Phoenix Down – Zero
Chapter 3: And Slowly, Descending
Hi guys, here is the 3rd Chapter. I hope you'll like it.
Please note that I made some changes in the previous chapter, in that I moved the Chairman's appearance here instead. The timeline wouldn't have fit otherwise as I found out the twins are, in fact, one year older than Yuuki in canon.
Aside from that, nothing much happens in this chapter, really...it's more of a filler honestly, but it's necessary nonetheless. I hope you'll like it all the same!
Many thanks to all the new people who read, followed and favourited my story and to those who came back to read my second, and now third, chapters as well. Special thanks to LottieBeast ; ben4kevin ; Aki-Kuma ; KanameXZero ; Tsumujikaze Yumi ; StepOnLego14 and Blemm-chan for your reviews and encouraging words.
KanamexZero, as you're a Guest I'll leave your reply here: Thank you very much for your compliments and for leaving your opinion on my cover! I'm glad you like how I'm developing my Zero and my writing style. About the main pairing, at the moment I'm inclined to leave it at KanamexZero, with an ambiguous Zero&Ichiru relationship on the side, if this puts your mind at ease any. I hope you'll keep reading and sending your comments!
Well, that's all I had to say. I'll leave you to the real story now, and please R&R!
CO– VK –OD
After the Incident things turned back to normal, the only visible change being Yagari-Shishou's cool new eyepatch.
As testimony to his superior hunter skills, the man adapted swiftly to the perception shift the loss of an eye brought and resumed their training the moment he'd healed enough. As promised before, they had finally progressed on to more advanced studies, like starting on the basics of weapon handling and combat and more intense hand-to-hand sessions, together with harder physical conditioning.
Alongside their harsher physical training, they'd also progressed on the theory front. Seeing their intelligence, their Master had already started them on the theory behind spells – which was utterly fascinating to Zero as, thanks to his memories of Before, it sounded more like fiction reading than boring theory, and terribly 'cool' – and went on to teach them the intricacies of both Hunter and Vampire societies.
Contrary to the spell theory, this part interested Zero also because of necessity. Not only was he the son of a great lineage of Vampire Hunters and a Hunter-to-be himself but, if he didn't manage to change anything, in the close future he'll become part of Vampire society as well. Some of that information could potentially save his life one day and sure, he knew some of the main parts already, thanks to his memories of Before, but nothing about the inside-scenes mechanics and rules of both societies and there was a lot to learn.
His Other was particularly interested in the theoretic aspect as well. His curious nature made him want to know more about our world and the things they hunt while his frustrated and competitive side made him latch onto spell theory as hard as he could, reasoning they were the one thing he could do without his weak body getting in the way.
Their Master, seeing their interest and taking into consideration their sharp intellect, began to give them more detailed books and higher and more specific lectures on the subjects. At times like those, he really thanked whoever Up There had gifted them with higher than average minds in this life. Apparently, based on what their Master told them, it was partly due to them being pure-blooded Hunters: all their capacities, both physical and mental, were higher than normal as to be a match to their prey.
He wondered if the other factor was his reincarnation, somehow (like their brain adapting to the higher level of awareness or some other such thing) or if it were the same for canon Zero and Ichiru as well. They certainly seemed intelligent enough in the show.
(At times, he could almost swear his Other remembered as well. Some words, certain actions, a peculiar look at certain times… he wondered if something had effectively passed through to him. Not everything, just…things – It would made sense in truth, they were One after all, weren't they? – He wondered what he knew…)
In any case, since The Incident Zero threw himself even harder into their training. He'd vowed nobody would get hurt because of him ever again and was even more set on becoming stronger to protect his Other, now that they had seen with their own eyes what awaited them out there.
He gave his all in conditioning and hand-to-hand, never relenting, always pushing for more, and devoted himself to master all the weapons their Master presented them with. This was a part his Other enjoyed as well, as it did not stress his body out as much – at least for the moment.
They both had what looked like a natural talent for weapons in general, but each particularly favoured a different one. Zero found himself liking firearms more – the concentration and precision needed to aim correctly, the feeling of pulling the trigger, the satisfaction of seeing the bullet hit home, and the speed it all needed to be done at to be effective – he found them a challenge and enjoyed it immensely.
