Chapter Twelve – Responsibility
"Are you ready?" Ichijou asked as he raised his violin, blue eyes not even looking at the sheet music before him as he stood by the window. Across the room Ruka tucked her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear, casting her sharp eye over the score once more before getting to her feet. Waiting until the tall girl was poised elegantly with her chin resting on the sleek black rest, Ichijou put bow to string and pulled off the first note. Nearer My God to Thee had been his favourite songs for many years, and sounded best when played with someone else. Luckily Ruka's taste in music wasn't so different to his own.
Across the living room Kain sat reading a book, having finished the show he was watching earlier. Ichijou had no idea how he managed to keep tabs on Ruka, but whenever the slender girl appeared with her violin the tall redhead wasn't far behind. He never disturbed them, and Ruka didn't seem to mind, so Ichijou had no problem either. It was actually quite enjoyable to see the effect their playing had on him. The taller boy would lean back in his chair with a serene look, his eyes closed as he focused on the tune.
Nearer My God to Thee was usually a funeral song, and was one of the pieces played on the Titanic. The memory brought a fond smile to Ichijou's face as he continued playing. Now those were some brave humans…He thought, well remembering the time he'd spent playing along with the first class musicians during their time off. His mother was constantly asking where he disappeared to, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that he was sneaking off to the second class cabins where the musicians slept. Even while off duty they'd always been ready to play for their neighbours, and they didn't mind an extra violin.
Playing was an indulgence for Ichijou. Ever since his mother had first taken him to see a string quartet at the theatre as a child he'd known it was what he wanted to do. His mother had been delighted and lessons had started barely a week later. It had been hard work, and at first he'd sounded more like a screeching cat, but it was well worth it now that he could play such a beautiful tune. He was happy to lose himself in his own world as he did so.
He knew Ruka had a similar story. They had shared violin classes for decades, though of course they'd completed their grading some time ago. It had been nice, having someone to practice with, and they had supported each other through both grading and performances. Ruka was actually a far stronger player, and had often spent her time helping Ichijou to improve his poise.
"That was perfect Ichijou." Ruka complimented a few moments after the blonde boy had struck the last mournful note, his dreamy expression hidden by a sheepish blush. For a few moments he'd forgotten where he was, and who he was with, though it wasn't the first time Ruka had seen him do it.
"As was yours." He replied swiftly, though in truth he didn't really know. He had drifted off for the entire performance. There was a deep hum of agreement from the chair, where Kain was reading his book. At his hum Ruka's cheeks shaded a deep pink as she turned away to tighten her strings. "How about something a little more up-beat?" Ichijou suggested as he looked at Ruka's back, her hair billowing over her hips in thick waves.
"Actually I think there's someone coming to see you." Ruka stated a neutral tone as she lowered her violin to the case. Kain got to his feet at the same time, though whether it was to give Ichijou some privacy or to spend more time with Ruka he was unsure. As the redhead headed towards the door he lifted Ruka's violin case from her arms wordlessly. As he opened the door he automatically stepped back, knowing Mai would be there.
"Oh, sorry." The young girl apologised shyly, the taller man humming as he walked by, while Ruka barely gave her a second glance. Looking inside Mai was unsurprised to find Ichijou with his violin. She'd heard his playing from upstairs. "I didn't mean to interrupt." She apologised as she shut the door behind her, the blonde smiling warmly.
"I invited you, you're not interrupting." He corrected simply, unsure how he should really speak to Mai, and she was unsure how to speak to him. She now knew there was something odd about him, though that didn't mean he was a bad person, while Ichijou knew that she had placed cameras around the dorm. Normal humans may not have noticed, but with his sharp eyes Ichijou had caught the camera in his room straight away, and there were two more in the living room.
"I wasn't going to come down, but I just couldn't get to sleep." Mai lied, though the not coming down part was true. She'd done her homework, all the while arguing with herself over why she was suddenly nervous of Ichijou when he'd been nothing but kind to her. Once she'd finished her homework she hadn't felt tired, and after lying on the bed debating whether Ichijou was really some otherworldly being she had come to the conclusion that it didn't really matter. She hadn't felt an evil presence in the dorm, and her dreams hadn't warned her about anyone from the Night Class, so there was really no reason to avoid Ichijou.
"I can understand that. I spend half the day awake myself." The blonde replied unnecessarily. It was a widely known fact that Ichijou either didn't sleep or slept very little. Mai wasn't sure how he didn't fall asleep during class. She could only guess that he got some sleep just before. "Was there anything you'd like to do?" Ichijou asked as he lowered his violin to its red velvet lined case, caressing the smooth wood lovingly as he strapped it down and closed the lid.
"I'm not sure to be honest." Mai replied, though she knew she didn't feel like sitting around her room alone. That was one reason she'd come down. She also didn't want to make Ichijou suspicious by suddenly avoiding him. On the other hand she knew Naru wouldn't be keen on the idea of her being alone with him now that they had some suspicions about the Night Class.
