OH MY~~~ DO I SEE 300 REVIEWS AND ABOVE? 100 followers?
GOSH I LOVE YOU GUYS!
I have never been big on the statistics but numbers like this ought to be celebrated right? right?... Well here is my way of celebrating it which is a WHOOPING TRIPLE UPDATE!
Yes you read it right! I posted three chapters 44, 45, and 46 in one go!
(celebration and apology for the lagging as well :p)
I seriously never expected this story to have such awesome feedback, and I am thrilled to know that you are enjoying it.
I also received a couple of AMAZING pm, emails from readers that made me sooooo happy that I mustered the courage to start writing what had been brewing in my head for so long. I love sharing it with you guys! You certainly make my days brighter and better XD
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ Continuation ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
Zero waited for a moment before turning to leave, thinking that the pureblood may not be in his penthouse in the first place. He took a single step away but halted. He turned around to face the door again. Zero stared at the knob for a moment as he focused his senses. Damn this building is irritating with the distortion field surrounding it.
His eyes widened when he finally pinpointed the all too familiar aura behind the doors. Gritting his teeth, he twisted the knob and flung the door open.
"Well… Isn't it the rude one who does not bother answering the door?" Zero snapped at the man pouring himself a glass of whiskey without looking at the intruder.
"I wonder who the rude one here is." Kaname slurred, making Zero frown for a moment.
The brown hair covered his face and his hunched posture was unusual for the regal pureblood who always carried himself with grace. A sense of dread wrapped around the hunter. He was about to take a step back and leave, if the pureblood did not start speaking as he looked at him.
Zero relaxed a little when he noticed that his eyes were normal and no fangs were in sight. What was that sensation?
"Care for a drink?" Kaname swung an empty glass while looking at the hunter, his eyes not really meeting the amethyst orbs.
"No. I would rather not." Zero answered formally, as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him but not straying far from it.
"Oh right! You should not; I almost forgot that you made the mistake of keeping a child this time." Kaname replied with obvious sarcasm.
"It is not a mistake." Zero felt irritated at the remark.
"My bad then, I never pegged you for someone to fall in love in the blink of an eye and start a family on a whim." Kaname commented while snapping his finger to accentuate his idea.
"What are you getting at, Kuran!" Zero started forgetting the purpose of his visit.
"Nothing~~" Kaname slurred, in attempt to hide the pain of not hearing his name leave the silverette's lips, thus, having a sense of alienation slapped to his face.
"Are you drunk?" Zero asked with a frown when the pureblood stepped closer to him, the smell of liquor was far too strong for someone who has been drinking casually.
"Does it matter? It is not as if I am underage…Oh! That could actually make a good joke actually." Kaname shrugged as he downed the glass in one gulp, hissing at the pleasant burn it caused.
"You know what; I might have to come back when you are sober." Zero announced as he turned to leave, only for the door to be slammed as soon as he opened it and a reeking pureblood whispering against his neck.
"Now… Now… I can't let you leave just like that, Kiryuu~ kun," Zero covered his ear from the shivers of Kaname's whisper against it, "You obviously have serious matters to discuss for you to come here to meet your rapist without your escort." Kaname finished his speech with a chuckle as he pushed himself away from the hunter and going to drink straight from the bottle while leaning against his gigantic desk.
Zero took a calming breath before turning and facing the pureblood with a stern expression, "I am glad to see that you are aware of your true calling." He could not help but bite back the sarcasm, "Indeed I came here to discuss an important matter… A matter about your manipulative ass."
The hunter felt like face palming himself when Kaname mocked him by actually straining his neck to look at his own behind. This is pointless.
"Go on." Kaname urged him.
"Why did you not tell me that you did not restore the bond with Yuki, that it was broken in the first place and that you were not mates anymore? Why did you not tell me that you were no longer together? Why did you lead me on and made me think that I was having an affair with my sister's mate? Did you get such an amazing kick from seeing the guilt building up and laughed at me for not being able to resist you? Was it that much fun, Bastard?" Zero finally snapped, rage igniting inside him.
Kaname stilled for a moment, his head clearing up. He placed the bottle back on the desk and finally met the violet orbs darkened with anger.
"I told you."
"Pardon?" Zero thought that he heard him wrong.
"I asked if you would sleep with me again if Yuki and I were not mates, before you pulled your gun in the chairman office." Kaname stated with a flat tone and an unreadable expression.
Zero's jaw slackened in shock as he blinked few times, "You call that telling me that you were not mated?"
"Would it have made a difference if I said it back then?" Kaname asked, already knowing the answer.
"Hell no." Zero regretted his immediate reply when Kaname gave him the 'I told you' look, "but it would have if you actually said it later."
It was Kaname's turn to give him a baffled look, "Well… You might have to work on your communication skills as well as jugging your forgetful head to realize how many time I tried to bloody tell you that things WERE ENDING WITH YUKI!"
Zero flinched at the sudden rise in Kaname's voice as well as his flaring aura that whipped around him. Feeling his throat tightening, he balled his fists and whispered, "How was I supposed to catch the fucking hints when you drop them in roundabouts way?"
"Well… Sorry for not being a straightforward, goofball like your hubby."
"This has nothing to do with Gin. Stop pulling him in this conversation. I am trying to understand here."
"THERE IS NOTHING TO UNDERSTAND, ZERO!" This time the pureblood moved in the blink of an eye and pushed Zero against the door with a slam, gripping the neck of the struggling hunter, "You wanted to confirm that I am a manipulative bastard who wants things to go his way without justifying his actions? Fine, I am the manipulative man who slept with you, enjoyed watching the guilt game and played the love fool while trying to make you his in the worst roundabout way. However, when things did not go as planned, he took his last supper by doing what he wanted to do without holding back one bit. Happy? NOW SCRAM!"
He finally let go of the windpipe he was about to crush if he pressed any harder.
"Why did you not tell me, Kaname?" Zero asked again with a croaky voice from catching his breath. He knew how bad of an idea it was to push the limits with the pureblood, but he needed answers.
The tone made the Kaname halt and turn to face the calm look of the hunter. His face morphing into a saddened expression.
"You really want to know why?" Kaname asked in return.
"Yes." Zero affirmed as he straightened up.
"Because…" Kaname shrugged, "I don't know."
