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I learned something interesting today….

Being hog tied isn’t very fun.

lol

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There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.

-Aeschylus

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Chapter Two: The Witch’s Fate

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“You’re late.”

Had it been anyone else Mirai would’ve almost believed the fake concerned etched into the woman’s words…almost felt comforted by the familiarity of the motherly scold.

But of course, Mirai wasn’t stupid. When it came to someone like Serena Rhodes, there were no such things as comfort or concern.

Ever.

“I’m sorry.” The words had become almost automatic to Mirai now; a kind of survival instinct borne from years of abuse. “I must’ve lost track of the time.”

Silence was the woman’s only reply as Serena’s gaze pierced through Mirai, lips curled back into a mocking smile. “Yes…I suppose it did.”

Mirai wondered if that was it. Curfew was a big thing to Serena after all; missing it was one of the biggest no-no’s she had in her little world. Surely she wasn’t going to let her off that easily?

“Mirai…?”

The teen almost cringed. “Yes, grandmother?”

Seconds ticked by as the woman’s smile grew. “Nothing…goodnight.”

And that was it. With those final words, the she-devil known as Serena Rhodes turned and stalked off.

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Mirai had never truly understood her grandmother’s great need to flaunt.

After all it was one thing to have money, but another thing entirely when you were constantly rubbing it in other people’s faces.

Oh well, let her have her fun for now, The teen thought wryly. Soon it’ll all end for her anyways.

Keely’s words came back to her slowly.

Yes, her grandmother was abusive, but there was no way in hell she would ever do anything to purposefully endanger Mirai’s life. After all, she was her meal ticket. Without her all of Serena’s money, clothes, cars, name…everything, would disappear. Because even though she was the bastard daughter, Mirai was also the heiress to everything they owned.

Everything….

Mirai smiled as she pushed the bitter thoughts aside, fingers clutching onto the soft metal of her chain almost tenderly.

It was amazing how calm she felt just by holding the little trinket…how safe everything seemed to become now that it was cradled around her neck. Almost seems too perfect….

A dark blush crept over Mirai’s cheeks as her thoughts flitted back towards Aram’s kiss; to the feel of his cool breath against her skin…to his teeth scraping over her throat so hungrily….

Mirai froze.

The yearning in her thoughts was almost frightening. How had she allowed herself to get so attached to a boy she had never even really met?

Besides…he’s an ass, The teen decided heatedly. Bigger than most too. So not worth it….

Or was he?

“No, no, no!” Mirai almost screamed as she bolted into her room, ocher door slamming shut behind her. “This is so not right…this is…not the time!”

But even so, the yearning did not end.

Wincing, Mirai pulled down the sleeve of her blouse, fingers brushing against the delicate bruise now forming across her chest. It didn’t hurt…but the memory of how she got it sure did.

That had been the first time in her life that Mirai had actually been afraid of Serena. The first time she had seen the real heights of her temper and rage.

Sighing, Mirai curled back into her bed, fingers running over the smooth sheets gently as sleep overwhelmed her.

That’s when the first dream began.

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“YOU IDIOT!”

Aram almost laughed.

Never in all his fifteen years of living had he seen his cousin so livid. It was truly such a splendid sight, watching the self proclaimed ray of sunshine cursing out his name for the whole world to hear, lips pulled down into a rage-filled grimace.

And all because he had lost his cool.

“I MEAN, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! WHERE YOU ACTUALLY PLANNING ON TAKING HER RIGHT THEN AND THERE?!” (Oh and for all you perverts out there…lol…she doesn’t mean it in the…uh…dirty way…lol)

“I-”

“WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF SHE’D REACTED HUH!? WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF SHE HAD SCREAMED?!”

Aram took a quick step back.

Sometimes his cousin was just a little too much for him. Especially when she went off on one of her self-righteous rants. When that happened, there was only one thing that could truly calm her out.

Growling, Aram turned his sights back towards their mentor. “Will you please tell her to shut up already!? She’s getting on my nerves Noin!”

“…So?”

“SO!?”

Noin smiled; a loose, twisted grin as he took in his friend’s desperation. Now that was truly priceless. “Oh calm down little Aram.” He muttered teasingly. “I mean…even I’m a little curious as to know what happened. After all, it’s not everyday that you try to bite one of our customers.”

