Chapter 21: Blood Pact
The end of the semester was nearing, and many students were excitedly making plans for winter break. Although the school guardians were usually happy about the impending vacation when they would be free of duties, this time the mood was somber. For the past weeks, Ichiru had suffered bouts of sickness, with the fevers increasing in intensity every round. Zero was sullen, and often skipped class to be with his ailing twin, only reappearing at sunset to impatiently fulfill his guardian duty.
That night, Zero was especially irritable when he held back the fangirls during the Night Class's parade. His bad mood was palpable, and even the most fervent fangirls toned down their behavior when he sent them blistering glares. As soon as he and Yoko finished herding the last Day Class students over the bridge to the Sun Dorm where the dorm presidents took over the task of enforcing curfew, he sped off to see Ichiru. Yoko stayed another ten minutes, helping the dorm presidents account for students on the roster before she left.
When she reached the headmaster's quarters, the small, red brick, two-floor house in which she, her father, and the twins resided, separate from the rest of the Day Class, she noticed the light was on in the living room. Through a window, she saw her father and the twins sitting facing a couple whose back was turned to her. It seemed Ichiru had recovered enough to leave his bed. When she entered the living room, the conversation stopped, and she saw that the couple was the Kiryu parents.
Zero and Ichiru clearly took after their father Ryuhei Kiryu, a tall man with silver hair and violet eyes. Shion Kiryu, the mother of the twins, was a handsome woman who wore her sandy brown hair tied in a side ponytail and whose light brown eyes often carried a worried gaze whenever she interacted with her youngest child.
Although they were the twins' parents, and Yoko had known them for years, they were not close. The Kiryu parents were always busy and never stayed long. However, Yoko had heard from her father the two were considered among the best hunters in the association currently. Because of their skill, they were called upon for missions all over the country, resulting in their frequent absence from their children's lives.
Yoko greeted them politely and wondered what they had been conversing about before she entered. Ichiru and his father both sported equally dour glares while Zero and Shion had an anxious air about them. The tension in the room was heavy.
"Hello Yoko, you've grown so tall and beautiful," Shion said smiling, although some agitation lingered in her eyes. "I hope Ichiru hasn't been causing trouble for you."
"No, Ichiru is helpful, and he makes class lively," Yoko replied and paused, eying the other people in the room. "Is everything alright?"
Shion forced a laugh. "Oh, it's nothing. We were just discussing that perhaps it would be best if Ichiru took a break from school."
"I'm not going!" Ichiru interjected, standing suddenly. "Why do you two always decide things without asking me?"
"We're doing this for your own good. The school nurse can't help you if you get even sicker than you did last time," Ryuhei finally spoke, staring hard at his younger son.
"Why are we still pretending? Take a 'break'? It isn't a vacation," Ichiru said and laughed bitterly. "We all know I'm dying."
Zero started to protest but Ichiru talked over him. "I've come to terms with that long ago. All I ask is that I spend my remaining time where I want, and I don't want to die in that wretched hospital!"
"Stop being stubborn, this isn't the time for your childishness," Ryuhei said impatiently. "You staying here will cause problems for the headmaster."
"Why won't you ever listen to me?!" Ichiru yelled, his eyes blazing with frustration and fury. "I won't go!"
"Don't raise your voice at us," his father warned.
"Ichiru, calm down and just liste-," Zero tried to placate him, but stopped when Ichiru turned to glare at him.
He roughly shook off Zero, who was tugging his arm and trying to make him sit down. Throwing his parents one last glare, he angrily ran out the room. They heard his rapid steps on the stairs and the second floor, and then a loud bang as he slammed his bedroom door shut.
"Sorry you and the headmaster had to see that, Ichiru can be temperamental at times," Shion said with an embarrassed grimace.
Yoko shook her head, feeling awkward she had witnessed a family argument.
The headmaster cleared his throat and spoke. "It seems Ichiru is resistant to leaving now. Let him calm down and stay, and when-," he quickly corrected himself, "if, he gets very sick again, we can arrange for him to be transferred to the association hospital then. It might exacerbate his illness if he gets worked up."
Ryuhei sighed. "Thanks for the suggestion Kaien, Shion and I will discuss it more."
