Blood Brothers: Nature Versus Nurture
"I know you are friends, but I don't want you bending the rules for him Natsumi." Chairman Cross said rather strictly. However, if it were not for the big grin on his face and the proud giggle that he was attempting to hide, perhaps Natsumi would have taken him more seriously.
"Ah ha, yeah, sure. Father, I promise I won't let him out of my sight again. Trust me," She persistently pushed, "He won't cause trouble while I'm around! I won't allow such behaviour!" She told him sarcastically.
Cross happily cried, "Oh, my Natsumi! So strong willed! You'll do anything for my success of joining humans and vampires together, won't you?" He squealed joyously, as he tried to pull his daughter into a hug.
Natsumi struggled to breathe, as he squished her, "Father… please," She gasped for air, "Let me go!" She pushed him away just in time, as Zero and Yuki entered the office.
"It's time to get to work!" Yuki said with a bright smile, as she watched the headmaster shout and pout in his chair. Natsumi sighed at the idiocy of her father, as Zero grunted with frustration.
"Hurry up - and don't let that filthy vampire outside again!" Zero growled at Natsumi.
She sighed at his outburst and faced her father. "For the record," She said, "I don't give a damn about your pacifism. I just want to have fun!" She shouted, running from the room and dragging Yuki with her. The Headmaster wailed and hung on to Zero for comfort.
Yuki struggled to keep up and harshly dug her feet into the ground. Natsumi fell with a pained cry, as Yuki began to panic, "We left Zero!" She screamed, "We left him with Headmaster Cross!"
Natsumi laughed, "Yeah, isn't it brilliant!"
Yuki's head shook from side to side, again and again, as she kept glancing towards the front doors of the academy, "No! Natsumi! Not only will Zero kill the headmaster, but then he'll come for us too!"
Natsumi's laughter sub-sided and she quickly got to her feet and listened for any sign of the headmaster's murder. Everything was silent. Yuki shivered, "You don't really think he'll come and get us, do you?" Natsumi asked her anxiously. Yuki nodded a little, confirming Natsumi's fears, "Oh, Yuki… We should probably run." After that comment she did just that, leaving Yuki by the fountain. Zero's tall figure was exiting the front entrance doors and although Natsumi was usually very brave, she knew that when Zero was angry one should avoid him at all costs. As such, she ran for dear life.
She heard Yuki scream and shout. Natsumi hesitated once she reached the night dorm gates. There were fan girls everywhere. She hated their job, but it was after all their duty to protect the secret of Cross Academy. Zero wouldn't skin her alive if there were innocent human witnesses around.
Natsumi gave a grateful sigh of relief. 'Yes,' she smugly thought to herself, 'I'm safe until sundown. Thank you fan girls!'
Pushing through the throng of teenagers that were much taller than herself, Natsumi jumped to the front of the gates and forced the roaring crowd further away.
"Okay!" She shouted, "Return to your dorms immediately! It is after six o'clock. Curfew has passed and you're all breaking the rules!"
As per usual no one listened to her. She was about to start dragging girls to their dorm rooms when a savior sprang up to center stage.
"Leave."
They scrambled around like headless chickens. Now only the most daring fan girls were left. Zero took a step towards them with a glare that could freeze the sun itself. A few gasped, whilst others let out small screams or loud scoffs. Yuki came to Natsumi's side and whispered to her sister, "You may want to avoid him for the rest of the night."
Natsumi jumped in surprise, as she stared at Yuki. Her hair was muddled and filthy. Yuki's clothes were in such disarray that even the fan girls were gawking with disgust and confusion. "Yuki…?" Natsumi gestured at the muck that caked Yuki's shirt and legs.
"He tackled me." Yuki's voice quivered a little, as though she were experiencing the entire moment all over again in her mind.
Natsumi's mouth fell open a little before she shook the shock away and chuckled, "I guess you're no longer his favorite if he's willing to tackle you to the ground!" Natsumi howled with laughter, as Yuki attempted to brush her fingers through a few strands.
Yuki's sad and terrified look suddenly morphed into a sneaky, yet excited, expression. "He might actually return your feelings then!" She loudly erupted.
Natsumi furiously blushed. She grabbed Yuki's tattered arm, insisting, "Be quiet! Do you want the whole world to know who I like? Huh?"
Yuki giggled and said with a defiant smile, "You're not denying that you're in love with Zero then?" Blush deepening, as embarrassment set in, Natsumi turned her back to the minx and concentrated on keeping the fan girls at bay.
The gates opened and the Night Class trailed through beautifully. Natsumi sighed when she caught sight of Zero leaning against the wall that held up the magnificent gates. The girls did not dare disobey him. It was like he could put up a wall of his own in seconds and no one would cross through it with or without his blessing. Zero was impenetrable.
"Ah!" Natsumi screeched, "Aidou! You baka!" She shoved him to the ground and stomped her foot, crossing her arms in anger. "Why would you do something like that?"
"I just wanted to hug my best friend." He whined.
