Sat. back in action. Now before you guys, the few that read this, get mad at me I have a very good reason for not updating, besides being lazy. My laptop of ten year, Howard, died recently and I had to wait to get another. This chapter is dedicated to Howard for putting up with all my shit and loading all my chapters and to Howard the Second, may this one last just as long. Work is really kicking my ass and I'm forced to be cheerful all the time…not in my system. Also, in chapter nine, it was Rena that was supposed to call Kaitlin. I can't go back in fix it, because I don't have the chapter with me anymore…sad, yes? Anyway, it's funny how you start writing chapters and don't expect things in them. I've had this one running over in my mind, but I'll probably get something that is unexpected. Note: the length is about 31 pages! Right, I own nothing that's familiar, but I wish I owned some of it (Zero). On wards!
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Chapter 11: Caught in the middle
Ana
I snap the phone shut with a worn sigh. Angelica just called me about Sarah's run in with the past and the compromise made. Leaning on my knees, my hands run through my hair. This is getting out of hand. Perhaps we should leave the school. It may be better for everyone in the end. I don't know right now. I'm done with my towns, but I know she still has two towns before she gets back to school. Even still, there is a good deal of distance between here and the school. The forest around me chirps and chatters, trying to help me drown my guilt out. Poor girl's having a bad day. I wish I was there to comfort my friend. Wonderful timing, isn't it? Glancing at the time on my phone, I sling my instrument case on my back. She would kill me if I came back too early. It's amazing how a group of extremely independent girls are so close knit that each one worries about each other. If I did return to the school before sundown, and it's possible despite the distance between here and there, she'd yell at me for shirking my job and wasting energy. After that she'd spout how she doesn't need to be taken care off when more important things are going on. Since we're on the run most of the time, she thinks that's a valid excuse.
Truth be told, all of us would, and have said, what Sarah has said many times. I know its hypocrisy, but I like to think of it as perspective. With a swift tug, I pull the rubber band off my wrist and braid my hair up. It's a loose, messy thing, but it'll hold and that is what's important. Reaching into my back pocket, I unfold the map I use as my detail-sheet. Some terms from the Hunters never really leave. My half was pretty much clean and mostly human. The few things that were of different species were harmless to humans and well hidden. There was only one coven I met and it was so small, it couldn't even be called a coven. My lips twitch into a smile. They were a family of four with two young kids. It's hilarious that they invited me in and didn't even ask me if I wanted to be breakfast. Instead, they invited me to breakfast.
This family didn't even live in a town. They lived in the middle of the woods about five or ten miles from a small village. My hair and clothes naturally gave off a "city-slicker" look. A black long-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans with a studded black belt. These types of belts have saved my life more than once and I refuse to wear any other type of belt. They can make good weapons when you don't have any on you and you don't want big secrets let out. Shaking my head, I begin the trek back to school. My instrument case is a bit lighter for a few different reasons. I put my weapons away since there's nothing in the area at the moment. I've yet to be sneaked up on unless it's my fault and that won't happen out here. My radar is stretched about half the limit, which means I'll have time to draw my swords when I sense something. Also, the reason why my case is much lighter now is because, well…I'm out of food. I have water, but no more food. It seems I under packed what I thought was needed. This perimeter is too new to me, so I was a little off in my estimation. I'm glad that that family found me.
Tossing out my last bit of clothing and my blanket, I realize the truth…I'm outta food. Great. I had better not run into anything out here. My head drops with defeat as I pack my things back in the bass case. Perhaps I should hold a grudge against my instrument case…irrational, yes. I don't care, though. What am I going to do? This sucks…I like food way too much and I've been forced to go without it too many times. Continuing down the path I've chosen, I dig my map out. Why this piece of paper should even be checked? This thing is burned into my memory, but I'm hopeful that I'll find some small town to get some little bit of food. A low possib―
Two level Ds with a high possibility of growth, around six or seven, northwest, 150 feet and heading towards me. Vampire kids? What are they doing out here and by themselves? If they're looking for a meal, I'm certainly not one for them. Hrm, by my guess and at the rate they're going, they should be here within a minute or two. Might as well see what they're up to. I mean, even little vamp kids know to stay away from something like me. Most of the time. They have much better instincts than humans. Slinging my case on my back, I easily jump into the thick branches. At least its spring so all the leaves are out photosynthesizing.
Two little kids wander into the area below me, looking around cautiously. The boy is taller than the girl and they look related somehow. He has shock black hair with a purple tint while the girl has dark brown hair with a black tinted streak here and there. They're not orphans. They're too well kept to be. The boy's blue jeans are hardly faded and his red shirt looks very clean. The girl's white summer dress speaks for itself, being stark white. Her skin is nearly the same color.
"I know I smelt a weird human here! I'm sure of it," he mutters to himself, looking around.
"Will they'll want to come home to see Mommy and Daddy?" the girl asks, "We never get to see people."
"Well, if this guy's lost, we could help him," he answers, rubbing his head.