The headmaster nodded. "I have paperwork to do, so I'll excuse myself now."
He turned to Yoko and motioned for her to follow him. They left while Zero stayed behind to comfort his mother and father. Yoko followed her father out the house and they headed for his office. They were silent most of the way, until they reached the entrance of the building.
"It's unfortunate," Kaien said finally.
It was one of the rare instances he was completely serious, as though he had dropped the mask of the happy and carefree headmaster.
"Will Ichiru really die soon?" Yoko asked.
Kaien smiled sadly. "Most likely. That's just how it is with twins born to hunters: the strong survive and the weak die."
Yoko was quiet for a while before she spoke. "But we all know a way he can stay alive and live healthily."
Kaien gave her a long look before shaking his head. "Many hunters consider that worse than death. After all these millennia of killing and being killed by vampires, for one of their own to willingly be turned is considered the ultimate betrayal. Even those who are unwillingly turned are expected to end their own lives before falling to level E."
"That's an illogical and extreme response."
He patted his daughter's shoulder and only commented, "Unlike you, most people are driven by emotion rather than logic."
Is the hatred against vampires stronger than their desire for their son to survive? Yoko wondered. Couldn't they also be driven by emotion to go against tradition, against their long grudge? She kept her thoughts to herself though, and parted ways with the headmaster, heading to the library to finish some work before her patrol duty later.
It had been two days since the Kiryu parents left to track down and eliminate a gang of level E's last spotted in the northern part of the country. Shion and Ryuhei had decided to do as the headmaster suggested and resume their normal routines for now. However, they would return a week later to check on their son.
Even though it was only temporary, Ichiru was relieved they were gone. Whenever he saw them, he was always on edge, forcing himself to appear as healthy and untroubled as possible. He did not want them worrying and looking at him with guilt and pity if he happened to be sick, which he was currently.
The latest bout of fever had confined him to bed ever since yesterday morning, and he reflected that his time was drawing near. The intervals between the bouts of sickness had decreased, while the fevers increased in both length and severity.
Stuck in bed and staring blankly out the window, he had only thoughts for company. Thoughts like how it would be better if he passed on so he would no longer be a burden to his family. He hated being depressing, but it was hard not to dwell in negativity and loathing when he was too weak to even get up by himself. What he hated even more was how he had lashed out at Zero a few hours earlier.
Zero had received a mission to take down a rogue level E a few towns over but had turned them down. Ichiru knew Zero would face punishment from the association for constantly refusing missions, something that would be left on his record and affect his chances for promotion later. Most hunters had high hopes for Zero and believed he would become president of the association when he was older, given his talent which had been conspicuous even as a child.
When Ichiru saw Zero read the letter from the association and quickly toss it aside, he had known that Zero was neglecting his duties to tend to him. He had insisted that Zero go, and that he would be fine with the headmaster and Yoko. Zero had refused, saying it wasn't important, and something in Ichiru snapped. He had angrily flung his pillow at his frustratingly caring brother with the little force he had left and screamed at him to go on the mission before pulling the blanket over himself. Until he heard Zero's departing steps, he had remained hidden under the blanket.
If there was anything to be grateful for in this pathetic situation, it was the fact the sickness hit him after his parents left. Otherwise, they would have dragged him kicking and screaming to the association hospital. Ichiru hated that place, which he had been in and out of ever since he could remember. It was a bleak and grey building, where injured hunters were treated and recuperated. When he had first understood the fact of his early death, he had sworn he would not die there.
Ichiru felt his eyelids droop and gave himself over to sleep, hoping he wouldn't see the much-hated hospital in his restless dreams.
It was now early evening, and Yoko had come by earlier to wipe his sweat and replace the towel on his forehead. She had informed him that Zero had left on the mission and would likely be back tomorrow afternoon, news Ichiru was relieved to hear. She had then fed him rice gruel, encouraging him to consume as much as he could. After ten spoonful's, he had given up and Yoko had squeezed his hand lightly before leaving with the unfinished bowl.
Ichiru was feeling relatively better now and struck by a powerful urge to leave his room. His room seemed unbearably stuffy, to the point where he would rather collapse outside than spend another second inside. With much effort, he pulled on a robe and headed outside. He walked slowly, resting every few meters. Yoko was busy with her guardian duties, and the headmaster was in his office, so neither of them would catch him wandering off.
