~Postlude~

Author:

Danaeyl Panthernopaeus.

It was refreshing.

I stared at the front of the class but I saw nothing and heard the same. I was in my own world again. It had been three days since that incident with the girl. Kaname had given me a stern warning about keeping myself under control and while I knew how important that was; I just nodded and walked away from him. I didn't need to be told something I already knew and I knew I wasn't like the other vampires. I wasn't one that was used to affection from anyone. I guess I would have to make that known at some point, just so it would aid me a little in my defence. I didn't know why I bothered, half the time.

Lightning streaked through the night sky and I blinked at the sudden flash. It made the water droplets on the window cast eerie shadows on the opposite wall. Everyone looked at the window when there was a noise. I was slightly grateful to know they were all staring at the owl that was hovering there. It swooped around outside, almost like it was beckoning me out and I wasn't going to disappoint it. I ran from the classroom. The teacher could write me up if he wanted to. I was beyond caring what my grades were going to be like. If anything, I was certain that I had failed all my lessons. I left the school building and the owl was waiting for me. It hooted at me and I held a hand out. The bird hopped on it and with my spare hand, I gently stroked the silky feathers that were soaked. Maybe I wasn't as insane as I originally thought. That had to be a good sign. Right?

In my mind, I asked it stay with me, even if Kaname was to appear. It hooted at me again and the small smile ghosted over my lips. The owl walked up my arm and perched itself on my shoulder. I sat down and watched the way the lightning streaked through the clouds, illuminating them and showing their darkness for a few seconds. It felt good to get out of the class. To get away from the vampires and enjoy the sweet scent of the rain, instead of the sweet scent of the blood that was flowing through the bodies. My resolute was dwindling and I knew I had to find a way to feed myself before I snapped. But maybe snapping and attacking an innocent would be the perfect way to end my life. They would have to punish me, if not kill me, for doing that. I couldn't bring myself to do it, though. At least, no consciously.

The owl playfully pecked at the earrings that I was forced to wear. Before I could stop myself, I fully smiled and petted it. It left the earrings alone and went about grooming. I watched it for a few minutes, marvelling at the way its body flexed to reach every single feather. It was calming to be sitting in front of the school doors, with a storm happening and an owl perched on my shoulder. It reminding me of when my pigeons would flock to me and almost nest themselves on whatever they could. They were the only things I had that gave me a reason to not kill myself. Now I had no reason but there was something from stopping me. I couldn't think of a damn thing, to be honest. I had nothing at the Hikari house. I had nothing at that school. I had no friends that would miss me, minus an owl. I had no family that would mourn my passing. And yet, I still couldn't bring myself to be that cowardly that I would take my own life. I guess it was the pureblood pride that was in my blood.

I blinked when Yuuki came walking up to the school building. She grinned at me from under the umbrella and informed me that the headmaster wanted to see me. It had been three days so I doubt it was about that time that I had almost killed a student. In a way, I guessed that I had a lot that I owed to Kaname. He always seemed to be around when my insanity was going to get the better of me. When that dark voice in the back of my mind would almost win at controlling me. I got to my feet and nodded at the girl. She gazed at the owl curiously and I shrugged the shoulder it wasn't perched on. I had no idea why it had taken a liking to me. It could be the same reason why Lily had taken a liking to Zero and no one else. She nervously said that the chairman might not let the bird into his office. I inclined my head. I would get the animal to wait for me outside, then. I didn't have a problem with that and I don't it did, either. I needed to find out its gender and give it a name. The owl hooted approvingly and together we walked with Yuuki. She said it was another check up and I rolled my eyes.

A small gasp left my lips, which was lost in a clap of thunder as I heard Yuuki's pulse over the storm. I stopped walking and it took a few seconds for Yuuki to realise that I wasn't beside her anymore. I stared at the pooling water, not wanting to look at her. I couldn't look at her. I would do something that was completely stupid if I did. She stepped towards me and the owl beat its wings at her. My eyes started to go in and out of focus. The pain was becoming a little unbearable and I had to run away. I had to get away from her. I felt my fangs grow and the owl screeched. My head snapped up when there was a hand on my shoulder. I knew who it belonged to.

Kaname told Yuuki to continue with her duties while he took me to see the headmaster. Yuuki looked undecided but eventually nodded and went off ahead of us. What the hell was I going to do? Starving myself was nothing like when I was starved by my family. Of course it wasn't. I had been chained up in a dungeon and I had no contact with anything that had a pulse. I couldn't see the chairman in that state. I would probably try to drain him in an instant. The owl hooted quietly in my ear as I tried to figure out what I could do. There wasn't anything I could do. My situation was hopeless but I was stronger than my bloodlust. I continued on to the chairman's office. Kaname was beside me. For once, I was actually comfortable around the other pureblood. His powerful aura kept me under control. I was a little surprised that Kaname had walked out into that weather without any protection but I assumed that making sure Yuuki was safe was more important than how wet he got.

We stopped outside the building for a moment as I watched the owl perch itself on a branch of a tree. Kaname asked me if I knew what breed it was and I nodded. Of course I knew what breed it was. I had only ever seen pictures of the Great Horned Owl but I would recognise them anywhere. I always found them to be such a beautiful bird and they were. We walked up to the building and I tried to wring out as much water as possible from my hair. I pushed my fringe back, glancing at Kaname. I never noticed the hint of sadness that always seemed to be lining them before and I found that I couldn't looked away from him. I gazed back coolly as he turned his attention to me. He said I had beautiful eyes and I glared. What did he know? My eyes were anything but beautiful. They were hideous. Disgusting. No one wanted to look into them because they were the eyes of a predator. The eyes of a demon and a killer. They lured prey in easily and I knew that because I had tried it. I could murder my entire family with my eyes.

