A/N: And here is chapter 11! We've passed the 10 chappie count! (Btw, this was only supposed to be about five chappies long, but then I was struck by MORE inspiration and now we're well on our way to conflict central.) You guys will gawk with horror, excitement and bliss-for all us angst lovers- when you see what I've got planned. Sorry it took so long, but I'm working in the sequels for this simultaneously so that once it's time to publish them, things will go more smoothly! Hurrah!
Thanks for being there for me, guys… You're the best! I was kinda surprised by the review count, since I thought you guys had bailed… and~ it hit 105 hits in like two days…!
-squeals-
^/^0
Gomen, I guess I'm just being silly. I wves you anyways! I was really sick, but I pushed to get this chapter typed out just right. It's pretty important ground work for the cruelties I have planned! BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
-clears throat-
Again, please note that this is a dedication to LeaNicolaie-sama.
Still, I recently found out that Sagakure-sama had dared to mention a little nobody like me on her livejournal… -blushes heavily- Geez, I'm not even sure how to handle that kind of honor!
-dies of bliss-
-is revived by need for ZK yaoi-
Well, thankies to you, Saga-sama~! (If you're still reading…) And I've never been surer that it's a good call to dedicate the second and fourth stories in the series to her!
So, in essence…
-throws confetti-
Yay to both Saga-sama and Lea-sama! And again, sorry about the wait, in addition to being ill, when I did have my one or two semi-concious moments, the inspiration that came to me wasn't for this part of the series. So, in short, I was working on the sequel to 'Love Game' called, 'The Night of the Blue Moon.' It has five finished chapters so far, and two raw, unedited ones, and will be published when this one is done. Which is a while off….
To ben4kevin-san: I'm still working on it, but my muses and I have made it multi-chappie. Once it's more than half-way through, it'd be published! ^^ K?
Note:
One:
Dono ero ~ How erotic
Kono hentai ~ You pervert
Two:
'While white lilies symbolize chastity and virtue – and were the symbol of the Virgin Mary's purity and her role of Queen of the Angels – as other varieties became popular, they brought with them additional meanings and symbolism as well…As the flowers most often associated with funerals, lilies symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death.'
'While some scholars suggest that their name comes from the word "corone" (flower garlands) or "coronation" because of its use in Greek ceremonial crowns, others propose that it's derived from from the Latin "carnis" (flesh) referring to the flower's original pinkish-hued color or "incarnacyon" (incarnation), referring to the incarnation of God-made flesh…White carnations suggest pure love… dark red represents deep love and affection… and pink carnations carry the greatest significance, beginning with the belief that they first appeared on earth from the Virgin Mary's tears – making them the symbol of a mother's undying love.'
Teleflora Dot Com
It'll be clear later why it relevant.
Three:
'Kisama (kee-SAH-mah)
exp. - From the Japanese. Is an extremely impolite way of addressing someone - in fact, it may be the rudest way to talk to someone, as it carries a meaning of "damn you", or "you" with a condescending or sarcastic tone. Ironically enough, dividing out this word comes up with the parts "ki" (with one of its meanings being honor or esteem) and "sama" (an honorific reserved for those the speaker highly respects or considers their senior).
eg. – "Kisama...you killed my father!"…'
Yahoo! Answers/ Babyboomer
Four:
Ambrogio Murcielago ~ We won't see him for a good while yet, so no worries, but just so you know, his first name means 'Immortal,' in both Greek and Italian. An omen for future problems…? Perhaps!
Lol
And his last name comes from one of the families that developed 'Lamborghini,' (which I don't own).
Five:
'AMATO: Italian name derived from Roman Latin Amatus, meaning "beloved."…'
~2000-names Dot Com
The third and final elder, Amato Alexander. He'll be a mysterious cookie for some time, so don't fret about him either. However, note what his last name is. 'Dun, dun, Dun~!
XD
Six:
There is a reference to 'Kannazuki no Miko'-which, again, I don't own. So, kudos to the person who spots it first!
Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or 'Green Eggs and Ham' by Dr Seuss (I am only the humble owner of a very well enjoyed copy). I don't own BBC.
Oh and, um…enjoy…? -blushes-
Love Game
~ Chapter Eleven ~
One Year Ago: November…
It had to be a nightmare; it just wasn't real! There was no way it could be true. And yet, the rapidly cooling corpse in his hands said it was.
The blackened shadow…
The glowing scarlet eyes…
The familiar wisps of dark, curled hair…
The gleam of pointed ivory right before fangs ran into the vulnerable neck…
The fierce, cynical way it ran its claws over and over into the helpless form…
It happened way too fast, and anyone confident in their primary gut instincts, less aware of the state of the world they lived in and the dangers hiding in plain sight; anyone less than him, would have thought twice about what they'd seen and passed it off as a weary, sleepy mind, or hyper-active imagination. But not he, he was different. He was so very, very different from those other gullible fools that populated the planet. He knew what he had seen; what the police would later conclude was the 'shock' talking. Yes, he was shocked. But only because over the years of knowing the wicked perpetrator, the being had managed to gain his trust, practically unwilling respect, and even… He hesitated in even allowing the thought to fully form; it was much too painful. Emotions swirling in a painful, confused mass beneath the surface, he dejectedly decided to acknowledge it as true as he buried his face in his blood-stained hands.
He'd loved him…
No, that wasn't completely true, it was so much more than that, he didn't just still continue to pine (pathetic that he still loved that person, even after this stinging betrayal), but he was obsessed; beyond fascinated. Every single thing about that person; nay, thing, everything about it mesmerized him.
Those deep, beguiling, meaningful eyes he'd once thought held kindness and compassion; that cruelly beautiful, effeminate face; those faux, adorable expressions; and that smiling lie.
It was disgusting to say the least, that despite all the years that had passed, how well he remembered that boy; to recognize the adult version of the beloved features he recalled even in the dark.
It was testament to just how much he loved that sweetly smiling, murderous remnant of his first and only love.
But, he was driven and hell bent on vengeance. This would not go unpunished.
And so, as Saotome Tomoe sat upon the bloodied, tatami mats, his white, heavily-lined winter yukata absorbing the crimson flowing from the lifeless body in his arms, he vowed to himself but one thing.
Kuran Kaname would pay with his life.
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
One Month Later, Five Days Before X-mas: Three Days Til Break-Up…
"So what's with you and this Setsuna Yujirou character? And what's he really to you?" Zero asked suddenly. "I mean, come on. You don't even interact that way with Ichijo-senpai! And he is supposed to be your best friend."
He and Kaname returned to their luxurious presidential suite after a long, long day of adventure a few hours ago. They rested up for a bit, and were now, after a few rounds of chess, Twister and the tie-breaker, tic-tac-toe, and finally, a decidedly relaxing bath with cuddle fest included in the mix, they were dressing for the vampiric winter event to which they –or rather Kaname and one guest- had been invited. The particular topic about which he'd just asked, had been bouncing relentlessly around the inside of his consciousness. And clearly, he was not one for being vague.
Kaname blinked; his slender, elegant hands stilling momentarily on the last button of his immaculately white, button-down shirt with water-green lace, with white ribbon accents peeking out from a slit on the sleeves and lilac, pearl detail crisscrossing over each gap, and embroidery of ivy with pale purple flowers snaking up the arms right above the said same openings to stop at the point where the sleeve met the shoulder. Heart thudding in his ears, Kaname only snapped out of his shocked state when his matching, lacey pale green cravat slipped from his fingers and he hastened to pick it up.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," He answered; mentally cursing himself for the little stutter in his voice and the fact that telling Zero anything but the stark truth killed him on the inside.
It was unforgivable in the pureblood's eyes.
