Amaya pulled away to look at him one more time, tears trailing down her blood stained face, and whispered softly, looking him deeply in the eyes with a sad, pained smile, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, I'm sorry...But, I-I...we can't...I can't...Yuuki can't do what she needs to without hurting you and I can't be with you because of Hanabusa, no matter how much I-I love you, but I...If I do this...If I do this you'll be able to take blood tablets easier and you won't be thirsting for my blood and-and...I'm so sorry!" Her shoulders shook violently as she tried not to sob, "The-The only for Yuuki to stop K-Kaname is to make him Human and the only way for me to stay by Hanabusa's side without conflict i-is...it's...You need to be out of the picture...I'm sorry, I love you, I'm sorry..."
She leaned back down and bit him, a bit more roughly this time.
"But this is not enough. Even if I have to give my life for you, I wouldn't say a single complaint." The memory ran through both their minds and Zero cried out,
"Stop it!"
"Do you not want me to worry?" Her worried face and the smell of her pomegranate scent went through both of their minds before it started to become erased, Zero screamed as loud as he could, tears pricking his eyes,
"DON'T STEAL HER FROM ME!" All the faces, scents and smells and sights and voices of Yuuki and Amaya were vanishing quickly and have vanished, just as the window in the corner shattered, cutting Amaya's cheek.
Yuuki choose that moment to walk in, standing beside Amaya, who wiped the blood of of her face with sad, guilty, and slightly regretful eyes. Those eyes...Zero's eyes...That look he had in them as he stared at her, would haunt her for the rest of her life. Which would be a very, very, very long time.
The eyes of one who did not know what he was seeing, looking at, but one who knew what just happened moment ago and was filled with pain, sadness, betrayal, but complete confusion at the same time. She felt her heart break at that look, and she was able to tell him one last thing before he went unconscious,
"I'm sorry..." His eyes slipped closed as his head turned to the side, the daggers vanishing.
She felt the tears slip down her cheeks, but didn't pay attention to them, rather saying, "You're thirst is going to reduce now...now that I'm not in your memories...I'm so sorry..."
She felt Yuuki wrap her arms around, but she ignored her, merely staring heartbroken at the boy who would no longer know her that lay beneath her.
"E-Ever since you ran out the blood tablets you've guys have been acting weird!" A man cried out, pointing at them, sweat beading down his pale face. He then realized something and cried out, "That's it! It's the blood tablets' fault, it's what made me attack the outskirts of the town! So please, help m-What the hell are you doing working with a Hunter!?" He pressed himself against a tree, staring at the Vampires and Hunter in front of him.
The brunette from before spoke, pulling the hood off of her head, "As the children of the Nobility, we can not turn a blind eye to the follies of our families." Kukai was standing next to her, along with the really tall Vampire Hunter with his hair slicked back messily with a scar on his face, behind them.
The rouge Vampire cursed, "Shit!" And moved away from the tree slowly, only to turn and make a break for it.
"Okay," The Hunter said and the female Vampire spoke as they started to run,
"Let's go. Follow him." They ran after him for a while, but as they took in their surroundings, the girl's eyes widened, "Isn't that Hanadagi-Sama's empty castle!?"
X.X
"You know this school's history right," Kaien asked Kaito curiously. He explained, "This place is the birthplace of the Association and the parent was brought into existence upon this hill. After that, my ancestors purchased it and rebuilt it as a school."
Kaito scoffed and said, "Of course I know. I also know that after that, you took over the management of the school from your parents."
"To be honest, I wish we didn't try to go back to those days...but, this is the only place where arrangements for the Association to function fully are sufficiently in place."
Kaito spoke up after a few moments of silence, "By the way...It's been exactly one week since Isaya-Dono sent those three messengers here." Kaien was silent, his eyes glazing over with grief and sadness, "I'll go check up on them." Kaito left, just as Kaien asked himself, looking out a window,
"Amaya...," He ducked his head and breathed in deeply, opening his eyes slowly, "What exactly have you done?"
X.X
"You okay?" A girl with shoulder-length, flame red, untamed hair asked Zero as he woke. Next to her, stood a girl with above-shoulder light brown hair.
