A/N: I hope that you enjoy this chapter and I will apologize again for such a late update. I'm horrible at this multi-chapter thing… There will be a lot of strong emotion in this chapter, some which I have decided to explore on Zero and Kaname. (Nothing that will get you teary eyed I promise! Or at least I hope not…) I ask for forgiveness if the characters seem off… Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! ^_^ Please enjoy the fifth installment!
Change of Heart
Part V
By: YaoiOkami
Ichijo held the bridge of his nose. He felt awful. If he had been a little more conscious of the person's actions then he surely would have seen it earlier. Of course the smell and appearance had been enough on his part and now because of it he had caused a great conflict. He continued to watch his "grandfather" closely until Kaname appeared.
Zero's gaze landed heatedly on the person that sat on the other side of the room. A smirk seemed to have taken residence on the thin lips before disappearing. He turned to look at the pureblood who had taken a seat. Zero's hands clenched in irritation and anger before being forced to relax. However, as that old saying goes, old habits die hard and gods were his instincts screaming at him the moment he took a good look at the person in front of him.
"I hope you understand the consequences of what you have done today," ruby eyes looked at the person in front of him passively.
"Kuran-sama, I had merely set conditions in which—"
"I don't care what you were doing. Touching my pet, in any manner without my permission… I have the right to rip your throat out."
The younger Ichijo nobleman crossed his arms as he watched the interrogation. Everyone had been called in, Shiki, Aidou and Kain. They all stood by, not for Kaname's safety but for the other person's.
"Please Kuran-sama, don't be so hasty. Allow me to—" lips shut as the brunette stood, placing his hands on the long table that separated them, slightly hunching over as he placed his weight on them.
"Kuran Kaname-sama, may I remind you that this is a tradition that has been longstanding since the first pureblood took in his first pet."
The ruby eyed vampire straightened his back, letting only his fingertips rest against the table as he looked at the elder of them. His eyes showed no signs of giving in, or understanding. He could still feel the bloodlust that had taken him over after he saw—
"So am I to understand that the Council was aware and approved of the actions you have taken today?"
"They allowed me to use any means possible in order to ascertain the fact that your pet was adequate."
It seemed that the answer had been rehearsed. But giving such an answer…the Council was not so vague and careless to allow their members to do as they saw fit. They were an organization that relied on facts. Takuma resisted the urge to shake his head. What was this person trying to gain by this? Another uncharacteristic smirk placed itself on the elder's lips.
"And…?"
"Fine indeed."
"I'm glad. But seeing as you were unable to choose for yourself..."
The man's eyes widened before a forced smile was placed on his lips.
"What are you talking about?"
"I will ask once and only once. Disappear from here before I am forced to take action."
"And what will you plan to do? I am a Council member—"
"You can stop now. My Grandfather has more sense than that."
The man glared at the young Ichijo before speaking, "Really now? I was planning to snivel just like your Grandfather would."
Takuma made to strike but Kaname held out a hand, bringing all movement in the room to a halt. The blonde clenched his fists before stepping back. Shiki, Kain and Aidou, who had been ready to make their move, also stepped back and continued to watch silently. A full smirk overtook the man's face and Zero could hold back no more. He rushed past Kaname and with a loud crash he had the man under him with a forearm pressed against his throat. The man gagged slightly but before Zero could do anything else he was pulled off of him and he was pushed against a wall. He grabbed the arm that held him against the wall effortlessly and pulled.
"The only reason I let you in here was because I thought you could behave yourself. I will deal with this," the brunette vampire turned to Kain, "Take him back."
"You expect me not to do anything?! This disgusting vampire ra—"
Piercing eyes met violet and the teen became quiet rather reluctantly. He didn't want to have to say it but he wasn't going to back down so easily. He glared at the pureblood. He wasn't going to relent either.
"Kain," he said and the tall vampire pulled him out of the room.
"Ugh!" his clenched fist was slammed against the wall as soon as he was out of the room.
Why had he let Kaname take his gun?! He had more than enough chances to end that miserable monster's life! He walked away as his blunt nails dug into his skin.
~*~
"Why are you here?"
"Come now. I can't even play with my cousin anymore?"
"If it had been with me then there wouldn't be such a problem," he stated coldly, "Why did you do it?"
"Oh come now Kaname-kun, I was just having fun!"
Everyone was looking at the man. It was unnerving to hear a slightly deep female voice leave the man's lips.
"You had no right."
"Oh come on," he—she— sighed and crossed her arms.
"Where is my Grandfather?" Ichijo asked.
"He should be arriving soon. I had them take a detour," she quickly waved that topic away before returning her attention toward the brunette pureblood, "I congratulate you. He is, obviously, very obedient…," she rubbed her neck a little, "although it seems you need to train him better. Showing disrespect to a pureblood is unforgivable."
"You have no right to talk about training. It seems you haven't changed."
"Oh, of course not! I would still love to dote on you and your dear little—."
"You've been missing for years, Ame-san. How is it that you would decide to show up now?"
"I have been…busy. But of course I would drop everything to see what kind of pet my kid cousin had chosen. I was shocked when I learned he was one of the notorious Kiryuu hunters. Kaname-kun I definitely admire you. To get someone like that to submit to you…"
"Unlike you, dear cousin, I like a challenge and how else could I assert myself if not by having the best?" His expression had not changed at all.
