Chapter 10: The Dilemma
Kaname was the one to finally break eye contact with the silver haired hunter. Him and Yuki were on a tight schedule as it was and he wasn't going to have his stare down with Zero disrupt said plans. So, with a slight bow, Kaname walked off with Yuki by his side toward a gathering of noble class vampires who were so eager to speak with the Kuran couple.
A man with blonde colored hair was the first to greet the two; a smile that showed off his fangs was plastered on his face. "How are you tonight, Kaname-sama? And is this young lady your sister?"
Yuki felt uncomfortable as the man and everyone behind him stared at her. They all were grinning as if something funny was said. Yet, under her brother's strict teaching, Yuki was able to handle an indifference gaze even when the whole lot of them began speaking at the same time.
"Kaname-sama has informed us of your existence, but he wouldn't reveal anything and we want to know more…"
"Please ever so kindly come to the center, we all want to admire your beauty."
"Your highness, we have yet to hear your name…"
One after another, Yuki was bombard with words of flattery and questions. Yuki had to momentarily close her eyes as she remembered the words her brother told her days prior to the ball.
"Yuki, is it alright that I never mentioned to them your name…since I thought I was being selfish when I didn't want to tell them what it was." Kaname looked up at his beloved sister who merely smiled back in response.
Yuki raised her gaze back toward the crowd of nobles, who were so keen on finding out her name. Yuki smiled. "I'm Yuki, and it's a pleasure to meet you all."
The nobles smiled back and began whispering her name amongst each other almost like a chant before admiring her beauty again. Even, verbally comparing her beauty to her deceased parents. Once again her brother's words sounded in her head like a metronome.
"There will be nobles who will approach us freely talking about our late parents. But, be very wary of them Yuki. Since most of them do it to try and smother themselves with us and simply to hurt us and amuse themselves as they watch our reaction. But in any case, don't let any of their insincere flattery and lies affect you. You know, when they ask you things, it's up to you to decide what you are comfortable with saying, if anything at all. Plus, the vampire society has already been made aware of all they might have needed to know about our late parents, anyway."
Yuki held her ground as they continued to speak to her.
"Haruka-sama and Juri-sama have left for us such a marvelous and delightful treasure."
"However, there is something you absolutely must know before the ball, understand?" Yuki nodded and waited for her brother to continue.
"Oh, yes…the purebloods are our precious 'treasures'. So of course we intend to protect you all and swear our total loyalty."
"Yuki, I'm sure you've already noticed that in the eyes of the vast majority of the vampire society. We purebloods are merely…"
Yuki squeezed her brother's hand tightly as his words continued to replay itself in her head.
"The most desirable prey that exists. Our entire society is built entirely on this piece of knowledge."
Yuki side glanced toward a noble who had boldly went up and stood beside her, he smiled at her before speaking. "Yuki-sama, I have heard that another two purebloods will be gracing us with their presence later."
Yuki nodded. "Yes. Kaname has told me as well."
"We will be looking forward to it, don't you think so too?"
Yuki didn't catch the man's question and instead stared at the wine glass in his hand. It was then that Kaname leaned in close behind her and whispered in her ear. "It's a cocktail made with wine and newborn babies blood, Yuki. It's high-quality blood that was obtained with the permission of humans, so you don't have to worry."
The man with the wine glass smiled. "Would you like me to fetch you a drink?"
"No, thank you." Yuki politely declined and did her best to not shudder in disgust at the identity of the red liquid that was so unlike the blood tablets she was used to seeing vampires consume. Then suddenly she stiffened when she smelled a familiar scent. "The scent of a human. Are there any here other than the hunters?"
"There are, although very few." Kaname looked at his sister. "Why, what's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing." Yuki answered and turned her attention toward where she smelled the scent. 'Maybe it's just my mind playing cruel tricks on me…'
-0-
Sayori was surrounded by vampires on all sides of her and from the distance from where he could see her, Kaito was watching -quite amused- that the girl was able to maintain her cool despite being the eye catching prey to the vampires.
"Young lady, do you have any idea what type of gathering this is?" A young woman asked, before an older gentleman beside her spoke.
"To invite a human girl so young to this ball, Kaname-sama has done quite a dangerous thing."
"Or is she perhaps an offering he intends to give to his young sister?" The woman beside him spoke again.
"Certainly not at an official ball under hunter surveillance?"
The woman smiled nonetheless. "What is he expecting us to do with this young girl, I wonder?"
"Excuse me but could you please kindly let me through?" Sayori asked, in a way that wouldn't be rude to those around her.
The woman snickered when she noticed Kaito and Zero watching them. "Oops~ they are looking at us, what do you suppose we should do?"
