A/N: Hello! Let me start by saying I'm sorry, and you'll know why by the time you get to the end of this chapter. It's been a couple of weeks and I really wanted to get this out before the holiday season really starts happening. Not that it really means I'll be super busy this year considering the pandemic but I will be working on some side stuff while I try to get closer to the end of this fic. Specifically, if you've read my VK In-Progress chapter 10, I am writing like a 2-4 chapter fluff Kaname X Zero sick fic because it's just been on my mind a lot lately due to being sick and my partner being sick so I'm thinking I might end up posting that soon. It's really cute, I'm not sure if everyone will love it as I do but this page is for taking risks so take the risk I will. Also just a quick note, I have a Discord server now dedicated to my fanfictions. Not just for Vampire Knight but for all the fics I write in my free time, ideas, fanart, just chatting, figuring out what people are reading nowadays and for what fandoms, etc. I would really like to talk to people, to you all, about what should be coming next and keep you updated regularly on how things are going. Possibly because I am socially starved but also because I feel like while PMs and comments are great there are a lot of people I can't reach when things happen such as FFnet going down or getting stupid bugs and I would like somewhere to be able to do that. No pressure of course but if that's something you are interested in I would love to have you, my server name is Let's Talk Vampire Knight or you can follow this link: htpp:/ / discord. gg /VmM5mxrA72 (only with no spaces because ffnet won't allow me to paste full links) again I would really love to chat with the community and this is just the easiest most accessible way I could think of doing so. That's pretty much it for now, please enjoy this chapter it might be a sad one and I will see you soon! ~Len
Ch. 9: Ichiru
Because he and Kaname arrived before most of the nobles he was allowed to spend time in his room and get changed provided he come to the study when the pureblood asked. He agreed only so he wouldn't have to face the group all at once as soon as they got back, flopping down on the bed he buried his face into the pillow, anxiety swirling in his stomach made him suddenly nauseous but he squeezed his eyes shut in hopes to quell it as his door opened. He wasn't surprised to feel the familiar auras of the nobles, what did surprise him was that they didn't feel angry. Shiki was the first to approach and make himself comfortable on the bed, arms wrapping around the child and pulling him upward so Zero was laying more on him than the bed itself. Takuma sat next to Shiki, taking care to begin brushing out Zero's hair that had been tossed in the wind, Kain was the last to join, sitting in front of the bed reaching a hand out to hold onto the silverette's cold one. They didn't talk initially, choosing to allow the child to relax in their presence before anyone started asking questions. Zero didn't like to feel trapped or cornered and would often not speak or retaliate if he was. At least if he didn't feel like he was going to get hurt before they went to the study there was a better chance of getting a more cohesive story without issues. "It'll be alright, we just want to know what happened," Takuma reassured when he felt the child stiffen, Kaname's presence had moved to the study meaning they were probably going to be called on soon.
'I can't justify what I did, if he wishes to punish me I can't complain," Zero reminded himself when the dreaded time came. He made sure not to show how scared he was but allowed himself to cling onto Kain's hand as they walked into Kaname's study. Aido and Ruka were there with Rima, he didn't dare glance in their direction. Facing the pureblood he stood in front of Kain, the older's hand on his shoulder for silent reassurance.
"I'm not sure how much of what we were told is true, since we only heard the story from one perspective but I do have one question I want a straight and honest answer for," Kaname started, he was trying to keep his voice softer than usual, despite that Zero was able to meet his gaze he could tell the hunter was riddled with anxiety over what this conversation would be like. Zero had witnessed him in conversations with clients and other nobles for business having to do with the Council, to say it wasn't the friendliest display of the vampire would be an understatement. He didn't want to bully or intimidate the boy into talking. At the nod he continued, leaning back from the wooden desk. "Did anyone hit you?" he questioned, careful to take in the hunter's posture, any subtle twitches or irregular movement to indicate if he was being honest or not.
"Not...not technically," the reply was far more steady than the pureblood expected but it wasn't helpful. Raising an eyebrow the pureblood prompted him for a more in-depth explanation. Zero swallowed, eyes dipping to the ground before he continued. "Pushing and touching...aren't technically hitting," he clarified lowly.
