Hey everyone here it is! CHAPTER 9 DUN DUN DUN!
declaimer same as always
Beta'd by the EPIC CreotiaFlayier who honestly writes really epic stories that you should all check out! I would like to offically thank her for pushing me to finish this chapter without her gentle contant nudges i swear i would have taken another week at least hahaha.
Oh i may be looking for a new beta for my story Jailbait. If anyone is interested let me know :)
************************************************************************************************[ I just like the stars :) ]
Zero open his eyes groggily looking around the room. His master was not beside him and his heart dropped at the thought. He recalled the actions they did the night before and found himself blushing as he cuddled closer under the covers to hide his face. As he did so a small piece of paper flapped down towards him and he caught it. He glanced around unsure if he was suppose to open in at first, but did so anyways. It was Kaname's handwriting, he recognized it immediately.
Dear Zero, today we are going to play a game. Your mission is to find where our date tonight will be. You have to find the notes, follow the clues, and talk to people to win. If you win you will get a special prize.
Zero's heart raced at the thought. 'A date! That's special enough.' He jumped from the bed proudly racing to the closet to pull out some clothes clutching the letter closely to him as if he was afraid it would disappear. The little slave seemed to realize how out of character he was acting because he pulled the small parchment away from him and calmly, yet, grudgingly setting it down. His features returned to their usual uncaring gaze, and he ruffled his hair sighing as he leaned on the wall. 'What am I doing, I'm getting way to ahead of myself. Happiness like this doesn't last, especially when you don't have a choice. He just didn't want me being tortured or something … I was not chosen.'
He took a calming breath and gave an off sided look into his closet. 'I should wear something nice though. A date is a date.'
**~**Flashback**~**
"Oh darling! Don't I look just wonderful!" The young woman pulled her silver locks from her face holding a bright red dress in front of her body as she spun making the frills flare out.
The twins sat nearby playing with their stuffed bunnies as they watched their mother. There innocent eyes blinking in confusion, "Mommy, why do you put all the stuff on your face? You look just as pretty without it."
Her smile turned solemn as she bent down towards her boys, pulling them close into her arms, "It's for fun. Sometimes your daddy and I get to go to fancy places, dress up and dance."
"Can't you dance at home mommy?" The twin looked down towards his feet, tears beginning to blossom in his eyes.
"Oh Ichiru…" The woman spoke looking at her son lovingly
"Don't you have fun with us? Why do you need all of that stuff to have fun?" The other twin spoke up, strength showing in his pools of amethyst and he held an air of fearlessness to him; even though he was so young, he showed wisdom beyond his years. He crossed his arms defensively as he said those words expecting a very good explanation from his mother.
"Zero…" she caressed his face squeezing Ichiru tighter against her chest so he wouldn't feel left out. "Of course I have fun with you boys you are my most precious treasures. But sometimes mommy needs to go out and have some fun with just daddy so we can remember what is so special about the two of us."
Both boys stared at her in silence, dressed in there flannel pajamas and holding their identical rabbets to their small little hearts. She sighed for a moment and then smiled, "Me and your father are going on a date you see. It's where we talk about how special we are to each other and do all sorts of mushy stuff"
"Mushy stuff?" little Ichiru questioned with a look of pure innocence on his face.
"Yup." She smiled brightly, "Like…Muah, muah, muah, muah" She covered the boy's faces in small kisses making sure to catch their bellies and pour her love into every touch.
"Ewww, you and daddy kiss!" Zero practically shouted as he brokenly spoke over his fit of giggles created by the ticklish kisses.
Their mother looked shocked. "Of course we do ALL night long!" Her voice was spoken in light-hearted exaggerated tones as she finished the sentence with a smile and small giggle.
"I'm glad we aren't going then! Nanny Ann says that's how you get cooties." Ichiru spoke up with a huff.
"She did? Oh well then does that mean you don't want any kisses from me anymore? Are you boys too big for that now?" Her smile grew as she spoke, her eyes wide with humor.
"Of course not! You can't get cooties from moms." Zero spoke up his voice showing holding his usual bored and obvious, stern tone , but he made the bunny in his hands dance. His eyes staring at the toy instead of their mother's face and a shy blush was on his features. The mother smiled again hugging her children tight against her chest, as one of Zero's arms dropped and reached around his mother's neck.
"What about you boys stay up late tonight and when daddy and I get home we will have our own little date where we can dance around the living room." She spoke as she got up moving back towards her makeup desk and powdering something on her face.
"What about the mushy stuff?" Ichiru spoke up looking confused.
She turned around winking at her boy's, "Oh there will be loads of that!"
