Having woken surprisingly early, Yuuki felt wonderful. She hadn't felt this light in a while. And, she smiled; it was all due to Zero. She giggled quietly to herself as she dressed. He was just like his father described him as.
'He's so straightforward, though that could be because he's still a child, but I can always trust him to say what's on his mind.' Riku chuckled. 'I was able to take him to a park last week and there was this older boy who was trying to take another girl's sand shovel. I would have gone to stop it, but Zero got there before me. Do you know what he did?
He took the shovel from the boy, hit him over the head with it, and said what he was doing to the girl was 'bad'. Then, well, I guess he wanted the girl to stop crying but didn't really know how to and he just put his hand over her mouth and gave her the shovel back.'
Riku smiled and shook his head. 'I had to tell him even if what the other boy was doing was bad, he shouldn't hit him. I still don't know if he really listened. That stubbornness, I'm sure he got from his mother.'
She kept the memories of her and Riku-san stored away carefully inside her heart. She hadn't shared it with anyone, not even her brother. That short time she spent with him had felt like a dream. The only proof she'd had from it was the lasting taste of his blood on her lips. She was still awed by it, his blood had tasted and felt like nothing she'd had before. But she'd been of the opinion that, with Riku-san being such a magical person, it was only right his blood tasted that way too.
She vaguely wondered if Zero would taste the same and immediately stopped, ashamed at her presumptuous thoughts. Who ever said she had the right to or that he'd let her? Silly, silly, silly, she reprimanded. She had to keep her thoughts clean. Clean and pure, absolutely no thoughts on Zero and his blood, even if his neck did look rather tempting…oh, she shook her head. Pure and clean! Nodding decisively at herself in the mirror, she left her rooms with a spring to her steps. From the sound of the piano echoing, she knew exactly where Zero was.
--
The music was harsh and rhythmic, almost…violent, Yuuki noted, as she got closer to the music room. But it carried so much emotion she couldn't help but want to listen to more of it. She wondered what it was called. Approaching the door, she felt herself hesitate. What if she distracted him? The piece sounded intense, he might not be too happy about being interrupted.
But as the door was left open, she tried to peek in, her curiosity getting the best of her. Seeing the familiar form of Zero on the bench, bent over the keys, she felt a smile curl her lips. She'd never seen anyone look as beautiful playing an instrument and didn't think she ever would.
As the music died away on a rather ominous note, Zero sighed and leaned back, taking a breath. Raising his head, he caught the dark head of Yuuki poking in and held in a snort. What was she doing? Starting on another piece, he called out,
"Either come in or stay out." Predictably, the door slowly opened further and the girl stepped in looking sheepish.
"I didn't want to interrupt." She scratched her head. Stopping by the bench, she kept her hands together behind her back, just watching as he played.
Zero continued on for a few moments before sighing, "Are you going to stand there or sit?" Flustered at what she should do, she finally settled on scooting in place beside him.
"Um, what was that called, the one you were playing before this one?" She asked softly. Zero didn't look up from the keys as he answered,
"The Devil's Trill. It's supposed to be done by a violin."
"The violin?"
"It sounds far better with it – that and some bass."
"Oh…and this one?"
"Spring Waltz. It's an original done by Nase." She'd written the lyrics to it after his father's death. Zero had later added the piano.
"Is it a song?" Yuuki asked. She wanted to hear his voice. In answer to her question, Zero raised his head and began to sing.
--
Kain and Ruka looked up when they heard the faint sounds of the piano mixing wonderfully with a soft sweet tenor. They'd just arrived at Kaname's place to personally deliver the information they'd been asked to look up. Hanabusa was supposed to be here as well, though he'd already notified them of the delay and would arrive late.
Exchanging a quick glance, they wondered who it could be. Although they'd never heard him sing, they knew it wasn't Kaname. He wasn't the singing type and his voice was lower. It couldn't be Yuuki either unless she'd suddenly gone through a sex change. She'd probably still look adorable as a boy… Disturbed at the turn her thoughts had taken, Ruka mentally shook her head and asked aloud,
"Were we expecting anyone else?"
Kain shook his head. "It was just you, me, and Hanabusa. No one we know sings like that either." The clear voice originating from somewhere in the deeper confines of the mansion called to something in him, something primal. It made him feel elevated, yet sharply cold, as though there was a void in him sucking in all the warmth. A quick glance at Ruka's uneasy expression told him she probably felt the same.
Who was it?
"His voice is quite enchanting, no?"
"Ka-Kaname-sama," Ruka quickly bowed elegantly along with Kain.
