Pairing: Kaname/Zero; Kaien Cross/Yagari
Rating: T
Warnings for this chapter: some language
Disclaimer: Nothing changed, I still don't own Vampire Knight or any of the characters (well exept Raiden, he's all mine ^.^)
Notes: This chapter begins where chapter 9 left off, right after the balcony scene between Zero and Kaname. Enjoy!
Word count: 4,595
Summary: When Kaname finds out that Zero's been abducted by the enemy, he does everything he can to find him- even if he's walking right into a trap.
Chapter 11: Following You Into the Dark
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Kaname hated to leave Zero behind on that balcony, especially after the previous events. The memories alone were enough to send a new wave of heat spiralling through his entire body. The way his mate had looked kneeling before him, pleasuring him… the images seemed to be permanently seared into his brain.
Shaking his head Kaname tried really hard to think of something else. Anything. It just wouldn't do to speak to the other nobles residing in the mansion while sporting an enormous erection. And he knew that there was still someone lurking in the dark who wanted to get rid of him, no matter what. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea to set a trap this obvious, but it had been their only possibility. And would someone who was obsessed with the thought of killing the pureblood really let such a chance slip through their fingers? Probably not.
Taking another deep breath he closed the door behind himself, at the same time shutting away every distracting thought that was still swirling through his head, including or especially thoughts of his lover. He needed to concentrate, otherwise he'd not only endanger himself but Zero and the other hunters as well.
When he reentered the room he exchanged a quick glance with the hunter closest to him, a brown-haired male who was probably a little older than Zero. Kaname could remember speaking to him before when they'd assigned every hunter their position for the evening. The man's dislike for vampires- Kaname included- was obvious, but he agreed to take part in this operation nonetheless. Kaname couldn't shake the feeling that the only reason for his participation was Zero's involvement in the current events. He also recalled Zero mentioning his name: Kaito Takamiya.
After receiving a short nod that let him know that nothing suspicious had happened so far, Kaname directed his attention towards the noble vampires around him.
´Well, there's just no way around it.´was the last thing on his mind before he let his usual mask slide back into place and made his way over to the group of nobles closest to him.
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The moment he saw Kaien Cross walk across the dancefloor and in his direction, he instantly knew that something was wrong. The man looked serious, a grim expression on his face that Kaname had never seen before. Before Cross could even reach him, Kaname had already excused himself from his current conversation and indicated for Cross to follow him to a more private place.
As soon as the door closed behind them Kaname whirled around to face the hunter.
"What's wrong?"
"There was a breach in safety." Cross replied seriously. While he spoke he walked over to the windows and, after a short look outside, drew the heavy curtains until the entire room was encased in darkness. "Several hunters were found dead near their assigned positions outside the building. We don't know how it happened yet since nobody has actually seen the person who did it, but seeing that there was no sign of struggle it seems safe to assume that we're dealing with a high-class vampire here."
"What if it was another assassin?" During Cross' report Kaname had taken to wander around the room, always careful to stay away from the windows.
´It was stupid to think everything would work out smoothly.´ a gnawing voice inside his head kept telling him. ´You should have been able to think of another way. It's your fault that something like this happened.´ With a shake of his head the pureblood silenced his persistent thoughts and repreminded himself for losing his composure like this. There was nothing he could have done, and blaming himself wouldn't help anyone. There would come a time to lament the loss of those innocent lives, but that time wasn't now.
"An assassin would have been spotted by our hunters immediately." Cross continued calmly and leaned his upper body against the wall, brushing a hand through his long hair. "Every one of them was an experienced and well-trained hunter. There is a possibility- however small- that one of them could fall victim to another assassin, but all of them? No, we're dealing with someone far more powerful."
Kaname nodded and massaged his aching forehead. "Did you contact Zero? I'm sure he wants to know what's going on."
Cross' sudden silence made Kaname look up. The blood froze in his veins when he saw the pain that was reflected in the other's eyes.
"That's another problem I wanted to talk to you about." the hunter added in a tight voice. "We tried to contact Zero as soon as we realized that there was something going on but received no response thus far. There are already hunters searching for him, but… we fear that whoever killed the other hunters got him as well."
"No." Kaname whispered brokenly. "That's not possible…" Not Zero. Not his mate. Not after everything that had already happened.
