A/N: Hello everyone! The semester has just ended and I'm free for about 2-3 weeks! After the gruelling final examinations, I really need some relaxation time. Of course, writing can be one relaxing hobby so perhaps there might be more updates to come...? I'm crossing my fingers there! But really, I'll try my best! ^^
Anyway, I really want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone. Your reviews, alerts, favorites, really helps to keep me going. You inspire me so much and you have helped me boost my confidence. When I started writing this fanfic, I was not sure about my writing skills, but now, although I know I still have a lot of things to improve, I can say to myself that I'm not a bad writer. How can I be when people are reading my story and asking for more, right? So, thank you very, very much mina-san! I love you!
"Kaname-sama..." Dr. Makoto bowed in greeting. Lately, the pureblood had joined him and Zero-kun during the latter's physical therapy. Really, if he didn't know any better, he'll think that Kaname has no trust with his abilities.
"Doctor..." Kaname inclined his head in acknowledgement. Turning to Zero, the good doctor couldn't help but notice the slight smile that graced the pureblood's face. "Zero..."
"Kahnamme..." Zero greeted in return, slowly making his way towards them.
Meeting the hunter halfway, Kaname grasp the other's left arm and linked it with his right one, slowly walking both of them towards the couch near the window. "Seeing your happy expression, I could only presume my presence is most welcome, hmm?"
Zero grinned, making himself comfortable on the couch. Grabbing the little pad and pencil Kaname insisted he always bring, he wrote, Dr. Makoto's good and all but sometimes he's very attentive. I can walk just fine and yet he still hovers around like I'm about to fall.
Reading Zero's note, Kaname chuckled and shook his head. "I'm sure Dr. Makoto's just looking out for you, Zero." Looking back at the said person, the pureblood gestured to the seat adjacent the one they were using. "Doctor, please join us."
"Perhaps, I should not," Dr. Makoto said good-humouredly. "It seems Zero-kun's tired of my presence already.
"Nhho!" Zero denied vehemently, shooting Kaname an accusing glare. Must you say it out loud? "Whahhtt ahm mehnt is—"
"It's alright, Zero-kun." The doctor smiled reassuringly, walking towards them. "I understand. You've been cooped up in this room for the past few weeks so it isn't really surprising if you're feeling restless. Perhaps, we can move our sessions in one of the gardens?"
Zero eagerly nodded. Looking at Kaname, he opened his mouth to plead his case but was stopped by the purelood. "You don't have to say anything, Zero. If Dr. Makoto, the very attentive doctor, is allowing you to go out, I'm sure you'll be fine."
Zero blushed, but didn't say anything else. The important thing is he won't be staying in this room any longer. Besides, his voice is still hoarse from his speech lessons a while ago and if it got any worse, Kaname might change his mind.
Kaname smiled at Zero knowingly. He noticed the hunter's hoarse voice but the hunter is healthy. What's more, the fresh air might be good for him. Turning his attention back to the doctor, "I recommend the rose garden if you're sure about doing your sessions outside. It's the most well-lit garden and there are benches there you can use when you want to rest."
"Ah, yes. I think that would be the perfect place," agreed Dr. Makoto. "It's also the most beautiful one. Juuri-sama really did a splendid job in that garden, Kaname-sama."
"She did," Kaname said slowly before gesturing towards the equipment in the room. "Would you use some of these? I could ask someone to transfer them in the garden."
"No, no." The doctor shook his head. "Zero-kun had really improved so much these past few days. I don't think he'll be needing them anymore. Give it a week or two and I'm sure he'll be good as new. In fact, I was thinking of focusing more with his speech lessons."
Kaname mentally sighed in relief. "That's good." Looking at Zero's happy expression, Kaname deliberated for a minute but then made his decision. Turning back to the doctor, he said, "Since Zero's improving quite well, then perhaps it will be alright if I borrow him for the rest of the night...?"
Dr. Makoto was shock but hid it well. Really, he is intrigue. It seems that Zero-kun is someone special. Not only one but both the Kuran siblings are enamoured with him. And if he's not mistaken, the silent treatment Yuuki-sama is giving Kaname-sama had to do with the ex-human. Of course, Zero-kun is a beautiful boy. His features are quite unique and he can easily be at par with a lot of the noble vampires and perhaps even the purebloods and all know that purebloods are the most beautiful vampires around. Well, he'll just have to wait and see what happens next. "Of course, Kaname-sama. We were just about done, anyway." Standing up, he bowed once again. "I'll be taking my leave then."
