It was cold, and Mikomi pulled the covers around her shoulders, hugging herself to keep warm. She'd been awake now for at least three hours,but no one had come to get her. She was back in her room, and she'd waken up dry and clean, in a new nightgown in this bed. She hadn't the energy to get out and get dressed. She didn't have the energy for anything, not while she didn't know where Kaname was, and if he was okay. Had he reached the castle? Or had he turned back, losing their trail? She didn't want Kaname to get hurt, or to walk into a trap, but deep down, she knew she would give anything for him to rescue her.
Every sound the old castle made, every creak, every howl of the wind outside her window, made her jump and flinch,dredging up memories of the forest, of Yukio. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her, tearing at her clothes, those cold smooth hands sliding up her legs. She shivered, her back tensing up in pain where it had scraped the tree. Someone had put bandages on her back, but somehow she didn't think it was Yukio who'd taken care of her.
Her stomach growled, and she sighed. The sun was starting to go down, it was almost dusk. That meant that it had been a whole day since the forest incident. What had happened since then? Had Kaname come to the castle? Had he missed the trail?
As much as she wanted to see him, she prayed that he had missed it, had gone back to the school, where he'd be safe.
She was starting to drift off to sleep again when she heard the door open slowly, waking her. Eyes wide, she stared into the darkness, trying to see who it was. Her eyes were adjusting to the dark, and she could make out the outline of a tall figure. Mikomi frowned. She was impressed she could see that much in the dark. The tall lean figure stood in the doorway, and she could see the red of his eyes starting to glow.
Yukio? Mikomi quickly fumbled for the lamp beside her bed, and the light clicked on, blinding her momentarily. Blinking, she waited for her eyes to adjust. She gasped at the man watching her casually across the room. Skin a pale ivory, the hair just as white, and soft, flowing down to his knees, that dangerous smile on his face. In the light, his eyes were normal, and she noticed, a bright lavender color. It fit his complexion and hair , the splash of color on his otherwise pale body.
Akira! He was wearing some sort of black uniform, with a strange military cut to it. Silver buttons ran up the side of his chest, to the high collar. He looked...rather dashing actually, if he wasn't grinning at her like the devil himself.
"We meet again, little huntress." He began walking toward her, and Mikomi began backing over to the other side of the bed, putting it between them.
"Akira. What are you doing here?" Her feet slid off the bed, standing behind it. Her voice didn't shake with fear. She doubted Yukio would keep her here all this time to let his subordinate finish her off.
Akira's eyes narrowed slightly at the lack of worry in her voice. "I'm here to make sure you're dressed and ready to go to the great hall. Yukio wants you." His grin returned, wide and happy. "It seems like Kaname came by himself to negotiate getting you back, the fool."
Mikomi felt the leap of her heart at hearing that name, followed by the plunging of ice in the pit of her stomach. Kaname was here? Was he hurt? Would he be able to rescue her?
Mikomi collected herself before answering. "Very well, I will get ready."She pointed looked from him to the door. He laughed, deep and rough. "I get it, I'm going." He walked back over to the door, opening it. Pausing, he turned back around. His face was slightly pondering. "I can see why Kaname and Yukio seem to like you so much. You're brave, for a human." He smiled again. "And cute." He left, closing the door behind him. Mikomi sighed in relief. Brave eh? She was glad she seemed so composed to Akira, but she knew the trembling in her legs wouldn't stop, or the racing of her heart. She hurriedly dug through the wardrobe, looking for anything sensible to wear. There were only those frilly dresses, out of place in such a modern time. They were all rather beautiful, but the effect was wasted on her, a prisoner in this place. She grabbed a dark green dress and began to put it on. It was made of some sort of silk, with white lace frills at the bottom and on the elbow length sleeves and low neckline. She put on some of the black ladies boots instead of heels, in case she needed to run, snapping them up her calf. Brushing her long hair out, she was ready. When she stepped out of the room, Akira looked up, leaning against the opposite wall. His expression went from bored to surprised, and then delighted.
"Lovely, absolutely lovely. You clean up well, Mikomi." His voice was teasing, but admiring as well. He offered her his arm, playing the gentleman. Mikomi stared at it, not sure what to do. She didn't trust Akira, but she didn't want to make him mad either. Since he didn't put his arm down, she grudgingly took it, sighing. She heard his low chuckle as he began leading her down the stairs to the great hall. She was beginning to feel more worried by the minute, a strange apprehension growing in her mind.
Halfway down the hall, she swayed, feeling stopped, holding her steady. "Are you alright?" He frowned at her nod, her hand over her eyes
"What are we going to do with her, Akihiko?" Sobbing, the voice of a woman pleads.
"Hey, what's up with you?" Akira shook her slightly.
