I do not own the characters of Crescent Moon. Itsuki is mine though.
Summary: Itsuki is well...kind of a strange person. She was raised by humans but is infact a mix and one of the Lunar Race. She is part vampire and demon fox like Misoka. Her potential is unknown since she has no clue of what she might be capable of. She just moved to Osaka with her foster mother and winds up meeting Mahiru. Mahiru seems to know more about her than even Itsuki herself knows. Mahiru befriends her and takes her to the Moonshine. Itsuki instantly falls for Nozomu, but they all think she is a guy! Itsuki wears loose clothing since she is insecure about her body and tries to hide a few of the scars that occured from her past. Itsuki is a little shy, but is a drawing and painting freak! The only thing she is confident in is her artwork. When she meets Nozomu again, she asks him if she can paint him and he agrees. As she's painting his portrait, the temperature in the room rises, making her want to take off her clothes. Little does she know that she is being influenced by Nozomu...
Warnings: Language, sexual situations, kawaii overdose, supernatural occurances, and of course a little lunarxlunar action. Pairings: NozomuxItsuki, MitsuruxMahiru.
P.S: I'm not having school uniforms since I have no clue as to what color they would be and I hate uniforms! Bear with me in the descriptions of the characters! I'll try to do my best.
Chapter One: The meeting.
Itsuki Maharu believed she wasn't a special person. She was shy, guys didn't really look at her, and she was bullied sometimes. Soon she learned to defend herself and everyone backed off. She was carefree and always smiling, but she was a loner because no one wanted to be her friend. Her only friends were her paint brushes, pencils, and sketch books. She was average height with shoulder-length crimson hair. Her eyes were soft, crystal blue. She had delicate features, soft curves, and long legs. She enjoyed sports as well as painting and drawing. She always dressed like a guy since she was so insecure.
She had moved to Osaka with her foster mother since her parents had mysteriously fell off the face of the Earth, but she was okay with her mom. She was thankful that she had someone who loved her even if everyone else didn't. Her mother let her do whatever she wanted and so she got a tattoo, some piercings, and often walked around alone, but always came home on time. She hated it when her mother worried. She never felt insecure around her mother, she guessed it was fear of other people that made her want to run away and hide in the school pool until she drowned. She had been suicidal at one point when a bunch of kids from her old school had tried to gang bang her infront of everyone. The principal had thought she made the whole story up.
When she had gotten home she had tried to drown herself and when that didn't work she went to slit her throat. Too bad her mother had come home just as she was about to end her life. She had gone through two months of rehab. After she left rehab and was a bit more comfortable with herself, to her luck they moved! She practically cried with joy at what her mother had told her. They moved pretty faraway. They had lived in Australia most of her life and so moving to Japan was a big but good difference. Itsuki already knew japanese since she had studied it and practiced everyday.
Her mother, Sarah, was a famous fashion designer and could get work anywhere. The move was pretty easy. It was hard though adjusting to city life and not having to deal with snakes in the garage. Itsuki owned one pet: a fruit bat named Sano after her favorite Rurouni Kenshin character Sanosuke. Sano went everywhere she did and he always stayed with her. He sometimes flew around, but she had warned him that he couldn't fly around because he might get killed by an airplane. She felt a stange bond with the bat, but she never quite knew what it was.
Now wandering down the city streets since school was out for summer, Itsuki and Sano decided to go to the library where they meet someone who changes their lives forever...
"So Sano! What books should we get today? 'How to grow fruit in Japan'? Or maybe just a romance novel? Or both? What do you think?" The little bat just made little incoherent noises. Itsuki nodded. "Both it is then! I still have to buy you fruit since it will take a long time to grow fruit in the city, but we'll manage. Mother says I might be able to make friends here since no one knows about me. Do you think I'll be able to make friends Sano?" The little bat licked her cheek. She giggled happily and patted his head. "Thanks for the boost of confidence Sano!"
