For the first time since Yuuki has met Zero Kiryuu, tonight was the night she got to sleep comfortably alone. Yet as she clutched onto her pillow, there was a strange coldness about the room. It was too still and spacious. What was wrong with her? As she searched for an answer, something Zero once said to her came back to mind, "again..." He said he'd make her fall in love with him again. When? Had they met before? The endless night stretched on and on.

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Crisis 8

The Brother's Request

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A smiling Zero greeted Yuuki as she swung opened the door. She frowned, commenting, "your really early."

"Its because you promised to meet Ichiru," Zero began to say, "for the first time, I'm taking someone important back to meet with my family..."

Yuuki stared at him as he walked ahead of her. For the first time she was looking at him in a whole new perspective. The words he just said showed a different side to him, the side of a someone who was gentle and really caring towards those he loved.

He continued, "besides, I didn't sleep a wink last night. It was uncomfortable sleeping without your body next to mine. I didn't get to-"

Yuuki walked passed Zero who was now behind her, hopping on the same spot, holding his leg. She smiled, realising her aim was better than usual. She paused at the door though, a sudden rush of uneasiness. Was this the right thing to do? To mislead a sick person? Before Yuuki could decide, Zero had already opened the door. She swiftly followed in.

She stopped as a gentle-similar looking guy to Zero smiled at her. Though his hair was much longer and tied, his skin way more pale compared to Zero's, almost like a ghost. His voice held no strength, "You must be my sister in law. I'm Zero's twin brother, Ichiru Kiryuu. Its my pleasure to meet you."

Yuuki stepped forward, nervous about the whole situation, "its also a pleasure to meet you too." She turned her head a little to see Zero smiling behind her. A smile so sweet it felt as if everything was worthwhile.

For the first time, Zero acted gentlemen like, pulling the chair out for Yuuki to sit on before he took his. He had a more serious expression when he talked to his brother, "Ichiru did you take the medicine today? What time did you wake up? Should I adjust..."

Yuuki suppressed a giggle as Ichiru lightly smacked Zero's mouth. "Zero, my baby little Zero, please calm down. Would you like some milk?"

Zero threw a leer at Yuuki who laughed her head off. Ichiru winked at Yuuki, a sign to say he was deliberately embarassing Zero. He also laughed but then coughed for a few seconds.

Zero asked with a worried voice, "are you sure you are ok Ichiru?"

"Your flustering over me isn't doing my bad health any good. I'm a normal person you know?" Ichiru answered, drawing breath at the same time as he recovered.

Zero sat back on his chair, looking away, "whatever you say, to have to bother me to come back to take care of the company means your about to die-"

Reaching across the table, Yuuki slapped Zero on the head, "should you relly be saying that to your beloved brother?"

Ichiru laughed as Zero protested and Yuuki threw him more death glares that said she was about to twist his head off any second, which shut him up in the end.

"Its so good to be lively," Ichiru commented, "to be honest with both of you, I really don't know how long more I've got."

"Don't worry bro, you have decades more," Zero smiled.

"I hope, but before I'm certain," Ichiru began, "I wish to ask both of you a favour." He struggled to kneal before Yuuki, startling her. "The reason why I wanted to see you as well as Zero is so I can beg you." He bowed, "please, Zero on his own can't manage the entire company. He's still young and can't keep to a place. I really need someone to look over him for me-"

Yuuki grabbed hold of his arm trying to get him up his feet, "please don't be like this."

Ichiru continued, "the Kuran's are ruthless to deal with. Yuuki Cross, I beg you to help him take care of the company. This is something a sick person like me is begging you to do. I would help Zero if only I was certain about my health...please..."

"HOLD IT!" Zero suddenly shouted, "brother, you know how violent the Kuran's can be and dragging Yuuki in is-"

Yuuki shook her head at Zero, telling him to stay silent. She turned to address Ichiru Kiryuu, "what makes you think I will say yes to such a request?"

"Your willing to marry him so-" Ichiru began, tears falling, "I only want someone to take care of him forever and the company. It means everything to me."

Clenching his fists Zero struggled to say, "Brother. This is enough, there is no way Yuuki will promise because we're not really-"

"I promise. I promise to stay by Zero's side forever."

Yuuki's words lingered in the room. Zero who was so confident that she would refuse stood in silence and could only stare at her. Nostalgically, there was a sense of relieve and happiness that rushed through him, but he was also lost. He did not understand why she made such a promise when it was clear she wished for nothing more but to leave his side. Her answer suddenly scared him. A vivid memory of a little girl flashed before him:

The little girl held a daisy towards him, beaming at him with a very sweet smile, "lets stay together then Zeo..." the little girl said. "forever Zeo..."

Zero felt his eyes go watery, bringing him back to reality.

Ichiru smiled as Yuuki helped him back into his chair, "Thank-you my sister in law."

"Yuuki is fine."

"Well, Yuuki, first of all I want to say, from this moment on, I entrust my brother to you," Ichiru said, "I really should get to know you better too. Do you mind if we talked for longer."

"Of course not," Yuuki replied.

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Yuuki waved goodbye to Ichiru, closing the door after Zero had stepped out the room. They had spent the entire day with Ichiru, watching TV, playing cards and chess, and a load of other things. Surprisingly Yuuki got along well with Ichiru, becoming friends so easily. It was the possibility that it was due to their similarities in bullying Zero. She stretched and yawn walking down the corridor back to her room. Yuuki was slightly agitated that a silent Zero walked besides her. She tried breaknig the silence, "your brother is pretty nice."

Zero stopped walking. He grabbed Yuuki by the arm and pushed her against the wall to face him, "why did you say yes? Why did you promise to stay by my side forever when-"

Yuuki shivered at Zero's tightening grasp. "What wrong with you all of a sudden. You're hurting me. Let go."

"ANSWER ME YUUKI CROSS!" Zero shouted over her complaints, "DO YOU REALLY INTEND TO STAY BY MY SIDE FOREVER? DO YOU?"

Yuuki stared deep into Zero's eyes. A pair of raging eyes that said, do not lie to me.