Mikomi shook her head. "I don't know.. I-" She what? Was hearing things?
"Riyo, we'd better take her to the council. They'll tell us what we should do." Riyo, that was her mother.
Akira bent down, grabbing her face, looking into her eyes. Whatever he saw shocked him, because he pulled his hands back quickly. "Your eyes, they're...black."
Mikomi stared at him, not sure what he was talking about. Black?
"But, what if they.. decide to kill her? I can't let them do that!" Riyo sounded desperate.
"No, I won't let them do that either. If they can't do anything.. we'll erase her memory. I'll do it."
"Dear..but she'll forget all about her sisters.. her... ah... I see. Yes.. we'll do that."
" It's the only way, I think. Let's go, Riyo...."
The voices stopped, and Mikomi focused on the present. She was on her hands and knees, breathing hard and fast. What had just happened? She was beginning to piece it together. These were memories. Her parents were in it, and she'd done something.. something terrible..she'd killed her sisters. Why? Tears were streaming down her face, falling onto the stone floor beneath her. Akira was a few feet away, staring at her like she'd done something interesting. He knelt down beside her, on his hands and knees as well, his head tilting to the side. "Your eyes are back to normal, huh."
Mikomi tried to push him away, her hand shoving at him. He was too close. Akira snatched her wrist up, pulling it to his face. He breathed in deeply, and when he opened his eyes, they were starting to glow. "Your scent, it grew stronger."
She pulled her hand back roughly, and was surprised to feel Akira's fingers slip off of her wrist. He seemed surprised too. He looked at her curiously. "You've gotten a little stronger as well. Strange." He stood up, waiting for her. She pushed herself off the ground, staying away from him. She had gotten stronger, although she didn't really know why. Whatever was happening to her, the memories had something to do with it. Would she know when she got them all back? Perhaps. She couldn't let Akira know what was happening to her though. He'd tell Yukio.
"I'm fine. I just am finally recovering from the blood loss, is all." Akira obviously didn't buy it, but he kept silent. Mikomi began walking down the hall, not waiting on Akira. She heard his footsteps behind her, keeping pace.
They made it down the stairs without another episode, and she was thankful. Whatever was wrong with her, she needed it to wait. She had more important matters to attend to, like getting out of this place alive.
She stood at the side door of the great hall, not knowing what lay beyond. She couldn't hear any voices, but she knew there were people inside. She felt Akira at her back, waiting. Giving her a nudge, he whispered in her ear. "Don't you want to see him? Go." Her hand wrapped around the knob, and she twisted it, opening the door.
It was more dim than she'd thought. Her eyes adjusted as she walked in, and finally she could see. The figure on the throne watched her with a terrifying familiarity, his face still turned away from her towards his guest, just his eyes traveling with her. Yukio. He was wearing some sort of exotic outfit, reminding her of an Arabian prince. A white open cotton tunic exposing his chest, and the loose billowing pants had golden stitching on it, his feet was far too pale to be from that area of course, but somehow it suited him and his emerald eyes. His long black hair was braided down his back, tendrils in the front and sides trailing down his chest. Mikomi shivered and looked away from him, and she gasped at the figure standing some feet away.
"Kaname!" She made to run toward him, but Akira grabbed her too fast, and she stopped, glaring at him. Akira shrugged, smiling.
"No can do, princess. Sorry." He didn't look sorry.
She looked back at Kaname ,taking him in with her eyes. He was beautiful as ever, that dark rich hair clinging to his neck and shoulders, the dark amber eyes glimmering with liquid warmth. Wearing a black coat with a high closed collar, black pants and black shoes, he was the stark contrast of Yukio. He watched her with a careful expression, checking her for injuries, she figured. Tears began welling in her eyes. She was so happy to see him, but he was in so much danger!
Seeing her tears, his expression faltered, and he made as if to step toward her, but Akira stepped in front of her. Kaname stopped, his eyes boring into the pale man like he was dreaming of doing terrible things to him, although his face was still polite and calm. Akira just grinned, apparently not as scared of Kaname as Mikomi thought he should be. Yukio watched this all with seeming indifference, but Mikomi could see the small glint of interest in his eyes, the way he looked at Kaname. It was an appraising look, as if Yukio were eying something he were thinking of buying. It made Mikomi nervous.
Kaname ignored Akira for the moment. "Yukio, what is the meaning of taking a student of the Cross Academy? And attacking me, although you said you wanted to talk? That's not very diplomatic." His voice was confident and strong, and Mikomi couldn't help but feel more safe, although she knew it was an illusion.
Yukio smiled, shrugging his shoulders apologetically. "How else would I get you to visit me at my home, dear Kaname? You do like to avoid the rest of us, you rude boy."
