Author Notes: Part 2… I think this chapter is going to end up as a 4 or 5 parter!
-- Start --
Early the next morning, the grounds of Cross Academy were a hive of activity as Day Class students emerged from the Sun Dorm complete with bags, and milled around near the main gates, waiting for their transportation that would take them away for the four day break. Most of the Night Class students had already left the night before right after classes ended, so Zero and Yuuki had one less thing to worry about. Only the Moon Dorm Leader and Assistant Leader remained as the Ichijo car would only arrive this morning.
Zero stood at the gates of Cross Academy with his hands in the pockets, his duffel bag slung onto his shoulder. He was dressed in his school uniform, as was the rest of the Day Class students – something that the Chairman had insisted on. "Won't it make a lovely sight?" he'd trilled happily when informing the less than ecstatic students of this a couple of days ago. A soft breeze ruffled the long silvery hair over Zero's eyes as the early morning sun touched the grounds and buildings. The students started to board the waiting buses that soon arrived outside the gates, as Zero waited for the Chairman and Yuuki to come out after locking up the main building.
Yori was also ready and waiting, standing quietly to one side, her bag at her feet. She'd nodded to Zero when she saw him but didn't seem inclined to speak to him this morning. Zero wondered anew how she'd managed to keep his secret as well as the secret of the Night Class to herself for so long - it looked like Yori was made of sterner stuff than he gave her credit for. After all, she'd never spoken to or treated him any differently even when she knew what he was, and she'd never been one to moon about any of the Night Class vampires, especially that playboy vampire Hanabusa Aido - that fact was enough to earn her extra brownie points in Zero's eyes.
After a moment, a different presence intruded on Zero's senses and he stiffened, knowing who it was. "Kiriyu-kun…" came that soft silky voice, and Zero swung around to meet the dark eyes of Kaname Kuran, still dressed in his Night Class uniform. Assistant Dorm Leader Takuma Ichijo stood a few steps behind, his customary smile missing for once. His expression was somber as if he wasn't happy at the thought of going home.
"Kuran. Ichijo." Zero nodded briefly.
Takuma finally roused himself to smile. "Good morning, Zero-kun…" he greeted. But the pureblood regarded Zero silently for a moment, and the latter braced himself for another verbal slinging match, since Yuuki was not here to witness and put a stop to it. But surprisingly, all Kaname said was "Take good care of Yuuki, Kiriyu-kun…"
A little surprised, Zero nodded without speaking. But Kaname hadn't quite finished speaking - "And remember, I won't let you go if you hurt her in any way."
Zero's eyes narrowed at him. "It's none of your business, Kuran. But you know I won't."
The dark eyes continued to regard him intently. "Are you sure, Kiriyu-kun?" Kaname asked softly, and the fine hairs on the back of Zero's neck lifted at the way the pureblood leader was looking at him now.
"That night during my party… when Aido spilt your secret… nothing happened between you and Yuuki after you both left?" the supple voice was very low now, the dark eyes probing and intense. It was obvious that Yuuki had actually managed to keep what had happened between them that night from Kaname… otherwise Zero knew he wouldn't even be here right now and still very much alive into the bargain. But despite the stoic expression on his face, he swallowed instinctively, unable to stop the painful flush he could feel now creeping up his cheeks.
Yes - something had happened. Something major had happened that night, that had caused a rift between Yuuki and himself for almost a week – the most miserable time he'd ever lived through, that had even rivalled if not surpassed the despair he felt four years ago after knowing what Shizuka's bite had done to him… Thankfully, the misunderstanding between him and Yuuki was all ironed out now. Zero even felt that perhaps it had somehow brought them just a little closer, in that he no longer needed to hide how he felt about her, and that she somehow, miraculously, still trusted and loved him, although not in the exact same way.
But it was something Zero never wanted anyone else to find out, least of all the dangerous and overly protective pureblood standing right in front of him. So his answer was simply "Like you, I will never hurt Yuuki, Kuran."
Kaname did not answer. They stared at each other for a long moment - the dark haired pureblood, dressed in white. The silver haired ex-human, in black. Mirror images of each other. Both of them loving Yuuki and reluctantly accepting that the other loved her just as much, if not more.
Then the pureblood sighed softly. "Sometimes, we hurt the ones we love, Zero-kun… even though it is the last thing we intended" he murmured, half to himself.
Zero blinked, both at the unexpected words as well as the use of his name. What the...? He hesitated, wondering whether or not to ask further, and wondering whether or not he actually wanted to hear the answer.
