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: In this chapter, the first half consists of the night-class coming back to school and the second half on Takuma Ichijo's experience back home. The twins are back in this chapter and I swear this is yet another challenge for me to write…
Chapter 30 – In which the new term starts…
Three weeks of vacation period come and go easily enough, while the majority of the day-class students had complained about not having enough fun yet. The night-class was entirely another matter altogether. Reason being – the atmosphere that hung around their resident pureblood leader over the last week was completely weird, and tensed so much so that they had actually hoped that they were back on the academy grounds.
At least, the twins and a certain hunter would be around on campus to distract the attention of their pureblood prince and indirectly, allowed them some breathing room. Over the past week, anything that they said in the presence of the pureblood need to be watched lest they ended up irritating the already 'disturbed' leader of theirs, unintentionally.
"Welcome back!" The sound of the female guardian greeting them caused a tremendous amount of relief to flood through their senses.
Kaname watched the way the fellow nobles had behaved upon the sight of the school guardians, and sighed inwardly. He supposed he could understand the caution they had taken to develop around him over the past week, since his powers were always snapping and leaking out by it-self and probably resulted in some paranoia among his fellow friends and supporters. With an inaudible sigh, he diverted his gaze upon the familiar silver-haired figure standing guard to the side of his favorite girl of all times – Yuuki Cross.
Kiryuu Zero surveyed the area and took note of the absentees among the members of the night-class, as expected – everyone on the attendance list is present, with the exception of the Vice President Takuma Ichijo and the male model – Shiki Senri. Without even the need to turn around, he could feel those eyes belonging to a certain pureblood being centered on him.
"Yuuki, this is a gift for you… I came across it by chance, and thought it would be nice to give you this." Kaname knew Zero was purposely ignoring him, so he chooses to disregard the male guardian for the time-being and diverted his attention towards the girl instead – with a smile that he usually reserved for her.
The gift was a rose embalmed in a bottle, frozen to sustain it ever blooming state – Yuuki stared at the gift in hand as she wondered briefly how did they managed to get the rose inside the bottle without ruining it at all. The failure to get a proper response out from the female in question had Kaname raising an eyebrow up as he started.
"Yuuki, are you disappointed that it's not edible?"
"Huh…? What … No, not exactly… I just thought it exquisite …" The female guardian mumbled a quick response to it, successfully in getting a smile back in return from the pureblood prince.
"Oh…is that so?" Kaname asked, sounding bemused – last year his gift towards the girl was a few local snacks from the town he was visiting during vacation, and the girl was extremely happy back then. This year though, he chose to get Yuuki something different – but it seems like given the choice, she would still prefer to get snacks for gifts instead of something that is nice to look at, but cannot be eaten.
"Honestly… Kaname-Sempai, I'm not really that into 'food' okay?!" Yuuki protested, with a huff of annoyance in her tone of speech before she suddenly shifted her glance to an odd looking object held in her beloved sempai's other hand.
"Kaname-sempai… " Yuuki started, her eyes staring straight at that unknown object in the pureblood's hands.
Kaname Kuran followed the direction of Yuuki's stare and had to resist the urge to smile upon his eyes landing on the object held in his other hand, and then he said.
"Yuuki…this is not food either."
"…" Yuuki's mouth twitches once, then twice – before she responded with an odd expression visible on her face. "I know that isn't food…but I'm curious what exactly that is?"
"Aa… this is apparently my choice of gift for Zero-kun." Kaname smiled charmingly, as he told the two guardians and then he lifted the object held in his other hand and pushes it towards the direction of one Kiryuu Zero.
Kiryuu Zero glared at the offending item that was being held out to him by a particular pureblood vampire, the aura of extreme irritation rolling off his body in waves as his eyebrow twitches in annoyance. Of all the possible things to have gotten me, he just has to go and get me a Voodoo Doll as a gift?! Should I praise him for his unique sense of humor, or should I just blast him into oblivion?! - The silver-haired hunter thought inwardly to himself as he contemplated on his next possible response, pertaining to that so-called gift for him.
