Chapter Twenty
Change
Ichiru was bleeding badly, and yet the blood still had yet to completely soak through his outer coat. He was dying. And he knew it. He had to make it to his brother before he died. Ichiru was finally going to be one with his brother like he always hoped he could have been as a child. He should have never even been born. It should have only been Zero, but he was glad that he was able to now become one with him. Ichiru had tried to avenge Shizuka by killing her former fiancé, but Rido was faster and stabbed his arm through Ichiru's chest, right above his heart. He knew he would not live much longer, the blood loss was getting to him. But he had to make it to Zero before it was too late, he had to talk to him. He didn't want to die with his brother hating him.
He walked as steadily as he could to the room where Zero was staying. He knew he was there, because he could feel him. He could always find his twin if he tried. It was the same for Zero as well.
He staggered into the room, expecting to see his elder brother alone in the sparsely lit room. He was surprised to, not only, find Zero with a young woman, but kissing her as well. His entrance alerted the two teens that someone arrived, and Ichiru felt his breath catch in his throat as a familiar pair of amethyst eyes turned their attention to himself. He was also mesmerized by the shining pair of blue accompanying his brother's own.
Taking a step closer, Ichiru made it only two feet before his legs gave out and he fell to his knees. He was hoping to have gone farther; to at least finish what he come to accomplish. But now it looked as though he would not get to be one with his brother. His eyes closed at that saddening thought, and he tried to summon enough strength to continue. It was hopeless, and he soon felt the cold hardness of the stone floor as he fell to his uninjured side. His eyes closed as the blood loss caught up to him, and he realized how exhausted he truly was. Trying to get revenge for Shizuka's death, and holding his hatred in for so long, added to Ichiru's already exhausted body. Before he was just exhausted emotionally. Now, he was both mentally and physically exhausted.
His thoughts came to a halt when he felt soft, warm hands gently slip his coat to the side and remove his shirt to get where his injury lay. He wanted to see who it was, but could not summon up enough energy to open his heavy eyes. Although, he was pretty sure it belonged to the young woman, as his brother's hands had not been so soft as long as he could remember, nor his touch so warm. He could hear the murmuring of voices, but could not understand what they were saying. The voices spoke for a few moments until he felt a soothing warmth encompass him and relieve the pain he felt in his chest.
The warmth left a minute later, and he heard as the voices spoke again. This time, the voices were a bit louder, but he still could not understand what was being said. The stopped after another minute, and he felt the warmth again, but this time it was accompanied by a stinging pain in his neck. It hurt for only a moment and soon became a comforting feeling of relief. His body did not feel as sore. His body was healing itself. But he did not know why it was doing so. Ichiru had always had poor health and a weak body, but now he could feel his injury healing and his blood replenishing itself at an abnormal rate. And as his sense returned, Ichiru could feel the need for something. He could tell that the something he needed, was right in front of his face. Waiting for him, beckoning him to taste. But why taste? What could there be to taste? And why was he feeling a burning sensation in his throat.
He did not have time to answer, as he felt his face being pulled closer to the delicious scent. It took him a moment, but he soon found a warm, sweet liquid gliding smoothly down his throat. Erasing the burn, and soothing the hunger. He felt his body healing faster, and soon he was completely healed of his near fatal injury. His body exhausted, his mind tired. Ichiru fell back down to the floor in a tired heap. He opened his eyes to look upon the concerned face of the young woman with blue eyes. Turning his head an inch, Ichiru could see his brother standing behind the woman in a protective stance, his own eyes showing the worry he felt.
Giving a smile, Ichiru whispered quietly, "I am glad your taste is woman has improved, Zero-nii-chan. She is much better for you than that Cross girl." His strength used up, Ichiru fell back to the ground in a dead faint, regaining the energy that his body used up to heal his would.
Kagome watched contentedly, with a small blush on her face, as Ichiru settled down and fell into a deep, healing sleep. As soon as she was sure that he was out of danger, Kagome turned back to Zero. He stood behind her and off to the side a bit, as he watched Kagome tend to his brother's wounds. What he wanted to know was where he got such an injury, but he knew that he was not going to get his answer. At least, not for the moment.
His eyes shifted from their place on Ichiru's peaceful face, when Kagome waved her had in front of his eyes. He grabbed the appendage and looked curiously in her direction. Kagome gave a smile as she pulled her hand away. Her smile did not last when she remembered why she was there.
"Zero, we have to go. We don't have time to waste. Yuuki's uncle, Rido, is after her. And there is a chance that–"
"I know. Kaname came in here a few hours ago and informed me of my... part in this. Apparently he has been preparing me for this role ever since I came to Cross Academy. It is my job to kill Rido, and protect Yuuki. I am to kill Rido, alone."
