Author's note: It's been a long time since I wrote anything, especially X related. And geez I realized I left a story behind, never gotten around to finish it. Hopefully, I will continue it (Like A Porcelain Doll) and hopefully I will write this story till the end. Anyway, since Tsubasa never told the story of Seishirou and Subaru (grrr), I figured I should write out a theory of mine. Hope you guys like it! Reviews are much appreciated!

Summary: Set before Tsubasa RESERVoir Chronicle. Seishirou was searching for a valuable artifact- a pure vampire's blood. However, pure blooded vampires were rare and the only ones available to him lived in a castle in a far away land and were in some ways, royalty.

Pairing: Seishirou/Subaru...sorry no Fuma/Kamui here since Fuma doesn't get to meet Kamui. However, there is some Subaru/Kamui brotherly love in here.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Babylon or X which is too bad really...

Warnings: Shounen ai

The Tale of the Vampire Prince and the Treasure Hunter

The castle before him was a magnificent sight, with marble and fine, precious stones embedded to the walls and a large golden dome on top of the building. In a far away land, the one where he was fortunate enough to visit, had a building similar to this castle...called the Taj Mahal but even that miserable building couldn't compare. Strange how this castle hadn't been listed as one of the wonders of the world but he supposed the fact that not many knew about it, had something to do with it.

However, he had always liked beautiful things and so continued to admire it, completely oblivious of everything else in that moment.

"Wow," he heard his younger brother whistle beside him. "That's some castle. To think that vampires reside in them!"

He turned towards his brother and smiled; a perfectly friendly smile he placed on his face. Everyone else would have been fooled but not his brother. Nevertheless, he returned his smile.

"Fuma you should know that no matter what it is, royalty always get special treatment," he said cheerfully. Fuma's smile brightened.

"Of course...Seishirou-niisan."

With a swish of the bridle, his horse gave a soft grunt before moving forward towards the castle and heard his brother following suit.

Their mission was simple: to attain the blood of a pure vampire.

xXx

The boy who sat on the soft grassy grounds inside the large walls of the castle was smiling happily as he gave bits of bread to the many birds that came to visit. He smiled as one of them came to rest on his palm to peck on the bread in it. Few people dared to approach him, for fear of his position or what he may do to them. Not that he blamed them. His position was of grave importance, that's what Hokuto-chan always told him and his brother Kamui had always nodded in agreement. He was the young prince of the castle, the heir to the throne. He was the one destined to overthrow their mother.

However to some extent, he didn't care for the position and although he loved Hokuto-chan and Kamui dearly, they weren't his siblings nor were his mother really his mother. All vampires...or at least the pure ones were connected to one another, bonded tightly through their minds but not their blood. He was born separately from them, from a mother he had no recollection of...she had died while giving birth to him. However, he was of pure blood and once discovered, he was immediately accepted into the royal family...and almost instantly everyone warmed up to him. Hokuto-chan was the first, vehemently insisting that he was her little brother due to their resemblance and Kamui...had also agreed saying that since they were almost of the same age, he was like his twin brother. Later, he had found out that all vampires there were discovered, as he was-even Hokuto and Kamui, both of whom he had learned to love with all of his heart.

The queen, ruler of all vampires or what every vampire there called mother, had gazed upon his green eyes and knew instantly that he was the one to replace her when she dies.

He sighed heavily causing the bird to cock its head at him, as if confused. He smiled a timid, honest smile before carefully caressing its feathers. The bird chirped happily in reply to the gesture.

He had always wanted to see the world around him since he barely remembered it before being taken into the castle. He had heard that humans and half-breeds (the ones that require an E) always moved about having great adventures and had jobs. He was amazed at hearing that some even reared animals-a thing that he had always wanted to do due to his love for animals.

A shadow covered him and almost instantly the bird in his hand flew away closely followed by the other birds. He sighed and without turning to who it was, he greeted him.

"Hello, Kamui."

He turned only when he didn't get an immediate answer. However, one look at Kamui's solemn expression had to get him to cringe-his 'twin brother' did not look please with him.

