Vampire Knight
Innocence
Night 9
Charm
"Zero?"
"Hn?"
"Where do you think Kira is?"
Zero looked up from his book and glanced at his twin, who was gazing outside the lounge window at the storm that had hailed upon their neighborhood. Beside the sofa were boxes stacked upon boxes. Ichiru's gaze was focused on the rain outside, lightning danced across the sky; lighting up Ichiru's features. Zero felt his eyes go wide when he saw a dark sad gaze within the violet pools. He knew Ichiru missed Kira, but something had been off lately about Ichiru. But it had been almost two years since Kira left them, what brought her up now?
"I don't know Ichiru. Probably in a Hospital somewhere if she left because she was sick," Zero closed his book and set it on his lap and waited for his brother to meet his gaze.
Instead, Ichiru slid off the couch and put his coat on and headed for the front door. Zero climbed off the arm chair and watched his brother move to the door and open it. The winds rushed in, lightning lit up the sky and the thunder rolled off into the darkening sky as rain fell from the grim sky.
"Ichiru?! What are you doing?!" Zero demanded, moving quickly and closing the door in front of Ichiru. Zero met his brother's gaze and was surprised to see his twin looking at him with angry eyes, "Ichiru?"
"I want to find Kira!" Ichiru snapped angrily, "Let me find her!"
"You can't go outside Ichiru! You'll get sick!" Zero pleaded. Ichiru sighed and Zero knew reason would calm his brother down. Kira was a thing of the past. Someone to be forgotten. Someone to move past. Why couldn't Ichiru understand that?
"Fine," Ichiru moved to turn up the stairs and ascended them. Ichiru turned and looked at his brother, "I don't understand you, Zero. Why don't you want to see her again? Wasn't she your friend too?"
Zero was shocked by his brother's irritation. What had gotten into him? What was making him so angry? Was it the fact that in a few short months, their beloved Master would be leaving them?
"Ichiru…," Zero started climbing the stairs.
"Don't!" Zero froze and Ichiru sighed and his sad gaze was back, his voice was calmer, "I'll find her again. When I'm stronger, I'll find her."
I'LL FIND HER––
Did you ever, Ichiru? After Shizuka Hiou had given you her blood, and you had become stronger, did you ever go out and find Kira? Did you ever venture beyond that woman's iron fist? Or did you always stay by her side?
"OW! Watch it!"
Zero blinked and took his gaze from the sky to see Kira standing with her feet apart, arms stretched wide, holding back a group of Day Class Girls that wanted to get closer to the Moon Dorm gate. Kira was holding her own, she was different from Yuuki. She wasn't afraid to get violent – if you pushed her far enough. For now, she adapted to playing Prefect quite well.
"How is she?"
Zero didn't jump at the sudden appearance of Kaito. He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged, "The Night Class hasn't come out yet. So I guess, we'll have to wait and see."
"I meant, with class today?" Kaito raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zero.
"Thought you didn't care. Weren't you the one to tell me to stay away?" Zero smirked at his hand over Kaito and frowned when Zero hit him over the head.
"Doesn't mean I'm not concerned," Kaito snapped. He gazed at Kira and watched her drop her duty of being Prefect to talk to another student about something. This action seemed to throw everyone off, the Day Class Girls, the girl Kira was talking too and Kaito and Zero.
"Pay attention to what you're doing!" Kaito snapped.
Kira glared at him, "Bite me, Kaito! I'm still new!"
"What did you say to me, Brat?!" Kaito retorted, but Zero tapped his shoulder.
"Did you find out what the Night Class Prefects were for?" Zero asked, dragging Kaito's attention away from Kira.
Kaito rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair, "Yeah. Your job is somewhat easier. You and Little-Miss-Pain-In-The-Ass are going to patrol the area for Day Class, for danger. Pretty much what you did before. The Night Class Prefects are there to keep the Bloodsuckers in line. If anything goes wrong, its their responsibility."
"So I get more sleep in the end, huh?" Zero asked as he yawned.
"Pretty much," Kaito shrugged a shoulder. He glanced at Zero, "What's it like to be working with Princess again?"