Eventually, he started to reach for that doll – only to crush the head of that voodoo doll with a smile that resembled a grimace. "I guess a word of thank you is in order then, since this particular gag gift from you was put to its ultimate use immediately." Zero stated through clenched teeth, as he continue to grab on to that doll which was now headless and seemed to be extremely creepy. After all, that voodoo doll given by the pureblood was a life-size one…
"…" The onlookers stared on at the scene taking place in front of them with silent anticipation, the nobles were flickering their gaze in between their pureblood leader and the silver-haired guardian with curiosity. They were wondering just how exactly Kiryuu Zero would react to this particular side of their pureblood leader.
"Anou… Kaname-sempai, I have something to ask you later on …" Yuuki started, cutting in between the two males – putting a stop to their 'staring' match.
"Is that so? Then perhaps, you would like to drop by the dormitory later on … but for now, I believe you have a job to do – no?" The pureblood prompted, successfully diverting Yuuki's attention back to her task at hand – which is taking the attendance of the night-class members.
"Aaah…! Hold it right there, Akatsuki-Sempai! Don't go anywhere yet… I haven't checked your attendance and scanned through the luggage contents yet!" Yuuki had all but exclaimed aloud as she dashed across the compound heading for where the said vampire was about to walk off elsewhere by himself.
"It's nice to see that she is still as energetic as always…" Kaname commented.
"What are you expecting from her, if not energetic in her performances?" The silver-haired teen shot back at the pureblood.
"So…did anything happen during the period whereby I wasn't around?" Kaname asked, again.
"That - I will let you know in a short while." Zero responded, nonchalantly.
"Oh… and what do you want to do now?" Kaname arched an eyebrow elegantly, as he voiced his question across to the male guardian.
"Now, it's time for a routine check of your belongings… I'm sure you'd heard what Yuuki told Akatsuki in prior?" Zero responded, and then proceeding to remind the pureblood about what Yuuki had exclaimed earlier towards the direction of one Akatsuki Kain.
"I see… so did I pass the inspection?" Kaname asked, directing his question towards the ex-human with mild amusement after the silver-haired teen handed his suitcase back to him.
"…Kuran, what is it with you and your tendency to annoy me in full gear today?!" Zero had all but snapped, first the voodoo doll and now asking stupid questions too?!
"Well… you did ask for a routine check of belongings to be conducted, and I obliged your request – so why don't you humor me for once?" The pureblood responded then.
"FINE! You passed the inspection – OKAY?!" The silver-haired hunter snarled as he stalked off towards the direction of the common class vampires, trying to put as much distance between the pureblood and him-self until he could get his temper to cool off and try to attempt another go at civility.
"Yuuki, I'll handle the rest of them – you go on and conduct those routine luggage checks on the nobles." Zero state in an ordering tone of voice, leaving the girl no room to raise any objections to his decisions.
He was annoyed by a certain pureblood, and would like to have the next thirty minutes or so in peace and quiet. That, however cannot be done when he was faced with the aristocrats of the night-class. The Common Class vampires though, are another case entirely – at least with this cohort of vampires, they knew enough to not go and provoke him when he was in a bad mood.
"…Kaname-sama, I know you're upset about something that happened during the vacation period. Still, there is no need for you to build your happiness on others' miseries – you know? Annoying Zero might do you some good in the areas of stress venting, but please – try not to make that a habit, I do not want to end up with a set of unhappy twins' siblings to deal with." Akane finally made her entry into the scene, as she commented on the pureblood's behavior as of current.
"Then pray tell what do you suggest for me to do then?" Kaname throw back at the sixteen years old, curious to see what his future adopted daughter has to offer.
