Chapter 21: Saving the Light

Disclaimer: Vampire Knight, along with its characters and locations, belong to Matsuri Hino. Reiko Souma, her parents and people of her hometown and prior residence, Shourim Manti, and Schian'tlo (not an actual village on the U.S. Virgin Islands) belong to me.

Thank you to all who review! Your reviews are very helpful to me. :)

Note: This is my idea of a rewrite for how the invasion of the Academy should have really happened, spanning through several chapters. Of course, Reiko isn't an official character of the series, so this "rewrite" will obviously include her experiences.

In a world of constant bloodshed and darkness, seeing a family reunite like this brought a bigger-than-usual smile to his face. It was a little light in the darkness.

A darkness that was eventually going to let onto the fact of its intended target soon being within reach.

Seeing this, was Kaname now beginning to reconsider his original plan of wanting to awaken Reiko?

Family. According to society and experts on the matter, a family is supposed to be a functional unit. Some have a better unity than others, and there are some in which a unit is completely nonexistent. Where do Reiko and her parents belong, if this is in any way correct? Before now, completely nonexistent would be the answer. Now...whether any unity exists is yet to be seen.

At the moment, both parents and daughter were sitting around a larger table within the part of the Academy's grounds which served as the Headmaster's residence. Joining them were the Headmaster, Shourim, Yagarī, and Kaname. That is, it had taken just over an hour for the "family" to stop crying and hugging each other. Now everybody sat in silence, waiting for someone to break the silence.

That someone turned out to be Yagarī when he saw Reiko holding her left arm below the branded-on tattoo and biting one corner of her lower lip. "Does it still hurt?" he asked, watching with worry. Nobody had even touched it, yet Reiko looked to be suffering considerably.

"Yes...it started when I first woke up in the middle of the night with the revelation of my parents being alive. Now it's only started to hurt more the closer I am to them physically, and I have absolutely no idea why." She really didn't understand it. Why hurt just from being in their presence? "Whose idea was it to put this on me, and why? Why does it always feel like I'm on fire whenever anybody touches it, and why would it hurt so much now?" Reiko asked her parents. She had this sinking feeling that she might not like the answer she would be given.

Akita and Mishito exchanged glances. It was time. "It was both of ours," Mishito spoke up. They both looked back at Reiko. "We know from speaking with the Moon Dormitory President how much you've come to dislike him and most of the vampires in general, but the reason you have that on your arm is to remind you that you are indeed a Whole and the only daughter of two Wholes...as for the pain, that wasn't supposed to continue happening more than six months after we put the tattoo on your ar-Reiko?!"

The woman had turned her head and suddenly started to vomit onto the floor to her left, coughing and gagging as she did. She couldn't believe this. She was a vampire after all?! No, there had to be something wrong with this. She wasn't a vampire. Reiko wasn't a Whole. No way! None of what she was hearing was true!

Kaien hurried over with the trash can for Reiko to vomit into, and she grabbed both sides of it. "Just take it easy, Reiko-chan. There's a lot to process right now," he told Reiko as Yagarī held her hair behind her.

"Can you prove that you gave birth to her, and that this is no ruse to simply become part of Kuran-san's plan?" Shourim asked. For having been the wolf without a fang, he sure was doing a bit of biting right now.

Kaname put up a hand. "After witnessing the reunion of Reiko-san with her parents, you all have my word that I no longer wish to try awakening her." He glanced in Reiko's direction. "She can't even hear the word 'blood' without becoming violently ill, let alone stand to look at it. What use would she be as a vampire? She would end up starving to death, even with the blood tablets that are offered to the Night Class students."

What? Reiko paused. Had she heard Kaname right? Blood tablets? She coughed some and felt Yagarī's hand rubbing her back. What was this about him changing his mind, even? Maybe it was a lie. Maybe he was only pretending to change his mind.

As Reiko was debating this internally, Akita produced the original copy of the birth certificate that had been issued shortly after Reiko's birth. She slid it across the table for Shourim to look at whilst Mishito produced the baby photos. They look too legitimate to have been doctored in any way, Shourim thought as he examined the birth certificate and the photos from every possible angle. Finally, he held the birth certificate to the light. "Funny, the state of New Jersey from the United States of America would have a seal to authenticate this. Why doesn't this one?"

Busted. "It...was what they considered original after the great fire that took out the state office's archives," Mishito said with shame.

"There's...something wrong with all of this." Reiko sat up at long last. She had enough strength to stand up and, still holding her left arm below the tattoo, walked over to where her parents sat. "I was thinking about this on our way to this room. Vampires, particularly Wholes, are capable of connecting with other Wholes around the world. If I was a Whole who had been made into a human, then every vampire would know about it because of the so-called network that exists worldwide."

