Author's Notes: Oh finally! ヽ( ･∀･)ﾉ I'm back! σ(≧ε≦ｏ) Did anyone miss me!? *looks around* Anyone? （ー△ー；） Anyone?... oh alright... oh please don't worry, ＿|￣|● I'm not sad at all (just devastated!) hahaha! On the other hand, I really missed you guys! (づ￣ ³￣)づ I really miss updating here and I really hope that these updates will be just rewards for your patience. Thank you very much for waiting! ｡(*^▽^*)ゞ
I'm really happy to be updating four chapters at once! （ﾉ｡≧◇≦）ﾉ I thought that it will be nice to post the chapters containing the important proceedings and developments regarding the plot so we can already go on to more happy notes in the future φ(´ω｀●). Though admittedly, these chapters didn't contain that much exciting scenes (๑•́ ω •̀๑) but everything is important for our story so please bear with me. (*´･人･*)
（（（ ；゜ Д ゜）））And I'm really sorry it took this long. 2 months! Σ(ノ°▽°)ノ Goodness me! It was just that I found it challenging writing about the summon and the president's scene, ＿φ(￣ー￣ ) and I don't know why, but I didn't have any drive to write the Yuki and Takuma scenes Σ（ﾟдﾟlll） (sorry!) and I was also caught up with doing research (which you'll see on chapter 20) regarding the cultural festival and the project I'll be doing in the future after the Blessing …..φ(〃∇〃 ))) (Please look forward to it!) so I'm really sorry for being slow.
So as I have told you, ｡･ﾟ･(ﾉД`)ヽ(；Д； ) I didn't have much inspiration regarding writing about the Association's President (Well, who does?) Σ(っﾟДﾟ；)っ and the Yuki and Takuma (．＿．) (I'm really sorry darlings!) so those are points I'm not that confident with. Well, you know my quirks and short-comings but please bear with me. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و I'm doing the best I can (`•ω•´๑) and am still learning andﾟ･*:.｡. (●≧ω≦)9 willing to know more.＼＼\٩( 'ω' )و /／／
These four chapters contained more about vital developments but I'm more excited about the future chapters which will be lighter and more positive. (╯✧∇✧)╯ Aja~!
I really just hope that you'll love this story as much as I do. So without further ado, Σ(*ﾉ´ω｡`)ﾉ ENJOY~!
(≧∇≦) … (〜￣▽￣)〜 ….. *:.. o(≧▽≦)o ..:*….. (〜￣▽￣)〜… (≧∇≦)
Chapter 17
The Prelude
Sienna eyes darted to observe her surroundings. It's bright and everything is so clear that it hurts her eyes. She never knew she'll ever view the world so vividly but perhaps in her vampire eyes, everything is just too intense that it's painful. Ever since she awaken, everything is so strikingly brilliant.
She can smell everything; the wood of her bed frame and furniture, the cotton of her bedding ensemble, the satin of her gown, the metal and steel in some of the contraptions inside the room, the Earth outside, the trees, the autumn in the air, the ozone in the sunlight and even the scent of every creatures near her. She can also hear even the faintest of sounds around her; the howl of the wind, the rustling of the leaves outside, the chirping birds, even the far-off chatter of the waking students in the distant Sun dorm, the snores of the vampires still asleep, some movements in the kitchen and the footsteps of a lone vampire getting near her chambers.
The scent the steps carried reminded her of a quiet night or like the morning dew mixed with something positively sweet and flowery. It's a comforting fragrance though it's constantly covered by a thick smell of red roses and a powerful and intimidating aura she associated with her brother, Kaname… nii-sama. And though she never smelled him like this, she just knew as her senses tell her, that it's the same beloved hunter she treated like her own brother.
Zero.
Her thoughts were punctuated by a short knock on her door, followed by its opening. The silverette's pale face peered inside.
"Rude," Yuki mumbled as she moved to sit and face the hunter, she felt her very long silken hair brush the back of her nightgown.
Zero only rolled his eyes before pointing out, "I knocked first genius." To which the pureblood only huffed in reply. "You're going to be late. Get up."
The brunette instantly felt the urge to whine. It's too bright outside! It's almost enough to blind her permanently! And there's also some nervousness left what with the new thirst at the back of her throat she felt the moment she woke up last night after being bitten by her brother.
Bloodlust.
It scared her at the realization that she's now bound by the need to drink blood from another being, that she can hear the heartbeat of those around her and the gush of blood running in their veins. Her brother taught her briefly how to control her abilities so she can reduce most of the excess things she can sense but she has yet to be successful and all the overpowering impressions comes running back to her.
She was able to rein her bloodlust by drinking the infamous blood tablets and it's the next worse thing she has ever tasted (it's hard to beat the chairman's cooking in that aspect,), it's like drinking pulverized chalk. It's disgusting but surprisingly effective in keeping the bloodlust at bay or, at least, manageable.
