Kaname retained a mask of slightly surprised amusement while a thousand questions and feelings flooded behind his facade. He was used to controlling his emotions in front of others, especially given the role that he used to play in the Council of Elders. He learned to be always calculating, always trying to figure out the best move, all the while maintaining an air of bored superiority. It was a learned behaviour, one he had practiced over and over ever since his parents had passed and he had to handle the world of greedy vampires by himself. To others he would seem arrogant and powerful, too powerful to be concerned with the little matters of civilian life. He became distant, always hidden, always guarded and never trusting. So in this moment of surprise, the mask presented itself easily so no one could tell the Kuran prince was in agony.
"Yuuki Cross," Kaname stated in an even voice.
"Kaname-senpai."
He tried to gauge her reaction, to catch a glimpse of what she was feeling inside. But, she remained calm and blank hidden behind a poker-face he had never seen before. Maybe it wasn't a learned behaviour, maybe the Kurans are naturally adept at hiding behind themselves.
"What are you doing here?" Kaname continued.
"I'm home," his sister replied.
"Welcome home then." Kaname took her hand in his, bowed and kissed her knuckles. He quickly stood up, turned and walked away, the scent of her too powerful for him to continue to be in control. He took moderate strides in order to not appear rushed, but was actually trying his hardest to get away from her. His lips tingled from where they met her skin and at last he broke through the crowd and reached the patio.
He took a breath of the cool night air and closed his eyes, as if trying to rinse out her scent from his mind. All the while, his brain was in hypermode. Why is she here? What does it mean? How does she feel towards me? Where is Kiryu? How should I react? How can I manage to even talk to her when she makes me react like this?
His ears twitched at the sound of footsteps behind him and the overwhelming scent of her soon followed.
"That's all the welcome back I get?" Yuuki teased with a smile.
Kaname turned around to look at her, really look at her. She had grown into her uniform, the swell of her body in all the right places. She looked so much older than when she left, her hair long and an air of confidence that she did not have before. The life of a vampire suited her much more than when she was human. The look of naivety and innocence was replaced with sly and mischief, as if she was about to find out all your secrets. She had also grown taller, and was almost up to Kaname's nose. He wouldn't need to tilt his head far down to kiss her….
But she responded to his appraising gaze with a quizzical brow.
"I don't know if I'm going to like the new Yuuki," bantered Kaname. He surprised himself when a smile came easily to his lips. That didn't happen very often.
She chuckled lightly.
"Well you're going to have to. You're not sending me away again."