I opened the door and froze. My eyes widened behind my fringe as I caught a scent. It was the smell of Hikari blood and I was so certain I would never have to smell that again. My 'father' was there and it would explain the unusual check up time. My heart pounded in my chest and I gripped the door tightly enough for it to begin splintering in my grasp. I didn't want to see that man. What was he doing there? I had no idea and I had no intention of finding out, either. Still, I couldn't leave because Yuuki was wandering around the grounds and I didn't want to run the risk of hunting her. I collected myself and stepped into the building and went to the headmaster's office, knocking. I was granted entry and glared at the man that was my 'father'. He smiled at me and everyone in the room knew that it was false. I don't know why he bothered.

My 'father' asked to speak to me alone and Kaien nodded, him and Kaname leaving the room. They didn't go too far in case they were needed. The man got to his feet, his smile gone and he was gazing at me with amused blue eyes that I wished I had inherited. He asked me questions and got no reply. He slapped me and I still refused. He changed from an open hand to a closed fist. The force behind the punch was enough to knock me to the floor. I just picked myself up and brushed off my uniform. He forced my head up and I gazed at the blood pack he held hungrily. He smirked. It was the same curve of the lips that he displayed when he saw what I had done to my pets. Cruel and taunting. He was going to make me do whatever he wanted for it.

My body trembled from the suppressed hunger and my eyes followed the pack as he tossed it onto the headmaster's desk. I wasn't foolish enough to make a grab for it. I didn't have the strength to fight my 'father'. I forced myself to look into his eyes, which had narrowed slightly. Was I that desperate for blood that I would allow my father to abuse me? Yes, I was. I closed my eyes, giving him silent permission to continue. I flinched inwardly as he took hold of my left hand and moved the jacket and shirt sleeve up. He moved the bracelet to hang over my hand and sank his fangs into the vein. I hissed as he inflicted as much pain as possible. I didn't know why he wanted to drink my blood. The same fluid ran through his body but he had once said that mine was sweeter because I was pure. I hadn't given in to any urgers. That thought made me feel sick but I had to deal with it. I had to for the blood that I would receive at the end of it.

My head started to swim as my blood was drained. I tried to pull my hand back but all that did was earn me a powerful right hook to my cheek. I forced back a cry of pain from both the assault and the way the fangs inflicted more damage. He let my wrist go. I didn't have to look at him to know he was smirking. I concentrated to healing the puncture wounds as I knew he didn't care if I bled out or not. With the wounds closed, I half-opened my eyes as he moved away. I forced myself not to collapse. The blood loss and the fact that I was starving wasn't helping my current situation. I made the sure the bracelet was on my wrist completely as he threw the blood pack at me. I caught it and greedily drank the contents. It wasn't going to be enough but at least it was something. He watched me with amusement. I didn't care how savage I appeared to be. I even ripped it open and licked the inside clean.

When the plastic looked new, he took it from me. I wasn't sure if the headmaster knew why my father had appeared randomly but I didn't care. My 'father' put destroyed plastic into his briefcase and gazed at me with hatred. He said he would be back next month and I snarled at him. I turned on my heel and left the office. Kaien called out to me and I ignored him. I had a friend that was waiting for me and I wasn't going to keep the owl waiting. I got outside and it was still raining heavily. I jumped into the tree that my friend was perched in and climbed up to the branch and picked the bird up, holding it close as though I could protect it and get something from it.

My hunger wasn't nearly quenched but it was enough to see me through another month, until that bastard showed up and did something else to me. My mind flashed back to Kaname's eyes and my brow creased slightly. That pureblood had definitely seen too much in his young life. He had been forced to witness events that no one should see. It must be the curse of being a pureblood, I decided. Other purebloods were either insane or locked away their emotions. I looked at the wet owl in my hands and thought of a name for it. I didn't care if it wasn't male or that it wasn't a barn owl. Its name would be Jareth. I knew that when I was around that owl I would be able to escape to a world where I could be as childish as I wanted. Jareth would help me discover who I was.

I placed Jareth on my shoulder and climbed down the tree. I looked up as Zero appeared and ordered me to get back to class. Jareth screeched at the boy and I calmed him with a pat. I walked past the prefect but I didn't go back to class. I didn't want to deal with the others and I wanted a little time to myself in the dorm before their presence would be around me. Plus Jareth needed somewhere warm to dry off and I didn't want him out in that weather. I guess it was strange that I had gotten so attached to the bird that I was certain would send me insane. It seemed that the owl was able to piece together my fragmented mind and I didn't feel as bad as I did whenever he was with me. I paused when I sensed that Zero was following me and I glanced over my shoulder. The way he said 'To class, vampire' made me raise an eyebrow. Just the word 'vampire' was spat like it was the poison from a snakebite he had just sucked out.

