Author's Note: Hey guys! Chapter 8 is here! ^.^ Please enjoy and review :)
Disclaimer: Credits to Matsuri Hino, Blackened Wing and TammyTBoneTTB! :)
Update: Hi all, I tweaked the spell reversal a little bit to better fit where I'm planning to go with this story. :)
PAST
Eyes downcast, Zero trudged forward, hands buried deep into his pockets. As the gates of the Night Dorm loomed ahead of him, like an ominous gateway leading straight into his own personal hell, his footsteps slowed. Maybe, maybe he could still turn around now. Tell Kaname tomorrow that the gates were shut and he could not ge-
With an eerie creak, the heavy gates swung inward, even though no one was there.
Zero lifted his head just long enough to glance up. A figure stood against one of the windows of the door, gazing down at him. Great. Kaname had sensed him coming. He should have known.
He continued onward, making his way to the front door. Even as his heart rate was shooting up to join the clouds in the sky, his heart itself was sinking deeper and deeper.
This was it. Moment of truth.
And he had no idea what to do.
Exhaling sharply, Zero raked a hand through his tousled silver locks, throwing his gaze around his surroundings. The sun was just beginning its daily emergence from below the horizon, casting a warm, orange glow on everything around him. The sunrise and scenery was breath-taking, but even their magnificent splendour did little to calm Zero's stirring emotions.
As he approached the door, it, too, swung open quietly. Seemed like Kaname was about as excited for this meeting as he was dreading it.
Stepping in, his already lagged steps came to a sudden halt.
Ruka sat on the couch in the living room, eyes boring steadfastly into him. Hatred and disgust was evident from her expression, and her hands were clenched into fists on the arms of the couch. She was obviously on edge, probably about ten seconds away from jumping on him and tearing his eyes out.
Kain sat by her side, one hand reassuringly on her shoulder. He directed some animosity towards the vampire as well, but it was clear that he was more concerned about the vampire by his side.
'You stupid D. You should be praying for mercy, begging me not to tear you to shreds for daring to lay a hand on Kaname-sama!' snarled Ruka vehemently.
Zero simply looked tiredly at her. He was well aware that the Zero of this timeline would probably have sneered back at her, shooting off a sharp retort or taunt, but... He just had no desire to pretend. Fully consumed by what was to come once he reached the pureblood's room, her supercilious words simply bounced off him as easily as raindrops.
Simply giving a non-committal grunt, he turned away from them, continuing his way up the stairs.
Ruka's eyes widened in shock. The hunter dared to ignore her? Even when she was already showing him mercy at Kaname-sama's request?
No way. She could not let this pass. The arrogant ex-human had to be put in his place.
The next second, she was across the room in a flash, clawed hand stabbing towards the hunter's face. Take this! thought Ruka with a triumphant smirk.
But her blow connected only with air.
Blinking, she glanced around her, confused. Where was Kiryuu?
Then she saw him, at the top of the stairs, staring down at her with an emotionless face. Her lips parted, mouth opening slightly in shock. How had he moved there so quickly? She had not even seen or felt him moving. There was no way that he had been able to surpass her vampire speed!
So how had he done it?
A threatening growl rumbled in her throat as she fixed him with a piercing glare.
She drew her arm back, about to leap for his throat, but a hand shot out to encase her wrist in a firm grip.
'Ruka. That's enough. Kaname-sama specifically instructed all of us not to bother Kiryuu when he came here.'
The female immediately wrenched her hand out of Kain's hold, but thankfully remained by his side, lips curling and teeth gnashing at the hunter.
'I don't know why Kaname-sama is suddenly treating you so well, but be assured that it won't last. And the second he gives the command, I'll be right there to tear you apart,' she threatened, strident voice echoing around the walls of the living room.
Kain immediately stepped closer to Ruka, ready to restrain her if the cantankerous hunter's typical snide remarks riled her up again.
But to both their surprises, Kiryuu's only response was to nod absentmindedly, not the slightest trace of contempt in his unreadable eyes, before continuing on his way to Kaname-sama's quarters. How uncharacteristically passive of him, wondered Kain idly, not letting his eyes stray off a still-fuming Ruka. But she was gazing off in the direction he had gone, annoyed puzzlement creasing her brows. Both nobles had the same thought running through their minds as the silver-haired hunter shuffled unhurriedly down the hallway.
Why does Kiryuu seem so different all of a sudden?
The door at the end of the hall was closed.
