Hello everyone!
It has been a busy couple of days. My college life has returned, which means much more studying for me. Some days I'll feel inspired to write, or moments I do not want to write at all because of school. To say, I'm exhausted (Lol). I'd be starting fresh with my thanks if I didn't respond to any reviews before. Please ask your question again, and I'll respond in the next chapter.
Thank you; LapisLazuliRose, Guest, starrat, KEZZ1, Cherryblossom274, yochan123, HonestOpinion, TheMashMonster, X, LoubellRose, and the Appleseed.
I hope you guys enjoy it.
I do not own Vampire Knight.
Chapter 23
Shiki Senri is a young aristocratic vampire with high potential. He may be seen as an aloof laidback character, but I know him. The boy is more intelligent than anybody, with the talent to hunt for Level E. However, it is his talent that he worries about. He has been instructed to do many things for the remainder of his life. Little did he care about the orders until it meant hurting those he cared for. Shiki Senri is a good person with horrible parents.
The papers in my hand had information about Senri. It did not have his father's name, but the mother and Uncle's name was clear as day. I sighed to put the papers on my desk and then looked at the cold, dreaded night. It seemed windy because the tree leaves shook in an up-and-down motion. My mind was racing from the thoughts of Senri and Aido. I had done all I could without my presence being there. Aido, please continue to go beyond my expectations.
The sound of rustling paper hitting the floor caught my attention. On the other side of my desk was the report from Zero's dad. I did not want to look at the report or think about it. The idea that Haruka Kuran is alive is unbelievable and changes everything I've known in the courses. The report of two people dying was accurate, but who died that day? Also, where was Haruka Kuran? Did Kaname know the whole time? Additionally, Aido is probably asking him for details about Kaname's suicidal parents, which isn't real!
I paused, stopping my mind with that last phrase. It isn't real. Nothing I knew was real. Someone changed the history of the Kuran family, and it wasn't me. My gaze focused on the old report with the ink-smeared title, Kuran Family. What if the report was explained to another person? Another person from a different world-changing history. I grabbed the report to stop at the page I had last read.
We had to bring Haruka Kuran and his boy back inside the mansion for safety. However, the vampire king had stopped us from pulling either of them. He informed us that the criminal was still alive but severely injured. As far as the criminal knows, Haruka Kuran is dead. How was that possible? How could the criminal think the current Kuran King is dead and have severe injuries? I knew the vampire was not telling us the truth, but it did not matter now. He had decided that it would be safer for him to hide and for his son to be taken care of by the senate.
"Kuran, we know the senate's horrible tactics involving your family. Your father was the one who created the senate, after all. Are you sure it is wise to leave your son with them? Why can't you remain with him at this house?"
My wife asked him with concern for the boy's safety. The boy seems seven years old and a year older than our children. It is no surprise that her worry comes from her motherly instincts. The vampire king looked at his son with a tender smile filled with love that any father could recognize. At the moment, I did not see the man before me as a ruthless vampire but as a father. I sighed at the idea coming into my head. My only hope was to have no regret from this plan.
"No. He is right and will remain hidden from the world until the time is right. In the meantime, Haruka Kuran, how would you like to hide in our home?"
"Kaname...your parents, the Kurans, who murdered them? It's not easy to kill a pureblood. Did that woman-"
Kaname cut off the blonde hair, a blue-eyed vampire with a neutral, calming look. His eyes seemed cold but far off into a dizzy haze. It was as if he remembered his perspective on the incidents. However, the blonde could have sworn there was a mixture of anger swirling in those brown-red eyes of his. Aidou did not understand the reasoning behind his expression, but it was clear that Mei wanted him to know.
"Aido, it's better that you don't know anymore."
Kaname's response made the aristocrat angry. He stood up from the couch with a hand on his chest.
"Why, Kaname-same? Then why tell me only part of the truth?"
Kaname maintained a neutral expression with Aido's slight anger.
"If I didn't tell you anything, you would keep prying into the matter. I've told you all I can... for now."
