Ren-sama's Note:
Hi, there, everyone~! Thank you for the wonderful reviews for the last chapter! And thank you so much for still reading this despite the slow updates~! ᶺoᶺ
Here's the next chapter.
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Chapter 27
Zero sat in the compartment of the moving train with a glass of milk in hand. He's quietly sipping it while he contemplated on everything that happened. It seemed only three hours have passed before he was found by Kaname and Yuzuru in Rido's mansion. Kaname used their bond to find his location and successfully rescue him from the older Kuran.
His mind was still more than shaken and also tired and exhausted. Even his strength was sapped from his body because of the fact that he was almost raped by another male even though he was male himself. His exhaustion was also partly caused by the immense power control he had displayed earlier. Not to mention Rido's face when he died continued to plague his senses.
The sudden warm hand on his silver locks made him look sideways to Kaname who held a cup of tea. "Save the thinking for another day. You should relax for now."
"For now, huh…" Zero chuckled mirthlessly as he finished his glass of milk before he leaned onto Kaname. "…Thank you, Kaname." For a lot of things… for everything…
Kaname took the glass from Zero's hand and put it on the tray before he resumed on patting Zero's hair in comfort. Really, Zero was just too nice for his own good… He now wondered how the hell Zero managed to kill all the other vampires when he felt sympathy and grief over the death of someone they hated.
Yuzuru, on the other hand, kept on thinking about the events earlier. He wanted to ask Zero about everything. But he knew there was no way he could interrogate his kouhai when the latter looked ready to cry again any second now. He wanted to smash Rido's face a thousand times just so it wouldn't appear in his mind again. He almost lost it when he saw the position Zero and Rido were in. Kaname was no better. The young pureblood looked ready to kill when they saw Zero. But at least the pureblood managed to contain his rage and prioritize Zero's safety…
Zero, on the other hand, looked more than traumatized, though he was strong enough to not wallow in fear, hatred, and depression. He was just like that, kind in his own way. But Yuzuru liked that part of Zero too, even if it sometimes hurt the younger hunter. Even so, there was no way Yuzuru could voice anything at the moment. Not to mention he didn't think he could open his mouth right now anyway, let alone express his presence in the room, what with all the sappy romance movie going on in front of him – courtesy of Kaname and Zero.
"…That person was a miserable man." Kaname talked quietly after a while, making Zero look up at him. "He was called the black sheep of the Kuran Clan. He's the eldest of four siblings and yet he's the most irresponsible and violent. He couldn't get along with anyone, not even his siblings. My parents told me that the clan even sealed him away once because of his unforgivable acts against his own kin."
"What a troublesome man…" Yuzuru voiced, making the statement a little bit lighter than how it would've normally been. Zero nodded at that.
"I heard he was able to get out of the seal because of some noble vampire underlings who helped him. When he escaped from the seal, he started hunting down the Kuran Clan and started drinking their blood. More than being just violent and temperamental, he was then believed to have lost his mind during the time when he was sealed. The last people that he killed before he was once again sealed were my parents." Kaname voiced quietly. "I guess he must've turned your mother some time before or after his first sealing. He must've escape from his second seal because of some connections."
Zero nodded initially, but then both he and Kaname realized that Yuzuru didn't know anything about that, if the sudden wide eyes that the other had were any indication.
"What do you mean… turned?" Yuzuru asked as he stared at them both. It seemed Kaname knew a lot about Zero's past while he was kept in the dark. It's unfair.
Zero sighed before he looked at Yuzuru directly. "Don't freak out, Yuzuru." And he started telling Yuzuru the whole story behind the Kiryuu family and also his past connection to Rido. He even told Yuzuru what happened ten years ago. By the end of his long story, Kaname's hand was already squeezing his own in comfort while Yuzuru had turned immobile.
"Yuzuru." Zero called, but Yuzuru remained frozen in his place.
"I think he just lost his mind from information overload. It's really hard to do when your brain is not that capable." Kaname commented, smirking when he earned a glare from the once immobile hunter.
Yuzuru sighed as he tried to take everything in. He never thought… He never knew… "It's… it's shocking to think that you're a vampire right from the start… I never knew… No one even bothered to tell me anything… All this time… All this time, you've been hunting your own kind and no one told you anything…"
Zero felt guilt over the words, but he still smiled. "I told you not to freak out, didn't I? And besides, no one else knows except Kaname, Kaien-san, you, Master… and perhaps the Association."
"Takuma and Senri already know." Kaname added, earning him a scowl from Zero. "I didn't tell them anything. Takuma just happened to be in the room when Seiren reported her investigation to me. And Senri happened to be Takuma's lover so he kind of told him… Of course, I told them not to tell another soul. They won't disobey my command."
"How sure are you that their mouths are sealed?" Yuzuru asked, obviously not convinced.
"…Simply because they are not Hanabusa." Kaname answered without a second thought and Zero couldn't help but smile as he nodded in assent. Even Yuzuru seemed satisfied with the answer.