"I'm sorry." Cross replied softly. It made his heart ache to see the devastation on Kaname's face, not unlike the one he felt himself. After all, Zero was like his own son. There was just no way to describe the pain it brought to lose a loved person. He knew it, and that was exactly why he also knew that nothing he said or did would be able to ease the pain that Kaname was feeling right now.
Everything suddenly blurred before Kaname's eyes and he stumbled backwards until his feet hit one of the chairs, forcing him to sit down. There was something wet on his cheeks and it took some seconds for him to realize that he was crying. Furiously wiping the tears away, a frustrated growl escaped his throat when they just continued to flow in little rivulets over his skin. How pathetic could he even get? He was supposed to wear a mask of nonchalance, to never show any kind of feelings in front of another person, allies and enemies alike. Feelings like fear, uncertainty and desperation- every emotion that made him vulnerable and coursed through his entire body right at this moment, shattering the walls he had built over the years. This wasn't like all the times he'd let his walls down around Zero. Now he couldn't control it. He was unable to stop it, rendered motionless by the sheer pain that pierced his heart at the thought of losing his most important person.
It wasn't until a hand landed on his shoulder, squeezing gently, that he was reminded of Cross' presence in the room.
"I'm sorry." he apologized hastily while he attempted to control his emotions, burrowing his head in his hands when frustration brought a new wave of tears to his eyes. "You shouldn't have to witness this." You shouldn't have to see me this pathetic and weak.
The grip on Kaname's shoulder tightened almost painfully as if Cross had been able to hear the unspoken thoughts.
"Don't apologize for showing emotions in a situation like this. There's no one in this world who could keep pretending to be unaffected by all of this and if there is, they possess no heart." the man said calmly before turning around and taking his spot across the room again. "There's nothing wrong with mourning the loss of his loved ones."
Kaname's breath hitched in his throat. "You're talking as if he's already dead." There was something accusing in his words and Cross must have felt it too for the tension suddenly bacame heavy in the air around them.
"I hate this thought just as much as you do, Kaname-kun." Cross replied. With an elegant movement he pushed away from the wall and walked towards the pureblood, not even batting an eye when Kaname stood as well. "But you have to face the facts. Eight hunters were murdered right in front of our noses without anyone noticing and Zero vanished at the same time without any clues regarding his whereabouts. Don't tell me these two incidents aren't connected. You should stop pretending and start accepting the truth. Zero's gone and it's unlikely that he'll still be alive even if we're able to find him."
Kaname could almost feel his eyes changing into a deep crimson red when burning-hot fury spiralled through him.
"Don't talk about him like that!"
A barely-there gust of air swept through the room and in the next moment Kaname slammed Cross against the wall with a resounding crack. A cloud of debris swirled around them and Kaname wanted to repeat his action when he saw the unfazed expression on Cross' face. The only proof of what had happened was the thin rivulet of blood that slowly trickled down the hunter's temple, leaving a trail along his neck before it seeped into the fabric of his shirt.
"Don't talk like that!" Kaname snarled once more and tightened his grip on the man's collar. Cross narrowed his eyes in warning and Kaname could feel the movement of his hand that slowly wandered to his anti-vampire weapon. But he wouldn't shoot him. Not yet.
"Stop behaving like a little child, Kaname! This is a war and in every war there are sacrifices to be made! You of all people should know that!"
"I was never willing to sacrifice the one I love!"
There was a moment of silence where they just continued to stare at each other, neither one speaking a word. Kaname's whole body was shaking with suppressed feelings, but looking at the man before him he realized that his anger was never directed towards him. He was angry at himself for being unable to protect his mate. He was angry at the person that took Zero away from him. But he was never angry at Cross.
Releasing the hunter from his hold, Kaname took several steps back, breathing heavily. There was no trace of red in his eyes anymore and he felt all his anger drain out of him, leaving nothing behind but desperation and hopelessness. Looking back over at Cross, he saw the hunter straightening his clothes and tucking away his gun. There was still blood pouring from the wound on his head and Kaname momentarily wondered why his body wasn't reacting to the sweet scent of fresh blood. But he knew the answer already. There was only one person whose blood he still desired. Would he perish as well if they were unable to find Zero in time?