"Hey, this person could be a girl, you know," she retorts, her hands on her little hips, "Not everyone we don't meet is a boy."
"Why do you always do that?" he snaps, turning to the younger girl.
"Why do you always do that?" she says right back.
Oh yeah, either first cousins or siblings. The two banter back and forth. They don't relay any important information. So, time to sort my options. These two are kids, but kids have parents, and parents' equals problems for me. Or, they could just help me and I could play innocent human trying to get out of the forest and see where that leads me. Then again, I could just wait for them to leave and continue on my way, but I need food…crap. Let's go with lost human. Running is always an option later on. Slowly climbing down on the lowest branch, the two kids freeze and listen. I force myself to nearly fall out of the tree and land clumsily, letting my knees bang on the grass.
"Oh, I thought I heard some people down here," I say, rubbing my knees, "Do you think you can help me? I'm a little lost and I haven't any food."
The two look at each other, both with black eyes, and grin at me. It's not a malicious 'we're going to eat you' grin, but a happy, kiddies' one. Seems I'm in for a bit of luck. They don't ask why I was in a tree. Suddenly, two hands grab each of mine and begin to drag me off while two little voice babble about different things and the girl sticking her tongue out at the boy, saying that I'm a girl. After a few paces and more questions, I finally laugh.
"Whoa, hold on you two," I say with a grin, "How about we introduce each other, and then I'll answer your questions?"
"Oh, right," the boy answers, looking sheepish, "My name's Kichi!"
"And I'm Rinrin," she says on my left, "But you can call me Rinni. It's easier."
"Well, my name's Ana," I say to both of them, "Now, before you chew my ears off with questions, where are we going?"
"To our house!" they answer.
"Why?"
"Mommy can give you food!" Rinni reasons.
"And Daddy can tell you where to go, since you're lost," Kichi responds with a proud, tough guy look. He seems proud of his father.
"Are you two sure your parents won't mind bringing a stranger home with you?" I ask cautiously. This could still be a trick and the kids not even know it.
"Yeah, it's not a big deal," he answers with a toothy smile, letting a canine poke out a little. It would be adorable if I wasn't paranoid.
"We don't get to see a lot of people, anyway," Rinni mummers with a pout.
Oh man, that's too cute to handle. I'm a sucker for kids. Well, I'll go but I'm keeping my guard up. After fifteen minutes of walking and nonstop questions, I know their favorite colors, favorite animals, what they like to eat before bedtime, and all of Rinni's dolls' names. I have no idea why I'm a kid magnet, despite being a sucker for them. This sort of thing has happened more than once. For some reason in nearly every place we go, I get mobbed by little kids. I don't really mind it, but it's not really good for their wellbeing. Besides that, why in the world would little kids want to hang around me? I figured these kids would have enough sense to keep away.
A small two story house comes into view. It's very classic Japanese. My hands are let free as the two children run up to the front door yelling for their mother. I continue in my own pace and stop at the front side of the porch. The door slides open.
"Look! See Mommy, I wasn't kidding this time!" Kichi says, pointing at me and tugging on her apron.
Her hair is the same color as her son's, though with a stronger tint of purple. She has a yellow long sundress on and her white apron is spattered every so often with blue icing marks. Pitch black orbs widen with surprise.
"My, Kichi, you weren't kidding this time," she says, putting her fingers upon her lips, "Young lady, what's your name?"
"My name is Ana, ma'am," I answer with a respectful bow.
"I'm Nania," she responds with a smile, and walks down the steps, "My children have told me that you're lost and have no food."
"Yes," I answer with a smile, "I was on my way to the instrument repair shop in the next town over, but I got lost. Luckily, I still had water before your cute kids found me."
"Well, dear, you did the right thing conserving your water," she comments with a motherly smile.
"It's not the first time I've been lost," I say with a sheepish look. That's actual truth. For a walking radar, I have horrible sense of direction anywhere in towns. Forest and other things like that, for some reason, I'm fine in.
"My husband, Icho, won't be home for a few more hours," Nania informs me, while wiping her hands on her apron, "But you are welcomed to stay until he returns."
"Oh, I don't want to be an inconvenience," I say, bringing my hands up.
"Nonsense, Ana," she responds with another mother like smile, "We don't receive that much company and the children will greatly appreciate someone else here besides their mother."
She beckons me with a small wave of her pale hand, and the two kids are jumping up and down telling me to come in. This could be one hell of a trap, but I can't hesitate long or they'll start wondering. Might as well go through with it. Stepping on the porch and entering the small entrance way, I untie my shoes and slide them into an unused corner. I follow Nania into the kitchen with my case still on my back. Wonder why they are up during the daytime? The whole burn to ashes thing is totally false, but they are nocturnal creatures and prefer to sleep when the sun is up.
"You may place that in the corner, if you like," she says, turning to her small cake, "I'll make sure the children don't play with your instrument."
"Thank you," I answer and place my case down.