'''-***-'''
"Ka-hah-name?" Zero looked at him curiously, obviously wondering what the pureblood is up to.
"Hush, Zero," Kaname admonished lightly. "Don't think I haven't noticed how hoarse your voice has become. If there's anything you want to tell me, write it on that pad I gave you."
Zero scowled, but didn't protest, instead he quickly wrote, Well? Are you going to explain or not?
Kaname smiled. "I will." The pureblood stood up and once again offered his hand to the hunter. "But not here. Come, let's go outside."
Zero raised his eyebrow, but accepted Kaname's help, allowing the pureblood to once again tuck his arms in his. Slowly and silently, the two of them made their way outside, comfortable in each other's presence. Every once in a while, they would meet some of the servants who would then bow respectfully to Kaname, waiting for the two of them to pass before resuming their work and once again Zero is left to wonder just who Kaname is. If he thought about it, the only thing he knew about the other is that he saved him from...well, something. He can't really remember, but it doesn't matter. He trusts Kaname explicitly. However, it doesn't stop him from having these kinds of thoughts. Not to mention, the pureblood seems unconcerned about how different Zero treated him compared to the others. Even Yuuki, Kaname's sister, treated him with great reverence. Of course, Zero deduced that Kaname is someone important, but what does that make him? He, who treated Kaname with such familiarity...Honestly, why is he even allowed to do such things...?
"Zero?"
Kaname's voice jolted the hunter back to the present. It seems that they've reach their destination without his knowing. Was he really that deep in thought? He shook his head. He really should stop spacing out. Kaname's starting to look worried and he don't want to be ushered back inside when he is finally outside, under the watchful eyes of the moon, caressed by the cool, night air, in this beautiful garden...
"Zero?" Kaname repeated, getting really worried. "Are you sick?" He reached out and touched the hunter's forehead, checking the other's temperature and sighed in relief when it feels normal. "Really Zero, if you're tired then—"
"Ahm alright!" Zero exclaimed, before remembering Kaname's warning and detaching his arms from the other so he could write properly. I'm sorry if I spaced out for a bit. I was just thinking of something and then when I finally came to, we're here and I was struck. This place is really beautiful!
"I know," Kaname inclined his head. The rose garden is really one of the most beautiful places the pureblood has ever laid his eyes on. It's not just because this is his mother's work, but because the garden seems to have a life of its own. A magical realm protected from the outside world, it has remained unchanged even after all these years. The roses are always in full bloom and exude a very pleasant scent. The sound of gushing water from the fountain in the middle of the garden gives out a calming effect and the moon seems to shine brighter in this part than any other part of the mansion grounds. It also helps that the rose garden is located at the very back, ensuring utmost privacy. "Well, I'm glad you like it here since this will be where you'll be spending most of your time starting tomorrow."
Like it? More like love it! Zero handed him the note before walking around the garden, occasionally stopping to smell the roses or to run his hands gently on them. When he has finally finished his circuit, he looks flushed, most probably from the exertion, but he looked alive and happy.
"Don't overdo it, Zero." Kaname walked towards the fountain and sat on its ledge, patting the space beside his, silently asking the hunter to join him.
Zero joined him immediately, sitting in a way that he is facing Kaname and waiting for the pureblood to say the reason he brought him here.
"As you might have already guessed, I brought you here for a reason," Kaname started, sounding unusually unsure. "It's just...I was thinking these past few days..." The pureblood bowed his head. "Takuma, well, he said something to me a few days back. He told me that if I want to assuage my guilt then I have to do something about it."
Zero frowned in confusion. Why is Kaname saying this to him? Kaname, I don't understand. Why would you feel guilty? Does this have to do with Yuuki? Did you have a fight? Is that why she's giving you the cold shoulder?
After reading the note, Kaname smiled. Leave it for Zero to notice everything that's going on. Of course, what the hunter haven't realized is that Kaname's guilt is the reason for Yuuki's cold treatment, if that makes any sense. "I guess you could say it's related to my...argument with Yuuki, however, as much as it saddens me that Yuuki is upset with me now, I'm not really referring to that."
Well, if it isn't about that, then what is it about? You are not someone who does things impulsively that you will unwittingly cause someone some grief...
