That night where Kiryuu's mother and father were slaughtered by Shizuka Hio? That night never happened. She never killed them.
That's the first thing wrong with this story.
Kaname gazed around the ballroom, once more being 'presented' before the high-society of vampires. He was stuck around with the adults, instead of allowed to go with the other teen vampires, away in a second room for socialization. He had wanted to attend with his friend Takuma, but Ichio had ushered him into this room, telling him that they had to make a presentation and talk to the members that had wanted Kaname to live with them, they wanted to see if they could snare him away.
The pureblood just wanted to be away from this... the crowd around him, asking questions, some of them daring to touch him (Kaname was not a touch person). Ichio would occasionally put hands on his shoulders and steer him away to around group, where the process would continue on and on and on for the night. Some people would give Ichio a sum of money as a 'donation' to the pureblood's raising (it was also a tool to try and gain the youth's favor, not that he gave it. The money left from his parents was more than enough to last him a lifetime or two of luxury). There was the politeness, the motions... it was boring.
Kaname was released some time later, having asked Ichio that since they were done with everyone there, that he could go to see Takuma. It took a moment-but he was allowed to go.
He spotted the hunters along the wall, and recognized the one with the black hair. His name was Yagari, if he recalled right. That man was one of the more powerful ones. His head tilted, looking over him. The hunter only gave a slightly contemptuous glare in return. Their peace treaty prevented fighting-but there was still supervision of these little gatherings. The hunters were like a fixture, rather than anything else. Plus, Kaname's appearance of a twelve-year-old-boy didn't quite let the full glare come through. Even vampire children were somewhat better than full-grown vampires, after all.
Even if he was the worst of all-a pureblood. Kaname just smiled at him, and spotted two... rather short hunters. They looked... his age. And... too similar. They were twins-odd twins. Silver hair, lavender eyes. Kaname tilted his head at them for a moment. Twins to hunters was unheard of. Something was going to happen with them, wasn't it? Horrible fate. Pity. The pureblood turned away from the sight, now looking around here and there for the right entrance. After being led around too much, and the room being circular, the same everywhere-he was a little lost.
He had to go by scent to find the other's dodging around the adults...
Zero Kiryuu, age thirteen, was gripped gently on the arm by his little brother Ichiru, almost thirteen. The two of them had been taken out on their first party-guarding mission by their teacher Yagari. The hunter was overly not-fond of vampires, and begrudgingly took the pair with him on this tour, telling them to stay near the wall unless directed, and to watch. Observe the monsters, learn their habits so they could get them the second they got out of hand. Zero truly hated their kind, and was rather disgusted as he watched the wolves in sheep-skin go around like they were nothing.
Lavender eyes looked to his brother, who was once more fixing his unbuttoned vest and shirt, trying to make him look as nice as his mother had hours ago. His parents had gone off on a sperate mission, hunting down some rabid Level Es. Zero had wanted to go on that mission instead-but this time he was told it was too dangerous, and was sent with babysitter Yagari, whom was none-too-pleased with his current job.
Yagari once in awhile told them about the vampires they saw-like the Aido family, that were some of the top companies in the world owned by them-along with two other vampire families related by blood from a generation or so back, but still below. He told them about the council members they spotted, the other hunters who were coming in and out when their shifts were up, and various other tidbits.
Though, when the vampire child smiled at Yagari, both Ichiru and Zero looked at their teacher, he did look their age too.
"...You may have heard of that one. A pureblood, Kaname Kuran. He is the only surviving member of the family-his parents committed suicide a few years ago." Yagari explained.
"Why would they commit suicide, teacher?" Ichiru asked, curious.
"Purebloods barely die, it's even harder to kill them than any other vampire. They were probably too tired of their dead-life and off'd themselves."
Zero knew what was on his twin's mind, and asked for him. "Why would any parent kill themselves, and leave their child all alone?"
Yagari grinned a little, mirth filled his eyes. "I told you they were monsters, didn't I?"
Ichiru looked away, and said nothing more. Of course Yagari went on to explain more as things happened, keeping the twins from boredom, and himself. They weren't bothered with at this point.
Eventually Yagari paused, and looked at Zero. "There's a table in the corner, you saw it when we came in. It's water and such for us... I need a glass after all this talking, so go get some. I'll keep an eye on Ichiru, so don't give me that face."
Zero sighed a bit, and nodded. "Yes teacher." Then headed off, grumbling a little as he headed towards the table. The vial of poison tester in hand. They were always careful when at these functions.
Kiryuu was not paying attention as he continued to walk on. A glare fixated on the floor, most of the people just moved out of his way when he passed. Then-suddenly he hit something or someone, tumbling to the floor!
He yelped a bit as he landed on his ass, rubbing it as he looked with a glare. "H-hey! You better apologize!" He demanded to the male he had bumped into.
