Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or its character. This fanfiction is written solely for enjoyment purposes.
Warnings: A bloody description is in this chapter... I don't think it's too bad compared to some of the things I've read but be warned.
ARC ONE: NEW BEGINNINGS AND NEW ACQUAINTENCES
part two: restart
"You're doing what?"
Aidou's mouth hung open limp, the mug of coffee raised to his lips waiting to be tipped over. He abandoned the drink, however, as he set the cup down and furrowed his eyebrows.
Kaname was unperturbed by the blond vampire's reaction. He expected it from the easily hysterical and frantic noble. Flipping through the newspaper, he acted as if he hadn't said anything distressing.
"Must I repeat myself, Aidou?" Kaname stated in an even tone. He took a small bite out of his croissant. "I have decided to look for a human job."
"B-b-but."
"But what?" The pureblood rubbed his temples. He loved Aidou for his loyalty but the blond always managed to give him a migraine. That didn't meant he never found some amusement from him though. Kaname smirked as he folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. Feigning a frown, he said, "Are you questioning my competency at acquiring a job? Do you think I, a pureblood vampire, am not fit for working with humans?"
The blood drained from Aidou's face. "N-no! That's not what I'm saying. I'm just trying to –"
"I understand your concern," interrupted Kaname. He flicked his wrist in a gesture of silence. "You were hoping I would make a public announcement of my return and take over my old duties."
Aidou nodded his head fervently. He opened his mouth to speak but he soon closed it. Instead he drank his coffee and looked down waiting for Kaname to continue his explanation.
"I'll admit that was my original plan," said Kaname, "but things have changed. The news about Yuuki and the Council's infringement have…"
He faltered unsure what to say. He had to keep up appearances even in front of Aidou. Though the noble vampire respected him regardless of his fallacies, he couldn't publicly admit his weakness. It would break him further. Aidou cocked his head to the side in question as he waited for Kaname to continue. It was a message of impatience and Kaname settled for a blander descriptor.
"…profoundly affected me," he continued. "When I make my presence known to the vampire society, I want it to be free from any resentment or grudges. But I am afraid my mental state is not ready to be composed around the Council. It is best that I have some time to relax and recollect myself before making a return."
Aidou tugged on his sleeves. He still did not meet Kaname's gaze. "So how long will this time be?"
He snuck a glance up and seeing Kaname's expression, he instinctively winced. Kaname's look must have been menacing; he relaxed his face to be more agreeable. A scared Aidou was even more impossible to deal with than a frenzied one.
"I don't know at this time," Kaname said. "But I will not abandon the vampire society. Just be patient, please. You can do that, right Aidou?"
Aidou closed his eyes, considering Kaname's request. Kaname knew the blond would agree but his breathing hitched as he waited for the response. The old Aidou would definitely acquiesce but there was no knowing what the new Aidou would do. Kaname hoped he had not miscalculated anything; he didn't want to lose the noble's friendship. He had lost enough in five years. His heart couldn't take another loss.
The Level B vampire's eyes snapped open. He nodded his head and clenched his teeth, determined.
"Of course I understand, Kaname-sama," he said. "And I'll support you no matter what."
Kaname exhaled in relief at the reply. His worries were ungrounded. Aidou might have changed in some aspects, but his loyalty was unwavering. It was like the river, bending to any obstacle or challenge but always constant.
"I'll even help you look for a job!" Aidou exclaimed. He grabbed the newspaper and flipped to the job listings. "Now tell me: what human abilities do you have that can be useful for a job?"
Aidou beamed. Kaname blinked. Aidou's smile faltered. Kaname felt like a five-year old human being taught Einstein's theory of relativity – in other words, completely out of the loop.
"Um…" Aidou started folding the edges of the newspaper. "Well, maybe my phrasing was confusing. What I meant was that vampires are better endowed than humans but only some of our abilities can be used with human work. We just need to find your special human talent and a job will come to you."
Kaname propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hands. The action made it look as if he understood everything, as if he was merely allowing Aidou to continue for humor purposes.
Aidou smiled, seeing the action. So the blond got fooled by his trick. Good.
"I mean, let me explain by example," Aidou continued. "When the others and I were forced to find jobs, we found something that fit our personalities. My charisma made it easy for me to do newspaper interviews and my curiosity made me a handy investigator. Shiki and Rima have always been good at catching attention and fancy. Ruka loved working with children, prompting her to teach. Kain is exact and solid in everything he does, allowing him to be a good manager. And Ichijou… well, I'm still not sure how a vampire could become a doctor with all the blood involved. So the question is what distinctive character of yours can translate into a job?"
