Chapter Text
It was maybe four am when Zero heard loud knocking on his house door. He grumbled loudly on his pillow. He had just gotten back from a mission not even two hours ago. His hair is still damp when he passes his hand over it, gets out of bed, and grabs Bloody Rose from his nightstand.
Right when he got close to it. The person behind the door yells his name.
“Zero!” Oh, it's her, Yuuki. “ I know you’re there! Please open the door, it's an emergency.” She pleads.
Zero hesitates for a second while looking at the intercom camera. She looks the same as she did three years ago, though her hair is now styled up, making her look a bit more mature and more regal. Like a real high-class vampire that she is. It almost takes Zero half a second to register the Yuuki of now to the Yuuki of then.
Zero and Yuuki had parted ways after the whole Rido accident, and her getting her memories back, after that, it was like she became a whole different person that Zero found too disquieting to be around. It wasn’t the Yuuki he grew up with, despite still maintaining those same memories they went through. She acted pridefully and gave off the ‘I'm stronger than you’ aura that would make even her friends annoyed. It was too much like Kuran that it kept sending his hunter instincts into overdrive.
Nevertheless, Yuuki stayed with Kuran, doing who knows what during the last one and a half years of the academy; meanwhile, Zero finished Cross Academy and graduated. He continued his vampire-hunting obligations despite being a vampire. It's a miracle he managed so far, especially with the hunter’s council having allowed it with minimal opposition.
“Zero, open the door, c’mon!” Yuuki yelled, banging on his door.
Zero sighed again and went to open the door, completely glossing over the bundle cradled on Yuuki’s arm in the camera until the door was wide open and in his face.
She quickly stepped forward, Zero startled, stepping back, but Yuuki moved the bundles into his chest, causing his arms to naturally wrap his arms around…something moving..?!
“Yuuki..!”
She steps back and stares coldly at the bundle, then at a bewildered Zero. Zero looks down, it's a baby, he’s wearing sun-printed sleeping pajamas, a mob of dark brown hair, and large brown eyes that reflect red at the right angle. Zero’s mind works at breakneck speed to come up with a reason for this, and he doesn’t like any of them
He glares fiercely, or as fiercely as he can with a babbling baby in his arms in his sweats and large T-shirt. “Yuuki. I am not taking care of this baby. No matter what you say. Go to Cross-”
“ I can’t!” She interrupted, she wiped her hands in her expensive dress, almost as if disgusted at what she had just held, Zero thinks. “ Cross can’t know, Zero. He just can’t.” She wiped her eyes.
“How the hell wouldn’t he be able to tell, huh? The baby is a pure blood vampire, even I can tell.” He argues back. Though a baby, he can feel a small, barely traceable, dangerous aura from him. It’s the same for when he meets a high-class vampire, less noticeable, but maybe they just hide theirs to make themselves less dangerous to humans. Plus, the fact that he’s practically a copy of both Kuran and Yuuki isn't any better.
Yuuki continues, completely ignoring what he just said, “I can’t- I can’t take care of him, Zero. Kaname’s not waking up, no matter what I do. So what's the point of raising a child if he’s not there?” She asks mournfully. “Plus, I didn’t think he would be so-so fussy all the time! I can’t even do the things I like anymore. It’s too much! “ She hisses loudly, causing the baby to hiccup and wiggle around, starting to weep.
They both stare at the baby, Zero in uncomfortable horror, and Yuuki in frustration.
“See! I had had enough, Im too young to be dealing with this, I just want a break from it all! Even Kaname’s council wouldn’t stop asking about him. It's like they think I’m going to drop him. Waking Kaname up should be the priority! Not him.“ She argues back, she looks almost half mad, Zero doesn’t know what to say, “I've had enough.” She turns and starts walking away quickly. Leaving Zero to digest her decision for a few seconds before it caught on.
“What the fuck?! Yuuki! Yuuki-wait!” Zero runs after her, but when he gets out of his front yard past his gate, she's gone.
How the fuck is Zero, a twenty year old vampire Hunter, and a low level E vampire going to raise a pure blooded vampire child without royally fucking this up.
He goes back inside, baby in his arms, and heart heavier than a boulder. He softly puts the baby on the couch, who is now happily content with making baby sounds and looking around. Zero stares and stares until it starts becoming real that this is really happening to him.
Oh, when he gets his hands on Yuuki….
He sighs, passing his hands over his face. He's too tired to rationally process this, yet still too irritated and angry to go back to sleep. He gazes at the baby that looks at him with wide, trustful eyes, completely at ease near Zero, A well-known vampire hunter. The irony is not lost on him.
Zero curiously moves one hand to caress and press on one plump red cheek, making the baby smile, small fingers grasping onto his own.
He is so small, so tiny. Something in Zero fills with warmth and a sense of rightful anger. How dare Yuuki rid herself of her newborn baby just because he's an inconvenience to her? Or because Kaname’s not with her to share the responsibility. She could've given him to any of the other vampires around her, and yet she went to him. He doesn't even have the slightest clue as to why.
The baby whimpers again, and without hesitation, Zero holds him again. Carefully supporting his back and head (thank God for those random bits of knowledge he knows about babies), and snuggled him to his chest. The baby stopped whimpering the moment he felt Zero hold him. Something deep, hidden behind hunter instincts in his core felt delighted, proud, almost purring at the sight, and his vampire seal felt warm against his neck, but he ignored it.
“Well, at least you're cute.” He says, wiggling his finger to amuse the baby.
Then he realized, Yuuki never gave him a name. He swallows another lump in his throat. And thinks of a name, something simple since he's never been good at naming things. Usually, he left that for Yuuki back when they were kids.
…Alright. Hmm. “ How about..Seiju?”
“Buh!” The baby squeals happily. Zero nods. Good enough for him.
Now he has some calls to make, the sun rays are just starting to enter the window. He can’t raise a child without food, diapers, and other baby supplies.
Gods, he hopes he knows what he’s doing.
Notes:
This is my first work in this fandom. This fandom was bread and butter during my teenage years, feels nice coming back.
But as an adult now, and reading the wiki about it (I can't watch the anime again, I tried. loved the opening tho). Holy shit, how did this manga get aired. I love this series, don't get me wrong, but wow. The family trees in the series genuinely has me dying in laughter, cause like, why are they all related in some way?! Eating family members. Stealing your younger brother's wife, who's also your sister???? Honestly, very creative of the author.
Anyways, this is a prologue next chapter will be the five-year time skip, and get straight into the messiness. Thank you for reading!
Chapter Text
Kaname opened heavy eyelids, blurry vision slowly clearing to the high, curved ceiling above him. He sits up with a grunt, his body aches, and he feels the cold creep up in his extremities. The same symptoms he felt when he first woke up from his slumber, though this time it was supposed to stay. He was dead. This was it. It was supposed to be the final nail to the metaphorical coffin. After all, he gave his heart to the furnace for Yuuki. Or else Yuki..what.Was it?
…He doesn’t remember. That is... strange.
Kaname hesitates as he grabs the edge stone coffin as his head aches, but he suffers through the familiar symptoms. Once they subside, he stumbles out of his tomb, which was raised on a dais backed by three beautiful, large stained glass windows depicting the beautiful intricate designs and colors. Kaname blinked at the windows, illuminated by the glow of the moon. His in a church, that much is obvious. He looks forward and is met with a bloodbath, three bodies strewn on a pile against the wall on his right, but by the look of the blood trail left behind, they were moved from the center, right in front of the coffin. He walks down the short steps. Another body, a female one, to the left. All of the bodies left a trail from the center. Like a ritual, and then they were tossed aside.
Kaname sighs frustratingly and barely tries to contain his utter disgust. Another sacrifice was made to wake him up. He extends his senses, however, it seems this time it's not for the purpose Rido Kuran wanted him for, nor made by him either. No one is around, the church is empty, desolate, and Kaname discovers not a single soul around the perimeter of this small church or the surrounding area.
He stares at the bodies, they do not bother him; at his age, there's little that can surprise him, and death isn’t one of them.
He wonders how long it has been this time. How many have passed by? Did Yuuki move on, without him? He hopes so; their relationship was not the best, but it was a work in progress. Neither he nor Yuuki could come to terms with many things, or times when Kanme agreed to whatever Yuuki wanted just to get some peace. Nonetheless, it was decent, it was what he always wanted. Yuuki is by his side, and everything is going to plan. At the least, he fulfilled Kuran Juri’s wish.
Before Kaname decides to leave, the doors at the end of the room open with a loud bang. It kicks up a cloud of dust. A figure stands at the entrance, his red eyes gleaming in the low light. Kaname tilts his head in confusion.
The person walks forward, taking confident yet measured steps towards Kaname, boots making the floor creak ominously. Kaname didn't flinch or look away. After all, he can sense that this vampire was weak; maybe they were the ones who woke him up, but he banishes the thought. It was borderline laughable. Maybe a member of the council-
The figure finally walked up to the light, revealing a familiar silver gun peeking from behind their dark coat at the waist, and a pale face soon came to view. Red eyes that were veiled behind the shadows slowly lifted to reveal the dark pools of amethyst in the moon’s light.
Kaname’s eyes widened, “Zero.”
Kiryuu's eyes narrowed, “ Kuran.” He walked until he was a few steps in front of Kaname.
Kaname had to blink a few times, taking in all of this older Zero. Time had passed, as the vampire hunter no longer sports such youthfulness of his teenage years.
