Chapter 45
Eyes devoid of sleep and traces of fear on the face. Sitting on the floor, legs pulled up to her chest and arms wrapped around them. Aiyora's huddled figure remained in a lone corner of her bedroom in such condition.
Senri's cold shoulder continued. These days the half siblings only spoke when it was absolutely necessary. To everyone's surprise, especially Takuma's, Aiyora was being quite cooperative. Rather than crying and pleading to make things right, she utilized this time to tie up her other loose ends. Such as— privately apologizing to Ruka for being harsh and rude that morning. Then spending more time around Rima, than her own girl-gang. The rest of her spare time was spent in the library reading. She read up on current affairs concerning the vampire world and few major highlighted events— especially the Kiryu family massacre.
These changes did not happen overnight. The pureblood had to spend a lot of time locked in her room, thinking and reflecting on herself and recent events. Amongst which few notable ones were:
Number one: Maria's message to Zero. She told him that his parents were used as the pawns to take down Shizuka's lover. There was actually someone else, pulling the strings from behind... the mastermind.
Meaning— even though Shizuka was the one who orchestrated the act of slaughter, but the person who made the opportunity for her to do the act remained hidden. The most frightening part is this person could be anyone.
Number two: Kaname's last conversation with Zero. Where the latter asked the him — "Who is this real enemy of the pureblood?" Referring to his conversation with Maria. Like always Kaname evaded the answer and shut the door on the hunter's face. However, just before the door closed a word left Zero's mouth— "You!"
And that could only mean...
Aiyora shook her head vigorously. Even the slightest thought about it being a possibility terrified her.
Number three: Senri's daunting words— "Don't play with fire, you'll get burned. And even if you are strong enough to survive through, others may not be so lucky."
Meaning— he also understands Kaname's true capacity.
All three of the events leads to one conclusion— she would have to handle Kuran Kaname carefully, very carefully. Because behind that handsome face lies a face far more ruthless, cruel and ugly.
When Senri initially warned her about playing with fire, Aiyora was not able to grasp the main message behind it. But after thinking through his words again and again she now understands the danger Kaname posses. Seriously, what was she thinking?! First she seduced him, then put fake rape accusation on him, afterwards ignored him for few weeks and then seduced him again. It was as if he was a ping-pong ball and she was playing table tennis with it.
Senri was right when he said that others would have to take the hit on her behalf. Just because Kaname let her get away with those silly games doesn't mean everyone around is safe. The rape accusation may have been fake but the murder was real. Kaname was fully prepared when taking Shizuka's life. He committed the act in cold blood with no ounce of remorse or regret in his eyes. Because deep down he justifies his actions with love. And this 'Love' prompts Kuran Kaname to become a toxic person. A radicalized man who would go on to slaughter all obstacles from his path.
And somehow Kuran Aiyora has successfully managed to come under the radar of such a dangerous person.
Now she understands, his ignorance was probably the best 'blessing in disguise' she ever received. But that blessing had been long thrown out of the window.
Oh no! What have I done...?
Frustrated, the young pureblood dipped her face on her knees and groaned.
"Are you alright?"
"Perfectly fine. Thank you for asking Rima."
The mentioned aristocrat observed the pureblood through the big mirror of the studio's makeup room. The latter's response and facial expression contradicted. Aiyora lied, she was not fine, at least it didn't look that way. Traces of tension were visible.
The makeup artist was brushing the finishing touches on Rima and the hairstylist was opening the big rollers off of Aiyora's head and putting down her hair in big bouncy curls.
Aiyora cast a quick glance at ginger haired aristocrat.
Surprisingly she found a close confidant in Rima. Something the pureblood never expected, even in her wildest dreams. In the midst of all the chaos going on in Aiyora's life currently, the only positive outcome was it brought her and Tooya Rima somewhat closer.
It was not long back when these girls barely spoke. In fact Aiyora used to go above and beyond to show her dislike for the aristocrat.
However, since the ball their connection has been much smooth and currently Rima is one of the handful people Aiyora associates with.