Kaname nodded his head and leaned back, pretending to be in complete control of the situation. Inside, however, he was disorientated. None of his thoughts were organized. It was as if a tornado had wreaked havoc in his mind. Nothing made sense and no matter what he thought, he could not come to a proper conclusion. Kaname had lost his touch. A five year break from being a leader had made him lose his touch.
An answer did surface from the depths of his mind. He knew what the truthful response should be, but he would rather avoid divulging the information. It would shock the noble and risk Kaname's safety.
What could he say?
It is actually quite simple what human job I am fit for, Aidou. My manipulative abilities and keen senses allow me to do rather well in espionage. In fact, my time in Europe wasn't spent perusing the famous sites and attractions but actually serving as a spy for a European government.
Of course the reveal would go well. Aidou would only get a heart attack. The news would spread. And before he knew it, old spy enemies would appear, ready to track down and kill Kaname. There was also the matter of the girl. The flames came back, threatening to engulf him until his skin was burned and his true self laid bare for all to see. No, Kaname would say nothing about his work in Europe.
In the end, Kaname decided to answer Aidou using a different route. Tipping his head to the side, he asked, "What job do you think I would be fit for? As my loyal supporter, I would only assume you would understand me best and know."
Aidou's mouth fell and he became whiter than ever. The hand on the newspaper twitched and the quivering spread to his entire body. His eyes began blinking rapidly. Raspy breaths flew out of his lips. He seemed to be undergoing a convulsing fit.
"Kaname-sama, I think we should also ask Ichijou for his opinion on this."
*arc one*
The lit white sign stared back at him, promising in its beauty. He read the words in his mind and reveled in their powers.
Elysian Fields.
It was the name of the Greek afterlife reserved for heroes and the righteous. It was the place to live in harmony and forget all the pains of the world. It was a world of beauty and potential. The message conveyed by the bar's name was poignant. It spoke of hope and of forgetting. It spoke of refuge from troubles and hardships. It touched his heart. The soft lighting extended from the sign until it reached his soul. He felt invigorated and renewed. A satisfied smile flitted on his face.
"You are a regular patron at this bar, you say?" he asked Aidou as the blond opened the door and gestured for Kaname to enter. The bell on the door rang a soft melody from the push.
"Yes," Aidou answered. "I discovered the bar three years ago on its opening day. I was wandering around when my eye caught the sign and I decided to give the place a try. Ever since then, it's my favorite place to grab a few drinks."
The two stepped inside. The bar was devoid of any life, except for the two vampires and a bartender. Dim fluorescent lighting gave a casual but elegant mood to the place. The bar was not like the club from the night before. It had class. Light jazz music filled Kaname's ears. It trickled down his body endowing him with certain calm. It was peculiar how the ambience of a place could change one's outlook. Throughout the day, Kaname had felt a weight dragging him down. Latched onto his ankle, the iron ball pulled him deeper down the seas of despair. Each bad memory brought him further and further into the darkness.
Thoughts of his battle with Rido, his uncle. He was losing his grip on land. Thoughts of the fire and the poor girl came to him. He was sinking. Thoughts of Yuuki's death. He was drowning.
But inside the bar, those thoughts disappeared. His mind cleared. A weight lifted from his soul. He was almost close to floating at the moment. He let out a sigh. It seemed as if the exhale was a way to expel all his horrible ponderings.
"The other frequent patrons haven't arrived yet," Aidou explained. He nudged Kaname towards a booth by the corner. "They usually come in about an hour. That's usually when they have their breaks or begin their day."
Kaname raised an eyebrow, inquisitive about the peculiar schedules of the other visitors. He understood humans going to the bar late at night, but it tended to be for parties or after work – not at all the way Aidou had said it.
"In fact," the Level B continued, "I usually come later too, but it is best if we get you situated out of sight and attention. Takuma said his shift will be done in an hour and he'll get here a few minutes later than eleven."
"If that's the case, why are we here so early, Aidou?" Kaname asked, his voice stern and irritated. He didn't understand why he had to wait for a long stretch of time at the bar. He peered at the bartender, whose back was turned to the two, and lowered his voice. "We're vampires. We are used to the night life."
"I know." The reply sounded forced, making it even more peculiar to Kaname's ears.
Arriving at the booth, the two sat down, Kaname on the opposite side of Aidou. The leather seat was plush and comfortable. The booth gave him a view of the calm streets outside. The area was certainly a peaceful one, different than most of the bar surroundings Kaname had seen. On second thought, waiting for an hour at the bar didn't seem too bad. The blond waved his hand and called out to the bartender.