"But they were physical. Did you fight back when they pushed you?" Kaname's eyes narrowed a bit when Zero shook his head. "When they taunted you?" another shake of the head. "Did they call you names?" a nod this time. "Did that make you angry?" another shake.
"What made you hit them, Zero?" it was Takuma this time that asked, pulling the boy's attention from the pureblood for a moment so he could relax but still give them an answer.
"He...touched me, I told them not to. I told them they were going to get hurt," voice wavering as he stared into pools of concern in front of him, he knew that sounded pathetic.
"Where did he touch you?" the blond had knelt down in front of the hunter, part of him was angry at another kid for doing anything physical to the silverette but mostly he was worried about what it would have lead to had Zero not fought back when the boy hung his head and motioned to his neck.
"One last question, Zero, you didn't hurt the third boy even though he took part in bullying you. What made you stop?" Kaname stepped in again, he was curious more than anything. Again Zero averted his eyes, shoulders slumping as he stood in silence. A tangible weight entered the room, encompassing the child's aura. Takuma wanted nothing more than to pick him up and hug him protectively against his chest as he saw small pools of water begin to form and spill down porcelain cheeks.
"H-he reminded me...of Ichiru," a sleeve went up to his eyes, less to wipe the tears away than it was fabric he could cry into. That was all Takuma could take, ignoring that it could possibly be seen as offensive, he scooped the crying boy into his arms. Zero's legs automatically wrapped around him so he wouldn't fall, he didn't hush the boy but instead let him cry as he was held close.
"I think this is enough for now, Kaname," the blond addressed the pureblood, his tone tight as the sobs into his shoulder became audible. To his relief Kaname nodded, dismissing all but Seiren from the study. It didn't take a genius to figure that 'Ichiru' was a family member, likely a sibling rather than a parent, and going by the circumstances that brought on the memory they were probably younger than Zero. Kaname massaged his temples, it had only been four years since Zero's family was murdered and while the boy had adjusted well in the moon dorms he never talked about them or properly grieved.
"Seiren, find out who Ichiru was," he wasn't sure he wanted to dive into the Kiryuu family case file. He had briefly looked at it a few years ago hoping to get justice for the boy but the Chairman of the council assured him they were handling the situation and told him to focus on other more political matters in the community until they had leads. Kaname rolled his eyes, he should have known better. The pureblood responsible for the murders had long gone into hiding and the council cared little for a hunter clan being attacked, it was likely the hunters had given up as well without vampire aid. There was also the risk this would bring more emotional pain to the survivor, but he wasn't sure since he had no real clue how deep those emotional scars ran in the boy. One day he was fine, the next he wasn't but his behavior changes between those two times were subtle. Another inaudible sigh, this was going to be a struggle.
"Kaname-sama, I have retrieved the Kiryuu file and collected as many records as I could on the family members." placing a small stack of papers on the pureblood's desk Seiren bowed respectfully as she was dismissed from her task. He wanted to be alone while he read through the gruesome details.
Takuma continued to stroke Zero's hair as the child slowly calmed, unable to think of anything he could say to help so he just sat in silence providing as much physical reassurance as he could. "Is he going to make me go back?" Zero asked, having settled into numb silence. He didn't move from the fetal position he had curled into unconsciously but he was feeling okay enough to ask the question that had been riddling his mind.
"I'm not sure, part of it depends on how the school will handle the situation...but I'm sure Kaname will smooth things over. How would you feel about going back?" the older questioned, there was a possibility Zero would be suspended for a period of time or possibly have to undergo some form of academic punishment. But he was more worried about how the boy would handle the possible ridicule from other students.
"I don't like school," came the definitive answer. Takuma gave him a sympathetic smile, ruffling silver locks.
"I can't blame you, but you have a ways to go before you're done with school I'm afraid. Just do the best you can hm?" a short huff was all he got in response. Takuma pondered on a way to get the boy's mind off the incident for a moment before coming up with an idea.
