Chapter 5: Loving The New Life

Shanyra was still sleeping. She didn't wake up since she fell unconscious at the end of the ritual. Gabriella assured that everything happened accordingly and that Shanyra should wake up fine. Since the ritual was successful, Kol and Shanyra are soul mates now. Kol could tell it worked because he wasn't feeling weak anymore. He got his strength back. Kol was obviously happy about it but he was getting worried as well since it has already been twenty four hours but Shanyra showed no sign of waking up yet. He got more worried when he heard Shanyra scream in her sleep.

"No!" She must be having a nightmare. Kol thought. He rushed to her side and tried to wake her up.

"Shanyra wake up! Shanyra! SHANYRA!" Kol shook her with a little force this time. Shanyra snap opened her eyes and jolted up in a sitting position. For a moment, she seemed lost. But then she looked at Kol.

"Shanyra?" Kol said her name again, only this time softly and in a wondering manner. He wanted to know what happened.

"I'm fine." Shanyra said. "I just had a nightmare."

"About what?" Kol asked curiously. For some reason it surprised Shanyra that he asked. Did she expect him to just ignore it? Perhaps.

"You don't wanna know." Shanyra stated at first.

"If I didn't want to know then I wouldn't have asked you." Kol said back. Shanyra stared at Kol for a short moment, then decided to tell him.

"I saw that you weren't you anymore." Shanyra said making the original frown at her with confusion.

"Then what was I?" He asked, sounding more curious.

"You had turned into an angel. You were sparkling and grew feathery white wings on your back. And you were telling me that you are my guardian angel. You looked very girly too. It was horrible." Shanyra said that all very convincingly.

"That all?" Kol asked sarcastically.

"I think you were wearing a tutu." Shanyra said with seriousness and horror in her voice. Kol rolled his eyes at her. He believed her however there was a small voice at the back of his head, telling him that she was lying about her nightmare. But Kol ignored that voice. After all why would she lie?

Dealing with Shanyra was quite awkward for Kol. Obviously he wasn't used to of having a little girl as his responsibility. But since he'd need to get used to of taking care of Shanyra anyway, Kol decided to start from today.

"Get up. You've slept over twenty four hours." Kol thought that the girl would simply comply with his wish. But instead-

"But I want to rest for a couple of hours more." Saying that Shanyra yawned softly and laid back on the bed again. She also covered herself back with the comforter. She curled into a ball and sighed deeply in comfort and contentment. Kol was sternly staring at her with crossed arms over his chest but it didn't make any difference to Shanyra. She was ready to fall asleep again.

At first Kol thought about letting her rest for a while longer but then he thought, if he allowed her to disobey him this time, it might become a habit of her. Which Kol Mikaelson could not let happen. So he yanked the comforter off her body.

"Hey!" Shanyra immediately yelled in protest.

"I said get up. I'm taking you to school today to get you enrolled." Kol spoke strictly but it didn't seem to have any affect on Shanyra.

"School?" Shanyra asked as if she heard the word for the first time in her life. Kol rolled his eyes at her oblivious expression.

"Yes, school. A place where kids go to learn and get educated. Ringing any bells princess." Kol spoke sarcastically.

"It's ringing alright but it's not explaining why I have to go there?" Shanyra said flatly.

"Whatever made you think you don't have to go to school-" Kol was going to say, he didn't care about it but Shanyra interrupted him before he could finish.

"Becoming an original vampire's soul mate made me think that." She said with a duh in her voice. Kol gave her a stern look for that.

"Well that said original vampire is telling you that you have to go to school." Kol said at once. There would be no changes in that. Shanyra sat up once again. Though not to listen to Kol.

"I am not going to school." She stated calmly but also stubbornly.

"Yes you are. I thought you like going to school." Kol said vividly remembering Shanyra telling him that she loves her school.

"I liked not staying home. And school happened to be an escape for me back then. But everything is changed now. Now, I want to travel around the world. Go to places and have adventures. Not that I haven't traveled before and I have visited a few countries already but they were all family holidays and most of the time I ended up staying in the hotel room. But it's going to be different with you." Shanyra spoke with certainty and she sounded quite excited about it.

