Chapter 60


"It's gone… Kuran Rido's presence." Akatsuki muttered, looking around, as the group stopped at the swan fountain.

"Yes, I think it's over." Ruka said, in relief.

Yuuki turned to Hanabusa as if to silently ask for his permission, if she could go to the scene. The blue eyed blonde nodded his head in assurance and silently thanking him the Kuran princess ran off.

Meanwhile, the grieving daughter remained seated on the ground, still as a doll. With each of her hand holding onto a remnant of her father. The left hand had his coat and the right hand was clutching onto the biggest piece of his crystal.

The depth of grief made her lively blue eyes appear dead. A look that only brought pain into his heart. And it was that aching heart that gave him the urge to go closer, to hold her and take away her pain only to have it replaced with joy. However, regardless of his wish the ancient Kuran couldn't bring himself to take a step forward; an invisible force froze his feet to the ground. It stayed that way until the hunter that was left forgotten, decided to intervene.

Aiyora's concentration broke the moment her father's form disintegrated. Resulting in the snakes which were holding the hunter down, to disappear. Neither of the purebloods actually realized it until a gun was pointed at the back of the younger one's head.

"After her it will be your turn, Kuran!"

Kaname remained calm. He knew he had to, the tip of the bloody rose was touching Aiyora's head. One wrong move could lead to catastrophe.

"I'm sure you didn't think everything would go exactly as you planned, did you?" Zero asked Kaname vindictively.

The latter cast a quick glance at Aiyora to check how she was coping this time. Last time when the hunter held her at a point, it frightened her to the core. But this time her face remained impassive, as she absently gazed at nothing in particular. It seemed to Kaname that her attention was not there to begin with. For that he was relieved.

"I knew all too well, that once you gained this unrivalled power and finished Rido off you would come after my life. But what I didn't expect was the fact that you wouldn't be able to finish the task; you'd be interrupted. Even so, I'm more surprised by the stunt you're currently trying to pull…"

Kaname took a deep breath, trying to keep a hold on his anger. "…and it is an act I will not forgive!"

Zero felt the anger pouring out with the pureblood's aura. Aware of the consequences pulling the trigger would bring, the hunter quickly changed his strategy. The bloody rose was pulled back from Aiyora's head and repointed towards Kaname.

The vines from the weapon charged forward to wrap around its new target and in the process cut off the palm of his right hand. But the little inconvenience didn't cause any discomfort to the brunette. Except for the fact that the curve of his rage continued to ascend.

"You dared point a gun at Aiyora! Even if you had done so without real intent to kill, I cannot forgive such action."

"Next time I wouldn't think, I'd just pull the trigger." Zero said, happy to see the smug bastard helplessly tangled in the vines of the bloody rose. If only he knew the surprise Kaname had in store for him.

"Bloody rose, if you have awakened this much you must must recognize my voice and the taste of my blood."

Zero drew his brows together, confused by what the pureblood was doing. Aiyora too snapped her head at Kaname, stunned by the absurdity.

"…Would you kindly take down the vines restraining me…? My loved one is in danger, I have to protect her."

Kaname was talking to the bloody rose, an anti-vampire weapon. Aiyora realized and wondered whether he has lost his mind or she did, to imagine something so crazy.

Turned out it was neither. As the vines started to retract from Kaname. Like it was following his command.

Aiyora had her eyes go wide.

"What did you do…?" Zero asked, mimicking Aiyora's expression. His voice heavy with disbelief. Much to his surprise, the bloody rose was obeying the command of a pureblood vampire. How was such anomaly possible? His brain couldn't comprehend.

Of course Kaname gave him no reply. Rather continued to display his power. His hand that was cut off started to grow back… but it grew into a weapon— a massive sized three bladed scythe.

"Thank you bloody rose, your cooperation is greatly appreciated." Once he was fully free from the vines Kaname raised the scythe his blood formed, ready to strike Zero.

