Chapter 9 : So Close, Yet So Far
A/N: Firstly, I would like to profusely for the very slow update for this fic. I really admire you readers who are still hoping for the updates that would never come. Thanks a lot!
I had a lot to catch up for this one, since I have dedicated most of my remaining leisure time to 'What About Us?' (another KZ theme story) and RL issues. In case most of you have not notice before, this fic was under HIATUS due to my lack of inspiration. Now that I have finally turned my attention to it, I'm glad to announce that BiRRaB is back in my update list.
To give you guys a head start, I would be changing the POVs of the story now and then. But currently it still under Zero's. For those of you who could not recall the previous episodes, I will give you a short summary. Zero supposed to be a ex-human slave and he had been saved by a pureblood Kaname Kuran from the bonds of slavery. He was reunited with his supposed to be dead friend, Yuuki in Kaname's mansion. Without any further ado, Iet's continue our story….
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Never had Zero seen such a grand place. The walls were garnished by Victorian cravings, ranging from flora to human figures. All four corners of the great hall were draped with fancy tapestries, decorated with patterns originated from Persia and the Middle East. In the middle, there was a large chandelier hanging down from the plaster made ceiling. Its glittering diamond ends reflected light from the light source, brightening up the room with a sparkling feel.
A long dining table was placed under the chandelier and was filled with exotic food and drinks. Silver and gold cutleries were well arranged on the clothed table. He spotted a few waiters and waitresses busied themselves ushering the incoming guests to their respective places and serving them drinks. He caught a few glares directed towards him as he approached the dining table. Having a Level D wandering around a clan of high ranking vampires wasn't the most tasteful thing to have in a vampire gathering.
"Who's Level D is this? The owner must be very careless to let him wandering around like this… " commented a lady as she took a quick sip of the blood wine from her glass.
"Someone needs to get this filth out of here," replied another, raising her brow in disgust.
Zero ignored the guest whispers and stood aside at a corner. He crossed both hands and leaned against the nearest pillar. As alert as a mouse, he scanned his surroundings, trying to spot Yuuki from the big crowd. He looked agitatedly at this wristwatch. It was already half past eight.
Where is she? She told me to be here at seven…
The ex-hunter recalled his earlier conversation with his friend in the afternoon. The pureblood had personally sent Yuuki to the cellar and ordered Zero's presence for the vampire gathering tonight. The hunter was then escorted to an enormous bathroom to refresh himself. He was given a round collared shirt, a pair of black jeans and dark leather trench coat with the Kuran family symbol sewn at the back. The articles of clothing were an official sign that he was accepted as one of the pureblood's members.
Yuuki had offered to wash Zero's back for him back at the pool, but he was too embarrassed to accept it. He knew that that his friend's request was pure generosity and nothing more than that, but she was too innocent to realize that it was improper to bath in the presence of a man. Damn Yuuki and her childish thoughts. Didn't she realize she was grown woman by now?
The girl pouted cutely when Zero kept insisting that he would bath alone. She made the poor boy promise her that he would be early for the event. And thus, he had arrived at 7 sharp at the appointed place, but he had yet to see Yuuki that evening.
The blowing of the trumpets jolted the hunter out of his thoughts. The guest rose from their seats to welcome the host arrival.. Kuran Kaname was dressed in complete set of black tie with a red rose attached to his breast pocket. Yuuki was standing next to him, as equally charming. She wore a pink colored ball gown with a transparent satin stole wrapped around her neck. The pureblood strutted down the fleet of stairs elegantly, accompanied by the beautiful maiden beside him.
A loud applause echoed through the grand hall when the usher announced their names to the crowd. Zero couldn't help himself but staring in awe at the magnificent display of the couple taking their respective seats at the dining table. It was like watching a live telecast of fairytale scene. He could feel a tinge of envy surfacing when he saw the pureblood bowed and pecked a kiss on his friend's gloved hand.
That was where Yuuki had gone to…
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"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank all of you for attending today's gathering. I really appreciate your interest of forming a peaceful alliance with the humans," said Kuran in welcoming his guests.
"As you all know, my parents had scarified their lives fighting to uphold our pacifist beliefs. Though the Great War has ended about a century now, there are still unsettled disputes amongst our clan. Now, it is up to all of us to bury this resentment once and for all."
A row of servants appeared and serve new glasses of crimson liquid on the dining table.
"Behold, blood tablets Series XXC4-889. My trusted researchers headed by Aidou Hanabusa and his colleagues had finalized the formula of these blood tablets. I assure you that the consumption of these pills will not cause any unwanted side effects and it's more filling than the previous batch. Please have a taste," urged the pureblood as he took a sip from his own wine glass.
