parts of this chapter might be super confusing for some because of new information that were purposely left vague for now. Please bear with it!
Also, it will be inevitable to find grammar, spelling mistakes, maybe some missing words because I am literally thinking and writing on the go without rereading because I am half asleep and want to get this chapter out. To spice it up, my keyboard is dying, so some letter tend to ran off somewhere. I will make sure to get a new one soon.
'Enjoy'
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ In Zero's apartment ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
He stared at the stick in his hand, nervously waiting while glancing at the timer on his phone.
The display finally shifted to a single bar, negative
Zero sighed in relief, grabbing the edge of the sink as he almost toppled to the floor. That was nerve wrecking.
He stared at his drug cabinet for a moment. Even if the pregnancy test came out negative, Zero could not bring himself to relax just yet. After all, he has been through this few times to know better. His body was telling him otherwise, and he needed to make sure that it was not the fragment of his own worries and fears. The fatigue and crankiness might be after-effects of the extra activities while injured.
He grabbed his phone to call Aido,
"YES!" The golden haired vampire answer with an unusually cheerful voice.
"Hey! How are you doing?" Zero answered softly, trying his best to hide his trepidation.
"Peachy! It is rare for you to call, everything alright?" Aido asked. It was rare for his brother-in-law to call him, but he did not want to ruin his good mood by thinking of the worst.
"Probably… Listen… I have a little question concerning the new addition to my drug store." Zero breached the topic in a humorous manner, not wanting to alarm the vampire in case there was nothing to it.
"Go ahead!"
"Well… You did say that the emergency one would be effective if taken 72 hours after, right?"
"Yes~" Aido trailed, getting a bad feeling about it.
"Well… I kind of missed my chance on taking it the next day, do you think it would still work if I take it now." Zero asked softly
"How long has it been?" Aido inquired
"This would be the fourth day," Zero winced to himself, "Ah! But the pregnancy test came back negative… So~"
Aido sighed, "You never learn, do you? Good thing that I gave you a shorter time limit on this. Take one right away if you are having doubts. It works up to five days after intercourse. It told you three to make sure you do not wait until the last minute, which you obviously did!" Aido grumbled.
"And… What will happen after taking it?" Zero wanted to be ready for any crazy stuff that might happen to his body. He always expected some shit to come up from all the trials and failures he endured from the scientist.
"Nothing external will occur, probably! It will just prevent any potential pregnancy from happening. That is all. You can take the test again in few days to make sure." Aido rubbed his eyes.
"Good! I will, although I think that I am just being paranoid. The symptoms might as well be caused by the injuries of the mission. Thanks anyways, bye!" Zero hung up and grabbed an orange pill before going to the kitchen for some water.
On the other hand, Aido stared at the phone helplessly, I wish he just settles down and think of having a family instead of making my guilty burden heavier by getting rid of yet another innocent life.
Zero sat on the table, staring at the orange oval shaped object while remembering the conversation he had with Kaname.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ flashbacks of the day after the mission ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
Kaname went back to Zero's apartment the next day to check on the hunter. He was fairly amused to see how strained the hunter's walk looked. After some teasing and cuddling, they settled for watching a movie with some caramelized popcorn that Zero made.
The topic of the pregnancy came up when Kaname snatched the beer Zero just opened,
"What is he big deal?" The hunter grunted, pushing the soda that Kaname brought him.
"I told you right; I want you to keep the child in case the pregnancy test came back positive in a week. Until then, I need to make sure you keep a healthy diet and not take anything that might mess it up."
"And you think a beer would stop your little soldiers from doing their work…. Since when did I agree to such bullshit anyways?" Zero snapped
"Weren't you the one who dared me to impregnate you?" Kaname teased
Violet eyes rolled, "Yeah right! As if, you can rely on horny talk. This is not a game nor a joke! Now give me back my beer and get over the thought of me being pregnant with the devil spawn that could be yours."
"I am actually quite serious."
"Ugh!"
"Zero!" Kaname warned.
"You're seriously pissing me off! Fine, let us say that I go along with your bet. What was it about exactly?"
"You do not try anything to prevent a pregnancy from happening. I am sure that Aido provided you with means to do so. I want you to give me your words not to use them."
"You mean like the contraceptives?" Zero inquired
"Yes. I want you to stop using them." Kaname pointed
Zero gave him a look of disbelief and scoffed, "Are you kidding me… There is no bet if you are actually forcing it to happen. Fucking me while I am off the pill, and I am sure you will not bother with a condom. That is when the probability of knocking me up turns 100%! Screw you"
"I will not sleep with you. I am betting on the fact that you might already be pregnant." Kaname pointed, leading to a scowl on the silverette's face.
"What if I refuse?" Zero snapped.
"That will mark the end of your deal." Kaname blurted, betting on the words Zero said about wanting it to last longer. He felt relief when seeing the shocked reaction of the hunter followed by the usual brooding look when he did not want to give in.
"How long?" Zero asked softly, hating the fact of not sleeping with the pureblood.
"One week." Kaname pointed, "You will need that long to recover anyways, seeing the stiff way you are moving around even after replenishing with the blood pills"
Zero's face glowed red at the insinuation, but could not refute when his body was screaming in pain with every move and it did not reduce much like Kaname said. He grabbed a pillow and hugged it while sinking in the couch, pondering.
"Fine…"
A happy smile graced Kaname's face made him scoff again, "What is that goofy look for? You will be losing the bet anyways…"
"What if I win?" Kaname teased, pulling the hunter in his arms.
"It does not mean that I will obediently to keep the child." Zero grumbled against the arm wrapped around his shoulders.
Kaname gave him a squeeze, "Oh I will make sure that you cannot abort it."
"Right! You will be watching me like a hawk and monitor anything that might go into my mouth, sheesh!"
"You think that I can't?" Kaname teased.
Zero tilted to scowl at the amused pureblood, "Why are you so adamant on having a child with me?"
"To bind you to me…" Kaname kissed the crease on the forehead, "Forever without leaving you an escape route."
A silver eyebrow quirked, "So this is all about the condition of the time limit… Gosh! You are far more desperate than I thought… pffft… It is usually the one getting pregnant doing so to bind the man to them. How the tables have turned!" Zero could not help the chuckle at the comparison.
"It is not just about that…" Kaname whispered while kissing a tasty earlobe. A week might be too long for me though!
"Okay! Let's talk hypothetically…" Zero chirped while getting away from Kaname's embrace and facing him, amused by the conversation for some reason.
Kaname sighed, knowing that the hunter was not taking him seriously at all.
"Let's say, I am pregnant, and by some miracle, you managed to convince me to keep it. How were you planning to proceed afterwards?"
Kaname tilted his head at the challenging look Zero gave him. Violet eyes rolled again, "I mean… How are you planning to raise the child in secret? Duh!"
"Why does it have to be a secret?" Kaname threw the first argument.