His face is relatively more masculine now, his jaw sharper, and his glare more dangerous. His body filled out, despite him wearing a dark turtleneck and a long coat, he could tell his body had gained more strength.
Though he was still shorter than him. Kaname mentally smirks about it.
Kiryuu soon looks away, completely unbothered by Kaname’s revival.
“More bodies,” He murmurs to himself, “ The ones outside were due to a knife plunge to the heart. Yet these..hmm.” He stares some more, then looks back at Kaname, waiting.
Kaname raises a pointed eyebrow back at him. Yes, the bodies had bite mark wounds on their neck, but how dare Zero assume he would be such a messy eater as to leave them in a pile of blood and other bodies, and much less let the corpse rot on his resting place.
He maintains his blank face as he answers back, “ I have just awoken from my slumber. And it seems I was woken up again through the same means as before.”
Zero grumbles under his breath, something too quick for Kaname’s ear to catch, but sounded very close to why can’t you stay dead.
Kaname watches Zero walk around the bodies, inspecting them. Might as well get up to date, since it seems Zero would not willingly fill him at all.
“ How long has it been?’ Kaname asks.
“Five years.”
Kaname blinks. Well that's shorter than he expected.
“Has anything changed during my absence?”
Zero shoots him a glare, “ I’m not your subordinate. If you want to be updated about your monarchy, ask your council, not me.”
Kaname sighs, of course, five years would not change Kiryuu’s prickly attitude.
“How has Yuuki been in my absence?” He asks, maybe that is something he can at least get an answer about. He is well aware that once Yuuki’s locked memories had resurfaced, their relationship had slowly eroded. Yuuki had talked about Zero almost as an afterthought, here and there. Between her trying to include Kaname in every date she could bring him to, as she remembers their childhood promise of marriage. Kaname assumes that for Zero, it must’ve taken a lot longer for his feelings to change. Not with how protective he had been towards her.
Hopefully, he’s still not protective of her, for Kaname will not tolerate it any more than necessary.
He sees Zero tense at the question, his jaw clenching, but before he could speak, he heard the sounds of footsteps quickly walking into the room.
Hanabusa pops in, a little breathless and a little annoyed, his entire expression changed the moment he spots Kaname, changing to pure shock. A few moments later, Akatsuki calmly steps in. His eyes widen, more subtle than Aido’s dramatic expression, but that's as astonished as Kain gets.
Hanabusa broke the shocked silence, “Kaname! You-you’re awake?!- I thought-” He walks briskly towards Kaname, walking around him, inspecting for injuries. Still talking about how he could possibly be awake, or if Rido is still alive. Kaname feels exhaustion creep in just from being around Aido’s bright and loud personality. He discreetly sends a look to Kain to reel in Aido as always.
But surprisingly, the taller man seems to be talking with Zero. Zero nodded at something he said, expression calm and blank but attentive to Kain’s words. Kaname feels a sense of jealousy crawl through him. He’s known Zero for far longer than Kain, yet he had never managed to have a single decent conversation that didn't result in arguments, hostility, or threats to his person and kind.
What has happened in these five years to change so drastically?
Kaname passes his attention back to Aido, who is still talking about what to do now that he’s back. Kaname pointedly stares at Aido in the eyes, knowing that this method usually makes Aido feel uncomfortable enough to stutter, and not a few seconds after noticing Kaname's lack of answer and intense attention, he starts anxiously slowing his words down.
“-Anyways! It's good you woke up, Kaname! Truly. A lot has happened since your..death..?”
“Is that so? Nothing bad, I hope.”
“Of course not! Ruka has been charged since you, ah-left. Other than that, it's been peaceful for the last five years.”
Ruka? Not Yuuki. “What about Yuuki?”
Hanabusa controls his expression, it goes neutral, the same as it always does when he’s quickly thinking of something. He’s hiding some information about Yuuki, Kaname guesses. His expression changes; he is relaxed but less sunny, thankfully.
“Well, Yuuki didn’t take your ‘death’ very well; she left her duties to Ruka and is now traveling. I'm sure she will be overjoyed once we get the news out.” He assures the pureblood. “Let me call Ruka-”
“Later.” Akatsuki says, his voice a smooth timber.
Kaname felt a gratefulness surge for Akatsuki. He was planning on informing Aido that he was going to lay low to store up his energy. He is, in all purposes, drained, and it won’t be until two weeks at least to replenish his power and energy from the years he’s been asleep. He most certainly does not want to deal with the aristocratic families while still being so weak.
“Huh?” Hanabusa directs his confusion to Kain, who is still standing next to Zero. Comfortably. Both are completely at ease in each other's presence, Kaname sourly notes. “What do you mean by later? Kaname’s back! The news should be shared with the aristocratic families, they should be made aware-”
“Yeah, and who is going to explain the sacrifice it took to wake him up?” Zero interrupts. Face blank and neutral. Kaname wonders how Zero went from being disgusted by the mere presence of vampires to now being able to hold a conversation without pointing Bloody Rose at any chance. “ Not to mention the dead bodies of both human and level E vampires that have been stabbed outside of this church.”
Akatsuki nods, adding on, “It would cause panic. Both hunter and aristocratic families.” Kaname agrees nothing comes from them poking their noses in these types of delicate matters.
“ Hiding the truth won't be any better.” Aido argues back.
Zero responds back with a huff, “ No, but it would give me enough time to collect as much information about what happened here. Because right now we don't know anything.”
Hanabusa tuts, “ Fine, if you think keeping Kaname away from court is a good idea, then you should house him.” Giving Zero a knowing glare.
Akutsuki quietly pulls out a box of cigarettes, intent on ignoring the impending altercation with a smoke break.
“Absolutely not.” Zero sneered at Aido's response. He then quickly stepped into Akatsuki's space and grabbed the box, “ No smoking in front of me. I don't want to go home to Seiju with that smell on me. I managed to get Toga-san to quit smoking near me, I'm not dealing with you either. ”
Akatsuki merely sighs dejectedly but lets the silver man keep the box.
The argument over whether or not Kaname would stay with Kiryuu continued as they left the church behind and to Hanabusa’s car. He gazed at the bodies nearby, piled near the front yet not obstructing the entrance. He stayed behind the blond and silver-haired men, still arguing about him without his input, the name “Seiju” came up a few times, and seemed to rattle Zero enough that Kaname can feel the threatening auru only a pissed off Vampire can put off. Strangely enough, to Kaname’s senses, it feels more like the threatening air of a vampire mother. He shook his head. He must be tired.
Kaname ultimately stayed behind them, instead, he enjoys the quietness that Kain and he always shared.
However, Kaname had questions, many of them. Which one does he start? What exactly happened with Yuuki that even Aido seemed to withhold the whole truth? What event happened for Zero to suddenly be acquainted enough with some of Kaname’s council? Why is Kain so comfortably in Zero’s presence and vice versa? Who is Seiju? He sighs, one at a time, he supposes. He does have the time in the world.
“I wouldn’t mind staying with Kiryuu. But I have many questions regarding all of this.” Kaname coldly says to Kain, who nods. Acquiescing to Kaname, who very much hates being left in the dark.
The name Seiju stands out, someone important to Zero? “Who is Seiju?”
Kain side glances him, seeming to weigh his options. “Seiju is Zero’s son.”
Kaname blinks owlishly. Zero had a son? Impossible. Kaname cannot imagine that ever happening. Not in five measly years. Kain grumbled, passing his hand over his mouth. An anxious gesture.
“Seiju is… special. You will see him when you get there. Everything will be explained there.” He responds in his usual short sentences.
Kaname accepts the answer for now. As they arrive at the car, Kaname wonders if these changes are bad or good. If being alive had made more changes than his death had done. Well, there's only one path to go now.
Notes:
Phew! This was a long chapter!
Funnily enough, it is said in the wiki that Kaname's favorite hobbies include "reading, chess, and thinking about Yuuki." His favorite food is "whatever Yuuki makes," and on his days off, it says "He deals with paperwork and sulks in bed on days he cannot see Yuuki." My eyebrows flew off my forehead. This man's entire being revolves around Yuuki! Please, what is this?!
Apparently, the only times he doesn't act Tall, Dark, and Handsome (TM), it's when he's feeling jealous of Zero. Please, this man is surrounded by people who genuinely follow him and not out of fear. Let him have some deep friendships and bantering. Bullying Aido is not enough.
Chapter Text
Zero glared the whole drive back to his home. Hanabusa, being the designated driver, had completely ignored all of Zero’s threats with his usual dramatics and sass until Zero gave up.
Zero maintained his usual blank expression, but his mind was reeling in anxiousness. Kaname is going to see Seiju. Seiju would most definitely be taken away from him the moment they spot each other. After all, he is the unofficial Kuran prince born from Yuuki and Kaname, the only other Kuran.
Zero grips his hands together tightly. It's hard to believe that five years ago, he was ready to give Seiju away after calling Cross that awful morning. He was not ready to take care of another person, much less himself; he barely even had much of a life to begin with.
After summarizing the events that transpired to Cross over the phone that fateful day, the blond-haired man hurried to Zero’s home, yet he didn't come alone. Hanabusa had come with him.
He was the only one suspicious of Yuuki's erratic behavior a few months after Kaname's death and the birth of her child. He was trailing her and lost her near his home, then he bumped into Cross, who, upon questioning, quickly explained that it involved Yuuki and a baby.
