Fate's Decree
Chapter 10:
A Will of Defiance
She walks along the cobbled pavement, her head filled with memories of both recent and old.
Nostalgia fills her senses as she drowns out the world around her, losing herself to memories once more.
The memories mix, churning along with emotions that seem to lack their former luster and shine.
Kaname-sama.
The memories flow.
Stolen kisses and brief embraces.
Struggling attempts to smile and heal.
The ever present tug on her heart as she leads herself into the direction of faded silver memories that drive her into the brink of darkness and destruction, capturing her in their grasp.
Zero.
The stray tears fall.
The heart continues to struggle and beat for the sake of living.
For the sake of fulfilling a promise that she herself is determine to fulfill.
Live.
She knows she could not wallow in the dark depths she must stand up and try to mend and push away the gnawing sensation of guilt suffocating her.
"Come on, Yuuki." She whispered in silent resolve, for now she'll mourn but she knows she'll repair her now shattered self.
She has to.
She needs to.
"It's like seeing a ghost."
The words caught her by surprise, the stranger's voice encased in the tone of hunger and desire, sending shivers up her spine making her wish she didn't leave the protection of the academy to visit the old playground where they used to fool around.
"W-Who are you?" her eyes meet mismatched orbs full of malice.
She felt the shadows around her grow and darken.
And then darkness.
"Chairman, has Yuuki returned yet?" he asked, returning from a rather bloody council meeting.
The stillness of his voice betrayed nothing except the chilling tone of numbness he had casted over himself.
"She isn't with you?"
The reply was like a splash of cold water.
"No, I thought you sent her on errands." He chose his words carefully, he may be mistaken.
Quelling the raging fire of panic, he waited for the reply.
"She told me, she was going out with you." the Chairman replied in a pondering tone, it was not a comforting sign.
A beat of silence passed.
Their eyes widened in wild panic as the reality of the situation sunk in. They refused to speak out the possibilities of danger that may hinder her from returning.
"You don't think – " the words laid unfinished from the ex-hunter's lips when a roar of denial escape the Pureblood.
"NO! There hasn't been a case of Level E attacks for weeks. And she knows how to defend herself." He justified, clinging to the last bits of hope he has.
"She isn't in the best of conditions and you know it. Unless." Amber eyes shine, undisguised worried and suspicion sharpening them into seriousness.
"Unless what?" he already knew what was to come yet he refused to meet it.
"Unless, you know who has her." The words held the distinctness of the finality he had refused to face.
He has her.
"Damn you, Rido." His dark eyes seethed in anger, darkening the reddish hues as unspoken emotions churn within him.
"I see he's on the move." A female voice broke through their musings, the nonchalance along with her scent broke the last walls of control he had.
"SHIZUKA!" they both turn in start to see the pale woman standing in front of the doorway along with her twin bodyguards.
"How amusing, seeing the great Kuran in a state of panic. A could taste your fear coating the air. It's quite alien." She sneered, magenta eyes sparking in amusement as she rubbed more salt into the already gaping wound.
"What are you doing here?" Kuran growled, taking hold upon his temper that was already brimming at the edges.
"I wanted to see your little pet but she seemed to taken by the bad bat." The jeering tone continued, it was enough to snap something within the ancient male vampire.
He attacked, only to be blocked by a silver haired vampire's Bloody Rose.
"Kiryuu." The word tumbled out like venom as began to look for an opening against the new slave.
"Don't even try Kuran. Your head will roll before I allow you to near her."
The irony, to see the boy protecting the very creature he had despised.
"So you've truly become her slave. Pity." He mused aloud, seeing the involuntary clench that Zero gave his gun as the words registered.
"The old Kiryuu actually had a will of his own." He switched tactics, wondering and hoping that the old temper was still there so he could get a moment to rip Shizuka's throat along with her heart.
"It is my choice. No persuasion what so ever." Replied the vampire, his aim upon the Pureblood's heart not faltering on bit.