"What?" Zero frowned again.
"Because I did not know. I did not know where I was standing, neither with you nor with Yuki, because you both have the knack of sending mixed signals."
Zero gave him an 'o' response with his mouth when it turned out as he expected. The answer only made him angrier,
"So basically…. You fucked me and agreed to the deal while you were debating on whether or not you should be with Yuki. Is that it? Did I get it wrong again? Were you still thinking that you could restore the bond again while you were trying to win me over? Were you still thinking of the possibility of having to be with Yuki forever when you told me that you loved me?"
"What difference will it make if I answered those questions?" Kaname inquired in a flat tone.
"A fucking lot." Zero snapped, his hands trembling from anger.
"It does not matter" Kaname shrugged again, reluctant to give any answer.
"Who are you to decide for me what matters and what does not?" Zero could not take anymore and stomped forward to grab the collar of the pureblood who was ignoring his presence again for another drink.
Before his hands reached the fabric, Kaname grabbed his wrist painfully; flashes of the last night together came forth from the brutal handling as well as the fact that Kaname pressed Zero's cheek with his finger to bring his chin up and talk uncomfortably close to the hunter's face.
"Why does it matter now? Are you saying that since I am not fucking Yuuki, I should fuck you? Is your man not satisfying you enough? Did you become more promiscuous because of the pregnancy? Is that it?" Kaname hissed
"Let go of me." Zero spoke through puckered lips, fear gripping him. He was not in the best shape to rebuke the brunet if he snapped out of control again.
Kaname's focus, however, shifted to his belly. Zero swallowed as the pureblood squinted his eyes looking down towards his hidden bump. The hunter got scared for a second thinking that Kaname might have realized somehow that the child was his, but he knew how impossible that was.
In the midst of his struggling, Zero missed the way Kaname's eyes widened when his sharp hearing noticed the muffled heartbeat of his baby.
For a moment after that, Zero's blood ran cold when he saw pure insanity in Kaname's eyes as he smirked at him, "In that case, should I rid ? " with his claws out, Kaname brushed against his bump almost tearing through the shirt.
"Don't you dare hurt my baby, bastard!" Zero's hiss and spitting on his face was the last straw that made Kaname throw the hunter with full force.
Zero thankfully found his balance and stood tall while catching his breath. He cradled his belly protectively while glaring daggers at the brunet.
He had hard time believing the reckless words that came out of his mouth later but did not regret them either, "What if I told you that it is yours?"
"Pardon?" Kaname grunted, giving the hunter one of his coldest look.
"What if I told you that the child I am carrying is yours? That you are the father and that Gin is acting like that for me because I wanted to hide the truth from you. What would you think, what would you do?" Zero challenged him.
Kaname snorted, making the verifying gesture with his hands as he approached the hunter slowly, "You are meaning to tell me that, whoever is growing inside you is the child that I thought you killed. Oh! Wait, maybe you will tell me that I impregnated you the last time I forced you. I don't think so, since I did not use the 'proper channel' at that time."
Zero gritted his teeth at the sarcasm, "It is indeed the child you thought I killed, Kaname."
After a minute of complete silence, Kaname burst in a hilarious fit of laughter, shaking his head in disbelief.
"This has to be the joke of the year. Thank you for the good laugh." The pureblood sputtered, looking at the hunter who narrowed his eyes in response.
"Do you really think that I would say such a thing as a joke?" Zero deadpanned.
Still chuckling Kaname took a shuddering breath to make himself look more serious. However, he was unable to.
"Do you want to know what I would do if you are pregnant with my child? Okay, I will tell you." The pureblood got closer to the wary hunter, his talons still aroused.
"If you are indeed pregnant with my child, I will simply wrench it from your insides, sparing the innocent soul the curse of having you as a parent." Kaname grazed Zero's cheek with the elongated nail before tracing it down his torso until his belly, "After all, you did open my eyes to the harsh reality. You made me realize how much of a mistake I was making when I desired a life with you, the one who is incapable of caring about anyone but himself. The worst kind of parents. I pity them…" Kaname gave a sympathizing look to Zero's stomach, "and I pity the one who will end up taking care of them while you go moonlighting."
At that point, Zero was shaking, flabbergasted and unable to breathe from shock.
"Are you still going to insist that you are carrying my child, Zero?" Kaname tilted his head, amused by the terrified look of the hunter. Zero swallowed loudly, stepping back until his back hit the door, unable to talk as his throat tightened and his eyes stung with threatening tears. Hold it in! Don't cry! Don't give him that satisfaction!
"The answer is no, I guess." Kaname shrugged, both hands rising to accentuate his nonchalance as he stepped away from the hunter, "I do not even understand the point of telling me such a thing. Are you that desperate to have your favorite bed partner back? If that is the case, I am terribly sorry that I do not provide that kind of service anymore."
"Wha-" Zero stuttered.
"What? Or maayyy be, you wanted to switch roles now, where I become the paramour. Again, sorry I am not that low." Kaname added leisurely
"No, it not like that-" Zero tried to get the words out, but every sound coming of the pureblood sent stabbing pain to his chest.
"What? Did you intend to leave your man for me? Oh! Give me a break, please. I am not interested in the leftover of others, let alone raising another man's child. Leave!" Kaname spoke the last part with a disgusted expression while pointing to door.
Zero was stunned at the selfishness and arrogance of the pureblood. There was just so much that his pride can take, which prevented him from pleading the brunet to hear him. Being described as cheap, leftover and a cheat was the cherry on top.
In a brisk movement, he turned and grabbed the doorknob while covering his mouth slightly so that the pureblood would not see his lips quivering. He opened the door with a firm resolution of going back to the man who truly wanted him, loved him and accepted him for who he is, even going as far as loving the child that was not his.
"You're wrong, Kuran! I am not leaving my man who treasures me and will never stand calling me with degrading names every time things do not go his way. Farewell!"
*Slam*
Kaname stared blankly at the door, not bothering to move or react; the image of Zero's back etched in his eyes as the hunter left him on the worst terms possible.
He gripped the glass bottle, intending to drown in the liquor when the door of his inner quarter clicked open. Takuma peeked shyly before entering and closing the door softly behind him.