It surprised the entire moon dorm when the female Kuran asked the Tooya girl to play the piano for her ballet practice session. She would have asked Senri, if he knew how to play the instrument. So she went along with his recommendation instead.
For her upcoming television commercial Aiyora would be playing the role of a ballerina. The actual shooting of which will begin in a month time. Before that she has to go through a series of training. The agency already assigned her the best ballet instructor in town. But to perfect herself, Aiyora decided to continue practicing in her spare time. Also unbeknownst to the rest in ballet Aiyora found solace. Hence why she was investing so much time into the dance. Even if it was temporarily, it took her mind off of all the stress her mind was recently occupied with.
Having finished their work, the makeup artist and the hairstylist left to fetch the wardrobe stylist. And that gave the two female some private time to themselves. During which Rima initiated another conversation.
"Are things getting better between you and Shiki?"
Aiyora took a sip of her water to moisten the throat. "I would like to think it's getting better."
"You haven't been spending much time with your girl-gang? Is that something Senri advised."
"Oh no! He doesn't tell me who to be friends with. I'm ignoring them on my own. They're really getting into my nerves. Most of them keep pestering for tips on how to seduce Kaname-sama!" Even the thought of those people irritated Aiyora.
"Actually Ruka-san is quite upset with you too. She's been acting like you stole her mate."
Aiyora chuckled at the comment. But that small laughter died down and was replaced with a frown when Rima opened her mouth again.
"No matter what you do, please be honest with Senri." Aiyora couldn't tell if it was a request or an advise. "...you're still very young, you don't have to rush into things. For you, there will be plenty of time for these later. However... my mother often says it's better and safer when a pureblood keep their feelings confined amongst purebloods—"
Rima suddenly noticed the look the pureblood was shooting her.
"Hey just so you know I didn't mean to—"
"Don't worry, I fully understand. Also Rima..."
It was obvious that the pureblood paused to rearrange her words.
"...I'm glad that Ri-chan has made a friend like you. To know that you will stand by his side no matter what still makes me quite envious of you, yet I'm happy. I'm happy for him to have found such a loyal friend. And... I am sorry, for all my earlier actions against you. Jealousy got the best of me back then."
Rima was about to reply but got cut off as the door opened and their stylist walked in rolling in a rack full of dresses.
"Time for the fit session!"
Both the models sighed, irritated, because at the height of intensity their conversation had to be cut off and postponed for some other time.
In a shallow way, Aiyora found herself quite similar to Yuuki. Only difference, if the latter is heroine in love, she is probably the villain.
Yuuki is constantly hurting Zero in the disguise of helping him, whereas she has hurt others just to prove a point. The said point being— I have Kuran Kaname wrapped around my fingers.
Which is worse. She is the worst one, out of the two of them.
Sighing, Aiyora looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful day— Clear blue sky with little touch white clouds, soft sunlight smiling down and happy birds singing around.
The direct rays of the morning sun brought harsh and burning sensation on Aiyora's eyes. But the soft breeze caressing her exposed skin soothed the uncomfortable feeling to some extent.
Turns out it was not a bad decision to leave her room in the early hours of the morning. Like the other day today she didn't flee, instead sat down on the steps outside their dormitory building.
The sound of footsteps nearing gained the girl's attention. He was approaching, the very realization made her heart slow down, and built an uneasy feeling inside her gut.
"May I...?" He politely asked for the permission to sit beside her. And who was she to deny him.
"Go ahead... it's your property anyway."
Seeing him up this time of the day was surprising but under the current circumstances not unexpected.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?"
She contemplated on her answer for a moment and gave a reply that would match his words.
"So should you."
"I was in bed..." He left his response incomplete. Aiyora understood there was more he wanted to say but changed his mind last minute. Leading a silence to follow through.
"You have questions for me, don't you?" His voice broke through the uneasy silence. "Go ahead... ask away." His hand tried to reach for one of her hand but retracted back halfway.
Aiyora maintained her silence. In reality she was still processing and arranging the words.
