Chapter Six
Hey everyone! Managed to get another chapter in this month (of a decent size). Hope you enjoy & don't forget to review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or any character therefore. I only own my own original characters.
It had been a mistake to attack Zero as she had. She hadn't meant to jump down his throat or point fingers. Mako was simply frustrated and more than a little bent out of shape. Her skin burned so hot she felt as though it would melt off at any given moment. And her blood––her blood boiled with a fury she had never known existed. She breathed deeply, giving herself a few seconds to clear her head. She needed to regain control. Needed to calm herself.
She needed to stop.
Her eyes fluttered open and her gaze fixed on the white mare glaring daggers at her. Zero had long since left, muttering something about Yuuki. She figured he was off to rescue his precious princess and decided to let him do just that single-handedly. Realistically speaking, so long as they remained on Academy grounds he wouldn't need her assistance, so she hadn't offered. A smart decision given that her temper seemed to be in a constant state of fluctuation. She was more likely to rip someone's head-off than provide the sarcastic mediation that had begun to define her.
White Lily snorted loudly and Mako focused her attention on the dark eyes that were set in a permanent glower. Not entirely permanent. When it came to Zero, the mare showed a side of herself that was unbelievably innocent and naive. It was everyone else she seemed to have a problem with. And, had Zero been mediator to their encounter, there was no doubt in Mako's mind that she would've had difficulty believing that the mare was in fact an ill-tempered spawn of Satan.
She drew her legs towards her chest and draped her arms over knees as she allowed her gaze to slide over the mare. From the flaring muzzle to the strong shoulders and sleek flank, the white mare was anatomical perfection. An undeniably powerful horse with a temperament to match. And an unparalleled desire to protect her loved ones at all costs. A rough, barking noise escaped her. Her laughter was near unrecognizable, rough and hectic, but she didn't care. She hadn't laughed so honestly in a while.
"Amazing! You and Zero are one in the same!" She gulped a deep breath before another hiss of laughter escaped her. "I still don't quite understand it, but I'm conscious of it."
The mare stared at her as though she were something alien, something inhuman. She threw her head back, an arm wrapped around her stomach as she struggled to contain her laughter. All sense had left her––left her in a pool of madness and confusion. She wasn't sure what to think, how to act. She laughed because it was the only thing she had left to anchor her. As odd as it sounded, at that moment, she didn't feel all that human.
She felt something nudge her leg and warm breath fan across her skin as the horse exhaled heavily. Mako's laughter slowly faded until it ended entirely. It was a moment later before she was able to collect her thoughts and by then, she had slid further down the stall wall. Tilting her head back, she stared at the ceiling and sighed. Mako felt the mare's dark eyes on her and couldn't help but feel as though the mare was attempting to coax her into action.
"What do you expect me to do when I'm going crazy?" The hunter met the horse's gaze. Mako could have sworn that the mare was staring at her with something akin to incredulousness. "I don't know what you're expecting me to do, but whatever it is, that look won't help you." Her words were met by yet another snort. It was then that Mako realized she was proving herself right. "I'm talking to a horse."
White Lily wrinkled her nose in irritation and gave a snort of outrage as she stepped closer. The hunter immediately threw her hands up in surrender and muttered something that might pass as an apology. She settled back on her hands as she returned to observing the mammal. There was something distinctly human about the horse, she admitted, something she herself seemed to be lacking. It was the very same thing she saw in Yuuki.
A bright light that burned with the intensity of flames, that warmed the very soul and filled them up so entirely that goodness radiated from their very being. It was a rare benevolence possessed by very few, but sought by many. Mako admired this goodness, for all her lack of comprehension and possession of it, it was something she sought to protect. Zero had once been a vessel of such goodness.
The irony of seeing this trait in a demonic horse, of all things, was lost on her. "You would protect him with your life, wouldn't you? I appreciate that." Mako leant forward, her arm brushing lightly against the mare's leg. The mare watched her curiously. "We can come to a truce. At the very least, when it comes to Zero." White Lily snorted and nodded her head. Mako smirked. "Glad you agree."
