Strings of Fate

9th String: A Mission To Accomplish - 1st Half

"Harkin, tell the Hunting and the Protection Team to prepare."

He looked at me, grinning. "We have a clan to fight for."

***

×Leonel's POV×

"Ugh, when would they arrive?!" I looked at my watch. Seven-fifty three. It's been two hours since Natalie shut me out, and two hours since I called Alex, and and one hour since she sent me that message.

{FR: Alexandria (Alex) Joshen}

OH MY GOSH! Arthur (the Headmaster, Leonel, in case you're wondering) agreed to send the teams! The Hunting and the Protection Team's coming! Just wait! We'll be there! :) And we'll save Natalie and her clan, don't worry ;)

Jeez. When did she become so chummy with the Headmaster? Not only did she meet him, but she got to call Mr. Cobb by his first name. How lucky could she get? Well, it's all because of Natalie anyway. And this clan war. Speaking of the clan war, I heard a few thud, probably because of that reckless girl. I even almost got hit by a flying vampire head! Sheesh, so disgusting. Even the left eyeball was almost out, only a few veins holding it, ew. Who knew that Natalie could be so aggressive when it comes to fights? Urgh. I didn't. She didn't tell me. But then again, I avoided her, so it's my fault.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I... I was just... confused. Disappointed. Okay, maybe I felt a little... betrayed. But I know that she was afraid that I might avoid her, you know. I just, just needed time alone. To think. To... let things sink in, I guess. It was all just so... it felt impossible. I mean, Natalie? Sweet, smart, funky Natalie, a vampire? And not only that, she was even a Vampire Princess? Who would have thought?

Maybe, if not for her speech earlier, I would've thought that everything we did, every smile, every laughter we shared was all a part of the act. But no. She cared. She freaking cared. She was willing to risk her life for her people. For me. She was willing to go alone, if it meant I could go home uninjured. Everything she showed us, Alex, Armand, and I, we're true. It was the real her. Not the one everyone saw. Not the cold, heartless, emotionless, violent Vampire Princess of the Lithieum. It was her. Her.

Natalie Colleen C. Lithieum.

And boy, am I happy about that!

But still, the fact that she cares for people is not a good enough reason for her to go straight to a war unprepared! I don't know how I would describe her, brave, or naive. Jeez. She could have at least waited for help! Ugh.

I stopped my train of thoughts when I heard loud thuds in the distance, in the direction opposite to the Lithieum Clan house.

"There it is! Hunters, halt!"

Oh. Speaking of help!

"Leonel!" I turned around to find Alex running to me. "What happened? Where's Natalie?"

I pointed to the direction of the mansion. "There." I sighed. "She said that it would be better if I didn't go so I won't be involved. Said that it's too dangerous for a Hunter." I shrugged, pretending that it wasn't a big deal for me, even though it really is.

Alex frowned. "She went there herself--?!"

"Leonel Cipher!"

I turned to the person who shouted my name, and I found a guy who looked like he was still in his early twenties. He had blue hair, and reddish-brown eyes, and wore a white suit with a red bow tie. Who...? He was grinning at me, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He looked worried, actually.

"Um..." I scratched my nape. "Do I know you.. Sir?" This situation is making me uncomfortable. Really. Natalie is out there fighting, or well, killing, Vampires from a deadly clan, and here I am chatting with a person who I didn't even know.

He just grinned wider and shook his head. "This is the Faculty's fault." My eyebrows drew together in confusion. The faculty? What is the Faculty's fault? What is he talking about?

I suddenly felt someone nudge me, who was undoubtedly Alex. I looked at her and said, "What?"

She shot me a look that said 'seriously?' and crossed her arms. I just raised an eyebrow. What was her problem now? I waited for a few seconds before she sighed and eventually gave up on glaring at me. She threw her hands up in disbelief, which made me snicker. "Do you seriously not know him?!"

I shot her an amused look. "Oh, I'm sorry, is he one of the actors in Hollywood that I need to know of?"

She groaned. "No, he isn't an actor, but yes, he is a person that you really need to know of! He's the Headmaster, for goodness' sake!"

....

....

I stared at her blankly, and then at the twenty year old guy, who was now trying his hardest to contain his laughter, but was failing miserably. I switched my gaze and moved on to another guy. The muscular one who wore a leather jacket and a black shirt. He actually looked like Hulk, but let's not tell him that. He was frowning at me, and after a few seconds, sighed.

He stretched his left hand out and opened his closed fist. You know the position the MC's are in when they present something to the crowd? Yes that's how he looked right now, except he was gesturing at the twenty year old guy. "May I present to you, Mr. Arthur Nickel Cobb, the Headmaster of Mountainville University."

I could almost swear my jaw dropped. What the hell? The Headmaster, this young? This has got to be a joke.

"I know, I look young. But trust me when I say I'm almost as old as this planet." He laughed. "Anyway, we still have a mission to accomplish." He looked at me, his mirth long gone. "I heard the details from Alex. But I have some questions." He cleared his throat. "Has Natalie gone Rogue?"

"No sir. She's still normal. Although I think she's near to that stage..." This was her clan and family we're talking about after all.

"What clan is the Lithieum in war with?"

I gulped. Would they still help if they knew...? Damn...but I still have to take the risk. "The Varvakeion, sir."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me with wide eyes. I didn't move. I didn't shift, take back what I said, I didn't even look away from them all. I had to do this, for Natalie. For my friend. She needs this. I know it. I have to be strong, even if my knees were already shaking because I'm starting to panic.

Then the Headmaster looked back at his people. "What are you all waiting for?! Christmas?! Move!"

"B-but Headmaster it's danger--"

"DID HER CLAN HESITATE TO HELP US WHEN WE FOUGHT AGAINST THE VARVAKEION ONCE?" The Hunters shook their heads. "No! This is your chance to repay them, so move! SCATTER!"

And they all did. Some of them even sneered at me, which I returned with a blank stare.

"All right, Leonel. Go with the Ninjas and the Warriors of the Hunting team, and fight with them until you see her." I turned around to look at Mr. Cobb. "When you see her, protect her. Don't mind her protests. Just fight alongside her. Understood?"

I gave him a mock-salute, smiling. "Sir, yes, sir!"

He just chuckled. "Go, kid. Take care of--"

"OFFENSE FORMATION!"

"I will sir, I will." I nodded at him and turned around, running to catch up with the Hunting team.

I suddenly felt both of my hands sliding down my sides and grip my daggers, and slid them out of their sheaths.

In the distance, I saw shiny gray eyes, and I immediately recognized them as turned vamps.

Wait for me, Natalie.

**

Sorry if I couldn't fulfill my promise... something came up. My relative was really sick and we had to visit her and stayed with her for a whole day. She was really ill. Like, 'bedridden sick'.