DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampire Knight

Okay! Sorry for not updating. School's about to start. On a side note- I'm so happy about the response for Toma! Isn't he adorable~! he isn't given enough credit in the manga.

Hell, he isn't even given a name.

CHAPTER 37: Hellish Schemed Future

Panic. It was everywhere, it was everyone, and someone was screaming in my ear and why was everything so red?

Panic.

Panic…but…someone was there.

In all the chaos of people running, I could numbly feel someone drag me away. I didn't recognize them and I'd lost every familiar face in the anarchy. But I caught the flash of silver and felt relief. Because I knew what that meant.

I was with one of the twins. I suspected Zero, but I couldn't tell. They were dragging me through the crowd, shoving people away and tugging me forward without a single glance back. When we finally managed to escape the crowd, they led me through a pair of double doors. On the other side it seemed to be some sort of living room. Or guest room. The type you'd have tea in and relax.

Four couches were centered around a table and a fireplace was on the far side of the wall. The door closed behind us and-Ichiru, not Zero (the hair was longer)- gazed around for any threats. Releasing my hand, he paced around as I caught my breath.

"What happened?" I managed. I knew, but that didn't make it any better. He hesitated, peaking out one of the windows before closing the curtains.

"One of the guests was shot. Sensei ran after the culprit and Zero…" He didn't need to say more. It was obvious his brother ran to Yuki the moment trouble showed its face. It seemed to trouble him too.

I didn't know how to approach that subject much less help him with the matter, but I felt it better to remain focused, "Did you see who it was?"

He shook his head, leaning against one of the pillars and exhaling. There was still an obvious tenseness in his shoulders. It made me wonder why, of all people, he came after me first. But then it hit me. I wasn't the only one that suspected my doom. No doubt the hunters had already accounted for this factor, hell maybe even Kaname thought about it too. Maybe he suggested I didn't come and Yuki still went along with the invitation.

I winced.

So, technically if I die tonight it'd be Yuki's fault?

"Thank you for getting me out of there." I settled with, taking a seat on one of the coaches to try and calm my nerves. He nodded, eyes still darting around the room as if the shooter was gonna pop out and yell 'Surprise!'.

But I was more so relieved I wasn't the target. But why? Why would Sara still go along with her murder of her husband? True, she did do it to assume rights of her family and for better control over her life. But if she'd just killed me…then what?

She had a plan. I didn't. Damn it.

Random thoughts appeared in bursts- where was Akemi, what happened to Takuma, was everyone else fine, what juicy drama am I missing out on between the main characters- and I could slowly feel the comings of a headache.

I was jolted out of my thoughts when the door opened.

I was instantly on my feet, wary of who might enter. Ichiru seemed to be to, taking slow deliberate steps towards me from the back of the room. Who entered, though, made my blood run cold.

Akemi.

She was holding a katana.

No.

Her dead gaze was locked firmly with mine.

Please no.

She walked purposefully and without hesitation.

Don't do this.

Her sword glinted, the shiny metal extending towards me until the tip of the blade was mere inches from my chin. Ichiru's gun was already coked to her head. Even though he looked confused, his eyes were narrowed in suspicion. She didn't even look like she noticed him.

Stop it.

"She sent you to kill me." I murmured, trying not to get distracted by the blade. Her dead eyes glinted.

"I'm going to kill you." She stated, like Sara had nothing to do with it, like a personal grudge, like it was meant to be, like it was the weather, and it was just the way things were.

Oh no. Please no.

"Akemi," Ichiru's icy voice seemed to break through the tension, "Drop the sword."

Her eyes flicked to his for a moment. I paled at that look. That calculating look I knew too well of how do I get out of this while completing my goal. Something I wore on more than one occasion but now-

She glared at me.

"…till next time."

And she turned, sheathing her sword and disappearing out the door. The cries of panic still leaked through and she managed to cast one last dead glare over her shoulder, those green eyes burning with fierce hatred.