"Youta, can you serve us a few drinks!"
The bartender flipped around, eyes widened and clearly surprised to see customers. The young man jumped over the counter and ran towards their booth.
"Aidou Hanabusa!" the man exclaimed. "You're here early."
The bartender came up to the two. Folding his arms over his chest, he grinned at the blond vampire. In appearances, the man fit the atmosphere created by the bar. Shaggy brown hair fell over his forehead and around his head, even covering his ears. The boyish cut exuded innocence and affability, and complimented with the sparkling black eyes and impish grin, the bartender appeared genial and approachable – not at all like the tough and gritty bartenders at other places.
He leaned forward towards Aidou, his nose nearly touching the vampire's. "So what are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to unwind here for some time with a friend of mine," said Aidou, leaning back in his seat. "We're waiting up for Takuma." He directed the man's attention towards Kaname. "Youta, this is Kuran Kaname. He just returned to Japan last night and I wanted to bring him to my favorite hangout." The blond cocked his head towards the bartender's direction. "Kaname-sama, this is Nakahara Youta, the owner and sole bartender of Elysian Fields."
"Pleased to meet you, Kaname-san," Youta said with a bow. Kaname was struck with how soft the voice was for a man. "I hope your first visit here will be enjoyable."
"I'm already very much impressed," Kaname replied. "You run a very stylish bar, the nicest I've ever seen."
"Thanks for the compliment!" Youta replied with another smile. "So what can I get for you today?"
"I'll take two of your raspberry vodka to start," Aidou said, ordering for Kaname too.
Youta nodded his head. "Okay! Your drinks will be ready in a few minutes."
The bartender returned to his previous spot and began pulling out ingredients. Kaname returned his attention to Aidou. He tapped his finger on the faux marble surface of the table.
"How does Nakahara-san handle all the orders when this place gets busy?" he asked. "You said he works alone."
"The patrons are more than happy to wait, even if it takes an hour or two," Aidou said. He picked up a menu on the table and flipped through it in passing interest. "The alcoholic beverages here are just divine. Plus, people also come here to unwind. As the bar's name suggests, this place tries to give its patrons a taste of heaven. And after a long day of Council work or hunting vampires, all clients are more than happy to just sit back, get involved in the chatter, and wait for their drinks."
Kaname guffawed at Aidou, hearing his explanation. He processed the exact words in his mind and wondered if he had misheard the blond. Shaking his head, he wiped the surprise off his face. Shock was unattractive on the pureblood.
"You mean vampires and hunters frequent this place?" he asked.
Aidou nodded his head. "They seem to be the only patrons. A few humans are regulars but most are involved with the vampire world in some way."
Kaname pointed towards Youta and said his words in a whisper. "Does Nakahara-san know?" He scrutinized the bartender and found the man to be human. There was nothing supernatural about the fellow at all.
"Not at all," his loyal follower replied. While he spoke in a louder voice before, he now lowered it. It was nearly inaudible and Kaname's keen senses were what allowed him to hear the next words. "There are enough mentions of vampires and bloodshed to raise suspicions, but Youta just assumes it's all a game that he's being left out of. The guy's nice but he's not exactly the brightest bulb in the market."
Kaname cast another glance at Youta. The poor man was humming a happy tune while he did his work. Pity washed over him for the fellow but also envy. Kaname wished he could remain innocent about the vampire world. He desired to be free of the heartache and haunting involved with the vampire life. But he couldn't turn a blind eye like Youta. He was very much a vampire. His soul bore the taints of blood thirst, resentment, and destruction.
And there was no way he could lie about the darkness within his heart.
*arc one*
Takuma arrived at the bar later than Aidou anticipated. It was a quarter to twelve when the optimistic blond vampire entered the place. By then, the building was teeming with life. Every inch of the building was occupied by somebody. Despite the buzzing and chatter, Elysian Fields still possessed a tranquil air. For some reason, it remained a haven for Kaname's heart and soul.
The aura coming from the place stank of lies and cruelty, of death and hatred. Hunters convened on one side of the building, while the vampires enjoyed themselves on the other side. It was as if a line had been drawn at the center of the infrastructure. Nobody dared cross it except for Youta, who jumped from side to side with a smile on his face.
A bubble surrounded Kaname's and Aidou's corner. They were distant from the humdrum and nobody came to interact with them. Aidou had called the booth "the Void" and explained the area was always ignored for some reason. Many patrons believed a spell had been cast, causing whoever to sit there to fade into the background. It was the perfect place for Kaname to stay if he wanted his return to remain hidden from society.