Though, he was rather surprised when he realized he had bumped into the pureblood, Kaname Kuran. Who, well, was getting up to a sitting position, looking up from the demand with a slight glare. He had been the one that had been plowed over! Not the other way around! The offended brunette glared at the silver-haired male. Actually, it was more of an appalled look than anything else.
The adults had all swooped on each other over this, arguing over whose fault it was-who should apologize. It was basically the start of a new war. The two groups already heated and into it-Yagari was face-to-face with Ichio, but weapons hadn't been drawn... nor had fangs and red eyes started to glow.
The twin helped his brother up, dusting him off somewhat and asking if he was also okay, and also telling him that he should pay attention instead of pouting-just softly though. No need to give anyone any fire over this. Kaname was getting himself up, dusting off imaginary dirt and the like, straightening out the suit he wasn't too fond of.
It was like he was a machine when he made his way over to the mini-hunter, somewhat infuriated now over being demanded to apologize. Of course, Zero could not keep his mouth shut.
"Look what you did now, pureblood!" It was said with disgust. "Oh, coming to apologize? Good." Ichiru tugged on his sleeve to try and get him to shut up, hiding behind his brother, frightened. He had every right to be. An angry pureblood, even if small, was rather frightening.
Kaname stood in front of the pair, giving a sound of displeasure at being so close to the offensive youth.
"You're the one that ran into me and knocked me over. If there is someone to apologize out of the two of us, it is you... to-be-hunter." Yes, he said that just to annoy him. Kaname read him as one of those prideful types, that would be wounded at the point of a fact.
And he got the reaction he wanted, the elder twin making a hiss and glaring at the other.
Oh, yes, Zero was angered, and there was a tug on his sleeve, his twin, clutching a bit to the back of his jacket, frightened by the bloodsucker. No one frightened his little brother and got away with it! "Zero..." Ichiru softly whispered.
The elder turned his head to look at his twin, gaze softening to give a reassuring glance-yet when he turned back to the pureblood, of course his gaze was hardened and angry again. This boy just pissed him off. Could anyone truly blame him after dealing with such an arrogant, and spoiled little brat?
"I would never apologize…. to a pampered, ill will, good for nothing, useless pureblood… You probably seen me before you bumped into me. Why didn't you move?" He was rather demanding at this point, glare fixated on the other. Zero took his brother's hand, and started to lead him away. If yelling at a pureblood was bad, then turning his back was possibly certain death. He felt some sort of satisfaction that he did this-empowered by his almost foolish actions towards the other. Yeah, this was probably grounds to start an entire war with-but it wasn't like he really cared about that.
Ichiru couldn't help his second look at the pureblood. He saw that horrible glare, and cringed, getting closer to his brother.
Kaname rushed with his speed, stopping right in front of the other, making a point about his superiority already. It caused the little hunter to stop in his tracks, holding his brother behind him even more, wary.
Yet the pureblood sounded bored when he spoke. If that is what they are teaching you in this generation of hunters, I both hold my deepest condolences and highest sense of pity for the fall of the vampire hunter society, due to you and your beliefs." His tone even more clean and cut when he continued. "And if you really believe purebloods are useless-what does your tiny mind think is keeping all of these other vampires at bay from tearing out your pretty little throats, hm? You weren't paying attention in class if you don't even know the basics."
Zero winced, caught completely off guard by that. Yeah, he should have remembered all of that-but he didn't. Stupid vampire called him out on it too. He was going to get him back for that, but the lavender-eyed hunter wasn't sure exactly how. Yet his quick mind, and anger helped him get a reply out.
"That's not my teaching… This is me, and only me. And I hate your very existence… I can almost smell the rot of your body and the fake presence you put on for your own kind is sickening. Your smile is fake to everyone is revolting and I bet you, everyone knows you but there isn't one person in this whole damn room that you could trust with your own life…. You're just a figure and have no real value except to be polite and poise." He could see the offense in Kaname's eyes, it gave him so much satisfaction. Enough of an ego swell to have the balls for what came next. "Now…. are you going to get out of my way…. or am I going to physically put you out of my way?"
Ichiru tugged-frantic pulls at his brother's sleeves in the attempt to get this fight from starting. Even if his brother was pretty strong-that was a damn PUREBLOOD he was picking a fight with! That was beyond stupid of him! He just couldn't let his twin get hurt from his mouth, even if it was always what got him in trouble. This time it was more serious, it wasn't just bad-mouthing a teacher-it was literally talking smack to a very, very powerful vampire.
One day, when no one was watching, Kaname made a vow to put that boy in his proper place, even if it let him bloody and broken. Unfortunately in this small package of a body, the full extent of his powers had not been cultivated yet, or fully controlled. Nor were his emotions.
