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 & the Fujiwara Clan featured in this story.
Author's notes: This chapter would be a relaxing one, and Zero came back to the Kuran's estate… some KanZe in here. Then it's over to the birthday party for Akemi :P I'll do a time jump directly to 3 days later XD
Chapter 46 – In which Zero and Kaname reconcile…
"Today's already the third day, you reckoned Zero would really be back?" Ichijo Takuma inquired Akane discreetly while watching the twins played hopscotch in the back garden of the estate with Yuuki, who is currently taking a break from her intensive 'lady-like' training.
"Yes, he will most certainly be back tonight – I made it a point to call him this morning, making sure to emphasize on Akira's concern of his absence." Akane responded in a whisper, before she too went up front to play with the trio.
When Zero returned, it was around 7.p.m. at night – Kaname was not in sight but the twins were genuinely happy to see at least one of their parents back in sight. The reason that Akane had fed to the twins, was that Zero went to the hunter's association to settle some problems and Kaname was busy with his work in the Study and hence his unavailability to entertain the twins. The twins boys actually simply took Akane words for it, without too much of a suspicion being raised much to the surprise of one Ichijo Takuma but he was not going to press on lest letting the cat out of the bag.
"Daddy… you're finally back, how's your trip to the association? Did anyone give you problems?" Akira gushes out in concern for the silver-haired teen, stalling the said teen for a minute before answering the boy's question.
"I'm fine; the association is still in disarray. However, it's now under control – a new Chairperson has been selected for the position during last night's meeting, I heard." Zero responded, inwardly thankful that he had indeed paid a visit to the association the night after leaving the Chairman's residence within Cross Academy.
"That's good then, but father is still busy in the Study…" Akira pouted, since he had already missed his bedtime story for the past three days already.
"…Don't fret; you are bound to get your story tonight. Now I'm going in to see your father for a while, behave for Akane – okay?" Zero patted the boys' on their head before taking in a deep breath to brace himself for the upcoming conversation, as he knocked and seek entry into the pureblood's Study.
"Zero-sama…" Seiren greeted, when Kaname had finally granted his permission for the person outside his Study to enter the room.
Kaname froze slightly when he heard Seiren's greeting message, before the female vampire exited the area to grant the duos privacy to them-selves.
"I heard you haven't been showing your face outside for the past 3 days?" Zero, not one to beat around the bush, cut direct to the point as he addressed the dark-haired pureblood figure seated behind the work desk.
"Zero…" Kaname started, unsure of how to react to his newly returned lover. To be honest, when Zero failed to return that very day after storming out from the place – he had really thought that the silver-haired teen won't be coming back to him anymore. Hence, his desire to lock himself up in the Study and drowning himself with the amount of work piling on his work desk instead of heading back to his empty room for rest.
Zero Kiryuu took in his lover's haggard appearance, and sighed inwardly. Alright, perhaps the term haggard was a little too exaggerated to describe the pureblood's appearance as of current. Still, the sight of the dark rings underneath the eyes and the exhaustion reflected in those wonderful chocolate pools of orbs speak volumes. Looks like he was not the only one affected by those feelings of longing and depressing atmosphere of being away from the bonded partner… Kaname Kuran was equally affected by the 'bond' between the too.
"Kaname…I guess I should apologized for my words the other day – it was uncalled for." Zero started, breaking the awkward silence that hung between them. The next moment, he felt himself being pulled into a crushing embrace from the pureblood.
"I should apologize for clamming up on you too, I didn't mean to shut you out… it's just my instincts at work." Kaname said as he buried his head in Zero's shoulder, trying to make up all the lost times over the past few days of being away from his lover.
"…I know…I'm sorry for snapping at you too. That was also my hunter's instincts at work…I should not assume things that easily." Zero said in response, returning the embrace with equal ferocity in strength before he gasped in surprise upon feeling the fangs of Kaname piercing through the flesh of his neck again.
"Gees…Kaname, how many times must I tell you to give some warning before biting down on me." Zero muttered in annoyance before he returned the favour, and did the same thing to his lover.
Outside the Study, Seiren who was standing guard to the place finally allowed a sigh of relief to escape from her. Finally, the tension surrounding her pureblood leader was no longer in place – now she could only hoped there would be no more arguments or disagreements between those two for the next few weeks to come. One could only take that much stress at one time, let alone to keep the twins away from the moody Kaname when the other parent is not around.
