A/N: Surprised? Yeah, I am as well. I can hardly believe how soon this update actually came out. But now I have to warn you about the next one in advance. Because of one HUGE pile of assignments and reports and homework I MUST do for Uni, I have to put aside my writing for at least two to three weeks. It's killing me to do so, and I'll probably still be sneaking here and there and use any opportunity I can get to add a line or two into the new chapter, but all in all, I seriously plan to concentrate on my studies for a few weeks. And I'm sorry, but I can't really apologize for that *bows deeply*
As always, I thank you for all your reviews and adds. They have been such an inspiration, and I truly appreciate each and every one of them.
Disclamer and warnings are still the same. Hope you'll enjoy this brand new chapter! :D
Chapter 4: White Lilies
It had taken him a lot of time and even more courage to make up his mind and come here. At long last, after all these years...
Yet it was still hard to do it, to be in this place – so much harder than he had imagined. He had no idea how he should act and what he should say. He couldn't even lift his eyes and take a look at them, let alone actually greet them properly. Maybe he was just being stupid, like he knew he must have been all this time, but... he couldn't help it, couldn't bring himself to do what he should, what he wanted to do and what he had come here for.
And so like that, a few hours had already passed by since he had arrived. He never moved from his position and simply kept standing there, staring at the ground unseeingly with a small nervous frown and barely visible pained expression on his features, a bouquet resting in his arms, pressed to his chest gently.
It wasn't until another short while that Zero lifted his gaze slowly, hesitantly, and focused it on the tombstone in front of him, his eyes immediately falling on the names that were carved there – the names of his parents. The silver-haired boy and now soon-to-be teen stared at the syllables silently for a few moments, images of familiar, precious features of both his mother and father making its way into his unprotected mind. It wasn't long before they were replaced with a flood of memories – of everything, every little and insignificant detail and event that they had experienced together, when they still were a happy family. And he couldn't help but feel a sharp pang of guilt and sadness, his eyes involuntarily beginning to sting from overwhelming emotions. His fingers tightened slightly, and the boy's gaze turned to the flowers in his hands, somewhat surprised, as if he just remembered that he had them with him.
Lavender orbs blinked, and without thinking much, Zero lowered himself and put the bouquet on the grave like he knew he was supposed to do – it had been, after all, purchased for this and none other purpose in the first place. Otherwise he would have hardly bought white lilies. For personally, although he liked the way they looked and deemed them beautiful, he thought their scent was... a bit funny, at least for his liking. But he remembered well that those were the flowers his late mother had favored most, so he had chosen them right away, without any hesitation.
He didn't get up after that, deciding to stay in his sitting position now that he had finally made the first move. He guessed he should also...talk to them, after these few hours of complete silence, and after all this time of not visiting them – and he wanted to too, but nothing came to his mind. He opened his mouth a couple of times, but no sound left him, because he didn't know what to say, and where to start from. His head was just suddenly empty of any ideas and thoughts, and all he could do was simply sit there, staring ahead of him at their names on the tombstone, before his watery eyes shifted down. Tears spilled from them the next instant of their own accord, but Zero made no attempt to stop their flow, either not really noticing or simply not caring.
Quiet sobs kept falling from pale lips, filling the absolute silence of the graveyard, sounding loud and clear in it. It wasn't until another while that the boy spoke, his voice raspy and shaking.
"Mom...Dad..." Zero's form was trembling as he wept quietly, unable to stop and calm down now that the sadness, guilt and regret he had kept locked up in himself these two and a half years had come to the surface.
"I-..." he inhaled sharply and unevenly, small whimpers escaping him, "I'm sorry," he breathed out almost inaudibly, his fingers clutching at the fabric of his pants tightly, "I'm sorry..."
Shaking shoulders slumped even more than previously, head bowing further to the point where neither Zero's closed eyes nor his face itself could be seen. Soft sobs kept raking his small form as he sat there, continuing to whisper hushed apologies.
Eventually though, the boy's voice faded away altogether. And it wasn't too long before his whimpers quietened down a bit along with the shaking. For some more time, Zero stayed there, his vision blurry as he stared at his bent knees with puffy and reddened, slightly narrowed eyes, wet trails still on his cheeks and occasional teardrops slipping down every so often.
Silence took over the place once again after another while, the day was getting closer to its end and evening was approaching. It would be dark soon, and Zero knew he had to go back, because it was dangerous to wander in the night, especially alone. Not to mention the fact that Ichiru and Cross would definitely be worried, if they weren't already – his brother more so than his guardian.
