Hey everyone, sorry for such a late update. It's been hard to get into the mood of finishing a chapter but for some reason watching the anime Say "I love you" got me into such a good mood that it inspired me to update. Anyways this chapter is a long one and the story finally gets to move on towards the good stuff.
I do not own Vampire Knight or its characters. I simply own my own creations.
Masami walked alongside Hanabusa, stepping out of the Moon Dorm.
"Don't look so down, Masami. It's only for awhile before we both leave the Academy." Hanabusa grabbed her hand, tugging softly.
Masami smirked "What makes you think I'll be leaving the Academy?"
Hanabusa shrugged "Nothing, but still. Maybe you'll be forced to leave."
"Nothing is set in stone... Time can only tell." she responded making it evident that she no longer wished to speak. They had reached the class, it was large enough to fit more than twice the night class and still room left to fit some others, Masami noted the large windows that let the moons rays shine through. The lights of course were not needed at all.
"Come." Hanabusa led Masami to the seats near the windows, two chairs were set aside from everyone else. "This is where we will sit, we watch and keep the aristocrats from doing what we deem is wrong."
Masami sat down "So I'm babysitting them?" she sighed watching Shiki sit in the seat closest to her.
"Not exactly." Hanabusa responded, taking her hand in his.
"You became the new president," Ichijo who was speaking to Ruka and Akatsuki made his way to Masami's side. "They only remain here because you asked them to." his kind smile reached his eyes.
"Well you'll help me with anything I need, right?" she grabbed his hand, smiling up at him.
Ichijo's eyes widened at her smile. "Of course." he replied squeezing her hand.
The loud bang of the door opening caught Masami's attention. "Is that the professor?" she asked both men that were at her sides.
"Yes." they both replied.
Masami was expecting an old aristocrat but instead there was Toga in all his hunter glory glancing around the room until he caught sight of her. "Toga..."
"Again? What is he doing here now?" Hanabusa turned to Ichijo who seemed as puzzled as he was.
"He isn't supposed to be here." He responded taking his seat.
"Good evening, vampires. I am your new teacher, when I teach I am no hunter but sleep through my lessons and I won't ne kind to you." Toga said placing a stack of books on the front desk.
"What's a dog like you doing here?" someone said making Masami glancing over the aristocrats.
"Watching over you leeches of course." a smirk rose as Toga looked over them.
"Go back to your master you filthy mutt!" another one said.
Masami could see Toga becoming irritated, she knew exactly what would happen if he snapped. "I ask that you keep your words to yourself, my fellow vampires." Masami spoke loudly making it clear that she would not stand their childish behavior. "And to you also, Mr. Hunter." she glanced over at Toga who had nodded in response.
The class began, Toga began teaching some kind of history and made the students take notes, Masami tuned him out thinking how exactly she was going to come in contact with the Hunters association and not have them think she is just another Kaname.
"Ankoku!" Masami looked up startled at the sudden yell.
"Yes?" she noticed Shinohara standing by Toga
"Headmaster Cross wishes to speak to you." Toga said.
"Wonder what for..." she thought walking past the class full of aristocrats and into the hall.
"This way." Shinohara motioned for her to move.
Walking side by side Masami noticed he wasn't tense, "Aren't you afraid I'm going to attack you?" Masami asked
Shinohara chuckled "You aren't like the others, you won't attack me without reason.
Masami smiled "Such a confident man you are, Shinohara."
"Just telling it how I see it, princess." he shrugged
Both walked silently, reaching the headmasters office in no time. Just as Shinohara was a bout to knock the doors swung open giving Masami little time to react, Shinohara pulling her out of the way.
"What the.." Masami began.
"CALM DOWN MIKI!" Headmaster Cross yelled.
"I leave them together for a few minutes and it all turns into chaos." Shinohara groaned, keeping a hand on Masamis arm. "What is going on here?" he spoke walking in, making sure the pureblood queen was a step behind him.
"There she is!" Miki growled glaring at Masami.
"Relax, Miki" Shinohara ordered giving her a cold glare.
"She'll just cause us trouble!" Miki stated glancing between Shinohara and the Headmaster.
"Leave us be." Headmaster Cross ordered the small hunter, his voice had become serious. "You can cover Shinohara for tonight, you'll be excused from your classes for tomorrow, now go."
Miki glared at Masami "Fine." she hissed giving up and walking out of the office, bumping into Masami as she left.
