Here is the next chapter, yay! Lol Thank you everyone who reads this story and follows it! Thank you to everyone who writes reviews, your thoughts are much appreciated!
Author notes: Something you might need to know for this chapter was the visit Zero, Yuuki, Cross, and Yagari took to the Hunter Association. If you haven't read that far, basically, Zero thought Yuuki's parents might have been hunters, they went to go check out old hunter logs and records. They might have found something but it spontaneously combusted. Also the president of the hunters tricked Zero into walking into a room filled with records drenched in blood.
Sorry I'm a Bad Boy
Ichiru rested his chin in his hand as he leaned forward on his desk, stifling a yawn and feigning attention. The lecture was moving at a slow crawl and he was so bored, he had half a mind to just get up and leave. He grinned to himself, that would make for an interesting event. This pompous, self -important professor who was lecturing them more on how wonderful his own intellect was rather than actually teaching them anything, how would he feel if Ichiru just got up and left. Too bad he would be leaving and wouldn't be able to see the man's face. To his right he saw Haruhi taking notes diligently. He could just make them out from his vantage point. They were sharp and to the point, bulleted and organized.
She must have felt his eyes on her because she turned to grin at him. He grinned back, clearly she was not as enthralled by the lecture as she appeared to be.
Below them, Zero sat beside Yuuki. Ichiru held in a scoff. Zero wasn't even trying, his head was pillowed on his outstretched arms, facing toward Yuuki. Her notes were visible as well, a mess of writing with arrows and small areas of text pointing back to other areas of notes. Her head never came up from looking at her notebook as she scribbled on and on. How could she read that? No wonder she was ranked one of the lowest in the class.
It wasn't hard for Ichiru to get good grades, though when compared to his snoozing brother, he was the Yuuki in the equation. Golden boy, he muttered in his mind. Yeah, golden boy who sleeps all through class. As he glared down at his brother he saw the subtle way his shoulder's tightened, then his head slowly lifted and his eyes were fixed on Yuuki with concern. She had stopped writing, her pen gripped tight in her hand, held perfectly still on the paper. Ichiru's brows furrowed, watching the girl closely. She was holding her breath he could tell, her head was still bent over her paper but it was strangely still.
The pocket of his jacket suddenly felt incredibly heavy. Time was running out and he had a decision to make. There was no more time to pretend the inevitable wasn't coming, this moment, proved that.
Below him Zero reached out, his hand wrapping around Yuuki's forearm cautiously. She seemed to shake out of whatever had her, looking up at Zero a little dazed. He squeezed her arm, his concern obvious but she just smiled, pulling her arm free and continuing to scratch at her notes. This time working double to catch up. He was still looking at her but Ichiru was more curious about another pen that had stopped moving.
From beside him, Haruhi was looking at Zero, eyes shifting from his face, to where the hand that had held Yuuki still rested on the desk. Ichiru wondered what the short haired girl was thinking, she was not such an open book. On the one hand, perhaps she had noticed the difference in Yuuki since they had gotten back from break, and maybe she was curious if Zero knew what was going on with her. On the other hand, far less likely but far more amusing, perhaps she was jealous. He didn't peg her to be a jealous person but if there was one thing Ichiru knew, love changed things.
"Don't pick at it you only make it worse," Kaoru was saying to his brother. They had come back from break sporting tanned skin. Well, Kaoru was tanned, Hikaru was burned. It had began peeling a few days after they got back and the boy reminded Yuuki of a dog with a funnel on his head, trying desperately to scratch at the itchy skin. And if he was the dog, Kaoru was his master, swatting his hands away and admonishing him.
"I can't help it," Hikaru was whinig, "I can't wait till class is over so we can got into town and pick up my medicine."
Kaoru agreed, "Hey Haruhi, you wanna come with us to town?" He was asking.
Yuuki wasn't really listening. In her mind she saw the burning pages in the book, the pages that could contain the key to her past. She and Zero had rarely talked about the botched visit to the hunter headquarters they had taken during the end of the break. But she knew he was still thinking about it as much as she was. Yuuki had always wanted to know more about her past, what happened to her parents. Zero had thought they could have been hunters, and that was the only reason they had gone to look at the old records. But when the pages burned, the hope she had had about finding the truth had burned with it. Who was she? Where did she fit in?
She glanced across the table, looking at Zero where he sat between his brother and Haruhi. He was smiling at the short haired girl as she spoke about the horses in the stable. Zero was not in Yuuki's place but it seemed like the same questions applied, where did he belong? The trip had shown just how much Zero did not seem to fit in to that world. Those people were mean and cruel, especially to Zero. She couldn't make herself see him as one of them anymore then she could see herself as one. When the pages had caught fire, Zero had been off with the president somewhere and when he came back he had a sheen of sweat and a frightened look in his eyes. She had asked him what had happened with the president on their way home. But he had blown it off, clearly more concerned for what had happened with her.
"If you don't want to go with me Yuuki, that's fine." The sound of her name shook her from her thoughts. Zero was talking to her.
"Go?" she repeated.
He grinned, "The Chairman wants me to pick up some things for him in town. He told me to tell you to come too, but if you don't want to that's ok." His eye shone with concern. So she smiled brightly.
"I'll come," then she smiled for real, "Can we go to Sweet Treats?"
Zero sighed, "I suppose so."
For now she would put it out of her head, they had hit a dead end and she would have to wait for a new clue and a new direction.
The courier's office looked as if it had been built out of the bottom floor of a home. There was an archway that separated the main waiting room from the overflow spot by the door. At the counter the paint suddenly changed to tile and a desk had been placed in front of a what looked like a stove hook up. Though it was a fairly slow day (in fact most days were very slow days), Yuuki and Zero sat in the overflow area, waiting for them to retrieve the Chairman's packages.
