Sorry it took so long to update, but please enjoy this new chappie!
This chapter is dedicated to Usagi Asia Maxwell, Solus Nox, Dragon, and Tsuki Fa- thanks you guys! Ya'll are so sweet!
Usagi slept peacefully, unware that she was under careful scrutiny. Hiiro continued to ponder how and how well he could protect her, watching her closely. Stretching slightly, Usagi rolled onto her stomach, exposing her neck and back through her ripped school uniform.
"What the-" Hiiro trailed off. Brushing her hair aside softly, so as to not wake her, he examined the cuts on her back. They were deeper than those on her neck- much deeper. He thought back over the night's events, seeing in his mind's eye as Kayor grabbed at Usagi's neck, long nails scraping her porclain skin. But his hands went no lower.
Confused and concerned over what could have caused the cuts on her upper back, he sighed. Hiiro pulled a light granite dagger from the small hidden arsenal of weapons he always carried with him. Curling his hand into a fist, he made a shallow cut in the side, just below his pinky. Slowly he let the blood drip down onto her neck and upper back, watching with a smile as the skin pulled together and healed itself almost instantly. His skin did the same.
Knowing that she would never trust him if she woke up with blood on her neck, Hiiro grabbed a piece of cloth from the pile and went over to the window, soaking it in the rainwater that had accumulated on the windowsill. Glancing down at the road he saw three black shadows bend outwards to form figures, which began searching the alleyway.
'Oh shit,' he thought. 'The Hunters are after her already. She won't be safe here for long... She won't be safe anywhere.' Quickly he moved back to her, gently wiping the drying red life liquid from her skin.
Hiiro knew what he had to do to ensure her safety, but he wasn't going to betray her trust while she was asleep. Taking a deep breath, a habit he hadn't been able to shake, he shook her slightly.
"Usagi, Usagi, wake up!" he called. Grumbling, she opened her eyes. He smiled a little, cursing whatever was making him act so human around the younger girl.
"Ugghh, Hiiro it's not even morning yet!" Usagi complained, glancing out the window.
"I know but I need to tell you something." he replied in the most serious tone she had heard him use so far. He had her attention.
"Kayor was a very powerful vampire. He was a leader of the Akuji Clan and his murder will not go unpunished. Usagi, there are beings out there that you could not begin to imagine, that would kill you in a heartbeat, without a second thought." Hiiro told her, pacing the room. Usagi shuddered.
'If he only knew...' she thought.
"I won't allow these monsters, these Hunters, to hurt you. But there's only one way to keep them from drinking your life. Most vampires pick a victim and drink their life quickly, leaving them as an empty shell. There are few who don't; I am one of them. If a vampire has drunk of you and left you with life, no other vampire will be able to stand the taste of your blood. It will be a poison. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Hiiro asked.
"So if you drink my blood then other vampires will die if they drink?" she repeated, rubbing her neck uncomfortably at the thought. The gesture sparked some desire deep within him.
"Hai, something like that." he replied. Usagi looked up into his eyes, searching them once more. It unnerved him, as though she could see past the many barriers he had erected around his emotions.
"Will it hurt?" she asked in a whisper. He broke the eye contact.
"Iie, I'll be gentle and I won't take much. I promise."
She nodded very slowly. Hiiro sat down again next to her, crossing his legs "Indian-style". Holding her hand, he pulled her onto his lap sideways, allowing her back to rest against his arm and her head on his shoulder.
"I only want to keep you safe." Hiiro swore. She looked up at him through thick black lashes.
"I trust you, Hiiro." Usagi replied hoarsely. He couldn't resist any longer; his head bent lower, towards her ear.
"I promise." he whispered against the lobe before lowering his head even further. The smell of her blood enticed him and he smiled a little as his fangs slid from their sheaths.
Slowly he bit her, fangs softly piercing her delicate skin just below the jawbone. The mixed smell of her skin and her blood nearly drove him over the edge, but he managed to control the urge and sip slowly.
Usagi was heaven. She had clamped her eyes shut when she felt him near her neck and whimpered slightly when she had felt the first pricks. But then.... she felt so relaxed as he sucked at her neck softly. She felt him shudder and knew something had affected him, though what it was she couldn't tell... All she knew was the sweet bliss of his mouth on her skin.
Hiiro wanted to scream.
'What is it about this girl?' he wondered in the back of his mind. 'Why does she affect me so much? Is this the downfall that See predicted?'