"You mean the Association sealed your memories away for their own fucking convenience… and they used you as a hunter even though they knew your background, also just for their own convenience?" Yuzuru asked and Zero scowled at him too.
"I never said it in such a way, Yuzuru. I only told you everything I know. But even if they did use me, I'm still grateful to them." Zero said before he looked down at his clasped hands and the larger hand on top of his. "Even if they did betray me, it doesn't change the fact that they made me who I am today. They didn't hunt me down ten years ago when I was still powerless and weak, but instead trained me to become stronger in both physical body and emotion. They ingrained many virtues in me… a lot of useful things too… and they allowed me to meet many friends…"
"Just a small correction… You don't have many friends in the Association, Zero." Yuzuru cleared his throat and corrected his kouhai, once again earning him a glare.
"…Anyway, I'll make sure to know what's really happening." Zero voiced again.
"I'll ask Seiren to investigate things again." Kaname added. "I don't like being kept in the dark about important things, especially things that concern you." The pureblood said it in a matter-of-fact tone that Zero didn't know if he would blush from embarrassment or not. Yuzuru looked at the two of them in obvious disgust. Not the kind of disgust that came from them being lovers of the same gender, but disgust from their too much sappiness.
"Wait…" Zero started. But he couldn't continue. In the end, he sighed and leaned closer to Kaname before he closed his eyes. "I have to tell you something… when we get back to the Dorm. Kaien-san needs to hear everything too…" And he felt Kaname's arm circle around his waist before he heard Yuzuru's hiss at the sudden affectionate gesture in front of him. He even faintly heard Yuzuru's accuse of Kaname doing something so indecent to Zero in front of him ever since earlier before the younger hunter's consciousness faded away and he fell into a deep slumber. Exhaustion and heavy emotions took toll on his body and he didn't even know how many hours have passed.
When he woke up again, he was a little surprised when he saw that it's already bright outside the window of the train. The sun was starting to rise and he felt calmed by the sight of the morning sun coming into view. He knew it was ironic since he usually hated mornings so much mainly because he's a vampire. But somehow, the sight of the sunrise gave him hope for a new day to come.
"Have you slept well?" Kaname's voice greeted him and he couldn't help but nuzzle at his lover a bit. He liked the warmth in his lover's voice and also the warmth of Kaname's body next to his. He heard the familiar and endearing chuckle from the pureblood because of his earlier action and he couldn't help but smile as well. Yuzuru couldn't help but let out an almost inaudible 'ugh' at their early morning sappiness.
After a while, they all reached the by-now familiar terminal and got out of the train without further ado. Cross greeted them with a smile, but that smile fell when he noticed the strange aura that they all emitted. Even Kaname had a strange air surrounding him…
They were quiet on the way to Cross Academy and Cross drove faster than usual since it seemed his three companions were more silent than normal, meaning they most likely have something to tell him.
After some turns and curves, they finally arrived at the school just as quietly as they left the station. Cross sighed when he finally stopped the car and all have gone out of it.
"Are you all hungry?" He asked with a smile. All three of them nodded immediately and he was more than a little surprised at that. Did they have no time to eat at the train? Or… they weren't able to eat because of something… "Alright! Any request?"
Zero smiled before he shook his head. He deeply appreciated how Cross kept on trying to lighten the mood ever since earlier. Or rather, he's doing it unconsciously and without any effort at all.
They all went to the kitchen and the three of them remained quiet the entire time Cross cooked their breakfast. The only time when one of them talked was when they started eating. Yuzuru mumbled how tired he was about the mission, more than just physically. Both Zero and Kaname couldn't help but agree.
When they finished breakfast, Cross stood up and washed everything before he sat in his seat again. "You want to talk about something right now, am I right?" He asked with a smile, even though he knew there was a huge chance that the news they'd bring wouldn't be good.
Yuzuru sighed before he talked. "Cross-san, the mission went well. We killed all the Level Es in the place, and also, the leader. We also managed to rescue some victims locked up in a room and have their memories erased as usual. It's just that… when I was hunting the vampires down, I noticed that their movements were really organized. It's as if they weren't moving on instinct at all, but on rationality. They attacked me with swift precision and also grace that I was taken aback more than once." He didn't mention anything about what happened afterwards, and both Zero and Kaname greatly appreciated that.
Zero's eyes narrowed at the statements. It's all connected after all…
"I noticed the same thing on my side." Kaname said as he turned to Yuzuru. "Those moves aren't for vampires at all."
"They're for hunters." Zero voiced. "Even though I didn't encounter the moves in this last mission, I know very well what you two are talking about."
"So they're connected to how you became a vampire..." Cross was the one who voiced it. "Zero-kun, who was the leader?"
"It's Rido." Kaname was the one who answered. Cross's eyes widened at that.