Zero sat hunched in the seat, elbows on his knees as his eyes looked at nothing. She leaned toward him, catching his attention. "What'cha thinking about?"
He snorted, "I'm thinking about whether it really takes four men to find a package." She laughed.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
She inhaled, "Well, I was thinking about how both you and Haruhi have been spending a lot of time at the stables."
That took him by surprise as he jerked his head to look at her, brows knitting together as he studied her face, "What?"
"You know 'what.' The lingering looks, secret smiles," she said wistfully, leaning more heavily on him, "secret rendezvous."
"Secret rendezvous?" She watched his nostrils flare as she nodded.
"Come on Zero. I know something is going on, tell me." she pleaded.
"It's not- Nothing's- Look." He stammered, placing a hand up perhaps to stop her but it seemed more for his benefit. She nodded, trying her best to keep from laughing at him.
But he didn't say anything else, just stared at her, his face shifting from perplexed to glaring. Before she could get it out of him the guy from the front desk called to them and Zero practically ran to the desk.
"Ugh this medicine is not helping!" Hikaru yelled angrily. He was just about to scratch when Kaoru smacked his hand.
"No scratching."
"I'm gonna scratch you." The brassy twin threatened. They were standing on a crowded sidewalk, lined with small town shops about a block away from the doctor's office. People walking by paused to look at the pair glaring at each other.
Haruhi came between them placing a hand on Kaoru's shoulder and the other grabbing tentatively at Hikaru's elbow. "Ok, ok. We are all friends here, remember?" She teased.
"Haruhi, I am miserable." Hikaru whined, dropping his forehead to her shoulder.
"Aww," she said as she patted his head, "I know. But the doctor said it looks good, most of the skin has peeled away. Just a little longer." Then she added, "And maybe next time you will wear sunscreen."
"Will everyone please stop telling me that?" He moaned.
"They will, as soon as you stop looking like someone should have told you that." She said with a laugh. Hikaru picked up his head to glare at her, the peeling on his nose making it hard to take the look seriously.
"Look, ice cream," the other boy said changing the subject, "Let's get some before we go home. Hiakru," he sang, "I bet they have a nice strawberry sundae with your name on it."
She laughed again when the look melted away to excitement. As she followed them into the shop, she noted the name on the door.
"I think this is the shop that Yuuki mentioned."
Hikaru rolled his eyes, stopping short of going in "Are you hoping to share a sundae with your boyfriend?"
"What?" Haruhi blushed. "No, I was just saying that-"
"It's ok, I know what you meant." Kaoru said cutting her off. He shot a look to his twin but Hikaru wouldn't look at him. Instead, he pushed into the shop.
Inside, the shop was alive with people and the sweet smell of candy and ice cream. Cool air surrounded them as they passed through the door and got in line. The bright colors of the ice cream and the paint on the walls made Haruhi think of the pink kitchen from the photo shoot.
Once in line, Hikaru turned around and fixed her with a stare.
"So what is going on with you and Mr. Prefect?" He asked, but then he didn't wait for her to answer before adding, "I guess it was bound to happen right? I mean, with him saving your life and all."
"That's not fair." In fact, she knew he was trying to be mean.
"Do you like him that much?"
Her chest felt tight and she wasn't sure why. She liked Zero, she knew that. But not because he had saved her life, she had liked him before that. But she was having a hard time admitting to them. It wasn't like Hikaru's sullenness was enough to dissuade her. She knew he and his brother were not fond of either Kiryuu's. But the real reason was, even with all the gentle hugs and caresses, the sweet smiles and gentle words from Zero, she still didn't know what this was. They hadn't kissed again since that time on the mountain, the only time they ever got alone was when he came to the stables during free period and she happened to be there. And during that time, she didn't have the courage to ask him.
Hikaru had turned away from her already and was telling the hostess how many were in his group. She followed him silently to the table. Kaoru put his arm around her, pulling her to his side. "Don't worry about him." He said squeezing her shoulder. "He is still new to this whole friendship thing." He added jokingly.
Right before they got to their table a voice called out, lively and edged with cruelty, "Chiho, I didn't know you guys are serving lobsters now." The loudness drew their attention and when they saw the boy, it was obvious he was talking about Hikaru.
Even sitting down, Haruhi could tell that he was a very large guy, his long legs stretched out under the table of the open booth he and his friends were sitting at. His broad shoulders matched the broad jaw sporting an ugly smile. "Oh, this one looks a little, old." He paused earning a laugh from his cohorts, "Little, crusty."
The pretty girl on his right laughed the loudest and the ugliest.
Chiho turned out to be the name of the girl showing them to their table, she turned to glare at the boy before offering them an apologetic smile. "Here's your table." She gestured. Haruhi went to sit but Hikaru was in front of her and he hadn't moved, eyes fixed on his tormentor.
"Are you talking about me?" His voice was light, almost playful as he smiled to the boy.
That's when she saw him, the charming smile, long brown hair and dark eyes. Sora made a soft chortle. "He is just joking man. Don't let this oaf get to you," he said charmingly. "You look like you had one heck of a sunburn though."
This little exchange seemed to be enough to put Chiho at ease as she left to go back to the front.
Hikaru gave a startled laugh, touching his bare arm and looking at Sora with wide eyes, "Is that what this is?"
"Hikaru, c'mon let's sit down and order." Haruhi tried, giving a small push toward the booth.
"I know you!" Sora suddenly exclaimed. She glanced at him, intending to smile politely but flinched when his large friend bolted up, walking slowly toward them. It took Sora a moment to react, jumping up and following after the big guy. "Keita, be cool." he was saying under his breath. She had remembered him tall, but standing in front of Hikaru, who was not much taller than she was, he looked a lot taller. And his beastly friend was even taller. "It's Haruhi, right?" he greeted.
