LB: Hello everyone!
DFA: ELLOOOO!!!
LB: Don't worry, she's just high... No, it's not infectious, and yes, she'll stay high until Kaname and Ichijo manage to pin her down. (Author Bells turns to look at Kaname and Ichijo, tracking Author Dawn, who is now jumping up and down like a pogo stick. Author Dawn jumps on Ichijo and bounces on his back. Ichijo runs around in circles, screaming bloody murder. Kaname becomes terrified and runs away) And it looks like I'll have to pin her down, because Sir Coward has run away... Until then, please enjoy!
DFA: YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME!!! AHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Please leave reviews.
Chapter 9: Conversations
Everything was white. It was cold, too. Snow fell from the sky, settling gently on me as I ran at a quick, steady pace, my heart filled with dread and my ears ringing loudly. My breath came in quick pants, and I raised my head to glare at the sinking moon.
I took in a deep breath, and caught his scent. I turned that way and ran forward again.
There was a strange, lead-like weight in my chest, like I was about to lose something that I really loved.
He cannot die.
--
I woke up in a strange place, on a strange bed, but the scent was not strange to me.
No, the scent was one my brain will remember forever.
I opened my eyes and looked straight at the man who I have chosen to be with.
Takuma smiled down at me, looking relieved that I was actually alive. I ignored that, and my eyes drifted to his jugular. Unconsciously, one hand rose and stroked the vein tenderly. I felt my fangs lengthen and venom filled my mouth.
Wait, fangs and venom?
I turned and looked out the window.
Yep, it was dark.
"You're thirsty."
"Thank you, Mr. Obvious," I replied sarcastically, sitting up and looking at him. He grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes before hopping out of the bed.
"Wait, where're you going?" he demanded, suddenly beside me.
"Out. I need to hunt, and I'd prefer you stay away until I do."
"You can't go out!" he cried. "You were just... I mean, three days ago, you..."
I sighed. "Yes, yes, I know. I was fatally injured and only just came around. But haven't you learned anything from being with me?"
"Umm... no?"
I snarled.
He chuckled, and pushed me down onto the bed. "Go rest," he told me. "I'll come back with a bunch of blood tablets and water. We can't take the risk for you to go hunting around here... you might bite the wrong person."
I blinked. "Why, what's wrong?"
"It's my birthday tomorrow," he replied. "All the vampires are coming here to celebrate, because I've – how do I put it? – 'graduated' from Cross Academy, with Kaname. Yuuki has been pulled out to be with him, and Seiren, Aido, Kain, Ruka, Rima and Shiki are ditching. They want to hear your story." Takuma grinned and kissed my forehead before bounding away.
"Wait!" I called after him, sitting up.
He stopped and turned around, a wary look in his eye. I assumed he knew what was coming.
"Where's..." I swallowed and tried again. "Where's Kanaye?"
A shadow crossed his face and he walked away.
"Takuma!" I yelled after him. He didn't turn around.
A few seconds later, Kanaye walked in, his eyes guarded and his expression blank.
"What is it, Imouto-chan?"
His voice sent waves of relief to me. I was afraid that he'd killed himself already for what he did to me, but no, he was fine.
"Of course I am."
I sighed. "Get out of my head already, will you?"
He didn't smile.
I stared at him. "Are you mad at me?"
He seemed startled at that prospect. "No. Why would I be?"
I avoided his gaze as I answered. "Well... I chose him... over you. I thought you'll be tearing down these walls and yelling at me to take you back. To be with you, always." I raised my eyes to meet his.
Now he averted his gaze.
"You chose him. I cannot do anything against your will, because..." he broke off, and turned away. He was gone before I even formed his name in my mouth.
Takuma came back, holding a glass of water and a box of Blood Tablets. I sniffed the air warily as he opened the box and dropped three tablets inside. It smelled a little like blood... but it wasn't so enticing.