"She smells rotten." Masami said wiggling her nose.
"Its the hatred." Shinohara shrugged "Can't change her thoughts no matter what you say to her."
"There is hope," the headmaster said "she can still change."
Shinohara smirked "Saying it is easier than it actually happening."
Masami watched the hunters exchange words "Why am I here?" she asked
"The soiree." the headmaster said. "I , as president of the hunters association, want to hold a meeting where you and Hanabusa will be present."
"The other hunters will be there, I assume." she cocked her head as the headmaster smirked.
"Of course, there is the matter of Rido Kuran to be discussed and , of course, the matter of you being the new " Queen"." Kaien air quoted.
Masami bit her lip " What do you mean by that?" she hissed through her teeth.
"Nothing bad, Masami. Not every hunter agrees with there being someone at the head of the Vampiric society. They have very little trust in you after the..." he paused looking from her to his desk that had a large crack in the middle of it was held together with what seemed like tape. "Kaname incident."
"I never wanted any of this." Masami said coldly "Blame him for what he did, not me."
Shinohara stepped in placing a hand on Masami's head "Well hey there," he began, messing her hair up. "no need to get so frustrated about that." a kind smile lit up his face.
Masami lunged at him "DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR!" she growled
Shinohara caught Masami mid air and held her over his shoulder. "Calm down now, princess." he laughed.
"I haven't met anyone that could do that to Masami that is still living." the headmaster laughed out loud.
"YOU PUT ME DOWN NOW HUNTER!" Masami growled her fists pounding on Shinohara's back.
Shinohara place an angry Masami onto her feet.
"If it weren't for these stupid laws I would have drained you dry by now." she hissed making an attempt to fix her hair.
Shinohara smirked "The meeting will be held during a certain part of the soiree, I will come to get you, Hanabusa, and Ichijo."
Kaien nodded "The soiree is held for both the hunters and the vampires. You present yourself as the new queen and Hanabusa as the new king. It is better for us as hunters to have someone like you in power but," he paused glancing at Shinohara "you will have to agree with the hunters on various things. Rido will be brought up as our main concern and you must keep calm. If they knew your connection to the Kuran killer, you will be questioned and their trust will be hard to earn."
Masami tugged at her sleeve "Very well." she finally said after a while. "I'll do as you tell me... with one condition." she held up a finger to her face.
Kaien cocked his head in amusement "What would that be?"
"Shinohara will get to dance with me." she smirked turning to watch the young hunter grimace.
"Not many vampires will approve of this but they will not object. We have a deal." the headmaster laughed.
"Don't I have a say in this?" Shinohara crossed his arms.
"No." both pureblood and hunter said in unison.
"Fine. I get to wear what I want." Shinohara rolled his eyes.
"Only if it is appropriate." she smiled turning to the headmaster. "Is that all?"
Kaien nodded "Yes. I must ask that you go back to class without Shinohara as I need him to run an errand for me."
Masami nodded "That's fine. I'll see you both later." Masami bowed and left the building.
"It seems you have much to deal with at the soiree."
Masami turned to watch Mamoru emerge from two trees. "I know. This is going to get out of hand quickly if we don't agree on anything."
"This is why you have to become much stronger than you are now. Your presence alone must radiate power. Kaname Kuran was powerful, he is what you should become. You will be his opposite in various ways but your power should match his. Do not hide what was given to you at birth, you can become the one that will bring the use of vampire weapons to an end."
"Let's see how this works out first, Mamoru." Masami made her way through the trees and back to the building currently filled with vampires...
The day of the soiree arrived rather quickly. Masami noted the moods of the aristocrats had become much more excited than normal, putting the young pureblood on edge. "They all seem excited about attending this soiree." Masami spoke to Ichijo who was silently reading manga in her room.
Ichijo looked up from the romance manga to look at Masami. "They aren't allowed to go into town at all and this soiree is all the freedom they have, they deserve to be a bit excited. It'll be fine, Masami. I'll be there to keep things in order along with the hunters that will be attending. You needn't worry about them at all, you should worry about keeping appearances. There will be countless aristocrats attending that will want to tear you apart, just stay by Hanabusa's side and you''ll be fine. If he happens to leave you alone then please don't hesitate to find me, Akatsuki or Shiki, we'll save you from them." Ichijo laughed
Masami smirked pulling out the large bag which contained the dress she was to wear. "I hope everything turns out fine..."
