Purity
Part III
In the cold room, devoid of anything but a single tub, large drops of blood dripped continuously in an endless rhythm, softly echoing throughout the threatening silence. Soft clicks from expensive shoes followed by the unlocking of the door caused an inquisitive atmosphere to form around the tub.
The dark figure stepped closer and bowed deeply, placing his hand to his heart. Raising his head, his expression was grim. Faded watery blue eyes held a stubborn glint as lips parted to whisper,
"My King, we've located the True Pair, but have sadly lost communication with those we sent after him, only to find our target has…relocated."
The air around the tub changed suddenly from curious to irritated. Each ripple created by the blood drops became more violent. Feeling cold sweat break out over his body, the figure lowered his head, being quick to appease,
"We will find him, rest assured, my King. And once we do, you will once again, be at the height of your power, your youth."
The ripples lessened, though the air was filled with tension. The ominous presence in the tub wasn't at all happy about having to wait. It'd waited for fourteen years. It was hard pressed to wait any longer. It wanted the boy now.
Feeling it was high time to get the hell out, the figure bowed again and left swiftly. Next time, his superiors could choose someone else to be the harbinger of bad news. He loved life, thank you very much.
Zero sighed and ran a hand through his hair, feeling agitated and, well, scared. He didn't know how these two vampires might take the news he was about to part with. Well, if worst came to worst, he could live as his father did, moving from place to place. It wouldn't be easy, no, but whatever it took to survive, right? Beggars can't be choosers, he thought to himself morosely.
He looked up when a cup of cranberry juice was placed in front of him. "Thanks," he murmured. "You noticed." The only juice he drank was cranberry juice. That or water. There wasn't any specific reason, he just liked it. A lot.
'If I couldn't smell it, I'd think you were a vampire Zero,' Nase's gentle teasing voice rang in his mind.
"You smelt of it when I first met you and you were holding a cup at the restaurant." Yuuki smiled. Zero nodded and took a sip, unable to hold in a small satisfied smile. It did taste delicious, and it soothed his frayed nerves.
Shifting slightly, he looked straight at the two purebloods sitting across from him and went straight for the topic he needed to discuss, "Have either of you ever heard the term Coeur de Sang? Or Coeur de Vin?"
While Yuuki tilted her head looking adorably like a lost puppy, Kaname's eyes had narrowed and the hand on his knee tightened, if only by a fraction. So he knew. Not wanting to leave the reason for his having to open up about his past left out, Zero patiently explained, "It roughly translates to Heart of Blood or Heart of Wine, from French." When she still looked confused, he readied himself for a short history lesson.
"Vampires didn't just appear out of nowhere. They're a result of species that evolved over time." A long, long time. "In the beginning, there were no vampires or hunters, just regular people with…specialized powers."
They were more importantly known as the People of Halves. They consisted of those that although born with extraordinary abilities, lacked something vital – a part of their soul. But they had chosen partners, soul mates, rather, if one wanted to get romantic, that were able to bridge the gap that came with the disadvantages of having been created without a part of oneself. Due to this, the soulful half of Halves were called Pairs.
They all maintained a balanced system until regular Humans came into existence. They were not Pairs, nor were they Halves. They just were. The relations between Pairs, Halves, and Humans were peaceful in coexistence, but things soon changed with the unrequited desire one Human came to harbor for a Pair.
The Human was supposedly well established, someone equal to that of a noble or prince, and he could not accept his love forever remaining unreciprocated. Enraged when she dared to reject his advances, he ordered for all Halves to be eliminated, essentially initiating a war.
Halves had exceptional powers, completely inhuman, but with the vast number of Humans, not even they could keep up forever. Instead of continuing to fight, they went into hiding, forcibly separated from their Pairs in the process, to keep them safe.
With no one no longer there to teach them warmth or love, and their souls lacking the bridge it once had, the Halves turned to look for other alternatives. It was only in their right to choose the Humans, as they were the source for all of their absolute grief.
The solution they found was merely temporary, but it was good enough for them to get by. They needed something that brought them warmth, and blood, freshly drained from a living being, was the most sufficient and easiest way to gain that.
