A/N: This is my first attempt at a Vampire knight FF and I must say I really was not expecting the response I got. Thank you for the reviews and PM's and apparently the crap ton of followings lol I really was not expecting that. Oh and thank you to someone for reminding that I did indeed forgot to put a few things in the summary, it has been fixed. Now the story has time skipped 6 years, enter the shattering.
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Chapter I The Shattering
The day started out with Kaname picking Zero up for them to spend the day together. They had walked around town for a good part of the morning before Kaname led Zero to a house way out in the outskirts of town. It belonged to the Kuran family and was very rarely used now a days. They talked for a couple hours, discussing everything from everyday things to what was going on with the Senate.
"I don't understand why they are so concerned with our courting process? They aren't the ones that are going to be taken, why are they so worried." Kaname had Zero sitting on his lap on the couch with his arms securely around his silver haired love's waist.
"From what Rido had explained, times are far more different now than back in my day...damn that sounded old...anyway, the Senate has had problems with any sort of arranged marriage having fallen through. I do not think they realize that we are not separating unless one of us dies. Though just marking you would bring the point across."
"Marking me?" Zero looked back into Kaname's wine colored eyes with a little worry. 'That means we have to...' Zero blushed.
"Yes. Marking you would let them know you and I are not going anywhere. All it takes is me to bite the right way and its done. The only thing is you will be turned and I do not know how you feel about being a vampire."Zero blushed harder, he was relieved that it would not be happening too soon.
"It wouldn't matter. We're pretty much inseparable now." Kaname stared hard at Zero. Trying to find some ounce of uncertainty.
"When it comes down to physically claiming you, I assure you that when the day comes I will make sure that you feel as little pain as possible. Though right now I would not have you worry about that"
Zero nodded. He leaned in and kissed Kaname. Something they had recently been doing in the past three years. Kaname deepened the kiss causing Zero to moan. He pulled away and gazed at Zero's swollen lips as his eyes glowed red and his fangs lengthened a little more. "I cannot promise this will not hurt but it will be worth it in the end" Kaname laced his fingers through Zero silver hair and gently pulled Zero's head back to reveal his neck a little better. Kaname kissed and licked Zero's neck before sinking his teeth into the soft skin.
Zero's eyes widened and he begin to struggle slightly. His natural reaction was to scream but Kaname had moved his hand from his hair to cover his mouth. After a few seconds Zero relaxed and realized that he was starting to feel weak and sleepy. He saw Kaname pull away, blood dripping from his lips. Licking up the last traces of Zero's blood, Kaname lifted his own wrist and bit into it. Be began to draw a good amount of his own blood before he pulled his wrist away. Leaning back down toward Zero, Kaname kissed the young hunter again and making the teen open his mouth. Zero rebelled at first before he managed to calm himself down enough to drink. This was not what he was expecting and for it to happen, then something the Senate had said or threatened was far more worse than what Kaname was willing to let Zero know. Zero started to feel stronger but he still felt sleepy. His gums ached and the coppery taste of Kaname's blood started to taste more like cinnamon and sweet sugar and honey from the rolls they had that morning for breakfast. The blood had already been drank but they refused to pull a part. The kiss felt different now and Zero could tell. He felt more connected to Kaname and mentally he could feel the overwhelming presence that was now his mate by right. Finally pulling away, Kaname and Zero stared at each other for a few minutes before Zero was the first to break the silence.
"There is something you are not telling me..."
