Chapter 9
Zero listened quietly as Toga announced the schedule for the night. Zero had four scheduled tables to host before his meeting with the Association President and personally Zero was not looking forward to it, though there were much needed answers to his questions about the appearance of a certain pureblood that shall not be named. Zero didn't want to recall the events that happened last night; it was hard enough to merely avoid being bombard with questions about his behavior by his brother Ichiru. But now he had to avoid not only his brother and said pureblood, but also a newly informed Takuma, who was currently staring at the side of Zero's face.
"Now that you all know your schedules for the evening, get to your tables then. Silver Moon will be expecting her first arrivals shortly." Toga finished and proceeded to leave the staff lounge with others following behind him.
"Um, Zero-kun…can I talk to you privately for a second?" Takuma asked softly for Zero's ears only.
Zero and Takuma stood silently until every staff member and host had left the room, leaving only the two there to talk.
"Let me guess. You want to ask me about my past, don't you?" Zero asked. "What? So you can pity me? Well truthfully Takuma, I don't want nor do I need your pity."
"No, Zero. That's not what I want at all." Takuma reassured. "That was never my intention, I'm sorry."
Zero sighed and brushed his hand through his hair. "How much did Aidou tell you about my past?"
"Nothing much, other than that when you were younger you were enrolled in a boarding school and that the year you turned twelve years old, the place went up in flames and you were the only one to escape safely outside, while unfortunately everybody else was trapped inside and ended up being killed. Leaving you witness to all of it."
"Is that all…?"
"Yes, that's all Aidou told me. He didn't tell me anymore than that."
'That's because he doesn't know anything more than that.' Zero thought. 'In fact, nobody knows more than that. Not even my own family knows more than that and that's how I want it to be. God forbid if they did knew, would they look at me the same way anymore?'
"There's more to it than that, isn't there Zero?"
Zero stiffened a little at the suddenness of the response from Takuma.
'More than you could even imagine, Takuma.'
"Not really…" Zero lied, but Takuma wasn't buying it for even a second and pushed on further.
"Zero, I understand why you refuse to say anything. I mean, if I was forced in a situation as scary as that, I too will be afraid and not know what to do. But seriously, don't you think you need to find someone you can confine in…?" Takuma reached inside his suit jacket. "I have the number to a very good therapist. I think she may be able to-"
Before Takuma could even finish speaking, he found himself being violently thrown against the wall with Zero's hands holding tightly around his neck.
"Help me?" Zero mocked, squeezing tighter. "Was that what you were going to say to me?"
"I-I was only trying to help, Zero." Takuma found himself struggling to say.
"Trying to help? Did I ever ask you or anyone else for that matter for help?"
Takuma shook his head.
"Exactly. So I suggest you butt the fuck out of my business, because this doesn't concern you."
"I'm sorry, Zero. I just thought I was helping by-"
"Being nosey?" Zero asked, interrupting Takuma again.
Once again, Takuma shook his head.
"You know that saying Takuma? How curiosity killed the cat?" Zero looked intensely at Takuma. "I think that saying applies to people like you. So before you get killed, I suggest you stop that curiosity of yours before it gets you into more trouble."
"There you are Zero. I was looking all…" Ichiru started at the door but stopped when he saw Takuma pinned to the wall by his brother's body. Due to Zero's position in front of Takuma, Ichiru couldn't see the hands wrapped tightly around Takuma's neck. "Um, what are you two doing in that position?"
Zero turned his head slightly to the side and flashed his brother an innocent smile. "What perverted things are you thinking about Ichiru? I was just helping Takuma here, with his tie. Wasn't I, Takuma?"
"Y-Yes, you were Zero."
"Seriously you two, can't you do something like that in the locker room before working hours? And Zero, have you forgotten that we have to host a table together right now?"
"Ah yes, I'm sorry Ichiru." Zero apologized at the same time he withdrew his hands from around Takuma's neck, making the blonde gasp for air.
"Well, if you know now; get the moving before Toga sees that we're not at our station." Ichiru ordered his brother.
"Alright already, I'm coming mother." Zero teased, making his brother huff and exit the room.
The innocent smile on Zero's face died down again as he turned once more to Takuma. "You know, I really think I should award you for your bravery and for helping me out back there. So, how about I confess to you something that nobody else knows except for a few about who I am."
