I can't believe it! This story has reached 100 reviews! O.O Incredible, I never thought it would ever do as well as this! A HUGE thank you to every single person who reviewed, I did try to get back to you all and I only wish that I could contact the anonymous reviewers to reply to all of your comments! Congratulations to 'person', who was the 100th reviewer! Unfortunately an anonymous but... yeah. Perhaps I'll make a special segment on the last chapter to thank every single anonymous reviewer...

And, of course, to those of you who diligently leave me a review every single chapter... I start smiling when I see your names.

Another bit of big news... THERE IS NOW FANART FOR THIS STORY! It's an amazing piece of work done by fallenangelx22x. The link is on my profile so please go check it out and leave her a comment. She definitely deserves it.

Now... enjoy the chapter!

Title: Logging off Life (Chapter 10)

Author: MeteorLeopard (HoneyBadger)

Yori had slept now for a few hours straight, not even stirring when Aidou moved to sit back in his chair, knowing that her neck would seize up if she continued to lie on his lap for much longer. But that wasn't to say that he stopped touching her. No. He could not bring himself to part contact with her for any given amount of time. He allowed his fingers to skim along her arms and their tips to trace her features. His hands held onto her at all times; her hand, her hair, trailing down her side…

He could not let go of her.

The doctors came to check up on her twice now and left silently. Aidou knew what they weren't telling him; he could hear Yori's weakening heart becoming sluggish and hard. He ignored the fact that he desperately needed sleep and that the harsh sunlight from the window was hurting his eyes. He'd be damned if he allowed himself to sleep away the last few hours of Yori's life.

When the door slid open, Aidou was expecting his cousin but surprise coloured his face as he recognised a second person entering the room silently behind the tall noble. Aidou's head snapped around to lock eyes with the pureblood leader, Kaname.

"Kaname-sama…" Aidou trailed off as the two new vampires made their way over to the bed. Kain's eyes flickered briefly to where Aidou's fingers were pressed against Yori's cheek.

Sighing, the taller noble pulled a small box from his pocket, handing it to Aidou. "Your blood tablets. Figured that being in a hospital full of disinfectants and blood would make you edgy."

Aidou stared at the container for a moment. It was true that the hospital had a disgusting smell to him that burned his nose when he breathed too sharply and also that the pungent disinfectants couldn't quite mask the scent of blood, but up until Kain brought up the topic of the bloody undercurrent smell, the blonde had been entirely unfocused on it. Now though he could feel his throat constrict and he reached for the pill box, looking around for a glass of water. Finding none, Aidou reluctantly stood and removed his hand from Yori.

Before he headed from the room to find some water though to dissolve the disgusting white tablets in (they burned and irritated him too much if he were to just swallow them as they were) he turned towards the second vampire in the room. "Forgive my impertinence, Kaname-sama, but exactly why are you here? In the daylight and all…"

Kaname redirected his gaze, which had until this point been trained intensely on the girl lying in the bed, onto Aidou. "The Chairman sent me in his stead," Kaname lied smoothly. "He is staying behind at the school for a while yet to appease Yuuki. He decided that it would be best for her to remain absent for the next… event."

Aidou stiffened. So Kaname believed that Yori was going to die too. And the Chairman agreed with that as well and as such was keeping Yuuki at school so that she wouldn't have to witness her best friend's death. Even to Aidou, the logic was painfully cruel.

Kaname averted his eyes back to the slumbering human and Aidou felt something within himself twist. "You may leave, Aidou," Kaname said. "I shall ensure that no harm befalls her during your absence."

Aidou's eyes widened. Why did Kaname suddenly care for Yori's wellbeing? Was it because she was Yuuki's friend and he didn't want to see Yuuki upset? But could that be it?

The noble wasn't stupid; Kaname's politely worded assurance was a subtle yet definite dismissal so, pushing all thoughts of motives aside, Aidou bowed once and walked to the door, each step seeming much too far away from Yori for his liking. He cast a short glance at her through the door before Kain slid it closed, shutting them out of the room. The two cousins walked the hallway and headed towards the cafeteria. Perhaps they could find a glass of water there to dissolve the blood tablets in.

They walked in depressive silence, each lost in their own thoughts. At last Aidou lifted his head a little, speaking in a hoarse and strained voice his thoughts that had been weighing him down now for a while. "You know, Akatsuki…"

Kain shifted his eyes to his cousin.

"It's weird for me to say but… you were right." Aidou allowed himself a humourless and bitter chuckle. "It is dangerous… getting attached to a human." He slumped again, fingers closing tightly around the pill box containing the vital blood pills that he needed for sustenance as a vampire. He looked defeated.

Kain never felt more wretched for speaking a truth in his entire existence.

