A/N: Hello hello it's been a while ( a really long while) and I apologize for updating so late. Recently I've been working two jobs and going to school full time so my time to write is currently very limited. I'm hoping after this chapter I'll be able to schedule out my time for working on this story better so I can update sooner but for right now I can't give anyone any promises. As I said, two jobs and fulltime school takes up a good 95% of my life and I still need to keep myself healthy and my household standing. So thank you all for your patience with me. I'd also like to note that a big reason it takes me so long to update is that I really want to make excellent work for you. I don't like half-assed writing, I don't like mistakes and even though there will probably always be some I don't catch (since I don't have a beta reader) I want to make it as good as I possibly can before I upload it to any website since it's my name and my reputation that I need to uphold.
Now for the logistics of this chapter. Most everyone that's responded to my request on the last chapter of dropping your favorite pairing has asked for a KaZe or ZeKa pairing which I think is totally fine. As you may have noticed that's mostly what I write. That being said, I am NOT declaring a specific pairing at this moment and the reason behind that is I just don't have enough written out for me to feel really confident in any of Zero's current relationships when it comes to romance. What I CAN promise is that it won't be a pairing including Yuki because I'm not a fan of her character. There will be Yuki bashing as is fairly normal and once again like in Actor there will be a few brother-like and parental-like relationships between Zero and a few of the characters that aren't just Touga and Kaien. Now that I've stopped blabbing let's get into the chapter. Enjoy!
*brief recap so the beginning makes sense*
Upon his arrival to the door of the headmaster's office, an infuriated Touga threw open the door before the vampire could read for the handle. The glare that was shot at him would have made most creatures leave at least a ten-foot radius between themselves and the veteran hunter, however to Kaname it only confirmed his suspicions that Zero was heading into something much larger than he was planning on letting anyone else know. As the beings passed one another Kaname could feel the hunter's magic sparking against his aura even breaking to his skin. Slipping into the room before the doors shut Kaname had the slight urge to rub his arm form the lingering feeling of magic but of course he resisted. Instead, he followed the hushed voices of Takamiya Kaito and headmaster Cross until he found who he was looking for. Without so much as a warning, Kaname announced his presence to the room giving Cross a look that demanded answers from the older ex-hunter. "I told you he'd show up sooner or later." Kaito clicked his tongue in irritation giving the vampire prince an annoyed look, Kaname could tell both he and Cross were tired and worried. He didn't think it would take much to break them down to get answers but it would come at a price for sure.
"Kaname-kun, a pleasure to see you this evening. I assume you are here concerning the recent events with a rogue hunter that attacked one of the day class students." Kaien was polite but his usual childish demeanor was gone, replaced by someone fare more tired and serious.
The Puppeteer
"Less so about the event itself, but I would like to know what exactly is going to be done about this. If enough time passes another student may become compromised. If it is one of the nobles the Council and myself will have to take charge." he was attempting to remain aware of Cross' state, but there was far too much on the line to simply take anything as an answer or solution.
"Damn vampire coming in here like he owns the place...tsk, all you bloodsuckers are the same. You only do what benefits you and you think about yourself first because the rest of us are lowly fucking scum right?!" Kaito flared up at the pureblood vampire. He knew well how Kuran toyed and played Zero for his benefit, now the silverette's life was on the line and all he cared to do was save his own ass and threaten the hunters with the idea of Council interference. Before Kaname had the chance to respond Kaito shoved his way past Cross and slammed the door leading to his personal room.
"You'll have to forgive him Kaname-kun, I believe he is still reeling from the news we were told earlier this evening and he is frustrated that there's nothing any of us can do about it. Much like Touga, worry and fear tend to only be shown through a vessel of anger. Please, sit down and we will talk." Kaien sighed, he understood where Kaito and Touga both were coming from, he too was worried as any parent would be.
"And what news would that be?" While he didn't intend to forgive the hunter for his actions it would be immature of him to lash out. Instead, he would use Kaito's behavior to get more information out of Cross.
"The threat coming to the academy has a name, it's a single hunter and he's far less of a threat to the school than he is to one particular student here." The ex-hunter began with a sigh that made it seem as though he visibly aged ten years before Kaname's eyes. "Zero plans to deal with him on his own, apparently the two have a long history." Cross added on.
"And you don't believe you should step in?" Kaname pressed further, even if there was the target there could still be collateral damage to other students.
"He won't let us, anyone, interfere with this. That goes for you as well, Kaname. This time we need to trust Zero on what he is doing, otherwise we risk endangering him even more." Kaien pointedly stated. Kaname was not one to stand by and let matters like this go. But Cross knew Zero needed to do this alone, his pride, his reputation and much more would suffer if there was someone else pulling the strings.
"He is facing a hunter, have you forgotten he is a level D vampire?" The pureblood voiced only to be met with silently raging eyes.