But how was he to phrase; what would have to be said, to accurately explain that?
"Yu-tama and I are close friends; he was there for me during a time when no-one else was," Was what he settled for after a split moment of hesitation.
Zero's stare bore into his lover's back.
"Is that all?" He inquired after a long moment. He wouldn't ask just what 'time,' Kaname was referring to. It wasn't his business, and he sure as hell wasn't one to pry. When the other was ready, he'd tell him all he needed to know. Wasn't that what he'd promised him only minutes before?
"My happiness is in your hands, Zero. All you need know about me will be revealed as we go along. Okay? You need not fret, mon amour."
Yes, Kaname had said so, so it was true and he would put his faith in his lover's word. He had nothing to worry about in that aspect. However, the Kuran heir was a multifaceted individual, and so Zero's restlessness wasn't abated just yet...
It was another long moment before Kanamé answered with a vague, semi truth ; bangs shadowing his eyes and back still turned to his beloved, "Yes…but, we have an agreement binding us together… I made a promise a long time ago, and when I broke it, I hurt him in a way I can never fix. The price of my foolishness and lack of control cost him the life of the woman he loved. She…" Kaname drew in a shuddering breath. "She was very special to not just him, but me as well. And so I, I-I…" His hands began clenching and unclenching at his sides. "Because of things that can no longer be changed; moments of weakness that cannot be replaced with moments of strength, tears of pain that cannot be made jovial, events that can never be explained entirely- I!"
The hunter had sensed the impending cracks appearing on his beloved's mask just then, and nearly cursed himself for his terrible timing. 'Cracks' in one's mask were unimaginably dangerous things in Vampiric High Society, according to the Chairman. And even if they were only hairline, they were weakness. And weakness was always, always taken advantage of. They were in essence about to walk into the proverbial lion's den and he was bringing up complicated shit that could potentially distract Kaname.
At that point, Kaname couldn't afford to be distracted.
As a pureblood, he could never be distracted.
And even those it nauseated Zero to think of Kaname as a vampire, even more so as a pureblood, even he had to admit it made sense. He of all people should understand how monstrous and vicious vampires were.
Moving quickly, he closed the space between them and encircled the other's all-too-tiny waist with his strong arms from behind; pressing the reassuring warmth and weight of his adolescently toned body into the pliant silk that was the brunet. Yes, Kaname was a being made entirely of silk; all soft, shinny and flawless skin, hair and nails. Smooth, but all the more impressively and surprisingly dangerous for it.
The pureblood's lips twitched up into a smile and he turned in Zero's arms to reward him with a soul-searing, heart-stealing kiss. If they weren't completely in love before it, they sure as hell were after it.
After they'd broken away, Kaname looked his lover dead in the eye and finished what little explanation his heart could bear to have him give. For now, at least…
"Zero, we are simply bound together by an oath." Okay, so maybe it wasn't as simple as he made it out to be, but it was all he could manage to say with the anguish and nostalgia digging into his heart. Oh! The things that Zero did not know; that Kaname couldn't bear to let him know. The things Kaname feared he would one day find out, and hate him for it. The brunet didn't think he could handle pursuing such thoughts at that point, however, and so returned to the matter at hand. Still, he had to wonder why no matter what he thought of on whatever given day, time, place or else; why was it that it all hurt him incomparably. He had so much to protect; to lose, and very little to defend even himself with.
"A new one to replace the old…" He murmured at last. It should satisfy his beloved until he could come up with better, and Zero wasn't one to stick his nose where it didn't belong or probe him about things he was so clearly uncomfortable with. It was one of the many things he loved about the other, and it only endeared the boy further onto him each time he did something to remind Kaname of just how wonderful he was; which he did every waking and resting minute they were together. Why, just Zero breaths were a harmonious lullaby worthy of angels! So, with that in mind he needn't worry. All in all, everything should be fine. And it would be; would always be, if Zero was by his side.
He tilted his head forward onto the silverette's shoulder and let his eyes slip close.
'Esperanza…'He thought wonderingly. 'Would you laugh at our idiocy if you could see us now?'
Zero was silent. He realized then, that for now, that was as much as he was going to get out Kaname and was satisfied with what he'd learnt.
His lover might have many secrets, but Zero was a patient man.
His only hope was that he wouldn't die before he could give Kaname the release of having someone to trust with everything, and that he could last long enough to help him cope with the more painful things that haunted those dark eyes. A place to rest his weary head and heavy burdens, a place to just enjoy the beauty of life; of being alive… With any luck, (and by that he meant a miracle), he could even avoid death for another decade; time enough to slowly, sensually love Kaname with all he had. The way the gentle pureblood deserved. Not this rushed affair of caresses they lived now, but a slow, easy, unhurried relationship filled with care and understanding and-
He sighed; cutting himself out right there and then. All those wistful thoughts would do him no good, they would only fill his head with painful 'what-if's' and before he knew it, he would want to avoid death altogether!
Impossible, he knew.
That blasted woman shattered the crystalline life he'd lived; smashed his happiness to bits and then left. Disappeared completely. Leaving him to pick up the pieces and start anew. Only, he knew no matter how hard he tried to 'start anew,' the events of that night and the horrible act she etched into his neck; the pain, the anguish, the spite; it would haunt him forever and follow him wherever he might go.
So, why try to deny the inevitable end?
What sense did it make to dream? To hope?
Where were the advantages of hoping for a future he could never have?
Where was the sense in doing such a thing?
Zero was a practical man, and as he was not a masochist, he had no desire to fill his poor, barely beating heart with foolish, nonsensical hopes, only to have them, in the end, bitterly crushed.
No, better not to want; not to hope for more than fate so kindly gave him…
Just then, Kaname's arms slid from resting on his chest, to wrap about his waist and squeeze affectionately and he nuzzled the silverette's neck –the tattooed side this time, Zero noted… which, for some reason, Kaname would ostracize and then shower with adoration depending on his mood. It was as if he couldn't decide whether to abhor what it stood for, or love it for the bad boy edge it (and those piercings, gotta love those piercings) gave his lover. Giving the area a sweet kiss, it was clear that Kaname's gloom had all but evaporated and that he was ignorant of Zero's inner turmoil.
The hunter tried to swallow the lump in his throat.
Sometimes, at times like this, with Kaname safe and warm and sweetly innocent –so damn, painstakingly pure- and hell, with him so lovable in his arms…
Sometimes, it would cause unforgivable hopes to swell within him.
And sometimes, sometimes he could not stop them from consuming his heart.
'If only for a single, terribly wonderful moment…'
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Three Months later…
There was furious knocking on the front doors of the Chairman's residence, and by the time Kaien Cross opened the door, the Night Class Council stood outside anxiously.
"They're taking him away!" Aidou Hanabusa cried as he all but threw himself at Kaien's feet. He had been banished from Kaname's presence, favor and the Academy all together, but unable to leave because of his injuries and the current state of the country. "Do something!" He sobbed out in despair, his hands fisting in the fabric of the elder's pants.
"Hanabusa!" Explained his cousin; ever-more composed than the excitable younger blonde. "Calm down! We need to keep it together for Kaname-sama!" He turned then; raking his eyes across the crowd gathered. "And where the hell is Ichijo!" He questioned; voice betraying his panic.
It was the first time the ex-hunter had ever heard him curse or lose his cool. As a matter a fact, all the members of the Night Class seemed near tears; if not already in tears like the young man at his feet.
"H-he's with his Grandfather-" Murmured the distraught Shiki Senri; he and that doll-like girl beside him, Rima-chan if Kaien re-called correctly, they seemed subdued in a way that was far cry from their usual bored silence. They seemed almost, upset?
