Here's another chapter~ *beam*
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I'm so glad you readers love it so far~ *relief*
Warning: unbeta. English is my second. ASL (American Sign Language) is my first. Yes, I'm Deaf. :)
Enjoy~ *humming* Also, please take good care of yourself, be healthy, and be safe~ :3
Cross Academy
Stable Hut
Zero clicked his tongue sharply while he glared at the shocked noble vampire. "What the hell are you doing outside? It's against the rules." He admonished the "wild" vampire while still held his Bloody Rose gun at the orange-haired vampire.
Kain blinked few times then shakes his head in disbelieve. "Prefect-san, I don't think it's a smart idea to scolded me when you are obviously struggling with your thirst." He commented with concern. He took a step forward but halted when he heard the clicked from the gun. Kain surrendered his hands, with caution calmly. "You need help, Prefect-san." He stated, firmly.
"I don't need your help." The silver-haired hunter snapped in a mixture of exasperatedly, bitter, and weary.
The noble vampire frowned deeply. "From what I can smell, you already tried the blood tablet and it seems to fail to satisfy your thirsty beast. You need real blood."
"I don't want it." Zero harshly denied, ignore his inner beast snarling for blood. "I've been controlling my thirst for four years with blood pills. I can handle myself just fine." He hisses angrily.
Kain's eyes widen in surprise. "You… You've been an unofficial vampire for four years?" he whistled with impressed. "Damn, Prefect-san… I knew you are strong but to think you are that stubborn. I admire that." Then he lowers his hands as his burnt-orange eyes harden. "However, there are limits when it comes to the vampire's thirst. I believe your limit has finally reached a breaking point."
The silver-haired hunter groaned in agony as he unwillingly dropped his gun while pulled his legs closer to his chest. His hands curled around his dry painful throat. 'Damn it!' the pain was too brutal. Before he drank blood in his other life and became an official vampire but this time, he avoids it and relied on blood tablets.
It seems his unofficial vampire body couldn't handle the blood pills any longer. It won't fool his thirsty beast anymore. He was unaware the Kain gotten closer to him but they both froze when they heard loud neighing from the white horse.
White Lily stomped her hooves while shaking her head. She attempts to break out of her space, trying to get to Zero. "Prefect-san…" Kain whispered tentatively, he wanted to help the silver-haired hunter, but his instinct warned him that White Lily won't be very forgiving mood. "…I think you need to control your horse." He knew White Lily adores the cold-hearted prefect. It's common knowledge in Cross Academy ever since Zero tamed the majestic wild mare.
The wild vampire mentally sighed. "Seriously… I always ended up under the victim of circumstances here." He grumbled to himself while eyeing the horse then his gaze went to Zero who is breathing heavily.
Zero's mixture of amethyst and crimson eyes staring at White Lily. "…Lily… please calm down." He whispered but managed to reach her ears. White Lily's ears twitch as she stopped stomping and released a soft whinny. The silver-haired hunter grunt as he nearly seeing black spots in his vision.
"Shit!" Kain dart to Zero's side, bend down, and placed his hand on standoffish prefect's shoulders. "You need blood." He stated, and without thinking. Kain lifted his wrist, fangs emerge, and sink into his wrist. Instantly, scarlet blood oozed down from the bites which caught Zero's attention.
Almost, immediately Kain's wrist is covered with blood, was drag toward the prefect's lips, and attached to it. The wild vampire lifted his free hand to brush the silver hair gently. "There, there…" he soothes the silver-haired hunter with understanding and sympathy tone.
Zero gulped down the fresh, warm thick blood that was a mixture of hot and bitter yet delicious taste touches on his tongue. The taste of blood reminds him of the hot licking fire or similar to hot pepper. He distinctly wondered if it's because Kain held the power of fire that makes his blood taste unique and different?
After a few mouthfuls of blood, Zero breaks away from the wrist as his thirsty beast is finally satisfied and back to slumber for now. He blinked a few times as his crimson fades back to his amethyst color. Zero's gaze shifted up to Kain's inquisitive burnt-orange eyes.
