Chapter 6: Saturday
I awoke the next morning with the feeling of fire engulfing my throat. Flames spewed up and down my esophagus, making for a "lovely" good morning. I let out a groan and rolled a bit left, trying to find a position where the pain wasn't as noticeable. It didn't work.
I completely opened my eyes and saw the true shine of the morning, light flooding in the window, birds outside chirping, the overall peacefulness of a Saturday morning. But sadly my vampire nature had other plans.
I threw myself into a standing position, grabbing my throat simultaneously. I clenched my teeth.
This was something I wasn't completely used to. When accompanied by Shizuka Hio and Ichiru, all I had to worry about was attacking Ichiru at moments of weakness like this. But Cross Academy was a whole different ball game. It was filled with humans, and to add to it, hunters. It was probably the worst situation I've been in so far.
I held my throat as I stood there, completely unaware of what to do. I tried to steady my breathing, but it just got more and more ragged as time progressed. I needed help, but who could I call that I wouldn't hurt? There were too many humans. Too many risks.
I tried to step towards the door but felt to much pain and decided to take a seat. I picked under the window, which was adjacent to my bed and directly in front of the door. I collapsed into a sitting position, bending my legs into my chest for comfort. I tried to focus on the light shining onto the hardwood floor as I now used both hands to hold my neck.
The fire began to spread, now reaching my lungs, stomach, and the wound that had engulfed my stomach not to long ago. I could clearly feel that it was healed now, but the price I payed was clear.
My body began jolting forward, but I held my ground and stayed sitting. I thought about calling Zero at this point, he was a vampire and a hunter, which means he would either know a way to help me through this or kill me on the spot. In all honestly both seemed better than losing control.
It was one of my fears. Losing my mind while being stuck in my body, helpless, witnessing the damage a monster could cause. It was the most painful thing anyone could go through. Becoming a Level-E was the one thing I feared the most, it even overcame my fear of Purebloods when it came down to it.
"Z-Z-Zero-!" I tried to call out. My voice was scratchy, but still pretty loud. There was a good chance someone heard it, but then again who was in the house? He lived in the boys dorms as a student, why would he be here this early?
Minutes passed and no one arrived. I tried to stay calm but couldn't, the pain was excruciating. I grabbed the side of my hair in agony and frustration. In addition I found myself biting my lip, trying not to lose control. I could get through this. I just needed something to distract me from the pain. From the lust for blood.
I began to put my focus on other things, specifically the paintings that I used to work on with my mother. It always helped me get through tough times like this one. I thought about mixing colors to find the perfect shade for our portraits. I thought about sketching out the design lightly on the canvas. I could feel my muscles relax slightly, but the fire still burned on.
Just as I was getting a grip on things the door opened. The Headmaster barged in with Yuki at his side. I looked up at them with my glowing red eyes and messy hair. Their eyes grew huge at the sight of me, their smiles quickly disappearing. Yuki froze, unsure of what to do. She just stared straight into my glowing orbs, mesmerized by them. "I'm so-rry," I stuttered, trying to apologize for the trouble I've caused. The Headmaster immediately whispered something to Yuki and ushered her out. She retreated from the room as ordered. He then shut the door and approached me.
I sat still on the floor, gripping my neck and now the bottom of my shirt.
"Don't!" I cried out at him. He couldn't come near me. I didn't want to hurt him. I slammed my head back onto the wall. "P-please g-go-!" I tried again, ending the sentence with a cry of distress.
Headmaster Cross kept advancing towards me, ignoring my wish. I could handle this if he would just leave. I shut my eyes again and tried to focus on anything but his heart beat. With every step closer I felt worse and worse. He needed to back up before I lost it.
The door opened again and my eyes shot up at the aura of a vampire. I saw Zero standing in the doorway with a glass of water in hand. His lilac eyes looked concerned, but he kept his free hand near the middle of his jacket. It was where he kept his gun.
"Thank you, Son." Cross told him. Zero handed him the glass and stared at me, trying to decide whether to exit or not. He stepped back near the door again, obviously finding difficulty in this decision. I wanted him to leave more than anything, but couldn't get the words out. The fire was spreading faster and faster and I could hear Yuki's heart beating across the house. I wanted it. I wanted her.
"Akane." Cross began. "Look at me." I shut my eyes in response. I couldn't look at him, I might lose it if I did. I let out low moans in response to him. Leave.
"Akane." He said once again. He moved closer and I couldn't help but open my eyes. I slowly looked up, trying to keep eye contact with him. Trying to avoid his neck. But I faltered and my eyes dropped to it for a split second. I shut my eyes again as the thought of blood made me jolt. I cried out again and covered my face.
It was such a disgusting thing to want. It was wanting the life in someone for yourself. What a selfish way to live.
