Chapter 34: Decisions

by lightpathetic

SHIRABUKI-sama walked into the salon with an air of grace that covered his surprise. The Council or any of his members hadn't had cause to venture to his doorstep in many, many years. Of course he had already heard of the challenge to Kaname Kuran by his own son, his grandson, and had already rejoiced inside. He had hoped long and hard for retribution to come to that family for the shame that they had caused him in his life and now he would finally be vindicated for all the efforts he had made to make everyone see Kaname Kuran for what he really was: misguided and weak. They would finally see what he had been saying all along about the ex-human. The lesson was there for all to see. Including Sara.

However he never in his wildest dreams expected a visit from them. Even if what he was saying was finally proving true, he still was a bit of an outsider as many of the members were staunch supporters of Kaname Kuran. They wouldn't have bothered to come by to apologize…

"Shirabuki-sama, we are sorry to bother you at home..." The eldest of the three persons spoke up bowing low.

"What is this about?" Shirabuki demanded, wanting to get to the point. He wouldn't go easy on them. They had helped to humiliate him after all. He would enjoy rubbing the latest developments in their faces.

"Er… yes." The man paused and turned for support from the others, even as Shirabuki's aura began to grate on their nerves. The other two nodded quickly, urging the first man to continue. The sooner they could go the better.

"We have come on a matter of some delicacy Shirabuki-sama. I hope we can count on your confidence?"

Shirabuki remained silent not deigning to answer. They were in no position to make demands of him and he was already quelling his disappointment at not being groveled to. What else could they want?

The man cleared his throat and continued.

"Shirabuki-sama. I believe you may already be aware of recent developments. The leadership of the entire race of vampires hangs in the balance because of a domestic dispute over the rights to an…"

"Ex-human. A level-D vampire. Yes I had heard. Everyone has heard. How embarrassing for you all. Of course if you had listened to me…"

"Of course. We are aware that you have always opposed Kaname Kuran and his… eccentricities. That is why we think you would be perfect for what we had in mind…"

"What is this?" Shirabuki asked, suddenly suspicious. They were recruiting him? For what?

"We have come to ask you to be the new leader of the vampires. Once Kaname Kuran and his heirs are dead."


ZERO found the hotel without difficulty. It wasn't the Ritz by any means but was still a decent, clean place that was a not very far from the estate. It was as if Ken had wanted to be close by. Zero mounted the steps and bypassing the reception easily, headed for the stairs. The paper Kaname had left for him already had the room number and he didn't feel like giving Ken any warning. He was still furious at him for doing this. Even if Zero understood his motives as Kaname did, it didn't excuse the fact that he was threatening to kill his own father…

Zero reached the second floor and walked down towards "2c". Zero thought seriously about how he could land one to the jaw, considering Ken's reflexes were that of a pureblood's...

"No!! You can't do this Ken!! Please…!!"

Zero stopped in his tracks. That was Natasha. He'd know that sexy, Russian-accented voice anywhere…

"No!! No!! I will not quiet down. He ought to know how you used me!! You promised me that we were going to be married!! That is why I let you do it…!"

Zero's fury left him for acute embarrassment. He looked left and right in the hall wondering if anyone else was hearing this and was contemplating sneaking back up the hall when the door flew open.

"You!!"

Natasha was suddenly in front of Zero barring his escape. Zero stepped back in surprise and even more embarrassment. If only the floor would open up and swallow him. He avoided Natasha's tear stained face and eyes. He bowed low.

"Balencheska-sama. I… deeply apologize for…"

"Spare me your apologies, Zero. Just tell me your secret. How did you get both Ken and Kuran-san under your spell, hmmm? How did a dried up old, decaying fossil like you get chosen over me?"

"Natasha. That's enough. I have asked you to leave."

"Leave? Leave?! Don't you think I want to forget your sorry hide? But, unfortunately, things are a more complicated than that. You took my blood and I demand some in return. Maybe your Zero's? Maybe that is your secret. Maybe I should… try it…myshelf…"

Zero stepped back in surprise as the beautiful, docile Natasha suddenly began to change. Her eyes glowed dangerously her fangs lengthening in preparation of a kill. As he realized what was happening, Zero quickly leapt backwards in order to put distance between them, to consider his next move. But Ken beat him to it. Zero dropped to his knees gasping. His shield… wasn't helping…

"Natasha" looked down at the crazed red gaze that almost matched her own. Her eyes widened in fear at the realization that Ken wasn't going to stop squeezing his throat. She tried to lift her arms to pull at his fingers but she found that she was paralyzed. Natasha began to struggle frantically.