"You have nothing to worry about, I will answer them truthfully." He assured her, as his aura reached out to her to calm the anxiety that was growing inside her.
Finally she faced him. Locking her blue orbs with his burgundy ones.
"Maria mentioned that Zero's parents were used as pawns to take down Shizuka-sama's lover. The mastermind who pulled the strings from behind was someone else. He is the real enemy, the enemy of the pureblood. So... this mastermind... is that you?"
Smiling regrettably, Kaname got up on his feet and offered her his hand.
"Let's go for a walk... shall we?"
Tentatively, Aiyora accepted his outstretched hand. She accepted his offer ignoring her subconscious mind which kept whispering into her ear that she was not ready, not ready to learn the truth.
.
.
.
Once more Aiyora glanced at the person who was guiding her through the forest.
After about forty-five minutes their quiet stroll finally came to an end. They have come so deep into the forest that there were no sight of entry or exit within the line of vision.
Naturally Aiyora became nervous. The current circumstances gave her the wildest of ideas. For example the idea to throw dust into his eyes and run, ran through her mind several times. But she knew well enough it was not plausible no matter how appealing it appeared to be.
"Are you so scared that you want to run away?" Kaname was amused. An amused smirk barely curving up the corners of his lips.
"I was just merely having a look around." She hoped he didn't see through her lie and attempt at appearing brave.
For sometime Kaname kept looking at her with his signature calm, unreadable expression. Before a small smile appeared on his lips. He took a step closer and with the same hand that was holding her hand earlier, caressed her face.
"That boy... if he was alive, he would have treasured you."
"Which boy?" Her brows furrowed. A look of confusion took over her features.
"Kaname."
"Kaname? ...Which Kaname?"
"Kuran Kaname— son of Juuri and Haruka, Yuuki's real brother."
"Um... what are you talking about?" His words weren't making any sense. Yet she sensed he was telling the truth.
"Please listen to me patiently. It will answer all of your queries. You will understand everything by the time I finish... I promise."
"All of my questions?" She tried to assess if he was bluffing. Just in case.
"Yes, all of them." He assured, that he wasn't.
Like two mature, understanding adults they sat down and talked. It was Kaname who basically spoke while she listened without interrupting.
"...Haruka and Juuri were blessed with a son, whom they named after the progenitor of the Kuran clan; Kaname.
It was after Kaname's birth they decided to reconcile with their older sibling. Naively thinking the infant could bridge the gap in their siblings broken relationship. They believed everything would go back to the way it was before once uncle Rido met his adorable little nephew.
When invited, Rido came in with a plan. For a while he was intending to devour the progenitor, who was slumbering inside a coffin placed in the lower basement of the Kuran manor. But he needed a bait to awaken the sleeping monster. The moment Juuri handed over her son to him, Rido was counting time for the opportunity. Which came sooner than anyone had anticipated. The moment the child's diaper leaked, Rido whisked him away from his parents telling them he was going to change diaper and headed straight to the basement."
There was a few seconds of pause before Aiyora urged him to continue.
"...The little boy named Kuran Kaname was sacrificed and with his blood the monster that had been slumbering for over a ten millennium was finally awakened. However, Rido's plan did not go accordingly. He was left severely wounded by the just awakened ancient vampire...
For the vampire that just awoke, nothing could match his unbearable thirst, which has been building up for thousands of years. The only way he could stop himself from destroying everything around was to suppress all his powers by turning himself into an infant and leaving his fate at the mercy of the one that found him."
Another silence followed through after Kaname finished his long explanation.
"Basically... you happen to be the slumbering vampire whom my father awakened from the coffin with the intent to devour...?" It sounded like a question and statement at the same time.
The male pureblood nodded his head in agreement and added. "That makes him, my master."
"And what does that mean?"
"He is someone whom I can never kill. I maybe able to severely injure him, but I will not be able to deliver the final blow that would finish him off once and for all."
Aiyora wondered whether to happy with that piece of information or frightened. Unintentionally, she was leaning towards the former.