"It will. Now," Ichijo began, standing up from the seat. "I must get ready. Everyone but ourselves will leave early. It is best to get there after everyone has arrived, that way I can tell you who is best to avoid. I'll go find Hanabusa and send him up here." Ichijo smiled, leaving the pureblood by herself.
Masami sighed unzipping the bag to reveal a a long sleeved silk gown the color of midnight with soft frills and a heart shaped
bodice with small diamonds sewn into it making it seem like they were twinkling stars. The train of the dress had several diamonds scattered over it. "I'll be the midnight sky..." she smiled, her fingers stroking the silk. Taking off her clothes she managed to step into the dress, it fit her perfectly. Moving to the large full body mirror Masami turned several times, admiring the beauty of the dress. Her skin seemed like porcelain and her emerald eyes seemed to shone brighter. "Ichijo knows exactly what I like..."
"You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
Masami turned. Hanabusa stood near the foot of their bed, he was wearing a black suit and his hair seemed much more wilder than before. "You.. are extremely handsome today, Hanabusa." she managed to say walking to the vanity where all her jewelry lay.
"Wear the choker. The black one." Hanabusa had walked over to her and reached for the velvet choker, placing it over her pale neck. "Leave your hair the way it is, your style fits everything you wear."
Masami blushed. "Fine." grabbing her heels she stepped into them. "How long will the meeting last?" she asked wanting the attention to be removed from her.
"It depends how annoying they want to be. Don't worry, I'll be there to take over when you become frustruated with them. I know how irritating they can be." Hanabusa laughed.
Masami watched Hanabusa carefully, it amazed her how any pureblood could be as calm as him. "Why are you so calm?" she blurted out, biting her lip to prevent anything else from coming out.
Hanabusa seemed surprised at what Masami had just said. "Well... um..." his hand began to mess with his hair a smile spread across his lips. "Being calm can do wonders. It's better to be calm than to stress, I learned that not too long ago. "
Masami's eyes widened a bit at what Hanabusa had said. Her teeth softly bit her lip as she thought about what he said. "You've changed, Hanabusa. I remember you being much more serious than before, time also does wonders... I suppose." she stood and walked out of the room stopping to look over her shoulder. "You coming?"
Masami stepped out of the car along with Ichijo and Hanabusa. "Well this building is a great disguise." she managed to say. The building was old and crumbling to the ground, but what the humans around didn't know was that underneath was a beautiful ballroom with countless rooms connected to it. "You're family still owns this place, Hanabusa?"
Hanabusa led Masami inside and down through an entrance hidden by what seemed to be a large heavy rock. "Yes, it's used for events like this or if anyone of us wants to spend time alone. There are a number of rooms inside if you want to get away from it all for a bit."
"Not to mention you can sneak in with some food and read manga until it's over." Ichijo smiled.
"You're staying by her side." Hanabusa stated. "I rather you not leave her. Now that I think of it,I heard Zero would be attending which most likely means he'll be looking for any excuse to threaten Masami."
"He wouldn't do such a thing." Masami said as they all arrived into the large ballroom covered in roses and glass chandeliers.
They looked from above down onto the dance area where everyone was mingling amongst each other. Masami had become self conscious, she noticed the women were much more beautiful than her.
"What makes you think he wouldn't?" Hanabusa watched Masami look down at the other vampires."
The pureblood queen glanced at Hanabusa "I've known him for awhile. I know him well enough to know that he won't do that to me."
"Everyone senses your presence, Lady Masami." Ichijo said.
Masami glanced down at the large crowd of vampires who had begun murmuring and mumbling silently. The room had become much more quieter than before.
"Come, let's greet them." Hanabusa held out his arm to her, his sparkling eyes made the nervous queen a bit more calm.
She nodded in response sliding her arm in his. Masami fought the urge to avoid eye contact with everyone but she knew eye contact was important and avoiding them would make her seem weak. They had finally reached the floor where hundreds of eyes were on her.
Hanabusa's father stepped forward, a kind smile had spread over the elder purebloods face. "Lady Masami, I speak for us all when I say that it is a pleasure seeing you."
A vampire who appeared to be around her age also stepped forward "Lady Masami, it is an honor of finally meeting our leader... our queen."
In response to what he had said every vampire in the room bowed and curtsied. Masami couldn't help but take a step back.