"Bloody rose," Zero growled, trying to charge the vines at Kaname once again. "…don't forget who the enemy is!"

"STOP IT YOU TWO!" Yuuki cried out at the top of her lungs. She ran in right on time to get in the middle of the two men.

And just like the last time in the moon dorm, this time also Aiyora did was nothing!

Kaname stopped, more like managed to stop when his scythe was only inches away from Yuuki's head.

"Yuuki, you must step aside." Kaname went on, irritated by the fact she was standing on the way, his voice rising. "He pointed a dangerous weapon at Aiyora which could have killed her. Even if it had been just for a second, I couldn't possibly forgive him after that. I won't forgive him! Even if for the next five hundred years or a thousand years, or perhaps forever you are to hate me afterwards."

Yuuki gently held onto his hand, silently asking him to stop and he listened. The scythe slowly disappeared.

"Kaname-senpai… I can never hate you." She told him, looking at him with tender, loving eyes. "So please don't say such sad things." Then pulled his hand to her lips and licked away the blood.

Kaname gazed at Aiyora for a moment before he looked over at Yuuki and gave her a sad smile. Yuuki tried to asses the meaning behind that smile. But her brother didn't wait around for much longer. Pulling away his hand, he walked to Aiyora, picked up the distracted female from the ground and walked off after quickly announcing his farewell. Leaving behind a confused Yuuki in the company of Zero.


With Aiyora in his arms, Kaname walked back to the moon dormitory in silence. Soon the sun will rise. Right now the priority is to pack up and leave this place while the sun is still up. The news of council's massacre has started to spread like rapid fire. This academy is no longer a safe place. As a matter of fact his presence here would put others in danger.

He looked to check on Aiyora. She briefly closed her eyes, head resting against his chest. Her complexion appeared way too pale for his liking and her breathing slightly uneven. The only comfort he was able to take from the entire situation was that she and Rido were merging safely. Or at least that's how it appears for now. Still it does not write off the risk. Aiyora's too young and inexperienced for the act she carried out. Therefore the next few weeks are very critical, things could change at any moment. Given that an ancient like him developed problematic symptoms few days after.

There was hardly anyone around when he made it back to the dorm. Most nights class students have been sent home and the few that remained were packing up. Without paying those aristocrats much attention Kaname headed to his room. Using his powers he opened the door. Then in quick long strides made it into his bedroom and laid her down on the bed.

Aiyora snapped her eyes open when she was separated from the warmth of his body. But Kaname assured her with a smile that he wasn't going anywhere.

"Rest." He told her before she even got the chance to say anything, pulling the covers over her form. "I'll wake you up when it's time to—"

The sentence was left unfinished as a knock on the door cut him off.

"Come in." Kaname gave the permission and the door opened to reveal the last person Aiyora wanted to face at the moment.

"I have been sent to inform you that Aidou-san and the others are on their way to the auditorium to deal with the day class students." Senri reported.

"I see…" Kaname knew it was just an excuse. The model actually came to see Aiyora, perhaps to bid her farewell. And he wasn't going to snatch that from them.

"There is no need to stand by the door. You're welcome to come inside. I'm stepping into the bath, you may keep her company." The brunette said walking into the bathroom.

Just as the bathroom door closed Senri walked over to the bed and sat by the edge. His eyes not breaking the contact with her.

"…Hey."

"Hi…"


Yuuki followed Zero to the rooftop from where the two of them usually used to start their patrol. They watched the sunrise together... Perhaps for the last time.

"So bright." Yuuki stated, still trying to get used to the morning sun.

"Yes, it was bright." Zero admitted looking over the horizon. "I used to watch you from up here."

Yuuki turned to him. "Zero…"

But he went on as if she hadn't even spoken.

"I'd watch you, as you watched him, Kuran Kaname."

In guilt she cast her gaze down, allowing him to continue.