Zero leaned close enough so that he was able to whisper in Takuma's ear, making the green eyed host look surprise. After he was done, Zero pulled back.
"Do you still think I need assistance knowing that much?" When Takuma didn't say anything, Zero spoke again. "I think not…"
Zero turned and left, saying no more than what was needed.
-0-
Hours seemed to drag on by. Customers came and went like busy bees in a hive.
Zero was going about his job as usual. Entertaining overworked females and more recently, males. Who drank booze like it was water and found comfort in his soothing flirtatious words. Zero had to admit, he liked this job a lot. Even though sometimes there were cases where his customers had a little too much to drink and became rowdy, and were unconsciously disturbing other hosts and their customers. Or other times, which were somehow becoming more like frantically lately, Zero would have customers who were too feely touchy and offered to buy Zero out for the night. Those were the customers Zero hated the most. They consisted of mostly old geezers and stuck-up rich women, who thought that rising up their prices, would assume Zero would change he mind about sleeping with them. However, Zero wasn't the type of person to sell his body or his love. Yet, oddly enough Zero was willing to bet both of that without any care. Zero found himself believing that he was contradicting himself whenever that idea came to mind. Zero was willing to bet his body or his love, but when it came to selling it, he wouldn't have it. It was something he never understood, even now as he poured the bottle of a 1997 Dom. Romane Conti red wine in the wine cup of the Hunter Association President. Who like those old geezer and stuck-up rich women, had the habit of not keeping his hands to himself and instead found it enjoyable to place them on Zero's thighs and upper body.
"My, my…you seem rather docile with my touches this evening. Before you would have just swatted my hand away and glared at me with those pretty eyes of yours." Hunter Association President whispered, moving a little to close into Zero's comfort zone.
Zero hated hosting the Hunter Association President, but it was a requirement as a host to host any customer who requested for his presence. And though he didn't like the H.A President one bit; especially when he was in a secluded area surrounded by three walls and a large curtain, Zero had no choice but oblige to the man's sick ways. Zero didn't want to risk revealing to his master Toga the secrets the H.A President knew about Zero that many others didn't. Zero would even sleep with the man if it meant that it will assure Zero of his silence, but the chances of the H.A President doing that was very slim. Especially now that Touma has come back and reclaimed what was rightfully his. So in a way, Zero could say that he was grateful for the return of Touma, but other than that, it was a hell sent. One that has Zero's humanity on the line.
"Don't flatter yourself, old man." Zero bit back, swatting the wondering hands of the H.A President.
"Where on this face do you see any sign of aging?" The H.A President asked, moving his hands to Zero's thighs again. "I keep my beautiful well maintained, you know."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then what's that wrinkle there, just above your forehead."
"A wrinkle! Where?" The H.A President quickly went for the silver spoon to check his appearance in its reflective surface, but when he didn't find any, he directed his gaze to a smirking silver haired host.
"My goodness, you're more pre-occupied with your looks than the average girl." Zero mocked, purposely showing the mirth sounding in his voice.
Mad beyond belief at being foolishly played for a foul. The H.A President decided to push the buttons he knew will get the hunter swimming in fear. "By the looks of it, it seems to me like you're quite in a merry mood. And since you are, I suppose you wouldn't mind telling me about your happy reunion with an old lover, now do you?"
Just like that, Zero stiffened in his seat. Exactly the way the H.A President believed it would.
'Score one for the pretty Hunter Association President.' The H.A President thought as he basked in the fear radiating off of his stiffened host.
"Oh dear…what has you all shook up for, Zero? It can't be that your reunion with Touma-sama didn't turn out like you had hoped it would?" The H.A President slowly shook his head. "Poor baby…"
"H-How did you know he came to me last night." Zero asked.
"When he came back in his full form, though the affects were only temporally since you unlocked the seal that's sealing his true form and powers for a short time." The H.A President answered nonchalantly. "You know Zero, you are quite lucky…"
Zero stared at a slowly approaching H.A President, unable to move.
"Touma-sama is quite the looker and a man of high standards. Yet, you ruined that, didn't you?"
'Damnit you useless body, move! Please move!'
"Oh, you don't think so?" The H.A President questioned moving ever so closer to an unmoving Zero. "Even though he did all that for your sake? You treat him coldly and even put a spell on him, all because you can't admit that you were the cause of all those countless deaths. All those teachers and students dying for your sake? How does it feel Zero? How does it feel to be a cold blooded murderer?"
