A/N

Believe it or not, but this chapter was actually finished before 7 was released, and I'm still just now posting it. Until now I'd either been 1) packing to move. 2) reading Looking For Alaska by made-of-awesome John Green (again). 3) getting sucked into roleplay. 4) messing with my new (to me) iPhone and changing every setting I could. 5) actually moving, and then starting school. I got sick. Everyone else got sick. Swine flu invaded and freaked everyone out. We got a ridiculously large load of homework. Etc.

Regardless, Chapter VIII is written and typed and, since you're reading this, posted.

Enjoy!

Through Other Eyes

Chapter Eight: Shouting Match

"Well, uh, that's all I had to show you, Ani-chan, Kaname-kun," the headmaster says, finally cutting through the awkward silence in which I stared at Kuran blankly and Kuran looked at me with big, sad, apologetic puppy eyes.

Kuran drops my hand, and I sheath my blade. We both turn to the headmaster, who looks exceptionally flustered. Somehow, I can't help thinking that our display has hastened our dismissal. Regardless, I can't say I'm not pleased. I walk the meter to the desk and lift the silver net, carefully folding it and stowing it in the inner pocket of my coat, next to Silver Moon. Kuran doesn't argue either, simply standing there.

"Since the Day Class is still in classes, you should both be able to go to your dorms without being seen or noticed," Headmaster Cross continues. Actually, I think he's been talking the whole time. I just haven't been listening, preferring to think. "Ani, you can go to your next class, or you can stay in your dorm to practice with your new weapons and say you felt ill." I nod, thinking simultaneously It's really weird to be told you can skip class by your headmaster, and No way am I going back if I can skip!

"Kaname," the headmaster continues, turning to Kuran, "You can go back to sleep. I suppose it is rather late for you to be awake..." I glance at my watch. It's nearly noon, or midnight for a vampire. Now I have to wonder: why on Earth would Kuran be awake this late, just to hear a lecture he could have gotten at night? I inwardly shake my head. I can never seem to understand Kuran Kaname.

Now that the headmaster's attention is turned to Kuran, I myself turn to the door. I have only put my hand on the knob when the headmaster says, "Ani, do take it easy practicing, the necklace will upset your balance slightly until it gets used to you, and the blood loss..." And right then I yank at the doorknob, the door never opens properly, but then I notice it's already opened a crack. I can't take back my exerted energy, however, and I stumble back. Normally this wouldn't be a problem... but my head is spinning as I try to find my feet... the ground is rushing at me as my vision fuzzes over, and I loose my grip on the doorknob, my senses quickly following suit.

*_*_*

I awake, on the ground still, to the sound of barely contained shouting.

"What did you do to her?!" My eyes fly open at the voice, Zero's without a doubt, but only to close in pain at the bright light. All I saw other than the blinding light were three pairs of legs, one pair covered in white cloth, one tan cloth, one black cloth. Kuran, Headmaster Cross, and Zero.

"I did nothing." Kuran's voice is calmer than Zero's and further from shouting, but still seething with just as much anger and loathing.

"That's not entirely correct, Kaname." The headmaster's voice is mild and without anger, but does carry a light warning. "You did take a little blood before she used her swo–"

"I knew it!" Zero's voice has now become a snarl. "Thought you'd just take a sip? A tasting? Since another of your kind as already ruined–"

"She is not ruined!" Kuran's snapped bark cuts off Zero's snarl. Maybe they have all become dogs. They're certainly as feral sometimes, but I've never had the misfortune of being this close to the argument.

"Maybe not now," Zero says, his voice lower, bitterness and fury dripping from it, "Just wait a couple years and you'll be sending someone after her."

"Zero, control yourself!" The headmaster's tone is unusually stern. "Ani-chan will wake up, and she needs to sleep."

"Yes Kiryu, we can't have you waking up the ruined girl." The floorboards creak loudly.

"Zero, no!" I'm itching to open my eyes, but I realize they probably shouldn't know how much I've heard. And I suppose I know exactly what I'll see; the headmaster restraining Zero as he tries to lunge at Kuran, and Kuran's face as smug as Zero's in contorted with anger.

"Zero, control yourself!" The floorboards creak again; Zero's shifting his weight back to his original position away from Kuran. "And Kaname, you too need to restrain yourself."

Muttering on both sides, too soft for me to understand.

"Now, Zero, you are going to take Ani-chan back to her dorm," the headmaster says in a strangely commanding tone that invites no arguing.

Rather than agree, however, Zero does argue. "I want to know about Ani's job from the Association," Zero contradicts the order in a very calm tone.

"Now Zero," the headmaster says, a little nervously.

"I won't take no for an answer," Zero insists, his voice still calm, although the effort to keep it so is showing more. "Ani was crying last night about how she had to kill a Kuran, and drink this Kuran's blood."

"Kiryu, this isn't something you need to stick your nose in," Kuran says, his voice also calm, but also with the strain of keeping back anger.

"Kaname," the headmaster says warningly. "Zero... I will tell you the situation for Ani-chan's sake..." I can hear him sigh, and hear something else. Guilt, maybe? That according to Zero's account I'm obviously not taking this well? I suppose I'm not, but I hate having to hear someone else say it. "Kaname, could you take Ani-chan back to her dorm?"

"Can't we call Yuki? To keep there from being a riot in the dorm that I'd have to take care of later?"

"Yuki can't carry Anisei that far, idiot."

"Kaname's right, Zero..." The headmaster is clearly worn out from the effort of playing referee.

Then someone's lifting me. Kuran, I suppose. Zero says something I don't catch, between the low tone and the fact that the sound of rustling fabric is filling my ears. Kuran's arms, one under my knees and one under my shoulders – pressing my face against his chest uncomfortably – seem tense. Tense... but strong. He smells nice, too... I shake myself mentally. Kuran is Yuki's. I love Zero. Not Kuran.

I feel more movement, and hear the slam of a door being shut too hard. Murmuring voices. An incoherent shout. Footsteps. Kuran's muttering, low enough that I cannot hear what he's saying. Between the lull of Kuran's soft murmuring and the gentle swaying of being carried, I easily fall into deep sleep, not waking even when I am lain onto my bed and Kuran leaves the dark room.

A/N II:

Gah. It's been too long since I've written for this fanfic. Jeez, and it only took 10 minutes to type up the 2nd section. Why I put it off so long, I do not know. And sorry the chapter title sucks. Couldn't think of anything better. Ah well. Review if you liked ^_^