"Whether you were with him or anybody else, you always had a smile on your face. Even when I did something that was unforgivable, that smile was still there. I was perfectly willing to sacrifice my whole life for you… that's what I was prepared to do, to give up everything…"

He closed his eyes, allowing his mind to process the new reality. "So… you're going to leave now, aren't you?"

Yuuki looked at him again, absently. Her thoughts drifted off to Kaname and everything he had done for her since the beginning of her life. The love he gave her, the love she held in her heart for him. Now was the chance…

"…Yes..." She admitted with a heavy heart. "I am going. It is my reality and it is where I belong."

"I thought so…" he muttered bitterly before asking. "But… are you invited? Would you be welcome into your reality with open arms?"

Yuuki had no idea what those odd questions were supposed to mean. But she didn't let it get into her mind to create more confusion. So she responded firmly.

"Invited or not invited doesn't matter. It is my world Zero and that is where I should be."

When Zero made no comment it brought upon a heavy silence that stretched out for a while. For the longest time neither spoke until Yuuki took the initiative to break it.

"You once asked me to kill you if you become a vampire, remember?"

"I do."

"But what… if I become a vampire…?"

Well… never once did Zero considered the possibility of that prospect. Yuuki being a vampire seemed close to impossible.

A part of him was still in denial.

"Well, I'm still not sure if I believe that you really are a vampire…there's no proof."

Yuuki gasped, turning to him and tried to reason. Unable to understand why he wasn't trying to see the reality that laid before his eyes.

"But Zero come on! That's just—"

"Alright if you really are a vampire then," He faced her for the first time, since they had gotten here. "…drink my blood."

Yuuki's vision blurred with tears that were threatening to fall.

The silver haired male walked over to the petite brunette and pulled her into a hug. Leaving no gap between their two bodies.

"If you truly are a vampire that I should hate," Pulling away, he bent down bringing his neck closer to her mouth. "then go on…"

Yuuki couldn't hold back on her emotions and started to cry. But it didn't deter her from what she was supposed to do, prove him that she truly was a vampire.

Therefore pushing down all those sadness deeper inside her heart Yuuki bit Zero.


Back in the moon dorm the situation was quite parallel to event currently taking place on the rooftop:

"So you devoured that man." Senri stated, after the long awkward pause.

Only to be corrected by her instantly. "I bonded ourselves together."

"I can't exactly tell the difference." He said nonchalantly, purposefully looking away from her.

The action was a strong hint for Aiyora that he wasn't happy with the path she took, but was trying to come to terms with it. Sadly, it doesn't matter to Aiyora how the world perceives her action because deep in her heart she knows it was the right thing to do. At the same time it also saddened her to find Senri amongst that particular crowd.

Perhaps they are different now.

But that small detail doesn't matter. End of the day he will always be her Ri-chan. And maybe one day when he has a daughter of his own, he will understand her action. She consoled her mind with that thought.

The silence brought back the awkwardness which left both of them at loss of words. Senri kept staring at his feet, suddenly finding them to be the most interesting thing in the room. And Aiyora continued to gaze down at her lap.

For a long moment she didn't react. Then, hesitantly, reached out with one of her hands.

In spite of looking elsewhere their hands managed to connect. Aiyora was taken aback when Senri's hand came around and their palms interlocked. She gave it firm squeeze just to let him know she was there. But at a time like this, such small touch wasn't enough.

She wanted more… the whole of him… everything!

And it was that overwhelming feeling that prompted her to pull her hand back only so that she could pounce on him with full force. Senri's eyes turned partially wide when he felt the tightest hug engulfing him. His resolve cracked, mind didn't even register when his hands were starting return the embrace.

Just then Kaname came out of the bathroom and walked in on the scene of the half siblings embracing each other so… intimately.

He made no sound but his envious aura alerted the pair, that pulled apart right away.