"Sora, it's been awhile," She tried politely. The twins flanked her, sizing up both boys.
"You know him?" Kaoru asked.
"I met him at the carnival. You remember the date with Kyoya and-"
"Kyoya?" Sora interrupted, confusion on his features. "I thought his name was Zero?" He looked from her to Hikaru. Then back to her.
The big guy laughed gruffly, "Oh the rich girl that blew you off." Sora glared at him.
"Whatever dude," Hikaru said impatiently, clearly not in the mood to clear up the confusion, "Just watch your mouth and leave us alone." It was an obvious dismissal, as the auburn haired boy side stepped to sit down.
But Keita wouldn't have it, his stuck out a meaty hand, blocking his path. "Hold on, little man. We are all friends here." Then his eyes fell on Haruhi, they were large and dark, and his intent stare was making her uncomfortable.
"I'm not your friend." Hikaru shot back immediately. But Keita was ignoring him.
"Haruhi huh? You don't like my friend?" he cocked his chin toward Sora.
Haruhi's brows dropped in frustration. "I didn't blow him off."
This time, Sora's charming smile faltered. "You kind of did."
"She's not into creeps." Kaoru said.
"No just everyone else." he said off handedly, making Keita laugh with all his teeth.
Kaoru opened his mouth to speak but Haruhi shushed him with a hand. She fought her own battles.
"That's not funny." Haruhi said evenly. "I told you before I was with my friends. And I don't think it's fare to try and make someone feel guilty for not going out with you"
He looked hurt, playing up on that old charm he had used that day at the carnival. But now it was laced with malice, his real face peeling into his act. "Haruhi, I was only joking. You know me." He stepped forward into her space. When she went to step back, she felt Kaoru brush her shoulder as he moved forward and put his arm around Sora. Even though he was shorter, it didn't look awkward.
"You're right, we are friends," Copper eyes were bright with mischief and she realized Hikaru was not beside her
Sora went to scoff but Kaoru shushed him, "No no, it's ok. Friends make jokes. Girls, they get so sensitive," He pat his chest sympathetically. Haruhi crossed her arms and glared at all of them.
Sora's brows knit together, clearly feeling uneasy. "Yeah," he began cautiously, then he paused, eyes looking past them, "Zero." He said loudly as a greeting.
Sure enough Haruhi and Kaoru turned in time to see Zero come in, carrying a large package. Yuuki came in behind him. He looked to the person who called his name and immediately scowled.
"What the-!" Sora and Keita suddenly yelped behind them. Turning around Haruhi was met with a surprising sight. The pair wore matching sundaes tipped upside down on their heads. Strawberry sauce dripped down Sora's ear. Again Haruhi thought of the photo shoot. Kaoru stepped away, careful not to step in the ice cream that made it to the floor. The rest of Sora and Keita's friends jumped up then, three boys stood beside the pair while the girls crowded together, glaring at Haruhi and her friends.
Hikaru laughed loudly from beside her. "Since we're all friends, the sundaes are on me boys." Then he shrugged, "Or you."
Keita had no words, only an angry growl escaped his throat as his hand shot out and grabbed a fistful of Hikaru's shirt. "It was a joke," Hikaru was fearless as he smiled up at Keita.
"This how you treat your friends?" Sora spat. He stepped forward, possibly to move to Kaoru who was beside Haruhi but before she knew for sure, Zero was there. He was eye level with Sora as he fixed him with an icy glare. Haruhi could see the tension in his jaw as he spoke, "That's enough. Everyone's had their fun."
Keita, who had just been about to deck Hikaru in the face paused. "Who do you think you are?" He shoved Hikaru away, sending him sprawling on the floor, knocking into table legs. Kaoru moved to him as Keita moved to back Sora. Everyone was staring now, the loud banging attracting their attention. Yuuki had moved to where Hikaru was trying to right himself. The shop's workers were moving to the back, their destination ominous. She turned back to the staring match.
"Guys, this is getting out of hand." Haruhi tried to say, she was standing between Zero and Keita. Zero reached forward, pulling her slightly behind him when Keita looked down at her with those intense eyes. "Zero," her voice was sharp as she yanked free of him but did not move from where he put her.
"Oh, not so afraid to put her in her place now." Sora quipped. "I think she needs a bit more manhandling, she is still looking at me." Haruhi scowled up at him. But still Zero did not speak. Not until Hikaru was upright, did he look away from them to give the copper haired boy a glance over. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out some money, shoving it at Sora.
"Here." To his people he said, "Come on, we're going."
A meaty hand smacked away the money, pushing up into Zero's space, "No, you're not."
Haruhi saw Keita swing, she heard herself yelp, but somehow she had missed the counter-attack, the thing that had brought Keita to a crumpled mess on the ground. She reached for Zero, trying to get them out of here. This had gone too far. Her fingers touched the rough fabric of his jacket when Keita rose suddenly, lunging for Zero and knocking them both to the ground. Her tentative grip was lost as he was ripped away from her, smashing into a table with Keita. And just like that, chaos broke out. The other boys went for Hikaru and Kaoru, who easily threw themselves into the melee. There was yelling from everywhere, some encouraging, some demanding these rowdy hooligans be kicked out. Haruhi cried out for Zero as he and Keita rolled into tables, Zero ending on top to pin him down when one of the boy's in Sora's group jumped in, shoving him off. She ran forward to him just as she felt Sora's cold fingers lace around her arm, yanking her back to him. Most of the sundae was gone, but there was a clear sticky film on the side of his face. "Call off your dog."
She pulled free, glaring up at him defiantly,"Your friend is the one that started all of this. We were trying to leave."