Hanabusa pulled her back "Say something." he whispered into her ear.
She nodded "Right. I am pleased to meet you all, you all may know me as the Ankoku heiress and as fiancee to Hanabusa Aidou. I hope to bring peace to our existence once and for all, we should be proud of what we are without having to be threatened constantly. Hunters and vampires should be able to work together in peace, this is what we should all strive for." Masami finished watching as every vampire in the room stood and begun clapping they all nodded in agreement at her words.
"They liked it." Hanabusa spoke softly.
Masami locked eyes with the hunter in the room who just watched her with careful eyes. Toga, Shinohara, two hunters she did not recognize, and finally Zero were all there. The aristocrats begun speaking to her, asking her of what she wanted to do,hat she thought about the new threat, and the fact that Kuran Yuuki left leaving the silver hunter in charge.
Toga watched from a far as Masami was surrounded by the leeches,
"If I'm not mistaken, Masaku has grown into her position." the silver haired hunter came to his side.
"Still calling her that?" Toga smirked. "You were friends all those years ago, Zero. I remember her calling you and Ichiru names.
Now what were they..." the elder hunter gave Zero another smirk.
"Zeryuu and Ichiyuu." Zero said looking at the pureblood who seemed to be trying her best not to run out the door.
"Are you going to be rude to her? I warn you looks can be deceiving." Shinohara had walked up to his superiors.
Zero chuckled "And what do you know about her?"
Shinohara glanced at Masami, "Well for starters she is much stronger than all of us... to start. She has secrets she has to keep and she feels forced to be in her position... even though she has never even dared admit it, even to herself."
Both Zero and Toga stared at Shinohara who was simply watching Masami dance around with Hanabusa and some of the aristocrats.
"You haven't even known her that long, how can you possibly know that?" Zero said going back to watching the room, looking for anything wrong.
"If you look close enough you can read her like a book." he shrugged.
"She must like you enough to let her guard down." Toga said.
"I owe her a dance..." Shinohara spoke leaving the two hunters wondering where he was going.
Masami stepped away from the elder vampire she had been dancing with. "Geez my feet hurt." she thought to herself, making sure to give the man a smile before he turned to dance with someone else. An aristocrat began approaching her when someone taller than her blocked his way to her.
"I recall owing Lady Masami a dance."
Masami looked up to see Shinohara smirking. "I forgot all about that." she admitted looking around to see many of the aristocrats watching them both closely.
"I see... then what better way to prove that both hunters and vampires can get along then by giving a hunter a simple dance with Lady Masami." he stretched out his hand to her.
"You sure about this Shinohara?" she asked placing her hand in his.
"It's worth a try." he said leading her in a waltz.
"They're beginning to stare." she frowned. Masami caught a glimpse of Hanabusa dancing with a beautiful woman with amber eyes and blond hair. She noticed he was laughing at something she had said.
"If he causes you any problems you can always come to me for help." Shinohara said trying to bring her attention back.
"What would you do that for?" Masami tilted her head to the side her eyes questioning what he said.
"I'm your friend, friends help each other." he simply stated, twirling her around the dance floor.
"Friends?" she spoke
"I like you, Masami. You put the needs of those in front of you. I like to have friends like that so we are friends." he said
Just as she was about to respond, someone removed her hand from Shinohara.
"Masami. You are needed in the library." Zero had let her hand go.
"Zeryuu..." she stood there.
"I'll lead the way. Shinohara, you remain here." he ordered
"Yes sir." he nodded giving Masami a wink before he left.
"Come." Zero began walking towards the stairs that led up.
"Umm.. where's Hanabusa and Ichijo, Zeryuu?" she asked Zero.
"You are the only one left to arrive, Masami." opening the door for her they both stepped into a dimly lit hallway.
"It's a good thing I'm a vampire..." she mumbled.
"I heard the women complimenting your dress... you never wore things that girly when you were younger." he said glancing down at her.
"Oh.. well..." she paused not knowing what to really say to a friend she hadn't seen in a long while. "I grew up, Zeryuu."
Zero chuckled at her response "Come on Masami, they're waiting for us."
Before they began walking Masami blurted out something she had in mind for a very long time "I'm truly sorry about Ichiru... I heard what happened."
Zero's eyes widened in surprise
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you like I should have been." she bit her lip, her hands fumbling with the silk of her dress.
