Chapter 11: The Scent of Lavender, Roses and…Blood?

Aidou walked along the hallway in the grand estate in which the ball was being held in, since Zero instructed him to do so. He figured the meeting between the Hunters and Vampires on the top floor had long since ended and Zero was probably already downstairs watching over the party like a hawk. Aidou could imagine him now, just leaning against a pillar with a grumpy look on his face. Aidou couldn't help but smile at that. He spent a good long year with the former to already know the other's habits. Aidou made sure he took mental notes on every detail he could, even though he knew it would be pointless in the end.

Biting his lip, Aidou tried his best to surpass another nervous train of thoughts from assaulting his mind again. Yet, he couldn't help it. After a year apart, Zero and Kaname had once again met each other. What were their initial impressions of each other? Did the two immediately feel attraction to one another? All types of questions was flowing around Aidou's head, yet the thing that worried him the most was the possibility that a sight and scent bond will begin to form.

The way a vampire finds its destined mate is through many sequences that happen naturally in order. The early stages of this natural occurrence are known as the sight bond and smell bond. The first sequence is the sight bond and that is when the other party becomes more attractive to the other's eyes. The vampires, in question will notice every new detail about the other, whether it's the brightness of their skin tone to the contours of said person's body. Yet the most significant way to know a sight bond was created is the fact that no matter where the two are, their eyes will always meet the others.

The second sequence is known as the scent bond, which is when the object of their desire (whether they know it or not) admits an aroma only the other could smell. It will be feint at first but when the attraction to the other grows, so does the aroma, to the point where the vampire themselves become addicted. Aidou found himself reading in a book that there were instances where the vampire was driven to the point of madness because of their addiction to the smell. However, in order to prevent that from happening, both parties must be able to detect the other's aroma. If not, it will only be one-sided and not balance out, which can cause the other party to go berserk. To know if a scent bond has formed or is beginning to be is when they could smell the other coming a mile away.

The third sequence is the hearing bond. When an equal balance had occurred where the two could smell the other equally, a hearing bond will begin. The two could be in a room full of chanting people yet they could hear their loved ones voice no matter the distance. A soft whisper uttered by either party to their mate could be heard across the room. This sequence is much more harder to acquire since a mutual trust of each other needs to be amongst the two.

Once that is required, a touch bond shall follow afterwards as the fourth sequence. The vampire mates would become hypersensitive to the others touch and crave it with all their might. Sexual activities is usually done during this stage, and once the two had consummated their love (which should have blossomed by this point), then the final stage can finally be completed. The fifth and last sequence is known as the taste sequence. In this stage, a blood bond is formed and the two will be mated for life, since the blood of a mated one can only be quenched by the person they love.

Aidou knew that going through each sequence (which was based off of the five senses) were tougher to reach the further anyone went in, especially if it was one-sided. Aidou found himself stuck in the second sequence alone, he witnessed Zero's beautiful changes from afar and now he was plagued by his delicious lavender scent. His desire for the silver haired ex-human grew and was growing even more the more he fall in love with Zero. Aidou knew he broke the rules by having a one-sided blood bond with the hunter, yet since it was only one-sided, Aidou knew that despite the pleasure he got from having Zero sink his fangs in his neck, the taste and the action was all a bitter moment that Zero went through.

Aidou stilled, all thoughts he had once had, faded when he felt an ominous aura from behind him. And when he turned around, Sara Shirabuki stood with a smile and right beside her was Seijen.

"Oh my, to unexpectedly come across one of the silver haired hunter's allies." Sara smiled even more. "How fortunate."

"Shirabuki-sama, what are you doing here?"

"I just came from greeting my fiancé." Sara answered. "What about you?"

"I have orders to patrol this area."

"How brave of you."

Aidou raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

Sara shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing, just that they have you doing a very dangerous job while they are perfectly safe downstairs. Anything could happen to you, you know?"

"I appreciate your concern, but I can handle this much, that's why Zero and my son Hitoshi left this up to me."