He shook his head, "It's just like you rich kids. Pay us off, huh? You can do whatever the hell you want to us then. Humiliate the lessers." He grabbed for her again but she shoved him away, jumping back and into the chest of a police officer.
He jerked past her, followed by three other officers, all diving into the melee. Hearing the officer's commands Zero immediately let go. Hands up and on his head obediently. An officer pushed him back to the ground, stepping over him. He was reciting the usual spiel. Zero's head was turned to the ground, his hair hiding his face. He was being patted down by the officer who had pushed past her. He looked fairly young, maybe in his twenties, but very stern as he handcuffed Zero's hands behind his back. Beside him was Keita, he was yelling at the officers that that guy, meaning Zero, had attacked him. "That's not-" Haruhi began to defend.
Zero felt the weight of the Bloody Rose about a second before the man's hand touched it. He cursed under his breath as the man stiffened. Zero's hands were cuffed but the officer was very cautious as he spoke, "Sir, what's in your jacket?"
Zero sighed, "It's a gun."
The room was fairly small, sad and gray with a large table and three chairs. The walls were not decorated save for the large mirror that wasn't fooling anyone. Sighing deeply, the silver haired delinquent through his coat over the back of a chair and sat down. He was only alone for a moment before the door came open. Inside his chest, his heart sank toward the pit of his stomach as he met the curious eyes of the President of the Hunter Association.
It wasn't that strange to see him. For good reason, (this situation obviously being one of them) the Hunter Association had their hands in just about every police precinct in the country. It was the same all around the world, members worked in areas of government to help keep the secret of vampires from the rest of the world, while also protecting hunters from persecution of the law.
The man walked into the room, his grin hidden behind the traditional fan he always carried. He walked around the table taking the seat beside Zero. The young hunter's skin crawled as the man gave an appreciative sweep of his physique. He remembered how he had sized him up before bringing him to that room filled with the blood of fallen hunters.
The president was quiet as his eyes passed carefully over the boy. His broad shoulders and back, hunched forward on the desk, his muscular arms leaned on the table, lean muscles contouring under his sleeves, down the folds of his fitted shirt as it covered his lean chest, to his thin waist and his long legs, outstretched under the table. The man couldn't hide how charmed he was just by the physicality of the young man in front of him. It was clear Zero had not suffered the ravenous, gaunt features most unstable ex-humans did.
Zero watched those eyes roam over him, suddenly wishing he hadn't taken off his jacket when he first came in the little room.
"You know," the man finally started, his soft voice filling the room, "when you were born there was much talk. Everyone believed that they had found the boy destined to bring the Association to new heights. I must admit I was quite enthusiastic myself. Your parents and I could see your potential and reasoned that it would best enhanced with my daughter by your side. Both of you leading in a new age of hunters."
Whatever Zero was expecting him to say, it was not this and the look he gave the older man said exactly that.
The president laughed behind his fan, "You didn't know? Zero," he chided by clucking his tongue, "surely you must have wondered why you and Ayumi had spent so much time together. Your brother knew. In fact, on what such visit he made it a point to tell me how unhappy he was about it." The man's eyes seemed to look beyond Zero and beyond the room, back into the past. "It was such a tragedy what happened to you and your family. It must have been so hard to set aside your feeling of betrayal after your own brother-"
"Ichiru didn't-" Zero stopped as suddenly as he started. Ichiru did… But- it wasn't like how everyone thought. Shizuka used him and- he was just so young and so angry- it just wasn't how others thought. And Zero had to bite his tongue to keep from sounding so incredibly naive and in denial.
It was clear that that was what the man was thinking as he gazed condescendingly at the boy.
"Why are you telling me all of this?" He asked instead. What was the point in all this? Telling him his parents arranged for him to marry the President's daughter, that everyone had such high hopes for him, why did he come today to tell him this?
The man gave a soft shrug, "My apologies, Zero. I did not meant to upset you. Sometimes I get carried away when I look at you, you have accomplished so much Zero, like how you controlled yourself in that horrible room for example. And when I think about all the promise you showed back then, even as a tyke. Well, it's not hard to see why you have come so far."
Zero stayed silent, looking down to his shirt to keep from glaring at him. If there was one way to get on Zero Kiryuu's bad side, it was useless flattery.
The man cleared his throat, "Well Zero the real reason I came in, has nothing to do with what happened today. From what I hear, you behaved adirably and are only here on a technicality,"He glanced meaningfully at the empty holster. "But since you are here, I would like to take a moment to talk about your connection with Kaname Kuran." He paused, trying to judge Zero's reaction. But whatever response he was expecting, all he got was an impatient nod.
Inside though, Zero felt his heart thud painfully in his chest. This was another test. Did they think because he was a pureblood, Zero would be tripping over himself to serve him? They had nothing to worry about there, Zero would rather eat his own heart before turning into one of Kaname's vampire drones. Still he would be lying if he said the subject did not make him conflicted. On the one hand, Kaname was a pureblood, the creator of that which he hunted, but on the other, Kaname was just some kid, like him. Madly in love with a human girl, the same girl that Zero had run blindly to protect that day in the Hunter Association headquarters. He worked to keep his breath even, though his heart was racing as the man continued.
"I know you attend Cross' school and help him with his mission, but I just want you to remember who the real enemies are. The reason why we are all here." the 'we' being the hunters, "It's important for everyone that we feel as though we can all trust each other, to do what's best. They are a lot stronger and questions of doubt make it that much more dangerous."
Zero nodded as he turned his head down. He noticed how the man didn't say 'do what's right,' he learned a long time ago that what is best is not the same as what is right. He looked up at the man with a solemn expression. "Well you don't have to worry about me, sir." He knew who the enemy was. He would never forget that.