Once both were in his living room, Zero had explained his side of the events, his mind too tired to care about the vampire in his home. At that point, he needed any distraction he could get, other than the baby currently dozing off on his arms.
Aido had then explained how Yuuki had a change in personality. As she had now become the Kuran queen, her duties had not allowed her to do many things without repercussions. Despite the help of him and the council to slowly get her acclimated to her new position, she slowly became short-tempered and accused people of never helping her out when she decided to ignore one of their advice.
Then came the most shocking fact: no one knew Yuuki was pregnant. Aido revealed to both hunters.
“Yuuki showed no symptoms of pregnancy. No morning sickness, no cravings, and her stomach didn’t grow. Nothing.” He passed his hands over his hair, messing it more than it already was. “Not one of us smelled anything different. Usually, you would, a pregnancy has a peculiar smell to us. Anyways, at some point, Takuma, Seiren, and Yuuki left for a month or two to the Kuran Manor. Then she comes back with a baby in her arms.”
Aido had chuckled, though it sounded like he was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
“To say we were surprised is an understatement. She then ordered- no more like threatened us-not to inform anyone. That it stayed a secret until Kaname was revived again.”
Cross had been bewildered, “ Yuuki would never threaten anyone. She may be a bit different now, but she's still kind.”
“Hah. I'm sorry, Cross-san, but that's what's happened.” He looked at the baby in Zero's arms, “ The baby being here is proof enough that she is not as kind-hearted as you thought.” He leaned back on the couch and continued,“ In the month and a half following that, we were rarely allowed to be near the babe by Yuuki, yet she seemed to rarely be around him in turn. More intent on searching for a way to revive Kaname from his “sleep”…Yuuki never even told us his name.” He murmurs the last part with a pained look.
He remained silent for a while, staring at the ceiling. It was heavy, filled with unspoken words, but neither hunter nor vampire wanted to break it. After a short while, Hanabusa looked down at Zero with an expression that Zero couldn't decipher.
The baby moves, and it brings Zero back to his current situation. He looked at drowsy, wine-brown eyes, a small, toothless smile, and wispy dark brown hair and saw a glimpse of the baby, a little older, smiling at him. At Zero.
He can't do this. Seiju deserves a better childhood than what Zero had. What Zero can provide. Something in his chest clenched and ached.
“ I can't keep him.” Zero said quietly.
Cross had looked at him sadly but nodded. “As much as I wish to say otherwise, it would be hard for Zero to care for a pureblood with him being a vampire hunter and a Level D.”
Zero nods. That was logical; his job was killing vampires. Aside from the race culling he does, his hours vary wildly, and he's a level D vampire, which comes with a whole host of problems. And while he knows the weak spots of vampires and behaviors, he doesn't know how to raise one.
Do they drink blood this young? What about their powers? What does he do when they manifest? How can he even explain his job to a vampire child? That his guardian kills his kind?
Zero shakes these questions out of his head. He's not taking care of the child, these things don't matter.
“Exactly. Just take the baby and go. Don't involve me in your affairs. I'm sure someone in your council will take care of him.” Zero flatly answers.
Hanabusa tilts his head, a bird-like motion that seems odd with how loud he usually is. Then he quickly stands and, in quick strides, goes to grab the dozing baby out of Zero's arms.
In a split second, Zero's arm was extended out, Bloody Rose pointed at Hanabusa's head, his other hand tightly gripping the baby closer to him. His body was tense, and vampire teeth bared like an animal.
“Zero!?” Cross shrieked.
Zero's sense where sharply focused on any movement Hanabusa would make. It felt primal, instinctual, to immediately go into the defensive. Not a single thought went through Zero; he just knew that it involved the baby being moved from him, and his body reacted.
Hanabusa sighed with a tired smirk. “Yeah, I thought so.”
Zero lowered the gun slowly, “What...?”
“You’re already imprinted on him. I thought at first the smell was Yuuki’s scent lingering behind, but no, it was yours.” Hanabusa remarked, seeming a little surprised.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Zero! Language.” Cross reprimanded. Which Zero ignored.
Hanabusa clarified. “ It’s barely there, I'm guessing because of your vampire seal, but the scent of a strong vampire, or more specifically, a dam.”
He looked at Zero in the eyes, “ You smelled like a vampire mother with their child. You’ve imprinted on the baby, and by the lack of the displeasing scent of a distressed baby, he has imprinted on you too. Which means that the baby is not going anywhere without your explicit permission.”
With a flourish, he sits on Zero’s other side, completely taking advantage of his bewildered state, and smiles while looking at the baby.
“So…What’s his name?”
Zero opens his eyes, letting the memory fade as he notices familiar roads to his home. From then on, Zero had reluctantly agreed and kept Seiju, not that he had much of a choice. Yet something in him had once again purred at having Seiju to himself, having the baby recognize him. He knew it was the vampire side of him. It was ever present after drinking both Yuuki’s and Kuran's blood and subsequently consuming Ichiro’s blood, but he didn’t want to dwell on that any longer than he had to.
He had put his hunter duties on hold, causing a massive backlash from the hunter association by not having him on the active roster. But with Kain Cross and his master at his back to hold the association, claiming he was seriously injured, he managed to put that on the side.
Throughout the five years, he raised Seiju, started taking a few short missions once Seiju turned three, with the help of Cross acting as an adoring grandfather and his mentor awkwardly being there physically but putting great emotional distance between Seiju and him, at least that’s what the man tells himself. Zero bets a lot of money on his mentor having a soft spot for his little Sei. And, surprisingly, Kaname’s council. Mostly, it was Kain, Hanabusa, and Ruka who visited the most. It was hard, but the companionship made it easier, and Seiju adored having them visit him and teaching him vampire behaviors that completely flew over Zero’s head.
He wasn't exactly friends with them, but he appreciated their help anyway. When it came to Seiju, nothing was stopping Zero from doing what's best for him, even if it meant putting down years of earned vampire paranoia.
He hopes his son is not home; he should be with Cross and his master until tomorrow. He could at least visit his son in Cross’s home and explain to him the situation before thrusting him into the new life he would be forced to live, away from Zero. His leg starts shaking.
When they head to the corner and into the driveway to his home, it is a modern two-story home with an adequate backyard surrounded by a gated fence. He notices the lights are on. He curses mentally.
“Huh? Zero, didn’t you say Seiju was with Cross-san?” Hanabusa asks.
Zero spots the curtain move, and he immediately gets out of the car the moment the car stops in front of the steps leading to the front door. Right on time, as the door opens to reveal his five-year-old son in a too-big cream sweatshirt that swallowed his small frame, dark shorts, and fuzzy white socks. Fitted warmly for the December weather, as snow lightly covers the ground from the last night's light snowfall, he puts on his small flops and runs to Zero.
Zero gets on one knee. Hugging the boy tightly.
Zero kisses the crown of his forehead as he gets up, as he always does the moment his son learned to run and launch himself at Zero.“Hey buddy.”
Seiju hums happily, “ Daddy, you’re back. You wanna see the cookies I made with Grandpa? They got chocolate inside.”
Zero takes a good look at him, memorizing his face and stitching it into his heart. His bright eyes, his bushy eyebrows, and his perpetual rosy cheeks. When he speaks, his little fangs peek out. Sometimes on hard days, Seiju reminds him too much of Yuuki, with how expressive he can be. Just like Yuuki in his childhood memories.
Seiju opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, distracted, he shifted his eyes past his shoulder. Zero can physically feel the pureblood's gaze on Seiju. It takes a lot of willpower not to bare his fangs and threaten to shoot the Kuran. To hide his son from a potential threat, even if that threat is his biological father. Zero turns instead. Kuran is only a few paces away, mystified. An expression Zero had never seen before on the older man.
Zero used to wonder if vampire parents can instinctively tell if their child is theirs, even if they never met them. It used to keep him up at night, not knowing the answer, and wishing fervently they didn’t. Unfortunately, it seems not to be the case.
“..Zero. He’s-” Kaname walks a few steps forward. Zero walks a few steps back.
“Ah! Sei-kun, what have I said about opening the door so suddenly- !“ Suddenly, Cross steps out of the house, pink apron over his white cardigan, which is over his dark turtle neck as usual. His expression changes into shock upon seeing Kaname.
A few seconds later, his master steps behind him, peering outside, his eye widening before switching once again to his neutral, annoyed look. “Ah, hells. Of course, he’s back.”
After that, Zero ignored all of them, quickly walking with Seiju into his home and methodically going through his usual routine when he came home from a three-day mission. He sets Seiju on the kitchen counter chair along with his coat, thankfully, his son stays quiet. Zero can hear the vampire group sitting in the living room and the door shutting with a click. Hananbusa’s and Cross’s voices sounded through the walls, answering Kaname’s incessant questions. Zero settles the tea kettle on the stove, waiting for the water to boil as he sets down a cup and grabs a tea bag. He steals a glance over at Seiju, who is contentedly munching on a cookie and carefully stacking three other cookies on the table’s surface.
“Daddy?” Seiju asks.
“..Yes?”
“Who’s that? He feels different..?” The boy asked. Zero's unsure if it's Kuran’s Pureblood presence he’s feeling or his familial bond. He hopes it is the former.
Zero fully turns to face Seiju.To face the reality of his impending future.
He doesn’t know what to start with, so he settles for, “He’s a Kuran.”
Seiju gasps, “Like me? I’m a Kuran too.”
Zero nods mutely, yes, Kuran Seiju, not Kiryu. It was the only piece from Yuuki that he could not take away from the boy.