I turned to him and surprised myself when I said, "Your hatred towards me is pitiful compared to the hate I feel for myself." Zero frowned slightly with perplexity but then just glared. I turned and walked on to the Moon Dorms, knowing that he wouldn't follow me. My throat was aching from the thirst I was suppressing, from the scream three days and from talking just then. My voice sounded more coarse than sandpaper and I was astonished that I still had a voice. Jareth hooted quietly on my shoulder and I glanced at the bird. Truly a magnificent creature, I mused idly. I entered the dormitory and went to my room. I placed Jareth on the bedside chest and he shook the water from his feathers as I went over the easel and opened my brush box, staring at the blank paper. I picked up a large brush and hunted through my duffle bag for the colour I needed, trying to ignore the fact that I was drained – in more ways than one.

The next month was interesting, to say the least. Kaname appeared every night with a glass of that synthetic blood that my stomach just wouldn't contain. The dorm president hadn't said anything about Jareth, like I was expecting him to. He just glanced at the bird as I drank the liquid, wondering why in the fuck I couldn't get it to stay in my body. I was used to the vile taste of it but as soon as Kaname walked out of the room, I was vomiting out of the window. Jareth watched the routine and hooted sadly every time I was leaning out of the window.

The 'routine check up' the week my father appeared didn't go that well. I was sleeping beside the bed, as I always did and was woken by Jareth's screeching. I opened my eyes to see that Kaname was approaching me. I had managed to get my feet, only to collapse again. I needed more substance and I just knew that Kaname knew and that irritated me. The other pureblood regarded me and casually asked if I was okay. I nodded and pointed to the door. When he left, I petted the owl and changed. In my mind, I told Jareth to wait for my return and left the window open, in case he wanted to get out for a little bit and get himself something to eat. I trudged after Kaname. We had to pause a few times during the journey so I could rest. My throat was aching and all I could hear was the blood pumping through Kaname's veins. I had gripped the collar around my neck as it began constricting. There was that voice in the back of my mind that wasn't entirely mine again and I had given an animalistic growl at it. I thought it had been in my mind but I must've done it in reality because Kaname appeared in front of me and placed a hand around the collar. The heat stopped and I stared up at him. He told me I would be better off if I didn't act that way around the others. I had wanted to cry at that moment but I forced myself to nod instead and we continued on. The check up lasted twenty minutes and that was taken up by Headmaster Cross ranting about something.

After that, I began missing three nights of classes. Ichijou had approached my door but Kaname told him not to disturb me. I wasn't sleeping as nightmares plagued my subconscious. The walk to the headmaster's office took longer and longer, as I refused to rest. Kaname walked with me every time and I was kind of grateful for that. I knew he was only doing it make sure I didn't lose control and frankly, the thought never crossed my mind to hunt down the heartbeats that pounded in my ears and consumed most of my brain activity. I was constantly looking for ways to block it out and I was not going to stoop as low as attacking a defenceless human or one of the prefects. I was a fucking pureblood! My self-control was a lot better than even I gave myself credit for. When we finally did make it to the headmaster's office, I would collapse into a chair and think about some way to fight off the hunger that was becoming almost unbearable. Kaien knew what was happening to me. He often tried to get me to talk about it but I wouldn't pay much attention to him. Kaname never spoke a word during my 'check ups' but I could almost hear the wheels turning in his mind over the sound of the heartbeats.

The week before my 'father' was due to show up, I actually found myself talking. I was speaking to Jareth, quietly even though the dorms were empty. The owl hooted its responses and I would smile, sometimes even letting out a small chuckle. As soon as I knew that the other vampires would be returning, I stopped. Jareth almost seemed upset by the loss of my voice but I think he knew my reasons behind it. Sometimes, during the nights I had off, I would go for a walk as Jareth flew above me. I ran into Zero twice. He demanded to know why I wasn't in class and I would glare at him from behind my fringe and walk back the way I had come. I didn't have the energy to deal with his spiteful ways and I was pissed off at my body for not accepting the blood tablets. Zero and I had two things in common. The blood tablets and a deep-seated hatred for our own lives. Neither of us wanted to live the way we were but we knew we had no choice.

The week my 'father' was to make another appearance was the worst. I began hallucinating. I was forced to exert energy I couldn't afford to waste. I would pass out and wake up hours later with a shadow leaning over me, whispering into my ear. It murmured promises of making the pain go away. It was seducing, in a way. I fought against it, though. I wasn't going to give in to something as trivial as my hunger. I could go months without substance. But with it surrounding me almost all of the time, I found that my resolute would wear down to almost nothing. Jareth fled my room and I was glad he did. I didn't want to attack him and kill him, the way I had been forced to kill my pigeons. The night my 'father' did show up, I was almost killed. I had foolishly allowed myself to succumb to the weariness that clouded my mind and was woken by a hand on my shoulder. I thought it to be the shadow that had promised the impossible and lashed out at it. I opened my eyes to see Kuran Kaname kneeling in front of me. I had scratched him across the face and the scent of his blood…I passed out again. It was the only thing I could do. By forcing myself to not drink that fluid was too much. I wished that the darkness that surrounded me was death but I was still aware of my heartbeat before it all faded to nothing.

I awoke in Kaname's arms as he carried me to the chairman's office. I tried to get out of his arms but he just growled at me to stay where I was. I got the feeling he was still a little upset from the attack I had placed on him and in hindsight, he probably thought he was showing me a great kindness by not killing me. I doubted it, though. I got the feeling Kaname knew I wanted to die but at the same time, he was also aware that the attack was accidental. We arrived at the office and before going in, Kaname placed me on my feet then knocked. We were granted entry and I glared weakly at my 'father'. He smiled at me and got to his feet. I stepped into the room behind Kaname, who stood in the shadows after that. I did something I had never thought of doing in the past eleven years of my life – I removed the collar and attached myself to my 'father's' neck. My fangs pierced his skin and I greedily drank. I got three mouthfuls before I was forced off his body by the Kuran. My tongue darted around my lips, even though I knew there wasn't any blood on them. Was that what it felt like to be a Level E?

