The Other Destinies

Haruki's POV

After the night when I was bitten by the 'Hunter brat', our days in Cross Academy were spent relatively in peace. But I had a feeling that this was just the peace before the storm coming out, a very huge one at that.

'Well... At least I know that I am not the protagonist for the coming clusterfuck..' I brooded inside my own thought.

Speaking of that night, I didn't know how and why, but for some reason since the mentioned night, Kaname made it his mission to care for me more than usual.

Well... It's not like he didn't care about me before, but usually he fused more about Yuuki than me, considering that our sister is a bit clumsy and naïve, I didn't really mind it.

But that night, for some unknown reason, I woke up in his bed, with him basically trapping me. And then, after that he acted strangely but at the same time also the same. Thinking about it always brought me back to that night.

I woke to an unfamiliar room that I had never seen and there was something that was preventing me from moving. When my consciousness came back to me fully, I blinked a few times and then turned my head around and met the face of my beloved brother just beside me and so close. A blush instantly took over my face and my body heat increased.

'This is the first time I got someone so close to my personal space. And what the hell... He didn't have to trap me like I will run the first chance I got!' I shouted in annoyance inside my own mind.

"Good morning Haruki, did you sleep well?" He asked me gently and calmly with his eyes still closed.

I stared at his face blankly before I coughed once to clear my parched throat, "Kuran-san... Good morning to you too..." I answered rather calmly but with clear question in my voice.

After I call him like always, he opened his eyes and a frown appeared on his forehead. Then he swiftly flipped his body so we were face to face with him on top of me and his elbows propped against each side of my head, effectively caging my body with his body.

'What does Kaname want? He stares at me like he wants to read me like an open book,' I thought suspiciously, but he just stared at me and then said something that made me suspicious.

"Haruki, don't you want to confess something to me?" He asked calmly, but there was a hint of demand in those innocent words.

A frown appeared on my forehead. "No, Kuran-san. Why did you ask me something like that? You made it like I owed you some kind of amswer." I asked, a bit worried about what kind of answer he wanted from me.

He stared at me long and hard, before finally he only gave a defeated sigh, and this time asked me lightly, "Do you remember anything about last night?"

I narrowed my eyes so slightly to that question. It looked like the continuation of the previous question, but from his tone, I knew that this question and the previous one had completely different meaning. Though, for now I need to focus to the last question and shoved my own wariness to the back of my mind.

I heaved a deep breath but kept my silent and just stared at him while the gears in my brain worked furiously. Not long after, my eyes widened slightly in realization.

"Zero... He..." but after a second, I sighed and changed my question, "Is Yuuki fine?" I asked instead.

"Yuuki is fine. Maybe a bit traumatized, but fine. The question is, are you? Are you uncomfortable or in any pain?" He then gently caressed my neck where Zero bit me.

I looked at him and sighed again, "I think I'm fine now. Nothing that I didn't predicted beforehand." I answered him calmly, "But... to think that feeding a vampire felt like that... not hurt per se, but... weird and a bit uncomfortable. I think once is enough if it's not an emergency..." I mused out loud.

Kaname only hummed and stroked my head lightly, "Don't worry too much about it Haruki... When the time comes..." He trailed and I arched an eyebrow in askance. Though he shook his head and instead said, "If you are all right, then it's fine. After all, I can't just go kill Zero, considering...."

At that, I gave him half-hearted glare, "Don't Kuran-san... Even if it's just a joke, don't even... I didn't safe him so you could kill him as you wish."

He blinked once, and then twice, and then he only stared at me blankly, but there was something in his eyes. "I don't know if I should feel jealous or something right now." He mumbled.

But before I could say anything, he frowned and continued, "Don't worry, even if I want to, I can't. There is a line of people that will protect him from my wrath. I thought that line only consist of Cross-san and Kiriyu Ichiru... But surprisingly your sister also added herself in that line."

I blinked, "Yuuki did? I know that she cares about Zero, but what make you convinced that Yuuki will defy you, her knight in shining armor?" I said a bit skeptical.

