BLACK AND WHITE Haku stumbled into the loft, his honey hair catching the moonlight streaming through the curtains in the kitchen. He shut the door with a resounding click, the sound reverberating around him like church bells on a Sunday morning. He winced subconsciously, his muscles tensing as his ears searched the apartment for signs of life. Satisfied that everyone was still asleep, he sighed, letting out the breath he didn�t even know he was holding, and tossed the keys onto the counter, shrugging off his leather jacket. He ruffled up his hair, letting his hand trail down to touch the side of his tender face. He could feel his cheek starting to swell, and the cut on his lip was throbbing with pain. He bet that he�d have a black eye in the morning, if he didn�t already. Typically, when one beats another person up, it�s only safe to assume that you�d get some sort of retribution in return. And if his was the large bruise exclaiming to the world what he�d done earlier that night, so be it. Padding into the kitchen, Haku�s sock clad feet barely made a sound as he crossed the tiled floor over to the fridge. He cringed at the sudden light that filled the room as he opened the door, and made a motion to grab the cool jug of chocolate milk, when something across the threshold caught his eye. Slowly straightening up, he narrowed his green orbs, the light from the refrigerator filtering out the shadows cast by the full moon. Amber hair caught the light, glowing gold with health, but his eyes were drawn to the girls piercing aqua eyes, full of curiosity. He turned away, closing the door and grabbing a cup from the rack. �I thought you were in bed.� He cursed his rough voice as he poured the liquid, careful not to spill any on the counter before returning it to it�s place, the light once again illuminating her delicate features as she paused in the doorway, her brow furrowing in confusion as she centred her eyes on his form. Squirming internally at the inspection, Haku concentrated fully on his glass of milk, downing it in one swift gulp. Out of the corner of his vision, he could see her shrug. �I couldn�t sleep.� He nodded and wiped his full lips with his hand before rinsing the glass in the sink. Towelling his hands dry on the dish rag beside the sink, Haku turned his body and started, almost colliding with the petite girl next to him. He gripped the counter reflexively, his breath catching as he gazed down at her, her wide blue eyes full of resignation. �You did it, didn�t you?� Looking away, he fixed his gaze on the digital clock on the microwave, slightly surprised to have it read so late. Had he been out that long? Had she been waiting for him all this time? His jaw tensed, his lips pulling into a long straight line as his tongue darted out to moisten suddenly dry lips. �I couldn�t let him get away with it.� Feeling a soft sigh emanate from the body in front of him, he let his gaze trickle to her form, noting her shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. Not just anyone would see it though, Naomi was naturally strong and proud, a child of powerful parentage like her brother. Her long lush locks fell around her face and shoulders in soft waves, the ends curling up in ringlets. It was tussled with sleep, a long strand cascading down her forehead. His eyes were drawn to it almost hypnotically, and his long fingers itched to push it aside. All he had to do was brush it aside� He was snapped out of his reverie at the small gasp sucked through the lips of the being in front of him and he glanced down, his eyes widening as she reached her slender hands up and touched his face tenderly. He stilled, the rapid beating in his heart stopping to practically nothing at the innocent touch to his cheeks. He watched her with wide eyes as she ran her fingers across his swollen cheekbone, and he closed his eyes, hissing through his teeth in pain. Naomi�s eyes clouded with compassion. �My god, what did he do to you? You�re practically black and white!� Haku couldn�t help it, he let a small chuckle escape his lips, the amusement making itself clear in his emerald coloured eyes as he looked down at her. �I do believe the right expression is �black and blue�.� His voice was just a rough whisper and he started, finally realizing how close they were, taking a step back to make a bit of space between them. He wasn�t sure if she noticed it, but the air seemed charged with electricity as he looked at her, his eyes softening. Naomi snorted, opening up the freezer and digging in it, fog rolling out in blankets thanks to the humidity of the warm night. She shivered but reached in deeper, stretching up on her toes to get a better look. �Nah, black and white is a good expression for you, since your skin is so pale. And those bruises�� She shook her head, looking at him with eyes full of sorrow, not willing to finish that sentence. Nodding, Haku understood her explanation. He was cursed with extremely light skin, he and his twin were the only ones �gifted� enough to receive it. All of his other sisters and brothers had the naturally darker skin from their mother, but they received the pale baby like colouring from their father. He shrugged, watching Naomi finally retrieve a bag of peas from the cold box. She brushed the dew off of her arms before stepping up to the teen in front of her, pressing the peas against the side of his face in attempts to cool the heated skin. He watched her and after a moment she blushed, smiling slightly. �Thanks Haku.� Haku looked down at the angel in front of him, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She didn�t have to explain what she was thanking him for, he understood. He might not know everything about her, but he understood, and that�s all that mattered. Finally letting the grin free, he raised his hand up to the bag beside his face, brushing his hand against her small palm for a split second before taking the job of holding it from her. He nodded before stepping past her and into the darkness of the hallway. �Anytime.