The insane bloodlust that was overbearing. And even though the blood I had tasted was disgusting and not as pure as it should've been, I needed more. My 'father' glared at me as the wound on his neck healed. I grinned back at him, somewhat psychotically. I lost that insane grin as I vomited up the blood I had just drunk. The word 'what' slipped from Kuran's mouth before he could stop it. My eyes widened. Now I couldn't even keep blood in my body? Or did I just too much too quickly? That didn't make sense! My body should've eaten it all up by then. There shouldn't have been anything in my stomach to come up but the three mouthfuls I had taken were now staining the chairman's floor. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I do anything right? Why did my body hate me so? I could tell that I wasn't the only one taken aback by what had happened. Kaien and Kaname didn't know what to think. My 'father' just smirked and asked Kaien and Kaname if they could give us some time alone. I silently begged them not to leave me alone with that monster but they nodded and exited the room.

When the door clicked closed, the smirk my 'father' wore got a way more sadistic curve to it. If not for the fact that I had already thrown up everything that was in my stomach, I would've just then. I felt the need to cry but I kept my emotions under control and glared at the man. He straightened the jacket and flicked his gold hair out of his royal blue eyes, which were hard but taunting. He was keeping something from; I could feel it. And it didn't help that he was taking great pleasure in drawing it out for as long as possible. I lowered my eyes to the bloody mess I had made and decided I should be the one to clean it. My head snapped when I realised that my 'father' was speaking and the words made the blood in my body run cold. He told me that he owned my body. I frowned as I thought about it. How was that even possible? I was my own person and there was no way I would willing give my body to him. He just stared at me and I wanted to murder him. For the first time in my pathetic existence I was never so glad to be the Hikari demon. I wanted to watch as the life left his eyes. I bit my bottom lip in thought. I wanted to erase the entire Hikari family. I wanted to leave no shred of proof they ever existed, just as they had done with me. Of course, Kaname knew I was real. I doubted there wasn't anything that boy didn't remember.

The man then proceeded to explain that he was going to feed me but because I had attacked him, I could forget it. I narrowed my eyes and wanted to ask what he meant about owning my body. He told me that he had control over it and that there was nothing I could do about it. He would forever have control over my body and could bend it to his every whim. Well, we'll just to see about that, won't we? I smirked at him and he got a gleam of worry to his eyes. Not bothering to pick up my collar, I turned on my heel and walked out of the room. The hunger didn't bother me as I held my head high and walked past Kaien and Kaname. The pureblood followed me and I looked over my shoulder at him. I gave him a smile and he raised an eyebrow. His eyes flickered to my naked throat and I didn't care about the scars that were on the pale flesh. I looked forward again and almost skipped to the dorms. If my father thought he could control me, he had another thing coming. I would find out how he was doing it and I would make him pay. I could feel Kaname's curiosity about what had been said to make me that way and I told him not to think too much about it. He stopped walking and I continued. I just had one small problem of figuring out how to feed myself so I could make the blood tablets have an actual effect on me.

I got back to my room and as I was about to close the door, Kaname appeared and said he wanted to speak to me. I blinked and stepped to the side. He asked me questions and I shifted. That wasn't 'speaking to someone'. What Kaname was doing was interrogating me. What happened in the room between my 'father' and me wasn't going to be re-spoken. I didn't want anything to think that that man had such a hold over me because he didn't. That hold he held was against my will and it was probably what instilled a lot of the fear I felt. I shrugged at his questions. I went to the easel and stared at the picture I had painted of Jareth flying over a giant castle. His large, gold eyes stared out at the viewer hauntingly and I was happy I had been able to capture that effect. I froze when Kaname asked me if I was hungry. I would've thought it had been obvious, considering he hadn't smelt any newer blood on me when I walked past him. I didn't want to know what he was getting at, so I just shook my head. I could fend for myself, literally. I was a grown boy with a new mission in life.

Jareth flew in through the open window and perched himself on my shoulder. A scent invaded my senses and I spun around, glaring at Kaname. I ordered him to get out. I wasn't Zero Kiryuu! I did not need his blood to survive. Jareth screeched at him and I blinked. Where were the other vampires? I had been so caught up in seeing my 'father' and feeding, then with finding out how he was controlling my body that I had failed to notice the dorms were empty. The only people in the buildings were me and Kaname – and Jareth. I went to voice that question but Kaname beat me to it, divulging that they were out for a few hours. I eyed him suspiciously. I had every right to accuse him of planning that but without any proof, it was just stupid. Again, I told him to get out. I think my willpower impressed him. His blood was intoxicating but I wasn't going to drink it. I didn't care how hungry I was. There was no reason for him to offer it to me like it meant nothing.

"And if not me, Hikari-kun, who?" I had to blink at his inquiry. It was an odd one and it raised a valid point but I still wasn't going to give in. Just because he was a royal pureblood didn't mean that I was going to bend to his every request. Granted, him telling me to drink wasn't a request or a suggestion, it was an order and I had never been good at following those.