"She did. She already did. After you fainted yesterday, she was the one who stood between me and Kiriyu Zero, bravely said that I can't kill Kiriyu Zero because she can't live without him." He said with some amusement coated his words.

I frowned at that answer and stared at him in confusion, "Why can't she live without Zero? It's not like we have some sort of red string that will kill the other if one of them die." I said in rather matter-of-factly tone of voice.

This time, Kaname looked at me with widened eyes like he didn't believe what I said, but then before I could retort anything, he laughed. An elegant controlled laugh, but sincere laugh nonetheless.

'I never see him laugh... even when we live together in Kuran Mansion.' I thought while looked at him a bit mystified.

"I apologize for laughing, Haruki. But I assure you I didn't laugh at you. But well... I suppose I felt thankful that for all your brilliance you still maintain that part of your innocence."

And now he didn't even make any sense.

After that exclamation from him, he just hugged me fiercely against his body, like he tried to shield me from something. In impulse, I sneaked my arms around his body and hug him back, while patting his head softly.

"Haruki... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry that you had to experience that feeling last night. I can understand now if you're afraid of vampire... of me... But, I'm a selfish person, I won't let you go, I will always be by your side till you are sick of me, and even then I won't leave you. So don't worry about anything Haruki." He said all of that full of conviction... of emotion I know not how to respond.

At the end of his words, he loosened his hug and I finally could make some distance between us. When I look at his face, I was startled and confused to see the protectiveness and possessiveness there. It was so deep that I honestly didn't know how to respond.

"Why are you telling me this Kuran-san? Did I say something last night? You don't have to do anything for me just because of my sleep-induced rambling Kuran-san." I told him steadily.

He never answered my question, he just tightened his arms and I was back in his embrace, an embrace that gave me a feeling of being safe and secure like there was nothing that could harm me if I was with Kaname.

I knew that I was dreaming the same dream like always that night and that Kaname now knew about that nightmare. And even though he didn't know the full story of the dream, he would question it without doubt.

'Of all my dreams, why should that one show up right when I was with Kuran Kaname... the most observant being I knew..'

A dream that haunted me not only in that world but also here, a dream full of hurt and betrayal. A dream of when I knew all of the lies and a dream where I run from everything, not only from my own world but also from my own feeling.

And because of that decision on my fifteenth birthday in my original world, the consequence until this time in this new world was, I still lack some feelings because I never gave my old body a chance to know them.

'Well... Let's just hope for the better in this world.'

Third Person's POV

"It's good to be out of school grounds sometimes," Yuuki said with a huge smile and stretched her body carelessly.

"It's not like we have that much time, we're just here to buy something for the Headmaster. Let's get this over quickly and go back to the school." Zero said flatly.

Hearing Zero's flat respond, Yuuki turned around and pouted in Zero's direction. "Don't be like that Zero, you're no fun. Sometimes you should let your face and body refresh and let that face of a-warrior-ready-to-strike-an-enemy fall once in a while."

"You don't know what you are saying, Yuuki. It's near dusk. There is no telling what will come out of nowhere."

Yuuki still pouted and then clung to Zero's arm like it was a normal thing to do. "Then let's get this over with and afterward we can go to the café and have some parfait. I've wanted that café's parfait since forever." And with that, Yuuki dragged Zero off to some direction leaving the two people that trailed behind them.

"There's something strange about those two," Haruki said with a tilted head after some time when Zero and Yuuki were already nowhere in sight.

Beside Haruki, Ichiru gave a sigh. "Really? I think they've been like that for some time now, Haruki." Ichiru responded flatly.

Haruki, hearing that respond, glanced at Ichiru, whose face indicated that he was pissed at something, and asked, "Are you upset about something?"

At that, Haruki couldn't prepare himself for a glare directed at him from Ichiru, who usually acted respectfully and a bit protectively to him. Haruki could only raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Are you really asking me that, Haruki?!"

Haruki stared at Ichiru for a bit before he sighed, "Is this about that night?" He asked.

Ichiru only grunted.

"You know that no one knew what's going to happen, right? Who knows that Zero was more stubborn than we predicted."

