I don't own Vampire Knight or any of the characters in the series.
A/N: Yay! Chapter 4 is here! :D
I've had a busy day today so this is my only update for tonight. However, the next chapter of 'Ousted' should definitely be up tomorrow ^^
And, I have my mid-semester break next week! So, I should have some extra writing time! YAY! :D
Thank you to every one who reviewed the last chapter, it's always fantastic to read your thoughts! ^^
Please read, review, fave and follow. But, most of all, please enjoy! :D
Chapter 4: The Arrival
Kaname and his group trotted up to the city gates upon their trusty steeds. As they approached the guards in the gate tower glanced over them. They quickly spotted Zero as an outsider.
"Who is that person?" One asked Kaname, pointing at Zero.
"He had been taken prisoner by the hunters. We rescued him and he is now my guest." Kaname explained. "Now, let us pass." Kaname ordered.
"Of course, Kaname-sama." The guards bowed their head as they replied.
They then raised the large gate allowing the group to enter the city of Kyoto.
…
*twitch*
Zero could feel the stares of people upon him.
I'm not even wearing a wig now, do they have to stare?
Yet, he knew why they were staring. It was because of his hair and eye colour. In Japan dark hair and eyes had consistently been dominant traits. Having someone with silver hair and bright purple eyes was unusual, an oddity. Zero had hardly ever seen any others like himself or his brother. But, he knew why… Their white hair made them extremely rare and sought after as a luxury by the upper class for 'entertainment purposes'. After all, that is what happened to Ichiru, and it is what would have happened to Zero as well had he not been so physically skilled in combat. Zero shuddered at the thought.
Kaname noticed that Zero was feeling uncomfortable and slowed down until he fell into line next to him.
"Are you okay?" Kaname asked.
"I'm fine." Zero insisted.
"No, you're not. Your eye is twitching." Kaname pointed out.
"I'm just not used to the crowds of such a large city." Zero explained.
Kaname looked around and saw that the city was even more crowded than usual. Many always came to greet him when he returned from battle, but never this many… It seemed that a larger crowd had appeared due to Zero's presence, he could tell because of the crowd's pointing and whispers. However, Kaname did not like the idea that they were making Zero uncomfortable. So, he decided to address them.
"Hello, we have returned successful. We took over the camp with ease and Kaien Kurosu is now being questioned at one of the further-out settlements." Kaname explained.
The crowd clapped, cheered and celebrated in response.
"However," Kaname continued "we are rather weary after our long journey and have a guest with us. So, I will ask you kindly to disperse for now so that we may continue our peaceful journey to the castle." Kaname smiled and waved after this as the crowds obeyed his wishes and dispersed.
"You didn't have to do that…" Zero muttered, not expecting Kaname to send them away.
"They were making you uncomfortable." Kaname explained.
They said nothing more until they had reached the castle.
…
As they approached the massive building they saw that a welcoming comity was already waiting for them. Juri, Rido and the many servants lined up in preparation for their arrival. Kaname dismounted and the others followed his lead.
"Greetings, nephew. I trust that your campaign was successful?" Rido spoke first.
"It is good to see you too, uncle. And, yes, we were successful." Kaname confirmed.
"It is good to see that you have made it home safely, Kaname." Juri, his mother greeted him more warmly.
"Indeed. Myself, and the rest of my men, are fine though slightly tired from the long journey." Kaname replied politely.
As they continued to talk a group of stable-hands came to take the reins of the horses in order to lead them to the stables prepared for them. But, Lily didn't want to go with them.
"Neeeeeiiiiiiiiighh!"
She got up on her hind legs and began kicking. Zero quickly ran over, took her reins and calmed her. Though, this display had drawn significant attention to the duo. Zero quickly turned and apologised to Kaname and the others who had witnessed the scene.
"I'm so sorry for Lily's behaviour. She doesn't trust many strangers." Zero bowed and tried to explain.
Rido looked for the first time at Zero and was quite surprised at what he saw. He did not expect a silver-hair to be part of Kaname's group and was immediately intrigued.
Has Kaname brought himself a toy I wonder? And here I was thinking that he was a goody-two-shoes…
"It seems that you have brought a tag-along, nephew. Yet you have not introduced us?" Rido enquired.
Zero didn't like the way that Rido was looking at him. He could feel Rido's eyes staring up and down his body, examining him. He didn't like it at all.
"This is Zero Kiryuu, he is my guest." Kaname explained.
"Guest!? Ha!" Rido scoffed. "He's a silver-hair. How can he be a guest?"
This made Zero's blood boil, yet he knew that he shouldn't cause trouble out here so he kept his anger under control. However, Kaname's anger was not under control.
"I saved him from Kurosu's camp and I say he is my guest. So, he is my guest!" Kaname insisted.
"Sure he is." Rido replied sarcastically. "It's rather dishonourable how you use your heroism to cover the fact you brought a slave home."
The term 'slave' made Zero wince. He didn't like this man. His instincts screamed at him to get away.
"Kaname-sama, would it be okay for me to take Lily to the stables? I doubt she will let anyone else touch her." Zero requested.
"Of course, Zero." Kaname allowed this and motioned for Zero to follow the other stable-hands.
Zero bowed with respect and quickly escaped the scene, although he could still hear Kaname and Rido arguing in the background.
…
He was extremely glad when he reached the stables and led Lily to her spot. Zero removed all of her riding equipment and patted her caringly.
"It's okay girl." He assured her.
Looking around he saw a grooming kit on the wall. He took the comb and began to comb her hair. She rubbed her nose against Zero in appreciation. As he was combing he was interrupted by a voice.
"That was really impressive how you handled that horse. It calmed down instantly!"
A cheerful-looking red-headed boy with big blue eyes was talking to Zero over the gate. The boy seemed quite small and was probably only in his early teens.
"T-thank you." Zero bowed to him and thanked him, though he faltered just a little.
Zero wasn't used to getting complements but it did make him feel good.
"There's no need to bow to me mister. I'm Ikki by the way." The red-head greeted him cheerfully.
"I'm Zero." He replied. "Do you like horses?" Zero enquired.
"Yup. I'm not very good yet, but I'm an apprentice in the stables so I just do a lot of the menial tasks at the moment." Ikki explained.
"Would you have any apples?" Zero asked.
"Of course, we have a whole barrel!" Ikki dashed off and fetched an apple, handing it to Zero over the gate.
Zero turned his attentions back to Lily and fed her the apple.
"Would you be able to do me a favour?" Zero asked.
"Of course, what's the favour?" Ikki asked.
"Lily doesn't like strangers and so I was wondering if you would be able to ask the stable-master if I could care for her while she's here? If not she may end up kicking someone and doing some serious damage…" Zero was truly aware of what she could do to defend herself and knew that taking care of her himself was by far the best thing.
"Sure, I don't mind asking. Though, I'm not sure how he'll take it." Ikki sounded mildly concerned.
"If he doesn't accept it he may get a hoof in the face." Zero pointed out.
"Fair point I guess." Ikki replied, chuckling at the prospect.
Zero was apprehensive after Rido's attitude upon his arrival. But, he now felt relieved knowing that there were some friendly people in this large and unfamiliar environment. He and Ikki talked for a long while about horses and other things until one of the servants came to fetch Zero.