52Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight.
Chapter One:
Lost Love
Kaname handed the child over to the other, his eyes dark. Seiya nodded at the silent command and adjusted his hold, without waking the tiny girl. Seiren nodded her head and he blinked in return. The two never showed much emotion. Kissing her on the forehead, Kaname knew that it was for the best if she left and never knew anything about him. Seiya slid into the car and buckled in the girl.
With the click of the door the car began to drive away. Kaname followed it with his eyes until he could see it no more. "I love you, my dear girl. Goodbye."
He and Seiren returned to Ichijou Manor. They ignored the cries of the relieved maids and walked to their rooms. Kaname changed out of his bloody clothes and tossed them into the fireplace. Leaning against the window frame, he stared out at the night. Somewhere out there she was heading towards her new life, a life where he could only watch from the distance.
He ran an agitated hand through his hair. "It was for the best. You were meant to live in a world of light, something I could never give you," he murmured angrily. Composing himself he reached a hand out, placing it on the glass, "If we meet again, will you still have that special smile? The one meant only for me? Will you still love me? Knowing I am the darkness, and the darkness is of me, will you? Without knowing me, remembering me, will you still love me?" His eyes seemed to see something beyond the glass, beyond the scenery that was outside, visualizing the person in his thoughts.
Seiren stood outside her master's bedroom. The empty space where Seiya would normally stand made her feel alone. They had never needed words, but now the silence mocked her. For a moment she thought he was standing beside her, but when she turned there was nothing there. "I miss you Seiya…" she murmured, leaning into the wall.
Seiya watched the cars behind them, checking for followers. He had to always be alert. Looking in the rearview mirror, he watched the human driver's face for signs of betrayal. He ran a hand through his hair, mentally reminding himself to modify the man's memory.
It was his duty to his lord to protect the child. She was Seiren's duty, but it had been decided he would be the one to protect her. He had more experience. His lord had entrusted her life with him and he would not fail. She was their lady, and thus, more important than his own life.
Beside him, the girl turned in her sleep, fingers grasping his coat. He smiled inwardly. She reminded him of Seiren, who was but a year younger than him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.
Kaname paced around his bedroom, adjusting his tie. It was almost time for the stupid ball, the Council was holding. Ichijou sat on the couch, reading a manga, whiling watching the pureblood's movements.
"Seiren," the girl appeared at his call, the door clicking shut a second later. "Seiya should have called by now." The girl nodded and vanished out the door.
In but a minute, she returned. Shakily she bowed, face white. "They are dead." Her eyes were filled with tears as she looked at her master's face. She immediately averted her eyes. He was her better; she was not permitted to witness his pain. Raising her voice so that Ichijou could now hear, she continued, "Seiya is dead. The car crashed in a three way accident, hit from both sides. Only the other drivers survived."
Tears streaked down her face, and she collapsed sobbing. Ichijou ran to her, alarmed. She pushed him away, continuing to rock back and forth on the floor, hugging herself.
Her lady was dead. She had failed her lineage. She had not protected the princess. She was a failure.
Her brother was dead. He had taught her everything. She wanted to deny it all, erase everything that had happened.
Kaname turned away from her. "Seiren, stay here, I can attend the party alone." Neither of the vampires noticed the subtle difference in his voice. It was filled with underlying ice, a subtle hint of what would come.
Ichijou reluctantly followed him out of the room, and they headed down stairs where the nobles would be unwittingly be offering condolences for more than the death's of his parents.
He entered the ballroom and every single occupant bowed. Only Ichijou remained standing, only a few feet behind him. Kaname nodded, acknowledging their gesture. They straightened, and he continued down the stairwell to walk among them.
"Kaname-sama, we offer our condolences. Haruka-sama and Juuri-sama were well loved."
"Arigato, Hamasaki. Your thoughts are appreciated." Kaname said. He held no emotion. With a nod, he excused himself from the noble, and walked out to the balcony. He wanted to destroy them all, but he could not. He had one last vow to fulfill, a vow he had made to Yuuki, to Juuri and Haruka. When it was done, he would rest again.
Seiren lay in the dark, tears drying on her face. Slowly she stood, and walked to his bedroom. Not bothering to change put of her dress, she collapsed on the bed, embracing one of the pillows.
A new pain hit her, as she acknowledged that she would never see them again. She would never feel the silent warmth that was him again. And worse she had failed her lady. She had failed Juuri-sama, Haruka-sama, and Kaname-sama. She had let the princess die. There was no way she could ever be forgiven for what she had done. She could never forgive herself.
A picture of her lady's small form came to mind. The way her lady always smiled, lighting up the room without even trying. Her lady had been love incarnate and she had failed her. Never again would she brush her mistress's hair or see that innocent smile.
Flashback
Seiren watched her lady from the corner of the room. The little girl was humming happily as she colored on a piece of paper. Suddenly the little girl looked up.
"Ne, Seiren?"
"Hai, Hime-sama?"
"Will we be like Seiya and Onii-sama?"
"Hai, I will protect you with my life, Hime-sama."
"Arigato!" The little girl replied smiling. Seiren wasn't sure if the younger girl knew what that meant, so she simply returned the smile. Suddenly the drawing was in front of her face. It was a picture of her and her lady.
End Flashback
Seiren let the last tear fall. She was meant to protect. So protect she would. She would protect the last of the Kuran line until she turned to dust. Seiya would want her to.
Kaname-sama was her master. She lived for nothing else now. Emotions were nonexistent. Nothing but her lord mattered. She would aid him in anyway he wished. She was his servant, his guard. Until dust she lived to serve.
Kaname removed his tie in the privacy of his rooms. "What uses have apologies? They are dead. She is dead. There is nothing worth living for. Only the vow. If it weren't for that I would join you my love," He murmured, gazing out the window, his eyes filled with hatred and pain.
Cracks spread across the window, like a spider's web. Behind him a vase shattered. The roses it had held flew into the air, scattering petals. He caught one and it died, faded petals falling to the ground. He flung away the dead stem. It was like everything else he touched. He had learned it in one life, and this life simply served to prove it further. Love was a useless thing.
That's it minna-san! Please review!