Zero fought the almost unbearable dread to get to his feet. Drawing a symbol on his wrist he chanted again causing a second shield to form. Zero sighed as the feeling of dread lessened. He turned towards the purebloods to find Natasha's eyes were almost out of their sockets.

"No!! Ken! Stop this!!"

Zero ran forward, quite forgetting himself. He wasn't armed. He hadn't come counting on battling anyone. Reaching Ken he began to chant quickly, aiming a kick for Ken's left kidney. He hoped to distract him and immobilize him quickly, safely, getting him away from Natasha…

Ken was absorbed in the pain and fear he saw on Natasha's face. His own body teetered perilously close to the edge. He wanted to let go. He wanted to enjoy his quarry in the only way he could if he removed his all control. His adrenaline surged at the thought making him lightheaded with ecstasy, making him need the blood, the smell and taste of ripped fleshed. He sighed in his release. Maybe just a little. She should never have dared to try to hurt him…

Ken saw the threat to him out of the corner of his eye and reacted without thinking. The annoyance was interfering. He would remove it. He reached out one clawed hand and plucked Zero midstride by the neck and slammed him against the wall beside Natasha. Zero cried out, tears coming to his eyes, as his body connected with solid masonry, his head having led the way. The pain was excruciating…

"Zero!!"

Ken dropped Natasha and pulled Zero into him. His eyes held a despair and fear that would have haunted anyone who had gazed into them. He couldn't believe it. He'd almost… Zero… Ken looked away from his beloved's dazed face to the female pureblood coughing on the floor. His eyes grew cold. In a way it was more chilling that the crazed gaze before. They formed a deadly promise.

"Get out. Don't come here again. You knew what you were doing. What I did was with your consent. If you come near me or Zero again I will cut you down without mercy. Thank Zero for your life. I'd hate to kill you in front of him."

Ken chanted quickly, releasing the spell he had placed on her and turned to go inside his room, "closing" the door behind him. He headed for the bed and placed Zero gently onto it.

"Zero," Ken whispered miserably, dropping his head to Zero's chest, nuzzling him urgently, "I'm so sorry. I wasn't aware of you. I'm so sorry…"

Zero lifted his hand to caress Ken's head soothingly in response to his distress. It was what he deserved for trying to sneak up on a pureblood. However he paused as all the events of the last day flooded back to him. He began to push at Ken. This… mess. This mess was Ken's fault!

"Get off of me!"

"Zero…"

"Let me up!!"

Ken sat up, more astonished than anything else, allowing Zero to scramble from the bed. What would it hurt? As long as he didn't try to leave the room…

Zero paced away then back again, searching for the words in his anger. This damned situation. If only Ken didn't behave like a brat all the time. Did he think he must always get his way? Even using poor Natasha… Zero turned and headed for the door. He had to check to see if she was alright…

"Where are you going?"

"To see if Natasha is okay. You nearly choked her to death, you know."

"She's not there anymore. She left a while ago. I heard the car."

Zero ignored him. Ken was an accomplished liar. He pulled the knob and was arrested by a hand around his waist.

"I'll show you, if you like." Ken spoke into Zero's ear, his breath deliberately heavy. He "opened" the door to what he knew was an empty hallway.

"See? As I told you."

"What if she had killed someone in her condition…"

"She didn't. She wouldn't disrespect us like that." If she knew what was good for her.

Zero looked up at Ken's face searching for veracity. Ken held his gaze easily, indulgently. Zero sighed and gave up.

"Let me go."

Ken ignored him. Instead he "closed" the door again and walked Zero over to the sofa and sat pulling Zero down with him.

"I missed you."

Zero tried to struggle then gave up in short order. He sighed in exasperation. He would have to talk like this, cradled into Ken's body, his breath teasing his ear…

"Ken. I know what you did. How could you do that to her?"

Ken didn't pretend he didn't know what Zero was talking about. He leaned into Zero's neck and exhaled slowly.

"To be stronger. I can't afford to lose…"

"You can't afford to win!! Do you really think I would shack up with you knowing you were Kaname's killer? I would never be able to live with myself furthest you…!!"

"So what would you have me do?! You won't leave!! You won't choose me!! I am sick and tired of being on the sidelines, Zero, subject to the whim and fancy of that man. You would be with me if it wasn't for him, Zero. That is all I see, that is all I hear when you follow whatever impulse to dump me…!"