And yet, I couldn't deny that the scent was driving me a little more insane the longer it hung around. I could feel something in me trying to make me sick at the smell and with that, I walked over to the Kuran and none-too-gently ripped his head to the side by his hair and sank my fangs into his neck. A single mouthful of his blood was all I took and it was beyond difficult to stop at that. Every molecule in my body screamed for me to take more. The aching in my throat only got worse as I forced myself back from his neck and for the first time since I was five, I actually felt gratitude towards my family for all the torture they put me through. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be able to have taken only a mouthful of Kaname's blood and see that little test through.

Kaname caught onto my thinking and asked how it was going. I forced it to stay down and the voice in the back of my head told me to expel it. I jumped as it sounded like it was right beside me. There was nothing there except Jareth and I smiled at him. He hooted quietly in response, hopping off my shoulder to sit on the bedside chest. I sat on the floor beside Kaname's leg, ignoring the voice in my mind and the blackness that was trying to creep in. I could feel Kaname's anxious eyes on me and I rested my head on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, still thinking that I would love to recreate what Michelangelo had done with the Sistine Chapel. I wondered if anyone would enjoy it as much as I would. Maybe the person after me would enjoy the difference and it would make the room more unique. I had to stop thinking about everything so abstractly. It was my room for the duration of my stay at Cross Academy. Kaname was on my bed. Jareth was perched on my bedside chest. A hand was placed on my shoulder and I blinked, coming out of my thoughts. I looked up at Kaname and he gazed back with those sad eyes.

I thought about it. I couldn't hear the voice and I couldn't feel the blackness. I didn't even know when they had disappeared but it felt good to have only me in my head again. I laughed. That action hurt my throat more than talking did but at the same time, I couldn't stop. The sound just spilled from my mouth as though it was something I did often. I had no idea what I was so happy about but for some reason with Kaname sitting on the bed beside me, I just got a strange feeling that everything was going to work out for the better. Kaname inclined his head and I didn't blame him. I had been silent during my stay and I was laughing? I would stare at me like I was slightly less-than-sane and that thought just made me laugh harder. I didn't care that my cheeks were hurting from the foreign expression on my face and I was sure that my gold eyes were sparkling in a way that was last seen when I was five-years-old. I wondered if Kaname realised just how privileged he was to see everyone how they wanted to be and not how they were perceived to be. I got to my feet and stretched, finally feeling alive. I politely asked Kaname if he could leave as I wanted to get some sleep.

I could that he wanted to push the issue that I should take more of his blood but he followed my request. I watched as he went to the door and called out to him. He paused and glanced at me. I thanked him. It was the very least I could do and he nodded, leaving me and Jareth alone in the room. I threw myself down on my bed and glanced at the owl, which blinked at me. I spoke to him about anything that was happening, except what had happened between my 'father' and me. I got the feeling that Kaname was hanging around, just waiting to find out what was going on. I would tell him – when the time was right and it was far from the right time. I just hoped that he could be a little more patient with me. I bid a goodnight to Jareth and closed my eyes. With the little substance in my stomach and the feeling of the warm bed beneath me, I came to realise that my dreams were pleasant. They were filled with sunny days and mirth; something that was lacking in my real life. Not anymore.

Everyone noticed the difference in me. I had made sure it wasn't anything major but I changed my aura. It was a little more friendly and open. I still couldn't stand the fan girls and still got worried every time we had to go to class. Kaname had restricted me to my room for a further week, until I wasn't half-starved and I just stuck my tongue out at him. I knew it wasn't the most mature notion to do but at the same time, my life philosophy had changed. Life's too short, so make sure your revenge is quick and you relish in it. I was going to make the Hikari family pay for the torture they put me through and for no reason. I had removed the bracelet and earrings and I was perfectly fine. I had all those limiters on for nothing. The bloodlust I felt inside me was my own, from the starvation they had put me through. Slowly, piece by piece, my fragmented mind was beginning to make a full picture again.

Kaname had warned me that it could take a little while for the picture to come into focus and for me to understand it. I got the feeling he knew something that he wasn't telling me. He had touched the scars on my throat and I instinctively flinched at the touch. The others had noticed them as well but only Aidou had been silly enough to blurt a 'where did they come from?' I had just shrugged at him and Ruka glared as Kaname and I disappeared upstairs to my room. Yuuki's birthday was coming up and Kaname wanted to get her something special, so I offered to do a painting of him and her so she would have the memory for an eternity, plus I needed a little more of Kaname's blood. I had been refusing to take more than a few mouthfuls at a time, terrified that I would give in to the senseless bloodlust that was in me. In a way, Zero and I had that in common, too.

Zero. That boy was an enigma and I couldn't be bothered trying to figure him out. So whenever he disturbed my walks, I just ignored him. Kaname had said that it was explained to the prefects that if they saw me wandering around the grounds to not order me back to class as I had been dismissed for the week. Zero either forgot or just ignored whatever Kaname said. I decided it was the latter, considering his blatant disrespect for us. On the fifth night, Zero found me again and I was beginning to think he was stalking me. But that time, he did actually want to find me. I could feel it. He asked me why I hated myself and I gazed at him with soft eyes behind my fringe. I told him I hated myself for the same reason he hated himself and he gave that same, small frown of perplexity before glaring and telling me not to think I knew everything about him.

I explained that that wasn't the case. I could sense Kaname was around, too and without doubt, so did Zero. Neither of us was going to call the pureblood out. We spoke, softly and almost like friends. I kept shifting every time his moon changed from curious to anger to hatred and it was beginning to get on my nerves. He asked me where my friend was and I stared at him with a blank look. I had a friend? Did Zero see us as friends? I mentally shook my head. That was just stupid. He sighed in frustration.

