The mansion was in an uproar. Many feared that the young vampiress had run away again, but seeing her abandoned book, Hanabusa was almost certain that it was not the case. She rarely left her books strewed about. The only place this occurred was in her bedroom. He was afraid of what Aria's disappearance might do to Yori's health, but she took it in stride and suggested contacting the Kurans to see if she had been in touch with them. It had become quite apparent that Aria had been out searching for them on her last excursion into the village and Hanabusa sent word immediately and the response was swift. Within the day, the Kurans were on the Aidou doorstep and inquiring after Aria. Yuki and Yori were once again reunited and the darker woman immediately flew into Yori's arms. Hanabusa let out a unmanly squeak as he was not prepared for this and instantly feared for Yori's health, but she held out well, only smiling tearfully and gripping the other just as tightly.
"Yori! I've missed you so much! Are you all right? Your health? Any problems?" Yori shook her head politely before grasping the other woman in another tight hug. Kaname cleared his throat and stepped aside, and there was produced Zero Kuran. He stood looking at everyone and with a slight apprehension. He was obviously hoping to see Aria, despite the fact that he had been told she had disappeared. Hanabusa felt his hackles go up and Yori came from behind and placed a calming hand on his back.
"Be nice," she whispered under her breath. Beaming, she stepped forward and embraced the young man warmly. Zero was initially shocked by this show of affection, but strangely he found it to be rather comforting. He returned the embrace and stepped back so that Yori could look at him.
"You've grown so much, young Zero."
"It's been a long time, Ms. Yori." She in response rolled her eyes and told him not to call her that as she had done with Aria.
"It's been a while," said Kaname finally to all of those standing within earshot. "Perhaps we should start making instant preparations in locating Aria's whereabouts." Everyone instantly agreed and shuffled inside to the den. The Kurans, Hanabusa, Yori, Lilith, and Lord Aidou and his wife were all in attendance, the doors shut tightly, not to be disturbed.
"Word is out that there are several on the rampage, attempting to find vampires with a special kind of blood. The rumor is that it gives longevity to humans. The pureblood is being sought out by vampires and others are being sought by these humans." Kaname glanced momentarily at his son, knowing that Zero had the least idea of what was so special about Aria's blood.
"Are these rumors true?" inquired Lord Aidou worriedly. Kaname shrugged.
"We are not sure, there are so few out there that no one hears from those who disappear until it's too late. Either they are drained completely or sent to various locations where their blood can be drained continuously." Lilith and Yori seemed to grow very pale at this news and Hanabusa thought for a moment it might be better for them to not be there, but seeing the look of anger on Yori's face made him rethink this possibility. He would lose an arm, leg, and possibly his head in the process of convincing her.
"There has been news that these kidnappers are within the area and will possibly head north from here. We will try to cut them off as quickly as possible before they even know that we're onto them." Hanabusa imagined the horrible things he would do to those who dared to lay a finger upon his daughter. He had fought in battle, but nothing was more enticing than this chase. More was at risk than ever before and by the gods in heaven and hell, he would have their blood for this.
"Where is Zero?" Yori asked suddenly. Everyone stopped speaking long enough to look around and find that the young pureblood had disappeared. Groaning, Yuki placed her head in her hands and rubbed her temples as everyone stared at her curiously while her husband placed a comforting pat on her shoulder.
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For the third day in a row, Aria was transfixed with the sounds of the wilderness surrounding her. First it started with the birds, then the animals in the brush, and finally the singing of the sun. Inevitably, she was woken from her calm slumber, usually during the evenings, but was thrown completely off kilter by the sudden change in hours of the day. They traveled at a quick pace, her kidnappers wished to quit of the area as soon as possible, but as she had stated, she was not going to make it easy for them. It was not uncommon that they had to throw her over one of their backs, or that of the single horse they brought to carry their supplies.
