Title: Visitors from the Future
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: Okay, so Zero's slowly coming to terms of Kaname and his intertwine future ... and Akane's powers of being able to read minds ... was not exactly useful in battles, except that she could know what the enemy was planning on doing in advance ... that explains why she's so skilled in the fields of charms and spells that would help her fight, when the need arises. And Takuma's finally starting to make a move in getting friendly with Zero ...
---
Chapter 12 - Getting Friendly, Part 1
"So ... what's it that you want to talk to me about? " Zero started, as soon as the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory entered the Chairman's study after him.
Takuma Ichijo leaned against the closed door of the Chairman's study casually, as he responded. "Actually ... its' nothing much, I'm just wondering how's Akane doing ... She kind of had a run-in with my grand-father, prior to her coming over ... and Kaname told me to check on the twins as well ... "
"I see ... they're fine. Sleeping soundly now ... " Zero responded, matter-of-factly.
"I know ... I'm far more interested in Akane's mood ... She didn't exactly like the way my grand-father was behaving with Kaname earlier on ... "
"... You mean before she came over here? " Zero queried, looking over at the blond vampire for an answer.
Takuma nodded to the silver-haired guardian's question, before adding as an after-thought. "Yes, and she kind of 'snapped' too ... "
"She did? " Zero echoed, sounding genuinely surprised by the green-eyed blond vampire's words.
"Yes, she did ... but fret not. What she did was nothing as compared to what Aidou could be capable of doing, if Akane had not put herself in that position before Aidou could even react. Besides, her quick thinking and logic had somehow managed to save her from the other end of my grand-father's wrath. Thus ending up only annoying my grand-father, instead of pissing him off." Takuma hurried to set things straight, not giving the fellow guardian a chance to start working himself into a frenzy state of worries.
"What did she do then? " Zero asked, frowning.
"Grab my grand-father's hand tightly in public ... right after Ruka had intervened and forcefully removed Kaname's hand from my grand-father and by placing herself in between Kaname and my grand-father ... "
"What?! She held the hand of your grand-father in a tight and death grip?!" Zero repeated, incredulously.
"Yes, apparently so ... but that's fine too ... because the excuse which she came up with had somehow managed to fool my grand-father into believing that her actions were justified for a good reason ... " Takuma responded, wryly as he allowed a smile to tug at the corner of his lips upon the sheer memory of the event.
"... What's her excuse then?" Zero asked, somehow his curiosity was piqued by the tone that the fellow vampire was using while explaining Akane's actions to him.
"She claimed that she was 'saving' my grand-father from the potential of being contaminated by the 'bacteria' that lingers on Kaname's hands ... seeing as Kaname had forgotten to wash his hands in prior of heading out front to meet him, personally - after using the bathroom to answer some 'nature calls'. " Takuma replied, openly grinning now.
There was a pregnant pause of silence as Zero digested the former's words, before his eyes widen in alarm upon realizing that Akane had justified her crude behavior by openly insulting Kaname Kuran, in public.
"... So what's Kuran planning to do with her now? " Zero asked, sounding worried about what kind of punishment would awaited Akane later, after the departure of Ichijo Asato.
"Nothing drastic ... since he wasn't really angry, at least ... he doesn't looked that way to me ... Therefore, I don't think there will be any slapping involved, and I don't think he'll be asking Akane to hold buckets of water while standing out in the public for all to see like what he had made Aidou and Akatsuki do - several weeks in prior as well ... so ... I really had no idea. However, I'm certain that punishments would be given to Akane in response to her open insolence at a later stage of time. " Takuma responded, assuring the silver-haired guardian not to worry nor dwell too much into the situation.
"How's the twins then ...? Were they up to any mischief this evening? " Takuma asked, steering the topic of conversation away from Akane and onto something else.
The last thing he needs right now, was to have another person suspecting the reason behind his concerns for the sandy-brown haired vampire. It was bad enough with Kaname suspecting that he was harboring some sorts of special feelings for Akane, and he certainly does not required that from Kiryuu Zero too.
