A/N: Well, I gave you all some time to respond to my prompt, but I didn't want to make everyone wait too long for the next installment, so if you had something in mind but didn't get your review down in time, sorries!
The winner was…drumroll please…AlleluiaElizabeth! I just adored your lovely idea of Yuuki getting something that used to belong to her parents. I used your comb idea—I hope you don't mind how I made it look. And I also added something of Haruka's. I know you suggested the idea but couldn't think of the right object so I hope you like what I picked!
Disclaimer: Do I look like I own VK? …Don't answer that…
--o--[Chapter Start]--o--
A loud rap sounded at the door. The Chairman glanced up from arranging the mantelpiece, making shooing motions to Zero.
"That must be Yori-chan! Answer it, answer it!"
Zero blew out a suffering sigh, taking the few quick strides to the door and jerking it open suddenly enough to startle Yori, who was about to knock a second time. His eyes fell immediately to her red cheeks and slight shivering, and he stepped back, giving her room to pass. She moved out of the cold quickly, though she had some slight difficulty managing the festively wrapped packages balanced under her left arm.
"Merry Christmas to you, too," she commented, rolling her eyes.
"Merry Christmas," he muttered under his breath.
"Yori-chan!" the Chairman exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her, beaming exuberantly. "Merry Christmas! I'm so glad you came!"
Yori smiled happily, "Merry Christmas. Thank you very much for inviting me."
"Of course, of course! We wouldn't think of spending a Christmas without you! Here, let me take those from you," he placed the presents beneath the lavishly ornamented tree.
Yori chuckled quietly to herself. The Chairman had always gone far overboard during the holidays, and this one was no exception. The tree itself didn't even fit into the house; its uppermost limbs were bent awkwardly against the ceiling, but somehow a huge, electrically lit star had still managed to get attached to the top. The rest of the tree was practically dripping with decorations. The branches were so crowded that she wondered how some of the many balls and trinkets hadn't fallen off yet. As for the rest of the house, it was clear that the Chairman's taste remained the same. Tinsel, food, and various other embellishments were strewn everywhere.
"Would you like some cider?" the Chairman asked. "Or maybe you'd like some of my homemade cookies?"
"Yes, please. Some cider sounds nice," she responded, shrugging out of her coat.
"Your homemade cookies?" Zero raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Give credit where it's deserved, Chairman."
"It's daddy!" the Chairman nearly sobbed. "At least call me daddy on Christmas!"
Zero only sighed in exasperation.
"You're so mean to me, Zero-kun," he sniffed, then turned to Yori, "Well, I guess it's more appropriate to say Zero's homemade cookies, though I planned them…and added sprinkles!"
Yori smiled, "They're a combined effort, then."
"Yes, yes, that's quite right! See here, Zero! Follow this exquisite young lady's example in manners!" the Chairman exclaimed before bustling into the kitchen to retrieve some cider for her.
Zero shook his head, moving to sit on the couch. Yori watched him carefully. He seemed livelier than usual, though if this was for the Chairman's sake or merely an act, she couldn't have said. Now that his adoptive father was gone, however, she noticed the way his brows drew together, violet eyes staring at a bare spot on the floor near to the tree.
Oh, yes, that was right... Yuuki had always sat there. Every year, she had been so excited for the gift giving-mostly to see everyone's reactions to her presents- that in anticipation, she'd always settled herself directly beside the tree. Now, despite her absence, the spot was left open. Yori felt a pang of sadness prick at her heart, but she shook it off desperately. This was supposed to be a happy time.
"Here you are, Yori-chan!" the Chairman had returned rather suddenly, thrusting a nearly full cup of cider at her and very nearly spilling some of its contents on the floor. He seemed blissfully unaware of the melancholy that had crept over the room.
"Thank you very much," she took it from him carefully, relieved that none of it had stained the carpet.
"Now, what to do, what to do," he hummed merrily, thinking to himself. "Aha! Perhaps a holiday game! Wouldn't that be fun?" His eyes flicked from Yori to Zero eagerly, flinching a little at Zero's obvious unwillingness.
"What kind of game?" Yori asked, attempting to distract him from the hostile glare.
"Oh, a fun one!" he clapped his hands together. "I'll hum a Christmas carol, and you try to guess which one it is! And we'll all take turns! Then, whoever has the most points wins a fabulous cinnamon cake!"
Zero looked like he was ready to commit murder.
Yori intervened quickly, stating, "That sounds nice. Let's play."
"Yay! Alright, I'll start then! Ready?" the Chairman bubbled enthusiastically, gesturing for Yori to take a seat, as well.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, Yori wondered if he wasn't compensating for Yuuki's absence…
Yuuki's fingers clenched tighter around the wooden case she clutched in her lap. She couldn't have said how long she'd been staring at the objects it held. Kaname had left her early, needing to prepare for his departure the next evening, and ever since she had only sat gazing down at what he'd given her. At her Christmas present.
Something of my parents…
Her eyes watered unexpectedly. She had barely known her mother and father. If anything, the Chairman was more of a parent than either her father or mother. All the same, she could remember them with the sharp clarity that only vampires possessed. And never before had she owned anything to remember them by, anything that they had once owned.
Until now.
Side by side in the small case, cushioned with soft red velvet, lay the only two material items in the entire world that linked her to her birth parents. She didn't dare remove them, didn't dare to touch them. Instead, she left them as they were, taking them in with her eyes, memorizing every detail.
