"What have you got for me?" Touga asked as he entered through the front of Cross Academy.
Jinmu eyed him wearily, as if deciding whether or not to trust the raven-haired hunter, even if he had known Touga for his entire career. The AP had turned up dead, scattered into ashes no less, and, though it was his own fault, that fact made him weary towards the other hunters. He was uncertain as to who could be trusted.
"We've investigated the infirmary, and it was just as Cross-san had told us; no body, evidence of foul play, but no evidence as to who. If we had a corpse to perform an autopsy on, then we might have been able to determine her cause of death. There's only so much we can find with surveillance tapes. However, we did find something interesting." he mused, leading Touga to the scene of the crime.
The pair of hunters entered the infirmary, careful not to step too far from the threshold. It was there that Touga saw the scene for the first time. There was dried blood all over the otherwise smooth, clean floor. The foul stench of it and death cloaked the room and hall, covering up the smell seeping from bottle of antiseptic that was still open from when Yuuki had treated Zero's wound.
In the center of the mess, however, was a clean, blank spot, where Yuuki's body had been, before whatever had happened to it. Around that, dried and crusted crimson caked the space. Further out, however, blood spurted and sprayed the surrounding areas, as if she had been punctured and left to bleed out.
"That is interesting," Touga commented in a dark voice, studying the angle and coverage of the spray.
"That's not the interesting part." Jinmu waved off, beckoning the raven haired hunter to a small closet in the Chairman's office. "It might be a coincidence, but when I was reviewing the security tapes, this caught my eye."
He motioned towards the tapes, but Toga could already see something wrong with them. The blood spread out in a pattern, a certain shape, and it reminded him very much of one thing;
A butterfly.
There was something incredibly familiar about that pattern, but Touga couldn't place a name, or connect a memory to what it was. Whatever the familiarity, he could feel that it was not a positive one.
"What about the rest of the tape? It should have caught a glimpse of who did it, right?" he shifted uneasily, not liking where this was going.
"That's what we hoped too," Jinmu scratched his head in confusion. "but the tape only recollects what happened before she dies, a cut scene to where she was discovered, and then it blanks out again. When we get the picture back, her body is gone."
Jinmu pressed a few buttons, rewinding the surveillance tape back a maximum of five minutes. He then hit play, streaming the surprisingly clear video of Yuuki tending to Zero's wound right before he left.
-"Stay here, I'll be right back."-
-"Alright, anytime."-
Touga leaned in closely to the small screen, watching as Yuuki placed the bottle of antiseptic onto a tray beside the hospital cot. She stood up to throw away the bloody gauze and cotton balls that she had used to clean him up with. She paced over to the front of the cot and leaned against the foot railing, facing the door. After a minute, Yuuki brought a hand up to brush an errant lock of hair behind her ear, smearing crimson on her cheek as she did so.
She girl blinked in surprise, starting when she noticed she still had some on her fingers. The video caught sound from her speech.
-"This is Zero's blood... He drinks mine all the time, I wonder..."-
Yuuki brought her fingers up before her lips, giving them an experimental sniff before shyly licking at the blood.
The reaction was immediate.
Her head snapped up to look at the door, eyes growing wide as recognition registered in their chocolate depths.
-"What are you doing-"-
Static flooded the screen scaring Touga slightly, his expression going grim.
When the tape picked up again, the picture came with a cacophony of yelling, Zero screeching as he had a mental breakdown right there near her body. There on the ground, was the bleeding girl, blood pooling so completely around her that there was no way she could have possibly been alive at that point.
Once more the tape blanked, switching to static before focusing again on a solid stream, the butterfly pattern reemerging.
Was it all a joke? Never in his whole career had Touga ever come across such a severely twisted and suspicious case of murder. The raven-haired hunter threaded his fingers through his wavy tresses, wracking his brains to think up some place to start investigating.
Much like the tape, he was coming up blank.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
Instead of bringing Ruka to her room, Kain thought he would let her get comfortable in his, since hers had just been cleaned of blood not too long ago. And, since Rima was going to be away for a while yet, she would probably have gotten very lonely as she recovered. He navigated through the tense halls, growling at anyone who dared to turn in their direction, leaving a dripping trail of crimson behind them. Kain continued upstairs in a rush, stopping short at his room, knocking before veering inside. He knew Aidou was far behind them, but Kain had learned about eight weeks ago to always knock before entering even his own dorm room, lest he catch his cousin 'training for Uzumaki Drop' in the most suggestive of manners.
"Wait... my room?" Ruka asked weakly, sending a questioning gaze to the pyro.
"Would you feel more comfortable there?" Kain asked gently as he carefully sat her down on his scarlet bedspread.
"...I don't want to mess up your room..." she trailed off, probably blushing, though she didn't have enough blood in her to manage a faint pink.
