I don't own Kingdom Hearts, but if I did, Sora would totally be all mine...haha. Story is mostly original, but it is inspired by Vampire Knight. I hope that you guys enjoy. Reviews and criticism would be appreciated.
NOTE: The first section of every chapter is usually told from Kairi's POV, whereas the rest is in the third person. "Stained by Sin" is only the working title. Hopefully something better will come to me.
Summery: Sora disappeared from Kairi's life for unknown reasons. A year later, he returns to her and Riku with little to say about his absence. Blood, lust, fear, secrets, friendships, reunions, and promises change their lives. f
5. Confrontation
~ Jusan Kikan~
He pulled me into an empty classroom, closing the door behind us and pushing me against it. I could feel the cold wood through the fabric of my uniform, but that didn't cool my rapidly beating heart. He put his lips to my neck, opposite the wound he gave me. They were cool against my flushed skin.
"Why can't there be a 'you and me'?" I questioned him, puzzled by his reaction earlier. My breathing quickened, catching in my throat. "Why Sora?"
"Didn't you hear it last night?" he replied, his lips moving against my skin. "Didn't you hear the sound of me drinking your blood?"
-----
A tense silence followed Sora's questioning, filling the dark room ominously. The light that filtered into the room only cast lengthier shadows of the empty desks in the room. The only sound was that of Kairi's breathing.
"Well, did you hear it last night?" Sora repeated, straightening up to look her directly in the eyes. "Couldn't you feel your heart, your body, getting weaker?"
"Yes, but…" she trailed off, turning away from him.
"I couldn't control myself then," he explained. "I lost control and you became a victim. I don't want that to happen again. That's why I can't get any closer to you." He didn't realize how much it hurt him to say those words. But the only way to keep her safe was for him to distance himself from her. It was the only way to protect his friends.
"I don't care about that," she responded, placing her hand on his. "You're still the same Sora that I've known for practically my whole life. Just because you've become a vampire doesn't mean anything to me." She pressed her cheek to his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin.
"What'll happen once I fall to the level of Renegade? My mind will no longer be in my control. I could kill you, Riku, and everyone else," he retaliated, trying to convince her and himself.
"What about the blood tablets? Don't they keep your body's cravings in check?"
"They would if my body accepted them, but my body doesn't. The only thing that will stave off my hunger is blood…human blood!"
"Then I'll give you my blood."
Another beat of silence followed. Tension arose in the silence of the room. Seconds which felt like lifetimes ticked off the clock on the wall.
"What?" he asked because he heard what she said, not because he hadn't.
"I'll be your supply of blood," she stated, confidence slowly rising in her voice. "If it'll keep you from falling, I'll give you my blood."
"What if I actually kill you?" he questioned, testing her courage.
"I know you won't," she replied. "You're no different than what I remember you as. Sure, you've become a vampire, but you're still Sora. You're still my friend; you're still the person Riku constantly argues with, only to laugh about it later; you're still the person that I fell in lo—"
"Have you actually thought any of this over?" he interrupted, his voice shaking under his control. "Do you realize what you're saying? You think I'm the victim here, but in truth, you're risking your life too." He let out a sigh and walked toward the other door in the room. "Maybe I should leave. It's the only way to keep you safe."
"Don't be so stupid!" Kairi rushed forward, holding him tightly around the waist and burying her face into the middle of his back. "I can't lose you again! If you leave, I'm just going to go out there and search for you!"
"How are you going to find me?" he questioned. "You forget? I'm a vampire."
"I don't care that you're a vampire!" she repeated, holding him more tightly. "I'll go and look for you. I'll put myself out there in the world until I find you. I'm not going to lose you again."
"Don't come after me," he told her, putting his hand tenderly on top of hers and closing his fingers around them. "It would put you in danger," he added quietly in a whisper.
"Why? I told you that I'm not going to let you go." Tears were forming in the corner of her eyes as she grabbed the front of his shirt in her hands.
