chapter xvi.

Purebloods seemed to not be as affected by the sun as the Nobles. Or Asuka just assumed that because the rest of the vampires were used to the usual school timetable, they usually arose with the setting of the sun. But the moment Asuka felt the sun rays begin to peek through her curtains, she had begun to awake, a small yawn escaping her lips as she moved from the bed towards her wardrobe. How unfortunate that today was yet again, another school day. What she wouldn't have given to wear something much more comfortable than the White Uniform that was insisted by the school.

But alas, rules were rules. And fortunately, because this was a Friday, she would be able to relax for the weekend! Not to mention, Asuka was excited to be able to go to the Kuran Mansion with Kaname. She wondered if she should ask to bring Senri along so he wouldn't be left all alone, or if he would be alright by himself to stay at the school. She knew that eventually he would become close friends with Rima, but she didn't want to abandon him so early when he barely knew anyone.

Perhaps she could get him to socialise with Rima, but also Takuma. At least then he wouldn't be alone, if she ended up going on this trip with Kaname.

Moving smoothly through her bedroom to check upon what she would need for the day, she wondered if Zero was about and roaming through the school grounds. Perhaps the second part of the School Tour could be held now, especially since she was bored, and was certain that both Kaname and Senri would be fast asleep. And she loathed to bother them when there were other things, she could possess her time with. A small, amused smile appearing upon her lips the moment she noticed the familiar silver locks roaming about the gates of the Moon Dormitory, she decided to scribble down a note in case her brother or cousin came looking for her upon her table, before escaping out through the window to land upon the ground.

Utilising her powers to allow for her to jump over the gate, she began to chuckle as she watched Zero react to the sudden appearance of her being and aura, beginning to cock his Bloody Rose gun in her direction the moment she materialised at his side.

"So, it seems you're definitely not a morning person." She greeted with a five fingered wave as she watched a grimace appear upon his features at having to socialise with a blood sucker. "Good morning to you too, Mr Hunter." She teased, as she watched him roll his eyes before finally putting his gun away.

Grunting in reply, Zero snarled out, "You shouldn't be out at this time, Pureblood. What are you doing out here?"

Running a finger through her wild curls, Asuka shrugged in reply, unfazed by his attitude as she commented, "You promised to finish the tour yesterday, so here I am. Plus I'm still jetlagged, and everyone else was asleep."

She had always been a morning person, even back in her old world. Despite being a vampire, it seemed that she still liked to arise with the sun, or as much as she could with her vampiric body allowing her to do so. There was just something about being out in daylight that she appreciated, and although she knew the stereotypes that came with being a vampire, it seemed that she had never quite lost her humanism love for sunshine.

"Fine. But after this you have to go back." Zero replied as he pushed his hands into his pockets, hoping to finish this tour as soon as possible, so he could shove the pureblood vampire back where she belonged. And at least he could tell the Headmaster he had played nice with at least one vampire today.

Not to mention, he didn't want to deal with the puppy dog eyes of Yuuki if she found out that he had been rude and brushed off yet another vampire. And one she seemed to admire, even from a single interaction. What was it with Yuuki fangirlling over vampires, didn't she see how dangerous they were?

And at least she seemed much more tolerable than many of the other nobles, and her dearest brother.

Now, just to find out why exactly Asuka had interacted with Yuuki the previous day, treating her in a similar fashion to her brother. Was it to further Kaname's agenda? Was there a sinister plot the pair had in mind for Yuuki?

The moment he woke up, he could sense that his sister was not within the building. His eyebrows furrowing as he searched for her aura, a small snarl escaped his lips as he realised where exactly she was, and who she was with. The bloody Vampire Hunter, the one he so loathed. If it wasn't enough that he was beside Yuuki (who deserved much better than the boy who would inevitably die from transitioning a Level E), it seemed that the boy desired to also occupy his twin's attentions, and that was something he would not tolerate.

Cracks beginning to appear upon his walls as a direct result from his anger, Kaname balled his hands into fists as he reached over to down some blood tablets mixed with water, before moving to push his sheets to the floor. It seemed even despite his best attempts, Asuka could bring out the rawest emotions in him; bringing his self-control over his powers to zilch.

His eyes narrowed as he moved a hand to self-correct the destruction that had appeared at his hand, a sharp sigh escaped his lips as he lounged upon his couch, resting an arm over his face as he winced slightly at the rays of sunlight that appeared in his room. Unlike his sister, Kaname did not enjoy the sunlight. And whilst he could tolerate it as a pureblood, he did not find himself often venturing out until it was much lower in the day.

