Vampire Knight: Innocence

Chapter 4

Zero was almost asleep when he heard a thud from the hallway. He sat up, walked quietly to the door, and put his ear to it to hear more. Whatever it was outside it was coughing and seemed to be straining. He opened the door a slither of a crack and peeked out. Eben was there, on his knees coughing and wheezing. Zero charged out, "Eben?! Are you alright?" Eben stood wobbly and looked at him fearfully.

"What", Zero asked.

"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine."

"Then what was that?"

"Nothing, I'm just coming down with a little cold, that's all."

"Maybe you should go to the nurse?"

"I'd rather not. Now if you'll excuse me, we only have another hour or so before having to get up so—

"What are you doing up so late", Zero asked slyly.

"Nothing. I'm going back to bed", Eben said while turning and walking away.

Zero watched from behind until he was back in his dorm. Something's wrong with that picture, he thought, Something's wrong with that kid and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. . .

When Eben closed the door he locked it and slid down against it to the floor. He could feel perspiration all over his forehead and he felt all out of breath, That was close, he thought, What is wrong with me? He looked at his hands, they were quivering out in front of him. I almost. . . I almost. . . He shook his head, I've got to maintain myself here. If I don't I'll have to leave. . .

Zero decided on not telling Yori. He'd have to do this by himself. She'd probably just take Eben's side and not listen to him, anyway. But how can I prove that something's not right with him? I'll have to keep a close eye on him at all times possible. . .

Zero paced the room back and forth, wondering what it actually was that could be wrong with him when his clock chimed; It was time to get ready and head out to class.

***

When Zero came down the stairs and made it to the classroom Eben was already there. He was sitting at the end of the back row by himself, obviously troubled by Zero's arrival. Zero had just taken a seat next to him when The Day Class dorm leader entered jubilantly. He'd been out for a couple of days due to a cold and was happy to get back.

"EBEEEEEEEEN!!!" he called happily over to him while he ran over to where he was, "I can't believe you're really here! I haven't seen you in so long!" He hugged Eben.

Zero looked interested, "Do you know him?"

"Know him? Eben is my cousin."

"Yeah", Eben said smiling oddly.

"I was worried your –eh?—folks? Wouldn't allow you to come all the way here."

"Yeah, I was pretty surprised, too", Eben said quietly.

They were all silent until more students started coming into the room and they had to take their seats. Yori was a few minutes late when she came rushing in, her arms filled with her books as she sat down next to Zero. Zero brushed her hair a little with his hand, "What took you?"

"I slept in . . . this guardian stuff is hard work."

"You'll get used to it."

"Mr. Zero, Miss Yori, could you explain to me why you're talking during my class? And Miss Yori, late again? That's the third time this week. I'd suggest you trying to be more punctual", their teacher said while approaching them.

"S-sorry, sir", Yori said quietly.

"Yeah, um, I was helping her with the—

"Nonsense! If she requires any help she is to ask me. You know the rules, Mr. Zero. Both of you, see me after class."

Zero groaned and continued his work.

Eben was in the middle of working out a math problem when he suddenly felt a great urge come over him. He clinched the ends of the desk tightly started breathing slightly harder. He finally stood up awkwardly and told the teacher briskly in a hoarse and scratchy tone that he was going to the nurse then ran out of the room. The teacher, who had stopped and looked back with his chalk in hand, seemed unsure of what to do then just shrugged and continued writing on the board. Zero stood up and ran out of the room after Eben.

Eben walked up the staircase clutching his chest. I've got to get help, he thought as he tripped and almost stumbled on the last step. He fell to his knees and wheezed one last time before his eyes turned a bright red and he knew exactly what he wanted. He stood back up and walked to the Headmaster's office door where he smelled blood. He put his hand on the doorknob and felt himself slowly turning it. He tried to stop himself but couldn't. He'd lost control this time. He stepped in where Headmaster Cross was bandaging a cut. Cross looked up, "Oh, hello, Eben. Can I help you with something?" Eben stood silently and began walking towards him, an odd smile creeping to his lips as he got closer. The smell of what he desired so much getting stronger and stronger with every step; blood.

