Zero left the seafood curry to simmer and moved on to the other simmering teriyaki sauce next to it. He reached for the diced tofu slices that he already fried earlier and mixed them.
"Oh it smells so good!" His master's voice boomed through the walls in the headmaster's small kitchen. Well, it wasn't that small, Toga Yagari just has this thick, loud, and commanding voice that makes any room small. "I can still remember the first time I tasted your cooking."
It made Zero smile. "It was horrible!" They both said the same at the same time.
Zero turned to the older hunter behind him by the door with his long-ass muscled shoulders nearly touching both sides of the door frame. When he saw his cheeks bunching up and his lips pressed to stop a bubbling laugh, he couldn't help his own and they both ended up laughing at the memory.
He had been learning to cook for him and Ichiru because he wanted to help out at home. Their parents were getting busier, getting missions together and individually. Ichiru was too weak and sickly for housework and Zero doesn't mind taking over the chores.
He was trying to cook curry rice using that instant sauce pack where you only need to add the meat, potatoes, and carrots. It was supposed to be easy, but even up to this day he couldn't tell what went wrong. He followed the recipe on the packaging to the T.
Everyone had been home that night, including his master and godfather. The funny thing was, they were all so excited and even made a countdown so they ate at the same time.
That's why they also simultaneously held their breath and coughed and spit the food out. Zero thought he had poisoned them and was so scared he might have killed them. Apparently, it just tasted bad.
"Our Zero-kun have improved a lot." Kaien Cross pushed his dark-haired friend to be able to get in. "He's my little sous-chef." He said proudly, even reaching to pat Zero's head.
Toga blatantly rolled his eyes. "Like hell… You're not gonna catch me eating anything you cook even if that's the last thing-"
"How dare you! You lived off of me for months after your fian-"
Zero saw how quick his master's movements were, the kind that was faster than the last he could remember back when he used to train him. He reached for the small vase on his left side by the cupboard and Zero saw it disappear in the air and appeared once again when the headmaster caught it next to him, just as quickly.
Sometimes Zero forgets that these two are considered two of the greatest hunters in their time and Toga Yagari still has yet to retire, continuing his legacy.
"This is why I kicked you out!" Kaien pressed the vase to his chest, practically hugging it, and mumbled about it being made of fine china and is expensive porcelain.
"If I can't eat it, I have no use for it." Toga said, moving towards the dish rack. "I'm gonna set the table."
After the two have left, Zero turns the stove off for both dishes. He knew what just happened. After everything, and even though it was Toga Yagari who'd lost his fiance, he was still thinking about Zero. He didn't want him to feel guilty.
As he was preparing the side dishes like Ohitashi and Tsukudani which he personally made for storing days ahead, he didn't bother making sense of the sound of the doorbell until he heard a familiar voice coming from the dining room.
His body stiffened in excitement. He heard before he felt his heart's thundering beats against his ribcage. He had to put his hands down on his sides to calm his body.
"Zero-kun!" Yuuki peeked half of her face in the kitchen. When he looked up, she finally entered, eyes looking just right below his face. She looked scared and heedful. "I hope you don't mind. I invited Kaname-kun for tonight's dinner." She peered at him through her bangs, still being too careful with her words and actions. "Since you're cooking and well… aren't you two on better terms now? After he saved you?"
Zero stopped a scoff. He wanted to minimize his contact with Kaname because eventually, they'd have to go back to being strangers anyway. He doesn't want to get attached further than he thinks he already is.
"Yuuki we're not… friends or anything. We can't."
"I know. I know." Yuuki smiled. She has that fond look on her face again and Zero would bet his finger she's thinking about Kaname. It's that smile that she's been wearing ever since. "Just this once!" She clasped her hands and if she had a tail, it would be wagging right now like a dog trying to look cute and pitiful, asking for treats.
Zero highly doubts the 'just this once' phrase, but they're here now, he can't just kick Kaname out and then get on with dinner. He'll bear it for Yuuki and he owes it to Kaname to be civil this time, for the sake of the bond.
If he was the same months ago, he'd have already stormed off somewhere, family dinner be damned.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"You've got to be kidding me." Kaito Takamiya muttered, shaking his head while he clicked his tongue in disappointment.
He just got back from the U.S. after three years worth of assignments and he's looking forward to much more challenging missions after being promoted to a level 3 hunter.
But the paper in his hands is proving his promotion to be an actual downgrade.
"You will be working with Toga Yagari. He was your teacher, wasn't he?" His senior asked, seriously.
"Sure. But we are hunters, not actors. Why are we playing an actual academic teacher even as an undercover watchdog if no one in that academy is on our list or anyone else's list for that matter?"
His senior, Ige Kawakami has that deadpanned look all the time, but today his face went a little over the top with that impassivity.
