Memories…
"Ne Otou-san? Where are we going?.." I ask the tall figure walking beside me as we make our way down a cobstone road late one night.
"I need to see someone Sayu-chan..and I don't think it'll be a good idea to leave you at home alone." The man that I have taken to call my father explains while tugging my three and a half year old body along.
"But it's so late…I'm tired.." I manage to stifle a yawn while talking. Just the night before I had stayed up late since Kaname-sama was visiting and didn't sleep until the pureblood had leave which was just an hour before the sun peek out of the horizon. Even after the pureblood had left I didn't sleep or to be precise couldn't sleep.
"You shouldn't have stay up so late last night then." Thought the words were reprimanding his tone was only that of teasing.
"…I wanted to spent more time with Kaname-sama.." I defend my action while trying to hide the blush that had taken to rise on my cheek so suddenly. "Where are we going?" I said wanting to change the topic of our conversation.
"Didn't I already say…I need to meet with someone." He tone was light and his eyes were showing his amusement at my embarrassment though I could tell he was tense. He had been like that since he told me that I would be following him to wherever he was going. I could tell his senses were on alert even though his body language shows a layback and careless appearance.
"Stay close to me." He said once we reach an old building after walking down a small dark path. "I'm starting to think bringing you here was a bad idea…maybe I should've left you with a babysitter instead." He said and released a resigned sigh knowing what he said was impossible since the three (and a half) year old child that he has consider to be his very own do not trust anyone else other then him and a certain pureblood. "Stay very quiet and don't go wondering around." He said while bringing his right hand pointed finger to his lips in a sign of being quiet as his left hand gently grasps my own right one.
Only after I nod did he grip the door knob and open the door. I release a shiver when a feeling of foreboding surrounds me when we entered the building and letting the door shut close behind us with a resounding click of the lock echoing against the wall causing me to grip onto the tall male beside me tighter while my free hand rise to grip onto the rose pendant that was dangling on my neck for comfort.
I followed after him aimlessly when he starts to walk. I continue to increase my pace as his stride grew longer while my gaze drifts toward the few people that were present and leaning against the wall or column. I duck my head when my gaze was met with theirs and try to ignore the heavy stares as we continue walking.
"Aaa…I didn't expect you to respond so quickly." The voice of the person sitting on a fancy looking sofa in front of us makes my skin crawl as I silently observe from my place behind the tall frame of my father.
Otou-san kept silent while keeping his intense gaze lock to the figure in front of us. He looked so serious and threatening. It scared me a little knowing he could produce such emotionless face.
"I suppose it's to be expected…after all this does concern your precious little flower." He said this with a chuckle as he glace towards me before shifting his gaze back at the former hunter.
"Sayuri…could you wait for me outside?.." it was a silent request, he didn't want me to hear on their conversation even though I had remain oblivious to what they had been saying.
"But I thought you wanted me to stay near you at all time." I said confused at the man's contradicting request and the use of my real name instead of the usual 'Sayu-chan'.
"I know what I said…but I need to have a private conversation for awhile." He was trying to remain calm. The man in front of him was playing with his weakness and he knows it. "We can go home when I finish here okay, I just need a few minutes." He said trying to persuade me.
I nod after he said that, liking the thought of finally be able to crawl into bed and get a good long sleep as I walk out the door and closing it behind me.
I grew restless as the minutes ticks by and still no sign of my blond father. I begin to fidget with my pendant as I wish that the conversation inside would come to an end already but it was evident that it would not when the muffled voice continue on with their talking. Sighing to myself, I begin tracing back the path we had taken here ignoring the voice in my head that was telling me to stay put.
Nobody's POV
"We're still not quite sure where exactly those Level-E have come from. There's no claim over them obviously." The strange man had rise from his seating position as he said this.
"You will continue to look into this…I hope." The blond man standing at the other end of the room said, only adding the last few words so as not to sound too rude (not that he really care but for the sake of making thing easier).
