Seven years later...

Takashi fixes the strap of his messenger bag with a heavy sigh. His mind was wandering over all the possible things people could say to him at this new school. His paranoia making it so he was anxious for the first day of school. Since all the other new schools he'd go to would make fun of him in new ways somehow. He presumed it was because people were a bunch of assholes but that was his opinion.

Either way, he had a hard time getting used to new schools in the middle of the year. It would be the second time this year he joined a new school in the middle of his school year. Frankly, it pissed him off because the student population had a general idea about him when he didn't know anyone there.

A fellow classmate would begin to be nice but then all of the sudden turn sour. He heard once it was from a rumor they heard. He had absolutely no idea who would spread them but his guardian: Axl, blamed his twin brother Jeremiah.

It made little sense to Takashi because he'd always see his twin at school but it wasn't his school. He knew Jeremiah went to a private school because their father paid for it. Hell, he didn't know why Jeremiah would even step onto a peasant filled campus anyway.

He rubbed a hand over his face and moved the hair out of his eyes. “I don't want to go to school.” He grumbled mostly to himself. Who would when the student population hates you because of some snobby twin brother.

“Why not?” Takashi jumped to the voice behind him. He turns around to face Axl with a gasp.

"I thought I told you to stop scaring me like that, you sneaky bastard." Takashi grabbed at his shirt. He hated when Axl snuck up on him. Sure, his brother was a fucking asshole at times but didn't give him the damn right to sneak up on him like that. “Also I don't want to go because the student body hates my guts. Every single new school I go to the whole student body hates me. Makes my life a living hell! I know you blame Jeremiah but come on! They don't need to do the whole tribal mentality. I presume they can all think for their damn selves and judge me on my character, not shitty rumors!” Takashi grumbled. “He shuns me because I am a half-vampire. I'm in hot water with him.” Takashi told Axl who chuckled.

“You still have Maddy and I. Shouldn't that be the only family you need now? Besides Jeremiah is what you call,” Axl trails off then motions his hand for Takashi to suggest something then he snaps. "An attention whore!" Takashi rolled his eyes to Axl's outburst.

Axl then goes over to fix Takashi’s hair. “Hey, don't fret over this longer than you should. Jeremiah is just jealous of how naturally popular you are. So, he needs you to look bad before you charm the entire student body with your heavenly looks." Axl joked and Takashi rolled his eyes again. "Besides the only things you guys have in common is your eyes. Both of your hair colors are different now aren't they?" Axl stated.

“Yeah, he dyed his hair black. Don't ask me why but he did. But he still finds ways to match me! Don't know or how but he does it. It makes no sense,” Takashi frowned.

“Maybe he still wants to be you, Taka,” Axl points out. He finished messing with Takashi's hair and did a square with fingers. "Picture perfect." He winked at the other.

Takashi shook his head to that then chuckled. “Remember he shuns me. Why would he want to match a lowly half-blood?” Takashi asked Axl who shrugged again. “Well, thanks for this talk. I'm off to school,” Takashi grumbles and goes to walk past him.

Axl grabbed his upper arm and prevented him from going out the door. He couldn't let the other leave on such a sour note that wouldn't be brotherly of him.  “Hey, things will be fine! Keep your chin up and your spirits higher. Do you have your lunch in you?” Axl inquired.  Takashi nods to Axl. “Good, now have a great day at school,” Axl demanded. He kissed Takashi’s cheek then walks to the kitchen.

Takashi sighed to the kiss he received. Ever since Axl joined therapy there hasn't been any rapes. Sure, Takashi is ecstatic he isn't being molested by his brother anymore and he's happy he is only traumatized by it a little bit. But he still wanted his brother's touch. That whole Stockholm Syndrome hooked him strong with Axl.  He was sure Axl went to therapy to become a better brother but he missed the old Axl. He wasn't sure why he did miss him but he did. He blamed it on their mother's funeral because Axl wasn't the same after it happened.