"... They have been cooperative enough, this evening ... probably because my master was around and thus, they dared not create any troubles unnecessarily. " Zero replied, trying to keep the drowsiness away from his voice but was not exactly successful in his attempt, as he found himself yawning towards the end of his words.
Realizing that Zero was probably tired out by trying to keep up with the twins antics, and probably from his duty as the school guardian as well. Takuma decided that, perhaps it was time for him to leave for the moment and continued his conversation with the fellow guardian on another day.
"Right, I guess I'll see you tomorrow evening and chat with you another day. For now, I shall leave so that you could sleep on in peace ... " Takuma said, as he excused himself from the company of the silver-haired hunter politely.
Zero said nothing in response, but turned promptly on his heels to exit from the Chairman's study and headed back up the stairs so that he could catch some winks prior to the twins awakening. Takuma, meanwhile, nodded to the Chairman whom was now dressed for bed politely before leaving the former's residential area, and headed back towards the direction of the Moon Dormitory.
---
When Zero woke the next morning, Akane was already up and about. The twins though, continued to sleep on. Zero blinked blearily to get the sleep away from his eyes, as he observed in silence as Akane folded away the used blanket and settled it nicely aside.
"Good morning, Zero ... " Akane's voice startled him out from his silent observation, as mumbled a soft morning greeting to the girl by instincts.
Akane smiled and said, "Zero ... You are going to school today, right? If so, help me collect the day's assignments - will you? I'll need to be here, as someone will be required to stay with the twins. I'm not going to have them waking and creating havoc for the Chairman to handle. Besides, I have a feeling that /Ichijo Asato/ was going to be brought on a campus tour today, prior to his leaving by the Chairman - himself. I really don't feel up to the task of interacting with him today ... and I certainly, do not want to risk getting into trouble with Kaname-sama, again. "
"... Alright then, but would you perhaps like to tell me the reason behind your immense dislike of Ichijo Asato? " Zero asked, he was curious to know the reason behind Akane's dislike for the said vampire. For Akane seemed to be harboring such feelings towards the former on a more personal scale.
" ... Can we talked about this issue, another day? I don't feel like revealing them to anyone now ... " Akane said, as she tried to avert touching on this particular issue.
Realizing that Akane probably would not be informing him of the reason anytime soon, Zero shrugged and gave in to Akane's response easily. For there was no need for him to be forcing the answer out of the said girl anyway, since he figured that Akane would probably let him know of the reason, when she deemed it necessary for him to know.
With that notion in mind, Zero started towards the direction of the bathroom to get himself ready for the day. Akane, meanwhile, seized the opportunity to make the bed for Zero as well. Although, she knew the former would preferred doing it himself but at this point of time, she could hardly cared. For she desperately felt the need to busy herself with something, lest she caved in to the desire to hurt something, or kill a particular someone.
"Akane ... where's Daddy? " The sound of Akira's voice draws the girl away from her thoughts.
"Bathroom ... why are you up so early, today? " Akane asked, surprised to find the boy up and about before noon.
Akira shrugged, before rubbing the sleep away from his eyes and said. "I'm hungry ... I want to have omelette rice ... "
"Aa ... I see, but Daddy need to go to school today ... Why don't we get him to cook 'Omelette Rice' for us later on in the day, around evening perhaps? In the meantime, we can call for some delivery ... Is that alright with you? " Akane suggested, knowing that there would be no time for Zero to make them 'breakfast' before departing for school.
"Okay then ... " Akira said through a yawn, he looked so adorable that Akane felt a sudden urge to smother the boy in a hug.
Akira blinked in surprise when he felt himself being pulled in for a big 'bear' hug by his elder sister, but since he was still half-awake and Akane did not exactly hugged him tight enough to render any form of suffocation. Akira did not even bother to protest against the girl's smothering actions, instead he simply remained where he stood and allowed the girl to do as she pleased to him.
That was exactly the sight which Zero had found himself looking at, upon his return from the bathroom. Akira's hair was messy from Akane's ruffling and smothering, cheeks redden slightly from Akane's pinching and the blue and white strips pyjamas top rumpled from his earlier sleep.
