[YokoTsuta]: 250.As the Night Goes On.Sad Performances

Riku and Hana stood in awkward silence. Shrouded in the paling night, they stood on the doorstep of Hana’s house. The lights of the house had long been turned out for the night, and even the streetlight on the corner hardly lit the elegant houses. Riku gazed in interest at Hana’s home. It gleamed a soft white in the dark, swirling metal ornaments framing the wide windows trademark to the grandest houses of the widespread city.

The uncomfortable silence seemed to grow, making Hana just wish that it would be broken by some loud, screeching noise, just to be rid of the silence.

Riku coughed softly. “I…I'm sorry you went through all this. I didn't expect for all of that to happen…” He trailed off, searching for the words to continue. He lifted up her chin and held it to make her look at him. “I want you to forget everything that happened. Don’t even want think of Rath or Kaesu.”

“Riku…”

“No! I won’t have you put in danger again…” He put his hand against her cheek, gently wiping gathering tears from the corner of her eye. His eyes shone a glinting silver in the dark. She thought back to what Rath had asked her with a small, knowing smirk. "Have you never looked straight into those eyes of his, Miss Hana?"

“Do not worry…I will never hurt you…” he breathed. He put his arms around her shoulders. He still held her gaze with his, both hearts nervous and tense.

As Riku leant in, a loud snap rang out from the back of the house. Riku quickly parted and Hana glanced around the corner of the house. Hana looked back towards Riku. He had vanished. She just barely saw the edge of Riku’s borrowed jacket disappearing around the corner.

“Miss Hana!”

Hana whipped around as the door opened and a candle was held out. The butler smiled with relief and gripped her in a firm hug, candle still in hand.

“Where have you been, Miss Hana? We’ve all been worried to fits about you. But I think we should leave the questions until tomorrow. We need to get you off to bed! You will need to change out of those dirtied clothes, of course. My goodness, you are filthy!” The middle-aged butler chattered away, grateful that she had returned. He bustled her up the stairs to her room, holding the candle out in front of them. Word spread through the house and maids poked their heads out of their rooms.

“Shoo! All of you!” the aging butler sent them all scurrying back into their rooms with a few waves of his hand. Hana felt truly grateful to him.

They took a back staircase that led to the upper floors of the great, manor-style home. As the old man continued to talk, Hana kept quiet. She thought of the close experience with Riku where her heart had pound furiously in her chest.

“Miss Hana? Did you hear what I said or are you off into your own little dream world?” He called her out of her thoughts.

“Sorry, Tarquin. Please repeat.”

“Your first performance of the season is in a month. You must be ready or your fans will be truly disappointed. It’s not everyday they get to see such a beautiful dancer, now is it?” He smiled, teasing her slightly.

“I nearly forgot about it.” Hana blinked in surprise. She wondered how she could ever have forgotten about the performance. She had dreamed about it for months. “Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.” She smiled at Tarquin and entered into her room.

“Good night and sweet dreams, Miss Hana.” He bowed and closed the door, leaving the candle in the room.

She sighed and roamed around the room. She felt out of place and unworthy. Shined wood and imported furniture glinted in the small flame of the candle. Velvet wallpaper gave the walls a soft feel. A border displayed a hunting scene with dogs tramping through the woods, their owners on horses following closely behind. The four poster bed centered against the wall drew her attention. Its dark cherry wood and light, peach colored sheets gave it a comforting look. She resignedly changed out of her clothes and into nightwear. She settled into the thick blankets, unconsciousness happily welcoming her.

The days passed by rather quickly. She tried to focus on the nearing performance, her first performance ever, but her thoughts wandered to the mysterious gang that she felt so comfortable with. And then there was the time with Riku on the front steps. Her heart beat rapidly and she smiled every time she thought of him. Each time this happened, she shook her head and told herself to quit thinking about it.

She practiced routinely every day until the day of the performance arrived. Her friends bustled about, helping her prepare. They all gathered around and surprised her with a new outfit. Made from a soft, light blue material, the costume flowed lightly about her as she moved. A member of the stage crew passed her, casually telling her to be ready.

Hana bit her lip, bouncing on the balls of her feet, and let out a shuddering sigh. Her friends had left her to get their seats in the audience. She fidgeted with her costume and shoes, making sure everything was right, not making a change.

An announcer called her name onstage and motioned for her to come out. She stepped out to center stage and looked at the audience. Lights shone in her eyes from overhead. The music conductor caught her attention by waving his baton in front of him. She adjusted her feet and nodded. The music started, leisurely and mellow.

She went through the practiced motions of the dance. The steps seemed to flow out of her, the music matching her rhythm. It flowed perfectly from her.

The audience cheered and clapped as she picked up her pace towards the end of the routine. The music matched her increasing pace, pushing her to accelerate even more. She looked out at the audience. A single pair of bright eyes flashed out at her, a familiar face behind them. Riku looked back at her, a slight smile on his face. She kept up her movements and looked back as soon as she turned. Riku had vanished.

She ended the performance in perfect triumph. The audience stood on their feet and gave a roar of approval. She bowed elegantly. The conductor of the orchestra brought out an extravagant bouquet of red roses and thrust it into her arms. A louder wave of applause swept through the hall, her friends cheering wildly. She smiled and waved with her free hand, but her thoughts were far away from her accomplished dream.

