Authors note: OH MY GOD!!!! I'M SO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's taken me forever to update and i really didn't mean to. It's just that with school and everything, you know exams, coursework and loads of other shit that i wish i could just burn and never set eyes on again, i didn't get time to write. I am really really sorry. That's why this chapter is kinda long. Not as long as the last one but still pretty long and if you all forgive me and i get a few review i might update sometime this week. I've nearly finished the next chapter.
Anyhoo hope you like it. It's taken long enough to write and publish i hope you aren't angry at me. Flame all you wish i deserve it :'( sorry everyone.
Enjoy mes amis!!!Chapter 10: Revelations. OOOHHH!!! I NEARLY FORGOT. THIS IS SLIGHT OOC ON KANAMES PART I KNOW HE WOULD NEVER HURT YUUKI BUT I NEED HIM TO FOR THIS STORY OK SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!
"Oh for heaven's sake where the hell did I put it?" Yuuki screamed from inside her bedroom.
Down the hall a very tired looking Sayori Wakaba sighed and hesitantly hoisted herself off the sofa as she staggered down the hall way towards Yuuki's bedroom. Cautiously peering inside, Yori ducked out of the way as a heap of white material that was her bed sheets shot out of the doorframe and landed on the floor.
"What are you doing Yuuki?" Yori asked, frowning.
She stared into the large bedroom which Yuuki occupied. The usual clean floor was covered in clothes, make-up, hair products and appliances, bed covers and pillows. Also sticking out from under the bed was a jean clad pair of legs, belonging to Yuuki.
"I had them yesterday..." she grumbled, barely audibly. "They can't have gotten far…"
Yori walked slowly into the room and dropped carelessly onto the stripped mattress. Rubbing her head tentatively, she closed her eyes in a grimace and moved closer to Yuuki's half covered form.
Yuuki attempted to sit up but inadvertently forgot that she was under the bed and whacked her head on the wooden frame.
"Stupid fucking thing!" she cursed loudly. "Sorry, Yori-chan, I forgot you had a headache."
"Lucky for some…" Yori replied harshly, gingerly rubbing her forehead.
"Oi!" Yuuki scolded. "Don't get all shirty with me; it isn't my fault you didn't crawl in 'til two when you knew we had to be up early for this."
"True. But I wasn't the one up at the crack of dawn making the loudest racket ever because I forgot to pack." she hissed again, closing her eyes and collapsing onto the bed.
"I did not forget to pack." Yuuki replied, for the sixth time that morning. "I just left a few things lying around."
Yori nodded but still had a disbelieving look on her face. She groaned and raised her upper body off of the bed. "What are you looking for now?"
"My sunglasses..." she began, hesitantly. "...and my ticket." she whispered the last bit so quietly that Yori blinked four times before she could process the information.
"Yuuki, please tell me you're kidding." she pleaded.
"I would love to… but I'm not." Yuuki braced herself for the onslaught.
"Yuuki, we have to leave soon!" Yori reminded her, beginning to show signs of panic.
"Don't you think I know that?" Yuuki shouted, making Yori flinch. "The plane leaves in an hour and a half. Jamie will be here in ten minutes and even if he drives over the speed limit we'll be lucky to make it there in time. I'm not stupid; I know we're late."
"Yuuki–" Yori interrupted, but Yuuki was not listening.
"Zero's engagement party is in a week, and everything is closed for the holiday so we can't take another plane but if we don't show up Akira will literally kill me...." Yuuki's rant seemed never ending.
"Yuuki!" Yori shouted, finally catching her friends' attention, stopping her mid-sentence.
"Yes?" Yuuki asked timidly.
"Your sunglasses? They are black, aren't they" she enquired.
"Yes…"
"With a little silver heart on them?"
"Yes…" Yuuki replied again, looking and sounding annoyed
"They're on your vanity table, on top of your ticket." Yori finished.
Yuuki's eyebrows pulled together in confusion. Slowly she turned to look on the table behind and her and, sure enough, the ticket and her glasses were there.
"Whoops." she grinned sheepishly. Yori just rolled her eyes and got off the bed.
"Get your stuff together and put them by the front door. Jamie will be here any minute." And with that quick reminder, she walked out of the door.
Yori and Jamie had been out the previous night celebrating six week anniversary. Yori had finally staggered in at two o'clock in the morning, blind drunk and intent on waking the entire apartment building. When Yuuki had finally been able to crawl back into her bed and get to sleep it was almost three. Yuuki was up at six making sure she had everything; including her box of blood tablets which had remained hidden from Yori. It was hard for Yuuki to keep secrets from her best friend. After asking about it a hundred and one times Yori had finally given up, but Yuuki knew it still bothered her.
As Yuuki's mind wandered to her friend she felt a pang of sadness consume her. All too soon Yori and Jamie would be gone from Yuuki's life whilst she spent the rest of her long life miserable and alone. Yuuki cast her saddened eyes to the floor and her eyes fell on one black PVC thigh high boot. In a flash she was reliving the memory of Aidou's party. His breath on her neck, his hands on her waist… The feeling of the sleek, black metal of his car pressed into her back…
The way his eyes bored into hers, which made her feel like he could see into her very soul.
