I don't own Vampire Knight or any of the characters in the series.
A/N: I'm Back! :D
Sorry for vanishing for a few weeks: I was studying hard for my exams which are now over (waiting for the results now) and then I was invited on a holiday to Singapore, and someone else was paying for my flight and accommodation, so I couldn't say no! It was absolutely fantastic, the warm weather was a lovely change, and I'm feeling wonderfully refreshed now that I have returned and I'm ready to get back to writing! ^^ While I was on holiday I did pre-plan a number of chapters for my fics so there should be quite a few updates over the next week!
Important news: I have edited my profile and added a section for my updates where I will list an estimate date for when I think I will be able upload the next chapter for each of my fics. I will do my best to keep it up-to-date so that it is as accurate as possible! I will also endeavour to list any long-term absences here in the future: eg. Holidays or Exam periods. I have done this for your convenience and I hope that you will find it useful. Let me know if you think this is a good idea?
Irmina, Skylar 18, Kai Hoshizuki, Aoi. y. love. forward, KxZ fan girl, AokyorRenka, Sukikuran1, Evilgoddess1990: Thank you so much for your reviews, they give me so much motivation! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D
I'll let you get back to the story now...
Please read, review, follow and fave! But, most of all, please enjoy! :D
Chapter 6: Nice Guy
Zero woke in warmth of a futon far more comfortable than what he was usually given by the hunters. Even though his head was filled with worry, he had slept rather soundly last night. He yawned and stretched before rolling over onto his other side and looking towards the man who was allowing him to stay in such luxurious accommodation, Kaname Kuran.
He couldn't help but stare at Kaname as he slept. This mighty general had the most adorable sleeping face, his long lashes just visible beneath his fringe.
And he's such a gentleman too…even insisting that we sleep in separate futons…
Forcing his eyes away from the gorgeous Kuran general, Zero peeled back his futon and stood up. He then dressed himself in the Kimono which had been prepared for him before heading out of Kaname's room, walking towards the stables to visit Lily. However, he was interrupted.
Zero visibly flinched as he saw Rido Kuran turn into the corridor in front of him. The dark brunette gave him a chilling smile before approaching. How Zero wished he could just turn and run in the opposite direction, back to the comfort of Kaname's room. But, that would be rude and he didn't want to anything to upset this man even further.
"Good morning." Zero greeted quietly, bowing his head and hoping to get past Rido untormented.
Unfortunately Zero was not having good luck today.
*SLAM*
Rido pushed Zero into the wall and captured his hands above his head so that the silverette could not escape.
"Do you think you even have the right to talk to me?" Rido scolded him.
"I'm sorry! Please let me go!" Zero quickly apologised and pleaded, dropping his head once again.
No matter how much Zero desired to overpower this horrible man, he knew that he couldn't. To show his true strength and abilities would immediately raise suspicion that he was trained in the art of combat, rather than being the powerless silver-hair he portrayed. All he could do, while pushed up against the wall, was to look away from Rido's face and wish that he could be invisible.
"How was last night, hmm? I bet you enjoyed warming my nephew's bed, didn't you?" Rido growled.
"I-I didn't!" Zero tried to refute.
Not hearing what he wished, Rido's grip on Zero's wrists increased until it became painful. Zero was beginning to worry about his wrists snapping as Rido continued to taunt him.
*slap*
"Don't lie, you little silver-hair. You shared his room last night didn't you?" Rido pressed.
"We slept in separate futons!" Zero defended both his and Kaname's dignity.
However, Rido didn't seem to be letting up. It was almost as if Rido was trying to prise a confession from him. But, before he could do anything more, their confrontation was interrupted.
*Tmp* *Tmp* *Tmp*
Both of them heard the footsteps approaching. However, it wasn't quite over. Rido leaned his face in, next to Zero's ear.
"I wonder what Kaname would think of you if he knew you were aligned with the hunters, hmm?" He let go of Zero. "Think wisely about your position from now on or I shall tell him what you really are." He whispered threateningly before allowing Zero to run. And Zero ran…
H-how could he possibly know who I am!? Only Yagari and a few of his most trusted circle even know I exist!? And if he tells Kaname I'll fail my mission without a doubt…
But Zero wasn't just thinking of failing his mission. The idea of Kaname finding out that he was working for the hunters also caused a painful feeling to spread across his heart.
