"I believe that it would be most appropriate and convenient for you to take over Kaname's old room, Akatsuki. Ruka will take the room adjoining to yours so that she is available whenever you need her." The chairman's words burned in Ruka's mind as her and Akatsuki walked the path that lead to the Moon Dormitory mansion. It had been over two years since she had walked this familiar road and her mind drifted far back into the past; remembering old memories, faces, looks…voices.
"Are you well?" Akatsuki's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Oh y-yes! I was just thinking…how long it's been since we walked this path. It seems like everything is just as it use to be only…" she trailed off, lowering her eyes to the ground.
"Only the last time…was when we left this place with Lord Kaname." He finished.
Ruka nodded. "Yes…it was long ago wasn't it."
"Not quite so long…two years."
"Yet so much can change in just a season…" Ruka mused softly to herself.
Akatsuki stopped and turned towards her. "Ruka, you did not have to come here…"
She looked up at him suddenly, taken aback. "Why…of course, why would I not…?"
"I know that…the last four years have been difficult for you…I know it hasn't been easy for you since Kaname…" he didn't finish for Ruka's expression affirmed she understood. "And now to being sent away from our master's side; it's been hard on you hasn't it."
Ruka walked on slowly; Akatsuki fell in step beside her. "Whatever my Lord Kaname bids me, I will do. And I will not humiliate nor disgrace myself by living in the past; pining in the wistfulness of unfulfilled dreams." She turned and faced Akatsuki; her voice was decisive and firm, but gentle. "I do not mourn for the loss of Lord Kaname; he is a man of much honor and strength and I knowYuukiwill take the best care of him. My place is here, by your side and I will do my best to be of the utmost service to you, Akatsuki." She bowed lightly.
Akatsuki was astonished. Ruka seemed to have grown into a woman right before his eyes; the once timid, sorrowful subdued girl was now confident, self-assured and loyal; determined to do her service…at his side. Her words burned in his mind; "my place is here, by your side." How had she come to change? Though he knew that there was still an aching for Kaname in her heart; Ruka had always been so readable, to him at least. Many times did he recall how none of the other young man could every fully understand her…even Kaname had said many times in their young years of growing up together; "It's as though you are connected to Ruka in some way; for you are the only one who seems to be able to read her and understand her thoughts completely." He sighed to himself; it was true; Ruka wasn't a mystery to him…in almost every way save one; Ruka almost never looked him in the eye. There were brief times when she did but it was always only for a moment, then she would lower her gaze modestly to the floor. Even now as he watched her beside him, she kept her eyes a safe distance from his. It puzzled him…and often was the soul thought of his mind. What must she be hiding?
They had reached the mansion and a house maid met them at the door. "Please do come in. At Chairman Cross's orders I have prepared your rooms; there is fresh linens, sufficient furnishings…of the finest quality and comfort of course, and also a meal has been prepared for you." She led them up the long stairway that wound in a half circle on either side of the atrium and joining at the top. The second floor was open to the atrium below with the hallway that encircled the entire upstairs. They reached the high double oak doors at the farthest end; the housemaid took a key from her apron pocket and unlocking the doors, she pushed them wide open. The room appeared exactly as it had been two years ago save that most of the furniture had been replaced and was in mint condition; only Kaname's burgundy lounge remained. "Please make yourselves comfortable and let me know if you need any assistance with unpacking." She turned and left Akatsuki and Ruka standing in the middle of the room.
"The Chairman stated that your room was adjoining to mind; it must be through that door there." Akatsuki gestured towards a tall white oak door at the far end of his room.
Ruka's eyes lingered on it for a moment. "Yes but first, I'll help you unpack…here, let me take your things…" she reached for his leather hand bag.
"It's alright Ruka, you really don't need to…"
"No I'm alright, really! It's no trouble." Not waiting for a response, she took it from him and setting it on the bed, she began to unpack his things. She laid his clothes out neatly on the bed, sorting his shirts, blazers and pants separately.
Akatsuki watched her from where he stood; she was so deliberate in her movements and her eyes were intent upon her task…Akatsuki sensed her nervous tension as she attempted to work as busily as possible. He crossed the room and laying a hand on hers gently, he waited until she raised her eyes to his. "Ruka…" His deep rich voice was so gentle that Ruka's cheeks flushed lightly. "What is it? Something is truly bothering you."
She looked down. "It's…really nothing I…I'm fine…"
"Then stop trembling…" he soothed.
She looked down at her hand; it was indeed shaking beneath Akatsuki's. She withdrew it and attempted to steady it with her other hand. "I…I'm sorry, I don't understand why…"
Without a word, Akatsuki stretched out his arm and drew her to him. Her breath caught in her throat as his arms went around her; his hand gently stroked her hair. She instantly felt calm and her hand steadied. "It will be alright, Ruka. Things will get better, I promise."
