Silver Night

By: A Really Big Idiot

Present

Fuyumi Kain, the only daughter of Akatsuki Kain and Ruka Souen-Kain, looked at her best friend and patted her shoulder with sympathy.

The two girls were in Fuyumi's bedroom in one of her family's many country estates. Fuyumi had decided to come here because she wanted some alone time from her parents, and her parents had allowed her to stay at one of their lesser known estates by herself.

But Fuyumi had a major life problem – she didn't really know what to do with the rest of her life.

Fuyumi had thought that she could talk to Juri about her problem because Juri was the most encouraging and best friend she'd ever had and Fuyumi desperately wanted to hear an encouraging word or two. Her dad was more of the silent action-type, and her mother was something of a mean but strangely lovable hag. But Juri would always be supportive of you when no one thought you could do it. That sort of undying faith in a person was what made Juri so well-liked. After all, couldn't anyone conquer a problem if you had such a faithful cheerleader rooting for you? There were many times when Fuyumi wouldn't have achieved something if not for Juri's undying support.

Yet Juri had come to her home in a fit.

So Fuyumi, being the perfect mix of Akatsuki's calm-headedness and Ruka's bluntness, had to throw her problems out of her head and focus on calming her friend down in order to figure out what was wrong with her.

But her friend dropped a bombshell on her.

Her parents were getting a divorce! The King and Queen were divorcing! When has there ever been a royal divorced vampire couple? She was utterly amazed and really didn't know what to say to her best friend. So she said what everyone else would say in this situation.

"I'm so sorry, Juri." The long-haired redhead whispered. "I'm sure there is a reason for it."

"There is no good reason!" Surprisingly, Juri hissed at her. Fuyumi slightly jumped at her friend's unnatural angry tone. "She's just angry at him for no good reason!"

Juri kicked her feet and then marched around Fuyumi's bedroom. She had run away from home as soon as her personal servant, Mika, had left her alone. She couldn't stand standing there! She was so outraged at her mother! How dare she? How dare she hurt papa this way! And hurt her as well!

Papa was a desperately lonely and needy person.

Furthermore, papa loved mama more than life itself sometimes! And mama would dare divorce him! Leave him? Why? What possible reason would she even have?

Mama was so at fault and so wrong for this! She couldn't imagine what her poor papa was feeling right now! Papa must be so hurt and sad right now! And he was always lonely and sad!

"I am getting a divorce, kids." Mama looked at them steadily, firmly, but softly. "I am not doing it because I don't love you. I'm doing it because I do."

Ridiculous!

It was absolutely ridiculous! If she really loved them, she wouldn't be getting a divorce in the first place!

Juri tried to understand her mother. Honestly, she had. But this was going too far!

Father has done nothing wrong! Absolutely nothing to deserve this!

It was mama who abandoned him nearly a year ago. It was mama who refused to speak with papa. Papa had asked and pleaded to speak with mama many times throughout this past year and mama just spitefully ignored him! She gave no reasons for any of her actions, and she just carried on in her own little world without a shred of care about how her or Haruka felt about this split between them. Haruka may pretend he doesn't give a hoot about papa, but she would see him look sad from time to time as well! Haruka just tried to be a tough guy all the time, sort of like papa! Honestly, men should just be honest with their feelings!

Papa was a kind and loving person. Why would mama want to leave him? She was hurting him. She was hurting papa for no good reason! Father must be so hurt and so sad and so lonely, right now!

Mad. Mad. Mad. Juri felt so terribly mad!

But suddenly, in spite of her maddening mood, an idea stuck Juri. Papa was by himself at this moment, wasn't he?

The thought made her freeze.

The only people close to him now were Silver, his knightly bodyguard, and the elderly Butler Rio. While Silver was such a nice and lovely and handsome and wise person, Juri didn't think a manly pat on the shoulder is what her father needed right now! And Butler Rio couldn't do it! Butler Rio was too professional and reserved, so he couldn't comfort papa well now either! Haruka was out of the question as well, so...

