Vampire Knight Fan Fiction ❯ Entwined ❯ Calm Before the Storm ( Chapter 10 )

Entwined

Calm Before the Storm

Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from any of the ideas, characters, names, etc that I have used from Vampire Knight. Original characters are all mine of course.

A/N: Review responses for the last chapter are up on my forums. As you should know by now, you can access it from my profile page. *smiles*

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the lovely people who have taken the time to write a review. Each and every one of them are appreciated and they spur me on to write more. Please don't feel shy if you think any aspect of this fic could be improved upon. I am fully aware that I am not a perfect writer.

As you've no doubt noticed, my updates have slowed down considerably over the past few chapters. Unfortunately, I don't see much improvement in the coming month or two. Once I finish this course I'm currently studying, the pace should pick up again, as I'll have more time for other things, namely writing. *winks* Please bear with me!

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Arlena pursed her lips together in an expression of deep thought. She had been sat in Cross' study for the past couple of hours trying to glean the slightest scrap of useful information out of the man. She wasn't a patient person and she was finding it increasingly difficult to contain her temper. If she heard another tale of `adorable' Zero in his younger years she was sure she would snap.

The man who sat across the desk from her wore a nostalgic grin on his face. He was obviously reminiscing over the story he had just related. Arlena couldn't decide whether Cross was extremely cunning or just dull. He hadn't even unintentionally given her anything useful whilst speaking of the silver-haired vampire. Although Cross outwardly acted just a little scatter-brained and nonchalant, she suspected it was mostly a facade. His unusual insight into her true identity earlier was just one piece of evidence which supported that theory.

As realisation sunk in that she had most likely wasted a good couple of hours in this man's presence with no gain whatsoever, her irritation grew to a new level.

“Mr. Cross...” She drew out the name in an effort to curb her temper. “Although these stories have been wonderful, this is not the reason I am here.”

Kaien Cross cocked his head to one side for a moment. “Weren't you interested in hearing of Zero's past to see if anything there would be relevant to his current situation?”

Arlena resisted the urge to jump across the desk and sink her fangs into the man before her. However satisfying it might prove to be, she had to remember that this man was once a top vampire hunter and most likely still very dangerous, even to a pureblood such as herself.

Instead, she ground her teeth together lightly before replying, “Somehow, I don't think tales of how the pair of you argued, bickered, made up and such are particularly relevant.”

Cross raised a hand to his face and rubbed his chin. “Hmm... perhaps you're right there.” He leaned forward, clasping both hands in front of him. “Well then, Miss Lowe, could you be more specific with what you would like to know?”

Arlena studied the expression on Cross' face but, as usual, it revealed nothing of what was truly going on in his mind. She could simply ask blunt questions as to the relationship between Kaname and Zero, but she doubted he would answer truthfully, if he even knew. Still, revealing the identity of Zero's supposed `captor' might prove more beneficial than keeping it secret.

“Tell me, Mr. Cross, what do you know of a pureblood called Kaname Kuran?”

* * *

The path that lay before him was mostly obscured by the pelting rain. Trees reached up into the night sky on either side of him, but Kaname realised there was something wrong with the scene. The trunks were twisted in surreal ways, almost as if the forest was writhing in pain. Still, he trudged on, as if his bizarre surroundings were nothing out of the ordinary.

His movements were sluggish and he glanced down for a moment just to make sure that the heavy rainfall hadn't turned the path into a muddy quagmire. The ground looked solid under his footsteps, even if his other senses were telling him differently. He returned his attention ahead of him. Perhaps it was his imagination, but his surroundings appeared that little bit darker now.

Kaname paused on the narrow track winding its way through the forest as a chill shot up his spine. The grotesquely formed trees were acutely outlined by a near blinding light that emanated from somewhere behind him. The light faded as quickly as it had come.

Moments later a piercing scream echoed through the night air. It seemed to last an eternity. Nausea bubbled up in Kaname's stomach; a sensation he was not used to. Somewhere in his mind he knew the source of that cry, knew the reason behind it. Oh, how he wished he could turn back and silence it; put the being out of its misery. He wouldn't, though. He couldn't.

