Hello everyone. Well, the waiting for this chapter is over. I finally got my free time.

Thank you Mizuna Kurenagi for reviewing.

(Sorry for not saying your full username. The doc manager will only save 22.) Thank you yvonee22 for review. I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far.

Thank you kittyrsocute for reviewing. I'm very happy for the sweet comment.

Sakihinata: Cruel cliffhangers are my specialty, so expect more of those. Also, thank you for the compliment for Ichiru's point of view. I was hoping it was okay.

Rogue Reader: Thank you. I'm glad you like the chapter.

Red Distress: Thank you so much for the compliment and the advice. I'm glad my writing got better because that has been my biggest struggle. That is something I've been wanting to work for years now, so I'm happy that is coming through in this story. So I truly appreciate reading that. For changing all the 'Kaname' to 'Kuran-sama', I did that because it seemed easier for me. However, you are right. I should change that because Mei referred to him as Kuran-sama before Kaname asked her to change it to Kaname-sama. I'll change that for this upcoming spring break. I think I will start changing that now so it can flow with the story.

Scalaiah: Thank you for enjoying this chapter.

And for everyone else, thank you so much for favoriting and following this story. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in the reviews or PM. However, if you are going to ask me any questions about future chapters then please understand when I say, 'I will not answer that.' Thank you. :)

I do not own Vampire Knight.

Chapter 16

I felt frozen in my spot. My heart was beating so hard that I'm positive they could hear it. The scene in front of me was scarier than reading it from the manga or watching from the anime. Their look of shock confirmed my theory that neither knew I was coming. I felt anger for Shizuka lying and fear that Kaname was going to kill her. My frozen body decided to finally move forward facing this scene. Despite every thought, nerve, heart telling me to leave and run. I can't do that.

"Kaname...sama... Please... please don't do this."

Kaname gripped on Shizuka watching my movements. Every step I make, his grip on her tightens causing pain to show on her face. I stopped moving watching Kaname with caution.

"Kaname, you don't do need to do this. She gave up."

"Do you honestly think that she can be trusted?"

Kaname's voice was so cold. It caused a shiver down my spine from how icy cold his tone is. I have never heard his voice like this or seen the look of hatred in his eyes. The red eyes of a pureblood shine brightly in this moonlight room.

"I'm learning to trust you, aren't I?"

His look of anger didn't sway but the vampire glow in his eyes slowly disappeared. He loosens his grip for Shizuka to escape his hold on her. She quickly rushed towards me embracing me tightly.

"Mei, let's go."

She pulls on my arm to leave but I didn't move from my spot.

"Mei?"

I moved her fingers from my arm and stepped back. She looked at me confused and scared.

"Everything is going to be okay. I need to calm Kaname-sama." I looked behind me to see his vampire claws out and his body shaking with anger. "I need to be here for him."

Without warning, I pushed her out of the room to slam the door shut and lock it. Shizuka bangs on the door calling out my name. I can hear the sounds of terror coming of her voice because the number one worst situation is to be in a room with a pissed off vampire. After a few seconds, Shizuka stopped her banging and screaming. I heard her footsteps getting fainter running somewhere.

It was only me and Kaname. I can still feel the aura of an angry pureblood. The aura was growing intensely every second and it was suffocating.

"She used you and Yuki."

He comments breaking the silence in the room. His icy tone is still evident in his voice.

"I know."

"She was going to take you away."

"No Kaname-sama. She wasn't."

"What?!"

I breathed heavily taking every ounce of courage I have to face Kaname. I faced Kaname for my eyes to widen at his vampire form. His eyes were glowing intensely red, his nails extended, and both of his hands turned into claws. The most noticeable was his sharp fangs. I couldn't help but stare at him in fascination as this was the first time I've seen him like this.

"Why are you staring at me? Why aren't you saying anything?"

He continues talking while walking towards me. His vampire nature never waving nor disappearing as I feel I'm not able to look away. Is it strange of me to think that he is more handsome in this form?

He stops in front of me staring me down.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything-"

"I'm not leaving." I cut him off. His eyes widen diminishing the glow of his red eyes. "Shizuka came here to assign Ichiru as my protector. She realized that I should stay here, despite Ichiru's complaints."

"If that's true. Then why did you let her get away!?"

