Disclaimer: Welcome to the second part of my Block Updating mission! Even thought I'm currently feeling a bit down, I will try my best to make a great chapter!! Yeah!
Innerself: (sigh) Do I have to remind you again??
Me: …Uh…
Innerself: This is a DIS---
Me: I do not own Vampire Knight!! However, I do own copies of the awesome omake pages from the novel where Kaname admits he is both a sadist and a masochist!! (lol)
Innerself: Congratulations. You have now graduated from bumbling writer to great spoiler. T.T
Me: YAY!!
Ok, ok…enough conversations with myself (--??--), time to get cracking again!!
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The intense glare of the afternoon sun had faded, leaving only a faint warmth in the surroundings. Still, the ground seemed to have absorbed most of the heat, making it almost impossible to sit on the nearby outdoor benches in Cross Academy. The stored heat had made a little warm haze spread through the school. It was almost like it was summer, though it was actually autumn now.
Damn global warming.
Yuuki fanned herself with her notebook, all the while glancing out the window. She had asked Mikoto to switch places with her since she reasoned she was looking for someone…though the fact that it was a bit cooler near the window was also an accounted reason.
'Zero….where are you?? You're missing class!!'
The brunette pouted, now fully ignoring the teacher in front and gazing at the grounds. It was so unlike Zero to miss class, even though he did look like the 'rebel' kind. He cared enough for his education, and he was pretty good at getting it too, seeing as he didn't have a failing mark in any subject….unlike Yuuki.
Yuuki sighed. These past few days, Zero had been even more distant than before but she had the feeling it wasn't that 'bad' sort of distant. It wasn't definitely that 'I'm-gonna-commit-suicide' sort of distant, and Yuuki was thankful for that. In fact, from the funny change in aura she sensed coming from the silver-haired boy, she would have guessed that he was happily preoccupied with something…
…Almost like he was in love, or something.
Well, that was even better! Now, Zero can focus his energy in a more positive outlet!
She'd always cared so much for the boy. He was her best friend, and she had always wanted the best fro him. Sure, there was a time when Yuuki thought she had somewhat fallen for the boy, but crushes come and go. Now, only a strong sense of friendship remained…and an even stronger 'sister-like' instinct for her adorable 'brother'.
Once, Headmaster Cross had joked that Yuuki acted more like the older of the two. Well, it seems it was kind of true…
Wait. Where was she?
Oh yeah--
Zero in love!
'Hm…I wonder who the lucky girl is…'
"YUUKI CROSS!!!"
"HAI!"
The lithe brunette stood up as her name was hollered. She had expected a piece of chalk to hit her in the forehead, but what hit her was something worse- an actual class question.
Their teacher twitched, obviously intent on making the girl focus, or at least learn her lesson about daydreaming in class, "Since you seem to have memorized the lesson, please explain to the class what the different types of algebraic functions are!!"
Yuuki felt a lump in her throat, "F-Function…?"
She glanced at Yori, who was desperately trying to tell her the answer. But Yuuki was too far now, and her mind was in a jumble.
"Uh…like…Mal…function…?"
The whole class burst out laughing, but their teacher only got angrier.
"MISS YUUKI CROSS, I would not want to see you daydreaming in this class again! Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!"
Totally pink from her blunder, Yuuki saved a last glance out the window.
Looks like she'll have to figure out who Zero's crush is later on. There were more urgent things at hand-
"YUUKI CROSS!! ARE YOU DAYDREAMING AGAIN???"
"NO SIR!!"
"Then what are you doing staring out the window like that??"
"Uh…"
Just in the nick of time, two bluebirds (-guess who?-) perched on the branch near her window. A light bulb flashed in Yuuki's head.
"Uh, I was just watching these fascinating species of birds." The brunette smirked inwardly. She knew their algebra teacher was a total bird fanatic. He often rambled on and on about his various bird watching 'expeditions' and bored the class half to death. At least at those rare times he actually spared the class a math lesson that would surely bore them to death.
As expected, their teacher went to the window, "Ah! Fantastic specimens of bluebirds!!"
He glanced back at the class with the air of the utmost bird expert, his large nose sticking up into the air.
The class knew what that pose meant.
"This reminds me of that time I went to the Amazon rainforest to look for this extremely rare specie of bird that had the most beautiful blue plumage…."
The class groaned. Not another one.
"Ah, just look at those lovely birds, nuzzling up to each other like that. Birds are also very affectionate animals. Why, this one time I had this pet bird. He was a parrot and I named him Harry and he…Wait. Something seems to be off here…"
Curious, the teacher walked closer to the window. All eyes were on the window and the two birds now.
