DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampire Knight

Plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot plot- WAH!

Boom! 100 reviews! Woot woot! thank yoh everyone for reviewing! You guys are the greatest!

CHAPTER 36: When Paths Collide

Time flew by.

With it went my birthday and Takuma's, deciding to follow Senri's and Rima's example and have it together. The holiday was spent quietly with an empty mansion. Only Waffles and Takuma were there as company since all the staff had left. Even Himaya took a vacation somewhere close to Okinawa. She was only there a day though, which I think defeats the point of a vacation.

The New Year was spent visiting a nearby shrine (I got to see Takuma in a kimono again~). I knew the time skip was ending soon. It was nearing one year since we left the academy. One entire year. I've continuously shared letters with Toma, getting any updates on his end and little feedback from his daily life. I shared some of mine as well, deciding just to go with it. If having him as friend screws up the plot, then so be it. Toma was nice.

Things were going smoothly. Little disturbances, I wasn't falling down stairs, and Waffles had finally quit chewing on my blankets. I didn't expect all my troubles to come back in the form of a simple letter.

A letter…asking me to attend a ball.

It doesn't take a genius to know what happens next.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"I feel like a doll."

"You did tell Himaya she could dress you."

"Whatever demon possessed me to say that, I will kill it with holy water."

"Haha, Shizumi you're so funny."

"I wasn't joking."

"Shizumi-san, I have you're dress ready."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…screw this. I'm wearing a kimono."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It took a lot of motivation to take those first steps in. I was excited, annoyed, and terrified. I'd be seeing all the characters again, this is where the start of the plot happens, and one little mishap and I was sure things would slide. I needed to be careful, but above all things that happened here, I had to find Akemi.

I took that step, happy to have my arm hooked around Takuma's. Himaya didn't come, unfortunately, but I told her to remain on standby if a catastrophe was to happen.

Glancing around the grand hall at all the nobles and businessmen here, I felt myself shrink just a bit as a lot of their gazes turned to me. I didn't hide behind Takuma, steeling myself into a mask and tugging my lips upward slightly. They greeted us as we walked by, having to stop once in a while to endure a bit of conversation before Takuma made an excuse that I'd need a refreshment.

He was dressed in a nice white tux, a black bow tie with a handkerchief hanging out of his pocket. I was dressed in white kimono, black lining and with a black obi. It was plain and simple, something I liked, though felt horribly insignificant among such fancy people.

"You're tense." Takuma commented quietly. I glanced at him but his eyes were elsewhere, scanning the room, "Is something bothering you?"

"Yes." I admitted easily, eyes locking with blue. My eyes narrowed as she approached, that shit eating smile upon her face, her golden hair reaching her waist and her dress practically glowed in the room. "And I'm looking right at it."

"Hio-san." She greeted, standing before us. The crowd parted, eyeing the meeting between two purebloods warily. She inclined her head, smiling softly, "It's an honor to meet the youngest pureblood of our time."

"Shirabuki." I kept my gaze locked with hers, face trained into a blank expression. I wouldn't let her get the satisfaction to know I was seething.

Sara's eyes flashed with something unreadable, "I do believe we've gotten off on the wrong foot, with the tablet investigation. Perhaps we can settle our differences now and become friends?"

There was something about the way she worded that sentence. That instead of 'settle our differences' it sounded more like she wanted to lop my head off, and friends sounded more like servant.

"I'd love that." Die, die, die- "However." I watched as her smile twitched a bit, "I can't see that happening in the foreseeable future. Unless a certain variable is dealt with, I'm afraid you must consider me your enemy."

Her smile disappeared, her blank face mirroring mine, "So that's how it'll be?"

I nodded. Because in her eyes, if you're not her friend, you're her enemy. And I sure as hell wasn't going to be friends with her knowing-

"Shizumi?"

I didn't want to turn around. I didn't want to. No.

Takuma did. His eyes widened and he looked like someone had just taken out a shovel and beat a squirrel to death. Slowly, very slowly, I turned my head to the side.

