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Chapter 122: Kaname
by lightpathetic
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN… YOU CAN'T FIND HIM?"
Seiren sighed in embarrassment for no reason, really. Her father was a pureblood with his own life and autonomy. She and Kaname had been the ones that had decided on their own he was theirs to send on errands just because he'd been quite affable thus far. It was their own fault. She'd sent him to search for Kaname in Africa and he'd disappeared. There wasn't even any evidence he'd set a toe onto the continent. She was starting to worry. Now, the king wanted him for reconnaissance and he still wouldn't return her calls.
"I've tried the usual hideouts. Even his favourite brothels in Saint Petersburg and Belmopan. Nothing. We'll have to think of something else," she finally, softly replied to her disappointed boss, a severe blow to her psyche, to be sure.
Kaname began the peculiar nibbling of his lips in thought as he sat back in the brown, utilitarian chair opposite Seiren in her new command centre, a small, dour by acutely technologically outfitted office on the lowest floor on the interior of the Royal Family's evacuation shelter as she had no use for vistas that could only be distracting and troublesome as she would have to figure out adequate shielding for the windows. He did wonder at Claude's disappearance given how he'd been reliably able to ruthlessly exploit Claude's passion for adventure and his regard for his "little laidy". It made him think, given Claude's talent, there was something more important afoot. It was entirely possible that he was where he wanted him already. Still, it would be nice to be sure… Kaname reluctantly discarded this train of thought as he had other matters before him.
"Then that settles it. There're no other options but to just go in and get our son…"
"Sir?" This utterance had an inflection that conveyed her reservations without being seen as rude. She knew what was coming next. This, this was why there were so few purebloods in the world. This sort of mania for a fight…
"A team will only be slaughtered if Kei is working for the Hunters… Besides, you must be the only one that expects we would sit this one out..."
"Sir, pardon me for interrupting. Perhaps Zero and I should go in first. That way…"
"What if they kill Kei before you get to him? Or Kei, you?"
"Sir, you're the king. What if…?"
"I'm not just the king. I'm a father. These people have kidnapped my son. I've no intention of sitting this one out. Neither does Sara. If we perish… then it would have been against a worthier adversary. Besides, there's no one on this earth that knows what I'm capable of that would accord me any respect if I hide behind lesser beings to take him back. I'd wanted Claude to increase our advantage. That's all."
"Then they will be planning for you, Sir. It's likely a trap."
"Indeed. So, let's talk strategy instead."
ZERO CLOSED HIS EYES and immediately melted into the warm mass that appeared behind him, enveloped him. He leaned back and held those arms to him, his head rolling to tuck his nose into the hair and neck from which a contented groan emitted.
"Good evening."
"Hi, Kaname. I didn't expect you to be up this early."
"I had an early meeting and, since you've banished me from your bed," Zero rolled his eyes hard at this, recognising Kaname will never grow old enough to not throw a tantrum when Zero deigned to suggest he spent time with his own wife, "I thought I'd come by to see whether you wanted to have an early breakfast with me."
"Sounds wonderful. Are you on the menu?" Zero muttered, raking his teeth along Kaname's neck.
"…God, yes. Tucked in between the Gyokuro tea and the really sexy bowls of fresh melon."
"Sold!"
Zero chuckled and returned his gaze to the sunset, enjoying being there with him like this a while longer.
"I see you're still in the habit of watching the sunsets. Even without me."
"It's not just that. It's lovely here. Why haven't we evacuated to this place before?"
Kaname laughed and squeezed him tighter. Zero well knew the point of the exercise. He'd helped Seiren organise and carry out the entire thing, after all, even though he'd been miffed that he hadn't been told the actual location for obvious reasons. Therefore, he was just gratified that Zero was over his sulk and happy with it.
It was beautiful. The uninterrupted view of the dense forests of … Gorge, alit with the glow of the setting sun, and at night, gilded by the light from the moon and stars. The view seemed to go on forever into a distance of misty, snow-capped mountains, their bases covered in lush vegetation, framed by the clear sky at impending dusk.
The remote refuge had been a chore to access. They'd had to travel by plane, then a helicopter, then a tram to the highest point on the peak before an ancient but well-maintained vehicle took them down a cobblestone drive that hugged a sheer cliff in a ridiculous fashion to a small but ancient religious retreat perched near the edge of the lush rock-face, some of the devotees watching curiously as they approached.
