A/N: Hello to all readers! Thanks for those readers who reviewed the last chapter and those who have added this story to their favorites list… Anyway, sorry for the cliffhanger last chapter… ^^… Here's the continuation… There are only 3 or 4 chapters left for Arc II before moving on to the next Arc… ^^
Please read and review… ^^
NIGHT 11 – SOMETHING THAT COULDN'T BE SAID
Chairman Cross was standing in front of the windows in his office seemingly staring at the eerie sight of the crimson colored moon visible in the darkened skies that very night. His intuition told him that tonight will be the end of this mess and he secretly hoped that there would be no problem afterwards. He valued this peaceful life no matter how temporary and fleeting it may be. His eyes then traveled to a number of students heading back to their dorms. Really, his life had changed far too much this past few years. Who would have thought a ruthless vampire hunter like him could learn to care about pacifism between the two races?
Was it too long ago when he first met his wife and decided to end his career for her sake? No, it wasn't that long ago at all. For him, it was just like yesterday when he held her in his arms and he finally lived a normal life he never thought he could have. Far away from the bloodshed and violence. A life that became complete when she gave birth to Yuki. His wife loved everyone even the vampires he was supposed to hunt down and kill before. She helped him learn to love them as well, to think of them as though they were humans too. They were beings capable of having feelings and expressing emotions. She dreamed of creating a place where vampires and humans could learn to live together without prejudice and hate. Before long, the foundation of Cross Academy was built. There were those who opposed the idea but with time, they learned that coexistence could begin here. But she died, leaving him and Yuki behind before she could see the fulfillment of their dream. It was a painful blow to him but he was determined to make sure that this peace she wished for would last. That her love for them would still live on even though she wasn't here to witness it all.
Afterwards, he met different individuals who accepted the idea of coexistence despite the fact that only a few were aware that there are vampires studying at this school. It was true that the vampire's existence was still being made a secret but at least some young hunters are willing to study with them and live with them. Out of all the young people he met here at his school, there were two individuals who struck his interest.
The first was Kaname Kuran who helped him make this peace possible by keeping reign on the vampires and making sure that no problem would occur. A young pureblood that was well-versed in handling political matters so easily. Kaname was a figurehead that other vampires were willing to submit to. He noticed that Kaname always kept a tight hold of his emotions and he knew only one person who could coax it out of him. He could break the so-called calm and reserved mask that Kaname always used. That person was Zero Kiryuu, the second person that he took an interest in. Zero Kiryuu was a mysterious individual that Touga brought to this academy. This person was gentle and kind but he could also be quite cold and distant. Kaien always noticed that his eyes held such loneliness and just like Kaname, he felt the need to hide his true feelings to others. He was also a pureblood with quite a complex past if he may so himself. Those two didn't get along well before and he remembered those heated remarks but this time, he could clearly say that they were good friends despite the teasing and arguments here and there.
A sudden knock at the door jolted Chairman Cross out of his reverie. He turned his back to the view outside and promptly called the person outside to enter. He was greeted by Kaname as he entered the room. He motioned for Kaname to take a seat to which the latter obliged.
"I apologize for barging in your office like this. None of the others have returned yet and I felt the need to have some company tonight", Kaname said politely.
"Oh there's no need to apologize Kaname-kun~", Cross said cheerfully as he sat on his own chair behind the desk. His previous thoughts lay forgotten for a while. "So what brings you here at this time, Kana-chan? ~"
"Please stop calling me by that name, Chairman Cross", Kaname said irritatedly, a vein threatening to appear in his temple. But it seemed the chairman didn't hear a word of what he said. Kaname sighed and instead tried to calm himself down since he remembered Zero telling him that arguing with the chairman about nicknames would be useless and a waste of time. "I just want to talk about some things, if that is alright with you?"
"Of course, it's okay, Kana-chan~", Cross continued in his cheerful and singsong tone that sometimes irritated not only Kaname but others as well especially Zero who usually drops by the office.
"It's about the level E's we've been hunting these past few months, there's something quite different about them", Kaname said seriously as he recounted the past events that they all faced.
"I think Zero-rin mentioned something about that the last time he was here", Cross said thoughtfully as he shifted his gaze to Kaname. Meanwhile, Kaname was amused by the chairman's nickname for Zero. He had no doubt in mind that Zero would blow a fuse upon hearing that.
"There's been a case where the level ends are stronger than normal and sometimes they would display abilities compared to nobles. It's only a speculation but there's someone moving in the shadows", Kaname continued after a while.
"Looks like we have a lot of digging to do about this matter. I'll try to get in touch with others in the association and see if they know something about this", Cross said thoughtfully as he gazed once again outside the window.