"I'm sorry for hurting you." But I'm not sorry for the things I've said.
"It's alright." Cross replied with a sad smile. "I understand your reaction, but please don't forget that Zero is important to me too. He could be my son for all it matters."
"I know."
Kaname glanced over at a small gap between the drawn curtains where moonlight was shining through, stopping just short of his feet. Still the gentle light was unable to disperse the darkness surrounding him. Memories resurfaced, things he'd rather forget but was unable to extinguish once and for all. He could still remember the words that had been spoken the night he'd killed the Madly Blooming Princess, Shizuka Hio. Her words kept replaying in his mind over and over again, taunting him, like they had been ever since that day.
"Wherever you will go… there will be nothing but darkness."
He'd accepted it long ago. He always thought that it was his destiny to stay alone, isolated from the rest of the vampires, in order to be a worthy leader. But not anymore…
"Zero's alive, I know he is." he finally said to Cross, walking aimlessly through the room. He tried to collect his thoughts, ignoring the way the hunter was looking at him with something akin to pity in his gaze. "I would have known if he was-" He couldn't say it out loud. He couldn't even think of the possibility without his heart clenching painfully in his chest. Kaname took a deep breath. "I would have been able to feel our bond break. Wherever he is, he is alive." But who knows for how long…
Cross nodded thoughtfully at the explanation. "Then we have to find him as fast as possible."
Kaname was almost to the door, itching to search for any kind of trace that could lead him to his mate, when the call of his name made him turn around.
"You do realize that this is a trap, don't you?" Cross asked seriously and watched for any kind of reaction on Kaname's face. "If they took Zero with them it has to be someone who knows about your relationship. Therefore they'd know that you would do anything to get him back. They want you to follow them." The pureblood just tilted his head.
"So what? If they want me to go after them, I'll do just that. I'm sick of this whole cat-and-mouse game. It's time to show them the consequences of their idiocy. If they want to fight, they can have a fight. I'll tear them to shreds before they even have the chance to regret their actions."
The anger was back, but now Kaname knew what to do with it. Rather than letting the anger and guilt eat away at him, he would use all the pent up emotions to fuel his determination to get Zero back and to make whoever dared to mess with him pay dearly. Without giving Cross another chance to reply he turned back around and rushed out of the room.
The hunter sighed exhaustedly and leaned against the desk, tiredly rubbing at his aching temples. "We better hurry up and help him search for clues or I'm afraid he's going to turn the entire place upside down." he said with a glance to his left and smiled when Yagari stepped out of the shadows and in his direction until they stood side by side.
"He just wants to protect the one he loves."
Cross smiled when he heard the words and leaned into the gentle touch when Yagari brushed a hand against his cheek, wiping away some of the remaining blood.
"You would do the same."
Their gazes met and Cross could see the way Yagari's eyes darkened when he looked at the wound on his head. He could feel the heat radiating from him when he pressed protectively against his side, tilting his head so their eyes met once more.
"Yes…" the older hunter finally replied with a deep growl. "Yes, I would."
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He was going insane. After another hour of frantic searching Kaname was certain he'd lose his mind if he didn't find something, anything really, that would lead him to Zero.
There was nothing, neither traces nor any kind of word from the one who had taken Zero. But there had to be something. Kaname was sure that this was really just a trap and that they would use Zero as some kind of bait. If this was the case there had to be a message, a note, whatever, that would lead Kaname to them. The pureblood could hear the remaining hunters flitting almost completely soundlessly all around and through the building.
Deciding to search the place where he'd last seen his mate, Kaname turned around and walked back in the direction he'd come from. He could already see the balcony from where he was now. The trees were shielding him from prying eyes and gave him the opportunity to observe the majority of the balcony at the same time, just like they had probably shielded whoever had watched Zero and him together less than three hours prior. Had he really been this careless? Was the person that wanted to torment him right in front of him all this time?
Suddenly Kaname stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes moved frantically over the darknened vegetation, trying to make out some kind of danger.
Something was wrong.
An eerie silence had decended upon the forest. Not a bird could be heard and even though Kaname was able to make out the slight swaying motions of the trees surrounding him, there was no kind of sound there either. A shiver raced down his spine when the wind picked up, making his hair stand on end and his skin prickle when the chilling air wrapped itself around him and smothered every noise.