"Akane, do me a favor and let Akira off the hook ... will you? His poor cheeks is going to be swollen by the time you are done manhandling him ... " Zero broke in, saving his youngest from being further tarnished by Akane's smothering actions.
"... Sorry, can't help it ... because he's so adorable after just waking up from his sleep ... " Akane responded, cheekily as she finally released her youngest siblings from her grasp.
Akira perked up upon the sound of his favorite parent's voice, and immediately attached himself to the leg of Zero again. "Daddy! "
Zero smiled as he bend down to give a gentle pat on the boy's head, "Morning ... Akira ..."
Akira beamed up at him, and asked. "Can we please have omelette rice for dinner, tonight?! "
Zero blinked, flickering his eyes back to Akane in surprise and asked. "Omelette Rice? "
Akane nodded, and elaborated. "Yes, Omelette Rice ... Akira had specifically requested that he wanted to have /Your Omelette Rice/ tonight for dinner ... "
"Oh ... " Zero sounded genuinely surprised by the request, since he had thought that the boy would be requesting something extravagant, considering how rich Kaname Kuran was.
"Can we? " Akira's eager voice startled Zero out from his reverie, again.
The silver-haired hunter smiled, as he nodded to his son's request and said. "Yes, we can have that for dinner tonight ... "
Akira let out a joyful sound of cheer, before bouncing and skipping off to the bathroom to get himself ready for the day. Subaru, on the other hand, continued to sleep on like a 'log' - totally undisturbed by his twin sibling's loud and excited cheer of joy.
---
Meanwhile, Takuma Ichijo was breaking out in cold sweat now. His grand-father, had somehow noticed his absence from the dormitory sometime late last night, and was now questioning him on his whereabouts.
"I was out doing something for Kaname-sama ... " Takuma responded, somewhat hesitantly. Since there was no way he could have reveal the truth to his grand-father, and lying was obviously not an option either. Takuma had to settle for telling the older and wiser vampire, half-truths instead.
Ichijo Asato arched his eyebrow up in skepticism as he prompted his grand-son, "Really? He send you out to do something over at the Chairman's place in the middle of the night? "
Upon the said vampire's words, Takuma froze. For he had no idea that his grand-father had seen him on the move, at all. Fear gripped his heart as he thought for a moment, that his grand-father had already found out about the twins' existence or Akane's real identity.
"Ichiou ... Is there a problem with me sending out Takuma in the middle of the night, to consult the Chairman on something which is unsuitable for the general public to find out? Besides, the Chairman had been out to the hunter's association sometime earlier and was only scheduled to arrive back at the academy, a little before mid-night struck. So now, is there really a problem for me to send Takuma out to visit the Chairman, at mid-night?"
Kaname Kuran spoke up elegantly from behind, saving his childhood friend from the elder vampire's questioning session. Ichijo Asato turned towards his direction regally, and bowed to his presence. His friend, meanwhile, shot him a grateful look discreetly while heaving a sigh of relief. Nodding towards both vampires, Kaname Kuran addressed his friend - this time around.
"Takuma, sorry to bother you this early in the morning but it seems like we are having quite a bit of plumbing and piping problem in our kitchens ... would you mind heading over to the Chairman, and get him to engage some skillful technicians in such fields to check things out? Preferably, making the appointment to be in the evening so as to save the poor technicians from interacting much with the night-class members. "
Grateful to have an excuse to get himself away from his grand-father for the time-being, Takuma seized the chance and opportunity to flee from the walls of the Moon Dormitory as though it was his only chance at survival. Choosing to ignore the fact that the sun-light out there would probably make him feel somewhat uncomfortable, Takuma hurried past his grand-father and his pureblood friend as he walked briskly towards the direction of the door.
Akane had been in the midst of preparing breakfast when Takuma barged into the Chairman's living quarters, unannounced. Unsurprisingly, that ended up with the veteran hunter reacting promptly to his hunter's sense and was now holding the former at gun-point.