Just when Zero was about to voice his consternation at using such a sacred place for their own purposes to the enigmatic vampire sitting beside him, the car trundled past along the ancient roadway which dipped below the cliff's edge behind the trees on the cliff's face, until they came to massive blue-steel, reinforced gates. These let them through to be met by an enormous underground stone parking lot with stone columns framing massive ceiling high, iron and wood double doors at the far end. But once the doors opened, the inside was a pleasant surprise. Clean polished hardwood floors matched the smooth dark stone walls but the furniture was modern and comfortable, their offices state-of-the-art and their "bedrooms" were technological marvels that led out to the terrace that overlooked the gorge. It was wonderful. A bit cold for Zero's tastes but still a lot like heaven. When Kaname had given his hand a final comforting squeeze and disappeared to his responsibilities and Zero had been dismissed by Seiren shortly after, admittedly, a stern if non-verbal order from Kaname, he'd tried out the pool on the terrace to the most wonderful effect…
Yes. He was definitely keeping this place, this refuge on a mountain, seemingly in the clouds.
"So… you don't mind having to stay here a while…"
"No! I mean… it's quite adequate," Zero assured quickly, turning to give Kaname his evening kiss, pressing his body into him.
Zero was happy. He felt really good for the first time in a long time. It had a lot to do with being comfortable in his own skin and back home with Kaname, safe. And Kaname must have noticed. All the while Zero was looking around marvelling at everything, Kaname was just watching him. But then, Kaname always behaved like he'd seen everything several times over. Who knows, maybe he had…
"What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much. Exploring the place, relaxing, looking at this view. I think..."
"What?" Kaname prompted as Zero fell silent.
"It's nothing... I just remembered I don't know as much about how Ken is now as the rest of you do. Earlier, while I was dozing off in the pool, I noticed this odd black vapour rise from my skin and over the side... I think he uses it to interact with the environment, 'look' around. It was…"
"And what did he find?" Kaname interrupted, quite aware of his son's peculiarities and sensitive about how sensitive Ken was to Zero's opinion. He may not have said it out loud but his expression spoke volumes about how disturbing he'd found it.
"You'll have to ask him. He seems calm, at least..."
"Then I think he approves. He's not the type to be shy about communicating."
Kaname was firm, assuring. Defensive. Zero merely nodded in agreement and returned his attention to the view. He appeared to be savouring it.
"Describe it. What you're seeing."
Zero turned as if in sudden realisation of something important. He then rubbed his head against Kaname's face hidden in the shadows of his head and shoulder in apology.
"I forgot. I feel like it was yesterday we were watching the sunset together."
"It practically was. I remember the last one. On the balcony of that sweltering hotel…"
"I loved doing that… watching your face. I've never seen you so happy to do something so mundane!"
"At least now I know what you love about it. Go on. Don't feel guilty. I'm certainly used to being a vampire by now."
"The sun's disk is just about half-gone. It's glowing gold and reddish-orange. It seems gripped by the peaks and trees on the mountains on the other side of the gorge. There is a rich golden glow over the gorge, touching everything, the water, trees, even your skin…"
"I feel it…"
"It's also reflecting off the pool and the glass. Everything looks dipped in gold…"
Zero continued, speaking low, holding his partner to him until the sun finally succumbed to the treeline and the peaks in the distance. By then the lovers were just holding each other, savouring this peace.
"I really miss how big you were in comparison."
"Do you?"
"Yes. I loved it. It was a hell of a turn-on. When you enveloped me in bed, I got so w..."
"Everything turns you on, Kaname," Zero interrupted, strategically.
"True. Like you standing here half-naked. Aren't you cold?"
"Not right now..."
"Are you sure? I could warm you up…"
"Stop it!" Zero hissed, laughing, darting an elbow back to fend off an attempt at his privates. It slammed into Kaname's ribs on his right side.
"HSsss…!"
Zero turned to look at Kaname in horror. That never happened!
"What? What is it?" Zero's mirth was completely lost to concern as Kaname rubbed his side, his face contorted in confusion.
"It's okay. I just... I didn't expect it to hurt like that. I guess I'm still recovering. I can't wait until I'm back to normal…"
"Let me see..."
"No. Leave it. I'm fine. Let's go for a walk instead."
"A walk…? Ahhh!"
By then the sun had gone to grace other horizons and Kaname could finally see beyond his nose. It was Zero's turn to hide his face in Kaname's neck as they zipped at speed down the cliff, then over the treeline before looping at an alarming pace into the air. He didn't mean to imply he was afraid for his life in Kaname's arms. Okay, maybe he did. He had a thing about heights…
"Open your eyes, Zero!"
"No. I'm good… Fuck!"
This last was when Zero realised they were falling… Head first!
"Kaname! You know I can't stand… Ahh!"
Kaname laughed as Zero grabbed him tightly and cried. The descent slowed and they gradually settled into a hover over a valley, just past where their now familiar horizons had ended and a new expanse of mountains and rivers graced their eyes. Here, one could just see the lights of a town in the distance.
"You know, a human girl couldn't do this for you."
"Yes. That's why I prefer her…."
"Sourpuss."