That their Master also used firearms was probably also a factor, due to the high respect and slight hero-worship he found himself feeling for the man. Not that he'll ever admit it of course. Contrary to their Master, however, he enjoyed smaller guns more.
Ichiru, on his end, favoured blades instead. It was beautiful to see him so graceful with a blade in his hands – he looked terribly elegant and deadly, it was a vision to see his frail body move in such a way. He was getting better and better every day, even with all the training sessions he had to skip due to his health.
They were working up to using them equally as good with both hands and Zero already could imagine how his Other would look like, locked in a deadly dance with a blade in each hand. He could almost see it. Their Master could as well if the proud and calculating glint in his eyes as he looked at him was anything to go by.
Ichiru was really dedicated to his blade training as well, practising all the times his body permitted him to, at times even when it didn't, hidden from others' sight. Zero knew, of course, but never said anything about it even knowing it could be bad for his health. He knew what brought it on, the frustration his Other felt with himself, and the need to prove he could be good at least at something.
He knew those feelings could – and probably would if he didn't manage to change anything – be more lethal to his Other than his frail health will ever be. Thus, he said nothing, choosing instead to look out for him in other ways. He always made sure to keep an eye on him on those days, supporting him silently from afar, reassuring himself he didn't collapse from the extra training and making sure he'd be there to catch him should he do.
He would always leave him things to find at the end. Nothing special, just little things like a water bottle, a pill of medicine when he forgot to take it, a towel, a favourite sweet when he did particularly well, simple things like that. His Other knew it was him of course but never said anything either, simply returning the favour when it was Zero who trained till collapsing.
Their Master knew what was going on as well, of course (could always tell when Ichiru or Zero practised outside their allotted training times) but limited himself to brief, well-aimed comments – like pointing out extensively how stressful going overboard could be for their bodies, even having the opposite effect and damaging them. At which point he usually gave them a look, making sure they looked out for each other. Not that there was any doubt they would in anybody's' mind.
Their parents started training them as well, teaching them of their family history in more details and teaching them about the spells the Kiryuu family was famous for: Warding Spells. It was apparently their speciality, in that only they could do some of the things their parents told them of. It was, Zero thought, really cool. His Other agreed as well.
Those, however, were about the only good things that year brought. Starting school and getting them in different classrooms was only the beginning of their parents' apparent strategy to separate them, it would seem. With the passing of October and of their 6th birthday, they apparently decided it was high time they both got separate rooms. They presented it as a birthday present, of course, trying to get them to see it on a positive light, having each a whole room all for themselves and all of that. Needless to say, they didn't buy into it and were less than pleased.
Ichiru was probably the one to manifest their discontent the most, his Other having always been the more expressive and outgoing of their Whole. Zero was not far behind however, with huge, pain filled eyes, an air of silent despondence and disappointed looks, along with his augmented closeness to his Other any time he could. As if making the best of the time they did have with each other, to survive the time they would be separated.
Not much different from what he was doing with those years he had left, truthfully. His Other was of course more than on board with it, being the one to initiate most of their contacts like usual and getting extensively clingy on those days.
Their parents looked on with comprehending tolerance at their behaviour, but Zero could not escape the feeling they were trying to get them to separate as soon as possible. After all, he could not forget what he saw in his memories of Before, where they had concluded their only solution was to separate them in the end. He could not help but think, perhaps unkindly, that they were already laying the ground down, now that it was starting to show their training wasn't seemingly doing anything for Ichiru's health. Hunters were practical people after all.
That night Ichiru snuck into Zero's bed once again. He always did that when they slept in the same room, even if they had different beds. Perhaps that was the reason their parents resorted to giving them different rooms, hoping it would change something. It didn't work, obviously. The separation and wait had been horrid, however.
Zero had been lying awake in wait. He hadn't been able to sleep at all, his body missing his Other's presence and his mind worrying over what was going on with him. If he was feeling well or had fallen sick or felt cold or lonely without anybody to curl up against like he always did. He certainly knew Zero did.
