I don't own Vampire Knight or any characters within the series.
A/N: Okay, this is the first chapter :)
The pairing is Kaname x Zero.
This fic will contain yaoi (manXman). There will be a lemons. If you do not like it please do not read, you have been warned.
Reviews, faves and follows are welcome. Please enjoy :D
Chapter 1: Wishes
Ichiru had always been more graceful. He had longer, shiner hair, his manners were practiced to perfection and he was far more preferred by his step-mother Shizuka Hio. After both biological parents of the twins had passed on she inherited everything. She spoiled Ichiru rotten, giving him the most expensive attire and objects of value. At the grandest balls of the kingdom he was proudly introduced as her son and given all the advantages nobility had to offer. Zero was not so lucky…
Zero was Ichiru's twin brother. His hair was just above shoulder length and he was as stubborn as his horse, White Lily. In the Kingdom, twins were usually considered bad luck and Shizuka found that Zero brought shame to his brother, whom she favoured. She forced Zero to disguise his appearance in public, allocated the cramped and dull attic as his room, and gave him chores to complete while balls were being held, rarely letting him leave the house. Ichiru also enjoyed ordering Zero around now that he was superior to his twin.
In the time when both of their parents were alive, Ichiru was extremely weak and frequently becoming ill. As such, Zero was sent to parties on behalf of the Kiryuu family while Ichiru lay in his sickbed. The Kiryuu family was a noble family of hunters, one of the best in the kingdom. To maintain their reputation they needed a strong and healthy heir. Even though Zero cared for his brother dearly, being second best had soured Ichiru's attitude towards him. Shizuka was a pureblood and allowed Ichiru to drink from her so that he would gain strength and surpass Zero. She also bit Zero and cursed him to be a level D vampire to further his falling from status.
…
It was a sunny morning and Ichiru woke up wrapped in his warm, silken, lavender scented bed sheets. Stretching like a cat and yawning, he pulled the servant's bell. Minutes later his mirror image, except for shorter hair and a grumpier face, entered.
"What took you so long?" Ichiru scolded in an obnoxious tone.
"It so happened I was outside with Lily." Zero replied in a cold voice.
"That's no excuse. I come first and you should know that by now."
"As if you'd let me forget it."
Zero went to his brother's wardrobe and selected what his twin would wear today. It was an easy task, seeing as he really just chose what he, himself wished to wear. Ichiru stood and allowed his brother to aid in dressing him, as a good servant would.
In the early days of Shizuka's household rule Zero would purposefully do things wrong, putting burn marks on clothes, placing a box of cereal on the table at breakfast and telling the two snobs to serve themselves, he even once replaced Shizuka's shampoo with a hair removal cream. She wore a wig for months after the incident. But, this bad behaviour had been stamped out of him over the years. When he made mistakes Shizuka would see to it that he was punished and had threatened to sell White Lily for glue. Zero couldn't let Shizuka do that, and reluctantly obeyed her commands as well as Ichiru's.
After Ichiru was dressed Zero passed him today's newspaper and went to set up breakfast.
…
As breakfast was served at 8 o'clock precisely, the typical scene graced Zero's sights. Shizuka came in and greeted Ichiru politely, kissing him on the cheek and doting on him as a loving mother would. She then turned to Zero and began commanding.
"Pour my tea, boy. Then make yourself invisible." She instructed.
Zero proceeded to follow her instructions in silence as he began preparing her ladyship's breakfast tea. The other two in the room continued pleasant conversation while he was ignored.
"Anything interesting in the paper this morning?" Shizuka asked Ichiru.
Shizuka was never bothered to read the paper and relied on Ichiru's judgement of what was important and interesting. He was yet to disappoint.
"It appears that the Royal family are intending to hold a series of balls in the coming weeks in attempt to find a bride for the Prince. The paper proclaims that they wish for everyone of noble-birth to attend, noble vampires and hunters that is." Ichiru announced pleasantly.
Shizuka gasped and clapped in surprise and excitement.
"This is a perfect opportunity to introduce you to the royal family!" She insisted.
"You have already met them, haven't you Shizuka? What are they like?" Ichiru inquired.
"The Kurans are the most powerful family in our world. It is a mother's dream that her son or daughter should marry into the family!" Shizuka's mind had drifted away into a dream land of extravagant thoughts.
Their conversation continued until Zero interrupted them.
"If everyone of noble-birth is to attend then I must surely attend as well."
"What? You, attend a ball?" Shizuka laughed at the boy's thoughts.
"You would only make a fool of yourself, brother. You have nothing to wear to such an event." Ichiru explained.
"And who would look at a filthy mutt like you when dearest Ichiru is there? Really, I think it is best, for your sake, to stay at home." Shizuka added.
"But, as it says in the paper, it is the royal's wish that all noble vampires and hunters attend. As a noble hunter by birth you would be directly going against the royal family's wishes to prevent me from attending. Are you willing to accept the consequences of that?" Zero continued.
Shizuka thought about it for a moment and realised that Zero was right. He would have to attend as well, whether she liked it or not. Not granting the royal family's wishes would not be good for her reputation.
"Fine, you may attend. But, you must finish all of your housework before the ball. And, you will not be getting any new clothes for this. You will go and lurk in the shadows unless you want people to see you for the disgrace you are." Shizuka ended, leaving breakfast early as she was fed up of the conversation.
Ichiru followed after her like the obedient dog she had trained him to be.
What they would see is not the disgrace I am, it is the disgrace you have made me, Shizuka Hiou.
Zero thought that as he began clearing up after breakfast. He didn't care he would be in shabby clothes and would have to hide in the shadows. All he cared was that he was going somewhere different, escaping the confines of the house he was so rarely allowed to leave.