"Why don't we step out for a bit, not too long since it's getting late but I think a change of scenery would do us both some good. We can bring Shiki along with us." he suggested, going to rummage through the hunter's wardrobe for some suitable clothing. Zero didn't particularly care what he wore so he allowed the nobles to choose for him if they were going somewhere. Ruka and Rima were often the most eager to dress and do his hair but Takuma had pretty good taste overall too. The only exception was the noble's fondness for romance books which Zero didn't understand the appeal of. Pulling on each article of clothing he was handed, he didn't take notice of how he looked, busy wondering what they were supposed to be doing at five o'clock in the morning. Most of the streets would be empty, the only exception being the few humans that worked early and the few vampires finally on their way home for the day. Some hunters were likely out patrolling but they always made sure not to run into them. He wasn't sure why he was supposed to avoid them, Kaname never explained so he didn't press.
"Where are we going, Takuma?" Shiki mumbled out, having been pulled from the kitchen where he was munching on snacks to quell his worries after Takuma had taken Zero from the study, by the smiling blond.
"I just thought it would be a nice night for a walk in town, you know some fresh air and a change of pace. Maybe we can stop at the tea house while we're out." he received two hums of agreement, the tea house was a favorite among the night class to visit when they ventured out of the academy. With a destination decided the trio set off from the moon dorms in higher spirits.
Kaname was a pureblood, the prince of the vampire race, his emotional walls were nearly impenetrable and his poise never faltered. At least, that's how it was supposed to go, but he couldn't help the overwhelming anger that clouded his study as he read through what little had been documented of the aftermath. The vase Yuuki had given him exploding in the background went unnoticed as he came across a picture of what was formerly the Kiryuu's living room. The pictures were low quality but the heavy dark stains that covered the otherwise light-colored room were striking. It wasn't as though they had died from a bite wound or well-placed claw to a vital organ or artery, they had been ripped apart. Shreds of blood-soaked clothing had been thrown onto the couches from what Kaname could only assume was the very beginning of the violent frenzy that would ensue. He flipped to another picture. A stark contrast to the previous one, this one had two boys with identical features staring at the camera with the same cool expression. 'Ichiru,' the pureblood figured, quickly skimming the rest of the file to find where the boys were listed. 'Born October twenty-fourth, seven twenty in the evening, Kiryuu Zero, followed by Kiryuu Ichiru born October twenty-fourth at seven-thirty,' he read before leaning back in his chair this time the sigh was audible. They weren't just brothers. Zero and Ichiru were twins. Twins were rare in both the vampire and hunter community, much less twins that survived childbirth. He had personally never met anyone that was a twin but he heard they were often extremely attached to each other. Losing someone that was literally your other half...Kaname couldn't fathom the trauma one would suffer from a loss so significant.
"Kaname-sama?" Kain knocked on the door to the study, he was curious as to what the pureblood had been doing for the past hour and a half since he dismissed the nobles. Even Seiren was downstairs meaning it was something serious. Upon approval to enter he glanced around at some of the broken pieces of objects that lay unnoticed on the ground. His eyes narrowed when the price didn't look at him, Kaname usually gave them his attention even if it was brief, instead, he continued to stare at a stack of papers.
"I'm going to kill them," shivers went up the noble's spine, maybe coming in here was the wrong decision. Swallowing dryly he waited for his superior to continue as the air in the room grew thick, suddenly feeling like the walls were closing in on him Kain reached out in desperation.
"Kaname!" Zero's shout cut through the air like a knife, pulling the pureblood out of his sinister thoughts, looking up he saw the boy kneeling by Kain with Takuma and Shiki in the doorway. As the world slowly came back into focus he noticed how trashed his study had become, a bookshelf toppled, a cracked window, he inwardly winced feeling a shard of glass from a cup he had nearby cut into his hand. Taking a silent breath he made sure to calm himself before trying to address the group before him. He wasn't surprised when the nobles stayed near the door, either ready to bolt or preparing for a fight he wasn't sure. Zero was the one that eventually approached his desk much to Takuma's silent dismay. "What happened?" he was careful, wary of the alpha vampire, but this was still Kaname.
"Zero..." the older breathed his name like a sigh of relief, allowing him to climb into his lap and inspect the healing cuts on his hand. Small arms encircled Kaname's torso when he was done. He had noticed the pictures, he could take a guess at what had the vampire angry. "Don't." the command was gentle, accompanied by the brunette's hand coaxing him away from the images.
