Purity

His Voice

Yuuki giggled excitedly as she practically skipped to the music room. With the presence of Zero, she'd come to view music in a different light and found a new interest and amusement she'd never considered previous. One was of course, the joy she never thought she'd feel learning about the subject and the other…

"Zero, Zero, please sing this?" She'd printed the lines and scores from the Internet. She loved the lyrics and had taken immense liking to the song.

At first, she'd started with male singers, but upon finding out Zero had no problems adjusting to female ones, well…that just opened up a whole suitcase full of possibilities – for Yuuki at least. Zero only ever listened to her requests to further his skills and for no other particular reason.

"Another one?" These things were never ending.

"There You'll Be."

"It's well known, I don't need scores for that. I need the lines though."

She smiled as he scooted over, giving her room to sit beside him as she placed the lyrics in front of him. Her eyes were already closed, waiting for his sweet voice.

"Is there a reason why you wanted this song?"

"Eh? Ah, well, I…I like to think of my parents and Nii-sama," Yuuki admitted, a light flush to her cheeks.

"I always thought it a love song, but family is fine too, I guess," Zero tilted his head. His slender fingers were already moving across the keys before she had a chance to ready herself. Then Zero was raising his chin and parting his lips and the words, the song, spilt forth, filling her with that comforting warmth she'd come to associate with Zero's singing.

"When I think back on these times,
And the dreams we left behind,
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed to get
To have you in my life…"

As she'd mentioned, her brother's smiling image came to her mind, his eyes soft, more honey brown than the usual wine red, his expression light and teasing. He'd kiss her cheeks, brush her hair, wrap his arms around her…he'd always been her comfort, the only one she thought she'd ever feel completely at ease with.

"…In my heart there'll always be
A place for you for all my life…"

The rise in Zero's voice snapped her back to the music room and she was slightly dismayed to find she'd missed the second stanza, lost in her thoughts. Closing her eyes, she tried to push the memories of her parents away to focus more on Zero. She loved his presence in this room. It'd been unused for the longest time, cold and dusty, empty and dark…and then Zero came. In her opinion, there was no other room more fit for his warm, solid reassuring presence to fill. He'd played in this room at least once everyday, for hours at a time, since coming here.

Everything seemed brighter when Zero sang, no matter what song it was. His voice worked to calm her when overexcited, happier when sad, soothe her when agitated, and on a few occasions, put her to sleep when she was restless.

"…Your love made me make it through
Oh I owe so much to you
You were right there for me…"

Smiling Yuuki mouthed the words she could remember, swaying to the music. This time, the words naturally brought memories of her time spent with Zero, whether it was in this room during the late hours (for him) or during the days out in the gardens when she was too stubborn to sleep. Unsurprisingly, the night she'd broken down after he'd sung that sad foreign song to her also came to mind. He'd gotten her to laugh about it in no time, she remembered.

Zero had laughed so hard his face turned red when he caught sight of Yuuki advising Kaname to 'think like a dog'. The brunet's wide-eyed expression of plain, utter confusion had, in his opinion, been absolutely hilarious. Yuuki in turn had been confused because she didn't know why Zero had been laughing.

"I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am there you'll be…"

It was always her brother she'd imagined to stay with until the end of time; just the two of them…but she no longer wanted it to be just the two of them.

Hoping he wouldn't notice, Yuuki swayed closer to Zero as the song continued, wondering when it was she started to wish Zero wouldn't be so temporary and when it was they started needing him instead of the other way around.

Zero's wonderful voice tended to carry when he sang, and she knew her brother heard every word and note that left Zero's lips. Sometimes, the hard look in his eyes would lessen, the tension in his shoulders would loosen and there was once when she caught a slight smile tugging at his lips. Kaname seldom smiled genuinely for anyone other than herself. She was at least aware of that.

So if Zero were to leave?

Yuuki stopped mouthing the words and bit her lip. Her swaying nearly stopped as well as she felt something ache inside her at the mere thought of not being able to enjoy nights like these, where she could fully act any way she wished without a care and still be met with accepting lilac eyes and soft sweet singing.

No more flower picking in the garden when the sun was brightest or sneaking into the kitchen to have sugary snacks secretly made (well, her brother probably knew about that too, but still, it was the thought that counted) and devoured during the early hours, and certainly no one to serve cranberry juice to every night.

For the first time, Yuuki felt the dark possessive tendrils of temptation call out to her from a part of her she never wanted to acknowledge. She and Kaname referred to it as the monster that lived inside every vampire, more so in purebloods. It was desperate for warmth, for love, its presence cold, empty and angry.

It suggested Zero was theirs. He was living with them, he needed their protection. Even if he wanted to, they wouldn't let him leave. They'd make it so he wouldn't want to leave.

But no…no, no, no! That was wrong! It had to reconsider because Zero was different. He was precious, their Coeur de Sang, their Pair. They couldn't force him. Forcing implied violence and hurting their Pair was unthinkable, unforgivable. A Coeur de Sang meant love and protection, not possession and obsession. They were to be treasured and kept safe from those that caused them harm, because there were others that wished ill will for them in the past and certainly in the future.