He looks away from Aido's face to the ground. The pureblood prince's expression gets darker as a horrible thought occurs.
"I don't want you to die for nothing."
Aidou's gaze narrowed at the pureblood. The memory of Mei mouthing the words Rido's son replayed in his head. Mei was telling him something, while Kaname was telling him nothing. There had to be something that Mei was trying to tell him. There had to be clues, anything that could bring him a few steps closer to understanding the truth.
"Aidou"
The blue-eyed vampire stopped his process to see the vampire prince staring at him intensely. He gulped as there was a flash of vibrant red being revealed.
"Is there someone telling you something?"
Aidou felt his body run cold as he stared down at the floor. The intense gaze from Kaname felt suffocating as the pressure in the room was getting too much. What could he do to help Kaname but not get Mei in trouble?
"You know, it is okay to lie to him once in a while?"
Aidou looked at the top of the tree to see the little guardian staring down at him. The pressure suddenly vanished, making the Pureblood prince's staring less noticeable. He was in memory of Mei, but his appearance remained the same. However, her appearance was completely different.
"A pureblood lies to keep secrets and protect those that deem important. Perhaps, you should do the same too."
He remembers getting mad at the human child for suggesting that he lie to Kaname. Kaname was important to him, but that doesn't mean he should lie. He deserves to know the truth because it would prove his loyalty to Kaname. Yet, he has lied before, and right now...
"No, Kaname. My curiosity got the best of me, and I am sorry."
Kaname accepted the apology for Aidou to take his leave. The boy walked down the hallway to gather his thoughts on the interactions and conversations with Kaname and Mei. Rido Kuran, Shiki's father, the Uncle to Kaname Kuran, and brother to the fallen King and queen of vampires. The sad look Mei gave to Shiki's back worried Aidou more than he cared to admit. However, the message was clear. Aidou snapped his fingers for one of the servants to arrive and bow behind the young master.
"Go to the Shiki household and follow the boy name Senri. No matter what, his safety is your top priority."
I felt my whole world shatter from the statement. Zero's father, who refused to be kind to vampires and stopped my relationship with Ichiru, invited the Pureblood king to hide in their home. Did Shizuka find out about his existence in the Kiryuu's household? Did she kill Haruka? Haruka, where the hell are you? I flipped to the next page to continue reading.
The King looked at me as if what I said was an imagination. My wife's expression was no different than his. However, the scene I witnessed made sense for him to hide within our household. Haruka stared at his son with a guilty look before sighing to nod his head in agreement.
"I'll go under one condition."
My wife glanced at each other before nodding.
"Your reports will say that Haruka and Juri Kuran died from an attempt of suicide."
All of us stared at the vampire king like he was an insane man. Even his son was horrified at the notion. The boy shook his head to grab Haruka's coat tightly and pull him down to his height.
"Father, no. Do you have any idea what people will say about you? They will call you horrible names behind your back. Everyone will... everyone..."
Haruka grabbed his son in the tightest hug a father could do for their distraught boy.
"Let them smear judgment and create accusations on our name. If it gives me a chance to protect you, then I will. Take care, Kaname."
Haruka got closer to whisper something into his son's ear. The one whisper made the prince's eyes widen in shock, but he nodded as a newfound determination exploded within him. Haruka stood up to stare at me as a new friendship between the Kuran King and vampire hunter began.
Every day was the same with Haruka. We would ensure that our boys would overlook Haruka in our guest room, give him food, and a chance to create a conversation with him. He would help us practice in our training room and teach us the truth behind the vampires living. Everything I knew from my teachers and parents was only a half-truth or false rumor. Our friendship was developing, but our sons were a different story.
"A vampire! She had one of our boys near a vampire in the cold! He could have gotten sick or worst!"
Haruka sighed from the kitchen as he was making his tea.
"You must not blame the child."
"I do not blame the child, and I blame Kaien. What in the world was he thinking? His daughter is a baby, and what does she know if this vampire is good or bad?"