Downstairs, Akane heaved a sigh of relief as she shared a look with her cousin – that's a good sign. The twins, on the other hand, shakes their head in response… judging from what was happening upstairs in the Study. Chances of them getting a story tonight was equally slim to last night, judging from past experience – there is a chance that once their father is done with their daddy; it would be daybreak already.
True to the twins' premonition, upstairs in the Study – Kaname Kuran was busy ravishing his lover to hell and back.
"Good gods, Kaname – stop!" Zero gasped, when he felt hands touching him in areas that send shivers down his spine.
"Zero, my dear… are you sure you want me to stop now?" Kaname whispered huskily as he traced kisses down his lover's torso.
"… At least, don't do it on the desk!" Zero managed to rasp out in between shaky breath from Kaname's fondling.
"As you wish, my dear…" Kaname smirked, and Zero was up in his arms heading for the sofa couch in a flash of lights.
"Damn it, Kaname – I didn't mean for you to settle for the couch either. It's going to stain – you know?!" Zero grinded out in frustration, before he sucked in another shaky breath when he felt Kaname's tongue licking his belly button.
"So what if the couch would stain, we could simply just replace it – isn't it?" Kaname whispered as he worked his magic on his wonderful Zero. There was no coherent response from the silver-haired teen then, because Zero by then was already too engrossed in the deed to be paying any attention to the words from Kaname.
By the time Zero woke from his exhaustion slumber, it was already 6.a.m. of the following day. A quick survey of his body, he noted that he was now wrapped loosely in the plain white bathrobe of a certain Kuran Prince – the body fluids from their previous activity was gone now; probably Kaname had taken the liberty to cleanse him up after he passes out from their vigorous 'exercise' from before.
Shifting slightly in his position, Zero nearly released a string of curses – the soreness of his private areas were worse than the other times after their activity in the bathroom of Kaname's room within the Moon Dormitory.
"Damn it, I know I shouldn't have let him do as he pleased last night." Zero muttered under his breath, glaring at the pureblood prince spooning up to his side fast asleep right now.
"Zero… it's still early, come back to bed." Kaname said when he felt his lover leaving his side.
"…It's early for you, not for me. I have a facility visit to go for; you can sleep in longer in my stead." Zero throws over his shoulder, as he trudge his way over to the attached bathroom and start to get himself ready for the day ahead.
Half an hour later, Zero Kiryuu emerged out from the bathroom fully clad in a plain white long sleeves button down shirt; and a pair of black long pants with a matching belt on his waist area. In his hands, he held on to a black tie which he rolled up into a ball shape and simply tucked into his left pocket of the pants.
Heading downstairs for breakfast, he was unfazed by the number of stares being directed his way. Pulling out a chair opposite to his twin – Ichiru, he was met by the sight of a near mirror image in terms of attire and outfits selected for the day.
"What's on your schedule today?" Zero asked, reaching for the jam to apply on his toast.
"Press Reception hosted by the Matsushita Motors Limited, you?" Ichiru questioned back in return.
"Facility visit to Fujiwara Electronics Holdings Private Limited." Zero responded with a sigh. Apparently, the elders in the family had wanted him to go around visiting the companies operated and under the clan members to see for him-self what kind of role would he want to partake in the family business in future.
'Well at least they didn't just throw me into one of the company and expect me to work my way up…' Zero thought.
"No wonder you are wearing that…" Ichiru commented with a smirk, knowing for a fact that his twin hated to dress in such formal attire. Given an option, Zero would rather be spotted in comfortable sweatshirts and sweatpants rather than office wear.
"I could say the same for you." Zero throws back at his twin dryly, finishing the last of his toast before he beckoned for Sayori to follow him in his departure.
Wakaba Sayori; too was dressed up in the typical office attire for today because she would have to play 'personal assistant' for the trip. Not only would Zero be doing a facility visit but also he would be meeting the top management crew for a discussion following the end of the visit as well. Seeing as Zero wasn't quite around up until yesterday – Sayori had been the one staying up the night to go through past sales and business records for said company. During the journey over to the company, Sayori would be needed to fill Zero in on the critical areas to look out for during the visit.
"Risa, keep an eye on the twins today. I'll be back by mid-day." Zero said, before he walked past the female vampire on guard duty for the day.
"Yes, Zero-sama…" Risa Miyazaki responded, monotonously.
