I stared outside the window of Cross Academy and sighed to myself as the snow began to fall. I walked closer to the frosted glass and smiled as I wrote simple messages on it. Maybe I was crazy but I always felt like there was something more to the Night Class than just a bunch of pretty faces. I smirked to myself and glanced at my ‘Twilight’ book.
‘The Night Class is full of vampires...’ I laughed then grasped my scarf and plush.
Even if I did love vampires, there was no way they really existed.
I stepped out of the dorm and walked through the white snow.
I climbed onto one of the large trees and breathed in the cool air. "It’s so cold... I want it to be... warm.” I whispered.
‘Snow shouldn’t be pure white... it should be dyed red.’ I thought to myself as I pulled out a razor.
I wasn’t suicidal or anything of the sort... I was just... different. I liked to see blood run down my pale skin. I adored the metallic taste and of course, I loved the crimson it would stain. Maybe I was a vampire? I choked a silent laugh to not attract attention.
A scarlet drop spilt onto the frozen blanket of white. “Oops.” I mumbled as I heard a rustle through the bushes. I raised a brow and saw one of the prefects, Zero.
“Hn?” He sounded to himself.
“ZERO? DID YOU FIND ANYTHING?” Yuuki screamed from a couple yards.
“I guess not.” Zero replied as he looked around once more. “I could’ve sworn...”
I smirked while glancing down at him. “What are you... a vampire?” I mused as his eyes widened a bit.
“What are you, crazy?” He questioned as I giggled.
“Guilty as charged.” I replied.
His eyes immediately became filled with rage. "What?!"
"I was just kidding!" I whimpered. "Even I know that vampires don't exist!"
He sighed. “Are you spying on the Night Class?” He questioned I raised a brow.
“How would spying on the Night Class benefit me?” I muttered.
Zero shrugged. “Whatever, just get back to your dorm.”
My eyes spotted a silver chain on his jacket. ‘Oh...’ I thought to myself as my eyes wandered. He held his hand out for me and I grasped it with my not wounded palm. ‘Shiny!’ I grasped the chain and yanked on it.
“What- what are you doing?” He breathed.
I looked at the gun. “Bloody... Rose?” I whispered as he pulled it away. “That’s so cool!” I admired as I looked into his almost purple eyes. ‘His eyes were so... pretty!’ I smiled at my thoughts as he somewhat pushed me away.
“What’s your name!” He growled as I assumed that he would report me.
“Bara! Bara Chiyuki!” I said all too cheerfully. “Oh cool! It means Blood Snow Rose!” I giggled as he raised a brow at me.
“Interesting.” Zero replied as he coughed. “Could you please go back to your dorm now, Bara-”
“Chiyuki- or Chii, whichever you prefer, Mr. Prefect.” I replied as he nodded. “Hold on.” I replied as I jumped and flipped over one of the branches to grasp my plush. “I almost forgot Rei!” I cheered as we walked toward the building.
“Rei?” He spoke as I giggled.
“His name is Rei and your name is Zero! How awesome!” I smiled as he nodded a bit.
“Right... now, I suggest that you go back to your dorm.” Zero stared at me as if I couldn’t be trusted.
“I don’t wanna.” I replied as he grasped my wrist and noticed the blood. “What the- you’re bleeding!”
“Oh yeah...” I replied as I stared at my slit finger. He looked away and I stuck it into my mouth. “What? You a hemophiliac or something?” I asked as he shook his head. ‘LOL! HE’S A VAMPIRE LIKE EDWARD?’ I thought to myself as he covered his mouth. Maybe he could smell blood? The aroma wasn't strong but it was there.
“Where- where’s your dorm?” Zero asked as I shrugged giving in.
“I-” I instantly collapsed into his arms.
Zero’s P.o.V
“Wh- what?” I questioned as Yuuki came running.
“Zero!” Her eyes widened at the unconscious body in my arms. “Oh no!” She looked at Chiyuki then to me. “Zero! We need to take her to the infirmary!” She commanded as we began to run. Yuuki glanced at the girl and made a sympathetic face. “Poor Bara...”
“Yuuki... what’s wrong with her?” I asked. “This is Bara Chiyuki... Chairman told me that she’s anemic.” She replied as we brought her in.
“She just needs another blood transfusion...” The nurse spoke while grasping the needed materials.