"The owl that hangs around with you," he growled out.

I tilted my head slightly. "Are you a naturally bipolar person, Kiryuu-san?"

I didn't give him a chance to reply as I walked off to a different part of the forest. I could've sworn I actually heard Kaname chuckle at my question but I wasn't going to pursue it. I smirked at the thought as Jareth caught a mouse and feasted for the night. I closed my eyes and lent my head against the tree trunk I was resting against. I forgot how good it felt to be at ease. But I was naturally a guarded person so when Jareth took flight half-way through his meal, I tried to sense what it was. There it was. I frowned slightly. Was that...a pureblood?

It wasn't Kaname – not nearly powerful enough to be him and I knew I was the only other pureblood at the academy. I got a sinking feeling in my stomach and I fought not to throw up. I jumped onto the lowest branch of the tree I was resting against and made my way towards the dorms. I froze and decided I should head further into the forest so I wouldn't disturb anyone if I were to spill blood. Well, at least I wouldn't disturb anyone too badly. I froze again when I remembered Zero. If he was to shoot the pureblood then it would be his head. I was getting tired of having to change my direction. At least Yuuki was safely with the headmaster at that moment. I froze, for the third time that night as I leapt from branch to branch. The pureblood wasn't going after Zero. It was heading for the classrooms.

Was that pureblood completely insane? I asked myself as I made my way towards the class. I saw it and my heart sank. Of all people from my fucked up family, why the fuck did it have to be her? The woman that had told me when I was five that I was a murderer: my great-great-grandmother. Her long, golden curls bounced as she walked swiftly towards the classrooms. I had no idea what she wanted in there but I knew I couldn't let her get that far. I would never forgive myself if that harpy were to harm any of the nobles that were close to Kaname. I landed in front of her and she smiled at me. I told her to get a grave and she snarled at me. Perfect. Just what I didn't need; her alerting everyone else of the hostility that was happening. With a flick of her wrist, I was thrown into the brickwork of the school building. That hurt, a fair bit. I smirked and got to my feet, walking up to her. I challenged her and she scoffed at me. She never did like me and I didn't care that she didn't like me. She flicked her wrist again but I was expecting it. Her mixed eyes widened in shock. I had my own strength plus a little of Kaname's in my body. She really thought it was going to be that easy?

As if thinking of him got his attention, Kaname appeared beside me. My great-great-grandmother smiled sweetly at the Kuran. Kaname explained to her that for the time being visitors were not allowed. That was the biggest load of shit I had ever heard the pureblood sprout but at the same time, I was grateful for it. I was able to keep my reaction to his lie hidden behind my mask of indifference and he kept his hidden behind that calm mask he always wore. My great-great-grandmother just smiled and said that she needed to speak with me about an urgent family matter. Kaname calmly raised a dignified eyebrow and said that she should've called ahead. She glanced at me and I gripped my throat. A strong bloodlust threatened to overpower me and she explained that I was in apparent need of medical attention. How were they doing it? I asked myself. An animalistic growl rips from my throat painfully. It was followed by hysterically laughing that caused just as much agony.

I looked at the bitch that had been the cause of my torment. Her mixed eyes, the left one being the royal blue of the Hikari family and the right being a yellowy-green, were wide with fear. With Kaname's blood in me and the almost uncontrollable bloodlust, I knew I was producing waves and waves of power and I used that to my advantage. Kaname made a move, as though he was going to kill her but I held him in place. I growled out that she was still my family and I would deal with her. She got over her fear and smirked, the same twisted expression that had passed onto my 'father'. I circled her, enjoying her pureblood scent and Kaname warned me not to do anything stupid. The other vampires had come out to see what was happening but none of them twitched a muscle to stop me. What stupid action did Kaname honestly think I would do? I was only going to kill her.

"You made this demon," I said to her as my fangs got longer, "now deal with the repercussions of it!" I stopped in front of her and a short scream left her lips as I sank my teeth into her neck. Kaname called out to me to stop but I ignored him; something I hadn't done for the last week. I drank everything that her heart produced, not letting a single drop go to waste. It was too delicious for that and I as I swallowed her life, I was aware of her power coursing through my veins. I got the feeling that my eyes flickered from the bloodlust red to gold and back.

The last mouthful and I let her body drop to the earth. I released Kaname from the hold and I knew full well that it had weakened as soon as I began feeding. He could've stopped me at any point. So why didn't he? I spun around, my eyes wide. I called out that there were Level C's heading towards the chairman's place and Kaname was gone before I had closed my mouth. The vampires of Kaname's inner circle went to follow him but I told them not to. Kaname was able to defend himself against a few Level C vampires. He was a fucking pureblood, for the love of god! He knew how to wipe out vampires with a look. They kind of, may have glared at me after I told them that. It wasn't my fault they were acting so stupidly! There were humans that needed to be protected and I knew I was going to get the blame for that. I told them to head over to the Sun Dorms and for someone to find Zero. I was a little grateful that they only listened to me because of my blood but it was enough. I stumbled back to the Moon Dorms and into my room, the door slamming shut behind me.

What was going on with me? I asked myself as I stood in the centre of my room, staring at the easel. I had almost completed the portrait for Kaname and moved it out of the way, in case I did something. I could feel the old hag's pureblood blood moving around in my body. She had a lot of power in her body and it scared me. How was I able to overpower her so easily? Why hadn't the Kuran stopped me? What was the purpose of her visit? Where had that unbearable bloodlust come from? I managed to come up with one answer that seemed fit for all the questions: I pissed some god off in a former life. It was the only thing I could think of for my current life.