Why? Because Xemnas is looking for you in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy. He's the reason I'm here. He's the reason I can't get close to you. He'll use me to get what he wants. Xemnas will use me to get you. Sora dropped his hands in defeat. It was a lose-lose situation either way for him. At least, as long as he's with Kairi, he could control to the situation…to an extent.
"Fine," he surrendered quietly, "I won't go. I'll stay."
"What?" Kairi said, her grip on him dying. "Did you say you're staying? You're not leaving?"
"Yeah," he replied, a confused smile crawling onto his face. Unknowingly, he was just as relieved that he wasn't leaving. "I'm staying here with you, Riku, Roxas, and the rest of you guys."
Kairi was so ecstatic that she threw her arm around him in a hug. Words couldn't explain the joy that swelled up in her heart, like air in a balloon. Sora, feeling extremely happy himself, didn't attempt to peel her off. He put his two hands on her arms, letting her excitement pass through him and mix with his own. The smile on his face was genuine now, no hint of confusion or worry on his face.
A thought quickly occurred to Kairi, something she knew she shouldn't bring up, but because of her concern for Sora, she did so anyway. "What about the blood?"
Sora turned around and stared at her incredulously. "Do you want me to leave?"
"Do you want me to put myself in danger by looking for you?" she retaliated smugly.
"Fine. I said I was staying anyway," he replied, saying the last part quietly. "But no blood. I don't want to hurt you. I'll figure out this transformation thing myself."
"But—" She began to argue, but an announcement came over the speaker system.
"Kairi, Riku, Sora, and Roxas, please report to the main office."
"I wonder why we're called up there?" Kairi asked aloud to no one in particular. "Guess we should go see what it's about."
"Yeah," Sora agreed, continuing on his previous path to the door. "Let's go," he told her.
Together, they headed out of the dark classroom into the lighted hallway and walked toward the main office. A single fluorescent light flickered on and off continuously for a few moments until Sora and Kairi made a turn into another hallway.
"Are you feeling okay?" Kairi questioned, the earlier situation still sitting on her mind.
"Ever since last night, I've been better," Sora answered, knowing exactly where she was heading with her questioning, "but I've lived the year after I first transformed without a single drop of blood. I lived a year surviving that unquenchable thirst. Last night will not change anything. I'll suffer alone if it'll keep you and everyone else safe."
"You don't have to suffer alone," she quickly replied.
"It's the only option that won't hurt you," he stated. "Your safety is my only concern."
Kairi gave up on pursuing the subject. Sora wouldn't budge on this subject and she was already at the disadvantage in the argument. At least he wasn't leaving. She could settle for that…for now.
They walked into the main office and found Riku and Roxas already there. Riku took a glance at them and walked away from them. Roxas looked at them also, his eyes narrowing at their hands. Kairi and Sora looked down at the same time to see what Roxas was staring at. Neither of them had noticed, but sometime in the hallway, they had reached for the other's hand.
"Oh!" they exclaimed, letting go of the other's hand and turning away from each other.
"Did something happen between you two that you're embarrassed to tell us?" Roxas pointed out.
"Professor?" Riku said as Kaito walked out from the main office's conference room. "What are you doing here? Are you the one who called us here?"
"Yeah," Kaito answered, lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. "I need to discuss nightly matters with you."
"Then why is Roxas here?" Kairi asked, nothing how Roxas stood farther away from the group of hunters.
"I'll explain that as soon as we get going," he responded, ushering the children out of the office.
-----
"Was this so important that you couldn't wait another half hour until school ended?" Riku asked as the group walked into the main conference room.
"Actually, it is," Kaito answered, peering out of the door as if he was looking for someone. "It's about the vampires. Axel wanted to talk to you about it."
"Then why am I here?" Roxas inquired, wondering why Axel had summoned him along with the Renegade hunters. "I'm a vampire, not a hunter."
"That's exactly why you're here," Axel replied, walking into the room as Kaito closed the door. "Besides, you asked to join them, didn't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Sora asked, tired of being lost in the conversation for too long.
