A/N: Before I start, curious question to all the guest readers. What's with the sudden Zero fascination? I received few reviews asking me to have Aiyora end up with Zero. (Not sure if it is, one or multiple people) I'm just trying to figure out after all these chapters you guys are think Aiyora should end up with Zero? What boosted the idea. If any of you could clarify that would be great, thank you.

Chapter 55


"Wait up Cross Yuuki! No ...I mean Yuuki-sama!" Hanabusa chased after the Kuran princess holding a pair of shoes. "How long do you intend to run barefoot?!"

Listening to that Yuuki abruptly stopped and turned to check her foot.

"Don't tell me... you injured yourself..." the blonde aristocrat's panic level continued to rise.

"I thought I cut the backside of my foot just now."

Colour drained from Aidou's face. "Kaname-sama is going to kill me!"

"I don't care anymore... Just hurry up and put on these shoes!" Realizing how rude that came out, he immediately corrected himself. "I mean please put on your shoes Yuuki-sama." And made sure the honorific 'sama' was emphasized.

Yuuki almost jumped back in surprise. This obedient side of the blonde was yet to settle down with her.

"I never thought a day would come when you'd address me so respectfully, Aidou-senpai. It's quite disturbing and to some extent creepy. Please keep it the way it was like— "Cross Yuuki" or "Hey, you."

"Please forgive me for my earlier rudeness." He said awkwardly.

He then proceeded to grab one of Yuuki's foot, "Anyway, put them on— I mean please put these on." And placed it into the sandal.

"You must return to your room. If you don't return soon, Kaname-sama will be worried."

Hearing her brother's name Yuuki teared up. It was all the pent up emotions that were basically starting to pour out. When Hanabusa noticed the tears droplets dropping to the ground, he quickly looked up and was surprised to find the pureblood crying. It was his first time witnessing something like this...

"You know, for a pureblood to cry in front of others... it is unheard of. I, myself haven't seen anything like this ever before."

Yuuki looked away in disappointment.

"If I'm only allowed to cry in the confound of my own heart, then to me, it would be equivalent to punishment of some sort."


Kaname came out of the bathroom fully dressed and drying his hair with a small white towel. But the scene he just walked into, left him awestruck.

He swallowed, unknowingly.

It was hard not going closer. Especially when every cell in his body was pushing him otherwise. However he stood at a distance, maintaining few decent feet between them. He didn't want to get too close, he was afraid. Afraid of losing to the evil voice inside him that was trying to lure him towards her.

Aiyora was looking out through the window watching Yuuki and Aidou.

Clad in a baby blue slip dress that Seiran had fetched her, and hair gathered to the right shoulder, Aiyora was a sight to be held. However, even amongst such perfection, the Kuran ancestor's sharp gaze dug out the one tiny flaw. She appeared skinnier. It was something Kaname thought was impossible up until now. As Aiyora hardly has any flesh in her body. She is all skin and bones. He was starting to get worried. It was call for concern.

Kaname cleared his throat to gain her attention. And it worked. She turned instantly.

"Are you wearing the exact same clothes?" It was the first thing she noticed. Aiyora could swear he was wearing the exact same light blue shirt and navy blue pant before he stepped into the bathroom to clean up.

"I happen to own a lot of similar articles of clothing."

"This isn't similar. It's the exact same one."

"If it bothers you, I can change."

"You don't have to... I was just trying to have a normal conversation. For a moment there I wanted to pretend as if the past few hours didn't happen."

He cast her a longing look before closing the distance between them. He pulled her into his chest and had his arms wrapped around her tightly. It was a bone crushing embrace. He couldn't help it. Even though he was worried that it smothering her, but the need to have her caged in arms was overcoming all other worries.

"Life isn't simple Aiyora. No matter what is done, we cannot simply erase what had just happened. I can understand what you are going through, it was your father and Senri. The position you've been put into isn't an easy one. And it will only get more difficult for you. It is why I have taken the decision... I am going to take you out of the academy."

"After this is all over?" She asked, confused about the timeline he was referring to.

"No, before everything begins." He blurted out. A little worried as to how she would take in the news. "It will be in everyone's best interest if you are away from the academy during this time."