"We will have a blast together. I just know it. I think we should go to Egypt first. I've never seen a pyramid before. Have you been to Egypt before? Of course you must have. Just imagine, the two of us, in a never ending journey, exploring the wilderness of this world together. Hey!... What are you doing?" Shanyra exclaimed, getting startled as Kol suddenly threw her over his shoulder and started walking out of the room.

"Put me down." She demanded but Kol never heard her. Shanyra was so light that Kol didn't feel any weight on his shoulder at all. Not that it'd have mattered to him if she was heavy.

"I don't appreciate you being so friendly with me kid. You should fear me." Kol stated in a matter of fact tone of voice while he walked towards Rebekah's room.

"Why?" Shanyra asked curiously. She has stopped struggling already and now resting on Kol's shoulder quite comfortably.

"Because what your cousin said about me is true. I am dangerous." The answer only made Shanyra roll her eyes to herself.

"Well that certainly doesn't explain why I should fear you? I know you're never going to hurt me or let anyone else harm me." Shanyra stated the obvious quite frankly and confidently.

"Speaking of my cousin, where is Caroline?" Shanyra inquired about her cousin, since she wasn't there anymore.

"She had to leave. One of her friends got into trouble as usual." Kol answered. Then he entered Rebekah's bedroom. She was reading some book. The original sister glanced at Kol and found Shanyra over his shoulder.

"Never heard of knocking before?" Rebekah asked sarcastically. She stood up from the bed and walked over to Kol. He gave Shanyra to her and said-

"Feed her and get her ready. She's going to school today." Saying that Kol started to walk away.

"I'm not a nanny." Rebekah yelled after him.

"Besides, aren't you the guardian angel? You should know how to look after her yourself." Kol ignored all that and simply left. Shanyra however looked very amused.

"Wow you heard that. That's awesome." She said excitedly.

"Perks of being a vampire love. Let's get you ready first." Rebekah then led Shanyra to another room. While walking Shanyra spoke up.

"What is it with Kol and taking me to school? He isn't trying to get rid of me, is he?" She asked rather suspiciously.

"Wow, you actually fear that thought." Rebekah said that more to herself than to Shanyra. It was both confusing and shocking. Kol was a psychotic maniac. A little girl wanting to be with him was an unsettling thought. True that Shanyra didn't see Kol being a lunatic yet but she heard about it. She should've been at least a little scared of Kol.

"Don't worry, Kol can't get rid of you even if he wants to." Rebekah assured.

"He just wants you to get involved with something so that you wouldn't get bored here." Shanyra couldn't help but roll her eyes at that.

"How thoughtful! But if my boredom is the concern here. I'm always ready to go to shopping." Shanyra was going to be the new kid at school. Though that was not why she didn't want to do. She would actually enjoy all that attention for being new. The reason, Shanyra didn't want to go to school was because she was finally hoping to have adventures in her life. Not to mention, she was keeping an original vampire alive for crying out loud. Was it really necessary for her to do homework, give exams and do everything else like any other normal kid? Not in Shanyra's opinion. But clearly Kol thought different.

"Oh that's too bad because we already bought everything you might need." Saying that Rebekah opened the door of a room. As they entered, Shanyra found rows of clothes and shoes and other thing occupying the room. And they were all for her.

"I did a little shopping for you while you were sleeping." Rebekah informed making Shanyra sigh out heavily.

"I wish you had done the shopping while I was wake. I'd have gone with you. I want to know how it's like to shop in America." She sounded quite upset about it.

"Oh don't be upset Shae. We can always go to another shopping trip." Rebekah said making Shanyra smile again and be a little hopeful.

"Like right now?" She asked giving the original puppy dog eyes.

"Kol would kill me if I take you to shopping now." With that Rebekah crushed that little hope Shanyra had. Her face fell immediately.

"But we could have a little fun this weekend" said the original.

"We better. And you know what's the best thing about me? You don't have to worry about spoiling me. Because I'm already quite spoiled." Shanyra said grinning proudly making Rebekah smirk at her.

"Oh I've realized that already." She said. Then Rebekah urged Shanyra to get ready quickly.

"Select a dress now love. Kol's not a patient man. And I'd strongly advise you not to piss him off."

After half an hour later, Kol was leading Shanyra towards his car. She was still trying to persuade him not to take her to school. Shanyra could be stubborn as a mule sometimes. Besides, she knew it was safe for her to get on Kol's nerves because of the soul mate thing. So she just couldn't help it.

