Summary: Same as before
Proceed With Caution/PWC: If you want
AND THE WHOLE PAIRING THING MAY BE OFF ABOUT YAGARIxKAIEN: MEANING IT IS IMPLIED OR SLASH! NOTHING PROMISED! SAME HERE WITH KAINxAIDOU!
'thoughts'...Nevermind, you all should already know this from reading loads of many ffics.
A/N: THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO REVIEWED AND FOLLOWING OR FAVING! I hope you enjoy. AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PATIENT WITH THIS STORY, AS WELL AS ME, FOR THE DELAY AND DEVELOPMENT. I just really hope you all can stick with it until the end. I swear it will become better.
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Chapter 12: To Frozen Hearts
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"Where are you, Zero?" The voice questioned in broken patience, trying to remember the last time she'd seen the older perfect. Zero continuously failed to fulfill his duties as one of the school's perfects. Yuuki slowly felt like apart of herself was fading, losing touch with her everyday reality.
Brown eyes wavered staring at the reflection in the mirror as she cursed at a memory of the teen standing in front of her. Zero became more distant and transient like falling snow that melted away immediately once caught by warm hands. "Where are you?" The words echoed in the background of emptiness and tears could be seen reflecting back from broken eyes staring back at her. Falling apart just like the world, dark spots in her memory not clear and lost time she couldn't account for. It shook again, "I'm scared."
Blinking twice, something was amiss about herself. Taking on her appearance, she couldn't remember what she had just been doing. Following the small lines of moistened tears on damp cheeks, the brunette stood confused watching them dry. "Why am I crying?"
Staring up, sensing as she became useless to the changes Zero's been experiencing for the past four years. Even if she could give him her blood, Yuuki knew now that he'd never accept it again. Surely, Zero would be starving by now? Possibly in need of blood that he was getting from someone else. Someone she didn't want to share him with.
The blood was the only thing she had left to offer him, now it was taken away from her, just like Zero. And she had only one person to blame, feeling as if she was losing her precious person to another, someone she also felt precious to her. Kaname who saved her life many years ago in the mid-winter snow.
"Why?" The chocolate-haired female whispered, trying to figure out the feelings of jealousy she constantly felt, wanting more than anything to see the silverette by her side again. Now, she could feel it, the change that started to take place around her, not worried about the presence beside her anymore; but not accepting the comforting posture of the female hugging her.
Long dark chocolate locks of the woman who looked just like her, she clutched tightly holding the unknown figure. The longing she felt almost too much too bare as she thought back on the time she seen Zero's body lying motionless on the ground. His hand reaching out in the direction of the woman she now clung to, running away from the crime scene.
Yuuki's eyes widened, as she realized the woman to be a vampire at the glow of her red eyes making her pull back to look at the woman. 'What happened that night?' She wanted to know, just as much as she wanted to know her own whereabouts for the passing months.
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"Well, look who finally decided to show up?" Zero spoke turning his direction from the face of the blonde entering the small training room. Green eyes staring into blue, the evidence of the previous fight still scattered lightly around the room.
"Uninvited, am I?" Eyes of hardened ice stared on in what was read as hate. "As I see you as the one who is trespassing." Zero turned further away at the glare, wanting to return his own, but didn't. Grabbing his things, placing his sword into its sheath, and gun in holster, he wanted to escape from there.
"Zero!" The voice called out, Takuma not wanting the other to leave, as they both knew the truth even if unspoken. The color of ice blue glinting in lavender almost stopped the vice-president from proceeding, understanding that they'd meet later.
Takuma stared at the person who interrupted their training time, his eyes automatically went to stare at the other blonde in the room. A slight smile splitting his face, "Aidou." The older aristocrat said in a friendly manner, and the younger vampire knew that even he pissed off the usually bright-eyed and cheerful-nature noble.
"What?" Aidou asked back innocently, as if he wasn't just accused of a crime the vice president seen with his own eyes.
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The day was drawing close to an end, the birds flying to their homes in the trees, and day class students filling around in a crowd outside the moon dorms. All wanting badly for this day to be the day recognition from one of their beloved would finally be returned by those whom they admired. "The ball is drawing close, and we still don't have our dates." One of the girls complained to the group of females around her. Her short amber hair brushed back smoothly behind her ear.
