Chapter 16:
The garden bustled with activity as students mingled with senators and the Queen herself on occasion. Many took the opportunity to fill in the senators visiting for the first time on their experience of the school while braver ones took their chances to converse with Queen Ai herself. The Queen for her part, was more than delighted to engage with the students.
Emi stood by herself, drinking a glass of blood tablet solution. Shinji had gone to speak with his grandparents and Emi believed it best to give them some alone time. Her eyes gleamed as she spotted the Macarons that now came out. As she made her way to them however, a hand came and grasped her head.
"So little cousin, how are things going? You haven't drowned yourself in cakes yet right?" Emi groaned internally as she recognised the voice. She turned to address the tall, hazel-eyed female standing behind her.
"Cousin Sayuri, I don't know what you are insinuating, but whatever it is, do stop." Emi replied with a huff.
"Oh come on Emi, the whole family knows about your addictions." Sayuri Aidou replied cheekily. "But despite it all, I find it rather cute! Don't you think so Hinata?" At this, Sayuri looked at the smartly dressed male standing some few feet away. Although he had blue eyes, his hair was brown, unlike the blonde locks both Sayuri and Emi had.
"I dunno." Hinata shrugged. "It constantly drains our family's income and makes a mess in our dining room from time to time. It also drives the chefs mad because they have to fulfil our cousin's cravings…"
"Gee, thanks a lot Hinata." Emi pouted. "Why'd I have to saddle with you two instead of Grandpa Hanabusa?"
"Grandpa is busy with other tasks in the senate, so he made us come as his substitutes." Sayuri explained. "Mom and dad are helping out as well in our overseas contracts, so we had no other choice but to come as a representative of that side of the family. Besides, we also want to pay respects to Grandma Wakaba."
Emi blinked as she registered what her cousin said. By technicality, both Sayuri and Hinata are Emi's half-cousins. It had happened a long time ago, when she had asked her father about the woman named Sayori Wakaba that her cousins would always talk about. It was then that she learned that she had two Grandmothers, her biological Grandmother Kuri that had married some decades ago, and the biological grandmother of Sayuri and Hinata, who was her grandfather's first love over a thousand years past.
Thus, her family was the first to establish a union of vampire and human, effectively resulting in the rise of Dhampirs, vampire-human hybirds that possessed the longevity of vampires and a resistance to the sun, though they could not display the powers that were common among their kind.
"Ah…" Emi frowned. "You mean Grandma Wakaba right? I ought to drop by once in a while."
"I'm sure we'll have time for the weekend." Sayuri said, placing a comforting hand on Emi's shoulder. "We'll all go, how about that?"
"Sounds lovely." Emi smiled. Deep down, her greatest wish was to know as much as possible about her human grandmother. But still, time was not something one could turn back. The only thing she had left to know her by was the first-hand accounts of her half-cousins and her uncle. But from their stories, she knew that grandmother Wakaba had to be a kind-hearted soul, who only wanted the best for people she cared about.
"Has Grandma Kuri been well?" Emi asked. "I last heard from my dad that she has been busy with company matters."
"She's fine." Sayuri winked. "Though she is still as cranky as ever. Honestly, Grandpa Hanabusa has the strangest taste in women. I mean, I told you how he and Grandma Wakaba got together right? Turns out he was still pretty awkward with his feelings, even after a thousand years."
"Hehehe…" Emi giggled as Hinata went on to mingle with another group.
In another spot of the garden, two vampires sat down talking. One was on a chair, the other on a wheelchair.
"Grandmama, have you been well?" Gabriella asked the wheelchair bound individual.
"Stop fretting Gabriella." Maria Kurenai replied. "I may not be able to walk that much nowadays, but that doesn't mean I should be confined to my house. Besides, your father and mother have been trying their hardest to get me going on a trip, and I daresay I need it. Our mountain villa has already gotten boring."
"But I heard the last time you were unconscious!" Gabriella exclaimed, now getting off and kneeling on the ground beside Maria. "I can't tell you how worried I was…"
"The more you worry the more sick you will be." Maria huffed. "I am still as good as ever. Maybe a little older but that is life. You on the other hand have couple more centuries ahead of you, centuries that shouldn't be spent fretting over me."
Gabriella sighed. "Alright. I won't fret so much Grandmama. But don't push yourself okay?"
"Gabriella, I'm not pushing myself anyway if you have noticed…" Maria smirked, gesturing to the butler behind her, causing her granddaughter to giggle in response.
Henry gulped as the queen approached him. "W-why, hello your majesty. I am honoured to once again be in your presence."
"Oh don't be such a stiff Henry." Ai said as she addressed him. "Let's change the topic for now. Got a girlfriend yet?"