"Ha! Who are you fooling? Wake up, Kiryuu. She has you by a leash." He sneered, inwardly mused in triumph when he was the silvery violet depths falter with a bit of rage and frustration.
"And a short one at that." he added, eliciting a response from the teen when a shot rang out almost hitting him if had he not expected it.
"Careful Kuran, his leash isn't that short as you think." Warned the female vampire, her eyes meeting a pair of enraged brimstones.
"Are just going to leave her like that?" snapped Kaname, shifting his red gaze upon the silver-haired vampire.
The violet orbs wavered at the words.
"No." he admitted, lowering his weapon, not daring to meet his twin's questioning gaze.
He knew he had vowed to finally leave his past behind but something inside him just refused to give up. It was like a gnawing pain, engulfing the very fiber of his being with some unspoken desire to protect the familiar stranger that was supposed to be the very reason why he was enslaved by the Pureblood.
"It seems you've made a choice." The familiar voice caught him, snapping him from his thoughts of doubt and hesitation.
"Ichiru." He whispered out, meeting the familiar set of faded violet orbs filled with coolness and calm.
"I'll help. Just make sure you don't regret your choices this time." The twin then wordlessly turned his back, looking over his shoulder as if asking permission from his mistress.
"Very well, I'll allow your participation. Just make sure you finally kill the damn bastard this time." She said to Ichiru, turning to meet Kaname as the last sentence tumbled from her lips.
Her eyes betray a certain hint of bloodlust that could only equate to vengeance and cold rage.
"Don't worry. I will." Kaname replied coolly, mirroring the look of cool bridled anger he had kept within for too long.
"So I'm guessing you two leeches already know where this guy is?" he sneered, eliciting a spark of surprise from the two, they didn't expect such a familiar analogy be spoken from amnesiac.
Drip.
Drip.
She wakes at the continued dripping sounds of water.
Each drop getting a bit louder as the silence continued to stretch.
"Where am I?" she asked aloud, her eyes straining to see what lies beyond the shadows the torches around her failed to reach. Her hands clenched upon the smoothness of the stone on which she lies.
She looked down.
She had been lying on what appeared to be a stone altar.
"I see you're awake. I must say you really take after you mother." The voice floated shattering the silence, she turned to the sound only to regret as fear stroke through her along with an aching desire to escape.
"W-Who are you?" she stuttered, wanting to distance herself from the man but failed to for she was frozen by fear.
"I'm Rido. But I guess you could call me Uncle." The lightness of his tone failed to comfort her, he was dangerous and she needs to get out now.
"Uncle?" she was confused, despite her fear his words managed to catch her interest.
He knows something about my past! Her eyes widened in realization, after the incident with Zero she had long forgotten her quest for the truth, now it seems the truth had come to her.
"Oh, that's right. You don't remember. Well allow me to enlighten you my dear niece." He sneered, baring his fangs with malice as he neared even closer, trapping her against the cool stone altar.
Fear.
Anticipation.
They mixed within her, the rush of adrenaline making her heart beat faster as the seconds pass.
The truth surfaces, disbelief and confusion clouded her, fear was the only thing that kept her frozen on the spot instead of running away from the man who claims to have killed her parents.
"I don't understand! You said you loved her, so why?" she was scared, tears were cascading down her ivory cheeks while the man called Rido cupped her face with his icy fingers.
A stab of recall, reminding him the familiar coolness she had felt upon Kaname, who seemed to be her brother or some ancestor.
It was all confusing.
The ironic twist and turns making her sick just by recalling the tale recently woven.
She was supposed to be a Pureblood.
Her mother killed herself so she could be human.
A love triangle between siblings created this whole mess.
Now, she was going to be a vampire again if she allows this man to bite her.
"No." she tries to fight, struggling against him to no avail.
"Don't fight it. We are meant to be together." The voice was like venom laced with sugar.
"NO!" she yelled out in defiance, her eyes clenching to a close as he neared towards the junction at her neck.
