º º º
She was taken against her will inside of the throne room where the Kuran king waited. Yuuki was too fierce and temperamental to feel nervous. She was furious to have been taken by force. At the city gates, the guards barricaded her from leaving.
Her escape methods were thwarted, and she was captured. The guards grasped Yuuki by the forearms and carried her off her feet inside of the mysteriously elegant palace.
She did not whine, scream or struggle once they deposited her like a sac of rice on the floor of the appointed room. Yuuki sat frozen on her knees, felt her palms sink inside of the cold marble, smeared with sweat, a sheer feeling of terror she refused to acknowledge.
Did Kaname tell them she took his blood? Was it because she yelled and treated him badly, was that why she was brought to meet the king?
Yuuki clenched her jaw. Her narrowed ruby eyes pierced the marble with loathing for the pureblood. She had done everything in her capabilities to bring him safely, sacrificed the time she could've spent searching for Zero.
"Stand up." Called a deep baritone above Yuuki.
Her legs were shaking unnecessarily. Yuuki stoically balanced her weight on her feet and lifted her head boldly, her scornful eyes collided with those of the Kuran king.
Kaname's father was tall with an eerie beauty that made him appealing and fearful to the eye. Silk, heavy robes fell luxuriously around his long arms. His sandals stepped over the marble without a sound, his steps even and measurable. She caught a vague familiarity between his strides and Kaname's. Kaname was also tall with a head cropped with black-brown hair and lustrous crimson eyes. However, the king's locks were straighter and fell beautifully over his shoulders like diluted black ink spilling over his impeccable robes.
He raised a jeweled hand to dismiss the guards. The doors closed in a snap, Yuuki stood vigilant of the pureblood.
"I heard plenty about you." The king said. "For a woman to have so much skill, I was curious to see what you looked like. You look excessively younger than I imagined."
"When it comes to doing what you need to do, age is the last thing that matters." Yuuki's poison tone didn't disturb him. She frowned at her lack of control and glanced at her feet. "I'm so used to street talk that my manner of speaking changed. You will have to endure it."
"I will?" The king smirked. "Tell me your name."
"Yuuki." She answered firmly, her tone even and eyes grave on the tall creature.
"Do your parents know how much you've helped my family?"
She stared at him hard and smirked at the floor. "If they knew, they'd tell me I'm wasting my time. I'm better off being a simple girl from a small town who should only look forward to getting married to an equally simple family and bear children." Her derisive eyes encountered the king's crude glare. "My words offend you? I only said the truth. You did call me here to tell you the truth, no?"
His cold eyes passed over her dark glare. "You really have lost the ability to be respectful. Haven't your parents taught you anything?"
"They taught me everything I needed to know how to survive this harsh world." Yuuki answered.
"Hmm." The king only nodded and stalked slowly toward the brunette. "Where are you from? Are you educated, and your family, where are they?"
"I'm from the city of Kurashiki. I grew up in a small family. My mother abandoned my father and me. We managed to support ourselves sufficiently over the years. He is a retired mayor of the city, and I'm also a government employee of the Okayama Prefecture. My status in public is specifically to lower human death rate and hunt for criminals. I'm always traveling. And I'm not as young as I look. I was schooled in Nagoya Imperial University. You're curious how I got in? My father pulled some stings as a mayor, because I refused to get married so I went to school like the rest of the men in our city. Now you know—any questions?"
He was staring with an expression twisted between appall and amusement. The king paced for a minute and turned to study Yuuki, his eyes lighter and filled with humor. "You are one accomplished woman." He chuckled, "You are indeed someone I can depend on," He decided, "Yes, yes…"
"I don't have the time to linger." Yuuki informed, "There is someone dear to me who is in trouble, and I must find him quickly. The longer I stay here, the harder it'll be to track him."
"Rest assured, Yuuki." The king said, "Days before you came, I happened to find out your comrade was lost in the sea of attacks in the desert. You've been worried sick about him. You could've stopped escorting Kaname, yet you didn't. You were stubborn toward your duty and brought him in one piece, Kaname told me."
Her fangs clanked against each other. Bitterly Yuuki stared at the floor.
"He also told me he wouldn't have survived if you hadn't turned back around during the attack and caught him."
"I have to go." Yuuki muttered.
"Yes, I understand you do." The king nodded and called someone. "Before you go, why don't you meet someone whom I think will help you on your journey." Doors on the left hung open patiently, the king gestured her to proceed. "Through here, go on."