Seating myself at the low table, I look around the quant kitchen. The paint is a pale yellow color, like fading sunlight or early morning light. Either way, it's nice. Nania would blend right in with her dress that's almost the same shade. The walls are decorated with different pictures, some photos while others are paintings. There was also a hinted blue decoration around the room to accent the yellow.
"So, dear," Nania conversationally starts, "I take it that you're from the western hemisphere."
"What gave me away?" I ask with a small grin.
"Your eyes mostly," she returns, "For some reason, I always notice people's eyes first. You have such an incredible shade of light blue. Are you from America or Germany?"
"America, actually."
"And you speak Japanese so well."
"Thank you. Naturally, I had to learn how. I've lived here for a few years and was just kind of thrown in the language."
That's not really true. The Hunters taught us at least seven different languages and these were the most used. I wasn't really thrown into many new things when we came to this country.
"Have you been to any other countries?"
"No, ma'am, I haven't." Lie.
"Ana!"
"Ana!"
Kichi and Rinni run into the kitchen, each taking a seat next to me.
"Are you really from America?!" Kichi asks with wide eyes.
"Where you really eavesdropping?" I retort with a raise brow and smile.
He blushes and Rinni giggles.
"Yes, I'm from America," I say with a wry grin.
"That's so cool!" Rinni exclaims, clutching a doll with black hair and green eyes.
"Have you been other places?" he asks.
"No, only here. I've been quite a few places in the U.S., though."
"Aw, but here is boring," he mutters, crossing his arms.
"I think here is awesome," I counter, smiling, "but that's because I'm not from here. One thing that defines a foreigner is new places that person hasn't been to. I've stopped feeling foreign here, but this place still seems new to me. If I brought you to a state in America, you'd feel like that too. It's all new."
"I've never thought of that," Rinni says, patting her dolls head, "so, once something new becomes old it won't be foreign anymore…foreign means new, right?"
"Not exactly, sweetheart," her mother says from the counter, "it means that someone who isn't born into the country they are in is someone foreign."
"Oh," Kichi says, snapping his fingers, "Ana's new and foreign!"
I laugh some at his enlightened moment and at Rinni, who's trying to snap her fingers, too. The kids and I chatter for a while longer while Nania comments every so often while getting lunch ready. That's good since I haven't eaten breakfast. My stomach tries to voice the same opinion, but my hand pushes the upset organ to stop the growling. Soon a simple lunch of a soup mixed with vegetables, meat and rice is served. This is the best food I've had since going to the Academy. After lunch, I help with the dishes despite the dismissal words and play with the kids for the rest of the day. They seem to be genuine and Nania didn't drug the food since the serving bowl was on the table. Still, they could just be waiting for the father to return. One problem, however, is that I'm getting a little attached to them during this short time. Nania offered the guest room since it would be dark by the time her husband, Icho, got back. I had to take it to keep cover. Plus, a warm bed and meal and, perhaps, safety are something's to not pass up.
As the day started to end, Rinni decided to make me look "pretty" for her dad that was to be home in a little. This is punishment for having long hair. I sit in her white room that has tacked drawings everywhere. Her little fingers yank my hair as she sticks another flimsy plastic clip in. I'm afraid to look in a mirror. A highly dangerous weapon is being treated like a giant Barbie doll…this would be funny if she wasn't pulling so hard. I've given up trying to tell her not to pull hard since she forgets what was said before. She doesn't know when he'll be here, so she's rushing while chattering at a hundred miles per hour. I can feel him, but barely. He should be here in five minutes or so. It's around seven and the small old fashion clock in the living room chimes a small tune. I think it's 7:15. A few more painful minutes pass until…3, 2, and 1.
"Hey, everyone, I'm home!" a man with a baritone calls downstairs.
"Daddy" Rinni gasps, stuffing in one more teddy bear clip, "C'mon Ana, we gotta show Daddy how pretty you are!"
Laughing, I quickly stand up and pull Rinni on to my hip. I walk down the stairs and into the warm kitchen. A tall man with brown hair holds Nania in a loving hug and picks up Kichi. Well, this will be a wonderful first impression.
"Daddy, Daddy," Rinni calls from my arms, "Look! We have a vis…vis-…a guest!"
I place the squirming girl down and she bounds to the man. He that stares at his daughter's work on my head. I reply with a shaky smile and a shrug.
"Oh, my," Nania says, covering her laughter with her mouth, "Rinni, what did you do to Ana?"
"Is it that bad?" I ask with a worried grin.
"Let's just say, dear," she answers, "don't look in a mirror."
Shaking my clipped up head, I begin to softly dislodge the many plastic clips. Pretty soon, I have two handfuls of plastic clips that I set on the table. Massaging my abused scalp, I walk up to meet Icho.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," I say with a bow.
"Love, this is Ana," Nania explains, "I invited her to stay here for the night. She got lost on the way to the next town."
"Really, now," Icho says with raised eyebrows, "welcome to our home, young lady."
"Thank you so much for your kindness," I answer and bow again to both.
