Chapter 18
Silence stretch for a few tense minutes. After the couple left, most vacate the sofas, scattering about the room.
"Alright then, Kain starts, leaning on one of the sofa back, what are we gonna do now, the question snap some gaze to him, the fight's over and Lord Kaname gave us a chance to choose our future"
"Following my master is the only path I seek" Seiren's voice declare from the shadows before vanishing.
"We all know what Hanabusa's choice will be" Senri mumbles, snuggling closer to his mate.
The blue eye blond didn't respond to the words remaining silent, causing Ruka, standing at the window staring out in a daze, to scoff.
Kain side-eye his cousin, sitting in the single seat Kaname sat, concern (about both of them).
"What about you?" Rima, sitting on a armrest, turn her head to address Senri, cuddling with Takuma on the sofa across her.
"I'll go with whatever Takuma decides, the redhead's answer cause Takuma to smile softly then kiss his beloved's forehead lovingly, what will you do?" Senri asks.
"I have nothing better to do, so I'll go with majority choice" Rima shrugs careless.
Yuki meanwhile sat in numb silence, not registering their words, mind reeling.
"I need to do one last thing, Zero pant between kisses, Ill be back soon, use that time to have a proper one on one talk with your descendant, she detangle herself from Kaname's possessive hands, I won't overlook any future disrespectful behavior"
Kaname, lying naked atop messy sheets, watch his mate leave, dressed in the female night uniform, then shift onto his side with a heavy sigh.
"Seiren, bring Yuki to my office, I'll be there shortly" he sits up while running long fingers through messy brown hair.
"As you command" the shift of a shadow signals her departure.
'Rosalg has become such an emotional mess in this like, Kaname thought fondly, more prone to jealousy and fiery outburst, a most welcome change, a please grin stretch tin lips, 'Well, Rosalg was never human so he hadn't experience many of their emotions, his previous calm composure was quite frustrating at times, and I love him all the more, he chuckles leaning back into his comfortable chair, Zero Kiryu's on the other hand was human, his nature mixed with Rosalg dragon instincts has made my mate even more adorable'
A soft knock on the door smooth his expression.
"Bother..." Yuki's timid voice call from the other side of the door.
"Come in" he rest both palms on his lap, relax.
"You wanted to see me?" tone hopeful, Yuki sits across from Kaname at his desk, after closing the door behind her.
"Yes, we need to discuss your warp misconceptions about my mate" expression blank, gaze hard.
Yuki stiffens apprehensive.
Zero walks along a winding staircase leading to a small room lit by a burning furnace.
"I tried ignoring you before, Zero starts, but now I can't, she address the female soul in the flames, I advice you move on now for Kaname's piece of mind, or I will erase you, slit eyes narrow, Kaname is not yours to protect"
A giggle resound in answer as her essence fade.
"What are you doing down here, Zero, Kaien enters the room, how did you even find this place?" he asks cautious, sword in hand.
"If I can halter the barrier around this school, why wouldn't I notice one hiding something, she watch the flames flickers, dying out slowly, with indifferent, the empty void it caused made it obvious, guess you couldn't turn a blind eye to your precious son trespassing, but fret not, father, I'm not so cruel as to leave hunters-humans in a disadvantageous position against unruly vampires" icy blue slit eyes meets hazel over a slender shoulder.
"Be honest, Kaien's expression hardens, are you really my son, Zero Kiryu?"
Zero's attention shifts back to the furnace producing a palm size mana crystal, refine with his own blood, then throws it in, rekindling the flames.
"Zero Kiryu was such a soft hearted child, but life dealt him a tragic fate, the fire reflect her burning gaze, second place to everyone important to him, especially when it comes to Yuki Cross, he was just never enough, even to you, the silverette turns to face the ex-hunter, I am Zero Kiryu in this life, though I'm the dominant self with access to his memories, my previous was many millennium long, she cross both hands under ample breast, Zero didn't cling much to life after losing his family, revenge was the only thing that kept him going for years"
Kaien doesn't know how to feel or respond instead said, "what did you do to the furnace?"
After a moment of awkward silence, a slender hand raise to brush pale fingers under slightly parted lips as they slowly curve, "oh, she chuckles, not going to deny my clam, her smile turn chilling, I'm glad you're not trying to make excuses, I don't care enough for them, her head tilt a little, you tried to hide it but Yuki Kuran is always more important than Zero Kiryu, I respect you Kaien Cross for taking in and raising us, we're grateful, ah-don't make that face, she adds gently at Kaien's distraught expression, palming her cheek, I understand why you favor Yuki most, she is the child of your first love, Juri Kuran, so I can't fault you much"
"Zero-"
"But enough of my rambling, she interrupts, I replaced the original power source since we'll be cooperating with the Hunter Association in the future, Zero uncross her arms, placing them on wide hips, the weapons production at the cost of a pureblood's heart ends here forever, a gift to our friendly alliance"
"You've really changed, trying to deny it now would be foolish, Kaien expression turn resign, the old Zero wouldn't associate with vampires-let alone work with them, tone wistful, producing more anti-weapons to destroy all vampires sounds more like him"
"You seem to forget they were originally made to protect pureblood vampires, Zero huffs, with a flip of long silver hair, walk to the only entrance and exit, lets not forget from who your pacifistic coexistent ideals originate, legend of vampire hunters, she stroll pass Kaien's stiffen form, don't get me wrong, I admire good intentions, but the road to hell are paved with it"
"Also, she pause at the first step, a early congratulations on becoming the new Hunter Association President, send us a missive when things have settled to the Kuran mansion, we'll be leaving the Academy in thirty minutes" Zero depart using teleportation.
Kaien raise a palm to his face releasing a shuddering breath follow by a hollow chuckle, gripping his sword tightly.
