(This is chapter focuses more on the insides view of night class members and our beloved prefects)

Chapter 9


Takuma:

"Is there anything you need Ruka-san?"

The ash brown haired female almost jumped on the spot before turning to face the person who called her out. Her face flushed in embarrassment, she looked no less than a child who just got caught trying to steal. But here is the thing…she may not have been stealing but getting caught loitering before the pureblood's chamber by the vice dorm president was probably a bigger crime. If her conduct is misunderstood as spying then the consequences could be far more dangerous.

"Oh Takuma-sama, I just need an audience with Kaname-sama." Ruka tried her best to keep up that confident face but the blush of her face did not go unnoticed by the vice president. However, he acted mature and overlooked the matter. He saw no reason to embarrass the girl for bearing weakness towards her superior.

"Unfortunately Kaname is not in at the moment. Is there anything I could assist you with?"

All her excitement died down instantly and a wave of disappointment washed over her face.

"No…its fine." Sadness laced within her voice.

"Alright then, but if you have any problems or queries in the future feel free to come and see me; just so you know in Kaname's absence I am the one in charge."

"Thank you for the generous offer Takuma-sama, I shall head back to my room then," She bowed slightly.

"See you in class."

"See you in class Ruka-san."

A sigh left the blonde's lips while he continued to watch the girl's retreating figure vanishing into the darkness.

Takuma may not have had the chance to interact with this female a lot but he was very much aware of who she was. After all her feelings for his best friend is actually one of the most talked about gossip among the members of the night class. And it got double the juicier since the night Kaname drank her blood. People here already started to make various speculations. Some even stooped as low as to brand the girl as the Kaname's mistress while some others called her even filthier names.

Personally, Takuma couldn't find it in him to blame this girl. She acted on her feelings and there was nothing or with that.

Another sigh left his lips.

It all looked so complicated. First there is Yuuki-his destiny, Aiyora-his fiancée and Ruka-his admirer. At this point Takuma deeply hoped and prayed that Kaname knew what he was doing. Otherwise soon it would get a whole lot messier.


Yuki:

Just as the gates of the moon dormitory opened the fangirls that crowded in front of the gate stood in two straight lines. Looking no less disciplined as the military. They left enough space in the middle for the member of the night class to pass easily.

The sight made Cross Yuuki, the female prefect sigh out of relief. As long as these girls were not pouncing onto the night class or create any sort of chaos it was all right.

Quite often Yuuki wondered why they had to be here in the first place, when the girls always turned civil the moment the gates opened. Then again she also understood the headmasters reasons, desperate fangirl are never to be trusted. Which probably was also the reason why the headmaster only chose her and Zero and put the responsibility on their shoulder to maintain the distance between the day and night class during changeover.

Hence why the Chairman always refused to add new members to the disciplinary committee despite Zero's constant rant and complain. He feared that one little mishap could change everything. Even tiniest drop of blood spill could ruin it all and end up revealing the biggest secret of the school.

From the hyper hormonal fangirls her warm brown eyes moved over to the other guardian, Kiryu Zero!

She looked over to see if he was still in place. Yuuki's job was quite difficult. She not only had to keep these girls away, but at the same time she also had keep an eye on her partner to make sure he was not slacking off. After all in regards to duties Zero was the biggest slacker. Most of the time he arrived late on site or worst sometimes he wouldn't even bother to show up.

Yuuki's concerned gaze lingered upon the grumpy silverette's form for period of time before getting diverted towards the approaching members of the night class.

Like usual the one on the front line of the approaching group was none other than the blue eyed flirtatious blonde Aidou Hanabusa. His cheesy lines and seductive moves brought out the worst among the fangirls. Even the ones standing behind Zero would be tempted to try and attempt to cross the line. Lucky were the ones that stood behind Yuuki since they were easily able to push her out of the way.

