o o o


Before, Zero playfully sampled blood. He was curious why vampires were driven by bloodlust without a second thought out of selfish righteousness. What was righteous about drinking blood? Fanatical opinion did not count. An animal's survival instinct allowed it to hunt and reproduce, a survival requisite. Humans also took blood infusions, then why didn't vampires? Why butcher slaves and dilute their life force in wine for an afternoon blasé nibble? Why were vampires' right to live higher than humans? Why was blood hypnotizing? The questions trenched on unscrupulous maneuvering that magnified his interest as he trained and arrested vampire criminals and runaway slaves. The need was imperative compared to the lives supplying blood. He'd seen the work of Level Es. He found desiring blood a habit of delusion that had resentful consequences. One of the favorite people in his life, Yuki, demonstrated the consequence of blood lust. Her hunger was forlorn, unappeasable by any means unless the blood it craved was devoured. She could be a perfect puppet of hunger without a conscience, but she bore the intolerable burden quietly and for eternity.

She was moving soundlessly around him. Her footwork meek, her shoulders tensed, expression somber. He didn't need to question her behavior. She didn't sleep after the king's visit and searched for Cyrus instead. She found him at the bottom of the mountain, a few minutes walking distance from the tribe. Dawn was upon them within a matter of hours and she finished packing water and blood for the trip to Kurashiki. Zero was quiet, as usual, words were never suitable or enough to convey his thoughts and feelings. He looked pale in the early morning. His lavender eyes misty and dark.

"You don't need to blame yourself." Zero murmured, drawing a hood over his silver hair.

"Who said I was?" She mouthed without turning to regard him and yanked the knot sulkily across the blanket.

"It's already done." He whispered, "Not even worth worrying about."

Her hands fell off the horse. She licked her trembling lips, blinking multiple times as she studied the stallion. Her chest heaved and the corners of her lips crinkled in a feasible thin line. She tipped her head up to glare tearfully at the brightening sky. "If you had to save someone or let them die, what would you do?"

Zero's eyes narrowed on her shaking shoulders. "I'd let them go and prevent them from future misery."

Tears dribbled down her cheeks as she faced him. She had been crying all morning.

"I'd rather die a hunter, than a villainous creature full of bloodlust."

"I can understand if you hate me one day." Yuki glared at the ground.

Zero scoffed at the strange thought. "How can I ever hate you?"

"It's weird, I can't remember a time we weren't together. Life has been comfortable and fun. You help me, vouch for me, give into my antics, but I realized something odd. You never tell me you're hurt, sad, or in pain. Why haven't you shown me your weakness, Zero?"

Zero furrowed his brows.

"Or could it be you never trusted me?"

He considered her for a long time, admittedly sighing to himself. "I trust you."

"Everyone in the world faces hardships, accomplishments and loss. Everyone faces reunion and departure. And everyone wants to belong. But everyone experiences making choices and giving up." Yuki met him in the eye. "You will always be a hunter who helps maintain our social echelon. Your heart is vested and clear. Now you will have hunger. You can choose to let it consume you or choose to manage it, the choice falls on your shoulders, your actions."

Zero closed his eyes. "I know." He whispered.

"When you can't manage it, come to me. When you want to scream at how hard it is to control hunger, I will listen. When you are sick of drinking blood, I will be sick of it with you. Each of us have a different relationship with blood, but we're all the same in hunger. Blood heals and strengthens us. It should not be taboo. We live in a time murdering with bloodlust can be avoided. Even the most composed vampire feels anxious when he drinks, the inherent fear we might accidentally kill someone with our fangs is in all of us. We're not humans, but we dare to live in their world without harming them. It's okay to feel these things."

Zero suddenly smirked at the ground. "Are you taking care of me now?"

"I don't want to see you die." Yuki replied firmly. "I want you to live well, happily, for as long as you can."

He blinked, "Fine."

She turned back to the horse. Zero noted her listless motions in arranging the mount. He pulled her back around by the shoulders, forcing her heels against the dirt and tucked her against his chest. She was no crier, but she spent gallons on his behalf through the night and morning.

"I promise," Zero whispered on her shoulder.

Her eyes softened. Tightly she grasped around his shoulders.

o o o

Kaien eyed the sculptures crisscrossing into a warp of melted amber across the ceiling. The war between vampires, the war between purebloods, the war of half-purebloods and so on, it seemed death, disaster, power-play ingrained every surface of the great room. The marble columns were layered in spokes from northern mountaineers, opposite to it displayed the war with the southern foreigners. Under his boot was the eagle regalia of the House Shoto, signifying the imperceptible terror and war haunting man and vampire that even the supreme hunter, Kaien Kurosu, felt it creep into his heart. He was grateful to tolerate the unforgiving scrutiny of the lord without a defying flinch. The Shoto fortress was an inconspicuous tear in the Ming all the while withholding power in the imperial court in Japan. It was a feat of a lifetime to enter the exclusive boundary, untraceable by man and pureblood. Kaien had been blindfolded and carried for several miles into elusive textures until the smell of candles and crisp wind turned prominent. His blindfolds were removed in a timely spectacle where he beheld the distinguished and untouchable lord who disappeared with no trace and moved like shadows.

"You come too far for your own good." His silver eyes flashed down the stairs from the dais.

Kaien pushed his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "Can't an old friend come for a visit?"

"Hmph." Lord Shoto stood up from the dais and descended the stairs. He regarded the hunter a little frostily. "Kurashiki is a twenty-day journey. Is our friendship true for you to miss me and show up on such short notice?"

"The assumption is yours, but I'm forced guilty." Kaien muttered, "Eight hundred hunters guard the desert and mountains. Another eight hundred stand between the doors of the fortress. No one can see you. You don't let anyone enter, but you permitted me. If you were not interested in my visit, why did you let me in?"

Lord Shoto's eyes hardened into mercurial glacier. "I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt."

"How merciful of you," Kaien lowered his head in acknowledgment.

"But this mission is an empty caricature and bears no fruit."

"I just want to know why you sent Zero there?"

"Simple enough." Nobly Lord Shoto folded his arms behind his back. "My spies tell me the Kiryuu will join the imperial palace and guard the crowned prince. Such absurd kitsch."

"Kiryuus have always protected Kura-"

"Kiryuus were enslaved to protect Kurans. And to acquire absolute guarantee of the process, it was accomplished through blood bond." Lord Shoto rectified loudly over him. "Moreover, who benefits from endorsing the imperial household?"

"Zero is like my son." Kaien murmured. "He chose to follow his ancestor's footsteps."

"Better he dies a dignified hunter in Eternal Abyss than on his knees for a Kuran."

Kaien studied the radiantly preeminent pureblood lord.

A shadow flickered. Stones shifted to reveal a box in the ceiling. An eagle swooped through the opening and dove below. Its large silvery wings whisked like fire and light in front of Kaien and shivered into voluminous smoke, shedding into the solid stature of a six-foot-tall man. His angular and soft features resembled the lord of the fortress, silver eyes, and braided hair. Instantly, he locked two steps forward, the sound of metal and chain clinked across the marble, but despite the heavy armor, he gracefully knelt into a bow behind his master.

"My lord."

Lord Shoto sighed in disinterest. "What did you find?"

The silver-haired pureblood kept his head low. "The Kiryuu survives. Another hunter interrupted the transformation. The timing was peculiar, but the woman found a pureblood to convert him."

Lord Shoto turned his head with the slightest curiosity to the left. "Pureblood?"

Rui tipped his head up. "Shigeu Kuran."

Lord Shoto straightened, his ethereal and luminescent face calm as he glared into the shadows ahead of him.

Kaien incredulously swung toward the bowed man. "Zero tr-transformed?"

"Your adopted son has a sad fate." Lord Shoto purred silkily, "Fascinating how things turn out. What's more fascinating is why the king was in Eternal Abyss?"

"I believe it was the woman who bears a connection to the crown." Rui replied.

Lord Shoto sought Kaien out of the corner of his eye. "You raise a unique pair of children. Not as unique as the 'Hidden Dagger.' "

Kaien mouthed the name.

"Of course, it's unfamiliar to you. You concealed her from the Hunters Association—from me. A decent parental act, I suppose. I'll let it go but not without reminding you how aristocrats are known to be power-hungry rebels."

"Yuki is not like that so don't endanger her," Kaien warned.

"Endanger?" Lord Shoto smirked furtively, "How have I endangered her if I am the reason she lives? How else can the prodigious Grand Council overlook records of her half-pureblood origins? My spy approached Takuma Ichijo hinting the slave trade of palace people and led him straight to the Toma camp. Tortured and broken for a year but she didn't commit suicide. Kaien, you clearly know why I see great potential in you, but I pitied you. I know your heart is full of love for the children. Now... she lives blissfully under the favor of the crowned prince. So close to the imperial light of heaven—a shard between father and son. The king abhors aristocrats, but the son protects her. Heh, how interesting."

"Leave Zero and Yuki alone." Kaien insisted.

Lord Shoto turned around soundlessly and approached the hunter. "Your children are good and innocent. Haven't you learned your lesson yet? Passion invites misery and naivety reduces to stupidity. It's already out of her hands. You know better than I do. Giving passion to the wrong people, why do the ones who love Kuran always get sacrificed?"

"Yuki has more honor than you credit her for."

"Blood bond imprisons a person's will. A human will betray his own kin to continue drinking from a pureblood and choose slavery over sovereignty. Why do you suppose this nation nurtures pureblood imperialism? The noble vampire gets forced into service of a pureblood, no matter how hard he tries to defy it. And you know quite well the heinous hunger of aristocrat vampires, how they sway purebloods for personal justification. You know it too well. Hear this, you also know how possessive purebloods are after they bind someone they desire. Juuri Kuran poisoned her heart to prevent the eventuality from affecting her lover."

"Poison?" Kaien scowled in disbelief. "Juuri would never."

Lord Shoto shook his head, "How can you know about the poison the woman you love has been drinking for over two decades? A poison to keep her heart from moving. She only intended to save him heartache." His eyes turned bitter and his smile diminished unsympathetically, "But the crowned prince doesn't succumb to shortcuts like his relative. Honor, you say? How long can the little huntress uphold honor while living in pain?"

Kaien clenched his fists. "You said it yourself, 'she didn't commit suicide.' "

Lord Shoto smiled that furtive smile again. "She defies challenges." The light in his eyes darkened as his smile receded, his brows furrowed. "I'm beginning to think she is the one I've been looking for."

Kaien's eyes widened.

"My lord," The bowing pureblood alerted.

"Yes, Rui," Lord Shoto drawled absently.

"We've noticed an anomaly in the past several days catering to the woman. During their return to Kurashiki, there was a shadow spy."

"Toma?"

Rui shook his head diligently. "A wolf."

Kaien searched the pureblood lord. "We don't know whose vampiric essence is a wolf."

Lord Shoto smirked triumphantly at the fretful man. "How about a bet, Kaien?"

Kaien internally recoiled.

"Stop worrying. All you must do is let the crowned prince and the little huntress show you what I mean. If you win, I won't do anything to your Kiryuu boy. He can remain the prince's guard dog as long as he pleases."

Kaien gauged the pureblood with narrowed eyes. "Why should I entertain you? I won't risk their lives for any reason." He assessed the other pureblood glaring from his kneel.

"That should only be concerning if you lose. I'll make it easy for you, promise." Lord Shoto's voice chimed softly.

"Go on."

"Your faith in the little huntress is adorable. If you lose, you stay in the fortress and realign with the Seven Distinguishables."

Kaien retreated a step. Lord Shoto smirked at the reaction.

o o o

Rima debated moving closer, but hastiness did not provide reward, so she sat silently in the chair, listening to the whine of Water of Life swirl the glass in his grip. The liquid had warmed from the temperature of his hand and he had yet to take a sample. Every so often, the glass turned an invisible circle and the ruby liquid whirled abruptly to the center. He was far away, somewhere only he knew. His eyes black in the firelight, complementing the luscious tresses falling around wide shoulders, bangs crowding his brows and eyelids, shadowing his gaze. She waited in half puzzlement and earnestness and finally took a stand. He did not indicate hearing her move across the room or stop in front of him.

"Kaname-sama." Rima searched his furrowing, rigid countenance that shelled the man within. Gently she placed a hand on the glass he turned.

He did not blink but looked up. His eyes, an endless black haze of seasoned white dots, like the night.

"Do you want to share what's burdening you?" She asked.

His gaze skimmed the drink immediately. "I won't bore you with such things." He decided to set the drink on the adjacent table.

"You won't."

"It's not necessary."

"You can ask anything of me." Rima touched his pale hand, tangling her fingers through his. "The Toya household serve you, so do I." Upon the flesh of her chest, she pressed his larger hand on her heart.

"You don't have to force yourself." Kaname smirked. "You can stay here and forget returning to the geisha house for good."

Rima contemplated him and smiled. "If you want me to stay with you, I will."

"You are better suited to lead the future generation of the Toya household. I cannot take you away from your responsibilities here."

"Serving you is one of my responsibilities." She insisted.

"There is no doubt you are a desirable woman," Kaname unlaced his fingers and caressed her warm cheek, "But I'm tasked to do what is fair and right."

"You won't be unfair or wrong," Rima undid the ties of her dress and unhooked the buttons, revealing the divine heat of breasts and soft abdomen. "Kaname-sama, let me serve you and shoulder your burden." She stood on her toes and cupped his cheeks. Her lips brushed smoothly and delicately across his.

o o o

"The only daughter of Lord Tsunamasa who worked for the Hunters Association. Strangely, I noticed her records were redacted. I investigated this but no one knows why it was changed as of yet, which leaves me to doubt its validity." Asato Ichijo announced from the end of the table. "Takuma frequents Kurashiki, there have not been any mysterious activities to report."