"Don't care. She's Aidou's problem now," Zero crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever she does is none of my concern now."
"I meant the Hunter's Princess," Kaito face-palmed and sighed, "Kira, Zero, Kira. She's the only Princess I care to know something about."
"Like what her main objective is?"
"Exactly," Kaito nodded. Their gazes swept to Kira as she started trying to calm the crowd down, "We know she's here in Sudikako-Sama's place. But we know Kira; she's here for something else. She wants something."
"She did mention that she was looking for something," Zero murmured.
"Or someone," Kaito tapped his chin. "Think you could do me a favor as the Heir to the Association and all? Think you could get Kira's file? And I'll check her school records…"
Zero glanced at Kaito and shook his head, "No way."
Kaito raised an eyebrow and his bottom jaw dropped, "Excuse me?"
Zero sighed and rubbed his chest, it was hurting for some or other reason, as if he was being stabbed. The words he wanted to say weren't linking up to his brain, so the words just tumbled down out of his mouth.
"We're just going to watch her now. See what she's up too. If it doesn't affect us, we'll leave her alone," Zero crossed his arms over his chest. "And wasn't it you that said she was just a distraction?" Zero stared walking towards the other students, but before he left Kaito's sight, he glanced over his shoulder, "She's just another student, remember?"
Zero didn't hear Kaito's reply as he strode away. Zero stood closer to the students, watching them with careful eyes as Kira held them at bay with a kind smile. Suddenly, the gates opened and the Students composed themselves and Kira was at Zero's side, Kaito behind them. The Day Class Girls shrieked as Aidou first appeared, looking a little less cheerful then normal, which made sense considering all the Vampire had been through. The Girls shrieked, but Aidou did nothing to entice them like he did when Zero first started here. On his upper arm, a black band was places there with Cross Academy's red emblem. Zero touched his own armband. It was the exact opposite of his.
Beside Aidou, was the Pureblood Princess, Cross-Kuran Yuuki, her eyes seemed tired? Zero briefly wondered when was the last time she fed; she hadn't come to him since she returned to Campus. Her hair had grown out again since their encounter with the Ancestress at the Hunters Association. Which had to be rebuilt and spring cleaned. Gah, Zero was still tired because of that day. On Yuuki's arm – it was all too familiar – was the black Prefect armband. She was Prefect again. Just like before. Behind them, were the other Vampires. No Sara, Zero noticed. O f course, the Ancestress had done away with her. And Takuma Ichijou was looking more grim then usual.
"So those are the Vampires, huh?" Zero heard Kira ask.
"Yeah," Zero crossed his arms over his chest. "Yuuki is the Dorm Leader, their Leader. So if you have any problems with the Vampires. You're supposed to report to her and she'd apparently take care of it."
Kira looked up at Zero, "Why so bitter about it?"
Zero glanced down at Kira. His chest started hurting again. Why did he feel so uncomfortable with Kira working beside these Vampires to protect them? The feeling left him with dread, terrified him that if one of them hurt Kira, how would she react? The shrieking started, but Kira kept cool and separated the crowd from the Vampires, and Zero moved to do the same. As the Vampires brushed through, Yuuki smiled at Zero but Zero just frowned. Yuuki glanced down sadly––
"GOODMORNING YUUKI-CHAN~!"
Zero frowned, and so did everyone else as Kira waved wildly. A large goofy smile on her lips. Yuuki blushed and waved back timidly as Aidou gave Kira a skeptical gaze. Aidou started rushing Yuuki, the other Vampires all gaze Kira a strange look. And Kira being the idiot that she was, didn't care what they were looking at. She looked a little hurt that Yuuki didn't stop for a chat.
As the Night Class vanished, the Day Class Girls dispersed and the only people that were left were Zero, Kaito and Kira. Standing on the sidelines, as the Day Class students departed, were Katsue, Sasuke and Kenni. Kira skipped – yes, skipped – towards them and for some or other reason, Zero followed.
"Hello~!" Kira greeted as she ruffled her little brother's hair. "How was your day?"
"Great! I made a lot of new friends and one of them asked what dorm I was in and I'm considering moving into the dorm! Can I? I promise I'll be good! I got homework too! And Yagari-Sensei is my teacher too! He takes me for Mathematics! I don't think he likes it that much though." Kenni replied with a cheerful smile.
