Hi guys. So, happy 2020 first off. I hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far. It has been interesting from my side.

Anyway, next week, my new college semester is starting and that means I will be working very little on my stories. You know, I start to think when will be the day when I stop writing on this website. And part of me has a feeling that I will be on this site, writing this story, little by little. There may be a time that it's once a year or once every 3 months. I don't know but that's how I've been feeling. I know, for sure, that I want to finish this story before that happens.

So yeah. Sorry about that. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 15

As Ichiru guides me by the pull of my hand, I look around at the area to identify where we are. We were heading towards the old night dorm entrance but, instead, he pulls me to the left side of the building. The moment we turned a corner, I witnessed a door I've never seen before opened. My eyes widen as the door seemed broken to the point of no repairs. There was no knob, the screws were rusted and bent, the color of the door was like the bricks of the building. This was a scene from a horror movie where you can hear the faint taps of feet getting softer and quieter every second. The stairs lead down to a dark path of nothing. The closer I got, the colder it became.

Who opened the door? Why was their brick door that father never told me about? Was he hiding something from me? Was Shizuka's body here the entire time?

Questions and doubt rise at me. Wishing to scream at something, someone, to give me the answers I crave. But one thing for sure, Ichiru was staring at my surprised expression and enjoying every minute of it.

"Something wrong, Meimei?"

He asked me with that teasing voice that was foreign to my ears. Never have I heard something so sadistic yet light because of the nickname. It seems that there is more to Ichiru than I can remember. He isn't what I read as Anastasia, but there are signs at times that prove he is the same one. Without me answering him, he pulled me down the dark path with no light. The sounds of whispering were still evident but our feet were louder than the voices. I couldn't hear anything the voices were trying to say. Then, I saw a light further down with the cold increasing to negatives. I stopped walking for Ichiru to stop as well. I felt his hand gripping tighter trying to pull me but I refused.

It felt like if I turned this corner, I would see her again. I would allow every emotion that I bottled up for 4 years to resurface. People can call her a monster. I have heard the words murder, disgusting, and evil when speaking about her. Yet, all I felt was a disappointment from her actions.

"Mei, we have to retrieve her."

Ichiru's voice was close to me with his arms wrapped around me tightly. In this cold atmosphere, it felt nice being warm in his hold. I shivered slightly moving closer towards his body heat. He seemed to finally understand because his arms were gone replaced with his coat.

"Funny isn't it? You took care of me every time I visited, and now I'm the one taking care of you."

His voice was light-hearted and the way he rubbed my head and touched my cold shoulders was gentle. This is what I mean by the gentle Ichiru from my past. As I look up at him, I can see behind the mask revealing those gentle lavender eyes.

"...As you said... It seems like she has thrown off her body..."

A voice from the corner spoke up after a few seconds of silence between us. This voice sounds rough and familiar that we slowly turned to the side seeing the side profiles of Akatsuki and Aidou. They were staring at Shizuka's sleeping body in ice. When I looked at Shizuka's sleeping body, all forms of emotions rise but I quickly looked away before the tears fall from my cheeks. Instead, I return my focus on the two vampires.

"Kain-senpai? Aidou-senpai?"

I spoke up walking forward from my hidden spot. They stared at me surprised and equally confused at my presence of being here.

"What are you doing here, Cross-san?" Akatsuki asked confused.

Before I could answer, an arm wrapped around my shoulder pulling me back to his side.

"...It has nothing to do with you..."

Ichiru's voice was livid when speaking to the vampires. He moved me behind him so they were only staring at him. Ichiru grabbed onto his sword swing the blade at the ice, breaking it into pieces. The moment Shizuka was released from her prison, the heavy feeling of a pureblood was all around the room. This made the room intense and everyone, except Ichiru, was on high alert. Akatsuki and Aidou didn't move but watched Ichiru catch her and hold her protectively in his arms. It showed how much he cared about Shizuka.

He did not speak to the two vampires, instead, he walked back towards me and stopping in front of me. I looked up at him confused as he was staring at me.

"You walk in front of me. I'm sorry Mei, but I can't trust that you won't run off." He said.

I sigh at his doubt towards me but understand.

"Wait!" Aidou shouts. "Mei, did you know that Shizuka-sama was here all along? Where you are a part of this from the beginning?"

I slowly faced Aidou. Our eyes connected in that brief moment but I was able to tell the confusion and anger showing. His eyes were narrowed with his fangs and red eyes appearing. However, he was not moving from that spot or made any attempts of moving.

Ichiru moved closer to me with a small gesture of needing for me to walk.

"It's complicated Aidou. Just know that everything is going to be okay," I reassured him.

