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: So Zero and Kaname finally got some show XD Akane finally broke down as well ... but well, at least her life is easier now ... until Ichiru and Shizuka came and complicate things further. With the past altered, the future will definitely be changed ... Anyway, without further ado ... please enjoy!
In this chapter, Zero skipped out on his guardian's duty for a whole week not knowing how to face Kaname after what had taken place between them earlier. Things were tentative within the walls of the night-dormitory as well, as Akane kept more to herself, not speaking up unless absolutely necessary for she feared that she would risk altering the past more than what had already been changed.
---
Chapter 14 - Zero's Dilemma & Kaname's Decision
"How's Akane?" Shiki asked, when Takuma returned to their shared room within the dormitory.
Takuma Ichijo nearly jumped in fright upon the sound of his room-mate's room, he had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he failed to realize that Shiki was back from his trip to town.
"She's still a little distressed, but had calmed down gradually from before ... I managed to coax her to bed, and I certainly hoped that sleeping will help to calm her. Anyway, when did you came back and how did you know something had happened? "
Shiki Senri shrugged, before responding to his friend's question. "I've been back for quite some time already, as for what happened before ... Rima told me some details, and I saw how you led her away from the lounge ... "
"I see ... " Takuma responded, before slumping down on the sofa couch in his room wearily.
Realizing that his room mate was not about to reveal anything more, Shiki did not bothered to press on the issue further. After all, it had nothing to do with him and unlike Aidou, he was not a busybody whom enjoyed poking his nose into other people businesses.
Meanwhile, a certain silver-haired guardian had hidden himself in his room ever since he returned from the Moon Dormitory, both from confusion and embarrassment. Zero had no idea what exactly had transpired between Kaname Kuran and himself, all he had been aware of was the fact that the former had started kissing him in fury. However, his question now was what had been the reason behind the pureblood's actions?
The last time the pureblood had reacted this strangely was when Akane force-fed him ... and the sheer remembrance of that memory was enough to cue the silver-haired guardian in on the possible reason of why the pureblood had reacted in this particular manner.
Jealousy ... it must have been jealousy that spurs the pureblood into kissing him, if he had been puzzled before - he was definitely certain now. Twice, the pureblood had reacted agitatedly and strangely in his opinion; and had shown possessiveness towards him. Both events had transpired directly after his lips was claimed by another, first by Akane, and now by Ichijo.
"... " Zero was at a loss of speech now, his mind was reeling from the sheer notion of the pureblood being jealous. He cannot comprehend why the pureblood had been jealous in the first place, after all, wasn't it Yuuki whom the pureblood was in love with? Then why and what happened that resulted in the sudden possessiveness in the pureblood towards his affairs?
Just then, the sudden image of Akira and Subaru came popping into his mind and send him into yet another emotional turmoil. Right, the twins ... and he had forgotten about taking them into consideration. Was there the possibility of the pureblood being jealous, because of the former's budding feelings for him? After all, with the twins' around - the possibility of that idea was not entirely negative, was it?
Moreover, Kuran seemed to love the idea of having the twins around ... isn't that so? In order to have the twins at a later stage of time, then it would be inevitable for them to bed one another in future ... and certainly, to do so there must have been some forms of feelings between them, right? If not the feeling of 'love', then at the very least, there must have been some 'lust' between them. Isn't that right?
Yes, that must be it ... since the idea of them having love for one another was downright impossible for the silver-haired guardian to comprehend, he was going to stick by the idea of them lusting after one another in time. As for what had happened between Kuran and himself, earlier on in time - Zero was going to classify them all under the notion that the possessive streak of the pureblood towards him had somehow been awaken by the sheer future possibility of the twins' existence.
While Zero Kiryuu was back in his room, coming to his own conclusion on the event that had transpired before. Kaname Kuran, was doing the same thing in his private study. Unlike Zero whom had decided to cast his previous actions off as a sign of possessiveness that was triggered off by the possibility of their future relationship with one another and partly due to the twins' existence as well. Kaname Kuran, had decided to classify them under the category of his blossoming and undeniable attraction towards the younger man.
