A/N: I was amazed that so many people liked the story! Thank you so much for your support!
You should so totally read up on the legend of Kaguya-hime. (The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter) There's a summary on Wikipedia. It's been my favorite Japanese legend since the second Inuyasha movie came out (The Castle Beyond The Looking Glass).
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter. And I have no idea who wrote it. I am also in no way an expert in writing.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
The whiff was so small that Shizuka herself wouldn't have noticed, if she weren't distinctly looking for it.
Zero and Kaname had forged a blood bond.
Sure, she had taken advantage of their naivety, but that bond would protect Zero... and probably improve Kaname's writing, the poor, sheltered child. If Shizuka could help it, that would change soon. If his heart remained small, then he wouldn't be able to serve his people as King. It was up to Zero to coax emotions out of him, and Kaname's innocence to any sort of intimate contact would probably frustrate him into making a move. His heart would soon heal.
"Asato-san, what do you think about sending Kaname to school once the winter break is over?" she asked, flipping her long silvery hair as they walked through the cold forest near the mansion.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
The lingering blood in the hallway had to be cleaned with a rag soaked in straight bleach before being thrown directly into the fireplace. A window was opened for noxious fumes to be swept away with the wind. Kaname wondered whether Shizuka or Asato could smell the blood, before deciding that he didn't care--it was his blood to give, and he had chosen to do so to the ex-human.
He turned back to Zero, who was still cradling the scorched manuscript closely, flipping through the pages with a forlorn expression set upon his features.
That nut was obsessed with books of any form.
"Your room is through here." Kaname motioned with a nod at a door near his fireplace.
"I'm not going to live in your closet." Zero frowned at the insane pureblood, looking up from his writing. "Even if yours might be a walk in."
"Are you sure that you aren't in a closet for knowing about walk-in's?"
"Are you calling me gay for having a superior knowledge about something like home floor plans?" Zero asked, raising a brow. "Sorry to disappoint, but that doesn't make me gay, just well read or educated, though both can go hand in hand. Like this," he demonstrated, bouncing slightly on the mattress he was sitting on. "Sure, we know it's a bed, but if you write about it and put bed, then it isn't very descriptive, especially when your version of a bed may differ from another person's. This happens to be a king-size four poster."
"There's more than one type of bed?" Kaname asked, stunned. "I thought they were all like that one, I've never seen any other kind before."
"You must have been very spoiled as a kid. Of course there's more than one type of bed! Some are smaller than this, they're singles, doubles, queen-sized, in all sorts of different styles too. The same goes for anything you can imagine, from things like hair, syntax when a character is speaking, all the way to types of needles. I noticed you had problems with description in your literature. Describe this." he said, patting the bed sheet.
"A red blanket."
"Boring!" Zero rolled his eyes. "I mean, if you call it that every once in a while it's fine, but this is a ruby duvet. You can say the color if it's being looked at, or, if someone is waking up in the bed, you don't have to describe the color right away, since they wouldn't see anything with their eyes closed. You could call it a silk bedspread. Then again, some authors don't even go as far to describe things like that, though I prefer more detail."
The ex-human rose from the bed, crossing the dim carpet to Kaname's side over the threshold to their joined rooms.
"How well read are you?" he asked, examining his plain room in disinterest.
It was the mirror image of the room behind him, except there was only a four poster of his own sitting there. No bookshelves, no desk, no lamp on the single nightstand for late night reading. That would most definitely have to be fixed.
"I read quite a bit. I self educate. I know a lot of this and that, am well spoken to an extent, but when it comes to paper, my thoughts fly away, they race far too quickly for me to grasp and write down in little more than grade school shorthand."
"Then you'll need a computer, preferably a laptop with a keyboard that matches your hand size so you have an easier time with typing. Too big and you'll take forever, too small and you'll end up pressing a million keys at once."
"Writing takes a lot, doesn't it?"
"Of course. It's a labor of love, for most people. Some write for fun, but a lot of them hold high hopes that they can publish something one day."
"How many?" Kaname asked, engrossed in the conversation.
"Well, probably more than three fourths." Zero said thoughtfully, becoming more comfortable talking with the pureblood when the subject was about books and writing. "If one reads for a long enough time, they'll eventually begin to believe that they could write their own stories. There are a few of them who can pull it off, but the rest of them are better off as fans of reading. How educated are you?" he inquired, wanting to get a feel for where he stood before covering any unnecessary topics.