They both smile in response and continue with what they were doing beforehand. All right, the father's home now. The fact that they can still pose an attack of some sort looms over my paranoid reflexes. My radar will be feeling out their every movement. If Sarah was here, this wouldn't be such a problem. Even so, I don't really sense anything negativity coming from them…my instincts are telling me it's okay, at least. Something as simple as that has saved my ass more than once.
We sit down to a hardy beef and rice dinner with an assortment of vegetables. Rinni, convinced that everything I do is right and cool, eats her vegetables like I do. She does it with a grimace, but she still eats them. Kichi, on the other hand, is a little more difficult. To get him to eat said food, I tell him could grow as strong as his dad if he cleans everything off his plate. That gets him to tuck into the veggies real quick. Dinner conversation is easy and I only tell them of some of the big cities I traveled to in the States. The least bit of information I give them the better for all of us. After helping Nania with the dishes and refusing her dismissal protests again, we all head outside.
Kichi and Rinni run around after fireflies. Nania and Icho sit in chairs that are on each side of the doorway while I sit on the steps cross-legged. The kids take turns holding a large pickle jar filled with the light bugs so one of them can go and catch them. Smirking slightly, I shake my head at their antics. They'll have to let them go eventually.
"Ana," Icho says with a serious tone.
I've heard them quietly talking behind me, but didn't hear what they were saying. I knew this would come at one point. They are not stupid people and they are more experienced than the children. They notice the unusual. Some form of a confrontation has to happen. In other words: a come to Jesus meeting.
"Sir?" I ask, turning around to see the grim faced parents.
"We appreciate you helping when you are an uninvited guest and entertaining our children, but I feel that leaving promptly is impertinent," he explains.
"Naturally," I respond, looking back at the kids, "having me here hinders your lifestyles. I can see your children tiring. Surely both of you are as well."
A tense silent vibrates behind me.
"I'm not here to cause any type disruption," I assure them, looking kindly over my shoulder, "On every bit of honor I have."
They seem to relax a bit, but the husband is still a little wary of me. I don't blame him. I'm still wary of him. They may be wondering on that last sentence I said. Most people that know who or what I am don't think I have much honor.
"You are not with the Massacre Creators?" she quietly questions.
The Hunters. I haven't heard that phrase used in a while. It's another name for the Hunters within the inhuman world.
"No."
Silence continues to linger with bouts of laughter from the two young children.
"For the benefit of both of us," I start, watching the children, "I will depart from your home early, before the kids are up, and will not come back."
"…Dear, what are you?"
"May I ask the same question and receive an honest answer?"
I hear her choke a little on her words or my retort. Either way, the conversation is cut short by Rinni waddling to me with the pickle jar. Kichi says that he would have carried it, but she wanted to show how strong she could be. There are tired circles under each of their eyes. They need blood very soon, but each of them seems to ignore it. We play a little more with the fireflies, until it's the kids' bedtimes. Running into the kitchen, I grab a terry cloth and my shoes.
"Come with me you, two," I instruct, carrying the jar, "You'll see something really cool."
We wander a few paces into the woods while I cover the jar with the cloth. It seems that the parents still trust me. Stopping in a slightly wide space, I set the jar down still clasping the cloth.
"Ready?" I ask with a grin.
"Yeah!" he says, throwing a fist in the air.
"Don't move when I let them out," I say, unscrewing the cap, "Just stay very still and watch."
I yank the cap off and the insects stampede out of the jar and create a huge glowing cloud of bug lights, spewing like a natural fire cracker. The kids gasp but stay still. Funnily enough, Kuran showed me this when we were little. It's still the coolest thing I've ever seen.
"We have to show Mommy and Daddy tomorrow," Rinni whispers.
"Yeah, this is great," Kichi whispers back.
After a minute or two, I shake the jar upside down, letting out the last bugs and cap it. Grabbing Rinni by the hand, we head back to the house. Icho is waiting by the door and smiles as his daughter and son recount the firefly firecracker display. Kichi demands that they do it tomorrow. I give a sad smile at it all. Everything here is so simple and pleasant. I wonder where I'd be if I weren't an E-Shifter? Would I know my parents? Would I have even left America? Would I rather those changes? Shaking my head and the thoughts away, I enter the house and am shown where I'd be sleeping at. Nania tells me that Icho wants the door locked from the outside and I tell her that's fine. She seems a little embarrassed to pass on such a message, but I smile it away. That would be better since I have a few sleeping problems.
I lay on the soft blue blanketed bed, falling asleep with one of Aries' Eyes with me. The next thing I know, Nania is knocking on the door letting me know that it's time to get up. My radar was on high last night, so I didn't sleep well. It was more of a daze where it looks like I'm sleeping. Something like that is equivalent to sleeping with your eyes open, I guess. Quickly dressing, I slip my Eye away under my long sleeved shirt and check my case to make sure I have everything I need. I moved the thing up here before dinner last night. Luckily, that was right before Rinni got a hold on me with her little plastic clips.