"My word! This is definitely strange!"
Yuuki blinked, "What's so strange about them, sir?"
Their teacher turned back to the class, a most thoughtful look on his face, "Well, those two birds certainly are together. Just from looking at them, you could tell they were partners. But…it's strange…that they're the same gender."
A voice piped up from behind the class, "You mean they're, like, GAY, sir??"
A few chuckles sounded, but the teacher looked all the more convinced. "Perhaps I should try to catch them and study them better…"
Another voice piped in, "Should I get your net, sir?"
This was answered by a nod, and the class was sent into a little flurry- a bird catching flurry, that is.
Yuuki couldn't believe all the fuss going on. Their math class had clearly been completely forgotten.
Yori nudged her, smiling, "You should use bird excuses more often. They seem to bring extremely good luck."
The brunette sweatdropped. "Yeah, I guess… Now if only I can find Zero…I sure hope he's not getting into any trouble."
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(Kaname's Room)
The pale figure stood out, strikingly beautiful against the deep crimson covers of the large canopied bed. Silky silver strands splayed over the silky maroon pillow almost looked like gentle moon rays stolen from heaven…and probably never to be returned to that place ever again. The milky chest heaved up and down, lost in deep slumber.
Kaname smirked, now having full permission to gaze at the boy beside him. He never could do that whenever they saw each other during transition time. It would cause trouble and a couple of rather nasty suspicions…but now that Zero was sleeping, no knowledge whatsoever of what is happening--
Hold on.
Zero was unconscious.
Dead to the waking world.
…
A devilish look crossed Kaname's face. He suddenly remembered that boy's love manga that Ichijou had lent him. Okay, so maybe he didn't actually lend it to him. Kaname sort of… 'borrowed' it from his room. He returned it anyway! Besides, what were those kind of 'inappropriate' manga doing in Ichijou's room in the first place? The blonde should have known that Kaname would go snooping around and find them.
Long story short- it wasn't Kaname's fault that he found that manga and read it.
But anyway…
The brunette leaned in closer to the sleeping figure beside him.
Even though the memory is still a bit hazy, Kaname somewhat knew that Zero had done a responsible and thoughtful thing. And if the minor buzz from the back of his head was any indication, he might have suffered devastating scenarios if Zero hadn't come by.
…
But the question still remained: What was Zero doing in the Moon Dorms?? As far as Kaname remembered, there were no inspections to be done today, or for this month, for that matter…
…
'Maybe Zero just wanted to see him.'
Kaname chuckled. It was fun daydreaming this way, especially when the object of his secret affection was beside him, unconscious but still there.
'Secret affection', you ask?
Well, yes. It was the only logical thing he can come up with, what with all his thoughts often straying to the hunter. Sure, Kaname loved Yuuki dearly…but what he felt for Zero was a completely different thing. He was…brotherly, at most, with his feelings for Yuuki. With Zero…well, let's just say he'd experienced a lot of 'strange' dreams and awkward but entertaining thoughts whenever the silver-haired boy was concerned.
And the fact that his dentist did NOT drug him meant only one thing…
…He was in love with this beautiful boy.
…
The brunette sighed. He'd almost forgotten about his…predicament.
He stood up from his bed and got hold of a hand mirror, the black bathrobe he had on swishing elegantly. When he examined his teeth, he was at least a bit thankful that the braces were barely noticeable…well, except when the sun or any other light hits it and Kaname is bound to literally blind anyone with his smile.
He poked a part of it, wincing a bit at the sharp pain.
'Okay, so maybe he should stop poking these things. It's really not worth it.'
"…Kaname…?"
The pureblood blinked and looked at the source of the voice.
Zero was awake now, groggily trying to sit up.
If Kaname hadn't known better, he would have thought this scene reminded him so much of an 'aftermath' scene…like the one in that boy's love manga when the uke wakes up later than the seme(1) in the morning after…and calls him in an oh-so adorable voice…and then they--
"WTF!! I'M NAKED!!!!!!!!! WHAT'D YOU DO TO ME, KURAN???!!??"
Ah. Daydream over.
Before Zero could wake up the rest of the Night Class with his (rather effeminate) yelling, Kaname was on top of him in a split-second, a stern yet mildly playful look on his russet eyes.
"Now Zero, if you do not want the whole building to know you're here, you might as well keep it down a bit."
The Kiryuu could only stare, wide-eyed at the vampire currently pining him down. He sighed, about to concede with the conditions when he noticed…
"Get OFF me, then!!!!"
