Hello everyone!
First off, wow. I did not think many people would have enjoyed the previous chapter, and the reactions were hilarious. I was hoping the comments would be shocked or surprised by the new character coming into play. I appreciate you guys being kind with the grammar and punctuation errors because I worked late. I felt inspired to write the story and didn't want the inspiration to be gone by the following day. The chapter continued, but I'm happy with how it came out. This is one of my favorite chapters.
Also, since I'm starting fresh, I'll start with what I thought were the new reviews that haven't been addressed yet.
I'm going to start with IDKU;
IDKU: It makes me happy to read a long review like yours. Your reaction to Zero and Mei kissing made me smile, but my favorite character is Kaname. There is a reason behind him, but no matter how hard I try not to like him, I do. Also, I highly suggest ignoring my bio update because that hasn't been updated in so long. I thought it would help me stay organized, but I was proven wrong. For your questions, I can't answer one or two because it will spoil the story, but your question two sounds interesting. For question three, I plan on continuing the fanfiction until there are no more chapters within the manga. This answers your question four about everyone leaving Cross Academy. I will continue that story because I have some fantastic ideas.
WorldInGray: Anastasia was the reincarnation of the hooded woman but died to become the reincarnation of Mei. What a clever idea you have that would make the story seem so exciting and interesting.
Guest, KEZZ 1, and Rogue Reader: I'm glad you three are loving the story and being extremely patient with me. I appreciate it a lot.
That's all my replies for now that I think I haven't replied to yet. If anyone else had questions I didn't respond to in the review, it was probably because I thought I answered them before or did not see them. Let me know, and I'll reply in the next chapter.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
I do not own Vampire Knight.
Chapter 24
Haruka Kuran is in Cross Academy. Haruka Kuran is alive and sitting across from me. His presence is so refined and royal that breathing is hard. I feel the world spinning faster while we stare at each other. Kaname looks exactly like him, and it's hard for me to look away. Haruka was the first to make a move by tilting his head and showing off that kind smile. My cheeks flushed with the heat burning my skin.
"How is my son doing?"
"O-oh, he is doing great. I mean, he is a little arrogant, manipulative, secretive, and has a temper, b-b-but he does show his kindness to the people he cares about."
I responded, my voice becoming weak from the start but growing confident. It took me a few seconds to register what I had said to him. I had told the Pureblood king that his son was manipulative and temperamental. The ground felt shattering underneath me, and my hole grew more prominent. My head hung low in shame, and a tiny whisper of sorry followed. However, Haruka responded with a chuckle as the back of his hand covered his mouth. The reaction from the pureblood king took me by surprise. His eyes soften at the mention of his son. It was a look I recognized too well from my father staring at me.
"Unfortunately, he got his fierce temper from my wife. His quiet and watched-over family attitude was by me. I apologize for having a difficult son."
I waved my hands and shook my head in rejection of his apology.
"N-no. You have nothing to apologize for. Kaname-sama has been a huge help in the academy-"
"And daughter."
My eyes widen as all motion from my body halted with hands returning to my lap. We were sitting on the couches in my childhood home's living room. Haruka requested for us to be alone and speak since I was the one that acquired all of the hints. Besides, there were questions that I was not ready for others to hear yet. It would seem that the small talk between us was over. I slowly closed my eyes to breathe deeply before sitting up straight to connect my eyes with the brown-red. All the feelings of nervousness, hesitation and fear were voided from my face and eyes.
"Haruka Kuran, I can tell there is more than your daughter that was kept secret from the Senate. The reports mentioned two people died that day, and you wore one of the deceased articles of clothing. A piece of article that smelled so familiar to me. So tell me, what secret has the Kuran family been hiding?"
The room was silent. Haruka paused to look at the side of him. On the side table was tea with the blood tablets mixed into them. We did not know if he had drunk blood, but his complexion seemed healthy. Haruka faced me once more, but something felt different. My hands were in a tight grip, waiting for his reply.
"Mei, I'll tell you the truth under one condition."
"Condition?"
Haruka nodded his head, continuing.
"You must tell everyone who you are, Anastasia."
My entire body went rigged at that name. Calm down, Mei. Calm down. Haruka knew the knowledge that I held from my past life memories. He will give you the answers to everything you have ever wanted to know. I need to know, and I have to know. My breathing steadied to stare at him.