"We killed him just as ordered." Yuzuru voiced as well. He didn't want to elaborate how they actually did it though. He wanted Zero to be the one to open up that topic, if his kouhai would ever want to.
"W-What?" Cross's wide eyes widened even more, if that was even possible, as he asked the question in disbelief. "Rido? You mean Rido Kuran? You killed him?" And Yuzuru nodded. "That's… unexpected…"
"Of course, Kuran helped a lot. The three of us managed to defeat and kill him in the end." Yuzuru scowled when he was forced to acknowledge Kaname's usefulness this time. "It was really hard to do and both Kuran and Zero were injured since they were the ones who engaged him in battle directly, but we still managed to outsmart him in the end… with the help of a few tricks of course."
"No…" Zero's quiet voice made them all turn to him. "He's not the leader." He then stood up and bowed deeply. "I apologize, Yuzuru, Kaname. I let the possible leader escape without intending to. I was so shocked so I wasn't able to react when he left, leaving Rido to take care of us."
"What do you mean?" Yuzuru knew there was something dreadful in the words exchanged by Zero and Rido earlier. He just didn't know what it was. Kaname and Cross looked at him as well, silently urging him to continue.
"Kaien-san… He's alive…" And he gritted his teeth just as his whole body trembled at the memory of last night. 'He's alive… All this time, he's alive..."
"Who is?" Cross's eyes turned incredibly sharp because of the sorrowful and grieving aura Zero kept on emitting.
"…Ichiru." And all their eyes widened in shock.
"You can't be serious." Yuzuru mumbled more to himself than to Zero.
"Are you sure, Zero-kun? Maybe it's just someone else who's trying to shake you up?" Cross asked, hoping against all odds that it was someone else. But he still couldn't help but feel the surge of hope that swelled from his chest at the prospect of his other nephew being alive and well.
"I didn't feel any other presence when I got there…" Kaname voiced. Not that he was doubting Zero. He just wanted to make sure of things.
But Zero merely shook his head. "No, I felt his presence. It's the same presence as my twin Ichiru… But… he's different from the Ichiru that I know. He was looking at me coldly, as if I'm someone he's hated all this time. It's as if I did something horrible to him in the past. I don't understand. If he's alive, then why didn't he tell me? Why did he hide and help Rido? I really… don't understand… I want to believe that it's not him too… But I'm sure it's him. He's the only other one whose aura feels like that of a vampire and also a hunter at the same time." Cross closed his eyes in grief at that. For their enemy to turn out to be Ichiru of all people… Kaname, on the other hand, looked like he's deep in thought about something.
"So you're saying he's the one you let escape..?" Kaien asked, not knowing what to feel about the situation. Zero nodded.
"And that… he's the true mastermind behind everything?" Yuzuru asked.
"No, we're still not sure about that. We still don't know if there's still someone higher than him in the shadows." Zero answered. "All I know is the fact that he's the one giving out command to Rido. For him to make a proud pureblood obey him… I'm sure there's something going on deeper here…"
"But Rido didn't specifically say that it was really Ichiru who's the one behind everything, right..?" Yuzuru voiced out, wanting Zero to realize that maybe they were misunderstanding things. "He only said 'He'. That pureblood didn't mention any name." It would be disastrous if they became too focused on Ichiru as the mastermind, only to turn out that he wasn't really the enemy.
"But there are only a few people who can command Rido Kuran to that extent." It was Kaien who reasoned out with that. "Not even the Kuran family had managed to convince him in anything."
"…So he's the one connecting Rido to the Association." Kaname voiced after a while. "No matter how hard Seiren investigated, there was always something preventing her from gaining information. It's as if there is someone powerful behind the shadows manipulating all information and hiding them."
"But… that would mean…" Cross didn't want to say it.
And Zero decided to voice it out for him. "It means he has something to do with the attack which awakened my vampire side that night in the woods. He also has something to do with that hunter who always spied on me every time I have a mission. He also has something to do with the unusual movements of the Level Es."
"But… what for? Aren't you brothers?" Yuzuru asked, totally confused now. "Weren't you so close back then? You're his sibling! Why would he do all this?!"
"I… I don't know." Zero quietly answered, fists trembling as he sat back again. "Maybe… he's blaming me for what happened ten years ago…" He looked ready to cry then and Cross immediately hugged him tight. Kaname also tugged at his mind, giving him comfort through their bond.
"One thing is for sure right now, all his plans involve Zero in it." Kaname voiced calmly as he tried to give more comfort to Zero by discretely putting his hand on top of the other's thigh.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kaname kissed Zero's lips before he hugged the sleeping male tighter. Zero just slept and he didn't want the male to wake up for a while. The teen needed to rest, especially after exhausting himself too far. He too needed rest…
He closed his eyes as he envisioned Rido's face before his death. He wanted to feel satisfaction at the image inside his head, but he could only feel emptiness. He felt rage when he saw Rido about to rape his lover. It was a kind of rage he'd never felt before and a kind of rage he never thought he'd feel in his entire life. It was a rage solely intended for those who dared harm and sully Zero in any kind of way. It almost blinded him, almost turned him into a monster right before his lover's eyes. But he was thankful, in a way, that Rido was way stronger than him to take on alone. If that weren't the case, he would've torn the older pureblood into pieces and still felt no satisfaction by it. He didn't want Zero of all people to see him like that.
