Whoopee i had a lot of fun writing this chapter. And... damn.. it's a long one too! Including the spaces, this chapter was about 7.5 pages long! o.o

Buwahaha, it's Friday the 13th! OK, i know the chapter is quite long indeed, so i'm gonna let y'all read it now. I'm sure you're wondering what's gonna happen. n.n

Muwahahahahahahaha...

Disclaimer: I don't ownZatch Bell. If i did... well.. let's just say i don't and end it there.


A Gift from the Dark

Chapter 26

Her Worry, Her Anger, Her Power

Around midnight a week later, the Belmond family was silently asleep in their rooms in the hotel - all except for one.

Kalu couldn't sleep. She tried to roll over and find a comfortable position and doze off but for an odd reason couldn't. With a sigh, she stared up at her ceiling. For a few hours now she had been tossing and turning, trying to get some rest, yet remained awake.

Her hand twitched.

She had an awful feeling growing in her stomach... as if something really bad was about to happen, but she couldn't figure out what.

Grumbling to herself, she sat up in bed and glanced to the floor. Yuki was in her now normal spot near her door in the hotel bedroom. But she found that her teddy bear was lying on the floor. Kalu just assumed she had knocked it off while she was squirming around.

Quietly she hopped out of bed and bent down to pick up her toy. Standing back up with the fluffy bear in her arms, she glanced towards the other room where the door to her parents' room was slightly cracked open.

Her parents were asleep; there was no noise coming from their door so that guess was obvious. Kalu glanced to her messy bed, and then turned her attention to her previous interest.

Slowly she began to walk as quietly as she could out of her room. Yuki's ear twitched and the kitten's eyes opened to watch as the hybrid tip-toed to her parents' room. Closing her eyes, the feline went back to snoozing.

Kalu on the other hand was still feeling quite awake; she was now at the door and she peeked through, darkness greeting her. She pushed the door slightly and a small creaking sound was heard.

Usually a tiny noise like that wouldn't have woken somebody up, but Brago, whom was sleeping that night, heard it and stirred in his sleep. His crimson eyes opened and he sat up, glancing at the doorway. Sherry woke up as well.

"Mm... Brago... what is it?" the woman inquired sleepily. She then too noticed their daughter standing in the doorway, clutching onto her toy bear. "Kalu...? What is it, honey?"

The little girl glanced to the floor sheepishly and tightened her grip on her toy. "I... I can't sleep..." she said quietly. She directed her attention back to her mother and father.

"Is there something wrong?" asked Sherry, now sitting up. She yawned and then glanced over to Brago, who only shrugged. "Do you want to sleep in our bed, Kalu?"

"...I don't know..."

"Come on," said Sherry, patting the side of the bed. Kalu glanced to the floor again as her hand twitched again and looked up.

"...Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

"Alright..." The hybrid then entered her parents' room and walked across the floor, avoiding Brago's shirt which he had thrown off. The other two watched as their child clambered onto the divan and crawled in the middle of the two parents, still holding onto the teddy bear she so adored.

Kalu layed down and looked at both Brago and Sherry before she murmured out a 'thank you.' Sherry smiled and sunk back under the covers as well, Brago doing the same thing.

"Sweet dreams," said Sherry quietly before she closed her eyes. Kalu smiled and curled up next to her mother. Brago smirked as he watched the scene. He enjoyed watching those two together...

He too then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

-o-o-o-o-o-

It was now morning. The sun in the other room of shined through the window, the drawn curtains dimming out most of the light. Sherry woke up only to find Kalu cuddled up right next to her father.

She smiled. The hybrid was on her side, her back facing Sherry while her face was in front of the mamodo; the teddy was near the foot of the bed. Brago was on his back, his head slightly turned away from Kalu but his arm was right over her head.

How cute, mused the woman as she silently got up and headed towards the door. After a while she prepared some breakfast for her and Kalu (Brago of course still hated human breakfast foods and preferred to go hunting instead) and headed back into her bedroom to wake up Kalu.

In the room, Brago was already awake. He was sitting on the edge of the bed while Kalu was spread out over the mattress. The demon glanced from Sherry to Kalu and then back to his wife before he said, "She seems to take over the entire bed, doesn't she?"

Sherry only smiled. "Yes, but she's happy and that's what counts most." The woman then walked over to the bedside and slightly shook her daughter's shoulder. "Wake up, Kalu... it's time for school..."

"Wha...?" Kalu opened her purple orbs before she sat up and rubbed one of her eyes. "It's morning already?"

The blonde nodded. "And it's time you get ready for class. Come now." She motioned her daughter to follow and she did.

