Chapter Ten

Sorry it's been forever. Life can take a toll on free time, which mine is very limited of late. Thank you all for reading. The story is nearly summed up, so it should be just a few more chapters. I'll try to be fast.

She reached the fountain, the bottoms of her feet sore from the merciless ground. But she knew it was better that way. Running in heels or any other type of dress shoe would only slow her down.

Suzume quickly splashed water on her face, despite the shudders that ran down her spine from the harsh memories of before. Clenching her teeth, she closed her eyes and slammed her fist down. She knew now that her every sense hadn't been lying. Why hadn't she listened? Why hadn't she done or said something? Suzume slammed her fist down again, shoving away from the tainted fountain and taking off at full speed to the dorms.

As Suzume scaled stair after stair, she felt as if she was wasting so much time, letting it slip by through her weaponless hands. There was a trickle of hopelessness in the pit of her stomach, but she swallowed and reminded herself that she had to try.

As she reached the floor her room was on, she skidded around the corner, coming to a complete stop in front of the door. It was open halfway.

Her eyes widened, scanning the hall just in case. Her heart thrummed painfully as she rose a shaking hand. Taking a deep breath in, she shoved the door open and steeled herself for any attacks.

Instead, a tall, dark silhouette stood in front of her window. He turned slowly, assessing Suzume with almost angry eyes. His lips were pursed, his dark hair dangling in his glowing eyes.

She blinked, wondering why Kaname Kuran would be in her dorm room. Silence passed for what seemed like wasteful minutes until she finally spoke.

"I must get my knife," she felt as if she had to ask, even though it was her room and her weapon.

Kaname lowered his head, making a fist and slamming it against the wall, leaving a noticeable dent. "I thought I told you to watch over Yuuki very carefully. I thought you promised me you would do your very best. Yet, somehow, I feel as if you have not done your best at all. Somehow, I feel your feelings have failed you. You have failed me, Suzume. My Yuuki is now in danger." He remained mostly reserved as he continued with, "I know all about your past. Not because of Kain, you must understand, but because I have my ways. Your parents knew you would fail as a hunter, and now I see why. Now I see why they would want to rid of you from their lives. You are nothing but a failure, bound to succeed at nothing but losing everyone you care for. I foolishly believed Kain was correct in assuming you would be of use to my game." He shook his head. "I was terribly mistaken." He opened the window, facing her once more to say, "After this night, do not assume you are welcome to stay at Cross Academy." And he jumped out the window, disappearing into the night.

It was a sharp slap to her face, and Suzume was ready to cry, ready to collapse into tears. A few did slide down her cheeks as she yanked the knife from under her mattress, tucking it into place at her thigh. She then placed her hands over her face, making the tears stop, forcing the hurt to go away.

She reminded herself of Kazuo's words, of the comfort of his voice and reassurances.

Normal humans would and could fail at anything, Suzume knew. And she was normal. She was a normal human. More tears came as she made her way into the corridor.

Memories of Kazuo raced through her mind.

"Kazuo, what's wrong with me?"

"Nothing. You are so normal, it's beautiful. You don't belong here, Suzume. Don't let them get to you. One day, when I'm older, I will bring us away from here where we both can be normal."

And there had been more times when he encouraged her to be herself, only herself, no matter what.

"What if no one likes me? What if I get an F and get kicked out?"

"Stop worrying, Suzume. You must be true to yourself. Sensei won't teach you that, but I will. Find your own personality, little sister. I don't doubt the teachers will find you so sweet, they will give you A's because of that alone."

Suzume raced back to the courtyard, a sense of dread weighing her tomach as a realization came over her.

She had no idea where Ichiru had gone, where Zero and Yuuki were bound to be.

Feeling more frustrated than ever, she gritted her teeth and clenched her teeth. She couldn't fail, she had to try. But where were they?! Suzume couldn't recall Ichiru hinting on any locations, but she was sure it was on the school grounds. At a loss, Suzume plopped down on the ground, placing her head in her hands and trying to avoid Kaname's words.

As she mulled over what to do next, an unnatural wind stirred the air.

"Suzume?! What are you doing out here?" Kain, quite painfully, grabbed her arm and jerked her up. "You should be inside! It's dangerous…." He stopped as he looked into her watery eyes. "Suzume?"

She shook her head and twisted from his grasp. "Something's wrong, Kain! I have to find Yuuki and Zero and...and I have to fix everything!"

He was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know where they are, but…I will tell you what I do know…." He sighed tiredly, looking around the moonlit courtyard with a pained expression. "The pureblood vampire, Shizuka Hio, has come back."

"Are…are you sure?"

He nodded swiftly. "Yes. Aidou and I found her body. She was possessing another body, Maria Kurenai. Have you…."

Suzume interrupted him with a sharp nod. "Yes. Yes, Zero was complaining to Chairman Cross about her. That…is quite amazing, though. A pureblood possessing those kind of abilities. It makes you wonder…." Her thoughts trailed for a moment until Kain snatched her wrist.

"You said you had to find Yuuki and Zero. I think I may know where they are. The Moon Dorm. Maria Kurenai's room number was eighteen, I believe."

Suzume nodded once again and moved to dash off, but Kain did not release his grip on her wrist. Instead, he twirled her to him, pressing her close.

She blushed, squirming. "I don't have time, Kain! I must go now!"

"I will come with you."

"No! I have to go alone!" Suzume had to prove that she was not a failure, that she could do it by herself for once. "I am sorry, but I have to go!" She struggled, even though she wanted nothing more but to be near him, against him.

His lips met hers for the sweetest and briefest of moments. Then, he stepped away, still holding her wrist. "I knew it was dangerous to fall for a human," he muttered, brushing her wrist along his cheek, smelling it, and kissing it after.

"Dangerous for you?" She shivered under his touch, cupping his hard, cold face with her hand as he released her wrist.

He smiled half-heartedly. "You have a point. Now….go."

And, after a last glance, she went.