Yuuki scowled at him and chewed her bottom lip. She followed his instructions and entered the narrow hall. Patches of light sprinkled on the ceiling, pooled around her boots. She moved briskly in its direction and halted on the balcony.
A figure was leaning over the balustrade, overlooking the courtyard and the glowing city. He sensed movement and turned his head in time.
Yuuki's mouth fell agape. Her brows furrowed as she ambled cautiously.
He straightened and turned his back to the city.
She stood still for half a second, her mouth twisted and she glared around the floor, searching for a needle. Tears streamed down her face when Yuuki looked up. "Asshole!" She shrieked.
Zero's eyes widened at the shrill.
"Idiot…" She sobbed and grabbed his shoulders. "You dog, you couldn't have contacted me somehow to tell me you're ok?" Yuuki strangled his throat. "You heartless orange peel! I thought I wasn't going to see you again!" Yuuki slapped his head. Her fingers bunched in his silver locks, she hugged him with a dry squeal.
º º º
Hanako leaned against the doorway. Her eyes filled with moisture from the scene across the pavilion. Kaname's shadow appeared on the right, quiet.
"Looks like she found him." Hanako quivered, quelling a sob by clearing her throat. She glanced at her son. His dark hair flanked over his red eyes and more fell over his cheeks. "Your father wanted to speak to Kiryuu. He reached the palace way ahead of you two. Your father stopped him from going out to search for you."
Kaname lowered his eyes and sighed, "He expected us to come eventually."
Hanako smiled at the two again. "They seem close."
"They are." Kaname nodded, his voice strangely hollow and raspy.
º º º
"You made it here on the same day we were attacked?" Yuuki demanded incredulously. She didn't deny how fast Zero was on horseback. However, riding Lilly nonstop until he reached the palace would've required more than one day. She couldn't imagine how he had accomplished it.
Yuuki bounded up from the bed and leaned over the foot, her elbows stable over the headboard. "They let you stay here and wait for us to come?"
"The king knew you'd come, he didn't want me to go anywhere." Zero replied from the chair across the room, he shifted his leg and reached for a glass of water. "Think of it like a test. He wanted to see if you'd bring Ouji-sama like you were told to do and not get distracted looking for me. Before I came, he knew about us. My guess is Rido-sama sent delegates to rave about the victory of the incident with Juuri-sama and Ouji-sama." He watched the look of excitement in Yuuki's eyes wilt.
She sank in the luscious bed and looked bleakly at the rug. "He got what he wanted. Ouji is here and you're not hurt. We can finally get the hell out of here and go home."
Zero set the glass away. Propping his elbows on his knees, he eyed Yuuki, "He offered me a position in the palace." Reaching inside of his robes, Zero contemplated the Bloody Rose. "He believes it was sign that a descendent of the Kiryuu was around the time Juuri-sama was attacked. Since I was involved in saving her, Ousama believes it's time I place my obligations to the royal family like our ancestors had done."
"Are you going to do it?"
He locked the gun and pushed it away. "No."
"Why?" Yuuki blinked tiredly. "The king wants you, you'll never get a great opportunity like this again."
"I don't belong here." Zero replied. "Ousama doesn't know that it wasn't a sign. The only reason I was around when Juuri-sama was attacked was because you went out to search for her. The person who deserves credit is you not me."
"Don't be stupid." Yuuki glared, "If the king believes you should stay, you should."
"I was asked the same thing by Rido-sama." Zero muttered. "He asked me if he'd let you work for the royal family, I said then I'd agree."
Yuuki's eyes snapped wide. "Hell no!"
"Now you understand." He smirked.
Three knocks on the door stirred Yuuki from the bed. Zero answered swiftly.
The royal maiden bowed, "Joousama has asked the presence of Miss."
Zero gestured to Yuuki, who blinked vacantly back. "What does she want?" She demanded the maid. "I have no reason to meet her."
The maid mumbled in embarrassment, "I-I can't answer your question, Miss. She only asked me to tell you to follow me."
Yuuki trudged out of the bed into the hall. The maid directed her through a series of turns and several rooms until Yuuki breached the entrance of a large sitting room. She peeked inside and pulled back hastily, "Are you sure we're meeting here?" The beautifully tailored room sparkled against Yuuki's eyes.