A memory rose through his mind like a bubble of air shoots to the surface of the ocean. A memory from years ago, before he met Kayor, before he was blessed with the curse of being immortal. Unconsiously he drank faster and faster.
With a jolt he rose from the sea of memories, realizing that he had been drinking for much longer than he had intended. Pulling his mouth from her neck he scrambled to check her pulse.
Hiiro let out a sigh he didn't know he had been holding when he found it, strong and true against his fingertips. Twisting her in his lap a bit, he saw that she was still awake and aware.
Usagi smiled at him when their gazes met.
"You didn't tell me it was so wonderful." she said giddily, head floating from the lack of blood.
"I am sorry, Usagi. I took more than I meant to. I need to take you home now." Hiiro replied, smiling back at her. She nodded and yawned, stretching.
"Where do you live?" he asked.
"1333 Tsuki Fa Road..." Usagi trailed off, yawning again. Hiiro stood, picking her up with him. He knew the area of town, he and the others had feasted there many times. Cradling her in his arms, he pulled one of the thicker blankets over her to keep her warm and dry, then climbed from the window and made his way down the fire escape.
Alert for the active Hunters, he walked quickly through the streets of Toyko, slowing his pace as the neared her street. At this point all he wanted to do was get her home and begin finding hideouts nearby so he could begin to sort through all that had happened. He knew he needed to talk to the others, too.
'1333 Tsuki Fa Road,' he thought, reading the number near the front door. Slowly he circled the house, unsure of what to do.
"That one." Usagi supplied, gesturing at one of the second-story windows. Hiiro jolted and nearly dropped her; he hadn't realized that she was awake. Carefully he climbed the tree next to her window, balancing her in one arm. In the back of his mind he wondered how she could be so light.
Silently he jumped from a tree limb to the small balcony. The glass door was unlocked and he slipped in easily, looking around curiously. The room, apart from the floor being covered in a thick layer of magazines, books, and clothes, seemed to fit the small girl perfectly.
Hiiro pulled back the thick comforter on her bed and laid her in it, pulling the wet blanket from her and leaving it on the floor. Covering her once more with the duvet he went to the doorway. Grabbing his granite dagger again, he drew it across his fingertip. When the blood swelled and began to run he reached up and drew a thin line across the top of the doorframe, then down each post and finally let a few drops land on the carpeted floor. Hiiro went to the balcony door and repeated this process. It blocked all unnatural forces from entering the room, except for him because it was his blood.
'Blood has so many more uses than silly humans think.' Hiiro thought, still a little giddy from the blood he had tasted.
"Goodnight, Usagi." he whispered, sliding the balcony door shut behind him and jumping from the landing into the tree. Silently he climbed down and began familiarizing himself with the area.
"Tsukino Usagi get up THIS INSTANT!" Ilkuko screamed through the door. Usagi rolled over and pulled her pillow up and over her head, covering her ears.
"Usagi are you moving or do I have to come in there?!" Ilkuko demanded once more.
"Hai, mama, I'm up!" Usagi replied, shooting out of bed. She could not allow her mother to see her in her nightclothes or she would have to explain about her wounds.
Back the youma up a minute. She wasn't in her nightclothes- Usagi still her ripped school uniform from the night before... With a gasp she remembered the night's events. She sank back down to sit at the edge of the bed.
'Was it a dream?' Usagi wondered. She glanced around, immediately noticing the wet blanket in a heap on the floor. 'Guess not. So he was real... Yui Hiiro... Where'd you go?' She got up and went to the balcony, looking around for the dark haired man.
"Silly Usagi," she said, talking to herself to relieve some of the stress she felt. "He's a vampire; he won't be out in the daylight."
From his perch in the shadows in the upper limbs of the tree, Hiiro heard her and smiled. 'Silly Usagi indeed,' he agreed silently.
"Great, one I can't hide." Usagi moaned, looking into the spot she had cleared in the steamed mirror. Her lithe body was wrapped in a light blue towel and her wet hair hung freely to her ankles. She leaned forward for a better view of the purple bruise on her neck, just below the jaw. Sighing, she pulled a tube of concealer from one of the drawers. Usually she wore little to no make-up, but today there was a good reason. Putting a little of the cold liquid on her finger, she dabbed it on the bruise and spread it around until it disappeared from sight.
"Usagi you're going to be late for school!" Ilkuko called up the stairs, bracing herself for Hurricane Usagi. Sure enough, Usagi came flying down the stairs, pulling one of her shoes on and holding the other in her hand.