Silently climbing down the stairs with my case strapped to my back, I enter the kitchen where Nania in a dark red robe stands at a counter fixing some sort of food. Did she look inside my case? If she did, she really didn't do anything about it. Easily sliding into the room, I study the bright yellow walls are barely lit by the old fashion oil lamp set next to the woman. I sigh loudly and tiredly. Nania jumps a little and turns to face me with wide eyes. She must not have noticed me. The numbers of people I can't sneak up on are slim to none. I offer an apologetic grin and lightly rub the back of my head. Not the best idea to move around silently, but I didn't want to wake the kids up. She hands me a bundle and I take it with both hands and a slight bow. This small interaction needs to be done with respect and caution. No matter the species, a mother is a mother and the instincts are always fierce. Icho comes behind me, moving just as silently as I was, but I turn to face him. We exchange nods and he takes another small bundle from his wife, gently kissing her goodbye.
Soon, we're both outside in the predawn mist. When we reach the bottom on the stairs, I turn and give Nania a bow bent from the hips. Some of my bright and dark locks fall in my face and I quickly turn around, not wanting to see her expression. Icho leads me into the other side of the woods where the kids and I weren't at last night. I walk next to him, not trusting him behind me and letting him know that I have no intentions on attacking him. My hands are kept in plain sight. He has a family to go home to and so do I. We walk for a while and the day starts to become brighter. The man stops at what seems to be a split in a path he has been following. He points to the left, the way to the nearest town. I had mapped out this way pretty well before the girls and I split, so I know that this is the right course.
He turns to regard my quiet stature, eyeing me curiously. Sending him a simple smile, I repeat the bow I gave his wife and take the guided direction. Starting at a brisk pace, I hear something akin to a thank you from behind and smile softly. This is the most I've smiled in quite a while.
Perhaps those two kids are disappointed that I didn't wait for them to wake up. That however is not within my necessary perspective, right now. Swinging the case onto my back, I start out again. The sun eventually begins to dip when I stop to drink some water that I have left over. Tomorrow will not be a good day, but Mondays usually aren't. Standing, my thoughts wander as I continue back. Kuran won't be happy to know that we've been doing activities. Grant it that we weren't breaking any of the truce proposals. However, this is going to put the entire coven on high alert. Why do I care more about this? It surprises me that I don't care so much about what Cross thinks. He is the one who decides whether we can stay there, despite what Kuran says.
Even after all these years, he easily comes back into my mind. Before, he never really come into my thoughts. Kuran did for a year or two after the incident, for lack of a better word, but now it feels like I'm worrying about him constantly. Obviously, it's because he knows too much and we have to interact every so often. This still shouldn't have me a little…well, nervous about these few interactions. Luckily, I can hide it from Kuran and other people, except for Sarah and the girls. Perhaps I truly do miss him. He was my first friend, despite what happened. Kuran was the first good thing that came to me and started the single thought process that life could be like that. Life could be happy with friends and without missions and death for no reason. One where I didn't have to take orders from the Hunters and their stupid reformation bull shit. Though, I know that we won't really be okay with each other. I suppose that I should be tha―oh great.
To the southeast, about a forth a mile from me, blood foxes. A pack of about ten perhaps less. Maybe seven. They're probably here because of the vampires at school. I'm not that far from school and the sun is well on the other side of the Earth. Flipping open my cell, I see that it's about ten thirty at night. I'll be able to bypass them easily. Besides, my flesh isn't on the blood foxes menu. Annoying suckers with regenerative abilities, though. I change my course to go hard east instead to simple miss them. After a little while, I turn back towards my original course. Hm, they're breaking into smaller groups. There must be something in the area around them. Why is one going off alone? That is odd. Stopping, I concentrate on that lone blood fox and the surrounding area. Oh, there's a Level E. That may be the reason this one ran off. It may some sort of first hunting thing or something. Most of the time, these things feed on Es and Ds.
Suddenly, there is a drop in my stomach and my instincts are yelling at me to get to that E. Why? There are plenty of Es running around in the…town. Wait a second, why would one be out in the woods? Scanning the signal again, I find that the E isn't moving anywhere. Wouldn't it want to go to the school since there are so many humans? The school…!
"Zero," I whisper and bolt for that direction.
Why would he be in the middle of the woods on a weekend night? Judging my distance from the two, there is a about a three thousand foot difference. I can't make it going this slow. Swing the case around while running, I remove Aphrodite's Mirrors and sling them around my hips. Tightening the straps of my case, I build energy in my legs and push them to move faster. He doesn't realize that even vampires have predators. At least some of the levels do. The best way to kill these things is to burn them, but I don't have anything on me. No burn grenades and no flame bullets. Not even Aries' Eyes will help completely kill these things. It won't matter if this one dies. What will is getting out the woods. Half way there! Seems the fox is moving in as well. Some slight movement from Zero's blimp tells me that he must have noticed it. Great, and the only he has is a vampire banishing gun. Like that's going to be a lot of help. Pumping the energy a little more, I cut about eight hundred feet out. Damn, that thing's about to lunge.
