It had been a few days, passing silently without notice. Ayama had remained in her room, staring at the wizened, leather bound book. A thin layer of dust had begun to rest delicately around its frayed edges. Opening it was the key to the truth, to everything, but every time she attempted to open it, Ayama found her fingers frozen.
There was a certain price stuck to the truth, and she wasn't sure if she knew it or wanted to pay it. So, as Chiyo fervently organized an engagement celebration to surpass all others, Ayama laid in bed, feeling an impending doom encroaching upon her life, encompassing it, swathing it in shadows that danced like demons in the night.
She was a demon in the night.
Akemi had come into her room earlier that morning, reminding her with false cheer of the ball that would be that evening. He rambled on about the important names of those attending, but Ayama had barely listened, allowing his words to sail away into the abyss.
She had a book to read, secrets to uncover. But she couldn't. Why couldn't she? Ayama was frustrated with herself. It made no sense to be scared! The truth would empower her! Jolting up, Ayama reached out and snatched the book from her nightstand, coughing as the dust flew up in her face.
She froze irrationally. Ayama stroked the cover, which had some sort of curled, intricate crest engraved in it. Pursing her lips, Ayama ground her teeth, forcing her fingers to open the cover. At least the cover. It was an accomplishment of sorts.
The first page was blank. There was no title, no author. It caused Ayama, for a moment, to hope the whole book was empty, but, of course, she knew it wasn't true. The book felt just as when she had first held it: heavy, overwhelming, full of secrets. Moaning inwardly, Ayama closed her eyes, preparing herself for the next page. It was easier then. Her fingers required less of her forceful will as she turned to the first page.
Ayama chose not to read any direct words or passages just yet. Instead, she focused on the script. It was beautifully handwritten with swirls and perfectly practiced cursive. She simply scanned the page, staring at the delicate writing enviously.
"Ayamie!" the door burst open with a bang.
Ayama jerked and flung the book closed; sliding it under her plush, black covers as Chiyo Wakahisa came swooping in with an entourage hovering behind her wielding weapons of mass makeover intentions. Her mother flung the covers off, dragging Ayama out of bed and allowing her to be attacked by the myriad of painful weapons.
As her hair was yanked, her face poked at, and her body stripped and measured, Chiyo went over the evening's overall plan.
"At precisely nine o'clock, you will arrive at the grand ballroom in town where your dress will be assembled and the finishing touches on your wardrobe will be made. By ten o'clock, you and Kaname-sama will meet before the double doors and together you will enter the ballroom. From there, I expect you to be on your best behavior. There will be greetings, blessings, and smiles. Return them all graciously. Try to be endearing, which won't be a problem, I don't think." Her mother winked and kissed her on the cheek gently.
Chiyo continued, saying, "Kaname-sama will formally present you with a ring approximately at twelve o'clock, which will follow with cake and a continuous celebration all night long." She grinned brightly, true happiness reflecting in her dark, shining eyes. Chiyo stared lovingly at her daughter. "Ayama, this will be good for you, for all of us in the vampire community. I honestly believe you and Kuran will bring about a new age for the vampires." She touched Ayama's cheek momentarily, and then whisked out the door like a tornado determined to cover every centimeter of ground.
Blinking, Ayama's heart felt indifferent to it all. She attempted to feel something. She wanted to because it would make it all better, easier. It would make her life so much more easier.
Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of several other presences washed over her. Jumping upright, she dismissed the confused-looking entourage, asking politely if they would give her a moment to reflect upon her bright future. They smiled understandingly and exited momentarily.
Moving to the window, Ayama drew the curtain aside and stared down at the courtyard below. It was a new moon, but Ayama found that that small aspect did not hinder her vision in the slightest. She watched as Kaname stood at the front door, talking unemotionally toward Zero, whose fists were clenched.
At the same time, Ayama saw cloaked figures gracefully slide into the courtyard. Kaname did not move, but whatever he was saying was cut off. He stared, almost defiantly, at the figures. Zero whirled around, whipping out his gun and aiming it at the nearest silhouette.
Her eyes widened, and she felt tempted to run downstairs, to see for herself what was going on. Some self-preservation inside her told her not to, but she ignored it, swiveling around and running, with her enhanced speed, downstairs, past the flurry of her mother's entourage, and to the front door where Kaname stood speaking.
"I am afraid this is becoming too much. Cross Academy is neutral, safe ground for all. I do not appreciate you provoking it to be otherwise." His tone was calm, restrained, as normal.
Ayama stepped up beside him, and she thought she heard him gasp so quietly underneath his breath. She glanced at him from the side and could notice something beyond a human's eyes. His pupils, for a second, dilated in just millimeters.
She had surprised him, which was a feat unto itself. He was a pureblood. She knew herself that it was practically impossible to startle her own kind.
"Is everything okay here?" she asked lightly, smiling slightly. Ayama could feel the invisible eyes press on her. Zero glanced momentarily over his shoulder. "Zero, would you like to come on for some tea?" she offered politely, hoping he would understand what she was really saying. Ayama wanted him to put the gun down. It couldn't have been making anything better.
He stared at her blankly, blinked, but lowered his arm, but still holding onto his gun. Addressing the cloaked figures, he said, "As guardian of this school, I…" He paused, glancing back at me irritably, "I kindly ask you to leave these grounds to prevent further upsets on this campus." Then he added, firmly stressing, "Please."
The one at the head of the pack of hidden vampires raised his finger in Ayama's direction. She blinked and almost stepped back, but Kaname placed his hand on the small of her back.
"Best not show humanness now," he murmured so quietly only she could hear.
"You must come with us," said the leader. It was a warning, echoing across the suddenly too quiet courtyard. "The Council demands you presence."
Kaname pushed her behind him, responding with, "She is not available at this time. Our engagement celebration is later on this evening."
The other man replied, "She will come to us eventually." And turned and disappeared into the sun's setting shadows.