Reunions
"Eh? You won't be here tomorrow?" Yuuki tilted her head. She and Zero had been on their usual round of patrol, checking for any unruly girls (or boys) wandering out past curfew. Wet, melted snow sloshing under her ankle boots, she shivered a bit at the cool night air seeping through the material of her uniform and thigh-high socks. Pale, misty puffs of air formed whenever she breathed out, and she frowned at herself for forgetting to grab her coat before going out.
Feeling a sudden weight on her shoulders, she looked up and found Zero placing his own jacket around them. Surprised, but touched, she immediately moved to slide it off. "It's okay Zero, thanks though," she smiled sheepishly.
"No, keep it on, you can give it back when we're done." He kept a firm hold on her shoulders to keep the jacket on. "You're a lot smaller, it's harder for you to generate heat on your own."
Pouting, she huffed lightly, pulling the jacket further around her and childishly turned her head away as she mumbled out, "sorry for being so short!" She couldn't help the smile that lit her face afterwards, however, at how warm the jacket felt from Zero's own body heat and the soft scent that lingered on it, subconsciously making her breath in deeper. It felt comfortingly familiar somehow.
"Being small has its advantages," Zero smiled slightly.
"Really?" Yuuki asked skeptically. She certainly hadn't experienced any. Besides, Zero was nearly as tall as Kaname-sempai; with maybe only a few inches' worth difference they may as well be equal in height. What did he know about the advantages of being short?
"Really."
"How?"
"When I was younger and still with my caretaker, it was easier to run from him to hide wherever I wanted. I just slipped in anywhere to give him hours of trouble just for trouble's sake."
Before he'd learned to hide his scent, Raiga found him as easily as a dog would its buried bones, but after he'd received specific training for his inherent hunter abilities, he'd succeeded in pulling more than a few exasperated sighs and groans from his caretaker.
"I'm glad you're taking so well to this hunter business, but I don't appreciate being your test dummy."
Raiga was another reason Zero was so precise with his control over his hunter magic. With pushing his limits along with Raiga's, even as he made trouble, he was able to further develop the techniques he was taught from his tutors.
Yuuki's eyes widened and she was suddenly all ears. Zero had never before spoken about his childhood (somehow, it always ended with her talking about her own, that'd started from the age of five, with amusing anecdotes on the chairman and spending time with Kaname-sempai) and she was definitely curious as to how his life was like before he'd made the transfer to Cross Academy.
"You were…rambunctious…?"
Zero chuckled. "Maybe. I certainly didn't make things easy for him at times. When he took me with him to meet his clients, I would purposely fidget or swing my legs and complain about how boring his guests were. He was so calm; it was interesting to see what would make him lose his easygoing smiles."
"Were you able to?" Yuuki asked softly.
"Mm, plenty of times. But he forgave me for it every time. All I had to do was look small and make my eyes look like this," he turned to show her his face and she giggled, blushing from more than just the cold.
Wow, now that is one face I wouldn't ever want him to make at me, she thought to herself amusedly. She'd never be able to say no, much less stay mad.
"Does it still work?"
He shrugged. "I don't really know. I haven't had to use it in a while." Once he'd started to grow into his maturing body, most of the trouble came to him without Zero himself having to look. The way he'd acted as a child hadn't endeared him to many, and they hadn't any reason to touch him. But once he'd turned thirteen, and Raiga had put him up as an available Pet, they suddenly had every reason to.
Supposedly, his looks had been enough to put vampires to shame, and there had been many who'd wanted to possess him. Raiga had playfully informed him his clients all lamented on not being able to turn him, to immortalize his features. Sara-sama had actually made an offer, to take him in along with Seiji, but after finding while her touches weren't as bad off as others, it was still uncomfortable, Zero kindly refused the opportunity.
"I can't say I'm not disappointed, but you've garnered more of my respect with your answer, Zero-kun. I hope you find someone that's just for you," she'd responded, her smile radiant.
He'd thought her to be the most elegantly beautiful female vampire he'd ever meet, and still did. She had her arrogance (what pureblood didn't?) and her selfishness, along with a tendency for being insanely possessive as well as demanding, but for Zero, who'd seen so many vampire noblewomen holding themselves back out of sheer propriety, had seen Shirabuki Sara as a pair of golden scissors made to cut a line of boringly plain traditions pulled taut, tighter and tighter after each generation.
Taught to lie and deceive amongst the best in their field, Zero could only begin to imagine what really lied behind polite smiles and pleasant merry laughter. Men or women, vampires or humans, it didn't matter what or who they were, when it came down to what mattered most, they were all the same. They were all prey to similar wants and needs, with the only difference being their physical, outer shells. While vampires were almost always guaranteed a certain amount of beauty and allure, humans were not.
