Keep Me Close
Chapter 1 – Healing Open Wounds
A/N: Hey everyone! I think my life is on fast forward...There has been so much going on that I just want to crawl under a rock with my laptop, which is no longer unnamed (I named him Zero! ^_^), and make a permanent home here! I think this is going to be some what short. Maybe 6-8 chapters long. But I'm still brainstorming. Anyway, please enjoy the yummy new story. Reviews are greatly appreciated and inspire me to write. PMs are also welcomed.
Summary: AU - Yuuki doesn't exist. Rido isn't a threat, but a loving uncle. Time-line would be after the Kiryuu tragedy. Kaname rescues Zero from a Level E and take's the boy home. Upon much debating, Juri and Haruka adopt Zero as their son, making him and Kaname brothers.
Warning(s): violence, language, sexual situations, shotacon, yaoi and incest (technically they aren't really brothers but... just in case). Obviously this is rated M. Yaoi is boy's love (male x male). Don't like, don't read, simple as that. Everyone else, ENJOY!!
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Matsuri Hino's Vampire Knight. If I did, Zero would be the main character and Kaname would make sweet love to him every chance he got! However, I do own the OCs I create, my laptop, the plots of my stories, and the sadomasochistic plot bunnies that use and abuse my uncensored thoughts as material for their story ideas (which they force me to write).
Healing Open Wounds
The purity of the white snow was tainted by the evidence of death. Blood painted the once white ground an angry red. Silence fell upon the charred ruins of the Kiryuu residence; an eerie silence that echoed the pain and fear felt by the tormented souls of the Hunter family. Lurking in the shadows of the surrounding woods, a predator scents blood in the air and races to investigate. It's crazed blood-red eyes drowned in bloodlust; clouded by insanity.
In the rubble, a young boy groans. A large wooden beam has pinned his lithe body, preventing much movement. His amethyst eyes search frantically for any signs of his family. He couldn't remember what happened. Frightened, he tries to pull himself from the debris. In his weakened state, he doesn't move very far. He finally realizes his legs are pinned and his arm is cut deeply, bleeding profusely. Scared, injured, and immobilized, the young boy is oblivious to the danger quickly approaching.
"Kaname-sama, are you certain? Dinner will be done within the hour and it has already started to get dark. Shouldn't you wait until tomorrow to return Takuma-kun's book?"
Holding back a frustrated sigh, Kaname continues to put on his coat and boots, ignoring the petite woman trailing after him. The young pureblood prince had been followed persistently throughout the Kuran mansion by Marie, the meek and mousey Head Maid. The young woman was a common vampire, or a Level C, and looked to be in her early to mid twenties. Her black hair elegantly resting just above her shoulders, framing her face by being slightly longer in the front. Her gray eyes held a genuine innocence, shimmering with unguarded concern for her young charge.
The young brunet made his way past the worrisome maid and continued into the vast study to retrieve the manga he was going to be returning to Takuma, the bubbly and easygoing blond noble and the grandson of Asato Ichijou.
Not appreciating being ignored, Marie was hot on the young Prince's heels.
"Kaname-sama, your mother and father placed you in my care. I can't have you, the Kuran Prince, roaming the woods at night. It's not safe." Marie tried to reason with Kaname. She has watched the young Prince grow up from the time he was just a few years old. If anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself.
Juri and Haruka Kuran were currently on a business trip. They had been away for the last four days and would not be back for another three. The young prince was often left at home, never once complaining or objecting his parents absence. After all, they are doing their best to spread pacifist ideology among vampires to encourage a peaceful coexistence with humans. An example of their hard work was their location of residence. A few miles from their mansion lived a well known hunter family. They had agreed to help spread pacifism between the two races. By agreeing to help, they moved and made a home not far from several noble residences.
Kaname turned around, facing Marie with an innocent smile. "Hai, hai. I understand, Marie-san. But I made a promise to Takuma that I would have his book back to him before tomorrow. If I leave now, I'll be back before dinner is served. You have my word."
The worried look on the young maid's face didn't ease. There really was a reason she didn't want the young Master going out. There has been a Level E sighting about 10 miles from the Kuran Mansion, not that far from the Ichijou residence, originating in the surrounding wooded area. It was actually spotted by a few hunters. It's whereabouts are unknown but the sighting being in a neighborhood full of nobles, hunters, and a family of purebloods, the Level E must be power hungry and completely mad. The raven haired maid was brought out of her thoughts by the smooth voice of the boy in front of her.
