Hello Everyone! How are you guys doing? How is your summer or winter? How are things going in general?
I'll be honest; I did not expect this chapter to have waited this long. I have planned to work on this chapter for three days then upload it on the fourth day. Well, life had different plans for me. Another reason for this chapter being so long-waited, this is one of the essential parts of the story. Finally, I love how this chapter became and hope you guys enjoy it too.
Anyway, let's continue onto the story, shall we?
I do not own Vampire Knight.
Chapter 21
"This time, you're mine."
His words affect my body in ways I didn't know were possible. The sound of my heart thumping so loudly echos in my ears. My palm resting on his chest can feel the heat and beating of his heart. Our faces are only inches apart for our lips to graze ever so slightly. His warm arms make my body feel hotter than fire. His fingers running through my hair tingles pleasingly. My mind repeats his word 'mine' over and over. Our position had me forgot about the room being damaged by his Pureblood power. I licked my chapped lips before replying to him.
"Kaname, I-"
His glowing red eyes have returned to the beautiful color of red-brown. Kaname relaxes his head down on my chest. The prince's weight had me sink into the couch from escaping his hold. My hand trailed up from his side to run my fingers through his hair while the other wrapped around his shoulder. I was trapped in the arms of another man I was also in love with. This silly man has worked himself half to death. The exhaustion in his eyes reminds me of vampires not being all-powerful. They feel the same stress and fatigue as humans do. However, it is not the time to be in this position with him.
"Kaname-"
"Mei, just this once, can we pretend that I am a normal man and you're a normal woman?"
His request confused me for our eyes to connect again. He would be an ordinary human man, and I would be an average woman. We could live in a world without vampires and vampire hunters existing. Yuki would not have to forget her memories. Zero would have his brother and parents beside him, living happily. A world without any war or bloodshed spread on the ground. I could have met Zero and Kaname as plain, ordinary Mei but have the cliche romance of one girl falling for two boys. That would be so nice. It would be freeing, but would we have met without the supernatural? While I was in my thought process about his comment, our lips were close to touching again.
"It would be nice to become a normal woman and man."
Kaname stopped his actions listening to my words.
"If I were normal, I wouldn't think of you as someone capable of drinking my blood. I would not have to think of the consequences of becoming a vampire. We could be happy."
Zero's smile from the night of our first kiss entered my mind. My arm moved to cover my eyes as all the happiness with Zero, Kaname, and Yuki entered my mind. The rest of the night class appeared after them, with Father, Uncle, Ichiru, Shizuka, the huntresses, Maria, Yamato, and Yuri. Each of them has made such a significant impact in my life as Mei.
"If I pretend, then all the happiness I've gained from knowing would disappear. The bonds I've had with everyone because of the existence of vampires would disappear. Kaname, it sounds so freeing, but I'm so confused right now."
"What do you mean?"
His voice sounded so low and deep next to my ear. I paused for a minute on how to word this correctly. How was I going to explain to Kaname about my relationship with Zero? My cheeks flush at the thought of hearing our relationship escape my lips. The back of my hand softly touched my lips in recalling our kisses.
"Zero and I... we..."
Kaname grabbed my hand off of my lips to be replaced by his own. My eyes widen, feeling the softness of his lips passionately taking mine. There is no denying his experience was far beyond Zeroes. Zero's kiss was so sweet and gentle, almost too afraid to go any further. It proved Zero would treat me with compassion and treat me right. Kaname's kiss felt possessive and passionately. This felt like a hungry animal was tired of holding itself back. His kisses would continue with each breath I try to take. My mind was losing the necessary function to think and respond. Kaname did not stop his assault but went further down to lick my neck.
"When I wasn't looking, Kiryu has taken you away from me. He keeps stealing your first while I'm distracted. I can't deny wanting you by my side any longer. Mei, would you like to become a vampire with me?"
My eyes widen getting some oxygen in my system to keep track of our conversation.
"...A...vampire...?"
"You have mentioned you're in love with a prince belonging to Yuki. However, you do not get to choose who I belong to. For that vampire, the prince is in love with the new Vampire Hunter Association President."
