∆ Clock Strikes Three

"I really wonder what you are." A voice greeted me as soon as I came to. I sat up and winced. Raito was sitting on my bed.

"I'm sorry but the only answer I have is, I am a human." I replied, lifting the blanket a bit to see my right leg was bandaged. "Is Ayato okay?" I asked.

"He's sleeping in his room," Raito answered then crawled towards me. "A human can't do this to us."

"Well, that's what I'd like to know. I don't even want to get stuck with you. I want to go home to Yuma." I said.

Raito examined me. "And it frustrates me you have the advantage not to fear us because we can't harm you."

"Want to try sucking my blood?" I questioned.

He eyed me dangerously and got closer. He brought his face to my neck and breathed. "Make it quick if you want. I'm very ticklish." I warned.

He opened his mouth but as soon as his fangs touched my skin, he fell back, cradling his head in one hand. "I don't know the reason of this, get it?" I said and got off the bed, heading towards the bathroom.

ØØØØ

I was even crankier when I got to know it was that time of the month. The ride to school was silent and class was boring. Until, I heard someone, a human of my class talking to his friend.

"Nana, let's go to the fireworks festival tonight!" he chirped happily. The girl he was talking to grinned.

"Really? Where?" she'd asked.

"The park down the road from here."

"Meet me at the shrine at 10pm."

The boy nodded and left.

I glanced at Ayato behind. Fireworks festival seems fun. There are variety of foods and games to play. I've been to a festival once with Yuma, Ruki, Kou and Azusa but it was a Snow Festival at Sapporo. I got up and walked to him when the class was finally empty. I poked his cheek. His eyes were closed, sleeping.

"Ayato," I whispered. "Let's go to the fireworks festival."

"Why would I?" he asked, opening an eye. I flinched, surprised by his actions and regained my composure shortly.

"Why won't you?"

"It's crowded and boring. Go by yourself if you want." He said and went back to sleep. I pouted slightly and left the class.

At my temporary home, I took a short shower and wore the clothes Reiji had provided (and he told me to go shopping for clothes because he's done buying clothes for me). It was after dusk when I set out without anyone noticing.

I followed the boy's direction, from the school, down the road. From a distance, I could hear the crowd and the smell of food. I quickened my pace and finally arrived at the scene. I was delighted!

However, the thought left me as soon as I stopped in front of a Takoyaki stall. I have no money because all these while, Reiji was the one who provided my food. My shoulders sagged in defeat. I really need Yuma by my side.

"Money, is that what you need?" a voice whispered. I turned my head and saw a guy with an eye patch.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"I'm a random passerby." He waved his hand. "I came here to have fun but I'm by myself. Do you need company?"

I smiled. "I do need one!"

"Let's go have fun, then." He smirked and I followed him.

-

Ayato woke up from his sleep due to the headache. It was becoming worse each time. He massaged his neck and clicked his tongue. "She must've gone there by herself." He murmured.

Every movement became painful. He winced when he stood to walk home. Despite that, he managed to get out of the school ground. Walking back, he heard noises from the festival and glanced at it. The smell urged him to come.

Takoyaki, here he comes.

-

"Let me try!" I grabbed the rifle from his hands and he stepped away from the spot.

"Best of luck." He said and I pulled the trigger. The fake bullet hit the plush toy and it fell down. We cheered and he tackled me in a friendly hug, his bittersweet scent filling up my nostrils.

"Your words hit the toy." I grinned as the shopkeeper picked the toy up. He brush some dirt off it then handed the toy to me, smiling.

"Thank you!" we chorused and left. On the way, the eye patched guy bought a cotton candy and we shared it. If anyone were aware of my situation, they'd run away and tell me that I'm stupid for trusting a stranger so easily.

Despite the fact, I felt safe with him. Sure his appearance is weird and all but he's cool. Besides, if anything were to happen, I have my own strategy on how to escape. We stopped at a bench and stared at the people passing by.

I tilted my head to one side. "I know it's weird asking you now," I spoke and he turned to me. "But who are you?"

The guy giggled and nodded slightly. "I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Tsukinami Shin, just a lonely passerby and wanted to have fun." He replied.

"I'm Akatsuki Kizuna. Nice to meet you! Which school are you from?" I asked.

He hesitated. "I'm in college but far away from here. It's semester break."

"Oh, you're older?" I examined him up and down. "But you look young!"

Shin smiled. "'Course I do."

"Well," I held out one hand. "Thanks for accompanying me tonight."

He shook my hand and nodded. "Thank you, too."

I stood and brushed my back lightly. "I've to go now. My brother would be angry for coming home late." I lied. Gosh, since when I own a brother? And since when Ayato's my brother? Not to mention, SINCE WHEN I HAVE A HOME AS OF NOW?

