Scarred Fates : Sequel to Twisted Fates. It's Seiran and Zero's final year at Cross Academy. More enemies inadvertently created due to her newly created blood tablets are out to get her…And who is that elegant lady plaguing her dreams? Why is everyone targeting the Level Es Seiran decided to protect…? Zero x OC (Seiran). Sorry, bad at summaries -.-"

Disclaimer : I don't own VK nor its characters. Any resemblance to any fanfictions, the living or RIPs is highly unintentional.

Dedicated to those who supported Twisted Fates. For new readers, do read TF in order not to feel lost :P

THANKS LOADS to everyone who reviewed, added my story to their alerts, favourited it as well as listing me as their favourite author (*bows*). I really appreciate your support! Here's the next chapter :D

I had a lot of difficulty writing this chapter and changed it 5 - 6 times and still can't find the reson why I don't find it satisfactory enough -.-" If you think anything's wrong with this chapter, please do PM or review so I can see what I've missed out...lol. It was really hard trying to write about a first date especially when Zero and Seiran have no experience in this romance matter (although Zero has hung out with Yuuki before - getting groceries, etc and Seiran tagged along her late sensei when he went around, but she never really bothered with these things...)

CHAPTER 8

"Zero…" Seiran had been so focused on not letting that pug Wayu have his self satisfaction that she failed to sense the silver haired teen approaching them. Wayu's jaw dropped open at the way the other boy was holding her so intimately. "Wayu's an old acquaintance from the H.A," she explained, leaning into Zero as well.

Immediately, Wayu took the opportunity to grandly introduce himself, "Takaya Wayu, the youngest Inquisitor ever appointed in the history of the H.A. My family is also highly respected in the hunters' society." He puffed his chest out, not wanting to lose to Zero's muscular form.

Zero almost eye-rolled. "Zero Kiryuu. Not interested in what you are. Never heard of your family before…" He inched closer towards Wayu's face, almost growling, "If you ever look at Seiran that way again, I will personally make sure you are unable to even see anymore. You clear?"

Zero! Seiran gently chided in her mind, feeling a bit of pride at the way Zero nearly chewed her arch enemy's head off.

Severely insulted, Wayu glared daggers at the couple in front of him once he recognized that famous family name as well as the tragedy that befell Zero. "You'll be sorry you ever said that, you lowlife Level E – "

Slap!

Seiran telekinetically whacked the right side of his head, her patience thinning at his insult. She pretended to look innocent when he looked around wildly, wondering how the hell that occurred.

"You'll be sorry you ever insulted me!" he yelled once more before storming away.

"Like we care!" Zero hollered back and Seiran burst out laughing, resisting the sudden childish urge to stick her tongue out.

Once Wayu was safely out of earshot, Zero released Seiran, swinging her to face him. His face was serious now. "Are you really alright? Seeing your facial expression I believe he said some nasty things…"

She crossed her hands and jokingly huffed, "Zero, you know I can handle him! I've been facing that arrogant prick since I was twelve."

"Hey, you think I'd let you ruin my chance to be your shining knight in armour?" he joked back, earning a winning smile from the pureblood hunter.

She held out her hands in defeat. "Alright…I yield…and I thank you for rescuing the maiden in distress."

Suddenly Zero went silent, just looking at her and Seiran's heartbeat raced slightly at the way he just stared at her. "What is it…? Do I have something stuck on my face?" she softly asked.

The silver haired hunter vampire shook his head. "No…it's just that I think our clothes complement each other pretty well…" And you look really pretty in a skirt…

Seiran looked at her own outfit before looking at his – she was in white and grey while he was in white and black – and she pinked slightly. "Umm…great minds think alike?"

He held out his hand to her. "Shall we head into the park, my lady?"

"S-sure…" Seiran took his hand, feeling comforting warmth radiating from Zero. We're having a picnic…That's cute…

Both the teens walked hand in hand towards a beech tree which was further away from the rest of the other people at the park. Seiran was glad, though. She didn't want to hear any sickeningly sweet words from the other romancing couples, and she didn't want others to invade her private space either.