Reiko reached down. She took advantage of squatting down to retrieve the handle that Kaien had given to her, which had been underneath her socks. When she stood back up, she held said handle in her hand. "I should never be able to touch this if I was a Whole. Would you like to know why?" She looked at Kaname. "Kuran-san, I suggest you stand behind me...I think you're repulsive, and you won't like what I have to say next. But, if you're truly serious about not wanting to awaken me, then you'll listen and do as I say."

What are you up to, Reiko? Everybody except for Reiko, Akita, and Mishito thought whilst Kaname stood and walked around. When he stopped, he was standing behind Reiko, just as she had directed him to. Akita and Mishito, who Reiko had expected to be at least a little bit nervous, instead looked at her with curiosity.

Reiko looked at each individual carefully. First, she held up the handle to show everybody what she was holding in her hand. Then she lowered it to her waist level. "I have no doubt that those photos are legitimate. Hell, I think I look absolutely adorable in all of them," she said. Tears were starting to roll down her face again. "I really did enjoy giving it my all on the track team before I came here to this Academy...I was made fun of simply for looking different, but I could move, and I could move fast." Reiko shut her eyes some. The slot in the handle faced her left; Kaname stood directly behind her. "I still can," she said, and took a step backwards just as she pushed the button on the handle she held in her hand. The blade suddenly shot out, extending a full two metres to her left and impaling both of the Wholes who sat to her left. Their arms, and their hearts, were caught in the blade.

"Reiko, what-?" Akita gasped, unable to move. Reiko twisted the blade clockwise as the others were shocked to see that she had just stabbed two Purebloods. "But-"

The woman had tears coming down again as she tried to will herself to not become ill again. "You were crying because you missed me, yes, but you were never my parents from the start." She had to look away now. They were bleeding, and she still couldn't bear to watch anybody bleed. Her shoulders shook as she fought against her tears becoming open sobs. "I figured it out on the way to this room...and whilst I was ill following the walk. My real parents were never responsible for branding me with this awful tattoo like I had believed this entire time...you two were. The two of you had guided the pair that had kidnapped me."

As she paused to try collecting herself, she felt Kaname's hand over hers. "That's enough now, Reiko-san. You've already won," he told her. Moving her hand with his, he pressed his thumb down on hers, which in turn pressed the button to retract the blade of her anti-vampire sword into the handle. Then he let go and looked to the dying vampires as they struggled to breathe.

That was Shourim's cue. He stood and hurried over to Reiko whilst Yagarī came over and took her anti-vampire handle from her. "They stole so many things from me and my real parents...including their names," Reiko said as Shourim draped his jacket around her shoulders and guided her away. "If there's a punishment to be meted out to me for simultaneously murdering my first Wholes, then so be it. It was worth it for what they did to the Souma, in the name of the Souma."

Just before she was guided from the room, Kaname stopped the small group. "Reiko-san. I will make it go away. Until then, I advise against following through with your curiosity on investigating the former faculty dorm building," he cautioned, his hand on her shoulder. The woman looked up at him, waiting for an explanation. "Right now, your emotions have caused another thunderstorm to brew outside. The war you've been predicting, your ability to control the weather will influence the direction that it goes in. Do learn to control it better. Others could use your lack of control to their advantage."

All he would receive was a small nod from the woman as his hand moved away from her shoulder, and she was guided away by Shourim. Yagarī followed close behind.

However, Kaien stayed. "They did you a favour by taking her weapon and getting her out of here," he told Kaname. The Headmaster walked over and shut the door. "It was difficult enough for Reiko-chan to do what she did and keep herself as composed as she was, but she's scared. Just how do you intend to make her taboo 'go away?'"

"By making the Pureblood who's been seeking her go away, if I can." If was the keyword here. It was entirely possible that Kaname might fail and fall in the process, but it would be worth it if it meant making it easier for somebody else to take out Ridō. "The Hunter's Association is sure to catch wind of this soon, if they haven't already, as is the Senate. Being a huntress in-training, to take out two Purebloods at once before she's properly qualified is bound to raise a lot of attention."

That was what Kaien feared. "I'll leave the Senate to you and have Yagarī deal with the Hunter's Association," the Headmaster said. He started for the door. "Just do what you can." And, he too soon left the room to catch up with the others.

•–•–•–•

The distraught Reiko had fallen asleep whilst leaning against Shourim. Upon Kaien's return, he saw the sleeping woman and noticed that Yagarī was cleaning his gun. "Asleep?" he asked.

Shourim nodded. "She cried herself to asleep a few minutes ago," he told his friend. Shifting some, he slid his daughter into his arms and stood. Then he sat her in the chair where he had been sitting and glanced out the window. "I'm sure you know what happens next. Murdering a Whole is serious enough, but murdering two in the manner that she did is far more serious."