Takashi thought he was selfish since he wanted more attention from his brother because he missed the touches. But he knew his brother got better which is good. He shouldn't wish for his brother to take a step backward because that isn't what you wish upon your brother. But the kisses did make him weak in his knees, the hugs that engulfed him, and the caresses that made him feel safe. Those were all things he missed from his brother! He hated himself for it.

Takashi stopped thinking about Axl as he rubbed his face. He had to stop thinking about the old Axl. It always made him upset to think about. He looked up and spotted the driver by the car for school. The car door was open and he rushed over to the man. He felt like he was a substitute for Axl in a way but not fully. “Thank you,” Takashi said. He slid into the car and looked out the window with nothing going through his head.

Maybe this school would be different. This school would better than the others.

“Axl is right I should just be positive. Keep my chin up and my spirits higher,” Takashi said.

The ride didn't take too long. In fact, it was shorter than he thought it would be. He stays in his seat a bit longer than expected as static comes on then Takashi jumps to the voice coming out of the intercom. "Are you going to school today, Master Takashi?"

He had forgotten the driver had an intercom, though he rides in the car frequently and they only have one driver. It's something he forgets often. “I'll get out in just a minute since I don't plan to ditch,” Takashi assured him then he fixed his backpack.

“Very well, Master Takashi. Take your time.” Takashi heard the other say and he stared out the window. Maybe Jeremiah didn't know he switched schools again. There was no possible way! Surely his twin has better things to do than to stalk him again.

Takashi got out of the car and noticed that the first period must have started. He then made his way to the office which he knew was always the routine when he came to a new school. Usually, he does it with Axl who encourages him that he can do it no matter what happens. The other just happened to be busy this time around though so, Takashi went to school by himself today.

He made his way around the school after finding the map and he walked into the office. Then he waited since there was another kid who was talking to the receptionist. He didn't want to step ahead of the other because that would be considered rude.

“Pictures are allowed in personal lockers only. Not P.E. lockers, Mr. Davenport. We have always had these policies. You know the rules. Your brother goes here with you,” she spoke. She shuffled papers on the desk and then stapled them. "Please stop making a big deal out of this. We followed the policy and warned you twice before taking it down for you." She stated then handed him an envelope.

“You mean my stepbrother!” Takashi noted how angry the other was. He ignored it though since it wasn't his place to question random people's business.

“Stepbrother or brother. They are the same thing to me. Now would you like to be assigned a permanent locker or not?” She asked him. "It'll fix your problem with this," the woman indicated to the envelope.

“I guess.”

Takashi heard the boy huff then sit down while muttering to him. "This fucking school is bullshit." Takashi rolled his eyes.

“Do you need a permanent locker assignment too, boy?” Takashi blinked to what she said then points to himself. “Yes, you since he's Mr. Davenport and you're the new boy. Now if you need a locker assignment then please sit down while I get the principal,” The receptionist instructs him.

Takashi messed with the strap for his bag again then sat down next to the other. He scooted closer to his right to get away from Mr. Davenport. He didn't want to talk to the other after what he just witnessed.

“You're new here? My name is Daisuke. Nice to meet you.”

Takashi pursed his lips but shrugged off the weird feeling. “My name is Takashi. I transferred schools from a different town,” Takashi told him.

“Well, this school is nice. You'll fit in here,” Daisuke assured him.

Takashi frowned to that as it contradicted what the other just said. He arched a brow to Daisuke. "That is not what you just said. Thought you said this place fucking sucked?" Takashi asked him.

Daisuke looked towards the receptionist desk then back. "Only because they wouldn't let me have a picture of my best friend in my gym locker. They were thinking I'd jack off and come on the lockers. It's fucking stupid." Daisuke hissed and frowned.

Takashi shrugged to that. "I mean that makes sense. You could also be one of those people that..." He trailed off because now wasn't the time to say something so weird. He should try and make friends not to deter people away from him.

Daisuke was about to say something back but he saw the woman come back. He sat up straight then frowned some.