Sara smiled again. "Your brave but stupid. A pitiable man, who will lose everything to a pureblood…and that even includes the one he loves."

Aidou's eyes widen at that. She knew…she freaking knew he was in love with Zero. But how and why did she know? Unless…Aidou looked over to Seijen, but the former had already departed down another hallway and disappeared around a corner.

"If you're looking for Seijen, he departed elsewhere. He has a very important job to do." Sara answered. "…And to answer your unasked question, I know because Seijen told me. In fact, he told me a lot of things, and to be honest with you, I think you should rethink about falling anymore in love with that hunter boy."

"I don't think that's your choice to decide."

"Your right, that's why I'm going to give you a choice…join me and I'll see to it that you'll live a happy life or refuse me and have everything you love get ripped away from under your feet as you watch it all happen."

"Forgive my rudeness but I'll never join you. My place is beside Zero and Hitoshi, and that's where I want to be."

"As you wish. However, you'll regret it later, this I swear."

Aidou shivered. He knew Sara was threatening him on purpose. Yet, he didn't want that to faze him. He already knew from the beginning that Zero was never going to be his and he prepared himself for the day he would stand beside another man, that's why he wanted to enjoy as much as he could with Zero until that day was decided and he wasn't going to let anyone detour him from that desire.

"You may think so, but I believe I won't." Aidou responded back.

"You men in love are all so stupid, but I can't help myself from admiring you all, nonetheless." Sara bowed in appreciation. "It was fun talking with you Aidou-san, I hope we have many more encounters in the future."

"I'm sure we will."

Sara giggled. "Enjoy the rest of the party, especially since it will end in a bloody mess."

It was then that the swift of blood assaulted his senses and he stared at Sara with shocked eyes. "What have you done?"

"I have done nothing wrong. I simply enjoyed a meal my fiancé, who was so kind enough to offer me." Sara walked past Aidou, uttering her last words to the other. "If you plan to investigate the drawing room once I leave to go greet the lower class with my presence at this gathering, then I suggest you wait a few minutes, since a dying pureblood wishes to die the way they had lived, and that is alone." With that, Sara left.

Aidou was left by himself with a vivid conclusion as to what happened in that room, forming in his head.

-0-

Kain approached Kaname, who was staring at the entire events as they unfolded. "Kaname-sama, are you sure it's okay?"

"It's alright, the vampire society had seen enough of Yuki tonight. So she doesn't have to stay for the whole party and besides I'd prefer if Yuki wasn't around when me and Sara talk."

Out from beside Kain was Seiren. "Kaname-sama, I have news to report."

"Go on…"

"The other pureblood guest, Ouri-sama had disappeared, leaving behind only a faint whiff of blood in the drawing room."

Kaname smirked. "I see…"

"I also need to report that Aidou-san has been spotted near the drawing room earlier."

"Was he alone?"

"Yes, Kaname-sama, he was."

Kaname found himself sighing in relief at knowing the little ones were not present at the ball. Yet, he figured Zero wasn't stupid enough to bring them in the first place. But actually knowing that they weren't here, calmed Kaname's nerves a great bit, even if worrying about them were a big waste of his time, yet that small light in the darkest part of his mind still flickered and Kaname couldn't help but take notice of it. Kaname knew there would eventually be a time where he couldn't ignore it any longer. His family's blood ran through their veins, they were as much as a Kuran as Kaname was and he wasn't going to stand around when there was a possibility that they could be in danger.

And speaking of danger…Kaname looked up toward the pureblood heading his way. Sara Shirabuki was of that category. In this long year, she was just as sneaky as a mouse like himself, not making any drastic movements and keeping a low profile…at least that was until this night.

Kaname's nose cringed in disgust at the strong scent of blood surrounding the blonde haired pureblood. It was fresh and strong, the smell was unmistakable to matching that of a pureblood.

"How daring of you Sara, to show yourself in my presence with the smell of your 'meal' on you."

"Yes, it is as you say, Kaname-san. I did something highly unforgiveable, however, I wonder if what I and my fiancé do behind closed doors is any of your business?" Sara countered with that mockingly sweet smile of hers.

