Chapter twenty: Strong enough
She was fast, and since she hadn't known that Yagari-sama had company, she crashed into me head first.
Her head slammed into my stomach, sending me flying backwards for a couple of yards. Luckily, I managed to remain on my feet with my knees locked so I wasn't knocked off balance or on the ground like she was.
That didn't mean I wasn't wounded.
Bruises were slowly developing on my arms and I hard a large gash on my left thigh from where her claws had dug into when she smashed against me. The wound stung like a bitch. I was wheezing a little bit; my stomach felt sore from the impact. Her head had felt like a canon.
She rolled onto her feet, swaying and arms dangling to her sides.
Her clothes were basically rags, so I figured that she had been on the run for more than just a couple of weeks. She was taller than me; my forehead met her pointy long nose. Her greasy and mop-like hair was black like coal. Her uneven red hued eyes---her right eye was located higher than her left-- twitched a couple times. She had a surprised daze on her face, twitching and blinking as she looked around.
Fangs were exposed as she grinned maliciously at me.
Her left hand jerked and she would have impaled me with her claws if I hadn't brutally whacked her with the Blood Star.
One of the spikes smashed her right arm and I heard a loud cracking sound—the breaking of the bones. It dangled limply at her side.
I heard her giggle—it was a mad giggle—and I took a few steps backwards.
Wrong move.
She misunderstood me, believing that I had wanted to escape rather than fight. She came at me more violently, lashing out with her good arm and her teeth snapped at me. I blocked her blows with the Blood Star's rod, but she hit me once so hard that it flew out of my hands. It landed a good ten feet away from me, landing with a clunk, creating a small crater around it.
She giggled again, grabbing my hair and she yanked hard.
I yelped, feeling the claws scraping my skull. I kneed her hard in the stomach, punching her in the throat too, which had been another stupid move.
Ex-humans don't need oxygen.
The blow to the stomach was good enough though and it gave me enough time to perform four somersaults to reach the Blood Star. I landed awkwardly, coming down on one of knees.
I haven't done gymnastics in years…
I was definitely going to feel sore tomorrow.
She giggled again and my head snapped up just in time to see her leap toward me.
I frowned. Trying to attack a person while in air was always a bad plan. It left you open to anything, but who was I to complain? It made it easier for me to ram the Blood Star into her gut as she came down, hitting her organs. Putting my weight on the rod, I forced the spikes to twist inside of her body and her blood spewed out. I didn't bother to wipe off the blood that had splashed onto my cheeks.
She clumsily dropped to the ground and wailed in pain. Her eyes twitched, looking as if she was enjoying the scent of her own blood.
A flash of white interrupted our fight and in her place was my mother.
Her wild, fiery hair was frizzed and her eyes were no longer silver but crimson. Her tongue lolled to the side of her mouth where her excessively long fangs protruded and drool flowed to her chin.
I snarled in disgust. Was it a defense mechanism that ex-humans had? To morph themselves into someone the 'hunter' cherished so that they could avoid extinction?
It was a theory, but this time I wasn't buying it.
I forced myself to listen to Takuma's advice and pictured the ex-human as Kaede with her revolting pink hair and demonic yellow-green eyes…her teasing smile that knew of my mother's fate and Jade's injuries.
You fucking bitch!
I thrust the Blood Star into the ground. With my anger, pain and blood lust fueling its power, the explosion it caused created a ten feet deep and six feet wide crater.
Once the smoke and dust from the air cleared, I noticed that the ex-human had lost her legs.
"Stop playing with your opponent." I heard Yagari-sama complain.
"I'M NOT PLAYING!"
"Then finish the job!" he ordered impatiently and I spotted him standing a few feet away from the edge of the crater.
I gave him my middle finger, causing him to snort.
I diverted my attention to the ex-human again, who was wheezing and crying. Blood spurted from her legs, rushing out of the hole from her abdomen. I strode to where she was, looking down at her.
She glanced up, her eyes fierce with rage, pain and thirst. I gripped the Blood Star tightly. Her eyes widened in fear.
She was not the ex-human anymore. Kaede was kneeling before me, completely whole and grinning.
I heard a faint whisper: A plea. The ex-human wanted to live.
I remember Zero telling me that the Blood Star was meant to crush skulls, but I don't remember believing him.