"Yes, which means both the Senate and the Hunter's Association will get involved." Kaien looked at Yagarī, who had finished cleaning his gun. Once it was reassembled, he holstered it again.

"Damnit, Cross-kun!" He knew that he was being sent because he was the top hunter within.

"I'm coming with you. It'll carry more weight if they see my presence." That was all Yagarī needed to hear. Remembering what Reiko had told him one day made him happy to oblige and have her guardian along. Shourim was one of the sons of the founding parents of the Western Hunter's Association, and he had willingly declined all offers to be given the top-level clearance. That hadn't stopped the Hunter's Association in this hemisphere from giving him the clearance anyways.

Kaien looked at the sleeping Reiko. It was for the best that he watch over her, and Shourim agreed that she was to return to the small room which was connected to the Headmaster's office. That way, watching her would be made easier. Who knew how long the two hunters would be at the Association for? Thankfully, it was a lengthy weekend. There were no classes for four days, and the last week of classes immediately followed before finals. Kaien hoped that would mean a restful weekend for everybody.

•–•–•–•

Great...back here? Reiko woke up to find herself in the room that she thought she had just come from a few days ago. What did I do now? It took her several moments to remember that she had just murdered two Purebloods in one go with her anti-vampire sword. Oh, right. There's no doubt that I'm in serious trouble with both vampires and the Hunter's Association...but vampires especially. Well, she had deemed it necessary based on their actions. Nobody dared use the name of her family and got away with it, ever.

Some of her clothes hung on hangers on a door hook. It only made the length of her stay in this room more obvious. Thank Fate for it being the weekend. Changing into regular clothes, Reiko stepped out of the room and found herself being greeted by the Headmaster. He sure did look as cheery as usual, even after the most recent occurrences. She gave a small wave and headed for the door.

"Just a second, Reiko-chan," Kaien said. Reiko turned back. "I know it's not ideal, but Shourim-kun wants you to stay in that room until you're out of the woods regarding last night's events. That means not going anywhere without your weapons." That's right, weapons. He was permitting the woman to carry both her family heirloom and the anti-vampire sword with her at all times whenever classes weren't in session. With her anti-vampire sword handed back to her, Kaien looked directly at the young woman. "Listen very carefully, Reiko-chan. You might find yourself becoming a new target for the Level-Es. If you do, then remember that the safety of the Day Class is your top priority."

Reiko nodded. "And if I'm attacked by vampires that are stronger?" she asked.

"Do your very best to take them out," she was told. Reiko was the only Prefect who had nothing else to do, so she would be taking on daytime patrol by herself once she had eaten. "Some of the Night Class might be sent to assist you. They really do mean no harm."

"I'll try to take your word for it," Reiko said, starting for the door.

"Oh, and Reiko-chan?" The woman paused, looking back at the Headmaster. "You've come such a long way since your guardian first brought you here. I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you, Kaien-kun," Reiko said, and finally left the office for the kitchen.

•–•–•–•

It had been months, it seemed, since Reiko had been near the fountain. No, she took that back. Years had passed since she, Yūki, and Zero had all walked by it on their way into town. Reiko remembered wanting to throw Zero into said fountain. Now she almost wished that she could see him, at least for the sake of some normalcy. Until then, she really was on her own...Yūki had been nowhere near her, or seemingly anyone from the Day Class, since one or two nights after she had been reawakened. Since she had visited Reiko in that little room, even.

Reiko was starting to feel somewhat lonely, having been deprived of social contact with her classmates. Worse, it was a four-day weekend, which meant that she would only see any of said classmates if she should run into them during her patrol. Now that was no fun. What about Sayori? She was Yūki's best friend and roommate. Reiko could only assume that the soft-spoken girl was feeling a bit hurt, perhaps even abandoned. How much did she know about what was going on?

"Why, hello there." An unfamiliar male interrupted Reiko's thoughts. Blinking out of them and looking up, she found herself being stared at by a man with a hat and sunglasses on. Everything about that screamed vampire status. "I'm terribly sorry to cut in on your thoughts, but I was wondering if perhaps you might be able to help me."

The woman straightened. "Help you, how?" she asked, placing her left hand into her jacket pocket casually. Her fingers curled around the handle of her anti-vampire weapon.

The vampire remained calm. "I heard rumours of a woman who had killed two Purebloods and was wondering if you might know where I could find her? I'm sure she might be tasty."

Either he's playing dumb to try baiting me, or he really doesn't know that I'm the one who killed those two Wholes. Reiko decided to play along. "No, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any rumours like that," she answered.