"Come on, you are a walking talking encyclopedia yourself. What could possibly the teachers in Mystic Falls high teach me, that you can't? Going to school is pointless in my opinion." Shanyra was being quite serious and enthusiastic about it.

"No one asked for your opinion." Kol said, trying to keep his voice calm and not snap at the girl. He unlocked the door of his car with the keys. Not noticing that Shanyra has suddenly stopped walking. She was staring at the car with fear in her eyes. And when Kol did notice it, he got confused.

"What is it?" He asked curiously.

"I'm not getting in that car." Shanyra stated with a strong tone of voice while vehemently shaking her head. What suddenly got into her? Kol wondered.

"Why not?" He asked with more confusion.

"I just don't like it." Shanyra said at once and offered no other explanation. Kol's car was the latest model of Porsche. It was shinny black in color. Obviously very expensive. It was actually the color of the car that disturbed Shanyra. Kol rolled his eyes thinking that it was just another way of her to be difficult. That she was doing it on purpose so that he wouldn't take her to school.

"Shanyra get in." Kol ordered in a voice that someone else wouldn't have dared to disobey him.

"I'll go to school but not in that car. I don't like black cars." Shanyra repeated; this time sounding very serious and a little frightened as well. Not to mention she stared at the car as if it was haunted. But alas Kol failed to take her seriously.

"You're getting on my nerves Shanyra. Just get in the car." He snapped at her angrily this time.

"I'm not getting in that car means I am not getting in that car. And if you force me to do it, I'll start screaming. I swear." Shanyra was on the verge on throwing a tantrum. Kol really wished that moment that he had really killed her instead of keeping her alive. He inhaled a deep breath. Kol decided to be mature here.

"Fine, wait here." Saying that Kol went back inside using vampire speed. He could've obviously forced Shanyra but a crying little girl was the last thing Kol wanted to deal with. Thankfully Rebekah gave him her car keys. Along with a threat of dagger if she found a single scratch on it. As Rebekah's car was red in color, Shanyra had no complaints. Once Kol started driving towards the school, complete silence filled in the car. To say the least, Shanyra was feeling a little uncomfortable in the silence and in Kol's presence as well. She could tell he was angry. After a while, Shanyra decided to break the silence.

"Sorry." She said quietly in a soft tone of voice. Kol obviously heard that but ignored to acknowledge it. He only glanced at her once from the corner of his eyes.

"I usually don't misbehave like that." Shanyra spoke up again. This time a little bit louder than before.

"My mom would've had a heart attack if she had heard me back them. She trained me to be very courteous with others, specially with rich people." Shanyra began speaking normally again as she was doing before the car thing; Kol on the other hand closed his eyes shut and inhaled a deep breath to keep himself calm.

"Would you please shut up?" Kol said, gritting his teeth so that he wouldn't yell at her.

"I was just apologizing to you." Shanyra said innocently. Not understanding why Kol was getting mad at her for saying sorry to him.

"Did I ask you to apologize?" Kol asked, snapping at her and also gave her a not so friendly look. Shanyra vehemently shook her head in reply. She shrank in her seat as a result of this scolding. But Kol didn't care.

"Don't talk." He said to her rudely. Shanyra nodded her head in agreement immediately.

Kol focused back on the road again. After half a minute later he glanced at Shanyra. He saw tears dancing in her big eyes as she stared at her lap. She wasn't making any noise though. Kol immediately felt horrible. As if someone just stabbed him with the dagger. What was going on? He shouldn't be feeling SO bad about making the girl cry. But the fact was he was feeling bad. Extremely. Could it be another one of the side effects of the bond? That's just great. Kol thought to himself as he closed his eyes shut tightly and inhaled a deep breath.

Not sure what to do, Kol pulled out his handkerchief and held it out to Shanyra. She took it and started wiping away the tears from her eyes quietly. She wanted to thank him but Kol asked her not to talk. So she didn't talk.

"I am sorry." Kol said after a moment, feeling immensely awkward.

He usually didn't apologize to anyone. No matter what he did. Shanyra didn't say anything in return though. Not that she was ignoring his apology but she didn't wish to talk anymore. The air was thick with tension inside the car. Kol didn't like that the girl was sulking but he didn't know what to do either; to mend the situation between them.