For a brief moment he wondered why. Why could he not just turn around? What decision had he made that prevented him from doing so? He couldn't recall. His mind was hazy. The more he tried to focus on remembering, the further out of reach it felt.

If he couldn't remember it, could it be so important? That logic seemed sound.

Kaname lifted a foot. He would turn and go back. He would help the person who was still continuing to wail so desperately. At least, he had intended to. He suddenly realised the foot he had started to lift wouldn't budge. He looked down. His eyes widened as he realised the solid path he had seen just moments earlier was now a gurgling stream of tar-like mud that was slowly pulling him downward. He was sinking.

“No...” a voice echoed around him and it took Kaname a moment to realise he had uttered the word.

He had to go back, but the path wouldn't let him. Why did that not seem strange?

Both of his feet were well and truly stuck in the mud. No matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't free them. In a last act of desperation, he flung his body backwards, twisting to look behind him, to the source of the scream. His feet shifted slightly, but not enough to release them and he fell into the mud, landing on his side.

He could feel the rest of his body starting to sink, and he shot a regretful look up the path. His breath caught in his throat. Just ten feet away stood two male figures. One stood behind the other and was blocked from Kaname's view, but the man in front had taken his breath away. He looked so familiar; so achingly, terribly familiar. Yet, his mind couldn't place him.

The forest didn't seem quite so dark anymore. Kaname's eyes trailed up the man's form and stopped at his face. His eyes were closed, and he wondered briefly how he could sleep standing up, until he saw the arm that was clasped around the man's waist. The figure behind him was holding him upright. The man appeared to have white hair, yet he looked so young. He frowned. No, not white. Silver. Something clicked within Kaname's brain. He knew that should trigger some form of recognition, but it was evading him.

He peered at the man's face, but no matter how hard he looked he couldn't make out any details. Then he saw why. Blood. Blood had splattered across the silver-haired man's face, and as his gaze dropped lower, he saw the dark liquid had covered his neck and dyed his shirt a deep red. How could he not have noticed that before? Had it even been there?

Kaname's body sunk lower into the mud, the viscous ground covering over half of him now. He knew he couldn't escape. The inevitability of the situation seemed purely matter-of-fact to him. He didn't have much time left.

He looked back up the path. The two figures were still standing there. Kaname's earlier observation that the man in the front had been sleeping was probably wrong. He was more than likely dead, if the amount of blood on him was any indication.

Then the figure at the back moved. Both of his arms encircled the silver-haired man in an almost protective manner. The first thing Kaname noticed about his facial features was his fangs. They gleamed in a feral grin aimed directly at him. Then came the eyes. The tell-tale crimson glow of vampire eyes. They penetrated him all the way to his core. He knew that vampire. His eyes widened. The vampire that was grinning maliciously at him, he knew all too well. It was Kaname Kuran.

Kaname awoke with a start, bolting upright in the large bed. What the hell?

The dream, or perhaps nightmare would be more appropriate, lingered within both his mind and his senses. It had been so vivid. He brought a hand up to his face and rubbed lightly at his eyelids. He was breathing heavily and he made a concerted effort to calm himself.

Dropping the hand to his side, he slowly opened his eyes. The bedsheets were entwined around his legs. He had obviously been tossing and turning quite violently in his sleep. No surprise really, considering the surreal quality of the dream.

Kaname let out a long sigh and lowered himself back onto his pillow. He frowned slightly as he felt moisture on the cotton cover. He touched his forehead and was even more perplexed to note that there was no sweat there.

A thought came to him and he slowly traced a finger down to the corner of his eye. His mind blanked momentarily. Tears? He had actually been crying? In his sleep?

Kaname wasn't sure he could have been any more confused after that dream, but his body's reaction to it certainly tested that thought. Taking a few deep breaths, he decided that he would rationalise the reaction some other time. For now, he would mull over the contents of the dream itself.

Studying dreams were often a good way to analyse one's deepest worries, desires, thoughts and so on. While not a completely accurate or reliable analysis, it could still prove to be informative. That was, if he could decipher the strange imagery.

