Finding My Way

Chapter 16

The sun gleams in from the windows. I think Kaname must have forgotten to draw the curtains. I'm sure that, normally, he leaves them closed so that he can get his rest during the daytime. Maybe. I'm not sure if he ever rests, to be honest.

Except for in this moment. We slept beside each other last night, taking solace in each other's arms as we absorbed the potential impact of the new information.

Despite everything, I feel utterly at peace. Kaname's solid body forms a barrier behind mine and his arms envelop me. I remember his words at Takuma's birthday party, "This [beside me] is the safest place for you to be." I wholeheartedly believe that.

I twist around in his arms and look at him. I don't think he's asleep, but his eyes remain closed. He looks so relaxed and content. Hesitantly, I reach a hand up and run my fingers through his hair. His eyes open. A soft smile forms on his lips. His hands are very comforting as they begin to stroke my back.

I don't particularly want to break the moment, but my thoughts rush out before I can stop them. "I've been thinking about what you said last night –" Kaname's index finger is on my lips, motioning for me to stop.

"No, you haven't," he counters. "This is not a decision that you can make overnight. You need to think good and hard about it. Even though it is ultimately your decision, I recommend talking with those closest to you. The headmaster in particular."

I notice he doesn't say "my father," instead calling him by his title. A shock runs through me.

The headmaster isn't my real father.

Dazedly, that thought alone makes me agree with Kaname. I've been living my whole life under false pretenses. I haven't fully grasped that fact.

I nod, feeling absolutely overwhelmed in that moment.

Kaname kisses my forehead and squeezes me tightly. He takes a deep breath, breathing me in. He squeezes me even tighter, if possible. "You are so warm, Yuki," he murmurs in my ear. "You warm me to my very core." Then, he sighs and releases me. He climbs out of the bed and reaches out his hand.

"Let's get you back to your dorm," he says.

---

"Yuki!" exclaims my roommate as I walk in the door. She's sitting at her desk, brushing her hair. She looks really happy.

"Yori!" I run over and give my best friend a hug. "So much has happened that I don't even know where to begin."

"And I have a lot to tell you," she says, blushing a little.

"Oooh, do you now?" I ask, wondering what had happened with her.

We begin to update each other. She goes first and tells me about dancing the night away with Hanabusa.

"To tell you the truth," she says, "I'm a little afraid to walk around now. The girls in the Day Class are hardcore! Hanabusa walked me all the way to our room, said goodnight, and kissed me on the cheek like a gentleman." She pauses, seeming thoughtful. "It made me like him more, honestly, that he didn't try anything else. I kind of wanted him to, but it also means that he respects me and is taking this seriously."

I smirk at her. "And what is 'this' that you're referring to?"

Yori blushes. "Yuki! You're making fun of me!"

"No, I'm not! I'm thrilled for you!" I protest. "I just wanted to see what you meant by that."

"I'm not really sure, actually," she says. "I don't know what his plans are. Besides, it's like you always say about Kaname. We're so fundamentally different."