holy majeepers XD an update! wait til you get the end, i was swooning after i wrote it finish lol enjoy apologies for errors


Chapter 8: Our Worth

--Zero--

After an hour of the butt-flattening ride, we finally reached our destination. Kuran was right – the Flora clan was definitely wealthy in their specialties. The rosary farming had started almost ten minutes ago, and it stretched all the way to the main estate. It was what? Five or ten miles with a thousand acres? All I knew was that it was really, really big.

When we exited the limousine, we were greeted by the other members of the Night Class. The men were dressed in tuxedos or suits while the ladies were in long, floor-pooling dresses. They looked so… mature. That rather made me feel 'extra'.

You know, I've never been to a festival… but I knew this isn't very traditional. I'd expected it to be… traditional. Yukatas and all. I suppose the vampire society was quite westernised.

It was so medieval-ish. There was a vampire who announced the arrival of the Kuran Clan. We were lead into a huge hall with a giant, silver chandelier hanging above and I doubted this was a house. There was a row of tables at the left side where drinks and food was served and the other end had a small stage between the two, curved stairways. To the upper right corner, there was an orchestra playing.

Many other guests were already there, throwing glances at Kuran and the other vampires. It was expected. They were all young, beautiful and dressed so glamorously, they stood out from the entire crowd. I simply slinked at the back of the group, not wanting to be near them or even be even thought to be associated with them.

I was partially glad that the vampires had little attention on me, because it gave me a chance to slip away. I caught sight of a back garden. It seemed like a good place to be for the moment. No one was out there and it was less likely any vampire would want to stand in the evening sun.

I was a few steps ahead when I felt something caught the angle between my leg and my foot. Yelping a little, I fell forward, using my hands and knees to break my fall. A surge of pain came from my palm and I hissed, lifting my hand up in reflex to the pain.

To my horror, the bandage at the lower area was reddened. I could feel that the wound had re-opened, sending a pulsing ache. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on its ends as my senses sharpened. I could suddenly feel the hunger coming from my surroundings.

By a natural reaction, I looked up, only to have my entire body freeze under the gazes of several red orbs. I immediately reached for my gun, missing the advances of the other vampires.

--Kaname--

I had my reflexes to thank. If it were not for the speed advantage I had over the lower classes, Kiryuu would have been made an appetizer.

The very moment I had caught the tiniest scent of his blood, I was beside him. Somehow, I had predicted him to stuff up at some point in time – I was surprised it only took him a minute after he stepped into the hall.

Kiryuu remained half-crouched on the floor and frozen when my hand was over his, preventing him from pulling his gun out. It was a predictable move for any hunter, but it was not something he would want to do if he wished to keep his head intact with his neck.

The message had gotten to the other vampires without a word. They knew Kiryuu was under my guard and they drew back to composure, letting their senses gradually neutralise. Their eyes never left Kiryuu though, and I might have snapped at them for doing so.

Kiryuu's hand moved a little in my grip. I side-glanced, seeing him keep his gun under his jacket. He looked about with caution, picking himself up.

"Kaname-sama!" I heard a soft calling and diverted my gaze to the parting crowd, seeing the Night Class hurried over.

"Kiryuu, you're such a clumsy fool!" Aido hissed softly. "Don't you know you're just putting shame on Kaname-sama?"

Kiryuu scowled at the blond. "Something tripped me, ok? Anyway, it's got nothing to do with Kuran."

The guests around us flicked glances at Kiryuu once more. He stiffened reluctantly as all the attention was back on him. I was used to him calling me as I did of his, as the Night Class was as well. For the other vampires, they were probably shocked by the rudeness of it.

A sudden, gentle yet skin-crawling aura made its presence in the hall. Although none of my actions showed the uneasy emotion, my stomach seemed to have started digesting rocks. Kiryuu, on the other hand, clearly froze. My gaze shifted to a parting in the crowd and out stepped my worst nightmare.

Janicelia Sans Flora.

Her scent of roses was so strong it was causing a slight nausea.

I wanted to groan at the sight of her.

She had a natural set of maroon eyes which glinted behind all those thick lashes it would have seemed fake. Her shoulder length hair was golden-brown and slight wavy. She wore a laced headdress with a rose to a side. Her black dress was all frilly, shoulder cut with roses aligned from one shoulder to another it reminded me of a perfect black wedding.