In the evenings they sat huddled around a small fire, her tethered to the nearest large tree and sufficiently bound so she could not wander far. At that time, Ace would then proceed to do several exercises obviously to keep limber and agile. Aria had to admit that he was skilled in the arts of warfare, from his movements she could tell this even though she had an untrained eye. Unlike the other two, he would sit not far from her and converse about the things that interested her most; tales, philosophy, and topics of debate. They had always avoided speaking of personal issues until one night Aria was overrun with curiosity. For a moment his handsome face glowed in the firelight before he looked away up at the stars.
"My village was burned during the war and that was when I joined the fight. My family was lost in the blaze and ever since I've been seeking out those who went rogue during a time of great trepidation. It has been my only goal since then," he said simply and concisely.
"It sounds morbid," Aria replied, not giving him the usual expression of pity and condolences he was well acquainted with as time passed and his story was vaguely shared to others. He was stunned for a moment before letting out a bark of laughter, startling Aria momentarily.
"You are very unusual Aria Aidou." She raised her chin defiantly, thinking it a criticism, refusing to respond.
"As I grow older I find less chance of getting my revenge, that is why I seek the mixed blood of a vampire," he said eyeing her meaningfully. She curled in and looked back at him rebelliously.
"Then perhaps you should find another goal or hobby," she said almost disdainfully.
"Perhaps you are right, but old habits are hard to break, especially in this day and age. People now are clinging to the old and familiar as if their lives depended upon it." Aria had seen little of the outside world and felt she had inadequate experience and knowledge to negate his comment.
"Just because others follow one route, does not mean that you must follow as well."
"This is true, but I am a simple man. When I see something I want, I get it." His eyes bored into hers for a long and intense moment before Aria cleared her throat and looked away quickly.
"What will this man do to me once we get there?" Ace seemed slightly disturbed by the sudden change of topic and it was now his turn to look away.
"You will not be harmed…"
"I hardly think that is the case if he will be draining me like some beast." Ace was about to rebut, but was interrupted swiftly by a glint of light off of metal in the night air. Years of battle and training sent his reflexes into a sequence of movements. He jumped to the side quickly, grabbing hold of Aria reflexively and dragging her with him. He held her protectively away from the sudden intruder who was shrouded in the shadows. Aria tried to see over Ace's shoulder at who now stood at the foot of the tree. He had skillfully sliced through the ropes, releasing her, but for some reason her body refused to move, beckoning her not to.
"Release the girl," came a deep voice, resonating throughout the night. Ace's companions who had been absent came flying from the bushes ready to fight, but instantly were held up short by a gun aimed in their direction from the man's other outstretched hand.
"And what would you want with her?" Ace said through grit teeth. Aria blinked several times at the back of Ace's head, trying to read the look that might have been on his face. It seemed more than just trying to protect a good to be delivered.
"It is of no concern of yours. Release her," came the order again. It was in this moment that Aria's ears seemed to perk up. She knew that voice. When Ace did not move the other raised his sword.
"If you will not release her, then I will take her myself." The sword descended quickly only to stop within a hairs breathe of its victim. Aria stood with her arms outstretched, guarding off the attack on her kidnapper. Both of the men stared stunned at her as they realized what had happened and within that moment Aria knew why the voice had sounded so familiar to her and simultaneously he recognized her as well.
"You!" they both cried at the same time. The sounds of the night seemed to flood the small encampment as the two looked each other up and down once again.
"Aria?" She was confused momentarily.
"How do you know my name?"
"You do not recognize me after so many years? I told you to wait for me, didn't I?" Memories seemed to be unlocked from a box she had kept safely tucked away in the back of her mind. The little dark-headed boy who bounced at her side, the smiles and joyous laughter, the endearing moments of holding hands and hiding away from Yori and his mother in the garden, they were all still intact and vivid as ever only to be examined for the first time in years.
"Z… Zero?" she cried. "Y… you… but… in the market… you…" A less than amused look spread across his face.
"I admit I did not recognize you as well." The reunion was quickly interrupted by Ace, stepping around Aria and pulling her behind him once again.
"Who are you and what do you want with her?" he said forcefully. The previous shock melted into one of hostility at having Aria moved away from him and with another man in the middle to boot.