"Is your thirst troubling you," The brunette questioned him. Zero instantly sat up and whipped out his gun, pressing it against the red-head's forehead, "Hunter-San?"
"There are no reasons why two Vampires I don't know would be concerned about my well-being," He growled, observing the two girls. They appeared no more than 17 in Vampires years, but being Vampires...you can never tell. They could be one hundred in Human years.
The brunette, with wide, wine-red eyes, had a round shaped head with fair skin and small lips. Her light brown hair went above her shoulders and looked untamed, her bangs framing her face childishly, but she still had an air of maturity and leadership. She wore a light pink trenchcoat.
The ginger however, caused him to glance at her with confusion and slight annoyance. Just looking at her started to give him a headache and he furrowed his brows in confusion, something was prodding in the back of his head as he stared at the two girls', two girls' whom he had never met before. The ginger had a heart shaped head and full lips, dark skin-possibly a foreigner, and narrow, yet wide, emerald eyes that screamed pain, guilt, and sadness. But if you looked closer, you could see worry and tiredness. She was wearing a black, unbuttoned trenchcoat with a burgundy turtleneck and black jeans.
His grip tightened on his gun as he frowned. He growled, "Disappear." His headache only grew when the ginger scoffed and spoke, crossing her arms,
"Whatever, let's go, Yuuki." He watched as the the ginger backed away from his gun and the brunette nod slowly,
"Okay, Amaya."
The meaning of their names entered his mind almost instantly, which confused him greatly, Tender Princess and Night Rain, he thought.
Yuuki, the brunette, looked at Zero with a small grin that she tried to hide, but he caught, said, "Okay, we'll leave, Mr. Human-lover-who-won't-ever-pull-the-trigger. Take care." His headache grew when Amaya, the ginger, snorted and placed a hand over her mouth. She mumbled, loud enough for them both to hear,
"That's one hell of a name you got there, old man." He knew she was referencing his silver hair, and glared at her. It didn't seem to affect her thought, only caused her to give him a small, sad smile, that seemed to be full of guilt and remembrance. She gave him a small salute and said, "Later, oldie."
They left the room, only to encounter Kaito, who gave Amaya a hard glare, with tired eyes, said, "Stealing something important from someone, and twisting the way that they live...that is the epitome of Vampire lewdness." Amaya said nothing, even when Yuuki grabbed her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze, "But since you have a likeable face, and don't try to hurt anyone..." Amaya swallowed and gave him a smile, trying to seem like she's cheered up. Kaito said nothing as he walked passed them and once he could no longer see her face, she squeezed her eyes shut and ducked her head, her side-bangs falling into her face.
She had cut her hair again, earlier. It was a weird quirk of hers, but whenever she gets depressed, she changes her hairstyle. It's actually much more easier to change her hair, considering one of her weirdest and most useless Vampire powers was making her hair grow as long as she wants at command. She just has to cut it when she wants it short. This time it stopped a little below her shoulders and she gained her side-bangs she had when she was Human. Call her strange, but it helps her cope slightly. They walked for a bit, but it was only a few moments before Kaien called them over,
"Yuuki, Amaya, can I have a word with you both!?" They stopped right when they were about to turn a corner.
Zero, who had encountered Kaito, turned his head at the girls' names and watched as they chatted with Kaien. He commented to himself, "That Pureblood girl and the Aristocrat...I wondered if the Association Head is detaining them here?"
Kaito heard him and walked over, explaining to the prefect, "They're cousins; allies for the time being. They're both valuable masters of Artemis and Luna..." He saw the slight annoyed look from Zero's face, the look he got whenever he had a headache, and added curiously, "Are you bothered by them?"
"They're obviously eyesores, mainly the red-head." He scowled at the pounding in his head; Where is Tylenol when you need it?
Kaito glanced at him surprised and asked slowly, but curious, "Zero...are you seriously not feeling any hunger?"
Zero's eyes went distant slightly as he spoke, confused and slow, "Yeah...I feel like the way I was taking the tablets like crazy before was all a lie."
The two then walked away, and now we focus on our two main Kuran-blooded protagonists.
"-well, regarding them, just wait for them patiently." Kaien told the cousins, "I can't tell you the reason you're here, but.."
