Fangs

Chapter 2

There wasn't another day when I didn't visit Hanabusa. We played together all the time and his parents were also very welcoming when I came. I found out that the two other children I had seen the other night were Hanabusa's cousins called Ruka and Akatski. We played and talked everyday, sometimes Kaname and Kimi would tag along but Kaname didn't talk to Hanabusa that much after that night. I felt a slight ping in my heart that the two of my best friends disliked each other, or maybe even hated each other.

A few months later, Juri gave birth to a baby girl and called her Yuki. Kimi was happy, as was Kaname. But, I knew that one day Kaname would have to choose between them, the one that he loved the most. The one he would marry. I already knew who he was going to choose, though. Even if Yuki would grow close to Kaname one day I knew he was going to choose Kimi. I heard them make promises to each other and the way they look and treat each other doesn't deny it. They love each other more than siblings and I rest my case. Yuki is cute as we grow and hangs around Kaname a lot. Every time I come to the Kuran household she's always with Kaname and I find it uncomfortable as Kimi seems kind of lonely because Kaname has to look after their new sibling. I felt sad for Kimi because she watches Yuki laughing and being happy with Kaname but not including her older sister, which angers me as she should know that Kaname isn't her only sibling. I have even reminded her once but all she said is "I know and I do love her but she isn't as fun as Kaname is!" Which made me even angrier.

Everyday my attraction to Hanabusa seems to be growing stronger. We are all watching each other grow, Hanabusa, Kaname, Kimi and Yuki.

One night seemed to have changed Kaname for a while, though. The night his parents died. Kaname never told me how, neither did Kimi. All I knew is that for some reason, Yuki was gone and it had something to do with the death of their parents. On the night of the funeral gathering, I stuck with the two orphaned children. At one point Kaname cried against my shoulder but only for a short while before returning to the many vampires paying their respects. As we were walking past the balcony, I spotted Hanabusa leaning against the edge. Kaname must have noticed too as he decided to walk over, Kimi and I followed closely behind. They had a somewhat tense conversation and after Kaname left, Kimi coming with him, I stayed behind with Hanabusa. He looked sad, his expression reminded me of the first time we talked by the fountain a few years before. "Hanabusa..."

I reached out to hold his shoulder but he pushed it away and turned around to face the dark forest that spread like a sheet of dark green below. His response startled me and it hurt my heart and my hand.

"I just...want to be alone right now..." he mumbled, hanging his head low.

"Miss Ayame, please, stay with Kaname and Kimi. They need you the most now."

I heard Hanabusa scoff but I pretended that I didn't hear it and allowed the man to drag me back into the crowded ball room. As he did, I looked back at Hanabusa who was still sulking. I swear I saw him look behind once but only once before the sight of him was completely lost by people blocking the way.

* * * * * * *

It has been a few months since the night of the funeral. Since the night Hanabusa pushed me away.

I have been staying with the two orphaned Kurans ever since. Others thought it would be best as I was the only one left that was considered family to them. For most of that time we were indoors, mourning, but Kimi was the worst. She would often burst into tears and would cry for hours. Or, she would become very aggressive and Kaname and I would have to lock the poor thing in her room until she became calm again.

One day we went outside and sat on the steps. Kimi seemed particularly calm today and seeing her smile made me happy but it made Kaname even happier. He couldn't stand the last few months of seeing his sister, his love, his life, unhappy. It just made him unhappy.