A/N: Here we are. The major events... I'm so bloody nervous. Please feel free to tell me what you think! Am I getting the characters; personalities and actions right? Is Maya a good OC with a rounded personality and believable reactions? The reviews so far tell me a very promising and resounding "yes!" but I wonder... will you all still feel the same after reading this chapter? Only one way to find out...
Enjoy reading! And please remember to follow, favourite and/or review!
Thanks so much to Sakure Heme, Guest,December 25th,blackcat711, fanfiction2010, Eovin,Rozari-chan, hirinoutaka,4DarkMirror6, Killer Angel2 and BooDude for taking the time to review, follow and/or favourite! It keeps me writing!
Summary: Vampires are real. I attend Cross Academy, a school where the student body is populated by the human Day Class, and the vampire Night Class. This was all supposed to be fiction. A story I read for entertainment. But it's real. It's all real. SI, OC Insert.
Disclaimer: Everything to do with Vampire Knight is owned by Matsuri Hino. I only own my OC Maya.
Warning: this fanfiction includes dark themes, swearing, mentions of death, serious injury, murder and suicide.
Chapter 10 - Blood Soaked Cherry Blossoms
It began differently this time.
It was much clearer too... like before I was only seeing fragments, but now I was seeing the whole thing? All this time and I still don't know how this works...
Anyway. The cloaked woman was absent this time. I stumbled on a cherry blossom tree in full vibrant pink bloom, seeming to glow among the other dead trees in the snowy night.
Sakura petals were falling in a light wind... and it would have been a breath taking sight if not for the crying woman with long silver-white hair and pink eyes, wearing a white kimono, walking through it all.
Hiou Shizuka.
I followed her.
I watched with wide eyes as she slaughtered Zero's family, frozen in shock.
Even if I could move, there was nothing I could've done to change what happened. It was the past.
This was only a memory, I realized.
She bit a little silver-haired boy first. I had to listen to him scream.
Then his parents tried to save him, but Shizuka was too strong. Too enraged from grief.
So consumed by her need for revenge.
Blood.
There was so much blood.
The little boy, I realized was Zero, so weakened by blood loss, had no choice but to watch as first his father fell, then his mother.
Only to try and fail to save his brother as he lost consciousness.
I woke up suddenly, a dry sob tearing it's way out of my throat.
Oh my god. Ohmygod.
My breathing was rapid, my heart beating out of control, so fast that it hurt. I was hyperventilating.
Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I was choking on my own air.
I need to calm down.
I need to calm the fuck down.
"Fuck..." I hissed, trying to swallow the bile I could feel rising up my throat "fuck"
Unable to hold it back any longer, I scrambled to edge of my bed, landing painfully on the floor in my rush, before emptying my stomach on the carpet.
Dry retching when there was nothing else to bring up.
Oh my god.
'God has nothing to do with it'
Who the fuck was that?
I looked up and around the room, tears blurring my already crappy vision since I wasn't wearing my glasses.
The voice sounded female. But I don't recognize- wait. Yes, I do... but from where?
... I spent the rest of the night, curled up in a ball on the floor by my desk, trying to figure out who it was, just so I wouldn't have to think about my latest horrific nightmare.
About the fact that I was somehow seeing Zero's memory of the night his family was slaughtered.
I didn't get any god damn sleep at all last night after that.
Damn it, Yuuki. I am not doing worse than you on these stupid exams!
I glared down at the test sheet - worse still, it was all in japanese. And while I could read it, my head twinged a little every time I did.
Why do we even have to do these stupid exams at the end of every semester?! This is like bloody university all over again!
Despite all my mental griping, I completed the exams. Most of it wasn't actually that hard, I was just really annoyed about having to do a bunch of exams. I hate exams.
Glancing around, I realized in my annoyance I hadn't noticed that Zero was missing from class. Again. Did I forget something again? All that really happened last night was Yuuki studying, right?
