Chapter 46: Zero, Kaname and Seiren
by lightpathetic
"CLAUDE!! Claude!! Please. Dear God..."
Claude stirred at the sound of Zero's anguished pleas. He forced his eyes open to see the familiar pair of grey ones staring back at him. He also became aware of the pounding...
"What...?"
"Claude!!!" Zero sat back on his haunches and breathed deeply, his eyes close to welling up with tears, "I've done it again. First Kaname now you..."
"What's... that noise...?"
"We are in some sort of cell. When I... regained consciousness I heard someone trying to enter. I sealed the door with a spell."
Claude nodded as if that was perfectly reasonable and tried to lift his arms. They wouldn't obey. He guessed he was very weakened by the blood loss. He could also tell he wasn't in the best shape physically. His neck was badly torn up.
"They kept yelling 'My Lord, My Lord!' I... don't think I am awake yet..."
"Zero. Listen. You... have to... remove my necklace..."
"...Okay." Zero agreed, quite easily, still certain he was in a dream. Perhaps the necklace would release the White Rabbit and it would create a hole for them to escape through. Zero idly wondered if Kaname could hear him talking in his sleep and would rub his stomach gently while calling his name so he would wake up. Zero began to count on it as he zoned out. He couldn't have been the one to attack Claude. He couldn't be losing his mind.
"Zero..."
"Yes..." Zero reached forward and twisted the screw clasp before yanking the rather ugly, blood-soaked, grey figurine of a busty woman from Claude's neck. Zero had noticed that Claude always wore it even to the baths. He'd said it was a present from a girl. Zero merely thought it must have been a very special one to suffer wearing it constantly. Perhaps a daughter. After all, Kaname still wore that ghastly skull and cross-bones tie pin Kaori gave him for their anniversary when he was five.
Zero looked away from the necklace in his hand quickly to glance at Claude. Was he bequeathing this... um... jewelery to him? Was he dying?
"Claude?!"
"Not so loud."
Zero sat stunned, quite sure he would have preferred the White Rabbit. He watched as "Claude" sat up and inspected himself, giving a satisfied pat to his neck that had suddenly healed itself. But that wasn't the most amazing thing. Zero was staring at a youth where he could have sworn Claude was lying earlier.
"Kaname is taking his sweet time. Maybe he is away again. I don't remember..."
"What?"
"Nothing. Just wondering when I'll wake up. I probably ate some old pizza..."
Zero hissed in pain as he recovered from a stinging slap to the cheek. He fell backwards and rubbed it, his eyes losing the glazed look to be replaced with palpable anger.
"You son-of-a-bi..."
"You are not dreaming. Now get your ass up so we can get out of here."
"We? Who are you?"
"Geez, Kiriyuu. I don't think I look that different..."
Claude heard Zero's intake of breath and was clamping his hand over Zero's mouth before he let out a mind-jarring scream.
"Kiriyuu!! I need you to calm down!!! I will explain later!!!" Claude whispered forcefully. He didn't need Zero to freak out. He was having a time of it as it was trying not to go insane. He longed for his necklace especially since the visions of death were worse in this cell. At least there weren't too many futures.
"Explain? What is there to explain? Oh. That's right... 'old' Claude is suddenly the teenaged wonder-boy. Don't tell me: you are not actually a hundred and ninety-seven?"
"Well closer to eleven hu..."
"That's it!! Kaname wake me up right now!!"
"Kiriyuu!! For God's sake shut up and listen!! We have to go!! Now!!" Claude shouted very irritably but just barely holding on to his temper. It wouldn't do, for some reason he barely recalled, to rip this boy in two. But with the enormous headache he was getting between focusing on the present and the blood-loss, Zero could be said to be in a lot of danger. However...
"We need to leave before the army gets here." And before this gets back to Kaname...
"I'm not going anywhere with you..."
"Zero. You don't argue with a pure-blood. It is a simple rule in life. Especially one you tried to kill..."
"I didn't...!!"
"Also if you co-operate I will redirect my considerable ire at our opposition rather than you. Believe me, you would prefer that."
Claude stood and approached the door, already feeling the power of the enchantment even at a few yards away. He stopped and hissed in pain at the air crackled, but was comforted by the scent of all the warm bodies behind it. Claude relaxed a little. After so many years sealed he deserved it.
"Kiliyuu. Get up and open thiss door. So hungry..."
SEIREN was multi-tasking between willing Claude to call, cursing him for his tardiness and distracting Kaname from checking the vampire news site. So far they just talked about their upcoming itinerary and joked around a little - which for them wasn't laugh-out-loud stuff just witty jibes that lightened the mood. Kaname didn't laugh with anyone else but Zero, which was fine for Seiren because it was just too weird seeing him do it.
