Sorry for the late update! I have scattered ideas of what is going on next and it is such a challenge to get them together! Thank you for those who read and reviewed, especially Komakipureblood (I'm glad you're liking Kaito, I'm afraid I didn't get a feel of his character), Delaine (Zero's quite a lovable idiot, isn't he? First love is difficult to compete with, especially the likes of Yuuki), Dragongirl135, Shapby (welcome back darling!) and zerom1v (your enthusiasm energizes me)! I am glad you are liking the last chapter as much as I do. I also thank those who follow this story.
I like exploring more of the VK world, not limited to places, but also the nature of vampires. I believe that no one could resist the scent and taste of pureblood's blood, it made the lesser vampires want it, worse if it's offered. But if it's not needed… well. It is only temporary relief. In the end, this vampire nature helps Zero to understand better his feelings towards Misaki, ironic huh? But at the same time, he has to work hard to convince Misaki, words are easy and his actions are weak. Hope you like the new chapter!
~Audriel
Chapter 18
A dark and sleek car pulled over and stopped in front of a tall brick building in Showa Street, Shizuoka. A slender figure came out of the car, carrying a folder bag and a roll of paper under her arm and a handbag in her other. She was wearing a white shirt with upturned collar under the charcoal grey knit dress, her fair hair tied loosely to the side. Despite having her hands full, she managed to wave to the driver before the car drove away. She walked into the building and towards the elevator, nodding to the guards stationed at the entrance in her way. The elevator stopped in the highest floor and opened to the sign of H Architects in silver on the white wall.
"Good morning, Sakura-san." Misaki greeted the woman who manned the front desk of H Architects and also helped the two architects with administrative tasks. The older woman had a pleasant face that was well suited for one who had to greet and deal with clients and potential clients. It was also a face that hid the fact she was incredibly efficient and effective administrator that helped them through the nightmare that was the bureaucratic red tape. She was also the ally she could count on whenever Kyouko made a faux pas. Social cues were definitely not her partner's strong point, but then again between the two of them, Misaki could be quite a pushover at times, being too sensitive of other people's feelings and too willing to give people a chance.
"Good morning, Misaki-san." Sakura smiled brightly.
"Kyouko's already in?"
"Not yet. Should I direct her to you once she arrives?"
"No need. It's not that urgent. Thanks." Sakura merely waved her away as she went to answer the phone. Misaki walked pass the white-walled partition that separate the receiving area with the rest of the office. Being the top floor of an old building, it gave them a chance to renovate the floor into the office that was well suited to their needs. They broke down the walls between the rooms, replaced the floors with wooden panels, made openings on the roof for air and sunlight and used glass for partitions to give the impression of bright and open space. The whole office was a mixture of wood and glass and white. The changes also allowed future renovations should the firm flourished and gained more occupants. Otherwise, there were only two occupied spaces near the back of the office with glass walls to provide relative privacy compared to the allotted meeting space in the middle of the floor which only consisted of a large meeting table with comfortable chairs, projectors and glass wall in the place of black board and projection screen.
Misaki entered the glass-walled room that had her nameplate on the door. The sun provided natural lighting from glassed openings of the roof, illuminating her workspace. Not unlike the rest of the office, it was dominated with wood and white colors. The L-shaped table had the shorter length against the wall while the longer length parallel to the door as it was where wide computer screen and mouse were. A comfortable office chair seated behind the wooden table across two chairs intended for visitors. The table against the wall had a raised panel that functioned for drafting, which was currently occupied with a rough plan. The traditional architectural supplies scattered around the table in easy reach. Tall bookshelf filled the other side of workplace, brimming with various books and trinkets.
She placed her handbag inside the bottom drawer of her desk, turned on her computer and picked the stacks of mails on her desk on her way to the open pantry near the large windows where morning sun shone through. She was not surprised to find the pots were already filled with coffee and water respectively based on each architect's preference, but saw that it required some more time to get to the right temperature. So she settled down on one of the metal stools and started going through her mails on the round table, the soothing scent of coffee wafting around her.
One mail in particular caught her interest, because she hadn't seen that insignia for a while, not since she graduated at least. She opened the mail to find it was an invitation letter, and she blinked few times to make sure she was not seeing things, to Cross Academy reunion. Then she recalled all the flashes she had glimpsed of that had yet to take place then picked those who was likely to hold most significance. She blinked slightly, this was not meant to be an ordinary reunion.
Oh, Kaien-san. You should've told Zero.
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If looks could kill, or in this case, could burn, the letter would have turned into ashes. Zero barely shifted his narrow-eyed glare from the sheet of paper in front of him as he picked up the phone from its receiver.
