VK does not belong to me.


"Make sure you're following your 'leader' of your own accord." The words rang over and over in Aido's head, like a broken record repeating itself over and over. Her meaning could not have been clearer; to think about what he himself wanted, but the more he analyzed it, the more confused he was. Purebloods could speak in a myriad of enigmas, and taking what they said wrong could be disastrous... Played by them, their game always ended in 'Checkmate'.

A sigh could be heard from the Moon dorms. The purebloods played a deadly game, dances with death and deals with the devils...


"Everyone's so excited…" A girl seated next to Yuki remarked, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"Well… tomorrow is a rather special day for them..." Yuki explained sheepishly, her hands brushing up and down the edges of some papers.

As they continued chatting about the upcoming holiday, I let my attention drift to Zero, who was glaring at Yuki. "You're still going to give a gift to him?"

"Ah! It's not like that! This is just a gift to give to show your appreciation to someone you're indebted to!" Yuki tried to cover up the chocolate recipe, but was rather unsuccessful. "I haven't even decided..."

Interesting… Girls give chocolate to guys tomorrow, huh? I was barely to refrain myself from thinking, Just something those humans would come up with… but I mentally slapped myself. Stop thinking like that! That's the reason you abandoned your past life, remember? The reasonable part of me replied to my resistance, not missing a beat. You know the world is trying to break you, and it will. Just like they did to everyone else.

"Excuse me?" Zero had turned his stare to me.

"Huh?"

"You suddenly said 'No it won't.' What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." I muttered.

I denied it, but I had accepted that it was true. It's only a matter of time now...


"Tomorrow is a very special day. Everyone is buzzing with excitement. The Night Class's secret might leak. Therefore, I need you on your toes, Guardians." The headmaster said, somewhat seriously.

"Why are we even going through all this trouble? This whole event is a waste of time." said Zero, not in the least bit excited. He actually seemed to be bored by the prospect of the information being let out.

"I couldn't keep my adorable Night Class students from their fans, now could I?" The headmaster smiled, waving Zero's comment off. Turning more serious, he announced, "Don't take the Night Class so lightly. They are wonderful allies. You should be glad we have them on our side." Something flickered across his bright hazel eyes, an emotion that conflicted with his superficial nature.

Remorse.

Zero only scowled, unwavering, as Yuki tried to translate his thoughts.

"Someday you will realize that what I am doing is possible, Zero." The Chairman stood, pacing around the room.

"Never. The past can't be erased." Zero shot back.

I wanted to burst out laughing. To tell him how wrong he was. To remind him of the power of purebloods, of vampires. But I said nothing and only stood there, blending in with the walls as if I didn't exist. Sometimes, I wish I did. To not exist, to pay the price of not experiencing joy… but also not pain. Not knowing. I wouldn't have minded. Glancing at Zero's retreating form, I thought it over again. Maybe I would.

"Maki-san?" I was jolted out of my thoughts when I heard my name being called by the Headmaster.

"Yes, Headmaster?"

"Call me father!"

"Huh?" When it dawned on me, my eyes widened in shock. Something inside me felt like it had snapped. A thousand emotions and memories suddenly rushed into me, and I reached for a source of comfort-my sword.

"Why would you assume that?" My voice came out as a mixture between a growl and a snarl, as I gripped the hilt tightly, as I always did when I was stressed.

"Well, I-"

"They're not dead. They're not. Stop. No. Don't. They're not." I suddenly felt so weak that I had to lean slightly on the wall for support. For some reason I was breathing heavily, and I bit down on my tongue to keep from yelling, drawing blood. I was almost in a blind rage, and I was shaking slightly with it. I heard the sound of glass shattering, but the headmaster seemed unfazed.

"Who, your parents?" The chairman's voice was gentle.

I felt like I was on fire. Like I could just touch something and make it explode, combust, shatter. My brain told me I was poison instead, killing everything in my wake, adding insult to injury. "Shut up," I gasped, directing it at both - myself and the headmaster.

"I know how you're feeling right now," he spoke sincerely, his hands clasped around each other, a sad smile on his face.

"No, you don't," I gasped, exhausted from trying to keep my emotions in check. I wasn't sure what I looked like, but if I looked as bad as I felt, I would probably be dead. In that split-second moment, I wasn't sure if that would have been worse. "You don't know me. You're not-" I coughed, and breathing felt difficult. "-a curse." I turned to face him, eyes smoldering, but he was sitting still, listening intently.

"I don't want your pity. I don't want you-or anyone to care." I snapped at him, who only looked at me with a mixture of sorrow, regret, sympathy, and - if I wasn't mistaken - he looked slightly wistful. Still, I glowered at him, feeling as if my golden eyes could bore a hole in him if I stared at the man if front of me long enough. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding, and turned towards the exit. "Enough," I said, more calmly than before, but just as harshly. "Do what you will, for legal and guardian purposes only. You are not replacing anybody. I do not want anyone's kindness."

I was already halfway to the door when he spoke once more.

"Yes," he agreed with me. "You don't want it. You need it."


A quick reply to a review:

ShiraiyukiRG: Really? So I'm not the only one! *high fives* Yeah, I try not to do so many POV changes in the later chapters, but I feel they allow for a little more depth. *realizes there's one in this chapter* oops. Also, what do you mean by lack of reviews? Your review was so kind that I just can't- *cries*


Author ramble corner: Yay! Chapter 6! :D There's going to be a change soon, so you have to be on your toes too! Thank you again for the follows, favorites, and reviews! You guys rock!

~Illumin