I felt the oxygen from before leaving my body again by his words. Kaname and Zero are both in love with me? Then, what about Yuki? Is she going to be left alone because of me?
"K-Kaname..."
"Become a blood-sucking monster like me, live for eternity by my side?"
His words tugged on my heart harshly. My eyes were burning from the tears escaping. If I was Anastasia, I would have given him an answer immediately. My body needed constant surveillance by doctors and nurses. The attacks would weaken my system for days with no medication working. The worst part of these attacks was the horrified look my mother reveals to me. My wish was to get better so my mother could smile happily again. In some ways, I believe my past life was jealous of Yuki for being loved and helped by so many people. I remember hating Yuki most of all. My biggest hatred for her was being unable to decide between Zero and Kaname. The decision was made for her by Kaname. However, meeting Yuki as Mei Kurosu with the memories of Anastasia. It made me think of this child differently.
My existence might change her to become a different person. This was my decision. I can't give up on it when I'm so close. My green eyes stared at the blurry vision of his vampire's eyes glowing.
"I can't do that, Kaname. I can't leave everyone to become a vampire. It sounds even more selfish than falling for two different people at the same time. I need to finish what I started here first."
The room went silent after I replied to his answer. The atmosphere felt quite strange from Kaname's side. There are many questions to our relationship with these feelings being exposed. A conversation does need to be made with Zero about myself and Kaname. I'm aware of his acknowledgment of my feelings with Kaname, but certain things do need to be discussed. A shuffling sound alerted me back on Kaname to watch his movement away from me. The young pureblood prince got off of me then help me sit up next to him. He softly caressed my cheek with his thumb moving in small circles.
"It's enough. It has already been an eventful day for you, and I'm not helping with putting more pressure on you. I understand your feelings for me and the hunter now. I'll send for someone to take you home now."
He smiles sweetly at me with those enchanting eyes sucking me in. His expression looks so calmingly kind but has a small part of sadness hiding deep within his eyes. There have been many incidents where his face has captured me but this feels so weird. My heart is beating incredibly fast for the sickening feeling deep in my mind flows through my thoughts. The feeling of wanting to be captured by him. I want this vampire to capture the vampire hunter.
"Mei, don't think so deeply about this. There will be a time where we can discuss this. For now, it is time for you to return."
Kaname escorts me to a limousine directing me back to the Academy. I did not get a chance to say goodbye to Uncle, Zero, or Ichiru before my departure. Father waits for me on the other side of the gate with a warming smile. A coat surrounds me to protect my bare skin from the freezing snow falling on the ground. The sounds of rushing footsteps on the pile of snow had us turn towards the noises. She was standing beside the gate with her heavy breathing being shown in this cold weather. Her eyes narrowed with an indescribable expression. How can I possibly explain my new title? How can I tell her about myself and Kaname? A human's selfishness can go from greed to downright terrifying. I wonder what scale of selfishness is mine?
"Yuki-"
"Idiot!"
Her high pitch shout had me jump from her interruption. This is the first time I've seen her yell at me or call me such a name. My eyes cast down on the ground as all the overwhelming guilt is hitting my heart. The weight on my heart burned my eyes with the foggy vision of water taking over. Some fell from my eyes towards the ground or on my shoes. I've truly have made Yuki completely alone.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry-"
She engulfs me in one of her tightest bear hugs. Her arms feel so familiar and safe in some way. My arms instinctively wrapped around her waist to keep her warmth close.
"You idiot. I had no idea you were going through so much. I promise you."
She moves us from our hug so our eyes can connect. Those burning red-brown eyes with determination and making a breakthrough. It was like Yuki has created a new goal for herself.
"Out of everyone here, I'll be by your side. I'll support any decisions and become the big sister you deserve all this time."
My eyes widen as the vision of Yuki's vampire appearance beside Kaname enters my picture. The big sister that I deserve? However, we will have to be a part soon, and then I'll use my Vampire Hunter President title to conduct meetings with the Kuran family. How can I possibly explain to Yuki we will have to separate soon? My love for the vampire prince is her fiance? Did her parents create this decision for the pureblood line to remain pure? How on earth can I explain any of this to her?