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..
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Bloodline of Sin
Night Sixteen
"Instinct"
…
..
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Zero and Kain have been staring at each other silently in the stable hut until the wild vampire opened his mouth. "So… vampire, huh?" he raises his eyebrow with interest.
Zero rolled his eyes, dropped the wrist, and back away with a scowled. He wipes the trail of blood from his chin with his sleeve while Kain glances down to make sure his bite marks are healing slowly. "Now that I know you are vampire, your scent gives off as the unsubstantiated vampire." Kain said, before he sniffed few times at Zero who glared at him coldly. "In order to become an official creature of the night, you need to drink from a pureblood." The noble vampire commented offhandedly while he adjusted his sleeve over his healing bites.
"…I know that." Zero grumbled, leaned back while rested his elbow against his prop knee. His body is still tired from the struggles against his inner beast.
Kain sat on the ground without caring, crossed his legs, and leaned his palms behind him. He tilted his head with purely curious and fascinated. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Gang Leader knew of your secret." He affirmed, calmly. The silver-haired huffed softly which made Kain grinned widely. "Of course, he does."
The silver-haired hunter grunt reached inside of his pocket to take out a bottle of blood pills. He stared at it disappointedly. He just didn't expect that blood tablet are no longer work for his thirsty beast anymore. However, Kain's blood satisfied for his beast which means it will probably last a week or two. Zero's amethyst eyes shifted to Kain who is eyeing at the bottle of blood pills. "Why did you gave me your blood?" Zero asked cautiously.
Kain blinked at him. "Isn't that a simple answer?" Zero cocked his eyebrow puzzled. "Because you are thirsty, that's why."
Zero furrowed his eyebrows. "I-I don't understand…" in his other life, entire life of his existence as a vampire, no blood is freely given. There is always something. However, this noble vampire acts like it's perfectly normal to give his blood to a thirsty unofficial vampire?
"What is there to understand?" the wild vampire tilted his head confused. "You are thirsty, and I offered my blood. That's all."
The silver-haired hunter shakes his head. "No noble vampires offered their blood freely."
"Who cares." Kain scoffed. "It's my blood and I can do whatever I want with it." He affirmed, firmly with a frowned.
Zero narrowed his eyes. "So, you offer your blood to any vampires who are thirsty?" he sarcastically said, disbelieved and skeptical.
The noble vampire paused and give a contemplative hum. His burnt-orange eyes stare up at the ceiling then shifted back to Zero with a sharp grinned. "Okay, maybe not all vampires. However, I will make an exception for you, Prefect-san."
The silver-haired hunter frowned at him warily. "Why?"
Kain shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. My instinct told me that I should help you."
"Your instinct?" Zero asked, skeptical.
The laidback vampire's eyes sharpen. "Hai. Which makes me different from my cousin and other nobles. You see, not only was I born as an Aristocratic vampire. But I also born with an utmost instinct, nearly reach the level of pureblood's instinct. Not everyone knew that, of course. Besides the Gang Leader, Deputy Chief Ichijo, my cousin, and Chairman. Oh, and now you too." Kain explained, coolly.
The silver-haired hunter examined the noble vampire quietly. "…your instinct told you to help me. You just follow it? Without even considering the possibilities that could potentially risk your life?"
"What's life without taking risks?" Kain answered, sharply excited with dancing of mirth in his burnt-orange eyes.
Zero snorted with slightly amused and exasperatedly. The laidback vampire hummed. "Tell me, who else knew of your beast." He asked, curious.
"Chairman and my Master." Zero simply answered, indifferent.
The noble vampire hummed. "So, beside Gang Leader, me and those two… that means Prefect-chan doesn't know?" Zero stared at him coldly. "Relax, I won't tell her. Not my business." Kain said with amused.
White Lily neighed softly which caught their attention. Zero pushed himself off the ground, dust the hay off his uniform while Kain followed the action quietly. "Do you have a good reason why you are outside of your curfew, Akatsuki-senpai?" the silver-haired hunter said nonchalantly and reached to White Lily. He extends his hand and gently pats her nose.