He pulled back to see how she would react and to his surprise,

"Okay fine." She agreed, with no form of protest at all.

"Do you not want to know where I'm planning to take you?"

"Nope! I'm sure wherever that is, it is safer than remaining here. However, before that I would like to see my father... in his true form. And perhaps bid farewell to Ri-chan."

"There is no need to bid farewell to anyone, I will bring you back once it's all over, I promise!"

Aiyora wasn't sure how reliable his promise is. Yet somehow, her instincts trusted him.


Aiyora quietly walked with Kaname as he led her to the room were the casket carrying her father's body was placed.

She gulped nervously as they reached the door to their destination. Her hands and feet turned cold from the emotional turmoil. Distracted with her thoughts she didn't even notice when Kaname opened the door until he tapped her on the shoulder and motioned her to go in.

Taking a deep breath she walked in. Kaname entered after her and closed the door behind him.

Kiryu Ichiru, who was already inside, guiding the coffin, was surprised to see the two purebloods.

"This room, originally belonging to Ichijou-sama and Shiki-sama now serves as the temporary residence for Rido-sama. So... what brought you two here?"

Aiyora was about to walk towards the coffin but Kaname grabbed hold of her shoulder and stopped her.

"Kiryu Ichiru, would you mind opening the casket for me?"

Ichiru remained unmoving from the spot, which prompted Kaname to speak again.

"You're under under no obligation to follow my command. Therefore it's alright if you disobey."

"No it's fine, I don't mind."

"As I thought, it's similar... that obedient trait of yours."

Ichiru flinched, even though he was prepared not to let this individuals words get to him.

"I wonder if my words have upset you?" Kaname continued with his taunt.

Ichiru didn't respond to that particular comment either, he simply kept doing the task he was asked to do— open the casket. Seizing this chance Kaname continued to push further.

"It is actually my first time seeing living twins from the hunter's family. Conceiving twins for hunters is rare, let alone successfully giving birth to both of them is absolutely unheard of... before the two of you."

Aiyora turned back and shot Kaname a look. She simply couldn't understand why the history of Hunter twin existence is so important at the given moment. But she didn't stop Kaname from continuing.

"In the case when the offspring of the hunters are twins, coexisting is impossible. Even inside the mother's womb, when the fetuses don't have a mind of their own, just by acting on instincts the fetuses try to devour each other and ultimately results in the strongest one to come out alive."

Aiyora noticed the change of expression on the human's face. How he was just bitterly swallowing all of Kaname's words.

"...This situation it's quite like how the vampires crave blood."

"Shizuka-same used to say it was a fitting punishment for hunters. Our ancestors ate one of your ancestors and this was the punishment inflicted upon us."

Aiyora turned to check out the look on Kaname's face. But the latter kept his eyes closed. It was clear that woman still held a portion of his heart even to this day.

"But this was a rare case, where one fetus didn't fully devour the other. You weren't totally absorbed by your brother, and managed to survive. Seems like your brother was soft hearted even before he was born."

The chains were all undone. Ichiru pushed the lid off of the casket.

"Here, the coffin has been opened,"

That was enough for Aiyora to shrug off the ancestor's hand that was gripping her shoulder and run towards the open coffin. And there she saw... her father's actual body.

"I cannot stop you... Do what you want! You want to destroy Rido-sama, right?"

Kaname quietly walked over to the coffin and stood directly in front of Ichiru. Silently challenging him to go on. And the boy did! He didn't hold back.

"That's right, you want to destroy him. After all it was you, who demolished Rido-sama's body to the point it took him ten years to restore. But what I don't understand is that, if you could destroy him to that level, then why didn't you just kill him off completely? Would it not have been better? Or perhaps you didn't kill him that night was because you couldn't?"

Aiyora was surprised. Putting the pieces of puzzles together on his own, this Kiryu was a lot smarter than his twin.

"You're right if I would have finished him once and for all, perhaps Shizuka-san's fate would have been different." Kaname admitted in a somewhat defeated tone. Before he walked around the coffin, went to where Aiyora was crouching down and joined her.

There was a moment of silence during which both the male observed the female as she lovingly caressed her father's face. Her next action surprised them both. As neither expected her to lean over and kiss him softly on the forehead.