Kaname laughed again but kissed his terrified lover as they twirled lazily over a lake. Zero did try to return the kiss and to relax. It's not like he couldn't do this himself. Sort of. He just preferred not to. It still hurt like hell to slam haphazardly into the earth when he lost concentration… Kaname chuckled into his terrified face.
"Do you really think after all these years, I'd wait until Ken was protecting you to kill you?"
Zero took a deep breath and removed his gaze from his partner's eyes, dancing in mirth, to his surroundings. It was beautiful. It was nice being up here alone with him. There was a gentle breeze hitting his face, bringing with it the scents of earth, fresh leaves, blooms and faint traces of human civilisation.
"What if someone sees us?"
"Other than the monks, there is no-one around for miles. The park's closed for decontamination. Could take months…"
"You didn't…"
"We did. We needed a defendable perimeter somewhere he wouldn't think of…"
"And an entire famous park being suddenly quarantined doesn't..."
"The cover we've created is impenetrable and we couldn't go anywhere more remote because I still need decent access to govern and you can't handle too much cold…"
"I can see Seiren's face now…" She probably did this to spite him for having to consider his feelings.
"Do you have a better idea? It's only until we're out of danger, anyway."
Zero nodded to end the contention and turned his gaze back to the view. He was used to fighting tooth and nail to get Kaname to not abuse his power and trod on everyone else, especially not in aid of a surprise for him. Yes, it's a spectacularly beautiful place but now it was ruined thinking about all the families that couldn't come here, as he had as a child. Like…
"Poor Kane. I hope…"
"Yes?"
"Seiren says there's been no word. No sightings. Nothing. Kane's always been taken care of, even in prison. He's never had to develop the skills to survive on his own. Yet he hasn't made a single mistake. Not one. I'm impressed."
"Or he's already dead."
"Kaname! How can say…?"
"I'm being realistic. It's been weeks and not a word. Now we can't find Claude. He's never liked the boy. I remember…"
"What?"
Kaname wondered if to mention it. He was used to keeping his discussions with Ken from Zero. But now he knew about him, had it changed?
"It's something… Ken had said to me." He waited a beat for a response, then, "He said he'd had a vision about Kane visiting us. After that I'd increased security…"
"You think Claude had the same one. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know about Claude until this afternoon. I'd wanted him to go in with us…"
"Sorry… What?"
"You heard me. We're going to get our..."
"Kaname, what if it's a…!?"
"…Trap. I know. That's why I'd wanted Claude. To help with unpleasant surprises. But Seiren is unable reach him."
Zero pushed away from Kaname, then, clearly very annoyed with him, but also worried about his friend. He "hovered" just away from him over the water, Kaname "holding" him easily.
"Zero, we'll be careful. We'll also have the element of surprise. Besides, do you really think they have anything that's a match for us?"
"I know you are very powerful, Kaname…"
"I love when you say that to me…"
"…but you're not invulnerable! At the best of times, you don't cover your left flank properly…"
"You got that from Seiren…" Kaname accused, his eyes narrowing, annoyed at her for divulging a personal weakness and certain Zero wouldn't be able to tell such a thing if it bit him.
"…And now, you're also still recovering from a that spell! Who knows what will happen? What if you change into a chicken in the middle of battle?!"
"Sorry… A what?"
"And aren't you alarmed that Claude isn't returning Seiren's calls? I feel like… it's a bad omen.
"Do you think Kane is with Claude?"
Kaname waved his hand, an indication that he'd no idea and still speechless at the idea of turning into a chicken. These fucking spells… Zero's worried gaze roamed the horizon, as if for inspiration. He hoped they were together. And they weren't going to kill each other.
He'd tried to let Kane know he was there for him. That he always would be. All he'd had to be was patient and convince his father he wasn't dangerous. He was incredibly disappointed he'd escaped. It set everything back; them hiding out from him, everyone primed to kill him on sight. He wondered if Kane really was beyond hope. If his sensitive, kind "Apple" was too far gone for redemption.
"I don't recall the last time I had a vision. I wish I knew where he was now."
"You and everyone else cooling their heels in this place," Kaname finally said, having convinced himself Ken wouldn't have used a spell on him that had such a possibility within its machinations. "Anyway, we're going to leave in two days for … We'll just make sure Kaori can confirm he isn't being moved around. That is, if we can keep him sober for that long."
"I wonder if Ken can cure him of his bond to Kei. It must be a huge part of why he's so miserable. Like he'd helped Claude."
Kaname's panic almost showed on his face. Almost. He hadn't realised Ken had done such a thing. Zero must have forgotten he didn't know in his concern for their son. Cure the bond? He sometimes cursed them but he couldn't imagine his life without his bonds to Zero and Sara. He no longer understood not being whole. What if he… tried?
"Perhaps."
Zero sighed and looked back to his lover, missing the entire crisis Kaname had just undergone.