Zero raced down the hallway, hoping it wasn't too late to catch Eben.

"Headmaster Cross, I'm so sorry! I don't know what's been wrong with me lately. . . Please don't expel me."

"I'm not going to expel you, Eben. But I have to tell you. . . You're a vampire. I had to use a blood tablet to stop you just now. Are you telling me you had no idea until just a few nights ago", Cross asked while handing him a container of Blood Tablets.

"Yes, Sir."

"Interesting. It must have"--- He stopped talking when Zero opened the door.

"Headmaster! Have you seen E"—

"Eben? My dear boy, Zero, Eben is alright now."

"What was going on with him?"

"Sore throat, I believe. He should be okay", Cross lied.

Eben slid down in his seat and Zero stared, obviously unconvinced.

"Zero, you should head back to class, and Eben, you should go to your dorm and get some rest."

Eben nodded while standing up and left the room.

"Headmaster Cross, I know there's something wrong with him", Zero protested.

"Zero, everything is a-okay. You don't need to worry about him."

Zero just left after that without another world. He felt like he was sagging as he made his way back down the hall, Even Cross isn't on my side this time. . . Won't anyone believe me? He sighed and ruffled his hair. When he got back to class it was just ending, "Mr. Hagaru, Yori and I have our jobs to do. We can't stay after."

Mr. Hagaru looked back at him and said reluctantly, "Very well, Zero. But next time I'm not letting you off so easily."

Zero and Yori left the classroom together to guard the Night Class.

***

"I really don't like the new Night Class", Zero said to Yori when they were walking back.

"I'm sure they're not all that bad", Yori began, "and at least we got out of detention."

"I suppose."

"Zero, you need to lighten up."

"Easy for you to say."

Yori and Zero sat down at a picnic table and each of them opened a pack of yogurt. Yori dipped into hers then said, "Well, it's just a thought."

Zero took a bite out of his, "Yori. . ."

"What is it?"

"Eben, there's something not right about him."

"Not this again! I'm not listening to you, Zero", She got up and left, leaving her yogurt there.

***

Eben sat at the end of his cousin's bed and his cousin sat in a swivel chair in front of him.

"Eben, what was going on earlier? You sounded like you were dying."

"I can't tell you, Toshi. . ."((Toshi was a nickname given to the Day Class dorm leader when they were children--- I couldn't find his actual name, sorry.))

"Why? I'm worried, Eben, it didn't sound good at all. . ."

Eben hesitated and looked slightly to the left. Toshi moved the swivel chair to where he was looking and said, "Eben, can't you trust me with secrets now?"

"It's not like that. . ."

"Then what is it like?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I did tell you."

"You don't know that."

"Toshi, I don't know how to explain it."

"Well, try."

"You see, Toshi, I- I- I"

"What? What about you?"

"I'm a vampire---I didn't know--- I needed . . . blood", Eben stuttered out.

Toshi looked at him in disbelief, "How could you not know that?"

"I don't know. . . Headmaster Cross was about to explain that when Zero charged into his office. . .".

Toshi was just speechless and Eben looked down like a schoolboy in trouble.

"So that must be what the Night Class is for. . . it all makes sense now", Toshi said after a long silence, "That's why Yuuki had that bandage around her neck a few times last year."

"I don't know what you're going on about."

"I didn't expect you to."

"But. . . you believe me?"

"Yeah. . . I guess. . . It's still a shock and it's still confusing but. . . show me your fangs!"

"See? You're still doubting me", Eben said before tilting his head back and revealing his fangs.

"Well, I've been taught all of my life that vampires aren't real. Anyway, how did you get blood today?"

Eben handed his cousin the container of blood tablets.

"Hmm, interesting, Eben."

"I guess so. . . but they're not as satisfying as real blood would be."

"You've never even had real blood."

"I know but it still probably would be."

***