Heartfelt Sacrifices

The Michaels

Jamie was quick to lead Zero to one of his armchairs as soon as they landed via seal traveling into his office. "Take a breath. The distance this time wasn't so far and you've also had my blood yesterday."

Zero nodded. He only felt a bit winded compared to the utter exhaustion he'd felt when having to jump from Japan to the United Kingdom. Letting out a sigh, he leaned back into the chair and relaxed his shoulders.

"I'll let my children know you're here, so don't be surprised to get a few visitors." Jamie warned, placing a thick blanket over Zero's lap as he left.

Just as the warmth in the room and blanket was beginning to settle in and he began to doze off, the door to the room shot open to let in a tall figure, "Father, I just tried out one of the spells I've been working on and—" Light crystal blue eyes blinked. "Right, he's not here. Are you…Zero?"

Tensing, Zero gave a wary nod. This vampire was pretty tall, taller than himself certainly, and probably around the same height as his teacher, Yagari. He was handsome, as every vampire naturally was, with sharp perfectly balanced aristocratic features framed by shoulder length midnight locks.

He didn't hold any of the delicate, near fragile beauty Zero always associated with Kaname, however, as Zero had often begun to do in recent days with most males he saw. This vampire, though still gorgeous, was all handsome grace with hard defined edges compared to the soft gentle lines Zero was used to seeing.

"I see, I'm Alexavier, or Alex, if you'd prefer; it's a pleasure to meet you, brother," Alex smiled, holding out a hand. Zero swore the older vampire's teeth shined and his eyes sparkled. His wariness grew another notch.

Alex…he was one of Jamie's right? Because if he wasn't, Zero wouldn't have minded telling the other vampire to shove his cheery sparkly weird greeting up somewhere else and away (far away) from him.

But, more than likely, Alex was one of Jamie's, he thought a bit resignedly, and he pursed his lips,

"The same," he responded shortly, reaching out to shake the other's hand. He almost let his jaw go slack when Alex, instead of shaking it as he'd expected, raised his hand to his lips and breathed,

"You're as beautiful as Father claimed, Zero."

Feeling his skin crawl at the touch of a stranger (translation: someone that wasn't Kaname), Zero immediately snatched his hand back, wiping the back of it onto his pants. That…was disgusting, he grimaced. Not even Jamie had been so physically forward. He called him by teasing names, sure, and was kindly affectionate to him yes, but he'd never pulled something like this. Besides, Alex had just called him brother, didn't that indicate there was a certain line between them?

Last he checked, you did not go around kissing your brother's hand like that.

And he wasn't beautiful. Beautiful was Kaname or Jamie. What had that damn vampire been saying about him anyway?

"Am I the first to see you?" Alex asked, unfazed by Zero's hostile attitude. Father had warned him about that as well.

"What?" A voice whined from the doorway. "Alex, you're already here? I thought I'd be the first!"

"Alex is always first," another voice grumbled.

A blonde and brunette walked through, both petite and slender, though not as tiny as Yuuki. In fact, Zero tilted his head, they were probably around the same height as Jamie.

The blonde stepped forth, "Clarabelle, but everyone just goes by Belle."

The brunette nodded and sent him a pleasant smile. "Allison, but you can call me Allie." Her bright emerald eyes slid to glare viciously at Alex. "He didn't do anything to you did he? If he did, don't worry about it. He likes to pull crap on everyone."

He liked her already, "I'll keep that mind," he noted.

Belle snorted. "So he did do something. Wait until Father hears about it."

Allie smiled sweetly. "I wonder what would happen to your spell casting rooms, Alex."

Alex paled. "He wouldn't. He knows how much experimenting means to me."

"That depends, Alex dear, did you do something to Zero?" Jamie's familiar voice came drifting through, with two boys beside him. Zero's breath caught when he saw their small cherubic faces were identical. Twins.

"I only complimented him, Father," Alex protested. Jamie raised a brow. "And?"

"And…I kissed his hand."

