Genre: General/Romance/Friendship
Rating:T
Pairings: Zero/Kaname
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Vampire Knights. It belongs to Hino Matsuri - I only borrow the characters from the series and use it in my own fic. However, I do own the three original characters featured in this story.
Author's Notes: In this chapter, you will get to see how Akane and the twins usually interact with one another. Also, you'll get to see a little bit of the relationship between Akane and Zero being revealed, and probably a little of how Zero had thought about the twins and Akane's sudden presence in his life.
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Chapter 4 - Settling in!
"Akane! Come on, Wake up ... You can go back to sleep after you get us some food!" Kuran Akira tugged hard on the hair of his adopted sister, knowing that this would no doubt wake the sleepy girl from her 'dead' slumber.
"Ouch! Damn it, Akira - How many times must I tell you, not to pull my hair! " Akane grumbled, as she sat up unhappily in bed.
Akane was annoyed, and her temper had never been good after she was rudely awaken from her sleep. She knew that she probably should not be blaming the twins for waking her up, in order for her to get them some solid food. Since, they were still 'new' to the environment of the Academy. Unlike Akane, whom had pretty much memorized the layout of the academy by now and would know where to go in search for food or blood tablets, if she needed any.
"Subaru, what's the time now? " Akane asked, as she combed her fingers through her sandy brown hair - the only traits which she had inherited from her birth father.
"Five-thirty ... in the evening. " Subaru added the last bit, when he noticed how disoriented Akane had looked when he had first mentioned the time.
"... Three minutes, Get out now." Akane muttered aloud, shooing them both out of the room such that she could get herself changed into a more presentable attire. There was no way that she would simply head outside dressed up in Zero's old t-shirt, it would simply looked too 'sloppy' and untidy.
Might as well get herself ready for the night, since there would be no way she could have gotten back to sleep now that those two boys were up and about; with every intention of driving her crazy for the rest of the night. Akane thought.
Three minutes later, Akane was dressed up nicely in her newly accquired set of day-class uniform. Finally, something that would keep her warm at night. The uniform which she had been wearing from her own time-period, had not been doing a good job around here. Since that had been meant for summer's use and not for the chilly seasons of Autumn and Winter.
Looking herself in the full-length mirror which she had not noticed it being around, Akane nodded in satisfaction having decided that she looked presentable enough to head outside, Akane turned and made her way for the door.
Realizing that the two boys had not been waiting for her outside as she had told them to do so, Akane merely sighed aloud as she closed her eyes for a moment; allowing her senses to run wild and free around the dormitory. After some time, she opened up her eyes and allowed her senses to lead her towards the direction of the front lounge where the majority of the night class members had gathered around, waiting for the class change-over timing to arrive.
"Akira, Subaru - what did I say about having chocolates before meal-times? " Akane started, before the two boys could reach for the offered piece of chocolate candy that was being handed out to them by the two newly return members of the night class - Shiki Senri and Touya Rima.
The two models had been away for a photo-shoot earlier that morning, and had only just arrived back in time for classes - thus missing out on all the happenings that took place since late last night, till early this morning. However, they had been filled in on the details by their friendly Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory - Ichijo Takuma, upon their return to the academy.
"See! I told you, Akane's going to lecture you on the 'having chocolate before meal' issue again. " Subaru shot his younger twin sibling a look of triumph, only to be met by his sibling throwing him a mock glare.
"Please, change your lines - will you? You said that everytime, we ended up being caught red-handed by Akane or 'Dad'... " Akira threw back a sharp retort of his own.
"... " Akane counted mentally to 'three' before speaking up, again. "Both of you, stop it! Aren't you guys whining about wanting food - earlier on? Wasn't that the reason why I had been literally forced out of bed ? Now that I'm ready, can we please just go and get those food items now? "
Knowing the traditions of the day-class students, the hour immediately after the night-class change-over timing would be considered the peak hours for the school cafeteria. That, was something which Akane had hoped that she would be able to avoid while being here in this time-line for when she had been back in her own time, she had been unfortunate enough to be appointed as one of the school guardian thus making it impossible for her to avoid the crowd.