He knew he needed to leave, but that, too, wasn't easy – just as coming here hadn't been either. So he stayed a little longer, still not speaking and not doing much other than looking at his parents' grave some more.
"...I miss you..." he uttered finally after another long period of silence, his words barely audible. "I miss you... so much..."
His gaze fell, and silver head bent a bit. Zero's form, that he hadn't until now been aware was tense, relaxed slightly, at long last, and he let out a shaky sigh.
"But I...I'm okay, really, and Ichiru..." the boy took in a deep breath, "he is fine too..." Even though he wasn't here with him. But Zero hadn't expected his twin to accompany him and come, due to obvious reasons. "So...you don't have to worry about us, everything is..." he didn't finish his sentence, trailing off. Pale fingers fumbled with each other feebly, sad amethyst orbs watching them blankly. The silver-haired boy stayed quiet for a few seconds, but then continued, a faint, barely visible smile tugging the corners of his pale lips up a bit, "You know uncle Cross, right?" He didn't receive an answer, but that was expected, so he wasn't discouraged in the slightest and simply continued after a moment, "He is nice. Really weird and kind of crazy, but not in a bad way... It's actually fun being around him, and he is good to us..."
"There is also Yuuki- it's his adopted daughter, she is one year younger than us, and they're really alike with uncle Cross – I would've never thought they weren't related," Zero's smile got more perceptible, now reaching his eyes as well. "Ichiru always teases her about...well, pretty much everything," he allowed a small chuckle to fall from his lips, remembering a few occurrences with his brother and the brunet girl, "and it's so much fun to watch the two of them..."
For another short while, the silver-haired boy lapsed into silence, still not lifting his gaze. Then Zero spoke again, his smile faltering briefly and voice dropping a little, "And there is Kaname... He is a pureblood, and Yuuki really likes him." Unlike Ichiru. "He used to visit a lot, but we haven't seen him for a while now..." For over a year actually. Zero guessed the pureblood was very busy. Which, while certainly upset Yuuki, pleased Ichiru just as much, if not more – for reasons the older Kiryuu twin still couldn't quite comprehend though.
"It's..." Zero's voice was nothing but a faint whisper now, "Everything is...alright..." Lilac eyes shifted to the white, bell-shaped flowers, thin fingers going to trace the cool surface of the plants slowly, thoughtfully, "Ichiru is healthy now, and it's much easier for him to train... Yagari-shishou even takes both of us with him on easier missions sometimes, to observe..."
He fell silent the next moment, but continued to caress one of the lilies softly, the movements of his digits slowing down gradually, before stopping altogether. The boy was motionless and it was quiet again. Zero's eyes stayed on the bouquet for some more time, and then went up slowly, stopping on the carved letters once more. Hesitantly, he raised his arm and reached for the tombstone, his fingers brushing over the names there gently. His smile widened a bit, but instead of making his expression look happier, it only did the opposite, as the boy seemed to be more in pain than he had been previously.
His eyes were watery again, and soft lips parted slightly to let the whispered words escape, "I have to go..."
It was late. Almost sunset already... And Ichiru must be worried sick by now.
"But I... I will come again." Very soon, and they wouldn't have to wait for so long this time around. "And will talk to you some more, I promise..."
At least he would try, and maybe he would even get a little better at it. And maybe, just maybe, he would actually get his twin to come here with him and visit them as well, some time in the future... Zero was certain their parents would have wanted that. No matter what. In spite of everything that had happened. At least he hoped so.
"I promise..."
-o-
It had been almost a year and a half. For some it may be long, but for him who literally had millenniums ahead of him it was actually supposed to be a rather short period of time, especially with how busy he had been all these months. The project they were working on with Cross took a lot of time and efforts, a lot of issues had had to be dealt with, so it was pretty much safe to say that he had hardly had any free minute to spend all this while, and not only because of their work on co-existence, but also due to some of the Vampire Council affairs that required his attention and involvement.
Which was why he hadn't seen neither Yuuki, nor the twins, and not even Cross this whole time. To his greatest regret, for he missed the lively, warm, joyful evenings he had spent at the ex-hunter's house dearly. He missed his precious girl, her smiles and laughter, and everything that she was. And not only her, even Cross with his antics, Ichiru with his indifference and cold treatment, and of course... Zero...
