Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of the characters belonging to the manga.
Author's note: This is merely the beginning of what will surely turn out to be quite a big story. The main pairing is ZxK (eventually) but there will be bits of AidouxYuuki and other such occurrences. The action takes place 10 years after the Kurans and their entourage have left Cross Academy, with Kaname established as the head of the Vampire Council(or Senate as some call it) and Zero as one of the top hunters in the HA, in line for the position of President.
Please feel free to leave suggestions, point out errors in spelling and/or review(it gives me inspiration and energy to continue the story). Depending on the length of the chapters(the word count will vary from 3000 to +10.000 words), I might update once every month or so. Thank you for reading and please share your opinions with me. All I ask is that you do not bash. Content may not be suitable for everyone so rating M for now.
Word count: 4,040 Author: So, what do you think? Please review and let me know.
Dedicated to Francesca , a dear friend who practically loomed over my shoulder as I wrote this.
Chapter 1: Blood
Two sets of sharp eyes monitored the movement below from their nest, camouflaged by the fallen leaves and the light brown earth surrounding them. A distant swish echoed through the valley, but the humans did not hear it, that much was sure. It was approaching the family having a picnic at the base of the cliffs with remarkable speed.
A fluid speck of gold travelled the space between the Everglade forest and the playing children, two sets of eagle eyes focusing on it, beginning to distinguish platinum gold hair swishing in a tail of light and what seemed to be a beautiful kimono. It reached the children in a matter of seconds and, for a moment, as the figure stopped to pick up the two babes, the eagles could distinguish turquoise eyes , an aristocratic face, a silver dragon embroidery and a light green obi adorning the kimono, white socks and black zori landing on the soft leaves…Golden Ai. In the next second, the woman disappeared in a trail of blond light, effortlessly carrying the children whilst walking at pureblood speed.
Two sets of brown wings fluttered and, in the blink of an eye, silver and black were trailing behind blond towards the emerald hills. As the pureblood stepped in the woods, a figure clothed in black appeared before her and a silver blur stepped behind. Without even stopping, she shifted both children on her right side; her left hand unsheathed a large katana from the surprisingly tight folds of her yukata and, stepping elegantly towards the right side, maneuvered the sword to the neck of the man standing in front of her. The male effortlessly caught the blade, blood dripping sluggishly from a small dent in his palm and extended his other hand, gripping her surprisingly soft neck.
"Ai Tanaka, you are under arrest by the hunter association for kidnapping and murdering twenty-seven children in the past month. Please do not cause a struggle and allow us to escort you to the association's headquarters." The man's violet eyes didn't even flinch as he regarded his supposed superior. Lightly furrowed brows and motionless face muscles completed the mask of impassivity. Purebloods pick up fear in a matter of seconds and kill very swiftly, at the first sign of distraction. This one clearly was no exception.
"How dare you hold my gaze, you pathetic waste of vampire blood?" Her eyes held cold fury within them, enraged by the audacity this lower level had portrayed. The blade moved as swiftly as wind, almost a blur even to the trained eye, towards the hand holding her neck this time. With a mastered flick of the wrist, the katana sheathed itself in the forearm's tender flesh, blood gushing out. She smiled, preparing for the slackened hand to fall from her throat so she could embed the length deep within the torso, ripping the organs and creating the mesmerizing sight of freely flowing blood. Although this man's crimson essence could not be compared with the purity flowing within these children, the potent smell and unique aroma quite made up for it. Maybe she should consider taking him with her, if only to paint her world sangria once more, to smell the incomparable scent of pure hunter hatred sadly soiled by level D, that which their kind so adamantly despised. Whomever had bestowed such a fate on this man surely had a fine sense of irony. Although she would never drink from such a lowlife, the smell his blood would do well to cheer her up in the mornings as his kind, the hunters, had been tracking her for quite a while and restraining her movements. Gone were the days when her villa in the mountains would be painted with the sangria essence of her foes, when she could wake up to the taste of pure infantile blood flowing freely from alabaster skin, mesmerized young eyes watching her with dull, doll-like admiration. When she could bathe in virginal blood to retain her beauty after six millennia spent in this world. Yes, crimson was the only color that brought her world to life and she would do anything to obtain it. She hated the hunters, what they'd reduced her to, forcing her to hunt and hide like a level E beast which had no home, had no pride whatsoever. Yet she did not expect them to make such a bold move so soon. The thought of her natural foes brought her back to the present, as the man's hand did not slack; only gripping tighter. She watched engulfed by the scenery as crimson liquid turned into silver vines that rapidly grew, snaking around the sword, up the pureblood's arm and around her neck and chest, effectively trapping her. Lilac thorns punctured her flesh and drove lethal poison into the now pliant body. Her last coherent thought before she passed out was that she'd been tricked and captured by a lower level that would have to be taught a lesson for his insolence.
