Chapter 2: The Only One I Need
Written by Shizza24
Note: This story is co-authored by a group of writers and we take turns in writing each chapter. So please forgive us for any grammatical or structural inconsistencies. The story is set around chapter 75-ish.
Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino.
It was a moonless night, blanketing the entire city in its deadly black cloak. In a dimly lit street surrounded by multi-story apartments, two figures silently hurried into the darkness. Zero unlocked the door of his apartment and stepped inside, quickly closing it behind a pale, dark-haired girl who had followed him in. walking on ahead, he switched on the lights to reveal a small room with an inbuilt kitchen and an attached bathroom. So this is where Zero lives… Yuuki had always been curious to see this place. The walls were painted in a dull white and even the blue curtains covering the wooden window on the corner wall had a pale tint to them. A single bed, neatly made and covered in white sheets and pillow, stood at one corner of the room beside a small wooden bedside table with nothing but an alarm clock and a lamp on it. On the other corner of the room was a wooden study table with books neatly stacked and a chair placed in front of it. The air was filled with a heavy scent of gunpowder from Bloody Rose, yet mixed with another sweet, nostalgic scent. Despite it being her first time in this place, it already felt very familiar.
Zero was already opening the cupboard and drawers, rummaging through every corner in the room, gathering whatever things he would need. When picking up his blood tablets from his drawer on the desk, his glance went to a piece of paper he hadn't noticed was there before. He picked up what seemed to be a letter, and quickly opened it to scan the contents. It was a message from Kaein Cross.
Dear Kiryu-kun,
If you are reading this letter then you can safely assume that I am no longer in a position to lead the Association anymore and have either fled somewhere for dear life or already been hunted down and killed. I had asked Kaito-san to deliver this to you in case that happened.
Kiryu-kun, the hunter association recently received a message from Kaname Kuran which stated his cutting all ties with the association and peaceful co-existence. In other words, it was an open declaration of war. After targeting prominent purebloods, Kaname stated that he would be going after the figure heads of the Association next. The fact that you are reading this letter means that I failed in stopping him and that you are probably the next on his list. The Association has also prepared itself for war and is targeting all the vampires that might pose a threat. You would probably have received an order to kill Yuuki by now. Kiryu-kun, as the former president of the Association as well as your guardian, I am ordering you to disobey that assignment. You and Yuuki are the only hope for both vampires as well as hunters to put an end to this bloodshed. So for now I don't want either of you to involve yourselves in any reckless activities. Your and Yuuki's survival is of utmost priority. Kiryu-kun, I suggest you take Yuuki and temporarily go into hiding.
Even though you were to be the one to lead the Association after me, I think it's best to step aside from it for now because it is too dangerous for you to take up the position. Yagari-san and Kaito-san will be working with you from inside the Association so turn to them in case your situation gets out of hand. That said, do not trust anyone else. The Association and the Vampires are preparing themselves for war and we have to do everything in our power to stop it. I am sorry for abandoning you in such a crucial time Kiryu-kun, but from here on out, you and Yuuki are on your own and I trust you to protect my daughter and yourself. Take good care.
Kaien Cross.
What the hell is going on? That bastard Kuran has definitely gone nuts! The events of the day had left Zero's mind bewildered with thoughts. His moonstone lavender eyes were colored in confusion and anticipation. A sweet scent made him realize that Yuuki was now right beside him, reading the contents of the letter, her expression one of utter shock and betrayal. She looked up at him, her deep brown eyes reflecting an ocean of worry and distress.
"Zero… I don't understand…" she was holding her head with both her hands now. "What is going on?"
"I don't know for sure either Yuuki, but we need to get out of here now" Zero replied, putting his bag on his shoulder and walking towards the exit. He knew someone was outside even before opening the door. Zero flung the door open, his gun pointing straight out. Beside him, Yuuki was now holding her Atremis as well, the weapon now transformed into a rod. It was Ryuuki Okamura, a tall dark haired man who belonged to the Okamura family, one of the few prominent hunter clans out there. Ryuuki was leaning casually against his motor bike, parked right in front of the apartment; his own weapon a chain scythe, was resting in his hand and ready to combat. "So the Association was right after all" he hissed, "You indeed are a traitor, Zero Kiryu. You realize the punishment of this crime don't you? I have been sent with orders to eliminate both you and Kuran."
Before Zero could reply, Okamura had already made his move, a very frightened and confused Yuuki clenched in his iron grip. Zero too had a small gun out now, one that wasn't just meant only to harm vampires. In a split second Zero was standing right next to Ryuuki. He slammed his knee into the hunter's jaw and pulled Yuuki away from him, firing a shot at the hunter while he jumped back, Yuuki close to him. Ryuuki slammed into the lamp post nearby. Pushing Yuuki to a side, Zero moved towards the hunter who, though shot in his left shoulder, was now on his feet. The blood from his wound was almost invisible on his black coat but the stench emanating from it was sharp and rich.
Ryuuki flung his scythe at Zero who bent backwards, feeling the weapon's razor sharp edge swish past his nose. He kicked Ryuuki in his stomach sending him crashing into the street. Ryuuki got back up and launched himself onto Zero, swinging his left arm, attempting to get Zero with his chain scythe. Zero dodged his attack and fired straight in his leg, giving Ryuuki a taste of his gun.
"Zero, this is our chance, we need to go!" Yuuki already had their bags in her hand. Zero grabbed her hand and they dashed past a wounded Okamura, kicking him back to the floor and running forward. As they were about to turn the corner, Zero's glance went to the dark motor bike parked outside his place. He made a sharp turn, Yuuki's hand still in his firm grip, and ran straight towards it. The key was luckily still on the bike. What a reckless fool.
"Zero! What are you doing?" A flustered voice called him from behind.
"Get on you idiot! We don't have time for this!" Zero had already started the bike and after a moment's hesitation, Yuuki jumped on to it as well just as he raced it to full speed and they vanished into the streets.
Yuuki's heart was pounding with the night's events and her mind was a quandary of emotions. Where is Chairman Cross? Is he even alive? Why is Kaname doing all this? Seems like he really did abandon me to persue his goal... She felt a sudden jerk as Zero sped up the bike to full speed. "Hey watch it Zero! You're going too fast!" she cried, trying to maintain her balance.
"If you're afraid of falling then just hold on tighter stupid." Zero called back, his voice overshadowed by the wind blowing in her ears and sending their hair flying in all directions. Yuuki felt heat rising up her cheeks as she let go of Zero's coat to wrap her arms around his waist, gradually tightening her grip as her face pressed against his broad back; she took in a deep breath, inhaling the addictive scent in his moonlit silver hair, a sweet nostalgia that calmed her mind.
That's right... Zero is with me. No matter what happens he'll always be there... And as long as Zero is here I have nothing to worry about..
She had come to accept her feelings for Zero the moment she had left him. She had known from day 1 that her relationship with Kaname wouldn't work out... not even after she sealed her heart and her attachment to Zero away... because she had sealed her heart away. There was no point in keeping that heart when all it had was thoughts of Zero. As Yuuki tightened her grip even more, she knew that even if they were fugitives running for their lives, it was still better than living in that mansion... Because all she needed was the man in her arms, and the rest of the world meant nothing in comparison. She had no idea where there were headed, or what they would do next.. but it will be okay... because Zero is with me
~oOo~