Seeing Riku again had unleashed all the withheld memories. Her spirits sank as she realized how much she missed Rath, Kaesu, and especially Riku. Yet she kept smiling as she chatted with her friends backstage. Her friends left her one by one until she was alone in her dressing room. She got out of her fancy costume and into comfortable clothes. Leaving the bouquet in her dressing room, Hana started the long walk home.

She headed towards an old, familiar shortcut by instinct. She was drawn out of her musings as she realized the shortcut she had taken. Hana had walked into the park where she had her first encounter with Riku. She smiled slightly, remembering the tentative words between them.

She stopped short. The footsteps quickly stopped behind her. She slowly started again. So did her follower. She glanced over her shoulder. A burly man tailed her. Her pace quickened; mirrored by the shadow behind her. She looked back again. Gone. She directed her attention back to the path in front of her. A hand was forced over her mouth, forcing her to a dead stop. His yellow eyes blazed in the dimming light.

He darted forward. Hana felt a hard sting in her neck. She jerked away and seized a hold of the area. Blood seeped over her hand as she rushed out of the park. Her vision swam and clouded as she searched the neighboring streets for help. Her pursuer didn’t follow.

Hana spotted a sign that seemed familiar. She pulled open the heavy door and entered the rowdy bar. Hushed silence reigned as she stood in the doorway, clutching the two bleeding holes in her neck. Blood dripped from her elbow as it ran down her arm. Breathing grew hard and painful.

“Hana! What happened?!” Rath’s voice demanded of her. She looked up to see Rath standing there. His eyes bore into hers, worry framing his face around them, and he took a hold of her shoulders. As she looked back, yellow shot into his eyes, turning them a soft yellow. He put a finger under her chin, tilting her head slightly, and examined the pierced flesh of her neck. Her vision dimmed and the world spun around her in a whirl of smeared colors.

Hana awoke. She was fully awake but kept her eyes closed, fearing the shock of light that was sure to await her. Gentle murmurs roused her attention.

“…definitely a low-class…” Rath’s voice noted quietly.

“Poor girl…she never saw it coming…” the vaguely familiar voice of Rose, the waitress, said softly. She audibly shook her head, fancy earrings clinking lightly.

Riku’s soft voice muttered something unintelligibly. Hana felt an urge to voice her thoughts.

“Why are they chasing me?” She finally forced out of her mouth. Her throat seemed to be restricted by thickly wrapped bandages.

“Oh my…I did not realize you were awake, Miss Hana.” Rose addressed her. Her voice had soft French accent, her consonants(sp?) slighty sharp. Hana felt a hand press against her forehead. A cup pressed against her lips and liquid ran down her throat. It stung her mouth and she squirmed away from the offered cup, staring at it in shock.

“It’s red wine, girl, not poison.” Rose pressed the cup to her lips again.

“Maybe you’re not trustworthy, Rose.” Riku teased. Hana looked at him. He calmly gazed back.

Rose gave him a cold warning glance. “Well, look at you, Mister Not Interested in Anything. A few seconds ago you were hovering over me, complaining about my ‘sloppy bandages’ and complained that she needed perfect quiet.” She tossed at him. Riku started to reply but thought better of it.

“Hmph!” He crossed his arms over his chest and glowered in his shadowed spot next to Hana. Hana looked at him. Looking away, his face flushed crimson and he scowled.

“He might not say it, but he’s so in love with you, Miss Hana.” Rath teased Hana and Riku. They glanced fleetingly at each other, wanting to see the others’ reaction, but hastily looked away.

Rose laughed and took the opportunity to force more wine down Hana's throat. Hana took a few sips before backing away, grimacing.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” Hana pressed. “Why do I keep getting attacked?”

The other three glanced at each other. None of them wanted to tell what they all apparently knew. Rath stared at the floor as if daring it to move. Riku seemed to be lost in his thoughts and had his eyes closed. Rose stood; a waitress had popped her head in the room and motioned for her.

"I think Riku can explain that situation," Rose said before she bustled out after the waitress.

Silence settle in the small room. Chinks of glass and a gentle murmur of voices gave proof that they weren't far from the main room of the Rose Blood. It appeared to be the small group's living quarters. Piles of grime and filfth stained clothes littered the ground and furniture.

Riku dropped his feet off the counter where he rested them and turned to face Hana. His body faced forward, but he glowered at the floor. Rath slinked out of the room, leaving the two, unoticed. Riku brought his head up and gazed at Hana as if searching for the answer in her eyes. She stared back, stubborness displayed.

Riku sighed, submitting reluctantly.

"You have... a past," He started. Hana frowned. She hadn't expected this. "Everyone knows this past, everyone like me, that is. Everyone except you."

"But... like you... What are you then? How do you know me?" She pressed him, not satisfied with the answers.

Riku stopped speaking, remaining hunched over. He fiddled with the small, plain ring on his thumb.

"Hana... do you believe in the Forsaken?" He questioned calmly.

"Forsaken?" Hana's eyebrows raised and she attempted to sit up. She fell back painfully; the wine hadn't taken full affect yet.

"The undead. The cursed. The walkers of the night!" His eyes glinted in frustration.

"Are you speaking of vampires?" Hana clutched the bandages at her throat in worry. "Will I turn?"

"No, not from such a low-class fiend... but..." he paused, the last words trailed off.

"What?"

"This will change everything... if I told..."

Hana watched silently as he picked his head up. Piercing silver eyes overtook the natural green, contrasting against his pale skin.

"I am a member of the damned... I am a vampire." He said sullenly.