Shigeu sank in his chair, analyzing the words that come to him one after another. His black brows angled, coarse against the softness of his forehead and flickering maroon eyes. "You remember old Lord Tsunamasa at the Battle of Koan?"

His scowl waned from memory. "The bubbly warm-hearted Lord Tsunamasa led the army in Kyushu. He was very well-liked."

"The Tsunamasa bloodline produces honest and kind-hearted men." Shigeu murmured, "But we can't deduce if she is a seed of bad luck yet."

"Why do you say that?" The Taisho inquired.

Shigeu set his chin on a fist. "As the blood of noblemen, she is an advanced swordswoman who managed to save her neck from the Grand Council as well as the Toma camp. Does Kaname share a blood bond with her?"

Asato Ichijo looked away quickly, "We are unaware of such details. He strictly claims to protect her."

Shigeu quietly curled a fist on the table. "The pure blood I smell on her is not enough for my tiercel to disobey and surveil her. If she is drinking from him, she has an absolute excuse to seek Kaname and he'll be unable to deny her. Taisho, you're being too gentle-hearted. Takuma swears his soul to Kaname. I'm afraid your grandson knows more than he reports."

The general bent his head apologetically. "I will confront him after he returns."

"No need." Shigeu folded his arms. "I will deal with her when the time arrives."

"As you wish."

"But…" Delicately Shigeu leaned forward after a thought, "We cannot rule out a Blood Summon if they share a blood bond."

Asato paled as his eyes widened. "The Ichijo household did not discover evidence of this during her stay."

"If Kaname gave her the Blood Summon, he will leave me no choice but to eliminate her."

"The crowned prince is diligent and understanding. I'm afraid he will not sit aside and ignore harm done to her." Asato replied.

"Your grandson was cheeky enough to tell me his loyalty belongs to one pureblood only. He also mentioned trusting Kaname is my best bet in preserving peace in the palace. You know I want to give Kaname the world. What good are my words if he gets sidetracked and lets the Kuran bloodline diminish? Don't you think Lord Toma's spies have already plotted to use the girl? She is a weakness."

"My lord," Asato hesitatingly called, his vision blurred from fear and confusion, "Is there no reason to keep her alive?"

"A king mustn't have weaknesses, Taisho." Shigeu worded without batting an eye. "You witnessed it firsthand. I rebelled until I was left with no choice but to destroy a weakness. Sometimes another person destroying it is a blessing in disguise. If I lose something dear to me, it will have no effect on me compared to how I operated before. The irony here, Taisho, is no matter how many times a king destroys his weakness, he continues to be threatened by other's lust for power. Kaname's kingship must be free of these hindrances. Lord Toma's greed is a costly spectacle for humans and vampires."

"They are suspiciously silent."

"No enemy is silent. Find out anything on them." Shigeu glared at the Taisho, "You must report to me immediately upon learning Kaname has given her a Blood Summon. Do not disappoint me."

Agitation kneaded him to the bone, Asato schooled his expression and bowed his head submissively.

o o o

The Tsunamasa house was in festive spirits. An abundance of guests imbued the foyer and halls. Songs were being sung and dancers weaved the courtyard. The larger part of Kurashiki caroled and jived. The Hunters Association was also amidst the revelry. Zero and Yuki arrived home peacefully a week prior. With enough recovery time, he graced the crowd with a proper mood and presence. It was a farewell get-together for the hunter headed to the pureblood palace after his close call at Eternal Abyss. It had become no secret or mystery how he managed to return home, and a myriad of hunters, the Department Head, Senri Shiki, raised their cups to Yuki in salute and gratitude. Not long after a flurry of drinking, laughing and singing of days gone past, she plaited through lanes of roses in search of a quieter sanctuary in the dark. Out of sight from the world, she covered her eyes and knelt on the ground, calming her breath as another ripple of pain chiseled up her sternum.

She huffed and stayed kneeling, letting her vision condense between light and shadow. Hours poured around the ever-blackening sky. Yuki crossed her legs on the ground and closed her eyes. Rustling whispered from behind followed by the orchestra of snapping twigs, wind, and the sweet smell of roses.

"I've returned home and you're out here sulking." A voice scoffed at her in the dark. The shadow slinked closer and stopped on her right.

Yuki did not open her eyes and sighed. "Why aren't you at your party?"

"The Hunters Association lack courtesy for forcing the former mayor into throwing a stupid party." Zero grumbled, eyes narrowing, "Good for you, Yuki, you got everyone saluting you for bringing me home."

"Who told you to go there at all?" She retorted.

Zero's brows curved thoughtfully. "The order came directly from the Association."

"Had Kaien oji-san known, he wouldn't have let you go." Yuki refuted.

"He's too preoccupied visiting purebloods. He'd obey his instructions were he in my shoes." Zero countered.

Yuki considered him. "Weren't you afraid?"

He blanked, "Assignments are non-negotiables. Who has time to be afraid?"

"When they supplied you blood, could you handle becoming part of their tribe?"

Zero slipped his hands in his pockets and kept his gaze straight. "How different is that from a vampire? The tribe do not scour the world hurting humans. They take what they get and do not involve in worldly affairs. Aren't they innocent than scheming purebloods who use us to solve their problems?"

Yuki turned away and folded her hands in her lap. Her voice hollow and her eyes teemed with saddened doubt. "In your heart purebloods are the worst."

"They are an affliction to humankind." Zero clarified, "But I don't hate them as much as Haruka-sama."

Yuki forced a short-lived laugh. "He pretends to hate...her. I didn't understand their complicated relationship properly but if they go on pretending—if they make it through one more day—if they can act like everything is perfect without the other… All these 'ifs' can never close the gap in father's heart. Juuri-sama let us down so she could maintain the royal family's honor. To her the price of not having us is safer than us dying. She's a determined person."

"You forgive her?" Zero asked.

"You forgive me?"

Zero smiled curtly. His eyes shimmered warmly, but the heat did not last, and a sterile hardness returned instantly. "What's there to forgive? You want me to live."

"True," Yuki echoed softly, "I don't want to see you hurt or die." She frowned, "But isn't working for the Kuran against your moral code?"

"The only code I have is preventing you from using your low-grade mirror tactics on ronin at bars." Zero grumbled.

Yuki scrunched her lips in disapproval. "You make it sound like I have no self-control around ronin."

"Have you seen yourself? You love lost wild men like you love blood."

"The one time I lost a drinking contest and agreed to a date."

"You let him win." Zero scowled pointedly.

"He was cute!" Yuki defended, "And good at swordplay."

"Ugh."

"I do require some 'fun' than hunting."

"What fun when he was out to steal Cyrus?" Zero growled.

She sealed her lips and closed her eyes in surrender.

There was a pause. "Where is it?" Zero asked abruptly.

Yuki threw a glare over her shoulder. "What?"

"My goodbye present."

"I saved your life."

"You're the one who wanted me gone." His brows shot up accusingly.

"To live your life, not die. Way to be less dramatic, Zero." Her eyes widened.

He scoffed under his breath. "I'm going." Zero turned on his heel.

Yuki listened to the steady rhythm of receding footsteps. After a thought, she shot up and pursued him. "Wait for me." Despite the boulder of wide shoulders, she wound her arms around his neck and jumped on his back. He staggered for a second and reoriented their weight before straightening his stature.

"Can't you give me a warning before doing that?" Zero grunted, looping his arms under short dangling legs.

"Where's the fun in that?" Yuki pouted against his shoulder, peering at his footing on the roses.

The evening breeze swept against them. Zero stared at the moon above. "Why were you out here alone?"

"No reason." She whispered. "Do you think you'll find what you're looking for working under purebloods?"

"We'll see." Zero murmured. "My ancestors supported the Kuran for some reason. If Ichiru and I were not adopted by Kaien, we might have been part of the imperial house."

"Then you'd never be my pretend-husband on missions."

"It would have been worth it."

Yuki raised a brow. "So, you're happy to be leaving?"

"You're happier seeing me go."

She sighed on his shoulder softly, closing her eyes. Moon showered the rosy field in astral white and the wind moseyed the sweetness of dampening night.

Zero glanced at her profile. "Will you stay in Kurashiki?"

Yuki slit her eyes open by a sliver. "Someone paid the price of freedom so I could live carefreely here. I have to do my part."

"Which is?"

"Being the best student."

"You've given up fighting Haruka-sama on marriage arrangements?"

"No..." Yuki heaved in confusion, head shaking, grip tightening around his shoulders, "I'll figure something out."

o o o

Kaname placed her back on her feet and fetched the nearest cloth to enshroud her. Rima looked up in a startle at the crowned prince. Her lips tingled from the brush of fangs and the fervid intoxication of blood wine escaping the narrow partition of lips. He smiled down at her softly and sweetly, that pity pattered her bloodstreams the longer she held his stare.

He brushed her left cheek, his smile positively unassuming and patient. "No need to force yourself into these habits. You're a treasure of the Toya household, your life will be different from now on."

"But I want—"

"I won't let you settle for less than you deserve."

Rima's brows furrowed curiously. "Do you believe you're not worthy of me?"

Kaname pulled the hand from her cheek and dropped it tiredly against his side. His gaze, a pool of paltry half-wishes and longing as he averted, bangs curling against his cheekbones. "Your reputation is indisputable. Any relation I'm to participate in must be ordered by the king."

"You can have any woman."

His smile receded and his eyes blackened. "So it would seem."

Rima tugged the drape over her chest. "Then, you don't want me?"

Kaname smiled, "Actually, can there be a man who doesn't want you? I can find a person that will satisfy your heart. Will that ease your mind?"

She blushed, "You think so little of me, Kaname-sama. A man who cannot speak plainly and openly is not sincere. I should apologize for my behavior tonight. I believed you needed comfort, your energy is heavy and," Rima frowned, "You're obviously depressed about something."

"Forget it. It will pass." Kaname replied. "But you are perceptive. Just now, you said something that vexed me in the recent past. My intake on sincerity varies drastically than your assertion. I'm not a loquacious person. If someone persistently queries on my presence and I offered a presentable reason, how do I soothe this person's innate suspicion of me?"

Rima's brows flattened and her gaze slid to the floor. "Kaname-sama, you have a beautiful, mellow presence that can stir a woman's heart. Perhaps the woman in question purposely tries to cause discomfort so she can keep her heart from stirring."

Kaname considered the response, his jaw clenching and fist unclenching.

"Purebloods reek of blood lust. You're an exception, Kaname-sama." Rima glanced at the prince tentatively.

"If this person has fine reason to resent purebloods," Kaname murmured unsatisfactorily.

"Plainly and openly, show her your heart."

Kaname contemplated Rima. A knock on the door beckoned them apart. She snatched her clothes and disappeared toward the private rooms, leaving Kaname to check on the interrupter. An old servant bowed and babbled about a guest. Kaname instructed the newcomer be sent to his quarters. He was partial to meet the sandy-haired vampire that swiftly and greatly took a bow and sat kneeling in front of Kaname's chair.

"Everything is as predicted. They have been shifting southward for several months. The silk road has seen an increase of ivory and salt. Two vessels were appointed and headed to sea a day before yesterday. They are aware the king stripped their arsenal in the mountains and require as much resources and financial support as possible. The lands they occupy were used by mountaineers who have become scarce, either arrested by slave hunters or found haven. These actions circulate one location: Kurashiki."

"Kurashiki is not invisible, but it is divisible. Why does the peaceful town attract dissenters? No one there cares about politics and purebloods."

The shokan looked at Kaname directly with his one eye. "Clearly something worth extorting is there."

A gentle yet generous shift of the jawline indicated Kaname clenched it, calmly he stood from the chair.

He bowed his head entirely. "Kagoshima waits on your command. Half of my men have turned south."

"Make the haughty pureblood proud to be your leader and savior." Kaname ordered. "He loves showing off his extremisms and desires to be worshipped."

"Yes."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Kaname stared down his nose at the agent.

He sighed under his breath. "My men couldn't penetrate Eternal Abyss on time, the Ichijo men were dead before their arrival. The Healer Tribe spoke of a woman who brought back a man mid-transformation. They returned home the next day."

"Mid-transformation?"

"The Healer Tribe claims to have seen the king entering the man's hut and perform a transfusion. Present circumstances aside, but do you need another vampire shinsengumi?"

"You always talk before you think, Jinmu." Kaname hummed. "I wonder if this line of work has become too boring for you."

"Not at all. I'm blessed to support you in your endeavors."

"I never coerced blood on you. You surprised me by putting blood second to loyalty." Kaname smirked.

"Thank you."

"The king requested the Kiryuu on my side. I have to honor that."

"Understood."

"I'll leave the Kiryuu's orientation to someone at the palace." A moment later, Kaname added, "I'll be in shadow and unreachable for a while."

"The king won't-" Jinmu paused and acquiesced a nod. "Where will you go?"

"You don't need to know. I'll leave after the pureblood wedding at the king's palace." Kaname turned to him pointedly, "Lord Toma doesn't strike me as a lenient person, do not get caught."

"I won't." Jinmu promised and grinned to a stand. His eye patch glistened in the firelight from the movement.

o o o

Yuki didn't burst into tears. Her footsteps were calm, soft, a rhythmic contemplation of turns. She halted rather abruptly, surprising even herself to find the store right before her. She gave no wishy-washy notions a chance and entered through the doors. Ichiru sat at the counter, his evermore inspecting eye floated over her sallow and stony countenance as she strode past him without greeting. She made a narrow turn up the stairs, toward the quarters charged with three locks and a keyhole. But the door was ajar, waiting expectedly. A waning creak sent a shiver of disquietude down her back. She lowered her hands and nibbled her bottom lip.