I hissed violently as my body tried to absorb the Hikari's blood. It was painful. It was worse than starving myself. It felt like every blood cell in my body was being electrocuted. It was raw energy that seeped from the sky during a storm that pulsed through me and it was excruciating. I narrowed my eyes in pain but that was all. I wasn't going to let that woman make me scream in pain when she was dead. I wasn't going to hear her insane mirth from beyond the grave. Oh…Fuck, I should've done something about her body. Maybe I can send it back to my father. I gave a sinister chuckle at that thought and decided that was something I had to do. As soon as my body calmed down from the power it was trying to take in.

I fell to one knee and wrapped my arms around my body. There was a crackling noise and, even though I fought it, I screamed in pain as white-blue lines streaked from my body. Whatever they made contact with was left scorched. My scream died when the lines did. I blinked and got to my feet. There was no pain, no discomfort, no nothing. It was like I hadn't even drained a pureblood and then. I knew it was going to take a little while for me to actually master the power that I had taken from her but it was something I looked forward to.

I looked around the room and cursed. Damn it! It was going to take forever to repair the windows and repaint the walls. I was grateful I had moved the easel as I had no doubt that would've been destroyed and I opened the door to my room, seeing the other vampires there. They shifted and their excuses overlapped each other and I laughed. It was just so childish. I walked past them and left the dorm. As I expected, Kaname was waiting for me at my great-great-grandmother's body.

I glared down at her then glanced at Kaname. He slapped me and I allowed it. He demanded to know what I was thinking and I was about to answer him when Kaien appeared. I blinked at his unruly appearance and was trying to understand how that man could've been a Hunter. It was just hard to see the connection and I was going to anger the man. Kaien gazed down at the woman's body sadly and I stopped myself from scoffing. That woman deserved no one's pity but I knew that I was wrong to say that. Even after death they were still controlling me and I snarled. Kaien jumped and Kaname eyed me cautiously. Kaien asked me what I was going to do with the body and I smirked and asked if I could make a call to my 'father'. Kaien shifted but granted me what I wanted. I picked up the woman's body and followed the headmaster back to his home.

I had been on my way to the headmaster's office when I sensed the Kuran. I paused and waited for the other pureblood to show himself. Normally on my trip to the headmaster's office, I would look for any excuse to take my time but at that moment, I was rushing to get there. My 'father' had arrived and I wanted to present the body of his great-grandmother myself. I knew that Kaname had questions but he had gotten busy after the death and making sure that everyone was okay after the little fight with the Level Cs. It had been two days since the woman had shown up. Any longer and her stench would've been worse than it was and even the Day Class were beginning to notice it.

I waited impatiently for the Kuran to appear before me. His sad eyes were hard and I got the feeling I knew what he was going to ask. I had let a lot slip before I killed my great-great-grandmother and the other vampires knew I wouldn't answer their questions. I don't know what made Kaname think I would answer his. So I waited while he flat out asked, "What did you mean when you said 'you created this demon'?"

I shrugged and continued on my way. That would be like me delving into his personal life. Of course, his personal life rarely put everyone at the academy in danger but I was willing to deal with the consequences for that. I was still waiting for the consequences of killing a pureblood. I knew it wouldn't take long for the Council to get wind of it. I stopped for a moment and turned my head to the side, not looking at the Kuran and said, "Sometimes our emotions do get the best of us."

I entered the building and knocked on the door. There was hesitation before I was granted entry. I waltzed in and Kaname followed me in. I glanced at him and dropped the body I was carrying. My 'father' got to his feet and stared at the woman that had practically raised him. He turned his raging eyes to me and I smirked. In a way, Kaname was a little to blame. If it wasn't for his blood gluing my shattered mind together, I probably never would've thought of standing up to my father. Now, I wanted nothing more than to remove that man from the face of the earth and rid the world of the Hikari bloodline forever. I waited.

The man wasn't going to say anything and I turned my back to him. "Try controlling me now." I could feel Kaname's curious eyes on me and I left the office. I knew my 'father' wasn't going to do anything while a pureblood as powerful as Kaname was in the room and I knew that the bastard was going to bide his time and wait for the 'perfect' moment. And when I thought about it, the man that was meant to be my 'father' wasn't all that powerful. It was going to fun fucking with him.

I returned to the Moon Dorms and went to my room. I was in the process of cleaning up the mess I had been making. I was slowly getting used to the idea of conjuring lightning but it was authoritative and I was having a little bit of a hard time getting it under control. I was slowly getting the hang of it. If I didn't concentrate and just released it, I had more control of it, which was just stupid. But I guess that was probably the best way for it to be effective.

Twenty minutes later, Kaname entered my room. I had felt him return. His aura was one that was demanding and he wanted answers. I didn't know what he expected of me because as far as I knew, we weren't on buddy terms. I knew I owed a great deal to the Kuran and whenever he decided to ring up my tab, I would do whatever he wanted. But I was not going to tell him what happened to me. That was just something a little too personal and with the picture in my mind, I wasn't going to let anyone see how weak I had been. I was still a pureblood and I knew that Kaname wouldn't judge me but that didn't stop me from being judgmental of myself. His question caught me completely off-guard, though.

With the door closed, the Kuran turned to me. "Are you a pureblood?"