"Thanks mama!" she said as Ilkuko handed her a few pieces of toast. She grabbed her schoolbag and left the house, door slamming behind her.
Hiiro had jumped down from the tree the moment he heard Ilkuko shout and rounded the house, waiting at the edge of the street. He cast a Shadow over himself and instantly became completely invisible to the many people passing by. At that moment, Usagi came bursting out the front door. She ran down the front steps, still pulling on the other shoe. A piece of toast hung halfway out of her mouth and Hiiro couldn't help but smile at the sight she made. Glancing up, she stopped dead in her tracks, toast almost falling from her mouth.
"Hiiro?!" she exclaimed. He nodded.
"How-" She began. Hiiro shook his head, gesturing to the people around them that had stopped to watch the strange girl talking to her mailbox. Usagi caught on.
"Follow me," she muttered under her breath before taking off at top speed, same as every morning. Hiiro was surprised at the speed she managed to obtain and followed her through the city until she disappeared down an alley near her school grounds.
"Hiiro how is that you can be out in the sun? And how come others couldn't see you?" she asked, breathing hard.
"I told you that we Akuji are not what you humans envision as vampires. So long as I have feasted within the last week I can walk in the light. I can cast a Shadow over myself and become invisible to all those but the ones I want to see me." he replied calmly.
"What about the other stuff? Do you have a coffin? Can you change into a bat? Do you have fang-" she cut off there, blushing as fingertips massaging the bruise on her neck, feeling the two tiny holes in the center. Hiiro raised an eyebrow.
"I don't have a coffin and I can't change into a bat." he replied, not elaborating on what he could do instead. Usagi took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh morning air.
"Isn't it wonderful, Hiiro?" she asked, looking down the alleyway and across the street to where the park was.
"Hai." Hiiro replied emotionlessly, not understanding. She rolled her eyes.
"Come one Hiiro, how do you spend each day?"
"At home."
"What, you spend all day inside?"
"Hai, most of the time."
"That's no way to live!"
"That's not the best term you could choose. I'm not alive, Usagi."
"Gomen nasai," she apologized. His eyes softened.
"It's alright." Hiiro replied, coming over to where Usagi was leaning on the dumpster. He held her chin loosely in his hand, tilting it upwards so he could look at her wound.
"I'm sorry it left a mark." he said, eyes piercing hers. Shuddering, she turned away.
"It's alright, I'll be fine. I just hope my friends don't see it." Usagi joked, an uncomfortable giggle escaping her lips. Just then a loud bell rang.
"Oh crappers I'm going to be so late!" she exclaimed. Leaning forward and kissing Hiiro's cheek softly she ran off.
"I'll probably have detention but I'll be out at 4:30!" Usagi called over her shoulder. He lifted two fingers to his face, cheeks burning. What would the others think if they saw him?
Obviously someone heard his question because at that moment several shadows began bending around him. Hiiro immediately took up a defensive stance, waiting for the Akuji to come from the shadows.
"Hey Hiiro!" A jovial voice rang out as a tall boy stepped from one of the shadows.
"Hnn. Hello Duo." Hiiro replied. Three others also emerged, greeting him.
"Gang's all here, huh?" Duo commented, glancing around. Five immortal souls trapped in teenage bodies stood together.
"What happened, Yui? We were supposed to meet last night." A tall Chinese man with black hair demanded.
"Shove it, Wufei." Hiiro replied. "Something came up."
"What came up?" Duo pressed. Hiiro growled.
"I had to feed." he said, shutting them all up. It wasn't a complete lie- but he needed to get to the school to watch over her. He hadn't thought to go there the night before and mark the doors.
"I heard a disturbing rumour today," Trowa began. "It seems that one of our old enemies has been destroyed."
"Kayor-?" Quatre asked. Trowa nodded.
"He was staked." Hiiro said, not wishing to elborate. "We'll meet tonight instead."
"Same place?" Duo questioned. Hiiro nodded.
"Good. See you then." Wufei said, melting back into the shadows. The others followed suit, leaving Hiiro alone in the alley.
Of course Usagi ran into the classroom, breathing hard, about five seconds after the tardy bell.
"Detention!" her teacher screamed. Usagi hung her head in defeat.
Hiiro spent the day in Usagi's school. Using his Shadow he managed to gain access to the main office, and the attendance clerk was very helpful when he used his Fog on her. Hiiro left the building satisfied, carrying the school's blueprints and Usagi's schedule in his pocket. Slowly he walked through the park, knowing that Usagi got detention. He stopped for a moment and sat on one of the park benches, still damp from the night before. Deciding to enjoy the sun, Hiiro slipped out of his knee-length black leather jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his thin, long sleeve black tee shirt. Resting his hands lightly on his light blue jeans, he thought back to the night before.