Kain's grinned with caution as he shoves his hands into his pockets. "I only came because my troublemaker cousin is lurking somewhere… again." His eye twitched with slightly irritated.
Zero snorted. "Does it have something to do with you being under the victim of circumstances?" he asked, dryly. He heard that comment from the wild vampire earlier.
"You have no idea." The wild vampire stated gravely as his burnt-orange darken. "Gang Leader is making me take care of all the troublesome stuff." He grumbled, resigned, and exasperatedly.
The silver-haired hunter hummed while continue petting the white mare's nose gently. "I suggest returning to your dorm and I will let this go as a warning for you, Akatsuki-senpai."
Kain stared at the standoffish Prefect in surprise then grinned widely. "Huh… who would have thought you have a kind heart, Prefect-san~"
Zero twitched irritated but didn't respond. The wild vampire continued. "And please, called me Kain. After all, you did drink my blood. That makes us friends~" Kain sang the last part gleefully.
"…your blood taste bitter." Zero retorts deadpanned while gave a couple of pats on White Lily's neck.
The noble vampire pouted playfully. "So cold… be grateful for my blood. Otherwise, you would be in danger to yourself." Zero send his cold glared at him. Kain chuckled with amused as he steps backward. "Alright, alright. But know that whenever you need blood… I'm here." Kain declared, firmly which surprise Zero.
"Wait, you going to offer your blood to me again?" the silver-haired hunter stared at him in stunned.
Kain halted. "Of course." He tipped his head. "After all, I knew what's like to be thirsty." He said with an understanding smile. "So, I better head back before Prefect-chan busted me~ See you later, Guardian-san~"
Zero blinked dumbfounded quietly at the spot where Kain already left. He slowly shook his head and turned his gaze to White Lily who nudges her nose against his head. "Hey, girl…" Zero whispered to his friend gently. He noticed that Kain never ask him questions about his life. He also noticed that Kain changed his nickname from "Prefect-san" to "Guardian-san".
How ironic.
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Moon Dormitory
Night Section
Later…
In the corridor, in front of the double doors where Takuma stands in front of it. He gently knocked the door couple of times. "Kaname…" he called out softly, worried about his friend who has been keeping himself in his room for a while. Ever since his birthday party, Kaname has been daze for a while and he wondered if something happened to him and Zero at the balcony. After a moment of silence, there is no response from pureblood so Takuma decided to retreat for now. "….have a good sleep, Kaname." He whispered, then sauntered down the hallway.
The blonde-haired noble couldn't help but worried about the pureblood. 'Kaname has been in a daze over nearly five days now… I wondered what did they talked about it that night. I really want to know what is troubling him… I could go to see Kiryuu-kun but I'm afraid it might causes problem and I fear the consequences… more importantly, Kaname won't like it.' He mused, with concern and resigned.
"Ichijo-sama, you're still up?" the loyal maid speaks up when she saw Takuma while holding a large stack of books on her hand and on her other hand, carry a tray with an envelope on top. "Oh, I would like to inform you that I've found all the books you requested. Should I bring it to your room?" the maid beamed at Takuma who sweatdropped at the sight of many books. Perhaps, he should have told her that he will only need one book.
Nevertheless, Takuma was grateful for her hardworking to find the books on is requested. "Hai, sorry to trouble you…" he steps toward to maid and noticed the envelope on the tray. "Thanks for your help." His green eyes also spotted fashion magazine on the tray underneath the envelope along with a pen. His eyes spark up with interest, grabbed the magazine not unkindly, and smiles warmly when he saw his lover made the front cover of the magazine. "Isn't he look gorgeous." Takuma remarked, proudly.
The maid just smiles politely as she waits for the noble vampire to grab the mail which he did. "This is…?" Takuma lifted the envelope to his sights, flip it over with confused that had a Cross symbol seal on it.
"That is for Kuran-sama." The maid answered, professionally. "A guest with an appointment has sent in a permit application to Chairman. However, the Chairman informed me that Kuran-sama must sign it since it is his personal business. Chairman said that it is urgent." She explained, civilly.
