Yuka set her brush down on the desk, adjusting her side bangs in the mirror.
Her long dark hair blended with the dark uniform, stark white lines standing out under a bow of red.
She hated uniforms.
She pulled on her converse, thanking her last minute decision to ditch the pink glittery ones and opt for the more inconspicuous traditional black and white whilst packing, otherwise she'd be walking around with a mini disco on her feet.
She flattened her hair with her palms, taking one last look in the mirror before taking a deep breath.
Alright, Cross Academy. Show me what you're made of.
She opened the door to her Dorm, and an eruption of noise entered her ears.
She grimaced, eyebrows twitching against the high pitched screaming of about a hundred females, at least.
She hesitsted, before grabbing her satchel and edging into the hall. Girls ran past her, down the stairs to the Main social area she had seen last night.
"He was here! I know he was! I totally saw him!" One girl exclaimed, clapping her hands together.
"You actually saw Kaname?" Another quipped.
Yuka felt her stomach tighten at the name, the unpleasantness flooding back.
"Kaname!" They cooed, holding eachothers hands.
Yuka inched her way down the stairs, trying not to fall as another couple of girls flew down the steps to join the crowd at the bottom.
"I can't believe he was here!" All the girls squealing made it hard to find the source.
"Yeah, I saw him with that Committee member - Yuki."
A proportion of the girls groaned.
Yuka's ears twitched. So Yuki was pretty well known. Somehow, that didn't surprise Yuka. Though, She still hadn't made her mind up about her since last night.
"I wonder if Idol came too?"
Another set of screams, the sea of monochrome bouncing on their feet.
"What was he doing here anyway? Watching us sleep?"
There was a gasp, a moment of silence, before a roar lifted from all the girls.
"Kaname can watch me sleep any day!"
"Damn that Yuki, I bet she shunned him away!"
Yuka blinked, stunned slightly.
Her experience, although short lived, would definitely result in a repulsion from the thought of Kaname watching her sleep.
She shuddered at the thought.
She had enough nightmares as it was.
Clearly, she thought as she nudged through the gaggle of girls (who were still gushing over the thought of Kaname), They had not felt the aura of complete and utter devastation she had the previous night.
...
Yuka ate her breakfast in silence, satchel perched on her lap as she nibbled the edges of her toast.
It seemed that all the guys from Sun Dorm had come Here instead of putting up with the gushing from the girls. They sat in huddled groups, groaning about the obsessions that were not directed at them, and clearly - Yuka mused - never have been.
Some spoke of their crushes, though nearly immediately grumbled about them liking someone else from the 'Night Class'
Yuka listened, alarmed at the amount of reaction a different class member being in the wrong Dorm created. It was like the entire student body had gone into overdrive.
She chewed her lip, opening her satchel to remove her little sliding star box.
Opening it, she removed one white tablet from one compartment, and a blue from the other.
Sky Tablets, Hazuno used to call them.
Like giving them a cute name would make them taste any better.
But they stopped her from having a complete mental breakdown, so she guessed she really couldn't complain much.
She swallowed with a big gulp of water from the jug in the middle of the table, glancing around at the 'Terrace Cafe'.
One wall side was completely exposed to world outside, pillars forming arches like many doorways, showing the little garden area with little bridge walkways over shallow water decorations built straight into the stone floor. Green bushes sprung up in rows, framing the paths in pretty roses and daisies that had not yet succumbed to the Autumn weather.
Evergreens and trees dotted with yellow leaves filled the area, benches and stone blocks used for seating sat underneath by their shaded roots.
A weak Sun broke through the cloud, reflecting off the water.
Yuka's breath hitched.
The amount of money these kids parents must have coughed up was ridiculous to even think about.
"I heard it wasn't just Yuki in the Dorm with Kaname. Hanna said another girl was there too!"
The hushed voice from the inward stream of the girls finally coming to breakfast told Yuka it was time to go.
It was unnerving, she mused as she slung her satchel over her shoulder, how fast news travelled. Hell, there wasn't even anyone else in the dormitory that night.
Honestly, it could almost impressive. If it wasn't so down right scary.
...
Yuka clipped her riding helmet to her bag strap, letting it dangle heavily as she picked up her riding boots and trousers.
A timetable had been taped to the back of her Dorm room door, with a note from Yuki apologising that she had missed her.
She unfolded the paper again, double checking the class for half the day was, in fact, Equestrian Studies.
She quirked the smallest of smiles. She was, for a moment, incredibly happy with her scholarship. No maths class? Oh man, sign her up.