"No! Didn't you listen to a word I said?!" Zero pulled again at Ken's arms and was finally set free. He marched quickly across the room and rounded on the young man who was staring back at him with stubborn determination in his eyes. Zero didn't give up however.

"I told you that this would go nowhere!! I wanted to give you a chance!! I told you that I was in love with Kaname! That I would never forget him! How could you take that to mean that I would gleefully go along with this madness…?!"

"Because you gave me no choice!!" Ken was suddenly in front Zero, eyes red, fists clenched in fury. Zero winced at the sheer force evident in the room, but kept his composure. "You told me it was over!! Over!! Foisting me off on Natasha as if she could be adequate compensation for you!! I don't know how many times I have to say this, Zero, before you will believe me: I don't want anybody else but you!! I don't care how long you have left on this earth; I don't care who you think you love or what you think is best for me. I want you! You are the only thing I really care about in this world and it is simply not in me to give you up without a fight!! If that ends in the death of either me or my father so be it. I am tired of hiding, sick of settling for second place. I want you to be mine!! There is nothing you can say or do to stop me. Nothing!"

Zero stood stunned for a moment staring into the intense gaze of the young man before him. He eventually dropped his eyes trying to catch his breath. This was a fine mess. They were both hell-bent on this course, regardless of what he said. He had to do something. He couldn't sit and watch this happening. Zero turned away to gaze out of the window, his shoulders hunching under the burden of regret that weighed his soul. This was his fault. He had turned Ken against his father.

"Did I make you hate your father, Ken?" Zero asked quietly, "Was I responsible for tearing this family apart?" Zero hid his face in his hands, his tears falling freely. How could he repay Kaname's love like this? Kaname was right: Zero did betray him.

"No! Zero…" Ken moved behind Zero and tried to pulled him into him, but Zero pulled away. He turned, his eyes pleading.

"Ken, please. You don't know how much Kaname loves you. It had hurt him when you didn't come home that first time you went away to school. It hurts him each time you are distant or withdrawn. He used to talked about his making you smile or happy for hours on end. That book… he scoured the world!! Just for you!!"

"Zero…" Ken started uncomfortably, but Zero kept going.

"He was so looking forward to you both working together. He saw your aptitude for… everything. He is so proud of you Ken. What happened yesterday broke his heart. He cried for so long Ken. I thought he would go out of his mind…"

"Zero…"

"He has never mistreated you. Never really neglected you. Why would you do this to him, Ken? Why?"

"Zero… Zero you are so dense sometimes. Do you really not understand? I bet father does. More than you think…"

"Ken…"

"I don't hate who my father is, Zero. If circumstances were different maybe we would have worked together for a very long time. We are so alike, him and I. I am proud to call him my father."

"Then why…?"

"Zero. He is my rival. He has something I want that he is not willing to give up. Something precious and beautiful, even with tears in his eyes…" Ken reached out and began to wipe gently at Zero's tears, longing to hold him, "To me he has everything and I hate him for it. I hate that he has the one thing I feel is necessary for my happiness and takes it for granted, seemingly dangling it before me with one hand and then snatching it away with the other. I want what he has and as such there could never be sincere affection. Because I can never be glad he is happy, I can never want what is best for him. On the contrary, I want him out of the way."

"Ken. Please…"

"Zero." Ken said, smiling sadly, finally cupping Zero's damp cheek, "You know I would move heaven and earth for any wish from your lips, but I can't not fight for you. I couldn't bear to live if I didn't."

Zero turned his face into Ken's warm palm and Ken, taking the encouragement, moved forward quickly scooping Zero into his arms. He exhaled heavily into his neck as if he had been holding his breath. Maybe he had been. But it was alright now. Zero was where he belonged…

"Stay." Ken breathed.

"What?"

"Stay with me. There is no need to hide this anymore. Besides, father already knows you are here." Ken said gesturing towards the window. Zero turned and looked out into the parking lot at a navy blue sedan parked behind a tree.

"He gives hourly reports to Seiren. It was amusing listening for a while. Apparently he is protection."

"Protection? From whom?" Zero was a tad incredulous at the thought of someone actually getting the nerve to attack Ken.

"Hard to say considering it could be anybody. Division in the ranks is an opportunity I have never been able to pass up either in business or… otherwise..."