The beauty of all vampires was what made getting to know them so much more interesting, in Zero's opinion. Many of them knew how to guard themselves so strongly it took more than a little observation and speculation to get past the numerous layers they built around their core.
It'd been a hobby of his and Seiji's; to try and guess what the clients were thinking, picking them apart and in turn, unsettling them with their gathered knowledge. The unease that would always flicker across their face when having been successfully 'pealed' by them felt greatly rewarding.
It was why, when seeing how Sara-sama was able to maintain both a sound shield and the ability to still clearly speak her mind, he and Seiji had immediately been attracted, though in different ways – another reason why Seiji was Sara-sama's Pet and he wasn't. Her long golden curls framing her face and shoulders with her radiant smile in place, she executed her words with plenty of sense and logic, weaved together with just enough clever persuasion and gentle grace, successfully gathering a large following.
Her strong independence and willingness to stand on her own was what attracted Seiji. Once Raiga had set up a meeting for them, the two had hit it off almost instantly. Sara-sama had agreed to take him that same day.
"He's perfect Raiga! I don't know what I was thinking, wanting those other Pets – sometimes Father has such poor taste – but I want Seiji-kun, and I want to take him with me today."
It was soon after Seiji had been paired off with her that Ruri was taken in by Sara-sama's father. Apparently, he'd seen how happy his daughter was with her Pet and having been on the receiving end of a glowing review about Seiji had persuaded him to get his own.
Zero hadn't heard from either Seiji or Ruri in a while, but assumed it was because they were doing well.
"Zero, you mentioned not being here tomorrow," Yuuki remembered. "Is it okay to ask why?" He hadn't been absent once since he'd started. He had all the teachers wrapped around his finger with his perfect attendance and high scores, as well as his mildly amiable personality.
"I'll be attending an event with Kaname that will take a night for us to get back from."
Yuuki slowly nodded. "Oh. Do you know what time you'll be back?"
"Afraid of the girls?" Zero smiled before answering, "Kaname and I will be back in time for classes in the morning."
"Will you be okay? It's…well, it's a vampire event right?"
Zero nodded. "We'll be fine. Kaname and I are more than capable of handling a vampire crowd."
Yuuki giggled, "Unlike the girls, huh?"
Zero sighed, "Yes, unlike the girls." Humans were so resilient, in more ways than one. He didn't know whether that was good or bad… "Will you be alright on your own tomorrow? Kaname and I won't come back to find you flattened against the brick floor, will we?"
Yuuki snorted and reached a small hand from inside the warmth of the jacket to give him a light slap to the arm. "I can handle myself too, so don't you worry, Mister!"
Dressed in perfectly fitted fine pants with a warm knitted turtleneck (a gift from Ruri) topped with a knee-length top coat, Zero stepped out of the Sun dorms to meet up with Kaname by the gates. It'd be an hour and a half long ride, nearly two, to their destination, and he felt a legitimate worry begin to spread through his mind at how Kaname would decide to spend that time. Hopefully, Takuma would also agree to attend along with them tonight, and nothing too embarrassing would have incentive to even start.
You don't honestly believe having outside company would stave anything off, do you? A sly voice slipped in. Sighing, Zero refrained from hanging his head dejectedly, and just resigned himself to sporting a red face throughout the whole ride.
"Zero-kun?"
"Takuma-sempai?"
"Looks like we're both a bit early."
Zero smiled. "Kaname's such a princess."
Takuma grinned sweetly in return and purposely focused his gaze over the prefect's shoulder. Zero paused and his expression turned cautious. He suspected…but didn't dare turn to find out. Takuma's grin widened. Zero's brows lowered and he bit his lip.
Oh damn, he inwardly muttered. Well, in for a penny… Kaname was probably going to pull something perverted during the ride anyway, why not give him an actual reason to?
"A princess?" Kaname's familiar warmth pressed against his back, and his gentle voice brushed against the sensitive shell of his ear.
"…" Zero didn't even bother to form a proper defense for himself, merely leaning back into the pureblood's arms with a light grumble, his lips pursed.
Takuma glowed with silent mirth; his two friends were so fun to watch. Not many knew of the true nature of their relationship (something that certainly went past the boundaries placed between a Pet and their Keeper) and he felt privileged to be allowed as a witness into their personal lives.
Kaname visibly tightened his arms around Zero, further pulling him back while Zero lowered his eyes to his own hands that'd automatically come to rest on Kaname's forearms, picking at the sleeve ends of his Keeper's dark coat.
"Can I take that to mean you're my knight in shining glory?"
