Chapter 1
Somewhere, far away, vampires all around began to see the world differently. It was as if everything had been filled with energy that had slowed for hundreds of years. They began to move in one direction, toward the Kiryu home. It was around there that the Shichiyou castle had once been. Now it seemed a ruin, but that was only an illusion. The castle was solid. Zero had been transported to this castle. He now lay in a four poster bed. When he awoke, and opened his eyes, he heard a voice gasp.
"Zero?" Came a questioning voice, its owner hidden in shadows.
"Kain," said Zero. He had recognized that voice immediately. He knew about the branch clan, Akatsuki. They had served the Shichiyou since forever.
"Zero-sama," he said it as if there was a bad taste in his mouth.
"Don't use the honorific if it bothers you so much," said Zero. "We can't run from destiny anyway. Once I saw the spell, I had no choice but to cast it. Here, I still have it with me." It was crumpled in his hand. "If you want, I can release you from my service, but you will still be the last living member of my family-my cousin, no matter how many times removed, remember that, please."
"I'm sorry," said Kain. He was humbled. It was in his blood to obey any of the main branch family, the Shichiyou. And he was grateful that Zero thought of him that way. He was used to being indifferent to Zero and respected Zero for being so strong, from afar, but had also thought of him as a threat. He was startled to see Zero so vulnerable.
"I've changed my mind. A Vampire bloodbath would only cause more pain, more bloodshed. Besides my ancestors would have frowned down on me for that because I know what I am and who I am in the eyes of the others. Instead, I want peace between humans and vampires. If not I would be acting very much like the Hunters Association, which is full of corrupt officials. That is something that I hate. I only just realized what I was becoming. I…it was selfish, arrogant and hypocritical, the decision to exterminate all vampires, but I suppose, if I had gone through with that instead that I would have to commit suicide by the end, which is not a bad end because I would have been weighed down by guilt then."
It was then that Kain gained more respect for the Queen. He had seen Zero's body changing for the past months. At first, he had been squeamish about bathing Zero's body and changing the sheets and Zero's clothes, when he was unconscious, he still did them. He had to, it was his duty and it was ingrained his body.
Zero stretched languidly causing the sheets to slide off. Seeing her half naked body caused Kain to turn around. But Zero had not missed the flash of pink on his cheeks.
"You don't have to be embarrassed cousin, you did a good job, helping me get comfortable," said Zero in a mock seductive voice.
"jflkajdlj" spluttered Kain. Which Zero translated as wtf.
"Come on, don't be shy," said Zero. "Until I can get a maid, you will be helping me."
"But…but…" said Kain. This was something he normally wouldn't do.
"Just help me, NOW!" said Zero.
Unable to resist a command, Kain opened the armoire door. He pulled out some underclothes, then a summer dress. He resisted the urge to throw them into Zero's face.
"Kain, don't worry, all you have to do is hand me my things," said Zero. "You don't have to see me naked if you don't want to."
Kain gave a sigh of relief. Luckily there was a silk screen, in the bedroom and the bathroom. Kain readied a bath for his mistress. He made sure the water was warm enough and that soap was at hand, along with a wash cloth. When he was finished preparing the bath, he called to his mistress. "Zero-sama the bath's ready!"
"Don't use the honorific when we're in private! I don't want you to be any more uncomfortable," said Zero. "I need a new name. Can you please give me a list of names that I won't despise?"
"Wait why did you use the word please and why ask, when you can just order?"
"Because I can."
"Typical answer," muttered Kain under his breath. It was then that he realized, he would never abandon his mistress even if she released him. It was because she was so kind to him and so understanding. It must have been because Zero didn't want to hurt and cause pain anymore. Zero was tired of the pain and had accepted that it was just another vicious cycle.
"Names, names…" he didn't stray too far from the bedroom because he knew that Zero would call him to hand her the clothes piece by piece. He was lucky there was a book of names on this floor's library. Well, there was only one library. But there were entrances, at every level and a staircase that reached from bottom to top that branched off at each level. He went to the library and found the book. He hurried back, incase, Zero needed him. When he got back to the door, he saw, his cousin, mate and lover at the door trying to pick the lock with an icicle.
"Hana-chan," he said into the younger vampire's neck. Said vampire shivered. He had been so intent on picking the lock that he hadn't noticed, Kain walking towards him and the door, even though the floor was made of ceramic and Kain's shoes clicked on it.
"Were you jealous of the Her Majesty?" asked Kain.
"Yes," whimpered Aido.
"You know how much I adore and idolize you, don't you?" asked Kain softly, pressing closer to his beautiful lover. His lips were against his petit lover's neck.