There we go again. The ridiculous image holding situations.

Janicelia walked up to where I was and raised a hand. Part of my mind wanted to pretend I could not see it, but out of respect, I took her smaller hand in mine and brought it to my lips, kissing the back of her hand very briefly.

When I looked up, she returned a satisfied smile and she dropped her hand by her side.

Her eyes switched to look away at Kiryuu.

It was my turn to freeze.

--Normal--

"And who may you be?" Janicelia asked in a sweet, gentle voice. But it was not what the hunter heard it as. He could hear the hiss which was accompanied by venom. It may have sounded like a welcoming question to other vampires, but to him it seemed like a viper ready to strike.

It took Zero a while to realise Kaname was not going to help him in this. In any way, he would refuse the help. He could deal with this matter without the pureblood's help – he hoped.

"Zero Kiryuu", he replied confidently, successfully hiding his momentary fear.

Janicelia had almost the same aura as Kaname. Cold, devilish… but after experiencing the possible height of this aura from Kaname, he could only see this woman's life force as a pin prick.

Zero heard a few gasps and ignored them. He needed to fully concentrate on the female vampire, whom he could admit was beautiful. But she reminded him of a sheep in wolf's clothing.

"Kiryuu? As in the hunter family Kiryuu? I'd never thought I'd meet one of them!" She laughed. Pure sarcasm was evident and Zero clenched his fist.

He was not angry of the indirect insult thrown at him, just pissed by that laughter far too annoying to match that face of hers.

Kaname walked over to Zero's side, making the hunter wonder what he was up to.

"I do apologise for his little intrusion, Ms. Flora. As a devoted Guardian of the school, he is inclined to ensure every student of this school, regardless human or not, stays safe", Kaname explained.

Zero wanted to snort, but he knew better than to do so openly. All the pureblood was doing was hiding the true reason of his attendance. However, he was slightly grateful because of Janicelia had directed the question at him, he was sure the he would be struck dumb and down.

"Of course. That is understandable", the female pureblood replied. She did not want to press further into the matter, mainly because that was not her intention for now. "Kaname-sama, it is alright to call me by my name", she said again with a hint of shyness.

Zero felt like puking. He had seen many of this sort of act in school one too many times, but seeing her to it… He felt more disgusted than ever.

Kaname only smiled. He obviously had no intention of doing that at all.

Janicelia suddenly lightened up, as if remembering something.

"Oh yes, and Kiryuu-san, it would be much appreciated if you address Kaname-sama appropriately", she said with a smile. Zero could practically tell it was an order. A threat, by the looks of it. In his head he was telling her to piss off.

If she was trying to win Kaname's liking by trying to make him feel superior again, forget it. It was not like Kaname was going to fall for a petty name-calling anyway.

"Sorry. I should be more polite, shouldn't I? Kaname?" Zero half-sneered.

Pissing Janicelia might just be fun, he thought. He was right when the female pureblood widened her eyes in shock. Calling Kaname by his name was absolutely rude.

But instead of being insulted, Kaname seemed to be enjoying the reactions Janicelia gave and thus replied.

"Of course, Zero. We all should be respectful, shouldn't we?"

For the other vampires, the direct name calling was confusing. It could mean deliberate insulting or an indication of intimacy.

In Zero and Kaname's head, it was purely for pissing each other off with the latter reason.

The entire Night Class students and vampires around the hunter and the pureblood (who were secretly shooting each other electrifying glares) were watching the conversation in shock, with the exception of Kain who was trying not to laugh out loud. Aido heard a snicker from his cousin and elbowed him in the stomach, glaring to say how serious the situation was.

Zero had insulted Kaname, in the Night Class' point of view. He was not going to get away with it that easily.

--Zero--

If looks could kill, I'm sure I'd be first in the world to be drowned by glares. Every vampire in the room was doing that but I tried to show no signs of falling back. Secretly, my internals were shaking. From fear and laughter at the same time. It was so stupid.

I'm so stupid.

I just turned every vampire even more of an enemy.

Kuran wasn't one of them at the moment.