She's immensely relieved as when she first opened her eyes and caught the scent of everything at once, the temptation to bite her own brother was overwhelming. Her eyes immediately turned scarlet. A whiff was all it took and she could tell just how rich and luscious his blood must taste though the raw power emanating from him tells her that attacking would most definitely cost her life. It's the same when Zero came inside the room and the appetizingly sweet scent attacked her. Only the terrifying aura of her brother surrounding the silverette which sent the silent 'touch him and I'll obliterate you' message to her vampiric instincts stopped her from succumbing to her impulse of biting the hunter. She was already warned before she was awakened but experiencing it first hand was still difficult.
Indeed, being a vampire is hard.
And while power seduced her to drink her two most beloved brothers' blood, the temptation seemed nothing compared to what she felt the moment Ichijou-senpai entered the room to check on them. The enticing thought of sinking her fangs and marking the noble was almost unstoppable.
She immediately closed her eyes and gritted her teeth as her fangs lengthen in order to hide just how powerful the force was. She was trembling as she hugged herself, fighting the urge to pin down the aristocrat and bite his neck forcefully that she only vaguely heard her brother perceptively send the blond away for the night.
It was not the power in his blood that tempted her, it's him.
All of him.
His everything.
She wanted to claim all of that and the pull was so irrepressible that it was frightening. She needed several glasses of fake blood in order to calm down while Zero and Kaname held her still to make sure she didn't dart out of the room after the blond noble. That her brother needed to even put in a barrier around her room to make sure she'll not be let out without him or Zero was most mortifying, but it eased her mind from doing something irreversible. It's unbelievable just how much she craves Ichijou-senpai's blood. Just the thought of him was enough to reawaken her thirst.
She grimaced. Hopefully it will get better.
Still, she fears what her reaction will be in the company of humans, her classmates. She's so worried that she'll have the same reaction towards them and it frightens her that she'll make a terrible move on one of her friends. What will she do if she hurt Yori-chan?
She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize that the hunter had already stepped inside her room in the Moon dormitory, which her Kaname-niisama gave her, until she felt a hand around her arm. She looked up to see Zero urging her out of the bed, her black Day class uniform was arranged in a neat pile next to her.
"Don't worry," the silverette softly assured as if reading her mind.
"But," she began, hesitation in her voice.
"It's fine," Zero interrupted, "Kaname said so, maybe because nothing will ever beat the temptation towards the blood of a love one. It's even more alluring than pure blood, even if only a little, so don't worry about attacking your friends." He finished. It's true and only now did he realized the fact that he only really ever craved Kaname's blood, even more so after tasting it once. He didn't know if it was because he's a pureblood or he was already in love him even then or perhaps both but he didn't want to think about it. It's too embarrassing. He shook his head to will the thoughts away and looked back at Yuki who was left gaping and blushing.
"L-l-love? W-w-who?" the brunette stuttered.
The silverette looked at her briefly before answering, "It's obvious, Ichijou-senpai." He answered with such certainty which rendered the pureblood speechless. The comical face of Yuki who seemed to be caught with thoughts of whether to deny or surrender made him almost smile. This could be a good material to make her take a whole month off his cleaning duty, he thought evilly.
"D-d-does he k-know?" she queried almost in tears.
Zero felt a wave of pity at the look of the new pureblood princess and was torn between wanting to tease her and ease her. But one look in those watery chocolate eyes made him sigh in resignation, he's just too soft on Yuki, "No, maybe not." Ichijou-senpai seemed unconfident based on his reaction to Yuki's awakening but he can't be too sure since he's not an expert in all things that concerns emotions.
"A-a-are you sure?" Yuki asked, half-disbelieving and half-hoping.
"Yes, yes, but you can ask him yourself if you want to make sure. Get dress now or you'll be late, we have a festival to prepare." He replied crudely as he headed for the door and closing it just in time to escape the pillow thrown at him.
"Zero, you jerk! You're not even helping!" She felt petulant but still obeyed. She knew that Zero was only trying to support her even when he's using his irritating means. She can still feel his presence outside the room, a sign that he'll be with her when she face her classmates in order to act if necessary. It calmed her knowing there will be someone who'll stop her should she lose to her nature, though she's already determined to restrain herself if need be.
She will not lose.
She'll protect her adoptive and biological parents' wishes.
She'll prove that co-existence is possible!
And she'll make all of her brothers proud.
With that thought she began to dress for the day. The sun is still too bright and too hot but somehow it became just a little more bearable. She'll face everything head on. After all, she's aiming to snatch the heart of the brightest sun in existence; she should be able to manage this little brilliance.
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"Someone is ditching homeroom. Again."
He opened his lilac eyes and he was instantly greeted by the wondrous sight of his golden haired lover smiling down at his position of comfortably lying down under the shade of a tree in the courtyard. He gave him a lazy smile before sitting straight and leaning against the tree, his bell ringing clearly through the peaceful morning, just as Hanabusa seated himself beside him.
