DFA: So... two chapters before this is over! I can't wait.
LB: If you guys don't review, we won't update!
DFA: I second that! So... if you want the end, REVIEW!!!
Zero: (snorts in sleep)
(Both authors turns to stare at him. Zero turns over and snoozes on)
LB: What do these vampires do that makes them so darn tired?
DFA: Beats me. So... review!!!
Weird mechanical female voice: Please listen to 'What Hurts the Most' by Rascal Flatts as you read this chapter
Chapter Thirteen: Cemetery
"Man the doors!! Hey – you! Don't think I'm not watching!"
Aido's voice carried easily over the panic of the other vampires. Kaname and Yuuki were already under the mansion, in the stone cellar/prison where Kuran Rido used to reside. Takuma was helping the others, ignoring the nagging voice at the back of his mind that told him to follow Ayumi's instructions and leave them, that they can handle it. Aido was also firm, saying that it's his life and he'll do what he wanted with it.
"Ichijo-sama!"
"What is it?" he snapped at the teenage female Aido Akina, who flinched at his tone. Takuma softened, and said, "Gomen. Um... what's wrong?"
"We've gotten every opening blocked with a team of five nobles and ten common vampires with fighting experience," she told him. "We've sent the children downstairs under the care of Yuuki-sama and Kaname-sama, who requests that you listen to Nakano-san and grab Aido and follow him."
Takuma hesitated, then sighed. "Tell him this is the first and the last time I'll disobey his wishes," he told the girl, who bowed and went off.
Aido came closer with Kain at his side. "Feels like a dream, huh?" he said softly as a blood-curdling shriek rang out not less than half a mile away. "Are you ready, then?"
Takuma paused, and felt for his feelings. They were calm, and ready to accept whatever happens. Then, his eyes flew open. "Where's Kiryuu?"
"With Cross," Kain muttered. "We told you that."
"Damn it!" Takuma cursed, and ran off. "Stay where you are!" he roared at them as they made to follow. He beckoned to Shiki and Rima, however, and the two joined him immediately in his run.
"Where're we going?" Rima asked.
"To Cross Academy. Kiryuu's there, and he's in danger," Takuma said tersely, jumping into a car, tossing the katana he had held in his hand into the passenger's seat. The two of them hopped into the backseat as he revved the engine and they shot off.
"When did you get your license?" Shiki wanted to know.
"Three months ago," Takuma muttered, speeding up as they left the grounds. "Damn!"
Five shapes slunk behind them, as quiet as a vampire, but with rotten flesh falling with every movement. They didn't seem harassed by it, however, and continued to track the car.
"Shiki..."
Shiki bit into his finger, and wound down the window to lash at one of the shapes, which howled as his blood cut it lengthwise, and a wind picked up. The smell of rotting flesh was stronger with the wind, and it was gone.
"What are they?" Rima growled as she wound down her own window and let out a crackle of lightning at another shape. It dodged easily, but its companion wasn't so lucky. The lightning struck its chest, and it was blown back, hitting a tree with a dull thud. Takuma sped up more, and the car was soon reaching its max.
"Body-bound spirits," Shiki replied as he took down the last three with a flick of his finger. "Used in wars a long time ago, but they proved to be a weak when the necromancer is far away from it. Only half-breeds used them to make up for their dwindling numbers. And only half-breeds can use them now, because that certain magic is gone from the Hunter's and our blood."
Takuma nodded.
"But if we can kill the necromancer, they will grow stupid and some will even fight amongst themselves," Shiki added as more came. "They can't die. They're already dead, after all. Rima and I can slow them down because my blood is pure and they dislike bright light, but we can't destroy them like Aido, Kain and Seiren can."
"Why Seiren?"
"She can dismember them faster than any of us can say, 'ow'."
"They must be dismembered, then?" Rima asked as she shot another bolt of lightning at the five who were suddenly revived.
"If possible, but it's better to attack from afar with water, ice or fire. It's dangerous to be close to them, because they're stronger than us."
Cross Academy was coming in sight.
"Rima, can you blind them a bit? If light hurts their eyes, we'll throw them off track."
Rima nodded, and gathered her strength for a blinding flash. "Close your eyes," she instructed them, and Takuma did so just as she set her power free.
When Takuma opened his eyes, he couldn't see their shapes anymore, and his eyes hurt.
"Ow," Shiki commented faintly.
"Sorry," Rima muttered as Takuma stopped the car, grabbed his katana, and dashed into the main gates.
