Disclaimer: Same old same old, all I own is the OC(s) and some aspects of the plot; well everybody for Juliet and Ivy, they belong to Vixen but she said okay.


Change

Kira had gotten use to the pattern of Zane and his friends hanging out with her group. Looking over her left shoulder; Atticus grinned at her cheerfully, nodding, she focused back on their assignment. Staring at the paper angrily, she just couldn't get it right. "Curses," she muttered, glaring at the paper.

"Having trouble?" Zane teased softly, smiling at her gently.

Glaring at him, she ignored him and turned to the paper again. A chuckle escaped him, causing Kira to whip around and try to hit him; ducking the blow Zane grinned again. "Bastard," she muttered under her breath.

"Oh, shot through the heart!" He said, a mock hurt look crossed his eyes; causing Kira to growl at him again. She sighed and laid her head on her desk; closing her eyes to try to clear her head. Despite all of the rest she'd been getting recently, she still felt dead on her feet. So not cool, she thought, annoyed with herself at this turn of events.

She absentmindedly grabbed a pencil and started doodling, at a surprised squeak from River, she opened her eyes and stared at the sketch. Unable to understand the fear, Kira inspected it closer. Color this time, it dispatched a forest clearing and someone on the ground. Smooth, clear, fair skin and slightly spiky blonde hair; the red and white of their uniform mixed well with the green; their blue-green eyes staring at something unseen. It had an air of tranquility yet something still felt off about it.

Realizing what it was, Kira felt a shriek of terror clawing its way out. She clenched her teeth, suppressing the urge to scream. Her eyes snapped to the Silfers table, seeing if anyone matched her picture. A boy whipped around to stare at her; and she felt the air leave her lungs. No, not again, she thought, horrified by how well it fit him. Feeling sick, Kira stared frantically around the room; drawing her mom's attention.

"Kira?"

Her name sounded distorted to her, paling rapidly, Kira felt Zane reach toward her. "I'm fine," she murmured, the lie coming easily. She didn't realize until Ivy stepped in front of her, that Diamond had disappeared. Vision blurry, Kira titled her head to the side, confusion clear on her face. She didn't hear the words, but had a vague idea on the conversation, she felt someone stand up and move to support her; their arm snaking around her waist.

It was greatly appreciated too, she felt like she was going to faint. She closed her eyes to give it a reason to be dark, unable to handle it otherwise. She vaguely heard someone say, "Take her to the infirmary," and something about, "It's okay, you can lean on me."

Nodding weakly in response, Kira let the person support her, knowing it was a guy and that they were from her group of friends. Letting them guide her from the room, Kira rested her head on their shoulder, unable to understand what had happened to cause this. Hearing a door slide open, she sat down on one of the beds, and took several deep breaths; trying to get her head under control.

"You should get back to class, before you get in severe trouble." Ivy said, obviously speaking to whoever helped her.

"I want to stay here and make sure she's okay, Miss. Wolfe," he argued, he sounded scared and concerned.

The air shifted ever so slightly, and Kira didn't have to see it, she knew what Ivy was about to do. She was able to picture Ivy putting her hands on her hips, an elegant eyebrow raised in contempt, before she shook her head and said firmly, "I can look after Kira, you are to go back to class and pay attention. After class is out, you can visit her; unless she's feeling better than you can see her in class." There was no room to argue the order, Kira knew that too well, she'd tried to once before hand and got reprimanded for it big time.

A defeated sigh escaped them, realizing they'd lost this fight, they turned to leave and head back to class. "I'm sure she appreciates this, and I'm sorry about being so strict, I just don't want you getting in trouble."

After the door slid shut, Kira opened her eyes again, everything for the most part back in focus. Looking at Ivy, she knew she must've looked like crap, before she could say anything, Ivy had laid her down on her back. Disappearing around back to get some sort of pill, Kira waited until Ivy returned with it and a glass of water. Drained of energy, Kira took it and laid down again, the sleeping pills already kicking in. Struggling to stay conscious, she shook her head and surrendered to the medication, knowing that she could ask her questions when she woke up.


"Hey? You okay?"

Groaning, Kira blinked several times to clear the sleep away. Looking around her, Kira saw everyone, River sitting the closest while Zane stood near the door; out of the way. She repositioned and pushed herself into a sitting position, smiling Kira piped up, "Come on guys, all I did was nearly pass out in class, no need for the fuss." At the look on Juliet's face, she frowned and examined everyone else faces. Anything from fear to worry was etched on them, expect Zane's, his was impassive. Scared now, Kira looked around and saw the boy.

"Oh no, what happened to him?" She asked, fearful of the answer.

Juliet looked away from her, and River reached forward and took her hand, squeezing it she explained gently, "Miles had been dueling Juliet and she had Soul of Heart out, no one realized that the duel disks had been messing up; he got hurt pretty badly. His older brother said he saw you there, and he says it's all your fault, well, yours and Jule's fault anyway." Kira couldn't fight the groan, she huffed and looked around, checking for the time. Almost like he read her mind, Atticus glanced at his watch and said, "It's seven-oh-five, it's about time for dinner. Think you're up to walking around? You looked like shit earlier, and Lady Kari's been worried sick about you all day. Lady Ivy's been running around all day too, come to think of it."

"Hey, keep it down guys, these patients need their rest," Ivy scolded.

Kira listened as everyone muttered apologizes, watching Zane, she remained quiet and tried not to think of earlier. Turning to look at Ivy when she addressed her, Kira smiled and asked, "Who helped you earlier?"

Ivy looked shocked by that, only to regain her composure a minute later, the woman shook her head and turned her attention back to everyone else. "Look, I'm glad you're all here and that; but you should know to keep it down. They both need their rest," she scolded gently. Angry and hurt, Kira figured she wasn't about to get an answer; until Ivy added, "As for that Kira, I'll tell you after you're back on your feet."