He didn't look convinced but he did calm down a bit with Akatsuki patting on his back. I nodded my head at them walking back up the steps feeling their eyes on me until they were gone from my sight. Ichiru stopped walking halfway for my own feet to stop glancing at him.

"Ichiru?" I question.

Ichiru looked at his left facing a wall. He returned to face me stepping back slightly.

"Do you wish to know how I brought Shizuka-sama's body here?" My eyes widen at his sudden question. "Come here, Mei. Feel the air around you."

I stepped back down till a gush of air passed me. I turn towards my left seeing the wall he saw but now my hair was moving slightly confirming my theory. There was another passage in this underground heading towards Maria. How was I not able to detect that gush of air from coming up and down the stairs? I walk to the wall putting my hand on it trying to find an opening. However, my right hand sunk into the wall starling me in backing up and opening the dark hallway heading up.

"Good job. Now, shall we go?"

I glanced back at Ichiru startled at his calm composure. I have never seen any of this, nor have Father told me about these hidden passages. Now, I'm questioning if there is any other hidden passage in Cross Academy.

Curiosity got the better of me staring back at the dark hallway. I moved forward heading to Maria Kurenai.

We made it inside the old dorms towards a room with Ichiru and Shizuka's body close behind me. A whimpering sound of someone familiar hitting hard on something caused my body chills. Ichiru's jacket was still on me so I knew it wasn't from the cold but her presence. Her voice entering only seconds later addressing both of myself and Ichiru. Yuuki's eyes were on me confused at my appearance, then focused on Ichiru holding Shizuka's unconscious body.

From my angle, I see Maria smiling at me with her eyes soften. She stood up walking towards us with her small black dress swaying from her movements. Yuuki's hair was completely down sitting on the couch with many questions in her head.

"Yuuki, are you okay?" I ask, softly.

Yuuki stared at me nodding her head but returned her focus behind me. Maria chuckles slightly standing next to me touching my short brown hair. She twirls it slightly with her finger then pulls it gently, ordering me to come closer. I did as she wanted only facing Yuuki. Maria's eyes narrowed at my resistance to looking directly at her then smirked focusing on Yuuki.

"You asked me how I can save, Zero. Well, I can tell you in my true body."

"True body?" Yuuki questions, frighten.

Maria let go of my hair heading towards her body. She holds Shizuka's hand leaning her face closer to her original form.

"That boy..."

Shizuka's eyes slightly open revealing those pink eyes. My knees were feeling weak stepping away from her stare. Her pureblood's presence becoming stronger than before.

In unison, Maria and Shizuka lean close to each other staring at Yuuki with a hint of playfulness in their eyes.

"..My blood only has to drink..."

My body was in shivers hearing her full voice after all these years. I didn't take notice of Maria collapsing on Yuuki or the feel of Ichiru's jacket gone from my shoulders.

"Blood?!" Yuuki questions, confused.

"Yes... His master, Shizuka Hiou's... blood." Shizuka confirms.

Her voice sounded like it was in front of me. Her voice felt so cold and heartless than the usual one of heard. The gentle and kind Shizuka, who helped save my life from those vampires. Who would play games with me when I was bored. The same person that kept me warm on those snowy nights. Shizuka Hiou wasn't a pureblood to me but someone who I truly cared for.

"Mei."

Her soft voice felt like a whisper bringing me to fall but her arms caught me securely. Her kimono was still very soft and her hair took my sight from everything. I didn't see Yuuki. I didn't see the room. All my senses were overwhelmed by her. Finally, I got the courage to look directly at her eyes. She was here in person looking the same all those years.

"Shizuka..." I hesitated, pulling on her kimono. She smiles at me confirming her presence. "Shizuka. Shizuka!"

My voice got louder gripping on her tightly letting the tears fall. Shizuka hold me tightly rubbing the top of my head. She chuckles slightly watching my weaken form to fall in her arms.

"Child, you have grown so much these past four years. I could not wait any longer of wanting to see you."

Her voice was gentle bringing more tears to fall. My grip on her kimono tightens leaning closer to her till I can feel her heartbeat.

"Shizuka, please. Please let Yuuki go. You don't need her blood. You, only, want Zero to hate you more." I looked at her angrily. My voice slightly weak but tried to make her understand this was serious. "I won't let you die Shizuka!" Her eyes widen slightly, loosening her hold on me. "I know that's the real reason why you came here. It was Zero's time for him to fully kill you. You wanted this. I'll make sure that Zero would not shoot you, but you need to make the choice. Do you think that Ichiru and I can live without you?!"

The room around us became quiet. I felt her arms loosen on me but stares at me with a look I've never seen before. She was staring at me but they were so hallowed. It was difficult to know if she was looking at me, or something passed me. Almost as if, I was someone else. She silently let me go after a couple of seconds.