"I'm hungry. Let's go…"
Kaname saw as Zero became distracted by something. He recognised the attempt to communicate. It wasn't perfect but it was better than leaving Zero out entirely. He got his answer as Zero "pulled" away from his "control".
"Ken..." There was a pause as Kaname's surroundings became inky from a spontaneous black fog. "Wants to race you back!"
"What…? Zero!"
But Zero was two kilometres into the distance before the mist cleared and Kaname caught on.
"Cheater!"
Game on!
"DARLING… I CAN'T…"
There was a frustrated moan to match his before Sara's face came into view again where, so far, Kaname'd had a decidedly satisfying view of her round, full breasts as she hung in euphoric abandonment from his grip of her hips to him as he, well, tried to move...
"Kaname…" she fretted. It was enough to convey that she was very close and all he needed to do was fucking man-up and…
"Your grip of me, my dear…"
Well, what did he expect when he'd begun doing that to her? She was swollen, tense, throbbing and aching in places she didn't know existed. Where did he learn…? Oh yes, the "girl" episode. Had Zero done that to him? Really? That practically virginal uptight ex-human?!
No. It must have been Ken. Had to be… Except, and she was certain, – she'd had cause to recall many highlights in her unguarded moments – she didn't recall that manoeuvre. It would have featured highly in her musings given it had all but undid her…
Sara let loose a few more expletives to express her intractable disappointment and curled up to hook his neck, clasping them together, her fierce eyes squaring his own.
"Ffine! Let go! I'll tho it myself."
Kaname loosened his foot's grip on the beam above the pool and they "fell" into the steaming water below them. They were outside, now, but there were few witnesses to their, uh... exertions that would care about the exposure.
The pool ran the length of the marble lined terrace to all of the well-appointed apartments on this level, rather underwhelmingly referred to as "bedrooms", each unit separated by glass partitions on the terrace, lending a modicum of privacy.
The four bedrooms on this level included his with Zero's, and theirs. Zero had taken the one on the far end, so they did feel some freedom. Still, it didn't really matter to pretend given the circumstances that suffused their long relationship and, when he'd realised Zero had locked his door - and him, out - he supposed the unsubtle hint was that Sara should finally have her husband, now, after the last several weeks of being away. Still, Kaname felt a little vindictive that Zero had shut him out – he was of the view that these things should be arrived at after discussion and agreement – so he was all for letting him hear what he could be enjoying himself. Oddly, he then found himself quite into it, greatly enthused by the thought of sharing his enjoyment with his long-time partner.
"Kaname… Kaname! Brace yourself properly, dammit!"
"Yes, my queen…" Kaname uttered wryly as he was positioned against the side of the pool, the almost too hot water somehow fed by a natural spring that then exhausted to the lush valley below them, now touched by the eerie pre-dawn glow. His clawed hands and feet came in handy as he reached to braced himself against the bars of the railing that partitioned them from the sheer, mind-numbing drop to the tree tops below them, one clawed foot finding purchase in the grooves of the stone slabs of the pool.
"Uh."
There was no more complaining. It wasn't long before Sara signalled she was very happy with him…
"Kaname…"
Kaname pushed forward to kiss her, his tongue pressing as deep, letting her taste him, his flavour, the hint of blood still lingering from their earlier activities, before he "flipped" them, changing position to offer a crucial extra bit of massage….
"KANAME!"
This shout accompanied a long, satisfied grunt into the potted plant near the corner of the pool as he felt her insides undulate, shudder, massage him forcefully… He, too, didn't last much longer after that.
"DID YOU HAVE A GOOD TALK WITH KEN?"
Sara forced her eyes open at this and watched her husband towel his hair and body before tossing the implement onto the floor and crawling onto the bed to lie on top of her. She moaned in appreciation of his warm, nude body covering hers, a nice contrast to the cooler air in the bedroom. Heavy shades now covered the folding door to the terrace. She had been almost asleep when he'd said that, considering her deeply satisfied body. She supposed she knew why he'd asked. Still, she didn't want to touch the subject head-on.
"It was okay. I think being guardian has made him a bit soft..."
"It's true. I do find him far more emotional. But that's not saying much where Ken is concerned."
"My poor baby. It's probably being stuck in Zero all day…"
Kaname lifted his head to look into her eyes at this.
"I can attest that being stuck in Zero all day does not…"
"Please. Spare me," Sara muttered irritably, pushing him off her and rolling onto her side, aiming to go asleep and forget that image.
"Yes, dear."
Kaname, undaunted, went to spoon her and found welcome as she melted into him, fitting her hips and behind against him.
"He's probably under a lot of stress. When I realised what had happened to him…" Kaname was momentarily rendered speechless from the memory. "I promise you; I'll do everything in my power to take care of him. He won't forget what it means to be a Kuran."
Sara didn't respond. Kaname knew better than to think she was asleep.
