Chapter 03

What they left behind

When they reached the castle, they were able to feel the tension even before they took their first step inside the entrance, fear immediately sprang up inside his chest making his steps a little too fast. The castle was too quiet considering that they just returned back home. Ah that's right, he knows what's missing. It's the sound of hurried footsteps that were normally heard every time they go back home after a while. It's the sound of their children's speedy steps as they go welcome them home. He immediately searched for the familiar aura of their beloved children and panicked when he found none. None of the gentle and wonderful presence that never failed to take his fatigue or irritation away. It can't be, not again. He shot his husband a look, unable to utter a single sound, as something painfully squeezed his heart.

"Shhhh, Zero." It was the only sound Kaname managed as he also felt the same pain his mate is currently feeling but he refused to succumb to panic as it will not help them. Without a single more word, they ran fast deep inside the castle in record speed to the familiar presence to inquire about the whereabouts of their children.

"Ichiru!" He shouted the moment he entered the study where several of their friends are currently holding an intense meeting.

"Nii-san…" Ichiru breathed with relief but was immediately replaced with fear at the sight of his twin. He's a dead man, he just knows it. "I'm so sorry."

Those three words almost spelled Zero's death. God, what happened? "What the fuck? Where are thekids? Ichiru!" he repeated when his twin didn't respond.

"Nii-san, I didn't realize it…They snuck out… They were gone before I knew it. I had them searched for immediately as soon as I realized but Hana, Kain and Ruka are not back yet so… I still don't know what happened." He explained but didn't meet his brother's eyes. He felt so guilty at his failure to watch over the little ones.

Zero wasn't able to respond. His vision began to cloud as horrible suppositions began building up inside his mind. He wanted to scream and be angry with Ichiru but he also can't blame his twin. He knew those children. He watched over them and knew very well the little mischievousness lain beneath their sweet and obedient countenance. He admitted they could be a handful sometimes, not to him, but to those who will have the misfortune of watching over them. It was not the first time they snuck outside the castle without escort. It was their favorite play and though they were reprimanded several times, it was still repeated nonetheless. He can't blame them for that as well; he himself will not be locked down inside the walls of this castle no matter how many times his husband tried to. He will go out, whenever he wanted, to hunt. But still, not one of the reasons was enough to extinguish the frustration and anger he was currently feeling.

There have been too many, far too many attempts in kidnapping their children. People who wanted their powers and/or blood, those who were opposed to his and Kaname's union, those that are angry with him, Kaname, royalty or purebloods in general and the sickos who wanted to know more about the secret of the Suzaku's, purebloods' or hybrids' blood.

Reason was telling him that they'll be fine as they were trained enough to ward off any attack and to stand their fair chance in a fight as they are the strongest creatures in existence but his heart cannot rest and be given peace unless he can embrace his angels again. His husband hugged him tightly as he cooed him in an attempt to sooth his nerve-wrecked mind. He was calmed but only for a bit.

"Kaname, if something were to happen to them, I-…"

"Shhhhh, nothing will happen to them, trust me." The pureblood gently whispered to his ear.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because they're our children." He answered simply as he pulled away slightly to look at him, smiling despite being just as worried.

Before anything more was said, the hunter felt the presence of the three vampires sent out to search for their children. His heart sank as he felt only those three auras and without his little ones. His anxiety grew yet again.

"Kaname-sama, Zero-sama, you're back." It was Kain who greeted them first. He was followed by Hanabusa and Ruka.

"What news?" Kaname began, waving away pleasantries.

"Where are they? What did you find out?"

"Kaname-sama, we followed their lingering scent as far as the town. There were scents of about thirty other vampires, no doubt trying to kidnap them…" Zero paled at this but Kain immediately added "Though it's hard, please don't worry, we saw no evidence of a struggle. We followed until we found their scents ended at one point; inside an alley way and there was a single mark on the ground. There's a powerful residue of a spell and the lingering smell of the princess' blood." He held out his phone now reflecting an image, obviously taken using the very phone's camera, of a dark circular mark on the ground. No doubt from one of her spells. The pureblood smiled as he handed over the phone to his agitated hunter. He heard Zero sighed in relief.

The hunter wobbly went and flopped down on one of the couches inside the office where they were at. "I swear they'll be the death of me." He felt weak with relief.

"They unfortunately got your stubbornness." Kaname smiled down at his husband.

"Hmph." He didn't answer that, feeling too light to actually retaliate. He turned to his brother instead when he felt another aura approaching them. "Eh? You also called Yuki?"

"I called everyone. Argh, I feel like I aged a hundred more years because of them." Ichiru grumbled as he also slumped deep into an arm chair. His husband approached him with a glass of cold water in one hand, a small smile on his lips.

"Brother!" Yuki shouted as she entered the room, followed closely by her mate. "Where are they? What happened? Who was it this time? Don't worry, it's okay brother, we'll save them! I will personally search for them!" Then turning to Zero and snatching his hand "It's okay Zero, we'll find them." sincerity burning in her determined sienna eyes.

"Yuki, it's fine"

"What?! How can it be fine?!" Zero had to cover his ears as it was attacked by her shrill voice. Kaname simply handed her Akatsuki's phone. "Oh? Oh! So it was that time already! My, I almost forgot." She giggled, "I remember it now. They must be having fun then, no need to worry." She conceded as she recalled the jolly arrival of those five at Cross Academy one night. How wonderfully chaotic everything was. She smiled, "so your personal cupid was already there to help you, huh?" she smirked at her brother-in-law.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go away already, you're annoying." Zero crassly said as he turned his head away from Yuki.

"Wah? And this is what I get for all my pains and worry? Why you little-!" She huffed but mischievously grinned when she thought of something. She held out her hand and the stone adorning the ring of her pinky brightened as an album materialize on her hand. "I suddenly wanted to look at our old high school pictures, ne~, Darling?" turning to her mate who smiled lovingly at her.

Zero turned at this trying to snatch the album from her hands, scowling at Yuki. "I thought I told you to burn them?"

"Oh, Zero dear, they're your precious memories. Now, now, everything was in the past. Let's reminisce together and laugh at them." She suggested in a melodious voice, clearly having fun seeing the silverette's discomfort. Ha! That will teach you not to cross me, stupid Zero!

Zero groaned. He didn't want to be reminded. He caught sight of his husband's amusement, clearly sharing Yuki's interest in looking back on their pictures. Their memories.

The memories of the time he fell for his pureblood.

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