[VK] Shades of Grey (31/?)
Title: Shades of Grey (31/?)
Rating: T
Warnings: Do not read if you don't like OCs, or follow Vampire Knight manga. Please read my previous posts regarding my OC to get the picture. And well, loads of angst, I just love to torture my characters *devil laugh*
Word Count: 3,824 words
Characters/Pairings: Zero, Misaki, Yuuki, Kaname
Notes: This part has long been done, but finally revised when the mood comes back. I apologize in advance if I enjoy a bit too much making a villain out of the Kurans. They're too perfect for the role without intending to be. XDD
In the huge mansion that was engraved with insignias of orchids, in the vast garden that was filled with assortments of greeneries, a figure could be seen bending down next to a patch of blooming white roses. Her dark silky hair was swaying lightly in the breeze as she breathed in the familiar scent that she easily associated uniquely as roses and the humid air that signaled the approaching rainstorm. Wine-red eyes were revealed as she opened her eyes to see the roses at their full bloom, enjoying the picturesque beauty of nature. Those eyes filled with pure wonder and the smile on her face was warm and proud. The air outside was certainly different, especially after being cooped up for so long in the mansion. It surely did wonders to her tumultuous emotions.
It was during times like these when the sky was dark with clouds that Yuuki dared to step out from the safety of her mansion. The only downside of being a vampire was that she was unable to enjoy much of the sunlight like she used to. If she dared to, she could stay for a few hours under the sun although she would have to pay for that later, in form of her increased thirst for blood. For Brother’s blood.
Her small mouth thinned at the thought, a slight frown marred her beautiful features. It wasn’t like she didn’t like drinking her brother’s blood, but she didn’t want to take too much from him, not if she could help it, and not because of her own selfishness. Regardless of his assurances, it still felt wrong to go out under the sun, as if she was still denying her vampire self and she knew that it would saddened Kaname. So here she was, finding herself in the beautiful garden of Kuran mansion under the cloudy skies. The clouds were dark and thick enough to obstruct sunlight from reaching her. This kind of weather became her favorite now; she liked the rain, although not as much as the sun, and considering present circumstances… Her feelings towards the snow didn’t change though; bad memories still came whenever she saw white.
At those times in the Chairman’s house Yuuki used to stay close to the fireplace whenever she couldn’t sleep, watching the flickering flame until it lulled her to sleep. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. And when the latter happened, she would find him by his side with steps so quiet that she didn’t hear him approach.
Zero…
Eventually her mind went to the man that caused these very emotions that made her feel such a dire need to get out and get a breath of fresh air. Images of the past came flooding into her mind, images of the precious moments of the past that she could recall without feeling sad or pained. Moments that somehow always involved him.
The aloof boy she just knew back then would just lean back on the carpeted floor against the foot of the sofa, not saying anything, nor meeting her gaze as if he wasn’t seeing her. At first she was nervous being in his presence, especially when she was just in such vulnerable state, but he never made any comment about it and it eventually made her relax. She ended up waking up curled against him, blanket covering her as he remained unmoving throughout the night even as he slept.
It was the first time she saw the other side of the boy her adoptive father took in that was nothing like his usual cold and detached attitude. It soon became a regular occurrence, even after they grew up. She could never forget the feeling whenever they shared those few, precious moments as she curled against him. She remembered how warm he was and how surprised she was to find out. She also remembered how comfortable and safe she felt by his side. Ever since then, she had come to associate comfort and safety with Zero. Even after everything that happened between them, that fact didn’t really change. Kaname couldn’t fill in the role Zero had taken since he became part of her life. The role of the constant protector.
Even with the distance between them, she never imagined there would be a time where he would not be by her side. She never imagined there would be a time where she would no longer be a part of his life, have a place in his heart.
At first Yuuki thought it was alright for him to find someone. It would not be fair for him to live alone for the rest of his life just because she had made her choice. But she never truly expected that he would find someone.
When she saw a figure of a woman standing by his familiar figure in the ball, her first reaction was to deny it, deny of the presence of her, of someone else other than her taking place by his side. She denied it still when Zero introduced her as his wife.
Lady Kiryuu…
Those words left bitter taste on her tongue. The woman he chose was certainly nothing like herself. She had clear blue eyes and wavy golden hair. She was confident and graceful. And most of all, she was human.
And the realization hurt.