"I can deal with it. Your room was just cleaned, and I don't want you sleeping in bloodstained sheets."
Not to mention that he didn't want her near Kaname or Zero at the moment, lest they were 'preoccupied' with each other in his room, which was right next door to hers.
He sighed, shaking his head and unbuttoning the collar of his polo shirt as he sat on the edge of the bed. Ruka eyed him wearily. It would have taken an idiot to not be able to guess what he was about to do, and since Ruka was, number one; not that kind of girl, and number two; injured to say the least, then it was a no-brainer that he was about to offer himself to her. She was shocked when he had shed his shirt entirely and turned to her, lean muscles rippling with every movement.
Kain used his teeth to tear off a wide strip of cloth from the polo, allowing the vampiress to relax considerably when he wrapped the piece firmly over her thorn wounds. The pressure caused the sharp ache to dull slightly, the throbbing bleeding continuing since it was a hunter's tool she had been pierced with. Ruka's vision swam while her stomach snarled, noisily threatening to eat itself if she didn't sate her thirst for blood.
Closing her eyes to rest was the only thing she wanted to do, until she felt a pulsing warmth in the air, the scent of sweetly burning wood and sunflowers tickling her nose.
No, she wasn't about to drain Kain. Ruka was ravenous, and she didn't want to risk hurting him in the process should her power run wild.
The delicious sound of piercing of flesh echoed as a dark, scarlet line dripped seductively down the strong arch of Kain's neck, collecting on his larynx. A single droplet plipped onto her pale lips.
"Please accept my blood and become healthy once more." he murmured sincerely.
"...I'll be fine, really, don't worry about me." she waved the issue away weakly, making Kain frown.
"You always put up this strong act to try and hide your weaknesses. You think no one will love you if you even show a shred of helplessness, well you're wrong." he chided gently, golden copper eyes softening as he brushed back blond strands from Ruka's face.
She turned her head, pursing her lips into a thin line to keep her from giving into temptation, the single drop of blood slipping into her mouth because of it.
The taste was strong, smoky, masculine--everything Kain smelled of, he tasted even better. Bloody flavor seeped along her tongue, drawing her now crimson eyes back to the spot on his neck that was dripping with the wonderful sustenance. Her lips trembled as Kain lowered himself further to allow her better access to his throat, brushing skin against skin, heat against cold.
Instinct was beginning to take over, despite how badly Ruka wanted to remain stubborn and refuse his help. Her hands acted on their own accord, reaching upwards to twine themselves around the pyro's broad shoulders, fingers entangling themselves into his strawberry blond hair.
Kain sighed in relief when he felt Ruka's tongue lap at his neck in preparation of the bite. He welcomed it, gently tipping his head to the side to allow her better access. Light shudders wracked his body as he felt her fangs graze the site. Blood willingly welled for her, quickly eating away any hesitation she had left as she buried her fangs into his skin, leaving both to marvel at the blissful sensations of piercing and being pierced.
Ruka pulled him closer to her chest as she felt him relax against her. She took long draws, several mouthfuls of his blood and strength, feeling the wounds in her legs burn as they healed. A single tear slipped down the side of her face until Kain caught it on a finger, bringing it up to his lips to taste her salty sweet sadness.
Sadness at not being able to obtain the person she wanted most, at being too weak to help them, sadness at the prospect as being unable to move on. It was the taste of her tears, a taste Kain knew all too well, because he and Ruka felt the exact same things.
Her for Kaname,
and him for her.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
How long was she going to be made to wait? Chii had already taken a nap on one of the cots in the infirmary at the Association. The sun had since come up, though clouded, and no one had come to give her her next orders. She hadn't even seen a soul since the Jinmu and the effeminate AP guy disappeared.
It was a long way from home, but she could have made it back, if she had vampiric abilities. When would he make good on the promise of introducing her to that pureblood who could make all her dreams of leading a vengeful scarlet life come true?
Whatever. When he came back, she would slay him if he didn't deliver. Nobody would use her for their own games without payment, and live to tell the tale. It would be as easy as plunging her silver dagger into his heart, though she wasn't too sure how close she could get, since she doubted that she could use her sex appeal to get close to him.
Chii withdrew the curved, unwrapped blade in question from between her breasts. She ran her fingers along the tip, pressing it into her skin. Unlike the butterfly knife she had in the ally, this blade wouldn't cut her, as long as she remained human, but one way or another Chii would soon discard her humanity. Hopefully.
"Let's go."
She jumped, turning so fast from the spot on her cot that whiplash was a possibility. A man stood in the doorway, his eyes were narrowed, fox-like and focused. His dirty blond hair fell jaggedly over them and down his neck in the back to stab at his shoulders. He held himself rigidly in his black leather trench coat, his appearance suggesting that he was wise to the vampire underground. In one hand he held a raggedly wrapped katana, keeping it away from the rest of his body as if it were something detestable.