Shaking her head in an attempt to clear her head of the masochistic thoughts she was subjecting herself to, she cast her eyes around the room only for them to rest on the bag hanging on her closet door, which contained a very beautiful, elegant strapless lilac dress. Once again she fell into her memories of him. The seconds past quickly as she was reminded of the way his lips felt against her skin, how much pleasure she took from inhaling his intoxicating scent.
Then, of course, there were the memories of the days that followed. Waking up and seeing him lying there, looking so serene; so peaceful. Through the silence that echoed around her mind a clear voice broke through. It was a beautiful yet harmful pastime that Yuuki was unsure as to whether she should shy away or embrace it.
"I'm engaged."
Those two little words had caused her so much pain, yet she could not forget them. Or him. Yuuki unconsciously fell to the floor and a small sob escaped her lips as she fought to restrain the angry tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks.
"Yuuki?" someone asked tenderly from behind her.
The sudden voice shocked Yuuki into reality and the pools of water within her eyes ceased to be. Yuuki had taught herself in the time away from him not to cry in front of the others. They did not deserve to share in her pain and she was not in the mood for pity.
Clearing her throat in a vain attempt to hide the sorrow within them, Yuuki looked up into the concerned eyes of her best friend.
"Yeah?" she replied, praying she sounded calm and controlled.
"Jamie's outside. We need to get going." Yori's eyebrows were tilted in compassion and her tender eyes screamed at Yuuki, willing her to talk about her feelings but Yuuki knew that talking about it would mean another restless night's sleep and needless tears.
"Oh yeah, gomen." she murmured, before grabbing her bag and ticket. She placed the sunglasses over her eyes. Since it was practically the middle of summer the sun was blinding; give or take a few weeks. Whilst normal humans lap up the rays, sunbathing, the increase in light intensity was wreaking havoc on Yuuki's eyes. The sunglasses also served to cover the prominent, dark, bruise like circles forming on Yuuki's face due to lack of sleep over the past few weeks.
Taking one final glance in the mirror, Yuuki straightened her top and brushed her fringe out of her eyes before heading to the front door. Yori was in the kitchen shouting instructions through to Jamie.
"Mine are the blue ones!" she called.
Jamie muttered darkly under his breath and Yuuki managed to catch a few words. Bloody woman packs way too much… before he hauled Yori's heavy suitcase out of the door and towards the elevator.
At that exact moment Yori came rushing through the living room like a hurricane picking up stray rubbish and straightening the mirror and magazines on the table. The room was spotless; thanks to her recent blast of obsessive cleaning. Yuuki shook her head and bent to pick up her own blood red suitcase. It was half the size of Yori's, but Yuuki knew that she had packed at least six more outfits than her, mainly because Yuuki was staying for a week longer than Yori.
Yuuki picked up her keys and mobile which she tucked into the front pocket of her jeans and scanned quickly for any other things she may need for the trip. She gasped and ran to the desk before hastily picking up her yellow iPod and shoving it into her other pocket. Satisfied that she had everything she needed, Yuuki turned and made her way out the door. When she reached the door frame Yori spoke to her in a gentle voice.
"Yuuki, you can't keep blocking out the memories…"
Yuuki froze on the spot and stared blankly at the wall. Had she really been that obvious?
"I've been your best friend for years; I know what goes on in your head. You miss him. I know you do. Pushing away what happened won't make it any easier for you. Yuuki, you should go and talk to him. I know you want to." her voice was filled with concern and pity but Yuuki just shook her head.
"You're wrong." was all she said.
Walking out of the room Yuuki halted at the elevator where Jamie was currently on the floor with Yori's suitcase on top of him. Stifling a giggle Yuuki dropped her own suitcase and offered Jamie a hand.
"Need help, Superman?" she teased.
"Please!" he wheezed.
Faking effort, Yuuki pulled the suitcase off him and grabbed his hand, pulling him off the floor.
"I honestly don't know what she packs in there…" he muttered darkly.
Yuuki laughed, but it wasn't natural. Yori's words had sparked ideas in her mind and she was fighting the urge to talk to Ka…him. She didn't dare even think his name let alone speak it for she knew that even something so small would shake her already fragile emotional status. Jamie pressed the button for the elevator, but it didn't light up.
"What's wrong with this thing?" Jamie moaned, and pressed it again; agitated "If I have to drag that god forsaken suitcase down all those stairs I'll strangle her."
He stomped off down the hall and picked up the in-building phone. Dialling the maintenance room, Yuuki used her heightened senses to listen in to the conversation.
"Hello?" the man answered.
"Hi, we're on the 16th floor and the elevator isn't coming. Do you know what's wrong?" Jamie rushed quickly, trying to explain calmly but just sounding pissed off.
"Gomen-nasai. It appears we've encountered a technical difficulty; we'll try and fix it as soon as possible but in the mean time try to make yourself comfortable. It should be done in about five minutes, maybe less." he explained.