Most of the Pairs, over time, lost the knowledge of being destined for their Halves and lived normally amongst Humans. As they intermingled with Humans, their blood and heritage branched out in different areas.
Famous figures, especially religious ones who claimed to be sons and daughters of god with the ability to hear his voice, were usually those descendant of Pairs, as they were noted for their giving nature and sense of purity. People nowadays, with spiritual sensitivity, like priestesses, or clairvoyance, like fortune tellers, are also inherent of the nature of Pairs.
"Okay, but how does that tie in with Heart of Blood or Heart of Wine?" Yuuki softly questioned. She hadn't known her own kind had suffered so much in the past, and all because of a jealous human.
"Those are the modern terms for Pairs vampires have come up with, as Pairs are literally the heart of their Halves."
"So for every vampire, there's a Coeur de Sang?" That sounded rather sweet.
Zero shook his head. "Vampires who have human blood in their line aren't considered Halves nor are vampires who were once human."
Yuuki's brows knit in confusion until her expression started to clear as she began to realize,
"Only pureblood vampires have a Coeur de Sang…"
"Yes," Kaname softly answered, speaking up for the first time. "We pureblood vampires will never feel completely whole without them." It was a terrible price to pay for all that their powers were revered and worshipped.
"And just as there are a limited number of our kind, pureblood Coeur de Sang are also a rarity. It's been speculated if they even exist at all in this day and age."
At this, Zero unconsciously let the grip around his cup tighten, a reaction Kaname's sharp eyes hadn't missed. What was this boy hiding?
"How does the story of Coeur de Sang have any relation to Yuuki receiving blood from your father?"
Looking up and into his wine red eyes, Zero merely answered, "I think you already know." He reluctantly set the cup down. "The reason my father was in such high demand was because—"
"He was a Coeur de Sang." Kaname slowly finished. "And you are one as well."
"Not just a Coeur de Sang," Zero narrowed his eyes, "a pureblooded Coeur de Sang."
A tense silence followed after his remark until Yuuki softly whispered, "and you? You're a pureblood Coeur de Sang too, aren't you? That's why they want you so badly."
Zero's averted gaze was enough of an answer for the Kuran vampires.
Grimacing, Kaname lowly noted, "And your father's blood? How will that have affected Yuuki?"
"It wouldn't have done anything dangerous. You haven't mutated or anything," Zero reassured. "You've just gained something none other pureblood has, I guess." He tried not to look Kaname's way, lest he see the pureblood more than a bit pissed, and continued, "An immunity to anti-vampire magic – which is another branch of the powers of Pairs anyway – and a strengthened affinity for your inherent abilities…?" He trailed off inquisitively, unsure. "Were you more attuned to your senses after drinking from my father?"
There wasn't any hesitation to her answer as she replied, "yes. It didn't show that much in the beginning, but when I grew older, I noticed using them was easy. I just knew how to do some things." She'd chalked it up to her being a pureblood and hadn't questioned her strong ties with her inner vampire magic. It'd just felt so right using them.
Zero nodded. "And you probably don't need blood as often as you should." It was almost a stab in the dark, but he was confident it was at least in the right direction.
Yuuki slowly nodded. She sent her brother a quick glance before hurriedly rushing out, "Usually I just need a couple of tablets and I'm fine for a few months. If I push, I think I can go for four or more…"
On average, even a pureblood would need some type of sustenance, whether tablets or blood, every month if not every other week. Yuuki's body on the other hand, was capable of supporting her strength without the aid of so much blood.
"Yuuki…"
"I'm sorry, Kaname, I just didn't want to worry you. I felt fine anyway," she laughed nervously. Well, it was finally out in the open. Her, the pureblood vampire with an eating disorder – at least that was what she'd thought – until now.
Deciding to deal with his sister at a later date, Kaname turned his attention back to Zero. "And this is all due to Yuuki drinking once from your father fourteen years ago?"
"Yes. When you vamps named us Coeur de Sang you really weren't kidding." His tone wasn't mocking, just dry.
"And if your blood were to go to a noble?"
Zero shrugged. "I can't say it wouldn't do anything, but I can't say it would either. We may not be something as important as a Coeur de Sang to them, but our blood may taste exceptionally good, like a food craving."