So this was the effect of a Coeur de Sang's voice on lesser vampires. He had no doubt Ichijo had felt the same, though he didn't show it. Zero's voice called to both their vampire genes as well as their human genes. While the former would forcibly bring out the emptiness all pureblood vampires felt on a daily basis, the latter would feel enriched and soothed.
For pureblood vampires on the other hand, the voice of a pureblood Coeur de Sang brought nothing but a sense of fulfillment. Kaname wasn't sure whether to feel grateful or not to Zero for making him feel so every time he sang. He disliked not being in control of his emotions and Zero, due to his lineage, was easily capable of making them go haywire.
Coeur de Sang were essentially, the better half of pureblood vampires. They were the lighter compliment to the darker nature of vampires. They were able to soothe away any turbulent emotions – sadness, anger, fear…the list was endless – that may either provoke violence or cause harm to the vampires themselves, if they so wished to. Kaname speculated if they weren't born to be naturally kind and forgiving, pureblood vampires would have fallen to their control long ago.
And Zero was not just a Coeur de Sang; he was a pureblood Coeur de Sang.
Kaname guessed it was also the reason why he was able to musically cater to the taste of vampires. With their keen senses, most modern music just felt rough and abrasive to their ears. It wasn't surprising to know many of them preferred to listen to what the humans labeled as classics.
Smiling, Kaname led Kain and Ruka further in, "I feel introductions are in order. Yuuki and I have decided to entertain a guest with us for a prolonged period of time."
--
"That was…it was beautiful," Yuuki smiled. "It made me feel so warm. It was sad, but there was softness and a little gentleness. The title for it is perfect."
Zero nodded, "I'm glad you think so." Nase would have been overjoyed at someone appreciating her song. She couldn't believe anything good could have come out of the pain she felt after his father's death. He wished he could tell her there was someone who liked it as much as he did, that it didn't have to just be a reminder that his father was gone.
"Zero, could you…I mean, is it okay to ask if you could teach me?"
"You already did," Zero said flatly. Yuuki pouted. "You know what I mean," she crossed her arms. Zero snorted. He did.
"Something like this would be too complicated for a beginner. How far along are you?"
Yuuki looked sheepish. "Well, I wasn't very interested before this, so…not a lot?"
Zero raised a brow. "Not a lot – which would translate to 'nothing', am I right, or am I right?" He smirked as she lightly smacked his arm in retaliation.
"Zero! Will you teach me or not?"
"Fine, we'll start with something simple," he played a few notes. "Do you recognize that?"
Yuuki smiled brightly as she nodded. "My lullaby!"
"Mm, at least this much you know. Watch my hand."
Doing as she was instructed, Yuuki tried her luck and blinked as the notes came out a bit disjointed. Zero shook his head. "Lovely first try." He commented, his tone dry.
"You just watch, I'll get it!" Someday… But I'll get it, she told herself. Nodding, she tried again, frowning as she got the same result. Her third and fourth try came out with absolutely no change.
"Think about the song and what it means for you. Remember its rhythm, know the tune." Zero's advise smoothed out the frustration that started to build up and Yuuki closed her eyes, feeling for the lullaby within her. The words, the music, and her mother's smiles, her laughter. This lullaby encased her most precious moments with her. She almost didn't notice her fingers moving slowly over the keys.
"See? That wasn't so bad, though you need to loosen those stiff fingers. You can barely reach the keys enough as it is." He made an exaggerated show of shaking out his hand. Giggling, Yuuki did the same. "Don't let your hand freeze up, but you still need strength when pressing the keys. The sound should come out strong and firm." He played a few notes from the lullaby to emphasize his point.
Nodding, Yuuki placed her fingers over the keys, ready to give it another go. "Is this how you always play the piano?" The amount of thought and sensitivity that went into it was beautiful. If only her own past piano teachers could have shown her even half the amount of passion of Zero expressed in just a few notes, she could have felt more like a person playing rather than a mechanical robot memorizing sheets of music.
Zero shrugged, "Something like it."
Soft knocks at the open door had them glancing up. Kaname stood by the frame with two others, vampires of the second class, Zero assumed. His lackeys, maybe? An amused smile lifted his lips at the image of Kaname as a gang leader. It was too bad his looks were too refined for such a brutish position.
Yuuki stood up, "ah, Kaname…" She hadn't forgotten how she'd just left him in the halls last night. But this wasn't the time to apologize for her actions. They obviously had guests.
Having already guessed at why she looked so uneasy, Zero sighed and stood up. "You needed something?" He casually asked. Noting the irritated expression on the female vampire's face, Zero knew he'd been right on the dot about the 'lackey' thing. They all worshipped purebloods. Kaname wouldn't be any different.
