Disclaimer- I don't own Vampire Knight

Chapter 16

Dreaming

The entire house went dead quiet after Yuuki's exclamation and Reina could only nod and blink at the small girl, completely caught off guard by her words. It was Emiko who would break the silence that had fallen over everything, a small cry from the girl due to the sudden stop in her being rocked in the warmth of her mother's arms. The cry jolted Reina out of her stupor and she opened her mouth to speak, but it took a moment for her to actually formulate any words.

"Oh," was the first thing she was able to say and it didn't get much more impressive. "That's nice..."

"This is perhaps something that would be better discussed with just your brother, don't you think?" Ken said to Yuuki, making the girl blush in embarrassment but nod in agreement.

"Well then, why don't I prepare some tea and you two can wait in the parlor. I'll tell everyone else to go find something else to do," Midori suggested, fully breaking the strange atmosphere and ushering Ken and Yuuki into the parlor only to reappear after a moment behind a grumpy looking Shiki and a bored looking Rima as she shooed the couple from the room.

"Why don't we all go and watch a movie? Or at the very least spoil this little angel in my arms," Reina said, rubbing her nose against Emiko's and smiling at the laugh she got in return.

"Reina," Kaname called as she began to make her way down the hall.

"Hm?" She hummed as she turned around to see what he wanted from her and sighed when she saw the look he was giving her. "Hana?" she inquired over her shoulder.

"Yes, Reina," the boy chirped, popping his head out of the large room that housed the massive television.

"Would you do me a favor and look after Emi for a little while?"

"Of course."

Carefully and rather reluctantly handing Emiko to Hanabusa, Reina turned back to Kaname. After the events that had unfolded in the last month she was no longer quite as upset with Kaname, she wasn't even all that angry at Zero anymore. The two had overcome their differences and were responsible for creating what she could only hope was a lasting peace between them. Though she had gotten over most of her anger, she wasn't prepared for things to go back to being perfectly ok between them. Too much had happened and though she wanted to leave the past in the past, it wasn't something she found easy to do.

While she wasn't prepared for things to return to normal for them just yet, she knew that eventually they would and the thought was actually quite refreshing. She didn't want to be angry with him, she didn't want to hate him, she couldn't stand being cold towards him, but she had wanted to prove to him that she wasn't always going to forgive him after some kind words or gesture. She wanted to prove that she wasn't just a gullible child any longer and she had wanted him to know what sort of pain his actions caused others because he hadn't always cared and that wasn't fair to the many people who supported him.

Resolving to at least begin the process of healing their relationship, Reina shook her head at Kaname and smiled softly. "You can negotiate with a room full of Hunters all on your own, but discussing a possible wedding arrangement for you sister is something that you need help with?" She asked teasingly.

A small smile graced Kaname's features and it was so real that it nearly took Reina's breath away since it had been so long since she had seen him truly smile.

"It's either that or I go with my instincts and say no, but I'd like to see Yuuki happy. I just don't like the idea of-"

"Her belonging to someone else?" Reina cut in. "You're very possessive, Kaname. You always have been, but she will always be your sister and she will always love you, nothing can change that. I know you promised to protect Yuuki and that doesn't need to stop, but you need to keep an open mind about this. We don't need to go in there and make a decision now, but we should at least hear them out."

"You're right, we should, but I'm afraid being open minded in this situation will be rather difficult for me." Kaname replied with a light smile as he held an arm out to her.

"Which is why you asked me to come along, remember?" Reina stepped forward and took the arm that was being offered to her without any hesitation and she could almost feel the tension in Kaname drain away. "I still don't understand it," she said quietly, pausing before they were about to walk into the parlor.

"Understand what?"

"How you seem to relax so much when I'm near you."

"You're the only one to have that effect on me. You know me better than anyone and yet you still choose to be by my side. It's comforting."

Reina's head bowed slightly and she managed a small smile. "We've kept them waiting long enough, shall we go in?"

Instead of letting her step forward to push the doors open, Kaname held her back and gently tilted her chin upwards. She was surprised by this and could only stare up at him.

"What's wrong?" He asked. "I don't like that look that was in your eyes, you seemed so lonely."