With each reluctant step, Zero's shoes scuffed against the wooden floor as he practically dragged himself forward, until he was standing right before it.
Zero swallowed. He could still run. Maybe he would not be able to get very far - especially with Kain and Ruka right downstairs, no doubt the pureblood's way of ensuring he did not escape - but it might buy him enough time to think of something.
But then the door was swinging open, welcoming him in with an invitation that he could not refuse.
The room was dark. Heavy, maroon drapes blocked out all traces of the rising sun, not letting any of its rays filter through. Kaname was leaning back against his desk, arms folded as he watched him silently. The moment Zero stepped into the room, the door closed behind him, the quiet click nevertheless echoing through the silent shadows. Refraining from another nervous swallow, Zero strode forward until he was in the centre of the room, standing directly across from the relaxed pureblood.
'I trust you are now ready to tell me about the future that you're from?'
He was not, but gave a terse nod, the tightening of his jaw muscles the only outward indication of his hesitancy and inner conflict.
The pureblood nodded in response, an expectant look on those flawless, perfectly chiselled features.
'Well...,' began Zero softly, the gears in his brain turning rapidly.
Where should he begin? Them? Yuuki? Everything that had transpired between now and then? All his thoughts about reversing the future – it was still something he was conflicted over. But maybe, it was not such a good idea to tell him everything yet. The pureblood might over-react, and Zero definitely did not want that to happen. It was probably better to stick to the safe, neutral events first, concluded Zero, trying his best to ignore the niggling at the back of his head. But a little voice popped up annoyingly, telling him that he was just using that as an excuse to delay the inevitable.
It's not inevitable if I don't know if I'm going to tell him yet, argued Zero. Now, instead of being such a frustrating thing, why don't you make yourself useful and tell me where I should start?
With an indignant huff, the voice fell silent.
Figures that it would leave without being of any help at all, grumbled an exasperated Zero. Nevertheless, he knew that this decision was only his to make. Accurately guessing that there was no way of worming out of explaining how their relationship came to be, Zero concluded that he would have to go all the way back to the pureblood's kidnap, and how Zero had rescued him, thus forming a blood bond.
But before that, perhaps he would like to hear more about the Academy they were currently residing in.
'The school has changed quite a bit. A new hunter class was opened.'
Kaname eyes widened in surprise. Though learning about what the Academy's future had been last on the list of things he wanted clarified, this news gripped him.
'A hunter's class? Truly?' breathed the brunette quietly.
Zero's eyes softened marginally at the wonder in the pureblood's chocolate orbs.
'Yes. Cross and you... you guys did make huge progress towards the co-existence movement. Everything is going really well, too. There are fewer and fewer conflicts between the hunter students and vampire students every year.'
A ghost of a smile flitted across Kaname's lips. That was great news indeed. He would never have stopped working towards that goal, of course, but knowing for sure how successfully his efforts turned out to be was extremely reassuring.
Observing the younger version of his lover carefully, Zero recognised the exact moment when Kaname filed away the information about the school, the quiet satisfaction replaced by curiosity to hear more. Sighing inwardly, he let his eyes flutter shut for a second. The best place to start... was probably right at the beginning. For now, he could probably just talk about the more significant events, and leave out Yuuki for a bit. After all, Zero was sure that the pureblood's main aim was to get to the crux of how the two of them had ended up as lovers. Everything else, he could decide later.
'One day while we were all still students, Kiryuu Ichiru enrolled into the Academy. No one knew what he was up to. But it turned out that he was working with people who wanted to get to you. And they had thought that by leaving me close to death, Yuuki would persuade you to save me, significantly weakening you enough that you could be taken. And it all worked out exactly the way they had planned.'
Zero paused for a second, regarding the pureblood silently.
Kaname had his brows furrowed as he processed all that information. Kiryuu Ichiru. Long-lost twin brother of Kiryuu Zero. Of course his appearance would have signalled that something was going to happen; how could none of them, including himself, have suspected something? Why had Cross even allowed him in?
But the plan... grudgingly, he had to admit that it was a good one. Many knew about his attachment to the human Cross Yuuki. As long as they did a little research, and find out who she cared for, this plan would have been come up with with nary an effort. For a brief second, a vague admiration for the culprits crossed his mind.
'Who were 'they'?'
Zero hesitated. But then he sighed quietly. He might as well tell the truth.
'Ichijo Asato, and... Kuran Rido.'