The noble found himself in the most awkward situation possible when he used the private lift that led to Kaname's living quarter in the penthouse, only for him to end up eavesdropping on a sensitive conversation. He guessed that Zero was unable to sense him thanks to the distortion field that Kaname kept active in his penthouse.
Forest green eyes landed on the hunched figure of the pureblood, his heart aching at the miserable sight of his friend. He was not surprised to find him in such a state after the initial shock of finding six emptied bottles of high-grade liquor potent with silver wine. A liquor strong enough to knock out any vampire regardless of their tolerance. Takuma was surprised that the pureblood was even standing, let alone capable of forming coherent thoughts. Well… That is Kaname for you.
Taking careful step towards his lifelong friend, he reached a hand to pat softly on the shirt-clad shoulder. Takuma yelped slightly when Kaname shrugged his touch harshly and turned towards his bedroom without meeting his eyes.
"Kaname!" He could not afford leaving in such a state, but his words died out at the weak answer he received.
"Not now… Takuma… Not now… Please." Kaname pleaded softly as he closed the door behind him.
Takuma flinched at the sound of glass shattering, assuming that the victim was the bottle of whiskey Kaname was holding.
Behind the closed doors of his bathroom. Kaname turned the cold showerhead and stood under the water like a statute. His clothes clung to his skin as the water soaked into the black fabric. With his forehead on the pristine white tiles, Kaname was unable to close his eyes as images of the hunter flashed through his mind.
No matter how much he tried to bury his feelings for Zero, no matter how many times he reminded himself of his betrayal, Kaname could only remember the sweetest things about the hunter. He only remembered their passion, Zero's unexplained shyness when complimented, his obsession with tidiness that contrasted with his messed up personality, his attention to details and preferences of others when it comes to cooking Kaname's favorite food, or making sure that his clothes were dry cleaned by his next visit so that he always had a change of clothes available.
He was not able to forget the warmth of the hunter's body who would snuggle up to him after acting aloof and reluctant if Kaname makes the mistake of asking him to do so, nor did he forget the sweetest smile that graced his lips when the hunter was in his best moods.
The pureblood let out a dry chuckle when remembering the saying 'curiosity kills the cat'. His curiosity certainly brought his demise when it comes to the hunter. His curiosity and eagerness to strip away the mask that he showed him for the past years. His eagerness to know more once he broke the first defenses, or last if anyone else were to judge.
He knew that he should be regretting ever allowing himself to fall for the silverette, but he did not. He will never regret falling for Zero, but he was not ready to face his feelings once again without reaching out to him. An action he could not afford as long as he will do nothing but hurt him, make him cry and feel miserable.
"How ironic for it to start in a drunken stupor and to end in another drunken stupor as well." his whispered.
He might have been with Zero for few months only, but they felt like the most fulfilling moments he ever had in thousands of years. He could only imagine how special it could have been had he resolved himself to set the insecurities aside and face his fears in favor of a better future.
Truth being told, the moment he was reawakened, Kaname knew that he was a different person altogether.
He was a free man. Even with the seal taking away most of his powers, he still felt free. Free of the shackles from his past. He fulfilled his duty to his long lost companion. He protected Yuki just like he promised her parents. He was exempted from taking the lead and playing solo when it came to the ruling aspects.
The sensation was foreign yet welcomed. The first thought that crossed his blank mind was taking responsibility for the consequence of his impulsive actions. The seal was the punishment for his sins, and taking care of his unborn child was the redemption.
It was along with that resolve that realization hit him. Despite craving his blood, Yuki did not bite him… She did not ask for his affection… The sparkle in her big round eyes he always noticed when she met him as a prefect was gone.
Thinking that it was only a fragment of his imagination, he took the initiative by reusing their usual greeting. It was when their lips met and parted, the way she tensed, the way she looked away when he leaned back while stuttering, and the way she glanced over her shoulder with guilt weighing her doe eyes that made him realize it.
What he saw in her eyes was the goodbye for the crush she had for him and the welcome of the man she called 'onii-sama'. The man she welcomed was not her mate; the man she was happy that he reawakened was her family, her brother.
Nonetheless, Yuki being Yuki. Kaname could not help but get confused by the mixed signals she emitted. One day she would be clingy and needy, the other day she would act distant and brooding while looking out of a window or tapping on her student's notes. The pureblood was lost about what to make out of their relationship.
When he finally confronted her, she admitted being confused herself. She explained that it might be due to her pregnancy and that she would rather wait before she took a step ahead, as not to regret things afterwards. Frankly, Kaname thought she was talking about the two of them and their child.
It did not take long for him to take interest in the hunter after that. However, the excessive care that Yuki showed towards Zero made him question few things. He went as far as doubting that she wanted to leave him for the hunter.
Kaname suspected that it was at that point that his feelings for Zero started to take a different shape from curiosity and the experiencing of an exhilarating thrill.
Instead of feeling left out, defeated by the fact that he expected them to be together in the first place, Kaname found himself wanting the hunter for himself. He wanted Zero to want him, to need him, to look only at him and no one else. He wanted to be everything that the hunter needed, everything that he needed so that he would not leave him for another, not even for Yuki.
Another baffled laugh left the lips of the pureblood as he placed his palms against the tile. "How stupid could I have been?"
The remorse was too much to handle, the remorse that he did not realize it sooner. That the ones he thought he loved before were nothing but… Obligations? Yes… I guess that I just felt compelled to stay by their side.
Sliding down on his knees, he let his hands fall on folded knees, staring as the drops of water gathered in his palms. The emptiness he had not felt in ages came back tenfold, as he lost that place, the place where he felt he truly belonged.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ In Cross's house ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
For those lounging in the living room, it felt like the calm before the storm. A storm called Kiryuu Zero stomping inside, grabbing everything he can get his hands on and storming out towards his car, only to storm back in because his car keys happened to be with a sleeping Gin who woke up from the ruckus.
"I am leaving!" Zero screamed while extending his hands asking for the keys.
"Wha… Zero…. what we agree-"
"I agreed to nothing! I AM NOT STAYING A FUCKING SECOND MORE! DO YOU HEAR ME! Now either you give me my keys or I will go by train."
"Calm dow-" Gin never had the chance to finish any of his words.
"I am not fucking calming down until I am out of here!" Zero flailed his hands in frustration before breaking in a fit of sobs. Ichiru was the first to rush upstairs and cradle him.