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Zero could not stop smiling. They had been courting for 6 years and the feelings that he felt for Kaname in the beginning were not his own. Though in the time they had spent together and he had gotten to know the pure blood better, Zero had found himself falling in love with him. The same went with Kaname. He had resolved that Zero was nothing like Rei, who was callous at most times and harsh, Zero was truly too softhearted for that and stood by Kaname's side against every obstacle that the Senate threw his way. Today though was more special than any other. It was their anniversary and they had shared the whole day together alone and not to mention that Kaname had done what was unexpected. He bit Zero. It was painful, from what Kaname saw as he drank Zero's blood. The young hunter had tensed and nearly cried out. They had been talking about it from quite sometime, though the anticipation of the marking made Zero feel uneasy, also considering the constant interference from the Senate and now the Association. Kaname's marking of Zero was more a secret right now between Zero and himself. Kaname was going to let the Senate and Association stress over 'the lack of progress with their courting' for a little while longer. The sweet taste of Zero's blood was something Kaname would never forget and the memories he saw from it was Zero's own and not of Rei's. Something Kaname was very glad for. Ever since they began courting the nightmares Zero faced had subsided some and the random flashes of memory came not so often. Kaname recalled a night where he lay next to Zero as he slept. He had allowed his mind to wonder as he looked about his beloved's bedroom. His mental wondering had been cut short when Zero let out a heart shattering scream and began to sob. Kaname's heart had felt as though it stopped as Zero fought against him. Kaname had been able to awaken Zero from his nightmare with the help from Zero's father. Heart heavy, Kaname did what he swore to himself he would never do to Zero. Holding Zero close as he sobbed, Kaname began to lock away the memory of Rei's death. When Zero relaxed a little Kaname then began slowly locking away some other memories until Zero fully relaxed. Zero's parents told him he had done the right thing but Kaname felt as though he had done Zero wrong. He prolonged the inevitable and he felt horrible for it. It was something Zero did not know, yet.
"I'm getting a headache Kaname. This link you explained earlier, does it also mean I can hear your thoughts and sense your feelings?" Kaname looked over at Zero and smiled.
"Yes and when the link is left open on a constant basis it makes us stronger as a couple, allowing us to pull from each other or aid each other no matter the distance. Why?"
"I see. Well then if that is the case you must either be thinking to hard or too much is going through your mind at once. I have not been able to pin what exactly is on your mind because you jump from thought to thought. It's giving me a headache and your overloading my head." Zero rubbed his temple and closed his eyes. He had not a single thought of his own for the past hour and his headache was starting to feel more like a migraine. "I don't see how we can keep this a secret. My family along with yours will notice the change in us and...UGH! Can you please stop thinking for a few minutes and allow me to get my thoughts!"
"My apologies. I need to get used to being linked again."
"Obviously" Zero laughed though it hurt his head. "How about we start simple?" They had found their way into a park not far from Zero's home and had found a secluded bench to sit on.
"Alright, like what?" Kaname watched as a smile spread across Zero's face. Kaname was always so formal with nearly everyone else, but he was more relaxed when he was with Zero.
"Let's start with organizing your thoughts." The look Zero got made him laugh hard. Kaname's face portrayed the look of 'Good luck, you're asking the impossible.'
"If you had not noticed, that is quite impossible." Zero rolled his eyes, making Kaname quirk and eyebrow.
"Of course it is very possible" Zero stared into doubtful eyes. "Don't give me that look! You need to have more faith in yourself!"
"And how do you suppose we 'organize' my thoughts?"
"For example" Zero leaned in and kissed Kaname. Zero's migraine immediately subsided till the pain was gone. 'It worked. He just needs to focus.' They kissed for a bit before Zero pulled away.
"I believe I missed your point." Zero laughed, he had thought as much.
"Well, I'm glad to know you focus when we kiss" Zero watched as realization crossed Kaname's face before disappearing. "When you grab onto a thought, focus on that one thought. Don't allow yourself to get carried away with all the side thoughts that come with it. Focus on the main thought and this would work a whole lot more easier and you will be a whole lot less stressed out. A calm mind makes a calmer you. And maybe I can actually get your attention one of these days through our new link without screaming over your mental clutter."
"I have lived for years beyond yours and not once have I even considered doing what you suggest. You truly are brilliant." Zero rolled his eyes again making Kaname chuckle.
"No, just resourceful."
"Now how about you help me practice focusing" Kaname leaned in for another kiss.
"Now I know you realize that sounded corny." Kaname chuckled again and nuzzled the side of Zero's neck.
"I am sorry for hurting you. How is it by the way?" Zero touched his bandaged neck where Kaname's bite marks resided. He had to admit that turning his head or moving his head at all brought pain.
"It still hurts a little. I can still feel your fangs though." Zero shuttered as Kaname gently pressed where the bite marks were with his fingers.
"You'll get used to that. The bite had to be deeper to keep it from healing when you start turning. It's to mark you as mine." Zero blushed and looked away, embarrassed. "What's the matter?"
"I'm not truly yours till we..."
"Ah, don't worry so much about that right now. Didn't I tell you that earlier? When we're a little more older and your ready we will be mated in body as well. Until then do not let the thought frighten you now."