"I apologized for the lack of warning in advance, but Yagari-san ... I would appreciate very much if you could lowered your gun for the moment. " Takuma Ichijo said, as he directed his words at the veteran hunter.
"Oh ... Takuma-kun ... what brings you over this early in time? Zero's still in school, you know? " The Chairman broke in, interrupting the tense atmosphere as he forcefully made Yagari lowered the gun that had been fixed upon the figure of the blond vampire, previously.
"Ah ... I know ... I'm not here to see Kiryuu ... I'm here to check on the twins ... " Takuma said, hesitantly and uncomfortably as he fidgeted under the curious gazes of the room's occupants.
"... Liar ... Just admit it that you are fleeing from your grand-father, because you had no idea how to "handle" his questionings ... " This coming from Akane, whom had figured out his thoughts with just a mere look towards his direction.
"..." Takuma sighed inwardly, seems like nothing about him would be able to escape from his future cousin's keen observations.
"Akane, I'm not going to start if I were you ... Since, you escaped from his presence as well ... Like me, you're just as guilty ... " Takuma shot back at the girl, in defense.
"... Fine, we were both cowards ... Good enough for you? Anyway, stop standing there and staring at the pancakes like an idiot - will you? If you want to join us for breakfast, then please do take a seat at the table ... or do you need me to escort you to the table, myself? " Akane retorted, as she bring out another new stack of freshly made pancakes from the kitchen and sets them down on the dining table.
"Come on, Uncle Takuma ... Don't just stand around and watched, do join us! " Akira Kuran said as he started to drag the stupefied vampire towards the direction of the dining table. The boy had just came out from the washroom after washing his hands, and was ready to attack his own portion of breakfast.
"Oh ... thanks ..." Takuma murmured, automatically as a new plate of pancakes was being placed in front of him for his consumption by the sandy-brown haired girl.
"... You're welcome ... " Akane responded, before settling down for breakfast herself but not before she poured the younger twin a glass of milk to go along with the pancakes.
"Where's Subaru? " Takuma found himself asking, when he noticed the other boy's absence.
"Sleeping ... and probably would not be waking until noon ... "
"Then why's Akira ... "
"... No idea, go ask him yourself ... he's next to you, isn't he? "
"Simple, I wake early because I'm hungry ... for food ... I meant ..." The boy added, when he noticed the guarded look on the veteran hunter's face as the former turned wary eyes upon him.
"While we're on the subject of food ... How often does the blood lust occurs for the two of you? " Takuma asked, and blanched visibly when he realized that all eyes were now centered upon him.
"... Takuma, sometimes ... curiosity kills the cat ... but well, I don't think Akira would mind revealing, would he? "
Akira Kuran blinked, before responding with a nonchalant expression on his features. "Seldom, unless we had been injured ... or something happened that triggered our natural desires for blood ... Otherwise, the thirst for blood would never occurred. After all, pureblood can controlled their lust for blood better ... at least, I think that's what Father had told us, when we were younger ... "
"What about the time when they've just been born? " Takuma asked, knowing for a fact that when a vampire child had just being birth - they would need to have their first taste of blood.
"... That I have no idea, ask Akane ... She was there ... " Akira responded, as he threw the question that Takuma had asked, towards his elder sibling.
"I think Zero fed them his blood ... or was it Kaname's blood? I have no idea ... but it was a one-time thing. After that, the twins were given fresh milk on daily basis, made from milk formula ... with blood tablets mixed and present in th milk bottles. " Akane responded, before throwing her cousin a look of annoyance for his stupid questions that was being asked.
Takuma was about to ask another question, when Akane cuts in forcefully and said. "Takuma, enough ... I'm going to tell Kaname about what you've been poking your nose into, if I hear another stupid and pointless question from you ... If you are indeed so curious about how the life of being a vampire baby or child is like, then perhaps you can go and try to make one for yourself? I certainly would not mind to have your eldest child being born ... fifty years in advance ... "
With that, Takuma fell silent. It was obvious that his cousin was starting to get irritated by his questions, for it was starting to get a little 'private'. That much, he agreed. He doubt, Kaname would appreciate having him knowing all these details in advance, or before the pureblood himself had been informed of such information.