Yuuki kept a careful eye on the night class as they walked passed. Here was the deal… although she may not have acted like it but Cross Yuuki too was a fangirl-no not a fangirl, an admirer would be more of an accurate term to describe her situation. There was someone in the night class whom she admired from far and desired deep in her heart; just like everything other fan girl in his fanclub. The only difference between her and the fangirls were she was not as loud as them with her feelings and unlike them she got special treatment by that person. And that is because their connection goes long back. Since he happened to be the kind hearted vampire who saved her from the grasp of the evil vampire that snowy night years ago. If it weren't for him, then she wouldn't be here toda-

"Stop blushing you look ridiculous!"

Her train of thoughts was cut off midway, thanks to Zero's insulting remarks.

"I'm not, you idiot!" She retaliated back hoping and praying in her mind whatever pink hue she had dusted on her cheeks would wash away. Sadly it worked the other way. The color only deepened leaving her cheeks tomato red as the end result.

Her blushing face in the public would upset Zero. Mainly because it was an open representation of the feelings she harbored for the pureblood.

"Why are you not on your side?"

Yuuki pointed out noticing how lazily Zero was leaning against a tree trunk. It was actually her attempt to start a normal conversation. In order to divert his mind and to rid herself off the embarrassing colored cheeks. But the male in question chose not to participate. He simply ignored her and kept his focus on the vampires that were passing by.

The last person to come out of that door was the vice president.

Both Yuuki and Zero took notice of that. It was clear that once again the green eyes blonde was the one leading the group, even today!

Kuran Kaname was missing again. It has been almost a week since they last saw him during the crossover.

The pair of lilac orbs moved to focus on Yuuki. A small frown formed at the corner of her lips. Perhaps it was the effect of not seeing the pureblood so long.

Kaname-senpai is absent, yet again. But why? Why was he missing these classes, that too so many days in a row?

By now the small brunette was really worried. She almost lost count when was the last time she saw him during the switch-over. Thoughts about the pureblood's wellbeing refused to leave her mind without a proper explanation.

The Kaname she knew behaved like a perfect honored student. Then why the sudden class skips? Has something happened to him? Something serious must have happened, for him to act this unprofessionally.

Yuuki tried her best to dig out some information from the headmaster but the idea flopped since the latter was also on the same page as she was.

"No use waiting for that guy. You here won't be going to class today."

"I wasn't waiting for Kaname-senpai silly."

"Oh yeah?" he added in a sarcastic tone clearly stating how unconvincing her lies were.

"Then why are you still standing here even when the fangirls are gone?"

Busted!

His point was valid. Yuuki got caught and that led to her feeling at loss of words.

Zero's words worked on her like how pinch of salt stings on fresh wound. Inside Yuuki was hurt, felt offended. She could not help but think was she that easy to read? Does everyone understand what she feels for that dark haired handsome vampire deep in her heart? More importantly does Kaname understand what she feels? Are there any chances that he knows how much she has been in love with him since that snowy night or how she has been in love with him even before being familiarized to the concept of love?

An exhausted sigh left her lips...

Pushing thoughts about her favorite vampire deep inside the young brunette turned on her heels, after casting one last glance at the moon dorm she made her way back to the school premises to get started with her patrol duty for that night.

Why do we have to live in such different worlds?


Akatsuki:

Meanwhile in the night class:

The presidents absence was felt there the most, especially by the vice president Ichijo Takuma. It was his easy going friendly appearance that resulted in most members of the night class not fearing him the way they should be. Even though at the beginning it was mostly under control because people at that time were not sure how long the pureblood was gone for. However soon as they started to notice the frequency of his absence and how rarely he attended any of the classes-the trouble makers worked the situation in their favor.

Even today during their session in class there was barely any discipline. The whole night class thing was turning out to be quite a joke without the presence of its founder. Even the teacher did not bother to show up. It showed how much enthusiastic the vampires really were about this whole co-existing with the human project. The only reason most people came here is to honor the request made by a pureblood which in their realm is equivalent to command.

Kain Akatsuki also fell among those groups who really did not care about the whole co-existing. Then why was he here? Was it because the request came from the pureblood, the current patriarch of the Kuran family due to which his family could not deny? That played a partial role but the main reason why he chose to come to this academy was so that he could stay close to his cousin, Ruka.