The door swung wide by an indivisible but determined nudge of the knee by the room owner. The silver-haired hunter shot her a highbrow glance over his shoulder and shoved another item in the bag. Her footsteps closed the distance, but a chilling wind scurried between them rigorously. He closed the bag before turning. Yuki was scowling at her feet. She was carrying a bottle of red dew. The label was too brown to be new, and the lid was a bronze tone, an eye-catching array of Haruka's collection. If he were to deduce Yuki had stolen the finest blood wine from her father's cellar.

"Is that for me?" Zero held out a hand.

She blinked at the bottle and shoved it toward him. "I thought you might get hungry on the way."

Zero uncorked the bottle without looking away and chugged down the contents vigorously.

"Zeroh!" Yuki gawked.

He'd finished half of the bottle, grunting, "Tastes bitter."

Yuki hadn't stopped scowling and snatched the bottle from the lunatic. "Save some for the road."

Zero rubbed his damp chin against his shoulder. "I have your blood tablets."

"Any vampire knows blood tablets are for tricking the taste buds. Hunger cannot be satiated from them. Father's blood wine will restrain your blood lust for a decent time."

"Why don't you drink it?"

"Who knows more about hunger here, you or me?" Yuki snapped.

Zero placatingly retreated two steps and added the bottle to his luggage.

"As I was saying," Yuki squared her shoulders particularly and folded her arms, "Certain blood wine are brewed from vampire blood, occasionally pure blood. When it comes to taming hunger, pure blood is best. Too bad for us, it's banned."

Zero found himself sinking into a chair thoughtfully, "Did you give me illegal wine?"

"Stop interrupting. These cost a fortune. Vampires kill for this kind of wine. You should be happy."

"You do realize I am going to the very purebloods who banned them in the first place?"

"How will they know?"

"I'm literally rendering myself at their disposal. They can do whatever they want to me." Zero replied.

Yuki sighed exasperatingly and tsked. "You act like you haven't hid a thing in your life."

"I had no reason to hide." He shrugged.

"I'm confident you'll figure it out. It's worth every drop. Do you know how many years our ancestors kept this bottle in the cellar? Over a thousand years. I've read the bitter the taste, the better the effect. Goodbye, blood lust. Hello, normalcy. You're welcome."

Between stings of silver hair, his eyes narrowed. "…Right."

"Don't get too elated, Zero. You'll hurt yourself." She drawled.

"I won't." Zero replied without blinking, "What're you doing about your hunger pains?"

"What pains?" She grimaced at the turn of conversation.

"The one that's got you fidgety and brown-nosy." He stated.

Her eyes and mouth widened innocently from surprise at the remark. He could see her fishing for a counterattack. She collected herself smoothly, albeit, gingerly. "I hold myself accountable for catalyzing your transformation into a vampire. This is a well-adjusted interest in helping you manage hunger. Didn't I say I'm here for you?"

His expression morphed to stone and his eyes grayed. "It's all done and gone. I can manage it."

"Yea, right." She shot back, "I don't think you're taking this seriously. The palace can depose your status because of it. Imagine who can use it against you."

"I'll deal with it when the time comes."

"How to deal with it when you don't know what to do about it?" She grumbled under her breath.

Zero moved toward her and set his hands on her small shoulders. "I will be fine."

Yuki looked away. "I don't care."

"I'll keep the wine hidden." Zero conciliated, "And I'll tell you when I need help. Better?" Yuki's immediate frown sent him on a reattempt. "I'll visit often. You'll be the first person I see."

She grew exasperated and shoved his hands away. "You shouldn't make promises you don't intend to keep."

"You wanted me to try on my own." Zero asserted.

Yuki smiled sadly, "Because I make you do things you hate."

"None of it matters now." Zero smirked.

Satin remorse flooded her brown-red eyes. Yuki took a deep breath and retreated a step. "I release you."

Only his brows quivered from the statement.

"We've spent our lives together. Each of us has separate paths. I wish you nothing but happiness, Zero. Fulfill your life's desire, wherever it is."

"This isn't goodbye," Zero said firmly.

Her lips curled into a bleeding smile.

o o o

"You fill my house will ingrates, put a lowlife in charge, and now you want to leave," Lord Toya grunted from the dais.

Kaname had naturally returned to his cushion at the bottom of the stairs of the dais where the lord of Eternal Abyss perched. "It would be an honorable delight to stay longer, but ceremonial duties require my attendance at a pureblood matrimony. You might know them, Sara Shirabuki and Lord Ouri?"

"Why would I need to know who is wedding whom? Weddings are a wasted institution on purebloods unless they want to kill each other. On the other hand, Kuran weddings are a better establishment perfect for solidifying power. You must be eager to see how yours will play through. I suppose you can go and take notes on what you have to look forward to."

Kaname smiled deleteriously, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Lord Toya waved a hand. "Should I expect your return? How soon can you remove these ingrates off my land?"

"Next week or the week after, you never know."

"I will make their existence miserable." Lord Toya promised. "You'd better hurry and make up your mind."

"No need to overexert yourself, my lord." Kaname murmured soothingly with another smile, "Your relatives are merely facilitating things for you. All I did was put you at an advantage and made you a formidable contender to the Aidou clan. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Lord Toya liked the sound of what he was hearing but did not ingest his pleasure. "You think a few levels of melted ice will impress me?"

"Don't lose hope so quickly, my lord. A month ago the ice clan froze the mountains of Eternal Abyss. Changes are guaranteed. Thunder can reclaim its place on the map—and my court."

"Why would you want me in your court?" Lord Toya raised a curious brow.

"Why not?" Kaname shrugged.

He narrowed his eyes. "My interests lie in preserving the power of my clan. If you can distinguish the Toya name in royal court, I will consider it."

"I thought reputation and opinion mean nothing to you." Kaname countered.

"My progenitors were truly respected. It used to be about purebloods. Now its mixed blood, noblemen, and hunters. Where has the authenticity of the royal command gone?"

"It was because purebloods held sole power over the living why wars erupted. We've come a long way from those days, my lord. No need to reminiscence. Accept entrance to my court, you can put the past to sleep."

"You think inheriting the crown and sustaining the Kuran name denotes power. Real power is the blood of purebloods. You're wasting it away with lenience and forgetfulness over what it means to be a pureblood. We take what belongs to us."

"The fiendish nature is not suitable for court business. I will protect what needs to be protected. Either I protect the ice clan, or I protect your clan, I'm accountable for the plague between purebloods. Resolution is what I aim for, it's time we move on from that antediluvian belief. Your own clan is a perfect example now that it's being run by multi-level blood. I won't take offense by your refusal to join my court, I will take offense if you keep saying the inheritor of the Kuran throne, the pureblood of purebloods, does not know what it means to be a pureblood."

Lord Toya glared down at him and snarled under his breath.

o o o

Sara Shirabuki and Lord Ouri's wedding was blessed by the pureblood king, queen and crowned prince, as required of all pureblood weddings. The wedding was a long-awaited one, many pureblood guests were relieved to witness it or feared another century and a half of delay—the reasons only disclosed to the monochromatically characterized couple.

"—Not that it is anyone's business." The pureblood queen sternly mouthed without a feasible twitch of the lips to her counterpart against her right shoulder. "We can rest assured their dynamisms are appropriate and private and you can bless their future children in five years."

"I stake ten years." The king murmured behind the shield of his wine glass and smiled energetically toward a bowing group of purebloods and noblemen settling at their banquet table. "Hmph, fifty years. Anything but five."

"They make an adorable pair."

"Sure."

Hanako glanced at her spouse out of the corner of her eye. "You don't think so?"

"Are you inquiring after my taking on Lord Ouri's looks? He has worn the exact face from the age of twelve, minus the facial hair."

The queen sighed wearily, "The future of purebloods rests heavily on these ceremonies. We need to encourage their having children as soon as possible."

A shadow crept against her left shoulder. "If you're concerned about children, I have the perfect solution for you."

Hanako and Shigeu blinked at the tall heterochromatic-eyed vampire smiling pridefully on the dais. "Oh. This must be about building a harem for your unique tastes. There comes a time in a pureblood's life where we mature from obscene habits that we've picked up in our long lives, even accidentally. Can't this be one of the habits you drop?" Shigeu swirled his drink and sampled the wine.

Rido smirked leisurely at the king, "Lucky for you I have the best news."

Hanako tensed apprehensively, "Oh dear."

Rido turned endearingly in her direction.

Shigeu sat his drink aside and leaned in with interest. "As I live and breathe, today is the day then. What news?"

"I plan to marry Juuri and give you tons of pureblood children." Rido announced.

"Uh-hmm. We know about your obsession with Juuri. Wasn't it an immature crush that prolonged for no reason?" Hanako asked.

"Juuri is my eternal love, my one true love. The one I will always love." He answered. "I've waited my whole life for her."

Shigeu retraced his grip around the glass and swirled it thoughtfully without looking up.

"Does Juuri know you plan to marry her?" Hanako continued.

"I'm hurt by the implication."

"Which is?"

"That I'd force marriage on Juuri without her knowledge."

"The power to arrange pureblood marriages lie in the hands of my husband," Hanako said, "Juuri is an illustrious and favored member of the Kuran household. Her marriage is of utmost, if not the exact importance, as our son's marriage. I merely craft the ceremonies and invitations."

"You are too cold-hearted. Juuri adores you unconditionally. Marriage with me will ease her heart and mind, like she wants. What better candidate is there beside Kuran blood, my blood?" Rido countered. "Our children will the culmination of two Kurans, exactly like the blood of our great Kuran ancestors." He peered intently at Shigeu who steadily looked up.

"Rido, you can father five hundred children with pureblood women, but there is only one Juuri. I will not give her to anyone that cannot treat her properly. She deserves a pureblood of higher caliber, noble charm, honor and virtue. How careless would my actions be if I were to agree to your marriage proposal, given your reputation?"

The brunette pureblood scowled at the royal couple, discerning agendas left unvoiced. "I understand you've given fair thought regarding Juuri's future. We are not siblings. Of all of our brothers and sisters, Juuri and I remain above ground with you where we serve your kingship while our parents, our blood-brothers and blood-sisters sleep in the earth. Let's not overlook why you kept the last female Kuran close, so any children Juuri brings into the world will be an expansion of power."

"And why is that wrong?" Hanako interrupted.

"You completely dismiss Juuri's heart while she lives like a corpse in your palace." Rido retaliated.

"Those are rules all people of the palace adhere by." Hanako huffed above her drink and swallowed a gulp before continuing, "She knew growing up the culture here has extreme expectations and commitments. Do you think marrying her to you merits difference in treatment?"

"I can genuinely make her happy." Rido answered, "She dislikes the palace and lives dispassionately, a bird with broken wings. How can you not see?"

"And your influence is the cure?"

"I know her best."

"Juuri is not self-indulgent enough to harbor resentments toward the palace." Shigeu chortled and met the eyes of his amused queen, "She is treasured and loved here, she knows that."

"I guess my king chooses to sleep at the bed of ignorance." Rido groaned dismally, "Not to worry! My blood is of high caliber and supremacy, as required. You have to admit it, there aren't candidates suitable for Juuri than me."

The crowned prince, who had been listening to the conversation from the banquet floor, ascended the stairs to join them. The queen delightfully cried out upon seeing him and urged him beside her chair. He gently squeezed her supple hand and allowed his frame to subside in the scene of the royal couple and Rido.

The pureblood relative turned toward the observant crowned prince. "Help me out here, Kaname. Tell them how wrong they are for setting Juuri up with someone else other than myself."

Kaname blanked. "Why should I?"

Rido scowled, "For the general health of your loving aunt, she took care of you. You can't seriously not have a care about her future welfare?"

"I trust our king has great plans for her future," Kaname mechanically replied.

"You know how I feel about Juuri."

"Do I?" Kaname blanked even more, if that were possible that the agilest of emotion on his façade would appear sharp, "This is my first time hearing it."

Rido glared at the trio. "Am I the only person growing gray hair over Juuri in the room?"

"Doubtful." Shigeu murmured, "Juuri is well cared for. Her future is not worth a concern to you."

"Not worth a concern? I want her to have everything she desires." Rido promptly contributed.

"So do we." Hanako chorused keenly, "How do we know she wants you?"

"Do you believe I don't consider her feelings?" Rido demanded incredulously, "She is worth more to me than you can imagine."

"Then why has the very notion of marriage with you never left her lips?" Shigeu questioned. "She wouldn't keep secret of her intentions with you, not in a million years."

"You think you know Juuri best just because you keep her with you but you are terribly wrong." Rido warned grimly and gave Kaname a glare of startled betrayal. "I am the only person that can satisfy her."

"Contain your emotion, Rido." Shigeu said with a razor-sharp edge of impending calamity in his growl, "We are amongst company, after all."

"We hear you, Rido." Hanako bowed her head, "We understand how you feel about the matter but Juuri is off-limits."

Rido paled starkly, his mouth flatter than the waning wrinkle of his brows, his gaze dark as the evening dress falling elegantly from his shoulders. "Only because you intend to use her. How much power do you really need?" He quietly glared.

"Our clan protects and shapes the path of vampires." Shigeu said, "All of us share this duty. How can you fall prey to the idea that our life belongs to anyone or anything than serving our forefather's legacy?"

"A legacy insistent on trading family to reinforce power, yes, that is what you call it, 'legacy.' " Rido smirked coldly at the couple and descended the stairs.

Shigeu leaned back in the chair and watched Rido disappear out of the hall. Hanako checked him narrowly from the corner of the eye and shuffled to rise out of her seat. He grabbed her by the arm, urging her back.

"Leave him alone. He will sulk and get over it." Shigeu murmured.

"He has been holding Juuri in his heart for a long time." Hanako remarked.

"He knew it would come to this."

Hanako struggled with the response. The groves of confusion rode her brows up and down as she chewed her cheek thoughtfully. "Shouldn't we talk to Juuri about her feelings?"