"Because I have a bond with her like I have one with you!" The anger in his eyes softens to a more loving expression. "If the roles were reversed Kaname-sama, I would have done the same for you as I did for her. Kaname-sama," I slowly reached for his clawed hand staring at the veins coming out and sharp nails pointing at me. "I will not let anyone here die. I know what game you are playing and I'll make sure the game ends with everyone living happily."

"How are you so sure Mei? How can you let everyone have a happy future?"

I rubbed his hand with my thumb staying in a trance of his hand forming back.

"Well, obviously the game can only end with one to suffer."

His hand returned to normal shaking violently. He removed his hand from my hold to push my body against the door. He used his body to trap me between the door and himself. Our eyes connected with the same amount of determination and anger for each other.

"Don't do this Mei. Everything I've done. Every choice and decision I make is for you and Yuki. If you say that, then I'll have no choice but to make you my enemy."

"I am your enemy Kaname-sama! No matter what, I'm going to stop your plans! I won't let anyone be surrounded in darkness!"

Kaname's nails scratched the door narrowing his eyes.

"If that's the case, then don't expect me to treat you the same as before."

My eyes widen as his tone was much different than his eyes. His voice was shaking with pain but his eyes were filled with so much anger. My eyes soften realizing that Kaname was feeling more pain. He tried so hard in gaining my trust and wanting me to call him Kaname again. Now, he knows I'm trying to get in the way of his plans. I wrapped my arms around his neck with his around my waist immediately.

"I will get in the way of your plans Kaname-sama. I won't let you be the only one to suffer."

His arms gripped on me pulling me tighter to his chest.

"Foolish girl. Compared to me, your strength is nothing more than an infant. I'll find one way or another to let this game run the way I want it to."

I tighten my hold on him feeling tears fall on my cheek. We hold each other tightly for a few minutes staying in silence. After this, things were going to be completely different. We would look at each other as strangers acting like the first time we met. In a way, this feels like a goodbye as friends and hello as enemies.

"Mei-chan!"

"Meimei!"

"Mei!"

My eyes widen hearing Yuki's, Zero's, and Ichiru's voice down the hall. I released the hug with Kaname facing the door. Kaname didn't let me go but stared at the door.

"Mei!"

Zero's voice was shouting louder than any of them. I began to remember that Zero's vampire nature was coming in full effect and his screams were getting louder. My emergency bells were ringing violently in my head. I struggle out of Kaname's hold trying to get to Zero.

"You need to go back, Kuran-sama."

Kaname surprised me by kissing my cheek causing a tightening in my heart. He let me go after then escaped the room through the window.

"Zero!"

Yuki's high pitched screamed echoed the entire hallway. I unlocked the door to open it wide facing a tired, sweaty vampire Zero. His eyes weren't the usual red of a vampire but it was a more weak pink color. I steadied Zero by letting him lean close to me.

"Yuki, I thought I gave you the veil of Shizuka's blood for him to use."

"I tried! But he keeps refusing to drink it."

I narrowed my eyes in anger looking down at Zero's weak state. Zero is such a headstrong person. He won't listen to anyone unless you have to force him to do something or knock him upside the head a few times. At that moment, an idea came in my head. This will be the most ridiculous idea I've had but it might be the only way for Zero to conquer Level E.

"Yuki..."

"Y-yes?"

"Give me the vial of Shizuka's blood."

Ichiru's, Zero's and Yuki's eyes widen staring at me with shock. Zero try to move away from me but I stopped him by having us falling on the floor. He was on the ground struggling to get me off of him. While he struggles, the pink started to change more to a deeper red, his fangs extending, and his hands were turning into claws.

"Hurry Yuki!"

"R-right!"

Yuki handed me the open vial shakingly. I snatched the object from her hands quickly downing the blood in my mouth. Ichiru's and Yuuki's gasped and Zero continued thrashing around like crazy. He was screaming and making noises like a level E would make when hungry for blood.

I hold his wrist down on the ground connecting my lips with his. He continued moving around opening his mouth for the blood in my mouth to enter his. He got his wrist out of my hold for our position to be reversed. I can hear the sound of his gulping up Shizuka's blood. His tongue moved in my mouth trying to get every last drop of blood. The kiss was more like a bloody one than an intensely passionate one.

He removed his lips staring down at me with his glowing eyes stabilizing into a normal red color. Zero was still gasping for breath as before but moved down to lick my neck.

"Zero!"