"Kaname-sempai…!" Yuuki was waving wildly as she practically flew down the hill, her bag swinging on her shoulder, her face alight with excitement. With a soft "Take care, Kiriyu-kun…", the pureblood turned to greet Yuuki, a loving smile on his face now as he swept her into a tender embrace.
The sight caused a familiar ache starting in Zero's chest. He'd seen the pureblood hug Yuuki countless times by now but he was still affected by it, despite knowing that it never went any further than that. Zero was haunted by the fear that one day, Yuuki would be forced to choose between him and Kaname. And despite knowing that she loved them both, the odds were a million to one that she would choose him, when he could offer her nothing… and less than nothing actually, when compared to what Kuran could. Zero turned away, not wanting to dwell on such thoughts now, and encountered Yori's calm gaze. Her expression was softer… a little curious even, as though she could see the pain he felt, and he deliberately turned the other way, trying his best to tune out Yuuki's soft conversation with Kaname and Takuma.
A short while later, the two vampires took their leave of Yuuki and walked gracefully towards the limousine that had just slid up outside the gates.
"Zero, Yori-chan, let's go!"
Hands still in his pockets, Zero turned and walked towards Yuuki, her bag slipping down from her shoulder as she waved at them both. From behind the heavily tinted glass of the limousine, watchful dark eyes followed the slight auburn haired girl as she pulled the silver haired prefect's hand to make him walk faster. Without being told, Zero lifted the bag off Yuuki's shoulder and placed it on his own.
"You trust Kiriyu-kun, don't you, Kaname?" asked the sandy haired vampire beside him. Kaname half glanced at him before looking back out the window. "Yes I do, Takuma" he murmured. Then he sighed again. "But things will have to change… and soon" he added quietly.
Takuma looked at him, eyebrows slightly raised, but Kaname didn't elaborate on his rather cryptic statement and Takuma didn't probe any further as the limousine bore them away on their long journey to Takuma's family home.
The Chairman was waiting for his two adopted children and Yori at the Cross Academy garage, about fifty metres from the main gates. He'd stowed away his two large bags in the spacious boot of his car, a 2001 Honda Accord. Despite his half-hearted protests, all three students shed their school jackets and Zero his red silk tie before stuffing them in their respective bags, which they dropped in the boot as well.
Zero unbuttoned his shirtsleeve cuffs but stopped to catch the car keys the Chairman tossed to him. The silver haired prefect slid behind the wheel, slipping on his sunglasses and rolling up his sleeves as the others settled in, the older man in front beside him and the two girls at the back. Yuuki much preferred Zero's steady and skillful driving compared to her Father's, which could be erratic and heart stopping one minute, and much too slow the next, depending on his mood.
Zero talked even less than usual when he drove, something the Chairman had given up trying to change so he conversed mostly with Yuuki and Yori during the first part of the four hour journey to the seaside front, where they had rented the apartment.
Two hours later, they turned off the highway and came to a small town for a late breakfast / early lunch. "Brunch!" exclaimed Yuuki happily, her eager eyes having already spotted a café which sold ice-cream sundaes. She pointed it out to Yori and from the girls' excited chatter, both the Chairman and Zero knew that that was where they would end up.
It was a beautiful day and Zero was quite predisposed to enjoy himself and let down his guard a little, if only to enjoy a break from continuously having to pull the besotted Day Class girls away from the Night Class elite. Hence, when he exchanged a long suffering look with his Father, he didn't try too hard to hide the slight smile on his face.
The food turned out to be quite good actually, and the girls pronounced the sundaes excellent, devouring two apiece while Zero and the Chairman opted for black coffee in place of dessert, the latter's reproving comments eliciting no reaction whatsoever from the girls.
As they walked back out into the bright sunshine, Zero automatically slipped on his sunglasses again. He headed for the driver's seat of the Accord but paused when Yuuki pulled at his shirtsleeve. "Zero, sit at the back with me?" she asked. Yori looked at her in surprise. "I'm a little sleepy" the auburn haired girl admitted sheepishly, not wanting to mention that Zero's shoulder was a very comfortable place to lean on if you were planning on a nap. "You don't mind sitting in front for a while, Yori-chan? Father will drive…" she asked.
