Sunlight

Catching the tail-end of the every day parade into the school, Takuma and Senri did their best to act friendly, but not possessive around each other. Kaname seemed off again, but Takuma couldn't help being cheerful. He and Senri trotted down the walkway, completely ignoring fangirls, instead conversing happily with the vampires around them. When they passed the female Kuran, Takuma even took special care to wave and smile at Yuki, who, surprised but not displeased, waved back, chibi-eyed and quite girly, but sheepish too. Several of the vampires noted her smell in the air. She should still have been at the Headmaster's building, but Takuma paid the stench no mind. He even nodded at Kiryu, who replied with a stiff head-twitch.

For a moment, his hand brushed Senri's and he had the urge to take it, to hold on to it for dear life, but with an unsure glance from his friend, Takuma pulled his arm away, shrugging for the heck of it and tickling Kaname in the ribs. The pureblood's lips curved lazily upward.

"Did you enjoy the sunlight, Takuma? Shiki?" asked the president coolly, his grin settling smugly on his face.

"I enjoyed a ray of something, though if it was sunlight, I wouldn't remember, Kaname-sama," replied Senri, coyly boring his eyes into the leader's, as if to say, you know the one. And Kaname understood, chuckling softly as they took their seats in class, Yuki saying good-bye and leaving the building. The president paid her little attention, even when she kissed him on the cheek.

He inclined his head toward Takuma, who seemed unable to keep still, glancing over at the vampire he'd spent the previous afternoon with. It had been quite the glorious afternoon, if he remembered correctly, and he did. How boring school was going to be, when all he could think of was the noises Senri made when Takuma licked his neck just so. And how the younger vampire breathed as he slept, smelling of stale everything and looking every inch the model his was and then some.

The entire school night was spent making eyes and sending notes, and at one point Takuma got a giant paper cut, forcing several untrained students to leave the room, while Senri shook violently with the effort of not sucking the vice president into oblivion, in more ways than one.

xOxOx

Dinner was yet another affair that involved Takuma's temptation and Senri's antics. Kaname couldn't help but laugh at their bashful flirting that only a few understood. Aido and Rima were two of those few, watching with excitement and egging the two boys on.

"Cruel," murmured Kaname when they entered the dark grounds once again, Takuma next to him, the blonde cousins flanking their leaders. The vice president raised an eyebrow.

"Was that directed at me?" he asked, checking the pureblood's face for signs of illness or unusually strong fatigue. Kaname peered over through his hair, nodding after a moment's thought. Takuma grinned evilly. "I suppose so, yes," he said, running his hand across Kaname's shoulder. "But where's the fun without driving Senri crazy?"A little thump on the back for good measure.

"Revenge is certain," hummed Kaname, staring off into space. Takuma made a face showing his non-existent concern for Senri's revenge.

The pair walked in silence, a slow, snail-pace, stopping every now and then to feel the wind brush past and listen to it rustling the ever-guarding trees, warning those around of its presence. At length, the cousins sped up, realizing that perhaps the leaders weren't going to go directly to the dorm, and if they did, it would take them a good eon to do so. However, Kaname and Takuma did go to the dorms, the vice president kindly holding the huge door open for his friend. They moved across the tiled floor without a word, slid up the staircase more ghosts than living creatures. Finally, they came to a stop at their respective doors. Takuma gave his friend another reassuring pat, not quite sure what brought down Kaname's mood, but knowing all he could do was wait it out.

When Takuma stepped into his room, Kaname waved from the other side of the widely open door, suddenly much more relaxed than he had been outside; shedding the layers of responsibility he carried as president and pureblood. Takuma smiled back, shucking his uniform jacket and dropping his books. He selected the third Yu-Gi-Oh manga, which he'd planned on starting the previous day. Settling down on the bed, he noted the absence of the torn and bloodied sheets. When he asked Kaname about them, the pureblood smiled ruefully, and told him they'd been dealt with. Takuma didn't mind, and was about to put his head down when it bumped a small package resting on the pillow.

This one was not wrapped, simply tied up with a small, light pink—almost white—ribbon. A box of homemade gingerbread cookies, the shape of dainty flowers. Takuma tore the package open, taking a fast bite of the first cookie he could get his hands one. A familiar flavor seeped into his mouth, filling it with the oxymoronic tang of ginger and sweetness of the molasses. Not a hint of chocolate.

As he licked his fingers and reached for another cookie, he came in contact with a piece of paper.

From through the open door, Kaname called out, "Enjoying your gingerbread, I see."

Takuma had already jumped off the bed, leaving the neglected manga pushed halfway under the clean, white sheets. Yugi Mutou would have to wait. As the vice president sauntered past the doorway, heading for the hall, he grinned over at his friend, eyes bright.

"Not yet."

"Do what you will, Takuma," replied the pureblood, still smiling in spite of his previous mood.

All that could be heard were Takuma's excited, purposeful footsteps tapping toward a certain vampire's room. In his hand, the paper glinted in the sparkles of the fast approaching dawn. Carved in glossy maroon, a loopy, immaculate penmanship twirled the words Happy Birthday onto the card; dark letters smelling of dried blood.

The first bright ray of sunlight spilled in through Senri Shiki's door as Takuma Ichijo thrust it open.

xox

fin.

Well, I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you thought. If you've read it before, perhaps you'd like to give me a brief review on what you think of it now? Thanks so much for sticking with me! Did you notice the use of the name-meanings? :D

--moi. (my name is) Inconsequential.

Sawlt to your Suger, babes!