"If you need to spar with Zero, just put your request in – I am certain that he would not turn it down. However, do bear it in mind to minimize the possibility of resulting in a bloodshed scenario – while I may have tons of useful charms on hand that could be used on a whole platoon of agitated vampires. I certainly hoped I would not be resorting to those particular measures…" Akane regarded the pureblood calmly for a few minutes, before she gave her response. After which, she proceeded over to where the silver-haired guardian stood and helped the former in the task of screening through the belongings of the common class vampires.
"Yuuki, attendances have all been taken – there are no other absentees with the exception of Ichijo and Shiki." Akane waved the clipboard she had taken the liberty to snatch out from Zero's grasp as she spoke to the girl, standing at the opposite side of her.
"Okay… noted, both Ichijo-Sempai and Shiki Sempai had already called in earlier on to inform the Chairman pertaining to their late return, so I think that's all." Yuuki mumbled to herself, as she took the chain of keys for the Moon Dormitory out from her pocket and passed it over to the awaiting pureblood.
"Neh… you'd said Shiki called in advance with regards to his late return, just now - right?" Touya Rima suddenly spoke up, addressing the adopted daughter of the school's Chairman with an uneasy look on her features.
"Eh…? Ah, yeah… he did call in – about three days ago. The Chairman's the one whom picked up the call; he said something about being needed at some film shot site or whatsoever… I'm not exactly sure." The female guardian replied, hugging the clipboard to the front of her chest as she said.
"…" Touya Rima said nothing, but judging from the frown marring her delicate features one could easily guess that something was bothering her, and it has something to do with a certain male model by the name of Shiki Senri.
"Rima…?" Akatsuki prompted, when the girl kind of zoned out on them all.
"Nothing… its' just I can't seem to establish any form of contact with Shiki…at all." The female model vampire murmured, and if it were not for the fact that Akane was standing directly beside the said female – she might have missed out on it altogether.
Takuma has being called home by Ichijo Asato… and Shiki Senri was unreachable… after his visit to the vampire council under his maternal uncle's request. Speaking of which, how did the half-dead Kuran Rido revived him-self – again? Akane found herself pondering over the absence of the two nobles, and somehow felt it in her to link it all to a certain pureblood by the name of Rido Kuran.
"Father, you're back!" The sudden sound of the twins' call jolted Akane back to reality, apparently she too, had followed suit in Rima's example and zoned out when she should not. Thankfully, she did not have the habit of thinking out loud like Yuuki did – if not … Kaname would have her head on a silver platter - that much is certain.
The topic of Rido Kuran was always considered a taboo subject in the future Kuran-Kiryuu household, it was far worst than bringing up the subject of one Shizuka Hiou and Kiryuu Ichiru.
"Yes, I'm back. How are the two of you faring today?" Kaname allowed his gaze to shift from the nobles and centered upon the twins.
"Good! We helped Daddy in preparing breakfast today!" Akira piped up immediately, as he ignored the whole lots of onlookers and instantly attached himself to the legs of the stoic pureblood – making full use of his puppy eyes, hinting at the man to pick him up.
Beside Akira, the silver-haired boy of six merely turned his attention elsewhere – centering his gaze on the lonely female lagging behind everyone's back.
"Aunt Rima?" Subaru tilted his head slightly to the side, as though trying to figure out just why exactly is the reason behind the said vampire's sadness.
"Aa… Subaru, is there anything you want from me?" Touya Rima snapped herself out from her daze-like mood as she turned her attention towards the silver-haired boy.
It was initially unnerving for her to deal with the boy, because Subaru resembled a certain silver-haired guardian with a nasty temper when being faced. Thankfully, Subaru's characteristic and personality wise were more leaning towards their pureblood leader – the only thing she had to look past was the boy's exterior outlook in general.
"…You don't happen to have Pocky on you, or do you?" Subaru found himself asking, eventually – since he had only just realized that between the two of them – there is no other common topic for discussion saved the exception of snacks treats.