The boys giggled and ran as she chased after them catching them only to shower them in kisses…
**~** end flashback**~**
'We never did stay up late enough to get that dance. Hmm… I wonder if that means there will be lots of mushy stuff on our date too.' The silver haired teen blushed a dark shade of red in excitement at the thought, showing his inexperience and complete innocents in such matters. He smiled softly to himself, 'I don't think I would mind doing mushy stuff… as long as it was with master Kaname-sama.'
Suddenly the door burst open; Zero jumped slamming his head against the wall before backing away from the sudden noise as a loud shout erupted, "Zerooooo-kunnnnn! Where are you my most adorable sonnnnn!"
Said 'son' sighed shaking his head agitatedly.
"AWWW! Zero! You look so cute in what you're wearing! Too bad you're going to have to get dressed." Cross walked in the room caring a large try of food before pinching his 'son's' cheek and placing the tray down.
Zero looked down at what he was wearing noticing his silver silk boxers were the only remains of clothing he had on; he was thankful his master had even bothered with that. As he nervously looked around the room for the housecoat Kaname had permitted him to wear. He wanted to be dressed up as quickly as possible. After spending so much of his life in the nude he was beginning to love the scratchy feel of clothing. Especially all the smooth silk Kaname was providing him. It eased his skin into the transition from no clothing to extravagant ones and he was happy for his master's thoughtfulness.
Noticing it hanging by his side of the bed he quickly walked towards it, hoping he wouldn't seem nervous around Cross… the bastard would never let him live it down if he did. He could just picture the conversation. 'Oh is Zero-kun scared of daddy seeing him practically naked? You know it is normal for fathers to see their sons in compromising positions. You should give me a peek so I am prepared.' Zero could see him saying those words in his 'cutesy' tone, talking to him like a child. 'Argh, how humiliating.'
He shook his head before his imagination would get out of control and focused on the butler racing around the room. He noticed that in all the man's rash movements he had caused the paper to drift upon the floor and Zero quickly went to retrieve it. Holding the black housecoat tightly around his body he bent to his knees and picked up the paper with such care one would think the parchment was a shard of glass rather than a simple note.
Cross seemed to notice this and went standing behind Zero he placed a palm on his shoulder. "Did you figure out the riddle yet?"
Zero looked up at him with confused eyes, "riddle?"
"Hmm.." the butler reached down his hand opening it palm up so that Zero could willingly choose to place the parchment on top. The teen looked at the paper before grudgingly handing it over and standing up beside the larger man so he could also see. "Ahh, here it is."
Zero peeked over the man's shoulder gazing at the paper in his hand, sure enough on the back held some more writing,
When you look into my face,
I shall never lie;
Instead be but a window into your soul,
whether there light or shadows hide;
As in me many see their deaths
where others see their lives;
In this deny me many try,
but they simply twist their knives;
For though prejudiced to some I may seem,
The lie is their own lives.
Zero grabbed it from the butler's hands, "What does this mean?"
"Well you have to answer the riddle and follow the clues to find out." The butler gave him a knowing smile. Pulling the chair from the table and allowing him to sit. "Why don't you come eat and we will maul over the answer together."
Zero distractively did as Cross told him but his eyes stayed on Kaname's delicate writing as he tried to solve the answer, he cut the pancake in half with his fork munching on it quickly, 'window into your soul… well a person's eyes are the windows to their soul, and as it is my soul then that must mean it is my eyes. Some see their deaths while other's see their lives… a reflection of who they are.' He examined the last two lines. 'This object may seem unfair but if people deny the image they are lying to themselves. Hmm… so my eyes, a reflection, and what you see is what you get.'
"Is the answer a mirror?"
Cross looked shocked at him, as the silver haired teen causally took another bite of his meal. "How did you figure that out so fast?" His mouth gaped as the teen simply shrugged. After a few moments of silence he pulled Zero into a bear hug the silver hair pressing against his chest. The fork crashing to the floor spilling the remains of the meal on the polished hardwood. A sticky trail seeping into the cracks was left behind as they ate their pancakes.
"Ohhhh… my son's so smart!" He practically squealed, only aggravating the teen more. The butler let the teen pull away as Zero walked calmly to the mirror in the room searching around it for the next clue.
"It's not in here Zero. It should be the largest mirror in the house. That's in the grand foyer."
Zero looked at him with open hopeful eyes, "Will you show me where that is?"
Cross almost gave in to those large needy amethyst wonders but stopped himself before he could ruin Kaname-sama's plan. He put a seriously sorry look on his face, "I'm sorry Zero I have a lot to do today."
Zero sighed exasperatedly and spoke quietly to himself, "This place is so huge, how will I ever find where that one room is?"