Just then Cross came bursting into the room. "There you are," the Chairman greeted Zero, looking him over discreetly.
"Kaien Cross, do you have this boy low-jacked?" The other man greeted. Cross spared him a look before looking back at the boy.
"No, but I'm seriously considering it." Zero shrugged, this wasn't his fault.
The president chuckled good-naturedly, "I suppose the little canary outside told you."
This time Cross turned his full attention to the man. "She did. But as Zero's legal guardian, I should have been called first." The look on his face easily showed his displeasure and confusion on finding the head of the Association instead.
The man nodded in a show of understanding. "Yes, well Zero and I were just talking." He smiled innocently.
Cross smiled back as politely as he could, "Yes, well it is getting late. Perhaps you can come by the school sometime. Have you got everything Zero?" The man asked, trying to get them both out of here as fast as he could. Zero rose immediately, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair.
He stopped, giving the Chairman an apologetic look. "They had to take Bloody Rose."
"Oh it's just standard procedure, you know that." The other man stepped in, "We couldn't just hand it back to him." He chuckled again. "Yuta will bring it in the morning."
The chairman kept the smile firmly on his face as he regarded the man. "Well, I'm here now. So you can release it to me." He gave a nod then ushered Zero down the hall. "Yagari should be here by now, check and see if he is outside." He said to the boy as he turned to the booking desk to retrieve Zero's gun.
Zero found Yagari leaning up against a wall, puffing away at a cigarette. When he saw that silver mop walking to him, the man smiled. "Hey there jailbird."
Zero grinned, shaking his head. He sighed noticing the fact that Yagari was alone. "Where are the others?"
Yagari's eyebrow rose deviously. "You mean you rowdy band of vigilantes? Sent'em back to school. Lots of paperwork now. Off campus fights, police visits. It's not exactly the best situation."
Suddenly Zero felt ashamed, "I tried to handle it. I really-"
"No, no," Yagari put his hands up to cut him off, "I know. They refused to leave without telling me the whole story of what happened. I know what you did in there. You showed restraint, control over your emotions," Then he shrugged, "some people just have to be knocked in the head to get it." Zero laughed at that.
"What took you guys so long?"
"The Association President is in there." Kaien answered as he stepped close to the pair, a brown bag resting under his arm.
Yagari looked in surprise to the young prefect, as if waiting for him to confirm it. Or maybe explain it.
"I think this is a conversation best had back home," with that the blonde haired man ushered them into his car.
It took Zero about twenty minutes to tell the story from when he saw the Hittachiins and Haruhi with those guys, to the moment the Chairman had came into the interrogation room. Cross had gone to make them tea while Zero and Yagari sat in silence in his study.
"Is it true?" Zero finally said, asking the question that had been eating away at him since he had found out, "Did they really arrange for me to marry the President's daughter? Did they really just sell me off?"
Yagari let out a heavy breath. "You don't understand Zero. It was different then. Your parents, they loved you very much. But they didn't have a choice." He looked away from Zero, pushing his hat back to scratch his head with irritation, "I wonder why he even brought that up?"
"Probably just to remind me about how far I have fallen. He seems to enjoy rubbing my face into what I am. I don't think he likes the idea that you are starting my training again."
Yagari looked like he was about to say something, but then he deflated. Giving Zero a sad guilty look, he said, "I should have started it up again a long time ago." He should have had more faith. Zero had done more than prove himself worthy. He let the association turn him into another cog and he had treated Zero like all the other mindless cogs. Only Cross had kept the faith, and that did leave the man with an ache in him.
There was a quiet look on the boy's face but then he shook his head. "You did what you had to. They would have never let you teach me when they were unsure if I was viable. I pose to high a threat if I go mad, that's why he keeps pushing me."
Yagari could practically taste the determination in Zero's tone, and he regarded the boy with a crooked smile. "You' re a good boy, Zero. Better than any of us."
His good eye shone with pride as he looked at his pupil, Zero was just about to look away embarrassed when Yagari's eye narrowed, looking past him to the bookshelf.
"What is that?" The man asked gruffly, just as Kaien came back in with a tray of tea. He followed Yagari's gaze along with Zero, all eyes falling on the picture on the shelf.
The younger hunter nearly choked on his tongue, ears prickling hot as he spied the picture of him and Haruhi, wearing masquerade masks, and kissing. He was on his feet at the same time the tray hit the floor. His hands wrapped around the frame as the chairman wailed.
"No! Zero you can't take it! It's mine!"
"I thought I told you not to print that shot!" Yagari yelled at the man. Then he held out his hand to Zero, "Give it to me."
Zero's grip was like iron, "No!"
The one eyed hunter grinned wide, "C'mon lemme see it."
"You can't take it! That's the only one I have!" Cross continued to wail.
For a moment they all paused.
"Good," was all that the silver haired boy said before running out of the room. The picture tucked into his jacket.
He couldn't really say what his emotions were as he entered the main lobby of the Sun Dorms. There was so much to think about, so many things had happened. This whole stupid fight and police visit, they had broken quite a few tables and glasses at the ice cream shop. Then the president's sudden and intense interest in him. Sure he had set himself up for this meeting, he was a known ex-human, but as far as they knew he had never come close to level E status. Only four people knew about it, Kaname, Yagari, Cross, and Yuuki. Yuuki because she was the one he bit, whatever was going on with her, these nightmares of her past. Kaname had found her, saved her from being attacked from a vampire. He hadn't saved her from Zero. He couldn't help thinking these nightmares were his fault. But then Kaname gave him his blood, the Cross kids showed up and everything changed. Now all of that stuff was pushing in on them, pushing in on him.