"Zero, what's wrong!" the flustered twin gave Gin a questioning look while the grey eyed male shrugged and shook his head to show his ignorance of the matter. "Zero! Talk to me!"
"I want to go back." The hunter sobbed, clutching Ichiru's sleeve, "I want to go back home…" The whimpers finally made Gin give up on changing the hunter's mind.
"Okay! I will take you home, come here…" He helped Zero up and welcomed him when the hunter clutched his arm. "Wait, I am coming with you." Ichiru informed as he was about to fetch his jacket.
"No!" Zero's order made him halt in shock, "Don't."
Gin finally got the hunter in the car and went back to the flabbergasted twin, "Ichiru? You know that he-"
"I know. The pregnancy can make him… weird. I know… Call me if anything happens… No… call me when u reach and tell me when he is… better." Ichiru mumbled before going back inside. He should be glad that Zero was relying on Gin, but it felt weird not to be the one that his twin reached out to when distressed.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ In Zero's apartment ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
It practically took the whole day for the hunter to finally calm down and get some sleep. Gin was extremely distraught, as he could not understand what happened to Zero. The last thing he remembers before sleeping was the hunter having a good time with his family.
Once he tucked the sniffling mess in his bed, Gin finally retired to his own room for a much-needed rest.
Unfortunately, their troubles were only getting started.
In the middle of the silent dark night, Gin stirred from his sleep by the muffled screams of the hunter.
"Gin! Ginnn… help…" The last words or more precisely the last whine sent the blue haired man stumbling to Zero's room.
He froze for a second at the state of the hunter. Zero was curled up on the bed, clutching the sheets in a death grip with one hand while the other clutched his stomach. The hunter's face contorted in pain and panic.
"Ginn…UNGGHHHH!" The pained moan Zero let out as he threw his head backward snapped the grey-eyed man into action.
He quickly jumped to his side, wincing at the painful squeeze of Zero's hand over his but forgetting about it when he tried to understand the words of the panting hunter.
"Zero! What is wrong? Are you hurt?"
"haa… Baby… something… wrong. Hurts a lot!... uhnnn… Call doct… AaAAH!" Another bout of pain sent the silverette curling in a ball, face red and strained as the pain only increased.
Gin did not waste time to snatch the phone and speed dial the doctor's number.
"Hello! Yes! This is Moriya Gin… Ki- No, Mamiya-san's partner." Gin introduced himself fast as he rubbed Zero's back. He put the phone on speaker at Zero's demand.
"Yes… Is there a problem?"
"He is in a lot of pain." Gin screamed.
"What kind of pain?" the doctor asked.
How the fuck would I know? He looked at the hunter who was unable to utter a word, judging from the position of his hands, Gin made his own assumption.
"He is having severe cramping, around the pelvic area. He is saying that something is wrong with the baby." He chocked the words out wishing for them to be wrong.
"That must be the sensation of the uterus stretching and accommodating for the growth of the baby." The doctor reassured.
A whimper that escaped the hunter made Gin snap, "Oh Really! You are telling me that something like that causes pain to the point he cannot even speak. We will be in the hospital in ten minutes. If you are not there, we will just have to switch to a different doctor who gives a shit about emergencies." He hang up and rushed to the closet, picking random clothes to dress the hunter and keep him warm before throwing on his jacket and whisking Zero in his arms. The hardest part was putting Zero's disguise because he was adamant about going there without.
As he said, Gin was in front of the hospital in no more than ten minutes. Without bothering with the wheelchair, he stormed inside with the hunter in his arms panting and sweating from the stabbing sensations. The doctor was waiting by the reception area, and then guided them to the room. He immediately hooked Zero with a blood bag and wired him with the monitor to ensure the baby's health.
After the third blood bag, the ex-human calmed down enough to form coherent thoughts and take in his surroundings.
"How is my baby?" He asked weakly. Gin could not help but smile at the first question Zero asked after getting over the delirium.
"The baby is doing fine. Have you been neglecting the blood drinking lately, Mamiya-san?" The doctor asked as he ticked the form that he was holding.
Gin frowned at the question, "I do not think so. He has been drinking frequently."
"Yeah…" Zero licked his dry lips, "I feel like I have been indulging even more than before. This was just… sudden. I drank from Gin before going to sleep as well." He added before taking the water than Gin offered with a thank you.
"Hmm…." The doctor paused for a moment, raising the anxiety of the couple. He looked at the hunter and his companion before speaking again. "Moriya-san, can you kindly give us a moment, please."
Zero and Gin exchanged a worried glance before Zero nodded to comfort the man who stood to leave the room.
Zero tensed when the frown on the wrinkled forehead of the doctor deepened when their eyes met.
"He is not the father of this child, is he?" The doctor asked bluntly, making Zero jolt from the surprising question.
"Wha… What do you mean?" Zero stuttered.
"Mamiya-san! If you want to have a safe pregnancy, as your doctor, I need to be aware of every detail possible. The pregnancy of a level D vampire is an extremely sensitive process, not to mention that it is risky for both, the mother and the baby."
Zero clammed up for a moment before asking another question, "What made you think that Gin is not the father?"
The doctor sighed at the stubborn patient. "What you are experiencing is called siphoning."
"Siphoning?" Zero tilted his head, not understanding the point.
"Your baby is drawing life force from your blood." the doctor tried to use simpler words only to confuse the hunter more.
"Isn't that… normal?" Zero asked meekly.
"It is. However, it is happening too early and too quickly." The doctor placed the paper on a table and sat on the chair Gin was using.
"No… I meant that a baby is supposed to get his nutriments off his carrier, right? Since conception." Zero clarified his point.
The doctor noticed the misunderstanding and elaborated. "Siphoning meant a different kind of sustenance. It is about the baby's powers. He is siphoning the magic in your blood, storing it in his core which will be the seed to awakening his own element once he comes of age."
Zero swallowed, dreading the answer to his next question. "What does this have to do with the father?"