Silence encompassed the two whilst Zero carried the barely breathing pureblood slouched over his right shoulder, the beautiful woman now grotesquely resembling a dusted sack of potatoes. The visible contrast between what she'd once been and what she had been reduced to actually frightened the younger of the two. In this moment, he realized that it was men like the hunter before him who facilitated the crumbling of empires and assassinations of political leaders, but it was also men like him that could restore the balance between humans and vampires, that could bring a peace unlike anything ever seen before. But he doubted the ex-human had any intention of focusing his energies and policies as a future head of the Association in that direction. For Kiryuu, the only visible option was the eradication of the vampire race as a whole, starting with their leaders, the fearsome purebloods.
Zero paid no heed to the exhausted rookie struggling to keep up the pace. Despite the fact that they'd trekked over fifty miles, he didn't seem bothered by the heavy silence or the prickly wind which had only picked up in the valley during their travel back to the Association. He simply kept on walking at an alert pace, precautious since these woods were once infected with level D's and E's and, due to the sheer expanse of the foliage, the hunters were never able to extirpate every last one of them, even after four consecutive campaigns and the Second Hunter War, which had drawn vampires from every corner of the world out. Some say it had been the purebloods calling out inferior levels, whilst others just grimly asses that the stench of rotting carcasses and fresh blood would have drawn out any blood-sucking monster.
Gathering the courage to speak, the young cadet managed to utter the question which had been nagging him:"Why do you hate vampires, especially purebloods, so much, Zero-sama? There are others that in those bloody times have lost everything to the other side, even vampires, yet most have managed to either forget or forgive. "Zero didn't answer the man, but a warning frown appeared on his ethereal features. Had he gone too far? Maybe but, if this man was the future President of the Association, then he would have to dull his prejudice against the other race. After all, the Hunter Association under Yagari and the Vampire Council led by Kaname Kuran had been preserving a new peace for over ten years now. Sure, they'd had to be more understanding but the vampires had actually been helpful and almost no hostility had been registered for over nine of those ten years. Kuran had made sure to eradicate those vampires who were adept to having ex-human slaves and those who had interests which counteracted with those of the Association which were now almost identical with the Council. In short, peace had been obtained, and these two organisations had started cooperating. What was to come of this was yet unknown, but one thing was sure: in this world, people like his lieutenant and those low-level vampires had actually managed to build a place of their own. So, if he had to push him in order to maintain this peace, he would gladly do it." I suppose that the least I deserve for coming with you and taking the blame over seven times for your exposure to purebloods is an answer to my question. Soon, Zero-sama will be my leader, and I would like to at least understand his views on this problem." He concluded, slightly distracted by his own thoughts.
"Such matters do not concern you; I have my own reasons to ..." here, Zero stopped, clearly searching for a milder, more politically correct term for the situation"... dislike them. But, if you must know, some of the reasons are that they haven't always been so upfront and honest with us, they are hedonistic by nature and unpredictable. What happens if they've had different agendas from the start and someday decide to attack us? Or, because you seem so convinced that they are innocent, what happens if they someday change their minds? If they betray our alliance because it doesn't suit their interests? Do not contradict me; you know they are perfectly capable. There is no real link between hunters and vampires and this makes our alliance weak. What if, someday, the Kuran fall? We will almost surely enter a war. That is why I prefer to keep my scepticism. Have I answered your question well, kiddo?" he finished in a light tone, smirk clearly mocking Akira for his attempt at discussing politics when he was no older than 17.
Noticing that there was no way to change his views right now, Akira decided to pray that someday Zero would become close to another vampire, maybe as close as he and Emma were. Knowing the gentle woman, it was very hard for him to keep a realistic view on his initial enemies recently turned allies. And, to top it, it would probably do Zero a world of good to interact with his kind...if his growing frustration was anything to go by. Not that Zero hadn't retained most of his hunter aspects, but he had almost imperceptibly changed from the 18 year old man the toddler Akira had first met. He had become more violent during missions, quiet and slightly agitated around other hunters and always in a foul mood. Maybe he needed blood, but, knowing the man, he hadn't had a single drop since he'd accidentally mauled that level B that'd mistaken him for a servant. Very bad move on the noble's part. He'd ended up a pile of ash next to a very pissed off, nearly demented Zero. But that had been 4 years ago and, if the books on vampire feeding were accurate, Zero shouldn't have lasted more than six months.
A voice startled him from his reverie, at which point he realised they were about two miles away from the HA in town."…and remember that you injected her with a compound derived for the toxicPasque flower, that should manage convince the elders that it was you who apprehended her. Although I suspect that, even if I was careful, Yagari will figure it out instantly. The others won't question it, but he will definitely know you're incapable of hunting purebloods ... yet" he said, a smirk gracing his face again.