"Kaname!"
Kaname laughed softly, genuinely, his smile a kind Takuma hadn't ever really seen. There were some that came close, but they didn't compare to the emotion in his eyes that accompanied the contented curve of his sculpted lips.
Takuma restrained himself from letting out an undignified giggle, and offered for them to go before they were late. Kaname, as a close friend and pureblood, was a special guest for the host of the event tonight, and was requested he come a little earlier than others. It had certainly been a while since they'd met; the blond noble mused. She'd be happy to have some time with Kaname before she got busy tending to the guests.
"So Kain-sempai and the others – they've been invited?" Zero asked as he closed the door to the car, settling more comfortably in the leather seats.
Takuma nodded. "They'll just be arriving later, at the regular time." His pale honey gold eyes flickered to Kaname's hand resting against Zero's knee unobtrusively before looking through the tinted windows. Now he kind of wished he'd brought Senri along, but the younger vampire had seemed so peaceful as he slept, Takuma didn't have the heart to wake him.
"I haven't seen Sara-sama or Seiji for a while, it'd be good to see their faces again." Zero softly admitted, hoping the change in subject would keep Kaname interested enough from letting his hand wander too far (up).
"You know them both?" Takuma asked, surprised, though he knew he shouldn't be. Pets had their own network of connections vampires couldn't begin to follow. They literally seemed to have eyes and ears everywhere. In his grandfather's words, they were the perfect spies and information gatherers. That was most true for Pets that had been trained by Raiga.
"Yes, Seiji and I are childhood friends. While he and Sara-sama were getting to know one another, I was also given a chance to get in acquaintance."
Takuma smiled softly. "She sounds more like a close friend."
"Mm, I admire her in some ways and we share respect for each other. She'd…she'd offered me an opportunity to become hers along with Seiji."
Fair brows shot up. Shirabuki Sara had even offered Zero a place at her side? Takuma didn't know where Zero found the courage to turn her down. It was impossible for him to ever consider declining a pureblood.
"And I'm ever thankful for your declining her," Kaname murmured. He wouldn't have been able to stand seeing Zero in another's arms, in their possession. And if it'd been Sara, it would have been particularly hard to loosen her hold.
Zero nodded shyly. Having met Kaname, he'd finally come to understand the joy of having a Keeper. He remembered, all too well, of scorning the idea of a Keeper having a hold on him, not able to see what was so good about it when it hurt so much just to touch someone, but now that he had Kaname, a Keeper to call his own, things seemed much different.
Goodness, Takuma grinned, they've both got it bad.
Upon entering the magnificent Shirabuki household (Kaname had waved away the young vampire maid), Sara was already gliding down the stairs, dressed beautifully in a silk gown, Seiji next to her, her hand in his own as he led her down.
She seemed to only have Kaname and Zero in her eyes as she went to greet them halfway, pulling both males into her arms.
"Mm, it's so good to see you, and together too," she smiled brightly. When Kaname moved to lift a gloved hand to his lips, she easily slipped it out of his grasp and pressed her cheek to his before turning and doing the same for Zero, her eyes softening when he kept from reacting to her touch. He'd told her he didn't mind hers so much, but it couldn't have been comfortable. Still, he allowed her show of affection for him.
"Seiji acts like enough of a gentleman out in public, Kaname, you know me better than to pull something like that in private." She said playfully. "And Ichijou-san, thank you for coming so early, I hope there wasn't any inconvenience on your part?"
"None whatsoever, Shirabuki-sama, it's an honor for me to be here." Takuma bowed lightly.
"Oh, you're just as I imagined," Sara shook her head. "Just as stuffy in your replies as your grandfather." Takuma blinked. "The party hasn't started. You can let go for a bit, I wouldn't mind."
Seiji chuckled. "Sara, don't you think you might be overwhelming him a bit?" God forbid a noble be told not to act like one. Neither he nor Sara took a special liking to Ichijou Asato, and though he could see some similarities between he and his grandson, there was softness to Ichijou Takuma he didn't see at all in his grandfather – a more flexible mind that didn't protest so much against considering others' opinions before making his own.
"You can take her advice, Takuma," Kaname smiled, giving permission of his own, knowing how Sara's straightforwardness must be affecting the blond noble. He doubted Takuma knew Sara had personally known his grandfather either.
"Ah, Kaname…"
"You should listen to Sara-sama, Takuma," Zero smiled amusedly alongside his Keeper. "Or you'll definitely be regretting it later."
"You make me out to be some kind of tyrant, Zero," Sara pouted, her arms crossed. "I just thought it'd be less discomfiting for him if he could loosen up some."