Another moment passed and out of the corner of his eye Kaname could make out movement. Turning around brought him face to face with…
…nothing.
There was no one besides him in the forest. Even though he knew that there were hunters and other vampires swarming the whole place, he couldn't feel any of them in the near vacinity.
´What are you searching for?´
The whispered words pierced his thoughts and echoed inside his head, but another look around revealed nothing new. The wind must've picked up, leaves swirling through the air around him, but the noises never reached his sensitive ears. The only thing able to penetrate the smothering silence was this voice…
´What are you yearning for?´
Another movement to his right made him whirl around on his feet, trying to find the source of the whispers and yet finding nothing but air.
´Are you afraid?´
"What the-" Kaname breathed when the leaves around him suddenly changed their forms and turned into butterflies. Glowing red, their little wings brushed against the pureblood's skin while they danced around him, never lingering in one place for too long.
He instantly knew what they signified. Someone had changed his form in order to travel undetected. Kaname had done it himself on several occasions. So he waited.
´Do you fear me?´
The butterflies changed direction and flew away from him, assembling not ten feet to his left. Unable to advert his eyes, Kaname observed how they continued their bizarre dance, flying in narrow circles around each other, forming an impenetrable red wall. Their wings blurred and in the next moment they turned to dust, finest particle glowing and still swirling through the air.
Except now, amidst the dust, there stood a man clad in leather, his long white hair flowing in the soft breeze. That was when Kaname realized that all the noises had returned. Taking in the other man's appearance he couldn't keep his brows from furrowing. Something about him seemed oddly familiar. However, the moment the white-haired man had appeared alarm bells went off inside of Kaname's head. There was this churning sensation in his stomach, the same feeling he'd always had when confronted with his uncle, Rido Kuran.
Definitely a bad sign…
"Do I know you?" he finally asked. The grin that stretched across the other's face was positively devious, a glint appearing in eyes that made Kaname tense his muscles in preparation for an attack.
"It's nice to finally meet you, my liege." The last words were spoken with such hatred that it made Kaname want to take a step back and away from this man. He didn't though. Someone who showed weakness in the face of the enemy had already lost. Staying alert, Kaname followed the other man's every move as he started to walk in his direction. "Answer me!"
"My my, aren't we impatient today?" the vampire taunted with a glint of razor-sharp fangs. "But since I'm such a nice person I'll give you your answer. You don't know me. We've never met before but you once knew someone very dear to me." Here his eyes flashed red for a moment, lips forming a thin line. "Well, until you ripped her heart out and turned her into dust that is. So now I am going to return the favour and turn your whole world into dust as well. Everything you hold dear and worked so hard to achieve… I am going to rip it into pieces. And you are going to watch, unable to stop it. Unable to save anyone. But you know what they say: You reap what you sow. I guess they are right."
"Wherever you will go… there will be nothing but darkness."
"That's impossible." he whispered when he recognized the similarities. More and more now that he knew what to look for. "There was never word about any living descendants of the Hio clan."
"You're not the first one to tell me that, but I'm very sorry to disappoint you. It seems your source of information isn't nearly as faultless as you would have liked to believe. And now here I am," With a deep bow Raiden grinned at the other pureblood, never once taking his eyes from the tense form of the man he hated. "Raiden Hio, brother of Shizuka Hio. Living and breathing and not nearly as crazy as others would believe according to my family history."
"So what do you want?"
"Nothing much really." Raiden replied, pretending to think about it. "Just your head on a plate."
"And how do you think that is gong to happen?" Kaname asked mockingly and the beast inside of him roared when both men started circling each other, thirsting for blood. He wanted to fight. If Raiden told the truth and he was the one chasing after Kaname all the time, they could end this once and for all.
Raiden grinned. "I think your little pet is going to help me there. I have to admit he's such a beauty, but I've always had a weak spot for the feisty ones."
It took a moment for Raiden's words to sink in, but when they did, Kaname charged at the other pureblood with an inhuman growl. This man was the one to take his mate away from him. The beast inside of Kaname that he'd been able to suppress for decades roared in fury. And he knew that neither one of them would rest before Zero wasn't safely by their side again.
