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: An entire chapter pertaining to the Kiryuu twins and Kuran-Kiryuu twins…I hope it's enough to curb those twins power going around XD
Chapter 35 – In which Ichiru meet his nephews officially…
"This is where I shall take my leave." Aidou Hanabusa said, as soon as he led both Zero Kiryuu and Yuuki Cross to the back garden lawn of the Academy where the pureblood had taken the liberty to arrange for a picnic environment.
"…" Zero stared at the lunch sets sitting quietly atop of the picnic mat, and then to the pureblood that looked pretty much at ease despite it being 12 noon during a spring season. Yuuki, on the other hand, had her mouth opened and closed in shock.
Zero knew, the girl had dozens of questions swirling around in that mind of hers' and he had had no intention of addressing them at all. In which case, he decided to leave it all up to Kaname Kuran to explain – since he was the one whom deemed it necessary to send out four of the night-class students to Yuuki as potential 'bodyguards'.
"Good afternoon, Yuuki." The pureblood greeted before glancing over to where Zero had stood with a nod.
"…" Yuuki was silent; she was debating whether to start questioning the man of his reasons behind sending out the night-class members to act as her bodyguard or to inquire about the man's sudden decision to venture out here in the broad daylight for a picnic.
"Zero, would you care to join us for lunch?" Kaname allowed Yuuki sometime to gather her thoughts together, as he shifted his glance towards where Zero had stood unmoving in that same position as before.
"No need for that, your decision of deciding to venture out here in the middle of the day would no doubt be causing some uproar among the day-class girls. I will be eating outside and aiding Aidou in the task of fending them off for you – and I certainly hoped that you will enjoy this wonderful picnic with Yuuki alone." Zero throws back at the pureblood as he made a grab for his share of lunch set from the picnic mat, before stalking out of the place leaving behind the duos to stare.
"…" Kaname and Yuuki stared after the departing figure of Zero Kiryuu, both in deep thoughts. The pureblood was wondering why exactly Zero fleeing the site with such rapid footsteps, was it because he was uncomfortable with the idea of eating outdoors. Yuuki on the other hand was thinking that perhaps Zero is just feeling uncomfortable with the idea of having lunch together with Kaname Kuran.
When in actual fact, Zero was indeed uncomfortable with the arrangement. He could easily be seen having lunch with Yuuki and her friend outdoor, if the need arises. However, with Kaname … under the broad daylight – it just seems odd for him to stomach the idea. He was so used to seeing that guy at night, that the sheer idea of meeting him out here in the middle of the day – and when he was not on one of his guardian's duty was simply just weird for him. That was why he rather leave Yuuki with the pureblood, while he took his lunch out here fending off fan-girls while having some kind of random chat session with the equally bored Aidou Hanabusa instead.
"There you are, the twins and your brother… they've finally crossed path." Wakaba Sayori throws out to the stoic silver-haired guardian upon her finally reaching to a stop in front of him.
"…By chance or …?" Zero questioned, he would not put it across Akira to attempt something like that on purpose.
"I hardly think it would be considered a meeting by chance, seeing as your youngest first words upon sighting Ichiru – was 'are you uncle Ichiru?'" Sayori commented dryly as she responded to the teen's query.
"I see… and you are here because?"
"Ichiru send me over with a message for you – he says you have one hell of an explanation to do after you get your-self there." Sayori responded, matter-of-factly.
"…Aidou, kindly fill your leader in on the information after he emerged from within. I'm going off to settle the issue first." Zero throws towards the blond aristocrat before heading towards where Wakaba Sayori was last seen coming from.
In the meantime, back at where Ichiru and the twins were – an odd silence had hung over them. The two boys of six were taking this chance to observe their 'uncle Ichiru' from all possible angles, especially Akira whom had taken on the approaching of circling the teen now to speak. Subaru though was merely eyeing his 'Daddy' little brother from top to bottom; and then from bottom to top again.
That was apparently the sight that met Zero's eyes when he finally reached the place where Sayori had informed him that Ichiru was having his lunch on a daily basis – since his transfer into the academy, of course.
"Akira, Subaru…what did I tell you two about wandering about the school during the day?" Zero prompted as soon as he managed to suppress his urge to laugh at the twins' actions of subjecting Ichiru to one of their X-ray inspection check and also of the nonplussed expression upon his very own twin's features.
"Ah… it's Daddy!" Upon hearing the voice of Zero, Akira had all but dropped his task of circling Ichiru and went barreling towards the more familiar silver-haired figure with a bright and cheerful smile on his face.
