Chapter 14—A Newcomer
Summary: A newcomer arrives, and will the article accelerate or pull back the progress between Kaname and Zero?
Disclaimer: Alas, not mine.
~Start Chapter~
Kaien Cross stepped down from the black limousine, and immediately his eyes wander as it took in the grand appearance of the building. The hotel he was standing in front of was the largest and most expensive in their city, and was built with an ancient European flair to the architectural designs. Taking another admiring look, he walked through the golden revolving doors with brisk strides. After a small stop at the reception to inquire the location of the hotel café, he made his way up a majestic flight of stairs and with a few more turns, found himself in the exceptionally large café. There were only a few patrons lounging about, and he was brought by a waiting attendant to the open aired balcony attached to the café. It seems he had been expected.
Although the balcony was also decorated with quaint tables and chairs, the whole area had been cleared off and only one particular table near the edge of the balcony was occupied. A small, barely perceptible nod was sent in their direction and the attendant bowed respectfully and left them as Kaien made his way to the table.
Taking a seat directly opposite the person, Kaien took his coat and draped it neatly across the arm of another chair. After settling comfortably in his seat, he looked up to the other occupant.
A moment of silence transpired between them as the other person looked out at the scenery with a faraway look on his face. Then, deep golden, almost bronze eyes turned to his and locked with his gaze.
A nod. "Good morning Kaien-san. My apologies for calling you out on such a short notice."
Kaien smiled. "It's nothing. I was glad to hear from you. I thought you wouldn't be able to make it, since I haven't received a reply to my invitation."
The eyes flickered away for a moment in guilt. "Ah. I'm sorry. I forgot to reply. You must understand that I am never really good at such formalities." An apologizing, albeit warm smile was sent in Kaien's direction.
Waving his hand dismissively, Kaien said, "It's nothing. I didn't exactly expect to receive one anyway. I do know your personality well enough."
A small, but gentle chuckle was heard. "So it seems. But rest assured, my presence should be a good enough answer right? But I must say first, my presence comes unsupervised for the moment."
Kaien raised his brows in mocked amazement. "Oh? Don't tell me the young royalty has escaped the clutches of his torturers? You do understand that your uncle will have my head for this."
The man grinned at Kaien deviously. "I'm sure he won't. But I expect he will be catching up soon enough, and then my freedom will be lost. But for now, I am a free man."
Kaien laughed at the bright but devious sparkle in the male's eyes. "Young one, I see that you still haven't been corrupted by your loyal group of advisors."
A good naturedly roll of the eyes was performed, and with an exasperated tone, he replied: "They are relentless! Do you know how many etiquettes classes I was thrown into? But I did show them the last time when I sent my Traditional Ball-Dancing teacher back in torrents of tears." He then smiled mischievously at Kaien.
Kaien resisted the urge to groan. "You incorrigible brat."
The damning smile remained in place. "Ah, yes, I do believe that is what they call me in times of desperation. But enough of me, how are you? It's been years since I've actually seen you, we only ever communicate through emails, and I must say that you look old."
A swat was sent in his direction but he avoided it with ease. Kaien glared at the grinning man. "I am not that old. Life is good, and the vampire and hunter community in this country is slowly recovering. The school is also progressing on well after the war; the students were more accepting than we thought. Speaking of which, you should come and stay over at my place in the school. This will be a good chance for you to meet Yuki and Zero!"
"I see. Well, I would be glad to accept your invitation, if it isn't too much of a bother."
Kaien clapped his hands together merrily. "Excellent! It won't be a problem, Yuki will be pleased to have another handsome guy in the house and while Zero will prove to be slightly grumpy and impolite, I think you two might get along well."
"Zero Kiryuu is it? I have heard a lot of stories about him. I saw him yesterday. Is his temper really as striking as his looks?"
"You saw him? Where? And was that a compliment I heard just now about Zero's looks?" Kaien asked.
"At the Cross Academy actually, I went for a brief look yesterday morning. Sorry I didn't contact you, it was quite early. I bumped into Kiryuu-san near the Moon Dorms, but he didn't even spare a glance at me. He seemed to be in a hurry." The male finished in a contemplative tone.