They finally disembarked at the hotel and entered the foyer, Kaname walking briskly but slowly enough for Seiren to just keep up. Seiren was silently congratulating herself. Kaname would go to his room and sleep and this would hopefully be all over by then. Of course Claude still hadn't called and it had been close to twenty minutes by now, but he was trying to wrest Zero from the authorities. It could take at least a half hour...
"My King! It is good to see you!"
Kaname nodded and promptly ignored the floor attendant, turning from the elevator towards his suite. He was dying for a bath and to check up with Claude. Even after the "punishment" episode Kaname still called him and Claude allowed it but with a few rules – such as respecting his sleep hours and no more than every two days for no more than ten minutes. Kaname complied... eventually, so Zero and Kaname even sent messages to each other through him, making up codes for various niceties like love and desperation to screw the other's brains out – yes, somehow Claude kept his lunch down. It was working out well except for being away from each other but Kaname was already planning on seeing him again this week when Zero and Claude had moved onto the main island again, which they were due to do in the next few days. Kaname couldn't wait. It had been a little over a month without Zero. He was almost fit to be tied.
"My King!" Came the call again, making Kaname wonder at the audacity of the steward today, but only vaguely...
"I know you must also be rejoicing at the good news. We are so happy to know you are so much safer with that horrible man caught finally. And in a spa too. Some people have no sense of fear..."
ZERO ran outside the cell to see Claude wiping his mouth with a look of sheer ecstasy on his face. All over the hall lay the bodies of men and women.
Zero stood among them, his hand reaching to cover his mouth in stunned disbelief and horror. Claude noticed Zero's anguished and "saw" him screaming at him in a few minutes. He chuckled.
"I didn't kill all of them. Most of them are only doing their jobs. I have some honour. Although I can't resist being messy. I love the feel of flesh in my claws."
"You all are so alike: selfish and sadistic. If I had my way..."
"But... you don't."
Claude raised his hand and allowed Zero to see what was in it. Zero froze as disgust then recognition crossed his features.
"Kita."
"Yes. Kita." Claude raised the head to eye level in an almost casually sexy manner, a cold smile on his perfect features, "He won't bother you anymore."
SEIREN was trying to stop herself from trembling but was failing miserably. Kaname had nodded to the steward and turned away opening the door to the suite and walking briskly to the den, leaving her to close the door. It had been a minute without a sound from him. Seiren could hear the laptop power up and Kaname manipulating the touch screen. Was he assuming she had known nothing about it? Did he really trust her that much? But then Kaname would notice how nervous she was. He was not above listening carefully to the body of a friend or foe. While he looked like his attention was elsewhere he was attuned to their pulse rate, the scent of their sweat, the grinding of their teeth. Kaname knew when she was upset, or scare, or nervous, knew her well enough to tell the difference. She could be in a lot of trouble.
Kaname stopped and picked up his cell phone. Seiren recognised the number he was dialling.
"Kaname? What are they saying?"
"That he has been captured. In a spa in Sapporo. It can't be right. Claude would have told you. You would have heard from Hanata..."
"That's true. Why don't you let me handle this? I'll call him and straighten this out..."
"I'll do it. If this is true I will have his head for this. You call Claude and see where he is. They are all lucky I can still feel him..."
Kaname was cut off by Seiren's cell. It was on vibrate but of course he would still hear it. Seiren pulled it out and looked at it.
"Excuse me, Kaname, I need to take this..." Seiren said turning towards the door.
"Seiren," Kaname asked with emphasised politeness to his tone, "Do you think you could take the call another time?"
"Kaname... I... It's Claude! I expect he is wondering what the story is about. Of course I'll take it here. Claude! Tell me you have some good news for Kaname and me?"
Claude was a little taken aback by the slight note of hysteria in Seiren voice. But he did get the hint that Kaname had found out and was in the room with them.
"We had a little trouble but we are fine now. No worries. We are on our way to the inter-island bridge now. I am so sorry for putting you through that love..."
"Never-mind all that. Is the puppy okay?"
"Yes. They kept him well. There wasn't a hair on his head harmed." By the ones that survived.
"Good. Claude you really gave us a scare. You have to take better care of him..."
Seiren gasped as Kaname snatched the phone.
"Do it." Kaname ordered and they both knew what he meant. Claude handed the phone to Zero who was in clothing and sitting next to him, even though he was glaring at Claude as if he had two heads. Zero put the phone to his ear and then placed it over his heart. Zero longed to say more but he couldn't. Tears fell from his eyes as he hugged the cell to him. Zero wished this was all over and he could hold him. He knew how Kaname must have suffered at the news. Zero felt himself being "located" and shoved the cell back to Claude before turning towards the window. It wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough.
Claude shot Zero a worried look and replaced the cell to his ear.
"As I said. He is fine. Just a slight detour in an otherwise lovely holiday."