He sighed, running his hands through his hair as he plopped down on the sofa. That's when he felt her presence and, as if by their own, the thoughts left him. Gave him peace for a moment while she walked toward the couch, a smile on those pink lips.
"Are you still mad at me?" he asked as she leaned on the back of the couch. He dropped his head back, looking at her upside down. He had done what he told himself he wouldn't, what he had seen Tamaki do countless times and Haruhi had bristled over. She had yanked away from him sharply and when he caught her eye it was clear she was angry at him.
Her thin shoulders rose into a shrug, then she looked down at him, her brown eyes wide and sparkling. She grinned, "You know, I really don't like it when guys treat me like, well like a girl."
He chuckled, pushing his head farther in the couch, "I know, I know. But I really wasn't trying to treat you like a girl. When that guy came toward you, when he looked at you. I just… reacted."
She nodded, then she began to climb over the couch, settling beside Zero. He could feel her knee against his side. "So, you know I don't like being treated like a girl but you jump in front of the guy who isn't going to treat me like a girl?" She was teasing him really.
"Well if it makes you feel any better, I would have jumped in front of him even if it had just been Kaoru. That guy was way bigger than both of you." He looked at her with large eyes, "He was bigger than me."
She laughed as she spoke, "Oh, so now I'm basically the same as Kaoru to you?"
"Hey, you said you don't want to be treated like a girl." He ruffled her hair and she squirmed away from his hand. Zero reached with both hands, mumbling a surrender as he smoothed back her hair. Their faces were close now, his finger's caressing her cheek, "Honestly though," his voice was barely a whisper and she could feel her heartbeat speed up every time he glanced to her lips, "If treating you the way you want be treated, includes letting some guy take a swing at you, you will always be mad at me."
She was inhaling his warm breath, leaning closer. "Zero," she began tentatively, "If I am not the same as Kaoru, then what am I?"
Brown eyes, wide open and scared. Zero swallowed, looking down to where her knee was pulled up between them. He dropped his hands, brushing her knee slightly. "You're not the same as anyone." He smiled, looking up at her, "Not to me."
Her nose nuzzled into him, lips tingling at the proximity. Maybe she was going to say something, say the same to him, but when she felt him inch forward she pushed her lips against his, kissing him sweetly. Her fingers ran through his hair to the back of his neck, pulling him closer as she continued to kiss him.
The beat of her heart was in his ears, her taste on his lips. Every breath, breathed more of her in, and made the desire more and more stronger. The beat of her heart, the sound of the blood rushing around. So wonderful, so enticing. He pushed closer to her, kissing her with more earnest, all his senses tuned to one station. Her hands in his hair the soft thump of her heart where her wrist caressed his cheek, it made him ache to touch her more.
She felt his longer fingers on her back, pulling her to him. She let him, helping him by scooting forward. Her pulled up knee brushed against his chest and slid down his side, landing on something sharp and hard. Haruhi jerked back, instantly remembering the gun. And instantly putting the breaks on what was happening. None too soon for either of them.
Zero breathed out, shocked by the realization that the ache was coming from his fangs.
"Is that?" she was asking, finger reaching out tentatively toward the inside of Zero's jacket. Two more breaths to steady himself, "The gun?"
Yuuki had said it was for protecting the Academy, Zero wore it during night patrols. She could accept that, the school was surrounded by dense forest, but why did he have it in town? No matter how much she tried to explain it away, the idea that he constantly carried a gun scared her.
With him so entwined in her, he could easily feel the spike of fear. For a moment he thought somehow she had felt it, the change in him, but then he noticed her hands pointing to the jacket. He laughed softly, earning a strange look from Haruhi.
"It's actually," he reached into his jacket, pulling out the frame and handing it to her, "it's this."
Her mouth came open in surprise, "Our picture?" she laughed, "Where did you get this?"
"The Chairman had a copy made. It was in his office."
"And you took it?"
"He had it on the shelf for everyone to see it," he said as an explanation, making her laugh again. Then she looked back at the picture, her eyes were closed but Zero's were half lidded, looking down at her with that soft look she constantly thought about. The Chairman had framed it in a rose gold frame, adding to the magical and beautiful quality of the shot. She hugged it to her, smiling up at Zero.
"Can I keep it?" He nodded mutely, "I promise, I won't put in on a bookshelf," she teased.
Zero chuckled, ruffling her hair. He actually didn't care what Haruhi did with it. It made him happy that she wanted to keep it, that she liked looking at it. Happy enough that he could push away what had just happened, push away the fact that he had just lusted for Haruhi's blood. Just for now, just until this moment was over. For her, he could show restraint and keep a cool head.
"I guess it's official now." Haruhi jumped at the sound of Hikaru's voice. His arms were crossed as he walked toward them, Kaoru behind him.
Haruhi felt her face heat up and shot a glance toward Zero. He was looking forward, head tilted down, she could see the red tint on his ears. But she could also see that he made no point to move from beside her. His arm was around the back of the couch where she was curled in front of him, looking as natural as could be. It made her heart flutter almost as much as it did when he kissed her.
Hikaru vaulted over the couch, plopping down in the seat on the other side of Zero.
"It's fine," he muttered when neither was forthcoming with an explanation. Then he looked at Zero, not sullen but serious, "Thanks for today."
Kaoru sat down in a chair beside the couch, "And sorry for you getting arrested. If we had known you-" he paused, "Well we would have been more careful."
"About the gun," Zero began. But Hikaru shook his head.
"Yuuki already explained it to us. So don't think we are freaked out about it." Then he grinned, "Ok, I was actually a little freaked out about it."
They all laughed. "But I mean, you have had it all this time. And no one else seemed that shocked by it."
Kaoru agreed, "Yagari's expression was more like if we had said we were at the station because you had won a medal."