Kira nodded and put her hand on her hip and tapped her chin, "Do your homework first and then we'll talk about it later."
"Aww, okay," Kenni dipped his head. Sasuke put his hand on his head and ruffled his hair.
"I'll help him out," Sasuke replied. "And if he gets stuck, Yagari-Sensei is close by."
"Great," Kira crossed her arms over her chest. "Watch him and I'll try and be back as soon as I can."
"Good luck Kira," Katsue smiled. "See you soon."
Kira winked, "Gotcha."
Zero watched as she fussed over her little brother and a familiar pain hit Zero's heart. He treated Ichiru like that, doted on him, and in the end Ichiru had betrayed him. Would Kenni do the same to Kira? Zero narrowed his gaze on the kid and decided that he didn't like him. He couldn't be trusted. Zero glanced at Kira, and the same thought hit him: Kira couldn't be trusted.
§Vampire Knight§
Innocence
"Our job is to guard the Perimeter while the Night Class is in session. If a Night Class Member is outside, it sour job to get their asses back where they belong," Zero said as he leaned against a tree, arms folded over his chest.
They stood beneath the building where Class was in Session for the Night Class. Zero watched Kira as she stood on the base on the fountain. She did a front handspring and looked up at the class.
"What do they learn anyway?" Kira did a front handspring on one hand and looked at Zero, "I mean, what can Vampires learn?"
Zero looked up at the Class, "They're a study group."
Kira sat down on the fountain and looked up at the building, "What are they studying?"
Zero moved from the tree and walked to stand in front of Kira, both their gazes were focused up on the school building, "They're trying to create Blood Tablets that are suitable to replace blood. They're hoping that with the closest substitute they can slow down the transformation of a Level E Vampire."
"Does it work?"
Zero looked down at Kira and his hand went to his tattoo. Zero shrugged a shoulder, "Not really."
Kira blinked and sighed, "That's too bad," she crossed her legs and smiled up at Zero. "So what else does a Guardian do?"
"Scout the perimeter for immediate danger to the Academy. By three we're usually back at the Chairman's place," Zero yawned.
"We work really late," Kira moved to lie down on the fountain and Zero frowned. With it being so cold, and Kira so close to water, she could easily catch a cold.
Zero frowned again, this time at himself. What the hell was he doing? Kira sat up and looked at Zero. Their gaze held and Zero clenched his jaw. Why did it feel like she wanted to say something? Why did it feel like he wanted to say something?
"Have you seen Old Man Hunter yet?" Kira asked, her voice over excited.
Zero was surprised. He blinked, "Um…no, I haven't."
"Uncle Cross told me that he was here too! I haven't seen him since we lived with him for that month," Kira giggled. "Remember when he took us to the Zoo?!"
"And I was attacked by that Flamingo," Zero replied with a smile as he sat down beside Kira. She chuckled loudly.
"That was so funny!" she chuckled, "And when Ichiru freaked out when the Elephant's trunk wrapped around his waist!"
"Love how you're laughing. That Gorilla wanted to run away with you! Old Man Hunter had to wrestle the thing to get you back," Zero chuckled.
Kira wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and she sighed, "Good times. That was the best trip ever."
"Even better when we sneaked off to the Circus?" Zero smirked when Kira's gaze widened.
"Single most stupid thing we have ever done," Kira smiled and crossed her arms over her chest. "We travelled across the country by train and thought we'd be back by the time your parents got home."
"Instead, a day at the Circus and a week later and we returned home to a livid mother," Zero smiled at the memory.
"I don't think I've ever seen your Mom so mad before," Kira turned to Zero, her legs crossed. "I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life."
"You and me both," Zero smiled. He chuckled, "I have never been more grateful for my father when he tackled her to the ground in order to hold her back."
Kira chuckled and slapped Zero's shoulder. Zero appreciated the touch, it was still so familiar and she still smelled like home. Kira wiped her face and sighed, "Seriously, good times."