Takuma was the first and only person to pop the bubble.
"Sorry I'm late," he said upon sitting down besides Aidou. "An emergency operation came to my wing at the last minute. The patient had a horrible heart condition." He set down a large square object, wrapped in cloth, onto the ground. Smiling at Kaname, he said, "Long time no see, Kaname-kun!"
Aidou eyed the package by Takuma's feet. "What's that?"
"A present this woman gave me for saving her boyfriend's life," Takuma answered. "It's a mirror from the Victorian era. Exported from France apparently." He returned his gaze back on Kaname. His green eyes twinkled with delight. "Well, I didn't believe it was true when Aidou-kun called me and said you'd return. I thought the guy was pulling a prank on me."
Aidou rolled his eyes at the comment and sunk further back in his seat. He took a sip of his drink – a lime sherry. It was the eighth drink he had called since they arrived at the bar.
"But you've returned!" Takuma exclaimed. "How's life been? Was Europe interesting? Pick up any cute foreign girls?"
At that moment, a glass of some alcoholic beverage slammed onto the table. Takuma looked up and met Youta's gaze. He pointed at it.
"Is this for me?"
"Yep," Youta answered. He was carrying a trap filled to the brim with drinks. Kaname was surprised how the gangly man could endure all the weight. He looked so brittle that a soft breeze could blow him over. He winked at Takuma. "When Aidou said you'd be coming, I prepared your favorite drink here all special before things got busy. Hope you enjoy!"
The bartender strolled off to attend to his other patrons.
Takuma sipped down a bit of the drink. "I love this place!" he commented. "When Aidou gave a rave review about it, I thought he was exaggerating but he hit every mark. I always feel so light here."
Kaname nodded his head, agreeing with the comment. Since his time at the bar, his tension had died down considerably. His muscles became less strained. His migraine had disappeared. He felt invigorated, different – almost like a new person. He gulped down his tenth serving of raspberry sherry.
"But yeah," Takuma continued, "how was Europe?"
"Good," Kaname lied. The lie rolled easily off his tongue and no guilt tinged his thoughts. It was different than his talk with Aidou. The bar's calming effect was rubbing off on him. No difficulty posed a problem for him.
"What cities did you tour?" Takuma asked. He looked like a child, eager to drink in all the words Kaname had to say. The noble was always like that, always excitable about the most menial things, always optimistic about the world.
The pureblood placed his drink on the table. "Oh I –"
His sentence faltered when he saw a change come across Aidou's and Takuma's expressions. While Takuma had been smiling, his jaw slackened and the color drained from his face. Aidou – always self-assured and loquacious – now looked stupefied and at a loss for words. Their eyes were directed somewhere. He followed their gaze only to see a television. The flat screen set was attached to the ceiling at a corner for all to see, but it had been ignored the entire time Kaname was there. In fact, it had been muted so no sound could distract from the atmosphere and conversations.
But now, all had become silent. The peaceful air died down. Kaname felt his stomach form into knots. His heart thrummed in his eardrums.
Something was about to happen. Something big.
A hunter called out to the bartender. "Hey, Youta, can you turn off the mute?"
The boyish man complied. He increased the volume so that the talking could be heard clear as day even in Kaname's corner. As for the pictures on the screen, the pureblood could see them well due to his precise sight.
A reporter stood in front of an ambulance, speaking into her microphone.
"The discovery has excited police officers in all of Japan," she said to the viewers. "It has wreaked havoc for every detective out there. Nobody knows what to make of the crime, though it is certain that a new serial killer must be on the rise. The Tokyo authorities have promised to put all efforts into solving the case and into ensuring the safety of all Japanese citizens. We are about to show live footage of the crime with permission from the police. This is not for the faint of heart. Please look away if it makes you uncomfortable."
The scene shifted to an alleyway. Police officers stood around something, though Kaname could not make out what it was. The camera zoomed in. The police officers nodded their heads to each other and backed away. The obstruction gone, everybody could see the sight in front of them.
A man – or what remained of a man – lay on the ground. A bullet wound was lodged in his forehead. He was hairless, the thin skin over his scalp pulled off. The red flesh was raw and shined under the light of the streetlamps. White was spotted in a few places – the white of the bone. And even deeper than the white was a pinky substance. Kaname's eyes widened as he realized what it was.
The brain.
The rest of the man's body was similarly desecrated. A knife had ran down his sternum to his hip bone – a knife that had dug deep into his flesh, past the protection of his bone. Blood spilled out of the slit, along with innards and stomach acid. A hole had been cut around the heart. The once beating life source was open for display; all could gape at the small object dried up and losing its rosy hue. As for his legs, they hung by mere flesh on his body. The rest of his lower half had been skinned.