Thus, when he heard the soft footsteps outside his room and the slight creaking as the door opened, he simply looked at those mirrored lavender orbs, filled with apprehension and hesitation, before lifting the covers of his bed and inviting his Other in.
"Ichiru" he called out softly.
His Other didn't make him say anything more and immediately went up to his bed, getting in the space always left appositely for him and curling up into his side, a slight shiver passing along his frame.
Zero automatically tucked his Other in before curling his arms around his small form, pulling him closer. He felt them both relax almost instantly. He certainly felt better now he had his Other back in his arms, where he could make sure he was well, comfortable and happy.
"Nii-chan..." Ichiru breathed softly as he felt his Other's arms wrap around him, head laying on his chest.
"Sleep, I'm here now" Zero whispered back. He passed a hand through the soft tresses of his Other' silver hair, softly humming a melody at the beat of their Heart while Ichiru listened to it from his chest – he always did the same thing when his Other was sick or had trouble sleeping. It always calmed him.
(Can you hear it, Ichiru? Our Heart, beating exactly in sync. It's the proof we are One after all)
Ichiru let out a soft sigh of contentment, letting his Other's familiar voice and their heartbeat lull him to sleep in seconds.
Zero tightened his hold on his twin, looking him over once more to assure himself he was fine, before following him into sleep. A soft sigh echoing his Other's even as the melody slowly died on his lips.
Something good did come out of their birthday, however: Zero got a camera all of his own. It was the best gift ever, and he would have been eternally grateful to their parents if not for their enforced separation, but he put it to good use the next day anyway: a teary Ichiru was still a breath-taking Ichiru after all, and he needed the moral lift up.
He always brought it with him now, no matter where they went or the time of day. He even slept with it. One never knew when he would need it – his Other was always adorable after all, and the occasion to capture him could pop up at any time. Ichiru appeared a little disgruntled by their parent's encouragement of his twin's little obsession but was mostly resigned and exasperated.
"Nii-chan do you really have to do that now?!" an exasperated Ichiru exclaimed from where he lay on the ground, mud and leaves falling from his hair. They had been running around their grounds when he'd lost his footing on the slippery ground and fell down the wet slope. Autumn was just ending after all, and rainy days always made the ground muddy and difficult to trade.
Zero, of course, had immediately flung himself after his Other. However, after checking he hadn't hurt himself in any way, he'd not resisted taking a picture to immortalize his twin's adorable, flustered and pouting face, mud drippings and all. He cooed internally – his Otouto was so cute!
He briefly wondered if this made him slightly narcissistic but shock the thought away soon after. No matter how alike they were he could never compare to his Other's light.
"Of course," he replied calmly "I have to immortalize every moment of adorableness and Otouto is always adorable"
Ichiru flushed even more at his declaration, groaning embarrassedly as they heard their Master's chuckles from where he had come up behind them, checking to make sure nothing had happened.
"Nii-chan!"
Zero just took another picture.
A flustered, scowling and wet Ichiru was still an adorable Ichiru after all.
The internal memory was already more than half-full but he'll make sure to print all the pictures later on to free up space. He had many more pictures to take.
l
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Not much else of note happened that year, but at least his question of whether Yuuki had already been changed or not was finally answered that winter.
They had been playing in the snow under their Master' supervision, having a good week-long vacation from their training, for once, when someone unexpected had shown up.
It had taken Zero a while to jolt his memories, especially as he did not remember the man visiting them like that in canon, but once he opened his mouth every doubt disappeared: it was the Chairman, Kaien Cross, in person. The one who'll become his guardian in the not so distant future, should he not manage to change canon, somehow.
It took him barely five minutes in his presence to really understand why canon Zero found him so irritating in the manga. The man was just so…strange and obnoxious, he could not imagine spending a prolonged amount of time in his company. At the same time, however, he could not help but respect the man and think about how his fate would have differed had he devoured his Other in the womb like Cross had.
Listening to him ramble on about his life – In such a fragmented way Zero wouldn't have made head nor tail of it, had he not known beforehand – was a peculiar experience. So different from hearing or reading about it on paper. It hit something deep in him, perhaps especially so as he could feel his Other's presence beside him while listening to it. The man was still strange though, even if he did approve of his passion for taking pictures of his twin. Why he insisted for Zero to be in them as well, however, was a mystery to him.
