"A Dirge for You"

Aido gazed at Yuuki's lap; she held artemis tightly against her. The car ride was quiet and solemn. "We'll talk to him first, so don't think you have the sole burden to end his life just yet," Aido tried comforting her. Yuuki looked up with surprise, almost forgetting reality. Her impassive eyes lost their youth.

"What if I can't do it? Then the events from the party last time might occur again," Yuuki frowned in pain. "Haruna would never forgive me," she whispered.

Aido rubbed his temples, "I'll deal with Haruna." Even though he said that confidently, inside, he really didn't know how he'd comfort her or even how he'd face her. The last thing he wanted was for Haruna to fall into despair. If that were to happen... He'd never forgive Isley. When Yuuki asked why Isley would want to end his life, Aido could only shake his head. "He's always been a nut. I tried to do a background check on him, but the Rhys family isn't too famous in the vampire society since they're foreigners and like to keep to themselves."

As the car came to a stop at Isley's mansion, Yuuki was the first to exit the car. Aido followed behind closely, keeping his guard up. For all he knew, this could've been another trap set by Isley. The area seemed to be vacated. "The door's open," Yuuki peeked through the large doors and into the main room. "It's dark," she whispered lowly. Her words echoed through the entire place.

"Be cautious," Aido warned as they looked around with their backs to each other. His eyes scrutinized the room, searching for anything suspicious. Yuuki on the other hand seemed quite nonchalant; Aido figured she wasn't as on guard as he was because she didn't know the true nature of Isley. "Where are you Isley?"

There was a loud bark. "D-dog?" Yuuki yelped, seeing Seymour gaite over sluggishly. He yawned, then came up to Yuuki, nudging his head against her leg. "I never would've thought of Isley-senpai as an animal lover," she tried to lighten up the mood.

"I was starting to think you weren't going to show up," a voice spoke icily. The lights on the chandelier turned on, illuminating the vast room. Isley sauntered down the staircase, "I see you've brought the anti-vampire weapon, Yuuki-hime. Very good; shall we get started?"

Yuuki's legs shook in fear at his words. He spoke so carelessly about death; it scared her. Aido placed one protective arm in front of Yuuki, "Don't come any closer," Aido spoke fiercely. "Tell us your reasons first."

Isley seemed uninterested to hear Aido. He stood a couple of feet in front of them while eyeing Yuuki. "Don't be so nosy, Hanabusa. This matter is between purebloods," he rolled his eyes at Aido. Isley pounded his fist on his left breast, "Come on Yuuki-hime, activate your artemis and make a clean cut right through my heart-"

"Won't you answer Aido-senpai's question?" Yuuki asked, still terrified. Isley irked a brow, only adding onto Yuuki's anxiety. "If I'm going to kill you, I at least want a good reason why you're asking for this. I hate the thought of a meaningless death."

Isley pondered for a moment before sighing. Aido held his breath, nearly encasing the pureblood in ice as Isley stepped forward. He walked towards the couch, sitting down comfortably with Seymour while Yuuki and Aido were experiencing a wide range of emotions. He gestured for them to sit down too. Yuuki didn't think twice before taking a seat; Aido stood beside her.

"Well... Since you're so insistent to hear a story," Isley uttered in bitterness, "what can I say to convince you to kill me?" he leaned back, crossing his legs while thinking of a story to tell.

"I want the truth," Yuuki whispered forcefully.

"And that's just what you'll get," Isley smiled. "You've felt hopeless before, haven't you? Unmotivated... Seeing no point in life, you get the point." He put his fist in the air and checked the watch on his right wrist, "You sure you want to be here right now, Hanabusa? Haruna might be scared standing alone at the altar. She needs you."

Aido didn't budge, "With everything that you've done to Haruna and I, I find it hard to believe that you're just going to give her up like this. Surely there is something more you want to tell us?" Aido could only think of one reason why he wanted them there - perhaps he was out for power, and that power was Yuuki. Would he attack them and devour the pureblood princess?