"Zero!"

Yuki's and Ichiru's shouted with concern but nothing got across to him. I got my arms out of Zero's hold to hug him tightly.

"It's okay."

I whispered staring at the ceiling. Zero's hot breath fanned my neck and the feeling of his cold sharp teeth pierced the skin. The sound of his gulping mixed with his hand sensually wrapping his arms around my waist. My body was pulled up slightly from the ground. My head falling back to get more access for him to drink and stare at the shock Ichiru.

That's right. Ichiru has never seen Zero like this before. These two brothers that were once so close, know nothing about each other now. Zero flinched when I run my fingers through his hair. His drinking went into a slow pace glancing at me.

"Zero, that's enough your drinking too much."

Zero removed his fangs but licks the remaining dry blood. His light lavender eyes connect with my bright green ones. He touches my cheek then sets me on his lap holding me tightly.

"You saved me, Mei. Thank you."

As I stare at him, I could feel all the relief and stress form into tears. Zero's eyes widen in confused and his hold became gentler towards me. The tears continued to flow down my cheek.

"Mei?"

Zero questions staring at me concerned. I hugged Zero tightly burying my head on his shoulder with my wet tears soaking his jacket.

"I'm so glad. Zero, your finally okay now. I'm so relieved."

"Meimei..."

Ichiru spoke up grabbing our attention. He moved towards us wrapping his arms only around me. His expression turning soft with a smile slowly forming on his face. I slowly touched his cheek feeling the warmth and nostalgia of a child first meeting him. After four years, Ichiru is finally here and alive.

"Zero! Mei!"

Yuuki shouts joining the hug with tears flowing down. While Yuki cried in our hug, she was obviously to the negative feeling between these twins. How one stared at the other in amusement, and the other glare in a warning.

"Mei! Zero! Yuki! Ichiru!"

We faced the screams seeing Yagari and Father running towards us along with Shizuka behind them. My eyes widen being the first to get out of this little group hug and running towards Father.

"Father!"

"Mei!"

Father hugged me tightly patting my head. Yagari ran past us walking towards the twins and hitting their heads. He was disciplining them in a way their master has always done. Shizuka stayed behind them watching my weaken state with an expression of regret.

"Oh, my daughter. What is going on?"


The night turned into day and the ball ended along with my birthday. The ball had to end early than usual. Father and Yagari were upset but mainly towards me. I had to tell them everything that happened, except the part between Kaname and I. They were proud of my braver but disappointed with my lack of communication. They told me that I should thank and be lucky for Shizuka showing herself at the ball. Imagine my surprise when I'm told that the missing cherry blossom princess was in front of vampires and two vampire hunters. I wondered what the vampires thought when seeing one of their leaders.

I was grounded. Ichiru was enrolled in the Cross Academy as my bodyguard, requested by Shizuka Hiou, and he was going to be the fourth member of the Disciplinary Committee. Shizuka, however, disappeared after enrollment for Ichiru. She didn't say goodbye to either of us but had Zero come in the office altering us. She didn't leave any note of where she was going. Ichiru didn't know what was going on either. The cherry blossom princess that was found is missing again.

This is was going to be a great day.


I was stuck in my room with my dress, shoes, and the presents on the floor. All of us went into our rooms except for Yuki who decided to attend school and patrol the ground for tonight. I mainly stayed in my room the entire day. However, Ichiru knocked on my door every 5 minutes checking up on me. I know his intentions are for good reason but all I want to do is sleep. The next knock was more of a bang from a pissed off Zero.

"You can't be in bed all day! Come out right now!"

I glared at the door wishing for it to burn.

"It's not gonna burn from your glare Meimei."

I groaned in anger. Ichiru knows me way too well. Despite my body's protest, I got up regrettably and walked over to open the door. Zero was in his white t-shirt and black pants, and Ichiru was wearing the academy uniform correctly. The difference in their expression and way to dress shows. Ichiru stares at me with a smile while Zero glares at me. I can stand them when they're apart but being together is giving me a headache.

"Has anyone told you guys that your more trouble together than apart?"

Zero and Ichiru glanced at each other then returned to me responding with different expressions and tone of voice.

"Has anyone told you that your more trouble when you're alone than with someone?"

That was freaky.

"Okay new rule. If Ichiru is going to stay here then do not talk at the same time like that again!"