“Is he family? Like Grandpa and you?” he asked.
Zero contemplates for a second, about to firmly declare no. Kaname didn’t raise Seiju, didn’t feed him, clothe him, rock him to sleep from nightmares, pick him up when he fell, or attend his first day of preschool.
He didn’t know he had a son, so he didn't choose to leave Seiju behind. A voice at the back of his mind whispered.
“Yes..he is…family. But you don’t have to treat him like one if you don't want to.” He ensured. Seiju hums. Going back to stack his cookie tower. Zero stares at the boy. Sometimes Zero wonders how much of the world around him he understands. He gets glimpses of Seiju being a little more aware than he lets on, but they quickly evaporate as the kid quickly asks or does something a normal five-year-old would do.
Zero hears the whistle of the kettle and turns the stove off. He pours the water and stirs his tea. As he drinks, Kain walks into the kitchen. Alone thankfully.
“Kain.”
“Zero.” Zero doesn’t know how Akatsuki manages to sound his name apologetically, but with how little the tall vampire conveys his thoughts out loud, it makes sense to use the small amount of words with a meaningful tone.
“Hello, Sei-kun.” Kain pats the boy's head, Seiju responds back with his greetings, then goes back to stacking his cookies with utmost concentration.
“You're scared?” He directs the question to Zero.
Zero grips the handle of his mug harder, “Of Course not.”
“Liar.” Kain grabs a mug from the drying rack to pour his own tea. “You can't avoid this, unfortunately. He will want to be part of Seiju's life no matter what you may say. He does have the right.”
Zero hates Kain’s ability to speak so little yet with brutal, straightforwardness. No one dares to do that with Zero (apart from Cross and his master), not without the imminent threat of at least a bullet lodged near a vital area. And yet he's drawn to the man in equal parts frustration and his casual solidity.
He sneers, maintaining his voice low, “ I know that. It doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow.” He can feel the rising anger to lash out, but he's not a teenager anymore. He can't act rude and self-centered and expect results by pushing everyone away with a bad temper. “ If it wasn't for Hanabusa, he would've never known. If only-”
“Kaname would've known at some point.” Kain interrupts, “ Either through one of us or Yuki.”
Right.Yuki. The whole reason why he had Seiju in the first place was due to Kaname’s vacancy. Zero grumbles under the cup's rim.
Kain takes that as approval. He nods, “ Kaname will stay here to recuperate his energy. Hanabusa and I will tell Ruka and the rest about the situation. If anything troubles you, call me, I will answer.” As always, he doesn't say, but Zero can hear it nonetheless.
Kain and Zero had developed a close relationship since Seiju was put in the vampire hunter's arms. Zero's future felt unknown and frightening, especially now with this heavy responsibility. Hanabusa and Zero were two opposites of the spectrum in terms of opinions and personality, and it was a given that they would clash. Akatsuki, on the other hand, was always there as a way to ease ruffled feathers, create a ceasefire with sensible words. He never put Zero down as just the dangerous vampire hunter, nor was he afraid of the shit Zero yelled at him those early years. Zero can discern that it was the mutual respect that brought them closer. Kain was fully aware of his history, his reasons to distrust vampires, and he never devalued his fears or his paranoia. He worked with him in small steps, until Seiju's third birthday.
Zero had been coming down from a mission that almost took his life and risked skipping Seiju's birthday. But he finished right on time to celebrate and watch his son be the happiest boy in his three years of living. But his nerves were still on high alert, his vampire side was suffocatingly near spilling out despite the seal, causing him to accidentally keep nicking his lower lip from his fangs, and his constant parched throat, no matter how many blood tablets he took, didn't quench it. He felt right on the edge of a cliff, except he didn’t know what ended at the bottom, and he didn't want to find out. He stayed in his room after the celebration ended, and all guests had left except Akatsuki.
To make a long story short, Kain had offered his blood. Zero refused. Kain had decided to take matters into his own hands and forcefully fed Zero his blood. It led to a struggle between them at some point until Zero gave in and took his fill, while laying on top of him, he made Kain feed from his blood too, as Zero didn’t want to have debts. It, ahem, spiraled down from there. Tensions were too high, and Zero felt safe, full, and satisfied after a long time; needless to say, they both got swept up by whatever was in the damm air. The next morning, Zero was covered in hickeys, and Kain’s back was adorned with scratches, while puncture wounds littered his shoulder and neck area from Zero taking more of his blood. It was embarrassing, yet surprisingly, their relationship didn't sour, nor did they become more. Each were content with their friendship with benefits. They did lie together more than that one time, but they didn’t restrict themselves to each other.
Kain just brings a calm assurance to Zero’s life that he desperately needed and still needs. Whether as a friend or an occasional lover.
“Just don't do it before ten a.m., it's far too early.” He finishes his mug and washes it, and puts it back in the drying rack.
Zero huffs, smile creeping up to his lips, “ Vampire or not, just admit you hate mornings. I bet not even Ruka wakes up that late.”
Kain shakes his head in disgust, “ She wakes up at eight. Unbelievable.” And with that, he walks out of the kitchen.
Zero sighed and put his mug down. He looks to the counter, finding it empty of his son. Well, it’s time to leave the kitchen and handle the rest.
—
Kaname holds his intertwined hands in front of his face, arms braced on his knees, thoughts a disjointed mess.
Apart from the whole mess Yuki probably did as the Kuran queen during his absence, which he is sure to have to clean up once he gets back, those are mild problems right now.
Yuki had a child. A child he had never known was even ever conceived, he doesn’t remember laying with Yuki at any time during their relationship. Even then, she decided to leave their child in Kiryu’s custody. He can’t even fathom the reasoning behind that. Kiryu’s a level D vampire, and while he’s strong, he's the farthest option Kaname would’ve chosen.
He sighs internally, he needs to talk to Yuki after he recuperates. For now, he will regain his energy and get acquainted with his…son.
He’s a father. Again. Nothing new, of course. Without him, the Kuran blood would’ve ended with him. He had watched his children grow up all those years ago, but from a distance. He was more preoccupied with finding ways to eradicate those feral purebloods from harming humans. He came back every half a century or more and watched his family grow from fewer than a handful to a group of grandkids and so on and so forth. Never creating any deeper connections beyond the familial bond, which was diluted as more generations passed and died off in battle.
But now. Well, there was no excuse to leave for half a century with Kaede to find ways to eradicate purebloods anymore.
He sits straight and relaxes into the plush grey couch in the living room. There were blankets and toys on the couches and the coffee table in front of him. It was homey and lived in, completely unexpected from a man like Zero, whom Kaname knew lived a strict lifestyle. Another thing was Zero’s unique scent, minty yet warm with a hint of metal, which was layered in every part of the home the moment he walked in. There was also the scent of the boy, he smelled like Kaname, for which Kaname couldn’t describe his scent as anything other than family, his son to be specific, but Zero’s minty scent lingered around him and into what he assumes is the kitchen. Nothing like Yuki’s cinnamon-like scent. Which means Yuki had never imprinted him, as a vampire should do. Even Kaname had imprinted his children before he left them to the care of their dam.
He keeps looking around, freely now that he's alone in the living room. Hanbusa had gone to grab Akatsuki only to argue with him the moment the man left the kitchen. Yagari had gone outside for a smoke, and Cross had left Kaname, knowing that he needed the space to think about the revelations of his five years of sleep.
On his right was a framed picture next to a lamp. He grabbed it and stared at it, it depicted Zero holding the boy-Seiju- he corrects himself, in his arms. Seiju seemed to be wearing a school uniform, the first day of pre-school, it seems. He puts the frame back on its stand and moves his attention to his left.
He immediately locks eyes with similar wine brown eyes on a younger face resting over the arm of the couch.
They stare at each other for what feels like minutes, except only seconds pass. Kaname stands still, something telling him he's being observed, scrutinized by the young vampire. His own son.
He looks to the kitchen for a brief second, then back at Kaname again, and tilts his head. Finally, he says, “You really do smell like me. But I've never met you.” he pauses. Kaname doesn't answer immediately, a little curious as to what the boy will say, Seiju continues, “Are you staying or leaving?” He asks flatly.
“I am staying for some time.” He answers.
A pause. “You should leave quickly. Me and Daddy don't need you here.” He pointedly states. His face was completely neutral and innocent.
Kaname blinks a little unexpectedly at the blatant dislike. Kain had said Seiju was special, he wondered if this was what he meant. He was hoping to make a good impression too, after all, the boy will go back with him once he regains his energy and establishes himself back to the aristocratic families and with Yuki's side. As well as establish Seiju as the Kuran prince that he is. They would be the family Yuki wanted, after all, Yuki’s decision with Seiju was partially his fault.
It would be hard, he will admit, but when has life been simple? He’ll just have to convince a certain Kiryu.
If he can make Zero give up on Yuki, then Seiju would be no different.
Notes:
It's gonna take a while for Kaname to see the light, huh? Oh well, it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks or something like that.
In other news! Omfg the wiki for Kaname’s relationship with Yuki is downright fucking sad. What do you mean Kaname was a third wheel, gave his whole heart to Yuki, knowing he only received half her heart!? Read this!
“Kaname even states that she's never smiled from her heart when she was with him, implying that she wasn't truly happy with him but that because she always felt like she should repay him for saving her life as well as always feeling inferior to him shows that although she loved him, she never felt like they were equals.”
