Amaya: I know what you're all thinking, "God! Finally! It's been, what? Three months?? sigh I know. v.v I is unloyal in my updating...ness. :) Well, I'm just happy that I got the first chapter to the length I wanted it (I'm not telling you, you find out on your own) and before the school year was up. pauses Wait...since the first chapter is done...LE GASP I need to come up with the SECOND CHAPTER now!! cries NUUUU!!

Headmaster: ...Read and Review for our sake. -.-

Amaya: Don't mind the title; it's jank. Remember: if you find any mistakes, e-mail me them. :) I love Betas.

Claimer: This story, plot, and the majority of the characters are copyrited of me, Amaya.

Disclaimer: However, there are some characters fellow authors let me use on my sistersite: Animespiral dot com.

One: Gifts

Another puff of frozen air escaped Zane’s mouth. He was so tired, but yet relieved that it was finally getting warmer. His chest moved in and out violently as his lungs hungered for air. He mentally cursed himself for running that last mile; he wasn’t in the correct shape for that kind of running.

As his breathing began to even out, Zane picked up his pace again. It wasn’t snowing anymore, so his shoeprints wouldn’t be covered; giving them a perfect lead to where he was going. He loosened the blanket’s tight grip on his body and began to run, yet again.

Bad idea.

His legs gave way and he came crashing into the snow. He cursed again while pushing himself up. It was no use; his body was too weak for this kind of thing, or for any type of sport. He cringed as the snow bit into his hands and knees. What little warmth he had gained from running was dying off.

He gasped for breath, slowly curling into a ball to keep warm. No… He clawed at the snow, trying to get up. He blinked lazily, slowly drifting in and out of conscience. Spots of blues and reds and yellows invaded his eyesight. If there was one thing he remembered from his mom’s survival training, it was to never fall asleep in the cold.

The sound of crunching snow echoed into his ears. Blinking again, Zane tried to focus on the person approaching him. It was no use, blackness overwhelmed his vision just as the person bent down.

('')('')

Rogue watched the strange boy for a second, tilting her head to one side. Was he part of Government? No. He wasn’t even dressed properly for the cold; how could he be part of the most selfish organization in WayDen?

She winced as the familiar sensation ran through her. This feeling always ran through her now whenever she met new people. She could feel their heartbeat, their blood running through their vanes. His blood is cold she thought, the taste of iron filling her mouth.

She rested her hand on his neck and closed her eyes. She could see his heart, weak and frail, slowing down with each passing minute. The blood was running mostly to his brain to keep it warm and to his torso, where his vital organs would soon die without proper help. She paused then, following the paths of the blood. Was the blood flowing to his right palm?

After watching his blood movement, the brunette removed her hand from his neck; cold air quickly rushing over her again. Cautiously, she grabbed his right hand and looked at his palm with fear; the letters ‘D’ and ‘E’ were etched in navy blue into his hand. He was just like her…he was cursed as well.

…She had to save him. No doubt Government was right behind him. As she lifted the taller teenager up, she couldn’t help but wonder how he had escaped. Had he found the hole she found when she was five? Or did he find another way? There were so many questions going through her mind that it gave her a headache. Rogue shook them away and made her way back to the barrier-wall that outlined Peilin.

Peilin wasn’t a very big town; maybe a few yards bigger than a village. The people who lived there were nice, and this town was probably one of the only places left that would help a cursed child, or a Holder, as Government had called them.

That word still made Rogue flinch. That’s what she was…is; a Holder. Not really something she wanted to grow up to be, but then again, who did? Who would want a demon forcefully put into them with only a ten percent chance of survival? Well…maybe not ten percent, but how would she know? She saw hundreds of people, from babies to elders, die on those tables before it was her turn. One would say she was lucky to have lived, but in truth, she wish she hadn’t. This curse was too big for a five-year-old…well, she’s sixteen now, but still…

At least she wasn’t alone anymore. Finally, there was another Holder who had escaped! She could finally leave Peilin and find a safer place to live.