If the situation was considered awkward before, then there is probably no word available in the dictionary to describe the current level of compromised and discomfort the female vampire was feeling. Her equation with the male pureblood is now tied with a strange thread. The kiss they shared at her mother's house is it's poof. No matter the crap load of logic she feeds her heart and brain, the truth cannot be denied, that there were some bit of feelings involved. And it was that feeling which turned the supposed kiss so powerful, so intimate and turned it into something meaningful.

With tension so thick, the air in the room was starting to become unbreathable. Kaname understood he emerged out at a wrong time. Those two needed more time and absolute privacy. So he decided to give them exactly that.

"I have a meeting with the headmaster… you two can continue." With that said the brunette exited his room swiftly.


Back in the rooftop, Yuuki continued to drink from Zero. It came as a surprise as to how much she could taste the hunter, it's like what he once said…

"Your blood had that taste."

She understood that his feelings were flowing into her.

Finally when she pulled back the hunter looked at her in disdain. "You're right, you truly have become a vampire." His tone made it sound like he was accusing her of committing a crime.

Yuuki nodded with acceptance. After all in Zero's eyes being a vampire is a crime.

"This means we can no longer live in the same world." He said while watching her wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. "But someday in the future I will come after you… to kill you!"

Yuuki gasped, those words were unexpected and it took her off guard. Her heart sank as fear grabbed her throat in a chokehold.

However, concealing those frightful feelings and putting up a brave upfront she accepted his challenge.

"I'll be waiting."


She continued running till her knees gave away and made her collapse on the pavement just beside the light-post.

Emotions she had been bottling up came bursting out and Yuuki found herself unable to hold back on the tears anymore…

Her fate is sealed. After years many of friendship, now she and Zero no longer belong to the same world. They're enemies. He promised to go after her someday, which means she will have to keep running from him. And Kuran Yuuki happily accepted that.

Why you wonder…?

Because having an enemy to go after will give Zero a purpose, a reason to live. Even if it means she is the said enemy, Yuuki does not mind.

The pain in her heart suddenly felt unbearable which made the newly awakened pureblood sob bitterly.

"I-I don't want to be enemies with you Zero. Was there no other solution than this?!" She continued to cry without a care of who was watching her. But thankfully no one was there, until…

"Yuuki…?" A very familiar voice called her.

Quickly wiping out the tears with her sleeves the aforementioned female looked up, only to find her favourite vampire coming towards her.

"Are you alright?" He asked in the same tender voice he did that snowy night.

Suddenly out of the blue a memory flooded before Yuuki's eyes— it was an image of her and Kaname from their childhood, when she was feeding off of his life-force, in the form of a kiss.

Ever since I was born, I've been taking my life force from him as the most simple and natural thing…

Realization hit her like an arrow in the chest. She looked at Kaname with a heart full of guilt and shame.

How could she be so selfish and preoccupy herself with concerns of Zero's well being only?

She and Kaname were born for each other. Two souls and two bodies that were always meant to be bonded into one; just like their parents. However, unfavourable circumstances separated them for ten years. Now, when life was giving her a chance to fix it, she was prioritizing other things?!

How cruel!

"Yuuki…?" Kaname called again, bringing her attention back on him.

"I'm fine." She attempted to lie.

"Your tears are saying otherwise."

"No I'm really alright." She insisted.

"Come, let me walk you to your room." He offered her a hand, which she tentatively accepted.

But just as their hands connected, something magical happened. For the first time Yuuki was able to feel their bond and understand the real picture— her destiny, priority and everything was, is and will always be Kuran Kaname.

THIS IS WHO I AM.

Thus her emptiness for Zero must be suppressed in order to have a fresh start with Kaname.

This is who I am and that won't ever change. Neither will the future. Which is why I will cover and hide the part of my heart that wants to cry and scream.


"What is it that you wanted discuss, Kaname-kun?"

The legendary hunter, the vampire without fangs inquired putting his sword back in its sheath. He made a quick observation of the pureblood that was sitting in his office looking somewhat lost.