"You just want to get rid of me." He accused him, crossing his arms over his chest. He will pout if he has to.
"If I had the power, I'd have already-" Then Kawakami paused. His eyes almost twinkled, "Actually, this might be it! I might actually be finally free from you."
"Huh…" Kaito tapped his fingers on top of the table, making that annoying sound using his nails, just the way Kawakami hates it. "Tell me about it."
"The King. Kuran Kaname…" He pointed at the name on the mission. Kaito has already read that part. He's investigating the Night Class, which is a special project spearheaded by Kuran Kaname with the retired hunter and the academy's headmaster, Kaien Cross. "If you get on his nerves, he might do me a favor."
"You're heartless. Has anyone ever told you that?" Kaito made a face, just to annoy him even more.
"Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?" He retorted.
Kaito stood, clapping his hands once like he finally had a eureka moment. "Ahah! So that's what this is! Revenge! It's not my fault all the girls you confessed to are obsessed with me."
Ige Kawakami's face started to heat up and the redness looked unhealthy, to be very honest. "You're so full of yourself. Get out of here!"
Kaito laughed, mocking Kawakami even more. "Okay! Okay! Gosh!" He took the folder and walked towards the door where Kawakami was gesturing towards, kicking him out. "If it helps… I only slept with one of them." He winked at him but his face met one of the books or two that were thrown at him. "The other three, I had to leave for a mission... after sex!" He added and closed the door quickly, laughing loudly when he heard what sounded like the coffee cup Kawakami threw towards him again but had hit the door instead.
Damn, he really missed messing with Kawakami.
He was still laughing at the thought when he heard his name being called.
"Takamiya-kun!"
It was Ryuzaki Eiichi, one of his teachers at the camp. He was smiling proudly at him and offered a handshake to which he accepted, of course.
"Congratulations on the promotion!"
"Thank you, sensei. I owe you a lot." He said.
"You're one of my best students, it's all on you," Eiichi said, tapping his shoulder. "Speaking of my students, do you remember Zero Kiryuu?"
Kaito nodded, "Of course. We used to train together." He said, "We were friends."
Eiichi's face lit up. "Great! Now that your next assignment is in Cross Academy, maybe you two could reconnect. He recently just got his license and he could use a senior like you to give him some pointers."
The last thing Kaito heard about Zero was that he survived the attack and that Toga Yagari had taken him into his custody. At that time, he was already in the camp, getting ready for his final assessment. He didn't know where his master brought the boy. He also just read that aside from Toga Yagari and the headmaster, there's a newbie hunter in Cross Academy.
"Sounds like it's gonna be a reunion!" He smiled, actually looking forward to seeing his old master and his old friend.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Hello, Zero."
Zero wants to punch something. His insides just squirmed and jumped as a reaction to the pureblood's warm sultry voice that felt like a hand, caressing his skin and giving him goosebumps.
Before he dropped the tray on his hands due to his shaking nerves, his master immediately took it from him as if aware of what's happening to him. "Let me."
"I'm looking forward to your-"
He cut him off. "Manage your expectations." He just wants him to stop talking because his presence is already too much for him to take. He's shaking from the need to touch and feel his skin against his. Everything in him is calling out to connect and get close. And hearing his infuriatingly beautiful voice used to piss him to death but can now put him to peaceful slumber with its sound and the way it vibrates on his skin when the pureblood's lips are pressed on his mouth and everywhere in his body.
Fuck.
He's sure this isn't bloodlust. It's just lust. And he needs to fight it.
He could feel him smile in his direction and Zero wants to walk out. Now.
Why the fuck did he have to come here? Didn't he want to break the bond? Why is he teasing it?
"Okay, so this is everything." Kaien took over, trying to act like a perfect host, smiling at Kaname and asking him first before everyone else to take a seat.
He sat right across Yuuki with Kaname on her right. Zero has his master on his left and Kaien Cross on his right.
"Everything here is cooked and prepared by our resident chef, our little Zero-chan." Kaien proudly said and Zero finally regrets not walking out before he took a seat himself.
"Enough with the pleasantries, Kaien. We're all hungry."
Thank heavens for Toga Yagari's existence. Zero wanted to raise his hands in his master's direction and praise him on his knees right here and now.
"Stop being so rude, Toga-kun. It's not every day we have someone as esteemed as Kaname-sama as our guest and it's his first time trying Zero-chii's cooking!"
Zero glared at his guardian. "Stop calling me that."
Kaien didn't pay his discomfort and cutting glare much heed. Instead, he reached and gently tapped his cheek before pinching it fondly.
"You're so cute! You've grown so well!"