Ichiru's answer was only a grunt and, "I am angry at Zero." Ichiru grumbled.

"I am angry at Zero, too. But I think he will be thinking twice before doing something stupid like this again... Hopefully that is."

"Yes, hopefully." Said Ichiru with a sneer.

Haruki sighed again and left it at that.

"Let's just do the shopping. Zero's right about doing this quickly. Who knows what's going to happen after the sun goes to sleep." He said instead.

After some time, they bought the necessary things and afterward went to the café. There they met an already satisfied Yuuki with a huge glass of parfait in front of her and a calm Zero with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Let's cross check it." Ichiru grumpily stated and effectively did what he said.

"How is it, Ichiru?" Zero questioned casually after some time had passed.

"We're short one item and you and I can buy it. Let's go." Ichiru answered curtly, and immediately walked out of the cafe.

While Zero, who stared at his brother back, only sighed and put on a resigned face. Then he stood calmly and followed his brother.

"It seems it's just the two of us Haruki." Yuuki started after a while with a fond smile on her face, watching her brother eat his cake.

"Hmmm... that's right." He responded to his beloved sister without looking up from his shortcake. "How are you this day Nee-sama?" He asks her.

"I'm fine, and honestly, I'm the one who should ask you that."

"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."

"What's so wrong about worrying about my baby brother?" Yuuki responded with a teasing smile.

Hearing what his sister called him made Haruki look at his sister with a deep frown and a slight pout. "Don't call me that Nee-sama. I'm not and never have been a baby."

"But Haruki, you're so small. You barely reach my height and there is also your small build."

"But my build is the same as you."

"That's why I call you my baby brother. Because we're almost the same," Yuuki said with a grin as if that response gave Haruki the answer he wanted.

Like always, their bickering about Haruki's build and height become heated with Haruki becoming more upset with each minute that passed and Yuuki with a big grin because once again she can tease her brother with that again.

"By the way, they sure take a long time. What are the two of them doing?" Yuuki said, abruptly changing the direction of the conversation.

Haruki just looked at his sister with a pout. "Don't just change the topic, Nee-sama."

But Yuuki clearly didn't give a damn about it. Instead, she responded with, "Let's pay the bill and bring the stuff to the café's entrance. We'll wait for them there." And just like that, they did what Yuuki suggested and not long after, they sat on the bench in front of the café.

But after some time, there was no sign that the Kiriyu twins were going to appear. "Where are those two?" Haruki asked.

"I don't know. Maybe I should search for them... Hmmm... Yes, I'm going to search for them. Haruki, you wait here, all right?"

"What... But... I'm..." But Haruki's protest was silenced by Yuuki's hug.

"It's all right Haruki, I won't let anything happen to you again. For once, let me protect you." And just like that, Yuuki went off to some direction, leaving a stunned Haruki behind.

Haruki's POV

'It's good,' I thought, 'when someone want to protect me. Me, the one who always expected to protect the others.' There was a warm feeling lingering in my heart and without my consent, a smile appeared on my face.

I began to place this new feeling to my treasure box inside my mind palace. Treasure box that I made specially for new feeling I got to experience in this life.

'What was this feeling, I wonder? I had never known this feeling in my previous life. A feeling of being loved? But Okaa-sama and Otou-sama loved me too, but it's not the same. Okaa-sama and Otou-sama's felt like being wrapped in warm and fluffy blanket, but this feeling was like Yuuki Nee-sama will always have my back and can be trusted with my wellbeing.' I thought.

But then, after a moment I chuckled when a thought passed, 'But then again, with her clumsiness and naivety I wonder if my back truly is safe with Yuuki Nee-sama behind me.' I thought fondly inside my own mind palace.

But suddenly, I snapped at nothing in the real world and my gaze noticed the darkening street in front of me. 'What the-? How much time has passed since Yuuki left me here?' I asked myself.

The sky was dark and the street reflected it. The only light came from some street lamps and a few flooded from the house lined in this street. I began to frantically look around and I saw no one I knew. Without much thought, my feet moved in autopilot to a dark alley.