"Kain!" screeched a female voice. "I need my clothes. My skin's wrinkling!"
"Gomen (sorry) koi ([my] love), but I have to work, maybe later," said Kain.
Hanabusa Aido just pouted.
Unlocking the door, he walked in, not bothering to close and lock it. He motioned for his lover to enter, which he did. Aido was curious as to who this mysterious woman was because Kain hadn't told him. He was curious and jealous, since Kain spent so much time taking care of her, though he knew of the pact between the branch and main family of the clan.
Kain motioned for his lover to sit in one of the sofas in the room and Aido sat. He unlocked the door to bathroom. He showed Aido that it was unlocked before closing it behind him.
"I smell, Hanabusa Aido on you and in my room. I am aware that you and he have mated, but why did you let him into my room?" demanded a female voice.
"He was trying to pick the lock. He was jealous and curious. Besides, he doesn't know who you are since your scent changed," was the answer.
"Very well, tell me the list of names," said the voice again.
"Hikari (loan of light), Orihime (caged princess), Tsukiyomi (moon of the underworld), Kikyo (pure tears), Kuromei (dark life)…"
"All of these names, you picked them well, they all relate to the pain that I have been through and the darkness in my life," said the voice. "I will like to keep you in my service, but I want to adopt Hanabusa Aido. I believe your immediate family is six feet under."
"Yes, hime-sama," was the response.
"Orihime, it would have suited Hio Shizuka," said the voice. There was an edge of sadness to the voice. "She was a poor misguided woman. If she were still alive now, I would have liked to talk to her. And she would have been surprised to see me here."
A chill crept down Aido's skin. Who was this woman? She was so sad. The way she talked about pain and the Mad Blooming Princess. Then suddenly it dawned on him, who this person was or at least had been. He jumped up off the sofa and pushed open the door. The screen parted. "I have chosen a new name, Kaetsukikko (one who changes with the moon). It is suitable because I have changed in more ways than you can imagine, Aido."
Hanabusa Aido could sense that it was true. He and Zero had hated each other since they had met. And the decision to adopt him was the mark of one change or another in Zero's personality. But it was merely Zero learning to open up and to accept.
"I made the decision to adopt you without your consent, but since you're in here now, why don't you tell me what you want," said Kaetsukikko.
"Um…" suddenly shy, Aido lifted up his head and found Zero smiling at him. "um…"
"It's okay," said the woman. "Tell me whenever you have made your decision."
This other side of Zero made Aido say, "yes" because he was in awe. When he had hated Zero there had been respect. But he didn't hate this woman. In fact he found himself adoring her for being kind and considerate for giving him a choice, even though her decision was made from before. He knew instinctively she would not impose adoption on him. She smiled then and said, "I won't be as alone as I thought I was, anymore. Here." She slit open her wrist and motioned for him to slit open his own, which he did. She pressed hers against his and said. "Now we are kin by blood and you are my son by blood, though you are possibly eons older than me."
"Hey!" he cried. "I am not that old!"
"It's okay, momma was just teasing." Kaetsukikko hugged the boy, but unfortunately, even though, Aido was not that much shorter, his face ended up pressed into the woman's bosom, this was due to the fact that he was totally unprepared for the hug.
"Yah!" He flushed and punched her in the bosom by accident.
"That's it shorty! You're grounded. Get out!"
"Eh?!"
"Aish, I should have known this would happen," said Kain.
"Kain, what's grounded?" asked Aido when Kain was leading him back to their room.
"Being grounded is a slang term for punishment, used by parents with their children. It is mainly used by humans," explained Kain. "Don't worry about it, she's just threatening you, I think…"
"Since when did you know so much about her?" said Aido.
"Ever since the she Woke," said Kain.
"Oh," said Aido.
"Were you expecting more?" asked Kain teasingly.
They were back in their own room now. Kain wrapped his arms around his lover. "Shall we continue?"
Bang. They had forgotten to lock the door. "Stop molesting my less than innocent son, he's grounded! That means you can't do that. Yes and my punishment is abstinence for a month!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" cried Aido.
"I'm just joking. I need to borrow our manservant, okay, Ai-kun," said Kaetsukikko.
"Hai (yes), hahaoya (mother-with respect)," said Aido.
"Thank you, Ai-kun," said Kaetsukikko.
"…" Aido blushed. "Teiryuu (stop), I mean…"
"It's okay. Come here. Were you worried that I would perhaps take your mate from you?" said Kaetsukikko. "I would never betray you, honey." She hugged Aido again, but this time his chin was on her shoulder and his face was no longer pushed into her bosom. "You want to come too. Just in case." She added teasingly.