"How about some air?" Ichijou suggested as he got to his feet, leaving his violin on the table. No one would take it. The dorms weren't like that. Each person had some form of connection to another, whether it was a direct relation, a business partnership, betrothal, or even just friendship. It was what made the Moon Dorm a home away from home.
"That sounds nice." Mai agreed as she headed for the door, her eyes subconsciously looking up at the camera in the entrance hall as she headed for the front door. She knew Naru was watching, and she knew he wouldn't be happy that she was stepping out of his line of sight, especially alone with a member of the Night Class. As she stepped outside Mai could have sworn she saw John's familiar figure walking back towards the Sun Dorm.
Zero sat up as he heard the voices below, subtly sliding back from the edge, though he knew Ichijou had him in sight. It wasn't that he disliked Ichijou, but he really wasn't in the mood for company, and it wasn't the fact that his room had been bugged that bothered him. He rarely used his room for anything. It was just a storage cupboard for his clothes and school books.
Your room too Kiriyu? A familiar voice asked in his head, Zero turning onto his side with his eyes closed, feeling the presence just a few feet below and off to the side. He had a room next to Kaname, both his presence and Yuuki's drifting up from below.
Yeah, but not you. He stated plainly, knowing that it couldn't have happened to Kaname's room. Not only did he lock the door and windows, but his pureblood presence would remain hanging over the room. No mere mortal would even think about crossing the boundary without Kaname there. Do the others know? He asked as an afterthought, knowing that it wouldn't work out well for anyone if the humans found out about them.
Kain, Aido and Ichijou knew straight away, and I have warned the others. So far everyone in our class, as well as the entrance hall and living room are being watched. Kaname replied in concern, Zero able to drink in the pureblood's senses. He was sitting in the living area of his room with a glass of red water, something that Zero should have been doing himself, particularly with Mai so close. His gums were starting to itch. His brow twitched.
We'll need to be more careful from now on…What if they see us dissolving the pills? Yuuki asked worriedly, though since she lived with Kaname she didn't need to worry. Zero hadn't thought of that. To them popping two pills into a glass of water and watching it turn dark red was natural, but to humans it would seem suspicious. They would become curious and need to investigate.
The pills can be taken whole and swallowed with water, and until they see fit to remove the cameras that's the way we'll have to do it…We will also need to talk to some of the more…intimate couples in the dormitory. No bloodletting until the cameras are gone. Kaname announced, which was more important than the pills. Drinking blood and sleeping by day automatically spelled vampire for some humans.
We'll abstain too. It wouldn't be fair otherwise. Yuuki added, her partner nodding his agreement as he looked out of the window, where Ichijou was walking beside Mai around the gardens. The scent of blood was torturous to a vampire, which was why some couples shared blood. It was extremely intimate, and kept hunger at bay. The problem was that the scent of blood would carry through the halls, which wasn't fair on those told to abstain.
How close are they to figuring it out? Zero asked warily, able to hear Mai's laughter as she and Ichijou passed beneath the tree. They had placed cameras. What if they'd seen something? Or gone through the students' personal items? There were bound to be clues in the photographs or ornaments that said things weren't right.
Close, but not close enough…We should have a few more days, but as for what we do then…Kaname trailed off, the weariness clear even in his mental voice. He didn't want to have to eliminate anyone. Zero and Yuuki knew that, but they also understood it was necessary to protect their secret. If we don't do it I can think of at least one person who will…
We can just erase their memories! Yuuki excused swiftly, Kaname shaking his head as he looked across at her, where she sat wrapped in his cosy dressing gown ready and waiting to go to bed. She was so sweet and childlike in the huge fluffy robe, her bare feet resting on the cool wooden sill.
That won't work on Mai, and I haven't had the chance to get close to some of the others. Kaname replied, though one casualty was better than six. He could feel Ichijou's disagreement from below, knowing that his blonde friend had been listening in. Don't let your feelings cloud your judgement. The pure blood stated plainly, feeling Ichijou retreat, physically and mentally.
"You could have handled that better." Yuuki chided with a hint of coldness. She had grown fond of Mai too, though not as fond as Ichijou, and she could even feel Zero's reluctance, particularly due to his hunter nature. He'd been raised to kill vampires and protect humans, and now he was being asked to do the opposite.
"There is no correct way to handle topics such as these." Kaname replied as he tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling, his dark eyes closing wearily, though not because he was tired. Sometimes he hated the weight that sat upon his shoulders. If I didn't have Yuuki I would have gone insane long ago. He thought as he looked across at the brown haired girl affectionately, her long hair tumbling down her shoulders as she looked across at him. "Let us sleep for today…" Kaname decided, knowing that sleeping wouldn't take the problem away, but I could use a break…