"Well, are you going to announce that we have been sleeping together behind Yuki's back and cause chaos? That is quite smart."
"First of all! I will end things with Yuki properly, announce that we are together and then announce that we are expecting." Kaname deadpanned, making Zero's eyes bulge out.
"No fucking way! Thank you for making half of the world hate me in the process."
"No one would hate you when they realize how serious the matter is." Kaname bit the inside of his mouth, no liking where the conversation was going. He did not want to confess his feelings in a fickle talk like this.
"And Yuki is supposed to obediently nod and clap for our happiness?"
"She will certainly understand. Our relation is not the one everyone are making it out to be." Kaname added.
"Fine! How about this. What if I do give birth to the baby and decide to abandon it." Zero pointed the second scenario.
"That would not happen. You would not abandon a child of your own." Kaname smiled, not adding the fact that Zero was too caring to do such a cruel thing.
Zero gave a sarcastic laugh, "You still have a lot to learn about what I am capable of. Come on! Indulge me, what would happen if I abandoned the child and wanted nothing to do with either of you?"
Kaname sighed, not wanting to play along but feeling obliged to, "Of course I would take care of my child while trying my best to get you back."
"Hmmm… Interesting." Zero tapped his finger on his lips. "Well! All these are scenarios out of some fairytale. If we try to look at it realistically without your over the top decisions and expectation of everyone to nod and follow your craziness, here is what might happen. I get pregnant with your child, go away to give birth out of sight and then leave the child in your doorsteps since you were the one who wanted to have them and not me. Being a bastard child born out of an affair, the kid will be shunned and mistreated by the society. Yuki might turn into the evil stepmother and show him no affection and you will be too busy dealing with the 'kingdom' to notice anything. As for me, I would be going on with my life like nothing happened."
"That is one hell of a grim future you weaved for the innocent soul."
"Just trying to be realistic and think according to what is happening now."
Kaname pondered a bit, "Well, that theory has too many flaws. First of all, I would never allow a child of mine to be shunned or mistreated. I am capable of showering them with all love, affection and attention they need to grow happy because they would be my top priority, above anything else. As for Yuki, do you really see her becoming an evil step mom? She was raised by Cross Kaien. It would be a miracle if she did not force the child to call her mama and pushed me aside to take care of them with as much attention as she would provide Ai." Kaname explained, getting tired of the negative scenarios Zero was throwing at him. "Can we stop with these now, until we confirm the pregnancy at least?"
Zero decided to drop the other crazy plot he was cooking up in his brain when he noticed that Kaname was getting bored. "Okay! The negativity aside, what would be the name of the child? Since you seem to have everything planned in that head of yours." Zero mocked.
Kaname quirked an eyebrow and decided to put the hunter on the spot, "It depends if it is a boy or a girl, but I would choose a name with relation to the moon, or the moon light."
"Hmm? Why is that?" Zero asked while flopping his head on Kaname's lap, looking up to meet red brown eyes.
Kaname smiled as he traced the hunter's hairline, "Because of how breathtakingly beautiful you were when the child was conceived, I guess." Kaname shrugged, "You put the beauty of the moon to shame." He bent to put a kiss on the forehead of the blushing silverette, chuckling at the cute reaction, "You really are bad with compliments."
Zero looked away, fuming, "Your sappiness is really something. Don't just spring that up like that, idiot!" The sudden bout of affection always left him flustered because he never knew how to react.
"Can't help my romantic side when I am with you…" Kaname added, knowing how uncomfortable the hunter gets with sweet-talking.
"Ugh! stop being so-"
"If you dare say the word starting with cre… there will be hell to pay!" Kaname warned, making Zero swallow whatever he has to say.
"You might become one hell of an authoritarian father one day." Zero teased and then mumbled, "But a good one nonetheless…"
Kaname laughed at the unexpected conclusion, but then remembered something he wanted to ask Zero about, "I heard there was a certain problem student that you had to deal with today?"
Zero paused then flicked his finger, "Oh yeah! It is Nao, the prefect. He could not get over the fact that he failed to control his thirst around me and was about to drop out." he complained on and on about how irritating it was to fix the issue. He cursed at Kaito and Cross for dumping the task on him saying that he was the root cause of the child's trauma to begin with.
"How is the scent of my blood my fault? It is not as if I asked for it to be that appealing. I sure would have appreciated it more if it was closer to that of a rotten fish. Less hassle!"
Kaname's nose crinkled spontaneously at the mention of the foul smell, before asking, "Did Nao say that about your blood?"
Zero did not miss the displeased tone of the question and nodded, "Something about it being peculiar and the fact that he was never exposed to such an enticing smell wavered his self-control. I spent a couple of hours with him in an insulated room so that I cut myself from shallow to deep progressively."
Kaname gave him a questioning look, "It somehow helped him regain a bit of confidence when he did not get too stirred up by the end. Sort of shock treatment to prove that he can still be in control. Although I had to drive him back home to take a break and relax, later. Speaking of which…"
Kaname listened intently as Zero told him about the woman who raised Nao. He felt intrigued by so many details that Zero insisted on and other that he just brushed off.
"That is quite the interesting story. I wonder what kind of vampire would invest that much in protecting a human. He must care about her a great deal."
Zero nodded, "Probably! Although I don't get the reason for not seeing her for so long. He should know that human's lifespan is far shorter if not a blink of an eye compared to his. He should have cherished every second with her if he cared that much."
Kaname could not agree more,
"Well, judging from the nickname she gave him. He might have been a depressing man to be with. Might have been for her best that he left."
"Nickname?"
"um… Makkuro!" Zero snorted.
"hmm?"
"What?"
"What was her name again?"
"Hana Murasaki. Although I am suspecting that, it was not her real name. She might have thought about it on the spot since there were purple flowers around the place."
Kaname chuckled at the remark and teased the overly doubtful nature of the hunter.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ End flash back of the day after the mission ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
The hunter filled the glass with water and popped the pill out of its wrapping. He hesitated for a second before putting it in his mouth and chugging the water in a hurry.
He slammed on hand on the table and clenched it in a fist that he used to tap on his forehead. I am sorry, Kaname! We are not in some fairytale to allow any hazard to happen and expect things to work out somehow.
He stood and threw the empty package along with the negative test in the bin, inhaling deeply before relaxing on his couch. A pang of guilty creeped inside him for not keeping his promise but he soon crushed it in favor of doing it for good reasons. Whatever delusions filling his head will probably vanish as soon as this is over. I was never one to last anyways.
A sad smile traced his lips as he retired for a good night sleep.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
He adjusted the sunglasses over his sensitive eyes. It was still early in the morning but he had to take extra precautions for this trip. He exited his car that he parked in the external parking of the building. After adjusting his black cashmere trench coat, his formal shoes click clacked against the rough concrete that led to the gate.