The doctor fixed him with a steady gaze, "The frequency, intensity and starting point of the siphoning depends on how strong the baby will be, which of course depends on the parents. For a level D vampire, the strongest of their offspring would be a level C and rarely a level B noble. If the child's parents were both Level D vampires, the offspring would be also a level D. If one parent is D and another is C, the offspring would most probably be a D as well. However, if the other party is a B ranked vampire, the offspring will most likely hover between B and C. The rare case of the taboo children between a pureblood and a level D may result in a level B vampire. In your specific case, Mamiya-san. The father is human, so I expected the siphoning not to happen at all because. However, what I am seeing is one of the earliest occurrence of the phenomenon, which tells me that not only the father of your child is a vampire, but also a high ranked one. I would not dare to say that it is a pureblood, but it is certainly a high level noble."
Zero gritted his teeth at the discomfort. He never expected such a detail to expose him. He averted the scrutinizing eyes of the doctor.
Sighing, the old vampire continued his explanation, "Mamiya-san, can you please have a look at what is happening to you?" he instructed as he removed the blood transfusion from Zero's arm. He held the hand of the hunter for him to see, pointing to his nails.
Zero eyes widened when he noticed the color changing and his skin paling more before a grim texture covered it. His nails were the first to turn to dust before the doctor plugged the blood transfusion of the fourth blood bag.
"I hope you do understand what this means. If you do not drink from the father or from a vampire as strong as him, not only will you not be able to carry the pregnancy to term, but you will most likely perish along with your unborn child."
Zero was shaking like a leaf, tears flowing already as the doctor spoke and his head whipped from left to right in attempt to deny the horrible truth he was told.
The old noble sat back on the chair and sighed, fist balled over his knees.
"Do you not have any intention to tell the father about your pregnancy?" He asked with a whisper.
Zero denied silently, teary eyes begging the doctor for any solution possible.
Wiping his own face, he announced the verdict, "In that case, we need to terminate your pregnancy as soon as possible in order to save your life."
"no! No! NO!"
"Mamiya-san-"
"I said no!" Zero sat up straight, yanking the needles and straps from his body, anger fueled him with enough energy to stand and threatened the doctor who was trying to get him in bed again, "You fucking asshole are not coming anywhere near my baby!" He barked continuously as he made his way to the door, cradling his still flat stomach "Fuck the siphoning, fuck the father… Fuck you all… I am going to survive and have my baby and you can go eat shit! Termination, you say? You want to terminate my pregnancy, kill my baby, my life?" Despite his anger, Zero's panic was obvious in his sobbing voice.
"What happened?" Gin did not waste time coming in when he heard the hunter screaming.
"I am going home." Zero deadpanned.
"Mamiya-san! Please do not be reckless; you are only putting yourself in fatal danger!" The doctor pleaded as he grabbed Zero's hand.
"So what? You should be glad since you bunch of aristocrat never liked ex-humans anyways." Zero snorted, but the strengthening grip of the doctor did not loosen.
"Two more bags." The doctor whispered.
"What?" Zero snapped back.
"I would like to understand what is going on here?" Gin interjected, confused on what stance should he take towards the situation.
"Allow two more bags of blood in your body before leaving." The doctor was pleading at this point. The hunter did not know the hurt he caused the man who had been dedicating most of his life to the weakest and abused vampires in his society.
The hunter scoffed, "Yeah right! So that you can put the abortion potion in them and achieve what you aimed for."
The word abortion made Gin grab the doctor's hand with a menacing look in his eyes. "I would really appreciate an explanation."
Both sighed and Zero allowed the doctor to explain by clarifying that the teacher was aware that he was not the father.
Gin felt his knees crumble and had to hold onto the chair for support. He understood Zero's outburst and was of the same opinion, but he feared for his beloved's safety all the same. The conflicting emotions left him frozen in place.
"Okay, here is the last suggestion, please consider it Mamiya-san: I will draw blood from Gin-san here for you to drink until I am sure that you are out of danger for the rest of the night, at least. That should be enough time for you to decide whether to risk your life for a doomed future, or spare yourself the slow agonizing death by earning few more years to live. The both of you can still build a family and I am sure that the pregnancy will be less risky than-"
"Just… Stop it!... Stop talking." The doctor was surprised to see that Gin was the one cutting him off. He was left dumbfounded when the human grabbed Zero's hand and dragged him out of the room and out of the hospital without looking back.
Gin's face was a twist of pain and anger as Zero's sobs echoed from behind him. The first thing he did was feeding the hunter in the parking lot. Zero reluctantly kept drinking until Gin started feeling dizzy before stopping. The desiccation of his body stopped indeed, but the stabbing pain persisted nonetheless.
They looked at each other, fear and agony reflecting through silver and violet orbs before Gin took a deep breath and drove away from the sinister place. Halfway, the pain increased, leaving Zero as a crying mess to the point that he had to pull over.
"Drink more!" Gin ordered as he extended his wrist, only for Zero to shake his head in denial.
"Enough…" Zero managed to utter in between sobs. He was frightened, panicked and could not think straight. The only thing going through his brain was a simple sentence, I can't lose my baby!
Exasperated, cornered and alarmed, Gin pulled his phone and dialed the first number. The action caught Zero's attention and he asked about it.
"Calling Ichiru, I don't have Aido's number." Gin answered, cursing when Ichiru's phone was out of reach.
Zero grabbed his wrist painfully when he was about to dial the number again. The action annoyed the grey-eyed man, making him snap despite trying to be considerate of his partner's disposition, "Break a bone if you want, but I am still calling him."
"No…nnnnnh" Zero opposed weakly, a long pained moaned escaping him as he doubled over, "yy…yu… Yukkiii…" He trailed the name long enough for Gin to get his point.
Grey eyes widened at the realization and his fingers flew to contact the brunette pureblood, "Hello… Yuki-chan? Thank goodness! We need help! Ze-" Gin stopped midsentence when the hunter tugged at his sleeve. On his demand, the phone was put on speakers.
"Moshi Moshi? Moriya-san, is something wrong? Is Zero okay?" Yuki's panicked voice rang through the humming vehicle.
"I am not!" Zero groaned loud enough for her to hear.
"Zero?"
"Baby… fucking siphoning…" the hunter grunted.
"WHAT?" Zero felt his ear ringing at the shriek. "How, when? WHAT?"
"Shit… UNGHH!" Zero all but screamed as a sensation of stabbing then squeezing wrapped around his inside feeling as if he might rupture any moment, through his clenched hand, he could see the desiccation starting again, which made his tears flow uncontrollably.
