DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampire Knight

Sorry for the late update! -dodges a bullet- Hey! Oh nevermind...this chapter will finally get the story rolling into the plot, or at least a time skip away. Hey, who said i was going to go through the next four some years of Shizumi? i don't have that kind of time...ever...

e_o I tried drawing Akemi though...she looked like a smurf...

CHAPTER 10: Terrifyingly Dark Situations

There is always a situation we want to avoid. Perhaps it's a conversation, a certain person, or maybe even those annoying commercials that show up at the best part of your show…but none of us truly think about how we will confront these situations. Much like I have, and still am, doing.

Kaname was terrifying. His eyes practically never blinked as I ran through my very short and edited version of how I came upon the Ichijo household. Takuma remained quiet, head slightly downcast and pointedly not looking at us. He was lucky he didn't have those smoldering eyes drilling into him the entire few hours he sat there. It was…bad.

Just being in his presence maybe me want to crawl into a hole and die. It was intense, especially once focused on something. Which, I had no doubt, was one hundred percent on me. Why wouldn't it? I was Shizuka's daughter, something he most likely never accounted for. I'm a thorn in his side, a bug in his plans, in other words…I'm endangering Yuki. And when it comes to her, he can and will go to the extreme.

"…and…t-that's how I'm h-here…"

The words trailed off and hung in the air, Takuma not so subtly gulping and nervously glancing at us. Kaname just stared, and of course I stared back. His red-brown eyes bore into my onyx ones as silence ensued the room. I was silently wondering why the rest of the Ichijo family wasn't suspicious of where Takuma and their 'guest' had gone. Then again, they probably suspect they're in Takuma's room, so no help there.

"Interesting." Kaname finally blinked and slouched somewhat, almost like he was relaxing. For what reason I couldn't fathom, but I remained stiff. I knew he could attack, at any moment, my guard would not be let up. The Kuran gave a sigh, looking at the floor as he rubbed his temples. Takuma took this as an opportunity to jump in.

"I'm sorry about this Kaname…she saved 'Kemi and I…" He was silenced as his friend raised a hand. With one more sigh, Kaname straightened and addressed his friend.

"It's alright, Takuma, you did what I would do." The tone of the statement indicated quite well the seriousness of what it proclaimed. No doubt he would, if someone brought Yuki back from a wolf attack. He should know exactly what Takuma's going through…but even still…

"Hio-san." Kaname now turned to me, and the fear of getting skewered on the spot rose up in me. Something flashed in his eyes, but it was too quick to decipher before…he smiled. No, not a straight smile, a fake smile, or even a sarcastic smile. A genuine smile. It was sad, maybe a bit halfhearted, but it was still there. I was in such a shock that I barely registered his next words.

"You have my thanks. Takuma and Akemi are very close to me, it was a major blow when we were separated. I hope you get well soon…" He paused for a moment to stand, quickly followed by Takuma, "…and just so you know, I'll cover your escape." I blinked as he left the room with a confused Takuma. Silence engulfed the room as their energy signatures faded away down the hall. I had to recollect my thoughts, most definitely…but most of all…

"Thank goodness the storm has passed…" I whispered, relaxing my tense muscles. To be honest, I was amazed I survived the ordeal, and that he even thanked me. Why should he be thankful? He's had a crappy life so far, he should be the one receiving thanks…or at least something to get him out of his depression corner. He was a mysterious vampire, that's for sure, but very intimidating.

Not long after my charming encounter with the other pureblood kind, Akemi stormed into my room and began apologizing crazily. It was amusing at first, but quickly got annoying. She mostly didn't think that Kaname would bother to go into her room- something about it being strictly girls only when they were younger- but after a reminder on energy sensing and a very vicious face palm, that thought was quickly abandoned.

It was good to see her laugh and smile so…so…like Takuma. It was kind of scary, but felt good that it wasn't just a bit sad like it usually was. Probably the positive of amending scars with her family. But…I don't want to see her react when I leave…I don't even know how she'll react. I just hope she won't blindly go out and try to follow me when I leave. It'll only make things worse than it already is.

To top that off, the New Year is coming. I was a bit surprised when Akemi brought it up, yelling about all the fun stuff we were going to do (some of which included vandalism) when the day came. Holidays hadn't really struck a chord with me, though we never did celebrate it while I lived back home, I had wondered if they even celebrated it at all. But to know they had a New Year…what year is it anyway? To top that off…

"I can't believe I missed Halloween…" My head involuntarily went downcast as Akemi raised an eyebrow. I would ask her if they have the holiday, though it'd probably end up like the conversation of 'Twilight'. Don't get me wrong, I'm one curious individual, and I know a lot of other girls would be asking the same question of 'is the movie out yet?' while here, but that conversation…ended badly.