Summoning his strength Kaname lashed out at Raiden, but the white-haired male didn't even try to defend himself. He just kept smiling during the second it took the pureblood prince to reach him. Kaname couldn't care less. With a snarl he thrust his arm forwards, eyes widening when he was met with nothing but air. Jumping back he took on a defensive stance, watching in disbelief as more blood-red butterflies scrabbled around the hole he'd ripped into Raiden's chest, changing their forms yet again and closing the gaping wound.
"How-"
"Oh, you didn't think I would really come here to face you in person, did you? There are hunters all over the place. Do you think I'm an idiot? Even I can't do anything about a horde of hunters with anti-vampire weapons."
"So what is this?" Kaname asked with a frown, gesturing at Raiden's form. "Isn't it real?"
"Of course it is real." Raiden sighed in exasperation. "Let's just say that this is something like a copy of myself, tough it can neither touch nor be touched. An image, a reflection of me in another place. Like using a phone, but without the phone and with the ability to speak face to face. I thought maybe it was time to introduce myself to you. Plus, I wanted to see your face when I told you that I have lots of fun with your little pet-hunter."
"You damn-"
"Ah, ah, ah." Raiden interrupted him with a waggle of his finger. "You should really think about the way you speak to me. We wouldn't want your pet to get to feel the consequences."
"What do you want?" Kaname asked through gritted teeth and a growl sounded deep in his throat when this damn smirk on the other's face only seemed to grow.
"Oh, let me think. There are just so many things…" There was a strong breeze and Kaname was startled when something cut into the skin of his cheek. Thick blood seeped out of the wound and down his neck, before the skin began to heal.
"I thought you were unable to touch anything in this form?"
"I am." Raiden replied and his cheerful expression suddenly turned into a sneer. "Doesn't mean I can't use something else to hurt you."
Kaname's eyes swept over the things around him. Trees, fallen leaves, stones… if he wanted to Raiden could use every one of those objects to attack him while Kaname would be unable to reciprocate.
"If you want to hurt me you will need more than some sticks and stones."
"But sticks and stones will break your bones." the other pureblood taunted, seemingly leaning against one of the trees. "Don't worry, I'm not going to start a fight with you now. I want to look into your face while I destroy every important thing in your life. I want to see your pain, want to feel your blood flowing over my hands and my body when I tear you apart. I want to see the light leaving your eyes when I rip out your heart… that's exactly what I want. But first you have to find me. And don't even think about bringing your little hunter friends with you. Otherwise I will not hesitate to show your lover what happens if you don't abide by the rules. I will make him suffer until he begs me to end his life, and I'll make you watch every single second of it, until you can hear nothing but his tortured screams."
"How am I supposed to find you?" Kaname asked, his voice breaking halfway through the sentence. The images Raiden's words brought to the surface were just too much. The thought alone to see his mate suffer while being unable to help him made his heart clench painfully in his chest. For one moment he felt like not getting enough air and his sight became blurry with unshed tears that he refused to let fall. But Zero was alive, and this fact was the only thing keeping him grounded right now. He was alive and Kaname would do anything in his power to get him back.
There was another strong wind and, already anticipating another attack, Kaname clenched his fists until his fingernails broke skin. Warm blood pooled on his palm and dropped down onto the dark leaves where it sickered into the ground.
New butterflies swarmed around him, but nothing else happened. Just like before they circled each other until he couldn't differ one from the other. After the wind had died down nothing remained but a thin layer of red dust. Admidst the dust was a piece of paper and when Kaname looked closely he could make out elegantly written words… an address.
Lifting his head he realized that he was once again alone in the forest. If not for the paper in his hand he would have thought it to be a very vivid dream, or rather nightmare.
But he had an address, and even though he didn't know whether this was another trap or really the place where Zero was kept, he didn't care. He had a trace and he would be damned if he woudn't look into it. Alone.
´Just hold on, Zero. I'm going to find you.´
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Miles away violet eyes slowly fluttered open, surveying the room he was being held in. For just one moment he had thought to hear Kaname's voice and even though it was probably nothing but a dream, it filled him with warmth.
A small smile graced his lips before his lids became too heavy and his eyes slid shut once more.
Hopefully he'd dream again.
Tbc…