"S-Stop it, please!" Zero pleaded desperately.
"Stop what? Stop telling the truth?"
"Please, I beg you."
"Fine, I'll stop. But only if you give me what for so long I have wanted."
"What is that?"
"Give your body to me. Only then will I stop." The H.A President said and without waiting for an answer from Zero, pounced on said hunter. Hands roaming around the silver haired boy's chest.
"G-Get off me…stop it! I said stop it!" Zero cried, trying his best to get the H.A President off him.
"Hey! Didn't Zero say get off him?" Came a voice somewhere behind Zero.
Before Zero could even react to what was happening, the H.A President was violently thrown off Zero, through the opened curtain and onto the carpet floor of the western style dining area of Silver Moon. The chatting people stopped what they were doing to stare at the scene before them.
The H.A President who was trying to get up was once again pushed back down when a foot was pressed against his chest.
"Who is the dead man who dares press his dirty foot on my lovely kimono?" The H.A President demanded in a harsh tone as he struggled against the persistent foot. But, the struggling ceased when the eyes of the H.A President came upon the eyes of one of the most feared vampires known. Kaname Kuran.
"K-Kaname-sama, I didn't know it was you? P-Please forgive me."
Kaname pressed his foot harder against the man's chest. "Why should I?"
"B-Because I didn't do anything thing wrong."
"Didn't do anything wrong? Now, that's not so much accurate, is it?"
The H.A President shook his head.
"What could a man like you be doing at a host club anyways? If it was to try and make your moves on Zero over there, then let me tell you now. I don't do too kindly to those who try and take what's mine? And that over there is mine until the day I'm bored with it. Understand?"
"Y-Yes, Kaname-sama."
"Good, now leave this place and never return."
Kaname watched as the H.A President quickly got to his feet and hurriedly got his ass out of there before Kaname was to change his mind. All to which was observed by a smirking pureblood. After a moment longer Kaname made his way back into the room he left Zero in.
"Hey, are you okay?" Kaname asked, genuine concern sounding in his voice.
Zero only nodded, much to Kaname's dislike.
"Do you know that guy?"
"Um, n-not personally no. He is just a regular who comes every so often to be hosted by me." Zero lied. He had to. He couldn't reveal to a human that he was a vampire hunter and that man was actually his boss. The thought of vampires and vampire hunters would all appear to be a bad joke to Kaname, especially when humans don't know that they exist.
"I see…well, anyways can you stand?"
"Uh yea, I think so." Zero said and made his way to stand when suddenly his still unresponsive legs gave way under the weight of his body and caused him to crash against Kaname's chest. "S-Sorry, it seems they are still unable to move yet."
"Well, I guess I have no choice then." Kaname said and lifted a very surprised silver haired host up with ease.
"What the…what are you doing Kuran?" Zero demanded as his arms automatically wrapped themselves around Kaname's shoulders.
"What does it look like, I'm carrying you bridal style." Kaname answered with a smile as he began walking out the private room and into the dining area of the western theme room of Silver Moon. As they made their way across, all eyes were on them.
"Kuran please put me down, now." Zero ordered with a flushed face at being watched by people being carried bridal style by a man.
"Nope"
"People are staring at us."
"Then let them stare."
"But people might get the wrong idea."
"Really? Because last time I checked, you and I were dating, remember?" Kaname raised an eyebrow. "I hope you didn't forget our bet, Zero?"
"I course I didn't."
"Then what's the problem?"
"They probably might get freaked out by seeing a man carrying another man like a bride."
"Is that so, because what I see is some very happy looking girls."
Zero looked around and just as Kaname said, there were girls squealing at the sight of them two and even taking pictures, much to Zero's dislike at being photographed in an embarrassing situation.
"Oh my god, this is so embarrassing." Zero mumbled.
"Really, cause I'm not."
"That's because you're not the one being carried bridal style by a famous rock star." Zero huffed.
"Only you will find this embarrassing. Every other girl will find this as a dream come true."
"Exactly…everyone who is a girl!"
"Relax Zero; we are almost out of Silver Moon."
"Thank god, I don't think I can handle anymore embarrassment."
"Embarrassing like having the man who is carrying you start singing and swinging you like a baby."
"Yea, something like that…wait, what?"
Before Zero could even fully respond, Kaname started singing and swaying Zero from left to right.