"Yuizaki, tell Cross to come to my office immediately."
"Yes, sir." Recognizing the tone of his voice, the secretary knew that the president would not accept any excuses from the former hunter and quickly made the call to the Academy while wondering what other harebrained scheme Cross came up with.
It didn't take more than 15 minutes for Yuizaki to announce the presence of the headmaster of Cross Academy, whereas it should have taken 20 to 30 minutes from campus to the Headquarters, which meant either Cross was pushing his car to the extreme or he was already on his way when the call came through. The light-haired man had yet to remove his coat, his long haired mussed and glasses skewed as he was admitted to the office. Yuizaki had to pointedly remind him to take his coat so harried he was. Cross stood awkwardly, seemingly at loss of words while Zero merely glared at him from his seat.
"President-" He was cut off, his choice of address was telling.
"Explain this." Zero flicked the embossed letter towards Cross, sliding to a stop on the surface of the table right under Cross' face. The older man pursed his lips, his shoulders sagged.
"I was going to tell you about it," Cross gestured towards the invitation weakly. Zero said nothing. He merely leaned back, and propped his head on his hand, his face was blank and unreadable. Cross could not mistake the man as nothing but his superior right now. He had committed a grave error by not informing his leader of the plans for the reunion. He had to rectify that. Cross straightened up, clearing his throat.
"My apologies, President. It has not been my intention to do this without your permission. I had no excuse for my lapse." Cross bowed so low that his head nearly touched the large desk. He remained in position for so long that he half-expected to be left in that position for the rest of the day.
"Why do I find that difficult to believe?" There was a long, uncomfortable silence. Somehow Cross was glad that he was not allowed to rise yet, Zero's piercing look would be unbearable. "What exactly did Kuran tell you?"
Cross tried to conceal his wince, but he wasn't sure he was successful, so he told Zero what happened. Kaname had thrown the idea casually in the middle of easy, harmless conversation about the school and the Kuran girls. They were not even in the mansion or the Academy. It was single line, a simple sentence.
"It would be nice for the youngsters to share the same experience."
That innocuous statement lingered in the back of his mind. He should have dismissed it by then, such trivial remark should not stand out so much, but when it came to the pureblood, he should have been more careful. Then his former students from Day Class whom he had been meeting for the Academy reunion preparation made the suggestion to invite the Night Class. It had been an intriguing suggestion because it came from the students who was aware of the Night Class' true identity due to the unfortunate incident involving corrupted former president of the Association.
It was a suggestion that would have been perfectly normal from the younger generations of the Academy, which since the aforementioned incident had become the pilot project for human-vampire coexistence—not without much controversy and conflict. They made the selection process tougher to allow more open-minded students in and slowly and surely adjusted them to the idea and later the presence of vampires among them until they were able to interact with the Night Class with full awareness and knowledge that they were vampires. So many things could go wrong, but with the support of Kuran Kaname and his followers, the help of the government and the protection of Hunter Association, all the risks were well-covered. In result, they could boast students and graduates from both Classes more willing to interact and engage each other inside and outside classes and Academy.
Day and Night Classes had been allowed and encouraged to mingle during their time in the Academy, they had also had school dance and graduation together, so why shouldn't they also have joint reunion, to complete the experience? Those simple, innocuous words just fell perfectly into place and he didn't question it for a moment, and instead agreed wholeheartedly with their suggestion. Not once, not for a second it occurred to him that he made a grave error in agreeing, and furthermore, allowing the Academy alumni free reign. He had been too happy and excited to the thought of having all of his students together even for a short time that vital, important details eluded him, such was any event or function that involved humans and vampires in the same time and place had to be sanctioned by the Hunter Association and the president himself. It was unlike him to make such common mistake. There was only one explanation.
"He played you well, didn't he?" Cross had nothing to say to that. He had lowered his defenses, thinking it was another conversation, that he made himself susceptible to pureblood suggestion.
The timing and the alumni suggestion were too convenient. If he had just realized that he might have resisted enough to circumvent the suggestion and contact the Association. He would like to believe that Kuran had no ill intention, that he only wanted to see the interaction between humans and vampires without hunters' involvement or interference, but most of the time, hunters stayed away and became invisible presence in such events and functions, or when they could not, they blended in seamlessly with the humans, Zero had made sure of it since he wanted to avoid such arguments that surprisingly were not limited to vampire royalty and nobility, but also their foolish and arrogant counterparts. The reasons were not important. Seemingly able to read his thoughts, Zero spoke clearly.