Usagi's blood tasted so good on his tongue, like ambrosia to the gods. Her's was different than others; it had a different taste, a different spice. It fueled his speculation that there was something about her that was just not normal. And that speculation only made him want to be around her more.
Usagi sighed heavily as she left the school. Not paying any particular attention to where she was going, she headed for the Crown Arcade. All she could think about the whole day was Hiiro.
"Hey Usa-babe! Wait up!" Minako called, racing up to her.
"Hey Minako!" Usagi greeted. Minako grabbed her arm and began walking with her. Glancing sideways, she suddenly stopped.
"Usagi, is there something you want to talk about?" she asked.
"Not really, why?" Usagi returned, suddenly getting very serious.
"Did Mamo-chan get a little rough?" Minako questioned, grinning like a chesire cat.
"Huh?!" the odango-ed girl replied.
"You've got a hickey the size of Texas!" she exclaimed. Usagi immediately blushed a brilliant shade of red.
"It wasn't-" Usagi cut herself off just before she told Minako that it wasn't Mamoru. "It wasn't on purpose."
Minako winked at her, and Usagi sighed, grateful that Hiiro wasn't around to see her blush.
'Wait a minute. Is Hiiro around?' she wondered, glancing about for him. 'What if he's using that Shadow thing? What if he sees me with Mamoru?' She jolted at that thought.
'Why would it matter? Mamoru's my boyfriend, after all... Still...' Even more confused, Usagi and Minako entered the arcade together.
"Hey Usagi!" Andrew called from behind the counter.
"Hi Andrew!" Usagi replied, sitting down in front of her favorite game. Plunking two quarters into the slot, she placed her small hands onto the controllers and began to play.
A few minutes later...
"Hey no fair I jumped!" Usagi exclaimed. Suddenly a warm feeling came over her, like coming out of cold water during summer and feeling the hot sun begin to dry her skin.
"You're right, Usagi. You did jump." a voice said over her shoulder. Immediately she stiffened.
"Don't change, they can't see me." he spoke again. Usagi relaxed her posture, leaning back slightly into him. Hiiro took a deep breath.
"Why can't you take off the shadow?" she asked, sighing and continuing with her game. Soon she felt the warmth leave her.
The automatic door hissed, and Hiiro walked in, unveiled. Usagi turned a bit after losing the game again, jaw dropping. Damn it all if Hiiro didn't look hot- black boots, leather jacket hanging open, toned chest beneath a thin white shirt. His bangs hung down into his eyes, eyes that seemed to look at only one thing- her. She sucked her breath in as he came over to her.
"This better?" he asked. Usagi nodded. She could tell that everyone else could see him too, for her's wasn't the only jaw that dropped when he had come in. From the corner of her eye she saw Makoto rise from her seat but she was restrained by Rei. No doubt Ami had advised them to wait and see what happened. What she didn't see, though, was Mamoru coming in.
"Usako?" he demanded softly, making his way over to Hiiro and Usagi. He didn't know who this man was but he was standing way too close to his Usagi to be up to any good.
"Who are you?!" Mamoru asked, louder this time, grabbing Hiiro's shoulder. Instantly Hiiro reacted, placing his hand over Mamoru's and twisting the smaller man's body until he held him in a headlock. His left hand was held above Mamoru's neck; one thrust would knock him out for a few hours.
"Who the hell are you?!" Hiiro retorted, raising his voice only slightly.
"I'm her boyfriend." Mamoru replied, showing no fear. Hiiro's eyes snapped up to Usagi. She winced slightly as she saw the hurt displayed in them for only a moment. Tears forming in the corners of her eyes, she nodded slightly. Hiiro released Mamoru and promptly disappeared. Startled, Mamoru lost his balance and nearly fell. Usagi had to stop herself from laughing.
'Wait a minute.' she thought suddenly. 'When did I start viewing Mamoru as weak and foolish?' Some part of her subconsious mind knew the answer, though she refused to acknowledge that part of her brain.
It was when she met Hiiro.
Duo: Awwww...
Quatre: How sweet!
Wufei: coughcough*weakwomen*coughcough
Hiiro: *blushes madly* Hmmph.
Aka: Trowa, you're my last hope...
Trowa: Please review- it keeps her sane.
Duo: And if she's sane, no one dies!