The very thought of that beautiful woman was enough to make his heart flutter.

His brunt orange eyes did a through scan of the class room. Aidou Hanabusa, his other cousin and roommate remained on his seat but was busy making hideous drawing of the male disciplinary committee member. It was an unusual hobby of the blue eyed blonde. The vice president was busy chatting with some girl. The anti-social models Senri-Rima were lounging in the corner snacking into their favorite pocky biscuit. There were others lounging here and there.

Most were minding their own business. Akatsuki was least bothered by them his eyes only searched for one…

Finally his greedy eyes settled on her. He watched her like he was enchanted, hypnotized… Sometime Akatsuki wondered if Ruka had secretly cast some spell on him. Otherwise how can it be possible to be so mesmerized by one? Was the power of love that strong? If so then why does it not have to power to make her reciprocate the feelings? Why only in that aspect is it so unfair?

He lost track of time. He was not sure for how long has he been watching her. However she too could not bring herself to be bothered with it. She must have felt his stare; he was sure about that but made the move not to notice. She was smart. She remained unmoving in her position facing the widow with her back facing him.

The view from his vision told him that she was lost in the beautiful night sky but Akatsuki would have to be a fool to believe that. She was waiting for the pureblood's return and that was the sad, bitter reality of his fairytale like love.

Despite his mind's protest Akatsuki still went forward to stand beside her.

The childishness inside him believed as if it would make some sort of difference, but the reality punch him in the gut when she paid him no means of attention. Her eyes were still set outside.

Those vibrant hazel orbs looked so dead. They appeared emotionless most of the time. Difference was only made when she was near that pureblood. It was only those times that her eyes light up, they sparkled in ecstasy. If only those eyes ever lighted for him he would have treasured it with all his power, all his strength unlike the pureblood who doesn't give a damn about it.

But it is what it is…

Just the way she is his purpose. The same way Kuran Kaname is her purpose. Just the way his reason to come to this academy was her the same way her reason to come to this academy is the pureblood.

She came with heart full of hope and mind full of determination to win the pureblood's favor. Well so did him, to win her. Now it is only time will tell who is the ultimate champion.

"Yo…" as usual he had to take the initiative to start the conversation. But he paid no mind to that, when it came to Ruka he could not bring himself to mind at anything.

"What?" Not even the fact that the response he got was a snap. She didn't bother to hide the irritation.

"From the looks of it there will be no class tonight." He tried to carry on the conversation.

"Who cares?" he does, every bit of it only when it is about her.

"Worried about something?" he went on but this time received no reply except for the deepening of her frown. He chose to add on the matter as well "…Keep in mind frowning like that will give you wrinkles soon."

She released a muted snarl. Even in anger Akatsuki found her to be so beautiful.

"Can you shut up!" she almost yelled. It hurt him but he did not take it to heart.

"Worried about him?"

She remained quiet but her shoulders stiffed.

"You know there is no need to worry about him. He is a pureblood, far stronger than all of us combined. Danger will not come near him; as a matter of fact it will run the opposite way."

This time she turned and glared at him before storming out of the classroom.

His feet ached to run after her but he knew he couldn't because she would not appreciate it.

Therefore his eyes only lingered upon her retreating form and he let out a tired sighed. All the while his mind selfishly wondered if only she understood or at the very least tried…


Zero:

Dinner with the headmaster was something that neither Zero nor Yuuki looked forward to but it was something that could not be skipped either. No matter how much they get irritated by him does not mean they have forgotten what the chairman has done for them.

They are both orphan. Yuuki has no memory prior to age five and Zero lived to see his family get brutality murdered by vampire. Neither had anyone to turn to for help and that was when Headmaster Cross took them in without any questions. The man did not only take them under his care, he provided them with a place they could call home. He did not marry nor does he have children. It was with them that the former hunter made his family. This was why out of obligation both Zero and Yuki made sure never to miss dinner with their adopted father…although they never address him as such despite the man's constant ranting about being called a father.