As for Ichiru, he was simply exasperated another photo maniac had shown up.
The visit was brief in the grand scheme of things, Cross staying only a few hours before going back, but it gave him the information he needed – Yuuki was already living with him, thus her change and the Kuran's death had already happened. For a brief moment, Zero could not help but feel it was karma that Kuran's family was met with the same fate he'll reserve the Kiryuu, but he soon shock the thought away and returned to concentrating on his adorable twin. Those red, puffy cheeks and cute, fluffy clothes were just too much to ignore.
Time went on.
Aside from their hunter training, Zero had started (re)learning about music. He remembered playing a few instruments Before and recently he'd found some old instruments hidden away, probably some leftover of an old music room/family propriety since neither of his parents played.
He'd immediately started tending to them, making sure they were in good condition and tuned perfectly. With a bit of practice and concentration, he was sure he'll be able to replicate what he'd been able to do Before and then do it better. It seemed everything he did in this body came out better than it did Before after all.
Since they were little, and he'd regained enough control of his throat to at least hum, he'd always chanted Ichiru to sleep whenever he was troubled or scared or frustrated about something and he had come to love it. It was something he remembered his first mother doing when he was little and something that had remained with him even in this other life of his. He had wanted to offer the same comfort to his Other and something to remember him by once he almost inevitably left to live his life.
Now though he was thinking of teaching his Other to play as well. He was already frustrated enough with himself and his body. He knew that as the years went on and their parents became more and more discouraged and disappointed with his lacking progress and lack of bettering health, it would only become worse for him.
Zero knew that becoming a Hunter to make their parents and Master proud of him, making them recognize him, was his Other's most important objective right now. He wanted to prove to them he could do it, that he was good enough and that he wasn't a disappointment, they could love him as well.
He knew it was mostly all in Ichiru's head and that their parents and Master loved them both (his Master had a particularly soft spot for his Other, he knew – he fully approved) but it was also true that all of the Hunter society's expectations were pressing down on their parents, and theirs on him, making all three of them feel like Ichiru should do more, be more, was not good enough.
Zero hated it. There were so many other options for his Other: he was so smart and strong, no matter his health, he could be whatever he wanted. He hoped that maybe if he could teach his Other to play, for a start, he could make him see there were so many more things he could be good – perfect – at, he did not need to be the best Hunter, the world was so much bigger than that.
Zero knew he himself would be expected to take on the mantle when the time came, knew he could never get out of it even if he wanted to, but his Other had so many more options open for him. He could be anything. He was perfect after all. Maybe, if he could introduce him to other things he could – would – excel at, he'd not be as frustrated, as disappointed in himself.
Not that Zero wasn't certain he could become a perfect Hunter as well in time, and once his body got even a little better, but maybe he'd come to hate himself less (how can he hate himself he is so beautiful, so perfect, the better part, His Other). Would not be brought to such lows as to feel he had to lean on a murdering pureblood's help to feel better (so much pain, how could he let him suffer so much, too much, his fault, all his fault, always, unforgivable). He could only hope.
First, however, he had to familiarize himself with the instruments once more. He winced at the thought of getting back all the needed calluses, but he'd do it. He'll take care not to get too far ahead however. He wanted to learn alongside his brother after all, showing him there were other things they could excel together at, where he'll not be left behind. He'll always be better than him.
Settling with a concentrated frown, he got back to work.
l
O
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Zero looked despondently down at his Other half.
He hated to see him hurting like this, hating himself always a little more.
A month ago their Master, true to his memories, had finally presented them to another boy, his other student. He was a few years older than them, but Master said they were ahead enough in their training they were could train together. It only made sense to add him, giving all three of them more variety of opponents.
While Zero would never insult his twin enough to hold back against him in training (Never, why would he need to? He was so good when he could fight, after all, no matter his lower strenght or stamina) they were really One Whole and thus could mostly predict each other's movements. Not the best for training but it made them one hell of a team at least.