"Turns out, in the midst of all the chaos some days class students have discovered the secret of the night class. But not to worry, Aidou is leading a group to the auditorium. Memories of those human students will be erased following proper protocol."

Locking his sword securely inside the cabinet Kaien returned to his designated seat and put his spectacles back on. It was also a representation of the fact that with his sword he has also put the hunter to sleep. This person was now the headmaster of the academy.

"Also…" Kaname begun, taking a sip of the drink after the tablet had dissolved into the water. "…I have decided to abolish the night class. Although I wish for co-existence between humans and vampires as much as you do, Chairman Cross, but now is not the time."

"I completely understand. As a matter of fact I am also planning to shut down the academy for the next couple of months. It needs to be rebuilt and renovated."

Their eyes locked. Eyes of the vampire and the hunter locked. Two alphas of different spectrum, each carefully guarding the border of its territory.

"One more thing Chairman Cross... I'm leaving the academy." Kaname broke the news as casually as he delivered the earlier information.

Then, breaking the eye contact with the hunter, the vampire turned to the glass on his hand. His burgundy orbs absently watching the liquid swirling inside.

Kaien sat up straight almost instantly, resting his hands over the desk.

"And I'll be taking Aiyora with me."

"What about Yuuki?" Kaien asked skeptically.

Their eyes locked again, briefly. Yet again it was the vampire who broke the eye contact. Only this time to finish his drink. A perfect duration of time for him to come up with a fitting reply.

With the response now sitting at the tip of his tongue, the brunette put the empty glass back on the table.

"I think it's best for Yuuki to remain here at the academy, with you and live in the familiarity. It will preserve whatever humanity is left of her."

"I agree but—"

"Yuuki has spent over a decade of her life as human. I don't think she is ready to face the vampires dark world… yet."

Kaien thought for a moment while Kaname patiently waited. Being fully aware that the hunter would agree with him. After all, he presented a pretty valid point.

A part of Kaien was happy. Even though Yuuki wasn't his daughter by blood, but she was very much his family. A family that he wasn't mentally ready to part with, yet.

For now, he wouldn't have to cope with letting his daughter go. His happiness at this was unmeasurable, because he got more than what he had asked for.

"Very well then, Yuuki will stay with me."

A small smirk curved up the pureblood's lips. Just as he predicted, the father in him understood the brother's concern and saw no point in further proceeding this topic.

Much to Kaname's relief, the conversation easily switched to another topic.


Aiyora didn't even know where to begin from.

Her self chosen fate written before her in bold letters— Life without Shiki Senri.

Soon it will be time to leave the academy and for the first time Ai-chan and Ri-chan will go their separate ways.

It's been close to half an hour since the children of Kuran Rido have been sitting side by side on pin drop silence. It was one of those times when saying nothing was better than saying something that they'd both regret later. Who knows when they will meet next or how things would be then? Would either of them be same? Or would time and the space their walking into make them different than they are now?

"What happens now?"

Someone had to break the silence, Aiyora decided it was going to be her.

"I'm going to go look for Takuma. Rima said she will come with me. As for you, you're probably going to go wherever he would take you."

She searched for some hint of emotion in his voice. Sadness, anger, bitterness. Given the situation they passed through, the battle they fought, it was only natural. But no, there was nothing! His voice was absolutely devoid of all emotions. Something only the Shiki heir could pull off.

"Aren't you going to ask me to join you in your adventure?" She tried to taste the water.

"No." Only to have it bite back.

Aiyora was startled by how bluntly the word slipped from his lips. It sounded like he was directly rejecting her. Maybe he was…

"It's not like I don't want you, but at the moment you're a magnet for trouble. You devoured our father and your lover to be just came back from causing a massacre at the council. Having you along will only bring us trouble."

The pureblood closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip, hard. While her hands clutched onto the big chunk of her father's crystal that she has brought back. It was perhaps the best way she could absorb.

"Plus you've said it yourself that we should save ourselves first."

Regardless of how she felt about his words or how much it pinched her in the heart, it had a valid point.