Takashi looked up to see the receptionist had come back into the room with the principal, who smiled. “Hello, boys. It's nice to see you here like always, Daisuke. And welcome to our school, Mr. Norato.” She said.

"Hello miss," Takashi said as he stands up. “Thank you for the welcoming,” Takaski told her.

“Of course, Mr. Norato. Now, why don’t you two follow me? I’ll get you your lockers and talk about your classes also, Mr. Norato.” She began to walk out of the office to lead the boys to the halls where most of the lockers were.

Takashi followed her and Daisuke followed behind them. “We could ditch this broad and we can go tour the school by ourselves. I’d be happy to give you the whole tour, Takashi.” Daisuke told him.

“I’d rather not get in trouble. Thank you for the offer though,” Takashi told Daisuke. He focused on where they were going but his thoughts were stopped when Daisuke took his hand. He yelped as he was dragged into an empty classroom and he frowned deeply to Daisuke. “What was that for?!” He practically yelled.

“Saving you from boredom. That’s what that is for.” Daisuke hissed. “Besides the principal is boring as hell. She drones on about her love life for most of the orientation. It’s not something you want to be part of, trust me.” Daisuke told him. “Besides I have our new lockers right here!” Daisuke held up a piece of paper. “So, no need to worry!” He added.

Takashi wanted to talk back multiple times but kept himself from doing so. “You won’t get in trouble again?” Takashi asked. Daisuke shook his head then went to sit on top of a table. “Fine, but shouldn’t we go to our lockers instead of being in this classroom?” Takashi asked.

Daisuke shrugged to what the other suggested. “Do you really want to? That means you’d have to go to class afterward and I am sure you wouldn’t want to.” Daisuke told him.

“I’d rather not get in trouble with my brother. He can be scary at times when I don’t listen to him.” Takashi told him then shuddered. Though getting in trouble by Axl wouldn't hurt. He could get those sweet touches again. He shook his heads and frowned. “So, can we please go to our lockers.”

Daisuke blew a raspberry at him then hopped off the table. “Fine, let’s go then!” Daisuke flung open the door and he stepped out into the hallway. "You're such a wuss! Why couldn't you stay with me? I just wanted some damn company!" Daisuke whined. He wanted to become friends with Takashi but the damn kid was making it hard for him.

"Probably because I plan to be a good student while you're not." Takashi pointed out. Daisuke scoffed at his statement and he led him to their lockers. He was a good student when he wanted to be but if they wanted to be a bunch of assholes about a picture then he'll be a bad kid.

"Just because you want to be a goody two shoes doesn't mean you slander my name. That's just rude." Daisuke stated. Maybe being intellectual about everything will get him on Takashi's good side. "Here we are. My locker is here," he pointed to his locker. "Yours is right next to mine. Can't wait to get to know you better, locker neighbor!" Daisuke laughed. He patted Takashi on the shoulder then walked past him.

Takashi frowned at the other's behavior then he turned to his locker. He saw the schedule taped to the front and he took it off to look it over.

First Period: Study Hall

Second Period: English

Third Period: Math

Fourth Period: Science

Fifth Period: Physical Education

Sixth Period: History

Everything seemed to be there that he had to take. He just thought Daisuke was weird though. He hoped he wasn't sharing any classes with the weirdo.

He rubbed his neck and folded the paper to stick it in his pocket. He memorized the class numbers then went to class.

---

Takashi walked into the lunch room and glanced around. He had already felt the stares on him and he rolled his eyes. Nothing he could really do about them since it seemed they all believed his damn twin. He went to an empty table but then saw people take it over.

"The faggot doesn't need any place to sit! He can eat his food off the ground!" A boy with sheer blonde hair laughed.

"Just because you think he's cute and you know you can't have him doesn't mean you have to be an asshole, Brad." Daisuke came up behind Takashi who jumped.

Brad felt his face get hot and he began to stutter on his words. "F-Fuck you Daisuke!" He yelled. He stood up and slammed his hands onto the table. "Go suck each others dicks!" Brad hissed. He snapped at his friends and they stood to leave with him.

