AN: Okay, so I realize not everybody reads this, but they seriously should… Anyway, this chapter was sooooo not as easy to write as the last ones :0 In fact, it was a really pain in the shoulders, especially the beginning! And truthfully, I'm not really happy with it :/ But there really isn't any sort of flashback here, but realize that the last chapter was KINDA, only because it didn't stay in Zero's point of view the whole time, so realize that there were some things that happened that Zero didn't actually know about, so… yeah :P ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Again, do not own Vampire Knight… besides volumes 1-12 and the art-book and the official fan-book and a cute little Zero keychain and a mirror and a SMEXY Kaname and Zero wall scroll…. *SO MUCH YUM!* Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino-sensei and she does a wonderful job with it!
When he'd asked the boy to explain why his son's scent was smothering him, he had not expected this. Maybe a small blush or some shuffling of feet to indicate how Kaname had gotten extremely hungry the other night and had ventured into Zero's room for a snack, or perhaps it was simply because Zero was wearing nothing but his son's clothing.
But not what he'd just heard.
It was shocking, too much to take in at one time, but it did make sense in a way. Kaname was still grieving over Yuuki and Juri's deaths, and sometimes you've got to latch onto the first thing you can when an event so tragic occurs. Zero was a rather quick and wonderfully easy substitute, for he was in pain, younger and totally naïve in the ways of vampire's despite his lifetime background as a hunter. His son must have felt the need to protect this lost boy as he was not able to save Yuuki.
Haruka's mind was comprehending all this fairly quickly and he was rather proud of himself for reigning in his anger and rejection of the situation before he lashed out a poor Zero, who really had no say in the matter whatsoever. Kaname was pureblood, after all, and Zero was lucky he didn't completely loss his mind when subjected to the demanding aura of his son. He smiled inwardly, not wanting to scare Zero any more than he already had with his silence. This boy was truly strong of will if he hadn't actually collapsed under the pressure, or cracked before Kaname had actually offered his blood.
Perhaps he would negotiate with Kaien about the boy's residential stay here.
"Zero, if you would cooperate with me for only a moment longer, I believe I will bring Kaname in here and have him explain his side as well. Just to get the full picture."
The frightened boy's mouth freed no words, although he tried multiple times. He settled with nodding and sat down quietly by the nearest wine holder, signaling to Haruka that he wouldn't be running.
Haruka mimicked Zero in nodding and promptly left the cellar, closing the door behind him with his telekinetic power.
The ex-human dared not leave his position on the floor when the pureblood left. He definitely felt as if he moved, even slightly, there would be hell to pay, probably more than he already had to. There was no need for him to piss of the vampire who had taken him in, or to ever take anything that dang Kaname offered him ever again! He could be in serious trouble here…
The stone door swung open once more, Haruka towing in a worried looking Kaname, his eyes searching for Zero, and when he found him, he didn't gaze at anything else. The older pureblood smiled slightly at the adoration leaving his son. He hadn't been completely sure earlier, but now he was convinced that Kaname had himself a little crush. He was positive now was not the time to confront his son about it though, and instead told him to recited exactly what his activities were last night.
Kaname finally tore his eyes from Zero, who was still shaking silently on the cellar floor, and apprehensively looked at his father. A look from Haruka told him not to delay and quickly spilled the truth about his feeding session with Zero in his room not twenty-four hours before. And as the story was told, Haruka stayed mute, nodding at appropriate places, and smiling as Kaname neared the end.
The prince Kuran felt so embarrassed, lining out the blatant law breaking he had not only participated in but had also facilitated. He didn't know if Zero was aware of the transgression the two of them had done, but he did, and his father knew that, for it had been pounded into his very being since he had grown his fangs. He did keep out the particular intimacy he had planted on Zero's head before he had left, because, really his father did not need to know that particular fact. And neither did Zero.
"So Kaname," Haruka began after Kaname finished with his tale, "you do realize what this means I assume?"
