A/N: I can't thank those enough, for what help they've given so generously. Thanks to you, especially FabulousGeorgina. Without who, this wouldn't have been nearly as good.
Dedicated to: Theo best guy friend anyone could ask for!
DISLAIMER: It's sad, yes. But I don't own Vampire Knight. Not even a smidge. ='[
Ch 2:Jasmine Flowers
Yumiko returned that night finding Zero upright in his bed, his head angled back, looking at the ceiling. His silver hair fell loosely over his lavender eyes, hiding them from sight. Zero's recovery was going well, the infection luckily, hadn't set and wasn't in his system. The medication he was taking cleared it up, almost immediately.
Yumi closed the door, slightly louder than she would have normally, to announce her presence. She swung her black bag over her left shoulder, placing it against the wall. Finally Yumi took a seat next to the silver haired teen. Why does he look so worried, was the first thought that came to her head.
It was true. Within the edges of Zero's enchanting eyes was worry-- it cast a strange shadow over his face.
Yumi inhaled and exhaled rather slowly-- her aquamarine eyes staring at Zero. He raised his head, their gazes meeting.
"What's wrong?" Yumi asked in a flat voice.
Zero didn't respond but continued to look at her as if she hadn't said anything. His voice just above a whisper, he spoke.
"Blood for blood." The memory of why this curse would be placed on Yumiko was still fresh in his mind.
Chained to the glowing green wall by iron shackles Zero suffered. All he saw was the glowing of crimson flooding his iris's as he transformed, brutally into a Level E. The lust for blood attacked his heart, having him lunge at his sensei and the Chairman who were standing before him, they looked at him pitifully.
The shackles around Zero's wrists held him back causing him to fall painfully against the cement wall, panting with every intake of breath.
"Kill me," he said his voice raspy and broken. Hadn't he suffered enough? From the corner of his red eyes, he saw his sensei begin to draw his gun. An echoing clang filled the deserted, eerie chamber and the Chairman and Yagari Touga, rushed to where they believed the scene was.
As soon as they sped around the corner, Kaname stepped from the shadows. The haunting green glow from the wall behind Zero reflected on his serious face.
The last Zero could really educe was when Kaname forced Zero's head near the crook of his neck. Biting into the blood filled veins of the pureblood, Zero felt immediate relief. But, he felt more like a monster than before, relying on the crimson liquid of his enemy. 'What have I become?' Was his last thought.
Yumi understood immediately, blood for blood was an old vampire contract. Her parents, like Zero's were vampire hunters so she had been taught about this agreement between vampires when she was young—her Yagari had been the one to explain it to her.
When someone you knew, and were close to, drank the blood of a pureblood; the blood had to be, in a sense, repaid. In other words, Kuran Kaname was going to bite someone, someone who was close to the Ex- Human and take their blood to replenish his own. Yumi sighed mentally, although it wasn't in her nature she had to find some way to comfort Zero.
"Don't worry about that right now," she said bluntly.
"But what if it's you or Yuuki?!" He suddenly exclaimed, protesting her nonchalant attitude to the dire situation. "One of you...would become like me."
"Zero, I don't want you to think about that right now, so shush." I wish he'd stop worrying. His energy needs to be focused on healing, rather than anything else. She thought as she took out the familiar pink bottle.
While Yumi was occupied cleaning Zero's wound, his mind was furiously at work. There has to be a loophole. He thought desperately. There was no way that he would allow Yumi or Yuuki to be bitten. It was just four days ago that I drank Kuran's blood to stop myself from becoming a complete Level E. Two days ago I had gotten into a fight with him, in the Night Dorm. He said I was bound to him since I drank his blood, and the thought, I remember, disgusted me. And now… two people, it's his choice out of Yumi and Yuuki. Those are the only people anyone would consider me to be close with. But he's too fond of Yuuki bite her. It's going to be Yumiko. Zero looked at the girl beside him.
Her dark silver locks reached the middle of her back, passing her shoulders, but staying well above her elbows. She sat at the edge of the bed, staring, and her mind looked deep in thought.
Soon the glowing crescent moon shone through Zero's pale window curtains. He and Yumi had a lot to talk about, to catch up on, but neither felt the need to speak. Silence rested between them.
"Zero," Yumi began after many moments of silence. Her eyes were determinedly focused on the white linen sheets. Furious and far from few questions were buzzing in Yumi's head, none of them making it past her full rose pink lips.
Would you hate me if I became a vampire? Is it painful? What will happen? Is it quick? Will I still be able to become a vampire hunter? Will I be transferred to the Night Class? Will a lot of people know about this? Why do I feel so… shaken at the thought?
It was then that Yumi brought her intriguing eyes to meet Zero's; he gave her look, wanting her to continue. "Never mind." She said, averting her gaze. Zero sighed mentally. Ichiru, the third in their group, was the only one who had bothered to share his own deep thoughts and feelings.
"But the thought, doesn't it scare you?" Asked ten year old Ichiru. "They're really vicious, vampires. But don't you think some would be nice?" He added curiously, brushing his silver hair out of his eyes.