Zero handed her the basket to hold while he opened it and spread a blanket onto the grass before gesturing for her to sit down. "Ladies first."

She awkwardly sat down, resting the basket in front of her and he sat down beside her.

"So, what would you like to start off with first? Dessert?" he asked as he opened the picnic basket again. Looking at her expectantly, his smile vanished as he realized she looked rather stiff in front of him. In fact, she had been acting weirdly ever since he 'rescued' her from Wayu. "Seiran…? Is something wrong?"

"Zero…are you feeling alright?" she asked back. It feels really strange, Zero's acting strange…It's not like him…

"Why are you asking me that?" Zero paused. "Am I making you feel uncomfortable…?"

From another person's point of view, it would have been hilarious to see both the teens who were so steady in their everyday school life, being prefects and vampire hunting to only act funnily on a date.

"Zero…" Seiran gently touched one of his arms. "I think I'd feel more comfortable if you were...just you…" She looked down, lowering her voice. "I don't know if going on a date makes a person different or not…"God, I don't even know what I'm talking about!

He awkwardly coughed, understanding what she meant. "I'm sorry…I thought I just wanted to give you a better impression since we're on a date…I would have thought…" His voice trailed off. Kiryuu, she's not like other girls, remember?

Seiran waved her hands frantically. "No, really, I mean, it's nice you're being gentlemanly but I'm just not…not used to it…" This was probably one of the times when she had ever felt so flustered before in her life. She felt…rotten…yeah, the only word she could think of to describe her feelings.

"Hey…let's start our picnic shall we? I'm not letting you eat cold food," Zero attempted to change the topic so she wouldn't feel uneasy again.

Her eyes brightened. See, Zero…you don't have to try acting like a gentleman. You already are one… "Alright."

"Umm…I made sandwiches and salad…because making other things like gravy and soups might spill…," he sheepishly uttered, rubbing his neck and unsure whether she would like such a simple picnic for a first date. At the time he had thought of a picnic, he was just thinking of a personal outing as he knew Seiran wasn't the type of girl interested in expensive stuff…but right now, it was still a date…he could be wrong…he felt his stomach churn. What if…?

Zero really took all the trouble…"That sounds great…it's really…sweet of you." Seiran looked at the first layer inside the picnic basket. Zero had made three types of sandwiches that were tuna, egg and turkey ham – with the bread crusts sliced off – something Seiran had never done when she made sandwiches for Sensei Tamaji and herself, something so refined... This tender, loving side of Zero that she glimpsed occasionally and right at this moment made her wonder if she was suited with Zero although both of them had confessed their feelings already.

When on a date, you ought to get to know your date better…Sensei Tamaji's words of wisdom echoed in Seiran's ears. Seiran mulled it over as she accepted a piece of tuna sandwich from Zero, their finger tips brushing and both had turned red. I know Zero's interests. He likes White Lily…Bloody Rose…Hunting down vampires…salty ramen…Her train of thoughts stopped and she just decided to mumble out, "Neh, Zero…it's our final year at the academy, what are you intending to do in the future?" When he looked at her, she hurriedly added, "I mean we'll be looking for work already…" Geh…maybe I sounded awfully stupid…God, Kaede, isn't there anything else better you could ask…?

That's true…We're going to graduate…It's either furthering studies in university or straight to work… "Umm…I thought of being a hunter, continue my family line, you know…," he slowly said. He'd been training as a hunter for so long, and he was the last of the Kiryuu clan… "But I also thought I'd study something along the lines of Chemistry…What about you?"

"I guess I'll continue my work on inventing, but I'd also like to work as a hunter since I'd been training since young as well," mumbled Seiran as she chewed on her sandwich.

"If we both become hunters…you think we can become partners…?" Zero's tone turned husky all of a sudden. I am so not blushing when I said that! He commanded his face not to heat up but failed.