He once had said that regardless of their own feelings, they wouldn’t work out. She never actually understood his words and every time she wanted to bring it up, she always ended up hesitating. Zero was no longer as hostile as he used to be with the vampires, but was his resentment against purebloods so deep that he thought that way?
However, the way he smiled at her and the way he spoke to her didn’t change. That gave her some hope that she still had a place in his heart. And there was some part of her dared to even think that even if Zero was married, it didn’t mean that he loved his wife like the way he loved her. She tried to banish those thoughts from her head, but it always managed to surface, to find its way between her thoughts. It was cruel of her to say that it was a marriage of convenience. It would mean she was condemning their marriage, condemning Zero and his wife of whatever happiness they would have. But she didn’t dare to let go of that hope, as much as she didn’t dare to let him go.
On the entrance of the mansion, a silver-haired figure could be seen before the grand door, reaching out towards the antique bell next to the door to announce his presence. Zero shifted slightly from one foot to another as he waited for the door to be opened, letting out a frustrated sigh. He didn’t intend to visit Yuuki anymore after he was settling down with a family of his own, but Misaki had frowned in confusion when he told her of his intention. He had reasoned that it didn’t feel right now that he would keep visiting Yuuki when he already had a wife, when he already had Misaki. He couldn’t really put it into words, but that was how he felt. Misaki merely looked at him and smiled gently, telling him that there was no need to do so. He still maintained a cordial relationship with Yuuki after she was married, why it should be any different now, she had asked.
He had no answer to it, but he was about to argue further when his wife calmly pointed out how the head of Kuran family would react when he found out that his wife’s adoptive brother no longer visited her. The implications were clear, even as much as he didn’t want to admit it. Kaname would be suspicious, especially knowing his relationship with Misaki. He wouldn’t be pleased. That man didn’t manage to fool him; he could see the way the Kuran looked at his wife. Kaname deemed Misaki as a threat. There was no telling what the man would do with this newfound revelation.
When the door opened to reveal the loyal servant of Kuran family he had come to be familiar with over his regular visits to the mansion, Zero had once again put up his usual façade.
“President Kiryuu,” the man politely greeted the silver-haired hunter, stepping aside to let the man inside. Zero only gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he stepped into the grand mansion of the Asian monarch, letting his coat taken away.
“Mistress Kuran is currently in the garden,” the servant dutifully informed him, aware of his guest’s intention.
“And your master?”
“He’s away.” And Zero knew well enough that it was the most he could get from the vampire, so he didn’t bother to push further, instead he walked decisively towards the garden through the hallways he was well-acquainted with. It didn’t take him long to reach the well-groomed patches of green at the back of the mansion. His silver eyes glanced at the cloudy sky; he could understand why Yuuki was choosing this opportunity to spend her time in the garden.
Having lived together for years, he could easily sense her presence as altered as it was now that her vampire side was completely awakened. Both his vampire and hunter side made him unable to ignore the distinctive aura of the pureblood even if he willed to ignore it. He found her making a bouquet made of freshly cut roses, bending over the shrub. Instead of announcing his presence, he couldn’t help but observe the dark-haired woman, because this was one of the differences between Yuuki and Misaki.
Misaki didn’t like picking flowers, especially those she grew herself in their garden. She wouldn’t if she could help it, although she would like to have it decorate their home. So whenever she wanted to get flowers, she would buy them from the floral shop. Although she knew they would likely grow back again, she would rather have them bloom and wither where they were, unless they required human's assistance.
That kind of thing might be considered as something insignificant, something others often took for granted. He was among them, he acknowledged, but this insignificant thing spoke much of her. His throat felt tight at the thought of his wife.
“Zero!”
Yuuki’s voice interrupted his sad thoughts, immediately forcing him to turn his attention to the Kuran lady who brightened up at the sight of him and without wasting a moment, went to greet him, almost bouncing on her feet.
“Yuuki,” whenever he saw glimpses of the old Yuuki, he couldn’t help to smile slightly. He was truly relieved to see some part of the Yuuki he knew still there, that the Yuuki he grew up with wasn’t completely lost. He wouldn’t want to lose that Yuuki to this Yuuki.
“I thought you wouldn’t come-” as soon as the words came out, Yuuki shut her mouth. She didn’t want to sound accusing or anything.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Zero responded calmly, as if he didn’t notice her slip.
“Well… it’s just now you have a family on your own…” Yuuki trailed off, her eyes found the grass below their feet interesting.