"Chairman Cross too," Haruhi added. That made Zero smile. Of course they didn't care, all hunters carried hunter weapons on them. If he hadn't had it, they would have probably been severely disappointed.
"Hey, what's that picture in your hand," Hikaru suddenly asked.
Instinctively, Haruhi moved to clutch it to her but then thought better of it. Trying to stay nonchalant she said, "My mom." She saw a flicker of a grin on Zero's lips.
Hikaru eyed the frame a little longer, but he only said, "Oh." She saw the spark in his eyes a little too late. From behind, Kaoru reached over her and snatched the frame from her.
"Hey!" she cried jumping up as Kaoru ran to where Hikaru had moved to the other side of the room. They both looked at the photo, then at Zero and Haruhi then back at the photo.
And then the space erupted in cat calls, Hikaru and Kaoru taking turns fainting in each others arms. Both Zero and Haruhi blushed deeply before demanding to have the picture back, chasing after the pair when they refused.
The pureblood inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he spoke, "It's not about trying to make you feel bad, or ashamed. It is the simple truth. We knew this was only temporary and just as we have always known it would be, you have broken away from this plateau." His voice was part irritated, part sympathetic.
It was just before lunch when Zero sensed Kaname's presence just outside the main courtyard. He had found him standing by a tree, the wind playing with his hair as he looked at Zero. Instantly, he knew. He knew that Kaname knew about his blood lust the day before. He had somehow felt it, even though Zero was on the other side of the school.
Wordlessly, he followed the pureblood toward the horse stables. The horses watched them curiously when they had stepped in, listening with Zero as Kaname confirmed that he knew about the blood lust. Then Zero had told the pureblood that something was wrong, that he felt like maybe his control was slipping. He didn't even try to sound prideful or deny it, there was no point. He had looked at Kaname with apprehension, hoping that somehow the pureblood would have an answer to fix it. Hoping that somehow the pureblood would know what to do to make it stop. But it was a stupid hope and he knew, and Kaname could not refute the inevitable. The moment was over. It was time to stop dreaming.
Zero turned away from him, hands clasped behind his head. He knew Kaname wasn't trying to make him feel ashamed, but that didn't mean he wasn't. This blood lust, this disgusting hunger was so ravenous, not even something as pure and powerful as Kaname Kuran's blood would sate it for long. He turned on Kaname quick, watching the pureblood lean against the horse stall with his hands crossed over his chest. "Then just take me out in the back and shoot me. That's what you do with rabid animals, right?"
Kaname rolled his eyes, losing the last bit of sympathy and shifting into full blown irritation. He fixed Zero with a glare, his wine colored eyes shining, "Sure. Why not? If you are going to be this depressingly pathetic, then what use are you?"
Zero glared at him, then looked away. Kaname was right. But really what other choices were there. He hadn't fallen yet, so what would they do? Wait? Wait until he attacked someone. Or when everything that made him who he was, was finally gone and only a creature wearing his face would be left. Left to ruin the lives of the people he loved. Even with Kaname's snide remarks, the truth was that future did depress him.
Kaname watched the emotions play out on Zero's face. His irritation bristled but he grit he teeth to hold it down, reminding himself that it was not Zero's fault he couldn't see through this. He was the one that suggested they talk in the stables, and while they walked he had tried to prepare himself for this, tried to imagine a fate that was never going to happen to him. Right now, Zero was a vampire, not exactly like Kaname but not much different. They both held the reigns to the beast inside, but where Kaname owned it, Zero treated it like a foreign invader. And maybe he should, Zero's beast was slowly eating away at him, slowly taking over Zero's body, becoming what it should never be. The master. "Zero," he began cautiously, "What if there was another way? Another way to sustain you, something that is more permanent."
Pale eyes flashed for a moment, feeling that naive hope he had came here with, but then he looked away again, "There is no other way."
"Really, Zero? You are the ultimate authority on vampires?" Ichiru's voice was dripping with impatience as he stepped into the stables. Zero spun on him with surprise, but the pureblood barely turned his head. Ichiru walked up beside Kaname, giving him a weird smile that even made Kaname's eyebrows knit. "I'll take it from here, Kuran."
Kaname rolled his eyes, gesturing with his hand for Ichiru to continue.
"Take what from here?" Zero glanced from Kaname to Ichiru.
"Saving your life," Ichiru said with a nonchalant shrug.
Zero only stared at his brother walking toward him, unable to speak.
"And how do you intend to do that?" Kaname said for him, unable to hide his grin at the look on Zero's face. He looked like a baby deer backed into a corner.
"It's simple really. In fact, I'm sure you have already figured it out." He explained as he undid the buttons of his uniform, shrugging off his jacket. "I have been taking Shizuka's blood for four years now. And the night she died," He paused, undoing his vest, "The night she died, I took from her for the last time." He tried to keep his voice all business. It was not the time to mourn his friend.
Zero gawked at him as Ichiru stepped closer. Zero took a step back, feeling the wall of the stable behind him. Ichiru continued, softer now, "Shizuka's blood, Zero, the blood that can sustain you, flows through these veins."
Kaname stayed quiet, watching Zero try to phase through the wall.
Ichiru's smile lost its normal derision as he looked sadly at Zero, "I'm sorry, Zero. I could have stabilized you a long time ago. But I was selfish." He touched his brother's shoulder, feeling the tension there, "You see, once you take it, I will become like I was before. All the strength and power she gave me, will flow into you."
Still Zero did not speak, but the horror in his features was easy to see. "Can you forgive me, Zero. I just," Ichiru stopped, looking everywhere but at Zero, "Another little flaw in this model, I guess." Then he undid the buttons of his collar, pulling it aside to reveal the sensitive skin of his neck.