"Alright" In truth Zero could not stop thinking about it. It was what he had been trying to think about since they had started walking. Zero looked around at their surroundings. The Sakura blossom's were in full bloom considering the time of year. 'I'm sure Kaname has something to do with that' Zero heard a sound of confirmation in his mind before turning his attention to the growing amount of birds staring at them from the ground.
"Zero, can I ask you something?" Kaname followed Zero's gaze to the ground where a good amount of birds where hopping around the front of their feet.
"Why the birds are staring at us, thinking we have food?" He heard Kaname chuckle, he shifted forward slightly and the birds hopped back a little but kept their staring. They watched Kaname a little more wearily to make sure the vampire wasn't going to move again.
"No, though they are rather hilarious. It's about Ichiru." Zero had a feeling that the subject was going to come up sooner or later. Unlike his brotherly relationship with Kaname's sister Yuuki, Kaname was not so lucky when it came to Ichiru. Zero's twin brother had done everything in his power to keep Kaname at a distance. He rarely said anything to the pure blood and whenever Kaname made an attempt at being a brother to Ichiru it ended in a horrible argument, which also ended with Ichiru running to his room in tears and locking himself up in it. Zero would have thought by now that Ichiru learned that no matter how hard he tried, no insult he conjured up would phase Kaname enough to lose control.
"I believe there is really nothing we can do about it Kaname. I have tried time and time again to get him to tell me why he hates you so much and each and every time I do talk to him, he comes at me and father has to pull us apart." Zero felt Kaname's disapproval through their link and frowned. "I keep trying to get him to open up but it is like he does not want anything to do with me or anyone anymore."
"When we last spoke before today Zero, you said that Ichiru had received a letter from the doctor and one from the Association. What..." Zero waved a hand as if dismissing the subject but Kaname knew his mate well enough to know better.
"Those letters are part of the problem. The one from the family doctor was about his health. Though it has improved some it is not enough for him to even start his hunter training regardless of how old he is. The letter from the Association was about other positions within the Association itself that they offer for hunters like Ichiru. They also stated that even if his health improves within the next three months, he is a liability and they cannot risk his health to dramatically drop once he starts training. He seems to hate me now." Zero felt nothing at the moment and that was how he felt. Nothing. He felt no sympathy for Ichiru though he often wondered why. The last part Zero had told Kaname was more of an after thought. He really did not mean to say it out loud.
"There has to be something the doctor found that would make the Association call Ichiru a liability." He watched as Zero frowned. He hated seeing Zero like this but he knew the turmoil between the twins was getting worse. It was beginning to get to the point one did not have to be a vampire to sense it.
"I wish I knew my love but he has all but completely stopped talking to me. For right now he knows I'm a hunter and I'm engaged to the vampire's pure blood prince. Pick which one he's more pissed off about. Now a days it feels like he just barely tolerates me." Kaname wrapped an arm around Zero's shoulder's and pulled him closer.
"I would take a guess both. I'm sorry Zero but I am going to have to stop trying to make peace with your brother. There are far more stressful things to worry about than his petty hatred." Zero was going to inquire what Kaname meant when all of a sudden Zero's surroundings around him melted away. In his minds eyes he saw Ichiru and a pure blood vampire that Kaname and Rido had warned Zero to stay away from. Without say a word Zero got up and bolted toward his house when it came into the vision in a flash along with his parents. He heard Kaname call out after him and then he felt his fiance reach out in his mind. Without a second thought and not entirely caring at the moment Zero opened their link wide open and the vision cycled through the link to Kaname. Zero was nearly to his house when he heard Kaname in his mind. His pure blood mate was shouting at him to stay away from the house and wait till he got there. Zero ignored him and kept going when a flash of sight showed Zero a goo amount of blood splattered across the floor and walls of a room. He felt Kaname catching up but he had already reached the house and there she stood. Shizuka was her name and Kaname and Rido had warned Zero about her. Her engagement to Rido was arranged by the Senate, something Rido was not proud of. He told Zero that she was very dangerous and held a deep hatred for Zero's family. Zero caught a glimpse of silver behind her and noticed that Ichiru had ducked down behind her.
"Let my brother go." She smiled wickedly and before Zero knew it she was behind him.