After watching their host drinking, the rest of the guests took their sips. The pureblood skimmed through the expressions of his guests. Some remained composed after drinking while the rest utter inaudible praises amongst themselves. A few were dissatisfied but their expressions were quickly hidden under their masked faces as they were afraid that their opinions would displease the pureblood. But overall, the vampires had agreed on the taste of the blood tablet.
"If you all have no objections against the blood tablets, I would like to ask for your kind help to support our further research. We would also need someone to distribute these blood tablets to vampire society so that they could consider this as an option."
Without any doubt, the representative of the five Noble Houses raised their hand to support: Takuma Ichijou from Sora Clan, Hanabusa Aidou from Mizu Clan, Kain Akatsuki from Hono Clan, Lady Ruka Souen from Tsuchi Clan, and Rima Touya from Kaze Clan. The pureblood smiled warmly at the devotion displayed by his inner circles; his loyal subordinates that never failed to support him. Kaname had went through hard times to search for such trusted allies, but it was worth it.
There was also a show of hands by renowned figures, including the son of the famous pharmaceutical distributor, Koga Shimaki. His dad was a friend of his father's that had aided his father's army in providing medicine supplies during the war. Another girl, Rika Suzumi was the daughter of the deceased secret scout of the Kaname's family, who was now the head of Security. Satisfied with the number of support he was receiving, the pureblood nodded to himself before continued speaking.
"Thank you for your generosity, ladies and gentlemen. Before we start our event, I would like to introduce you an addition member to our clan. Step forward, Kiryuu Zero."
The crowd went silent by the pureblood's proclamation. All eyes were now on the silver haired hunter. Who would have known that such insignificant creature had received the highest honor from their leader? Zero felt the awkwardness as he tentatively took a few steps. The suppressing aura emitted from the bloodthirsty vampires was giving him utter discomfort. The hungry looked on their faces reminded him like a trapped lamb in a wolves' den.
Yuuki was appeared beside him out of nowhere and the hunter at his back. Apparently, she had left her seat when no one was watching and want to get his friend.
"Come on, Zero. Everyone's waiting! " coaxed Yuuki cheerfully, pulling his sleeve towards the dining table. His friend's presence mysteriously comforted him, making him snapped out of his momentary illusions. He followed obediently, walking a step behind the girl until when he reached the pureblood's seat. He bowed respectfully to Kuran and to the audience next before he occupied a vacant seat to the right.
"I had appointed Kiryuu as my second in command. His experience as a vampire hunter is valuable to our cause. He will be under your care from now, so if you may, please guide him. Any objections?"
The hall turned dead silence again. This time, it was Takuma Ichijou, who broke the icy atmosphere.
"Now, now guys. That's not the way to treat our guest..," said the blonde vampire with an amicable smile.
"Let's give Kiryuu-san a welcoming toast and start the party, shall we?"
He held out his wine glass and stood up from his chair. The rest followed suit and drank up their share. Takuma approached the newcomer and gave him a light nudge with his elbow.
"Don't worry, Kiryuu-kun. They may look scary but they all are kinda friendly once you know them," whispered the blonde playfully.
Right… Not with a Level D, they are not…
The event continued with the ballroom dance. The musicians started off with a slow ballad symphony, signaling interested dancers evacuating themselves to the dance floor. Kaname asked Yuuki to dance which she gladly accepted. Both moved gracefully at the marble surface like swans to the smooth waltz beat. Zero stood aside watching them silently, admiring the couple dancing.
There was a song playing as well. Zero recognized the tune. It was sung by Jon McLaughlin.
/How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now? /
The hunter's heart skipped a beat when he saw Yuuki's cheerful expression. She looked contented being with the pureblood. It almost felt like that they were meant for each other.
Like Romeo and Juliet.
/We're so close to reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend/
What does he have to complain? After all, it was Kuran who had save her life, wasn't it? The pureblood must have been charmed by her beauty and splendid personality. Zero bet his best friend had the same feelings for the vampire too. The looks that they exchange with each other had clearly spelt out that.
He has missed the chance to tell feelings a long time ago. He was too cowardly to express them. And when he finally he resolved into telling her how she feel, tragedy stuck. He had never expected to meet her. Now that, she was in front of him, breathing and alive, he was again reluctant, knowing he stood no chance against the pureblood…
/Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
And still so far/
Zero could only let her go and prayed for her happiness.
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"How could he do such a thing? At this rate the slave market will crumble!"
Asato Ichijou took the nearest set of china and threw it against the wall. He balled his fist and slammed it on his study in fury. He ordered his servants to exit his room as he tried to calm down.
You may have beaten me this time, pureblood… But I have other tricks hidden under my sleeve…
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TBC
A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger. The next update will be not long, so watch this space… Again, please read and review! Thanks.