Kaname could feel bile and vomit rising up his throat. He swallowed them down, along with the nausea.
The migraine was returning. Kaname was losing his breath; the water was suffocating him fast.
He was a vampire, a creature of death and destruction.
And still, he had never seen such a sight as the one before him.
The scene returned to the reporter. She was trembling in front of the camera.
"As you can see, the victim was poorly treated by his murderer," she said. "Police actually discovered the man still on the cusp of life. One officer was forced to shoot the man dead in a mercy kill. Please stay tuned for more news on this devastating event."
The television clicked off. Youta held onto the remote, his arm quivering. The happy man had gone pale, and he staggered to his place behind the bar. Every few steps, his knees would go walk and he'd fall onto the ground. Eventually the bartender chose to crawl to his destination. Kaname gaped, horrified at the man's actions. From what he saw of Youta, he knew the bar's owner to be chipper and bright – the type immune to being serious. But now, now Kaname knew the truth.
All beings in the world were subjected to some despair.
"That idiot!"
The sudden shout broke through his reflections. He turned towards the source, a young hunter with messy brown hair. His brown eyes had darkened to being almost black. He threw his glass cup onto the ground. The hunter continued to ravage the bar, kicking furniture and knocking over plates and utensils. None of his peers stopped him. They were similarly furious. Gritted teeth, reddening faces, angled eyebrows – every feature spoke wrath and disbelief.
On the other side of the bar, the vampires had become whiter than a ghost. They murmured quick whispers among their groups. Their eyes darted back to the television screen. Their heads kept flipping back and forth, a show of paranoia. Vampires valued being in control of the situation; they preferred to smirk in the face of all disasters. To show such weakness – and in a room with vampire hunters no less – was…
Something was peculiar about the murder. Something related to the vampire world.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
He could hear his heartbeats echoing. Each beat carried a message. Every thump was a precursor to the anxiety that rushed through his blood. His heart was telling him something, telling him to be afraid and to become stunned.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
The palms of his hands were feeling clammy.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
He faced Aidou and Takuma; both were in a similar state to the other vampires.
"What's happening?" he demanded.
"I can't believe it," Takuma cried, ignoring Kaname's question. He exchanged a look with Aidou. A message passed between them. The green-eyed male repulsed in shock. "You mean you think it's –"
"There can't be anyone else!" Aidou asserted. He swallowed down his drink in one gulp. "Only one psycho in the universe kills that grotesquely. And didn't you hear? The police had to shoot the victim dead in a mercy kill. And we all know, mercy kill is how the lunatic works."
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Kaname narrowed his eyes into slits. "What's wrong? Why is everybody in here so worried?"
He continued to be invisible to the two.
"But he doesn't attack humans," Takuma argued. "He goes for the Level Es. That's his job."
"Oh come on!" Aidou barked. His pupils had dilated; he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "You know what he actually is. I am amazed that he's controlled himself for this long but he was going to snap eventually."
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
"But the reports I read on him portrayed him as better than this."
"Well the reports were wrong."
Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Kaname slammed his palms onto the table. He had enough of this. He wanted his questions answered; he would not be forgotten. Not at this time. Not while the mystery was possessing him and filling his every thought with apprehension.
"What is happening?" he demanded, enunciating his every word. "Everybody seems so shocked; it's like they know who the killer is."
Takuma grimaced. "That's because everybody involved with vampires does know the murderer."
Kaname backed away, hearing the answer, but the leather seat prevented any advanced. It was impossible. It was horrible to believe. His eyes widened at the idea. His heart slowed.
Ba-dum.
"T-then," Kaname said, trying to not stammer, "who is the sick bastard who did this?"
Ba-dum.
Aidou leaned back in his seat. His visage grew grim. His voice was heavy and dark as his pronounced his next words.
Ba-dum.
"The Renegade Hunter, otherwise known as Kiryuu Zero."
A/N: Yay! Zero is finally mentioned! I'm curious to see how everybody's initial reaction to this version of Zero... By the way, hope the description of the victim wasn't too bad - I've never described grotesque murders in detail before.
As this is the first arc, many things mentioned in the summary will take awhile before being introduced. Like the detective agency is introduced in the second arc. As another note, I'll try to update this story at least once every month, though we'll see how this plan works out (I do want to get the first arc done by the end of this year though).
What to expect next chapter: Aidou describes Zero to Kaname without any exaggeration (or so he swears).
Please drop a review if you can. I like hearing readers' reactions!