Author Notes: OK, this is the next chapter done! I plan to work on the next update of Hold Me after this and will try to get it out by Friday if I can.
Appreciation: Thanks to JazzBox for pointing out a juicy, ironic fact that I didn't even catch (duh me, LOL!). I've included an excerpt from her review for Chapter 4 below since she explained it better than I can!
"I'm especially laughing at the irony of the pairings Aido/Yori and Zero/Yuuki because of the fact that the girl's first bite experiences were with the other boy rather than the one they'll end up with (Aido being the first one to bite Yuuki at ch.1 of the manga and Zero being the first one to bite Yori in "Hold Me"). Haha! Maybe you didn't intend it, but I still laugh at the thought. :)"
Well, I'm laughing too... :D Hope you enjoy this chapter.
-- Chapter Start --
Yori sat down and put her tray on the table in front of her before watching the auburn haired girl opposite her do the same. Well, she'd asked Yuuki to join her for lunch so she might as well say it out now.
"Yuuki-chan, last night, I told Aido about Zero drinking my blood during the recently holiday break. On that hillside" Her eyes were open and direct.
Yuuki stared at her, brown eyes wide with shock, a hand clapped to her mouth. "Oh no, you told Aido about that? Why?"
The petite blond grimaced slightly. "I didn't mean to at that time, it just slipped out…" She decided not to mention that Aido was being rather derisive towards Zero then.
Yuuki glanced around distractedly at the crowded canteen. Lunch break seemed to be the best time for her to catch up on the latest regarding Yori's budding romance with the tousle haired blond vampire noble. Yuuki was anxious to find out what happened last night and it looked like she knew now. "So that's why you were running away from Aido last night…" she said, nodding to herself.
Yori looked startled. "How did you know that? Hanabusa said you and Zero-kun were at the Moon Dorms but were still talking to the Kaname Kuran, right?"
Yuuki nodded. "Yes, but we left soon after that, and… and…" here she faltered a little as she remembered who else she and Zero had come across in the clearing, before they saw Yori. Thankfully, the blond assumed that Yuuki's hesitation was merely due to not wanting to make things more awkward for her friend now.
"…and came across Aido and I" Yori finished for her. So Zero-kun saw that as well...
Yuuki nodded quickly then bit her lip. "Aido didn't… hurt you or anything, did he, Yori-chan?" she asked softly. "He looked really upset last night"
Yori smiled and shook her head. "I think I was the one who hurt him…" That comment made Yuuki laugh. "Yup, we saw that…" Yori blushed a little at her own uncharacteristic behaviour but laughed as well. Inwardly, she was still a little amazed that Aido had just stood there and accepted all the blows she'd landed on him.
He really, really does care for me… and he was jealous. Of Kiriyu.
"Well, I'd have thought he'd be hopping mad… you know, with jealousy" Yuuki remarked. After all, she'd felt the same too, when she saw Yori in Zero's arms, even though there was nothing more than her helping him with her blood.
Yori's smile disappeared and she glanced away for a moment. "He was" she admitted quietly and Yuuki's lips parted in concern.
Yori bit her lip. It felt like she was sort of betraying Aido's trust in her, by telling someone else about their argument but she needed to tell someone and who better than Yuuki Cross, her close friend? After all, Yuuki knew what the Night Class students were, and best of all, her boyfriend was a vampire too.
Yuuki smiled softly, then reached over to squeeze her friend's hand. "His bloodlust flared again?" she asked gently. Yori nodded and the auburn haired girl smiled understandingly. "He won't hurt you, Yori-chan…"
Yori smiled tremulously. "I know he won't, Yuuki-chan…" Her smile disappeared. "But we're so… so… different…" She exhaled and looked away, her eyes unseeing. "I just don't know where this is going" she said very softly, half to herself. At that moment, she looked rather lost, which was a rare thing indeed for someone like Sayori Wakaba.
Yuuki looked down at her own food without seeing it. Probably the same thing could be said about her as well… what with her heart still divided between two men.
There was a moment of silence then Yuuki inhaled sharply and tossed her head. "Well" she said cheerfully "moping like this is going to get us nowhere, Yori-chan" She beamed at her friend. "We'll just have to take it as it comes, right?"
Yori took a deep breath as well, the shadows fleeing her eyes at her friend's cheerful optimism. "Right" she said and smiled as well.