Yuuki's vision became clouded as she was pulled back into her memories for the third time, until she was seeing a time when those exact words had last been spoken to her.... His lust filled eyes as he leaned down to press his lips to hers. The hasty way her fingers unfastened the buttons of his shirt, exposing the most exquisite body Yuuki had seen. The quick, passionate way his lips darted left and right across her collar bone. Running her hands through his luscious hair. Gasping out loud and breathing heavily Yuuki returned to the present and found that she was trembling. Suppressing the tears that had surged forth once more and, concentrating on not falling to pieces right then, Yuuki refocused on Jamie's now finished conversation.
Jamie thanked the man through gritted teeth and slammed the receiver back into place.
"We might be stuck here for a while." he grimaced. "Where's Yori?"
Yuuki glanced at her watch and inwardly groaned when she saw the time. Their plane would be leaving in fifty minutes. She was going to have to drive.
"Jamie? I'm driving." she announced.
Jamie frowned and asked why. Yuuki tapped her watch and Jamie checked his.
"Holy shit!" he cried, and ran off to find Yori.
"I'm taking the stairs. Meet you down there." she called after him.
Picking up her suitcase she hurried off towards the stairs. She barged through the swinging doors. Looking down over the railing she saw the ground floor in the distance.
Let's play a game she thought
Swinging her suitcase in front of her she allowed it to hang in front of her for a second. As if in slow motion she let go and watched it fall down the gap between the stairs. After three feet she took dived down the stairs after it. Using her inhumane speed she darted round and round in circles, down sixteen flights of stairs. The scenery became a blur and the steps seemed to melt into one as she sprinted down them, gracefully. Yuuki realised she was smiling and her mind tried to remember the last time she had ran like this. Just for fun. Concluding that it was not lately, she shook her head incredulously at herself. Running made her feel free and invigorated.
Yuuki chanced a look up and saw that her suitcase was only six feet above her. Cringing, she pushed herself to her limits. Running as fast as she could she reached the ground floor and positioned herself where her suitcase would land. She was only waiting ten seconds before the flying red object landed with a loud thud in her arms. Panting slightly, she grinned in triumph. She quickly looked down to give herself the once over. She did not want to look at if she had just walked through a thundering windstorm. Yuuki was wearing a pair of navy high heels with grey skinny jeans. Hastily rearranging the navy blouse, she loosened the top buttons, exposing a little skin. The ruffles served to emphasize her flat stomach yet the baggy material skimmed her curves, and tightened around her wrists. Yuuki ran her fingers through her hair and fluffed it a little before stepping into the foyer.
Somewhere to her left a bell clanged and Yuuki heard the elevator doors slide open noisily.
"We're going to be here for ages waiting for her to get down those stairs." Yori hissed "Why didn't you tell her to wait?"
Jamie was also hissing; the stressful morning had put them both in a bad mood "Because I was looking for you."
"I was coming, you should have just waited."
"I'll keep that in mind next time." he retorted sarcastically.
"Guys, guys!" Yuuki called, and both their heads snapped up as they looked over at her "I'm here, so chill!"
Both Yori and Jamie looked relieved and they made their way over to her.
"I'll go get the car." Yuuki shouted, and the grumbling pair followed behind her, dragging Yori's bags.
The usher's mouth hung open when Yuuki walked towards him. She looked like a runway model. The light reflected off her sunglasses and as she walked her hair bounced off her shoulders. He watched her every move and couldn't seem to be able to move fast enough to cater to her needs. Yuuki smiled slightly to herself. Her beauty came in useful for something.
As the usher climbed out of Jamie's car, Yuuki thanked him and handed him her bag. It was comical the way he practically dropped to the floor when Yuuki let go of the bag. Slowly he heaved the suitcase into the back of the car. As Yuuki climbed in to the driver's seat, Yori and Jamie emerged from the main building, struggling with the luggage.
"Could you help them please? We're kind of in a hurry." The usher nodded and Yuuki smiled apologetically at him. With the usher's help Jamie managed to fit everyone's luggage into the trunk of his car.
"Shotgun!" Yori shouted.
"No fair, it's my car. I don't even get to drive." Jamie wailed loudly.
"Well yes, but Yuuki drives a hell of a lot faster than you do and we have about thirty-five minutes to get to the airport before the plane leaves." Yori smiled devilishly at him and Jamie grudgingly climbed into the back seat of the car. When all the doors were shut Yuuki's heel hit the gas pedal and they shot away from the building. The usual hour long journey to Tokyo airport took less than twenty minutes, thanks to Yuuki's insane driving. Due to some higher power there was hardly any traffic, so they managed to slide along the roads at breakneck speed without getting caught up in early morning traffic. For that they were all thankful.
Parking in the secure parking zone where Jamie's car would spend the next week, they all piled out and rushed to grab their luggage, before locking up and heading towards the terminal.
Luck was definitely on their side when they got to customs. There was no queue and their check went through without any setbacks. They ran through the airport and found their departure lounge.
Panting, the three of them all looked at the clock simultaneously, grinning when they saw that they had ten minutes until take off.
"I. Need. Caffeine." Yuuki gasped, and the other two laughed before they made their way over to a coffee shop and each bought something to keep them occupied. As a loud voice echoed around the hall announcing that their plane was boarding they rose from their table and went towards the doors. Yuuki smiled to herself and looked around the airport. Everything was so busy here. It reminded her off her own life. Chaotic and stressful, but fun.