Even though by now Yuuki grew accustomed to his childish nonsense but still there were times when she too found herself in quite a bit of a challenge. However with years of experience she learned how to control him in her grasp. Which is precisely why she was more of his daughter than he was his son. She also carried his last name, which he refused from day one.

For Zero it was a different story. He was never an easy child to handle like Yuuki was. While the latter was more like an open book, the former always kept a distance. Making it difficult for former hunter to figure out what was going on in that mind of his. Aside from his immense hatred towards vampires there was nothing that Cross or Yuuki could read about Zero.

Also the fact the Cross had soft spot for vampires made the gap between him and Zero wide. Unlike the former hunter Zero saw this pacifist ideology as complete waste of time. In his eyes vampires are never to be trusted, they will never see humans as their equal. Given the chance they will feast upon mankind right then and there. It is his hunter gene that made him repulsed to the idea of living with the vampires.

Yuuki on the other hand was polar opposite of him. She believed and supported her father's idea of humans and vampires co-existing. And because of this the father and daughter were able to carry on pleasant conversation during the dinner time while Zero only fumed in rage inside. Although Yuuki had the common curtsy to try and avoid the vampire topic in Zero's presence but Cross always went overboard with it. Most times he acted blind to Zero's feeling.

In order to avoid listening to vampire praise Zero trained himself to eat fast. It became his normal routine to finish his meal fast then rush off to the kitchen in order to clean up the dirty dishes. It was no different that evening either…He was already in the kitchen doing the dishes whereas Yuuki and headmaster were only half way done with their meal.

His actions momentarily paused as he heard Yuuki voicing her concern about the pureblood's frequent absence.

"Can vampires fall sick like us headmaster?"

"Why do you ask Yuuki?"

"Um…its-its just that Kaname senpai… he has not been attending classes properly. So I was just thinking if he was alright?"

The stuttering of her concerned voice made Zero want to vomit. Even though she was not in sight he could still pictures the spreading of blush across her cheeks. His grip on the plate he was washing tightened. Maybe a little bit more pressure and he would have shattered the object.

His lips curved down to a frown. He loathed it every time she spoke about the vampire in such a kind voice, he hated the fact he could always feel her heart skip a beat every time the pureblood was mentioned. Zero always found himself asking why out of all the people on the face of the earth Yuuki had to fall for a vampire, a pureblood vampire? The worst in their kind. That leech did not deserve her. He was a creature of the darkness and she belonged to the light. Their world was far apart. More importantly did Kuran Kaname really saw Yuuki as anything but a potential prey to devour in the future?

Zero snapped out of his zone as he heard the headmaster's voice assuring Yuuki right away that the pureblood was just fine, nothing can happen to him, he is incapable of falling sick, he must be busy dealing with business in the vampire world etc.

Zero noted the doubtful tone in the chairman's voice. That was kind of expected since the man too hadn't seen the pureblood in quite a while.

"Oh Yuuki-chan you look so adorable with that worried face. Next time I will make sure to take a picture of you like that and send them to Kaname-Kun…"

Zero clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. He could never really understand why the father-daughter was so obsessed with that guy.

Like really why!? They are just monsters! Good-looking monsters. Just because they are 'Goodlooking' does not spare the fact that they are dangerous predators.

Even if Yuuki's situation sort of justified, her serious crush on Kuran was her reason to be so love-struck by vampires. Still that had a valid explanation. She was a girl in the teen years, she is young and naive who barely has any clue about the outside world and it's harsh reality.

But the headmaster! His fascinations with the vampires were purely absurd. What was that old man really thinking? He- a legendary figure within the hunters' society is now running a school for vampires. There was something seriously wrong with him.


Rima:

Rima crunched her form and went under the blanket. She groaned lowly, irritated by the sunlight that invaded the room. The ginger-head was quite used to sunlight by now since there were countless times when she had to shoot under broad daylight. She always managed to survive with parasols and sunscreens. However during her sleep she didn't want any of that.