Taking her chin between his fingers Kaname turned Aiyora's face towards him.
"I'm sure you have plenty of other questions or opinions for the matter..."
"Honestly, I am still in the process of digesting everything. However certain things are starting to make sense, at least now I can understand why that woman wanted me to sacrifice myself for her daughter. But still... it wasn't fair. Just the way it was unfair on Kaname onii-sama. He did not deserve to be killed. He should have gotten a chance to live this life. I'm sure he would have been a nice fellow..."
The ancestor felt as if someone was squeezing his heart with bare hand. Suddenly he found himself immensely jealous of the dead boy. Aiyora was taking his name with so much love. Something she had never done with him.
"You still did not answer my initial question." Her words broke his train of thought.
"Ah! that one..."
"You promised to tell me everything." Aiyora felt need to remind, just in case he tries to lie again.
"We both played our part there. It was your father who put her lover's name into the hunter's execution list and when time came, I set her free."
Wow!
"Why would he do that? I thought he had no interest in her."
"It was not about being interested, it hit his ego to have his official fiancée take in a lover, most importantly a man who was once a human. But I would assume all he wanted to do was... destroy her little piece of happiness."
Her uneasy gulp did not go unnoticed by him.
"I see..." She had to chap those drying lips with her tongue to moisten them. "...but why did you set her free?"
"Because I needed to create a weapon. A weapon that I could use to kill... Kuran Rido."
Her jaws clenched, tightly. In fact the muscles inside her body were starting to get stiff. She did not expect him to be so brutally honest.
"So... Zero is the weapon you have created to take down your master, my father?" Her tone changed towards the end.
He responded but after hesitating a bit with a mere "...Yes."
The temperature around them dropped to a dangerously low level. Turning the air around them dry and freezing— something hard to breathe for living creatures. But for the two pureblood it posed no problem.
Now she understood why he brought her so far away from the grounds of the academy.
"An innocent person's life was destroyed just so that you could take down your master...? A family was broken apart so that you could have a weapon to get rid off your obstacle...? Two children became orphans so that you could have your ultimate weapon...?"
She was looking down with a dark shadow cast over her face. Kaname could sense her current emotions and feelings through the changes in her aura. The young female was furious. But more so... she seemed disgusted with herself. Which confused Kaname. As he could not understand why she disgusted with herself?
"Aiyora—"
"Please don't talk to me..."
The silence returned between them for one last time. This time with tension so thick that it could be sliced with a knife.
Aiyora stood up with the intention to walk away. However, she couldn't get her feet to move. The words inside her were holding her soul back. Making her realize she wouldn't be able to take a step unless those words are spoken.
"I'm embarrassed... I'm embarrassed to be Kuran Rido's daughter. I'm embarrassed to be related to a woman like Kuran Juuri. I'm embarrassed to be one of your... descendants."
At this point her entire body was visibly shaking. From the unimaginable wrath that coursing through her veins.
"...And most importantly I'm ashamed to be born into the Kuran family." Her voice came out as a mere whisper but he heard her crystal clear.
Having said that she walks away only to stop after few steps forward.
She didn't know how it exactly happened. As the next couple moments passed in blur. But she did recall seeing everything red for a second before her feet turned and ran back to the direction it came form.
Her hand collided against his smooth cheek hard!
The sound of the slap echoed through the forest.
For the new few seconds everything stopped. Everything but their breathing which grew heavier with each second that passed.
Kaname was still facing the spot his face was forcefully turned to. He did not move until whole other minute. He raised a hand and placed it over the cheek that was now red from the impact. Before slowly facing Aiyora with an unreadable expression.
The younger pureblood did not care if she could read his face or not. Whether he was angry, upset, hurt didn't matter to her. She felt no regret for her action. Because it was something she did for them! Those unfortunate ones who couldn't defend themselves against his ruthlessness.
Zero— who got turned into the very thing he hates the most.
Ichiru— who lost his family first and later, the woman he came to love.
Most importantly...
Kaname— who lost his chance at life.
And lastly...
