Chapter 29: The Rain

The black knights are standing steadily in front. It was as if they're waiting for the right moment. Taking their positions, they took their swords out of the scabbards and charged on their one enemy.

Standing with a stoic expression, the boy took a deep breath. He dodged their attacks one by one without breaking any sweat. Then, the knights surrounded him and attacked altogether.

The boy spins around and the winds suddenly gushed stronger that the knights were blown away. But that doesn't end the battle yet. The boy gathered the wind on his hand and formed it into thin blades, throwing each one to the knights who are already panicking.

"That's enough, master Orpheus." The head butler declared.

The boy paused for a moment, "You told me that one mustn't let his enemy get away."

"That is indeed true. But we can't afford to lose another soldiers, am I right?" He has a friendly tone but his eyes tell how much he despised the boy in front of him.

Ever since his power awakened from the camp, he has become stronger. And he's not even thinking twice in finishing his enemies. He has become totally different from the soft boy he used to be a year ago.

The boy sighed in disappointment, "Fine. I shall take a break." He said and dismissed the knights who are very much thankful that their lives have been spared.

"Well then, please be reminded that you'll have to study later at noon." The head butler said before he left.

Not responding to the butler, the boy walked and sat under the tree. It may not be obvious, but using much of his power drains his strength. He has to learn to control it properly so that he won't collapse in the real battle.

'I should make my physical body strong as well, or else I won't last long.'

While he was busy with these thoughts, he suddenly heard a rushing sound of the leaves above him. Not letting his guard down, the boy stood up, turned around and was ready to attack with the wind. But then, he saw a black-feathered creature fell from the branches of the tree. There's a red liquid gushing out from one of its wings.

The boy walked towards the small creature.

"A crow..." He mumbled as he watched it struggling to breathe.

It has a huge wound on its wings. Big enough to tell that this damage might be the end of the crow's life.

It was breathing heavily. It's eyes slowly drifted to him as if asking for his help. He wasn't really planning on doing so. He vowed to buried all unnecessary emotions away to fulfill his goals. But there's something within this creature that made him change his mind.

The image of his mother's cold corpse suddenly flashed in his mind.

'She must be like this crow, asking for help as she struggled to breathe. But no one came on her aid.' He thought.

Slowly and gently, he took the wounded crow in his arms. Then, he went back to his room and placed it on a small cushion.

'If I let it die, that means I'm no different with those rascals who turned a blind eye to my suffering mother.' He said to himself and she treated the crow's wound.

Its wing is badly wounded and broken. It will take time before it'll heal. But he knows another way to lessen its suffering.

He took a small blade and made a small cut on his index finger. Then, he placed it inside the crow's beak.

"Drink my blood, it will help you heal faster." He said.

As if the crow understands what he said, it moves its beak and sucks his blood little by little. With that, the crow fell asleep. It seems like it has been through a lot of things. Even this is the first time he has seen a crow, he knows for a fact that what he found is different than any other. He has seen such in pictures but he has never seen such crow with red spots near its eyes. Much as he's curious where it came from, he has more important things to mind about.

As he lets the matter go for now, the crow has finally awake the next day.

"I can see that you're better than yesterday." The boy said and walked towards the crow.

The crow looked around, as if wondering the new and unfamiliar place.

"You're in Bleak Grave Hollow, the den of vampires." He said as if he can read its mind.

The crow stared at him for a moment.

"Are you... the one who saved me?" It spoke! It was like a small voice of a child.

Orpheus blinked, "Not exactly. I just found you. You'd better leave once your wound is healed."

He was about to turn away when the crow stopped him.

"W-wait!" It called, "I refuse to accept your kindness if I can't give something in return! That's how we've been taught in our world."

The boy blinked, "Interesting. And what can a black bird give to me?" He scoffed.

"I'm not just any other bird, I'm a witch! Though, I can't return to my original form for now. I've used my power in a battle." The crow explained.

"But worry not, I have enough power to grant you a wish."

"A wish?" The boy echoed.

"Yes, a wish. Witches can grant anything you desire, and it comes for a price. But in my case, since you saved me, I won't charge you of anything."

"Anything I desire..?" He mumbled as he thought of something that he truly want.

"Can you bring someone back to life?" He asked.

But the crow gloomily said, "I'm sorry, that goes way beyond my specialty. I'm not a necromancer."

'I thought so...' The boy sighed in disappointment.

He has to accept that someone he wanted the most will never return his side. The only vampire whom he can truly trust in this dark world.