He sighed. That rage he had earlier had vanished now, especially when he learned from Zero that Rido hadn't taken his lover… yet. He would've flipped out if he learned that Rido touched what was his. Zero told him before they slept that he was fine, and that Rido hadn't done anything major, maybe except kiss him roughly and put a vibrator in his ass. But Zero could overcome those things because Kaname was way more sadistic in bed… but also infinitely more gentle.
In the end, Rido died and left this world without much impact. His parents remained dead too… They didn't return back to life just because their killer was now dead… Kaname sighed in exhaustion as he too slept. He wanted to just forget everything concerning Rido. Everything…
"I'm glad you're alright…" He whispered as he kissed Zero's hair. "I'm so glad you're alright, Zero…" And he hugged his lover tighter before he too felt the pull of slumber.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zero squirmed in his sleep before he blearily opened his eyes at the familiar burning sensation in his chest. He's thirsty… The whole room was dark even though he was so sure it was still morning when he slept. He groaned at the heavy arms squeezing him tight. The delicious scent that greeted his nostrils almost made him moan in hunger. Kaname…
"Kaname…" He mumbled as he gazed at the neck of his lover with deep longing before his eyes turned into glowing crimson orbs. He inhaled the pureblood's sweet scent before he rolled over the sleeping brunette so he was straddling Kaname. If his mind were any clearer, he would've immediately felt embarrassed at the intimate position. But right now, he's thirsty and all rationality was thrown outside the window. He leaned down and licked Kaname's neck, but stopped when he heard an amused sleepy chuckle coming from deep down Kaname's chest.
"Is my lover being horny right now?" He asked in amusement. Zero merely looked at him and Kaname blinked before it clicked inside his mind. His chuckle became even more amused as he let Zero have his neck once more. "I'd love to wake up like this once in a while…" He groaned in delight when Zero started nibbling his skin before sucking it, aroused fangs grazing it once in a while.
Kaname's right hand brushed Zero's silver locks while his left hand traveled down the hunter's back, inside his shirt. He then touched Zero's stomach with his fingers teasingly which earned him a groan from the other vampire.
Zero stopped his ministrations and licked the neck one more time before he slowly sank his fangs deep. Kaname moaned at the intense pleasure that immediately raked his whole body and he cupped Zero's ass with his two hands before he squeezed the two mounds. The act made the hunter gasp but he didn't stop drinking blood.
Kaname nibbled the hunter's ear and he watched in amusement as it turned completely red. After a while, Zero finally released his neck and the pureblood used that chance to roll their bodies over. The brunette smirked as he straddled the hunter with his legs. Zero's eyes widened and he immediately blushed when Kaname sat on his waist before the brunette slowly undressed himself in front of the hunter.
"Kaname… We're in my room." Zero warned. He didn't want Cross or even Yuzuru to come in without warning and find them both in strange positions. That would be the end of Zero Kiryuu and he would most likely dig up a hole and live there for the rest of his miserable life. But maybe living in a hole with Kaname was worth it.
Kaname grinned. "Don't worry. I'll make sure they won't be able to open that door for a while." He slowly took off Zero's clothes as well while he used his hands to explore the hunter's body. How he loved touching Zero…
Zero found himself relaxing at the gentle touches while at the same time feeling his pants tighten with every exploration Kaname did. "Kaname…" He groaned when the pureblood's hands traveled from his white creamy chest down to his taut stomach and at the same time kissing the pert nipples. "Kaname…" He repeated. "Don't tease me…"
Kaname's seductive chuckle greeted his ears and he couldn't help but blush just as the pureblood leaned down to kiss him passionately. The brunette used his tongue to coax the hunter to open his mouth and the latter readily complied. Zero cupped Kaname's cheeks and returned the kiss with equal fervent.
After a while, Zero found himself completely naked under Kaname while the latter kept on giving him butterfly kisses all over. "Zero, I… I'm thirsty…"
Zero blinked, finally having a good look at his lover's eyes. He saw two crimson orbs looking at him unsurely and he couldn't help but sigh. "You don't have to feel hesitant, Kaname."
"I don't want to force you into–" Kaname's eyes widened when he felt Zero's soft lips covering his own. The hunter circled his arms around his lover's neck and pulled him even closer. Kaname groaned in pleasure and want when he felt Zero's tongue in his mouth.
When they parted for air, Zero immediately blushed at his daring action while Kaname looked amused. The brunette grinded their erections together, making them both moan, just as he slowly sank his fangs in soft flesh. He gently sucked blood just as he pleasured both himself and Zero by repeatedly rubbing their weeping members together.