"Yes." The maid waited for Yuuki to enter and closed the door behind her.
She treaded a few cautious steps, ceased at the creature sitting in a chair with a hand in hair and the other wrapped around a fruit. Yuuki's frustration peaked. She intended to make her exit when his voice called out.
"Catch."
Like a dog answering his master, Yuuki's intolerable reflexes left her in a position she never wished to be in. Yuuki squeezed the pomegranate angrily and whirled toward Kaname.
"It cleanses your blood." Kaname helped himself to the fruit. "Filters it from black emotion that you may have, instead leaves only pure and warm emotions for the person who'll drink your blood."
Yuuki snarled like a feral wolf at her sheep. She gripped the fruit and threw it at Kaname's head.
He dodged it expertly and watched it slam into the wall, splashing red streams and seeds everywhere. Kaname gaped at the spreading stains and looked at Yuuki, jaw clenched, "My mother is very picky with her decorations. Pomegranate stains are permanent. She'll kill you now." Kaname put his share aside, solemn eyed, "She will."
Yuuki scoffed, "She can afford more."
"These were specially ordered from overseas. They are rare." Kaname pointed at the curtains.
"Ouji, if you feel that bad why don't you help her out, huh? She is your mother."
Kaname bowed and straightened. "Oka-sama."
Yuuki turned toward the waiting pureblood by the door. Her pale hand clenched the door handle in a deadly grip. Piercing crimson eyes flared from her son to Yuuki. Her soft lips tweaked to a hard, reluctant smile.
Kaname cleared his throat, "It was a mistake."
"Kaname, go out." The queen instructed.
Kaname paused and stared at Yuuki one last time. "Before you slick her throat and toast her organs, oka-sama—"
"Out, Kaname." Hanako glared at Yuuki. She waited until he left and closed the door soundly. Hanako hadn't looked away from Yuuki. "My husband told me you have no courtesy, no modesty, no grace…" Hanako approached the brunette. "No style." The edges of her mouth lifted triumphantly, "But you are knowledgeable in certain areas."
"Why'd you call me?" Yuuki demanded.
Hanako regarded Yuuki's attire. "The king hasn't finished doing business with the Kiryuu son. Don't be in a rush to go anywhere. He has yet to make a decision whether he wants to be part of the royal officials." Hanako clenched her fists at the sight of drenched crimson on her curtains and carpet. She turned gracefully around and sat down in a chair, anger subdued with a delicacy that made it appear the stains on her beautiful curtains didn't at all disturb her.
"You're doing well holding it in," Yuuki remarked, "If it were me, I'd kill someone."
"As a queen and a woman of the royal family, we are expected to refrain from outbursts." Hanako silkily whispered, "You grew up working on the streets, therefore, you don't hold on to things and release frustration however you want."
"True." Yuuki acknowledged.
Hanako was far from smiling. Her piercing gaze shifted to Yuuki's mouth, lingered over her gaping throat and silk shirt. "Isn't that Kaname's?" She leaned forward widely.
Yuuki stiffened, "Uh…Th-this?" She mumbled helplessly, "I-I, we…"
"Hm," She vocalized from the back of her throat, eyes lit with suspicion.
"It's not his. It's mine, I don't know what you're talking about." Yuuki evenly answered. "These are popular in the market."
Hanako raised a brow, "I suppose I won't inquire further. I called you here because you can't keep wearing this disastrous wardrobe. You can wash up and wear fresh clothes. Don't object to our hospitability, this is a form of appreciation I'm ordering you to accept. Keep alert of the king's summons. He'll want to have more words with you. And about Kaname…" Hanako lifted her elegant neck to penalize her with another sharp glare, "Were you the one who drank his blood?"
I can't believe him. He told her! Yuuki gritted her fangs, her fists trembled against her sides.
"His blood is not intended for me." Without letting her emotions deceive her, Yuuki tranquilly replied.
"If you say so." Hanako gestured her to the door. "The maids in the corridor will help you."
º º º
"Hospitality?" Yuuki paced, with a scoff she turned around to her comrade. "Look at you—you've got a room, a bed, new clothes—they're obviously bribing you!" Yuuki exclaimed with fire breathing from her tongue, "They're aren't going to let us go unless you give them an answer."
Zero scrutinized the suite he had been offered to stay comfortably in. "Don't you like the room? It's commodious and clean."