"You're telling me, Yori. I really do hope that Idol chooses me over you!" The girl looked away smugly as she seen the day class perfect approaching. Looking around she was happy, pointing out the fact that Zero might not show that night as his presence seemed to be missing for the past few nights.
"Yes, if he's not here. Maybe we all can get pass Yuuki, and be able to hold on to the night class." The second female commented in a dreamy state, Sayori giving her a glance of no shame shaking her from her thoughts. "You shouldn't speak like that Juu-chan." The amber-eyed female spoke trying to put guilt in the older female for talking about her friend in such a manner. Immediately, they stared at the gates, waiting for them to open as she brushed the younger chick off.
"No Zero, No Zero!" Juubei chanted to herself, getting odd looks from the other females. "Then again..." Her words trailed hoping for the perfect to show, as he fitted in so nicely with the rest of the night students. He was pure fun, entertainment, and she badly wanted to jump him there.
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Pressing against the wall, he harshly slammed his back up against it. Trying desperately to drown the pain out with his own method. Holding back the pained moan that badly wanted to spread from his lips that were pursing in the agony he felt. His lilac eyes turning the same color as blood, glowing in the evening air.
The obvious feelings of a hunter, ready to strike and kill it's prey. In his mind, any blood would do, but that would mean falling prey to level e.
Before he knew it, Zero felt it taking over once he pulled back from the attack on Takuma.
How he hated using his unfulfilled powers as they seemed to drain his fragile body. The blood-lust wanting to win over, the faint mark becoming clearer, making a brief outline of a blooming flower with the blood that already escaped from his wounded back. Zero's body longed for one person, the blood of the dark-haired male, and the longing to feel their skin pressed up against his own. Wanting to give into that body that moved above him, almost sadistically, commanding him to move with the intense rhythm already set.
The silverette repressed the chill that ignited his body, somewhere inside something wanted him to call out for the pureblood vampire it already longed for. Wanting to be complete, breaking away from the chains that already possessed him. Closing his eyes almost sadly, he tried not to picture the body of the older vampire above him, staring down at him with eyes filled with lust. It burned again, feeling like it'd burst from his burning skin, he screamed out.
Watching as the birds flew from around him, his feet moved to where they needed slowly. He'd have to take a shower, get ready for his duties and see the smiling face of Yuuki, with the look of hope in her chocolate colored eyes.
But that was never to come.
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The gates began to open, the screams already being heard. An irritated Aidou staring off into the distance, not paying attention to anything, or anyone. He knew that eyes the color of a deep green were staring at him, but ignored it. Knowing that soon they all would put on their cheery composure's for the day class students that awaited them. Believing that they were in love with them, though they knew nothing about them.
A smile came to his face at the first of the group began to move out, immediately he could hear the battle of the crowd. Calling out their names as if they'd faint, or die if not embraced quickly by the one's they admired. Seiren stayed close behind their leader, not letting many come near with the look in her eyes, but a smile still placed lightly on her face showing the complete opposite.
Aidou watched with feigned ignorance as the pureblooded vampire walked up to the struggling girl trying to keep the relentless fan girls back. Kaname politely grabbed her hand, watching as she flinched lightly trying to cover her previous emotion with that of nervous delight.
Why'd Kaname like the female perfect so much? He didn't think he'd ever know. Yes, her blood did smell sweet pulsating beneath smooth tantalizing skin, more so than the other female's that stood around. Aidou's eyes trailed ignoring the face of his cousin, he looked for the one he wanted to talk to for some time. There was no surprise at finding him nowhere to be seen, especially on a delicious night such as that night.
"Uninvited, am I? As I see you as the one who is trespassing." The male seemed to be hiding something as he turned away, almost as if he were trying to ignore his presence altogether, before taking up his things. "Zero!"
Aidou couldn't understand what was the thing that the other noble saw in the eyes of the other, as he simply gave up trying to get the silver-haired ex-hunter to turn around and stay.
He didn't need to speak what he knew, as he was one of the types who could keep a secret almost all to himself. "There's no way." One of them said, Kaname paid no mind to who, as they parted ways. The smell of his blood wriggled their noses, almost as sweet as honey to a bee.