But hold on how was daylight entering the room anyway? She recalled closing the curtain before heading to bed. She was about to look over her shoulder to investigate when the sound of deep sad sigh reached her ear and she knew right away what was going on. Her roommate opened the curtains again to watch their dorm-leader either leave or enter their dorm! This was becoming an everyday routine for the other female. And it annoyed the model to no end.

"Hey Ruka-san close the curtain, I'm trying to get some sleep." Rima did not care how rude she sounded but the girl was crossing her limit with her obsessions over the pureblood. She was chasing a dream that would never come true.

"Kaname-sama is leaving…again." Ruka muttered softly.

Rima rolled her eyes. Seriously, as if she even asked for that information. Instead of doing what she was asked, Ruka [raa1] was providing update on the pureblood's schedule. Like she cared for that information in the first place?

"So…?" Rima did not hold back on giving a blunt response.

"Are you not least curious as to where he is heading at this odd hour?" the way Ruka asked sounded like she was demanding.

Rima closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath. This was the time when she really hated sharing room with this person. Her possessiveness and obsession for the pureblood not only made her character boring but completely irritating as well.

"His personal affairs are no concern of mine. Neither should be yours."

She was sure she heard Ruka growl under her breath but chose to ignore it.

Ruka wasn't that bad at the beginning. Yes she sure was blunt about her feelings for the pureblood but now she has changed. Day by day the changes in her personality was becoming more transparent in the eyes of the peers. She started to behave differently. She was becoming borderline stalker for the pureblood. Although Ruka never said it out loud but in her body language acted like she belonged to him. And it all started since the night he drank from her.

It is Rima's belief that action by the pureblood gave her some sort of mix or rather wrong signal which is leading her to act the way she is acting in the recent times.

The vampire world has some strange views when it comes to the whole 'feeding' process. It is norm in the vampire culture to drink from the humans. They are the predators and humans are their preys; which is why every time a vampire drinks from human it is looked upon as feasting. But when a vampire drink the blood of another vampire especially male to female it can produce many different types of meaning. Among vampires drinking blood is not only quenching thirst it was also deepest form intimacy. It can turn out to be as pleasurable as sexual intercourse and on many occasions deep pleasure even leads to that.

The pureblood's action that night actually shook the whole night class. It left everyone confused. Therefore blaming Ruka solely for her actions would be wrong. It is him who is more at fault than her.

When Rima turned Ruka had already closed the curtain and was heading to bed. There was glimmer of hope in her eyes. At that moment a part of Rima debated if she should tell her. Thanks to Senri she more knowledge on the pureblood's private life. But, she held herself back. It was not her place to share such confidential information. She had no desire to get involved in a sort mess with their leader.

It's better the way it is…at least for now.


Ruka:

Ruka was on way her to her room. She was about to take a turn in the corner when voices chatting in the lobby downstairs got her attention. She would have paid them no means but the moment the pureblood's name was uttered it became her business. Before she even knew her footsteps came to an abrupt stop. Hiding in secluded area she started to listen...

"It's so much less stressful when Kuran-sama is away. I like can breathe properly when I am not in his presence." said a chirpy voiced girl.

"I agree, he is quite frightening." This time it was a boy.

Then another person added. "I personally don't think he is fit for school. He barely has time for class. We hardly see him. Poor Ichijo-san is having to do all the work."

"Yeah, you're right Kuran-sama is always so busy with the council."

That little bit of criticism about the pureblood was enough to make Ruka lose her temper. She was about to go down and give those grateful souls a piece of her mind. But before she could take next step she felt a strong grasp pull her back. She shot her head back ready to take down the intruder only to be faced with her cousin and closest companion, Akatsuki.

"Let go…" she hissed trying to pull her hand back but his grip remained firm.

"You're acting irrationally." He refused to let her lose.

"They are bad mouthing Kaname-sama."

He could only sigh at her illogical argument.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion."