"Marie-san, I am 13 years old now with almost fully developed powers. I can take care of myself."
Being looked down on was one of the things Kaname couldn't stand. He was a pureblood. A Prince at that! He should be able to handle walking a few miles to his friends house. He wasn't a kid anymore...
Sighing, the maid pulled Kaname into a tight embrace. Normally, a service-hand was forbidden to interact with the Masters of the house, but the Kuran's were different in the aspect. Every single one of their 'servants' were considered family. Marie could be seen as Kaname's older sister, although there is still a level of respect between the service-hands and the Royal Family.
Kaname stood completely still, hands at his sides. He waited patiently until he was released. He knew Marie could get overly emotional sometimes, and he didn't mind the extra attention.
"Alright, you can go. But please promise me that you will be alert of your surroundings at all times. Danger lurks in the woods beyond the gates."
Like always, Marie couldn't refuse the shimmering auburn eyes of the young Prince. He is sure going to be quite the charmer when he gets older, she thought. Releasing Kaname, she smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. "Don't be long, 'k? I'll worry and then send a search party for you. Then when we find you, I'll make sure to never let you out of my sight again."
Kaname chuckled, ironically she actually would do what she said. Marie had always treated Kaname like a younger brother and at times could be a little too overprotective. But who could blame her? She was always around when the young Prince was growing up. It wasn't that long ago that they were sitting in the Great Room playing chess. Marie was always there when Haruka and Juri were on business related trips. Other than that they spent as much time with their son as possible.
"Thank-you onee-san! I will be careful, I promise." The smile on Kaname's face made Marie hug him quickly again before returning to the kitchen to help with dinner. She loved it when Kaname called her onee-san. It made her feel like she was someone special to the Prince.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Kaname was left alone by the staff. After picking up the manga Takuma had lent him, he tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket. He didn't want to accidentally drop it in the snow and ruin his best friends favorite manga.
Opening the heavy maple front door, Kaname announced his departure and as he closed the door behind him he heard Marie-san shout, "Be careful!"
The snow crunched under Kaname's feet as he walked down the wide path from the front steps to the massive iron gates surrounding the property. When he made it to the end of the walkway, he nodded at the guard on duty who smiled and opened the gate for him.
Buttoning the top button of his jacket, Kaname tucked his hands into his pockets. The Ichijou mansion wasn't very far. There was only one house separating the two vampire mansions, though they were still a few miles distance from each other. Kaname remembered his mother speaking of a family of hunters moving in nearby. He wondered if that was who moved into the house he would soon be passing.
The winter air was still, and the only sound was the snow compacting under the young brunet's boots. As he promised, Kaname was staying alert. A sudden unsettling feeling in his gut had him heightening his senses for anything out of the ordinary. His pupils fully dilated, taking in as much light as they possibly could to see deep into the darkness of the woods. The trees surrounding the area were void of all their leaves, leaving bare branches that were twisted and eerie. Kaname thought they looked like something from a scary movie. He just hoped there weren't any monsters hiding in their shadows.
The scent of blood was mixed with that of burning pine, but still the beast ran on. Crimson eyes were frantically trying to locate the source of the flowing lifeblood. A low growl emanated from the beast's chest. The scent grew stronger as the beast's speed increased. The trees thinned as heavy feet slowed to a leisurely walk, craving eyes landed on the ruins of a destroyed home. The blood smelled fresh, and human. White fangs slipped passed lips as they pulled into a dangerous grin. It's prey wasn't going anywhere.
Heavy breathing and crunching snow reached the ears of the silver-haired boy pinned beneath the fallen wooden beam. Turning his head in the direction of the sound, his eyes landed on a male figure, hunched and swaying as he walked. As his amethyst eyes further inspected the approaching man, fear consumed him when he noticed the pointed canines. The vampire reached down and grasped the end of the beam pinning the boy, hurling it a few yards away, making the boy gasp and wince in pain as the beam raked down his body. Now free, the boy tries to crawl away from the stalking vampire. It was no use, the beast grabbed one of the boys legs and pulled him back, crouching down to get closer to his prey.
A sudden gust of wind made Kaname pull a hand from his pocket and try to keep his hair from obscuring his vision. What he didn't expect was the scent of human blood and burning wood to invade his nose. Being a pureblood made it less likely for him to go into full bloodlust, however, he was still young and the smell of blood wafting into his nasal passage was tainted and had him clenching his teeth.