The younger pureblood inclined his head, his dark brown hair efficiently covering the shame held in his eyes, so he did not see the full out grin break out on his father's features.
"So why don't we all go upstairs and I will call Kaien. Besides," he winked at a very confused looking Zero, "I'm sure Zero would love to put on his own clothes now."
And with that, Haruka Kuran left the cellar, leaving behind two shocked looking vampires.
"I understand the situation, Haruka-kun, but shouldn't Zero have a choice in the matter?"
Haruka rolled his eyes, "Of course he'll have a choice. I'm not going to force a newly-turned hunter to live in a pureblood household." Really what was Kaien thinking? "I will ask him what he thinks after I'm done speaking to you. I need to make sure you would be okay with either decision he makes."
"Of course I would! What Zero needs now is support from everyone around him." There was a pause as Kaien sighed. "Trust me Haruka, the boy will hide every little ache or pain he experiences and try his very best never to look weak in any way, especially around people he feels compassion for."
"I understand, my friend. Now I have one more inquiry for you to mull over until I call you later."
"Fire away."
"When they are old enough, I would like both Kaname and Zero to attend that academy of yours."
There was a long silence as Kaien Cross thought over his question; when he finally answered, Haruka wasn't even slightly dazed by his answer.
"That would work so wonderfully, Haruka-kun! If a vampire with the status that young Kaname does were to announce his enrollment in the school, then other noble families would jump at the chance to have their children in his presence, and our dream of co-existence would finally take flight!"
Haruka let out a hearty chuckle, his whole frame racking with the sheer force exerted. "Of course, Kaien, that was the general idea of our movement, was it not?" Laughter echoed still in his voice as he pointed out the obvious to his long-time friend.
They two continued on with random topics, whatever came up in conversation just like that had when they were younger… much, much younger.
"So it is decided then?"
"I don't see any reason why it should be otherwise."
"Perfect, so I shall see you later then, old friend."
"Yes, yes you will."
"I'm so sorry, Zero." Kaname said as they made their way back from Zero's official room for the remainder of his stay, "I didn't think that father would corner you like that, or that the charm wouldn't last more than twenty-four hours."
Zero shook his head even though Kaname could not see it, "No, that's okay. Besides, it didn't seem like he was all that angry with me, just really, really surprised."
The two of them had gotten to his room fairly quickly after Haruka had left them in the basement, Zero eager to change into his new clothes, and Kaname just as eager to spend time with him. But for some reason, the air between them had grown awkward and uncomfortable before Kaname had finally apologized. Zero didn't really mind, he was used to not talking, but he didn't like it when he was with this pureblood.
He liked Kaname. For a vampire, he was really nice and, from what he could decipher about his personality, he was pretty caring too.
"I guess we should go and see if my father is finished talking to Kaien-san." Kaname looked back and smiled brightly at Zero, making the ex-human pause momentarily. "And I definitely wanna know what they talked about too."
Yeah, I do really like this vampire.
The two vampires continued on to the entrance hall where the main land-line was situated, checking for Haruka there first. When they didn't find him there, they then checked the first floor study, where he would entertain guests whenever they had them out here. But he wasn't there either.
"I guess we'll have to check the private study. Makes sense that he'd make a private call in there now that I think about it."
Zero just smiled and shrugged and they were off once more, this time up a couple sets of stairs and down an incredibly well decorated hallway to Haruka's study door. Zero could faintly hear the scratching of a pen on paper and cast a glance at Kaname, and sure enough, the vampire prince sent him the same look. Kaname raised a hand…
"Come on in, boys."
They exchanged another glance and Kaname opened the door. Haruka was sitting behind his ornate writing desk, his eyes downcast and focused on multiple sheets of paper strewn all over the desk. He didn't even look up when Kaname closed the door behind them. Instead, he just gestured to the one sofa and two recliners situated around a rather large looking coffee table.
It was a little while later that Haruka finally put down his exhausted pen and acknowledged to the two younger vampires sitting idly in his study. He picked himself up from the chair behind the desk and sat next across from the sofa where Zero and Kaname both sat, awaiting details on his conversation with Cross.