Recognising the subtle interest, Kaien decided to file it away for further scrutinizing. "It's alright. And as for where Zero was hurrying to, I think I might have an answer."
A questioning glance was sent his way. Kaien took up his coat and picked up the magazine that he had wrapped underneath it. Flipping through the pages, he found the one he was looking for and handed it over.
"Zero seemed to be hurrying to an appointment with Kaname. The two of them are the ones responsible for this anniversary party."
As eyes skimmed through the pages, a small frown marred the handsome features. "This is Kuran Kaname isn't it? I've met him a few times, but we aren't really acquainted. Are they…Are the both of them together?"
Startled by the question, Kaien was thoughtful for a while. "I don't think so. Not yet I think. But they have potential, and they both do look good together don't you think?"
A small hum was the only response he got as his companion closed the magazine and handed it back to him.
"Come on, we better go get my things, I do want to meet Zero very much." And after a small look at Kaien, the golden eyed male added hastily, "And Yuki of course."
Standing up, Kaien muttered his agreement. But he couldn't help but notice that the small frown had disappeared into a look of hopefulness.
Zero was feeling positively murderous by lunch time. He wanted to tear apart every blasted magazine there was in sight which reported about him and Kaname. He also wanted to either go blind or deaf, preferably both, if just to shut out all those smug, curious or gleeful looks and the gossiping and giggling.
Another thing which irritated him to no end was the solid fact that all the females in the campus seemed to have gone absolutely crazy. They seem really excited about the article for reasons that Zero couldn't begin to fathom. As if their pointed glances weren't enough, there was the noise that Zero had to put up with. The hush whispers, loud and uncontrollable giggles, excited chattering, and there were those weird cooing noises they made whenever they looked at the pictures in the article.
It was frankly, utterly frightening.
It was as if the whole bunch of them had lost their minds, and Zero made sure to steer clear or put on his stormiest expression when he encountered a group of such maniacal females.
As for the guys, there was generally only three reactions, either they scrunched their faces in disgust, gave him supporting or sympathetic looks, or remained indifferent towards the whole spectacle. But a good thing about them, regardless of what they thought, they still had the sane mind to stay away from him.
But their female counterparts however, weren't that smart. Or they were just too damn brave. At this moment, Zero couldn't care less what motivated them, but he found himself getting cornered by groups of giggling and too enthusiastic girls who questioned him with awkward questions like, "Do you know how long we've been waiting for this?", "How long have you been together?" and "How did Kuran-sempai confess his undying love to you?"
And Zero could do nothing but stare and glare. How was he supposed to answer these kinds of questions? He was still entirely baffled at how quick they were to jump to the conclusion that he and Kaname were together as lovers. The last straw came however, when he was ambushed by the tenth group of girls in the day and one of them asked the most embarrassing question to date.
"How was it with Kuran-san in the bed? Did he dominate you?"
Zero's mind promptly shut down and his mouth fell. He wasn't sure if he was more stunned or horrified by the question. But when his mind helpfully provided images of a naked Kaname smirking in a superior, but lust-filled way at him, Zero's face flushed a deep red and pushing any unbidden thoughts out of his head, he shouted, voice laced with cold fury and heated agitation.
"I am NOT lovers with Kaname! Now would all of you kindly fuck off and leave me the hell alone!"
Pushing away the stunned girls, he strode down the hall, his anger rolling off him in waves.
The girls watched on in shocked silence as the pissed off prefect turned a corner and disappeared from sight, still seething and muttering obscenities under his breath. Turning to their left at a cracking sound, they watched in fascination and slight fear at the large, jagged line formed on the glass window. It definitely hadn't been there before.
The other loitering students in the corridor were similarly shocked. The atmosphere became awkwardly heavy.
Suddenly, a girl spoke, her head cocked to the side as if her brain was struggling to process information.
"Did…Did Kiryuu-san just called Kuran-san 'Kaname'?"
And as swiftly as silence befell them, the corridor started again in their excited conversation, their tones getting louder and more eager as the previous incident was brushed away, forgotten as a distant event.
