A/N: Hey everyone sorry it's been so long since I updated, I really wanted to make this chapter interesting and for a while, I felt like I couldn't write the more emotional scenes well enough. So, long story short, I re-wrote this chapter about six or seven times before I really felt like it was okay enough to post and that's basically why it took me so long to get it out to you. With that being said I know it's not my best, I hope you enjoy anyway for those of you still reading and to those just joining hello and welcome to this very strange fic of mine. Thanks again to everyone that reviewed and here's chapter 13! ~Len
Ch. 13: Questions and Answers
"Answers to what exactly?" The silverette questioned, there could be a wide variety of topics Aido could want answers to, the idiot was stubborn enough to confront him about something so likely it had been on his mind for a while.
"The arrows, I want to know about them, and this last mission you went on. I want to know what it was all about." Came the answer before a long pause between the four vampires.
"The mission is none of your business, nor Kuran's, not even the Chairman of the Association knows all the details of those missions. As for the arrows, they're part of a hunting technique and had you been foolish enough you could have gotten yourself killed that day." Zero pointed out, while he did not mind informing certain vampires of information that would eventually have to be shared, telling Aido whatever he wanted to know was not in the plans. Zero had no intentions of telling him much more.
"And why isn't it our business hm? Don't you work for the Chairman? Doesn't he assign those missions to you in the first place?" Aido pressed which caused Zero's eyes to flash momentarily. The sudden spark of magic that snapped like lightning in the room caught the blond off guard but Zero did nothing further. Aido and the others watched for the teen's eyes to flash silver-cobalt blue once again.
'What in heaven's name was that?!' Takuma questioned, there had been nothing more after that one flash but it was enough for the nobles to know it was no trick of the light or strange reflection of some sort. 'Likely that had something to do with Silverblood...but even that is a bit concerning.' He thought with a slight pang of sympathy for the younger vampire.
"If you hate the association so much why didn't you destroy it as you claim you can." Aido questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"It's not the whole of the association that's a problem, it's their Chairman. He's been a problem long before he was standing in his current position." Zero replied, leaning back in his chair slightly.
"And yet you're going to this compound place willingly..." Zero inwardly flinched but made no sign of discomfort outwardly and simply nodded.
"Why?" It was Shiki this time that asked, sitting up slightly focusing in on the eyes of the younger vampire. Kaito had told him that you could occasionally see his walls shatter inside them. Sure enough there was a shift, the color dulled for a few moments as though a storm cloud had passed through them.
"It's tradition, before we go to war Kiryuu Clan members must go to the compound for a month." Came the answer but the vampires knew there was more to it than that. It had something to do with Silverblood and the Chairman's need for Zero to be under his control.
"Zero, I am well aware this may be forward of me, something tells me you don't want to go to the compound if you can help it. Am I right?" Takuma voiced softly from the younger's side. Zero looked down for a few seconds before raising his eyes up to the older blond.
"It's not something within my control. Even if I fought it or used...unfavorable tactics there'd be nothing I can do to keep myself from that place." He explained quietly. 'Nor can I keep myself from coming into my power and being of Silverblood.' He added in thought. Truth be told the idea of going to the compound for any extended amount of time was terrifying but two months sounded like something he didn't know if he could endure.
"Zero?" Takuma asked, vines had started climbing the walls and were beginning to cover the ceiling. The silverette looked up at the blond and noticed the vines, with a snap of his fingers they turned to ash and vanished from the room. "That was something having to do with Silverblood wasn't it?" He questioned carefully. Zero looked at him with slightly widened eyes before nodding.
"Can't you control it?" Aido asked warily keeping his eyes sweeping the room for more vines possibly crawling over the floor. Zero smirked slightly though his eyes dulled considerably.
"Would you like me to say yes to that? Truth is I only have minimal control as is. One of the main reasons it's essential for me to go to the compound is to perfect control over Silverblood." He announced glancing out the window.
"But the compound isn't just for control ability...is it..." Shiki spoke up again catching Zero and everyone else's attention. With a sigh Zero shook his head.
"Unfortunately no. I take it someone told you that the compound is less than ideal as far as actual living goes." He half mumbled.
"Why is that?" The room went silent after Takuma spoke.
Zero looked back and forth between the three nobles. The room became suddenly very small but he attempted not to allow any sign of his internal reeling back from the question. "Technically it's not supposed to be discussed outside of the ones involved with the compound." He settled on saying after a bit.
"Does anything that happens there put you in any danger?" Takuma pressed growing serious once again.
"Depends on what you define as danger." The teen responded though he didn't lift his eyes from where they had become focused on the floor.
