Next chappie people~! Thank-you all soooo much for reviewing! You made my day. Multiple days in fact.
My performance went great, thanks to all the people who wished me luck!
Warning to kiddies and newbs: This is going to be Yaoi. EVENTUALLY. You've got the green light on this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight. I don't even want to. Just thinking about how bad the art would be makes me shudder. Anywhoo - onwards!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Zero couldn't help feeling somewhat melancholy as he stood on the landing in front of his room, knowing that … well, it wasn't his room anymore. Ok, so his room hadn't been the most expressive of places to begin with. The prefect never really felt the need to decorate. Even now, as he looked back in through the doorway at the creaky metal framed bed and washing basin by the wall, he felt as though the room thought he was just going on holidays and waiting for his safe return, hoping…. Kiryuu, what the hell - rooms don't think. Zero gave his head a shake, trying to force his mind to behave. It wasn't a big deal, the changing rooms. He should really be focusing on other, more important matters like... vampires.
Speaking of vampires…
Stupid, stupid evil Kuran, messing with his life like this. He never caught a break. Kuran was always there to put a spanner in the works. Zero did not fancy being surrounded by blood-deprived vampires all day, as would shortly be the case with his moving to the Moon dorm. He snorted sarcastically – as if Kuran cared about how he felt. There had been a time, when Zero was younger, when he would have given the world to have the pureblood care. But that time was long gone. He'd made sure to put a hell of a distance between them. Emotionally, physically … socially. Zero snorted. Now, it was likely the pureblood was sitting in some plush chair with his fingertips pressed together, smirking and thinking happily about Zero's distress. Wait, distress? Zero caught himself too late. No, no… it's not that bad. I can deal with this just fine.
He forced himself to take a few deep breaths and concentrate on actions. Zero stepped out of the doorway, and the heavy oak swung forward to shut with a final click. Taking the handle of his suitcase he began to wheel it down the corridor, noticing the doors opening quietly behind him, as his classmates peeked out to watch him go. The stares were a little uncomfortable, but he couldn't muster the indignant anger he needed to give a proper glare, so he let it go. Stupid mood I've managed to put myself in. All…soppy.
Zero walked outside and winced, instantly noticing the red orange sunlight as his eyeballs practically screamed in protest, hating the sudden brightness. His mood mellowed further – really, Kuran and the Chairman were right to instigate his moving, he mused. By all appearances and reactions, he was a vampire. The sun was too bright. Why does that sound stupid? He knew his senses had really shut down when he suddenly noticed Yuuki walking alongside him. He glanced down at her face, noticing how pale and drawn she looked in the fading light. Zero knew she was stressing about his changing to the Moon dorms – she'd been sticking closer to him than ever these past weeks, as if to tell him she'd miss him. Her usual bubbly self seemed to have been subdued. Was she sleeping ok? Was she eating? A pang of guilt speared his chest. Why, why was it always Yuuki who ended up worried and hurt? Kuran's fault, his mind noted dryly.
"Yuuki, its dinner time. You know the chairman will cry if you skip a meal." Ok, ok. So that was a total swerve around anything remotely concerning current situations. He watched as she glanced up at him, giving a small quavering smile.
"How about if I'm just a little late? He'll understand…today…." Her voice died off as she dropped her head staring off to the left.
Zero felt another stab of guilt. He brought the suitcase to an abrupt skidding halt. "Yuuki, I'm fine. You don't need to walk me up to the front door. In fact I'd rather you didn't. You look tired. Go eat, and then go to bed. Stop worrying about me."
Yuuki teared up- she couldn't help it. Zero wasn't the most expressive or …um, emotive guy on campus, but she knew he had a caring heart and she'd miss him. They'd been like siblings the last few years. She cleared her throat, hoping desperately that her voice didn't crack. "Alright then Zero. I'll watch from here."