'Wait!' An idea suddenly strikes him.

"You must've come up with something, eh? What is your wish then?" The crow asked, noticing that he has finally decided unto something.

"You said you'll grant anything, right?" He confirmed.

The crow nodded, "Yes, as long as it will not go beyond life and death."

"Then, my wish..." The boy looked at the crow in the eyes.

"Stay with me forever, just like an ally."

The lass sniffed as she felt her eyes getting watery. She suddenly remembered the story she read last night. It was so heartbreaking that she refused to sleep not until she finished reading the last page.

'How can someone be so cruel to do that to a four-year old kid?' Upon remembering, her eyes began to water again.

'Oh no! I shouldn't cry here! People might think I'm crazy!' She sniffed and wiped the tears that are about to fall.

She took deep breaths to calm herself. Just in time, someone called her.

"Yana."

The lass stands up, "Mom, I brought you new set of clothes." She handed the paper bag.

"Oh dear, you shouldn't have. I still have few clothes left."

"It's better to have a lot of spare than nothing, since I don't know when will you be coming home." She insisted.

Her mother sighed, "I'm sorry, I always left you alone at home."

"Mom, it's fine. It's work anyway. It's for our good so you'd better take care of yourself."

"Same to you, okay?" Her mom smiled before she took the paper bag.

Yana nodded before she turned to bid goodbye. Soon as she went out of the hospital, she noticed the gray thick clouds in the sky.

"Hmm.. Looks like it's going to rain. I'd better go home right away." She mumbled.

When she was about to take a step forward, she suddenly felt something on her shoulder. It was cold and a bit heavy. But it sure came from someone who might be planning to harm her. Well, how can someone just grabbed her shoulder if they could just call her by name? It's something strange, isn't it?

With that, she remembered something. It was a self-defense video she watched on the internet. It would be the best time to test that out.

'If I'm not mistaken, it goes like this...' Yana grabbed that person's hand and placed her other hand on the arm, planning to flip the person down.

She pulled the arm and lift it up with all her might, but... nothing happened. She can't even lift the person's arm.

'What's this? Why does it look easy on the video and the movies!?' She thought and tried once again but failed.

"What are you doing?" Said the familiar male voice.

She turned around and confirmed her hunch by seeing his face.

"A-Alucard?!"

His eye brows twitched again, "Miss Suicidal."

"W-what are you doing here? Ah, don't tell me you're here to suck blood from innocent people!" She said and pointed an accusing finger.

Orpheus sighed, "If that's what I did, there should be a ruckus right now."

The lass blinked and blushed in embarrassment. 'Why does he always make me look like a fool?' The thought made her frown.

"And also..." He said, "How long are you going to hold me?" He asked.

That's when she realized she's been grabbing his wrist the whole time! That made her let go and blushed all the way more.

"Besides..." He continued, "You should know by now the reason why I'm here."

Orpheus reached out his hand to her. Perplexed, the lass blinked few times as she stared at his hand.

'Does he want me to shake his hand? Is this his way of thanking me back then?' She thought and was about to take his hand.

The lad sighed, "The notebook."

That made her pause for a moment, "Notebook?" She echoed.

"Yes, you have something that belongs to me."

She blinked and suddenly remembered the notebook she read last night.

"Ah! Yes, I was about to return it to you but I have no idea where to find you."

"Where is it?" He asked impatiently.

"Geez, I don't have it today with me. It's in my house. You stay here and I'll go get it."

"No." He protested with a stern look, "I'll go with you."

"Huh? B-but... it won't take too long. I have no plan on--" she paused when she noticed his cold serious eyes.

'That notebook must be something precious to him.' She thought.

Yana sighed in defeat, "Alright. You can come." She said as they started walking.

There's an awkward silence between them as they walked on the street. None of them dared to start a conversation. Well, it's expected to the prince who was stuck inside the castle for so long. Talking to others would be just a waste of breath for him. And as for Yana, she doesn't usually start a conversation. She's really bad at it. She can't think of an interesting topic to talk about. But right now, it's different. She can't initiate to pull a conversation knowing that the person beside her is a vampire. What's worse, he's the enemy of Rae. Who knows what he might do to her if she happens to piss him off?

'Still, he would go this far to find me just for a notebook. C-could it be--?'

Yana slowly glanced at the vampire beside her.

"What is it?"

She flinched when he caught her staring at him.

"Err--I'm sorry! It's just that... I was wondering, if you're the one... who wrote the story on that notebook."