Kaname.

I've got to get used to calling him by his name to piss Janicelia off. Well, I feel peeved by her presence. It's worse than the girls in school. She totally reminded me of those 'I want, I get' kind of girl. Pushy and demanding too. And god, that scent of her perfume is lung twisting.

I still couldn't believe I made a joke out of calling Ku-Kaname by his name. All the more I couldn't believe that he actually played along.

The entire hall was eerily silent and it was starting to get difficult to contain my composure. The back of my head was tightening like a headache pressure. My fingers had curled themselves inwards.

I was glad when Kaname finally spoke, breaking the silence and gloom.

"Ms. Flora, I have a present for you", he said.

At that moment, Ichijou stepped out. It was the bouquet which he had brought along. So that was what it was for…

Kaname took the flowers from Ichijou and presented it to her graciously. Her face lit up and Janicelia took the bouquet with smiles and all, gently cradling the roses in her arms.

"I have a present for you too! Jhoene!" She called out.

A few seconds later, a tall, big-built vampire exited the crowd and held out a small box about the size of a cigarette pack. She exchanged the items and opened the box.

I felt my jaw tighten when I saw what it was. To say it was breathtaking was an understatement, but what was held in the box was a bracelet. A thick chained kind with a crystal jewel embedded in every chain piece. In the middle there was a metal plate, bordered with crystals and only my better eyesight had allowed my to see a cursive 'K' engraved on it.

One of my hands reached for my pocket and tightened around a metallic object.

--Kaname--

Janicelia held out the box and I stared at the bracelet without much surprise. She enjoyed spending thousands for custom made things and sometimes I was just bored with such things. Indeed, the gift she presented before me was beautiful, but it was not something I was touched by.

I heard a soft tinkle and I side-glanced quickly.

It came from Kiryuu again and I was dumb-founded by the face he wore. He looked like he was disappointed… why? Because I was receiving something of such grand quality?

My attention was back at Janicelia who had managed to take hold of my hand. Only a split second reflex told me not to pull back – it would leave the both of us awkward. In addition to that, the Master and Mistress of this household were watching us very closely.

Her delicate fingers worked on the clip of the bracelet and it fit nicely around my wrist. After fixing it, Janicelia looked up at me and smiled. I had no choice but to smile and thank her as well.

It was then I heard the tinkling noise even clearer. Many other vampires did the same as I did – turned and searched for the source.

It was Kiryuu again and he had turned around, walking away in large, quickened strides. It was uncommon for him to do it and from memory he only resorted to such walking habit when he was unhappy about something. What…

"Kaname-sama! Please come! I've prepared a blood wine specially brewed for you!"

And it could include some weird substance which could get me craving blood before midnight.

Refusal was not an option for now, but I was tempted to know what Kiryuu was upset about. He was alright a moment ago, after all.

"Kain, make sure Zero is alright", I said. It took a slight effort to remember calling him by his name. But it went smoothly and I could tell that Janicelia was not all that happy about the name calling.

Somehow, it made me oddly amused at her jealousy, since I refused to call her by hers.

Kain nodded and proceeded to the back garden where Kiryuu was already at.

As I followed Janicelia to the front end of the hall near the orchestra, her guard, Jhoene, courteously handed me a glass. I took it with thanks and found that Janicelia had gotten her own.

She intended to divert all vampires' attention to the two of us. It was successfully because the atmosphere was full of jealousy. It was annoying - not only the auras, but her who made it look like we were close.

I had no intention in letting that remain.

Janicelia thought she could out-wit me by talking first, hoping that my attention was no longer on the drink (in which had my fullest, in fact). She decided to stop and gently tapped her glass to mine, taking a sip.

I pretended to drink, only letting it touch my lips and swallowed nothing. She seemed contented that I had taken it. I casually placed the glass on the table and struck another conversation with her without a heart for doing so. Half of my mind was thinking about Kiryuu who was currently being approached by Kain.

Janicelia's voice, the surrounding vampires and the orchestra was hindering my hearing and it offered me the greatest of annoyance. I could not hear what Kain and Kiryuu's conversation was. They were also a little far.

However, from the look on Kiryuu's face, I was right. He was clearly not happy about something.