"We're good partners as Prefects, right…? I think we'd make great hunter partners…" Seiran's voice turned soft as well. She gazed into the eager looking stare of Zero and her train of thoughts was blown away. "Silver…and amethyst…lovely…" Her fingers reached into the pocket of her pouch, drawing out her present and pressed it into one of his opened palms. I'm glad…my present to Zero will definitely match him…

"You…bought me something…?" But how? I was beside her almost the entire trip to Tokyo… "May I open it?" he shyly asked and she nodded, keeping her fingers crossed in hopes he would like it. Zero carefully unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal two differently designed silver earrings with amethyst stones embedded in them.

"I thought they would fit you…," she breathed, looking at his ear piercings made from silver. Silver matched him, she thought. It was a pure element and simple. Despite not being as valuable as gold or platinum, silver had its own appeal. Zero is a beautiful knight in silver…

"I'll wear them when I get back and won't take them off, ever…" He remembered his own gift for her and murmured in her ear, "Would you close your eyes, please?"

"Why?" Seiran merely acquiesced despite being curious. Moments later she felt something around her neck and Zero telling her to reopen her eyes. A necklace with an orchid shaped pendant was around her neck and her fingers tremblingly touched it, too touched to speak.

"I…wanted to give it to you much earlier but didn't have the time…"

"It…It's beautiful, thank you…" Her voice was caught in her throat as she felt her eyes moisten. It reminded her of how precious; how dear her parents and Sensei Tamaji were to her, and it included Zero as well…Someone precious…Someone I want to protect…

"Seiran…I'm glad you like it…" He faintly answered, seeing her reaction which also warmed the core of his heart. And he secretly thanked the Fates for allowing him to be with her, someone so very valuable to him…Priceless…

He offered more sandwiches to her and both of them ate in silence, enjoying the scenery as well as still being somewhat shy around each other. Maybe the quietness suited them better as they were more at ease with each other, their body languages eventually relaxing…Timid smiles exchanged, bashful nods…Sheesh…Dating was so much more difficult than everyday school life and being Prefects!

Eventually she complimented him on his lovely fruit salad with strawberries, apples, pears, peaches and pineapples and he simply smiled before saying he could teach her how to make that salad, it wasn't that hard…

Dessert time.

"You made all of these?" gasped Seiran as Zero took out chocolate cake and jam tarts. "How did you even find the time?"

Zero looked away shyly. "I had two hours after our Prefect duties…"

"But you don't like to eat sweet things!"

"I…made them for you…But I don't know if you like to eat sweet things. I mean, most girls do…So…" His voice faded off.

Both were awkward once more before Seiran leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. "You really remind me of a rose…Zero…" Okay, it sounded weird and she inwardly winced at the way she suddenly voiced her thoughts out.

"Why's that? Is it because of my tattoo or my powers?" he asked, puzzled at her words.

"Not because of them…you know a rose has thorns because they protect the flower? You're also protective and…the flower itself is a gentle looking flower, like you are…You'd really make a great boyfriend, you know?" she rambled, flustered.

What is Seiran saying? He'd gotten lost with her explanation of why she compared him to a rose when he zoomed in on her last sentence. What's this about me being a great boyfriend? We've been kissing and all… He looked at her confusedly. "Aren't we together?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Huh? We're together? As in boyfriend and girlfriend? I was going to ask him if we were a couple or not… Seiran's lips parted but no sound came out. Her mind had gone slightly blank at those three words.

"We're…not together?" he bit out, his face now incredulous. But I'd always thought…right after we confessed our feelings…Then what were the kisses for? Just because we felt like kissing each other…? What about saying I love you to each other? Just friendly love?

"I thought we were just pretty normal hanging out with each other like usual…I…I never thought when we said we'd be together it would actually mean being a couple already!" she hurriedly explained, her cheeks burning. Oh Lord…I don't think I've ever felt this stupid before. Seiran Kaede, you definitely are a failure in Life Relationships. Definitely. How can you read other people so easily and yet you can't read your own signs, Kaede? Urgh! I wish I didn't even say anything in the first place!

