Arms and Weapons Department
Hunter's Association
Japanese Division
Ear-piercing warning sirens went off and based on its beat, everyone in the underground facility already knew what it was about.
This has never happened before.
He stood and calmed himself and before he even reached the door, it opened to reveal the stricken face of his secretary. Their eyes met and the secretary was searching for something in him, anything that can appease his fear and tension. He couldn't give him that. He doesn't know what happens next and how it will affect everything.
"I have to see it." He told the man in suit who bowed and gave way for him to go first.
Just a little over a week ago, they noticed the shrinking size of the Blue Flame. Since then, they tried to do as much research on any history of a similar situation but found none. For more than over ten thousand years, the flame was steady and as strong as the night it was discovered.
The previous Department Heads had no idea what was happening and they feared that if it didn't stop shrinking, it would eventually die.
And today, their biggest fear has come true.
Right in the middle of the big furnace where they forge metals to create the anti-vampire weapons their hunters use all over the world, is the absence of the flame that has become the center of the Hunter's Association's fight against vampires.
The most guarded area in the whole world right now is the Hunter's Association's Japanese Division. It's not a secret that this division is the center of the global association of hunters, because history says this is where it all started.
The Blue Flame is the association's best kept and most protected treasure. The progenitor, also called the Hooded Woman, who sacrificed her life for the creation of the weapons that could destroy her kind, created the first set of anti-vampire weapons. The unique set of weapons are easily identified through their markings. The markings symbolizes the beliefs and values of the Hooded Woman.
According to the records, after the first set, they didn't think they could create new anti-vampire weapons again until they noticed that even when they stopped adding wood to the furnace, it never died and its fire eventually maintained the color blue- the hottest flame that is perfect in forging metal.
They continued to use the fire to forge more without thinking it might still contain the toxin or magic that is present in the anti-vampire weapons that the Hooded Woman created. Until they found out that it still does- a little less powerful than the first set, but can still subdue a vampire.
The only difference is that the Hooded Woman's weapons are powerful enough to put down purebloods and the Blue Flame's weapons cannot.
Regardless, it is still a huge help and they don't have a backup plan of some sort.
They don't even know what or who created the Blue Flame. If it was the Hooded Woman, she's gone now.
"What are we gonna do now, Master?" his secretary asked.
"Call all the department heads and the president for an emergency meeting."
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Summer Festival
Cross Academy
"I fucking have no idea what to do." Kaito uttered, bouncing and swinging his legs anxiously.
Zero watched him flip the pages of the teacher's book, reading it and then cursing afterwards. He'd move to the next page and then curse again.
This made Zero burst out laughing. He'd never seen him like this. Not when they were kids and not when hunting. He couldn't stop laughing. The older hunter looked so helpless and desperate.
Kaito glared at him, but eventually laughed with him. "Teaching them is more difficult than killing them huh."
"All I know is that I don't want to be you, right now." He shrugged and stood to replace Yuuki with patrol so she could enjoy the booths.
"Well, I don't want to be you, ever!" Kaito retorted with a smug smile, "I'd rather kiss a dog's ass than a vampire's mouth."
Zero knows Kaito's tongue is as sharp as his dagger but while he means what he says most of the time, he chooses to ignore that in favor of the times that he is less annoying, for old times sake.
So he gathered all the books Kaito laid out on the stone table and smashed him on the head before leaving so quickly. He heard him screech in pain and threatened to get back at him when he's done studying.
Kaito will start teaching the Night Class on Monday. Zero can't imagine what a mess it's going to be but that's not his problem anymore.
He received a mission for tomorrow and he's excited to go, after not getting some for a while. He'd been joining Kaito's exercise routine and observing him on his missions and with everything he'd learned so far, he couldn't wait to apply them on his own missions.
Maybe Kaito isn't gonna be that bad as a teacher?
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"Is something wrong, Kaname-sama?" Takuma asked when he noticed the pensive look on the pureblood next to him.
They're now in the headmaster's office. Kaname is sitting on the single sofa with his back fully pressed on the backrest, eyes cloudy with some memories he's recalling and long fingers tracing his lower lip back and forth.
"Please… don't mind me." Kaname said, sitting straight this time and collecting his bearings.
"Understood." Takuma acknowledged. But since the headmaster is still out and by the faintness of his aura, he seems to still be in the kitchen getting what he promised to be great baked goodies, he decided to ask, "About the final trials… for the Neuron Ionizer…"
"So it has a name." The pureblood commented.
