Chapter Seven
A/N: I apologize once again for the long wait. It was the last few weeks of school, and with finals and all that, I didn't really have time to write. In the last chapter, an anonymous review pointed out that Kaname, Jeannette, and Zero were supposed to be on a private plane, and not a commercial plane. I'm sorry for making that mistake—it's quite embarrassing being the writer—and I'll try not to make another one again. So, gomen, and enjoy the next chapter! : )
Jeannette waited impatiently out in the hallway, twirling her earphones as she did. Kaname was still being interviewed, so she was alone with Yuki standing across from her. She did her best to avoid eye contact, but it was so hard because the girl was just too damn talkative.
Yuki stared at her with big, brown eyes. "So... how's life in New York?"
Jeannette pretended not to hear her over her iPod, glad that she grabbed it on the way out of her apartment a few days ago. She regretted not bringing her phone, though—she felt helpless without it.
Yuki shot another string of questions at her, but after realizing that it was useless trying to carry on a conversation, she stopped. Jeannette knew that she was being immature, but she thought if she opened her mouth she'd accidentally maul her sister's neck in vengeance.
Finally, Kaname exited the interrogation room. The two girls both perked up at his presence, but Yuki was sent in soon after. Kaname leaned on the wall in the exact same spot Yuki was standing.
"You seem relieved," he commented after analyzing his sister for a moment.
"But I'm not," Jeannette snapped. "What did they ask you?"
"Shh," he hushed, looking at the ceiling. "They're watching us."
She rolled her eyes, tapping at the iPod screen in nervous anxiety.
"What did you talk about?" Kaname asked.
Jeannette shrugged. "I didn't say anything."
"You should at least try to talk to her."
Jeannette nearly lunged at him. Why should I be the one to talk to her? She wanted to yell. Why me, when this is all her fault? But it wasn't Yuki's fault, Jeannette knew, that she was here, standing in the Hunter's Society. It was that damn Pureblood who messed with the Blood Tablets.
The door next to her opened, and a pale Yuki walked out. She looked at Jeannette and said, "Your turn."
As she walked in, she caught Yuki hugging Kaname, the way she used to do all those years ago.
…
"Please, sit down." Kaien Cross gestured toward the single chair in the windowless room. It had a faint smell of gasoline, much to Jeannette's dislike. The walls looked like they were recently painted, the brown glinting from the small source of light in the center of the ceiling.
Jeannette sat down, putting her hands under the table to hide the way they were trembling.
Cross gave a little smile for encouragement. "This won't take very long," he promised, but Jeannette didn't believe him. He circled her slowly, examining her every emotion. "You look much like your brother."
Jeannette nodded, but she didn't look at him. "I get that a lot." Or I used to.
"Yes, you resemble your father as well. Except for your eyes," he added. Finally, he stopped circling and stood before Jeannette, his face serious now. "Tell me, why did you leave your family?"
"Personal reasons," Jeannette replied at once, looking him straight in the eye. She was not going to lose.
Cross pursed his lips together. "I find it unusual that a few days after you left, Rido Kuran murdered your parents."
Jeannette stiffened. She was well aware of how her parents died, but hearing it from someone else's mouth unsettled her.
Cross noticed this. He continued his circle around her, saying, "Were you associated with the murder of your parents?"
She jumped out of her seat, rising to her full height. She was still a foot shorter than the Hunter, but she knew she was more powerful than he could ever be. "How dare you—"
He raised a hand to stop her. "Let's calm down now. Remember, I said that this would go quickly if you behaved."
"You didn't say that," Jeannette said, sitting down again.
"Good. You're paying attention." He leaned over and pressed his hands to the table. "Before a few days ago, you haven't taken any blood from your brother for ten years. How did you manage to survive?"
"Blood Tablets. What else?"
Cross removed his glasses, rubbing his temples. "The Night Class created the Blood Tablets about five years ago. What did you do the other five?"
Jeannette had anticipated this question. Like her brother, she was always one step ahead of everyone. "I hunted animals and drank from them." This wasn't entirely true—you couldn't just hunt any animal in New York. When Jeannette had first moved in, Thomas had a portion of his business specified for grocery stores. Occasionally, he'd come home with pieces of raw beef for dinner, so Jeannette would have to sneak in a few drinks before the chefs cooked it. It wasn't really tasty, but it had fulfilled her thirst.