Zero could do nothing but drown in pleasure as he gripped the sheets tightly with clenched fists for leverage. Kaname seemed to have lost control for a while since he suddenly sucked blood none too gently. Zero's eyes immediately widened at that and his mouth formed a silent scream just as he felt himself climaxed at the sudden skyrocketing pleasure, filling both their stomachs and members with the sticky liquid.
Kaname smirked at that, earning an audible growl from the hunter. "What?" The pureblood innocently asked as he looked at his lover then.
"You're such a pervert... and a sadist." Zero scowled, though his face was adorned with a charming blush, making Kaname laugh. The hunter was about to give some foul comment again but he could only let out a loud half gasp and half moan when Kaname parted his legs in a matter of seconds and thrust inside him without any warning.
Kaname's eyes darkened with undeniable lust as he got even more turned on by the hunter's voice. His eyes glinted dangerously as he smirked. "Oh, Zero… believe me when I say you won't be getting any sleep tonight." And Zero's eyes widened as he gulped in dread at those words. His fingernails dug on Kaname's back as he arched his back when the thrusts got faster and deeper. His screams were muffled by a pair of lips covering his own.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Zero… don't you want to transfer to the Moon Dorm?" Kaname asked silently. He was lying on his back while Zero was nuzzling against his neck. They just finished their more than wild and passionate, not to mention all-night-long, lovemaking and both were too exhausted to even put on any clothing. The only thing giving them warmth right now was each other's body and the comforter that covered them both. The sun would be rising any time now and both were already far too tired.
"Moon Dorm..?" Zero asked sleepily.
"Yes, I want to properly tell everyone who you are in my life." Kaname voiced as he kept on brushing his lover's hair. "I want to see you always. I want you near me all the time."
"But that's…" Zero furrowed his eyebrows as he tried to think about it, though sleep and exhaustion were making it hard to concentrate on anything right now. Moreover, Kaname's silent, even breathing lulled him to sleep and the brunette's warmth gave him comfort.
"You are one of us, Zero. Right from the start…" The pureblood reasoned as he continued to absentmindedly brush his finger on his lover's hair. "Not to mention that you're not just any vampire. You're a half-pureblood, Zero. No matter what other vampires or hunters might say about your mixed race, you are still above all of them. I want you to receive the same reverence and treatment they give me."
Zero furrowed his eyebrows even more at that. "I never wanted… that kind of treatment…" He felt Kaname's disappointed aura and he couldn't help but sigh. "I… I'll think about it."
"Thank you." Kaname said as he kissed Zero's forehead. "And also… I already finished with the paperwork about your transfer."
Zero arched an eyebrow at him. "You're pretty confident that I would transfer, aren't you?" Kaname nuzzled against his neck then.
"I just want to be with you faster." Was the answer and Zero couldn't help but sigh. But even if he wouldn't admit it, he knew that he needed Kaname right now much more than any other time especially since he could feel his world slowly crashing down upon him.
"Kaname…" Zero whispered the name, making the brunette look at him. Zero returned the gaze with pleading eyes. "Don't leave me…"
Kaname looked surprised for a while before he shook his head. "I will never leave you, Zero." He gave his lover a chaste kiss on the lips before he hugged the hunter tighter. "I'll never leave your side no matter what happens." Zero seemed satisfied with the answer since he let himself be pulled into deep slumber after that.
The two of them slept for the whole day and only went downstairs to the kitchen when the sun had already set. They both yawned in unison as they sat on a chair beside one another. Cross beamed at them as he gave them milk and tea. "How's your sleep?"
Kaname looked at Cross in case the chairman was indicating something else entirely. But the latter wore an innocent look so Kaname figured he was talking about sleep itself. "We managed to get well rested, Chairman."
"Yes, it took you the whole day yesterday and today just to get your rest. I doubt you got any proper rest though." Yuzuru's voice from the living room greeted them just before the hunter's head peaked at the kitchen. He was together with Yuuki. Zero scowled and blushed at his implied words, making his senpai smirk in return.
"Good evening, Zero-kun, Nii-sama." She beamed at the sight of them.
They ate dinner while chatting animatedly to one another, momentarily forgetting about the incidents during their last mission. But the whole thing still weighed heavily in their minds even without anyone pointing it out. Cross washed the dishes after dinner as usual just as Yuuki excused herself since she still had prefect duties.
For some minutes, Kaname was just staring at Cross's back, as if deciding whether to talk or not. "Kuran-kun, I know you want to tell me something." Cross initially said, until he realized what it was because of the pureblood's expression. "Oh, is it about the transfer?"
Kaname sighed at that. Leave it to Cross to know everything even without any exchange of words. "Yes, Chairman." He answered, making Yuzuru, who was still drinking his coffee look at them in confusion. "I asked Zero about it and he's willing to give it a try."
