The Rosen Vampire Knight Series

Thread of Thorns: Chapter 6

Emma

Kaito's arm was firmly wrapped around mine as he escorted me downstairs and out the back door to the Moon Dorm gardens. The red rose dress I wore had a heart shaped neckline. The top and waist fabric held close to my body so that the layers of dress beneath bloomed outward like a rose. A necklace that Kaito had given me with a red ruby stone inside sat on top of my chest. My boyfriend beside me wore a black suit with a red tie around his neck. 

"At least Toran's scar goes along with the theme." Kaito mused as we walked out into the night.

With that remark, he earned a small smile from me. Toran, who wore a bright scarlet suit, red tie, and white undershirt, had practically picked his wardrobe out with the color of the nailmarks on his face. They still looked like they stung and probably would for a day or so. The lack of sleep, Keirrin, and Toran's joke had gotten to me. Although now I regretted ever hitting him, back then I had been greatful to get the stress out of my system. Too bad it had been at the cost of his face. 

Arashi, who wore a darker scarlet suit and stood next to his friend, nodded in our direction. Toran turned to face me. His face was a mixture of anger, sorrow, and embarressment. He hesitated, debating on walking up to me or waiting for me to come to in. In the end, he looped his arm around Hana and led her away from the area. Arashi, plus Koien and Raki who had been with him, were left by themselves by the secluded hedge corner. They stood around akwardly, wondering if they should even talk to one another. With Toran gone, their mood had died.

No matter what the situation though, I wanted to talk to Arashi at least. When I moved to go towards them, Kaito's arm held me. I pulled my arm out of his grip with no resistance the second time and walked over to the nobles.

"Emma." Arashi greeted me. His voice wasn't cold, but it sounded like he was deathly tired. The noble kept his eyes on the cobblestones underneath his feet.

"Would you tell Toran that I'm sorry?" I asked, glacing over my shoulder to see Kaito looking at me longingly. "I didn't mean to hit him. What I really wanted was a way to make all my problems disappear."

"Yeah, I know." Arashi's eyes looked into mine finally. "Toran knows it too. He's just....embarressed that he mocked you like that in the first place. While he knows he deserved that slap, he's still angry that you actually did it." he explained with a shrug. "I think his joke was also a way to deal with his brother's disappearance."

That's right, I remembered. Kogeta hadn't shown up at all in Kaito's search. Although I don't know what Toran's relationship is like with his older brother, I imagine that he cares a little for him. I hadn't even paused to think what effect it would have on him let alone Violet and Kaito. All of them must be worried sick, but none more than Toran.

"Then make sure to tell him I know what he's going through and the slap was nothing against him. I was stressed out too." I told Arashi quickly as Kaito came to collect me.

"Of course." Arashi murmured quietly, dipping his head. Whether out of loyalty as a noble or a friend I had no idea.

"Come on, Emma." Kaito sighed as he wrapped his arm back around mine. "We have to show our respect to Ruka."

I didn't get a choice in the matter as he led me away from Arashi who looked ill. When his friend wasn't in the best of moods, he was sour to. I didn't realize how deep their friendship was. I couldn't keep watching him forever though, so eventually I turned my head forward so I could see where I was being taken.

At the back of the main courtyard was a scarlet benches  and a couple of matching chairs for seating. Yuuki and Kaname sat on one of the benches, watching from the side as Ruka took the main chair. Unlike everyone else, she wore a pure white dress. The fabric was several layers of sheer white fabric overtop a plain white dress. The sheer was held together at her waist. The overall effect was that it made her look like she was wearing a white lily. Currently, she was talking to a couple other nobles. When Ruka noticed us approaching, her face took on a softer look.