Fortunately, Cross did not know of this. He stood up and folded his arms across his chest. "When the Night Class first produced the Tablet, you heard of it, right? Did you get the idea of creating your own using your blood, and distributing it to vampires around the world?"
Jeannette frowned. "I was thirteen then. No way would I have the brains to create a pill."
Cross sighed, then walked to the door and opened it for her. "You're free to go."
Jeannette got up from her chair and joined him at the door. She thanked him, even though he hadn't really done anything in her favor. When she was in the hallway again, Kaname and Yuki immediately started following her out of the building and onto the road.
"Where are we going now?" Yuki asked, walking in between her older siblings.
"Me? I'm going home." Jeannette didn't miss Yuki's surprised face. After all, Jeannette had never said anything to her before.
Kaname stopped walking. "You're going back?" He couldn't believe this. Damn it, Kuran. Of course she wasn't going to stay.
Jeannette stopped as well, turning to face him. "What do you expect, Kaname? You can't just pull me away from my job and family and order me to stay here."
"We are your family, Jeannette. Or have you forgotten that?" Kaname couldn't stop the angry tone rising in his voice.
Jeannette clenched her fists, and she looked up at her brother, suddenly wishing she was a foot taller. "I'm sorry, but family disappeared when you decided to leave me for her!" She didn't have to say the name for him to realize what she meant.
"That's not true," Kaname said, trying hard not to accidentally use his one of his powers on her.
"Is it?" Jeannette knew she was yelling now, but she didn't care. "I'm not and idiot. I know why Haruka and Juri decided to have another girl. It was because they wanted you to be with someone stronger to take over for them when they were gone!"
Kaname staggered back as if he had just been slapped. Was this how she felt, all that time? "No, Jen. It's not that—"
"Just stop!" Jeannette shook her head, her brain numbing from all the rage stored inside it. "You don't mean that. You don't mean anything you say."
"Guys, stop!" Yuki was suddenly in between them, pushing them away from each other. "You're siblings, you shouldn't be fighting!"
Jeannette stepped away from her. "Why should I listen to you?" She turned to Kaname. "Why should I listen to any of you? I'm a goddamn Pureblood, and I could do whatever the hell I want!" She turned toward the forest, deciding on running there, when Kaname grabbed her wrist. His hold on her was gentle, but firm at the same time. "Jeannette," he whispered, his voice in pain.
His touch was all it took. Jeannette felt her eyes go red, and blood flooded her mouth after her fangs pierced her bottom lip. No, no, no, no!
She pulled away from him, and ran. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care. She just didn't want to give in. She did not want to show Kaname how weak she was without him.
When she felt the others' presences fading away, she stopped running. The clouds above began to pour, mostly because her mood was shifting the air particles around her. She didn't care, though. The rain shielded his scent from her. She leaned against a tree and sat down at its trunk, closing her eyes and hoping the thirst would just go away.
…
Kaname watched in disbelief as Jeannette ran into the forest. He felt horrible, and when he heard Yuki's voice beside him, he really wanted to die right there.
"Kaname…" Yuki looked at him, her eyes sad and unsure. It had started to rain, and if they stood there any longer, they'd both be sopping wet.
"Come on, Yuki," he said, taking her hand and pulling her with him. "I'll call a car."
Later, when the black limousine had arrived, Kaname helped Yuki inside, but remained in the rain.
"Are you going to look for her?" Yuki asked.
Kaname nodded. "We just need to sort out a few things. You don't have to worry, okay? I'll meet you back at the house." He was about to close the door when Yuki touched his arm.
"Is it true?" her voice was lower than a whisper, and if it wasn't for his sharp hearing, Kaname probably wouldn't have heard her question.
"What, Yuki?" he pressed patiently.
"Is it true?" she repeated. "Mom and Dad… they had me because they thought Jeannette was too weak for you?"
Kaname managed a smile, even though he felt like sobbing at the moment. "It may seem like that, but it's not." Kaname knew that she knew he was lying, so he found the perfect moment to bid farewell and close the door. Then, he headed out into the pouring rain in search for his other sister.
...
Jeannette awoke to the sound of footsteps on the muddy earth. She knew very well as to who would be standing in front of her, so she didn't even bother opening her eyes. She nuzzled against the tree, preparing for another wave of exhaustion to take her.