"Hmm…you know?..While we were looking into the matter we stumble on something interesting." The silver haired said threateningly while holding his hand held fan up to his lips. "About that little girl of yours."
"And I'm sure you would keep it to yourself." The former hunter said in a low tone that was lace with suppressed anger sounding as threatening as the other had if not more. "As you are the Hunter Association President…you wouldn't want to do anything rash.." he continue while locking his gaze with the other challenging.
"Heh, off course…for now." Was the male only reply.
"I appreciate th-" the blond cut himself off when a feeling of uneasiness suddenly struck him. "Sayuri…." He muttered to himself before disappearing from where he had stood.
The Hunter Association President stood standing gazing at the spot the blond had previously occupied before his lips move to form a smirk when he felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere.
"What an interesting new toy we have here."
Kaien Cross could swear that he had never feel so scared the way he is now, the uneasy feeling has doubled since he came out of the room. Not scared for himself but his daughter who he couldn't find waiting for him like he had tell her to. The moment he was out the door and couldn't see the form of the little girl where she was supposed to be, he had thought the worst before reprimand himself and begins to follow his senses when a sudden shift in the atmosphere cause him to pause in his search.
Somehow he know that whatever that was got something to do with his little girl so without a second thought he race toward the source of the shift. There in the middle of the alley was his daughter, relief flood over him as he approaches his daughter quickly. Only when he had enveloped his daughter in a tight embrace did he notice the small form in his arm was trembling like a leaf.
Confused, he moves the small child in his arms so that he could look directly in her eyes where he saw a contained fear. Glancing around to search for any cause of this fear he notice a pile of dust sitting near where he was, slowly being blown away by the wind. Putting two and two together, he continues to comfort his little girl before picking himself up still with the child in his arm and begin walking to make his way home.
"…ayu-chan?..Sayuri?" A light toned voice broke me from my day dreaming late one evening. "What's wrong?...you don't look so well." the voice continue to question and I could feel a gentle cold hand being place onto my forehead.
"Nothing Otou-san…just thinking about the past.." I simply say while taking hold of the cold hand. "Things were much simpler then."
"I'm sorry.." The man in front of me said while he looks on sadly wishing he could make me smile.
"What are you apologizing for?" I question but after a long silent I know he wouldn't answer me. "Zero didn't come to class today…." I said breaking the silent.
"…"
"Otou-san?"
"We have a new teacher today Sayu-chan. He'll be a temporary lecturer for the Night Class." He divert the topic with a cheery voice.
"…" I wanted to be frustrated with him but after a while I let it go figuring it useless. "Are you sure it'll be alright letting the hunter teach them?" I ask politely.
"…Aaa you know about last night then." The cheery façade was dropped by the man in front of me as he took on a more serious expression.
"Yuki told me, well I pried the bit of information from her. She's worried about Zero." I explain while locking my gaze with the eccentric man. "Toga Yagari…did they send him here?.. For Zero?"
The silent that ensued from him answered my question.
"He's…not going to hurt Zero is he?" I ask feeling the worry built.
"I'm sure he will do what's best…Zero was after all his pupil."
"…" I silently rise from where I was sitting and begin walking to the door of the headmaster's office. "He's in the guest room Sayuri." I pause for a moment by the door only to then walk out and closing it behind me before hastily walking toward the targeted room.
I knock on the door of the guest room a couple of time but after receiving no answer I reach the door knob and was surprise that it wasn't lock. Opening the door, I silently slink into the room only to see it unoccupied. I was confused that I thought the chairman had played a trick on me so fuming a little I turn to make my way out of the room when a rustling noise reached my ears. Turning to face the bathroom door where the noise had come from, I proceed to open the door not thinking to knock first when I heard Yuiki's voice through the door.
I was shocked at first at what I was seeing, Yuki had her uniform jacket and ribbon off and I could see them on the floor next to the shower stall. But that was not what shocks me the most, she had left her neck bare and after hearing what she had said to Zero before I barge in here I couldn't contain my anger and displease from showing through.