Yumi and Zero shrugged, staring blankly out of boredom at the off white carpet of Yumi's bedroom.
"It's so confusing, having to choose a side. On one hand, vampires are evil, blood-sucking beasts. But on the other, some could be kind of…I don't know. Lost in this world? Yumi, what do you think?"
"Um…" Her eyes darkened in thoughtfulness. She stayed silent for a while, noticing that Ichiru was still waiting for an answer, she finally spoke. "I don't think vampires can be good. Their form is merely a mask, shielding them, hiding behind the human race." She finished, her voice ringing with a bitter edge.
"I agree with Yumi," Zero said immediately.
"Of course you would! You two agree on everything, but do we have to hunt them all down?" He pressed, turning to his best friend.
"I think we do," Yumi replied bluntly.
It was dark; all Yumi heard was the soft breathing from Zero's slumber.
Kuran Kaname made his way to the dorm room, dead leaves crunched beneath his feet. He hated biting people. He was against creating Ex-Humans; that was his deranged Uncle's dream: Kuran Rido.
Yumi paced patiently-- consumed in thought-- from one side to the other, careful not to wake Zero as she did so. She stopped abruptly, finding herself merely inches from Kaname's broad shoulder, suddenly appearing in the darkness. Yumi held down a gasp, meeting his crimson gaze with her signature strong glare. Under the small skirt of her uniform Yumi drew two knives, each reaching the length of just above her elbow. The blades were sharpened to perfection, gleaming radiantly in the moonlight shining through the closed curtains. A sapphire jewel separated the long blade from the shorter hilt. Along the blade of the knife that was held in her right hand the name was engraved in elegant writing: Immortal.
She stayed absolutely still, waiting for Kaname to make the first move. With amazing speed Kaname knocked the knives out of her hands. No one's disarmed me before; even a high class vampire couldn't unarm me! The metal clanged loudly against the hardwood floors, waking Zero.
"Kuran," he spat as he jumped out of his bed, snatching Bloody Rose from his bedside table. He couldn't attack Kuran, as much as he would like to because he knew why the pureblood was here. And it was a magical contract that prevented Zero from killing him. Kaname's blood ran within his veins, still fresh and separate from his own. And although he hated that very thought, he couldn't kill the pureblood that saved him from destruction.
"I'm sorry Yumiko-san; it's not up to me. It's just the way things are done." Kaname said in a sad tone so she could understand his situation.
Zero watched helplessly from the sidelines. He couldn't interfere. She was your best friend, screw the contract. Thought Zero. Contradicting himself; he thought angrily. Why can't I, just kill him!? I can't touch the pureblood that saved me, I can't physically attack him.
Zero's teeth gritted together as his jaw locked into place. Zero, frustrated with himself, continued to watch the horror scene.
Kaname grasped her, firm around her shoulders. But she was determined; Yumi struggled and tried to drive her body in the opposite way, to separate her from the pureblood. Kuran's grip slid to her waist, becoming much tighter. Yumi couldn't move. Kaname's fangs brushed against the surface of her neck, sinking shallowly into her soft porcelain skin.
What is this? Thought Kaname as blood tricked its way into his dry mouth. This taste, is so sweet and yet not sickeningly so. Her scent is intoxicating, matching the scent of jasmine flowers and roses. Kaname drove his fangs deeper into her neck, increasing the flow of the crimson liquid. Her blood, it's so desirable. It's ... TOO MUCH!
At that very moment Kaname tore his fangs violently from her neck when he realized Yumi was becoming weaker within his grasp. With what strength she possessed, Yumi separated herself from him listlessly. Her hand rose to her neck. She lumbered backwards, glaring with hurt, angry and weak eyes. Her legs couldn't support her any longer, and she fell. Zero caught her with his arm, cradling her gently. His eyes were wide at the bloody mess. Speechless, he continued to stare down at Yumi, who was left bordering on the state of unconsciousness and bleeding in his arms.
Blood dripped onto Zero's sleeve and Yumi's silver locks. Zero inhaled the tempting aroma and glared angrily at Kaname, waiting for him to speak.
"Kiryu," Kaname's voice was suddenly dry and cracking slightly at the sight of the injured woman, an unfamiliar sensation stung behind his eyelids. This was torture in his eyes, Yumi wincing in the pain of her transformation made his decision quick and easy.
Kaname suddenly dragged his fang over his wrist and, kneeling by Yumiko, he held his wrist by her mouth. Her lack of strength forced Kaname to slip a couple of drops into her open mouth and down her burning throat.
Kaname felt satisfied, that he'd eased her pain as he watched her eyes close into unconsciousness. "Kiryu," he continued. "Our debt is settled." Zero's cold glare remained in place as he carried Yumi to the bed in his arms, only slightly nodding to acknowledge the great sacrifice that had been made on Yumi's behalf.
The pureblood exited the Sun Dorms silently.
Kaname listened to the subtle breeze tossing teasingly about his dark hair. The crisp cold air whipped at his face and made dead leaves scurry about the ground, as he made his way back to class, the taste of Yumiko's blood fresh upon the tip of his tongue.