A talk between them would be in order, that much, Kaname was affirmed. He was not going to give the silver-haired hunter a chance to brush aside what had transpired between them earlier on, as a mere incident. The pureblood was adamant to talk things over with the ex-human, for he certainly could not pretend that their 'kiss' had never happened. He had, after all, been the one whom instigated the kiss between them and unlike the former, he was not in denial of his feelings for the said hunter.
His denial was now mostly centered on Yuuki, for he had yet to figure out what to do with the said girl. Since it was obvious that his feelings towards the silver-haired hunter had now overtake his initial desire to claim Yuuki for himself. Nonetheless, he would give it a few days before confronting the male guardian on the issue of their 'kiss'. For he believed, the former would need some time to sort things out and he, himself needed some time to come up with some sort of contingency plans since his initial plan to make use of Zero as a knight to Yuuki would never work out the way he had anticipated, now.
---
The first day when Zero had skipped out on his guardian's duty, leaving Yuuki alone to deal with the crowd of fan-girls; Kaname Kuran had not been surprised. He figured the former must have been too embarrassed to see him just yet, so he let the matter off easily without pursuit. Besides, Zero had been thoughtful enough to get Akane to cover up for his absence. Though, the girl had not looked at anyone at all and when the fan-girls gets a little too hyper; Akane had took a page out of the silver-haired guardian, and merely froze them with an icy glare of hers'.
The second and third days that passes them by, were quite a similar affair to the first day. Except for the fact that Akane looked more annoyed with each passing seconds, and more than once the rowdy fan-girls ended up being 'glare' to 'death' by the annoyed girl. By the fourth day that Zero was absent from the guardian's duty, Akane had made herself unavailable during the class change-over time as well. Therefore, it was up to Yuuki Cross alone to handle the crowd which inevitably resulted in causing the vampires of the night-class with sensitive hearing to wince each time they heard the girl blowing hard into her whistle.
By the sixth day, Aidou was on the verge for begging Akane to resume duty of the guardian or at least, get Zero back to do his job. Still, the blond managed to hold his tongue in the girl's presence for he knew the girl was still annoyed at him for his previous acts that resulted in the fall-out between their Vice-President and their pureblood leader.
Ever since that evening whereby Kaname had sought out Takuma alone for a private meeting in the lounge, there had been some tension between the duo. What exactly had happened between them, the nobles had no idea but they knew it must have something to do with the silver-haired guardian, and Akane. While the two figures of authority within the Moon Dormitory had not been glaring at one another, their lack of conversation in public unless absolutely necessary had given the nobles within the night-class enough hints to detect a fall-out between the two friends.
The feeling of displeasure that lurks within the two vampires duo must have been rather obvious, in order to warn the twins off from creating any troubles within the dormitory building. Instead of being up to mischief like they usually do, the twins were oddly subdued these few days. Even Akira, dare not make any smart-Alec comments in front of the nobles' presences which the boy usually did without caring for the consequences that might follows.
By the seventh day, exactly a week from that bathroom disaster that resulted in the final outcome of Zero being force-kiss by Kaname Kuran, himself and Akane suffered from a severe nervous breakdown. Everything started to change. Takuma whom had had enough of the depressing mood that Akane was constantly displaying in public, or at least within the walls of the Moon Dormitory decided to bring the girl out to town as an attempt to cheer the former up. And so, he sets his plan into actions.
Promptly at two in the afternoon, whereby school had just let out for the day-class students. Akane and Yuuki had just stepped out from their classroom only to find themselves being ascorted by the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory. Though curious as to why the former was out so early, Yuuki had no chance to voice her doubts aloud before she found herself being left behind, and completely alone.
Akane was no longer in sight, and it was obvious that the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory had dragged the girl off somewhere else without any warning in advance. Seeing as Takuma Ichijo was a member of the night-class, and his unusual presence within the school building before the time for the class change-over arrived had managed to stir up some trouble and sets the whole school off into a gossiping mood.
Like everyone else, Yuuki reacted in the complete similar motion too. Only she was not the one whom started the gossips and instead, was the one whom keep her ears open to listen out for any juicy details from those gossips and rumors that now was now spreading across the school like a virus of influenza. There were quite a few versions going around, some says Akane must have done something that pissed the night-class members and thus, Takuma being a 'knight in shining armor' had decided to come and help the girl out by rescuing her.