"Alright, one last question ... Who's my future wife? " Takuma asked, and Akane nearly choked on her sip of orange juice.
" ... Please tell me that you are not really considering the idea of making babies ... fifty years in advance ... I was joking earlier, when I told you to experiment on the concept ... "
Takuma threw his cousin a look of amusement, before responding. "No ... I'm just curious about my future's spouse identity ... Do I know her? "
"... Yes and No ... "
"What kind of response was that?! "
"Meaning ... You've seen her, but you don't know her - yet. At least, you don't know her on a personal basis ... " Akane elaborated on her response, inwardly hoping that Takuma would not be pressing her for his future spouse' name - just yet.
"In other words, I know her at least by her name - by this point of time? "
"You can say so ... but I'm not going to reveal anything else to you ... Good luck in searching for that particular woman in your life ... " Akane responded, throwing her cousin a sly look before disappearing into the kitchen and hide herself away from the prying eyes of the said vampire.
---
Once Akane had safely retreated to the kitchen, the girl let out a sigh audibly. It seems like she had once again, changes things in the past. Though, such changes were insignificant in life but she knew they would still have some sort of impact on the future where she had came from. For a while, she wondered about the possibility of having her parents' coming back to life in the future - before she shakes her head to rid herself of such wishful thoughts.
That would never happened, although the official records had stated that her family had been killed and slaughtered brutally by the hunter's association but she had a feeling that things were not as simple as the paper documents had made it out to be. She was never present at the site where her parents' had been killed, because Zero had picked her up from her family associate's house as soon as information of her parents' demise had been leaked to the public.
For a period of time, she had actually suspected that her parents' death had something to do with the 'Fujiwara' clan but she knew now that that would never have happen. The 'Fujiwara' had disowned her mother, as soon as they discovered her mother had associated herself with a vampire.
By disowning her mother, the 'Fujiwara' was making it clear to both the hunter's association and the Vampire Council that their relations had been cut off from one another, entirely. Therefore, protecting their own 'backsides' in the process as the sayings goes. In other words, it was indicating to both parties that the clan would not be held responsible for any possible harm that might happened to the said person, in the near future.
The position of the 'Fujiwara' clan in their society had always been rather peculiar. They were unique in a sense, never really belonged to the circle of the hunters' nor were they considered to be part of the vampires' socializing group. The vampires' heritage that was hidden in them makes it hard for the hunters' to fully accept them as one of their own, and the same to go for the vampires'. The clan's ability to use hunters' charms and skills makes it generally hard for the vampires' to trust them, whole-heartedly as well.
Therefore, their open declaration of disowning her mother whom was a certified and a qualified hunter in the fields of vampires' hunting when she had gotten herself involved with a fellow vampire from a noble blood-line, was important. To the hunters' association, the 'Fujiwara' clan was making it perfectly clear that they would never sided with the vampires of that particular blood-line if the members of that noble lineage had done anything bad to the hunters'.
At the same time, it also let the members of the Vampire Council to be aware that whatever actions which the hunter's association had choose to take in response to the said situation would have absolutely nothing to do with them. Thus, ensuring that their 'backsides' would be fully covered and that the Vampire Council would never have a chance to pursuit them if anything untoward were to really happen with the members of that particular lineage.
Despite the fact that both the Hunters' Association and the Vampires' Council had never been on good terms with one another, but ironically both parties would not be able to 'survive' in the society without the other. The association was in charge of eliminating any vampires, usually 'Level E' and occasionally, others as well that would be considered as a danger to the general public.
The Vampire Council, on the other hand, would be in charge of keeping track of the numbers of 'Level D' and analyzed the possibility of such vampires falling to the 'end'. Once these vampires had fallen or had shown signs of 'falling', the hunters would be called in to 'dispose' of them.