"They said I could go. I'm one of the unfortunate costume wearer so I'm off the hook in the preparation. Even nii-san took off somewhere after making sure Yuki was alright." he explained after yawning.
"Huh, how convenient. What will your class be doing?"
"Hmmm, not sure. Some kind of horror café." Ichiru answered in a sleepy daze. He wasn't able to sleep all that well since he was worried about Yuki so he's pretty tired today.
"What kind of booth is that? You'll be wearing scary costumes? And you agreed?" the noble asked skeptically.
The silverette only shrugged. He's not that affected by it since Hanabusa won't be present on that day as, not only is it uninteresting for them, there was also the ball to prepare by the evening. They'll surely be asleep then, so every vampire will not be able to attend the day festivities. He couldn't care less at how terrifying he looks then and what is one day of pretending to be a ghoul or whatever when one can be free from several days of preparation? "It's only one day. I don't think anyone would even recognize me once I'm inside the costume so who cares?"
Hanabusa smiled, "Indeed, but I can still safely say that you'll be the cutest little monster there." He laughed as Ichiru playfully scrunched up his face in mock disgust in reply. "You look tired, you didn't sleep well?" he observed after studying his lover more closely.
The silverette huffed, "I think you know why."
Hanabusa looked forward, towards the classroom in front where in the newly emerged pureblood princess happily chats away with a brown haired girl. There's raw power seeping out of the previously ordinary prefect and while it may seem that only her hair's length changed in a mortal's perspective, a vampire can easily name the numerous changes she had like the certain glow of her skin, her aura, scent and how she can now intimidate, frighten and appeal to vampires by simply being herself. Humans may feel something amiss but no one will be able to call on her change as long as she doesn't show her newly acquired fangs. "Indeed, it came out as a surprise. No one from the Night class knew about it."
"Hmph, tell me about it. I was doubtful when nii-san told me and even when I felt her awakening, I still couldn't quite believe it." He replied, a bit sullenly. He's sulking, just a teeny tiny bit, as he was one of the last ones to know since, evidently, the chairman and his brother knew long before last night which he thought was extremely ungracious of them, though to be fair, he did know even before Yuki did so there was that.
"You can say that again," Hanabusa agreed as they both watch Yuki help out in carrying a heap of cloths and simultaneously trip inelegantly on the strip that was sticking out from the bundle, sending table cloths flying everywhere. They both grimaced as she landed face first on a part of the bundle she was carrying.
"And I thought that becoming a pureblood will give her some grace and poise…" Ichiru shook his head, wondering how all that supernatural senses can't rid her of that infernal clumsiness.
"Well, in her defense, she only woke up a few hours ago. I can imagine her being overwhelmed by her heightened senses, causing her to be distracted. She still can't keep up with what she can feel. She'll do better once she's able to control that."
The silverette only hummed in understanding. He's tired but he really can't sleep as he was tasked by his brother in looking after Yuki while he went to report to the chairman, though he suspected that his brother was only trying to stay away from the Day class students. Zero finds their reaction to him suspicious and odd which he finds funny. His twin still hasn't realized what a dish he must look in the Day class' perspective. Hana already explained to him that it's because of his pregnancy causing him to be desirable even more than normal to keep him protected. For him, it's simply amusing so he'll enjoy the show while it lasts though he wish that he could rest right now since sitting beside Hana makes him feel so comfortable that it's hard to keep awake. He was just thinking of standing up to wake himself when he felt an arm around his shoulder pulling him closer to the blond.
"You can rest. I'll watch over you and Yuki-sama." The noble whispered as he situated Ichiru's head at the nook of his neck as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
"People will see," Ichiru argued though he made no move to get away from his lover. It's really too relaxing to be with Hana, with his scent sedating him further and his sturdy body promising support until he wakes again.
The noble only shrugged elegantly, "Don't worry, everyone's busy staying indoor for the preparation. They won't notice and even if they will, it will be alright even if they find out though they might just think it's fan service, either way is fine with me. I have lots of open-minded fans, you know."
Ichiru smiled as he closed his eyes to sleep, half debating if he should point out how selfish his lover sounded though, in all honesty, he's the same. He couldn't care less who knew and would have already announced it if not for the fact that Hana might become sad at the loss of some of his fans should they turn from him, but if he's alright with it then Ichiru will definitely agree. If he can declare that he's with him without fear then that would be perfect.
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She let out a long sigh as she trudged her way in her patrol. She can't believe she survived that. She's still reeling from the damage the shriek of the Day class students have done to her overly sensitive ears. Thank goodness for Zero and the Day class' new behavior! Any overlong exposure to such high pitch voices will send her eardrums to the other worldly hell though, other than that, the day has turned out much better than expected considering her present circumstances.