Sometimes, it was better not to think too much…
"Well, I think Zero should at least know about this" declared Yuuki after a moment. She knew he still felt just a little guilty that he'd taken from Yori that one time, even though she and Aido hadn't started dating until a couple of weeks after the break. "After all… Aido did bite me once, too…"
Yori looked startled again, then indignant. "He did? When? You never told me this before!"
"Shh!" Yuuki glanced around cautiously. "It happened early in the year, Yori-chan, and I didn't know you knew about the Night Class being vampires then. During patrol one night, I saw two girls outside the dorms and scraped my hand while swinging down from a tree to get to them. Aido and Kain arrived a moment later… " Yuuki broke off, a little flustered. She'd actually almost forgotten about Aido biting her that time, and she didn't really want to let Yori know either…. After all, she could see the vampire noble was clearly smitten with her friend now…
"So he bit you?" Yori frowned, getting upset.
Yuuki smiled. "It's OK, Yori-chan. It was only on my wrist, anyway… and Zero came right after that" She decided not to mention that the barrel of Zero's Bloody Rose gun had been aimed straight at the noble's forehead and that he had actually pulled the trigger. Thankfully, Yuuki had retained enough of her senses to push Zero's hand up as the gun went off, although she was pretty sure he was aiming at a spot beside Aido's head, instead of actually at it. In any case, Kaname had arrived moments after, before the situation actually got out of hand.
Yuuki squeezed her friend's hand again. "Hey, Yori-chan? Don't be upset…" she said softly. "I can see Aido's really changed, and it's all due to you. Just - forget this, OK?"
Yori bit her lip, then nodded. "Well, we should tell Zero-kun anyway… perhaps this Sunday when we go to town?"
There was a moment of silence as the two girls looked at each other, then started grinning. "Double date!" they chorused in unison before breaking out into gleeful laughter.
- o -
On Sunday evening, the two girls and Zero were already waiting at the main gates of Cross Academy when Aido, Kain and Ruka walked up. Brief greetings were exchanged between the two groups. There was some improvement in this respect; Kain nodding and giving a cautious smile to Yori, Yuuki and Zero, and there was even a vague nod from Ruka which was apparently meant to include the three of them as well.
"So… where are you guys going?" asked Kain to Yuuki casually, his hands in his pockets. It was obvious he didn't want to run into either couple again while in town, and Yori's observant green eyes saw Ruka hiding a smile at Kain's not so subtle question.
"Don't know yet" replied Aido as he reached for Yori's hand, only to take his own back with a sheepish smile as Yori shook her head at him primly. It was Yuuki's turn to smile then.
"We're going to see a movie" explained Yori, darting a glance at Yuuki as she did so.
"Really?" Yuuki sounded much too surprised at this. "What a coincidence, Zero and I are going to see one too!" She ignored the sudden and intent look from the silver haired boy by her side as well as the sudden frown appearing on Aido's handsome face.
Kain shrugged. "Must be something good" he commented. "Ruka and I are going to see a play then have some ice-cream…"
The tall brunette vampire's tone was uncomfortable and his lips twisted a little. He found it rather absurd, telling each other their plans like this, but at the same time, he didn't want to bump into either couple later and the town wasn't all that big…
Yuuki couldn't help giggling at this and a moment later, Yori laughed as well. Aido couldn't hold back his grin and even Ruka had to turn away to hide another smile. Zero was the only one who didn't seem to find it all that amusing. "We'll be sure to keep away from the Sweet Treats cafe tonight then" he said somewhat dryly.
There was silence for a moment before Aido broke it. "Well then, shall we?" he indicated the gates and the three couples walked out.
Zero found himself staring at the back of Aido's head. "Is it really a coincidence?" he asked in an undertone to Yuuki. She glanced up at him, not surprised that he'd picked up on it. "Uhm… no" she admitted.
Zero rolled his eyes – why was he not surprised? "Mind telling me why?" he asked.
Yuuki smiled. "You'll know later, Zero… I promise"
Yori and Aido were walking in front of them, and the petite blond girl turned back to grin at Yuuki. Zero sighed to himself. It was pretty obvious the girls had something planned again…
Aido glanced behind and caught Yuuki's grin back at Yori. "Yori?"
"Yes, Hanabusa?"
"Did you know that Kiriyu and Yuuki are going to see a movie as well?"
"Yes" There was no hesitation from Yori.
Aido sighed, even as he placed an arm around her slender shoulders and tucked his other hand into his trouser pocket. "And what happens after that?" he asked. He didn't think it was just a movie…
"Fast food. I have a craving for a burger" answered Yori promptly, with a winning smile.