"Get out Yuki!" I said while kicking the shower stall door a little to keep it open. "Leave!" I yell when she didn't move from her position by the silver haired hunter.
It shock her to see her usually cool and collective sister angry as she slowly move from her spot and out the shower stall so that now she stood beside me.
"Get back to your room Yuki…get some sleep.." I said softly after regaining my calm when I see her hesitate a little.
"Demo.." she wanted to argue with me and I could see her eyes shift towards the silent hunter.
"Don't worry…I'll take care of everything." I reassure her while patting her head a little and push her out the door. Only after I heard both the bathroom and the guest room door shut behind her did I let my gaze wonder towards the silver haired figure before I slowly move closer towards his slump form.
"When it comes to it zero…don't bring Yuki into this." I said with a detached voice while touching the seal tattoo on his neck. He continues to remain silent as his head lowered in shame.
Sigh "Gomen…I'm being harsh." I said while kneeling in front of him and cupping his face in my hand, bringing his gaze towards me.
"I don't like this…you're breaking your promise to me Zero.."
"…I'm not the only one breaking promises here." He said it gruffly while I remove my hands from where it was and begin tugging my uniform jacket off followed by the ribbon. All the while Zero just continues to look at me but now his gaze was that of bewilderment.
"I mean it…what I promised you. I'll be here for you…" I explain when I caught his confused gaze. He tense when he hears what I said and make to push me away but I held firm.
"Anything that you need Zero….." Anything for my brother.
He let his hand fall to his side when I didn't budge from my position near him. "I hate this…" his voice was strained and weary as one of his hand grip onto my hair gently and the other slowly circles my waist.
"I know." I say while trying to keep calm when I feel the brush of his fangs on my skin.
"Zero…stops making Yuki worry." I said to the slumping figure that was wiping away excess blood from his lips while I stood over the sink with a wet wash cloth in my hand, gently dabbing over my neck to remove all the blood.
"Just give up on me already…" it sounded like he was begging making me pause in my action of rinsing the bloodied cloth in my hand. Shaking my head to rid me of unpleasant thought, I slowly approach the silver haired hunter and begin to softly wipe away all traces of blood that still linger on his face.
I was surprise when I was suddenly pulled into his chest but calm down when I realize his body was shaking a little. Slowly I circle my arms around him after letting the wet cloth fall to the floor and run it up and down his back in a calming manner as he buries his face into my neck and hair.
"It's painful isn't it…having our life surrounded by vampire." My voice was barely above a whisper as I run my fingers through his hair. "Zero, I want you to know that no matter what happen…I'll always stand by your side."
"Did you hear? There's a new Night Class student coming in tomorrow…" I ask the pale hunter once he had calm down and move into the bedroom.
"More of them?.." his voice though felt empty had an edge of disgust in them as he question me from where he was lying on his bed.
"Zero…I have a bad feeling." I voice my uneasiness to him. I have had this feeling since Otou-san told me of the coming of the new arrival.
"…" the lying form didn't say anything at first before he raise his body up into a sitting position and gesture with his hand for me to come close to him. When I did reach to him he gently tap me on my head before patting the spot he hit while saying, "You worry too much."
It was really late when I had emerge from the guest room currently use by Zero, the only reason I did even leave the room was so that I could see to it that the Night Class student all went back to their dorm though I know the pureblood would make sure of it even without anyone asking. Thinking about the pureblood vampire cause me to feel a sting of bitterness washing over me as my thought keep running away from me.
I couldn't help the feeling of dread to spread through my body just thinking about what I had said (or yell) to him just last night. Even if I do mean what I had said, I still feel a little guilty saying it so harshly towards the dark haired vampire and this cause my heart to feel heavy. The soft sound on footstep coming from the school building broke me out of my reverie as the first few Night Class student start to fill out of the building and I stayed to the side facing the Moon Dorm building while making sure the student all walk through the dorm gate still with a heavy heart.