"Kaa-sama," he whined flushing. "You're embarrassing."
"Really? There is no one to embarrass you in front of," said Kaetsukikko.
"…" He was still flushed.
"Let's stay here and talk about it, then," said Kaetsukikko. "I am planning to host a ball so that the other nobles know that our clan has risen once more and that they cannot deny it. I was wondering if you would approve Kain. If you do, then please make and send the invitations. Be sure to include my seal. Here's the design." She handed him a sheet of paper. There was a moon in the center. Roses and their vines encircled it. "Be sure to use red wax."
"Yes, that would be a good idea. The other nobles will want proof that you are the real monarch and not a usurper. You will agree for them to test you."
"Of course, but I also want them to know who I was once. I want them to know that I was not trained for this and that I will make mistakes."
"It takes a lot of guts admit that, but it will earn their respect in the long term though they will disapprove in the short term."
"If they try to hurt you, I will deep freeze them. I don't want to lose you, hahaoya because I already lost my birth mother," cried Aido. He threw his arms around Kaetsukikko.
"Don't worry, I will be fine," said Kaetsukikko. "It's been a long time since someone has needed me so." She held Aido closer to her.
"Aido, let go of Kaetsukikko-sama, she needs her rest," said Kain.
"Kain," said Kaetsukikko sternly, after releasing Aido. "I adopted Aido because I knew he needed someone who he could love unconditionally and I needed someone I could love that way, too, someone with whom we could share our thoughts. I noticed that our personalities were very alike. We both hide things that we feel a lot, trying to protect those that we love. You and I are closer now, too, in terms of family. Though you still serve me, you serve Aido as well and you are not to use the honorific in private again, understood? Instead, call me hahaoya instead, ne?"
"H-hai," said Kain relieved.
"Good. Please finish the invitations," said Kaetsukikko smiling.
"Wait, Kae…I mean hahaoya, do you want the Kuran to come. I mean…" said Kain.
"What do you know?" asked Kaetsukikko no longer smiling. She was pale. Her mercury eyes were filed with worry and a tint of fear.
"You loved Kaname-sama, didn't you?" asked Kain.
Kaetsukikko went even paler. "H-how?"
"You always fought with him. You seemed to glow after he gave you blood. You wanted to kill Yuki-sama," said Kain. And Kaname-sama. "I won't say anything. You have my complete allegiance, hahaoya because you have my respect and both you and Aido need me here."
"Thank you for being so honest with me," said Kaetsukikko. "I will be brave on that night, invite them and your old dorm-mates."
"Hai," said Kain. "Is that all?"
"Join me and Aido in my rooms for tea," said Kaetsukikko.
When Kain left, Aido burst out: "Hahaoya, how terrible! He is mated to Yuki-hime, who was your best friend and adoptive sister."
"I understand, Ai-kun, but I can not help it. Do not say anything please, when they come," said Kaetsukikko.
"Hahaoya! How can you think so little of me? I would never betray you. You saved me from loneliness."
"I am sorry, but everyone I have ever cared for left me," said Kaetsukikko.
"I understand, hahaoya, you adopted me because you were lonely?"
"Yes, of course, Ai-kun."
They returned to Kaetsukikko's room. Kaetsukikko sat in front of the mirror. Hanabusa Aido was standing behind her. He brushed her hair.
"Hahaoya, you don't mind that I brush your hair do you?" said Aido.
"No of course not," she smiled at Aido through the mirror.
"Do you find me too impulsive?" asked Aido.
"Do I? It is a good thing, Ai-kun. It gives me something to live for, watching you interact with those around you. If I am no longer here, I want you and Kain to take over this estate and rule. The two of you balance each other out. You made a good choice. It is your heart that will guide him to make the decisions rationally. I also want you to release him from service, so that you can rule as equals. Promise me, you will do this, no matter what anyone else says." She gripped Aido's wrist in a death grip.
"Itai (Ow)!"
"I'm sorry," she said the desperate look faded and she released his wrist. "Will you?"
"Yes," but it was Kain's voice instead. "We will. We will do as you wish hahaoya."
She smiled. She trusted the two of them with her life. He handed her the letters. She read them and was satisfied. He handed her the newly made stamp and handed her the liquid wax. She stamped each invitation then handed them back to Kain. "Here. Since you have heard what I wanted to say, business is done for the day. Please bring in some tea and blood tablets."
Doomedpassion: Aido and Zero have become more and more OC, but I get the impression that both of them feel with passion and that they are both very lonely. That's why I made Zero adopt Aido. I think they bottle things up very easily. And if I am right that they bottle their emotions, I am making them open up.