An hour after Zero's departure from the house, Ichiru Kiryuu made his move to leave the estate with his guard – Matsushita Ayano in tow as well. Unlike Zero, Ichiru did not leave any instructions behind for Risa – since Maria Kurenai has already went back to her home the night before and hence there would be no need to inform the girl of his whereabouts.
Later on in the day, Zero was getting the boys ready for his cousin's birthday gathering when he glanced up at Kaname Kuran and asked.
"Are you certain about going with us? Need I remind you that – it's probably going to be a place with high human traffic?"
"Well… I'm quite certain I can control my blood lust easily." Kaname Kuran responded with ease.
"Yes, I know that… but you are aware that neither of your flock could be going in with us – right?" Zero stressed upon the fact that Seiren could not be following them for this trip, hoping that Kaname had an idea what he was getting himself into by agreeing to go along with the twins and him for that birthday party of his cousin.
"Of course I knew that, but don't forget that Risa Miyazaki would be tagging along us for the trip." Kaname pointed out objectively.
"Fine then, don't say I didn't warn you about the possibility of Aidou kicking up a fuss for being unable to go along for the trip." Zero muttered under his breath, as he finished with the task of checking Subaru's attire for the trip.
"Okay, done – Subaru. Now Akira, bring your shoes over – and what did I say about running with shoes-laces undone. You are going to trip yourself like this, now come over here!" Zero ordered, and Akira hurried to obey not wanting to risk irritating his 'Daddy' further. He had, after all, just been caught 'nicking' pocky stick from his beloved uncle Shiki.
Both Subaru and Akira were dressed up in polo shirts and shorts, in the typical black and white colour combination. Initially, Ichijo had suggested for them to wear something more formal for the occasions but Zero had waved him off – saying that the twins are here on temporary basis only, and that they would be back to the future sooner or later. Therefore, there would be no need to waste extra money on those formal wear at all.
Besides, even if the clothes purchased could last until their eventual birth – by then the design could jolly well be outdated already. Seeing as this was merely a birthday celebration kind of gathering, Zero had no intention to be dressing the boys up in Kimonos too because he knew the kimonos are kind of stiff and hard to get comfortable in – it's usually reserved for new year gathering over at the Fujiwara. Hence, the twins were made to dress up in casual wear instead – that's the only kind of attire the twins have in their wardrobe as of current.
"Daddy, have you gotten Aunt Akemi's present yet?" Akira asked, curiously.
"No… she'd dared to send me the invitation on a last minute basis and still expect a present from me then she is solely mistaken." Zero muttered aloud as he responded to the boy's query.
"Oh… okay…"Akira shared a look with his twin and read the same thought behind each other's eyes. No doubt, their Aunt Akemi is going to be treating them as though they are the present from their beloved 'Daddy' now.
The birthday celebration was being held not within the Chiba estate but within one of the local country club's function room. Apparently, Akemi has still stick to the ground rules sets in place by the family – never invite a vampire into their residence on voluntary basis, family related excluded. While Zero and Ichiru could be invited into the Chiba residence for the event, the same could not be said about Akemi's co-workers in the media industry. Henceforth, she opted to use one of the function room situated within one of the family operated country clubs instead.
The Kiryuu-Kuran future family of five were greeted by the sight of Fujiwara Satomi and Akemi's 'guard' – Wakaba Hiroshi first before being ushered into the event room.
"Welcome to Akemi's birthday party celebration, it's a pleasure to be finally able to meet you…Kaname-san." Fujiwara Satomi greeted, as she reached her hand out to shake the Kuran prince for a second before showing them into the inside of the room used for the hosting of the event.
"You really should thank your lucky stars, that Akemi had avoided inviting the whole family along. I didn't think you are ready for all that meeting with the Fujiwara's yet." Zero commented in a whispering tone of voice, before heading up front with the twins to greet his cousin – the birthday girl.
Akemi's birthday celebration is one full of youngsters, and therefore not much family members were around for the event. It may partially have something to do with the number of vampire guests Akemi had invited along for the event, but who is to say for certain. Either way, there's karaoke to keep the guests occupied and wonderful food catered by the club's 'Food & Beverages' department.
The twins were greatly entertained in general; and of course the both of them were being subjected to hugs and kisses from Fujiwara Akemi – herself. Thankfully, Subaru had it in him to drop the pureblood aura thing – not that it will fazed Akemi's enthusiasm but it is merely to avoid being detected by the other vampires in the same room.