Almost there. Three hundred…two hundred…one hundred. I burst into the clearing; the silver haired guy fires his shot. The bullet hits the fox right in the head, but it doesn't slow it's momentum. Extending my arm with a Mirror held, I move to slice right through the jaw. However, I overestimate my speed and…chomp. I missed. The thing's fangs are digging into my forearm. I hear him gasp behind me, whether from the blood or my sudden entry. The scimitar drops to the grass with a thick thump. Blood foxes are always unpleasant. Black matted fur covered with grease and old blood from other kills. Its back is hunched with muscles on top of the forearms while it's about the size of a timber wolf, though a bit smaller. These creatures are very intelligent. It's been said that they're smarter than dolphins and velociraptors. Its yellow and red eyes narrow at me and I narrow mine back. The teeth sink in a little more. Some tendons are severed and I don't think I can use my thumb. There's no feeling.
Blood drops down its fur and on the grass. A crumpling sound close to acid being dropped on the grass sounds. The fox's eyes snap wide, realizing what my blood is beginning to do to its mouth. It tries to unhook its jaw, but I grab the top jaw and push it down while my bitten arm yanks down hard, snapping the jaw bone. It's hungry after all. Leaning my arm back to better angle the blood, I let the liquid slip down the beast's throat. After a good moment I drop it to the ground and let my injured left arm hang. I hear him choke on something. Turning to look at him, his pale lilac eyes are now pale red and glowing intently on my arm.
"Look," I say to him, pointing with my good arm to the still fox.
"Look!" I say louder.
He snaps his head up and to where I'm pointing. At that moment, the corpse beings to convulse and shake as though it were possessed. Ribs burst out of the flesh, twisting outwards and curled up like a dead insect or lily petals. The flesh turns black and the bones creak as the marrow is eaten away. The Hunters never did test our blood, but that doesn't mean that accidents and injuries don't happen in missions. We never told the Hunters anything. There are a few things we know that can die from contact with our blood and this is one species. The body stops and smokes a little, the grass withering around it. Silence engulfs the small area we stand in. A drop of blood drips of my hand and hits the grass, making it crumple and sounds like it hisses when no smoke rises. Throwing a glance at the guy behind me, I rip of my left sleeve and bind my arm the best I can. His eyes are no longer red.
Picking up my Mirrors, I sheath them and walk over to the silver haired teen. He continues to stare at the simple carnage. Hesitantly, I place my hand on his shoulder. He flinches and moves from me. A normal reaction. He won't trust me for quite a while if not at all anymore. It's no big deal. Yet, my gut says different. Whatever, it's time to leave. Blood foxes take the death of their pack mates very seriously, whether by natural causes or by someone else.
"Are you alright?" I ask.
He mutely nods.
"We have to leave. They travel in packs and are very vengeful to those that kill their pack mates. They won't be easy to shake off. And…I'm sorry you had to see that, but I had to find a way to sober you up."
"Why are you out here?" he asks, still looking at the corpse.
"Why are you? Neither answers matter right now. We have to leave. Some of them are starting to regroup and they'll come looking for this one."
We start off under my direction. There isn't anything I can do about our scents, so they will start to track us. Our best chance is a straight shot out of the woods. For all their intelligence, they won't leave any wooded areas in fear of something. Turning hard east again, we travel out some. I push my arm to my stomach, trying to stunt the bleeding while walking. Oh no.
"Run," I mutter to him.
Grabbing his wrist, I pull him along. I don't bother to tell him that we're already surrounded. He uses his vampire sight to tell me when to jump over a root, rock, or anything else in the way while I guide us from the pressing pack. We come to a dense patch of woods and I stop, examining a tree. The branches are thick and wide enough for both of us. We need a decoy.
"Hold on to me," I whisper.
He hooks an arm around my waist and I hook around his hips.
"Bend with me."
We bend our knees as I gather energy. Springing the energy in my body, we leap high in the trees. He grasps the trunk and I grab the limb. My sleeve soaks more blood. Concentrating, I create a dark shield around us, Zero tensing.
"Easy," I mummer, "They can't see us with this up."
Sticking my hand in the murky sphere, I pull a handful of my own aura out and shape it to a dagger. Doesn't mean they can't smell us.
"Hold still, I need your scent," I mutter, lightly rubbing the dagger on the back of his jacket, ignoring his stiffness.
Pulling the object to me I let some blood drip on it and fling the aura blade away from us. I hear grass get whipped up and wither somewhat. The blood foxes take the bait and split off into a few directions. They left some sentinels to the left. That should buy us some a few minutes. Ripping of my other sleeve, I wrap it around my arm, trying it with me teeth.
"Ready," I ask him. He nods.
Grabbing him again, we jump and a small bit of my energy cushions the fall for both of us. We start running again, and I hear the few foxes left leap on our heels. One of them lunges at me on the left and I throw up a harmless barrier that pushes the creature back. One jumps on the right and Zero shoots it, stunning the thing. The woods begin to thin out and we break through. I stop and grin at the pacing foxes and wave a little. Zero tugs my arm to run but I nudge my head to the two pacing.