Aka: *hangs head in defeat*
This chapter is dedicated to Usagi Asia Maxwell, Solus Nox, Dragon, and Tsuki Fa- thanks you guys! Ya'll are so sweet!
Usagi slept peacefully, unware that she was under careful scrutiny. Hiiro continued to ponder how and how well he could protect her, watching her closely. Stretching slightly, Usagi rolled onto her stomach, exposing her neck and back through her ripped school uniform.
"What the-" Hiiro trailed off. Brushing her hair aside softly, so as to not wake her, he examined the cuts on her back. They were deeper than those on her neck- much deeper. He thought back over the night's events, seeing in his mind's eye as Kayor grabbed at Usagi's neck, long nails scraping her porclain skin. But his hands went no lower.
Confused and concerned over what could have caused the cuts on her upper back, he sighed. Hiiro pulled a light granite dagger from the small hidden arsenal of weapons he always carried with him. Curling his hand into a fist, he made a shallow cut in the side, just below his pinky. Slowly he let the blood drip down onto her neck and upper back, watching with a smile as the skin pulled together and healed itself almost instantly. His skin did the same.
Knowing that she would never trust him if she woke up with blood on her neck, Hiiro grabbed a piece of cloth from the pile and went over to the window, soaking it in the rainwater that had accumulated on the windowsill. Glancing down at the road he saw three black shadows bend outwards to form figures, which began searching the alleyway.
'Oh shit,' he thought. 'The Hunters are after her already. She won't be safe here for long... She won't be safe anywhere.' Quickly he moved back to her, gently wiping the drying red life liquid from her skin.
Hiiro knew what he had to do to ensure her safety, but he wasn't going to betray her trust while she was asleep. Taking a deep breath, a habit he hadn't been able to shake, he shook her slightly.
"Usagi, Usagi, wake up!" he called. Grumbling, she opened her eyes. He smiled a little, cursing whatever was making him act so human around the younger girl.
"Ugghh, Hiiro it's not even morning yet!" Usagi complained, glancing out the window.
"I know but I need to tell you something." he replied in the most serious tone she had heard him use so far. He had her attention.
"Kayor was a very powerful vampire. He was a leader of the Akuji Clan and his murder will not go unpunished. Usagi, there are beings out there that you could not begin to imagine, that would kill you in a heartbeat, without a second thought." Hiiro told her, pacing the room. Usagi shuddered.
'If he only knew...' she thought.
"I won't allow these monsters, these Hunters, to hurt you. But there's only one way to keep them from drinking your life. Most vampires pick a victim and drink their life quickly, leaving them as an empty shell. There are few who don't; I am one of them. If a vampire has drunk of you and left you with life, no other vampire will be able to stand the taste of your blood. It will be a poison. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Hiiro asked.
"So if you drink my blood then other vampires will die if they drink?" she repeated, rubbing her neck uncomfortably at the thought. The gesture sparked some desire deep within him.
"Hai, something like that." he replied. Usagi looked up into his eyes, searching them once more. It unnerved him, as though she could see past the many barriers he had erected around his emotions.
"Will it hurt?" she asked in a whisper. He broke the eye contact.
"Iie, I'll be gentle and I won't take much. I promise."
She nodded very slowly. Hiiro sat down again next to her, crossing his legs "Indian-style". Holding her hand, he pulled her onto his lap sideways, allowing her back to rest against his arm and her head on his shoulder.
"I only want to keep you safe." Hiiro swore. She looked up at him through thick black lashes.
"I trust you, Hiiro." Usagi replied hoarsely. He couldn't resist any longer; his head bent lower, towards her ear.
"I promise." he whispered against the lobe before lowering his head even further. The smell of her blood enticed him and he smiled a little as his fangs slid from their sheaths.
Slowly he bit her, fangs softly piercing her delicate skin just below the jawbone. The mixed smell of her skin and her blood nearly drove him over the edge, but he managed to control the urge and sip slowly.
Usagi was heaven. She had clamped her eyes shut when she felt him near her neck and whimpered slightly when she had felt the first pricks. But then.... she felt so relaxed as he sucked at her neck softly. She felt him shudder and knew something had affected him, though what it was she couldn't tell... All she knew was the sweet bliss of his mouth on her skin.
Hiiro wanted to scream.
'What is it about this girl?' he wondered in the back of his mind. 'Why does she affect me so much? Is this the downfall that See predicted?'
A memory rose through his mind like a bubble of air shoots to the surface of the ocean. A memory from years ago, before he met Kayor, before he was blessed with the curse of being immortal. Unconsiously he drank faster and faster.