“Zero, can you handle being here?” Yuuki questioned while I looked at Chiyuki’s still body.
“Yeah.” I replied while she subconsciously held Rei even closer. I couldn’t tear my gaze away.
“I’m shocked... I wonder how Bara can live like this... Being in Cross Academy, anemic and lonely.” She whispered as the words spilled.
Yuuki’s words surprised me. “Why would you say that she’s alone?”
“Have you ever once seen her on campus?” She looked me in the eye.
Now that she mentioned it, I realized that I’ve never seen or heard of her. I shook my head at Yuuki’s statement.
“The other girls say she just goes back to her room after classes. She’s the only girl who prefers to be locked up in her room instead of trying to grasp the Night Class’ attention.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” I asked.
Yuuki sighed softly. “I guess... I just find it...”
“Weird?” We both looked at Chiyuki as she rubbed her eyes. “Hn... where-?” She took in the sight of the nurse’s office. “Ugh...” She groaned and smacked her head back onto the pillow. “I suppose I should thank you for probably saving my life.” Chiyuki spoke as she touched the frosted glass above her.
“You’re Chiyuki Bara... it’s nice to finally speak with you.” Yuuki greeted as Chiyuki grasped her bunny and put it to Yuuki’s cheek.
“Rei says thank you for me... Rei also says that he’d rather you call me Chii; it makes it a bit simpler, Yuuki-chan.”
“Eh? Okay then Chii-chan.” Yuuki agreed.
Chiyuki sat up and looked straight at me. “Zero-kun! You’re a lot nicer than I thought.” She somewhat complimented.
I looked at her strangely. “How so?” I questioned as she shrugged her shoulders.
“I doubt Yuuki-chan was able to carry me here...” Chiyuki looked at Yuuki then to the IV. She quickly pulled out the needle and Yuuki’s eyes widened.
“What- are you supposed to do that?!?!” She freaked out a bit.
Chiyuki's gaze lingered on the blood packet. “I wanna drink the blood.”
Our eyes widened at her words. "Eh?"
"Just kidding!” She smiled as she rolled down her sleeves. I saw something glint in Rei’s ear and I grasped the doll.
“Zero! What are you doing? You can’t just-” Yuuki began to scold but I just ignored her.
Gently, I pulled out the metal; it was a razor blade. “What are you doing with this?” I asked.
She looked down. “Damn.” She muttered under her breath.
Yuuki gasped in surprise. “Chii... don’t tell us you’re-”
“I’m not!” Chiyuki chimed in.
I looked into her very light blue eyes; she wasn’t really lying...
“Then why do you have this?” Yuuki questioned as Chiyuki looked out the window. “I admit... I just like to see blood- Don’t you agree?” She looked at the two of us and touched Yuuki’s neck. “Now, why would you have a bandage here...?” Chiyuki mused as I pulled her wrist away.
“Zero! Don’t do that! You’ll hurt her!” Yuuki yelled as Chiyuki winced.
I let go and saw that I left a bruise even though I didn’t hold her that tightly. "Sorry!"
“I- I’m fine. Don’t worry about this, Zero-kun.” She pointed to the forming purple. “Happens all the time!” She smiled as she stood out of bed. “May I please have Rei back?” I looked at the doll and handed it back to her.
“Zero, Yuuki, Bara-san needs to get some rest now.” The nurse noted as we both nodded.
“Don’t worry! I’m fine! I’ll go back to my dorm now.” Chiyuki raised her hand cheerfully.
The nurse just nodded. “Okay... Good night.”
Yuuki and I watched as she skipped silently through the dark school. “It must be kind of sad... not having someone to welcome her back when she returns.” Yuuki whispered as I watched Chiyuki’s figure disappear through the darkness.
The next day, I spotted Chiyuki amongst the crowd. She quickly signed something on the board and ran off. Curiosity got the better of me and so I looked at the slip of paper. ‘She’s gonna enter the talent show?’
Chyuki’s P.o.V
I looked at the bulletin board and spotted the entry form for the talent show. I closed my eyes and wondered... maybe this was a way for me to impress someone! I had no idea why but at that instant, Zero came to mind.
I clutched Rei tighter and pulled out a pen. ‘Maybe I just want to be acknowledged for something... beautiful.’ I thought to myself as I began to write in red ink.