Indeed, her classmates didn't seem as appetizing as she thought she'll find them. After Kaname-niisama, Zero, their children and Ichijou-senpai, everyone else seemed… unappealing. Like a ten yen piece of meat against a high grade premium steak.
She caught herself, horrified.
No, no, no! It's horrible to think of them as food! She shook her head to get things right again. What was she thinking?
She groaned.
Hopefully those thoughts will vanish soon. It was a great thing that she attended the homeroom as being able to chat with Yori-chan was a great practice to acquaint herself with the thirst she knew will never leave her ever and the control she must never be without again. It was nice to be with everyone and it's great that she found them 'unappealing' as it's almost safe for them to be near her. She felt almost normal even when they commented nonstop at how gorgeous she suddenly became (which they all assumed was from the famous salon downtown. Thank God for the invention of hair extensions! No one was suspicious in the least, though Yori-chan did look a bit thoughtful...) which made her even more flustered.
The only one in danger to her is Ichijou-senpai for she has no doubt that Kaname-niisama will protect Zero and the children but she's sure that she's even more powerful than the noble. How easy it will be to bite that slender neck and claim him as her—
She stopped. No! She mustn't!
She will not give in to her desires! She'll do what is right and she'll not press things like it's her right! For if he'll be with her, she wanted it to be because they felt the same. She shook her head again to clear and purify her thoughts. Geez, she must be careful or she'll be hated forever. Her odds are not looking favorable as it is. She sighed, remembering how somber the blond aristocrat looked. He even avoided her gaze!
'Oh what to do?!' she was so deep in her musing that she belatedly registered the sweet scent of her niece almost upon her. She stopped in her tracks as she faced the beautiful vampire coming her way.
"Bachan! Good evening!" Anne greeted.
"Good evening, Anne-chan, what are you doing here?" she asked once the vampire reached her before resuming her walk with Anne by her side.
"I was asked by chichiue to inquire about you. How are you feeling?"
"Better," the older vampire admitted.
"But you seem rather down," she observed with concern, "Is something the matter, aunty?" she knew it may have something to do with Takuji as she noticed how sullen the blond aristocrat seems to be since last night. It was for this very reason that her father sent her instead of going himself as he well know that his sister can better confide with a woman when it comes with matters of the heart.
At her words, Yuki sighed again as if she's carrying the whole world's problems on her shoulders. When she realize that she indeed has the conviction to move forward but she's missing one of the most important point in her happy plight: A plan.
She didn't know what to do next! She was blindly trekking her way towards their classroom with Anne still worriedly accompanying her, patiently waiting for her to find her voice and confer with her.
They were already sitting on one of the many tables neatly arranged and lined by the walls, just beside the pile of attires they have gathered from each student in their class, with Yuki staring in the darkness and Anne observing the decorations and preparations already done inside the room while glancing at her aunt from time to time.
"How do you make someone fall for you?" Yuki asked all of a sudden.
Well, that's a million dollar question, isn't it? Anne wanted to answer with an 'I don't know' since she's been having the same struggle for many decades already but it will not help her aunty. She needed support and confidence as well as hope. She already knew that all shall be right but her aunty doesn't know that. She also knew very little of their romance and how it went to be of any real help but she can still give a logical advice. She hummed for a while to give her time before answering, "It may depend upon the person you like. Each individual is different such as their likes and how they want to be approached. I guess the best thing to do is get to know one another first. Why not invite the other party out? It need not be a date, like a simple errand. It will also make it less awkward that way." She articulated in an easy voice to make it sound simple. Oh, if only romance is ever that smooth sailing.
"Oh, that's right!" the older brunette perked up at that suggestion. An errand! She might be able to use the cultural festival as a reason just like when they bought Zero and Ichiru's gift. It will be perfect! Oh, but he's kind of avoiding her. How will she make him go with her? She was wondering about it when she looked at her smiling niece and an idea came to mind. Praise be to her brothers for rearing an intelligent child she can easily conspire with.
They smiled at each other in understanding.
"I'll talk to chichiue. I'm sure he can easily arrange for Takuji to come with you. What will the errand be about?"
"Hmmm, well, I did kind of ruin many of the table cloths that we'll use and I promised I'll replace all of them." Yuki answered sheepishly, it's indeed a small miracle that such an embarrassment could play in her favor.
"How perfect! Are these the said fabrics?" Anne asked as she reached for the cloths beside them. She was only a little surprise that it's not a table cloth at all.
"Oh no, it's what most of my classmates will wear. We're doing a café this year."
"How beautiful. We rarely wear this but I do have a complete collection. They're just too gorgeous and many designs from each era are simply fascinating. I just had to have them." She chuckled, "Otou-chan once berated chichiue when he learned that he bought so many of this for me, even the ones that cannot be worn in our modern society anymore." And of course she promised to take care of every gift her father gave her and has long been safely tucked away in one of her dimensions.