"I know what they are, I saw," Zero informed, pain etched its way into his quiet voice.
"I want to know who did this, for our communities and for you,"
"I want justice for my parents, for my brother...but I know vampires work differently. Do you plan to kill her?" the question was asked so innocently yet weighed heavy on the vampires. Zero knew how they worked, there was no jail system or rehabilitation options like there was for hunters and humans. Once a vampire has acted against the rules, execution is the only outcome. Kaname didn't want to answer, he hoped Zero would drop the question but the boy didn't. Waiting in silence until the pureblood gave in.
"That is the way our community works," he settled on saying, unsure of what response he would get. He felt Zero nod in understanding before he pulled back and stared into Kaname's soul.
"If you have to abide by the rules, promise me you won't end up like her. Someone that kills because they have the power and the status that gives them the freedom to do so." at first Kaname was taken back, was he being compared to a ruthless murderer? But, as he was captivated by the swirl of emotions that pooled in this twelve-year-old hunter's eyes, he understood. Zero's life was taken away by a pureblood whose status and power got out of control and now their life was bound to end, he didn't want Kaname to end up with the same fate.
'Nor does he need another out of control pureblood in his life,' he figured but Zero wouldn't say that directly. "I promise." Kaname could count on one hand the number of times he had meant something so honestly, with every fiber of his being he wanted to protect this boy.
"Good." giving the vampire a soft smile he hopped off Kaname's lap and made his way back to the nobles. 'Ichiru would be upset with me if I let it happen again,' he knew his brother was gone, there was nothing he could do about that, but he couldn't help but remember holding his younger twin that night four years ago. Zero could still feel the trails of blood that warmed his hands as it soaked through the material of Ichiru's shirt. Every gasp he took. The wound wasn't large, but it had sliced through the main vein and he was bleeding out quickly. Zero knew he wasn't going to survive, even if he had called an ambulance or someone at the association it would take too long for them to get there.
"Hey...nii-san, promise me...something?" looking up at him with eyes starting to glass over, Ichiru waited for his brother to answer. He knew there wasn't much time left, the pain was beginning to dull and his head was starting to lose hold of its ability to focus.
"You shouldn't talk," Zero chided tightly, focused on his twin's face, he couldn't look anywhere else. The smell alone was making him dizzy and sick.
"Promise me...promise...you won't let them hurt-" he coughed, entire body seizing mercilessly as Zero held him tighter against his chest. Liquid heat slicked his neck, spilling onto his chest. Blood. "-you won't let them hurt you," the younger finished his sentence as he struggled to gulp the dwindling air around them. He was growing cold, hands numb as he clung onto his twin.
"I promise," Zero wasn't sure if he could keep it, but if he managed to survive the night by some shred of either luck or misfortune he would do whatever he could to keep that promise. Ichiru giggled weakly, nuzzling his nose into Zero's neck as he had done so many times before, and closed his eyes.
"Good."
A/N: Now you know why I apologized to you in my beginning a/n, I know the ending got a bit depressing there but I hope it was still okay. In this version of the VK events, Ichiru did die along with Zero's parents instead of how things went in the actual series. I originally thought about bringing him back later on for some dynamic plot stuff but clearly, that's not going to happen. I'm not planning on having him actually have a part in this story outside of flashback scenes that might be important. I have plenty of stories in the works where Ichiru plays a major role so I think I want to keep it to just Zero for this one. I posted the first chapter of a new (already finished) fic here soon called Know Your Limits, if you like more fluff romance, KanemeXZero and a side of sick fic AUs that won't make you cry then that one will be for you. It's short, (3 chapters max I'm looking at I believe) but I think it's a good break from the plot-heavy angsty stuff I've got going on and I would encourage you to check it out if you just need something a little more on the wholesome side. Thank you as always to you wonderful readers, even though I write all the time and I never get tired of it I do really appreciate hearing when you guys like my stuff too. I look forward to seeing you all soon, have a wonderful evening/day and remember to keep reading, keep writing, and live creative. Until Next Time! ~Len