"Any event or function that allows for vampires and humans to interact with each other would require the Hunter Association's permission and supervision. It is what has been agreed upon the signing of the peace treaty. It doesn't matter whether it is unintentional or not. You're undermining my and the Association's authority."
"Cross Kaien." The former hunter straightened up, shoulders squared, ready for whatever punishment the president deemed fit for his transgression. Zero leaned forward in a smooth, easy move that easily reminded him of a predator before linking his fingers under his chin. Cross found himself torn between fight and flight, recognizing the presence of threat.
"After listening to your account and reviewing your actions, I hereby decide to relieve you from the post as the president's advisor since you have committed a grave mistake that undermined everything you and the Association stood for. You have shown a lapse of judgment that couldn't be overlooked in an advisor. You have been compromised.
However, the Academy still is and will always be your responsibility. It is your duty to rectify your mistakes. You will take care of everything and ensure that the event fulfilled all the requirements necessary as demanded by the treaty by the time it takes place. If it does not, the Association can and will stop the reunion. If it does and the reunion takes place, you have to make sure that nothing goes wrong. If something, anything goes wrong, you will be the one to take care of it.
The Association will be there, but they will not answer to you. They will only answer to me, and only to me. Their main duty and responsibility is to watch over the vampires, and watch over you. You will go nowhere without a hunter's escort. If I hear any suspicious report from any of them, I will have no hesitation to arrest you and the reunion will be the least of your worries."
Zero's silver eyes bore through Cross, stripping him bare that he had nothing to hide.
"Do you have anything to say?"
"No." Cross didn't look away, meeting his leader's gaze unflinchingly. He found no fault in his judgment and he realized his own mistake. He did not know how much he was compromised, for all he knew, Kaname had given him more than one suggestion or found a way to do so in other time. Zero had every right to suspect him and question his ability to perform his duties and responsibilities. As bad as it looked, he could have had worse. He could have been immediately arrested and subjected to rigorous interrogation, it was well within Zero's rights. Instead, he was given a chance to prove that it had only been influenced once, and would only remain one time.
"Very well. I am assigning Jinmu as your main escort. You can leave once I brief him." Cross only nodded, knowing that Jinmu was the best choice. He was among the few senior hunters who were able to deal with him and his loyalty to the Association would enable him to make clear judgment should he reveal that he was compromised. Toga would not be able to make the call should it happen.
Cross bowed respectfully, before excusing himself from Zero's presence until he was summoned.
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Once he was done with the necessities, Zero pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a loud exhale from his nose. Without opening his eyes, he reached for his mobile and punched in familiar numbers. When connected, without preamble he spoke into the speaker, "Have you received the invitation?"
"Yes." There was no surprise, no hesitation from the other line. Zero removed his fingers and leaned back on his seat instead.
"Do you know about this?"
"I knew some event or function would take place, but I saw nothing to worry about."
"This is not a simple case of Cross forgetting to mention something, isn't it?" Which was admittedly a typical behavior of Cross. But for all the air-headedness Cross displayed, he would always take seriously his duties and responsibilities, either as a hunter or as a chairman of the Academy. He had especially taken pride in the role as the latter. He would not endanger any of his students in any way or form. He would not consider any threat come close to them, he would eliminate them first. For him to overlook such crucial detail was unlike him.
"He did more than forget."
"Kuran." It was surprisingly easy for both of them to make the leap.
"Yeah. He made himself susceptible to his suggestion." Zero huffed wearily. It was mistake he expected from a novice hunter, not an experienced one like Cross.
"He is his son-in-law, after all." Understanding as always, figuring the reason for his lapse.
"His pureblood son-in-law." Sometimes he felt Cross was too trusting of the vampire royalty, familial relationship be damned. Then, following her lead, he eventually gave his foster father's circumstances more consideration. "He didn't give him time to shrug off the suggestion."
"No time for him to recognize any foreign thoughts." Misaki confirmed his suspicions.
"He could've just taken it up with Cross. He needn't to use pureblood suggestion if he wanted to initiate the first of younger generation humans and vampires' events. He could've also left enough sense in Cross to remember the peace treaty. The lengths he went to only made everything more suspicious."
Kuran was clear in his intention and stand when it came to peace between humans and vampires, but his approach were often than not questionable, especially when it involved Yuuki and now, Kaede. His past involvement with the Kurans made everything more complicated, since the Kuran leader's actions might also implicate him personally, not as the president of the Association. He had yet to grasp where the line was, how to separate his actions and reactions as Zero and as the president against Kuran and Kuran the pureblood leader. That was why it was so important for him to break away completely from Kuran and his influence if he wanted to remain as himself and the hunter leader.