Lowering her head, the mare gently nudged her, brushing against her injured neck. Mako instinctively pulled away and pressed a hand over the gauze. The searing pain had become little more than a dull throb, something Mako was grateful for–– something she could easily ignore. She caressed the gauze absentmindedly. Beneath the stark white fabric was a scar that would remain with her for as long as she lived, the mark of the vampire who had assaulted her.
White Lily raised her head as she shifted nervously in front of the hunter. Mako frowned and pushed herself onto her feet. She reached out, brushing her fingers upon the mare's nose in a motion to provide some reassurance, but the mare ignored her and turned to face the entrance of the stable. She gave a high pitch squeal and reared ever so slightly. Mako stepped back, not stupid enough to stand in the way of a frightened horse, but she was curious. What had scared the mare?
Stepping out of the stall, she proceeded towards the entrance, all the while acutely aware of the horse's growing apprehensiveness and the distinct lack of any other noise. Mako moved cautiously, muscles tense and hand poised upon the gun strapped to her thigh. Something felt off. A sudden chill wracked her body, despite the absence of a breeze, and she shuddered. If she hadn't known any better, she would've thought someone was touching her. She felt it, cold hands dragging across her bare skin. Mako removed her gun and snapped off the safety.
"Always so quick to resort to violence, my dear."
Mako spun, with gun raised and every intention of dispatching the source of the cold, taunting voice. A familiar maniacal laughter filled her ears as the vampire caught hold of her wrist and pulled her towards him, pinning her arms across her chest. She struggled against his hold, the offensive sound of his laughter made her cringe. The vampire tightened his grasp and she froze, the barrel of her gun was pressed against her cheek.
Strands of fine hair brushed her cheek as he leant forward, his mouth poised at her ear. "Are you not delighted to see me, my dearest Mako?"
"Absolutely thrilled." She growled. "What do you want?"
A deep, controlled chuckle resonated from his chest and she tensed. "Are my intentions not clear? Or must I explain in detail?"
One arm slid to her waist, working her shirt up until the palm of his hand was pressed against her bare skin. She shivered and felt something in the pit of her stomach churn. Disgust and anger. Especially anger. It simmered in her blood; a white, cold fire that spread into the very depths of her soul. This anger––this rage was wild, disorderly and irrational. But, as dearly as she wished to unleash it upon her stalker, the gun to her cheek made her hesitant.
"It was a rash decision, showing up here." Mako caught a glimpse of him in the corner of her eye, his dark eyes glimmered in amusement and his lips curled in a predatory smirk. "You would have been better off waiting until I went into town."
His warm breath fanned across her neck as he spoke. "I did not anticipate your great desire to see me. Had I known, I would have come to fetch you sooner."
"Fetch me?" She raised an eyebrow. "If you're of the opinion that I'll simply give in to your demands, you're wrong. I don't plan on being fetched by anyone."
"And you are under the mistaken impression that you are being given a choice." His grip on her wrist tightened, pressing the gun harder against her cheek. "The decision is not yours to make, my dear. You belong to me."
Her jaw tightened at his claim. "I don't recall ever agreeing to being yours."
The vampire chuckled a cold, merciless chuckle. "Once again, the choice was never yours to make."
Mako quivered as her rage continued to build. She wanted to kill him––to rip out the shriveled up piece of meat he called a heart and make him watch as she shoved it down his throat. She wanted to empty the magazine of her gun into his chest and watch him bleed out onto the ground. But she controlled herself. She wasn't in a position to exact any form of revenge on him. She had to be smart, to be logical, so she pushed down her rage and focused on clearing her head.
"Who are you?"
The amusement in his eyes differed dramatically from his tone of voice which was low and gravelly. "You, my dear, can call me Hideki."
She faltered. That name sounded incredibly familiar to her, hidden away in the dark expanses of her mind where she could not grasp it. But what her mind refused to remember, her body could not forget. It reacted immediately, slamming her head back into his and delivering a bone-breaking kick to his knee as she slipped beneath his arms and twisted her wrists free. Her gun remained level with his chest as she put a respectable distance between them.