However, when I removed the Blood Star from Kaede's---I mean, the ex-human's head-- I heard a disturbing squishy sound and realized that the gray substance leaking from the gigantic hole in her head was her brain.
You know how they say to never look down when crossing a bridge?
Never look at a squashed head. Someone should have told me that.
Her red eyes flickered, twitching for the last time and became brown. Her body gradually changed into dust and the wind lifted the dust into the air as if it were freeing her from the Earth.
I was left feeling deeply disgusted with myself.
"Serena-chan?" Yagari-sama's voice sounded concerned.
"I'm fine," I said immediately. It came harsher than I intended.
"This is the first time you've killed someone, isn't it?"
I wanted to shoot him a glare because it was obvious that it was my first time, and yet he had the nerve to ask, but he was probably trying to ease me up.
I nodded slowly, lifting my hand to wipe her blood off my cheek but found nothing. Glancing at my hand, there was also nothing.
Maybe her blood had turned into dust too.
"Yagari-sama?" I said weakly.
He was watching me closely and nodded for me to continue.
"It's always sinful to kill," I answered in sad voice, finally realizing the answer to the question.
He was grim when he replied, "Glad you know the truth."
I was shell shocked.
I sat in front of the Kuran's office door, shivering violently and it wasn't because of the biting cold.
The vampires were having a meeting to discuss who to send to Russia with me. I was almost positive that they were sending Mr. Bunny with me. If not him, then Takuma would probably be the one to join me on the hunt for Kaede. I highly doubted the Kuran would send a vampire I didn't trust.
Everything seemed kind of fuzzy and out of place—as if I wasn't really there.
Surreal.
My body felt so sore. I knew I had a lot of bruises and gashes…somewhere.
Mom had called the Chairman to make sure I was okay, somehow knowing that I had gone out to…do the job…seriously this time. My thoughts weren't really focusing on her though.
I've seen people in pain and I've caused them pain. I've insulted and physically assaulted them, but I've never killed anyone. The image of the ex-human's crushed skull, her brain leaking out from the wound, and the way her red eyes twitched one last time before changing back to their normal brown hues repeatedly flashed in my head.
I fought the urge to vomit.
Someone's voice cracked at a high-pitch. The vampires were arguing. I strained my ears to listen in on them, curious. I also wanted the image out of my head and this was a great distraction. I couldn't catch much of what they were saying, but I knew who was talking. The Kuran was easy to pick out from the sea of voices because it was elegant, soft, and persuasive. In a way, his voice always came across as passive, like he was trying to cover up his true, violent self.
Passive my ass.
"I don't believe any of us are surprised that you've chosen a human mate." I heard the Kuran say gently. "However, I cannot say it was a wise choice."
There were a few rounds of grunts.
"We do not choose whom to love, Kaname-sempai, our hearts do."
I recognized that voice immediately. The sleek, feminine voice belonged to a vampire with long ash blonde hair. I've only heard her talk a couple of times while at the gates when she was with Mr. Bunny's cousin but her voice was so nauseatingly sophisticated that it was heard to forget.
I pressed my right ear against the doors as I crawled on my knees and palms, nearly falling over since I hadn't stopped shivering.
"We'll talk about this another time. We still haven't discussed about who we are sending to accompany Miss Serena." Takuma—there was no mistaking his politeness—replied shortly.
My face nearly planted itself onto the floor when I realized that they still hadn't made a decision about who was going. What the hell had they been doing then?
"I'm going." I heard Mr. Bunny say aggressively. I imagined he was challenging the other vampires to see if they would object.
"Of course you are." I believe that was his cousin speaking with a rather sarcastic tone—what was Mr. Orange hair's name again?
I heard the Kuran chuckle but no one else said anything.
"I'd like to go as well," Takuma offered.
"I thought we were only sending one?" A voice I didn't recognize asked, but it was definitely male.
"I don't really understand why. Wouldn't it be better to send two? This is Kaede we're talking about—and her brother Kohaku," a young feminine voice said. I think that was the blonde haired vampire girl--the one that stuck to the only other brunette vampire.
"The Hunter's Association only want one vampire from our coven going with her since the male prefect and the vampire hunter are already joining her," the Kuran explained lightly. "Sending too many with her will draw attention to the group."
A silence followed after he spoke.
"So it's settled then? Hanabusa will be the one going?" the sleek feminine voice questioned, seeming unsettled.