It would be up to Juri to do this!

"I need to comfort papa!" Juri suddenly snapped. Her friend Fuyumi stared at her, then she shook her head. What just happened here? Fuyumi thought aimlessly.

Juri did always have to do something impulsive.

"Don't you think that you should at least hear your mother's reason for the divorce before seeing him?" Fuyumi slowly suggested.

"NO!" Juri slammed her hands on her hips. "I don't even want to see her right now. I'm too angry, and she told me to leave her presence – so I just did!" Juri said hotly. "Papa is the one that needs me most right now! He is probably so hurt and so lonely!" She continued in a calmer tone.

Fuyumi just sighed. Juri was the type to do whatever she wanted to do. She was a Kuran after all. Fuyumi decided she would just support her friend and be a good listening ear. It was far easier than trying to change Juri's mind about something.

"I'm going to go see him!" Juri announced. Her decision finally made. She was going to give papa a hug and try to fix this stupid thing between her parents if it was the last thing she ever did!

Chapter Thirty-Five: Effects

Present

As the reigning Dark Lord of Vampire Media, Senri Shiki was intriguingly amused.

When Takuma had informed him of his two cousins coming divorce, Senri had decided that this was his moment to gain his long incoming revenge against his cousin Kaname while also helping his beloved cousin Yuki.

Yes. It was he, the always sleepy-looking Senri Shiki, that leaked the information of Kaname's and Yuki's divorce to the vampire public.

If it was in Senri's character to do so, he would probably be manically laughing like a cartoon villain right now.

However, on the more serious side, there were many reasons for him to do this.

Reason one was that this was the biggest scoop of the century, and he wasn't about to let the Light Lady of Vampire Media, Hina Ajibana, get the scoop and publicity that this story was going to be.

Reason two was that he had a huge debt to Yuki. If it wasn't for her, he would probably be dead and his mother would still be insane and unbalanced. Senri hadn't really done much for her, and so he decided that he would be a hidden ally of Yuki in this. The media was something he understood the best, and she was going to need all the support she could possibly get. Kaname was a powerful and fearful figure in the public eye, so it was rare that anyone had the gall to go against him. And Yuki was dearly liked by the realm because she was the only person able to curve Kaname's more ruthless tendencies from time to time. However, no person is immune to the power of public opinion, and he was going to make sure she looked like the beloved, rightful, and good queen she was in the public square while also dragging Kaname's image down a notch.

Senri had to deal with all sorts of problems growing up. Senri's father, Rido Kuran, left him with nothing. And for decades, his mother had been in a crushing and sanity-lacking depression, so she was not able to provide for him after their wealth and savings had run out.

So, Senri had taken up modeling in order to support both himself and his mother, Rukia, and he had learned that the world was not a kind place, and that perception was often times more important than reality.

Senri had worked his way up. He went from model to agent to manager to business owner to President and Founder of Shikian Media. He owned 2 big channels VNN (Vampire News Network) and VMS (Vampire Music Station) and had key influencing positions on four other major vampire television networks. Senri now lived as being the great unseen hand of vampire media, but he wasn't going to just be that any longer.

He owned Yuki his life. If it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be here today. So, he was going to help her get a chance in this fight against Kaname. Rima was good with the legal matters. So, Senri was going to make sure every vampire eye that paid attention to this affair would be rooting for Yuki.

As the Dark Lord of Vampire Media, Senri knew exactly how to spin a story that while it initially seeming unbiased would actually be very bias in Yuki's favor. Certain code words would be used to paint the picture that Kaname was an evil, scumbag husband and Yuki was the poor put-upon wife. Even if it wasn't 'exactly' true, Senri would shape public opinion into Yuki's favor.

