After a few long hours the group were almost at the main gates of their destination. Kaname looked down at Rose and gently shook her awake. She groggily opened her eyes and took a couple minutes to register what was going on. After she connected the dots she leaped up from him and turned her head away, slightly embarrassed at letting her guard down. He invisibly sighed and spoke. "We are almost there."
Hanabusa watch her movement as he just barely saw her eyes widened in what he thought was fear.
Just then the car stopped and everyone begin to pile out as they saw their new home for the time being. Hanabusa gasped at the beautiful estate he had never been to. He couldn't help himself whisper something like "It's like heaven" before noticing that Rose was next to him.
Her eyes were glued to the building like everyone else's, except her gaze was not one of excitement, but terror. She heard Hanabusa whispered under his breath and scoffed at the word choice he used. "More like hell."
He whipped his head around to find her gone and wondered what she actually meant. Before he could think any further a group of house maids greeted the group as one approached Rose. "Good evening Lady Adelaide. I assume you had a comfortable journey."
He watched her bow her head slightly and walk past her. The lady's smile dropped but soon returned when she saw Yuki. "Ah and it is such an honor to meet you Lady Yuki, and of course Lord Kaname as well."
Yuki smiled at the action as Kaname bowed. "Thank you so much for letting us stay here for the time being."
A few maid behind them giggled at the handsome pureblood which caused Rose to start walking away. She had hit her limit of being friendly today. "The ride was a bit tiring. I think I will turn in for the day. Hanabusa come with me."
Hanabusa looked up at this and quickly grabbed her bags before following her inside. The inside of the estate was even more beautiful than the outside. Columns and columns of white marble lined the staircase as a giant chandelier hung as the centerpiece. He paused when he saw several portraits on the wall of past members of the clan. He moved closer to see the inscriptions but heard Rose call after him. "Why not take a picture? It will certainly last longer."
He gasped and moved up the staircase to meet her. "If I may ask, Lady Adelaide, why did you leave early back there?"
Rose thought about these words at turned to face the window to her left. She saw Kaname and Yuki clearly through the glass and Hanabusa could see Rose's expression in the reflection. "Because I already told you, keeping appearances can be rather tiring."
He opened his mouth to say more but stopped when she turned to face him. She ran her fingers through her hair and gave a loud frustrated sigh. "Look, this is how it's going to work. Don't get involved with my affairs. No matter what you see, no matter what you hear, and no matter what you learn here. I don't need you messing everything up okay? Just stand quietly and bide your time under you're free of this game. And most importantly, stop asking questions you don't want to know the answer to. Understand?"
Hanabusa remained frozen to her stare under she turned away and continued walking. It wasn't like he didn't have anything to say, in fact a thousand question whirled in his head about her words but in the back of his mind he knew. He knew that he just had to sweep it under the rug until he was free.
Once they had reached her room he watched her carefully open the wooden door and turn on the lightswitch to the left. He carefully stepped inside and took in this new world that he knew nothing about.
Her room was clean of mementos and personal belongings like pictures and writings. The only things that caught his attention was a giant bed and a medium sized desk in the corner. Was this really how she lived? It seemed like the room was just for display purposes from how bare it looked. That is until Rose pointed to the bed without meeting his eyes. "You can put my bags there."
Hanabusa compiled and carefully set her bags on the surface of the bed before trying to start a conversation. "You're room is very umm…"
Rose smiled bitterly and carefully unclipped her hair clip before throwing onto her vanity. "Boring?"
He looked around and tried to come up with a better word. "I was going to say simplistic. I don't like I've even seen a room without a picture on the wall or something."
She placed her hand on the vanity before answering. "Yes well, momentos lead to pain. Pain and weakness."
He moved to stand when they heard a knock on the door. He watched her roll her eyes before opening the door, her voice laced with sarcasm "What a pleasant surprise."
Matthew walked past her before pushing his glasses up to his nose. "That was quite a spectacle you made downstairs."
Rose carefully closed the door behind her before answering. "Is it wrong that I was feeling exhausted after the long journey?"