Zero stared at Kira for what seemed like a century. He blinked and felt something burn his lungs and his throat. His gaze swept to Kira's throat and he cursed. He hadn't fed in a long time too. Zero stood up and Kira frowned.
"Seriously? We were just having a moment here!" Kira snapped, "We were bonding and catching up and you laughed, Kiryuu. Laughed, as in Ha-ha."
Zero rolled his eyes, "I just need to do something quick––"
"Whoa––"
Zero blinked and looked down at Kira. She was gaping, her eyes were wide. She stood up slowly. Zero blinked, "What's wrong?"
"Z, what's up with your eyes?" Zero blinked and stepped back form Kira, but she followed, "They're all red and cool."
"Cool?" Zero blinked and frowned, "Are you insane? That's a sign that a Vampire's hungry!"
"As if," Kira crossed her arms over her chest. "You wouldn't attack me. I'd dust your ass in a heartbeat."
Zero couldn't help but smirk at the challenge. This seemed way too familiar. Where normal kids would play Cowboys and Aliens; the Hunters kids played Vampire and Hunter. It was ironic now, but Zero always played Vampire…even now it was not much different.
"Is that a challenge, Sudikako? Even if I was dedicated to Vampires, I'd still kick your ass and you'd be my lunch," Zero smirked.
"Are you trying to get up in my grille?" Kira smirked, "I'll have you done and dusted in two seconds flat––ahh!"
Zero tackled Kira to the ground and the two wrestled to the ground, Kira had the advantage for a while until Zero used his Vampire strength. Eventually Zero pinned Kira to the ground and bared his fangs. Kira froze, her eyes were wide and she stared. Zero blinked and stared at her. Fear was all over her face, he leaved away from her face but didn't take his hands off her wrists. She shut her eyes tightly and waited for him to attack.
"I would never attack you."
Kira opened her eyes and looked at Zero. He dipped his head, his hair covering his eyes. He let go of her wrists and leaned away from her. Kira sat up and stared at Zero, "Z? Are you okay?"
Zero stood up and stormed away from Kira, leaving her sitting on the grass. Just like his twin did so many ears ago. And just like then, Kira watched him walk away with big blue eyes. Zero disappeared into the forest and leaned against a tree. His hunger had subsided and he sighed.
In the back of his mind, especially when he had just turned into a Vampire. There were two people in this world he would never hurt, he didn't mind hurting everyone else, but the two people he didn't want to hurt were Yuuki and Kira. If he did attack them, they would be broken, they would never trust him. There was no hope for Yuuki. He had bitten and fed form her for so long and now she was feeding from him. He thought he would never see Kira again, but obviously fate had other plans and Kira was here. But he would never…his heart ached for her when he actually thought about it.
But how would her blood taste? Would it taste as sweet as her scent?
Zero froze and slapped himself, was he insane? If he did anything to Kira, Yagari would be on his ass. And it wouldn't be like the time Yagari caught Yuuki and Zero in the pool, Yagari wouldn't shoot his shoulder. Yagari would give him a nice hole right between the eyes if Zero went after Yagari's Princess.
Zero touched his lips. He still wondered though. Zero shook his head and grabbed the box of blood tablets he carried around and popped one tablet in his mouth. He flicked his thumb nail and turned around and started to walk back to Kira. She was still sitting on the grass. She looked up at him.
"Come with me," Zero ordered.
"Where are we going?" Kira asked as Zero grabbed her wrist and started pulling her behind him.
"To the Chairman's office," Zero replied. He hoped that answer would be enough for Kira. But vague never worked for Kira. So it came as no surprise when Kira snatched her hand back and glared at Zero.
"Why Zero?" Kira demanded.
He sighed, "I'll explain when we get to the office. I'm asking that you please trust me for now."
Kira crossed her arms over her chest, "Okay, fine. I'll bite. But in return for something else," Zero sighed and nodded. "I'll trust you if you trust me."
Well…that was unexpected. Zero sighed and nodded, "Fine."
He wanted to trust Kira, he honestly did. But he had too much people walk in and out of his life. He didn't know if he could take it anymore. He took a deep breath and nodded. Kira smiled and Zero frowned. How long would Kira stay before she left as well? And where would that leave Zero?