His lips curled up in a non-visible smile when he read the banner at the side of the gate. "Orphanage, Slice of Heaven…"
Using his power, he safely unlocked the door and allowed it to slide open for him to enter the premises. A melodious chime ringed when he went through the distorted air before his lungs filled up on the aromatic smell of purple lilies.
Knowing that the mistress of the house must be aware of his intrusion already, Kaname took off his glasses and tucked his hands in the pocket of his coat as he stood few feet away from the porch of the building. It did not take long for the door to open, revealing an old lady in her dark cotton night gown and a woolen scarf over her shoulders. Her white hair tied in a bun with few messy strands sticking out. The only out of place detail would be the shades covering her eyes.
Kaname smirked at the sight of the hunched woman who was carefully walking his way, using the cane to support her seemingly weak knees.
"It was surprising to see the circle that we planted turn into such a magnificent flowerbed. A sight truly befitting of a refined princess, wouldn't you say so? You did a great job taking care of it this long." He commented offhandedly, the smile growing by the second as his hands left the pockets to spread his arms in a welcoming hug.
Her breath caught in her throat. The wooden cane rattled on the steps it fell on. He tilted his head, observing her wrinkly hands covering the quivering dried lips. She took one-step after another, the slouch of her back straightening leading to her shoulder stretching gracefully and her chin held high. The skin on wrinkled hands stretched and tightened just like her face, leaving a well defined heart shape with porcelain skin. The lips uncovered by the now soft hands turned full and lustrous with a hint of a pout to them. As her careful footsteps turned to a mad dash, her hair loosened and grew as quickly as her run, shifting its color and length until below her thighs.
"Makkuro!", She screamed her lungs out as soon as she jumped into awaiting arms. Kaname almost toppled over from the strength of the impact. He squeezed her slender frame before putting her down on her feet. She latched on his mid-section, rubbing her face against his chest like a kitten. He noticed that she was slightly taller than Yuki as he patted her head so that she looks up to him.
He reveled in the softness of the fine straight strands of silver hair before her heart shaped face came into view now that the oversized shades were gone. His garnet eyes finally met the dazzlingly big almond shaped eyes that sparkled with the sharpest glint of amethyst.
"Long time no see-ouch!" He winced when she stomped on his foot, hard.
He gave her a pitiful look, barely able to stifle the chuckle seeing her sparkly dazed look, "You're really Makkuro, aren't you?"
"Oh! I see… You must have grown senile." Kaname teased, earning a jab in the stomach.
"I am getting some tea and cookies." She announced before disappearing inside the house while whipping tears that threatened to fall.
Kaname shook his head while sitting on a wooden chair. He took in the scenery that seemed familiar yet so foreign.
She came back with the fragrant drink that she poured and pushed toward the regal pureblood. As usual, she started nibbling on her cookie while looking at the brunet sipping the drink. Kaname paused for a second before raising an eyebrow, "Rose jam tea! really? Hanae?"
She almost choked on the last bite when hearing her old name, "Makkuro~ You might be the one growing senile."
"Hmm?..." Kaname acted innocent, knowing what she meant.
"My name!" She pouted.
"I might remember if you drop that nickname." A mischievous look adorned his face that she recognized very well.
She smirked, "Fair trade, Kana-chan~"
Kaname snorted, "Thank you for the delicious tea, Princess Rosa!" She finally beamed with happiness and nodded rapidly.
"Nonna drilled it in my head when I spent some time with her." She informed him.
"Nonna? I see~" Kaname nodded in approval of an idea that popped in his head.
"She is always fun to be with, although she can be Spartan when it comes to her passion. I pity the kids under her care sometime." Rosa chuckled.
"So, the orphanage was her idea?" Kaname received an affirmative nod, "And Nao-kun?"
Rosa shook his head and winked, "Intrigued?"
"Can you blame me? Those powers are practically non-existent in this age." Kaname shrugged.
"I found him when I was traveling through Europe. He was abandoned because he was not fit to be the heir. They were power-hungry and demanded to only keep the children that manifested great potential. To their stupidity, they failed to identify his element."
"And you did?"
"No… I took him under my care out of pity at first and then discovered the truth. That is the reason I brought him back and sent him to Cross Academy."
"To keep him safe from any form of exploitation. No wonder Cross-san never sent him to the Moon Dorm."
"Does his element seem familiar to you Kaname?" She asked in a serious tone, but sighed when Kaname shook his head.
"As a matter of fact, too many things are escaping me. Especially the fact that I only managed to remember you recently."
She sipped her tea and looked into his scrutinizing eyes. "That is because I did not approach you sooner. More like I could not approach sooner."
"Did she temper with my head?" Kaname got right to the point.
"Yes." she pursed her lips.
"To what extent?"
"I am sure you are aware of it. If you remember her, this place, me, the barrier but not the one with similar powers as Nao, I believe the extent is too great to pinpoint." Her shoulder slumped; it should not have been this way Rika-ma.
Kaname noticed her frustration, "The reason I remembered you?"
She chuckled before a sad smile graced her lips. "I knew that you can remember me if I sent the trigger, Makkuro. However, I did not know that you awakened. I came back sometime after the war and was shocked to see the barrier gone. That is when I realized that the Kaname Kuran I suspected to be you is really Kana-chan. I was beside myself with grieve when I realized that I lost you before taking the chance to reconnect. Imagine my surprise when the barrier erected again barely couple of years later?"
Kaname could not blame her since he had been posing as the son of Haruka and Juri Kuran all this time. The fact that he was an ancestor is still known by a handful of people only. "It must have weakened to the limit before restoring itself when I was brought back to life." He clarified.
"Why did you decide to send the trigger with him?" he meant Zero.
She sighed, "You would never allow any of the kids I sent to the academy near you. Even Nao could not manage a casual conversation to bring it up. I was lucky that the boy paid me a visit that day." She wiggled her eyebrows in a disturbing manner.
Kaname let out an exasperated sigh, knowing that nothing would escape her, "Rosa… I don't need to say it openly, but…"
"Sorry but I have to butt into your business on this one, Kana-chan!" This successfully made Kaname lock his jaw. "I am sure that you are not stupid not to notice that the child have been targeted. So, I will cut the chase and give it to you straight. Keeping him close and staking your claim on him the way you are doing will never work in his favor." She placed her cup and folded her hands gracefully on her lap, waiting.
"I am sure I can handle whatever may come our way." Kaname deadpanned, while sliding his finger on the edge of the saucer.
"Says the man who cannot remember half of his past. This is why I told Rika-ma that it was a bad idea." She huffed.
"She must have told you about the way to undo it, right?" Kaname inquired, he was irritated enough to know that the reason for his fogged memory was not the long slumber he thought might have caused it. As much as he respected the old friend, he cannot forgive her for tempering with his head.
