I don't own Vampire Knight or any of the characters in the series.
A/N: Hello, I'm back again with another update! ^^
And I'm celebrating because this story now has more than 100 followers! :D *does happy dance*
Thank you so much for following and continuing to read, and for the favourites and reviews as well. These all give me lots of motivation to continue writing and it's fantastic! Thank you all so much for everything! You people are awesome! ^-^
So, this chapter was quite interesting to write. I don't want to say too much in the author's note and give away what happens...But, I'm really, really interested to hear what you all think of this chapter. Did you see it coming? Do you like it? - if you could review that would be great! :)
Update for Stuck with Him will be up tomorrow evening, as soon as I finish editing it. ^^
Please read, review, fave and follow. But, most of all, please enjoy! :D
Chapter 10: In A Prince's Shadow
-FLASHBACK-
*snap*
The pawn in Kaname's fingers broke in half. He clearly needed to get rid of some stress. Thankfully, Takuma was more than used to his friend's outbursts by now and gently smiled as he took a replacement pawn from the box of spares he always kept handy for his games of chess with Kaname.
"Sorry…" Kaname apologised.
He gratefully accepted the piece and put it in its appropriate place on the board.
"Don't worry about it." Takuma reassured him, refilling both of their glasses with a red wine Takuma had acquired while travelling the countryside of France last year.
"Thanks, this stuff is really good by the way." Kaname complimented.
"I'm glad you like it." Takuma was glad he had chosen something that suited Kaname's particular tastebuds.
They drank for a while and enjoyed small talk over their game of chess, which Kaname won easily, even under the influence of alcohol.
"So, I take it there is a reason why you are so stressed?" Takuma enquired.
"My parents were bugging me about not having a partner yet… for the hundredth time." Kaname took another sip of his wine.
"But they usually don't stress you out that much." Takuma noted.
"This time they're taking it further. They've made an announcement to the press and are going to host a series of balls until I can find a potential partner." Kaname explained woefully.
"Well, I guess you have to attend then. But think positive, it's not the end of the world!" Takuma announced cheerfully.
Kaname gave Takuma a look of disbelief.
"How is it not the end of the world?" Kaname asked.
"Well, you know… Maybe you will find someone you like. As in more than just friends, like-like…" Takuma trailed off as Kaname gave him a you-can't-make-me glare.
"Do you ever think positive Kaname?"
"Sometimes… But I don't have that much to think positive about. Maybe if I found someone I liked I would have a reason to think positive. Yet it currently looks as if I'm going to be forced into marrying some power-hungry noble I will never truly love. I'm sorry, but for now the glass is half empty."
"You know, I've always disliked that saying. After all, the glass is always full. It is technically impossible for the glass to be half empty or half full." Takuma stated in a mater-of-fact tone of voice.
Kaname tilted his head in confusion.
"How so?"
"Even if it is only half full of water, the other half of the glass is full of air, making one full glass with two different contents. Even if the glass were to be totally drained of water completely it would still contain air. Air is even more important for survival than the water, yet we frequently disregard it because we can't see it. Be thankful that it fills the other half of the glass." Takuma explained in a wise tone.
Kaname contemplated the wise words of Takuma.
"Wow, your very optimistic aren't you?" Kaname replied.
"I try to be." Takuma replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Takuma. You always managed to help me calm down. And, your words are quite enlightening. Have you ever thought about dropping the private investigator job and becoming a philosopher?" Kaname complimented him, smiling in return.
"Haha, no. I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing thanks." Takuma politely declined.
They exchanged more conversation as the night continued.
…
Takuma Ichijou is Kaname Kuran's best friend. Takuma Ichijou is the prince's best friend. Takuma Ichijou is of a high noble class but is nothing compared to the pureblooded prince. Takuma Ichijou isn't spared a glance next to the pureblood. Takuma Ichijou is like a very optimistic shadow of the pureblood…
That is the way it always has been, including that night…
…
Takuma was in the royal ballroom attending the ball Kaname was dreading so much. Takuma scanned the crowd for people he was yet to greet. He knew the majority of vampire nobles and greeted them cheerfully. He also was introducing himself to many of the hunter nobles he did not know as well.
Although it was acceptable for nobles to be in each other's company, whether they be vampire or hunter, most stayed with their own grouping. This was the first time in a significant while that hunter nobles and vampire nobles were mingling together.
Takuma was making full use of this opportunity to gain new contacts that were always so important in his business dealings. He had talked to a number of hunters and been given several business cards he would organise and file away properly later. But, he felt a little tired after talking with that last hunter, Cross was his name. That guy just wouldn't stop talking no matter how many times Takuma tried to sneak away from him.