"Do you want a pocky Miss Sayuri?" a drawn out voice greeted my back, startling me that I give a little jump in surprise. Turning myself around I was face with a bored looking face of a blue eyed vampire.
"Shiki…-sempai." I acknowledge the model vampire seeing him holding a box of chocolate pocky out for me. "Aaa..arigato." I said while taking a few stick out of the box.
"Shiki ka?...you didn't call me by my first name like you did Takuma.." I blink a couple of time letting what he said sink in. It surprises me the fact that the youngest vampire was brooding a little while he nip on a few pocky stick. "It's Senri from now on." Though his voice was drawn out and and his words was thrown carelessly I could help but feel the vampire was being rather adorable even when his commanding something.
"Hai…Senri-sempai." I said more out of wanting to please him.
"You look sad." His word was quiet but I could hear him clearly. "Here take more." His way of trying to somehow cheer me up was funny but I couldn't help a weary sigh from escaping my lips as I took the box out of his hands as my body sway a little in the wind.
"Daijoubu ka Sayu-chan…why isn't Zero or Yuki-chan here to help you." A cheery voice came from behind the blue eyed vampire as a blob of light blond head appear into my sight.
"Iei…I told Yuki to get some sleep…she needed the rest. Zero's sti-" I cut myself off when I felt a familiar demanding presence near by and glancing around a little, it didn't take me much effort to find the cool gaze of the pureblood on me.
I feel a lump forming in my throat as he continues to gaze at me with his burgundy eyes. I didn't even notice him slowly closing in on me or that the two vampires that was previously talking to me retreated to the Moon Dorm.
"It seem Shiki have taken a liking towards you." He said once he reaches me while gently playing with my hair. "Should I be concern?" his tone was light and teasing but I could feel his body radiating his tenseness causing me to bow my head in silence.
"…Stop that." I barely whispered while gripping the hand that was in my hair, all the while still keeping my head and gaze towards the ground. I didn't even realize that I had started trembling a little under his intense gaze. "Stop…hiding yourself." I continue while closing the space between us and resting my forehead on his chest. "N-not from me…please."
I could feel his fingers weaving through my hair before softly skimming over the skin of my neck causing me to pull back in reflex when the warm finger stops very close to where there was a band aid over my skin. The pureblood remain where he was not moving away nor trying to get close, instead he stays silent but a detest and disappointed air clearly surrounds him
"I don't regret anything…even my disrespect to you last night." My voice didn't came out as strong that I would like it to be but at the very least I manage to say what I want.
"Then why are you crying?.." His voice was sounded detached as he lift my face by the chin so that he can clearly see my face before wiping the fallen tears away.
"I don-…I don't regret helping Zero." I whispered low as if treading on water, knowing I was playing with the pureblood's patients.
"You test my patient Sayuri…." He had bring his face closer to mine where his lips was brushing against my right ear, making me shiver feeling his hot breath on my neck. "…and all because of Kiryu." His grip on my elbow grew tighter causing me to winch a little while letting out a small whimper. I could feel his anger and sadness radiating and I know I wasn't imagining the sudden chill in the air as the temperature suddenly drop.
"My, my…isn't it getting nippy here." A taunting voice came from the doorway of the school building causes the pureblood to snap out of his barely contained rage but instead of pushing her away like the man thought he would, he held her tighter by circling his arms around her and pressing her body flush against his.
The air was still chilly and when I took a peak around I could see the newly form morning dew frozen in place and I could even see my breath in the air but there was no ice in sight only the chilling atmosphere. I was thankful for the warm body I was pressed against but feel myself slowly growing tense waiting for something to happen now that the newcomer was here.
"Yagari-sensei." Came the pureblood acknowledgement towards the newcomer. Shifting my body a little with some difficulty, I manage to catch sight of the hunter leaning on the wall by the building entrance door. He was unconventional to say the least with long dark unkempt hair and a cigarette hanging from his lips, but then again from my past meeting with a few vampire hunters, none of them were ever 'normal' in either appearance or personalities (my adopted father being the best example).