Yuka was happy to find the Sun Dorm population and filtered down over her breakfast period, and didn't have to endure any more screaming girls on the descent down the stairs to the first floor.
Yuka yawned, cursing the early start of the day. She caught her reflection in the large window opposite the stairs, hair dropping in dark falls over blue eyes.
She didn't have naturally dark hair. She'd dyed it since she had started highschool. Brown hair never made you stand out, did it?
And she needed to stand out. Become more than the girl with Nightmares -for no one other than herself.
Yuka watched her reflection disappear below the window ledge as she reached the last steps, heading out the door with boots and trousers In hand.
...
She had found the stables with relative ease, having followed the signs through the campus and out the back into orchard fields.
She heard the horses before she saw them.
Steel shoes clapping on stone paths. The snort of air through powerful nostrils as they batted hooves impatiently on the floor.
The scent hit her next as she rounded the corner, two small barns and one large holding pen coming into view.
The strong musk of moisture generated by heat, the overtly sweet old hay.
She peeked through the open windows of the Main holding pen, the far walls lined with about seven horses, each a different breed, and a gaggle of students in the middle listening to a pinched-face teacher - who looked far too old to be riding horses.
Yuka slipped into the barn, satchel in front of her as she gave a quick apology for being late.
The teacher gave a quick look to her school attite, noting the clothing in her arms. She smiled sweetly.
"First timers don't get to jump straight on my horses, dear. You earn their respect first, let alone mine."
Yuka felt her teeth grind against each other as a prickle set into her skin. She had never been demanded respect from someone she had never met before - after Apologising, on top of that. Sheer nerve.
Yuka sucked air through her teeth, telling herself to pick her battles.
"Should I go then?"
The old bag of a teacher shook her head, folding arms delicately.
"Definitely not. I have a bunch of jobs you can do around here."
She clapped her hands, and the other students scrambled their helmets on their heads. Two boys, four girls.
Most looked older than Yuka, save one girl who looked around the same age. Light hair tied into bunches on each side of her head.
They pushed past her on the way out from the barn, kicking dust and hay up in their wake.
Yuka coughed lightly, flailing her hand before her face to clear some air.
"Yuka I assume, yes? The scholarship winner? Hmm, yes. I was warned." The teacher had a thick accent that bled through her words, and Yuka spent a moment decoding each syllable as she picked her riding crop from leaning against the barn wall, and Yuka got the sudden ridiculous idea this strange old lady was going to strike her with it.
"My name is Natalia Loweska. I won many a tournament and a few titles in my day. This academy has instructed me to mold the new generation in my wake. This is not fun and games, my dear. This will be your Hell."
Loweska perked a dark eyebrow, and Yuka felt frost creep through her spine.
Yikes.
Yuka nodded dumbly as Loweska passed her a box full of grooming equipment and a shovel.
"Get to work."
She swished out the door with a bustle of Bad perfume, ammonia, hair and more hip than Yuka wanted to see on anyone, and held back the urge to gag. Old ladies trying to be pretty.
Tragic, honestly.
She was a firm believer in once your wrinkles had set into your face like fault lines it was time to hang up the make up for the apron, lipstick for the cookies.
If not for yourself, then for everyone who had to look at you.
Yuka looked into the wooden box in her arms, before over at the large chestnut mare on the other side of the room.
It wasn't so bad. She was looking forward to riding, but she wasn't like these rich kids. She actually had to do her own stable work at her club.
She wasn't afraid of dirt.
Yuka pulled the brush through the brown glistening coat before her, stroking the horses neck as she went. She hummed to herself, regretting now not bringing her trusty iPod.
She could hear Loweska barking orders and the riding students. Trot here, canter there - but Yuka's mind was somewhere else entirely.
It happened frequently around Horses. Her mind would wander as she brushed the dust and powder from their coats, letting the oils distribute through the short hair until it shone.
She thought of home, of the club where they would play and throw water over each other in the summer. The horses with their little quirks, riding them around the fields as they raced.
Their instructor never liked it, of course. But that never stopped them. Not much ever did.
She patted the mare's back affectionately, getting a snort in return as the beast shifted her weight. Yuka bent down, taking the blunt pick from the box as she set to work removing mud and dirt from her Hooves.
"You're such a pretty thing." Yuka mused as she delicately dug out the dirt The horse shook her head, mane fluttering in a dark cascade as she kept her hoof still.
"Glad you agree." She mused, giving another loving stroke.
Yuka had always had a way with horses. She never wanted to big herself up about it, but they understood each other.