I sat on my chair with my hands in my hair as the fear of losing my son was unimaginable and painful.
"I'm sorry, Haruka. I-I can't lose him."
Haruka walked over to my side, handing me some of his tea that I've grown accustomed to since his living here.
"She is not a baby, Kiryu, and she is a child with a fresh perspective and views the world that no adult or child can see."
I glanced at the Pureblood with confusion and interest. His responses were logical and patient. He defends a human child without really knowing her. Kaien has informed us of the taboo against a pureblood, Juri Kuran. From then on, the ex-hunter was fascinated with Pureblood and became the closest person to the Kuran family. Someone that changed their life around from hatred to kindness. Now that he has become a father, his personality has changed completely. I wonder if Kaien introduced his daughter to the Kurans.
"Kuran, you speak of the child as you have complete trust in her. Have you ever met her?"
The Pureblood stopped drinking his tea to stare at me with those suffocating eyes of a vampire. The mixture of red and brown holds secrets and knows more than any vampire could imagine. I remember the red scarf Haruka was holding with tears streaming down his face. As he raised his head to withhold my gaze, I'd never seen a person look more broken and lifeless until I saw his eyes. It was like the world was falling into the abyss along with him.
I have to know, and I need to understand what happened that day. It's time.
"Kuran, who was the other person that died that day? Why do you talk about that child like you know her? What are you and Kaien planning?"
Haruka set the cup down on the table, refusing to look at me, but staring at the red liquid. He opened his mouth-
I do not know who will read this or if I can trust those that found-
"No... no..."
There was nothing. The next page did not hold any words or share more of the story. The pages seemed to be ripped without showing any evidence of it. My hands were in fists with white-hot anger boiling to my face. The one piece of information that could lead me ahead of finding Haruka. A clue to give me answers to the unasked questions was stripped away from me- again!
"NO!"
Without a second thought, I threw the papers behind me to the wall. The papers were scattered in big chunks; some fell on the floor while others were stuck on the wall. Wait, how were the papers stuck on the wall? There was nothing for the walls to stick on. I moved closer to the papers on my walls until I realized it wasn't the papers. It was the words!
"There were no pages ripped out because he wanted someone else to finish it!"
I quickly grabbed my scissors to cut off the paper but left the words on the wall.
"Haruka, Kaien's, understand, home, help, can, you, at, our, daughter."
There were no other words that were sticking on the wall. I grabbed a piece of paper to write down the words in the same order before thinking about the words.
"Kaien has a possessive s, so none of these words wouldn't fit unless it were close to daughter. Haruka seems the obvious choice to be in front of the sentence. There is at with home, can after Haruka for a verb, and adding another verb with the help, pronoun to add with you, then the verb is understand, and adding the rest behind them. 'Hauka can help you understand at home, Kaien's daughter.'"
"Do you think the reason behind Kiryuu's parents being so heavily involved wasn't because of their children?"
"They saw something that was not supposed seen?"
"There is a feeling inside me that tells me this bird doesn't belong to Shizuka or Maria."
"All you have to do is call me. I will be your familiar."
"I'm not a vampire."
"I cannot tell you how I know your name because I am not the one to tell you."
"New Vampire Hunter association President, Mei Kurosu."
"His presence gone..."
"Haruka is alive."
"Haruka was not supposed to be found..."
"Juri's death..."
"Red Scarf..."
"Mei...shelves..."
"Haruka..."
"Haruka..."
"Haruka..."
"Haruka..."
"Ana."
My breathing came out heavy as everything made more sense than ever before. Haruka was the one that made me the new vampire hunter president because I assumed that I knew everything. I did not listen to Yamato talking about that particular person telling me someday. I refused to be a vampire hunter, which prevented me from the paperwork. My ignorance is what made Haruka decide to take action behind the shadows. It was not Rido's presence when entering the room; it was Haruka. Haruka has been there the whole time!
"I have to find him..."
"Find who, Meimei?"