"Thank you, Shirabuki-sama—"
"Call me Sara. And talk normally."
"Ah, yes, Sara-sama… Thank you." He used a less formal way of thanking her, feeling terribly out of place as he did so. He never thought a pureblood would make him throw his grandfather's teachings out the proverbial window.
Seiji shook his head and reached out for Zero. "Hey Silver, haven't seen you in a while. How're you holding up?" He gently took a hold of the younger boy's arm and gave it a soft affectionate squeeze.
Lilac eyes made contact with bright topaz. "Beautifully. Especially with Kaname as my Keeper. You seem well since I last saw you." Anything new?
"Mm, I am, I am. Nothing to worry over on that account." But there is something else I need your attention on.
Zero nodded, turning to Kaname. "May I use the restroom?"
"Of course, don't let me keep you." Kaname smiled.
"Let me take you there," Seiji offered.
The three vampires watched the two human males go, with Sara raising her hand to hide her smile behind it. Pets really were remarkable. If she hadn't seen Seiji in action so often, she herself wouldn't have noticed a thing.
Kaname is completely oblivious, and Ichijou-san doesn't know to suspect anything either, she inwardly laughed.
Knowing of Zero's condition, someone who grew up with him should know better than to touch him so casually, even with the protection of cloth. Yet, Seiji had gone out of his way to do just that, and left his hand there for longer than was necessary as a friendly greeting. Next was the eye contact. Zero showed he understood what Seiji wanted with but a simple focused glance and offered a believable excuse for a way out and a private place to discuss whatever Seiji had in store. She was also sure there must have been some hidden meaning in their exchanged words, however brief they were, though she had no idea what.
Raiga, your Pets are really something else, she smiled.
"Seiji, what is it?"
"Zero, Silver…" Seiji sighed. "He's…he's looking for you again."
"He…? You mean," Zero cut himself off with a light curse. "Again? I've told him, so many times…"
"He might find you again soon, Zero. I hear he's close. Just wanted to give you a heads up before he does."
"Yes, of course, thank you."
Seiji watched Zero lean against the sink heavily and hesitantly strained out, "I know you don't want him involved with us, but he's willing to be with you even with the possible consequences of being near vampires.
"You can't keep letting him do this, Zero. Keeping him away might actually turn out worse for him in the long run. If something happens to him, you won't be the first to know. You're the only person he has…"
"I know Sei, I know. But he's never been taught the things we have. He'll never be prepared for—"
"But you can't know that for sure, Zero. Not unless you try. It's a risk, but I think it's one you have to take if you want to keep him safe."
"Seiji…"
"Think on it, Zero. He needs you."
Zero nodded softly, slowly, his brows lowered in thought.
The event started off wonderfully, with Sara acting as the perfect host to her guests for the night. She went around to the people she invited with Kaname at her side, making small conversation. She'd announced this night was for Pet owners to have a chance at meeting other owners, but she'd mostly planned it for Seiji, knowing how much he must have missed Zero the past few months.
Most of the guests were those consistent of Raiga's client list, and their Pets all knew each other from their time under Raiga's care, evident in the small smiles and light friendly greetings between them.
"Hey Zero, have you heard from Nao?"
"Mm, she's with Asaka-sama now. He buys her so many things, she's having trouble refusing him."
Seiji snorted. "She was never one for all the materialistic crap."
"She says he's kind and is very much in love with him. He sees her as the daughter he never had."
Seiji sobered a bit at that, "Right, his wife…" Asaka-sama's beloved wife wasn't able to have children. He declined having a mistress however, and had decided to adopt a young boy. The couple loved him like he was their own, and Nao, as Asaka-sama's Pet, was in a similar position.
"She isn't having any trouble with the kid, is she?" He'd seen some cases in which the actual child got severely jealous over their parents' Pet receiving any small amount of affection.
Zero smiled amusedly and shook his head. "Rather, he's giving her a different sort of trouble."
Seiji blinked and snickered a moment later. "Seriously? Good luck to that. Hope she lets him down nicely. A kid that young…she must be his first."
"Don't know about that, but she's trying her best to persuade him."
"She should just tell him overly persistent guys are a turn-off." Seiji laughed lightly at the slight shove Zero gave him. "Hey you thirsty for anything?" He asked.
"I can go get us some wine," Zero offered, heading towards the wine table. Seiji had a taste for blood wine. Zero would have to settle with some water. He hadn't a trouble with his alcohol tolerance, but he didn't think Kaname would appreciate him going near the drinks.