She was gone.

She hates me. She's gonna kill me.

Ichiru exhaled, closing his eyes from a moment before his lavender orbs locked with my onyx ones, "Are you alright?"

Carefully, I brought a finger to my chin, inspecting the small trickle of blood she made. I stared at it, feeling the tiniest of shocks from it. A vampire hunter weapon. If Takuma were to find out…

"Ichiru, could you keep this a secret?"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his head, "its evidence. I don't think I can."

"I meant from Takuma."

He stared at me for a moment. Something flashed in his eyes in that moment before he straightened up, "I'll keep it from Ichijo-senpai. I have to tell Zero and Sensei though…"

"That's alright. As long as he doesn't find out."

He gave me an unreadable look- worried? Sad? Understanding?- before moving back to his place against the wall. I remained stationed where I was, staring at the empty space my best friend was.

She hates me.

She's gonna kill me.

And if Takuma finds out…

The lies, the deceit, the fact that I knew where she was, and Sara-

He

Just

Might

Kill

Me

Too.

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

I watched as Ori's remains were carried away on a covered stretcher. The crowds had fled, though some remained with tearful farewells to the great pureblood. The hunters were examining the room of the crime, leaving no one but the house owners (Kaname and Yuki) to approach. I still couldn't find Takuma and I felt vulnerable now that Ichiru had gone to find his brother.

It did little to help my mood to know I couldn't sense Sara or Akemi.

I had spotted Sayori being herded out of the mansion by a hunter who I didn't recognize. She looked confused and concerned. Just one glance at it had my fists clenched. It was so irritating. I had to take a deep breath to calm myself, reminding myself to grin and bear it until the battle. That's when I could change things. That's when I'll make a difference.

I didn't expect the presence next to me. When I felt it, I immediately tensed.

"It's been a long time." He commented. At the corner of my eye, I recognized the auburn hair and that age old aura. His calm expression was no longer so sad but now seemed just…how was I to describe it? It almost seemed something lighter was about him. As if the world wasn't weighing on his shoulders anymore…

"Kuran-san." I inclined my head in greeting, reigning in my emotions.

There was a brief moment of silence between us before he spoke again, "I'm not sure how much you know or what you've been told," He admitted, his tone calm and no malice behind it, "But I hope you put it to good use."

I almost snorted. What does he think I've been doing? Picking daises?

"I have a score to settle with Shirabuki."

He nodded, "And you suspect she was the killer."

"I know she's the killer."

He glanced at me, that glint of calculation that sent shivers down my spine. To think I'd be trembling in his presence a year ago. His aura had seemed so cold then…but now…it was as if it had been dumped in warm water and no longer had that threat hanging overhead.

"I must thank you again for your troubles." He bowed, startling me and I would have squeaked in alarm too. What the hell was he doing?! "...and you were right."

Briefly, my mind went back to the departure six years ago and I couldn't help the quirk of my lips. It was incredibly ironic, really. But at least he acknowledged what I did. Taking the blame, taking the spotlight, taking the kill, taking the throne, and taking the trouble.

All the protect Yuki.

And they were happier. So that's why…

"I hope you accomplish your goals." He murmured, by passing me and heading for the grand staircase, "Without the obvious sacrifice."

My eyes narrowed on his retreating figure. A million jumbled thoughts swarmed my head and one yelled does he know about it-?!

I sharply turned and exited the building.

I needed the fresh air before I passed out from this drama.

I'm going to get into the habit of answering reviews. Because you guys got me to one hundred- thanks bunches!- I think the least i could do as an author is answer you guys. Because you guys are amazing.

Thrill-Pair-All-The-Way: Haha thanks you! It's pretty sketchy in the beginning and i hope to redo the beginning chapters. The classes i've taken have really improved my writing since then.

TheQueen'sknight: I'm the bloody frikin queen of cliffhangers. Though i think i can tone down a bit...ehehe...

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