'How can he be so pitiful and still keep up that graceful look?' Natsumi idly wondered, as she apologized to him.
"I will be seeing you soon then, yes?" He politely asked, as he brushed off some of his supporters.
Natsumi joyfully shook her head and told him with a smile that could rival Ichijou's, "No! My father says you can't come out to play anymore."
Kain pushed his cousin further along the pathway, "Kaname's watching you. My apologies Cross-san, but we should go."
She glanced at the pure blood that was smothering Yuki with attention and then subtly nodded to Kain. Despite understanding her head bowed, disappointment oozing from her body. Suddenly, Natsumi seemed to recover and cheerfully laughed, as Aidou struggled in his cousin's grasp. "I'll see you both and Rima tomorrow then!" She exclaimed, waving them off.
Aidou sighed, "Fine." Pulling himself from Kain's grip, he skipped off into his crowd of admirers. Shaking his head, Kain soon followed after awaiting a grumpy Ruka who scowled stonily at Natsumi on her way by.
Shrugging at the vampire uncertainly, she was about to wander back to Yuki when she heard a voice call her name.
'Uh oh.' Natsumi thought with dread, as she slowly turned round. She found Zero was almost within reach of her.
"Can't talk right now Zero, I'm busy!" She shouted with grin, fleeing the area and heading for the main building to begin guard duty.
Creak… Creak… clu-chunk!
"Damn!" He swore, as Natsumi threw herself out a window, "Natsumi! Get back here!" Zero shouted out to her from in the dark and dusty corridor. She kept running towards the gates of the academy where a car seemed to be pulling up. "Natsumi…" Zero mumbled, perplexed by the idea of her potentially ordering a taxi just to keep out of his way.
Leaning over, hands on her knees, Natsumi inhaled as much oxygen as possible into her lungs. It was a long run from the main building to the entrance gates. She looked back to be sure that Zero was not following her, but once she turned to face the gates she screamed and flinched away.
Before her very eyes… was Zero?!
She took a few steps back and then a few more, as he took a step towards her. "No! St-stay back!" she shouted, pointing her finger at him, "Okay!" she pouted, "I give up! You want to punish me, fine! Before you do though… I'm sorry Zero. I'm really, really sorry." She finished pathetically with her hands together, begging for forgiveness.
She closed her eyes in anticipation and fell to her knees in the mud.
It was silent for a few minutes and Natsumi began to wonder if he was ever going to get it over with. However, just as she was about to open her eyes to see if Zero was still even stood before her, she felt a kiss. A soft and quick kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. Thinking this was actually Zero, she squealed and jumped back. Her bottom hit the ground with a thud and she leaned back on her hands to look up at the face hovering above her.
Blinking she opened her mouth once, twice. Natsumi had no idea what to say to him. She began to frown, noticing that his hair was longer than she thought it had been twenty minutes ago… and he was… smiling down at her.
She suddenly gasped and shouted in his face, "Zero doesn't smile! You are an impostor!" She was fiercely pointing at him. The imposter chuckled at her.
"I am Zero's younger brother, Ichiru. It is lovely to meet you."
"Natsumi Cross." She bluntly replied. He smiled at her again, as her puzzled expression gave with to pure shock. With wide doe-like eyes Natsumi queried, "Zero has a brother? I know so little." She frowned and pouted before a deep shade of red overran the pores of her cheeks. She hollered, "You kissed me!"
Ichiru gave a short laugh, as he offered her his hand. "How could I resist?" He pulled her to her feet and asked her softly, "Would you by any chance be able to take me to Headmaster Cross? I am planning on attending this academy and need to speak with him." As Natusmi bit her lower lip uncertainly, Ichiru hastily added, "I have an appointment."
Natsumi gently nodded and took one of his bags, "Sure."
Bang!
"How could you keep this from me?" He roared with malice, "And you!" he shouted, looking towards Natsumi, "What were you thinking? Oh, wait you probably weren't, were you?!"
"My own brother!" He bellowed at the Headmaster again.
Headmaster Cross shook in his seat, as Yuki attempted to stop Natsumi from hitting Zero across the head. "I thought it would be a nice surprise?" She screeched, face taught with distaste, "I thought you'd like to see your brother again. Hell, you didn't even tell me you had one!"
Zero's glare intensified, as he looked back at her. "How long have you been speaking with him?" he asked with a low foreboding tone.
Natsumi looked away from him and mumbled incoherently.
"Well!" He yelled, "How long?"
She winced, eyes unable to meet his piercing lilac gaze, "Three days…"
He gave a choked laugh. He bowed his head, staring at the floor. "Of course," he murmured, letting out a louder laugh that tasted bitter to her ears. "He kisses you and you take his side. You like him." Zero pushes.
Yuki's mouth fell open, resembling a fish out of water. Natsumi closed her eyes tightly and her fists shook. "No." she hoarsely whispered. Headmaster Cross silently watched on, quietly munching on a chocolate bar and mentally sympathizing with his children.