Aido tried to look affronted, then gave up. "Just the two of us?"
Yori smiled again without answering.
Aido groaned. "With them?" Then "Why?"
"Because they cooked us dinner last Sunday, Hanabusa. So you're buying."
Aido sighed. He could see Yori's mind was already made up and didn't bother arguing. Actually, he had been a little wary of seeing Kiriyu during class changeover a few days ago, knowing that the silver haired vampire had bitten Yori before but surprisingly, the angry and jealous rage he'd felt that night was missing.
Even earlier when they'd met up with each other, he and Kiriyu had exchanged brief and pleasant nods before heading towards the main gates, content to remain silent as the girls chattered to each other.
- o -
"There's no reason why we have to join them for dinner" Zero scowled. So much for having time alone with Yuuki...
Yuuki pouted. "Well, Aido wants to buy us a meal. After all, they came over to our place for dinner last Sunday…"
"I'm not eating anything he's buying"
Yuuki stopped walking and fixed him with a pointed look. "Hey, I thought the two of you were actually starting to get along..." She sighed. "Zero, Yori's my best friend. And Aido really cares for her. We – I – just want you two to get along. Or, at least, not try to kill each other all the time. Besides, it's just a meal, right?" She gave him a winning smile.
Zero glanced away and didn't say anything. Actually, he was still a little surprised that he and Aido had managed to stay in the same room with each other for at least ten minutes last Sunday night without arguing or trying to bite each other's head off. It was in the Chairman's kitchen, Zero was occupied with washing the dishes, and Aido was trying to overcome his accidental bloodlust but still…
Zero grunted. He could see Yuuki's mind was already made up and didn't bother arguing. Yuuki's smile turned into a grin.
- o -
"We're sitting along the right aisle…" muttered Zero out of the corner of his mouth as he pocketed his change, picked up the two movie tickets and moved away. Aido nodded and stepped up to the counter. He was relieved to find there were available seats on the left aisle of the screen as well.
It would actually have been highly amusing if the both of them had stopped to think about it but at that moment, the only thing that mattered was sitting as far away from each other as they possibly could.
- o -
When the movie ended, both vampires' ears were ringing - it was a good thing they'd chosen a romance flick instead of an action-packed one.
"Wasn't that great?" gushed Yuuki happily as they met up again in the cinema lobby, her hand around Zero's arm. Yori grinned and nodded – Yuuki really enjoyed sappy feel good romances and she recognised the long suffering look on Zero's face.
A few minutes later, they entered a fast food restaurant and found a secluded table in the corner. Aido had taken their respective orders before strolling over to the order counter. Barely one minute later, he was at the head of the long queue, having charmed his way there. Yori shook her head at that, smiling a little.
Without being asked, Zero stood up and went over to carry one of the two trays laden with burgers, soft drinks and fries that Aido had paid for. They ate mostly in silence. Yori waited until the two guys were halfway through their burgers before raising her eyebrow at Yuuki. The auburn haired girl put down her cola and gave a tentative nod.
Yori cleared her throat. "Zero-kun…" Both vampires looked at her. The petite blond looked at Yuuki who smiled encouragingly, her large brown eyes darting between Zero and Aido.
Yori took a deep breath. "I've told Hanabusa last night that you drank my - drank uhm, from me during the previous holiday break, when we went to the seaside…"
The amethyst eyes looking at her widened in something resembling alarm as Zero dropped the remains of his burger onto its wrapper. "Yori…!" His eyes darted to Aido.
The vampire noble looked surprisingly calm as he met his gaze squarely. Yuuki looked from one to the other. "It happened the night we went over to the Moon Dorms, Zero" she added quietly.
Zero wasn't surprised that Yuuki already knew about this. But it certainly explained Aido's and Yori's argument that night... The silver haired vampire swallowed whatever food was still in his mouth, then reached for his soda. He could feel colour rising in his face and quickly took a mouthful, swallowing the icy liquid as well as the strange and inexplicable urge to apologise to Aido.
Why should he apologise? Yori had volunteered herself, hadn't she? And she hadn't gotten together with Aido until after the break…
Aido's glance flicked to Yori, then back to Zero. He gave a half shrug. "Yori explained to me what happened and why you needed it…"
Zero's eyes switched to Yori – she was also looking at him and now she smiled enigmatically. "It's OK, Zero-kun. I just wanted you to know that Hanabusa also knows about it" she said softly.