"I think that for the safety of the young human lady here, we shouldn't risk leaving her by herself, but…"
"I'm fine, really…I just need you to let me go through." Sayori insisted.
Zero and Hitoshi caught a swift of the scent of blood before the crowd departed to make way for the pureblood now approaching Sayori and the nobles around her. Zero immediately went to Sayori's side when he saw Sara Shirabuki.
"Everyone, there is no need to be concerned. After all, we are among ladies and gentlemen here tonight, and we are all trustworthy guests invited by our host Kaname-sama, are we not?"
The nobles around Sayori immediately bowed at her presence.
"My, what a brave young person you are even though you were completely surrounded by vampires…and might I add that you are so cute as well."
Sayori found herself hypnotized by Sara's presence and she didn't know why.
"I'm sure you were only trying to greet the host of the party, weren't you?" Sara smiled and reached out her hand. "If you'd like, I'd be glad to offer to take you to see them?"
Zero reached in to grab Sara's hand and yanked it away from Sayori, much to the shock of the nobles around them.
"Don't go touching a human so easily, Shirabuki-sama."
"Zero-kun, stop! This person was just going to-"
"Oi…let me through." Yuki voiced out as she made her way through the crowd. Once she come upon Zero and Sayori, she sighed in relief. "So it was really you, Yori-chan? Are you okay?"
Sayori smiled. "Yuki…I'm fine really, this person was going to help me go see you and…"
Yuki made eye contact with Sara before turning her chocolate orbs to Zero for the first time that night. It was then that Yuki touched her hand to Zero's forearm.
"Would you please let go of her? She is one of our precious guests here at this gathering."
"As you wish…" Zero obediently let go of Sara's hand and turned away, pulling Sayori along with him. "Move along, Wakaba. You already saw her so that's enough."
Sayori turned to Yuki once more. "Yuki, I'm glad to know your doing well."
Yuki nodded. "Same here, Yori-chan."
As soon as Zero and Sayori were out of sight, Sara smiled. "My, my…what a delicious looking human, isn't she?"
Yuki looked at Sara with obvious disgust. "Please stop, she's my friend."
"Of course, I'm sorry." Sara turned to the nobles behind her. "You all heard it, the human is apparently Yuki-san's precious friend, so you mustn't touch her." Sara turned back to Yuki. "By the way, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Sara Shirabuki, let us be good friends since there are so little few of us left."
Yuki bowed in gratitude before looking up at Sara seriously. "The pleasure's all mine, Sara-san. And as for your invitation of friendship, I apologize but I will have to decline since I already have enough friends."
Sara smiled even more at that. "I see…well then, I must go now so I'm sorry to leave you so soon, but I must go greet Kaname-san as well."
Yuki simply nodded and watched as Sara walked away, all the while knowing that Sara had the faint smell of blood clinging to her.
Under Kaname's orders, Ruka walked over to Yuki and whispered for her ears only. "Kaname-sama asked me to arrange a reunion for an hour with your friend. So go ahead and wait for her back at the drawing room. There is also no need for you to excuse yourself for your momentary departure."
Yuki stared at Ruka's back before she walked off.
Kain approached Kaname, who was staring at the entire events as they unfolded. "Kaname-sama, are you sure it's okay?"
"It's alright, the vampire society had seen enough of Yuki tonight. So she doesn't have to stay for the whole party and besides I'd prefer if Yuki wasn't around when me and Sara talk."
Out from beside Kain was Seiren. "Kaname-sama, I have news to report."
"Go on…"
"The other pureblood guest, Ouri-sama had disappeared, leaving behind only a faint whiff of blood in the drawing room."
Kaname smirked. "I see…"
-0-
"Zero-kun! Is it really so wrong for me to want to talk to Yuki for even a moment?" Sayori asked as Zero dragged her along.
"I don't care about that right now since my biggest concern is that woman who offered to help you…" Zero started, his face forming into a scowl. "She smelled lightly of freshly spilled blood."
Sayori looked at Zero confused. "I don't get it? Sure they do seem scary, but I don't think we need to be that guarded or wary of those people."
"The young human lady is quite right." Said a random noble beside the two. "We are all gentleman here after all…"
Zero turned toward the man and gave him a glare. "Fuck off you nosy bastard!"
The man looked a bit put off but recovered quickly with a smile in turn. "Ooh, how frightening."
Zero huffed in frustration and moved along. Once he was near Kaito and Hitoshi, he pushed Sayori near Kaito before he looked at the two. "Did I interrupt an interesting conversation?"
Kaito and Hitoshi stared at one another then looked over to Zero.