"So you've read it." He crossed his arms to his chest.

"I-I'm sorry! I was really curious and I forgot it belongs to you! So I..." She paused and sighed.

"I was drawn to the story that I couldn't stop reading it. It's just... so sad..."

Orpheus scoffed, "Why would you be sad? It's just a story."

"I know," she gloomily said, "It's just so painful. The boy experienced so much suffering, he's too young."

"Pain excuses no one. It'll strike anyone, no matter how young they are." Orpheus said and glanced at the lass.

He was surprised at her expression.

Her eyes began to water, "It's true... I just feel... I can somehow relate to him." Then she turn to meet his gaze.

"Fathers are indeed cruel, aren't they?"

Upon seeing her painful expression, he suddenly felt a heavy beat in his chest.

'Why? Why does she cry for someone? We barely know each other, we're nothing but strangers. Why would she be so sad for a story?'

These thoughts left a sting on his heart. Why does he feel irritated? As far as he can recall, he has long forgotten such feelings twelve years ago.

'I don't like this!' He clutched his chest, 'This happened twice! Why does this woman kept reminding me of the feelings I've buried long time ago? No... these emotions will make me weak! I have to do something before they'll appear again.' He glared at the lass beside him.

'Yes... that means I have to get rid of her! I'll get rid of anyone who'll get in my way!'

Orpheus was about to grab her neck when they felt something wet kept on falling on them.

"Ah, it's raining!"

From few drops, the rain began to pour out. It was too much that they have no choice but to go somewhere to keep them dry. Yana pulled him by the hand when she saw the waiting shed.

"Let's stay here for now." She said and fixed her bangs.

"Geez, why doesn't it have to rain when I forgot my umbrella?" She mumbled.

"Miss Suicidal, do I have to remind you of your brash actions?" He sighed and Yana realized that she's holding his hand this time.

She flushed, "I-I'm sorry!"

"Despite being a human, I commend your strength and confidence to pull me anywhere you want, Miss Suicidal."

"Could you please stop calling me that? I have a name, you know. It's Rhi-a-na! You'd better remember that, Alucard!"

His eye brows twitched again as he glared at her, "Alright. Then stop calling me Alucard. I have a name too."

"And that is?" Yana crossed her arms to her chest as she raised an eye brow.

"Orpheus Zoren."

"Eh?"

"If you want me to call you by your name, you should do the s--"

"Oz!" She suddenly exclaimed.

Orpheus gave her a puzzled look.

"I-I mean, your name is quite too long so... It would be easier to call you Oz. You won't mind, right?"

"Who gave you the right to give me such nicknames?"

"Well, admit it, that's way better than calling you Alucard, right?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. He can't say more, she's actually right. This is the first time someone dared to talk back to him and he can't do anything about it.

With that, he looked away and flicked his tongue, "Do what you want." He mumbled.

The lass grinned victoriously.

And then again, there's an awkward silence between them as they continued to wait. The only sound can be heard is nothing but the sprinkling raindrops falling and hitting the small roof of the shed. For her, the sound was soothing. She loves rainy days. Watching the raindrops and listening to it made her heart calm and at peace. And now that she thinks about it, she finally understand the reason why.

"They say..." She began, "That rain has the ability to take away sadness."

Orpheus glanced at her, finding the idea absurd.

"The reason why most people feel sad seeing the rain is because it brings out the sadness hidden inside their hearts. In that way, the rain can wash it all away."

The lad shook his head, "What nonsense are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is... Wanna test it out?" She turned and gave him a daring look.

"You're crazy."

"C'mon, it wasn't that hard. Here, I'll go first!" She stepped out of the shed and welcomed the raindrops to fall on her.

She held her head up as she spread her arms towards the gray sky. She took a deep breath and smiled as she spun around the falling rain.

She turned to look at him, "C'mon, try it out!"

Orpheus frowned. He can't grasp the idea of getting oneself wet from the rain.

Is it really true that the rain can wash all sadness away? What if she's just tricking him? Should he take the bait? What would he get by joining her ridiculous idea?

While he was busy with these thoughts, Yana suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the shed.

"C'mon, this is fun!" She giggled and pulled him to run in the midst of the pouring rain.

It was nothing different from how the showers work from his condominium. But it's strange in a way that every drop falling in his head gave him a soothing feeling.

Each drop that drips from his face makes him forget the irritation he feels earlier. It makes him calm, as if he's at peace. It seems like each drop that flows from his body washed all the pain he felt way back twelve years ago.