The setting had clearly been the night of the purging ritual. He had regrets about that night, so it came as no surprise that his subconscious chose to host the nightmare there and then. One of those regrets was leaving the ritual without interjecting. At the time, it had been the most practical thing to do. There were many purebloods present, so his options had been extremely limited. Still, guilt was hardly a rational emotion. That guilt had seemed to play a pivotal role in the dream, with his inner debate between turning back or not.

Had the imagery of his sinking into the mud been a representation of his powerlessness? Kaname groaned. He knew he could probably interpret the dream any way he liked. There was so much ambiguity about it. Was it even important? The image of what had most certainly been Zero covered in blood came back to him and he suppressed a shudder. It felt important. He needed to rationalise the dream. If for no other reason than to quell the uneasiness he was suddenly feeling.

That night... it had led to his current situation with Zero. Kaname rolled onto his side, laying his head on his arm and gazed at the dim light filtering in through the window. His mind drifted back over the events of the dream and then onto the memories associated with them.

* * *

Takuma glanced quickly at the clock on the wall before returning his attention to the other occupants of the meeting room. It was late evening already. It seemed the meeting had drawn out longer than expected.

The noble stacked the loose sheets of paper in front of him in a purposeful manner and threw a look at Aidou who was sat across the long table from him. An unspoken request passed between the two when their eyes met and the other vampire nodded slightly.

Aidou pushed his chair back, the metallic legs screeching loudly on the smooth floor. He pushed himself to a standing position and turned to the occupants of the remaining seats.

“Well gentleman, I believe that'll be all. We'll relay the minutes of today's meeting to Mr. Kuran when he becomes available.” He accompanied his words with a small shooing gesture which made the message all too clear.

The four lower class vampires who had been attending the meeting murmured their gratitude and filed out of the room, trying their best to hide their disgruntled expressions.

Aidou turned back to Takuma with a smirk on his face. It soon faded as he saw the other vampire's grim expression.

“We should probably tell him now,” Takuma muttered quietly.

Aidou nodded his assent. “Yeah, probably.”

It was obvious that they were both reluctant. Since Zero had visited Kaname the previous day, the pureblood's mood had calmed somewhat, but his volatile state seemed to have been replaced by unease, and Takuma wasn't sure which was worse.

He noted the edgy expression on the other noble's face and couldn't help but smile. “It's okay, Aidou. I'll deliver the news to him.”

Aidou visibly relaxed. “Alright, if you're sure. I'll leave it to you.” With that said, he scooped up the minutes of the meeting and made a beeline for the exit.

Takuma suppressed a chuckle. He could be so predictable at times.

With a sigh, he lifted his own notes and slid out from behind the meeting table. Striding quickly across the room, he slipped out into the corridor and began to head towards the opposite end of the building, where Kaname's suite was located.

As he walked the well known route, he noted that the oppressive atmosphere from yesterday was no longer present and the estate's staff members were going about their business with a much lighter step. He wondered how much longer that would last after Kaname heard what he was about to tell him.

Takuma ascended the main staircase and took the corridor that led to the right, all the while lost in thought. As he neared the door to the pureblood's suite he peered up the hallway ahead of him. His eyes widened slightly as he spotted Zero's familiar form obviously heading in the same direction as he was. If the ex-human was going to Kaname's suite, that would prove a little inconvenient for Takuma. He was fairly certain the pureblood would not want Zero present when he heard his news.

“Zero!” Takuma called out to the other vampire.

Zero paused and looked over his shoulder, a disapproving frown on his face. I guess he really doesn't like being called by his first name...

Unperturbed, Takuma flashed him a smile and closed the distance between them. He stopped at his side.

“Sorry to stop you like this, but would you happen to be going to see Kaname?”

Zero stared at the noble for a moment as if mulling over the answer in his mind. “No... I was just going for a walk.”

Takuma was slightly surprised by the response, before realising that Zero may just be covering up his real reasons for being in this corridor. In some ways he was similar to Kaname. He didn't like others to know his true feelings.