Kaname almost let his shock slip through his impeccable mask, barely managing to seal the cracks just in time. Rido... As he had suspected all along, his uncle was alive. And evidently still plotting his demise. How his previous guardian had come to end up working together with him, he did not know, but it hardly came as a surprise that Asato would be fully on board with any plan that could bring Kaname down.
'Your inner circle vampires and I managed to get you out,' continued Zero once the pureblood seemed to have accepted his words. 'And in the course of rescuing you... the two of us completed a blood bond.'
There was really no need for him to go into details, was there? To discuss how Kaname had been constantly providing him with his blood to stop his descent to Level E, and how Zero had eventually agreed to return the favour, seeing how starved and deranged the pureblood had become. There was no need to tell him about what had happened during his drinking, how Kaname had seemed like he planned on draining him dry, and there was especially no need whatsoever to mention the part where he had cried, with Yuuki offering him her sweet comfort.
Not that the pureblood would believe him anyway.
Thankfully for both of them, Kaname did not probe further, only nodding after a fleeting moment of silence.
'The bond was what pulled us into the start of our rela- an agreement. It made us need each other physically. And that's all it was for a long time. Just physical.'
The pureblood's gaze had darkened at his words, a slight chill falling over the room.
Resolutely ploughing on, speaking quickly as if to soften the blow of his words, Zero said matter-of-factly, 'Eventually, we got closer and you took me in as your protégé. It was some years later that you gave me the memory necklace. And everything inside, you've seen.'
Having completed his recount of everything that he thought neutral and factual enough to mention, Zero turned his head away, letting his gaze settle on the far wall. He did not know how the pureblood would react, whether he would suddenly act out in violence, or demand to know more details about his vague explanation. What he did know was that any expression of scorn or revulsion at their relationship would hurt. It would really hurt. Even if this was not his lover, the voice and face were the same. He was not sure that he had a strong enough bullet-proof vest that those missiles pronouncing their relationship as repulsive and 'a mistake' would just bounce off easily, leaving no damage behind. He had already been crushed by such words once in his earlier dream, and he sure did not want to experience that heart-wrenching – literally! – situation again.
'The house,' mentioned Kaname, drawing Zero's immediate attention. 'You live there together?'
The hunter nodded hesitantly. Kaname seemed to be taking everything surprisingly well. He appeared totally calm, except for some obvious, understandable uneasiness. Was that it then? Had the pureblood decided to just accept his words?
'Where Is Yuuki then? I presume both of you have already graduated long ago. Why don't I see her in any of your memories?'
At the mention of his best friend's name, Zero twitched, despite having already expected that particular topic to come up sometime in this conversation. It was just that... he was not ready to go into the details of all of that. Should he tell Kaname the truth? Tell him that she had been killed, because the both of them had been too distracted by each other? That the reason she had been targeted in the first place was because of Kaname? And that the culprit had been Nasser?
He could just imagine what the pureblood's response would be like. Firstly, he would express disbelief and horror at the news, especially when he discovered why the two of them had not been around to protect her. Secondly, the mention of Nasser's name would likely have him freezing in shock, and then dread and terror. Despite not being at all ready to face him, he would begin another chess game, trying to smoke him out so he could take him down before Yuuki ever managed to pop up on his radar.
This Kaname would not be able to handle him. Not when he was still ignorant about Nasser's pheromones. Not when he was completely unable to resist him.
Zero wondered what he would do if Kaname did manage to track down Yuuki's killer. Even though he had had the satisfaction of personally killing him and taking his blood, the wrath and hatred that swelled up at the thought of having Nasser appearing before him again was overwhelming. He could almost feel his nails start to lengthen to claws, heart beating wildly.
Puzzlement crossed the pureblood's features as the he sensed the subtle changes in the hunter. With tremendous effort, Zero calmed his surging emotions, smoothing them back down. Recalling Nasser was useless right now; that could be done at a later time. Right now, he needed to find a way out of this conundrum.
Of course, he had another option – to lie that Yuuki was fine, that maybe she had decided to leave on her own, so that the two of them would not have to struggle over choosing between her and each other. It was a believable explanation, thought Zero. It was just the kind of thing that the soft-hearted, self-sacrificing Yuuki would do, just to ease their burden. He could even go further to say that the reason their relationship had remained only physical for years was because they had been frantically searching for her. But they had never succeeded.
Then again, he was sure that the thought of Yuuki being all alone in the world was definitely not something that the pureblood would like to hear. He would just further condemn their relationship.
'Zero?' probed Kaname, a politely enquiring look on his face despite the stark impatience in his eyes. Zero started, amethyst eyes shooting up sharply to meet the other's.