Axel looked at Sora, a chuckle on his lips. "A little impatient, aren't we?" He rubbed the top of the kid's head, messing up Sora's hair. "Well, I wanted to talk to you four because there's a mission that I need you for."
"About vampires?" Kairi said.
"Yes," he stated. "Vampires, just like you guys, have a government, but it's more of a council. Unlike your government, you don't want to approach the High Council alone. They're a group of blood-thirsty vampire who would take any kind of meal that came along. You see, bonds of blood aren't as strong as bonds of love and trust."
"So you want us to approach the High Council with you?" Riku concurred, a little bit of apprehension in his voice. He and Kairi were only human, perfect target for a room of vicious blood-thirsty vampires.
"Actually, only Roxas and Sora are would accompany me."
"Then why did you ask for us?" Kairi questioned, her eyes worried for her friends.
"I didn't want you to be uninformed," Professor answered. "I know how much they mean to you. They're all important friends of yours. It would've worried you if they just left. I felt it was better this way."
"So," Axel said to Roxas and Sora, "will you two come with me?"
"Do you really have to ask me?" Roxas answered. "You took me under your care after my parents left me. You know that I'd do anything for you."
"What about you Sora?" Axel asked. "This isn't an order, but merely a request."
"If Roxas is gonna go, I'll go," Sora responded, looking at his friend.
"Great!" Axel stated, clapping his hands together once. "Go, get ready, we leave in five minutes."
"What? So soon," Roxas questioned. "What about Naminé? Aren't you gonna tell her too?"
"I informed Naminé ahead of time," Axel answered. "She said she pretty much expected for you and Sora to come with me. Speaking of which, you two, go hurry and get ready. We leave in a few minutes, as I have already told you."
-----
After Axel, Roxas, and Sora took their leave, it left Kairi alone with Riku. Professor Kaito had returned to his office to finish off some paperwork that he had procrastinated doing.
"Is something on your mind?" Kairi asked, noticing the contemplative look in his blue eyes. "You've been really quiet ever since they left. Something bothering you?"
"I wouldn't say that it's bothering me, but something is on my mind," he answered, looking intently at her.
"What's that?" he questioned, slightly taken back at how his electric blue eyes gazed at her.
"Why didn't you question why Sora was going, but not us?" he replied after taking time to figure out the wording to his question.
"I could ask you the same question," she said as she understood the meaning of his words. "I guess my answer would be the same as yours. Because I know what happened to him. What he's become."
"When did you find out?"
"Last night," she answered, sparing the details of how she found out. She touched the side of her neck softly, remembering how his fangs pierced through her flesh.
"Guess he's takin' that pretty hard," he concluded, remember Sora's earlier behavior toward Kairi.
"I guess he is," she agreed. I can see why, she thought, He didn't want me to know. I highly doubt that he wanted me to find out the way I did. She pressed her fingers against the wound, cringing slightly from the pain.
Riku noticed how her hand always hovered around the wound since she got it, which reminded him of his earlier suspicion about Kairi's explanation of it. "How's your neck?" he questioned. "Is it bothering you?"
"No," she answered automatically, her hands falling to her side. "I…I just remembered…something…" she added, trailing off at the end. She waited for a response, but as the silence passed, she looked at Riku, noticing the far off look in his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Kairi," he sighted heavily, his electric eyes locked on her's, "I'm…your friend, right?"
"Yeah," she answered, startled at his question. She took a step toward him, a step closer to his seat as she reached out to him. "Why do you ask? Is something wrong?"
"That wound on your neck," his eyes were directed toward it, "how did you really get it?"
"I-I told you this morning," she answered. "A tree branch caught my neck." She paused. "Riku, what's wrong? What's with the weird questions?"
He continued, ignoring her concern. "Did Sora tell you about how his body doesn't react to the blood tablets correctly? About how his thirst for blood can't be satisfied unless it's real?"'