So what if Kiryuu Zero have fearsome abilities? Nothing's worth stopping a good gossip anyway.
Zero practically stormed back home, eager to be rid of the pesky crowd and have some peace once and for all. Growling, he ran his hand over his hair, a fairly frustrated gesture. God, he really wished for the day to be over right now!
Flinging open the door and moodily kicking off his shoes, he was about to storm upstairs as Kaien Cross called for him in the living room. Zero leaned against the ladder railing and groaned. He should have seen this coming, surely Kaien would also have read the article by now, and if he hadn't, Yuki would have made sure he did too. And now, the both of them surely wanted to hold a 'friendly family meeting' in order to discuss this matter.
Wondering briefly if he could make a run for it, Zero decided that, no, it won't be worth the while and made his way to the living room with an audible sigh. He could just act really pissed off, which wouldn't be a problem considering his mood and maybe Yuuki and Kaien would let him off the hook easily.
"What is it now?" His voice was laced with visible annoyance and sounded cold even to his ears.
Halting in the opening to the living room, Zero's vehement glare visibly faltered when he caught sight of Kaname standing just further away in front of him. At his side a stranger stood, and he and Kaname were shaking hands while muttering pleasantries, Kaien and Yuuki looking on from their seats on the couch.
Zero wanted nothing more than to duck back out into the hallway, but as warm, deep brown eyes turned to him, Zero felt himself pinned down by the strong gaze. Folding his arms across his chest, Zero looked away quickly, his mind suddenly assaulted by the images he had visioned earlier in the school hallway. Although it was of pure imagination, the pureblood's presence in body right in front of him rekindle them like a blazing candle, and the images flared to life more vividly than before.
Taking a moment to regain composure, Zero turned back and locked eyes with Kaname, who hadn't stray his gaze away from Zero even for a second. Mind set, Zero said determinedly, "Kaname, we need to talk."
A flicker of surprise was seen before amusement took over. Kaname nodded and followed Zero as the latter turned sharply and the both of them were about to walk away when the chairman interrupted, his voice slightly frantic.
"But Zero! You hadn't said your greetings to our guest over here!"
Zero turned, and fully noticing the newcomer, appraised him silently with a look of nonchalance. The male was probably around the same age as him and Kaname, and has a wonderful shade of red for his hair, which is almost as unique as Zero's own silver hair. It is deeper, and with a faint golden hue when compared to Yagari-sensei, and was unruly as it fell in soft spikes around his shoulders. His eyes are a brilliant golden bronze and his features very handsome in an aristocratic way, his complexion and features clearly suggesting that he is a European. And another further inspection had Zero finding out that he's not only a vampire, but is also a pureblood too.
Sensing the hopeful look that Kaien and Yuuki both sent him, as if desperately pleading him to not lose his temper with this supposedly honoured guest, Zero pushed down his irritated feelings from before and walked forward, extending his hand.
"Zero Kiryuu." Although Zero's voice and expression was indifferent, and he displayed neither displeasure nor joy, the vampire smiled gently and clasped Zero's hand with his own, his action different from Zero's in a way that it wasn't rigid and formal but very friendly and warm.
"A pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Valerian Rinaldi."
Slightly taken back at the friendliness and forthcoming attitude exuded by the auburn haired vampire, Zero merely nodded silently. The only other vampire he had met which had a cheery personality is Ichijo Takuma, and as Zero didn't really trust unknown vampires in general, he quickly retracted his hand.
Valerian looked disappointed for a moment, but immediately flashed him a small, but genuine smile. "I take that you and Kaname has something to discuss?"
Nodding again, Zero turned and walked out, hearing Kaname excusing both of them from the room before turning and following him. Zero led Kaname away from the house, not really wanting to hold a conversation where Yuuki and Kaien could both eavesdrop upon. Kaname followed on, both of them silent, contemplating their own thoughts.
Zero led Kaname on into the small garden near the house and finally stopped in the middle where a small fountain was spurting water beautifully while shone on by the fixed lamps nearby. Zero knew that this place would be deserted during the night since students rarely decided to venture so near their headmaster and prefects' home. This is why Zero sometimes liked to come out here in the night to just laze around on the wooden benches or on the stone wall circling the fountain.
