Natarii:Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
Rat-Chan: calm down...
Natarii: how can you say that rattie? This is our first chapter
Rat-Chan: yeah but its only the prologue, not the main story
Natarii: goes into corner of gloom and opens a mushroom shop
Rat-Chan: stop opening that mushroom shop, we can't write about Zero if you don't.
Natarii: KYAA!! ZERO!!
Rat-Chan: WHERE!?
Zero: these obsessives don't own vampire knight, or anything relating to romeo & juliet. They belong to hino matsuri and william shakespeare.
Both: KYYYYAAAAAAA!! ZERO!!
Zero: shit! Help!!
Prologue
Love.
There can be no greater power in this world.
Love holds the key to life and death, creation and destruction.
War.
A force of destruction, death, pain, and suffering.
It contrasts to the characteristics of love in the most drastic of ways.
--MANY YEARS IN THE FUTURE--
The young male vampire tapped his fingers restlessly against the side of the armchair, his bored eyes moved from the glowing fire to the elder vampire. His father sat opposite him in another armchair, sipping a blood-red wine.
Zero gave a howl of frustration.
"Dad! Its bad enough that you insist me and Yuuki come back here every year for the winter holidays; but can't we do something other than just sit here?!"
"Yuuki and I," was the only response he received from the stoic vampire. Nonplussed, he turned to his twin sister.
"Your sentence structure was wrong," Yuuki explained; refusing to tear her eyes away from the Charlotte Bronte novel she was engrossed in. Her younger bother turned his head at an odd angle to read the title and grimaced:Jane Eyre. He gave another howl of frustration and slumped back into his chair.
As silence invaded the room the sound of swirling snowflakes and the howl of the wind that battered the windows could be heard.
A soft clink caught Zero's attention.
He jerked his head up to see his father's wine glass, still nearly full, sitting on the coffee table. A glance at his father found him sitting pensively, his fingers held in front of his chest, tips pressed together and a frown on his face. Their father's unorthodox and uncharacteristic actions even managed to pry Yuuki away from her novel.
Their father gave a wry smile, "I've never told you the story of Yuuki and Zero, have I?"
His children looked alarmed. Either their father was loosing his marbles (unlikely, but still possible). Or he was going to give them THAT talk. They exchanged a small telepathic conversation-it was one of their abilities, to communicate with each other. They were twins. And they often used the ability for situations like this.
"Yuuki, we have to stop this conversation now!"
"Agreed. This cannot continue. I will die of embarrassment if this goes any further."
Their inner conversation ended and they turned back to their father.
"Er... Dad? I don't think you've noticed but we are Yuuki and Zero," the younger twin told him pointedly, "We know how we got here. Uncle Shiki told us..."
That had been one of the most embarrassing things she had had to put up with. Zero hadn't fared any better. Her periods had started and since both their parents had been away UncleShiki, who had been babysitting, had had to explain the facts of life. Worse, he had decided Zero should know as well. And Uncle Shiki hadn't exactly been the best man for the job. He kept getting bored (they had to force themselves to bring him back to the subject - despite the excruciating embarrassment) and discussing his married life with Rima... they had been scarred for the rest of their vampire lives. Yuuki was like her father, and hardly ever showed any emotion unless she wanted to, but that time she had been redder than tomato mixed with beetroot.
"Yeah! We know that stuff! It was bad enough with Uncle Shiki, I don't want you to tell us it all over again!" exclaimed Zero.
He stared at his children for a moment before chuckling at their expressions. Zero was even more flustered than usual, and his stone cold daughter's face was tainted with a not-so-light-blush.
"Ah, no. I meant the story of Yuuki Cross, the pureblood princess and Zero Kiryuu the ex-human hunter."
Again he chuckled as they regained their composure. They had such a tendency to misinterpret things.
"How can we not? They are the most famous people in vampire and human history, they ended the war. Plus you named us after them," Yuuki replied, her voice back in its usual monotone.