"As a pureblood, I can exert, control, and bend to my will every vampire here if I wanted. You should know that. My kind... is not just a figurehead, not just a little puppet for polite conversation." Concentrating, his voice got even softer so the twin wouldn't hear the next words to the other. "Little hunter... I accept your challenge. When you grow stronger, and become a real man... I'll fight you, over and over and over until the day you die. We'll be rivals." So perhaps he didn't plan to say that, but, the challenge... Ah, his real self was taking over, wasn't it? Kuran composed himself, red eyes closing... "And then I'll show you my power." He pulled back with ease, smiling pleasantly. More than on of those words the other had said had... gotten to him. Even if he loathed to admit it, the idiot was right... He couldn't trust anyone here... At least, not yet. This was the start of Hell and a half, wasn't it? Kaname turned off, going to stop this battle-to-be.
Zero was left in a sort of dazed shock, those words had... enthralled him. Though, the power he had felt just coming off the pureblood had caused some fear to run through his veins. He had realized that the other wasn't lying-he was very powerful...which meant as a hunter he was going to become even more powerful. Since, as a vampire aged, their power grew. If he was already so mighty as that aura suggested-then... He had to. He had to be the most powerful hunter he could to wait for when the arrogant thing slipped up-then he could kill him. "I'll win..." The voice of his own was soft, only to himself.
That power that Kaname had spilled was making Ichiru shiver, and cling to his twin. He heard it all, everything. Yet-it was just so terrifying. The weaker twin was being trained as a hunter, yes, but only because of a forbidden technique his parents had used on him years ago. He was still rather sickly, weaker, but strong enough to train... somewhat. Keeping up was a battle that seemed impossible for him... He'd need another treatment soon enough, just to keep at his brother's heels. His parents sacrificed a lot in doing this, risked too much.
Zero didn't know about it either.
Though, what shocked Zero was on where that blasted evil thing was headed, to Yagari. He almost shouted for his teacher to watch out when his twin yanked on him harshly. No one had seen the incident, and hopefully this wouldn't fuel the fire even more. He was at least hopeful for that-it seemed the creature was good at disguising that arrogant nature to one of a sweet child easily... hopefully?
Kuran gently tugging on the elbow of the man's sleeve, causing him to startle, look down at the shorter male (who of course hadn't gotten his growth spurt yet), and look both appalled and rather surprised that it was indeed the pureblood getting his attention. There was a soft smile on the pureblood's face, acting as a nice boy should-even if Yagari could probably see through it. "The two of us were in the wrong, sir, and we were attempting to apologize and sort the situation out ourselves-but the rest of you jumped in so suddenly for a fight that there was no time or way we could make peace properly. I humbly ask that if there is another event in the future that causes such a tussle over nothing but delayed reactions that there should be restraint before the war cries are called..." A soft pause, everyone stopping to look at the pureblood. "I apologize for the trouble, but please let the younger generation, such as myself and the boy, to handle ourselves properly in any situation as an accidental run-in. Both vampire and human make mistakes. Thank you." Kaname gave a polite nod of the head to Yagari, and went off. The adults were... a little speechless, but soon muttered there apologies.
The party hadn't fully continued yet, some of the vampires and hunters going off, returning to how it was before; it was as if the incident hadn't happened at all.
Yagari went towards his charge, looking at the pair of them suspiciously, since he knew that his prideful student was not one to give in even if he was in the wrong. Zero was much more likely to get into a war over a mistake than admit that it was his own fault-which it was. He had seen the whole incident with his fuming charge for the night, and was rather lucky a bloodbath hadn't happened.
"Is it true?" Zero's first instinct to the question was to out the pureblood as a phony; circumstances dictated he make a wiser choice with this incident. Thankfully, his common sense overcame his desires.
"It's...true..." The rest of the crowd eased, and went back to their posts and positions. The sides, for the moment, had compromised. It was a better end to the evening than what could be expected. As he continued his way with his twin to the table, he caught the pureblood's menacing gaze.
It was on. A rivalry that was going to last his entire life.
Charan-Amaya: Yeah, I got back into VK and decided that: Hey, why not mess with everything and do a story that's kinda AU-out there, hm? Change a little thing and see what happens! Yeah! That's how it went and so here's the first part...
This is actually partially based off an rp with chunks of it actually taken out of it. Not much, probably about 300 words of it is the actual rp text. Wonder if you can find it?
Read, review. Because I'm not continuing this unless there's ten reviews sitting there. I'm only going to write this out and spend the mental effort of posting it if people tell me the problems, what they liked, and predictions.
I see ten and you get a chapter within three days... Unless circumstances beyond my control come up. Yes, there will be some inconsistencies with the manga cuz this is a sort of AU, remember.