After considerable struggle, he finally reached the deserted gardens. As he approached the nearest stone bench, he lost strength and his legs buckled. Before he hit the cold pavement, someone caught him by his arm. He turned his head to stare right into the pale grey eyes of the girl supporting him. He recalled that her name was Maria Kurenai and she had joined the Night Class earlier in the semester with the female Kuran.
"Thank you, Kurenai-san," he mumbled and tried to steady himself, but she maintained her hold on him.
The small girl's delicate look contrasted starkly with her strong grip. With a touch of bitterness, he was reminded that even the most fragile-looking vampire was stronger than him. Without asking, she helped him over to the bench and they sat together, staring at the bare branches of the dormant trees.
She spoke softly. "You can just call me Maria. And you don't have to thank me, I'm repaying the favor. You once helped me, catching me when I was dizzy."
Maria had been wandering around one weekend afternoon, searching for Yuki, who had ditched her schoolwork and fled (probably to spy on Yoko or bother Shizuku-sama). She had given up the search after an hour, the afternoon sun too harsh on her frail constitution, even though she had already gotten much healthier from Shizuka-sama's blood.
As she made her way back to the Moon Dorms, she had felt dizzy, and almost collapsed when someone had caught her. Recovering gradually from intense vertigo, she opened her eyes to see a pair of concerned violet eyes on a handsome face staring down at her. Her benefactor was one of the hunter twins serving as guardians, Ichiru Kiryu. He had then accompanied her back to the dorm entrance.
Since that incident, Maria had taken an interest in him. That interest was heightened when she discovered he was often ill, noticing he was sometimes absent for days on end. She supposed she felt a sort of kinship with the younger twin, as they were both born sickly.
"Yes...that was a while ago," he answered, only now recalling the incident she was referring to.
"Why are you outside when you are sick?"
"I felt like I was going mad cooped up in my room, it's stupid."
"It's not stupid, I constantly felt like that when I was sick."
Ichiru looked at the girl in surprise, it was the first time he heard of a vampire getting sick. He had not even thought it possible for them.
She saw the curiosity in his eyes and started explaining. "The majority of vampires never get sick, but very rarely, a handful of us are born with mutations that render us weak and sickly. We faint easily under the sun during the day and are constantly exhausted even during night when our kind is active."
Picking at a strand of her hair she continued. "In the old days, the unlucky ones were abandoned by their families. The extremely unlucky ones would be considered burdens and killed by their own family."
"That's horrible…" Ichiru murmured, looking away.
"Those were turbulent and harsh times," she replied matter of fact.
Changing the topic to something less dark, she commented, "Anyway, I envy you Kiryu-san. At least you have your twin…" She lowered her eyes as she recalled the past. "Back when I was sick, I always felt so alone, like I was sinking to the bottom of the ocean, and no one could save me."
"I'd rather be alone though," Ichiru replied after a moment's silence and looked up at the crescent moon. "At least I wouldn't be dragging others down with me."
"I understand." Maria sighed. "When I was small, my parents and I used to live in a big city. But we moved to the mountains because my parents thought clean mountain air would help me. In the city, they often held dinner parties, but over the years they sacrificed their social life to care for me."
As Ichiru reflected on Maria's account of her parents, he was hit with a pang of guilt as he recalled his argument with his parents a few days prior. When they had come to his room to say farewell before leaving on their mission, he had pretended to be asleep. Even though he had initially been happy to see them after so long and had been excited to show them the progress with his spell, things had ended on a bad note.
Sometimes he wished they didn't love him, he wished they hated him for being a useless son, a stain on the Kiryu family's reputation. If they hated him, then he would be able to hate them back without remorse. A tiny, unspeakable part of him had always resented them. He blamed them for his condition, blamed them for giving birth to him. If he hadn't been born in the first place, he wouldn't have to suffer, and Zero would be whole and free...
Maria saw the prefect's face darken and she wondered if she had said too much. She was insecure about her ability to socialize properly, since she had spent most of her life confined in bed with only books as company. Yuki had been her first friend, but if she were to be truthful, Yuki wasn't the most practiced in social conventions either...
