Grey Flower
"I'm sick and tired of this so-called life, without room to breathe."

Chapter Five

I was able to take a short nap after arrival, but having awoken at midday to discover both Shitsuren and Takuma still asleep, I couldn't get back to sleep. I stared at Takuma's beautiful face, brushing a few strands of champagne from his forehead. Somehow, I couldn't look beyond the beauty and find the innocence that I used to love now that I knew something so serious was up. I should have known when Kaname had sent us on this random mission where there had been no monitering of this situation, no information of any kind on it. In fact, no one even knew if they were truly Vampires and not actually animals.

"There's a possibility that masses of organized Level E Vampires are striking against the town," Kaname had said. A possibility, which meant that this could just be a waste of time. And then again, with the way people were acting toward me, I wondered if everyone wasn't plotting against me. It made me feel smaller.... I knew I was the youngest in the Night Class, but this was rediculous.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts, climbing down the ladder and stepping onto the floor. Making sure Shitsuren was still asleep, I pulled on my jacket and boots, leaving the cabin for some fresh air. The sunlight was a strain on my entire body. It was a dull throb, so I was able to ignore it, pulling up my hood to shield my face. Almost immediately the pain lessened, and I sighed. Now, to walk.

The question was, where to go? There were a few stores and a restaurant, which I was thankful for. I decided to go buy myself a midday snack, hoping it would help me to sleep. At least this way I wouldn't have to cook. Quickly, I made my way over and walked in slowly, almost hesitantly. This felt strange, not doing it with either Takuma or two bodyguards on my tail. The restaurant was old diner-style, with bar stools lining the counter and booths lining the opposite wall. The air was thick with cigarette smoke, and I nearly choked upon entrance, managing to make it look like a harmless cough. Removing my coat, I sat at the counter to look over the menu with my usual bored expression. I inhaled deeply, having to hide my choking once again.

"Not a smoker?" I looked up at the heavy-set woman in front of me. Where had she come from? "I can tell; besides, you're too cute to do something so sinful."

Did she just say... cute?

"I haven't seen you around before. Just moved in?"

"I'm on vacation," I responded simply, looking back at the menu.

I could hear the disbelief in her voice. "Vacation here? You've got to be nuts."

"Believe me, except for the snow, this place is paradise." I lied, letting out a long sigh. Of course, no sooner had I opened my mouth than a teenaged girl appeared at my side and tapped my shoulder gently.

"Excuse me, can I borrow your salt?" I looked up at her. She was a pretty redhead with dark brown eyes, and a blush covering both her cheeks. I stared at her for a moment before sliding it in her direction. "Uhm... you're Shiki Senri-sama, aren't you?"

Dammit. Exposed. I should have known this was a bad idea; but I nodded anyway.

"Wow... could you sign this for me, please?" She pulled a copy of Knights out of her bag and thrust it at me, along with a permanent marker. Knights.... I had just recently done the cover page for the magazine that kept all teen girls up-to-date on their personal fantasies. I guess I was hers. I gave the diner lady a look, and she nodded; but I signed the magazine anyway. I asked her name, and she gave it excitedly.

Shiki Senri

To Kisaragi Miyabi

With Love

"Knights says you don't go out during the day very much. So, what's up with today?" She sat next to me, clutching her magazine close to her body with a newfound fondness for it.

I didn't look at her. "I can't sleep."

"Did something happen?"

"Something hot, please," I told the diner lady, and she shuffled off to take my order. I was going to need something hot so that I could be prepared to make a break for it, if need be. "Nothing, my boyfriend's just asleep."

"So, it's true that you're gay, then?" She leaned a little closer, her eyes widening. "And Ichijou Takuma is your lover?"

Where was she getting all this? I hadn't told any of this to Knights, had I? "Yes. I hope that's not a problem."

"No, not at all.... It's just that the Ichijous were my two favourite actors.... I watch alot of their old movies." Finally, she backed off a little and released the magazine, setting it on the counter gently. "It was such a loss when they died."

"You weren't even alive when it happened," I hissed, temporarily forgetting that she thought I was only human.

"Neither were you... what's the difference?"

That's right. Humans thought I was a seventeen-year-old teen model. They didn't know that I was a much older Vampire. I had nearly forgotten and blown my own cover, but I was able to regain myself. "Takuma was, and for me, it's still a tender issue. I'll never get to meet them."

"Oh. The way you say his name is so precious." She instantly changed the subject, leaning one elbow on the counter and shifting to cradle her face in that hand. "I sometimes wonder if I'll ever have someone who's so important to me... who'll hold me and never let go... never keep any secrets from me...."

"You're wrong. You'll always have secrets that you keep," I spat, my fists tightening. I closed my eyes. I wanted to escape it; but it looked like it had just followed me right along.

"I knew it — you two are fighting, aren't you?"

"No; what is your problem? Shouldn't you be out...listening to music or breaking rules behing your parents' backs with normal teenagers?" I was able to keep my voice controlled, though Kisaragi Miyabi sat back just slightly.

She bit her lip and stayed silent for a moment. Her expression became rather downcast. "I'm only living with my grandma."

Well, that at least explained why she watched older movies. I wondered if this girl knew how it felt to only have one guardian that was a complete nutcase, though she loved her dearly anyway. Then, I could really connect to her. Besides, I had decided that I needed to know my way around in the case that any Level E might escape into the town. Maybe I could get her to show me around....

"I'm sorry...." I let the silence hang, then innocently changed the subject. "So, would you mind showing Takuma and I around tonight?"

Instantly she brightened up. "Both of you? At once! Wow.... Yes! Of course I will!" She jumped up. "I'm gonna go prepare the perfect route for you; I swear, you won't be disappointed, Shiki-sama! Meet back here at twilight!"

"Don't tell anyone that I'm here, though, or else I'll have to leave." I informed her, and she nodded vigorously, taking off into the cold daylight. I looked up at the diner lady as she returned with a bowl of soup. "She's lively...."

"Yeah, quite excitable. She's always dreamed of meeting you."

The diner lady went on about Kisaragi Miyabi, not that I was listening much. I was very proud of myself for having found a guide to show us around the town. I was thinking one step ahead, where Takuma and Shitsuren were both sleeping. How would they feel about this?