The new sun rises for the next day with the events of yesterday night consuming my thoughts. If I can be honest with myself, there are times where I want to run away from this, abandoned everyone to keep myself protected. I wished for the accident of retrieving Anastasia's memories to have never happened. I would remain unknowing of future incidents. Black feathers falling from the window of our classroom had me look up at the familiar creature. Those soulless black eyes staring directly at me. I wouldn't have met Yamato in this unfortunate world of vampires and humans. Kaname telling me about us being normal women and men lingers in my mind. My words were not a lie. My feelings for him were no lie. Part of me wishes for normality like the other girls screaming and gushing over their silly crushes. I want to be like that but every new event has me in the middle. No, I put myself in the middle because I chose to change the story.
I looked behind me to see Zero and Yuki talking. Yuki looks at Zero with anger while he looks away in annoyance. I believed my goal in coming to this world was to keep the main characters from suffering a tragic destiny. Yuki would have Zero and Kaname by her side with their children growing up in a secure and happy home.
"I have feelings for you Zero!"
"I've fallen in love for a level D and a Prince that belongs to my adopted sister."
A huge boulder felt like it was resting on my shoulders. The rock adding pounds after pounds as I recall my flaws and mistakes between them. In the end, I have no one to blame but myself for the decisions I had to make. Yet, here I am complaining over and over when I should be happy. I should be happy but something keeps drawing me away from the joyful emotion. Why does it feel like something is missing? Why do I feel like something isn't adding up? I wonder. I close my eyes to relax my brain from the racing thoughts in my brain until someone touched my head. My sight went towards the owner of this hand to see Ichiru with a small smile.
"How about we go see the night class before they leave the academy for their vacation?"
"Ah, that's right. They are leaving today."
I understand this was meant to help me but now my attention went straight to Shiki. Shiki is going to go to his mother's house. Then, he meets with his Uncle to be introduced to his father they all seem to talk happily amongst each other about their vacation, well, Ichijo mainly. r. His body gets possessed by Rido Kuran! Oh god, this is beyond stress for any normal human to take in. Yuki wrapped her arm around mine to push me towards the night.
"My parents are saying that I should come to visit them. So this year, I'm going home."
The sound of Shiki's voice had me look at his side. He had the same stoic, unreadable expression with tired eyes. He has been getting many demands from different agencies to model for their merchandise. It must be exhausting for him. Shiki's gaze went to me with only a nod of his head. In the usual sense, he would pat my head with a nod of acknowledgment at me. However, this moment felt so different than anything else. We had too many personal conversations these past few days for us to not feel closer.
"...Senri..."
My voice sounded hesitant on calling his first name. His immediate response was rushing towards me with a shocked expression. This idiot vampire was in the sun and not under the umbrella with Rima. I quickly took my coat off for his head to be under it. His lack of awareness of his health was beyond laziness. The whole Kuran bloodline is full of idiots.
"Senri, what are you doing?! Your skin is severely sensitive to the sun's rays."
"You...you finally called me by my name."
His voice sounds so sweet and happy that it had me backtrack a minute. How can a simple name make someone so happy? The look in his eyes tugged at my heart. Ever since I could remember, Senri has been the person to read through me. No one else could understand my feelings besides him. I was able to understand him more than Rima and Ichijo. We would have each other backs too. Our relationship was more than friends but nothing romantic either. It feels more like...
"... Siblings."
"Siblings?"
Senri responded with a tilt of his head. My lips curled upwards in a smile watching the emotions spin in his eyes. All this time, I looked at Senri this way without realizing it.
"Yeah. We have been having many personal conversations lately. It feels like we are able to understand the other's hidden emotions. We watch out for each other. I've never really had a brother. Plus, I do not mind viewing a vampire as a sibling, so if it is okay?"
Senri did not deny or accepted my words with his own but expressed them by actions. He removed the coat on his head to wrap his arms around me. The tightness of the hug had me feel warm and protective. It was a small simple action with a huge meaning. I understand. My arms wrapped around his torso closing my eyes. The eyes of blue and red came into the dark. My eyes opened to be welcomed with the stoic expression of Rima facing us. She nodded her head in a hello fashion. I did not return the hello but glanced at Senri's side profile.