Rosa sighed again, and gave him a sheepish look, "She did not. The only way is for the triggers to cross you path. That is how you have been recollecting the details unknowingly. I am sorry; I wish I had the power to help speed up the process. Patience is the only way to go through it."
Kaname felt like groaning from frustration. He stood up to leave, "Before I go, I would like to make one thing clear between us. To whom did you swear your loyalty now? Seven millennia is a fairly long time for a person to change greatly."
She snorted, knowing what he meant, "My loyalty is the one thing that will never waver. As the child raised by the one and only Cross Rika, I will be watching over her bloodline for as long as I live, just like what I have been doing for the last seven thousands years. Speaking of which, can you do me the favor of telling that ungrateful brat to visit sometime?"
Kaname gave her an approving smile, "Despite our difference, I have to admit that she raised you well. I will make sure to relay the message. As for Zero, I hope that you will not try to do anything to get in my way." He warned and noticed the grim look she reacted with.
Dropping her head, "Kaname, unlike all of you, I always enjoyed watching from the sideline. I only interfere when it has something to do with the family I care about. That child's situation is not something I enjoy turning blind eye to. However, I will not interfere with what is between you two. I promise you that. But I need you to consider my advice for both of you sakes. His fate has been twisted so many times already to the point that he is starting to lose sight of himself. Your desires, as pure and affectionate as they might seem, might throw him deeper in the abyss he is trying to escape." She pleaded.
"And separating from his is the only option?" Kaname stated
Rosa hesitated for a moment before answering, "It does not have to be that extreme. It would be fine as long as you do not give him what he truly desires. However, that is not something you would be capable of since you are already smitten with him."
The answer piqued Kaname's interest, "I would surely provide him with anything he asks for."
Rosa gave him another wistful smile, "If you are wondering about what he truly desires. I am certain that Zero himself is not aware of it the most."
Kaname's nostril flared for a moment, recognizing the evasion style of the woman who managed to get the upper hand over him. "You really are the child she raised. It has been a while since I had to decipher such language."
Rosa blinked few times before barking an amused laughter, "Oh! I forgot that she always won the manipulation games back then. I did not understand because I was a child back then, but I can say for sure now that she must have been the only woman who knew how to manipulate you to her own volition."
Kaname bent over and pinched her cheeks until they turned pink, "You should not believe every word she says blindly. You are old enough to know that, are you not?"
He earned a childish tongue out as a response. He looked up the sky, squinting as the sun started to get harsher. He looked back at Rosa when they finally reached the gate, "Any last advice until the next time we meet. I promise that it will be sooner than millennia at least." He teased.
She hummed as she looked around, "In the old prairie, the wolf in sheep clothing is running freely. The shepherd is turning a blind eye until the dog is strong enough to take it down for he knows that his gun will surely miss. Keep that in mind until the Wheel of Fate starts turning once again, Kana-chan!..." She chirped as she pushed the pureblood out of the building, "We sadly need to part now before my children wake up to find a dazzling lady instead of their good ol' 'Mama'. Don't forget to relay my message to Kaien-chan, and while you are at it, might as well have a look at the archive concerning the triumvirate of that time. It might jug some more memories… Look up the clan of sinners as well. I am afraid that I will not be able to help much as it might have an adverse effect on you." She waved as Kaname reached his car. The pureblood sighed while watching her vanish behind the walls. To think that she was a ten years old when I last saw her! I wonder how they managed after I went into slumber. That will be a story for another time.
Kaname immediately drove in direction of the association building. The frustration he felt when he realized that he forgot about an important existence such as Rosa subsided slightly after seeing her. However, new questions and worries rose consequently. It was obvious to him that the silver haired woman was not speaking her mind openly, holding back on many occasions. What he made out of their ambiguous conversation is that shadows of the past are creeping up. Shadows that he was supposed to recognize if Rika did not temper with his head, for reasons he could not help but think that they must be related to whatever is going to take place. She was known for her long term plans and the tiresome patience to carry them to the end, or have the people she choose to carry on her legacy.
His thoughts drifted to Zero and the promise they agreed on. It was not easy to keep away from his hunter for the past week but he wanted to see it through and steel himself for whatever change their relationship might undergo after today. He wanted to see him as soon as possible, but he felt obliged to make the extra trip to Cross before that.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
"The supervisor of the "Slice of Heaven" orphanage asked me to tell an ungrateful brat to visit one of these days." Kaname quoted her words with a blank expression, never twitching even with the way Cross choked on his water and sputtered in surprise.
"hahahahha… That is quite the shock! I never expected her to make that request…"
"What is she to you? If I may ask?" Kaname asked curiously, although he had a wild guess.
Cross scratched his jaw and confessed, "Would you believe me if I said that she was my… mentor?"
Kaname sighed, "Were you always in touch with her?"
Kaien frowned at the question, wondering about the sudden interest that Kaname was showing, "Let's see… She approached me when I was a kid, roughly two hundred years ago. She was always on and off at times, so we did not keep in touch much. The longest we have gone without seeing each other would be about ninety years. It is hard to believe how old and crippled she had grown. It always puzzled me how she managed to live that long seeing her nature."
Kaname sighed again; exasperated at the realization that Cross Kaien was kept in the dark about Rosa's identity. She will certainly hate me for doing this.
"Cross-san… This might seem sudden, but do you know about a woman named Rika?"
Cross's hazel eyes narrowed on the pureblood, "Rika, as in The Rika."
Kaname added, "The eternal ruler."
Cross rested his chin on his crisscrossed hands, "I feel hurt~ Kaname-kun. How can you doubt the fact that I know about my ancestor. Cross Rika, the founder of the first hunting organization to keep vampires at bay as well as the one who crafted most of the spells used nowadays. She was also the first and last Cross to ever take the position of a leader. I do not count because I am just substituting. Her legend have been diligently passed down through countless generations." The ex-hunter explained proudly.
Kaname nodded, "What else does your heirloom tells you about her? Especially around the time her duty ended."
Cross paused to remember before answering, "Seeing that she sired enough offspring to ensure the Cross bloodline, she passed the leadership down to her successor who was from the Takamiya household. After that, she mysteriously vanished into this air. No records shows where she went, what she did and when did she pass away. The only thing mentioned in the family record was that she went into hiding to protect someone. You might be aware of something seeing that you might have been around when that happened?"
Kaname smiled when he pinpointed the piece of information he was looking for, "Indeed. Rika did abandon everything related to the hunters and her own family. The reason was indeed to protect someone. She was raising and protecting a child she saved. That child was the first vampire without fangs to ever exist. From what I recall and can conclude, the child who was plagued with a painfully long life decided to watch over the Cross bloodline as a way to repay the kindness of the woman who saved their life."
Cross head tilted in confusion but soon froze, wide-eyed as a memory struck him,
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞
"What are you doing, dragging a piece of metal twice your size around like that? boy"
"I am not a boy, my name is Cross Kaien and this is my family weapon, not a scrap of metal. Who are you?"