"Wha-? I, well, umm…" Henry stammered, obviously taken aback by her question. His face went a deep shade of red as the other vampire students started laughing.
"Your majesty…" Came the Chinese vampire behind her. "Forgive this interruption, but I would like to remind you of your rather tight schedule for tonight."
"Ah yes of course Li Ming." Ai nodded. However, just as she turned walk up the stairs, she gave Henry a sly look. "Tell me the details of your coming betrothal okay?"
"A-as you wish your majesty…" Henry gulped, knowing full well the teasing that would probably occur in the next few days. It seemed to be the only thing the queen would ever joke about regarding him.
"Henry." Came a voice behind him. Henry now turned to see his father, Vincent Oswald looking at him quizzically. He looked the same as Henry save for his hair, which was a jet black colour. "I can still see you react that poorly to her majesty's jokes."
"It's not something I entertain father." Henry replied truthfully. Among all the Night class, it was he who dreaded meeting the queen the most. Her antics regarding him have been among the most emotionally and mentally draining things he ever had to contend with over the past five years.
"Well, just bear with it for tonight." Vincent Oswald said. "This is the only time she will probably be having any time with you students. Though it would seem she is having a very busy day. So it seems you have lucked out in that regard."
Henry sighed. Even for a reprieve, this would be too short. He wondered why his father actually left the queen to poke fun with him all the time. For one of the most intellectual vampires around, even Henry could only guess at what went on through his father's mind.
Ai walked down the moonlit path toward the main campus flanked by Li Ming and her sister. As she approached the main campus, Ren frowned, her hand now flying to the sword on her hilt. Li Ming also reached for her knives, alert for the slightest movements.
"Well, this is an awkward greeting party…" Ai frowned as she studied the figure who now walked up to them. "Hello Mr. Ford. It has been a while since we last met."
"Hello your Majesty." Ford nodded in greeting. "I would like to request that your guards relax for a second."
"It is not you they are wary of." Ai answered. "Someone else is here, someone who wasn't invited. Who this person is, I cannot say. But it is not one of our kind, that I am certain."
Ford frowned at the revelation, racking his brain for anyone skilled enough to slip through the security in the academy. Only so few could go by undetected, and the only names Ford could think of were those from the inner circle of the Hunter Association. "I'll get that checked out. But till then, escorting you is my job. I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all." Ai smiled in response as Ren and Li Ming let go of their weapons, though they still remained alert. "In addition, I am told you were there at the time my son bit that girl." Ai asked as she followed the veteran hunter. "What can you tell me?"
"Well, the girl in question hasn't shown anything strange lately." Ford answered. "But I know that isn't enough to make you stop."
"It is my policy to be thorough in situations like this." Ai replied, her shoes clopping down the tiled pathway. "And considering this is the first such situation, it won't hurt to be meticulous."
"Huh, you have thought this out quite a lot haven't you?" Ford said as he led them through the main building.
"It is something I do on a daily basis. Being a monarch isn't easy." Ai huffed in annoyance. "I still have to deal with so many idiots from both vampires and humans in political affairs. It makes me wonder if brains are made to be used or if they are just for ensuring you're thoroughly solid on the inside."
"I-I don't even know what to make of that…" Ren mumbled to herself.
"What was that Ren?" Her sister asked curiously.
"Nothing…" Ren stated curtly, not wanting to endure another rant from her sister as Li Ming regarded her with a strange look.
Slowly, Ford led them upward toward the Chairman's office. He opened the doors, motioning for the vampires to enter.
"Ai. It is good to see you." Chairman Cross smiled warmly.
"I could say the same to you." Ai replied, returning a smile as she walked in. "However, I don't think there was a need to prepare this much…"
Chairman Cross's office had apparently been overhauled just for today to serve as close as a grand state room as it could. Where there would have been a huge desk, now as a replacement was a small tea table surrounded with large sofas. On the side table was a matching tea set along with some pastries and biscuits, while everywhere else was adorned with classy art pieces, ranging from oil paintings to a small marble statue, all of which Ai heavily suspected were rentals.
"God, I swear I told him he didn't have to make such changes…" Ford grumbled. "Anyways, I'll be going on patrol. Apparently there is someone inside the school unannounced. I'll bet it is either Kidomaru or Zen skulking around."
"Yes, I had a strange feeling of that as well." Chairman Cross replied. "Go ahead, but do be civil Ford."
"Of course." Ford replied as he walked out. "It isn't a vampire I'm hunting after all."
