Notice: Hiya, okay so i've decided i'm going to upload at least once a month. If i find more time i will upload more, but at the very least i will definitely be uploading once a month – Oh! And if for some reason (god forbid) i miss an upload then do feel free to shout and ball at me, asking where your monthly read is. Thank you for reviewing, faving and alerting, as some of you have done. I am very grateful for it and each contribution makes me feel a bit more inclined to upload again and again, so i'm sure other readers are also grateful lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter, Hallows07 x
Riven
Vampire Knight
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no profit.
Chapter 3:
Dabbing on moisturiser, Yuna grabbed for the cylinder of mascara.
It had been almost three weeks since her last incident. Kaname continued to visit and these visits were becoming more often as well, but they were always late at night and Yuna always hid away in Yuki's room when these visitations occurred. She was very frightened of him. Kaien wanted her to see Kaname again, but she refused. When Kaname did visit it was usually about the school.
The school that sat nearby the house was quite old and Kaien had spent a lot of money – mysterious money – rebuilding it over the past five years. He had teachers lined up, had offered parents low fees and even sent out welcome packs to the future students. It was scheduled to open in early September, quite a few months away. However, the students would be moving into their accommodation weeks before classes would start, so it was essential to have everything ready by the end of July. Yuki was terribly excited, because Kaname would be joining the school. There was no doubt in Yuna's mind that Yuki saw this as a chance to see him even more often. Twice a week was more than enough for Yuna and – or so it seemed, for Zero as well.
As the year progressed Zero got more agitated and grumpy. He would say very little during family meals and spend most of his time wallowing in his bedroom. Yuki continuously tried to get him to crawl out of his lair, but he constantly shouted at her for it. Yuna thought that she would eventually give up, but Yuki persisted and surprisingly enough Zero actually did begin to leave his room, though it was usually only to patrol the school grounds or watch television on Thursday nights.
Yuki and Zero patrolled the grounds three times a day, every day – morning, noon and night. Zero was adamant that they be sure that no one was wandering. Yuna had no idea as to what he was suggesting since none of the students would arrive until August and the city folk never came down to the school. She caught someone whispering once when she was shopping for clothes with Yuki and Kaien. It was rumoured that the school was haunted. It sent shivers down her spine and her hairs prickled whenever she thought of there being a ghost wandering around the school grounds. She told Zero, but he laughed at her mockingly and shoved the idea away. He told her, "There is no such thing as ghosts you silly girl. Besides, if there were, they'd be the least of your problems."
She did not understand him at all. Nor did she like him very much, but that changed rather quickly.
She brushed some blusher powder onto her cheeks and sighed at her reflection, scrutinizing the image.
Since Yuki always loved basking in Kaname's shadow, Zero had no choice but to allow the horribly creepy man near her. Besides she often whined if she did not get to spend enough time by his side. Yuna had been told repeatedly of Kaname's heroic moment all those years ago, but she highly doubted Kaname really did anything. After all, the man that attacked Yuki was drunk and she was only about five, so how could she possibly remember that experience so clearly? Who is to say the fully grown drunkard didn't just pass out when little Kaname went to strike at him. Surely Kaname must have been pretty young himself too. He is joining a school and he does not look that much older.
Yuna scrunched her dark eyebrows together, glaring at the mirror. It barely made sense – if any. She could not help, but think that she was been cheated somehow.
She sighed again and put the makeup away, leaving the bathroom and wandering down to the kitchen.
All in all though, they did not seem to be keeping anything from her. Kaien explained where she was – Japan. He explained that she was attacked and that it must have been traumatic, because she seems to have blocked it from her memory. Along with it he deemed that she had also forgotten how she came to be in Japan, her parents and the country she originated from. He did take a photo of Yuna and handed it over to a friend who he said would look for information regarding her family and their whereabouts. They had yet to hear anything from this friend.
Kaien spent quite a bit of time with her, encouraging her to 'hang out' with Yuki and Zero... and Kaname. He strongly believed that she should be a part of the disciplinary committee, but she always declined. She did not like Kaname. He gave off a terribly unsettling atmosphere and she could just imagine what his highly privileged and intelligent class mates must be like. No, she did not want to be anywhere nearby the Night Class. Strangely enough Zero agreed with her. He shouted, he balled and he hit the wall a few times to get his point across. He clearly was not fond of her. However, he seemed to hate Kaname more and it was not uncommon to find him tailing Kaname around the house, watching him, or pulling him away from Yuna. Kaname often sniffed around like some sort of dog. It was odd. He was odd. Yuna did not like it.