Cross, whom offhandedly seemed to be organizing things commented, "I'm sure lots of people will help you on the way. All you have to do is ask."
Zero nodded to him and went into his closet pulling out a casual tee-shirt before pausing, 'I shouldn't wear something so casual. Mother always used to dress up for her dates.' He pulled out a nice dress shirt with a semi-casual jacket and slipped into his dark blue jeans.
Cross smiled as Zero left the room. The foyer was quite hidden, along the way Zero was sure to need help in finding the room. Kaname's idea would definitely go according to plan. His intention was to keep Zero focused on the game while interacting with people around the mansion. It was smart because it would be a real confidence builder for the teen as well as for just plain fun. He was happy Zero was beginning to become more and more normal without even noticing it. He had come a long way from the stuttering teen that didn't have a word to say.
Zero walked down the hall glancing at the doors trying to find one that would look 'grand-foyer-ish.' He scratched his head pulling the jacket high on his shoulders. 'I can't give up! Kaname-sama is waiting for me.'
He noticed an older lady cleaning some pictures up on the right and raced over. Pausing and gathering his courage he rushed out the words. "D-doyouknowwherethegrandfoyeris… m-madam"
She looked at him confused for a moment before nodding and smiling kindly at him. "Ah yes dear, it's down the hall to the right."
Zero gave her a shy lopsided grin back before racing off, hearing her chuckle and mutter, "Kid's these days, always rushing about…"
He smiled at her words as he continued but slightly slowed his pace raising his head proudly, 'That wasn't too hard!'
He walked into the elegant room bathing in the moonlight that shone from the open window, candlelight's dominated the room. Zero could see they were drawn in a path. Two lines of the flickering flames left enough space for a person to stand in between. Zero began walking through the center of the flames watching as they made shadows of his form on the wall.
When he got to the end he noticed the mirror it was large, the height of the entire wall and almost the width. He could stare at nothing but himself. His own self image… he backed away slightly. This was him the one who was once a slave but now was discovering a new light. He had a flush to his face and his eyes sparked with excitement and apprehension. He was a new man with a new life. So different yet he still looked the same. It was odd how someone could change so fast in such a short time without even realizing it. He noticed the note taped to the mirror slightly off to the side. Reaching forward and grabbing it he read Kaname's letter.
Look in the mirror Zero. This is you, and you are special. No matter what nobody can break you down because you are strong. Believe in yourself; see yourself for who you really are, for how I see you every day.
Zero smiled at Kaname's words reading it several times before flipping the parchment to the back so he could solve the riddle.
Though not a member of the priesthood,
Has a page.
Though not a beast,
Has a spine.
Though many wouldn't need this thing
'Tis more valuable than wine.
What is it?
Kaname was sitting in his bed chamber shuffling threw his paperwork hurriedly. When a maid raced into the door, she seemed to have realized whose room she was entering. Second guessing her hasty entrance she began to retreat back into the hall. Before she completed her task the pureblood was in front of her, "Do you have an update? Where is he?"
"It seems he has recently entered the library Master Kuran-sama. He followed your clues correctly"
"Good, good. He still has a ways to go then." The brunette gave a soft thoughtful smile as an image of the silver haired boy drifted into his mind. Then his worry began to take over, "Did you see him? Did he look nervous or scared to you?" 'If Zero looked scared, whether or not this game will be good for him won't matter, I'll take him out of this game right away.'
"He looked fine Master Kuran-sama. In fact he was smiling."
The pureblood smiled at her showing his appreciation, "Thank you Isabel. Could you continue to follow him, I would like frequent updates if possible."
"Yes Master, I will do what you wish." She began to walk away happy the pureblood was pleased with her efforts. She gave him one last glance before she left. "I left your mail on your desk. It seems as if there are some pretty important notices." Then she proceeded to race out the door before he could respond and she could think about her outspoken words.
Kuran shook his head at the departing girl, she was new. A slave as well, however, her masters had been much kinder to her, she had done mostly hard labour and childcare around the household. That is what Kaname chose her. Zero would need a friend someone young who he could relate to and this woman was already known to be good with people. The family who had previously owned her spoke very highly of her work. They thought she deserved someone who wouldn't wrong her. That is why they sold her to the Kuran family. She had been a good pet to them but they needed the money. They thought that selling her back into a world who liked to torture the innocence out of slaves would not be fair.
He looked at the mail she kindly brought noticing one letter out of place. Its envelope had a small red stain on it that was slowly beginning to grow; the sweet smell of blood emitted from it. It did not have any stamps which met someone had delivered it to the door. He called for cross on the intercom, "Cross, could you check to see if there are any reports of someone coming to the door to deliver a letter?"