By now, Zero's previous anger and irritation had completely dissipated, and he was frighteningly aware that he had just asked the last person he wanted to see on the earth to have a private conversation. What the hell was he thinking again?
Just now, when he had saw Kaname, standing there looking utterly composed and calm, there had been an irrational urge coiling in the pits of his stomach just wanting the pureblood to feel as enraged as he felt. Zero had selfishly wanted Kaname to show some sort of emotion other than indifference, as this made Zero feel like a fool to be the only one so concerned over the matter.
And now, with his mind clearer from the crisp night air and the ill intentions from before gone, Zero was at a loss of words. He had just wanted a vent for his pent up emotions, and Kaname was the ideal victim. A sense of guilt washed through Zero, and he felt the sudden urge to apologize.
But of course, being the usual prideful and stubborn self, Zero merely looked up at Kaname, hoping that the pureblood will do something to break this awful silence between them.
Kaname, being as observant as he is, immediately picked up on Zero's reluctance to speak and the slight hopeful and apologetic look on his face.
Smiling softly at how typical Zero is and how well he understood the hunter, Kaname decided to break the ice and asked, "So, I gather that you've seen the article too?" It came out more like a statement though.
Zero blushed slightly and nodded, his eyes looking everywhere but at Kaname.
Kaname stepped nearer to Zero. "Are you embarrassed by it?"
Zero remained silent. Again, Kaname enquired on. "Come on Zero, are you really that embarrassed? The article wasn't that big a deal, at least to me."
Although Kaname had initially taken pleasure in seeing the pure evidence of his and Zero's attraction to one another captured beautifully in the magazine, his happiness and mischievousness faded away when the day progressed on. After being countered by Aidou and a few other vampires over the article, Kaname had wondered that if his hopes of Zero getting a sudden realization of his feelings to Kaname would really happen. And Kaname had suddenly realized that Zero would more likely feel utterly ashamed and reject his and Kaname's feelings even more.
From then on, Kaname had passed his day worrying about meeting Zero. Even though he at first wanted to enjoy watching an embarrassed and squirming Zero in front of him, Kaname was suddenly afraid that Zero would distant himself from Kaname, or worst, look at Kaname with contempt in his eyes.
He really didn't want Zero to hate him just because of some silly article. And even though he had originally wanted to tease Zero, he pushed away his sadistic side firmly. He really wanted some affirmation to ease his worries, even though he didn't look at all influenced by the article. And Kaname hoped deep down inside that Zero would give him the answer he wanted.
Silver eyes snapped up to meet his. "Of course I am!" Kaname's heart dropped. "Those pictures of us splashed out in the tabloid for every single freaking person to see! God, do you know how much I've been harassed over the article? And you! You don't even look conflicted by this thing at all!"
Slightly out of breath, Zero realized that he had just lashed out at Kaname with the memories of his humiliation. His feeling of guilt intensified when he saw Kaname looking oddly conflicted and with an almost hurtful glint in his eyes.
"Kaname…I…" Zero's words failed him however, and his initial intent to apologize immediately fell away into silence. He really didn't like the way Kaname looked and it was gnawing painfully away in his insides, and he just knew he had to make that subtle pained expression go away. It was, like every other thing regarding the pureblood, incomprehensible as to why he wanted to do it, he just did.
Kaname looked him steely back in the eyes, and Zero found himself at a loss of words at the strange flickering intensity in those orbs.
"Zero, do you regret the time we spent?" Zero shook his head frantically, no, of course he wasn't, how could Kaname think like that?
Kaname, however, seemed utterly unconvinced. "You are ashamed though, aren't you? You're ashamed of what happened, of…" Kaname's paused for a moment, and he averted his gaze away. And Zero wanted to just scream and demand Kaname to look back at him.
"...of us. Of me." Kaname concluded, in a strangely hushed tone.
Zero wanted to shout in frustration. What the hell?! The almost lost and sorrowful look on Kaname's face was devastating, and it was utterly heart wrenching for Zero to see Kaname look like this. To think that this was brought upon just because of his silly lack of control over his temper had Zero's eyes flashing dangerously.
