I sat on the ledge of the balcony and gazed up at the bright, full moon deep in thought, until I heard the sound of someone landing behind me. I tried to turn around, but the frim grip of the person behind me held me in place,
"Mmmph!"
My surprised yell was muffled by a pale hand with slender fingers,
"I'm sorry if I scared you, Y/N. I just had to talk to you without Senri seeing me enter."
The person released me and I turned to meet a pair of emerald eyes gazing down at me warmly. Takuma removed his hand from over my mouth and leaned back against the ledge of the balcony,
"How did you do that?"
I asked, impressed as I looked up at the roof where he came from. The blonde awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck before responding,
"I kinda sorta just dropped from the roof. I didn't mean to startle you."
He explained and apologized. I smiled before giving him a sarcastic reply,
"You're fine. I mean how else are you supposed to talk to me?"
He laughed slightly at my response, but his cheerful demeanor was quickly replaced with a serious one,
"I heard you and Senri talking at the fountain. He said that Kaname can't be trusted."
I nodded in affirmation, causing Takuma's eyes to become clouded in thought,
"Alright. Do you think we can trust Senri, Y/N?"
I hesitated for a moment, then revealed what I noticed,
"When we were talking, he asked me if I noticed anyone else who wasn't 'under my brothers spell'. The way he spoke, it sounded like he was worried and angry that some people in the Moon Dorm were not under my brothers control. I wonder..."
I trailed off as my brain began connecting dots,
"He heard me talking with Kaname earlier."
I said, realization hitting me like a freight train as I looked up at Takuma,
"He was trying to convince me that Kaname is the enemy so I would stop speaking with him."
Takuma' eyes widened at my revelation,
"What do you want to do?"
He asked, the stresses of the situation pouring through his words. I thought for a moment, then responded,
"Maybe I should play along. I don't think Senri is as unaffected as he claims to be. I don't want to tip my hand that I might know something. So for right now I guess I'll try and make myself scarce around Kaname."
Takuma nodded in agreement,
"Alright. I'm worried, Y/N. I don't trust Senri. If he could lie to you so easily he might be under your brothers influence. What if he tries to hurt you-"
I cut the worrying blonde off by placing my index finger on his lips. Once I was sure he wouldn't say anything more, I removed my finger and pulled him close to me in a tender embrace,
"Listen to me Takuma,"
I began, speaking softly to the blonde vampire in my arms,
"I'll be okay. I know now that I shouldn't meet with Senri or any of the others alone. If they want to speak with me I'll tell you so you can come with me. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
My words seemed to have a calming effect on him. As I spoke he wrapped his arms around me and held me closer to him, cherishing the moment we were sharing,
"Alright, Y/N, I believe you. I just... I don't want to see you in harms way."
He stroked my hair as he rested his forehead against mine, making me smile softly. After staying like this for a few more minutes, he pulled away,
"I shouldn't keep you from your rest. I'll jump down and come in though the font so as not to arouse his suspicions. I'll see you tomorrow."
He said as he moved to jump down from the balcony,
"Goodnight, Takuma."
I said as he was about to leave. He turned towards me, the moonlight illuminating his pale face to give him an almost angelic glow as he responded,
"Goodnight, Y/N."
And with that, he jumped down and vanished into the full moon's light. I smiled to myself and closed my balcony doors, locking them with a small 'click'. I changed into my pajamas and got into bed. I tried to sleep but my mind was swirling with thoughts, replaying all the events of the day in my head,
If Alek really was using Senri then we have to act fast. I don't want anyone else being used or hurt because of my power hungry brother.
I thought to myself as my eyelids slowly slipped closed.
When I woke up the next morning, I heard a commotion coming from the main hall. Confused, I quickly dressed and headed down to see Akatsuki and Hanabusa arguing, each looking ready to pounce,
"You need to stop your incessant flirting, Hanabusa. It won't get you anywhere."
Akatsuki calmly told his cousin, who's anger only rose,
"I need to stop? Why? Last time I checked, she enjoyed my company. She had a great time on our date--"
"You let her get kidnapped."
Akatsuki cut the blonde off coldly, that was when I decided enough was enough,
"Stop it both of you!"
I snapped, causing both vampires to freeze as I descended the stairs to confront them,
"Hanabusa, what happened was in no way your fault. You have no reason to feel any form of guilt. And Akatsuki I'm a big girl of (your age), I think I can handle a flirt."
I stated bluntly, irritation and agitation dripping from my words. Both boys looked at the floor in shame. I sighed in annoyance before going outside, Akatsuki following closely after,
"I'm sorry Y/N, I was only looking out for your well being."
Akatsuki spoke softly. I sighed,
"It's alright. I know he can be a flirt. I get that you were just looking out for me, but I am capable of looking out for myself. I'm sorry for snapping."
My annoyance left me as I explained my reasoning and apologized. Akatsuki smiled,
"You don't need to apologize. I shouldn't have tried to assume what's best for you."
I nodded in agreement,
"Nope."
I said, popping the "p". we both started laughing, causing the mood between the two of us to lighten. As our laughter died down, Akatsuki looked at me seriously,
"Seriously though, Hanabusa is always up to something. If he tries anything come and tell me, alright?"
I nodded in confirmation, making the fiery haired vampire smile,
"Fantastic. Well,"
He leaned down and brought my hand to his lips, kissing he back of it,
"Until next time."
He said charmingly as he went back into the Moon Dorm. I smiled to yourself as I made my way down the steps to see Headmaster Cross. It's time to put a stop to all of this.