ZERO! she mentally screamed, begging, hoping to see him, and just like the old days save her from this awful mess she placed herself in.
The shot came loud as a gong, shattering the gripping fear within her.
Hope enters her.
She welcomes it.
"Zero!" she called out, hoping to meet the familiar gaze of worry and reproach.
She soon realized that Rido had distanced himself in order to avoid the bullet.
"Go with Ichiru." The silver vampire barked out and out of nowhere his twin came to her side, scooping her out.
She struggled to free herself form the boy, instantly freezing when her eyes met her brother's.
"K-Kaname." She whispers, her voice breaking slightly as she took in the broken look crossing his face.
"Get her out of here." He said in his calm tone to Ichiru, who merely nodded and proceeded to carry her out to safety.
It took a few minutes for the situation to sink in.
"Let me down! Zero – "
"Can handle himself." He cut her off so brutally it hurt to see the silver violet orbs bearing a distinct look of anger at her.
"But…" she protested only to be cut off by him once more.
"But nothing. You are going with me. Zero and Kuran are going to finish this." he said instantly quelling her protests as he ran faster.
Soon she was met by a gust of fresh air.
They were outside.
"Well this is rather unexpected. You really think you two could take me on?" Rido sneered as we watched the two males glare at him readying for an attack.
"It ends here, Rido." Said the fellow Pureblood, cold hard venom coating his voice.
"Is that so? You can't kill me." he taunted, making the other stiffen a bit.
"He can't. But I can."
A shot rang out once more, Rido turned to meet a silver teen.
"So you're Zero." he registered, dodging several more bullets from the boy.
The battle starts.
Both sides throwing everything they've got on each other.
A smirk of triumph laced his lips when he managed get a hit on the young hunter.
The fool actually took the blow intended for Kaname. He laughed inwardly as he watched the teen bleed.
Yet, he continued to fight with such ferocity.
"You really think you could defeat me?" he leered at the two who merely continued their attacks.
The battle ends with him as ashes as Zero's last bullet burrowed itself upon his heart.
Just when he thought the boy was out of commission when he had thrown him into a wall, all was left was Kaname.
I was careless. You win Juri. His last thoughts before he crumbled into ashes.
He was so tired.
He could feel himself slipping as blood continued to pour out from his wound earlier.
"Go." He gasped at the vampire, his wounds were lethal, he wasn't going to survive.
He met a pair of steady contemplating orbs.
"Don't just stand there go!" he shouted with what remains of his strength.
The Pureblood stood motionless.
The moments tick by slowly.
"The Kurans have been gifted with many talents, among those is memory restoration." Kaname allowed the words to sink in.
"Even if you can give my memories back, it's too late. Just go to her. Just make her forget." It pained him to say it but he wants the girl to be happy.
"Our talents does not include erasing memories, that belongs to her clan. Juri only managed to seal Yuuki's but never completely erase them like what Shizuka did to you. In fact, I think Yuuki's childhood memories have already returned." He informed, kneeling in front of Zero, he wore a strange look of resolution that made Zero wonder what exactly the Pureblood is thinking.
"Our blood has a special attribute of healing as well." he added, he watched as realization stuck the dying teen.
"You're injured too. You can't lose anymore blood." Zero informed, but it seemed to have no effect on the other.
"Drink." He ordered, cupping the back of Zero's head as he exposes his neck to be fed upon.
"I can't." he tried to fight the grip but he was too weak.
"Do it!" barked the Pureblood with urgency.
Then, bloodlust filled him. For some strange reason, the scent of blood was wafting the air, engulfing him.
The bastard cut himself! He realized as his eyes landed on the thin line of blood marring the pale neck.
His eyes turned scarlet.
His instincts of self-preservation activating, he bit into the wound while inwardly relishing upon the new flavor.
He was already healing.
He was getting stronger.
Then he felt something hit him, engulfing him in darkness.
"Take care of her Kiryuu."
Those were the last words he heard when he succumbed to darkness.