Touya Rima blinked once, then twice – before she registered the boy's words and her hand reached automatically into her coat pocket. From there, she withdrew a box of unopened 'Pocky' in the flavor of the typical chocolate which Shiki had adored – passing it over to the boy with ease.
"Thank you, Aunt Rima!" Subaru smiled as he took the offered snack politely, as he expressed his gratitude.
"You're welcome…" Rima found herself smiling at the boy, despite her uneasiness over the absence of her usual partner.
Meanwhile, Akira by now had comfortably settled in his young 'Father' arms – and was enjoying every minute of it by snuggling in deep to the chest of Kaname Kuran.
Seiren observed the scene enfolding in front of her with relief, the twins has indeed proved to be a good source of distraction for the pureblood prince. At least, the pureblood had appeared to be at ease now instead of the uptight stance that he kept on during most if not all of the vacation period. The thought of the twins brought Seiren's attention towards the silver-haired hunter standing some distance away, even now the sheer idea of the twins other parent happened to be Kiryuu Zero still struck her as a shock. Nonetheless, if Kiryuu Zero is exactly what her pureblood lord had decided to take as a future life-partner – she supposed she could accept that.
"…" Zero frowned, as he felt unwavering gaze upon him – scanning the environment rapidly; he allowed his senses to guide him to where the stare had originated from. Upon the registration of the owner of those unwavering stare, Zero's first reaction was a complete bafflement. He was having trouble pin-pointing the exact reason behind those stare, since he did not exactly do anything to Kaname Kuran – right? Snapping at him was nothing out from the ordinary, and that guard of his should already know it by now right? So why the hell was he being subjected to one of those 'stare' from Seiren?!
"Zero… do you mind helping me with that suitcase of mine? As you can see, I currently have my hands full." Kaname's words draw the silver-haired guardian's attention back to reality, and immediately he snapped his eyes over to where the pureblood was.
Kaname Kuran was standing there by the side of a sakura tree with Akira nicely balanced in the arms, and is obviously looking in his direction with some form of expectation in those eyes of his. Grudgingly, Zero muttered something incoherently as he proceeded to stalk over to where the pureblood stood and make an angry grab at the suitcase that sat by the feet of the dark-haired teen.
"Come along then, unlike the likes of you – I do not have that much time on hand to spare!" Zero growled aloud, as he passes the pureblood by – the keys leading to the entrance of the Moon Dormitory had somehow found its way into the hands of the silver-haired teen.
"Young Master Takuma, we have arrived." The sound of the driver calling out his name brought the green-eyed vampire out from his thoughts.
"Thank you for the trouble you've taken to pick me up." Takuma smiled as he expressed his gratitude towards his family's chauffeur.
"Its' no trouble… in fact, the pleasure's mine to be of service to you – Sir." The response came almost instantly.
With the short exchange of words done, Takuma opened the door of the car and stepped out into the front porch of his family home. The family butler and servants are already stationed outside the front door leading to the interior of the house, obviously waiting for his return.
"Young Master Takuma, we have been expecting your arrival." The servants greeted him in unison, before the butler beckoned for one of the maids to come over and lead him to wherever his grandfather was currently at.
The Vice-President of the night-class fell into footsteps behind the maid dutifully, walking down the hallway heading for the direction of the 'Study' – he recognized.
"Master, Young Master Takuma is here." The maid knocked on the door twice, before opening up the doorway to the 'Study' as she announced to the occupant within.
"Quite a rare thing for you to have come back when I ordered you to…" Ichijo Asato turned half-way in his chair, as he regarded his grand-son still standing in the doorway.
"It would be a problem for me, if you were to pop up in the academy grounds like before – grandfather." The green-eyed vampire responded, smiling awkwardly as he did so.
"I was just checking in on the condition of Kaname-sama, and honoring my duty as his supposed guardian. Why would that be causing any trouble for you?" The elderly man responded, keeping his eyes on whatever document he was reading and not chancing a glance towards the direction of his grand-son.