Kaname didn't react to Yukio's chiding. "If you wanted me to visit, you could have asked. If that's all this is about, you can let Mi- the student, leave" Mikomi squinted at the change of words. He didn't want to say her name. Why?
Yukio shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately, Kaname, I've grown quite fond of her, you see. Come here, Mikomi." He was looking at her, his hand beckoning lazily. Mikomi didn't move. No way would she voluntarily go near him again, now that Kaname was here. Yukio smiled, reading her stubborn expression. "You are not willing? After all we've been through?" His voice was purring, soft and knowing. All they'd been through? He'd fed off of her, tried to rape her, and generally had beaten the crap out of her. She wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but when her eyes met his, she lost her nerve. That beautiful face always seemed so calm, so polite, but it was always a lie. Behind those eyes, lurked something black and evil, waiting for her to stumble so it could descend on her like a vulture on a wounded animal. She stared at Yukio, as he stared back at her, and suddenly she felt dizzy again. Wobbling in place, she absentmindedly put a hand on Akira's back to steady herself.
Akira tensed at the soft hand between his shoulder blades, but seeming to know what was wrong, he didn't move away. Yukio's eyes narrowed. "You shouldn't still be that weak. What's wrong with you?"
"Mikomi? Are you hurt?" Kaname's worried voice reached her, helping to clear the haze from her eyesight. "Yes Kaname, I..I'm fine. I'm just a little weary is all."
Yukio's eyes peered at her from behind long dark lashes.' Liar' his eyes seemed to whisper to her. She glared at him, defying his gaze. She couldn't let him know what was happening to her. She didn't know why, and she didn't even know what was happening to her, but she knew one thing: until it was over, she was extremely vulnerable.
Instead of getting angry with her, Yukio smiled. Looking back at Kaname, he studied the other vampire. "I'm afraid, Kaname, that you don't have anything I want to trade for Mikomi. Unless...unless you would stay with me."
Kaname didn't look surprised. He looked calm, collected. She knew that meant he was even more worried than , or maybe she just didn't know him at all. "You've wanted me for years, Yukio. Never have I granted your request. What makes you think I would now, for a little girl?"
Mikomi felt a little stung at that. Little girl? He hadn't felt too worried about that when he kissed her the other day!
"Yes, she is a fragile thing, isn't she? Very small, very innocent. I haven't harmed her yet, not really. A few scrapes and bruises, nothing too bad." As if on cue, Akira pulled Mikomi in front of him, so Kaname could see her clearly.
"Yes,.. just a few scrapes..." Akira grabbed the collar of Mikomi's gown at the back, ripping it roughly with one hand, down to her waist. Gasping, Mikomi snatched at the front to keep it up. Turning her around, back facing Kaname, he tore off the bandages harshly, reopening the wound, her blood starting to trickle down her skin.
Kaname still looked calm, but she'd seen the tightening of his face, the small flinch he'd given away. Mikomi fought the tears welling up in her eyes at the pain in her back. That bastard,Yukio, using her as a way to harm Kaname.
"It-" She cleared her throat. "It's not as bad as it looks, Kaname. You should go ahead and leave. I'll be fine... really." Her voice was high, trying not to cry, but her face was determined. Yukio could destroy her if he wanted, but she'd be damned if she let him take Kaname as well.
"Yes Kaname, why don't you go ahead and leave?" Yukio's voice was mocking. "Just leave Mikomi to us. I promise, I'll take good care of her. And perhaps I'll give her to Akira when I'm done with her." Akira chuckled, grabbing her chin and licking a slow line up her face. Mikomi fought to turn her face away, disgusted and embarrassed.
Kaname's facade broke, and his face contorted in rage. Snarling, he made for Akira, deadly intent gleaming in his eyes. Before he got even halfway to them though, a dark blur slammed Kaname into a wall to their left, the stone around them shattering as Yukio pinned the enraged Kaname in place. "Tsk tsk Kaname, such bad manners." Yukio's white clad body molded against Kaname's black clothed skin, the gesture a little too intimate for Mikomi's liking. Yukio's hands held Kaname's arms down at their sides, the fingers flexing to keep him immobile."This is familiar, isn't it, Kaname kun?" Yukio sighed softly against Kaname's throat. Kaname stilled as if someone had hit a switch, his anger melting away into something she'd never thought to see on Kuran Kaname's face: stark fear.
Yukio's dark chuckle echoed through the large chamber, sinister. "Yes, we did have some fun times, Kaname, you and I." Yukio's mouth was hovering inches away from Kaname's. "Oh, the games we'd play. Do you remember?" Mikomi couldn't hear whatever he was whispering into Kaname's ear, but whatever it was, it was not what the pure blood wanted to hear. Jerking wildly, Kaname managed to get one wrist free, pushing Yukio away with all of his force. Yukio fell back a few feet, laughing loudly. " You are still so fun to play with."