I suddenly remembered that the sun was going to set soon. When it did, it would be the moonlight shining on Kiryuu. As long as we were under a roof it would not affect us yet and I had to get Kiryuu in.

"Ms. Flora, I would have to excuse myself for a while. Kain seems to be having a hard time with Zero", I said.

She frowned a little, turning around. As if on cue, Kiryuu had given Kain a shove, indicating that there was definitely a problem. Reluctantly, she nodded and I left, heading for one of the open glass doors.

"It doesn't matter!" I heard Kiryuu yell when I was outside.

I proceeded down the few flight of stairs and Kain looked up at me while Kiryuu had to do so over his shoulder.

I jerked my head a tiny bit and Kain got the message, leaving us immediately. Kiryuu returned to letting only his back face me and I went up, going around and standing right in front of him.

"I do hope there is a proper explanation for your behaviour", I said bluntly.

He kept his gaze away, on the floor, replying in a pissed tone. "Nothing."

It was an obvious lie, but if he did not want to say it, let it be.

"If 'nothing' is the case, do act rationally", I continued. "I would also appreciate that you do not resort to violence."

"Shut up. He was bothering me."

"Out of a possible concern, maybe?"

Kiryuu finally lifted his head up, glaring. "Stop acting like you care, will you? You're probably just out here doing this so you'll have a damn good image to hold."

Mentally, I was frowning. It was partially true, but I was genuinely concerned about his sudden change of attitude. Yet, he took it as if I was doing it for the sake of doing so.

I forced myself not to rebuke the statement. I was tempted to, but it would only cause the situation to be messier. It was not my reason of being out here either.

That moment, I heard a distinct tinkle again. This time, no doubt, it came from Kiryuu's pocket. I was sure of it.

"What is in your pocket?" I asked casually.

Kiryuu looked at me with surprise and turned away. He looked like he debated on something.

"Nothing. You should get back in there. Janicelia is waiting." He started walking away and I heard the tinkle again. It annoyed me to no end when it sounded so familiar, yet I could not pinpoint in which part of my memory I had heard it, which was weird.

I grabbed the arm which had a hand in his pocket and his movement caused his hand to slip out. Something grey-silver dropped and the tinkle was loud and clear.

The object clattered to the ground and I blinked. It was a chain with a large pendant, a cross with a rose emblem in the middle. It was dull grey, but bits of it glittered with silver. Just beside the pendant was a black bell…

I finally remembered where I had heard it from. It was one of the two which the old woman in town had given me. The one I had given to Kiryuu…

A hand grabbed the chain on the floor and I realised it was Kiryuu. He glared at me as he clenched it.

"Forget you saw that."

Forget? That was one thing purebloods have a hard time trying to do.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" He snapped again. "Don't even push it."

"Was that for me?"

I meant for it to be a sarcastic question to make fun of him, but when he was blinking at me in shock I realised it was true.

"N-no it's not! Why would it be?" Kiryuu stuttered and resumed walking in those long strides.

Oddly, I found myself following.

"I'd like to know as well", I replied as I kept in pace with him.

"Stop following me!" Kiryuu barked and turned around, lashing his arm.

Just as he did, I caught his wrist. He was stunned by my quick reflex but did not pull back. That was odd as well.

We just stood there for a while – his wrist in mine, my gaze on him and his on the ground. I did not intend to let go any time soon and he seemed to have gotten the message.

"Fine", he sighed with annoyance. His other hand took the object from the one I had captive and the bell tinkled again as he held it dangling. "It's your present, ok? The Blood Moon Festival is supposed to celebrate pureblood birthdays, isn't it? So here you go, your stupid present."

I took the object before letting his hand go. He rubbed his wrist with a frown on his face. I stared at the pendant. Now that it was closer, I could see the intricate carvings on the cross itself. The rose was in the junction and a vine coiled the lower bit.

It was a bracelet again, but it was different from the one Janicelia had given. This one was slightly scratched with tiny bits of chipping, craftsmanship at a pretty average level.

"Just throw it away", he suddenly said and I looked up.

"Why?"

"It doesn't beat the one Janicelia gave you. For someone like you, I'm sure that high class thing fits you more than this hand-made junk."

"You made this?"