"Um, Kiryu-san, have I upset you?" she asked awkwardly, bringing him out of his thoughts.
Ichiru realized Maria had mistaken his silence for offence and was about to assure her that was not the case when he was suddenly hit by a coughing spasm. Maria was taken aback but started rubbing his back and held him as his body was racked by coughs.
"Let's go back indoors before you get worse," she said anxiously.
She rose and started to help him up, but he shook his head and gestured for her to sit back down.
"There's no point, I won't get better," he said weakly after the fit had passed. "I'm dying."
"Don't be morbid, you will get better as always," she tried to console him.
"Not this time," Ichiru insisted. "Do you know about the curse on hunter twins?"
Maria hesitated for a second before nodding. "I only know that hunter twins are extremely rare, which is why you and Zero are known even among vampires."
"Yes. Most hunter twin pregnancies end in miscarriage, and of the few that make it to the third trimester, one of the babies is almost always stillborn. Even before they develop sentience, the fetuses compete within the womb, with the stronger one surviving. The surviving twin has twice the strength and longevity of the average hunter, thus they become the strongest hunter of their generation," Ichiru explained.
Kaien Cross, his godfather and the headmaster of this school was one such hunter. According to Ichiru's parents, Kaien had been around even before their own great grandparents were babies. Through all this time, he had barely aged or weakened.
Like Kaien, Zero will also live on long after our parents are gone, long after I am gone, Ichiru thought.
"That is very vampire-like," Maria commented.
Twins were rare among vampires too, for the reasons Ichiru mentioned. Very few monozygotic twins have been recorded in vampire history, most vampire twins are dizygotic, like Yuki and Yoko. Since dizygotic twins have separate placentas, the competition was less intense, thus increasing the odds of survival for both fetuses.
Ichiru chuckled. "Ironic, isn't it? In some ways we're more like the beings we hunt than humans. Some consider it a curse, punishment for what our ancestors did to obtain the power to hunt vampires."
"Do you hate that? Being like a vampire... like me?" Maria asked quietly.
Ichiru shook his head. "It's strange, but I've never felt the hatred towards your kind that most hunters do. Maybe it's because I never went on a hunt and the only experience I have with your kind is within the artificial environment of this academy."
Hearing his reply, Maria felt glad. Like Yuki, she had been excited to attend this school not only to leave home, but also because they liked the idea of coexisting peacefully with humans. If even Kiryu-san, someone from a hunter lineage didn't hate vampires blindly, then perhaps the headmaster's goal was really possible.
"Anyway, from the time of the first hunters to now, there have only been 10 recorded cases of both twins being born alive," Ichiru continued. "In each case, the weaker twin dies before adulthood. According to records, the longest a weaker twin has lived was 13 years, but I've already beat that by 4 years.
"Every year, my body weakens and death approaches." With a touch of bitterness, he added, "I should consider myself lucky for even making it this far."
Maria wanted to comfort him but didn't know what to say. She had been sick, but her condition had not been a death sentence like Ichiru's was. If only there was a way to help him... She started, realizing there is a way, but as he was not a regular human, he would likely reject it, if not be repulsed by the idea.
She bit her lip, tried to find the right words and at last spoke. "I was saved when I received the blood of a pureblood. Their blood is considered a panacea, since it can enhance our strength and keep us youthful for longer. In my case, it negated the frailness I was born with..." she trailed off and fidgeted, waiting for his response after she had been as direct as she dared.
She isn't suggesting what I think, is she? Ichiru stared incredulously at the petite vampire. She was much bolder than she looked to suggest such a thing to a hunter.
He regained his composure and thought over her words. What she implied was perhaps his only solution, aside from the even more unforgiveable alternative of being turned into a vampire. But it was one he was forbidden from – it ran against everything his lineage stood for. Even if he was given the chance, if he accepted, he might be banished from hunter society.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder if he had been born a regular human instead of a hunter, would he agree if given the opportunity? He sighed. The contemplation was pointless, for what were the chances that he would get such an opportunity?
"Thank you for keeping me company, Kurenai-san." He smiled to show he was not offended. "I enjoyed our conversation, but I should return before Yoko realizes I'm missing."