Again, their responses were different. One was nodding his head with a smile and the other clicked his tongue looking away. I stared at Zero's tattoo watching the color fading into a gray. My eyes narrowed for this tattoo was to help stop him from Level E coming out, but he drank the blood of his master.

"How are you feeling Zero?"

Zero didn't face me but rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm fine. Put on some normal clothes and let's go help Yuki with the patrol."

He was going to walk away but I stopped him by grabbing his arm. Zero faced me with a glare.

"Don't even think about it Zero. You're still going stir crazy from Shizuka's and my blood mixed in your system."

He was going to rebuttal but I tapped his forehead before he can say anything.

"I can tell when your not looking at me with guilt and trying to burying your feelings down."

He closed his mouth in frustration looking away. It is hard when he knows that someone is right before he can figure it out himself. I faced Ichiru seeing his bangs covering his eyes. I got him out of this hating and 'no one cares for him' state by tapping his forehead too. He returned his attention to me.

"And you need to stop thinking that Zero is the only one I'm focusing on. I got you back Ichiru. Do you think I'm going to have you run off with Shizuka again?"

He looked down in guilt.

"Look you two, I don't know how this is going to work but I know you two need to work together. You two are all that each other have. You were both brothers and friends once before, and I believe you guys can be that again."

The twins stared at each other then faced away in anger for the other.

"Just talk to each other okay? I'm gonna go back to my room and change into normal clothes. When I come in there, I hope you two are talking."

As that being said, I closed the door leaving them alone. Oh, they were talking but not with their indoor voices. I've never heard two people scream so loud in a hallway while someone was changing in the room. This wasn't going to be a headache. This was going to give me migraines.

As I put on my last black short boot, I heard the tapping on my window. The owner of the tapping was a familiar crow that hasn't shown himself for a while.

"Yamato?"

I walked over to my window sliding the panel up. Yamato rubbed his little head on my fingers. I smiled rubbing his head softly in return. There was this longing feeling that would come up when seeing Yamato. At first, I thought he was Shizuka's so that is why I felt like crying. Now, I'm even more confused about why I feel like this.

"Yamato, who do you belong to?"

Yamato didn't say anything but continued rubbing his head on my hand.

"Ahhhh!"

A scream further off in the forest had us all in high alert. While some birds ran away from the noise, Yamato soar through sky heading towards it. However, Yamato wasn't alone. That's right. I jumped out of the window following him at ground level. This might be a bad mistake because Yagari wanted me to train with him using Apollo. A part of my punishment was Father taking Sagittarius and for me to us Apollo only. I didn't care though. Yuki was in trouble. I haven't trained with Apollo in a few months so I do not remember a lot of the techniques the weapon has.

"Cawwwww!"

Yamato screeched flying down and attacking the man attacking Yuki. The man yelled in pain and annoyance. Yamato kept pecking at the man drawing out some blood from the man's hands. This gave me enough time to catch up.

"Yuki!"

"Mei!"

I ran in front to protect her. Yamato's beak was becoming red from the man's blood and the man's hand was covered in bruises and his blood. The fighting ended with the, now, revealing vampire grabbing Yamato and throwing him to a thorny bush.

"Yamato!"

The injured vampire was panting heavily. His attention returned to us with a glowing red glared. He was clenching his hands in pain.

"Are you... the other guardian?"

He asked me in a breathy tone. I put my sun ring on my left ring finger for a bright yellow light surrounded me. In front of me, the yellow light took the shape of a bigger golden bow and white string that is continuously glowing.

"T-That's..."

The vampire's face grew pale backing away in fear. I slowly grabbed the weapon feeling the electricity going through my entire being. My other hand pulled the string for a glowing white arrow appearing on the bow. The arrow was pointing a pale vampire slowly back away in horror. My dark green eyes stared into his glowing red eyes.

"And what if I am?"

He closed his eyes and clenched his teeth. His vampire-like hands were shaking but slowly was going back to human ones. His eyes remained closed but opened his mouth.

"I... I am here for the kidnapping of Shizuka Hiou by Zero Kiryuu."

My eyes widen staring at this frighten vampire.

"Kidnapped?"

Welp, I gotta stop it here, unfortunately. I know. I know. Another cruel cliffhanger? So mean. I'm sorry but I went through two chapters of the original manga. I hope you enjoyed. Also, I hope everyone is safe and doing well.

Until Next Time