Granted the entire family so far was... a little odd, but she wanted normal – or at the very least, slightly ordinary.
She rolled her eyes, spotting the pots in the kitchen sink. Yuna passed right on by, grabbing a loaf of bread and popping some slices into the toaster. She sighed once more, gazing out the window. Winter was over and small flowers could be seen rising above the grass in the front garden.
"You're up early."
She gasped, spinning round on her toes and grabbing the counter behind her with her hands. She leaned as far back as possible, her spine curling and the back of her head skimming the cupboard behind her. She gulped, blinking a few times and nervously licking her lips.
"Good morning." He said, taking a step towards her.
Yuna's bottom hit the cupboard, as she shuffled back, grimacing.
"Morning," She choked out, as her throat closed up. She noticed his wrinkled shirt, "Have you been here all night?"
Kaname took a seat at the table and gestured for her to take another. Yuna shook her head furiously, gasping a little. The oxygen was not satisfying her lungs – she felt suffocated!
"I am not going to hurt you." He told her. He voice was silky smooth and he appeared to be sincere, but Yuna knew better. Surely she did. She did not know him very well and from what she had seen, heard and... Remembered, he was not the most ideal 'friend'. Anyone with eyes like that of her attacker could not be genuinely this lovely.
She licked her lips again, turning her head away from him and watching the bread burn in the toaster.
"How have you been feeling?" he asked.
She frowned, looking at him with a confused expression. Kaname stared at her, his eyes following her as she took a tub of butter from the fridge, a knife from the drawer and a plate from a cupboard. He smothered a grin and rested his head on his hand, his elbow leaning on the table top, "Have you noticed any differences yet?" he enquired, noticing Yuna's tense shoulders shiver and her head dip, as she flinched.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied anxiously. The toaster clicked, springing up the bread and she quickly took it out and began scraping the buttered knife onto the fresh toast. She did not like having her back to him, but she could not hesitate and clearly convey her discomfort. Besides, there was no way she would butter her toast at the table with him so close, so having her back to him whilst she worked at the counter would have to do.
Her spreading motion froze. Her grip on the toast hardened, as she felt a warm breeze down the back of her neck. It lingered, softly grazing the tip of her right ear, as his velvety voice whispered, "I've noticed differences in you. You seem more docile, yet, I know that beneath this calm exterior lies not only a broken girl, but a blood thirsty monster!" He hissed quietly.
A strangled cry escaped her.
"Get away from her!" Zero hollered, storming into the room. He took hold of Kaname's arm and shoved him back, "Leave her alone." He ordered more fiercely, "You may have Yuki wrapped round your fingers, but Yuna does not like you. She doesn't like your attention and I'm sure she'd love for you to leave."
Kaname straightened his crumpled shirt sleeve, rubbing off unseen germs that Zero may have left before turning away from them, "I don't mind," he said, heading towards the hallway, "All Yuna has to do is ask. Ask and I'll do as she pleases..."
Zero grunted, his hands fisted and a gruesome glare set in place. He watched, as Kaname stalked down the hallway and turned into Kaien's study.
"Thank you." Yuna softly murmured, taking a skittish bite out of a slice of toast.
"Hmm," Zero muttered, seemingly deep in thought, "Whatever."
He left and Yuna ate quickly, afraid of either man returning.
"Where is he?" Zero grumbled, slamming the door behind him.
Kaien looked up questioningly for a moment, ruffling papers, "Oh," he said, realising what he was talking about, "Kaname just left."
Zero looked towards the open window and growled lowly, "He was bothering Yuna."
"I doubt he would try to provoke her, Zero. Kaname is concerned for Yuki's safety. He would not deliberately try to aggravate Yuna." Kaien told him, pulling a number of coloured folders from a cabinet by his desk.
"No, you're right – he was trying to scare her!" He exclaimed, glowering.
Kaien heaved a heavy sigh, pushing his glasses up his nose and giving Zero a hard stare, "I'm busy Zero. Come back later and we'll discuss this then."
"No!" Zero barked, "You didn't see it! It was disgusting! He was baiting her, treating her like some sort of sick entertainment. It's suspicious that he'd treat a friend of his dear Yuki's like that... gives me reason to believe that maybe her first reaction to him was perhaps... spot on – that maybe he is responsible for her condi-"
"Zero!" Kaien's fist smashed against the desk, splintering, "You have no idea what happened to her."