"What are you smiling about?" Jamie asked suspiciously. Ever since Yuuki had hit him on the head with a flying rock Jamie had questioned every single one of Yuuki's smiles, automatically thinking it involved another sinister plan to injure him.
"I haven't seen Zero in ages. It will be nice to catch up." she explained, whilst shrugging.
Yori smiled too and they made their way onto the plane.
They found their seats easily enough and sat chatting while the plane went through the pre-flight preparations. The take off was uneventful and when they reached cruising altitude Yuuki pulled out her iPod and she flicked to the shuffle songs function. The first song that came on was 'Home' by 'Michael Bublé'. Listening to the lyrics, Yuuki found herself reminiscing about her childhood and she realised just how much she missed her home and the life she had led. She was not bitter about her reawakening, but living life as a human had been so much simpler and now, more than ever, she wished for a simple life. Staring aimlessly out the window, Yuuki could not fight her eyelids as they closed and her mind went black.
"Yuuki?" someone whispered, and a hand gently shook her shoulder. "Yuuki wake up, we've landed."
"Huh?" Yuuki groggily asked, before slowly opening her eyes.
Sure enough Yori and Jamie were standing above her in the aisle waiting for her to get up. Searching the surrounding area she noticed that they were the last three people on the plane, except the hostess, who was impatiently checking her watch every few seconds and shooting annoyed looks at Yuuki.
"Oops!" she whispered, before diving for her bag; hastily getting out of her seat. Yori and Jamie just smiled at her, teasing their friend; not annoyed at all. Childishly, Yuuki stuck her tongue out at them, and they laughed. Apparently their bad mood from that morning had worn off.
Stepping into the air conditioned arrival section of the small airport, Yuuki glanced round in anticipation. Sure enough, standing extremely still and looking very authoritative if not slightly awkward, stood two men. They were both wearing a flat cap and dark sunglasses. They were human; Yuuki could sense from their scent, but they were more dignified compared to the loud, obnoxious students crowding the airport on their way home. Yuuki took the lead and casually strolled towards the two men.
"Miss Cross-sama." they acknowledged, and bowed to her when she approached. "Your father sent us; we have a car waiting for you."
Yuuki just nodded at them. "Not wanting to sound rude or anything, but why is there two of you if there is only one car?"
"Chairman Cross explained to us how much luggage Miss Wakaba-san brought on your last visit and he advised that more than one person would be beneficiary."
Yuuki could not help but grin when she heard Yori shuffle and cough uncomfortably. Turning, she saw that Jamie was silently gaffing, and Yori was an impressive shade of crimson that Yuuki would have been proud of.
"Let's go get the luggage then." Yuuki motioned, and Yori stormed off to the baggage collection without another word. Jamie walked after her, slower than usual, thanks to his uncontrollable laughter. Yuuki shook her head at her best friends and wandered over to another crowded section of the airport.
It took ten minutes for Jamie's bag to finally arrive, even after Yuuki and Yori had theirs. Casually, Yuuki, Yori and Jamie walked outside the airport terminal and found that a sleek, white car was waiting for them. Well, they assumed it was for them when the chauffeurs popped open the trunk and reached for Yori's blue suitcase. Between the pair of them they managed to neatly store her case within a minute and reached for Yuuki's and Jamie's. Yuuki smiled thankfully at the man who Yuuki assumed was in his mid-thirties, and most definitely human, handing over her own red bag. Once all three suitcases were safely in the trunk Jamie took a step back and admired the car. Letting out a long, whistle of approval he turned to the man climbing in the driver's seat of the car.
"Nice car, man." he nodded.
The driver grinned "Thank you, sir."
"What model is it?" Jamie enquired, not taking his eyes off the hunk of metal whilst Yuuki shook her head laughing and Yori climbed into the car, smiling at the man holding the door for her.
"I believe it is the dodge avenger, sir. The chairman requested I take this car, his other ones stand out a bit." he grinned again, and Jamie nodded his head in silent approval. His eyes were the size of plates and were practically popping out of his head.
"Jamie, if you get in the car now, I'll let you drive my car when we get to my house." Yuuki offered, but Jamie scoffed.
"Why would I want to drive your beat up Peugeot?"
Yuuki narrowed her eyes at him and he stared back.
"For your information Jamie, that is my city car, here at home I have three cars and I was going to let you drive my Aston but if you don't want to then I suppose me and Yori can go" she sneered
Jamie's jaw dropped "The new Aston Martin?" he questioned
"Yeah the DB9 Fiorano, only got it last Christmas." Yuuki replied, smiling as she figured Jamie was close to folding.
"Colour?"
"Red, of course." Yuuki grinned.
"Deal!" he announced, clambering into the car without another word, seating himself in the spacious backseat between Yori and the gap where Yuuki was meant to be sitting.
Giggling and shaking her head, again, Yuuki climbed into the car and pulled the door shut whilst the second chauffeur ran round the car and climbed into the passenger side.
"We will arrive at your mansion in about an hour, Yuuki-sama. You may wish to contact your father and tell him." he advised. Yuuki nodded and pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled her father's number.
Ring! Ring!
"Yellow?" a cheery voice answered
"Hey dad...it's Yuuki." she replied.