"No need." Shigeu curtly answered, "Juuri is not stupid enough to embroil herself in ludicrous matters. Kaname can confirm it." He angled patient and waiting eyes on the crowned prince.

The dark-eyed prince was prudently mute and hadn't passed a glance toward the royal couple. "Juuri-sama has her own views regarding the topic." He whispered, "But your word is final. She understands your expectations." He gravitated toward the stairs and made a gentle bow of the head to dismiss himself.

"I sure hope when it's your time to align with a pureblood clan, the interest caters to Kuran legacy foremost." Shigeu implied.

Kaname lifted his head with a degree of restrained irritation at the statement. He collected himself mentally, closed his eyes and illustrated a smile of acknowledgment. "It will be everything you want."

"I will remain sincere on my end of the bargain," Shigeu raised his glass and sipped, "I'm happy to hear you feel the same."

"Of course."

"The Kuran succeeding the crown is obligated to be with a pureblood of unmatched power."

"I promise to keep the Kuran legacy pristine." Kaname replied, "With or without a partner of unmatched power."

"We know you will." Hanako beamed affectionately.

"Power amasses quality alliance. If you are tempted to follow in Rido's footsteps, consider our bargain voided. No amount of reckless friendliness and puppy-love will support your path to kingship. Unlike the rest of our family, your partner needs to be of political and pureblood strength. A king needs that kind of suitor."

"Spoken from experience I gather," Kaname said.

"Don't be reckless and subjugate your power for people who are not to your advantage."

Hanako quieted a hair-raising plea of astonishment by closing her gaping mouth and averted from her husband.

"You know best." Kaname mouthed without flavor, "Speaking of family members, I would like to request taking Juuri-sama's wedding out of your hands."

Hanako's brows shot up, frowning. "You can't be serious, Kaname."

"Why?" Shigeu asked.

Kaname shrugged, "She took great care of me. It will ease my mind to find her the perfect mate."

"But Juuri doesn't intend you to repay her love and kindness."

"Consider it part of my new role. These matters will occupy my deliverances one day, among other things."

Shigeu searched him with narrowed eyes. Thinking nothing of it, he relaxed and sighed. "Fine. You carry the seal to find Juuri a mate and give her away."

"Thank you."

The mood of the wedding celebration was lost on Kaname. He secretly prided himself for conveying his blessings and slipping unnoticed from the party. He lingered for a series minutes in dubious obtrusiveness outside of Rido's quarters before accepting defeat and shoved open the doors. The broad-shouldered pureblood had been pouring a drink and lifted a brow at his visitor.

"I was hoping you'd leave so I debated on sake," Rido muttered through clenched teeth.

"You hate sake."

Rido smirked and capped the wine bottle. "You came inside, I chose blood wine."

"Does it substantiate the reason I'm here?"

"Nothing can." Rido snarled, "You want another jab at my back with your knife?"

"You hardly had a chance to begin with." Kaname answered.

Rido slammed the drink on the table and turned slowly, mindfully winding his growl. "Why did you do it?"

"Juuri-sama should decide whom she wants to be with," Kaname said softly. "I don't want her to be unhappy either."

Rido scoffed, "Do you know your great uncle, my father, was a contender for the throne? The old king chose your father instead. There is no warm blood left in him. He doesn't understand the ache in watching someone you love wither away before your eyes. You want to risk everything to help them. Yet all opportunities are denied to you. Your father was hotblooded, wild, honest, and tender once. How could the old king make a foolish mistake thinking his son would not change?" The glass of blood wine trembled against his fist.

Kaname folded arms across his chest. "The king has to cast aside ordinary impulses to make room for a greater future."

"He'll use Juuri to expand control. Like he'll use you." Rido huffed scornfully, "In the end, we're just pawns that will be sacrificed for a 'greater future'. The legacy we're obligated under is a condemnation."

"I won't let Juuri-sama live an empty life." Kaname interrupted.

"Juuri and I have grown together. We broke rules, studied, and traveled. I've gone around the world many times, often to forget her and free myself. And I return every time more in love with her than I left. Tell me, Kaname, can't I satisfy her?"

"She has lived a long life with you already," He whispered. "Some connections cannot bear the burden of worldly contracts. How do you know you've freed yourself to your highest capacity yet?"

"Even you," Rido smiled sadly, "Think I can't."

"I don't think Juuri-sama is displeased with you." Kaname guessed.

"One day you'll experience the joy of naming someone in your heart," He turned around, his expression distorted in a funnel of impassivity and gloom. "You'll realize the devastating veracity of being denied that person because you are a pawn, not a king." Rido carefully planted a palm on his shoulder, his grip tightening. His gaze, a well of black forewarning, "You cannot describe the taste of an apple unless you've eaten it yourself." He peeled the hand from Kaname and lethargically entered the inner rooms. "Leave me be."

Kaname waited for the bedroom door to signal the lock. Standing in the entrance he listened to the vibrations in the staling blood wine, the blank and blackness swallowing the room and silently walked out. The pureblood queen had been passing the hallway and stopped on him.

"The party isn't over." Hanako approached, "Why are you here?"

Kaname averted from Rido's door. "Same reason as you."

She sighed toward the quarters and shook her head in regret. "Your father is right. Rido should know better by now."

"He isn't ready to be consoled yet." Kaname informed. "Best we give him space."

Hanako steeled herself momentarily and forced a nod. "I can do that."

"Thank you, mother." He touched her arm and brushed past her.

Hanako turned along with him and said, "About your father…"

Kaname smirked icily to himself without turning. "He said what needed to be said. I have to follow his example after all."

"Kaname, your father had to give up everything sacred to him for the monarchy, for us." Hanako emphasized. "He is trying to protect you."

"By outwardly demeaning you." Kaname muttered.

Hanako held her breath and turned silent.

He lifted his head and turned toward his mother, the pureblood queen, who would never be loved by the one she loved. "Why did you marry him?"

"Kaname-" Hanako hissed.

His brows furrowed in blind concentration. "You gave up everything sacred too for the Kuran clan."

"The matter is between your father and I." She snapped.

"You mean you were just a bride who was a political advantage to the pureblood crowned prince." Kaname stated, "That matter?"

Hanako paled and looked away wearily. "You are young, you won't understand."

"I come from you, why won't I?"

She debated silently and offered her fragile hand. "Escort me to my room."

The pureblood queen's quarters was lit with lavish white screens and gold ornaments. Her floors were wiped every five hours that it glistened all year around. She had the best servants. The highest security other than the king, himself. Hanako beckoned a sharply dressed figure in white and gold through the doors. He had been carrying a scroll on a plate.

"The seal of trust from your father," Hanako gestured, "Juuri's wedding will be decided by you, like you asked."

Kaname unraveled the item to study. "He is fast."

"If you continue successfully assisting him, we'll start believing you didn't need training."

"A minuscule task, I'm nowhere near touching the king's horizon." He closed the scroll.

Hanako's eyes narrowed in thought as she tilted her head, "Why have I never heard your call him 'father'?"

His brows wiggled from indecision before his expression flattened into impassivity again. "He is our king."

She dismissed the man in white and gold. "I know Shigeu and I have been absent in your life. The closest form of family and emotional connection you have are Juuri, your grandmother, and Takuma Ichijo. A person like you who wasn't given formal training to inherit the crown will naturally insist on closing the emotional connection you didn't acquire as a child."

"Are you afraid I'm prone to emotional outbursts?" Laughter tickled his tone.

She didn't catch the humor. Hanako blinked at her son. "As a result of weak emotional ties, I'm afraid you'll attach to the wrong people."

Kaname chuckled under his breath.

"I was two hundred years old when my patriarchy sent me to train for the position of pureblood queen. Your father was already a warrior. I was a small girl, I confess, I hadn't learned how to channel my emotions and strengthen my heart. So, I fell in love with your father on first meeting, women often did. Shigeu was ten steps ahead of me in time, in-flight, and spirit. I couldn't believe my luck when we married after my thousandth birthday. Later, I saw Shigeu was not just a king, but a simple man capable of right and wrong. He was good to me but something constantly kept him out of reach. After hundreds of years together and your birth, he still didn't give me his heart. 'Advantageous bride' I was trained to be the perfect queen. What a pity it is, I wasn't trained to open his heart, so I failed. He is a falcon, I am a lion who watches him sail the sky from the ground, living next to him and loving him from a distance." Hanako looked at Kaname unhappily, "Wolves and lions run together, not flock together. Neither one of us can reach his horizon."

"She… was an eagle," Kaname said hesitantly.

A tear trickled down her right cheek. "Their story was written long before I joined."

"Then why have you stayed with him?"

"A queen doesn't abandon her role on impulse." Hanako tearfully replied, "The position is earned, it is for life, and it is the heart of the clan's future."

"The king produces a prosperous reign with the help of his perfect queen," Kaname sighed at his mother, "He shines brilliantly, yet he keeps breaking your heart. Am I supposed to acknowledge this form of success?"

"Kurans must reproduce appropriate heirs who display values that unifies all systems of power and kind. You'll also marry someone who'll put the Kuran monarchy first."

o o o

With Zero gone, Kurashiki's vibrancy diffused another degree. Sunrises were chillingly somber and afternoons were brimmed with nostalgic shivers that failed to wane in the frosty nights. Yuki dressed warm, kept her head and shoulders straight, her mind clear—Or tried to were it not for the incapacitating painful nerves morphing her veins blue and green from frequent hunger. After the brief age of energy exchange in vampire children, they were taught the basics of drinking one blood tablet a day. Past the adolescent age in human years, they were geared toward ingesting resistant blood tablets, manufactured to quell bloodthirst that increased with age. Into a vampire's adulthood, they graduated to tablets carrying ten percent of human and pure blood, which were preferred for obvious reasons. However, access to high-end tablets was regulated and limited. Yuki did not have trouble acquiring them from her father's supply. He, on the other hand, was more confused than shocked by the demands her hunger pains caused but did not bother cutting her off.

The Souen Tavern shuffled with ronin, merchants, travelers and shoppers. Yuki entered the busy room as a group erupted into laughter and passed by a duo playing Go. Her habit was to take a chair at the bar or sit on the counter if the occasion called for it, instead Yuki proceeded between crowds, up the stairs to the humble quarters of the tavern owner. The Souens lived modestly given the two-member family of father and daughter. Ruka was gifted the burden and opportunity to take over the tavern and was given the healthy practice of managing the day-to-day business at a very early age. Ruka did not attend Nagoya Imperial University, neither did she go to workshops or enroll in nearby courses. All of her life she knew brewery and blood cocktails.

She jumped back in a startle at the door and laughed at her reaction. "Gah! Yuki—you scared me." The night's work done, sweaty and fatigued, Ruka clambered up the stairs of her abode to find her best friend lounging in the room next to the kitchen.

Yuki rubbed the stinging tear of headache and lassitude from her glabella and caught the beautiful blond vampire with a sigh. "Oh, you're back. I thought I'd try getting some shut-eye."

"Still can't sleep? How many months is it now?" Ruka changed her shoes and sauntered toward the brunette. "You look like hell."

"Trust me, I feel like it too." Yuki cradled her head in her hands.

"We can go to the infirmary and get sleeping medication?" She suggested.

Yuki hugged her bending frame over the chair, panting, shaking, blurry and red-eyed. "I've tried them all. They sent me away."

"Can't the cute blond help you?"

"Takuma is busy helping me with another problem." She guiltily mumbled.

Ruka sank in the chair and brushed down her back. "I'm sorry, Yuki, wish there was something I can do. Let me make you a drink."

"Don't you dare use your magic hands after a day at the bar." Yuki muttered rampantly, "You can do something else, though."

"Sure. What is it?"

Yuki turned in the chair carefully, "The tavern is doing well. Souen-sama has been taking time off to relax and enjoy a softer lifestyle. More workers are around to help out too. Now is a perfect time."

Ruka waited. "For what?"

"Your dream," Yuki whispered. "You've told me a number of times you want to leave Kurashiki, try something new than running a tavern-"

Ruka laughed, "-Have a love affair with a handsome noble. Yes, it was just a dream. It wasn't going to come true."

Yuki scowled, but the action seemed to scrape the back of her eyeballs. She cringed and clenched her temple.

"Ice." Ruka yelped and darted to the kitchen.

"It's fine." She gritted her fangs.

Ruka returned to her side with ice wrapped in a towel and helped apply on the painful regions. She waited for Yuki to speak after several minutes of regaining composure.

"Why don't I help you make it come true?" Yuki searched the pockets of her thick coat for a packet and held it up as an offering. "Take it, Ruka."

She contemplated the item and bit her bottom lip uncertainly. Ruka opened the sleeve and swiped the ripple of bank notes. She gaped in stunned silence.

"Working as a hunter, you're on assignment and don't use a lot of it. Luckily I got assignments that paid the best. My family has stupendous financial backing and father always put up with me so I never needed to rely on it and saved. What do you think?"

"Yuki…" Ruka mouthed in awe at the number of notes she hadn't seen or held in her life.

"Is it not enough? I have more."

"This-this is too much." Ruka gushed. "I don't think we're allowed to carry this much!"

"There's nothing stopping your dream now. You can leave Kurashiki."

Ruka hadn't looked up from the notes, her eyes starry, her mouth depleting in a thin line. "I-I can't."

Yuki pulled the ice from her eyes. "Don't be afraid, Ruka. You've wanted to do something different for as long as I've known you. This is good for you."

"But my father-"

"I will tell my father to talk to your father."

"The tavern workers-"

"I'll bring Ichiru regularly. Since I'm stuck here, I have to find ways to stay busy. The Souen Tavern is one of my favorite spots in town, maybe my second home. I'll watch over the workers."