The noble vampire hummed with understanding. "Kaname-sama is busy at the moment, I'll sign it instead." Takuma said as he tucks his magazine under his arm, opened the envelope, and take out the folded application. He unfolded it and carefully read it while grabbed the foundation pen from the tray. He lifted the pen to his mouth, snapped the lid off while reading silently.
Takuma's eyes widen as he paled distressed when he reaches the bottom of the application. "It can't be…" the cap fell from his mouth in horror. "How can that person personally come here…" he muttered in disbelieving shock.
The maid blinked at him. "Do you wish for me to make clear with the Chairman, just in case?" the woman asked however, Takuma dropped everything and dash off. The maid blinked owlishly with confused. "….you didn't sign the application, Ichijo-sama." She reminded the noble vampire with a sigh. "Oh dear…" life as a maid in a vampire dormitory is never easy for her.
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Moon Dormitory
Aido and Kain Dorm
The door slammed opened as Takuma shouted in fear. "Bad news! Grandfather's coming tonight!" Takuma panted with exhausted from running at a quick speed. In the dorm room, Kain is drying his hair with a towel in nothing but sweatpants while Aido is laying on his bed with a book covered his head.
Aido glanced over to Takuma lazily as he is lacking off his duty as a student. "Ichijo, are you really a vampire? So energetic in the morning…" he grumbled with irritated. Then shifted his face onto his pillow while hugging it. "Just like the vampires in the mangas, you forcibly remind me… you'll probably turn into ashes in the sunlight." He remarked.
Kain shakes his head with amused while Takuma strides straight to the heavy curtains that were covered the windows. The wild vampire raises his eyebrow with entertained when Takuma grabbed the curtain and opened it wide to revealed bright sunlight shines in the dark room.
The blonde-haired noble leaned heavily against the window with desperately. "I would be very willing to turn into ashes if I could…" he said, dramatically.
Aido shove himself from his bed and snapped at Takuma. "Do you wanna die?!" he grumbled about the sunlight is too bright.
Kain huffed as he drapes his towel over his neck and ruffled his semi-wet hair with his fingers. "The person that the Deputy Chief is so afraid of… it could only be that person." He affirms calmly even though deep down, he doesn't like that person as his instinct kept warning him to avoid interacting with that vampire man.
Takuma shuddered in fear. "Hai…" he confirmed while sulking. After a moment that he changed his attitude to serious. He turned around and leaned against the window with his arms cross. "A business so experienced in handling the outside world… to the point where there's no imaginable aspect of commerce that's not involved in… the Ichijo Enterprise. In the night world, even among vampires. He's a force to be reckoned with... Ichijo, Asato, or Ichio as he's called." He sighed heavily. "In the Council of Ancients, he continues to be one of the most senior vampires."
"I'm afraid that's not all." All male vampires turned to Ruka who is covered with a robe over her nightgown. She leaned against the doorframe while lightly touch her thick braided hair over her shoulder. "The Council of Ancients is the highest body in command of our world. However, it's not our sovereign." Ruka indicated calmly.
Takuma stared at Ruka silently while Kain and Aido glanced at each other with the apprehension of the tense atmosphere. "No…" the blonde-haired noble vampire shakes his head. "Forget it. In any case, just leave it at that." He commented and thought about his friend. 'I don't want to disturbed Kaname… even though I know he needs to be informed of my grandfather's arrival…' he mused, worried about the pureblood. He is so exhausted and anxious that he needs his lover's arms to wrap around him.
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Moon Dormitory
Kaname's Dorm Room
Meanwhile…
The ray of sunlight managed to get through the curtains as it dances on the ground. However, it did not trouble Kaname who is sleeping on the large indoor lounge white chair. His hand rested on his stomach while his other arm placed over his head. His chest shifted up and down slowly in slumber.
His mind is filled with a certain beautiful silver-haired and cold amethyst eyes.