Something was wrong.
She could feel it.
Her heart thumped, smashing against her chest as anxiety encased her.
"I got to – " she spoke only be cut off a sharp cold tone from Ichiru.
"Don't even think about it. You'll only be a burden." He spoke so sharply, he might as well has stabbed her with his sword.
"But – " she protested, only for her words to halt when he froze he with a pair of accusatory eyes.
"Why do you even care, aren't you with Kuran?" the words were seethed like hot acid, the antagonistic aura radiating from his very person as he seems to tower over her menacingly.
A beat passed, enveloping the air with a heavy shroud of silence.
No one spoke.
Until…
"I don't care! Zero. Zero – " she broke the heavy calm as she exclaimed with such fervor that it even surprised herself, making her trail off and at a loss for words.
"Zero deserves a new start. He doesn't deserve someone who barely acknowledges him." Replied the twin, watching her with a guarded gaze.
She couldn't help but agree with him. It was all her fault to begin with and she couldn't deny how much she has hurt Zero, one too many times to be forgivable.
He does deserve a new start.
"He was there. Yet you continue to look the other way. Now, he's finally free." He continued on, she bit her bottom lip in response.
"I love him… and I'm… I'm going back there and you can't stop me!" she cut him off before he could continue with a mere whisper, raising her eyes to meet his in intensity, she declared her final decision before running off to look for Zero.
He watches her silently, a small knowing smile lacing his lips.
"So Yuuki Cross lives." he sighed, turning to meet a pair of magenta eyes of his Mistress.
Words did not leave her, only a raised thin brow of question voiced her curiosity for an explanation.
"Zero deserves more than a mere piece of a broken lifeless girl." He answered, shifting his gaze back to her running form.
I'm not leaving you this time. She thought as she continued to make her way back to the chamber where they had left them to fight.
She still couldn't believe it. She was supposed to be a pureblood and as much she wants to deny such allegations, her returning memories contradict her.
She couldn't understand it but, after what Rido had told her they came in startling clarity but it seemed her choice has changed.
Her brother was supposed to be her destiny.
It was Fate's decree for her to be with him for the rest of eternity.
But sometimes, even Fate is powerless to the freewill of beings.
When she finally made it, she felt her stomach churn with panic as she took in the site of an empty room full of ashes – remnants of love unrequited.
NO! The tears fell, her heart hammered in fear, she forced herself to move.
Every step, muffled and weak as they betrayed her hesitation and dread.
Please. PLEASE, be alive. she prayed as she survey the rest of the place only to land on a wounded figure leaning against on a nearby wall, the shock of silver was all she needed.
"ZERO!"
He woke up.
He felt a comforting warmth surrounding him as he adjusted his eyes to the brightness of the room, his eyes feel upon the slumbering beauty beside him.
Yuuki. He thought longingly, he could remember now, and as much as he dislikes it, he had to thank Kuran for the return of his memories. However, it seems the pureblood's abilities has a bit of side effects, one would be the fact that his head is buzzing with an annoying ache and that he could barely remember the more recent events that took place.
He could recall them defeating Rido but he couldn't place what happened after except Kuran saying something about memory restoration.
Where is Kuran? He wondered, he cautiously scanned the room, he was in his old room again, he felt himself sigh with slight nostalgia at the sight of the familiar place.
So many memories.
He continued his observations, nothing seemed to have changed over the course of the changing months he's been away. He at least expected the place to be dusty and unkempt. It was as if he never left. His gaze then shifted to nearby mirror and was surprised with what he saw.
His tattoo was gone.
A hand traveled towards the spot where he used to feel its restricting heat, there was nothing but bare skin. He took a deep breath, clearing his mind only to falter when he realized he wasn't feeling the usual thirst for blood and the object of his longing was there sleeping beside him.
Can't it be? His mind was in shock as he frantically searched for any vestiges of the monster that lives within him.
He found none.
He was human again.
"I can't believe this." he whispered to himself only to find an unexpected answer.