Every other anonymous person— who had been harmed or sacrificed meaninglessly so that this monster could get rid off his obstacle.
Senri was woken up by the sound of rushed movement inside his room. For a moment there he was left confused and thought it was Takuma. Only to realize few seconds after that the blonde was on his bed, fast asleep.
It was when his senses became alarmed and sleep left his eyes.
Carefully, without making any noise the maroon haired aristocrat sat up and found his half-sister... pulling two fully packed suitcases towards the door.
He called her out immediately. "What are you doing?!"
"Oh Ri-chan!" She exclaimed dusting the dust off of her hand. "Now that you're up, quickly go into the washroom and freshen up. I left a set of fresh clothes in there for you."
His confused face turned to his sleeping roommate. Wondering how the latter was still able to sleep through all these...? Someone barged into their room packed up suitcases and Takuma felt nothing?! He wasn't that heavy sleeper.
Luckily he didn't have to wonder for long. As Aiyora answered his query before he even asked.
"Don't worry about him, he'll sleep like a baby for another hour or two. That's more than enough time to carry out my plan."
"What is your plan?" Senri left the bed and walked to where Aiyora was.
"Getting you out of this place."
"Excuse me?!"
His half-sister didn't have the time to amuse herself to his reaction. She was busy locking the luggage.
"You heard me right. You're leaving the academy."
Amused, Senri raised a brow. "And where are we going?"
"I'm not going anywhere. Just you. Maybe Rima will join you later, after I convince her. And I'm sure that wouldn't be a hard task. After all she bears weakness towards you."
Senri could sense, behind that emotionless mask there was a helpless girl crying her heart out.
"You may have lost your mind, but I didn't. I am not going anywhere without you." He made his point loud and clear. Although he had no idea how or why such crazy idea entered Aiyora's head but he definitely wasn't going to comply.
Which prompted Aiyora to stop in her action and look at him.
"Ri-chan please don't argue. We don't have much time."
"I'm not going anywhere, without you." He repeated, making his point absolutely clear.
"You have to!" She responded firmly. Making herself clear.
There was a minute long tensed silence during which the half-siblings kept glaring down each other. But Aiyora was the first to back down and soften.
"I wanted you to reflect on your actions and—"
"I did. After careful and considerable amount of thinking I have reached this solution." She took a step towards him and took hold of his hands. "Believe me Ri-chan, this is what is best for you. This academy isn't safe for you anymore. Actually it has never been. And I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that."
Senri grabbed hold of her by the arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Don't talk nonsense Ai-chan. Just return to your room and sleep. There are dark circles under your eyes. You have not slept in days, didn't you?"
"Please stop..." she whispered into his chest. "Stop caring for me like this. I don't deserve it. Besides you can't continue on like this forever. My actions hurt you. Gives you so much trouble, so much headache. You don't need all these burden on your shoulders. A person like you deserves so much better. And that better won't come as long as you are left in this accursed academy."
"I don't need a better life that would keep me away from you. I don't mind living in hell as long as I'm by your side."
Hearing that Aiyora crunched her eyes tightly and fisted her hand on the front of his sleep shirt.
"Ri-chan try and understand! And please do something for yourself... at least once."
Her fears and frustration has now turned to tears.
"...Many months ago after he bit me, I advised Kiryu to leave this academy. He didn't listen, stayed back at Yuuki's request. ...Look where that took him today. Imagine, if Zero would have left the academy then, perhaps his life would have been so much better today."
"Your point is...?"
"With everything that's been going on, I have come to understand that man is capable of anything. Which is why, I can't have you sticking around here and put your own life at risk. I don't want to have the same kind of regret for you later on."
"I'm not leaving going anywhere without you. My decision is final."
"Ri-chan I would have come. But you see I am also a part of the problem. If I flee with you that guy and the Senate will most certainly collude to take you down. So please cooperate and let me do this one thing for you. Perhaps this is the only chance I will ever get to do something for you... don't take it away from me."
"Don't worry, he won't do anything to me." Senri assured, kissing the top of her head.