It took about thirty minutes before everyone had gathered what they needed for the day and to be ready to head out the door. Kalu had her school bag wrapped over her shoulders. She was petting her cat before they all headed out the door, Brago coming along for the ride while Sherry took their daughter to school.

During the entire car ride Kalu was completely silent. She still had that really bad feeling... whatever was going to happen... it would happen very soon...

"Kalu, you're being awfully quiet. Something on your mind?" Sherry's voice snapped the child out of her thoughts and she shook her blue-black head.

"No... nothing really. Just thinking about school."

The woman glanced to the hybrid before turning her attention back on the road. She sighed and soon was driving on the familiar road of the school grounds. As they drove up to the school building, Kalu noticed that Emma wasn't in the line to head into the building.

I guess she's just late, thought Kalu. She noticed that Jacob, Lilly, and Kenny were with their usual group around one of the benches. She ignored them after she said her goodbyes to her parents and then walked up to the line.

"Oh, Kayla, did you hear the news?" asked Kenny as he noticed Kalu walking up to the line.

The hybrid frowned as her hand shook. "My name is KALU! And...what news?"

"Ooh she doesn't know!" said Lilly.

"Too bad then! You'll just have to find out on your own!" said Jacob. They all exchanged glances and then blocked Kalu from their conversation once more, leaving her very confused.

She shrugged and then stood near one of the bushes, patiently waiting for her friend to show up to school. I wonder how late she is, wondered Kalu as she glanced at the school clock. Finally Ms. Wells appeared in the doorway and took a good long look at her class.

"Come now, children, we don't have all day," she said finally. "Now come along, let's get to class."

The group of students headed towards the teacher and entered their designated classroom. Kalu was the last one in line, but she noticed a peculiar look on her teacher's face.

When Ms. Wells noticed Kalu staring she merely smiled oddly. "Come on, Kalu dear, go inside."

She nodded and walked to her seat right after setting her book bag on the floor next to the table. The small chair slid back a little as she plopped into the seat and stared ahead.

The teacher wrote a few things on the chalk board before turning to face the class. "Good morning everyone, I hope you had a good rest last night..."

Kalu slowly began to tune the teacher out as she talked about a few things that they would be doing that day, such as math, a little history, and a spelling quiz. The girl was too busy wondering why her best friend wasn't in class. Then she heard her teacher talk about something... peculiar...

"And one last note," said Ms. Wells, "I wish I was not the bearer of bad news, but it is quite unfortunate that we have had a tragedy in this class. Miss Emma Ortega will not join us any longer. It is a sad thing but she has passed away."

She was dead.

Kalu stared, wide-eyed. She dropped a pencil that she had in her hand and it fell and bounced to the floor. The hybrid's mouth was agape and she was slightly shaking her head.

Her hand twitched.

"...I received the news earlier this morning," continued the teacher, brushing some of her hair out of her eyes. "It appears that Miss Emma died last night in a car wreck with her father..."

"...Emma's dead..." whispered Kalu. A tear formed under her eye and trickled down her cheek. She wiped the salty liquid away with her sleeve.

"...Now let us have a silent moment as we remember the student who was once here with us..."

She was DEAD!

-o-o-o-o-o-

After what seemed like a horrendously long time in the classroom, recess soon arrived and the children poured out of the building like water into a glass. All of them were cheering for the end of class, all but Kalu.

She had been holding back her tears through class, trying her best to concentrate. But the news that her best friend was killed was too much for her... As soon as she walked through the door the waterworks started.

The hybrid dashed over to the spot on the playground near the fence by the woods where she and Emma always hung out. Tears were splashing down her cheeks as she buried her face into her hands and continued to weep.

Emma was gone! Gone forever! She. Was. DEAD!

It was also unfortunate that Lilly, Jacob, and Kenny happened to spot Kalu. The trio grinned mischievously and walked over to their upset classmate.

"Aw... looks like the baby is crying," said Lilly as she smirked. She twirled some of her brown hair with her fingers. "Too bad."

Kalu looked up at the brunette with pure hate in her eyes. She said nothing, but her hand twitched.

"Oh look, she's mad." Jacob laughed and pointed at her.

"What's wrong, Kayla?" teased Kenny as he put his hands on his knees, bending down to look at the girl.

"...Shut... up..." hissed Kalu, her glare intensifying.

"Ooh! Kalu said the S word! Kalu said the S word!" Kenny said, eyes widening as he gasped. "I'm gonna tell the teacher!"

"Get a grip," said Lilly, "Shut up isn't a bad word!" Her attention was directed to Kalu and she smirked. "But I guess we could tell the teacher... she wouldn't know the difference from the real S word..." The twins grinned impishly and gave 'oohs' and 'ahs' at her remark.