"What's wrong with me going, Ruka?" Mr. Bunny snapped, sensing the hidden meaning in that. "Think I can't take care of her?"
"No, it's not that. I think you might act too brashly though," Mr. Orange hair argued and I could tell that he was trying to keep the peace between them.
"Try to think things through before barging in," Ruka, I'm assuming that's her name, sneered.
I rolled my eyes.
"Then it's settled," the Kuran continued, ignoring the banter. "You are going."
"What about Fontana's mother? Any news about her?" The same young masculine voice questioned. "Should we dispatch her?
I became tense, growling even.
Who the hell did they think they were? She's MINE!
"No, it's not time yet but it's soon. If Fontana Serena fails to kill her, we'll be sending you in," the Kuran answered.
"Good riddance," Ruka sneered. "I don't want another Level E disgracing us."
Something in me snapped and without even thinking, I wobbled onto my feet.
Wrath was knotting inside my heart, exploding with fire. I barged through the door, kicking it out of my way with my foot and made a beeline to the ash blonde haired vampire.
Taken by surprise of my sudden appearance, the vampires were immobile as I charged at Ruka.
SMACK!
My eyes widened in astonishment as my right hand left a red handprint on the Kuran's face and I heard everyone gasp.
In one swift movement, Mr. Bunny had me by the waist and Mr. Orange hair held Ruka back from attacking me. The other vampires were about to move in on me when the Kuran's booming voice, now sharp, demanded them to halt.
They froze in their footsteps.
My brain was on fire with confusion.
WHAT THE HELL! I WAS SUPPOSED TO SLAP RUKA! HOW THE HELL—NO—WHY THE HELL DID HE GET IN MY FUCKING WAY!
"Get her out of here," a girl with short silver hair snarled.
"No, she's not done yet." The Kuran's voice regained its softness.
I glared, surprised that he had allowed me to smack him and mad that he did not allow me to hit the person who deserved it, but I found myself glaring at intimidating, reddish brown eyes. His eyes seemed to breathe power and seduction, and they demanded that I submit.
"What else do you have to say, Mongrel," Ruka hissed, exposing her fangs.
Mr. Bunny tightened his grip on me as I writhed in his arms.
"Miss Serena, please try to refrain from attacking her." Takuma placed a hand on my head, almost treating me like a pet.
My shoulders immediately slumped.
The Kuran eyed Takuma and Mr. Bunny, seeming envious that only they had a little control over me.
Scratch that. Not control, but respect. And he could kiss my fat ass if he wanted my respect.
"Fontana-san, say what you need to say," Mr. High-and-Mighty ordered.
Growling, I yanked myself out of Mr. Bunny's hold and the vampires immediately braced themselves. If it had been at a different time, I would have laughed.
"How can you say that the Level E vampires are a disgrace to your kind?" I snapped, cracking my knuckles as if I was preparing to punch Ruka. "It's your fucking kind that turns us into ex-humans to begin with! If anyone is a disgrace, it's you!" I pointed my index finger as I turned onto the Kuran.
"You are the creator of this mess! And I'm the one who's cleaning up after you!" I continued to yell, getting louder with each accusation.
Mr. High-and-Mighty kept a steady, blank face. The look only aggravated me further.
I got into his face, which caused the other vampires to move but he held up a hand to halt them again.
He wanted me to carry on.
"HERE YOU ARE SAYING THEY'RE A DISGRACE WHEN YOU'RE THE FUCKING ANIMALS—EXCUSE ME, THAT'S AN INSULT TO REAL ANIMALS---FUCKING BARBARIANS WHO DEFORMED THEM TO LOOK AND ACT LIKE YOU! THAT'S RIGHT—LIKE YOU!" I was screaming now. "YOU'RE NO FUCKING BETTER THAN THEY ARE! YOU JUST THINK SO BECAUSE YOU SUPPOSEDLY HAVE MORE CONTROL! WELL YOU DON'T! OTHERWISE THEY WOULDN'T EXIST TO BEGIN WITH, YOU RETARDS!"
"Serena…" Mr. Bunny began softly, sounding insulted.
"SHUT UP!" I barked at him. "I'M NOT FINISHED!"
I spun back around on the Kuran, still yelling at him even though he kept his placid face. "IF ANYTHING, YOU FUCKING DESERVE TO HUNTED DOWN! I HOPE THAT EVERY DAMN ONE OF YOU PUREBLOODS DIES!"
