rainbows in oil puddles

x

Guuyys chapter 10! Yay! 

The picture is so pretty, I think. Reminds me of the ending of the last chapter, how the smell of peppermint wafted through the corridor. But also like a house near the sea, and the salty breeze is blowing open the curtains. 

Now remember Zero doesn't know that Aido and Akatsuki knew about their conversation.

<->

Cries broke out in the corridor, as Aido strode through the crowds of people. His icy blue eyes were set on one thing and one thing only: Zero. He ignored all the other fangirls that tried to get his attention.

Finally, he reached Zero. 

"What's got you so riled up?" Zero asked. The smell of peppermint was making his eyes water.

"What did you do to Lord Kaname?"

"What do you mean?" Zero mentally prepared himself for a fight, wondering how it would go down. Would he be forced to use Bloody Rose? Would Aido use his powers, or would he rely on physical strength alone? How strong was Aido, anyways? "We just talked."

"He seemed angry after. What happened?"

"How the hell am I supposed to know what goes on inside his head?" Zero took a step back instinctively. "He just asked if I was sick, and if I'm going to the ball that's coming up."

When Aido took a step forward, Zero added: "And fighting is against the rules. Do you need Yuki to remind you?"

"This isn't about Yuki," Aido responded. "This is between you and me, Kiryu."

Zero suddenly realized something; all the other students were gone. He didn't know if Aido had used some mind trick to get them to go away, or if they had gone to their classes themselves. At least it meant Yuki wouldn't have to deal with a sea of crazed fangirls.

"Hey," Yuki chimed in. "Are you really going to fight?"

"I-"

Suddenly, a different smell filled the corridor. The smell of bitter chocolate filled the area, and the peppermint scent disappeared. All the anger drained out of Aido, and his eyes went wide. 

Kaname. 

<->

"L-l-lord Kaname!" Aido stuttered.

"Kaname!" Yuki quivered behind Zero.

"Hanabusa. Did I not say not to go after Zero? I can handle this on my own."

Zero shivered; the atmosphere was even stronger than it had been with Aido, rooting everyone to their spot. 

"You did, but-"

"But what."

"-But I wanted to tell him-" Aido was cut off as Kaname slapped him, his head whipping to the side. A red handprint bloomed on his alabaster skin. "Ah!"

"I told you not to get involved in this, Hanabusa." Kaname grasped Aido's thin wrist and began pulling him away. "Now come along."

Aido stumbled along. The heavy atmosphere slowly released. Zero felt like he could breathe again. 

"Z-zero," Yuki finally released him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. What about you?" In reality, Zero's mind was racing. There were too many unexplainable events today; Kaname's behavior earlier towards him, the teacher's absence, and now this. He could barely think straight. 

"I'm fine. Kaname seems really angry about something."

"Yeah, I picked that up." Zero shuddered, shaking off the last bits of Kaname's overwhelming aura. "Come on. We should get to class. Figure all this out later."

"Y-yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe I should try talking to Kaname later."

"That would probably be the least helpful thing, actually. He doesn't want anyone to get involved in this. Come on."

"I guess you're right." 

They reached class a few minutes later. Zero barely remembered any of it, too involved in trying to make sense of everything. 

<->

Hey. Here's another chapter! Now I can check Aido's anger off my list. I just have a few more things to cross off my list.

Now I'mma eat my dinner. I am starving.

:-)