"Subaru, you know it's not safe for you to be out here. What if a human decided to attack you while you're so defenceless?" Kamui chided. Again he cringed, he had always been sensitive and he had never liked to disappoint his brother. Still though, he felt that his brother's concern was misplaced. He was still in the castle grounds and unless a human decided to break through their Kekkai and risk getting killed by their attempt, he couldn't see how he'd get attacked.

But of course he didn't mention all this to Kamui, sure that that would upset his brother more. He rose while brushing the crumbs off himself and smiled at him, something that unfailingly caused his brother to soften up.

"Alright, let's go back then." He reached for Kamui's hand and his brother took it with no hesitation, smiling at him in return.

They walked silently back to the castle for a few minutes until Kamui decided to break the silence.

"Mother wants to speak to you."

Subaru frowned. That wasn't something he wanted to hear. It wasn't that he didn't want to see their mother; it was just that he didn't want to have one of those 'talks' that she was so fond of having with him. The ones that spoke of his destiny and the destiny of all vampires. After a while, even for a vampire as patient as Subaru, it can get pretty boring.

"I...see...," he replied softly. Kamui gave him a sympathetic look and he smiled knowing that even though Kamui didn't share his views, he still understood him. His musing, however was cut short as something...or someone decided to glomp on him.

"Subaru!!" A high pitched voice shouted in his ear, making him pull back just a little. "There you are!! I was so worried! What if a barbarian tried to steal you away? Although I wouldn't be surprised! Someone who looks as cute as me will bound to get many admirers!! Oh but Subaru I would not let someone try to steal you virtue...YET!"

"Err...Hokuto-chan, I think you need to let go of Subaru...he needs to breathe."

On Kamui's plea, Hokuto let him go so that he may inhale a good amount of air.

"G-good...morning...Hokuto-c-chan." He gasped between pants.

His sister then decided to glomp Kamui, hugging him so tightly and fussing over him that it made Subaru sympathize with him. This however, didn't last long as a guard approached them. Hokuto immediately let go of Kamui who was currently catching his breath and were now all watching the guard.

The guard was human, as all guards in the castle. They provided them food and protection by giving small doses of their blood when necessary and fighting for the royal family when the humans of the place showed resistance. Whenever Subaru talked to one of them, he felt bad that they had to give them blood...it wouldn't kill them but having known them personally, it felt like taking away something important from a friend.

Subaru watched as the guard knelt in front of them, a gesture that showed ultimate respect and loyalty.

"Your highness, your presence is needed by the queen," the guard spoke keeping his head bowed. It made Subaru frown, guards weren't allowed to call their mother, mother but had to address her as the queen. It was the same for him and his siblings as well-no guard was allowed to call them by their name but only by their statuses. He hated how they were treated differently because they weren't of his kind.

"Very well...Hideki-san, I will see her." He hadn't missed the disapproving look from Kamui when he'd addressed the guard by his name but he didn't see anything wrong in it since he knew the guard's name.

Hideki-san allowed a small smile to appear, happy that his prince had called him by his name. He, like many of the guards, was charmed by the prince's beauty and kindness.

Subaru sighed, as he prepared himself to meet their mother. He only hoped it wasn't those long lectures she was so fond of giving to him.

xXx

The two men had reached the main entrance only to be stopped by four guards.

"Halt! Who goes there?" one of them asked, drawing out his sword.

Pulling on the horse's bridle, his horse stopped in its track as Seishirou smiled charmingly at one of the many guards of the castle.

"I am here to audition for the prince's body guard!" he exclaimed cheerfully, causing the guards to...dare he say it...sweat drop.

"Me too, me too!" Fuma shouted with as much enthusiasm as Seishirou as his horse too had halted. The guards looked at each other, not too sure whether to trust them or not.

"The battle for His Highness will take place at the Sakura fields."

"Ah! The battle for Prince Subaru's heart will be at a Cherry Blossom field, aye? Ahh, such a fitting battle field for a prince that I heard could melt anyone's heart." Seishirou said merrily. It was a mistake for the guard who had taken out his sword earlier was now pointing it to his throat.

"Never call His Highness's so informally peasant!"