“Do you want me to go?”
“No!” her head snapped up to contradict him readily.
“Then why not?” His eyebrow slightly raised and his hand playfully ruffled her head, earning a disgruntled sound from the petite woman. Yuuki could see a glimpse of an all-too-familiar smirk on his face, inwardly satisfied how everything appeared to remain unchanged.
As they fell in step with each other, she started to tell him everything that had happened to her which she thought he should know and she wanted him to know while he was listening quietly, adding snide remarks here and there that always managed to rouse a reaction out of her.
She didn’t know since when she had come to treasure this moments she spent with Zero. Being with Zero felt so different being with Kaname. Although she knew her husband would love her the way she was, she couldn’t really not at least try to be someone worthy of him, to be the perfect wife. But when she was around Zero, she couldn’t bring herself to care of such things. She didn’t care how ridiculous or klutzy she looked, she felt completely at ease around Zero.
At this she couldn’t help to glance at the tall figure next to her, hiding her face behind the bouquet she held. She didn’t want to lose this feeling; she didn’t want to lose him to her. Her hands were tightened unconsciously, not realizing she was holding freshly cut roses with thorns.
Yuuki winced in pain when she felt the thorns pierced her fingers, the roses fell from her grasp.
“Are you alright?” Zero asked, slight frown on his face.
“Ahaha, I’m alright. I just forget there are thorns,” Yuuki laughed at her own foolishness, waving her hand before her. She realized a little late that the action made the scent of her blood getting stronger. When her ruby eyes accidentally met his silver eyes and found a glimpse of familiar blood-red color, an idea crossed her mind. She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she didn’t bother to think of it further as she dared to hold out her bleeding hand towards him.
“Lick it.”
It was the very words she said when her hand was injured due to broken plates; she had boldly offered her bleeding fingers to him. She could see his eyes widened in pure surprise at the offer, because the circumstances were different. She was a pureblood; she couldn’t just offer her blood to anyone. But some traitorous part of her told her that this wasn’t just anyone, this was Zero. And she wanted him to take some of her blood to know that she still had a place in his heart.
Her heart was beating painfully against her ribcage, her face was burning despite the cold weather, she waited with baited breath of his response.
After what it felt like an eternity to her, his hand took her bleeding fingers and raised it to his mouth. She could barely breathe when she felt him licking her blood clean off her fingers. She could feel his heated breath over her skin, his wet tongue and the light scraping of his fangs against her skin.
Just like that time.
When there was no blood left, he let her hand go, letting it fall limply on her side. His shoulders trembled slightly due to his fast
breathing, his head slightly bowed, obscuring his face from her, not giving away his expression.
“I have to go,” he said curtly. Before Yuuki could say anything, he already turned his back on her and walked down the pathway in hurried pace towards the entrance of the mansion.
Completely dazed, she could only absently watch his retreating back while cradling the hand Zero previously licked. The sensation still lingered on her fingers, telling her the haunting reality of it. Her heart soared at the possible meaning of the action.
She still had a place in his heart.
Yuuki hugged her hands closed to her heart with a smile on her face, unaware of a pair of wine-colored eyes watching the
whole exchange through the windows. Kuran Kaname watched the events unfolding before his eyes impassively with the slightest hint of satisfaction, knowing that he still bound the young president with his strings.
He still had his pawn.
Kaname ignored the ache in his heart when he saw the evidence by his own eyes of his beloved wife's unmistakable longing for Zero.
It didn't matter, he quietly convinced himself, Yuuki has chosen him, not Zero.
He would have Yuuki for eternity, and Zero would not.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion Zero shared with his family, a fair-haired figure was gazing towards the heavens through to the glass ceilings of the drawing room, a sad smile upon her lips.
“So it happens…”
She had encouraged her husband to act no differently around Yuuki although now that he was no longer an unmarried man. It was important not to give any reason for Kaname to suspect anything. Zero was rather reluctant when she suggested it, being the kind and gentle person that he was, mindful of her feelings regarding the matter. However, she managed to convince him, knowing that it’d be unfair for him and for Yuuki when the already limited time they had with each other must be further limited due to her presence. That was the reason she gave him, but the truth was, because she knew this would happen sooner or later.
She noticed the way the Kuran lady looked at Zero at the ball. Yuuki was honest in her words when she congratulated her adoptive brother of his marriage. She seemed genuinely happy for him. However, Misaki suspected she could say that because the truth hadn’t really sunk in. When Yuuki finally realized that Zero was belonged to someone else, the dark-haired pureblood started to realize what she missed.