"Neither do you!" He shouted, "No one does – not even her! I think he does though, he always knows more than he lets on and you know things like him can tamper with people's memories."
"Kaname has nothing to do with Yuna." Kaien told him more calmly.
"He's the only pureblood around for miles!" Zero counteracted, "He's the most likely suspect. You could very well be allowing Yuna's attacker inside, interacting with her - interacting with Yuki!"
"He is not." Kaien said.
"How can you be so sure? He could turn them both into monsters!" Zero yelled, waving his arms about in exaggeration.
"Kaname is not a killer!" Kaien hollered, "Kaname does not turn people. He does not hunt people. He strongly believes in my cause and will see it through. This school means a lot to him and he would not chance ruining everything we've worked for together with one unimportant girl!"
Following this argument, Zero spent the majority of his spare time devoting his skills to keeping Kaname and Yuna apart. Yuki began to take her along for the morning scout of the school grounds, though Yuna did not appreciate it due to the slight burns on her skin from the sunlight.
She gently ran a creamed finger along her exposed arm, rubbing the white substance into the red splotches.
"You should have told me you burn easily," Yuki said, worryingly watching as Yuna squirted more cream onto her arm, "I could have given you a sleeved top – some sun cream as well."
"I," Yuna stared at her arm gloomily, "I didn't know."
Yuki shrugged, "Best to be more careful next time." She declared with a shining smile.
Yuna nodded, a soft look overtaking the pained one as she glanced at Yuki's bright visage, "Of course."
They spent many days together, but mostly their mornings. They would wake together, eat together and brush their teeth together.
Yuna raked the brush through her hair a final time, crying out in frustration as it puffed. Yuki giggled despite her own battle. Her hair frizzed and Yuna laughed at the bushiness of it, "Yuki," she chortled, "Your hair!"
"Yeah, well take a glance at your own!" Yuki cackled, tugging on a strand of Yuna's hair.
They snorted together, resuming battle with their stubborn enemies.
Yuki took a quick glance at Yuna from the corner of her eye sight, her grin fading a little.
The atmosphere of the living room was rather thick and the meeting was terse.
"I think we should tell her the truth – the whole truth." Zero announced, looking to Yuki for support. She was sat by his left side on the sofa, biting at her nails a little.
Instead of agreeing with him as she usually did, she blurted, "I don't think we should!"
Kaien looked surprised, yet Zero was outraged, "She's your friend!" He exclaimed angrily, jumping onto his feet.
Yuki raised a hand to stop him, "I know. That is why. Yuna is lovely and she doesn't remember the attack – sure she's had a few... err, mishaps, but they've not happened for a while, so I think it's safe to say that she's fine now; fine not knowing that vampires exist."
As Zero contemplated this, Kaien sided with Yuki without hesitation.
Zero frowned, but let it go... he had lost and Yuna would not know of vampires - what could be her potential future.
No, one day her beastly side would slip up and he would be there to tell her everything. He knew what it was like and one day she would too.
"Off to bed now," Kaien ordered, "You're both up early and I don't want to have to listen to your complaining."
Yuki played with her food, moving her eggs this way and that with her fork.
"Have you noticed she doesn't eat much anymore?" She murmured quietly around the table once Yuna had vacated the general area.
Zero glared at his toast, "She seems to eat less every day." He commented, stabbing at his own eggs with the crispy bread.
Yuki bowed her head, "I'm getting worried."
"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," Kaien said, a smile piercing his thin lips, "Besides, Kaname is coming today. I'll speak to him about it and see what he says."
Yuki looked up at him, "If Yuna was bitten by a vampire wouldn't she become one? Shouldn't we be giving her blood tablets instead of ordinary food?"
"No, vampires can eat food. It just doesn't satisfy them as much as blood does and they take no nutrients from the food we eat." Kaien gave Yuki two fresh slices of toast, "Yuna will be fine. Kaname will take care of her."
Zero glowered at his breakfast, "Yeah," he muttered sorely, "Kaname..."
Yuki frowned and nudged him, "Remember to be nice." She said, dipping her toast into the yellowy yolk.
She was still hungry, but breakfast was making her feel sick. The eggs smelt of sulphur and the toast scraped her throat. Yuna was no longer fond of it. She needed something that did not grate against her throat on the way down into her stomach. She needed something smooth and dense – like orange juice. However, orange juice had the wrong taste. It was tangy and left a bad after taste. She huffed, staring at Yuki's bedroom ceiling.