"Are you missing your mom and dad?" Kol asked out of nowhere because he didn't have anything else to ask. Shanyra shook her head in reply. Kol rolled his eyes to himself at that.

"You can talk." He said making Shanyra look at him. She obeyed this time.

"I don't miss them. I never miss them." Shanyra answered honestly.

"And Thomas isn't my dad. He's my mom's husband." If anything Kol felt relieved that she was talking again.

"Why don't you like them?" He asked out of curiosity.

"No reason. But I'm never going back to them." Shanyra said that more to herself than to Kol. The original stared at her intently. There must be a reason behind this hatred. And it could be the same reason she was determined to stay with him. Kol wanted to ask but he had a feeling the girl wouldn't open up to him just yet. So he decided to change the topic.

"You have a nickname, don't you?" Kol asked picking up a random question once again.

"Yes, it's Shae. My friends call me that." Shanyra confirmed.

"Can I call you that too?" Kol asked rather hopefully.

"Sure." She said without a second thought. Kol hoped that it meant she thought of him as a friend. Before he could say anything else, they arrived at the school. Kol got out first then opened the door for Shanyra and helped her out. He held her hand and started walking towards the admission office. Shanyra was less than five feet so she looked quite short next to Kol. She actually needed to look up to see his face. Kol knocked on the admission office door.

"Come in" said a woman's voice. Kol opened the door and walked inside with Shanyra. An around forty years old woman was sitting at the desk.

"Good morning. Please have a seat." The woman greeted them. Kol and Shanyra settled on the opposite side of the desk across from the woman.

"I'm Merlin Gomez." The woman introduced herself as she shook hands with Kol.

"I'm guessing you're here for her admission." Kol nodded to that.

"Yes, she has just moved to Mystic Falls." He informed. The woman then looked at Shanyra.

"Well aren't you a beautiful girl. What's your name sweetie?" Merlin asked with a friendly smile.

"Shanyra Forbes." Kol looked at her as she answered. He didn't know that her last name was Forbes as well. Clearly she inherited her mother's birth surname.

"Forbes as in Mystic Falls founding family Forbes?" Merlin wondered.

"Yes." Kol answered the question for Shanyra.

"That's wonderful. And you are her-?" The woman inquired.

"He's my soul mate." Shanyra bluntly blurted out making both Kol and Merlin look at her with shock. Afterwards, Merlin looked at Kol with suspicious eyes. Could he be a pedophile? Kol forced a smile on his face.

"She's kidding." He said but Shanyra shook her head at the woman. Telling her that she was not kidding at all. Kol obviously noticed that and furrowed his brows at her.

"Would you please excuse us?" Saying that he took Shanyra outside of the office room.

"What are you doing?" Kol asked crossing his arms over his chest. Shanyra however, gave him a clueless look.

"What am I doing?" She asked instead of giving an answer. Kol narrowed his eyes at her.

"You are not supposed to tell anyone about us being soul mates." Kol said to her, getting pissed off again at her behavior.

"You want me to lie to her? Is that what you want me to learn at school? How to lie to people?" Shanyra asked like a smart ass. Kol closed his eyes shut and stopped himself from snapping at her. Which by the way was very difficult for him to do.

"It's not lying. Think of it as not telling the truth okay." He said keeping his voice controlled and as calm as possible.

"Well what's the difference between lying and not telling the truth?" Shanyra asked curiously. But she backed down as Kol gave her an angry look this time.

"Fine, but what else am I supposed to say then?" She asked. Kol thought about it for a moment.

"If anyone asks you about me, tell them that I'm your brother okay." Kol said but Shanyra objected immediately.

"Brother? Ewww. We might get married one day." She said nonchalantly and earned a stern look from Kol right away.

"What? We are soul mates right?" Shanyra said shrugging her shoulders at him.

"Besides, I have enough step brothers to last a life time." Kol shook his head to himself though he actually wanted to bang his head against a wall.

"Just stay here." Saying that Kol walked inside the office again and compelled Shanyra's admission in the school. He should have done that in the first place. Kol didn't know about Shanyra but he felt as if his world was turning upside down slowly. And it was only beginning. Who knew what he was going to face in the future?