"Now Rido... the time you've been waiting for has finally come." Kaname muttered, while his hand moved over to the mentioned person's throat and slightly tightened, like he was ready to crush his throat. But Aiyora caught hold of his hand and threw him a look that indicated that she was challenging him.

"Don't worry... I won't do anything to him." He reassured. Aiyora's eyes remained unreadable. Whether she believed him remained unclear.

"However I do need to give him my blood in order to have him awaken in his own body. So for that I need you to step aside."

"I want to give him my blood as well."

"But—" Kaname's attempts at protest was put off before he could even start.

"I want my blood to stream inside him."

"I do not think it would be a good idea."

"Then your blood isn't going inside him either. As his daughter I won't allow it!"

"Excuse me?!" The look on Kaname's face hardened. But it hardly made a difference to the person to whom it was meant for.

"Now the choice is yours to make."

The ancestor bit the inside and of his mouth. This young lady was one tough cookie to crack. It's either he accepts her terms or she will topple over his plan in the final moment.

"Fine! Place your hand over mine." He offered her his hand and she accepted.

Seconds later Kaname pulled the sword out of Ichiru's sheath, raised it high up in the air.

"Now close your eyes." He gave her a warning.

Just after the younger pureblood closed her eyes, Kaname dived the sword down and stabbed directly into Rido's chest, through their intertwined hands.

Pain jolted through her body making Aiyora bite her bottom lip hard. It was the only way she could stop herself from crying out in pain.


Back in the sun dormitory:

Vampires are such selfish creatures.

Zero remained seated at the edge of his bed with his head hung low. Still trying to register the fact that the Yuuki he once knew, was a vampire all along.

"Yuuki is without a doubt a member of the Kuran family."

The smug bastard's words repeated in his ear again and again.

"The Yuuki that you once knew, no longer exists."

And so was her voice, repeating what he didn't want to hear.

"Because..."

"Shut up!" Zero hissed.

"...the vampire Yuuki completely devoured her."

"Go away!" He stood up, screaming and clutching his head tightly.

The pain throbbing in him continued to rise while his eyes and the tattoo on his neck both kept on glowing.


Yagari Toga stood outside the moon dormitory, gazing at the particular window in the corner.

As he was about to take a step forward, he felt the presence of another behind him.

"I'm glad to have you back Yagari. But depending on why you are here, I might ask you to leave immediately." Said Cross Kaien, not the headmaster but the legendary hunter.

Yagari turned and responded. "I was away for a while, the air around here reeks of something unpleasant. I'm here on the order of Hunters Association, to kill Zero. I'm sure you're aware of it as well, aren't you?"

"So tell me, have you come here to be the front line in this attack?" Cross asked.

"If I am, what will you do?"

"In that case I'll show no mercy, not even to you!" Cross replied taking off his glasses and revealing the set of cold eyes that usually hides behind them.

"If you let Zero stay here, this academy will become a battleground. Is that what you want?"

"I will protect my son..." Kaien took up his sword, ready to unsheathe it. "At all cost."

A tensed silence hung in the air for a moment before Yagari decided to retreat.

"It's the first time I've seen that look on your eyes. Alright! Alright! You win. I love my life far too much to go up against the legendary hunter. I must admit, your complacency used to irritate me to no end. I'm glad I got to see this face of yours. Now I know that—"

The hunter with the eye patch got abruptly cut off when a figure landed on the ground out of the blue.

"Zero-kun!" Kaien was the one to acknowledge the silver haired boy.

"So then... you've come to kill me?" Zero asked, leaning against the wall breathing heavily, his voice rough and raspy.

Yagari flinched at the accusation.

"Of course you have! After all I am a vampire."

Another attack surged through Zero's body and his tattoo expanded.

"Come on, do it!" He threw the gun at his teacher. "Kill me now!"

"Zero-kun stop it!" The headmaster's scolding fell into deaf ears. As Zero was already pouncing on them.


Takuma returned to his room, carrying an unconscious Senri over his shoulder and was greeted by the uncalled for scene. He gasped when understood what was going on. Quickly he dropped Senri to his bed and rushed over to the purebloods.

"Kaname! What are you doing? That too with Aiyora-chan?!"