There was a moment's silence after which Kaname finally spoke.
"I'll speak to you later. But Claude, the next time this happens I want you to call me. I don't care where I am, you have my number. I will expect this. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"I will also expect that neither of you will keep something like this from me ever again. I don't usually give second chances. Do I make myself clear?" Kaname said, softly, but his eyes bore into Seiren with a coldness that hurt her more than any abuse he could mete out. Seiren dropped her eyes to her shoes, again trying not to tremble. He would never forgive her.
"Yes." Claude replied, knowing what Seiren must be going through right now. His self-disgust at his mistake increased ten-fold. He swore he would never let her down again.
"Good." Kaname rang off.
"Kaname," Seiren began, he inner turmoil very present in her eyes, but Kaname raised his hand to silence her. Rather than return the cell to her he placed it very deliberately on his desk and left the room, going to his bedroom and closing the door firmly between them.
ZERO and Claude travelled for a while in silence but their thoughts were far from silent. Claude still had in his mind's eye the evil thing Zero had become. He wondered if he should even be sitting here this close to him, save for the fact that it had never happened before. Claude wondered if Zero was seriously mentally ill. Those chilling vibes could have come from a very sick alternate personality. Of course if that were true Claude would slit his own throat. He... ran from a mental patient? But if it wasn't - and he suspected it wasn't very strongly - Zero was in quite a bit of trouble.
Zero, too, had much to mull over. He was almost impotent with yearning for Kaname. He wanted him to be in his arms right now. He hated this situation so much bile rose in his throat at the thought. The year suddenly seemed too long, too interminable. And to top it all off there was his "blank out" again. He had nearly killed Claude... Claude. Claude was a pure-blood?!!
"Which 'you' is real? Can you tell me that?"
"Sure. Both."
"Both? You are both a pure-blood and a womanising middle-aged vampire?"
"Yep."
"You are insane."
"Me? ME?!!? You went crazy, attacked me, started referring to yourself in the plural and somehow got your eyes to look like something out of the 'Omen'. If I had any sense I would ditch you right now. The more I get into this the more I want to get out."
"I... I what?"
"You said you liked my blood and that 'We' needed more." You were stronger than I was but I am not telling you that.
" 'We?'"
Claude didn't answer realising Zero was just speaking aloud. He guessed schizophrenics didn't meet their other personalities.
"You should have told me you had issues, Kiriyuu." Claude said quietly, slowly, as if talking to a child or an imbecile. Zero promptly cuffed him in one large bicep.
"Ouch!! What the hell...?"
"I am not insane!!! Something has happened to me..." Zero trailed off. He didn't trust Claude enough now to tell him about the spell. And it had to be the spell. Why else would he suddenly behave this way?
"What?"
"Nothing." Zero replied, making up his mind to talk to Kaname when they saw each other again. They hadn't even had time to explore why Zero had attacked him either. As far as he knew he had no history of mental illness beyond the depression his usually indulged himself in. But Zero wondered though if he should explore removing the spell with Kaname. His son had given his life for it. For him. But what choice did he have if he was a danger to those he loved?
"Fine. You don't tell me how many of you are in there and I won't tell you why I like 'slumming it' as an ordinary vampire. Deal?" Claude teased, more to rile Zero than to elicit information.
"Oh, shut up and drive. I am going to sleep." Zero bit back, reclining his seat and closing his eyes. He didn't think Claude was any more a danger to him today than he was a day before and he was very tired. Whatever he was hiding will come out in time. It always does.
However Zero couldn't be more wrong. He didn't know it but he was the only one alive now that knew Claude's secret. But as Claude watched as Zero dozed off, he smiled to himself. They were back to normal. He liked that. Zero trusted him and he trusted Zero not to spread his secret.
Well, almost back to normal. Claude fingered the charm on his neck then a little higher to his neck where Zero had... bitten him. He frowned a little as his thoughts wandered again. A pure-blood shouldn't let just anyone bite them. The effects could be disastrous. He felt fine now but he wasn't sure if it was permanent or if the charm was hiding the effects. Claude looked over at Zero, a cold light creeping into his eyes as he considered his options if indeed a bond had formed. However it could be that he would be okay if he was bitten as an "ordinary vampire". The effects were milder... Claude sighed in exasperation and scratched his head. The only way to know would be to remove the necklace and see if he had been affected. But he had no intention of doing that. It was hellish being without it and most days he had no reason to take it off. He was worrying over nothing.
"KANAME!!!"
Zero launched himself at the equally ecstatic pure-blood and was caught safely as he always was. Zero hugged Kaname to him as if he was afraid to let go.
"Zero..." Kaname grabbed Zero's head with one hand and angled him so his mouth was accessible. Neither came up for air for a long time.