"No, we were just getting to know each other." Kaito answered. "You know, it's a good thing that you didn't take my bait, despite how you were dripping with the urge to kill them. Then again, I'm use to having my patience put to the test."
Zero didn't respond to that and instead directed his attention the vampire now coming their way.
"Hey, Wakaba and I believe its Hitoshi-sama correct?" Ruka spoke and waited for a response.
"Yes, however you can leave the sama part out of my name." Hitoshi answered.
Ruka nodded. "Is it okay to give a little hour of your time? We wish for you to come meet Yuki-sama. It's a request from the host of this party, Kaname-sama."
Sayori looked at Ruka, surprised. "Is it really okay?"
"Yes it is." Ruka replied.
"I have no use going there." Hitoshi started but Zero nodded toward his direction.
"Why don't you just go, since I know you really want to." Zero smiled at Hitoshi for reassurance and the blonde somehow couldn't say no to that face. So he nodded and followed after Ruka and Sayori.
As soon as they were gone, Kaito muffled a chuckle that was still heard by Zero.
"What's so funny?" Zero asked.
Kaito grinned. "Things are going to get far more interesting from here on out. I'm so glad I took this job, because now I know I won't get bored."
Before Zero could ask Kaito to elaborate what he meant, he sensed another urgency unfolding yet this time it was coming from upstairs and the scent that followed after was one of their own.
-0-
"Please don't get the wrong idea, you two." Takuma said toward Shiki and Rima. "Sara-san simply likes to treat me like her personal slave."
"She made you prepare all that tea stuff for her?" Shiki huffed, though his expression was empty, like usual.
"Her attitude could rival that of a certain someone." Rima added after Shiki. "Yet, if you were doing fine, why didn't you come back, or at least contact us?"
"Yeah, we were worried for you."
Takuma smiled. "Sorry, I couldn't really take the risk of making the wrong move. Because I can't manage to read through her well enough to figure out what purpose she has in imprisoning me."
"She imprisoned you?" Shiki asked, rage now consuming him. "Did she abuse or hurt you so you'd obey her?"
"No, no…it's fine." Takuma reassured. "It wasn't like that. She's just short-tempered that's all. But she also has cute sides."
Rima looked at Shiki. "Do you think he's being controlled?"
Shiki narrowed his eyes at no one in particular. "Nah, I think she just has him wrapped around her little finger."
Rima rolled her eyes, she knew Shiki enough to know he was obviously jealous at the thought that someone else could possibly be occupying Takuma's heart.
"I'm sorry…" Takuma apologized again. "I caused so much worry for you two."
Shiki sighed his anger away and instead grabbed Takuma's hand. "If she's not threatening you or forcing you to stay, let's just go. How about you come and greet Kaname-san? You and him are such close friends after all."
Takuma snatched his hand away. "Nope…sorry, but I'll stay with Sara-san."
"Don't tell me that you and him are still dwelling on that issue between you two over a year ago?"
Takuma gave a laugh. "No, I just want to leave things the way they are for a bit longer. And besides, I really don't want to disturb the new Kuran couple right now. Yet, the truth is I'm still concerned with the fact that Kaname is still continuing to suffer and punish himself even with Yuki by his side."
"Your probably right about that, however, I doubt Yuki will be the one to end all that suffering." Rima answered.
Takuma nodded in agreement. "You're right, there is someone more capable of being Kaname's everything. Only thing is…the two can't stand even the sight of each other."
"Then how about we change that?" Shiki suggested.
"How do you suppose we do that?" Rima inquired.
"Simple, all we have to do is make the two fall in love. They are going to fall in love eventually, why not help them do it sooner?"
"Don't you think that wishful thinking at our age is a bit extreme?" Takuma pointed out.
Shiki shrugged his shoulders. "We can't knock it unless we try it, right?"
Takuma and Rima nodded. "I guess we can try it."
"And who knows, it might stop Sara's plans before things get any worse." Takuma thought, yet like he said before 'wishful thinking at his age was a bit extreme'.
-0-
"Sorry to trouble you Kain-kun." Cross bowed in thanks toward the rust colored hair noble in front of him. "I'll only take a little time and then I'll be done. But honestly, to think a day would come where I'd have to get permission to pass and go see my daughter."
"Chairman, please try to understand the situation at hand."
"Yes, I understand."
"If that's all, I'll take my leave. We're also busy with everything going on." But before Kain could leave he saw the two hunters become suddenly active when something came through their earpiece radio. "Did something happen."
"Yes, it appears that one of the hunters patrolling had disappeared, and we must go and check it. Especially since the other hunters caught wind of fresh blood in the air."