Not for the first time, Kaname felt his chest tighten at the thought of the boy. But he had long learned not to pay much attention to it. For it had occurred too many times by now for him to really mind it. So the brunet dismissed the odd sensation easily.
Yes, the young pureblood had missed the four, and he had yearned to visit that welcoming house every second of this long while. He had even planned to, more than once or twice, but every time something just came up and pulled him away from there again, and so half a year had gone by, and then a whole year, and then another few months, and he had hardly noticed. It was only now Kaname realized how much time had passed, how Yuuki and the twins must have grown again, and how a lot of things in their lives must have changed as well... Only now did the pureblood understand how he truly missed them and how much he longed to see them...
Which he had gotten the opportunity to do, at long last. And he was delighted and couldn't help the excitement he felt, although, as always, he concealed it quite well – his expression certainly didn't betray his true emotions.
And so, both thrilled and somewhat apprehensive, Kaname arrived at this desired destination that was Cross's living quarters. He could tell the blond man was genuinely surprised, but pleasantly so – that much was obvious from the ex-hunter's demeanor and the way he had greeted him warmly. Even from that little act of kindness and show of affection, the brunet was filled with happiness, and he couldn't help but anticipate seeing the younger members of the family all the more eagerly.
However, he was in for disappointment, because as it turned out, Yuuki wasn't present. She was currently staying at her school friend's house, so Kaname wouldn't be able to see her. Strangely enough, however, the pureblood wasn't as upset as he would have expected to be. And when he also sensed the two painfully familiar presences of Zero and Ichiru in the house, that disappointment seemed to have simply...disappeared altogether, only to be replaced with renewed expectation and...
A slight frown of concern and puzzlement marred Kaname's features as he made his way towards the kitchen, where he, as expected, found the older Kiryuu twin.
Zero was busy cooking. Which was a rather nostalgic picture for the pureblood, and one that he hadn't had the chance to witness for a while. He almost forgot how...calming, for some inexplicable reason, it was to watch the boy go about his chosen tasks, with unconscious grace and practiced ease, air of quiet tranquility around him. This time though...it wasn't quite there, at least not fully. It was evident that the silver-haired boy was troubled by something, even though it didn't show on the surface – his expression seemed rather calm, from what Kaname could see.
The brunet's frown deepened a little as he stood in the doorway, watching Zero silently, puzzled as to what had happened to disturb the older Kiryuu so. And now that he noticed... He was also perplexed by the absence of another twin, who, according to the pureblood's sharp senses, was currently occupying the boys' bedroom, which wasn't so close to the kitchen. It was more than unusual for Zero to be alone when his brother was wide awake – and Kaname could tell for sure he was – and anywhere in the vicinity. So it was no big wonder why the pureblood was, to say the least, a bit confused.
And a little disturbed, especially by the fact that the boy still didn't seem to have sensed him. Kaname was suppressing his aura again, habitually, yes, but it never prevented Zero from detecting his presence. The brunet couldn't help wondering what in the world...
"Zero-kun..." the pureblood spoke after a few more seconds of observing the silver-haired boy.
The older Kiryuu gave a small start at the sudden sound of still familiar voice, his movements stopping, and his head snapping up from the big bowl and the mixture he had been whisking there less than a moment ago. Surprise was evident in amethyst eyes when they met with burgundy ones, and for another short while that felt so much longer than it really was, it got quiet again and everything stilled. But soon the silence was broken again, by Zero this time around.
"Kaname...?" the boy asked, disbelief seeping into his tone.
The brunet couldn't help but smile lightly at the other's expression. A soft chuckle fell from his lips as he spoke, "Good evening, Zero-kun. It has been a while." Kaname stepped into the room fully and made his way towards the table, his hand was already on the back of one of the chairs, ready to pull it out for himself when he stopped and turned his attention to the younger boy once more to ask, "Do you mind if I join you?"
The response he received was a light shrug followed by a shake of the head. So, with another quiet chuckle escaping him, Kaname proceeded to sit down behind the table.
For a few moments, neither said a word, and Zero slowly returned to his task while the young pureblood watched his every motion. The boy had indeed grown, Kaname thought. He looked a bit taller, and somewhat more mature as well, although neither of the twins had ever been childish. But a part of the small hunter did seem to have changed to some extent, even his aura felt slightly different...
"How have you been, Zero-kun?" the brunet finally asked, lifting his gaze to look at the other's face. "How is Ichiru-kun?"