"Zero," the ex-human boy sat straighter, his eyes showing none of the apprehension that was flooding his system at the moment, "I have spoken with Cross about your stay here and he and I both agree."
Kaname suffered a sympathetic look to Zero, finding no emotion whatsoever, taking Kaname aback slightly. He had grown to find the boy very emotional since his awakening not too long ago, always some sort of happiness, fear, or pain showing through his body and eyes, but now there was none, a complete mask situated comfortably on his face. It was unnerving, and Kaname decided that he didn't like it.
"It would be safest for you here, where Kaname, who you will be craving blood from for now on, and myself will be able to keep an eye on you." Haruka didn't want to put it as bluntly as he had, but the situation Kaname had put the ex-human in was a tough one: he would forever be looked down upon for being fed the finest while he was the lowest.
"The arrangement is simple, you will live here, or wherever we are currently residing. And this is very important Zero," Haruka paused now, a smile finally breaking the façade he had been wearing, "you will not be assisting any of the servants while you are with us. Instead, I want you to think of yourself as a part of the family."
Silence overtook the large study. Haruka had said his piece and was now smiling. On the inside, he was hoping that the boy would accept the drastic decision and not turn away like Cross said he would. Kaname seemed to have really taking a liking to him too. He could easily see it in his son's eyes as Kaname looked at Zero, awaiting his answer to the unexpected question as much as Haruka was, only it was evident even in the way his body was turned anxiously towards Zero's, the way his eyes sparkled with excitement and untold mischief.
And it was as Haruka thought, Kaname was indeed beyond apprehensive to hear the ex-human's answer. The time he had spent at the mansion and in town had seemed to go okay, and he wasn't constantly threatening them like he thought hunters did. But Zero was jus that, a hunter, and hunters usually didn't like to be cooped up with vampires for too long…especially pureblood vampires. The vampire prince didn't care about his hunter heritage at the moment though; all he cared about was being next to this enigma of a person. This one boy who, so quickly, turned his depression and mourning around and threw him back into the life he had once lived. This one boy who Kaname had grown fond of almost immediately upon sight and despite learning some major things about Zero in such a short amount of time, he had truly grown to enjoy every moment they spent together.
It felt longer than it actually was for every vampire in the room, especially Zero, who felt as though he really had no other choice but to stay. And it wasn't as though he didn't want to, because he did, it was more the fact that if he left, he was doomed.
Out of pure respect for the man who had taken him in, Zero looked directly at Haruka, keeping his roaming eyes from Kaname for as long as possible and declared his answer, "It would be wonderful if I could stay here."
Kaname was swimming in his own elated feelings. This whole situation was new to him, and so unlike the one he had with Yuuki; true, both were younger than him, but Yuuki was completely defenseless, she was so innocent in the workings of the world that she needed him to constantly protect her. Zero was the entirely opposite: the boy was trained since he was young to protect himself and others, and Kaname knew that he could be as rough as he wanted with his new younger brother. Of course, he would never be able to replace his Yuuki with Zero, but all the same, Kaname knew in his heart that this time things would be different.
That day in the study a week ago would forever be one of Kaname newest happy memories. Zero had not only said yes, but his… their father, had ordered a small dinner celebration at their dinner table that morning for their newest family member. It had been the most enjoyable dinner since the murder and it easily tired out Zero who crashed not five minutes after father had sent them to bed. Kaname had then taken the opportunity to talk to Haruka about adding Zero.
"It will be safe for him, Kaname, and you. Kaien agrees and so we came up with the idea that Zero becomes an unofficial part of our family, under our protection. This way, he will be safe and fed," Haruka gave Kaname a pointed look here,"and he'll learn more about how our society works so he will not be oblivious when it comes time for him to enter it." And the ever constant smile grew on Haruka's face there, "Besides, the mansion's been too damn quiet lately anyway."
A suitable explanation in Kaname's opinion.
"Kaname-sama, what are you doing?"