I could tell that this time I struck a cord, watching the Kuran's eyes narrow dangerously. I had specifically said those last few words to piss him off, remembering what I had read the in the Hunter's Association Manual.
Yagari-sama was right. I could piss off more people by reading it.
It had stated that the vampire purebloods were nearly extinct, hunted down for their powerful blood that could solve so many human diseases and increase the strength of other vampires. It didn't help that Yuuki was still being hunted down by the remaining members of the Hunter's Association and the lingering purebloods. So many wanted her blood---apparently, hers was the strongest since the time of the first original vampire.
Ironically, that was her betrothed.
"You will regret saying those words," the Kuran said softly, but I caught the hidden malice laced within the tone.
"You are what you repeatedly do, monster," I snarled and without looking at anyone's face, particularly Mr. Bunny's, I marched out of the Kuran's office.
I made my way to Jade's room, not sure of where else to go to blow off steam.
As I reached his room, I heard laughter and slowed down my pace. Surprised to hear it from his room, I opened the door to peek inside.
I found Kiren and Jade playing Grant Theft Auto, and Kiren was shooting down the cops. A loud booming noise sounded and the car combusted, causing the two to laugh and high-five each other.
I winced, feeling invisible all of the sudden and was about to head out when Jade cleared his throat—
"You gonna come in or just stand there like an idiot?"
I froze. "How did…"
"Are you kidding? You have no stealth whatsoever," Jade smirked. "So what's up? You look ticked."
I snorted. That was an understatement.
Kiren immediately frowned. "You didn't get into another fight, did you?"
Haha. A fight. Yeah. That's what it was.
I forced myself to grin. "Nah. Nothing happened."
Jade laughed in mockery. "Translation: she's lying."
I frowned. "I am not!"
"Yes you are! The only time you look mischievous is when you ALREADY did something you weren't supposed to do. Kiren, pack up the game, shit's gonna happen." He was already wrapping the cord around the game's controller.
I pouted. "But I wanted to play-"
"SERENA!" We all heard a voice shout.
I groaned, recognizing Mr. Bunny's voice instantly.
Kiren sighed. "I knew it was too good to be true."
Jade threw the bed covers on him. "Hide the game, he might think we're up to something suspicious."
I shot Jade a dirty look. "Why the hell would he-"
"Uh, 'cause the game is ultra violent and sometimes the main goal is to kill people. You don't find that suspicious?" he said in a 'no duh' tone. "Oh wait, you're like the incarnation of the game. They'll be more suspicious of you."
I grimaced, knowing that after my little spiel it was definitely true.
"SERENA!" He was more urgent this time.
"I'm right here you idiot! Stop screaming!" I shouted.
Mr. Bunny poked his head in, his face spelled fury. "Why didn't you answer me the first time?"
I snarled but he didn't flinch. "Because I'm not a dog! Now what do you want?"
He glowered. "Who do you think you are saying those kinds of things to Kaname-sama? Do you have any idea how much respect you lost tonight?"
Like I gave a shit.
"Wait a second, you pissed off the Big Man?" Jade asked, grinning. He gave out a loud woot when neither of us answered him, waving his arms in the air—even his stumped one.
Mr. Bunny glared at Jade. I glared at Mr. Bunny.
Kiren, the poor girl was so tired of it all, sighed in frustration.
"Could you two perhaps argue somewhere else?" Kiren scowled at us.
"No, that won't be needed. He was leaving anyway," I hinted at the vampire.
Mr. Bunny refused. "I am not. We need to talk."
"We don't need to do diddly squat. Just leave," I snapped.
"No seriously, take your lover's spat somewhere else," Jade intervened.
"Lover's spat?" I repeated in disbelief.
"Yea, you're reminding me of Erica and me…how we used to fight." He had a far away look.
I spun to face Mr. Bunny, not wanting to see Jade's face in pain. "You leave first."
He stomped his foot. "Absolutely not."
"Come on, Mr. Bunny, ladies first," I grinned.
"So you would agree with me if I called you a beast?" he narrowed his eyes.
I glared at him. "I'm not afraid of you, you pink panties wearing-"
"STOP! Before you go any further!" he cut me off.
Jade wiggled an eyebrow at the vampire. "You wear pink panties?"
Mr. Bunny flushed red. "I do not."
"Stealing from girls, aren't you ashamed?" Jade teased.