"Give 'what' a try?" Yuzuru asked as he looked at Zero and Kaname with furrowed eyebrows.
"Kaname asked if I was willing to be transferred to the Moon Dorm." Zero answered calmly, but Yuzuru's eyes already widened at that. "I said I'd give it a try." Yuzuru gritted his teeth before he started voicing his side on the matter.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zero looked elsewhere, fighting the urge to squirm in his position due to the gawking students in front of him. He was currently in the Moon Dorm's huge living room, wearing a set of beige Night Class uniform. Kaname had just introduced him to everyone as a new part of the Night Class family.
The pureblood looked smug at the fact that Zero looked so damn breathtaking in that uniform, but he was more than annoyed at the gawks that students kept on giving the hunter. He knew they were probably imagining indecent things inside those minds of theirs, but they very well knew that Zero was already off-limits.
"As you all know, Zero Kiryuu is my Blood Mate as well as my lover." Kaname announced in front of everyone. "You will give him the same respect and reverence that you give me. You will not do him harm in any kind of way and I will make sure to greatly punish anyone who would dare lay a hand against him." Despite the fact that many vampires were still not used to inhaling the hunter's overly irresistible scent, all of them voiced their assent to their leader's unmistakable command.
Takuma looked like a teary-eyed mother while looking at Zero and Kaname, obviously too proud that his friends were finally official lovers and mates now. Shiki, on the other hand, looked satisfied at the fact that Zero was officially off-limits for Takuma now, still firmly believing that the hunter was his rival. Kain and Ruka held hands as they remembered the day that Kain officially announced their relationship to everyone. Meanwhile, Aido didn't know why but somehow, the scene was making him teary-eyed for another reason than happiness. Zero looking so damn gorgeous in his new uniform brought immediate happiness to him so he couldn't understand why he wanted to cry so much.
The blonde received a pat on the shoulder, courtesy of Rima, and Aido blinked at her in confusion. The female model could only sigh at her classmate's denseness. Everyone knew he liked Zero more than a friend except him.
"Kaname, are you sure this is fine?" Zero voiced quietly, even though he knew that most of the vampires in the premise could still hear him. Kaname merely gave him a reassuring smile and silently answered his question with a nod.
The two of them still haven't told anyone that Zero was actually a half-pureblood since they didn't want to surprise the Night Class students with that information. The brunette wanted to share the information to his closer subordinates first before he'd let other people know.
All of them readied for the gate to open after a while as they walked out of the Moon Dorm. Zero scowled at the sight of the fan girls squealing at them, though they were lined up properly as always, courtesy of one Yuzuru Takano's glare and Yuuki Cross's tearful plea. They also squealed even though they looked confused when they saw Zero among the Night Class students.
Now that Zero remembered about Yuzuru, he remembered how the male got angry when he opened up the topic about him transferring to Moon Dorm. They both knew that Yuzuru wasn't really angry at him but at the situation, but his senpai still couldn't help but say some nasty things to Kaname. Right now, Yuzuru stood not too far from the Moon Dorm's gate, eyes closed as he scowled. He was obviously still angry… Zero sighed as he continued walking, not knowing that Yuzuru's eyes opened then and looked at him with a pained look.
"Are you alright?" Kaname asked as they entered the inner circle of the school. Zero only nodded, still thinking about it deeply. "I'm sure he'll be able to accept it." The brunette voiced soothingly, just for Zero's ears to hear. The hunter nodded again, indicating he hoped so.
"But, really, Kiryuu. I was shocked to know that you agreed." Aido spoke aloud after a while. "You're always against us vampires. But now–Ouch!" He glared at Kain when the latter elbowed him on the side for his insensibility. The redhead male gave him a smirk when he appeared offended, fueling Aido's annoyance even more. "You did that on purpose, didn't you!?" Zero saw that encounter and he let out a small smile. He didn't think that they acted like this all the time.
It was still foreign to him, walking on the same path as the vampires that he once hated with vitality. But it wasn't as depressing anymore, especially since he's walking the path together with Kaname.
The pureblood appeared cool and collected even when there was already a fight behind him, courtesy of one annoyed Aido and a grinning Kain. Ruka kept on giving Aido some foul comments too so the fight was never-ending. Takuma and Shiki, on the other hand, were being so lovey-dovey not too far away and Zero couldn't help but sigh. No wonder Kaname chose to just stay silent most of the time, not wanting to strain his voice by scolding them always.
They all entered the classroom and class started after a while. Zero was very much aware that all eyes were still on him even though he could see no one looking at him in particular. He wasn't used to wearing the Night Class uniform yet and he knew it would be a long time before he'd get used to it, just like how he wasn't used to wearing a school uniform when he first transferred to Cross Academy. That day when he transferred to this school seemed so long ago now… He was still a naïve hunter back then, firmly believing the Association and its teachings.