The new boy, Kaito (That's right, he remembered now), was cool enough on his own but terribly arrogant (He tried to hide it but Zero could see the hurt in his eyes. He wondered what caused it? That pain...He did not remember). It seems like he held a grudge of some kind against Ichiru, or perhaps Zero, as he never lost an opportunity to point how his Other supposedly dragged him down and how Zero was just too soft.
Sometimes his Other ignored him or retaliated (or Zero did it for him instead) but others the words got to him and he either feigned feeling sick or really got sick from the added stress.
Today was one of the latter cases.
Sighing inwardly, Zero made his way in, careful not to spill the plate in his hands. Before getting in though, he made sure to cancel all negative thoughts and worries from his face and Soul, knowing his twin hated it when he worried and angsted because of him. He'd hate himself even more for being the cause of it, exactly the same way Zero did, no matter if he had real fault for it or not.
Watching his Other turn around at his presence, as if sensing it (Of course, One, One Soul), he gave him a small smile and loving look.
"Ichiru" he called, radiating all the warmth he could to eclipse the worry at seeing his weakened form.
"Nii-san" was the raspy reply as Ichiru made to sit up.
"How is your fever?" he asked, lowering his tray on the bedside table and feeling his Other's temperature with his hand.
Ichiru smiled up at him, cradling Zero's hand within his.
"I'm fine onii-chan"
Zero frowned slightly, worry not appeased at all,
"Have you taken your medicine?"
"I'm better now that Zero is here"
Zero threw him a look. "Ichiru…"
His Other threw him a disgruntled look in reply but it soon changed into a resigned sigh after looking into his worried eyes.
"I'll take it before sleeping, promise"
Zero sighed as well.
"Ok" was all he said before turning to take back up the food tray.
"Here, for you. You haven't eaten anything all day" he scolded gently. Ichiru however barely heard him, eyes locked on the plate before them.
"Is that onii-chan's vegetable soup?"
"Of course, it is Ichiru's favourite"
His Other's genuine smile almost melted him then.
"Well, onii-chan's even better than mother's after all"
"Never as good as Ichiru's though"
His protest won him another brilliant smile from his Other before Zero began helping him settle.
They lapse in companionable silence for a while at that, each absorbed in their own thoughts as Ichiru kept eating. He was almost done when Zero noted his Other's mood worsening.
"Is the soup not good?", he asked, knowing it was not the case but still hoping nonetheless.
Ichiru did not reply immediately, not saying anything till he finished his soup. Then, lowering the plate, he finally spoke up.
"Nii-chan really is good at everything, ne? Even cooking. I wonder what I'm needed for, really. Wouldn't it have been better had Zero-nii been born alone?"
The words hit like lead in his stomach. It was not really the first time Ichiru had shown signs of frustration but never had he said such things before. Zero felt his cheerful and calm air fall as guilt and self-hate coursed through him. Without thinking of anything else, Zero threw himself at his Other half, engulfing him in a hug.
Ichiru let out a startled squeak as the two of them fell on the bed, empty soup plate falling forgotten to the floor in pieces.
"Don't ever say such things. Don't listen to Kaito, Ichiru is not useless. He just doesn't understand it, that Ichiru is the better one. Without Ichiru here, I would be nothing"
Zero felt Ichiru still for a moment, taken aback, before his small fingers curled into his shirt as he relaxed into him.
"Heh, Zero really is stupid. You are too kind nii-san, perhaps Kaito is right about you"
Tightening his arms around his Other, Zero's eyes filled with determination. He clenched the small form in his arms closer for a moment before loosening his hold enough to look into Ichiru's eyes. Staring deep into those beautiful lavender pools, he felt himself brim with determination.
"Otouto is not useless. You have so many things you can be the best at. I'll show you, come"
Not giving a surprised and curious Ichiru time to reply, Zero jumped down the bed before carefully picking up his Other in his arms, making sure no part of him touched the ground full of cutting ceramic pieces.
Perhaps it was time he showed Ichiru what he'd been doing in secret those past few weeks.
(Ichiru's indignant squeaks of protest, of course, went ignored all the way)
CO– VK –OD
The end for now!
How was it? Too boring? Should I have gone into more details about their training? And does anyone know any useful information about spells/charms in Vampire knight? I searched around but didn't really find much.