Ruka was worse; she was practically sobbing out her words as she interrupted the red-head, "Bastard!" She cried. "How could he think of that cruel, disgusting, pervert of a man of his at a time like this?" She threw her arms out; enraged. "They are taking away my…erm, our Kaname-sama!"
So that was it… Well, she always did have a thing for the prince so he needn't be surprised by her fervent and passionate response to the council taking-
Wait.
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open.
They were taking Kaname away…
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
"Kaname-san!" Cried the long-haired headmaster as he neared the entrance of the Moon Dorms where an entire length of about a dozen or so of limos, sports cars and other expensive vehicles were parked.
The members of the Vampire High Council stood perched in two neat rows on either side of the concrete steps; six on the left, and six on the right. And at the top of the stairs stood the last rotten cookie of their baker's dozen, Ichijo Asato; smugly smiling down at the other, slimmer blonde man as he held the door open for a weakly person. A very familiar person…
Cross took off his glasses, cleaned them quickly, and put them back on; frowning heavily when the same, strange and obviously distorted images assaulted him. The figure at the top of the stairs, leaning feebly on Ichiou and panting heavily with glassy eyes and flushed, feverish face as he gripped the front of the other's coat, could not be Kuran Kanamé! Never him! Not willingly…
What had they done to the boy!
Cross felt a rage built up in him that he had not felt in a decade and a half over half of a century. Blood, his instincts from sixty-five years ago were calling for blood. So great was his anger; and so far had he been pushed. The blinding urge to go on a killing spree and just kill; kill every single vampire for miles around, to eliminate the beasts –young or old it wouldn't matter! He felt the quaking of his restrains as that horrible thing within him stirred to semi-consciousness.
Oh, how his hands itched for the blade!
"Kai-Oji-Sama!" Came the hoarse cry; echoing through his mind and starting him out of his near homicidal state. And as the beast; fangless but lusting for blood and flesh and the feel of adrenaline pumping in his veins as the hunt drew to its climax and it was released… Once the cage that held that disgusting thing was slammed closed, his head snapped up.
He could remember the last time he had heard that nickname, the way those large, wide garnet eyes had sparkled with joy as the little boy all but threw himself into the ex-hunter's arms, the softness and warmth of that tiny body and the faint weight that was a little more than the last time he'd visited –testament to how fast Kaname was growing. It had been Christmas then, the last Christmas before Juri practically handed her son over to Rido and caused the destruction of that sweet purity, and since the last time Kaien had seen the boy in July, Kaname had already grown a full five inches. He'd looked about six years old then, and yet was but a mere three.
'Well,' He remembered thinking with a sigh. 'It's pureblood physiology. What can you do? Haru-chan is already telling me that Kana's blunt teeth are shaking! Soon his little fangs are gonna come in~' He whined mentally.
Back then all he'd really wanted had been to make Kaname stay little and adorable for as long as possible; forever, actually, if he could have his wish. That way, the beautiful little being in his arms would never grow up and join the terrible, heartless, 'adult' world. So that he'd never have to deal with the burden of pureblood vampires, and the especially heavy weight of being a Kuran and a pacifist at that. Sadly, in his adulation of the child's glowing naivety and incorruptibility he'd forgotten that in that world, youth, inexperience, innocence and blamelessness equates to vulnerability.
"Kai-Oji-Tama!" Kaname'd cried; all innocent joy and excitement. "Gwess what!"
Kaien had grinned jovially.
"What?"
"Ah (I) got evwryt'ing (everything) on my Christmas list! Evwry (Every)…singwe (single)… t'ing (thing)…" He said it with the awed happiness of a child; the little lisp that came with missing one of his front teeth only serving to endear him to the blonde man even more. The little boy had complained about the tooth being 'lazily' and wanting to continue 'sleeping' in its 'gummy-bed' on the phone a day ago, but he seemed to have all but forgotten it in his bubbling and overflowing enthusiasm . "Chichiue weally (really) swent (sent) it to Santa!"
Such a happy time he thought in wonderment as he, over a decade later, was shocked back to reality. Looking up at Kaname, his eyes watered at the state he'd been reduced to.
"Kai…oji…sama…" Repeated Kaname with what seemed to be the last bit of his energy. And without the strength to stand or hold fast to the elder Ichijo's shirt or even stay awake, Kaname collapsed; fainting in hazy exhaustion.
Gasps filled the air.
Thankfully, before he could hit the ground, Takuma moved forward and pulled him up into his arms bridal-style.
Behind Cross, and unseen by all but one, Senri glared at his lover; betrayal shinning in his eyes as the clear question: 'How could you?' Yes, after staring deep into Kaname's carnelian eyes and swearing his undying loyalty to him, how could Takuma betray him? After watching him break down and cry tears of his very blood, how would he live with himself after betraying him? After almost decade worth of love, adulation, friendship, near kinship and trust between them, how could Takuma do such a thing to Kaname?
Takuma himself was wondering if he was ever gonna be able to look himself in the mirror without wincing in disgust, and if ever Kaname or Senri would ever forgive him, when the image of that little boy in the bathroom all those years ago assaulted him. Back then, he'd been so sure that with a little time, a little patience, that he would be able to make a difference in Kaname's life. He'd hoped, oh how he'd hoped and hoped and hoped! Oh how he'd hoped so badly that he would be able to help Kaname; make him happy; ease the searing, stabbing pain within his limitless eyes. That maybe, someday, he, Takuma, as himself, would be enough; that he would be worth enough to somebody, anybody, Kaname, to be able to make a difference. He had gone through the years pinning after the pureblood, wanting nothing more than his love, craving nothing more than to be enough for him… He said he'd gotten over it, but sometimes, when he dug deep enough into himself and dared to peer into the true depths of his heart he had to wonder.
He loved Shiki, he really, really did! But… but could it be that he loved Kaname too? Like that? Honestly, right now he was wondering if he ever really stopped…
He'd been wrong about being enough to heal the scars of Kaname's past, (that was why he'd sat in the make-shift witness stand and had forced himself to stare deep into those soulful eyes as he betrayed the brunet, so that the Kuran would get the help he needed and he would get the punishment he deserved), could it be he had been wrong about that too?
But, before he could further that thought, things began to unravel and he was pulled away from the world of his thoughts.
"What did you to him!" Demanded Aidou; visibly enraged as he and Ruka all but snarled at the Vampire Elder, all but baring their fangs at the older, wiser, stronger male.
Asato snorted uncharacteristically.
"Me?" He drawled snidely. "What about what you did to him?"
Aidou saw red and lunged; ignoring the cries of the Chairman and the others in his blind rage. Only the rounded head of Artemis in staff mode coming down painfully on the conjunction of his neck and shoulder managed to stop him from foolishly attacking the councilman.
Yuki swiveled towards the old, blonde vampire.
"You're next if you don't tell me just what you've done to Kaname!"
A loud, condescending and chuckle filled the air, and seconds later Ichiou was joined by the other, even more handsome and physically younger 'elder,' Ambrogio Murcielago. Also present was Sophia, his great-niece, whose dark, European laughter grated on Yuki's nerves and made her so enraged that she herself wanted to lunge at the girl and rip out her throat. Sadly, she could not. It would only worsen the situation. The third elder, Amato Alexander, was currently at BBC's headquarters in England, and so was unable to pay witness to this historically hysterical moment. Really, that little round-faced girl? That was the best they had? Soon, all the members of the Vampire High Council were laughing at her threat.
She scowled; (clearly they didn't take her seriously), and unsheathed the anti-vampire weapon fully.
Gasps left the High Council's lips and Asato himself gawked in horror as they finally recognized the weapon.