The Chairman took the car keys from Zero with alacrity as Yori shook her head, eyebrows still up. Ten minutes later, she pulled her increasingly nervous gaze from the road in front of her - courtesy of the Chairman's driving - and peeped behind to see Yuuki already fast asleep, her head pillowed on Zero's arm. He caught Yori's slightly amused glance and quickly looked away, willing himself not to flush as a fatherly chuckle sounded from the Chairman as he glanced into the rear view mirror.
Yori's head nodded too after a while, as both she and Yuuki had downed two ice-cream sundaes each, on top of a plate of fried rice. Her head drooped to the side a few times, causing the Chairman to take one hand off the steering wheel and both eyes off the road as many times, in order to stop Yori from hitting her head on the window beside her. That action alone was enough to keep Zero in a state of complete wakefulness.
Ten minutes later, the Chairman sighed and pulled to the side of the road. Yuuki blinked and opened her eyes. "Have we arrived?" she asked sleepily, still leaning on Zero's arm. "No" he murmured.
The Chairman then woke Yori up. "I think it's better if you sit at the back where you'll be more comfortable, Yori" he said. "Zero is uncomfortable enough about my driving without me having to watch out for you…" he added, earning himself a glare from his adopted son.
Yori clambered to the back seat without comment. She hadn't slept well last night and was still half asleep, otherwise she probably would have gone round to the other side of the car to sit next to Yuuki. As it was, Zero found himself with a sleepy Yuuki on one side of him and an equally sleepy Yori on the other side. He started to wonder if the Chairman would let him drive the rest of the way…
"Father?" he asked quietly. The Chairman glanced at him through the rear view mirror as he put the car into gear again. "I'm fine, Zero, the coffee I had just now will keep me awake" he said heartily. "You can sleep too if you want…" he added somewhat slyly, making Zero scowl at him - no way was he going to do that.
Fifteen minutes later, the older man glanced into the mirror again and broke into a wide grin, chuckling hugely to himself. Both girls had fallen fast asleep, each claiming one of Zero's arms as their pillow as the silver haired vampire sat frozen in place. Zero's fierce 'don't you dare say anything' glare was probably the only reason the older man kept silent.
After the Chairman had thankfully returned his attention to the road, Zero chanced a glance down at Yuuki. Gently, he slipped his arm out from under her cheek and placed it around her waist to pull her closer to his side, ignoring the fact that their Father would be able to see this as well. Yuuki murmured in her sleep but did not awaken. Zero let his other hand on Yori's side deliberately rest on his lap.
Both girls' bodies felt soft and pliant against his. Both of them smelled good as well… but to Zero, only Yuuki's scent had the power to affect him and there was a gentle warmth in his heart now as he took a chance and briefly buried his face in her silky hair.
All the same, when the Chairman executed an emergency brake to avoid hitting a reckless driver who had decided to overtake the car in front of him without first ensuring the next lane was clear of traffic, Zero's arm around Yuuki tightened at the same time he flung out his other arm to stop Yori from jerking too far forward, even though they'd all worn seatbelts.
"Sorry about that – you all OK back there?" asked the Chairman, glancing again into the rear view mirror once the danger was past.
"Yeah" replied Zero, loosening his hold on both girls as they half sat up wondering what had happened. Yuuki was surprised to see Yori in the back seat as well and on the other side of Zero, but the blond girl merely glanced up at Zero to murmur her thanks before leaning on his arm once more and letting her eyes drift shut. Yuuki did the same and silence reigned in the backseat once more.
Both girls woke up a few minutes before they reached their destination – a block of apartments that was well occupied during public and school holidays. As the Chairman parked the car at an available space, Yori grinned at Yuuki. "Well Yuuki-chan, now I know why you wanted Zero to sit at the back" she teased. Zero pretended not to hear her comment, quickly moving to the back of the car to retrieve their bags.
The apartment was small but adequately furnished, with twin beds in both bedrooms and a TV in the living room. Apparently, the Chairman expected them to do the cooking at least for their first night here, because he'd brought along his beloved multi purpose electric cooker as well as an assortment of fresh produce and meat, all neatly packed in a cooler. He pottered around in the kitchenette now, storing the food in the small refrigerator and leaving the others to unpack their stuff and look around. The small balcony at the living room offered a nice view of the seaside but it was much too hot to venture outside now.
Both girls, much refreshed after their long nap in the car, soon went downstairs to check out the shops located on the ground floor of the apartment high rise, leaving Zero quite alone. Well, a nap was probably a good idea, something which the Chairman agreed to as well.