"Daddy...I apologized for not stopping Akira when I should have done so." Subaru responded then, answering Zero's previous inquiry as he too joined his brother in the task of heading towards the silver-haired guardian. The only difference is that he did not make an attempt to tackle Zero like his twin had.
Ichiru Kiryuu observed in silence as his elder twin skillfully gathered the wavy-haired boy up in his arms with no hesitation, and judging from the smile upon Zero's lips when the former landed his gaze upon the two boys – his elder twin was not at all irked by the sheer fact that they were vampires in nature. And then he found himself wondering just what on earth had happened to his twin in order to create such a vast difference in the other's opinion towards the vampires in general.
"Alright, boys – behave your-selves! If not, I'll be sending the both of you off to your 'Father'." Zero warned then, directing his words mainly towards Akira rather than Subaru.
"Okay… Daddy…" Akira, who had been placed back down onto the ground by Zero – nodded in response after his suggestion of playing tag out here was revoked by the silver-haired teen.
"Ichiru…I bet you probably had dozens of questions pertaining to their existence, but this is not a topic meant for discussion out here. Perhaps, you could drop by the Chairman's residence later tonight for dinner and then I'll explain everything. After which, we will be having that long over due talk between us, pertaining to everything else that is happening recently." Zero then shifted his attention towards his twin, and said.
"Now boys, the afternoon classes are starting soon – the two of you should not be out here in the first place. Hurry along and get back to the Moon Dormitory, or do I have to get your 'Father' over to speak with you two on this particular issue?" Zero prompted, and then Akira started to pull his favorite stunt of all times.
Akira started to direct those pitiful puppy eyes look of his, as he stared up at Zero and said. "Daddy, can we stay out here and play? We have been staying within the Moon Dormitory all the time, and it's getting a little bored for us now…"
"…" Zero slide his gaze towards where the two vampire guards of the boys had stood under the shady trees nearby, and sighed aloud in response.
"I don't know, the sun might not have been a problem for you two to be dealing with… but I'm sure that they don't appeal to your two aunts over there watching the two of you today. How about this…goes and visits your Grandpa Cross for the day? I'm sure he would enjoy the distraction off his work for today." Zero eventually suggested, and upon the simultaneous nods received from the two boys heaved a sigh of relief.
"Risa… keep an eye out on them; do not let the Chairman feed them any candies or chocolates. They are supposed to be sticking to their diet plan, and if the Chairman had any opinions pertaining to that diet plan of the kids – tell him to bring the issue up to me later on in time. I shall personally see to it." Zero then directed his next words towards Risa Miyazaki, one of the guard assigned to keep an eye out on the twins by the pureblood – no doubt.
"Yes, Zero-sama…" The response from Risa came soon after, and successfully gaining the attention of several sets of surprising stares from the onlookers.
Ruka Souen was staring at the girl in shock; the twins were grinning from ear to ear – obviously they knew something which the rest of the night-class members had no idea of. Wakaba Sayori held a hand to her head shaking her head while she sighed aloud in response, and Ichiru Kiryuu stared for a second before coughing several times to get rid of the urge to laugh aloud at the look on his twin's face.
"…Risa, for the last time I am telling you – drop the 'sama' thing. This is Cross Academy, not the compound of any Fujiwara estates out there – there is no need for you to be so formal with me." Zero then responded, after he rolled his eyes in exasperation to the girl's way of addressing him.
"…Yes, Zero-sama…" Risa responded again, in a tone that was devoid of all emotions – causing Zero to roll his eyes yet again in response.
"You know what; forget what I'd say…" Zero muttered before turning on his heels to leave the place, rapidly eager to get away from it all.
"Miyazaki, you are doing it on purpose – aren't you?" Wakaba Sayori then spoke up, directing her question towards the poker-faced vampire standing together with the still stunned figure of Ruka Souen.
"Well… who knows?" Risa Miyazaki then shrugged, but the mild mirth reflecting in those brown eyes of hers speak volumes.
Once Ichiru and Sayori vanishes from sight, heading back to where they should be – the classroom for class. The twins on the mental count of five broke into fits of laughter, how they had missed the sight of their Aunt Risa sending their beloved 'Daddy' into the state of exasperation with just a mere addressing term of a 'sama' in her speech.
"Aww… poor Akane, she missed out on all that." Akira commented after he put a stop to his laughter fits.
"Nah… I think she would prefer the sight of Uncle Takuma addressing our beloved 'Daddy' as such just for the sake of annoying him, than to see Aunt Risa doing it. After all, it is only right for Aunt Risa to be addressing Daddy as such – it's an unwritten rule since our Daddy's position within the Fujiwara clan did surpass hers. However, it was completely unnecessary for Uncle Takuma to be calling him that too." Subaru responded, off-handedly.
