One Step Further

Rating: Teen (T)

Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort/Family/Supernatural/Angst/Drama

Summary: Hinata Kuran is the eldest of Juri's and Haruka's children. Forced to hide the several secrets of the Kuran clan. She cares deeply for her family except Uncle Rido who killed her brother as a sacrifice. When life gets hard, she pushes her way through. She is a pureblood after all.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight. I'm just a fan... obviously

Chapter One — Brother and Ancestor

Life is lived one step at a time. It can be difficult, but everyone faces their hardships to travel their journey. It has been many years since Hinata Kuran's brother, Kaname, was murdered as a sacrifice. Yet here she was today, sitting on a love seat couch reading to Kaname who sat closely by her side resting his head on her arm. Her brother and this Kaname were not the same Kaname. He wasn't her brother, but her ancestor who her true brother was used to revive—not that she knew this.

To her, it happened at such a young age, an age where she couldn't fully comprehend the integral notion of the situation. Though even without an explanation from her parents, she came to the conclusion that she would never get to see her precious brother—who she immediately became attached to—again. So in his stead, Hinata vowed to protect the rest of her family. This included the boy who has the same name as her brother who was left behind in their family's care. She never questioned why.

"And then the—huh? Kaname-kun?"

The pureblood princess suddenly realized that he was no longer paying attention to the story. He was now perched up on his knees facing towards her side. He stretched up giving Hinata a lingering kiss on the cheek. When he tore his lips away from her flesh, she groaned. She felt herself weaken.

"Do you always have to take my energy?"

"But I like Hinata-onee-chan's energy," stated the smaller pureblood prince.

Hinata released a small sigh before lightly flicking Kaname on the forehead which caused him to blink confused by her actions.

"You're gonna have to grow up eventually."

Kaname innocently retorted, "But you always take Okaa-san's energy."

Hinata flushed. It was true. She still fed off others' energy just like Kaname. Although, she tended to take it from her mom, Juri.

She was getting ready to yell back. She really did get most of her personality from the feisty Juri. Her mouth was already open to give her come back when she stared into Kaname's eyes. Suddenly, all she could think about was if this was how she would act with her brother if he was still alive. Hinata's eyes soften in a loving way. Her gaze never leaving Kaname's. She brought a hand up to his cheek and softly caressed it.

She whispered lovingly, "Kaname..."

"Hai?" Kaname stared at Hinata. The normal fire in her amber and wine red fleck brown eyes disappeared only to be replaced with a longing softness. He was curious about his sister.

"Kaname..." repeated the pureblood princess. She was lost in thoughts of the past and what ifs. Too deep in thought that she didn't even hear Kaname speak.

Kaname was confused. Didn't she hear him? She was right there in front of him. Why wouldn't she be able to?

"Hai, Onee-chan? I'm right here."

He began to worry. His sister was acting weird. Hinata abruptly pulled Kaname into a tight hug. Her head rested upon his. Kaname didn't dislike the contact that his sister gave him. It was but unusual for her, but he enjoyed it. Well, that was until he felt something wet continuously hit his head and shoulders. It was then he recognized that she was crying.

He looked up to her teary face. It was unsuitable for a pureblood to be crying. However, this was in the privacy of their home, and even if she would often deny it, she was still a kid.

Hinata whimpered, "Kaname... I miss you. I miss you so much."

He really didn't understand her. He was right there. There had to be something wrong with her.

"Hinata-onee-sama! I'm right here! I'm here!" Kaname tugged and pulled at her dress.

Somehow, he felt as if she was slipping through his fingers. His precious sister. He didn't know anyone his age. Just family and a few acquaintances of his parents. His sister was the closest thing to him, and with her suddenly acting so strange. He didn't know what to do.

"Huh?"

Hinata seemed to finally realize the situation. Her eyes dilated and quivered. The door to the room suddenly opened to reveal their concerned parents.

"We heard the noise. Is everything alright," asked Juri eyeing her children on the couch.

They were tense. She eyed her children sadly. Haruka placed and arm on her shoulder in reassurance. Hinata stared at her parents who entered the room. For a moment she remained quiet trying to take in what just occurred. Then everything came rushing back into her head like a tsunami. In a flash she was off the couch and running to her father, Haruka, who always made her feel secure. While she was closer to her mom, and even acted more like her, it was Haruka who always made her feel secure when in a crisis.

"Otou-san! Otou-san!"

Haruka picked his daughter up and rubbed her back soothingly. Her shoulders were shaking uncontrollably. Hinata's tears continued, but not nearly as bad as before. As she tried to explain to her dad what the matter was, her answer came out in hiccups and chokes.