He didn't like the reminder.
"He wants to remind me, doesn't he?" The silence was telling. She had been silent since he started putting things together. She must have come to the same conclusion the moment she realized that it was not a simple mistake from Cross, but she always let him come to his own conclusion, even when it was often wrong in the beginning. It endeared her to him nonetheless, because regardless of the knowledge that he had the wrong conclusion, she still stood by him to help him fix his mistakes. It was one of the things he came to love her for.
Regardless, he didn't know how he would fix this. Kuran had shown that he could turn his father figure on him. He could influence innocent humans to do his biddings. He could undermine his authority as the president and the reputation of the Association, by extension.
"You give yourself a little too credit, Zero." Misaki's tone was soft, reassuring. "You've reacted quickly enough. I don't see much change." There was a significant pause, implying that she was attempting to take a glimpse of the future. "I don't think anything catastrophic will happen."
"As in no one maimed or killed?" Zero retorted dryly, although he did feel more at ease.
"Such a pessimist." Misaki couldn't help making the jab. Zero's mouth twisted into a smirk nonetheless at the familiar remark. Since their first meeting, Misaki made a point to comment on his pessimistic or doom-and-gloom attitude, which never failed to irk him, but now it was more like a running joke between them. It was easy and comfortable.
"You've done right, Zero." Misaki spoke softly after a comfortable silence. "Kaien accepted your judgment without question, didn't he?"
"Yeah," Zero exhaled. He had wondered whether his punishment was too severe. However, Kaien was reasonable, he would protest if he found the sentence unfair. Jinmu, who had always been too loyal to the post and the organization, could not be relied on to do so. He didn't question how his wife knew what was his judgment the same way he didn't question how she knew that it troubled him. She was not all-knowing, she was as surprised as he to know that Kuran was involved in the reunion, and went as far as influencing Cross, but she had experience as an Aruda and most of all, knowledge of him and hunter intricacies she learned along with him that when it came to him, Misaki had the uncanny knack of knowing what he had done without seeing it, either figuratively or literally.
He had taken this much for granted, hadn't he? Her quiet understanding, unwavering support, calm reassurance and firm belief in him. He had the better end of the bargain.
"Zero?" Those three words would be very easy to say, but he knew she would not believe him. He had done nothing to convince him that he was truly over Yuuki, that he never regretted his choice in her. Instead he swallowed the words he wanted to say and asked,
"Are you going to come?"
"Chika and Hotaru were so excited that they called and texted separately me to make me promise that I would come."
"Your classmates?" Zero wracked his head to attach some information to the names. Misaki was a loner, but she was warm and friendly, making her was well-liked by her classmates, who made the attempt to include her in their activities as often as possible, among them were Chika and Hotaru, whom he knew she still kept in touch with, however sparsely, after graduation. They were not as close friends as Sonia and Tanya, but they were good friends nonetheless to Misaki.
It should not be a surprise that they still remembered Misaki and wanted to meet her so much that they asked her to meet before the reunion. However, Misaki didn't see that way, he could detect the faint note of surprise when she told him about them. Then again, it was easier not to expect anything, lest be disappointed. When it turned out better, it became a pleasant surprise. They were alike in that way.
"They wanted us to meet up before going to the reunion together."
"You should." He wouldn't take her away from her friends just because he didn't have any, not in the Academy. "It's best for us to keep our distance in the public." He couldn't help the regret seeping into his tone.
"The Kurans will be there." Zero didn't like the pause. "Yuuki will be there." He was proven right.
"She is quite popular in the Academy, but most likely she'll be with Wakaba. I hear she's close with Aidou."
"Sounds like there's an interesting story behind that." Misaki didn't push and allowed him to change the topic.
"Well… Are you busy?"
"I am bored, so I am up to good story." Although his sharp hearing could hear the shift of paper and scratches of pencil. Regardless, he was not so keen to return to work yet. He was not a gossip, but he grew a habit of observing people and the odd human-vampire pairing easily caught his attention. They made interesting objects of observation, and he wanted to know what Misaki would think of them.
"So Aidou and Wakaba…"
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In the short, limited time, Cross managed to ensure the reunion meet the requirements dictated by the peace treaty. He should not be surprised, it was the fangless hunter and the former president of the Association they were talking about after all. He could do anything once he set his mind into something. Zero only raised an eyebrow as he heard of the older man's report, not giving away how impressed he was. He got a feeling that the Academy alumni experienced the shock of their lifetime seeing the unseen side of their Chairman. He was also quite certain whatever suggestion given to the older man was managed to be ignored, if not removed completely.