Despite herself, Ruka could not ignore that Akatuski had always been her source of strength and with him, she always felt better and safe. She pulled back and looked up at him, giving him a brave and grateful smile. "Thank you, Akatsuki. I know it will be…you're a good man; Kaname was wise when he chose you; I can't think of anyone more worthy and honorable to succeed him."
Akatsuki felt his heart beginning to race. Ruka's words of affirmation and her trust in him always seemed to lift him higher. "And I couldn't have asked for a better companion beside me." He smiled down at her.
She laughed lightly. "Hmm, it seems I've always been by your side, ever since we were children." She turned back to her task and began hanging his clothes up in the nearby wardrobe. "You were always my closest friend…you never made fun of me or teased me like the other boys did…hm, even Kaname. And you…always protected and defended me." She turned and looked at him; suddenly with new eyes. "Perhaps…I just have ceased to really realize that…in all these years…you were always there." She smiled lightly. "I always did almost wish you had been my brother."
Akatsuki grunted lightly. "Yes we have always been close." He paused for a moment. And perhaps someday…from my greatest desire…we will be much more… he couldn't help but smile.
That night, as Ruka settled into her room, her thoughts drifted over the past ten years. She thought back to when she was a child; she, Kaname and Akatsuki had grown up together. Also there were the others, Hanabusa, Shiki, Rima and Ichijou. They had all been friends as children and grew up side by side. How far away those days seemed; almost dream-like as if they had only been a figment of her imagination. Now they were all grown and Ruka thought how strange it seemed that out of all of them, she had first and foremost been drawn to Kaname. It's not as if Kaname paid me any special attention back then; he was kind and gentle yet there was nothing in his manner towards me that spoke of anything peculiar…and yet it was always him. Why? Suddenly, Akatsuki's face appeared before her. His topaz amber eyes that always looked on her so gently; his flaming bronze hair, sweeping across his forehead, a few strands falling into his eyes. His chiseled but perfectly formed features, handsome and strong…his smile that was rarely seen by anyone except her…how strange, that these thoughts would suddenly surface in her mind at such a time…a time when her heart ached for one that was long ago lost to her. She sighed heavily and standing up, took the last folded garment over to the wardrobe to lay it in the drawer. Something slipped out of the pocket and drifted to the floor. Ruka gasped lightly. Bending down, she picked up the stray piece of paper and turned it over. It was an old picture of Kaname as a young boy. The picture depicted him laughing at an even younger girl who stood by his side. It was Ruka herself as a girl; her hair was disheveled and sloppily pulled back in two mismatched bows. Suddenly, Ruka remembered. It was Valentine's Day and children were allowed to attend the Valentine's Day ball for the first time. She had gotten up before dawn to get ready and, from lack of light in the early morning, she had accidentally fixed two bows of different colors in her hair. When she came down to the atrium where everybody waited, Kaname was the first to notice and couldn't hold back from laughing. The picture had been taken by Ruka's mother who had long held a hope that she and Kaname would be betrothed. But it was not to be.
Ruka clasped the picture to her heart as a tear escaped from beneath her eyelashes and trickled down the tip of her nose. That night, Ruka cried herself to sleep and was troubled with dreams all night. The next morning at breakfast, Akatsuki was alarmed when he saw the dark circles under her swollen red eyes.
"Did you not sleep well?" He asked at length.
Ruka glanced up; he watched her carefully but she appeared not to notice. "I slept sufficiently, yes thank you."
Akatsuki caught a tremble in her voice. "Since when did we start keeping things from each other?"
She looked up, astonished and was about to protest until she saw Akatsuki's sad searching eyes looking at her; she knew she couldn't deceive him. "I slept rather poorly…my dreams wouldn't let me sleep…" she paused for a moment then met Akatsuki's gaze. His eyes were so clear and deep…she could almost hear his thoughts.
"You should've come to me…"
Her head shot up in shock; her eyes were wide.
"…I could've put your mind at rest and you would've slept."
She relaxed, realizing that Akatsuki meant he would have used the hypnosis power to put her into a deep sleep. "I wouldn't have wanted to disturb you. I'm sure it is also just readjusting; it always takes me a while to adjust to different surroundings when I've become accustomed to others."
Akatsuki nodded. "Well today is the start of our permenant duties. I'll be meeting with the officials later this morning to discuss the preliminaries. It will definitely prove a challenge; the academy will never fully recover but I firmly believe that with our combined efforts, we will be able to restore and prepare for the future."