"Anything that could potentially hurt you, I would say the Chairman as well but frankly I'm not so concerned with him since I have a feeling he is behind a lot of what goes on in the compound." Zero mentally sighed but nodded in both confirmation and understanding.
"So that's a yes then..." Shiki decided, once again Zero nodded. Takuma bit his lip gently, if he was worried before by now he was an internal mess of panic and anxiety over the younger vampire. Aido looked between the three occupants in the room warily. Shiki and Takuma were eyeing Zero and said silverette was keeping his unmoving gaze on the floor.
"Let's say that if you put a 'normal' hunter or vampire in there, it's likely they'd be dead long before two months ended." Zero moved to rest his head on a hand as he explained while his eyes focused out the window. He didn't have to look to know the nobles were likely sharing looks with each other, staring at him as though he had grown another head and debating on whether to get Kaname sooner or later. Before anyone could say anything more there was another knock at Zero's door. He was starting to wonder if he would end up with the entire moon dorms in his room by the end of the day. "Come in." He announced keeping his voice soft but assertive at the same time. The door opened to reveal Kaname, Kain, and Taiyo standing on the other side. Raising a delicate eyebrow he called out to the young hunter. "Taiyo? What are you doing here?" He asked looking up briefly to Kaname in hopes of some explanation.
"He was asking for you, apparently he had been waiting out in the garden and Kain saw him while looking for Aido." Kaname informed while moving out of the way so the hunter could pass into the room. Lifting turquoise eyes up to Zero Taiyo bit his lip gently. He looked nervous and the older hunter was once again reminded that his student was just shy of turning fourteen. Though his skill was along the same level as the other TAU members he was significantly younger.
"Thank you both, for bringing him here." Zero nodded to the two vampires in the doorway though his eyes hardly left the kid in front of him. Kaname's eyes widened slightly as he watched the older hunter but nodded regardless and motioned for Kain, who in turn grabbed Aido, before the trio left. Seeing that their previous conversation was over, Takuma and Shiki took to making themselves busy with their own things once again.
"Taiyo?" Zero questioned again standing from his desk and walking over and kneeling in front of the younger; as he placed a hand on the boy's cheek he felt that is was slightly swollen and his eyes were a bit red around the rims. 'Have you been crying?' The question was silent but conveyed to the other clearly. Instead of giving an answer those usually clear captivating eyes filled once again with tears, the warm liquid soon started to fall onto Zero's hand and the floor. The vampires were alert to the new transformation as well as the smell of salt lingering in the air around them. Zero had a feeling he knew why the young assassin was here initially, but the way Taiyo held onto his hand pressed against his cheek confirmed it.
"S-Sensei..." He managed to whisper out before breaking into sobs and throwing himself into Zero's arms which closed around him instantly. The silverette had no doubt the entire moon dorm was listening intently to what was going on, but they weren't going to involve themselves at the moment and Zero was thankful for that, he could put all his energy and attention on Taiyo. Running a hand through the boy's dirty blond hair Zero gently shushed and comforted him as he used to do Ichiru after a nightmare or a fit. It took a few minutes but eventually the sobs quieted into muffled deep breaths and Zero took that opportunity to lead the younger into the bathroom to wash his face.
"Did you tell Isei or anyone that you were coming before you left?" Zero asked giving the other a warm washcloth to hold against his face. Taiyo shook his head and allowed Zero to remove his jacket before leaning back against the older's firm chest. "I'll send them a message then."
"Do you have to go?" It was more whimpered than asked but Zero knew how stressful and hard it could be to go from having someone to follow and rely on to being on your own.
"Unfortunately yes I do have to go for everyone's sake, not just my own and the Chairman's. Trust me when I say if there was an alternative way to do this I'd take it in a heartbeat." He answered sincerely as the two stood in the bathroom for a while longer. Truth be told Taiyo was the hardest to leave, not only because of his age but the two always had a connection from day one. Over their years Zero became much more than a teacher to the younger, he was more like an older brother. When Taiyo's own father died Zero stepped in to fill that role and helped care for the boy's mother until her passing as well. Zero was the only one Taiyo would go to and while Zero wasn't one to play favorites with anyone the younger hunter often found he could get a bit closer to Zero than the others. That made him quite proud.
"Why can't I go with you? The Chairman said he would allow us to continue training with you." The young hunter protested, it wasn't the first time he had brought up the subject either, yet Zero still have no intentions of allowing any of the TAU near the compound much less in it.