No time to consider further! Make your choice!
'I...Well, she-'
Zero would never know how he would have finished that sentence, because right at that exact moment, a few knocks rapped on the door, causing him to jump. While Kaname narrowed his eyes in slight annoyance, Zero lapsed into grateful silence, immensely glad for the interruption.
'Kaname-sama,' came Aidou's voice from outside the door. 'We got the book.'
Without bothering to form a reply, Kaname used his powers to swing the door open, admitting the two vampires in. Though he was dying to learn about what had happened with Yuuki, especially after witnessing Kiryuu's hesitation and edginess, the dusty book in the blonde noble's hands contained pertinent information about the root cause of all this. The future was not going anywhere. He could afford to wait for a little bit.
Once Zero spied the huge tome in Aidou's hands, his eyes widened. With all the conflicting emotions that had been roiling within him, it had almost slipped his mind why Kaname had sent Aidou off earlier. Palms sweating slightly in anticipation, he stepped closer to the three vampires, eager to know what the book said. Was this the ticket that could return him straight to his lover?
Aidou shot him a disgusted glare as Zero accidentally brushed his arm, recoiling away dramatically as if he had been touched by something filthy. Too distracted to spare him a second glance, Zero peered down at the open book in Kaname's hands.
'This page talks about the history, method and success rate of the spell,' explained Aidou to Kaname, pointing down at the various segments. Zero scanned the page, horror roiling off him when he realised an innocent human had been sacrificed for the spell to be cast. In a way, it was his fault, wasn't it? That person had died for him.
Kaname glanced up at him for a second when he visibly flinched. The gaze in his eyes was surprisingly soft, considering that this was the vampire who, just mere hours ago, had been beating him to a pulp just to gain access to his memories. But when Zero blinked, Kaname's attention was back down on the book, turning the page purposefully, as if he had not just been staring at him a second ago.
'And this is the spell reversal!' exclaimed Aidou excitedly, jabbing down at the page and missing the pureblood's exasperated look.
Zero swallowed as he read the text. This was it. This was what he needed. Anticipation tingled through him like electricity, filling him with a heady rush of adrenaline. His heart was beating so rapidly that he bet that if it pumped any faster, it was going to just jump right out of his chest. Struggling to compose himself before he started hyperventilating – boy, wouldn't he just love to see their faces if that happened – , he took a deep breath, before letting his eyes trace the faint words on the crinkly, worn page.
Spell Reversal: Has to be carried out on the next full moon night following the casting of the TS spell.
At the first line, Zero's heart sank. Full moon night? Considering how it had been the first quarter the previous night, that would mean that he could only return to his own time, to Kaname, in about a week. A week. Of not being able to speak to or embrace his Kaname. No gazing into the depths of dark, cocoa eyes; no feeling protected and warm in his arms; no tender kisses or sweet caresses.
How had he ever managed to last on those longer hunter missions before? Just the thought of a week without his lover's presence by his side now seemed impossibly hard.
Making sure that none of the other vampires had picked up on his frustration and longing, Zero continued reading.
Both versions of the target have to carry this spell out at the same time. Refer below for the details of the spell.
A crease formed between Zero's brows. Both him and his past self had to do it together? How was that poss-
Side spell: The Mindvader Spell. A sub-spell that works only on targets of the Time Switcher's Spell. Allows the two selves to communicate for the spell reversal. In carrying this out, one self will be able to infiltrate into the mind of the other. He will be able to speak to his other self, as well as see through his eyes, but otherwise, he remains as a silent guest, unseen and undetected.
Oh.
Oh.
That meant he would be able to see his Kaname again! Not just six days of sitting around in agony, but he could actually get himself into the other Zero's body, talk to him, and also watch Kaname from there. Sure, he would not be able to actually speak to or interact with him, not with Past Zero dominant, but he would not have to suffer through so many days with totally no contact with his lover.
Kaname. His heart leapt in delight just at the thought of being able to see the pureblood again. How was he coping there? Having a violent, belligerent Zero around in his house was probably terribly taxing. Was he taking care of himself? Considering how the rest of the staff was away...
Zero shook his head resolutely. Don't worry yourself. He'll be fine. And you'll be able to confirm that for yourself shortly!
'There's one more note here at the bottom,' came Aidou's loud, grating voice, drawing the hunter's somewhat distracted attention.