"I see…"
Zero wondered at what, but decided not to push his luck. Kaname seemed to have a lot on his mind, the first, his sister, if Zero wasn't misreading the glance he shot her as he leaned back in his seat. Well, that was their problem to work out. He wasn't about to go sticking his nose into family affairs.
"Where. Is. He?" They knew what he looked like, his age, hell, what clothes he wore. How hard was it to find one teenage boy?
All of their previous efforts had been for naught, as they hadn't seen hide nor hair of the boy. Gritting his teeth, he allowed himself a show of his anger as he slammed his fist down onto his desk. They needed to find that boy, and fast. Their King was getting restless. He was tired of having to invade others' bodies that weren't going to last for long anyhow, as they weren't strong enough to sustain him.
Besides, if the boy really was the True Pair, a Coeur de Sang, and succeeded in bringing their King back, how powerful could he be? Their King would discard the boy once he was done with him, that was doubtless, and once that happened, the boy would be free for the taking.
With enough power to resurrect a pureblood to his former glory, how much would a noble such as himself be able to benefit from such a union? The possibilities seemed endless…
As Zero rested in his rooms, the Kuran siblings were rather occupied, currently engaged in a staring contest of wills. Though it did last for a disturbing length of time, the younger of the two resigned herself to letting the cat out of the bag and sighed, closing her eyes.
"Why did you keep such important things from me?" Yuuki didn't have to look to know the hurt that would be displayed in her brother's expression, as well as the betrayal.
She bit her lip. "I didn't do it to hurt you." She'd never. "You just had so much to do and worry about, I didn't want to add to that. I didn't want to become a burden." She'd really have no place to belong if that happened. Kaname, in a sense, was all she had.
"Yuuki…" The older pureblood stepped forward to gather his younger sibling in his arms. "You know you have nothing to fear in regards to that. I will never feel that way about you. I didn't care for you out of obligation or a sense of duty, though those do take a part. I did so because I love and cherish what you are to me." She was the only person he was capable of loving.
Though warmed by his words, Yuuki did not feel entirely convinced. She could blame it on the new knowledge she had of her own kind, but even with the love of her brother, she still felt empty on some level. Like there was something missing. She didn't doubt he felt the same, though perhaps he'd already resigned himself to feeling that way and didn't bother to focus on it. Doing that meant acknowledging a part of himself would forever stay unfulfilled.
No matter how much he tried to love her whole heartedly, he never would be able to. Neither would she. How could they, if they weren't whole as a person? Purebloods had power others would kill for, and yet they lacked the most important thing a living being needed to truly live. They really were like the undead.
Many had commented on her kindness, her soft nature, even her innocence. She hadn't thought much of it before, she was who she was, after all, but if she had been without Riku-san's blood, would she still be the same? Was her capability in being able to 'feel' more due to his influence? Were purebloods just that cold and unfeeling as many thought them to be?
Gently pushing herself out of the warmth of her brother's embrace, Yuuki murmured an excuse to go to her rooms, feeling dazed.
Feeling an especially strong presence in the room, Zero shifted and tried to get up. Checking the time, he saw that it was five in the morning and let out an inaudible groan. He didn't have the energy to vocalize his displeasure at being woken at such an hour. The sun wasn't even up yet.
As the blankets slipped from his shoulders, the cool temperature of the room had him involuntarily shivering. Slipping on a robe, he headed to the balcony. Lo and behold, the glass doors were open. But there was another addition to his balcony that had him immediately pulling them inside and shutting the doors.
"Yuuki? What are you doing here?" He couldn't go back to sleep now. Wrapping his robe around her shoulders, he led her to the bed.
What was she doing in his rooms? This was her house, but still. He couldn't even offer her a cup of water, as he knew he'd get lost along the way. He wondered at her emotional disposition. She looked so despondent. Had that conversation with her brother gone wrong somehow? He didn't know them well, but the two seemed to care for one another. Whatever it was he hoped they made up soon. Having to hang around two sullen pureblood vampires wasn't his idea of having a good time.
"Hey, you alright?"
"I'm sorry I woke you, but I just found myself here after walking around a while." Her smile didn't reach her eyes. She was such a contrast to the lively girl he'd first met. Zero frowned.