"Why do you seem so panicked, Ichijou? Everything is going to be fine. I can tear this man to thousand pieces, but unfortunately I can never deliver the final blow. So as a result, I have decided to resurrect him as he wishes."

Takuma listened to his friend with his mouth part in shock.

"Take it Rido, it's what you craved and lost your sanity over... the purest blood of Kuran and taste of your own offspring!"

"Kaname... what do you mean you can't kill him?" Takuma's warm eyes were swirling with so many different kinds of emotions. "No, that sounded wrong!"

He rushed towards his friend and tried to pull out the sword.

"Listen Kaname I don't care what you do to him, his life is meaningless to me. But first, I want you to tell me that why you and the rest of the purebloods always take such extreme measures?!

Kaname continued to ignore the vampire hoovering over him and instead spoke to Aiyora, warning her about the upcoming action.

"Close your eyes and hold your breath Aiyora. It's going to hurt a little."

"Alright."

The female pureblood braced herself and seconds after, Kaname tore their hands out of sword. Making Aiyora gasp out in pain.

"Fine! You don't care about being understood, do you? ...It makes me sad though." Takuma said sadly, after being ignored.

"I put mine and Aiyora's blood into his body, so that next night, he will no longer need to use Shiki as a host." Kaname explained while watching his wound close up.

However Aiyora's wound was closing up at a slower rate. Kaname took notice of that and quickly brought her palm to his mouth and healed it. Kaname was going to clean up whatever residue of blood remained on her palm but she pulled her hand away and smeared that blood onto her father's lips.

"When this body come back to life... the taste of my blood is what I want him to receive first."

Leaving Aiyora's side Kaname stood up and resumed his explanation to Takuma from where it was left off.

"You see even in this state we can still be resurrected. We purebloods are extra ordinary, aren't we? However, we can still be killed. If our head or heart is crushed or somehow beheaded."

"Kaname what are you talking about?" Takuma's question was left unanswered as his friend assisted up the other pureblood from the ground and was about to walk away with her. But it was Ichiru's words that stopped him.

"Your desire to destroy Rido-sama still hasn't changed. However, according what you just said you are unable finish him off; but why is that?"

"Because I am the progenitor of the Kuran family." Kaname admitted. Then turning back, revealed the rest. "And Kuran Rido was the one who awakened my from my coffin. It is my secret, which only his daughter had known up until now."

During this time Aiyora utilized the opportunity to have a sneak peek of the unconscious Senri. She wanted to go close to him and see for herself if he was truly alive. But couldn't, because of the burden of guilt surging inside the heart prevented her.


Meanwhile at the council:

"It is only a matter of time before Rido-sama obtains his desired blood and is fully resurrected." Said the head of the council, Ichijou Asoto. Looking outside, the massive windows behind his desk.

"After that, I plan to have him replace Kaname-sama, as the head of the Kuran family. When that happens the council will become even more powerful. But still... there are hunters freely roaming the academy and that worries me."

The old councilman shared his plan with the person that was with him inside his office. Who ironically happened to be the current president of the Hunter's Association.

"I don't understand why? What is there to be worried about?! Rido-sama isn't any ordinary vampire." The head of the hunter's association spoke in a smooth voice.

"I know he has lived longer than I have, but in spite of that he still behaves like a child. And it is because of this insolent behaviour that I find it hard to understand him. As it is, I still have no idea why he is keeping one of the Kiryu twins as his pet...?!"

"The reason is probably very trivial. Like he got bored with all the time on his hand. I understand you have your concerns, but you need not worry about the other Kiryu boy. You see, that boy Zero may have been born into the Kiryu family but was turned into a vampire by Hio Shizuka and later he has drunk the blood of the Kuran princess many times. I thought perhaps I could put him to good use..."

Ichio took out a small vial of blood from his drawer and placed it over his desk. The association president neared the desk, the lower portion of his face covered with his fan that he carries with him at all times.

"...But unfortunately, that child seems to have no intention of obeying me. Therefore the hunters have been ordered to eliminate him, under my command...because now, I deem him to be a very dangerous vampire."

The association president finished it off with a evil smirk curving up end of his lips.

"Also... if I may have the permission Sir Ichio, may I suggest you something?"