The butler's voice spoke up in his cheery way, "Of course Master Kaname-sama."
He listened for the click to make sure he was off the line before carefully opened the large letter and delicately pulling out an old white rose. He put it to his nose smelling the faint scent of Zero along with the new unknown blood of a female human. The Kuran then placed in on his desk before pulling out the card.
Zero, please help me. It is so horrible here. I thought I could stand the pain but I can't. His hands just keep touching me, even in my dreams. Take me to where you are. I want to be free. Please let me be free. He promised that if you come I can leave. Please Zero, just do this one thing for me. I let you have a taste of freedom now let me get mine back. He said he would stop doing all those horrible things to you. But In the end it's your choice.
No matter what that choice is I still love you… Forever your friend,
Yuki
Looking closer at it he examined each scratchy letter. The note was hard to read, a few small dribbles of blood enhancing the urgency of the note. Although the letters were scribbled their handwritten elegance and the largeness of a few bubbly words showed they had been written by a female hand. He looked at the note closer noticing a few familiar aspects in some of the letters. A female hand he may just recognize…
The pureblood ruffed through his desk until he found what he was looking for. Holding the marriage certificate that had Ruka's name signed on it he put the letters side by side. The a's were written exactly the same a little loop showed on the top right corner of each a in both the note and her name. She had defiantly written this… he didn't quite understand what she had hoped to accomplish. I mean it was obvious this note was meant as a trap. Would she not have realized he would have read it before anyone else in the household? This note would not even get to Zero, plus who did Zero have to save? Who was this Yuki? His mind was plagued with questions but he didn't have time to answer them all, he grabbed the note uncaringly before throwing it in the trash bin placed beneath his desk, followed by the rose.
Kaname got up ready to leave and finish the preparations for his silver haired pet.
What object has keys that open no locks, space but no room, and you can enter but not go in?
Zero smiled as he began walking out of the library, he waved to the kind maid whom solely was caretaker to this room. She had always desperately loved books and Kaname seemed to have a great passion for caring for the possessions he owned. He made sure each book was cleaned individually and quite often. After she had told Zero about her how she was frequently lonely in this large room the silver haired teen had promised to come back. She had given him a book about Moby Dick making him promise to read it so they could discuss it on his next visit.
He clutched the book in his hands carefully placing every note he had received so far inside of the cover. The next riddle was an obvious one, and therefore Zero made his way to the ballroom of the mansion which the kind maid had pointed out to him. As he walked through the halls he felt a presence walking slowly behind him, hiding behind the pillars of the hallway. He raised an eyebrow but continued his walk, ignoring the woman. He wondered why she was following him but decided he had better things to attend to then an overly obsessed maid.
'Key's that open no locks. Who does Kaname think I am? That was a dead giveaway.'
Zero pulled open the large golden coloured double doors to the banquet hall and gave a fast paced walk the short distance to the piano. He looked under the keys and found a note taped to the bottom of them. Kaname's big eloquent letters showed on the page,
Around the corner there is a tree.
Under the tree there is a school.
In the school there is a desk.
Behind the desk there is a bell.
Behind the desk is a teacher.
What is her name?
He heard the small patter of feet as the clumsy girl following him tipped. Catching herself on a pillar before trying to hide herself once again squishing her body against the white stone. Zero shook his head, 'I can't believe she still thinks I haven't seen her? Whatever Zero, focus come on what is her name. What doesn't fit. Two of these lines are the same the clue must be in one of them.'
The silver haired teen repeated the lines several times, but the more he couldn't figure out the clues the more frustrated he got, and the quicker he repeated the lines. 'Intheschoolthereisadesk. Behindthedeskthereisabell. Is-a-bell. THAT'S IT! But how am I supposed to find her.'
He turned around quickly facing the pillar with the tie of a maid's uniform standing out in clear view. "You. Are you Isabel?"
She peeked out momentarily before hiding once again.
"I see you." Zero scratched his head sitting on the stool by the piano, waiting for the girl to realize that she was part of Kaname's plan. "Well you're supposed to lead me so where to next?"
The man raced out of the large mansion, with a brilliant smile on his face. He felt as if he had won the lottery and truth be told it was almost as if he did. Selling this story would make him rich. He could already see the headlines. 'Pureblood Prince Found in Scandal with Slave Boy.'
He rubbed his hand anticipating the large amounts of cash he was only moments from receiving. The household was in full busy mode fixing everything up for Kaname's date nobody would notice he was gone. It would be an easy betrayal to commit.
