AN- As I promised things have diverted slightly away from the manga at the end of this chapter…I mean the majority of the chapter is still very closely based on the dialogue from the manga, but as I said, the end does lead off…I'm a little nervous about submitting chapter number twelve since it's of my 'own creation'…and now that the manga is out it's completely different to what I originally had in mind…so I apologize in advance if it seems odd, but I've sort of worked more recent chapters in with the original ideas I had…anyway…enjoy!
Mild gore is present at the end of the chapter, just a warning!
I swivelled around to face the door the second I heard the metallic click of the handle being pushed down. Aido and Yori stood at the entrance, and while I was thrilled to see my best friend…I felt a pang of rejection noting that Zero wasn't present. Still, pushing the thought to the back of my mind, I bounded toward Yori, not caring if I slipped over in my high-heels. The only people that would see me make a fool of myself were friends of mine anyway. She giggled as I flung my arms around her, and I beamed back at her in response. It was a tender and precious moment that I never wanted to end. My heart swelled with happiness as I embraced my best friend for the first time in a year, I was so emotional I could've cried, though I didn't. Aido observed us with a small amused smile upon his face, taking in our display of feminine affection. We stared at one another, almost too awe-struck at one another's presence to even say a word. I opened my mouth, ready to ask how she was when Kain appeared at the door beside Aido, his expression rather grim. A sudden unpleasant feeling began to grow within me at his appearance.
"Hanabusa, there's something I need to tell you…" Kain's tone was neutral; however, the look on his face told me that whatever he had to say was not good news...I frowned. I was part of this world now…I was a pureblood, therefore if there was something suspicious going on; I had the right to know as one of the hosts of the soiree.
"What happened?" I questioned in a tone as authoritative as I could muster. I was still holding Yori tightly and longed to protect her from whatever it was that caused Kain to looks so uneasy. He seemed a little taken aback that I had addressed him. He probably wasn't used to treating me as a vampire…as one of his kind, let alone treating me as a pureblood. He shuffled uneasily, clearly debating inwardly whether or not it would be wise to inform me, only causing me to worry more. I couldn't help but wonder if Kaname had instructed him to keep whatever was taking place a secret from me. I frowned. That would be so like Kaname, trying to protect me from some anonymous threat as if I was still a meddlesome child.
"…One of the purebloods, Ouri-sama…has disappeared from his room." Aido declared. I felt a knot form in my stomach as he moved towards the door, following Kain who had disappeared from view…He paused, his eyes widening and his body tensing. I opened my mouth to say something only then it hit me as well…both Aido and I stood stock still, suddenly alarmed by the aroma that had made it's way into our nostrils…
"Yuki?" Yori questioned, clinging a little more tightly to my dress than she had a few moments before. Even as a human she could surely have sensed the change in atmosphere, or at least sense the change in Aido and I. She looked in confusion from me to Aido, and then back at me, her expression expressed her unease at our sudden change in attitude.
"I smell blood…" I finally managed to say, though it came out in little more than a fearful squeak. Its fresh blood…my senses informed me, sending a chill down my spine. Who would be reckless enough to spill blood at a soiree? Especially at a soiree hosted by the feared pureblood, Kaname Kuran. I felt Yori's body tense beneath my gloved fingers and turned to stare at her.
"You can smell…blood?" she quizzed me. Her joyful smile had been replaced by a look of worry; surprisingly her face didn't express any fear…just concern. She stared at me for a moment, as if trying to see into my worlds through my eyes…searching for some way she could help me…After a few moments her expression changed, and she averted her eyes from me, staring at the ground, a downhearted expression adorned her face.
"Sorry…I can't smell it." She admitted, apologizing as if she was inadequate. I shook my head dismissing this. I felt a twinge of guilt. My dear friend Yori, I didn't want her to feel bad for being human…why should she feel ashamed of who and what she was? I sighed, remembering how dejected I'd felt that night a year ago when I'd stumbled upon a soiree…to feel like an outsider to someone you cared about….it had stung my heart realising that I wasn't part of Kaname's world….and now I realised that must be how Yori felt.
"No!..I'm sorry I made you nervous." I told her in a soothing tone, staring straight into her amber eyes. I didn't have time to explain to her that she needn't feel like an outsider to me, because I would always be her friend, and she'd always mean a lot to me…so instead I tried to convey my feelings through my gaze. Yori and I had a connection as best friends, and I prayed that she understood how dear she was to me. She gave me a sad, understanding smile, and I nodded, believing she had understood what I had tried to convey to her. I turned away, a determined look gracing my face as I addressed Aido.
