The academy's stone corridors echoed with the soft shuffle of Yuki's footsteps as she and Kaname approached the dorms, their bags heavy with the day's purchases. The violet sky had deepened into a starless night, the lanterns casting flickering pools of light that danced across the ancient walls. Yuki's side ached with a persistent throb, each step a reminder of the gash that refused to heal quickly, but the fresh air from town still lingered in her lungs, lifting her spirits. Beside her, Kaname carried the bulk of their load, his green eyes scanning the shadows with a vigilance that hadn't eased since their encounter with the crimson-eyed man.
They reached Yuki's dorm room, a modest space with a narrow bed, a desk cluttered with scrolls, and a single window leading to a small balcony. Rin followed close behind, her chestnut curls catching the lantern light as she set her basket down with a cheerful clatter. "This place is cozier than I expected," she said, her voice bright as she unpacked a small jar of spices. "Reminds me of the old cottage back in Hometown Hollow—before, you know, everything changed." Her smile faltered for a moment, a shadow passing over her brown eyes, but she quickly masked it with a grin. "Let's get cooking! I'm starving after that market trip."
Yuki managed a weak laugh, easing herself onto the bed with a wince. "I'm not sure I'm up for much tonight," she admitted, her hand resting on her side. "But I'd love to watch you work your magic, Rin. Kaname, can you help her?"
Kaname nodded, though his expression remained guarded. He set the bags on the desk and began unpacking the potatoes and bread, his movements precise but tense. He didn't trust Rin's sudden enthusiasm, her chatter a thin veil over something he couldn't yet name. Still, for Yuki's sake, he played along, handing Rin the herbs as she chattered about recipes from her past. The room filled with the scent of rosemary and thyme, a comforting contrast to the unease that simmered beneath the surface.
As Rin chopped vegetables with surprising skill, Yuki's thoughts drifted to the crimson-eyed man. His voice, smooth and laced with charm, echoed in her mind, and she couldn't shake the sense of power she'd felt from him. It was a fascination, an admiration for the mystery he embodied, not a romantic pull. She wondered if he was tied to the academy's secrets, perhaps a mage or a council agent, his presence a puzzle she longed to unravel. Kaname caught her distant gaze and frowned, but said nothing, focusing on stirring the pot Rin had set over a small hearth.
The meal came together slowly, a simple stew that warmed the room. As they ate, Rin regaled them with tales of her faction's training, her laughter filling the space. Yet Kaname noticed how her eyes occasionally darted to Yuki, a flicker of intensity that unsettled him. He kept his suspicions to himself, though, letting Yuki enjoy the rare moment of normalcy.
After the meal, Rin prepared to leave, pausing at the door. "Tomorrow's a big day—faction trials start. You should join us, Yuki, if you're feeling up to it. It could be fun!" Her tone was light, but Kaname sensed an undercurrent, a push he didn't like. Yuki agreed with a nod, her curiosity piqued by the idea of seeing Rin's skills, unaware of the tension in Kaname's silence.
Once Rin departed, the room fell quiet. Kaname helped Yuki clear the dishes, his movements methodical. "Be careful with her," he said finally, his voice low. "She's hiding something." Yuki looked up, surprised, but before she could respond, she glanced toward the balcony, the cool night air seeping through the window. "Let's step outside for a bit," she suggested, her tone soft. "I need some air."
Kaname hesitated, then nodded, helping her to her feet. They stepped onto the small balcony, where a wooden bench sat beneath the window. Yuki eased onto it, wincing slightly, and Kaname sat beside her, close enough for their shoulders to brush. The midnight sky sparkled above, a canopy of stars that seemed to pulse with quiet energy, casting a gentle glow over the courtyard below. From a distance, unseen by them, the crimson-eyed man watched from the shadows of a distant tower, his gaze fixed on Yuki, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed in silence.
Yuki leaned back, her turquoise eyes reflecting the starlight. "Do you remember how we met?" she asked, her voice tinged with nostalgia. Kaname's expression softened, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "How could I forget? It was a few months after your father moved you to the capital. You were nine, all wide-eyed and lost, chasing a kite that had tangled in the guard yard trees. I was there training, barely nine myself, and you nearly tripped over my practice sword trying to get it."
Yuki laughed softly, the memory warming her. "I was so clumsy. Father had just brought me from Hometown Hollow, saying the capital was safer after some council trouble. I didn't understand it then, but I felt so out of place. That kite was my escape, and you climbed up and got it down, even though you scraped your arm doing it. I still feel bad about that."