"Because it's too dangerous for you and the others. I'm not putting any of you in that place. If something were to happen to you I'd never forgive myself. Besides, none of you need more training. You're very capable, efficient and knowledgeable about what you're doing." He explained continuing to run his hand through the other's hair. He was well aware that Taiyo wouldn't ever fully understand the worry surrounding the compound but that was alright as long as he could keep him and the others away from it.
"You'll come back right? From that place? You won't die there right?" They were questions asked more for assurance than anything else and Zero knew that well but answered regardless.
"Yes, I'll come back to all of you no matter what. I won't die at the compound and everything will be fine once this all blows over." Zero told the younger as Taiyo turned to face him once again with tears glistening in his eyes.
"Do you promise?" Zero pressed a shirt sleeve against the younger's eye to catch the falling tears as he once again knelt in front of him.
"I promise." He told him sincerely, lavender-amethyst met turquoise and Taiyo nodded once again in understanding. "Would you like to stay here for tonight?" Zero asked standing up and ruffling the other's hair as he did so. At that the younger hunter brightened up a little and nodded. "Let's get you something to drink as well, maybe some food too hm?" The silverette added on after a few moments. Again Taiyo nodded and allowed a soft smile to grace his lips as they walked out of the bathroom. Upon noticing the gazes of the two nobles on him the younger hunter flushed momentarily; he had made a fool out of himself in front of all of them and Zero.
'What kind of hunter am I if I can't even keep my emotions in check?' He questioned himself, as though Zero could read his thoughts a hand was laid on his shoulder and squeezed gently. Telling him that he was fine, there was nothing to worry about.
"We'll be back in a bit." Zero announced to the two, who gave him friendly nods in return before he lead the other to the kitchen.
"Do they always room with you?" Taiyo asked eventually, he couldn't help but notice the nobles looked a bit out of place on the cots as they were.
"No, I don't know what happened but they ended up in my room for the night. Probably something Aido caused initially." Zero shrugged as he heated some water and told the other to pick which kind of tea he wanted to drink.
"Aido...he was one of the ones you mentioned earlier that we saw yes?" Came the question with a slight tilt of the head.
"Yes, what do you want to eat? I'm not sure what all they have in here but I assume there are enough things to make something decent." The silver haired hunter opened the fridge to find a wide selection of things he could use to make feasts with. 'You could feed a small country or island with all this food if you made the right things.' He thought while picking out some items he'd use for sure.
"Will you be going to class tomorrow...er...tonight too Sensei?" If he could Taiyo would much rather enjoy the day and a half he had left with Zero doing things before the older left for the compound in the upcoming night.
"I'm not sure, frankly I don't know if there's a point to going since I'll be leaving so soon anyway." Zero smiled slightly though the realization of how little time he had left was starting to sink in painfully fast. Noticing this, as Taiyo was one of the few that could read his Sensei incredibly well, walked over and wrapped his arms around the older's waist.
"Sensei...are you scared to go to the compound?" He asked in a soft whisper as he didn't want anyone else to overhear their conversation. Zero wasn't one to generally confide in his students, if anyone it would be Kaito or Touga if the latter forced it out of him. But on rare occasions, Taiyo could see a vulnerable side of Zero and connect with him on a whole different level. Zero put his things down and turned around to hug the young assassin closer to him.
"I am, but I know I'll get through and come back to you all." He whispered back. Taiyo nodded but didn't let the other go. Unnoticed by the two Takuma, Shiki and Aido stood watching the two hunters, the former two sharing looks of sympathy and understanding.
'Don't worry Zero, I won't let you spend very long in that place. For your sake, and for the sake of your students as well.' The older blond silently promised to the silverette.
To Zero's surprise and slight relief Touga canceled classes for the next two days, Kaien suspected it had something to with wanting Zero to spend the next day and a half with Taiyo but he never mentioned it.
"I really want him to spend as little time in that compound place as possible, we don't know how long it will take for the Chairman to unleash Silverblood." Takuma started as he, Kaname, and the rest of the pureblood's inner circle along with Kaito found themselves in Kaname's study as Zero went to the shooting range nearby with Taiyo and Touga.
"Silverblood had been unlocked for a few weeks already, it's the Ultimate Weapon that the Chairman is trying to get at now. It won't take long, probably four days max." Kaito stepped in though he didn't move from his place on the wall next to the window.
"Then why would he need to spend so much time there if Silverblood is already active?" Ruka piped up with a frown. Kaito sighed and glanced out the window.
"To break his will, Zero doesn't break easy, anyone with sense knows that, the Chairman would need a long time to break him of all his will. He'll make him a perfect killing machine for him and him only. If Black Rose gets to that point he'll turn on everyone else, if you think you have a chance you're sadly mistaken. Friends, co-workers, students, innocents it won't matter. He'll kill them all." The hunter explained, this was classified information and he could very well be killed for sharing it, especially with vampires of all beings. But they could help.