For many years, Yuuki was lulled to a sense of security that she would always have the silver-haired hunter by her side, regardless of her status and position as the wife of the Kuran. Zero had been a constant presence for her, especially during the rougher years of her human life. Now that Yuuki knew of Misaki, she would try to make sure that they wouldn’t drift apart any further. Yuuki would make sure that she still had a place in his heart.
If she only knew…, Misaki thought bitterly. Under the closed eyelids, she could still see a glimpse of that vision where Zero took Yuuki’s blood.
Vampires’ thirst could only be quenched by their loved one.
It would be natural for Zero to seek Yuuki’s blood.
Besides, she knew that the Kuran saw everything. With this, Kuran Kaname wouldn’t try anything against her family, against Zero or her children, if he had come to know of them. Zero would still have the freedom to move and to cut all the strings he wanted to cut.
Then something cold and wet splattered against the back of her hand, something that suspiciously like droplets of water. When her hand reached out to her cheek, she wasn’t surprised to find it wet with tears. She made no move to shed it, but merely stared at the droplets of tears as it fell on her open hands. She brought this upon herself.
For falling for the man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.
For falling for the man she could never have.
In the safety of the drawing room, she let the tears she had been holding falling freely; unaware of two pairs of sad blue eyes peeking through the slight opening of the door as they felt their mother’s pain and sadness from their shared bond.
A resounding crack of something hard meeting the rough bark of tree could be heard throughout the forest, splinters flew from the impact cutting through the fist slammed against the tree. The sheer force of the impact caused deep crack on the body of the poor tree. Rough breathing was loud in the silence of the forest that was located between the Kuran mansion and the freeway. Sleek black car parked at the edge of the forest, the driver’s side opened as if it was opened in a hurry.
Between the harsh breathing were sounds of retching, the sounds of someone trying to heave the contents of his stomach. The person was leaning heavily on the tree, his hand remained as a fist on the tree while the other remained around his mouth, his broad shoulder shook with every action.
Why did I do that?
WHY?
Eventually the sounds of retching couldn’t be heard anymore, Zero slid down wearily, his shoulder grazing painfully against the rough surface of the tree but he barely felt it. His eyes were blank and distant, as if he was barely there. His mind kept questioning everything that led him to take up her offer. He should have known better, he should have known better, he screamed in his mind.
But for that moment, the sweet and familiar scent of her blood sent his senses reeling and pushing him back to the years when they were merely Zero and Yuuki, when they were closer to each other than to anyone else, when he sought for her blood and she gave hers without being asked. At that moment, he had forgotten of anything else and taken the blood offered to him.
And when he finally returned to his senses, he could taste the familiar coppery tang of her blood on his tongue. The blood that previously held such allure to him and the blood that tasted heavenly to him suddenly felt bitter and repulsive. He could no longer look at her. He couldn't even look at himself. He walked away, he had walked away as far and as fast as he could because he knew he was about to unleash the torrent of his emotions to anyone that came close. When he was far enough, he stopped his vehicle and tumbled out gracelessly to run to the deeper part of the forest where no one could find and see him.
Images of warm blue eyes and gentle smile of his wife filled him with terrible shame and guilt, with great pain and sorrow. He had promised to himself that he wouldn’t betray her anymore, not anymore, but he was as good as breaking his own promise by falling to the temptation.He raised his shaking hands before him, stained with his own blood. He had clenched his hands so tightly after he realized what he had done in order to keep himself together, nails digging into his skin deeply but due to his regenerative ability, all what was left was his blood. His face was filled with pain and anguish.
Is this what he has become?
A lowly and pitiful creature that only knows how to take, how to cause pain.
A foolish creature that let itself reigned by its beastly and ghastly desires.
Then all of a sudden a voice from the past rang loud from the darkest and deepest recesses of his mind.
...you're more vampire-like than any other vampire.
Had he become the very thing he despised most?
With a loud, pained cry he landed a heavy blow on the tree, staining it red. The pain barely registered in his mind. He leaned his forehead to his arm on the rough surface, his breath short and ragged due to suppressed emotions. Gritting his teeth in anger, he refused to break down. He refused to.
However, small crystal-like drops could be faintly seen landing on the grassy floor, slipping down his cheek.