"I could care less about what it is you and your fiancé do, I'm just a bit more concerned about what it is you wish to gain by taking a pureblood's life?"

"You should know more than anything how living on and on forever could be quite tiresome, Mr. Kuran Ancestor?"

"It seems you have gathered quite the amount of information about me?" Kaname was not at all fazed by the fact that Sara knew his true identity, since he knew she could have read it from Takuma's memories since the former was the only one amongst his close nit friends who knew about the real him.

Sara smiled. "I know far more than that…"

"Is that so?" Kaname was intrigued, he was curious to know what other information she could have possibly gathered from the blonde noble, especially since the biggest secret Takuma could possibly have on him was the fact that he was an ancestor.

"Yes, in fact, I know that you will marry that lovely silver haired hunter and bare children with him."

Kaname felt his body tense at that. There was no way she could get that information from Takuma since the blonde noble wasn't there when the children appeared from the future and Kaname doubt Zero and his party would reveal anything to the likes of Sara, but then where could she have obtained this information from?

Sara could see that question clear in Kaname's eyes. "Did you think you were the only one with someone knowledgeable about the future? Sorry to break the news to you but I have my own faithful ally who has told me so many interesting things that you have no idea about."

Kaname narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning, Sara?"

"Going for the direct approach, I see. Well, unfortunately for you, I will not reveal anything to you just as you won't. However, I will say this…" Sara started. "I have no interest in your darling little children, yet I can't say the same for that lovely hunter."

"Kiryu?" Kaname looked at Sara, confused. "What could you possibly want with him?"

"Its not I that wants him, but another."

"Who?"

"Look into your past and figure that out yourself." Sara answered. "I'm just merely a spectator watching and waiting for the right time till I can make my move. This upcoming battle is not mines to fight, but it will be interesting to watch it all unfold."

Just then, the crowd of vampires began to chatter loudly as a large scent of spilt human blood drifted into the ballroom.

"It seems time is up." Sara announced.

Kaname looked back over to Sara. "Have you done anything else while you were visiting your fiancé, Sara?"

"You know even without me having to explain the sin I committed, especially since taking the life of a pureblood is not so easy without a little help from our rivals, the hunters."

-0-

Hitoshi followed behind Seijen as the gray haired vampire led them toward a secluded part of the house. He knew he could be very well be entering a trap, yet he still needed to risk it anyway. Hitoshi silently wished though, that he had the power to sense when someone was lying like Zahara had, it could prove quite handy in this situation he was in.

After following Seijen into another drawing room in the opposite direction where all the commotion was unraveling, Hitoshi closed the door behind him, yet made sure he was a good distance from it in case he needed to make a run for it. Looking toward Seijen who took a seat in one of the chairs beside the table at the center of the room.

"Aren't you going to take a seat?" Seijen asked once he noticed the other still standing near the door.

"I rather stand, thank you." Hitoshi retorted back, eyes not once looking away from the other.

"Are you afraid that I'm going to hurt you?" Seijen couldn't help but laugh at that. "Have you forgotten that you are a pureblood and I am a lowly class vampire? You can kill me where I'm seated if you wanted to."

Seijen was right, however, Hitoshi was still uncomfortable sitting so close to the other. "Can we just get on with the reason why you had me follow you here?"

"So eager I see, but very well then." Seijen reached into his front tuxedo jacket's pocket and pulled out a small glass tube with red liquid in it and tossed it over to Hitoshi who caught it with both hands.

"What's this?"

"Ouri-sama's blood that Sara-san was so kind enough to spare a little to help your cause." Seijen answered.

Hitoshi eyed the tube of blood before looking back at Seijen. "Why do you think that I need it?"

"Because I know that you need at least four to be able to use that one spell."

"What makes you think that I will be stupid enough to use this?" Hitoshi countered. "For all I know, this could have poison in it or actually be Sara-san's blood."