“Who do you have there, young lady?” The guard at the front gate asked, knocking the girl out of her thoughts.

Rogue remained quiet, even though she knew Rick, the man, since she was ten. It’s not that she didn’t trust him; she did with her life, but it was just habit. Instead, she grabbed the teenager’s hand that was hanging on her right shoulder and lifted it up.

The brunette man flinched and motioned to the other guard. “Grab a wagon or something, Jinn! This boy needs medical attention. Now!” As the younger man rushed to get a wagon, Rick took the teenager from Rogue, making sure he didn’t touch her skin. “How long has he been out here? It’s freezing!” He looked over at the girl after putting him into the wagon.

Rogue thought, putting a finger to her lips. “…” She shrugged.

“Gee, that’s a lot of help, Rogue.” Rick rolled his eyes playfully as she smiled. “Take him to the infirmary, Jinn.”

“Yes, sir!”

“For the last time, call me Rick!”

“Yes, sir—I mean, Rick!”

Rick rolled his brown eyes again before looking back at Rogue. “What about you? How long have you been out?” He knew she was lying when she put up seven fingers. “Don’t lie to me, young lady. It’s 3:25 p.m., now. There’s no way you’ve been out since seven a.m. You’d be frozen.”

Again, Rogue remained quiet, scratching the back of her head. She had to admit that no matter how much she loved talking to this man, she was more interested in the new boy. What was his name? How old was he? How did he get free? When was he taken? Where was he from? So many questions!

Uh-oh…the headache is back.

“Look, you can’t keep leaving the Perimeter now, Rogue,” Rick began. “It’s going to get dangerous with that boy here. No doubt he just escaped.” He sighed, then. “Listen, Rogue. This isn’t a wounded fox or bird. This is a human being. He might be danger—”

“I know!!” she yelled, stomping her foot. As she glared up at him, she could tell that he was surprised, and scared. Once she noticed his skin getting paler than usual, Rogue grabbed her stomach and rushed past him.

The guard looked down at the snow before sighing, his body warming up. He turned around and went back to his post. He should know better by now then to get that girl angry. Oh, well, he thought while blowing air into his freezing hands. She’ll calm down eventually.

('')('')

What was that stinging he felt on his face? Bugs? Needles? An arctic wolf eating his face? No. Wait…why couldn’t he move his mouth? Zane’s eyes shot open, only to find he could see through his right eye alone. He tried to move his hands, but they refused and stayed at his sides. Was he in a room? When did he get here? Or better yet, how did he get here?

Then, the worst came to mind: Government had recaptured him.

Instantly, Zane tried to scream when a hand was placed on his forehead. “Please…calm down…” a calm voice whispered sweetly. A female’s voice, maybe no younger than he.

“W…wh…” It was no use; he couldn’t talk, something was covering his face.

“You are safe. You are in Peilin’s infirmary, safe from harm…at least…for now…” She was stuttering, struggling with each vowel and syllable. She hasn’t talked much in her lifetime, apparently.

“G—”

“Please…you are safe here…”

Only then did Zane try to turn his head to get a better look at the female. He was right; she didn’t look any older than fifteen…sixteen at the latest, he thought. She had shoulder-length caramel hairhighlighted with red and brown eyes. What he found strange; though, was that she was wearing summer clothes; a white tank top with a tie and blue jeans. Not really an outfit he would wear in the dead of winter.

After examining her, he looked around the rest of the room. It was a white square room, a little bigger than the cell he spent most his life in, only more…human. He noted that the curtain to his left was the only way out. If this girl pulled anything, he would have to force his legs to move.

Speaking of which, if he couldn’t move his arms, what made him think he could move his legs? Even though he knew he would fail, Zane tried. Success! He could move his toes! Not that that could save his life, but his body was bound to warm up eventually.

“My name…is Rogue.” After he looked back at her, she continued, “I am the one who…found you in the snow.” She paused and glanced at the curtain fearfully as a shadow passed over it.

She felt insecure, he could tell. But for what reason, he couldn’t tell…well, he had an idea…If she iwas/i the one who had found him in the cold, this girl had to have seen his hand.