"I don't belong here." Her elbow grazed a vase of a naked goddess, she grimaced and stalked toward him, "I can't stay here, it feels weird. You need to tell them how you feel about working here. It's up to you. Even if you don't come with me, I'm going home tonight." Yuuki declared, "I set out to see her and I did, now I'm done, and I want to go home."
"Yuuki…" Zero slowly shook his head, "You're far from being done here. You haven't told her who you are. Wasn't your objective to confront her, and demand why she did what she did?"
"Look, Zero." Yuuki panted, "I don't want to do it, I don't want to face her. I don't have the guts to confront her about her relationship with father. Seeing her is enough for me."
"Really."
"Yes!"
"Really?" He folded his arms expectantly.
Yuuki stonily glared at the silver haired. "Obviously you like the palace and the 'hospitality'. Stay here and become one of them." She stubbornly whirled back to the suite door, "I'm going home."
"I can't leave you alone." Zero marched after her outside.
"You have to make your decision, Zero." She pointed out. "If you like it here, then stay. No one is stopping you. You're an incomparable noble, a knight the royal family trusts and wants on their side. This kind of credibility doesn't last long."
Zero narrowed his eyes, "You want me to stay?"
"It's not about me. Make your own choice! I'm not responsible for leading your life. It's different when we're hunting and traveling, but this decision is about your life, Zero." Yuuki gripped him firmly by the shoulders, "As your friend, as someone who loves you, I want you make a decision based on what you want."
His eyes widened at the reality of the thought. "I've never gone anywhere without you. I'm always with you, everywhere you go." Zero insisted.
"Start living your own life. You can't spend it listening to me."
º º º
"So what's this?" Neatly folding her arms, she studied the man in the transversal chair. The scent of roses transpired from the large vase of crimson flowers in the center of the table. Brushing her fingers lazily over the blossoms, she picked a specific bud for inspection.
"I don't know. It's indescribable."
His somber whisper made her twitch in her chair. "Why is that?"
"It's unlike anything I've been exposed to."
"When your jii-chan and I met, I hated him." The pureblood smiled at the bud, "Our relationship was crucial to the royal household. You see, your jii-chan didn't have any siblings. This made his role all the more important. He couldn't escape the eyes of his family. Every second and everyday since his birth, he was being observed. So he became calculating. Everything he did was with purpose and tooooooo much logic!" She growled spitefully.
"Was it really too much for him to admit he came to the garden everyday to see me? He'd say, 'Oh, I was just taking a stroll.' 'I need to send flowers to the temple.' " She scoffed, "He never told me, not once, that he came to see me. Then one day, he says, 'Let's get married.' So abrupt, like his feelings were all that mattered." Her ruby eyes shimmered at the flowers, "But you know after years of marriage, there was something I loved about him. He let me see him, all his emotions, his wishes and dreams. He never shut me out."
"Did jii-chan know you hated him?"
"Yes." She smirked, "That feeling transformed into something gloriously beautiful. I was in love with him in no time." Leaning forward, she tipped his chin forward, "Your turn."
"I don't have anything."
"Sure you don't." Fumiko piercingly studied him further. "You can't hide anything from me."
"Obaachan."
"Kaname…don't test meee..!." Fumiko penetrated his mental barrier with her powers.
He turned away just in time. "Do you have to do that by force?"
"It'd help if you didn't make me force if out of you." Fumiko squeezed his hand. "Oh, Kaname, tell me, I'm dying to hear about it."
"I don't know what it is." He emptily gaped at the table.
"So there is something…"
Kaname looked up unenthusiastically. "It's nothing."
"No, it's definitely something." Fumiko grinned, "Divulge, I demand it."
Kaname searched the room joined to the garden and stared at his grandmother. "She drank my blood."
Her eyes widened in shock, "Did she?" She gasped, clasping both of his hands, "And what happened?"
"I liked it." He blurted, surprising even himself at the admission.
Fumiko grinned even more, "Oh dear." She squealed.
"I can't explain this feeling." Kaname scraped his fingers through his hair, "It's dangerously seductive, like she used her fangs to seduce me, and I can't stop thinking about it."
"Oh Kaname, this is serious." Fumiko murmured, "How did this come about? How many times?"
"Twice, and I let her. The first time was more out of concern, but the second time I wanted her to do it."
"Third time is a charm, I hear."
"She doesn't want a third. After today, I won't ever see her again." Kaname glared at the floor.