"We just came out of the hospital and the doctor was asking for a pregnancy termination because Zero may not be able to make it through the night." Gin explained as calmly and clearly as possible.
"Ha?"
Zero rolled his eyes at the dumb look Yuki must be having after saying that.
"What kind of retarded quack were you consulting?" She finally found her words after being tongue tied for a few seconds.
"I don't… want…. to…." Zero uttered between pants, knowing that she could hear him.
"OF COURSE YOU DON'T WANT TO AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO! GOSH, THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE?" She screamed over the phone and a sound of shuffling could be heard afterwards.
A spark of hope ran through both men simultaneously.
"What do you mean?" Gin asked in a hurry.
There was a bit of static and interrupted signal before the call picked up again, "What I mean is that I am now inside Zero's apartment with my pureblood pouring inside a jug and you better bring him here faster than you ever can." Yuki ordered in the most serious tone she ever used in her life.
Without wasting a second more, Gin stepped on it to the point that the car was flying across the road, the pained groans of Zero only urged him to go faster. By the time they reached, the ex-human already lost control over his limbs and his arms swayed as Gin ran to the apartment, thankful that Yuki opened the door just in time.
The gasp of the brunette did not stop her from hurrying into action. She followed them to the bedroom and held the straw for Zero to drink the blood from the cup. She worried more when the hunter's eyes glowed red but his fangs were not aroused. It was proof of how weakened her adoptive brother was.
Gin was sitting on the bed making his own body into an armchair to hold Zero in a sitting position while Yuki sat in front of the hunter, feeding him one cup after another. At one point, Gin was regretting ever dragging Zero out of the hospital because of how fast his state deteriorated. The fear of losing the hunter for good haunted his thoughts until the first positive sign of recovery manifested.
Both sighed in relief when Zero's hand finally twitched, his gulps got louder and he managed to hold the glass by himself a few minutes later. Throwing the straw, he chugged the crimson liquid down with gusto, especially when he felt the stabbing cramps subsiding considerably. You will need the blood of the father or that of a vampire just as powerful!
Glowing eyes landed on the brunet, marveled by the power dwelling in her pureblood. She may not be as strong, but she is certainly powerful enough to save me!
Zero lips curled up in the corner, the irony of being saved by the girl that he spent most of his life protecting lifted his spirit in a weird way. The brown haired pureblood was oblivious to the grateful look that her brother gave her as her eyes landed on the empty jug that she planned on filling up again.
She startled when Zero grabbed her wrist, albeit weakly and gave her the empty glass. "No more, I am feeling much better."
"Are you sure? You know that I don't mind giving-"
"I know… Thanks Yuki." Zero gave a faint smile with a tear sliding on his cheek as the reality came crashing down on him after his muddled head cleared up.
Yuki instantly jumped and hugged him tight, unintentionally pushing Gin away. The ethic teacher did not bother commenting or bringing his presence into attention, he simply slipped out of the bed and took the bloodied utensils to the kitchen, relieved that the worse had passed by.
The two sobbing messes finally let go of each other, Zero muttered curses under his breath about his crazy hormones while Yuki giggled at the usual attitude that she welcomed after the rollercoaster of emotions.
"Oh, that's right! This is not the end of it. We have one more thing to make sure of." She snapped the hunter attention back to her as she spoke, "The baby's heartbeat."
Zero's eyes widened at the realization. It is true that he made it out safely, but is it the same for his baby?
The hunter started focusing his senses, looking for the muffled galloping sound he loved to hear as much as meditating.
"No… No…. nonono… I can't hear… This can't be true" He started to panic and eyes glistening again for another bout of crying if Yuki did not slap both cheeks at once.
"Baaaaka! How can you hear it when you are still not fully recovered? Your senses are going haywire and your body is still adjusting to my blood."
The stunned silverette watched as Yuki fumbled with her bag and pulled an instrument that he recognized as the one that the doctor used to listen to the heartbeat.
"I beg you not to say anything. I suck at tuning out sounds and I am guilty of using this to listen to my daughter's heartbeat during the pregnancy, despite being a pureblood." Yuki stated in a tone forbidding Zero from making fun of her.
The hunter held his breath as she lifted his shirt and started gliding the probe over his almost flat stomach, turning it around every corner. The panic started to rise again when she took too long without results.
"Found it!" The usual cheerful call of his sister brought him out of the darkness and he met her twinkling eyes as she looked up at him. She made sure to keep the device in place and extend the earpiece to Zero who took it with shaky hands and placed it against his ear.
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
The sound that came of his mouth was a mix of sob, laugh and gasp at the same time. It was more ironic that the first time he listened to the sound; he saw the end of the world. Listening to it now, it felt like he was given another shot at a better life.
By now, Zero was lying on his back keeping the device stuck to his ear as his baby's heart beat lulled him to sleep along with Yuki's fingers lacing through his hair. Instead of feeling more energized, he was feeling sleepy and warm.
"Thank you." He whispered again, glancing at his sister who was lying on her side. That is when he noticed that she was in her pajamas.
"Were you about to go to sleep when we called you?" He asked curiously.
"Hmm…" She hummed while checking his hands, eyes and complexion. Finally satisfied that her brother was out of danger zone, she replied with a teasing tone, "Yeaaaah! I was getting ready to cuddle with my hubby when my annoying brother decided to interrupt some rare sweet time with the busy man."
She giggled louder when Zero gave a cringing grimace followed by an apologetic look. "Relax… I was joking. I finished teaching early, and was lounging around taking care of Ai. Isaya-san did come indeed, but we were busy with her. He should be done bottle-feeding and tucked her in bed by now. That girl seems to like men more than her own mother, it kind of pisses me off."
She stopped her blabbering when Zero gave a heartfelt laugh at her dilemma. Sighing in relief, she adjusted the pillow under his head and pulled another for herself.
"Ne, Zero!"
"What?" he answered after taking a deep breath to stop laughing.
"You are not going to change your mind about the doctor appointment I am trying to set up. Will you be okay with going back to the same doctor after today?" She asked, worry visible in her big round eyes.