"I...I wouldn't say I'm lonely, more like I remember how things used to be. Between us...and I miss that, but.."

"It's not the same anymore, I know," Kaname sighed. "There's no need to rush yourself, take all the time in the world to feel comfortable again. I won't be going anywhere." His fingers carefully tilted her chin just a bit further upward and he leaned to down to place a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth.

Reina's eyes widened and she unconsciously raised her hand to the spot that he had kissed and remained in a sort of daze as he led her into the parlor where Yuuki and Ken waited, sitting side by side on one of the couches. Taking a seat opposite them with Kaname, Reina reached for the tea that was set out on the table and poured each of them a cup in silence. Yuuki was trying her best to sit still, but she couldn't stop fidgeting and tugging on her clothes, Ken reached over and took one of her hands in his to help calm her. She turned a bright red and looked up at Kaname who wasn't looking at her, but at Ken and he looked to be studying the man very intently. The way Kaname was scrutinizing Ken made Yuuki nervous and her blush faded and she became rather pale, Reina looked up at the girl and seeing what she was looking at, glanced at Kaname.

It was obvious that he didn't trust Ken in his eyes and even though he was fairly relaxed, there was something protective and predatory about his current position. Knowing him as well as she did, Reina knew that he felt he had to keep Yuuki safe from anyone who might harm her at all. He didn't know Ken very well, it was only natural he be suspicious of him, but Reina trusted him and she was very happy for the two people across from them.

"Kaname," she began, resting her hand lightly on his and smiling. "Would you like some wine instead of tea? I would love a good glass of red wine, no offense to Cross, but his wine didn't suit my tastes."

Finally turning his gaze from Ken, his eyes softened as he looked at Reina. "A glass of wine would be nice, thank you, Reina."

"Of course, I'll be back in a moment. Would either of you like anything else?" She asked Yuuki and Ken as she stood from the couch.

"No, thank you," Yuuki replied.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Reina," Ken answered.

"I'll be back in a moment then," she said, disappearing through a partially hidden door in the north wall.

"It seems a lot happened while you were away," Ken observed. "Reina no longer appears upset with you, Kaname."

"You're right, a lot did happen while we were gone and there were many choices made and words said that were very hurtful to her, but in the end everything worked out. She still needs time though and I'm more than happy to be patient if that means I can see her smile for me again."

"Do you still love her, Kaname?" Yuuki asked innocently.

"I've always loved her," he sighed quietly. "It's hard not to fall in love with someone like Reina, she's far too beautiful, inside and out."

The side door creaked open and Reina walked in with two glasses of red wine, she glanced around the room and lifted a brow. "You were talking about me, weren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" Ken chuckled.

"Yes, you all looked guilty," Reina replied matter of factly. "Here you go," she said, handing Kaname a glass of wine before sitting back down and taking a small sip from her own glass. "Much better. Now, how about we discuss what we came in here to discuss. I have a beautiful little girl I want to get back to."

"Right, well as Yuuki said we would like to get married," Ken spoke up. "We would like Kaname's blessing since he is her brother and guardian. I know that this is very sudden and we aren't asking to be married tomorrow or even in the next several months. We are willing to wait as long as you would like us to."

"Why should I agree to let Yuuki marry someone that comes from a family as twisted as yours? I'm aware that you have been basically disowned and do not want to be a part of that world, but you are who you are and you're a Takamora. Yuuki is a Kuran, a pureblood of the highest caliber. While you are a pureblood yourself, your bloodline cannot rival our own, or even Reina's."

"Kaname," Reina cut in. "I understand that you don't think highly of Ken's family, but as you said yourself, he is no longer a part of that family and he's not like them. He has proven-"

"It's alright, Reina," Ken stated. "I don't mind him voicing his opinions of my family. My blood may not be of the highest quality, but even he can't deny that I am a pureblood and while my blood is one thing, I love Yuuki and would never let anyone in my family near her."

"You say you love her, you've known her for only a few months," Kaname pointed out.

"Sometimes it only takes a day, Kaname, you should know that," Reina said. "We may have been children, but I fell in love with you the first time I met you. Wasn't it the same for you?"