It would be another ten minutes before Yuuki could talk again. The time was filled with the happy rants of a crazed man who hadn't seen his daughter in a long time. In the end Yuuki put her phone on loud speaker and the whole car laughed as his voice filled the air around them.
"...Oh Yuuki, my little princess I have missed you so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, much!!! I'm never letting you go again. You're coming back to Cross Academy. You are not going back to that dreadful city. You can't leave your old dad on his own again. Oh, I am so happy you called Yuuki; I so badly want to see you! Never do that again. If I ever do let you go... which is highly unlikely... you have to call me every day and visit every two weeks. I don't care if you have work your daddy is so much more important..."
"Dad?" Yuuki shouted through her giggles, but he didn't seem to hear her.
"...oh and Zero too. He's leaving me as well. Akira is stealing him away from me. Soon I'll be all alone. What did I ever do to deserve this? Why must everyone leave me!" his voice sounded tearful, so Yuuki tried once again to intervene.
"DAD!!" she shouted directly into the headset.
The sobbing came to an abrupt stop and the chairman's voice sounded annoyed.
"Really, Yuuki was there any need to shout? You could have just said." he scolded, and everyone laughed.
"We're about forty-five minutes away from the house." she informed him
"Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Really, really." she assured him, sounding like a mother comforting her child.
"Yuuki!" he squealed "That's wonderful. I have to tell everyone!" and without another word he hung up, leaving Yuuki looking astonished, whilst Jamie, Yori and the two men chauffeuring them clutched their sides with laughter.
"Your dad is awesome." Jamie gasped.
"Hardly." Yuuki sighed. "He's completely off his rocker."
This made them all laugh even more, but once they had finished, they fell into a comfortable silence as they left the city and drove through the never-ending countryside that made up Japan. The sky was a huge expanse of light blue. Dotted here and there were fluffy, white clouds. As Yuuki stared out the window she could not help but smile.
Soon I'll be home… she thought and her smile spread further.
They past quaint little villages, field upon fields of rice and green grass, wide expanses of nothing but trees. They drove through quiet country lanes lines with trees of green, red and pink. The leaves fell from their high branches and scattered over the car and windscreen. It was beautiful. The ground scrunched underneath the car and Yuuki found herself calm and peaceful.
As they left the trees and found themselves on a long, concrete road leading into another small village near her hometown Yuuki started to get excited. She had missed home so much in her time away and now she was less than half an hour away. The driver stopped at a stop sign (A/N: really?? never!!!!) and Yuuki saw her eyes reflected in the window; a deep chocolate brown that never seemed to end. Although others had told her she was beautiful, she had never really seen what they saw, but she found that she loved her eyes; ones that seemed to go deep into her soul. Focusing on the sights outside the car Yuuki saw the wide, toothless grin of an old rice worker on the other side of the glass. He seemed awestruck by the car and his eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement. Yuuki grinned back and, even though she knew he could not see her through the tinted glass of the car windows, waved at him. The old man grinned wider and as the car pulled away.
Yuuki couldn't help but marvel at the fact that although her country was the most technologically advance in the world, there were still some parts untouched by metal and machinery. Yuuki smiled silently and she continued like that until they reached the small town one mile away from her home.
"Yuuki?" Jamie asked, interrupting the silence.
"Hmm…?" Yuuki replied, not taking her eyes away from the window. Tall buildings slid by one by one as they drew closer to the academy.
"Will the vampires be there?" he whispered.
Yuuki twisted in her seat so fast she was a blur. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Yori was asleep, wrapped in Jamie's arms. The drivers were no problem because they worked for her father and so knew her secret. She looked into Jamie's eyes and saw nothing but curiosity.
"I'm not sure… they might turn up for a few hours, but it's not my party remember?" she giggled, in what she hoped was a calm tone but she cringed when she say Jamie frown. "What?" she asked him.
"It's nothing, really. Erm..." he hesitated, and Yuuki could sense that what he was about to say was really difficult for him. "Wh...Why...d-do they call you Yuuki-sama?" he stammered.
Yuuki's heart fell. Jamie knew, or at least had suspicions. Damn him for having vampire friends! Would he tell Yori? Would she hate her?
"Jamie...." she started, but she was interrupted.
"I don't mind!" he rushed. "Really, I don't care that you're a... vam...vampire." he whispered. "I just don't want to see Yori get hurt."
Yuuki nodded, but didn't smile. Busted.
"I won't say a word." he assured her, and one look in his eyes told Yuuki that he meant it.
"Thank you." she murmured, as Yori began to stir. Jamie smiled warmly at her.
Yori mumbled something and sat up, looking dazed, her hair sticking up on end. Jamie laughed before smoothing it down and gently kissing her forehead. Yori smiled and shut her eyes again.
"We're here, Yuuki-sama." the driver said, as his colleague opened Yuuki's door.
Yuuki took a deep breath and got out of the car. Holding the frame gently she took in the sight before her. She was looking up a huge set of stairs that ascended a steep hill in front of her. Atop the stairs was a magnificent oak door, hundreds of years old, set in a hard stone wall that surrounded the academy. The turrets and battlements were covered in ivy and roses. But before Yuuki could completely welcome her home she heard a very loud, very excited squeak.