Fuma chuckled. "It would seem you have angered him, Seishirou-niisan."

"I'm afraid so," was his older's brother reply. Angered by the light mood of the brothers, the guard made a move to strike Seishirou, to decapitate his head only before he could strike, Seishirou took hold of his hand, moving out of the way of the sword, got off his horse to kick him right at his stomach. The guard doubled over, clutching at his bruised stomach. The other guards moved to help their fallen companion but Fuma had anticipated it, took hold of two guards' hands and effortlessly lifted them up, causing them to draw a circle in the air before dropping , head first unceremoniously on the ground. Both passed out immediately. The last guard drew his sword out and had tried to lash out at Seishirou but he too was unsuccessful as the strike was completely missed. Seishirou took hold of the hand that held the sword, smirked and with one effortless punch to the stomach, the guard was down, barely conscious.

"Well then...I guess we better be on our way to Sakura fields then Fuma." He said, mask of cheerfulness still on.

xXx

The throne room was large, with many columns surrounding it to hold its structure. There was a large red carpet that flowed through the floor and onto the large, golden throne where his mother sat with a composed look on her face. She had always looked the same to him, white hair placed into a near bun, thin lips and pale, slightly wrinkled skin. He smiled happily her way, momentarily forgetting what he was here for. He loved their mother deeply and he knew his mother loved him dearly as well, even if she hardly showed it.

Distractedly, he watched as the many guards (all human as well) bowed in his presence. He smiled timidly towards one of them discreetly, knowing his mother wouldn't appreciate it should she notice, and watched as one of them smile back obviously pleased. He stood a few metres in front of his mother and bowed himself, showing respect to his great mother.

"You may sit Subaru," her old, authoritative voice commanded. He obliged to it, sitting on the carpeted floor.

"Subaru-san...you know very well of what rests on your shoulder."

The smile was gone almost immediately as Subaru felt like groaning at the familiar topic, he lowered his head more to signal that he was listening.

"For centuries now our family had ruled this land...we have protected it from the unseen ones and from the barbarians of this land."

He eyed the guards in the room apologetically – he knew it might be offensive towards them that their kind might be considered 'barbarians'.

"And we will always rule this land...we are Vampires, the most superior of any being on this Earth. And you, you Subaru, my child will become the ruler of Vampires when I die..."

He cringed. Why did she always have to talk of her death so calmly? He didn't want her to die...

"Your position is delicate. Anyone would wish for your death if only to overthrow the Vampires. The barbarians aren't the only ones who may attack...the unseen ones are the ones to be feared."

A long pause followed. He played with the collar of his clothes waiting for his grandmother to reply. He had never understood what she meant by 'the unseen ones'. Hokuto-chan had told him there were no such things, that the unseen ones were made up by an old, delirious mind much to the dismay of Kamui who disapproved of Hokuto's words. He disapproved of them too, sure that if his mother were worried about them, then they must be true...whatever the unseen ones were.

"Subaru...do you know how delicate your position is?"

He looked up to gaze at her elderly face before replying, "Yes, mother..."

Mother eyed him carefully before nodding and continuing what she wanted to say. "My time is drawing near Subaru..."

He was startled by this. "B-but mother, NO! You can't die now, not now!"

"Subaru that is no way to behave in the throne room."

Hearing her authoritative voice, he closed his mouth and bowed his head once more. His heart was racing and his eyes filled with unshed tears. He didn't want her to die...not someone he regarded as a mother...or...or....a grandmother...

"Everyone dies Subaru," she said, sensing her heir's dismay. "Anyway, that is not our topic for the day..."

Sadness gave way to confusion as he furrowed his eyebrows together, wondering what she meant.

"Since, your position is more delicate than usual now that I'm...nearing my fated end...it is decided that you will need a personal body guard, Subaru."

He blinked. That was unexpectedly. She had always told him how he needed to do things on his own, how he must protect his title no matter what, but now she's saying that he needs a...body guard?

From the corner of his eyes, he watched the guards' eyes widened though he had no idea why. He had no idea that the guards there felt indignant that His Highness were to be entrusted in the hands of someone rather than the guards of the castle.