"She's got The Grim One's Scythe!" An elderly, honey-haired vampiress cried as she pointed a withered, quivering, manicured finger in Yuki's direction. "T-the Reaper: Taker of Souls! She has Artemis!"
Her shriek of fright seemed to awaken the others from their stupor and they all shrank back.
All of them except, Asato Ichijo and his grandson Takuma; that is…
"Ichijo-senpai," She said, referring to her boyfriend's long-time friend now. "What happened to Kaname? I'll only ask once and you'll only be allowed to answer once. So, choose your words very carefully senpai…"
There was a ferocious edge to her eyes that those who knew her had never quite seen before. This was not the little naïve tomboy that wandered around the school grounds with her gloomy side-kick. No, this girl; she was dangerous, and dead serious.
"Y-Yuki-chan!" Began Takuma; suddenly pulling the attention to himself –and by extension his precious cargo.
Predictably, she lowered her weapon ever-so-slightly at the sight of Kaname's limp but nearly lovingly (yes, but which kind of love -the blonde was as yet unsure), held body.
"It's very complicated," Began the blonde. "And I'm not quite sure you would understand all the vampiric undertones and customs that have come in play here. I'm not even sure Kaname would want you to kno-"
But he never finished that statement as Yuki interrupted him by turning to her right and slicing a chunk out of the concrete stairs; a clear and threatening show of power.
"I want answers Ichijo-senpai!" The way her voice rang with authority, the confident way she held the perfectly sharpened scythe, the impulsiveness and anger shinning so brightly in those usually innocent, ignorant orbs; it was all very disconcerting.
"Alright, Yuki-chan," He murmured gently; tying to appease her. "What's your first question?"
"What's happening?" She demanded.
Takuma gulped, she wouldn't like this. Still, better to get it out there so that there would be no misunderstandings to make him lose his head. "The council is taking Kaname away from the Academy for some time-"
"Where are you taking him and why?"
She clearly wasn't in the mood to be wasting time.
Takuma hesitated momentarily.
Yes, why? That was the question, wasn't it?
'It's for his own good. He needs help…'
But even his mental assurances seemed inadequate to provide solace to his aching soul.
Nevertheless, he plowed onwards.
"We're talking him to Mahoroba," He replied steadily, belying his inner turmoil.
After all, he'd decided, right?
And it was the right thing.
He would follow through and stand by his decision like the proud Ichijo he was!
…But if he was indeed proud to be an Ichijo, why did his heart wrench so painfully in his chest at the thought of it?
That was what he was; an Ichijo. His loyalty was to his family. His only family was his grandfather. His grandfather needed him, and so, as the Ichijo he was, he would aid the head of the family. And no matter how much sometimes wished he was not Asato's heir, he had never wished not to be his grandson. He loved the other; despite all the problems of vampiric politics that seemed to be ever-mixing and merging with personal matters and 'blurring' his views - in the words of his grandfather anyway.
Yes, he knew what had to be; it was about time everyone else accepted their roles as well.
"And what the hell is that?" She demanded with such impatience as to make Takuma idly wonder if she and Aidou were related.
A foolish thought, he knew.
She wasn't even a vampire! Far less to be in anyway related to a noble family as influential and powerful like the Aidous!
Re-focusing on her question, he answered as best he knew.
"The 'Land of Eternity,' this village of Mahoroba…" As if in a trance, with a distant look upon his face and a memory of another time, another place swirling in his eyes; he muttered the words Kaname had one told him. "In this village time slowly passes by. People, nature, everything… And so it is where many fortunate things, as well as unfortunate things are interwoven as they are played out, and then repeated…"
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Two Days Later…
The slanted rays of impure light; multicolored, fleeting existences dependant solely on the temperament of Mother Nature's blessed solar orb. The dim light; the only remnant of a once luminous and glorious spring day that seemed straight out of a jovial, childhood fairytale, was what lent to the glow of the stained glass windows. The rain pattered incessantly and pounded its spite into the glass and old, graying walls of the towering cathedral; all of this the results of a certain pureblood's mood.
True, he resented his newly (mostly) awakened powers because of all the pain it brought with its revival, but it was better if the day was not bright and sunshiny; it was better if the day did not disrespect the solemnity of the glum proceedings. It would have irritated him further, and though he was heavily sedated, there was no sure way to tell if the more dangerous of his abilities would be suppressed; the extent of his pureblood talents was far greater than could be fully suppressed with medication –even advanced anti-vampiric grade ones- without physically threatening his health. The level of sedation he was currently in, itself, was already making him feel light-headed, his chest tighten painfully, and his bones throb in knee-weakening bursts of such a sudden, sporadic and intense nature as to make him quiver as he moved. And so, to avoid the increase of his feelings of fragility and thus, by extension vulnerability, he walked slowly up the aisle.
This is not what he'd ever imagined walking up the aisle to Zero would be like…
He had wanted Zero's love, but instead, Fate had given him Zero's hate.
He had wanted to make Zero happy, but instead, Fate had made him the root of Zero's sadness.
He had wanted to give Zero the freedom from bloodlust, but instead, Fate had made it so that that was the reason Zero was imprisoned.
He had wanted to give Zero the world; to lay it at his feet, but instead, Fate had thought it better to lay Zero at the vampire world's feet.
He had wanted nothing more than to see Zero live the secret dream of a life the pureblood hadn't dared to ask Zero to disclose the details off, the one Kaname had seen pining in that hidden corner of the hunter's soul and shinning in the depths of his eyes, and live it to the fullest heights of europhia. And yet…That wonderful wish he'd nourished for the other in his heart; that life, had been stripped away and replaced with death…
The pureblood stopped suddenly in his place at the head of the procession into the grand, dully gleaming church –gleaming, to note, most with golden-gilded treasures and jeweled relics bestowed upon it by generation upon generation of Kurans- as he choked on the sobs he'd felt building. And it was then that his already strangled air-ways spasmed under the sheer onslaught of wave after wave of deoxygenation that his suppression of a wail of agony brought. He felt feint; as if suffocating, as if someone had pressed a pillow against his face and was in the process of smothering him. But unlike any victim of this tactic before himself, Kaname would not struggle; it would be a dream to join Zero in the next life.
But he could not afford to display any weakness, not with Chairman, Yuki, Yagari, his Inner Circle, the Night Class and the Day Class present and following behind him.
Because though Fate had instead elected to give him a funeral, and not the wedding that he'd come to dream about more and more with each passing day, he could not afford to further endanger those who yet had breath within him. Life had been a cruel but effective teacher in his lengthy existence, and some of the recent memories he'd recovered had taught him that grieving was a luxury only those with nothing to live for could have. And so, though his heavy heart resonated every moment more and more with the agony of Zero's absence and only the dull reminder that every moment was a moment less, he would continue to fight on with all he had! And when the fighting was over, and the beasts had all been laid to rest…
When the dust had cleared and the sun finally set on the disaster that was this situation; when she –and all the others- were safe… then, then perhaps…
"Zero…"
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
When he had recovered his breath, barring and motivation, Kuran Kanamé continued up the pathway.
The marble tiles were spotless beneath his feet and when contact was made between said flooring and the brunet's ridiculously expensive dress shoes, the sure, evenly-spaced and nearly rhythmic 'tapping' produced was almost soothing. The pews were perfectly spaced and tastefully decorated, and filled up quickly but silently as the Kuran continued his pilgrimage to the raised dais upon with sat the ordinate altar. The back of his black designer trench coat bellowed behind him as he walked, giving peaks of his similarly fashioned and coloured suit; elaborate in its simplicity but dynamic in its layering. The black, inkiness of the wear in collaboration with the silent, sullenness of his persona gave certain chic-and-untouchable-aristocrat look to him; not exactly what his beloved would have wanted, but what he needed to be at the moment.