Suddenly, it was not rough bark against her face, but the soft fabric of a coat. She felt Kaname's arms around her shoulders, pulling her body into his warmth. She couldn't find the strength to pull away; in fact, she didn't want to pull away. She sat there with him embracing her for a few minutes, until one of them decided to speak.
"I'm sorry," Kaname finally said. "I was an ass back there."
Jeannette scoffed. "No kidding." She could feel the rumbling in his chest as he chuckled softly. She opened her eyes, looking at her brother as if she'd just seen him for the first time. His brown locks were pressed against his face and neck because of the rain, his brown eyes emanating nothing but innocence.
Kaname felt himself sinking as she looked at him like that. His eyes quickly reddened, and he thought he could hear his heart beat.
"You're thirsty," Jeannette said, cupping his cheek.
"So are you," Kaname replied, noticing the reddish hue that had overcome her silver eyes. He buried his face in her neck, silently asking for the unforgivable.
"Go ahead," Jeannette whispered, tilting her head to the side to grant him further access to her neck. She was thirsty, too, but she liked the feeling of Kaname giving up before she did.
It took less than a second for Kaname to sink his fangs into her neck. He shivered as her essence poured out of her and into his mouth, filling the emptiness in his soul. His chest heaved as her memories and thoughts washed over his mind. He could feel her loneliness through her blood; it made him want to laugh and cry all at once. He knew she really believed what she had said earlier, about their parents bearing Yuki to replace her. That's not true, he wanted to say to her. Haruka and Juri loved her; they would never replace her. A little while later, he felt the sting of fangs biting into his shoulder, so he knew that they were drinking simultaneously.
Jeannette had taken off his coat and unbuttoned his collar, pushing the fabric away as she pressed her lips to his bare shoulder. She had forgotten how good this could feel, taking blood from your lover.
But we're not lovers, she reminded herself. We're just here at each other's convenience. It hurt her to be saying these things, it really did. But she knew that if she lied to herself now, she'd be even more heartbroken in the future.
Jeannette didn't realize that Kaname had stopped drinking from her a little while ago. When she leaned away from his shoulder, she found Kaname looking at her with sad eyes.
"What?" she asked, wiping the blood off her mouth with the back of her hand.
"How did you do it? Blood Tablets couldn't have fulfilled you for five years." Kaname had overheard her interrogation with Kaien earlier, and he could see through every lie she told.
Jeannette rested her head against his shoulder. "The ones I took were heavier than the normal ones. I paid extra for them."
Kaname flinched as the truth hit him. He didn't remember manufacturing a heavier Tablet. "Don't take them anymore," he ordered.
Jeannette sighed and closed her eyes, feeling drowsy again. "I can't," she admitted. "They didn't seem to correspond well with my throat."
Kaname tilted her head to face him, forcing her to open her eyes. "They must have been the ones with the Pureblood blood."
Jeannette was shocked. Shit! How could I have been so stupid? God, I'm a moron.
"Do you still have them with you?" Kaname asked.
Jeannette shook her head. "They're in my purse back at my apartment." This was such bad timing.
"Never mind, I'll get a hold of other ones." Suddenly, a new thought came to him. "You have to stay, if you intend to stay alive."
Jeannette started, looking at him with an annoyed expression. "What?"
"If you can't take the Blood Tablet, you're going to have to keep taking from me." Kaname tried not to smile, even though he really felt like doing so.
Jeannette groaned and tried pulling away, but Kaname just held her tighter. "Do you really want to leave?" he asked, in a voice so low it almost didn't sound like him.
Jeannette was surprised at his tone. She caressed his cheek again, not wanting him to be so sad. "I don't. Don't look so sad, Kaname." Truth was, she did want to go back, because of this. Because she was tired of all the sadness and depression that clouded her and her siblings. She knew that it was useless trying to run away from all her problems, but if it could grant her that one moment of happiness, it was worth it.
Kaname didn't answer. He hid against her neck again, closing his eyes. Jeannette sighed and rubbed his back. "I'll go home with you, okay? You don't have to cry…" Jeannette knew he wasn't crying, but she couldn't help making fun of him.
Kaname smiled. "Okay. Let's go."