"I've never been outside of Kurashiki." Ruka fussed, "I'll get lost."

"Ask for directions."

"Fall in a ditch."

"Carry a rope."

"I can't do this! Have you lost your mind?" Ruka cried.

"Maybe if you went around the world, you'd find losing your mind pleasant."

"No, I can't just up and leave when I feel like it." Ruka shook her head frantically, "And my father will be disappointed, but first he will be verrry angry."

Yuki put the ice on the table and gripped her hand gently. "You're talking with an expert who mastered the art of making her parent irate. Let me guide you with my wisdom—Souen-sama may get upset, angry, hell he might shoot someone. What else can he do? He'll take a breather and wait it out. We're vampire progenies who have hundreds of years to embark. How can we make the most of our lives hiding from the world? Souen-sama will understand. My father will console him. Ms. Laison will bake his favorite desserts, and I will chirp esteemed philosophies about how courageous, bold and amazing daughters like his are."

Ruka clenched her hand pleadingly, "Won't you come too?"

"My body is bound here," Yuki answered, "But my heart is yours wherever you go."

Ruka breathed heavily and nodded. "Ouji-sama is so good to you. He takes great care of you. I can't take you with me. I don't know the roads or what I'll encounter, but I'll try my best."

Frost sealed the bridges and roads. Moonlight titillated strips of white on empty canals. The streets lay soundless and lamps were dimmed inside of homes. Yuki trailed into her courtyard. Her thick coat bridling from the cold soundly. She untied the perfume satchel from her sash, followed by her jade seal, the extra pins from her coifed hair and dropped the pearl earrings on the floor. Opting for the heavier set of swords, she unsheathed the blades and began practicing her official sword dance. It was late in the night or early morning, one could say, but for Yuki who no longer slept, it was a virtue of semblance from the overwhelming hunger pains freezing in and out her life force. If she did not move, run, or race she did not know how to allay the disastrous consequence of blood bond yet. The motionless night allowed her to restructure her form easier. Usually, Ms. Laison scuttled left and right exclaiming she harmed her wearing body, but Yuki believed otherwise. If sword dance, racing, practicing swordplay succeeded in knocking her asleep, she would be overjoyed to nap even for fifteen minutes.

She could smell the sun thawing the frost in the distance and decided to return to her room. Yuki dragged her laboriously overworked arms and limbs where she changed into appropriate attire and stared at her bed sullenly. For many months she'd slept in the barn with Cyrus and Lilly, dozed on horseback in the mountains, but the peacefulness remained grudgingly temporary, never lasting ten minutes. She did not expect to gain rest either tonight, but she could not pretend to go another day without it. Resolving the nervous bubble in her belly, she crawled under the covers and closed her eyes.

The next morning Ms. Laison sat with her hand on her chin at the kitchen window frowning over the silhouette practicing in the sun. She quickly discerned Yuki hadn't slept yet again.

Haruka was minding reports over tea. "I received news from the Aidous. Their son is coming to Kurashiki. You know the one who went on a date with Yuki? She never let on whether she liked him or not. Either way, I feel great about his coming over. Ms. Laison, can you make arrangements for his stay?"

Ms. Laison turned around and frowned at the nobleman. "I thought their date was a failure. Yuki specifically asked not to be set up again."

Haruka grinned, "The Aidous are great people. In time, it'll work out, you'll see. I can give him hints on how to win her heart. You should nudge Yuki to take interest in him."

"Yuki cannot be budged." Ms. Laison muttered to herself and returned gazing out the window.

"Try anything, she adores you."

"When does our guest arrive?"

"Today. I was thinking letting Yuki receive him. Wouldn't that be nice?" Haruka optimistically returned to his reports.

As Ms. Laison expected, Yuki was not only bemused but peeved by the plan. She outright rejected the order of being part of the welcoming party and resorted to excusing herself form the household until the individual made himself scarce, which was countered by her father's disproving recollection.

"You ran away when the crowned prince breathed in our very corridors and made an outrageous situation in the Grand Council. Haven't you learned your lesson?"

She had been spending quality time studying in his library. The floor was littered with scrolls, books and letters. Yuki slapped the book she'd been focusing on to glare up at her father's officious loom. "Can we avoid the ordeal by my not participating at all?"

"He is coming to meet you." Haruka excitedly claimed.

"I did not invite him." She renounced.

"The Aidous and Tsunamasas share generational friendship and devotion. You are a lady of this house. You have to be available and proper."

Yuki gestured to her display of light clothing and socked feet. Her hair freshly combed and pinned elegantly, face free of blemish and stray hair—dirt too. She appeared refined, although, drained by the disclosing black circles and puffy pink eyes. "How much more proper can I be?" She demanded.

"Good, now we're talking," Haruka nodded. "You can welcome him. Show him around town. Make him feel at ease, at home. Open your heart. Let him test your teamaking skills. Go on dates and picnics in the flower field. Have little babies."

Yuki gawked at her father in ghastly distress.

"You get the idea," He continued without pause, "He is handsome and you are pretty. You are young, educated, noble status, and you have individual unique skill sets that can lead to an exciting and insightful exchange of love, joy, compassion and understanding. Can there be a pair so perfect?"

"Enough." She slammed her fist on the table. "I already have my hands full with Ouji's assignments and training. The debutant you conspired together is in three days. When do I have time for dates and why in the world is he coming after I told him to lose interest?"

Haruka blinked multiple times as he recounted her question. "You told him?"

"Apparently your boy is deaf."

His shock morphed into a victorious smile. "Oh, this is great. Ms. Laison, can you believe this?" He grinned over his shoulder at the woman, "He couldn't contain his feelings even after she told him to give up. He must really be in love."

Ms. Laison blushed, "Haruka-sama, you're quiet coquettish today."

"I am in a good mood." Haruka beamed. "The Aidous are enormously respected. Lord Aidou considered you first from the vast proposals they receive. Their clan would love to have you. He wouldn't agree sending his son if he didn't expect love to bloom. Ms. Laison, did I tell you Lord Aidou is a poet? He writes with utmost splendor and sweetness. His poems were praised and prized by grandmother queen, she archived them in the Kyoto palace."

"I had no idea." Ms. Laison smiled delightfully.

Yuki wrung away adamantly from the animated pair to find salvage in her book. She was not interested in putting silly displays to win affections of any kind.

"He'll be here soon. This is the best time to practice Ouji-sama's teachings." Haruka suggested eagerly, which left her grimacing and growling. "Ms. Laison, bring out Yuki's best dresses." Haruka bent down to snare the book from the fuming girl. "I'll get the tea ready, go out and retrieve him."

Ms. Laison found an intricate chiffon and silk attire. Yuki tied her shoes grudgingly. Her lips were crimson red, her eyes lined and her hair tied at the nape of her neck, the shorter bangs swayed with her seething breathing. She stalked obstinately toward the streets and staggered back at the ruckus of applause and confetti from citizens who lined themselves patiently for a parade. A flabbergasted Yuki hesitantly moved into the lane and was heralded in disbelief by the sight of four horses escorting a large red carriage. Through the window, a sandy head protruded, waving gaily to standbys and curious children. The riders cradled the icicle blue banner of Aidou Geyser. Behind the carriage was a trolley draped in red as well. She deduced it to be offerings and gifts. Yuki gritted her fangs impatiently and returned home. They hadn't sufficiently prepared to welcome the noble son of the Aidou clan whose grandiose arrival mimicked that of a king.

Not even Ouji brings a parade to Kurashiki, the nerve of this guy.

She picked two swords and strode into the courtyard. Her eyes narrowed, her hair drizzling and flaring against white cheeks as the carriage stopped on the driveway of the estate. Natives continued cheering and throwing confetti beyond the gates. She observed the escorts abort the horses and regally open the carriage doors. The sandy-haired, fair-skinned man was decadently attired in sapphire silk clothing, the inner layers of his sleeves fading from turquoise blue to frost white. He stepped over the barrier of the courtyard and looked up. His large blue eyes were consumed by thrill and recognition. Suddenly a hemispherical smile elated his mien and two fangs smartly winked at Yuki. Her own lips trembled and parted, the slipping the weapons at hand alerted her to recompose herself.

Hanabusa Aidou crossed the courtyard toward Yuki. Before he closed their distance, she tossed a sword at his feet. He stared pointedly at the execution.

"Duel me. If you win, you may enter and have me in marriage." She issued.

Aidou looked up at her. "If I lose?"

A cold smirk caressed her lips and her eyes shimmered in expectant wickedness. "Go home alone."

He picked the sheathed sword cautiously. "I came despite what you said,"

"Seems like you had a hard time understanding me. Allow me to clarify." Yuki unsheathed her sword.

"I came because I haven't stopped thinking about you," Aidou asserted.

"I told you," Yuki muttered through fangs, "Find someone suitable for your household."

Aidou followed her example and posed at the ready. "Our families are bound. Don't you think we deserve to make them proud by getting to know each other and giving us a try?"

"You sound drunk. Why don't I sober you up?" Yuki ran at him and swiped her blade.

He deflected and swiped back automatically. A practiced and well-adjusted response, but she struck again. Aidou stumbled and barred her sword. She had the strength of an ox as his shoes slid back. He twisted and sidestepped, throwing her face-forward on the ground. Her reflexes proficiently allowed her to roll back on her side and jump up. The moment she did, his blade centered against her throat, albeit, erratically.

"I brought you gifts." Aidou panted widely. "Silk gowns, jades, pearls, gold pins, honey musk-scented pouch, vases?"

Yuki clenched her jaw, unmoving. "I'm not the girl."

"My whole life I've heard about you. You were let go from the Association. I know you're going through a rough patch. How do you know this might be our chance?"

An expert rotating motion of the right arm, Yuki pecked the hilt of the sword against his chest and swiped his sword out of hand. Hers landed on his jaw, nicking perceptibly. Aidou's eyes flashed fearfully.

"What in the world is happening?" Haruka exclaimed. He hurried to the courtyard and stood over the pair. "I told you to welcome him, not threaten him." He hissed toward his daughter.

"I was." Yuki picked the tip of the blade from his jaw.

"Look at our guest." Haruka proceeded to haul Aidou to his feet. "Forgive me. My daughter made a grave mistake. I hope you're not hurt."

Aidou brushed the dirt smeared on his coat and forced a laugh, "Me? No, no. She was teasing me."

Yuki was retrieving her sheath and stalled questionably.

"Hah. See, she wants to keep things exciting and keep me on my toes." Aidou chuckled.

"Do not mind her." Haruka frowned worriedly. "Allow me to escort you inside and help you to some tea."

"Oh!" Aidou grinned happily, "Thank y-"

Yuki cleared her throat. "He can't go inside. He lost the duel. I won't marry him."

Haruka paled devastatingly, "How can you say that?"

"I refuse to marry a man that cannot protect me."

"Stop. Let's talk it over inside." Haruka glared at the enunciation.

He was able to gather the two in his study and managed to review them over his cup. First, he turned to their guest apologetically and summarized his heartful gratitude for the exhaustive journey for the sake of connecting with his daughter. Second, he profusely denied her rejections.

"Please, do not take her words to heart," Haruka assured softly, "Yuki is prideful, she speaks without thinking. In our house, we've realized she is like an open faucet, it doesn't stop unless you turn it."

Aidou peeked at her with a playful smirk. "I prefer straightforward people. Such a relief to know what is said is true and significant. It lets me provide for her demands appropriately."

Haruka smiled warmly and nodded, whereas, Yuki huffed like an irritated cat. "Thank you for understanding. Why don't you get settled in? Ms. Laison will take you to your room."

o o o

The Water of Life shuddered from a surreptitious tilt of the hand. Kaname raised a brow as the drink barely graced his lips. "Rejected?" He repeated.

Lord Ichijo bowed his head and nodded, "Mm."

"Lord Aidou was bristling with confidence and high hopes. Don't tell me his effort was a waste." Kaname consumed the glass.

"Ichijo scouts reported she claims the boy cannot protect her." Lord Ichijo summarized the courtyard event. "Their outings are publicly acknowledged. We think it might narrow the list of suitors at the debutant."

Kaname's gaze was black and his brows scribbled from deep thought. "Why bother with those who cannot compete for her hand? If Lord Aidou's son accomplishes this feat, the clan can effortlessly acclimatize her."

"Correct." Lord Ichijo confirmed, "The Aidou clan is profound and resourceful, a good nesting ground for her to be shielded as a daughter-in-law. Ou-sama searches for proof of blood bond between you. With the help of the Aidou Clan, this theory can be invalidated and she can live unsuspected."

Kaname poured a drink in the glass until the bottle emptied. "After the marriage arrangement falls through, my promise to Haruka-sama will be justified."

"Congratulations."

But, he scowled at his cup offensively. His grip squeezing the thick glass that it shattered between his fingers. Blood gushed down his wrist and into his sleeve.

"Ouji-sama!" Lord Ichijo leapt to his side with a handkerchief. "Your blood is the blood of the nation. It cannot be spilt."

Kaname nudged the vampire lord's handwork aside. "You know how I requested Jinmu to investigate the dream I had about the person falling in the palace."

Lord Ichijo folded the handkerchief. "I remember. You couldn't sleep for weeks. It was the first time you saw her."

"My confusion back then was how she was related to Juuri-sama. I saw her jump from a mountain recently. I hear she took Kiryuu back to Kurashiki. Too bad they have to part ways so soon."

"Seems the dreams won't relapse for a long time again." Lord Ichijo remarked, "Your secret will rest with me for life. Zero Kiryuu arrives tomorrow. Shall I stay back to guide him?"

Kaname brushed a bang out of his left eye. "Why don't I see Takuma around lately?"

"He is investigating a blood-related matter."

"Blood-related?" Kaname glared over his shoulder. "Why is he concerned when it's not his business?"