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Cross Academy
Chairman's Office
Meanwhile…
"Ichio is coming? Why the hell is the member from Council of Ancients coming here?" Yagari made a bitter face as he crossed his arms while the Chairman is sitting on his leather chair and Zero leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets with a blank face.
Kaien entwined his fingers on top of his desk with a solemn expression. "He informed me that he only wants to have a discussion with his grandson." He explained which made the hunter and young hunter snorted with skeptical.
"More like he wants to see the pureblood." The hunter pointed it out dryly.
Zero grunted, agreed with his master as he vaguely recalled "Ichio" always purely interested in pureblood in his other past life. 'I think I remembered him being interested in Kuran bloodline for a long time. Even got to the point he was obsessed with it… however, something happened to him that someone killed him.' He mused, attempt to remember even though he heard so many things happened in his other life. So many death and losses…
The silver-haired hunter mentally shook that thought away and focus on the present. He listens attentively to his pseudo-father who is explaining about Ichio. "—was the head of the most distinguished clan of Aristocrats and one of the oldest vampires on the Council. He also made the Ichijo Enterprise so large that today all human business transactions involve his company. It shows that humans and vampires can truly co-existence in the real world."
Yagari scowled heavily. "I still don't trust him."
"Because he's a vampire?" Kaien frowned at his old friend.
The hunter narrowed his eyes. "Because he's part of the Council of Ancients. Hunter Association barely tolerates with the Council only because they have the agreement truce." He commented. "One single mistake could cause a war between hunters and vampires and the humans will be at crossfire." He said, warned the former hunter.
The Chairman sighed. "You think I don't know that? I'm aware of the heavy possibilities. Which is one of the reasons why I take my responsibility as a Chairman in this school to ensure there are no mistakes happening."
"Thus, you made two Prefects on the school ground." Yagari affirmatively as he jerked his head at Zero who has been listening quietly.
Kaien nodded his head solemnly. "Precisely. I know I can trust Yuuki-chan and Zero-kun." His gaze shifted from the hunter to his pseudo-son. "After all, I knew Zero-kun can handle himself against vampires as he is a well-trained hunter." He said with a smile.
Zero grunted. "I assumed that you called me here to keep an eye on that senior vampire?" he deadpanned, with knowing eyes. He has never been a call for this type of meeting before, but things will never be the same as his other past life. He knew the biggest change was that his Master is staying for a while. By now, Yagari would leave and return to the Hunter Association. However, that won't happen and Zero wasn't sure how much change it will happen in his future.
"Hai." Kaien confirmed with sheepishly smiling while Yagari sighed in heavily resigned.
The hunter glanced at Zero. "I didn't want you to do this task however, this idiot explained to me it won't cause a stir suspicious if there are Prefects who are only doing their job by watching over the guest. It's one of the rules, he said."
Zero cocked his eyebrow. "You want me to spy on Ichio?" he immediately sees the hidden message between the lines.
"Spy? Oh no…" the Chairman leaned back comfortably with a polite smile. "This is more of a prevent anyone who could break the rules. We wouldn't want to cause troubles." He said, calmly.
The hunters snorted simultaneously as they heard the Chairman's obvious lie but kept it to themselves. "Fortunately, it's the weekend so you don't have to worry about the change-over at dusk. Because the guest will be arriving after dusk." Kaien informed his pseudo-son who nods his head understood.
Zero pushed himself away from the wall, sauntered to the door, and reached the doorknob.
"Zero." The silver-haired Prefect paused, glanced over his shoulder with raise eyebrow with questioning. "After the guest return to his home. Please report it to me." Kaien said, politely with a faux-innocent smile. Yagari's lip twitches with slight mirth in his eye. Zero tipped his head then left the office quietly.
Once the door shut, the hunter's gaze shifted to the former hunter. "You don't trust Ichio?" he sarcastically emphasizes, wondered, and curious.
"It's not that I don't trust vampires… I'm willing to give them chance, however…" Kaien's eyes darken. "Ichio is entirely different…circumstance than your average noble vampires." The hunter hummed contemplatively as he heeds the hidden warning from his old friend's words.