"After you told me about the Coeur de Sang, I felt more lonely than ever. Now I knew the reason why I felt so cold sometimes and so empty. I always thought if I had Kaname, everything would be alright…
"Without Riku-san's blood, would I have been different? Would I still be the Kuran Yuuki that I know? We can't even be whole without someone else's help. I feel so, so—"
Zero suddenly tugged harshly at her arm and pulled her up from the bed. "Zero?" He didn't answer her as he continued to pull her out of his rooms and into the hall. He made to turn left, walked a few steps, then paused, turned right to take another few steps, then finally turned to her, exasperatedly demanding,
"Where's the music room in this fucking humongous waste of space you call a house?"
Practically on autopilot, Yuuki led him in the right direction. Once they reached the door, Zero pushed it open and pulled her in, making a beeline for the grand piano and dragging her down to sit next to him on the bench.
Lifting the cover, he huffed, "this is the first time I've ever played at five damn o'clock in the morning." Gently placing his fingers atop the keys, he took a breath and began to play.
A complete contrast to his agitated mood, the piece he played was a soft, slow melancholy one. When Zero began to sing, Yuuki vaguely recognized it as French. Her language skills were horrible, but she didn't need to understand what the words were saying to feel the core emotion of the music. It sounded devastating. Coupled with the jumble of confusion, sadness, frustration, and fear she felt, she couldn't help the tears that pooled and stung her eyes, running unchecked down her cheeks.
She didn't notice when Zero stopped playing, his wonderful voice slowing and fading, until she felt a sharp jab to her ribs. Gasping, she looked up, her face wet with tears. She resisted the urge to cringe when she saw the cool anger on Zero's face.
"Were you able to feel that?" He asked sharply.
Not knowing what he was asking for and why or how she should answer, all she could do was frantically shake her head, hiccupping as she tried to stop her tears. She was roughly stopped mid-motion as he grasped her chin in his long fingers and tilted her head up to meet his eyes.
"You did feel something. It's why you're like this now. Does it matter why you're able to feel?
"You said my father felt warm. That was before he gave you his blood. You said you were happy he treated you like anyone else. That was also before he gave you his blood. If you need to go looking for proof, there're plenty." He sighed, irritated. "You vampires are so dramatic. Don't you know the rule of KISS?"
"K-kiss?"
"Mm," Zero hummed. "KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid." He flicked her forehead. "Being immortal gives you too much time to dwell on things that give you unnecessary wrinkles. You'll turn into a hag in the next five years at this rate." He said distastefully.
The same light notes he'd previously played expanded and turned into a tune she knew all too well – her favorite French lullaby. She stared at him wide eyed, as he began to sing and this time, couldn't stop the smile or the laughter that bubbled up inside of her. Zero was…Zero was…oh, she didn't know, but she loved it.
Kaname looked up from his wineglass as he first heard the piano and then the soft wistful voice of their current guest. He didn't know what prompted the teen to play at such an hour, but the song did match his mood. Letting out a humorless smile, he emptied the glass of dissolved blood tablets and straightened up behind his desk before standing up and deciding to leave the suffocating atmosphere of his own rooms.
It'd been a while since he walked these halls without a set purpose and he found himself instinctively nearing the music room, from which Zero's singing originated. He paused however, when he caught the scent of Yuuki along with that of Zero's. His keen hearing heard the words exchanged, and though he felt all the worse for not being able to comfort Yuuki when she obviously needed it, he was glad she'd found a place to let loose the convoluting emotions that'd separated her from him earlier.
He didn't stop to think why she'd sought out Zero's presence instead of his own. That'd be heading into dangerous waters he was not yet ready to plunge into. It really was rather sensitive of Zero to go out of his way to play for a girl he hardly knew at this hour, even if she'd been crying.
Leaning by the wall, the piano started up again and so did Zero's clear rich voice. He was singing Yuuki's favorite lullaby. Their mother often used to sing it for her when she was upset, the light chirpy tone to the music always making her smile in the end. As he heard Yuuki's laughter filter through, he let out a small smile.
"Good night, and sweet dreams, Yuuki."
Disclaimer: No own Vampire Knights.
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