What do you mean the Tall, Dark, and Handsome™ is the second male lead?! This is not the plot twist I was hoping for! Admittedly, I did not read the manga, so while im writing this story, I am also discovering the horrors that you guys are already familiar with.
It makes me wonder if the whole time, Kaname was the endgame, but the author changed hearts midway through. Either that or the fans were so intense that the author had to satisfy both parties.
P.S
I have just learned that they didn’t even get married. I should not be this distressed about a story that ended years ago but! Kaname, they did my old man dirty. Zero, too honestly. Waited years for a girl who can't decide who she really loves. Sigh. Thank you for reading!
Chapter Text
Zero had said goodbye to everyone as they left. Hanabusa would return every other day to bring extra blood to supply Kaname’s recovery. And while Zero had protested, Hanabusa had mastered the art of ignoring Zero's wishes and doing what he liked. Much to his chagrin. Next, he gave the location of the small church where Kaname was awakened to his master after being asked.
“I can investigate this myself, Toga-san.” Zero mildly protested while he passed the small note to him, the man responded with a huff.
“Your hands are currently full with this..situation, plus the kid.” He brings out a cigarette from his jacket, fiddling it between his fingers for a few seconds then finally putting it on his lips, lighter still in his pockets, knowingly well enough not to light it in Zero’s home. “Kuran s'posed to be dead, no heart means no resurrection, and yet... “
Zero had put that little bit of important information at the back of his mind for a good while, now that his master had brought it up, it brought along a mountain of half-form theories, none of them coherent enough to voice out loud. Except the obvious one he first thought of.
“It could've been another pureblood, with the same intent that Rido had?” Zero asks.
His master lightly chews on the end of his cigarette, annoyance clear on his face. “A powerful vampire on the loose. As if the world doesn’t have enough of those. “ He turns to leave.” I'll examine the place, I'll call you on what else I find.”
Zero nods. When the man turned, ready to step out of the gates, Seiju jogged towards them, grabbing the ends of Toga’s coat and tugging them lightly.
“Gramps! You can’t leave yet. You didn’t even take the cookies me and Grandpa did.”
Toga pinches the bridge of his nose “Christ, kid. How many times…stop calling me Gramps. I'm in my thirties, I’m not anyone’s grandpa.”
Seiju tilts his head, “Three of anything is a lot. So thirty is old.” He nods his head as if he's a wizened old man.
“Thirty is not old, for fu-fudges's sake.” Toga corrects himself at the last second and then grabs the boy's wrist from his coat. “ And I already tried the cookies, so go back inside.”
Seiju raises an eyebrow, “Then what were the flavors me and Grandpa used? I bet you don't know it.” Zero rolls his eyes. This boy.
“Chocolate. Now go back inside.” He grabs the boy by the armpits, pulling him up as if he's a dirty stray animal, and deposits him on the front steps as Seiju indignantly yells You're Wrong! You didn't even try it-!
Zero covers his mouth to hide the smile threatening to appear on his face at Seiju's antics. His son for some odd reason just loves to argue with Toga, which ultimately results in his master's patience breaking and manhandling Seiju to what, he assumes, is to make the kid stop talking altogether. However Zero’s fifty percent sure Seiju continues to argue because it's the only way to get his master to have an excuse to hold him. Though he is not completely sure if Seiju plans it or if it's just how a child would act, a five-year-old isn't that calculative anyway.
Toga sighs and finally leaves at a brisk pace with one last backward wave toward Zero.
Toga gets in Cross's car, already tired of the day's revelation and dealing with the kid the whole day. On the other hand, Cross seemed to take the Purebloods' resurrection with stride.
“Did you know?” Toga slyly looks over to him. He wouldn't be surprised if the man knew. Toga has been working with Kaien for years, but there are still so many things he still has no clue about the hunter. Not that he would ask anyway, it's not his business nor is it Cross’s obligation to tell just because they know each other.
But knowing the workings of vampires from someone who aligns himself with them would be a hell of a lot easier than assuming what the hell is happening.
The blond hunter hums, not answering right away as the car turns to the highway.
“You have to be specific, Toga-san.” He responds with his cheerful tone, like the vague bastard he is when it comes to vampires.
“Kuran. Did you know he would come back?”
Cross lightly chuckles. “Of course not. Just because I'm a turned vampire doesn't mean I know everything about them.”
That's a big fat lie if he ever heard one. Though Toga doesn't say that to his face.
“However,” His eyes turn sharp behind his glasses, as the car stops on a red light, Kaien turns to Toga, his eyes don't gleam that same ominous dark red of those vampires, his pupils dilate, but instead of getting smaller when the light shines over the,m they become thinner, voided circles turning oval-like. A uniqueness only apparent in Kaien that no other vampire possesses, not even the purebloods. A small detail that's practically hard to miss, as Kaien's glasses seem to do a very good job at averting attraction to them, for Toga, however, had always been far too observant of the older man to miss it. “We are hunters, unless we see their bodies turn to ash, then they have not truly died.” Cross states.
The light turns green and the car continues on his path as does Cross's focus. “And before you say something-no it doesn't mean I knew, I was just apprehensive to fully rule out Kaname as dead.”
Toga huffs, deciding not to say out loud how the man has kept his doubts to himself for the past five years while everyone else was sure of his death.
“Well, now he's back, making our lives as difficult as possible. Again. And making Zero’s life harder just by his mere existence.” How the pureblood manages to do that seems almost like malicious intent. Always shoving Zero into his plans and using him as a pawn in his stupid chessboard. His student is now a full-fledged hunter in his own right and now the vampire of which is figuratively the past incarnate that Zero had tried to bury along with his trauma is sitting in Zero’s living room as they speak.
Cross laughs, a small genuine one that always imprints itself on Toga's memory due to how rare they come.
“I know you’re worried for Zero. I am too. But he decided to house him. Whether or not it's the right choice is up to him. Plus,” Kaien sneaks a sly yet soft glance at Toga, “ He has us. And others to support him should he need it, he knows that.”
Agreeing silently. Kaien once again makes something in Toga settled, something eerily close to comfort.
He digs around his coat pocket for his lighter, wanting to feel the familiar shape on his fingers, he digs around until he feels something plastic-y. That's definitely not the metallic feel of his lighter. He pulls it out, bringing it to his face.
A bag of cookies dangled from his hands.
“Oh!” Cross quickly glances at him cheerily, “ Ha! Those are the cookies me and Seiji-kun made! I didn't know you liked them so much, you should've said something!” Cross laughs, happily telling him he didn't have to act like he didn't like them just to secretly take some.
Except Toga never took a bag of cookies.
That damn brat. He sighs, shoving the bag back in his pocket. That little sucker put it in his coat when he wasn't looking, probably shoved it in when he was tugging on his coat.
That kid is getting good, he will admit. A corner of his lips twitch. Not bad for a brat.
__________
Zero and Kaname sat across from each other. Zero crossed his arms on his chest and glared at the pureblood.
“There are ground rules in my home. And as you are going to be living here, you will follow them.”
Kaname nodded silently. Good, Zero can work with this.
“One: No leaving my home without my knowledge. I have wards built in the perimeter, and I rather you don't activate them.” Zero states.
Kaname glances at the walls as if Zero would ever put a ward somewhere visible.
“What happens if I activate one?” He asks.
Zero shrugs, “ I made them strong enough to make even your council members think twice in trying to enter uninvited. If you want to find out, be my guest.” Zero kinda hopes he does, the last time a Vampire tried to enter his home was after he came back from a mission, bloody, tired, and about to collapse. A crafty level E vampire followed him to his warded fence.
With single-minded focus, it went straight for Zero’s back until the level E had subsequently been stopped right outside of it and electrocuted until he burned from the inside out in seconds. It took a bullet to the head from Zero for the vampire to turn into ash. And since then, his paranoia has led him to continue upgrading his wards. Ruka had even stared at his house warily whenever she came over to visit Seiju.
He’s curious to know what would happen if a pureblood touched it. Though he knows that would not happen.
Nonetheless, Zero doesn’t want to deal with any hidden vampire suddenly encountering Kuran If he ever thinks about going outside.
Now, back to the rules, “ Second, no powers in my home.” That one was self-explanatory, and by the lack of response, Kuran seemed to understand as well. “And Third; While you are here, Kuran. Under no circumstances do you reveal to Seiju anything about yourself or anything surrounding his circumstances. If he asks, and trust me he will ask about you, don’t tell him anything.”
Kaname raises an eyebrow, “Why? He is my son. It is no deep secret. If he asks, I will tell him who his real parents are.”
And that's what he's worried about, Kuran always has ulterior motives. “Just let me handle it when it’s time.” Zero is absolutely not prepared for that, but he will figure something out, even if it pains him, Seiju needs to know the truth at the least, before-well there's no point in thinking about that right now.
Kaname hums, “It’s quite jarring seeing you be so protective of a vampire.” He states.
Zero grabs his knees, knuckles white from holding himself back from grabbing Bloody Rose in anger, “He’s is my child. I raised him.”
Kaname nods, silently studying Zero. “Of course.” He says, yet it sounded as if he was agreeing for Zero’s benefit not because he actually agreed. “Just surprised you’re quite protective of what's essentially another ‘Kuran filth’-”
A silver dagger gets embedded next to Kuran’s head before he manages to finish that sentence. The older man doesn't flinch, but his eyes do widen.