-0-
As soon as the door to the drawing room where Yuki stayed waiting was opened, Sayori ran to the awaiting arms of her friend. The two embraced for a while before Yuki pulled away when she scented another presence. Hitoshi stood by the door like a frightened lamb; his eyes were staring down at his feet, not bothering to look up at his mother.
Without hesitation, Yuki walked over to him and brought her gloved hands upon his cheeks. "It's okay." She cooed. "Please look at me Hitoshi. Please look at your mother."
That response broke all restraint Hitoshi had holding him back and he wrapped his arms around her and brought her close to him.
Yuki didn't care that she was several inches shorter or the fact that she will most likely have to explain all this to Sayori when the embrace was over. Yet, all that mattered right now was Hitoshi and his warmth. Yeah, she did choose Kaname over him a year ago, but her thoughts of him was always there. Right from the very moment he came into her life, she loved him and missed him dearly when thoughts of him came across her mind. You have no idea how many times she tried to write letters to him yet she was afraid he would reject her. But now she can rest assured that Hitoshi missed her too.
"I'm so sorry." Yuki sobbed against the blonde's chest. "Please forgive me."
Hitoshi held his mother tightly in his arms as he too sobbed. Hitoshi knew he was going to regret this later but he replied anyways. "It's alright. I forgive you."
The two stayed in each other's arms until their cries and sobs had subsided and the two broke parted. After several seconds Sayori spoke and the two knew they had to explain everything.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on here? And why Yuki referred to herself as your mother?"
Hitoshi stepped forward. "Allow me to explain."
Was all he said before he went about explaining the story, again. Of course he left out parts concerning Pandora's box since he wanted it to remain a total secret from the three and anything else he knew they shouldn't be told about. It took a good half hour to get caught up to the present and by then the events unfolding outside had finally reached their ears.
Kain walked up toward Ruka, who was standing by the door listening in as Hitoshi retold the whole story. Ruka could tell that something was amiss the moment Kain was before her, he whispered something in her ear and left.
"What happened?" Yuki asked, when she noticed the worried look on Ruka's face.
"It seems that the other pureblood lord…Ouri-sama…has disappeared from his drawing room."
And suddenly after that was said, the scent of blood jolted Yuki and Hitoshi's senses.
"There's the smell of blood, suddenly."
"The smell of blood you say?" Sayori was the only one who couldn't smell it. "I'm sorry, I can't help with that since I can't smell it at all."
"No, I'm the one who's sorry for worrying you with that." Yuki turned to Ruka. "I'll go check out what's going on. It's weird for this to happen at a party watched by the Hunter Association. So please stay here by Yori-Chan and protect her."
Yet, before Yuki could slip away she was stopped. Yuki didn't know why but she couldn't move her body and when she turned around, she saw Hitoshi and the boy in question was stepping on her shadow with his foot. "How…?"
"One of my powers is the power to manipulate shadows and right now I'm manipulating yours."
"But why?"
Hitoshi didn't respond and looked past Yuki toward the figure standing at the end of the hall. The figure smiled and walked away down another hallway.
'Seijen,' Hitoshi knew it was him without a doubt, as well as he also knew that Seijen wanted him to follow him. There was a possibility that this could be a trap yet Hitoshi was still going to risk it and he didn't want to have to worry about his mother joining in on the confrontation. So he did the only thing he could think of…Hitoshi was behind Yuki in a flash and as quickly as he could before she could react, he touched one of your pressure points and she was out like a light. Hitoshi caught her in his arms and brought her back to the drawing room and laid her down on the couch.
"What did you do to Yuki-sama?" Ruka questioned, ready to attack if necessary, even though Hitoshi was a pureblood.
"Relax, she is just fast asleep." Hitoshi answered and watched as Ruka checked Yuki for a pulse just in case. "I need you to stay here and watch over her and Sayori while I go check something out, okay?"
Ruka looked at Hitoshi for a bit and saw that he had genuine concern for Yuki before she nodded and Hitoshi was gone to confront Seijen on a night full of dilemmas.
TBC…
Cliffhanger…bwahaha!
So many things are happening like Takuma, Shiki, and Rima planning on bringing Kaname and Zero together while Hitoshi, the twins, and Zahara are planning to tear them apart. Which team will be the victor in the end?
Next chapter will be a whole lot of confrontations between Aidou and Sara, Kaname and Sara, Seijen and Hitoshi, and even Kaname and Zero. So stay tuned my dear readers. (P.S: The conversation between Hitoshi and Kaito will remain an absolute secret until a much later chapter)
Please review & favorite.
~Dia