AN: Whoo!! Loving the support from all you readers! (Even the guest ones that I can't see) It encourages me to keep going! At first I thought nobody would read this because it was too predictable or something... so you guys proved me wrong!
Kai Hoshizuki: Thank you for your review! It warms my heart so much to know you're looking forward to reading more!
Now onto the story!!!!!
Ichiru glared daggers at the pair as soon as they walked through the apartment door, silently demanding an explanation for their late appearance.
Zero winced as soon as he got the full weight of Ichiru's glare.
"Zero, why did you go out by yourself, again?!" He demanded his older twin brother. Zero looked away, suddenly finding that the floor was very interesting to look at. "Me and Kaito-nii always tell you not to! You don't have to act like I'm going to drop dead at any second you know!" He angrily lectured his older brother.
Zero winced and looked up at Ichiru with a sad look.
He was always more sad about Ichiru's terminal illness than Ichiru himself. Ever since they found out, they worked twice as hard for his medication and monthly doctor visits.
So, most of the time they were flat broke.
Zero never gave up on his dreams, but they were like a second priority to him by now.
"I'm sorry Ichiru, this customer was going to pay a lot, and the medical bills were due..." he trailed off at the end of his apology. Ichiru started crying as soon as his brother finished explaining, he'd always felt useless compared to his older brothers, but he couldn't do anything about it.
He couldn't work because he was sickly, he couldn't even help them go grocery shopping because of his shit stamina.
"Zero... don't do that! You're making me cry..." He wailed to his older brother. Zero went to his side and gave him a hug without even blinking. Moments later Kaito joined in, and wrapped them both in his slightly bigger arms.
When Ichiru started calming down, he had to sit down because he was winded from pacing and worrying about his two brothers.
Kaito want to grab a cup of water and grab two sedatives for Ichiru, while Zero was apologizing to his brother for making him worry. Between Zero and Kaito, they both already secretly agreed to leave the rest of the details out until Ichiru was less stressed.
When Kaito returned from the kitchen, he gently placed the water in front of Ichiru.
Even though no one said anything, they were all worried for Ichiru. It was getting very close to the big one-seven after all.
But Ichiru would hate it if they pitied him, so they never said anything, and just simply enjoyed each other's company until they couldn't anymore.
That was the day-to-day routine of the Kiryuu's since Zero and Ichiru were just twelve.
"Zero-nii, can you make me some ramen?" Ichiru asked after taking his sedatives. Zero nodded and headed to the kithcen, he opened the pantry, but sighed again. "Sorry Ichiru, there's no more." He apologized to his younger brother. "Oh..." Ichiru replied a little disappointed, but Zero and Kaito picked up on this immediately.
"Actually, Zero I think I have some money left from yesterday, why don't you go get some?" He told Zero and extended his hand, which had about seven hundred yen in it. Zero eyed the money and pocketed it.
Zero could tell that Kaito was probably saving it for some coffee and cream, but decided to use it on Ichiru instead. It wasn't very much, but it was enough for Ichiru, and that's what mattered.
"Okay, and I'll bring bloody rose this time." He agreed and walked out the door, and mumbled a little "See you later..." to his brothers.
Kaito and Ichiru were both worried for Zero, just as much as they were worried about Ichiru. Because Zero wasn't letting himself live or have fun.
Ichiru just wished that when he turned seventeen and had to meet his maker, Zero would finally start living his life without carrying a dead weight like him.
Ichiru yawned softly.
"Tired?" Kaito asked his baby brother. Ichiru nodded sleepily and yawned again. Kaito smiled at the endearing display. He swung Ichiru's arm over his shoulder and headed to the only room in the apartment, where he would tuck in Ichiru and wish him good night.
Zero couldn't help but feel the need to hurry.
The store was closing in ten minutes and it was a six minute walk there. He started running, trying very hard to get there before it closed.
When Zero had to turn around the corner, he almost kicked the car right beside him when he saw the closed sign that hung on the door.
"Fuck!" Zero cursed at the store sign and unconsciously glared at it.
Zero ran up to the door and tried pulling it, but it was locked. He kicked the door childishly and huffed. One of the employees closing up the shop noticed this and rolled her eyes. She walked up to the door and tapped on the glass to get teens' attention.
"Hey kid!" She yellled at him in irritation. "The sign says closed!" She pointed at the sign and glared at him. He glared right back at her.
The glaring match went on for what felt like an eternity, until someone cleared their throat behind Zero.
Zero was getting ready to tell the person off, but the words died in his throat.
The man behind him had such a no nonsense look, that he couldn't help but gulp at how authoritive he looked. "Excuse me, but I'm in a hurry. My sister wants a slushie, badly." He told the lady behind the glass in a cool and deep voice, not saying anymore than necessary.
The woman nodded with a blush and in locked the door.
The stranger walked past Zero and into the store. Zero tried to follow, but the annoying employee held out her arm and stopped him. Zero clicked his tongue at her and rolled his eyes, "Look I'm just trying to get my brother some ramen!" He angrily informed her.
"No! No one is allowed after hours!" She barked at him. Zero was about to make another snappy remark at her, but the tall man spoke up first. "Excuse me... Mei? Why not just let..." he looked at Zero expectantly. "Zero..." he mumbled to the man. "Zero, get what he needs and go?" He finished. The woman looked at Zero with loathing and reluctantly nodded.
She stepped back and and back to the till to patiently wait for her buying customers.
Zero rolled his eyes and walked up to the man currently trying to choose a flavour of slushie. He raised his hand and tapped on the mans shoulder.
Said man turned around and looked down at the lilac eyed boy, secretly admiring how his silver hair and lilac eyes seemed to compliment each other.
"Yes?" He asked the teen in an expressionless voice. He could tell that the boy was trying very hard to be polite with him. So he was actually pretty impressed that he continued to talk at all. "I just wanted to say thank you..." he mumbled looking at the ground. The man actually almost smiled at his thank you. Not very many people thanked him for anything.
It felt nice. "Of course. By the way, my name is Kaname. It was nice meeting you." He greeted the bashful teen with a his trademark smile. Zero couldn't help but give a small smile back. He awkwardly waved bye and walked to the ramen isle in the convenience store.
The man watched him distractedly.
Something about him was intriguing and familiar.
It's almost like he already met him somewhere. But he already knew he didn't, after all, he was sure he'd remember someone named Zero.
Kaname decided to think about it later, after all Yuuki would get mad if he didn't bring her slushie.
Maybe he'd look into him later when he was bored and had some free time, but until then he'll just have to wonder why he looks so familiar...
Zero slightly shivered under the tall mans gaze.
He had a feeling that he was watching him for some odd reason, but just decided to get his ramen and go.
The silver haired teen walked to the till and started getting the money ready.
"Five hundred yen." The woman said in a bored expression, clearly not wanting to offer him any service, but complied anyway. Zero resisted the urge to childishly stick his tongue out at her, but instead grabbed the money and walked out the door.
Kaname, who was watching the whole thing, was highly amused at their interactions towards each other, but also longing to have that kind of relationship with someone without unquestionable obedience.
When he walked to the till, the woman gave him her best smile and told him that it was on the house for a Kuran. Kaname raised an eyebrow, but left and walked to his car parked outside.
He couldn't help but feel like he met Zero before, but he already knew he didn't. Something was nagging him, but he still couldn't put his finger on it...
AN: As promised, Kaname and Zero met in this chapter. And I'm not really sure how much yen you'd pay for ramen, so I just guessed. Please feel free to correct me.
PS I hope you see why Zero was desperate enough to become a drug dealer now.
Stay Lovely!
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