Zero bit the inside of his cheek. Now that he had calmed down, the thought of consulting the same doctor seemed distasteful to him. He knew that the man's decision was in his best interest, and that he wanted to save his life. However, the fact that he was aware that Gin was not the father made Zero uncomfortable. Moreover, this crisis really showed him the drawback of using a fake ID and disguise. It would have been scandalous if his wig or contact lenses came off, as trivial as it may sound.
On the other hand, consulting Yuki's doctor had more pros than cons. He would be aware of the siphoning, and Yuki would make sure to rule out the termination option. He will be aware of Zero's identity and already sworn to secrecy with the Kuran household. The hunter knew that the man could be trusted even if he never met him. Yuki's pregnancy and safe delivery was proof of his achievement seeing that she went through the most difficult part of her pregnancy without the father as well.
He glanced at her once before closing his eyes and sighing, "Before that, do you know anything about what happened to me today. I never heard of this siphoning thing before. Did it happen with Ai?"
Yuki groaned at what seemed like an unpleasant memory, "You bet! Do you even know the reason why female pureblood carry their babies for so long?"
"Nope." Zero deadpanned, shifting on his side to give her his full curious attention.
"The siphoning happens at a far slower rate for us. Actually, our body is lethal to our offspring. I later learned that it tries to suppress or kill the unborn child as soon as it is conceived."
Zero's eyes widened at the shocking information. Yuki nodded, "That is probably the reason for the countless miscarriage pureblood females endure when they partner with a lower ranking vampire. Anyways, a child like Ai would fight back by absorbing a good amount of the pureblood poison channeled through the placenta."
"So they start siphoning since day one?" Zero tried to understand.
"Exactly… It starts by absorbing the poison that will determine their pureblood status as well as their survival in the mother's womb and they will slowly absorb magic along the way until strong enough to not be killed. That is when the mother actually start feeling the toll of the siphoning. For me, that marks the time I attacked you in the basement when you saved Yori-chan from my attack."
"Oh!"
"Siphoning makes you crave blood; precisely the father's blood more than ever because the child wants to complete its DNA and seal its power as they grow. Any other blood would be fine, but in far larger amount."
Zero remembered how many blood bags and drinking from vampires other than him, Yuki had to go through. He cringed at the thought of seeking more blood but she soon put his mind at ease.
"You will probably be fine because you are not carrying a pureblood offspring. However, I will be setting up the routine we talked about in order to provide you with powerful blood that will sustain the siphoning until the baby's powers are sealed."
Zero cleared his throat, "Is it true that it does not normally happen with Level D?"
Yuki blinked twice before raising an eyebrow, "Oh! You were using an alias."
"What does that have to do with the question?" Zero pondered loudly.
"Because the doctor did not know that it was Zero Kiryuu carrying a child, not your run of the mills ex-human of hunter origin." Yuki beamed proudly.
Zero frowned, not getting the point. She huffed at his ignorance, "Zero… You have the ability to awaken powerful weapons; your stability is unmatchable despite not drinking from your master, not to mention that you have reached a terrifying balance between your hunter half and you vampire half. I would not be surprised if your child developed a certain element of powerful affinity as well…" Yuki paused a second, replaying her words, "Well… That was quite the smart observation…" She nodded to herself, making Zero chuckle at the fact that she was praising herself.
He had to admit that it was a cunning question. What he wanted to know was not whether it was possible or not. He wanted to see how others will react to it if it came out that his unborn child was actually absorbing magic.
His musing stopped when Yuki took her turn with the questions, or suggestions to be more precise. Her serious tone made Zero equally serious.
"All jokes aside. Zero, I will talk to my doctor and have him check on you as soon as possible. We need to make sure to avoid another dangerous episode like today's. I promise that he will not question you or annoy you in anyways. I will also not be around during the consultation if it makes you uncomfortable. I feel at ease as long as Moriya-san is by your side. Also, I will not be nosy about anything other than what you tell me, I promise." She pressed her teeth into a comical smile while crossing her fingers, a gesture she always used to promise something she would be doing reluctantly, but she will still keep the promise.
Zero exhaled loudly and nodded, his eyes droopy with sleep. With a victorious smile, Yuki watched her brother drift to sleep peacefully, grateful that she was there for him once after a lifetime of being under his protection.
She eyed the uncovered stomach with a mischievous glint as she scooted close to it. She gave a testing rub. When Zero did not react, she latched on the opportunity of having some bonding time with her nephew/niece to be without Zero kicking her away.
"Hey there! Oh? Aren't you a big one, already bulging out at this age. You gave us a fright today, you know that?" She cooed in a silly voice, "Yes you know it, naughty little one… And you are happy that aunty came to the rescue aren't you… Was the treat tasty?... Yes it was, I know and it will not be the only time… Don't worry… As long as you don't trouble mommy, I will give you as many treats as you need to grow big and healthy before I squeeze the hell out of you once you are born…. Ugh! I can't wait!"
Having had enough of the silly talk, she covered the stomach, and tucked Zero under the warm blanket before heading to the kitchen.
Sitting on the table, Gin rubbed his reddened eyes as soon as the little woman came in sight. He stood in a hurry and tucked his hands in pockets to hide the nervous way he was clenching and unclenching his fists.
Yuki rolled her eyes and scoffed, "I really pity the child for being surrounded with crybabies." She rubbed her own eyes to get the point across, making Gin chuckle.
"Sorry… It just… It kind of all came out at once… How is he?" Yuki felt bad for the taller man, especially after hearing his scratchy voice. It must have been frustrating to see him suffer with nothing he can do to help…
She kept her thoughts to herself and answered with a cheerful voice, "Aunt Yuki here saved the day!" She grinned while clutching her nonexistent bicep.
"I can't thank you enough… really." Gin commented tiredly as he filled a glass of water and dropped few blood pills from Zero's stash.
Yuki accepted the drink gratefully and continued her animated chatter, "He is sleeping comfortably now. Don't worry! The amount he drank should sustain him for few days and I will make sure to come provide him with more blood before he even feels the pain. He also agreed to consult my doctor, which will make things easier for you two. He will not have to disguise or use an alias and this doctor has enough influence to provide anything without going through the legal channels that might reveal Zero's condition. Aido-sempai will probably assist him since he seems knowledgeable about Zero's condition. In short, we will make sure that you two will go through a smooth sailing pregnancy from now on."
