Chapter 7

Kaetsukikko-hime was sitting on her throne. Aido Hanabusa was sitting right of the throne, on the ground next to his mother with his head on her lap. He looked ready to spring up and attack any who dared make a move against his mother. The woman was petting her hair, trying to make him relax. She looked ready to restrain him, if he launched himself at any would be attacker. Standing beside them was Tsukiru Shiroi on the left. She was holding a spear. Flanking both sides of the throne was the other four maids. The twins Ryuko Meiyu and Uruki were armed with a pair of sai each, which were stuck in their belts within their sheaths, ready to be taken out and used. They were on either side of the throne. Xiao Mei was carrying a Kwan Dao (a large Chinese halberd) in her right hand; she was standing next to Uruki, right of the throne. Boa was carrying a minigun, she was leaning against the butt-end with the muzzle touching the floor beside Meiyu. Together the five girls looked like a tough bunch, even though their uniforms were made outfits in different colours (Mew Mew Power, the girls at Mew Mew Café). All the destructive parts the weapons were made of anti-vampire material. Guarding the door at the back was Akatsuki Kain.

Aido Hanabusa turned a little and whispered something to his mother. What he said was this: "I will protect you, who saved me from loneliness."

And her reply was: "Thank you. I cannot thank you more than that for saving me from darkness and loneliness. And yes, I will allow you to protect me." At that moment, she motioned for Meiyu and Uruki to help her take off her veil. Silver hair caught the light of the chandelier and wall sconces in the room. The crowd waited with baited breath, it was not possible. She could just not be Zero. A pale hand pulled the mask off.

"Are you that surprised?" asked Kaetsukikko.

"You're under arrest!" said Shiki.

"Really?" questioned Aido Hanabusa. "If my mother decides to fight use her power, she could destroy this world by accident, leaving only those who shared her blood alive. She cannot control it yet. I still do not know how to control the power I gained after being adopted by her. You saw what I did to Souen Ruka. I was planning on freezing her, but instead I trapped her in a column of water, drowning her and I brushed her thoughts with my mind. She was so frightened. That feeling was exciting. I want to try my power!"

"Yamete (stop)!" cried Kaetsukikko. "Yamete! Onegai! I did not ask for this, when I told you, that you could protect me! Hanabusa! Yamete!"

"No!" snarled Hanabusa. "They want to hurt you! I will kill them!" A wall of ice blocked her path. There was a look akin to bloodlust on his features. He was holding a column of ice formed into a sword. He was about to charge at Shiki.

"Yamete!" Kaetsukikko was crying now and she was bleeding because broke the wall of ice with her bare hands, since it was dangerous to use her power. By the time she reached him, her hair had come free from their binds "Yamete!" She ran in front of him. Unable to pull back, he stabbed her in the stomach.

"Don't forget, aishiteru," she said. She reached up and touched his cheek with a bloody hand. She brushed back his bangs. Blood leaked from her lips.

"No! Don't go! I don't want to be alone again!" cried Hanabusa. His face was buried in her silver hair. Diamond tears dropping.

"You are not alone. Never," said a voice close to Aido Hanabusa's ear, as arms snaked around his waist. "I am here and I will never leave, even if you make me." He looked up to see Kain's worried eyes. "Let go of her and pull out the sword. If you do this then she will live," said Kain. "Did you think she would die so easily? Her blood is thousands of times more pure and powerful. She will heal. Her body is much stronger than ours. The reason she fell so easily was because she held back her power. She was afraid of being overwhelmed by it and destroying Earth and Her people. As long as she is afraid, of using it, there will be more pressure on her and possibly, her body would self destruct under that pressure. If that happens the world would also be destroyed because releasing so much energy at one time is too much for Earth to handle," explained Kain. "Bring our mistress to her room. Hanabusa, go to bed. You can see her when she has recovered." Then to the guests, "I am sorry this ended badly. Her Highness is currently incapacitated and can not give her apologies herself. If you would like, there are rooms upstairs where you can retire for the night or I can take you on a tour of the castle. I suggest you stay until Her Highness is fit to explain what had happened. But I can tell you right now that I was the one who set fire to the Kiryu manor. I could not let any of Her Highness's secrets become unearthed in your search for Kiryu Zero. Her Highness is not exactly one and same as Kiryu Zero. They are one being, but Her present and future is Kaetsukikko and her past was Kiryu Zero and before birth Kaetsukikko. This is the reason why you should all stay until proper explanations can be given. At that point you are free to make your decisions. But for now, this castle shall show you as much hospitality as she can provide."

There was a murmur of agreement from the nobles. They were exhausted, after having the shock of their lives. They would rather retire to guest rooms and forgo the tour.

Kain led the guests upstairs and brought each of them to their rooms. "Sleep well and rest well."

When they had been shown their rooms, Kain made sure that each door to the library was locked. It only locked by blood and only the blood of the Akatsuki or Shichiyou.