"For some reason, they'll never leave the woods," I say with a small smirk, "Something about leaving it spooks them."
"What are they?"
"Blood foxes. They feed on Level E and D vampires and are very smart. They also regenerate very quickly."
"There are things that hunt vampires?"
"Everything hunts something."
He glances at my arm and I shrug.
"Miscalculation," I respond, "The more important question is why they are here? Because of deforestation, the packs that find a large patch of woods stay there. I don't remember them being there when I scanned the school the first time we arrived."
My vision becomes a little white and saturated. Oh wonderful, I'm about to faint.
"Listen to me, Zero," I try to say quickly, but my words are slurred, "I'm about to faint. Whatever you do, don't touch my skin until I'm awake again. Alright?"
Next thing I know, Zero's calling my name and shaking me. I must've falling backwards. My case is next to him and I feel a dull ache in my spine. Yup, fell backwards. He's holding my ankles on his shoulder.
"Ana, wake up."
"Uh, I'm up," I mutter, grabbing my forehead, "That's what I get for skipping lunch."
"Did they poison you or anything?" he asks with concern.
"No," I answer, sitting up and taking my ankles down, "Women are more susceptible to fainting from blood loss and I didn't eat since ten this morning. That's my fault."
"Think you can stand?"
"Don't know."
I gently get up and feel the world twist a little. Easily steadying my feet, I look at him and nod. Yeah, I don't think I can walk straight.
"Getting up isn't much of a problem," I tell him, pausing to pushing the bile away from my mouth, "Walking on the other hand, might be unfavorable. The injury isn't so bad, but I'm sure that fox cut an artery line and a tendon or two."
In effort to not be completely useless, I try to move my left thumb and a few fingers. Damn, my hand is unresponsive. I growl a little in irritation and unhook my swords with my right hand. Stumbling over to the case, I slip them in and shut it. Dizziness hits me with a bat again, and my knees bend a bit. Hands steady me from behind and I look up to his semi-stoic face. Wordlessly, he takes my case and swings it on his back. Then, he lifts me up bridal style.
"Whoa, hey!" I protest, "What do you think you're doing? Put me down!"
"Can you walk?" he dryly asks.
"…Maybe."
"You're injured; it's the middle of the night and we still have those things back there."
"They won't leave the woods. Not even if you get one foot in front of them."
"Just shut up and hold on," he snaps and starts walking.
Ass. I loop my good arm around his neck while pursing my lips in annoyance. I don't take help very much and I don't like receiving it. Some people think its pride. It's not only that; it's the fact that I'm not used to receiving help of any sort unless it's from the girls. It gives me…awkward feelings. By the time we get half way across the large field that separates the woods from the school, my thoughts click on something.
"Perfect," I mutter.
He looks down questioningly at me.
"I've got to call Rena and the others," I explain, "They're not going to be happy about this."
Moving my left hand, I try to slip my hand in my pocket to get my cell out. Failing at that, I take my other hand from around his neck and get the phone out. I use the speed dial and use his shoulder to press the phone to my ear.
"Ana? What's up?" Rena asks.
"Can you get the girls and meet me in the med ward? I'm a little cut up."
"…What happened?"
"Something that shouldn't be said in opened air quite yet. Wake up Cross and ask him to tell Kuran to keep a close eye on the Night Class. I'm…a little bloody right now."
"…You are in so much trouble."
"Yeah, I know. Thanks."
Slipping the phone away, I let out a ragged sigh. We are so out of here. If Cross doesn't kick us out, Kuran will run us out. They can't really expect us to stay still and not run any circuits, do they? But it's only been about two months and we've already broken the promise we made to Cross. I knew the club was pushing it already. Well, at least Zero's okay, despite him being an ass. When we arrive at the quite school, Yuuki meets up with us and begins to fret over me.
"Yuuki," I interrupt, "Please, I'm alright. Zero's alright. But you might want to get the Night Class in one area. My blood will attract them."
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asks again.
"Yes," I answer, "I've got this big guy taking care of me."
I ruffle Zero's hair just to piss him off. He shoots a glare at me.
"I can drop you at anytime," he informs me with a flat voice.
"Yeah, but I'll take you down with me."
Yuuki shakes her head, eyeing us both with worried glances and runs off. That girl is always running around this place. Suppose that comes with being a prefect. We head inside the building and to the med ward. Sadly, it's on the second floor.
"Why are you acting so friendly?" Zero asks, keeping his gaze straight.
"Strange thing," I answer with a conversational tone, "For some reason, when I lose a bit of blood I become a little bit hyper and, well, get a high feeling. I don't know why, but it happens."
"…You're weird."
"Yeah, I know, but what can you do?" I answer with a shrug.
Walking down the quiet and dark hall, Zero easily manages the stairs.
"I'm sorry."
"What?" he asks, taken back by the random apology.
"You know," I elaborate, "For making this hard on you, and all. It's bad enough to carry me without fresh split blood."
"What you did to that fox thing was enough to sober me for a while," he mummers, "Besides, I should be thanking you for saving me."