Zero nodded his approval and turned back to the path. Yuuki's head snapped up. "Zero! This changes nothing! D'you hear?! We're still friends and I'll still be here if you need me… always…" She looked up into his face, desperately searching for some kind of calmness. "Don't feel like it's you versus the world, ok? I'll take your side."
"Yuuki, you idiot. That just makes it two versus the world. We'd both die."
Yuuki found herself giggling slightly at his retreating back. At least his sarcastic humor was still up and running. "Bye then Zero! Cya soon!" She waved out of habit, knowing that unless he had eyes in the back of his head he wouldn't see her. Then she turned and headed back to the Chairman's quarters, hoping that whatever dinner he had concocted was not poisonous and, she prayed for an added bonus, edible.
With Yuuki no longer beside him, keeping him grounded to the present, Zero once again fell to musing. Moon dorms. Well, each room had its own private bathroom – that had to count for something didn't it? They had professional cooks, so the food would be better. And it wasn't like all the vampires hated him, Zero was pretty sure Takuma was fine with him. Maybe Shiki too – he didn't really know. Shiki didn't talk much. And as for Kuran… well, that was dangerous ground. Making friends had been hard when he'd first come to Cross Academy, but seriously- the people close to him, who had been his comfort and safety, had just been murdered, for god's sake! What did people expect? To see him skipping around the school, eyes sparkling with happiness, laughing and generally being a jolly 11 year old? Not likely. Contrary to popular belief, Zero had a heart.
He sighed. If he continued to act like the snarling angsty prefect the night class was familiar with, he'd be spending all his time alone. All of his time. Despite Yuuki's reassurance, Zero knew she wouldn't be there every time he needed someone to talk with. And he didn't want that anyway. She had a life to get on with. No Yuuki to help him out this time. He pursed his lips, thinking. Well, the Night class didn't really know him at all. Living with them should cure that, in time. He just had to relax a bit. No more glaring Kiryuu, he told himself sternly. Giving himself orders always worked well. It was probably Yagari's influence. Following orders was how he'd learnt as a boy. Follow the order – live. Disregard the order – die. The process was very simple. He'd learnt very fast. There was that one time…
A trilling chirp to his left pulled him out of his trip on memory lane. On a tree limb, close enough to touch, were two little sparrows, flitting around each other playfully. Zero could tell instantly the pair were very young- he'd always had a thing with birds. He reached out gently, letting them notice his interest and intentions. They shied away initially, but he hummed lightly, hoping to entice their curiosity. Birds were always curious. The sparrows resumed their play, occasionally darting onto his outstretched arm. Zero gazed at them, letting his eyes mist over a little. Whenever Zero was around birds he almost felt like there was nothing else in the world. The way they moved, and their colors… Ichiru had been so envious, so awestruck, the first time he'd seen Zero playing with wild finches one autumn morning. Zero felt his lips tug up as he let himself live in the memory of warmer, more innocent times.
Zero dropped his arm and dragged his eyes back to the path. Well. That innocence was long gone. Innocence meant ignorance and inexperience. It meant dependence on other, more capable people. Zero wasn't innocent. He was doing all of this himself, not that he enjoyed any of it. He didn't like changing dorms, or changing himself. More like revealing yourself. He took some more deep breaths, tasting in the air what was left of Yuuki's sweet scent. It was comforting, and gave him the courage to look up at the building now looming above him.
The Moon dorms always had an imposing look about them, but it seemed to Zero that the setting sun and long shadows accentuated its character. He stared up at it for a second, nervous, and fleetingly considering just turning around and going back to his old room. Zero wasn't a jumpy person by nature, but being a Vampire Hunter involved a lot of unpleasant surprises. Training gave you fast reflexes, but being prepared for anything was pretty much impossible. He forced himself to step forward, inspecting the place closely. Why are there no lights? Zero was just about to move back, suspicions well and truly raised, when the foyer light suddenly glowed bright. He relaxed, feeling relieved, and suddenly he realized – Duh. No lights – vampires sleep during the day. Zero shook his head, wondering what his Sensei would have said if he had backed out – because there were no lights on. Picturing the response, he winced, deciding instantly that the moment was never to reach Yagari's ears.