And before he knew it, class had already ended and Kaname was already sitting beside him and looking at him in concern. "Zero, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm just… not used to it, I guess." He answered quietly. He was so used to studying while seeing the freaking ball of heat outside the window. But right now, the lights in the classroom were on while he could see nothing but darkness outside. Not to mention he wasn't studying together with Yuzuru and Yuuki but with Kaname and the others.
Kaname gave his lover a small smile before he urged Zero to stand up. They would go back to the Moon Dorm to have dinner before the sun rises.
Zero yawned, still not quite used to staying fully awake at night yet, before he left the vicinity together with his lover.
After they had their dinner, most of the vampires returned back to their rooms and slept. Some stayed late to study or do some other mischievous things but Kaname's inner circle was not in their usual place in the living room.
"What do you wish to tell us, Kaname-sama?" Aido asked as they all sat in the Moon Dorm's private chamber, a place where only the ones closest to the pureblood were allowed to enter – meaning the nobles and now Zero. They just finished dinner and were about to go to their respective rooms when Kaname called for them there.
Takuma and Shiki sat beside one another on the couch together with Rima while Kain and Ruka sat on the other couch together with Aido, facing the formers. A low glass table was in between the two couches and a third couch adjacent to the two others was occupied by Kaname and Zero alone. Seiren stood behind their Leader silently.
"I want to tell everyone about the incidents happening all this time." Kaname's voice was loud and clear, lessening a bit of Zero's fear and worry. "First and foremost, the unusual things that happened in this village as well as in the Council are interconnected to one another."
"What do you mean, Kaname?" Takuma was the one who asked everyone's silent question.
"Zero's arrival here as well as Maria Kurenai's visit are connected. Rido Kuran and Kurenai-san are also connected to one another." Everyone flinched at the mention of the names as they stared at Zero. The latter did his best to make his expression unreadable. He might not be ready to share many of his past experiences, but both he and Kaname knew that the enemy was nearing them and they now have to make some drastic plans.
"Can you elaborate that, Kaname?" Takuma asked again. Kaname looked at Zero and silently urged him to tell everyone about the incidents in his own words.
Zero breathed deeply as he began. "Some months ago, I was suddenly given a mission to spy on two important people in both the hunter and the vampire world – Kaien Cross and Kaname Kuran." Kaname didn't react at all while Ruka and the others suddenly looked betrayed and disappointed, not to mention angry. It meant that Zero was here all this time to spy on them and their activities. But the fact that Kaname remained calm despite that proved to them that the pureblood already knew.
That didn't deter the hunter from continuing at all since he knew those reactions were natural. He told them all how he was turned with the help of another hunter. He also told them of his real relationship with Cross as well as the fact that Kaname offered him blood. He also told them that he was relieved from the mission a long time ago. Those words somehow dissipated the tensed atmosphere inside the room.
"I thought you'd never mention that." Aido sighed in relief when everyone calmed down.
"But that doesn't change the fact that he spied on us." Ruka voiced softly, afraid that her statement might anger their leader.
"I think you might be forgetting that I'm a hunter." Zero scowled. "Of course it's my duty to do missions like that." Kaname couldn't help but smile. He already told Zero that he was glad the hunter was the one who did the mission.
"We all wonder why Zero's presence as well as aura feels different from everyone, even from hunters like him." Kaname voiced after a while. Those words immediately captured everyone's attention. "We have learned something about that in the duration of my investigation."
"I believe Seiren was the one who investigated everything, not you." Zero initially said, but he bit his lip and scowled when Kaname gave him an innocent smile which spoke of sadism and perversion. The hunter kept his silence after that, much to the amazement of the noble vampires. Even Seiren blinked at the fact that Zero, his Master's Queen, was acknowledging her. She smiled a tad at that.
"Like I said, during my investigation of Zero and his background, I stumbled upon a deeply buried information about his identity." Kaname said as he touched on the link of their bond, giving silent comfort to the hunter. Zero readily accepted the kindness of his lover as he waited for Kaname to say the words. "Shiro Kiryuu, Zero's father, was a pureblood vampire and not at all a hunter."
The noble vampires' eyes widened as they stared at their leader and Zero with both disbelief and shock. Only Takuma and Shiki, who already knew that information for some time now, were the ones who weren't wide-eyed and gaping.
"W-What did you say, Kaname-sama..?" Aido asked the question with shock written all over his face. It shocked him when he learned that Yuuki was once a pureblood vampire and was even the blood sister of his beloved Kaname-sama. But for Zero, a hunter of all things and someone believed to be a Level D, to be a half-pureblood vampire and half hunter…
"Like he said, Kiryuu is a half-pureblood vampire and half-vampire hunter, idiot." Shiki voiced as he glared at Aido, who equally glared at him for being called an idiot.
"N-No wonder you have that power!" Aido blurted out as he pointed at Zero, remembering the hunter's display of power during that one mission. Zero stiffened greatly at the statement but he didn't appear offended or annoyed. He was just surprised that Aido would voice that one out loud. Aido seemed to have realized his mistake then and covered his mouth, looking at Zero apologetically. "S-Sorry, Kiryuu." He then looked at Kaname in fear.