"Shouldn't you get back to your dorm Kuran-san." He fraise the question into a mere statement while he continue gazing onto us, scrutinizing the pureblood every move. The pureblood didn't say anything and continue to remain silent while his hold on me becomes almost unyielding as he lean down nesting his face into my hair seemingly not caring about the audience.
"I didn't think that you would show such weakness so freely." But the pureblood choose to ignore him for now as he continues to rain his attention on me.
"You must be seething with rage inside. Tell me Kuran, what is it that you're planning?...why not tear Zero to shreds?" I tense at the hunter's words as I slowly start to struggle out of the pureblood's grip when a sudden shift of force cause me to pause in my action and I notice that the hunter was now adorned with a few deep cuts on his hand and cheek.
"Kaname-sama." I exclaim horrified at knowing his anger was growing more and more at the hunter's taunting. Without thinking I raise my hands and cup his face, bringing his gaze away from the hunter. "Maybe it's time that you retire to the dorms." I suggest softly in order to not agitate him more.
He glance at the hunter one more time with an expressionless gaze before turning to walk toward the Moon Dorm with one of my hand still in his grip, causing him to tug me along with him.
Stopping at the open gate, he turn to face me with an unreadable expression making me winch a little when one of his hand lift towards my face thinking he would hit me. I know he wasn't that type of person but the way he had acted tonight, so uncharacteristic, put me in a vulnerable position.
"I've frighten you…" he said with a hint of regret seeping into his voice. "Forgive me Sayuri…I never meant for this to happen." I was confused by his words but didn't push it.
"Stay away from the shadow Sayuri.." was the last thing he said before turning and walking into the Moon Dorm letting the gate door shut behind him.
I gave out a sigh of confusion thinking about his parting words. Sigh, "Always so cryptic." Turning around I was face with the hunter who had silently been watching us from afar after inspecting his new cuts and making sure it was fine.
"…Sensei, shouldn't you be getting to bed now." I said plainly towards the hunter as I begin walking back towards the headmaster's building where I have been spending the night at for the past few days.
"That seem like it's going to bruise." He simply said while nodding his head a little towards my elbow to indicate what he was talking about. It was only then that I feel a nagging pressure on my elbow where the pureblood had held onto me, I know that's going to bruise as I lightly place my right hand over my left elbow, gripping the material covering it to try and ease the light pain.
"Atleast he's venting it out…I don't like it when he keeps everything inside..it must be painful living like that." My head was screaming at me for telling the stranger something so personal but I keep my face to be impassive all the while. Not wanting to dwell on my slipup, I instead change the topic towards a certain silver haired teen.
"Ne…don't go shooting around here so freely." I put my words bluntly as I gaze intensely at him.
"Heh…it's up to him on that." Came his reply equally blunt but I could see his eyes harden at the mention of his use-to-be pupil.
Both of us remain silent for the rest of the time that we use to get to the headmaster's office door. Only once we reach the door did I whisper a quiet 'good night' before parting my way with the hunter but I halt my walking when I hear his voice calling to me.
"Take care of yourself Ochibi-chan." A twitch appeared on my head as I hear him said that. I quickly turn towards him before saying out my own comeback.
"Chibi?...Then sensei you much be a Oji-san." I said before turning away, not seeing the hunter eyebrows twitch a little at my comeback, and continue towards the bedroom that I have dub to be my own.
Twilight came quickly the next day as I found myself squash between the fanatic Day Class students but as quickly as that had happen, I felt a tug on my uniform collar and the next thing I know I was literally been haul out of the crowd of students. Turning my gaze towards my rescuer I was met with amethyst eyes that had a tint of annoyance in them.
"Really…don't they have anything better to do." The silver haired boy sighs as he continues to fend the Day Class student away with little success. It only got worst when the dorm gate opened and the Night Class student begin pouring out into the courtyard.