"I'll take her to her room and calm her down," he explained to his wife before exiting the room.

"Ah," gasped Kaname.

He didn't want to be left alone. He placed his feet firmly on the ground before standing up off the couch. His eyes never left the door where his sister and dad left.

"Wait for me. I'll come too!" He stopped when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He turned around to see his mom's solemn face.

"Okaa-san?"

Juri shook her head at him.

"Iie, give them some time alone."

"But Okaa-san... Hinata-onee-chan was acting strange. She kept calling out my name when I was right in front of her. She even said she misses me. I need to see if she's okay!" Kaname gave his mother a determined look. However, this did nothing. His statement seems to deduct from his resolution.

Juri stared at her son worried. Her throat seems to tighten when she tried to respond. After a few attempts, she finally manages to speak some words.

"Iie, Kaname. It's best to give them some time alone."

"But why did she call out for me then!"

"Kaname."

Kaname immediately shut his mouth and remained silent. His mom was rarely ever demanding to him or Hinata. Though he couldn't blame her. He was starting to sound whiny through his desperation.

XxXxXxX

Hinata's tears finally ceased, but she let out a few more chocked sobs afterwards. She sat on the centre of her while her dad sat on the edge of the bed. Haruka placed a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder and rubbed his thumb in circles. Hinata appreciated it. She found it both soothing and comforting.

Haruka looked calmly at Hinata as he asked, "So would you like to tell me what's wrong?"

"I miss Kaname," was the quick and simple response.

Just by staring at his eldest child, he knew that she wasn't speaking of the Kaname who was downstairs. Haruka mentally sighed, as he pulled Hinata closer to him.

"It's not fair. I should be growing up with Kaname not—not—not him!"

Haruka knew this was going to come someday. It was only natural. He too misses his son. However, what has already been done cannot be erased. It was all because of his older brother.

"But you like this Kaname too, don't you?" Haruka attempted to make this the most bearable for Hinata. She could be stubborn, hard-headed, self-disciplined, and blunt, but she was also a compassionate, vulnerable, little girl. It took a moment, but Hinata finally gave a small nod agreeing to his statement.

"If Kaname was still here then this Kaname wouldn't be. Did you want that?"

Hinata was conflicted. The past few years have been amazingly fun with Kaname with her. If he were to suddenly disappear... She mentally screamed. She didn't know what she wanted anymore.

Haruka continued, "Reminiscing and thinking about what could be is pointless. This is the present. Why don't you live for today. There may be some sad days, but as long as you're happy in the end, does it matter."

Hinata turned her figure so that her back was leaning on his side. From the corner of her eyes, she could glance out her bedroom window. It was dark out, but street and house lights illuminated the view. The view seemed to help ameliorate her mood.

"It's still not fair," she pouted crossing her arms.

Haruka smiled. He knew that his words had gotten through to her. Her stubbornness was beginning to show once more, so that was a good sign. A relief to him.

"There's the Hinata I know."

His statement caused her to flush. She tried a cover up as an excuse, but couldn't think of a reason which resulted to blab and stutter a few incoherent words.

"I—I'll just go tell Kaname-kun and Okaa-san that I'm alright."

As quick as she could, she jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. Haruka sat staring at the empty door frame smiling. She would recover. She was strong just like her mother. After sitting in content for a few moments, he finally decided to leave her room.

XxXxXxX

Kaname sat on the edge of the couch watching himself swinging his feet back and forth.

"Okaa-san, how long do you think they'll be?"

Juri smiled at him. He was so concerned. It was cute.

"Judging from past experiences, it shouldn't be much longer."

After making this declaration, she could hear the rapidly approaching footsteps. Hinata ran into the room. For a moment, she didn't pay any attention to her loving mother. She wanted to reconcile with Kaname. Even as she approached him, she didn't slow down. Instead she tackled him into a hug, and they both fell onto the couch. Hinata began to laugh joyfully with a large smile. Kaname was taken by surprise, but joined in laughing when Hinata did.

Juri smiled lovingly at the two across the room. It appeared everything was alright—for now.

This story will be in three parts: Childhood, Cross Academy, and After Academy. It will all be made into this story though. This story is co-written between me and Minora who is always being hesitant about showing her work. Not a big fan of Yuuki though we won't be constantly bashing her like some people do to characters they don't like. She may be shown in another light but Yuuki is still Yuuki.

Pairing is still being decided between a few, so please don't ask who cause we still aren't 100% sure. Though if you want to recommend someone go right ahead.