I don't really remember, and maybe I was also not fully conscious of my action. I let instinct brought me to where I was needed. I didn't know where I am and I already lost count of how many times I had turned in the alleys that I was practically lost, but I felt like there was something waiting for me at the end of my mindless run.

After what felt like an endless minutes, finally I could see a big street in the end of this alleyway.

And like some kind of dramatic effect, I was momentarily blinded when I arrive at the end, what with the bright light that shone through several street lamps. But when I adjusted to them, what I saw made my heart beat frantically and my mind stop thinking.

I could only widen my eyes and stood frozen in place. What I saw made no sense but also a lot of sense. 'Where did they came from? It's just a moment ago that the darkness enveloped the world. How could they attack us in this broad street like some kind of demented things without an ounce of sense?' I thought in rapidly.

But then again, they are vampires who already lost its mind to its basic instinct. It's already good enough that Yuuki managed to defend herself with that staff of hers. But... There was no offense in her weapon. I need to attack that vampire, I need to protect Yuuki, my one and only sister. I won't let anyone take what was mine anymore! But why did my feet refused to cooperate?! It's not like me at all to be frozen like this!

But, unsurprisingly, what made my stubborn feet moved was when I could see from the corner of my eyes that there was another vampires who readied its attack to strike Yuuki from behind. With widened eyes and a loud cry of 'No' from my mouth, my mind and my feet cooperated once more and let me run myself straight between the vampire and Yuuki's back.

But... also in time for the vampires hand went straight to my chest. 'Well... At least this stupid thing managed to miss my heart.' I thought with a wet cough.

"Who dares to disturb me from my prey?!" The vampire snarled at me with so much venom and strength.

"Ha... Ha... Why the hell this stupid world create something like you, I wonder... Hah... Hah..." I panted with a sarcastic smile plastered in my face.

But it seems my sarcastic respond only made the thing in front of me mad, considering it tried to thrust its hand further inside my chest. I could feel my blood not only ooze from the hole in my chest, but also from my mouth.

'My mouth felt disgusting. Is this what feels like to swallow iron powder, I wonder? Ahh... What a day its become. I thought it's going to be a simple excursion to buy some things.. But it turned out some annoying things managed to disturb my peaceful evening. If only this stupid thing don't exist!' I thought in annoyance and glared at the crazy vampire in front of me.

And at that moment, when my glare met the unfocused gaze of the fallen vampire, the vampire exploded in a shower of ice particles.

In shock, I only gazed at the ice dust in front of me. 'What... the hell happened?!' I thought dazedly. But the only thing I knew in the next seconds was how I fell backward with a hard thud in the stone street. In the distance, I could hear some voices reaching me and right in front of me from the end of the alley where I came from, I could see Kaname looking at me with pure horror on his face.

Yuuki's POV

"Ha... ru... ki...." I unconsciously state when I saw from the corner of my eyes that some vampire behind me managed to lunge at Haruki who came from who knows where.

'Red... Everything is red... Why red? Whose red is that? Mine? Otou-sama? Okaa-sama? Haruki's? Haruki?'

Everything is a haze, my mind overlapped with something I didn't even know. But what made me back was Haruki... Haruki who take what was supposed to be fatal for me to his own body. Haruki who was drenched with red.

'Ahh... I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I HATE IT!' I screamed in my mind and unconsciously gripped my staff until my nails pierced my own flesh.

'Why was it always Haruki? Why can't I protect him for once? He has already given me so much, couldn't I give him something in return? Damn it... Why was I always this vulnerable?! Why was I always was so powerless?! Damn it all!' I yelled in my head and without any thought I pushed at the vampire in front of me and slashed my staff to it.

"Hah... Hah... Hah..." I panted loudly with unfocused gaze. My own mind couldn't comprehend what's in front of me. Because what was supposed to be crazy vampire was now no more than dust in the wind.

Without any awareness, I looked at my supposed to be a generic staff. But... I could only widens my eyes when I didn't find my usual staff. In its place now was what feel like and look like a very deadly scythe. "Wha...."

"Yuuki..." From the distance, I could hear Zero's calling and approaching us. But when they saw what's behind me, I could feel them become tense. "What... What the hell?!" Came Zero's choked voice.