I took notice that Ichiru was in the room but the passed out Maria was gone. She must be on the other side of the room. Ichiru was looking down at the ground holding onto his arm, while Shizuka walked at the couch next to Yuuki.

"The 'all-knowing child'," Shizuka said, sitting down on the couch. "That's what this school calls you. You seem to be one step ahead of everyone, and seem to understand everyone's pain and suffering. You allow their suffering to be a part of your own. You try to make others happy but refused to give your own." She reaches inside her kimono pulling out three bloody vials. My eyes widen watching her stare at them with a sorrowful look. "Even I know that we wouldn't be able to win against you."

I heard footsteps walk beside me with a soft pat on my shoulder. I turn to my right seeing Ichiru taking off his mask. Yuuki gasped seeing the similarities with Zero, except, he was smiling.

"Mei, I told you things are different than before. This is what I mean." Ichiru explains. His voice was gentle with that playful smile. "The darkness in my heart for Zero won't disappear for a long time and Shizuka's hatred for my parents killing her beloved won't be resolved either. However, there is one thing that we both agree on when wanting to live. And that one thing is you, Mei."

My eyes widen at Ichiru speechless. I couldn't speak when looking at him. My hands fell on my lips as fresh tears welled up and fell. After all these years, I felt like I messed up everything. That my plan of wanting them to live was gone. I succeed. I succeed in creating hope in their hearts.

Though, one thing didn't make sense. I glanced at Yuuki seeing her tears fall smiling at me.

"Shizuka," I spoke up weakly. "If this is true, and all you wanted to do was tell me this. Then, why is Yuuki here?"

Shizuka smiled opening her mouth to speak.

"Mei! Yuuki!"

We all faced the entrance seeing Zero breathing heavily. His uniform was in a mess and his hair was scattered. From his sight, it seemed frightening seeing Yuuki and me crying. Shizuka holding vials of blood that could be anyone's blood. Ichiru's hand on my shoulder making it seem like he was hurting me.

Zero's eyes narrowed glaring at Shizuka, who was only staring at him expressionlessly.

"Shizuka..." He cursed her name through his teeth.

He readies his weapon along with Ichiru preparing his sword. Ichiru's and Zero's weapon contacted creating a loud scraping sound and a bang. The two brothers glare at each other struggling to stop the other.

"Ichiru, Zero, stop this!" I shouted from behind Ichiru. "Ichiru put your sword away! Zero, let us explain before you jump to a conclusion."

They didn't look at me but did as I requested. The brothers were glaring at each other still putting a guard up having their weapons in front of them. I walked beside Ichiru focusing on Zero telling him what has been happening. The moment I told him about the vials of blood and them wanting to live. His eyes widen in disbelief staring at his younger brother. Every word was slowly registering in his head and his expression continues changing. At the end of my explanation, he returned his glare at Ichiru pointing his gun at him.

"Zero!" I shouted, surprised.

"Even if Mei is the reason for you wanting to live Ichiru. I cannot forget nor forgive you for allowing the deaths of our parents," Zero announces, then glances at Shizuka. "Nor will I allow this pureblood roam through the streets waiting for her fangs to pierce her next victim."

Ichiru chuckles smirking at Zero pointing his sword at him. "I knew it would be too easy for allowing us to leave freely. I don't mind killing you, dear brother."

"Ichiru!" I shouted, angrily.

The two brothers continue ignoring me and glaring at each other. They were both being headstrong and narrow-minded. Zero spent the four years wanting his revenge on Shizuka, and Ichiru spent those four years planning to ruin his brother. This type of thinking for so long is hard to break. However, they love each other deep down.

"Zero..." Yuuki whispered, shocked.

Zero glanced at Yuuki then back at his brother. With clenched teeth, he pointed his weapon down and away from Ichiru. Ichiru did the same thing narrowing his eyes further. Ichiru glanced at me walking towards me. My eyes widen when he pulled me close to his chest wrapping his arms around my waist.

"It appears you care more about that girl than Meimei. In that case," Ichiru smirked holding me tighter. "We won't mind taking her."

Zero returned his glare at Ichiru running towards us. He raised his leg trying to kick him but Ichiru quickly moved back. Zero holds me close in his arms. His glare was slowly getting heated every second. There were times that his eyes would have flashes of red.

"She won't be going anywhere with you!" Zero declared.

Ichiru chuckles loving the reaction he is receiving. Shizuka sighed watching the exchange between them. She plays with her long hair the whole time.

"Ichiru, that's enough. We are here to convince Zero of letting us go, not for him to have more reasons for killing me." Shizuka ordered.