'And it's all because of her.' He glanced at Yana who returned his gaze with a smile.

A warm and familiar smile which reminds him of someone from the past.

Their fun was interrupted when someone noticed them from afar.

"Yana!" Rae called and saw she was with the vampire who killed Shade.

As fast as he can, he rushed towards her side to defend her from Orpheus.

"Get away from her!" His eyes became red as he glared at him.

"Rae wait! It wasn't what you think!" Yana was about to explain when Orpheus scoffed.

"This saves me strength for finding you. This might be the perfect time to show me how strong you are." Orpheus' eyes turned red as well.

"I won't let you harm her!" Rae ran towards him despite Yana's plea.

Same goes for Orpheus with the winds by his side.

"Stop it! Both of--- AACHOOO!" She sneezed.

The two lads were about to hit each other when they heard her sneeze. It was a brief moment, but Orpheus noticed how Rae stopped from moving. And immediately, he rushed towards her side, completely ignoring the fact that he's in the middle of the fight with him.

"Yana, are you alright?" Rae asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, this is nothing." She smiled awkwardly.

"You're going to get sick. I'd better take you home." Rae insisted and suddenly carried her.

"H-hey wait! You don't have to do this!" She blushed in embarrassment.

"But this is way faster to take you home."

With that, the lass sighed in defeat. Then, Rae turned to face Orpheus.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't want my friend to get sick. I'll fight you the next time we meet." He seriously said before he jumped from one roof to another.

Dumbfounded, Orpheus can't help but blink as he tried to process what happened just now. It was the first time he saw someone left the battle field for a single person.

"He's willing to... risk everything... just for that girl... What a fool." He mumbled.

Then, Yana's smiling face suddenly flashed his mind. With that, he clenched his fist as the feeling of irritation has returned.

'Who am I kidding? I almost did the same...' He thought as he recalled how he stopped as well when he heard her sneezed.

"Next time, I'll make sure to get rid of her!" He mumbled.

Few days ago, he has noticed something strange that it keeps on bothering him. It started when they went back to school after their Semesteral break.

"Hi! Is Yana here?" He came back from the classroom after he declined his classmates' offer to walk with them.

"She already left." The class monitors replied.

"I see. Thanks!" He smiled and walked on the hallway.

"Maybe she has important things to do. If I catch up to her, I might get late for the training. And Dad wouldn't like that." Rae sighed and chose to proceed to his training ground.

But the day after that, the strange feeling goes stronger.

"Hey Yana, let's go eat lunch together." He cheerfully called. But she looked away as if she didn't hear it.

"Ella, let's go eat. I'm starving!" She said and cling unto her friend.

'Did she hear me? Maybe I wasn't loud enough.' He pondered.

With that, he tried again after class.

Soon as the bell rings, he glanced at her direction and was about to call her when she suddenly stood up and immediately took her bag. And just like that, she left. He was about to follow her but his classmates pulled him away to go home with them. It would be rude to refuse them twice. He had no other choice but to let it slide for now and talk to her later. After all, they're neighbors. She's not that far away.

That's what he thought. Each training feels like a draining day. It feels like he's been in gym for a day even their training only took 3 hours a day. Who would've thought that vampires feel tired too?

'Ugh! I can barely move my limbs..' He groaned as he felt his muscles have swollen.

He immediately went to bed right after he got home. And soon as he felt his fluffy bed, he'll quickly doze off to sleep, completely forgetting about talking to Yana.

Days have passed with that same routine. He kept on attempting to approach her but it always fail.

'How can I talk to her alone?' He sighed.

"Focus!" Ash shouted who was about to hit him with his metallic arm.

Rae was reminded that he was on his training right now. He was about to use his blood as shield but it was already too late when Ash's fist landed on his cheek.

It almost dislocates his jaw and that punch made him spit some blood on the ground.

"Let's stop for now." He heard him sigh, Ash seems displeased.

"You seem to be occupied with something."

The lad shook his head, "Ah, I'm sorry. It's nothing."

"Make sure it is." He said with a stern look and didn't ask for more.

'He... believed me?' Rae thought, who obviously told a lie.

As most people told him, he's a bad liar. So how come his own father didn't even recognize that?

"Either way, I already said so. We'll continue our training tomorrow." Ash said and wore his coat.

The lad shrugged his worries for now and took his stuff.

"Dad," he called, "Have you been in the town nearby?"

