Ω
Growing together for centuries, they had learned each other's thought patterns, habits and reactions. He knew her better than her parent's and admitted so did she than his parent's. From their first meeting, coincidental or fated encounters afterwards, to their outlandish transpiring love, riveting feelings for each other. It was easily transfigured both had chosen the other despite their obvious insufficiencies and deplorable selfishness.
Selfishness could be interpreted however one desired. He deduced it was because of his staggering selfish heart why he adored and cherished his wife. In spite of the humanistic dreadful trait, selfishness was what motivated him to reach out first, grab her heart, and stoop to one knee, begging to spend an eternity together. It was also that same selfishness why he strived to survive, care for their growing family, and rationally accept the aftermath of his decisions. Selfish was Haruka and his partner, but he cursed himself more for dragging his innocent and lovely wife into the family curse. He informed her of the future pains embedded to the Kurosu bloodline; sons were immune to the curse, not daughters.
Their first child was a sign of fortune but occasionally his wife's maternal dreams were instigated from meeting the growing daughters of her distant relatives.
How their long hair winded over their small back and their delicate little feet slipped into shiny shoes as they dressed prettily for parties with their cheeks rouge from happiness. Her heart never failed to skip a beat whenever she watched daughters stand with their families, smiling beautifully to the world. Perfect, endearing in every form, Juuri became enamored with the idea of having one of her own.
The first time she expressed her hopeless maternal dream to Haruka, he didn't look surprised. She guessed he paid more attention to her straying mother-hungry eyes than anyone. He held her and asked for forgiveness, but within the apologies she sensed he, too, admired the notion of having a miniature Juuri born from their blood in the world.
It was a lost dream and neither anticipated Juuri's second pregnancy to be the embodiment of the secret dream. Juuri kept the diagnosis a secret, insisting to smooth future complications alone if necessary. She was not sharper than her observant spouse and the tiny knowledge compelled her tailored plans to whisk away her daughter in disguise.
Haruka returned home, smelling of rain and leafs. Without depositing his coat, he approached Juuri in the parlor relaxing on the couch over a magazine. She sat up in trepidation at his scrutinizing crimson eyes shadowed by wet hair locks. The locked part of her heart streamed into her eloquent eyes. Juuri never denied it. Haruka had inscrutable ways of learning things and moved with the instinct of a creature from the deep wildlife.
He didn't look unpleased, only caressed her cheek and arrested her in an unending kiss. Yuuki's birth had been in the privacy of their home with the help of two wet nurses. Kaien, Toga, Haruka, their son, and the Kiryuu boys anxiously waited. The moment Yuuki wailed in the arms of the wet-nurse covered from mucus, Haruka held to be restrained from storming in the delivery room by Kaien.
Minutes after the birth, the front door boomed alertly. The sniffing dogs from the Elders Council delivered their 'congratulations' and 'best wishes'.
Juuri had sensed them, and when their dear friends departed from their son's funeral five years later, she cradled the sleeping Yuuki in her bedroom.
"To think," Haruka heard her murmur in Yuuki's ear as he crept in the room, "By the time these hands will be large enough to grab mine, you'll be taken away from us." Juuri's arms remained unmoving on Yuuki. Haruka reached over her shoulder to wipe away her tears, leaning forward he kissed Yuuki's forehead, engulfed by the mysterious odor of sunshine.
They were exhausted from mourning their son's death while Yuuki was too young to understand the vindictive twist in her fate. She cried because her parents cried, and screamed empathically at the desolate gazes received from relatives, unaware that she was the one at loss not they. The curse didn't restrict Haruka and Juuri from providing Yuuki resources, information, and updates on both human and vampire societies.
They might have been bias and tolerated human generalities better than the council news, but Yuuki never questioned or seem bothered by their eccentric interest. Kurosu bloodline derived from pureblood, similar to the Pureblood Crown and Royal Household. Encompassing such concentrated and extreme blood spoke volumes of their ancestry. When she became interested in the past, Haruka didn't necessarily hesitate and relayed clearly, the Kurosu's association with the monarch and the binding curse.
She delved for answers in his blood, read his memories, and grasped the truth of her family history.
"Now, do you see?" Haruka whispered, brushing a stray lock of brown hair from Yuuki's pale cheek.
She wiped the crimson blood from her lips. One aberrant account was letting a child drink blood before the body required sustenance; Haruka permitted the transfer to clarify her questions. Yuuki sighed in her shaking palm and he automatically pulled her in his embrace. "We will fight for you." Haruka soothed his daughter.
"I don't want to die." Yuuki quivered in his chest. "Oto-chan, please, don't let them take me…"
Haruka crushed her drastically closer. She clenched his sleeves, silent shivers and tears unraveled in the room. Juuri's heart undulated with identical despondence and she resorted to block emotion in Yuuki's proximity.
In their privacy, he was able to peel away each layer of her shield, even as he drank her blood, her rooted sorrow had wrapped itself in the spine of her soul. She was too hurt to be calm. To save her tears, he kept his thoughts empty when Juuri probed into his heart. Peering into his intimate ideas, desires, dreams, and torture through his blood.
Strong willed as he was, Haruka couldn't wipe his own tears at the thought of her fangs touching his skin, and the nightmares she would uncover. She pinched his neck tighter, her fingers digging his side and back. Her body rigid above him, an earnest plea to barricade him from the oncoming shower of malevolence of the world. Enduring the haunting ache together forced them to hope for the future.
The hour Yuuki left home to become sacrifice was arduously insane. Haruka had no idea how he managed to help Yuuki in the car that took her away from them forever. She was condemned for a past unrelated to her existence; a punishment he found injustice and blind. The sadist Elders Council and Royal Household thought otherwise.
Gripping the sole proof that their daughter was possibly alive lured them in each other's arms for the first time in half a year.
Juuri sat with the bed sheets clasped to her heart, beadily staring at the shadows on the floor.
Haruka sighed on her bare shoulder, warming her trembling, weak body.
After months from leaving her home, Yuuki tried to reconnect with her parents, reuniting their miserable hearts and leaving as if never were.