‘C-h-i-y-u-k-i B-a-r-a’ As soon as I finished, I realized that I hadn’t thought of anything to do. I pulled my hand away from the paper and ran off to return my things to my silent dorm.
For the next few hours, I began to think about what I should do. Nothing came to mind until I spotted my old ballet slippers shine in the back of my closet.
I closed my eyes and recalled a time when I could dance freely. It was not too long ago... but still, I guess innocent times could not last.
I lied in bed and allowed the nightmare to replay within my mind once more. It was so deeply scarring that I could retell it by heart.
My life seemed so simple then... I was...
“That’s wonderful Chiyuki!” My mother cheered.
I spun around in a pirouette and successfully did a double. I smiled and curtseyed. “Thanks Mama!”
“You’re amazing Chii.” My father hugged me and I laughed. “You’re definitely going to do well in Ballet School!” He encouraged as I nodded.
“I can’t wait and my recital is on my birthday!” I replied.
“Yes, we can’t wait either! My dear, you’re growing up so fast!” My mother spoke as I smiled and spun around.
“I’m gonna be fourteen! Yay!” I cheered.
Who would’ve thought that my birthday would’ve been the day that my parents family died?
“Yay! We did it!” My classmate cheered while waving to her parents as we walked off stage.
“Yeah.” I smiled as I sat in a chair. ‘Why... weren’t they here?’ I wondered as I thought about the audience. I searched and searched but could never find them. ‘They said that they would most definitely be in the front, cheering me on!’
I felt like a child who didn’t get their way. I changed out of my clothes and walked out into the cold. I sat on a bench and pulled my knees to my chest. The other girls walked out with their families and left happily. I looked around and saw that this place was completely empty. ‘They’re not here... did they forget about me?’ I was angered by the thought.
I looked for a pay phone and dialed my home. It rang for what seemed like forever but no one answered.
My eyes then widened. What if they had gotten into an accident along the way? What if they were no longer of this world?
I called a cab, thankful that I had just enough to get to my estate.
The man drove away after I stepped onto the cold concrete. For some reason, I felt a chill go up my spine. I walked toward the door, everything around me silent.
“Mom... Dad?” I spoke as I looked around. The place seemed so empty.
I looked into the garage and saw that the cars were still there. There was no way they could’ve left.
“Mom! Dad! Where are you?” I called out then reached their room.
My eyes shot open at the sight of blood drops upon the white carpet. I then saw my father against the wall as still as a statue, a sword was pierced through his body. “Father... FATHER!” I screamed as I ran to him. He didn’t open his eyes, he didn’t speak... he was dead.
I reached my hand forward then stopped my movement when I heard my name. “Chiyuki!” My mother called out to me in a very faint voice.
I ran toward the source and heard the door opened. For a moment I thought I saw a faint white figure disappear into the snow. I shook my head and saw my mother’s body resting upon a shattered mirror; the shards embedded into her skull. “Chiyuki...” My mother smiled as I watched her eyelids lower. She grasped my hand. “We’re sorry for... missing your... recital... sure... you did... great... love... you... ” She whispered, hear breath heavy and her sentence broken. In an instant, she fell silent.
I then began to scream... I screamed so loud and for so long that it knocked me out. I was awoken days later by a man named Toga Yagari. He just told me that my parents were attacked by someone.
A day later, I attended their funeral... a few people came yet I did not know a single one of them.
No one spoke to me except Mr. Yagari. He informed me of the fact that I had no other family to return to and so when I went to gather my things.
Grasping the cross shaped pendant my mother left, I quickly decided to move somewhere far away; far away from all of this death.
That day, I forgot how to dream, I only learned how to endure nightmare.
I moved to Cross Academy and started high school. For the first year, I seemed lifeless. I didn’t even notice the difference between anything. When I snapped out of it, I was surprised to see that my grades were high. Maybe subconsciously I seemed to care.
As I looked at a bunch of the junk I had yet to unpack, I spotted a box covered in white wrapping paper. There was a red ribbon on top of it. I raised a brow and tugged on the silk. Above the object was a small card addressed to me.
This short message meant so much.
Congratulations Chiyuki and Happy Birthday! We’re so proud of you and we love you so much. Continue to smile and be our wonderful and precious daughter.