"How do I know you won't keep your truth?"
Haruka smiled, got up from his chair, and walked to me. He kneeled to my height so our faces would be closer, then extended his arm to have his pinky out. I tilted my head in confusion at this action.
"I'll make you a promise under the Kuran name, Mei. I'll tell you our secret, but only if you tell them."
I stared at his hand to link my pinky with his. This action seems childish, but he views me as a child. He has lived over 3000 years while my life remains 15. If we add my previous life, it would have been 29 years. The age between us does not matter until I get what I've sought. I nodded my head at Haruka.
"I promise."
The sun rose to bring about a new day but slowly came down for the night class to arrive. The students have returned to the academy, with the guardians greeting each one. My mind was too preoccupied with sleep being an idea. I did not sleep a wink from the events last night because how would I tell them? How would I tell them that the 15-year-old has memories from her previous life? A life that seen this world on a TV screen created for entertainment. I grabbed my arm tightly to stop the noticeable shaking. I'm scared. What if they hate me? What if they view me as worst than a vampire? I'm so scared.
"Mei?"
My thoughts were interrupted to notice Yuki in my field of vision. She was staring at me, worry evident in her expression. I went to respond, but the feeling of a mighty presence from behind my sister alerted me. There was the feeling of several other vampires standing behind him. He was walking towards us with a big smile, heading towards us.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home."
Yuki responded with a soft smile. Kaname started his welcome by giving Yuki a present. It was the rose encased in resin that bloomed once every ten years. The flower is lovely and enchants anyone who stares at it. Of course, Kaname makes a joke about her not eating the thing. The next bag was the stupid cursed life-size doll that was more of a punching bag for Zero. The aura between these two continues to remain dark. I sigh at their reaction, despite knowing that the relationship between these two has changed slightly. The interactions made me stop shaking and feel scared for a second. I sighed, running my fingers through my bangs to see.
"You two... would you cut it out?"
"I haven't forgotten about you, Mei."
He stretched out his hand to show a small red box. I stared at him, confused. As he opened the small box, there was a small silver ring with a light pink rose as the main attraction. There was a small gap between the end and the rose, but the end was to represent the leaves. It was so beautiful.
"Kaname-sama, I-"
"May I put it on?"
Kaname did not wait for my reply as he grabbed my left hand, placing the object on my forefinger. The ring fits perfectly on my finger and looked beautifully next to Apollo's ring on my ring finger. I stared at the ring a little longer before looking at Kaname. He holds my hand, brings it up to his lips, and lightly kisses the roses. My cheeks flare up in shock to compose myself and get my hand out of his hold.
"Yes, well, thank you, Kaname-sama. The item is lovely, and I'll cherish it."
"See that you do."
I hear him chuckle, but the noises remind me of Haruka. The deal we made brings me back to reality. Gripping my arm again, I faced the three with a sorrowful look.
"Zero, Yuki, I need to talk to you about something during our patrol tonight. Kaname, I need to discuss something with you later as well."
"Is it about the confession from the ball?"
Kaname asked, causing me to be ultimately off guard with him suddenly close. I took a few steps back, looking at him surprised. How could I have forgotten? I was so preoccupied with Senri, Haruka, and the president's duties that I didn't get to talk to Yuki about anything. Oh no. Yuki stared at Kaname and me in confusion, looking between us. My heart was beating faster than before. I'm still not ready. I need more time to prepare for the unexpected. I quickly turned on my heel.
"I'll talk to you three later!"
"Mei! Stop! We still have to do the roll call!"
Yuki shouted from afar. The notice of the roll call made me stop in my track to stare at her. She rushed over to stop behind me, breathing heavily from the run. Watching her take a few breaths, I knew this was the perfect time for us to talk. We have stopped being closed, and I've created a more considerable distance than necessary between us. Instead of involving her in more scenarios, I have refused for her to be part of them, and the knowledge she is striving to know is becoming more profound in the dark. The garden that Kaname has set for Yuki wasn't his doing alone. I had told them I wouldn't keep her in this false garden, but my words were a lie. Everything I've done till now has been my selfishness. I didn't want to be the main character of this storyline, but I pushed Yuki away to be in the spotlight. Now, I do not want what she is doing on the sidelines. I have no idea what she is thinking. Rido is right. I have become selfish. Yuki has become a character that is slowly being forgotten and ignored. It's all my fault.
