The Story of Amara Kuran | Mariah Bryant

Book One, Chapter Twenty

My Small Amount of Rest

After sentencing Shiki-sama to death, my friends and I gathered in my room for a long time. We had many visitors who had seen my trial, and although I was happy that they cared I really just wanted to calm down for a while. Finally it was time to depart. Ichio wanted my brother and me in the senate, but we both opted to take a few days off . . . or until the war was over. The Night Class, the Headmaster, the prefects, and the two Day Class students returned to Cross Academy as the sunset.

"I think it would be unwise for us to stay here. The Day Class will soon be in danger if we stay," I told Kaien.

"Just for a few days, to recuperate and prepare for the future. Besides, Mike does need an education. He has not finished high school." he responded. He led us all into his office.

"But I do not want to risk anyone's life just so that I can finish." Mike said.

"Psh." Kaien waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal. "Well, what are you going to do if you go with Amara-chan? You cannot fight."

"It would be best for you if you stayed here." I said softly.

"I helped you in the senate and I can help you wherever else Shiki takes us." Mike looked at me firmly. He practically shouted what his real words were. I went very silent, my heart hammering.

"Where will we go, anyway?" Kain asked.

"The mansion. Amara will tell us about what resources we need and we will get them all together there." Kaname said.

"How long until we put everything into motion?" Ruka asked.

"It will not be long until Shiki breaks out." I took a deep breath, and let it out in a sigh. "I really am not sure what will happen."

"We are still with you." Aido said. "Always."

"This time, we will have even more people on our side." Ichijo assured me.

"And I am not going to leave you." Mike said. "No matter what, this is how it will be."

"If we aren't on this side, we are nothing." Zero declared.

"Seriously. The world has nothing to offer us but this." Aido said, shrugging.

I smiled, unable to help it. "Thank you."

Everyone crashed early except for me. I had been moved into my own room simply because Kaien knew I needed space. I did not have many things at all to move. Sitting on my bed, staring out of my window at the full moon, dressed in a button-up nightshirt and pants, I thought of my parents.

I heard a knock on my door and recognized it immediately. "Come in." I said, not moving.

Mike came in and closed the door behind him. "May I?" he asked and before I could answer he sat on my bed next to me.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I am alright."

"Hardly. You are crying." he said, and wiped my tears from my cheek gently.

I smiled. "I was thinking about my parents."

"I see."

I closed my eyes. "You know, I tried not to really hard, but I cannot help but think of you like them. Perhaps, what I feel for you is stronger. I know it is dangerous, but it seems that there is nothing I can do. If I lost you like I lost them, I would have nothing left to live for. Kaname can handle himself. I need for you to stay here."

Mike just looked at me for a long time, considering. He was thinking hard, I knew, but gave him privacy. His lips were pursed, as they did when this happened. He thought for so long that I allowed my eyes to fall to the bed, thinking that it was a comfortable silence to also think in.

Then he took my face between his hands and kissed me like he was afraid I was the one who was going to die. He kissed me so much I could not help but relax into him and even kiss him back. For the moment, my mind was in a rapturous haze, and all I could think about was Michelangelo. He must have realized that he had me at some point, because his kisses became more relaxed, also.

He pulled back sometime later, my arms still around his neck, and smiled at me.

"You cannot keep me away any longer. I am coming with you."

I did not argue. The future could not change, but perhaps it was different. All that I could do about it was hope.


I am not a big fan of this chapter for all of the fluff. I am especially against the 'damsel-in-distress' thing. :( But, hey: is it not a great chappie anyway? Lots of people like fluff. I liked fluff yesterday and the day that I wrote this chapter. Today is just . . . (shudders.) I can tell you this: whether you like fluff or you don't, you must keep reading. You will see my true specialty soon.