Not that she had anything against the idea of visiting a crowded place, it was more of her intention or desire to avoid the crowd of fan-girls whom will be no doubt commenting and spreading all sorts of rumours with regards to the members of the night class during those peak hours of the cafeteria's operating timing, which makes her want to avoid joining the crowd - altogether.
"...What's up with her? Get up on the wrong side of the bed? " Aidou Hanabusa commented, somewhat unhappy with the way Akane was displaying her displeasure, openly in public.
"No, Uncle Aidou ... Akane's just mad at us for waking her up when she's still feeling tired. " This coming from the younger twin, Kuran Akira.
"Yes, that and the fact that Akane had a nasty temper when she's been rudely awaken. What did she used to call it ... Low blood pressure? " Kiryuu Subaru added on, frowning as he tried to recall the exact terms which Akane had often mentioned back in their own time.
"... " Akane could felt her veins popping up somewhere on her forehead, and her head was starting to ache from her obvious lack of sleep while she waited for the twins' to be ready for departure. Finally, deciding that she had had enough of the chatters and the idea of waiting around, Akane felt herself snapping at the twins with irritation.
"On the count of five, I'm leaving. If the two of you were still not ready to go by then, please settled the issue of the hunger - on your own! You can either try drowning yourselves with a gallons of blood tablets, or if you dared - go and pester our 'Daddy' into cooking dinner or whatever meals for the two of you!
Otherwise, you two can simply go and have a try of the Chairman's cooking. From what I've gathered - it should be worse than what that 'Father Dearest' of ours can do, in the kitchen. Should he felt the sudden need or urge to cook us dinner or something else! "
"...But Akane, we are hungry ... not feeling blood-thirsty! Drowning ourselves with blood tablets would not change anything ... " Akira protested, trying to keep himself from sounding whiny.
Behind Akane, a certain pureblood whom had just arrived paused in his steps slightly before continuing on his journey towards the front door with ease.
Akane knew Kaname Kuran had heard her words, and she would have winced if her mind had been thinking clear. Unfortunately, that was the very last thing on her mind - right now. Besides, it was not as if she was trying to curse the said pureblood behind his back or anything, so she has nothing to fear by commenting on the pureblood's lack of culinary skills.
Truth be told, Kaname Kuran's first reaction to Akane's comments of his lack of culinary skills had been nothing but bewilderment. Having been born and raised a pureblood, he had had his every needs being attend to with a wave of his hand. Thus, there was no need for him to learn any of those housekeeping skills. Therefore, his initial thought had been 'Why was he even attempting to cook in the first place'?
However, that was only a passing thought and therefore he wisely chose not to say anything as he passes by the agitated girl and headed for the front door, with the whole group of night-class members following his lead.
"Damn!" Akane cursed aloud, knowing that there was no way in hell that she was going to be heading for the cafeteria now that the members of the night class had set off for their classes.
For a while, she threw a glare towards the twins' direction before she was suddenly hit by the brilliant idea to head off to the town for some shopping. Thus, a ghost of a smile started to tug at the corner of her lips as she turned towards her adopted siblings now.
"You know, I have another idea of where we could get our food from ... Why don't I take the two of you out with me into the town for dinner and perhaps get some shopping work done? However, before that - let's pay a visit to the Chairman, shall we? " Akane suggested, smiling sweetly now.
Both Akira and Subaru shared a look among themselves, before sweatdropping in unison. Inwardly, pitying the Chairman for they both knew, whenever Akane smiled that sweetly - that would meant that someone's wallet would be flatten by the end of the day, when Akane was done with her shopping spee.
---
"Wait a minute, Shiki! Let us out there, we are going to pay the Chairman - a visit! " Akane hurried after the group of night-class members, with the two boys in tow while she said cheerfully.
Upon her words, the group of night-class members stopped in their steps. The group of fan-girls crowding outside the Moon Dormitory paused in the midst of their screaming, wondering whom might the newcomers be as they had never seen any of them before.