To the left rested Juuri's favorite antique hair comb. It was fashioned of pure silver, the body lacing in intricate patterns, studded with tiny, winking diamonds. The main attraction of the piece, however, was the arrangement of ruby and garnet roses that overlaid the body. The gems sparkled in the lamplight, catching the illumination as they caught her memories, drawing the image of her mother's perfect, smiling face to the surface of her mind.
To the right, beside the comb, lay Haruka's handkerchief, folded crisply. It was something, Kaname had told her, that he had watched her father wipe Juuri's and her own tears with many times; something that Haruka had kept close to him at all times. The material was simple, white cotton. On the edges was a thin embroidery of intertwined vines, from which bloomed small summer roses. In the upper corner of the square, the initials H.K. were stitched in crimson thread.
Yuuki sniffled, wishing more than ever that she had known her parents better. Her memories of them were few, overshadowed by the hundreds of others that she had accumulated since then. She was intensely grateful and touched that Kaname had decided to entrust her with these, and unspeakably glad that they had been preserved for all this time.
Her own gift, a painting that she had made herself, was nothing in comparison to this. Then again, she also hadn't been allowed to leave the mansion to go shopping… She felt herself frown with this thought. Since her arrival, she had not left the building at all… Not once.
But out there, in that snowy, wintry world, was a certain silver-haired hunter enjoying his Christmas? Were Yori and the Chairman enjoying theirs, as well? There was no way for her to know. All she could do was wait.
Always wait…
"Take care, Yori-chan!" the Chairman waved to her as she stepped down off the porch.
"You too, Chairman Cross," she called, unable to return the wave as her hands were laden with the goods she'd received. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" he radiated holiday cheer.
The Chairman waited until she was strolling down the frozen path before closing the door. Yori smiled against the biting cold, pressing the warm food closer to her for heat. Her steps were quick but precise, keeping her from slipping on any hidden ice. As she walked, she watched her breath puff out in a frosty cloud before her, visible with the aid of the dim outdoor lights.
If she focused herself, like the Chairman, on the present time, then she could say that this had been a fine Christmas. On the other hand, if she let herself linger even for a second on the memories of the past, then all the cheer vanished without a trace, leaving her only hollow and aching for the past days when Yuuki's infectious laugh and engaging smile filled each moment.
So she determined not to think of it.
Rather, she concentrated on the remembrance of the Chairman's general excitement, of the jokes and songs, of Zero's grudging tolerance, of everything except the void that Yuuki had once filled. When her mind threatened to turn to it, she forced herself to snap to reality. The cold burned at her cheeks, bit at her fingers, and she took it in with satisfaction. It kept her centered, grounded.
Once back in her dorm, however, the sight of the untouched bed tore at her heart. She swallowed, unloading her armful of food and gifts onto her desk, purposely turning away from it. If she were to see it now…
Within a moment, however, her shoulders straightened. She was strong, much stronger than this. She could keep going, even without Yuuki by her side, as long as she knew that Yuuki was safe. And soon, very soon she would be able to hear her words again, read the messy scrawl of her letter. This time, Yori finally had something to give Yuuki. It was only a simple scrap of paper, but it was far more than she had ever thought possible.
And soon, very soon, she would see Aidou again…
Her body froze, heartbeat accelerating.
What?
Why did she feel so…exhilarated at the prospect?
Why was her heart beating this fast?
"Good morning, Yuuki-sama!" the all too familiar voice jerked her from her thoughts with a groan.
"Go away!" she retorted, clinging fiercely to her sketchbook.
"Have a nice Christmas?" came the wicked reply.
"I'm trying to make a sketch," she returned, ignoring him.
"Not anymore!" Aidou replied cheerfully, whisking away the sheet of paper, ignoring her squeak of protest, and sliding a different sheet in front of her.
"Noooo!" Yuuki cried mournfully.
"It's been far too long since we had any lessons," he folded his arms. "And for this session, as promised, we'll be focusing on vocabulary."
"Aidou-senpai," she whined.
"Don't 'Aidou-senpai' me," he removed her drawing to a table across the room. "You're going to pass this one with an A, even if I have to forcefully ensure that these words make it into your brain."
Yuuki stared at him in horror while he smiled casually.
Then, belatedly, "Aidou-senpai, why are you still wearing that scarf? The snow is outside…"
Aidou flinched with surprise, cheeks reddening, much to Yuuki's shock. "It's n-nothing! I just forgot to take it off, that's all!" He removed the item hurriedly, laying it over the back of a chair.
"Isn't that Yori's present?" Yuuki murmured, trying to remember.
"Okay, time to work," Aidou announced, purposely avoiding the question.
His plan succeeded.
"No! Not until tomorrow!" Yuuki begged.
"Today's the day. Remember? We already talked about this," he shook his head, tapping the edge of the paper.
"Darn," she sighed. "Oh, fine. But just for a little while."
Aidou smirked, instructing her to read over the list of words. Who knew? Maybe she would have them memorized quickly and he could return to the academy earlier than he anticipated. He scowled abruptly. He really had to stop thinking that way. What was so great about seeing one human girl, anyway?
Only everything…
Damn.
--o--[Chapter End]--o--
A/N: I know the chapter is kinda bleh but as Zero's Xmas present, I'm pretty sure you should review! xDD