Kaname followed the chairman's gaze and saw the surroundings bathed in a crimson hue. It truly was a night fit for the vampires. He wondered briefly how the others were faring with the mission. After all, it was a beautiful night for a hunt. A crimson moon beneath the darkness. A reminder of their true nature and the same color as blood.
"In the end, no matter how much we pretend otherwise, all vampires are the same. We still thirst for blood and there may come a time that we too would lose control", Kaname said thoughtfully as he continued to gaze at the moon. He didn't notice the chairman giving him a sympathetic look.
"You guys are my cute students~ If you ever lose control, as a chairman, I promise I'll do my best to bring you back~", Cross said happily as he reminisced about the precious students of the academy. Kaname merely smiled at the chairman's comment.
"I'll keep that in mind, Chairman", Kaname said gently.
"The traces of what happened to the students who died haven't yet covered their entire life spans. As a result, only the memories remain alive, Kana-chan", Cross started as he stood up and walked to the window to stare outside once again.
"What is your main point then, chairman?", Kaname asked with curiosity. There was something quite different the chairman's tone and it piqued his interest.
"Even when someone dies, if someone remembers them, they don't just disappear. Just like a smoke that doesn't dissipate the second someone puts out a cigarette. Seto failed to realize that fact and kept on believing that Shun is truly gone, never realizing that Shun lives through him. He let hate and despair consume him to the point where he lost himself", Cross replied as a matter-of-factly.
Zero couldn't feel anything except for the burning thirst in his throat and the deep pain in his chest. He knew now that it was a wrong move not to consume the blood tablets for the past few days. He certainly didn't expect to mess up like this in a mission. His chest once again constricted and he brought one of his hands, the one which held Yuki's to stop the bleeding wound, to his chest gripping the fabric of his jacket tightly. The scent of his own blood in the air wasn't helping matters and from his position, he could see that even Seto was becoming intoxicated by it. Though the latter wasn't making a move yet because of the wounds from his Bloody Rose earlier. Still it was a matter of time…
"Yuki, there's no time… you have to leave… while I'm still myself…", Zero breathed as he refused to look at Yuki's eyes. He knew that she finally saw what he was. That he was also a vampire. He didn't want to see that in her eyes.
"Zero…", Yuki said softly as she moved to wrap her arms around the trembling figure and hold him close to her. She already came to terms some time ago that vampires were just like humans too. She realized that she had unintentionally hurt him by the words she told him last time and she wanted to make it up to him somehow. Zero was different from those vampires she faced. Sure, she was frightened at first. But it was Zero. The person who saved her countless of times. The one who always helped her out and treated her gently. The young man she loved with all of her heart. It didn't matter what he was. Human or not, he was still Zero.
Seto laughed as he watched the scene before him. Who would have thought that using an anti-vampire weapon would get the job done? He never imagined his classmate was a vampire until he saw it with his own eyes today. He didn't possess the aura nor scent of a vampire, it was distinctly human's. Was he suppressing it? Seto saw that his wounds had a hard time healing but he could easily attack the two. Though he thought it was amusing to watch them, to see his classmate struggling with his instincts. Waiting at the end result of it. After all, he had all the time in the world.
"In order to regain the blood we've lost, we become a beast, overtaken by the impulse to drink blood. If I were you, girl, I would take his advice. You wouldn't want to get hurt now would you?", Seto said amusingly as he gazed at the girl who looked at him defiantly.
Yuki couldn't believe what she was hearing. How dare he mock and refer to Zero like that? He wasn't a monster. He never was and never will be. He was the kindest person she met and even right now she could see him suffering all because he didn't want to hurt her. Maybe he was always suffering. He was always fighting himself and he had to kill his kind. Right now, Zero was suffering. Yuki held him tighter, willing him to believe that she wouldn't abandon him no matter what. Her warm brown eyes held such deep emotions of sadness, she couldn't bear to see him like this.
Zero wasn't aware of anything anymore except the beast that was threatening to consume him. The pain in his chest was terrible and he quickly found it hard to breathe. His surroundings turned crimson and he closed his eyes tightly, willing to rein control of the thirst that was overwhelming him. He didn't manage to feel pair of arms wrapping themselves around him, trying to offer comfort. But he was aware of the gentle yet frantic beating of a heart next to his. As well as the sweet and intoxicating scent of human blood. He needed Yuki to leave immediately even if she refused to. No matter what happens he wouldn't give in to the temptation of drawing blood. He knew the consequence of that action. He knew better than anyone else. Yet right at this moment, his resolve was crumbling. His thoughts became a mess and everything was being blank. All he could think of was satiating his thirst.