The two guardians reacted differently too, upon the sound of Akane's voice. Yuuki Cross had turned towards the owner of the voice in surprise and curiosity, but Kiryuu Zero had tensed slightly before forcing himself to shift his glance towards the newcomers.
"Akane-chan? " Yuuki started, wondering why the former was heading towards them.
"Hey, Yuuki-chan! Nice to see you looking so energetic, despite the obvious lack of sleep. " Akane commented, with a smile before shifting her glance towards the silver-haired guardian.
"Kiryuu-kun! Can I take up a little while of your time? " Akane started, her tone a little far too cheerful for the ex-human's liking.
"What the hell do you want now? " Kiryuu Zero responded, feeling somewhat uneasy. Thus, causing his words to come out sounding more like 'resignation' rather than its' usual annoyance.
"Accompanied us to the town for a quick shopping trip, but before that - we need to pay the Chairman a visit to gain permission for leaving the academy's ground. "
"No way!" The silver-haired guardian had initially thought to respond, but changes his mind at the very last possible minute.
The very idea of having either one of the boys attaching themselves to him, while calling him 'Daddy' in front of the fangirls from the day-class was anything but appealing. It was one thing with the night class members, and completely another when it comes down to the day-class students. At least with the night class, he knew none of them would dared to go around speaking about the issue of the twins' existence to any random students - for they would risk facing the wrath of their pureblood leader then.
However, with the day-class students - it would be another thing entirely. After all, the day class had no one with that much authority to make everyone listened and played by the rules. Else, both Yuuki and his job as the school guardians' would be far more easier to handle than it was now.
"Fine! Come along then! " Zero muttered aloud unwillingly, and with a scowl in place on his features. The silver-haired guardian started leading the way towards the Chairman's office.
"... What's wrong with Kiryuu - today? " One of the random day-class student commented, somewhat stunned by the lack of the hostile treatment from the silver-haired guardian towards another girl.
"Yeah ... I thought, he treated every girls with hostily. With the sheer exception of that Cross girl ... " Another female student, commented aloud.
"Who knows, maybe he woke up on the wrong side of bed - this morning? " Another girl responded, trying to make a joke out of the situation.
"..." Yuuki stared speechless at the crowd of fangirls, initially she had thought it would be harder for her to hold back the crowd with the silver-haired guardian being absent from the duty. Yet, it was the complete opposite. The girls had been so surprised of Zero's strange behavior that neither one of them had noticed the fact that the night class members had passes them, for they were too busy discussing the possible reasons behind Zero's unusual behavior.
By the time, the fangirls came back to the reality. It had been too late, for the night-class members were already in the school buildings having their first evening lessons for the day. Thus, the day class students had no choice but to leave for the cafeteria as they continue to gossip among themselves of the day's happenings.
---
Kiryuu Zero wondered just how exactly did he ended up being the 'baggage-man' for the trio walking ahead of him, seeming to be completely at ease despite the town being so much different from their own time. On one hand, he held the bag of basic necessity items such as the tooth-brushs and basic grooming set; several pyjamas and night-wear gowns sets for the two boys and Akane; towels and some winter wears. His other hand held another bag that was filled up with more feminine items, much to his chagrin and Akane's amusement.
"Alright, dinner up next - where to? No restaurants though ... since Kiryuu-kun would be the one paying for us, so it can't be anywhere where its' too luxuarious. " Akane asked, directing her words to the two boys' instead of Zero whom would be the one paying for their dinner.
"Hey! Why should I be the one to pay for the dinner?! " Zero protested, for he was already annoyed by the idea of being the 'baggage-man' for the trio and now they had been expecting for him to pay for their meals, too?!
"... Well, I would have paid for it using the Chairman's supplied budget if possible. However, we had already used up the fundings from the Chairman on those necessities items. Moreover, we are kind of penniless since we had not been thinking about the money issue when we decided to take a trip through the time ... Besides, its' not as if we'll be using your money all the time. So would you just cooperate with us, and paid for our dinner - this one time? I swear, I'll pay you back another day ... " Akane said, turning pleading eyes upon the silver-haired hunter.
