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Chapter 9~ Truth and Heart
"Do you really have any doubts?" Kaname asked, watching me closely.
"I…I never felt the pull of a Pureblood. I've been a common vampire for as long as I can remember." I jumped to my feet, denial blocking what I was hearing. There was no way I was half-Pureblood!
"Everything you've told me points in that direction." Kaname said calmly, standing as well. I shook my head, spun around, and left, not even caring if I was punished for leaving before being dismissed.
"Ariao?" I pulled back in time to avoid crashing into Hanabusa, who was sitting cross-legged in front of the door. He scrambled to his feet but before he could ask me what had happened, I slipped down the steps towards the front door, ignoring the surprised voices of the vampires already waiting for class.
Hanabusa stood frozen in front of Kaname's door. What happened?! He thought, turning to look at Kaname as he came out of his office.
"Looks like she's having a hard time accepting the truth." Kaname said in a monotone.
"The truth?" Hanabusa asked, taking a step to the side as Kaname walked forward.
"Ariao's father was indeed Rido. Seems like she wasn't expecting that answer." Takuma said, coming to the base of the steps.
"She's just started to trust us and then you pull that one out on her?" Hanabusa growled, glaring at Takuma and Kaname for a moment before spinning around and sprinting down the steps and out the door after Ariao.
I pushed past some bushes in the forest outside of the Moon Dorm. Right now, I just needed some time to myself, though I doubted that I would be really allowed back.
Everything is starting to fall into place now. I thought miserably. Mother would talk about almost every Pureblood, but Rido was a new one to me. She always said that my father was not one to talk about and had to remain a mystery. I closed my eyes, leaning back against a tree.
"Ariao?!" My eyes shot open when I heard Hanabusa's voice.
They've already sent someone to hunt me down?! I thought looking around. Before I could move, Hanabusa pushed his way forward, his blonde hair mused from the tree branches that had pulled it out of place.
"Ariao, calm down. I'm your friend." Hanabusa said gently, holding up his hands.
"Did Kaname send you?" I asked tightly, stepping so that I could run if need be.
"Even if he did, I'd never hurt you." Hanabusa's eyes were bright in distress. "You have to believe that."
"Like I have to believe that you knew who my father was and never said anything?" I glared at him, feeling betrayed. He had known that I had no idea who my father was and had kept quiet.
"I didn't want you to be hurt by everything else. It was only a rumor anyhow, not fact." Hanabusa said, taking a hesitant step towards me.
"Well, it's fact now." I growled, trembling.
"But it doesn't change how we feel about you. How I feel about you." Hanabusa took the last few steps forward and pulled me against him, his face in my hair. "No number of fan girls could replace you, Ariao." He breathed shakily.
"Hanabusa…." I closed my eyes and leaned against him, feeling the tension drain from me. I have no way to change the past, but the future can still be determined. I thought, taking a deep breath before shifting to look up at Hanabusa.
"I'll always have your back." He smiled lightly, icy blue eyes mischievous.
"Might want to be careful about that." I warned him, meeting his gaze.
"When have I ever played safe?" Hanabusa asked, placing a hand under my chin. Watching me for a moment, he leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips over mine. Before I could even react, he pulled back.
I blinked at him, stunned and excited at the same time. If he really means what he says, then perhaps everything will work out after all. I smiled and sighed. Hanabusa smirked and pulled out my ocarina from his pocket.
"Where did you…?" I started to ask, but Hanabusa pushed it into my hands.
"You left it in Kaname's office." He said, closing my hand around it, a silent plea in his eyes. Smiling, I leaned against the tree and began to play.
Hanabusa's eyes glistened with confusion at the new song. It was one that my mother had taught me when I was younger. Once, when Songbloods were more common, we used to play at festivals and Soirées. The song I played now was from that time, a cheerful tune that held a bit of festivity in its depths. When I was done, he tilted his head at me.
"It was a festival song that my mother said Songbloods used to play." I said, leaning against him and closing my eyes. "I figured it fit the mood just fine." Hanabusa closed his own eyes for a moment before nodding.
"You're right. It was perfect." He said softly. I felt his lips brush my head and heard him sigh, both of us feeling content.