"No touching Alex, Zero is off limits, no matter how tempting."

"I'm aware, Father, I was only teasing."

"No. Touching." Jamie repeated. Alex sent his father a contemplative frown, but nodded obediently.

"Now that that's been cleared, Zero, these are my twins, Sebastian and Julian." Two boys clinging to his pants leveled Zero with identical pairs of calculative sea-green eyes. The ex-human noted while the three others didn't hold much resemblance, the twins looked much like Jamie – their skin the same creamy porcelain and their hair a wave of sleek midnight curls along with wide eyes framed by thick dark lashes.

"Father," the one to Jamie's left spoke up, "you won't love him more than you do us will you?"

"Yeah," the one to his right added, "just because he's new doesn't mean he's better."

"If you don't drop the childish demands, then maybe I will," Jamie nonchalantly commented, totally ignoring the horrified gasps that issued forth. "Zero is much more mature and patient than either of you. He'll be a lovely child."

Their gem like eyes, the same shade as Jamie's, widened and shined with tears. Both simultaneously letting out pitiful sniffs, they buried their face into their father's shirt and clung to him even further, sobbing about 'being good' and 'never being mean' along with how they'd 'be nice to the weird Asian vampire', which Zero assumed was referring to himself.

Zero wouldn't have known what to do with one crying child, much less two, but Jamie seemed more than used to them acting this way and merely patted their hair, using his sleeve to wipe their tears when he managed to peel them off his waist enough to see their face.

"Well, now that everyone's been introduced, Belle, Allie, can you show Zero to his room?"

The two girls complied, leading a curious Zero outside into the wide halls.

Alex watched them go before turning to his father. "Why did you warn me off that way? There's more to it than Zero being new here, isn't there?"

Jamie smiled blandly, "Yes there is. I don't want you to cause trouble for Zero Alex. He carries enough on his plate as it is. You becoming attached to him will only add to his burdens."

Now that hurt. "What do you mean? I never intended to get 'attached'."

Jamie sent his oldest son a long piercing stare, "Oh, but you could, Alex, and I fear that you will. I know your types very well after all, and Zero, unfortunately, fits the bill."

"You don't have to say 'unfortunately'!" Alex cried, indignant. Really, sometimes, he wondered if this vampire was his father at all.

Sebastian snickered. "On the contrary, brother, I feel anyone unlucky enough to hold your attention is rather unfortunate."

Julian smiled. "Sorry, brother, but there is a reason for your single status."

Alex's brow twitched. Brothers or not, those two… He missed the time when they were still shy boys getting used to their surroundings, quiet and docile. They seemed so much cuter then. Now, they were mouthy little brats that only cared about their father and his opinions. Father, in turn, didn't do much to curb their behavior, content in spoiling them.

Jamie shook his head and shushed his youngest sons before turning to his eldest, "Just think Alex, why would I advise you, no, mandate for you to not get attached?"

"Why…?" Alex frowned in confusion. Wasn't that the reason why they were having this conversation now? But his father had never stopped him from pursuing his own interests, including whom he decided to choose as a lover. Zero was special in some way. Not just because he was a brother-to-be, no, it was something else.

"He carries enough on his plate as it is. You becoming attached to him will only add to his burdens."

Crystal blue eyes widened. Could it be…that those burdens were… "Father does he—" He looked up, but the familiar figure of his father was nowhere in the room, along with the twins. Damn it, he hated it when he did that.

His expression turned thoughtful as he leaned on his father's desk. So Zero had some left over issues from where he came from? And from his father's comments, they were most likely far from resolved. He had also specifically mentioned if Alex were to show any sexual or romantic interest, it would trouble the younger vampire further.

After that, it wasn't hard to determine whatever unresolved issues Zero had, had to do with a lover involved. It could even be the reason why he was here now, with his family – separated from a relationship gone sour perhaps, and wanting to start anew.