"Uh, yes. That's what it does. It's supposed to ionize neurons that keep memories." He explained, but decided to get to the point. "Should I cancel it?"
Kaname sighed, fingers leaving his lips to press his temple.
Takuma knows it was a difficult decision. Kaname is rearranging his plans to accommodate Zero. He knew somewhere along the way that it would all come to this. Watching Kaname watch Kiryuu Zero was enough to convince him that it's all over. Kaname's ten-thousand-year-old chess board will be reshuffled.
He contacted the company only to push both the stubborn pureblood and the hunter.
Takuma shook his head, stifling a smile. Kaname is so clueless about his own feelings and he kind of enjoys watching him crawl in the dark. For once, Kaname's not having things his way and how he handles it is both upsetting and entertaining.
He fought against the bond so hard.
Takuma remembered the beast. He almost got goosebumps.
The door opened and Kaien came in with a tray of the baked goodies he promised, along with two tall glasses of water.
"Sorry to make you wait." The headmaster served them each of what he brought.
Kaname scowled at the treats, and for a reason. He doesn't have a sweet tooth and Takuma is already thinking of a way to politely reject the desert for him.
"You have to try these… Our Zero-kun baked them last night for his godfather." Kaien was smiling at what seemed to be a fun memory of the previous night. "After he found him literally with his big hand inside the almost empty cookie jar." He laughed, this time.
To acknowledge the headmaster's story, Takuma smiled and nodded. He then leaned forward and reached to take the plate in front of Kaname when he noticed him reaching out to it and pulling it in his direction.
His hand stopped midway and his brain was quick to pull back and sit back like nothing happened.
He stopped a smile when he saw him take a bite and then pause to process and take the taste in. It looked to him that the pureblood's eyes were sparkling but that could also be a reflection from the sunlight through the window in front of him
When was the last time he saw him eat sweets?
Almost never.
But Takuma understood.
The pureblood is changing. And as his closest friend, he started feeling possessive of Kaname and hating the thought of Kiryuu Zero, a lowlife hunter and soon-to-be Level E, affecting him so much.
Kaname has been secretly watching Zero ever since he met the boy and got stabbed that one night. He didn't think anything about it at first.
Takuma convinced himself that Kaname was watching Zero for Yuuki. Even to the point where he thought he's jealous of Yuuki's attention. Apparently, he'd been focused on Zero all this time.
This bond didn't just come out of nowhere. It's been established and building up for years.
The pureblood had been pensive ever since and Takuma failed to notice. Kaname has been touching his chest more frequently since then, like it hurts. He'd been experiencing unusual thirst especially when around Zero.
Until his beast couldn't take it anymore.
Takuma forced himself to come back to the present and focus on the conversation and the real reason why they're here.
"Dried up? Who could have done this?" Kaien seriously asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"The council members are all looking at the Hunter's Association. They're convinced that the hunters are the only ones capable of doing it." Takuma reasoned.
"You don't believe that, do you?" Kaien responded. "Even if it's true, these are purebloods. Unless they're using the first set of anti-vampire weapons, it wouldn't be easy. There are only five of them and you have them all."
Takuma turned to Kaname. The pureblood has thought this far too.
"Someone's setting up Kaname-sama and stirring the fire between the association and the council." Takuma said.
"Someone's starting a war and it's too soon…" Kaname uttered. His dark and dangerous aura escaped his body until he was interrupted.
They all turned to the balcony when they felt an arrival.
"Come in, Seiren." said Kaname.
The girl entered, greeted everyone and bowed before collecting herself for the news she bears.
"The association called for an emergency meeting at the capital for all the department heads and the president." She reported.
Kaien stood. "That's why Toga-kun left this morning."
Takuma didn't know the other hunter had such an important role in the association to be invited at the leaders summit.
"Since my retirement, the association has stopped contacting me first. They've also started doubting my loyalty because of my connection to Kaname-sama." Kaien started explaining, "But I still have connections inside. I'll see what I can find and I will let you know." He assured them. "As for Yuuki…" He added, "I'll make sure she never leaves my sight or the academy."
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"Are you sure you want to do this, Hanabusa?" Akatsuki asked, blocking his way.
"You're not hurt anymore, are you?" Rima asked behind him.
Hanabusa shook his head. He was out of it for a good five days and it's been 9 days since he made that foolish act. The one he regrets today.
Takuma came to him the night he regained consciousness with worry in his eyes and made him understand where Kaname-sama is coming from. He couldn't believe it.
Their leader is mated to that Level E hunter!
He can't accept that. Not yet.
But he didn't want Kaname to hate him.