That was a practice that had yet to be started and carried out at this point of time, but would eventually take place. For that was one of the pacifism campaign started out and put into execution by Kaname Kuran, himself. Of course, that would not have been made possible if it were not for the fact that Zero Kiryuu, the favorite student of the veteran hunter - Yagari Touga had supported the idea, whole-heartedly. Topping it off, the grand-son of the previous 'Head' of the Vampire Council - Takuma Ichijo had expressed his agreement to the idea as well. The suggestion was accepted and gradually put on a probation period of ten years.
During the ten years of probation period, Zero Kiryuu had personally made an effort in attending each and every meetings that was held between the association and the council. For the first few years, Kaname Kuran had attended those meetings as well just to show everyone whom were present at the meeting that Zero's words carried as much authority, as his own. For the silver-haired hunter was one of the few people whom he was willing to trust, whole-heartedly in the world and without reserves too.
Anyway, with that kind of pacifism campaign and scheme going on ... Akane simply cannot think of any possible reason for the hunter's association to be wanting to kill off her family, or rather her parents' - just like that! So the question now remained whom was the culprit that was responsible for her family's demise?
Seeing as Akane had no idea herself, how could she possibly attempted to do something that could have prevented the whole situation from happening altogether? Well, she could have tried by telling and relaying as much information which she does have on hand in relations to the event leading up to her family's demise to both Takuma and Zero, hoping that there might be some chance of preventing her family's tragedy from happening. Still, she doubted it would have change anything.
For a couple of reasons, actually. First and foremost, Takuma and Zero were both on good terms with her family before the tragedy event took place. Therefore, when the situation had first occurred - they had both tried their best to sort things out, hoping that the culprit whom was hiding behind the scene and manipulating the situation could be found. However, nothing from their investigations had turned up useful.
Secondly, the decision to 'attack' her family must have been a secret operation for she knew - if not, Zero would have known and put a stop to it, before it could even be carried out. Seeing as Zero had been on the hunters' association's committee during the period of time, when the tragical event took place.
Letting out another sigh in response to all the thoughts floating about in her mind, Akane forced herself to come back into the land of 'living' and started to clean up the dishes that had been abandoned in the kitchen's sink instead. No point dwelling on something that had yet to occur, or was bound to happen in another time.
---
If Zero had been surprised by the appearance of Takuma Ichijo joining them for dinner upon his return from the school, he did not showed it. In fact, Zero had basically sucked it up and get down to work in the kitchen. He had, after all, promised the twins to cook them his specialty - 'Omelette Rice' upon his return from the day's classes.
For Takuma Ichijo, the former had never planned on staying around for dinner. After all, his initial motive for coming over to hang out with the twins and Akane was to hide himself away from his grand-father's keen observant eyes. The fact that he get a chance to taste the silver-haired hunter's cooking before his pureblood friend does, was just a bonus. Although, he had a feeling that his friend would be somewhat irritated and irked by the fact if the information reaches the pureblood, later on in time.
"Alright, here you go ... " Zero said as he placed last plate of the 'Omelette Rice' in front of Akira, whom had 'requested' for a second serving.
"Yummy! Thanks Daddy! " Akira beamed up at his younger parent, as he dug into his second serving of the day's dinner.
Subaru, meanwhile, whom had only just woken a couple of hours before rolled his eyes at his brother's enthusiasm. Not that he had a problem with having 'Omelette Rice' for a meal, since that was one of his Daddy's specialty dish. In fact, it was the first home-cooked dish that his Dad had made for his Father; when the duo had first started to develop their feelings for one another. At least, that was what his Dad had told him during one of those reminiscence moments which the silver-haired hunter had a tendency to slip into.
Still, Subaru would have preferred having something lighter, such as 'Chicken Porridge' to start off the day instead of the 'Omelette Rice' which his younger sibling had taken an immense liking towards; and would never mind to be served with the said dish for each and every meal that was to be taken in a day.
"Subaru, what's wrong? Is the food not to your liking? " Zero had asked, upon noticing the lack of reaction from his elder son.