Ah, his thoughts cautioned, but that made it sound as though Zero wanted to leave, and if he did, his father wouldn't have warned him against going after him. So, he amended, Zero didn't want to leave and was either forced or manipulated into doing so. Slipping his pocketknife from his jeans, Alex flicked it into the air before catching it smoothly between his fingers and repeating the process, a habit of his since young. He inwardly grimaced at what his careful deductions all boiled down to:

Zero was still in love with someone.

And if the younger boy's reaction to his kiss earlier was any indication, he was not just in love; he was faithfully in love. There would be no 'extra playing off to the side' with Zero. Alex sighed. The disappointment he felt at this was clear. Such a waste, his mind moaned. Zero was beautiful. Nobody would fault him for having more than one partner at a time, Alex certainly wouldn't. He couldn't believe someone was actually idiotic enough to let someone so gorgeous slip through their fingers.

Ah, well, their loss, really.

But Zero was in for a rude awakening if he thought he could come here and just let his heart wither away, pining for someone who would never be able to find him (at least not at their home – his father was thorough in security), not with him, Belle, Allie, and definitely not with Sebastian and Julian living under the same roof.

Father would also give something to keep Zero busy with, if he hadn't already. You didn't become a Michaels and expect to spend your days like an old lady. Once Zero was magically adopted, he'd receive the benefits that came being Jamie Michaels' son and learn to explore those benefits, just as the rest of them had, and still did.

Speaking of inherent magical gifts, Alex tucked his knife away, he needed to get back to his spell rooms and finish that piece he was working on. He wouldn't be able to surpass his father at this rate.

Allie and Belle had taken to giving him a tour as they walked along the long halls. Zero was glad for it, as he knew he'd need it – hell, he'd need a blue print layout of this place if he didn't want to spend the rest of his days wandering around just trying to find his room.

When they'd opened the doors to it, the first thing he'd noticed was that it was, much like the rest of the house (mansion?), Big with a capital B, and with more space than he knew what to do with. His personal items had already been sent and had been left untouched, Jamie already having told his kids it was better to let Zero unpack on his own.

"Our rooms are all in the east wing, so you won't have to go far if you need any of us." Belle informed. "Allie's is to your right and mine is to your left. Alex is to my left and Sebastian and Julian still share a room with Father."

"They…sleep with him?"

Allie smiled. "I know, at first, they seem…well, a bit much, but they're not really like that, you'll see as you get to know them."

Belle nodded, "They're cute, inside and out. Father did give them rooms, but they don't use them for anything other than a place to keep their things, and they spend a lot of their time with Father or in one of his rooms."

So, the twins (the word still sent a twinge through him, instantly reminding him of Ichiru) were quite attached to Jamie. But they seemed fairly young still, maybe nine to eleven in human years. Zero wondered if they were Jamie's actual sons, sharing so much of his physical aspects.

"Well," Allie added, "it hasn't been long since they've been adopted, so it's not so uncommon."

"And their lives before this was…not the most pleasant thing to have to remember."

"They were adopted?"

Allie nodded, smiling, "Yup, just like the rest of us."

Catching onto his confusion, Belle clarified, "We were magically adopted, but Father blood adopted Sebastian and Julian. It's why they look so much like him."

"What's the difference?"

"Mostly a stronger magical, physical connection to Father. They'll definitely be inheriting his seal crafting skills and nearly everything else. There are also some spells Father created that can only be used by someone else with his direct bloodline. Alex is the magical heir, but Sebastian and Julian will be carrying on his legacy and self-earned titles."

"Couldn't he have just had his own kids?"

Allie and Belle looked at him incredulously before realization dawned and they coughed lightly, "I guess Father hasn't discussed the topic with you yet," Allie smiled, "but European vampires can't reproduce the way Asian vampires do. Women can't get pregnant and neither can the males impregnate anyone, whether vampire or human."

"The only way to secure children is to adopt them either magically or by blood."

"That, or turning them," Allie held up a finger.

