Chapter 47: Kane and Claude
by lightpathetic
"HERE we are. Come."
"Kaname wait. This is a bad idea. What if someone sees me...?"
"...They won't. Come Zero. I bet you haven't had a decent meal in months."
Zero caught Claude smirking at Kaname's blunt jibe but he let it pass. It was possible that Kaname had just been thoughtless...
"He doesn't mean it, Claude. I think you are an excellent cook."
"Of course I am."
"... Still it's good to get out. I reserved the whole restaurant as I told you..."
"I know Kaname but it seems such an unnecessary risk. There are so many people outside and then there is the wait-staff..."
"Zero..."
"Kiriyuu, he can get you inside without anyone seeing you. For a pure-blood that's nothing."
"Still, I would prefer if we just ate in. Claude did go to the trouble..."
Claude jerked up as Kaname flashed him a look. Geez, if looks could kill...
"So did I. Zero, are you refusing to come inside with me? We did go to the trouble of making you nearly unrecognizable."
"But you know the cameras don't care about outward appearances. I can't change my statistics no matter how much makeup I wear. That is what got me caught before. Now I am with you. In public. There could be trouble for you."
"You are worried about me? Zero..."
"Don't you think he has planned this better than that? Besides, my instincts tell me it going to be okay. And you know those are never wrong. So get out of the car, I'm starving."
Zero kept his worried look but turned back to meet Kaname's eyes. He nodded and Kaname opened the door. It was worrisome. Zero had stopped going anywhere. He often stayed in the apartments or hotel rooms until Claude was ready to move on. The last imprisonment had taken its toll on him and he was wary of everyone and doubtful of himself. Claude was even glad to see him finally light up when Kaname came but he realised that it was short lived. Zero had very little confidence in himself and his ability to protect himself and anyone else from harm.
"Ready?"
"...Yes."
Suddenly Zero was inside the restaurant. He was returned to his feet as he peered into the dimly lit space. He looked around almost nervously for cameras as Kaname walked confidently into the room. A vision in scarlet and an apron stepped forward to kiss Kaname on the cheek. Zero was instantly distracted from his surveillance.
"Kaname, darling, I thought you'd never get out of the car. Your pet's neuroses can be so tiresome. Zero, come here and let us have a look at you."
"EVERYONE this is Claude Coltrain. He's a travel writer who has been helping me evade the authorities."
"How much is father paying you?"
"Kaori!!"
"I bet you were thinking the same thing, Kane."
Kane swatted Kaori on the side of the head and Kaori reached up to strangle his twin, a force of some kind parted them almost immediately.
"We agreed you two would be on your best behaviour if we let you come along."
"Yes Father." The twins uttered in unison. Zero smiled at them both. He had missed them so much. He had even forced them into a hug when he had caught sight of them. Kane had hugged him back but Kaori just sighed and let the strange creature have its way. But secretly he was relieved to see Zero was doing well. They were both fourteen and were almost as tall as he and Kaname but they still behaved like kids with each other. And to hear Kaname tell it, Kane had a girlfriend! But he would ask Kane about her later.
Claude laughed and reached to ruffle Kane's hair who, fortunately, was the one standing closest to him. Kaori wasn't as easy about such displays of affection. Still Kane was taken aback. Zero was the only lower level vampire that would have dared to touch him. He stepped back and really looked at Claude for the first time.
"Kane! Please forgive him. Sometimes I think he was brought up in a barn..." Zero said quickly, suddenly remembering that maybe Kane and Claude shouldn't be too close to each other.
"That's okay Zero. It's just that only Mother and Zero still ruffle my hair. How are things on the road with my 'uncle'?"
"Fantastic. I am getting great material for my book. And of course your uncle is extremely entertaining..."
"Excuse me," Kaori interrupted, holding up a hand as if in point of order, "you said Zero is 'entertaining'?"