"I am you."
"huh?"
"I am the same as you."
"Hmph! If you are here to mock me for what I am, leave me alone."
*chuckle*
"what?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking that you were quite cute."
"Stop joking around. You did not introduce yourself in the first place! what makes you think that you can act all familiar with me"
"Because we will be getting along from now on."
"I refuse."
"Did I say you can?"
"As if I will get along with an impolite woman like you."
"hahahhaah… Okay I will not pester you if you can cut a strand of my hair with that scrap of metal that you are so proud of."
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞
"How about the original families?" Kaname interrupted Cross's trip to the past with his question. He did not to go into details about Rosa since he was not confident that he could answer every question, yet.
"Hmm?..."
"I was wondering how many were they?"
"Ah!" Cross understood the question. He did not bother questioning Kaname's amnesia because he blamed it on the long slumber as well. He started finger counting, "Let's see, the first one to appear and fight was the Cross family. It says that the ancestor drank from the first parent and held her sword to slay the oncoming vampires soon after, unlike the other hunters who suffered a bit before their cells morphed."
The painful memory of losing his companion to his own ambition cut through Kaname's chest and he urged Cross to skip the details, "How many of the original bloodline remained till now?"
"That makes it easier," Cross sighed in relief from being spared a history test, "Most of them went extinct or had their blood diluted from mixing with the branches. That is the reason behind the stricter rules about hunters taking humans as partners. Therefore, it left us with three original families still standing strong, Cross, Yagari, Takamiya." Kaien pointed three fingers that made Kaname raise both eyebrows.
"The Kiryuu's?" He pointed, as if reminding Cross of a grave mistake. The Kiryuu clan is the most powerful, on par with Cross.
"The Kiryuu clan is not an original family. It came to exist some time after the Great War." Cross explained, adding to Kaname's confusion, "Some unreliable records showed that they branched out from the Cross bloodline. However, there is too many flaws in the knowledge about the most powerful and dark hunter's clan." He placed his glasses on the desk and rested his chin on interlaced fingers.
Kaname was silent for a good long moment. He looked at the serious ex-hunter, "Similar to vampires, the power of the hunter's clan is drawn from the purity of their blood. Although we would be explaining it by the amount of ingested pureblood that was not diluted by associating with humans. In that case, how did a branch family grow powerful enough to overthrow the other pureblooded families?"
Cross sighed, having expected the dreaded question, "There are some mysteries surrounding them. All I can say is that they earned their fame by defeating the most nefarious purebloods throughout the history. I am afraid that I cannot divulge anymore information than this." Cross deadpanned, implicitly warning Kaname from digging too far into something he should not concern himself with.
"Cross-san… My questions might relate to the recent events. I would appreciate less vague answers."
"The only useful information I have would be that the Kiryuu clan managed to increase their strengths by keeping their hunter's heritage untainted."
Meaning that they never associated with humans.
Kaname nodded at the satisfactory answer. He remembered one more detail that Rosa pointed and decided to check it with the light haired hunter first, "Do you have any idea about triumvirate that existed during Rika's reign. I seem to have forgotten about it, or it might have formed after I went into slumber."
Cross frowned, "Triumvirate? An alliance of power?"
Kaname nodded but Cross shook his head in denial, "Never saw such a thing registered in any record. The only useful alliance was that of the Kuran and the hunters that kept the fragile stability after the war."
Kaname sighed and was about to leave if not for Cross suddenly remembering something, "Ah! Wait! if the triumvirate is related to the connection between three entities of power, it might be related to the three pillars spell cast on you."
Wine orbs widened before Kaname surprised Kaien with a soft chuckle, "Of course!" The greater power generated by combining the magic dwelling in a pure vampire(Yuki), pure hunter(Cross), and a combination of both (Zero). Such power is channeled between the tamed beast (Kaname) and the warren (Zero).
"Kaname-kun?"
"Don't mind me please." Just how much does she know? "One last thing, do you have any idea which vampire clan was referred to as the clan of sinners?" Kaname asked his last question while leaning against the doorframe, impatient to go to Zero's.
Cross let out a dramatic sigh, "Kaname-kun, you are scaring me. Are you regaining your lost memories in a distorted manner? The clan of sinners is not a vampire's clan."
It was Kaname's turn to frown and get confused right after Cross dropped the bombshell, "The clan of sinners is the old name of the Kiryuu clan. It was a distasteful way of calling them that resulted from the jealousy of other pureblooded hunters. They could not stand the idea of them rising above everyone else. Thus, they made up crazy rumors and myth about the ways they acquired more powers such as consuming more purebloods or consuming each other… blah… blah…blah… In the end, haters went on hating and they kept on rising without giving as much as a glance their way."
Kaname's lips curled up at the thought of the 'I don't give a shit about what you think about me' attitude of the silver hunter being an inherited trait in his lineage.
"They are quite the troublesome bunch, the Kiryuu's" He commented in a humorous manner that pleased Cross who nodded.
"Well… If there was a way to describe them" Cross pondered, "It would be that they are the mirror image of the Kuran clan in the vampire society." He winked at the amused pureblood before bidding him farewell.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
Kaname could not believe the racing of his heartbeat. He did not want to consider the possibility of his hunch being wrong. He felt like he was hanging by a spider's thread from sinking in despair from the overflowing feeling that had been building up for the hunter. He could never answer or explain the reason behind falling in love with the silverette. What he dismissed as curiosity, and then monopoly before trying to explain it as the desire to dominate the untamable hunter became so much more. He was ready to give up on everything if it meant for the silverette to reciprocate his feeling.
The ride of the elevator was eternal in his mind, he wanted to hurry up, prickle Zero's finger, and drop the blood on the pregnancy stick he purchased. He was aware that the road will be very bumpy if Zero decides to act with his usual rebellious strike. However, Kaname believed that the hunter started to develop feelings for him lately. Zero might not be aware of them himself, but Kaname hoped that the pregnancy and the obligation that comes with it might help him bind the hunter to him and lead Zero to realize that he belongs by his side. The pureblood was feeling desperate because he knew that the fickle silver haired ex-human would never settle down even if he were to confess wholeheartedly, thus the roundabout way.
He slid the key and unlocked the door as if he owned the place. Hanging his coat and removing his shoes were done at a lightning speed before he took a deep breath and walk in with more composure. He crept behind the hunter who was swinging the wok to mix the fried rice he was cooking. Zero placed the utensil in time with the hug he was expecting when he sensed the pureblood approaching. He turned off the stove and leaned back against the firm chest, inhaling the scent of the older vampire that he would smell despite all the distraction in the kitchen.
"We are having my comfort food tonight?" Kaname asked as he stole a shrimp before Zero could smack his hand.