"Fairly well. I've had a few tutors here and there, but English isn't exactly my strongest point, writing wise."
"I saw." he chuckled. "If we're going to be stuck together, then I can help you out some. I may be published, but I'm no expert. That's why I have Shizuka editing for me, she has a doctorates in literature and the English language." Zero hesitated, unsure as to whether to reveal a piece of personal information about himself. "Sometimes, kids who like to read a lot will self-narrate from first or third person. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I did that for a few months. However, as weird as it sounds, it was helpful."
"Self-narrate? You lost me there." Kaname was drawing a blank, and Zero could tell.
"I'll demonstrate." he said.
"Zero trudged wearily to the pink four poster in his new room and sat heavily on the mattress. He could feel the starched sheets crinkle beneath his jeans as he heard the springs creak from the added weight and continuous disuse. For a moment he wondered whether or not the bed was dust free, since it looked as if no one had been there in a while. With a quick sweep of his hand, he checked the cool silk for any debris, deciding that it was safe to lie down when his hand came up clean.
"He let himself fall back before remembering that Kaname was still in the room with him. Zero turned his head minimally, silver tresses falling in disarray over his mauve eyes. He noticed how the brunette gazed at him in amusement, full lips tilting up at the corners. A ghost of a returning smile passed over his own mouth before he scowled, turning over to show the back of his dark dress shirt to the haughty jerk, a warmth creeping across his cheeks once he realized that he was still narrating out loud."
"That was pretty good, but it would be a pain in the ass to write, let alone read."
"Not if you're a seasoned writer, then it comes a bit more naturally. If you're just starting out, you have to remind yourself here and there to apply as many senses to the scene that you can." Zero explained, half-turning back to to the pureblood. "Do you read with all five senses?" he asked, blinking back to him.
"I thought that you wrote with all five senses." Kaname said, beginning to get confused.
"You can do both." he said, turning back around to face him, hating his girlish features. "When you read a book, with or without plenty of stimulus, is it like there's a movie playing in your head?"
Kaname considered the question for a moment, taking too long for Zero's liking.
"Okay, have you read the legend of Kaguya Hime?"
"The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter? Yes."
"Have you read a version without pictures?"
"Yes."
"Good, now it wasn't very descriptive in most parts, but when you read it, were you able to imagine how beautiful she was with her hair that 'shone like gold'? Or how her eyes filled with tears as she gazed upon the full moon?"
"Yeah. I get what you're saying." Kaname nodded, leaning against the bed.
"Good. Some people can't do that. What is this place anyway?" Zero asked, looking around the flowery room.
"It was meant for someone, but due to certain circumstances, we couldn't live together." Kaname muttered, obviously uncomfortable.
"Ah, so have you lived here long?" he changed the subject, not wanting to pry into the pureblood's personal life, just as he didn't want his dug up past what little of his childhood he was willing to reveal.
"I don't want to talk about them." he muttered, looking away.
Zero winced, feeling as if he kept stepping on land mines.
"You... also mentioned that you wanted me to teach you how to love." he started, trying to avoid stepping on any toes. "Is that to help your writing?"
"It is, since I don't have any first hand experience myself."
"You're better off." Zero murmured. "Though I know quite a few people who would beg to differ. More experience, what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger, all that crap."
"I take it that you're not very fond of lady love."
"She's only been a whore to me, though I'd rather not think about it..."
"But you will be teaching me how to love, right?" Kaname asked, peering down to the ex-human's face.
"Just tell me what you want to write and I'll do the scenes for you. We'll call it a co-write and make millions, because I'm not up to reliving the pain long enough to teach and explain as thoroughly as you would need." Zero looked up to the pureblood. "Why don't you just get a girlfriend?"
"Because, women only want one thing from me."
"You sound like a woman." he laughed, turning over so that his back faced Kaname. "So you think learning from a man would be more sincere?"
"There would be much less of a risk of growing attached if my partner's a male."
"Much less or none at all?"
"Much less. As they say, you never know."
"Well I'd like to find 'they' and ask them what they've been smoking, because that is most definitely not true."
"Does that mean you'll teach me?"