Kagome's eyes narrowed a bit, before she squared her shoulders and declared, "No, you are not going to do it alone. It is my job to help kill him. And I will not let him harm Yuuki, you, or any of the students at Cross Academy, be they Night Class or Day." She looked down at Ichiru and bit her lip before coming to a conclusion. "We need to get him somewhere safe and comfortable where he can sleep in peace."
Zero nodded as he turned to pick up his brother. He disregarded the blood that was staining his clothes; they were already dirty anyway. He followed as Kagome lead the way from the room and up the stairs to the Chairman's house. They were going to leave him where the Chairman had placed her to keep her "safe." Zero still wanted an explanation for how she was not a child anymore, but he also knew that now was not the time to ask. The Academy was being attacked, and it was getting dark. More vampires would be coming and the battle would truly begin as the sun fully set.
She felt the large flux of his power before she even spotted Rido. Kagome knew that it was somehow being used against Yuuki and the Night Class. Urging Zero to go faster, they soon made it to the top of the Night Class dorms. Bloody Rose in hand and aimed to the dark vampire at Yuuki's back, Zero charged through the door with Kagome at his side. For a brief moment, Zero thought about how much he liked her there. Forcefully shoving those thoughts away, for the moment at least, Zero returned his attention to the group of curious vampires.
The entire Night Class were staring surprised at the pure-blood standing beside an armed Kiryuu. A furious, armed Kiryuu. A furious, armed, completely vampire Kiryuu.
Rido turned his attention from Yuuki's neck when he felt the arrival of his daughter and his new toy. He had waited long enough for Zero to show up, and now it was time for the real fun to begin. He was surprised, and disappointed, to find that he had not absorbed his brother, and was, in fact, looking stronger than he had ever been. From what his senses were telling him, Zero was almost entirely vampire, or at least, on his way to becoming one. And he had a suspicion that it was all his daughter's fault.
His thoughts were interrupted when a shot from the Bloody Rose grazed his shoulder. His concentration shattered, both the Night Class and Yuuki were released. The moment she touched ground, she was surrounded by the Night Class as they moved her farther away from him. They needn't have worried, his attention was no longer on Yuuki, but instead focused solely on the couple standing at the entrance to the roof.
He gave a low chuckle as he said, "You two are late to my party. What? Didn't you get an invitation? You missed the beginning, but at least you are here now. Now the fun can truly begin."
Kagome gritted her teeth together, but didn't rise to the bait. Instead she stood straighter as her eyes took on a reddish glow. Ignoring his senseless talking, Kagome interrupted him as he began to speak of all the fun they could have.
"We are not here to enjoy your lovely presence," she drawled out sarcastically. "We are here to protect our friends and family, and this Academy from anymore harm."
He smirked mockingly at her as he baited, "Just as you protected your mother all those years ago?"
Her fangs bared, Kagome said lowly, "I would not have had to do anything if you had never touched her in the first place."
The surrounding vampires gazed on in question at the conversation going on between the immediate threat to the Academy, and the unknown pure-blood that seemed familiar but was unable to be placed.
"True, but you also would not be here if I hadn't."
The air tensed at the realization of who she was. Though she seemed unaffected by the accusation, and only glared harder at him. She could feel Zero's shocked eyes as they looked from her to Rido and back again, his Bloody Rose held almost limply in his hand.
Ignoring the tension, Rido continued, "You were too weak then to protect your mother, what makes you think you would be any stronger now? What happened after your left that would turned you into a child that somehow ended up at Cross Academy? The very place I was revived fully in?" He wanted to know what happened back then, and she was the only one with the answers.
Her hands clenched as she ignored the surprised looks being sent her way. She knew what he was doing, and she figured he may as well know the truth. He was going to be dead soon anyway.
"I was six-years-old when you were killed. Seven, when your followers found where my mother and I lived. She was due to have my little brother in a little over a week when they attacked. I was out collecting herbs in the woods to make her feel more comfortable as she got closer to delivering. By the time I realized something was wrong, it was already too late. I arrived just as my mother took her last breath. She was unable to fight them, and I was in shock at what happened. They attacked me, and I killed them. They thought they were doing you a favor; killing the 'disgusting human' and her 'spawns.' They were stupid and paid for their mistakes. I ran after that, not having any family. No one knew of my existence. So I ran to the one place I felt most at home; the mountains. After a little over a week, I realized that I was growing weak. I stumbled through the woods and eventually came across a small hut. Hoping to find someone to help, I prepared to call out. Imagine my surprise when I find an ex-hunter caring his gun and prepared to kill the vampire he felt outside of his home.