With a jolt he rose from the sea of memories, realizing that he had been drinking for much longer than he had intended. Pulling his mouth from her neck he scrambled to check her pulse.
Hiiro let out a sigh he didn't know he had been holding when he found it, strong and true against his fingertips. Twisting her in his lap a bit, he saw that she was still awake and aware.
Usagi smiled at him when their gazes met.
"You didn't tell me it was so wonderful." she said giddily, head floating from the lack of blood.
"I am sorry, Usagi. I took more than I meant to. I need to take you home now." Hiiro replied, smiling back at her. She nodded and yawned, stretching.
"Where do you live?" he asked.
"1333 Tsuki Fa Road..." Usagi trailed off, yawning again. Hiiro stood, picking her up with him. He knew the area of town, he and the others had feasted there many times. Cradling her in his arms, he pulled one of the thicker blankets over her to keep her warm and dry, then climbed from the window and made his way down the fire escape.
Alert for the active Hunters, he walked quickly through the streets of Toyko, slowing his pace as the neared her street. At this point all he wanted to do was get her home and begin finding hideouts nearby so he could begin to sort through all that had happened. He knew he needed to talk to the others, too.
'1333 Tsuki Fa Road,' he thought, reading the number near the front door. Slowly he circled the house, unsure of what to do.
"That one." Usagi supplied, gesturing at one of the second-story windows. Hiiro jolted and nearly dropped her; he hadn't realized that she was awake. Carefully he climbed the tree next to her window, balancing her in one arm. In the back of his mind he wondered how she could be so light.
Silently he jumped from a tree limb to the small balcony. The glass door was unlocked and he slipped in easily, looking around curiously. The room, apart from the floor being covered in a thick layer of magazines, books, and clothes, seemed to fit the small girl perfectly.
Hiiro pulled back the thick comforter on her bed and laid her in it, pulling the wet blanket from her and leaving it on the floor. Covering her once more with the duvet he went to the doorway. Grabbing his granite dagger again, he drew it across his fingertip. When the blood swelled and began to run he reached up and drew a thin line across the top of the doorframe, then down each post and finally let a few drops land on the carpeted floor. Hiiro went to the balcony door and repeated this process. It blocked all unnatural forces from entering the room, except for him because it was his blood.
'Blood has so many more uses than silly humans think.' Hiiro thought, still a little giddy from the blood he had tasted.
"Goodnight, Usagi." he whispered, sliding the balcony door shut behind him and jumping from the landing into the tree. Silently he climbed down and began familiarizing himself with the area.
"Tsukino Usagi get up THIS INSTANT!" Ilkuko screamed through the door. Usagi rolled over and pulled her pillow up and over her head, covering her ears.
"Usagi are you moving or do I have to come in there?!" Ilkuko demanded once more.
"Hai, mama, I'm up!" Usagi replied, shooting out of bed. She could not allow her mother to see her in her nightclothes or she would have to explain about her wounds.
Back the youma up a minute. She wasn't in her nightclothes- Usagi still her ripped school uniform from the night before... With a gasp she remembered the night's events. She sank back down to sit at the edge of the bed.
'Was it a dream?' Usagi wondered. She glanced around, immediately noticing the wet blanket in a heap on the floor. 'Guess not. So he was real... Yui Hiiro... Where'd you go?' She got up and went to the balcony, looking around for the dark haired man.
"Silly Usagi," she said, talking to herself to relieve some of the stress she felt. "He's a vampire; he won't be out in the daylight."
From his perch in the shadows in the upper limbs of the tree, Hiiro heard her and smiled. 'Silly Usagi indeed,' he agreed silently.
"Great, one I can't hide." Usagi moaned, looking into the spot she had cleared in the steamed mirror. Her lithe body was wrapped in a light blue towel and her wet hair hung freely to her ankles. She leaned forward for a better view of the purple bruise on her neck, just below the jaw. Sighing, she pulled a tube of concealer from one of the drawers. Usually she wore little to no make-up, but today there was a good reason. Putting a little of the cold liquid on her finger, she dabbed it on the bruise and spread it around until it disappeared from sight.
"Usagi you're going to be late for school!" Ilkuko called up the stairs, bracing herself for Hurricane Usagi. Sure enough, Usagi came flying down the stairs, pulling one of her shoes on and holding the other in her hand.
"Thanks mama!" she said as Ilkuko handed her a few pieces of toast. She grabbed her schoolbag and left the house, door slamming behind her.