Grabbing three books and holding them under her arm with her fruit bat Sano on her shoulder, Itsuki Maharu walked down the rows of books. There were so many than at her old library that it was hard for her to rent just those three. She knew already she would be spending most of her time in the library. Humming lightly to herself, she accidently bumped into someone and sent books flying. Sano flew off her shoulder and landed on her head once she sat up, rubbing her spine.
"Sorry, I didn't see you.." Itsuki said sheepishly as she helped pick up the books. Her eyes caught the eyes of honey colored ones. The girl she had bumped into waved off her apology.
"No, no! It's alright, this happens to me all the time. Anyways," The two stood, Sano crawling down onto Itsuki's shoulder. "Wow! What a cute bat! What's his name?" The girl looked delighted.
"His...his name's Sano..." Itsuki stuttered out quietly. Her insecurity that had seemed to take a vacation had come back. "Mine's Itsuki.."
"Oh! Mine's Mahiru. Nice to meet you Itsuki." She held out her hand to the quiet girl but Itsuki didn't take it.
"Sorry...I..have a problem with hand shakes..but um..I have to go now. My mother is expecting me at home." Itsuki bowed slightly as she started to leave. Mahiru called to her.
"Hey! I'll see you tomorrow?"
Itsuki paused a moment. What did she just say? "Um...yeah..I'll be here tomorrow."
"Great! See ya then guy!"
Itsuki practically fell over on her way out. Had she just called her a guy? She sighed a bit. Maybe she should try to dress more like her gender. Sano laughed in his weird way at her as she recovered.
"Shut up! Atleast she knew you were a guy. This sucks. I hope she doesn't start hitting on me. That would be even more creepy." Shivering slightly, she jogged home, her books in hand.
She came home to an empty house, knowing full well that her mom had a late shift. She probably wouldn't be home til midnight. Twirling a lock of hair, she deposited her books on the table and let Sano crawl down her arm to the counter. She fed him an orange while she made dinner. It wasn't anything fancy, just some macaroni and cheese with tea. As she was eating. Sano came over with his orange and sat on her lap, curling against her. Smiling lightly, she patted his head and started reading one of her newly acquired romance novels.
Just as she was getting to the good part where Naomi and Tristan were about to declare their love for each other, she heard a knock at the door. Sighing angrily, she stood and put her book down. Going to the door, she opened it boredly only to find the girl from earlier at her door. Mahiru was it? How the fuck did she know where she lived? Trying to keep the surprise out of her voice, she asked casually, "Um...how did you get my address?"
Mahiru smiled gingerly, "I found this envelope and it had your address on it. I didn't read anything else I swear!"
Itsuki just sighed a bit. Weirdo. Taking the envelope, she put it in her pocket. Sano flew to her shoulder and looked at Mahiru with big eyes. Mahiru smiled and patted him gently.
"Careful. He bites." Itsuki said lightly. Mahiru pulled her hand away quickly. "He only bites if you tug his ears. I think you'll be safe."
Mahiru smiled a bit. "I was wondering if you'd like to go to this bar with me tonight. It's got great music and good people. Please?"
Itsuki blushed, smiled and thought it over. This girl was wacky. Did she always ask strangers to go places with her? This was insane, but Itsuki decided to go anyways. "Sure. I just have to leave a message for my mom."
Mahiru nodded and just waited patiently. Itsuki called up her mom and left a message, saying she had her cell on and that Sano was going to be with her and so on. Changing her shirt to a bit tighter, black t-shirt with the words, "Suicide is a way of telling God, "You can't fire me! I quit!" in white across the front. Mahiru giggled a bit at the words but said nothing.
Itsuki locked the door to the house and pocketed the keys. Nodding to Mahiru, she followed the crazy woman to the bar she had told her about. It took them awhile to get there and it was dark by the time they did get there. Entering through some doors, no people were there except some of the staff she assumed. They were quite attractive young men, the manager she assumed as well, and a beautiful woman sitting at a piano. Blinking a bit, the baffled girl looked at Sano and he just shook his head.