"Never thought I'd be grateful for Kiryuu-kun's constant will and ability to keep fighting." Aido mumbled from the other side of the room.
"So let's assume Black Rose is in full effect by the time we get there, will he be a threat to us?" Kain questioned looking over to Kaito.
"Theoretically no, Black Rose is more equipped for assassin attacks, not so much straight up fighting as Luna and Zero are. Likely we would get there and work to keep the guards and such out of the way, as well as the Chairman. Zero can break out on his own. He knows that place like the back of his hand." Kaito answered, Black Rose was unpredictable but if he left of his own accord it was likely he wouldn't cause trouble.
"And after he gets out? We can't just have some crazed assassin walking around." Aido pointed out, redeeming himself from his complement of Zero earlier. Kaito's eyes narrowed at the comment but he didn't move from his place.
"He's not crazed, just powerful and not entirely in control. But to answer your question, once he gets out he'll likely leave and I doubt we would see him for at least two or three weeks. He knows he is dangerous and would never put people in danger by risking staying around." Came the reply.
"Good to know he has some sense, where will he go then?" Ruka snubbed dismissively looking at her nails. Kaito could have shoved a knife through her right then and there without a care but he made no move to do so.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this but since you'll likely find out one way or another I will, that being said don't ever mention it to Zero, once he leaves the compound Zero will likely change forms from whatever he is into his pureblood form also known as Luna. She will be a mediator for the power that Zero as he is cannot handle without training and lots of control practice. After changing, Luna will probably flee to the unknown location of the true Kiryuu estate." The hunter laid out for the group though he was clearly not fond of giving them so much information he knew Zero didn't want them to find out.
"The true Kiryuu estate? I didn't know they had an estate at all." Takuma mumbled from off to the side, he would gladly admit that he went through and thoroughly looked at every record he could get his hands on concerning the Kiryuu Clan. They were just so incredibly inhuman he couldn't keep away from them at all.
"That's because the estate doubles as a headquarters for an elite army, once hidden from even the association. The Kiryuu Clan were no normal hunters obviously but Zero-kun's family in particular had some oddities. The house they were attacked in was just a cover; only a Kiryuu knows where the true estate is and only a Kiryuu or someone lead by a Kiryuu with permission may get there. The estate itself will kill anyone else." Seiren stepped in from the shadows to provide her gathered information.
"Why though, they were secretive but that's a little over the top even for a paranoid person." Kain asked, growing curious himself about the whole of the Kiryuu family itself.
"More importantly, will Luna have control of the army they've concocted?" Kaname questioned, he was beginning to realize this could end up destroying many lives and Zero would be at the heart of it one way or another.
"Zero as we speak has them already perfected to listen to his every order. Not that they wouldn't have been compelled to do so regardless but that's hardly the point. Now he has all of them trained and ready." Kaito spoke up with a sigh.
"Who are they." Kaname lightly demanded, he wanted to know what they were up against should there be a war of some sort started.
"They're called the Trained Assassins Unit, or TAU for short. We're not dealing with normal hunters here Kaname-sama, we're dealing with highly effective assassins." Seiren answered after a pause. The room stood still for at least two minutes, letting what Seiren had said fully sink in.
"That means Zero's mission a few nights ago...that wasn't a spy mission...they were called to wipe out those rogue hunters...and leave no trace behind. Just as...assassins." Senri spoke slowly and quietly but it could have been a scream against the deafening silence of the room. Turning to the model Seiren gave him a slight short nod.
"That boy, the one Zero took to the shooting range, Taiyo I believe his name is, is he part of the TAU as well?" Takuma questioned remembering how much Zero seemed to care for the kid. Kaito nodded in response.
"There are seven students total, Zero himself makes eight TAU members. No one knows exactly how skilled they are but they're strong enough to take out an entire army of nobles and two or three purebloods at a time. Zero is the main strategist in this, he'll lay out a plan for them to use and he'll perfect it as each battle goes on. Really in all there's no way to win against them. They have both immense power and the brains to back it up." Kaito informed casually.
"Takamiya-kun is unfortunately quite correct, even without many records the members of the TAU have quite thoroughly proven their ability." Seiren agreed.
A/N: So there you have it, chapter thirteen I still can't believe it. We're not getting super close to the end but we're winding down and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should add another chapter for fan-service purposes? Let me know what you think! Thanks, everyone for reading, those of you keeping tabs on this fiction I really do appreciate it. Happy Halloween and remember ~Keep Calm & Fanfiction On~