Almost instantly, Kaname ran off the road and into the dark woods. There was something about the blood smell that had him almost fearful and worried at the same time. It was a strange feeling actually, like he could smell the emotions coming from the person whose blood was spilling.
It wasn't an uncommon ability among purebloods to be able to sense the emotions of a being by the scent their blood carried. However, the development of such advanced abilities usually appear after a pureblood has reached a mature age of eighteen. For Kaname, having only gone through puberty 4 years ago, he shouldn't be able to tap into any advanced abilities that should still be dormant for several more years. That is, unless his development and growth are at a rate much more advanced than what his years indicate.
As his speed increased, Kaname was a blur zipping through the crippling trees. The Prince was going deeper into the woods until the trees suddenly thinned into a clearing, his line of sight locking on a hunched figure a few yards away in the destroyed ruins of what looked like a house. The smell of blood was much stronger than before, and it appeared to be coming from the direction of the ruins. But now that he was closer, he picked up a new scent; salt.
Taking a few hesitant steps forward, Kaname saw the figure grab something and lift it as it moved to stand. The young Prince experienced rage for the first time, his chocolate eyes morphed into blazing crimson as he watched the figure pull a boy from the ground by the front of his shirt. Kaname's mind registered the state of the boy in seconds, noting the tattered t-shirt and shorts, the many bruises blotching ivory skin, the frightened look in his eyes that were wet with tears and the wound on his arm that was still bleeding.
As if in fast forward, Kaname appeared behind the figure and plunged his clawed hand directly into it's heart through it's back. A howl escaped the crazed vampire before erupting into dust. It's clothes dropped to the ground along with the boy who let out a grunt and started coughing as he tried to sit up.
Kaname licked the blood from his hand, making a face of distaste as the vile, crazed blood hit his taste buds. Slowly he could feel his anger disappear as his eyes returned to their normal murky brown. Strong emotions surfaced as Kaname turned to face the boy. He was finally able to get a better look at him now that they were just a few feet apart. To Kaname, the boy looked like a fallen angel. His silver hair enhanced striking amethyst irises and accented his ivory skin. If he had to guess, Kaname would say they were around the same age.
Picking up the long jacket the Level E was wearing, Kaname made his way closer to the boy and draped it over his shoulders. He made sure to be as gentle and make himself as nonthreatening as possible so he didn't frighten the boy further. However, the boy flinched when the jacket touched his body, only to groan as his arm hit a brick and started to bleed heavily again.
"Here, let me see that."
Kaname's voice was gentle as he reached for the boy's injured arm. When the only reaction was the arm being moved away, he looked up and was met with terrified lavender orbs.
"I'm not going to hurt you, I want to help. I can make the pain go away."
The boy hesitated then moved his arm closer for Kaname to reach it, a whimper escaping his quivering lips. Scooting closer, Kaname gently held the injured arm as he lowered his head to the wound. Looking up one last time, he could see the confusion and fear still showing on the boy's features. Smiling to reassure the frightened preteen, Kaname decided to gain some trust before he did anything that might put the boy in more distress.
"My name is Kaname. Mind telling me yours?"
"K-Kiryuu... Z-Zero Ki-Kiryuu..."
The boy, now known as Zero, was shivering. Kaname adjusted the overcoat to cover more of Zero's exposed body, wary of the many injuries covering the smaller boy's limbs.
"Will you allow me to stop the bleeding, Zero?"
Still a little uncertain, Zero hesitantly nodded.
"Don't pull away. If you do... well, just don't, 'k."
Zero nodded again, curious as to what the brunet was going to do. Kaname leaned down and licked from one end of the wound the the other. Zero whimpered as the feel of Kaname's warm tongue slid across his freezing skin, creating a tingling sensation. After another quick swipe of his tongue, Kaname sat up and revealed a no-longer injured arm.
"H-How... W-what did..."
"My saliva has healing properties. Being a hunter, I assumed you already knew. But the the look on you face shows otherwise."
Carefully choosing his words to not cause Zero to panic, Kaname smiled just enough to show his barely visible fangs. If they were aroused they would descend and become longer, being able to pierce through flesh.