I blinked and shrugged. As far as I knew I came from a family of purebloods. But, that could be a total load of shit, too. So, I did what any sane person would do: I cut my wrist and told Kaname to tell me if I was. If he said I wasn't, I wouldn't be surprised but I think I might've regretted that decision when he caught the scent of my blood and I cursed silently. When was the last time he had any real blood? I quickly healed the wound, not wanting Kaname to do something he might regret. He nodded at me and I frowned. So I really was a pureblood? But that didn't make sense, for some reason.

"Your father is not, however."

I growled at the Kuran for using that word. How dare he put that man and the word 'father' in the same sentence? Oh, I heard perfectly well what he said but it didn't stop the fact that I was angry for him using those words. I never had a father. I had a torturer, at best. I had someone that didn't care if I was alive in the months that I was locked in the dungeon. I had someone that revelled in the fact that I was meant to be a curse. I lowered my eyes and thought about it.

Jareth flew in from the open window and perched himself on my shoulder and that was when it hit. My head felt as though it were splitting into three. My vision was dancing between fuzzy, blackness and a greyish-white haze. Jareth dug his claws into my shoulder as I stumbled over to the bed. I could vaguely make out someone saying my name but there was another voice. It echoed around my head and it seemed to be located on my right. I looked over there while my vision was only fuzzy and saw the bird that hooted at me. I smiled at him and wondered who it was that screaming. Or where that burning pain in my gut had come from.

Was that me screaming or was it Jareth screeching at someone? I didn't think I could tell the difference anymore. I think my mouth was open but if there was any sound coming from it, I couldn't feel it or hear it. Was that my bed? It felt hard. Was I standing? I had no idea. The pain made me numb and I slowly came to realise that my eyes were focusing properly. I wasn't on my bed but I was curled up on the bedside chest. I sat up. That wasn't my bedside chest and that wasn't my room. Where in the fuck was I?

Kaname stepped through the door and gazed at me with a raised eyebrow. There was a screech as the pureblood moved towards me and I hushed Jareth. Kaname explained that Shiki did not enjoy having someone crash through his bedroom wall and then curl up on his bedside chest to sleep. My eyes widened and I looked around. When did that happen? How had it happened? I glanced at the Noble and apologised for destroying his room.

I guess it didn't matter anymore, I thought as I bowed politely at the Noble and left the room. I looked at the bird that was perched on my shoulder. Such a beautiful creature but just like me, it was a killer. It was a manipulator. I had Kuran where I needed him and that was in a spot to do the dirty work for me. I called out to Kaname and asked to speak with him when he had the time. I knew he was still busy and I had no problem waiting a couple of days to speak with the royal pureblood and I was aware that the Kuran had a few questions he wanted answers to. And all of that could wait.

I entered Kaname's study when I received permission. Jareth was in my hands and I went right up to the desk, throwing the dead bird in front of the other pureblood. Kaname gazed it for a second or two before flicking his eyes to me. He could play innocent all he wanted but I knew that he knew and I wasn't going to leave until he told me what he was holding back. I shifted as I got a craving to listen to some heavy metal music. How strange.

"When did you figure it out?" I asked the other pureblood. If he didn't answer me soon, I was going to explode. My impatience had already gone up when I wasn't able to see Kaname for a week. I had repaired the wall in Shiki's room as best as I could and I was tired of living off of blood tablets. I wanted to get what I wanted from Kaname so I could leave the damn academy and finish my business.

Kaname closed his eyes and I bit back a growl. I was tired of that damn pureblood and his antics. He opened his eyes again and stared at me. "Three weeks ago." My eyes widened. He got to his feet, not breaking eye contact. "Isn't it time you told me why the students here are being put in danger by your family?"

I narrowed my eyes and the dead owl exploded. He knew what he wanted to know and I didn't understand why he wanted me to tell him about it. Once I had finished removing every trace of the Hikari bloodline, I was going to make sure I forgot about what they did to me. Kaname wasn't going to hear it from my mouth and he could just deal with that fact. Instead, I calmed myself and smiled slightly. Might as well let him know I was leaving the academy.

"Nevertheless, I just came to wish you a goodbye and to thank you for everything you did for me." I turned and headed for the door, pausing. "So thank you, Kuran-san."

"You aren't curious about why your father isn't a pureblood?" he asked as I reached for the handle.

I lowered my eyes and let out a silent sigh. I didn't care, to be perfectly honest. I figured he wasn't my real father but he had the Hikari genes in him so strongly. The golden blond hair and royal blue eyes. I shook my head to answer his question and opened the door. I looked over my shoulder at him and smirked. He wasn't going to get the upper hand with me. In a way, Zero and I had that in common, too. Neither of us could explain everything we had in common, despite being so ridiculously opposite.

"He wasn't my real father."

"Does it bother you to know that I'm aware of what they did to you?"

I growled at him. "Kuran, just promise one thing."

Kaname raised an eyebrow at the disrespect I showed him. "And what would that be?"

"Go fuck yourself." I closed the door and left the dormitory. I was leaving with the clothes on my back as I didn't want anymore reminders of my time spent at the Hikari mansion. But maybe I could make a few decent ones before I removed them from existence.

End.

And that's the final chapter.
I know there may have been a few things left that weren't explained but I'll leave that all up to your imagination.

And I hope you all have a good Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!

Also, my beta reader let me down. Please ignore the mistakes and an edit will be done shortly.

I hope you enjoyed it.