"I already know about it." Kaname voiced as he held one of Zero's hands, making the hunter scowl as he blushed. The noble vampires pretended they didn't see how the intoxicating blood rushed up to the hunter's pretty face.
"No wonder you transferred him here then, Kaname-sama." Kain spoke after absorbing everything. "And that also means that Kiryuu is really closer to you in blood than to us."
"Yes, I believe so too." Kaname answered. "Didn't I say you will all give the same respect and reverence to him as you do to me?"
"There is one more thing." Takuma spoke when Kaname gave him the signal. "Zero-kun's hunter mother was actually bitten by Rido Kuran while she was pregnant with her twin sons. It means that Zero wasn't born as half-human and half-vampire. He was born as a full-fledged half-pureblood vampire with hunter blood."
Aido suddenly laughed. "That's a very long title you have there, Kiryuu!"
"…Don't laugh." Zero growled as he scowled, knowing full well how true Aido's statement was. It sounded like he was a very rare animal now. And yet, Aido still continued to laugh, only stopping when he received a not so gentle punch on the head from his cousin, resulting to another set of verbal assault between the two.
"Silence." The word was barely whispered by Kaname, but everyone still stopped speaking. Heck they even stopped moving altogether, making Zero grin.
"What do you mean 'Rido bit Zero's mother'?" Kain asked again. "How… did that man even find out about Zero's mother in the first place?"
"My father was Rido Kuran's friend." Zero was the one who spoke this time. "That man bit my mother in revenge because my father left him and cut off their relationship as friends when he met my mother. My father had done everything he could so he wouldn't bite the woman he loved and turn her into a monster. But someone else did."
"I… I'm sorry." Aido suddenly mumbled, feeling guilt over the fact that he laughed at Zero's circumstance. "I didn't mean to laugh at you…"
Zero blinked at him. "No, it's fine. I also find that long mixed race title very disturbing."
"There's one more thing that everyone here needs to know, including you, Zero." Kaname spoke and Zero immediately looked at him in confusion. "I made Seiren investigate more about your father. And she found out a lot of things about him." Zero's eyes widened at that. He couldn't remember much about his father since his memory was blurred, but the prospect of knowing a lot of things about Shiro somehow brought ache in his chest. "Do you want to hear it?" Zero only nodded as he looked at Seiren.
The female vampire bowed at both Kaname and Zero before she started. "According to the information I got, Shiro-sama used the surname 'Kiryuu' to hide his identity. He's actually the Head and also lone survivor of a long lost lineage of old pureblood families. Vampire Hunters were more aggressive back then, killing even the purebloods and drinking their bloods. One of the families who lost most of their members was the clan where he came from."
Zero felt cold for some reason. He knew it happened a long time ago, probably even before his grand grand grandparents were born. But it still haunted him. His father was the lone survivor of his clan… Just like how Zero felt after his family's supposed death…
"Are you alright?" Kaname asked quietly, making Seiren stop for a while. Zero looked at him and nodded. "Are you sure?" The pureblood got another nod. He looked at Seiren and commanded her to continue.
She bowed a little before she continued. "Shiro-sama hid from both vampire and hunter society for a long, long time. It made everyone believe that his clan had died out. After a thousand years, twenty years ago to be exact, he showed himself to society once again. But the world has changed greatly then. Peace has been restored and the Vampire Hunters only hunted Level Es and Ds. Instead of going to the vampires' side, however, he chose to visit an old hunter family by the surname of Cross. Shiro-sama didn't want his lineage to end even with him as the lone survivor so he used a different surname. That's when he met Zero-sama's mother."
"Did you investigate how he managed to meet Rido? Or what his real surname was?" Kaname asked. Those questions were the most important ones. He needed to know whose clan Zero belonged to.
Seiren meekly nodded. "Rido-sama had become his friend before he disappeared. When he disappeared, Rido-sama seemed to have lost his sanity and started devouring his kin in the hopes of finding his beloved person when he's finally more powerful."
Zero closed his eyes, suddenly feeling guilty at the fact that his father was the cause for Rido's slaughter of the Kuran clan. All those times… Rido wanted nothing but to be closer to Shiro. He wanted power so he could find Shiro and be with the person he loved. It was saddening how life was too complicated…
Kaname could feel his lover's distress and he wanted to be alone with Zero now so he could comfort the hunter. But he also knew that he needed to finish the meeting because it was just as important to tell everyone about everything.
"And… Shiro-sama's real surname is… Shiryuu." And everyone's eyes widened as they all stared at Zero, who could only blink at them in confusion.
What now..?
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.tbc.
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Ren-sama's Note:
Well, that's it for now. Sorry for the cliffhanger. Anyway, review? ᶺoᶺ