The moment that Kaname was certain the two cousins could no longer hear him, he moved over to the bed. Even up close Kaname could not quite see the draw that the noble had towards this girl. She was plain, if a bit pale; frail and petite as some might call it and, right at this moment, completely worn down and drained. Kaname could almost see the life being sapped from her at that very moment and, even though he held no interest in the girl, it seemed a shame that she would die.

"Wakaba-san," he said steadily, placing an icy hand upon her forehead. "Wake."

The girl's eyes fluttered open from his ominous presence. She frowned a little, blinking in the light. Kaname removed his hand and waited for her to gain her bearings. He had time; Kain was to stall the blonde for a while.

"Kaname-senpai?" The human's voice was raspy and utterly weak.

"How are you feeling, Wakaba-san?" he asked.

She turned her head slightly, as though looking for something. "Mostly awake," she told him. "Too tired to feel much else." She blinked into the light of the window, turning her eyes about the room. "Where… where's Hanabusa?"

That the human girl would call Aidou by his first name was unexpected, though if he called her by her nickname then Kaname supposed he should have seen this coming. Apparently the two were a little closer than he had first assumed. Perhaps he could use that bond to his (and Aidou's) advantage. "Outside," he said, "dealing with your condition by speaking to his cousin."

As he predicted, hurt flashed across the girl's face. Good.

"Is he… okay?"

Her hopeful question gave Kaname the perfect opportunity to move in and drive her further into a corner. "No."

Yori flinched upon hearing the harsh, single syllable but Kaname didn't let up just yet and continued, "It is more than apparent that, should you die, he will be devastated. Possibly, the loss he will suffer could cause an adverse reaction in him, the extent of which will be unknown."

So it was low and deceitful and utterly dirty what he was forcing the girl into but if guilting her into agreeing meant saving Yuuki and Aidou from utter heartbreak and complete shutdown, then Kaname didn't care how far he had to push this girl.

Yori blanched, the remaining colour draining from her cheeks. Kaname observed her reactions carefully. She appeared more concerned about Aidou's mental welfare than she did for her own survival.

"Wakaba-san," he continued to push, "are you aware of the nature of the Night Class?"

A slight nod of her head and the knowing edge to her eyes told him that she knew. Or that she knew the barest of details at least. It would save him some trouble. Kaname kept his voice low and threatening, driving home the severity of his words. "Your heart failure is inevitable and both Yuuki and Aidou will be torn beyond repair by your death."

The girl turned her head away, blinking rapidly. No doubt she was envisioning their reactions to the doctor's announcement of her own death. As kind as she was, her friend's conditions were more important to her than her own and would result in her feeling guilty about dying. This was where he had to strike; in this fear and this guilt. And so he worded his next sentence very carefully. He had to strike. "I can offer you a way out, Wakaba-san."

And he did. His words had more impact on the sniffling girl than he thought they would. Her face lit up in hopeful disbelief and her eyes shone with the glimmer of knowledge that she could help Aidou and Yuuki.

That glimmer dimmed though as she understood his meaning. The girl's hand wandered towards her neck as it dawned on her that he wasn't referring to a special medical treatment to cure her condition. Her breathing hitched and she blinked a few times rapidly, her teeth worrying at her lower lip. "I… I need to think about this."

Kaname nodded. "Of course." He headed towards the door, back straight and composed. He'd mentally driven the girl into a corner and left her with only one option. She was headstrong, from what Yuuki had told him, and perhaps she would manage to break free of his psychological cage. He had to make sure that she didn't.

He stopped then and turned his head to speak over his shoulder, driving the last nail into the metaphorical coffin. "Your heart will hold out for only another two hours, Wakaba-san."

The door closed behind him.

It was a mere few minutes later that Aidou entered the room again, his blood tables safely swallowed and his need to feed heartily silenced. Even the underlying smell of blood beneath the disgusting cleaning detergents could not trigger a response in him as his thoughts locked onto the girl currently sitting, awake, in her bed, the cushions propped up behind her and her vacant gaze fixed on the wall, her brows furrowed in a way that made him concerned for her.

He gently took her hand. "Yori?" She didn't respond and he tensed a little. "Oi, Yori, answer."

Her eyes flickered and finally swayed towards him. They were wide and questioning, like a frightened animal that had been shepherded along a single path and, even though it knew this, could not seem to break away.

He didn't like that look in her eyes. She should be defiant and proud; not submissive and obedient. She was frightened, he could tell, yet her mouth remained in a harsh line. Whatever the reason for her terror, he wanted to tear it apart.

He took a seat on the bed beside her and placed his hands on her shoulders, making her face him. Silently he questioned her and she stared back at him for a while, her eyes large and vulnerable. "Hanabusa…" her voice whispered. Tenderly, he smoothed her hair back behind her ear. A small smile spread over her face. "Did you know that I've always wanted to go see the wax museum in London?"