"Akane, this will help. I dissolved some tablets into this water, please take it."
I attempted to slow my breathing once again as I moved my hands away from my face. I noticed the water was now red. What kind of tablets made water red? What kind helped vampires?
I tried to reach my shakey hand out. It took a moment, but I soon felt the cool glass touch my hand. I brought it down to my mouth without hesitation and chugged, the ache clouding my judgement. In a couple of seconds the glass was empty, and I let it drop to the ground, thankfully not breaking given I was sitting on the floor. The substance didn't in any way resemble something satisfying. It tasted like dirt in a liquid form.
The pain crept away, and by the 10 minute mark it was completely gone. I opened my eyes, my body still shaking from the attack. I saw the Headmaster sitting across from me with a small smile plastering his face. Like he was sort of proud of me for making it.
"Thank you." I whispered, looking down at the floor. My throat was sore from the fight. I began to play with the bottom of my black pajama tank top, another nervous habit.
"Anytime." He smiled, picking up the glass.
I looked behind him and noticed Zero had left, at what point I had no idea.
"What...what did I just drink?" I asked. Cross thought about the answer for a second.
"They are tablets developed by the Night Class to keep back thirst, Blood Tablets. They are like a replacement for blood. You just dissolve them in water." He pulled a small red and black box out of his pocket and handed it to me. I slid the top of the box to the side to find it full of circular white pills. I shut it and looked up at him. "You can use these whenever you need, but if you start using them more than once a day you should come see me. That could indicate a problem."
I looked up at the blonde man, he reminded me of my father the way he spoke. "Thank you," I muttered to him. I stood up slowly, tired from what had just occurred. I couldn't help but shake on the way up. The Headmaster did the same thing, except with more strength. He turned to leave when he hesitated at the doorway.
"Oh Akane," he said with a goofy smile on his face. "Remember you said you would go shopping to get some adorable clothes with Yuki and Zero today!"
My jaw dropped at his words. "Are you crazy-!" I started.
"A promise is a promise!" He cried out. Then he ran off, like a child playing a game. All I could do was get ready for a day out on the town.
The Headmaster had been gracious enough to allow me a few hours of rest between my little attack and the trip into town, but sadly it didn't feel like long. Yuki had come in my room and woken me from my nap with a sweet smile, but I was too exhausted to smile back. My head weighed a ton, and it seemed that only time was making it feel better.
We found ourselves walking into the beautiful town. The area mimicked old charm, though the shops inside the buildings were modern and fresh.
"Where do you want to go first, Akane?" Yuki asked. I looked at her and then Zero. He had been silent through this whole outing, making things awkward to the highest degree. Did he think less of me because of what happened earlier?
I continued to look down, forgetting to answer. "Akane? Are you okay?" She tried again, a concerned look covering her face.
I quickly shot my head up and straightened my navy white skirt. "Oh. Yeah I'm fine. Sorry, I just zoned out a bit." I explained. "What stores do you recommend?"
Yuki smiled and put her finger to her temple. "Hmmm." She thought. She began studying what I was wearing, a white skirt with a black lace top, another outfit picked by the Headmaster. "Well your style seems like it would match this place right down the block." She decided. Yuki wore a pink sundress with bright flowers on it. Our styles were a bit different I suppose. I noticed Zero had the same thing on as the other day, a pair of jeans and a T-Shirt. I suppose he went for comfort above all else.
"Lead the way." I encouraged Yuki with a smile. She did so, walking us down the busy street and to the right. We found ourselves in what looked like the center of town, a huge building standing tall and an elegant fountain accessorizing the front. The water ran in a calming way while small children ran around and tossed coins into the water.
"Wow, this place is beautiful." I told Yuki as I followed.
"Yeah," She started. "They keep this part of town nice." This part of town? Was there a bad part? Yuki held the shop door open and Zero and I entered. Within an hour Yuki and I had checked every rack top to bottom. We found a decent amount of outfits and Yuki used a card the Headmaster gave her to pay.
"Your father is awfully big-hearted for doing this for me. I don't know what to say." I told Yuki. It was true, this was such an amazing thing he did. Not only did he take me in, even if forcibly, but he also gave me the resources I needed.
Yuki grinned at the thought. "Yeah, he's always doing stuff like that. Ever since the Headmaster took me in at a young age he has been so caring. It's in his nature." Out of the corner of my eye I even noticed Zero giving off the smallest smile. I guess he couldn't help but think of some good when Kaien Cross came to mind.
"Okay!" Yuki announced. "It's time for dinner! I know this amazing cafe." She marched away again and Zero and I followed behind her, walking next to each other for the first time today.
I couldn't deal with this silence anymore, it was deafening. "Hi." I let out, looking up at Zero. He looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Hello." He responded.