Aidou knew then that he was one of the few who knew about Zero being a vampire, and still he didn't use it against him. The blonde may have been read off as nothing but trouble, or a bad guy. But he knew what other's secretly couldn't deny, and what he failed to convey in his actions. His kindness extended further than what many may have thought, as he added another thing to hold into his jar of secrets within.
Still, it didn't keep him from not wanting to talk to and see the ex-human. The cool-eyed noble still felt the need to discuss with the silverette all that he knew, yet, and again he walked away. Not even bothering to show up at all. Zero was found no where in the vicinity, but it wasn't like anyone was looking for him anyways. They decided long ago to let the president of the moon dorms deal with him, as it was something only he could do without killing the unruly teen.
Blue eyes found themselves staring at the lovely face of the one who accompanied him that night back to the moon dorms. Blanching slightly, he rolled his eyes at the vice-president as they were finally out of the view of the day students, and entering to their own night classes.
'Where could he be?' Aidou asked himself sitting down, knowing that Kaname wouldn't let Zero's behavior go on for much longer, before he'd have to make him an example out of him. 'Right?' Aidou asked himself as he sat down, eyes going into the direction of where the teen hunter usually sat.
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"I don't know, how do you think he'll react?" The man said, pushing his glasses up as he stared at the other man in the room.
"You don't think he's ready, do you?" The reply wasn't what he wanted to hear, as the older male watched with practiced ease as darkened blonde hair was pushed out of the way, wrapping slightly around his neck.
"We both know that he doesn't really have a choice. It's the only way to prove that he's not one of them, and that he's not a danger or threat to the association." Yagari continued with his speech, not agreeing with the look in the eyes of the older hunter standing in front of him. "I don't like it, just as much as you. No matter how much we disagree, it has to be done."
"I know that." The headmaster spoke, staring at the man, the feeling of some kind of hate making itself known. The feelings that he'd gotten caught up in, knowing that he shouldn't care for that of others, but the two teenagers that had grown from smaller children were just that, his children.
"I must get back, my class is about to start."
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Watching carefully, two pairs of different colored eyes stayed on the pureblood in his seat. Observing as an almost annoyed look came across his face before being brushed away. Kaname's hand covered his ear lightly trying to tune out the noise no one else could hear. If he could describe it, it was as if trying to swipe at an annoying bug from brushing wings together by ears. A loud noise that annoyed him, and the usual nuisance not there sitting in his assigned seat close to him.
Green eyes wondered over to blue eyes, watching as their gang leader seemed to be distracted by something like a puzzle of sorts. Irritation could be read momentarily, before it was covered. Kaname gaining back his lost composure, as the time was up for classes.
Blue eyes caught green orbs staring at him, a question making itself known, being directed towards him. "What exactly do you know, Aidou?"
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Moving through the dormitory, Kaname loosened his shirt, heading straight towards the area of where the nuisance stayed. Because of him, his night was forced trying to ignore the voice that called out to him. He stopped, noticing that the usually shut door was agape. There was a faint smell of something dangerously sweet lingering in the air, dried blood caking clothing staining red.
Peering through, he caught the sight of the sleeping frame, tangled in sheets, laying on his stomach. Pale skin showing through, like sheer curtains in the moonlight, his eyes averted. Trying to not make silly comparisons like the one that passed through his thoughts. Kaname for the life of him at the moment couldn't understand, why he felt so frustrated when around the younger? Taking in the picture once more, he shut the door to a slight crack, then headed back to his room. Pretending that once more seeing the other in the moonlight, showing off ivory skin, didn't draw his attention to feel out in the open.
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"We both know that he doesn't really have a choice. It's the only way to prove that he's not one of them, and that he's not a danger, or threat to the association."
The words compelled him, piercing through to echo in his head. They were the words he hated to hear, but it had been a long time since the silverette could prove his loyalty.
Still, Kaien felt like he knew why this was all really happening. If, they did find Zero a threat, they'd take him out, no questions about it. That was something he couldn't bear to see, or live with. Hearing the faint knock on the door, his eyes sharpened, staring as if the door was to be the cause of a near death. His voice shaking, as he desperately tried not to think of the task set at hand, "Come in."
The head master tried to muster up a cheery smile, something that he was accustomed to doing in the presence of his children. Watching faintly, he unsuspectingly let his sigh of dread leave his lips, relieved when it went unnoticed to the person now occupying the space.