Matthew closed his eyes and stepped closer. "I just want to make sure you still understand our terms."
She laughed bitterly and nodded her head. "Of course I understand the terms Matthew. How do you think I would forget?"
Hanabusa watched as Matthew reached out a grabbed her arm roughly and pulling her closer. "If you understand then I suggest you start acting like it Lady Adelaide."
He tried to move to stop Matthew but his feet were glued to his seat. Was this even allowed? She was a pureblood after all. All he could do was watch as Rose looked him dead in the eye with such hatred. That was until he pulled her closer to whisper something in her ear. "You have two days until he returns."
Rose's face went from disgusted to horror at those words. Noticing he got his point across he unhanded her and moved to the door to leave, but not before stated. "I'll assume I'll see a change in attitude tomorrow. Goodnight."
The next day Hanabusa carefully crept to Rose's door to wake her up when a maid stopped him and stated. "Are you looking for Lady Adelaide sir? If so, she left several hours ago."
He paused slowly dropped his hand from the door. "Oh. Thank you. Do you know where I could find her?" She smiled and gave him a couple directions. Then he winked, thanked her and turned around to where she was pointing.
The maid blushed and nodded her head excitedly before hurrying off to do her duties for the day.
A couple moments later he was standing in front of a new door, but this time he heard wondrous shouts and talking through it. Carefully he pushed it open and a couple staff members turned to him. "Umm, good evening. Is Lady Adelaide here?"
They nodded her pointed to a corner where he could see the back of her blonde hair peeking through the top of a chair and walked over.
At the sound of his presence she turned her head and he expected an eye roll or a sarcastic remark, but instead he got something different.
Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle as the corners of her mouth lifted to reveal a warm smile. "Good evening Hanabusa. How was your rest?
Hanabusa was confused and slightly scared of her tone and muttered. "It was good."
She nodded her head delightfully and reached for a white tea cup on the table before bringing it to her lips. "Wonderful. Terribly sorry I wasn't able to greet you this afternoon but you know what they say, the early bird gets the worm and all."
She laughed quietly to herself in her teacup and noticed him staring. "Oh where are my manners! Would you care for a cup?"
Hanabusa looked at the kettle and shook his head. What the hell had happened to her? He knew that Rose could be moody sometimes but this? This was something he had never seen before. It was like she was a new person. "Lady Adelaide, are you feeling okay?"
Rose seemed puzzled by the question. "Of course Hanabusa. Why would you ever ask such a silly question like that?"
He wanted to ask another question but stopped when he heard the doors opening. A few servants bowed when Lord Kaname appeared from the doorway. He spotted Hanabusa and nodded his head slowly. "Hello Hanabusa."
He bowed in response and gave him a formal greeting. "It's so nice to see you Lord Kaname."
Hanabusa took his silence as a welcome as he watch Kaname take a seat next to Rose on the sofa and reach for another tea cup. "Good evening Rose."
She looked to the side and helped him fill his cup. "Time doesn't seem to be on your side today does it Lord Kaname?"
He grimaced and shook his head. "I'm sorry about that. I was caught up in showing Yuki around the estate. You know how massive it is sometimes."
Rose nodded her head and looked straight ahead. "Yes. I know that all too well."
Kaname looked at her sadly and whispered. "How has your hunger been? I know it can challenging coping after detaching from a source after a long time."
Rose knew exactly what he meant. He meant that the only blood she drank at the academy was his and Zeros blood and since Zero was gone, she would start to feel the effects of withdrawal. The fact that she can't have his blood anymore.
She turned her head towards him but kept her eyes averted. "I'm fine Kaname."
He didn't really fully believe her but didn't want to ask too many questions with so many ears and eyes watching. It wasn't safe to talk freely.
Instead he brought his hand her wrapped his finger around one of the curls in her hair and stared insanely. Feeling the gaze her eyes flicked to his and he whispered. "You will tell me if you need me, right?"
Rose looked away but nodded her head slowly as he brought the piece of hair up to his lips. "Thank you."