"Aido. I'm going down to take a look. The hunters are overseeing security at this party, so this shouldn't be happening! I'd like you to stay with Yori for me!" I demanded. It was a little strange trying to take charge…but I was realising more and more that as a pureblood vampire this was my role, and I had to embrace it. I strode purposefully towards the door, ready to do as I had said, only then I felt my foot catch on something. I stared in irritation, realising what was holding me back was spreading over my lower body and arms as well. I shivered. Ice. I turned to glare at Aido as shards of ice rose from the floor, ensnaring me in its grip.
"I have orders to not let you out of my sight, no matter what." Aido said coolly. A heard Yori cry out, clearly shocked by the power Aido had against me. I glared at him as if this would change his attitude…if Kaname-sama had given him orders…he would follow them as always. I remembered the time Kaname had hit him for slapping me. I sighed. Of course, Aido had a duty to Kaname…and if he disobeyed Aido would be punished. It would be selfish of me to get him in trouble…again.
"Kaname…" I muttered grudgingly under my breath, a little irked that he still didn't trust me…I knew this in itself wasn't true, he wanted to protect me that was all…but I was tired of being treated like a child, I was his fiancée, his love, and supposed to be his equal…but it didn't feel like it. "Then come with me and bring Yori along. The scent is coming from…somewhere nearby." I declared, hoping I could finally assert some authority. Aido exhaled, allowing his ice to shatter and melt around me. I smiled gratefully at him, but my smile was quickly replaced with a determined frown, and I followed my senses towards the source of the smell.
I'd been correct. After running a couple of metres down the hall I came to a room, and my senses were overwhelmed by the aroma of fresh blood. The atmosphere was thick and ominous, and noting that I was ahead of both Yori and Aido allowed myself a peek into the room. Aido stopped, holding an arm out instructing Yori to halt.
"Wakaba. Don't come any closer." He commanded. They stood a foot or so away from me, watching my reaction as I moved closer towards the doorway of the menacing room. Could this have been Ouri-sama's room? I wondered to myself…I wasn't sure but turned to face Aido and Yori reassuringly before stepping inside.
"Don't worry. Please wait right there." I instructed them both with a warm reassuring smile. A smile that betrayed the frenzied pounding of my heart. I stepped into the room, and was met with an assortment of different shocks to my senses. The thick, almost sickening fragrance of blood hit my nose, almost making me want to retch. Of course, the ominous feeling I had sensed while standing outside the door swamped engulfed me, making my grow heavy and an anxious feeling knot my stomach. That was not all though. I was greeted with an array of sights that alone would've caused my heart to still, let alone all at once. Zero stood before me, his back turned and head bowed as he looked down at the scene. The mere sight of his tall slim form made my heart pound in my ears and my palms become clammy…my forbidden love. Next my eyes travelled down, and I finally noticed the headmaster's form crouched over something. He wasn't aware of my presence yet but I didn't mind. I hadn't seen him in a year, and it felt a little nostalgic seeing the man who had been my father for ten years crouching before me…The third sight was truly the most horrific and shocking of all. A body lay in a pool of blood, the source of the smell….the crimson liquid had soaked into the cream carpet, spreading further to create and even larger pool.
"Ah, Yuki" The headmaster had finally noticed me, and was beaming up at me, a twinkle in his eyes despite the tragic scene over which he was crouched. For a moment I almost thought he would cry with joy at seeing me. It was true, I had missed the man I had begrudgingly called father…he'd been good to me and cared for me in place of Haruka and Juri for ten years…"Oh, your dress will get ruined. Stay there." He instructed, his attention recaptured by the gruesome body below him. I glanced down, realising the blood was mere millimetres away from my satin slippers. I didn't particularly care if I got messy, but knew it would be a blunder to return to the soiree drenched in blood…well if the soiree was still going on that was.
"What…happened here?" I question, unable to keep the shock from my voice. The headmaster's expression became solemn, an expression that better suited the situation. He stared down at the body. I hoped he wouldn't avoid the subject in some attempt to shield me from whatever had taken place here. Had Kaname had a chance to witness this? Surely he knew something dreadful had taken place…
"It's a shame…one of the hunters was forced into a situation where she had to commit suicide by her own blade…" The headmaster finally explained to me. I felt sick. Why was it that such an occurrence…reminded me of Zero? I shook my head, taking a closer look at the body of the young huntress. The heavy feeling in my chest kept growing, the atmosphere was unpleasant. "Look. Her fingertips are starting to turn to dust…and…" The headmaster paused. It seemed he couldn't bring himself to go on. I stared at the corpse more closely, my eyes running over her fingers. He was right. I watched as the tips of her fingers began to blacken…they were still clasped tightly around the blade that was lodged in her chest….Though it had little to do with the situation…I was a little sad upon realising this was the first female hunter I had ever laid eyes upon…or heard of. Other than Zero's mother that is. How sad….it seemed that female hunters were a lot rarer than males…and tonight one had taken her life…I couldn't help but wonder what had lead to such a tragic occurrence…all of the hunters I knew were committed people who would focus solely on their objectives…what could've pushed the poor huntress so far?