A forced laugh left her lips, "Of course…you are to be the example to every vampire now aren't you? The weight of such a task must weigh you down, dear cousin," she leaned against the table before letting her chin rest on her entwined fingers.
"I have always been, after all, the most responsible."
The noble vampires watched this exchange with interest. He had insulted her more than once and she seemed to have grown tired of it. She stood from the chair. Ichijo and the others became alert and watched her carefully.
"Well, I congratulate you. Your pet seems tight still. Careful, you don't want him to loosen up on his own," she smirked before making her way to the window in order to escape.
Kaname clenched his fists, "Don't worry I won't repeat your mistakes."
The pureblood stopped before turning and offering, what seemed to him, a bitter smile before disappearing.
"What do you want us to do?" Ichijo asked as he stared out the window where the vampire had vanished from.
"Let her go. I would rather save myself from anymore problems. She's not worth it," he turned and left the room, "Prepare a room. We must receive your Grandfather properly."
"Of course," the blonde nobleman said before attending to the matter.
Shiki quickly caught up to him, "Was it such a good idea to let her go like that?"
"Kaname-sama knows what he's doing. It's best if we just follow his orders," the other said, "Whatever the case may be, killing a pureblood for whatever reason is expressly forbidden."
~*~
Zero had made his way toward the room he now shared with the pureblood. He was looking out the window with his arms crossed. He could see in the reflection that Kain was standing outside of the broken door. He was amazed at the fact that Kaname had the loyalty of so many vampires…and the hate of many others. He released a sigh. It was interesting how one could transfer to him without much effort. He glanced up at the window as he felt Kaname's presence near. He saw the brunette exchange some words with the vampire before placing a hand on his shoulder. The teen bowed slightly before heading off.
Zero turned to face him. His face showed mild annoyance toward the ruby eyed vampire.
"We will be receiving the real Ichijo Asato in a few moments."
Zero looked at him in disbelief but his I-could-care-less expression took residence quickly, "And what will this one do? Make me suck him off?"
Kaname looked at the teen; no amount of any expression was distinguishable in the ruby eyes.
"You will follow the rules as stated before."
Violet eyes glared at the handsome teen before him.
"This time I won't be leaving the room."
~*~
Kaname, Zero and the self-proclaimed right hand men were descending the stairs when the main door opened to reveal the old man. The white haired teen tensed at the sight of the man.
"Kaname-sama," the man bowed and took hold of the pureblood's left hand and placed a kiss on it.
Zero watched in confusion at this display. The other person had not done such a thing. He chanced a glance at the stoic pureblood before he tensed as the elder's gaze was then directed toward him.
"And he, I take it, must be your pet?"
"He is," the younger of the two said.
The elder man bowed, "What an honor it must be to become Kaname-sama's pet. You have nothing but my utmost respect."
The violet eyed teen tensed, unsure of what to do in that kind of situation and opted for a small bow. All the nobles stood, watching in awe until the younger Ichijo appeared.
"I have prepared a room for you, Kaname-sama. If you would, please follow me."
~*~
"It seems Kaname-sama that you never cease to amaze me. This young man…is he not a former vampire hunter?" The Council member asked as he sipped tea.
"Indeed," the other replied.
Zero was standing directly behind Kaname. He clenched his fists. It seems that that particular phrase was on everybody's lips as of late. He knew for a fact that the name Kiryuu was very well known since before the massacre of the Madly Blooming Princess.
"I suppose however that the name that came with your pet was just a bonus for you?"
Zero scowled lightly, unnerved by that comment.
"Perhaps."
"Well Kaname-sama, your brilliance does shine through. What a better way than to gain favor of the Council members by capturing the last of the Kiryuu clan."
"I hope for nothing but the best for our kind," the handsome brunette said.
"Yes, of course," the man agreed before turning to the other teen, "Kiryuu-sama, I suppose you understand the great privilege of becoming Kaname-sama's pet…?"
"I don't understand. I have yet to see any."
"Is that so?" the man asked as he raised a brow.
"He knows nothing more than providing his master happiness," the ruby eyed vampire said as he picked up his cup of tea.
Zero looked at the brunette pureblood that was sitting in front of him before bowing, "That is my purpose."
Ichijo, Shiki and the cousins looked at him with surprise. The Council member could not see the expression he was making. Takuma had been the only one to have witnessed it.
~*~__To_Be_Continued__~*~
A/N: Wow another one! *lol* Well I just want to get this off of my chest and if you guys agree with me then please tell me that the guys look so much more attractive and elegant in the manga!! I mean, I've had this discussion with my best friends and we all seemed to agree that the Vampire Knight Character designs don't really compare to Matsuri Hino's drawings. I know that someone else designs the characters to make it easier for the animators to draw them but…the characters aren't given much of the same refinement as in the manga… and it kind of put me off from watching the anime…
On a completely different note, anyone here like Code Geass? It's been my favorite anime since I watched all of it in November I think. The fandom has refused to leave me since then. Not to mention that I think it's the best anime I've seen so far…very beautifully crafted and it's one of the few that have made me cry. (I promise you not an easy feat. ^_^;) If so, you should check out my profile. I have a number of one-shots that will be released soon, all of them centering on Suzaku/Lelouch. Please look forward to them! ^_^