Daisuke rolled his eyes to Brad then looked at Takashi with a huge smile. "Hey, there neighbor!" He winked then sat down. "Let's eat together," Daisuke told him.

Takashi didn't want to talk to Daisuke more but he shrugged. Might as well make him as a friend even if the guy is weird. "Sure, I don't see why not," Takashi said then sat down.

"Got to be careful of Brad, man.  He is fucking crazy and he is supposedly gay." Daisuke shrugged as he unpacked the lunch box his brother packed him.

Takashi frowned. "A popular jocky gay guy? Does he command half the school?" He asked Daisuke. He unpacked his own lunch and he hummed.

"More likely the whole school because Bree Anderson is his sister. She commands the other half. He is for freshmen and sophomores. She is for juniors and seniors." Daisuke explained to him.

"That sucks and its bullshit," Takashi said between bites. "Someone needs to keep them in check," Takashi told him.

"Well sure Taki but that doesn't mean anyone would. Your reputation is at stake if you try to go against them." Daisuke warned him.

Takashi paused between bites and he stared at Daisuke. "Did you just call me Taki?" He asked him confused.

Daisuke blinked but nodded. "Of course, it's easier instead of Takashi. Come on, Taki! Did you really expect me to call you that mouth full?" He asked him as he laughed.

Takashi frowned deeply but nodded to that. "My name is kind of long so I can see why you gave me a nickname." Takashi sighed but chuckled.

"Look baby brother is making friends finally. Not fawning over his lost childhood love he'll never find again!" Rirre laughed.

Daisuke growled. "Go away Rirre. I am busy with my friend." He hissed.

"That's not any way to treat me my dear baby brother," Rirre cooed. He hung himself over Daisuke's broad shoulders. "Besides I want to meet your new friend. He smells tasty." Rirre licked his lips and winked at Takashi who swallowed.

Daisuke scoffed then rolled his eyes. He tried to shrug Rirre off but he stayed on with a small pout. "Get off me scumbag." Daisuke hissed and Rirre hummed.

"Don't feel like it. Introduce me and I'll think about it," Rirre purred. The aviator sunglasses he wore glinted from the sunlight shining on them.

"Takashi this is my step-brother, Rirre. Rirre this is my friend Takashi. Shake hands if you want but don't be rude to Takashi, bro. I don't want you scaring him away." Daisuke said.

Rirre slid off of Daisuke's shoulder then slinked towards Takashi. "Pleased to meet you. Glad someone is tolerating my baby brother. He does need friends after all." Rirre smiled to Takashi.

Takashi gave him eye contact and felt this overwhelming urge to kiss the other. He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. That wasn't a good sign. He thought the effects from other vampires didn't affect him but he had been wrong.

"Something wrong dude?" Daisuke asked as he went to stand to help Takashi.

"I-I'm fine," Takashi mumbled and went to stand. The whole world spun and he flopped back down on the seat he was in. "Or not..." He added on with a grumble.

Daisuke then got mad and he turned his attention to Rirre who stood there. "What the hell did you do?!" Daisuke yelled at Rirre who looked at him.

"Didn't do shit to your little human friend!" Rirre hissed to Daisuke as he stepped up to him. "My natural powers don't work on males, Daisuke. Remember? Sometimes you're so stupid." Rirre looked at Takashi who was looking down while holding his head.

"Let's go Taki. We need to get our stuff for our next class anyway." Daisuke glared at Rirre who shook his head. Daisuke went over and grabbed Takashi's hand. With a single touch, Takashi felt better and also felt Daisuke leading him somewhere.

"Are we going to our lockers?" He asked in a sluggish voice. He felt drunk or like he had way too much blood.

"Of course we are. We have the next class together silly." Daisuke told him.

Takashi frowned to that as he tried to remember his next class. He then remembered the last time he was like this and he frowned. It was his mom's funeral when Axl was using his vampire powers.