Kiryuu crossed his arms, looking away. The frown remained on his face and he pouted a little, like a kid.

"Yeah, big deal. If I knew she was going to give you something like this I wouldn't have wasted my entire day on-" he stopped.

Kiryuu made this bracelet? I couldn't say it was very professionally done, but for him to do it…

"Why?"

"It's a birthday, right? It's only nice… to give a present…" he mumbled the last bit, but I heard it clearly.

Still, I could not believe… he did this for me.

--Normal--

Zero awkwardly stared at the ground, a hand covering the lower half of his face.

In truth, he had skipped class as Takeshi had said, to head down to town and buy the materials. He enjoyed making accessories. It was a secret hobby of his. He would hand-make the accessories for Yuki and simply lie to her that he bought it from somewhere. He thought it was really odd for a guy to be doing such a thing…

And just a second ago he had accidentally slipped out that he had personally made it. He knew Kaname was sure to be turned off by what he did. The bracelet was not even close to compare with Janicelias's gift. In comparison to that expensive, expertly crafted accessory, his was low.

That was the slight bit he had picked a small fight with Kain. The latter forced him to keep the bracelet while the hunter was desperately trying to throw it away. If Kaname had not showed up he might have been successful.

Not that Kaname had it in his hand…

"Give it back. I'm going to dispose it."

Kaname gave a look Zero had never seen before. It looked like the pureblood was shocked to hear those words.

"Why?"

"Stop asking that! It's not worth keeping!" Zero reached out, trying to grab the bracelet back. However, Kaname was much quicker and had easily avoided the grasp, side-stepping and letting the hunter fall forward a few steps.

"It is mine, so it is only right that I keep it", Kaname reasoned easily.

"Stop joking! It isn't funny. Why would you keep some trash like that when you've got something better?" Zero frowned.

"Did I say that her gift to me was better?" The pureblood suddenly tossed a serious gaze, causing the ex-human to freeze.

It was the cold chill which ran down his spine.

Kaname shifted his gaze back to the bracelet Zero made. He felt so much warmer receiving this gift. The one Janicelia gave had been empty. It had not touched his heart more than the one in his hand.

"It's not worth", Zero mumbled silently.

The brunette clasped the bracelet in one hand while the other started to undo the one Janicelia had put on him.

Zero simply watched, dumb-founded.

After the pureblood removed the accessory from his wrist, he kept it in his pocket. He held out the hand which was holding the bracelet with the cross.

"I would be needing a little help", he said.

Zero glared at the other, wondering what Kaname had taken him for. To remove the bracelet Janicelia personally fixed on… it would be insulting, no?

Nevertheless, Zero did not want to see… Kaname wear such a thing. It made the pureblood look so dazzling. If Kaname wore the one he had made, it would look more fashion-based. It was just looks but…

Slowly, Zero reached his hand out and Kaname dropped the bracelet into his hand. In one move, the hunter could just throw it away as he intended before. But Kaname was waiting, hand out.

Gritting his teeth, Zero coiled the bracelet from the underside of Kaname's wrist and put the small rod of an end into the hoop of the other end. He fumbled a little uneasily, but after he succeeded he dropped one hand, the other awkwardly going for his arm.

"It's a little big", Kaname commented, looking at the bracelet around his wrist.

"Shut up. I used my own wrist as a guide… don't expect me to know your size", grunted Zero in an annoyed manner.

Kaname secretly smiled. "Zero."

The hunter half heartedly glanced up.

"When you said it was not worth, I thought of it differently." Kaname dropped his hand quick enough to grab the pendant in his palm. He raised it to his lips and placed a kiss on it. "I believe it is priceless."


HOW WAS THAT?! I SWOONED LIKE OMFG KANAME!! -faints- oh so sexyyyy did you guess the present right? a few people made guesses like necklace and such XD i was thinking about it, but i though the bracelet would be more unique you hardly have bells on necklaces so... haha. what do you think? :333

anyway thanks for reading! btw the blood moon festival may just get a little confusing because i will not be adding a few aspects of it, but the general idea of the BMF is posted in my forum so check it out for a better understanding before i update the next chapter. it would help a bit.

REVIEW!! omg i love reviews!!