Zero breaths through his nose for a few seconds, willing for his instincts to calm down as he lowers his arm. He gets up to grab the dagger from the pillow before Seiju comes down from brushing his teeth and changing into his pajamas.
“Listen, Kuran.” He gets near enough to loom over the Pureblood. He doesn't care if the brunette can actually harm him, that his vampire side and Hunter instincts are roaring danger! Danger! Zero ultimately ignores it. No one talks about Seiju like that near him. His son is everything to him. “ I don’t care what your idea of me is, so let’s get this straight. Seiju is my son and is under my protection. I will not hesitate to put a bullet through you if needed, whether you’re pureblood or not.” Zero sheaths the dagger back into his sleeves without looking away from Kaname.
They both stare at each other for a few seconds, the silence in the room is tense and dense enough that only the sounds of Seiju walking upstairs echoed between them.
Kuran was the first to break his sight from Zero. The vampire sighs but nods. Zero backs away.
“Good. Remember those rules, while you’re here. The guest room is the first door on your right when you walk up the stairs. The bathroom is right next to your door. ” Zero starts picking up some of the toys lying around the opposite couch from Kaname. A move to calm down his nerves, and have his hands do something that doesn't involve holding a weapon.“I have some clothes that might suit you, I will put them in your room. At least until Hanabusa brings you your things.” He’s pretty sure Kain and he have similar builds, so he can use his clothes.
Zero watches the man get up and leave. He sighs. He scratches at his seal in his usual anxious habit. He can feel that these two weeks would be a roller coaster for him more than Seiju. He can’t help but feel the familiar feeling of anxiety crawl into his throat, but he can’t let it show and give Kuran a window into his mental state, or else the man will single-mindedly use that to gain an advantage. It is never wise to underestimate Kuran, even if the man is five years behind. Even if Zero has gotten better, stronger, and faster, his instincts still classify the man as a walking predator, even one that’s docile for now.
But what will happen once he regains his powers? What happens to him and Seiju once he goes back to his manor and into Vampire society and declares Seiju his heir? What would he do if Zero said no to giving Seiju to him?
What if- What if Seiju wants to leave? His stomach twists and knots at the mere thought. Gods, if Seiju leaves he just wouldn't know what to do with himself. But, if his son wants to be with his real parents then who is he to stop him?
He just hopes that at least, when the time comes, Seiju will always know that Zero has a place for him in his heart.
———
In a fancy mansion, isolated from the city below, a lady with pale blond hair sits on top of the handrails of a balcony as she lightly twirls a strand of her long hair between her fingers. She watches the sunset, unaware of the dangerous position she's currently in.
A maid enters, and bows in greetings. “Lady Miyako. Lord Tsubasa-sama Is here.”
She announces.
Miyako doesn't move from her spot until the man in question enters her balcony. She tilts her head in greeting, not reigning the man any more respect than that.
The man, in turn, clenches his teeth but smiles either way. “Hello, my heart.”
Miyako hums, “ Father.”
“I have news for you.” He walks forward, his cane tapped against the marble floor as he walks closer to her.
When he finally reaches her vicinity Miyako glances at him. Her father stares back. He continues.
“We found him. The child you wanted.” Miyako's head whips to him in shock.
“Really?” Miyako asks, her pale lavender eyes shimmering and her voice full of hope and despair. The man nods with grace.
“He's a little older now. And unfortunately, he is currently in the hands of a vampire hunter. A well-known one for that matter.” He answers.
Miyako's face hardened and turned sharp. “ Kiryu Zero.” She hisses. Spitting his name out like venom.
“Yes. The one your late aunt had bitten.” Tsubasa smirks, his blue eyes staring at his daughter with amusement. “Though she didn't do a good job, as Kiryu seems to be unchanged despite the curse she had given him.”
Tsubasa internally laughs. The Hio clan is matriarchal and is well known for their daughters born to the main family. They are not only the oldest established clan but also the most powerful and influential. Hio Shizuka was considered a beauty, and an extremely rare pureblood from the Hio clan. She was the oldest of two younger sisters. Unfortunately, the Hio clan's beliefs are wholly agreed upon by the council and aristocrats as the most backwards and strictly traditional of any vampire family.
Miyako glares at the sunset, something close to determination to see the child she sees as her own fires up in her body. “ That child had been promised to me. And me only, father. He should not have him.”
“So you've told me, my dear. But you know how the Kurans are. They are not loyal like us.” He explains. He's been dying to know what his daughter had promised the Kuran Queen for the repayment to be some bastard child that the Kuran girl had. Unfortunately, he's not able to ask.
Miyako turns from the railings and sets her feet back to the balcony floor. She stood before him, her form was regal and tall, her scent was cold to his nose and it sent a shiver of fear and uncomfortableness down his spine, not unliker her aunt. “ She had promised me the child, in turn for helping her. How dare she think I'm her tool.”
Tsubasa sees her walk away, completely forgetting to even deign her own father with a farewell. He clicks his tongue at the disrespect once she's out of her sight. Miyoko reminds him too much of his aunt, the late Lady Shizuka of the Hio Clan.
What had been done to Shizuka-hime was a tragedy waiting to happen in his opinion. Locking her up due to her powers and their history of their members going insane was never going to work out in their favor.
Thankfully, he had married only the third main daughter of the Hio clan. Less pretty, and less powerful, but a connection to the main family nonetheless. However, due to Shizuka's crimes against the Kiryu’s, using her powers to temporarily steal the body of a distant relative, and subsequently dying after attacking The King of Vampires, the clan had taken a large hit to their reputation.
That was six years ago, they have since tried to fix their reputation by being in close ties to the Kuran Queen and helping her in any way possible to win back favor.
Nevertheless, the Hio clan has no heirs. His wife is frail and was never taught to lead, while the second daughter had relinquished her seat as head of the clan. The only other candidate is his daughter Miyako.
Tsubasa wants to put his daughter as the head of the Hio clan and thus make himself Hio Tsubasa and gain power and respect as a low-level vampire who had managed to strike the fancy of the third daughter and rise to the top of the aristocratic families.
If only his daughter was weaker or if he was stronger himself he wouldn't have to cowardly back away in fear from his own daughter's power. He may not be a pureblood himself, or a Hio clan member. But he is the father of Hio Miyako, and that should be enough to earn the respect he deserves.
Now that he knows that the bastard child is with Kiryu it is a simple matter of sending a level E vampire to snatch the kid and bring it to his daughter.
Maybe with the kid in his procession, he can even raise it to be a Kuran prince, even a bastard child with a low chance of being a pureblood of Kuran descent, is still attached to the Kuran family line and thus beneficial to him as long as its under his control.
Tsubasa taps his cane once, twice, on the marble floor. Yes, these five years of searching have been worth the wait.
Notes:
A wild plot appeared!
Seriously, this was supposed to not be too deep of a plot, it was meant to be a small thread of problems, and now I unknowingly created a web of plot. So this is the whole, " the story wrote itself" phenomenon. Welp! It is what it is.
It's also why it took me this long to post it.I hope y'all don't mind my Bamf! Zero, cause he will keep appearing despite Zero being more tamer now. The next Chapter would purely be the two weeks of Zero, Seiju, and Kaname living together.
(pls. Don't mind the chapter name, I had run out of ideas two chapters ago. Also, thank you to the comments that update me about what happened in the manga. Your will is stronger than mine. I applaud y'all. )
Chapter Text
It's three days after Kaname’s revival and, temporarily moving into Zero’s home, the man finally decides to come out of his room and downstairs to the living room area. Zero never questioned why, nor did he care. As long as Kuran was out of his sight, it was better for him and Seiju as they continued their routine as if the man didn't exist. But all good things come to an end and thus on the third day, he finally leaves his self imposed seclusion. The man, like a ghost, stepped into the kitchen where he and Seiju currently are.
Kuran had completely disappeared from Zero’s frontal thinking, so once he caught the slightest noise of walking and the slightest whiff of that odd scent that he associates to Kaname he stops and tenses, shoulders taught and ready to grab anything to defend himself with. It takes him a few seconds and forces himself to appear as relaxed as he was before the vampire entered the room. He doesn’t move from his position of staring into their fridge and merely hears the man scrape the chair of the kitchen counter to sit down.
“Good morning.” He says quietly, sounding unusually subdued and solemn especially for a man who practically always keeps himself in control. It's probably because it's early, eight am, to be in fact, when Zero subtly glances at the clock on the stove. That or his regeneration process takes a physical toll on him.
“Morning!” Seiju says though he doesn't look away from his list but his mood is a complete opposite from the vampire. Despite Seiju being a vampire, he doesn't seem to dislike waking up in the mornings like Kain or Hanabusa. The five year old writes a number on the white paper with his favorite red crayon, humming to himself.
Zero doesn’t say anything back, and continues focusing on the inside of his fridge. They’re out of many necessities, not including blood packets- that's a completely separate fridge- and they are in desperate need for a grocery restock. Zero feels like a bad parent for letting it get this bad, and he refuses to order food out midway through the week.
“We need green onions, carrots, and cabbage.” He shifts through the pathetically small amount of vegetables, half of them already starting to become either mushy or brown.
“Ugh, carrots.” Seiju sticks his tongue out in disgust while writing down the rest of the vegetables on the paper. “Why do we have to buy carrots, they're yucky. My teacher said broccoli is healthier anyways.” Seiju pouts.
