Chapter 27: The Unspoken Promise…

Zero stroked her hair lovingly while he watched her sleep. He stared at her face, which was pale and drawn. She was weak, he noticed. He held her hand. Her skin was cold and clammy.

I'm sorry, Naomi…

I've made you suffer…

I've betrayed your trust…

I've revealed your darkest secret…

I know apologizing isn't enough compared to what you've been made to go through…

" How is she faring, Zero? " Chairman Cross asked when he entered the room.

" Fine, I think. "

The older man sat down beside him.

" Must be hard for her to cope with that kind of ability, " he told Zero.

The vampire nodded.

" Kaname went out to search for Yuki with Hanabusa Aido and Akatsuki Kain. "

Zero turned to face him.

" Do you want me to search for her as well? "

Chairman Cross shook his head and gave him a smile.

" No, I think you should stay here with Naomi and see to it that she gets better, " he answered and got up. " Now, I better patrol the grounds. "

He patted Zero's shoulder and left the room. He pulled the covers up to cover her chin, his hand never abandoning hers.

I'm determined to get you better, Naomi…!

And I will…!

She was in a different plane. The place was engulfed in darkness.

" Naomi…! "

The voice was filled with despair and helplessness. It seemed to echo all around her.

" Yuki, is-is that you? "

" Help me, Naomi…! "

" But where are you? "

Almost immediately, another voice answered her question not Yuki.

" She's with me, Naomi… "

" It's you, isn't it? "

Cruel laughter surrounded her.

" Why yes, it's me. Who else could I be, sweetheart? "

'Sweetheart'…?

Her eyes widened in shock.

" So, you're the one who was kin those nightmares! "

Again, there was the laughter, ringing in her ears.

" Took you a long time to figure out who I am? Come on Naomi, I've given you a lot of clues to figure out who I am. I thought you were much more smarter than this… " He mocked her.

" Let Yuki go! " she snapped angrily.

" Tsk, tsk. Temper, temper. You have to learn to control your temper, Naomi… "

" Please don't change the subject. Now, tell me where she is! " She spoke up, sharply.

" Ah, my favorite topic of conversation. I'll give you another clue, Naomi. The last one. You have until dusk to figure out where she is. However if you can't do that, she'll be murdered very brutally and you will only see her in her deathbed, understand…? "

She knew that he was toying with her like a cat does to its meal. He was the cat and she was the mouse.

The victim…

I've also been the mouse…

Even from the very beginning…

" What is the clue? "

" She is in your nightmares. Those nightmares, which you were so terrified of. So until then, Mi-Chan…! "

Then, she awoke.

" Naomi, do you know you mean a lot to me? " Zero whispered softly as he embraced her tightly.

The girl did not answer him but hugged him back just as tightly. She closed her eyes and sniffed in the all to familiar scent of his aftershave.

I'll have to do this on my own…

Too many people's lives are at stake…

Already, my parents are dead…

I don't want Yuki or Zero to be hurt…

This is my problem…

It's my duty to resolve it…

And not depend on others…

I've depended too much on other people…

Zero…

I'm sorry…

But I will get Yuki back…

And that's a promise…

My unspoken promise…

To you, Zero…

" Naomi? "

The girl looked up at him.

" I know what you're thinking. And I'm not going to allow it. "

She blinked and tilted her head to one side

" You are thinking of going out on your own to go and search for Yuki, isn't it? " Zero asked her, looking directly into her green eyes.

His lavender eyes burned into her green ones as he searched her face. Quickly, she looked away.

I'm not good at telling lies…!

I'm such an idiot…!

" No, Naomi. Don't do this. You are already so weak. You can't over-exert yourself. Will you promise me that? " Zero replied.

I'm sorry, Zero…

I can't promise you…

For the sake of fulfilling the unspoken promise I made to you…

" I-I promise. "