"I. Do. NOT. Wear. Panties!" Mr. Bunny yelled.
"Boys!" Kiren whined. "Stop!"
I laughed as they sized each other up, electricity crackling between them. Jade was just having fun, but Mr. Bunny was in a foul mood.
Mr. Bunny turned to me. "When are you ever going to keep your mouth shut?"
"Hey at least she's not threatening to castrate you, that's an improvement," Jade laughed.
Mr. Bunny paled. "You told him about that!"
"Oh no, she threatens every guy like that so I assumed she threatened you too."
"Give me that damn weapon of yours," Mr. Bunny snapped, glaring at me as if I betrayed him. "You need a good whack."
"Wait, wait," Jade laughed, looking at me. "Who's the dumbass that gave you a weapon?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean Jade?" I laughed at him, pretending to be offended with my right hand over my heart.
A spark of jealousy went off in Mr. Bunny's eyes and he glared at Jade, and I became confused as to why Mr. Bunny was suddenly jealous. Was he envious of the friendship Jade and I had? Did he not want me to have other guy friends? Not wanting to have a mini war happen, I grabbed Mr. Bunny's hand and dragged him along my side, throwing a "See you guys later" over my shoulder. However, once we were out of the Moon dorms I didn't have to drag him because he began to walk willingly with me—even going as far as holding my hand.
I was glad it was night. I didn't want to him to see my face changing colors.
"Serena…" His voice was soft, almost pleading. Like he wanted me to look at him but I continued walking and stared at the ground.
I felt him squeeze my hand, causing a cold rush up my arm.
I came to a halt and stared at him. "What now?"
He narrowed his eyes but even in the dark I could tell he was pouting.
"We don't talk anymore," he said.
I almost face-planted again.
Here I thought he was going to bring up what I had said earlier but instead he complains about our lack of communication! How TYPICAL!
I narrowed my eyes at him in annoyance. "Are you blaming me?"
"No…I just don't like us not talking," he mumbled, playing with my fingers.
I gently tugged my hand free of him. "Then talk to me."
There was a pause of silence.
That must have it then. He was jealous that Jade and I could carry a conversation so easily without any of these awkward silences.
"We have to bring Hoshi with us," he replied after a while. He sounded upset.
I twitched. "Hoshi? The guy with white hair? The vampire who helped Kaede? The one that was caught? The one that-"
"Are you going to go on listing everything about him?" he interrupted, annoyed.
I folded my arms over my chest. "Why is he coming?"
"We're bringing him because we need a bargaining tool. Return Hoshi and we get Kaede." He shrugged. He wasn't telling me something. I could tell because he was avoiding my eyes. He looked at his hands and then he looked at my hands.
There was dried blood on my hands. It was my blood. I wonder if it's bothering him.
"What?" I asked, trying to hide my hands behind my skirt.
He cleared his throat. "Nothing."
Awkward silence.
"So…when do I leave for Russia?"
"December fifteenth, when winter break begins," he answered.
"What? You sound depressed," I frowned.
"We should be going with more people, but Kaname-sama says it would only draw more attention. It just bothers me. There's a possibility, if she really is there, that her clan is with her. That's a lot of vampires to face off. I can't fight all-"
"You know I'm still standing in front of you, right?" I narrowed my eyes in annoyance. "I didn't die while facing the ex-human."
"But that's just it. You only fought an ex-human. You've never fought against a Noble vampire! They're capable of so much more!" he snapped.
Damn. He had a point.
I growled. "Well, get over it. Or you know what? Better idea. I refuse to be the damsel in distress so you train me."
He blinked in surprise. "What?"
"Train me. You said I had no experience fighting with noble vampires so…train me. Fight me," I told him, whipping out the Blood Star.
He became furious. "I am NOT fighting you."
"Hanabusa, I AM going whether YOU like it or NOT. I WILL fight Kaede and I WILL kill her, even if it means dying in the process," I said fiercely.
We glared at each other.
"Fine but not right now. You were shaking earlier and I bet you haven't completely recovered from your first kill either," he mumbled, looking away. "I'll…fight you…when you're in better shape."
I scowled. "Fine. Tomorrow then."
His face blew up like a puffer fish. "NO! You won't just heal over night, idiot!"
"Well it's not like I have that much time left, you moron! December fifteenth is two weeks and five days from now!" I snapped.
He exhaled loudly. "In four days then."