The maids around them swooned and gasped at the display of affection guled there eyes to them. This would certainly be the talk of the kitchen tonight. Hanabusa on the other hand didn't know how to react and just looked away blushing and feeling a bit embarrassed.
A couple hours later Hanabusa followed Rose into a new room. This time the room was lined with rows and rows of books and other various documents. He surveyed the area and found a large desk to the left with a smaller sofa chair next to it. She sighed to herself and took a place behind the large desk before opening some documents.
He watched her as she circled and crossed out certain sections in the book. "Lady Adelaide. If I may ask, what are you reading?"
She looked up with her book and put the pencil down. "My lessons begin again in two days so I am preparing for the material that is going to be taught."
He shook his head at the answer. "But why would you have to prepare if are you going to be taught in a couple days anyway?"
Rose narrowed her eyes and he noticed her choosing her words very carefully. "I would like to refrain from being reprimanded, if possible."
This just added a thousand more questions in Hanabusa's head but a stern look from Rose gave him the message to shut up and stop asking.
As the sun began to rise Hanabusa yawned as he watched Rose pack up her books and stand up. A couple moments later they stood outside her door. He bowed slightly and mechanically spoke. "Have a good rest Lady Adelaide."
She nodded her head and when a few maids past by she added a smile. "Thank you Hanabusa. Have a wonderful rest as well. I will certainly try to greet you tomorrow before I leave."
Then she added a little laugh that made him slightly worried for some reason. "I'll look forward to it my Lady."
Rose smiled once more and watched him walk away, down the long winding hallway. She then opened her door and when it shut, her smile melted away into an annoyed look. She felt his presence. "You know it's rude for a boy to come into a girls room uninvited."
Rose turned at saw Kaname sitting on her bed with a worried look on his face. Ignoring her previous comment he stood. "Are you okay?"
She narrowed her eyes as she undid a couple clips from her hair. "Oh yeah, just peachy."
He gazed at her with those sad pitying eyes she always hated. "I'm sorry it has to be like this."
Rose laughed bitterly at his comment and turned to face him. "That was a great show you gave the staff today. I think they really bought our 'I'm in love' act."
Kaname took a step closer and carefully grabbed her hand before bringing it up to his lips. "That may have been for show but I meant what I said Rose. I'm worried about you."
She turned her head away and muttered. "I'm worried about me to."
At those words Kaname's weight crushed next to her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. After a few moments Rose returned the hug and they just sat in silence, that is until she pulled away. "Kaname.."
He understood her words and put a finger to her lips. "Shh I know. I know exactly what you're going to say and it's okay. I'll be here no matter what."
In her mind she really wanted to believe him. Believe that he wouldn't leave her again even though he knew she loved Zero. But somewhere in the back of her mind she was hesitant. "Friends only."
Kaname nodded his head and pulled away from her embrace. He knew he needed to earn back that trust. "If that is what you wish, I will obey."
She nodded her head and yawned. "I guess I should turn in."
Rose moved past him but Kaname gently stopped her. "Do you think you will have your nightmares again now that you're back?"
She looked over to her bed and sighed. "I honestly don't know."
He then wrapped his fingers around the same strain of hair that he did this afternoon and whispered. "Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?"
At first she was hesitant at the offer but knowing how bad it could possibly get she didn't want the staff busting in and asking questions. And it wasn't like he hadn't done this before, it used to a reoccurring thing before he left. "Fine. But only till then."
Kaname nodded his head and undid the covers before slipping inside. Rose followed and turned around so that her back was facing his towards him. She gasped when she felt him run his fingers through her hair like the old days and hummed internally at the comfort she felt. He may be an ass but he knew how to calm her down.
Running. Rose ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She needed to get away. She turned the corner but gasped when she realized a brick wall blocking the path. Rose gasped as her attacker closed in and spoke. "I knew I should've killed you back at the academy. Monster!"
Zero took a couple more steps as Rose tried to explain herself. "I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!"
He laughed bitterly and pointed the bloody rose in her direction. "You killed my parents and my only brother. IT'S YOUR FAULT THEY'RE DEAD. "
Rose crumpled to the ground in self loathing and cried. "I'm sorry! I tried.."