Chairman Cross sighed internally while AI and the vampires looked in curiosity as Ford left. Slowly, he sat down in his chair, motioning for the Queen and her escorts to sit as well, though Ren gave an apprehensive look to the marble statue.
"I hope my taste in decorations is acceptable for you." Chairman Cross smiled.
"Oh… Don't worry about that…" Ai chuckled as she helped herself to the tea and biscuits. Then, her eyes noticed the small portrait upon the desk, one of a young girl with a bob-haircut with a melancholic expression. Other than the short hair, her face was the spitting image of Ai herself.
"So my photo was still here huh?" Ai frowned as she studied the expression on the face of her teenage years. "I can't believe it's been that long…"
"No one can." The chairman replied. "And still, so much friction exists between our peoples."
"It's not that bad…" Ai mused. "Many good things have happened as well. Struggle appears to be the essence of life. We vampires know this better than anyone."
"Very true indeed." Chairman Cross nodded as he sipped his tea. "However, if we were to side-track now, I fear Li Ming's death glare will only get more serious…"
True enough, Ai turned to see her Chinese bodyguard glancing disapprovingly at the whole conversation. Ai gulped as she knew how much of a rant Li Ming could give, especially where schedule was concerned.
"Of course." Ai nodded. "So, where is she?"
Chairman Cross nodded. "Anju will be here shortly. Right now she is just finishing her rounds, but I expect her to be around in a bit." At this, a knock came at the door. "Ah, speak of the devil." Chairman Cross now went over to the door, opening it to let his adoptive daughter in.
Anju blinked upon laying her eyes on the queen. In her mind, there were no words to describe how beautiful she was. She appeared ethereal, more so than any other vampire. Save for her eyes, she was almost similar in appearance to Akira. Enraptured completely, Anju could only stammer out a small: "Hello…"
"Hello there Anju Cross." Ai smiled. "There is no need to be so formal. Call me however you find to be the most appropriate."
"Um, okay." Anju fidgeted on the spot. "Queen Ai would be alright, wouldn't it?"
"It should do." Ai responded with a wink. "Do have a seat Anju. Li Ming, if you would."
"As you command your majesty." Li Ming nodded, getting up and striding over to the door, keeping a look out. Anju now moved forward and took her place in the empty chair.
"So Anju, I'm sure your foster father has already explained this, but this is just to check how you've been doing since my son bit you." Ai explained.
"I understand." Anju nodded.
"However, to do that, I will need to do more than ask questions." Ai explained. "It will involve some probing into your body at some point to see if there has been any change to your biology as a whole. To do this, it would require me to sample a bit of blood from you. Just a drop will be fine, but you must understand the necessity."
"I understand." Anju nodded. "I don't mind at all."
"Very well." Ai nodded. "I assure you that it will be painless. Once that is done, I will get to asking general questions. If all goes well, we should take no more than fifteen minutes."
Anju nodded in response. "I'm ready."
"Understood. Ren, if you would." Ai motioned to her sister, who now stepped forward with a small needle. Gingerly grabbing Anju's hand, he made a swift yet precise strike upon her index finger, causing a small droplet of blood to form. Ai now knelt forward to the young human girl, bringing her lips to the prick on Anju's finger.
With one swift motion, Ai lapped up the droplet of blood, her tongue barely touching Anju's own skin. As soon as she sampled the blood, Ai breathed with a sense of euphoria. "Oh my…" She sighed. "Dear Anju, I know it is problematic to say this, but you do taste delicious… Yes, like blueberry muffins fresh from the oven, or a trifle straight from the fridge…"
"Umm…" Anju frowned, obviously weirded out. "Thanks?"
"Sister, please try not to tease someone millennia younger than you." Ren replied. "Even I still don't get your jokes sometimes…"
"Ah, oops…" Ai flushed with embarrassment. "I apologise. I tend to get too carried away sometimes with my teasing. Ehehehehe…"
Understatement of the century… Was the thought that ran through both vampires and humans alike.
"Hmmm, but other than that, I detect no anomalies in your blood." Ai nodded. "So there is no fear of you being infected with the virus we Purebloods are able to transmit. Now, just to make sure, have you been feeling faint at any point in time since being bitten?"
"Not that I know of." Anju replied with the shake of her head.
"Any strange aches or pains?" Ai asked again.
"No." Came the similar reply.
Ai asked another question. "Any strange sensations after eating food?"
"Nope." Came the answer.
"Alright then." Ai nodded as she noted the answers. "And with that, do you have the hots for my dear Akira yet?"
"N-WHAT?" Anju exclaimed as the jaws of both Chairman Cross and Ren fell.
