AN: FINALLYYYYYYYY I got something done! x'D x'D x'D This is the first story I've ever posted on here. Kinda nervous. o:
I'd been planning to write this first chapter for SOFREAKINGLONG. But I always procrastinated. It wasn't until my best friend gave me an excellent idea that I finally pulled the last strings of the plot to this fanfic together. Well, actually, I still don't exactly know where this is gonna take me. - _ - Ahh, writing is such a rollercoaster. :'D But thank you to my dear "onee-chan" anyway, you're the best! C:
Anyway, I'm very excited I finally finished this. Much planning and redrafting had to be done. I honestly have ten different versions of this Chapter One. But none of them worked out with what I had planned next. So this is the best I can do. D': Please bear with me, I promise things will get better! And more intense. *blushes at the erotic scenes she has planned* x'3
**WARNING: there may be spoilers up to Chapter 74.** Beware. e _ e
Oh, and just in case you're a stickler and reading this, I really have no idea what color Yuuki's hood actually is. I picture it to be red (probably because of the cover of Volume 11, what with Zero and Kanashame – er, I mean, Kaname – depicted as wolves and such.) Ya know, Little Red Riding Hood? C: … … … *cricket cricket* …no? x_x Well, it might just be my opinion. *sweatdrop*
Damn, I'm actually a bit depressed now. I kept listening to sad music, because the previous drafts of this chapter were too happy. I really love the mysterious, and kinda bittersweet feeling that VK gives you. I'm trying to put that into this fanfiction, as well. :) Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I did my best, and I will continue to do my best. :3
Leave a review, pleaseandthankyou! :D *hugs*
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight (though I wish I did). All rights go to Matsuri Hino, the very talented mangaka who created it.
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His prey was close now… so close.
He could smell the fear on said prey, a scent that was as tasty as the smell of hot, melted chocolate…
Unable to resist, the young, silver-haired hunter licked his lips and closed his eyes, relishing the delicious smell. Hiding… waiting for a chance to pounce… or was it to run away…?
Zero placed a hand on his Bloody Rose gun, sliding his finger lightly over the trigger – this was one of his most familiar actions.
Movement.
He swung around at a blinding speed and slammed the enemy against the tree – ah, maybe he shouldn't have done that. With a deep sound like thunder, the tree snapped against the other man's body as if it were nothing more than a twig.
"Any last words… vampire?" the hunter hissed, lips parted to reveal elongated fangs. They were gleaming, perfectly curved, the pointed ends needle-sharp. Almost elegant, in a way… the Level E knew that this was no ordinary vampire just by seeing the shape of his teeth.
"Pure… blood…" the Level E managed past the long-fingered hand clamped around his neck.
"No." Zero hated when others confused him with those monsters… but with both Kuran and Hiou blood flowing within him… it was unavoidable, he supposed.
"Then… is she…?" the crazed one whispered, pointing one finger at something behind Zero's back.
Zero's eyes widened. Then, praying that he wouldn't see what he expected, he turned...
A hooded figure stood there against the shadows of moonlit trees. Long strands of silky mahogany hair drifted lightly in the cool evening breeze. The red fur-lined cloak hid most of her face, but that petite frame… the slender, graceful neck, the pale yet rosy skin…
"Yuuki?" Zero gasped, dismayed. What on earth could she be doing here?
"Zero, watch out –!"
The Level E wrenched himself free from the hunter's temporarily loosened grasp and threw him aside, finding strength in his new, savage desire.
That girl's scent… it was sweet, saccharine sweet. More mouthwatering, more tempting, more tantalizing than anything the Level E had ever experienced in his despicable life. He'd always been a pushover… always the weak one… but now, ah, the blood of a Pureblood Princess! A Kuran… How strong, how admired he would be after this!
So he charged her.
Yuuki stood her ground. He was rather like a bull, this one…
His desperation was so fervent that she could hear tendrils of his thoughts. Power! Relief! I'll finally… be able…
Something stung in her heart. She had brought Artemis with her, of course – her own anti-vampire weapon – but at the bottom of her heart, she knew she couldn't use it. Sympathy, that's what drove her to her inaction. As the Level E moved with blinding speed, she did nothing but raise one small hand. A familiar tingle began tugging at her fingertips, spreading to the center of her palm.
The man sprinting at her halted suddenly, only a few feet away from his dinner, as if he had run into a wall. He grunted, confused. Yuuki took a deep breath, concentrating with all her might – she was almost there…
Zero, who hadn't even recovered from the ache in his head and the blackness in his vision yet, immediately pulled himself up. He leaned against the nearby tree to regain balance, and while doing so, he also caught a glimpse of the strange event happening with the pureblooded princess and the stray Level E. They didn't seem to be fighting… his mind still hazy from being thrown and landing fairly violently, he couldn't make out exactly what was happening, but he could see the scarlet outline of Yuuki's hood… it was like gazing through a swimming pool, or a very thick layer of carved glass. Was she alright? Wait… why should he care? Because I'd be in deep shit if something happened to her under my watch, he thought, frustrated. Then, out of options, he inhaled deeply; he could still smell her, still taste the subtle tinge of her sweet scent on his tongue…
…And hear her terrified scream. Small and frightened, it was a sound that wrenched him back to reality, and though his vision still blurred around the edges and he could barely make his legs move, he stumbled forward as quickly as he could in his dizzied state.