A grating laughter, more deranged than the first erupted from Hideki as he straightened, blood trickling from his nose and staining his pale chin. His tongue darted out from between his lips to lap up the blood like a starving dog and Mako felt the urge to retch. Granted she felt a great satisfaction in making him bleed, but he actually seemed to enjoy it, contrary to most other people. He was a masochist.
"That was not particularly hospitable, my dear. I honesty expected more from you."
Mako rolled her eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry, how rude of me. I should've offered you a drink instead."
His eyes flashed dangerously. "A tempting offer, regrettably, it seems I have overstayed my welcome." Hideki graced her with one last psychotic smile. "I will return for you, my dear sweet Mako."
She had intended for the confrontation to remain a secret, but things rarely turned out as she planned them. After Hideki's sudden, but welcomed departure, Zero arrived accompanied by the ever infuriating Kaname, who immediately began to question her the moment he arrived on the scene. Lying was pointless, both vampires had picked up the scent of Hideki's blood and it had led them to her. Even if she wasn't all too willing to admit it out-loud, she knew they were smart enough to put the pieces together. Denying things would only further add to the seething hatred she felt emanating from both parties.
And so, there she sat in the Headmaster's office, Zero standing firmly behind her as her self-appointed bodyguard whilst the Pureblood occupied the seat beside her. She glanced at him from the corner of her eyes. He sat with all the elegance and poise befitting a vampire of his stature, his legs were crossed and his hand rested in his lap. The calm expression he wore acted as an effective mask for the turbulent emotions laying underneath. Neither Mako nor Zero could imagine what lay beneath his cool exterior.
The tension in the room was almost too much to bare. It made it difficult for Mako to breath let alone think, and coupled with the left-over adrenaline pumping through her veins, it was an odd combination that left her on edge. Her hand never once strayed from the gauze on her neck, running back and forth across the white material. The wound hidden beneath had begun to throb more noticeably, much to her dismay, and she felt the distinct need to rip away the fabric and scratch as though her sanity depended on it. She was certain it did, but now was not the time to be doing such things.
A few moments later, the Headmaster strode into his office, an unusually stern expression on his face. He surveyed them as he situated himself behind his desk and clasped his hands in front of him. "I understand there has been another incident." Hazel eyes fixed on Mako. "I am glad to see there are no injuries."
"Injuries or not, this shouldn't have happened!" Zero gripped the back of her chair with a force that splintered the wood. "He shouldn't have been able to sneak onto Academy grounds!"
"I believe you are at fault for that. It was negligence on your part that disposed this vampire to seek out Osaragi-san here at the Academy."
Zero rounded on him in an instant. "You're blaming me for this?" He hissed.
The Pureblood simply raised an eyebrow. "Are you not a vampire hunter, Zero Kiryuu? Is it not your self-proclaimed duty to eradicate all vampires?"
"If it hadn't been for that damned vampire attacking Yuuki, I would've been with Mako when it happened. And I assure you, I would've killed him."
Mako fixed her gaze on the Headmaster, trying her best to ignore the squabbling, testosterone happy vampires. "Cross-san was attacked?"
"Not exactly." The Headmaster shook his head with a sigh. "Aidou-san simply took his teasing a bit too far."
She nodded, making certain to file away that morsel of information for later. She would have to have a few words with Aidou regarding his blatant disrespect for the rules. Hopefully, he would require some persuasion. From her gun. God, she really needed to shoot something. Mako tilted her head back slightly, her hand clenching and unclenching against her thigh. This anxiousness she felt didn't suit her and she certainly didn't like it.
"Yes, because you have been so incredibly successful in dispatching vampires in the past."
The silver-haired hunter's eyes flashed dangerously, almost as menacing as the Pureblood's cold gaze, and his fingers wrapped around his Bloody Rose. "I'm more than happy to prove you wrong right now, Kuran."
"Shut up." All three men stared at Mako, slouched against the chair with her eyes closed. She hadn't raised her voice, there was no need to when her tone alone would've been enough to command an army. "Both of you, get out."
Zero narrowed his eyes. "Mako–"
"I said get out."