"I love you, Seiran Kaede…"

"I think I love you too…"

Zero was shaking his head. She really…didn't think that way? "Seiran…I…I thought it would have been natural after confessing our feelings we were a couple, right? I didn't think we needed an official declaration…We've kissed a couple of times as well…"

Seiran looked up to see him watching her and she ashamedly looked down again. Cripes, it really didn't come to mind at all…! Sensei in heaven must be laughing his head off at me right now…I thought those emotions of affection were pleasant, and kissing was something usual since I've always kissed Sensei on the cheek whenever he bought me presents…Kissing on the mouth seemed nice too, since certain cultures around the world practice that in their everyday life…But this…Her cheeks flamed up in total shame.

It was Zero's turn to take Seiran's hands into his. "Hey, look at me Seiran…," he gently coaxed. "I shouldn't have assumed that…I'm sorry…"

Seiran looked at him from the corner of her eyes, knowing her first date was a total disaster because of her stupidity – and it was still in the midst of the date! "I should be the one apologizing. I… really…God, I misinterpreted your statement totally last time…I'm seriously an idiot…and you're dating one…"

Zero's lips curled upwards before he pulled her into his arms and held onto her. "Seiran Kaede, would you do me the honour of being my girlfriend despite the flawed person that I am? If you'll have me…"

Yes, it was that time when she had wanted to leave but Zero stopped her… and he had uttered those words – If you'll have me…

"You're not flawed, Zero…," she softly said.

He didn't say anything, looking expectantly at her for her answer.

"Yeah…We're together…If you'll have me…a numbskull…" Her heart fluttered slightly when she gazed into his rich purple orbs before he tilted his head forward to capture her lips with his own.

"You're not a numbskull, Seiran…"

Lesson no. 9 : At times being silent is better than speaking…

Original date scene (before I changed the chapter here and there a few times :P) :

When on a date, you ought to ask what your partner likes to do…his hobbies or interests…Sensei Tamaji's words of wisdom echoed in Seiran's ears. Seiran mulled it over as she accepted a piece of tuna sandwich from Zero, their finger tips brushing and both had turned red. I know Zero likes White Lily…Bloody Rose…Hunting down vampires…salty ramen…Her train of thoughts stopped and she just decided to mumble out, "Neh, Zero…what are your interests?" When he looked at her, she hurriedly added, "I mean we know each other…but not really that well…" Geh…maybe I sounded awfully stupid…

That's true…We've known each other for about a year and I don't exactly know what she likes unlike the way I knew Yuuki because she was easy to read. Seiran had her own battles to face…all I know are she likes orchids, Maths, studying – that he mentally made a wry face – salty ramen… "Umm…," his mind searched for words to describe his interests, "I like…Chemistry, reading, riding White Lily, plugging into my mp4…," his words faded, "…being a Prefect with you…but mostly my main interest is…you…" I am so not blushing when I said that! He commanded his face not to heat up but failed. "Whaddabout you?" he hurriedly mumbled.

Seiran ran her fingers through her head ruefully but her heart had leapt slightly with what he said. This really, really wasn't working out, was it? It was supposed to be enjoyable, but the emotions between them were fluctuating wildly, she wondered if either one of them had a weak heart, they wouldn't be getting a heart attack already…? Okaay…time to cool down… "Well…it's obvious I like Maths, solving puzzles, orchids…I like drawing too…" Her mind wandered on what she usually liked to do until she gazed into the eager looking stare of Zero and her train of thoughts was blown away. "Silver…and amethyst…lovely…" Her fingers reached into the pocket of her pouch, drawing out her present and pressed it into one of his opened palms. I'm glad…my present to Zero will definitely match him…

Umm...Hope everyone doesn't think Seiran is stupid in this chapter, or something close to it...For some relationships, the guy formally pops the question to the girl about being his girlfriend whilst others just confess their feelings and naturally go out with each other. Some cultures are also extremely friendly in their greetings because they do kiss people when they meet. Seiran being the straight forward girl she is mixed up the implications of that matter...lol...

If you liked/ didn't like this chapter, please do R and R so I'll know where I went wrong considering I'm not too pleased with it myself -.-" lolz.