A.N.: Ello, everyone! Comtemplation here! (Yes, I know my name is spelled wrong. It is on purpose, the beginning is supposed to sound like, "Contempt", which I have a lot of for some people. C:) ANYWAYS, my story is a completely different scenario. Cross Academy does not yet have Zero attending, Yuki has not yet appeared (Ohemgeez, I know right?) and I think I got some of the personalities jacked up. ;-; OH, and Yagari hasn't lost his eye yet. :3 There'll be another surprise in the second chapter. Ah well. Chapter 1 is basically the foundation for what is to come. I'm sorry if it seems rushed or out of place or lacking in detail. I haven't written stories for quite some time, I'm probably really rusty. Try and enjoy! :3
*Note: THIS WILL BE A YAOI AT SOME POINT. THIS PARTICULAR CHAPTER IS STERILE (some hints of relationship between Takuma and Shiki are included, though), AND FUTURE CHAPTERS WILL HAVE WARNINGS.
Capiche? :3
The silver-haired hunter was currently staring across the office desk into his master's lightly colored eyes, aware of the looks of expectancy within the orbs. Zero Kiryu, minutes before, had been given the opportunity to participate in the annual vampire hunt that was held by the Hunter's Association. Toga Yagari had his pair of eyes locked directly on the lavender, semi-surprised orbs before him, as he explained who exactly was on this 'bounty hunt', as the elder hunter had dubbed the event.
"Kiryu-kun, this year's hunt is far more widespread than usual. And, though you're still in high school, they've widened the age range for applicants. So that is why I ask you now, this year. And the hunt is only a day long, starting in just a few days at dusk. So it's either now or never."
Zero, a questioning eyebrow now raised, spoke slowly, analyzing the offer as it was presented to him. "Within this hunt… will there be-"
"Yes, only one this time. A very young one, very well known, as well." Toga knew what the younger hunter was going to say before the word even crossed Zero's lips. At this news, Zero's eyes widened. A pureblood? A pureblood was to be hunted down in this event? In Zero's lifetime, he had never seen such a thing. Merely killed level E's, level D's… The young hunter's lips tilted upwards in a rather vicious smile.
"By that look it seems as if you want to participate, Kiryu," Toga murmured with a grin of his own as he leaned back in his office chair, brushing black waves of hair out of his eyes to look at his young apprentice properly. Lavender eyes were still on him, almost as if they were determined. Though Zero hadn't openly said he wished to join in on the bounty hunt, the way the young, lithe form was sitting up straight up in his chair, fingers curled inward along the arms of it, conveyed his anticipation.
"Why yes… of course, Master," Zero nearly stuttered over his own tongue. "B-But… who exactly is this pureblood? And perhaps the other vampires involved?" Even though he had asked who said pureblood was... he had a faint idea.
"Well… his blood is said to be the purest pure blood out there. And he's awful young too, at least, in human age he is. Very fine looking thing, I assure you. Though, when are vampires never fine looking?" Toga had gone on a complete bunny trail, and the enthusiasm that was once evident in Zero's lavender eyes was quickly dissolving into irritation.
"Master, I just want the name, and the bounty on his head."
"Ah, yeah. Kaname Kuran. I'm sure that rings a few bells?"
Oh yes, that name was certainly familiar. Not that Zero knew the pureblood in person, but the name of Kuran immediately made the young hunter visualize the male, with his wine colored eyes that were in stark contrast to the delicately pale skin… and the amazing elegancy the pureblood could have, even while plastering that mask of impassiveness over his face.
"Got a price of half a million, too. The other vampires that are attending come from the same place he does. They're nobles, and hell, they're worth a little less, but still just as fun to kill."
At the figures that implanted themselves involuntarily into Zero's brain, his eyes evidently widened… again. "What?! Where the hell is the application form?!" Zero demanded, and within a second he was on his feet, hands planted on the desk as he stared at his teacher.
At Zero's words, Toga grinned again, obviously satisfied with his apprentice's reaction. He retrieved a form from a drawer in his desk and placed it in front of Zero's impatiently waiting person. Zero grabbed himself a pen and furiously began to fill out the form.
"Seems as if I taught you well, Kiryu-kun," Toga said beneath his breath.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The vampires of the Moon Dorm in Cross Academy all remained secluded within the comforting building. The president of these dorms, Kaname Kuran, had his inquisitively calm gaze remain on the letter he had just placed atop the glass table in front of him mere seconds ago. His followers had seated themselves on the several sofas in the lobby; all placed in a structural way so that they all faced the crimson chaise lounge couch the pureblood was reclining on at an angle.
"We are all to attend," was all the pureblood said, a slender finger tapping against his cheek in a slow rhythm, "this dinner party that is being held in just few days' time."
Hanabusa Aido was the first to speak up to this, icy blue eyes slightly puzzled as they flickered between the letter on the table, and the pureblood in front of it. "Kaname-sama… did it give any details as to who is hosting the party?" Aido, being oh-so-considerate of this particular pureblood, did not desire for this event to unravel into a trap before it was too late for them to realize.
"The address was of course included. It does say that one of the highest members of the Vampire Council is hosting this, however. Though that in itself is too vague for my liking." Kaname now arched a perfectly shaped, dark eyebrow of his, his idle gaze wandering briefly over to Aido. Aido froze in place – odd, his own specialty used against him under the pureblood's powerful gaze – and a light blush appeared upon his place cheeks as he tried in vain to steadily return Kaname's stare. Failing, he turned his head and was met with Akatsuki Kain, his cousin, just as handsome as the former. His cousin was grinning at him in a devious sort of way.