"Senri, be careful visiting your mother. Be wary of the man you call Uncle."
Senri slowly released his arms to stare at my eyes. I hope he could see the fear in them for him. I want him to notice the dangers he will be facing. A few seconds passed by for him to nod his head.
"I promise Mei-chan."
He released his hold on me to walk towards Rima. My coat was in Senri's tight grip staying by his side. Please be safe Senri. Do not let your father control your body. You are a person, not a toy for him to use. I watched their backs going down the steps with all the other vampires following behind. The last vampire to stop by my side was obvious.
"You and Shiki have quite a strong relationship."
He makes conversation with me but the events from yesterday return, especially the warmth on my lips.
"Senri has been the only vampire to truly understand me. He is aware of my lies. He knows when I tell the truth. He has become a family to me."
"I would have never thought to hear the president from the Hunter Association call a vampire family. Perhaps, you are the one to make our pacifist a reality."
My hands were in a tight grip hearing his voice echoing in my ears. I have never been in love with someone so strongly like this before. A small sigh left my lips as the night class students stepped into the limousine.
"I can't act like yesterday's events did not affect me, Kaname. I can't keep pretending there won't be conflict from this development. I-I'm going to tell Zero and Yuki about the incidents of last night."
The aura around Kaname was unknowing, and the expression was not in my field vision. The feel of his fingers grazing my hand to unclench my hand was our only physical connection.
"I'll be waiting to hear how the conversation went between you three. Until then, Mei."
Kaname left my side with the sense of loneliness and heat leaving behind. All I could do was watch his back until entering the limo, but he paused. He turned his head towards my direction with those heating eyes connecting mine. A small wave from him while I nodded in his direction. He went inside the vehicle and drove off with the rest of the vampires inside. A breath of fresh air left my lips as a presence from behind took in my vision. He stared at me with anger but understanding. He must have known this was going to happen but continued this relationship.
"Zero..."
We stood a reasonable distance away from each other, only watching and waiting for the other to say something. Zero was part of my heart through parallel connections, and we understood the pain. As I stand near Zero, I think of Kaname but standing near Kaname makes me think of him. I honestly cannot live without the other one. The silence was killing me, so I decided to take my chances.
"I'm in love with you and Kaname. Last night, we-"
"You don't need to say anymore."
He cuts me off while walking forward then touching my cheek. The hunter's eyes of pain and acknowledgment of my feelings broke my heart. Out of nowhere, his lips curled up into a small smile which made my belly flip. I can see the kindness on his face that Ichiru has described many times.
"I know part of your heart belongs to Kaname because of your past with him. However, your heart belongs to me too. Suppose I had to make you decided between myself or Kaname. You would choose neither one of us, and we would have completely lost you. I do not want any of that."
He leans down to press his lips onto mine while I returned the affection. The sweet, gentle, afraid to hurt me, kisses are him. I am helplessly and undoubtedly in love with this man. The conversation between us is not over yet. I released his lips to look at him seriously. He must have gotten the sense of some urgency from my expression. I watched his expression turn serious as the aura got to business.
"Zero, there is more besides Kaname and me. Maria is going to wake up soon."
His eyes widen in surprise wanting to question but I did not give him the time.
"Your parents were ordered to kill Shizuka Hio lover but there was no knowledge of her lover murdering any human. The man was trapped with Shizuka in a cell. Your parents were part of the trap for Shizuka to become a wanted Pureblood princess. In fact, the Hunter Association President before me was in partnership with an enemy. The one who started everything. The one who planned to kill your parents, Kaname's parents, and destroying our lives."
"Who?"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Rido Kuran."
*peeks in slowly and waves* Hello~! As I've mentioned in the beginning, I did not plan for this chapter to be waiting this long. It turns out that I needed a longer break because all of my chapters are updated, rewritten, and happy with chapters. I hope you enjoyed reaching this far. Do not be afraid to PM me with questions about the story and review. With that being said, what do I always say?
Until next time