Juuri pressed the sheets to her wet eyelids, consuming her flowery scent again. Haruka listened to the murmur from Juuri's chest. She twisted in his arms, against his squeezing grip around her waist. His eyes stirred open in the dim light by the magnetic force exuding from somewhere in her thin body. The material glided on her bare leg, slipped from her arm but clenched within her white knuckles. Her thick brown hair covered his shoulder as her lips tantalizingly brushed the flesh of his collarbone. Prying the shirt away, her lips hovered the bone in agonizing stillness.
Haruka's eyes narrowed on her pale shoulder. Pushing a hand on the middle of her back, he pressed her weight on him, capturing her like a wounded animal.
Juuri didn't resist in his arms, relished in the familiar heat of his hands along her spine and ribs. Burrowing her mouth on the curve of his shoulder and below his jaw line, she delighted in the momentary enlightenment of his ambrosial flesh. The taste was constant; same as ever since she first set her lips on his neck over four hundred years before marriage. Haruka's scent and body was unaltered and recognizable even if she were insensate.
He grinded her ribcage and nuzzled her temple coaxingly. "Don't stop." Haruka whispered, weak-kneed at the reality of her fangs inches from his rapid pulse.
Hunger radiated from Juuri in ferocious waves, erratic, determined, and feral. Unsuppressed concern overpowered as he desperately cradled his starved wife and guided her to feed on the blood that sought her in equally. Sure enough, his blood belonged to Juuri who knew every string and cord of his body.
Juuri pierced his alabaster skin vigorously, freezing at the slight pressure on her left arm from Haruka's struggling grip. Her voracious body shuddered in the haze of blood. Dripping its contents like a fountain of eternal life into her scraping throat. Her arm strapped around his back as she turned rigid with desire.
Haruka set his face in the shelter of her tiltled neck, inhaling and listening to the gulps of his blood that fell inside her empty body and combined with Juuri's.
He had ached to have her in his arms for months. Self-condemnation restricted Juuri to resort to mortal urges, ultimately refusing Haruka, her love. Her fingers kneaded his shoulders in the hazy spell of heavy blood rushing toward his neck, into her veins and rest of her body. She drank without stopping, lost breath, too fixated by his memories, musings, and adoration for her, their children, the quiet and comfortable life they shared and the many years in the future.
Relaxing in the visions, Juuri strained her eyes open, smelling his gritty and sensual scent, needing to drown in his blood. She had missed this man utterly—despicably. If her heart didn't reveal enough, her malnourished body expressed sufficiently. The reverberating desire and love, the need to peep into his world, froget her own seclusion and pining heart.
Juuri was besieged by his affection. Haruka's transient euphoria for being her supplier and the unforgettable knowledge that their daughter appeared out of the blue to comfort them. She sighed against him, hugged his shoulders and trapped his legs beneath her thighs. He gripped her hips quickly in response, the result of jolting desire from not touching one another in the last few months. Whether they were aware or not but their molding bodies caved under the spell between want and need. She slowed her gulps, sensed Haruka's grasp on her slacken due to losing a great amount of physical strength. He didn't stop her though, submitted purposely and let her continue as she wanted. Her eyes unclipped to the soft lighting and fell on his dark hair.
Something about their intimate postures reminded her of the first time they explored each other's bodies. More than four hundred years ago when they met, the significant moment they shared blood, rendered their private beliefs and feelings to each other willingly. Juuri experienced exact passion creep into her body and heart she felt ages ago. Haruka's hand drifted upward her back and into her hair.
Gently licking the open wound of his neck, Juuri kissed his collarbone and shoulder with care. Drawing her arm over his shoulder, she paused on the gaping décolleté and withdrew to peer in his drowsy, lovable crimson eyes.
Yuuki mentioned something related to sharing her blood with a significant other in her whisper. Not many vampires found a trustworthy and suitable partner to exchange blood with. Haruka and herself were not young when they met either. Both patiently experienced and lived out their lives prior to meeting, loving, and marrying. Unbuttoning the upper half of his shirt, Juuri etherized his sweltering skin with her tongue. Haruka gasped from short of breath, grabbed her waist with extreme caution and grounded his nails on her thigh, after a thought he relaxed his grab.
"Juuri…" He shuddered with half-lidded eyes, undermined by her control.
She hung her hands on both sides of his open shirt, studying his adoration-lined eyes with an apologetic frown. Suddenly her grip on his shirt dropped, and she reached back to undo her gown. His eyes shot wide at the abruptness and fastened on her hands. To him, she was weaker than a fragile turtle that hadn't fed properly to survive the next day, let alone do anything sexually taxing.
Juuri stared at him with pitiful large orbs. "I love you." She echoed in the hallow room.
Haruka bent forward to clean away the residue of blood snaking down her throat. "And I, you."
"Yuuki," Juuri paused, clamping her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. "She said, she wanted to share blood with someone important."
Every vampire naturally needed a partner. Compared to Haruka and Juuri's meeting, Yuuki had already acknowledged someone in her heart or begun to while still a fledgling. Haruka sat back in the chair, enclosing her in his arms and placed her head on the ridge of his collarbone, under his chin. She sank like an innate fish in the sea, disappearing within his long arms and broad shoulders. "Who can it be?" Haruka whispered in her ear.
Juuri immersed herself in the heat of his body, exulting in the physical contact. She was not self-conscious of her flesh-seeking hands that trapped inside of his shirt, fingering muscle, bone and warm skin. "We can only assume Ousama hasn't sacrificed her like we thought."
"It's strange, Juuri," Haruka lifted a spiraling strand of her hair between fingers, "He released statements the sacrifice was taken care of and no longer a problem, putting an end to the growing gossip. The Elders Council hasn't given further word."
"Maybe, it was to do just that," Juuri closed her eyes on his collar. "To shut up everyone."
"Could it be, possibly?" Haruka shackled the back of her arm. "Ousama is protecting Yuuki?"
"Heh." Juuri scoffed. "Ridiculous. After I begged him, he went ahead and commenced the ball on her behalf, showed her to the world like he originally planned."
Haruka rested his chin on her head. "No one but Ousama merits rights to the sacrifice. If Yuuki is alive like we believe, why hasn't he done it yet? And for what purpose is he misleading the public, misleading us?"