"It's going to be okay…" he tried again.
"So, you say. But you don't really care what he wants, do you? He's in your pet, after all…"
"Another attempt to lay all of this on me? Does that never get old?"
"I'm saying if Ken wanted something else. Someone else…"
"He doesn't."
"If he did…"
"What are you saying? What are trying to say to me?"
Sara rolled over to face her husband. She could feel his anger, his defensiveness.
"You really haven't thought this through, have you? You think Ken will be happy to just let us know he's alive. Do you really think his ambitions have died with his body?"
"The only thing we've ever been at odds about is Zero…"
"It's true. He has him. So, now what? Have you thought of that?"
Kaname rolled over and grabbed the pillow instead and settled to sleep. He was done with this conversation. Ken was happy with him. He knew his place. He would never…
He'd even… tried to assure him earlier.
"THAT FEELS GOOD…"
Kaname had leaned into the firm massage of his scalp as Zero had taken over from his own efforts with the shampoo.
It had been a wonderful breakfast on the terrace. They'd ordered it after Kaname had "caught up" to Zero during their race, after he'd hooked him into a kiss so intense it wasn't long before Zero was undressing him, begging for relief – and who was he to deny him? – and they'd executed a quick but satisfying session, Kaname pinning Zero against the railing with the dizzying drop right below them, sinking his love's surging length into his throat over and over as Zero gripped his hair in encouragement, both single-mindedly focused on his relief and not the breath-taking height. Then they'd breakfasted with the valley as a starlit backdrop until they could no longer pretend they were still "on vacation", prompted by numerous electronic messages to their room which were all, basically, "King Kaname, where are you? There's a call/meeting/review due tonight…" An exasperated Zero barely puckered his lips as Kaname planted a couple kisses apologetically before rising to take a shower and get ready for his day. It's like he hadn't been away! What would they have done if he had taken the time to gestate?
Oh yeah… They were going to execute his queen.
"Zero, if you keep doing that," Kaname had moaned into his shoulder, his body draped in bliss against him as his body slackened to a wonderful torpor, "I'll stop thinking about going to work and stay here with you."
"That's the plan, Kaname."
Kaname tensed then, his head lifting so quickly the sudsy mass of curls whipped forward over his eyes. He flicked it back impatiently as he eyed "Zero", standing there. Ken standing there, as he knew he would. Just from the manner of his few words.
Ken sighed and reached behind Kaname to turn on the shower and rinse them both.
"Are you really that disappointed to see me?"
It was a fatalistic observation which made Kaname look away guiltily. He'd been hoping to figure out what to do before…
"Can you break Zero's bond to me? Can you?"
No sense in tiptoeing around the issue. He had an idea Ken had appeared to find out whether Kaname had registered Zero's admission and his nearly leaping out of his skin showed him up spectacularly.
Ken had shrugged.
"Yes."
Kaname had pushed past Ken and grabbed a towel to dry himself off. He hadn't been ready for that answer. He hadn't…
"Kaname…"
"Stop it. Leave me alone…"
"You have nothing to worry…"
"How can you say that to me?! Do you know how many times he's tried leave me?! How many times I've had to fight…!" Kaname closed his eyes and tried to gain composure, to lower his voice. "Now he knows it's you. He knows you'll do anything for him…!"
"He'll never ask me, Kaname," Ken responded calmly, standing eerily still as Kaname tore apart the apartment, ostensibly to dress, really to exert violence on something other than the true cause. "He loves us both too much to do that…"
"Please…" Kaname scoffed.
"It's true. He knows how much you love being connected to him and he'll never try to get me, your son, to dishonour you that way. As for me, I only care about…"
"Zero's happiness. I know…" Kaname repeated bitterly, discarding a pair of patent leather shoes as he'd torn one of the pair accidentally and "sourced" another pair to be donned more gently, hating that he couldn't exact this loyalty from Ken himself. What did he have to do…?
"If you say so."
Kaname straightened forcefully at this patently irritatingly unsatisfying response to pick a tie but Ken was there.
"May I?"
Kaname didn't answer. He was too overwhelmed to speak. He was sure if he did, he'd scream, and that wasn't usually healthy for persons in close proximity to him, especially in this tiny refuge. His control was vital. Vital…
"You know," Ken began as he placed the tie and began to adjust it, trying not to be disheartened by his father's stony expression. "I can break the bond but… I can't take away the ability to form one. Even if Zero did ask…"
"Would you do it, if he asked?"
He was searching his face, waiting for his answer, daring him to say it to his face. Ken, instead, finished his task and turned away for a jacket. He then heard the sound of the closing door, and a swinging, empty hanger beside him in the closet.
HE'D BEEN GRATEFUL THEN THAT HE'D BEEN BANISHED. He didn't have to think of an excuse to avoid him. He'd simply gone to his wife again at the end of his day.