Zero nodded in agreement with his sister though he couldn't actually remember anything about the war, but he at least knew that much.
The frown reappeared on their fathers face, he wasn't angry- he just seemed dissatisfied with the reply.
"No. Not the story that was shown to the public. I meant the real story behind Yuuki and Zero."
This time they were both nonplussed. Yuuki gave a resigned sigh, "Fine Father. Why don't you tell us the real story behind Zero and Yuuki. Because of course you're the only one who could possiblyknow the secret story behind Yuuki and Zero that no-one else knows."
Zero was about to ask his sister if she was crazy; but for once he agreed with her sentiments. Every Christmas that he could remember he and his elder sister (He hated that. She was only five minutes older- but he had to refer to her as Onee-Sama in public) had been forced to return to their family home to spend the festive season with their father. They didn't often see their mother since she was always away on business trips. Unfortunately this left them with their father. Their father who was very fond of sitting them down and sharing painfully boring stories about his past thousand years or so. There was no escape other than to listen, or at least pretend to.
However Yuuki's scornful sarcasm fell on deaf ears, and he only gave a slight smile of amusement and lowered his hands to his lap.
"Do you believe in true love?" he asked.
The twins snorted with laughter.
"Don't be ridiculous father" Yuuki said. She glanced towards the fat tome she had been reading-now lying on the coffee table. Would she be scolded if she picked it up again? It was much more interesting than her father's ramblings...
"We're not little kids dad. We hardly believe in fairy talk and that 'true love' nonsense any more," Zero scoffed.
"Hmm," their father's smile turned slightly mocking, "So neither of you believe that one day you will meet someone, fall in love, and want to spend the rest of eternity with them?"
"Yuuki, I think he's lost his marbles. For real this time, since when did he buy into that true love gabble?"
"He lost them some time ago Zero, the condition just got worse, although though he doesn't show it"
"Father, we are purebloods. It is our duty to marry another pureblood and produce heirs so as to ensure the continuing existence of our precious blood." stated Yuuki.
"Exactly. Though if the other purebloods don't get their acts together it'll be Ojii-Sama and Oba-Sama again."
"You didn't have to bring that up Zero; the thought of possibly marrying my twin disgusts me."
"Right back at cha. Thats why the others had better hurry up and get their act together."
"Ah, I see. You actually thought something intelligent... astonishing."
"Shut up! Just because you're the top of the class!"
"Its not my fault Ichijou influenced you with manga and you're mental abilities are sub-standard."
"Shut up!!"
Their father was definitely looking displeased now, and not only from their arguing, "So even if you fell in love you would continue your duty? You would ignore your feelings for the sake of others? You don't believe that you would ever marry someone other than a pureblood?"
"Don't be ridiculous dad! We won't ignore our duty to the vampiric community, is this some kind of test? You did your duty and we shall do ours!" Zero blurted out a bit hotheadedly.
"Zero sit down!" their father commanded sharply, "This isn't a test." He stopped to give a deep sigh,
"I hate to think that either you or your sister will be forced into a marriage without love."
"Father," Yuuki said softly, "You and mother don't love each other. Zero and I aren't cowards. We won't run from our duty."
"It takes more courage to hold onto your true love despite what the world thinks!" the elder vampire retorted sharply.
Both Zero and Yuuki jerked back slightly at the venom in his voice.
"Ah, forgive me, I did not mean to raise my voice. Now I shall tell you the true story of Yuuki and Zero, whether you believe it or not."
They looked at him questioningly. He was being so serious. Well, he always was, but more so than normal. Yuuki and Zero exchanged glances. They didn't need to use their telepathy to know what the other was suggesting 'I think we'd better listen for once'
"I guess the best way to start would be to tell you Yuuki was actually your Aunt. And for most of her life, a human." Kaname told his children.
"...What?"
"NANI?!"
There can be no greater power in this world than love. Love holds the key to life and death, creation and destruction.
