Blood Candy 24- End of the Break
I watch from my window as students arrive back. It takes half the day for the Day Class students to all arrive and be in their dorms. It won't be too much longer until the Night Class get here. I spot a car and recognize it as one of the Aido's. I hurry out of the dorm to greet them.
"Welcome back, everyone." I stop running and stand beside Zero.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home…" Kaname walks over to Yuki and nods at me. I nod in return and scan the group for Maru.
"If you're looking for Maru-san, she decided to accompany Shiki to his home." I nod slowly. "Yuki, here's a present."
"Thank you."
"It's a rose which blooms only once every ten years, hardened in resin. I decided to get it because it's unique…" I look over at Kaname, shocked that he would get her a flower. "Would you've liked food instead?"
"Huh?! That's not it; I just thought it was pretty…"
"It was a beautiful place where even a rose would bloom during this season. I will take you next time…" Yuki stares at the package under Kaname's arm and I resist smacking my forehead. "It's not food."
"Yes, I can tell by looking at it…"
"Kiryu-kun, here's a present."
"I don't want it…"
"It's a life-sized doll said to be cursed from ages past…I bought it just for you." I cover my mouth to conceal laughter as Zero takes it and drops it. Zero stomps on it twice and picks it up to hand back to Kaname.
"Thank you very much Kaname-sempai. It has served its purpose, I've had enough." I go into peals of laughter and put my hand on Zero's shoulder for support.
"Kaname-sempai, um…um…! I have something that I want to speak to you about later…at school…"
"What? A confession?"
"Huh? Ah…um…" Yuki looks over at the entrance to the dorm and runs over. "Ah! Everyone please let me check your names off on the student roster!" I stop laughing and look at Kaname.
"Yuki runs around cheerfully like that, but…while I was gone…hm…this is not something we should talk about here…" Kaname looks at me and pulls something out of his pocket. "Onee-sama, here." He tosses me something small and I catch it. I open the little package and gasp slightly. "I happened to find that while I was out. I thought that you'd want to have it." I nod slowly.
"Thanks." I pocket the package and pull Zero into the dorm. "Yuki-chan! Have you got everyone signed in?!"
"Yes. All but three are here, and they got held up by family matters." Three?
"Who?"
"Shiki-sempai, Ichijou-sempai, and…Maru-sempai."
"Oh, because Maru-chan went with Shiki. That makes sense."
*Maru's POV*
"Shiki-sama…what are we doing here?" This is very uncomfortable. And it doesn't seem like Shiki-sama. There's something wrong. But I said that I'd stay with Shiki-sama, so I'm staying with him. I shrink into a corner and wait, not really expecting an answer from him. He hasn't talked to me at all since he spoke with his uncle. A girl comes into the room, accompanied by a servant, and she approaches Shiki-sama. He takes her hand and pulls her down to bite her. I close my eyes and look away, as though that can keep the reality away.
"I am sorry to keep you waiting…how did you like it?"
"…Not bad." I look up. That didn't even sound like Shiki-sama!
"That is good to hear…Master."
*Hanami's POV*
"A Day Class student?"
"Yes…Kiryu Ichiru." I stiffen.
"You'll have to talk to Zero about it. I…don't mind. But Zero might. Considering…" I shake my head and start for the door. "I'll see you around, Kaien. Oh! Let Kaname decide when Yuki should learn everything. When he's ready to tell her, he will."
"Right." I nod and leave the room. I go down the hall and hear a buzzing. Kaname must have startled Yuki. I shrug and go back to the dorm.
"Shishou, we need a babysitter for a hunt tonight. Can you come over?"
"Sure thing. Maru and I will be right over. I'll let my family know I'll be home in the morning and be over."
"Thanks so much, Shishou!" I laugh.
"See you shortly." I hang up the phone and locate Maru. "Maru-chan, we're going to the Kiryu house. Bring a book." She nods and goes to her room. I locate my parents and pull them aside.
"What's up?" I smile slightly.
"I'm going over to Kiryu's place. They need a sitter for tonight."
"Okay, we'll see you in the morning."