"Well, this is a surprise" his leader remarked whilst eyeing the bound pureblood gingerly residing in the armchair facing him. "How did you manage to capture her, Akira?"
The young hunter fidgeted nervously, trying to remember the entire conversation he'd had with Zero and his further explanations about the compound but, before he could even utter a word in his defence, the President added: "Don't even bother, it's clear this is Kiryuu's work. As you know, I've asked all the junior cadets not to aid him because of the high risk these missions pose to Zero's life. He is a valuable asset to both sides, but let's put it frank: purebloods can control him because he is a level D vampire. Natural order dictates that level A's are superior and therefore command any level below them. Just the thought of Kiryuu submitting to a different will makes my skin crawl. Still, he takes these chances because that's just how Zero is." Losing his patience, the man added" you are supposed to stop him from doing anything reckless, that's why you're his partner!" taking a breather, Yagari concluded: "That's why I've forbidden you both to go on high level hunting missions, yet you both disobey me! And I thought I'd finally managed to pair him right this time. Damn." Pausing to look the young man in the eye whilst absentmindedly lighting a cigarette and taking a drag, he finally asked the question that would make the difference between 2 months of probation and 6 months of suspension: "Do you understand now why you must not aid Kiryuu-san?" His tone was calm, yet his eyes betrayed a storm of fury within their greyish blue depths.
Lifting his gaze from the ground and stammering, Akira managed to answer his boss: "Yes, Yagari-sempai, I understand, but I had no choice! Kiryuu threatened me!" His eyes registered shock as he processed the answer he'd given. Yes, Zero had threatened him with bodily harm, but that was nothing new. He knew helping him would be wrong, but he'd never seen the man so determined in his life. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that the victims were children, old enough to walk and talk, but young enough to retain their purity and fresh fragrance. Or maybe it was what she did with the blood. She didn't drink all of it, like any normal pureblood (well, normally insane) would do, she bathed in it. What kind of twisted mind would do so? And the worst is that the Association couldn't do a thing. But now, thanks to Zero, they had a witness, the only problem being the Council which would never accept a pureblood to be accused of anything. They were, after all, by law, sacred.
Pure white surrounding her, blinding in its vastness. That was her first impression when she woke up from the drug-induced sleep. Luxurious pearl coloured cushions padding the walls and door in rhombus patterns, ivory wood panels tastily arranged on the floor with immaculate precision, resembling the panelling in her villa. Cream neon continuously flickered in rhythm with the waves of electricity travelling through the power grid, emitting a faint buzz which was only amplified by the otherwise complete silence in the room. It rang in her skull, picked up and multiplied by her sensitive ears, driving her mad with the monotony of it all. Here, time seemed to stand still, pause as it washed away any thought of freedom or of the outside world. She supposed this room had been specially built to induce a certain desperation and sense of abandonment or to demoralise and simply mentally tire the prisoners. Well, not just any prisoners, but purebloods, mind you.
She felt her arms straining, muscles tiring form overexertion. This position was simply inadequate. Two thick titanium ropes were attached on one end to the upped left and right corners of the room and on the other end tied all around her forearms and wrists, holding her hands at a 90° angle, torso almost flush against her thighs to prevent her shoulders from dislocating whilst hunter magic from said ropes slowly depleted her pureblood powers. At this point, Ai realised she didn't even have the strength to move her mouth, not to mention try to escape. She was as powerless as a newborn human baby.
The same type of ropes were tied around her calves, and secured around the legs of the elegant ivory chair, effectively immobilising her in a sitting position in the middle of the room. 'Just like a sitting duck' she thought bitterly. And if that wasn't enough, they'd dressed her in a corset that restrained the chest's movements to a minimum, so much so that she was barely able to breathe, and gagged her. When she'd woken up, Ai had deemed this the last straw and had tried to escape. The result had been that her forearms and wrists were now bleeding sluggishly in some places, titanium embedded securely in place, preventing her already severely affected healing powers to function. This was torture, she realised with horror. She'd never been treated like this in all her 7000 years of existence, and it terrified her to think that such fate could ever befall a pureblood. Ironically, she now understood why humans were so afraid of their so called Hell and, as the words all hope abandon ye who enter here came to mind, she realized she had to do anything to escape; even behave civil in front of those blood bags who kept her captive.
It took her a while to remember at first, but supposed she'd ended up in this predicament due to that drug he'd given her after she'd refused to speak in front of their president without a representative. That white-haired demon that'd captured her had smirked and claimed that he'd make sure she gets one. Now, as Tanaka felt him approaching, she wondered how much time had passed since she'd been trapped in her, below the Headquarters of the Hunter Agency. Had the filthy half-breed come to mock her? Or was he just passing by? But that doubt easily vanished from Ai's mind when the hunter reached the cell's door her dimmed senses feeling him grab the lever and pull it down. The macabre screech emitted by the lead door as the mechanism lifted it from the floor did nothing to soothe her worries. What if the level D had come to bleed her dry? After all, weren't all vampires governed by their need for blood, the purer and younger, the better? This was all just a game of survival, so what if there had to be some casualties? At least she hadn't been as cruel as other purebloods and kept them as pets. She'd killed and given those children a proper burial. Who was he to judge her?
