I don't own the characters of Vampire Knight. Matsuri Hino DOES.
New manga chapter tomorrow! ZOMG! Did anyone see the Zeki LaLa cover? It renewed my hope, it did, but she could just be messing with our minds, I suppose. That's be SO uncool…
*Begs* PLEASE, Hino-sensei…PLEASE let our beloved Zeki prevail!
I apologize to all Yume fans out there, but this IS a Zeki fic and I AM a hardcore Zeki fan, so bam. There ya' go.
WARNING: Expect drama, smuttymature happenings and foullanguage ahead. And remember, some OOC, AU goodness herein! Onward!
X-O-X-O
"Don't look so glum," Ruka chided, her eyes upon the small brunette who sat at the counter, her chin resting upon her palm.
"I can't help it. He'll be gone for five days. Five," Yuuki griped, Ruka unable to stifle her chuckle.
"You've got it so bad. How are you going to manage when he has to be gone for longer than this?" she wondered, the brunette blanching at the thought.
"Don't say it. And like you wouldn't freak out if Kain was gone for that long," Yuuki accused, Ruka smiling all the while.
"I suppose you have a point. Fine, I won't pick on you anymore," Ruka grumped, donning her coat as she prepared to take her leave for the night.
"You're sure you don't want us to pick you up tonight? I'd really feel better if we did," she told her, pulling her long sandy hair out of her coat.
"You all need to stop being so motherly. I'll be fine," Yuuki assured her friend, Ruka holding up her hand.
"At least take my cell with you. Call Kain if anything pops up, ok? Promise me that at least," she urged.
"But I'd hate to interrupt your quality time," Yuuki teased, Ruka rolling her eyes.
"If something comes up, you'd better interrupt it," she warned, knowing full well what Zero's wrath was like to endure. She dug through her bag, drawing out her purple phone and handing it to Yuuki.
"Now, I'll see you when?" Ruka asked, her hand to her ear as she awaited what she wished to hear.
"Day after tomorrow," Yuuki muttered.
"What? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear. The day after tomorrow, yes? Not tomorrow. You are off tomorrow, so spend your time wisely. I'd wager you two won't even get out of bed," she guessed, utterly amused by the sight of Yuuki's flushed cheeks. If anything entertained Ruka, it was teasing her about their carnal exploits.
"Right, right. Goodnight, my dear," Yuuki said, ushering her out the door, leaving her to serve what few customers filtered in alone. The rest of her night flew by, the girl finishing up her duties before shrugging her coat on and making her way to the door. She was sure Zero would be quite late coming home tonight, as he was out hunting with his master. She wondered to herself, as she locked the door behind her, if they were busy attempting to outdo one another at that very moment. As she started down the sidewalk, she nearly screamed as she ran headlong into something immovable, Yuuki reeling backward as she attempted to regain her composure.
"Woah, woah! Jesus, watch where you're going, you clumsy girl," Aidou chided, pulling his coat in more tightly about himself. The blond vampire stood, his blue eyes illuminated by the street lamp overhead. The seemed to glow in the night, almost eerily so.
"I could say the same to you. What are you doing here?" she asked, Aidou sighing mightily.
"Awfully dense, aren't we? I'm here to walk you home. Kain made me come," he added bitterly, thinking of how he could be at home, basking in warmth, taking inventory of his trinket collection.
"I told them I'd be fine. Sorry you had to come all the way here," she said, beginning to walk towards her home. He was quick to catch up, easily keeping pace with her.
"So where's Zero tonight? Out killing things, I suppose. That seems to be all he's good at," he muttered, wincing as Yuuki's eyes shot daggers into him.
"If you're only here to piss me off, then just go home, will you?" she said heatedly, causing a chuckle to escape him.
"I can't understand why he adores you so much. You seem pretty difficult to me," he noted, Yuuki stopping in her tracks.
"Look, I'm fine. Thanks for the massive effort on your part, but why don't you let me take it from here?" she asked, a look of irritation upon her face.
"Is this the thanks I get? Kain owes me for this," Aidou grumbled, his hand pushing her forward until she was moving again. She rolled her eyes, allowing him to continue escorting her home. Soon, they'd arrived, the two standing at the bottom landing as Yuuki punched in the security code. She turned to her escort, managing a smile.
"Thanks for walking me. You really didn't have to," she said again, the vampire snorting in response.