"YUUUUUUUKIIIIIIIII!!!" it shouted, and before Yuuki could brace herself or avoid it, she was tackled to the floor by a 5"3, blond haired, sprite of a woman that was Akira Sato.
"Good to see you too, Akira-chan." Yuuki gasped, from the muffles of Akira's chest.
The girl got up off the ground and held a hand to pull Yuuki from the floor too, which she happily accepted.
Standing in front of Yuuki was a small yet beautiful girl with long, white blonde hair that shimmered like the gloss on a magazine cover. Her flushed, thin face held a huge grin and her violet eyes sparkled with happiness and love. She was wearing a white summer dress which was decorated with violet dots that matched her eyes; around her waist was a thick belt, also violet which was fastened at the front with a white butterfly broach. Her hair was pulled from her eyes by a violet hair band which contrasted with the paleness of her hair. She wasn't wearing shoes.
"Akira, why aren't you wearing shoes?" Yuuki asked, confused.
"This is the first time I've been on my feet since I woke up!" she grinned.
Yuuki frowned in confusion "Why?"
Akira laughed and stuck her tongue out between her teeth while grinning "Your brother refused to put me down…"
"Then how did you get dressed?" Yuuki questioned, naively.
Akira wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and Yuuki groaned "Eww, Gross! Did you have to? I mean, come on! I'm innocent. You're the evil one. I shouldn't be hearing such things."
"Aw, shut up Yuuki! Stop being immature, and anyway I know that you aren't so innocent…" she claimed, Yuuki scowled.
"What?"
"Oh, Yori-chan has been keeping me updated. Couldn't keep your hands off the goods even if they were taken, eh? Tut, tut, Yuuki I'm ashamed." her tone was teasing and her eyes shone with pride as if she was glad Yuuki was kissing another guy who already had a girlfriend.
"Wait! What? Yori?" she turned to the car, and Yori blushed before looking at her feet "Gomen-nasai, Yuuki-chan."
"Aww, Yori!! How could you? I'm never going to live this down! Oh my god! Did you say who it was? Please tell me you didn't! I'll die!" Yuuki bawled loudly, her face a picture of comical despair.
"Relax, Yuuki. That she wouldn't tell." Akira assured her, and Yuuki's eyes sparkled with hope. "That's for you to tell me later."
Yuuki's eyes widened and she violently shook her head "Na, uh! No freaking way!!" she spluttered.
"Whatever, Yuuki, you know you will." Akira stated, very matter-of-factly "Anyway looky, looky!" she squealed, and waved her left hand in front of Yuuki's face. Yuuki snapped out of her daze and grabbed Akira's hand before carefully admiring the ring on her finger.
"White gold." she informed Yuuki proudly. "Amethyst and diamonds. Don't you just love it?"
"I really do! It's gorgeous. You are very lucky." Yuuki said, smiling.
Akira's gaze lost its craziness and was replaced by love; powerful and sincere. Her whole face seemed to glow even though she was just thinking about her fiancé.
Can't believe my brothers getting married… Yuuki thought, disbelieving.
"Anyways, where is this beloved brother of mine?" Yuuki shouted.
"Right here." a deep voice replied from behind Yuuki.
Yuuki yelped in surprise and whirled round, loosing balance and almost falling, but managing to steady herself.
"Still a clumsy little girl, eh?" he teased.
"Still an annoying ass, I see." Yuuki mocked, and they both grinned.
Zero ran at Yuuki and Yuuki ran at Zero. They collided in the middle with a soft thump before the air was filled with joyous squeals as Zero picked Yuuki off the ground and swung her in circles. Akira, Yori and Jamie all smiled at the sight of them. Yuuki wrapped her arms tightly, lovingly around his neck and snuggled into the crook of his neck still giggling like a maniac. Zero was grinning more than he had done in a long time.
"I missed you, sis." he admitted.
"I missed you more, bro." she giggled.
He finally set her back on her feet and they grinned at each other. "Good to see you." they both uttered at the same time, causing them to burst into a fit of laughter.
"Do I get my fiancé back now?" Akira pouted.
Zero immediately looked guilty and practically ran to his fiancée and whisked her into his arm. She sniggered and clambered round his body until she had her arms and legs wrapped round his body and her smiling face resting on his broad shoulder, grinning to the world.
"Well, aren't we the happy couple?" Jamie commented and they both grinned again. It seemed as though the two of them never went for more than two minutes without grinning, for fear that their smiles would be erased forever.
"Hey guys." Zero greeted them, and cautiously extended a hand to Jamie whilst still keeping Akira perfectly balanced on his back. "Ouga? Hihara? Could you take their bags to the manor? The chairman wants a word with Yuuki before she settles in." the two men nodded and began to unpack the car.
"Yori-chan, Jamie-kun? You are free to explore the grounds and get settled in." they smiled thankfully. Yuuki only just noticed how worn out Yori looked and she frowned.
"What does dad want?" Yuuki asked.
Zero sighed before speaking. "First of all, he isn't my dad, he's yours…" he grinned while Yuuki shook her head. "…And I don't know; he said he needed to see you as soon as you got here, sounded pretty urgent too."
"Hmm…" Yuuki began suspiciously. "Where is he?"