The silver-haired child shakes his head, as he responded. "No ... its' not that ... It's just that I wasn't that hungry ... Unlike Akira, I've only just waken up from my sleep. I would have preferred something like 'porridge' that was more common in the breakfast menu, rather than 'Omelette Rice'. Since, I believed that particular dish to be served mostly during lunch or dinner ... "
"Oh ... I guess, it kind of slipped from my mind ... Well, anyway ... It's alright, I think Akane did saved you some of the pancakes from earlier right? Go and have those instead, we'll keep your untouched portion of the 'Omelette Rice' for later. " Zero responded, looking somewhat disturbed by the notion that he had failed to take into consideration of Subaru's preferences menu and instead, had merely just gone along with Akira's suggestions.
"... Sorry Dad ... I didn't mean to disappoint you by not eating what you've cooked specially for us ... but I really can't stomach that much food ... right now but I promised that I'll finished it later, probably during lunch hours ... if you would packed it in a lunch box and let me bring it back to the Moon Dormitory ... tonight. " Subaru said, upon sighting the look of disappointment on his younger parent's features.
"Yeah, I can get the maids to heat it up for Subaru later ... and I'm sure that it would not be a bother, seeing as vampires like ourselves kept a nocturnal schedule. " Takuma interjected, upon sighting the look of 'guilt' on the younger boy's features and the look of hesitance on the guardian's face.
"Alright then ... " Zero finally relented, as he sighed and gave the guilty boy a gentle pat on the head. "It's alright, Subaru ... Daddy's not mad at you ... I'm just annoyed at myself for not consulting your opinions on the menu, and instead just went along with Akira's request - assuming that you would be fine with it. Nonetheless, Daddy promised you now that next time, I'll keep it in mind to consult you on your opinions for the menu before proceeding on with it, okay?! "
Subaru nodded, the guilt slightly lessen but still appeared to be in turmoil for causing such inconvenience for his Daddy. To which, Zero sighed inwardly as he pulled the boy in for a hug of comfort and whispered soothing words of assurance.
Akane, whom had been observing the sight for quite some time now sighed inwardly at the scene enfolding in front of her very eyes. Sometimes, she really had no idea what to say in response to Subaru's characteristics and personality. At times, the boy was so confident of his every words and actions; mimicking his 'Father' to the extent of every details. Yet, at other times, the boy was so insecure and hesitant that he reminded her painfully of his other parent, Kiryuu Zero.
Akira, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. Most of the time, the younger boy would purposely goes around acting like a clown serving the purpose to cheer up each and everyone in the household. At other times, the boy was just behaving in a 'happy-go-lucky' attitude that reminded her of her own cousin, Takuma Ichijo. Occasionally, the boy would reminded her of Shiki Senri with the 'couldn't care less' attitude; and sometimes the boy's rare display of empathy would remind her of Kiryuu Zero. However, when the boy was enraged and pissed off beyond reasoning - he would reminded her painfully of the pureblood prince, Kaname Kuran.
'Bi-polar' - that was the word Akane would used to describe the twins, whenever someone asked her about them. How the twins had managed to develop a personality and characteristics that was completely opposite to one another, Akane had no idea of knowing. It might be the due to the environment factors, or it could be something else. All in all, the twins could be both similar and yet different at most, if not all of the time.
A quick glance at the clock in the Chairman's dining room, told Akane that it was now promptly six on the dot and that Kaname was expecting her to report to his 'study' for her punishment of insolence - anytime now. Dragging off an unwilling Takuma Ichijo in the process, Akane excused themselves from the group's companionship and said.
"We've got to leave now ... or Kaname-sama would have our heads on a silver platter. We are late for a meeting, with him - already. Boys' please do help Zero with the cleaning up process, and Zero ... do send the twins back later, personally. Lest, they wandered off by themselves again. Well, maybe not Subaru ... but I know Akira had a tendency to 'explore' the school unescorted. " Akane said, without turning to look at the trio.
To which, Akira pouted unhappily at Akane's words when he realized that both the eyes of his twin sibling and his younger parent, were now centered on him.
~ to be continued~
Date started: 16/05/09
Date completed: 19/05/09
Date edited: 19/05/09