"I guess I'll go see what's on offer in the markets." Claude said to no-one in particular and let himself out the apartment, closing the door on the rather unappetizing sight. Neither vampire seemed to notice his exit.
"I hate when you tease me by wearing clothes when we meet."
"I couldn't very well go around naked in front of Claude..."
"Why not?" Kaname asked with a tone of suspicion in his voice. Zero leaned forward and nipped his lower lip.
"Can you not be insecure for one second?"
"Of course. But never..." Kaname paused to kiss and lick the smooth expanse of throat Zero just exposed, "...Ever...," Kaname followed where Zero was unbuttoning kissing and then sucking each nipple in greeting, "with you..."
Kaname "took care" of Zero's pants, the pieces raining in the air like confetti as Kaname walked to the couch and dropped them onto it. The rental squeaked alarmingly but stayed intact.
"You barbarian..."
Zero gasped and moaned as "The Barbarian" showed him just what he could do with his tongue in compensation.
"KANAME! I'm okay! Stop inspecting me!"
Zero pulled away from Kaname's grasp and rolled onto the floor. They hadn't gotten to the bedroom yet. Kaname followed him, even though he suspected the dark-green carpet hid many sins.
"Relax. It's a massage."
"You are trying to look for injuries that are still healing. You think I don't know you? You're devious..."
"Is it as they said? You were beaten?"
"'They' didn't say I was beaten. You are trying to bait me. I have no idea why I haven't killed you by now." Zero laughed as Kaname tickled his toes and raised his foot to his lips. They were so adorable rolling around in the dark living room, naked and giggling. At least Zero was giggling. Kaname had an agenda.
"So you weren't mistreated? I find that hard to believe..."
"As if I would tell you if I had been. You are crazy and cruel."
"I am not..."
"What happened to the man that grabbed my bag in Bangkok in May, 2103? You stopped me and followed him down the alley. What happened to him?"
"He's... alive..."
"Or that gang of thugs Christmas Eve 2010? They shouted insults to us in the park that I don't remember then they and you disappeared and only you came back."
"I was drunk. I don't remember..."
"The hell you don't. You don't forget anything."
"Well I am sure they deserved what they got. I don't tolerate..."
"Exactly. You madman."
"Zero. Tell me." Kaname pleaded, finally losing his pride, condescending to beg. He felt like he needed to know what Zero had been through. Needed to know for sure he hadn't suffered and if he had, that he could punish who would dare do it. For Zero's sake, as well as his own.
"Nothing happened. They wanted me alive."
Kaname gave up and straightened out Zero, adjusting him so he could lie on Zero's chest. Zero wasn't helping and the facility, as expected, was adamant that the prisoner was well cared for and that two individuals' carelessness was responsible for the escape. These people had been already punished. Kaname hadn't been able to interview them before this had happened. He smelled a cover up but was it worth the effort to investigate? Zero was here safe in his arms.
"Kaname, I need to talk to you."
"Mmmmm?"
How did he broach the subject without admitting he had been tortured to within an inch of his life? Zero bit his lip.
Kaname sensed Zero's hesitation and raised his head. Did his behaviour really make Zero so afraid to confide in him?
"Zero? What is it? Please, I'll spare whoever you want me to. Just tell me what's bothering you."
"It's not that. It's the blank-out I had with you..."
"Why are you worrying about that? Has it happened again?"
"...It bothers me. I am wondering if the spell has other side-effects."
"What happened Zero? Tell me!! Tell..."
"Kaname! Please...!"
"Stay away from me!! You always wanted to die. You would disgrace my son's memory and leave me in a heart-beat. That's it, isn't it? You never loved either of us. We were monsters you wanted to get away from..."
"No!! Kaname!!"
"Zero? Zero!! What's the matter?"
"What?"
"You zoned out. I was shaking you but you didn't answer. Was that what you meant?"
"I... I..."
What was that? It seemed like a memory but he was sure he had never had that conversation with Kaname. It was like... a warning...
"Maybe you should see a doctor..."
"No... leave it. My mind wandered that's all. Don't worry about it anymore. I feel great."
"Zero..."
"Damn Kaname. I think your massage has worked."
"What?"
Zero grabbed Kaname hand and pulled it down to his rather pressing problem. Zero smiled sexily when Kaname's eyes dilated instantly. He got the message. Zero pulled Kaname into a kiss that made Kaname grateful he was lying down. Still he covered Zero's body with his and kicked apart his legs.
"You usually say I am the insatiable one. I like this new you..." Kaname panted, grinding himself restlessly into Zero's groin, he himself more than ready to proceed.
"Kaname," Zero breathed, "Please..."
Then, there were no more words.
to be continued
lightpathetic wrote this but only Claude is my character. The others belong to M. Hino, the mangaka of "Vampire Knight".