Her seemingly random words threw him for a moment, though he recovered relatively fast. "Madame Toussaude's?"

Yori nodded, staring past him. "I always wanted to go there in a big crowd and see if I could tell the wax people apart from the real ones around them. Sora went a few years ago and showed me some pictures. The models there all look so picture perfect it's stunning; and they never change either." Her deep eyes turned on Aidou then. "You know, Hanabusa, when I first saw you I thought you were one of those wax models. Very perfect…"

He didn't know how to reply to that statement.

"I wanted to take Yuuki along too; she would have loved it I think. Either that or she would have been terrified of their eyes watching her all the time."

Her talk was beginning to scare him. Yori wasn't normally so reminiscent. Was she… frightened? Aidou's eyes widened as he realised what trail of thought she was following. She was telling him of all the things that she still wanted to do and wasn't going to get the chance to. Because of being out in the cold at night without him sending her back inside into the warm. Because of him.

But her eyes were clear now and bright and he was confused by this. If she was regretting things… then why wasn't she blaming him? Instead she looked at him with that same breathtaking spark of sheer and utter determination in her eyes.

"Yuuki's my best friend. I can't die yet. If I did who would she ramble on to about inane things?" Aidou's throat tightened as he watched the fire in her eyes and heard her fierce words ringing in his ears. "And, Hanabusa…" she smiled. "I can't lose you yet either."

Aidou kept silent, his lips slightly parted. How could he respond to her? Her smile remained set on her face and, on impulse, he leant forward, pressing his lips tightly against hers. The kiss was nothing like the one Yori had passed to him in the library window. It was not brief nor soft nor gentle. Aidou's hands gripped onto Yori so tightly that he near-bruised the delicate flesh of her arms. He could not let go of her for he feared she'd disappear.

At some point Yori raised her own arms to hold around his neck and he supported her face between his palms, steadying her and pressing against her lips more desperately. Warm, wet tears slid down Yori's cheeks and onto his fingers. Shaking, he pulled away far enough to look back into her eyes. His breath caught as her shimmering tears magnified her resolve.

"And that's why…" she began, "I can't die yet."

Aidou stared at her. Her determination was admirable; breathtaking even. But was she going to battle her failing heart with sheer force of will? Releasing his tight hold on her he drew his arms around her instead, pulling her against his chest and burying his face in the crook of her neck.

If Yori was determined not to lose… then he could only help her as much as he could, even if it resulted in more heartbreak for himself later.

"Yori."

Her hands gripped onto the back of his shirt tightly when he spoke. They sat still for a while, merely absorbing the other's presence.

It was much too soon when the door slid open again and Kain stepped into the room. "Hanabusa," he spoke softly, hating to interrupt his cousin's time with the precious girl. "The Chairman has sent for you."

For a while there was no response and then Aidou turned his head a little, casting his cousin a glance, still embracing Yori. "Tell him to wait."

Kain sighed. "I'm sorry Hanabusa. Kaname himself has ordered you to come should you not heed the Chairman's words."

Grimacing, Aidou reluctantly released his hold on Yori. He wanted nothing more than to disobey Kaname and remain with Yori but that wasn't an option. Standing and laying Yori on her back, her pulled the sheet further over her and touching a hand to her cheek as she watched him. "I'll make it short," he told her.

Yori nodded as he followed his cousin from the room, the door shutting behind them. She closed her eyes and let out a deep, tensed breath. Opening her eyes she focused on the plain white ceiling above her. Remembering what she was about to do she could not help but feel nervous. What would it be like? Would it take long? Was it painful?

She shook her head, reminded that she was not doing this only for herself. She was also taking this step for Yuuki and for Hanabusa.

She took another deep breath and released it steadily, raising her voice a little. "Kaname-senpai."

Almost immediately the door opened, making Yori wonder if he had been standing right outside it. He approached her bed at an even pace and stopped a few steps away, eyes unreadable.

"Please," she said.

Kaname's expression did not change. "Are you certain, Wakaba?"

Yori steeled herself. "Yes."

Aidou had been about ready to rip the Chairman's head off for calling him out on such a trivial matter when he heard Yori's heart stop.

And then pick up again at thrice its normal speed.

"Shit."

Dashing from the room and disregarding the man's loud protests for the blonde to come back, Aidou ran through the halls, dodging nurses and visitors, leaving them behind before they could ask questions or follow him. Yori's words echoed in his head and he grimaced. So that's what she meant! Damn it!

Slamming Yori's door wide open, he froze for only a moment as the scent of Yori's blood hit him full force. The sight made the knot of dread in his stomach unravel into a spitting snake of possessive fury. Kaname was just pulling away from Yori's neck, her blood staining the pureblood's lips.

The growl had slipped between his teeth before he knew it and Kaname stepped away, anticipating Aidou's lunge, driving the taller pureblood away from the frail girl on the bed.