"You called me here, headmaster?" The young teen stood in front of him, his head lowered to the floor, fist clenching slightly at the gut feeling he had upon waking that morning. The feeling clearly screaming of something to his dismay.
"Yes, please take a seat. We're currently waiting for someone." Kurosu tried to be polite about the situation, trying his best to ignore the vibe he was getting, of something being terribly off about the day. He wasn't surprised when he saw that the teen refused, opting to stand instead. Kurosu couldn't help but smile at that, it was so typical of the young ex-human.
"What exactly is this about, Kurosu?" The silverette wasted no time, wanting to get down to the reason why he felt such anxiety. Zero stared at the man, rejecting the urge to bite down on his lower lip as a means of some kind of distraction.
"Well, I'm not sure how I should explain this to you, Zero." The man stared up at the unmoving perfect, his hazel eyes so wanting to convey his pent up feelings trapped inside. Trying not to show that he feared for Zero's safety, and well-being.
"There's no need to do so." A familiar voice boomed in the room, the smell of smoke clearly littering the body of the man.
"Yagari-sensei." Zero spoke, hiding his own fear, the feeling of uneasiness returning a thousand-fold. He didn't think he'd like to hear what he wanted, and knew that this could be only the beginning of the spiral for things to get worse.
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Blue eyes caught green orbs staring at him, a question making itself known, being directed directly towards him. "What exactly do you know, Aidou?"
It was a question left unanswered, purposely on his part. It was something, he had to avoid altogether. Aidou couldn't allow himself to be found out by the vice-president, it would only confirm the suspicions already placed on him by a few others.
All wishing to know the same answer, questioning: Just how much information he held? How much did he keep to himself? And how long before divulging it to deepen his own plotting for whatever scheme he had to gain from the game?
His only response to the accusing tone the green-eyed aristocrat threw his way, was that of a a cunning smile. Flashing his teeth, showing off just how perfectly white they were. Then casually walking away, leaving the vampire to his own devices, conspiracies, and theories.
"I have no clue as to what you're referring to." He spoke, his eyes going to the open door, the dawn of a new day etching its weaved and familiar pattern through the windows to stain the floorboards.
Takuma clearly wasn't buying it.
"The day, it seems like it will be a nice one." Aidou said, trying not to become blocked in again by the vice-president. They'd been at this game for some time that night, trying to avoid each other, out of the fear of having someone else eavesdrop on their private conversation. Finally, it seemed that they both agreed on just waiting until the night was over, and the rays of the sun to start off the conversation.
Aidou smiled to himself at the slight humor that was there in his thoughts. "This day, could only get worse." He said, feeling like something was going to go wrong for him or someone close to him in the near future of the next several days.
How'd he hate to think how close to correct he was. The dread easing it's way into his system, posioning his mind of ill-thoughts. Blue eyes closing, thinking of only one person, lost to a time before that would seem impossible to get back, even if reincarnated.
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"Yagari-sensei." Zero spoke, staring confidently into blue eyes of steel, showing that he wouldn't back down. No matter his own feeling of fear, and uneasiness that he's been feeling since being called in. There was silence, as the remaining two finally decided to take seats. Yagari, convincing the young hunter that it would be for the best with a quick glance of his eyes.
"What is the meaning of this?" Zero wanted to know, trying his best to soothe the feeling raping his insides.
"We're here to discuss your future, Zero." Kaein tried his best to ease the silver-haired teen as best as he could. Finding it almost painfully difficult as it seemed no matter which way he put it, he would still not agree to the terms. Neither would Zero, as he sat waiting impatiently for the reasons for his summoning at such an early hour.
"The association thinks that you're ready to accept your duties." Yagari spoke up, breaking the silence between them all. "It's been almost four years since the incident with your family, and what's happened to you." The man didn't sugar coat any of it, knowing that it was best if they were straight forward.
"But, now..." The words trailed from the headmasters mouth, not liking that he knew the feelings of pain at the remembrance of the event all those years ago that the young hunter hid.
"It's time to fulfill my duties as a hunter." Zero filled in the opened space, hiding all the mixed feelings he had. Not entirely opposing the proposal. He understood completely, his dutues as he was approaching the age of adulthood. Zero accepted all responsibilities as taking on the name and continuing the family business.