--
Ruka couldn't help the indignation she felt at the utter disrespect this human was showing towards Kaname-sama. Why would he let this uncultured barbarian with no consideration to their customs into the privacy of his home? For her, it was nearly unthinkable.
This was the owner of that wonderfully wistful voice?
Not to mention, he hardly looked the part of a gifted singer – or piano player. Though the clothes looked fairly new, they were of a plain black dress shirt and equally plain black slacks. And, she was horrified to notice, he was barefoot. He had none of the refined air she imagined the owner of such a voice having. He looked like any other casually dressed teenager.
She saw Kain blink and knew similar thoughts were going through his mind. This certainly was a surprise.
--
"Kiryuu-kun, this is Souen Ruka and Akatsuki Kain. I felt you should know them in case of special circumstances." Specifically, when he or Yuuki weren't available. Then he'd get carted off to these guys. Though Zero doubted the possibility of it happening.
Nodding, he grimaced at the way he'd been addressed. "Drop the Kiryuu-kun thing, it's creepy. It wouldn't kill you to be informal would it?" He doubted the pureblood actually meant to be polite anyway. A lot of people tended to forgo that after they got to know him.
"Very well. What would you prefer?"
"My name." Zero said slowly as though he were speaking to a child. "It's just two syllables. Ze-ro. Yuuki does fine."
"Zero…" Yuuki whispered frantically, tugging on his shirt. "Please, not in front of them," she tried to discreetly gesture at Souen and Akatsuki. They may have been two of some of the closest nobles to her brother, but they were still outsiders, far from being considered family. Kaname, who was the head of the Kuran line, witnessed to being treated this way by his own 'guest' was questioning not only his capabilities as an accommodating host, but a figure of authority. If someone he'd personally invited into his home did not hold any respect for him, how could any others?
But whether he was aware of all of this or not, Yuuki couldn't tell from Zero's expression.
The pianist in turn, just shrugged. It was now or never. "I'm sure you wouldn't mind me calling you by your name. Why not do the same for me?"
Kaname merely smiled, "of course, as you wish, Zero."
Yuuki whimpered.
Zero smiled right back.
Ruka was on the verge of killing something.
Kain blinked. Again.
"You…how dare you!"
Ah, and Hanabusa had arrived. Perfect timing, really. And the blond barely took a split second to react.
The strip of ice that went streaking through the air should have been cause for alarm. It certainly was for Kain and Ruka. It should have pierced the insolent human through some part of his body. Though it wouldn't have been fatal – Hanabusa wasn't so foolish as to have someone die in Kaname's house – there should have been some blood.
There wasn't a drop. Hanabusa's ice hadn't even touched him.
The three of them would've thought it'd been the work of Kaname or Yuuki, but the powers of a pureblood vampire, when used, felt fairly distinct. All they'd seen the boy do was flick his wrist and Hanabusa's ice was no more. There was absolutely no indication solidified water had flown through the air.
"And I guess he's another someone I should know in case of special circumstances?" Zero chuckled then stopped as he saw the blond get slapped. "What are you doing?" That was definitely not just a pat to the face.
"He tried to harm a personal guest in my home. It's discipline." The pureblood answered, as though it were obvious. It probably was – to him. Zero disagreed wholeheartedly.
"What is he, an animal? Sure doesn't look like it to me." Zero snapped. "He was just looking out for you. Is it so wrong defend a friend?"
"A friend?" Kaname's tone sounded dangerous.
"Zero, Kaname, please," Yuuki whispered. "Please don't fight." Please. "I'll, I'll get some cranberry juice," she blurted. As soon as she said it she felt like kicking herself. Cranberry juice? Of course Zero liked it, but how would that help in any way? What was she thinking? Oh, she wished she had her mother's eloquence and her expert skills in damage control.
Zero blinked. Then shook his head, smiling. He knew when to admit defeat, even if it was to a girl barely in her teens. Actually, maybe it was because she was barely in her teens. He wasn't one to make little ones cry.
He smoothly sat back down on the bench. Clapping his hands a few times, he sighed and placed his fingers over the keys. He was the one that'd challenged Kaname in his own home. Although he didn't regret it – Kaname should have something new once in a while – he did regret the resulting outcome. Trying to keep his mind on that thought, he played another piece, Snow White, by Nase.
The surrounding vampires frowned in confusion, though they did nothing to stop the pianist, their anger and frustrating seeping away as they focused more on the music. Their negative emotions were being filled and replaced by something else, balm-like and cool, like mint. Yuuki sighed first in relief then contentment as Zero started to sing. She slowly sat back down, swaying to the music.