'One moment less,' He reminded himself; true to his oath.
The weight in his hands burned through the satin of his black gloves with lace finish that matched his cravat perfectly. It was the loveliest urn he had ever held; and he had held many. It was an indescribable beauty; much like Zero had been and yet remained in Kaname's heart. Solid, white gold etched with Latin phrases and vines of lilies and carnations; clearly, it was made to house such a special person.
He could still see Asato, his filthy, perverse, aged hands clutching at the urn and subconsciously caressing its outsides as he sat down on the seat furthest from Kaname, but directly opposite him… Pressing a faux kiss of reverence to the top, as was tradition as Zero, despite the circumstances, had received Kaname's blood, and therefore risen to through the ranks to the sub-level known as 'Viśvasṭara'; the most honored level a non-pureblood could rise to. The title was a shortened form of the Hindi phrase, 'Viśvasanīya māsṭara' which, translated directly meant, 'Trusted Master,' and signified the trust a pureblood had to have for a particular vampire to honor them with something was sought, revered, treasured and desired as their blood. And though it was true that though Zero had not received written permission from Kaname to have his blood, and that the pureblood had given consent after, and that none of the traditional protocol had been carried out, the precious treasure that was a pureblood's, nay, a Kuran's, pure vampire blood, had been consumed.
Nothing could be done to change that.
Just as nothing could be done to change the chaotic state Kaname's side of the chess board had been cast into with the destruction, nay, sacrifice of the black knight.
This would not go unpunished.
A little ways behind the pureblood, the Night Class was grieving their esteemed leader's loss. None of them were particularly fond of the moody prefect, but their leader was, sand so his now exponentially stronger aura made their own hearts throb in a painful echo of his own misery. And they were all pretty sure that the Kuran was hurting not just because of what happened to his little toy, but because of the imminent disbandment of the Night Class. After all, they'd only agreed to coming because of the Kuran heir's presence. So, in his absence, their families were demanding their return. Especially in light of recent, 'natural' events...
Between them and the pureblood however, standing amongst his peers, the Night Class Council aka Kaname's Inner Circle, was Aidou Hanabusa. And though he felt the thrum of his leader's aura, he was distracted by what happened next:
A question filled his mind for only a moment, barely registering before it faded to nothing…
But a moment was enough.
"Will you take the chance to redeem yourself of your sin…?"
The answer was instantaneous. How he had known whom exactly was speaking, and what exactly they were speaking of was unknown even to him, but it was meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
He needed to make things right.
Everything else was unnecessary and unimportant.
And so, the blonde mentally replied not even a second later. His instinctual need to atone giving way to a resolute absolution that shone like the celestial lights within azure eyes, "Yes…"
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Present Day…
Azariel Versailles shot up in bed panting; his straight, platinum blonde locks with stripes of stylish color –blue this time, to match his crystal blue eyes and the outfit he was wearing only a few hours ago- clinging to his sweaty though androgynously attractive face in matted clumps.
T-That song… that blasted song!
Every day, every single god-damned day and night for the past month he'd been haunted by it.
'Obedieritis mihi…
Audire Carmen…
Audi clamorem meu potes?
Obeditemeetinveniam...'
It filled his every waking and resting hour, his every working and playing moment, his every single breath was populated with the remnant mist made by that god-damned song! Filling every crack and crevasse of his mind, filling every space and slot within his conscious; oh! Oh how it tormented him!
'Obedieritis mihi…
Audire Carmen…
Audi clamorem meu potes?
Obeditemeetinveniam...'
It was a haunted, saddened song with abysmal notes, and deep, resounding anguish that echoed so harshly within his own soul. The echoed pain stabbed at him restlessly, ceaselessly, mercilessly, until the once cheerful pattern of his persona was all but gone and all that he could think of was the song. He couldn't laugh, he couldn't sing –which was in itself a whole other problem, as he was the lead vocalist in a practically legendary rock band-, he couldn't even blink or breathe without that oppressing melancholy metaphorically crushing his very being. Any food that he put to his lips was bland; no matter how exotic or favored or previously thought delicious. Any drink was the same; no matter how well aged the wine or rich the punch or sweet the tea. Every place he tried to find rest was inadequate; no matter how soft or comfortable or well-made the bed. Any scent that he breathed was fowl; no matter how expensive or sweet or beguiling the perfume. Every sight was as if in black and white; colorless, cheerless, uninteresting and strangely confusing as the shapes and figures of it all blended and swirled into a mass of chaotic jumbles. Every think he touched was rough and coarse beneath his fingers; not matter the slenderness, softness or sensuality of the woman or the thickness of the fur pelt or the intricacy or the furnishings.
Anything… anything at all!
Each and every single thing…! From the most grand to the most minuscule!
Everything!
It all turned to naught in his midst!
And it was all because of that song; that hymn that he felt sure spoke of his demise.
'Obedieritis mihi…
Audire Carmen…
Audi clamorem meu potes?
Obeditemeetinveniam...'
He had at first not understood a single word of it; scarcely was he able to hear it as it was so faint, but as time wore on and its volume increased, he gradually found himself being somehow able to understand the meaning of the dauntingly sung lines of Latin.
'Obey me…
Listen to my song,
Can you hear my cry?
Obey me and find…'
Good grief! Didn't it know that we was listening, (not that he had much of a choice), and that if only he knew what it wanted he'd happily hand over in two seconds flat! Seriously, find what, exactly?
He sighed, whipping he sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
He faintly recognized the sound of the voice; he knew that he had at least heard it before.
If this was one of his ex-girlfriends getting back at him…
He cursed inaudibly.
Well, he'd hadn't exactly treated every woman in his life thus far all that fairly at all. Take that girl from last month, Tana or Tanya or Tammy or whatever, he'd kinda slept with her sister –or was it her best friend? Second cousin? Ah, whatever, it's all the same to him anyway- while they were together…
He hummed nonchalantly to himself.
Lord, had Tracy been upset! But her neighbor had been absolutely divine in bed…
With a yawn, he lay back down and attempted to find rest for the third time.
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
'Zero…'
A faint twitch of fingers: a warm glow engulfing a prone figure that lay in never-ending darkness. Suddenly, there was a white, tender light caressing seemingly lifeless limbs and rousing consciousness within.
'Zero…!'
A small, questioning mutter of a well-loved name left thin, pale-pink lips: another, fuller, red pair moved soundlessly, but the other heard their words all the same.
'Yes, Zero, it's me…'
The distant, soft ring of a far away wind chime made of beautiful stained glass; the flutter of white and red roses petals; a kind smile and regal bearing; a lithe form and long tendrils of silken, cocoa locks brushing the yet living but yet dead being that still lay asleep but with opened, glassy amethyst eyes as if awake. It seemed he was still unaware of the situation.
'Please…'
The frown in a strong brow, what did the glowing, precious person want from him to ask so pleadingly; voice anguished, despairing and eerily calm all at once? He would had it all should have need for nothing, right?
'Do not forget…'
Another question from the silverette; what is not to be forgotten? It was always so irritating how that man always left him with more questions than answers.
'Be patient: I shall come for you soon…'
He was being cryptic and vague again; just like every other time his voice and body had visited the younger's dreams.
'Zero…'
He was crying. The boy could feel the tears wetting his face in an uneven rhythm. What was wrong? Was it time for him to leave already? The still boy didn't want him to go… An unhappy frown marred his handsome face.