(AGAIN PEOPLE: THEY ARE NOT VAMPIRES! ALL WILL BE EXPLAINED IN DUE TIME!!)

“I did not try to bite her!”

“Oh really!?” Machi’s voice took on an almost mocking tone. “Then does that mean you were actually trying to kiss her?!”

Noin laughed. “Well she was pretty cute. Beautiful even.” He conceded jovially. “I doubt even you were immune to her charms Aram.”

“What charms?!” The boy snapped. “She was nothing more than another vapid little blonde living it up through daddy’s deep pocket! Like I would ever be reeled in by someone as stupid as that!”

“Vapid? Stupid?” Noin looked stunned. “Okay, first of all…that girl wasn’t blonde. She was a mix of black and blonde. Get it straight.”

“You-”

“Second of all…she is not stupid.” Noin muttered coolly, a defensive tone taking over his words. “You said it yourself…she gets the best grades in her class. And if that’s your definition of stupid then you must be too.”

“…!”

Machi sneered. “And besides…aren’t you also living off daddy’s deep pocket?”

Aram laughed; a cruel, taunting song. “Yeah, but remember dear cousin…daddy’s dead. So it’s not quite the same thing anymore.”

Noin’s smile faded. “It’s been seven years Aram…when are you going to let it go?”

“Let it go?” Aram sneered. “I was eight Noin. Just a child! How can I let something like that go!?”

“Because you are alive.” It was Machi who had answered this time and for once her tone was subdued; no longer did it hold the laughter that seemed to be her world, but a solemnity he had rarely heard coming from the young teen. “Because you made it to fifteen, because one day you will be able to carry on your father’s legacy…because you and I…are alive.”

Noin laughed; it was time for a change of subject. “Well that put aside…I still want to know what happened Aram. What was it about this girl that drove you to such heights?”

He could see the anger in the boy’s eyes flare.

He was pissed. But whether it was directed towards the girl or himself, Noin wasn’t quite so sure.

“Well…?”

“I don’t know.” Aram muttered tersely. “It was almost as if my body was reacting on its own. I-I just wanted to be with her alright!? I…I wanted to be a part of her…I….” He growled. “God, this is so fucked up!”

“Well she did have a pretty strange smell.” Machi added pensively. “It was wonderful, but not quite normal. Kind of…sweet with a tint of blood.”

“Well that’s because we aren’t dealing with a quite so normal person.” Noin replied jovially. “This girl…you gave her necklace didn’t you Machi?”

“Yes, of course; just like you asked.”

“Good.” Noin’s smile slid into triumph. “That’s good.”

Aram bristled at the conspiring tone etched into his friend’s words. “Noin….” He began softly, dangerously. “You aren’t planning anything…stupid are you?”

“Stupid? Me? Never!” But the way he was laughing gave it all away. “You guys better hurry off to bed. Kakeru and Isolde are gonna be here early tomorrow. It’s your first day…try not to get kicked out will yah?”

Machi grinned. “We’ll try!”

Besides her Aram’s scowl deepened. “Whatever you’re about to do Noin…you better watch your step. I don’t want to get involved in another stupid fight. Do you understand me?”

Noin’s grin widened. “Don’t worry…I understand.”

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“Do you hate me yet?”

Mirai blinked.

Out of all the things in the world Keely could’ve said, that she had definitely not been expecting from the petite blonde.

“H-Hate you?”

Keely shifted her feet slowly, cheeks flushed a brittle red. “Y-Yeah….”

For a moment all Mirai could do was stare.

Never in her life had she ever seen Keely look so worn… so lost….

And it scared her a bit.

“H-How could you think that?!” Mirai demanded hoarsely. “If anyone deserves to be hated here its me!”

Keely laughed, eyes shinning, as she launched herself into Mirai’s open arms. “I know, you’re totally right!”

“Hey!” Mirai protested weakly. “Don’t be a jerk!”

“I’m just so happy!” Keely giggled. “I wanted to apologize to you all day yesterday but I just could never find the right time to do it! And then I saw you walking away with that she-devil Isabel and thought better of it.”