Preoccupied with thoughts of his Keeper, Zero absentmindedly took a sip of his water and frowned slightly before closing his eyes and blinking several times. Crap. Even at a friendly gathering like this one, he should've been more cautious. Setting Seiji's cup of wine down slowly, he tried to head for the bathroom, making sure not to look too hurried or panicked.
He needed to get the drug out of his system.
"Zero?" Seiji blinked. Where was his Silver Bullet? Turning to another guest, he asked casually, "Did you see Kuran-sama's pet around here?"
"That pale child? He was here just a few seconds ago. I think he took some of the blood wine, but," the other male vampire shrugged.
"Mm," Seiji nodded lightly, "thanks. Hope you're enjoying your evening?" So Zero had come for some of the blood wine, as he'd offered, but seemingly made himself scarce afterwards.
Or was made to.
Inwardly letting out a hissed curse, Seiji leisurely walked through the ballroom, smoothly making his way in between both humans and vampires, subtly raising his left hand and fixing his cuffs before resting it against his chest and sliding it down his torso. Catching the gaze of all of the surrounding Pets, he merely focused his eyes on his Keeper as he drew closer to her.
"Seiji, what is it?"
"Ah, it's nothing Sara-sama, it's just, I miss my silver cuffs." He smiled, knowing the others Pets could hear and trusting them to spread the word. "The pair you gifted me with is my favorite, accented with my favorite gemstone." Amethyst.
"Not to worry," she smiled back, "I'll have them found."
The other Pets all lifted their left hand, either to fix their tie or their hair. None had their left hands occupied, not if they were a Pet. Seiji nodded, his smile still in place. "Thank you Sara-sama." The message was out.
Zero, our Silver Bullet, is missing.
"Ah, you're finally here."
What? Zero whipped around, resting a hand against the wall for balance, his vision swimming. Damn, how much of that drug had been put in his drink? He hadn't drank that much, he was sure, but if it was affecting him at such a rate, and this deeply…
"Kugi…Takatsuka…?" He murmured out, his eyes finally settling on the figure slowly approaching him.
"Yes, so happy to see you know of me. I've wanted to meet you. You are all that has been on my mind since I saw you last."
The vampire had been at one of the few gatherings Zero hadn't lost his temper at. The vampire hadn't done anything to him besides look, and Zero hadn't sensed any danger from him then. He was just another possible customer for Raiga.
"You…idiot," Zero heavily leaned against the wall, panting, "if, if Kaname-sama were to find out about this…"
Kugi chuckled. "Oh, he wouldn't. I'll make sure of that. Your precious Keeper," he spat out, "wouldn't know a thing."
Mm, Zero grimaced. It was obvious Kugi was another 'fan'. There'd been many before him, though none had ever approached him this way. The repercussions from Raiga wouldn't have been light if they had.
In fact, this was the first time Zero had ever been drugged. He was taught to recognize different chemicals and substances, but never had he personally experienced the effects of any of them. Raiga wouldn't allow for any of his Pets to be touched physically by any such drugs.
Kaname… Zero hoped his Keeper wouldn't be too disgusted with him, having been tainted like this… The shame and guilt draped over him in a heavy blanket, as though to pull him down. He didn't know what he'd do if Kaname were to ever reject him.
"So different now, from how you are always so composed," Kugi whispered, trailing a hand along Zero's cheek, making him cry out in pain. "I can't wait to see how you'll look, out of your mind with pleasure, under me…"
"Disgusting…" Zero wheezed out. Like he'd ever. The only person he'd ever be sexually involved with would be his Keeper. "You're disgusting. I'd never let you…" Only Kaname was allowed for access to his body. Only Kaname…
"We'll see. You won't hold long against it."
Ha. "Watch me." He wasn't letting anyone touch him. Not anyone…
Please stay. No one will dare touch you.
"Ka-Kaname…?" Zero closed his eyes. Why did his Keeper sound so young?
Kugi's eyes narrowed. Kaname, that name again. The only name that should slip from his Diamond's pretty lips should be his.
Kaname… It'd been him, hadn't it? He'd looked and sounded younger, but it'd been him. He looked so pained…so desperate. What had Zero done to make him look so? What did he…?
"Kaname…"
Seeing the boy fall further away from reality, Kugi decided it was time, and picked him up, gathering him in his arms to head to the room he'd prepared. Soon, he'd have him. Soon.
Ugh, everything hurt. Why? He couldn't move his body as he wanted, and felt so dizzy, almost sick. And the pain, why did it hurt so much? Kaname promised he'd protect him, he'd promised nothing would hurt him. Where was Kana?
"No, Kana…Kana…" Where was he?
"Shh, not so loud now," Kugi whispered, not minding how Zero gasped and turned away from him just as his lips were about to come in contact with the boy's ear.