'Sayonara, I love you…'
The warm hands had cupped his face and for just a fleeting instant, Zero could almost feel the firm, soft press of to interlocking lips. But it was gone in the next exhale, and the hunter found himself alone, hand extended to reach out and pull that special person back to him, and longing to fully feel their bodies and souls contact on a level that very, very few could connect on.
Kiryuu Zero groaned in dissatisfaction, mumbling unintelligible phrases in his sleep as he shifted, grunted, and his eyelids fluttering as he wearily sat up.
Glancing about himself, he allowed himself to break down.
Burying his face in his hands he wept.
So close that he could have almost reached out and touched him, yet so far that he would never actually be able to. He wasn't even sure he did want to! Zero might have killed Kaname and seen the reasons why he had done many things, and while both were horrifying and left him aching for the fleeting, murmured presence of the other, it did not make the hunter forget what Kaname had done to him.
Through his fingers he managed to glower down at the impossibly soft, satin sheets of a royal blue colour. The blood red tassels and embroidery twisting about its length and breadth as vines stood out as a result of the stark contrast and the roses which hung from them and were so red they were nearly black were no exception. The combination was eye-catching and hypnotic; if not a little strange. No one would usually place such deep but lovely hues side by side, far less for together on a comforter! The silken sheets beneath it caressed his sleep-warmed flesh, and, to his astonishment he could make out each and every line made by the threads of the quilt above. From the thickest strands that were used for the tassels, the smaller ones used for embroidery, to finally, even the finer ones that made up the fabric; interwoven together to form the great mass of blue!
He gasped and winced; it had sounded much too loud in his ears.
Worried, he turned to observe his surroundings, but everywhere he turned it was the same.
He was in a richly furnished bedroom that was separated into halves by a set of three steps. The first half of the room was like something out of an ancient, European castle; and reminded him vaguely of the castle setting in Macbeth, or even the ones Kaname used to tell him about when they were still together from Jane Eyre. Decorated in shades of blue with light splashes of red and gold in between, it seemed like the bed chamber of an English monarch with a decidedly french flair that seemed to echo a certain pureblood enough to make Zero sick.
The second half of the room, however, seemed like the room of a wealthy, modern bachelor. This would have confused most people, but anyone who had spent time within a pureblood's living space would realize a pattern beginning to emerge. Strangely enough, the space did indeed resemble Kaname's chambers within the Night Class' Moon Dormitory. Zero would be a fool not to take such an important thought into great consideration, and combined with the tingling brought on my potent vampiric residue the room sure as hell belonged to a very powerful individual; either an extremely high-level noble, or a pureblood. He frowned, confusion building within him. There was something strange about the remnant power-levels in the room. It kept fluctuating, as if suppressed or difficult to control. It was also sporadically distributed throughout the room and even whimsical in the amount left. There were large chunks of left-over energy by the windows, but very little by the couches down stairs that seemed to have been moved recently. The hunter had no idea how he knew half of what his mind was spitting out, but it all made perfect sense to it and so, he decided to go with it.
Still, he had to wonder and about the obvious moods of the one who inhabited of the room.
There were large rectangles of tinted glass occupying the entire left wall with window seats embedded into the entire upper half. There was a set of double doors were on the right wall, and right down the middle of the room, about a ten feet in front of the font of the heavily draped canopy bed, the drop to another level began. Directly opposite the bed was another pair of double doors with gilded doorknobs.
In the right corner was a red-oak desk and matching convex-backed chair. Surrounding it was serval bookshelves, and if the hunter wasn't mistaken, a copy of Dr Seuss' 'Green Eggs and Ham.' A stylish, modern seating in the form of two 'L'-shaped, sectional, black leather couches filled the left corner of the vast space, and nearly formed a perfect rectangle around a large, low glass table upon which sat several different versions of what Zero realized what the same chess game.
For some reason, he felt as if the him that lived and breath in Cross Academy, that loved and was sure in at least the facts of his own life, would have thought that they were starkly different. However, for some god damned reason that he couldn't even begin to fathom, he could tell that they were the same game, play by the same people, with all the same pieces on their sides. The only difference, he realized, was the chain of events. They seemed like outlines of hypothetical situations that could occur as a result of a single, decisive event. And from what Zero could surmise, it was any man's game right now. Well, at least theoretically. Though it seemed to be at a standstill for now, gears were turning, and it seemed that one side may just-
A sudden, chilling night wind came to pay the empty, palatial bedroom a visit, and Zero realized with a shiver he was naked. The bedroom door opened, and in strolled a little boy.
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
'Yujirou…'
Moving through in an alley way, (or rather the indent between the large piles of rubble that was once an alley way), Setsuna Yujirou paused; the sudden calling of that person's voice shocking him to the core.
He and his guests had all been inside when disaster hit, and thankfully no-one besides that wicked, gossiping bitch from suite 303 who had been at the bank had gotten hurt. Or probably killed, he didn't know, and was in no rush to find out. Not that he would in a situation such as this.
The past month had been hell as the entire country tried to recover from what he prayed wasn't a fatal blow, and he had to admit that his sleepless nights were filled with worries about his friends and family that were in Japan when that happened. No doubt, he realized days ago, that it had to do with that world. Thoughts of the that sphere of intrigue that he'd forbidden Kaname to take about always lead to thoughts of the man himself, and, not knowing the state or situation of his beloved friend stabbed at him deeply. Was Kaname alive? Dead? Nearly there?
Of course, he knew his worries were for naught; that man was important and revered in that world, he would be fine. But the heart was not a logical thing, and so worried on ceaselessly.
So, despite all he knew but denied, hearing the faint murmur within the sealed areas of his mind made relief flood through him.
But, the question was, should he reply?
Had he not sworn off all that was related to that world; the one that stole from him his most important person…? That wondrous creature once called Esperanza; his hope, snatched away from him? And at the very hands of the one who cried out for him now?
'Yujirou…'
He made his decision.
"I'm here, Kaname…"
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Seated in the small, caged-in balcony, hollow, mahogany eyes stared listlessly out at the night. The proud posture of lithe being contrasted sharply with emptiness of his eyes, and if one looked closely, drifting lazily in the depthless lakes of void, were dully swirling tendrils of thought; memories…
…Precious, unforgivably cruel but ever-so-dear memories of that person; everything from mindless conversations over that phone during time spent apart…
Flashback
"So what are you working on now, Mister Prefect?" Teased Kaname as he stepped out onto his balcony.
It would soon be sunset, and the breath-taking view was one of the reasons one of his main investors had chosen Daytona Beach for their meeting. He was currently in an expensive, modern summer home on a little island on the banks of the Halifax River. Everything, from the food to the ever-helpful and non-intrusive staff, was perfect. His host was neither inattentive but nor overbearing. His hostess always made certain that neither his cup nor his stomach was never too empty or too full. The evenings were entertaining and always spent in delightful company. The mornings were calm but efficient. It was the prefect, business trip, and yet…
He heaved a mental sigh.
And yet, beautiful sunset or not, Kaname would have preferred to be at home; at Cross Academy, snuggled up next to the strong, sleep-warmed body of the one being who, in his mind, was beautiful enough to make Mother Nature envious of their beauty, and proud that she'd made someone or such exquisite magnificence… He would have treaded anything, anything at all, to be with Zero just then. Wrapped up in the moody prefect's arms he could feel pure and safe and loved. As if even he was worth something…
It was a little past four in the afternoon of his second day away from his beloved dorm and 62 degrees already. And though it hadn't been that long, the Kuran missed the gentle, white snow that prevailed during winter in Japan. Well, not just the snow. Definitely just not the snow…
"Obviously not what I should be doing!" Cried the voice of one Kiryuu Zero over the line. "It's about fifteen minutes past seven, I should be checking in on your minions in the name of their 'most esteemed ouji'…" The sarcasm in his voice towards the end was nearly visible.