This was a tactic of hers' that never failed to work back in her time, whenever she uses it on the silver-haired man. Therefore, Akane was willing to bet against the fact that if the tactic works fine in the future, then it should be no difference if she were to use it in the past, too.
"Fine! " Kiryuu Zero threw the girl a look of annoyance, before gritting out his reluctant agreement through his teeth.
"Thanks!" Akane beamed, smiling up at the silver-haired hunter happily before turning back to the twins and pressed for their decision.
The boys' seemed to consider the options available for a minute, before responding. "Burger King then ..."
Unknowingly, Zero let out a breath which he had been holding prior to the boys' making up their minds. For a while, he had wondered if the boys were going to pick somewhere which he would not be able to afford with his miserable week's of pocket money.
"Let's go then ... " This time around, Zero was the one leading the trio - hoping to make his way over to the said fast food restaurant without much delay. All he wanted to do now, was to get the hell back to the academy soon, and fast. He had had no intention to spend anymore of his time in town, other then the necessary.
Upon their arrival at the fast food restaurant, Akane told the boys to go and wash their hands. Turning back to Zero, Akane said.
"Please placed the orders for everyone of us, its' only fair since you are the one paying for us. Fret not, neither the boys nor I am picky about the food menu. Just ordered for us, what you would have ordered for yourself. "
With that said, Akane headed towards the less crowded area of the restaurant and went in search for a table space which would accomodate the four of them and their earlier purchases.
Fifteen minutes later, Zero arrived at the table by the furthest left corner of the restaurant and set down the tray of food without a word being uttered to anyone of them.
Honest to speak, Zero was feeling down-right uncomfortable about his current prediacment. If anyone had tried telling him months ago that he would be seen having dinner in a fast food restaurant with three vampires seated closely by his side ... he would simply thought that person crazy and would have send them off to the nearest medical centre for a check-up in the brain.
Yet, here he was - surrounded by the vampires trio whom seemed somehow related to him, in one way or another. The two boys' were supposedly his 'sons' from the future, with a certain pureblood going by the name 'Kuran'. Much to his horror and chagrin. However since Zero had yet to accustom himself with the future prospect of being involved with the pureblood in any sense other than trying to kill each other, all he could do now was to force himself not to dwell on the twins' parentage issue and simply looked at them in a more objective manner.
Generally speaking, he still had no idea how he felt towards the twins. He supposed there was no feeling of 'hate' or 'loathing' being involved, despite what he should be feeling towards the vampires or rather, the pureblood vampires in general. Even while the twins' presence had somehow 'annoyed' him now - but he figured that it probably had something more to do with the fact that whom the other parent was, rather than the twins' being pureblood.
Well, Zero knew he should be hating all vampires alike and especially pureblood, in his case. Still, he found himself caring for the twins, albeit unwillingly.
'Damn!' Zero thought, for he had no doubts that his dead parents was probably rolling in their graves now - if they knew what was happening to him now. Well, maybe his mother's reaction may not be that 'bad' - but his father's reaction would not be anything welcoming.
For the first time in his life perhaps, Zero was actually thankful that his parents' were no longer around. Who knew how would they had reacted if they were to know what was implied behind the possibilities of the twins' existence.
Casting aside the issue of the twins for now, his feelings towards his future adopted daughter - Akane, was even more confusing. Judging from what he had been feeling from the girl's aura, and the sheer fact that Akane's birth mother was a member of the 'Fujiwara' clan. Zero knew, Akane must be somehow related to him through his mother's side of the family tree.
This, apparently was something which he had not bothered revealing to any accquitances of his, be it Yuuki, or Chairman Cross. Heck, he highly doubted that his master - Yagari Toga, whom had been invited by his father to teach him the proper skills when it comes down to hunting the vampires, knew about his mother's family name too.
His father probably would not think it wise to reveal to his master, as the former had always make it known of his mild dislike towards the members of the 'Fujiwara' clan, in general. When being pressed on for an explanation, Yagari had said something about the aura emitting from that particular clan reminded him too much of its' similaries to some vampires which he had somehow encountered over the years of his hunting.