Based on Cross' recollection, the pureblood suggestion did not appear to be a particularly strong one, but effective and well-timed. Otherwise, Cross could have shrugged it off easily. Even if Kuran implanted more suggestions, in his current mindset, Cross would have noticed anything amiss and quickly, forcefully purged them from his mind. The man was angry, rightfully so.
Jinmu confirmed his suspicions in his direct report. There was underlying respect and grudging admiration when he reported of the former president of the Association's behavior and action for the past weeks. Kuran had miscalculated. He didn't realize how his actions damaged his father-in-law's near complete trust in him. Cross would likely forgive him for influencing himself, he would consider it his own fault for letting his guard down, but civilians, especially Academy students, he would not easily forgive. It was unlike Kuran himself to involve innocents, he wouldn't do so lightly.
Zero turned off the computer as he stood up from his desk. He straightened up, pulling down his shirt and vest, unrolling and buttoning the sleeves of his shirt and checking on the Bloody Rose. He slipped his weapon into its holster, concealed beneath his jacket. He plucked the coat from the hanger and wore it in smooth movement, barely registering the action as he mulled over the train of thought.
He waved his hand dismissively to Yuizaki on his way out. The secretary had most likely known where he was leaving off to, despite not being included in the latest matters. It was what made her a good and reliable secretary. She didn't need to be told to figure things out and to keep her silence. The reunion was to take place tonight, Jinmu had already delivered preliminary report of the status and the condition of the event so he knew what was to expect when he arrived there. He arranged himself to come late, knowing most of the others he knew of would come on time. It also gave him time to think as he drove to the Academy from the Association Headquarters.
It didn't occur to him at first that Kuran had made a crucial mistake. The pureblood was usually meticulous in his manipulations that he would rarely commit such error. He should have known that Cross would not take kindly of his machinations. The reminder for a pawn should not worth losing respect and trust from a strong and reliable ally. He hadn't brought this up to Misaki yet, although they both knew that Kuran eventually would reinforce his power over him. He was not naïve enough to delude himself that Kuran was not somewhere observing him and Yuuki in Kuran Mansion, watching things unfold to his liking. It was subtle and well-calculated, the kind he expected from the Japanese monarch. In comparison, this felt sloppy and hurried. It was rather hard to believe, but he didn't hear otherwise from his reports and observations, and most importantly, from his wife's foresight.
Kuran miscalculated, pure and simple. The question was why? Why did he miscalculate? Why could he miscalculate?
He didn't come any closer to any answer when the familiar sight of the Academy loomed overhead. Instead of going through the front gate, he took the less known side gate that was exclusive for the Academy staff. It made his arrival less conspicuous and also a good indication of the security of the place. He was satisfied to see he was greeted by a hunter dressed as an Academy staff member who made a thorough check of him despite knowing who he was.
Taking advantage of his intimate knowledge of the Academy gained through the years acting as its guardian, he slipped into the olden building with ease. He walked quickly, soundlessly, keeping to the shadows. He made a habit of testing the security of events and functions in Eurasia as often as possible on his own by acting as an intruder. Intentionally he made the habit known to his fellow hunters and subordinates, knowing that they would take it either as an affront or as a challenge.
Zero smiled briefly when he was quickly intercepted, stepping backward to avoid a sweep of a sword. His silver eyes glinted in approval when another came up from behind. The hunters were considerably young, they held the familiar determination belied with nerves and excitement. It seemed Jinmu purposefully placed them so they would be the first to make the attempt, most likely to gain experience. It was what he expected of the older man. A great honour, and a learning experience, so long ago it had not been considered that way.
In the beginning of his presidency, it also provided an ample opportunity for those wanting to contest him for his leadership. He had been the one who came up with the idea, which both Cross and Yagari found stupid and ridiculous, and Misaki only remarked as the idea being very much like him (he still couldn't figure out until now whether to take it as an insult or compliment). Leadership was a mantle that was still uncomfortable and unfamiliar to him, but fighting? It was as natural to him as breathing. However, they were not his enemies. He had to exercise constraint, enough to disarm and incapacitate that he was not taking out capable fighters should a real breach happen. He would slip away instead of keeping the fight when he would be forced to use lethal force.
The first time it happened was not easy, because to most hunters, such act was considered as giving up or running away. It took all of his willpower and authority –or the resemblance of it back then—to look at those men and remind them that the point of this was to assess their ability to stop and handle any disturbance and letting him slip away accounted as their failure. When they persisted, he no longer bothered putting restraint on himself, driving home the message clearly that he had always been able to best them. Hunters prized and respected skill and ability above all. This display managed to somewhat settle the disgruntlement to everyone's surprise, even himself. It had been a long shot.