“…The doctor…said you will be fully…healed in a day…or so.”

A day?! They’ll be here by then! Zane made a sound of annoyance, looking back at the curtain. He had to leave now!

-- --

The sound of rain hitting the ceiling in perfect rhythm reached her ears. It calmed her down, the downpour. It was the only thing that Government hadn’t touched, and it was the only thing she could turn to…the only thing she trusted.

She growled, shifting slightly in her makeshift bed and grabbed her right shoulder. She held her breath as the rain hit violently on the window to the small apartment room, as if it were trying to get to her. Another flow of pain shot through her arm, making her jump out of the covers.

Out of habit, she grabbed her small army knife and held it in front of her. One…two…three, she thought before shoving the blade’s tip into her shoulder. A scream escaped her lips, though the pain in her stomach died down. She sat there on the carpet, panting lightly as the rain outside slowly calmed down.

“You should really stop doing that.”

“I’m sorry…I just…” she trailed and looked at the floor in shame.

Sighing, the shadowed figure got off the bed, and walked over to the woman on the floor. “If you keep stabbing your arm like you do, it will become paralyzed.”

“Yes, Headmaster…” Rain flinched as the gloved hand grabbed the knife. She yelped then growled as the blade was removed.

“Stay.”

The bluenette 1 followed her leader’s swift movements to the bathroom before sighing. She was a burden to Headmaster; she fully knew this. Every time it would start raining, or the clouds became too grey, the pair had to find shelter because of her…problem.

Rain felt the trickle of blood running down her right arm. She licked her finger before running it up the small stream of crimson liquid, pausing the stream momentarily. She looked at her red finger that clashed with her normal pale skin, her ocean blue eyes fading slightly.

“Wake, girl, I’ll not be having you pass out.” The cloaked person, Headmaster, returned from the bathroom, two rags and a bowl of water in their 2 arms.

Rain accepted the rag from Headmaster and whipped off her finger. She remained quiet as her companion cleaned her stab wound, wincing as a cloth was wrapped tightly around her arm.

Headmaster glanced up at the small window. “The rain has stopped.” They commented before disappearing back into the bathroom. “Clean, then wait at the door.”

The woman nodded, wincing slightly as she heard the bucket being thrown about in the bathroom. She quickly regretted taking the easy way out of her pain and awaking Headmaster (who, she had found out, had a very short temper). As the noises in the bathroom escalated, Rain cleaned up her’s and Headmaster’s few belongings into her bag and rushed to the front door.

If Headmaster keeps making all that noise, others are bound to wake, Rain thought while biting her lip. She jumped; then, and stared at the bathroom with fear as a shatter echoed throughout the apartment. “H…Headmaster?” she stuttered as her red cloaked companion rushed out.

“Time to go.” Headmaster quickly grabbed Rain’s arm just as water began leaking out of the bathroom.

“What did you do??” Rain jumped a step to keep up with the other’s pace as they left the complex.

“…”

Sighing, she looked over her shoulder as the other residents began emerging from their rooms. “You’re going to get us arrested one day,” she whispered under her breath.

“Not that you would care, girl,” Headmaster threw a dark glare over their shoulder. After the bluenette gave a sufficient confused look, they continued, “Think for once, girl…”

Rain growled as she was thrown against a tree, Headmaster’s cloak covering her body completely. “What—” She cut off as the sound of sirens reached her ears, which were soon followed by a fire truck, two common police cars, and one black Mercedes Benz 3. No doubt they’re going to the apartments, she hissed in her head. Sometimes, Headmaster…I worry for you… She looked up at Headmaster with saddened eyes, quickly noticing the familiar anger in her companion’s blue eyes.

Once the cars had stopped down the street, Headmaster whispered, “As I was saying…if we got arrested, we would be able to kill some decent agents before we were separated.” They glanced to the left as the firefighters and police officers poured out of their cars. “Insolent fools.”

