Of Wishes, Desires, and Self-Sacrifices

A/N: Done for the fans of the bittersweet pairing of Ruka Souen and Akatsuki Kain of Vampire Knight. I just wanted to say that I have never ever watched a single episode of the series and the only references that I have regarding the storyline is Wikipedia. YouTube has offered me clips as well so thanks to the site too. Also, this plot needed a crossover to be fulfilled and I have to admit again that I am not very much knowledgeable about Yuko aside from the fact that she is a witch who can grant wishes only for a price in return. So I am already asking for forgiveness with whatever inaccuracy this fic might give to you. And sorry too for the long note. (=.=V)

Oh, POVs are done in alternating Akatsuki, Ruka and Third's.

Disclaimer: VK characters belong to Matsuri Hino. Yuko Ichihara belongs to Clamp, whichever universe she may be.

One: Worlds Apart Bounded by Desires

The pain felt like a thousand-no, a million daggers piercing through my heart all at the same time. Seeing her in this condition, while I stand here plainly watching her, was the last thing that I have ever wanted to do. (Not that I wanted it from the start)

How did I allow this to happen? To her, of all people!

I should have been in her place. That attack was directed at me, actually. I was already bracing myself for the impact, for the pain, for the feeling of having that bloody liquid coursing through my body, burning my veins and muscles with every inch of its progress in its circulation inside my system.

I was ready for this situation but I wasn't prepared for what happened instead.

Akatsuki!

The next thing I knew…the arrowhead was lying on the side.

And she was writhing in agony and pain in my arms.

It was horror beyond all horrors. It was my worst nightmare getting alive. It was…the moment I felt like my world crumbled to pieces.

Why did this have to happen?

"Akatsuki," someone called from behind. Looking back at the source of the voice, I saw his clear blue eyes welling up in sadness as well. "You can rest. I'll take your post." He said, tapping me lightly on my shoulder. I looked back at the one on bed…and the feeling of unfathomable guilt and depression drenched me through.

"She isn't supposed to be there, trying so hard to fight for her life in this way." I muttered and leaned in to shove the small strand of her hair to the side. Her face, despite the pain that mixed with her features, remained serene and beautiful. "It wasn't your fault, Akatsuki. She went on her own."

"Shut up, Hanabusa. You knew well what happened. You saw it." I hissed at him, my hands balled up to fists on my side to keep myself from attacking him. It was then that I realized how true his statement was.

She did went on her own, despite the danger that she would face.

Of course, she knew the consequences of her rushing to me.

The question now is…why? She could have just manipulated the enemy from afar. Why would she even bother shouting, which meant getting of the vampire's attention to her, and…do the unthinkable?

"…doctor tonight, right? Akatsuki?" Hanabusa's voice suddenly came in. "Oi, Akatsuki. Were you listening?" he asked and nudged me and I simply nodded.

If I could only turn back the time…

Time

If I could only take away her pain…

Desires and Wishes

If I could only…take her away from this difficult and tormenting world…

Dimensions

"Where are you going?" Hanabusa asked as I reached the door. "Cant I take a small walk?" I asked softly and left the room. I had no recollection of how but when I lifted my head, I was already at the school gardens. The day was halfway through already. Some faint clattering of the Day Class students was present but I was much more occupied with what happened to her than those humans.

Tch.

A soft breeze came in, the chilling December air getting crispier as the days passed. Soon, the school grounds would be quiet as students will have their most-awaited vacation. How much days were left?

Will she be okay by that time? I hope so…

Will she be able to join us on our own vacation back to our homes? I truly pray for that to happen…

Will she still open her eyes?

Please…make her…

I closed my eyes and for a moment, I allowed myself to be enveloped with the coolness of the breeze. It was growing stronger, actually, and I had to hug myself to keep myself warm. Eerie enough, I felt like there was something with the wind that kept on lingering on my body, like…hands, grasping me. I shook the idea away, reminding myself that it was utterly impossible.

Impossible, you say? Someone whispered so close to my ears that I felt the hotness of the breath.

Now that was not impossible. I quickly opened my eyes and what greeted me was beyond reason and explanation.

I was suddenly standing…in a field, I think. Well actually, at the garden or whatever that has greens. There was a huge willow tree nearby, the drooping leaves rustling softly as that breeze blew in again. The grass beneath me were tall but not in the forsaken condition. The sky was a clear shade of blue, just like the skies outside the dorm.