War. A force of destruction, death, pain, and suffering. It contrasts to the characteristics of love in the most drastic of ways.
Sometimes the two coincide. In this story, they are the driving forces.
War is something almost unavoidable. It is everywhere. While most people don't actually take part in the fighting, they are affected non the less. Millions grieve for the loss of their loved ones. Gangs and tribes spring up- all supporting different sides of the main fighting – and create mini battlefields in our towns and cities. There's probably an unwritten rule about it somewhere.
If this level of destruction occurs between countries is it really all that surprising wars occurs between species? And no, not the fights taking place in the animal kingdom as we speak.
Inter-species wars which will result in huge numbers of dead and wounded. Would you be surprised if such a war had existed for centuries? Probably. This specific war has been hidden from the public. On a world-wide scale. Many people will have heard of the battles in which Napoleon fought, or the bombing of Hiroshima, or the religious sacrifices of the Aztecs. Lies. Cover-up. Façade. Mask. Pick whichever suits your tongue the best. It all means the same.
The well known stories of these incidents are only in existence to hide the real war form the public. And they did a pretty good job. After all, billions have failed to realize the existence of a cross-species war that has existed for centuries between humans and vampires.
Yes, Vampires. The living Dead. Nosferatu. Lamia. Sanguino. All mean the same thing; blood sucking monsters.
In recent years the death toll had surmounted to incredible numbers on both sides of the street. Many now hope for peace, though it won't come without some effort from both parties.
--PRESENT DAY-CROSS ACADEMY--
"This is insane Cross! I can't accept these terms. How are we supposed to agree to this? Those bloody monsters aren't leaving any room for negotiation with these terms," the elderly man yelled as he thumped his fist on Chairman Cross' desk. Cross gave a restrained sigh as he tried to keep his voice level, though the effect was somewhat ruined as he was clutching his head in despair.
"Perhaps if you just discussed the matter the Council might be willing to make some amendmen-" Cross was cut off short as the pale man seated on the opposite side of the desk spoke up, "It may be possible. The terms this incompetent has presented are completely unacceptable." Though pale, the man's beauty was undeniable and his aura of arrogance showed that he knew this fact well.
The elderly hunter spluttered in suppressed rage, "Excuse me!? Our terms unacceptable? Its the vampires that are unwilling to co-exist! The increasing number of ex-humans proves that! And also the recent attack on the Kiryuus, one of the most prominent Hunter families!"
"You have no right to make judgements on vampires when you hunters have your hands stained with the blood of countless pureblood vampires," the pale vampire's eyes flashed briefly red, showing his untold distress at the loss of the precious purebloods.
Both hunter and vampire were now glaring at each other and breathing heavily, their nails digging into the wood of the desk in an effort to restrain themselves from throwing themselves at their enemy.
"Now now! Please! This is supposed to be a peace talk discussing agreable terms! We can't-"
Cross was once again cut off as both vampire and hunter rose simultaneously and transferred their glares to him.
"This peace treaty isn't worth signing." The hunter stated heavily.
"I concur" responded the vampire, "It is impossible for vampires and humans to live co-existantly."
Both parties then turned and left by doors at opposite ends of the study, readying themselves to report the utter collapse of all negotiations to their organisations. When both vampire and hunter had exited the study Cross let out a tortured groan and buried his face deeper into his hands.
"It is possible for vampires and humans to live together; the evidence is all here at Cross Academy. Why won't you see it?" he thought bleakly as the realisation that years of hard work encouraging negotiations had failed all in this one night. A knock at the door brought him out of his musings and he raised his head as he called the person to enter.
A girl of about 16 with short brown hair and chocolate coloured eyes peered slowly round the door and scanned the room. Upon seeing that no one else was there apart from the Chairman she entered.
"Ah, Yuuki, what is it?" the Chairman asked his adoptive daughter with a strained smile.