The early sun's ray break over the horizon, warming the earth.
Kaname and Zero dressed for travel, accompany by a subdue Yuki carrying a singe bag, heads to the main gate. Kaien and Yagari stood there in wait.
"Yuki, the ex-hunter speaks first, you are leaving of you're own accord right?"
"I am" she nods not meeting his gaze.
"All right, he sigh sadden at Yuki's reaction, Zero-"
"Deserved better, she leans into Kaname's hold, but it doesn't matter now so don't stress about the past" the humanoid dragon spare him a brief glance.
"Zero...Kaname, he address the pureblood next, please take care of my children, he smile softly, if you ever hurt them I'll never forgive you"
"I'm sure" Kaname drawls, tightening his hold around Zero's slim waist.
Zero shift blue gaze to the silent hunter, "you're still wearing that, she refer to his eyepatch, don't you appreciate my parting gift?"
"What is Zero talking about Toga?" Kaien asks releasing Yuki from a farewell hug.
"Payment for a past mistake" Zero answer in Yagari's stead, snapping fingers to erase the patch on the hunter's face.
"Is this your way of cutting ties?" Yagari stares at his former student with both blue eyes, calm.
"Don't be dramatic, she ignore Kaien's gasp, we'll see each other plenty in the future" she smile mischievous.
"To think the day would come where I witness my male student turn female and mate a pureblood vampire, what has the world come to?" he grimace.
"The future is unpredictable, but we should be going, take care of yourself and father until we meet again" Zero move pulling Kaname along, Yuki trails behind silent after exchanging a final goodbye with her adopted father.
Outside the gate Kaname's inner circle stood waiting who then bows deeply at their presence.
"We swear our eternal fidelity to Lord Kaname Kuran, Lady Zero Kiryu and Lady Yuki Kuran"
Zero's eyes glint with satisfaction, "the cars are waiting, we should leave before the sun rise higher"
Kaien and Yagari watch them leave in conflicted silence.
"Aren't you going to check on your students?" Yagari asks suddenly.
Kaien flinch at his words then quickly runs off to the auditorium.
Zero rest silver head on Kaname's lap, in the back of their limo only they occupy, smiling brightly.
Kaname, seeing her expression, softens with fondness, "I see you're happy, my Lily"
"Blissfully so, Zero grins up at her treasure, we're together again and nothing will sperate us ever, she palm his cheeks, right my Emperor" she pulls him down for a kiss.
Omeka
Ten years later
Zero sat outside, in the Red Rose garden of the Kuran mansion, enjoying afternoon tea.
"Aido, Zero stirs his tea slowly, where's Yuki?"
The blond, holding a white parasol to shade his superior (in punishment), reply "Lady Yuki left to visit Kaien Cross an hour ago"
"Hn" he sip his tea satisfy. He'd already known she wasn't in the mansion. Two vampire maids stood calmly nearby in wait, ready to fulfil his every whim.
"Your highness, a human maid enters the garden, the hunters are here, should I lead them to the drawing room?" she informs after a bow.
"No, his gaze didn't stray from viewing the roses, bring them here" he instruct mood pleasant.
"As you wish" she leave after another bow.
A minute later she returns leading three hunters, "I've brought them, your highness"
"You may go" Zero dismiss with a careless wave.
"We greet Empress Kuran" the males lower their head courteous.
"I'm Luke Matsuto and these are my companions, Jin Satoshi and Kaito Takamiya, he jesters to each individual male, its a pleasure to meet you."
"I'm sure, Zero didn't spare them a glance, lets get this over with"
The two hunters, behind their leader, grits their teeth while Luke takes out a folder from his bag containing reports, handing it over to a maid, that step forward, who inspect then brings it to her master.
Zero slowly flips through the pages after taking it, "everything seems in order, closing the folder he place it to the side on the table, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to deliver these, my husband will really appreciate the gesture, icy blue slit eyes shifts and they stiffens, intimidated by Zero's unnatural gaze alone, oh, does hunter Takamiya have something to say?" Zero raises a perfect brow at Satoshi covering Kaito's mouth before he could speak while restraining his movement from behind.
"No, Satoshi answer, please don't mind us" he chuckles nervous.
"We'll be leaving now, your highness" Luke bows then help drag the struggling Kaito away.
Zero watch them amuse, smiling slyly.
"Are you trying to get us kill, do you want to start a war with the Kuran after having peace finally?!" Satoshi whisper yell, releasing Kaito.
"Since when did hunters became glorified errand boys for blood suckers" (Kaien never told anyone about Zero's true nature except Yagari)
"I know you have a history with Zero Kiryu but he's no longer that person you knew Kaito" Luke reasons.
"Besides thanks to them we're able to mass produce anti-weapons, Satoshi reminds as they got in their vehicle, plus we can't afford to irk Zero Kuran, he alone wiped out the Zenin clan two years ago, face it he's no longer the same" he relax in the back seat.
"You're right about one thing, Kaito speak from the front seat, that's not the Zero I knew" he stares out the car window at the water fountain at the mansion front.
"Lets get out of here" Luke starts the car then drives off.
Zero, ease dropping on their conversation, chuckles at their exchange, 'If they knew I have absolute control of their precious anti-weapons, I wonder what expression they'll have?' he bites into a strawberry éclair.
When the dragon had replaced the furnace source with the mana crystal he'd basically placed a invisible blade to their throats, ready to strike at any moment. He now know where every hunter is and what they're doing, should they dare step out of line Zero can turn the weapons against their user or render them unusable.
'Hunters are so much fun to keep around, I'll be entertain for centuries' Zero smiles devious lifts his teacup to sip, watching the clear blue sky.
Aido, silent this whole time, shudders at the silverette's expression.
End