"It is a wonder how much free time you have to come hang out here almost every day." The hunter grumbled. It was torturous to have the pureblood around without being allowed to pounce him and Kaname certainly enjoyed it. Zero thought that he meant not coming over when he said that he will keep away from him, little did he expect him to show up more often and unexpectedly to boot.
Kaname gave him a small peck before proceeding to set the table. The comfortable atmosphere prevailed after dinner when both busied themselves by cleaning the mess until Zero's phone rang. He headed to the bedroom where the device lied on the bed.
"Ichiru?"
"Hey Nii-san! What have you been up to?" Ichiru greeted with an overly cheerful voice.
"Eating, sleeping and –"
"No need for the third one to know that you are fine, thank you!" Ichiru interrupted knowing the crude answer of his brother.
"What is with the jolly mood of yours and your husband's lately?" Zero pointed that both seemed on cloud nine the past few days.
"Well~ you see~ that is actually the reason I am calling you." Ichiru taunted.
"Spit it out and stop being creepy." Zero rolled his eyes at his own words. That word is seriously sticking to me a lot.
"Okay… Okay… I need to know what day of the next month you expect yourself to be completely free. I mean it, Zero! You have to be absolutely free!" Ichiru answered seriously.
"Why?" Zero's curiosity piqued.
"Because I will probably chain you down to a chair to ensure that you are not going to skip our party this time."
"Hah?" Zero's face scrunched up
"Hana's Dad insisted on throwing a party for the day that I sign the official papers that will make me an Aido." Ichiru answered with glee obvious in his voice.
"GEH! I forgot!" Zero drawled.
"GEH? Nii-san, you better-"
"I know, I know Ich! I was kidding, I am happy for you as well and would not miss it for the world." Zero reassured. He could not blame his brother for insisting since he did not bother to show up for their first union, even though he was not aware of the political pressure behind it.
"Good!" Ichiru nodded to no one in particular, excited to know that his brother was finally truly happy for him.
"Congrats, Miss. Aido!" Zero teased and hung up after hearing few profanities from his brother.
His lips were claimed as soon as he threw the phone on the bed. Zero did not waste time in hooking the strong neck and drop on the bed back first with Kaname crushing him with his weight.
"God I miss this!" He sighed as the pureblood nibbled his earlobe and placed butterfly kisses down the side of his neck.
"Was that your twin?" Kaname asked before sucking on a delicious collarbone.
"Hnnmm… Yea… Planning his wedding and asking about the white dress I kept for him." Zero answered sarcastically. Kaname chuckled at that,
"Shall we plan ours as well?" The brunet teased the snorting silverette who pulled him into a hungry kiss while rubbing one leg against his side.
As always, Kaname had tough time releasing himself from the devil's grasp. He pushed a hand in his back pocket while smirking down at the splayed silver haired hunter. He caressed the exposed stomach while showing Zero the stick in his other hand. "First things first!"
Zero averted the shiny optimistic look he perceived in wine orbs. He had hard time explaining the guilty pang he was feeling every time Kaname came over and treated him with tender care. He was convinced that he made the right choice by preventing a pregnancy from happening. He shuddered at the thought of the mess it would make if he went along with the pureblood. However, somewhere in his mind, he regretted breaking his promise because he dreaded shattering whatever hope Kaname pinned on his pregnancy. He simply did not want to see Kaname saddened for reasons he could not explain.
Like a sulking child, Zero let himself being pulled into a sitting position, and allowed the pureblood to prickle the pad of his forefinger. The beep of the test indicating the start increased the burden of his guilt.
Kaname got on the bed and hugged him from behind, kissing the junction of his neck and shoulder while whispering sweet nothings into the blushing silverette's ear.
"The longest five minutes of my life." Kaname sighed while resting his chin on Zero's shoulder.
"Five minutes to the damnation of baby diapers and formula. Of course, that will be your job!" Zero joked as he rocked in the pureblood's lap, knifes slicing his chest with each caress Kaname adorned his stomach with.
"Diapers, formula, teething tantrum, first words, first walk… I would not miss any of those torture and privilege for the world." Kaname chuckled at the thought of spoiling their child rotten while Zero grumbled about how he was overdoing it. Something told him that the hunter might be more doting than he let on.
"What an optimistic father you will be, just don't turn into another Cross Kaien, please!" Zero kissed the lips he found when glancing to his side.
"Why not?" Kaname gave him a fake pout. "By the way, it will be either Tsukuyomi for a boy or Mizuki for a girl."
Zero clammed up, unable to give a sarcastic retort. "Kanam-" *beep*
The hunter startled at the flinching of the body holding him when the sound of the test reached their ears, quite the fancy pregnancy test he got there!
Kaname brought the stick for their eyes to examine. Zero hid his face in the elbow resting on his shoulder, unable to face the pureblood when he saw how the hand flopped down in defeat, letting the stick fall on the floor. Kaname also rested his forehead on the shoulder of the hunter without saying a word. He contended himself with hugging the silverette as tightly as he could as if Zero might slip and disappear any minute. The fears and insecurities came slithered in his mind again, the worries that haunted him came back tenfold, worries about losing the hunter for good.
"Well…" Zero's voice sounded strained, "Let look at the bright side… You just got spared god know how many months of a lethal cranky and moody pregnant me." The hunter tried to joke around to dispel the tense atmosphere. His chest felt so tight that he was about to cry without meaning to if Kaname's body did not stop shaking slightly.
The last thing Zero expected was for Kaname to gently pushed him on the bed and embrace him in the gentlest way possible. The guilt increased when Kaname kept his words by wearing the condom he pulled out of the usual drawer.
Tears flowed from amethyst jewels when he felt the unusual warmth, the pleasant sparks from the way Kaname caressed every inch of his skin as if exploring it for the first time. He sobbed involuntarily when the pureblood touched his sweet spots in the slowest yet sensual way that brought him to the brink of insanity. Zero was unable to bear with the sensations; his body was not his anymore. He felt as if he became an instrument that Kaname handled and played the saddest melody with, a melody that shattered hearts to pieces before restoring them so that they feel whole again.
Both of them lost track of time as they drowned in each other.
Zero finally dropped on his stomach, heaving and puffing. He sighed when Kaname's hand traced his sweaty back over his spine. The lump in his throat tightened when he placed a kiss on the nape of his neck before leaving the bed and closing the bathroom door behind him. Zero clutched his pillow and hid his face against it. He could not help the pain he felt whenever he came across the raw emotion in wine orbs that he could not explain.
In the bathroom, Kaname held the edge of the sink, threatening to shatter the marble as he steeled his raging emotions. His reflection in the mirror was that of despair. The chance of Zero accepting his feeling were slim, those of Zero reciprocating were almost non-existent and time was wasting away while he grappled on every hope to tie the hunter down. He could not understand it. He could not accept it. How could a human impregnate him easily while I did not manage when I pumped full of my seeds?