"Well, the boy just haaaad to go and bite you of all people…" Ai smiled. "So many people have already introduced their daughters to him in the hopes that he would marry them in future, but he has refused each and every one. You on the other hand, he did the most intimate thing a vampire could do… Ah, what a romance…"
"Wha-? I… Uh… Um… What?" Anju stammered, her face going completely red.
"Okay, if you are all done now, I think it is best to get back to the party. It wouldn't do for the Queen to be away for too long at an event she started herself." Ren said as she grabbed her sister by her collar and dragged her to the door.
"But Ren!" Ai whined. "I haven't even gotten to the important questions yet!"
"If you are able to joke around like this, it means that you feel there are no issues with the girl." Ren deadpanned. "So come on, before you actually ruin your public image for real."
Ai struggled to free herself from her sister's grip. "Ah, wait! Um, well. Listen up Kirihara! As of now, there don't seem to be any problems. But just keep an eye on her okay? Report anything that is out of the ordinary to me straight away! H-Hey! Ren! I haven't finished the tea and biscuits yet! REN!"
Anju watched as the door slammed shut. "So um, that was, uh…"
"That was possibly the most playful I've ever seen her." Chairman Cross frowned. "But nevertheless, her advice rings true. Anju, let me know if anything strange comes up alright?"
"Of course." Anju nodded before she yawned.
"Well, that's that." Chairman Cross nodded. "Now, off to bed."
Back in the Moon dorm garden, where the party was now in full swing, AKira couldn't help but feel a shiver down his spine.
"What's wrong cousin?" Shinji asked him curiously, having managed to get some time away from his grandparents for the moment.
"Nothing Shinji..." Akira shook his head. "Though I suspect mother is gossiping about me right now..."
Drip…
Drip, drip…
Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip…
The blood stained the walls, pooling upon the floor. It dripped from the ceiling, staining her mattress and night gown. It fell upon her skin, leaving behind crimson dots.
She now sat up, looking around a sea of red. She turned her head sharply, alert for the slightest sounds.
Drip, drip, drip
"Hello?" She called out to no one in particular. Still, despite the silence and solitude, she could not shake the feeling that something was watching.
As she continued looking around in her bed, now surrounded by a sea of blood, she noticed the ripples that disturbed the stillness of the red. The ripples were originating from somewhere in front of her. She squinted for a good look, but the darkness made it practically impossible to see within two feet of her.
She could now hear a wet patter as the ripples appeared to get closer. She stared as hard as she could at the darkness, afraid to close her eyes for a second lest whatever was here struck within that instant of blindness.
Then she saw the pale feet that stepped from the shadows, toes and soles stained with blood. Looking upwards, she noticed the slight hem of a white dress that fell to the figure's shins. She hugged her blanket harder around herself as the figure fully stepped into view. She wore a simple white dress stained with splotches of blood. Her arms were pale as marble, yet it appeared smooth as silk. Judging from her height, she had to be at least sixteen, maybe seventeen at best. Her brown hair appeared to have a will of its own, as it writhed and flowed unnaturally in the breezeless space. Her eyes were just as erratic, shifting from a red-brown to full blown scarlet.
"Who are you?" She asked the figure who approached.
"That. Is. A. Secret." The figure said as she came up to her, extending a pale hand toward her.
"What do you want?" She asked another question. This time, the figure though for a bit before climbing onto her bed, stopping just inches from her face. Upon closer inspection, she now saw the fangs within the mouth of the figure who had walked over
"You." Came the single answer before she lunged forward and clamped her teeth around her throat.
And at that instant, Anju Cross awoke to the start of a new day.
Author's Note:
So... My personal computer has to be overhauled due to some technical issues, hence why this chapter couldn't have been done sooner. For the massive wait, I apologise. Still, I hope it was an enjoyable read that allowed you to get a glimpse into the private familial life of our vampire characters.
In my view, the complicated part was figuring out how to write out Emi's own family relations. Before I posted this story, I had originally intended for Emi to be Hanabusa Aidou's daughter. However, from the extra chapters in the manga, I learned that Hanabusa and Sayori ended up marrying, having 2 grandchildren in the process, whose names I came up with and put into this chapter. So that original had to be scrapped, but it also gave me a whole new possibility to write on, which I hope you find acceptable. Dhampirs have long been a subset of vampire legends, so I figured what better way to incorporate that?
On another note, soon I will be starting another attachment, par the requirements of my 3rd Year of University study. Hopefully I'll still have time to write out the next chapter at a faster pace (And hopefully my computer doesn't go out of whack and I can start using my desk again). But still, I can't promise frequent uploads.
Till the next chapter, do read and comment.
Sincerely yours,
Jdbl00d
P.S.: You already know Anju's mysterious visitor