"Then maybe you might make a nice substitute." The male stepped forward, walking closer to Reiko. When he was within range, she quickly pulled out her weapon whilst pushing the button to release the blade. A single horizontal slice disposed of that Level-E; however, the sulfuric smell of vampires remained strong, so she kept her anti-vampire sword drawn.

"I know there are more of you...I can smell you clear as day. Come on out, vampires!" Reiko called. She waited as they started to step out in small droves. Soon, she was surrounded. Well, now I've done it. There must be at least fifty of them here! Drawing her Souma Katana with her free hand, Reiko leaped up onto the wall of the fountain behind her.

And leaped, making sure to aim for one-slice kills as best she could. Just like the last time, she was moving as quickly as she could to take out as many as she was able to take out.

Snap! Flames suddenly appeared to take out some of the vampires that were closing in on Reiko. Another seven of them were suddenly encased in ice, which shattered as they disintegrated. With only a few remaining, Reiko used her two swords to slice them up.

"Kaname-sama saw you being surrounded by those Level-Es and sent us to help you," the flame-user said.

"I hope that's all right with you," the blonde added.

Reiko shrugged. "Whatever. He'd better not expect any kind of repayment from me in the form of my crimson," she said, retracting her sword into its handle base, "give him my thanks anyhow. That's twice he's attempted to help me now...who even are you two, anyways?"

"Kain Akatsuki and Aidou Hanabusa, Aristocrats," the redhead gave the introductions. He gestured to himself first, and then to the blonde. "There are others who will be hel-" He stopped abruptly when Reiko dashed off to take out some more Level-Es. "-ping."

Aidou snorted. "A thank you would've been nice," he said.

"You remember what Kaname-sama told us," Kain said as the pair started to walk, "she works best when she's alone or with that vampire boyfriend of hers." They walked faster, hoping to catch up to the woman. "She sure is fast, though."

"You remember what Kaname-sama told us," Aidou said, mimicking Kain as they were now running, "she was the captain of her school's track team before she came here to the Academy."

Kain groaned. That meant Reiko could have already found another group of Level-Es to take out. So much for sticking close to her...by the time the two of them arrived to what they thought might be another group of Level-Es, they had all been taken out, and Reiko was already running. Seiren, one who specialised in moving quickly and operating almost like a ninja, pointed to her left.

"The girl is moving too quickly for most to keep up with and will not stop until they're all taken out," she told the two before she too vanished to catch up with Reiko, something she would have no difficulty with doing. It only took seconds, and the human had already taken out the last Level-E.

Wow...so I still have the training from track after all. Shaking off the vampire ashes from her weapons, Reiko kept each sword in her hands and at the ready. For all she knew, this was simply a brief reprieve until the next wave of Level-Es came. Whoever's at that old faculty wing now is doing the favour of taking out the Deranged as well...even if they are pure evil. Reiko had to wonder. If pure evil might be a really powerful vampire, then what did they have to gain from taking out Level-Es when they were the lowest of the low?

Satisfied that there were no more Level-Es, at least for now, Reiko resheathed her Katana and retracted the blade on her sword. She kept it in her hand in case it was needed again, but she walked back to the main building to check in with the Headmaster. It wasn't until she was back inside that she put her weapon back inside of her pocket, and she walked directly into the office without knocking this time.

"Ah, Reiko-chan! You've been gone a couple of hours," Kaien pointed out.

Had it already been that long? Reiko set her hair free from the ponytail that it had been in. "You might want to consider hanging up the Headmaster hat and start wearing your vampire hunter hat again," she told him, "in those two hours that I was out for, I must have taken out close to one hundred of the Deranged. That doesn't include the twenty or so that the Night Class helped me with."

The Headmaster's face softened some. He had promised that he wouldn't hunt another vampire, but it seemed the time was coming when he would have to break said promise. It may be without a choice as well, especially for the sake of the Day Class students. "Reiko..." This was a first, dropping the honourifics altogether. "...go find Zero, and give him this." Kaien handed her his Bloody Rose and sent her off after telling her of every place he could be at. It took several minutes, and she ended up killing several more Level-Es along the way, but she eventually found the silver-haired Prefect on the roof outside of the classroom.

"Kiryu-san!" Reiko called. Zero turned around. "Catch!" She threw his Bloody Rose at him before turning away. "We've got work to do, and there's plenty of it."

The Bloody Rose was caught with ease. "Wait." Reiko stopped after taking just a couple of steps towards the door and turned. Zero was walking towards her. "Did you really kill two Purebloods with your anti-vampire weapon?" he asked.

"Yes," Reiko answered without hesitation. She turned again and continued walking, adding, "I will kill anybody who tries to taint the name of the Souma, be it in the name of the Souma or not. Whether I hesitate depends on what name they use."

What a change in personality from the beginning! Is it safe to say that the more tolerant Reiko has left the building? Well...you'll just have to find out!