He thought about everything the pureblood had done for him. The man had been so gracious and kind, taking him in when he had nowhere to go. But he rationalized his actions, the ex-slave boy had seen the master's ex wife attempt to cause problems for him and couldn't stop himself from thinking, 'Now that he will be cast out of the Kingdom she will not want to be with him. I mean that is the only reason she didn't tell everyone about the scandal herself. She needs his high standing and wealth for the acceptance of her peers. I'm doing him a favor she will never bother him again. This isn't betrayal… no, no it's kindness.'
He was proud of his logic as he waited by the street. He had called a reporter 20 minutes ago and she had promised to be there soon. All he would have to do is sneak her onto the compound where she would snap a few shots and he would be scot free.
An expensive looking car pulled up and its door opened. The man excitedly hopped in. Not thinking about how a small time reporter would make so much money as to own a car such as this. When he turned to face the young blond woman he had called he was met with a more elderly face that seemed to be eerily sketched in stone. Her gaze hard, and instead of long blond waves dark ones took their place pulled up into a tight bun.
"A-are you the r-reporter?" He managed to stumble out the words; even though he knew what the answer would be, he couldn't stop himself from asking. He wanted to say anything, anything at all that would break the tension. Keep the woman ever so slightly distracted on his words instead of him.
"Are you the one who called the station about a scandal between the Kuran's family son and a silver haired slave boy?" She questioned back her voice just as harsh as her eyes and he flinched at the words even though she hadn't said a single scary thing.
Although he wished he could stop, he found himself nodding his head uncontrollably.
"You really shouldn't have done that. I know about every call that comes in relating to this family. You don't think a family as prestigious as ours wouldn't have safety measures in place because of such circumstances?"
His head started moving faster until he felt as if it was going to rip off his spine. He shrieked in fear as the woman turned her harsh eyes away from him the nodding becoming more forceful by the second. The only sensation the man could feel was the car lurching away from the curb and driving away. Even that was forgotten do to the incredible pain in his neck as he felt the bones slowly begin to dislocate.
He turned towards the window trying to find the handle on the door as his trembling head made it impossible to see in the already darkened car. Out of the tinted windows he saw a bubbly blond girl race up to the place in which he just stood, a camera was clutched in her hands and a large smile was on her face. She looked excited for her big break. He tried to call out for her, tell her he needed help but the car was already too far. Little would she know nobody would be coming to meet her.
Zero walked into the garden. Kaname was facing away from him as he looked at the flowers away from the door. A large fountain stood beside him its water sprouting a rainbow hue in the soft candle light and mosaic arches that were dazzled with lanterns. The soft twinkle of fireflies dances around the black abyss filling it with light. Zero looked around himself noticing the maid had left them alone before glancing back at the small table for two. He slowly walked towards the pureblood as the flawless face turned towards him a smile growing on the brunette's features.
For a moment they stood in silence unsure of how to proceed with the next move. Then Kaname stepped forward, his usual elegance showing in his long strides as he moved around Zero and pulled out the chair. The silver teen nervously stuttered, "Mas…Kaname. I should be p-pulling out the c-chair for you."
"But Zero, today you are not my slave you are my guest." The pureblood leaned his head so his lips were only millimeters from the ex-hunter's ear. His hot breathe sending euphoric sensations down Zero's spine. "Or to be more accurate… my date."
Zero unwillingly tilted his head back and towards the pureblood his body lusting for more of what the man was willing to give although his mind refused to allow him to be so selfish. His lips parted in a slight gasp but before he could think anything of it the cool body of the vampire was gone. Leaving him with a slight sensation of loss as he tilted his head down to hide his embarrassment. The pureblood sat down beside him.
He looked at the plates in front of him all sorts of food were being served from potatoes to even the pancakes Kaname knew he liked so much. "Wow, master sure put a lot of thought into this stuff. I can't believe he did all this work just for me."
The pureblood seemed to notice what Zero was thinking because he brushed his fingertips against the pale face of the silver headed teen. Said boy looked straight into crimson eyes as Kaname leaned forward giving his lips a gentle kiss, successfully stealing the breath from his lungs in such a slight motion.
"Eat whatever you would like Zero, it's all for you." The pureblood's lips spoke against his slave's pump ones. Their forehead's touching in an intimate loving way as the pureblood's hand reached up to push away the stray strands of silver hair. The stronger vampire then realized the teen must be hungry and grudgingly moved away reaching for some food of his own.
"Do you like the garden?" The brunette started to make light banter with the teen. He was excited for this time to talk just the two of them… one on one.
"Yes it is very beautiful." Zero smiled softly to himself, he had been too nervous and unsure of what to say until now. He had been enjoying every moment of Kaname's softness and relishing in the feelings he got from all the love that seemed to be pouring into every touch. The garden was so beautiful though, he had hoped to tell his master he had appreciated it.