"I'm afraid it is the case in this situation..." Zero's forehead creased, clearly not understanding him. "Zero, are you hungry?"
"Wahayt, whahht?"
If it's any other situation, Kaname might have laughed at the hunter's perplexed expression, but as it is, he can't afford it. "Just answer me, Zero,"
Zero might have been tempted to brush off Kaname's silly question if not for the serious look the other has on his face. "We-hell—" He stopped when the pureblood gestured to the little pad he is holding and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Quickly writing his answer, he gave the note to the pureblood.
Your questions are really weird, Kaname, but if you must know, I had eaten with Dr. Makoto a few minutes before you arrived a while ago.
"That's not what I meant," Kaname grabbed Zero in the shoulders, and leaned forward, forcing the hunter to bend back. Kaname is too close. "What I meant is that is your throat burning? Like being thirsty, yet no matter how much water you drink, it just won't go away?"
Zero suddenly stilled. Kaname's words are weird, but to be honest, he understood them. It might not feel like his throat is burning, but he is feeling an annoying itch there occasionally. Of course, since it just goes away, he didn't mind it but now that Kaname brought it up...
"Zero, you're a vampire," Kaname searched the hunter's face for any reaction and when it remained unchanged, he continued, "You're a D—"
The change was instantaneous. Zero's eyes glinted in fury and he stood up, wrenching himself from the pureblood's grasp and almost stumbling before regaining his balance. "Shuhhut up!" The hunter does not understand why he is suddenly feeling angry and hurt. When Kaname said he is a vampire, his heart skipped for a bit, but the feeling was easy to brush off. However, hearing the other say he is a D, it just felt like an insult and he is suddenly feeling ashamed and humiliated. But why? "Sh-shuhut ahup!"
Kaname was instantly alarmed. He did not mean to upset the hunter so but he needed him to understand the gravity of what he is saying and, well, Zero has to calm down now or he'll passed out. Reaching for the hunter, Kaname hugged him. "Zero, calm down!" When the hunter continued to struggle, the pureblood tightened his hold with one arm and grabbed the other's face as gently as he could with the other, forcing the hunter to look at him. "Zero, look at me! Look at me!"
Kaname's sharp words penetrated Zero's chaotic mind and he slowly calmed down. "Ahm...ahm s-sorree...Ahh dohn't...ahhay..."
"Shh...It's alright." Kaname loosened his hold, but didn't fully let go. He didn't think Zero had any strength left to keep himself upright. Gently guiding the hunter's head to rest gently in his shoulders, he continued in a soothing voice, "Don't talk. It's alright...I understand."
Zero brought his hands up and circled Kaname's waist, burying his face in the other's neck. He is so confused. Why did he lash out at Kaname like that? What's wrong with him?
Running his hands in Zero's hair, Kaname said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." The hunter shook his head in protest but Kaname won't hear it. "No, Zero. It's my fault. I should have known better. However, now that it's been said, I want you to listen very carefully."
Zero pushed himself back a little and tilted his head to look at Kaname.
"Zero, no matter how I wished it might have been otherwise, you are a D." Kaname once again tightened his hold when Zero stiffened against him. "No, listen to me. What happened to you was tragic, but we cannot change what happened. We can only move forwards." Kaname cupped Zero's face. "You have to accept what you are, embrace yourself. Whether you are a human, a hunter, a vampire, it does not change that you are Kiryuu, Zero. You are you." Kaname closed his eyes and rested his head in Zero's. "And I understand it now..." Opening his eyes once again, he continued, "I used you before Zero, you might not remember it now, but I did. I used you because you're a D and I thought you're below me when in fact all of us, everyone, is of equal standing. I was a heartless bastard and I would understand if you won't forgive me. In fact, I don't even deserve it."
Zero pushed Kaname, but the other won't budge. "Khahna—"
Kaname placed a finger on Zero's lips. "Let me finish. Please, Zero. I have to say this." When Zero nodded hesitantly, the pureblood allowed his hands to rest on the hunter's hips, encasing Zero in his arms. "I know...I know that nothing I do will ever be enough to pay for what I've done to you. However, I would like to try..." Kaname licked his lips in nervousness. "I really shouldn't be doing this especially with your memory gone but..." Drawing the hunter flushed against him, Kaname whispered in the other's ear, "Will you be my bondmate, Zero?"
To be continued...