Rain followed their gaze, gripping the red cloak to make them look like an innocent couple. “They have no idea, do they?” She asked as Headmaster caressed her cheek, playing along with their charade.

“Not a clue…Giggle, now.” Headmaster ordered as some of the police officers had started staring.

The woman did as she was told, throwing in a light blush to add to the effect. “Didn’t their parents tell it’s not polite to stare?” Rain mumbled, giving the men a glare full of anger and amusement.

“Not here. They have company.”

“I see them.” Rain growled lightly as two blonde men stepped out of the Mercedes. Anger began to rise in her gut as memories flooded her mind. “I could…just kill them now…” she whispered as dark clouds filled the sky yet again. “It wouldn’t be that hard…they’re right there…”

“Hold, girl.” Headmaster grabbed her hand gently. “We will wait for the opportune moment; now is not the time. Is that understood?”

“…But…” Rain winced as her hand was crushed. “Fine,” she managed to say, looking at her companion in anger. “I will get my revenge, though.”

Headmaster’s eyes widened, quickly releasing the bluenette’s hand. “What are you doing?!” They demanded as lightning streaked across the sky. “Stop it, demon! We cannot be caught now!” Frantically, they grabbed Rain’s arms again, shaking her. “Snap out of it!”

Rain merely laughed, ignoring the pain shooting from her right shoulder. “It will be fun, Headmaster. Just one person. Come on—” She gasped and touched her now-red cheek. “You…you…” She stared at the cloaked person with wide ocean eyes.

“Hey, you!” One of the police officers yelled.

Headmaster growled, glaring deathly at her. “This is all your fault, demon.”

Rain remained stunned as the officer reached them. “How dare you hit a woman! That’s against law!” he yelled.

Headmaster…hit me…

“Take your hood off, now!”

Was I misbehaving again?

“Hey! Did you hear me?” The policeman growled as Headmaster merely watched him, amusement dancing in their blue eyes.

I can make up for my misbehavior right now.

“Fine. If you don’t want to talk to me, you can talk to Government!” The policeman went to handcuff Headmaster when a pale hand grabbed his wrist. “What?” He stared at the bluenette in confusion. “You’re going to protect him after he hit you??”

Rain’s stunned expression was now that of obedience. “I have misbehaved. I got what I deserved.” She pulled a small knife from her pants pocket. “And you should never speak to my companion with such disrespect.” Quickly, she held the blade to his throat. “By the way,” she whispered, slowly pushing the tip in to his throat. “You should have minded your own business.” The blade was then pushed fully in to his neck, killing the policeman easily.

Headmaster grinned from behind their cloak and grabbed Rain’s free hand. “Ready?”

“Yes, Headmaster.” A bolt of lightning hit the Mercedes, briefly blinded everyone in the area. The pair took this to their advantage and ran away. “I hope they like our gift,” Rain noted as they ran.

“…Let’s hope they do…it won’t be our last...”

Amaya: Well? You like, no? :) Heh...I love playing around with Rain and Headmaster...how they pull charades like that above. Let's just say, I got a real kick out of it. I'm sure my mom will find it...odd. waits for her mom to awake

1 Bluenette: A person with blue hair. Like a brunette is a person with brown hair.

2 Headmaster’s identity, let alone gender, will never be known to anyone…except me, of course. Sorry! :) So, whenever ‘she-’ or ‘he-’ type words are needed for Headmaster, they will either be avoided or put as ‘they’ or ‘their’ or ‘Headmaster’ (that means the word ‘Headmaster’ will be quite repetitive, please don’t point that out)… No, Headmaster is not a she-he. You decide if Headmaster’s a woman or man in your mind. Headmaster’s eyes are obviously seen, though…for obvious reasons. :) Maybe, just maybe, I’ll let you guys choose and I’ll reveal Headmaster’s gender in later chapters. :)

3 Ok, so fictionpress is jank and won't let me put a URL, so just Google 'Black Mercedes Benz' to see what that type of car looks like. And don't worry, I had to ask my mom, "I need a scary looking car for evil people," and I got the Mercedes or the Charger.