Ichiru's resolve was solid. Having Zero with him, them being together again, it was more important than anything. Everyone on this earth had a purpose, a place. And his, from the very beginning of his life, had always been to make Zero stronger. For the longest time he had hated himself, he was weak and useless. He could never be by Zero, everyone said he would slow him down, that Zero's future was far beyond Ichiru's. And he had believed them, accepted it. And hated his brother for being so strong.
But they were wrong. Ichiru's place was beside Zero. His purpose was to make Zero stronger, their futures were the same, a perfectly intertwined set.
"I can't," Zero finally said, his eyes were dark with shame. He couldn't do that to Ichiru, not again.
"Yes you can," the other twin said sharply, "You have to." But Zero was already shaking his head, "Dammit Zero, this is the only way!
"No!" He said, unintentionally stepping forward, "What if it doesn't work, what if I take that from you, and nothing happens? And to have you back to that state… Ichiru, you are going to hate me all over again." His voice dropped, defeated. He had asked for another way and here it was. Every step that he had taken to make him better, to make him stronger, make him safer, they had all chipped away at his soul. And here was the final piece, darkening his soul forever.
"You are wrong," Ichiru said softly, "It wont be like that because I finally understand. We are stronger together, both of us. It's like you said before. I can see it now. I want you by my side, big brother. I need you there." He squeezed Zero's shoulder, looking straight into his eyes, "Zero, let me do this one thing for you. The one thing that only I can do."
Eyes still on Zero's he pulled his collar back again. Zero still looked uncertain but he leaned forward. Ichiru flinched when Zero's lips grazed the skin on his neck. It was small, a simple reaction to something cold brushing his neck but he felt his brother tense. He gripped his shoulders, stubbornly holding him there.
"Go on," he said evenly.
Zero hesitated a second more, then with added carefulness, he made two quick puncture wounds in his brother's throat. He had intended on taking a few quick draughts and then be done with it. That was not what happened.
As soon as he pierced the skin, he was paralyzed by the sheer intensity of raw power that shot between him and his twin, holding them together like an electric current. It was so strong that it crippled them, both hitting their knees on the hay covered floor. Ichiru cried out in shock and pain but it was all he could do as he felt his legs go. Zero's fangs felt like hot pokers in his neck that were sucking the life out of him with searing tenacity. The horses stirred in their stables, instinctively feeling the power flux. Kaname watched intently as both boys seemed completely frozen in time.
Ichiru seemed to regain himself first, loosening his grip on Zero's shoulder. He caught Kaname's calm eyes on him, and Ichiru tried to calm himself.
It was strange. The more he forced himself into remission, allowing the energy to flow freely, the more Zero's frenzied thoughts came to him and the more he understood what was happening. It was Shizuka's and her servant's bond that created this intensity. It was the price of stabilizing ex-humans. The power necessary, the pure and raw power of pure blood. He was only a human and the toll and shock on his body was far more intense than he was used to.
He felt the moment when Zero became in control of himself and knew exactly what his brother intended to do. "No," he half cried, he knew it hurt for Zero too. But he also knew that they couldn't stop yet, it wasn't done. Even with the regained control, speaking was difficult and Ichiru's voice shook as he tried to explain, "Not enough. Have to d-drink. I-I can feel it."
Zero took a swallow then again tried to pull away. "No!" Ichiru growled, holding him still. Not yet Zero, we have to do it all. He tried to convey this the same way Zero was conveying his intent.
Despite himself, Zero continued to drink. He could feel Ichiru's assurance in the blood that flowed to him, he knew that Ichiru understood how much. Still after what felt like several minutes he tried again. It seemed like too much.
"NO!" Ichiru practically barked. He could feel himself trembling and his thoughts were starting to lose coherency. He couldn't communicate to Zero that they were almost done because he was also doggedly trying to close off any of his emotions making it across. A small part of him had started panicking. He was becoming more and more aware of the possibility that he might not survive the transfer. It was just a little more, the last little bit was finally leaving. He just had to hold on a little longer.
Haruhi shoved her hands in her pockets as she trudged toward the horse stables. She was on grooming duty again today. Truthfully, she was supposed to come during her free period later that afternoon, but she had felt antsy at lunch. Especially since Zero was a no show and no one had an explanation for where he was. She tried to push back her worry that he was sick again, no doubt she was over-reacting. Yuuki said he was probably meeting with the Chairman or doing a favor for him. She had accepted that, but could not stop her mind from wandering.
So instead of sitting down with her friends and pretending she wasn't thinking about it, she took an apple form the cafeteria and headed for the stables. The horses made her calm and now that Lily had decided that Haruhi was acceptable, even when Zero was around, she felt a pride in being one of the few who could pet her freely.
As she neared the building, she could see that the door was slightly open. She knew it was supposed to stay shut at all times, just in case one of the horses got out of their stable and tried to make a run for it. Maybe someone was in here. Her heartbeat thudded against her chest as she thought of Zero. She was in the processing of chiding herself, when she heard the voice. Shrill and in pain, crying out a single word, "no."
Immediately she knew the voice, the softness of it ruffed by the pain. Ichiru. She moved through the door quickly, pulling up short at the scene in front of her.
There, on the ground, was Ichiru, trembling terribly. The back of his white shirt was drenched in sweat, the collar stained red, crimson red, blood red. Kaname was standing in front of him, looking up at her in surprise. All of this came to her at once but her eyes were locked on one thing, crouched directly in front of Ichiru, holding him still.
Zero. Eyes glowing red, fangs buried into Ichiru's throat.
***ANON REVIEWS***
Darkkami: You are awesome. Thank for reading and reviewing!
Guest: Aww thanks! I'm glad you like it. And she might have just found out... lol