Misaki…
Rating: T
Warnings: Do not read if you don't like OCs, or follow Vampire Knight manga. Please read my previous posts regarding my OC to get the picture. And well, loads of angst, I just love to torture my characters *devil laugh*
Word Count: 3,824 words
Characters/Pairings: Zero, Misaki, Yuuki, Kaname
Notes: This part has long been done, but finally revised when the mood comes back. I apologize in advance if I enjoy a bit too much making a villain out of the Kurans. They're too perfect for the role without intending to be. XDD
In the huge mansion that was engraved with insignias of orchids, in the vast garden that was filled with assortments of greeneries, a figure could be seen bending down next to a patch of blooming white roses. Her dark silky hair was swaying lightly in the breeze as she breathed in the familiar scent that she easily associated uniquely as roses and the humid air that signaled the approaching rainstorm. Wine-red eyes were revealed as she opened her eyes to see the roses at their full bloom, enjoying the picturesque beauty of nature. Those eyes filled with pure wonder and the smile on her face was warm and proud. The air outside was certainly different, especially after being cooped up for so long in the mansion. It surely did wonders to her tumultuous emotions.
It was during times like these when the sky was dark with clouds that Yuuki dared to step out from the safety of her mansion. The only downside of being a vampire was that she was unable to enjoy much of the sunlight like she used to. If she dared to, she could stay for a few hours under the sun although she would have to pay for that later, in form of her increased thirst for blood. For Brother’s blood.
Her small mouth thinned at the thought, a slight frown marred her beautiful features. It wasn’t like she didn’t like drinking her brother’s blood, but she didn’t want to take too much from him, not if she could help it, and not because of her own selfishness. Regardless of his assurances, it still felt wrong to go out under the sun, as if she was still denying her vampire self and she knew that it would saddened Kaname. So here she was, finding herself in the beautiful garden of Kuran mansion under the cloudy skies. The clouds were dark and thick enough to obstruct sunlight from reaching her. This kind of weather became her favorite now; she liked the rain, although not as much as the sun, and considering present circumstances… Her feelings towards the snow didn’t change though; bad memories still came whenever she saw white.
At those times in the Chairman’s house Yuuki used to stay close to the fireplace whenever she couldn’t sleep, watching the flickering flame until it lulled her to sleep. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. And when the latter happened, she would find him by his side with steps so quiet that she didn’t hear him approach.
Zero…
Eventually her mind went to the man that caused these very emotions that made her feel such a dire need to get out and get a breath of fresh air. Images of the past came flooding into her mind, images of the precious moments of the past that she could recall without feeling sad or pained. Moments that somehow always involved him.
The aloof boy she just knew back then would just lean back on the carpeted floor against the foot of the sofa, not saying anything, nor meeting her gaze as if he wasn’t seeing her. At first she was nervous being in his presence, especially when she was just in such vulnerable state, but he never made any comment about it and it eventually made her relax. She ended up waking up curled against him, blanket covering her as he remained unmoving throughout the night even as he slept.
It was the first time she saw the other side of the boy her adoptive father took in that was nothing like his usual cold and detached attitude. It soon became a regular occurrence, even after they grew up. She could never forget the feeling whenever they shared those few, precious moments as she curled against him. She remembered how warm he was and how surprised she was to find out. She also remembered how comfortable and safe she felt by his side. Ever since then, she had come to associate comfort and safety with Zero. Even after everything that happened between them, that fact didn’t really change. Kaname couldn’t fill in the role Zero had taken since he became part of her life. The role of the constant protector.
Even with the distance between them, she never imagined there would be a time where he would not be by her side. She never imagined there would be a time where she would no longer be a part of his life, have a place in his heart.
At first Yuuki thought it was alright for him to find someone. It would not be fair for him to live alone for the rest of his life just because she had made her choice. But she never truly expected that he would find someone.
When she saw a figure of a woman standing by his familiar figure in the ball, her first reaction was to deny it, deny of the presence of her, of someone else other than her taking place by his side. She denied it still when Zero introduced her as his wife.
Lady Kiryuu…
Those words left bitter taste on her tongue. The woman he chose was certainly nothing like herself. She had clear blue eyes and wavy golden hair. She was confident and graceful. And most of all, she was human.
And the realization hurt.