Kaname is not that fortunate though, he was unfortunate enough to be recognize by the number of vampires co-workers from Akemi's media industry and had to spend half the party socializing with them until Akemi cut in between them and claimed that this is a party to celebrate her birthday and not meant for them to strengthen their ties with the pureblood heir of the Kuran Clan.
"Good to see you back, but honestly – I warned you about it, didn't I?" Zero had to refrain from smirking outright upon the return of Kaname Kuran, after Akemi had kindly rescued him from a extremely enthusiastic common class vamp working in the media industry.
"I thought there would be tons and lots of hunters, not the other way round." Kaname responded, sounding slightly irked under his breath.
"There are in fact, hunters in here – for example, the trio crowding near the doorway. Those are the Igarashi, full-fledged hunters under the wing of the new Chairperson of the Association – sends over to keep track of the event tonight, most likely. Probably after they noticed the high number of vampires invited for the party…hence the Association's decision to step in. Otherwise, there should not be representative from the Association itself.
Either way aside from the Igarashi's siblings, both Satomi and Akemi are trained in hunting skills too and also Sayori and her brother – Hiroshi. Even I, myself at one point am also part of that league." Zero interjected, while keeping an eye on the twins - checking if they reached for anything that is banned from their daily diet.
"Oh…so you are saying that you are no longer part of that league now?" Kaname quirked an eyebrow up in question.
"…Not exactly, but I'm no longer under the Association's direct ruling. I have both Ichiru and myself switched under the Free-lance basis, so it's now under the ruling of Fujiwara Satoshi. Not that he would bother with the idea of sending us off on mission, since I would most likely be the one helping him with the distribution of the hunting missions and all. His attention now are mostly centred upon his Kendo Doujo, I doubt he had any intention to pay much attention on his other roles and responsibility after stepping down from it for the past 10 years or so." Zero further elaborated his meanings.
"I see…you mention doing a facility visit this morning, what's all that business about?" Kaname asked then.
"I was thinking when you were going to bring up that question… well, basically – the elders in the family wanted me to do something else aside from hunting. Free lance hunters are unlike hunters directly under the Association's ruling; missions are not that regular if you get what I mean. Anyway, they wanted me to develop an interest in something else – and preferably if I can help them out in the running of their family business. Fujiwara Corporation; Fujiwara Electronics Holdings Private Limited; Fujiwara Gakuen; Matsushita Auto-Mobile Limited; M&M Law and Legal Consultancy Agency; etc. and others. Too many for me to name in one shot, because under Fujiwara Corporation itself there's a chain of hotels; spa salons; restaurants franchising business too." Zero quoted a few off the list, and was immediately met by Kaname's look of surprise.
"All of those businesses that you named belong to the Fujiwara Clan?!" Kaname repeated, sounding awe by it all.
"Yes… some directly related, some falls under the subsidiary companies schemes, but more or less the Fujiwara holds a significant amount of shares in them." Zero responded, frowning as he tried to recall what he had read earlier on in the day from that pile of reports he had gotten from Sayori. There are still at least five or six folders of documents he had yet to gone through yet, so he hasn't quite figure out how the Clan businesses grew to this much.
"What about the Hiou's inheritance? What was included in them?" Kaname never had it in him to ask, but he did know that Zero had granted the younger twin free control of those inheritances – and now he wanted to do a comparison between his Kuran's businesses and the Hiou's to see if there are any differences.
"The Hiou's business in the outside market – would include the 'Sakura Food & Beverages Company Limited'; in which the Fujiwara holds a significant 15% shares after that marriage union between Shizuru Hiou and a fellow vampire member of the Clan – I can't recall the name, sorry. Anyway, the Hiou had dealings with Ichijo Enterprise before – but that falls under the Kurenai's grasp now. Ichiru would know more, I didn't really go into details for that side but I distinctively recalled that their dealings mainly deal with the companies from the night-society. However, while I had no idea of the exact names of those related companies with business dealings with the Hiou – I recalled them having Traditional Tea-House; and some Eco-Friendly related business out in the market. Further details, you really have to speak with Ichiru or Maria Kurenai for it – I don't have much information pertaining to it." Zero responded with a shrug.
"Oh yes, Sakura Co-operatives Limited also falls under the Hiou's business list – they deal mainly with public liability insurance and operate supermarkets? Sorry, I can't remember exactly but I do know anything with Sakura has relations to the Hiou in one way or another." Zero added as an afterthought, when his eyes landed upon the paper bag of titbits in one corner of the room with the logo of 'SC Super-Mart' imprinted on the bag itself.
