Kaname blinked at the woman in mild shock. Well, that certainly narrowed it down on who she was. His tainted hands felt slightly more corrupted already. Behind him, on the stairs, Kaname heard Yuki gasp. He felt his heart tighten in sorrow. This was a side of him that he never wanted her to see. She already knew all the terrible things he had done, but every time she found out about one, he felt the fear of losing her. Digging himself from his fears, he maintained a calm face before the clearly angry beauty. "Exactly who are you?" he questioned calmly.
"I would think you would know" she taunted sarcastically. "My name is Mayumi... Mayumi Hanadagi" her slender hands clenched into fists as she stared at him. Around her, the Aristocrats who served him backed up closer to their Master. Mayumi smirked gleefully and snapped her fangs at the three. Their reaction did not disappoint. They did exactly what she had predicted; they formed a shield around her target.
"Lord Kaname, allow us to take care of her for you" Ruka spoke up. Despite her goal of moving on because of Kaname's love for Yuki, she just couldn't help if she still felt something for him.
"No." Kaname replied calmly. "You may go. Tend to Yuki and ensure her safety" He nodded at the trio around him, admiring their courage as he did every so often. They all gave far more than he could have ever asked of them. And though they claimed it as their duty, he always felt indebted to their courage. This time however, he doubted they would leave so easily.
"But Lord Kaname..!" Aido cut himself off when he noticed the firm look in Kaname's eyes. He was reluctant to leave though. He trusted that woman about as much as he trusted Shizuka Hio, or Rido Kuran. Aido bowed quickly before nodding to his cousin and Ruka. Ruka was the most reluctant to leave, but finally Hanabusa pulled her away from Kaname's side.
Kaname's garnet eyes remained on the Hanadagi girl before him. Given the circumstances, he could understand her rage, he had felt the same way after Haruka died right in front of him. But that didn't mean he would let her cut him to pieces. Not while he had his family to protect. He was confident that he could win any confrontation. Anger was not a good companion in battle, and the girl would likely make a fatal mistake.
Once Ruka, Aido and Akatsuki left, Mayumi smirked again "What? so self confident in yourself that you sent your guards away?" she questioned, her voice dripping with sweetened sarcasm.
"Hardly. I just don't believe they should be here in a battle between two Purebloods" he answered, his voice as calm as ever.
"Its a battle you want then?" she laughed lowly, bringing her claws out. "I'm game. After the year I've had, it will be a pleasant reprieve"
Kaname nodded slowly, studying the girl for any sign of a mistake. So far, nothing yet. "I suppose so. Sleeping for so long must have made you quite antsy" He stayed still, even as she took her battle pose. To her it would seem as if he was unprepared, but in reality it was quite the opposite.
"Indeed...Awaking to my Father's death, didn't help matters much!" she yelled, lunging at the Pureblood. She'd counted on his calm appearance, figuring he was more battle ready than he seemed. Her attack was a feigned lunge. At the last second before clawing his heart, she brought her other hand to slice at his ribs instead. Her hand's stopped dead in the air, strong bands of iron held her wrists firmly as Kaname held her in his grip.
She hissed, exposing her fangs before biting at him. "You reek of blood!"
Kaname dodged her fangs before smirking slowly "And you're fathers ash and dust will always remain among my fingertips" he retorted calmly, staring down at the enraged Pureblood before him.
"How dare you!" she growled, clearly even more enraged by his comment. She pulled against his fingers finding no freedom there. Mayumi briefly considered biting his hand, but knowing Purebloods, she doubted it would harm him to much.
Upstairs, Yuki was being restrained by Hanabusa and Ruka, both begging her in undertones not to disturb the battle. Akatsuki leaned against the wall nearby, as if waiting for something interesting to happen. If she could have her way, she would be beside her onii-sama trying to stop the attacks. Even though she wasn't getting anywhere on her own. "Think of the baby" Aido whispered to her "Lord Kaname would be sad if something happened to it... But he would be even sadder still if something happened to you while trying to protect him"
"Please, Lady Yuki, don't risk yourself. Lord Kaname can handle himself" Ruka spoke from beside her, before taking one of Yuki's hand's in a somewhat reassuring grip.
Yuki heard the sound of something heavy, a body, she supposed, slamming against the wall. She felt the wall tremble from the impact. She frowned, wanting nothing more than to go get her Artemis Rod and go help Kaname. But Ruka and Aido were right... she had to think about what could happen if she went down their. Kaname might forgive her if something happened to the baby, but she wouldn't. "Your right..." she said slowly "Alright... I'll stay here..." she started to peek around the corner again when her hand darted to her stomach. One of those pains that Aido had told her about. Oh, what was it called again? Contraction! Yeah, it was one of those. But it didn't hurt as bad as she thought it should. Aido stayed by her side, frowning. "Lady Yuki, I think you should go rest... You've become to excited"
Akatsuki moved away from the wall and came to her side, resting a hand on her shoulder "Hanabusa's right. No need upsetting yourself. Lord Kaname will be fine." he said, his voice a usual monotone.
Finally Yuki sighed "A-Alright..." she still wanted to see the battle, if only to try and be a guardian Angel on her onii-sama's shoulder, but they were right. She needed rest, and the stress from it all wasn't going to be kind to her later on. At a steady pace, she allowed the others to guide her back to the bedroom.
Back downstairs, Mayumi had found her way from Kaname's hands by kicking him in the gut. Granted, it got her slammed into the wall beside the stairs, but it got her free. She moved back to her position, watching him. He appeared as calm as he always had.
Kaname watched the female. If nothing else he had to admire her stamina. Whatever time she was from, it sure payed off. The noise of feet moving away upstairs caught his attention and he inclined his head, sensing Yuki's presence fade. Good, he thought, she's no longer in danger.
Mayumi noticed his distraction and took the chance. It could be her only one. The Pureblood snarled and lunged at him, her claws aiming for his heart.