I frowned but decided not to give up. "You've been quiet. Are you okay?"
Zero looked at me, his face blank. He slowed down a bit. "Are you?" He questioned.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I demanded.
"You know exactly what that means. I'm not trying to be rude, not this time anyways." He corrected. I tried to lighten up a little bit. I guess this was the way Zero acted concerned, even if he was horrible at it.
"Oh," I stuttered. "Well I'm fine. You didn't have to bring that up you know. It doesn't matter."
"Whatever." He shrugged. "Thats the last time I'll give a damn." Then he picked up his pace again. I followed, cursing myself for being such a jerk to Zero when he was actually trying for once. I had been doing so well with befriending Yuki today, but I suppose Zero was just too different from her. We couldn't bond over clothes or common interest. The only thing that we could talk about was Ichiru and Shizuka, and that seemed like his only interest. In my case, it was the only thing I didn't want to talk about.
But I guess in the end it didn't matter. I would be out of here as soon as possible, running from my cruel fate like before.
Before we knew it we were all sitting in a booth at the cafe Yuki was talking about. Her and I sat on one side of the booth while Zero sat on the other with the shopping bags. We browsed the menu silently. I finally felt the full effects of exhaustion wash over me, though thankfully my headache was gone. I decided on a half cut cuban sandwich. Our waitress, a teen with short red curly hair, approached our table. "What can I get ya?" She asked with a smile.
"Uhm, I'll take a caesar salad and a Pepsi, please." Stated Yuki. The waitress nodded and turned to Zero. "And for ya-. Hey, ya' look familiar. Ya' come here a lot? Or do ya' live in the area." She asked him.
Zero was about to answer, but before he could Yuki jumped in. "We all go to the school around here, Cross Academy." She smiled. At her words the waitress' eyes light up. "Cross Academy?!" She began. "Ya' mean like the school with the night class?! I love them!" She cried, swinging her arms as she spoke. The teen was beaming now, completely forgetting to take the rest of our orders.
I looked over at Zero, who never seemed angrier. "Well?!" The red head started again. "Ya' know them?! Do ya?!" At her question Zero got up and stormed out of the restaurant, making a couple people stare. "Zero!" Yuki called after him, trying to move around me to get out of the booth.
"It's okay Yuki, you stay here, I'll go get him." I promised. I left the restaurant in pursuit, turning left like Zero had just moments ago. I walked down the unfamiliar streets keeping my eyes peeled for a silver haired boy. How stupid could Zero be, pulling this crap? He should have just sucked it up and answered that delusional waitress himself. Then we wouldn't be in this mess.
After about ten minutes of walking around aimlessly the sun began to set, casting an orange and pink glow on the buildings. I had taken a few other turns and now found myself lost, no one around to help. The old styled buildings now clashed together, all looking the same and making this harder than ever. "Zero!" I called out in frustration. This little stunt was so inconsiderate.
In the distance I heard the sound of something crashing, and decided to follow the sound. It lead me to a narrow alley way in between an abandoned bakery and an apartment building. After turning down a random alleyway I found Zero there, having a stare off with a red eyed vampire.
A level-E. I quickly grabbed a knife from the holster under my skirt, going into a guard stance. Zero just stood there, gun pointed at the monster, the beast frozen as well.
The former human was a man, probably in his early twenties. He had dark brown hair that was covered in dirt and blood. He wore a torn and stained blue jacket and black jeans. He was shaking where he stood, like he was having trouble just standing there. He was probably to mad to even hold a conversation like a decent person.
Zero's eyes kept jumping from me to the monster. "Who's this?" The man teased, gesturing me. His voice was raspy and broken up. Blood even dripped from the corner of his sadistic smile.
What was Zero waiting for. He needed to shoot him before he was on the move again. "Zero," I pleaded. I kept my stance and gripped my knife till my hand was the color of an apple. "Shoot him. Now."
Zero grunted. "Shut up." He ordered me. His lilac eyes kept jumping between us like he was deciding who to shoot. At one moment I thought he was going to shoot himself.
"Zero." I tried again. Zero looked at me, and faster than a flash a of light the vampire moved towards him. He charged Zero, tackling him to the ground.
Zero and the beast rolled around in the cobblestone alley fighting for dominance. One moment the level-E was on top, the next Zero. It was nerve racking. I held my knife up in a throwing position, couldn't get a good shot. They were both moving as one big blob, kicking the crap out of each other on the cobblestone ground.
"Zero!" I cried out, the worst possibilities coming to mind. "Get him on top so I can get a shot!" At my words Zero did the opposite. I saw him use all his strength to slam the monster to the left of their battle. He then stuck his knee in his gut and pointed the gun at his head. After a second of hesitation, Zero looked away and shot the creature.