Since the house did not have a spare room and Yuki's was too small for an extra bed, Kaien insisted Yuna move into the schools Day Class accommodation when term began. Yuna agreed to it. The Night Class was situated far from the Day Class and there would be no reason for Kaname to wander into the Day Class accommodations since it was against the rules. He was allowed in Kaien's home. He was allowed in the school buildings, but he was not allowed – under any circumstances – in the Day Class dorm.
A large smile made its way onto her face. She could – with the right sneakiness – avoid Kaname completely whilst attending school. Yuna laughed a little to herself.
Kaname noticed many things when he visited. Yuki was slightly taller. Her chest had also gotten a bit bigger, which brought a small smile to his visage. She still looked up to him with great admiration and innocence. He enjoyed that.
Zero remained adamant that he had attacked Yuna on that dark snowy night. However, Zero seemed worn out, as though he had gotten very little sleep since last Kaname had visited. Kaien looked in good health, but the young girl leaning on the wall beside him looked extremely unwell. Yuna had gotten much paler. She also appeared to have gotten thinner. He shook his head. Surely it could not be happening so quickly. Zero's transformation was taking years.
'Still,' he thought, 'Yuna does not come from a family of hunters.'
His thoughts were forgotten swiftly, as Yuki hugged him and showered him with warm greetings. He grinned. It was always a treat to see her.
"It's good to see you too, Yuki. Have you been good?" He glanced towards Kaien for a moment, catching a nod.
"Of course," Yuki stammered, "I'm always good."
Kaien stifled a chuckle at this, motioning towards the living room, "Perhaps we should vacate this cold hallway and cluster round the fire, hmm..."
Yuki was quick to drag Kaname close to the fire, sitting beside him and clutching his arm, "It's sad," she said, "That we won't be seeing each other again until school starts."
Kaname smiled down at her gently, ruffling her hair with his free hand, "We'll be seeing each other again rather soon actually."
Yuki gave him a strange look, studying his ghostly skin tone and dark eyes, "We will..."
"Of course you will!" Kaien expressed loudly, "Kaname will be returning in two weeks with the Night Class Students." He set a plate of biscuits down upon the table, "We'll be meeting all my lovely new students!" His eyes became starry and he gazed up at the ceiling with great mirth and passion, "Such cute students I'll have!"
Yuki sniggered, "I feel bad for them," she told Kaname quietly, watching as Kaien dunked a biscuit in his tea, "He'll get attached to them and drive them mad."
She chortled, picking up a biscuit of her own and offering another to him. Kaname declined, spying two figures still lingering in the dark hallway, "Zero, Yuna," He addressed with a welcoming smile, "Aren't going to come in?"
Yuna shivered, grasping onto Zero and shuffling closer to him. He wrapped an arm over her shoulders, glaring at the vampire sat so closely to Yuki, "We weren't planning on it." He retorted.
"Hmm..." Kaname replied, staring fixatedly at the pair.
As the night wore on and Zero and Yuna disappeared into their rooms, Kaname's mind began to wander. Yuki was talking endlessly about this, that and the other and he stopped listening after she mentioned a television show. He could remember the fear in her eyes. The underlying hate and yet the utmost desire as well. He stared at Yuki, not really seeing her. Why was she so afraid of him? His eyes... his face... his blood... Kaname's eyes widened slightly – his blood! No, it was not possible. He had already been assured by his own resources that no family members were in fact alive and merely in hiding, so it could not be possible that a Kuran was responsible for Yuna's attack. No Kuran except for himself. Unless his suspicions had been correct all along and he was right to place his queen within the protection of his family's dearest friend.
"So," He thought, smiling as Yuki profusely apologised for yawning, "You are alive, uncle, and you will be joining us soon. Good, I've waited a long time for this."
His lips pursed a bit, "What are you planning though, using that girl? Or is Yuna just a mistake. I know how hungry you must be. Still, how can you be walking around so early? That is not a part of the plan."
He turned his gaze to Kaien, as the man suggested that Yuki got ready for bed, "I'll have to clarify my suspicions though," He watched her leave, slightly scraping her feet against the floor, "I cannot risk an accusation like this being wrong. I need to be certain it was him..."
Before he could leave Kaien asked to speak with him about Yuna.
Kaname contemplated what was asked of him, resisting the urge to smirk as he arranged a time with Kaien in which he could speak with Yuna alone - a time and place that would be void of Yuki, Zero and even Kaien. A place well secluded where he has all jurisdiction. The newly built Moon Dorms loomed over him, as he walked along the school grounds and towards the car that awaited him.
And that is it for this month. Bye x