"Yes, but I didn't have much choice when you smiled at me and then proceeded to tug me in to the snow," Kaname replied.

Reina chuckled behind her wine glass. "Well, can you blame me? I never got to go outside before that and had never been in the snow and I had to stand still like a good little girl while you pulled into the drive. It was very difficult."

"I know, your father had to keep a hand on your shoulder to keep you from bolting to the car when we pulled up."

She laughed again, but didn't say anything, Kaname was relaxing now and was no longer dead set on saying no to Ken and Yuuki's engagement. He wasn't quite ready to say yes yet either though. She knew it would take a bit of talking, but she was sure she could get Kaname to agree to the engagement. She was actually extremely excited about the prospect of the two getting married, she had thought they would make a cute couple since they had first met the fateful day that Rido was killed. They both were very kind and while Yuuki was shy and quiet, Ken was rather sociable and forward. Not to mention they just looked good beside one another.

The discussion progressed slowly, but after a little over an hour it was decided that Yuuki and Ken's engagement would be allowed. The arrangements for the wedding would be allowed to begin in two years, a few months after Yuuki's eighteenth birthday. During that time they would both remain at Reina's manor with everyone else. Should anything happen that made Kaname feel the match wasn't suitable then he would voice that opinion and call off the wedding. After the two years was up the arrangements could begin and a date could be set for the wedding.

"Since that's decided, congratulations, but I'd like to go and see my daughter now," Reina hopped from the couch and happily danced from the room.

One year passed quickly for everyone. Yuuki, Ken, Reina, and Emiko were the only ones to remain at the manor the entire time. Everyone else was venturing off to reunite with family members and Kaname was in the process of creating a new Council in place of the one he had ended rather harshly and abruptly. The Aido's, Souen's and Kain's were all families that were to be included on the new Council as well as several other high ranked and trusted families from around the world.

At the moment the only ones in the manor were Yuuki, Ken, Reina and Emiko. Hanabusa and Kain were expected back that night with Kaname, but as of yet there was no sign of the three men. The four were gathered in the library, Reina was reading a pop up picture book to Emiko while Yuuki and Ken looked over an array of wedding magazines. They might still have to wait at least another year before getting married, but Yuuki was ecstatic and wanted to know all of her options and she highly doubted that Kaname would have any objections to the match. He hadn't so far.

The date hadn't yet been decided but it was likely going to be in the fall or early winter. It wouldn't be too cold yet, but the skies wouldn't be quite so bright. The wedding itself would be outside and the reception could be held in the ballroom downstairs. The guest list was going to be small, only their closest friends and a select few others from high ranking noble families.

Reina was about to flip a page in the book when she hummed and looked towards the door. "They're home," she said quietly.

"I can't even sense them yet, are you sure?" Ken asked.

"Yes, my senses have become more reliable, I'm used to them now. I doubted them before or ignored them because I wasn't used to how strong they were, but I've begun to realize they aren't wrong and I should trust myself more."

"The after effects of having to put your vampiric side to 'sleep' lasted longer than I expected, but you're also a lot stronger than you were before. I suppose how you remember yourself and how you feel now make it difficult to gauge your own abilities," Ken replied.

Reina sighed and shrugged. "You're right, which is why I doubted myself so much, but I can't grow stronger if I continue doubting myself which means I can't protect this little girl," she smiled and tickled Emiko's sides, letting the toddler's giggles fill the room. "Uncle Hana's almost here, would you like to go and see him?"

Emiko squealed something that sounded like "Hana" and laughed happily before beginning to push herself up from the floor only to fall on to her butt again. A frown pulled at the young girl's lips and she tried to stand again, she managed to make it to her feet and take a few steps towards the door before plopping back down on to her butt and crying out unhappily.

Shaking her head, Reina stood up and walked to Emiko, leaning over the girl who held her hands out to her, she smiled and took the small hands in hers. Instead of lifting the girl from the ground, Reina helped Emiko to stand and then to steady her as she walked with shaky footsteps on her tiny feet.