Some would claimed that those two were dating, and they have seen the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory constantly sneaking glances at the girl whenever it was time for the class change-over. Others would says that those two were in a midst of a lovers' quarrel and one of them chip in and commented that he had seen them arguing on the tennis court, a few weeks in prior. The most ridiculous and extreme rumor that spread around the school was that the two were planning to elope from the school, because their family had disagreed to their romance with one another.
"I wonder what's the fuss about ... " The sudden soft voice of Yuuki's best friend, Wakaba Sayori spoke up from behind.
"Ah ... Yori-chan, that's because Ichijo-senpai had just came by and 'kidnap' Akane ... The school population were trying to come up with a plausible explanation to that event ... " Yuuki explained, as her friend approached her and fell into steps beside her.
"... I see ... " Sayori responded, making a knowing sound as she did so.
"... " Yuuki fell silent as she started observing her friend from the corner of her eyes, Sayori had always been odd among the day-class girls. Unlike the majority of them that idolized the members of the night-class, Sayori would not even bat an eyelid even if Aidou Hanabusa, whom was normally known as the 'Idol-senpai' of the day-class students passes by her, on the corridor.
Yuuki had tried asking the girl once in prior, and Sayori's response had caught her off-guard. The former had said, there was something about the aura of the night-class members that gave her the 'creeps'. Yuuki had nearly jumped up in fright when her friend told her that, and for a while she had actually thought that her friend knew that the night-class members were all vampires. Shaking her head to rid herself of such an old-time memory, Yuuki turned towards Sayori and excused herself politely for she needed to locate Zero and 'lecture' the former for skipping out on his guardian's duty for the past week.
Sayori nodded, as she watched Yuuki skipped off happily down the hall-way. With an inward sigh, Sayori continued on her way towards the direction of the science laboratory. She had left something behind in the laboratory during the earlier science period, and she had every intention to retrieve it before the night-class members came in for their classes. She knew the majority of them would be in the science laboratory working on their projects, which she had no intention of finding out what that is.
Kaname Kuran, on the other hand, decided to go in search for a certain silver-haired hunter as well. For he decided that the former had hide himself away from the public long enough, already.
---
It was four in the early hours of the evening when Kaname Kuran finally located the said hunter in the stables. He had seen Yuuki emerging from the direction where the stables were built, so he figured the silver-haired hunter was more or less hiding himself in there. Indeed, when Kaname arrived at the stables he found himself staring at the sight of the silver-haired guardian pacing to and fro, within.
The former was obviously pre-occupied with something else on his mind, else there would be no chance of the hunter not realizing his presence since he had not bothered with the idea of masking up his aura, despite knowing the fact that Zero would most likely try to flee if his approach had been sensed.
"Don't fret yourself over nothing ... Takuma's relationship with Akane was nothing like what you've thought it out to be. " Kaname's voice that rang out from behind, startled Zero so badly that he nearly tripped and fell over nothing.
The silver-haired hunter froze, his body stance turning rigid as his hunter's senses alerted him of the pureblood's presence in close distance. 'Damn' was the only thought in Zero's mind, for he knew there would be no chance of him escaping from the pureblood's keen sight of sense now that they were practically standing side by side.
Forcing himself to calm down, Zero shifted his glance towards the pureblood as he attempted to steer his train of thoughts away from their previous 'kiss', and instead concentrated on the issue of Akane and Ichijo Takuma.
"What exactly do you mean by that? " Zero question, referring to what the pureblood had said, previously.
"I meant exactly what I've said before, Takuma's relationship with Akane was not one that deals with the prospect of romance. Instead, their relationship with one another was entirely pure and untainted. Kinship was the ultimate reason behind their close relations to one another, those two are cousins related and tied by the common blood that runs through their veins. " Kaname responded, his tone calm.
For a while, Zero looked at the pureblood as though the former was insane. How could Akane be related to Takuma Ichijo in that sense? After all, they were a century apart from one another in terms of age. However, upon closer inspection he noticed that Kaname Kuran was indeed serious about what had been revealed to him.
A frown marred his features as he tried blatantly to re-organize his thoughts, trying to make sense out of the whole situation. First and foremost, he thought back on his mother's side of the family trying to see if there had been any members whom had been disowned over the past decades or so by fraternizing with any members of the Ichijo clan. Unfortunately, there had been none.