"Look at her neck. She was bitten by a vampire." Zero suddenly spoke. His tone was cold and accusing. My eyes darted back to the corpse, paying close attention to her neck. I grimaced noting the blood trickling from her mouth….and then spotting the marks Zero had mentioned felt a little light headed, queasy almost…Unable to stare at the body any longer I averted my eyes to Zero. His expression was fierce. Even though he was staring at the body of his colleague…I could tell the glare was meant for me, and the rest of the vampires attending the soiree. He looked so alone standing there….despite everything part of me was urging me to run forward and fling my arms around him…I wanted to ease the pain and anguish that was still so apparent in his steely eyes….no…that would be completely inappropriate. We were at the scene of the crime. I decided if I was to prove to him that I was still his ally…I would act.
"I'll…find the person responsible for this." I declared. My voice was confident but determined. I clutched the skirt of my dress tightly, as if the action gave me strength. I could almost see the sneer on his face though Zero had now turned away from me completely so I couldn't clearly see his expression…He didn't trust in me or believe in me…then again why should he? I had essentially betrayed him by becoming a pureblood…I shook my head. Now was not the time to dwell on my own problems.
"You stay out of this. This isn't some kind of game." He spat bitterly, almost mockingly. My pain and anxiety turned to anger. Even if he loathed me now, couldn't he see I wasn't the same childish and useless girl I had once been? I frowned, staring at the ground, unable to stare at him any longer for fear of doing something uncouth.
"I'm aware of that. I'm no longer the Yuki of old who couldn't do anything…and never knew anything. If something is going on…then I want to do something about it and protect those who are…important to me." I reminded him, my tone ebbing with anger and frustration. I paused before finishing the sentence…I wanted him to know he was one of the people I cherished…didn't he already know that? I looked up; glaring at his back, not caring that the blood had now seeped into my shoes…I could feel it in between my toes, staining the satin of my shoe.
"Yuki. Get out of this room before the scent of blood gets on you." Kaname's voice echoed behind me. I turned to face him, frustrated that everyone was treating me like some kind of child…I was aware I was new to this world…and I wasn't fully aware of my powers as a pureblood yet, but I hated feeling like such a nuisance! Couldn't they tell I was doing my best, trying to grow up and learn quickly?
"But the soiree-" I began, swirling around to face Kaname, only I was cut of by Zero interrupting me.
"That farce, obviously ends right now Kuran." Zero declared the hatred and bitterness apparent in his tone. The two turned to face one another, glaring hatefully at each other…it was true they'd never seen eye to eye….but now…it seemed to have gotten worse. I wondered if it had something to do with the events that had taken place a year ago…
"Yuki. I had Aido escort Yori back to the Academy…he will return for you shortly, until then I want you to return to the common room….Kiryu will escort you." Kaname commanded, averting his eyes to look at Zero, drilling him with a fierce expression that ordered him not to harm me. I wondered why Kaname had asked Zero…when he didn't trust him….the it occurred to me that with Aido gone, and the other aristocrats attending to the soiree guests…Zero was the only available choice right now.
"What makes you think I'll play babysitter for you Kuran?" Zero sneered, completely ignoring my presence. I felt a sharp pain in my chest, another stab of rejection. Did everyone really see me as some child who couldn't take care of herself? Was I really…such hard work? Kaname glowered at him. Something in Zero's eyes changed, from irritation to sheer fury…as if some unknown secret vow had passed between the two of them.
You will not betray her
I saw Kaname mouth those words slowly, and looking from Kaname to Zero in puzzlement I realised that there must be some strange connection between the two….what did that mean? Zero begrudgingly pushed past me, making his way to the door and sauntering down the hall. I followed behind him nervously, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. Kaname held a hand out to stop me, turning to face me before I left the room.
"This isn't something you need to be involved in Yuki…this is my job." Kaname declared simply, before moving his arm and allowing me access to the hallway. I gave him a hurt expression, but his attitude didn't change. I glanced at Zero who was already halfway down the hall by this time. I decided to drop the subject for now, I'd grill him later…