"Of course I didn't, but I'm a nice guy. Aren't you going to invite me in?" he wondered, Yuuki swallowing hard. It was uncertain, but she was fairly sure Aidou would become instant target practice, should Zero find him alone with her in their loft.
"I'm not so sure about that. Zero…"
"Oh, forget Zero. What's the harm in showing me a bit of hospitality?"
"Look, just go home, Aidou. It's better for all of us that way," she told him, though he'd yet to be swayed.
"What is it you're afraid of? Are you worried I'll attack you?" he wondered, taking a step closer to her. She moved back, stepping across the stoop and into the building.
"No, I am not. I'm sure even you know better than that," she shot back, the vampire appearing hurt.
"You're entirely ruining my night. You know, you could at least be hospitable after I went to all the trouble to come all the way down here and walk you home," he bitched, a mighty sigh escaping her. This guy really knew how to work the nerves, didn't he?
"Ok, you can come in, but just for a bit. Then, you go. Got me?" she asked, as he flashed a toothy grin.
"Excuse me, but put those away," she told him as he followed her through the door.
"You're no fun at all," he complained, trying not to stare straight at her ass as he followed her up the stairs, though only partially succeeding. She pulled out her key, unlocking the door and flipping on the dimmer as soon as she walked through it. Aidou took in his surroundings, almost impressed by what he saw.
"Hmm, this is a pretty nice place. I never saw Zero living anywhere but somewhere dark and damp," he said, beginning to take off his coat.
"Don't bother. You won't be here long enough," she told him, thought he continued just to spite her, draping it over a chair next to the round glass table in the corner.
"You're impossible," she sighed, hanging her own coat on the hook next to the door before making her way to the fridge. He watched her, bent over as the sound of clinking glass reached him, still trying desperately not to stare at her backside.
"You want a drink?" she asked, a green bottle in her hand as she turned towards him, Aidou immediately glancing elsewhere as if completely uninterested.
"Of what? Hard to tell what Zero ingests," he muttered.
"Will you just shut up and tell me yes or no?" she griped, growing impatient with the impudent vampire standing in the middle of the floor.
"Yes," he said automatically, the girl drawing another green bottle out before shutting the door. She dug around in a drawer under the island next to the stove, finding the bottle opener and popping the tops of the beverages she'd retrieved. She made her way over to the couch, flopping down on one end. She handed Aidou one bottle before he took a seat on the middle cushion, totally invading her personal space.
"Um, could you back off a bit?" she asked, and he slid over, but only a few inches.
"Better now?" he wondered, his blue eyes still seeming to glow. She was too tired to argue anymore, relenting without further protest.
"Sure. So what did I interrupt? Nothing important, I hope," she said, taking a drink of her beer. She watched as Aidou brought the bottle to his lips, nearly spewing afterward.
"Ugh, what the hell is this? Don't tell me you and Zero actually enjoy this stuff," he nearly moaned, the bitter taste remaining upon his tongue.
"Sorry you don't like it. Would you like some wine instead?" she asked, moving to rise. His hand came to rest upon her arm, stopping her.
"No, no. It's fine. I'll endure it," he said, his inner drama queen breaking through.
"Ok, well. You never answered me," she pointed out, the vampire gulping as she awaited his answer.
"I was…er…I was quite busy, actually," he insisted, though he would never admit the existence of his beloved trinkets, or his frequent self admiration sessions. The vampire spent more hours in front of the mirror than any sane being should.
"Well, again, I apologize for disturbing you. Next time, tell Kain it's really ok for me to walk by myself," she said, taking another drink.
X-O-X-O
"Is that all you've got, old man? Come on!" Zero called, the two racing along the pier, hot on the trail of a small group of Level Es that had been foolish enough to fall for their trap. The three had fled to an old warehouse along the docks, Zero slipping inside, Bloody Rose in hand as adrenaline rushed through him. Yagari was soon by his side, shotgun at the ready as the two stalked forward into the shadows, which would've been rather menacing to anyone but the two hunters.
Yagari watched as his apprentice strode forth into the darkness, a loud thump soon sounding. A struggle could be heard shortly afterward, though it was short lived. The Bloody Rose soon disturbed the still of the night, laying waste to one of their intended targets. Yagari smiled, turning and putting a bullet into the creature that had crept up silently behind him, the body deteriorating into dust.
Before he could turn, another shot rang out, dust raining on him from above. He turned to find a smirking Zero, gun still smoking in his hand.