Yuki smirked. "There might be a reason for that." She chortled as she gave the full detail of what they'll be doing in the cultural festival.
"Oh, what a brilliant idea! How simply marvelous! May I please see otou-chan's garments?" Anne ecstatically declared though she was immensely disappointed to see how plain the attire was compared to how it should be. "Oh dear, this will simply not do." She remarked, "If you'd please, I insist on being able to lend a helping hand. It shall be my eternal regret if I let such an opportunity pass. And chichiue will certainly be pleased to know that I was able to make use of what he bought and for good reasons too." She finished with sincerity as she extended an arm forward, palm facing the floor to open up the dimension containing her extravagant collection.
Yuki watched in amazement as she again witness Anne's particular power. She gasped as she was presented by not only the most glamorous articles of clothing that they needed, but also with expensive looking tea supplies, screens, an antique looking shōgi board and other much needed accessories. Each one, she's almost sure, costing a fortune.
"Well," she swallowed, "I think I can convince them." Oh their president will love this.
The prize for the best booth and the one with the most profit will definitely their class'.
Anne clapped her hands together in delight as she looked out the window, to nod at the bat that has been following them since earlier.
'Well, that's how it will be, chichiue.' She smiled, watching as it flew away, knowing that she was completely understood.
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"'Love's not times fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom,
If this error and upon me prove,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.'"
She recited aloud, a smile on her lips as she felt the aura of her only love near like a balm to her wretched soul, her voice clear as a bell as she stared out to the young beautiful night. She just came back after joyfully devising a plan for her aunty when she noticed how bright the moon was which in turn reminded her of the future and her own plight.
She's standing in the middle of the outside covered hall connecting the school buildings, the cool wind kissing her fair skin simultaneously ruffling her white school skirt and wavy dark brown hair. She sighed after inhaling the refreshingly cold air as she remembered comparable lovely nights she used to spend in their castle.
She could feel the young hunter near but made no move to turn and greet him as she finished reciting one of her favorite sonnets, her stunning lilac eyes glazed, chasing the fond memories of those delightful times she shared with the very same hunter a few years from now.
"Was that a poem?" the ash-brown haired instructor finally spoke after a minute of just silently listening to the young vampire. He just happened to see her, standing dazedly while uttering some foreign nonsense with a forlorn look that still managed to appear breathtakingly beautiful, on his way to the staff room.
Seriously, he's starting to think that she can somehow pay the wind to arrange such stunning and ethereal sight that made even him stop in his tracks. He watched as moonlight illuminated her fair skin and immaculate white garments making her eye-catching in the midst of pitch black night with her hair dancing with the cold night air, giving anyone a clear view of her profile and her reddish-lavender orbs, glassy with a bittersweet haze.
Who could even leave in the face of something like that?!
He was about to forcefully ignore her had it not for the tragic look in her glazed purple eyes, and despite the smile on her lips, he knew that there's a part of her that somehow wanted to cry. For some reason, that irritated him. Such a troublesome spoiled brat!
She finally turned to him, feeling much better at the sight of the familiar scowl on his handsome face, "It's a sonnet." She smiled.
"What the fuck is that? Something edible?" the hunter asked crudely.
The vampire princess only chuckled. She didn't bother with an answer as she knew it when he's asking rhetorical questions. She had lots of practice because he'll always pinch both her cheeks quite painfully if she ever made the mistake of providing any logical answers. Decades of that made her an expert so instead she just asked him back, "Are you finished for the evening, Kai-, ah no, forgive me. Sensei?"
"….." He stared at her with a blank look, fiercely fighting the sudden stir in his emotions. He's pissed. Irritated at that smile and that look in her eyes. He's so fucking annoyed for some reason. He can't explain it but every time he's with this vampire, in whatever form really but perhaps even more when she's like this, he can't help but be irked. It's like developing an everlasting itch under his skin and a painful tug in his stomach. It also fills his chest with something heavy that makes breathing hard and no matter how deeply he inhales, he can't seem to shake it away and just makes him so fucking disturbed. He let out a harsh breath.
He was about to say something, an unreasonable retort maybe, when he turned to the forest as he heard and sense some presence lurking in the dark, some distance from them. He felt more than saw the vampire turned towards the same direction with a look of consternation.
"Six vampires, Kaito-san. Level-Cs." She commentated though she knew that he also sensed it but as she's a vampire, unlike the hunter, she can clearly see their visitors and she have to wonder why they're here, at this time.
"I know that, idiot." He scoffed. He was about to say something more when he caught a glint of metallic reflection from the dark that was caught by the light of the moon. He moved fast, letting go of the reference materials he was holding, and grabbed his baby from under his coat as he run to snatch the vampire princess near him. He put a protective arm around Anne's shoulder, ignoring her surprised gasp, pulling her close against his side as he pointed his gun to the hidden intruders. He was so riled up that he didn't realize that there were no gunshots or attacks and belatedly heard weird sounds instead.