"Fine... We both are," the boy answered, not averting his attention from his current work. But his lavender orbs still found Kaname's garnet ones after a couple of seconds, curiosity dancing in them as Zero inquired, "Where have you been all this time? Yuuki really missed you, you know."
"Oh? Only Yuuki? And here I hoped you did too..." Kaname couldn't help but tease lightly, a shadow of an uncharacteristically sly smile appearing on his face as he gave the younger boy a pointed look. Zero's eyes widened comically at the brunet's last comment, his pale cheeks turning a light pink. The next second he recovered, but the pureblood still had managed to catch that small slip, and the corners of his lips went further up in amusement and, secretly, surprised joy at such an adorable reaction.
"Stupid pureblood..." Zero mumbled almost inaudibly. Was it actually a pout Kaname thought he heard in his tone? "You're too full of yourself." Yep, it definitely was. How unusual.
The pureblood failed to suppress another small chuckle, thus causing that up to now invisible pout to become more apparent on the boy's face.
"Is that so?"
He didn't receive any response, not even a nod, and Zero's attention didn't stray from his task, but the whisking the little hunter was currently performing positively got more vigorous.
Silence lingered around the room for another short while, during which Kaname's smile still refused to fade. It did only when he took a closer look at Zero.
First he thought it was just his imagination. Not only because the slight reddening of lilac hues was barely noticeable, but also due to the fact that Kaname couldn't think of anything that would cause the boy to...
Again, the brunet felt his chest tighten uncomfortably. But he ignored it this time around as well, the only thing showing that he was somehow affected was a faint frown of concern that had made its way on the pureblood's features briefly.
"Oh, that's right, you-" Zero started, his eyes shifting to Kaname once more, but he stopped mid-sentence, caught off guard to find the brunet's intent gaze on him. His movements ceased entirely, the hunter blinked confusedly before inquiring curiously, "What is it?"
"...No...it's nothing." Kaname closed his eyes for a moment, clearing his throat lightly, "I apologize."
Zero cast him a puzzled glance, and the pureblood continued, a small smile coming across his features, "What was it you wanted to ask me, Zero-kun?"
One light brow going up, the silver-haired boy stayed silent for a few seconds, before deciding to let it go and shrugging gently, "Do you want some tea or something?"
"Oh... Sure. A cup of tea would be great."
Zero gave a nod, then proceeded to make the brunet his drink of choice. Fragrance of caramel floated through the room after a minute, and Kaname inhaled unconsciously, a soft smile pulling the corners of his lips upwards.
Ah, he remembered that wonderful scent. And sometimes he could still recall the texture he had felt on his tongue the first time he had tried that drink. Oddly, it would be only the second time he would get to have caramel tea since their first encounter with the boy a few years back. It surely brought memories...
Kaname blinked. Then his gaze shifted to the little hunter standing at the counter, and he took in another deep breath, now paying more careful attention to the unfamiliar aroma lingering over the younger boy faintly. It was...unusual. And Kaname was certain he had smelled it in the past, but it definitely hadn't been a part of the older Kiryuu's scent before. The brunet raked through his brain, trying to pinpoint what that peculiar fragrance was, but came up with nothing. Which only served to pique his curiosity further, but he let it be, clueless as to how he should go and ask about it.
A cup and saucer along with a teaspoon were placed before him, and Kaname was hit with yet another sense of nostalgia.
His bewilderment momentarily forgotten, the pureblood let another genuine smile grace his features as he took the offered drink and, having enjoyed its fragrance some more, brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip, a sigh of appreciation leaving him a few seconds after. It tasted even better than Kaname remembered. And moreover...
"You noticed," the brunet murmured, burgundy orbs softening.
"Huh?" Zero turned to the older boy while his hands resumed working on his task once again, "What do you mean?"
"No, nothing," Kaname gave the boy another gentle smile, receiving another arch of an eyebrow in response. But Zero didn't inquire further, and both returned to what they were doing, companionable silence settling over the room.
"What are you making this time?" Kaname asked after a few minutes, soft expression still on his face.
"A pie. Well, I'm trying to," the hunter paused briefly, his gaze turning to the pureblood and a warm smile coming to his lips, "It's a new recipe. Ichiru wanted to try it, so..."
"I see..." And now that the younger twin was mentioned... "Ichiru-kun is..." but he stopped before he could finish his question, thinking better of it and voicing another one instead, "How has he been?"