Juuri's eyes drew open, "Didn't the Elders Council force her to stay at the palace to see if she is loyal to her Crown?"
"That is nothing but trash." Haruka corrected, "We know the Elders Council hungers for a sacrifice. Because Ousama hasn't sacrificed Yuuki yet, they are silently tracking his movements. As for Yuuki, she is in more danger than ever. No one to trust in the company of enemies, she must feel cornered by the blood-lusting eyes of the household."
"Hmm…" Juuri contemplated.
He patted her back delicately. "You should rest,"
She only tipped her head back and leaned up. He bent down to retrieve the kiss. "I hope she is alive." Juuri murmured on his mouth.
"So do I." Haruka sighed, "But she should be at home, not the palace. There is so much to teach her, show her, a life she has to live…" His compressing arm around her back tugged with regret.
"Let's request an audience with the King."
Haruka embraced her slowly. "All we can do is try. I won't hope for much, I hope you don't mind."
"I understand." Juuri curled in his grip like a drained kitten. "But she is our reflection, and if she is alive I won't let Ousama touch her."
Ω
The three matured in to grown adults, in human years at least. Due to their extended lifespan, mental maturity was vital along with self-control in the pacifist society. In spite of his twenty-five years, Ichiru still felt like a sloven poltroon, both mentally and physically immature. His talented brother didn't lack in places Ichiru did.
Consistently praised for bravery, stamina, and composure, Zero was admirable in every which way.
His idle comparison led him nowhere as usual. With a grunt, Ichiru sliced the air with the hunter's blade. No wonder Yuuki preferred Zero and hung back with Ichiru out of pity.
Each had difficulties, imperfections and gradually each had to confront problems by implementation of convenient methods. Despite Zero's acute abilities and willpower, he was often regarded as an impassive yeti. Yuuki was wild, without self-restraint and hadn't knowledge of proper conduct. Ichiru didn't desire resolving issues by effortless ideas, he dreamt of searching soluble answers, honing his understanding of the practical world and beyond. If it would take more than a few centuries he was willing to commit every grain of sweat to reach the end.
Had Zero been in the predicament, he would've made his troubles seem superficial, maybe boring. Zero's fortitude matched their legendary ancestors.
In the shallow background, Ichiru stayed untangling the ropes of his fate, unlike Zero who stood in the limelight, graced the world his resilience in blatant perfection.
Cutting in midair, he kicked up, aligned the blade precisely at his eyelevel and landed on his feet. The heat in the training room burned his bare back and shoulders. The sun hadn't shifted from the sky and he already spent the last of his energy training. For years his comrades Kaito, Yagari Sensei even Zero would leave promptly after endurance training while Ichiru lingered for hours to reach their level. Self-improvement designated discipline, Ichiru underwent rigorous training primarily to surpass others, but the need to repay a long over-due debt revolved him back to his arch goal.
Rotating the blade, he twisted fluidly on the ball of his heels, injected another impeccable stroke forward. He flipped the weapon back, moistened his perspiring lips and propelled a diagonal attack near the body bags. He strived for equality between his abnormally powerful brother and himself. Ichiru's goals never became onerous, but when he reached the point of exhaustion, he had only to close his eyes and remember the haunting words.
'You'll see it for yourself one day.' Streaks of fair hair fell over the sympathetic crimson eyes. The grip around his waist was steady as they rode the striding horse. Ichiru's eyes widened at his studious comrade. 'You're twins and you are each other's strength. Without the other, you can't support yourself. All along you're the one secluding yourself, and this isolation makes your heart heavy, doesn't it, Ichiru?'
Clamping a hand over his frightened heart from the man's perceptive stare, Ichiru drew around on the saddle, frowning at himself in sudden shame.
'He is your other half, believe me, these things do exist. In our mother's womb, we all are paired. Along the way our other half doesn't make the journey. Zero and Ichiru strived together and came into the world together. Doesn't that reveal how you need one another?'
Ichiru closed his eyes intently. A reassuring hand patted the back of his silver head. Long arms supported him against his comrade. He listened to the intense heartbeat beneath the shirt, his senses infiltrated by the Kurosu's mysterious scent.
'Don't think you are not strong. Your strength can be mustered when you believe in each other. Doesn't Ichiru always feel better next to Zero?'
He sighed. 'I d-do.'
'Zero loves his brother too much to isolate his heart. It must be why Zero is able to grasp your feelings quicker than you do.'
'But I'm a shame…' Ichiru glared at his small pale hands. Brawn palms covered his hands entirely. He stared at the masculine fingers with a vague hope that one day his own would grow as large with power.
'Ichiru,' He sighed quietly, 'You are not a shame. Not even to Zero. But you'll see it, there are things Zero is not capable of and Ichiru is.'
Plunging the blade next to a dummy's head, Ichiru withdrew his stinging arm. The room swayed and the dummy danced crazily toward him. Dropping to one knee, Ichiru clutched his head.
Sorry, Yuuki… Tears filmed his vision as his hand on sagged the black floor. Shivering from the inside his heart unearthed fear, Ichiru clenched his teeth to restrain from screaming at the memory that should have been reassuring and energetic. Instead dragged his soul out of his body.
For my imperfections, for my weakness, for everything I couldn't be and still am not… Sorry, sorry… Stuffing a hand on his mouth, he sobbed like a lonely creature at the edge of the world.
She visited him two nights ago, embraced him, some sort of declaration that she was unharmed after sensing his plaguing musings from the day she became sacrifice. Her scent and body charged his somnolent mind.
Riveted in her arms, Ichiru stared widely at the stream of brown hair, noted the usual sunny aroma mingling in flowers. Her gorgeous scent fingered the linings of his body and kissed away the shyness he felt when she held him comfortingly in their youth. Rather than standing up from the chair, Ichiru lifted an arm over her neck, pulled her closer to his back. Her breath pooled under his ear and he felt once again at peace, as he was prone to when the three slept in Zero's bed.
"I thought…" Words struggled to float from his numb throat. Ichiru's mind reeled as he gaped at his stationary. He realized with a start he had fallen asleep reading, soon to be visited by a ghost in the late night. The apparition was warm, a feather-like sensation tickling the back of his eyes. He blinked to reassure himself, hastily flinging around to pull Yuuki on her knees by his chair.
