Chapter 9:
Quickening
At Aidou's Home…
Aido's fists started to tremble as he face Kaname.
- Kaname-sama's parents… Mr. and Mrs. Kuran… who killed them?- he asked. – You can't take away a Pureblood's life that easily… don't tell me… the one who did that is… that mad woman?-
- … Aido. You'd better don't know more than this…- said Kaname.
- But why, Kaname-sama? Then why did you give me a part of the truth?- Aido shouted very loudly and piss off since he only got a little of information.
- I figured that if I told you nothing, you would act rashly on your own. But I mustn't tell you more than this… For now… So there won't be another senseless death…- said Kaname with a sad face as he stare down at the ground and Aido started to calmed down for a moment.
- Kaname'sama… I want to use my powers for Kaname'sama…- said Aido with a new determination right there.
- Aido, don't say such…- said Takuma trying to stop Aido since he stay silence the entire time.
- Ichijo…- Aido turned to look at him with a calm face.
- Sorry, but not now… you know?- said Takuma with a gentle smile on his face.
- Yes… I'm sorry, Kaname-sama.- Aido started to apologize while he started to leave the room.
- It-s alright…- answer Kaname with a serious tone.
- Please excuse me…-
- Aido.- Kaname called him and he stop at the very entrance of the room. – At first, I thought you were thinking… I had killed my own parents.- He have a book on his hands and look at Aido.
- Huh?- asked Aido taken off guard by this.
- To tell the truth, the fact that you didn't… made me happy.- and a tiny smile on his face was shown.
Aido notice this and for the first time… it was as if some wall was broken from Kaname and let him breathe once more.
With that… Aido was in his room with a lot of books spread around his bed searching for anything that could give him a better idea of who is the murderer of the Kuran Family. Just then, Kain enters with flowers in his arms while he notice that Aido is very busy right now.
- What's that? What odd books are lying all over your bed?-
- These are records of the evening parties of our patronage… and our family trees. I'm searching for people who could possibly have been enemies of the Kuran Family. And then I'll finally find out about Kaname-sama's secrets for sure.- said Aido with determination in his voice.
- Well… it's dangerous.- Kain warned him.
- Yeah… but… I have a real bad feeling about all of this…- said Aido finally and Kain only watch him.
Just then Kain notice a book very old against a table that almost seem that it wasn't there in the first place.
- Akatsuki?- asked Aido notice that his cousin was walking toward a bookshelf and then he stretches his hand toward something that he couldn't see and then he notice that the thing he took was a book that almost look exactly like the wood of the bookshelf.
- I didn't notice that was in there.- said Aido noticing that Kain walked back toward him and gave him the old dusty book.
- Me either…- said Kain very suspicious already.
- How did you notice it?-
- I just look at it and… it was as if I could notice some shadow in there and I went to check on it to see if I wasn't seeing things. Then once I touch it… I notice that it was a book.-
- What could an old dusty book be doing in there in the first place?- Aido started to open the book and read it when… his eyes widen very much and his face got paler than before.
- Hanabusa?- called Kain.
- This is…- said Aido breathless and Kain walked toward him to see what is in the book that got Aido so scare and surprise at the same time.
- What the…?- Kain have his eyes very wide once he notice the same thing like Aido.
- …The Legend of the Bloody Moon… and the Kuran Family Tree.- said Aido finally.
Meanwhile…
In a tall ancient building, the doors open up. Then Shiki got inside while some butler bows his head for him. The butler has silver hair and is dress in black.
- Welcome.- said the butler.
- Thank you for coming… Senri…- said his great uncle.
An old man with silver hair and large face. A tiny smile could be seen in his face as he stare at his grandson. The butler closes the doors while they walked away.
- It's been a while, great uncle.- said Senri to him with a serious face which make him look adorable.
The butler turns around to show his face; pale skin, long silver hair and lavender eyes. It was Ichiru.
- Everyone doing well over there?- asked the great uncle.
- Yeah… quite ok, but to be honest, all employees have been fired…-
- So I've heard. Don't worry about that now. Today I want to show you something, Senri…- said with a big smile on his face.
They went walking toward a basement where a long stares lead to a darker place of the house.
- I really don't like it here…- said Senri taking a stop of his tracks.
- What? It's not about taking over my place.- he stops and looks back at his grandson. – You're not a child anymore… that's why, as part of the Shiki Family, I will reveal to you… my deepest secret, that I've hiding up to now…-
They go down where some large doors were at the end of the road. Once he open the doors… the smell of blood was very evident and some strange aura could be feel in that room, very intimidating, scary and powerful at the same time.
- Well then…- in the middle of the room was a sarcophagus with too much blood on it. A container with blood was dripping down on the open sarcophagus. Senri was very still looking at the pool of blood in front of his eyes. – The reason was to protect him… your father…-
The very words… make him be surprise and shock at the same time. His head was bow and place his hand at the edge of the sarcophagus.
- So he hasn't died… how disgusting.- said Senri.
- To say something like that about your father, how cruel. He may not look it, but he's quiet alive!- said a child who came from the other side of the sarcophagus surprising Senri. – But it seems like it has reached its limit now… that is why…- the boy is smiling very happy with his eyes close and his head resting on his hands who is against the edge of the coffin. – I was looking forward to meet you when you've grown up.- the boy opens his eyes and reveals the different match of colors.
Different colored eyes?!
- Excuse me for keeping you waiting…- said the great uncle who bows before the child and Senri notice this not getting it at all. – Young master.-
Then the boy faints and only his mouth touches the blood while Senri gets more surprise than ever. Very close to the body of the boy… a large hand with sharp nails holds the edge of the coffin with blood around his hand. Senri is drip with blood as someone rises from it. A face cover in blood but his eyes are very clear; his left red eye and his right blue eye.