"Kaori, come here." Zero demanded, his left hand suddenly glowing menacingly. Claude just laughed some more.
"See? He is. Between that and keeping him out of trouble it has been an interesting few months."
"It's true. I am not very good at being a fugitive..."
"I don't even understand why you have to be, Zero." Kane said suddenly serious, "It was a mistake!! Father should have stood up for you..."
"Be quiet Kane. Not now!" Sara ordered, turning from her whispered conversation with her husband to stop Kane going too far.
"Kane," Zero interceded, "we talked it over and it was for the best. It won't be long before everything is back to normal..."
"It is not soon enough for me. The horrible things they are saying about you... and then there was that last report... Let me come with you. I have plenty of time to finish school. I could protect you..."
"Kane! You are trying my patience..." Sara hissed again.
"Wait!" Zero said quickly to Sara. Zero took Kane's hand and made him look him in the eye. Kaname merely looked on with a look tinged with such sadness.
"I am sorry we put you through that, Kane. I was careless and I got caught, but Claude got me back safely and I promise to be more careful from now on."
"Zero..."
"I'll never forgive myself if I put you all in danger. I prefer you to be where you are safe. Besides if you go missing the authorities may blame me. Then Kaname's stupid bounty may get even larger. It's bad enough as it is."
"Zero. I don't like this..."
"Me neither 'Apple'," Zero replied, resorting to Kane's baby nickname to soothe him, "But you would be doing me the biggest favour by staying out of harm's way."
"Zero!" Kane gasped in embarrassment at being referred to like that in front of a stranger. Zero laughed and ruffled his sandy hair again.
"What? 'Apple' is embarrassed?" Kaori teased and was suddenly the recipient of a punch to the stomach.
"Shut up, 'Pepper'!"
"That's better... than 'Apple' any day."
Sara glanced at her boys disdainfully and walked over to Claude anxious to removed the "I could die from laughter but it would be just too rude" expression.
"Please come to the table, Claude-san. We are almost ready to serve dinner."
"Yes my Queen. I have to say dinner smells nice. Are you the cook?"
"Oh yes, I dabble from time to time. Of course no-one can cook veal like I can."
"That's for sure." Zero chimed in with an exaggerated air of innocence. Sara ignored him.
"So you rescued Zero from that horrible prison. It couldn't have been easy. But from the size of you maybe it was..."
"I have my skills. Despite my size I am light on my feet."
"Oh! Do tell?" Sara prompted, pressing closer with her body, putting her hand on his arm while sizing him up appreciatively. They could all tell, Claude included, that the Queen's interest may lie in more than just the story. Zero rolled his eyes and looked at Kaname who was approaching to take his hand.
"Some things never change." Zero opined fatalistically.
"No." Kaname replied off-handedly, less than interested in Sara's games. He turned Zero to him and planted a lingering kiss on his lips even as everyone else had gone to be seated. "Maybe she can find out what I couldn't."
"Kaname you didn't..."
"No. But I wish I had thought of it. Forget all of that now, my love." Kaname whispered softly, gently, "Welcome home, Zero. We missed you."
ZERO sat and watched, amused, as Claude and Sara - clearly two people who were as alike as he ever saw – got into a heated debate about the best place to eat in Paris. Kaname was sitting next to him, trying to digest his veal as he sipped a glass of liqueur and looked suitably unimpressed with Kaori's answer about his progress in school. He was holding Zero's hand throughout the entire meal and everyone knew it as the first ten minutes of the appetizer was spent with Zero demanding the use of his right hand. But Kaname ignored him, only at suitable intervals helping Zero with his food where he needed it. Zero soon gave up.
Claude had watched this with some concern when it first started but cooled his heels when Kaname caught his wary scrutiny. The two men exchanged a look but Claude looked away knowing he had no right to insist on... anything where Zero was concerned. He had to remind himself that he was off-duty as Zero's protector for the evening, finding it, somehow, difficult to do so. He relaxed and rerouted his attention to his most captivating hostess, wondering, quite practically, if she would deliver on the promise she had been making all morning. It had been a while, he only just remembered, without feminine company. Zero had taken up much of his attention.