Since then, his fellow hunters assigned to guarding events and functions had learned that the best they could do was to keep him away as long as possible. It was not that they didn't learn. It was just they weren't the only one. He had not been the cloak-and-dagger type, his choice of weapon had been ill-suited for it, until he claimed his power from his twin and gained the power of pureblood. Putting a handicap on himself forced him to plan ahead and adapt quickly, accelerating the growth of his skill and ability that even his former teacher noticed.
"It's too much to hope that we'll manage to keep you out in your own turf, isn't it?" Dry voice greeted Zero as he stepped onto the balcony overlooking the hall. The young president only smirked as he removed his coat, his appearance barely mussed as he stood next Jinmu whose sharp eyes remained wary and observant of every happening below.
"Everything is under control. All guests are identified and accounted for. Some late arrivals," the pointed tone included him, "some absence, but no uninvited guest."
"Kuran?"
"The Aidou was the first to come, surprisingly with a human. Kuran and the rest of his entourage just came few minutes before you. Don't see the fire kid and Souen girl, though." The gruff man waved his hand to the direction where the attention and excitement were focused on. Zero merely arched an eyebrow at the information. It looked like that Kain and Souen were entrusted with the care of the Kuran heiress. Otherwise, he was not surprised that the Kuran made such an entrance, aside of the consideration of the mob that soon gathered in his presence, he must have wanted to know the result of his scheming. He watched the dark-haired vampire leader discretely, wondering what the other man might see. Did he see the coolness of Cross' greeting? The subdued manner of the reunion committee? The undeniable presence of hunters?
Did you see what you want to see, Kuran?
As though summoned by his thoughts, Kuran looked up, staring straight at Zero, unerringly finding him despite having hidden his presence from the pureblood. Zero gave away nothing, holding Kuran's gaze stoically.
Surprisingly, it was Kuran who broke away first. Yuuki was tugging at him, dragging him in excitement to her former classmates. Zero smiled involuntarily at such open display of emotion from Yuuki and her usual obliviousness at her friends' reaction in finding out that she was married to their school's heartthrob. Wakaba would have to deal with the ruffled feathers, as usual. Time had ways of changing people to the better or the worse. Deciding that Yuuki was in good hands, he threw his gaze around to look for a certain person who should have been in the reunion for a while. It wasn't difficult, he could recognize her presence anywhere, but if he was to solely rely on his sight, he didn't think he would find her.
She was wearing a sunset-coloured shirt dress that fell above her knees with elbow-length sleeves and tied sash at the waist coupled with knee-high soft brown leather boots. She had her hair in a style he hadn't seen before, two braids in one side incorporated into a loose twist, which ends rested over her collarbone. She looked fresh and youthful, especially among her former classmates.
She looked lovely.
He hadn't seen Misaki much in casual clothes for a while, not since she returned to Japan. Being the wife and mother to the Kiryuus, she was careful not to be seen much with either him or the twins in the same time outside their town, so he rarely saw her outside formal clothes she wore for work or comfortable ones she wore at home, which was his preferred look on his wife with loose bun or messy pony tail, faded shirt or large sweatshirt, skirt or leggings. Regardless, the current look reminded him of their days in Paris when he would visit her and take random and aimless walks around the beautiful city. It had been one of his best and treasured memories.
Somehow Zero was not surprised that Misaki took that moment to look up, meeting his eyes across the distance. She gave him a warm smile that he unconsciously returned. She tilted her head towards the crowded hall that was filled with Academy alumni from various years, asking wordlessly when he would join them. He swept his gaze to take note of the number of people who attended the event to express that he wasn't in a hurry to get down unless there was an emergency considering the crowd. The fair-haired woman only smirked knowingly, translating his gesture easily. Misaki shrugged lightly, telling him that he would have to come down sooner or later. He let his reluctance show briefly to suggest that he would delay as long as he could, which earned him an amused chuckle that she quickly hid beneath her punch when a brown-haired woman with short bob in a white top under fashionable leather jacket and denim pants whom he guessed as Chika turned to her.
Chika was joined with a long-haired woman in a lacy black dress that contrasted her pale look who was most likely Hotaru as they attempted to include Misaki further into the festivities. His wife didn't offer much, only interjected in their conversation with few words with an easy smile on her face. Chika managed to send both of her friends giggling at one point. In that moment, Misaki looked so young. Both of them were still young. She was only twenty-six to his twenty-eight, already married with elementary-aged children. He only had himself to blame for that.
