AN: HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
"Wait a second, you know where he was and haven't said anything?" Toshiro growled at him, as Kaien looked between the two.
"It's not that simple, Toshiro. He won't remember you," Yagari explained. "He lost all of his memories. I'm guessing when Rido kidnapped him, he did something to him. He didn't even remember me or Toru for that matter."
The men put two and two together. "You mean Ryo, don't you?" Yagari nodded softly. "That is Zero?" He nodded again. "But when...how?"
"10 years ago, Toru and I were heading home after a meeting. We sensed a pureblood nearby. At first I didn't recognize him, because it was extremely dark, but I could tell it was a child. I wasn't about to kill him. When we got home, we were both extremely shocked, but we acted like we didn't know who he was because he didn't even know who he was. I gave him a name, adopted him, and sealed his vampire side. You are right, that is a mark on his neck, not a tattoo," Yagari finished, staring at them. "As for his hair and eyes, that's a wig, and he wears colored contacts. He is identical to you otherwise."
"So does he know he is a pureblood?" Kaien asked and Yagari gave a nod. "To think all this time, you knew and didn't tell me?"
"As far as he is concerned, I won't do anything that will place him in danger again. Since we know now that Rido survived the attack, he will target Zero if he finds out his true identity. The only person who knew was Toru, not even the other teenagers knew," Yagari whispered. "I didn't say anything because all I want to do is protect him and in order for him to be safe, Rido needs to die. I know he is your son, Toshiro, but I love him like he was my own. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize him."
Toshiro closed his eyes at Yagari's statement. As much as the two did not like each other, they tolerated one another and since Yagari was important to Zero, he would make sure nothing happened to the hunter. "So until the time is right, we address him as Ryo?" Toshiro whispered to them. They both nodded. He would do his part to protect him but how long could they keep this secret from him? "Do we tell Kaname?"
"I'll leave that to you if you wish to tell him," Yagari said in a soft tone.
Ryo was walking with the others, as he heard words being spoken between the adults. Unfortunately with him being human-like, he didn't have his superb vampire hearing. "Ryo, Toru, this is your room," Yuuki pointed to a door on their left. Then she pointed to the one next door. "That is your room, Hiroshi and Kenshin. Ayaka, you're on the first floor with me. My former roommate moved, so she went with her family. I have an empty bed, dresser, and desk in there. We also share a bathroom." She addressed them all. "You have your uniforms on your beds and a spare outfit in case you can't do your laundry. We have assigned times for that, so please talk to the Chairman about that. He deals with the scheduling for that. Breakfast is served in the dining hall at 7:15. Class starts at 8 and classes end at 2:15. If you want, I can show you where it is." Yuuki gave them a friendly smile.
"That would be nice," Toru stated, as the others nodded.
"Oh and lunch is 11:15-11:45, 20 minutes of clean up and you have to be back in the classroom by 12 for the afternoon classes," Yuuki continued to explain, walking toward the stairs.
"Yuuki-san, are sure sure it's okay that I room with you?" Ayaka asked as they all descended from the stairs. "I don't want to be a bother." When they reached the bottom. the door to the office opened. They all stopped, as the adults did as well. Kaien and Toshiro looked at Ryo, who looked away. They only sighed softly.
"Sure it's fine," Yuuki gave Ayaka a smile. "You are not a bother, I enjoy making a new friend." She turned to the adults. "I'm gonna show them where the dining hall and the classrooms are. That way in the morning they know where to go." The older men only smiled and nodded at her. She turned back to Ayaka. "Please call me Yuuki or Yuuki-chan."
The men watched as Zero interacted with the others and could see it was really him. The way he carried himself and the way he rarely showed emotion was Toshiro 100%. "I'm returning to the Moon Dorm and don't worry. Only Kaname will know, not the others. I won't even tell my family. Though Ichiru and Kiaya might figure it out."
"Maybe tell them, but don't tell Shizuka," Kaien offered. "We can't let too many people know," Toshiro nodded softly, knowing his words were true. He returned to the Dorm moments later and saw the three he wanted to talk to standing on the staircase. "You three are prompt."
"We heard our names," Ichiru whispered, crossing his arms.
Kaname looked at Ichiru before turning to Toshiro. "My study then?" The older vampire nodded, as they followed Kaname's to his study.
Once they were all comfortable, all eyes fell on Toshiro, who had his eyes closed. "What I have to say is not to be repeated, I mean ever. Don't even tell your roommates." The seriousness in his voice made them all flinch. "It's imperative none of this is repeated. I'm only telling you three because you're the president and you are my children. Besides I can't hide it from you three."
"Father you're scaring me," Kaiya whispered, as Ichiru wrapped a comforting arm around her.
"You are all aware of those new hunters," he received a nod from them all. "One of them is not human but is acting like he is. The one named Ryo."
"Then why is he in the day class?" Kaname appeared confused. "He seems so...human."
"That's a hunter mark on his neck, it's not a tattoo," he whispered and Kaname's eyes widened.
"So that side of him is sealed and he appears human," Kaname whispered and Toshiro nodded. "There is more, isn't there?" He received another nod and crossed his arm.
"I didn't realize how hard this was going to be. Okay well, Ryo is actually Zero," Toshiro stated. His words were met with silence and he could tell they were all frozen in surprise.
"What?" Ichiru shouted jumping to his feet. "I don't understand! If that is Zero, why didn't he come back to us? How is he alive?"
"Because when Rido kidnapped him, he made him forget everything, even who he was. He still doesn't know who he really is," Toshiro revealed. "All he is aware of is that he is a pureblood that was 'sealed.' He agreed to allow Yagari to do that to him. As hunters, Yagari and Toru could be punished and killed for helping and protecting a pureblood. He has lived with them these past 10 years as a human."
"Is it really nii-san, father?" Kaiya whispered in a soft tone. He nodded, as Kaiya cried against her brother. Ichiru, couldn't say anything, but he held his sister.
"I'm assuming we are not allowed to let many know for safety reasons?" Kaname whispered to Toshiro.
"Exactly. If Rido finds him, I will never forgive myself. That man already messed with Zero twice. I cannot allow a third time to happen," he sounded so remorseful. "I failed him twice."
"Father, that second time was not your fault," both Ichiru and Kaiya said in unison. "It was that monster's fault!"
"What matters is that we know Zero is alive and here at Cross Academy," Kaname concluded. They all nodded, at least thankful for that.
AN: I didn't think I was going to upload another chapter before the first, but here we are. Hopefully, you enjoy it.
~XYukiNoHanaX~
12/30/2023
5:10 PM