A part of him panicked when he fell. He couldn't get there fast enough. It was unlike him to panic at all – but as he struggled back to his feet, only one thought coursed through his mind, and he hadn't the slightest idea why. Yuuki… Yuuki… Please be alright…
Just as he found her through his dim vision, she crumpled to the forest floor, as fragile as a doll. His heart nearly stopped. Yuuki… why did you come here?
"You bastard!" Zero snarled. Completely relying on his instincts now, he clamped his fingers hard around the Level E's arm and hurled him to the ground. Cold protectiveness that he couldn't explain over the tiny princess laying still and silent made him merciless.
"I did nothing! I didn't touch her!" the Level E shrieked.
"In no way does that concern me," Zero growled.
Then, not hesitating for a second, he fired a single shot. He heard the… thing disintegrate, then the sound of dust being carried away with the wind…
He knelt down next to the unconscious girl. She was still breathing, though very shallowly. Her heart beat swiftly, however, which was strange – nonetheless, Zero wordlessly picked her up in his arms.
Yuuki made a soft sound that sounded partly protesting and partly surprised. Zero couldn't help but feel the twitch of his lips – an almost smile. She was so stubborn, even when she wasn't conscious.
He began his walk back to the academy.
The girl in his arms felt like nothing more than a feather to him, but she radiated a warmth that was – he had no way of denying it – very soothing.
He couldn't help but feel strange as he entered the Night Class dorm.
No one was roaming about – it was class time for them – but he felt like he shouldn't be seen carrying the unconscious body of their "substitute leader".
Sighing, he rounded a corner, and almost collided with the blonde head of Hanabusa Aido.
"Jeez! Watch where you're – what the hell."
Zero grimaced. Out of all the vampires he could possibly run into, Aido had to be the one? "She followed me," he said defensively.
"But you're not even supposed to be here! And she should be in class! Why would she follow you? What were you two doing? Why does she look like she'd half dead?"
"I can only answer one question at a time, senpai," Zero replied evenly. "Here, you take her into her room. She's probably very uncomfortable in her sleep, knowing I have my arms around her. She'd probably prefer yours instead." He held out his arms for Aido to receive her.
Aido blinked, almost disgusted. "Me? Carry her? I don't even know where she's… been. You're so rude!"
Zero scoffed, pulling Yuuki back to him. "She hasn't been anywhere indecent. We were in the woods, just outside the school grounds."
Then Aido's eyes narrowed. "Did you fight her?"
"No! That's an idiotic question. Can you just carry her to her bed? Is that so hard for you?"
The blonde noble smirked. "Is that so hard for you? Why don't you lay her down and watch her sleep? Knowing you, that doesn't sound very ridiculous. You probably won't even be strong enough to drag yourself out of her room."
Zero glared daggers at him.
"Okay, okay." Aido threw his hands up, knowing how strong Zero was when he got serious. Aido stopped fooling around, then, and with no hint of his usual smugness, he asked, "Hey, Kiryuu, you really didn't do anything to her, did you?"
Zero closed his eyes. "I was out hunting. I don't know why, but she followed me. She caught me by surprise, and the Level E escaped me for a second. He got to her first, but then I took care of him. End of story."
"She's okay now?"
"She only needs to rest, I think. I'll give her a few blood tablets if she wakes up."
Aido made a weird face. "You two have such a strange relationship."
"I would hardly call it a relationship."
"Goodnight, Kiryuu. Er… unless you need help, uh, taking care of her."
"Get to class, senpai," Zero assured him, already opening the door to Yuuki's room.
As Aido walked down the hall muttering things about respect, Zero stepped into the little space where Yuuki stayed.
The blonde elite had been right; as soon as Zero stepped foot in the bedroom, he instantly and literally felt like he was in heaven. Everything smelled like Yuuki. Even the walls had a hint of her scent.
He walked swiftly over to her bed, not trusting himself to hold her one moment longer. She was so tempting… and he was very hungry tonight, much more so than usual. He reminded himself to get some more tablets.
As he laid her down on the pillows, her eyes flew open. Dark figures still flitted across her vision, and harsh voices sounded in her ears… blood splattered against the walls… ah, the inviting scent of blood… Yuuki whimpered. I don't want to see this. I don't want to see this. I don't want… Her eyes found the tranquilly handsome face of the boy standing at her bedside. Zero…?
He met her bewildered gaze coolly, keeping his expression carefully blank.
"Zero… you're here," she whispered. How relieved she was that she hadn't woken up to being alone. Flashes of the Level E's memory still ignited behind her eyelids. Though Zero's unemotional and serene, yet dazzling, pale lilac eyes were not very comforting, it was still better than waking up to an empty room.