"I'm a pureblood. But don't freak out, okay? I don't feed off of humans. I'm on a strict diet of an experimental chemical compound intended to replace feeding from people by force. Um... here, see?"
Kaname reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a tin container, opening it and holding it out in his open palm for Zero to see its contents. There were about a dozen little white, round pills filling the compact case. Zero looked at Kaname, nodding in understanding. With a smile, Kaname took Zero's hand and stood up, pulling the smaller boy closer. Draping one of Zero's arms over his shoulder, Kaname wrapped his arm around the boy's waist, supporting most of his weight.
"You're all alone, aren't you?"
Kaname didn't want to be insensitive and bluntly tell Zero his family was no longer living. He figured that Zero had figured it out on his own already, and he was right. Zero lowered his head, hair covering his eyes, and nodded. Kaname frowned. Seeing the silver-haired boy look so defeated broke his heart.
"C'mon. You can come home with me."
Zero lifted his head and looked at Kaname, his eyes puffy and tear-filled. Kaname flashed a genuine smile at the surprised look Zero freely expressed.
"Try not to pass out, 'k?"
Before Zero could ask why, Kaname took off with inhuman speed. The sudden movement took Zero's breath away and he didn't have a chance to register what had happened before his vision went black. Kaname couldn't suppress a giggle when he felt Zero's body go limp against his. It was going to happen anyway and he knew it. After all, Zero was just a human and couldn't adjust to the initial speed they were traveling at. And not even twenty seconds had passed before Kaname was at the front door of his home. Opening the door he supported Zero's weight fully while he tried to catch his breath.
"K-Kaname-sama!!" Marie was already ready to catch the boys as Kaname stumbled over the slight rise in the carpet. Helping the exhausted brunet, he refused to let go of the injured human. She had scented human blood just moments before Kaname had opened the door and confirmed it was coming from the silver-haired boy the Prince was carrying.
"'M fine, onee-san. Zero needs medical attention though,"
Kaname was already making his way down the long hallway to his room, Marie following closely behind him. Once they reached their destination, Marie quickly opened the door and move inside to let the boys in. Kaname made his way over to the massive king sized bed and placed Zero, who was still unconscious, on one side. Brushing a few strands of silver hair from Zero's face, Kaname frowned. The younger boy was going to be in a world of pain if he wasn't treated while he was unconscious. As if reading his mind, Marie placed a hand on Kaname's shoulder.
"I will go fetch Hiro to come take a look at him. You should rest as well, using your powers like that is dangerous." Marie headed to the door and smiled at her young charge. In her eyes, he was no longer a child, especially after today.
"Thank you. Oh, and onee-san?"
Before she closed the door she looked back, "Hai, Kaname-sama?"
Looking down, Kaname lowered his voice.
"Please don't contact mother and father about this. I... I'll inform them myself when Zero wakes up."
Marie smiled, Kaname has most definitely grown. This boy, I wonder what the Prince sees in him...
"Very well. I'll bring up some tea after I've informed Hiro. Get some rest, young Master."
Kaname nodded. Once Marie left, he decided to get comfortable. Removing his shoes, socks, and jacket, he walked over to his dresser and pulled out a two pairs of pajamas. One for himself, and one for Zero after Hiro looks at his wounds. After he removed his clothes, Kaname decided to just wear an undershirt and shorts, his exhausted body was too overheated to wear his usual silk pajamas.
Pulling back the deep red comforter and matching silk sheets, Kaname climbed into bed next to Zero and leaned against the headboard. Glancing at the human boy, Kaname couldn't help but wonder why he had felt so emotional when he had seen the Level E mistreat Zero. Something deep in his heart told him to protect the boy. The pureblood prince chalked it up to instincts. Zero was in danger, and being that he was vulnerable and injured, he was unable to protect himself. Although it made the most sense, it didn't seem like it was the real reason behind his actions.
A soft but firm knock on his door brought Kaname from his thoughts.
"Enter."
Hiro opened the door and bowed, his midnight hair falling into his face. A black medical bag was held in a white gloved hand at his side. The suit he wore was black, accenting his white silk gloves and pale skin. Upon rising, his hazel eyes widened slightly as they landed on the human child laying next to the Prince on top of the bed coverings. Making his way over to the side where Zero was placed, he set his bag on the night stand.
Kaname watched as Hiro opened his bag and pulled out a stethoscope. Placing the buds in his ears, he leaned over Zero and placed the circular end to his chest. After moving it to several places over the boys torso and listening for any abnormalities, he removed the instrument and draped it around his neck. Looking at Kaname he informed the Prince before moving on.