"I'm not even sure I've forgiven him for what… he did to me, Kaname. Maybe I should. We could pick up where we'd left off."
Sara felt rather than saw the change in her husband. He certainly wasn't thinking of sleep now…
"And, you couldn't stop him, could you?"
"It's true. But he's not the one I would target."
Sara laughed at this, reaching out to cuddle her tense husband, ignoring his petulant resistance.
"Tell me, how did he explain what happened? Oh wait! He didn't, did he? Best to leave it alone? That's why you really 'forgave' me, isn't it?"
Kaname did turn back to face her then. He was livid. The air vibrated with it. Sara laughed again and went to straddle him.
"Your secret is safe with me, you wuss. But the fact still remains…"
"He hasn't mentioned wanting for anything to me, besides protecting Zero. Occasionally, he goes off to do research on spells. His relationship to me, his exposure to us, is incidental."
"I should have known you would try to keep your pet on a short leash…"
"What else would you have me do?"
Kaname was searching her face. He was actually asking. He seemed…
Sara lay her head on his chest and stuck her arms under him to squeeze him to her, to comfort him. So, it wasn't so simple for him. She closed her eyes as he began to run his knuckles along her back just the way she liked.
"We spoke about it, Kaname. He says he hardly remembers why he did it just that he was very angry and..."
"Yes?"
Sara raised her head to look into his eyes.
"He justified it that way. He was upset with me for upsetting Zero. And, he wanted to try something he'd been obsessed about... A pregnancy. He knew I was ready to conceive so…"
Kaname's eyes widened at this…
He'd actually tried this on her too…!
He covered his face. He wondered what they were dealing with…
"He's lost his mind…" he whispered.
"No. It would be a mistake to underestimate him this way. He tried it with me, then you. He looking for a way to give Zero what no one else has. Even you. Maybe, that's the point. He's still trying to win..."
"That makes no sense! Why go to this trouble? All he has to do is screw just about any woman..."
"Zero wouldn't stand for that. Neither would you. Is he trying to do it and keep Zero on-side too?"
"By raping you?!"
"I told you it wasn't… Well… Okay. It was. But he says it was a mistake. You were too…
"I think he just reacts badly to Zero's emotional upheaval. Maybe he isn't as independent as he tries to appear. He exists because of a powerful longevity spell, after all…"
"But don't you see? It's all hinting at what he really wants! Is anyone really safe until he gets his way? He turned you, you, into a girl!"
"Enough! You're just making me crazy! You're just stating the obvious without solutions! So, he tried to get us to give Zero a child! You can't say that isn't what we all wanted. Even you! But he failed. That should be the end of it. Besides, the one person I know is Zero. If Ken tries this shit again, he'll lose him. That's one thing our son is terrified of."
"You actually think he's finished?!"
"Sara. I mean it. Leave it to me. Our agreement still stands. All things Zero is my problem…"
"He's my son too!"
"…If he tries anything with you again, I will take care of it."
"How?"
Kaname didn't answer. His silence spoke for itself. Sara sighed into her husband's chest.
"Still, it would be nice to know what he is planning. If I'm going to bring another one of your children into this world, it would be nice to know they all won't be completely nuts."
Sara rolled off of her husband and tried to settle into sleep again, thinking her husband's patience was at an end with her, as hers was with him. To her surprise, he moved to spoon her again.
"My queen…"
"Fuck off."
Sara felt lips caress her neck then blow. She pulled away and laughed, her heart melting. They really were all nuts, including her. She turned to meet his eyes and waited.
"I'm not angry at you. You know I'm not. I know you're worried about all of us."
Sara gave a rude, exasperated noise and resumed her efforts to sleep, not hating he was cuddling her. Would be nice if he were worried too…
"And I'm glad that you've decided to try again," he whispered. "I'm convinced that's what we all need right now. Who knows? Maybe Ken just misses baby-sitting."
Sara tensed into a sleepy, exasperated chortle as her hand moved to cover her husband's on her stomach.
"That's good," she muttered, countering, "I was concerned you'd be jealous."
Kaname was glad she didn't see the sadness touch his eyes but she felt it. Unseen, her eyes opened as she waited for his answer.
"Of course, not."
Sara sighed. Knowing him, he'd probably begin to resent her for having a womb.
"What do I do with you, Kaname?"
Kaname kissed her neck in apology. He was disgusted but with himself. He knew it was irrational. He knew…
"I think I just need time, Sara," Kaname responded reassuringly. He just hated being given the chance and blowing it. Hated its being so close… "By the time he's born I'll be back to my adoring self."
"She. By the time she is born. And what you're really saying is you need a therapist."
"Do you really want me to tell another living soul about the last couple of months?"
Sara chuckled into the pillow and Kaname smiled and raised a hand to caress her hair affectionately.