Now that I think about, said girl looks pretty out of it. She keeps glancing over here at Zero's empty seat and not paying attention to her exam... I definitely forgot something. What was it...?
As we left the classroom, my thoughts continued to wonder about Zero's whereabouts.
Other than the Chairman and I being the ones on patrol last night to let Zero help Yuuki study, I can't think of anything else...
Shrieking Day Class girls interrupted my thought process, making me look up to see what the commotion was for- Ichijou?
And Kuran.
What are they doing here?
Not that I'm complaining about a surprise visit from Ichijou - even if he was just tagging along with Kuran - but it's the middle of day. Shouldn't they be sleeping?
"Kuran-senpai, Ichijou-senpai" I greeted, a smile replacing my frown.
"Matsumoto-kun" Kuran nodded, before asking to speak to Yuuki alone.
Standing guard with Ichijou while Kuran and Yuuki talked was pretty fun.
We chatted about a new manga that was out and I thanked him for the cake he had sent over. I couldn't stop myself for laughing every time he waved to distract any curious Day Class girls. He, of course, asked what was so funny.
And I just laughed even harder.
God, he's so cute~
"So, Maya-chan" he asked "will you be dressing up at the dance?"
"Hm? Ummmm, I hadn't really thought about. I mean, I'm going as security so..."
"Ah~ I'll save you a dance then, shall I?"
... aaaaand I'm pretty sure my brain just exploded.
"Tha- tha- thanks, I- Ichijou-senpai" I stuttered out, then walked away towards Yuuki in a daze, my face feeling hot and probably really red.
Ah~ I'm going to dance with Ichijou~!
Patrol was pretty quiet that night.
I ran into Yuuki near the beginning, she still seemed really distracted, but no matter how much I bugged her, she wouldn't tell me anything.
That should've been my first warning sign, but nooooo. I was too busy fangirling over the fact that Ichijou said he would 'save me a dance'.
... I really need to sort out my priorities.
Kurenai, strangely enough, was particularly 'helpful' in this area. During our little talks, she had at some point discovered I was planning on wearing my uniform to the dance and therefore didn't have a dress.
That night, while I was on patrol, she showed up with a large square box, and inside was a knee-length dark purple chiffon party dress with a lighter purple lace cardigan and a pair of matching high heels with straps that reached up to my shins.
I protested, of course, I don't wear dresses, and this had to be expensive! Sure, we were friendly enough - but that doesn't mean she should spend a lot of money on me! I get uncomfortable when Yuuki offers to pay for lunch at our favourite cafe in town!
Kurenai just passed the money question off by saying it was old dress of hers - yeah, sure. You have a stick figure compared to me. I doubt you used to be much bigger - in fact, if it was an 'old' dress of your's as you claim, then it would be smaller.
She just changed the subject by saying that if I was going to be dancing with Ichijou - how the hell did she know that - then I should get dressed up for the occasion.
... damn it.
Well, it looks like there is someone in this reality that can make me wear a dress.
Freaking Kurenai Maria.
Still. I wonder where Zero's gotten off to this time. He missed the exams today, so he'll have to take make up tests later, but that's not what I'm really worried about.
I stared up at the half moon in the dark sky... did I forget something again? It's been a while since I read/watched it, and that is before even considering the almost nine months I've been here now.
Where the hell did you go, Zero?
So. Despite all that studying, Yuuki dragged down the class average. Which means that now we have to set up everything for the dance.
Damn it, Yuuki! I am not a fan of manual labour! I mean, I don't usually mind, I'm just kind of lazy, but I need to figure out how the hell I'm styling my hair with no equipment and then doing my make up. I guess I could borrow Aoi's straightener...
The class prez had pulled a zoned out Yuuki off to help bring some more boxes of decorations in from some storeroom, so she wasn't there when Zero suddenly burst into the hall, looking out of breath.
"Doesn't he look upset?"
"I wonder what happened to Kiryuu-kun..."