Hiiro had jumped down from the tree the moment he heard Ilkuko shout and rounded the house, waiting at the edge of the street. He cast a Shadow over himself and instantly became completely invisible to the many people passing by. At that moment, Usagi came bursting out the front door. She ran down the front steps, still pulling on the other shoe. A piece of toast hung halfway out of her mouth and Hiiro couldn't help but smile at the sight she made. Glancing up, she stopped dead in her tracks, toast almost falling from her mouth.
"Hiiro?!" she exclaimed. He nodded.
"How-" She began. Hiiro shook his head, gesturing to the people around them that had stopped to watch the strange girl talking to her mailbox. Usagi caught on.
"Follow me," she muttered under her breath before taking off at top speed, same as every morning. Hiiro was surprised at the speed she managed to obtain and followed her through the city until she disappeared down an alley near her school grounds.
"Hiiro how is that you can be out in the sun? And how come others couldn't see you?" she asked, breathing hard.
"I told you that we Akuji are not what you humans envision as vampires. So long as I have feasted within the last week I can walk in the light. I can cast a Shadow over myself and become invisible to all those but the ones I want to see me." he replied calmly.
"What about the other stuff? Do you have a coffin? Can you change into a bat? Do you have fang-" she cut off there, blushing as fingertips massaging the bruise on her neck, feeling the two tiny holes in the center. Hiiro raised an eyebrow.
"I don't have a coffin and I can't change into a bat." he replied, not elaborating on what he could do instead. Usagi took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh morning air.
"Isn't it wonderful, Hiiro?" she asked, looking down the alleyway and across the street to where the park was.
"Hai." Hiiro replied emotionlessly, not understanding. She rolled her eyes.
"Come one Hiiro, how do you spend each day?"
"At home."
"What, you spend all day inside?"
"Hai, most of the time."
"That's no way to live!"
"That's not the best term you could choose. I'm not alive, Usagi."
"Gomen nasai," she apologized. His eyes softened.
"It's alright." Hiiro replied, coming over to where Usagi was leaning on the dumpster. He held her chin loosely in his hand, tilting it upwards so he could look at her wound.
"I'm sorry it left a mark." he said, eyes piercing hers. Shuddering, she turned away.
"It's alright, I'll be fine. I just hope my friends don't see it." Usagi joked, an uncomfortable giggle escaping her lips. Just then a loud bell rang.
"Oh crappers I'm going to be so late!" she exclaimed. Leaning forward and kissing Hiiro's cheek softly she ran off.
"I'll probably have detention but I'll be out at 4:30!" Usagi called over her shoulder. He lifted two fingers to his face, cheeks burning. What would the others think if they saw him?
Obviously someone heard his question because at that moment several shadows began bending around him. Hiiro immediately took up a defensive stance, waiting for the Akuji to come from the shadows.
"Hey Hiiro!" A jovial voice rang out as a tall boy stepped from one of the shadows.
"Hnn. Hello Duo." Hiiro replied. Three others also emerged, greeting him.
"Gang's all here, huh?" Duo commented, glancing around. Five immortal souls trapped in teenage bodies stood together.
"What happened, Yui? We were supposed to meet last night." A tall Chinese man with black hair demanded.
"Shove it, Wufei." Hiiro replied. "Something came up."
"What came up?" Duo pressed. Hiiro growled.
"I had to feed." he said, shutting them all up. It wasn't a complete lie- but he needed to get to the school to watch over her. He hadn't thought to go there the night before and mark the doors.
"I heard a disturbing rumour today," Trowa began. "It seems that one of our old enemies has been destroyed."
"Kayor-?" Quatre asked. Trowa nodded.
"He was staked." Hiiro said, not wishing to elborate. "We'll meet tonight instead."
"Same place?" Duo questioned. Hiiro nodded.
"Good. See you then." Wufei said, melting back into the shadows. The others followed suit, leaving Hiiro alone in the alley.
Of course Usagi ran into the classroom, breathing hard, about five seconds after the tardy bell.
"Detention!" her teacher screamed. Usagi hung her head in defeat.
Hiiro spent the day in Usagi's school. Using his Shadow he managed to gain access to the main office, and the attendance clerk was very helpful when he used his Fog on her. Hiiro left the building satisfied, carrying the school's blueprints and Usagi's schedule in his pocket. Slowly he walked through the park, knowing that Usagi got detention. He stopped for a moment and sat on one of the park benches, still damp from the night before. Deciding to enjoy the sun, Hiiro slipped out of his knee-length black leather jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his thin, long sleeve black tee shirt. Resting his hands lightly on his light blue jeans, he thought back to the night before.