…
After he had exited the main castle he stood against a wall and took deep breaths to calm himself. He had to just act normal and hope for the best. Only once he had recovered did he continue on, towards the stables.
"Good morning, Zero!" Ikki greeted him as he arrived.
"Good morning." Zero replied, immediately walking towards Lily's stall.
Ikki followed after him.
"I talked to the stable-master yesterday for you, about looking after Lily." He informed Zero.
"May I?" Zero asked.
"Well, it was quite funny, I wish you could've seen it! Initially he refused, but then he met her and got a hoof in the face, just like you said! So after that he decided that it would better if you could deal with her." Ikki told him cheerfully.
"It's certainly good to hear that I can look after her, but I hope he's okay." Zero expressed his concern, knowing how much damage a hoof in the face from Lily could do.
"He'll be fine. Doctor Aidou fixed him right up with some stuff to help the bruising." Ikki assured him.
"That's good to hear." Zero replied.
He entered Lily's stall and fed her an apple while patting the side of her head.
"If you have any problems while you're here, doctor Aidou's the one to see about them. I reckon he's the best doctor in the country!" Ikki claimed.
"He sounds very capable." Zero noted.
"He is extremely capable as a doctor, though when he's not working he does tend to have a foolish streak. But, all in all, he's a good guy." A smooth voice said.
Both Zero and Ikki looked towards the new voice in their conversation. Kaname was standing at the entrance of the stables, still looking sleepy from having just woken up. Though what surprised Zero more was that Kaname's kimono was slightly skewed and the obi at the back was tied at an odd angle, as if he had put it on in a rush rather than being dressed by one of his attendants.
"Ah! Kaname-sama!" Ikki greeted energetically, running up to Kaname.
Zero admired that Kaname, someone of such a high class, wouldn't find Ikki's actions annoying or distasteful. Kaname was truly different. Instead of scolding the youth, he good-humouredly ruffled Ikki's hair.
"Someone's very energetic this morning, Ikki." Kaname commented.
Zero was also pleasantly surprised that this mighty general who employed several hundred people would actually take the time to learn the name of a young stable apprentice like Ikki. He found himself feeling relieved that he wasn't the only one Kaname was kind to. Small actions like these spoke well of his character.
"And you're looking quite cheery." Kaname noted, beginning to walk towards Zero.
Zero hadn't even noticed the smile which had crept onto his face while watching Kaname interact with Ikki. He quickly blushed before turning his attentions back to Lily. She began stressing and stomping her hoof as Kaname got closer.
"Kaname-sama, could you please just wait there?" Zero warned. "She gets anxious around people she doesn't know. Though, you would have seen that the other day."
"Indeed I did. She seems to trust you a lot." Kaname admired from a safe distance.
"I raised her since she was young." Zero explained. "No one wanted her because she can be stubborn, so she was given to me. But she's not that stubborn, just misunderstood and a little shy. As long as you show her respect and take the time to get to know her she'll be friendly." He turned towards the horse again, patting her side. "Isn't that right Lily?"
He fed her an apple and she grunted happily in return, nudging her nose against Zero's head. This caused Zero to smile.
I'm so glad that I saved him so that I can see that smile…
"So, why were you two talking about Hanabusa when I came in?" Kaname decided to ask the question he had been curious about since he had entered.
"Apparently the stable master upset Lily." Zero began.
"She kicked him right in the face." Ikki reported.
"Ouch, that does sound rather painful." Kaname replied. "But as long as he visited Hanbusa I'm sure that he will be fine. Though I might go visit him to see how he is progressing." He added.
"I'm sure he wouldn't want to trouble you…" Ikki tried to tell Kaname.
"What troubles me more is that he is injured. As one of my staff I am concerned about his wellbeing. So it doesn't trouble me at all." Kaname explained, smiling as he turned to exit the stables.
As Kaname said his goodbyes before going to check on the stable master, Zero couldn't help but think: He cares for everyone, even the staff who are so far below his status. And even though I was educated that the hunters are the ones that will bring order to this fragmented land, surely someone like him would create a peaceful country. So, why am I forced to end his life?