"Yori!" Even in his own crazed state his voice sounded frantic. "Dammit Yori! What were you thinking?"

Her pale face was drawn and the light in her unfocused eyes was fading quickly. A shaky hand reached out towards his face. Her blue lips whispered hoarsely, "…lose you…"

Her words were a stab to the gut.

Kaname stepped up behind Aidou then and the blonde noble stiffened, whirling around and spreading an arm between Yori and Kaname.

"Aidou," the pureblood spoke calmly. He knew the protective instinct that had reared up in Aidou was strong enough to blur all lines of respect and that coherent thought was a far cry from the frantic state that Aidou had been dived into and thus Kaname kept his tone appeasing. He chose his words carefully so as not to aggravate the blonde further. Striking him down would not be a good option at this point. "It would be in Wakaba-san's best interest that she receives the blood of her creator before she reverts to a Level E."

Aidou remained perfectly still, muscles tensed as the haze drained from his system. The protective instinct was still rearing within him but within reason now. He could register that Kaname-sama was right; Yori needed the blood now.

With great reluctance, and never relinquishing Yori's hand, Aidou stepped aside and lowered his arm.

Kaname stepped forward briskly and slid a fang across his wrist, swiftly pressing the bleeding cut against Yori's gasping mouth. Aidou narrowed his eyes, irrational jealousy flaring up again and gnawing at the heaving restraints he'd set up around it.

Yori gagged against the red liquid at first, repulsed by the metallic taste, but as the first bit trickled down her throat she stilled and began to swallow voluntarily.

Kaname allowed her what she needed and then pulled his wrist away, sealing it up again and stepping back, allowing Aidou to resume his place at her side. The blonde's eyes were wide and staring as he looked down at her heaving form.

Yori's eyes snapped open and flashed red for an instant, startling Aidou. She coughed, grimacing, and then sat up, doubling over and holding two hands against her throat, scrunching her eyes closed against the burn.

Aidou recognised the signs of thirst and hastily released her hand, pulling out the pill box Kain had given him and dumping the rest of the tablets into a glass of water from the basin and pressing it against her lips, urging her to drink it. A few drops trickled down her chin in her haste to swallow the liquid once she realised that, despite its horrid taste, it soothed the burning in her throat.

Once the glass was emptied of the red liquid, Aidou set it down again, instead holding onto her shoulders.

"Yori?" he asked, wanting to know if she was alright.

Slowly her head turned towards him and her eyes were so bright that the weight lifted from his shoulders.

"H…Hanabusa?" She sounded a little confused but Aidou still felt relief. Promptly he pressed her against him and encircled her in his arms, holding onto her tightly. He was still in partial shock as to what had just happened and could not quite bring himself to believe that Yori was now… that Yori was not a human anymore.

That Yori was a vampire. Just like him.

Absently the thought about the large number of blood tablets in the box that Kain had given him arose and he wondered if his cousin had known about this. Had Kaname-sama planned it from the beginning? He dismissed the thoughts though and focused instead on holding onto Yori, who was not dead.

Yori was alive.

Well, as alive as a vampire could be.

And with that, another problem arose. Since she was now undead and therefore couldn't die because of her heart condition and was now miraculously cured… what would the doctors say?

Kaname spoke then, as if on cue. "Aidou, I'll have the details sorted and taken care of. As of this moment Wakaba Sayori no longer exists."

The blonde turned his head to glance at his pureblood leader. He remembered then how he had reacted in the face of seeing Kaname so… close to Yori. He lowered his gaze to the floor. The jealousy was still there but he controlled it now. "Kaname-sama…"

"Do not mind it, Aidou," Kaname answered. "Instinct took over. We shall not speak of this again."

Aidou's eyes widened, understanding, before he nodded, still holding onto Yori. "Yes, Kaname-sama."

The door opened then and Aidou pulled slowly away from Yori to look at the new entrants. Kain and the Chairman closed the door behind them, taking care to be quiet and not draw the attention of the nurses.

The Chairman sent a gentle smile towards Yori, which she returned. "Ready to go, Yori-chan?"

She nodded and Aidou helped her up. He frowned then, thinking of something. "So… how do we get out of here without the nurses kicking up a fuss about Yori leaving?"

Chairman sighed and crossed his arms. "Through the window I'm afraid. Once we're back at Cross Academy we can get to modifying the memories, tweaking the paperwork and computer records and producing a new ID for Yori-chan."

The Chairman walked across the room, pulling the window open and glancing back over his shoulder. "Or rather, Cross Yori."

A/N: Now, how many of you saw that coming? Probably a lot of you. While this is, officially, the end of the story, I shall be posting an epilogue to this to wrap up any loose ends. So next Wednesday it's all over... I could cry!

Please check out the picture!