Zero just wants to disappear. He moved and kicked Yuuki's feet, a silent signal for her to distract the headmaster. But just as Yuuki opened her mouth, Toga spoke with a more imposing tone.
"I'm sure Kaname-sama wouldn't mind if we all just dig in. Zero is really tired from school and prefect duties, plus he has to prepare dinner for us." Toga resorted to making Kaname himself make Kaien Cross stop being so redundant.
"Of course! Zero's efforts are highly appreciated. Why don't we all… dig in?" Kaname said. His aura is spread all over the room and around Zero in the most calming way as if trying to make him feel good, and it does so instantly. The pureblood knows how to soothe the bond. But while it makes Zero feel better, it's making him resent Kaname even more.
Dinner went on and Zero wondered how his master could act so nonchalantly and civil around Kaname. But then Zero realized that it's probably because he's not as emotional as he is or as petty.
"How is it?" Zero heard Yuuki ask. He feels his neck hurting from having to stop himself from looking in Kaname's direction.
His heart slowed down as if waiting and anticipating for the pureblood's judgment.
"I'm impressed. Everything is delicious, I could eat them all every day."
Yuuki and the headmaster squealed with pride and delight but Zero couldn't help feeling sour.
"Just fuck off!" He uttered, rolling his eyes. .
"Zero!" Kaien called him out. Yuuki was also giving him a look. "Language! What did I say about-"
He couldn't take it anymore. So he put down his cutleries and stood.
"I lost my appetite." He said and then left.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Zero."
Kaname's long fingers wrapped around his arm, stopping him as he was doing his last round for the day before heading to bed.
"Don't touch me." He warned.
It has been four hours after dinner, and Zero thought he'd finally calmed down but he was wrong. With just the sound of Kaname's voice and his warm touch, the anger he was nursing in him resurfaced and even multiplied.
He didn't hear a reply and Kaname hadn't taken his fingers off either, so shaking with so much anger, Zero used all his strength to push the pureblood as much as he could and then pulled Bloody Rose out from his holster.
He saw Kaname unable to anticipate what he did. He probably didn't think Zero would go this far to push him away or that he just accepted and allowed it to satisfy Zero.
Either way, Zero doesn't care.
It felt like it had been a long time since the last time Zero had to push Kaname away or the last time he had the urge to be so violent towards him again.
There was no getting around the fact that the bond has definitely changed the two of them. To the point that the thought of breaking the bond hurts so much. The thought of Kaname even considering it is just so painful that Zero could literally feel his heart slowly tearing apart.
The thought that he could no longer be close to him… That he could no longer touch him, kiss him, taste him…
Fuck!
It's this fucking bond. None of these feelings are originally from him. It's all the bond's fault. It's all Kaname's fault.
"I already told you not to do unnecessary things!" He shouted, forcing his hands to point Bloody Rose on Kaname's face. The corners of his eyes were starting to get hot and water, his throat constricted and he gasped for air to keep the sobs from coming out. He's such a mess. Is he really about to cry?
His fingers are suddenly losing strength as if they're fighting against him and Bloody Rose is getting heavier by the second.
Kaname wearing a pained expression while looking at him having a hard time is definitely not helping. He's making it worse. He's making everything worse!
His body is not cooperating, his fingers and the rest of his limbs are now trembling as he tries to keep Bloody Rose from falling off his hands. He's gritting his teeth and holding his breath.
"Zero, stop fighting." Kaname stepped forward, hands gesturing to him to stop.
"Or what? Is the bond going to kill me?" He's gasping now, arms so heavy that he had to steady his feet to keep his balance. He can't move his fingers. "Isn't that much better for you? You'd be free." He's choking now.
He's sweating so much he feels beads of sweat trickling down his nape up to his back.
"Zero… I can feel your pain." Kaname whispered and those words made Zero come to his senses so quickly he felt like he was hit by major vertigo and almost lost his footing.
What was he doing?
Breathing started to get easier when he stopped trying. Suddenly, Bloody Rose felt lighter as well as the rest of his body, and breathing became easier.
But Zero was just about to put Bloody Rose down when something sharp and cold hit his hand, just between his wrist and the back of his palm. Then another one on his left shoulder and one more on his right hip. "Ugh!" He had to step back.
He saw razor-sharp ice shards hitting the ground around him. But the stinging pain on his hand, shoulder, and hip finally made him let go of Bloody Rose. His blood, warm and dark red oozed out of his wounds and spilled all over, coating his arm and his uniform. The coldness was biting and actually causing excruciating pain.
He fell on the ground, groaning in the torturous throbbing pain.
Then he heard Kaname's animalistic growl.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Aidou!"
It was too late!
He was too late!
Takuma ran towards Aidou, pinning him to the ground. He was able to break the shards of ice the other noble released and attacked Kiryuu with. Even the ones that he saw pierced through Kiryuu's flesh have already disappeared, leaving just his open wounds.