"Your right, you don't know. Yet, you and I both know that whether you give this to Zero-san or not is totally up to you, however, fate will still have it that Zero-san will willingly take it from Sara-san when she offers it to him and there is nothing you can do to stop that."

"Do you really think I will allow that to happen?"

"I'm sure you might alter destiny a bit, but as for changing it completely, that is something you can't decide or do. Destiny is not something that can be tampered with so easily." Seijen smiled. "But I'll admit that it will be fun to watch you try."

"I'm sure it would, especially since you nor your precious master won't have a future to return to."

Seijen's smile instantly turned sour. "You shouldn't make such empty threats."

"Whoever said that they were empty, I never make a promise that I can't keep."

"You promised to protect your fiancé, yet we both know what happened to her."

"Don't you dare bring her into this!" Hitoshi warned the other through clutched teeth.

"There goes that famous protectiveness your known for, just like your father." Seijen smiled again. "Ah, that's right. Your beloved father is currently in my master's grasp in the future, isn't he?"

Hitoshi growled, his aura as a pureblood was oozing from him and surrounding the room.

"And not only that but it seems your playing house with that blonde noble?" Seijen shook his head disapprovingly. "I wonder what your real father would say if he knew you were playing pretend with a level B vampire? It makes me wonder what purpose you have for making Aidou-kun your pretend father? Is it out of pity for him?"

"Shut up!" Hitoshi shouted.

"So it is out of pity then?"

"Shut up already! You don't know anything!"

"Oh, but I do. We're from the same future, remember?" Seijen pointed out. "I already know what's going to happen before they even know it. It's to bad, if he would have join our side, I'm sure things would have ended up differently then it will."

Seijen stood from his seat and walking past a still fuming Hitoshi, but before he left, Seijen made sure to deliver one last reply.

"Oh and if you guys haven't already, I suggest you start with your counter-attack since ours is already set in motion. So, good luck…I believe you'll need it." Seijen winked and smirked at the other before leaving.

-0-

Zero followed the scent of blood toward a large drawing room, where Aidou and Kaien Cross was already there examining the body of one of their own.

"What happened here?"

"A truly sad occurrence happen here…it seems that one of our own hunters was forced into a condition where the only option was to take their own life with her own weapon it seems." Kaien answered, a sadden expression appearing on his face.

"I believe she was used to kill Ouri-sama who is nothing but shards in another drawing room." Aidou added what he had concluded after investigating the drawing room Ouri-sama occupied. "However, it seems that's not the only thing, for it seems that she was bitten by a vampire."

Zero could see the two puncture wounds on the young huntress's neck and as well as the parts of her body that was beginning to turn to dust. Zero found himself reliving the moments where he was forced into being turned into a monster by a pureblood. He could feel his hands start to shake and his heart pound against his chest in rapid motion. Fear and anger was rippling through his veins and he couldn't control it. His aura beamed around him, angrily forming cracks on the walls and shattering expensive glasses in an instant. The temperature dropped several degrees below zero that everyone in the room was shivering from the cold, even Aidou was shivering despite the fact that his power was ice, the same power that Zero was currently using.

Aidou knew he had to stop Zero before he froze the entire room. Yet, before he could even get a step closer to the other, someone else beat him to it.

Kaname, with his right hand, grabbed the other's wrist and pulled him from behind as he covered Zero's eyes with the other. Ever so gently, the pureblood whispered into Zero's ear. "Relax, Kiryu, relax." And like a magic spell, Zero found himself calming down, the room returning back to its normal temperature.

After a few minutes, Zero found himself being dislodged from the pureblood's chest and pulled into another. When Zero peered upward, he saw Aidou glaring back at the pureblood in a rare occurrence that Zero never seen happen before.

Kaname too, was a bit taken aback, but as of right now he didn't want to wrap his mind around it since he had important business to discuss with the hunter –alone.

"Kiryu-kun, if you will allow me to borrow some of your time for a bit, there are some private matters I must discuss with you."

Zero looked over his shoulder at the pureblood. "Well what do you know, so do I."