"I think your scent is already changing."
Sara rolled her head then and looked into his eyes. He was trying, bless him.
"It's far too early, silly man. But, speaking of personal scents…"
"Is it that unpleasant?"
"No. It's just not…"
"I know, I know. Zero has mentioned it too. He thinks the spell's affects are working their way out of my system. Ken hasn't disagreed."
"…I see."
Sara tried to mask her concern but Kaname wasn't fooled.
"Don't start, Sa..."
"You fool! Kaori is this close to being king and you're completely unconcerned…!"
"There's hope for him yet," Kaname observed, deliberately missing the point. "He'll help locate his brother…"
"I'll believe that when I see it. Fancy keeping that shit to himself! If he weren't my son, I'd…"
Kaname "lifted" them and oriented them into her lying on his chest again. Sara tried to settle but the post-coital buzz was almost gone. She felt her irritation rise at her son instead.
"I mean," Sara began, again, not understanding why her husband or Zero hadn't been as furious as she had. "How? How did it escape him that Kei had declared war on us and we were looking for him…?"
"You saw him, Sara. He was almost comatose. I should have guessed why. My bonds to you and Zero can drive me crazy…"
"Sure. Blame the bonds for how…"
"I'm saying I can appreciate… what he's had to cope with."
"I doubt it's a complete bond. Kei was fine with being away from him…"
"Doesn't matter. It was several weeks before Zero and I completed our bond yet I craved him constantly. I had to force myself to mark time on a calendar so I wasn't getting him to snack on me every single day…"
"That still baffles me. The last person who would understand, you allowed to…"
"I had my reasons, Sara..."
"No doubt bound up in the need to prove yourself to humans. Or worse, to her..."
"That's enough," Kaname demanded, a low guttural growl from the depths of his soul, weary of the rivalry Sara still felt against everyone who'd dare to come between them. "Enough."
Sara bit her tongue and laid her head on her husband's chest, trying to push away the intense jealousy that still haunted her, the regret that they'd waited so long to be married. He'd obviously been lonely. Had obviously craved a connection to another she could have given him. If only...
"Then... I don't understand Kaori's dumping Kei. He stopped seeing him right after Kane went away…"
"He wasn't in the mood to forgive any of us, especially after he'd gone away to look for him. Although…"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"What!?"
Kaname stayed silent a while longer as if to convince himself not to proceed, to not poke the wound, but she was staring at him, her worry an unwinding coil in his chest…
"Zero thinks it was Kaori's trying to save Kei from completing the bond. Maybe he didn't want Kei to suffer as he was. As... Zero and I had."
"He's saying our son was being selfless?! The boy that threw an expensive tantrum for years because Kane wanted his own life?!"
Kaname didn't answer. He was embarrassed enough mentioning it. But Zero knew their children in ways they never would.
And, he wouldn't be the first Kuran to do something ridiculous for love.
ZERO MOANED, FROWNED and came to consciousness, rolling over to search for and cuddle his love. It was an unpleasant but familiar consequence of sleeping with a pureblood. Blessedly, Kaname didn't have many nightmares and they were usually tame affairs, with hardly a whimper out of him. Still, his aura could wake the dead when they occurred and Zero would usually roll over to be closer to him and try to gently wake him up. It was a good formula that had kept him alive thus far, no doubt. Zero began to reach for him and then remembered…
"AAHH! WHAT THE HELL ON EARTH FLYING FUCK!?"
Zero threw off the sheet and ran for the door.
That was Sara.
SARA WAS STILL CURSING AT HER HUSBAND when he placed her carefully onto the bed and tried to examine her for how far into her chest cavity the panel from the built-in cupboard had impaled itself. It had gone clean through her stomach and chest.
"I was only trying to wake you, you son-of-a-bitch!"
"My God, Sara! Haven't I warned you…?!" Zero began, putting his absolutely terrified energy into twitching anxiously nearby and berating her uselessly for her carelessness.
"Leave it, Zero. It's still my fault…"
"What's happened?" Seiren demanded; her robe still being tied as she ran into the room. Her bedroom was down a corridor opposite theirs, into the mountain. She covered her mouth as she saw all the blood and, crucially, the queen covered with it... "No, Kaname-sama! Her heart…!"
"I wasn't going to…!" he began angrily.
"This is an emergency," Seiren called firmly to no-one in particular. A tone sounded immediately from the wall panel. "Call the doctor.
"What happened?" She said again.
"Kaname had a nightmare," Zero elucidated, finally directing the judgmental tone towards the person that deserved it, as he pushed at Kaname to make him move away and began to examine Sara himself. Seiren was right. There was an enormous, jagged plank of wood sticking out of both sides of the queen and lodged just shy of her heart. How did he know it was just shy? Well, she wasn't a pile of ash and the edges were chillingly close to where her heart ought to be. Kaname shouldn't even have moved her! Zero was fighting panic himself.