"Fu fu fu… Naughty, Kiryuu-kun!" Chimed Kaname, teasingly mocking a certain chairman. "And why aren't you catering to your duties?"
"Don't mess with me, Kuran!" Zero 'seethed' only half-playfully. "You know exactly 'why!' You're keeping me busy!"
"Oh?" Murmured the brunet in feigned indifference. "And just how did I do such a thing?"
"Kisama!" Yelled Zero through the receiver. "You sure as hell know how!"
Kaname laughed.
"I told you before, you should just move in," Suggested the crimson-eyed prince in a seemingly innocent tone when the moment had passed. "It would made things much easier."
But despite his apparent nonchalance and blameless tone, Zero knew better. Kaname was up to something.
"…Alright, and what do I tell your sheep?" Asked Zero in an equally casual and innocent tone.
Kaname's eyes widened, heart thundering in his chest. Zero hadn't minded moving in with him, just the cover story!
This was excellent progress.
Clearing his throat to not just displace the lump that had suddenly lodged itself there, but also to block out the sound of his inner self squealing happily in response, he answered easily, as if his heart wasn't just about ready to burst out of his chest. "That I sent you, of course…"
"Uh-huh…" The silverette drawled. "Of course. I'd just randomly stroll in one night, bag and baggage, and say…" Putting on a deceptively sweet and nearly child-like voice, he chimed out, " 'Oh, don't mind me, I'm just moving into your divine, non-bloodsucking bloodsucker of a leader's apartment! Why, you ask? Well, 'cause despite the fact that we fight like an old couple, he and I screw like newlywed bunnies and love each other as if we were!'" Towards the end his voice turned slightly hostile.
Kaname bit down on his lip harder to stifle the laugh bubbling to the surface.
Oh~! Wasn't his Zero just precious?
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Kaname was just about to answer with a negative and explain that if he (Kaname) ordered it that no-one would dare question, when a devious alternate popped into his brilliant, pretty little head. Decidedly, he knew it would piss the hunter off to the point where he may defy physics and reach through the phone line and strangle his boy friend, but what was life with a little risk, ne?
"Why not?" He purred casually. "It's the truth, and I'd kinda like to see their faces when you said something so naughty…"
The teasing, seductive seduction of his lover's voice towards the end and the husky way it lowered in pitch sent shivers up Zero's spine as it simultaneously infuriated his manly pride (because it made him melt like if he was some woman).
"What!" He demanded; blushing hotly to his ears. "Kaname~!" He whined.
Really, the man was intolerable!
End Flashback
…to the funny, kinky memories of young lovers' playtime…
Flashback
'Zero's so naughty!'
Thoughts like that floated around Kuran Kaname's mind as he lay intertwined with his lover; tenderly caressing the much loved head of silver hair as he basked in the aftermath of their youthful bouts of love making.
All eight bouts of their youthful love making…
He bit the knuckle of the index on his right hand, the left one lying atop his lover's around his waist.
In that moment, he acknowledged how great it was being a vampire! There were no pesky limitations to get in the way. A pair of newly-wed vampires could quite possibly copulate uninterrupted for days. And the higher the level of blood purity; the longer the pleasure…
He giggled at the thoughts of a newly-wed Zero, comparing his hypothetical future husband's performance with the memories of some decidedly scandalous things that his usually ever-bashful partner had done today around round three...
After that things got hazy, and it became increasingly harder to tell where one round ended, and another began.
'Zero spanked me!' He cried mentally in mock aghast. 'That rascal…'
Another giggle.
'Oh~ And then he kissed it all~ better and licked me!' The Kuran heir sang mentally in recap. But, in his excitement it ended in a squeak. 'Down there…!'
A tiny squeal escaped him this time.
'Sex rocks!' He thought as he nodded drunkenly in affirmation; the pheromones that resided in high concentration in the air making him a little more than just a bit tipsy…
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
Cuddling the crook of his lover's neck, Kiryuu Zero sighed; blissfully sated –who wouldn't be after all that- and warmed to his very core. And, at the sound of his beloved's sweet giggles, he found his heart swelling and growing even warmer.
He'd been a little unsure about a lot of things they did in bed this time around, since it had directly involved him too. Usually, the toys and kinkiness was directed towards and used on Kaname; all Zero had to do was maneuver them to his will so as to get the best usage out of them. And he didn't mind it much, as it was always to his ultimate benefit –and that of his very grateful eyes- to get Kaname all hot and bothered. And it wasn't like his pride did get a little kick out of the fact that he could reduce the mighty Kuran Kanamé-sama to a wanton mess of adorable sighs and resounding screams as he rode out utter mind-blowing orgasms. With this in mind, he found it strange when the decedent chime of the Kuran's laughter sounded yet again. Curiosity shinning through his haze of contentment, he pressed a kiss to the closes patch of exposed flesh before speaking.
"What are you giggling about? Eh, mon chat?" He mentally cheered; he was sure he'd pronounced it right this time!
Kaname grew still in his arms; very still…before promptly bursting into a grand fit of hysterical chortles.
Oh~ He could remember when else Zero had called him that!
Zero blinked, before a smile blossomed on his handsome face.
"Kaname?"
Giggling.
"Kaname~"
More giggling.
"Ka-na-me~" He tried, nuzzling his lover overtly-sensitive, virgin bite-area before delivering a sharp nip with his regular teeth.
A gasp of ecstasy, followed by a moan, and then fluttering lashes.
"Z-Zero~!"
The silverette smirked; sure he captured the brunet's attention.
…But then the giggling started back up; screw giggles, this was full-out laughter.
"Kana?" He called. Geez… the other was really into it…
Sighing, and holding back a smile of his own, Zero cuddled to his lover's back and decided not to question it. Wrapping his arms around the tiny waist, he reminded himself of a great, universal truth: No good ever came from inquiring about the Prince of Vampires' moods.
'Nope. No good…'
As a matter a fact, often, much his chagrin, it led to his own embarrassment. And Zero, for one, did not like being humiliated.
'Nope. Never liked it…'
Still, it made his heart leap within his chest to see Kaname smile. Those stunning, expressive eyes would light up and glitter with boundless happiness; not a strand of the usual, oppressive sadness to be found. In that moment, that tiny, tilt of lips, highlighting his gladness and pushing every sorrow away.
If only for that moment…
Kaname's laughter was even better!
Though, to be honest, each and every emotion that so much as flickered though those scarlet-maroon orbs was enough to give him chills. And not because of the rapidly dropping temperatures of the up-coming winter season.
Amethyst eyes observed his lover's rosily flushed face, glimmering cherry and wine eyes, parted, full lips –red from his proud abuse- and slick, lithe, thoroughly molested body that was littered with the marks of the ex-human's repeated domination; repeated love; repeated passion…
Speaking of which, Zero could feel something sliding down his thigh.
The left one.
The one smack dab between Kaname's thighs…
Pulling back slightly with his brows and face metamorphosing into an expression of confusion, Zero lifted the sheets, not even noticing that his garnet-eyed lover had gone still and was peering coyly at him from over his shoulder.
Immediately; Zero turned red at the sight before his widened eyes.
Thick, crème-colored ribbons were slithering slowly out of Kaname's winking entrance.
His cum…
How embarrassing!
And to make matters worse, he couldn't look away.
It was as if he was in a trance of some sort –eyes glued to the way the white ejaculate contrasted so sharply with that little, cherry-red aperture.
'Dono ero…' He thought.
'How erotic' was right!
Further mortifying him, a voice called, clearly scandalized, above him.