There she was.

I would have found it completely hilarious to see her dressed as a maid, carrying a tray of tea, but the gravity of the situation weighed on my mind. Her hair was long, instead of chin length it'd grown just past her shoulders. Her vibrant green eyes were now dulled but she still stared curiously at us.

Takuma spoke first, "A-Akemi? You're okay?"

"Of course I am." She looked both confused and annoyed, "Why wouldn't I be? I've been fine since I left."

Left.

"What?"

"Geez Takuma," She blew a bang out of her face, "You're such a worrywart."

"I see you've met my friend." Sara smiled. Akemi walked around us- not even sparing me a glance- and stood beside Sara, handing her a tea. My stomach twisted itself into knots as that smile of hers seemed to turn smug. "Oh? Is something the matter, Hio-san?"

I clenched my fists. I ignored Takuma's pained look. I ignored how Akemi stared at me. But I was sure as hell not going to lose to Sara.

"You'll regret crossing me."

She looked amused, taking a sip from her cup, "Ho~ is that a threat?"

"Yes. It is." I straightened, chills going down my spine at how eerily hollow my voice sounded, "I'm not afraid to get dirty. I'm not afraid to take down those that get in my way. I'm sure not afraid to take you out, Shirabuki-san."

Her eyes narrowed. I knew this was going to end badly. She wanted to be Queen of vampires and the only one in her way was me, the damn present queen. Who's to say that instead of her husband she'll assassinate me tonight?

I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaling and turned to meet Takuma's, wincing at how lost he seemed, "Let us leave."

He nodded, glancing back at Akemi who seemed both confused and-perhaps- as lost as Takuma. Sara had to fit that one line in though.

"Did you say the same thing to your mother before you struck her down?"

I paused. Takuma tensed beside me. Slowly, very slowly, I turned to her.

I glared, pouring every bit of anger and resentment I had into one expression.

"You're not worth the effort."

And then I turned, hand looped with Takuma's again, and led us away from the enemy behind. I didn't want to see her expression, I didn't want to see Akemi's void one. I didn't want to glance up and see the pain in Takuma's.

I kept walking, hoping maybe it'll take me somewhere where things would get brighter. I didn't take long before I was face to face with someone I didn't think I'd meet in my lifetime. She was human, something I immediately caught onto with the way everyone was crowding her and eagerly talking. She was nervous and glanced around frantically. Takuma still looked stunned at the previous interaction so I steered us through the crowd, those around parting like a red sea before we eventually reached the girl.

She snapped her head to us, blinking widely, "Ichijo-san?"

Takuma shook out of his stupor to give the girl a surprised look, "Wakaba-san?"

Oh. So it's Yuki's friend. Didn't some hunter or other smuggle her in? My fuzzy brain, still a little contorted from that meeting before, couldn't grasp the information; I shoved it away in favor of politely bowing. If she was human, I really didn't have to be so blank around her. It hurt my face too.

I smiled, "Hello, I'm Shizumi Hio. You must be Sayori Wakaba. I remember Yuki speaking a lot about you."

Might as well lie with truth, right?

She blushed, looking anxious but excitement seem to weigh out it, "O-oh, pleasure to meet you. You've met Yuki?"

I nodded, feeling a bit refreshed by her enthusiasm. Takuma's charming smile returned and he asked why she was here. Confirming my suspicions, she was here to see Yuki because- duh- this was a Kuran party.

"But I can't seem to find her." She looked around before blinking and glancing at us, "is…everyone here vampires? Even you, Ichijo-san?"

He laughed, perhaps a bit sheepishly, "There are some hunters here. It's hard to find them when their hiding behind the pillars though."

I didn't want to look and possibly see every eye trained on me. Yikes.

"Yuki hasn't showed up yet." I informed her, watching as her expression dropped, "She'll no doubt show up eventually. I'm sure she will."