His mother had been a member of the 'Fujiwara' clan, prior to her marrying into the Kiryuu clan. Although, after the marriage his mother had still went back to her family home for regular visits, but his father had always been absent from those meetings. Usually, Zero and his twin had been asked to stay home while their mother visit the home of the 'Fujiwara'. However, when it comes down to the point that their father would be away on missions then they would be allowed to tag along with their mother, and the visit came attached with certain rules and regulations which Ichiru and himself had to obey.
Among them, included the fact to stay away from the home library of the 'Fujiwara'. However, the rules were meant to be broken at some point of time, isn't that so? Thus, Ichiru and himself would always disregard that sheer fact and often ended up using the said library as their playground for games, which ultimately resulted in his discovery of that taboo books of spells which contained the 'Time-Vortex' ritual spell, that Akane had evoked in order to bring the twins and herself, back here in time.
So what does that makes him ? Just what kind of relationship does Akane shared with him - aside from the obvious 'adopted' parent-child relationship, that is.
---
"... " Akane had been observing the younger version of her adopted parent from the corner of her eyes, for quite some time now. She knew the former was probably thinking about something, it could be seen from the obvious way that the silver-haired hunter was furrowing his brows in deep thoughts.
With an audible sigh, Akane set down the burger which she had been chewing upon from earlier and turned her eyes towards the former.
"Alright, go ahead and fired your questions away. Though, there's no guarantee that everything will be answered and explained in details. However, I simply had had enough of you shooting glances towards my direction whenever you thought that I wasn't looking in your direction. " Akane explained when she noticed the look of incredulity upon the said hunter's face.
"Right, so who's your father? "
"... Not anyone from the current night-class, if that's what you're trying to ask. "
"... Your mother? "
"Haven't been born yet ... and wouldn't be until a long time away from now. "
"Are you related to my mother directly or ... ?"
"... Yes, but the blood relations had been rather distant by the time my mother was born. I don't know if it helps, but your mother was my great-grand aunt, if you really felt the need to know ..." Akane answered with a shrug.
Zero stared at Akane in shock, now he knew why he had felt something strange when he had first landed his eyes upon the said girl. Akane was practically a bloody mirror-image of his own mother, with the exception of the hair colour which Zero suspected that she had inherited from her father side of the family.
"... Are there anymore questions? If not, can we please make our way back to the academy now?" Akane asked, feeling rather unnerved by the silver-haired hunter's unwavering stare.
Shifting her eyes away from Zero, she focused her attention towards the twins - this time around. "Akira, stop playing around with your food. Either you eat them, or you don't. "
"Subaru, don't wipe your mouth with the back of your hand. That's unhygienic ... Go to the washroom to get yourself clean up. " Akane instructed, as she started to clear up the mess which the twins had made during the midst of their eating.
Realizing that he was probably the only one whom had yet to finish his meal, Zero hurried through the last few bites of his burger efficiently before making a move towards the washroom, himself.
---
By the time the four of them arrived back at the academy, the night had completely fallen. Although, the majority of the night-class members were still in their classes; there would always be a few strays whom had somehow wandered out from the class, by themselves. Tonight, it was of no difference.
The group of four had been walking through the woods, when they scented Yuuki's blood in the air. Hurrying through the woods, they were hardly surprised to find two day-class females fainting upon the sight of Aidou's lengthen fangs as he stepped forth to lick the blood of Yuuki's off the said female guardian's injuried hand.
Almost immediately, Zero went for his 'Bloody Rose' and directed the said gun towards the blue-eyed blond vampire. The twins whom had been by the side of the silver-haired guardian shakes their head in mild disapproval, before commenting.
"Uh oh ... Uncle Aidou's in trouble again ... "
"So what?! What's he going to do to me - then?! Shoot me?!" Aidou Hanabusa exclaimed, trying to challenge and dared the fellow guardian into shooting him.
