Chapter 29

(Sophia's pov)

I looked around my room, hearing my parents arguing quietly. I blink, sitting up in my bed, and see their shadows walking past the door.

"How did he find us?"

"I don't know."

"We already did what he asked. He has no claim over her."

"Do you really think that will stop him?"

I pause, shifting out of bed, and open the door. My parents had moved into the kitchen and I follow them down the hall.

"He can't have her."

"He won't have her."

"We have to find a way to stop him."

Suddenly I feel a chill down my spine. I turn, glancing at the window down the end of the hall, and scream, seeing two blood-red eyes staring back at me.

The sound of blood-curdling screaming jolts me from my dreams.
It was about two in the morning, my eyes quickly scanning Kaoru's room as my heart pounds in my chest.
It took me a few moments to realize the screaming was coming from me.
Kaoru had snapped up, looking for any threat, and turns to me in shock.
I place a hand over my mouth but it does little to stop the noise.
By the time I had stopped screaming there were feet pounding down the hallway.

"Boss!"

"Second!"

"Boss!"

About seven men break into the room, swords drawn. I had my head in my hands, panting loudly as Kaoru deals with the others. I shut my eyes, seeing the red eyes so clearly. I had been having that dream every night since I'd seen Yanagi in the alley. Each dream were only pieces, stopping shortly after they started and I was forced to think about it over and over hoping I'd remember more of it.

"Sophia?"

I could do little more than curl my knees up to my chest, shielding my face from Kaoru's worried eyes. Even though it was a dream it rocked me to the core, it brought up old feelings of fear, fear I'd forgotten.

The monster from my dreams.

He wasn't a dream.

"Sophia?"

I suddenly bolt from the bed, running to the bathroom, and barely open the lid before it comes up. I grip the toilet, feeling pulled forwards from the force. The noise was almost as painful as the powerful grip crushing my insides. I stayed like that, feeling my hair lifted off my face by warm hands and when I finally calm down I'm dry heaving into the toilet.

I cough, flushing the toilet with little strength, and fall on my butt, leaning my head against the wall with a groan. Kaoru was standing beside the sink, handing me a glass of water. I knew I looked like a hot mess, sweaty, white-faced and scared out of my mind. I had no doubt I was scaring Kaoru as well. I take the glass with shaking hands and take a sip, spilling some down the side of the glass. Despite the smaller space Kaoru moves, kneeling down in front of me.

"Sophia... Please talk to me."

..

..

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?"

We were standing in the gym, dressed in gowns. Finals and come and gone and now Graduation day was upon us. I glanced at Kozue and Baki smiling softly. I knew they both knew about last night. I had to argue with Kaoru to let us come here. He wanted to send me to the hospital, or at the very least lock us in the room until I talked to him. But how could I? Even I wasn't sure what this was and telling your boyfriend your only comfort is in the arms of another man, a convict to be exact wouldn't go over well.

I smile softly "I'm not 100 percent but I'm better than I was."

I squeeze Baki's shoulder once and turn, walking to the other end of the chairs. We were alphabetical, placing the three of them on the other side of the room. Baki and Kaoru were in the front, I was in the second row and Kozue was in the third. I walked about forty chairs and found mine, the white paper taped to the chair. Thanks to the morning argument we were one of the last people there. I bow my head slightly when the principal sends me a glance. I see his soft smile and force one of my own.

When everyone finds their seats he moves, tapping the microphone twice and the gym falls silent "Good morning."

The gym echoes with a symphony of voices "Good morning principal."

..

..

The ceremony had come and gone, the students had gone home to eat and change and now the graduating class was in the large gym celebrating the night with friends and family. Haga had come for a dance. Kaoru had asked for a dance. Baki had asked for a dance and now I was hiding by the punch bowl for a break. I exhale tiredly, grabbing a cup and carefully pour some juice from a glass ladle that was way too fancy for this occasion.

"Miss Jones?"

I turn, taking in an older face, and jump "Principal Fuji!" I quickly set down my cup and bow.

"I don't mean to bother you but I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?" My confusion wasn't hidden in the slightest.

"Yes. Since your relationship with Kaoru Hanayama, the troubled youth in my school have calmed down. You've been a great influence on them."

I blush "Thank you but I don't think I can take credit for that. I'm sure I caused you many problems."

He smiles waving me off "Miss Jones if you think your senior year's theatrics were shocking, you underestimate me."

I smile softly nodding once more "Are you prepared for next year's troubled youth."

"When you've done this job as long as I have not many things surprise you." I nod, taking a sip of punch "Have you ever considered a career in teaching?"

I jolt, using my hand to catch some juice running down my chin and swallow roughly "Teaching?"

He cocks his head to the left in amusement "You are good with people, you understand the troubled youth and don't fear or immediately write them off. And as a teacher, you would get the respect you deserve from your students." Teaching is a highly regarded job and many people were turned away so to have the principal ask me personally was shocking. I barely keep my mouth closed "I understand that it's a different career choice but I think it would suit you."