"This is Itsuki! I met him today and wanted you guys to meet him. He's one of you too I think." Mahiru announced as they came to the bar. Itsuki practically fell over again.
"I'm not a guy." She mumbled angrily. Sano laughed at her.
"Looks a bit girly for a guy Mahiru. I think you're wrong." A boy with dark hair and hateful eyes said as he scrutinized her. Itsuki just glared back at him.
"Be careful Mitsuru. Itsuki might just hit you." A boy with blond hair and blue eyes said as he looked her way. Itsuki blushed with self-consciousness and turned away. He was drop-dead gorgeous in her eyes. She felt her heart flutter in her chest when he had looked at her. She had to paint him! Luckily, she always carried supplies in her backpack that she took everywhere with her.
"Shut up Nozomu! That fairy couldn't hit a barn much less me. Stupid humans." Mitsuru spoke again with malice in his voice. Mahiru looked hurt. Mitsuru stammered and said, "Not all humans are stupid! Honest Mahiru I didn't mean you." She smiled and kissed his cheek. He blushed a bit.
"Misoka, sense anything?" Nozomu spoke again, looking at aman with short black hair and thick glasses. (Misoka I found out is a man. This is my second time editing this chapter.For a second I really believe Misoka was a woman because of what Mahiru says in the first book. It does make sense now though that he is a man.)
The one known as Misoka nodded. "Yes. A bit muddled, but this one is of the Lunar Race."
Itsuki sweatdropped, her face paling. What the fuck were they talking about? Lunar Race? What the hell? "Yeah, um...Mahiru..I think..I'm going to go home..."
"Awwww, why?" A boy with piercings and brownish hair asked. He had wolf ears and a wolf tail. Itsuki twitched as she backed up, looking horrified yet curious.
"What the-the h-hell ar-are you p-people?" She managed to say. Even Sano voiced his opinion and snapped at them. He was defending her.
"Well, we're not human." Nozomu said.
"Neither are you." The wolf boy said with a light smile.
Itsuki froze in her place. Not human? But how can I not be? I know some weird things have happened to me but...not human? That can't be true. "I'm human. I know I'm human! I mean.." I can't say 'mother' because she's not my real mother. What the hell can I do?
"Has something...weird ever happened? Like somehow you controlled an element or made someone do what you wanted? Ever..." Nozomu was very close now, she could practically feel his breath. "think blood would taste delicious?"
The distraught girl jumped back. How could he know? Yes, sometimes when she had seen blood, she felt this strange craving and yeah at one point she wanted a candle to light and it did. And once she had asked her mother to get her one of her books from downstairs, she had gone and done it without hesitation. That she didn't really count as something unusual, but still it was weird.
"Back off! You don't know a damn thing!" She shoved him back, pure fear in her eyes. Mitsuru was watching her and looked at her with sympathy. She hated it. She hated the way he looked at her. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Sano was frantic and biting at anyone who came closer. Nozomu backed off and just looked at her. She had curled up on the ground, shaking with uncontrollable fear and her bat trying to comfort her.
Akira was pissed. "You went too far Nozomu! Look at her! She's so terrified she's crying!" The wolf boy went over and tried to soothe her, but her bat wouldn't let him near. He just told the creature he was trying to help, but it wouldn't listen. It snapped at his fingers, causing him to bleed. He cursed, but he couldn't blame the creature. After all, it was defending it's master.
Mahiru came over, sorrow etched on her features. She gently touched the bat and it flew off and sat on a chair, glaring at everyone else in the room. Mahiru pulled Itsuki into her arms and gently stroked her hair. "I'm sorry.." She whispered. "I'm so sorry..it's ok..we won't hurt you. We're just trying to help..We're trying to let you see the truth..."
"Atleast you're human.." Itsuki sobbed. "I don't even get to be that! I just..wanted to start over...and make friends for once...and be happy for Mother..so she wouldn't worry about me..."
"Wait!" Nozomu cut in. "You have a mother?" The others looked a bit worried.