Fumiko tapped her chin, lips protruded in thought, "It doesn't have to be your last time seeing her. There are ways to meet…" She wiggled her brows suggestively, "Accidently."
"I like accidents." Kaname automatically nodded.
"Me too." Fumiko nodded, "Nothing too alarming."
Kaname huffed under his breath and shook his head lightly, "There is something you must know."
"Like what?" Fumiko waited eagerly. "She has one toe and four eyes?"
"No, she is…" Kaname leaned forward, "She is frank, cold, standoffish, very masculine."
"That's worse!" Fumiko cried, "Forget her, she's no good!"
"Obaachan." Kaname caressed the back of her hand.
"Nope. That kind of character—what are you thinking?" She criticized.
"But there are other qualities."
"Such as?" Fumiko demanded.
"She is protective, very caring about everyone she knows and meets."
Fumiko considered her grandson. "You like her that much?"
"I don't know what it is…" Kaname rubbed his forehead, "I don't know, you tell me."
"I think you do." Fumiko sheepishly smirked, "Blood bonds bring any one together."
"I think it's more than blood." Kaname whispered.
"Why?"
"She is…intriguing in a strange way."
"But it's also your first time."
"I don't know what to think."
"Let me try her." Fumiko requested.
Kaname regarded her for a moment. "No."
Her smile dissolved, "Why not?"
"You can't ask her questions, she is secretive. She won't tell me her name."
"She is playing hard to get, you don't know women." Fumiko slapped his hand, "Don't worry and let me have a look at her. I'll be a generous judge, if you're so worried. I won't bite…Maybe."
"Obaachan."
"Code 11: secret meeting adjourned." She hissed softly and rose from her chair in time for an inquiring maid.
Kaname stood up and quickly kissed her cheek. He vanished out of sight from the room as she trailed from the table toward the maid. "Yes, you were looking for me?"
"Ah, yes, Fumiko-sama…" The maid giggled.
º º º
Shigeu watched the man seated across the table in his office. Delicately raising the brush, he hovered the parchment, maneuvered to a perfect angle before he set the bristle and brought the colors to life.
"Don't sit there and look at me. Have you made your mind?" He inquired Zero.
The lavender eyed shifted and cleared his throat, eyes firm on the monarch. "I have decided." Zero replied.
Shigeu didn't look up, merely lingered over the detail of his stroke and reached for more ink. "When will you leave?" He suspected.
Zero held back his surprise, calmly he murmured, "How did you know…?"
"I can hear it in your voice." Shigeu smirked, "Is my palace not enough for you? Or is it because of that girl you're with?"
"She is an important person in my family." Zero nodded without hesitation, "My decision to decline your offer has to do with her, because I promised someone to watch over her when we travel. If I'm not with her, she has no one to look out for her. She is the toughest person I know, and also the frailest."
"You're going to throw away a life of honor for…Her?" The king's brows lifted, he placed the brush aside carefully. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." He answered firmly.
Shigeu leaned back with a tight smile. "Rido also gave you an offer and you refused, your reasons at the time was the same as it is now."
"I said if he let Yuuki work in his palace, only then would I accept his offer."
"Are you implying that I offer her a position in my palace too?" Shigeu tilted his head, "And if I do, you'll work here?"
"It's…Possible."
"Two peas in a pod."
Zero stared at the table, unnerved by the pureblood's scrutiny. "Yuuki is my priority."
"Yes, yes, I caught that when she kept insisting she go looking for you instead of answering my questions. I can see you both mean a lot to each other. What is your relationship?"
Zero looked up darkly. "She is my confidante. And who says I'm throwing away a life of honor? By standing by her family's wishes is already an honorable job to me."
"I see, Kiryuu." Shigeu picked up his brush again and prepared to mark another stroke on the paper, "It's apparent you've made your mind. But when my reign is over and Kaname takes the throne, I want you to be his Loyal Nobleman." He continued in spite of Zero's uncertain survey. "The reason I command you to be beside Kaname is because your ancestors are an essential part of the monarchy's history. Your ancestors have helped my family rule better, and every year our families worked together, there was always good luck. For the next few centuries, I'd like Kaname to rule without trouble. Having an honest crew on his side will ease his soul.
"You don't have to make your mind today, Kiryuu." Shigeu smiled. "You never know what the next few centuries will bring. Who knows you may end up staying at the palace?"