His denial got the best of him and he called out for the hunter, "Zero! Do you happen to have a pregnancy test around?" He did not care if he sounded desperate or annoyed the hunter, he needed it to sink in properly as nothing seemed real at the moment.
"… Yeah… Open the cupboard on to top of the sink where you usually see my medical kit." Zero huffed knowing that the pureblood will only hurt himself more by insisting. I made sure that there is nothing to look forward to. There is no way I could tell him that, is there?
Garnet eyes narrowed at the sight that greeted him. he rummaged through the shelve to make sure he was not wrong and joined Zero in the bedroom. The hunter was lying on his side by then. Kaname threw the pregnancy test along with two other pill tablets.
Zero looked from the items to the pureblood and back to the items. He reached a hand to take the test but Kaname held his wrist midway as he dipped a knee in the mattress to hover close to the silver haired man.
"These are new ones, right?" Kaname asked pointing to the pills.
Zero nodded, "Yeah…"
"What are they for? I can't see any label on them." Kaname inquired smoothly.
The change of attitude bothered the hunter but he tried to ignore it, "This one are the contraceptives that I would take regularly." he answered pointing to the white oval pills. He swallowed before explaining the orange one, "This is some sort of plan B in case an incident happens and I have doubts."
When Zero averted the intense gaze of wine orbs, he also missed the way Kaname's jaw locked as he let go of the wrist and stomped across the room.
He ran a hand across chocolate lock in a frustrated manner, "Why?"
The cold tone caught Zero by surprise, just like the cold look Kaname shot him. "Why? Just give me one reason." Kaname whispered through thinly pressed lips.
"wha… reason for what?" Zero frowned.
"For leading me on. Are you enjoying making a foul out of me?"
"Kaname-"
"WHY BOTHER GIVING ME FALSE HOPES WHEN YOU WERE NOT GOING TO BOTHER KEEPING YOUR PROMISE IN THE FIRST PLACE!" The scream and shattering of glass freaked Zero out to the point that he jumped out of the bed.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Have you gone insane?" Zero snapped
"Yes! Zero! YES! I AM GOING INSANE!"
"I don't get what the fuck you are trying to say."
"What I am trying to say? I am just realizing how foolish I was for trusting you… For thinking that maybe… just maybe there is hope…" Kaname had hard time formulating the words without blasting.
The sudden outburst got on Zero's nerve and he started putting on his boxers and pant while cursing, "I don't give a shit about what you hoped or what you wished for if you are going to act like some sick lunatic just because you lost a fucking bet. If you want to break and blast things around or get depressed, go do it elsewhere."
Zero stood by the door of the room to get his point across.
Kaname let his head droop and shaking from left to right while letting out a baffled laugh, his hands resting on his own hips.
"Zero… Zero… Zero… How could I forget how insensitive you can get?" He bit sarcastically, glaring into incensed amethyst.
"Kaname." Zero warned when he felt the dark aura seeping out of the pureblood.
"I asked you to do one thing… One simple thing, and you agreed. I thought you valued your deals. I thought that you were a stickler to the rules seeing how adamant you were about taking back yours. I guess I was wrong."
"Just come out and fucking say it! What are you getting at?" Zero punched the wall in frustration.
"I am talking about how you possibly got rid of the child that might have gotten conceived inside you, and how played along with my sweet fantasies, probably laughing inside about this foolish man who was trying to bind you with any desperate method possible. You know, I just realized a good thing. It is better that you are not pregnant. A heartless lump of flesh driven solely by carnal desire would easily rid itself of the fetus like a stomach bug without blinking twice."
Zero's face was turning blue at the insult and was about to retort if Kaname did not drop the last blow that felt like a ton of bricks falling on his head, "You never stopped taking your contraceptives and went as far as taking the emergency pill to make sure that there was nothing to look forward to, Zero. Didn't you?"
Zero's blood ran cold in his vein when Kaname's expression changed radically from anger and furry to sorrow and grief. The pureblood looked like he was on the verge of crying with no tears, his form swaying as if it might fall any moment.
The question came out as a choked whisper from the hunter, "How?"
Kaname scoffed slightly and pointed to the pills, "It was by coincidence that I stumbled upon those last week after we sealed the promise. I did not know what they were for, but the shape, labels and colors were intriguing that I found myself examining the packet. Blame it on my good memory that allowed me to memorize the pill count without meaning to do so. When I saw contraceptive tablet missing a few, fear gripped my very core. I checked the orange one and found it missing one count as well. I prayed to every higher power that I would be wrong, until you confirmed my suspicions by telling me the dreadful purpose of those medications. "
His legs were finally unable to hold his weight and he sat on the bed, cradling his head in both hands. Zero watched the devastated form of the pureblood, shocked speechless now that his deed was exposed. He approached the lowered brown head and reached a hand to touch it only of it to be slapped away so hard it stung for a while after.
"It had to be done, Kaname." Zero kneeled in front of the pureblood, clutching the fabric of the pants at his knees, "What good would have come out to have a child under these circumstances. Why would you even want to have a child with me? Binding me to you is a foolish excuse that should not be used to toy with an innocent life." Zero tried to convince the visibly hurting brunet who would not meet his pleading violet eyes.
It took a strained long moment for Kaname to let out a long sigh and give Zero the saddest wistful smile while rubbing his cheek, "I couldn't help it," He shrugged, "I could not help wishing, no, praying for it because I am desperately falling in love with you, Zero." The hand caressing the soft cheek found itself hanging in the air when Zero jumped a couple of feet back, utterly frozen in his spot. Kaname gave him a defeated look when confronted with the horror in the hunter's expression.
He clutched the mattress and sucked in his lower lip before letting out another sigh, "I imagined a million way to tell you about my feelings. However, I never imagined this one horrible scenario. What?... Nothing to say?" Kaname made a sign with his hand, urging Zero to talk.
"Stop the bullshit, Kaname…" Zero whispered.
The answer earned him a hysterical laugh from the brunet. "I so wish it was at this point… Zero, trust me." He answered while standing and languidly approaching the retreating hunter.
"I love you!" He said again with more emotions and determination apparent in his eyes as he grabbed Zero's hand.
"Stop screwing around." Zero yanked his hands and pushed on Kaname's chest, "You love Yuuki, get your facts straight!"
"Oh, I do!" Kaname nodded, his expression unreadable all of a sudden, "I do love Yuuki, but not in the way you imagine. The one I want to spend the rest of my life is you and only you."
Zero gritted his teeth and snarled, "Are you telling me that you are not in love with her… That you wanted to use the child to cage me and make me fall for you… That you intended to toss your mate and daughter for me?"
"Exactly, but not in the crude way you are picturing."
"Stop FUCKING WITH ME, BASTARD! DID YOU SPARE A MINUTE TO THINK ABOUT YUUKI… DID YOU STOP AND THINK WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO HER IF YOU ABANDONNED HER?"