"Sayu-chan!" the cheerful voice that calls for me was unmistakably that of the Night Class vice president. My guest was proven when I was suddenly glommed from behind by the owner of a blob of light blond hair.
"Takuma-san…I think it's best if you refrain yourself from doing that." I said while turning my head a little to catch his eyes.
"B-but I like hugging youuuu…" he wail into my ear before burying his face further into my back.
A sudden shiver runs down both of our back causing him and I to look around for the source of this feeling. We didn't need to search long when the pureblood came into view. Nervously laughing, the blond slowly detaches himself from me before pushing a book into my hands. Not moment after that he disappear into the school building leaving me blinking in confusion.
The pureblood was next to walk by me. He held my gaze for a long while before turning his attention to the front and then he to disappear into the school building. I let my eyes linger at the now close door before gazing around. It didn't shock me to see the courtyard was now empty but I found it annoying seeing that both Yuki and Zero had once again left me here. Sighing I begin to make my way to patrol the ground while tucking the manga that was given by Takuma-san under one arm, but was stop by the sound of a ringing voice.
Turning my gaze around, I was face with a girl slightly shorter then me, she was dress in a warm overcoat and had the hood pulled over her head that somehow reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood. Her long silver hair that pokes out of the hood was a few shades darker than Zero's hair colour almost having a tinge of blue in them. Behind her stood a tall silver haired figure with a mask covering his face.
"Could you help me with something Miss Prefect?"
Memories…
"Maaa…it seem that vampire have an unusual attraction to my cute daughter." The cheery voice belongs to the blond haired male that was seating on a comfortable looking sofa in his living room. Opposite of him was another figure though this figure was smaller in size and was standing instead of sitting like the previous was.
"This is serious Cross-san…we need to be more careful with her." His voice peels through the air as he brush a couple stray strand of his dark hair away from his burgundy eyes.
The room was fill with silent as the occupant was both deep in their own thought regarding a certain little girl that was now sleeping in her room. After arriving home, the ex-hunter had continued to calm her trembling form as he laid her in her bed. Whispering words of comfort, the blond finally reduce to use a hunter charm on her when the little girl wouldn't stop shaking and crying before letting her unconscious form fall softly on the bed where he then continue to tuck her away. A few hours later, the pureblood vampire was already knocking on his front door.
"This isn't the first time…I've caught many vampire trying to get to her." The level of frustration in the vampire voice was only overlooked because of the worry for the girl that was also lace in his voice. When the ex-hunter had told him of the occurrence of the earlier evening, the pureblood had thought his mind was plying tricks on him at so much coincidence. Something was just not adding up in the vampire's mind. "…some are not even Level-E."
A surge of protectiveness and irritation runs through his body at the thought that there was something amiss going on, he couldn't help the feeling that there was something the blond man was holding off from him.
"Cross-san…what are you hiding from me?"
Strangely, it's really hard to keep Senri in character…and here I thought the silent people are easier to write down, huff. Other then that I found this chapter comes short of what I want it to be but it can't be help.
I hope this chapter shows Kaname's different type of affection towards Sayuri. Kaname has a little more aggressive type of affection with Sayuri…I don't want her to have the same gently loving Kaname is giving Yuki plus I like writing Kaname being greedy and possessive (though I have to admit it's hard writing it the way I imagine it in my head) haha.. =3 oh yeah when Kaname said he 'didn't meant for this to happen' is that he didn't plan that Sayuri would be the one to give Zero blood..it's like she's interrupting a little with Kaname's plan.
I really was unsure about letting Zero bite Sayuri but yet I can't help myself from writing it (though I rewrote several time changing it from Zero biting Yuki to Zero biting Sayuri) and at the end I decide to not write a full scene of the biting and just let it hang but its pretty obvious he bit Sayuri. Anyway I want to ask whether you want the 'Zero taking Sayuri's blood' matter to stay, if not I can change it.
Well that's all…I hope you enjoy the chapter and thanks for the review =3