“Because,” Zero closes the fridge for a moment, looking into the storage closet for the canned and packaged foods they might need to buy again.“ Broccoli doesn’t give you all the nutrients you need to be healthy. Carrots are a good source of nutrients too.” He closes the closet, a separate mental list already on his mind for what to buy to fill the storage up.
“Pssh. That sounds like a lie.” Seiju blinks and turns to look at the older Kuran, wide wine color eyes brightly looking at similar ones. “ Kuran-san, you don't think carrots are healthier than broccoli, do you?” He asks.
“That is not what I said-” Zero tries to correct, but gets interrupted by Kaname truthfully answering Seiju’s question.
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t prefer carrots as much on my plate.I find them distasteful. ”
Zero actually turns to face Kuran fully, genuinely flabbergasted at his answer. Seiju nods, fully agreeing with the older vampire.
“Hm. So it's two votes against yours, daddy.” Seiju proudly states.
Zero doesn't look away from Kaname. Kuran merely looks back unbothered by what he just said. “We are still getting it and you are going to eat it.”He responds to Seiju, the kid slumps on the countertop and lets out a mournful and dramatic fine. Writing the laziest carrot on the list.
Unbelievable, he thinks, still looking at the vampire, a whole grown man who doesn’t eat carrots because he finds it yucky.The image of the King of Vampires, sitting in a rich restaurant surrounded by fine cutlery and served a dish with carrots as a side, and with the his serious expression-just pushes the carrots aside like a toddler. It's almost hilarious as it is ridiculous. Zero shakes his head, driving the thought away the second it shows up and moves on.
Zero stares as the man shifts in his seat. “You’re making a grocery list. You will leave me alone in your home?” he asks. Zero sighs audibly.
He was planning on calling for Hanabusa, Kain, or even Cross to come and stay and babysat Seiju and by extension, Kaname while Zero does the shopping alone, but Hanabusa must be busy helping Ruka with trying to find the reason for Kaname's revival. Kain was also busy trying to find anything suspicious that's been happening around the aristocratic families. And he already asks too much of Cross to take care of Seiju when he goes on a mission. He can’t ask the older man for this. But most of all, housing Kaname is his responsibility, even if he really wishes it wasn’t, he already agreed to it. He unconsciously scratches the seal on his neck.
“No. There’s no chance I'm leaving you alone here while I'm gone.”He doesn’t trust the man enough to leave him alone in his home. It's not like the man is going to steal anything in his home; he’s richer than Zero can even comprehend, but his instincts are vehemently telling him to keep an eye on him. To keep the enemy closer. On the other hand, a small part of him thinks the idea of grocery shopping with Kuran is so far out of anything he ever thought possible that his having a hard time trying to plan this out.
“ So, I have no choice but to bring you with me.” Now has to worry about any hidden vampires walking among the civilians, suddenly coming across Kaname, and therefore spreading the news of his resurrection. Zero had planned to hide his appearance, but sun glasses and hats that aren't suited for the cold december weather right now would look out of place on him.
Ugh. What a hassle.
Kaname stands up abruptly, successfully getting Zero out of his thinking state.“Then I will get ready for our departure,” and leaves. Zero squints suspiciously at his retrieving back. His gut tells him he is planning something that he won't like.
Zero passes a hand through his face. He decides to leave Kaname’s appearance on hold and focus on the unfinished grocery list.
Once the grocery list is done and Seiju is sitting on the couch fully clothed in his sweatshirt and red winter coat, with his favorite wine colored pom beanie, fiddling with each side between each hand as he stares at the weatherman on the TV. Zero shakes his head. He told his son not to put on his full attire on since they are not ready to leave yet, but Seiju seemed to get selective hearing whenever it comes to his choice of wear.
Zero is putting on a scarf over his coat when he catches Kaname walking down the stairs.
Zero hands almost immediately moved towards his hip to pull out Bloody Rose and point it at the man, thankfully, he has enough control not to pull it out. He stares confusedly at the man. “What the hell, Kuran?”
Seiju looks up from the couch, gives Kaname a silent stare, then goes back to watching TV. Completely unbothered by the vampire's new look.
Kaname’s hair is now short and cut neatly, instead of its usual dark brown it's jet black. His eyes still attain the same sharp yet bored shape and same wine brown colour. His face is still the same, but there is a mole right under his lip now. His overbearing presence and odd scent that had always had Zero very aware of where the man was was now practically gone, even when Zero couldn’t see him, that scent has always remained in the back of his head, engraved to his body and soul like a scar. Yet now it feels dimmed, disturbingly so. It’s like a humming noise always in the background, filling up for empty space you didn’t know was there, but the moment it's gone it's glaringly obvious.
How the hell?
A side of Kaname’s lip twitches, “I”m aware my looks and presence might attract unwanted attention. So I decided to change it a little to make it safer to walk among the humans.” He responds.
Zero hates to admit that he is right. The man looks different enough that it almost prompted Zero to shoot him on sight. It eases Zero’s current worries, but it brings a slew of other questions, dangerous revelations that have Zero's hunter mind digging into that piece of information like a dog with a bone.
“You can change your appearance at will?” Zero asks. Another power. Kaname’s list of powers is long, as it is unknown. Just how many does he have? Zero only knows a few; that's mostly what all aristocratic vampires have. But this? Changing appearance at will? Kuran is far more crafty than the hunter books described.
Kanane smiles, those small smiles that infuriate Zero. It's the face that says, you don't know anything, as always look.
“Merely a small change.” He says. That small smirk still plastered on his face.“ Hopefully not too different for how I normally look? After all, I don't want you to mistake me for someone else and accidentally shoot me.” He answers.
“Hmph. As if I can ever mistake your oppressive stench, Kuran.” He ties the white scarf over his neck, putting his long dark coat over. “But, it will do.” One less thing to worry about.
“Oh?”
Zero looks back squinting at him, not liking the way he responded. “ What?”
Kaname stares at him for a few seconds, as if searching for something on Zero but then shakes his head “Nothing.”
Kuran puts on a light brown coat, and scarf as well while Zero tells Seiju to turn the TV off to leave.
They all enter Zero’s car, leaving for the grocery store that's at least ten minutes by car. It's empty of speech except for Seiju's random questions about the grocery list. Once they get there and enter the store with a cart on hand. Seiju immediately took the initiative and ordered their first stop to be the meat section. Zero quickly and subtly scans the area; he can't smell the scent of a vampire nearby except Kuran if he focuses hard enough. He catalogs the exits and keeps in mind the faces of some of the people in the vicinity.
Once he does that he keeps that in back of his mind and immediately conjures up that mental list of things he made at home. Letting everything around him mute itself so he can fall back into the mundane and normal life of a civilian parent.
One that doesn't have to worry about hunters or vampires or any of the sort. Just a normal day, surrounded by normal people.
__________
Kaname has never in his long life gone grocery shopping. After all, why would he? He has a crew of private verified chefs and an even larger group of maids and servants to maintain his daily needs. And even long before, blood was all the substance he needed to keep going. And that was abundant no matter what living situation he was in.
He stares at his surroundings in wonder. Normal humans passed by doing the mundane thing of picking food off the shelves, children and teens followed their parents like ducklings, passing by Kaname like he was just another random person and not someone who can easily snap their necks in a blink of an eye. Kaname can agree privately that this is something he has never thought to experience; it was new in a way he had never felt before. Back then his presence was intense, and humans were more wary of the supernatural, which gave them a ‘sixth sense’ of sorts to avoid beings like Kaname. Nowadays it seems that sixth sense diminishes with time. Now they are as unaware as that of a newborn deer.
It felt surprisingly soothing. To not be known or seen as a potential threat, and while he does appreciate his council and the support they bring they, however, can smell and perceive the monster that he is when he lets his control slip momentarily. Sometimes Kaname can see that it sets them on edge.
He stayed close behind the pair not wanting to be left behind. Seiju had stayed near the cart while Zero had become engrossed in the produce section, and Kaname had to pull the cart as Zero had almost left it behind in his pursuit of whatever list they were following. With nothing better to do, Kaname shifts his attention down to his.. son. He plans to assimilate himself to his son, to get a reading of him, and talking to him and asking the boy questions is as good a place to start.
Right as he was about to speak with the boy, the boy glanced from his notes to a loud family next to them, Kaname glances as well. The mom is reprimanding a boy around Seiju's age to stop grabbing all the candy off the shelves and putting it in their cart, while the boy tries to explain his reasoning to their mother. Another boy slightly younger quietly watches while holding onto the cart while the father watches on amusedly. Nothing unusual about it. Kaname glances at the boy for a few seconds longer, the boy had then moved his attention to their own cart, full of vegetables, fruits and meats and other general food items.
“Is something wrong Seiju?” Kuran asks. Though he can guess a little about the kids' thought process.
Seiju shakes his head “No.” His eyes still focused on the family.
“No? Are you sure? Then why are you staring at that family there?” Kaname guesses that Seiju is aware that he is missing something important. A missing piece in the loving family puzzle piece that Zero on his own can’t provide.
Seiju grabs the side of the cart, takes a glimpse at Zero, then back at the family.“ They’re so loud.” He says, exasperated.
Kaname raises an eyebrow, that is not what he expected him to say. “You’re right, they are loud. Most families with children are.” Even when he lived in the Ichijo household with Takuma as his only playmate of his age, despite being highly viewed nobles and strict with their decorum when in front of others, they were ultimately not a quiet family. Takuma has two younger rowdy sisters, a boisterous father and a sly argumentative mother. Kaname has witnessed their arguments so many times for him to question why they stay married if they don't like each other, no matter what Takuma says otherwise. How Takuma came out as a charismatic and kind-hearted child against the odds is a mystery Kaname likes to inquire to his childhood friend often.