He handed me the glass and I took it, eyeing it. Cautiously, I took one sip, and almost had to spit it back out again.
On the contrary, I swallowed it in and pulled a face.
Takuma laughed. "Takes some getting used to, but we'll like you to use these from now on. You're too... how do I put it? Unpredictable. Right now, Rima, Shiki and Kain are trying to coax your brother to do the same."
I flinched quietly at the words 'your brother'.
"Sorry," Takuma mumbled.
I shook my head, and, taking a deep breath, downed the rest of the concoction, pulling another face as I did.
When I looked up, Kuran Kaname was staring at me, his sister peeking out from his side. She gave me a cheery wave. I acknowledged it with a small nod before staring back at Kaname.
"Umm..." Takuma looked back and forth between us, then walked out the door, saying that Aido probably needed help with the television set. He gave me a small smile as he passed. Yuuki darted after him.
"So," Kaname stated, as soon as Takuma was out of earshot.
"So," I echoed, my voice chiming after his deep one.
"A half-breed."
"What about half-breeds?" I asked warily.
Kaname smiled slightly. "Nothing. It just explains a lot, like how the Council has managed to kill so many strong vampires who displease them by themselves."
I cocked my head to one side and let the glow of my eyes increase, showing my confused feelings. I didn't reply to his words.
"Did you kill the Council Representative who was sent here?"
I smiled. I should probably show him how scary I can be. Maybe, just maybe, he'll send Takuma away from me, and that'll be better. I don't want to hurt any of these people. "Ah. Hiro. He came to give my brother and me a message... too bad I ate him before he could say a word."
If Kaname was surprised, he showed nothing.
"The innocent girl?"
My smile grew wider. "Aye. She tasted good... although Kanaye will enjoy it more. He prefers females, of course. Like all male vampires."
Kaname looked unimpressed.
"Did you kill Hanazono Sakura's best friend, causing the poor girl to stay awake each night, waiting for the two of you to come to her and drain her like you drained her father and his friends?"
I started, my eyes widening. "No. Maybe Kanaye..."
"No. He gave us his memories since the day he entered Cross Academy."
Why would Kanaye do that? Maybe he wants to lure them into a false sense of security...
My brother snorted. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I growled aloud, causing Kaname's eyes to widen slightly.
Get out of my head!!!
His chuckle faded away into silence.
"Do you want my memories?" I asked.
Kaname stared at me calmly before answering. "No. If Ichijo trusts you, then I do, too, as do all the vampires under my care."
I raised one eyebrow. "What if his trust is wrong? What if, right now, my brother and I are planning to destroy you? Maybe we've lured you and your darling sister here to destroy you, under the orders from the Council."
Kaname smirked. I snarled, and started to get up, only to fall back down when a wave a dizziness crossed me. Following the dizziness was a wave of nausea, and I clenched my fists, fighting it back. My ears rang loudly, and I was reminded of my dream.
"Don't fight."
This voice was not Kaname's anymore – it was Takuma's.
He laid a gentle hand on my head, and I was oddly comforted. It was like... having a parent again.
Only I've never loved my parents like I loved him.
"Takuma..." I breathed.
"Don't fight," he repeated. "Kaname had Ruka put something in the water to sedate you, in case you fainted or something, and started to trash like you did just now."
"I was moving?" I mumbled tiredly. The drugs must be setting in. What was a half-breed who can't even fight back sleeping drugs?
His lips moved, but the ringing in my ears became too much. My vision flickered, and I slipped quietly into unconsciousness.
(Author Dawn lies on the floor, wrapped in a Dawn-proof cloth, looking disgruntled as a triumphant Author Bells duct tapes her mouth)
DFA: Mmmph mm mmmmmph!!!
LB: Ichijo ran out halfway, so I had to do it alone... HAHHA GIRL POWER!!! (Author Dawn glares up at Author Bells and tries to worm away) Oh, no you don't! I don't have the energy to chase you around again. (turns to readers) Anyways, please review!!