Wait, are those shutter sounds?
The fuck?
He wanted to make sure so looked down at the vampire he's unconsciously half embracing only to be greeted by a completely flushed, wide-eyed frozen teen who's looking up at him with surprise and quiet disbelief. He was instantly aware of the soft body he's pressing against his, silky dark hair tickling the base of his neck, the alluring sweet scent she possesses, and the warm breath from the sinfully soft-looking lips, parted with shock, which are only a few inches from his.
He immediately let go of the blushing vampire and was about to say something when he was reminded of their fucking intruders thanks to the glaring presence of the vampire king, his fellow hunter and the other brats already engaging the vampires. He was forced to join them and as he really didn't know what to do or say anyway, he just went to run to the commotion inside the academy forest.
"Fuck."
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He stalked the unknowing vampire very silently, like darkness itself melding with the night, that the poor creature continued his undertaking unaware of his presence until he's directly behind him and let his monstrous aura known. He watched as the red haired man visibly trembled, his camera fell to the ground just as his strength left his every muscle.
"K-K-Kuran-sama!"
"How interesting," his voice like silk, "You seem to know me but I'm quite sure it's the first time I've encountered your pathetic self."
He looked down on the vampire as he closed and opened his mouth like a fish, seemingly lost all ability to talk, greatly studying him so as to determine his intent in coming in to the academy at this hour. The vampire didn't look like he possesses any extraordinary ability or weapons as he's in casual attire, with a pen and note pad securely placed in his breast pocket and a camera case bag slung across his body. In Kaname's eyes, he seemed to be nothing more than an ordinary journalist or photographer.
"Pray tell, what matters concerns you here?" the pureblood king asked after a moment of observation towards the still trembling vampire.
There were no answers that were offered and instead, the red head scrambled to get away only to be intercepted by Seiren.
"Hiieeee!" the visitor shriek when a pair of feet appeared in front of him.
The king unleashed his aura again, now to oppress rather than to just to make himself known, as he slowly walk closer to the runaway who's helplessly pinned to the ground by his powerful presence.
"Answer me, filth," he ordered as he bore him with unforgiving eyes, "My patience is waning." If he's been sent out by his enemies then he must know, there're auras of other vampires nearby and the thought of danger near his family is making him impatient.
"M-m-my editor made m-me Kuran-sama. We're o-only trying to find out the t-t-truth before o-o-other publishing house d-does."
Publishing? He's really from the media then but he could be lying as well though given how fast his heart beats at the moment, it's hard to say for certain if he's bluffing, "Didn't I made a decree that under no circumstances will Cross Academy ever going to be subjected to any medias' object of discussion? Didn't you know that your presence here might as well endanger the students here and expose our community? Or were you lying to me and someone sent you for any other reason?" he stepped closer, his aura a heavy punishment to the red-head, "choose your words wisely for they may as well be your last."
The implications made the lower vampire realize his own dire situation, "Please, please Kuran-sama! Have mercy! No one! No one suspicious sent me! It was only because other companies decided they'll venture here and my editor said we can't lose! We… I would never even dream of disregarding your orders… only… only I was forced to by my work's nature!"
Kaname hummed in acknowledgement but not entirely convinced of his innocence. The decree he made when the idea to build the academy was finalized successfully kept the nosy reporters out and at the time, it was such an unconventional concept that it was highly criticized by many of their kin. He could only imagine how much vampires like this one craved to explore the school but in the end, none did for his power and authority prevented any such designs, so now that they dared to neglect such an order made him suspicious.
Admittedly, the news about his children and newly acquired mate could be considered even more critical and interesting than forming a school for humans and vampires to co-exist but still, no one, not any media company or individual, would have dared disrespect his edict. They may be bold and persistent but they knew full well of the consequences of going against his order.
Unless…
His dark speculations were cut shortly by the approach of the soothing presence of his hunter and their children as well as a certain substitute teacher, each carrying an additional baggage closed in.
Both Kohaku and Akira appeared from between the trees as they towed their trembling and conscious captives with them while the silverette fraternal twins dragged their own sleeping charge by his feet. Kaito appeared from the dense vegetation with an unconscious vampire slung on his shoulder who he brutally threw conscienceless on the forest floor near the red head who jerked in surprise.
His hunter arrived last and it didn't escape his notice when the three conscious intruders drew a sharp breath when Zero finally appeared from between the high bushes with an unconscious vampire slung on his shoulder.
Kaname frowned, "And here I thought you'll be the first one to shoot any intruder," he said in mock tease, unhappy with the sight, to which his hunter only raised an eyebrow.
Suiren's jaw dropped and she made a comically displeased expression at the sight of her beloved father carrying someone on his shoulder that she let go of the other foot of their detainee and went to effortlessly take his otou-chan's charge off by herself and immediately threw the unknowing vampire near the other captive before hugging the older silverette.