"Goddamn it, you punk. You got E all over me," he griped, dusting himself off with vigor.
"Too slow. I told you, you're losing it," Zero teased, Yagari soon digging for his pack of cigarettes, taking one between his lips as he lit up. He took a long draw, seemingly deep in thought before making his next profound remark.
"Bullshit. You're just a lucky bastard. Couldn't show you up on your own turf, now could I? Dumbass," he muttered, turning and exiting the building. Zero was soon to follow, the night air cool against his skin.
"Better hurry home. I'm sure that pretty little girl is waiting on you. Guess gettin' laid on a regular basis hasn't really improved your disposition," he noted, still puffing away on his smoke.
"Don't push it," Zero said, a touch of irritation lacing his voice.
"What? I'm just observing, here. You're still a bastard to everyone but her," Yagari told him, the two holstering their weapons as they continued to argue, making their way back across the city.
"How am I a bastard, old man?" he asked, smirking as his master blew a giant cloud of smoke around them.
"See? Very bastard-like behavior. No respect for you elders. I hope that girl knows what she's in for," he muttered, their squabbling continuing as they disappeared into the night.
X-O-X-O
A few beers later, both Yuuki and Aidou were feeling rather splendid indeed, the two giggling like little girls as they sat slumped on the couch.
"You know…you're not so bad after all," Aidou pointed out, leaning in close to the girl beside him.
"You're still pretty bad, though," she teased, the vampire laughing despite how offended he should've been by her statement.
"Great. We'll have to do this more often," he said, stretching his arm across her shoulders. He stretched over her to sit his empty bottle on small table next to the couch, his body far too close for comfort. Just as she was about to remove herself, the door flew open, a very perturbed Zero taking in the sight before him. Oh, but no.
He could sense the presence of a vampire in the loft when he'd stepped through the door downstairs, his guard already up before he'd even set foot into the room, his gun in hand. Seeing Aidou there, poised as if to attack his girl, nearly made him lose himself entirely. Aidou, having been made a bit slow by his alcohol consumption, took a moment to realize that Zero was standing there staring a hole straight through him. Soon, he realized the situation he faced, quickly withdrawing his arm and getting to his feet.
"Zero! How goes it?" he muttered, knowing full well that he was in way over his head.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Zero demanded, his voice like cold steel as he advanced, his gun still in his hand. Aidou eyed the weapon, holding his hands up.
"Look, it's nothing like that," he explained, turning to Yuuki for backup.
"Tell him," the blond vampire prompted, Yuuki rising as well. She made her way over to her incensed consort, her hands taking hold of one of his.
"Kain sent him to walk me home, then we had a couple beers. That's all. Promise," she cooed. He could see how tipsy she was, knowing how much of a light weight she really was. After this, she'd be knocked out for the rest of the night, putting a major damper on his previously hatched plans.
"Out," he said, finally holstering his gun, his hand grabbing Aidou's shirt collar as he hauled him to the door. He stumbled a bit, incredibly put off by his hostility.
"Fuck's sake, Zero! You have no need to be so brutish," he complained, Zero throwing his coat in his face before slamming the door. He turned then to Yuuki, who stood like a deer in a lion's cage.
"You can't do this kind of thing to me. You know how I get," he scolded, his arm drawing her closer, her head tilting back as she looked up at him.
"You shouldn't be like that. I was only being sociable…and it's just Aidou," she protested, her hands gripping the front of his coat.
"Maybe I shouldn't be, but I am. If I didn't trust you, we'd have problems," he griped, his lips touching her forehead.
"Here. Come make it up to me," he said, shedding his coat and holster before beginning his ever effective seduction. Though she would've been content to allow him to ravage her where she stood, his lips touching her neck as his hands held her face between them.
"Zero, wait," she said, his head rising as he did as she bade.
"He's kinda' drunk, you know. I don't think he should be out there alone like that. He's already annoying as it is. I'd hate to see him try to make it all the way home in one piece in his state. He's liable to pick a fight with someone much larger than himself," she said, pleading her case to the stone faced vampire before her.
"Why do I care, again?" he asked, sighing as Yuuki gave him 'the face'.
"Please, Zero? Do it for me?" she asked, the vampire pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. As if he could tell her no.
"Fine," he said, at last relenting. "But only for tonight. I expect not to have to deal with this scenario again," he added, moving forward to go retrieve Aidou. To his surprise, the blond vampire was still standing on their doorstep, a dazed look upon his face.
