Yuuki awoke to the daylight filtering through a crack in the curtains. She'd been observing the beautiful night before and must have forgotten to properly close the curtains. As she slowly regained consciousness she realized that Aidou's legs were entwined in hers in front, while Kain had an arm wrapped around her waist from behind. The blonde's head was resting on her bare chest, but his cousin's mouth was pressed against her neck. She smiled contentedly, remembering the night before. She soon realized she had to pee. Trying not to disturb the sleeping boys, she slipped carefully out of the bed, pulling the covers back over them so they wouldn't get a chill. She stepped quietly to the window and closed the curtain before walking out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She was still tired as she stole through the halls, and was caught off guard when Shiki appeared in front of her. Shiki took in his cousin's appearance. Yuuki wasn't wearing anything, but that didn't bother her; Shiki had seen her like this many times.
"I hope Aidou and Kain didn't keep you up all this time." he joked.
"Not at all." Yuuki smiled. Shiki cupped her cheek and kissed her softly on the lips. When he released her, she was still smiling gently.
"I'll see you tonight." she said cheerfully, pecking him on the lips before continuing on her way. Shiki watched her go before stepping back into his room. Takuma was still sleeping soundly as he'd left him and Shiki brushed a kiss on the blonde's forehead as he climbed back under the covers and went back to sleep.
-o-
Kaname opened his eyes to find himself staring at the peacefully sleeping face of Zero. He knew it was time for them to get up, but he really just wanted to stay like this all night. Besides, he felt bad knowing the youth hadn't slept well; Zero was still getting accustomed to the new sleeping pattern and being as young as he was, he needed more sleep than the fully grown pureblood. Zero shifted in his sleep and the sheets moved, exposing a bare shoulder. Kaname ran his fingers along the boy's shoulder and down his chest, stopping to tweak a small pink nipple. Zero moaned, still sleeping as his hips started moving. Kaname noticed a small disruption in the sheets where the youth's hips were rocking insistently. He smiled and, reaching down under the sheets with one hand, began stroking the hardening length firmly. Zero's legs clamped down on the hand, holding it there as he rocked into the touch. Kaname could feel the boy's thighs and groin throb around his hand as the blood pulsed through veins. The pureblood teased the sensitive tip of the boy's arousal. The youth's body spasmed as he curled into himself, his fingers clawing at the sheets.
"Ichiru!" he gasped as he panted for breath, still bucking in the elder vampire's hand. Again? Kaname thought. Maybe he'd been wrong in thinking this Ichiru was Zero's brother.
"I love you, Ichiru." Kaname could smell the salty tears running down Zero's face. He gently wiped them off with his clean hand while wiping the other hand on the already dirtied sheets. Zero was still spasming lightly in the aftershock of pleasure but soon relaxed. Kaname kissed his eyelids gently and Zero's eyes fluttered open sleepily.
"Good evening, Zero-kun. Time to get up." It took Zero a moment to realize what the pureblood had said. Becoming nocturnal meant the greetings changed as well.
"Good evening, Kaname-sama." he copied, smiling weakly. He seemed oblivious as to what had happened while he was sleeping, so Kaname didn't say anything. Zero tried to lift his head up to get out of bed, but it wouldn't budge. Kaname could see the boy was dead exhausted. He scooped the boy up in his arms and walked over to a pair of doors. He opened them with one hand, still cradling Zero in his other arm, and walked inside. Zero's eyes had closed again and he couldn't see that they'd entered a walk-in closet. Kaname walked to the back of the closet where a row of smaller clothes was racked. He leafed through them until he found an outfit he liked. Setting Zero down on the floor, he pulled the chosen clothes off the rack. Zero was barely conscious when he felt Kaname start dressing him. Once Zero was dressed, Kaname went to his own clothes and got dressed silently. When he was done, he picked the sleeping Zero back up and walked out. There was a wary knock at the door.
"Yes?" the pureblood called, opening the door with his mind. There was a young girl with orange pigtails standing timidly at the door.
"Seiren-senpai says the car is ready." she stammered. Now that her message had been delivered, she took a moment to look at the boy cradled in the pureblood's arms. He looked to be around her age but her senses told her he had hunter blood. She could hear his steady breathing as he slept and it calmed her rapidly beating heart.
"Thank you. I'll be there in a minute." Kaname said. The girl nodded curtly before turning to exit.
"Wait." Kaname called. She stopped and turned back around to face him.
"Could you please carry that." he asked, motioning to a case that held a few of his belongings, including his laptop. She nodded before walking over, picking up the case and following him out. She made sure she shut the door behind them before scurrying to catch up with his long, smooth strides. When they reached the front doors, the girl hurried forward to open the door. Kaname stepped through, careful not to hit Zero's head on the doorframe. Seiren opened the car door for Kaname and the girl handed him his case once he and Zero were in.