Sure, there was always the odd case where one would absolutely loath her, but they were rare enough to make her feel some special connection.
Even now, sitting in the stall with the chestnut mare (who she had discovered was named Sally. Odd name.), She hugged her knees - watching Sally as she watched her back. Eyes made of black glass. Abyssial and tempting with secrets and deeper understanding.
Yuka shook herself. You're being weird again, Yuka.
Sally mimicked her, her soft mane flicking in every direction.
Yuka smiled. She would be sad to move to the next horse, but Loweska would be coming back soon with the Preppers. Which, she thought as she collected her grooming box, was a very good name for them.
...
Having decided she should definitely both write down the name 'Preppers' and begin to use it with smart witted terminology, she turned her attention to the next horse in the pen over. Separated by a wooden oak bottom and intricate steel bars on the top, the pens were huge for one horse each. With enough room for three horses, huge.
She set the box down, eyeing over the male white before her.
He was huge, at least 19 hands high. Yuka also had no idea what breed this was.
She set before him with her brush, trying to read the imprinted name on his bridle.
"Prince. Of course it is, silly me for asking."
Yuka rolled her eyes. Prince.
She set the brush against the snow fur, pulling it down softly as Prince gave a grunt.
Prince, she discovered, was far less inviting than Sally. He stepped inpatiently, annoyed at the fussing when he had been saddled up. Yuka felt the exact same way. Having been looking forward to riding and then not getting to feel that wind was torture.
The other five horses were also not so accommodating.
Russ, the dark haired Bavarian had tried to take a bite of her as she tightened the braids in his mane.
By the end of four horses, she was scraggly, dirty, covered in pine dust and smelling like poop. Poop!
She dropped the brush in the water angrily, huffing hair from her face.
What, rich kids don't have to look after their own horses?
She brushed her hands down her powered-white uniform, frowning as she noticed the sixth stall was empty.
The saddle and gear were still hanging on the Pen wall.
Yuka glanced around.
She couldn't have lost a horse. She would have heard a horse leave.
Unless it didn't have shoes.
Yuka glanced at her feet, and the heavily dusted and hay ridden floor.
Oh God's, she's lost a horse.
She felt a bubble of panic rise in her throat, swallowing hard.
No, no. She didn't open the Pen gate. She didn't lose anything. One of the others must have it.
Yuka twisted to see out of the nearest window, to the shadowed figures of man and beast riding in early afternoon light.
She should go ask.
Her knees almost buckled at the idea.
She should go ask.
...
...
Kaname Kuran leant against his dorm wall, Ruka standing at the doorway with folded arms.
"Kaname, I don't like this. I don't like how quiet you have become."
The Pureblood said nothing, closed to the world.
He could feel her.
He could feel her even now, almost two miles away from the Moon Dormitory.
If he closed his eyes, he could feel as she - fingers brushing against warm fur, the air humid with beasts, the dark glass of eyes.
"Kaname, please, answer me."
In truth, he hadn't been listening. It didn't matter, he knew of Ruka's true intention of visit even though she rattled on.
The thought of that girl made his head disconnect - breathing air at ten thousand feet.
Connecting with her was disconcerting.
"You look pale. Your completion is slipping."
Kaname held his smirk. There is was. There was the offer so many were so quick to make. Such a taboo to offer, and yet this noble blooded girl was bending the knee like a dying man needed a priest.
He shifted off the wall, willing the door behind Ruka to close.
Ruka wasn't startled, merely peering over her shoulder as the wood clicked into place.
"K-Kaname.."
He wasn't in the mood for her. He wasn't in the mood for endless formalities, of offerings, of pleasantries, of the damned Night Class.
For the first time since this idea was put into motion, he was beginning to regret it.
He made a promise to not regret.
The familiar deep set itch kicked in, and he knew by the raised eyebrows of Ruka that he wasn't hiding his eyes very well. Part of him was glad. The silent side, the predator.
See the eyes of the Pureblooded.
She opened her mouth again to speak, but he covered it with his palm. She made some noise, but he was too far gone for that.
He pushed her, falling with her as Ruka's back hit the wall. He inhaled, trying to rid his head of blue. All he could see was blue.
Ruka instinctively moved her head to the side, baring her neck.
He had resisted before. Resisted for Yuki. Resisted for his Yuki.
It didn't matter anymore. He had been refusing water in a desert for a prize that was going to change. Everything was to change.
He ran his bottom lip over the delicate flesh.
Oh, how he could have his fill. This girl was no human, she would not break as easily, she would bleed far further. The crimson essence was not as pure as that of a human, but could sate a deep thirst he was all too aware of.