"Mei, what are you-"
"I'm sorry."
Yuki responded with a look of shock at my apology. The shock was erased to be set with confusion.
"What are you sorry for? You shouldn't have to be sorry about anything."
My hands were in tight fists, and I could feel my nails digging into the skin. Anymore tighter than the nails could draw in some blood. My heart was beating so fast from being so near Yuki with everything happening. I had stolen everything from her. The person who saved her since childhood. The boy that appeared in her life through hardships she wanted to protect. I thought that she could be happy with her father being found. However, we never talked about the events that led to this. We never talked.
"I do."
"Hm?"
"I had stolen everything from you. I stole the person who saved you from a hungry vampire and the boy going through the worst pain you wish to help. I had pushed you away from every single incident without clearly explaining it. Instead, I let Father or Kaname-senpai explain it because I was busy with everything else. I left you all alone. For that, I'm so sorry."
"..."
It was quiet. The conversation between us was so unnervingly quiet. My body started shaking as the fear of her hating me appeared in my heart. The thumping of my heart was so loud to my ears that I was positive Yuki could hear it. I closed my eyes, waiting for her to shout at me, attack, feel betrayal, anything.
I heard shuffling from her direction, then felt warmth envelop me. My eyes opened wide as Yuki's eyes were in front of me. Her arms were around me in a comforting hug as our foreheads connected. Her expression was so gentle and kind. I blinked a couple of times to be sure her lips were forming a smile.
"Yuki?"
"I was hurt that you left me in the dark. I felt my heart shattering upon the realization that Kaname was in love with you. I wanted to argue about you having Zero and wanting Kname. However, the truth is that I would have done the same thing. I was angry with you at that ball for not telling me about you being the vampire hunter president. You kept your distance from me about everything. For a short time, I did feel so alone."
I closed my eyes with the pain stabbing my heart to push Yuki slightly away. However, she did not let go of my arms. I could not face her and had left her alone, as I thought. Everything wrong in Yuki's life is my fault.
"Then, I remember all the times you cared, loved, and did for me. The incidents that involved you were to protect me, weren't they?"
I responded with a slow nod as the hot tears built.
"I love you, Mei."
I opened my eyes again to stare at her with surprise. Some tears were falling down my cheeks. She said she loved me after everything that happened. After everything I did to keep her far away from this world without explanation. Yuki still loves me.
"Remembering my love for you and everything you continue to do for me. Even though the distance between us has grown, you remain in my thoughts, and I'm in yours. Thinking it that way, I did not feel alone anymore. Instead, I would wait until you're ready to talk to me."
She began chuckling, whipping away a tear from my cheek.
"Hey, now. Don't cry like that. Let's do the roll call together."
Yuki released her hold on me but connected our hands in a walk towards the Night Class students. I stared at her back with almost admiration. Yuki was fighting her battles by herself while I was the one that took her role. I took the role that Yuki was meant to be in, and she is in the role I was meant for. Without knowing, she grew up analyzing the situation, thinking level-headed, and being patient with her answers. Her anger can get the best of her in certain situations. A small giggle escaped me at Haruka's traits, fitting into her current personality. Yuki glanced at me, confused, but I responded with an embrace.
"I love you too, Yuki."
We smiled at each other for a short happy moment till a notice from the roll call caught my attention. Besides, Senri's name was a stamp of arriving late due to family reasons. The happy moment was erased to be filled with dread at the name. I scanned the vampire crowd to see Aidou's expression; he looked at the ground with a mixture of sadness and anger. We were too late. Yuki could tell the atmosphere changed for me by her hand on my shoulder.
"We will talk more later. You look so pale, Mei. I think you should head inside and relax."
"Yeah, I think I'll do just that. I'll see you later."
Yuki waved her hand, getting me to leave work and enter the academy to start my prefect's routes. The sun has disappeared to replace the moon's small light shining on the academy. I looked up at the moon to sigh in exhaustion. My thoughts began to take over again, and new questions were forming.
