The Winter Rose
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or its characters, they belong respectively to Matsuri Hino. These words however are my own.
AN: Is Kaname's point of view okay? I certainly don't want to mare his personality but there seems to be so little of anything from his perspective. I could switch to Yuki's - or go back and forth between the two. I was also thinking of creating a short collection of Christmas one-shots with Zero and Yuki and the Headmaster too. But first, I want to do this one. Hope you all enjoy!
"Welcome back Kaname Onii-Sama!"
The voice was bright, high and reedy like that of all children's innocent voices. Of course no one's words made him feel as happy as hers did. Kaname hugged the smaller frame that had wrapped its arms around his midsection tightly and patted her hair while saying his hello's too.
"Good evening Yuki" he soothed, smiling "How are you feeling today?"
Yuki looked up with warm brown eyes; their sincere depths reaching into his very soul while she hugged him closer. From over his head he saw her parents, no their parents, give an encouraging nod.
"Ah…good now that you're here Kaname-Sama" she responded, her voice was so full of conviction that it was hard not to believe her.
It was very easy to get too comfortable here in this place, with these people and these new precious things to protect; it often left him feeling guilty. The windowless room was were she was kept. Away from the things that wanted to harm her. The demons from his past always seemed to resurface and hurt the ones closest to him the most.
Juri smiled "Yuki seems brighter when you are around Kaname, it's always nice when you bring her different things too" her translucent hands gestured to the small knapsack he was carrying.
Both siblings looked at the pack on the floor and Yuki's face grew happier "Are there sweets inside for me Onii-Sama?" she almost half-begged. She was much like her father that way, always craving with a sweet tooth.
Kaname nodded "Yes, and some other things too" he opened the bag for her and showed her a tiny village kept inside a snow globe. He shook it and instantly her eyes lit up, she examined it with tiny fingers excitedly.
Sometimes he would bring her picture books to quell her boredom. She liked different travel books about far off places with huge mountains and oceans that never ended. Her favorite animal was a white tiger, and favorite flowers were roses. But it was never enough for him. He wanted to show her the world, not have her kept captive in their very own home.
"Is this what the 'outside world' is like Onii-Sama?" she asked, giving the ornament a shake. Snow fell onto the tiny Christmas tree and the family huddled around it.
Kaname smiled sadly his eyes unfocused on hers as he looked away to his Mother and Father. He knew by their faces what he was going to ask.
"Isn't there something we can do? She can't stay in here forever. It's not right that she has to pay for my…" his voiced trailed off when Haruka interrupted him.
He shook his head solemnly "No, not until we are sure she will be safe" the older Pureblood gazed down at his daughter who was transfixed by the globe again "We don't want you talking about this as if it were your fault Kaname".
Kaname caught Juri's eyes as she smiled sadly "We love you too Kaname. We don't want anything to hurt either of you, let us protect you both". She kissed his head and he sighed.
"We'll be leaving for a short while" Haruka announced, as he pulled on his coat "We have matters to attend to"
Kaname understood and helped his mother put on her jacket, she smiled pleasantly while giving Yuki a kiss on the cheek.
"Stay safe" she whispered turning the wooden door's handle; a cool flush of air settled over them and then both parents were gone.
Kaname sighed heavily again and grabbed the knapsack that was abandoned on the ground before setting it on the table. He sat forcefully on the couch saddened and annoyed. He watched as Yuki cradled the small globe in her hands and made her way into his lap.
"What's wrong Onii-Sama?" her words were hushed like she was afraid to speak them "Did I do something wrong?"
The elder Pureblood shook his head "No Yuki, you didn't do anything wrong" he guided the hand that held the globe towards one of the overhead lanterns. The distorted glass cast rays of light on them both while illuminating the tiny family inside.
"This isn't right" Kaname continued and frowned deeper "My precious Yuki is always kept locked away".
Wasn't it enough that he had to pay for the sins of his existence so profoundly without hurting Yuki in the process? It just didn't seem fair that she would never be able to stray father then the door with his parents around.
An idea suddenly occurred to him "Yuki how would you like to see the things inside this globe for yourself? Would that make you happy?".
Yuki looked up at him confused "Just being with Onii-Sama makes me happy" she responded not understanding the question.
Kaname shook his head "What if I were to show you the 'outside world' now like the one in this tiny globe?"
A frown creased Yuki's lips "Mother and Father won't be happy, I can never go outside, ever. They'll be displeased with you because of me. I don't want Onii-Sama to get in trouble"
She was unselfish as ever. His heart clutched tight in his chest and he felt his guilty emotions rising to the surface again.
"They won't know if we are extra careful. Don't you trust me Yuki?" he prodded, he would do anything for her. Anything to make her happy.
The small girl seemed appalled by the very question "I trust Onii-Sama very much. It's just…" her words seemed lost as she gazed at the figures inside the glass globe. She looked at him and her eyes were absolute "Yes, Kaname Onii-Sama I want to see what you see. I want to see the world…"
Kaname smiled and grazed her cheek with the palm of his hand, Yuki closed her eyes and held it to her face, she pulled away and kissed him on the cheek before quickly going to get dressed. Kaname helped her happy that he would be able to show her a new path outside of this sightless prison. One filled with lights, and different sounds, and Christmas…
He was happiest that he was finally going to be able to share with Yuki something special. He couldn't ask for anything else then a better gift then that.