"Zero?" I called, handing the long white drapes I was working on to another student. He just ignored me and walked over to a store room we weren't using, so I just followed after him.
I mean, of course I did. He looked shaken. Zero looked shaken. There's only one way that happens.
"Are you okay?" I asked, closing the door behind me "where've you even been? I haven't seen you since yesterday and now you suddenly just show up, looking-"
"Have you seen that new student?" he interrupted.
"Kurenai? Uh, um... about an hour ago? While I was on patrol. Why? Did something happen- are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Everything healed already"
"Healed-? You were hurt? Where the hell was I?" I stepped towards him, seeing something beneath his red tie "is that blood? Did you get attacked?" he backed away "Zero, you gotta talk to me. Please, I'm really not liking the conclusions I'm making"
I looked up at him with worried eyes, I sighed "if you're not here to talk, then why-" realization dawned on me as I took in his pained expression.
... oh. He's here for Yuuki. For her blood. Though he'd never admit it...
Oh. Oh, shit.
Last night is when Zero fought against Kurenai and found out that not only is she hosting Hiou Shizuka, but his brother Ichiru is alive.
No wonder he needs blood. After all that... he would've burned up a lot of the energy he got from drinking Yuuki's blood before just to heal himself.
He needs to feed.
He needs blood.
Sighing, I loosened my purple scarf and shirt enough to reveal my neck.
"No-"
"You need it" I interrupted "you think I can't tell? Just because I don't have the same instincts, doesn't mean I can't see you struggling"
His eyes flashed red, and his fists clenched as if to hold himself back.
"I said it before, Zero" I continued, stepping carefully towards him "I don't wanna lose anyone else. And if this is what I have to do to keep you going... then I'll do it"
One second I was standing in front of him in the middle of the room, and then the next I was against a wall, his fangs buried in my neck.
I flinched at the sudden pain, but didn't fight it.
He needs this. I just kept telling that to myself. He needs this. He needs it.
The woman was there again, watching from across the room this time. She was shrouded in shadow, her face hidden by the hood, but her silver hair shone, reflecting in the moonlight pouring through the window.
By the time I got back to my dorm room, I didn't have much time to get ready. I had a quick shower, before retrieving the box Kurenai gave me from under my bed.
I wrapped my neck in some bandages I had in my desk draw, before styling my hair and putting on some light make-up. I straightened my long wavy brown hair, letting it fall freely down past my shoulders, then parting it on my usual side and putting it a silver rose clip.
The dress was surprisingly pretty easy to slip into, the bottom of the dress ending just above my knees. The cardigan came next, and then the damn heels.
It took me a little while to lace them up, but after it was done, I stood up to see the train wreck I was expecting in the mirror.
It was no train wreck.
Wow. I should ask Kurenai to pick clothes for me more often. It looks amazing.
... this is going to be so weird. Especially since I told everyone I wasn't dressing up.
Thanks for making it awkward, Kurenai.
My eyes lingered on the bandages around my neck and the scars leading down to my collar bone... what to do, what to do... um... oo~ I know!
I grabbed my scarf and wrapped it around my neck. There! Done!
Right. It's getting late, I should get going.
So I slipped my prefect's armband onto it's proper place, and then left to meet up with Yuuki for the dance.
Ugh. The last time I wore heels was two years ago. Granted, I ended up doing the macarena and not breaking my ankle, but still.
Heels freaking hurt. And don't give me that shit about how 'beauty hurts', because I don't give a damn. I'm only wearing this get up because Kurenai blackmailed me.
... that's my excuse, and I'm sticking with it.
The dress Kuran picked out for Yuuki is pretty nice though, a little too frilly for my tastes - which was saying a lot because there weren't actually that many frills - but I'm not the one wearing it now, am I? She pulls it off well though.
She looked shocked when I showed up to outside the Sun Dorms in the dress and heels and I just asked her not to mention it, with a blush reddening my face.