"Like usual," Zero shrugged, "He has been alright."
"Good," the pureblood nodded, his eyes dropping to the cup in his hand. He could feel the younger boy's curious gaze on him, but didn't react to it and resumed drinking his tea.
On his part, Zero simply gave another shrug, and proceeded to cook. Not the most manly pastime in the world, he guessed, but he liked doing it, and it really calmed him down, which the boy definitely needed after this day and its events.
That and a bit of space. Which he was, thankfully, given. By both Ichiru and Cross. As always, his brother had felt and understood his mood, and had been quick to provide him with what he needed after giving him a warm, comforting hug upon his return from the cemetery. And as for the blond ex-hunter, he once again surprised Zero with his sensitivity and mindfulness, for he had yet to bother the boy with his usual childish act and strange antics, which everyone was used to and tended to expect from the man.
And for that the older Kiryuu was truly thankful. To either individuals. And to...
To Kaname as well. It was actually surprising how...comforting the pureblood's presence turned out to be – even more so than it used to be, and at such moments too...
Unconsciously, the corners of Zero's lips went upwards. And unlike Kaname, the silver-haired boy failed to notice it. But the pureblood refrained from commenting on it. Dark eyelashes fluttering gently as they lowered, Kaname hid his soft smile as he finished his drink and then put the now empty cup down.
"Do you want another one?" Zero asked after some time, and Kaname looked up at him. His gaze was slightly puzzled at first, but it cleared in understanding after a moment, when the young hunter gave his cup a meaningful look.
"Oh..." the brunet breathed out in realization. His smile widening slightly, Kaname replied, "Of course, I would love to."
-o-
A soft call of his name broke the silence of the room gently, and Ichiru's head snapped up sharply, his unseeing eyes clearing as they focused on the source of the familiar voice of his most precious person. Smiling softly, if only a bit nervously, the younger boy closed the book he had been holding in his hands for the last few hours but hadn't been actually reading this whole period of time. He just couldn't, for it was simply impossible to concentrate. All this while he couldn't help thinking about his other half and what was going through his mind, and ultimately, what the...outcome of Zero's earlier visit would be...
He admitted, he was apprehensive. And that was another reason why he gave his twin his alone time, why he hadn't disturbed him or even spoken to him, save for the greetings and a few words they had exchanged upon Zero's arrival from his...journey.
But at this very moment, from merely seeing the expression on his brother's face, the anxiety he had been experiencing the whole day evaporated. And his heart that had started racing the moment his counterpart's quiet voice reached him calmed down. It felt like a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders, and unconsciously, Ichiru breathed an inaudible sigh of relief.
It didn't go unnoticed by Zero and he gave the younger boy a reassuring smile before speaking again, "Dinner is ready. Let's go."
Ichiru's reply was an evidently happy and enthusiastic nod. He got up quickly and went to his twin's side, then gave him a tight hug that Zero returned. They stayed like that for a few long moments, the younger boy's face buried in the crook of his other half's neck as he inhaled his brother's scent deeply before pulling back and taking a hold of the older boy's hand, at first a little nervously, and then with renewed confidence. Ichiru's smile widening a little more, he tugged his twin after himself and they left their room, now headed for the kitchen.
But the younger boy's good mood didn't stay with him for long, because as soon as they reached their destination, he found there the one person he definitely didn't want to see, especially anywhere near his twin.
"The hell are you doing here?" Ichiru asked harshly, clearly annoyed. Why did he have a feeling that it wasn't just a few minutes back that this pureblood had entered the house, but more than a couple of hours ago...? And he hadn't even noticed, too wrapped up in his musings. Which probably meant that... Damn...
Hearing the younger Kiryuu's exasperated tone made Kaname sigh inaudibly in resignation. Now why wasn't he surprised...?
"Good evening to you too, Ichiru-kun. It's a pleasure to see you, as always."
"Yeah, right." Ichiru scoffed, taking a seat in front of the brunet. "Answer the damn question."
Well, it looked like the boy's vocabulary of profanities had expanded by at least one more word during his absence. Briefly, Kaname wondered what more the younger Kiryuu could have in stock and whether it had affected his dear Yuuki after all.
But he left the matter for now, and another sigh escaped him before he replied, "I merely came here for a visit. It has been a while after all."
"In case you still haven't noticed, Yuuki is not here, you know."
Kaname blinked, "I have noticed."