Standing, he didn't argue, deny, or dismiss the words at all. "It's understood." The ex-human spoke without a second thought," I accept."
"Thanks for your understanding, Zero." Eyes the color of a light purple staring at the man who was his teacher.
"You'll have the next three days off of school, but still need to perform all of your perfect duties." The headmaster spoke, pushing stray ash-blond hairs out of his eyes, "I will talk to the dorm president, and inform him of this as well." Headmaster Kurosu spoke, not showing the regret he felt, or letting his emotions bleed in his words. "You will have three days until you take on your assignment."
"Understood." The silver-haired youth said, bowing politely, dismissing himself. A small knock at the door stopped him, as a young girl came in. Her short chocolate hair, matched perfectly with her eye color.
"Um, excuse me." She said bowing in front of Zero, not noticing the presence in the room. Lifting her head, she smiled up at him, happy to see him. Immediately, without thinking her arms flew to the place they needed, landing wrapped around the pale teen's neck. "Zero!" She squalled with excitement, hurting the perfect's ears.
"Nice to see you too, Yuuki." His words lacked feeling, just as his face was stoic he didn't let his emotions of the previous conversation show.
"Where the hell have you been?!" The short-haired female said letting him go to playfully hit him on the shoulder. "You left me to stand perfect duties all by myself for the past four days. You know how they are, they nearly ran me down this time." Yuuki's words stopped at seeing the two men in the room.
"Zero, what's going on?" Yuuki stared around confused at the solemness radiating brilliantly from the two males staring at her.
"Excuse me." Zero vacated the room, leaving Yagari and Kaien to answer her questions.
"Zero...wait." Yuuki whispered lowly even more confused about how cold he'd been to her as of lately.
"Yuuki." The sound of her name broke her out of her cloud of self-hate, the thought that it could just be her, upset her. Zero not liking her anymore, or standing by her side anymore, upset her. Her fingers lightly traced the anti-vampiric bracelet on her wrist, wishing badly for a break in the bad luck she'd been having around the silverette.
"Well, I guess I should take my leave." The words were spoken as the man walked to exit the room, leaving Yuuki alone to face the headmaster.
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Sitting down, he bit back the moan of hunger he suppressed. The pain was becoming more unbareable, to the point of passing out. He could feel himself falling back into an uncontrollable state of darkness, his mind forcing him to see memories.
"Not, here." Zero pressed his hands to his eyes, glaring with the color of blood lust. His body trembled on it's own will, the battle he was drowning in everyday being made known. He fought against it, bitterly.
"Yuuki..." His blood-stained eyes closed at seeing her face, pained and lost in confusion because of him. "I'm sorry." Zero said slipping inside the black, inviting a world that he wish he'd never acknowledged, or seen.
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"What do you mean?" The question was asked by the female perfect, her voice shaking in confusion and betrayal.
"How could you do this to him? After everything he's been through, he can't go through with this. He needs more time." Her voice quivering, eyes softening, as she held back her feelings.
"It's exactly as it sounds, Yuuki." Kaien wanted to comfort her, but there was no sure way of doing it. "We know...I know, and I disagree with it more than anyone. But unfortunately there's nothing we can do."
The words broke her, her thoughts returning to the older male leaving the room. Trying his best to cover over the hurt he must've felt at hearing such heartless words. "Zero is a hunter."
"Ex-hunter!" She about yelled, but seeing the hurt that reflected across her adoptive father's dark hazel eyes, Yuuki automatically stepped down from it.
"I understand." Yuuki said, surprising the headmaster, already stunned by the news. "I just don't think..." She couldn't finish her sentence, her brown eyes glazing over with tears that have yet to be shed.
"We must trust him, Yuuki." Kurosu said, his eyes conveying the guilt, and hurt he too felt.
"It must've been really painful to hear such words, wouldn't you agree?" Yuuki spoke her inner-most thoughts laying her cards on the table. "Zero..." Her voice trailed as she dismissed herself from the room, wanting badly to now find him, and comfort him as best she could.
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A/N: Well, I have nothing to say. Hope you read and enjoyed, that's about all. And of course, thank you all for your continued support.
~Evey