The blinding white light started filtering from the room she was in through the ever growing crack, time dilating as she watched the door lift open, in a sort of reversed deja-vu she did not remember witnessing. She noticed that the hall the man had walked from was dark and barely lit, comfortable for vampire eyes, this further proving their intention to psychologically torture and mock her. Despite being in an uncomfortable situation, Ai did not focus on the pain or the smell of her blood which wafted in the room, but cautiously analyzed the white-haired man's movements as he walked towards her. She noticed that he'd been affected by her blood, but only a little as the outer rings of his irises turned crimson, a fact which served to calm her as she'd seen level Es become mad at the mere smell of human blood, irises engulfed in vivid crimson whilst their gaze turned hollow and lifeless . Such weak reaction reassured her that he will not bite unless he actually wanted to, and that chance was slim to none since the hatred in his eyes suggested he'd rather see her burn in hell. Also, it made her curious as to how he'd become so used to the smell that his body barely reacted.
For the first time, she saw him dressed in his hunter attire, which her initial suspicions that he was the servant of one of her pureblood enemies, a spy for the Association. Maybe she still had a chance to get out of this situation unscathed even after all the supposed "atrocities" she'd committed. Please, they were just necessary casualties to suffice her thirst and desire for perfection. Children were pure, unspoiled by pain, drugs, alcohol or hatred, fact which gave their blood a sweet aroma incomparable even to that of other purebloods. Sure, they had weaker blood, but the taste was worth the bother. And it was her right, after all. These weak purebloods that hid their true nature behind walls of politeness and facades were just plain cowards. Even this vampire before her was more courageous. She could read in his eyes and demeanour that he usually got what he desired. Dressed in a suit and a black trench coat, collar hiding his pale neck whilst a white scorched shirt and a black slim tie adorned his torso and neck, he was the picture of professionalism and a typical hunter. His semi scowl completed the stoic look. She was willing to bet that, if he'd been born a pureblood, he would've been an impressive leader, maybe even as fascinating as Rido-sama, definitely more assertive and dominating than the current Kuran .Despite her vivid hatred for the man, she could not help but feel glad that someone had come to fill the despicable void she'd been in for quite some time. His presence helped her calm down, the sound of his normal pulse a sweet melody to deprived ears. Suddenly, his low, sensual voice woke her from her musings, startling her with the detached tone.
"How are you feeling Tanaka-sama?" a polite question, were it not for the malicious, mocking undertone. He knew she couldn't speak; it was as obvious as the gag protruding from her widely open mouth. She could feel her jaws almost popping from the unrelenting pressure. "Is there anything I can get you?" was another insolent question that followed the first. Again, complete silence as she tried to stay dignified and muster a glare through the pain. She would not show any weakness, it was beneath her station. She followed his shifting eyes as they scrutinized here awkwardly stretched hands, glance sliding over every cut and trail of blood. His face contorted into something akin to self-interested worry as he stretched his left hand to check her pulse and breathing. "I guess I could untie your hands to let them heal for a while, after all, it would not do for a representative to see you in this state. They'd accuse us of torture when you obviously did this to yourself" he concluded in an annoyed manner, clearly preferring the idea of letting her die slowly. "But I warn you, one false move and I will kill you" and, as he spoke, he started to slowly separate the wires from the welts on her skin. The pain made her mask crack, face contorting in a visible flinch, but she was somewhat grateful for the gesture even if he was just ensuring his own hide. If she'd die without speaking with a representative, a war would break loose between the two factions. Not that it would bother her because, in her view, this was exactly what this coward, weakness-encouraging world needed. For a hunter who obviously hated their kind more than others and who had plenty reasons to treat her as trash and let her suffer, he was surprisingly calm and patient, almost too refined for your average, callous hunter. Then again, he might just have been nobility for those trigger-happy mongrels who called themselves Hunters. Or maybe, although she seriously doubted it, the person who'd changed him had not been as cruel as she'd been. There was such a possibility; after all, life was full of twists of status and situations. One never knew where he'd find himself next.
"This is it, now be a good pureblood and lay still" he cooed, waking her from her musings "you wouldn't want for your legs to suffer the same treatment" he then reasoned. "I will be back in a few hours, princess" at that title, he bowed elegantly but mockingly "to check up on you" he completed the sentence. And, with that, the only spot of colour left her to rot in this white hell.
Author's note: So, what do you think? Please review and let me know.