Zero pulled himself away from Aidou before looking at the other and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be back shortly." Zero didn't know why he needed to smile at Aidou as he left, but he felt that he had to since if he didn't he was sure that Aidou will worry to no end.

Zero followed Kaname to an outside balcony on the second floor. The wind was strong and loud enough to be used as a cover for their private conversation. Yet, the inner area of the balcony was a bit small, leaving a few feet between the two and it made the silver haired hunter become undeniably aware on how the pureblood changed so much over the past year. He was taller for sure, possibly an inch or two taller than Zero. His framework was more toned and defined, skin flawless as usual; hair several inches longer and a voice that's grown deep like a man's. Then there was that feint small of roses coming from the pureblood and Zero couldn't help but find the scent to be intoxicating. Zero didn't know why he took note on such changes about the other, but as much as he refused to admit it, Zero found the pureblood more handsome than he would have thought.

Zero took a deep breath and slowly let it out along with his thoughts. He needed to focus on the task at hand above all else.

Kaname as well, had been caught up in his own thoughts and that lavender scent drifting from Zero's body before snapping himself out of it and turning to the other who was waiting patiently for him to speak.

"So, what is it that you wish to address to him, Kuran?" Zero finally spoke up. "The party is over and I need to be returning home soon."

"Alright, then let me cut to the chase then." Kaname started. "I will like it if you were to hand me over the responsibility of taking care of those kids."

"Fuck you!" Zero answered bluntly.

"That wasn't the answer I was looking for."

"Then, hear this…" Zero began. "I will not have you take away my kids, you would have to pry them from my cold dead arms before I give them to the likes of you!"

"My kids…" Kaname repeated. "What's with the change of heart?"

"Unlike you, I accepted my role as a parent who will do anything to protect them, even from you."

"Your utterly mistaken if you think you can protect them on your own."

"What the hell are you trying to say?"

"I'm just saying that if they remain by your side they will only be put into more danger."

"Stop assuming you know the amount of my ability!"

"You think taking blood from a level B vampire will make you stronger?" Zero stilled at that, making Kaname smirk. "What? You didn't think I would've figure out where you got the ability to manipulate the cold? I've been around Aidou longer than you to know what he's capable of."

"Really? Cause I disagree." Zero replied.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, I don't think you know anything about him. A year has past and not once has he left my side for yours, why do you think your chasing after his father? You need an Aidou replacement. You thought he would follow you like Kain and Souen did; yet he is by my side and my kids. He became the father your not!" Zero sighed. "And to think I was going to ask someone like you to visit them, since it was asked of me, but now I changed my mind. I don't care if being by my side will cause them danger, it is my job as a parent to protect them, and I will do it even if my own life is at risk. They don't need a father, much less someone like you-"

Zero was thrown against the wall beside him, yet he was quick enough to pull out Bloody Rose in time and press it up underneath Kaname's chin. Despite the awkward closeness the two were in, Zero found himself laughing.

"To think we would be in the same situation as a year ago." Zero laughed again. "Only difference is the fact that we're not in your dorm room and we're not fighting over Yuki."

"So you know what comes next, don't you?"

Zero's eyes flashed red as they did when hunger took the best of him. "I do…"

"Good, but just remember that I'm not doing this for you or for them, I'm doing this to clear my own conscience."

Zero smirked and brought the other closer so he could whisper in his ear. "That sounds good to me, since now I don't have to hold back in causing you pain."

And without prepping Kaname's neck, Zero bit down.

TBC…

Yay! Our dear Zero has taken Kaname's blood for a second time and even though it doesn't count as a taste or blood bond (since the two have to have mutual feelings of love for each other and they need to have taken each others blood simultaneously) it still warms the heart anyway. At least a sight bond and a scent bond had been created.

How many were shocked to find out that Hitoshi isn't Aidou's son? I hope a lot of you were, since I've been planning this for a while now, and it sure adds to the drama.

Please enjoy this chapter as much as you like and please if you can, drop a review and make this story your favorite. Please and thank you.

~Dia