Their last lesson, Macroscopic Economics had just begun. Akane took notes furiously as their Vampiric teacher spoke a mile a minute. Aido had stayed beside her since their Ethics class and was taking notes half-heartedly. He was getting tired and bored, Akane hadn't been paying him much, if any attention. Even during their breaks between classes or the half-hour break they had earlier. She was too engrossed in her studies to listen to him.
He'd whined at her, prattling on about how rude she was for ignoring him. A stern look from Akane and a threat to move seats, were enough for him to drop it after a while. Truth be told, he'd been excited for Akane to come to class for the first time. He'd expected they'd sit together. She'd ask him questions about their lessons and talk with him about nonsense, like normal friends. But that pipe dream had been quashed in the first three minutes upon entering the class.
Aido had walked to his usual seat, fully expecting Akane to follow him but she hadn't. When he sat down, pulled out the books he would need for their first lesson, and turned to speak to her, she wasn't there. He swivelled in his chair and looked around the room quickly. Did she get lost? I thought she was right behind me! He saw her sitting in the far corner of the room, alone, almost at the top tier of seats. He'd frowned and had been about to move to sit with her when Yagari had walked in.
He chanced a glance at her, watching as her hand worked tirelessly over the pages of the notebook, he'd given her. He was put out by Akane's lack of attention at first but eventually, he realised this was just what she did. He remembered Miu implying once when they'd fought, that she hoped she could get Akane to stop studying long enough to sleep. Of course, Akane was a bright girl, but her intelligence didn't come to her easily, as it did with Aido. Akane had to work on a problem to solve it and that level of concentration was perfect for forcing away unwanted, and unhealthy thoughts and obsessions. But of all the things she could be thinking of, he wondered if her encounter with Miu had anything to do with her behaviour.
Sighing tiredly and looking around the classroom at his fellow students, he realised, Kaname was absent. Aido sat, bolt upright in his chair and spun around. The movement caught Akane's attention, and she watched as his head rotated left and right to locate the Pureblood.
"He's not here," she said disinterestedly. Aido turned to look at her with wide enquiring eyes. She sighed. "He left before class started."
"Why? Where did he go?" Aido sounded almost grieved that Kaname would leave without telling him. The girl frowned irritably at being interrupted again.
"I don't know! V.P. spoke to him last, ask him," she hissed out, straining her wrist to catch up to their professor's explanations.
Kaname was currently ambling around the building, his mind working overtime on his plans and the changes he was contemplating, to accommodate his newest responsibility, Akane. He exited the building from a back entrance and walked to the rose garden, which housed the path that leads to the bridge, and Kaien's private quarters. He knew the Headmaster of Cross Academy had made a hasty visit to the head of the Hunter's Association, because of Toga Yagari's presence at the school. He'd informed him of his departure, earlier that morning. But it was not the Headmaster, he was expecting to see tonight.
Kaname continued walking, his knowledge of Yuki's personality, guiding him, dangerously coolly, towards the Headmaster's home. He didn't have to wait long to be proven correct in his assumption, as he scented Yuki before he saw her, walking down the path, heading for her bed back in The Sun Dorms. Her startled gaze at seeing him stood before her, was all the proof he needed to be sure, the band-aid on her neck, nothing more than a cruel taunt.
"Where are you going, Yuki?" he asked. Yuki hesitated.
"To watch over the Night Class?" Her answer was flat and devoid of conviction. She pleaded with anyone on high, to not let this person find out what she'd done.
"Night classes are over now. I've sent everyone back to the dormitory."
"Oh, I see." Yuki tried not to flinch away as Kaname neared, reaching up to brush away strands of her hair that had fallen over her face.
"The ends are wet?" Her eyes widened. She stepped back quickly, pleading in her eyes. "Did you wash it?" He inquired further, his tone even. Yuki squeezed her eyes shut tight, silently hoping he wouldn't mention Zero's marks on her skin because she feared she'd break if he did.
Kaname watched as his girl trembled before him, silently begging for him to let it go. Although he knew he couldn't stop her from doing this, he was saddened that she feared to tell him. Akane not trusting him, he understood, but his Yuki should always feel she can come to him.
"When did you stop talking to me, Yuki?" He asked after pulling her to his chest and wrapping his arms around her. "You used to tell me everything."
Yuki's eyes turned downcast at his forlorn tone. She never wanted him to feel mistrusted, but when it came to Zero, she didn't know if she could. That thought broke her heart.
"You should get to bed now, Yuki. Goodnight," Kaname suddenly said as he pulled away and headed back to The Moon Dorms, leaving the girl to her thoughts.
Kaname walked calmly, keeping his composure, even as the Hunter came into view, leaning against a tree, hidden in the shadows of the little wood.
"A tender hug from a Pure-blooded Vampire, that girl must be honoured to have such special treatment from you, Kuran." Yagari's voice was mocking as Kaname came level with him on the path. The Hunter moved around the tree but still leant against it as he addressed the Vampire. "I don't particularly care what your motives are, favouring Cross's daughter, but I'm impressed you can keep your composure given the evidence." Kaname remained unresponsive to the Hunter's taunts. "Come on, humour me, I'm curious. Why haven't you gone to tear Zero limb from limb?" As the last syllable of his question left his lips, the cigarette he was smoking went out. A fierce gust of wind sliced off the embers at the tip, scattering them in the breeze. A stand-off began between the pair as they waited after the display of Kaname's retaliation.
Kaname fought to reign his temper back. Only once he'd composed himself did he turn to look the Hunter in the eye.
"So that I don't lose her, of course." His patience spent, Kaname continued up the path, not caring for the frown slowly slipping onto the Hunter's face as he passed. He'd walked some ten paces before Yagari spoke again.
"That new Vampire?" The enquiry halted the Pureblood. Yagari relit his cigarette, taking another drag lazily, knowing he had the Vampire's attention. "Is that your handiwork, or was she a stray you picked up in town?" Kaname frowned in annoyance, listening as Yagari took another pull on his cigarette. Was Akane his target? No, she hasn't left the grounds since before becoming a Vampire. The Hunter's Association should have no interest in her, other than her connection to me?
He thought quickly. The Hunters Association would certainly be cautious of a new Vampire being hidden away at Cross Academy. Her ties to me would pique their interest further. A Kuran hasn't turned a Human in quite some time after all. But a thought occurred. Akane's mother had been a Hunter, or at least, born to a Hunter family before her exile. Was Yagari here to investigate her connection to them? Did they want the final report on what happened to one of their own, by contacting Akane? This he couldn't allow, not so soon. Akane was still adjusting, and from what Kaien and Aido had told him of the girl's past, as well as what flashes of memory he'd been privy to when tasting her blood, she had many traumas to overcome. He would not allow the Hunters to add to that damage, unnecessarily.
"A Vampire's sire is not something the Hunter's Association normally cares to investigate unless there is evidence, a law has been broken," Kaname said silkily. "As no law has been broken, I see no reason to answer your questions, Hunter." With Yagari unable to retaliate, Kaname continued to his dorm, a frown marring his handsome features before he pulled his expression back to the calmer, neutral look he usually wore before stepping inside.