"She's my foster mom..but she's still my mother. She'll never be able to look at me again! Now I can't go home...she'll hate me...If I don't tell her..she'll know. She always knows when I'm not telling her something." Itsuki sounded broken. It was painful to watch her. Nozomu felt like it was all his fault. (It kind of was actually.) He hit himself in the head and cursed at himself. He was such an idiot.
"Shhh...She won't hate you. If she loves you, she'll understand." Mahiru was saying which helped to quiet the broken girl down. Itsuki soon quieted, wiping away her tears and stood, acting like nothing had happened. Sano flew to her shoulder and she pet him, whispering softly to him. She turned and started to leave.
"Wait! Please stay! I know it seems crazy and weird, but it'll make sense to you!" Mahiru stood and called for Itsuki to stop, but she wouldn't listen.
"I'm going home. This can't be real and so I'm dismissing it as a dream. Farewell." By then Itsuki was gone, leaving the group worried, confused, and Nozomu a little heart broken.
"Mother...I'm home..." Itsuki called as she took off her shoes. Sano made his little greeting call too.
"Oh good! I'm glad you're back. I made you something while at work. I think you'll love it!" Sarah, her mother, was an extraordinary woman. She had looks, brains, and confidence. She often tried to give her confidence to Itsuki but it never stuck. Itsuki didn't care about it anymore.
"Really? What did you make me?" The teen walked into her mother's bedroom and stood stock still. Her mother had made her a beautiful gown. It was silver, with a big, black, crescent moon on the chest, but it was on its back. It face that place where it became a halter. The collar part dipped low, but not too low. The dress had slits up the sides to about mid-thigh with thick, black outlining. Little, almost barely seen, crescent moons were scattered all over the dress. It shimmered brightly. Itsuki could barely breathe. It was absolutely breathtaking.
"Mother...how did you...oh my...wow." Her mother laughed a bit.
"I thought you would love it! Hunny...were you crying today? Your eyes are a bit puffy.." Sarah came over and hugged her daughter. "What's wrong?"
"It was just a weird day dream is all. One where people said I wasn't human and crazy things like that. I'm fine though." Itsuki said convincingly. She really hoped she could pull it off.
Her mother nodded. "Alright dear. As long as you're ok, I'm happy. Now, off to bed. It's a bit early to be sending you off to bed and you have no school, but you look tired."
"Ok, mother. I'll go. Thanks for the present mom. It's beautiful." Itsuki stared at the dress a bit more before seeking sleep in her own room. Without bothering to change her clothes, she drifted into sleep.
Her dreams were strange and confusing, even a bit erotic. A song kept playing over and over in her mind and she couldn't wake herself up. Nozomu had been in her dream, holding her close, he leaned in, about to kiss her when suddenly- her alarm clock went off and woke her up. She sat up too quickly and her vision swam before her eyes, making her dizzy.
"This sucks.." She sighed as she looked at Sano, still sleeping in his bed. She didn't want to wake him and so she got dressed and headed out into the kitchen. Her mom had left already and left a note saying she wouldn't be home until tomorrow evening. Itsuki shrugged. It was bound to happen eventually. Grabbing a doughnut, she munched on it until she heard a knock at the door. She sighed. Who would be up now? It was summer and it was only 8:30.
Sighing again, the teen stood and opened the door. To her misfortune it was Mahiru with her gang of freaks. Without letting her say a word, she slammed the door. Hearing heavy curses, she just shrugged and nibbled on her food.
Mahiru banged on the door. "Come on Itsuki!"
"No." She called through the door. "Now shut up. Sano is sleeping."
"But Itsuki! We just want to talk, honest!" This time it was Akira.
"I don't care. You and your Lunar bitches can leave me alone." Itsuki started reading her book.
"Please Itsuki! Don't you ever wonder why you feel powerful when there's a full moon? Or why you feel lost when it's not there?" Nozomu.
Itsuki paused. He was right about that. Opening the door, she let them in, though with much reluctance. "What the fuck do you want now?" She said boredly.