The prince was shaken from his thoughts by Simon's voice behind him. He turned and grinned cheekily at him, "I'm trying to find Zero."
Well Kaname thought he hadn't ever seen the head butler's eyes grow so wide. Simon went off on a tangent about how Zero still didn't know his way around the grounds after a week of staying here, and how he could easily wander off the grounds and away from Kaname and his watchful eyes, but Kaname just kinda ignored him. He had known this kind of reaction would come out and it was nothing but a panic-fest.
"Calm down, Simon, we're just playing." And he walked away, Simon simmering loudly behind him.
It had been laid back like this every since Haruka had left not three days ago, back to the city to work more diligently on his presentation to the Board at the family company. It was sad to watch the car pull out of the driveway without him in it, but he hadn't wanted to drag Zero into the city so early because it really wasn't that much fun to be in. In the time that Zero and Kaname had been together though had been nothing but enjoyable. Zero had opened up so much after their father left and now tormented the servants just as much as Kaname did.
He continued on, occasionally calling out Zero's name in as high pitched voice as he could, other times keeping quiet to draw him out if he were anywhere near. The game was not simple with only two of them in the large mansion, and Kaname was thoroughly enjoying the challenge presented by it. Although, he glanced at the nearest room, the ex-human's aura jumping out at him, sometimes it was pretty easy.
Kaname smirked and reached for the door handle, but it was open before he could touch it and Zero was down the hall, his laughter echoing back. The pureblood raced after him, catching up easily, but Zero's evasive maneuvers had improved since yesterday and he darted in and out of hallways and continued to zig-zag so Kaname had a harder time grabbing him. Not quite frustrated, Kaname put on a burst of speed. Zero was now within arm's length and Kaname was just about…
CRASH!
Zero sat dazed on the floor, sticky goo oozing down his head and his back. He couldn't recall what he had just ran into, but he could tell by the angry cook in front of him, that it wouldn't be too hard to figure out.
Kaname hadn't missed the collision with the kitchen servant either and was laying flat on his back with cakes and pastries decorating his chest and hair. He, unlike Zero, had seen the cook before they had run into her but hadn't had the time or skills to completely stop. Now, there would be no appeasing this poor cook who, by the look on her face, had probably toiled over these ruined cakes all morning. Kaname was not looking forward to apologizing with his inadequate cleaning skills. He was about to ask for forgiveness but a snort made him pause.
He looked at Zero who was staring at the cook. Kaname moved his gaze to the servant and his burgundy eyes widened slightly at her jovial expression. She was laughing. At him and Zero.
"Oh the universe has a sense of humour, Kaname-sama." She laughed, her frame racked with bouts of the bright sound, "From what I've experience since I started work here, you have finally gotten your just deserts!"
And the laughter followed the two young vampires for the rest of the day.
0o0o0o0o0TIME JUMP0o0o0o0o0
He'd been living with the Kurans for about a month and things had easily slipped into routine. Every few weeks, Haruka would be in the city with his business, and often, Kaname and he would go with him, mostly to get away from the countryside and also for Kaname to continue to learn things about the company he would inherit when he was older. Living in the city wasn't much different from the country besides the deficiency of twenty acre garden where they could run around and the spaciousness which was considerably lacking in their penthouse.
Usually, Zero didn't go to the company with Haruka and Kaname, but opted to stay in the penthouse and dink around for eight hours until Kaname came back, Haruka still working diligently at the office.
But when there was nothing for Haruka to be doing—which basically meant he was tired of not having fresh air to breathe—they would load the car and be driven back to the estate just outside the city. Zero enjoyed the days out here much more. He felt safer here, because, despite this being where he had ended up after his desperate flight for survival, it felt more like a home. A home that he now belonged to.
There was a knock on the door to his room, and Zero sat up from his lying position on the bed. He smiled at the presence he felt behind the door, "C'mon in, Kaname."
The pureblood prince's head peeked in through the door, his eyes part-way hidden by his hair as he grinned at Zero. He did this every time he came into the ex-human's room; it had become a familiarity between them.