"... I would not suggest you to provoke him further, Aidou ... " Akane said, glancing at Zero warily now.
The sudden sound of gunshot froze the blue-eyed blond vampire to the spot, behind the former - Akatsuki Kain was equally shocked by the silver-haired guardian's actions.
"What the ... ! How dare you, Kiryuu?!" Akatsuki Kain stepped forth, protesting on behalf of his still shell-shocked cousin with unhidden fury rolling off his body aura.
The former would have threw a punch towards the silver-haired guardian, if the twins had not stepped forth and placed themselves in his way.
"Get away, I'm not going to let him off the hook - this time around." Akatsuki Kain had all but snarled in anger. Despite the anger rolling off him in waves, he could not simply push the twins away from his path for that would have meant that he was challenging the authority of a pureblood. Children or not, matters not. The fact remains that they were purebloods, from the lineage of the infamous 'Kuran Clan' too.
"No, you are the one whom should be stepping away from him! We did warned Uncle Aidou of the dangers of challenging 'Daddy' and gloating in his presence ... but did he listen? No, he did not ... " Kuran Akira was speaking firmly and maturely now, no longer displaying that whiny attitude from before.
"Yes, he had no one else but himself to blame that things had came escalating down to this point. Besides, 'Daddy' didn't actually blast a 'hole' through him - merely fired a shot of warning. Nobody was hurt, and no one was killed. Therefore, why don't we just leave things be? " Kiryuu Subaru added, trying to calm and drill the 'logic' back into the mind of the fuming Akatsuki Kain.
Just then, another voice of authoritive came ringing out from the deeper parts of the woods. It was none other than the pureblood, Kaname Kuran - himself.
"What is the matter here? " Kaname Kuran had asked, but neither of the people had bothered to respond to his query.
A quick glance about the surrounding area was enough to notify him of what had most probably taken place earlier, with a wave of his hand he beckoned for the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory to check on the two day-class students' conditions. He nodded with relief once he was told that the students had not been hurt, merely fainted from the shock of the situation.
Turning towards Yuuki, Kaname shot the girl a look of apology before glancing over to the other fuming guardian whom still had the 'Bloody Rose' out and pointed towards them.
"Kiryuu, do you mind putting that 'Bloody Rose' away for the time-being. That gun of yours was no doubt considered a danger to us - the vampires, in general. I'll assured you that Aidou would be receiving his fair share of punishments from me - later on in time. Could you please escort the two girls to the Chairman's place, Ichijo will be in charge of removing tonight's events from their memories.
Do let the Chairman knows that I'll be heading over personally at a later point of time, to apologize personally for tonight's event and Aidou's behavior. " Kaname Kuran said, his tone cool but laced with an undertone of warning and authoritive that was not to be argue with.
Zero stared at the pureblood for a minute, before he allowed himself to drop the 'Bloody Rose' and stuff it back to the gun holster hidden behind his day class uniform coat.
"Yuuki, let's go. " Zero said to the fellow female guardian, while he headed over to the spot where the two day-class girls had fainted. Picking one of them up with a scowl marring his features, while allowing Ichijo Takuma to do the same for the other girl - the duo their way towards the Chairman's office, with Yuuki Cross following after them.
---
Sometime later back within the walls of the Moon Dormitory, Kaname Kuran slapped Aidou twice, hard on the cheeks. Berating the blond for being careless and allowing his bloodlust to gain control against his better judgement. After which, he moved on to berate Akatsuki Kain for not attempting to put a stop to his cousin's ridiculous acts, instead had attempted to challenge the school's guardian to a fight when it had been obviously Aidou's fault, since the very beginning.
Throughout the whole session, Akane and the twins had been standing by and watching the sight taking place in front of their eyes, at one side of the room. Their facial expression neutral and masked up with indifference, unlike the other members of the night class whom had been looking on with slight apprehension.
"Aidou, if I ever caught you attempting to taste the blood of Yuuki Cross again ... You'll find yourself in very deep trouble ... " Kaname Kuran warned, his voice though sounded controlled was laced with an unmistakenable hint of displeasure.