"Good, I'm glad. I did all the decorations myself. I was worried that I wouldn't have done a good enough job, I was going to have a professional do it but I figured it would mean more if I did it instead."
Zero opened his mouth as if to say something but Kaname interrupted him.
"Wait Zero, let me just say this. In this very short amount of time we have spent together you have grown on me. I don't know what I would… well what I'm trying to say is…" he sighed and looked inwardly frustrated at himself. As if he could not speak the words he was desperately trying to say, which was strange for the pureblood. Zero had never seen the proud brunette at such a loss for words. He pulled out a small black box fingering it and the silver haired teen had to wonder what lay inside. "What I'm trying to say is that now that I have you here I could never dream of having you away from me. I want all of you Zero and I also mean personality wise, I want to hear those snarky remarks you have for Cross directed towards me, I want to hear you laugh and have fun. I want every moment of it because that's the real you and the real you is special to me… so much that I… well I lo-"
"Master Kuran-sama, your mother is here to see you." A nervous voice interrupted.
Kaname lurched his head quickly towards the maid his mouth slightly open in shock he moved to get up from the table and rush Zero away. A brown haired lady with sharp check bones walked into the room before he could make any movement at all.
The woman looked professional, very much like one who was of high standing and knew her place as queen. She uncaringly gazed at the garden as if it were less than adequate for her tastes, the very garden Zero had found so beautiful. The very garden that his beloved master had slaved over just so he would enjoy this date. The silver haired teen found himself angered at the woman he never met nor knew.
The woman's eyes then fell upon Zero. The teen looked at his master as if to ask for advice but his owner looked as speechless and nervous as he did, of course he composed himself much better. When Zero looked back at the woman he was met with a hard stare, noticing she was directing her attention towards his neck. The side of his neck with the tattoo that he had shown her when he turned his head to question his master.
"So it is true." Her voice was as hard as her eyes and she turned her attention back towards her son. Zero was momentarily relived but worried about how Kaname would feel. Instantly wished her eyes were back on him so his master could be freed from the cold chill it shot through his spin. She then continued when it was obvious she wouldn't be receiving any reply, "You are seeing a slave."
Kaname moved from the table to stand before her, even the fireflies that had been happily dancing around seemed to keep their distance from the frightful woman. Nodding his head respectively he spoke, "Yes, mother I am."
She didn't give him a moment to continue, "How despicable. You do realize how much of a humiliation this is to our family. People already know we are kind to the …" She looked as Zero and with a deep sinister tone spoke, "Dogs..." She then looked back towards her son. "People are already wondering if it is simply pity for the creatures or a weakness. We cannot afford to show weakness my son, and if it gets out that you actually care romantically about one of them we will be seen of as feeble."
"Mother you do not understand-" The pureblood tried to reason, his voice pleading and his eyes showed the sadness of what he knew his mother would never accept.
"You are lucky your father didn't hear about this could you imagine how horrified he would be. Hmph, you should be glad that I stopped that your little tattle-tale before he told anyone other than me. You really should make sure of who is actually loyal or not. Now you must stop this affair immediately I will be taking away the slave this instance." She gave Zero a calculating look, "Come now child, I have some work that needs to be done and you will suit the job."
"No." The brunette's face was lowered so neither mother nor slave could see his features but the anger radiated off him in waves.
"What did you say to me?" His shocked mother took a step towards him as if trying to figure out what he was truly thinking.
"I said NO! You know nothing of what things are happening here. Zero is my slave and therefore it is my choice what happens to him."
"You are my son living under the roof I provide. Must I remind you all of your possessions still belong to me and your father until we lie upon our death beds? Your slave is MINE." She grabbed the silver haired boy roughly as he shrank away from her tall thin figure. She looked so fragile but she was a master. She could hurt him in whatever way she would like and he couldn't do anything about that. She tugged him roughly dragging him away from the lovely dining table, the date, and worst of all Kaname. He struggled slightly in her grip staring at his master pleading for help, which he was happy to provide.
Kaname stepped in front of her not touching but the position he held his body in said that he wouldn't be afraid to do just that if that was his last option. "You have always taken the things I truly wanted away, but not this time. I have done everything you told me to since childhood, but now listen very carefully mother. This slave will be staying with me, or I will tell father about your own scandal."
The woman gasped as if surprised he knew and he gave her a dark harsh smile, "Do you really want to apprehend a slave from me and risk getting yourself thrown out from the household?"
Her features turned harsh once again as she shot him an equally dark look. "Kaname if you do this, if you wish to stay with this boy then you will be choosing him over your own family. I will keep this secret from your father but you will no longer be any son of mine. Would you really desire to abandon your own ancestors for a worthless slave?"