"What, do I have to drag you in here every time?"
"Only if you wanna go through the trouble."
Zero mock glared at his pseudo-brother, not really able to put all his effort into it, "I think I would have some fun with it."
Kaname just shrugged at the non-threatening threat and fully came into the room, closing the door behind him. He glanced up behind his hair to make sure Zero was still on the bed before he dashed.
A squeal escaped Zero's mouth when Kaname ran and jumped up onto the bed, the covers tangling between their arms and legs, making it impossible for Zero to make his escape. Kaname hadn't planned it this way, but he knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth and he instantly nuzzled his face into Zero's pale neck. Another sound escaped the silver-haired boy's mouth at the unexpected contact.
This too, had become a familiarity to Zero, only this one he was not as comfortable with. Because like all vampires, Kaname needed to feed too, and like all hunters, Zero had an aversion to being bitten. But it wasn't just that… it was the four months he had spent in hell as well. All that time—
All thoughts ceased as Kaname's fangs finally penetrated his skin. He gasped, trying with all his might to keep any of his fear from leaking from his tightly sealed mind. It wasn't like he didn't want to give Kaname his blood, it was just that the thought of it brought horrible, horrible memories. The pureblood prince was as gentle as could be though and it was easy for Zero to continue to remind himself who it was above him.
Kaname absolutely loved the way that Zero tasted; he was perfect mixture of sweet and bitter. If he could taste anything before he died, it would have to be this. He could feel the need for Zero to hide everything about himself, especially when he fed from him. It made him feel so close to the hunter who had opened up only slightly it seemed. Sure, he spoke and laughed and joked, but Kaname could see the looks out the windows when he woke and before he went to bed. The way he stiffened as soon as Haruka left the room. Or the whimpers when he was asleep.
But now was not the time to be musing, he chided. He brought back his mind and pulled out his fangs slowly, licking at the twin wounds, closing them before he finally lifted his head. Zero's eyes were glazed over, almost as if in a trance, but they flickered to Kaname's face and recognition dawned on them. Kaname smiled at the innocence and the obvious request he saw in those lilac eyes. Without any words passing between them, Kaname lowered his head and untangled himself from Zero, allowing him more room to move.
He knew it wasn't suppose to hurt, he knew that he shouldn't rush the penetration, he knew how gentle Kaname had been with him, but Zero could not resist the pull of Kaname's pureblood mere centimeters from his awaiting fangs. So he was, and he wasn't surprised when he heard Kaname gasp in pain when he finally buried his fangs in the pureblood's neck.
PLEASE READ~
If there is any way that when you guys review you could give me your opinion on whether I'm going to fast pace-wise in this story? Too fast, too slow? More detail or quicker developments? I've gotten a couple critiques from people whom I hold dear in my life and I would love your opinions as well XD XD
REVIEWS!
Ulair—funny story actually XD I did warn you loverly readers in the Author's Note, but I do see my mistake in that not everybody reads them. That was my bad :/ And I'm so glad that you're enjoying it though! The plot just wouldn't leave me alone for the longest time and I'm having so much fun writing! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well and please, if anything else has confused you, let me know and I'll be happy to clear it up! XD
Ben4kevin—I know right! XD I love a cute little Zero! He just makes the best character XD
LuanRina—Girl you make my mornings! :D I adored litte Kana and Zero fluff and I believe it came out last chappie :3 Look forward to more of it m'dear! GAAH! XD mischievous Kaname! XD XD
ShadowofPenandPaper—Hope I didn't make you wait too long! XD this one was a BIOTCH to get out :P
Wawatvxq—curious…but what does your name mean? O.o BWAHAHAHA! I love making my readers smile!
Mochiusagi—AHAHAHA! Ah the little bro has finally made it into a reviewer's mind :3 :3 All will become clear soon young grasshopper XD XD
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS, FAVES AND ALERTS! I shall see you loverlies next chapter! Ciao *o*