I looked at the room's entrance to see Ichiru coming in with a small smile, but he frowned at the mess around me. Ichiru sighed to pick up the papers as he slowly made his way over here.
"Honestly, Meimei, you haven't changed one bit. You scatter papers all around you, then get upset when- hm? This paper..."
Ichiru picked up the cut paper but still displayed his father's handwriting.
"This is my dad. How?"
I quickly stopped Ichiru's question by gripping his shoulder tightly and making him look at me. My eyes narrowed with a newfound determination and urgency, but my heart was thumping like crazy. I was excited and able to get answers and gain steps ahead of Rido.
"Ichiru, please. You have to take me to your childhood home."
Ichiru dropped the papers from his hands to look at me. His expression screamed that I was crazy, but I did not care. The Pureblood King is alive, and he is coming back.
I am an idiot. I was in the car with my father in the driving seat and the Kiryuu twins on either side of me in the back. One crossed his arms in irritation while the other looked lifeless at the window. Let me explain what happened when I told Ichiru about going to his childhood home. Zero had overheard me from behind my office door and gave a shocked expression. It was different from Ichiru's but held the same emotions. They would have to return to the place where their parents were murdered.
I am the worst friend and girlfriend in the world! How could I have said something about returning to that blood bath of the house? Why couldn't Haruka pick a different place to hide in? Damn it, you dramatic, tragic romance of a world! Please help me out here once in a while!
"Mei"
I stopped my self-loathing to look over at Zero. He was staring at me with a softness in his eyes that seemed to understand my turmoil.
"You do not need to think so lowly of yourself for simply asking us to return. It was only a matter of time before we needed to return."
"Hmph, speak for yourself, Zero. I would be glad never to return to this house, but I'll do anything to help Meimei. Even returning to a place that brought me nothing but pain."
I looked at Ichiru with a heavy and guilty heart. Zero received happy memories while Ichiru felt loneliness and pain. Ichiru knew at a young age that he was not the strongest twin; he was the weakest and meant to be consumed by his brother from within the womb. In the end, Ichiru is going to die. I know that. It is the fate of the cursed twins. I know I can do nothing to prevent it, but I wanted him to be happy. I want him to reconnect with his brother and share more memories.
"Ichiru"
Zero responded angrily, but Father stopped them from arguing by changing the subject.
"I hate to interrupt but is their reasoning for Yuki not coming with us?"
I saw the image of Yuki in her room with her knees close to her chest. Her expression gives a far-off look as the puzzle of her past resurfaces. I shook my head, not allowing my words to give a response to this question. My vision went past Zero to stare at my reflection in the mirror. Tomorrow is the day when the vacation ends, and all students return for class. Kaname will give her hints that he is an idea for her missing memories, but what happens after that? What happens between us? My gaze focused on Zero's side profile as his eyebrows drew closer in anger. Will Zero and I remain in this relationship?
As if he knew I was staring at him, Zero stopped his stare at the window to connect his gaze with mine. I felt my cheeks heating up to look away quickly. My fingers seem interesting lately, and I should ask Yori for a manicure with a cute pattern on my pinky. Another hand on my left entered my vision to grab my left hand and intertwine our fingers. Our hands rested on my lap as my heart raced with the feel of his warmth. I leaned against his side with a feeling of peace. There was no more talk, but that was perfect for me.
"We are here."
Ichiru announced for our heads to turn towards his window. There it was. The Kiryuu house that I'd dreamed of seeing was nothing but ruins. There was no roof, but the sides of the house were intact. Leaves were coming out of two sides connected and surrounded an empty spot where the door was. My eyes widened even more as a figure stepped out of the building. His hair and jacket followed the wind as his hands were in his pockets to keep warm. There was something around his neck that showed color from his dark clothing and the red scarf.
"Is that Kaname Kuran?"
Ichiru asked, confused, as the car stopped in front of the house.
"No,"
I responded. The overwhelming feeling of happiness spread through my chest as tears escaped me.
"Just someone that he took after."