“I wish you hadn’t it.” Mirai muttered dryly. “It would’ve saved me three hours of my life. I mean really, who wants to listen to a bunch of bottle blondes talking about their latest celebrity fantasies?”

Keely laughed. “So where’d you guys go to then?”

“Some store over at Lovax.” Mirai answered stiffly. “It was called the Treasured Dream.”

“Oh, yeah, I’ve heard of it.” Keely’s words took on an almost dreamy tone. “They say the guy that works there is really hot. Is that true?”

“Unfortunately.” Mirai’s thoughts swept back towards Aram’s face; no one should be allowed to be that beautiful. It just wasn’t fair.

If only he wasn’t such an-

“I wasn’t kidding about what I said yesterday Mirai.” Keely knew she was treading on dangerous ground now; she could tell by the way her friend’s body stiffened almost instantly. But it didn’t matter. She was going to be heard. Even if it meant getting into another fight. “Your grandmother is a cruel woman Mirai. We both know that. We’ve both seen the heights of her rage. What if one day she just cant control herself? What if one day she really does hurtyou?!”

“She wont.” The assurance in her friend’s voice was astounding. “Trust me…she wont.”

Keely grimaced.

Trust…was that really all it was going to take? Was that really all that was needed to keep Mirai safe?

Somehow the teen doubted it.

But then again, what else could she do? After all, Keely was still nothing more than a child. And a child’s words were often disbelieved. Especially when they were against someone as powerful as Serena Rhodes.

Keely sighed; a breath torn between a whisper and a growl. “This doesn’t really leave me with a lot of choices you know.” She bit out sharply. “Trust you…or worry for the rest of my life. So not fair.”

“I know.” Mirai smiled weakly. “So…what will you do?”

A crossroad had been reached. Keely knew it as much as she felt it.

This was going to decided something big.

“I….”

“…You?”

“…I….” Keely laughed. Enough was enough. “…I heard that there were some new students transferring in today! Isn’t that cool?”

Mirai’s smile widened. She had definitely made the right choice. “Oh? Do we know who?”

“No…not really.” Her friend muttered dismally. “Just that they’re all rich and living in the same house.”

“Family then?”

“I’m not so sure about that one actually.” Keely admitted, brow furrowed. “From what I’ve gathered though, they’ve been together since they were children. Apparently their parents died during a freak accident in one of their plants.”

“…!”

“Yeah that’s what I thought so too.” Keely whispered numbly. “Imagine though? Losing your parents like that? It must’ve been horrible.”

“You should’ve read the book.”

“EEEK!” Mirai could feel her cheeks flare up as she spun back towards the sing-song voice quickly, lips parted in a hectic reply. “I-I’m s-so-!”

She never got to finish.

It was like staring up at a fallen god really; a beauty far too pure to be true; a beauty…that was almost haunting.

“…Hello.”

He was huge too; a giant easily brushing past six feet, the smile on his lips too bright, too soft…too perfect. His hair was a beautiful, snowy, white, streaks of silver clashing against the somber grays of the skies. (think Senri from Vampire Knight for hairstyle peoples!) Smooth, porcelain skin framed his stunning face, burgundy eyes smoldering with a hidden glee.

“Oh my…people.” He teased.

Mirai’s cheeks flushed as her gaze drifted down towards the tattoo etched into the boy’s throat.

It was a simple meeting of the stars; two black, and two gray. Around them a giant crescent protruded, a single crack running through its curve.

Another one…. Mirai realized quickly. Does that mean…does he know Aram!?

A sharp jab from Keely sent Mirai flying back into reality.

She had been staring. And even worse, she had been caught doing it.

“S-Sorry!” The teen blurted out quickly. “I-I’m a little slow today!”

The boy gave her a quick flick of his hand. “There’s no need to apologize.” He whispered tenderly. “I get a lot of comments about my tattoo. I’m just glad you seem to like it for a change.”

Mirai smiled.

Physically speaking, the boy looked like a twig; a soft, tender, breakable twig. One that carried itself with an almost pompous grace. But even so, there was something about the way he moved…something about the way he smiled that sent a shiver piercing down her spine.

He was definitely someone to be feared.

“What’s your name?”

Again she had been staring.

Cursing silently, Mirai turned back towards the boy, a practiced smile forcing its way across her lips. “M-My name?”