"... We'll see. Let's just get to know each other first. You want to learn to love from scratch, for the type of novel you're writing, so an instantaneous relationship jumping straight into the physical would hurt more than help. Of course, we're talking about writing." he cautioned.
"Wait, are you saying that we'll be acting out the roles of the characters? Or was that just my assumption?"
"You assumed correctly. The brain thinks up the plot, ideas, characters, and the writer becomes the medium. The words flow from the mind through the body through the pen onto the paper, or in your case very soon, from your fingertips to the keys to the screen. A part of that character is living inside you, and you'll have to pull them out, you'll have to become that character for the brief few moments or minutes that you're writing their lines and persona in general."
"Man, writing in general is a pain in the ass, huh?"
"It is," Zero nodded, agreeing. "But when you get fans that can relate, or if they felt something when reading your story, whether it touched their heart or they learned a lesson from you, it's all very satisfying to know that you connected personally with your reader for even a moment in time. That is a writer's true pride. That is my pride. And, it should be yours, otherwise you shouldn't be writing."
Kaname nodded, truly understanding what Zero was saying. The reason he wanted to learn to love was to be able to improve his writing so he could relate to his audience better. He wanted them to be able to relate to the struggles of his characters, and have them learn through them as well. He didn't have all of the answers, but he did have an endearing story he wanted to share with the world, somewhere within him. It's just yet to be born was all.
"Huh, I talked entirely too much. I get a little excited when it comes to writing and books... and teaching... So... what's my first lesson?" Zero asked.
"Your first lesson is about a pureblood's blood. It's protected by law, and we are the only ones who can decide who will drink from us. Anyone attacking us for our blood, we're allowed to kill if we so desire." Kaname muttered, rubbing his wrist, which was still healed, yet still stung from Zero's bite.
He could feel the ex-human stiffen besides him, possibly in fear, but something was telling him it was out of surprise.
"Is that so?" he said softly, rolling his eyes. "Well, feel free to dispose of me as you see fit."
"Just like that?"
"Law is law, and I respect that, to a certain point. Not that I actually care whether I live or die. Shizuka-san is an excellent teacher, she can help you with your writing."
"So you say you don't care," Kaname mused, fingers creeping up along Zero's collar to grasp at the tense flesh of his neck. "whether you live or die, yet here you are, resisting my touch."
"Because I still don't like your face."
"And just what is it about my face that you don't like?"
"Everything. For example, your chestnut hair, and the way it's wavy, how it doesn't curl, or is completely straight." Zero started, reaching a hand up to brush along the tips of his soft hair.
His fingers combed through the dark strands, parting them softly here and there, trying to decide which way would look best and frame his face.
"I don't like how it smells of roses mingled with your own indescribable scent, or your high cheekbones that make you look so haughty when you smile." he continued, digits tracing over his temple to skirt across his cheeks, fingers feeling, appreciating the bone structure.
Zero furrowed his brow as he noticed the smooth, bumpless texture of his skin. For someone who would one day be king, he sure was stress free.
"I don't like the fact that your ivory skin is so feminine and soft, that and how full your lips are." he laughed, fingers skating down to play with the outline of the pureblood's mouth.
The warmth of Kaname's breath breezed over Zero's fingers, moistening them as he pressed them gently against the heated skin. The pureblood could feel the desire to root emerge again, his lips pressing back against the digits in seemingly small kisses of it's own accord. He could feel his eyes glow dully with the craving blood lust that manifested because of the intimate contact, drawing the ex-human's eyes to his own.
What was Zero doing to him?
"But, the thing I can't stand the most," he whispered, voice growing softer. "is how your eyes remind me of the sweetest chocolate mixed with the most savory of blood. That, the fringe of lashes protecting those precious eyes... It's all so detestable..."
Zero sat up, Kaname's hand still loosely around his neck. He looked into those sweet, steady eyes, hand sweeping over his jawbone, fingers pushing his hair back with it, leaving the entire left side of Kaname's face and neck bare. As he drew closer, Kaname could see that Zero was no longer staring at him, but through him.
"I really can't stand it, y..." Zero breathed, focusing on the pureblood in front of him before lowering his head. "Sorry. I get carried away with descriptions, but it's not only descriptions that will make a story. Without a drop of emotion, it's just visuals on paper. I've always thought of romance novelists as reapers, of sorts. We aim to collect your hearts, to draw deep emotions from you so that you invest your heart into our work, just like we've given our hearts for you. Some writers lay bare their souls, and I put all of myself into my writing, and so I've become a rather emotional person. My apologies for creating an awkward atmosphere."