Shin frowned for a moment then spoke, "Can't you wait until the fireworks go off?"

I pursed my lips into a thin line. "I'm afraid not."

"That's sad. Well, until we meet again, Kizuna." He grinned and I walked away. He doesn't sound normal at the second thought. Honestly, I really wanted to see the fireworks but it's almost 12 I'm sure Ayato's hurting because anything can hap-

"Oi."

I spun and gasped. "Oh! What are you doing here?" I questioned in surprise. Ayato held up his one hand and I understood.

"Takoyaki," I giggled. "Thought you weren't going to come."

"How can I not?" he scowled. "The headache was going to kill me."

"Ah, so it led us here, eh?" another voice spoke. We turned. There stood the Sakamaki brothers. Shuu, Reiji, Subaru, Raito and Kanato. I waved at them.

"Let's watch the fireworks!" I said. None of them replied but still, they followed me to the spot where we could see the fireworks clearly.

It irked me. I wanted to go home. Back to Yuma, Ruki, Kou and Azusa. I'm not in good terms with the Sakamaki brothers and neither are they with each other. The sole reason why they came may be because of the slight headache they were having as well.

Reiji informed me that the Blood-bond affected Ayato. Even so, it affected them a little as well when I'm in great danger. Just who the heck put this Blood-bond curse on me?! Wait.

If they are affected only when I'm facing a great danger, and given that they came here because they were having a headache... doesn't that indicate I was in a danger not long before?

I looked up to the sky in sync with the fireworks. Tsukinami Shin.

ØØØØ

Tsukinami Carla smirked. "You played well. She didn't know you were investigating her."

"Of course, brother. I'm good with girls." Shin snarled.

"The Mukami brothers will arrive shortly. They sensed her earlier."

"I can't wait for the war."

-

The sound of the lightning jolted me awake. I'm not scared of lightning but I'm not fond of it. I winced when the thunder rolled. "I thought it's fall season..." I blinked, muttering out loud before opening the windows wide.

The wind was blowing strongly and I winced at the impact. The trees swayed, trying hard to stay uprooted to the ground. "Wow..." I smiled slightly when I saw the garden just outside the mansion. I didn't really know it existed. Or more like I haven't even got a time to properly enjoy this scenery.

When the lightning flashed before my eyes, I squealed and quickly shut the windows. A thought came to my mind. "THE CLOTHES!" I yelled and ran to my bathroom. Apparently, I've let the bathroom windows open to dry my clothes (yes, I washed them by myself).

Too late, it was drenched. I pouted and took it. I'm guessing the rain had fallen earlier before I was woken up by the sound. "Kizuna."

I froze. D-did someone just call me? "Kizuna. Come out. We've arrived." I turned my head and saw no one. Ghosts? I'm living with vampires though.

"Kizuna, it's me Yuma! How many times should we call you!"

"Yuma?!" I screeched and as fast (maybe faster) than lightning, I darted out of the bathroom and ran downstairs. I groaned when I realized it wasn't the front door but the back door so I had to climb up once again and ran to the other side.

Finally, I came upon the huge front door. Opening it slightly, I peeked to see if it's really them or my imaginations. I saw Ruki smiling and Yuma waving. "GUYS!" I screamed and ran outside, not caring if it's raining or thundering or whatever shit is happening.

I got into a bone-crushing hug with Yuma and squealed happily. "I missed you guys so much!" I jiggled around happily and bro fist-ed with Kou.

"Is this those bastards' mansion?" Azusa looked up.

"Sakamaki? Yeah. I kind of ran into here when I was chased." I shrugged.

"Shall we go home?" Ruki spoke.

I wanted to nod vigorously but I remembered something and my shoulders sagged. "I can't go home." I murmured.

"Why not?" Kou asked.

I turned my head to the mansion and sighed. "I'm cursed with one of the Sakamaki. We can't go far from each other or he'll get hurt." I said.

"Who cares? He's the one who's hurting, not you." Yuma said.

"He'll die and I don't want anyone to die because of my selfishness." I replied.

"Curse or no curse, no one's going home tonight, darlings." A voice interrupted us all and suddenly the rain had stopped. There stood two men, with devilish smirks that give me the creeps. I recognized one.

It was still dark since it's nighttime but I could make out his face clearly. I gasped. "Shin!"

"Seems like a war is declared." Reiji spoke. We turned our heads. Okay. Since when?

"Because this is our territory." Raito came.

"And no one's snatching my life away." Ayato growled, curling an arm around my chest, pulling me close.

Shin grinned and Ruki frowned.