"And what of Asami's reasoning then?" Akira piped up, again after Subaru's words.
"…That is just her taking a page out from her parents' antics – and purposely saying it to annoy our Daddy-dearest! Although the chance of hearing her say that was rather slim since we don't all get to meet that often, but personally – I think she enjoyed calling Akane's name with the term 'sama' more than she did with our Daddy."
"Ha! Quite true, the look on Akane's face every time after that was so priceless. She ever mentioned once during vacation – that her classmates and co-worker for the guardian's duty was always staring at her in a strange manner when Asami called her 'Akane-sama' in public."
"Exactly, and somehow somewhere along that line – students of the day-class ended up addressing her as such too. It ticked her off all the time, and thus ended up with her sporting a reputation that succeeded our Daddy's legacy on campus."
Soon, the twins chattering are all pertaining to the misfortune of their elder sibling – one Akane Kiryuu, and totally forgetting about the existence of their Aunt Ruka and Aunt Risa whom are following them from behind – guarding them as they made their way to the Chairman's office in search for the school's owner.
6. p.m. on the dot, following the end of Zero's guardian duty for the day – he entered the premises of the Chairman's residence with a certain pureblood by the name of Kaname Kuran and his future adopted daughter – Akane Kiryuu in tow.
The twins together with their two female guards were already in the house of the Chairman by that point of time. Ichiru would be arriving around 7.p.m. for dinner, and he had about an hour to get things ready.
"Chairman, how's Yuuki?" Zero had asked, upon catching sight of his foster father emerging from the doorway of Yuuki's room.
"Sleeping now…" Kaien Cross answered, a worrying frown marring his features.
"I see… I'll go in and take a peek later, but for now… I'll get the dinner ready. Until then, Kaname and Akane can made them-selves useful by entertaining the twins. You, on the other hand, are going to settle that pile of documents waiting for your attention – after your work for the afternoon was being disrupted by the twins' entrance to your office to wreck havoc." Zero commented dryly then, as he turned and made his way inside the kitchen of the house.
The sight of the pink flowery apron hung within the kitchen caused Zero's eyebrow to twitch slightly with annoyance, as he wondered where on earth that plain white apron that he had gotten used to using was. Realizing that there was simply no time for him to go in search for that apron, he would just have to make do with what he have on hand for today… he made a grab for that offending piece of garment with dread and simply just pull it over the top of his uniform while trying his hardest to ignore those unmoving stares of a certain Kuran from behind.
Kaname Kuran watched as the silver-haired teen busied himself in the kitchen with the task of getting dinner ready, somehow that pink flowery apron on the teen had unintentionally spurred him into thinking Zero going about the task like how a typical 'wife' should be. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he marveled at the sheer thought of it, though if the silver-haired hunter had any inkling pertaining to his current thoughts – he would be in trouble, no doubt on that.
"Hm…m… what a wonderful smell, Zero-chan… are we perhaps having beef stew for tonight?" Kaien Cross, having just completed the last of the stamping procedure on the pile of documents in his Study emerged from within then.
"Yes, and we are having Mango Gazpacho for dessert later." Zero announced in a deadpanned manner.
Zero had taken great measures in researching on low sugar intake menu for the sake of the twins, considering just how much those boys of his had adored the idea of having desserts after meals. The pitiful look on Akira always after he revoked the kid's request to have a taste of either the chocolate cheese cake of milk pudding after meals, always caused his heart to clench at the sight of it.
Still, it would not do for Akira to continue on with those unhealthy eating habits and so he had remained firm in his decision to continue with that diet plan of his future self had deemed necessary for the boy to have. Only, he had insisted upon Subaru to follow that diet plan for Akira as well – if only to tone down the level of unhappiness radiating off the younger boy.
"Really, Daddy…?! We get to have dessert later?!" Akira immediately brighten up with a smile, he missed the chance of getting to eat desserts after meals ever since the diet plan was put into action.
"Yes, Akira – you get to have dessert after tonight's dinner but you are only entitled to 1 serving, no more than that." Zero told the boy in a firm-like manner, but Akira hardly paid any attention to it – he was on cloud nine now that he nodded to Zero's words without really understanding what was being said anyway.
"Oh boy… he sure is going to start another episode of whiny acts later when Daddy forbids him to get another serving of the dessert…" Subaru muttered under his breath, while he kept his eyes on his little brother's dance of happiness as of current.