"Is Yuki in her room?" They nod and I go to the room. I've only had time to see her once since I've been here, and this is my first visit home since I've been going abroad. "Yuki-chan?"
"Onee-sama!" She runs up to me and jumps into my arms. I laugh and hug her tightly. "Are you gonna stay with me a while?" I sigh.
"I'm sorry, Yuki-chan. I have to go to a friend's house. But I'll be back in the morning and I'll spend all day with you. How about that?"
"Great! Onii-sama is coming back tonight!" I nod.
"I know. He should be getting back pretty soon too. Bye sweet." I kiss the top of her head and put her down. I leave the room and meet up with Maru in the foyer. She nods once and we head to the Kiryu house. "You're just in time, Hanami-shishou."
"Really? I was afraid I'd be late. Maru-chan was being extra clumsy this morning."
"Hana-sama!" we laugh at Maru and she frowns.
"You know she's joking with you, Maru-san. Anyways, we should get going before we miss our mark."
"Okay. See you later."
"Make sure you don't bite."
"I'll see if I can. No promises though."
"Naturally. See you, Shishou." I close the door and glance over. Zero is peeking out of the living room.
"Zero-kun, Ichiru-kun! You guys awake?" I pretend not to see him for a moment. When I look over at him, I smile slightly. He ducks behind the wall and I laugh. "You know, Zero-kun, you don't have to hide from me. I really don't bite." I move quickly to crouch beside him. Zero looks over and jumps back. I think I shocked him. I smile. "Ichiru-kun sick again?" He nods slowly and I look toward the stairs. "Maru-chan, can you make sure that Ichiru-kun is going to be okay?"
"Hai." She heads upstairs and I nod slightly, a too minute movement for Zero to notice.
"Can you stay out of trouble, Zero-kun? If you need anything, I'll be in the study." He nods and I leave the room, going straight to the study. Someone knocks on the door and I slide down the stair rail, I wasn't all the way upstairs. "Just a moment." I notice Zero watching as I open the door. I gasp at the person on the other side of the door, and the state he's in. "Kaname…what are you doing here? Did something happen? Kaname?!" I catch him, he just passed out. After a moment of working, I pick him up and carry him into the living room, setting him on the couch. Zero comes over and looks over the arm of the couch.
"Who's that?"
"My brother."
"He's covered in blood. Why? Is he a hunter to?" I chuckle.
"No. Kaname's not a Hunter. I'm the only vampire that is a hunter. You should know that, Zero-kun." He looks shocked. Kaname stirs and sits up. I push him back down, frowning. "Lay down. I don't want you to pass out again, Kaname-kun. What happened?"
"Hahaue and Chichiue…" I feel my eyes widen.
"He found them?" Kaname nods and I clench my fists. "What about…?" He shakes his head and I feel a tear rolling down my cheek. "You were in the fight?"
"Yes. But…"
"Don't stress yourself, Kaname-kun. Against him, even I would need to rest afterwards. And besides, it's the middle of the day. It's okay for me, because I'm used to it, but you're not used to be out during the day."
"I'm sorry, Onee-sama." I shake my head.
"Don't apologize." Kaname spots Zero and he flees the room. I sigh. "Just, rest a bit, and we can go to Ichijou in the morning."
"Yuki…" I shake my head.
"Just rest, Kaname. If the Kiryu get back early, I'll just let them know that you're here." I leave the room and head to the study.
"Kaname-sama's here?" I nod to Maru. "Is everything okay? You're covered in blood, Hana-sama." I shake my head.
"Kaname and I…are the last Kuran. I'm going to go clean up. Go check on Kaname and make sure he's not injured, and that he rests and doesn't strain himself." She nods and runs downstairs.
"Is your brother okay?" I nod.
"Zero, what time do you usually go to bed?"
"Earlier than this…" I laugh slightly.
"We won't tell your parents, then. Why don't you go start getting ready for bed?"
"Hanami-san?"
"What?"
"Mom usually reads to me and Ichiru when he's sick…" I nod.
"Get ready for bed and I'll go in there soon…but I won't read. I know some pretty good stories that aren't in any books." He nods and runs down the hall. I smile and shake my head.
