Chapter Five

Evening was dawning fast. The sun was sinking behind a thin rim of clouds, setting them afire with the sunset's colors. Ayama could sense Hiroshi behind her, staring not at the beautiful sunset, but at her. She had just told him of her engagement to Kaname, and the vibes she was receiving weren't ones of joy.

Ayama felt Hiroshi step closer, keeping the tiniest of distances from her. "And, you want this?" he spoke softly, sadly.

Sighing, she moved away from him. "I want what will make my parents happy, and it is my duty to continue on the pureblood line. My kind is almost extinct, and if I can help prevent that, then I must."

He was silent a moment before he asked, "What do you think of Kaname? Honestly, I mean. Don't give me a polished answer saying that it doesn't matter anymore, or the crock about your duty."

Ayama turned sharply, glaring. How could he do this? How could he make her reflect on the things she already knew? She knew she had no feelings toward Kaname and that she didn't want to marry him at all. Ayama didn't need Hiroshi's help in realizing all of that.

But his brown eyes were no longer the comfortable, familiar ones Ayama had grown to expect. There was something beneath it all, something that sent shivers down her spine.

Swallowing, she replied slowly, "Honestly? He…Kaname-sama seems so cold and distant. He's…what should I call it? Inhuman. Everyone tells me that I am the most human of the vampires, but, if I am, then how can I be with someone so opposite of me?"

Getting down on a knee, bowing his head, Hiroshi said boldly, "Ayama, I beg you. Choose another pureblood. Anyone but Kaname Kuran. I know someone like me can never marry you, but I want to at least make sure you find happiness with another."

Blinking profusely, she stuck her finger in her ear and twisted it around to make sure she was hearing right. "What? What did you say, Hiroshi?"

Keeping his head low, his brown locks falling into his alabaster face, he said, "I apologize for speaking so bluntly, but you must hear me out: Do not marry Kaname Kuran."

She shook her head. "No, no, no! You said something after that. What did you say?"

There was silence.

"Hiroshi…..?" He was so still, it scared her. Taking a tentative step forward, outstretching her hand, Ayama placed her hand on his head. His hair was feathery to the touch, and she couldn't help but run her fingers through it.

But Hiroshi rose immediately, taking her hand. Gazing at her, he squeezed her hand and then let go. "I guess, we shouldn't talk about such things right now. After all, you have yet to explain to me properly as to what happened in the forest."

Ayama gasped and covered her mouth, plopping down on the bed in shock. She had completely forgotten about that night. The sudden, impending marriage had taken her whole consciousness. But, what she found stranger was that no one had questioned her about it before. Her parents and Kaname had been silent, dismissive. Now as she thought about it, it seemed to Ayama as if they had purposely tried to distract her.

Hiroshi sat beside her, watching her face intently. "Unless you don't wish to talk about it…."

She shook her head. "No. Yes. I mean, you're the first one to ask what happened. Besides Yagari."

"Perhaps they didn't want you to think about it for some time. They will probably ask you about it once they think you're fully recovered." He glanced out the window and then leaned against it.

Rubbing the back of her head absentmindedly, Ayama asked, "Hiroshi, did my parents, by chance, explain to you the powers of a pureblood?"

He sighed. "No. But they did warn me that you would be going through changes now that you're awake."

Nodding slowly, she sighed too and began her tale.