§Vampire Knight§
Innocence
"I need one of those thingies for Kira."
I blinked and glanced at Zero as he burst into the Chairman's office without so much as a howdy-doo! The Chairman stared at Zero with wide eyes as he held onto his teacup, pinkies up and all. Kaito was standing in front of the Chairman too, behind Uncle Cross was Yagari.
"Thingie? What thingie?" Uncle Cross asked, his head lolling to the side. Seriously, how did this guy become the President of the Association? Oh, I remember. Dude goes into Hunter Mode and all the Vampires crap their pants.
"That bracelet thingie that Yuuki had that works with this thing," Zero pulled his collar down to expose his tattoo.
"Oooh! I see, I see," Uncle Cross vanished beneath his desk and started digging around. Now that I could see much, except for his butt sticking up in the air and moving around.
I glanced at Zero, "Bracelet thingie?"
"I'll explain in a minute," Zero slowly let go of my wrist. "Yuuki had one. She only ever used it once. It works."
"Okay, so what's it for? What's it do?" I put my hand on my hip and watched Zero grab Kaito's collar and whisper something in his ear. Thanks for ignoring me, Z! Appreciate it!
"AH-HUUUUHHH~!" The Chairman reappeared with a bracelet in his hand. He held it out to me and I accepted it. The silver bracelet was small and had the same symbol as what Zero had tattooed on his neck.
"Knife?" Zero demanded.
"What are you up too, Zero?!" Yagari demanded.
Uncle Cross held out the knife and Zero grabbed it in the blink of an eye and grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the Chairman's office. Kaito followed slowly behind, closing the door behind us. We walked to the forest and Zero grabbed the bracelet from me and grabbed my wrist and pulled back my sleeve and put the bracelet on. Zero held my hand steady and took the knife and brought it to his wrist and geared up to––What?! Oh hell no!
"What the hell?!" I demanded grabbing the knife from Zero, "Are you insane?!"
"Kira, give it to me––!"
"I hope your planning on cutting tomatoes and not your wrist," I yelled as I pointed at him with the knife, "You could chop your hand off Mr. Trigger-happy-and-apparently-Masochistic."
"It's a charm, Kira,' Kaito said suddenly, grabbing the knife from my hands. "Zero is afraid of hurting you, so he wants you to wear this charm so it can protect you from him if he attacks you."
I glanced at Kaito, "What?"
He rolled up his sleeve and I saw he was wearing a leather band around his wrist with the same emblem as on the bracelet, "If Zero attacks you, the charm will activate and paralyze Zero for a little while."
Kaito handed the knife back to Zero and I watched Zero cut his finger and push it so blood flowed to the surface. Kaito held my wrist and made sure the emblem on my bracelet was showing and Zero pushed his finger and a drop of his blood landed on the emblem. I blinked and looked up at Zero.
"When I realized that I was turning into a Vampire, there were two people I did not want to hurt. You and Yuuki. You weren't a problem because I thought I would never see you again…," Zero sighed. "But here you are."
"So why the charm?" I asked, glancing at Kaito.
"Yuuki was attacked by Zero," Kaito said and I felt my face fall. I glanced at Zero and his eyes were hidden by his hair again. "This is just to protect you in case he attacks."
"But Zero would never––"
"Its just a precaution, Kira," Zero said as he lifted my wrist to his tattoo. I watched as electricity zapped around me and then Zero was on the floor. Held down by a Hunters charm, "Zero?"
"Its to tame him. Only three of us have it: you, me and Yuuki," Kaito offered his hand to Zero. Zero cursed as he grabbed Kaito's hand and was pulled to his feet. Zero leaned against Kaito, "This way, we can make sure Zero stays out of trouble."
"And it'll work?" I asked as I moved closer to Zero, "Are you okay?"
"This… is why I need your trust," Zero said in between breaths. "I need you to help me stay tame. Can you do that, Kira? Then in return, I'll trust you."
"Z, this hurts you! I don't think I can do it." I shook my head.
"Kira, it'll help protect people and yourself," Zero grabbed my hand. "I don't wan t to hurt you…," Zero sighed. "Because you are the last bit of my old life."