Kaname chuckled, rubbing the faint scar on his forearm. "You insisted on bandaging it with that little kit you carried everywhere, all proud and determined. That's when I knew you were special—stubborn, but with a heart too big for your own good. We started meeting after that, training together, exploring the city. It was a few years, until you were twelve, before… before your father was killed." His voice grew quiet, the weight of that loss settling between them.
Yuki nodded, her gaze distant. "I was just a girl then, with a knack for sensing shards—those little sparks of magic I didn't know how to control. Father was a council advisor, always secretive about his work. He moved us to protect me, I think, but he never said why. When he died, the council took everything—our home, my tutors. They said it was an accident, but I've always wondered. I ended up at Rose because it was the only place left, a refuge for someone like me." She paused, her hand brushing the scarred wound on her arm. "You stayed with me through it all, Kaname. You're the only family I have left."
Kaname's hand rested lightly on hers, a gesture of solidarity. "I promised I'd look out for you that day with the kite, and I meant it. You were this fierce little thing, even then, and you've grown into someone incredible, despite the pain. I'll always be here." His green eyes met hers, steady and resolute.
Yuki smiled, a mix of gratitude and sorrow. "I didn't know how much I'd need you. After Father's death, I learned he'd been investigating dark rituals—something the council covered up. I don't have all the pieces, but it's why I'm here, I think. To find answers." She looked up at the stars, their beauty a stark contrast to the pain in her past. "These skies remind me of those nights in the capital, when we'd sneak onto the rooftops, dreaming of being heroes or explorers. You'd always say we'd protect each other."
Kaname followed her gaze, the stars reflecting in his eyes. "We did dream big, didn't we? Back when the world was just us and the stars. Now, I see that strength in you—how you've faced everything with grace. It's what I admire most." His tone carried a hint of warmth, his mind drifting to her resilience, though he kept those thoughts unspoken.
They sat in companionable silence, the night wrapping around them like a blanket. Unseen, the crimson-eyed man lingered in the shadows, his crimson gaze narrowing as he noted their bond, his presence a silent observer to their shared history. The stars continued to sparkle, a beautiful yet distant witness to Yuki's past and the uncertain path ahead.
-From the Shadows: The Vampire's Gaze:
Far beyond the academy's walls, atop a jagged cliff overlooking the fractured landscape, a figure stood cloaked in darkness. His name was Lord Veyris, a vampire of unearthly beauty—pale skin like marble, sharp cheekbones framing eyes that glowed a deep, predatory amber, and hair as black as the void, cascading in silken waves. His lips curled into a cruel smile as he watched the distant lights of Rose Academy through a scrying glass, his focus narrowing on the balcony where Yuki and Kaname sat.
Veyris's elegance was matched only by his malice, a centuries-old predator who thrived on chaos. He adjusted the crimson cloak that billowed around him, his long fingers tracing the edge of the glass. "So, the little shard-bearer reveals her past," he murmured, his voice a velvet threat. "Her father's meddling with those rituals was a thorn in our side, but his death cleared the path. Now, she's ripe for the taking."
A rustle behind him announced the arrival of a man—tall, with a stern face and cold blue eyes, dressed in the garb of a council official. This was Lord Darien, Yuki's half-brother-in-law, a man bound to her family through a marriage alliance that had soured long ago. His loyalty had shifted to Veyris, driven by ambition and a grudge against Yuki's father. "She's stronger than we anticipated," Darien said, his tone clipped. "Her bond with that boy could complicate things."
Veyris laughed, a sound that sent a chill through the night. "Strength is nothing without guidance, and I'll ensure she bends to our will. Your sister-in-law's power is the key to unlocking the ritual her father feared—power enough to rival the council itself. You've done well, Darien, feeding me her whereabouts. Soon, she'll be ours, and your place at my side will be secure."
Darien nodded, his gaze hard. "The council suspects nothing. I've kept them distracted with false leads. But her friend—Kaname—he's a problem. He's too loyal."
"Let him be," Veyris replied, his amber eyes glinting. "Loyalty can be broken, or turned. For now, I'll watch and wait. The girl's curiosity will draw her to me eventually." He turned the scrying glass, zooming in on Yuki's face, her starlit expression a stark contrast to the darkness he planned to unleash. From this distance, he could almost taste the power in her blood, a prize worth centuries of patience.
The wind howled around the cliff, carrying his silent vow to the night. Yuki's fate was sealed, and with Darien's treachery, the stage was set. For now, he would remain a shadow, biding his time until the moment to strike was perfect.