She seemed to brighten a bit at this. Wary of the watchful eyes of the crowd, we led her away from prying eyes to a more secluded area of the dance hall. Takuma and her conversed while I opted to remain silent and keep an eye out for the young Kuran. I was constantly distracted with seeing Akemi wander around with a trey in hand and eventually leading me to where Sara was always either staring at me or smiling at her- I so want to kill her. Must. Resist.

"Takuma."

I turned, not surprised to find Rima and Senri had joined us. Takuma was surprised but brightened. He obviously wasn't in his top mood but I'm sure the more his friends appeared the chipper he'd become. It seemed that they'd already encountered Akemi though.

"You met her?" Rima inquired and Takuma nodded, soberness washing over his features. I remained tense, watching the crowd guardedly. Sayori was confused and asked about the situation, which Takuma solemnly responded that his sister was, at the moment, lost. She looked still confused by this but frowned.

"It's alright." I spoke up, breaking away the depressing air and having every eye on me, "We'll get her back. I'm not afraid of Shirabuki."

"She's after you're title." Senri reminded, nonchalantly. I nodded, hesitantly.

"I'm not going to lie." I turned to them, hoping my expression wasn't anything but determined, "There's a good chance I might die tonight."

They stilled. Understanding flashed through their eyes and I snapped my gaze back to the crowd. I was tense and uneasy, I didn't like how I seemed to be watched, and all I'd met was Sara, Akemi, and Sayori. I found mild amusement though that the fact a thirteen year old had just spoken so freely about her possible death.

What a strange and demented world I live in.

"I'm sure that's not going to happen." Takuma finally spoke, his very voice breaking through the tension. Sayori visibly relaxed but seemed to tense back up when an all too familiar voice called her name. Our eyes turned from each other over to the parting crowd, seeing a frazzled Yuki approaching.

She looked older. Surprisingly, her hair was even longer then before and she had an air of happiness to her. Sayori's face lit up, "Yuki!"

We watched as they reunited, Yuki fretting at first before the two seemed to reconnect over the year they'd been absent from their lives. Senri and Rima approached, who she greeted. Once they were done, Takuma waved to her and, to my curiosity, looked pleasantly surprised he'd be here.

"I thought you'd be looking for your sister." She explained, and although reluctantly, he made a vague description of where she was now. During this, Senri walked up next to me, shoulder to shoulder and lowering his head.

"She's watching you." He whispered.

I exhaled, "I'm aware."

He turned away, giving a pat on my shoulder before he glanced at Rima. The orange head nodded, some unspoken agreement made between them as they disappeared into the crowd. I looked back at Yuki in time to have her ruby gaze connect with mine. She beamed.

"Shi-chan! You came!"

I couldn't help but be amused at her big smile, "You sent me a letter, Yuki. Of course I'd come."

"Yeah…" She fiddled with the end of her hair, a nervous habit it seemed she developed, "It's great to see all of you again."

I nodded. Takuma grinned and Sayori hugged her best friend. Yuki ended up dragging Sayori off to the food, embarrassingly admitting she was hungry. It surprised me how open she was with her emotions, making me feel a bit…different. I could easily mimic her, though years of being in the presence of those that wouldn't hesitate to sneer at such a display beat that out of me. To smile so freely…

I glanced over where Akemi had last been, but she was gone. It was almost like she'd completely disappeared from the crowd. I clenched my hands into fists, knowing that it was coming, the turn of events that'd start the beginning of war. Cautiously, I glanced behind me, only to find a concerned Takuma.

"Are you alright?"

I wanted to smile. To say I was. To relieve his worries. His sister was possessed for crying out loud, he was on the edge as it was. I had to say something. Unfortunately, whatever I said died in my throat.

A gunshot was heard.

Ninja. Anywho! time to get on with this story and throw away everything. THANK YOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU THANK YOU! For all your reviews, acknowledge and not, appreciated and dumped (lol), you guys are the best. thank you so much for reading this story and keeping with such a lazy author as myself :|

And now i will sing the song of my people.

REEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEWW~

Did you like it? :D