"How are you so sure?"
"I'm not, but I'm taking my chances. If his feelings for you are real, he won't harm me."
"We're not betting your life on this!"
"Ai-chan please relax. Trust me I will be fine. Don't forget that he saved Kiryu from the brink of execution."
That's because Kiryu is the weapon he created.
Aiyora really wished she could tell him all that. But at this point she has come to realize the lesser a person knew about the Kuran ancestor, the better off they were.
While she remained lost in her deep thought, Senri utilized the opportunity to pick her up bridal style and carry her back to her room.
She snuggled into his chest and allowed him to lead.
He placed her down on the soft mattress, tucked her underneath the comforter and just as he was about to leave... she caught his hand.
"Stay with me..." her voice pleaded in the softest tone he had ever heard from her. "...let's cuddle like the old times."
He saw no harm in fulfilling that request. So he agreed.
"Alright."
He climbed into the bed and hugged his Ai-chan tightly from behind. A content smile made its way onto Aiyora's lips when she felt Senri's face dipping into her hair. But at the same time a drop of tear rolled down the corner of her closed eye.
"You were right Ri-chan..." her voice was laced with determination.
"Huh?"
Aiyora faced him and finished her sentence.
"...when you said that guy won't hurt you. Because going forward I will protect you. From this moment onwards it is my responsibility to make sure his dark shadow stays the hell away from you."
Outside a proud smile graced the Shiki heir's lips. Inside is heart swelled up in pride and joy. Her words touched him. It doesn't matter whether she will be able to do it. Cause Senri would never let her fight an opponent that strong. All that mattered was she meant what she said. And Senri had no doubt about it. This morning Aiyora really surprised him with her selfless act. It was the first time ever, she tried to do something that was solely for his benefit. Her actions proved despite whatever facade she carried around, inside she still has a kind heart.
His hand reached out and cupped her face. Their eyes locked in for a stare so powerful and intense that it spread strange shivers throughout their bodies.
In that moment Senri found himself unable to hold back. Nor was there a reason to... therefore giving into the urge he closed the gap between their faces and kissed her mouth so deep that it swallowed her shocked gasps.
The next couple days passed in a peculiar pace. Some days time flew fast, just a blink of an eye and the day was over. Other days the time barely moved. Each passing second stretched longer and longer.
For Aiyora, unexpectedly the time was blissful. Despite having a fully packed schedule which did not give her enough time to breathe.
At the same time there was a lot on the young pureblood's plate. On one hand she had to keep up with her ballet practice. Simultaneously on the other hand, she had to prepare for her formal debut in vampire society at Aidou family's soirée which was less than a week away.
When she was first informed about the arrangement the female Kuran mentally wondered why this little formality was necessary? Everyone in the vampire race knew who she was, even before she knew it herself. However, out of respect for their custom and traditions Aiyora agreed to follow through. As she saw no point in breaking another age long tradition that would add to her already ruined reputation.
While Rima kept Aiyora company by playing the piano during her dance practice sessions.
Takuma, Senri and Hanabusa on the flipside took upon the responsibility to prepare the female Kuran for her societal debut.
Switchover used to be Yuuki's favourite time of the day. A time she always looked forward to.
These days they were awkward! So awkward that if she had the options, Yuuki too would have followed Zero's example and skipped out on her duties.
She has not spoken to Aiyora or Kaname since the night employees of the senate showed up to execute Zero. And no attempt was made from their side either. If anything the two purebloods seemed least bothered. Not even by mistake either spared her a glance.
Zero was not blind. His observant gaze picked up a lot. Despite keeping his silence on the matter he was well aware how much this whole thing was hurting Yuuki.
She wasn't saying anything yet Zero could hear her unspoken words, just the way he felt her unexpressed feelings. He knew Yuuki was immensely missing the small exchange she shared with the male Kuran and his sister. It was a part of her life that gave her hope and happiness. Now without it Yuuki was lost.