Seeking out a waiter, he was planning to grab a drink and stand to the side for a short recovery. Takuma spotted a waiter not too far away with a glass of red wine and a glass of white wine. As this was a party Takuma thought he might indulge in the white until-
*touch*
He felt the soft skin of another as he went to take a glass from the tray.
"Sorry." They both replied at the same time.
Looking at who it was his eyes widened. The most amazing purple eyes and long silver hair greeted his sight. Takuma, the perfect socialiser, even felt a hint of blush across his own cheeks.
"Please, you have it." Takuma insisted.
He can have the wine. He can have both if he wants…Me as well if he wishes…
"Thank you, you're so kind." The silver-haired beauty replied, gracefully lifting the glass containing white wine from the tray.
"It's really no trouble I assure you." Takuma said, taking the remaining glass of red from the tray.
"I helped Kaname select these wines and so they are both among my favourites." Takuma explained.
Takuma noted that the silver-hair's eyes suddenly took more interest as he mentioned Kaname's name.
Crap. I should have never talked about him!
"Oh, I'm Ichiru by the way. Ichiru Kiryuu." Ichiru introduced himself, extending his hand to Takuma in greeting.
His hands are so soft. If only he genuinely wished to greet me…
"I'm Takuma, Takuma Ichijou." He replied politely.
"So, to help select the wine for tonight you must be close to the prince, yes?" Ichiru prompted conversation.
It's always about him! For just once I'd like someone to be interested in me for something besides being the prince's friend… But I can't turn down any conversation with this person. Just keep smiling and I'll be fine…
"We have been friends since childhood. Our parents knew each other and so we used to play together. And then we just grew up together." Takuma explained truthfully.
"Your parents must be quite influential to be that close to the royal family. If they are around tonight you simply must introduce me!" Ichiru insisted.
It seems that all he cares about is power. Just like all the rest. Just like my disgusting grandfather. But, for some reason I think that I still like him.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that. My parents are dead." Takuma replied sadly.
Takuma watched as the silverette's face went through a series of emotions. Shocked that he had said something so obviously inappropriate, pity for the death of the blonde's parents, sadness at the idea of loss…and then grief that echoed a similar pain.
"I'm sorry." Ichiru replied honestly.
"I know the same pain. My real parents are dead as well." Ichiru announced sadly.
Takuma recalled hearing about the Kiryuu family. It had made news at the time when a pureblood, Shizuka Hio, had taken over a noble hunter family. The transition had been made overnight. No one saw it coming. Many people still thought she was with Rido Kuran.
By now they had moved to the side of the room away from the hustle and bustle. It seemed as if the wine was making Ichiru's tongue quite loose as he continued to gush out his innermost thoughts to the blonde.
"Shizuka is really nice. She's the first person to ever hold me above my brother. But, my parents are still my parents. Even though I was weak they cared for me as best they could rather than tossing me out. Even though I don't show it at times, I do still miss them." Ichiru continued becoming emotional.
"You have a brother?" Takuma queried.
Takuma saw Ichiru visibly twitch as he asked that question. The silverette's head dropped.
"…forget it." He mumbled.
"What?" Takuma didn't know exactly what he was talking about.
"Just… forget I said anything, please." With those words and a distressed face Ichiru went to leave when Takuma caught him by the arm.
This was not an appropriate thing to do in public at all and it shocked them both. Takuma couldn't believe how impulsive he was. But, he didn't want Ichiru to leave. Takuma hastily let go of Ichiru's wrist, surprised at his own actions.
"I'm sorry. That was inappropriate. Please accept my most sincere apologies." Takuma said bowing before quickly continuing.
"I will not mention this conversation to anyone. But, please, may I at least have your contact details before you leave? I would really like to talk to you some more, perhaps a coffee or something if you're in the area…" Takuma trailed off awkwardly in desperation.
Ichiru couldn't help but smile and agree with this man's thinking.
He may not be the prince, but he's just so…charming…and sweet.
"I think I would like that very much." Ichiru smiled in return, handing over a card with his details on.
It was then that a crowd gathered in the centre of the room. Kaname had obviously arrived. Even though Takuma had gotten the contact details of the silver-haired beauty he knew that he wasn't what the silverette had come for. Ichiru had come to the ball to dance with the prince, not to talk with the prince's closest friend.
And so the blonde watched sadly as his silver-haired beauty went to dance with another man, his best friend no less.
At least I got his contact details…The glass is always completely full…
Takuma reassured himself as he walked out onto the balcony for a much needed breath of fresh air.