"I didn't feel you come in." Chii muttered, tonguing her lip ring.
She was no hunter, but she did have heightened senses to her surrounding environment. The blade against her fingers became warm, as if it were craving, just like a vampire. She looked down to it, brows furrowing in confusion as she gripped the blade in her palm.
"Wha?"
"Few ever do." the man said with a tight lipped smile. "It's time to leave."
He made no gesture to reach out for her, leaning back slightly as if he would have liked nothing more than to leave her be in the room. Was this another lackey who was ordered to use her, unwilling, like all the others, to fulfill a promise? Or was he there to lead her to her reward?
There was only one way to find out.
Grudgingly, Chii placed the dagger back between her breasts, slightly concerned that the man did not stare as she adjusted her chest. Was she surrounded by queers? It didn't matter. He would be less likely to reach for and confiscate the weapon if that were the case.
"Where are we going?" she asked in a low tone, slowly rising from the cot.
The man merely stared, looking past her to the wall over her shoulder.
"Follow if you want to complete your orders, or else you won't be rewarded."
"I've done everything that was asked of me!" she growled, glaring blackly into his unflinching golden orbs. "It's you all who wouldn't follow through!"
"You're right, but I'm not the one who decided on the terms for this particular arrangement." his voice was monotone, strained. "But I have orders too, and I'm risking enough as it is."
"This may seem rude, but I don't give a damn." Chii scoffed as she folded her arms over her breasts.
"Then you leave me with no choice." he sighed, stepping forward. "I can give you what you want, but you'll have to come with me once it's been given. Do we have a deal?" extending his palm, the man made direct eye contact with her for once, monopolizing her attention.
She glanced to the hand for a brief moment before willfully clasping her palm into his, feeling something sharp stab into her skin.
What the hell? Was he sent to kill her? Was that a thumbtack he had hidden between his fingers? Chii didn't get to find out, for as soon as their palms touched, his hand crushed hers, driving the point deeper.
Liquid flames seemed to pour into her from the wound, causing unspeakable pain. But he wouldn't let go of her, not even as she began to tremble and lose strength, falling to the floor soon after.
"Be careful what you wish for." came his grave, distorted voice as she whited out.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
"Oneesama told me about you."
Chii awoke, at least that was what she thought she did, with a start. Had that tack been coated with a poison? Was she hallucinating? The white dimension suffocated any sound, keeping it from traveling very far. One could drown in the silence and suffer from insanity, if it were not for the child standing so close to her.
"I'm flattered, really, but where are we?"
"Where are we? Where are you?" she smiled, her dark eyes lighting up in amusement. "Oneesama said I'm not allowed to eat you, but she wanted me to come anyway to make sure that you weren't spoiled. You were going bad before, and she scolded me for that, but you seem to be doing fine right now."
"I am bad, kid. Bring your big sister here and I'll tell her so." Chii smirked, cracking her knuckles.
"Such impudence. You've got some nerve, for a human, but that's what makes you so valuable as a resource." she said, running her fingers through her semi-long hair.
"You talk pretty big for such a little girl."
"Too bad about oneesama, you would have made a fine addition to my collection. Hopefully she knows what she's doing, since I would hate to see such vitality wasted." her voice echoed as the white darkened to black.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
"Wake up. We're here."
"Hn?"
Chii sat up, looking around a dim, richly decorated sitting room. Every detail was visible, nothing cloaked by the darkness that should have bothered her eyes.
So did it happen? Was she a vampire now?
The blond was sprawled across a small antique couch covered in floral upholstery, a carved glass table located to her side. A winged armchair at the foot of the furniture matched her piece, though it sported the same, rigid man that she had seen from before. She tried to sit up, only to fall back dizzily on the firm surface of the seat.
Holy hell she had a terrible headache! Just who the hell was that kid in her dream, and why couldn't she remember the past few, what, hours? She brought one hand to her head, pressing the heel of her palm to the back of her scalp where the pain throbbed the strongest. Belatedly, she realized that her formerly pierced hand was feeling fine in that moment, though her chest burned.
Had she just imagined that attack? She felt her right hand, and the solid skin stretching out over it.
"Are you ready yet?" the man asked with a hint of irritation, though he managed to not sound impatient.
He had been the one to attack her, she was sure of it. Chii checked her nether regions, just in case she was wrong and he had staged this in order to rape her.
Nothing. Nothing at all. So then where had she been taken to?
"You're about to meet your future ruler, and it is imperative that you mind your manners."
"I'll keep that in mind." the blond muttered, rolling the bead along her lip ring.