"But we can't wait without knowing any reasons...," Yuuki said quietly, ducking her head. Amaya frowned deeply and narrowed her eyes, saying,
"You've got to at least know, something, right, Headmaster?" She continued, annoyed, "We're already worried about Zero and Yuuki-"
"And I already said that I wouldn't leave to chase after Kaname..." Yuuki cut in, speaking for herself. Kaien waved his hands in front of him and said, laughing slightly,
"No, you've both got it wrong. Let's talk about that later. What I wanted to talk about was-"
"Association Director!" A woman called, walking over to Kaien as he heels clip-clopped against the ground. Kain's eyes widened slightly as he turned his head towards the woman. He looked back at the cousins and said, "Yuuki, come with me. Amaya...you have visitors. Yagari will show you where they are."
Just as if he was called by the Kurans himself, Yagari walked over with a cigar in his mouth a grumped,
"C'mon, kid, they're this way." Amaya scowled and retorted,
"I'm not a kid, old man." He smirked and shook his head as they walked down the hallway. Yuuki took off with Kaien, heading to the woods. "And, stupid, but quick question, why the hell would I have visitors?" The Vampire Hunter shrugged and said,
"Hell if I know, kid."
"...I'm not a kid! I'm an adult!"
"Seventeen is not an adult."
"Is if you're a Vampire!" She argued childishly, "So, in a way, I'm older than you!"
"I know Vampire years kid, I'm still older than you. You're twenty at the most, but since you were human most of your life," He smirked again and Amaya fumed, "You're still seventeen."
"Technically I'd be at least nineteen!"
"Whatever you say, kid."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Amaya," A familiar voice that Amaya could never have been happier to hear in her life called. Amaya tensed and turned her head, eyes wide, as she caught sight of the curly blonde running towards her. Amaya moved away from Yagari and towards the blonde, exclaiming happily,
"Hanabusa!" She jumped up and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck while he wrapped his around her waist, holding her tightly. She pulled her head back and asked confusedly, "What the hell are you doing here?"
He deadpanned, "I've been here for quite a while. Well, I had to leave to meet someone," He smiled brightly at her, all signs of grief from his father's death gone, and continued, "and I want you to meet him. You met him before, actually, but, well," He realized how ridiculous he was sounding and shook his head, "Just come with me." She made to release him, but he quickly stole a chaste kiss from her and gripped her hand, twining their fingers together, and pulling her with him towards the direction of the other visitor.
X.X
Kaien gave Kaname a small smile, "Ah, so you came. We can finally speak leisurely and alone." He tried not to emphasize alone, as he had Yuuki hiding behind a tree not far from him, listening to the conversation. "Have you finished preparing the furnace?"
Kaname spoke calmly, "It's the responsibility of one of the two last remaining founders, so I will "Succeed" her. We must leave the Parent, and the power to butcher Vampires, with Humans. I will use my heart to fuel the furnace."
From behind the tree, Yuuki's eyes widened as she tensed.
"Before that," Kaien started, "I am sure there is something you want to say to me?" Kaname was silent and Kaien shouted, "Kaname-Kun, stop closing off the inside of your heart from everyone and stop making decisions on your own!" He snapped, pissed. He was even more pissed by the fact, "Who will benefit from you continually contamination only yourself!? It only happened yesterday," He continued, trying to calm himself down. "My followers and the students of the Night Class entered a specific empty castle while following a target. It's the castle where you put an end to the life of the head of the Hanadagi family and where you murdered Aidou-Kun's father."
X.X
"Hanabusa, where are we going?" Amaya questioned confusedly as he lead down multiple hallways, turning here and there, leading her to the person she was supposed to meet. "Who am I supposed to see?"
"You'll see, Butterfly, you will see." His voice was excited and filled to the brim with excitement.
"Despite the castle being supposedly empty," Kaien continued, voice solemn, "My followers and the students discovered a coffin with "Something Inside" in a shrine deep underground."
Hanabusa made one final turn and released Amaya, turning to her with a bright smile and eccentric eyes, telling her excitedly, "Just wait here, okay? You-You'll see, you'll see-Wait here!" He took off down another hallway and Amaya was left stranded confused. She wondered and asked herself aloud,
"What hell is going on?"