"Thank you." he said, accepting it. Seiren got in after him and shut the car door, settling herself across from the pureblood in the limo. Once they were seated the car started. Outside they could see the girl hurry back into the mansion.
"What's her story?" Kaname asked, turning back to Seiren.
"Touya Rima. She comes from a family of noble vampires. Her family sent her to work here a couple days ago." Seiren summarized quickly. Kaname looked down at Zero, still sleeping peacefully.
"What's his story?" he asked, motioning to the silver-haired boy.
"Kiryu Zero, son of renowned hunters. He was a cursed twin, but his brother, Ichiru, was presumably killed by Shizuka. Though no body was found, there was some dust and it's possible she bit him, turning him before draining and killing him." Kaname looked thoughtfully at Zero, thinking about his past. A cursed twin, huh? He'd heard of hunter twins being cursed because they tried to kill each other in the womb. However, he hadn't known any pairs had survived. Usually one ate the other before they were born. Of course, his earlier suspicions of Ichiru being Zero's brother were confirmed. Now he found their relationship even more intriguing. How had they gotten along knowing they were the "cursed hunter twins"? Nothing seemed wrong with Zero, so Ichiru was more likely the weaker of the two.
"How old is he?" Kaname asked as an afterthought.
"Twelve." Seiren answered, her concentration and information unwavering. Kaname's jaw almost dropped in shock. His first impression had been that of an eight or nine year old. If Zero was twelve, then he was very small for his age, not to mention his behaviour was odd for a preteen. Seiren saw his surprise and guessed what he was thinking.
"He came from average height parents, and twins are generally smaller. He also didn't socialize with other kids his age very much." she explained. Kaname nodded, still a little surprised from the new revelation.
"How old's the other girl?" he asked, remembering how she had looked at Zero. She might be a little surprised to find out his age.
"Ten." Only two years younger. That wasn't bad. Kaname gently stroked the head resting in his lap before settling his arm on the boy's waist. Zero curled up with the pureblood's arm like a favourite toy, entwining their fingers as he continued sleeping.
The ride continued in relative silence. Zero awoke twenty minutes before they arrived, looking around confusedly before realizing where they must be.
"Did you sleep well?" Kaname asked the boy as he sat up. Zero nodded groggily before answering.
"Better. I'm still a little tired though." Zero knew it was just clinging exhaustion and he'd be fine once he'd been up awhile. Kaname nodded and wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders, pulling him close. Zero looked down at his hands to avoid the watchful gaze of the vampire sitting across from them. "Zero, this is Seiren. Seiren, Zero." Kaname introduced.
"It's good to make your acquaintance, Zero-kun." Seiren smiled offering her hand in greeting. Still scared, but not wanting to be rude, Zero smiled back and shook the vampire's hand. A while later the driver announced their arrival. Seiren got out first and held the door for Kaname and Zero. When Zero came out, Kaname offered his hand. Zero clutched it tightly, standing close to the man as they walked towards the mansion at the end of the driveway. Seiren knocked on the door and the butler opened it.
"Kaname-sama." He bowed.
"Please come in." he welcomed, stepping aside to let them in. He closed the door, shutting out the cold as some servants took the guests' coats. Zero stayed close to Kaname the entire time.
"Onii-san!" a brunette girl greeted cheerfully, running down the stairs in a housecoat, her hair still wet from a fresh shower. She embraced her brother tightly, heedless of the young boy still clutching his hand. Kaname wrapped one arm around the petit girl, still holding Zero with his other hand. Finally, Yuuki took a step back and observed the young boy.
"And who's this little cutie you brought with you?" she asked.
"This is Zero, one of my new acquisitions. Zero, this is Yuuki, my little sister." Kaname introduced.
"Hey! I'm not that little!" Yuuki defended.
"You're still little in my books." Kaname teased, tussling her already mussed up hair. Zero couldn't help but smile at the sight of his master bickering pleasantly with this childish girl.
"Should we go see the others?" Yuuki asked.
"Sure. Lead the way." Kaname agreed. Yuuki headed off at a pace Zero could keep up with and he and Kaname followed. Seiren stayed behind to speak with the butler. Zero knew when they were getting close because he could sense several high class vampires. Yuuki turned into a doorway and they entered a sitting room. Inside were four male vampires. Yuuki welcomed Kaname and Zero to sit down before doing the introductions. Akatsuki felt himself getting aroused as he stared hungrily at the cute boy. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Zero belonged to Kaname and he had no right to him. They talked for a while and Zero started blushing when they talked about how cute and adorable he was, especially Yuuki. Kaname just smiled and chuckled at his reaction, nuzzling his head as he held him close.