Seiren's reflexes weren't enough to stop Aidou. So now she was quick to get on Kiryuu's side while the rest of the Night Class have started to gather around the commotion.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Kaname's familiar loud growl and the burst of murderous aura in the air gave Takuma a fright. Under him is Aidou struggling to get out of his hold.
"He can't just do that to Kaname-sama!" Aidou said, stubborn eyes glowing red.
"Keep still, or you're gonna die tonight, you bastard!" He warned him but a heavy painful blow hit him from behind throwing him meters away. His body hitting multiple trees, breaking them in half in the process. He could hear the bones in his body cracking every time he crashed into one.
It was only until the force of the blow had slowed down that he hit the ground and the mind-numbing pain attacked him. He couldn't move, the pain was too much to handle.
Senri's by his side in a split-second, with Rima following behind.
Rima reached for his forehead and the waves of heat coming from her palm helped him heal faster from all of his injuries. With Rima's more advanced healing ability, she's able to assist other vampires and increase the speed of their own healing.
Once Takuma had recovered enough to be able to speak clearly, he whispered "He's gonna kill him."
With Senri helping him up, they immediately returned to the forest.
The strong smell of Aidou's blood permeated the air, thick and dizzying. Takuma braced himself for what they're about to see.
The look of horror on the other noble's faces as they froze on their spot, unable to do anything made Takuma's insides tighten hard enough to make him gasp for air.
Kaname in his beast form, looming over Aidou's weak and smaller body on the ground, is clawing the noble over and over again. Takuma- just like everyone else- shuddered at the look on the pureblood's face but what immobilized him and the others were Kaname's eyes.
They were equally enchanting and spine-chilling. They could still see some red specs but it was overpowered by the glowing gold hue that radiates beyond what's normal.
Not only was the beast-Kaname intent on killing Aidou, he was also trapping everyone else's abilities, controlling every single noble in the vicinity against their will, preventing anyone else from meddling or even attempting to.
Nobody present and round here comes close to the pureblood's power and abilities and the only way Takuma knows to stop him is by distracting him. Nothing distracts Kaname and Takuma knows that more than anyone… until Kiryuu.
In the corner of his eyes, he saw Seiren unable to even touch Kiryuu who is now crouching on the ground and almost drowning in his own blood.
He looked at Aidou again, now unresponsive, pale bones dislocated and exposed. Big and long lacerations ran from his shoulder down to his hips, another one across his face, exposing huge amounts of flesh from his forehead to his jaw. A much bigger one from his torso to his thigh, blood spurting and leaking out. All of the cuts were so deep, he was practically ripped open.
Takuma is convinced that even if he manages to pull this plan off, Aidou would most likely still not survive. But he'll take his chances.
"Kaname-sama, please. Kiryuu-kun needs help, he's losing a lot of blood." He called out. The other nobles raised a brow and the others were still trying to escape the purebloods enchantment, especially Akatsuki whose red glowing eyes indicated that he's still fighting against the force trapping him.
And Takuma wasn't wrong. The beast stopped, hands suspended in the air as Aidou's blood dripped from each sharp claw that was now starting to retreat. The beast turned behind him to find his mate.
Everyone held their breath the moment Kaname- in his beast form, stood up and started walking towards Kiryuu. The beast slowly started to revert back into his human form with every step until Kaname surfaced again by the time he was kneeling next to Zero.
The entrapment was gone and everyone is free to move again.
"Hanabusa!" Akatsuki cried out and rushed to the noble's side, Rima on the opposite side aiding their friend, racing against what little time was left to save him.
Takuma noticed how the other Night Class students couldn't take their eyes off Kaname and the terrified look on his face that is alien to everyone knowing nothing scares the pureblood…
They all watched as Kaname gently pulled the silver-haired prefect towards him, so careful in the way he made him lay on his lap and lowered his head to press their lips together.
Multiple gasps and murmurs filled the air as they continued to observe their Dorm Leader's weird behavior.
When the heavy scent of Kaname's pure blood reached everyone, Takuma raises a hand to the group, especially Ruka to not do anything as stupid as what Aidou did to stop the pureblood from feeding Kiryuu.
He knows they have a lot of questions but now is not the time for that.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
He heard panicked footsteps running before he heard the frantic knocking on his door.
It must be very important because they didn't wait for him to answer and entered without permission.
It's one of the blacksmiths in charge of making anti-vampire weapons for the association.
His sweaty appearance, the cinder all over him, and the thick gloves indicated he was in the middle of work when something happened.
"What is it?" He asked.
"It's the blue flame, master." The blacksmith licked his dry lips, "It's shrinking."