Chapter 3

Shun's Point Of View

Something woke me up. Some kind of crashing sound— as if a someone had broken in. I kept staring at the cieling, trying to decide whether or not it was my imagination. Then I heard it again. The shrill voice —like a terrified shriek— rang through the empty house and then I heard footsteps running towards her room.

Instantly, I got up, threw the blanket aside and darted out of my room.

Once outside, I found myself running behind Sue, who probably just like me, heard Naeko's shout and was rushing towards her room, grabbing her flowing night gown which was preventing her from running at her top speed.

Our house was more like a mansion surrounded by lush green garden. There were atleast fifty rooms— all but 3, unoccupied. I seriously wanted to kill Naeko for choosing the most farthest bedroom of the house. And that too, the cornermost one on the top floor.

Soon enough I found myself leading the way with Sue behind my trails. By the time we reached her room, silence had prevailed. I was so worried thinking about what must have happened that I did not care to knock. I just banged through the door, making it loose from the hinges.

"Naeko? Are you alright?"I scanned the room to look at her.  I glanced at her bed to find it empty.

Tension rising up my body, I looked around just to find her near the bay window— which was actually not a bay window— staring intensely outside with wide eyes. I was both shocked and relieved.

Thankgod she is alright but what is she doing on the floor?

Instantly my foot made me run towards her; anxious to decipher the emotions expressed on her face.

Her chair had fallen backwards and she was down on the floor with her hands behind her torso to support her in a sitting position.

I went and crouched beside her. When I was agreabally seated beside her, I finally looked at her closely and found out that her eyes had broadened and small drops of tears were streaking down her small but beautifully illuminated cheeks. I pushed the single strand of hair which was nearly trying to enter her eyes to the back of her ear.

Wow, beauti-- I suddenly realised what I was thinking. I must have been out of my mind to think about something as low as that, and that too at such a trivial moment. I shoved the thought out of my mind and tended to her.

"Are you alright? What happened?" I asked her pulling myself back to present.

She just nodded and kept her eyes unwavering. I extend my hand to support her and realised that she was shaking badly. She wouldn't tear her eyes off the night sky, not even while answering me.

"Did something happen Naeko?" I asked her again and in return there was only silence. Curiosity got the best of me and I stood up to look outside the window. What was it that disturbed her so much that she would scream?

Finding nothing peculiar outside, just dark and cold night sky, I closed the window , which I thought might have been causing her to shiver. Then I bent down and picked her up in my arms. She didn't resist, didn't even look elsewhere. Her body felt light and tiny in my arms. Her head lulled on my shoulders as I carried her.

I laid her on her bed and covered her up with the blanket. Still when she didn't utter a word, I started to leave, "sleep tight." I said and went towards the door.

I had already given up on her talking. I will ask her about it tomorrow. I thought, Wonder if I will even get the time to? That reminded me why I was going to be busy the other day. I stopped for a second and turned my neck as much as possible.

"And by the way," I paused to look at her, "Happy Birthday." I said.

That did it. Finally her head shot up in my direction. She gave me a weary smile and mouthed a 'thankyou'. I chuckled at her demeneour and then left.

Sue was standing by the door, witnessing the scene. I didn't dare meet her eyes.

† † †

Naeko's Point Of View

I did not know what was happening around me. It was only when I heard Shun wishing me Happy birthday that I knew I was now safely tucked in my bed.

What had just happened? I did not know. Those eyes...they were somewhat familiar yet not in reach of my memory. I had a faint idea of it but did not dare utter the stuppidest thought of what the creature was.

I saw him as he started to leave and gave him a smile for helping me tuck in. I wanted to say that I really did not want him to leave, that it felt safe to be with him but no way in the world was I ever going to admit that.

I watched his silhoutte disappear outside my door and then I glanced at Sue. She kept standing there, her eyes filled with worry.

"What happened to you dear?" she asked me when she was assured that Shun was out of earshot. She still not did not attempt to move or come forward.

"You know what Sue?" I paused, not willing to answer her question yet. "Its not like you are not allowed in here...you can come in.." I pointed to the empty chair beside the bed which probably Shun had moved from near the window.

She hesitated for a second and then took one step forward at a time. I didn't know why but she always used to treat me differently. I mean, though she was our caretaker, she did not treat Shun in the same way.

Any ways , I wanted to talk to someone at that time and Sue was the right person for that. Hopefully.

"Sue, something...something weird happened right now" I said, hesitating alot. I didn't know how I was going to describe it to her but still I needed someone to hear me out. Shun would have been a bad idea and Tisha would have blasted her head off on my theory. Insane, she would call me.

I don't know what happened to Sue but I guess that she wanted to uplift the mood and her reply did seem to work. "Yes dear, you turned 16." she said giving me a weak smile, quoting my 'something weird'.