"Hm, I do not follow the demands of a young hunter or anyone for that matter. I'll make sure you suffer for a while before I make you my pet." She tore off Zero's neck bandage and stopped when she saw the two deep puncture marks in his neck and an all too familiar scent hit her. "You've been marked! ARGH!" Anger consuming her she raised her hand for a killing blow when a hand shot out and stopped her.
"I will not allow you to harm my mate." Zero caught sight of Kaname as Shizuka threw him to the side. He had seen Kaname angry before but not like this. The pure bloods eyes glowed a dark red, his fangs protruded from behind his lips, nails sharpened slightly and Zero noticed Shizuka slowly falling to her knees. Fear mixed with anger made her eyes glow a bright red.
"You! He's yours!?" Kaname snarled at her before grabbing her by the neck. She had done the one thing that set Kaname off. He was not going to lose his mate again.
"I will not allow you to take away my family, my future from a lonely eternal existence." Zero watched as Kaname stared right into Shizuka's eyes. She began to flinch and scream.
"Kaname! Zero!" It was Rido and Zero could sense Haruka and Juri with him along with Yuuki. Their approaching presence was enough to snap Kaname out of it and distract him enough for Shizuka to claw at his wrist. Kaname let go and Shizuka jumped away from the ancient and landed at the front door step.
"I'll make sure I get my revenge and make that little hunter of your my pet. AS for you Kaname Kuran, I will make sure you taste the bitter flavor of pain and loss. You will know how I suffered!" The winter wind blew freshly falling snow and she was gone. Yuuki was the first to get to Zero, her worried face stared up at him. A single thought crossed Kaname's mind at that moment 'I already know how you suffered'
"Kaname, what happened? I sensed Shizuka and we came as soon as we could." Rido was the first to talk and he had Kaname's full attention. For now. While he talked to Rido Kaname was trying to nudge his link with Zero open. Zero seemed to have figured out how their link works and had effectively shut Kaname out.
"ZERO! NO! WAIT!" It was too late, Zero had already entered the house. Kaname was close behind when he sensed the teen's movement and when Zero reached the kitchen before Kaname had, what Zero saw in that brief second flashed in Kaname's mind for Zero had let the link slip open again. The pure blood wrapped a protective arm across his mate's chest from behind and quickly clasped his other hand over his beloved's eyes. The damage was already done but Kaname wanted to prevent Zero from seeing what remained of his parents scattered across the house any longer than he really needed to, and he really did not need to in the first place.
"Kaname..." Zero shuddered slightly, feeling the cold that was absolute death. He could feel himself beginning to crack.
"No Zero. You don't need to see this." Kaname felt Zero begin to shake. He heard something odd through their link. It sounded as if something was cracking.
"But what if..." Kaname buried his face in Zero's neck. The smell of blood was beginning to set him off and the cracking noise was becoming louder and frequent.
"No my love. There is no one left." Kaname felt Zero cry through their link more so than if he would have been looking into his beloved mate's eyes. "I'm so sorry"
"Why...why are you sorry?" Zero's voice sounded far off and it made Kaname look at him, worried that his mate was starting to break.
"Because this will strain everything we worked so hard for. You don't deserve this." Kaname felt Zero lean against him and he braced himself in case Zero collapsed. The crcking sounded like gladd but Kaname began to realize exactly what it was.
"Please...I don't want to be here anymore...Ichiru...he...he did this..." Kaname heard the crack in Zero's voice and gently lead his mate out of what was now a slaughter house. 'It's no longer a home. She destroyed everything. There is no warmth left in that house. Just the familiar coldness of death. She will pay for this. They will all pay for this. I will personally make sure Ichiru gets it worse than Shizuka herself.' Kaname kept that thought to himself, he did not want his mate to know that Kaname was already planning out hi revenge. As they moved back over the threshold to the outside world, Kaname heard it loud and clear through their forming link between each other. Gasping, he moved his hand away from Zero's eyes and fully caught his mate.
At that very moment, when they stepped foot out of the house, the stress of being marked and the pressures from the Senate and Association and the tragic slaughtering of his family, Zero could not stop what Kaname had so desperately tried to prevent long before he locked away the nightmarish memories of Rei. The sound was deafening to Kaname and holding Zero close Kaname could do nothing but listen.
Zero's heart, soul, and mind shattered.