Usagi's blood tasted so good on his tongue, like ambrosia to the gods. Her's was different than others; it had a different taste, a different spice. It fueled his speculation that there was something about her that was just not normal. And that speculation only made him want to be around her more.
Usagi sighed heavily as she left the school. Not paying any particular attention to where she was going, she headed for the Crown Arcade. All she could think about the whole day was Hiiro.
"Hey Usa-babe! Wait up!" Minako called, racing up to her.
"Hey Minako!" Usagi greeted. Minako grabbed her arm and began walking with her. Glancing sideways, she suddenly stopped.
"Usagi, is there something you want to talk about?" she asked.
"Not really, why?" Usagi returned, suddenly getting very serious.
"Did Mamo-chan get a little rough?" Minako questioned, grinning like a chesire cat.
"Huh?!" the odango-ed girl replied.
"You've got a hickey the size of Texas!" she exclaimed. Usagi immediately blushed a brilliant shade of red.
"It wasn't-" Usagi cut herself off just before she told Minako that it wasn't Mamoru. "It wasn't on purpose."
Minako winked at her, and Usagi sighed, grateful that Hiiro wasn't around to see her blush.
'Wait a minute. Is Hiiro around?' she wondered, glancing about for him. 'What if he's using that Shadow thing? What if he sees me with Mamoru?' She jolted at that thought.
'Why would it matter? Mamoru's my boyfriend, after all... Still...' Even more confused, Usagi and Minako entered the arcade together.
"Hey Usagi!" Andrew called from behind the counter.
"Hi Andrew!" Usagi replied, sitting down in front of her favorite game. Plunking two quarters into the slot, she placed her small hands onto the controllers and began to play.
A few minutes later...
"Hey no fair I jumped!" Usagi exclaimed. Suddenly a warm feeling came over her, like coming out of cold water during summer and feeling the hot sun begin to dry her skin.
"You're right, Usagi. You did jump." a voice said over her shoulder. Immediately she stiffened.
"Don't change, they can't see me." he spoke again. Usagi relaxed her posture, leaning back slightly into him. Hiiro took a deep breath.
"Why can't you take off the shadow?" she asked, sighing and continuing with her game. Soon she felt the warmth leave her.
The automatic door hissed, and Hiiro walked in, unveiled. Usagi turned a bit after losing the game again, jaw dropping. Damn it all if Hiiro didn't look hot- black boots, leather jacket hanging open, toned chest beneath a thin white shirt. His bangs hung down into his eyes, eyes that seemed to look at only one thing- her. She sucked her breath in as he came over to her.
"This better?" he asked. Usagi nodded. She could tell that everyone else could see him too, for her's wasn't the only jaw that dropped when he had come in. From the corner of her eye she saw Makoto rise from her seat but she was restrained by Rei. No doubt Ami had advised them to wait and see what happened. What she didn't see, though, was Mamoru coming in.
"Usako?" he demanded softly, making his way over to Hiiro and Usagi. He didn't know who this man was but he was standing way too close to his Usagi to be up to any good.
"Who are you?!" Mamoru asked, louder this time, grabbing Hiiro's shoulder. Instantly Hiiro reacted, placing his hand over Mamoru's and twisting the smaller man's body until he held him in a headlock. His left hand was held above Mamoru's neck; one thrust would knock him out for a few hours.
"Who the hell are you?!" Hiiro retorted, raising his voice only slightly.
"I'm her boyfriend." Mamoru replied, showing no fear. Hiiro's eyes snapped up to Usagi. She winced slightly as she saw the hurt displayed in them for only a moment. Tears forming in the corners of her eyes, she nodded slightly. Hiiro released Mamoru and promptly disappeared. Startled, Mamoru lost his balance and nearly fell. Usagi had to stop herself from laughing.
'Wait a minute.' she thought suddenly. 'When did I start viewing Mamoru as weak and foolish?' Some part of her subconsious mind knew the answer, though she refused to acknowledge that part of her brain.
It was when she met Hiiro.
Duo: Awwww...
Quatre: How sweet!
Wufei: coughcough*weakwomen*coughcough
Hiiro: *blushes madly* Hmmph.
Aka: Trowa, you're my last hope...
Trowa: Please review- it keeps her sane.
Duo: And if she's sane, no one dies!
Aka: *hangs head in defeat*