Of course, it wouldn't be too obvious (Kaname would viciously destroy him if he figured it out), but he was going to do his best to secretly influence public support on Yuki's side in her divorce against Kaname. The power of public opinion is a very scary thing. When the majority wants something done, then not even a King can deny them.

So, all he needed to do now was get Takuma to agree for his channel, VNN, to be the sole host and only news channel source for this entire affair.

A Few Hours Later...

As the three men waited for the rest of the inner circle to gather at their lonely upscale bar and lounge in Tokyo, Hanabusa Aido had decided that now was the best time to get roaring drunk.

His cousin, Akatsuki Kain, did not think that was the wisest of courses. He took the 7th bottle of rum of Hanabusa's out of his hand. Takuma nodded his approval at his action.

Hanabusa gave them both a dazed blue-eyed glare. "Hey! Eat, drink, and be merry, for soon we will all die!" He hiccupped.

Akatsuki sighed. "I think you've had a bit too much to drink."

"The world's ending...so I don't think...I've had...enough!" Hanabusa slurred. "By darkness, I haven't even been...married yet. It's not supposed to end right now!"

Akatsuki raised a single red eyebrow. Married? Hanabusa? Takuma and Akatsuki shared a mutual disbelieving stare.

When that actually happened, then Akatsuki would know the world did indeed end.

Hanabusa gave his cousin a drunken glare, but it made him look cross-eyed. "I've just never found a woman I could love like that."

So, you are sowing your seeds along the path until you do? Akatsuki critically thought.

Hanabusa had a feeling that his cousin was internally mocking him. However, Hanabusa was the type of man who never liked a woman he couldn't sleep with. If he couldn't sleep with you, he didn't really like you.

Which, coming to think about it, probably explained why he never touched any of the females in his closest circle. Yuki Kuran was obviously off-limits. Ruka was an Ice Witch and was already claimed by his pitifully whipped cousin Akatsuki. Rima Touya was too much of a ball-buster and would have probably tried to castrate him if he even suggested it. And Hanabusa seriously believed that Seiren was a lesbian. Probably. Maybe. Well, she had better be one. That would be a damn shame if she was an over hundred year old virgin. Nah, what do you call those types of women again? Old maid? Yeah. That's it! Seiren was an old maid or maybe a lesbian. She had to be one if she didn't even show him the slightest bit of interest. Yeah.

He hiccupped again and his phone buzzed.

Hanabusa looked at it and saw that it was a text message from his latest affair. What was her name again? Megan from...some western country?

He briefly looked at her text and then speedily re-texted his latest conquest with one of his typical replies. "My darling love, you are a woman who made me feel greater than myself. I am happy to have finally met you." He typed.

"Stop that, Aido!" Takuma snapped. He was right beside him, so he had seen the message. "Stop playing with someone feelings."

"I'm not playing with someone's feelings!" Hanabusa defended. "I tell women exactly what I want with no real illusions up front. If they think by sleeping with me, they can change me – that's their self-lie and problem!"

"A dog is a dog, no matter how nice the fleas." A low female voice wirily said.

Hanabusa blinked. Well, speaking of old maid lesbians! Seiren looked at him with wordless disapproval. Hanabusa frowned. Seiren always looked at him with wordless disapproval. Meanie woman! Nevertheless, behind her were Ruka and Rima.

Ah, the women have arrived.

Ruka gave him her typically snooty annoyed glance. Rima smirked at him but decided not to comment. Any woman who was suckered enough to fall for Hanabusa's tricks received no sympathy from her. She looked at her watch and then announced to all present. "Senri said he'll be here in a few minutes, so let's wait on the real conversation until he gets here."

Takuma slightly froze at the announcement of Senri's soon-coming arrival, but then he pasted on a thick smile. It was over three years ago! And Senri obviously moved on. However, Takuma did still feel very guilty with how he treated Senri. Takuma would say that he was a nice guy the majority of the time, but with Senri...he had not been a very nice guy.