Hanabusa arrived a few moments later with a tall man with slicked back, long, blonde hair, and calm, yet aged ice blue eyes. He was wearing a purple coat with a white shirt underneath with a collar, and a lighter purple tie.
The world seemed to stop moving as Amaya's breathing hitched. Hanabusa seemed ecstatic, holding onto the man's arm tightly, as though afraid to let go of him. No...He's...He can't be...But, he's right there...I can't...I can't move. I can't speak...
"Inside, Aidou-Dono, who you supposedly killed, was alive and sleeping soundly." Kaien had crossed his arms and continued, "Kaname..."
Yuuki suppressed a gasp and her hands flew up to her mouth, eyes wide as her breathing hitched. Kaname said nothing, his eyes revealing everything.
"Aidou-Kun quickly went to meet him. And now, Amaya should be seeing him as I speak." Kaname allowed a small, relieved smile form on his face,
"I see...,I'm glad."
"Amaya," Hanabusa spoke, smile bright and happy, "He's alive. Father is alive." Nagamichi chuckled at Hanabusa's antics and said,
"As much as I love you, Hanabusa, I can't feel my arm." Hanabusa's face went slightly red and he released his father's arm instantly. He cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed.
"You're..." She could feel the tears pricking her eyes as she stared at her Father-in-Law, "A-Alive?" She could speak, but she still couldn't move. She was in shock. Hanabusa noticed and smiled sadly at the woman, taking a few steps towards her,
"Amaya...," He grabbed her shoulders gently, leaning down to look her in the eyes, "I thought the same thing you are thinking right now when I saw yesterday. Yes, Father is alive, and no, Kaname-Sama did not kill him." He watched as his lover breathed shakily and turned her head to look at the man who she assumed was dead.
Nagamichi smiled softly at her and explained, "Kaname-Sama had Jack hide me in the coffin and Kaname-Sama made an "Illusion" of myself to discourage attachment."
"It was all an act to encourage detachment," Kaien stated, knowing Kaname's plan, "The important people who stand next to you, the people who don't stop believing in you. Even Yuuki, Amaya, and Hanabusa had doubts about you after seeing that act of violence."
Yuuki slunk back against the tree, unable to believe what she was hearing. Hanabusa's father was alive? Amaya's Father-in-Law?
Kaname spoke again, "I...didn't come here to speak of such things."
"So you're going to try and carry this burden all on your own again?" Kaien demanded and then turned his head towards another tree, "What about you Jack? Why are you distancing yourself from your daughter?" The blue-eyed ginger stepped out from the tree with a guilty look, saying,
"Well...To be honest, I was going to kill myself to stop Aliza's idiotic plan..."
"And it's exactly because you both are like this, that Yuuki had Amaya go so far as to erase Zero's memories of them for their sake, Zero's sake, Aidou-Kun's sake, and both of yourselves sake!"
Kaname and Yuuki's eyes widened in unison. Yuuki moved from her position of the tree, revealing herself as she shouted, "Chief Director! You have no need to say that-" She cut herself off as she and Kaname looked gazes.
"He...they didn't...you...?" She couldn't form a comprehensible sentence. He nodded slowly, still smiling softly at her, like a father would to his child. Then again, he already considered Amaya his daughter-in-law. He always had. He raised his arms up slowly, encouraging her.
Amaya's feet moved slowly as she gently pushed herself away from Hanabusa, who smiled down at her, and her footsteps pounded against the floor as she ran towards Nagamichi and hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his back. The tears streamed down her face as she hugged him tightly, more-so when he hugged her back.
"It's alright, child, I'm here. I'm alive and I plan to stay that way until I see you and my son married."
Amaya let out a chocked laugh as she cried, finding his statement hilarious. Hanabusa cleared his throat, turning head away as he blushed, still embarrassed. (Don't you just love parents? XD)
She tightened her grip slightly as she muttered into his coat, "You better..." Nagamichi laughed, his deep voice echoing in the hallway.
"I just woke up and you're threatening me?"
Hanabusa let out a small smile and said fondly, "She tends to do that."
"Kaname-Kun, take Yuuki and go. I apologize, but the Final preparations of the furnace are not yet complete." Kaien explained and turned, ready to walk away, "I want you to know that I know it's not your true intention. I am relying on Yuuki to hold you back."