Next, Zero tried to recall any possible hints that Akane might have dropped to him in the midst while he inquired on the girl's family relations. Yet, his mind drew a blank as well for he suddenly came to the realization that whatever Akane had told him, it involved only the 'Fujiwara' side of her heritage. There had been nothing that deals with the paternal side of Akane's parentage.
"... But how? ..." Zero found himself asking aloud, not really expecting an answer but still he was given one by the pureblood next to him, whether he wants them or not.
"By asking 'How' - do you mean how the two of them could be related to one another in that sense despite their obvious age difference, or how it could have happened? "
"I don't know ... maybe, both?! " Zero responded, a little too agitatedly as he was overwhelm by the information which he had just received from the pureblood.
Kaname was silent, as he hesitated slightly over the idea of divulging what he knew to the fellow guardian. However, it was obvious that if Zero did not received any form of response from him, the former would eventually approaches Akane and Takuma for answers, at another point of time. If that were to happen, things would bound to get ugly and the whole situation would spin out of control.
After all, Akane would not be able to handle speaking of her father's heritage and her undeniable blood relations to the Ichijo without losing her temper. Takuma, on the other hand, was no doubt reluctant to let that particular information be known either. For it would not only put a mark of blemish on the former's well-respected grand-father's reputation, but also high-lighted the fact that just how vicious Ichijo Asato could be, in reality.
It was stressful enough for his friend to be trapped in the middle when it comes down to Ichijo Asato and his obvious disagreements in their political views of their society, and further more there was the fact that his friend had supported his opinion, more so than Asato's. That had irked the prominent figure of Ichijo Asato greatly, and thus resulting in his friend's constantly being lectured and 'penalized' by the elder Ichijo during school break.
"I can't tell you much without giving away too much of their privacy ... but, I believe you had a right to know so I am going to let you in on that information. However, I would very much appreciated if you could kept the knowledge to yourself and not to seek them out for any forms of clarification. I'll have you known, Akane do not like to share that bit of information with anyone. She broke down literally after I attempted to get down to the bottom of her relationship with Takuma ... and up until now, Takuma had not been speaking to me unless it was absolutely necessary for us to converse. So do I have your cooperation on the subject? " Kaname started, sounding absolutely solemn and serious as he addressed the silver-haired hunter.
Zero had nodded in response to Kaname Kuran's words, before he could stop himself. To which, Kaname nodded in satisfaction before filling the silver-haired guardian in on exactly what had happened to result in the outcome of Akane being cousin with Takuma, whom was at least a century older than herself.
Zero had started out listening in peace, before the peace gave way to rage. The sheer idea of killing the elder Ichijo had crossed his mind briefly because he forced it down and away, keeping the idea at bay. Though, he was angry about what Ichijo Asato had done, he was not suicidal either. Since he was more than affirmed that rather than his killing Ichijo Asato, there's a more likely chance of him being killed off by the former. Moreover the logic that was in him, kept on reminding him that killing the said vampire off would not change things for Akane either. Since, what had already happened cannot be undone.
With a sigh, the silver-haired hunter turned away from the pureblood just as Kaname was done with his explanation of the whole situation. Kaname said nothing, for he knew the fellow ex-human would need some time to re-gather himself together after hearing such disturbing information.
---
Deciding that he had had enough of the silence that hungs between them, Kaname spoke up once again. This time around, he had every intention of making his desire for the silver-haired hunter be known.
"Zero ... can we talk? "
"... Aren't we talking before? " The silver-haired guardian shot back in annoyance.
"Yes, but I meant to discuss what happened between us ...last week. " Kaname started, to have Zero cutting him off.
"There's no need for us to discuss that, because nothing ever happened! " Zero's voice was tight, and controlled trying to sound as though nothing had happened between them. However, his face says things differently for he was now blushing furiously.
"... Zero, please hear me out - will you?! "
The silver-haired hunter tensed, before responding. "Why?! Why should I listen to what you've to say in response to what happened between us last week?! Isn't it enough for you that I'm just going to pretend that nothing had happened, and that I'm just going to ignore the fact that you've kissed me ! And while we're on the subject, why are you calling me by my given name?!"