"She…" Lord Ichijo paused timidly, "Yuki asked him for a favor."

His eyes flashed silver then faded into black.

"The blood bond has been taking its toll. They've been researching how to alleviate the symptoms she exhibits from not drinking regularly from you." Lord Ichijo informed quietly. "Her powers are weak, she barely sleeps. Blood tablets remain ineffectual. The primal signs of physical distance from the blood donor is a contemptuous feat to repress. If Ouji-sama were to pay her a visit or send blood, her symptoms would diminish."

"So I can give her another chance to reject me over a stupid promise she made to grandmother queen?" Kaname shot back succinctly, "Don't mind that foolish person, Yuki. This gives Takuma a grand opportunity to play the white knight."

Lord Ichijo slumped into a bow. "I will warn him."

"No need to keep up the false pretense, my lord," Kaname muttered tetchily, "I don't consider you a confidante because of your angelic looks. You've seen the way he looks at her. The world belongs to those who take action. The two have been growing closer since his constant check-ins at Kurashiki. Are you telling me you didn't consider Takuma as a suitor for her?"

The lord straightened but dare not look up.

"Hmph." Kaname scoffed under his breath at the response he predicted. "Politics aside, you truly are a father who'll turn the tide for family. What stopped you?"

"Takuma is indeed involved in her troubles. I decided to regard his affection as brotherly guardianship."

"My lord, you are a man of a time where iron and metal make troubles go away and the world thrives from the palm of your hand," Kaname purred like an amused lion, "Patience and sidelining is not your suit. Did you assume I'd berate Takuma for his feelings?"

Lord Ichijo clenched his jaw and shook his head. "I am not sure if the Ichijo household has merits around the person you greatly treasure."

Kaname closed his eyes to suck in the mildest and deadliest of irascibility and ache from his ribcage. "You misunderstand." He snapped, opening his eyes and glared. "He immediately claimed his interest. I wasn't sure in the beginning, but with the recent turn of events, I don't see why Takuma cannot be a suitor."

Lord Ichijo lifted his head in bewilderment.

"Such a grand life the debutante of Kurashiki has, circled by white knights," Kaname said.

"But, Ouji-sama-"

"It's fine." Kaname stalked toward the doors of the quarters. "I'll be out of form in shadow. Find me if you have any news."

Lord Ichijo watched him step out of the room sadly and uneasily.

o o o

Ruka secured the satchel on the burrowed horse and turned to face her friend. "Are you sure I can use the horse?"

"He is trained and strong, has good reflexes." Yuki assured from under the shroud over her head, "You have the directions I gave you?"

Ruka nodded excitedly and patted the bag on her waist. "Got it."

"When you get to the inn, write to me so I know you're okay."

Ruka pulled her in a tight hug. "Thank you." She mouthed against her ear.

Yuki returned the hug and smiled against her shoulder.

From his horse, Kain peered down at the girls. "Shouldn't we start heading out by now?"

"Are you sure he is the best to take?" Ruka frowned.

Yuki glanced at the orange-redhaired man grinning elatedly under the sun. "Yup. No one better comes to mind."

Ruka shook her head at the mischievous grin spanning across Yuki's lips she could not resist. "I'm not stupid, Yuki. I know what you're up to."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Yuki shrugged innocently, "He's the only person who can help you on the road. Ruka, I don't think you know the fire clan is among the dominant and supreme in the pentagon."

"What does that have to do with me?" Ruka frowned.

"Our resident Kain is the heir of the fire clan." Yuki nudged her head. "Always great to have friends in high places."

Her suspicions were appeased by the explanation. She hadn't looked at Kain in the light or capable of help really, but help should not be forsaken for pride. The unpredicted difficulty was the norm, and although Kain was not a trained hunter, his substandard self-defense was ample in the aspect of short travel. She yielded at the comfort of familiarity his presence provided. Ruka accepted the offered arm and mounted the horse behind him.

"Hang tight," Kain happily drew her hands across his waist, "I won't let harm come to you. Relax and enjoy the ride."

"I can ride a horse you know." She stated flatly.

"No doubt you can." Kain agreed, "I don't want you to stress. You can sleep if you feel like it. I'll wake you when we get there." Kain grinned enthusiastically at Yuki and winked.

"Travel safe." Yuki waved.

"Keep Kurashiki out of trouble, Yuki." Kain called out.

"No guarantees."

Ruka whirled around anxiously, "You'll tell me if father—"

"Souen-sama will be fine." Yuki urged, "Go!"

Kain prodded the horse into a gallop. Their silhouettes wedged out of the end of the street in the noon sun. Yuki tugged her hood and covered her mouth as she ducked into the shadows of an alley. Her footsteps were traceless, a repeatable rhythm on the track home. The driveway to the estate was occupied by three carriages wielding green banners. Noticing the flags, she promptly sprinted through the courtyard, fleeting past corridors and dove to her father's office.

Yuki throttled open the doors, jogging to the table, "Takuma—"

Lord Ichijo gaped widely at the panting girl. He lowered his tea and rose out of the chair.

Haruka watched the excitement wane from his daughter's face.

"Takuma is not here." Lord Ichijo bowed his head, "We've brought supplies and materials for your event tomorrow night. Did you need anything else to prepare?"

Yuki bowed politely in return. "No." She answered dully, "Thank you, Ichijo-sama."

"No need to look crestfallen." Haruka interrupted, "Heh, my lord she is nervous about her performance. A lot of guests are here. Our house has been working hard in preparation—The Ichijos have brought priceless accessories and clothing, also three seamstresses for last-minute accommodations, Yuki."

"I imagine suitors of all age have already made their way," Lord Ichijo chuckled.

"Speaking of which, there is a suitor I've been considering."

"I can take a guess." Lord Ichijo nodded and waved his finger, "The blue bannermen cannot be ignored. If I had a daughter I would also consider the son of the Aidou clan, but…uh," Lord Ichijo glanced at Yuki's paling and soundless demeanor, "Your daughter has the mien of a princess. Just now she was missing Takuma."

Haruka was silent and neatly climbed to his feet and moved around the desk. "Yuki has sound reason for trusting Takuma." He acknowledged. "He assists her lessons and guides her in mastering tea ceremonies."

"So I see, after Yuki recovered, Takuma formed a certain and undeniable fondness of her." Lord Ichijo admitted. "In our time we must seize what we want without question. I'd like to humble myself and ask of you to bear an open mind in selecting her suitor. The crowned prince appointed the Ichijo clan to furnish her security in Kurashiki and thereafter. It would be reasonable making this delegation personal. The Ichijos will shield her from pureblood scrutiny. She engages on a deeper level of comradery with Takuma, which leads me to believe their future can be prosperous."

Haruka's mouth hung agape as he meekly peeked at Yuki's vacant-eyed silence.

Lord Ichijo searched his jacket and drew a letter tied in red ribbon. Gingerly he placed the document in Haruka's hand. "Consider this a proposal from the Ichijo clan. We look forward to hearing your answer."

Yuki could not believe her eyes. The letter resting in her father's hand, the cherubic smile of Lord Ichijo. He bowed before departing the office. The lamp light shivered from the closing door, shadows cascaded the floor and wall. Suddenly too cumbersome for Yuki to stand still, she blinked awake with shake of the head, peeling out of the daze altogether.

"What are you thinking?" She watched Haruka pensively query the letter.

Haruka placed it on the table and looked up. "I think tomorrow's event will be momentous for you and our family. I also think it's your chance to dissolve ideas and objections people have acquired from baseless and imprudent theories. We know the Hunters Association was pleased by the work Zero and you maintained for years. It's their loss for putting you out in the cold. Times are changing, Yuki. A father's heart does not sway like the time. Whether it's Hanabusa Aidou or Takuma Ichijo, I don't care. If I'm not alive watching over you, will either of them cherish and keep you safe?"

Yuki did not have a direct answer. She had a distinct understanding she'd have to bear the consequence if she did not find out soon. Hanabusa Aidou was popular in more ways than one. The ladies of Kurashiki flocked in his direction wherever he wandered. He was a smooth-talker, curiously forward, and intelligent, which fascinated the herd of women who heard him speak on any subject, take for example, the mechanics of building and operating a carriage. Yuki braced his intrusion on her studies and sword technique by chewing her lips shut to avoid blurting unhandsome expletives. He butted in her business all day; what she studied or why.

"Makes sense, but I don't understand why a girl like you is glued to books, poetry, and painting," Aidou bushed an elbow on her desk and leaned into her bending settlement over a book. She did not answer and continued marking the text. "All day you study, practice sword-dancing and horse racing. Shouldn't you make time for us—me?"

"Why should I make time for someone who specifically lost our duel?" She countered without looking up.

"Not fair. You are an expert. If we were to duel using our natural abilities the end result would be different." Aidou stated.

"Who knows?" She shrugged and scribbled another letter under the slippery run-down of old ink.

Aidou noticed the calligraphies in her other books and tugged a sheet from a narrowing aperture next to her arm. He studied the handwriting. "This calligraphy is actually scenic and exquisite. Whose is it?"

"Ouj—" Yuki bit her lip and forced a smile. "No one you'd know."

Aidou smirked at her and scanned the book by ruffling the pages. Two minutes later, he twisted his neck at Yuki. "The Art of War must be your favorite. You've written a lot in it."

"Studying war tactics comes easily to me." Yuki frowned at the poem she struggled deciphering. She made several marks and huffed under her breath in frustration.

He laughed at the reaction. "So what can I help you with?"

"Nothing."

"No need to be harsh."

Yuki took a deep breath to calm herself before replying. She opened her eyes and tried a smile. "Who told you it was a good idea to show up here?"

"There are lots of opinions around my visit," Aidou bobbed his head and crossed his arms on his chest, "Mm-hm. You don't want me here because you're afraid your life will change drastically when you fall for me. You're not a hunter anymore, so I'm here to keep you company."

"Why do you think I want your company?" Yuki demanded.

Aidou's blue eyes widened in astonishment. "You don't think I'm handsome?"

"I don't think I can give you what you want."

"What do I want?"

"To frolic under the sun in a meadow!" Yuki exclaimed impatiently.

He grinned, "You've thought about us frolicking?"

"I don't think about you. In fact, I don't want to think about you." She declared.

"Wow, Yuki, you've tried hard not to think about me." Aidou accused. "What did it for you? Was it my eyes, henh henh?" He wiggled his brows.

Yuki closed her book and dropped her pen. "Do you think I have nothing better to do than think about you?"

"I think you're trying really hard not to like me." Aidou caught on.

Yuki looked him over intently, her eyes narrowing, "I appreciate your coming to Kurashiki and giving me a second try, but we're too different. Do you know why I joined the Hunters Association? To protect someone I cared about and it was I who killed her afterward. If the prisoners at the association rioted and broke out, more than five hundred would be out for my head, guaranteed. If I were to marry, it'd have to be to someone that understands the weight of protection."

Aidou leaned over her, "You don't think I can protect you?"

"Have you ever protected another person?"

He considered her question and came up blank. "Why don't I start with you?"

Yuki stood up from her cushion and straightened her shoulders. "Does a rose grow without thorns?"

Aidou tipped his head toward the window uncertainly. "Haruka-sama's estate boasts the largest region of roses in the south. I can take the thorns out—"

"Never mind." Yuki quietly interjected. "You won't understand anyway."

Engulfed in confusion and exasperation, he watched Yuki exit the room. She was due for her final round of dance practice. From the kitchen, he watched the aloof individual she had become.

"I know what you're thinking," Ms. Laison murmured as she poured him a cup of tea, "How can she change this much?"

Aidou accepted the tea cheerfully. "Thank you."

"Let's just say, sad experiences change people." Ms. Laison kindly worded.

"Sad?" Aidou frowned contemplatively, "Why?"

Ms. Laison lightly arranged the teapot on the table and sank in the chair next to him. "Longing."

Aidou tried the word and looked up graciously. "For food? Ah, the hunters association! How unfortunate things didn't work out. After we marry, I'd like her to do what makes her happy. I know the association won't accept her again. I'll find other institutes she can apply."

"You're very kind," Ms. Laison sighed dejectedly, "This sort of longing cannot be simply replaced. The wound grows deep, the emptiness interminable. Longing, a bitter fruit salvaging good endings only in heaven. Those who devour it never return. Those who avoid it do not know love."

Aidou checked the window but could not see Yuki. He excused himself and sought her out in the unoccupied courtyard. Quick on foot, he wove the narrow lanes fissuring toward the storage house and the flourishing crimson field of sweet roses. The sweetness whirled around him. He caught a silhouette steadily following a pathway in the expansive field. The sword plunged to the ground and the startling crackle of dirt and grass whimpered as her shoes battled in a run. Aidou hurried over but she was faster.

She halted abruptly and dropped to the ground, whimpering at her clutched chest. Wide-eyed, Aidou darted after her.

"Yuki!" Aidou edged from her left.

She plopped on the ground from surprise at his intrusion. Rivers of tears shimmered down satin-white cheeks. The hand seizing her chest was shoved embarrassedly around her back.

Aidou stopped his creep and crouched a meter away. "Are you hurt?" He asked as more tears rippled onto her clothes.

Yuki threw a hand over face to hide. "No-mph."

"Are you sure, you're—"

"It's nothing!" She rasped, skittering away but another spasm moved her to clutch her chest again.

He was able to see the cursive blue-black veins down her arms and the side of her neck. "Are you sick?"

Yuki clenched her eyes and steadied on the ground, heaving. "Just…go."

Weakly Aidou glanced back at the house and her.

"It'll pass." She sobbed.

Aidou folded his legs on the ground, opting to wait for the seizure to alleviate. The process took fifteen minutes, however, Yuki sat comprehensively motionless, as if the mere idea of moving and breathing was painstaking. He waited for her queue. She sighed and wiped her face against her sleeves again. Shaking herself, Yuki began brushing the dirt from her clothes.