“Yeah…your name.” He seemed irked now, as if she had committed some unforgivable gaffe without her knowing.

“Uh…I’m…my name is…my name is Mirai…M-Mirai Rhodes. Pleasure.”

The smile returned as he took in her rather awkward response. “What a pretty name.” He conceded smoothly. “I’m Kakeru…Kakeru Shido. One of the newest additions to Amora Academy; please, take care of me.”

“W-What?!” Keely could feel her heart quicken as his gaze turned towards her slowly. “Oh god…I’m…I’m so sorry!” She amended quickly. “I didn’t mean to sound so…so…-”

“Snoopy?” Kakeru grinned at the girl’s horror-stricken face. “Please…don’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong.”

“Still.” She knew she was being stubborn, but Keely couldn’t help it. She wasn’t a gossip, and she wanted him to know that. “It wasn’t right of me. I-I should’ve known better.”

Kakeru’s grin faded into a thoughtful pout. Remorse was not something he was used to dealing with.

“Then I have an idea.”

“I-Idea?” Mirai stuttered out weakly. “W-What kind of idea?”

“Well, since I’m new here, I don’t really know the landscape yet.” Kakeru replied with an easy grin. “And I’ve been trying to find the sophomore office for over an hour but…no luck. Do you mind helping me?”

“Oh. You’re a sophomore?” Mirai blinked as she caught sight of the tie swinging around his neck. Black. How could she have missed that?

“Yeah.”

“Oh, no problem then.” Keely giggled as she swept her hand over her shoulder. “You see that gray building over there? The one with the ivy on it’s side?”

“Yeah…?”

“Well that’s it.” Keely rambled brightly. “That’s the sophomore office. You can get everything you need arranged in there.”

“Thank god.” Kakeru let out a brittle sigh of relief. “I was beginning to think I’d end up looking like a complete baka on my first day.”

Mirai recognized the accent quickly. “Y-You’re Japanese?”

“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” The boy’s smile grew. “Actually, I’m half and half. But since I really don’t look it I rarely tell people. Must be my mother’s genes.”

“You’re mother must’ve been very beautiful then.” Keely remarked breezily.

“Huh? Why do you say that?”

Mirai almost laughed at her friend’s fumbled response.

Beauty was a very powerful thing indeed.

And completely unfair.

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By the time they had left Kakeru, a small seed of doubt had begun flowering within Mirai’s heart.

There was just something strange about that boy…something unsettling. He and Aram were just a little too alike, both feral and beautiful, with a hint of generosity mixed in-between.

“Great…just great.” Mirai breathed as she ducked her head onto the mahogany desk slowly. “Like I didn’t have enough problems to deal with already.”

The doors slid open as Mrs. Sasame marched into class, golden pigtails adorning her face like a curtain of silk. “Good morning class!” She chirped out sweetly. “I have a great annoncement to make today!”

Mirai wondered briefly if that “great announcement” had anything to do with Kakeru. But, he’s a sophomore, why would they stick him in here? She cringed as the door gave another loud, definite, snap, a sweet, dizzying, smell breaking into her thoughts. Mirai’s head snapped up at the taste, a shaky breath burning through her lips as violet clashed with red and recognition took on a whole new wave of fear.

“…Aram.”

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Alright people, its time for a bit of trivia.

The school, known as Amora, is separated into two different branches: the middle and senior slots. And within these slots, each class is divided by grade. And each grade has a different building, so meetings with the upperclassmen are almost nonexistence, unless you count lunch and P.E. Why this is…I don’t know. Just a whim. LOL.

Um the uniforms differ somewhat as well. The high school branch is like this:

Girls: Black skirt, reaches mid thigh, with a white long-sleeved blouse. The coat is long, black, with a red streak on its hem. It reaches halfway down the skirt. A tie.

Boys: Same shirt, same coat, and long, black, pants. A ribbon instead of a tie.

Middle School branch:

Girls: Same thing, except gray skirt instead

Boys: Same thing, pants are black with a gray stripe down the side

Also, every year is classified by the tie they were

6th and 9th: burgundy, 7th and 10th: black, 8th and 11th: gray ,12th: cobalt

Well…LOL…I think that’s it. Sorry it was so long.

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