At that, Kaname frowned as he questioned. "Why are you brushing aside what we shared earlier on in the week, as though its' nothing? As for my using your given name, I thought it's more appropriate considered what we had already shared between us, before ..."
By then, Zero had whirl around so that he was facing the pureblood as he responded in sheer exasperation. "Why?! You just have to ask me that - didn't you?! Wasn't that what you want from me, anyway?! That what happened between us was ... a fluke! An accident ... You didn't mean for it to happen at all, and you had trouble explaining why or how it had happened! Isn't it?! "
"... True, I agreed that what had happened between us that day was not exactly what I've in mind ... " Kaname started, but added as an afterthought when he noticed the 'See, I told you' look on the silver-haired hunter.
"Still, I hadn't wanted you to brush it aside and treat it as though nothing had happened between us ... because the kiss does not meant nothing to me! In fact, its' quite the opposite! "
Zero let out a snort and muttered something like 'As though I'll believe that' under his breath, and that caused the pureblood to let out a growl of exasperation as he responded.
"Zero, please! Believe me when I said that the kiss does means something to me - alright?! "
Zero clenched his fists by his sides, part of him wanted so much to believe the pureblood's words and yet another part of him was still wary of what the pureblood was telling him. Frustrated with the whole situation, Zero snapped at the pureblood.
"How do you expect me to believe you that our kiss had meant something to you ... when it's so obvious that you love Yuuki! Even if our kiss did meant something to you, I'll bet that its' only your sudden desire to lust after me, that spurs that idea on!"
Kaname fought to keep his own temper from lashing out, as he responded to the irate guardian's words. "Don't you dare to tell me off for loving Yuuki! I'm certain that deep within your heart, you love her as well! "
"That's different! I love her as a sister ... !" Zero retaliate, sounding irritated that the pureblood had dragged him into the topic of loving Yuuki as well.
"... There you said it! If you can love Yuuki like a sister, so why can't I do the same too?! " Kaname argued, as he contemplated on the idea of letting the silver-haired guardian in on his actual relationship with Yuuki.
Zero snorted again, before responding. "Honestly, you expect me to believe that? Somehow your past actions and behaviors around Yuuki failed to convince me ... because they seemed a little too affectionate to be classify under the category of 'brotherly love'. "
"Damn it! Yuuki's my blood sister, and I think my actions around her in the past are justified because we've been meant to marry one another since young! " Kaname cursed aloud, as he dropped the truth behind his relationship with Yuuki above the head of the silver-haired guardian like a bombshell and expect the former to suck it up, with stride.
"... What?! How?! " Zero started, gaping as words failed him yet again for the second time that evening.
"... Was that the only thing you are capable of saying now? Anyway, I can't explain them to you ... at least, not now ... but would you please believe what I've said just now? " Kaname responded, sounding absolutely weary of the whole situation. Zero stared wordlessly at him for quite some time, and Kaname found himself holding his breath as he awaited for former's response. Eventually, a sigh of relief escaped from him as the silver-haired guardian gave him a tentative nod in response.
"Thank you ... Zero ... I really appreciate it, and please ... keep what you've just learn from me, away from Yuuki's knowledge ... I don't want her to know or remember yet. "
"... Fine, but don't you dare to think that I'll follow your words or commands blindly like the rest of them in the night-class! " Zero Kiryuu warned, his tone gruff as he addressed the pureblood standing awfully close to him now.
"I know, and I wouldn't dream of it happening ... anyway ... " Kaname whispered, as he took another step closer to the younger man and pulled the former in for a hug. He felt the hunter tensed slightly under his touch, before relaxing in his embrace.
The thought of kissing Zero did crossed his mind, but Kaname decided against it for the time-being. Figuring that Zero was probably still uncomfortable with the idea of them being in such close proximity. They continued on in that position until several minutes later, when they heard the school bell ringing out from the main school building.
"Come on, we'd better go ... its' time for the class change-over already. I doubt Yuuki would enjoy handling the crowd alone, today ... " Kaname suggested, as he pulled himself away from the silver-haired hunter, with his typical cool mask of indifference back on.
Zero too, took a few minutes to re-gather his wits before schooling his features into one of annoyance as he stalked off in the lead, leaving behind the pureblood to follow in his wake.
~to be continued~
Date started: 20/05/09
Date completed: 23/05/09
Date edited: 23/05/09