click.
Kaname reached into his pocket, taking out the ribbon from there. He turned it in his hand, watching as the satin fabric shined in the low light. It was a dark purple, the same shade as her hair, he noticed. She didn't wear the red ribbon the other girls did, instead, wearing this purple one to show her family pride.
Or whatever was left of it.
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"This weekend is the culture festival at Cross Academy," Headmaster Cross informed Kaname and Perse, both teens in front of him.
Perse sat on the chair, one leg crossed over the other, leaning to the side of her chair while Kaname stood near her.
"Isn't that the one the Day Class is doing?" Perse asked.
"Yes, it is. They've been preparing since summer, some came in to help create things for this event," He said. "And I'm asking you both to help to keep the peace between the Day and Night Classes, especially from your respective races. Parents are coming in for this event on Saturday night, and fireworks will be happening too. I know there will be families from the Night Class students coming, so if you would like to invite anyone, Perse, you can."
She nodded. "I'll send out an invitation to my dad but that's it, my cousins can invite their parents if they want. I'm not fussed if they come or not, just need a warning beforehand."
"Alright, is there anything else you two would like to discuss?"
"There are a lot of Witches attending," Perse said. "First me, then my three cousins and now Eita. Don't you think it's getting much now, especially with the fact Magic's a little unstable at the moment?"
"Are you saying that it's dangerous to have so many Witches attending?"
"No, I'm just concerned with the numbers, it's increasing. I'm already concerned with having Eita Ebber here, mostly because I don't know much about him or his family."
Kaname nodded, "With Sera being the one to bring him here, it's even more concerning that he's allowed here. They could be plotting and we wouldn't know."
"Exactly what I'm scared of," Perse sighed, slumping in her chair. "I don't know what their objectives are so I'm a little concerned. Why wouldn't I? I've got plenty of reasons and questions but not enough answers."
"The others will keep an eye on them,"
"Thank you,"
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Another festival meant another outfit.
All of the girls of Cross Academy, both of Day and Night class, would wear a furisode, a long-sleeved kimono that unmarried women and young girls would wear.
Those of certain family rankings would wear the colours of their families. Those without family colours could wear whatever they wanted, but it meant they couldn't match with someone who had a family colour scheme to go with.
"Ichiru, this isn't working!" Perse complained loudly from her room as she dropped the kimono back onto the bed.
He laughed after opening the door, already dressed in a dark navy kimono jacket and his hakama trousers. The jacket had a silver design of tiny bells all over the sleeves while his trousers were darker and his wooden sandals plain.
Ruka poked her head in, her hair done beautifully with a jade green hair stick to keep it up. "Is she having trouble?"
Perse just pouted, only in her thong and lacy bralette as a layer of the kimono was over her shoulders. "Stop looking and help me. I can't figure it out. I know how to but it just isn't working."
Ruka rolled her eyes, coming into the room after calling in Rima to help too and shooing Ichiru away. Ruka's kimono was a dark emerald while Rima's was navy with a lighter blue on the hems.
"Kimonos are difficult to do alone," Ruka admitted as she helped her put on the inner layer, making sure to make the dark violet-purple layer stay straight and perfect on Perse before tying it.
"Main reason I get Ruka to do it for me," Rima smirked, grabbing the outer layer before helping Ruma.
"As simple as it is, it's hard to get right," Perse said, shrugging the outer layer on and letting both Vampires do it. "Are the colours even right?"
"Yes, they are," Ruka confirmed. "I actually think they're perfect for you. Especially with the red lining of the inside, goes amazing with it. And compliments the belt. Shoes and we're done."
"Thanks," Perse slipped on the simple sandals.
She walked over to the mirror, taking a good look at herself.
The inner layer poked out, letting the dark violet-purple be a contrast to the darker black of the outer kimono. The shiny black was contrasted with dark purple coloured lilies on the bottom of the kimono, following the hem and also being on the bottom of the long sleeves. The obi belt was satin silver with a string of violet with a tiny gem at the base. The inside of the kimonos was a dark wine red, beautifully complimented the whole thing.
There were five crests on the kimono, all of the same silver Lightning Bird design of the Greylight Family. A larger one on the back with one on each sleeve and one on each side of the chest.
It was beautiful and detailed, and Perse liked it.
Her hair was pin-straight and parted in the middle, letting it hang down her back and shoulders until it just passed her bust.
"Are we good to go then?" Perse asked, pocketing her phone into a hidden pocket of her left sleeve.
"Yes," Ruka said. "Come on. We're due at the main school soon."
"Has anyone left?"
"The lower ranks have,"
Perse nodded, leaving with them.
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The rest of the Night Class had left the dorms, leaving the higher ranked Vampires and Witches. Everyone wore traditional Japanese outfits, and the higher-ranked Vampires had to wear the more formal ones. It also allowed teh Witches to wear the traditional, formal outfits too, with the help of the others who actually knew what they were doing.
Kaname stood next to Ichiru and Takuma, all males wearing the kimono jacket and hakama trousers.
His set was dark, the trousers and jacket being completely black with silver accents while his innermost layer was a dark wine colour. The next layer was dark enough to be called black but just a shade too red to be called so. The silver belt sat on his hips, complimenting the dark purple of the inside of his kimonos. His family crests sat on his back, sleeves and chest.
Cera stood with her brothers, all in the same dark shade of grey but the boys had accent colours that went with their Trait colours. That meant Bereket had moss green accents and Usher had navy accents. Because Cera was engaged to Hanabusa, she wore the grey of the Greylight house along with the indigo purple of the Aido family.
Kaname stood next to Ichiru and Takuma, all males wearing the kimono jacket and hakama trousers.
The last three girls came down the staircase.
Kaname turned to them, pausing as he saw his, unknown to himself but not to his beast, Beloved come down the stairs in traditional clothing of his society.
He smiled as she came down, only to frown as he saw her continuous grip on the bannister as she struggled to get downstairs in her traditional wooden shoes. He almost darted forward when she leaned too much, quickly getting up the stairs until he reached her and could help her down.
"Thanks," She said, letting him help her down the stairs. "I'm not used to these shoes."
"Walking is easier than going down the stairs," He said. "Don't worry."
"Oh, thank the Saints. The stairs are hard,"
"That they are," He helped her all the way down, stopping at the bottom to address the remaining group. "Are we ready to head to the festival?"
Ichiru gestured vaguely with his hand up. "I don't know where Ebber and Shirabuki are. Zero texted and said they weren't at the festival."
"Where is Yuki?" Perse asked.
Kaname looked at her. "She's at the festival with Headmaster Cross. She's still a Guardian even if she's not a Day Class student. I've tried convincing her to quit but she doesn't want to. Seiren is with her."
Perse nodded, looking up at the area where the dorm rooms were. Her eyes glowed as she scanned each room. "They're both in Sara's room. I vote we leave them."
Kaname had to say that her cheeky smile was a beautiful thing as she raised a hand in a mock vote. He nodded, "Let us leave. Cross is expecting us."