"I said to SHUT UP!" Kalu closed her eyes as her anger continued to rise.

"Hey... her voice sounded kind of weird..." said Jacob, now looking at Kalu. He turned his attention to his brother. "Did you hear that?"

"JUST SHUT UP!" shrieked Kalu. Everyone stared at her, even the other children on the other side of the playground. The teacher had gone inside for something so she didn't quite hear the commotion going on outside.

The others gave a small look of fear when Kalu said that, but they quickly regained their composure and grinned. "I think somebody's mad," said Kenny.

Kalu's eyes contracted so they were now about the size of her father's. She clutched her fists together tightly and took a step forward to the twin. "You be quiet or else..."

"Or else what?" He smirked. "Are you gonna cry because of your friend?"

That did it.

Before anyone could react, Kalu shrieked and jumped forward, knocking Kenny down as she punched him with all her might. He cried as her fist took impact on his face. Lilly and Jacob took a quick step backwards, staring in horror.

"YOU STUPID, WORTHLESS THING YOU!" yelled the hybrid, taking small pauses to strike the boy in the face. "DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY FRIEND OR ME LIKE THAT!"

"KALU, CUT IT OUT!" cried Lilly, staring in horror at the scene in front of her. "YOU'LL KILL HIM IF YOU DO THAT!"

"YEAH!" agreed Jacob.

Lifting her head up slowly to face the others, Kalu growled, her teeth almost like fangs now. "Will I?" She stood up off of the boy who had a major nose bleed, and turned her attention to the other two.

At this moment, the teacher walked out of the building with a few sheets of paper. She glanced across the playground and noticed that everyone was staring in the same direction, all with appalled looks on their faces.

Ms. Wells looked to the side as well, and, dropping the papers as she took sight of Kalu, let an appalled shriek. "KALU! What are you doing?" she yelled, now running over to where Kenny lay.

She reached the boy, who was now crying, and took him in her arms. She glanced to Kalu who was standing with her head bowed, her blue-black hair covering her eyes.

Frowning, the woman turned to look at Kalu. "Young lady! Apologize right now!"

"I will not say sorry. I had full meaning of what I did." Kalu glanced at the boy who was shaking as he stared at her. The teacher was dumbstruck.He deserved it."

"Young lady, you will be sent home right away for striking a fellow student!" said the teacher, now standing up with Kenny in her arms. "You will be suspended from school!"

"Shut up!" Kalu glared. She directed her attention back to the other two who were too afraid to move an inch. The hybrid suddenly shrieked and fell to the ground, clutching her head. Everyone else merely stared. "No... what is happening...? No... AUGH!"

A purple aura began to form around the child. She began to breathe a little harder and faster as energy began to gather inside her. Her right hand was now twitching very hard now, the girl could feel a huge amount of energy gathering there.

And suddenly, without warning, Kalu opened her eyes and stood up quickly, her left hand grasping onto her right. "What's... going... on...?" Her purple orbs were wide with terror as she saw the gravity force collecting up in her palm. "STOP IT!" shrieked Kalu, now afraid of what she was about to do.

Before she could do anything however, the energy shot out.

The force of gravity was emitted from her hand and was directed out towards Kenny, who took full impact. Ms. Wells ended up dropping him as the strength of the spell pushed her back. Kenny screamed in pain.

"What is this?" cried Kalu. The energy swept past the boy and the teacher and strait into the forest by the school. Looking ahead, Kalu could see that it traveled on for at least a mile.

She screamed as a sudden pain shot through her head. The children around her were running into the school building, shouting in terror. Jacob and Lilly scurried along to join their classmates while the teacher and Kenny were stuck where they were.

Finally... the whole thing stopped. The gravity power stopped and Kalu dropped to the ground, panting. She grasped her head as the pain continued to wrack through her body.

When she looked up and saw what she did, her eyes widened in even more terror. Her eyes dilated and she gasped. Kenny was now unconscious and so was the teacher.

Standing up, Kalu looked around. In the school building, little heads could be seen peeking through the window. When Kalu met their gaze they all hid from her sight. The girl stared at her hands, which were shaking uncontrollably.

"What have I done...?"

Tears beginning to fall down her face once more, Kalu dashed away from the scene as fast as she could. She didn't care where she was going... She just wanted out of there. Fast.

Into the woods she went. For a while she followed the path that she made with the new spell and eventually turned into the woods, still crying.

I am such a bad thing, cried Kalu in her thoughts. Mamma and Daddy will be so upset!

And then suddenly... she was pulled behinda bush. Kalu squeaked but then her mouth was covered with an icy cold hand that was as white as snow. Her eyes widened in horror when she looked up to see evil eyes staring down at her.

"I've got you now..."