"Well, Takuma is re-inviting Kaname back over, but I don't think he needs an invite. He just shows up on a whim…I wonder, does he walk everywhere or is there an invisible limo tailing him?" Akemi tapped her chin from her place beside my bed, a light grin on her face. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I guess we'll never know."

"I bet you all my money he teleports."

"You lost all your money, remember?"

"Oh, you just HAD to bring THAT up again, didn't you?"

". . ."

"…Shi?"

"…Huh? I'm sorry; I couldn't hear you over the sounds of your stupidity."

"Ha-ha, very funny."

This continued on like always, us throwing mildly insulting comments at each other. It was even funnier with Takuma around; he was horrified by the way we spoke. That, and he probably still wasn't that comfortable with addressing a pureblood in such a way, but who could blame him? All the other purebloods have lackeys that practically bite your head off if you disrespect them. I can name two right off the bat, but that's not important.

What IS important, was the fact a certain Kuran won't get off my mind lately. No, not in that way, but in an annoying 'he could be right around the corner watching me' way. Something of that extent…maybe I was being a bit rude, making sure he was not around me at all times (he hasn't shown up sense our lovely meeting…yet). I had to humor myself with another sarcastic remark of 'now I can woo him~' yeah right. Even as a twelve year old child…he was terrifying. When he looked at you, you feel like you're staring into a black hole…of sadness…and depression…and something that wants to kill you. To sum it up, I wanted to stay away from him.

Operation: Stay clear of Kuran- so far failing…

…and it all started on that god dang holiday.

"HAPPY NEW YEARS!" I nearly fell off the bed, my manga jumping out of my hands as a surprised 'eep!' escaped me. No surprise, Akemi was standing at the door with a ridiculous looking kimono on. Of course it was yellow, with white swirls on the outside, but she must have given it her 'special touch' if the words 'HAPPY NEW YEARS!' printed on it hundreds of times was anything to go by. It certainly did stand out though against the color of her room.

"A-ah…it's not midnight yet, though…" I was sure of that, what with the clock on the wall that clearly stated it was nine o'clock. Her verdant eyes sparkled as she sauntered over to me, a bundle of clothes in hand.

"Silly Shi, you're supposed to party till midnight while all the grown-ups go and do their shrine stuff. I never was one for that fortune stuff…" She mumbled the last part as she shoved the bundle in my arms, "Now! Change into that before Takuma walks in, or even worse, Kaname…the LAST thing that guy needs is to see a girl dressing." I involuntarily blushed as Akemi's complete lack of restraint on her mouth.

"So…Takuma's seen you…?"

"Duh. It always happens between siblings…but he just has to go and make things a lot more awkward."

"How so?"

"…'gee 'Kemi, I didn't know yellow looked so good on you, even as underwear!'…"

. . .

"Your brother…is strange…"

"Yeah, well, sometimes things slip out of his mouth. What was he gonna do? He was already blushing and mentally scared…but he had to go and make ME blush and get scarred too…" She huffed and I snickered, picking up my supposed kimono for tonight. It was a snow colored with small pink flowers around the edges and larger ones on the sleeves. I was silently thankful Akemi hadn't used any of her 'special touch' on it.

"Are your parents going to that shrine they were talking about?" I asked.

"Yeah, gonna be gone and leave the house to the kids."

"That's sounds fun…" As long as Kaname doesn't show up…which is probably going to happen, knowing my luck.

"Shi, how come we never celebrated at home?" She sat on the bed, her legs dangling off as she stared at me. I blinked for a moment as I tried to recollect as to why we never had celebrated holidays. It certainly didn't seem to be on Shizuka's mind, or even fathers, though that could just be because they were always so busy.

"…guess none of us were at home all at once…" I shrugged at my lame excuse as Akemi sighed exasperatedly. It could be the case, or just a simple 'I forgot'. I hadn't really thought about holidays what with the threat of my father's imminent death, Rido's sick plan, and my mother's insanity streak. I guess I had more important things to do then to have a holiday.

The kimono Akemi had was surprisingly snug, which led me to believe it was a hand me down from her. She was a bit taller, so I wouldn't be surprised. It was around the time that I finished examining myself in the mirror (old habits die hard) that Takuma showed up at the door to our room. And…I was speechless.

I had never seen a vampire other than mom, me, and Akemi in a kimono. Father didn't seem fond of them, so you could rule out any male kimono sightings. But Takuma…it was almost like I was looking at a very handsome angel. A bit cliché, I know, but no other word could possibly describe it. None of the night class was ever shown in a kimono (maybe a dress for the formal dance, it seemed Shizuka was the only one that wore a kimono…and I can't remember if Sara did) but this was another thing I wished was in the anime/manga.