I blinked and stared at Zero. His old life, his family…I was part of that family for a long time before I had to leave. This charm, whatever it was, Zero needed it. He trusted me to use it. And that was all I wanted, his trust. I nodded and Zero sighed and stood up straight. Kaito rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair.
One thing hadn't changed, and I was sure that it would never change. I never liked it when Zero got hurt, and I would never like it. Despite his tough exterior and rough features, Zero was kind and caring. He didn't deserve to be hurt like this. I looked into Zero's eyes and a chill slithered down my spine. That cold gaze…that long forgotten gaze. Those sad violet eyes.
I didn't want to believe it before, but my Zero was no longer the Zero I once knew. He was no longer mine. The thought scared me that he could attack me any minute and I felt his power, if he had too attack me, I think he would win. I wouldn't give up though, I knew my Zero was somewhere inside this new one. And there was no reason Zero couldn't let my old Zero out.
§Vampire Knight§
Innocence
Zero was strolling down the hallway when he heard a soft whisper. He followed it and found that it was coming form the Chairman's room. He pressed his ear against the door and briefly wondered when he had become so nosey––
"…if he gets hurt because of this thing. I dunno what I'll do," a soft whisper said.
"I can tell you this, Kira," a voice Zero all but knew was the Chairman's. "Zero is a lot stronger now. And he knows that. That is why he gave it to you, to protect you."
Zero heard Kira sigh. He knew it was a lot to ask of her. If he remembered correctly, Kira hated seeing him and Ichiru get hurt, just like she hated seeing them get hurt. Zero also knew that Kira would get over it soon enough, so for now, he would let her suck it up. Until they could return to just being colleagues. Honestly, he didn't think they could go back to how they were before.
Zero moved to his room and closed his bedroom door. He sat on his bed and looked out the window. The moon was full, the sky was clear, the stars danced brightly in the sky and lit the whole world up.
"It feels strange to have her here…"
Zero glanced behind him and saw Ichiru sitting at the opposite end of the bed, staring up at the sky just as he did. Ichiru blinked and then looked at Zero. Zero felt that pain in his chest again and rubbed his sternum, "Ichiru?"
"I can't stop looking at her…," Ichiru looked down sadly at his hands. "I'd actually forgotten about her…how could I? She was the only one who cared…"
"Ichiru," Zero turned to his brother, a carbon copy of himself with longer hair and no tattoo or piercings. "It'll be okay…," he reached out for his brother.
"You have to let her know! You have to tell her I'm sorry…," Ichiru looked at Zero. "You have to let her know that I still care…"
"How do I tell her that?' Zero blinked. He sat beside his brother, the pain in his chest amplifying, "How do I tell her what you did?"
"Do you think she'll hate me?" Ichiru asked sadly, his voice cracked. "When she finds out what I've done to Mom and Dad, do you think she'll hate me?"
Zero looked at his twin. He wanted to comfort his brother, tell him that everything would be okay. He rubbed his chest, "How do I tell her that you're inside of me?"
Ichiru looked up at Zero. Zero sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "Ichiru, do you think she'll hate me for allowing you to die? Do you think she'll hate me for killing you?"
Ichiru stared at Zero for the longest moment before Zero looked at his twin. He carefully put a hand on his twin's hair and ruffled his hair, "Ichiru?"
"Yes?" Ichiru replied softly.
"Did you ever love Kira as more the just a friend?" Zero asked, his cheeks were burning even though Ichiru was the one blushing.
§Vampire Knight§
Innocence
A/N: IIIIIIICCCCCHHHHHIIIIRRRRRUU UUUU! D": I MISS YOU! Who else misses Ichiru? I do. Who else thinks Ichi and Kira had something going on? O_o
I know its seems LAME that I used Yukki's little bracelet thingie, but c'mon, it was used like once and appeared three times! And the little thing is pretty damn awesome!
Oh well~ I do not own Vampire Knight (much to my saddness and dismay but its okay! I will survive!) Sorry for Spelling Errors. I really should proof read.
Please Read and Review! PLEASE! I must know if you like my story! ^^
Please come again and tell your friends! Until next time!
Please R+R
~Saved by Dark Innocence