"If my memory served me correctly, Kaname-sama should have already rejected your offer to remain his guardian upon his coming of age – prior to his entering the premises of the Cross Academy. Moreover, there is still the agreement between him and the council – regarding the issue of not having the council people poking their noses into the business of the Academy." Takuma felt it in him to remind his grandfather.
"I was just expressing my concern for his welfare, words has it that he was getting awfully close with the Aidou's."
"That is because they are much easier to mingle and interact with – as compared to you, my grandfather." Takuma replied, trying his hardest to reign in his underlying anger at his grand-father's attitude. No wonder, Akane finds it extremely hard to control her-self when this man is in front of her – Takuma was finding it a chore to handle too, now that he knew just how hypocrite his grandfather could be.
"You have to understand the areas of my concern, whilst the Aidou family wasn't exactly going against the laws of the Vampire Council. They are not exactly on good relationships with the council either, in fact, if anything – they were more leaning towards the concept of royal ruling back in the olden days under the lead of the purebloods. Topping it off together, aside from the Shiki's and the Ichijo's – the rest of the students currently in that academy are on neutral standings, or they were standing on the same line as the Aidou's. How could I not afford to be worried under this situation?" The old man reasoned.
"I can very much assure you that Kaname-sama has no intention in the fields of gaining authority, and this has nothing to do with the council – it was my own opinion as being a friend to Kaname." Takuma voiced out his thoughts to his grandfather.
"You'd better get rid of those naive thoughts of yours, I'm sure that you are still very much aware of your role in there… or do I have to remind you all about it again? You do know I placed a lot of my hopes on you…"
"Grandfather, I…" Takuma made a move to interrupt, but was dismissed by his grand-father with a wave of hand.
"No point dawdling… I didn't exactly call you home for a chit-chatting session. Come along with me, there is someone that I would like you to meet up with." Ichijo Asato said, cutting in his grand-son in the middle of generating a response to his words as he made a move to head out from the privacy of his 'Study'.
'…Someone whom he wanted me to meet? What is he on about now?' Takuma frowned, as the thought fleeted by in his mind before he made a move to catch up with his fast moving grand-father down the corridor way.
"Who is it this time? Somebody from the pureblood clan of Shirabuki…?" Takuma prompted, he had known by now that his grandfather was obsessed with the idea of establishing all kinds of relations with the pureblood family.
"You'll know when you meet him…" That was all the old man was willing to say, as he continue to lead his way down the corridor to where the meeting will be taking place in silence.
Takuma followed behind in confusion, not knowing for sure what to expect. They soon come to a stop in front of a room normally used by his grandfather to conduct meetings with his associates, the two maids standing guard to the outside of the room then proceed to slide the door open – giving the Ichijos' a good view of the happening inside.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting…" Takuma watched in silence as he observed his grandfather's action from the corner of his eyes, frowning inwardly when he recognized those mannerisms as the same type his grandfather had used in the presence of his pureblood friend – Kaname.
"What do you think of the arrangement provided?" Ichijo Asato asked next, causing Takuma's frown to deepen itself – while he tried to pin-point the identity of their 'guest'. Seeing as how the guest had been back-facing him all this while, he could not tell for sure who was it although judging from the voice used by their guest… it did struck him as kind of familiar.
"Not bad…" And then the response from the guest came, as he slowly started to turn towards the Ichijos.
"My lord, it's my pleasure to be able to serve you …" Takuma saw his grand-father said with utmost respect, and visibly note the way how his grand-father had responded to the guest's comments still in a kneeling position on the ground. When he finally managed to shift his glance away from his grandfather and diverted them towards their 'guest' – he felt his own eyes widening in shock. Standing in front of his very eyes, was none other than his room-mate cum the cousin of Kaname – Shiki Senri.
Date started: 4/1/2013
Date completed: 5/1/2013