"No!...no I don't mean that!" I feigned a shock, "I saw something— two big yellow eyes which seemed to be fixated on me, trying to tell me something...and... and then I heard a scream, an ear piercing scream scream of— I dont know— joy? It appeared in front of me at once and then disappeared just as suddenly! Did you not hear it screaming?" I questioned truthfully but Sue took it as a joke.

"Oh My God ! This is probably all because you are tired; you should go to sleep. You have got to prepare for a blast tomorrow...right? "

Blast tomorrow? I chuckled, "Hmn...maybe you are right, it might just have been a  hallucination." I sighed. But it seemed too real for that, I wanted to add but refrained myself.

"Oh...and by the way what's your plan for tomorrow, dear?" she asked, suddenly changing the topic. Well, I should give it to her for making me excited.

"You got me!" I grinned. She knew me too well to not know where I was going for my birthday and she also knew that it made me happy to think about it. "The anime convention with Tish and Shun!! There will be so many cosplays!!"

"Tisha agreed?" she raised her eyebrow.

"Yeah...she has to."

I suddenly felt tired and shifted my body in the other direction which felt more comfortable. Sue probably caught the sight of my birthmark because she also traced her fingers around it.

Was it glowing again?!

"What happened" I asked her nervously, not wanting her to worry about it even though it was a mystery I wanted to unfold badly.

"Its happening. It has started" she spoke those words more to herself than to me. When I looked at her I thought she was in some kind of trance. She held fear in her eyes .

"Erm, hello...Sue?" I waved my hands in front of her. "What has started?" I asked her as she shook her head and acted as if nothing ever happened.

"Nothing dear...you should sleep now." She smiled and stood up to leave. "Sweet dreams!"

What the hell did she mean? Her words were eating me from the inside. I shaked my head and felt weary. I should probably sleep. Rest now, Worry tomorrow.

"Sweet dreams and by the way, " I grinned, "...turning 16 is not a weird thing!" but she was already gone.

† † †

Finally! Finally we were in Shun's car the next day.

Tisha was in the back seat looking all too eager.We both had seeked permission to spend the night in the club. Shun was not to be present there and this thought made me more excited. A girl's night out!

"Tish...how come you agreed to come to the anime convention?" I asked her remembering yesterdays conversation with Sue.

"Cosplayers." she replied.

"and since when were you interested in cosplays?" I eyed her.

"Who said I am interested in cosplays? I said ' Cosplayers'. They are HOT! " She blinked and smiled .

I sighed. She won't change. And people say she's trying to impress Shun!

Shun had once told me that he liked a girl but I never got to know who the girl was and afterwards he never mentioned it again. The word got to me that the mystery girl was in our school. I wonder if it was Tish? I smiled to myself at that thought.

Shun parked his car and we all hurried inside. Games, comics , stalls and more stalls! Everywhere and anywhere our eyes landed were animes. And guess what? Yes! Naruto and group topped the list. After that were bleach , deathnote, fairytail and more...

Oh my god! Did I just see Tamaki senpai?

The whole day passed in running from one stall to the other, clicking pics with different anime characters.

It was dark by the time I realised that my mark was burning. It hurt.

I pulled Tisha aside and made my way to the washroom. Once out of the stall I realised that they were packing up and no one was there. Ignoring our surroundings, we went inside and poured some icy cold water on my mark. I did not have time to question myself or Tisha because Shun was waiting outside. "I guess we have to cancel the club part!" Tisha said, pouting. I was sure she was upset, even I was but I couldn't help it. There was no way I could have enjoyed my night stay at a club, worrying over the mark and wincing in pain from time to time.

"Yeah , but how about we go to my secret place?" I offered.

Tisha's eyes began to glow with joy. "Oh my! Nice idea. That way, you can rest too!" 

And so we decided on that but I was not taking Shun along. I didn't want my brother to tag along everywhere, especially since he was so protective towards me.

I asked Shun to leave his car and go back. He hesitated for a minute and argued but he had to give up in the end.

† † †

On my way to that place Tish was disturbing me.

" Tisha stop acting like a drunk! You know I am driving. Anything can happen."

"Dude who will be here at this time of night?!!"

"ya but -"

Two figures appeared on the road out of no where. I stomped on the breaks and the car went into a rolling motion, skidding along the way. I was jerked forward and my head swirled.

It was Tisha who spoke first after the car skidded to a stop. I was sure we had bumped into the two mysterious figures.

"OMG! who were they " Tisha gasped, " I swear they came out of nowhere!" Horrified look in her eyes.

"How would I... know ?" I slowly peeked out of the car and stretched my body to look at the front. "Thats why I told you not to disturb me while I am driving!"

It was dark so I could not see the face but I was able to make out 2 people . They were hurt.

Also I was able to make out yellow and pink hair... orange and red dress, Headband?

Tell me I am hallucinating.

________________________________________

A/N

Hey readers! You can check out Shun's first draft look in the media section :)

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~Sassy