Snaking his hands around her waist, Ichiru tugged her to his chest, hoarsely hissing. "Please, tell me you're real…please, please…" He began chanting like a hopeless infant locked in the dark. "Don't be a dream, Yuuki, please."
She leaned on her knees, held him gently and patted his shoulder. "Ichiru…"
His heart rammed wildly against his chest. Pulling away, he grabbed her face and kissed her roughly. She gasped in his steaming mouth, withdrawing widely. "Iti…"
"What?" Ichiru touched her pulsing throat, searching her eyes for hesitation. Yuuki gaped at him in stupefaction and he assured with musical chuckles, "We used to kiss all the time when we were kids. What's wrong now?"
Yuuki turned her head with freezing resoluteness. "We kissed to regain energy. We aren't kids anymore."
Lavender eyes leapt to the escalading movement of her breasts, lifting and falling in soothing cycles against the tenuous dress. Her small shoulders plated in alabaster skin glistened milky satin, inciting saliva on his tongue at the basking vision of licking the skin layers away from the appealing blood he occasioned to steal once. In the dark, Ichiru could distinguish the streak of her collarbone, chest and the soft curve of her waist, rising modestly into hips.
Ichiru wanted to laugh at himself. Undeniably, they had grown older, their physical dispositions now different but their hearts and habits remained the same. There was no doubt they weren't innocent children content to sleep next to each other in the day. Age had changed them outwardly, nonetheless, Ichiru eternally considered Yuuki his true confidante and love. He encased her in his arms again, hugged each rib and clutched the sinuous trait of her hips and thighs.
He felt his heart struggle to pump blood through his body, fatigued by hallow desire but mad-awake by her rejuvenating scent and sound. "Do you know how much I've missed you? I thought you were gone forever." Ichiru clenched his eyes, focused on her timid frame craved within his arms. "I thought I couldn't breathe, and the king released statements of your sacrifice. It was all over the news!"
Gasping against the hot web of tears and emotions clogging his throat, Ichiru gurgled, "Every night I dream of murdering him but I remember clearly: promising to protect and helping you from the curse. The King is not the one at fault—but I. All along it's been me who couldn't take you away from the curse. Don't forgive me, Yuuki. Hit me, hate me, I won't stop your blows. It's only you who can, please…" Ichiru released her, peered through distorted rivulets at her face. "I should've been stronger for you. The debt I owe, I'm still far from reaching…"
Hurriedly wiping his tears, Yuuki shook her head, "No, stop, Ichiru-kun, wait. Don't do this!" Rubbing the pad of her fingers on his moistened cheeks, she stopped thoughtfully under both lavender eyes. "You don't owe me anything, Ichiru. Leave it all in the past."
"What good am I after you've been taken to the Royal Household?"
"This curse was decided ages ago." She reasoned, "We all know the history and why. I'd rather submit myself than have my family die, don't you get it?"
Ichiru clenched her wrists, clipped his nails on the inner columns. "But I don't want you to die alone."
A wheezed laughter, tight-pitched and mechanical vomited out of her throat as Yuuki lowered her head. "I am not alone."
"We all know the Elders Council is growing impatient to sacrifice you, just to prove their absurd 'loyalty' to the Pureblood Crown. There are other ways and death should be unacceptable: sacrificing a Kurosu doesn't show loyalty. It means eliminating a society member, an innocent citizen. Yuuki, you weren't who killed the king, why are you being punished?"
"Because that's how it always been! Daughters will fall to the curse. The Council, Cabinet, and Royal Household aren't satisfied by other means. How can I stop them? I'm nothing but a descendant of a culprit to their eyes!"
"But we know you are not and there might be thousands, millions thinking it's unfair."
"Ichiru, please." Yuuki wrenched away but his grip never loosened.
"I can't, I can't, I…" Panting, Ichiru buried his head on her hands. "Can't let you die. I promised to help keep you safe."
"You have." She could hear her heart speedily screaming in the silent room, confident Ichiru could sense her anxiety and erratic pulse on her wrists. "Ichiru, you and Zero have always watched over me, it's more than I can ever ask for. Thank you but don't do this anymore, stop blaming yourself." He continued trembling from forlorn assumptions.
She couldn't watch him self-deteriorate. Se'd never forgive herself, or him for being foolish. Because of me… Biting her tongue, impatiently Yuuki shouted, "Oni-sama wouldn't want you to come to this state!"
She had said it, the provoker of his haunting dreams, the root of his turmoil, the one penalizing him for the unfulfilled promise. Yet it had been he who walked away and cheated the agreement all along.
All along… Ichiru turned rigid in the perilous silence that hung above the two by brittle straws of memories. Mercilessly, he clawed his hair at the intense visions surpassed the barricade of control. He feared despairingly when he was younger if those taunting memories unveiled the demon in him would loom his body forever. Ichiru gritted his fangs under the strain of reviving images.
"Ichiru?" Her hands grabbed him through the cyclone of hurtful and vitriolic energy.
Their fingertips caressed and he felt agony insert like a crater in his chest at the loss of contact, alarmed that she couldn't save him from himself. If only he reached out farther, tried harder, more meaningfully, yes, those words were his spiel for years to help return to reality. Ichiru didn't expect it to be abrupt and obstinate especially with Yuuki near, but somehow it was flawless in its prevalence. Why wouldn't he feel it with Yuuki there?
'Are you always timid?'
'Nn, I don't know. I'm not timid in front of you!'
'No.' He smiled amusedly. 'So what do you think of my Yuuki? Now, don't be timid.'
He flushed brilliantly, refusing to sound discreet. 'Think what? She is cute… for a baby. Durr.'
'Ahh, she is cute. But don't you think she's a little cuter than other babies? Hmm? Hmm?'
'We-well...? I-I guuuess so. She is pretty cute.'
Resting his chin on the roof of his hat, he murmured. 'Think you can look after her?'
Ichiru stiffened in astonishment. 'Mm-me?'
'Yes.'
'Bu-bu-But why mm-me?' Sweat glided across his temple in the heat of daylight.
Large hands helped rearrange his hat. 'Ichiru watches my Yuuki through gentle and caring eyes.'