"Maa~ Zero, what are you looking at? Kono hentai! Perv~!"
Zero went pale, before turning scarlet.
"K-Kaname!" He cried, profoundly embarrassed. "It's not what it looks like!"
"That's what she said," He commented wryly before a look of humiliated rage flashed across his features. "So you weren't completely and absolutely enraptured by the sight your cum oozing out of my entrance?"
He said it angrily, and if Zero had caught that teasing, mischievous spark in his lover's eyes he would have whole-heartedly thought he'd offended the other male. But he had seen it. And oh~ how it drove him nuts that that little devil thought he could get away with it!
Flipping the brunet over, he decided to give him something to really made him mad…
Mad with pleasure, that is…
-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-
An hour later found the pair panting on the now even more disheveled bed.
The canopy was torn, the all the sheets were shredded, the head board was broken, the mattress had been ripped open in some places –Kaname and his claws, go figure- and Zero had barely managed to rescue a larger scrap of cloth to cover them both with it.
Twice, they'd gone twice more…
A groan of pain escaped the silverette as he shifted to a position that would relieve the terrible aching in his lower body.
'I'm not made for this!' He thought despairingly. 'My poor shaft is way chafed!'
Yes, this was the most difficult part of their relationship: That fact that Kaname's stamina knew no bounds, and that Zero just couldn't say no…
The temptation was just too damn sweet!
Idly, he wondered how many people would think he was uke if they knew –not suspected- the true nature of the relationship between he and Kaname. After all, thanks to pureblood healing, Kaname always walked away unscathed. Zero, well, he was often seen limping back to his dorms.
And it was all thanks to the damn pureblood's irresistibleness!
He paused, wondering absentmindedly if 'irresistibleness' was even a word.
And then,
…his boyfriend's giggling started back up.
From his position spooning the Kuran, Zero could see most of his beloved's desirable body, in particular, the half-hard erection he was sporting.
However, ten rounds didn't just magically happen. They required a lot of strenuous physical activity and right now, Zero had next to no energy. Especially not enough to go again, and definitely not to question his lover –who thoroughly enjoyed giving him the run around and driving him crazy- about just what had caused this miracle to occur. Because it was a miracle that anyone would be able to get it up after all that.
Zero shuddered heavily as the memories the evenings most delicious highlights came back to the forefront of his mind.
Surely, by now, Kaname would have run out of mature sperm? Like he had?
Right?
'Wrong!' His mind yelled at him. 'You forget who you're dealing with. Kuran Kanamé: Kinky Masochistic Sex Fiend in Charge.'
Seriously. It was true.
If Zero thought about it, he could honestly say that he had not once, had normal sex.
Nope. Not once.
Every single time, Kaname always had or wanted to try 'a little something.' You know, to make things 'interesting'…
Naturally, because normal love making was decidedly boring…
Well, Zero really wouldn't know. He'd never had 'normal love making!'
Yes, of course! Because Kaname wanted to save him from boredom…
He nodded to himself as sarcastic thoughts continued to bounce around in his imagination.
Idly, he wondered if by now, what with his 'experience,' he would be able to enjoy 'normal love making.' Perhaps, Kaname's infinite number of fetishes had conditioned him?
But wouldn't that mean that he was a pervert too?
With a heavy sigh, he hung his head; shame painting his cheeks.
'Probably. Especially with the way you watched the, you know…cum slide out of his ass…'
He blushed further.
And, as if having read his thoughts by the emotion flashing clearing across his face, Kaname laughed hysterically at his expense.
'He should choke,' Zero decided petulantly.
End Flashback
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"Kuran-sama?" Takuma called as he entered the bedroom of his once best friend. He had taken to calling the other that after that incident last week when Kaname had…when Kaname had…
He took a deep breath.
It hadn't been the other's fault, not at all! It had been Takuma who had touched him so suddenly while knowing –yes, he had known, hadn't he?- how fragile a mindset his friend was in.
It was no wonder that he had been mistaken for that monster, Rido.
The same monster he now worked for…
Takuma paused in his advancement towards the brunet; steps faltering as that fact flittered through his mind.
Was it possible that…?
He shook his head.
No; of course not. Rido wouldn't dare…! Not after he gave his word.
Kaname had told him several times in the past that a pureblood's word was their bond; that breaking it, was like breaking apart a piece of their very conscious mind. And though it had still, it had hurt something fiercely and had shook Takuma's resolve in that he had done the right thing. He knew that Kaname wasn't well. He needed help; he wasn't eating or sleeping or taking care of himself and his sensibilities. And, with all due respect and all well-deserved admiration and adoration, such mindless indiscretion could very well be the end of him in the world they lived. And so, as his best friend, Takuma felt it was his duty to protect Kaname from himself and those emotions that should never, ever be even glimpsed.
Furthermore, his grandfather and Rido's plots had nothing to do with Kaname getting the help he needed.
Well, at least not directly. There were things they wanted to do, that Kaname would have done everything in his power to stop. And so, they just needed him out of the way. Just for a little bit. Grandfather had explained it all, hadn't he? Rido wanted to resume his position as the Head of the Kuran Clan; that was all there was to it. And besides, it's not as if Kaname was fit for the job as he was. He was too sick, too vulnerable, to young as of yet to have to deal with such difficult and saddening things. Takuma could now barely remember the Kaname from before; from before he had been forced into the violent and merciless world of vampiric politics.
Each and every day the image of those dancing, smiling garnet jewels; shimmering with radiance that more befitted the sun as to oppose a creature such as himself that lived by moonlight, each and every day they seemed duller. Fainter… As if with each and every second, each and every heartless tick and tock of the hands of the ever-cruel clock, he was forgetting that there was in fact a time when Kaname used to smile and laugh and play like any other child. It was as if he was forgetting what it looked like to see Kaname smile and laugh and play! Like all those precious moments were being swallowed up by Father-Time and being surrendered onto the unforgiving hands of harsher, more-adult memories and were being consumed by the lust; the lust of money, of power, of blood, of Kaname's very body.
Well, he'd not allow it.
"No more," He remembered Kaname sobbing when he'd returned from the Chairman's house on that day. "No more, please… No more!"
Takuma whole-heartedly agreed.
And once Kaname was better, he'd make sure that the other never had to shed another, single tear of sorrow ever again.
'Yes,' He thought fingering the glass vial of dark liquid in his coat pocket. 'I'll make sure of it, Kaname.'
If it was all he could do; if his sole success in life was liberating this boy from this hellish life-style and onto a more innocent, helpless state, then that's what he would do. He'd sell his very soul to the devil for the chance to set Kaname free.
Free to smile, to laugh, to live as he wished without fear or worry…
'After all,' He thought as he crossed over to the chair where the sedated man sat nearly lifeless, and pressed a sweet kiss to the top of his head. 'No-one would want to harm a mere human. Far less one with no memory of what they truly were…'
And as Kaname twitched to a semi-awakened state, his sangria eyes swirled with but a single thought.
'One moment less,' He reminded himself; true to his oath.
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A/N: And while Kaname begins to move, Rido has got our poor Zero within his clutches!
I'll update soon, so review!
Next Chapter: Zero has met a strange little boy that seems a lot like Kaname, what will he reveal as they converse? The arrival of Shizuka Hio and Kiryuu Ichiru. Takuma takes another step towards his main goal as Sara and Kaname cross paths. Aidou meets Yujirou and together, they begin to fulfill Kaname's wishes. And finally, Rido's need for Zero is revealed! Much to the poor, confused hunter's horror…
Lol
REVVVVVVVIEW~~! Come on, it's Christmas; the season of giving. Give me a review!
Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Noël! Happy Holidays!
Ja ne!