She gave a timid smile in reply, "Um, I heard a lot of shouting so I came to see how it went, but I think I already know..." She scanned the room again and her eyes fell on the unsigned peace treaty on the Chairman's desk.
He gave a sigh, "Well it wasn't exactly a success. Neither side wishes to cooperate with each other and neither believes that they can live in harmony!" The Chairman finished his statement by ripping the now useless treaty in two, "I'm going to have to start all over again!"
Yuuki gave a sympathetic wince, "Of course we can live in harmony, its only a matter of time before they realise it! Wait.. what was it I came here for...?" she raised a finger to her mouth and adopted a thoughtful postion, "Ah! Remember now! Kaname-sama said he wanted to speak to you after the negotiations were over... he must have known they wouldn't agree, so he said he had another idea." Yuuki looked happy at remembering and the Chairman couldn't help but feel a little of the stress fall from his shoulders. His daughter was so innocent and hopeful, it was really only because of her that he hadn't given up.
"Now that the negotiations are over he must be on his way," the Chairman's demeanour suddenly did a turnaround, "Yuuki! Its late! You should be in bed getting your beauty sleep! My poor daughter!"
Yuuki scowled as the Chairman continued in this manner and made a quick exit from his study.
A few moments after Yuuki had left the room the Pureblood entered. The Chairman gave a weak smile and offered him a seat, "It's good to see you Kaname. I trust you've heard about the peace failure?"
Kaname gave a nod, his expressionless face betraying none of his thoughts or emotions at the result, "Yes Chairman, I have heard," he paused for a second and the Chairman leaned forward in expectation, "It was unfortunate."
Cross sank back into his chair in exasperation, the Pureblood wanted him to work for the information tonight but he'd had a stressful day and had no intention of playing the Pureblood's games, "Yuuki tells me that you may have another idea for peace?"
Kaname gave a slight smile at the mention of Yuuki, "Did she now?" he mused aloud. The Chairman started tapping his finger against his chin, as sure sign that he was impatient to hear what the Pureblood had to say on the matter.
"I have a, possible, solution," Kaname started slowly, "I'm not one hundred percent sure that it will be a success however."
The Chairman's face, which had light up at the start of the sentence, fell at the ending, "Not, one hundred, percent sure?" he questioned uncertainly.
"Ah," Kaname agreed.
Cross was sure that he was going to die of lung failure as he heaved another sigh, "And this idea is?"
Kaname looked directly into the Chairman's eyes and Cross knew that what Kaname was about to say was deadly serious.
"I am the Kuran family's ancestor, or at least the soul. My blood is very valuable to the council. If I were to marry a human, then the two worlds would be joined."
Cross felt his mind jolt at the Pureblood's words. It was true. If the greatest pureblood was to marry a human... but all too soon his mind kicked back into reality as the real reason behind the Pureblood's words became clear and Kaname's next sentence confirmed his suspicions.
"I came to ask your permission to marry Yuuki."
Natarii: wow!! our first chappie! Even though its a prologue... I hate writing prologues...
Rat-chan: you aren't going to go back in the corner again are you?
Natarii: mumbles
Rat-Chan: What?
Natarii: I said I have to avoid avoid it at all costs if I'm to fulfil my mission to make a song-fic that isn't bad!!
Rat-Chan: you know thats not going to happen when you have pop music stuck in your head. What on earth posessed you to start listening to bu-
menacing aura suddenly descends
Natarii: RAT-CHAN... shall I tell the lovely readers of your musical tastes?
Rat-Chan: EEEK! I said to much I'm sorry!!
Zero: Please rate and review.
Both: KYAAAAAA!! ZERO glomping
Zero: Damn it! Not again!!
Yuuki:this is their first time writing a joint Fanfic so any constructive criticism or reviews in general are very much appreciated. Also please excuse the innner fangirls.
Zero: Help me Yuuki! Please!
Yuuki: HA HA HA HA HA!! no way! where's my camera? I can use this for blackmail...