Of course, she ignored me, and gushed about it for a few minutes as we walked to the hall the dance was being held at.
"Zero!" Yuuki called as we approached the hall. Zero and Cross were standing outside talking, and at Yuuki's call, their attention moved over to us.
My blush deepened and I avoided looking at them.
"I didn't think you would come before me!" Yuuki continued.
"Ah~! Yuuki and Maya dressed up for me!" Cross cooed, then turned to Yuuki "please dance with your father later, oh daughter of mine!"
NO. NO I DIDN'T, CROSS. STOP MAKING IT WEIRD.
"Are you coming inside, or not?"
My eyes instinctively moved to look up at the person who spoke - Zero. My face got even redder, if that's even possible, when I saw the slight blush reddening his cheeks.
What the hell's he blushing for? I'm the one walking around in these bloody heel killers and wearing a freaking dress of all things!
"Ye- yeah" I mumbled and walked past him, my gaze averted to the ground again. What the hell am I so embarrassed for?
It was awkward.
I just ended standing beside Zero, who was by the pillar near the side of the room, red blush heating my cheeks, nervously biting my lip as classical music played, and both Day and Night Class students danced across the floor.
... god, this is awkward.
We're both being wallflowers for god's sake - maybe I should try talking to him? We haven't really talked since what happened earlier...
A further ten minutes went by before I stuttered out "so... um..." I could feel Zero's eyes on me as I tried to think of something to say.
Great. That's so great, brain. Wonderful vocabulary there - sarcasm anyone?
My eyes watched the students miling around the room "... do you want to dance?"
I swear my whole god damn face just went the darkest red.
Why, brain. Why must you try so hard to humiliate me?!
I waited for him to just reject my request, only to be be taken by surprise when he grabbed my hand and led me out onto the dance floor.
I stared up at the silver-haired teen in shock as he led me through the dance. I was sure I stepped on his feet more than a few times, and I could see him wince every time I did, but we kept dancing.
I'm a horrible dancer. What the hell, brain. HOW COULD YOU THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA.
He already knows I'm uncoordinated, damn it - what does stepping on his feet a few times matter?
... thanks, brain. You're so helping my confidence right now.
Then suddenly "we should get back to our jobs"
"Eh? But the song's not even-" I cut myself off as Zero left the dance floor "... over yet" I mumbled. Oh that is just so bloody typical...
Scowling, I moved away from the dancing students over to side of the room opposite to Zero. If he can be rude, then so can I, damn it.
Glancing around the room, I noticed everything was going pretty smoothly. Ichijou was busy dancing with more girls than
he could possibly handle, Shiki and Tooya had taken to dancing together on the far side of the dance floor, and Kuran seemed to have claimed the terrace for him and Yuuki for the moment.
Kain and Aidou had already disappeared, I noticed. Hmm... things are moving faster than I thought. Not that it has anything to do with me. Since I'm not getting involved in this.
Not this time, damn it.
"Maya-chan?"
"Yes, Chairman?" I replied, turning towards the man as he came to stand beside me.
"Could you please~ to a quick patrol outside? Just in case" he asked.
"Sure, I'll be back soon" nodding, I turned and walked out through the hall's entry doors.
I breathed in the cold night air, reveling in the quiet as I began a circuit around the building.
Hmm... nothing seems out of the ordinary. But I'm really enjoying the quiet out here... and if I go around again, I can avoid seeing Zero for a little while longer...
I'll make another round. Just to be sure.
As I came to the side of the hall, I came across a tall figure in a dark coat with short silver hair walking down a path about twenty or so metres away...
I walked over to investigate, calling out "hey! Curfew is still in effect if you're not attending the dance, you know!"
The figure turned "... Zero?" I asked, frowning "what're you-?" I froze.
Wait, this... isn't Zero.
A mask. No bad feeling...
Oh, shit. It's Ichiru.
I pivoted on the ball of my right foot and ran.
