Here it it, the chapter that was giving me so much trouble. I think it's because I had to focus on AxK instead of MxM. Don't get me wrong, I wish Keiko had ended up with Akira instead of Hokuto and it's not that she annoys me or anything, it's just...I like MxM a whole lot more. XD Oh, well, whatever, I got it done so just read it already. And review. I would like that too.
CHAPTER SIX
Blood.
Screaming.
A warehouse.
Blood.
"Your time has come to an end."
Wind.
Lightning.
Blood.
Screaming.
An arrow flying through the air.
Blood.
Screaming.
Blood.
Death.
Mahiru sits upright in bed with a jolt, heart hammering in her chest, hair and clothes soaked with sweat. She feels like someone put a needle in her arm and injected her veins with pure fear. What where those images? Whose voice was that? And who had been screaming? Mahiru's throat is raw as if she had been the one screaming, but she knew if she really had, then the guys would be rushing to her room in an instant. She listens intently but hears nothing except for the faint sound of snoring coming from Nozomu's room.
The last part of the dream comes to mind again and she shudders. She hadn't seen who had died, but there was still a strong sense of death that filled her with dread. Whose death was it, though? She runs her hands across her face wishing to wipe it all away. "Forget it, Mahiru," she says aloud, her voice raspy. "It was only a dream…It was only a dream…." She glances at the clock on her nightstand. 5:31. Groaning, she decides to get up for the day. No way am I going to be able to fall asleep again after that.
Mahiru slips out of her room and down the hall as quietly as she can, not bothering to change out of her flannel pajamas. Once she reaches the stairs a clanging sound drifts to her ears coming from the kitchen along with a delicious smell. From the bottom step she sees a familiar fluffy tail. "Akira? What are you doing up so early?"
Akira is standing in front of the stove cooking eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, and any other breakfast item Mahiru can think of. He looks over his shoulder with a small smile. None of his usual cheerfulness and enthusiasm is there. "Hey, Mahiru. I couldn't sleep. Gave up a little while ago and started cooking. Cooking helps take my mind off things." The smile fades a little and sadness enters his eyes. Mahiru sits at the table, wanting to ask what's wrong but she can already guess. He's worried about Himura, especially after what Misoka said last night. He seems to realize his face is falling and quickly fixes it. "Anyway, what are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep, either, even though I really need sleep." She barely suppresses a yawn. "I stayed up late talking to my aunt on the phone, trying to convince her you guys didn't kidnap me and that I'm moving back in of my own free will." Suddenly, Mahiru's stomach growls loudly and her cheeks catch on fire.
Akira laughs and Mahiru gives herself a pat on the back, glad her embarrassment made him feel at least a little better. "You want any of this food? Someone needs to eat it before it all goes bad anyway."
Mahiru gets up, grabs a plate from the cupboard, and starts filling up. "Then I'm your girl. My stomach is like a bottomless pit." When she has a little bit of everything she sits back down and starts to eat, letting her mind wander to thoughts of Himura. How is she? Where is she right now? Is she still with Hokuto or did she manage to get away from him? Has he hurt her? I know Himura said she can take care of herself but…that look I saw in Hokuto's eyes when she kept him from grabbing me…It was like the look of a murderer. Mahiru puts her fork down, suddenly losing her appetite. "Akira?"
"Hmm?" He turns the stove off and turns around, leaning against the counter.
"Do you…do you think Himura is alright?" she asks tentatively.
Any will Akira had to keep up a façade vanishes and his features turn downcast. "I don't know, Mahiru. I've been wondering that all night." Minutes slip by in silence, then Akira's eyes widen with an idea, his ears and tail sticking out in his excitement. "We could go looking for her."
"What?" Mahiru asks, stunned.
Akira's voice speeds up and he leans closer to Mahiru the more excited he gets. "You and me, we could go looking for her. With my nose and ears it probably won't take long. We'll be back before the others even wake up."
Mahiru bites her lip, deliberating. "Don't you think we should wait for the others?"
"What if she doesn't have any more time to wait?" he pleads, giving her his best puppy dog look which is made more effective with the help of his ears and tail. "If we waited it could be too late by the time we get to her. And do you really think Hokuto is going to let her get away unscathed with what she did?"
Mahiru shakes her head slowly. But will we really be able to find her, just the two of us? Will we be able to save her by ourselves? Mahiru considers Akira's words and thinks back to Hokuto's crazed look, holding up a hand to touch the bandage covering her wound. All of the hatred and anger he harbors towards the Lunar Race, he's going to let it all loose on Himura to make her pay, isn't he? Akira's right, waiting could get her killed. She stands up. "Let's go."