- o -
Dinner was cooked and eaten at the table, by dipping the cut up vegetables and meat in the clear broth simmering in the electric cooker. The conversation was surprisingly quite enjoyable with Yori contributing her share and allowing Zero to be his usual taciturn self. She soon noticed the longing looks Zero directed at her friend whenever he thought no one was watching.
"Well and what shall we do now?" asked the Chairman after they had cleared up the dishes and wandered into the living room. Yori spotted a chess set next to the TV. "Would you like a game, Chairman Cross?" she asked, gesturing to the set. Yori was actually quite good at chess and Yuuki had mentioned to her a couple of times before how her Father had always tried to get her interested in the game, without much success.
Yori noted with inward amusement how both the Chairman's and Zero's faces lighted up at once, the former more obvious than the latter. "Wonderful!" beamed the older man as Yori brought the chess set over to the small coffee table. He settled himself on the sofa at once. "You don't mind?" he asked somewhat belatedly, glancing up at Yuuki and Zero who shook their heads silently.
"Well, why don't you take Yuuki for a walk, Zero-kun?" asked Yori in a "must I do everything?" tone of voice as she looked up and gave both of them a meaningful glance, her fingers deftly arranging the chess pieces on the board.
The Chairman agreed and shooed them off absently, his mind already on the challenge in front of him.
When they had reached the ground floor, both Yuuki and Zero walked out of the building and headed down towards the beach by tacit agreement. Their dinner had been relatively early, brought on by their early lunch, and most of the other occupants were now having their meal, leaving the beach relatively quiet.
"Father's not going to win the game this time" Yuuki commented with a laugh, as she kicked off her slippers and wriggled her bare feet in the fine sand. "Why, is Yori that good?" asked Zero, even though he was more interested in watching the sea breeze play with Yuuki's hair and the shawl she'd wrapped around her shoulders over her sleeveless dress. Zero slipped off his own beach sandals and looped the straps through Yuuki's slippers before letting them dangle from his fingers. With his other hand, he caught hold of Yuuki's fingers. She glanced up at him and Zero smiled ruefully but didn't release her hand. "Indulge me, Yuuki" he said softly. "At least for a while…"
Yuuki nodded and smiled without hesitation, giving his hand a little squeeze. Without speaking, they started walking along the beach. After a while, Yuuki drew closer to Zero and he released her hand to place his arm around her waist. Yuuki did the same to him and their steps slowed down and matched, hips brushing lightly against each other. Along this stretch of the beach, they were the only ones now, and Zero was fully and achingly aware of Yuuki beside him – her sweet scent, her soft breathing, the curve of one soft breast as it pressed to his side, and the firmer but still soft curve of her hip against his. Yuuki stared straight ahead, not letting on that she was also aware of the tall boy pinned to her side, whose warmth and protective arm around her waist made her feel so safe and loved.
They reached the middle of the beach now with only the sound of the waves breaking the silence, and even then, it was utterly and beautifully quiet, a world away from their life at Cross Academy. Their steps slowed down some more then stopped as they looked out at the sea.
Zero shifted Yuuki closer to him, wrapping both arms around her waist and inviting her to lean back against the solid warmth of his chest. Yuuki sighed softly as she did so and they watched the moon's reflection on the waves for a while, breathing in the salty tang in the gentle sea breeze. Zero's hands didn't stray anywhere else - Yuuki loved this about him and she wrapped her own arms over his, perhaps almost… deliberately… pushing his arms up a little until they just about brushed the undersides of her breasts. But he didn't say anything and neither did she.
Finally, Zero bent down to speak softly "Yuuki? Are you cold?"
She shook her head silently but now realised something else – Zero's breathing had started to change, sounding laboured and shallow as if he couldn't quite get enough air. She looked up at him. Even in the dark, Zero's eyes had a warm glow and she could see the faint glint of his fangs between his lips.
They should go back now… but the apartment was small and both Yori and the Chairman were there. "Zero? Do you think here would be safe enough?" Yuuki asked, a small frown appearing between her eyebrows. Zero, having come to the same conclusion as hers, glanced around, his arms tightening around her waist. "It should be" he said cautiously, looking down at her.
"OK…" Yuuki loosened the left side of her shawl and Zero nuzzled his face at the base of her neck. Yuuki's pulse started to speed up, both in anticipation of being bitten as well as the way Zero was kissing her neck.
His right hand released her waist now and slid up through her silky hair, holding her head tilted to the right. Yuuki's left hand slid off his other arm, threading through Zero's silvery hair with similar familiarity. She shivered as Zero's warm tongue traced a line from her collarbone up to her earlobe and down again.