She didn't so much as bat an eyelash at his heated gaze, or the silent disapproving gaze of the Headmaster. Alas, ignoring the Pureblood wasn't as effortless as it appeared to be. His intense stare scorched her face. It made her stomach churn––not the positive, jittery, butterflies in the stomach kind of churning, but the hiding in the bathroom whilst an axe-wielding murder tries to break down the door kind of churning. Her fingers twitched before curling around the armrest.
"Boys. I'd like a word with Mako."
With a resentful grunt Zero left the room. The Pureblood hung back a moment longer to wish them both a pleasant evening and gave Mako one last glance before following after the sullen Zero. Once Kaname was gone, so was the revolting feeling in her stomach. She let out a faint sigh and allowed her body to relax. Well, as relaxed as she could be considering that there was a deranged, masochistic, sadistic, psychopathic vampire out to get her.
Obviously Hideki knew her. He was adamant enough in his pursuit to make her believe that he was more than just another stalker. Granted he enjoyed harassing her and lavishing her with unwanted, obsessive attention, but as crazy as it sounded, there almost seemed to be a trace of twisted affection. It was perturbing, and Mako hated the feeling of not being in control. And she would be damned if she gave him such power over her.
"I understand you must be unsettled–"
Mako scoffed. "Not exactly how I'd put it, but close enough."
"Mako-chan." His sympathetic tone caught her attention and she turned to see the matching expression on his face. "The smartest approach would be to inform the Hunter's Association, and until this situation is sorted, you will be confined to the campus and accompanied at all times."
"Don't you think you're over-exaggerating just a tad?" Steely determination set in, alongside a muted outrage at the revelation that the Headmaster put next-to-no stock in her abilities. "I'm not some weak girl in need of a bodyguard, Headmaster."
"I never said you were." His gaze never wavered. "But it is obvious that you need help, and the Hunter's Association won't think any less of you for asking."
She shook her head. "It's got nothing to do with that."
"Then what? Explain it to me Mako, because I'm struggling to understand."
Silence reigned as she contemplated her next words carefully. Mako averted her eyes to the fire burning vehemently in the fireplace for a moment before once again focusing her attention on the Headmaster. The grip she had on the armrest became tighter still as she pushed herself to her feet and approached his desk.
Leaning forward, she muttered under her breath. "They'll send him."
"Him?" The Headmaster frowned in confusion, but before Mako was forced to explain, a sudden realization hit him. "Oh. You're worried about Zero, then?" She said nothing, not that it was necessary, the expression on her face told the Headmaster more than enough. "He won't hurt Zero."
"You can't be sure."
"I can. I can assure you Mako, I will not let anything happen to Zero."
His words, whilst sincere, did nothing to alter her opinion. "Cross-san...please, as my friend, don't call them."
If the Headmaster didn't know any better, he could have sworn he saw a glint of fear in Mako's eyes. But he did know better, and whilst the huntress had yet to conquer fear, she would by no means display it so openly. Which led him to draw two separate conclusions––either she truly feared the consequences of such a call, or she was simply attempting to manipulate him. The Headmaster was inclined to believe it was a bit of both.
He sighed. "Very well. But as your Headmaster, I cannot simply allow you to gallivant around campus unguarded. Zero will escort you, and if he is unavailable for any reason, I will have one of the Night Class take over." Mako opened her mouth to object, but was quickly silenced by a hand. "The alternative is that I inform the Hunter's Association." She immediately closed her mouth and the Headmaster raised an eyebrow. "Your decision?"
Mako pulled back, crossing her arms along her chest and pressing her lips into a thin line as she gave her answer. "Agreed."
A drifting ribbon rippled gently as it stumbled into a soft draft created by an ajar window. It floated fluidly before settling on the cold wooden floor, wreathed and crumpled. Mako stepped past the abandoned article without a second look and positioned herself at that same window, reaching out a slender finger and closing it with a gentle tug. She remained there for a moment longer, staring absently at the view of the forest surrounding Cross Academy.
Memories of early that evening consumed her thoughts. All she could think about was that vampire––Hideki. She wondered why he was so interested in her, why he seemed to know her, and why he would stop at nothing to have her. She reached up, nimble fingers working quickly to relieve her of her shirt, but paused upon hearing a shout. A couple of girls sprinted frantically across the yard, and whilst Mako's first instinct was 'vampire attack', she relaxed when she noticed Yuuki on their heels.