Zero sipped from his own glass and sighed, wishing the morning would freeze and he could stay like this forever. He hated the idea of leaving them. He was seriously considering going home with them and to hell with the consequences. He missed his apartment and his things. He missed his books and his studies. He missed his room and being woken up by the light through the curtains or Kaname's nose and lips on his neck just before he bit. Zero began to shake, inadvertently squeezing Kaname's hand in his grief. He couldn't stand this anymore...
"Zero, can I talk to you? Outside?"
Zero jerked at the sound of Kane's voice. He turned to his left to look into Kane's eyes. He had thought it odd earlier that Kane would sit next to him and not his brother but it seemed he wanted to be close to his "uncle". Zero nodded and stood Kane leading the way. Kaname whipped around quickly in inquiry.
"Just going out back with Kane. Let go of my hand, Kaname."
"Hurry back."
"No."
Zero slipped out the side entrance to what was a gorgeous private garden with paved areas for tables and chairs when outside dining was feasible. Still it was well kept with beautifully sculptured hedges and trimmed paths, beautifully maintained stone features and a fountain in the centre near a flowing brook Zero suspected wasn't natural. Still it all gave him a sense of peace and sanctuary.
"Kane?"
"This way! Cross the bridge!"
These kids. So much energy. It was baffling how he even kept up with them, but then he realised it had a lot to do with how much respect and love they had for him. Even Kaori only tested him so far.
Zero came upon a bench under a tree to the left of the bridge where he eventually saw Kane. He came up and sat, pushing the boy over so he could. Kane smiled at this. Just like old times.
"What's up?"
"Your friend... he isn't what he seems."
Oh no!
"What do you mean?"
"He's a pure-..."
"Kane. Don't say anything."
"So you know?"
"...Yes..."
"I won't tell anyone. If you let me come with you."
"Oh let me think... No. We've been over this!"
"Zero..." Kane protested.
"No. You know I won't give in to blackmail. Frankly Kane, I am surprised at you."
Kane turned away and kicked a smooth pebble into the brook, sulking a little. Really, Zero couldn't actually stop him... Kane blew in exasperation. Yet something was making him want Zero's approval.
"Fine. I'll stay where I am not needed. Let some other strange pure-blood protect you instead."
"Kane. That's a secret you must keep."
"I know. I did gather that much. He is wearing some sort of shield to disguise himself. Did you make it for him? It is quite good."
"I know. I wish it had been me. But how did you...?"
"Kaori. I 'heard' him complain that he couldn't do his trick."
"What?"
"The one where he makes the guest trip and fall into Father. Father knows about it but it really freaks out the guest. Kaori quite enjoys doing that despite my or father's entreaties for him to stop."
"Now I understand. I just thought the carpet was too thick..."
Kane raised his hand and tapped Zero once on his temple suggesting it wasn't just the carpet that was thick. Zero slapped it away and punched Kane on the arm.
"Smart-alec . So that is when you knew? But he could be wearing a shield against pure-blood powers."
"Nah. Then mine wouldn't work. I can't fully control him but I realised he was suggestible. I couldn't believe it when..."
Zero slapped his forehead. Idiot!!
"When he kept passing various things to you without your asking for them!! I thought he was just being courteous!"
"Wrong again. Mother was starting to wonder if his tastes did run towards women."
"And how."
"What?"
"Kane. I am serious. Not a word. Does Kaori suspect?"
"Not really. Can I visit sometimes?"
"No. What do you mean by that?"
"He's not sure what to think. Can I call?"
"No!"
"Zero..."
Kane stopped suddenly and looked towards the bridge. Soon Zero heard what he had already suspected.
"Hello gents. Looks like desert is on the table. I told the others I'd come get you."