"What is it?" Ichio raised a brow.

"I have heard quite a lot about Rido-sama's daughter; might I add, I am a big fan of her work too..."

"Get to the point."

"I've gathered information from close sources that, she shares a very close relationship with her former fiancé. And I'm sure you know how odd that is... I highly doubt the return of the other Kuran princess will hardly make a difference."

"Your point?" Ichio was losing his patience.

"Kuran Rido is a wrong choice to replace Kaname-sama. But if it is Kuran Aiyora, it could be a win-win situation for you, that is if you can tame her."

The cross dresser took the vial and put it inside his pocket.

"That way both the male Kuran will be dancing at the palm of your hand. If you invite the bitch in, the two salivating dogs will certainly follow."

Ichio refrained from commenting. However the the head of the hunter association did have a point. But the question is how reliable is that information? What if the arrival of the other Kuran princess changes Kuran Aiyora's position, what then? He will lose everything!


Zero was thrown into the underground dungeon.

"Why are you giving up on yourself, you idiot?! Who do you think I am? If I wanted to kill you, I would have done that long ago. The association president and the vampire council are working with each other behind the scenes. Whether it is the association or this academy, at this point all of them are rotten. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to exterminate vampires... but not you!"

Zero found himself unable to raise his head up.

"If you plan to sit around and feel sorry for yourself then do it. Stay in here and clear your head. Maybe then you'll find a solution."

The older hunter then crouched down and put the Bloody Rose gun on the floor.

"And Zero, always remember that you're not a vampire, you are a vampire hunter!"

With that said, he left the silver haired male alone inside that dark cell.

"The Yuuki that you once knew, no longer exists... because the vampire Yuuki completely devoured her."

Her words rang inside his mind again. Followed by the memories of the old times when she would call him so innocently.

"Zero!"

He closed his eyes, shaking in rage. His body and soul both could feel the presence of three Kuran inside him... resonating. Therefore he could no longer think rationally.


With her head hung low and eyes glued to her own feet Aiyora sat on the edge of Rima's bed. For some reason she found her pastel painted toes nails to be quite fascinating. Not only the nails, at this point anything was far better than the reality she was living.

She had come here with the purpose to heal the injured female. And she did! Using her own life-force Aiyora healed the almost fatal injury that Rima sustained while protecting Senri. It was the least she could do. Especially after the loyalty and love the aristocrat showed towards her Ri-chan.

If not for Rima, Senri probably wouldn't have been able to fight back against their father. And for this brave and selfless act Aiyora will always remain indebted to this girl.

Suddenly a hand reached out and touched the side of her arm, jerking the pureblood out of her chain of thoughts.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Rima apologized, her voice sounded exhausted. Although she managed to open her eyes but the struggle to keep them open was showing.

"Please don't apologize Rima-chan. Take some rest. We'll talk when you feel better." Aiyora said affectionately caressing her head.

"But I am feeling better, thanks to you."

Aiyora flashed her a smile and soon an awkward silence fell between them, as neither knew how to exactly carry on with this conversation. It was to be expected with the reality now sinking in. Even before they become friends, the two girls were indirect rivals. Rima may not have had a chance with Senri, as the latter only saw him as a friend. But that doesn't mean Aiyora never saw her as a rival. To Kuran Aiyora, Tooya Rima has always been a rival, from the very first time she laid her eyes upon the aristocrat, she looked at her through the eyes of a rival. It was only recently that the two decided to become friends. Yet, despite their friendship on the outside, Rima's feelings for Senri never diminished and nor did Aiyora's insecurity.

Deep down Aiyora always feared that one day Rima will steal her Ri-chan from her.

However tonight, she proven wrong! Rima never wanted to steal Ri-chan from Ai-chan. She was simply a girl in love. A girl who loved her Ri-chan selflessly. A sector, where she most certainly lacked. Because Aiyora's love was selfish not selfless.

"Do you know how I ended my engagement with Kaname?" Aiyora decided it was time to break the silence. She had enough of it. The heavier the silence got, the more it weighed her down her heart with guilt.

"Is it important?" Rima asked skeptically. Although she didn't know what Aiyora was going to say, but for someone who spent last few years observing the particular pureblood could make a guess.