I glanced behind me, still in shock myself, and I see Zero's unusual shocked face and Ichiru's petrified frame.

"Ha... ru... ki..." Came Ichiru's voice this time with a clearly strangled tone. "What... What's happening?" He asked, but without waiting an answer, he shook his head, "No, it's not the case, for now, we must bring him to the hospital soon, we can't just leave him like this." And with that, I could see him approach Haruki, but before I could do anything and he could take anymore steps, a terrified but also forceful shout stop us.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM!"

Kaname's POV

When Headmaster called me, I thought it was nothing. And then he said that his 'children' who went to the town yet to return home, I frowned in worry. And without much thought, I told him not to worry and that I would pick them up.

"It's not like Haruki's or Zero's habit to stay out this late. I hope it's nothing."

"Should I just turn around, Kuran-sama?" Asked the driver who driving me back to the school.

"Please do. And..." I trailed and he looked at me through the corner of his eyes, "Whatever you witness, don't go around telling anyone from the Senate. For now I will trust you with this, But... You know what the consequences is for betraying me, right?" I asked him calmly with a hint my heavy aura surrounding his trembling frame.

He only managed to gulp and nod nervously, but for now I suppose it was sufficient.

So the two of us drove through in silence. 'I hope nothing is wrong.'

Not long after, the car stopped and I could see that we stopped at the town center. And if I am not mistaken, there is a cafe that Yuuki like and want to visit. Then with that small hint, I looked around and without a minute passed, I could see that there was familiar figure sat at one of the bench just beside a classic cafe.

I heaved a relieved sigh when I spotted him, though before I could do anything, that relief turned to concern when Haruki walk away to some dark alley. A frown came to my face and my heart started to beat ten times as furiously. When I followed Haruki silently, but also as fast as I could, I became frustrated because I still couldn't reach him. And when I tried to call him, he didn't even respond with anything and just run like some possessed being.

'It's not like Haruki to do something like this.'

And then when I finally reached the end of the alley, I couldn't comprehend what I saw. I could only stood frozen in there like some kind of statue.

'Why did Haruki in the cold hard stone street? And what is that red? Is that Haruki's?' I blanked completely and I could only process that something started to bubble inside me. And when I managed to think that through, only rage blazed inside my very being.

'Ahh... I wonder what kind of retribution I got if I destroy this town to dust? I wonder if I could go on a rampage right at that moment, destroy everything in my sight, and I bet I wouldn't care at all.' But before I could go through with my own thought, a movement caught my vision and without a second thought, I shouted to the one that made the movement.

Calmly, but with a crackle of power surrounding me, I walked to them and looked at them one by one before I walked to Haruki and lifted him easily. Just like that, I carried and embraced Haruki protectively in my arms.

"I will hear the story when we're back in the Academy. Kiriyu Ichiru, snap out of it! If you released such killing intent continuously, even common people will be strangled with your power. Kiriyu Zero, I can't believe I said it but control your brother. And don't forget to escort Yuuki back safely." And just like that without waiting for answer, I walked away and climbed into the car that without me knowing followed my trail from main-street.

"To the dorm, Kuran-sama?" The driver asked me without any hint of curiosity and strain in his voice. 'Well, it seems this vampire got a good grasp with his bloodlust even if he is only Level C.'

"Yes." I answered shortly, and with that permission, the car immediately drove to its original destination.

'If I lost him...' I held Haruki close and do nothing but trying to transfer my healing ability to him. In the hope that I could help him in his weakened state.

Third Person's POV

"Hello, Master." A voice that was too familiar, but also hasn't been heard since long ago called.

"Well... hello there Death. Long times no see, it seems." Haruki responded calmly and then turned around to see a figure, a being that he could call his only family from the previous dimension. "At last we meet again."

"Yes. It seems not only in the previous dimension, but also here you like to meet trouble, but I thought that I would meet you much earlier than now."

Before he could stop it, Haruki pouted. "Well... I think I could make a peaceful life once in a while, but it seems that storms are going to come. This is just the beginning."