The song, she wished she knew what it was called, was filled with remorse. The lyrics spoke of actions and hurtful words that could not be taken back, already said and done. Promises unfulfilled, vows broken, feelings betrayed…but in the end, through all of that, there was forgiveness, an acceptance of faults, and reconciliation.
She didn't realize she'd been leaning on Zero's shoulder until he gently nudged her off to stand. Lowering the top back over the keys, he nodded towards the blond, "Sorry for upsetting you. I actually like you." He didn't apologize for getting him slapped. That'd be insulting his actions as well as Kaname – again. There must be something about Kaname that was worth protecting if these vampires got so bothered and acted as thought they themselves were personally insulted. He shrugged. "Well, I'll probably get your name later. Go on with whatever vamp business you came here to settle. I'll be in my room, Kaname." He loosely waved his hand over his shoulder as he left.
--
Recruiting back in his study, Kaname planned to deal with Zero at a later date and addressed the three nobles he called in. "What do you have for me?"
"Takuma hasn't got much to offer by ways of technical information, but he's definite of his grandfather planning something. He specifically said he was acting off." Kain started.
"And by off, you mean…?"
"He's been exceptionally…content, satisfied. Where as before he seemed more frustrated. He's heard him bang his desk a few times." The blond noble had been terrified his grandfather had actually achieved everything he'd ever dreamed of short of ruling the world. He'd pleaded with Kain to let Kaname know and to get back to him with any information if he could. He himself was dying to know what in seven hells was going on. He had a hunch it was connected to the pureblood siblings.
Ruka and Hanabusa exchanged uneasy glances. Their news wasn't any better. "Kaname-sama, about this person that's being hunted down…the hunters are looking for him, but it seems they're collaborating with other vampires. The Head of Hunter Society and the Council is involved – most likely the ones in charge of the capture operation."
"United for a common cause," Kaname murmured.
Hanabusa looked hesitant about asking before he went forward and hoped his courage won't come back to bite him in the ass. "Kaname-sama, that human you have as a guest here…" Who exactly is he?
"He is Kiryuu Zero."
"Kiryuu... He's, he's the one they're all after," the impulsive blond said, eyes widening. "But that's, I mean, why?" He was just a regular human, right?
Kain shook his head. "He's the one, isn't he? The Coeur de Sang?" He'd noted and recognized the signs. When Kiryuu started playing the piano in front of them, it only confirmed his findings.
"What? Coeur de Sang?" If she were anyone else, she would have shouted. Hanabusa didn't look any less shocked. They'd all read and been taught about Coeur de Sang, of course, but the image they painted in books was far from what the actual being was like. Kiryuu Zero didn't act anything like the soft, kind, saint-like character Coeur de Sang were noted for.
"He's not just any Coeur de Sang," Kaname said, his voice silky, "he's a pureblood Coeur de Sang."
"The only being worthy of the attention of a pureblood vampire without being one themselves…" Ruka murmured. For them, pureblood Coeur de Sang were to be given the same treatment as pureblood vampires. Now she could partially see why Kaname-sama was so indulgent about his behavior, though she still thought him unnecessarily rude.
Hanabusa had to refrain from gulping. Well, it was no wonder he was slapped for his actions. He should've suffered more, actually, for having done something so offensive. Actually striking at a pureblood Coeur de Sang…and the other boy had just laughed it off. His easy deflection of his ice could also be explained.
Vampire magic of any kind had less of an effect on Coeur de Sang, and at most times, they weren't affected at all. It was usually due to an inbuilt protection, something that was automatic and subconscious, but for pureblood Coeur de Sang, Hanabusa supposed they were also able to consciously use their powers, as Zero had so easily shown.
"How is it that he feels human?" He wondered aloud.
"He's a pureblood. That makes him different. He could probably cover it up…or something," Kain shrugged. Ruka nodded contemplatively. That could very well be probable.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice. I will notify you should I need for anything more." That they were to keep silent about the matter on Zero didn't need to be said aloud. The three nobles nodded and led themselves out.
--
"Zero? It's me, I have cranberry juice," Yuuki called softly. There was a shuffle of cloth before the door opened and a ruffled Zero stood before her rubbing his eyes. He said not a thing as he took the cup from the tray and went back inside though he kept the door open. Stepping in after him, she closed the door silently and sat down across from where he'd taken a seat.
"Um, about what happened," she started. Zero held up a hand as he took a sip from his cup. Placing it back down, he shook his head. "If you're going to apologize, save it. There's no need to." She hadn't done anything that warranted for one.
"And if you're here to tell me to apologize to him, save that too. I won't do it. I have a feeling he'll come after me for it later anyway," he muttered. It was just as well. He couldn't wait to see what Kaname would say.