His finger graced the trigger in excitement. "And you thought that I would accept you? After what you've done? It's comical really. A monster in love with a hunter? How pathetic can you be? Well I know one thing, I'll take joy in killing you!"
Zero pulled the trigger and she felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. She slunk to her ground just in time to see him point the gun at her face.
He paused only for a moment as another shot rang out but this time no pain came. Instead she looked up and saw a single trail of blood leak out of his mouth as Zero collapsed to the ground, dead.
Rose screamed in terror and crawled over to his side as her blood ran cold, hearing a new voice. "Hello Rose."
She looked up and tried to back away a few feet. Why was he here? "You killed him…YOU KILLED HIM."
He laughed maniacally and twisted his head to the side. "No my dear. You killed him."
Rose gasped as she lifted her hands to reveal red blood covering the surface. Zero's blood. She broke down and moaned the loss of her love. "No..no no no no! NOOO."
He smirked and suddenly he was only a few inches from her face. "Now look what you did. Just couldn't obey could you? Such an abomination. Who's next Rose?"
He pointed to the left and Rose gasped as another body laid on the cold pavement. Her eyes widened as she recognized that familiar chocolate hair. She limped over and found Kaname's lifeless body on the floor. She let out a choked sob and rest a hand on her chest. "No please. No please god."
Suddenly he opened his eyes and let out a whisper that made her blood ran cold. "It's you're fault.."
Rose gasped and backed away when Kaname jumped up and grabbed her shoulders screaming. "IT'S YOUR FAULT ROSE ROSE."
The voices got farther and farther away as Kaname retracted his fangs and bit into her. She tried to struggle but it was no use. Her name sounded like it was underwater now as she screamed once more.
Rose shot up breathing rapidly as a hand rested on her side. She hissed and pulled away whimpering softly. The voice were still calling her name as she tried to hide within her self. When a hand reached out she tried to break away from it. "NO! Get away!"
She was shaking now as she felt the same force bring her into his chest and whisper. "Rose. It's okay. You're safe. Look at me. I won't hurt you."
The words brought her peace as her fear turned into devastation. She broken down in that stranger's arms as he held her, all while running his fingers through her hair. It felt familiar.
She choked back a sob and whispered the same words over and over again. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
The stranger's heart broke at those words as he held her close. "There is nothing to be sorry for. You're okay Rose."
Once she had calmed down she was able to regain her senses and pull away from the stranger. She recognized Kaname's scent and felt slightly embarrassed. She was always her most vulnerable when she was with him and she hated it.
Remembering her nightmare she carefully touched his face and sighed when she found out he wasn't hurt. "Rose? Do you wanna talk about it?"
She shook her head and looked away. She didn't really want to talk about it but she knew she would have the same dream again if she didn't tell him. "I saw you. You were dead, and I killed you. It was my fault. And then Zero.."
She couldn't bring herself to finish that sentence and Kaname understood. He then took her hand and placed it on his cheek. "I'm not dead. I'm right here."
Rose sighed and let her hand fall. "I'm sorry. Did it take longer to bring me out?"
He nodded slowly and instead cupped her cheek. "Don't apologize. And yes it did just longer for you to regain your surroundings. I was worried."
Rose closed her eyes and nodded her head. "Well that can't be a good sign."
After a long moment of silence Rose tucked herself back in the covers and tried to sleep once more, this time with Kaname facing her.
A few minutes later Kaname watched the rising and fall of her chest and knew that she was asleep. He looked at the ceiling for a moment and contemplated leaving when she groaned next to him.
Her eyebrow flurried in anger as Kaname realized that she was to fragile to be left alone tonight. Anything could set off another nightmare.
So instead of leaving he turned on his side and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her close. She muttered something he couldn't make out and her facial expression went back to a neutral state. It seemed like his body heat was keeping her at ease.
He closed his eyes and rested his face in her hair before also falling asleep.
This was a great chapter for you Kaname X Rose fans. Here we see a bit of the dynamic they have going on and the struggles they face. More and More secrets will be revealed next chapter!