I growled. "Two."
"Four. I'm not giving in this time."
"Like I give a damn. If I have to I'll attack another vampire."
He narrowed his eyes. "Serena..."
"So two it is!" I smirked.
"Three!"
"Fine! Three days then!" I threw my hands into the air in frustration.
"You are such a pain in the ass!" he shouted.
"Oh sure, like you're the country's favorite saint too!" I snapped and he turned away from me, mumbling about something. "Where are you going?"
"To bed! The sun will be up soon and I'll be damned before I miss my sleep for you!" he yelled.
I snorted. "Well fine! I'm going to bed too! I have classes to go to later!"
I heard him laugh scornfully. "No you don't, you imbecile. It's Sunday!"
I flushed red. Whoops. Forgot about that.
"Whatever!" I shouted and spun around.
I stomped back to my room, noticing the empty bed where Kiren slept. I guessed that she was either still playing video games or she was with Takuma.
I was surprised to see Kiren playing video games with Jade of all people. I didn't even know they knew each other—or that they were friends.
Something must have happened while I was gone.
I slowly dressed into my pajamas, suddenly feeling the pain and soreness.
My arms felt really stiff—good thing Mr. Bunny refused to fight.
I smiled a little. We were back to normal.
I didn't count on the blonde rabbit to follow me around for the next two days, making sure I wasn't overexerting myself.
He also caught me off guard when he began to open doors for me. That progressed to carrying my books and other school supplies. He sometimes came to my class and took notes for me when I got too tired and slept through the lecture.
It was nice, very odd and surprising, but nice. I found that I enjoyed his attention…a lot. But there were times that I became annoyed.
"Where are you going?" Mr. Bunny frowned as I walked off the school's campus.
I rolled my eyes. "Do you want a schedule of my life?"
"Sure, why not?" he grunted.
Nosy little shit.
"My foot will be up your ass in five minutes."
He chuckled. "I told you. I'm not fighting you."
"You will tomorrow. You promised."
"I promised you nothing," he scoffed.
"We agreed to three days," I growled.
"That's not saying much," he grinned.
"Are you implying that I can't trust you to keep your word?"
He grinned more broadly.
"Hanabusa, I will march up to that Ruka chick and hit her with the Blood Star if you don't keep your word."
That turned his smile upside down.
"Serena…" he warned me.
"You started it." I stuck out my tongue.
He sighed loudly. "You're a pain."
"You've already established that."
"Idiot."
"Pansy."
"Bitch."
"Pink-panties wearing bunny." I laughed at his face.
"Take that back," he growled.
"Nope!"
"You know, I could just kick your ass right now and let it be done with."
"Then what's stopping you?" I asked deviously.
"You'd be unconscious for a long time—long enough that you would miss in the action in Russia, which isn't a bad idea except I know that when I got back from Russia I'd have to listen to you nag about how you wanted to be the one to kill Kaede," he sneered.
"Yea, 'cause you're just worried about me nagging," I laughed. "You don't want me to kill you either."
"I'm not afraid of you."
"Never said you were." I grinned.
"You were hinting at it though," he scowled.
"I was not!" I lied.
"It would be so easy to kill you, seriously."
I didn't make a remark this time. He was staring at me with concern, as if he was picturing my death in his mind. He didn't seem pleased to remember that I was human. Being human meant being fragile.
"Then help improve me," I said.
He looked away. "Jokes aside—where are you going? We're off campus."
I sighed. "I just wanted to take a walk."
I was telling the truth. Nothing serious needed to be done today. I wanted some relaxation—something I couldn't do at the school where all the constant remainders of my responsibilities hung over my head.
"Oh sure, just a stroll in the park where vampires could attack you—especially now, since you're still sore and wounded," he retorted sardonically.
"Don't fuss too much mother bird."
"Stop giving me animal pet names. They're annoying."
"Fine. Pansy."
He growled. I laughed. We make a marvelous couple.
I came to a halt, causing him to knock into me. Did I seriously just think 'couple'?
"What the fuck woman! Give me a warning!" he snapped.
"Watch your mouth young man! You have a lady with you!" an old man reprimanded the vampire.
Hanabusa gave him the evil eye.
"Behave," I said to him, not wanting a human to be attacked.
He mumbled under his breath. "As if she could pass as a lady."
I let the comment slide. We were in the middle of the streets now, walking among the local folk that lived in the nearby city.