"Thank you. I must say I never considered it but I'm honored you asked" I chuckle softly and feel his arm on my shoulder.

"Should you choose to get a degree in teaching, you will have a job here if you want it."

I bow with a smile, and suddenly hug him "Thank you, for everything"

He chuckles, hugging me back "I have no doubt you will do great things child"

..

..

I spun around the dance floor and back into Haga's arms. We both laugh before we slowly sway side to side. Being here was easier, every passing moment made the dream fade. The pleasant atmosphere calmed my nerves, his hand rests on my hip, not daring to venture any lower with Kaoru so close. We chatted about life after school and any plans we had. I ranted about the next project I had to start, smiling softly at Haga's laughter.

"Well what did you expect princess, you are dating the king."

"Well I didn't think I'd be in charge of his empire." I shoot back, spinning out softly then back to him.

"Well I have no doubt you'll do fine." he blushes slightly "When I got back from my school suspension I was suddenly on the top of the food chain. If I can handle senior year you can run a business."

"Last time I checked I was saving your ass Mr. Top of the food chain."

"See?" he chuckles "You're a natural."

"Principal Fuji offered me a job, he thinks I should be a teacher."

Haga stops, causing me to stop with him. The shock was evident but even that melts away to happiness "Really?! That's awesome Sophia!" his hand squeezes mine "He's right! I think you'd be a great teacher."

"I don't know..." I shrug softly "I mean I've spent so many years looking after other people, I'm not sure I want to make a career out of it."

"Well, what else did you want to do? I mean I don't really picture you leading the Hanayama Organization."

"Well, that's the thing! I mean I thought I'd have some idea or even a direction but I've spent so much time doing everything else I haven't had a moment to myself. Now I think I'm just holding onto problems because it's easier than admitting I'm lost..."

Haga pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my waist in an oddly comfortable hug. His warm embrace and sure hands swayed to the music and I shut my eyes in this small nest of safety.

..

..

Haga had left moments ago, a phone call from his mother interrupts our dance. He'd wanted to stay but I'd waved him off, assuring him it was alright and simply stand there in the sea of bodies, taking in the faces. Many of them I'd seen in the hallways, others in sports classes. I recognized others from the crowd and I place a hand on my chest, pleasantly surprised that I'd miss some of them when this night was over. Two months, two months with friends was all it took to get attached.

"Miss Jones?"

I turn slightly when I feel my hand grabbed

"Yes?"

The person moves closer to my ear, his voice now reaching me over the pulse of the dance floor.

"This is a gift," he places an envelope in my hand "from your father."

My dad? He was here?!

"Wh-" My words are cut short as I feel my hand-pulled another way "Woah!" and I'm pulled into another set of arms.

The bright yellow hair and thin build had me smiling.

"You still owe me a dance, Princess."

I smile, looking at one of the delinquents close to Haga "Kenji I was talking with someone" I gently chide

"You were?" He looks left then right and I turn, taking in the see of bodies.

"Yeah." I squeeze his hand, promising a dance and move.

The voice was older, defiantly an adult. The warmth and callus's told me he most likely had martial arts training. My eyes scan the crowd as I move gracefully through the students. I had a few people grab my hands, sending me thanks for their time at the club and wishes to return. I smile, reassuring them I'd do something and finally break out of the sea of bodies.

I look around the table, seeing friends and family laughing and talking, the teachers talking. I turn, grabbing a drink off the table to the left. That man said my dad was here. I look towards the stairs, watching people come and go. My head turns when I hear Kozue's laughter, she was talking with a small group of girls.

"Hey, Kozue!"

My next words die in my mouth. When she moves, her eyes lighting up with happiness I notice him. Yanagi was standing in the middle of our graduation dance talking with the principal. I feel my heart jump and try to calm myself. I was probably seeing things. It wasn't the first time I'd hallucinated him but that thought turns to ash in my mouth when his hand lifts, squeezing the principal's shoulders. I watch the material bunch, hear more laughter and see another staff move, gripping his hands in thanks. Like he knew my thoughts his eyes shift, slicing between the sea of bodies to land on me.

Those dead eyes bore into my soul and the sick smile chains me to the floor.

"Sophia?"

I shutter, seeing his face again, and try to speak, feeling my lips shake

"Sophia?"

My heart was pounding in my chest. My chest felt tight, each breath seemed to burn

"Sophia?"

I could hear Kozue's concern yet I couldn't address it. Her hands-on my skin felt like acid, further pushing me into a panic.
I shut my eyes feeling tears run down my face

"Sophia please, talk to me."

The ringing comes back and I squat, placing my hands over my head

"Sophia?" This time it's Baki's voice.

I feel hands on my body and shut my eyes, struggling to breathe properly.
My body was cold, tingling like a numb limb.

I hear Kozue's concerned shout before everything goes black.

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