"Is your brother a vampire?" Takashi asked as they got to their lockers. He leaned against his own and panted. He didn't like how his whole body felt hot and all he could think about was Rirre.

"He is but I'm not sure how you can tell. Aren't you a human?" Daisuke asked confused.

Takashi shook his head. "I-I'm a half vampire with an ailment of being more affected by full blood vampires powers. Not sure why I am like this but I am..." Takashi explained. He felt like his throat was constricting and he gasped for air.

Daisuke frowned deeply then sighed. He touched Takashi's hand instead of his arm. Takashi felt the effects fade and the pounding stopped. So did the constricting around his throat and there was no more nausea.

"I'm sorry that's the case for you. Must have been difficult to deal with. My brother Cloud would have used you if he found out about that." Daisuke frowned. "But hopefully you never meet him." Daisuke laughed nervously then opened his locker.

Takashi went to stand behind Daisuke to see into his locker. He glanced around then spotted the picture of the girl. Her hair was black and was in a braid while she was wearing a blue dress. She looked to be about their age.

"Who's that?" Takashi asked Daisuke. He remembered that description of their mom's murderer and if this was Daisuke's best friend then he might just freak.

"My best friend, Snow. Haven't seen her in a long time but I will never forget her. I want to see her again." Daisuke sighed softly and Takashi took a step back. "I also recently found this picture in our mailbox so I presume someone is wanting to help me not forget her." Daisuke smiled.

"Snow is her name?" Takashi breathed out and Daisuke hummed.

"Why do you ask?" Daisuke asked and Takashi shook his head. He had no reason to ask since he had just wanted to know. Now he knows that Daisuke's best friend: Snow, murdered his mother. Either he tells him the truth or fibs.

"She looks pretty is why." Takashi lied easily. He doesn't want to shatter how Daisuke thinks of his best friend. That would have been rude.

Daisuke smiled and looked at Takashi after he grabbed his gym bag. "She is really pretty." He agreed. "Come on, hurry and get your stuff. We have gym next." Daisuke laughed.

Takashi laughed but nervously as he wondered what to do about his new information. Either become the best of buds with Daisuke or not. He'd need to think of something in gym or else it would drive him crazy.

---

"Look, I never said you couldn't go to school. Just said you couldn't go to public school. There is a difference, Snow. Private school and tutors are fine but not public. Now either you settle with private or don't fucking go at all, " Hikaru hissed.

His patience had been short since Snow had really found her voice. She had been trying to get him to enroll her in the local high school since no money would be wasted that way. But it still wasn't working.

"But brother, I wanted to go to public school to build my social skills. Don't I need better social skills, brother?" Snow asked him. Her voice was soft but she was assertive as she spoke.

Hikaru groaned to that as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know normally when someone says no then that means no, Snow." Hikaru snapped at her.

Snow stood her ground as she didn't flinch. She was messing with her white nightgown since it had little pink bows on it. Her black hair was in a braid so it wouldn't get too tangled when she slept. She hadn't changed into regular clothes yet because her brother said no to public school. So, she was being defiant by not changing out of her pajamas.

"What are you worried about?" She asked him as she didn't raise her voice at him. She had no reason to. Well, she did but her voice was soft naturally. She'd have to clear her throat to go any higher in volume. "It's not like I plan to leave you, brother. You're all I know. I wouldn't leave you here by yourself." She confessed as she frowned. "Are you worried about that?" She asked with her head tilted.

Hikaru listened to her and he frowned deeply. He didn't want to admit that Snow was right. He was scared she'd forget about him and never come back. That she'll somehow find Daisuke and leave him here in this empty apartment. Leave him to wallow in his self decrypting thoughts.

"No, that's not what I'm worried about." Hikaru lied.

"Then what? If none of those things then why deny me the right to have a basic education, brother?" Snow asked. She folded her arms in front of her chest in her growing anger. She wanted a straight answer from Hikaru but she wasn't getting one and it was making her mad.