Suddenly realizing how upset he was over Kaname's anguish had Zero's mind going into frenzy. His irrational and emotional side was telling him to just act. Just stop thinking and trying to solve all these weird thoughts and emotions he had regarding Kaname. And for once, his logical and rational side agreed on this solution.
But a stubborn, almost scared part of him just didn't want to let go, screaming at him to stop bloody caring about the pureblood so much.
Kaname took a step back. His face was unreadable by now, the perfectly poised and calm façade slipping back into place after years of training. Zero's silence hurt him more than he cared to admit, and it provided a well enough answer to his questions. The tension in the air was palpable, and Kaname just wanted to leave, he didn't want to see Zero, and he also didn't want to put Zero in a difficult position.
Zero's eyes widened in surprise by Kaname's movement. But he cared more about the distant and cold expression on Kaname's face. For once, he couldn't read anything in Kaname's eyes or expression, and he found that he was scared, and more than annoyed at this. Then Kaname made another move to step further back.
With a small growl, Zero snapped.
He strode forwards, his steps harsh and swift, intent on its purpose. Emotions and feelings ran wild, coursing through Zero's body, propelling him forward. And his mind cheered happily on. For once, he could feel his resolve crumbling, his stubbornness, pride and cowardly self fading away and paling in comparison to what he felt now. There was an intense resolve in the way he looked and moved.
Kaname looked on, shell shocked at this abrupt changed. The pureblood's mind was for once, utterly baffled at the way Zero acted.
"Zero..?" He voiced uncertainly.
Zero stopped in front of him. He leered angrily, and Kaname looked back with a curious and confused expression.
Suddenly, Zero grabbed Kaname's face with both his hands and cupped it in his palms, all the while still staring at Kaname with a fierce intensity in his gaze, his silvery eyes glittering dangerously as specks of amethyst sparkled brightly from the cast of the moon light and the lights from the lamps surrounding them. It added a certain feral edge to Zero's expression and Kaname felt a shiver of surprise and wariness ran through him.
Zero looked totally captivating now, in a murderously dangerous way.
Kaname could only look on, his body refusing to budge as it was pinned down by Zero's glare.
Zero broke his gaze and took one look over his whole face, hands still holding firmly onto Kaname's face. They were really close now, as Zero leaned in slightly to scrutinize Kaname. Instinctively, Kaname's head tilted backwards. There must be something off in his expression, as there was a displeased look on Zero's face, like he had failed to find what he searched for.
"Zero?" Kaname prodded again. Zero's eyes instantly snapped back to look him in the eyes, and Kaname was lost in them.
The next moment, Zero was shouting at him.
"You blithering idiot! Are you really the genius pureblood that I know? Where have your brains gone? How stupid can you be? To think such thoughts, who did you think I am? Do you really think so little of me, and of yourself?! Idiot! That's what you are! A complete idiot! Bastard IDIOT!"
"What--? Zero--?" To say Kaname was shock would be a complete understatement as he listened on to Zero yelling at him. Kaname was lost, what happened which led to Zero being so complete pissed off at him? Kaname opened his mouth to voice his confusion and to calm Zero down, but his voice was completely covered and unheeded by the prefect.
Finally, with a final loud shout of "Stupid, no brain, completely worrying idiot of a pureblood!" Zero stopped with a small, dignified huff. Zero's cheeks were dusted with a faint shade of red from his exertion in shouting, and his eyes were lidded slightly, a hazy, yet still intense look filling them.
Kaname stared in amazement and surprise, a feeling of wonderment overcoming him. Painfully aware of Zero still being too close for comfort and was still holding his face in his hands, the warmth from Zero's palms transferring easily to his skin. Although he had just gotten the most harsh scolding and berating in his life, there was a fuzzy, happy feeling in him.
He could see in Zero's eyes that he cared, and that was enough. Unable to contain himself, Kaname smiled gently back at Zero.
Zero stared, with that same unreadable and intense expression on his face.
And then, Zero pulled him forward with sharp tug and kissed him.