Kane looked at Claude with some hostility and Zero put his hand on his leg to soothe him. Claude wasn't to know he was interrupting anything.
"We'll be in shortly. Thank you Claude."
"Sure. What are you guys talking about? I'm a little bored of Parisian cuisine."
"It's nothing to do with you." Kane snapped, still holding Claude's gaze. He supposed he should feel better that a pure-blood was protecting Zero but Kane knew that their family were unique in the way they treated Zero as a family member. If a pure-blood was going all out to serve an ex-human the motives couldn't be entirely wholesome. It made Kane even more worried. More distrustful. Even more disposed to be cruel.
"Kane!!"
Zero watched as Claude touched his head in confusion and began to tremble. But he stayed where he was and met Kane's eyes once more.
"I knew it. I had a vision... about you."
"Kane! Stop it! Stop..."
"What do you want? Tell me!"
"You are the Arch Pure-blood... I had hoped to meet you, before..."
"Speak!! Before what?"
"...Before we left..."
"Kane!" Zero rose and placed himself between Kane and Claude. He slapped Kane as hard as he could. He tried miserably to ignore the pain to his palm. "Stop this!! I swear to you! Claude is no treat to me!"
"How do you know? Besides he knows about me now. I have to kill him."
"That's why it will happen."
"What are you talking about?"
"Your demise by..."
Kane "released" Claude and stepped back, confused and very shaken. What he had said... It was Kane's deepest fear...
Zero looked from one to the other in confusion. He tried to meet their eyes but they looked away.
"What? What did you mean? Claude?"
"He knows what I mean. You know they will kill you."
"Not if I am careful! Not if I am not a threat!"
"Your power will go to your head. It always happens. It will happen. And then it will be over..."
"No!! Leave me alone!! Leave me alone!!"
Zero was suddenly alone with Claude. Zero moved to run back to the restaurant.
"No. Leave him to think."
"What...? How...? What did you do?!"
"I tried to save his life. It is not too late."
"Claude..."
"Come inside. Sara did a fruit gateau with strawberry frosting and chocolate-mint sauce. I am at least curious."
THEY all said their goodbyes and Zero walked to the car without worrying about witnesses. There were fewer people about and he had more on his mind than himself. Kane hadn't come back to the restaurant. Kaname wasn't worried. He supposed he had gone home after Zero had related that they had had an argument. But Zero wondered if it was that easy. Kane was a good kid. He wouldn't really have hurt Claude. He had been bluffing. Right?
"You are still worried about him." Claude stated as he pulled away from the curb.
"What did you mean by all of that? How did you know Kane was..."
"He was making me give him things all morning. It was hardly rocket science. Only one being has that sort of power..."
"You are lying. You said you had a vision."
"You misheard."
"Claude I have been around a long time, though I may not look like it. I know you are lying and I know that pure-bloods are capable of many types of wondrous powers. Perhaps prescience is yours."
"Leave it Zero."
"You scared him. He can tell when you are telling the truth. That's why he freaked out. You saw something."
"And it won't help any of us to know about it except him. He can still control him path. The future isn't written in stone. I had debated saying anything but... I couldn't stop myself. If you love him then maybe there is a chance for him. Maybe..."
"Claude, please..."
"No, Zero. You don't have a right to make me commit this sin. Leave it alone or we will have to part ways."
Zero stared at Claude's face and realised he was serious. He gave up, sitting back in his seat. He loved Kane dearly. He couldn't face the idea that his powers would bring him harm. If only he were there to help him...
"He's home in his room, Zero. Holding a green pillow and weeping a little. He'll be fine. And what I was speaking about probably won't happen for a long, long time."
Zero nodded and looked out the window his eyes going to the stars again. Ken...
Watch over your brother and keep him safe, will you? My hands are full right now...
to be continued
lightpathetic wrote this but Sara, Kaname and Zero are not my characters. They belong to VK.