Ruka closed her eyes, mewling into his palm, hands holding his shoulders.
They were powerless to disobey, but he doubted this was average compulsion.
He bared fangs, fingers from one hand digging into delicate bones, the other crushing wall. He would have her. He would claim her.
Ruka pushed against him encouragingly.
He rested teeth against the pulsing of her flesh. His body called for release. The animal begged to unlock the cage.
He snarled, dropping her.
"Leave."
He would have her.
...
...
"What do you mean, Lily is gone?!"
Yuka grimaced against the high pitch squeal of a tall girl who was wearing matching riding gear in pink with lilac lace trimmed over gold.
Seriously. Pick riding gear with lilac lace trimmed over gold.
Loweska arched an eyebrow.
"Now, Now, Harriet. Calm yourself."
Yuka clenched her fists at her sides.
"No, the Pen was already open - I came to see if anyone was riding Six."
"Her name is Lily, And you lost her!"
Yuka resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. Or just punch Harriet's.
"Lily was gone when I arrived. I didn't let her out."
She couldn't believe the horse was called Lily. What next, Prancer...?
Sally, Prince, Lily... some people shouldn't be allowed naming privileges.
"Are you even listening? Go find her!"
Yuka did a double take, looking to Loweska back to the hysterical teen.
"But he's your horse! You should find her if you've somehow misplaced her."
Harriet let out a sob, pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing her mascara smudged eyes. Her friend patted her shoulder, looking a little awkward herself.
"My mother donates to this school every year on top of my tuition. So, so, listen here you little cretin! You find my baby, or i'll have your scholarship revoked!"
It was like a kick to the chest. By Lily.
Yuka looked to Loweska, stunned. Surely, surely this woman had some sense to say something.
"Yuka, I suggest you find Lily."
She had clearly misjudged the power of adult intervention.
Yuka opened and closed her mouth about seven times, trying to find both the words and air to tell this stuck up bitch exactly where to go shove her mother. Well, in more eloquent wording.
But she wanted the scholarship. Even if this crazy crying Prepper - it was such a good word - was making empty threats, how much could she trust that intuition? Pick and choose battles, Yuka.
She turned on her heel, jogging back to the main Stable, before making her way down the path to the Orchard Field.
...
It had been about an hour, by the height and heat of the early autumn Sun - and Yuka walked through the fields like she was on death row. Like an idiot she stumbled through long grass, short grass, Apple ridden grass - twisting her ankle and falling in her face a good few times (but we don't have to mention that) but still no sign of Lily. Yuka huffed, folding her arms as she gazed upwards into cloud dotted skies.
She was getting hungry. It must be nearing lunch break.
Her stomach gave a growl.
She hoped it would be soon, anyway.
God's above, that girl was going to kill her if she didn't find Lily.
She'd been walking in what seemed like circles, but she hadnt made any progress.
Stupid peppers and their fear of anything that may involve them doing any work.
Loweska would not take it easy on her if she returned without this damned horse.
She turned around, the peaks of Cross Academy showing over the tall tree line. Windows caught the sun and blinded her sight. She winced, turning away as she began trudging further on her quest.
She didn't see the point. That class would be over soon, and they may have left already. Yuka stretched, following the bend of the field around into a new clearing.
She stifled a yawn, rubbing her head as a shadow came into view.
A fast moving silhouette.
Four legs, tails and a long nose.
Lily!
Yuka could have cried with happiness, breaking into a run after the galloping horse.
"Hey! Hey, stop!"
The horse could only be Lily, the others were either being ridden or in their pens - and this one had a rider.
The horse turned, pausing for a moment before beginning a trot.
"Stop! I need that horse!'
Yuka came closer, the gleaming white coat of the mare coming into focus. The Rider looked like a guy, no helmet and she couldn't see any saddle on Lily. This guy was riding bare, only basic reigns adorned the horses neck.
She waved her hands.
"Hey! For God's sake - Stop!"
They stopped alright.
The Rider looked over in her direction, an wearing catching the sun as the white horse staggered at the sudden pull on her reigns.
Yuka drew close, and Lily gave a shudder, raising onto her hind legs. She kicked, giving a cry as she tried to back away from the girl.
Yuka skidded to a halt, tripping over herself as she scuffles backwards away from the panicked horse.
Her behind was softened by the grass as she fell, but the horse kept her front legs kicking, screaming.
Yuka yelped, pulling herself away whilst not daring to turn her back on the beast. The screaming made her heart stop.
"Lily!"
It was the guy on her back, clinging onto her neck and stroking it at the same time.