Even though he had avoided the topic, Maria felt relieved that he hadn't taken her suggestion badly. She wouldn't have known what to do if he had gotten angry instead...
As he bid her goodnight, she interrupted him, and suggested that she escort him back because she feared he would collapse along the way. He tried declining, but she was insistent, mentioning he had done the same for her previously. Seeing her determination, he relented, and the two of them left the garden, with Maria supporting him unfailingly.
Ichiru's latest bout of sickness refused to fade. The past bouts lasted an average of three days, but the current one was more than twice the usual duration. Most concerningly, Ichiru had been unconscious since afternoon, occasionally mumbling incoherently in his fevered delirium. An hour ago, the headmaster finally decided to transfer Ichiru to the hospital. He had called an ambulance, but it would take over another hour to arrive. The Kiryu parents were also contacted and would meet them at the hospital.
Zero had skipped the entire day's classes to sit at his brother's bedside. As the hours passed and his twin remained in that state, the fear his other half was finally leaving constantly crept up on him, no matter how hard he tried to banish the thought. Zero could not imagine living in a world without Ichiru.
They had been together from the start, so it was only right for them to be together until the end. His brother was the one who understood him the best, for they both originated from the same egg. He was still so young, there was so much he had to do, so many places he still had to go...
Ichiru won't die, he can't die, he mustn't die...
You're worried, not because you love him, but because you're afraid of the guilt, his own voice rang in his head. You don't want to live with the guilt of knowing he died because of you – you stole too much of his life force and doomed him to die young while you get to live long and healthy.
"Shut up!" Zero yelled out loud, startling himself.
He cradled his head in his arms and tried ignoring the voice but failed. As he argued desperately with himself, the memory of Kaname Kuran's calculating gaze suddenly rose unbidden. 'I can save Ichiru', the pureblood's words resurfaced loud and clear, silencing the other voice tormenting him.
Those were the words he needed.
Zero glanced at his twin, the moonlight spilling over his prone form. He would enter a pact with Kuran, consequences be damned.
The front doors to the Moon Dorm opened, and the Night Class students present froze at the sight of the unwelcomed visitor. They eyed him warily and whispered amongst themselves, speculating on the reasons behind the hunter's visit. Akatsuki was the first to approach Zero, walking before him and blocking him from entering further.
Akatsuki had always held some respect for the hunter, since Zero was one of the few people unafraid to challenge Kaname. Even for a hunter, he was impressive because most hunters were unable to maintain a calm front when facing a pureblood.
"Kiryu, why are you here? You cannot show up uninvited even if you're a guardian."
"I need to see Kaname Kuran."
Akatsuki noticed an uncharacteristic agitation in the hunter's violet eyes.
"Kaname-sama is not someone you can meet whenever you want, Kiryu!" Hanabusa had finally broken away from the gathering crowd, his cerulean eyes glaring hard at the insolent hunter.
"Call your master over then. I don't want to stay longer than necessary either," Zero growled, not backing down even when surrounded by hostile aristocrat vampires.
Before Hanabusa could continue arguing with Zero, a calm authoritative voice floated down.
"Kiryu-san is my guest, so you can all go back to doing what you were before."
Kaname had finally appeared and was standing at the top of the stairs observing the scene below. He smiled, satisfied to see the hunter – there was only one reason Zero would come seeking him. Another important pawn had finally fallen into his grasp, and he was one step closer to his goal.
Zero hurried away from the Moon Dorm carrying a metallic case. Many vampires and even humans would go as far as killing to obtain its contents – several vials filled with the blood of Kuran. He rushed back to the room he shared with his twin, making sure to lock the door behind him. Opening the case, he lifted out one of the vials and uncorked it, swirling the red liquid while supporting Ichiru with his other arm. He carefully put the vial to his twin's lips and fed the blood to him, ensuring every drop made its way down.
All that was left to do was wait.
Zero gently laid Ichiru down and felt his forehead – it was still dangerously hot. He washed out the vial at the bathroom sink, returned the clean vial to the case and hid the case deep within his closet. Although Kuran had told him the case was specially built so that the scent of blood was obscured, Zero was taking no chances, and fortified the security of his cache with a small spell that warded off vampires. Even if a vampire managed to break into their room despite the vampire-repelling spells Ichiru had already placed on the door, they would not have an easy time taking the case.