At least the weekend was almost upon them. Kaname was grateful that he would finally have his sister to himself. Away from Vampire Hunters and other Noble Vampires, he would finally have her attention fixated on him alone. He had missed the times that was spent — the pair of them side by side, especially when it came to the promise that they had given one another from a young age. One that he had never forgotten and likely never would. He would move mountains, and carve out seas for her, his love was fathomless.

He could only hope that the day would never come where she decided to leave him.

That thought was almost unconscionable.

A small giggle escaping her lips at the way Zero seemed to become more irate with the amount of Day Girls who seemed to appear out of nowhere for a small peek at the pair of them roaming the campus, Asuka wondered if she should throw him a bone and allow for the tour to be finished. But she had to admit, she found his company rather amusing, (he reminded her of one of her best friends from home) — not to mention that she hoped in time he would come to see her as a friend, and a companion.

She had immense sympathy for the way Zero had been treated within the anime, and she would strive to make sure he would not suffer the way he had. It had been cruel of her brother for what he had done, and although she could understand it from Kaname's point of view, she desired for no one to have their original fates.

And one day, when she had Yuuki and Kaname reunited, and all was well — then perhaps she could think about her own future. But for now, she was content to play the background character, the one who supported the rest.

Her smile widening the moment her eyes caught sight of a recognisable short locked individual, she brought her pathway to a halt as she waited for Yuuki to catch up to the pair of them as she greeted the other with a warm smile.

"Hello Asuka-chan, what are you and Zero doing out and about today?" Yuuki asked, her eyebrows furrowing as she wondered how exactly the pureblood vampire had been able to get Zero to be at least somewhat pleasant as they walked around the campus. Shooting Zero a curious glance, she flashed a bright smile at the vampire as she waited for the other's reply.

Chuckling at Yuuki's curious nature, (it seemed some things never would change), Asuka replied, "He was kind enough to offer me a tour of the school late last night, and well I thought I would accept. Although I must profess, I didn't anticipate there to be so many Day Class students about, I must apologise for the fuss!"

Ignoring Zero's snort of derision, Asuka decided to jab him lightly with her elbow as she rolled her eyes at his look before continuing, "So I'll hold of for now, and perhaps you can take me another time!" And if anything, there was that Asuka desired, it was to spend more time with her younger sister. She had already been able to bond with Kaname, but she had barely spent any time with Yuuki, and she hoped that they would be able to do so in the future. She just had to lay down the foundations first for a friendship.

"I'll see you both later at the crossover, I better head back towards the Dormitory before they notice I was gone!" She finished with a smile, before departing from the pair, waving her fingers as a farewell as she headed back towards the Moon Dormitory, hoping that she wouldn't bump into any humans along the way. Not that she felt the same way that many vampires did towards the human species as a whole, (especially as she had once been a human herself!), but she hoped that with the time she had left before class began, that she could spend some time with either Senri or Kaname.

But most likely Senri, since she might have to leave him later that evening if he didn't come along with her and Kaname to the Kuran Mansion. And did she mention how relieved she was that it seemed that they seemed to get along? In the original anime, she wasn't quite sure of what type of relationship that they appeared to share, especially since they shared such little screen time together. But she hoped that in time, they would become close friends, like she was with both of them — especially since all three of them were family.

And since they were her favourite people, (well apart from Yuuki of course.)

Perhaps they could spend the afternoon together — the three of them bonding together doing some activity. And at least this gave her an excuse for her not being with the rest of the Nobles, at least for now.

author note: well it's been a fat while hasn't it! i apologise for the time it has taken for this update, and how short this one is — it's been an extremely busy time for myself, and i honestly lost quite a bit of muse for writing in general. but i hope you're going well, and that you're staying safe during these times. it was tough for me to get into muse for all the characters and for me to screw my head on for the storyline, but i'm hoping over the next month i can get out some regular updates, once i decide where this story is going. of course, i have an idea — but nothing is quite set in stone, so if you have any ideas please let me know via review what you would like to see in terms of characters, plotting, anything really! i love to hear your thoughts. always.

it's been very interesting for me to look back and see the preferred pairings for this story, and whilst i'll keep my own personal preference for what i think will happen with the characters under wraps, please do keep letting me know what you think should be the ultimate pairing! do you think that asuka will end up with kaname? or senri? both? or perhaps will she end up with someone else? or even no one? time will only tell.

and as always, i can't believe despite such a long hiatus, that this story keeps getting views, favourites and follows. i'm not sure anyone is still even interested in this story (so please let me know if i should even consider updating), but it really does touch me that people enjoy it enough to press that button to subscribe. let me know all your thoughts, i'm dying to know (especially because it's been so long!

and till next time xx