"You know, even if you can't die, please try to not take too much trouble into your hands."

"I know that Death, you don't have to remind me."

"Also, in this life, you can change anyone fate, either for the better or for the worse. So please be careful with your decision making. Additionally, you can see if one has reached their time to depart from the world."

"You can summarize it to, 'I am becoming more like you'. In the end, what will I become, honestly?"

"It isn't time to tell you yet." Death answered it cryptically.

And just like that, the two beings that had reunited talked more of the life of Haruki Kuran and also something important and also unimportant here and there. Meanwhile, in the reality, Haruki's body healed itself slowly, but surely.

Kaname's POV

I could only look at his body while the hole in his chest slowly, but surely closed. I could only stare, not knowing if I felt worried or relieved because there was no way a mere human could heal its body by itself like what I was witnessing in front of me.

'But... for now, that is not the problem, the problem is Haruki's condition. He lost too much blood, but I can't do anything because I don't know how Haruki's body works.' So, I just sat on the bedside, holding his hand gently, and every once in a while, murmuring soothing words.

After I don't know how long, Haruki's scar finally completely healed, but he was still too pale and I could hear that his heartbeat was too slow. "Haruki? Are you all right? Should I help you? Should I change you back? Please wake up Haruki and told me that you're all right." I asked to no one but myself and didn't expect an answer.

"You can't change him back, not yet at least." A voice startled me from my thoughts and answered my question.

I turned around and saw something, or maybe someone, clad in a black robe that completely covered its body except a small gap that reveal its mouth and its surrounding. "Who... are you?"

"Why... just some being that rules over the end of the soul." The Being answers my question casually.

"A... Death?" I answered, or asked, uncertainly.

"As expected from the ancestor of Kuran Family, the beginning of all, the one who is destined, though for what, I can't tell you."

"A Being like you is... real? Like Fate? Life? Destiny?" I chose to ignore its previous statement about being the ancestor of Kuran family and instead chose to ask him that. Meanwhile, I could feel that a frown appeared on my forehead.

"Well you can say we are real, but at the same time, we are not. We are just a personification from what humans, creatures, and all there is in Earth believes. But it seems your question must be postponed because your 'friends' are going to disturb us for a moment."

And just like the being said, the door to my room was being knocked, "Kaname-sama, are you all right? Is there something wrong? Should I call the other?" Came the voice of Aido Hanabusa.

"You can just let them enter, but you also can chase him away if you're not ready to share this situation with your 'friends'." The Being answered the unasked question in my mind.

I considered the choice for a moment before gave my answer to one of my most loyal friends, "It's alright Aido, you don't have to call the other. And you can join the other for the party in the backyard, I will go after I finished some business." I told him without looking away from the Being in front of me.

There was a moment of silence before Aido answered, "Very well Kaname-sama, I will wait for you in the backyard and tell the others to start the celebration." And with that I could hear his step going away from my chamber.

"Well... That is unexpected, or not really I suppose." The Being trailed and when I want to ask the Being more, a sound, a rustling sound snapped my attention from the Being to the bed where Haruki lay.

I stared, somewhat surprised that Haruki was already awake and sitting, but I could feel that there was something wrong here because he looked down and his hands just stayed limp beside his body.

"Haru..." I started and abruptly stopped when my surrounding was suddenly a blur and without my consent, I fell onto the floor with Haruki looming above me. "Haruki?" I tried again, calmly.

"Ka... na... me... nii-... sa... ma..." I could only widen my eyes when I heard Haruki's word.

'Is he still unconscious? Or is he really....?' I thought in my mind but trailed when I saw Haruki's eyes. His eyes, like always, were a startling emerald, but there were some specks of red around the emerald. "Haruki, are you all right? Is there something wrong?" I asked him, but he just stared at me with a blank face.

"Thirs... ty... Kaname... Nii-... sama..." He answered me, "Give... me... your... blood... thirsty..." Before I could answer him, a blow struck Haruki and he fell to my arms like a limpet.

I just stared, shocked with what transpired in front of me. And when I snapped back to reality, I glared at the one who dared to struck Haruki, my soulmate, right in front of me.