"Don't order me. Only Kaname-sama has that ability," he growled.
"I wasn't ordering you." I sighed.
"Yes you were."
"I was not!"
"Children! You are in my way!" A merchant yelled at us. He was directing a carriage. "Go on now! Take your business somewhere else!"
I stepped aside. Hanabusa mimicked me.
He snorted as the man left. "Child? I'm older than he is. How dare he-"
"Then step on it grandpa. You're falling behind," I told him, walking a few feet ahead of him now.
"Serena!" he shouted angrily, catching up to me.
"Don't yell at me!"
"Well don't walk off without me!"
"That's your fault! Pay attention!"
"UGH! YOU'RE SUCH A PAIN IN THE ASS!"
"YOUNG MAN! I TOLD YOU TO WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!" The same old man scolded. "DO I NEED TO GET MY BAR OF SOAP?"
"It's okay, we're leaving," I scowled, heading back to the school.
Hanabusa gave the old man his middle finger when he wasn't looking.
I rolled my eyes. "Come on Pansy. We're going back."
"Well that was pointless," he snorted.
"It was pointless because you were with me," I glared.
"You say that, but you actually love the fact that I'm with you," he smirked.
I quickly tried to cover up my reaction by pretending to trip. How had he known that I liked his company? Had I become easy to read?
"You clumsy imbecile," he muttered, lifting me by the arms from the ground.
I groaned as I felt my arms cringe in pain.
As he least he didn't know I tripped on purpose.
I pretended to be annoyed. "Don't go saying stupid things like that. As if I'd actually enjoy a vampire's company."
He looked seriously wounded by that comment. "Well, excuse me."
He straightened his back and marched ahead of me, stomping the ground like a child throwing a tantrum.
Ah shit.
"Hanabusa! Wait!" I shouted after him but he wouldn't let up.
Oh yea. I definitely royally pissed him off.
The moon was full tonight but every now and then a cloud would cover it like a blanket. The school's campus was illuminated when the moon shone—exposing all the hidden crooks and crannies where people could hide. My eyes were weary of the shadows that sprinted into the corners of the staircases and windows.
I scowled, jumping from the top of the building to the lower roofs of the school. The Blood Star clanked as the bottom of it hit the ground and I rose up from my crouching stance.
Hanabusa was supposed to be here. He was supposed to fight me tonight. Was he not keeping his promise?
I tightened my grip on the rod of the Blood Star.
Well, if he didn't want to fight me…
I grinned, thinking of the ash blonde haired vampire. She would want to fight me. Ruka seemed like the type to hold grudges against humans who nearly assaulted her. I ran with the breeze tangling itself within my hair, spreading it like a fan around my face. My leg muscles were still sore, but I could move my arms without wincing.
I was an inch away from the Moon Dorms—the guard had gotten used to seeing me since Jade was brought in and didn't bother me as I passed by--- when someone grabbed me by my collar and lifted me.
"What do you think you're doing?" Hanabusa's voice was cold and vicious, cutting my nerves and I looked up at him in surprise.
His oceanic eyes were swirling violently, indicating that he was still pissed at me for my comment yesterday and now he was angry because he knew what I had planned to do.
I pouted, crossing my arms over my chest. "You're late. I thought you weren't going to show. And I told you I'd fight Ruka if you didn't keep your word."
I stretched my toes to try to touch the ground but Hanabusa had me dangling too high in the air.
"I always keep my word," he growled.
"Could you put me down now?" I asked.
He dropped me without bothering to be gentle. Luckily I landed on my feet.
"Grouch," I mumbled under my breath.
"Better make this quick," he ordered.
I quirked an eyebrow at him. "What's the rush?"
"Apparently you don't like being with vampires," he smirked cruelly.
Okay. I knew I deserved that verbal slap to the face.
"Yea, I know. I'm sorry for—"
"Save your apologies for someone who cares," he interrupted and then quickly demanded, "Take your position."
It took me a few seconds to decide to just drop it. Maybe if I let him beat me to a pulp he'd get over it—like Erica used to. I brought out the Blood Star and twirled the rod before placing it in front of me, the spikes bursting out a second later. He stood completely straight, eyes fierce like a wild predator and one of his fists was clenched. The atmosphere around him suddenly dropped to a very cold temperature and I could have sworn I felt an icy breeze pass through me.