Kaname looked taken back. He truly loved and cared for his family, every member of the household knew that. To choose a slave over one's family would also be a sign of disrespect. His eyes held intense sadness as his mother smile grew. She knew her son would never disregard his own family…
Yuki felt the floor coming quickly towards her face and put her hands forward to prevent the eminent fall from occurring. She was too weak from blood loss to move anymore she turned getting comfortable on the floor. Lately The Master had been leaving her alone. She assumed he had simply gotten bored. She was like a bird he couldn't teach any tricks too. She figured what he liked so much about Zero was the fact he wouldn't give up. He still kept as much of his pride as he could intact never truly giving in. She always envied that about the silver haired teen. She herself would break after a few harsh words. She did everything he asked of her no matter how humiliating, it didn't matter as long as it made the pain stop.
Ruka had excitedly chatted away to her, telling her the plan they had to get Zero back while Aidou had uncaringly rammed into her from behind. She didn't remember much of the conversation due to the intense pain in her pelvic region; however she did fear the worst for the young teen. He could be so gullible at times. Although he was very smart, being locked away in Aidou's room had left him unprepared for situations such as this. Through all Aidou had put him through he had never really lied to Zero. She knew that especially now. He would tell his slaves the straight up truth of what they would be getting and how he would be giving it, making sure not to leave out any harsh details.
'God I hope Zero won't come back, if he read that note and came back to save me I wouldn't know what to do. All of my sacrifice would have been for nothing.' However, she knew that truthfully she wanted Zero to come back. To know he would come back to this awful place for her would mean that she actually meant something to him. It would mean that he cared. That she wasn't alone.
'Gosh it would be so special if Zero could be my savior. If he would still have me after all I've been through.' She quickly shook that thought from her head. She wouldn't allow herself to hope for such things. Zero was free. That was what she wanted and now she had to deal with the consequences. Hoping for a knight in shining armor wouldn't help anyone.
She crawled a little further and forced herself into a sitting position. 'Will Zero really come for me?'
The pureblood was so enraged, his mother had not only ruined his plans but she dared question his loyalty as well. He felt the anger in his bones, the sadness from his mother's disownment. She would not tell his father of his choice but she would no longer look at him either. All those nights which she held him and loved him as a child would all be for nothing. His wished he could choose his family but he had lived his entire life by the rules following every step they asked. Zero was the one thing he wanted for himself. The person that gave meaning in his life, a day to look forward too. He couldn't have that taken away and live again in the shadow of a happiness he could never have.
Zero was in the room with him, he could feel his presence but he could not will his anger to stop for the poor boy. In fact it got worse by the fact that his reason for betrayal was so close to him. He stood still as the young teen fought his dark aura getting in front and close to him. He raised his eyes to meet Zero's own, his black pupils burning holes into amethyst ones. Still, the young teen courageously took one more stepped forward reaching out his arm to touch the brunette.
The pureblood did not want the comfort. He slapped the hand away with a disgusted look on his face. Zero shrank back, not in fear but in sadness. His heart dropped at the look he was given. It was the one most of Aidou's guests had given him. No pity, No love, just pain and disgust. And boy was Zero in pain. His heart was hurting burning a hole right through his chest. As the window cracked and the objects on a nearby table began flying threw the room as Kanames anger flared once more, Zero hid under the Kaname's desk. He put his hands on his ears and tried to quench the sound of Kaname's angry roars.
'Everything will be okay soon. He is just angry because of what happened. You would be mad too if you felt that you had to lose your mother. I can't believe he chose me. I never thought that would happen. As soon as his mother gave him that choice I was sure that I would be a goner. That must mean he really cares about me right. But if he really cares about me then why would he give me that look. I'm so confused.' He didn't believe things would be okay. His confusion puzzled his mind and when he found himself met with the silence of the room he was nervous. He looked out from under the desk and saw no pureblood. What Zero assumed to be their desert lay smashed on the floor. The floorboard holding chunks of cake and icing.
He scrambled trying to get out from under the desk and accidentally kicked the garbage down. Fear ran threw his spine, he didn't want the Kaname to be madder. He quickly scrambled trying to get the garbage back into the can. Until he touched a rose… the smell of Yuki went straight into his nostril's as he picked up the fragile flower. There was defiantly Yuki's blood on this; he remembered it from the time he had first given it to her. He instantly looked through the papers desperate to see if there was more, an explanation of any kind for the newly bloodied rose. When he smelled the blood soaked note he quickly grabbed it. Turning to lean his head against the side of the desk. He carefully opened the letter and read the words. He examined each of the letters they were bubbly but scratchy she had never written anything for him before so he figured the scratchiness would have been from rushing the note because she would have been terrified that Aidou might catch her at any moment. He wondered how she had gotten the note to him but the scent of her blood told him all he needed to know about how desperate she would have been.