"God, you're hopeless. Get in here," Zero sighed, once again hauling him in by the collar.
"If you knew how much this shirt cost, you wouldn't be grabbing it like that," Aidou griped, soon silenced by the silver haired vampire leading him to the couch.
"I don't give a good goddamn about your shirt. You're about to experience a rare moment of mercy from me, so don't fuck it up. You can sleep on the couch, but don't make a pest of yourself. This isn't a hotel suite," Zero informed him, making his way towards the bed. He shook his head as Yuuki delivered a spare blanket and pillow to Aidou, tucking him in like a child.
"Thank you, Yuuki. You're a good person," he muttered, before planting himself face first into the pillow. The girl sighed before joining her consort, who already lay in bed, clad in his boxers as he waited for her. She dug through the dresser, finding one of his old t-shirts. He watched silently as she shed her jeans and top, slipping into his shirt. It came down to mid thigh, a smile crossing his face.
"You had to be that sexy in my shirt, didn't you? On the night that dumbass happens to be crashing here. Nice," he groaned, looking up at her as she crawled over to him.
"Get under here with me," he said, holding the blankets up as she crawled under them. His hands were on her, running along the slight curve of her hips before roaming up along her sides. The familiar flame began to burn within her, the girl trying to remain silent as his hands dove under her shirt, molding to her breasts.
"What are you doing? He's right across the room," she whispered harshly, though his lips were already trailing along her bared stomach, his tongue then laving at one humble mound of flesh.
"2nd base," he said, making his intentions clear as her head rose, Yuuki assuring herself that Aidou wasn't currently staring as her lover paid homage to her.
"O…ok," she agreed softly, surrendering to his sure hands and warm lips. His hand snaked its way lower, slipping beneath the bit of lace keeping him from his destination. His fingers slipped between her thighs, his lips still trailing lazily along her chest. After a bit, she lay against him, tremors still travelling throughout her, his lips laying kisses upon her cheeks.
"You're sure I can't kick him out?" he wondered, a sly smile upon his face.
"Damn it. You make me want to be a bad person, but I can't throw him out. He'd probably fall asleep standing up," she told him, Zero sighing in defeat.
"We'll just have to make up for this later," he whispered, pulling the blankets up around them, Yuuki's head coming to rest upon his shoulder, his arm laced around her.
"Goodnight, baby," he said softly, breathing in the sweet scent that was hers alone.
X-O-X-O
The next day passed all too quickly, Aidou snoring on their couch for a good bit of the morning before he finally woke up, Zero prompting him to leave as soon as he was on his feet. Bitching the entire while, Aidou managed to wave goodbye to Yuuki before the door was once again unceremoniously slammed in his face, leaving the two alone at last.
Zero then proceeded to punish her ever so blissfully long into the afternoon, the two finally managing to make their way to the shower, though it wasn't long before their hands were straying, Zero lifting her off her feet, her back pressed against the shower wall. Her hands gripped his shoulders, her legs lacing about his hips as he began to move inside her, pushing ever deeper with each stroke. Her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck, her body moving to meet his every move. She heard his voice, deep guttural growls emitted from her lover, her own voice soon joining his as she came undone, her body tightening around him, her fingernails digging into the muscle of his back. He stood, still holding her against the wall, burying his face in her neck. His lips touched her skin, her head tilting back, exposing the column of her neck to his hungry eyes.
He remained within her, their bodies still joined as his fangs traced along her skin, at last piercing her neck, her arms clinging desperately to him. His body began moving within her once again, the girl wondering if her body would break under his hands. Her eyes closed, the familiar euphoria washing over her as he drank from her, making love to her all the while. It was nearly too much to bear, Yuuki losing all control, her very blood screaming her pleasure as he drank from her.
Breaths heavy, he slowly lowered her, her feet touching the shower floor though her legs were yet a bit unsteady. His tongue laved at the punctures he'd left in his wake, lingering over them until the blood had ceased to flow.
The pair managed to actually accomplish a shower before preparing to go out. She was surprised to see Zero don a pair of jeans with no knees and a grey thermal shirt under a faded black t- shirt. She was so used to seeing him in more formal attire that it caught her a bit off guard.
"You look good," she told him, smiling as he took her hand.
"Not nearly as good as you. You ready?" he asked, Yuuki nodding in response.
"Yeah, let's go," she said, Zero pulling her along behind him as they vacated the loft.