So was Sara, frankly. And shock. One could tell she was in a bad state, her movements were slowing, but she had yet to shut up.
"He was talking in his sleep, moving around, pushing. Kept saying 'No! Get off me, it hurts. Stop!' over and over. So, I did! I was half asleep myself. He was crying, dammit! I thought I'd hurt him. I wasn't thinking about him attacking me!"
"I didn't attack you…" Kaname began defensively.
"Leave it, Kaname. Just let her talk."
Zero almost winced at what she'd said for a couple of reasons. First, it really wasn't her fault and, he supposed, it was easy to forget since Kaname hardly had nightmares farthest turbulent ones. But… he'd warned her repeatedly about how important it was to stay close to him when he did. He instinctively protected his own body, one, and two, you could more easily wake him to prevent this sort of consequence. Essentially, it was safer to hug him, keep your head down and wake him up when he was like that than to run away.
Second, she'd just told half the people in this place he'd been crying and begging in his sleep. Not a good look on the proud king…
"Sara," he soothed, "it's alright. The doctor is on her way…"
"That's right, the human doctor. I'll die before she puts on her shoes…"
"Not quite, Sara-sama."
Dr Diana Mukwege ran in and gestured for Zero to give her some room, wearing her special pair of glasses she used to amplify the ambient light so she could see. Her eyes looked eerily illuminated by them, all before she switched on the twin side strobes on either side when she went in to examine the wound closely. Sara cursed her blue and hid her eyes but she was ignored.
"Please hold still, ma'am."
She next placed her hands around the plank, feeling around her back and front for the wounds. Sara yawned loudly to imply she was taking ages. The doctor continued to ignore her and only looked up when the trembling nurse bowed and entered. He was domiciled two levels lower than she and had been, no doubt, near comatose at this time of day as a vampire. She wasn't concerned by his tremors or the sheen of moisture on his skin as Zero was similarly affected. She realised there were at least three upset purebloods in the room and he'd described the feeling to her already. She didn't envy him one bit. He was probably holding up nicely in the circumstances.
"I need the imaging and operating equipment. She can't be moved..."
The nurse bowed again and left.
"I can take her if…"
"You move her and she dies, my king," she said quickly, hoping he wouldn't override her orders, "right now, the intrusion is stable, but anything could make her body try to heal and push it out in a direction that may damage her heart." There was a wait as she checked Sara's vitals and monitored for signs of healing before she looked over to where the king stood, holding Zero's hand as he watched. Kaori was in a chair in the corner, staring at the floor, probably wishing he wasn't sober right now. She'd been checking in on him regularly as directed by the king since they'd moved to this location and thus far, he'd been clean.
But what grabbed her attention was…
"My king. Is that… a bruise?!"
Well, it was odd, given the Queen's distress, but all eyes, including hers, turned to stared at him! Kaname bristled as even staff members' mouths dropped open in horror.
Zero reached out and touched the angry, red splotch on his stomach. He blushed, remembering he, himself, had elbowed Kaname in that spot. The thing is… he shouldn't be bruised. Purebloods healed instantly from almost any trauma, certainly minor ones. Hell, including an inconveniently placed wooden stake, say.
"Kaname…"
"Leave it! Sara is…"
"But Kaname…"
"May I?"
The doctor was already beside them, the Queen having given her permission for her to go to him, especially as the nurse had returned and was preparing Sara for surgery – he moved like a real vampire and was cute, she thought. Diana didn't wait for a response, beginning to run her bare hands over Kaname's flat stomach, ignoring his nudity, her dark-brown fingers moderately pressing the right side of his abdomen near the bruise.
"There's swelling, my king. Does it hurt?"
"No!" Kaname retorted grumpily, thoroughly embarrassed to be caught with something as common as a bruise.
"Kaname…" Zero prompted.
Kaname eyed him impatiently and looked away to where Sara was again staring at him as though he'd grown another head, which, fortunately, kept her distracted enough to not complain about the ministrations of the nurse. He didn't answer her. Zero nodded once and mouthed "yes" discretely when she looked at him for support.
"Sir, if I may say, this is highly unusual. There is no way this should happen. Your blood vessels would have heeled and absorbed the interstitial blood immediately. There is no biological mechanism for hematoma in a pureblood. Is it another spell?" She whispered, she thought.
"None that I…" Zero began. Then stopped. He looked at Kaname as he realised that, perhaps... Could it be…?
The doctor nodded as she came to a decision.
"When the Queen is in recovery, we'll have a look."
Kaname ground his teeth at the retreating doctor, quite annoyed to be ordered to attend a medical examination when there was nothing wrong.
Nothing.
to be continued
lightpathetic wrote this but Kaname, Zero and Sara are not my characters. They belong to Vampire Knight.