He was wearing a different shade of yellow from Akemi's, it being a darker shade with green rimming. There was even small little fist sized spirals along the sleeves a light color of brown. Odd colors, but that with the sparkling smile that only Takuma could achieve, made it absolutely wonderful.

"I see you girls are ready. You don't have to worry about any maids seeing you, Shizumi. They all went out for the holiday, so it's free to come down." He motioned for us to follow, and a spark of excitement ignited inside me. I had only ever been in Akemi's room, recovering (which I still am based on my three quarter filled energy reserves), and the inside of the mansion had always been a bit of a curiosity for me.

"'C'mon then! Let's go have some Shmoes!" My dark haired friend cheered, racing out the door.

"It's called S'mores, Akemi…" I corrected uselessly as she disappeared from sight. Takuma laughed and held his arm out to me, which I took reluctantly. It wasn't that I didn't want to hold his arm (stupid fan girl thoughts), but it was because I knew why he was offering. It wasn't that big of a secret that I was a clutz. Even in Akemi's room I managed to find things to slip, trip, and fall on. Such incredible displays of pureblood idiocy have been openly viewed by both Ichijo siblings. Lord help me if Kaname saw.

"Hello Akemi, Takuma, Hio-san. It is good to see you again." Speak of the devil. We had entered the living room I'm guessing, what with the large couch and fancy fireplace in the side, along with the coffee table aligned with snacks and goodies. There, sitting there on the end of the couch was none other than Kaname Kuran. He was wearing what he'd wear in the anime, a simple jacket, pants, dark boots, and a scarf. He looked like he'd recently showed up (or barged in judging by the surprised looks of my Ichijo friends) if the small flakes of snow in his auburn hair was anything to go off of.

"K-Kaname…this is a surprise." Takuma was the first to speak, but I was sort of…gob smacked. To say the least, I thought he'd be with Yuki. Not with Takuma, even if he was his best friend. Akemi seemed to think he had somewhere else to be as well.

"Are you staying here for the new year?"

"No, I simply wish to pay a brief visit."

"Ah…well, we were just about to start. Do you wish to join?" The blonde next to me smiled, a bit hopeful. Something that was squashed when the auburn haired pureblood shook his head. It made me inwardly frown, but something seemed off about the Kuran. He looked…tense. And all too soon, I realized his eyes were drilling holes into me.

"…Kuran?"

"…Hio-san, I'm sure you have heard of Asato Ichijo?" I raised a silent eyebrow in question. The pureblood before me showed no signs of moving, his body tense as his eyes trained on me. I thought back frantically to the anime, manga, heck even what I've heard around so far. Who was…Asato…hmm…

"Y-you mean…Ichio Ichijo?" I blinked and looked at the siblings standing next to me, and already I could see the tenseness in them as well. Ichio…? Where had I heard that name before…?

Then, all at once, it hit me.

Ichio, Asato, whatever the frik you want to call the cheap low life, was Takuma and Akemi's grandfather! A startled gasp escaped me as I involuntarily took a step back. This…wasn't good. I didn't know how, but if Kaname was bringing him up and to ME of all people…

"Kuran…w-what…is he…?" My words trailed off as the pureblood in front of me sighed, and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples and resuming the familiar stance of 'I'm thinking of something important'. Akemi now finally took a step forward from her shock.

"Why are you bringing him up? Is he…around?" Takuma stepped up as well.

"Kaname, is everything alright?"

The pureblood in question looked up, only half of his face being revealed as he looked passed the Ichijo's and at me. Just by the look in his eye, even if it was hard to make out, I knew what he was going to say. It sent my heart hammering and my adrenaline coursing as fast as a locomotive. Takuma and Akemi waited patiently, tense and silent as Kaname began to speak. What he said, would forever break apart what we were, and the long merciless events of death would begin. What he said…would forever haunt my memories.

"He's stopping by for a visit."

DUN DUN DUUUUN! Oh i'm a NINJA at cliffhangers and intense endings! Someone should get me the 'best chapter ending that will ultimatly tick off a lot of fans' award. Yeah...thats a perfect trophy...

ANYHOW! Next chapter will be the end of the 'little kid years'. The chapter after that, Shizumi should be...er, maybe 12 or 13. I dont know. But it most definitly will start the with the plot. AHH! They need to hurry up and finish the manga darn it! I'd hate to result to the anime! (lord knows i can't copy that without hours of work...just look at my blue exorcist fan fiction)

Crap, im rambling. Just review and i'll post. kay?