It would have brought a smile to her face, had she felt in the mood for smiling. The guardian was alone, as per usual, Zero had no doubt found a quiet area to sulk in after Mako had told him to 'get out'. She would have to do something about that later. It wasn't as though she had been purposefully trying to set him off, she simply hadn't been in the mood to deal with him or the irritating Pureblood that seemed to be trying to weasel his way into every aspect of her life.
She shrugged off her shirt, flinching when her nails accidentally caught the edge of the gauze, and moved into the bathroom. Taking care not to aggravate the dull throbbing that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her neck, she peeled back the gauze to expose the two small puncture marks that marred her skin. She stared hard at her reflection in the mirror––and the harder she looked, the more she could see that psychotic vampire.
He grinned at her, that same psychotic grin that had become his hallmark, and waved his pale fingers above the marks he had inflicted. "I had almost forgotten how incredibly delectable the scent of your blood was. So very...pure." He licked his lips and leant towards her. "What are you?"
Mako looked him straight in the eyes and growled. "Bastard."
In one deft move, she dug her nails into the wound and tore open the flesh. Blood spilled out, staining her arm and bra, but the abrupt movement had effectively rid her of her sociopathic hallucination. She gripped the edge of the sink, ignoring the feel of her blood trickling down her arm and sides. There was no denying that drawing her own blood had been a dangerous move, but Mako didn't much care at that moment.
She struggled to contain her anger––feeling both the urge to cry uncontrollably and unleash hell-bent fury upon any unlucky vampire who happened to cross her path. She shook with a cold rage she never knew she possessed. It was the same white-hot wrath that Mako had sought to unleash on Hideki early that evening. Only this time she found herself struggling to exact control over it. Mako took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She needed to stop.
"Are you alright?"
Her gaze immediately snapped up to the mirror and narrowed the moment she caught sight of the figure standing behind her. Garnet eyes watched her, brimming with a tenderness one would generally associate with a lover. Mako would be lying if she said it didn't cause her any unease, because it most certainly did.
Mako straighten, but still kept a tight grip on the sink. The Pureblood had picked a bad time to pay her a surprise, and entirely unwelcome visit. She wasn't in the mood for games. "What are you doing here? Last I checked, it was against Academy regulations for a Night Class student to enter the Sun Dorms. More so, it's stupid for a vampire to walk into a hunter's room when she's incredibly pissed off."
Upon receiving no reply from Kaname, Mako turned to face him. He advanced at that moment and only stopped once he was well within the range of her intimate personal space––something Mako wasn't particularly fond of. Kaname reached out and brushed his fingers against the self-inflicted wound. And, as predicted, Mako reacted in the same manner she had the last time he touched her. She slapped away the offending appendage and narrowed her eyes.
"Don't make me ask again, Kuran."
Formalities flew out the window as Mako found her anger bubbling uncontrollably towards the surface. It was unforgivably rude, even if he was a Pureblood, she had always prided herself in maintaining a certain level of civility. Anything less would mean that she was descending to their level. There were rare circumstances, however, when she was incapable of holding back and she mistakenly allowed her anger to override her manners. This just so happened to be one of those moments.
Kaname stared at the blood on the tips of his fingers––Mako's blood. The instant she removed the gauze he could smell her, but once she had drawn blood, he wasn't able to resist. Her scent was unimaginably luscious––toxic and sinful in ways that had him contemplating breaking the Headmaster's rules for the chance to taste just a single drop of her blood. He struggled with himself, and his selfish desire to claim her. There was no room for error in a matter such as that, for once he bit her, there was no turning back. Kaname averted his gaze and promptly wiped his fingers clean on a nearby towel.
"Why do you strive to make me worry, Osaragi-san?" He dropped the towel back to its rightful place and gave Mako his full attention.
Mako rolled her eyes. "Not this again. When are you going to take the hint? I'm not interested in your concern."