Ichiru ducked his head, shuffling the hat uneasily. 'Nn, no, I don't. Zero will be better.'
'Hm, Zero would definitely do what I tell him.'
He fought the bleak feeling ebbing inside of his chest. 'Ye-yea, he would! Zero will make sure Yuuki is safe.'
'Then how about…' He secretly peered at Ichiru's sad expression. 'Once my Yuuki is old enough, you can marry her.'
'Mar—marry?' Ichiru screamed. 'That's too much!'
'But I think Ichiru fits Yuuki nicely.' He grinned.
Sighing from embarrassment, Ichiru hid his face. 'I'd…have to think about it but if you prefer I stay by Yuuki then I will.'
'Deciding so quickly, hmkay. You don't mind if Zero is with her too?'
There was a short stiffening in his body, but Ichiru acquiesced. 'I know Yuuki means a lot to Kaoru-kun—I won't let you down!'
'Then I leave it to Yuuki.' He stared at the noon sky. 'Surely she'll reunite your hearts.'
'Whose heart?'
'Yours and Zero's.'
'Oh…'
'But seriously, don't you think Yuuki is prettier than other babies? She has this cute wrinkle on her bottom lip when she smiles. Don't you think so? Don't you? Don't you?'
'I don't know!'
'Don't you like her?'
'I don't!'
'Thought you weren't timid.'
'I'm not!' Ichiru stared stonily up into his crimson eyes.
He blinked and whispered sneakily, revealing a playful fang, 'Just admit it. You like Yuuki, doon't you?'
Ichiru clamped his ears. 'Stop asking me! Lala-laaaa-laaa-laaa!'
'But I asked Yuuki yesterday if she liked you…' He trailed.
'LAA-LAA—she's a baby! LAA-LAAAAAA!'
'I showed her a picture of you.' He paused with a mysterious grin.
Ichiru's eyes flared wide in disbelief. 'My picture? Not Zero's right?'
'Mm-hm.' He nodded confidently. 'She did this adorable squeal with her hands up, it was too cute f—' A searing object plunged through the sky. He fished around just in time. 'Ichiru—Look out!'
Sturdy, enforcing arms snatched Ichiru from behind, pushing him out of the way from the throttling arrow in their direction. Ichiru skittered across the ground, dizzy from the beaming sunlight, he hissed from the stinging sensation of scraped skin. Raising his head, he titled the hat higher to peer at the colossal figure in front of him. The black coat rippled in the sunlight, hitting Ichiru's right cheek.
Turning his head suspiciously toward the right, he glared into the infinite trails of dust disappearing into the forest beyond the residence.
Ichiru leapt to his feet and ran behind him, clinging to his waist in guilt. 'Sorry, Kaoru, I didn't see. If it weren't for you I would've gotten hit. What was it?'
Amber-ruby eyes fondly twinkled at the boy joined to his body like clothing. Rubbing his head, he smiled. 'Nothing troublesome I hope.' Scanning the forest for a moment, he unbuckled Ichiru's hands. 'Why don't you head on over to Papillion. If you saddle yourself without help I'll let you handle the reigns.'
Amazed, Ichiru gaped. 'Really? I can!'
'But you must saddle securely before I come.' Kaoru smiled somberly.
'I will!' Ichiru darted toward the horse across the field. 'Kaoru, you can't come right now okay? You have to wait five minutes.'
'Of course, I won't, I promise.' Ichiru was out of view the moment he was surrounded by the striking army. Kaoru stepped forward in halfhearted relief. Catching the rifting exchange of glares between the predators, he casually gestured with a palm toward the large shadow nether the trees. 'Shooting in broad daylight has identical risks than night. Some of us unusual vampires sometimes like to take walks and bask in the sun. We were just in the middle of a fruitful conversation but were interrupted by your arrows.' Kaoru's glare hardened on the standing army. 'Care to elucidate the unexpected attack?'
'Unexpected?' Growled another merging shadow in the harsh light. 'Didn't you anticipate it sometime ago?'
He smirked at his limp hand and the shadow mending through the grass roots, gliding under his boots. 'I have been under surveillance far too closely for my liking.' Kaoru contemplated the rustling grass. 'Makes me question my crime? To be the heart of this insurrection hadn't been my intention.'
'Still playing honorable…' Mocked a deep voice amongst the crowd. Squawking hawks, and bats accumulated upon mansion rooftop, across the field and within trees. They had locked him with no place to run meticulously. 'In spite of your poisonous nature… Kurosu Kaoru, you are slowly becoming a favorite in the Royal Household. Our King dotes on you like his very son, isn't that an advantageous contribution to the Kurosu Clan?'
Kaoru laughed softly under his breath, 'Please, save the praises.' All evidence of congeniality within his gaze subsided to ferocious fury. He crudely reviewed the shadow, 'Ichijo-sama, you didn't strike me as the leader of the insurrection. Our King will feel terrible learning your injustice and disloyalty.'
The calm façade of the Elder Council's Head shimmered in the gold rays, stony green eyes narrowed on the immobile gold-silver haired in the sun. Kurosu's were famous for having powers controlling nature and he was no different than the ancestors with the ability to empower in the sun unlike normal vampires. By the remarkable glowing crimson eyes, Asato speculated the Kurosu heir was wretchedly stronger than his army in the day. He managed to collect spies dutifully and waited for an opportunity when Kaoru wasn't near the Royal Mansion.
'Disloyalty is perpetuating crime and living brazenly before the King.' Asato murmured in stern rancor, gaze gleaming in malice. 'Six centuries have passed without a sacrifice. At long last, we have finally risen with conviction that a sacrifice to honor the throne must be acquired.'
'Sacrifice?' Kaoru clenched his jaw at the word. 'You…Are after…' His glare darkened in vociferous loathing but it became radiant clear, the answer he needed. 'Yuuki…'
'The long awaited Kurosu sacrifice will be claimed in due time.'
'I'm amused that a proficient vampire from the Elders Council can be foolish even now,' Kaoru rubbed his brow with his fingertips. 'As long as I live, no one can touch Yuuki. The Lawrence Law is in affect, while an elder male lives, the daughter is exempted from the curse.'