“Oh, well that's good then. If you were going to go see him, I would have had to ask you to postpone your visit. I have some urgent business with him of a confidential nature, you see.” Takuma was rather pleased with himself. This way, if he had been right in reading the other vampire, his message would have gotten across, and if he had been wrong, he didn't come across as too presumptuous. He flashed another smile at Zero for good measure before offering him a wave as he continued walking towards Kaname's suite.

He was sure he felt the ex-human's eyes on his back as he walked away, but he didn't turn to check. He had more important matters on his mind now. He stopped in front of the main door of Kaname's rooms and knocked twice, firmly.

After a moment, to Takuma's surprise, the door swung open to reveal the pureblood standing on the threshold looking at him expectantly. He usually didn't come to the door personally, instead whoever wished to see him would wait to be given permission to enter.

Kaname looked past him and down the hallway. A wrinkle creased his brow for a moment. “Was Zero not just out here?”

The noble cocked his head at the pureblood's use of the ex-human's first name. It was the first time he had heard him use it. He cleared his throat before speaking.

“Yes, we met just a moment ago. He said he was taking a walk. I didn't pry any further. I have something important to tell you.”

Kaname raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

Takuma handed the pureblood a sheet of paper from the stack he was still holding. It was a report. “We just received this from one of our lesser known subsidiary companies. It's from Seiren.”

The noble noted mild surprise and perhaps relief reflected in the pureblood's eyes as he quickly scanned the document. A few minutes later he looked back up at the blonde.

“I see. She couldn't contact us directly for fear of my implication.” He paused briefly, passing the sheet of paper back to Takuma. “So, she believes she has discovered the location of the pureblood behind the hostilities? I want you to find a way to contact her and get her back here right now. Something doesn't feel right.”

Takuma's eyes widened at the unexpected instructions. “Of course, but... what do you mean?”

“Just do as I ask, Takuma.” His tone was final but the feeling of unease Kaname was emanating did nothing to assuage the noble's uncertainties.

“Yes, Kaname,” he finally responded. He wanted to ask if the pureblood was alright, to do something to put him at ease, but he knew he would shrug him off.

“Good, now if you'll excuse me.”

Takuma watched as Kaname slid past him, closing the door to his suite and headed down the corridor. He squeezed his lips together as a knot of worry formed itself in the pit of his stomach.

* * *

Kaname followed the now all too familiar scent along the long hallways of the main building. It was getting stronger. He was getting closer.

He wondered if he was perhaps being a little silly. He had felt out of shape ever since waking earlier in the evening and he knew the other residents of the house were feeling it. So, here he was, heading straight for the one vampire he would more than likely get into some form of confrontation with. It didn't make much sense when he looked at it that way. Oddly enough, even though he was well aware of Zero's duplicity, he was also the only vampire he could gain some measure of comfort around. After the dream, he had the urge to make sure the ex-human was well, was still... himself.

He knew he should be attending to Seiren's rather unexpected discovery and that the orders he had given Takuma probably struck him as odd. But if nothing else, his instincts and knowledge of purebloods and their tactics were always right. If he left Seiren out there now, not only would she be in danger, but the risk of his investigation being discovered was too high. He wanted to end this little power play with as little bloodshed as possible; preferably none. Ideally, it could be resolved entirely within the business world. He had the sneaking suspicion it wouldn't prove to be that easy though.

As he pushed the thoughts out of his mind he looked ahead of him and spotted his target standing on one of the many balconies that decorated the exterior of the first floor. Zero was leaning against the railing, presumably looking over the estate's grounds, his back facing towards him.

Kaname was fairly certain that the ex-human would know he was nearby, so he closed the remaining distance in silence. He stopped a few feet behind him, his gaze drifting over his form. Zero looked remarkably relaxed and, thankfully, healthy. It had been only a dream, he reminded himself.

“You were looking for me?” Kaname's voice was quiet and soft.

Zero didn't turn. “What makes you think that?”

“I sensed you near my rooms.”

The ex-human's only reply was a grunt. He still hadn't turned to acknowledge the pureblood's presence, and Kaname felt a little irked at that. He took several strides towards Zero and leant against the balcony beside him, peering at him. Still, he didn't turn to face him, but Kaname couldn't miss the slight crimson glow of his usually amethyst eyes.