Meanwhile…
Back at the Aido mansion. Kaname is sitting down with a serious face as he keeps himself in thought. His hand rests in his forehead while Ruka is placing a jar with flowers.
- Kaname-sama… I've returned…- said Seiren who came running inside the building.
- Welcome back, Seiren. How was it?- asked Kaname and she bows before him.
- I watched them… My lord…-
- I see…- said Kaname.
Ruka didn't understand but then she was surprise when the flowers that she just place dry very fast.
- It would have been nice if he had slept on forever…- said Kaname with a dangerous smirk on his face.
Meanwhile…
Back at Cross Academy.
It was already dark outside while Yuki was staring outside next to a window. She keep staring at the stars finding some answers in them for some reason. Then a knock could be heard, making her be out of her trance.
- Um… Yes? Who is it?- she asked looking now at the door.
- It's me. What are you doing here, all alone?- asked Zero once he open the door.
- I wanted to think a little bit in a silent place. – she answer him with a gentle smile on her face. – Zero… just because nobody's here doesn't mean you can come barging into the girl's dorm! It's bad! You've started me, geez!- she started complaining all over while Zero walked toward her. – Well, I guess that would be calling the kettle black…- she stare down at her legs before she stare back at him who was standing right next to her bed. – D… Don't just stand there, take a seat!-
He took a seat at the edge of the bed while giving her his back. He was silent for a moment before he speak up.
- You were thinking about that book's page concerning the night you were rescued ten years ago… about it burning up, right?- asked Zero not daring to stare at her because he was also wondering about that too.
- Yeah… When I tried to investigate my past it burned up… when I tried to remember my past, I started hallucinating… It's too strange… I kinda… had the feeling… that… someone… is trying to stop us from digging up… the events of ten years ago… who knows, even my memories… might have been tempered with.- said Yuki while staring down and holding her legs closer to her chest while thinking of Kaname.
Kaname…
Sempai…
No, it's not possible.
But…
- I'm not sure… but… there are some things I must clarify. With Kaname-sempai…- she said with determination.
This time, Zero turned his head to stared at her with worried on his face and she notice this because she stare back at him with wonder in hers.
- Hey, what's up with the concerned face?- she asked with a cheer face and place her left hand on his face taking him off guard.
- You really don't like me being worried?- asked Zero while he look somewhere else.
She was taken aback and she took away her hand from his face so now it was resting on his arm and she bow her head.
- That's not… it… I just think it's not worth it.- he look back at her and then she rise her face with a gentle smile on it. – I don't want Zero to waste his precious time… worrying about me. I'm really alright… that's why… I want you to…- he stared at her eyes and took hold of her hand.
Use it for yourself…
- Zero?- she called him because he hold her wrist and was getting closer to her.
- Yuki…- he called her with a deeper voice.
- Ye… Yes?- she asked him with a tiny smile on her face while she flush in the process.
Then the image of him almost kissing her was back on her head. Her eyes widen at that thought.
Why…
Am I suddenly remembering…
The Zero that time…
- Sorry.- he said while her got closer to her neck and she stay very still.
Was not himself…
- Ze… ro?- she called him once she felt his lips on her neck and later, his fangs brushing her skin.
Then he bite her making her feel pain again.
- Ugh… ah…- Yuki complain while she hold his sleeve to keep her balance.
What…?
Zero keeps drinking with a lot of effort as if he was having difficulty to satisfy his thirst.
Why her blood can't satisfy me?
Is as if…
Her blood can't really end this thirst of mine…
Like before.
- Zero…- Yuki try to called him with difficulty.
Why do I feel that he's drinking more than usual?
- Let… Let go… Stop…- Yuki try to push him off her but he took a good grip on her back. – Zero… Stop It!- she shouted this time and push him with all her might.
He let her go while his right arm was over his mouth panting.
- If I don't drink your blood like this, I won't be able to live…- his eyes were crimson again. - Do you understand? You're the victim, Yuki. That's why… for you, you have the right to be cruel to me.- his face was softer and his eyes were back to normal. – No matter how much you make me worry, or how much danger you put me in, just as much as you like. But these are not enough "compensation", even if I have to sacrifice my leftover life for you, I'd not utter a word of complaint. – his tattoo was getting larger and it was very likely that it was bothering him.
Then her hand that was on his chest took a hold of his shirt and lay her head on it while she started to sob and he was shock by this.
- I'm scared… my past… what could it be like?- said Yuki while tears started to form on her eyes and slide on her face.
Zero only place his hand on her head and later lay his head on top of hers. His eyes show sadness but try to do his best to comfort her.
- Zero…- she called him.
Meanwhile…
Shiki's body was frozen while some blood wires were moving toward him.
- My cute son…- a very deep voice that could send shivers to everyone but much more… commanded. – Well then, Senri…- the same mismatch eyes were staring at his silver blue eyes. – Lend me your power.- he said with a sinister smile and his right arm stretch toward him.
The blood wires were encircling him while the right arm is deformed since you could see not only cover in blood but also the muscles and the bones on it. Truly a dead body.
Meanwhile…
Toby and Misaki were sleeping together in the same bed while embracing each other. Misaki started to shake in her dreams and Toby who was still awake embrace her a little tighter for her to assure her that she was safe. Then Toby turned since he felt the presence of someone else in the room, cover in the shadows of the dark room.
- Is something wrong? Mother?- asked Toby to the woman that was leaning on the wall with her eyes fix on them.
- Unfortunately… yes.- she sighed to him.
That got him a little uneasy.
- What is it?- he asked her.
- Your uncle…- that makes his heart skip a beat and his eyes widen while his arms tighten a little. – Has finally awaken.- her green eyes shine and let herself show to him in the light of the moon. – And his back to take your biological sister and your other sister with him.-