X-O-X-O
The day passed all too quickly, Zero's mission of the day being to acquire a cell phone for his girl. He stood patiently while she touched every display model in the store, chattering with the salesperson over what each did. She only had two requirements: that it was red and that it was a flip phone. She'd griped about not wanting to sit on it and dial someone by mistake if the keys were exposed. As he watched her, he couldn't help but smile. She was like a kid in a candy store, finally settling on one she liked. After he bought it for her, he continued to wait while they activated it, Yuuki holding it like her prized possession as they made their way back onto the street.
"Now, before you do anything else…give me your number and I'll give you mine. That way, if you need me…"
"Of course I need you, stupid," she giggled, poking him in the ribs.
"I'm serious. I want you to always be able to reach me if you need to. It'll keep my heart from skipping beats," he muttered as they went about programming each other's numbers in. She stashed her new phone in her bag, lacing her fingers with his as they continued down the street.
X-O-X-O
All too soon, the day came, Yuuki already depressed as she watched him pack for his trip. He turned to her as she sat on the bed, a dreadful look upon her face.
"Don't look so miserable, baby. I'll be back soon," he promised, kissing her cheek before returning to the task at hand.
"I know, but I'm still bummed. Guess I'll have to get over it, won't I?" she mumbled, more to herself than to him.
"You'll be so busy you won't have time to be bummed," he pointed out, shoving the last bit of clothing into his bag.
"Yeah. I'll still miss you, though," she told him as he took a seat beside her. He gave her a smile, clearing her dark hair from her face as he leaned in, capturing her lips. Well on their way to another carnal delight, Zero forced himself to pull back, pressing one last kiss to her forehead.
"I've got to go. I'll call you at night, ok? Be a good girl while I'm gone," he whispered in her ear, sending chills racing along her spine.
"Ok." It was all she could manage as she walked him to the door.
"I love you," he said, kissing her once more.
"I love you, too. Be careful," she told him, shutting the door as he disappeared down the stairs.
X-O-X-O
He made his way to his car, hoping that Cross had packed light. He wasn't sure his trunk could handle all of Cross's earthly possessions, should he choose to take them all with him to the gathering. As he drove across town, he thought of the girl he'd left behind. He couldn't seem to kill the worry that dwelled within him, though he knew she'd be fine for five days. If anything did happen, he knew he'd be able to rely on his comrades to handle it in his absence.
Arriving at St. Mary, he found both Cross and Yagari awaiting his arrival outside. As he pulled up, Cross waved like a mad man, his glasses perched upon the end of his nose as usual. He opened the door, Zero popping the trunk for Yagari to toss the bags inside.
"Good morning, Kiryu! How's my Yuuki?" he asked. "She doesn't come by very often these days. You all must be keeping her busy at the café," he noted, Yagari immediately offering his outlook.
"He's keeping her busy, alright," he muttered, shoving Cross in the back before sliding into the passenger seat.
"Don't be so crude, Yagari," Cross protested, a deep laugh escaping the object of his chastisement.
"Cross, you think that's crude, how about if I say this bastard is stickin' it to your daughter day and night. Hell, I bet the poor girl never gets any sleep," he observed, Zero cringing as Cross plugged his ears, a chorus of "LaLaLaLa" soon emitting from the back seat.
"I'm glad we're all adults here," Yagari noted, wishing to God that he was puffing on a smoke. Stupid apprentice and his stupid smoking ban.
"Thanks for that," Zero bitched, not the least bit appreciative of Yagari's informative speech. Still, he was sure it was obvious what went on between them at this point, but he'd prefer that her adoptive father not be given a detailed report on their activities.
"What? It's not like it's a lie, is it? Damn it, you had to have a car with no leg room, didn't you?" he griped, ignoring his somewhat agitated apprentice, shaking his head as Cross's chorus continued.
"Yuuki's just fine, Cross. God, this is going to be a long ass trip, isn't it?" Zero realized, pulling off towards the freeway.
"That's the understatement of the damn year," Yagari answered, settling in for the cramped ride ahead.
X-O-X-O
"Fucking pay attention," Yagari hissed, his apprentice cursing under his breath as he was unceremoniously thwacked in the back of the head by his master.
"Christ, that girl's really got some hold on you. Ever seen anything like it, Cross?" he wondered, his good eye resting upon Yuuki's "father".