This made the king smile. The Kuran family was merely amused, even Seiren (quietly so) while the older hunter was bewildered and the other conscious vampires grew even more frightened.
'S-strong.' Kaito thought with shocked disbelief.
Kohaku cleared his throat, "Well, chichiue, I believe these are all of them. This person claimed to be part of a media company," he informed as he nudged forward the petrified blond with him.
Akira reported next, "This one too. He said he's writing an article about confirming the truth of the 'Kuran's future generation'."
The silverette twins nodded, Nao also let go of the other foot he was holding and joined his sister in squeezing their father.
"Yeah, that one did too before that idiot charged at me to try and escape." Zero nonchalantly informed through all the silken silver hairs almost drowning him. He didn't notice when the young silverettes both turned and glared at the said unconscious vampire as he threw a small piece of cardboard towards Kaname with some difficulty because of the twins draped around him.
"There, there, Sui-chan, Nao, they seem to be from the media and otou-chan was not harmed so don't be rash, alright?" Kohaku reasoned.
Kaname also fixed his cold scrutiny at the foolish unconscious creature that dared try to harm his mate. He looked down on what he was handed to which turned out to be business card for one Kagemune Souichiro, a columnist for a newspaper company.
"I found many of that in his wallet and he said something about needing to be first and about a scoop."
The pureblood stared at the business card, making sure he'll remember who to severely punish for assault later on as he also silently explored several possibilities one after another.
"Oh hell," Kaito groaned, ignoring the murderous children, "So these are all, what? Paparazzi? You even have that?"
"You must understand, Takamiya, that though you claimed us to be savages, we are called a sophisticated society for a reason." Kaname answered dryly.
The hunter only rolled his eyes and would have retorted had the red haired vampire not prostrated himself.
"Please your majesty! This is all a misunderstanding. I would never dream of harming your Excellency!" he begged as he bowed low enough that dirt stuck to him. "Please let me go. I'm only trying to do my job!"
"Let me guess, they're not friends with each other huh?" Kaito commented as he observed that the man didn't try to bail the other vampires out.
"I as well your majesty! I would never plot against you!" came the cry of the blond Kohaku captured.
"Nor I! Never! Please have mercy!"
The pureblood looked at them for a while, "Why don't we head to the chairman's office? Surely he's been waiting for us since earlier. I will decide you and your companies' fates then. Sensei, please help us escort them."
Takamiya clicked his tongue but said nothing to refuse, "Get on your feet, you leeches!" he bellowed as he carried one unconscious vampire, Kohaku and Akira did the same for the other two since Suiren and Naoto made no move to detach themselves from Zero, then trekked the way towards the school's main building.
"Seiren," the pureblood called quietly before making a move to follow the small retreating group.
"Hai, Kaname-sama."
"There's something I need you to do."
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"Nee-chan, what are doing sitting right over here?"
She slowly looked up to find a skeptical Kohaku standing straight in front of her and an amused Akira crouching just beside him. She blinked several times to remember why indeed.
"Would you like to stand now?" Kohaku gently inquired as he offered a hand to help his silently muddled sister up from her seat on the hard floor.
Anne could only nod as she blindly took her brother's hand and was led inside the building, her brothers on either side of her.
"So," Akira started after a while of silence as he put both his hands at the back of his head, "Are you going to tell us about it?"
Anne internally jumped, "About what?" she asked in an even voice, feigning ignorance though she knew they could practically smell it on her.
"Really, nee-chan?" the little rouge of a brother asked in mock incredulity, "You smell like Kaito-jiichan, you know!" it's only faint but still, it's there!
"And here I thought dear Akira that you would develop some tack or at least pretend to have some when you're in that form." The eldest remarked in sulky embarrassment.
"Enough Akira," Kohaku intervened, "leave nee-chan's affairs alone." To which his twin pouted but readily complied for their sister's sake.
Anne smiled at Kohaku as she patted Akira. "Thank you, you two, I shall share once there's anything worth sharing," her brothers looked at her searchingly but didn't ask any questions for which she was grateful and she diverted their conversation by inquiring instead, "So, what did our visitors wanted?"
"Nothing of consequence, really." The older twin answered, "They're merely foolish scoop-hungry paparazzi scavenging for information about us and otou-chan."
"Uh huh," Akira joined, "And here I thought I can finally show my real skills to otou-chan and chichiue. How disappointing."
"It's not good to wish for battle, Akira," Anne lightly scolded though she knew he meant nothing bad about it. Her little brother may be a menace but he's not bloodthirsty.
"Well, he's such a show off." commented his twin.
"Only a little," Akira admitted, "but anyway, nothing really happened. We just confiscated all their films and memory cards then sanctions will be carried out for disobeying a royal decree. Father said that we need to erect a barrier so we'll help," he smirked proudly at that, "And that should have been the end of it before Haku here volunteered to develop all those films."