Yuuki watched as the Chairman walked away and before she knew what was happening, Kaname placed a hand on the back of her head and waist, embracing her tightly.
"What had you made her do, Yuuki?"
She felt tears prick her eyes as she thought, I can't cry. I can't be clingy. I can't, because I...was trying to help this person become Human. She buried her face into his chest and closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.
"Hanabusa..." Nagamichi had left for the Kurans' estate a few minutes ago, and the couple were residing in Amaya's room. She had her back against the bedframe, knees tucked to her chest with her arms around them, and her chin resting on her arms. Hanabusa was leaning against the wall, beside the door, to make sure no one would come in. He glanced at his fiance curiously, wondering what was wrong.
"What's the matter, Amaya?" He watched as she bit her lips and said hesitantly,
"I...I erased...I erased Zero's memories." His heart stopped for a second as his eyes widened, looking at her in surprise and shock.
"What?"
"I erased Zero's memories of me and Yuuki!" She said faster this time and buried her face into her knees. She felt the tears prick her eyes as her chest ached at the memory of Zero's face that he had given her when she erased his memories. The look of complete and utter betrayal. It hurt to even think about it. Hanabusa was alarmed as he moved from the door towards the bed where Amaya was curled up on. He sat down on the bed next to her and placed a hand on her right arm, asking incredulously,
"Why the hell did you do that?"
Amaya started to explain, not looking at him as she cried silently, "I...Yuuki was going to make Kaname a h-human, and...and Zero was practically dying from thirst and-and," She looked up at him, eyes desperate for forgiveness and filled with guilt, "you, you know how I love both you and-and Zero, r-right?"
Hanabusa felt his chest tighten slightly, but nodded. He did know her feelings for them both, and accepted the fact that he couldn't have her heart all for himself, but if this was as much as he could get of her, he's perfectly fine with that.
"W-Well...,I-I was p-probably being selfish, but..." She swallowed the lump in her throat and continued, "But-but I felt like I was m-making it easier. It-It's "Killing two birds with one stone", I think... I-I love you and-and I can't be with him, and I-I knew I'd have to choose eventually, but-but I...it hurts...The look he gave me when I erased his memories...it hurts..." She curled up in a ball again, unable to look at Hanabusa anymore. He probably hates me now...
"Even though you look Kiryuu...you still chose me?" Hanabusa asked after a few moments, this all processing in his brain. He was flattered, he was happy-no, he was ecstatic. She chose him over the prefect, even though she loves them both. An egoistical grin spread across his face as he watched Amaya nod slowly. He couldn't contain his happiness, he literally had to show how happy he was with her at the moment.
He reached over and grabbed her right arm and her left shoulder, causing her to look up with surprise and confusion, and before she knew what was happening, he had her back against the bed, straddling her hips, and ravishing her mouth passionately.
Amaya felt her face flare at the surprise contact and her rate race, but it took a few moments for her to return the gesture from the shock she was put through.
"Remember when I asked about making someone into a human?" Yuuki questioned Kaname as they were in the Kuran Estate. Kaname looked down at her and questioned,
"Who did you ask and who were you thinking of?" Yuuki turned and hugged him tightly,
"I asked Isaya-San, and I meant myself." Her nails started to dig into his back and Kaname stated calmly,
"Yuuki, I won't run away. Let go of me."
"Liar," Yuuki argued, "You would've taken me to the hideout if you meant that. This isn't the hideout...it's the house I was born in. So many lies," Her nails dug deeper, "just to keep me out and un-involved in the murder. To make sure I was let-down by you. It was all for me, and until the very end, you made sure I couldn't find out."
Amaya gasped when she felt Hanabusa hand start to crawl up her shirt and she exclaimed with a red face, "Hanabusa!?" He paused and retracted his hand, instead, placing his hands on both sides of her head against the sheets. She could hear her heart pounding loudly in her ear, it racing rapidly as the excitement grew within her. He hovered above her, blue button-up jacket already off, and questioned seriously as he stared her deeply in the eyes,
"Amaya...do you want this?" She was confused as she looked at him and asked,
"What?" He repeated his question, a bit more insistently this time,
"This. Do you want this?" Amaya was silent as she stared up at him, realizing what he was talking about, and thought about it for a few moments. Do I? I love him, a lot, that I'm sure of. But this is something that can't ever be taken back. If I go through with this, I can't ever get it back. She continued to think for a few moments, Hanabusa waiting patiently for her answer.