Yes, the pureblood attacked him, but it was because he hurt his mate.
He may be silly and impulsive but he's not as stupid as what others may think. He understands the way bonding works and has had a good few days to come to terms with it.
It doesn't mean he will start liking Kiryuu, but he'll make sure Kaname sama will like him again.
He acted on instinct just like Kaname did.
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The night has fallen and the festivities got even more livelier. Students and visitors from the town are in awe of the fairy lights that surrounded the whole school. It served as a beautiful dust of light that guided them from the entrance through a stone path leading to the auditorium for the class presentations that started this afternoon and ended quite well.
At the back of the auditorium are booths from each class offering different foods, games and services that everyone can enjoy.
As a tradition, everyone is wearing their colorful yukata and are very excited for the final event of the night which is the fireworks display sponsored by the Night Class.
A tug on his sleeve made Zero turn around to find Yuuki timidly wringing her hands in embarrassment… for no reason. She looked so cute in her pink yukata, it was adorned with tiny cherry blossom patterns. Her hair is tied in a stylish messy bun.
He wasn't even aware he was staring too much until he heard someone laugh behind Yuuki. It was Sayori Wakaba from their class who is also Yuuki's roommate when she sleeps in the sun dorm. She looked very different tonight as well and Zero thinks it might be the fairy lights or the atmosphere of festivity.
"Yuuki-chan is too embarrassed to go out looking like that even though I told her everyone's wearing yukata so we're all even." Wakaba said, big hazel eyes twinkling in mischief. "Plus she looks pretty, don't you think, Kiryuu-kun?"
"Y-Yeah." He said. He rarely compliments Yuuki, not because she doesn't deserve it but because he's never been good with words. "Don't be shy."
That made Wakaba laugh even more and Yuuki jumped forward to cling onto his arm and hide her face by pressing it on his side.
"I'm not going if you're not going." Yuuki declared.
"What?!" Zero tried to pull his arm but Yuuki wouldn't budge. "I'm patrolling." He reasoned.
Yuuki let him go but he also caught sight of her flushed face. She looked quite seriously nervous. She was never the confident one and Zero knows that she's not used to too much attention. He even has to tell the crew or waiter for her order and when she wants a refill of her water.
He puffed and stopped himself from rolling his eyes because Wakaba was watching him.
"15 minutes." He declared.
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Yuuki's breathing slowed down as her heartbeat pumped in anxiousness. There are so many people and though some of them would look their way, they'd look away immediately.
A few minutes in and she realized that Yori was right. Everyone's minding their own business to care about her and what she looks like.
She turned to Zero who was looking around with that bored expression. This is not his type of crowd. He doesn't like crowds at all but he's here for her.
So she's not going to make him suffer for too long. She had fifteen minutes anyway so she looked around and saw something that could interest Zero.
"Over there!" She pointed at the shooting booth.
She didn't wait for him to glare at her like he always does and practically dragged him, apologizing to people they bumped into along the way.
She immediately paid for one set of three pellets and gave them to the silver-haired boy. He looked over at Yori who looked as excited as she was and sighed.
When he positioned, she pointed at the prize that she wanted, confident enough that Zero would get it for her.
Yuuki groaned when he missed.
"I'm just warming up." He said it like it was so obvious. So she encouraged him to try again and he was so close. So very close! She turned to him and caught the small smile before he wiped it away so fast.
He was doing it on purpose! She punched him lightly and pouted so ugly he had to make sure to hit it to get rid of her already.
When he finally hit the tiny little toy soldier, she couldn't help jumping around in glee with Yori jumping along with her as they waited for the prize, which was a big white bear. When she got it, she was so happy she made little punches against Zero's chest with the bear's paws when she heard a very familiar voice behind her.
"Don't you think you're being unfair, Zero?"
From dodging the bear's punches, Zero's face looked up to the person behind her who's already causing a commotion. Everyone in the vicinity is already looking in their direction and she hasn't even turned to see the pureblood yet.
Zero's face hardened as he stared back at Kaname defensively. So before he opened his mouth to talk back, Yuuki turned and smiled at the pureblood.
His tall frame made her have to look up at him. "Kaname-sama, it's good to see you here." She raised the stuffed toy, "Look, Zero won this for me." She said for the lack of anything to say. Whenever Kaname was around, she just couldn't think straight. It's really frustrating.
She couldn't even say what she really wanted to say because her heart beats too fast for her to catch up that she almost always ends up having to catch her breath like she's in a marathon so she'd just shut up.