"Lily, calm down."
Yuka barely heard the silver haired voice, but Lily immediately stopped, snorting out of her nose hard in anxiety. Yuka stood on shaking legs.
She opened her mouth, but all air was taken from her lungs.
The silver haired student glared, and Yuka felt a dagger go through her chest. Christ. This guy was scary.
"What do you think you're doing, running up to a horse?"
His voice was like ice.
"I...I...I, uhm .."
She'd lost words. This guys face was like stone.
"Do you have a death wish, or are you just stupid? You could have hurt Lily by your own Moronic behaviour."
Yuka's jaw set. Ah, there was her voice.
"What the hell is your problem? You were the one who stole the bloody thing in the first place!"
The guy turned his chin away, eyes closing.
"Come on Lily, let's take you back."
Yuka blinked hard as the guy turned the startled mare away, galloping back toward the stables.
"H-hey!"
She called after him, but he didn't answer.
Yuka rubbed her head, running fingers down her face. They came away wet.
Tears.
She never cried.
Yuka scrunched her face against her sleeve.
A horse had never screamed at her before. Even when she had run at them. The noise had rattled something in her.
Shook her bones.
She sniffed, wiping her eyes hard.
Get a grip, Yuka.
She set off toward the stable, fists clenched as she bit down stupid tears.
...
...
"That Zero, taking Lily like that! He always does it!"
Yuka walked into the stables to Harriet's shrill tone, the tall girl rubbing Lilys nose. The horse clearly didn't care for it, but didn't complain as Harriet stuffed another carrot at her nose.
Zero. That must be the Silver Haired one's name.
"Thinks he can do anything he wants just because he's on that stupid committee!"
"What committee?"
Yuka hadnt realise the thought had escaped her mouth until she had already said it. Harriet turned with a daggered gaze.
Sheesh, she was getting so many of those looks today.
"Oh yeah, thanks for nothing Scholarship."
Yuka's eyebrow twitched. 'Scholarship'...?
Harriet turned back to Lily, her friend patting her arm.
"Silly commoners, can't even do their job correctly."
Commoner?! Yuka rolled a sleeve up, taking a step toward that prepper. A hand came down fast, And clamped on her shoulder hard.
Yuka glanced up, her anger fizzling at the sight of Loweska.
Her pruned face scrunched together.
"That will be all today, Yuka. Come tomorrow for morning class - and do not be late."
Yuka felt her blood boil as she picked up her bag.
...
It continued to boil all the way to the Terrace Cafe at the Sun Dormitory. Yuka had picked her lunch in a furious daze, and had sat down with a force of a super nova.
Some of the day class gave her confused looks as she slammed her tray onto the table, but she didn't care.
She picked you a sandwich and munched moodily.
By the time she finished her Apple, she had begun to feel a little better. She took slow bites, glad of her free period after the break. She could seek out the music rooms and see what her lessons would be like. Her fingers itched for some kind of musical release after this morning's fiasco.
She took a sip of her water, glancing around the emptying room.
This academy, she mused, had definitely given her what it was made of. And in under four hours. Impressive.
Her eyes switched to a giggle from the corner.
A petit girl, with shoulder length brown hair. A white armband on her arm.
Oh hell below, Yuki.
Yuka picked up her bag, ducking out of the Cafe as she saw Yuki begin to wave from the corner of her eyes.
She didn't want a reminder from last night. She was too stressed for that.
...
Yuki watched the new girl leave through the open planned cafe. She ducked under the wall pillars and out of sight into the garden, leaving a half eaten meal.
Yuki lowered her hand, her recent laughter with her best friend at her shoulder all forgotten.
She couldn't help but feel Yuka was avoiding her.
Maybe it was paranoia - most of the day class girls weren't to fond of her, but that was for other reasons entirely.
No, Yuka had definitely just made a break for it.
Had she noticed?
Yuki touched a finger to the plaster on her neck.
No, she couldn't have.
"Yuki...?"
Sayori pulled Yuki from her thoughts.
Yuki laughed, pulling her friend to a table.
"Sorry! Just daydreaming!"
Yuki spared one last gaze at the empty table before taking a large gulp of her Soup.
Just daydreaming.
...
...
I'll Also Show You A Sweet Dream - Next Night.
...
Hello everyone!
Very sorry about the Kate update here, I rewatched the entire anime and got some of the Manga to help my writing out a little.
Please let me know what you think! Feedback would be wonderful - thank you to everyone who has spared a moment so far, please continue to do so!
Please keep an eye out for the next chapter!