Zero knew well not to dwell in the past, so it was with great reluctance he flung his gaze far and wide. The committee had set up booths in one side of the hall which looked like photo booth, games booth and Tarot booth. They were manned by the Academy students based on their youth, and interestingly the vampire student in the Tarot booth openly used his skill in making predictions, while the other in games booth used hers in tidying up along with their human counterparts. Some of the older generation still showed discomfort at the open display, but the rest of the guests barely blinked and eagerly queued for their turn. On the other side, food and drinks were set up on the table and quickly and efficiently replenished once they were low.
The food mostly consisted of finger or bite-sized food that would be easily eaten while conversing and socializing. The non-alcoholic beverages were provided in several dispensers while alcoholic ones could be found at the bar. Fortunately the committee had the foresight to employ two bartenders instead of one, otherwise he would be swamped and lost track of the alcohol consumption. The attending alumni was already rowdy enough without alcohol involved. It looked to be going worse with the game the committee setting up on the stage pitting the alumni against another of other year. He noted in satisfaction that the hunters on the floor adjusted accordingly, positioning in strategic places and pulling more from other positions to cover blind spots. Deciding to better aid his subordinates, he gave a nod towards Jinmu and turned his heels towards the stairs.
Once he arrived in the hall inconspicuously, he adjusted the observations he had from above to the floor and noted the differences, instinctively marking some people and places that required special attention. He strode easily to the direction of the bar, people unconsciously making way for the former school guardian and only recognizing him when he passed them. Zero paid no notice at the furtive looks and whispers thrown his way as he settled himself at the bar, which provided a great vantage point of the entire floor of the hall. He put in an order of Cabernet Sauvignon to the bartender once he listed off the collection of red wine they had.
Zero found himself having to fend off attention away from him, which was surprisingly not limited to Day Class students in his year, while trying to maintain vigilant watch on the event. He didn't think he changed much from his high school years, either they approached him in hopes that he had changed or they became more daring with some help of liquid courage and natural expectation in reunion events. The younger alumni seemed to recognize him from his appearance and naturally connected him with President Kiryuu of Hunter Association based on their human-vampire history lesson. The wariness and suspicion were expected, but not the respect and admiration. He was tempted to know what had been taught in the Academy. He was sending off another bunch of admirers with a cold glare, when he heard a familiar chuckle.
"Glad to see some things don't change." There she was, standing in a lovely one-shouldered yellow taffeta dress that flared from the crystal-embroidered waistband to her knees, her long hair left loose with only few clips kept them away from her eyes. He couldn't help to notice the irony in her words, because she was the one who changed the most. He didn't miss the double-take those who had known Yuuki had done when they saw her.
"Yuuki." Zero tilted his head in greeting, not surprised to see how their yearmates turned their way at the familiar sight of the two school guardians.
"Mind some company?" Yuuki gestured to the empty seat next to him at the bar.
"Since when you bother to ask?" he simply shrugged in response.
"It is only proper," followed with a graceful plop—if there was anything like it—on the tall stool.
"How very pureblood of you," he couldn't help the mocking tease thrown her way.
"Hush. I'm trying." She waved her hand, her maroon eyes twinkling. She had managed to be all proper-like in formal events and functions since her marriage to the Kuran monarch, but in less formal occasions, Yuuki more often than not dropped the pretence and acted more like the clumsy and awkward Yuuki, or as close to it with her inborn grace as a pureblood.
"A glass of Merlot, please." He gestured towards the bartender who quickly took down the order. Yuuki smiled to see that he remembered her preference. Yuuki was quite a wine-drinker, though she preferred the lighter ones. It seemed that she still hadn't gotten used to the tangy taste of blood, however freely it was offered. She nodded her thanks to the bartender as he placed the requested drink by her table.
"I didn't think you'd come." Yuuki told him as she took a ship, gaze lowered shyly, uncertainly.
"Why?" Zero purposefully left it vague, wanting to see how Yuuki would answer.
"I saw your wife." He noticed how Yuuki stumbled at the mention of his wife. He though he saw her lips curl slightly, though it was so brief that he couldn't tell whether it was due to reluctance or something else.
"Oh?" He didn't give away anything else, keeping his tone neutral and nonchalant as he instinctively looked for Misaki at the reminder. He spotted her surrounded by more of her classmates, but the sight of an unfamiliar man standing uncomfortably close to her made him go still. She saw her ducking down to hide a smile at whatever was said. He had to force himself to keep up the act, twirling the wine in his glass.
"I didn't know she also went to the Academy." However divided his attention was, he still caught those words were not what Yuuki initially wanted to say.