Stupid heels! God! See! 'This is why I hate heels!
Just as I was nearing the light spilling out of the hall door, something hit me in the back of the head and I blacked out.
See! THIS IS WHY.
I woke to feeling of something biting my neck.
My limbs feeling like lead, my body was propped sitting up on a lounge near a large window, the coppery smell of blood reaching my nose.
Long silver-grey hair partially blocked my vision, and I could see my scarf and cardigan discarded on the floor, meaning not only were my scars exposed, but my neck-
Slowly, I managed to force my head to move slightly, enough to see the glowing red eyes of Kurenai Maria as she pulled away from me, a giggle bubbling out of her throat as she licked a spot of blood off her lips.
Wha...?
"I got bored waiting..." she smiled.
I... fuck.
My fingers twitched, my eyes widening in alarm as I realized the situation I was in.
Shit.
Move god damn it! I thought we fucking agreed I wouldn't be involved in this fucking bit!
"It's alright..." she whispered, leaning on my slumped shoulder "just relax~"
Yuuki would be here soon... I can't let her see...
The feeling was slowly coming back to my limbs, but it wasn't happening fast enough.
God knows how long I've been out, how long I have left before Yuuki shows up...
"My- my... scarf..." I forced out, my voice sounding weak and strained. She glanced towards said accessories laying on the floor, then laughed as she danced to retrieve them, and then brought them to me, laying the cardigan over my shoulders and loosely wrapping the scarf back around my neck.
There was a little blood still on my skin, dripping from the new bite mark, but as long as the scarf covered it and I kept my cardigan on, Yuuki wouldn't notice.
By the time Yuuki arrived, I was standing on shaky legs over by the window - for some reason, Kurenai was letting me wander around the room.
I felt really weak and drained. Kurenai couldn't have drank that much... oh, but Zero did earlier too...
The realization seemed to make my limbs feel heavier, as if a weight had been tied to every joint. I felt tired. My eye lids were drooping and I was finding it increasingly difficult to stand.
A startlingly familiar jingle of bells, made me turn around to face a door that had just opened. Ichiru walking through with Hiou Shizuka in his arms.
It was the first time I'd actually seen her in person.
She was more beautiful than in the memories, but it was a cold beauty. One that seemed to hide a vicious wrath, a vegeance seeking rage, held just beneath the surface of her pink eyes.
Eyes that locked onto mine, causing an odd feeling to ripple through me.
It was a strange feeling, looking into her eyes. I felt like I knew her... like a feeling of deja vu.
I didn't even realize I was walking towards them, until an unconscious Kurenai fell against me as Shizuka transferred back to her own body. Without the proper strength, the sudden extra weight sent me straight to my knees.
Ichiru was quiet as he picked up Kurenai from my arms, and as he lifted her I stared at his mask. He ignored me, of course, and took the girl from the room.
... Zero's right. That mask really is tasteless.
Shakily I managed to pull myself back to my feet, using the lounge as a support.
Yuuki didn't need to be distracted right now-
"Get away from them, Shizuka!"
Well hi to you too, Zero.
In an instant, Yuuki was standing between Shizuka and Zero, Artemis drawn and at the ready. While Zero had the Bloody Rose pointed at Shizuka.
Meanwhile, my arms were still aching like hell, but I managed to draw my .38 from the makeshift leg holster I'd stuffed it in and pointed it in Zero's direction.
With all the blood loss, my gun hand was shaking and at this range I wasn't even sure if I could hit a standing target let alone a moving one, and I only had one spare magazine, so I would have to make any shots count... I also really don't want to shoot Zero.
Or Shizuka either, actually.
I staggered closer, the gun still in my hand. At my movement, Yuuki and Zero turned to me; Yuuki was shocked and probably wondering what was wrong with me... but Zero would already know. He would be able to smell the blood.
He grit his teeth together as I moved closer. My limbs were loosening up, now that I'd been using them, more blood would be flowing and I could start getting my strength back.