What did I just get myself into?
"Ladies first," he said and I didn't argue with him this time.
I ran forward, swinging the Blood Star towards his head but he blocked it…with a frozen solid arm.
What the fuck? He has ice powers? Why didn't anyone bother to inform me of that?
A small explosion sounded and ice ejected from the ground, knocking me onto my ass and the Blood Star was taken out of my hands.
Oh SHIT!
I dodged him as he attacked me with my own weapon, knowing better to fight him with my bare hands. I did a few back handsprings to escape his wrath. He purposely dropped the Blood Star onto the ground, which created a huge roaring sound and the ground crumbled from its power.
"QUIT RUNNING AWAY!" he bellowed.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGHT YOU? YOU TOOK MY WEAPON!" I shouted bitterly.
He laughed a sadistic laugh. "You shouldn't depend on your weapon!"
Damn him. Of course he was right.
He leaped for me, his arm spreading more ice into the air and I quickly ducked away from the icicles that were flung at me.
Is he trying to kill me?
I slid underneath him, going in between his legs and spun around to kick him in the back---he was too fast for me. I was on my ass again before I could even breathe.
He held the Blood Star near my throat, narrowing his eyes sharply at me. "Still think you can take on a Noble?"
A slow smile formed on my face. "I'll die if I have to."
"Do that and you'll leave your mother to the vampires of higher class," he retorted, knowing it would strike a nerve.
I jumped to my feet, cutting my neck a little on a long spike and threw a punch at him. He dodged it. I tried to kick his side and he dodged that too.
"Not fast enough," he grunted.
I threw another punch.
"You're pathetic."
I growled, pretending to throw a punch but then I slammed my knee into his gut.
He smirked, swiftly recovering from the blow. "Better."
We spent four hours like that. Punching, kicking, growling and insulting each other. It was the first time I fought a vampire without a weapon.
When it was over I collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. I had new bruises decorating my arms and calves, and my left cheek had become swollen due to the upper cut he delivered. I broke a few bones in my hand from when I tried to punch him but he covered himself in ice at the last second.
Bastard.
He wasn't even out of breath—unlike me.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, mocking me.
"Fuck you," I replied tiredly.
He shook his head in distaste. "Definitely not a lady."
I ignored his comment and spread myself onto the ground. I was not getting up for a very long time.
"Come on, the sun is rising. I have to get to bed and you have classes to attend," he grumbled, nudging me with his foot. "Get up! We have to go!
I shot him a deadly glare, as if to dare him. "I'm not moving. You can leave if you want, but I'm not budging for a while."
"I can't just leave you here," he argued.
"Whatever. Just go."
He snarled, picking me up. He cradled me in his arms.
"HEY! PUT ME DOWN! I DIDN'T SAY PICK ME UP!"
He laughed indifferently. "I don't need your permission."
I glared at him, not bothering to squirm because I knew it would hurt me more than him thanks to my injuries.
"You just want to carry me," I joked.
Instead of blushing, he became angry. "I don't know about that. I don't really enjoy spending time with humans. It's like a chore—to be with the inferior."
I smacked him really hard with my good hand, leaving a red handprint on his cheek. It caught him so off guard that he stopped walking and stared at me, bewildered.
"Look, I know what I said was wrong but I apologized, didn't I? And I know that apologies don't solve everything and that I have to suffer the consequences, but I don't remember making any comments of who was better than who and I won't let you belittle me just because I happen to be physically weaker than you," I fumed.
He set me on my feet, aggravated. "Good bye Serena."
It took a lot of willpower to stay on my feet because I literally had no energy to stand and I felt tremendously weak.
When the vampire was out of my sight, I fell back onto the ground.
I groaned. "I'm gonna have to crawl back aren't I?"
XXXXXXXXXXX
I have fixed what needed to be fixed--like I promised.
Notes on the characters: Serena has accepted the fact that she likes Aidou, which is why she has started to refer him as Hanabusa rather than Mr. Bunny . That doesn't mean she won't argue with him. And Aidou is going through a complicated phase: he's caught between his loyalty to Kaname and his affection for Serena, which would explain why he avoided scolding her thoroughly when she verbally attacked Kaname. Jealous of Jade? Somewhat. Jade has it easy when it comes to Serena since it's just friendship--he doesn't have to choose between two people.
Please feel free to inform me of any grammar mistakes and character errors.