"Here comes the bride, all dressed in white!" Kaname sang loud enough that everyone in the center lobby was now staring at them.
Zero seriously wanted to die. Never in his life had he ever been so embarrassed by one human being before until today.
"Kuran please stop singing and please put me down now."
"Okay, but only if you stop calling me Kuran."
"Huh?" Zero looked up at Kaname in bewilderment.
"Call me Kaname."
"Are you out of your mind?" Zero shouted.
"Fine, then I will continue on singing and swaying you." Kaname threatened.
"Alright, I'll call you Kaname. So now can you please put me down?"
"See, now that wasn't so hard?"
"Hard as your head –Ouch! What the hell Kaname!" Zero yelled up at Kaname from the concrete ground Kaname dropped him on.
"Opps sorry, it seems my hard head didn't quite seem to understand what you meant by put you down." Kaname playfully teased.
"Whatever just don't do that again." Zero looked around and noticed that he was outside of Silver Moon. "Kaname, why are we outside?"
"We're outside because you need to be when you're going on a date, duh." Kaname said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Say, what?" Zero asked, dumbfounded. "When did I ever agree to go on a date with you?"
"Since the moment you owed me a favor."
"Owe you a favor? When did I…" Zero stopped suddenly when the events from earlier came into play. Zero couldn't stop the wave of fear that coursed through his body at remembering it.
"…All those teachers and students dying for your sake?"
Zero covered his ears. "N-No, it wasn't…I-I didn't mean…"
"Zero? Hey Zero, are you okay?"
"…How does it feel Zero?"
"Please stop it…please!"
"Zero get a hold of yourself! What's wrong, tell me Zero?"
"…How does it feel to be a cold blooded murderer?"
"They deserved it! They all fucking deserved to burn!"
"ZERO!"
Zero was halted from any further yelling or thrashing when he was engulfed completely in Kaname's arms. Zero didn't know why, didn't understand, but somehow the warmth flowing from Kaname's hug soothed the wild beast in Zero's heart and mind. Zero felt warm, protected and cherished, even though it was just a little. Zero found himself calming down quicker than any of the other times he had his occasional panic attacks. Zero felt as though he belonged in these arms that felt so warm and tender. Zero couldn't stop himself from wrapping his own arms around Kaname and holding tightly as if never to let go, both not caring about the questioning eyes of people walking by.
Kaname and Zero couldn't remember how long they stood like that before Zero finally pushed away, his head bowed.
"I think you should go Kaname. It will be better if you did."
"And why's that?"
"Because I can't explain to you what happened just now."
"Last time I checked, I never asked you too."
"Yea, but you must be wondering why I had a panic attack."
"Your right about that, but I'm not going to force you to say something you don't wish to say." Kaname paused for a moment before starting up again. "Listen Zero, when you're ready to, you can tell me. But until then, I'll act as though it never happened. So will you please look at me?"
Zero lifted his face until his eyes met with Kaname's. Silent tears were making their way down Zero's eyes, but they were soon brushed away by Zero's hand. Once his face was cleared of tears, Zero smiled. It was the most beautiful smile Kaname had ever laid his eyes on, that it made Kaname do something he boldly wouldn't do.
"Thank you Kaname, I really-"
Zero was silenced when Kaname's lips came in contact with his. At the suddenness of Kaname's action, Zero didn't know what to do. So like a deer caught in headlights, he just stood there with wide violet eyes. Kaname on the other hand was not too far off from the way Zero was feeling. It was weird, one flash of that beautiful smile made Kaname's mind go blank and his instincts act on impulse. And every part of Kaname's instincts was telling him to kiss the boy, kiss him and never let go. It was kissing those lips that suddenly without even knowing yet made the first lock of many locks open within Kaname's heart, making Zero one step closer to capturing Kaname's sealed heart.
Yet, both were unaware of the pair of ominous hazel eyes staring down at them from the balcony on the highest floor of the hotel, just across the street from Silver Moon and right across the street from them. The window of the hotel room cracked a line between the reflection of the two.
The game has now begun.
TBC…
D/N: Poor Zero, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, I'm so sorry Zero! *Cries* But, it adds to the drama.
Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter with all its angst and comedic humor. The next few chapters after this will be nothing but more comedic humor before going back to the drama.
But you guys know the deal, so please review and tell me what you guys think.