She was escorted to a vast hallway where the main feature was the elegantly carved double doors that stood at it's end. They approached the door, taking their time, footsteps echoing like a death march. The man produced a small golden key to unlock them, pushing them open to reveal a metal ladder leading up into darkness. The blond climbed up the silver rungs, atmosphere getting thicker the further she climbed.
The room at the end of the ladder was nearly black, a dim ocean blue light emitting farther down the room...
"Finally, I thought you'd never show up." an irritated voice growled.
A figure appeared from the light, his silhouette against the blue was nearly intimidating. As he came closer the light eased around his form, revealing his feathery silver hair and glaring violet eyes.
Her heart fluttered in surprise.
"Kiryuu?!"
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
Guilt weighed heavily on Kaien's mind. Were he not doing this for Juuri, for her dream, the ex-hunter surely would have succumbed to the negative feelings that threatened to consume him. How much would it cost to set a trapped being free? An arm and a leg? A heart? A thousand and one lives? Whatever it was, he would make sure that his children would be able to one day smile from the bottom of their hearts. And when he freed them, perhaps his hold onto this place would be relinquished.
Kaien had chosen to walk through the snow and frigid air into the nearest town, leaving the car behind. He needed time to think about what he was doing, and time was a precious, little thing that he got to waste nowadays, whereas he would have been able to spend it endlessly in the way he wanted back when the Academy had been peaceful.
It was nearly noon, though you couldn't tell from the snowy overcast. There were quite a few people roaming about, couples sharing umbrellas, children tossing snowballs at one another, teenagers admiring material goods in shop alcoves with their mittens and noses pressed to the glass, breath fogging in streaks. All around him snow crunched beneath the feet of activity, dirtying here and there as gentle laughter pealed through the district.
Snow...
That's right, snow didn't last long, and it was Sara who would either preserve, or melt it. There was only so much time she had allotted for Kaien to get his affairs in order and clear a path for her. On the chessboard, amongst the obsidian pieces, she considered herself queen. She had assembled all of the pawns in underhanded ways, and, if she were to go it alone, she knew she would lose.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
Zero could hear it in his sentence, hear it as much as he could feel it; the 'but'. He had no idea what more Kaname wanted to say, other than his general fears.
'but it's a mistake.'
'but I'd rather take the throne, alone.'
'but we can't be together.'
All were feared words, those and about a thousand other variations that would result in their split. Zero certainly was still uncomfortable with his orientation, but the fire, the passion...
The comfort he found in Kaname's arms was worth more than he could ever describe.
Since when had he come to enjoy that... man's company?
He feared what more Kaname had to say, which was why he took the initiative, and kissed the pureblood once again, throwing caution to the wind, for once not concerning himself with what everyone else thought. Zero smiled against Kaname's lips, his eyes shining with... some sort of incredible all consuming force. Kaname returned the smile and shine somberly, granting him an inkling of relief as he rubbed their noses together, absolutely giddy, and warm at the thought of having his feelings answered, for once. There was a question for clarity's sake, though.
Did Zero love him too?
What was love in the first place? He thought he was in love with Yuuki, and he might have been. How could he have known if he never got the chance to confess? He too, was scared of rejection, and was so sure about the reciprocation of feelings between her and Kaname that he had nearly given up into a silent retreat.
But the heart knew no reason.
And that was why Zero had, unconsciously, taken Kaname's feelings into consideration, even though the only thing he was sure about was the fact that he cared deeply about the pureblood.
It was only yesterday that he had been reproachful to the idea of the pureblood as anything other than an ally at best, a plague at worst, another bloodthirsty monster with a hidden agenda behind his mask of eloquence. The moment that had changed his mind and affirmed that even born vampires were, in essence, 'human', was when Kaname had restrained himself on the hunter's behalf. Even though he knew that the pureblood wanted to give into the dark desires of lust, he had chosen love, and given Zero the gift of choice; something he had never had before.
The idea sounded crazy, but when he thought about it, most circumstantial tragedies that had befallen him were outside of his control, until Yuuki's. He had no say in the matter of all else, no weapon to call upon when Shizuka had murdered his parents, or turned him against his will. Zero didn't have a choice back then, other than death, which was something he had seriously considered until Yuuki, shaped by Kaname's kindness, had convinced him otherwise.
Kaname's decision had allowed him to make his own, and even if the gesture was something so small, and probably insignificant to the pureblood by now, Zero would cherish it for all his life.
At this moment, he was teetering on the edge. It was as if he was on a high-dive board, on the balls of his feet, leaning forward, arms out wide and accepting of this new love. He could feel the warm cradle beneath him, finally willing to give him rest and relief. All this...
For Kaname, his pureblood prince:
Falling...
. . . . . . . . Falling...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falling through sweet bliss...
Through Kaname's scarlet words...
"I killed Yuuki."
Into numb nothingness.