In front of me was stood a house in ancient Japanese style and it looked empty. There was a single room facing me, with its door tucked in at the sides. The inside of the room was quite well donned. There was a single dresser with a tall empty vase, save for a stalk of sunflower that was slightly inclined to the left. On the center of the room was that small table. It held…a drinking cup and an opened bottle of sake. I looked around more, trying to figure out which road took me here. Maybe I was walking without much thought again. But to my surprise, I saw no roads or…pathway. Odd, I didn't see any fence or wall around so I figured that I was somewhere in the forests.

Which made no sense at all since I was at the Cross Academy gardens barely a minute ago.

"Barely a minute ago had three customers left. And now, here is another traveler from a faraway world. This must be my lucky day." I heard someone say. It was the same as the voice who whispered the impossible thing. The sound of ruffling clothes, as if they were being dragged across the tatami floor, came first before a black gowned lady with equally black eyes appeared at the side. Her piercing red eyes narrowed down on me. Instantly, I put my guards up.

"No need for that, Kain. I wont fight you." She purred. How did she know my name? Who is she?

She sat by the small table and poured herself some sake. At this time of the day, huh? Looks like a drunkard in style to me. She chuckled softly and played with the glistening liquid inside the cup. "I like that in style thing you're using to describe me." She said and sipped elegantly.

What? She can read minds?

"Yes, I do." She answered nonchalantly. She waved off her hands and focused on me. The background moved, like when you're switching channels on the television. An image of a barren land replaced the greenery. The sky turned to a soft mix of maroon and yellow, matching the sandy soil of the earth. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice growling. Her smile turned wicked and sly and her ruby eyes looked sharper than ever. "They call me The Dimensional Witch. You may call me Ichihara Yuko." She said in reply. "How did you know my name? And where am I? How did I get here?" I spat out.

"Hush, Kain. You fret too much." She said and took out a long pipe…out of thin air. A witch. She puffed a glamorous purple smoke before setting it down on the table. "You were able to reach this realm because you had such a wish you wanted to happen, am I right?" she asked. "Y-Yeah." I answered. "Wait. Realm? What are you talking about? Where exactly am I? I have to go back to Cross already." I insisted.

"You cannot leave this place until I am able to grant your wish. Those are the rules."

A wish?

"Yes, Kain. A wish. I'm sure that…you cannot deny the fact that you were thinking so much of her that you didn't notice the hands that took you in this dimension?" she teased. So what I felt were true!

"T-Then…you will grant me my wish?" I asked lowly. She nodded casually and inspected her fingers.

"But of course with a price that will be of equal value to the wish itself." She added. I inspected my pockets for something to offer but failed. I remembered that I came out of the dorm in a whim, with no idea or regard of the world around. All my mind could think of was…her.

"I have nothing with me to offer." I sadly declared. Maybe…it just had to be this way. Me being the bystander, waiting for things to be okay, for things to happen, whatever the result may be.

"Let me hear your wish first, then we can settle things." She beckoned. I felt her gaze boring me through my soul, to my core, to my heart. "There's only one thing that I want to wish for, witch." I said.

"Hmm?"

"That is…for her to recover from the blow she received. To have the pain and suffering be taken away from her." I muttered and in my mind flashed the image of her, writhing in pain, her brows creased as she continues to struggle for her life. It was horrifying and mortifying.

"I accept abstract things in return." The witch said. "Abstract…things?" I repeated. "Yes. Things like…love, memories, feelings, luck. As long as it will be of equal value with the wish, then I accept it." She told me.

I don't have any other thing to offer her. Not a single coin. Not a single pebble to bargain with her.

But I have…

"Take my feelings for her, if you see it a proper enough price for my wish." I declared. She shot me a look and her back straightened. "You and I both know why I chose that of all things. Stop giving me that look and grant my wish." I demanded.

She still looked at me for a few breaths before closing her eyes and nodding softly. "Your wish…has been granted." She remarked and rose from her sitting position. "You will now be able to return to your world. Please be advised that you may not tell any soul about this bargain or else…the effects will be void and she will practically be back to her sickened state. As for you," she stopped.

"Yes?"

"The moment you step back to your own grounds, the conditions will automatically apply." She said before turning her back to retreat to where she came from. "A portal will appear behind you. It will take you back and be rest assured that it is a safe passage." She said and I heard the sound of something like a gathering of a breeze behind me. Soon, I felt an eerie chill on my back.

"Ichihara-san," I called just before she really disappears. She half turned to me, her red eyes gleaming. "If it is alright with you…may I add something?" I braved to ask. She stopped for a moment before fully turning to me. Her face held a marbled expression and her chin was held up. "You dared." Her voice was lowered. "I have more options to offer. And I am willing to lose them." I responded.

A smirk appeared on her face. It sent chills to me.