"His breathing is a little stressed but his heart is in great condition. Do I have your permission to remove his clothes?"
Kaname was taken aback by the sudden request. He felt his face start to heat up and looked away, coughing nervously into his hand. A faint smile ghosted across Hiro's lips at Kaname's reaction. Ah, so there is a reason I'm examining this human child. It seems our Prince has indeed grown attached to him.
"Y-yes. You have my permission." Kaname chanced a glace but Hiro showed no expression of noticing his flustered behavior.
Nodding, Hiro gently removed Zero's torn and bloody shirt, dropping it into the hamper near Kaname's closet. Once the shirt was removed Kaname gasped. Zero's torso was covered in blue and purple bruises. Several cuts marred his smooth abdomen. Hiro returned and removed the young human's shorts, leaving his boxers in place to keep him mostly descent.
Kaname felt his heart squeeze and his stomach tighten. The pain Zero must have been in hurt the Prince to even think about it. The younger boy's legs had to be the worse off. One was completely black and blue, something must have fallen on him to create such a contusion. Hiro pulled out a case of liquid medicine and several needles. He once again informed Kaname before proceeding with any sort of treatment.
"The injuries are mostly ruptured blood vessels, causing bruises that range from minor to severe. The minor cuts across his abdomen and arms will heal with time, but his blood vessels could use some help repairing themselves."
He opened the case and picked up a glass bottle containing a clear liquid.
"In this bottle is my own development. As you know, pureblood's saliva has healing properties as does their blood. But since using blood would turn a human, I experimented with saliva. The end product was a success, so much so, that one case reported no longer suffering from joint pain when they were only treated for a broken arm."
Kaname was amazed at that bit of information. He cut in before Hiro could continue explaining.
"Amazing! Please, fix him Hiro-san! Seeing him like this... it hurts here..."
Kaname had placed a hand over his heart. He face saddened and a little confused. Hiro's lip twitched into a grin before disappearing. He wasn't going to try to confuse the Prince, so he decided on keeping his mouth closed.
Opening a fresh needle, he stuck the needle into the top and tipped the bottle upside down. Pulling the plug at the end, the tube filled half way with the liquid before he removed the needle. Flicking the tube a few times he squirted the medicine slightly and rubbed a disinfectant in the crook of Zero's arm. Finding a vein, Hiro injected the healing serum straight into Zero's bloodstream.
Within seconds, Kaname could see the bruises slowly start to diminish. Hiro put the case back in his bag and placed a bottle on the night stand next to the bed. Gently pulling the comforter from under Zero's body, he covered the sleeping human boy and gathered his belongings. Kaname went to get off the bed but Hiro stopped him.
"Rest. The bottle I placed on the table are vitamins specifically for human children. His heart may be healthy, but his body is not. The serum I injected him with will heal him rapidly, the vitamins will insure a complete recovery. You, on the other hand, overused your powers and are exhausted."
Kaname lowered he head. Hiro was right, his limbs felt heavy and he just wanted to sleep.
"Hai. Thank you, Hiro-san, for healing him."
Hiro nodded and made his way to the door before turning around.
"I'll need to give him a full check-up tomorrow. Bring him to my office after breakfast."
Kaname nodded and mumbled an affirmative. Hiro flicked out the lights before he closed the door. In the dark, Kaname moved closer to Zero. His fallen angel was no longer broken. Kaname's mind was racing with the many things that happened today.
Groaning, the Prince face-palmed. "Damn it... I never returned Takuma's manga..."
Figuring he would just call his blond friend and return it tomorrow, he closed his eyes, falling asleep while listening to Zero's slow, steady breathing.
A/N: Holy shit! I got so absorbed in writing this! I think I even surprised myself with the amount of effort I put into this new story! I wasn't planning on posting this, but I decided to share this as soon as it was finished. I already have the next chapter sorta planned out. Sorry for the lack in updates!! I know many of you are waiting for the next Love Conquers All... Even Zero! Chapter but I haven't started it yet... I've been quite busy as of late. But once mid-terms are over and done with, I should be able to get more done! Please review and share your thoughts. Even if it's just to say 2 words, every review helps encourage continuation of the story.
Next chapter – Mending What Has Broken.
~RukiRomance