"But don't worry, you will not be lonely."

Aiyora reopened her eyes and looked at him confused. Wordlessly asking him to further explain his statement.

"Aidou-san and his cousins are going to follow him. So no matter where you are with him, you will not be lonely."

You're right, I may not be lonely, but without you by my side, a part of me will always be empty and lonely. Was what Aiyora wanted to say, but couldn't.

All that was possible by her in that moment was to call him in a voice just barely above whisper.

"Ri-chan…?"

"Yes…"

It wasn't the easiest thing for the young Kuran to say, yet she managed to slip those words out, so smoothly.

"She really cares for you."

It was Senri's turn to close his eyes.

"And he cares for you."

"Make sure you take good care of her while you both are at this adventure." She said heaving a sigh.

It may have sounded easy but letting go of someone you loveis one of the hardest thing to do on this planet.

"I will. As for you, you should utilize this time to learn how to be honest with yourself… in certain sectors."

"And what does that mean?!" Aiyora snapped, shooting him a glare.

But that had no effect on the maroon haired aristocrat. He simply continued to watch her with a small quirky smile playing at the corner of his lips. Before raising his hand and brushing his thumb over her lips.

"I can still smell him here."

Aiyora was baffled, face flushed with heat.

Unbidden, the memory of that kiss entered her mind. Her gaze lowered in shame while the heart continued to hammering inside the chest.

"Don't worry, you don't have to feel bad. You've done far worse."

Aiyora smiled, finding strange comfort in his taunt. Maybe because it lessened the guilt in her heart. Further proof why they should be going separate ways.

Because... Senri doesn't deserve better, he deserves the best! And in spite of her status as a high ranking pureblood, or a girl with a very glamorous face, Kuran Aiyora still wasn't the best choice for him. Her exploring sexuality with another pureblood gave her high minus points.

Rima may not be the best candidate. As matter of fact no one will ever be the best match for Shiki Senri, in Aiyora's eyes. However, the Kuran pureblood also knew the ginger haired aristocrats was a far better match for her Ri-chan than she (Aiyora) can ever be.

"You should probably go…" Aiyora said out of the blue and quickly looked the other way. She did not know how to bid him farewell. This was the best she could come up with.

Without saying anything Senri stood up and placed a soft kiss on the exposed part of her cheek. Then headed for the door. His footsteps came to pause as he reached the door, but he never turned.

"Did you read the letter I left you before going home?" He asked, for the first time sounding impatient.

"Never had the courage to."

"Maybe you should… now." With that said he opened the door and walked out. Leaving Aiyora to her thoughts.

Aiyora remained unmoving from her spot until the Shiki heir's footsteps completely faded away. When it did, she put a hand inside her dress and pulled out the letter from the confinement of her bra.

The feeling of uncertainty still lingered. Aiyora still wasn't sure if she was ready to discover what he had written on that letter. But in his last advice before departing Senri said she should, so...

Holding in her breath she ultimately unfolded the white sheet, only to read the following:

You will always have me by your side in one form or another.

Your Ri-chan.


A.N. Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed. This is part 1 of season 2-episode 13. And only one more chapter is left of the anime arc.

Reply to guestwithreviews: Let's put it this way, in the end Rido died a happy man. Aiyora was able to cure his madness to some extent.

In regards to what you said about Yuuki figuring out m Kaname's feelings. Well... I don't think she did it yet, as you can see in this chapter everybody is kind of busy with themselves. Yuuki trying figure out her place and what she should do. Aiyora finally letting Senri go. And kaname's planning to leave the academy. Probably a couple more chapters before things start to come to light.

As for Kaname's next course of action. Yes the monarchy will definitely be re-established. The rest I'm still trying to figure out. Whether Yuuki will end up going with Kaname and Aiyora and how their life would be in the first couple months.

Of course Aiyora regained new powers by devouring Rido. Those sectors will be explored in the manga arc.