Title: Mourning
Series: Vampire Knight Guilty
Characters: Zero/Yuuki Cross
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Rating: T
Type: Multi-Chapter
Chapter 4: On Two Feet
The single window in the room, filtered sunlight upon the sleeping Vampire in the bed. Zero awoke on his stomach, head turned to the side. Feeling his face gently with a few fingers, the silverette found his bandages had not moved, and sighed. It was all still dark, so it hadn't been a dream. Pushing his body up, he sat on the edge and hung his arms at his sides.
Shuffling his feet, toes dug into the wood, curling against the hard surface. He had to move, staying stationary for so long only invited trouble - and hurt for others around him, he knew that all to well. Making for the door after shrugging on the rest of his uniform, -shoes and socks having been placed by the bed- he knotted his tie before gripping the handle and turning the cool knob.
A body fell into his legs - who could be sleeping outside his door? Then, he recalled his locking the door prior to his sleep, and his lips wound into a frown. Yuuki was there. In falling against his legs, she stirred, and opened her eyes a little. "Mmmm..Zero...?" Rubbing her face with a hand, she lifted herself from his body. "Good morning." She barely got the greeting out, when he stepped over her small frame, and began down the hallway.
Knocking on the Headmaster's door, he was waiting for an okay to come inside. When he didn't hear one after a few seconds, he opened the door anyway, and walked inside. The Headmaster, who was deep in reading something, saw Zero, and smiled. "Zero! Good to see you're up and moving around. Feeling better?"
The day was a field day, and all of the other Day Class students had taken a bus into town. And the Night Class Students were still in the Moon Dorm, as Kaname had called a cleaning day. The Headmaster could relax, and he was, with his nose in a book. Having put down the book, he folded his hands, and watched the other.
Clenching his fists, he sighed. "Why did you let her sleep there?!" His words were stiff with irritation, and he could feel his wounds beginning to ache from stress.
"I beg your pardon?" Clearly he hadn't known about Yuuki sleeping at his door. Tilting his head, he answered the only thing he could think of. "This is about Yuuki, right?"
"Yes! She slept in front of my door last night. Why didn't you send her back to her dorm?" Zero was growing more frustrated by the second.
The person in question peered in through the open door, and called out. "Headmaster, what time is it?" She then saw Zero further in front of her, and hurried to his side. "Zero, what are you doing? You should go back to bed."
His frown deepened as he heard her voice, stiffening at her being right next to him. "No, I'm here to ask the Headmaster for Lily."
"Whatever would you want with that Horse? Zero, there are plenty of others..." The Headmaster began, planting a hand on his hip.
Turning his ears back to the desk, he faced the man, and answered. "I want to take her off your hands. No one else can ride her, and - I need transportation." Crossing his arms over his chest, he fell silent.
...
The stable doors were opened, and in the sunlight, Zero could feel the warmth of the building on his skin, and smell the scent of the animals in the stalls. The smell of Horses made Zero calm, but he was searching for a specific Horse - one that couldn't be tamed, except by him.
As they entered, the neighing began, as the large heads reached over the doors to pick at the air with their lips for everyone's hair. Making their way to the back, a white Horse stared at the three Humans, and stood her ground, pricking her ears, and narrowing her eyes.
White Lily was the most unmanagable Horse, a wild one that no one could tame- all but Zero. He and Lily were friends, if one could call their bond that, and he was glad to take her off the academy grounds.
As Zero worked his way toward where he knew her to be, the Horse grew curious as to why his eyes were wrapped, and when he drew close enough - began nipping at his face and hair. Drawing a hand up to stroke her mane, he spoke softly. "Hey Lily, long time huh..." Zero wasn't worried about his sight now, just taking care of the Horse- as she was going to be with him for a long time.
Yuuki stood by, as her father and Zero grabbed a saddle from the tack room, and strung a bridal and bit across her face and neck. Zero pet her head, and the Headmaster secured the saddle.
The girl spoke up, as she clasped her hands to her chest, heart caught in her throat. "Do you really have to go?"
Zero caught the sadness in her voice, turning from the Horse, who was munching happily on his hair. "Yes. I'm...sorry." If Zero could see at that moment, he'd want to stab out his own eyes, because he heard her choke up and begin to cry, dashing from the stables.
Laying a hand on his shoulder, Marian spoke, "It's good she left, we should finish up here." Gripping his shoulder firmly, the Headmaster went back to locating items from the tack room to go into the saddlebags. When they had secured the Horse, Zero led her by the reins outside, mounting her with little help. His body had done the act enough to know how even when blind.
...
Having tethered Lily to a gate post a short while later, Zero and The Headmaster were inside the academy halls, wandering around alone for one last time. The silence was deafening, and Marian often stole glances at the blind Vampire; he knew Zero must have felt bad.
Stopping near the pond, Marian turned to face Zero, who was casting his sightless gaze on the water. He knew where they were - and recalled what had happened there before...
"Zero, listen to me. I know you want to leave without saying goodbye, but it'll be harder on both of you if you do." He sighed, shoving his hands behind his back. "I don't want to preach to you, but...come back often. As a Hunter, I know a thing or two about journeying. You make your own path- I just hope you find the answers you seek."
Holding out an object to Zero, Marian pressed it into the Vampire's palm. Covered brows rose, as he knew what it was- His gun. Tightening his grip on the barrel, he pushed it into the holster beneath his jacket nodding slightly, hair falling in his face.
"Thank you." Was the reply from the motionless silverette. His hands were wrapped tightly in the pockets of his pants after putting Bloody Rose away.
Making their way back to where Lily was tethered, Yuuki rushed up from behind, grabbing Zero in a backwards hug. "Zero!" She stood on her tip toes, clutching at his jacket, her knuckles nearly turning white. "Please...you can stay..."
But he couldn't, he had to do this. His heart ached at the feeling of saying goodbye to her, but Marian's advice was true, they'd feel a whole lot worse if the goodbyes weren't said. Placing hands on her arms, Zero lightly pushed on them, and she let go.
"Yuuki." Turning on his heel he reached up, to place a hand on her head. "Don't worry...just...move on..."
With those words, Yuuki felt her knees give, and she collapsed to the ground. Zero walked away, and she couldn't help but burst into tears as she watched his broad back and shoulders soon disappear.
Mounting the White Horse he had packed with necessary items, (such as food, his coat, water, and money) Zero made his way toward the open wrought iron gate. Cantering Lily, her mane brushed against his hands as he held the reigns, his body secure in the saddle.
He had to do it - leave. He couldn't face the repercussions of staying any longer, and he didn't want to hurt anyone, or be hurt anymore.
Not even looking back, he moved through the gate to the other side, as Yuuki stayed where she had fallen, crying. Looking up, he lifted his face to the sky, and with covered eyes that could not see - Zero gazed at the sun.
"Please. Allow me to change as I journey...I'm not asking much, even if their isn't a God in the skies. Just keep Yuuki safe."