Yes, It grumbled, perhaps that was right…Zero, Zero was their Coeur de Sang, their Pair, and that made him different. He was to be regarded as a proper equal, It remembered.

"…And everywhere I am there you'll be
There you'll be…"

Yes, Zero would understand their efforts and if he still chose to leave them, he could not be blamed for their faults. But for now, he was still here. They could enjoy what their Coeur de Sang offered them in the meanwhile, bask in the warmth his presence exuded, revel in the emotions he brought forth with his sweet, sweet voice…

"Yuuki. Yuuki?"

"E-eh? Oh, Zero, you're done?"

"Mm, were you so mesmerized your mind went off somewhere or is staring into space a hobby of yours?"

She pouted. "Neither! But I love your singing Zero."

He smiled amusedly, "So you've told me – numerous times."

"It sounds so different from those humans, is that because you're a Coeur de Sang?"

"You're a pureblood so yes, my voice would affect you differently than it does other vampires. You'll feel more inclined to listen."

"Kain-san, Aido-san, and Souen-san all seem to like your singing just as much," Yuuki pointed out.

Zero tilted his head. "They're noble class vampires, the closest to being purebloods after the purebloods themselves. It's not that surprising."

"So, regular vampires won't enjoy it as much as we do?" Yuuki curled a lock of hair around her finger. "They're missing out on a lot."

Zero shook his head, "Regular vampires are at the least half-human, it's not their fault their human genes dampens their instinctive sensitivity to our abilities. Besides," he added wryly, "I happen to think it's a good thing, from a Coeur de Sang's point of view. We've already got purebloods after us. We don't need regular vampires to add to the list." That'd be nothing short of hell.

"Oh we're not that bad!" Yuuki protested.

Zero raised a brow. "Yeah, we'll see." He'd never met any other purebloods besides Kaname and Yuuki, but if the others were anything like the two he now knew, then he supposed dealing with them shouldn't be cause for too much misery on his behalf.

"Kaname, you tell Zero too, we're not that bad," Yuuki pouted. Her brother was by the door, an amused smiled on his lips. Zero guessed he came around during the middle of the song.

He didn't mind. He was a musician in this room and performing for others was second to what he loved doing most. There was just one thing…

"You never come inside," Zero noted aloud. Yuuki, who had been curiously pressing on the keys with her index fingers looked up. She never noticed, but yes, Kaname never stepped foot more than he had to when it came to this room. Was it because of Zero? She doubted it. Not when her brother came wandering out of his study all the way here just to listen better. Why was he keeping his distance?

"I can hear perfectly well from my current position."

Zero and Yuuki exchanged glances. "Does that sound like an excuse to you? It does to me," Zero loudly whispered.

Yuuki giggled, nodding. "Come inside, Nii-sama. It's bad manners to keep standing you know."

Zero patted the space beside him for emphasis. "Never took you for the shy type," he teasingly commented.

Kaname would have had a mutinous frown on his face if he allowed for such an expression. These two…they were getting a lot better at ganging up on him in recent days. He knew about them spending time outside in the sun while out in the gardens and those trips to the kitchen. He was glad there was someone for Yuuki to spend her time with and forever wished her happiness. But he also wished he could be part of that happiness.

The amount of influence Zero had come to have during his stay increased with every hour he spent in this room, with every flutter of his fingers and every song he sang. Kaname had been wary of him, of this possibility, but he couldn't bring himself to think there might be ulterior motives any longer. Zero seemed far from the type to put up a face. It was one of the things Kaname appreciated about him. He may be a lot more…upfront and personal than Kaname was comfortable with, but the pureblood would gladly take a little discomfort from that than have to force himself to think negatively of every action the young man took.

And Yuuki, he'd never seen her smile so often with such genuine affection since their parents' deaths. There hadn't been a reason to. Zero had undoubtedly added a few more bright colors to their bland palette in this household. What could there be for Kaname to complain about?

There wasn't. But another concern had replaced the old. The more he saw Yuuki with Zero and Zero with Yuuki, he felt his instincts stirring, and it wasn't at all in a good way. It was starting to let itself be known again, sending soft tempting suggestions through his mind.

How was it Zero was so close to Yuuki in nothing short of a month and why could he not bring himself to be included in their closeness? But he knew why, didn't he? Zero and Yuuki…they seemed so untouched by the world when together. Their innocence radiated with every past time they engaged in, whether that was picking flowers or getting dirty in the kitchen.

How could someone like him, someone like Kaname, dare to intrude in on such special moments? He couldn't. So, no matter how It protested, he forced himself to be content just watching them from afar.

But they, Yuuki or Zero, neither could leave well enough alone. He didn't know whether to feel glad or angered for it.

"Yuuki, he seems a bit lost. Want to give him a nudge in the right direction?"

Rising from her seat, Yuuki gently tugged her brother forward, "Come on, Nii-sama, sit with us!"

"Yuuki, I…"

"No, sit first."