He approached her once again, this time forcing her back against the counter. She gripped the sink to stop herself from falling back, but it wasn't an ideal situation, particularly considering that there was less than an inch separating their bodies. Mako tensed at his closeness and forced herself as far away from Kaname as possible without causing any long-term damage to her spine.
He leant forward and spoke in a whisper. "Why do you push me away?"
A permanent frosty expression etched on her features, she growled. "I don't know how I can make myself any clearer than I already have."
"Have I not made myself clear?"
Mako frowned at that. Had he not made himself clear about what? She struggled to recognize the meaning behind his words-cryptic as they were, Mako had no idea as to what Kaname could possibly have to make himself clear about. It wasn't until his fingers brushed against her cheek that she realized Kaname was taking advantage of her incomprehension. As such, Mako felt compelled to give him exactly what he deserved. She wasn't given the chance––the instant her fingers curled into a fist, Kaname had taken hold of her wrist and jerked her towards him.
Limp and unmoving, her body was unresponsive to the offending appendages that settled firmly around her waist and shoulders. A tense silence descended, one that had Mako trying to wrack her brain for all the possible reasons that her body wasn't obeying her orders. She came up empty-handed. It sickened her, the feel of his touch, particularly because he constantly felt the need to touch her. And she felt exposed in ways that made the prospect of attending class stark naked a more comfortable thought.
She strove to regain some semblance of who she was––a hunter. And a hunter doesn't embrace her prey, nor does she show sympathy to the beasts she was born to eradicate. "Let me go."
Kaname refused and, instead, tightened his hold on her. Mako struggled against him, only to freeze altogether when she felt his lips brush against her skin. It was demoralizing to have a Pureblood so close, knowing that one bite would alter the course of her life forever––and not for the better. She felt a genuine fear. A fear that he would bite her and that she would become like him...like Zero.
Her body quivered as the Pureblood's lips settled more firmly against her neck. A sweltering warmth enveloped her in a benevolent embrace, but Mako was hardly about to trust her poor, over-stimulated body. She was hypersensitive to Kaname's presence, and every touch made her reaction ten times worse. At the very least, she knew she could trust her mind to recognize the imminent danger and act accordingly. Mako expressed her gratitude to her master for the seemingly endless and unimportant lessons that had saved her life on more than one occasion.
Mustering the bulk of her strength, Mako freed herself of the Pureblood's embrace in a single wrench that knocked her back against the counter with a force that would no doubt leave a bruise on her lower-back. She caught hold of the sink and dragged herself to her full height to meet his gaze. Crimson orbs stared yearningly at her, visible behind strands of dark hair that hid his face from view, all but his blood-stained lips. Kaname breathed deeply as he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his hand. He struggled to maintain control over his urges and, had she not pulled away in time, it was entirely possible that he would have bitten her.
On instinct, Mako brushed her fingers along her neck to confirm that the Pureblood hadn't done anything she would make him regret. She found nothing––absolutely nothing. There were no gashes, no puncture marks, not even the slightest scratch. Mako frowned, puzzled by his actions and unsure of how to react. On one hand, he deserved to be hung, drawn and quartered for touching her in such an intimate manner, but on the other, she was willing to be lenient considering that he had just rid of an unwanted reminder.
She couldn't do it.
"Do that again, Pureblood, and I won't hesitate to end your miserable excuse for a life."
The distinct glow of his eyes began to dwindle until they returned to their original colour. "You still don't understand, do you Osaragi-san?" His hand, which had lingered over his lips for several moments, dropped to his side. "You have no idea of the turmoil you cause me. You test my loyalty and you over-estimate my restraint."
"What are you talking about?"
"It would be best for you to retire for the evening, you've lost a sufficient amount of blood as it is." His tender gaze became cold and harsh. "If you attempt to inflict any further injury to your person – and I will know if you do – I will be forced to inform the Headmaster. Have a pleasant evening."
With that, Kaname turned his back on her and disappeared. Mako stared after him, baffled by the entirety of the events that had transpired and even more so by his sudden change of persona. She touched her neck, an absentminded expression on her face as she considered the Pureblood's actions. And in a stroke of genius, she reached a conclusion that she was more than satisfied with––the Pureblood was losing his mind.