"We want you to join us!" Akira said cheerfully, hugging her. She looked freaked.
"No."
"Please?" He looked at her with big, puppy eyes. She found it hard to say no, but she still did.
"No."
Nozomu came up to her, right up to her face. She blushed slightly at his gentle gaze. "If we tell you more, will you atleast consider? We know you have questions that need answers. We are the only ones that can give them to you."
Itsuki thought it over long and hard. What could happen right? She may have been a shy person, but hell she wasn't cautious. "Alright. I'll consider. But that doesn't mean yes." Nozomu smiled. She blushed even more.
The group talked for hours, until it was starting to get dark. Itsuki understood everything now, though she was still skeptical. Apparently she was a half-breed of two races: those labeled vampires and those labeled demon foxes. She thought it was peculiar, but hey, love is love and it certainly didn't discriminate. She was going to go to the bar again and try to adjust to the group. Sano had woken up begging for food and some how was sitting with Nozomu. She didn't learn until later that he was infact a vampire too.
She dressed up a bit, wearing a halter top her mother had made for her once. It was silver and black, with green trim. She wore baggy jeans like always, but put on a little eye-liner and mascara too. When she came out of the bathroom about 10 minutes after she had gone in, the transformation was astounding. Nozomu whistled at her and she blushed deeply. The way the halter defined her curves made her all the more enticing. Nozomu would have bitten her in an instant.
The made it to the bar and Itsuki was a bit more curious about it. It was called the Moonshine and she thought it was strange name. She shrugged it off and just sighed a bit as she was led out of the car by Akira. She had to admit he was adorable.
Once inside the club, she saw that it was all set up for tonight's activities. She sat at the bar and spun on one of the barstools to pass the time. The others laughed at her playfulness. Taking out her sketch book, she started to draw Mitsuru and Mahiru. They were holding eachother tenderly and looked about ready to kiss, but they held the pose until Itsuki gave the ok. She showed them the drawing and they were stunned. It was so life like that the two thought their copies would jump out of the paper. Itsuki would leave it black and white for now until she had time to mix colors and find the right shades.
As she was putting some final touches on the picture, Nozomu just watched her, smiling. He watched her that is until Akira intervined.
"You got the hots for the new girl don't ya?" He said smiling.
Nozomu blushed a tad. "So? She's attractive...kind...funny..."
"Don't do anything stupid Nozomu. She might hurt you." Akira slinked away, giggling.
Nozomu just shrugged and continued to watch her until he had to get ready. He had to sing like always and needed to clean up a bit. He wanted to do his best tonight.
Nozomu sang until his throat hurt and was allowed to have a very long break. He had done request, after request, after request and so on. The bar was filled and thankfully no more people were coming. Oboro allowed him to take some time off and regain his voice. He went looking for Itsuki, but she seemed to have vanished. He found out from Misoka that she had gone upstairs to breathe since she wasn't used to so many people. He understood. It was tough adjusting.
He found her in his room actually, staring up at the moon and drawing it. The way the light hit her, it sent shivers down his spine. She sighed softly and closed her eyes as she laid her head against the window frame. She looked happy. Coughing slightly to get her attention, Nozomu waited patiently as she realized it was him. She smiled shyly as he came and joined her. She showed him the drawing of Mahiru and Mitsuru and he raised his brows. She was really talented.
"Wow...that's incredible. I can feel the tenderness and love." He said honestly as he looked at her. She smiled.
"Um...I was wondering..if...I could...draw you?" He smiled.
"Sure. Just tell me where to sit or stand, or whatever."
She smiled widely. "Great! Just over here."
Cliffy! In the next chapter you'll see what happens. Maybe something juicy, maybe something heart wretching. Who knows, only I do! Look for chapter two of Tears of the Crimson Moon. Sorry for the mess up in the names! I fixed them though. Next chapter will be up soon. I just realized the summary I put up is actually of the first two chapters. I'll put a summary up for every chapter I guess...or not. Either way you'll still get to read something interesting!