"You are a man with quite a pair to challenge a pureblood and without a weapon no less." The other two men hesitated and stepped off a ways. First one turned and then another, taking off into the darkness, running with the hounds of hell on their heels. Ace visibly paled at the word 'pureblood,' but he held his ground impressively.
"That is not the point, what do you have to do with Aria?"
"I said it was none of your concern." Aria saw this could certainly go on all night and stepped back in between the two.
"Could you two please calm down? This is all too much to take in a single moment," she said delicately, trying to use her fragile feminine exterior to change the atmosphere. They both looked at her with lightening and she resisted the urge to cringe. Never get involved in a male-pride confrontation.
"Why don't you swoon like most women then so you won't have to deal with it?" Zero mumbled. He cursed himself. His mother had warned him of his fast mouth and his thoughtless words (which was why he was so quiet in most people's presence) and certainly now it would fly back in his face and it did, literally. Pushing aside the sword without hesitation, Aria sped forward and smacked him across the cheek… hard.
"There! How's that for a womanly reaction?" she hissed. "Don't think just because I'm a woman that I am weak," she growled as both men stood staring at her aghast.
"How could you have grown up to be so violent?" he said as his pride was hurt.
"And you to be so rude?" she shot back. Waves of negative energy seemed to consume them as they stood off toe to toe. For some reason, Ace was having a difficult time telling which of the two was more dangerous at that moment.
"You could at least have become more demure. Even Ms. Yori tried to teach you that, I see it never really took."
"Why you… at least she taught me to respect my elders!"
"You're not that much older than me. I've even grown taller than you."
"Yes, but your brain stayed the same size!"
Ace tried clearing his throat.
"Big words only fit in big mouths, though I'm surprised it's not in proportion with the rest of you." Zero looked her up and down, settling on her still growing chest. She let out a gasp and covered it defensively before stomping her foot to fly forward with claws extended. Ace caught her mid leap.
"Whoa! Everyone calm down now! I think perhaps we need to take a moment to gather ourselves."
"Stay out of this!" they shouted once again in sync before turning once more on each other.
"What are you doing here anyway?" yelled Aria. "Weren't you in hiding?"
"I came out of hiding to rescue you, but I can see that perhaps it might have been a mistake!" Zero growled back with more than mild irritation.
"Rescue me? I would rather be drained then be rescued by you!"
"Well it doesn't seem you have much of a choice, Lady Aidou," he said mockingly.
"I believe I have every choice in the matter, Zero-sama," she emphasized the last just as mockingly. Ace felt his face growing red with agitation.
"Fine! Then be drained for all I care! I can't believe that I came out all this way to save an annoying, violent, self-absorbed…"
"ENOUGH!" The two stopped mid-argument to stare at Ace who had more than his fill of their arguing. After seeing he finally had their attention, Ace continued. "It's obvious that I stand no chance against a pureblood, so I will willingly hand over Lady Aidou to you." He held his hand up at Aria's opened mouth to argue back. "However, you will take me with you."
"What? Why?" said Zero suspiciously. Ace's face changed as he looked at Aria before replying.
"Because I think I have found a new hobby." The pause was filled with meaning, enough to make Zero want to take the sword and lop off this man's head. Ace didn't seem to notice his impending doom and then turned his gaze back to his opponent. "Besides, I am sure that I can provide some helpful information to Kaname-sama." This only made Zero wearier. His relationship with his father wasn't cold, but it wasn't perfect either. Just mentioning his name made Zero feel uneasy at times.
If Zero was to react irrationally right now, he would only look the fool, so trying to counter any possibility of him going through with his desire to execute the handsome rival, he slid his sword in his scabbard but with great self-control. With a grunt, he turned and slouched down next to the fire, not wanting to interact any further as the other two began disbanding the camp. Aria threw him looks every once in a while and in the moments that he caught her eye, they would mutually glare in each other's direction. Things definitely were not looking the way either had imagined them to be.