"You're dangerous." Kaname said softly.
"I guess I am." Zero shrugged, withdrawing his hand and heat from Kaname's hair and neck. "So kill me now." he said, his own hand covering the one Kaname still had loosely around his neck.
"And melodramatic." he smirked.
"Hey, I write romances, I write parts for both women and men. I'd have to be able to somewhat understand the opposite sex to some degree if I wanted to write accurately."
"But you remember what it's like to be a man, right?" Kaname teased. "About raw power, and sex, and the hunt."
"No, I haven't forgotten about those. I have two heads, but only enough blood for one of them to rule at a time."
"So which one is ruling now?" he asked out of pure curiosity.
"...I don't even have enough blood to operate one, thanks to you."
"I may not know a whole lot about romance, but I could tell from when I sucked your blood that you found it enjoyable."
"Of course it was, purebloods have endorphins in their blood to make their prey feel ecstasy when they drink, so they more willingly donate. It's supposed to be the next best thing to sex."
"How much do you know about that?" Kaname inquired, lifting a brow.
"I read up on whatever I'm curious about. My editor-slash-publisher is also a pureblood, so I've been told about a few things."
"So what about sex, how much of that do you know about?"
Zero's eye twitched.
"Not that much." he admitted, figuring that Kaname got whoever he wanted. "My hands are the most I've felt, and I don't really care if I'm still a virgin. How many women have you had?" he added bitterly.
"I haven't had anyone, contrary to popular belief. There isn't anyone around that I would like to spend eternity with. If I mate, I want it to be for life. It's hard for purebloods, you know? We can have anyone we like, just about, and that leaves the door open for more than one world of possibilities. Shizuka fell in love with a human, and while some turn a blind eye to that, others constantly give her a hard time because of her choice. They don't see Jiro as someone who could be useful in vampire society, even though she turned him into a vampire, society still looks down on them both because it's such an extreme opposition of class.
"Then there are those in vampire society that want to use the purebloods for the power we hold and represent. Of the people I've met superficially, all of them want a piece of me somehow. That's how vampire society works. From the moment I became virile, father's would introduce me to their daughters, no matter how old they were. They would bring me children and older women. Husbands sometimes introduced me to their wives and their sisters, mothers... Older women would shower me in compliments and request for us to spend time together, in hopes of seducing me into giving them a child."
"That sounds disgusting." Zero frowned, feeling sorry for the pureblood.
"It was." Kaname nodded as he remembered the countless parties he was whored off to. "It was exhausting, so I stopped going altogether by the time I turned fifteen, and I haven't been out of this mansion in the past three, four years? I feel like a hikikomori."
"You really need my help, don't you?" Zero laughed in disbelief.
"I still have to learn how one would feel around someone they like."
"You know nothing about that?"
"Not a thing." Kaname shook his head.
"...Describe what you're feeling right now."
Kaname blushed, his hand involuntarily squeezing tighter around Zero's neck. He probably didn't even realize that he was doing either.
"Confused would be the most prominent of my emotions at the moment."
"About?" Zero prompted.
"Emotions in general, intimate ones, rather than anger, or stoicism, or indifference."
"And your instincts, what are they telling you right now?" Zero breathed, suddenly noticing how the space between them had decreased drastically over the course of the conversation.
"To remove your glasses." Kaname murmured, using his free hand to pluck them off of his face.
The world bent again once the lenses were removed from Zero's eyes. In the slight, slight blur the world took on, Kaname's face changed with it, suddenly looking less feminine, and much easier to appreciate without similarities...
"Then I suppose I'll first have to teach you about attraction, and make you aware of it." he smirked. "Honestly, you're like an adult when it comes to politics and hidden intentions, but you're just like a kid when it comes to love."
"You're here to help me grow up."
"And you're here to help me integrate into your society. Let's not forget that." Zero said, squeezing Kaname's hand. "Because I made a promise that I intend to keep."
"A promise?" the pureblood whispered.
"What the hell are you doing to my son?"
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
A/N: I'm thinking I made them too close, too fast. now I need a rift. :(
Reviews: Please and Thank you!