"It's not safe out there for someone your age." Hikaru countered. He felt like this conversation was just going in circles. "So, until you find a way to be safe out there on your own then you can't go to public school," Hikaru added.  He didn't want to pull out his last resort but he had to because Snow wasn't letting it go.

Snow heard him and she deflated a little. "So, you're just going to be like our parents?" She asked and Hikaru looked at her angry. "That's right, brother I said it. You remind me of our parents." Snow hissed.

Hikaru stood up as he threw what he was reading onto the floor. He then took steps toward Snow then pushed her against the wall. "Say it again. See what happens sister." He growled. He wanted her to say it again just so he could justify what he was doing. He was nothing like those scumbags that were their parents. He would never be like them.

"You are just like our parents." Snow hissed at him.

Hikaru growled at her then slapped her across the face. "Don't ever say I am like those scumbags again brat! Now you listen to the authority in the house! If I said you can't go to public school then you can't! Don't try and defy me more when I say you can't. My word is law in this house and as long as you live under this roof then you listen to me!" Hikaru hissed at her.

Snow held her cheek after Hikaru hit her. She had thought her brother would be more accommodating after what she said he was acting like. She had been wrong.

"I thought you wouldn't want to be like mom or dad!!! The reason I said you were acting like them is that you trapped me here and won't let me leave!   How does that not make you like them?!" Snow shouted at him.

"It just doesn't!" Hikaru stepped away as he huffed out. "Fine. You can have your way but don't expect it to be any time soon." Hikaru hissed at her. He stomped off in his fit of anger as he didn't look at Snow.

Snow smiled to herself as she saw her brother walk off. Getting her way had always been easy with Hikaru. She pushed herself off the wall and she went to get on normal clothes. She had to go spy on someone really important.

Hikaru watched his sister get up and go to her room. He had suspected she wanted to go to school for a different reason but he couldn't prove it. He whistled and the wind around him rose his hair up with one stray leaf falling onto his palm. He whispered to the leaf then whistled again to have the leaf float away as his sister exited the apartment.

Snow pranced down the stairs with her hair unbraided. The beret on her head kept the curls in place as she closed her jacket. It was chillier than she expected as she walked towards the high school. She knew the private tutor was more suitable for her since they aren't home much but she wanted to go to this high school and only for one reason.

She made it to the school gates and peeked in as the school body was on break. She looked at the name of the high and memorized it. She'd have to visit Lindow high school more often. She spotted the boy she wanted and smiled. Finally getting to see her angel made her happy because it had been so long.

---

Takashi laughed as he ran a hand through his hair. "That was the lamest joke ever man!" He laughed more.

Daisuke shrugged as he chuckled himself. Something had been bothering him since Takashi mentioned and he stared at him. "Taki, why did you ask about Snow?" Daisuke asked him as they paused a few feet away from the gates of the school.

"Oh, because she looked familiar?" Takashi tried to use that but then hit his head. "Shit no, that's not what I meant." Takashi groaned at his stupidity.

"She's familiar? What the fuck does that mean? She left when I was like around seven! How in the world do you know her?!" Daisuke couldn't help but shout at him.

Takashi didn't expect the other to get angry so quickly but he had to come up with an excuse and fast. "Is magic an acceptable answer here?" Takashi asked him.

Daisuke growled then went to grab Takashi by his collar. "No fucking way is it an acceptable answer!" He growled at him. "Now fucking tell me how you know her!" Daisuke yelled.

This brought on the attention of nearby students who began to surround them. "Fight!" Someone shouted then the crowd began to shout fight.

Daisuke dropped Takashi after he shook his head to the others question. "Fine! Then I'll beat it out of you." Daisuke threatened. He began to take his jacket off as he smirked at him. "You have some time to decide whether or not you really want to tell me. If not then I'll beat the shit out of you. Got it?" Daisuke asked.

Takashi saw the crowd and heard them shouting. He had barely heard Daisuke but he got what he said. "I don't think you want your image of her soiled by me. You don't have to do this Daisuke!" Takashi said. He didn't want to fight but it seemed like it might happen.