"OH I KNOW! I KNOW! PICK ME!" Akira shouted, from Zero's shoulder bouncing up and down like a four year old on her father's back.
"Umm... Akira?" Yuuki picked, playing along.
"He's in the garden near the pond." she beamed, extremely proud of herself for her answer.
Yuuki nodded and thanked Akira before turning in the direction of the garden.
"Yuuki?" Zero called, and Yuuki turned. He was looking at her softly and kindly whilst Akira beamed silently, caught up in her own little world, on his back. "It's great to have you back. It's been almost boring without you around."
Yuuki smiled softly and began walking away from them.
Her footfalls were muffled by the leaves that were strewn over the gray stones of the footpath that led to a peaceful place. Yuuki had spent so much of her childhood wandering the grounds of the academy and this path was still so familiar to her after all these years. Eventually the path came to an end but still it continued. Only the sharp, rectangular path disappeared. It was replaced by eight large, circular rocks situated a foot apart from each other, needing a little jump to get across to the bridge. Keeping her eyes on the floor she gracefully hopped from each one to the next, humming quietly to herself; peaceful and content for once, happy to be home. Pausing on the fifth pebble (if it could be called a pebble) she looked towards the blue sky which was blocked by the red leaves of an old tree to her right. Ahead, she saw the partially obscured form of her father resting against the railings of a small, elegant little bridge hovering three feet above the smooth surface of the water. Hopping over the last few stones she gently and quietly landed on the pale wood of the bridge. She smiled to herself and sighed happily.
Turning to face her father, she froze in place because not only was her father happily watching her approach, but he was standing with a tall woman too. A tall woman with long, blonde hair. A tall woman with long, blonde hair who she happened to believe was a vindictive tramp.
"Sara?" she asked, completely astonished.
"Yuuki!" the chairman squealed in a high pitch voice. "You're here. You're home. Oh, I missed you!"
He bounded up to her and pulled her into a fierce hug. But Yuuki could not respond as her arms hung limply by her sides and she gazed curiously over her father's shoulder at the woman who she thought she would never see again. Standing in the shadow of the tree hanging over the bridge Yuuki could not help but notice how beautiful Sara was when she dressed casually. Her long hair was teased into tight curls which exploded from her scalp and cascaded down past her shoulders. She was wearing a red cowgirl top with the sleeves pushed up past her elbows and a pair of black skinny jeans as well as three inch red heels. She had the most interesting belt buckle. It was made of a dark metal which was painted red and laid on top of it was a skeleton with a cowboy hat and two guns crossing in front of him. It was spooky but cool at the same time.
"Shirabuki-san tells me she needs a word with you, Yuuki." the chairman informed her, smiling in Sara's direction.
He went to leave but stopped next to Yuuki's ear and whispered, "Do you want me to stay?"
Slowly, she shook her head. The movement was so tiny it was barely noticeable but she whispered back to him.
"Don't go far?" she pleaded, and he smiled and nodded before trudging away into the trees.
They both stood in silence for a while. Both were uncomfortable and awkward, avoiding the conversation that was inevitable, for as long as possible. Finally it became too much to bear and Yuuki broke the silence.
"You look good, Sara-san." she pointed out, purposefully.
"Arigatou, Yuuki-san, but I don't deserve your compliments." she rushed.
Yuuki stared at her wide-eyed and confused, so Sara continued.
"Listen, Yuuki-san, I came here today for a reason and it's hard for me to say. It's not because I don't want to, I need to… actually it would be so much better, no I came here because I need to explain something, and it's hard because I don't know how you'll react." she paused hesitantly, trying to explain the best she could.
Yuuki nodded her approval but her forehead creased into a frown. Sara smiled slightly and drew in a deep breath and began to speak.
"First of all, I want to apologise for the poison." she smiled reluctantly, but it was not from humour; she was uncomfortable and seeking reassurance.
"Sara..." Yuuki started, but Sara held up a hand to silence her.
"Please, Yuuki, can I talk? I need to say this." she pleaded, and Yuuki could do nothing but nod.
"That night Kaname…" Yuuki flinched at the name. "…that night Kaname asked the council of ancients for permission to break off our engagement, as he needed their permission due to the fact our pureblood marriage was organised a long time ago. I have come to realise that it was very selfish of me to accept their decision, and a lot of heartbreak could have been prevented if I had just said no, but I was selfish… Yuuki, can you understand that? The famous Kaname Kuran marrying into my family was an honour… and he's hot, you have to admit." they both grinned at each other, but quickly stopped and looked away. Yuuki could feel tears welling in her eyes. Long ago she had trained herself not to think or speak of him and now here she was having a conversation with his fiancée where the hot topic was him. It hurt. A lot.
"When he met you… he changed. It was hard to notice at first, because it was so slight. He would smile whenever we got into the elevator for some reason and always had a slight spring in his step. He was playful for a while. Then after about a week it died down and he went back to normal. Then there was the night of Hanabusa's party when I saw you two together. I was so jealous." Yuuki blushed but did not interrupt as Sara looked close to tears.