"You don't need to apologize, Masaku. He chose his path and I chose mine." he said it as though it was a mantra he repeated to himself constantly.
"I understand what you went through, Zeryuu. I want you to know that if you need anyone to talk to or you just need a friend, I'll be there. Don't hesitate in coming to me because I'll always receive you with open arms." she said it loudly and with a serious tone so he would understand how much she meant it.
Zero nodded "Same here. We'll talk about this later now come on, we have to go." he led the way down the hallway and to a large oak door. "Be ready for the questions, Masaku."
Masami nodded mentally making herself ready for all the questions she would be asked about. Her main concern was hiding the fact that she was friends with Rido Kuran.
Zero opened the door and allowed Masami to enter first.
The room was large with shelves lining the walls, each filled with books of every shape, height, thickness. and color. The room itself had one large table surrounded by chairs which n this case were filled with hunters and vampires.
"Good evening." Masami said loudly to everyone, taking notice that Hanabusa, Ichijo, Akatsuki, and Shiki were waiting for her.
"Lady Masami, take a seat." Zero motioned for her to take a seat in at the head of the table.
Masami did as told and sat right directly across Zero and Headmaster Cross.
"I see everyone is here." an old man with scars adorning his large body spoke. He seemed to be the one in charge of this meeting.
"Masami Ankoku and Hanabusa Aidou, you know full well what we want to speak about... Rido Kuran is truly alive and we believe he has been hiding at Cross Academy with the help of someone inside. The funny thing is, is that this person is helping Rido but we also know Kuran Kaname is currently residing at Cross Academy and this can be a problem for both sides. If Rido manages to get his hands on Kaname Kuran's body, Rido will have the ability to posses the body and that cannot be allowed to happen."
Masami frowned deeply in response to what the man had said.
"We know nothing of this. How can you be sure the Rido is after Lord Kaname and that Rido is at Cross Academy, Ayato?" Hanabusa spoke angrily making sure that the man known as Ayato would be serious.
Ayato seemed furious at what Hanabusa had just asked. "We captured a vampire that confessed to everything but he could not name who was helping Rido or where he was."
"Rido must be using a body that isn't his like before." Zero glanced towards Shiki who was just watching the conversation play out silently.
"It isn't Shiki, Rido isn't foolish enough to take over his sons body once again. This time he would make sure to make it less obvious." Kaien said
"We'll have to check every vampire in the school but with the help he is receiving I am sure he will know and escape before he is caught.. we do have a plan to capture him. Although we will need permission from the Ankoku heiress." Ayato said.
Masami ,who had remained silent during the conversation, spoke "What is it you have planned to capture him?" a growing fear began to consume her insides, she knew what they planned on doing.
"We want to capture him by using you as bait. You are the last female pureblood left that isn't in hiding and we know the Ankoku bloodlines power is immense. Rido would no doubt come after you first. I understand that a vampire pregnancy can last years." Ayato looked at her.
Masami nodded "Yes, it depends really, each pregnancy is different for every vampire. Now why do you ask?"
"We are certain Rido Kuran , if he gets his hands on you and manages to capture you, will want a child. If this comes to pass we will kill you." Ayato said
Hanabusa stood from his seat, his fist punching thought the wooden table. "I won't allow that to happen. Masami will not carry the child of that murderer!" his anger was clearly showing on his face, his eyes burned.
"It's alright Hanabusa, please calm down." Masami placed a hand on her fiancee's arm.
"How can I keep calm when they just threatened to kill you for carrying a child?" his eyes burned into hers.
"It won't happen Hanabusa. I won't have a child with Rido Kuran now please take a seat and listen." she said softly.
Hanabusa nodded and sat but kept a tight hold on the hand of his lover.
"It is inhumane to kill a woman bearing a child, even if the child is a product of rape or the senseless act of a murderer on a rampage. There is no forgiveness for people such as those who kill the innocent because of a simple fear. Now, I ask that we remain on topic on how to capture Kuran Rido." she gave them a small smile and a bow of her head to seem polite. "What is it you propose we do?"
"Lure him out by using you as bait."
I hope you all liked this chapter. It was hard to get Zero in there but I managed to so YAY for Zero! XD Anyways please leave a review, a like, a follow, and the such. Thank you all for reading and until later Night Class lovers! :3
-Masami Kuran (Bunny)