Ruka looked at him. "You sound so much like him. You possess that same strength and determination…yet it's not as if it comes from him; it truly comes from within."
"It is true that Kaname have been friends for many years….brothers. I have learned a great deal from observing him and I have benefited greatly from his wisdom."
"It is clear just by the way you speak; you possess that same ability of commanding and inspiring strength, determination and loyalty in those around and under you." She paused for a moment; Akatsuki looked at her. She stood from her chair, walked to where he sat and laid her hand on his shoulder, gazing down at him affectionately. "You are a good man, Akatsuki; you are strong, wise and very loyal; I am truly honored to be serving at your side."
Akatsuki held her gaze for a long moment; he truly felt overwhelmed. "Thank you, Ruka." She smiled at him. At length, he stood up, wiping his hands on his cloth napkin. "I have an early appointment with Chairman Cross and then the both of us will be going to meet with the officials. Ruka, I would like you to go and talk to the president dean who is currently in charge of the Night Class and see what you can discover regarding the present state of it and how many pupils are currently enrolled. We need to know exactly what we have in order to make a decision on how to proceed.
"Yes Akatsuki. Also, perhaps we should consult with Zero Kirryu-kun; he has been here much longer than any of us were and he has also continued on here since two years ago; I think that he could have some valuable information concerning the condition of the Academy as a whole and it would be wise to enlist his aid if we can."
Akatsuki paused then nodded. "Yes…perhaps. Although he never held much favor to the chairman's endeavors to make peace between our races, he must have come to a position where he at least respects and honors the chairman's wishes. It would be wise to consult with him; you are wise to think so, Ruka."
That evening, Akatsuki and Ruka were invited to Chairman Cross's house for dinner. Zero was informed of their coming arrival and also to the nature of their visit. He made no outward indication that he felt agreeable or disagreeable and merely stated that he understood and would stay for dinner as well. Taka had spent a great deal of the day above stairs in her room. Though she had recovered from her encounter with the Level E vampire, Zero had been insistent that Chairman Cross kept her at rest just to be safe. However, upon hearing the news that special guests were expected for dinner, Taka could not keep quiet in her room and at length, she ventured out to see if she could catch even a glimpse of the strangers who were expected that evening.
Akatsuki and Ruka arrived just about the time when dinner was being placed on the table and upon entering, they were greeted cordially by Cross Kaien, accompanied by Zero. Akatsuki turned to Zero and seeing the younger man's calm expression, stretched out his hand. "It is good to see you again, Zero. I see that you are doing well. I'm glad to know it."
Zero nodded lightly and shook Akatsuki's hand. Ruka stepped forward and addressed Zero kindly. He bowed respectfully, saying that she looked well and he was glad to see them both again. Akatsuki laughed lightly.
"Yes, I know it must be foreign to hear me talk so." Zero affirmed them both as they sat down at the table. "I suppose that years of seeing what I have seen…and going through what I have gone through; things can change a man." They all watched him and nodded their agreement. Suddenly the dinner party was disturbed but a noise in the outer hall.
"Who is that?" Cross Kaien called, pushing his chair back from the table. Silence. Then a small voice answered.
"I…I was only curious about the guests, Chairman." A pair of Burgundy peeked from around the corner. "I merely wished to get a better look."
Cross Kaien sighed. "Come here, child. If you wish to see our guests you must greet them properly."
She hesitated, and then slowly advanced out of the shadows till she stood in the doorway.
"Akatsuki, Ruka…this is Taka."
Taka bowed respectfully. Ruka smiled at her and she timidly smiled back. Then her eyes wondered around the room till they rested on Akatsuki's face. Her eyes grew wide; transfixed on him. He's so….beautiful. She thought wonderingly. "I'm sorry to disturb you." She apologized timidly and turned to leave but Akatsuki spoke.
"Wait. Why not allow the child to join us? After all our discussion this evening will affect her future as well. As long as there is no objection from you of course, Cross Kaien?" The Chairman shook his head. "No not at all, I actually think that is a good idea!"
Chairs and plates were shifted and a space was made for Taka at the table between Ruka and Zero. The conversation continued and before long, Taka was absorbed with every word that was spoken. Her burgundy eyes gazed intently at each person at the table as they spoke. However, she was most times engaged in Akatsuki. Something in those topaz amber eyes fascinated her and the way his mouth formed the words he spoke…the sound of his voice. It was somehow comforting and soothing to her. Zero picked up on it immediately and for some reason that he couldn't explain, his protectiveness for Taka became very acute and he felt something resembling a twinge of jealousy every time she looked at Akatsuki. It unnerved him.