Turning… Zero couldn't help the memory of the night his parents had been murdered and the betrayal of his brother becoming clear from surfacing. He could almost feel the pain from Hiou Shizuka's bite on his neck. The blood…it'd been everywhere, dripping from her vile mouth and lips. The day at the dance also left him with a repulsive aftertaste, having to feel her fangs at his neck again and having to deal with Yuuki's foolishness, born from her kindness, which Shizuka had no difficulty in manipulating and swaying to her side.

"Are you okay?" Allie asked, concerned. Sensing the subject of turning to have perhaps unsettled her new brother, she hastily reassured, "It's not painful, since there needs to be full consent on both sides. If there isn't, the vampire ends up in a lot of pain and the human in question dies instantly."

"Forcefully trying to turn someone isn't at all beneficial. It hasn't happened in…well, a long, long time."

"Both of you…" No, all European vampires, "all wanted to be vampires?" They'd all been human once?

Their expressions solemn, the girls nodded. "Yes, and each of us has our own reasons for wanting to be the way we are now."

"But we didn't choose this lightly," Allie continued, "for me, at least, and for the rest of our family, we all had a history we wanted to get past."

Zero could more than understand the desperation involved with wanting to have a way out during an extremely trying period, but to choose the way of life of a vampire? He wondered how dire their circumstances were to have been forced into taking such an option.

Seeing the hesitance in his eyes, Belle smiled wistfully. "I know it sounds ridiculous, crazy even, but I haven't regretted my decision once, and especially not since Father took me in."

"None of us do, I'm sure," Allie said firmly.

Zero's mind was busy wracking up a whirlwind as the new piece of information sank in.

European vampires couldn't have natural children. But every single one of them were still pure vampires with not a drop of human blood to them, their genetic makeup having been changed completely. It was no wonder their society wasn't based on blood purity. With all of them having been once human, what was the point in griping about something that technically didn't exist for them?

And instead of power that came with blood, they had power that came with magic. Zero made sure to inquire further on the subject as soon as the opportunity arose. Did magic grow as the vampire did in age and/or practice, or were they limited to the amount the vampire was first gifted with when turned?

Yes, turned… Remembering Allie's words, Zero's heart raced. It meant… That if they'd all been turned…

"There isn't a possibility of level Es?" He asked, mostly to himself, in a sense of stunned wonder. Jamie was still here, Alex was still here; so were Allie and Bell and Sebastian and Julian. They were still here, fully sane, and in terms of Jamie, powerful with firm social standing.

Both having heard the question, the girls' eyes widened and Allie paled, recognizing the term he used. "Dear god, I'm so sorry. You're of Asian descent and I didn't even…I'm, I'm really sorry." She couldn't believe she'd been so insensitive. Remembering her hasty 'It's not painful at all' comment she used to try to alleviate the whole matter, she felt ashamed. Of course Zero would have been bothered by the thought of turning if all he'd known about it were that you'd eventually lose your mind and turn into a beast of blood and carnage.

"I apologize as well. We've both been thoughtless, mentioning the idea of being turned so casually." Belle said softly.

"It's, it's alright." Their words and reaction worked to settle the unease that'd started to build up in a small part of him. They hadn't been trying to excuse or justify the act of turning because of him. It was obvious they didn't know he was what Asians classified as an ex-human. It also meant Jamie hadn't told them everything, which Zero felt glad for. Despite them technically being his siblings, they were still strangers and the thought of having his entire life story up for debate was a little more than discomforting. He would've been furious.

"Ah, but if you ever feel bothered about something, especially about what we said, please tell us. Learning about other vampires is part of our schooling, but plain information isn't the same as actually meeting a vampire from a different continent."

"Scold us, berate us, it doesn't really matter, just let it all out and make it a learning experience," Belle agreed.

"Yes, we make it a habit not to keep quiet if we feel particularly strongly about something. It's one of the first things we learned. It's the same concept of letting your thoughts and feelings known to let others know how you are. If you don't tell them, they won't ever know and it can lead to miscommunication, which we've all suffered enough from to last us two lifetimes."