He once had said that regardless of their own feelings, they wouldn’t work out. She never actually understood his words and every time she wanted to bring it up, she always ended up hesitating. Zero was no longer as hostile as he used to be with the vampires, but was his resentment against purebloods so deep that he thought that way?
However, the way he smiled at her and the way he spoke to her didn’t change. That gave her some hope that she still had a place in his heart. And there was some part of her dared to even think that even if Zero was married, it didn’t mean that he loved his wife like the way he loved her. She tried to banish those thoughts from her head, but it always managed to surface, to find its way between her thoughts. It was cruel of her to say that it was a marriage of convenience. It would mean she was condemning their marriage, condemning Zero and his wife of whatever happiness they would have. But she didn’t dare to let go of that hope, as much as she didn’t dare to let him go.
On the entrance of the mansion, a silver-haired figure could be seen before the grand door, reaching out towards the antique bell next to the door to announce his presence. Zero shifted slightly from one foot to another as he waited for the door to be opened, letting out a frustrated sigh. He didn’t intend to visit Yuuki anymore after he was settling down with a family of his own, but Misaki had frowned in confusion when he told her of his intention. He had reasoned that it didn’t feel right now that he would keep visiting Yuuki when he already had a wife, when he already had Misaki. He couldn’t really put it into words, but that was how he felt. Misaki merely looked at him and smiled gently, telling him that there was no need to do so. He still maintained a cordial relationship with Yuuki after she was married, why it should be any different now, she had asked.
He had no answer to it, but he was about to argue further when his wife calmly pointed out how the head of Kuran family would react when he found out that his wife’s adoptive brother no longer visited her. The implications were clear, even as much as he didn’t want to admit it. Kaname would be suspicious, especially knowing his relationship with Misaki. He wouldn’t be pleased. That man didn’t manage to fool him; he could see the way the Kuran looked at his wife. Kaname deemed Misaki as a threat. There was no telling what the man would do with this newfound revelation.
When the door opened to reveal the loyal servant of Kuran family he had come to be familiar with over his regular visits to the mansion, Zero had once again put up his usual façade.
“President Kiryuu,” the man politely greeted the silver-haired hunter, stepping aside to let the man inside. Zero only gave him a nod of acknowledgment as he stepped into the grand mansion of the Asian monarch, letting his coat taken away.
“Mistress Kuran is currently in the garden,” the servant dutifully informed him, aware of his guest’s intention.
“And your master?”
“He’s away.” And Zero knew well enough that it was the most he could get from the vampire, so he didn’t bother to push further, instead he walked decisively towards the garden through the hallways he was well-acquainted with. It didn’t take him long to reach the well-groomed patches of green at the back of the mansion. His silver eyes glanced at the cloudy sky; he could understand why Yuuki was choosing this opportunity to spend her time in the garden.
Having lived together for years, he could easily sense her presence as altered as it was now that her vampire side was completely awakened. Both his vampire and hunter side made him unable to ignore the distinctive aura of the pureblood even if he willed to ignore it. He found her making a bouquet made of freshly cut roses, bending over the shrub. Instead of announcing his presence, he couldn’t help but observe the dark-haired woman, because this was one of the differences between Yuuki and Misaki.
Misaki didn’t like picking flowers, especially those she grew herself in their garden. She wouldn’t if she could help it, although she would like to have it decorate their home. So whenever she wanted to get flowers, she would buy them from the floral shop. Although she knew they would likely grow back again, she would rather have them bloom and wither where they were, unless they required human's assistance.
That kind of thing might be considered as something insignificant, something others often took for granted. He was among them, he acknowledged, but this insignificant thing spoke much of her. His throat felt tight at the thought of his wife.
“Zero!”
Yuuki’s voice interrupted his sad thoughts, immediately forcing him to turn his attention to the Kuran lady who brightened up at the sight of him and without wasting a moment, went to greet him, almost bouncing on her feet.
“Yuuki,” whenever he saw glimpses of the old Yuuki, he couldn’t help to smile slightly. He was truly relieved to see some part of the Yuuki he knew still there, that the Yuuki he grew up with wasn’t completely lost. He wouldn’t want to lose that Yuuki to this Yuuki.
“I thought you wouldn’t come-” as soon as the words came out, Yuuki shut her mouth. She didn’t want to sound accusing or anything.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Zero responded calmly, as if he didn’t notice her slip.
“Well… it’s just now you have a family on your own…” Yuuki trailed off, her eyes found the grass below their feet interesting.