Gin was not able to register everything said, but he was glad about the measures Yuki was taking to ensure the safety of the hunter as well as his comfort.
"All right! I have a baby of my own that I need to check on. See you soo-"
"Yuki-chan, wait!" Gin spoke fast before she could concentrate on teleporting.
"Hmm?"
"I don't know how to ask this without sounding pushy." He scratched his head.
"Be pushy, please!" She quipped.
"Can you spend the night, just in case… you know…" Gin shifted his head in direction of the bedroom, unable to say the foreboding sentence.
Yuki hesitated for a second. She understood what he meant and wanted to reassure him, but she knew that she would not be able to settle down at her place either after seeing her brother in that condition.
She finally gave him a reassuring smile and spoke, "Okay! I don't mind! Let me go check on Ai and I will be back in… Let us say… half an hour?"
Gin's shoulder relaxed in relief and he could not stop thanking her until she vanished.
Once alone again, his jaw locked and face morphed in a more stern expression as he pulled his phone and dialed to make his own phone calls.
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ Yuki's apartment ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
"Hello! Sensei? How are you?" She spoke softly while touching the small fingers of her daughter sleeping in the crib.
"Yuki-sama! I am good. How are you, is everything okay with Ai-hime?" The worried tone made her smack herself inwardly. Of course, he would think it was an emergency… What was I thinking calling him in the wee hours of the morning?
Her flustered answer made Isaya chuckle from the couch where he was going through some documents after putting Ai to sleep.
"No… Uhm… Ai is doing great and so am I… I actually called you about my brother."
"… Lord Kaname?" The doctor was skeptical, he might be the family doctor but he was a pediatrician.
Damn it!
"No… Actually… The whole story is… My adoptive brother is pregnant. It is slightly complicated because his partner is actually human and he is a stable Level D vampire." She spoke fast.
A long pause preceded the cautious question, "You adoptive brother… as in Kiryuu Zero?"
She sighed, "The one and only."
"Oh my!" The old man exclaimed at the situation.
"Exactly. I think you understand why I am seeking your assistance."
"Ab… Absolutely."
"Confidentiality is your virtue and I do not want you to feel offended if we asked for an oath of secrecy. My brother is eager to have this child, but his life might get targeted if words got out." She stated the obvious in a serious tone. It was well known that vampires are in the most vulnerable at the beginning of their pregnancy. Zero has enough enemies after him as it is, she cannot afford giving them the golden opportunity of attacking him at his weakest.
"Of course Yuki-sama. I am honored to be entrusted with such a task. Seeing that I am out of town, when will be a good time to set the appointment?"
"As soon as possible."
"Very well. I am driving mother to the estate in three days and I have a conference right after. I can swing by as soon as I am done."
"That would be perfect. Thank you so much, and I hope to meet Midori-sensei if it is not too much to ask."
"No such a thing. She was planning to visit you from the start. She cannot wait to meet Ai-hime."
"I wish she was present at the delivery."
"Yeah… She was disappointed that her trip abroad came at such an inconvenient time. She was looking forward to delivering a third generation of Kuran's offspring. She is proud of being the one to assist the birth of Juri-sama and her children as well."
Yuki smiled at the memory of the snobbish yet gentle old noble vampire.
"That is good to know. Oh! I forgot the most important part. Zero was consulting a different doctor before. However, he decided to switch to you because the previous one requested the termination of the pregnancy. The reason for it is that the child started siphoning. Now, I know that you will share the same opinion as your colleague but I will stop you right away. I will be supplementing him with my blood and I will be doing anything possible to keep him out of harm. This is not a request but an order. Under no circumstance will you suggest killing the unborn child and you will be using every knowledge possible to ensure a smooth sailing pregnancy. My brother is important to me and I want to see his child come to life." Yuki was harsh and demanding like the pureblood queen she was. Isaya listened to her with pride swelling inside him at how much she had matured over the years. She reminded him more and more of her late mother.
"Understood, Yuki-sama. With your assistance, I am sure that the problem will not burden him too much. I will also find a way to supplement him with blood without bringing his name into the picture. I hope that you can turn blind eye towards any underhanded method I might use." The old man stated in a joking manner.
Yuki chuckled, feeling more confident about her choice, "Of course, you have my permission to do whatever is needed."
After a little more chattering, she hang up and stood, looking at her mate with an apologetic look.
"Don't look so guilty. It is not as if I am mad or anything. I would have told you to go as well if you did not ask." Isaya beat her to the talk.
That part of him when he seemed like he was reading her thoughts like an open book always made her flustered but happy nonetheless. She took light steps and placed a kiss on his cheeks before speaking, "Sorry for dumping the trouble on you. I pumped enough milk to last her the night and the head maid will come in about five hours."
"Just go and take care of your brother. I believe that I am old enough to know how to handle a child without causing a catastrophe."
"I know how amazing you can be. However, if you find that she is acting up a little too much even after feeding, do take her to onii-sama. He is the one with the magic touch when it comes to his stubborn daughter."
"Will do."
∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞ TBC ∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞8∞∞
More is coming. I will be doing the shout out at chapter 46 because I am proofreading right now.
As for the reason of my absence. Well My life sucks big time!
On top of being sick, and having to live on instant noodles for about a month. I was close to being evicted from my place (I am still moving out even if the eviction was avoided). Once that problem got settled, the awesome bills dropped and I was too broke to pay them, hence they cut off my internet service which I managed to pay yesterday YAAAAAAAAAY!
If that was not bad enough, I am getting dismissed from my job by the end of the month. UGH! Can this month get any better.
Anyways, thanks to the support of those around me and those checking on me through email and Pm's (You know who you are and I truly appreciate it), I am keeping a positive attitude and hoping for a better tomorrow.
I wanted to thank you guys because I was completely blown away when I saw the statistics for this story on both FFNET and AO3. Just knowing that so many of you are enjoying it makes my life brighter because this writing is literally my escape from the stressful days and I enjoy knowing that it is making other people out there just as pleased.
Thank you soo much and I hope that we keep enjoying this bumpy journey together XD
One last note, my inbox was jam packed with messages and reviews and it is really hard to know those I replied to from those that I did not reply to, so I am sorry if I missed a PM or a review you wrote me. My internet dying on me really did a bad number.