Aidou nodded hesitantly to the pureblood's words, trying his hardest to ignore the pain emitting from the swelling of his cheeks as he left for the privacy of his assigned dorm room which he had been sharing with his cousin.
Following the departure of Aidou Hanabusa, neither of the night-class members had dared to linger on in the lounge for feared of crossing path with the infuriated pureblood. Eventually, the lounge was emptied out leaving behind the pureblood himself and the three time-travellers; whom seemed to be rather accustomed to the pureblood's temper for neither one of them seemed to be feeling the pressure of being in the same room as an irated pureblood.
Kaname had to admit, he was rather surprised when he sensed that he was not as alone as he had thought it out to be. Today had been the first time ever, did he allowed himself to display such anger in public. Thus, he had been expecting to find everyone fleeing from his presence as soon as he had had them dismissed from his sight. Yet, somehow it seemed that there had been some exception to the case, after all.
Akane and the twins had remained behind, neither of them appeared to be affected by his dark mood from before. If anything, they appeared to be totally at ease. Akane was even snooping around the piles of books that had been laid forgotten and spread out on the coffee table, probably left behind by some other members of the night-class while in a rush to get themselves away from the lounge when Kaname dismissed them from his presence.
The twins, on the other hand, had somehow managed to get their hands on the remote control to the flat screen television situated within the lounge and were currently flipping through the channels at random while ignoring his presence, altogether.
"..." Kaname said nothing, not trusting himself to speak - yet. Still, he could not help but wondered about the reason behind the trio's calming reactions when the rest of the night class students had felt apprehensive over his unusual display of fury.
As though sensing his thoughts, the elder twin had turned towards his direction and asked. "Yes? Is there anything that you wish to talk to us about - Father? "
Kaname felt his eyebrow twitching faintly, trying his hardest to ignore a particular strange feeling which seemed to be tugging at the bottom of his heart, each time he heard the term 'Father' emitting from the lips of the boys. Clearing his throat awkwardly, Kaname started.
"... Aren't you boys supposed to be feeling scared or something? "
This time around, it was the twins' turn to be feeling bewildered. The two boys shared a look among themselves, before turning back to Kaname and said.
"What exactly are we supposed to be feeling scared about? " The twins asked back, in unison.
Silence stung the air, before Akane sighed aloud and decided to cue the twins in on just what exactly the elder pureblood had been fretting about.
"I think, what Kaname-sama had meant to ask was why the three of us weren't affected by his dark mood or his earlier display of rarely shown anger ... "
A light of recognition finally dawns on the twins, upon the sound of Akane's voice from behind. Before, Subaru took up the responsibility of explaining things to the younger version of their father.
"... Is that all? If so, I'm just going to be completely honest with you. What you've displayed in front of every members of the night-class just now, was nothing really scary. Rather, we have grown so accustomed to the idea of witnessing it on regular occasions that it no longer frighten us anymore."
"On regular occasions? " Kaname frowned slightly, as he pressed on for an elaboration from the elder twin.
"... Well, regular occasions such as Uncle Aidou pissed you off by doing something that you had forbidden him to do ... or another verbal fight with 'Daddy' that turned violent and physical for a while, before it evolved into something else that is unsuitable for kids like us to witness ... " Subaru was about to start quoting more examples, when Kaname put a stop to the silver-haired child's words.
"Enough, that's enough for now ... I don't need all the details ... yet. "
"Okay then ... " The boy fell silent, immediately and moved his eyes back to the television screen.
"Akane, aren't you going to retire for the night? You would be joining the day-class for lessons, starting tomorrow morning... right? " Deciding to change the subject of conversation, Kaname shifted his attention towards the elder girl and asked.
If Akane had been surprised by the sudden change in conversational topic, she did not show it. Instead Akane merely nodded in response and said, "Yes, I am ... but I can't simply just head off for bed when the two of them are awake. Who knows what they could be capable of doing without anyone watching over them. "
"Perhaps ... I can help to watch over them for you ? In that case - you would be able to head off for that long overdue rest which you seemed to be whining so much about, earlier this evening? Wouldn't you? " Kaname started, wincing inwardly when he realized that he had actually sounded a little too eager for his own liking.