She nodded slowly, "Y-Yeah..." He questioned her again, just to make sure,
"Are you sure? Because once I start, I won't be able to control myself. I won't be able to start until I claim you completely; Until I make you mine. You need to absolutely certain. Do you want this?" Amaya swallowed thickly and nodded, more certain this time, and said,
"Yes. Hanabusa, yes, I want this. I love you, I know that for certain. I-I think I'm ready to do this...and if there are consequences, I'll face them."
He smiled at her, eyes softening and shining, and saying, "I'm glad...that you chose me...and trust and love me enough to let me be the one to take you." He then sat up and turned his head towards the door, lifting his hand, and flicking it, causing ice to grow around the door knob and around the cracks of the door, making sure that no one would be able to disturb them. He proceeded to remove his tie and shirt and soon, things got hectic.
(A.N THIS IS NOT A RATING M.)
X.X
"Back at the snow mountain, eleven years ago, from the moment I opened my eyes, your lies started." She whispered, burying her face into his chest, "You protected me to make sure the Elders didn't take advantage of me. In exchange of ensuring my tranquil life, you agreed to be the sweet food of Vampires. You hid your hunger at all cost, and all the while wished that my life as a Human wouldn't come to a close. But, your wish didn't come true. So, instead, you decided to draw closer to me. To make sure I didn't have to live alone for eternity. You understand loneliness more than anyone. You're an idiot," She growled, her nails digging even deeper into his back. "Forget about killing Purebloods, you should have just stolen my memories with Zero!"
"...It hurts Yuuki... I won't run away, so let go." Kaname said calmly, bangs falling over his eyes.
"Lies."
"I'm not lying." He placed a hand behind her head and another around her waist, holding her close, "I won't run away anymore...Before you let Amaya steal Kiryuu-Kun's memories, I should've used my life to make you Human...and I should've entrusted you to Kiryuu-Kun and Amaya sooner..."
Yuuki opened her eyes and felt tears prick them. SHe pushed herself away from Kaname, her hands on his chest, "You're so selfish. You always think that you can get Zero to do whatever you want him to do...and now you're bringing Amaya into this!?"
"The feelings he had for her, weren't part of the plan. Her conflicting emotions between Hanabusa and Kiryuu-Kun almost ruined it."
Yuuki looked up at him, unable to believe what she was hearing, and asked, "Tell me...Was it all my fault?" Kaname's face went solemn and he said,
"The night when Rido wanted you and came to this residence was he beginning."
"Why did you give up on living with me!?" Yuuki demanded, feeling heartbroken. She could feel the tears threatening to fall, but held them back.
Kaname grabbed her hands and pressed them together, holding them with his much larger hands, and said with a sad look on his face, "My love isn't...I sometimes feel as though you don't laugh from your heart." Yuuki felt the tears grow stronger and she argued,
"I love you, Kaname! And yet, tomorrow, your going to go throw your own heart out into the freaking furnace tomorrow!" The tears were already flowing down her cheeks, "Why-Why do you keep acting like such an idiot!" She snapped before reaching up and wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him roughly. Kaname's eyes widened in surprise when she did that, and they widened even more so at the hurt look on her face and in her eyes as she pulled away and hugged him. He felt the pain in his shoulders and back from when she dug her nails deep.
"It hurts...What happened to you, Yuuki?" He asked, voice monotone, but worried. Yuuki said nothing, her shoulders shaking, "I see..." He kissed the top of her head and embraced her tightly, "If you're okay with someone like me, Yuuki...I'll show you how much I love you." He lifted her up bridal-style to carry her to their room.
I feel as though I'm screwing up the manga... ?:( I'm like, leaving the sentences, yet changing them slightly or adding them... XD Sorry for not updating in like, forever, but I went on an Avenger Marathon and when I'm usually close to completing something, procrastination forms. One or two chapters left, peoples! Then onto Bloody Roses! :) I already got three chapters on Deviantart.