"Yuki…I… I can't hold back… anymore", Zero said in between panting breaths as he shifted to lay his head by Yuki's shoulders. I can't do this, please… he told himself but it seemed that even if his mind and heart refused. His body was moving in its own accord. Not to her, not to Yuki…
Yuki was perplexed by the sudden movement and she was frozen to the spot. How could this happen? She wanted herself to think that all of this was just one big nightmare. That everything would be okay when she woke up. She didn't want to believe at all but this was reality. Suddenly she felt the frantic breathing ghost over her neck and she registered in her eyes Zero's fangs. Fear knotted in her whole being in an instant. The same fear she held when she faced those level E's. But that fear disappeared as soon as it had come. This was Zero. He was different. She told him that night that she trusted him and she did even now with all her heart. If it would ease his pain, wouldn't it be better if she let herself get bitten? If it could take a fraction of that burden and pain he carried, she would give away anything.
"I… don't want… to hurt you…", Zero said softly as he inched closer to her exposed neck.
"It's alright. You can have my blood so don't suffer like this anymore. You're not at fault. It's not your fault", Yuki said gently as she tangled one of her hands behind Zero's head to bring him closer and the other to bare her neck to him further. Loving someone so madly and helplessly like this… I will never love like this again, she thought to herself.
Zero heard her say those words gently and he became aware of what he was supposedly doing. He stopped himself just in time. Not to Yuki. He could never do this to her. He couldn't hurt her like this. He mustered all of his strength to control his bloodlust and he gently shifted to move away from her neck. He didn't want this. For her to see what a monster he truly is. That in the end. He was just the same as those vampires he was hunting. A part of him was happy that Yuki could still find it in her heart to care for him and to offer herself so willingly for his sake. But no matter what, he could never bite her. Not if the result would be terrible. He couldn't turn her. It would be too painful for both of them.
"I can't… but thank you… it's alright now…", Zero said softly as he stared at Yuki's warm brown eyes and he could the sincerity of Yuki's action. He could never fathom why Yuki was always able to evoke such emotions from him? He directed his gaze at her once more, letting his feelings show through his ruby-colored eyes. That he was thankful for her and that he was sorry.
Yuki couldn't help but be mesmerized by Zero's eyes once again. It was true that it was far different from those lavender colored ones she was used to seeing but just the same they were beautiful. Zero's glowing blood red eyes was gazing at her and she couldn't help but be captured by its beauty. She didn't know that a vampire's eyes could be this enchanting. She could see the feelings in its depths and she wondered why Zero wanted to apologize to her? Wasn't she the one who was supposed to be sorry after what she said before?
Yuki then thought about why Zero didn't take her blood even though she clearly offered it. After all, he needed it badly. Why would he choose to fight against his so-called instincts like this? It's not like it would hurt too much, right? She pondered over it and remembered a discussion from some time ago: Finally, the one at the top would be a level A or purebloods. They are the strongest kind of vampires and their bites are fatal to humans, either turning them or killing them. She wondered why it came to mind and suddenly something dawned on her. It couldn't be true, right… That Zero is… Zero is a p…
Before she could complete that thought, Seto looked as though he had enough of waiting and decided to attack them. Yuki stared wide-eyed as she watched Seto's clawed arms heading straight for them. She heard Zero shout her name and she couldn't help but blush as he held her protectively in his arms, shielding her from the enemy. She closed her eyes briefly, waiting for the blow or something to happen. She heard the ringing of metal and she opened her eyes to see someone she least expected.
"Takuma-senpai?", she asked hesitantly as she watched a blonde-haired figure in front of them holding a sword to parry the enemy's attack. Seto jumped backwards and eyed the newcomer warily. Takuma looked back at them and gave Yuki one of his trademark smiles.
"Sorry, I'm late but Zero, you're being too reckless again. I could smell your blood from some distance", Takuma said sternly as he addressed Zero. Zero sighed in defeat and Yuki finally noticed something different. Takuma's eyes were not the green she was familiar with but also the same red as vampires. That only meant that Takuma-senpai is a vampire as well.
"I know. I'll listen to you later but we still have a mission to finish", Zero replied and Takuma nodded before turning to the enemy once again.
Seto couldn't believe his luck. Another vampire had to show up and he realized from the aura that he was a noble as well. He also noted that it was a classmate of his but he didn't care either way. He wouldn't let anyone stand in his way no matter who it was. He readied himself as once again he attacked, he knew his abilities were useless on vampires.
"gefallene Vampir Ihre Entscheidung ergangen ist", Takuma whispered as he lifted his sword to block the talons aiming for his head. He was quite furious at Seto for daring to harm Zero and shed his friend's blood. He was busy walking in town that time when he suddenly caught a scent of Zero's blood and it was quite some amount. He hurriedly followed it and came upon this building. He suddenly moved as he saw Seto lunging for his friend. He wouldn't allow Seto to live after harming his friend like that as well as another student. He couldn't do it especially if he accounted the deaths those previous victims. Seto was already too far gone to be saved.