'How convenient.' Chortled a lithe vampire beside Asato. 'That our thoughts can integrate extensively, for that we are grateful but no more than your being here.' Shadows took flight over his shoulders toward Kaoru. 'Because for a sacrifice to appeal to the King, you must be eliminated.'
Kaoru ripped across the field in supreme agility, dodging the snaring army expertly.
Watching from the shadows beneath the trees, Asato growled. 'You must wonder…why we would hurt our own?'
Unflinching at the forceful claw stinging his arm, Kaoru sent the assailant rippling into dusts with a formidable blow.
'But being alive doesn't warrant peace. I have yet to avenge victory from Kurosu Lawrence, he did satisfactorily saving his dear sister centuries ago. I come today with the intention to conquer not repeat defeat.' Seething, he furrowed his brows, crinkling the composed façade with black wrinkles as he watched Kaoru fluently repel his army. 'You are one solider too many, no wonder the King admires your valor, Kaoru. But strength alone doesn't guarantee victory.'
Kaoru thrust a claw into a vampire's jugular, shoving him away in disdain. 'Leave my family—'
'That sweet blood must be growing inside of her just now. Suitable for the King's tastes when he devours her life.'
Kaoru struck into the shadows, arms, and claws grabbing Asato from the front and shoved him against a tree. 'Stop mentioning her.'
'It is precisely for that reason,' Asato's menacing grip folded over Kaoru's claws, he smirked at the sneering young vampire who couldn't threaten an Elder. 'Every last one, every drop of the disgraceful blood must diminish.'
Ichiru slowed his thumping boots on the warm ground, unknowingly halting in the showering sun. Lowering his hat over his eyes, he glared at the grass. Shadows swarmed from all direction, navigating from the mansion, in the forest and on trees. Stealing a sharp breath, he froze at the ensemble of spies scraping across the sky and over him. Kaoru instructed him to saddle by himself and he was anxious to prove his skills with the horse. Ichiru hadn't always been sharper than Zero. Regardless of his weak instincts, he sensed the dispelling aura lurking from where he came.
Confusion compounded from habitual obedience, Ichiru struck his hat above his forehead to study the increasing landscape of spies. His blood thickened alertly as he stiffened with uncontrollable caution. Usually he wasn't persuaded by interruptions but it was no ordinary fact finding the Elders Council spies roaming in daylight. The century-old, unparalleled vampires abhorred light, nurtured in the dark, like earthworms in thick soil.
He wanted to run away, saddle the horse and hear Kaoru's compliments for doing a good job, return to familiarity, a world he was accustomed to, not the twisting truth he feared confronting. Transfixed, Ichiru wrestled with the new knowledge, obedience overridden by cynical fidelity of the Council's presence, and Kaoru's swift willingness to let him take care of the horse. When in fact, it was hardly the case in the past.
It was best he run away from the lurking danger. Cover his ears and eyes, shakily rocking and listening to the beating noise of his back colliding with the firm wall. Ichiru was spineless, fragile, and senseless. He couldn't possibly be related to the legendary Kiryuu's unlike Zero.
Hissing under his breath, Ichiru set his fang on his bottom lip, sturdily swinging around on his heel. He didn't want to cover his eyes fearfully forever. Not when all his life Kaoru encouraged him to do better, guided him in his studies, training, patted his shoulder and praised him. Motivating him to strive, succeed; reinforce determination in his Kiryuu spirit. After all, Ichiru had a duty to protect the Crown Prince, live up to the name of his ancestors as the Friends of the Royal Family.
Ichiru sped toward the forest, worry persisted and he fiercely tried to collect his wits. Boots sliding across the soil once he came to a halt, Ichiru regarded the consuming army blocking the obvious shape of Kaoru in the center. Panting loudly, he stepped toward the group, setting his shaking fists on his sides and looked on in unyielding perseverance. No more running away like a timid child. No more asking for protection, no more being weak. No more fear. He was Kiryuu Ichiru, one of the last sons of the stupendous clan.
'Get away from him!' Ichiru screamed, storming into the crowd and throwing himself over Kaoru. 'Leave Kaoru-kun alone!' The face he met was the Head of Council, Asato Ichijo, revered and ostensibly virulent with power. Staggering, Ichiru bared his fangs, glaring bitterly. 'Ichijo-sama…'
'Son of Kiryuu…' Asato observed unsmilingly.
Pushing his arms up, Ichiru muttered guardedly. 'Don't hurt Kaoru-kun.'
The once burly hand shook as it landed on Ichiru's shoulder. Kaoru dragged the boy to the ground, flashing him a slow smile, his vision wavered, 'Didn't I tell you tt-to go?'
'Kaoru-kun…' Ichiru gasped at the extremely pale vampire, broken words streamed, 'What just—you…'
'Kiryuu's are the Trusted Friends of the King not the traitors.' Asato reminded, lifting the boy in midair without hands. Ichiru wailed and helplessly flung his arms. 'Do remember your place.'
'Kaoru-kun is my friend!' Ichiru shrieked at the frigid Elder. 'Let him go!'
Swaying to his feet, Kaoru gestured delicately toward Ichiru. 'Can you please release him? He is someone utterly important to me and the King.'
Asato released Ichiru to the ground who promptly darted into Kaoru's arms. He sucked in a breath at the impact of Ichiru's clenching grip. Kaoru covered his head as if he grasped a precious treasure and scowled at the violently impatient audience, massaging their hands and licking lips in hunger.
'Kaoru-kun, let's get out of here. We don't know why the Elders Council is treating you bad.' Ichiru pleaded in his coat. 'Let's hurry, Kaoru-kun, I don't want to be around them anymore…' Gaping up, his lips trembled at the guilty crimson eyes strained with tears. 'Kao…ru…?'
Suddenly a tender smile flared in the leaning face of his friend. 'You had better hold your end of the deal, Ichiru.' Kaoru caressed his head. A stifling knot anchored in the pit of his stomach, Ichiru steadily watched as Kaoru knelt and fastened him in his arms. 'It's ok to be afraid.'
Whimpering on his shoulder, Ichiru closed his eyes to shun the impending nightmare.
'Ichiru watches my Yuuki through kind eyes.'