"He did not attack, but instead took me in. I told him my story, and he told me his. I remained with him for almost eight years before he died of heart attack. He taught me the ways of a hunter while I was with him. He hoped it would give me the chance to protect myself should it happen again. He was correct in his assumptions that they would return. Almost a year ago, when your body became closer to completion, your followers realized that I was still out there. Hoping to rid the world of my existence, before you found out I was alive, they sent out a group of about twenty vampires. Seven of them were the strongest followers you had, or so they told me. This time when they arrived, I was a little more prepared. We fought, and I killed them, but not without injury. The strongest one was still alive, but slowed down vastly. I knew I would not survive if I continued, and he had already called for back up.
"I used the rest of my powers to transport myself. And in the process sealed myself into the body of a seven-year-old, the age I was when my mother was killed. I sealed my memories, hoping to more efficiently hide my origin. A vampire can tell when you are lying. How could I lie when I didn't even know the truth? By some weird happenstance, I was dropped close to the Academy. Kaien found me and took me in. Though I sealed away my memories, I was always there in the back of my mind. But I had no influence with the way smaller Kagome transacted with the others. But I could influence her emotions to an extent. I placed great fear of noble vampires and above, because if either of them had bitten me, my seal would have broken and I would have been returned to my original self.
"I placed more fear of Kaname into my brain than anyone else, because he could reawaken my memories from just a mere touch, which was what happened. I had also hidden away my ability to read another person's thoughts, past, and occasional future as well when I transported myself. I would not have been fun having to deal with that. Especially since I did not acquire that ability until I was twelve. My seven-year-old mind would not have known what to do with it.
"When my memories returned, I waited to return to my body until it was time. As soon as I felt you return to yours, I knew it was time. So here I am, and I am about to finish the job Kaname was incapable of doing ten years ago."
"You plan to kill me by yourself?" Rido asked with a smirk and slightly condescending tone, hiding his true nervousness. He knew she was strong, but he didn't know how strong. His smirk vanished when he saw her own smirk. It was full of confidence and her eyes full of determination.
"Of course not. Zero is here with me as well. And he will not let you harm Yuuki ever again. Besides...," she trailed off as she bit her finger and let the blood flow out as it took the form of a sword. "I have the abilities of both my parents. You seem to be lacking in the purification department. Where as, both of us possess at least something that can easily kill a vampire." She looked to Zero with a smile and turned back to Rido, who was silently fuming. But underneath he was trying to find someway out of his predicament. He may be able to survive being cut up into little pieces, but he knew he could not survive a full purification. Especially from a vampire that uses her miko powers in her blood. He could see her purification powers flowing through the sword she created, and he did not like it. Not one little bit.
With one last glance at Zero, Kagome moved swiftly forward to engage him in a fight. He evaded her first thrust of the sword, but barely got out of the way as she turned it around and swung in diagonal arc in his direction. Bringing up his blood ropes, he sent them in her direction hoping to grab a hold of either her or her sword. This endeavorer proved fruitless as she easily escaped his ropes. He jumped back as she ran forward, and was surprised when he felt something cut his arm. Turning his head, he found Yuuki holding her Artemis tightly in her hands. Following its previous path, Rido found that his other shoulder was now bleeding.
Zero used his distraction as his turn to take a shot. He aimed right for Rido's head. As his finger closed around the trigger, Zero felt something within him react to the purification inside the gun. He could feel his blood pumping, and the powers moving toward the gun. The powers that came from Kagome, were reacting to the power from the gun, strengthening it, boosting the guns power. He pulled his finger back and the shot rang out through the night as it headed straight for Rido's head. Rido made to jump out of the way, but the blast was so strong, that he could not get out of the way fast enough and it consumed him. Everyone watched as his body disintegrated into nothing. The remaining vampires tried to flee, but were stopped by the Night Class.
Kagome took one look around the roof to make sure that he truly was gone. Once she confirmed it, she slumped her shoulders. It was easier than she thought it was going to be. Of course, Zero did take the final shot. But she got him into position. Of course, Yuuki was the one who distracted him. But Kagome got him into position! Giving a small huff, Kagome turned when she felt eyes on her person. None of the Night Class were looking at her, and Yuuki was too preoccupied with her weapon to notice her. So that left Zero.
Turning her head to the left, Kagome found Zero staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. She wasn't sure what that look was, but it was making her want to fidget. Clearing her throat, Kagome opened her mouth and said, "We should go down to make sure the Academy is safe and the rest of the vampires are gone."
The others agreed and everyone made their way down the stairs and to the gate. There they found an exhausted Yagari, Miroku, Sango, and Chairman. Kagome took one look at the entrance, and then to the blade in her father's hand before coming to a conclusion. It was going to take some time to get the school back to its former glory. But at least now it was safe. And it would remain so for as long as she remained.