"Keep an eye out for a potential enemy and pray there will never be blood spill."
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Moon Dormitory
Lobby
Later…
There are a handful group of vampires scattered around in the lobby room. The usual group of vampires was waiting anxiously and apprehension for the arrival guest. Takuma is very nervous as he crossed his arms with tense muscles while Shiki is leaning against him with a concerned frown on his face. The model vampire eyeing at his lover with worried, he wants to comfort Takuma, but he knew it would be useless since his lover's grandfather is coming very soon.
Shiki can provide his silent support. While Aido attempt to calm down as he silently tapping his foot against the ground. Rima is snacking on her foods as she is standing a few feet away from her partner/best friend Shiki. Kain has his hands shoved in his front pocket while scanning around quietly.
Ruka flipped her long hair over her shoulder and placed her dainty long finger on her chin with a soft smirk on her face. "If even you have to show respect and come to welcome him…" she scoffed lightly. "It must be a very frightening grandfather." She remarked before she glanced at Takuma's nervous face and ignore Shiki's warning glares at her.
"You know—" Kain speaks up calmly with a chill smirked. "—he's eccentric ten times more powerful than us. That's why every one of us has stopped to spend their free time and gathers here." The wild vampire explained, slightly harsh with the toffee-colored hair vampire who frowns irritated by his rude tone.
Rima gulped her food. "I don't want to admit it… but…" she trailed off with a nervous frowned on her face.
"I'm also afraid, Rima." Shiki assured his partner/best friend gently then glanced up at his lover who is still edgy. "But… compare to Dorm Leader Kuran, I wonder which vampire is more frightening…" he asked, uncertain with anxious. Takuma dropped his arms unintentionally and placed his arm around his lover's waist to provide his silent comfort out of reflex since they are both bonded-mates.
Aido speaks up with a solemn face. "That is to be seen."
The blonde-haired noble vampire jerked his head up at the stairs while his arm tightens around his lover. "Kaname-sama?!" Takuma's eyes widen in surprised and all vampires' heads glanced up.
The pureblood maneuver down the stairs calmly. His auburn-eyes overlook the lobby with slightly raise a questioning eyebrow. Takuma gave a squeeze on his lover then dropped his arm, went to the pureblood with worried. "You don't have to come out personally. Since he's here only to have a few words with me." He elucidated, not wanting to trouble his friend.
Kaname just shakes his head as he reached the bottom of the stairs while Takuma steps forward closer to him. "I haven't seen Ichio for a long time. I just want to come to greet him." The pureblood tilted his head at Takuma with a faux-questioning glint in his eyes. "Can't I?"
"It's not that you can't—" Takuma protest but froze when the familiar powerful aura appeared in front of the entrance of the front door.
All vampires turned their attentions to the doors. Soon, the sound of clicks and it opened inward to revealed the silver-haired Prefect with cold eyes. Zero walked forward with someone follow behind him, then the silver-haired hunter steps aside, and halted with his arms cross.
A tall vampire strides inside the dormitory, he has pale-blonde hair that grown to his neck, neatly pushed away with few bangs frame his face, beard and mustache to make his appearance looked older, icy-blue eyes, fair skin, and wears a black business suit with a black long ankle-length trench coat. Ichijo, Asato who preferred Ichio.
The senior vampire's gaze instantly spotted the pureblood who stared at him blankly. "Ah, Kuran-sama." Ichio greeted, politely. Ichio steps forwards to Kaname while Zero's eyes sharpen on the senior vampire in the background. "As expected, pure bloods are different from nobles. Even if your whole body is stained with blood. You still won't be tainted. Just like the everlasting fragrance of flowers." He reached the pureblood's hand, grasps it, and lifts it to his face while a pair of certain eyes narrowed with warily. "This overflowing youth, strength, and beauty…" before Kaname's hand nearly touch by Ichio's lips. "…I earnestly hope that one day I'll be able to share in your incomparable blood—"
"Kaname-sama!"
"Wait!"
CLICK
Silence