"I am not abandoning anyone."
"Yes you are, SHE LOVES YOU! SHE HAS BEEN WORSHIPPING YOU FOR MORE THAN A DECADE! Fuck, you have been pinning for her for more than ten year and now you tell me that you are falling for me after fucking me a couple of time. WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU KIDDING?"
It was Kaname's turn to grit his teeth, "Don't start getting all judgmental when you never looked around you or cared for anyone other than yourself. I expect the next thing you will tell me is that the purpose for the time limit was for her sake as well, huh?"
Zero glared.
"Let me tell you something interesting Zero! You are no different! If you are insinuating that I am a hypocrite? Then you are no better. You seduced me first, accepted my advances afterwards because you felt the pull of desire towards me just as much as I did. You just made it seem like I left you no other choice because it would lessen the burden of guilt. There is a reason why you do not seek other partners anymore, there is a reason you get uncomfortable whenever Yuuki's labor is brought up or when there is an insinuation to our relationship. There must be a reason other than you carnal desire that would explain why you thought of me when you were on the verge of getting killed during the last mission. It is because, deep down, you must be starting to feel something for me, something that I might be able to nurture into love. At least, that is the lie I have been telling myself until you just proved that the only use you had for me was my body, my aroused manhood and the way I embrace you, you never spared a thought about how I might feel about all this because you yourself never bothered to dig into your dying emotions… But it is fine, really! I will keep being your ultimate sex friend if you fulfill a small request."
Kaname leaned in to talk into the ear of the speechless hunter, "Show me more of you low, backstabbing, cheating side of yours so that I can fall out of love and move on please!"
"You are crazy!" Zero whispered as he backed against the wall.
Kaname chuckled, the wistful sad look returned to his dim eyes, he nodded, "Yes I am! I am crazy because I thought that I found the one for me. I am crazy for thinking that one day you might love me back, that we might have a family and live happily ever after. You are right! All that was out of some crazy fairy tale. Not because it was impossible. No, it would be easy to take you away and live peacefully if anyone ever objected as long as you decide to be mine and make me yours. It is some crazy fantasy because I forgot that I fell in love with a man whose heart was unattainable because he does not have one to begin with. I will just have to get rid of mine as well."
Zero was confused, angry, flustered etc… He could not recognize the man standing and talking to him, his mind had hard time wrapping around what Kaname was saying. But one thing for sure, Zero knew the answer to whatever confession that Kaname was repeating like a mantra.
"I am incapable of love, Kaname!" He deadpanned with a blank expression.
"That would be the best rejection coming from you-" *Ring**Ring**Ring*
Both pairs of eyes landed on the pocked where the phone was ringing. Kaname got away from the hunter and picked the phone, listening to what the caller was saying.
"I got it! I will be there in a couple of hours." He hung up and took a deep breath before looking sideway at the glowering hunter, never backing down even when wounded.
"I guess you are right Zero, again. I do have someone who cares enough to care about my child instead of killing them in cold blood. I will take your advice and cherish that person in any way I can. I have to leave; we can pick up where we left some other time. See you later." Kaname simply brushed against the hunter to leave the room after getting dressed.
Zero stood in the empty room, frozen in place. His mind did an instantaneous rewind of previous events where Kaname's feelings and affection came through loud and clear had the hunter paid a little more attention to the possibility. His phone ringing interrupted the train of thoughts that was heading to a destination where he laments about Kaname despising him for his undeniably despicable actions.
"Hello!" He answered with a lifeless voice, waiting for Ichiru to talk about the most irrelevant topics that could cross his mind.
"Nii-san, get ready and come pick me up right this minute. Yuuki has gone into labor few hours ago and Ai will be born soooon~ I am waiting, get here ASAP, Uncle!" The grin was apparent in the human twin's face, who unknowingly dropped the worst bomb over Zero's jumbled head.
In his car, Kaname stepped on it to the point that the vehicle was flying off the road. He decided against teleporting back to give himself some time to cool down. He had no confidence that he could hide the bottled up feelings that overflowed the moment he left the apartment; anger, grief, sadness, betrayal… you name it.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ At the hospital: Maternity ward ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
The hunter had no idea how he reached the room, but was aware that it had something to do with the twin pulling his hand and guiding him. Ichiru left him at the door and made a cheerful entrance in the room full of the inner circle of vampires as well as Yuuki's friends and a happily sobbing Cross. It belatedly registered to Zero that the brunette pureblood looked exhausted but happy in the hospital gown, comfortably sitting on the bed with the bundle of joy in her arms while talking over a video call with Yagari and Seiren. None of it caught the hunter's attention more than the pureblood male half sitting on the bed next to her, cradling the small head of the new born before finally takin her in his arms and standing. Everyone felt the awe of the dazzling sight showing Kaname smiling adoringly at his daughter, Ai Kuran.
"ZERO!" Yuuki called out, hands flailing, "You finally made it!"
"Ye..ah…" He hesitantly approached her bed and placed a kiss on her forehead while congratulating her.
"I did it! Uhm… We did it!" She chirped looking at the cooing little thing in the pureblood's arms with eyes fill with tears of joy. "Come on… Favorite Uncle, go hold your first niece!" She urged him.
Zero's feet felt as heavy as a boulder when approaching the pureblood who was purposely ignoring him. He leaned to look at the child cozily held in her father's arms. She clutched the finger that Zero poked her cheek with, "You are the one who made your mother attack me, heh."
"Moouu… Zero! Is that the first thing you had to say…" Everyone chuckled at the truthful but misplaced remark.
"You can hold her if you want." Kaname startled him by getting closer and offering the newborn to him. Zero was careful in cradling her, but could not help the flinch as the hands of the pureblood brushed against his.
"I wonder when Zerorin will bless me with a grandchild as well…" Cross chirped, failing to notice the way Zero stiffened along with the flinch that coursed through his twin and the shiver that haunted his brother in law. That is the last thing you should wish for!
"I believe that Kiryuu-kun is not interested in having a child of his own anytime soon chairman. I would not hold my hopes up if I were you." The amused remark passed as a rare joke that the happy new father decided to crack.
However, every word pierced Zero's chest like the sharpest blade to ever exist since he understood the message. You killed my child after all!
Noticing the weird way Zero acted, Hanabusa approached him when he was leaving.
"Zero, is everything all right?"
"hmm?... yeah!"
"About the other day… did you do the test." Aido had to ask in case it was the cause of the hunter's dilemma.
Zero cringed at the last memory he wanted to bring upfront. "It was negative."
Aido breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness! I forgot to tell him that the emergency pill would be useless if the pregnancy already took place. Never mind, he did say that the test was negative.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
Okay! I officially had my ultimate dose of angst by writing a chapter for each of my story that screams of it. Sadly, more angst is coming for both. *sigh*
I thank god for the depressing song that I listened to get in the mood of writing this.
Reviews?