"Thank you for the offer, Ousama." Zero bowed before the pureblood. "I'll remember your words for a long time."
º º º
She didn't want to wear a dress. She didn't like dresses.
Yuuki stormed in Zero's suite to rob his wardrobe from the closet. Instantly lighter and being able to breathe in a pair of slacks and a shirt, Yuuki lounged on his bed. Her hair smelled of lavender and her body had been swathed by roses in the bath the maid had provided.
While she lay listless on her side counting the numerous valuable items that was worth acres of land, at the back of her mind Yuuki wondered if Zero would return home with her secretly later at night. The last time they spoke, he seemed uncertain and didn't want to relinquish the amenities of the palace.
He couldn't be blamed. They had never lived in a palace with maids waiting to attend their needs.
She wandered out of his suite, followed the elastic halls into the moonlit courtyard and lingered on the stairs for a survey of the starry night.
She was running away. The fear in her heart had won after all. Now all the years of wondering why her mother abandoned them would remain shadowed, unanswered and forgotten. She didn't have the courage to listen to Juuri. The pureblood was obviously happier in her world. Yuuki and her father didn't fit in that world. Juuri must've left her father years ago for a good reason.
Clenching her eyes shut, Yuuki rubbed her knuckles fiercely against her burning eyes. The hot scent of tears smeared her fingers, she gaped wide and glared at the moon.
"I'm fine. I won't think about it again. I'll forget it and go home." She would forget it.
Yes, she would.
As soon as she stopped crying.
Smuggling tears like a thief from the rest of the world, Yuuki crouched on the stair with her sleeves and hands branded across weeping eyes. She fought back from screaming, gulped the ache in her throat, let bitterness cloak the taste of pain in her mouth. After moments of struggling to breathe, she lurched on the stair. Hands slammed on the wood as more uncontrollable sobs wrenched out of her small body.
"All I wanted was to know why…" Yuuki bit her quivering lips between fangs, watched a drop of blood fester on the wood and dry in the breeze. "Why you had to leave…Why?"
At the sound of wood creaking, Yuuki darted up and whirled around in defense.
For a long time, neither said a word and stared widely at one another.
Yuuki lowered her arms and turned around. "I'm going inside."
"I didn't mean to interrupt you." Out of the shadows of the pillar, his voice wove like a whistling breeze.
"No worries." Yuuki casually shrugged, her eyes drier and harsher than ever. "This is your house, after all."
Kaname studied her intently. Her back shimmered in the moon light as the wind unhooked long straws of brown hair around her shoulders and turned head. "Are you hurt somewhere?"
"You're not my physician." Yuuki informed, "And you shouldn't worry about me."
"I have to worry." He whispered to himself. Her wide eyes narrowed. "You make me worry." Kaname explained.
"Well, don't."
A short smile intended to relieve the tension spilled out of his soft lips. "Can't. This is something you can't force me to do."
Yuuki descended the stairs, one cautious step after another. "Ouji…Why are you outside?" She murmured cryptically, "Were you looking for me? Hoping to find me on the roof or damaging more of your mother's stuff?"
"My grandmother wants to meet you." Kaname answered. "She wants a word with you."
Warily, Yuuki eyed the prince standing under the roof of the hall. The white of his shirt, a silver splash in the quiet breeze. His collar and sleeves rustled from the height of the wind, slowly, clasped and chiseled his broad shoulders, arms and chest. His décolleté shimmered like a black trek of blood around his elegant throat. His entire face was dipped in shadows, black and anonymous, leaving her unable to decipher his expression.
"Grandmother." Yuuki speculated him and smirked at the stars. "What does she want to say to me?"
"You'll see once you go to her."
She hadn't looked away from the stars. "Ouji, how does it feel to have a big family?"
"Claustrophobic."
Yuuki whipped around to find him next to her, searching the sky like she had been doing seconds ago.
His dark locks feathered around his long cheeks and temples, swept softly over his probing red eyes and long nose. Kaname sighed almost anxiously and stared around the courtyard.
"Everyone is always watching me. I was born for one reason, and my purpose is to lead our country someday. Everyone I meet has to make a smart comment about how life would be better if things were different. How laws should be and give suggestions about what's right and wrong. What I should listen to, and whom I should ignore. Everywhere I go, everyone knows who I am."
"What about when we were traveling?" Yuuki asked.