"Young love. Quite splendid, isn't it?" the tawny eyed man asked quietly, swiftly pushing his glasses up from their precarious perch upon the end of his nose before turning his attention back towards the member of the Hunter's Association that currently held the floor.
"Quite sickening is more like it," the surly man with the eye patch griped quietly, before taking a long draw off his smoke. He wondered silently to himself if Zero had heard a single word that'd been uttered since they'd arrived, the young vampire seemingly in a world of his own. Yagari knew full well who had control of his charge's thoughts, and he wondered with his usual amount of cynicism if the two could manage to be without each other for a few measly days. Leaning over, Cross patted Zero on the shoulder, nearly blinding him with his smile.
"Only two more days, Kiryu," the older man reminded him quietly, Zero nodding in response.
The three had already been absent from the city for three days, and the silver haired vampire was growing quite tired of occupying a cold bed when night fell, longing to feel the warmth of the small body that he'd grown so used to sharing his bed with over the past months.
Zero couldn't help but wonder how she was faring, though he knew it was foolish to be overly concerned for her safety in his absence. He'd left her in the care of his very capable comrades and he was sure that she was fine, if not a bit lonely as he found himself to be. Shaking his thoughts from his mind, he continued to force himself to remain awake as the man behind the lectern continued prattling on.
X-O-X-O
At long last, much to the relief of the cramped legs of all three men, the speech was over, making way for an intermission before the new assignments were issued. Taking advantage of the moment, the trio rose, each intent on their own mission.
"I'll be back," Cross declared, dashing through the crowd before disappearing from view.
"I need a smoke," Yagari muttered, causing Zero to shake his head as he followed him out of the large meeting hall and out into the chilly night air.
"I bet you'd be amazed at how much money you'd save if you kicked that disgusting habit of yours," the vampire noted, receiving a glare from his master for his trouble.
"You might even finally be able to replace that dusty old hat of yours," he added, a deep laugh escaping his companion.
"Leave my hat and my habits the hell alone," he warned, enjoying the first puff of his newly lit cigarette. He watched as Zero drew his cell phone from his coat pocket, a smirk gracing Yagari's lips.
"Here we go. This should be good," he mused, Zero ignoring him entirely as he dialed, turning his back to him. He listened as it rang once, twice, before the sweet and familiar voice he'd been looking forward to hearing answered.
"Hey," she greeted, a smile immediately touching his lips.
"Hey. How's everything?" he wondered, continuing to ignore Yagari's teasing in the background.
"Fine. It's been pretty busy today. I'm kinda' tired, actually. What about with you?" Yuuki asked, hearing his loud sigh.
"That good, huh?"
"Nothing exciting, that's for damn sure. Have you had any trouble?" he asked.
"Not a bit. I miss you, though," she told him. He was startled as Yagari appeared suddenly, hanging onto his shoulder as he spoke loudly enough for Yuuki to hear.
"We'll be back soon, little girl, so don't get too worked up!" he called, before Zero managed to shrug him off and return to his conversation.
"You'll have to ignore him," he said apologetically, retreating a few steps away to avoid being accosted by Yagari once again.
"Like usual. Is he even worse when he's drunk?" Yuuki wondered, Zero's smile returning.
"You'll have to witness that for yourself sometime. Anyway…I miss you too, baby. It's good to hear your voice. I'm glad you're alright," he told her, Yagari still making fun of him without mercy.
"Everything's fine," she assured him, the vampire satisfied by the revelation.
"I'm glad to hear it. I've got to get back, but I'll call you tomorrow. I love you," he told her, the expected chuckle escaping the man behind him.
"Love, he says," Yagari mumbled, before at last granting his charge some peace.
"I love you, too. Night," Yuuki answered.
"Sleep well…while you can," he added quietly, before returning the phone to his pocket. He turned back towards the meeting hall, his head rising as he met the smirking face of his master.
"What?" Zero wondered, stopping just before him.
"'…while you can?'" the tall, dark haired hunter mocked, being met by a devilish smirk.
"Jealous, old man?" he wondered, Yagari's brow rising.
"I'd watch that shit if I were you," he griped, before the two disappeared inside.
X-O-X-O
Night had fallen, Yuuki busy as ever delivering red "wine" to their usual clientele. Two more days. Only two more days and her consort would be back. She'd missed him greatly, looking forward to each call he'd made, only because she could hear his voice. She'd only talked to him a few moments prior, though she felt as though it'd been an eternity since she'd heard him speak.