"The way he looked at you and was holding you was in a way he's never done to me. I tried all night to make you angry at him for not telling you about me because I knew he hadn't…. the look on your face when I showed up explained it all. But you have to know he wasn't playing you. He wouldn't do that to anyone let alone you. I think that he just forgot about me when he was with you." Yuuki snorted and Sara stopped, noticing her reaction. "I'm being serious, Yuuki. I knew he thought about you a hell of a lot. I'd find him in the kitchen with a goofy grin on his face, or smiling when he was trying to sleep. I tried to convince myself it was me he was thinking about but I couldn't… I knew it wasn't. It was you. The next day he went down to your apartment and whatever happened down there... well, I don't want to know but he came up and he seemed like a different person. He practically glowed with happiness and he constantly smiled; he even spoke to my father! He hardly ever talks to him. Things were changing then and I knew I couldn't stop them. Not to say I didn't try but I knew it was too late. That night he dreamt about you. Now you're thinking how the hell do I know right? Well… I woke up in the middle of the night needing a drink, so as I went for one I got to the bedroom door and he spoke. He said: 'No, Yuuki, don't leave.' and then smiled before cuddling a pillow." She smiled sadly, but looked Yuuki straight in the eyes. "At the party when I found out from one of the council members what he had asked, I couldn't help but see red. The poison I gave you was slow acting. A small amount would have killed you instantly, and looking back, I don't know why I did it. I really don't! Yes, I was jealous but does that justify murder? I don't think so. The way you downed that drink so quickly helped and hurt you. It got to work faster and so that you were nearly killed, but it passed so quickly because it only touched you for a limited amount of time. I was seething when I got home but it was nothing compared to how Kaname must have felt. I slept at my friends that night because every time I looked at him I think I wanted to die. He looked so angry, but so… hurt and afraid at the same time. I knew for sure then, how he felt about you. He spent the next three days with you. Never leaving your side, barely eating, barely sleeping, and barely breathing until you started to stir. I don't know what happened then but he came back to the apartment a broken man; he was angry at me but more at himself. For some reason I couldn't stand it; we never even talked. He didn't look at me or touch me… he just sat there for ages never moving. I couldn't live like that anymore."
"What are you saying?" Yuuki whispered, barely daring to believe her own conclusions.
"I'm saying Yuuki, I give up!" she threw her hands up in defeat and frustration. "He doesn't want me and I'm not staying with him if he's going to be like that. We'll hate each other. I won't do that to him. Yes, he was my fiancé, but he was my best friend for a long time before that. He deserves to be happy, and he needs you to be happy."
She finished talking and looked at Yuuki hopefully, but Yuuki was just frozen. Staring at the blonde waiting for her to say 'gotcha!' or 'just kidding' but she never did. They stood there for ages not speaking, Yuuki running Sara's confession over and over through her mind.
"Say something, Yuuki?" Sara begged.
Yuuki gulped. "But it's impossible! He needs to find a suitable replacement, someone the council approves of…" she whispered, nervously.
"Well, sort of." Sara laughed. "I don't suppose they even thought that I would break up with him. He found a better woman in you, Yuuki. You are perfect for each other. You're both too damn stubborn for your own good." she laughed, and so did Yuuki, but only slightly. "I left him, Yuuki. Yesterday. They gave him restrictions, but not me. I'm free to leave whenever I wish. I think I deserve at least a chance at a happily ever after. I mean, you have yours so I want mine…" she grinned. "I'm selfish as always. Yuuki, I'll say it again. Kaname is no longer engaged and he wants you.... no, he needs you. You should give him another chance. Yes, he fucked up really badly by choosing me over you that day when I poisoned you… but understand it's not because he loves me more. He just didn't like hurting me. He's kind. He thought, and still thinks, that you don't love him so he chose to let you live a happy life and make me happy. But all that's happened is that he made himself miserable, and I can't stand to see him that way."
Love? Yuuki thought. Do I love him? Is it possible that he loved me all along?
No.
"Yuuki, don't talk yourself out of it. You love him! We both know you do. Sheesh, I think the whole of Tokyo knows by now! Just try Yuuki. I know you will regret it if you don't."
Sara began to walk towards Yuuki, but she did not move an inch. Still frozen in the same place, lost in her own thoughts.
"He loves you, Yuuki. Accept it. It'll change your life." she smiled reassuringly at Yuuki she hesitantly placed a hand on Yuuki shoulder before walking away.
Yuuki stood like that until the sun went down. Not moving, only breathing and blinking. Finally after hours she raised her head to the sky, catching the pale moon in her sights. The same thought running through her head, which had now been there for hours.
Of course I love him. It's been so obvious. How could I not have realised it sooner. But what can I do? The things she said, they can't be true....can they?
ALL DONE!!! Well done for making it to the bottom of the page. Hope you all enjoyed it and that you think it was worth the wait. I've almost finished the next chapter and i promise i won't take ages to update again. (now that i think of it i don't think it was that long...but it was long enough)
Sorry again. Please let me know what you think. Any ideas are welcome. :D love you all.
To my awesome Beta reader VampireMaddy. I love yoo!!! I really do! You are great. Everyone go and read her amazing stories they truely are amazing i love them :D
So review people you know you want to. Good? Bad? let me know and for god sake will someone shut me up i can't stop babbling. by the way there are three links for this story on my profile go check it out.
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bye xxx