"Of course you would like him Natsumi," Zero stoically said, as he looked at her, "You haven't been here for half the year, being on that trip to Iceland. You didn't see what happened the night of the Valentine's Day dance." She frowned with bewilderment. "You have no idea, because I've never told you anything. I tell Yuki, not you." Tears overbanked her lower lids, meandering down her round cheeks. A throbbing pain brewed within her chest, as he continued, "Still, you kiss him… I hate you."
Natsumi covered her mouth with both hands, attempting to swallow the cry that threatened to erupt from her throat. Crying, she had enough courage to shout at him before quickly disappearing from the room, "I didn't kiss him! He kissed me! I thought he was you!"
Earlier that very day…
"Class I'd like you to welcome our new student Ichiru Kiryu." Yuki bolted upright, as his voice echoed around the room. She stared at him from her kneeling position on the floor until finally the teacher yelled at her, "Cross! Get in your seat and don't let me catch you coming in late again!" Yuki nodded hastily, dashing across the room and getting into her chair.
Ichiru sat by Natsumi, as Yuki was by Yori and Zero was always on his own by the window. However, Zero was not yet present in class.
Natsumi and Ichiru got along well and even worked together on the work. Eventually the door to their classroom creaked open and a very tired looking Zero walked in.
He halted almost immediately, as did Ichiru. Natsumi stared from one to the other. They seemed affixed with one another, both with impassive facets. Then Zero looked at her and his eyes quickly turned back to Ichiru's gaze and he glared menacingly. "Get away from her." Zero growled.
Natsumi sweat dropped and muttered to him, "Zero it's your brother. Don't worry, I thought he a clone at first too," She grabbed some of Ichiru's hair whilst tugging him closer to herself for a closer inspection, "But see," she said with a smile, "His hair is longer than yours."
Grinning wide at his elder brother's morbid expression, Ichiru smirked viciously, "Natsumi is the first friend I've made. I definitely won't be giving her up any time soon Zero," Zero glowered at him and his jaw tightened with anger, as Ichiru continued gleefully, "She's very beautiful." Ichiru clung onto Natsumi. She blushed, as he drew out suavely, "She's also a good kisser." Natsumi gasped with a reddening face and swatted him away.
She looked at Zero with wide eyes. The disturbed expression that grew on his visage made her feel as though she had been caught doing something unforgivable to a lover.
"You've both kissed?" Zero asked, pointedly looking her in the eyes for mental confirmation.
Natsumi averted her gaze, but eventually nodded with a wince as Ichiru hugged her. "Quite a pair we'd make don't you think Zero?" Ichiru brightly probed.
Yuki and Yori were in hushed and hurried whispers, hoping for an opening where they could deny everything Ichiru said. However, the damage was done and their other classmates were already gossiping.
Zero turned his back and slammed the door behind himself. Natsumi pulled away from Ichiru and tried to muster up a glare or sneer. It was hopeless to do so. She felt so betrayed by him as a friend that all she muster was a sincere expression of pain, though that came off more likely as a constipated look.
Ichiru didn't say anything, but did offer her a comforting kiss on the cheek. Her lips trembled, as he pulled away from her. "Its things like that, that has gotten us into this mess." She harshly murmured, leaving the room.
To the present…
"Zero?" Natsumi ventured into his room, as the door opened with a tap of her hand. "Zero?" she hissed quietly, seeking his figure in the dark.
"Get out." She jumped and quickly turned around to face the door. He stood by the bathroom door, which was next to his bedroom door to the left.
Natsumi shook her head defiantly and strongly replied, "Not until we talk this through."
"There's nothing to talk about." He said. She lowered her gaze and bowed her head with shame that was not truly hers to hold. "He kissed me the night he arrived."
"I know…"
She frowned and quickly darted at him, pushing him into the wall. Zero let out a grunt, but whether it was of pain or annoyance, she'd never know. "Then why aren't we talking? What is it that you want from me?" she cried out, eyes moistening and voice cracking slightly.
He watched her trembling figure with curiosity, questioning, "What did you mean when you said you thought he was me?"
She stopped the tears, mortification making its way onto her face, "I - well - I, umm, I… When he was in front of me I thought you had caught me. I didn't want that! I fell though and he was there. He," Natsumi frowned, she had been wondering why Ichiru had kissed her for the past few days, "I expected you to punish me for leaving you to deal with my father earlier that day, but instead I was kissed. I didn't realize until after that it wasn't you… but I guess a big part of me wished that it was." she finished in a whisper, staring into his lilac eyes.
Zero stared back for a few moments until finally he seemed to make up his mind. He took his hand and forced her closer to himself, also wrapping an arm around her waist so that there was no escaping his firm grasp. Looking into her stunned wide eyes, Zero inquired, "Is it really me you want?" Natsumi nodded without thinking. Zero immediately leaned in and kissed her.
They were up until six in the morning the next day. The pair talked, napped and kissed under the moonlight that flitted between the slit of Zero's curtains. They spoke mostly about their younger years, before they knew one another and Natsumi had never known so much about Zero. She was immensely glad though, to finally know.
Natsumi and Zero could finally understand one another properly.