"Do, do you not like Kaname?" Yuuki asked, uncertain. She didn't feel that was it was, though they seemed so angry then. Zero was the first person ever to have openly shown he'd disliked something from her brother, even if it was just something as small as what he was called.
"It's not that I don't like him, it's that I don't like the way he acts. It's as if he expects something might jump out to kill him out of everyone he meets."
"He, he has to act that way, or well…"
"He'd get stabbed in the back? Killed? Those are reasonable reasons, but he should know who he can and can't trust by now, right?" Zero sighed. "It's alright. I don't want to talk about this. I've heard stories, but I've never understood politics."
"I just want you to understand Kaname," Yuuki said earnestly.
"I think I understand plenty. I'm tired." He placed an arm over his eyes as he leaned back and slouched a bit in his seat, lying fully across the couch.
Yuuki subconsciously felt her eyes trace Zero's long graceful throat as he turned his head away. His skin was so pale and looked so soft…no, no! She shook her head. Clean and pure, remember?
"Um, I'll come back later, okay?" She should get out before she did something she'd regret. Zero only replied with a light grunt as his breathing started to even.
--
Sprawled lazily over the couch, still fast asleep was how Kaname found Zero hours later. An enticing image indeed, even if the teen were only human. Kaname lowered his hand across the openly exposed slender throat, stroking the side of it with his thumb wondering how the boy could sleep so soundlessly in a house belonging to two pureblood vampires. Did he trust them to that extent? For he was certainly not suffering from naivety.
"Ugh, that tickles." Zero groaned as he shifted, turning to land a disgruntled glare in Kaname's direction.
"Hey," he snapped, when Kaname didn't stop. "You can touch it all you want later. I'm not in the mood right now."
"Not in the mood? For what, I wonder," Kaname commented silkily.
"I meant you being childish and immature – wait, what the hell are you implying?" Zero fully sat up.
Kaname sent him an innocent smile that only worked to make his skin crawl. Kaname and innocent just didn't fit. At all.
"Terribly sorry if you happened to be hungry, but I'm not offering," he didn't sound sorry at all. "You mind letting me sleep?"
"Yes, actually. I do mind."
"If this has anything to do with what happened with that ice guy—"
"Aido," Kaname informed.
"Aido, I don't want to hear it. That, or come back when I'm more than half awake."
But Kaname didn't feel like coming back later, because Zero, when not fully functional, was fun to poke and prod. He had come to discuss Zero's behavior and come to some semblance of a compromise, but that had been cleanly swept aside by the curiosity that'd cropped up in regards to the boy lying in front of him. Besides that, Zero's neck kept stealing his attention. How was it one person's throat could look so enticing? He doubted it had anything to do with the younger boy being a Coeur de Sang. This was all Zero.
Zero grimaced and pushed Kaname's face away, though not unkindly. He didn't like the look in the vampire's wine red eyes as they stayed focused at a certain point on his neck. He had no doubt it was at his pulse point.
Kaname however, just pulled Zero's hand away from his face and kept a firm grip on it. Zero wouldn't be able to get his hand back even if he wanted to, which he did. "Ugh, I just want to sleep," he nearly whined.
"Are you not afraid I'll… bite?" The pureblood asked curiously. Zero was so...normal. Kaname couldn't sense any hint of uneasiness or fear.
"I'm not an idiot," was Zero short answer. Kaname felt he vaguely understood. He wasn't stupid enough to not know of the possibility, but nor was he stupid enough to be needlessly afraid. He was certain Kaname wouldn't bite him, at least for now.
"No, I don't feel that you are," Kaname murmured.
"Thanks, you've made my world go round, now can I sleep?" Zero groused. What was up with the other pureblood?
"But if I were to ask for your blood, would you willingly offer it to me?"
"…Yes."
"Yes…?" He actually sounded surprised, the snob.
"Yes, now get the hell out." Zero doubted he'd be able to get back to sleep anymore, but he sure as hell would try.
"May I stay?"
"What?" Zero blinked. "If you keep quiet," he muttered before turning around again. Somehow he just couldn't outright reject the Kuran siblings, whichever they were. Both the older and the younger had something over him. Zero couldn't believe he'd already made attachments, but he couldn't explain it any other way. These two had already charmed their way to the door of his heart and he had an expectant feeling that wasn't the farthest they'd get to.
--
Disclaimer: No own Vampire Knights.
Thank you for reading! :) This chapter was a little more on Yuuki Zero and Kaname interaction. By the way, I don't know if the Devil's Trill can be played on the piano...sorry if I had that wrong... But I do recommend this piece done by Vanessa Mae - she plays a wonderful version.