He didn't know what was wrong with him, but assumed his mumbled words were due to the drug. Hallucinations weren't uncommon, after all.
"His scent stops here." Kaname narrowed his eyes. Where was Zero? His precious boy… "Zero." Where are you? Show me where you've been taken to, he coaxed.
"Kaname-sama," Seiji started, only to stop. The pureblood was using his ownership mark to figure out where Zero was. Breathing out a sigh of relief, he smiled. Of course, when in trouble, use the mark. He had his own, placed on his upper arm, of a thin crescent adorned with a white lily.
Seeing Kaname veer off to the left, Seiji left to inform the other Pets Zero had been found, and would soon be safe in the arms of his Keeper.
"Such beautiful skin…" Reaching down to run his hand over the boy's exposed chest, Kugi flinched back in pain as his fingers were burned rather severely. "How…?"
He hadn't any time to ponder on whys or hows as a hand shot out and grabbed his neck, slamming him down against the floor. Kugi screamed as the skin under the boy's hand burned just as his fingers had.
Zero stood up, releasing hold of the vampire's neck, watching him sputter and cough before making use of his foot, pressing down on the burn with surprising force, crushing the vampire's throat completely, cutting off his pained cries.
"You'll heal from that in a few seconds…" He whispered, his voice empty, and stepped back, seeing the man's throat regenerate, though the burn remained, caused by his hunter magic.
Before Kugi could pick himself up off the floor to run for the door, Zero landed a sharp kick under his chin, sending him across the room. Hearing a crack, he tilted his head curiously. "Looks like I broke something again."
Holding his jaw, Kugi raised his other hand as if to defend himself and brokenly pleaded, "Stop, stop this!"
As though never hearing a word, Zero raised his arms, stretching out his right, pointing his forefinger out towards his target, and his left pulled back. A large shimmering silver bow appeared in his right hand, a silver arrow in the other, ready to fly towards its aimed destination at any moment Zero so chose.
Kugi's eyes widened. No, no, he did not want to die this way. He didn't. Zero, his Diamond's eyes looked cold, like those of an assassin on a mission, and his form… He would probably lose his life the second that arrow pierced him, but even as a killer, a hunter, Zero looked beautiful.
Kugi laughed soundlessly. He was to die and all he could think about was how beautiful his killer looked.
He flinched violently when Zero let loose his arrow, the silver shot dividing into multiple others before outlining him against the wall. Kugi shuddered out a breath, his body shaking. So it seemed Zero wasn't so much intent on killing him than playing around with him first.
Zero's strides were slow and measured, a predator confident in the knowledge of having captured its prey as he steadily made his way towards the vampire pinned against the wall.
Kugi's breathing grew further ragged as Zero pulled his arm back, his hand glowing.
"He's found him?" Sara smiled, "Oh thank goodness. Where is he?"
"This way Sara."
The other concerned Pets followed after, hoping to see their Silver Bullet fine and well.
Kaname smoothly made his way up the stairs, his movements swift and fluid as his connection with Zero led him down the halls and to an obscure room. Like many of others in the large mansion, this one was fairly unused.
He still couldn't smell Zero, but the mark was telling him this was where the younger boy was currently located. Narrowing his eyes, Kaname 'opened' the door and stepped through, immediately disliking the unnaturally cool temperature of the room. What had happened in here?
Walking further in, towards the bedroom, he could hear heavy breathing, as well as near inaudible whimpers, overlapping with another, fairly calm breathing pattern Kaname instantly recognized.
"Zero…" He sounded fine, and there wasn't any scent of his blood, but was he really? His strides quickening, he rushed in, pushing the door open, nearly crushing the knob.
The utter wreck he saw inside and the chill that surrounded him just as he entered made him pause. Zero seemed physically fine, but he was definitely not the Zero Kaname had come to know in the last few months. He was also fairly certain the chill in the air had to do with the crackling electrical glow that centered around the younger boy.
Seeing Zero move, Kaname's eyes followed his line of sight and fell upon the vampire pinned to the wall, silver…arrows (?) holding him in place. That had also been Zero's doing?
Catching slight movement from Zero, Kaname watched as he raised his arm, his slender hand glowing, aiming it towards the trapped vampire's head.
"Kaname? What happened?" Sara fiercely whispered, her eyes wide as she looked on. She and Seiji, as well as the other Pets who'd helped search for Zero, had caught up, completely silent as they focused their gaze on Zero.
Kaname didn't doubt the vampire deserved whatever Zero had in store for him, but he couldn't let him go about killing anyone that caused him harm. Kaname didn't recognize the vampire, but if he'd been able to enter Sara's party, he wasn't just anyone, and the pureblood didn't want any negative repercussions coming against Zero for something the younger boy wasn't responsible for.