"You wanted the truth, you got it. I don't know what else to say to you," Isley told as a matter-of-fact.

Yuuki spoke calmly, "Haruna isn't a reason for you to live on?" Aido frowned as he caught a sudden ripple in Isley's expression. Something was clearly bothering Isley. "I know you have a tendency to be cold to others... but I also know that Haruna is the one person you can't betray," she echoed Kaname's words. Aido shook his head to see Yuuki sympathetic towards Isley. He knew that her kindness would get the best of her one day.

"She's the reason why I can't live on," said Isley.

Aido laughed, breaking the tension in the air. "So you're suicidal because she'll never return your feelings?" Yuuki elbowed him in the gut, giving him a 'what are you doing' look. Aido ignored her pleas to stop. "So even you have a heart to feel such emotions..." Aido took pleasure in teasing the pureblood. However, Isley just stared, unaffected.

"Satisfied?" Isley asked. "Look, I don't blame you for hating me. I've done a lot of shady things these past months."

Aido thought all this was ludicrous. He never thought Isley was capable of being somewhat... Human. "Shady? That's such an understatement," Aido narrowed his eyes. "You're worse than the devil himself."

"You two... This isn't the time to be arguing," Yuuki sighed at their puerile behavior. Isley and Aido exchanged smug looks. "Isley-senpai, I've made the decision not to kill you. You've been helpful to Cross Academy and you're an important person to Haruna. I may not be one to speak, but please... find some meaning to life."

Isley groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "With someone like you running the Night Class, nothing will ever be improved; you're too generous to be called the pureblood princess."

Yuuki turned red, "I-I'm trying my best," she exclaimed. "But you need to try your best too. Although I don't know your real reason for requesting me to kill you," Yuuki paused momentarily, "I really hope you'll feel better."

Isley hung his head low, "There really is no hope for the Night Class," he moaned. "Ah, well since my death is postponed," he fixed his necktie, "we have a wedding to catch, don't we?" He smirked at Aido. "I'm sure my bride is looking real pretty today," he rubbed salt into Aido's wounds.

"Shut up; I'm going home," Aido grumbled, walking ahead of them. Almost two years ago, he was supposed to marry Haruna and now she was marrying someone else. She never wore her white dress down the aisle and she never got to say her vows, but today she would. She just wouldn't be doing all that for Aido. He stepped out into broad daylight, seeing dark clouds looming over the sky. "It might rain," Aido uttered. "Hey, isn't the wedding outdoors- hey!"

Aido panicked as the doors shut behind him, separating him from Isley and Yuuki. He knew it...! He just knew that Isley was scheming something, "Open the door!" He pounded both his fists on the looming door. He could hear Yuuki screaming and Seymour barking, then suddenly, there was a loud crash. "Damnit," Aido froze the door handle, shattering it with ease. He rammed himself up against the door, opening it. "Yuuki-..." A blood of pool tainted the white floor; Aido fell to his knees. "You... bastard! How could you do this?"

The Wedding

Haruna held her head low, feeling Ayame tuck in the last ornament in her hair. Ayame was Haruna's hairdresser and makeup artist for the day. She gave a few touch ups, finally putting on the veil. Haruna's veil fell down like a waterfall, caressing her shoulders as it trailed behind her. Ayame stepped back, the wrinkles forming around her eyes as she smiled. "You look really lovely, almost like an angel!"

Haruna ran her hand down the dress, feeling its silky touch at her fingertips. She smiled nervously, "I don't want to come off as arrogant... but I really do feel pretty," Haruna blushed brightly, thanking her. Ayame gasped, surprised. She never heard Haruna say something nice about herself before.

Ayame's eyes relaxed, "You deserve to be happy."

Haruna's heart raced a little. "To be happy..." She pushed her shaking hands up against her bosoms, "I do, don't I?"