"I'm sure he didn't have to try hard. Our Zero is really talented, isn't he?" Kaname glanced at Zero and she didn't have to look back to know that he was glaring at Kaname because she could already feel it. "I would appreciate your company tonight, Yuuki. Could you show me around?" Kaname asked.
She gasped in surprise at the opportunity to spend time with Kaname tonight. Maybe they could also watch the fireworks display together. That would be really great.
Maybe then she could finally say what's in her heart.
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Zero rounded the campus four times by now and he's quite enjoying the stroll. It's already summer but this evening's still comfortably cool.
A few minutes ago, he saw everyone starting to gather on the open ground to have a full view of the fireworks display, leaving the other parts of the campus and the main building empty.
They had to close it because there were outsiders coming in as well.
So he went to his usual spot on the rooftop of the main building and with his binoculars, scanned the whole campus for anything out of the ordinary.
And he did.
A figure appeared behind him and he quickly reached for his holster to get Bloody Rose when his fingers froze.
The figure quickly came out of the shadows and he was relieved to see it was actually Kaname. "Ah, it's just you. You nearly-"
Faster than light he came close to his face with an accussatory and pained look, "Just me?" His voice sounded like venom, deadly and poisonous in his ears. He's seething.
He stepped back, "You surprised me…" He looked into his eyes, searching for reasons why he's acting like this. He wasn't scared Kaname would hurt him, he was just curious why he seemed so angry.
"Did I?" His tone was sarcastic and he hasn't been like this towards him in what felt like a really really long time. The last time was way before the bond.
He frowned. Kaname is mad at him and he doesn't remember doing anything to cause anything he should be mad at.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked.
Kaname's eyes glowed red and with every step he took towards him, was another step he took backwards. "What's wrong with me?" He repeated, tone oozing with contempt. "What's wrong with you!"
The pureblood's figure disappeared like a black smoke before it became a force that pushed and carried him to a wall, hand and arms wrapping around him before Zero's body hit the concrete so he wouldn't slam into the cold hard cement.
Before he could react, he felt the said arms tighten around him and the pureblood buried his face into the nook between his neck and collarbone. He hummed along with his body at the satisfying contact.
The sound of Kaname inhaling him loudly is so gratifying that he couldn't help but pull him close as well. His hands automatically went on the pureblood's back to keep him close and he didn't realize he had let go of the binoculars until it landed on the ground with a loud clunk.
He couldn't check to see if it cracked even if he wanted to as the magnetic pull from the pureblood's body is making him want to wrap himself around Kaname like a blanket.
"Are you okay?" Zero asked and as a response, Kaname's arms tightened around him even more. He reminded him of the dog he and Ichiru once had as children. He was big and furry and loved cuddles. He'd tackle him and sleep on top of him without a care in the world. That made him feel special, seeing as he only does it with him.
"No." Kaname answered, then he pulled away just a little so their eyes could meet and once they did he was trapped in its infinite galaxy of sparkling red and golden dust.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked.
As if reminded, his eyes widened just a little before they settled on his lips. "Your laugh.. And smile…" He uttered like a little boy, confessing his sins. Zero literally could feel his heart swelling in adoration. "It makes me feel funny."
"What?" He's thoroughly confused.
"I saw you smiling and laughing with that stupid hunter…"
Zero couldn't help laughing when he finally connected the dots. "You're right he's stupid, and yet he's gonna be your teacher soon."
And he thinks it caught Kaname off guard. It took a good minute before he broke into a smile. The pureblood's boyish smile and crinkling eyes literally took his breath away and nearly killed him. He forgot how to breathe for a while.
This time, it was his turn to bury his face into the nook between his neck and collarbone.
They stayed wrapped in each other's arms for what felt like a really long time, content with hearing each other's heartbeat and feeling each other's breath on the other's skin.
When the sound of the boom, crackle and pop hit the skies, they only moved their heads to watch the different colors explode into the darkness. A few moments later, they watched its reflection dance around each other's orbs.
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This should be easy.
He's done this many times.
With the arrow steady in his hold and the bow locked on its target, he released the arrow and chuckled at the way it pierced through the Level Es nape.
Despite the distance, he could see blood spurting as the E knelt most likely in pain.
"I'm done here…" He said through the radio.
"Copy." The other hunter responded. "Clean-up's on their way."
He stood and jumped from the 3rd floor to the 2nd and down to the first through the balconies.
But just as he landed, he saw the Level E pulling the arrow out of his body and then standing up before running towards his direction.
"Shit."
How is he not dead yet? That arrow was anti-vampire.