Ziro Kiryu walked into the small nursery, a scowl on his face. He paused a moment and studied Yuuki.
"In all my life, I have never seen a pureblood so fond of a human." He stated. Yuuki turned around, a smile plastered on her face. Lilah, half in and half out of her crib, also turned her attention to Zero for a moment, then, bored after only a second of looking, turned her attention back to Yuuki.
"Its nice to see you, Zero." Yuuki greeted him, lifting Lilah out of her crib. She cradled the girl on her hip, brushing a piece of blond hair out of her face. Zero couldn't help the smirk as he watched the child grab for the front of her shirt. Yuuki gently slapped the tiny hand away and rolled her eyes at her guest before placing her ward on the plush carpet.
"It is also nice to see you, Yuuki. I see your hands are full, should I come back later?"
Yuuki shook her head and grabbed the guard`s hand. "Stay. Lilah wont get into much trouble in here. We can sit in the dining room and have some tea." she drug him behind her as she spoke. Zero laughed silently at her childish behavior and followed her.
They sat at a small tabled, small tea glasses near their hands.
"So, is this visit of importance or did you miss me too much." she teased, her nose wrinkling in a cute was as she smiled. Zero`s heart fluttered at the sight, and he had to gulp several times before he could speak properly.
"Actually, both. It is because I missed you so much that I came to ask you something important." He swallowed again, suddenly feeling anxious. He reached in his pocket and pulled something out, and hid it in the palm of his hand. Then, he reached across the table and held Yuuki`s hands, pressing the object into her palm. Yuuki`s eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but Zero spoke before she could even let out a stuttering breath. "Yuuki Cross, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
...
Kaname sat alone in his office, a room he seemed to be in a lot lately, and mused over the events of the last two weeks. If it was even possible, he seemed stressed, constantly breaking the things around him. He stayed out of the garden now, unable to bear the painful sight of his mother`s tears when he wilted her flowers.
He sighed deep in his chest and leaned his head back against the head rest on his chair. He was not only stressed out about the reversal for his daughter`s curse, but he was also confused about the many emotions that swam through him, especially concerning his childhood friend.
He didn't know why, but all brotherly thoughts had slowly vanished from his mind when he was around her, and he realized, with a frown, that it had been happening long before he realized it for sure.
The door opened silently, letting in a draft of light from the hall. He saw the familiar shadow of his wife before the door shut, then a light came on.
"Kaname," she cooed in his ear, suddenly behind him, "come to bed. You work way too hard, and I miss you." She pouted, wrapping her slender arms around his chest. He closed his eyes when she pressed her forehead into his shoulder, pushing back unfamiliar feelings.
"Not now, Sara." he said evenly. She made a sound of protest as he firmly grasped her wrists and pulled her arms from him. Determined, though, she only walked around the chair and sat on his lap, each one of her legs straddling his thighs. Kaname sighed again, but didn't fight her.
Sara place her palms on either side of his face and leaned forward, brushing a teasing kiss on his lips. She did it again, then again.
"I can help you, Kaname. Let me help you forget your worries, at least for tonight." she whispered, her breath tickling his lips. He opened his mouth slightly and breathed in her scent. They sat like that for a minute, sharing each other`s breath, until, finally, Kaname gave in and crashed his lips to her.
Sara let out a satisfied laugh as he stood up from the chair, and she wrapped her dainty legs around his waist. All thoughts fled from Kaname`s mind as he walked over to the couch and laid her back on the soft cushions, fusing his mouth more firmly to hers.
Sara laughed again, deep in her throat, at the rough touches he placed on her. He wretched his mouth from hers, then, and with a hiss, buried his aching fangs into her porcelain neck. Sara arched off the couch, barely able to move from his crushing weight, and moaned from the pleasuring pain. She gripped his back, gasping again as he bit in deeper.
"Yes, Kaname," she whispered, her eyes bleeding to red, "Drink me. Love me."
And Kaname Kuran complied.
...
Juri just sat there, musing on what Yuuki had told her.
"And what did you say to him?" she asked the young pureblood before sipping on her cooling tea.
"I-I told him to give me time to answer." she stuttered softly. Juri chuckled at the girl`s innocence.
"My dear girl, never tell a man just moments after he proposed that you need time to think about it, even if they are level D."
Yuuki blanched, head falling slightly in shame. "I feel terrible. Zero is one of my best friends and a very trusted guard, but I dont think I would marry him. I just feel terrible now for hurting his feelings." She murmured, setting down her tea. Juri sighed and set hers down before placing a motherly hand on the girl`s jean-clad knee.
"Yuuki, we are purebloods. We are supposed to be ruthless and horrible, spilling blood everywhere we go. Our hearts are supposed to be black as sin, and we are not supposed to care about people. Of all the centuries I have lived, the new generations of purebloods are changing all that our ancestors have made us to be."
Yuuki flinched, feeling like an abomination. Juri laughed softly.
"Do not fret, Yuuki. Our subjects love us even more for that. Although it may shock them at times, they are glad, even if it is deep inside, that we can show a little compassion to them in their time of need and moments of darkness. You are a very beloved member of society, and I have a strong feeling that Zero is not going to be the first to propose."
"Y-you mean more men are going to ask for my hand? And I am going to have to turn all of them down?" she asked, bewildered. Juri threw her head back and gave a throaty laugh.
"My girl, you might not have to turn all of them down. There might be one you have special feelings for. For now, just tell Zero you wish to remain friends. Although, it might not hurt to ask him to stay in the house with you, considering your a single woman with a ward."
The queen removed her hand from Yuuki`s knee and stood, stretching slightly to ease the pains in her back. Yuuki stood up, also, in respect and took Juri`s hand as she walked to the front door.
"Thank you, my queen, for coming when I needed you the most. Its been hard since mother died, and I would have died of embarrassment if I had to speak to my father."
Juri smiled warmly at the girl and thanked her for her hospitality. Yuuki stood at the door a minute longer before retreating back into the cool house.