I got close enough that even in my weakened state, there was no way in hell I could miss- but I forgot about the stupid vampire hunter taming magic, and the bracelet lit up red momentarily as it reacted wth Zero's tattoo.
He grabbed my arm, the magic immediately deactivating "why are you stopping me?" he asked, staring down at me "I'm going to-"
I opened my mouth to answer... but nothing came out. I just stared at him with a hurt expression on my face.
"... you're really willing to go through us to get your revenge?" is that my voice? Did I just say that-? Craaaaap- yeah, I did.
I mean, yeah, I was a little hurt that he would try that, but that doesn't mean I'll freaking vocalize it!
Blood loss must be getting to me again...
"You..."
"You've been tamed..."
Oh fuck. That did not sound good.
Zero's grip on my arm tightened as his muscles visibly stiffened, his eyes flashing with fear, before going blank.
Oh shit, Shizuka's controlling him.
"Are you happy to finally hear your master's voice?" Shizuka giggled "you must feel like obeying me now, don't you... because I have returned to my true body, my voice now has the power to bind you..."
Oh... fuck. This going nowhere fucking good.
Shizuka ordered him to hold Yuuki, and Zero grabbed the struggling girl's wrist, Artemis falling from her grip.
Whether from the shock or what, my .38 was now hanging uselessly by my waist.
I don't wanna die.
I don't wanna die.
Tears were forming in my eyes, blurring my vision as the fear began to set in.
... so much for the Hunter's crash course. I'm still fucking terrified.
'Scary'
'Scary vampires will eat me'
Is- is that Yuuki's voice as a child?
'No-! Run, Ichiru!'
Zero's?
Why-? Why, 'now-?
I- I can't-
My .38 clattered to the ground, eyes wide, I was frozen.
Both memories were flashing before my eyes as Shizuka approached.
Little Yuuki alone in the snow.
Young Zero covered in blood.
Why-? Why is this happening-?!
I could distantly hear Yuuki calling my name, but it barely registered.
The emotions of the memories were hitting me at full capacity.
My mind was trying so hard to just process it all that everything else was blocked out.
Tears were streaming down my cheeks, my hands were twitching at the extra stress.
What the hell is going on?
"-keep doing such cruel things to Zero?!"
Yuuki's shout brought me out of whatever that was to see Shizuka standing centimetres from my face, eyes locked on mine.
"It's his punishment for being tamed by you" she whispered into my ear.
My eyes widened even further. She couldn't be thinking-
No- no- NO!
An arm suddenly shot by me, grabbing Shizuka by the throat and stopping her from biting me.
"Ze- Zero?" I stuttered.
Tears in my eyes, I stumbled back a step, the struggle for control clear over Zero's face.
A gunshot rang out.
Zero had shot the Bloody Rose... into his own fucking leg. His blood was dripping on the floor.
Before I didn't try to remember what happen here tonight. I didn't want to know... but now I was struggling to recall everything I could.
"Don't take... anything from me ever again!" more gun shots rang out.
Holy. Shit. Zero just shot Shizuka!
What the fucking hell, Zero?! You need her blood so you don't go fucking crazy!
Shizuka seemed to shake it off though, laughing. But I did remember she was faking it - four anti-vampire rounds are nothing to laugh about... even if you are a pureblood.
Those would be the wounds that would make her weak enough for Kuran to easily finish her off.
"As if I would die from something like that" she declared, releasing the long purple sash from around her waist. It floated in the air, the material hardening into steel for use as a weapon.
"I'll end this..." Zero growled "no matter what!"
God damn it! If I don't something, this going to go exactly like canon!
... oh he is so going to hate me for this later.
I lept forward, retrieving my .38 from the ground, and spun to face Zero, flicking off the safety.
Now I'm standing between two vampires.
So as you can imagine, my self preservation is being a total bitch right now.