"You mean the only time I felt like I could breathe." He gushed in disbelief with himself. "No one would consider their prince traveling with a strange girl. It would be their mistake or a look-alike."
Yuuki looked despairingly at the pebbles under her boot. "If I had known…I would have taken my time bringing you back." She admitted in dismay. "I shouldn't have rushed."
"It's not your fault, you were following orders." Kaname pragmatically issued. "You're always following orders like you're expected. You'd make a valuable noblewoman to the monarchy."
Suspiciously Yuuki examined inscrutable his profile. "Why are you telling me this?"
Kaname turned around, both eyes filled with hidden emotion. The corner of his lips lifted. "Because I feel I can tell you anything."
Shocked by his honest words and stare, Yuuki stood riveted. Her narrowed eyes slowly eased. "Where is she?"
Kaname smiled and gestured to the pagoda behind her. "This way." His arm brushed her elbow lightly as he neared to the designated direction.
A bolt of energy and flaring electrocution burst up her arm. Yuuki gripped her elbow as the force of energy thrust up to her shoulder and into her chest, shot like lightening directly to her heart.
Oh no… Her eyes widened on Kaname who strolled up the hall. The burning sensation only diffused as he distanced from the courtyard and Yuuki, altogether.
'Your body recognizes me even before I'm in your presence. The bond of exchanging blood can't be undone because my blood now courses in your body and thoughts.'
Yuuki staggered and grabbed the pillar for stability. Her legs wobbled on the stairs, she managed to steady herself after several moments and trailed Kaname toward another a division of the palace. He didn't seem to notice her prior reaction.
Once he stopped in front of a room, Kaname held open the door and let her enter. "She is inside. Don't worry, she is sweet." He whispered as Yuuki strode hesitantly toward the center of the suite.
The pureblood seated on a couch looked up sharply at the sound of footsteps. Her dark hair glistened black-blue in the light. The unnatural allure of her crimson eyes rippled casually as they drank Yuuki from head to toe. Fumiko invited her to a seat. She smirked at Kaname by the door and shook her head in warning, waved him goodbye.
Yuuki scowled as he left the room without a word. She looked ready to dash out of the room when Kaname closed the door. Fumiko's controlling force strapped her in her chair, numbed and complaint. Her questioning eyes doubled on the pureblood until she understood what kept her from moving.
Yuuki inhaled shakily and clamped her jaw, gritty she hissed, "Let go of me. Just because you can control my body, doesn't mean you have the right to do whenever you choose!"
Fumiko smiled behind her hand. Lazily she reached for her tea and sampled a sip before answering. "I heard you were brazen. A frank nature like yours is very attractive. I enjoy people whom I can speak honestly with."
Yuuki gritted her fangs nastily, "Aren't you going to let me go?"
"You're going to run out of here if I do."
"I'm not afraid of you." Yuuki snapped.
"Then why were you going to follow Kaname when he left the room?" Fumiko raised a brow.
Yuuki frowned at the rug. Why was she following Kaname?
"I'm his grandmother, he tells me all of his secrets." Fumiko announced. "He trusts me enough to tell me that you drank his blood."
Yuuki clenched her teeth. Holding back her fury, she contemplated and glared at the door, a single word slit into the air. "Bastard!"
"Hot headed, too?" Fumiko smirked.
Yuuki eyed the woman, "You're not going to tell anyone, are you?"
"Dear, I would never betray Kaname's trust." She folded her hands and relaxed in the couch. "Tell me why did you do it? You knew he was a pureblood, our prince, he carries the strongest, youngest pure blood of the royal family. Did you take it to absorb some of his powers?"
"No!" Yuuki exclaimed. "Why would I? I had no clue what I was doing."
Fumiko leaned forward, "No clue?"
"I wasn't conscious." Yuuki reluctantly explained, "The first time was when he saved my life. The second time, I…I forced myself on him, but I wasn't conscious."
Fumiko giggled under her hand, "No, no, I'm not angry with you. As a matter of fact, Kaname could've stopped you if he wanted. And he didn't. It's not your fault."
Yuuki felt deplorable and sighed remorsefully. "How could you think I was trying to take his powers? That kind of thought never occurred to me. Not even the fact that…he has the strongest blood in the royal lineage."
"He does." Fumiko guaranteed. "And he has never given his blood to anyone, ever."