And Takuma felt really bad about it. Too bad. He should have listened to his head and not his deceptive heart. If he had, he wouldn't have hurt such a close friend.

But Takuma would try and make it up to Senri in the best way he could! He would be very happy for him. He would be happy for Senri and Rima.

Still, there were other matters to get on to. Takuma looked at Rima with a serious expression. "Rima, are you crazy?"

Rima pressed her lips tightly together. What was with everyone questioning her sanity lately? "They haven't finalized the diagnosis yet, but I'm sure if I take the blue pill, everything will be fine." She sarcastically said.

Ruka huffed. "Don't even try to enlighten her, Takuma. She won't listen to reason!"

Rima shook her head. Despite her annoyance with her friends, even she was starting to question her sanity. After all, Rima still didn't know the real reason behind this divorce action against Kaname by Yuki. By all accounts, Kaname's and Yuki's marriage was an exemplary one – especially for such a powerful vampire couple.

Kaname embodied everything a vampire wished to be – he held world-changing power, he was unbelievably handsome, his cunning was legendary, his ruthlessness was equally so, his intelligence surpassed vampires three to four times his age, and his ambitions could dominate all who stood against him.

Yuki was a good ying to Kaname's yang. She was beautiful in her own right, her insights into vampire psychology were uncannily accurate, she knew when to be diplomatic and when to use force, and she was apt at business and creating wealth. After all, it was Yuki that had learned of the possibilities of Vaian and had made critical investments before its true potential was discovered.

Separate they were powerful but the two together were an unstoppable force.

Still, sometimes Rima would sort of miss the Yuki that would have married the ex-human hunter. When Kiryu-chan was gone, Yuki lost one of the elements that made her Yuki. She was still Yuki, but different. She wasn't as warm, she was more...cool. Rima had no idea what to make of it. And being with Kaname wasn't exactly the best way to bring back the old Yuki. Kaname was the type to nurture a person's darker nature if it fit his desires better. Then again, who knows what that Serpent King wants in the first place?

Yuki had told Rima that she would reveal her true reason for her divorce against Kaname after Rima finalized all the requites with Takuma. Rima had been dreading that reveal, but at the same time she was very thankful. She'd placed her life on the line for this, and learning what this reason actually was would really give her the strength she needed to carry this thing though.

Takuma sighed. "Rima, is it possible that Kaname-sama and Yuki-chan meet each other before the First Council Session? Surely, if they talk about it, they can come to a better agreement!" Takuma wiggled his fingers. "After all, this is so unexpected and unneeded! Kaname-sama was really angry and hurt by what Yuki-chan is doing!"

Rima pressed her lips tightly together. It wasn't as if Rima hadn't suggested that to Yuki before going through with this, but Yuki had told Rima under no uncertain terms that the only time she would lay eyes on her husband again was when they were in the council room together. The ominous look in Yuki's dark-brown eyes had not only shocked Rima out of her wits, but made her know that whatever Yuki's reasons were for this divorce, she was deadly serious about it.

Rima looked at all those at the table as said, "It's not going to happen, Takuma. Yuki doesn't want to see Kaname – ever. And that's final."

The was a pregnant pause between the inner council members.

Then Seiren and Akatsuki nodded their heads like it was expected. (Those two were always so accepting! It made Rima want to shake them!) But Ruka hissed her teeth in annoyance, while Hanabusa rested his head on the table heavily.

Rima's blue eyes locked onto Takuma's green ones as they studied each other for a moment. Something about this wordless exchange stuck a cord in Rima. This may well be the last time she could consider this person a friend.

"Sorry that I'm late everyone." A yawning voice interrupted the inner circle's silence. Everyone sort of jumped at the unexpected announcement of Senri Shiki. "I had a few meetings that I couldn't get out of."

Blue and green eyes looked at the sleepy-looking Senri Shiki. There was a slight twist of his lips. "Why don't we all get started with this meeting?" Senri lightly smiled.

To Be Continued