Memories hit her harder then they previously did. The way her skin crawled in disgust and pleasure at Sora's carnivorous touch. The feel of his lips as they brushed against her skin before they revealed the non-human trait about him. The pain she experienced as his white fangs pierced her flesh. The sound of Sora drinking her blood, a sound both pleasing and frightful to her ears. But it was how her body was slowly losing breath as Sora satisfied his body's urge that impacted her most. Sora could've take her life if he continued drawing blood, but he didn't.
"No," Kairi answered, keeping her voice steady. "I didn't know that."
Riku eyes the steadiness in her voice suspiciously. Something about it bothered him, conformed his earlier suspicions. "Kairi…are you lying to me?"
"What makes you say that?"
Emotions collided with each other in his heart, but one stood out prominently: Pain. It hurt him to know that Kairi was lying to him, that she was hiding something important. His heart ached because he knew she would never have the same feelings for him that she had for his best friend. "Did he…" he took her shoulder in his hands, "…no. Is he the reason for what's on your neck?"
Kairi, at first startled, looked at his hands and then turned to meet the determined expression on his face. A smile formed on her lips. It didn't surprise her that Riku was completely right about everything. She tilted her head to the side. "I told you. A branch did it," she pressed her fingers to the wound, afraid that he would discover the lie which he already knew about. "Sora had absolutely nothing to do with my clumsiness."
With this answer, Riku let go of her shoulders. "Okay," he told her," reclining into the chair. Her firm answer told him everything he needed to know…well, it more or less calmed his apprehensions. Sora didn't kill her. Sora still had control. He smiled, relaxing his hands beside his head.
"Was something on your mind?" Kairi asked, her fingers still pressed to her neck.
"Yeah, but not anymore."
"That's good," she replied, dropping her hand. She took a seat on the table in front of him. "What do you think Axel-sama and the others are seeing the High Council about?"
"Beats me," he shrugged. "We'll probably find out when they come back, but I can't say for sure."
"I hope Sora's okay," Kairi stated.
"Yeah, me too."
-----
After two hours of staring at the treeless scenery pass outside of the darkly tinted window of the black foreign sports car, Sora turned his attention to the front of the vehicle. Axel's eyes were watching him from the driver's seat.
"You feelin' okay?" Axel asked him.
"Yeah," Sora answered, his head hitting the back of the seat in front of him. He took his hands to his throat. It was extremely dry, a dull burning catching in his throat.
"You thirsty?" Axel questioned, noticing his actions.
"Yeah," Sora replied, "but I'm okay."
"Here," Roxas declared, holding out his wrist to him. "Drink."
Sora looked at his friend's offered wrist, unsure of what to doo. "Isn't it against Professor's doctrine to drink blood?"
"Human blood," Roxas answered. "It's fine if we drink each other's blood. We're not hurting any human by doing so."
"Do you guys…" he hesitated to ask, "you know…drink each other's blood then?"
"We can't," Axel responded. "Vampire blood is way too bitter for vampires or our ranking. It's nothing compared to human blood, but for you, who actually fought of the Renegade instinct for over a year, it might suffice."
"So here," Roxas offered, "drink 'til you're satisfied."
"Are you sure Roxas?" Sora questioned. "What if I can't control myself?"
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Axel stated.
The reassuring look in both their eyes calmed Sora. The burning was growing, slowly taking over his thoughts. He took Roxas' wrist and drew it to his mouth. Fangs bared, Sora placed his lips to Roxas' skin, closing his eyes. But when he tried to bite Roxas, something stopped him. His body wouldn't will him to drink Roxas' blood. It wouldn't will him to drink anyone's blood. Except for one person.
"What's the matter?" Roxas asked when Sora dropped his hand. "Aren't you thirsty?"
"Nah," he lied, the burning in his throat growing stronger. "I'll pass on this. I've survived this long without blood. I think I can manage this time."
Axel watched via rearview mirror and noted Sora's sudden change in mind. No vampire of his type could resist offered blood. Sora was different in that respect amongst others. Life's gonna get interesting.
"Axel-sama," Sora asked, "why are we seeing the High Council?" There was a hint of fear in his voice.