"Yeah, but I'm leaving. You need anything? Thirsty?" he asked, voice impassive. That stung. She wanted to sting him back.
"I'm fine," she responded, with equal flatness in her tone.
"Okay, then. Goodnight."
He was only a few paces from the door. He was relieved yet secretly disappointed at the stolid way she spoke to him. Did she really… hate him now…? His only real friend… no, his "real friend" was gone. She is not Yuuki Cross… he was reaching for the doorknob when he heard the barely audible sniffle.
If he wasn't a vampire, if he didn't have these damn heightened nighttime senses, he would have been able to leave.
But he turned, as if somebody else was pulling strings that moved his body, back to her…
She was crying, tears running freely down her face, her cheeks flushed to the color of berries. She kept her hands over her mouth to keep from making a sound, but Zero had already noticed, and had turned back to look at her, just like a puppet.
Well, he felt like one, anyway.
"Ah, hell, Yuuki – don't cry..."
"I'm n-not crying," she managed, her voice catching before every word. Her breath hitched, and the tears came falling even faster.
Zero stood there, completely frozen in his spot, wanting to leave but knowing he couldn't.
Yuuki looked up at him with her large brown eyes begging, glimmering with tears that just kept reappearing and trickling down, and reappearing again.
He sighed, then walked back to her. He sat at the very edge of her bed. "What's wrong?" he asked, gentler now. He even met her wide-eyed gaze with his own controlled regard.
"I'm so afraid," she admitted, her words coming out all jumbled together. "That vampire's thoughts… I saw them all… they were so scary!" the last part of her sentence came out as a frightened cry, and a part of Zero's heart throbbed.
"You tried to take away his memory, didn't you?" he asked softly.
Yuuki nodded. "I thought… that even if we killed him… he could leave this life not remembering all the horrible things…" her voice trailed off into a sharp gasp that triggered a fresh cascade of tears.
"You haven't changed one bit," Zero muttered, but Yuuki heard the almost-affection in his voice.
She suddenly wanted to have him reassure her, like he would have a few years before. She remembered the sincere kindness that he would have shown to her, a side of him that he hardly ever showed to anyone else… "Please hold me, Zero," she whispered. "Even if I repulse you… please… just for a moment… like you used to."
She could tell he was surprised. His amethyst eyes were suspicious and guarded. But he seemed to realize that she was nothing but a harmless child right now – and she certainly felt like one – and so he consented to her request, putting his arms around her – very, very gently. She also placed her own slight arms around his neck in response. Surprisingly, neither of them pulled away at once.
Yuuki felt a familiar warmth spread through her at his touch. Her heart jumped a little at his nearness; she hadn't been close to him to like this in what seemed like a century. But he smelled nice – kind of like berry fruit, and also pleasantly sweet, a bit on the flowery side. Enclosed in his arms, she felt safe again, and the tremors in her body began to cease.
Zero, on the other hand, found comfort in her embrace. Her heartbeat was soothing: steady, light, calm. He resisted the urge to press his face into the side of her head, and feeling the silky strands of her smooth dark hair against his lips. And her neck was so close now… enticingly so. Her scent was one that he could never describe – it was like warm vanilla and sugar, twisted with frosted jasmine petals, with just the right touch of luscious strawberry. He felt a familiar ache in his throat, but he ignored it; he would satisfy his needs later. Now, he just wanted to stay here forever, wrapped in the arms of this small, defenseless girl.
They didn't say anything. They didn't need to. The silence said all that was necessary.
I hurt you. I'm sorry. I miss you.
Neither of them commented on this. They had always lived like this, and they had no problem with it. It wasn't difficult now; it wasn't angry, or bitter, or regretful. It was peaceful. Tender.
They had depended on each other before, like a rose depends on rain, and winter depends on spring. Like best friends depend on each other.
It was easy, in that moment, to forget the world of difference that lay between them…
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**AN~ PLEASE READ**: MKAY, NOW THIS IS THE PART WHERE YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION. In case you haven't read up to the latest released chapter, (at the moment, that is Chapter 74,) Zero and Yuuki are currently… er, re-mingling. Hehe...
Spoiler: Zero offers Yuuki his blood. End spoiler.
ASLDKJFHLAK;JSDHFLKRSTZ. When I read that part, I was like WTF? Why is Zero becoming Yuuki's blood whore now? Personally, I liked Yuuki much more when she was human. But I'll work with the characters I have.
HOWEVER, I'm still pretending her drinking his blood never happened. *crawls away*
I have different things planned for my darling Zero. :) But still, I don't think they "despise" each other as much as they did when VKG ended (and in the past few chapters.) It's not like it used to be, where whenever they saw each other it was like "oh shit" *epic stare down contest!*- as quoted from some comment I read before. xD So yeah, Zero and Yuuki aren't being bitchy to each other. Yet.
Alrighty, well, thanks for reading! I hope you stay for more. :3
Remember to leave a review! I don't mind whether it's positive or negative, but please don't be too harsh. I have feelings too. C: But any type of response from my readers is very encouraging. Whatever you suggest, I will make sure to try my best to do. :'D