“Do you want me to go?”
“No!” her head snapped up to contradict him readily.
“Then why not?” His eyebrow slightly raised and his hand playfully ruffled her head, earning a disgruntled sound from the petite woman. Yuuki could see a glimpse of an all-too-familiar smirk on his face, inwardly satisfied how everything appeared to remain unchanged.
As they fell in step with each other, she started to tell him everything that had happened to her which she thought he should know and she wanted him to know while he was listening quietly, adding snide remarks here and there that always managed to rouse a reaction out of her.
She didn’t know since when she had come to treasure this moments she spent with Zero. Being with Zero felt so different being with Kaname. Although she knew her husband would love her the way she was, she couldn’t really not at least try to be someone worthy of him, to be the perfect wife. But when she was around Zero, she couldn’t bring herself to care of such things. She didn’t care how ridiculous or klutzy she looked, she felt completely at ease around Zero.
At this she couldn’t help to glance at the tall figure next to her, hiding her face behind the bouquet she held. She didn’t want to lose this feeling; she didn’t want to lose him to her. Her hands were tightened unconsciously, not realizing she was holding freshly cut roses with thorns.
Yuuki winced in pain when she felt the thorns pierced her fingers, the roses fell from her grasp.
“Are you alright?” Zero asked, slight frown on his face.
“Ahaha, I’m alright. I just forget there are thorns,” Yuuki laughed at her own foolishness, waving her hand before her. She realized a little late that the action made the scent of her blood getting stronger. When her ruby eyes accidentally met his silver eyes and found a glimpse of familiar blood-red color, an idea crossed her mind. She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she didn’t bother to think of it further as she dared to hold out her bleeding hand towards him.
“Lick it.”
It was the very words she said when her hand was injured due to broken plates; she had boldly offered her bleeding fingers to him. She could see his eyes widened in pure surprise at the offer, because the circumstances were different. She was a pureblood; she couldn’t just offer her blood to anyone. But some traitorous part of her told her that this wasn’t just anyone, this was Zero. And she wanted him to take some of her blood to know that she still had a place in his heart.
Her heart was beating painfully against her ribcage, her face was burning despite the cold weather, she waited with baited breath of his response.
After what it felt like an eternity to her, his hand took her bleeding fingers and raised it to his mouth. She could barely breathe when she felt him licking her blood clean off her fingers. She could feel his heated breath over her skin, his wet tongue and the light scraping of his fangs against her skin.
Just like that time.
When there was no blood left, he let her hand go, letting it fall limply on her side. His shoulders trembled slightly due to his fast
breathing, his head slightly bowed, obscuring his face from her, not giving away his expression.
“I have to go,” he said curtly. Before Yuuki could say anything, he already turned his back on her and walked down the pathway in hurried pace towards the entrance of the mansion.
Completely dazed, she could only absently watch his retreating back while cradling the hand Zero previously licked. The sensation still lingered on her fingers, telling her the haunting reality of it. Her heart soared at the possible meaning of the action.
She still had a place in his heart.
Yuuki hugged her hands closed to her heart with a smile on her face, unaware of a pair of wine-colored eyes watching the
whole exchange through the windows. Kuran Kaname watched the events unfolding before his eyes impassively with the slightest hint of satisfaction, knowing that he still bound the young president with his strings.
He still had his pawn.
Kaname ignored the ache in his heart when he saw the evidence by his own eyes of his beloved wife's unmistakable longing for Zero.
It didn't matter, he quietly convinced himself, Yuuki has chosen him, not Zero.
He would have Yuuki for eternity, and Zero would not.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion Zero shared with his family, a fair-haired figure was gazing towards the heavens through to the glass ceilings of the drawing room, a sad smile upon her lips.
“So it happens…”
She had encouraged her husband to act no differently around Yuuki although now that he was no longer an unmarried man. It was important not to give any reason for Kaname to suspect anything. Zero was rather reluctant when she suggested it, being the kind and gentle person that he was, mindful of her feelings regarding the matter. However, she managed to convince him, knowing that it’d be unfair for him and for Yuuki when the already limited time they had with each other must be further limited due to her presence. That was the reason she gave him, but the truth was, because she knew this would happen sooner or later.
She noticed the way the Kuran lady looked at Zero at the ball. Yuuki was honest in her words when she congratulated her adoptive brother of his marriage. She seemed genuinely happy for him. However, Misaki suspected she could say that because the truth hadn’t really sunk in. When Yuuki finally realized that Zero was belonged to someone else, the dark-haired pureblood started to realize what she missed.