"Why you ask?"

"I'm just wondering.. I haven't seen you going out of this forest. Maybe we should take this break as an opportunity to walk together. Besides, it's cloudy today. There's no sun rays in our way. What do you say, Dad?"

Ashford stared at him for a moment. And then, he sighed in defeat.

"Alright."

That made the lad smiled victoriously.

As they walk on streets, Rae kept on sharing stories about each store like a tour guide. But unfortunately, Ash doesn't seem to care. He didn't even respond as he kept on talking. It feels like Rae is completely talking into thin air.

That left a pang of pain in his heart. Why does it feels like he's far away from him even they're close? He has finally met his father, and yet, why does it feel like... he doesn't know him at all?

His thoughts were disturbed when someone paused in front of them.

When he looked up, he saw someone's familiar face.

"Mr. Rae?"

"Father Stephen!"

"How are you?"

"I'm good. We just got back from school after Sem-break."

"That's good to hear." The priest said and noticed Ash's presence.

Clearly, he can tell, he's no ordinary.

"Ah, Dad, this is father Stephen. He's a priest and our Values teacher. Father Stephen, this is my dad."

"That's nice. I'm glad you finally found him." Father Stephen smiled and offered his hand to Ash.

"A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Ash just stared at his hand, then to the priest.

"I have no intention of befriending anyone who belongs to the Ministry." He glared and walked away, bumping shoulders with the priest.

"Father Stephen, I'm so sorry for that." Rae apologetically said.

The priest smiled, "Don't mention it."

The lad politely bowed his head before leaving.

He tried to catch up with Ash but found no traces of him.

"He's way faster." He sighed.

Just then, some drops started to fall from the sky. When he felt some fell on his skin, he looked up at the dark gray sky.

"It's going to rain." He said and took the umbrella out of his bag.

The rain poured out stronger than before. It was really fortunate that he had an umbrella with him.

"I wonder what Yana is doing? I should visit her today." He mumbled and from afar, he saw someone wearing that gaudy orange jacket.

If he's not mistaken, the figure spinning around in the middle of the rain looks like a girl. He walked a bit closer and saw that the girl pulled someone from the shed.

They must be having fun in the rain.

'How I wished I could do the same with Yana.' He thought and noticed that the lass looked like his friend as he drew closer.

She was with someone else. Someone whom he didn't know. Why is she with him? Who is that guy? Why are they taking a bath in the rain?

A pang of familiar pain suddenly came in his chest. It was the same when he saw Claudius kissed Yana's hand way back on their school play. It was the feeling of something has hardly pinched his heart.

The pain grew stronger when he saw her smiling face. But it wasn't for him. She was clearly smiling at the other guy.

'Why? Why does my chest hurt so much?' He clenched his fist near his heart. It was so painful that he can't take it.

'I don't want this! I don't want to see her smile to anyone!' He thought and took a deep breath.

"Yana!" He called.

When his friend finally looked his way, the guy beside her turned around as well.

"You--!"

He remembers him! How can he forget the face of the vampire who killed Shade in an instant? How can he forget that cold expression who vowed to kill him the next time they meet?

'Why is he with Yana? Is he planning to hurt her? No, I won't let him do that!'

Rae used his speed to rushed beside the lass before Orpheus could do anything to harm her.

"Get away from her!" He glared.

He has a lot of questions. He wanted to ask why she's with Orpheus. He wanted to know why she's in the rain with him. Most importantly, he wanted to know why she's been avoiding him.

But no matter how much he thinks about it, he can't seem to bring himself to ask any of those questions.

He remained silent as he carried her way back home. As they reached her house, he gently put her down in front of their small gate.

"Thanks." She said and was about to go inside.

"Uhm, Yana!"

"Yes?"

He paused, he was hesitating.

'Would she answer me if I ask? Would she be mad?' He thought.

But despite his desire to know the answers, he just heaved a sigh and gently patted her head.

"Rest well, okay?" He smiled. Even it's something he has done forcefully.

The lass nodded, "I will. Thanks for bringing me home." She smiled and went back inside.

Even he wanted to stop her from turning her back, his voice failed to come out. It feels like there's a gap, an invisible barrier that keeps him from getting near her like how he used to.

But what should he do? How can he pass through that barrier?

'Maybe I'll talk to her tomorrow. She's tired for sure.' He said to himself, restraining his wondering heart.

How he hoped, he'll get the answers he seek the next day. Or else he won't be at peace.