"Well, the Council knows about Kaito and his 'experiment.' Kaito first approached the Council when he wanted to test his theory. Most every member rejected the proposal. All of them but one."
"Who?"
"You're talkin' to him," Axel answered proudly. "I knew Kaito from his hunting days. He was an amazing hunter. Best in the land, but when he met Kairo, that changed. Everything changed.
"Anyway, back to why we're seein' the Council. Well, because I didn't reject, I volunteered to participate in his studies. The Council expects for me to keep them well informed about how everything is progressing. They also want to meet every vampire involved in this research. Roxas, Naminé, and Demyx all met the Council. Now, it's your turn."
"Oh," Sora said. He stared out the window again, his eyes restlessly watching the sky.
"Were you expecting something else?" Axel questioned.
"I…honestly didn't know what to expect," he replied. "But why is Roxas with us? You said that he already met the Council."
"He's here because he wants to be," Axel answered. "Roxas also wants to join you when you go hunting at night."
"Really?" Sora asked Roxas.
"Yeah," he responded. "I don't want something to happen to you. Not like last time. Besides, if a vampire of your status can track down Renegades, who's to say that a Noble can't?"
"We also have to report that too," Axel stated. "That you and Roxas have joined Kaito's hunting agency."
"I don't know how that'll fare with Xemnas," Roxas said. "Xemnas is the current head of the Council. He founded the Council in order to establish order for the vampire race. I think he has other intentions though."
"Yeah, he does like you don't know," Sora muttered under his breath, barely audible to his own ears.
"C'mon Roxas. Don't say that when the Council could be listening," Axel scolded, now looking at Roxas through the rearview mirror.
"Fine," Roxas answered, a grimace sitting on his face, "but I still don't trust him. Xemnas and his stupid prophecies."
"We're here," Axel announced, pulling up to a large white castle. "Be mindful of how you present yourself. The Council could kill you in a matter of seconds, so be careful."
Sora and Roxas followed their guardian as they proceed to the castle in front of them. It was brilliantly white with silver accents around the many minuscule windows. The walls appeared smooth, as if they were molded rather than built up from bricks. The surrounding area was void of any greenery, the landscape white the like the fortress that rested upon it. The top of the building seemed to disappear into the clouds, their outline faintly showing through the wispy white clouds against the pale blue sky. The only visible entrance was a fifteen foot door with a strange silver marking engraved on it. Sora reached out and touched the emblem, tracing the contours with his fingers.
"Familiar, isn't it?" Axel asked him, placing a friendly hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Yeah," he answered quietly, "it was the first thing that came to mind when I woke up as a vampire."
"It's the mark of our kind," Axel explained, waving his hand over the symbol. It glowed brightly for a few seconds and then the door opened. "Mark of Nobody. That's what we've come to know it as."
"Nobody?" Sora questioned. "Why the name nobody?"
"I'll explain later," he replied, walking into the darkened hallway. "Right now, we meet the Council."
The trio continued down the lightless hallway, travelling quite a distance before a faint light appeared. It was a comforting sign, the light, as it showed the path ahead of them. The continued until they entered a white room. The ceiling appeared to go on endlessly, just like the walls of the fortress. The room was void of furniture except for thirteen pillars.
"Is this where we're supposed to be?" Sora questioned, looking around the room for other people. "Where's the Council?"
"Look up," Roxas explained, pointing to the top of the pillars.
These pillars were not what they seemed because they were in fact chairs. Some were higher than others, determining rank, Sora supposed. Axel had taken his place amongst ten others, leaving two chairs blank.
"Why are there thirteen places when there are only eleven members?" Sora asked, looking around at the faces of the vampires around him.
"Those seats are for when Demyx and I join the High Council," he replied, indifferent to the fact he had a place already set of him. "They see potential in us. Can't wait to have us on the High Council."
"Roxas," a voice declared, brightly filling the quiet room, "how great to see ya. How've you been?"
"I've been okay," Roxas answered. "Thanks for asking, Xigbar."