Angry, Kira asked, "And when would that be?"

Silent for several moments, Kira knew everyone was holding their breath, Ivy turned to her and smiled. "With any luck you'll be back in class tomorrow, or at least I hope so. Anyway, you're more than welcomed to have one friend spend the night though, but just one." Without another word, Ivy ducked into the back room again and left them there. Silence hung in the air, making it thick and hard to breath, Kira snuck a look in Zane's direction; blushing and looking away quickly when he caught her.

A knowing look on River's face, she piped up, "We'll catch you later Zane, see ya at class tomorrow? Kira, get better soon, and see ya later!" With that, River herded everyone else out of the room. Zane seemed to relax slightly and moved over to the chair, sinking into it; he reached out and touched her hand, stroking her hair out of the way. Quiet for several moments, Kira realized just how bad Zane looked himself, he looked like shit. She was about to say something 'bout it, when he smiled weakly at her, causing her words to die in her throat.

"You doing okay?"

Taken aback by this, she stared at him in amazement, and she was surprised by how intense his eyes were. "Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe a little tired, but I'm fine." A laugh slipped from barely closed lips, shaking his head to clear it, Zane nodded and seemed more relaxed than. Confusion gripping her, she cocked her head to the side, and thinking about earlier, she felt a pang of guilt from their warmth. Thinking of what to say, she asked quietly, "Hey, Zane?"

"Hm?"

Kira knew she had his full attention, so she tried not to fidget under his gaze. "I was wondering, if you found out someone was different, would you still want to be their friend?" She said timidly, suddenly knowing just how dangerous this could be for her, especially if he said no, and that he could never think of them as a human.

Shaking his head, Zane answered, "There's nothing wrong with being different, and I won't let them hurt you, Kira. I promise, we're friends after all."

Kira was shocked, she couldn't understand how he could know she was different. Glancing at the clock, the shock continued at how late it was, and even more so on how tired she'd become. A soft chuckle escaping him, Zane whispered softly, "Get some rest, you sure could use it." Nodding she laid back down and closed her eyes, the last thing she was aware of was that Zane still had her hand.

"Goodnight Kira," Zane whispered.

Okay, make that two things. She thought happily, she once again late slumber spirit her away.


Stirring, Kira looked around to see Zane was gone; and River had taken his place. Disappointment tugging at her, Kira sighed and listened to Ivy talking to someone. Catching River's attention, she nodded in the direction of the voices, a grin plastered on her cousin's face, the albino whispered, "It's your dad, he found out what happened and that you're being released shortly after you wake up."

She bristled at that, furious that Ivy felt the need to contact him, Kira growled, "First of all River, he's not my father. And second, she had no right to call that good for nothing asshole!" Tossing the blankets off, Kira gingerly stood on her feet, furious at Ivy and herself, she felt the tears prick her eyes. Shaking her head, she bent down and grabbed her book bag, straightening and hanging it over her shoulder; she looked at River and asked, "So, when can I get out of here? I really don't feel like yelling today, and I'm going to if she makes me talk to him."

River chewed her lower lip, and Kira knew exactly what that meant, growling in frustration, she kicked the ground. Hearing the phone get hung up, she listened as Ivy called, "River, is Kira up now?" River called back an affirmative, and Kira fought not to roll her eyes, glaring her cousin down for the umpteenth time that year. Ivy came out and did the examination she needed, nodding in satisfaction, Ivy signed the papers. She bolted for the door before the ink dried; with River hot on her heels, after they were down the hallway, Kira slowed and kept pace with River.


Kira listened to River ranting about yesterday, only commenting when necessary, so it took a few seconds to realize when she'd stopped talking. Looking up from the ground, Kira was surprised to see Zane walking toward them. "Hey girls," Yusuke shouted, waving them over, River bolted on ahead as Zane stopped in front of her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to calm herself; afterward she opened her eyes and smiled shyly.

Zane glanced around to see if anyone was eavesdropping, and other than the crowd behind him, no one was around. Stepping closer, Zane leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Hey, do you want to hang out this weekend? It'd be just the two of us."

"Huh?"

Zane didn't move away or any closer, and she tried to ignore the hitch she heard in his pulse. "I'm having a little trouble with some of my homework, so I was wondering if you wanted to hang out this weekend." Kira examined his face, judging to see how serious and honest he was being; which between the flush to his cheeks, and his eyes, she judged he was being very serious on it.

"So, it'd be a study date?"

Flushing a little more, Zane muttered, "Yeah, it would be."

Fighting the urge to giggle, Kira met his gaze and smiled, nodding in response, she watched him relax at it. Kira felt her cheeks flame when the gang cheered, Atticus and River being the loudest. Zane grinned shyly and turned to walk away, about ready to tell him to wait, she was surprised when River flew toward them. Spinning Zane around to face her, Atticus "bumped" into him, causing Zane to stumble into her, his lips finding hers. He tasted like coffee beans and oranges. Breaking it, Kira felt her cheeks burning, she looked away and asked, "Think they're trying to say something?"`

"So, uh, see you this weekend?" Zane stammered, before he went peeling off after Atticus, obviously going off to have a talk with him.

Diamond, Yusuke and Juliet had cleared out, leaving Kira to herself. "Did that really just happen?" She whispered, grateful that she was the only one there. Shaking her head, Kira quickly walked away before anyone else showed up.


Mend: Okay, please leave a review and tell me what you think. Trust me, it doesn't bite, constructive criticism is welcomed, and I'll try to get the next chapter up in two weeks. Sorry about no duels, I had been planning on it; but this came out instead.