Kaname's eyes widened, his mind blanking. Zero pulled back, a heavy blush now across his cheeks, and with great reluctance, locked eyes with Kaname.
Kaname's breath hitched. Gone was the hard and intense look previously on Zero's face and eyes, replaced instead with a tender, longing and shy expression.
Zero couldn't believe that he just did that. Hesitantly, he slipped his fingers from Kaname's face, him being the one wanting to pull away now.
Jerking back into alertness, Kaname quickly brought his hands up and pushed Zero's palm back to cup his face. Astonishment could be seen in Zero's eyes. Slowly, Kaname brought his hands up and brushed against Zero's cheeks the way Zero touched him just now, and snaked agonizingly slow to the back of Zero's head. One resting on the nape of his neck, and the other entangled itself in his hair.
They look at each other for one brief moment, before Kaname pulled Zero in with the same strength and speed and crushed his lips onto Zero's passionately.
Zero reciprocated with the same amount of enthusiasm and kissed Kaname back with equal ferocity. Kaname tilted Zero's head slightly to allow their lips to meld against one another even more perfectly and ran his fingers feverishly over Zero's hair, amazed by the silky feeling against him.
The kiss itself was intense, and Kaname and Zero both felt the same painfully blissful feeling unraveling in their own self and coiling around them. It felt utterly perfect, and their hearts beat hurriedly as a heated sense of fulfillment makes its presence known.
Zero held on to Kaname's face, as if unsure that this was really happening and he had to touch Kaname to confirm it. And Kaname held him back with equal vigor, hands tangling through Zero's silver tresses frantically, trying to just feel Zero against him.
After what seemed like a short, blissful eternity, Kaname pulled away, the need for air to compelling for him to continue on, regardless of that being the only thing he wanted. Hands still circled around Zero's head; Kaname tilted forward and rest his forehead against Zero's.
Zero looked totally ravished. His hair messier than ever and falling in unruly strands over his whole face, and his lips were red and bruised from the pressure applied earlier. His breath was coming out in short puffs, and his eyes were half lidded, his silvery amethyst orbs taking on a misty sheen which looked unconsciously seductive and lustful.
Kaname couldn't help himself. He leaned in and kissed Zero once more, this time slowly and possessively. The kiss was languid and filled with passion and love, unlike the previous one which was more towards the intent to devour. But it was still equally intense, and after a small lick on Zero's lips, Kaname pulled away again.
Taking a look at Zero's face, which looked even more desirable in its completely-devoured-hazy-look, was enough to fuel his libido, but Kaname knew that it wasn't the time yet. Zero was still unprepared to take that step in this finally formed relationship, and Kaname wasn't going to scare him off by pushing himself onto Zero.
So with a deep groan, he pulled Zero in for a tight embrace. Burying his face in Zero's hair, Kaname took the chance to fully memorize this perfect moment and to remember Zero's unique scent even more thoroughly.
With a small, content sigh, Kaname pulled back, wanting to look at Zero. Zero's face was back in his usual emotionless expression, but there was a more gentle look about him now, not to mention the tell tale blush and unruly hair which he couldn't will away.
Zero was also pointedly not looking at Kaname.
Chuckling gently, Kaname said, "You know, I'm not going to ever let you go now." His hand reached forward to brush away the few wild strands falling on Zero's face.
Zero closed his eyes, and after only a moment, opened them and turned to look back at Kaname. The tender and determined glint in them mesmerized Kaname yet again.
Zero brushed his own fingers across Kaname's which had rested on his neck, and with a firm, yet loving tone, replied,
"Yes, I know."
~End Chapter~
A/N: OMG!! I can't believe I just wrote that! So yeah, Kaname and Zero finally kissed! I hoped I wrote it well enough, since I wanted it to be perfect I kept rewriting it…So I hope all of you liked it~
I'm sorry for the late update, but this chapter had been slightly difficult to write out. I had a dilemma over what to name Valerian, and wanted to really capture the mood I imagined between Kaname and Zero~
Again, thanks for all the lovely reviews! You guys are awesome! And of course, please review again after reading~! It totally makes my day~
Until next time then~