"Won't be long now," Xigbar replied, "will it? When you and Demyx will be joinin' us. Speaking of which, where is the musical airhead anyway?"
"It's just me okay," he stated. "Me, Axel, and my friend, Sora."
"So," a female voice spoke, "this is the human friend that you didn't eat. I don't understand why you've befriended such a tasty-looking loser. Although, it seems that he's no longer human and one of us now. How lame."
"I'd be careful if I were you, Larxene," a third voice told her. "Seems that you've angered Roxas' friend. He looks ready for a fight."
"Shut up, Vexen!" Larxene snapped back. "What's the kid gonna do to me? Hunt me down like one of the Renegades? Boy, am I scared now."
Anger filled Sora's veins as Larxene's words reached the lower levels of the room. His fist clenched, he took a heated step forward, ready to fight.
"Don't do something that would put yourself at odds with them," Roxas advised, holding his arm across Sora's chest to hold him back. "They determine your fate as a vampire. Be careful."
"So this is the vampire with an incredibly strong will that can resist his Renegade instincts," a deep voice spoke from the highest chair. "That's impressive, Sora."
"Xemnas," Sora whispered spitefully under his breath.
"Yes, that is truly remarkable," someone else spoke, a slight applause in his voice.
"He's one of a kind, Luxord. He's also resisted offered blood," Axel explained. "You'd think after a year of fighting the urge, he'd gladly take up Roxas' offer, but he simply said no."
"That may be because he found someone to be his prey," Xemnas stated, looking down at the spiky haired teenager. "But that can't be the case now, can it?"
"Now," another person said, "why have you brought the two children before us today?"
"Well Saïx," Axel answered, "Sora had decided to cooperate with Professor Kaito's plan. And both of them have chosen to hunt Renegades."
"Hunt Renegades, huh?" Xemnas repeated, leaning forward slightly toward the young boys with intrigue in his eyes. "What a strange profession for you two to pursue. I don't see anything wrong with that. Does anyone object?"
The room remained silent as Xemnas reclined back into his seat. Sora and Roxas waited for someone to declare their discontent with the idea, but no one seemed to share that opinion. Roxas looked over at Larxene.
"What?" she retorted, questioning Roxas' accusing glare. "I'm not gonna say anything. I think I'll enjoy watching you trying to rough it out as a vampire hunter."
"So," Xemnas stated after a moment of silence, "there are no objections. It appears that you're both free to choose to do what your heart desires. I wish both of you the best of luck…Roxas…Sora." There was a silent maliciousness in his voice when he said that latter name.
A low growl escaped Sora's throat as he took a step toward the Council's Superior. He knew that tone of voice. It was the first thing he encountered in his life as a vampire.
"What about Sora?" Axel asked. "Is there any question to his residing with us at Kaito's clinic and participating in his studies?"
A door suddenly opened in the furthest corner of the room as Xemnas waved his hand. "I have no objections to that request, but I'd like to speak to Sora privately." He pointed to the open door. "May I?" he asked Axel.
"I don't see a problem with that," Axel answered.
"Good," Xemnas dropped from his chair, a fall of at least thirty feet. He landed softly on his feet, the heels of his shoes clicking on the ground. He proceeded to the door, stopping once to motion Sora to follow him. "Come, Sora. I'd like a word with you."
Roxas gave Sora a push to start him off. "Go. Don't deny him. He determines your fate. Don't get him on your bad side."
Slowly, Sora followed Xemnas into the other room, his eyes constantly scanning the area for any traps. As he walked through the door into the dimly lit room, Xemnas waved his arm and the door swiftly closed behind them. The single light began to flicker on…off…on…off…on and off continuously.
"You have an extremely strong will, Sora," Xemnas commented, circling around him, eyeing him like a prize. "It appears that I've made the right choice in turning you into a vampire." He leaned closely to Sora's ear. "Now all we have to do is make it so you'd do my will. How shall we do it?"
The main antagonist has now been introduced! What lies ahead for Sora and his friends? What is this will Xemnas has in store? Find out in the next chapter: Untold Truth