"The black veins indicate a blood problem. What infected you?" He wondered.

Regaining her voice back, she replied, although, tiredly, "I overworked myself practicing. Not a big deal."

Aidou sat up indignantly, "But-"

"Nothing is wrong," Yuki promised. "Do you think my father wouldn't tell your clan his daughter was diseased and waste your time coming here?"

"That was not how I meant," Aidou replied, "The bond our clans have for each other overthrow any barrier and tribulation. If something were wrong, we'd help."

Yuki acknowledged the cordial oath exchanged hundreds of years ago. She nodded silently.

Aidou looked at her, "Are you sure you're okay?"

She gazed at the sky, a trickle of emotion dipped against her brow and her eyes burned tears. Yuki swallowed the quivering ache at the back of her throat and smiled at Aidou. "Training for the ceremony is overwhelming. Once it's over, I will be fine." She decided months ago to steer clear of excavating the subject of blood bond with persons that did not understand or it would reflect reprehensibly on the crowned prince.

On the last night before the ceremony, Yuki was paraded from each end of the house with her freshly tailored dress that would not forfeit her dancing for final detailing. Ichiru had sharpened her swords, Lord Souen kept bustling back and forth from the tavern to the venue checking blood wine inventory. He had stopped to query Yuki on why he hadn't seen Ruka for several hours. At which, Yuki courteously asked him to hold three boxes of expensive wine prior to explaining.

"Don't be upset. Ruka will be out of town for some time."

Lord Souen's mouth hung open. "Wha—" He shuffled his weight from one foot to the other and secured his grip around the boxes.

"She's gone to make her dreams come true." Yuki asseverated.

Lord Souen's face turned scarlet at the sheer horror. "Wh-how? When?" He shrieked.

Yuki backed away, "Don't worry, she is in good hands!"

"Whose hands? Argh." He growled at the wobbly bottles, but she skipped quickly. "Wait. What in the world is going on?"

"She will come home soon." Yuki hollered and ran inside, "Careful, don't want to drop the limited edition wine."

"Why you—Yuki!"

Haruka was looking down at his daughter from the bridge of his nose. She wedged sideways against the door so as not to run into him and wimbled back to her room like a dog watching its tail obediently. "Where did Ruka go?" He asked resignedly.

She smiled so beautifully over her shoulder, he swore she had patented it. "Hehe, if I tell you, can you convince Souen-sama not to go after her?"

"Answer the question, Yuki." Haruka waited.

The smile summarily wilted. "Around."

"Around where?"

"The world." Yuki sprinkled naughtily.

Haruka rubbed the throbbing space between his brows. "Why do you—how am I—how did this—"

"Otooooo-chaaaaan," Pleadingly, Yuki tugged his sleeve. "You're the best father in the world. Can't you give Ruka time to enjoy herself and help Souen-sama understand?"

The throbbing intensified, he averted.

"Please, please. Just this once? Mm?" She batted her lashes innocuously.

"Ruka is a very good girl. What'll we do if something happens to her?" He demanded.

"Kain will protect her."

"Akatsuki?" Haruka grew severely appalled that his expression grayed, "The love-struck boy will be too distracted."

"Don't worry, Kain is quick-witted," Yuki replied.

"Then you're delusional." Haruka shook his head in incredulous dismay. "How am I supposed to tell Souen his daughter is traveling with a baboon?"

Yuki rolled her eyes. She could not recall how the term found homage with the vampire, but she had a theory it was closely related to his lustrous hair. "He is not a baboon, orangutan…Maybe. Please, help him understand she needs to do this. Father, please! I'll never ever ask for anything, I swear on my apricot nougat cookie-crumbling life. Oh, please!"

For a moment, Haruka grieved over having a scheming child and reluctantly acquiesced. "I'll see what I can do." He grumbled. "But you have to keep me updated on her whereabouts."

"Done." Yuki chirped. Her gamine face shining determinedly and saluted.

o o o

Ms. Laison made rounds late in the evening on the Ichijo guards and guests. She spoke in quiet warmth to Haruka as she bid him goodnight. Toward Yuki's room, she pedaled back from retold hesitation by the sight of lamp burning under the door. Yuki was back to reading the letters. She did not take a gander of the entering human and continued turning the paper.

"Tomorrow is the big night, you can't continue like this," Ms. Laison warned and brushed her head lovingly, "Will warm milk do?"

"By now we've established nothing in the market can put me to sleep," Yuki answered bleakly. In fact, she had tried the rarest and measliest of remedies enamored in folklore and it would be remiss to add warm milk largely favored by humans to the category.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ms. Laison held back a yawn.

Yuki laughed a little, touched by the gesture, "No, but thank you. I'll go practice outside in a while and check on Cyrus and Lilly."

Ms. Laison pensively eyed her and kissed her on the brow. "Let me know if you want anything at all. I'll come right away."

Yuki took her hands. "I will be fine. Takuma will be back with a cure, you'll see. By then you'll be begging me to stay awake and do some work."

Ms. Laison bristled fingers through soft, silk strands of her hair. "I wouldn't mind if you lazed around for a bit. But if I speak to a witch-doctor about the nightmares, we can—"

Yuki clenched her wrist nervously, "We'll talk about it when the time comes."

Ms. Laison frowned but acceded the motion. "Good night, Yuki."

Gloom ricocheted the moment the door locked after Ms. Laison. She was alone in the light. Gold flaked the walls, windows, and floors. Over and around Yuki like a chasm of melancholy pain until she was dyed in the hue of the warm fire and phantom shadows. She hung her head, feeling the infinite thrum of headache from lack of sleep. The back of her eyes traced black veins, her arms and legs traded comfort and health for pangs of stings. She could be sore from practice. Truth was, Yuki did not know anymore. Her body hadn't stopped hurting for a single moment. Her head swayed from fatigue and her foggy vision felt around for the waning wisps of light above painful eyelids. If she gave in, she'd emerge beyond her normal self, and it frightened her. Sometimes she distracted herself soundly. Often times, exhaustion plaited her to the bone, tossing her over the plank of consciousness.

o o o

It stood in the center of the observant group.

"Go on, we're waiting." The master ordered.

Erratically, It morphed out of its corporal form into butterflies. The group gaped in astonishment, which fused into delight and greed.

"We can make a fortune over the border." A man cried out to his rowdy comrades.

The transformation required far more energy than It sustained. It reverted raggedly by collapsing on the floor. The intolerable master growled upon advancing toward It. "What do you think you're doing? Did I tell you to transform back?" He unsheathed his sword.

It backed away from the daunting glimmer of the sharp sword aimed toward Its ribcage.

"Change back!" The master stabbed It on the side.

o o o

Yuki sprang tearfully upright, consumed by hair-raising shivers as the jab landed under the ribcage and the scorching agony of the blade restored. She swayed from the reeling sensation, her vision blurred from tears, sobs swarming over. A black sleeve traced her forehead, brushing directly over tearful eyes and wiped them clean. Arms wrapped around her shoulders and eased her back gently on the firm built of his chest.

Kaname peered down at the contortion of fear from the dream. Her eyes closed as more hot tears trekked her temples. He secured another arm around her waist, locking both hands safely on her abdomen.

"These dreams still frighten you," He whispered in her ear. "Ouji wasn't around to spell you sweet dreams." He rested his chin on her head, turning her left palm to study the wiry black veins. Kaname entwined his fingers through hers. "Don't be afraid, Yuki. Your Ouji is here with you."

o o o

The morning scampered into galloping speed. Running servants and guards energetically basked at work. Ms. Laison hustled between the kitchen and dining rooms to provide for the guests while Haruka was locked in the office for a desperately private conversation with his dear friend, Lord Souen. Yuki rolled up on her bed with a languid yawn and stretching of the arms, a fresh smile swooping her mouth before she knew it. When she opened her eyes, the sun was beating on the paper windows of her room. Her dress stood perfectly ironed and well-manicured for the evening. She sighed blissfully and restfully.

It was the first time in months since she slept.

Yuki did not want to doubt the miracle. She was deeply relieved for the little rest she managed to acquire. She woke up with a bright smile. Her headache was gone, the soreness in her back, arms and limbs as well. To start her day she consumed a handful of blood tablets, the strongest formula on the market, of course. She bathed, practiced sword dance, and tended to Lilly and Cyrus. Zero had made her custodian to the moody white mare. She sensed his absence and did not object to Yuki adding to her haystack, however, she neighed threateningly if she trodded too close. Lilly was more tolerable of Cyrus and when it was appropriate, she opened the gates and let the horses roam the fields.

"Yuki," Ms. Laison called out to her from the yard.

"I'm almost done." Yuki waved her away.

"Takuma is here." She knew the girl was anxious to hear from him and watched with a known smile as she locked the stalls and dashed to the courtyard.

Takuma was greeting his father and bannermen. Amidst the conversation, she noted his turning head to catch sight of her and revert without a hitch. She waited for their conversation to conclude before wedging into view completely. His father patted him on the back, surrendered few words casually and took off with the bannermen to town. Takuma pulled around toward her.

"What took you so long?" She asked first.

He smiled tenderly. According to his sunny nature, it was the easiest and benevolent of smiles. "Nice to see you, Takuma. How are you? Was your trip successful? Do you want to sit down for tea?"

"Depends. Would you care to burn your tongue?"

"I taught you the temperature of the water is the hallmark of brewing tea. It can't be excessively hot." He chided good-humoredly.

Yuki folded her arms. "Blah blah blah. For someone who was gone forever, you sure talk a looo—ah!"

He pinched her cheek. "You didn't think I'd miss your debutant?"

"How could I know? You vanished." Yuki glowered at the blond and favored her cheek with a caressing palm.

"Why, did you miss me?" Takuma grinned.

"More like," Yuki reached out and pulled a flask from his jacket, "Did I miss this? You have no idea." Salivating, she began opening the bottle.

Takuma placed a hand over the bottle. "The blood wine is expensive."

Yuki tipped her head back to lavish in the quality of the drink. Her eyes closed from succumbing to the delicious taste of the pure blood cocktail. It tasted better than the wine hidden in the cellars, or the one she gave Zero.

"There is no fair price available. I sold four horses for it." He continued. "How are you going to pay me back?"

Yuki pried the bottle away and licked her mouth. "Tea?"

"Too easy." He overruled.

"I'll give you my hunters sword."

"The one from your initiation?" Takuma cried skeptically, "Isn't that priceless?"

"I don't need it. Besides, I'm not a hunter anymore."

"No, too depressing."

"Suit yourself."

Takuma narrowed emerald green eyes cleverly, "I know what." He waited for Yuki to cap the flask and meet his scrutiny. He gestured to her impressive attire and sandals. Her lovely hair synched in a knot with simple but elegant stray hair caressing her cheekbones and forehead. "Let me paint you."

Yuki's patience shrank to bafflement. Quickly, she shook her head. "No." She rejected.

"Now wait a second here, Yuki. You owe me for life. No one in Kurashiki has access to blood wine that debilitates your symptoms. Tonight is the event, so you need to be extra careful. For my labor of effort, you have to pay me to my satisfaction. Sit for me so I can paint you."

Yuki guiltily peeked at him from below her lashes. "I…guess I do owe you a lot."

"Great observation." Takuma chimed. "We'll arrange it in two days."

"Fine." She sulked.

Takuma searched the courtyard. "Wh-what is this feeling? I am so parched. I wonder if there is anything good to drink around. Maybe if someone made me something fresh to drink, it'd really settle down. Ouch, you know what, all the riding for a month made my back so sore. Who knew searching for blood wine could be painful?" He groaned and moaned.

Yuki clenched her fangs and frowned at her feet.

"Is there someone kind enough to offer me a lounge to rest my sore legs? I've been walking for days—"

Yuki shoved him by the shoulder, gently due to her guilt. "Did the horse bring you or you carried the horse?"

The laughter in Takuma's voice shriveled to silence. "Why do you have to be a buzz kill?"

She whirled back inside but Takuma followed at her heel. "I can imagine the rough roads and defiant lords interested only in your money, not your pretty face, but if it hadn't been for your help, I'd be a total loss."

Takuma dissected her, tongue on cheek. "How dare you, that's a backhanded compliment. I'd walk through fire for you."

"Is this a sickness between you and him?" Yuki grunted, "Treat me like a pity dispensary."

"Kaname would wring himself dry of blood for you." Takuma defended on their route to the kitchen.

"Oh, poetry," Yuki dryly droned, "Another thing you both suck at."

Takuma flinched, "I take offense, I am the artist. He's been under my tutelage for many years, cut him some slack."

She brewed him tea, which he silently supervised. Given the crowded house of workers, visitors and guards, he suggested they talk somewhere private prior to readying for the event in the evening.

o o o

Lord Ichijo checked the lords tasked to greet guests and organize their needs. The chonin were excited to witness an event veered by the former yet infamous mayor. His guards resumed patrolling as advised, which allowed him to fuse into a mitigated vapor of white ash and drizzle into the edge of the forest. He stopped at a tree in the grove, dripping into a fluid kneel.

"It'll begin under an hour. The inn is within walking distance from the venue. My men are ready." Lord Ichijo murmured to the black contour in the tree.

"Do you want to ruin the critical evening Haruka-sama has been waiting for?" The snapping question obscured from impatience to irritation, snagged firmly by the vice of gritting fangs.

"I don't dream of it." Lord Ichijo replied. "What would you have me do?"

The shadow skittered from the bending branch. The form dropped in black liquid on the ground and the faint indistinguishable haze of energy mutated into a tall figure. "Wait for Jinmu's signal."

Lord Ichijo shifted unconsciously on his knee.