'Why would Kaname throw this out? It was obviously an important note, how could he have just thrown it in the trash like it was nothing…' He felt himself become angry at his master who he cared about so much. He was disappointed that his master did not have any care in helping someone who was in need. 'But how can I expect anything else, Kaname doesn't know her and it's not as if masters are usually caring. I should have expected this. He just threw out Yuki's precious writing…'
He closed his eyes holding the things she had given him close to his body. 'I have to save her! This is my entire fault. I left and she got tortured.'
'What about Kaname… he would be hurt if you were to leave' some part of his subconscious whispered to him.
'No, if I'm gone he can choose his family again. I won't be here to hold him back and he will no longer be disowned. He is so sad without having his mother in his life. I can help his choice. Make it easier on him.'
'What about being tortured again? Do you really want that to happen?'
'I can deal with the pain, I always have. And even after these few moments of love coming into my life I know I can be a stronger person. I now know what it feels like to be special and loved and nobody can take that away from me. I will be stronger then I once was. I will save Yuki and send her here so Kaname is not short-handed. It will be as if I never existed in this home. Just like if master were to throw me out instead of this note. She will be here so it will not matter if I am gone.'
The young teen felt sad as he imagined what Kaname would do with a new female slave to care for, would they sleep in the same bed together? Would they go on dates as well? He shook the thought from his head and focused on the anger he felt towards his master for disregarding the parchment in such a disrespectful manner to the gentle soul whose blood was dashed across the scribbled page.
He began to work through his plan. He not only had to think of how he would avoid dying the first night he got back, but how to make sure Yuki got it out of there and knew how to get to Kaname's home before he got tortured in all the ways he knew he would, despite what the letter said. Then he had to figure out how to lose the pureblood so he could sneak out of the mansion unnoticed, but since the brunette was AWOL he didn't see that as much of a problem. He folded the note gently and with the rose put them both in his pocket.
He started to crawl out from under the desk once again but a polished dressy shoe stood in front of him. He looked up into dark, narrowed, crimson eyes and gasped in fear as Kaname grabbed him by the back of his jacket, pulling him up and out from under the desk.
I no, I no I took a long time to write this chapter... I'm sorry but I hope you all enjoy it.
Just for today I have decided to put a 'my little cousin story'
So as i told you all in the previous chapters he was just here with my older cousin on vacation from Portugal and he's only like 2.
We webcam chat together now that he's back home. Well it's more like me and his mom talking (because we use that phone feature so we can hear each other) while he hits the keys on the keyboard screaming 'IMA!' hahaha.
Lately he has been coming up to the cam and showing me all his toys which is a TON so his mom is left with like 50 toys in her arms :P
but just recently he has decided to test me on Portuguese (Which i know fluently ... well at least common words one would use when going on vacation there for the summer. For instance, it's never rained when i've been there so i don't know how to say words like umbrella.)
So he will come up to me and show me his puzzle of random objects and hold it up for me to see and when i say the name of the object he laughs hysterically and repeats what i said before running and getting something else. but when i get it wrong (which is usually umbrella i keep forgetting that goddamn one.) He gives me this look where he raises one eyebrow, tilts his head down, opens his mouth slightly, and shakes his head no. The look literally looks like he thinks you are so stupid. It's as if he is saying 'What the hell are you thinking woman.' He obviously doesn't mean it that way and it makes me howl I never met a little kid that can give such a distinguished look in such a serious way at random times.
He does it all the time to everyone but, the little bugger makes me feel so dumb over such a little thing that I literally go look up umbrella now every time before we talk hahaha.
Oh and today I'm just putting up a thank you and hello thing to new reviewers.
Denny: I'm really glad you found my story and enjoyed it. Thanks for the awesome review and I hope I didn't take way to long in writing this that you don't catch this chapter. Thanks for your support.
RukiRomance: Well thanks for trying this story out and I'm glad you took such a liking to it. It's always awesome to hear such great reviews. I hope you like the next chapter. I'll try putting it up sooner :P
BrideofSatan: I know, I know you're not a new reviewer but your reaction to the last time I put you in this thing made me laugh. It was really sweet that you were so excited so i just had to put you up here again. Thanks for all your great support! Sorry I took so long to finish this chapter up.
*****Sigh... i wish i could write something to everyone of you great reviewer since every review i get makes me smile but this thing would be so long... I probably missed some other new reviewer too so i'm sorry if i did, but i gotta be getting to bed. NIGHT EVERYONE **here is a cookie for waiting so patiently for me to start this next chapter. *****