Only to stop and stare at the infestation of both 'Creatures of the Night' as Ayumi called them, and Level D and E vampires. Takuma's eyes travelled over them, and he hesitated for a second as Shiki and Rima skidded to a stop beside them.
One Level E jumped at Takuma, who cut him down with a stroke of his katana. The others hesitated.
Rima pushed them on. "Go! I'll take care of these abominations," she snarled, a faint light glowing about her as she gathered the lightning.
"Rima..." Shiki whispered, but Rima opened her eyes. They were crackling with energy and power. "Go!" she cried, and they went.
"Shiki!"
Shiki turned around, and Rima had jumped into his arms. Their lips locked feverishly, and she had to end their kiss. "I love you," she said breathlessly before leaping away. "Go!" she called again, and they went.
Shiki was still in shock from the kiss when Rima let loose all her power. Takuma jumped on Shiki and pressed him down as light flashed over their head like a nuclear bomb. Light hurt their eyes, and made them close it.
When it was over, all the vampires and Creatures of the Night had reduced to dust but Takuma and Shiki. Even Rima.
Shiki sobbed quietly into the ground, and Takuma pressed a hand to his friend's cheek. "Gomen," he whispered, tears pricking his eyes as well. "Gomennasai."
"We never had a chance," Shiki whispered quietly, his mask slipping from his face and shattering to the ground. "I loved her, but we never had a chance to say so, until now. And she's gone." Takuma hesitated, but Shiki pulled himself together and stood. "Let's go," he murmured, casting a final glance at the blackened ground behind them, where shapes were reforming.
They hurried on to Cross's office, where they were sure to get Kiryuu's whereabouts from the Chairman. But as they stepped into the grounds, Takuma scented blood, and realized that Kanaye had already left his mark here, and that's why there was an ambush at the entrance.
"White Lily," Shiki said suddenly. "Kiryuu'll be with her, if he's still alive."
Nodding, Takuma set off for the stables, Shiki at his heels.
At the stables, he slammed the door open and skidded to a stop to stare at the pile of dust on the ground, next to a white mare. She was quite still. "We're too late," Takuma murmured, staring at the place where Kiryuu surely lay.
A deep chuckle came from the darkest corner in the dark stables. Takuma cursed inwardly, for the scent of Zero's gunpowder had blocked all else, and they didn't realize they were alone.
Kuran Rido stepped into the dim light.
"You sure are," Rido chuckled. "So, how's my nephew and niece?"
"You..." Takuma started.
Shiki stepped forward, a blood whip in his hand. "Go, Ichijo."
"Shiki!"
"Go. He's my father," Shiki said. "He's my duty, and I want my revenge for what he's done to Rima. Go, escape while you can."
"Shiki..." Takuma's affection for his best friend flowed freely. "I can't..."
"I will kill him. If I don't return, at least I'll be with Rima," Shiki said, his eyes on his father.
Takuma hesitated, then dashed away. Good luck, my friend, he thought in his mind as he ran away from the battle with an aching heart. And all my thanks.
In the stables, Shiki raised his whip, grey eyes flashing blood-red. "I know I'm going down, so you're just going to have to come with me... Otou-san."
--
Back at the Ichijo Mansion, Yuuki was still in unconsciousness, but often she mumbled things like, "Goodbye, Shiki-san, Rima-san... We will remember you."
Through this, a very restless Kaname would know what had occurred over their heads. His heart tore at the fact that everyone of them, including Takuma, was out there fighting to save his and Yuuki's life. He hated that his friends would die for him, but there was nothing he could do. They would never listen to him when his life was in danger.
"Ichijo-san, don't go there!"
Yuuki's shrill voice caught the attention of all the vampire children. Ruka, who had retreated down here with a heavy axe blow to her stomach, patted the head of the smallest child, who was crying.
"Don't worry," she said softly.
"Okaa-san, Otou-san!" she wept.
"They're fine," Ruka assured the girl, and hugged her, feeling the familiar dread of not knowing if Kain was alive or not.
--
Ichijo lay face down in the dirt at the sudden explosion that had rocked the whole school grounds. But it wasn't 'school' anymore – it's the place where innocent people had died, and the place where his friends had given their lives for his sake.
A sob wrenched past his lips, and he clenched his fists around his katana. A trickle of blood ran down his wrist and sank into the ground.
"My, my. What do we have here?"
The silky voice was unmistakable, just like its higher-pitched, lost twin. Ichijo froze, and looked up into the evil, twisted face of Nakano Kanaye.
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