'I…Don't!' Ichiru screamed on his neck, feeling the slight tightening of his embrace constrict his breathing.
A sage silence filled the two, looking up at the towering shadows escaping into the light, Kaoru raptly shoved Ichiru flat on the ground seconds before the hunter's weapon injected his chest, two blades imprisoned in his body from the front and back. Kaoru clenched the grass as he bent over, laboriously gasping, the rapid steam of his breath fanned on his upper lip, fluttering his light hair on his eyes.
Ichiru shot up after the overpowering movement of being thrown on the floor. His eyes glazed on the blades hooked into Kaoru's chest. Scampering toward him, Ichiru grabbed onto the handle, flinching from electrocution.
Kaoru's cold grip clung on his shoulder, tossing him back on the floor. He stared up in pure anger at the domineering Kurosu. 'Why!' Ichiru screamed. 'WHY?'
'So we can deliver the ultimate punishment on our traitors,' Whispered Asato, hovering Kaoru. 'So every last Kurosu will cease to exist and your remains will finally be forgotten.'
'Stop! Don't hurt him!' Ichiru flew over Kaoru's back. '…I'll be strong now, for Kaoru-kun, for everyone…' He whispered to himself. Kaoru's slinging arm snatched him away, slamming Ichiru directly on the floor as another blade pierced him from the back. The Council members flooded him from all sides, pitching blades on his arms, nape of his neck, rib and spine, until he groaned in agony in his throat.
'No!' Ichiru sobbed under his shielding body. 'No! Kaoru! Don't…'
Kaoru's eyes widened, smiling breathlessly, unmoving over Ichiru. 'Someone will have to… protect Yuuki, Ichiru….' His head landed on Ichiru's shoulder. 'Now that I'm—' Dust exploded in front of Ichiru's tearful eyes. The warmth of his body disappearing with the floating particles, Ichiru sobbed at the departing sight, the shards of Kaoru's soul swooped into empty air. It would be several years later Ichiru grasped the meaning of Kaoru's words when the Kurosu Curse was revealed.
"Ichiru! Ichiru?" Her concerned calls hurt his eardrums. Averting, Ichiru froze and peeled his eyes to the dark room. With his heart in his throat, he stared at Yuuki's pale face leaning over him next to the bed. "Are you ok now? You fainted." She began rambling, "I didn't know what to do and I couldn't call oji-san. I brought you to the bed. Don't stare at me and say something! Ichiru, what happened?"
"Yuuki…"
Her eyes widened at his voice. An infinitely remorse sob she had ever heard in her short life. "Why…Are you crying?" Her fingers brushed away the hot tears. "Don't cry, it's ok, Ichiru. Shhh…"
Covering his face with her hands, Ichiru sobbed in her palms. How could he ever expose the riveting scene of her brother's death? The one he shielded when he lay dying had been no one but meaningless Ichiru. "Sorry…Sorry…Yuuki…" Ichiru wept, "Sorry for being weak, not saving him, so sorry…"
Yuuki sat down at the edge of the bed, pushing her cheek on her hands. "Oh Ichiru…" She waited for his tears to subside. When he regained control of himself, Yuuki held his hand as he watched her unblinkingly in the dark. Her hand moved the silver lock of hair from his eyes, pushing his lids until both closed.
When Ichiru awoke again, his hand was hanging over the edge of the bed where he assumed she held through the night. The room was devoid of Yuuki, her scent and only her memories cleared the despairing reality. Later in the afternoon, Ichiru unlocked the door to the Kurosu Mansion with his copy of the house key.
Haruka appeared in the foyer, analyzing his disheveled attire but welcomed him with a fatherly pat on his back. "It's nice to see you, Ichiru," Haruka gestured him toward the living room.
"Where is…" Ichiru eyed the smooth marble floor, "Juuri-sama?"
"In her study." Haruka answered with an indifferent glance at the boy. "She is doing some reading. I'll be in my office if you need anything, Ichiru,"
Looking up at the eminent vampire, Ichiru felt the familiar grain of guilt tear his blood vessels and probe into his memories. One familiar silhouette tauntingly came to mind. Ichiru was verily transfixed, in that instance he was convinced to be in the affectionate presence again. Kaoru's shadow replicated Haruka's like a haunting twin, only distinguishable from their hair color. Remembering himself, Ichiru heaved a mumble to the departing man. "Th-Thank you, Haruka-sama…"
Haruka smiled across the room, noticing the swift dipping of his head and averted lavender eyes. "You are welcome to stay with us, if you like, Ichiru. The house feels hallow as of late, you...already know…"
"Yes, I'd…like that, if you don't mind." Ichiru slowly whispered.
Haruka nodded and stepped into the dark corridor.
Intermittent shadow, shallow gloom lorded the home. Apparent in the dark hallways, immeasurable sorrow preyed on the residents. He could gracefully inure himself to the pain he found at the Kurosu home but concern for her parent's couldn't be compromised. Yuuki's home had sunken into a lava of affliction. Ichiru scanned rooms, entered countless corridors, swayed to the rhythmic spell of sadness in their dark world, and threw himself to the feet of pain. One such a source was the woman sitting in a chaise with an open book in her lap, gazing at the breaching sunlight coiling around a curtain.
Juuri turned to regard the tall frame behind the door of the study. Closing the book, she waited for Ichiru to enter. His guarded steps prolonged from shame, crime, impotence, and defeat. The burden he bore was sufficiently annihilating him from the inside. If Juuri couldn't sense his grief then he had no reason to linger. Ichiru frowned at his crumbling will, it had consumed vast dedication to meet with Yuuki's parents after her secret visit and he promised not to run away like a coward. Her crimson eyes were poised, beautiful in its ache and grim, an expected stare of any mother after losing her children.
"I'm told," Ichiru whispered, slowly approaching the middle of the room, his shoes without an echo, "That you've always longed for your son's return."
Juuri blinked at the book in her lap, setting it aside on the table in mundane. Her fingertips supported her chin as she pondered at the seam of sunlight on the floor, trapping over a stack of books. "Return is an unusual word in Life. Death doesn't like to return and Life doesn't accept it either."