Ahh… Yuuki tasted sweet. Her kisses, her neck, her breasts – all tasted enchantingly sweet, and Zero knew he'd tasted a lot of her by now… more than anyone else had, definitely more than Kuran. He tightened his arm around her waist, pulling her back firmly against him as he bit down gently, senses revelling in the sweet dark liquid that filled his mouth as he sucked at her neck. Yuuki's blood was delicious… intoxicating… a balm he needed to remove the pangs of his bloodlust. But each time he took from her, she was never his prey or food. Never. He was always achingly aware of who she was – Yuuki Cross – his adopted sister and best friend, fellow prefect and the most exasperating, impulsive, klutzy, adorable, generous and loving girl he'd ever known. And he loved with all his heart.
Yuuki's eyes closed for a moment, then opened again. There was something very intimate and daring, being held close like this with the moon shining down on them, the waves lapping at their feet, and having her blood drawn at the same time. And barring a couple of occasions in the past, it never felt like she was coerced into doing so. It just felt so… natural… Zero taking from her like this. Even the intimate way he held her felt natural. Right. Like he had a right to hold her like this. Like she had a right to be held by him like this.
Minutes later, Zero lifted his head a little, licking away the traces of blood on Yuuki's creamy skin and pressing his tongue to the twin wounds he'd created. He smiled a little at the small shiver that ran through Yuuki as he did so. "Thank you" he whispered.
Yuuki turned to smile up at him. "You're welcome, Zero" she said softly. Her large brown eyes were soft… loving... and Zero longed to kiss her again. Slowly, he licked his lips clean. Yuuki waited without saying anything but her own lips parted softly and Zero bent forward to claim them. Somehow, he was no longer afraid that his kisses tasted of her blood, knowing that Yuuki would not hold it against him. And she didn't.
The kiss felt right and Yuuki turned slowly within the circle of his arms to face Zero, instinctively sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck. Her lips parted more, allowing Zero entry, her tongue playing shyly with his and making him groan into her mouth. He pressed closer, and Yuuki gasped softly against his lips in turn when she felt his body hard and taut against hers, but she didn't draw away, clinging tightly to him as her legs went weak
The heated kiss broke only when they remembered that they needed to breathe and Yuuki buried her flushed face in Zero's chest, hearing the unsteady beat of his heart against her ear.
"That felt good, Yuuki" said Zero softly, smiling when his words made her shift against him, still refusing to look up. "Why, don't you think so?" he added with mock surprise when she didn't answer.
Yuuki bit her lip, knowing Zero was teasing her again. She ground her hips hard against his in retaliation and burst out laughing when her unexpected action wrung an answering groan from him and a bigger and immediate reaction from his body. Yuuki looked up now, eyes dancing merrily. "That felt good, Zero" she mimicked his words and felt him freeze against her in surprise. "Why, don't you think so?" she added in mock surprise as well, swallowing another giggle with difficulty.
Zero bit back a reluctant chuckle as he shook her slightly. "You little minx" he said, laughter threading through his voice. Yuuki grinned at him, then looked around. There were more people on the beach now, taking walks after their dinner and she sighed reluctantly. "We should go back…"
Zero nodded, linking his fingers with hers as they walked back silently. Despite the heated kiss a couple of minutes ago, there was still a comfortable silence between them and after a few steps, Zero placed his arm around her waist once more, pulling her closer. Yuuki slipped her own arm around his waist and sighed contentedly.
"Well! That was a long walk…" said Yori as soon as Zero and Yuuki stepped into the living room, her wide green eyes alight with mischief. Both Yuuki and Zero scowled at her, which made her grin. The Chairman glanced up at them from his frowning perusal of the chess pieces in front of him but made no comment – Yori had gained the upper hand and the game was keeping his attention.
"I'm going to take a shower" Zero said shortly to nobody in particular as he headed towards the one and only bathroom.
"But you already showered before dinner…" finally remarked the Chairman in surprise.
Zero paused, feeling his face warm slightly as Yori went into an unexpected bout of coughing to mask her sudden laughter. "The seaside air feels sticky" he added after a moment, striding off and resolutely not looking at anyone, not even Yuuki, whose cheeks were still flaming from Yori's earlier remark.
"Um… I'll have one too when you're done, Zero" she muttered, avoiding Yori's gaze as she hurried off to the bedroom she was sharing with Yori to cool down.
Luckily, her Father had turned his attention back to the game in front of him.
-- End --