That was exactly what Ichiru Kiryuu stumbled upon, the sight of one very excited Akira Kuran bouncing up to him and tackle him down in the process just to inform him of the fact that – dessert would be served today after meal.
"Akira, kindly gets yourself off your uncle Ichiru right now!" Zero interjected from his position just outside of the kitchen, before sending a look over at Subaru to grab Akira off the poor Ichiru whom had the misfortunate fate of being tackled over by the other boy of six.
"I apologized for the delay, but kindly make your-self comfortable out there. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes time, and I will explain things to you – then." Zero throws at his own twin, before heading back to the kitchen to tend to the readying soup of the day.
"Chairman Cross, I would appreciate if you could kindly make your-self useful in here or you can jolly well get the hell out from the kitchen if you are not going to help set the table or anything!" Zero gritted out with irritation, when the man who was supposed to be his foster parent was behaving like a bloody five year old kid staring at the dessert with sparkling eyes.
"Daddy, is there anything that we could be doing to help?" Subaru then asked, standing in the kitchen door-way. He too, was eager for the dinner to start – but unlike Akira, his attention was not solely centered upon the dessert. Beef stew was something he really missed having, not that he was boasting or anything but he truly believed that his 'Daddy' made the most delicious beef stew ever in the world.
"Yes, my dear Subaru… perhaps you can help to show your Grandpa Cross how exactly does the task of setting up the table entails." Zero commented dryly as he handed the boy the exact number of cutlery utensils required for a table of nine.
Albeit it is a little cramped for that rectangular shape of the dining table which Chairman Cross had in his possession, still it would simply have to do for now. Since, the Chairman don't usually have that much guests around for dinner – and this is the only time so many people had showed up for it. Inwardly, Zero was thankful that Yuuki was fast asleep in her room and would be having her dinner probably later on in the night otherwise the table would gets even more cramped to say.
The girl had obviously fainted during the picnic lunch period when one of her 'episodes' struck in the middle of that lunch she was having in the company of one Kaname Kuran then, and following which the pureblood had all but send her off to the Chairman it would seems. The sudden hands that snaked around his waist caused the silver-haired guardian to startle and freeze in mid-actions for a minute, before gradually relaxing his stance.
"Kaname, could you please stop doing that? I'm in the process of making dinner right now." Zero gritted aloud from frustration, the pureblood's current action of hugging him from behind is a hindrance to his cooking procedure.
"I didn't know you wear pink." Kaname Kuran said as he let go of Zero's waist, and leaned his back against the kitchen counter top instead.
"I don't." The silver-haired guardian throws back in response.
"Oh…?" The pureblood then raised an eyebrow up in question, as he allowed his eyes to look specifically at the pink apron Zero was now spotting on.
"…This belongs to the Chairman, and occasionally Yuuki wears it. Mine is supposed to be a plain white apron that somehow had just miraculously went missing earlier on. I can very much assure you, wearing a pink apron is never my idea to begin with." Zero responded, spitting out the last sentence with venom.
To which, Kaname merely shrugged – refrained from his initial comment to say that Zero looks good in the pink apron. It is one thing to amuse himself with the thought of it, and totally another to admit that to the silver-haired teen. Moreover, Zero was probably irked by the sheer fact that he had to use that offending pink apron for today and if he were to make any further comments to it… there is a high chance of him being kicked out of the kitchen by the irate hunter.
"Yuuki… her episodes are getting worst, isn't it?" Zero suddenly brought up the issue of Yuuki for discussion, drawing Kaname out from his thoughts.
"Aa…it would not have escalated down to this point at such fast a speed if she did not try and force herself to remember those emptied years of her childhood." Kaname said then, pinching the bridge of his nose in weariness as he said so.
"When do you intend to wake her up?" Zero asked next, stirring the pot of stew on the stove as he questioned.
"Soon…" Kaname responded vaguely, and Zero did not press any further. It was obvious from the way Kaname was responding to his queries that the man was trying to delay the matter, deciding to simply leave the issue aside and concentrated on getting dinner ready – Zero dropped the questioning session altogether.
Dinner of nine is a peaceful event, despite the large number of participants in it. A quick glance around the table occupants had Ichiru sweat-dropping at the sheer sight, more than half of the people seated here are vampires in nature. Saved from the Chairman and himself, though Akane – he was still uncertain as of current.
"Okay, boys… stop your incessant chattering and eat your food first." Zero ordered, and both boys immediately stopped their debates on whether to play chess or play monopoly later on after dinner.
Ichiru watched amazed at how his elder twin had handled the two kids easily, and without the need to scowl at them too.