The paragraph at the bottom had been typewritten in a smaller font, making it difficult for even his vampire eyes to make out under such dim light. But luckily for him, Aidou was continuing on, reading it out to no one in particular.
'Once the spell reversal has been completed successfully, the self from the past, as well as everyone else in that timeline who came into contact with him and his other self during the duration of the spell, shall lose all memories of that period. This prevents any alteration of the future. However, should the spell not be reversed, any modifications in the past timeline will alter the future. Do note that once the first full moon night has passed after the Time Switcher Spell was carried out, the spell reversal and Mindvader spell will no longer work.'
After Aidou finished reciting the words, a tense silence hung over the room as all four vampires contemplated the implications of that paragraph. Cold dread had washed over Zero, his previous mental struggle returning to him instantly, as if the metaphorical floodgates had burst open.
That meant that if he wanted to change the future, to save Yuuki from certain death, he had to remain here. If he finally decided that he wanted to take a chance and alter the future to prevent losing her, he could not simply tell the pureblood to watch over her, and then happily return to his own time, hoping both Yuuki and Kaname would be waiting to welcome him with open arms. Doing so would be as good as putting the gun to her head himself.
He... This...
If he considered it rationally, it was not even something he should be cracking his brain over, really. It was his happiness, for Yuuki's life.
It should have been a clear, obvious decision. One that the past Zero would not have hesitated to make. Not when he knew what was at stake.
Yet, Zero could not help the abject horror that had him frozen to the spot, muscles locked and rigid, as he thought about it. About leaving Kaname. Forever.
He shuddered involuntarily, a pair of tender eyes gazing up at him in his mind's eye, a warm hand trailing down his bare skin, a light brush of soft lips against his own.
Kaname...!
Zero sat stiffly on the couch, face and body tense. Aidou's book lay on the seat next to him, open at the second page of the Time Switcher Spell. On his lap was a piece of paper, with the words 'Kiryuu Zero' filling up most of the white space. He had had some difficulty using Kaname's ink brush to trace the characters of his name, hands trembling ever so softly as he considered what he was about to do. Reading once again the words on the open page, he stilled, repeating the spell in his head. Then, hesitating, he glanced up at the pureblood.
Kaname was back at his favourite spot, leaning against his desk, arms folded, gaze calm and assessing. He nodded once at Zero, not saying anything else.
After Aidou and Takuma had been dismissed by the pureblood, the former throwing Zero hateful, suspicious glares over his shoulder as he left reluctantly, the silence that fell over the room had been impregnable, each lost in his own thoughts.
But soon, Kaname had asked if Zero wanted to carry out the Mindvader Spell, to see how everything was going there, and to inform his past self and the Kaname of that time about the spell reversal. Zero's eyes had widened in surprise. He had not expected the pureblood to suggest that idea, even though the hunter had planned on doing it anyway. Shouldn't this Kaname be hoping to alter the future so that the two of them would not end up together?
Truth be told, that was indeed what Kaname wanted. For this Kiryuu to remain in his timeline, so that they could change what lay in store for them. He was not a fool; he knew the hunter had been holding out on him while recounting the incidents, hiding much more than he had been revealing. And his more-than-suspicious reaction to being asked about Yuuki – something else, probably much worse than everything else he had been told, must have happened for the hunter to wear his emotions so openly on that usually stoic face. And if helping him to communicate with his past self and lover paved the way to his revelation of the truth, Kaname was more than willing to wait patiently. He had already seen for himself how the silver-haired prefect responded to violence. Instead of crumbling onto his knees and begging for mercy, like any other vampire would have when faced with a pureblood's wrath, all it did was make Kiryuu retaliate, even more focussed on defying him.
Plus, he was curious to see how the spell worked.
Zero turned his head back down. Lengthening one of his nails into a deadly claw, he made a slit across his wrist, letting the blood drip down onto his written name. In a slightly tremulous voice, he recited the words of the Mindvader spell, observing how his blood was drawn towards the brushstrokes of his name, like paper clips being pulled towards a powerful magnet. As the ink absorbed the blood, the characters flashed a bright red.