Somehow the sheer idea of how Kiryuu had already spend some quality time with their supposed 'sons' makes him felt like doing the same thing, too. Honestly, Kaname had no idea why he was feeling the way that he does, right now. The feeling which he felt towards the twins' sheer existence was somewhat indescribable, it seems to be a mixture between disbelief and strangely enough - the feeling of joy.
However, when it comes down to the issue of the twins' other potential parent - Kiryuu Zero, an ex-human vampire; a vampire hunter and someone whom his beloved Yuuki had cared a great deal about. Kaname had to admit, he was floored by the feeling of lost. Never had he felt so bewildered in the whole of his life, before.
Prior to the twins and Akane's arrival, he could very well classified his feelings towards the fellow silver-haired hunter under the category of 'loath'. Now, he simply had no idea anymore - and these days whenever he looked at the said guardian, aside from the usual feeling of irritation; there was something else too.
Something which he still had yet to come up with a probable explanation for - that would be his sudden urge to 'concern' himself with the former's special health related 'conditions'. In other words, how the silver-haired hunter was coping with the body stress of the turning process - from a human to a vampire, on the whole.
"Well ... if you're sure about it ... " Akane's inquiring tone of voice jarred Kaname from his thoughts, causing the pureblood to return to the realm of the reality.
"Yes, I'm certain that I could handle them - just fine. I did have my share of baby-sitting experience with Yuuki when she was younger ... " Kaname assured the worried-looking girl, as he stood by his decision to watch over the twins while Akane could head upstairs for some rest before heading off to school, early next morning.
"Alright then ... " Akane eventually agreed, she was tired and since the pureblood had offered to baby-sit them for her. She might as well seize the opportunity to catch some sleep before departing for school in another seven hours time. Besides, with her out of the picture - does it not allow an opportunity for the twins to 'bond' with their 'Father'?
Moreover, Akane knew - the twins would never openly defied their 'Father' words of authority. That would have happened with Zero occasionally, but the situation had never occured - not even once, in Kaname's presence. Well, that was kind of within Akane's range of understanding too, since Zero can be too 'accomodating' to the twins' requests for his own good - sometimes.
Then again, that was to be expected from the fellow ex-human though. After all, Zero had been the one whom carried the twins to term; and later on went through the hell of hard labouring pain just to bring the twins into the realm of existence.
Not that, Akane would bothered to reveal such information to either parents of the twins; at this point of time though. For she knew, the fellow ex-human would not be able to digest such 'disturbing' information for the time-being. Therefore, she would be keeping this little piece of information to herself, for a while longer. Until the situation deemed it necessary for her to reveal the said piece of information to the public, or the timing suitable enough for her to cue the future parents in on the fact.
Although, it had been Zero whom was playing the role of the 'mommy' to the twins; but the former had not always been on the 'bottom' in the relationship with the pureblood. If anything, the concept of 'dominant' and 'submissive' was never important in their household, since the two vampires take turns in 'doing' one another. While Kaname and Zero had never broadcasted such information of their privacy to the girl, Akane had managed to figure out things on her own - by observing the way the two vampires had interact with one another in their everyday lives.
"Akane? " The pureblood's questioning tone of voice jarred Akane out from her trip down the memory lane, blinking twice to remove herself from her dazed-like trance.
Akane responded, "Nothing ... my mind kind of 'zoned' out on me for a while. So I guess, I'll leave them to your care then ... Good night, boys! Do try to have fun 'bonding' with Kaname-sama ..."
Akane added the last bit of her statement cheekily, and she would have mentioned the term 'Father' but decided against it at the very last minute. Unlike the situation with the twins, she highly doubted that Kaname Kuran would allowed her to get away that easily, upon using that particular word of 'Father' in his presence.
~to be continued~
Date started: 29/04/09
Date completed: 01/05/09
Date edited: 01/05/09