Zero ignored the insinuation. For a consort of purebloods Zero's stomach was incredibly weak. It was best to be blissfully ignorant.

Zero already knew Kaname was aware of where he was. He was after all responsible for giving Zero the address. He knew what it must be taking for Kaname to admit this was a reality between himself and Ken and condone it. It spoke of his love for them both. Zero had no illusions about what would have happened if it were anyone else…

"No. I think I have hurt him enough for one day, Ken."

Ken hid his irritation. He smiled sexily at Zero instead.

"Okay. But, may I have one kiss 'goodbye'?"

Zero hesitated. He felt churlish saying "no" but he didn't trust Ken one bit.

"I probably shouldn't…"

"Please?" Ken begged, backing Zero into the window. He was already reaching into Zero's mind. His eyes dilated at what was to come. He certainly hoped the watcher would give a detailed report.

Zero's head fell back, a moan ripping from his lips.

"No. Ken! Don't…"

But it was too late. Ken had found Zero's lips and Zero was no match for his weaknesses.

"DID I hear you correctly? You want me to be the vampire leader?"

"Yes Shirabuki-sama. Many of the members on the Council are in agreement. We are afraid we can't ignore Kaname Kuran's obsession with his ex-human slave much longer. This very public dispute is an embarrassment to all of us."

"To you, you mean. I have been saying for a long time…"

"I understand Shirabuki-sama and we apologize." The eldest of the contingent broke in on Shirabuki's self indulgent diatribe. Truth be told he had little respect for him. For all his talk he had never deigned to challenge Kuran. One could smell the fear if Kaname Kuran came near him. However a pureblood was needed to keep opposition in line and the Council together. And a malleable, weak one like Shirabuki would be ideal for their purposes. A leader in name only who would owe them for his position. Perfect. Samura-san was tired of this peaceful coexistence crap. It was time vampires were where they belonged: superior over all.

"Do you accept our offer?" He asked again, trying to hide his disrespect for this fool.

"How are you going to accomplish this? Unless they kill each other…"

"It is all planned. Neither of the combatants will leave the field of battle alive. Nor will their family."

Samura-san emphasized this last, watching Shirabuki's face carefully. His meaning was clear: Sara and her children will also be targeted. He wondered if Shirabuki still had a shred of decency…

"I understand. I suppose it is for the best. Will this be kept a secret until then?"

"Of course."

"And both Kaname Kuran and his heirs will be dead?"

"Yes. It is all arranged."

"Then I accept." Shirabuki finally decided, barely hiding his excitement, "It would be my honour."

"No Shirabuki-sama." Samura-san said, rising to bow low, "It would be ours."


KEN RAISED a shaking hand and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to control his breathing. He opened his eyes and looked around, smiling ruefully at the couch his head had hit into earlier. God, they didn't even make it to the couch. Ken eyes moved left taking in the sight of Zero lying on his chest; his breathing just as erratic. Ken lay back and relaxed, bringing his left hand up to drive his fingers into Zero's hair. His head still felt deliciously high, matching the sensation in his body. One wouldn't think he was the one that had seduced Zero. It didn't take long before Ken was helpless, yes, helpless in the face of Zero's dangerous sensuality. Ken shook at the memory alone.

"Are you okay?" Zero asked, lifting his head. "I really pushed you that last time…"

"Yes. I am. I was just… remembering something."

"Mmmm? What's that?" Zero asked, rubbing his lips on Ken's sensitive skin before he began a slow nibbling…

"That thing you did with your nails and tongue on the inside of… my thighs…" Ken began to tremble. Zero's hands were far from still. Sometimes Ken cursed his body's ability to recover so quickly…

"Oh that." Zero said, as he pinched a nipple then reached to suck it quickly, enjoying the catch in Ken's breath, "I was hoping it was the careful attention I paid to your…" Zero grabbed them, beginning a leisurely massage to illustrate.

"That too… was… appreciated…" Ken began to writhe again. Zero! Zero…

"Ken?"

"Yes?" Ken answered a little testily. Zero had stopped what he was doing to his navel to ask the question.

"I'll go with you. I've decided I will go with you into exile."

"What?" Ken pulled himself from his sexual haze and looked into Zero's eyes. Did he hear correctly?

"You heard me. I think it is the best thing for all concerned. Don't you?"

to be continued

lightpathetic wrote this but these are not my characters – except for Ken, Samura-san. They belong to "Vampire Knight".