For many years, Yuuki was lulled to a sense of security that she would always have the silver-haired hunter by her side, regardless of her status and position as the wife of the Kuran. Zero had been a constant presence for her, especially during the rougher years of her human life. Now that Yuuki knew of Misaki, she would try to make sure that they wouldn’t drift apart any further. Yuuki would make sure that she still had a place in his heart.
If she only knew…, Misaki thought bitterly. Under the closed eyelids, she could still see a glimpse of that vision where Zero took Yuuki’s blood.
Vampires’ thirst could only be quenched by their loved one.
It would be natural for Zero to seek Yuuki’s blood.
Besides, she knew that the Kuran saw everything. With this, Kuran Kaname wouldn’t try anything against her family, against Zero or her children, if he had come to know of them. Zero would still have the freedom to move and to cut all the strings he wanted to cut.
Then something cold and wet splattered against the back of her hand, something that suspiciously like droplets of water. When her hand reached out to her cheek, she wasn’t surprised to find it wet with tears. She made no move to shed it, but merely stared at the droplets of tears as it fell on her open hands. She brought this upon herself.
For falling for the man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.
For falling for the man she could never have.
In the safety of the drawing room, she let the tears she had been holding falling freely; unaware of two pairs of sad blue eyes peeking through the slight opening of the door as they felt their mother’s pain and sadness from their shared bond.
A resounding crack of something hard meeting the rough bark of tree could be heard throughout the forest, splinters flew from the impact cutting through the fist slammed against the tree. The sheer force of the impact caused deep crack on the body of the poor tree. Rough breathing was loud in the silence of the forest that was located between the Kuran mansion and the freeway. Sleek black car parked at the edge of the forest, the driver’s side opened as if it was opened in a hurry.
Between the harsh breathing were sounds of retching, the sounds of someone trying to heave the contents of his stomach. The person was leaning heavily on the tree, his hand remained as a fist on the tree while the other remained around his mouth, his broad shoulder shook with every action.
Why did I do that?
WHY?
Eventually the sounds of retching couldn’t be heard anymore, Zero slid down wearily, his shoulder grazing painfully against the rough surface of the tree but he barely felt it. His eyes were blank and distant, as if he was barely there. His mind kept questioning everything that led him to take up her offer. He should have known better, he should have known better, he screamed in his mind.
But for that moment, the sweet and familiar scent of her blood sent his senses reeling and pushing him back to the years when they were merely Zero and Yuuki, when they were closer to each other than to anyone else, when he sought for her blood and she gave hers without being asked. At that moment, he had forgotten of anything else and taken the blood offered to him.
And when he finally returned to his senses, he could taste the familiar coppery tang of her blood on his tongue. The blood that previously held such allure to him and the blood that tasted heavenly to him suddenly felt bitter and repulsive. He could no longer look at her. He couldn't even look at himself. He walked away, he had walked away as far and as fast as he could because he knew he was about to unleash the torrent of his emotions to anyone that came close. When he was far enough, he stopped his vehicle and tumbled out gracelessly to run to the deeper part of the forest where no one could find and see him.
Images of warm blue eyes and gentle smile of his wife filled him with terrible shame and guilt, with great pain and sorrow. He had promised to himself that he wouldn’t betray her anymore, not anymore, but he was as good as breaking his own promise by falling to the temptation.He raised his shaking hands before him, stained with his own blood. He had clenched his hands so tightly after he realized what he had done in order to keep himself together, nails digging into his skin deeply but due to his regenerative ability, all what was left was his blood. His face was filled with pain and anguish.
Is this what he has become?
A lowly and pitiful creature that only knows how to take, how to cause pain.
A foolish creature that let itself reigned by its beastly and ghastly desires.
Then all of a sudden a voice from the past rang loud from the darkest and deepest recesses of his mind.
...you're more vampire-like than any other vampire.
Had he become the very thing he despised most?
With a loud, pained cry he landed a heavy blow on the tree, staining it red. The pain barely registered in his mind. He leaned his forehead to his arm on the rough surface, his breath short and ragged due to suppressed emotions. Gritting his teeth in anger, he refused to break down. He refused to.
However, small crystal-like drops could be faintly seen landing on the grassy floor, slipping down his cheek.
Misaki…