Ichiru sighs in disappointment but nods his head in understanding. Shizuka stands up making Zero's hold on me tighter. I can tell that the alarms were going off in his head but he hesitates on doing what he wants to do. He wants to shoot her with his gun and watch her bleed. However, she is his master and she can command him to do anything. After all, she created the vampire inside of him.

"Zero, I do not wish to fight you. I do not wish to control you anymore. At that time, my anger got the better of me and caused me to do many acts I regret." Shizuka speaks calmly and slowly. "What I want the most is to see this child grow into an adult with a family of her own. So," She narrows her eyes at Zero, "I will not allow you to kill me. I will live freely as I've always wanted. But I must repay the evil deeds I have done first."

Shizuka walked closer to Zero giving him one of the vials. His eyes widen seeing the vial in front of his eyes. His eyes changed red then made a pain sound letting me go. He gripping on his throat falling to the floor in pain breathing heavily.

"Zero!"

Yuuki and I shouted kneeling to him. He whines in pain gripping his throat and chest in agony. He continues breathing heavily staring at the vial then looks away refusing to take it.

"Why?" I question, confused. "You have the opportunity to finally calm down from your thirst! Yet, you refused because of your stubbornness! Idiot Zero!"

"I won't take it from her!" He shouts staring at me. "I'll only take the vial from you, Mei."

My eyes widen from that. "For that petty reason... Zero that is extremely childish! Who cares if it's from me, Shizuka, or Yuuki! Take the vial before the vampire inside you takes over!"

Zero breaths heavily staring at me in anger. He continues to be difficult and refuses to take the damn vial. I narrowed my eyes at him sighing. I gently took the vial from Shizuka's hand but she stopped my hand giving me the rest of the two. My eyes widen staring at her. She smiled at me grabbing my hand with both hands.

"You make the choices of what you should do with these vials."

"Me?"

Shizuka nods her head, "Child, I want to live my life freely with you along my side. However, it is not time for you to come with me."

"Then... what your saying is?"

Shizuka nods again. "You will be staying at Cross Academy." A big smile was appearing on my face but she stopped my smile by putting a finger on my lips. "But Ichiru needs to attend this academy as your bodyguard."

Yuuki's, Zero's, and I froze from shock staring at the Pureblood like she grew two heads. Behind her was Ichiru smiling ear to ear waving his hand like he was expecting this reaction.

"What?!"

We screamed causing the building to shake slightly and make an echo from that. I stared at the serious look of Shizuka in disbelief waiting for the joke to come in.

...

...

...

...

..

.

Nope.

There was no joke. There was no way of talking her out of this idea. I didn't need a bodyguard or someone following me everywhere I go. If Ichiru was by my side all the time, then I wouldn't be able to get anything done. I love Ichiru but he would do exactly as Shizuka instructed despite my objection. Shizuka continues to stare at me with her eyes glowing red.

Those red eyes that enslave you to their whim. And it worked...

"Fine..." I whined.

Shizuka let go of my hand walking out of the room. "Good girl. I'll see you at the ball."

She disappears after letting the atmosphere lighten slightly. I breathed deeply finally getting away from her trapped presence and eyes. I returned my focus on Zero that was leaning against Yuuki breathing heavily. There was sweat coming off his forehead. I returned to his side but stopped when a flash of Kaname and Shizuka together made me froze.

"What I want most is to watch this child become an adult with a family of her own." "That one thing is you, Mei." "The 'all-knowing child." "Mei."

"Liar!" I screamed.

They stared at me shocked from sudden yelling. I threw the vial at Yuuki, who caught it easily.

"Hang onto that for me Yuuki. Ichiru, stay with Zero and Yuuki. I'm going to follow Shizuka," I explained running out of the room.

I ran as fast as I can towards Kaname's old room. Her bells were singing like crazy on my ears and the bells ahead of me were going off too. The hallway was getting dark and cold. The feeling of dread was coming full force at me. My eyes were getting blurry from tears distracting me from finding the room. I opened every room from this hallway finding nothing. I continue opening every door for nobody to be inside them. My legs were getting tired from the running but my mind was racing for me to continue. I finally ran to the other hallway feeling the presence of two Purebloods very close.

"Shizuka... Shizuka... Shizuka!"

"Shizuka!"

I slammed the door of that presence seeing Kaname embracing Shizuka from behind facing me with her eyes widening. Kaname glanced at me surprised.

"Kaname, no!"

And cut! Sorry guys but that will be the end of this chapter. The next chapter will probably be an extra chapter involving Ichiru's viewpoint. So, please enjoy that little special, and be very patient for that. Anyways, thank you guys for reading this chapter.

Also, my apologies for any grammar, spelling, or anything else that might irritate you with the way I write.

Until Next Time.