It was nothing but a small shove that would have had no effect whatsoever to the pureblood, so Kaname chose to remain where he was…at least for a few more moments.
"Why should I…? It's nice here…and…" -a rather discernable purr- "…warm."
Zero obviously panicked, what with him being naked under those sheets and a rather…appealing pureblood pressed on him like that…not to mention that Kaname was acting all weird and that…he was starting to like the said position…
"Get-Off-ME."
A harder shove this time, and Kaname had to concede. Besides, if Zero were to turn a darker shade of red, he would have to call a doctor and that is something Kaname would not want.
Zero started a small shuffling on the bed, as if intent on leaving as quickly as possible.
"Where the hell are my clothes??"
Kaname countered him, as calm and smug as ever, "What were you doing in my room?"
Oh. Crap.
Zero stopped fussing around in the bed and stared. He did NOT have time to deal with this right now…but then again, he knew of the consequences, right? He should have a formed a valid excuse in his head the moment he brought the pureblood to his room.
But the problem was…Zero had no excuse.
He got too preoccupied with…things, so much so that he barely had time to think.
He was in so…much…trouble…
…
The brunette noticed Zero's lack in response and sighed. He really did not want the boy to feel awkward right now, especially when they had just shared some precious moments together.
Sigh.
Precious moments that end right…now.
"It's fine. Your clothes are on the hangers behind the bathroom door. After that, you may leave through the window. That way, no one will notice you."
…
The sentence barely registered in Zero's head. It took him a few more seconds before he fully comprehended what Kaname had said. Seeing as the pureblood had his back turned to him, he made a quick dash to the bathroom and closed the door.
Kaname turned after hearing the almost imperceptible click of the door. He gave a languid look over the window.
'Afternoon, huh? It will be dusk soon…'
…
Zero was usually quick when it came to changing, but it seems his fingers were frozen. He could barely slip the button on his white shirt (-miraculously dry now). A small exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he momentarily leaned on the nearest wall, trying to gather up his nerves.
Breathe in…
....Breathe out…
Breathe in…
…Breathe out…
'It's okay. Nothing happened. You don't have to remember this ever happened.'
-Says you.-
'Oh holy-- not YOU again!! Haven't you tortured me enough for the day???!!?'
-I didn't do anything, Ze-ro-chan.-
'LIAR!!! YOU're the reason why I'm in this mess right now!!'
-I didn't say anything.-
'!'
-Seriously. I mean, I wanted to, but you were making all the right moves yourself. You're getting better at this, ain't cha?-
'…!?!'
-I wasn't the one who made you take Kaname to his room. I only brought you to the Moon Dorms.-
'…You mean…all this time…'
-Yep. You were acting of your own free will.-
'…………………………..'
-Well, I tried to convince you a few times…but I still didn't do anything, or move any part of you…-
'……………………………………………………………………'
-Zero…?-
'…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..'
-OH NO YOU DON'T!! You've fainted for far too many times in one day!!-
Zero, whose body had been slowly sliding downward, gripped the side of the wall.
There was no way in hell he was going to go through all 'that' again.
"Zero…what exactly happened?"
The silver-haired boy was about to yell something mentally to the little evil voice in his head when he realized that the voice was external…not internal.
…And that the voice did not belong to him, or to any part of his 'disturbed' psyche.
…
Kaname was talking. In a clearer note- Kaname was actually ASKING him what happened…and Zero can't have that. No. Not at all.
He can't tell him he found out something sensitive about his past! Or the fact that he actually wanted Zero to bathe with him…
…
"Since when did I say you can call me by my first name, Kuran?"
Ah, yes, that was the answer. Put up a tough front, like always, and that bastard won't be bothering you at all--
"Since you called me by mine…Now, can you tell me what happened?"
Oh. Crap.
Zero didn't expect that.
Well, he DID call Kaname by his first name a while ago.
Darn.
That pureblood was good.
…
The silver-haired boy stepped out of the bathroom, dressed like nothing had happened. His face was also back to the cold one he always wore, the Bloody Rose glinting in his right hand.
"Move, Kuran."
…
Kaname…was surprised, to say the least. As if not really believing the sudden shift, he asked playfully, "What happened to that adorable part of you with whom I was talking to…?"
He was answered with the barrel of the cold gun pressing against his temple.
"I said move."
Almost as if the curtains have draped down once again, the pureblood's eyes darkened a bit and his face hardened.
"There's no need for that, Kiryuu-kun."