Zero sat next to Ichiru's bed and took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. It was the contract he had demanded Kuran to write and sign. He reread the words until he knew them by heart and replayed the conversation with Kuran in his mind.
[Flashback Scene]
"You said you could save Ichiru," Zero stated in a tone that was almost accusing as soon as the doors to Kaname's study shut behind him.
"Yes, I did." Kaname settled leisurely onto his sofa and examined the hunter. The younger twin must be on the cusp of death for Zero to finally come running to him. "All he needs is some of my blood, the unadulterated blood of a pureblood vampire. Not only will he be saved, but he can even live to a ripe old age."
"Cut the bullshit Kuran, what do you want in exchange?" Zero was never in the mood to put up with the pureblood's roundabout manner of speech, even less so tonight when time was running out.
Kaname smiled. "Like I said last time, you need to kill a certain vampire for me."
"You said that but never told me who."
"You will know when the time comes."
"Are you playing me?" Zero asked, his voice raising.
"Hunters are always so quick to anger, you should work on your temper," Kaname replied, finding some satisfaction in riling up the hunter. Despite knowing he shouldn't, he had always detested them. His voice turned ominous. "You not knowing now won't affect the plan. The less you know, the better for you and your twin."
Zero restrained his desire to argue, knowing time was ticking. "Fine, what other terms are there?"
"You also have to consume my blood."
At this declaration, Zero failed to hide his shock. "W-what the hell for? I'm not the one that needs to be saved!"
"A dead hunter is no use to me," Kaname said coldly. "If you drink my blood, you will become stronger. And you must be stronger to fulfill your task."
"I can train harder, there is no-,"
"It is necessary. If you insist on being foolishly stubborn and refuse, then we can end the conversation now," Kaname said in a tone that brooked no opposition. He stared hard at the hunter, daring him to argue.
Zero fell silent. When he decided to make a deal with Kuran, he had already known he would make sacrifices. He reminded himself to focus on saving Ichiru.
Seeing the hunter back down, Kaname, relaxed his stare and curled his lips into a triumphant smile. "You drinking my blood is not the end of the world." He turned away to gaze at the sliver of moon outside his window. "After all, your ancestors consumed the flesh and blood of a pureblood to give rise to you hunters."
The shadows veiled the pureblood's expression, but Zero thought he detected an uncharacteristically acerbic undertone in that last sentence. However, he quickly brushed the thought aside.
"Set the terms down on paper, Kuran."
The pureblood glanced at him amused. "Do you think I will go back on my word? I have more reason to insist on a contract than you do."
"Then all the more reason to write everything down clearly," Zero retorted. "Things should be clear-cut between us."
Kaname smirked but rose from his sofa and went to the desk, where he found a piece of paper and took up his pen. Zero stood across the desk, watching silently as Kaname filled the paper with his elegant handwriting.
[Flashback End]
A tiny movement in the corner of his eye alerted Zero and he quickly refolded the contract and returned it to his pocket. He focused on Ichiru and saw his eyelids flutter. Gradually the eyes opened, revealing violet irises that mirrored his own.
Placing his palm over Ichiru's forehead, he found his temperature was noticeably cooler – in fact the fever was almost gone. Within the span of half an hour, Kuran's blood was already showing curative effects. It seemed the trip to the hospital was no longer necessary, but Zero would rather play it safe and have the doctors examine his brother to ensure all danger had passed.
"Zero?" his twin whispered groggily, still disoriented from his feverish dreams.
"Ichiru," Zero responded, relief washing over him as he tightly clasped his brother's hands.
Kaname sat at his desk, finishing the last sentence of his brief note: 'The older hunter twin has accepted as planned.' He folded the note, inserted it into an envelope, dripped some wax from a candle onto the envelope and pressed his stamp down. After the red wax containing the imprint of a stylized orchid hardened, he created a bat familiar, attached the envelope to it, and sent it out the window into the dark night skies.
A/N: Valen – No, he isn't Ori :) If I recall correctly Sara doesn't kill her fiancé until later in canon. Anyway, glad to hear you are enjoying the divergences from canon.