"Zero." Stop.
Wide terrified eyes crossed, looking fearfully up at the tip of the hand that'd paused mere millimeters from his face, about to slice cleanly through his head – an instant death. Kugi whimpered pathetically as he shuddered, his eyes rolling into the back of his head, falling over in a dead faint.
Sara moved to step in, concern flashing in her honey gold eyes, when Kaname smoothly raised a hand to motion for her to stop, sending her a slight smile. Nodding stiffly, still worried, she ushered the guests away, giving Kaname and Zero the privacy the Kuran prince silently requested.
Grateful for the other pureblood's efforts, Kaname wasted not a second in reaching out for Zero, expanding his aura. He would have loved to offer reassurances, the comfort and safety he knew Zero needed, with his own arms, but he knew touching Zero physically at the present would not be the best way of approaching him.
"Zero? Do you understand who I am?" He kept his voice low and soothing, just the way he knew Zero preferred, the younger boy having admitted to falling asleep to it on numerous occasions.
"Kaname…?"
"Yes," he smiled, "yes, it's Kaname. It's fine to let go Zero. Let go and come to me."
The crackling, which had gradually begun to subside since the first time Kaname had spoken his name, stopped altogether, along with the light glow around Zero's slender form. Thankfully, he could also feel the temperature start to go up.
"Kaname." This time, Zero's voice was clear, as were his eyes, although Kaname could now see the guilt and shame quickly build up, clouding the beautiful soft lilac once again.
"Zero, come to me."
"But Kaname, I—"
"I said it's fine, Zero. Come to me."
Zero still hesitated in moving, shifting his weight uncertainly before lowering his eyes and taking a slow step forward. Kaname's smile widened and his gaze softened. He focused his aura around Zero, surrounding the younger boy with warm affection and comfort.
A new wave of relief swept through him at Zero's willingness in approaching him on his own. He'd almost expected a refusal, not out of rejection of him, no, but out of the guilt the boy felt from his strong sense of responsibility. Despite not having had control of the situation, Zero had still disrupted and ruined a celebratory night, an event hosted by a pureblood. A Pet wouldn't be without some punishment for causing such a scene. No doubt, Sara was also worried for Zero on that account, though she had none to worry over. Kaname, more than anyone, understood how Zero's body worked.
"…Sorry," Zero whispered, "I'm so sorry. I just—"
"Zero." Kaname gently cradled Zero's head and pulled him closer, wrapping his other arm around his shoulders. "Let us rest for tonight. Tomorrow as well."
Zero closed his eyes and held his breath. He couldn't believe how he'd lost himself so easily. He thought he'd been getting better. He'd thought…
"I'm sorry…" He sharply whispered.
"Shh, no more apologies out of you," Kaname soothed. "I won't allow it."
Kaname's touches were so soft, and his arms, so warm, Zero felt his eyes sting. He didn't deserve to be treated with such kindness, not when he'd done something as damaging as this.
Settling down in the rooms Sara had assigned them for the night, Kaname kept Zero in his arms as they rested against the headboard of the bed. "Zero, what happened?"
"He…tried to touch me…" Zero shivered. If his magic hadn't activated on its own, he dreaded to imagine how far that vampire would have gone. His shirt had been undone… A simple hand against his cheek had felt like an intense burn on his skin, and the amount of hurt that vampire had caused couldn't compare to anything he'd felt before. No one's touch had felt so intrusive, as though to push and break his defenses.
"Why did you feel the need to leave the party?" Kaname asked softly, keeping his hand through Zero's hair and gently rubbing his neck.
"He…there was something in my drink, odorless and tasteless, but it thickens the liquid when mixing it in. I should've noticed, if—" If he were more alert, more careful, none of it would have happened.
"This was Sara's party, Zero, Seiji-kun was here, as were many others familiar to you. It's natural to feel more relaxed and safe with those you know and trust, than you would in a place you didn't recognize. No one is blaming you, Zero," Kaname soothed, pressing his lips against Zero's neck. "There is nothing to blame you for."
"Kaname…" Zero's breath hitched. "He, that vampire…touched my face, he wanted to—"
"It's alright Zero, you don't need to force yourself. I can make a few guesses as to what he was after. He won't be coming near you." He wouldn't be able to. He and Sara would be dealing with Kugi Takatsuka in their own way.
"And Zero?" Kaname smiled, "You did well." He pressed a soft kiss to his temple, against his hair, his forehead… "You did so well, on your own." He couldn't imagine how terrified, how scared Zero had been, drugged and unable to move, only able to watch and feel as someone tried to…
Kaname couldn't finish the thought. He himself nearly felt his heart stop when he realized what could have happened to Zero. Would the boy ever have recovered from such an experience? Would Kaname?