"We have experience. It's not good to go to a shop to have them developed as they may contain images that might expose our nature as vampires."
"Oh dear, oh dear, I'm afraid it's been decades since I've been inside a darkroom. I use memory cards and printers, as you well know." the female brunette distractedly contemplated as she put a hand on her cheek.
"I'll handle the films, nee-chan. You can take care of the normal printing of the less ancient vampires' memory cards." Kohaku offered, unperturbed.
"And I can babysit Nao and Sui-chan for you two." grinned the other twin.
The older male turned to his brother, suspicious, "I daresay they'll babysit you instead, to keep you out of trouble." He shook his head, "No, forget that. I shall lock you in with me to watch over you myself. The twins can help nee-chan."
This made their eldest sister giggle while the other scowled at his brother but Kohaku was unmoved, "We need to finish with those quick to be investigated and so we can lend chichiue and grandpa a hand in erecting a barrier around the academy." His voice turned grave, "There's something quite unconvincing about some of those vampires. Something is not right."
"What makes you think so?"
"I don't know, nee-chan. It was just that I felt that some of them were not saying the absolute truth when they were being questioned. Someone could very easily have put them up to it… but it could also be just me being paranoid."
"Yeah, you had lots of episodes." Akira remarked carelessly, nodding, for which his twin electrocuted him with a bit of thunder.
Anne continued on her way as she plunged herself with thoughts as how it could be dangerous or who could possibly employ those vampires if they're indeed not on errand for a story, leaving the identical twins in their little match behind her as Akira retaliated by releasing fireballs which all disappeared the moment it reached his twin's personal space and was repaid by overhead thunders from the ceiling which harmlessly bounced on Akira's invisible shield. The silent squabble continued as their sister thought deeply and internally enumerated all of their family's enemies but decided there were too many.
"Enough now you two," she ordered as she turned around only to find some great burns and broken glasses here and there, she blinked at the damaged that a few minutes has done, "Oh no! You broke the windows!" she groaned. She's been careless as it's only them in the hallway, "Fix all of these, you two! Before grandpa sees it and cries!"
The two shaken troublemakers looked around, unaware of the damage they caused, "Oh." they chorused as Anne gave them a stern look.
"Uh nee-chan?" Akira called out to their already retreating sister, "Could you, uh, you know."
Anne huffed, "Goodness, here," she handed them a blood stone each to help them mend the damage by turning back the object's time, "It's only from my stash. Be careful, you know I can't make any more blood stones right now."
"Yes, nee-chan, forgive us."
"Sorry nee-chan but you know, it's all been made by Haku's thunder."
"If you had taken all of them then none would have been directed elsewhere. It's not like it will kill you."
"Well, excuse me. I happen to like my hairstyle as it is, thank you very much, and I only own two sets of uniform."
"Enough, enough, really you two. You argue at the most trivial things sometimes. Be quick please, we've missed one class already." She scolded as she too took a blood stone to help her brothers with cleaning up.
"Do you think it was Rido-ojiisama?" Akira asked out of the blue as they repair the windows.
Gloom settled in the air as they ventured the likely prospect. "Of course it's possible. The question is, what did he hope to accomplish if he indeed sent out one of those vampires?"
"True, any one of those was hardly strong enough to stand up against chichiue or us. I doubt even an army would suffice and they could hardly get any substantial information with just their cameras and we even made sure to take every film and memory cards. They also carry no other device other than those. What harm could they possibly cause?" Kohaku postulated.
"Huh, well, it's still possible that they're really only foolish scoop hungry paparazzi…" Akira offered though unconvinced himself.
They all know this to be possible and since the fact that they weren't able to deal any harm as Kohaku mentioned rings true, somehow, they're still in doubt. There was a sense of foreboding in the air sowing seeds of fear and disturbance inside them.
In their fright of their terrible grandfather, Rido, they all quite forgot that it's not only him that they should fear for greed lies not only in his heart but in all who thirst immense power to reign over every other creature in the world. They've been subjected to all kinds of malicious desire brought forth by greed from those kinds of people since infancy.
They should have known better.
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He has already made quite a distance away from the academy grounds but even when he knew it's impossible for someone to overhear what he'll say and sure that he wasn't followed and is completely alone, still he made sure to go the extra mile of getting out of town before he took out his cell phone and dialed his master's number. It answered in the first ring.
"How did it go?"
Asked the person in the other line even before he could make a word of salutation, "It had gone well, my lord. They're starting to come and I believe I was not the only one who went in disguise."
"Are you sure you were not found out?"
"Of course, my lord. Please don't worry," He assured, "And I have some news for you that might interest you. I shall come directly over to give you the details."
"Oh? Regarding what?"
"Well, his majesty's daughter."
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