For so long, she'd been desperately trying to find answers to fill up the hole in her chest. When Aido finally told her the truth, she was angry, yet surprised to realize that she accepted what happened. "Is something the matter? You suddenly have such a pained face," Ayame worried.

Haruna knitted her brows, "Sorry, it's nothing," she reassured. She told herself she was okay with marrying Isley and forgetting Aido, but deep down, even she knew that she was kidding herself. She didn't accept what happened, she was just forcing herself to accept fate.

Ayame sighed, "Smile a little; it's a good day," she stroked Haruna's hair. "I'll go check how everything is going on outside. Stay here," she ordered before exiting the room.

"Smile," Haruna chanted, twitching her lips and forcing them into an upward curve. It even hurt to smile. Haruna wended towards the window, touching the cold glass. The sun was setting and the breeze in the air was chilly - it was the perfect time for vampires to lurk around. "Haruna Rhys..." She laughed at how silly it sounded. "I, Haruna," she spoke her vows, "will love you- kya!"

Her heart beat rapidly against her ribcage as an owl slammed into the glass from the other side. Quickly, she opened the window, holding the semi-conscious bird in her hands. It had black feathers and had green eyes. "Isley?" Haruna asked; the resemblance was uncanny. She had never seen Isley in animal form, however, shapeshifting purebloods weren't unheard of before. "Is that you?"

The bird stirred awake, giving a small hoot. It jumped up as if possessed. He tilted his head to the right, then to the left, blinking. Haruna stared suspiciously... It couldn't be Isley. The bird was kind of dumb and awkward - totally opposite of Isley. However, it sort of looked like him.

Haruna looked around twice before talking to the bird; she didn't want to look crazy on her wedding day. "Isley," she spoke sternly, "you're not here to spy on me before the wedding, right? You know what they say, it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony." Still, the owl just stared while stretching out its wings. She smiled dully, "I'm crazy- hm? What's this?"

Haruna looked at the owl's foot, seeing a letter attached to it. She set the bird aside after taking the thin piece of paper. Unfolding it, she could see small words, written in beautiful calligraphy. It was Isley's handwriting.

"Since when did you get so old fashioned and started sending me mails via bird?" She threw a glance at the owl who only hopped around on the table. Stalling no further, she read the paper:

" Dearest Haruna,

You must look so beautiful in your gown right now. It pains me because I won't be able to see you wearing it. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but I won't be arriving for the wedding, no matter how long you wait. The Haruna I know is always sincere and sweet; you'll love me no matter how many times I wrong you, and that's exactly why we can't be together.

And if you're crying, don't. The skeletons I've collected... They wouldn't let me love you without hurting you. Before I knew it, I was making you cry when all this time, I intended to make you happy. I obsessed over you and the only way to set you free, I know now, is to disappear.

Haruna, just know that there is someone who loves you - Hanabusa. I've given him permission to take you back, so you'll be in his care. The reason why I never liked him was because he was spineless and failed to love you properly... but the main reason why I hated him was because he reminded me of myself. But I realized that there was something that differentiated between us, which was why you loved him more.

As you've learned, I'm not a good man. However, before I end this letter, I just want you to understand why I kept you in chains. There's a vial of my blood stored in my room. It contains my memories. Whether you drink it or not is up to you.

Take care Haruna. I think that if there were more people like you in this world... It'd be a better place. You told me once that Hanabusa was the one who taught you how to love, but I think it was you who taught him. Thank you for loving me all this time.

Isley Rhys III "

Haruna stared at the paper for the longest time. Her hands trembled, unable to stay still. There wasn't a hint of emotion on her face. Finally, a small smile graced her lips. "Th-this is a lie," she set the paper down, not wanting to look at it any more after scanning her eyes over it for more than a dozen times. "The Isley I know wouldn't write such a thing!"

"Oh no! It's raining Haruna-hime," Ayame called in, "and there's no sign of Isley-sama- where are you going?" she called after Haruna, seeing her storm off. "Don't go outside, you'll get soaking wet!"

