"I didn't know it was within your nature to lie, Kiryuu." Kaname's voice cut in sharply through my memory.
I frowned.
"What? A lie?" I felt confused.
Why would Zero lie to me?
"Perhaps you should tell her the truth Zero; before I tell her myself." Kaien told Zero sharply.
I glanced at Zero then; his head was lowered so I couldn't see his face.
"Everything I said so far is true." He murmured. "I'll...I'll make sure not to lie about this next part."
I tried to read his voice.
To understand what he meant.
But I couldn't.
He continued again.
"I heard you scream Yuki. And...and..." He trailed off...as if he was unable to continue.
"Yes? Go on..." I prodded, trying to encourage him to carry on.
He glanced up at me, his expression unreadable.
"...and then I smelt your blood." He muttered quietly, before lowering his head again.
He paused just a little.
I was about to tell him to keep going before I heard him take in a breath.
"It made me crazy." His voice was so small now, that it was hard to hear. "I...rushed towards where the smell was coming from..."
Oh...Oh my...
I was finally going to know.
Finally going to know what was tearing at me from the inside for so long.
"I saw...a level...a level E. He was going to kill you...and...that thought made me even crazier. I...didn't really want...To be honest...at the time...the thought of you dying wasn't what made me mad..." I could hear self hatred become laced into his words.
He carried on.
Quicker now.
Spurred on by his sickening hate for himself.
"It wasn't you dying. It was the thought of someone...someone else having your blood. That's what made me crazy..."
I could feel my stomach churning inside.
Knotting itself worryingly.
I didn't like where this story was going.
I really didn't.
Part of me wanted him to stop.
I didn't want to know.
But the other part, the louder part, screamed to know.
"I tore that level E to pieces. You...you stared at me which such horrified eyes. But it...it pleased me to see you quaking like that..." He spat out his words now.
He sounded utterly defeated.
Defeated by himself.
"I...I remember laughing at you. I laughed at your fear. I could smell it. It egged me on. Made me crazier." Zero's words started to sink in and the daunting feeling of fear started to spread.
Cold.
Like ice.
Spreading slowly but certainly through me, getting into my bones and every part of me.
I couldn't get it away.
And that's what scared me the most.
The fact that I couldn't save myself from it.
"I...attacked you-"
"Stop." I said.
My voice was small and broken.
"Please...I don't want to hear anymore. I understand. I...don't hate you or anything..."
I looked at him then.
I knew he wouldn't believe me.
I knew I had no way to stop him from hating himself.
But I had to try.
I needed to try.
There was no way...I would leave him alone with this.
He'd been alone for far too long...
He glanced up at me a little.
I caught his eye before he could look away.
His eyes looked so hurt.
"Yuki." His voice brought me back. "I'm sorry..."
My eyes widened slightly.
"No! Zero! Please! I'm alright aren't I? Please...It's alright. I swear." I tried to show him how sincere I was.
I don't think he heard it.
"Now my darling daughter! Now that you know...we can all be buddies again!" Kaien suddenly piped up.
I heard a sigh from Zero and he stood up.
"Well...I'm going on patrol." He walked away as I stood up.
Kaien bounced up behind me.
"He'll be fine!" I glanced at him.
I wasn't so sure.
I looked at Kaname then.
He seemed more distant than usual.
I wondered what was wrong with him.
He smiled slightly at me.
It seemed more forced than usual.
"Yuki. I'll take my leave now." His voice seemed a little sad. "I hope I'll see you again soon."
He paused by the door and looked back at me.
He seemed to be thinking something over.
He left then.
I didn't know what to say.
Or what to do.
I sat down slowly.
I lifted my hands up to my face and withdrew them with surprise.
Water?
I was...crying?
A/N. I'm not sure what pairing I should do...people should vote. I'm open for anything. Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far.
It keeps me going.