Is telling them who I am worth the truth? Is there no way of calming the fear and pain within my heart? If I reveal Haruka's whereabouts in the academy to Yuki, will she seek him out for more information? Will Rido and Haruka die together? Rido takes Senri, and his father traps Senri. I glared at my reflection in the window but saw the mismatched eyes of Rido smirking at me. He has haunted me in my dreams, and I've been obsessed with finding information about him for so long that the nightmare has become a reality.
He's the reason for killing Juri and Kaname, and he's the reason for all the hardships within the Kuran family. Everything is his fault!
"Anastasia."
The red scarf...
The red scarf that Haruka was wearing. I could smell my mom's perfume from when I was Anastasia. How is that possible, though? How can a perfume never invented in this world exist in that scarf? There is something I'm missing. I'm missing an important clue that can change everything. I have to think. I have to find that missing piece. I have to think of Anastasia, not Mei. I closed my eyes, trying to think of any connections that would make sense.
Anastasia... Anastasia... Anastasia...
"Anastasia!"
My mother's screams echoed in my ears with memories as Anastasia came in fast. My head was pounding from the assault of these memories coming in at once. The clues weren't in the beginning, the middle, but in my death. My death has to lead to something. How did I die? How? How? My vision went to red, but a black silhouette within the red started taking shape and adding more color. It was my mom. My mom is covered in... blood. No. Mom!
My eyes snapped open as my reflection took a new appearance. It was my mom covered in blood. I felt my heart stopping and my blood running cold as I took a few steps back. Her bangs covered her face, but it was clear that the blood was on her mouth and clothes. Her clothes were ripped, and some parts of her hair were misplaced in the wrong direction. A part of her hair looked shorter than the rest to reveal that someone had grabbed her by the hair, and she pulled away to get set free. My mother was attacked.
"No... no..."
I covered my face, not wanting to stare at her anymore. My mom is not hurt. This is a trick. Someone is manipulating my memories. None of this is real! My mom is okay! My mom is okay! I took a few breaths before removing my hands to look at the window, but my mom's distraught appearance remained at the window. The world around her was covered in red. There were dripping sounds on the other end to see blood oozing on the other side of the window. My mother appeared in slow motion, with her arm reaching out to touch the window. Her mouth was moving, but all that came out was more blood.
Someone, please make this stop. Stop this nightmare. I promise that I won't remember! Just stop, please! My mother's hand raised, then slammed on the window. The vibrations of the glass made my body cringe. She kept slamming harder and harder on the glass. My hands instantly went up to my ears, shaking my head to stop this illusion. It has to be an illusion from Ruka trying to scare me. There has to be a reasonable explanation for seeing this. Someone is tricking me. This is a trap to be afraid of Rido. There has to be something. This cannot be part of my memories. All of this is not real. The slams from my mother continued until a cracking seconds later appeared. The illusion has broken the glass window. No, don't come in here! Don't come in! No! No! I shut my eyes, terrified of the scene before me. I was terrified that she was coming after me.
"No!"
"Mei! Mei!"
The feeling of hands on my shoulders shook me softly with their gentle voice. I opened my eyelids fast to take in his appearance with a shaken feeling. The expression on my face must be one that he witnessed with the incident of Shizuka's presence. Of all people to see me like this, why him? Why is it always him?
"...Kaname... how-"
He cut me off by pulling me closer to his chest and arms wrapped around me. One of his arms was around my shoulder while the other smoothed down my hair. The window showed my reflection as a scared child engulfed in Kaname's more extensive form. My eyes looked so terrified, and my hands shook like crazy. I've seen blood before because of training and vampires drinking human blood, but I have never seen that amount in my 15 years. What happened in my final life as Anastasia? Aren't there any stories where the reincarnation girl doesn't recall her death experience? My mother...
The sudden dread of fear and sadness washed over me as I took hold of Kaname's shirt. Why do I feel like my mother has died? What if that wasn't an illusion? What if my death wasn't due to cancer but murder? Mom, did you die protecting me? The tears rolled down as such negative thoughts about it being my fault for my mother's death came crashing into me in full force. Kaname did not say a single word but continued soothing my hair down. He let me cry on his chest as all thoughts continued hitting me. I needed to face the possibility.
The possibility that my mother is dead because of me.
.
.
.
.
.
"Have you calmed down?"