He lifted a red ribbon from his pocket and stopped in front of Juuri. Lowering at her legs, Ichiru pushed his back on her knees and held up the tie. "I didn't expect to understand your answer anyway."
Her stare weakened on the offered article and Ichiru's silver hair. "You haven't been honest with me either."
"I don't wish to be." Ichiru lowered his eyes on his folded legs. "Because I don't want you think of me differently."
"Not possible." Her fingers filled his long hair. "Ichiru will always be dear to me."
"Even…If I couldn't save him?"
Juuri's fingers slowed, "I never held you accountable." Her answer was controlled and considerate, never undermined by resentment.
Swallowing his dry throat, Ichiru piercingly eyed the walls of the study. "I took it on purpose," He hissed, "Her blood when we were kids. So I can be closer to her even before hearing about the curse. After that incident, I didn't know what to do. She looked helpless at the funeral." Ichiru lowered his head in grave meaning. "Not knowing it was me who could've stopped it from happening. After savoring her blood, I uncovered these feelings…Early on when we were kids, I couldn't understand them but he did, he knew I'd reach this point."
"Ichiru," Juuri's fingers struggled to maintain its grip on his hair. "You have many years to grow and understand these emotions. Not yet," Brushing her soft hand on his cheek, she angled his back on her lap, "You're still too young to understand—"
"Can I say," His rushed answer was drugged with infinite devotion. Ichiru grabbed Juuri's hand against his cheek. "I had no choice but to love her?"
Her expressionless glowing eyes remained knotted in his stormy hues. "I… was angry at the time when it happened." Juuri coldly admitted under her breath. "The exchange was too soon and wrong. If she hadn't stopped me I could've hurt you," Her nails dug in his smooth cheekbone in recollection.
Ω
The parties flung away at the thrusting bedroom door. Yuuki drew her sleeve over her shoulder as Ichiru wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Juuri stormed into the room, grabbing her daughter's arm in fervid perturbation. The provoking scent of Yuuki's blood had lured her promptly, yet the fusing scent bloomed with another distinctive aroma, one resembling a Kiryuu.
Horrified at the two, Juuri gasped, 'Did you exchange blood?' Her eyes fixed on Ichiru's covered lips by a quivering hand. Yuuki's blush increased as she fingered her ripped décolleté and sleeve. 'Your clothes!' Juuri stammered, reviewing in alarm, 'What happened between you two? Tell me!'
'Nothing!' Yuuki grasped her hand assuredly.
Juuri pulled away and seized Ichiru in distress. 'You…didn't.' She croaked, 'Don't tell me…Ichiru, you?' The proof was in the crimson residue outlining the contours of his lips after removing his hand. Guilt-ridden lavender eyes planted on the floor in vulnerable acceptance for his crime. Juuri's hand jerked up to smite him but Yuuki clung to her arm, yanking her away.
'You've got it all wrong, oka-chan!' Yuuki cried, 'I cut my shoulder and there was a lot of blood.'
'Do you suppose I'll believe everything you tell me?' Juuri shouted, hurt by her daughter's deceit.
'But it is the truth.' Yuuki stated. 'Ichiru-kun healed the wound.'
Juuri flung toward the boy in rage. 'Did you drink her blood, Ichiru?' She shrieked.
Shaken by her scream, Ichiru closed his eyes shut miserably in solemn conveyance.
Haruka occupied the threshold. 'What happened?' He demanded, observing the three locked in a stare. His eyes widened at the cracking windows and trembling floorboards from Juuri's rising temper. 'Contain yourself, Juuri!' He reached her side in two strides.
'Oka-chan, please!' Yuuki reached for her arm and repelled two footsteps by the incensed glare of her mother. 'Don't mistake Ichiru, he was trying to heal…' Her eyes flew to the corridor, silently settling on the dazed onlooker. Zero had been awfully quiet, light headed by the screams and revelation. He flinched upon meeting her eyes, quickly turning away at a loss.
'Please…' Yuuki crooned achingly at his turning back, 'Why don't you believe me?…'
The wavering whisper struck him clean in the chest. Zero whipped around in her direction.
'We didn't do anything wrong.' Yuuki exclaimed, 'Don't blame Ichiru, I asked him to take care of my wound.'
'How did you get hurt?' Haruka questioned.
'I was climbing a tree in the backyard and I slipped, Ichiru brough—'
'Enough, Yuuki!' Juuri sliced, 'Go to Yagari Sensei right now. We need to discuss it with Ichiru in private.'
'What? Why?' Yuuki grabbed Ichiru's frail hand, 'I'm telling you Ichiru didn't do anything. Why don't you believe me?'
'When you are told to do something, you obey, Yuuki.' Juuri instructed.
Haruka gently tucked his daughter under his arm, 'Ah, come now.' He ushered her softly.
Her hand worriedly lingered in midair toward Ichiru. 'But Ich—'
'It'll be alright, I promise,' Haruka guided her out of the room.
Combing through his soft long hair, Juuri watched her fingers dribble in the mane. "You were sure not to lie and admitted having drunk her blood. Were you not afraid of what I could've done to you?"
"I wanted you to punish me," Ichiru murmured to the echoing study, "If it meant you would treat me like your son,"
Draping an arm across her lap, he turned around, hiding his face in his sleeve, "Then punish me as you like, Juuri-sama. For stealing her blood, letting him die and…Loving Yuuki." His finger clenched the hem of her skirt, "It would be better that way." Closing his eyes, he submitted to her will, "It wasn't my decision from the start. Maybe this is his way of punishing me for not protecting her enough. Lately I'm haunted by visions. But…For what it's worth," Ichiru let his tears fill her lap. "Let me be your son… So you don't have to cry anymore."
Pushing his hair back, Juuri wrapped her arms around Ichiru's head. "You were always one of my sons."
Suppressing emotion, he hugged her lap tighter. "…Thank you," Ichiru waveringly said, "Juuri-sama,"
She kissed the exposed skin on his temple and diligently wrapped the ribbon on the ponytail.
"Tadaima, *" Ichiru whispered, "Oka-san."
Smiling, Juuri delicately patted his head. "O-karei nasai. *"
Ω
© Nur Misurr
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Tadaima, oka-san: I'm home, mother.
O-karei nasai: Welcome home.