Mikomi saw the stark fear on Kaname's face. What was going on? They knew each other from the past, that was obvious, but what kind of relationship had it been? Not a friendly one, she was sure. She could sense the panic rising up in him, and not thinking of the consequences, she ran up to him, pushing past a surprised Akira, wrapping her arms around his surprised frame. "It's okay. I'm here, it's okay." He stood there for a minute, then she felt his body relax, his arms wrapping around her. His body was warm and comforting, and she sunk into him like he was the last person on pulled back after a moment, smiling reassuringly, his expression still slightly haunted, but back in control. He kissed her on the forehead, his lips soft and dry. He inhaled the scent of her hair almost unconsciously, sighing in pleasure. Then suddenly, his body tensed, the hands around her arms tightening. Kaname looked down at her, surprise and worry on his face evident. "Mikomi, what's been happening? Your scent, .. it's changed."
Mikomi was confused. Changed? Could the scent of your blood even do that? "I don't understand." Kaname seemed to remember that they weren't alone, and his face was wiped completely of emotion, the effect so dramatic that Mikomi couldn't help the slight tremble of fear at his ability to manipulate his own emotions.
It was too late though. Yukio had been watching everything, and his smile was most satisfied." I see, now I understand. First I thought that dear Mikomi just had a one sided crush on you, thought of you as her savior. You don't become attached to people easily, Kaname kun." He glanced at Mikomi, his eyes appraising her. "Yes, I can see now that you had good reason. The potential power radiating off of her, it's unheard of."
Power? Mikomi looked up at Kaname. His face was unreadable. She didn't want Yukio to know she had know idea what he was talking about , so she stayed silent.
Yukio paced casually in front of them both, emerald eyes glinting at them like shined jewels. "Is that why you bit her, Kaname? Because you wanted to try to take that power for yourself?" Kaname stayed silent, still, waiting. " I guess it didn't work though, since you are just the same as always, and she is not dead." Yukio seemed to have a thought. "Or, was it that you didn't mean to bite her, and that you truly care for the girl?" Although Mikomi couldn't see any change on Kaname's face, Yukio must have , because his smile turned into a dangerous grin. "Yes, that must be it, of course. Kaname has found himself something else he wants to protect. Fascinating."
Kaname pushed Mikomi behind him, and she could hear Yukio's laugh reverberating off of the stone walls. "As if you can protect her by yourself, Kaname. How naive you have become." Yukio snapped his delicate white fingers, and black cloaked figures descended from out of nowhere, encircling them. There must have been about seven of them.
The white clad body moved slowly, pacing the outside of the circle, watching her and Kaname like a tiger sizing up its dinner. Kaname turned with him, keeping Mikomi behind him at all times.
Yukio disappeared and reappeared from behind the black cloaks, taunting them. "What makes you think, Kaname kun, that you can escape all of us by yourself?"
Kaname smiled, and Mikomi saw the hint of satisfaction in his eyes as a white blur appeared behind one of the cloaked men, farthest away from Yukio. A long silver blade slid through this chest, into his heart and out the front. The hooded head looked down at the metal, and although Mikomi couldn't see his face, she had an idea of what the expression on it would look like. Shock. Confusion. Fear. Crystal shards flew from the cloak, and the shreds of dark material floated to the ground, the wearer destroyed instantly.
Kaien Cross stood up straight, the katana held at his side, poised and ready. His long gray coat hung open, flapping around his blonde hair down and flowing, the glasses gone, Kaien looked nothing like the kind and harmless headmaster she usually saw. His golden eyes fairly glowed from his beautiful but no longer fragile face, his expression filled with an intent to kill. "Who says he's alone?"
More figures appeared around the edges of the hall, walking into the light. One in particular caught her eye. "Yagari san!"
"Yo, Mikomi chan." Yagari was dressed in his usual tan trench coat, and she could see the gun on a holster a his side. She watched as Yagari pulled something shiny and metal from behind his back, throwing it toward her. She caught it, gasping with surprise and pleasure. "Artemis! You brought Artemis, Yagari! Thank you."
"Don't use it unless you have to, Mikomi. I don't want you in this 're not ready yet." Kaien's voice was sharp and serious. Mikomi had never heard him speak like that before. She realized with a start that although she was not afraid of him, she knew that he was dangerous, at least to their enemies. "Hai, Kaien, I understand."
Yukio began laughing, twirling around like a delighted child, his long dark braid coiling in the air around him. Akira glanced over at his master, slightly green eyed jinn was enjoying this. "Fantastic! It's been so long since I've had a real fight." He stopped, his eyes twinkling with an evil light. "Let's see what you've got, shall we?"