Love,
Mom and Dad
I dropped the card and noticed the date on the corner. It was the day they died... I bit my bottom lip and stopped the tears from overflowing.
I shook my head and knew that my parents wouldn’t want me to act in such a way. I forced a smile and unwrapped the black tissue paper. I then saw a bunny plush that immediately lit up my face. I hugged it and breathed. This would be my treasure... it was the last thing my parents left me with.
“I’ll name you Rei. Rei because... there’s zero hope for me now...”
That was my exact thought and dogma.
I opened my eyes once more and looked out the window and opened it to breath in the winter air. There weren’t many people outside today; it was probably too cold. I grasped my red scarf and wrapped it around myself as I slipped out the building unnoticed.
I sat on a cold bench and glanced at the large campus. ‘It’s... like a castle.’ I thought to myself as I pulled out a pen and a notebook.
I closed my eyes and composed a soft melody as lines slowly filled my mind. The reason why I came to Cross Academy was because I was desperate for change. I longed to rid myself of the past I once lived.
My family was... dead. I know it happened a few years ago but I still couldn’t get over the fear... the fact that maybe someday I might disappear too.
Being at home was like a sweet dream but those never last... everything would someday turn into a nightmare.
I opened my eyes and swiftly wrote down the words. Hesitantly, I opened my mouth and breathed the song to life.
~*~In the quietly withering castle
In a thirsty time of change
An ash colored me is just vanishing slowly
A need to die
Gather the stars and building a castle of sand
Where I utter a soft prayer
Ambushed by those footsteps falling into dust, flowing away~*~
When I finished, I heard a small pause of footsteps. I opened my eyes once more to be faced with Zero Kiryuu. “Zero-kun?” I swallowed as I stood.
“Chiyuki...” He murmured. I blinked, oddly liking the way he spoke my name. “You’re... weird.” He almost... smiled?
"Yes, I am." I softly smiled back as he walked toward me.
“You sing... beautifully.” Zero complimented then turned away.
I would’ve blushed if my blood was capable of filling my cheeks. “Thanks Zero-kun and... I want you to call me Chii! C-H-I-I!”
He seemed stubburn. “Hn-”
“CHII!” I corrected.
“Fine, Chii.” He muttered.
“Good!” I cheered as I scooted down a bit and pated the spot beside me. “You’re not busy are you?” I inquired as he looked at me for a moment. I’m sure his expression was one level less cold.
Zero closed his eyes and sat beside me. “Are you gonna sing for the talent show?” He conversed as I froze.
“Uh... how’d you know about that?” I asked while clutching my notebook.
“I saw your name on the sign up sheet.” He replied casually.
‘Well... that does make sense.’ I thought to myself as I looked at the paper. “I don’t think so...” I replied while watching my warm breath appear before my eyes.
“Then what are you planning to do?” Zero looked at the cold bush, surprised that the weather hadn’t frozen the roses.
“Heh, I sort of had a moment of impulse when I signed up.” I scratched the back of my head and looked into his fascinating eyes. My wish was then revealed. “Zero-kun... would you dance with me for the talent show?”
His eyes became hard as if he were mocking me. “You’re not serious are you?”
I snapped out of my daze and looked away. “Sorry, that was way too random, even for me.” I apologized then ran off.
I hid beside the Moon Dorm and continued to write until twilight. I didn’t get much done due to the fact that I had just embarrassed myself in front of Zero as if I was a girl confessing my feelings.
I sighed and looked up at the pastel sky. ‘Zero-kun... harbors romantic feelings Yuuki-chan.’ I thought to myself.
Even though he pretty much seems emotionless... I was sure that it hurt for him to continue supporting Yuuki’s love for Kuran. I closed my eyes and attempted to kill the seed of jealousy aimed toward Yuuki. She had done no wrong. I was sure that she was able to tell too.
I narrowed my eyes and almost growled at the fact that I was thinking about something so pointless. I took a deep breath and began to sing what I had so far.
~*~Endless and far, boundless and deep
Like destinies that mixed together
I grasped it over and over again, I lost it over and over again
The times when we were finally able to meet
As if the sky yearns for blood, the flowers wait for the rain
And the night begs for tomorrow
I yearned so much
For the fact that two hearts were one~*~