It's wailed cry rang through the air as the glowing eyed man turned to black dust. The wind began to scatter the remains of the poor soul. I slowly lowered my knife back into its holster, now actually considering the depth of the situation.
Zero couldn't pull the trigger. I thought he was a hunter, what the hell?
Zero slowly approached me. He towered over me where we stood. "You're not supposed to be out alone you idiot." He commented. All I did was frown in response. There was nothing I could say to Zero at the moment that wouldn't offend him, but I took the chance in the end anyways.
After seconds of silence I decided on what to say. "Why didn't you take the shot when you first had the chance?" I made the question as innocent as possible, not wanting to offend him.
Zero was silent as he brushed past me and lead the way back to the main road. "Thats none of your business." He told me. I stared at Zero as we walked back into the shopping district. Was he afraid of killing th level-E? Maybe he saw the obvious, what every former human saw. Their future.
Though my knowledge on vampires was limited, everyone knew one simple fact. If you were a former human you will drop to level-E one day. You would become a bloodthirsty maniac, unable to control your own actions. And the worst part of it all is, at that point, you'll be praying for a hunter to kill you. Just to escape it all.
"I understand, I guess." I spoke. "It's hard not to look at them like that I guess." Zero raised his eyebrows. "Like what?" He wondered. I noticed we had slowed down from walking a little bit, focusing more on the conversation now. I didn't know what to tell Zero.
I didn't want him to get upset and storm off again. I thought he would just take what I said in his own way. "I don't know, Zero. Like," I began stumbling over my words. "Zero, if I know one thing it's that when I saw that level-E I felt sympathy for him. But I also felt sympathy for myself." I began to whisper the words now, unable to say them with full force. "Zero, to me it's like a look into the future. Into the unavoidable. And I think you saw it that way too. Bu-"
Zero cut off in front of me and looked me directly in the eyes. His eyes were remarkable, shining off the full moon. "You don't know shit about me." He forcefully corrected. He turned and walked into the cafe that I hadn't even noticed we were outside of. I looked inside through the window and saw Yuki jump up and hug Zero, only to punch him after. Zero grabbed the shopping bags and began to walk out, Yuki protesting while following.
As the door opened Their conversation filled my ears. "Oh Zero! You're so mean!" She cried. Zero simply kept walking, not in the mood for Yuki's antics, obviously. "Let's go," he grumbled as he walked past me. I did as I was told and went.
After the walk back to the academy Zero walked Yuki and I to the Headmaster's campus home and then left immediately. Headmaster Cross emerged from the kitchen as we walked in. "Hello!" He welcomed arms open. Neither Yuki or I fulfilled his wish for a hug, which was upsetting to him. The Headmaster then began going through all my bags, announcing how cute all the clothes were and even at one point hugging me. I thanked him over and over again for his hospitality and then retreated to my temporary bedroom, needing some space.
I was probably in the room for a good 3 minutes before I climbed out the window. I had always had nights like this, even when I was happy. Nights that I would just wander around and then find my way back to where I started. It was comforting for some odd reason.
This time I went left, losing myself in a whole new set of woods that looked exactly the same as all the rest. The full moon shimmered down, making me smile at the sight.
I had always found that funny. Not the moon, the fact that even though my life could be complete crap at the moment the moon would still crawl out at night and the sun would still wake me up in the morning. It's like when you're listening to music and something bad happened, but the music still plays. It doesn't know of the horrible event that just occurred. It doesn't know about all your troubles. It just keeps doing what it's supposed to do, and that's be heard.
My mind was so occupied with this one thought that I didn't even notice where I had found myself. A barn. It was painted white and red, traditionally. The door on the front had a small crack open, like someone had recently been there. I looked around, seeing no sign of anyone. What was a barn doing on campus anyways?
I decided to enter, not about to let an adventure slip through my hands. I opened the door and entered. The barn was silent except for the breathing of animals. I walked to the left and found a white horse. It's coat was beautiful, healthy looking even without proper light. The horse let off a soft noise as I approached. I reached my hand out to give it a pet when, out of nowhere, I was thrown to the barn floor.
Hello! I spent all week working on this chapter, so I hope you all enjoy it! I will be volunteering a lot now that school it back, so if I'm late a day or two here and there please don't hate me! It's for a good cause I promise. Anyways, this chapter was the "long" length I have been aiming for since the beginning, so thank you so much for the review about the length of the chapter. Thank you for the reviews in general! Though there have only been a few, I still truly appreciate people taking the time to say something about this story. So review if you can! I love input, I feel like it makes me a better writer. Maybe I'll start putting a question every update for you guys to answer about the story? It'll be completely opinion based of course. I might do that next update. :)
Thank you immensely for looking at my words! Have a lovely day!