The brunette stepped to the side. Zero lowered the gun and walked past him, eyes blank. Tension settled into the room, heavy and thick.
Only when the younger one had left did the tension lessen and Kaname released a breath he wasn't aware he was even holding.
Some part of him ached from the way Zero looked at him…
…And for the first time, it wasn't his damned braces' fault.
---
(Transition Time)
"How're you pretty ladies this evening?"
"WE'RE FINE NOW THAT YOU'RE HERE, IDOL-SENPAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Cue loud 'kya'-ing and Yuuki's whistle.
"Stay back!!! No pushing!!!"
The brown-haired girl put out all the strength her lithe frame can muster to prevent the hordes of fan girls (and some fan guys) from 'devouring' the passing Night Class. She had a new whistle to help her, but it seems she will still have a difficult time tonight.
"ZERO!"
The silver-haired boy's head turned to look at the other prefect. His face registered…nothing, like always.
"Help me over here!!"
"Uh…ok."
At once, the hordes were silenced. The glorious Night Class proceeded in a quieter atmosphere since Kain had pulled Aido away from his fans. The taller one did not really do this often…but he felt a bit possessive today.
Finally, the last of the elite class has come out from the gates.
Shiki was with Ichijou, who was carrying a small pillow. It seems some people were not going to take class seriously for today and sleep it off. Well, it wasn't like they needed the education anyway. They can catch up anytime they wanted to, being vampires and all that.
Last was Kaname, who greeted Yuuki with a small nod and a smile. The girl replied with one of her pink-faced, rushed bows. Ah, Yuuki was always so adorable when she was like this…
The atmosphere changed totally when the pureblood passed by Zero.
Even the crowd of students stopped their noise, almost as if expecting some sort of fight to start. Or at least thunder and lightning on the sky, just to complete the mood.
"Kiryuu--"
"Move along, Kuran-senpai."
The Night Class turned back, aghast by the treatment given to their leader. Kaname, on the other hand, just hid his slightly shocked face and proceeded on walking away.
When he had left, the crowds were also gone.
"Zero…?"
The Kiryuu had been glaring at the retreating figure of Kaname for the past minute now. He even continued glaring even when the brunette was already out of sight. He would have gladly continued if only Yuuki hadn't called him.
"What?"
The smaller prefect frowned, "Is something wrong…? I know I'm always asking you this and it might get annoying but I really am worried--"
"It's nothing."
"…Listen, Zero…I think I know what's your problem…"
Zero tensed, but he didn't show it. Yuuki couldn't know about what happened! …or could she..?
"You're in love Zero, and you can't deny it. You're showing all the signs."
'In love?????!!!!????'
The silver-haired boy scratched the back of his head, "Listen, Yuuki…it's not that--"
"But it is!!! I can tell from my female intuition, Zero, and my female intuition is NEVER wrong!! Just go ask Headmaster Cross!!!"
Not really in the mood to fight off an annoyed and pushy Yuuki-chibi right now, Zero sighed.
"So what if it is…? It's over now, anyway."
Yuuki's eyes widened, "Oh. It is…? But…so quickly…?"
Zero nodded, albeit a bit sadly, "It wasn't worth it."
…
A chilly autumn wind blew on the Cross Academy grounds. The wind blew past Zero and Yuuki, gently playing with their hair as well as mildly stinging their cheeks with the sheer cold.
…
"We'd better go."
The taller teen turned to leave, but Yuuki's hand stopped him.
"You have to believe in love, Zero. Love will find a way."
Zero stared at her, thoughtful for a few minutes before he sighed.
"If you say so, Yuuki…If you say so."
Her mission accomplished, Yuuki let go and watched as Zero made his way to the area near the classrooms.
Zero might not trust her now, but she knows a way on how to give Zero the love of his soul mate. Everything was already laid out. All she had to do was wait for the Winter Festival this coming December.
Zero will believe in the power of love. He will, soon.
-TBC-
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GAHH. Part two of BLOCK UPDATING MISSION, complete!! I think I'll have to end this mission now, though…I'm tired! Updating like this is harder than I thought…
If any of y'all have ideas for Yuuki's plan or for the Winter Festival, feel free to tell me. I myself haven't made up a concrete plan (-what I have is a bit wobbly--) so I really need your ideas :D
Sorry for the lack of KainxAido or ShikixIchijou focus on this one. I…was kinda in a rush :P
AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!!
Yep, just press that button down there!! It's so easy, it should be a crime…but it isn't!! Isn't that great??? :D