"Yes… Ichiru…?" Zero finally shifted his glance towards his daze-like mirror image and prompted, after the twins had settled down in peace for dinner to take place.
"I would think an introduction between us all and an explanation is in need, don't you think so?" Ichiru said, sarcasm lacing his tone while he addressed his elder twin.
"…" Zero started to shift a little uncomfortably under his own twin's gaze of intensity, while Ichiru's animosity towards the vampires are nothing like his master – seeing as how Ichiru had been willing to serve that woman that turned him against his wish. The nature of his future kids being vampires should not be a problem for Ichiru to deal with, it is the awkwardness of revealing the other prospective parent that kind of had Zero shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"Gees… honestly, how bad could it be? Zero, you'd survived the wrath of your master – and this is just your twin we are talking about here? You know the one who had willingly served under the wing of Shizuka Hiou – a pureblood? So just go ahead and spit it out already." Akane piped up, having had enough of the Kiryuu twins engaging one another in a staring contest and yet nothing had been addressed just yet.
"How about you take the honor to do the introduction and explanation on behalf of Zero then…Akane-san?" Ichiru started, an explanation and introduction is in order and if his twin was not willing to reveal anything to him… he supposed he would just have to get it out from someone else who knew.
"…" Akane flicked her glance over to the other silver-haired teen at the table, and upon the look of relief that wormed itself into those lilac eyes of his – Akane resigned herself to the idea of handling the explanation again.
"I see you didn't bring your katana along, which is a good thing I supposed." Akane muttered as she shifted her eyes back to the younger Kiryuu twins, inwardly she was wondering why she had to open her big mouth and land herself in such an undesirable position again.
Ichiru refrained from throwing any remarks back towards his mother look-alike, and simply crossed his arms over his chest and waited patiently for the explanation to come.
"I'm too lazy to explain everything; I'm just going to summarize it all. I am sure with your knowledge; you would still be able to catch on fast enough. To put it across simply, we are from the future. By that – it actually meant the two boys and me. I supposed I do not have to define the term 'Future' because the meaning of it should be well-known to every one of us seated down here. How did it happen? This one is easy enough, the 'Time-Vortex' was used and that was how we ended up here in this point of the past.
Reason behind their calling Zero 'Daddy' – that is because; he is to be their 'Daddy' in future. The identity of the other parent - that should be obvious enough to tell without having me to drop it on you. Pertaining to the reason how those two over there ended up having kids – that is not my position to answer, but I can give you a clue. If you have the chance to… look it up in the ancient book of spells in the Hiou's family library. I am certain there's a copy in each and every pureblood's family library to date."
"I see… and the introduction?" Ichiru prompted then, while he mull over the information received. It was a clipped and short version of the explanation but he didn't really require all that details. He only wanted to know how they come about to existence, and the time vortex addressed that already.
"I'll kick the ball rolling first; I am Akane Kiryuu in all its essence. No, I am not a direct product of those two over there – merely an adopted child. My mother's a member of the Fujiwara clan, related distantly with Yukari-san. Basically, after your twin and Kaname-sama adopted me – my surname was changed to Kiryuu." With that said, Akane flicked her glance over to Subaru signaling for the elder twin to start introducing himself.
"Subaru Kiryuu…I'm the elder twin." The boy introduced himself, in a flat-like tone of voice.
"I'm the youngest…Akira Kuran is my name." The little wavy haired boy with lilac eyes flashed a charming smile towards Ichiru's direction before turning his attention back to the beef stew he was feeding himself.
The rest of the dinner progressed on uneventfully, saved the whining episode from Akira when he was reminded to have only one serving of the dessert being served. However, a glare from Zero had successfully stop the boy in his mid-whine and poor Ichiru ended up being on the suffering end to Akira's incessant questioning sessions. And all of those questions asked were pertaining to the childhood embarrassing moments for Ichiru, which the twins had gotten to hear about from Zero several nights ago as a bedtime story.
"…I will have you know – your 'Daddy-dearest' down there was still wetting his pants at five years old." Ichiru then said as he smiled charmingly towards his elder twin, with every intention to get back at his twin for using his embarrassing moments to entertain the two kids before.
"Ichiru…!" Zero was aghast by his twins' words and upon the mild mirth reflected in a particular pair of chocolate eyes boring into his lilac ones – he fled the living room and proceeded to hide himself within the kitchen doing dishes instead.
In the meantime, the Vice-President of the Moon Dormitory was on his way back to the academy with a heavy heart. With him, brought along a coffin containing the real body of Kuran Rido and also his possessed room-mate – Shiki Senri...
Date started: 8/1/2013
Date completed: 11/1/2013