"I see…" Kaname made a knowing sound, as he made it a point to start reading up his family business profile as soon as possible. He had yet to check through the business dealings portion, when it was managed under the hands of Ichijo Asato since he was apparently swamped by other duties that was more important than business at that point of time.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Zero – the person in charge of running the club have popped by for a visit and was offering to give you a tour of the club itself." The sudden sound of Fujiwara Akemi piping up, draw both Kaname and Zero's attention away from their conversation in progress.
"Okay, I'll be over shortly." Zero told his cousin, before sending a look over to the pureblood to keep an eye out on the twins.
"Father, where's Daddy?" A few minutes after Zero excused himself to go on a tour about the club; one of the twins came over to Kaname and asked.
"He went on a tour of the place with the owner of the club." Kaname responded, while the twins commented.
"Ah… reckon it's now Daddy's turn to socialize." Akira mused, just now it was their Father socializing with the co-workers of their Aunt Akemi's and now it was their Daddy's turn to socialize with the management team of the club.
"Speaking of which, have you seen Uncle Ichiru yet?" Akira voiced out to his twin.
"What…? No, not yet – I bet he's still stuck in traffic. Ayano-san has not arrived yet, so I believed the press reception over at the Matsushita Auto-Mobile Limited was somehow delayed." Subaru responded, as he allowed his senses to run wild around the place trying to see if his uncle's aura could be detected anywhere.
In the meantime, back in the Kuran's estate – a certain blue eyed blond aristocrat was indeed kicking up a fuss about being unable to tag along for the trip. Apparently, Kaname had taken the possibility of Aidou's temper into consideration and had snuck out together with Zero and the twins when the blond was in the bathroom.
"Mou…why didn't you guys stop Kaname-sama from attempting something reckless likes this?!" Aidou fumed as he ranted and raved about his leader not even bringing Seiren along on the trip.
"…Aidou, I don't think Kaname would appreciate us butting in on his business." Ichijo Takuma pointed out, objectively.
"Yes, and technically – Kaname did bring someone along with him. Risa went along with them on the trip." Akatsuki Kain pointed out helpfully to his cousin.
"Still, Risa is a Common Class – what happened if something cropped up?" Aidou argued.
"Even if something were to crop up, I'm sure Kaname-sama can handle himself and besides nobody would be that stupid to barge in the event uninvited. Besides, this event is by RSVP only – I don't think even if we went along, we would be allowed entry into the venue." Ruka Souen pointed out, plainly.
"Yes, and also Akane would be there together with them – nothing could go wrong." Shiki Senri added.
"If it makes you feel better, you can think of it this way – Kaname-sama left you behind to protect Yuuki-sama." Touya Rima piped up, and successfully ceasing the agitation in the blue-eyed blond aristocrat.
"Speaking of Yuuki-sama, Aidou – I thought today's her routine lesson day for familiarizing herself with the cultures of the vampires with you?" Akatsuki Kain brings up the subject then, distracting his cousin from sulking further.
Their beloved Kaname-sama has been spending most of his time on the work required to deal with the aftermath of the council events, and also sorting through his own inheritances. The rest of the time was spent generally with the elder Kiryuu and the twins, leaving Yuuki to them – the aristocrats to handle.
Ruka was assigned with the task of teaching and coaching Yuuki on how to be a elegant lady in public with Akane as her assistant; Akatsuki and Aidou were asked to guide and teach Yuuki the way of the vampires' culture and heritage. Leaving Ichijo Takuma, Shiki Senri and Touya Rima to help the pureblood out in the 'politics' related matters. Seiren was as usual doing her guard duty with Risa Miyazaki standing in for her whenever she was assigned with other duties at hand. The two human girls currently residing under one roof with them were generally seen busy involved in discussion with the Kiryuu twins, or helping the elder Kiryuu and Akane in the kitchen chores.
At least, that was how the arrangement was like since their arrival at the Kuran's estate. Weekly roster was set in place pertaining to the purchases trip to town, while household chores duties were split evenly among the Kiryuu siblings; Akane and the two human girls. Since, neither of the aristocrats had any idea on culinary skills…nor are they really capable to handle cleaning chores about the place.
Date started: 21/1/2013
Date completed: 22/1/2013