"Believe it." the voice was familiar, yet it carried a more somber tone making it almost indefinable.
"Chairman." He spoke in acknowledgement, taking in the serious gaze, reminding him what the man used to be and not the quirky headmaster he had grown to care for.
" Where's Kuran?" upon meeting silence he questioned.
"We don't know. Yuuki found you alone." The man allowed the hunter to read between the lines, he knows the boy understands the weight of his words.
"Does she know?" he asks once more, watching the amber orbs soften in reply.
"No. I think it's better for her to think that Kaname is away somewhere. She knows you're human now but she still doesn't know how it happened. She has her suspicions though." He sees him near the girl and place a comforting hand upon her head, it was no longer a question that the Chairman truly considers her as his daughter.
"She's been through so much guilt and pain Zero, let us not add anymore." The words were strained with hurting, Zero could do naught but agree with a simple nod as he watch the man retract his touch and meet his gaze.
Then, as if on cue Yuuki shifted in awakening, blinking her crimson eyes. One could already see the familiar returning to her.
She was finally healing.
"Good morning sleepy head." He said, meeting her eyes lovingly, he heard a light click, signifying the Chariman had left them for their private moment.
"Zero! I could explain..." she gasped trying to formulate a good explanation as to why she was sleeping beside him, still thinking that he still considers her a stranger.
"It's alright, Yuuki. I remember." He assured, taking her hands and giving her a rare gentle smile, he felt himself warm as he saw the pain upon the gentle orb fade and lighten with joy.
"You remember?" she echoed, trying to make sure this was no dream.
It wasn't.
"Yes, Yuuki Cross. I remember everything." He leaned in closer, she could already feel his warm breath upon her lips.
"I missed you so much." She whispered out, almost fear the words would make him disappear into thin air.
She didn't see him frown.
"I missed your gentle hands, and your kind smile but could I still want such a thing?" he was hesitant, even though Kaname's gone, he still pains him to know that she still loves him.
He saw her smile and as words leave, he felt himself lift as she spoke.
"I want to feel these warm hands hold me and see you smile for me, I want Zero more than anything else." She smiled a bit wider, holding onto his hands tighter while her eyes shined with silent resolution instantly abating his fears of rejection.
"I love you." she whispered out, a light blush gracing her cheeks as she confessed her feelings.
She didn't know she had already shifted her gaze to avoid his, she only noticed when she found herself looking up meet his reply and see his smile.
"I love you too, Yuuki." The words were rough with emotion, he leans in further, closing the distance between them.
They end with a kiss.
Sweet and tender.
Brief and innocent.
Yet all the same, full of love.
"I never thought Kuran would actually do it. I'm going to miss that feisty pet." the Female pureblood mused out with the sigh, the fact Kaname Kuran sacrificed his life to turn his rival human was definitely unexpected.
"He wanted her to be happy." Replied Ichiru, watching his master contemplate the words.
"True. I guess your brother does get to have a happy ending after all." a sly smile graces her lips.
"Fate has a nasty sense of humor, don't you agree?" she chuckled dryly.
Magenta meets violet.
He replied with a small nod of agreement.
"How about you Ichiru, don't you desire freedom? I could always remove your memories so you could start over." She said, there was a hint of sadness as she spoke the words, it seems she had grown fond of the boy.
"I know my place. And it is by your side, mistress." He replied, his eyes gentle but resolute.
He'll stay.
Another chuckle escapes her, eyes glowing with a tinge of amusement, and as the moments pass, her lips turned to form a smile almost akin to contentment.
"Thank you, Ichiru."
"No. Thank you, Mistress Shizuka."
-END-
A/N: Yeah I know, it's really rushed and a lot shorter than I expected. Unfortunately, the plot bunny escaped my grasp and died while I tried to cling for the last remnants of inspiration for this story. Anyway, I could understand if you're disappointed. *sighs* Um… A review would be nice. No flames please. I'm sorry for the mistakes. Bye…