His superior was quick of hearing and raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Shouldn't you go in hiding? It won't be good to get caught here."

Kaname considered his words with the draught of a long breath. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Why are you the way you are." He jadedly muttered under his breath.

Lord Ichijo frowned as if he had been slapped. "Forgive me. I worry you'll get harmed."

"Forget it. I won't let Yuki suffer by herself."

"I saw two camps on my way here. It looked too simplistic to be of relevance, but I'm sure it was intentional. My men are watching over her as we speak."

"The camps are mere diversions. Keep to the plan."

"Yes. Takuma managed his delivery fine. He'll head back tonight to take over Kiryuu's orientation."

"How will love flower if you keep him away from her?" Kaname taunted smugly. "My lord, aren't you being too cold?"

Lord Ichijo lifted his head, "Takuma is unreasonably soft-hearted. She wasn't excited by the proposal, no emotion at all. The son of the Aidou clan tries hard and is determined."

"His heart knows what it wants," Kaname smirked.

"Ouji-sama, her heart is like a rock under the ocean, very burdened. Your blood bond prevents her from belonging to another person. She risks a lonesome life if she does not find a way."

Kaname was watching the moon, sadness creeping into his brows and clinging to his forehead and mouth. Tears rimmed his eyes as he glanced away from the white light. "I won't let her. Haruka-sama specifically wanted her to give into marriage—whether it was a person of her liking or his liking, it didn't matter. No one moves her heart?"

"No. The current of your blood bond continues to keep it out of reach. It could be because of your feelings—"

Kaname's eyes flashed crackling red. Lord Ichijo abided by the warning and bent his head. "Arrange a meeting with Haruka-sama."

"Yes."

Kaname turned away, "Go back."

Lord Ichijo bowed and slipped into a vaporous haze through the trees.

o o o

Takuma sat down comfortably at the table, resting with a smile of relief. Yuki was tracing the lining of her socks. The satisfied seamstresses exited the room long enough for him to procure a leather-bound journal from his jacket. He offered the book to her with a patient smile.

"This is the cure?" Yuki frowned in perplex at the journal, groaning, "Don't tell me I have to memorize it too?"

He laughed, "Kaname is a cruel curriculum adviser. I won't do that to you. What you hold in your hand is the only book in all of the states on blood bond origins. I sold an heirloom pin to acquire it."

Yuki's hope disintegrated, doubt petered into her expression as she gaped at the cover. A metal seal sharply jutted against her painted fingers. Light deliciously slithered the luminescent wings and prominent beak of the silver eagle. "I've seen the emblem before." She mused. Her brown-red eyes widened in realization, she tipped her head up, "In the hall at the Hunters Association."

"Yes, the journal is from the cavernous keep of the Shoto house," Takuma declared.

"You went there?" She asked incredulously.

"One does not march into the Shoto house and take what one wants." Takuma tsked, "No, the mountains did not part for me. People who are wanted find their way in mysteriously. I bought it off an old man on the street."

"On the street? Heh." Yuki immediately sliced skeptically, "A book this rare is not on the street. If it is, then it's not genuine. But the emblem is Shoto silver," She waved her bleeding finger as evidence.

"Where I got it from is not important." He mitigated, "The point is it can shed light on curbing the effects of Kaname's blood. Apparently the Shotos are vastly introspective and gifted with blood cocktail research. Booo—We're teetering on the distrait coattails of an eminent Shoto ancestor who lived in the storm of human-vampire transformation—Booo." He dramatically waved his arms.

"Why are you the way you are?" Yuki opened the journal.

"I take offense."

"Go ahead."

"Let me refute, I haven't heard of successful trials but we can depend on the source. And we have to try anything we can."

"I braced myself at the lack of success, much less a reverse method," Her shoulders sagged heavily at the reality of her inner chaos.

Takuma sighed with her, "The more you resist, the more it persists." On cue, Yuki clutched her chest as another spasm radiated through her bloodstreams. Takuma went to her and steadied by her shoulders. "Listen to me, drop this hard-headed act. Drink his blood."

Yuki squeezed her eyes shut. "Blood bonds aren't supposed to be painful."

Takuma shot up in search of the blood wine he had brought. She securely confined it under the table. He uncorked the bottle and held it ready for her to sip. She was able to relax after three sips. The pain debilitated and the angry black veins simmered under the snow paint of makeup.

"Why am I like this?" Yuki wept shakily, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

The door wobbled open for a cheerful blond blue-eyed vampire. "Yuki-chaaaan!" Aidou sang.

Takuma raptly shielded her from view by meeting him directly at the ajar door. "Ah, you must be Hanabusa Aidou. Good to meet you. You are as handsome as they say."

"Wait, who are—"

"You will know me in time." Takuma flashed a brilliant smile. "Yuki is still getting ready. Why don't you wait outside for a few minutes?" He gestured toward the hall gallantly.

"I just—" Aidou felt his sandals jolt against a floorboard from a shoving hand. The door slammed against his back swiftly.

Takuma locked the door and relieved a long breath. He peered at Yuki over his shoulder. She was rubbing her eyes on her wrists. "You're smearing your makeup. No one will cheer for a red-eyed panda." He admonished.

"I can't stop." She sobbed.

Takuma pushed the bottle in her hand firmly. "Drink the entire bottle. I'll go find you more."

"It'll take months." Yuki clutched the center of her chest, another bolt of blood vessels cramped.

"Yes, it will, but we can't let anyone know about your condition yet." He soothed, "I'll sell my heirlooms, my paintings, and clothes. I'll sell my land and get the strongest blood wine. Now, here's what you're going to do. Shh, don't cry. You're going to feel better, fix your makeup, go to the venue and sword-dance. Kaname wanted you to shine. He ordered talented people to get you ready. The musicians are straight from the palace. The chefs tonight prepared his investiture feast. He sent his own vassals to guard the city border."

Yuki knew all about it, even though it hadn't been vocalized before. "He is so stupid." She sobbed, "What person surrenders to a lifetime of something he absolutely resents for a crook he won't see ever again!"

"He is stupid," Takuma joined, "If he were here, he'd tip his nose up and look down on us like we're simpleton, but his pride won't let him admit it."

"Takuma, you know," Yuki bawled.

"Why won't I know? I spent years getting dragged through mud because of him."

A fleeting rip of the curtain at the window echoed. Takuma felt a vigorous snap against his right side, pain injected up his shoulder. He turned to spy a white claw-shaped piece by his leg. Studying the blowing curtain, he picked up the tiny object that had nicked him from nowhere.

"A toot—a fang?" He mumbled in confusion. The white fang was sharp against the finger pads, close to cutting skin. "How did a fang come through the window?" He queried the darkening sky. Curiously he inched toward the frame to survey the courtyard and enormous rose field leading to a shadowed forest. A gust of wind sent him stumbling and flopping to the floor.

Yuki had finished cleaning the mucus from her nose and tears from her eyes. She reapplied the white makeup as steadily as her erratic hands were able. Takuma sat agitatedly on the floor, eyeing the window while she tidied herself one last time.

"It's almost time for the event," She approached the door, holding back to check on him, "Are you coming?"

Takuma averted nervously from the window and stood sternly. "Yea."

o o o

The event was planned over two years ago. At first the mere idea rattled Yuki's wildest imagination. She found the occasion to be a preposterous waste of energy. Kaname wanted her to reveal her inner and outer transformation. Haruka was pleased the day she began to shower and gravitate toward a fresher and softer style of clothing. Yuki could dance with her swords eyes closed without missing a beat, or a step. She was not nervous in front of the crowd of familiar and unfamiliar faces. She only acknowledged she was more than capable of fulfilling the assignment Kaname designated years ago, and it was time to deliver. She danced on sandals too high for leaping, however, she landed gracefully and firmly, totally balanced and in form. The fluid strokes of her sword pulsated like wings, around and over, sometimes dangerously close to the floor, but she was in the air in no time and the crowd sat with mouths open, breath-holding, spellbound.

She was unrecognizable in her dress and makeup. It took multiple tries for the audience to decipher the ignorant, foul and ill-tempered girl they had always known. By the end of the evening, she was approached by the attendees graciously and respectfully.

"Haruka-sama, your daughter displays a calmness of inner strength and is so well poised. How beautiful. Why didn't you show her to us sooner?"

Fathers of noble birth circled Haruka. Yuki sidestepped but he snagged her by the arm. "No running. You have to greet them."

She lowered her eyes and smiled at the gentlemen. A chorus of 'ahs' symphonized by the action.

"Can I go now?" She muttered without moving lips.

"Haruka-sama, we are pleased to see you how raised your daughter. A fine lady, indeed." The line of men bowed.

"Thank you. Yuki has been working hard." Haruka asserted, "Thank you for coming. Please, enjoy the buffet."

"Can I enjoy some too?" Yuki mumbled under her breath.

"You can have yours after the guests leave." Haruka answered.

Another two hours of introductions, bowing and smiling went. Yuki slipped from Haruka when a burly and hairy-armed man squeezed his hands tearfully and sputtered elegies of treasured sonnets to the astounded vampire of all the loveliness embroiling Haruka.

"A man like you is not born. A man like you is made. You are the epitome of abject beauty the world can finally look forward to. We thank you for your kindness, your beautiful eyes, your beautiful smile, your chest and thighs, oh your fabulous hands."

Haruka extracted his hands, forcefully, "You are too kind."

The man reached for him again. Haruka tensed and waved to his left to indicate his daughter. "Have you met—" Yuki had long dipped out of the scene to his chagrin. He tried a smile at the blushing man. "Excuse me, why don't I get her?"

"Your beauty makes everything worth it, Haruka-sama." The man dreamily stated.

"Ah," Haruka cleared his throat. "It might take a while."

Yuki had gone some ways with Ichiru to a private balcony overlooking the banquet predominantly floored by men of all ages. He was smirking snidely at notable names and faces who had traveled far. Yuki was obviously not in the slightest interested in the guests, more rather in the evening's conclusion, which she hoped would be any minute. A peculiar man dressed in black entered their terrace and stood over the pair.

"Good evening," He held himself to his extreme height and blinked down his nose, "You held a decent event and showed mastery of your sword technique. So decent—" The dark-haired individual reached into the multiple folds of his haori for an envelope. "That it piqued the interest of my master."

Ichiru reached for it but he yanked it away. Glaring at the silver-haired, he hissed between fangs, "For the lady, if you don't mind." He waited for Yuki to accept the envelope.

Yuki inspected the stamp that had gotten too cold to be new. "What is this?"

"If you cared to take a look, you'd find your answer." He replied and stoically stalked back out of the balcony.

Ichiru hovered over her as she ripped the envelope open. "I bet it's a proposal. Some lord wants to offer his land in return for your hand."

Yuki peeled open the letter. The thick calligraphy scrolling on the pale sheet was an address. At the bottom in cutting black ink were orders to come alone.

"Well that's not going to happen," Ichiru objected automatically, "Some upshot lord wants to meet you secretly at the inn? Why should you go?"

Yuki debated the broken seal. "We don't know a lot of people with red seals."

Ichiru followed her gaze and took it upon himself to sniff the letter. "The material is high end. I haven't seen father use red either."

"Neither does mine," Yuki agreed, "I've only seen one person,"

Talking late in the night until sunrise in the room guarded by a sleeping man, Yuki sat on a tiny bench in front of a maroon-eyed smiling pureblood engulfed by paperwork and books of court business and shady pureblood deals. Kaname sifted through them like they were uninteresting yet supreme at the same time.

Can it be him?

"I should go and confirm it myself." Yuki decided.

"Are you out of your mind?" Ichiru demanded.

"I will be right back."

"How do we know this strange lord won't touch—"

"Do I look like I can't handle a pervert?"

"What if you fall for him? He is asking you to the inn." Ichiru cried, "I'm coming."

Yuki snatched the letter and folded it rapidly, "You can be lookout."

The arrangement suited his curiosity, he agreed. Together they snuck into the main roads trailing with people. Yuki crossed the street and Ichiru remained glued to her left.

She regarded him and wondered idly, "Why are you suddenly feeling up for the task?"

"Zero is not here. Figured I'd take over his role, ta-da." He jested.

"I miss him a lot." Yuki sighed wearily.

"He should be settling in comfortably." Ichiru hinted. "We can visit him."

"Let's try dissecting 'how' when your father is determined to marry you off by the full moon." She grumbled, making another turn around the corner and crossed the alley.

"We can run away."

"Do you not see the wall of Ichijo guards in town?" Yuki asked, "They'll drag me back here."

"Right, since your trip to Eternal Abyss, their force tripled." He recounted.

"It's my fault."

"Zero's fault." He corrected.

She averted to find a black contour standing sharply in the center of the road. He had been waiting patiently and turned to face the pair. A smirk coolly widened the corners of his lips at their look of caution. He nodded in greeting and shifted, holding a long arm up to gesture the dark, hollowed inn. The action was completed in silent symphony. His black haori pleated in the evening breeze, a few red hairs trickled against a manicured mask and a pleasing smile quelled into an even line in the limelight of the night. Yuki met Ichiru's eyes in understanding and began to approach the inn. It hadn't been made known to the general public the inn was rented and divested of its original workers.

Yuki was surprised by the absence of locals from the counter and hallway. The place was vacated for the new resident. She entered the lobby and listened for signals to prompt her designation. When there was none, she frowned and touched the hairpin lazily licking the nape of her neck. A pair of doors on her right creaked open by an unrecognizable man in armor. He regarded her drearily before nudging his head inside for her to follow. She found herself in the second large common room rugged and decorated with paper screens and pale blue vases filled with orchids.

There was a man sitting on the mat. Drizzled in luxurious silk and jade pins, the pureblood raised his head with a smile.

"Welcome, Yuki Hanako." Lord Toma purred.

o o o


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