ANYWAY.
"If she dies, so do you" I breathed.
"Maya-?" I ignored Yuuki for the moment, my attention solely on Zero.
If he really wants kill her... he'll have to go through me.
I swallowed.
"Why are you doing this?" Zero growled through gritted teeth.
"I won't let you fall" I replied, my eyes half-lidded "and I won't let you die"
His expression morphed into a mix of shock and something else - hopefully not betrayal, I am doing this for him.
"Those eyes... just with those..." Shizuka's voice came from behind me "I can tell how deeply you wish for this in your heart... to perish along with me"
Suddenly, a sword launched from out nowhere and lodged itself in Zero's firing arm.
"Shizuka-sama" Ichiru interrupted, standing in the doorway "how long do you intend to play around like this? If we linger too long, it may become a problem"
... you just threw a fucking sword at your brother, and that's all you have to say?! Also. Pretty sure I had it covered with the gun, man.
"Don't do such unnecessary things..." Shizuka murmured as she moved over to him, grabbing my free hand and pulling me along with her, wha- "I still have things to do... if you were worrying about it, I didn't intend to kill him here"
The second Shizuka touched my wrist, the cloaked woman had appeared over by the window, her long silver hair moving in a non-existent wind.
I... I could see her face. She was so familiar.
My attention was so transfixed by her silver eyes staring into my brown ones, I was barely able to realize that Shizuka had pulled me from the room and down the hallway, leaving Ichiru and Zero to fight each other.
The cloaked woman kept reappearing in different places as we walked.
Always watching. Just... watching.
Suddenly the environment changed around me.
Shizuka was gone.
It was just me in an empty field of snow, surrounded by dead trees.
Then She appeared.
Just standing there, wrapped in her cloak.
"... who are you?" I asked "why do I keep seeing you...? Why do I... feel like I know you...?"
"All of your questions will be answered, child" she replied "you only have to wait"
My eye twitched "... wait? Wait?" I snapped, my fists clenching "'All I've been doing is waiting! Fumbling around in the god damn dark!"
The woman remained silent as I continued to yell questions at her, my voice becoming louder "who are you? Why am I here? What the hell is going on-?!" my voice cracked and I realized more tears were running down my face.
"Why...?" I asked, collapsing to my knees "... why couldn't my life by boring?"
Feeling myself slipping, I closed my eyes.
When I came to, I was in a room, slumped against the wall by an open door.
Shizuka was laid out on the floor, dying.
Kuran must've come and left already.
Shit-! That means I don't have much time!
Scrambling forward, I grasped her hand. She was growing colder by the second.
No-! She can't-!
"Please" I begged "I- I just want-"
"-to save him?" she asked, laughing bitterly "he will hate you for it..."
"... as long as he lives" I replied, grimly "please"
Her pink eyes drifted behind me, and for a moment I wondered if she saw something there... then slowly she pointed towards a fold in her kimono.
A pocket? And inside was a vial of... blood?
Why-?
"Use it wisely, my dear..." Shizuka whispered "for am I afraid that will be the last of the blood in this world that will help your dear Zero..."
She chuckled dryly "... you're such a good girl..." she murmured, a hand moving up to wipe a tear from my cheek "even though you're so different... you still listen to Her..."
What- what is she-? Can she see-?
I was pushed aside suddenly, my thoughts jumbled as my hand slipped from Shizuka's bloodied one and I focusing on clutching the vial closely.
Ichiru had pushed me out of the way and was holding the dying Shizuka in his arms, crying over her body as it began to disintegrate into rising sparks of white light.
A red-eyed Zero just managed to stumble into the room as her body shattered into glass, her kimono fluttering to the ground.
Holy shit.
... Hiou Shizuka is dead.
Chapter End
A/N: So? What do you think? Please tell me in a review! Oh, and for those who celebrate it - happy thanksgiving! (I don't celebrate, but I know people who do)
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Thanks,
Milley02