"However..." the Queen began, "Do not let your guard down Subaru. I'm only doing this...because I know that the risk of not getting you one is far greater than having you completely defenceless. You may have mastered the art of stealth and defence but you have such a kind heart Subaru...you wouldn't even dare to hurt a fly...and...the unseen ones might come at any moment...but you do not have to worry Subaru, the guard will be examined before he may prove himself to be worthy of your presence through battle."

"B-battle? But...mother..."

"It's decided Subaru." She gestured her hand towards the door, a sign that Subaru may leave. She looked at her before hesitantly walking towards the door, his head swimming with new found knowledge.

A guard? For him? But...it doesn't make sense! Mother had always told him to not trust anyone other than his family...not even the guards in the palace should be trusted.

And a BATTLE?!? For him? What if someone got hurt? It will be entirely his fault...and, and...

xXx

Their ride to the Sakura field was quiet until Fuma decided to break the silence. "Very nicely done, Seishirou-niisan. A good first impression...insulting their prince like that."

A smirk formed on Seishirou's face, "I wasn't insulting anyone Fuma. I was only quoting what oh-so-many have told to us on our way here!"

On their quest to find a pure vampire's blood they had met many travellers who had talked about the vampires that resided the lands, some in disgust while others in awe, but most of them had agreed that the young heir was the most beautiful thing in the world. Everyone agreed that even his sister, Hokuto if he had remembered correctly, who looked similar to him couldn't compare.

"Huhhh...so that's why you're so impatient to meet him!" The excitement in Fuma's voice was unmistakable, "You want to see the beautiful Subaru...the one who steals everyone's heart! Ahh, he would steal your heart too Seishirou if you do not be careful!"

He heard a chuckle from his Niisan and risked a look his way. What was on Seishirou's face was not the same cheerful expression he wore with the guards, but an expression that was similar to a tiger upon his prey.

"Fuma, you who are my brother should know that I cannot love. It should have been clear to you when I had cut through mother's body with my hand while you were watching."

He grinned, totally unaffected by his words and replied, "Ah, yes! Her blood left quite a mark on my clothes which is why I always told you Niisan that if you ever have a reason to kill me I'd prefer if you did it spell wise instead of the breaking through the chest you're so fond off. It's too messy and I'd prefer a less messy way to die."

His brother's expression had returned to its carefree and gay expression. "But of course Fuma!"

A smile formed on Fuma's face. "Still though...mother's last words were fascinating!"

Chuckling, Seishirou replied, "Ah yes. She said something along the lines of 'I will be killed by the one I love most'."

"She was insane, that woman." There was a playful note in Fuma's voice, "However, she seemed pretty sure that you CAN love..."

More chuckling, "Fuma you know I couldn't care less about you."

"I wasn't talking about me brother..."

He halted his horse to look at the younger man, whose expression was still playful...and it instantly clicked on him.

"Shall we make a bet then Fuma?" A wicked grin on his face.

"Sure."

The winds blew softly then, ruffling the branches of the trees there...

xXx

He let the predatory smile come to his face yet again. His brother, Fuma had made a bet with him. Odd how once the arrangement of the bet was made, he had left him sure that if he were to tag along, romance would be harder to spur. What an odd fellow...he couldn't believe he was his brother.

But of course he wasn't. He had just been taken in by his insane mother when he was a child. He remembered the faint sobbing in the room next to his as his mother molested him but really it was to be expected. Fuma was a handsome kid and his mother, just like him, had always loved beautiful things.

Which was why the minute he had plunged his hand into her chest, the boy had seemed almost happy even if he was covered in her blood. Oh well, it wasn't that he cared about him. He felt almost glad (if he knew how 'glad' felt like) that he was gone. After all, he was a hunter better suited to work alone. Even his mother had ended up killing his father for being too clingy and possessive of her.

Treasure hunters worked alone. And he prefered it that way.

However, he felt the fine thread of anticipation of the bet. It was an awfully long time from the last time he had made a bet with his 'brother' (and he had won it, like he had won every other bet) and this time it would seem that he would win again.

He could never love. He could never feel. This was something he was sure of.

xXx