Ruka rolled her eyes and forcefully pulled her arm out of his grasp. However she did not run towards the crown in full battle mode. Instead like a matured person she stayed back and continued to listen further. In hopes to find out more about her beloved Kaname-sama, but If only she knew what a grave mistake it would turn out to be…because the conversation was heading another direction that she would not like.

"…Honestly I don't think it's the council. My father is a member there. I don't see him going to meetings that often and for that long period of time."

"You're right! Maybe these meeting are just a cover up to meet his secret girlfriend."

One of them suggested.

Ruka, who has been secretly listening to the conversation for a while became alarmed and livid at the revelation. The very thought of the pureblood having someone in his life intimately burned her heart with jealousy.

When Akastsuki started to pull her away, the sane part of her felt obliged to follow his lead. It told her to move away before she is hurt further more. However the irrational part of her that was head over heels for the pureblood took control making her stay back. It told her not to move could not even move without proper explanation of what she just heard.

And Akatsuki was left with no choice but to stay back as well…

"Are you serious Kuran-sama has a girlfriend? Is it that disciplinary committee girl?"

Ruka's blood boiled. Her hands balled into tight fists. The urge to punch something became quite severe.

"My cousin told me he is engaged!"

Ruka's heart stopped!

In that moment she felt as if the whole word would come crushing down. She was not ready for it; she was not ready to hear that. A sudden agonizing pain rapidly spread over her chest and made her feel as if her soul was being pulled out of her body.

"Oh I heard that too. My father was present at the meeting where the decision was made."

That sounded more like a confirmation. All of a sudden Ruka could no longer feel her body. It went numb, completely numb. She would have collapse onto the ground long time ago if not for Akatsuki who stood behind her as a pillar. Nor did she realize when her eyes watered up or when the tears started to trickle down.

The same person continued

"…he also said there was almost an ugly fight between the head of the Shiki family and council Chairperson regarding the matter."

"Who is he engaged to?" Asked one of the girls.

"His sister I believe."

"He has no sister! His parents had no daughter. It's his cousin actually. His parents took the girl in once her father went insane."

And then someone pointed out,

"Despite having a fiancée he acts so cozy with that prefect? He has no moral."

The gossipers continued but Ruka could hear no more. She was on the verge of falling into the darkest pit but she got a hold of herself and didn't allow that to happen. She wiped the tears away and pulled herself out of the moment of weakness. Akatsuki's watchful eyes were on her she could feel them.

"Are you okay?-" She cut him off before he could go further.

"Perfectly fine…" She stood firm and strong, as she turned to face the male behind her. She couldn't allow herself to look weak and fragile. She was not raised that way; she was raised to be proud dependable woman. She was someone on whom other people could rely on.

"People could say anything but that does not make it true. I'm not going to believe anything just on the basis of gossip. Kaname-sama is a strong pureblood and the last of Kuran therefore he is much envied. People will say things to bring him down. As someone loyal to him I'm not going to accept any rumor as true unless I witness that myself."

With those words she walked away from there. Leaving Kain Akatsuki to stare after her retreating back.


Takuma:

The time was half past noon when the dorm president finally returned from his supposed meeting with the council.

Hiding behind one of the pillars Takuma watched Seiran answer the door.

The duo seemed to exchange a quick hushed talk before Kaname headed towards the stairs. He took slow and steady steps on each step of the stairs only to stop half way; as he looked over his shoulder and with a stiff nod of his head signaled Seiran that she was dismissed. And she vanished into the thin air.

Panic surged through Takuma when realization hit him that he got caught! He tried to keep calm but couldn't even help himself. After all Kaname tends to get pretty scary at times. And this looked like one of those times!

The pureblood quietly waited for some time on the step of the stairs. He was giving his friend the chance to come out. But the blonde did not even move. He couldn't dare.

About half a minute passed and Kaname's patience finally gave away.

"Is there a specific reason why you are following me like that…?" the brunette turned his head, again, this time his wine eyes landed directly on his form hidden behind the pillar.

"…Ichijo!"

Takuma was out of option. Playtime was over. He came out sheepishly scratching the back of his head. There was also a silly smile attached to his lips as he spoke up in his defense.