Zero let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding as his gaze met Aido's again. Under the table, Yuuki's fingers were gripping his hand tightly. Yori was doing the same to Aido's hand. Yori looked at Yuuki, both of them acknowledging the silent hope they could see in each other's eyes, that both guys would understand each other a little more and not blow up in anger again.
A long moment of silence passed and both girls held their breath, hearing but not taking in the ongoing chatter from the other tables.
Then Aido's lips twisted. "I guess that makes us even, Kiriyu…"
Zero frowned at this.
Aido darted a glance at Yori beside him. She was looking back at him steadily, her hand still holding his. Then he looked at Yuuki who was biting her lip, trying not to smile – she knew what he meant. The young vampire noble squared his shoulders and looked straight at Zero. "I bit Yuuki too, that one time... remember?"
Zero's frown disappeared, then reappeared. Yes, he remembered that time… but it seemed so long ago now… Yuuki had swung down from a tree when she saw two Day Class girls breaking curfew and she had scratched the palm of her hand. Aido hadn't been able to resist sinking his fangs into her wrist, and Zero had reciprocated by pulling out his Bloody Rose. The two girls had fainted clean away and had to have their memories erased and an annoyed Kaname had appeared and dragged Aido off.
Both guys looked steadily at each other now. "Yes…" murmured Zero after a while, his mind spinning with questions. Why was Aido bringing this up now? Was the vampire noble hoping to be relieved of his vow? But Zero hadn't forced him to do that – Aido, ever impulsive, had done it on his own. So what did this mean?
Aido saw and knew what was going through Kiriyu's mind now. And the hesitation he saw there contrasted sharply with the more hopeful looks on both the girls' faces – Yuuki almost bouncing up and down excitedly beside Zero. Something about that stark contrast niggled at Aido. This wasn't right.
Zero inhaled and turned to look at Yuuki. She smiled hopefully at him and nodded eagerly, her large eyes sparkling. Then he glanced at Yori. She looked just as hopeful as Yuuki, if somewhat quieter.
"So… Aido…" began Zero, a small frown still in place.
No. Now was not the time.
"No, Kiriyu – don't cancel my vow. Not now." said Aido impulsively.
All three of them stared at him, shocked. "What?" asked Zero, wondering if he'd heard wrongly. "Why not?" squeaked the two girls in unison, eyes wide.
"Because - because it's not right!" Aido burst out.
All three of them blinked at him. "Not right?" repeated Yuuki. "How?" she demanded, somehow looking even more affronted than Yori.
Aido chewed on his bottom lip. He was obviously demented and destined to remain so, since he never knew what was going to come out of his mouth anymore. Probably what he really, really meant deep down, he guessed… But how was he going to explain how he felt to the three persons sitting with him now, looking at him as though he'd gone completely mad?
Because when I made that vow, I was sincere and really meant what I said. They probably thought I was just showing off at that time, but I meant it. Then and now. Hence, when Kiriyu absolves me of my vow, I want him to be just as sincere and to mean it just as much.
Not because I know now that he bit Yori, or that I bit Yuuki the last time, making us even. Even though he needed blood that time, and I didn't.
Not because Yori and Yuuki are both hoping he would. Not because I am hoping he would.
But because Kiriyu truly believes that I want only the best for Yori and has faith in me that I will not abuse that right.
Yes… that was it. Something he'd never thought of or even cared for before this. He wanted Kiriyu to believe him and believe that his intentions towards Yori were sincere.
Aido blinked, coming out of his reverie. He suddenly realised that Yuuki was blinking back happy tears and Zero was looking, if possible, even more stunned than before. "I don't believe it" he said.
"Hanabusa…" whispered Yori and Aido swung around to her. The large green eyes were filled with tears too and she smiled tremulously.
It was only then that Aido realised he'd spoken all his thoughts aloud.
Oh... crap.
"Well" said Zero after a moment which seemed like an eternity to Aido as he blushed painfully under the scrutiny of the three of them while staring down at the remains of his burger. "If you say so…"
Aido looked up. The silver haired prefect gave a nod and a very small smile. Aido nodded and smiled in return, resisting the sudden urge to check out the colour of the half moon in the darkened sky outside.
"Hanabusa" Heedless of anyone looking at them, Yori slipped a hand around Aido's neck to pull his head down to hers, before planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thank you"
Zero studied his soft drink, pretending not to see while Yuuki beamed widely at them.
-- Chapter End --