Kaname watched in amazement as the deep gash across the hunter's wrist vanished within seconds. Their previous encounter had left him with no doubt of this Kiyruu's strength and power, but to have such accelerated healing, almost at the same rate as a pureblood's... Of course, he was not so naïve as to think that the two of them did not share blood. But even years of drinking a pureblood's blood would not lead to such drastic advancements in an ex-human's capability. He must have had more than just Kaname's blood. Faintly, he wondered what else the hunter had done, but when Kiryuu abruptly slackened in his seat, head lolling back against the couch, the pureblood's attention snapped to him immediately. The hunter looked as though he was merely asleep, with his eyes shut and his breathing even. The only indication of what had really happened was the faint glow of the blood-red words on the paper, signalling that the spell was currently in progress. The pulsing incandescent glow illuminated only the hunter's peaceful face, throwing eerie dark shadows over the rest of the room. Not that that bothered a vampire, of course.
Kaname sighed softly as he made his way over to the couch. Settling himself down onto the cushions, he leaned back, hands clasped loosely in his lap. Burnt sienna eyes settled over the unconscious hunter. So defenceless. Kaname could attack now, and Kiryuu would be totally helpless and at his mercy. The hunter's implicit, if misguided, trust in him was confounding, especially after all the earlier bloodshed. Or perhaps, he had been so eager to see his lover again that the thought had simply not crossed his mind. Uncharacteristic of the wary, mistrustful hunter, but not impossible, considering how close the two were.
It did not matter anyway. Kaname had no plans to get rid of him, at least not while he remained in the dark about everything that had transpired between now and the future. Dimly, he made an attempt to push against the hunter's mental walls, in the hopes that perhaps he could access his memories that way. But even unconscious, Kiryuu's defences remained sturdy and unyielding. Kaname thought he could probably break them down, given some time and effort, but that would require unnecessary force and result in disastrous consequences. It was not really worth it, thought Kaname as he eyed the other male.
So all he could do now was wait.
Hey guys :) Been writing pretty much non-stop these past few days, trying to get as much out as I can :) My eyes and brain are pretty fried, so my sincerest apologies if this chapter did not satisfy. I was going to keep going, but then I thought this was a pretty good place to stop for this chapter, so here it shall end. If I continue to have as much free time as I've had, hopefully the next chapter shouldn't require too long of a wait. Yay. See you guys soon and thank you for reading! :)
Replies to my dear reviewers:
gleish26: You're welcome! Thank you for your constant support and reviews :D Hahah I agree. Past Zero reminds me of a little curious kitten, exploring everywhere and snapping at anyone who comes close HAHAHAHA. Kaname's dream was pretty depressing, wasn't it... :( Hope both future Kaname and future Zero stop having such angsty, disturbing dreams. Hehehe I wonder who removed the page...? ;) LOL I love how Aidou is always getting himself and everyone else into trouble; he makes everything so much more interesting. I enjoyed having Kaname make himself look ridiculous; it's rare that he gets into a situation that he can't gracefully get out of, so this was a precious, priceless moment! I would also like to thank you for giving me the idea about how they would lose their memories after the spell was reversed. I hope you don't mind that I used it! And thank you once again for your review and I hope you enjoy this chapter! :)
Hi: I JUST LOVE YOUR SUPER LONG REVIEW HAHAHA :D Okay, sorry for the dramatics. But seriously, thank you for taking time out of your day to leave such a dear, sweet review for me :) It really made my day! Hahah what you said about the culprits is true. I suppose I haven't really spent much time writing about them. I guess I prefer to focus more on the main characters, so the culprits... I probably won't give them that much attention? But of course, anything can happen. Like how I told you I had planned on disregarding Nasser and trying not to have Zero change the future to save Yuuki, but look at how things are turning out hahah... I'm not quite sure if it's a good or bad thing... but that's how it turned out to be lol. Aww I know, I want to write more lovey-scenes as well :( All the heartbreaking angst is killing me and it's always difficult to write :( Oh, regarding Zero's mortality, I remember Blackened Wing had this portion in one of her fics, where Kaname had hopes that maybe Zero could live as long as a pureblood, considering how he was now so much stronger, especially after having consumed Nasser's blood. So I think that is great news for us, because it means they can stay together for a long, long time more. HAHAH I loved the whipped cream part! I'm so glad it made you laugh :) I love writing about Aidou. He says and does the silliest things. If Zero's a curious, snapping kitten, Aidou's a big goofy puppy. HAHAHAH. Both of them suit each other well. Love their bantering and fighting; it's so childish yet entertaining. Whoa, thank you so much for your suggestion! I'm glad we had similar ideas because this was already somewhat written by the time I read your review :) Thank you so much for the idea and I hope this chapter satisfied you :) I'm wondering if I'm making it unnecessarily complicated, though... Hope it turns out fine somehow though! THANK YOU again for your awesome reviews and continuing support! :D