Just having to think about that disgusting—
He breathed softly, reigning himself in as he saw a crack run up the window, and a nearby vase turned to dust in the corner of his eye.
"Kaname," Zero closed his stinging eyes, something in him loosening. He'd been strung so tight since everything started, his Keeper's words, his warmth, had been his sole reprieve from all of it. To hear that Kaname didn't blame him, that he wasn't angry, that he was proud of him…
"Shh… Please, no more tears, dear one," as beautiful as they were, if they weren't out of happiness, Kaname never wanted to see them again.
Zero sniffed, rubbing his cheek against Kaname's shoulder, shuddering. His hands clung to his Keeper's arm and shoulder; pressing himself closer to the warmth he so desperately needed more of.
Kaname gently ran the back of his fingers down Zero's cheek, sending a bit more heat through his aura as he noticed Zero's skin still held a slight coolness, lingering from his inherent hunter abilities.
"Please, sleep well, Zero… I will be here, should you need me," I will always be here.
Standing outside, only to pace uncertainly, Sara huffed and crossed her arms, frustrated at her own hesitancy before pursing her lips and raising her hand for the last time, tapping the door with her knuckles.
She was left to wonder if they'd chosen to ignore her for a few seconds before the door slowly opened to reveal Kaname with a pleasant smile lighting his lips. Seeing that expression on his face almost had her arm moving back reflexively, hand in a tight fist to bop him a good one right smack in the middle. A broken nose is nothing on him anyway, she scoffed inwardly, it'd heal itself in no time.
"Kaname, you know how much I hate that smile. I know I must be intruding, but you can at least take into consideration my position. Do you know how much Seiji and I are worried for him?" She flexed her fingers. "I won't interfere with how you care for him, but if you've hurt him…"
"Sara," Kaname started, his voice gentle, "I understand your worry for him, and I haven't hurt Zero. He hasn't done anything to deserve such treatment, nor will he ever. Not from me."
Having had a tirade ready, Sara's breath froze in her throat and lungs, making her pause. She should've expected something like that from someone like Kaname, she knew, but it was still good to hear directly. Sara felt a part of herself loosen at Kaname's words, the tenseness in her shoulders softening. "Thank you." She whispered. "Zero means a lot to both Seiji and I. Ruri couldn't be here, but she would have been just as worried."
"You won't come in?" Kaname offered, taking a step back and pulling the door open a little wider.
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I just wanted to hear, from you, that Zero was fine. You aren't stupid enough to lie to me and I trust you to know Zero enough to tell."
Kaname's smile was more genuine this time, the gentleness she remembered from his father very much evident on his features as he spoke, "He is, and thank you for trusting me with his wellbeing." Knowing her, he knew how difficult it must've been, trying to keep from bursting in and seeing, for herself, whether Zero really was holding up on his own.
Sara let out a soft smile of her own, giving a short sigh, her hand flat against her chest. "Well, I've known you since we've both been able to walk. I can at least credit you with that much, Kaname.
"We've both been through our own bumps and rough patches together, and you've given me things I'd never get from anyone else." When her mother had passed, Kaname was the one to pull her out of her self-seclusion and when Kaname's parents had passed, she tried her best to be there for him in turn, knowing the pain of losing a loved one so suddenly, and wanting to protect him from the put upon condolences and crap pleasantry that weren't in the least bit genuine.
"To be honest, if Zero's condition continued to worsen, I was planning to ask you about him. If anyone were to be able keep Zero by their side, it'd be you." Her smile brightened. "You don't know how happy I was, both Seiji and I, when we'd heard you'd taken him in." They had a small private celebration together that night, she remembered fondly. The worry that'd always clouded Seiji's eyes regarding his Silver Bullet had eased, and a new excitement replaced his previous concerns.
"I think I do," Kaname smiled.
Sara laughed softly. "I suppose you would, yes." Her eyes glinted. "And that," she waved a hand, not even deigning to refer to it with a name, "what are we doing with it?"
"Making sure it knows never to touch another who already has someone to belong to." Kaname's smile widened, his eyes flashing crimson.
"Mm, with you and I both working together, I think it'll learn in no time," Sara whispered.
Disclaimer: No own Vampire Knight.
Thank you for reading! :D Hope that was okay... I've been wondering how to show Zero's hunter heritage, and this sort of popped up, so...yeh. Ha ha, Kugi has plenty to fear now more than ever, with two purebloods after him XD *cackle* He shan't receive any mercy!