"Then why are you still here?"
The pureblood was quiet for a few seconds, looking at the younger boy calmly. Then a slyly pleasant smile came over his features slowly, "Am I not allowed to? Or are you not glad to see me? Even after all this time?" He decided to try teasing the other slightly.
One unimpressed silver eyebrow rose. "No, I'm not."
"How cold... You hurt my feelings, Ichiru-kun."
All he received in response was an irritated huff, and Kaname failed to stifle an amused chuckle that fell from his lips at that. And he wasn't alone in reacting like that, for his ears had certainly caught the similar sound escaping the older Kiryuu who stood at the counter not far from them.
"Zero!" Ah, apparently Ichiru had heard it as well, judging by that whine of his twin's name and the embarrassed blush that appeared on the younger boy's cheeks. Which evoked another chuckle from Zero that was responded with... Was it actually a pout Kaname saw on Ichiru's face?
The brunet blinked in amused disbelief.
"Kaname, where's uncle Cross?" Zero's voice came as the boy placed the plates with their dinner on the table.
"He is asleep," the pureblood answered as he unwittingly followed the motions of the older twin's hands, one of which went to pat Ichiru's head softly in a casual manner. And any frown that was present on the boy's face disappeared in an instant as if it wasn't even there in the first place. From what Kaname could see, it was safe to say that Ichiru looked perfectly content now.
Again, just like a year and a half prior, the brunet couldn't help the wonder he felt at seeing how fast the younger Kiryuu's mood and expression visibly changed when it came to his brother.
"I thought it would be better not to bother him," Kaname continued distractedly. "He seemed rather tired when we spoke."
Zero gave a nod and a quiet hum in response. Then he proceeded to sit down next to his twin and the three started eating.
Another small smile made its way on the pureblood's lips after he took the first bite, his eyes softening and that nostalgic, longed-for warmth returning into his chest.
"How is it?"
Kaname looked up, and was met with the older twin's uncharacteristically hesitant, nervous gaze that shifted from him to Ichiru and back. Distracted by his thoughts, the brunet didn't quite comprehend what the question was about at first, until the younger Kiryuu gave his reply, complimenting the pie they were eating.
'Oh,' the brunet's eyes widened a fraction in realization. Of course.
"It's delicious, Zero-kun. I'm really enjoying it." Kaname said, smiling gently.
Relief was evident in the older twin's features, and he nodded contently, the faint frown his brows had been creased into disappearing, and the corners of his lips going up as well as he returned to his meal.
"Could have been even better without you here though," Ichiru mumbled sourly under his breath, loud enough for Kaname to catch it. Which was, quite obviously, the younger boy's exact intention.
"Ichiru..." Zero sighed, his tone scolding. But he failed to rid it of indulgence and natural fondness for his counterpart.
"You're so cruel, Ichiru-kun," Kaname feigned a hurt look – and a very convincing one, mind you – as he regarded the younger twin. "And here I hoped you missed me as well..."
"Yeah, right. Like hell I would," Ichiru snorted, silently cursing the pureblood in his head.
"You always shatter all my hopes so mercilessly." Kaname could barely suppress the smirk that was begging to let it come across his twitching in amusement lips by now. The boy's expression was that priceless. But Kaname guessed he was being a bit mean himself. Ah well, who could blame him?
"Now now..." the brunet started when he heard a string of curses muttered in his address, "That is just rude." And yet that smirk had already crept onto his face before he even realized it.
"Go to hell, you stupid pureblood." Ichiru threw at the other, now positively sulking.
In response to which Kaname only chuckled quietly and Zero heaved a sigh, before pulling his twin into a comforting embrace and patting his head once more, then giving the brunet vampire a reproachful look with poorly hidden traces of amusement in it.
The pureblood watched the two, not at all surprised when after only a few seconds Ichiru's mood and aura not so unexpectedly brightened, and the boy seemed rather content again. Kaname didn't notice how his smile faltered, and ignored another slight pang he felt. His gaze lowering to his plate, the young pureblood resumed eating quietly, refusing to look up.
Unconsciously, Kaname's hand went to his chest and he rubbed at it absently. He couldn't help wondering what that unpleasant feeling he was experiencing was. But no matter how hard he thought about it, no answer came to his mind. And so, once again, he left something else be. And, unsuspecting, he proceeded to enjoy the evening, ignoring the creeping uneasiness a part of him started to feel.