"He is a hunter first. And one of the best ones left in this country. I trust Zero to handle himself. He is not a raging child anymore Kaname, perhaps it is time you noticed more than just his vampire status. This is Zero's fight, not your chess game." The room fell silent as the two men stared at each other waiting for something to happen. Kaien rarely let his anger be seen by others but Zero was his son, Kaname was a student. If he could help it, he wouldn't allow the vampire to interfere with the situation at hand. He was a hunter long past his prime but influence and his word could still end up as law. "My son's life is in danger and there's nothing I can do, but I will protect him as best I can." The man spoke again eventually with more emotion than Kaname had ever seen storming in his eyes. Not feeling is was his place to oppose the emotional tsunami waiting to pour out of Cross, the vampire prince nodded.
"I will respect your wishes." He voiced before giving the ex-hunter a nod and making his leave. As the door clicked shut Cross sank in his chair.
'Kami, whatever happens, please don't let this turn into a bloodbath.' He prayed. He could still hear the voices of Zero's parents sometimes, asking him to protect their children should something happen to them. Three children were put into Cross' care, though one openly chose a different path, Ichiru was gone and Zero was on the verge of joining more than once. According to him, parenting was something he clearly wasn't cut out to do.
Takuma was the first to be notified about a sudden immediate meeting Kaname ordered his inner circle to attend. "What in Kami are we going to discuss in the middle of the day." The sleepy blond whispered to no one as he made his way to the bathroom. After he woke Shiki and knocked on the door to Aido and Kain's room the two made their way to the pureblood's study.
"Kaname-sama." They chorused upon entering. Eventually they were joined by the rest of the small circle, with the exception of Seiren, and the group stood at attention waiting for their lord to speak.
"Due to the information I received from Cross about the rogue hunter attack I have a task for all of you." He started off but continued before anyone spoke. "Seiren is off collecting information on this rogue hunter, once she returns Takuma and Shiki I want you to go to Kiryuu and find out what the connection is between them. Aido, Kain, I want you to keep tabs on Yuuki. She is associated with Kiryuu and may become a target. Rima and Ruka, keep an eye on Cross. He doesn't want anyone to interfere and if he gets word of the night class doing anything there will be trouble. This goes for Touga and Kaito as well. That's all for now, I expect a decent report from all of you by the end of the week." Kaname ordered out to his nobles.
"Yes Kaname-sama." Came the chorused response before they were dismissed back to their rooms.
'Even if I am not playing Zero this time, it is still a game Cross-san.' The prince mused in his own chambers. As long as there was potential danger at the academy Kaname would be pulling strings.
"Do you really think he'll just talk? I mean it doesn't seem like an issue we should get involved in..." Shiki mumbled looking over the reports Seiren had given them early following morning.
"I believe Kiryuu-kun made it clear he doesn't wish for any of this to go public. We will be lucky if he doesn't kick us out immediately." Takuma sighed, of all the tasks Kaname had handed out, this one seemed to be the least thought out. Zero wasn't one to ask for help even when he truly needed it, much less likely was he going to inform vampires of his history with this hunter, Usaki Iori. "But we can't go against what Kaname requested, let's just hope we come away with something to report on." Usually he was optimistic at least if not positive he could complete Kaname's tasks, but when it came to Zero or anything surrounding the boy things got complicated.
"You can't be serious, how many of you are going to stick your fangs in something you know nothing about?!" Kaito barked at the nobles from the doorway.
"Kaname-sama asked us to-" Takuma started but was cut off when a sword tip reached his throat. 'If I was a normal vampire I wouldn't have been able to see his draw. Takamiya-kun must be quite worried about the situation. He doesn't want anyone getting close to Kiryuu-kun right now.' Before the blond could say anything however Shiki, to the surprise of the other two, stepped in.
"Because Zero's life is in danger. That's why we're here. Hunter or not he is still under Kuran protection. Let us through to see him." Takuma blinked at his normally stoic friend. It was unlike Shiki to lie his way into a situation, but he supposed if Kaito believed it they would be in the clear of the hunter's wrath at least.
"Fine. But if you vampires endanger him more, consider yourselves dead." The hunter closed his eyes and sheathed his sword once again before walking off in the direction of the gates. Takuma sighed and gave Shiki a smile, that wasn't returned with more than a blank stare and slight nod, as the two passed through the sun dorms to Zero's room.
A/N: It's been a long time since I updated and I'm honestly sorry about that, I do plan to update regularly from now on I just can't give a specific time frame this time. I do hope you all enjoy this chapter, even though it's not as long as I would have hoped and it took a literal month for me to get out. Unfortunately, and if you were with me while in the middle of writing 'Actor' or 'Not Yet' you probably noticed this, I have a bad habit of my first few updates of a new story going depressingly slow. It will stop I promise, I rarely abandon a story and I like the possibilities this one has, but I ask you to be patient with me for the first few chapters until this thing really gets rolling. Once again thank you, for sticking with me and I hope to see you again soon! Again, your reviews and comments are greatly appreciated, I will respond to all the questions or suggestions I can via private message or review replies as long as you're not in a guest account because I can't reply to those.