Haruna ignored her pleas, pushing past the wave of guests who were coming inside to seek shelter from the rain. She stepped a foot outside, feeling the harsh wind whipping at her face while the rain fell without mercy. "Isley!" she shouted, searching for her fiance. She ran towards the meadow where the ceremony was supposed to take place.

The lanterns, flowers, lights and other beautiful decorations fell apart. The storm tore everything apart, only leaving behind a mess. What was supposed to be a happy day had become a disaster.

Haruna slipped a few times on the muddy path; her white dress had become dirty and wet. Her calls were drowned in the loud sounds of the thunder booming across the sky. Her vision blurred with the rain hitting her face. Her skin became numb in the cold wind. She fell at the altar, running her hands on the spot where Isley was supposed to be waiting for her. It was then that she understood that he was never coming back. "Where'd you run off to...?" she sobbed to herself.

Haruna looked up after feeling the rain stop, only to see an umbrella over her head. "Sorry, I'm late," Aido held the umbrella over her while he stood in the rain. He winced to see the pain in her eyes; he wanted the tears in her eyes to stop flowing. Haruna's gaze trailed down to his suit, seeing a large red stain. It smelled like Isley's blood.

"He's... gone, isn't he?"

Aido could only grimace. "Let's go," he helped her off the ground.

Hunter's Association

"We have reason to believe that Yuuki Kuran and Hanabusa Aido killed Isley Rhys III," Cross explained, pushing up his glasses while looking clearly distraught about the event. He hesitated, not wanting to accuse his daughter of such a crime he didn't believe her to do. Haruna watched them from the other side of the wall through the glass as Yuuki and Aido were being interrogated in separate rooms. "They were found at the scene and it appears that he was killed with Yuuki's artemis."

Haruna, now in dry casual clothing, could only nod. "Let them go," she murmured.

"W-we can't do that," Cross fumbled, "until we have sufficient evidence-"

Haruna held the note she received from Isley earlier. "This was his suicide note. He killed himself, so just let those two go!" she shouted.

Cross sighed, apologizing for her loss. "We'll compare the handwriting to his and gather further information. Until then, you can sleep in our rooms. They're not as nice, but they'll do," he smiled lightly.

Haruna stepped out of the room, feeling hideous for lashing out at others for no reason. She felt so tired, so lost. She lingered down the hallways, feeling all the hunter's eyes on her. Of course, she's their enemy, why wouldn't they be sneering at her? "Don't you all have a job to do?" a callous voice asked, sending the other hunters scurrying away.

"Hunter-san," Haruna greeted Zero. He walked beside her, escorting her to her room. "Are you also looking into Isley's case?" Zero remained stoic as always, simply nodding. "There's no point in doing investigating; Isley suicided and that's all there is to it."

"Sounds to me like you're calling him a coward."

"He is. What did he think he was going to achieve by ending his life?" Haruna asked, crossing her arms while frowning. "Only a fool would be able to do something like this... And to make matters worse, he got Yuuki and Aido into such a mess."

Zero nodded with mundane. "But you don't really hate him."

Haruna shot a glare at him before her expression fell emotionless. "I hate myself." They stopped in front of her room, "I'm the reason why today's catastrophe happened."

The hunter opened the door to her room, seeming uninterested in her moping. "This bottle," he reached into his pocket, handing her the vial of blood. "I found it while searching his room. Maybe it'll attenuate your bitter feelings."

Haruna grasped the glass, holding it dearly against her. "Thank you, Hunter-san."

Zero shrugged, "Just don't let anyone know I gave it to you; it'd be troublesome for me." With that, he left.

Haruna was left in her room, staring at the crimson blood of her deceased fiance. What secrets did it hold? Would it show something pleasant? Or would she be left in even more pain? "What other side of you did you want me to see, Isley?"

A/N: In case you were wondering or didn't catch it, yes. Yuuki is very much alive and wasn't the one who got killed - Isley was.