After dinner was cleared away, the five of them adjourned to the sitting area where they continued conversation pleasantly with one another. Ruka and Akatsuki sat together on the couch, Zero and Cross Kaien sat across from them on the two large chairs and Taka sat off to the side on the floor in front of the fire. Wrapping her arms around her knees and pulling them to her chest, she rested her chin on her arms and listened to every word. Soon her eyes started growing heavy but she fought to stay awake for she didn't want to miss anything that was said. At length, Akatsuki said her name and her ears perked up. They were discussing how Chairman Cross had been thinking whether or not to enroll Taka into the academy; he stated how he was hesitant that it might be too soon since Taka had not yet been there very long. Zero nodded his head in agreement.
"I would love to be a student at Cross Academy!" Taka's clear bell-like voice piped up. The four of them turned to look at her.
"There's nothing that I could want more! I want to learn, to make friends…I want to be a part of something again…I can't explain how long its been since I felt like I've belonged."
Akatsuki turned to her. "You must understand though Taka that this Academy is very different. The students here are…unique in that the Night Class students are…well different and…"
"Oh but I already understand all of that. Cross Kaien had a talk with me and so has Zero I…I may be young but I am not ignorant of the race who's world I share…I think I of all people should understand better of how different they are." She lowered her head.
Akatsuki looked at Ruka then at Cross Kaien. "Of course… I didn't mean to upset you, Taka." He touched her hand and she looked up at him. "You are a very brave and strong girl; I can see the strength in your eyes and I am sure you would be more than a valuable addition to the Academy."
Taka smiled and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"But we also still have yet to complete the preliminaries before reopening the academy so, let's just wait a while longer, alright?"
Taka nodded. Akatsuki sounded so sure of himself that Taka felt she could trust him instantly. Zero however was not so convinced; though he had never held anything against Akatsuki personally, he was uncomfortable with how Taka seemed to trust him so completely in such a short time. There was something about her that reminded him too much of Yuuki and it was that incessant open trusting manner; like Yuuki, Taka seemed to view everyone as inherently good and to him, it was dangerous. For he knew and had come in contact with those in the world who possessed no manner of conscience or morality; those who preyed upon innocent trusting ones like Taka only to leave them void of all life, light forever gone from their eyes. He shuddered; the thought of anything befalling Taka brought that unidentifiable throbbing pain in his chest and it was at that moment, Zero resolved within himself to protect Taka at all costs. He would fight to keep her safe from the cruelness of his world…even if he had to sacrifice himself.
"Well it is late; we should all retire for tomorrow, there is much to do." Cross Kaien stood up and bade Akatsuki and Ruka goodnight. They bowed and turning to Zero, bade him goodnight as well. He nodded to them both. Then turned to Taka who was now fast asleep, curled up in front of the smoldering fire. He gazed at her face. Her small delicate forehead framed by those unruly black tendrils. The curve of her cheekbone was defined and strong like Kaname but womanly and delicate…most likely just like her mother. Her delicate mouth was small but her lips were full and tinted red….her long black eyelashes flitted lightly as she slept; dreaming.
She is delicate, but strong. I can see it in her face and her eyes…there is more to Taka than any of us think…something about her that is definitely not usual and beyond what any of us expects. Zero shook his head; he never understood why Taka seemed to fascinate him. She was only fifteen and seemed so young and timid at times. But hers was an aura of contradiction; timid, yet certain; fragile, but strong; innocent but wise. There was no direct point to it either; nothing specifically that a person could point to about her but it was something that radiated from her and somehow influenced everyone around her; a calmness and surety. Zero couldn't understand it. Shaking his head he bent down and picking her up, he carried her up the stairs to her room. He laid her down gently on her bed and was about to leave when a small tug on his shirt sleeve made him turn.
Taka's eyes were wide open and she looked right at him with an intensity that made Zero slightly falter. Her burgundy eyes shown with an unnatural light and a depth so strong, he couldn't tear his eyes away.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She didn't answer but only looked at him. Her eyes wondered over his face, taking in every detail. "Is it really the fact that I am not ready…or is it that you are trying to protect me from something?" Her voice was soft but the tone was direct.
Zero's breath caught. It was as if she could see right through him and knew his thoughts.
"I saw it in your eyes, Zero. What is it that you are so worried about? You barely know me and yet its like you have this incessant need or sense of duty to protect me. I don't really understand."
"I… I just don't think you fully understand how dangerous it could be for you. This world that we live in…its full of uncertainty and I don't want you to go into something with such a…broad view."
Taka looked at him questioningly.
"Go to sleep Taka…I'll see you in the morning." He turned and Taka's hand slowly released his sleeve. Closing the door behind him, he took one last look at her then the door clicked shut without a sound.