"I'm sorry Kaname. Didn't think I was going to get caught so easily. You have eyes of an eagle."

The impassive face of the pureblood helped the moment grow tensed with each passing breath. Although there was no sign of anger on his face, but that doesn't mean he wasn't angry; as a matter of fact he was livid! After living with the pureblood for so long Takuma surely gained that much talent to figure out his best friend's emotional state.

"I had high hopes from you…" Kaname said sighing with frustration.

"Once again my apologies Kaname…I honestly didn't think it would make you so upset."

The brunette glared at him as a response before demanding an explanation for the action.

"Care to explain why you were following like a creep in the first place?"

Takuma chuckled like it was no big deal while deep down trying his best to come up with something logical yet silly which will give Kaname enough reason to let the matter slide. And this was what slipped out of his mouth…

"Oh Kaname…you can be so silly sometimes. I wasn't following you. I was actually enchanted by the sweet aroma emanating off your body."

The current look on the pureblood's face can be very much compared to man who just got caught cheating on his wife. Although Kaname's situation was completely different yet the look very much resembled a dishonest-man. That made Takuma feel bold, it right away gave him the courage to investigate further.

"You smell very nice. Did you start to wear ladies perfume…because that cannot be your smell?"

"I went to visit certain someone." The pureblood admitted honestly.

That bit of information was enough for the Ichijo heir. He no longer needed to ask with whom or where he was. That fragrance alone stood as the evidence of where he came from in the first place. Thus without wasting time the blonde dived straight to the point.

"So how is Aiyora-chan?"

"Well!" was Kaname's one word reply.

"I have not seen her in a long time. I can bet she has become quite beauty."

"Indeed." Kaname added, this time in a lighter tone. "She has to be. She is my sister after all."

"Am I to assume that this the reason for your increasing visit to the Shiki manor?"

He didn't bother to reply. Instead he continued to walk up the stairs. That was Kaname's style of running away. It made Takuma more courageous enough to not hold back. Although a part of him was aware that he was speaking against a pureblood, his higher up but his heart told him to side with justice.

"You toyed with her once. I'm sure her recovery was not easy. Please don't repeat that again."

Without stopping in his tracks the pureblood responded.

"Ichijo…its best to stay out of affairs you don't have prior knowledge on."

"Kaname I'm not sure what your motives are but know this…you cannot bring happiness to one at the cost of another's sadness. Even if you manage to get one it would only be fleeting."

That stopped the pureblood stopped on his track but he did not turn.

Takuma understood that he must have successfully stirred something inside of his friend. Did he regret his action? Nope, definitely not! Truth is he did not support his friend's actions at all.

Knowing that this might be only chance Takuma threw the question that he has been dying to ask for years.

"Do you not care about Aiyora-chan at all? She is after all your little sister. The youngest one in the family. Does your soul not quake at all to be so cruel to her?"

"I do care for her…"

He admitted after a brief pause and then released a sigh, the sound of which was able to reach the blonde's ear.

"...however I cannot afford to get myself attached to her."

There was hint of regret in that tone.

"Is that because of Yuuki-chan?"

"No…"

"Then what is it?"

Kaname was again silent for a while before finally answering,

"…In the long run there will be no Aiyora in the picture."

Takuma's eyes closed down tightly. His heart broke. "I see…so she is a sacrificial lamb?"

"Fate is unfair to her and I have no power to change that."

With those words the pureblood just quietly walked away. Leaving Ichijo behind astonished and angry.


a/n: thank you all for reading. hope you guys enjoyed. sorry for the long wait but i'm back. And also thank you for all the reviews and taking the time to leave all the suggestions and advises. Just so you guys know i'm always open to ideas. so if you think you have anything that might go with the plot please feel free to share. i know there is no Kaname-Aiyora-Senri in this chapter but by this chapter i wanted to bring to light what's going on in the mind of the other characters. next chapter we will have the main trio back. also pleasure excuse the grammar and typos since the chapter is not edited properly but will be done soon.