"I... I performed oral on him, then, pressed rape charges against him."

Rima tried her best to keep a neutral face. Aiyora on the other hand strangely felt lighter. It felt as if heavy weight have been lifted off of her shoulder.

"And what a twist of fate... when my own father tried to rape me in Ri-chan's body, it was Kaname— the person I falsely accused of rape, saved me."

Rima really didn't know what to say.

"Now do you understand what kind of person I am, Rima-chan?"

"I find it wrong to judge you. You did what you had to do, in order to get out of an engagement that was forced on you."

"You're being too kind Rima-chan. I don't deserve such kindness. And it's not only Kaname, I have acted so selfishly towards. Ri-chan also received his fair share."

Aiyora exhale a deep shaky sigh and Rima placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. It was a gesture friendship that shows she would be there for her as well, no matter what.

"The first time I read a rumour about the two of you on a magazine, I tried to sabotage his career. Put him in a situation where he was indirectly asked to give up his dreams for my sake.

Sadly, he was almost ready to do that.

Whereas I showed him my loyalty in a hilarious way— Many many times I found myself in compromising position with Kaname. Now it makes me wonder, if the situations were ever the other way, how would I have reacted? Quite frankly, I don't think I would have been able to sit on the side and tolerate. I'm not as patient as he is. I probably would have killed him, alongside the person involved."

Rima retracted her hand and sighed. Truth be told she will always be envious of the pureblood. Life for them is so much easier in general. They and can do almost anything without having to really pay for the consequences. It's not the same for the aristocrats.

"It's easy for you say because you are in position, where you can take action. Senri isn't. Even if he was burning inside, he couldn't have done much against two purebloods."

It was the first time her voice held much pain in them. And Aiyora understood it wasn't from the earlier injury.

"Ultimately, he was taken hostage by Daddy. Not even once I tried to reach out to him. I was too busy trying to get my father out of his body. While doing that I allowed that man to misuse Ri-chan's body and do cruel things with it. As a result it landed Ri-chan into a situation where Kaname tried to kill him. Directly or indirectly it gave Kaname the opportunity he was possible looking for."

She paused, and swallowed back the emerging cry. But failed to hide the tears. It was too late to hold them back, they were already rolling down her face.

"Now I see the picture clearly... I am responsible for all this. Whatever has happened with Ri-chan is because of my failure. I took our relationship and him, both for granted. I promised to look after him, protect him... but look where that led to!

Hence I don't want to make anymore phoney promises.

With a heavy heart I come to realize that Ri-chan will be protected and safe, as long as you are in his life Rima-chan. ...Which is why I want you to be with him all the time. Keep him safe and protected. But first and foremost you must take care of yourself. I don't want to put you in a place where you would have to die in order to save Ri-chan. You are the most loyal person he has in his life. I wouldn't want him to lose you at any cost."

This time Aiyora reached out to take hold of Rima's hand and brought it close to her heart.

"It is why I'm ordering you Tooya Rima, to protect yourself first. You must stay alive in order to love and protect your Senri."

Rima tightened her hold on their intertwined hand. Wordlessly assuring the pureblood that the deal has been sealed.


A/N: Thank you all for reading. Hope you guys enjoyed. This is basically my version of episode 9.

Also any guess on where Kaname's planning to take Aiyora?

...

Reply to guestwithreviews: As for Aiyora's reaction to Kaname indirectly trying to kill Senri... to be honest in that moment Kaname wasn't exactly thinking straight. He walked into the scene of Aiyora getting assaulted and just acted on instinct.

And Aiyora, at this point doesn't blame anyone but herself for whatever happened with Senri. She is finally starting to understand what Shizuka and Senri's mother told her. Everything that happened with Senri technical happened right under her nose and she couldn't do anything. The reason for her biggest guilt is that unlike Rima she didn't try to reach out to him and in a sense allowed her father to misuse his body.

It probably wouldn't effect Senri much that Kaname was going to crush his throat more than the fact that his father used his body to assault women, especially Aiyora.

So for now she's deciding to keep him in Rima's care and go wherever Kaname taking her. Don't worry they're not heading to Kuran manor yet. There's still four episodes to come before we jump into the manga arc.