"You're a beast with the taste of blood on its tongue. You're already enjoying murder. Don't you know what you're doing is futile", Takuma said seriously as he directed his crimson gaze to Seto who was taken aback by the statement. Yuki was a bit unnerved by the steel and coldness of Takuma's voice. It was the first time she heard him speak like that.
"You guys don't understand anything! Don't talk as if you know my feelings!", Seto shouted as he once again directed his attack on Takuma. Yuki could only stare as she followed the blurry movements and the clash of metal.
Takuma felt the other noble's aura darken suddenly and the movements became fiercer than before. He winced as he blocked another blow but the force of it sent him reeling back a few steps. It seemed that the enemy was becoming quite stronger than before. The enemy once again attacked and he found an opening in the enemy's side. He ducked the blow and drove his in Seto's thigh. Seto's pained growl was all he heard. But before he could pull back his sword, the enemy swung a fist at him. He blocked it but he was pushed back a couple of feet away. He saw Seto pull out the sword and threw it in the far corner. Damn, I was a bit careless there, he thought.
"Takuma-senpai!", Yuki shouted as she threw the dagger from before in his direction. He saw it coming and caught it with his vampire reflexes. He threw it with deathly accuracy in Seto's direction before the latter recovered from the wounds he inflicted with the sword.
Seto was pretty pissed off as he pulled out the blade. It seemed that the sword was another anti-vampire weapon. He wanted to rip out the throats of these meddlesome individuals. He heard the shout and saw the dagger heading in his direction. He focused himself to evade the attack from blonde person when he found that he couldn't move his body. He tried to force himself to move but he was rooted to the spot. What the hell is happening?, he thought angrily as his body refused to obey. He turned his head a little and he felt his eyes widen in fear. The silver-haired young man he fought was gazing at him with impassive features but his eyes were glowing in a bright shade of red. He didn't feel it before but the aura he felt from him was suffocating. It wasn't human anymore but rather something frightening. It was over. He thought suddenly. There was no way he was going to win this. There was only one kind of vampire who could evoke such fear. Purebloods.
Seto felt the dagger plunge deep into his heart a few seconds later and the paralyzing hold in his body disappeared. He didn't have any energy left to cry out as he lifted his gaze to the skies. He backed of a few steps until he was by the edge of the building. He guessed it truly was the end.
"You don't have a place to stand in this world? Are you flying? Are you falling?", he heard someone say to him. And oddly he found himself smiling, he directed his gaze to the three who was looking at him. His eyes a clear shade of light red.
"I think all of you already know the answer to that. Before that, remember this: Deep Blood", Seto said gently as he took another step back. He gasped as he pulled the dagger from his heart. That flash of light I felt when I was stabbed in the heart. It was the beam of life being swept away in a flood of death. I had nothing else. But this one thing remained inside of me. I think the best ending for me is to be crushed from the place with my own commanding view, he thought as he suddenly let himself fall over the edge.
Seto could only look at the sky that was going further away from his view. It was the only thing that reminded him of Shun. Of the days that were long gone. We'll always be together, Tachibana. Always. He heard the whisper from the breeze and felt tears stinging his eyes. He finally closed them that one voice rang in his mind. He felt as if Shun was there with him. He smiled a final one as his body promptly turned to ashes and scattered by the wind.
"It's over, isn't it?", Yuki said unsteadily as she watched Seto disappear.
"Of course, it is. Let's head back to the academy", Takuma said gently as he carried Zero on his back. It seemed that using his powers in that state exhausted him deeply. Takuma knew that Zero used it to freeze Seto's movements since he felt that familiar aura.
"Is Zero going to be alright?", Yuki asked worriedly as she gazed at Zero.
"I'm fine, Yuki. Don't worry", Zero said softly as he shifted behind Takuma to gaze at her. He felt tired and he wanted nothing more than to rest for a while. Not only had that he had to prepare himself for Yagari-san's lecture. Yuki smiled as acknowledgement.
Takuma watched the exchange and he smiled to himself, thinking that there is something here that meets the eye. It was kind of the first time he saw Zero looking at someone like that. It looked as if he cared very much about Yuki and there was a deep hidden feeling in his gaze that moment. As he looked at Yuki, he was very sure that she had feelings for Zero. He didn't mistake that it was called love. Plus he could scent them in each other. Well, well. Looks like something interesting is happening.
The three headed down the stairs after calling earlier in his phone for assistance and Takuma was sure that a car would arrive to pick them up. Some matters could wait for later on like the Deep Blood that Seto mentioned but right now, all of them needed some rest especially Zero. All of them couldn't wait to return to the academy and hope that everything would be alright for the days to come…
And that's it for this chapter. Hope you like it… ^^…
gefallene Vampir Ihre Entscheidung ergangen ist – fallen vampire, your judgement has been passed
Next chapter: NIGHT 12 – THE TWO ON THE NIGHT OF FALLING STARS