"You're not going to, are you?" I ask with a grin.
"No."
"Ana!"
Looking down the hallway, I see Angelica jogging towards us. She leads us into the med room. All of the girls are here, along with Cross and Kuran. He sets me on the bed and moves to the side with the other girls.
"It's not a big deal," I mutter, undoing the makeshift binding.
Rena's hand smacks the side of my head and I let out a reflexive "ow". She mutters unintelligible words while cleaning the bites with water and then alcohol, to which I try to ignore. Evil brown bottle. Cross walks over to Zero and converses with him, no doubt as to how he got involved. Kuran sits in a chair near a small table placed against a wall, observing us. He's supposed to be watching his class.
"Kait, three bottles of apple juice and one bag of gram crackers," Rena orders, "Angelica, find me something to shift. Sarah, hold her down as best you can."
Each respective girl goes to their tasks, Sarah's warm hands pressing against my shoulders. I still need to talk to her about that family she ran in to. Kaitlin uncaps all the bottles of juice and has them lined up on the nightstand next to the bed I'm in. Angelica studies something outside the window. She crouches on the sill and leaps into the quiet darkness. The sound of a tree limb breaking echoes off the silent grounds and she returns with a large bough, keeping the heavier end outside on the sill.
"That'll do," Rena says, expecting the severed limb, "Thanks everyone. Ana, are you ready?"
"Am I ever?" I dryly ask, "Just get it over with."
Placing one hand on the tree part and another on my wound, pale blue light emits from her hands. She releases a long deep breath which is frosted a light blue and white mist. Searing pain rips through my arm and my body bucks in an arch. Sarah's strong hands hold me down. I hear the veins and tendons being forced together and my nerves nearly burst from the sensation.
"Done."
My skin still burns from the plant energy shifted into my body, but I relax considerable. Looking at the used and now blackened bough, Angelica lets it slip out of the window. The girls and I know what happens when it'll hit the ground. It will be one large pile of withered particles. The area where the bite wounds were is pink and tender, but completely healed and with no traces of scarred tissues.
"Thanks, Rena," I say with a smile, "Another clean job."
"Why did that hurt?" Cross asks with a concerned expression.
"When one E-Shifter comes so close to connecting with another E-Shifter's life-force, the natural thing for the body to do is to fend off the other energy," Sarah explains, handing me some juice, "We had to learn to push away enough of our natural defenses for Rena to heal us if we ever needed it."
I sip the juice, thinking I was going slowly until Sarah handed me another. They know me too well.
"So, what attacked you?" Kaitlin asks.
"Blood foxes."
"Why didn't you want to say that over the phone?" she asks.
"That pack wasn't there when we first arrived," I grimly answer.
"Are you sure that is what you saw?" Cross questions with a thoughtful look.
"And got bit by," I retort, showing my arm, "They were targeting him." I nod Zero's way.
"…Is there any reason to suspect the Hunters?" the headmaster asks, thinking more out loud.
"When they are around and know what is in their current location, yes, always," I say with a stone voice, "They could be trying to make a surrounding post. These creatures do not leave their woods even if they were on fire. I know you wouldn't put this school anywhere near blood foxes or any other vampire eating creatures."
"Headmaster," Kuran pipes in with a gentle voice, "It's late. All of you need your rest and I need to tend to the Night Class before they break away from their classrooms. Much has happened the last few days. Let's discuss this after some recuperation."
Polishing off the last bottle of apple juice, I swing my legs over and take deep breaths. Sarah grabs the box of crackers before rising from the side of the bed. Getting up, Rena and Kaitlin grab me on each side and we all file out of the room. Cross and Zero bid us goodnight.
"Ms. Rose," Kuran calls behind me, "A moment of your time."
Regarding the tall vampire behind me, I feel the others' tension beginning to rise. He has enough honor to not attack me right now. Not to mention he would be breaking the treaty. Gently shaking off their hands, I turn to face him. Sarah whispers she'll be around the corner to help me and I only blink in response. Once we're alone in the hall, I cross my arms.
"Thank you for saving Kiryuu."
Wait, what? That's what he wants to talk to me about?
'"You hate that guy."
"Hate is a strong word."
"And the correct one. Why thank me?"
"Though you may not know it, you have saved me from a wretched sadness."
Why would Zero matter to him? In fact, besides Yuuki and Cross, Zero doesn't have any other people to care about…him. It wouldn't be Cross. Their relationship is near to strict business and a little one-sided on family affection. That leaves Yuuki. I've never seen those two interact, but that's due to the time difference in the classes. It must be her.
"Yuuki would be sad if he died," I reason, "And you care about what effects her."
"Always perceptive," he comments, "Good evening."
"'Night."
Well now, this is a fruitful night. I know what his motives are for being here. Creating peace, though I still don't buy that, establishing a large and loyal coven to entrench himself in vampire society and Yuuki. The new question is, why her? I suppose this will have to wait until tomorrow. No doubt, after the report is given we'll be dismissed from the school.