Going around to Zero's left side, she lightly pushed him down on the bench, and smiling, went back to sit at Zero's right side. "Sing something again?" She asked.

"Any particulars?"

Yuuki curled her hands on her lap, resisting the urge to instead grab onto Zero's shirt sleeve. "Mm…promise you won't laugh?"

Wondering at her sudden shyness (she'd never really held back from requesting whatever she liked), he raised a brow. "…Alright."

"I want 'Imagine' it's in the same language as the one you sang before this."

Zero nodded, "I know the words to that and the scores." His fingers were already moving across the keys. "It was one of Nase's favorites." He turned to Yuuki, frowning, "Why did you think I'd laugh?" Imagine was a perfectly respectable song.

When Yuuki remained silent, it was Kaname that answered, his tone solemn. "A few of the other vampire children heard her singing and hadn't taken a liking to such a song."

"How can anyone have a problem with Imagine?" He really didn't get vampire logic.

Yuuki bit her lip, "They…don't like the Kuran family."

Zero blinked. "I thought every vampire liked purebloods. And what does you being a Kuran have anything to do them not liking the song?" His fingers slowed, before stopping altogether.

"Every vampire has their own pureblood preferences. The reason they highly dislike the song has more to do with its singer. Lennon knew of our existence and also worked to further a closer relationship between humans and vampires."

Yuuki continued after her brother, "those kids had parents that belonged to the council."

At the mention of the council, Zero nodded. He'd heard enough about them from Nase to know they were all assholes. If there was one thing his guardian hated, and she didn't have many, it was the council members. The second and last on the list was her biological family. Her father, apparently, was a jackass and was speculated to have been one in a past life, according to her.

"So your parents knew Lennon?" That was pretty cool.

"Yes, they worked together on some of the meetings they've had." Kaname couldn't believe they were speaking of their parents to a stranger. No, his mind corrected, Zero wasn't a stranger, hadn't been one for a month, and for Yuuki, she might as well have known about him for fourteen years.

The piano was started up again by Zero's fingers and the music came to life with Zero's voice. Leaning over, he slightly nudged Yuuki's shoulder, sending her a small smile. Taking a moment to understand the meaning behind the look, Yuuki smiled back and joined in, her young sweet voice mixing pleasantly with Zero's soft tenor,

"…Imagine all the people
Living for today…"

Kaname, who had his eyes closed, listening to the both of them, blinked when he felt a sharp kick at his ankle. He looked to Zero with a frown (it'd been inappropriate and had hurt) but was met with an expectant look in his lilac eyes, clearly asking for Kaname to join them as well.

Thinking back on his previous thoughts, Kaname hesitated.

But Zero wasn't giving up, his bare foot gave Kaname's ankle another nudge and this time, Yuuki was also leaning back and looking over at her brother with a smile.

"Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…"

The Kuran mansion rang enchantingly with three synchronized voices, the cool, ominous midnight air a complete contrast to the light lively voices ringing from within.

Staring down at the piece of parchment, bright ruby red eyes narrowed in hatred, the letter turning to ash in less than a split second. Pale slender hands grasped at the pristine white sheets in utter desperate frustration. That…that son of a bitch! He knew! He knew everything! That was how he…

"How dare he! He touched… God damn it! Damn it! Riku… You…how could you?" How could he let him?

"No…Riku, Riku…"

Chihiro closed her eyes, feeling her master's pain as her own. They couldn't have known, not about this.

Rido had always held the hunter association responsible for Riku's death, as well as the council members, and that the incidents regarding Riku's death and that of his siblings' were unrelated. He'd been a fool. That was just what they wanted him to think. Who'd be stupid enough to cause the death of two pureblood vampires right after killing a pureblood Coeur de Sang if they didn't want to raise suspicion? Rido certainly wasn't and they used that against him.

He'd also been hoping to keep his 'death status' for that much longer, but the letter was proof they or at least he, knew Rido was well and alive. They knew he was alive and that he wanted vengeance.

They had killed Riku. Rido should've known. They'd also helped to kill his siblings and if not for Haruka and Juri's thinking ahead, his nephew and niece would also be long gone.

"Chihiro, bring me their blood."

Resigned, Chihiro nodded.

Rido clenched his eyes. He didn't have a choice left if he wanted Zero safe. Even knowing they'd left their blood for him in case of something like this, it didn't help alleviate the disgust he felt at having to take the blood of his own siblings.

"Rido-sama, are you certain on this?"

"I won't let their deaths have been for nothing. Haru and Juri gave everything. It's about time I responded."

Disclaimer: No own Vampire Knights. Don't own lyrics to Imagine or There You'll Be either.

Ah, the whole singing together thing was something I got from YenGirl's What Could Almost Be :D Kaname and Zero singing Silent Night together...ah that was lovely, I'm sure you all know XD

This was mostly for Yuuki's more vampiric side to realize Zero for what he is. Kaname isn't there yet, as his connection with Zero isn't as strong...but he's getting there, hopefully *smacks pureblood's butt into gear* Get closer!