"Is this some kind of something that I didn't know about that made you struck Haruki like that? Right in front of me, his soulmate?!" I growled and cracks started to sound around my rooms.

They heard me, I am sure of that, but they only stared at me. And when that stare changed direction from my eyes to Haruki's figure, I couldn't help my arms that unconsciously wrapped around Haruki.

My instinct told me to protect my mate, to bring him into my embrace and feed him like he wanted, but my mind told me that there was something going on that I didn't know and I needed to wait to do anything.

Haruki's POV

I came to consciousness when a blow struck me hard in the head. That hurt! Who dared to hit me like that? I'm going to hex him to the other world.

"Well, it seems that you had lost so much blood to the point that you lost control, Master." A voice came from above me.

I whipped my head up so fast that my head started pounding again. "It's you... what the hell are you doing?!"

"Like I told you, you lost control." The voice, Death, answered me again so easily that I doubted there was anything serious.

But then I felt like I was being embraced, and when I looked up, I saw Kaname looked at me with a surprised expression. "What..." But before I started, a voice cut me off.

"Haruki..." Kaname's voice was tinted with something I couldn't place and when he said my name, he stood up from his position on the floor, what was he doing on the floor?, and brought me up with him, considering he still held me in his arms tightly.

"Ka... Kuran-san." I interrupted myself from calling him his name, but it seemed this time he didn't buy it judging by his twisted expression.

"Stop it Haruki, did you or did you not remember me?" He asked me, but I could only stare at him.

I didn't answer, I just looked down and then tried to push him from me, to make some distance. Tried, because it seemed that whenever I tried to, his arms only tightened its hold.

"It'll be around a week until you can be called fine again, Master. You lost too much blood, and even if your soul is technically immortal, your body is still just a body of mortal and you have to gain the amount of blood like a normal human being.

But because you're vampire by birth, your instinct took over and you wanted to replace the lost blood from the other, after all, that is what vampires do, you can't run away forever, though in this case, your key is your beloved brother." Death explained it like he was talking about the weather.

But for now, all of my attention was focused on the vampire in front of me. He just stared at me and I also just looked up at him.

Without so much as a warning, Kaname's hand started to caress my cheek gently. "Since when?" He asked me, and I knew what he was referring to.

I looked at him in silence. And he only answered my gaze with his own gaze. I could only sigh at that.

"Hahhh... I wonder about that... Since I was ten years old, I think. Everything came back that night when I caught a cold, Kaname Nii-sama. I'm sorry I didn't tell you." I answered him with a solemn tone.

It's true that I felt guilty over the silence of my supposedly sealed memory, but I couldn't bring myself to tell Kaname." I didn't want to worry you." I added in a whisper.

I was caught off guard when Kaname hugged me back, this time full of protectiveness. "No, it was better that way. That way you could protect yourself better than if you told me. If I knew from the start there would be a possibility that I couldn't keep my hands off of you."

I was confused. "What do you mean Kaname Nii-sama?"

Kaname only hummed for a while before he answeres with a simple, "No, nothing."

And then he just held me like that for who knows how long. "But maybe I could help you with your blood loss problem. I can give you my blood, maybe it will taste like a disgusting liquid to you, but it's better than having your guard off because of the blood loss."

"No, don't do it." Death's voice clearly rejected Kaname's idea and I felt Kaname move slightly to look up at Death. "I told you earlier that you can't change him back now, that would disturb the balance, and even if you didn't bite him, your blood is enough to break the seal protecting the vampire inside, so please just let him rest and do nothing but lazing around, he deserves it." Death said.

Kaname just held me close to his chest, but I could feel him narrowing his eyes at Death and contemplating Death's word. When Kaname let out a sigh, I knew that he was going to follow Death's advice. "Maybe that's right, Haruki can relax around here. You're right, he needs a rest."

"That's good." Death said to Kaname and then switched his attention to me the next second.

"Well then Master, you can open up to Kaname Kuran. After all, his life is similar to yours, you two would make good partners. Enjoy my gift, Master. It's your one and only." And just like that, Death's presence vanished, like they were never there.