"You seem rather quiet; we're not trying to force you about anything, just letting you know it's okay to shout and scream sometimes."

Zero merely gave a nod to show he'd been listening. He didn't think he'd be able to follow their advise any time soon, as the only person he'd done something like that for was Kaname, and even then, it hadn't been easy for the pureblood to wrangle out Zero's deepest thoughts verbally.

He looked up to see them staring. "What is it?"

"Ah, we just, well…it's okay if it's not something you want to share with us, but we were just wondering how you met Father and why you decided to become family." Allie smiled sheepishly.

"How I met Jamie…" It was nothing dramatic or exciting. He'd met Jamie through his teacher, who'd recommended him when he found out Zero was researching seals. An excellent hunter he may be, seals weren't his area of expertise, and having figured his student was indeed serious about knowing more on the subject, introduced Jamie Michaels who'd been staying in town for a client.

Zero had been surprised his teacher was on fairly amiable terms with a vampire, but Yagari had informed him Jamie had saved his life on more than one occasion and was 'different', as he wasn't Asian. Zero hadn't known what he was talking about at the time, but now he felt it might have been due to Yagari's knowledge on Jamie once being human that made him 'different'.

Allie smiled, "I see. Father has friends everywhere. He must have taken a liking to you then."

Belle nodded. "I can see that happening."

"Yes, not surprising at all." Allie let her eyes travel up and down, head to toe. "You're beautiful, obviously intelligent, and this is just a guess on my part, but physically suited enough for Dancing. Father loves it."

Belle blinked. "I never even thought of that," she squinted her honey gold eyes, "but now that you mention it, I suppose you have a point."

"Dancing?" Zero asked flatly. What were they talking about now?

Allie giggled. "Don't sound so enthusiastic. It's not the type of dancing humans do with music. It's a form of combat, like, ah, martial arts for humans, though Dancing is a lot less aggressive looking and much more graceful, in my opinion. Father is excellent at it. He taught the rest of us."

Belle smirked. "It's the one thing Alex fails miserably at."

Allie nodded, amused. "He absolutely hates it."

"Why?" Zero had only known Alex for maybe a total of ten minutes, but he didn't need much more to notice the older vampire's movements were smooth and coordinated.

Allie shrugged. "According to Father, you need a certain mindset and physique for it, and Alex has neither. It's hard to explain, but if Father ever gets around to teaching you, I think you'll see why."

Belle tilted her head, her blond curls swaying around her face. "The more I look at you, the more I think Allie is right. You'd look beautiful Dancing."

Allie nodded excitedly, "Don't you think so? He'd look amazing next to Father." The two girls shared a grin that reminded Zero all too well of the Day class girls back at the academy and he felt a chill run down his spine. Why did they look so happy?

"Father and Zero together…Sebastian and Julian are going to throw a fit."

"Oh, they'd get over it. If Zero looks as graceful as he does in my mind, they'd have no choice but to."

"What do you think about Zero Dancing in those robes, you know, the white ones?"

"Silk?"

"Yes."

"He'd look like a piece of moving art."

"Pictures?"

"Pictures."

"And what about red and black?"

"Sharp and dangerous, but he's too soft for black. Dark colors are good, just not too strong."

"Navy?"

"And grey as well." They both giggled.

Lilac eyes darting between the two of them, Zero tried to make for a quick exit. This was proof enough. Girls, vampire or not, were all the same – weird and incomprehensible. It didn't matter what background they had either.

"Where are you going?"

Zero cringed.

"We're not done showing you around yet, little brother. Come along like a good baby sibling and let your older sisters show how things work, hm?"

They were all the same.

Disclaimer: No own Vampire Knights.

And there's Zero's new family. Alex is a flirt, Belle and Allie have a thing for 'pretty', and Sebastian and Julian love being brats. :D Let's see how Zero fits in, eh?

Thank you guys so much for your reviews! I've hardly gotten around to the replies, but I'm getting there XD