Ruka Souen cast them a weary glance and turned back to Kaname, brushing strands of blonde hair away from her fragile face. "Kaname-sama, I shall do everything in my power to make sure you remain safe throughout the party's duration."
At that, a smooth chuckle rumbled from within Kanama's throat. Leave it to Ruka to be so thoughtful, Kaname thought, his gaze on her now. He pulled a slight smile but nothing more than that. "I am afraid that such duties are reserved for Seiren, Ruka."
The bodyguard kept her eyes forward, standing beside the door at her station even when her name was spoken by her master. Such was her job. To remain as quiet and still while keep her eyes and ears out for the slightest of sounds. Hired to be the best, for the best. The pigtailed vampire standing behind Ruka was quietly comforting her, even though the latter was making no visible sign of distress from Kaname's subtle rejection. Upon hearing the teasing snicker that came from Aido, Rima shot the ice manipulator a cold glare.
Kaname smiled, having intended to stir Seiren out of her stalk-still posture. Seeing as that failed, he directed his gaze to Takuma Ichijo and Senri Shiki, both seated on the same couch as Ruka. When the pureblood spoke, he only addressed the blonde male, "Takuma, I assume you shall be able to make the arrangements for our form of travel?"
"Yes indeed, Kaname-sama," Takuma stood, a smile now plastered onto his lips as he bowed deeply. Shiki stood up as well, and the two dismissed themselves from the lobby to the upper floor of the Moon Dorm, where Takuma would make said arrangements to the dinner party.
With Aido, Kain, and Ruka left, the nobles all quiet with their eyes locked on Kaname, who was now staring blankly at the letter again, they waited for what their pureblood leader was to say. When he finally spoke, his tone was soft. "I wonder at times.."
Aido and Ruka both said in synch, "What is it, Kaname-sama?" And following that, Kain gave them curious glances, while Aido and Ruka were both glaring at each other.
"I wonder… I wonder whether peace really is desired by the people."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Why did we come here again, Takuma?" Shiki asked as Takuma led them to his dorm room. "I'd imagine we should go to Cross and ask if we are even able to go to the party."
"You seemed eager for something else," was all Takuma said in reply, a faint smile on his lips as he pushed open the door to his room. "We can get to that later, can't we?"
Already, Shiki was blushing. He knew what Takuma meant, they had been doing this for a while whenever they got the time. Hopefully Kaname-sama wouldn't mind them having scheduled plans later than they were ordered to have done so. In fact, Kaname-sama already knew – or at least, looked like he knew. The pureblood was always capable of looking knowledgeable of things, whether he actually was or not – of their relationship together.
By the time the pair got to Takuma's bed, their uniforms already lay in a small pile on the floor.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
After Takuma and Shiki left the former's dorm fully clothed and clean, they went straight to Headmaster Cross's office, hand in hand. It was only when Takuma opened the door to the office that they untwined their fingers from one another. Takuma pulled a wide smile upon seeing the ex-hunter sitting casually at his chair, sitting upright last minute when he saw the two vampires too late.
"Ah, Takuma, Shiki," Cross exclaimed, a smile of his own on his lips, "Nice to see you! Came on account of Kaname-kun, I presume?" He used a finger to push his glasses back up to the middle of the bridge of his nose. The only time any of the vampires of the Night Class came to him was because of an emergency, or when Kaname had ordered them to. And the charming smile Takuma had pulled when he came in told Cross it was the latter.
"Indeed, Headmaster," Takuma said, while Shiki merely nodded in a rather submissive manner. "See, we've just been invited via letter to a dinner party hosted by a member of the Vampire Council. It is to be held at dusk, at a hotel on the border of the countryside. Kaname-sama said he believes the party is held there so guests can mingle outside without having to be bothered by the sounds of traffic and obstructive buildings."
"Sounds reasonable enough. You need not ask me for permission to things such as this, Takuma. You need only inform me of your whereabouts and I am okay with it."
Shiki giggled, which made Takuma nudge the darker-haired vampire playfully in the arm. Takuma returned his gaze to the headmaster and nodded, bowing deeply as was his custom. "Thank you, Headmaster Cross. I shall relay the news to Kaname-sama." After that, he and Shiki excused themselves from the headmaster's office back to the Moon Dorms, where the five other vampires long awaited their return.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Good work, Takuma. So when the time comes to leave, nothing will be delaying us." Kaname had mainly said the last sentence to himself, though his eyes were still on Takuma, who was standing by himself now, Shiki having taken a seat by Ruka like before.
"Yes, I've scheduled the transportation much to your liking, Kaname-sama," Takuma said. "Tinted windows on the two limousines I've rented out for the evening of the party."
Kaname's normally impassive face was suddenly very pleased upon hearing this. The sun wasn't too much of an issue for the pureblood, but tinted windows made his day all the better when the time came for going out in the daylight. It was the first time Takuma had seen their pureblood leader's face alight from such a little detail. Though, Kaname loved detail, so a part of Takuma wasn't necessarily surprised.
Kain was the last to speak before the vampires left to bed, since dawn was fast approaching, staining the closed curtains with its earliest and brightest rays through the windows. "And now… we merely wait."
A.N. (Again ;3): Okay, glad you made it through! :3 Major kudos to ya'll who did. Hopefully it didn't suck too bad. ;-; I'm so amateur at writing VK fanfics (and fanfics in general), this is my first one. Reviews and comments would be lovely! ^-^
~ Comtemplation