The twins stared at me with confusion, but I did not waste time getting out of the car. My feet took off into a sprint to get a clearer view of the man that was helping me. Someone that was in the shadows, watching and waiting, and could bring Yuki utter happiness. I stopped in front of the man as we stared at each other for some time. He smiles at me, reaching forward to touch my cold, wet cheek. He used his thumb to wipe some of the tears off my cheeks.
"You've finally figured it out, Mei Kurosu."
More tears flowed down my cheeks. Finally, I've found something and someone to answer everything. An ally that can help and where I won't feel alone in this battle anymore.
"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry to have made you wait, Haruka Kuran."
Everyone from the car was shocked at Pureblood King alive. They left the car to walk forward behind me. Father was the first to step beside me, which alerted Haruka of his presence. Haruka removed his hand from my cheek to stare at Father with a frown. There was tension between them, but Kaien was the first to jump.
"Father, no-"
"Haruuuukaaaa~"
Father shouted, crying tears of happiness as he hugged the Kuran king.
"You've been here the whole time!? What happened to you? Where have you been?"
Haruka hugged father back with a slight chuckle.
"You have not changed one bit, old friend. I wish to explain everything, but..."
"Rido has your location."
Father immediately let go of Haruka to stare at me, surprised, but my gaze was focused on Haruka. His expression was voided of all playfulness to be replaced with seriousness. The King nodded his head at my statement.
"I need to come into Cross Academy for my children."
My eyes widened at his statement. The twins quickly caught his wording for me to panic slightly.
"Children?"
Ichiru questioned.
"As in, Kuran isn't your only child."
I quickly turned to the twins in a panic to get their attention off the King and onto me.
"Children?! I didn't hear him say that word. He probably used the wrong word-"
"Mei, it's time to stop hiding it from them."
My movements stopped as sheer panic and guilt hit me tenfold. Haruka's voice was echoing in my ears and drawing me in. This is the same feeling I get with Shizuka and Kaname. A pureblood's voice keeps luring me into their presence. I'm not ready, and I do not want to tell them. My hands were by my side in a fist so tight that my knuckles were getting white. My body was shaking as to look at Haruka slowly. Father tried to reach for me, but Haruka's outstretched arm beat him to it. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, allowing me to shake in fear.
"I... I thought that once I found you, then I'll be ready to tell them. I'll be ready to tell them everything. I'll be prepared to hear the answers. I've had so many questions. And yet, the way you're treating me. The way you're holding me like this. I'm scared. I'm so scared of the answer. The red scarf, who made that scarf?"
Haruka took a few minutes of silence before staring down at me. He removed his arm from his shoulder to look at Father with a neutral, calm look.
"Let's head to the car. I'll explain everything at the academy."
He walked past me with the smell I'd grown accustomed to for years. It is the same smell as Kaname, but there is a nurturing smell from my past.
"Anastasia"
There was no way. It was impossible for something like that to happen, and there was no way someone like her could be here. I shook my head, trying to get the thoughts far away. It was an impossible situation that made no sense, nor was it possible. I can't believe it, and I choose not to believe it.
"Mei,"
I turned back to see Father, Haruka, and the twins heading for the car, but Zero was the one to stop for me. The pureblood stopped but only turned his head to glance at me. There was a hint of red glow in them. No, it wasn't true. I immediately went over to Zero's side, gripping his arm as he guided me to the car. Haruka watched my every step following behind us. I did not return his gaze but could feel the intense stare on my back.
It isn't true. You're living your life, aren't you?
Mom
cut! Hello everyone! It has been a long time. Well, I'm back from the grave! I apologize for putting this story on a bit of hiatus. I needed a huge break from writing, especially this story, because life was getting in the way. My college life is about to be over, and a more professional job is heading in my path. I want to finish this story before the adult world takes over me. Perhaps, this story may be my final piece. Then, I might say goodbye to this life. Who knows?
Also, this story follows the manga, so this story will not be over until there are no other chapters. Wish me luck with college.
Until Next Time