"She's a year under us. Kaien didn't mention?"
"I might've missed that." Somehow Zero doubted that. He already didn't like the way Yuuki spoke of Misaki.
"You're with your husband?" It was odd to address Kuran as Yuuki's husband, but it was more because he had been firmly Kuran to him before Yuuki married him. He didn't stumble the way Yuuki did, though, probably because he had more time to get used to it. His choice of address seemed to catch her off guard that she didn't immediately respond.
"Yeah. We came a bit late. Kaede's been a bit fussy."
"Still awake?" Zero raised an eyebrow, aware of her bedtime.
"She knew we were going out."
"Ah." Zero could imagine what the little princess would do, insisting that she came regardless how sleepy she was. "Threw a fit?"
Yuuki concealed a wince. "How do you know?"
"I know her mother."
"I am not that bad, aren't I?" She looked hilariously terrified of the answer. Yuuki was mostly a well-behaved child, really, not unlike Kaede, but when she wanted something…
"…I recall the zoo incident." Zero watched in fascination how Yuuki's face turned into interesting shades of red. He remembered how little Yuuki, who had been promised a visit to the zoo threw quite a fit when Kaien told her that they couldn't. Usually so understanding, Yuuki had refused to budge since she had been looking forward spending time with Kaien and Zero in her favourite place. Kaien had been having problems with the Academy and Zero had been pulling away without Kaien to gang up on with Yuuki.
"It's only once." Yuuki turned away from her childhood friend, her cheeks burning.
"Hn." Zero didn't deign with an answer, taking advantage of Yuuki's distraction to check again on his wife. The man was still standing close to his wife, one hand gesturing wildly while the other holding his drink. The man was quite tall and athletic, his dark hair was mussed slightly. His face was open and friendly, his posture easy and casual. Even though they were talking in a group, his body was subtly leaning towards Misaki and his eyes throwing glances at her in several points of conversation. But what caught his attention next was the sight of Misaki laughing.
It was a small, but unreserved laughter. He could see the twinkle in her eyes and the flash of white in her laugh. His breath caught in his throat. It was harder to look away then. When he finally turned his attention to Yuuki, she didn't seem to notice anything amiss as she was transfixed at the change in programme.
"Hey, they're opening the floor for dancing." Before he could say anything, Yuuki pulled him from the stool—that was pureblood's strength for you—to the middle of the hall where the floor was cleared in front of the stage where a band was playing. When they were just at the edge of the clearing, Zero managed to stop them both, looking down at Yuuki.
"Dance with me?" The pleading look was still as effective as it was on Kaede's face. The hopeful and earnest look was so difficult to resist, he inwardly pitied the Kuran who must have received double of the look from the Kuran ladies.
"Why don't you dance with Kuran?"
"I always dance with him. We've danced often enough," Yuuki's face scrunched up at that, not much for dancing in formal events, which was required for one of the most prominent pureblood monarchs. "You never dance in those events."
"I didn't have an escort." Her expression shuttered briefly at the past tense, before she raised her head to meet his gaze. "You owe me a dance in this hall." Zero didn't remove his gaze from Yuuki, but he could sense Kuran's familiar gaze upon him.
"You play dirty," he gave in with a sigh. "Fine, one dance. Only one dance."
Yuuki smiled so brightly that he couldn't help to mirror the smile before once again pulled forcefully by the excited pureblood. The sight of happy Yuuki warmed him. He found himself relenting and guiding her across the floor. Yuuki waved cheerily at Aidou and Wakaba who had been dancing together when they passed the couple. Aidou nodded in acknowledgment at both of them, while Wakaba had her eyebrows raised at seeing him and them on the dancefloor. Zero imagined that deadpan look was very effective on her noble partner. They made an interesting pair, indeed.
Since it was not a formal dance, the dancing was much simpler and casual. Most simply moved around in small circles or made turns in one place with their partners. Though there were few that had proper skill and training chose to show off, he could guess that those few were vampires. The vampires that went to the Academy were mostly pureblood and nobility after all. He was twirling Yuuki when he caught a glimpse of gold and orange. Only when he pulled Yuuki back to him that he saw her.
Misaki was dancing with the dark-haired man he saw from before. They were standing no closer than that was required, and his hand remained respectfully on her hip that it was easy enough for him to convince that it was no different from him and Yuuki. But then, he said something that with somewhat abashed manner and she laughed. It was such an easy and light sound he rarely heard that he couldn't look away.
Uh oh, someone else is making your girl laugh, Zero. What are you gonna do?
Review! The next chapter will be up next week ;)