By the time the pair had reached the entrance hall the car had pulled into the drive and the occupants were getting out of the sleek black vehicle. Reina stood off to the side of the door and kept her daughter's hands in her own as they waited for the door to open. As soon as it did Emiko broke free of her mother's grasp and waddled as quickly as she could towards it.

It was strange, at first Reina was laughing at the cute child and then a sudden feeling of fear washed over her and everything seemed to slow down. The door continued to open and slowly a body began to come into view and hands reached for Emiko, the fear in her built to the point that she could no longer ignore it and she moved without realizing it. Scooping the child up and into her arms, she held her fiercely to her chest before the other set of hands could touch her. The child's laughter stopped and was replaced by a startled cry that turned into a shower of tears and sniffles.

"Reina?"

Startled by the sound of her name, Reina's eyes widened and she looked up to see Hanabusa looking worriedly at her, Kaname was right behind him and he stepped around the blond to approach Reina. Her hands tightened on Emiko again as she glanced at the three men in the doorway that were all looking at her with concern, she blinked to try and clear her head. Her grasp loosened on Emiko and she couldn't even speak as the child was taken from her arms by Hanabusa after a word from Kaname.

Putting his hand on Reina's shoulder, Kaname steered her to a small, private sitting room in the back of the house just off of the dining room. She was so pliant that it didn't take much to guide her into a chair and crouch down in front of her. In the time that had past since returning home from the meetings with the Hunter's Association she had begun to trust him more and more again and at times it was almost like things between them had never turned sour. At other times, Reina was reminded that things had gone sour between them, that Kaname could be controlling and manipulative and callus despite the sugar coated words that he spouted.

"Reina?" He asked quietly, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "What happened?"

She shook her head, opening her mouth to speak but finding no words and shaking her head again as she closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath she reopened her eyes and tried to speak again. "I... I don't know. One moment everything was normal and I was laughing at Emiko as she ran and then this intense feeling of fear overcame me. I knew who was outside, but I couldn't stop myself from moving to protect Emi even though there was no reason to. I just felt like she was in danger as the door opened and Hana reached out to her."

"No one here would ever harm her."

"I know that, but it's like I wasn't in control of my own actions. It was like a dream almost, it felt so strange."

"Are you alright?" Kaname asked after a moment's silence.

She nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."

Kaname continued to study her, she was clearly shaken by what had happened and she looked tired as she stared at her hands that she had rested in her lap.

"Perhaps you should get some rest, Aido can look after Emiko for now," he said as he stood up and pushed some of her hair from her face. "I'll take you to your room."

"There's only so much I can do, Kaname, but over time everything I do will become ineffective."

Kaname looked up at Ken from the messy papers that covered the bulky wooden desk in the office. "She's been having dreams of Takuma every few months, in every one of those, he either tries to kill her and Emiko or threatens to do so. If these are just dreams then they could be dismissed as such, but the chances of these being just simple dreams are..."

"Very low," Ken filled in as Kaname trailed off. "My father has always liked to torment people from afar, the dreams are too like him. Besides, Reina knows that Takuma would never hurt her or Emiko and she knows that he would never blame her for what happened to him. There's no reason why she would dream up these scenarios."

"She remembers each one, doesn't she?"

"Yes, very vividly in fact," Ken replied grimly, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair and propping his cheek up on his fist.

"The ones she was having while attending the Academy, she didn't usually remember those, so why does she remember these?" Kaname inquired.

"I was the one responsible for most of those and I made her forget, she wasn't understanding what I was trying to show her and she was usually awoken before the dream could finish anyway. I was interrupted a few times myself, the time she attacked you and Ichijo was one of those times, Michael decided to take matters into his own hands and that's when everything went wrong."

"Those dreams were warnings, we know that now, but she realized it too late," Kaname said. "These dreams are not warnings."

Ken sighed heavily. "It depends on how you look at it."

His words piqued Kaname's interest and the brown haired man leaned back into the dark leather chair and crossed his legs. "I suppose it does, but if Takuma is dead then what are the dreams warning her of? That she and Emiko are in danger because of him?"

"Are you certain that Takuma Ichijo is dead? Do you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that he didn't survive that day two years ago?"

Kaname eyed Ken for a moment before heaving a sigh of his own. "No."