Yuuki noticed that Rima and Shiki had been absent, but assumed they were off on some modeling assignment or another. Kaname, Ruka had informed her, was away on business. As a Pureblood, he was expected to bear more weight on his shoulders than most vampires. He was heavily involved in the politics of the vampire world and apparently, he was a key player in them.
The door chimed, Yuuki nearly losing her breath as the silver haired man stepped through the door. She was already a few steps beyond the counter to greet him when her smile faded, the girl stopping dead in her tracks. He'd also stopped, his lavender eyes locked with hers. She felt a shiver run through her, utterly at a loss as to what she was witnessing. She was looking at a mirror image of Zero, though it wasn't Zero. This man had no tattoo upon his neck, his hair longer and tied back in a small ponytail. Still, he was the spitting image of her lover, her hand gripping the counter next to her to keep her from toppling over.
Yuuki wasn't the only one staring. The other occupants of the room looked as though their eyes would bug from their heads at any moment, silence descending upon the room. Recovering her faculties, Yuuki spoke up, finding her voice with much effort.
"Hi. May I help you?" she greeted, the man cocking his head to the side as he continued to watch her. At last he spoke, his voice lighter than that of her lover.
"I'll take a glass of red," he answered, helping himself to a nearby chair. Yuuki retrieved a bottle and a glass, making her way over to where he sat.
"Here you go," Yuuki said, pouring a glass full of red liquid and sitting it before him. So, this man was a vampire as well. She quickly put the pieces together in her mind, though it seemed highly improbable after what Zero had told her about his family. He'd said they'd all been murdered. If so, how on Earth could this man…
"I take it you're related to Zero. You…you look just like him," she nearly whispered, a grin touching his lips.
"So you're his girl. Well, it's a true pleasure to meet you. I never imagined Zero would actually care about anyone again, after what happened. And I suppose I would look like him. He is my twin, after all," the stranger informed her, taking a drink before sitting his glass back onto the table. He extended his hand, the stupefied girl taking it as he shook it gently.
"I'm Ichiru," he said, introducing himself.
"Yuuki," she returned. "Zero never mentioned that he had a brother," she told him, taking a seat across from him, the shock wearing off slowly.
"I'm not surprised. So you two are close, are you? I'd wager you're the first that's managed that since we were young," he said, still sipping from his glass.
"You got here just in time. Zero gets back in two days," she told him, his light brow rising.
"Away on hunter business, I assume. I bet that old bastard Yagari even showed up," he guessed, Yuuki nodding in response.
"He's quite the character, isn't he? I've only met him once, but that was enough," she laughed, her laughter ending as she saw the look in his eyes…eyes the color of Zero's, but eyes that spoke in a completely different manner. She looked away, not wishing to gawk at her companion's brother.
"I'm sure Zero will be glad to see you," she said, Ichiru closing his eyes, his grin spreading.
"Let's keep my arrival a secret, shall we? I'd like to surprise him," he told her, his eyes seeming to have darkened since he'd arrived. The longer she sat there, the more uncomfortable she felt. Something, she knew, was very wrong with this situation. Still, she couldn't ask Zero about it yet, not until he'd seen his brother.
She looked around, noticing that the other patrons had all vanished, Yuuki having been oblivious to the sounds of the door chiming as they'd exited. Now, she was alone with him, the mirror image of the man she loved. Looking at the clock, she realized it was after ten o'clock.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to close up," she said, as he finished his drink, handing her his glass.
"It was nice to meet you. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you soon," he said smoothly, getting to his feet. He was even tall like Zero, her neck craning as she looked up at him.
"Take care of my brother, Yuuki. He needs it," Ichiru said, "and remember…don't tell him I'm here. I'll let him know that myself."
"Sure. I'll see you later, then," she said, watching his lanky form retreat as he left her alone with her thoughts.
X-O-X-O
AN: Sooo, I'll call it 2nd base, though it could probably be considered 3rd to some. But we've a *cough* experienced *cough* bunch in this fic, yes? And I just realized that Yagari may die of lung cancer before this fic is over, since he pulls out a new cigarette every three seconds. Perhaps I'll work on helping him quit… ;P
AND quickie poll: Should I make Ichiru a baddie? Or a nice guy? Which one? Tell me! _
Hope you liked Chapter 10. GAWD, this fic is getting long. Wow. Thanks for reading!
*Cosmic*