In his own way Zero tried to help. Sadly every time he tried, he was slapped across the face with the biggest reality check— Unless he is Kuran Kaname, he will never be enough for Yuuki!
That realization was more distressing than encouraging and filled his head with nothing but blood boiling rage. But still... for Yuuki's sake he was ready to take anything.
"It must hurt...? Not being able to speak to your hero?!" His cold taunt felt like pinch of salt on fresh wound.
"Zero! Don't scare me like that." Yuuki jumped with fright. Before making the most frail attempt to deny. "...Besides I don't know what you're talking about."
Zero grunted, feeling all the more frustrated. What was she trying to hide? When there was nothing to hide.
"Do you realize your openly ogling him, despite being pissed. And it's making me sick. Either you talk to him or don't but stop making a fool out of yourself."
"No!" The brunette exclaimed clutching the fabric over her chest. "I am going to stick to my decision. I won't speak to Kaname-senpai or Aiyora-chan until they accept that you are innocent."
"What difference does their opinion make? I could care less."
"No Zero! You did not kill that woman. So you should not be blamed for it either."
The mentioned boy clicked his tongue.
"Tsk... whatever!"
And walked away shoving those hands inside his pant pockets. Yuuki wanted to run after him but the sudden flashback of their small moment of weakness, where they almost kissed, stopped her.
Artistic dances were not something he favoured. It never really excited him. That was until he learned from a little birdie that his daughter had a sudden passion for it. The information initially awoke his curiosity. Which led him to do some digging and find out his little girl would be playing a ballerina on television and was eagerly preparing for it.
Since begun his interest in ballet.
But yes, he only had enough patience to watch his little girl spreading her wings. Watching professionals doing those performances was a waste of time for Kuran Rido.
Shortly after midnight Aiyora entered the studio. The fourth floor common room was turned into her private dance studio.
Rima was already waiting for her behind the piano, testing a soft melody on the keyboard.
Unbeknownst to both girls the small camouflaged bat hanging upside down from one of the branches of the far away tree was a familiar of Kuran Rido. Through the eyes of that small familiar Rido could see everything, sitting in the safety and comfort of his current residence.
His heart sped up as she took off the robe and revealed her form clad in short fitted tutu. Her body fit the criteria to be such dancer. Long neck, sharp facial features, slim body, small torso and long slim legs. She was beyond perfect. Just like a doll.
Aiyora had gotten made five different practice outfits in the colour range of lilac, white, pink, blue and red. Tonight her colour was red— Rido's personal favourite. Even though he all colours suited her well, but the red emphasized the vampire within her. It brought out her true colour.
"Anything particular you want me to play?" Rima inquires.
"No, just go with whatever your mind favours. I'll pick up." Aiyora replies tying her long hair up into a tight ponytail.
The ginger haired girl's fingers gracefully pressed down the piano's keyboard and a soft tune floated into the air.
The pureblood closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly her fingers started to move to the rhythm of the music. Slowly her face rose up stretching the neck as far as it could. Eventually her feet rose to a full vertical position. Making her stand on her toes. Then the hands floated up onto the air before she made a quick 180 degree spin and reopened her eyes.
Rima played a higher note and synchronizing with the tune Aiyora changed her move. Balancing all her weight on the vertical upright one foot she raised the other leg up towards the ceiling.
Back in his place, Rido darted out his tongue and licked his lips. It was amazing to watch how much her body could stretch. No matter how odd the bending and curving were, not even for a second she looked slightly uncomfortable. Forget looking away the mismatch eyed Kuran could not even bring himself to blink.
Like all good things this mind blowing performance also reached its abrupt end when out out of the blue Aiyora collapsed.
Rima stopped playing the piano. "Hey! Are you alright?"
"I lost focus." Aiyora replied getting up on her feet.
"Weird, this never happened before."
Aiyora said walking to the window. "My concentration broke. I'm getting the heebie-jeebies. Feels like somebody is watching me."
There she tried to look for the source of her discomfort. However there was nothing to be found.
Strange!
A/N: Thank you all for reading. Hope you guys enjoyed.