It had been fifteen minutes with me in his arms as the fear of my mother surfaced. I had tried every possible distraction to keep all thoughts like those away from my mind. However, the smell of Haruka's red scarf and the visions-
Haruka's red scarf smells like my mom's! Could my mom have been reincarnated in this world? But how could her signature perfume which doesn't exist in this world, be on it? What if? I slowly looked up at Kaname to have our eyes connected, and I stared at them as if a puzzle piece had been placed in the correct spot.
Haruka knew my past life. Yamato knew my past life, so what if Kaname already knew?
Kaname moved his hand from my head to my cheek, rubbing his thumb on my cheekbone. The look of love, gentleness, and kindness displayed in those eyes with the sincerest smile I've seen from him.
"Mei, what did you want to tell me?"
Kaname, do you know who I was? Do you know about my mother? Was the night we first met the first time for you?
"Kaname, that night... the night we first met... was it..."
I want to ask. I desperately want to ask, but what am I hoping for when I find the answer? Will things change for me? Will I remain the same Mei that watches arguments between Zero and Yuki? The battles between Zero and Kaname are because of their hatred. Once Yuki becomes a vampire, will I be free from all of this? Can I travel around the world like I want? What if the answers stir me into another puzzle?
Kaname caught me off guard by bending to my height to interlock his lips with mine. My eyes widened as he gazed into mine, but our kisses seemed more passionate. Instinctively, I closed my eyes feeling embarrassed getting stared at. We haven't kissed since the incident at the ball. His lips slowly departed from mine, making me breathe profoundly and flush.
"Better?"
I softly hit his chest from embarrassment getting asked that question. However, I knew why he did that. My mind was spiraling, and he was trying to get me to relax by doing the one thing that could make me lose all senses.
"Mei, try asking me again. You know what you want to ask me?"
Yeah, I do, and it seems he is ready for me to ask. It is now or never.
"Anastasia. Does that name sound familiar?"
I looked at him for a few seconds before a small smile and nod response. My eyes widened as I moved closer to him.
"How? How do you know that name? When did you know? Who was the one that told you? Kaname, the first time we met, was it the first for you?"
Kaname kept his hand on my cheek, continuing to rub my cheekbone as that little smile stayed on. He leaned forward to connect our forehead, and his eyes closed briefly before connecting them again.
"If I could, I wish to remove your fear and anxiety from all of this. However, I refuse to answer them."
"What? But Kaname, I'm-"
"You're not ready to know these answers. For you have not told the others who you truly are."
The sounds of running footsteps from beside me had me glancing down at the hall. Kaname's arms released me to turn my form toward the running footsteps heading in our direction.
"When the time is right, I'll answer the questions you have been striving for so long. Until then, face me again, and we will discuss it."
With that being said, Kaname removed his hands from my shoulder and disappeared in the opposite direction of the other guardian. I felt my legs getting weak and sat on the floor. Kaname was right. I wasn't ready to know the answers because I was still afraid, and I feared their reactions to the reasoning behind me being the 'all-knowing child.'
Ichiru, Zero, and Yuki's appearances were in my field of vision. Yuki was surprised to see me on the floor, shouting my name in concern and running towards me. Ichiru and Zero followed after her, asking me multiple questions about what happened and if I talked to Kaname. As I stare at them, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have these people in my life and that lying to them for all these years was unfair. In a small way, I wanted them to stop calling me Mei.
"Anastasia..."
They all looked at me, confused.
"Anastasia was the name of who I was before."
"Before?"
Yuki questioned, looking at me confused. Ichiru sat on the floor in front of me, touching my shoulder.
"Meimei, is everything okay?"
"I have kept a secret from all of you. The reasoning behind my nickname of me is 'all-knowing.' The reason how I knew events were going to happen before they happened. It was because I saw it all in a book and a screen before."
Yuki and Zero slowly sat down on either side of me. I looked at each of them with a sad and guilty look, continuing.
"Something else happened on the day I got the scar on my back and the vampires attacking me on that snowy day. That night, I recalled memories of my previous life as Anastasia Davis. Yuki, Zero, Ichiru, you three did not exist in my life as Anastasia because... you three belong in a fictional world called Vampire Knight."
Okay! I'm going to stop there. I was looking at the next chapter in the manga, and that is when many side characters except Kaname and Zero were becoming more involved in the main cast. I will add my little mix for the next chapter, which may take a bit. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.
Until Next Time.