Yuuki gulped, "I'll…give it back!" She cried. "I'll cut my arm and give his blood back."
"Don't be insane." Fumiko frowned at the sheer guilt wielded around her face.
"I know it's not supposed to be mine." Yuuki continued. "Someone else deserved it and I took it. I won't do it again, I promise you."
"I called you here because I wanted to discuss your relationship." Fumiko cut in expertly. "You are no longer strangers. Now that you share his blood, you've become obligated to him. His blood that's now part of you contains his powers, memories, feelings, and anything Kaname feels at certain points. You'll be the first to know what he is going through. A blood bond is eternal."
"Stop saying that!" Yuuki hissed impatiently. "There is no blood bond."
Fumiko amusedly stared at Yuuki. "Are you in denial?"
"It's not denial, it's reality."
"Well, here is another important fact, dear." Fumiko sang, "He can control you from anywhere in this world."
Yuuki gasped as if a ghost squeezed her heart with its chilling hands.
Fumiko watched emotions spiral within Yuuki's eyes, fester into fear. "Before you go on thinking the worst, Kaname isn't that kind of a person. He'd never want to control you."
"He…Is a pureblood." Yuuki wheezed through her constricted breathing. "Just like you."
"He would have no reason to mind control you." Fumiko assured.
"I'm one of his minions now?" Yuuki spat in disgust. "As in some leech that's dependant on his life force for the rest of my existence?"
Fumiko stared inquisitively at Yuuki, "Do you not know what a blood bond is?"
"Of course, I do!" Yuuki hysterically said. "It's a pact made between a husband and wife."
"That's the soft version, dear." Fumiko sighed.
Yuuki had the urge to shrill at the spewing woman.
"Did you ever stop to think a blood bond could also exist between people who aren't married?"
"That's illegal!" Yuuki roared. "My father told me so."
"Well, your father left out crucial details about vampire history." Fumiko informed. "A blood bond between a married couple would occur in a perfect world, which this isn't. He is now a part of you. Soon, you'll feel his emotions and see his memories. No matter how long you live or where you'll be, you'll always yearn for his blood. It's evident. The second time you drank his blood, it was out of your control, and you calmed only after you had drunk it."
Yuuki gaped at her fists on her thighs. "I request that you release your control off my body. I'm no one's puppet."
Fumiko slowly followed her words and watched Yuuki glide to her feet on her own will.
The brunette glared down at the pureblood, her crimson eyes scathing. "We never had this conversation. I'm not going to drink his blood ever again. I've learned my lesson. He is a pureblood. I'm not. This kind of combination is the worst in the world."
"Will you please listen to what I have to say?" Fumiko waited as Yuuki's eyes narrowed and blackened.
"I'm staying out of his life." Yuuki relayed, her boots thundered upon the wood as she reached the door.
"And if he doesn't want you to leave?" Fumiko turned toward the vacant doorway. The door swung wide without a trace of Yuuki.
º º º
Kaname caught Yuuki running out of the corridors. She sped across the courtyard. He called several times, alarmed vigilant guards in the process and followed Yuuki back to the guest residence. She kept her back turned, head straight and pace without a single indication of having heard him once.
He returned to Fumiko's room, disheveled and frantic. His grandmother was finishing her tea and spared him a short smile.
"What happened? What did you say to her?" He asked.
"Not much." Fumiko stared bleakly at her empty cup. "I told her about blood bonds. She didn't like what she heard."
He shot back to the door at an alarming speed.
"Kaname!" Fumiko raced to her feet and halted by the doorway. He lingered on his heel and glanced over his shoulder, distrustful eyes wounded sideways. "Forget that girl. She doesn't want anything with you. I believe it's best for you."
Kaname scrutinized her piercingly, with a single movement, he filled the doorway, towered her like a giant. "What is that supposed to mean?" Malignance underlined his cool whisper.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?" He spoke calculatingly.
"Like you don't trust what your grandmother is saying. That what I'm saying isn't for the best!" Fumiko cried.
"I don't believe you." Kaname stated.
Her eyes glittered from awed pain.
"Telling me to stay away from her isn't what you'd tell me to do." Kaname hissed.
"Enough of this, Kaname." Fumiko spoke up, "I'm saying it for your best, for your future."
Kaname's eyes narrowed. "What actually happened between you two?"
Fumiko gazed at the hallway. "She…Resembles Juuri."
º º º
© Nur Misurr
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