Now that he was closer, he could tell that Zero was controlling his breathing, that the relaxed demeanour was all an act. Kaname's expression softened. Still trying to act so strong...

“You need to feed.” It was a statement, not a question, yet he knew the reply he would get from it.

Zero's predictable response was growled out between clenched teeth. “I'm fine.”

The pureblood wasn't about to let it go so easily this time though. Certainly, Zero was stubborn, but he didn't hold a candle to Kaname when it came to things that he felt were important.

Kaname slid a hand up to his shirt collar and pulled it aside surreptitiously. It was a good thing that Zero was fully focused on not meeting Kaname's gaze. His stubbornness would be his undoing.

He extended the nail on his forefinger until it formed a claw and quickly sliced into the skin of his neck, drawing blood. Zero's reaction was immediate. His eyes widened and his head jerked around towards Kaname, his crimson gaze locking onto the rivulet of blood that was streaking down the pureblood's skin. The ex-human inhaled sharply and took an involuntary step forward.

Kaname leant his head to the side to afford better access, pulling the shirt in the opposite direction, and waited for Zero's vampire instincts to overtake his willpower.

The pureblood commended his strength at fighting his natural urges as he wavered momentarily before his intoxicating blood, but ultimately it was futile. Zero took the last step towards Kaname and slid one hand to the back of his neck, the other grasping his shoulder. The brunette noted that he must not be completely consumed by bloodlust as he took the time to run his tongue up from his collarbone to the puncture wound on his neck, lapping up the stray rivulet of blood, before sinking his fully extended fangs into his soft flesh.

Kaname couldn't contain the groan as he felt both the pain and the pleasure of that sensation. He wrapped his arms around Zero's back as he felt his lifeblood being drawn from him. His eyes trailed down the side of the ex-human's face, along his hairline and paused at his neck. It was so close to him and he could practically see his pulse beating in the veins there. He felt his own fangs extending. He was so hungry...

His mouth drifted closer to Zero's neck. The ex-human's scent was intoxicating in itself. Its muskiness filled his senses. The sensation of having his blood drained from him combined with his own dire need for sustenance and Zero's close proximity completely overrode his rational thought processes. He flicked his tongue out and tasted the skin of Zero's neck. The other vampire jerked briefly beneath him, but he didn't relent on his feeding. He continued to run his tongue over the smooth skin, relishing the taste, before gently scraping his fangs against Zero's neck.

An image flashed before Kaname's mind, of a blood drenched silver-haired vampire. The recollection completely sobered the pureblood and he jerked away from Zero, tearing the ex-human's fangs out of his neck in the process. He hardly noticed the pain though. He had nearly abused the grudging trust Zero had placed in him. That would have been unforgivable.

Kaname glanced at the ex-human warily, not wishing to see the look of fear, disgust or perhaps disappointment he expected to be there. Instead, Zero merely looked confused, the traces of bloodlust evidently not having cleared up yet. Their gazes met and after a few moments, amethyst eyes blinked back at him, the crimson glow receding.

“Damn you, Kuran,” Zero spat at him.

Kaname didn't reply. For once in his life, he didn't know what to say.

The ex-human wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, only succeeding in smearing the traces of blood there. “I told you I was fine. Yet, you still... forced me to...” Zero's voice trailed off.

Kaname's eyebrows rose. That was what he was angry about? That he had forced his vampire side to the fore? Perhaps he hadn't realised he was about to bite him before he had come back to his senses? The pureblood breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“It was for your own good, Kiryu. I can't have you pouncing on just anyone, now can I?” Even though he knew his words would more than likely rile Zero up, it was better to not dwell on what had just happened.

The ex-human scowled at him, but surprisingly didn't make a snarky retort.

“I suggest you go clean up now. I will do the same.”

Zero grunted in reply and took a few steps towards the balcony doors. He paused as he reached the threshold and turned back. “Perhaps you should take your own advice, Kuran. I may be unable to resist my urges after a certain point, but how much more dangerous is a hungry pureblood?”

With that said, he walked swiftly along the corridor and out of sight. Kaname allowed a wry smile to play on his lips. If only you knew how close I came to making those words true...