Light flooded the landing and Zero looked up as heavy double doors swung open. A crowd of curious eyes greeted him, some curious about himself, some curious out of boredom, some curious about their newest, and least liked, member. The prefect felt the urge stick his arms out and pivot a few times, just to see the reaction and let them know the stares were obvious. He crushed the urge.
A light voice sounded right in front of him. "Zero~! Welcome to the Moon dorms. Come in!" Takuma's smile was genuine as he broke the somewhat uncomfortable silence.
Zero nodded, not meeting his eyes as he stepped into the warmth of the dorm. He managed not to give off his usual hostile vibe, hoping not to antagonize any vampires. Or maybe just Aido he corrected as the frosty blond noble stepped forward. He forced his head up, chin raised to meet whatever pointed bard Aido was surely about to spit. He froze momentarily at the look in Aido's eyes.
Aido couldn't help moving forward. He had to check. From the window it had looked like it was Kiryuu out there smiling, but that just couldn't be right. Kiryuu didn't know how to smile. Everyone knew that. Aido let himself openly scrutinize the prefect. Silver hair, lilac eyes, ear piercings and tattoo - it was certainly Kiryuu standing in front of him. He smells nice. Like …citrus. Aido stared straight into Kiryuu's eyes, looking for some of the happiness he'd glimpsed earlier.
Zero was confused by the lack of hostility in the noble's gaze. He couldn't remember a time they hadn't glared at each other or exchanged biting words and yet there they were – silent and …well, almost polite, for the whole night class to see. It looked kinda like Aido was just … ogling him. Staring. Like day class girls. Zero was acutely aware of the attention they were getting, and shifted his body weight back onto his left foot, hoping the movement would break Aido's unwavering concentration on his face.
"Aido you are being somewhat rude. Step back a little." Everyone jumped as the soft voice sounded from the top of the stairs. Zero wondered how he'd failed to notice Kuran's absence.
Aido took swift steps back, almost tripping in his haste to obey. Zero heard the murmured apology, but somehow couldn't bring himself to look at the contrite noble. Kaname's eyes remained fixed on Aido, examining him closely as he descended smoothly down the stairs. Zero felt his senses flair, automatically reacting to the pureblood's proximity. For a second, Zero could almost feel Kuran's blood pump around his body as his heart beat strong and healthy in his chest. He could also smell fruity shampoo and water still clinging to the pureblood. Kuran had obviously showered. How nice to know. Zero thought sarcastically, mentally cursing his body for being so out of control. How was it fair that Kuran could mess with his life without even knowing it? He glared up at Kuran, then remembered his self-inflicted order, and softened the gaze.
At just that moment, Kaname raised his head and let his eyes snap across to Zero. Zero felt his body jam up for the second time that night. This time however, it was not fear or surprise which rushed through him. Kaname's eyes were a beautiful muted auburn. Autumn Colours he thought dazedly. As he looked into Kaname's eyes, he felt like the little perfect child he'd been years ago. The boy who would have let his eyes light up at Kaname's arrival. The boy who would have smiled so brightly, who would have been so happy to see him. The boy who would have rushed forward to catch the pureblood in a crushing hug, filled with warmth and tenderness. The sensation left him reeling and very dry around the mouth. Stupid, Stupid – he told himself, still unable to tear his gaze away from Kuran's.
"Kiryuu-kun. Welcome to the Moon dorm."
____________________________________________________________________________________
How was that?? *bounces in seat excitedly* You guys are awesome motivators~! I wish i could say the same for school teachers.....
Please let me know if there are spelling/grammar mistakes in there. I wrote fairly fast, and i haven't got a beta, whatever the hell that is. *hunts for the unknown object*
Reviews are always welcome~! The longer the better, but no pressure or anything!