"I'm not loud.” The five-year-old proudly states, Kaname supposes he can agree with that. “ Why is she loud? Is she angry?” He points at the mother still arguing with her child, though she seems more amused than angry. “Daddy is never loud with me.”
Without missing a beat Kaname responds, “ Well, having a mother is a different experience than just having a single father. And I'm sure she's not angry, she is more amused than angry. "he says.
“Really?”
Kaname nods, “Yes.”
Kaname takes a quick glance at Zero, who's farther down the aisle and in his own world. Perfect. All he needs is to plant a seed of curiosity in Seiju to make him question his parentage.
“That mom was angry at first, which is why she got loud. But she would never stay angry at her child.” Kaname waited until Seiju nodded. Once he did, he went in with the question.
“Seiju, do you know who your mother is?” He wonders what lie Zero had told his son.
Did he say some no-name woman had given birth to him, or did he describe Yuuki but didn't drop her name?
Seiju stares at Kaname, their eyes mirroring each other. It took a few seconds until the five year old finally decided to speak.
“...No.”
“Do you wish to know?”
He stays silent for a few more seconds, and Kaname can see the kid thinking about it as he turns to look at Zero. Zero, as Kaname has seen, has done a good enough job caring for Seiju, but he is not Seiju's mother and he can’t fill in that role no matter how hard he tries.
But before Seiju could answer his question, he heard someone call out Zero's name.
They both look up. A pretty lady in a long coat and secretary uniform walks up to Zero. Zero, who was just starting to walk over to them, turned around.
“Zero-san!” The lady walked towards them, she wore a silver long coat, her peach colored hair was loosely braided and fell over her shoulder. However her perfume, had Kaname staring at her intently, the perfume smell distinctly of flowers and fresh clothes, yet it’s cloying and his sense of smell was practically clogged by it. It was hard not to sneer in her presence.
Zero bows his head at her. Ah, so she must be slightly older than him, Kaname notes.
“Kasumi-san. It's nice to see you again.” He turns to give her his full attention.
“Its nice to see you here too. Hello, Seiju-kun. And who might you be?” She stares at Kaname in the eyes as she asks. Something about her pings at the back of Kaname’s mind, but he'll think about that later.
He slightly bows his head, “My name is Masahiko, an old friend of Zero.” He answers, he tries very hard not to send Zero an amused look, knowing the type of face the silver hair is currently giving him. He can almost feel the daggers.
“Really? Zero never spoke of you. And Zero-kun here likes to complain about the people around him.”
“Kasumi-san..” Zero looks put upon.
Oh, Zero shares his daily life with her does he now? He wonders if she is important to Zero in a romantic way or in a friendly way. “ Zoro and I meet irregularly, but we have a long history.” Kaname says serenely.
Her smile brightens, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, he notes. “Ah, I see. It's nice to meet you then. I'm Tomomi Kasumi. I was Seiju-kun's kindergarten teacher.” Explains the familiarity then.
“Ah. I see. And how was Seiju in his studies if you don't mind me asking?”
“Oh. Seiju-kun is quite a smart boy! And very well behaved. He was and still is a super sweet boy and very attached to Zero. Thankfully, Seiju-kun still trusts me to care for him because of those days. The best student I had when I was his teacher, honestly. He's no longer in my class now that he's older, but I’m still someone he keeps looking out for when it comes to his studies, which is adorable.” She lightly laughs.
Everything she says sounds normal to hear, but somehow the way she words her reply catches Kaname’s attention. As if the words have a double meaning to them that he can’t quite grasp.
“You must be important to Seiju then?”
She smiles “Well I wouldn’t say that, but I like to think so.” Glancing at the boy who’s moved to Zero’s hip, practically glueing himself to his side. Though he doesn’t seem scared, just quiet.
Kaname catches Zero’s scent turning sour, Kaname finally did glance in his direction, expecting the murderous glare he felt stabbing him, but the younger man’s face was neutral as always, not a hint of the real emotions slipping through his mask of neutrality, like a true soldier.
He sighs as if this conversion was draining him, “Kasumi-san, Is there anything else?”
She moves her attention away from Kaname to Zero, walking to Zero’s space, “Always straight to the point with you.” She shrugs, “But no, I just wanted to greet you and see how you are doing. I wanted to know if you need any help, especially with little Sei-kun here. You know I'm always free.” She smirked a knowing smile at him.
“Seiju and I are well enough, thank you for asking.” He doesn't answer the last question.
She nods, seemingly satisfied with that, though Kaname can tell by her eyes that she was disappointed. She says her goodbyes and leaves them. Quite the brief encounter. He wants to ask who she is, or more importantly, what she is to Zero, unfortunately Zero’s sour scent is still permeating their area and decides ultimately to hold onto it for later.
They continue shopping, Seiju this time sticks close to Zero as if Zero is about to disappear any moment to Kaname’s displeasure. Once they finish and get back home, Kaname stands idle in the kitchen watching as Zero puts back the groceries in their rightful place.
He knows Zero is trying to avoid looking or acknowledging his existence. No matter how tight the mask of neutrality Zero puts over himself, Kaname can still see over it like a clear pond. It's not hard either, Zero is, by nature, a kindhearted man who wears his emotions on his sleeves. No matter what armor he puts on Kaname has witnessed him put those on little by little, despite the five years of absence, Zero is still the same man from their high school years. A little less tempered, but no less transparent.
Nevertheless knowing how Zero works, he would never start a conversation with Kaname unless it's necessary, so if Kaname wants him to speak he has to act on it. “Kasumi-san seems to be part of your life with the boy.”
He catches Zero jaw twitch, annoyed already it seems. “Nothing that concerns you.”
“It does. It has to do with Seiju after all. Everything to do with his life concerns me as he is my heir.” Kaname doesn't flinch as Zero closes a cabinet door with force, making a loud bang echo in the house.
Thankfully Seiju, who fell asleep on the way back, stays asleep on the couch.
Zero stops putting the groceries back into their respective places and gives Kanames his full attention. That sour scent still coming off of Zero turns practically murderous. On a normal vampire Kaname would've just let his own scent slip, signalling to any vampire that Kaname is no one to bare their weak fangs at. But Zero is special. Too much of a hunter mindset to pick up vampire instinct clues and too low level vampire to realize what it means.
Kaname wonders if Zero is even aware of what he's doing, but knowing him he probably chooses not to know. Anything to do with vampires has Zero willingly staying in the dark.
Kaname continues,uncaring of Zero's threatening aura, “She was his teacher, she said. And yet she seemed more interested in you than Seiju.”
Zero squints at him, “ I have no reason to give an answer, Kuran.”
“I'm merely wondering if what she feels for you is a mutual feeling.” He asks.
At that Zero raises an eyebrow. Completely unaware then. Ha. It's one sided on her part. Something about that enlights a small bit of perverse joy in him.
“What are you talking about?” Zero sneers.
With his question indirectly answered, Kaname moves on to a different topic. One that has him puzzled since he's got here. He leans on the counter, “You enrolled Seiju in public school? Knowing full well he's a vampire? You could've put many of the children in danger, Zero.” A Kuran, even if a child, was dangerous as they have no way to control their powers and could've accidentally killed a classmate. Which is why nobles are home schooled until they reach an age where they control their powers and then send to school.
Zero huffs and glares at him, “Seiju is not dangerous. He doesn't have any powers either, so he hasn't harmed anyone. Plus Hanabusa and Kain make sure that he's fine overall.”
Kaname nods slightly, not bad logic. Hanabusa, despite his loud personality, is very in control of his powers and Kain is overall very good at teaching. But a Kuran having no powers? That is not possible, his child would have many of them as he is a direct child of him specifically and not a descendant.
Something to test for later then. With the way Zero keeps glaring at Kaname, asking more questions will get him nowhere.
The next day, Kaname is sitting in the backyard of the house enjoying some tea in the late morning. He hears the sliding doors open. Instead of Zero's cold scent that he expected, he’s instead hit with the smell of family, which means Seiju had willingly come to him.
The boy walks up to the other chair, struggles to sit on the chair for a few seconds then when he finally manages, he blankly stares at Kaname. Kaname finds himself a little odded out by how similar Seiju looks to himself, though Seiju's eye shapes remind him of when Yuki was cute and little, especially when she listened to whatever story he made up. Seiju has those same wide eyes, but that's about it with any similarities with Yuki, it saddens him a little. Maybe if he had a daughter instead of a son he would've liked the boy a bit more?
“Yes, Seiju?” After a second more of the boy stared but did not speak.
“You said you know who my mother is?” He asks innocently.
Kaname sets his tea down; he senses that Zero is currently in the kitchen and therefore not keeping an eye on the five-year-old as he usually would. Nevertheless, this is the moment he wanted, while he won’t outright tell the child that Yuki and he are his real parents, to spare him Zero’s ire, Zero never told him he couldn’t suggest the idea of his parents to Seiju.
“Yes.” Kaname nods. Glad that the kid wants an answer from him and not from Zero. “I know her quite well, in fact. I’m sure she is quite worried for you.” Wherever Yuki may be, that is. She must’ve been overwhelmed by everything and had decided to drop Seiju here temporarily, the same way he did with her. To save the boy.
The boy blinks, fiddling with a crayon still in his hand from drawing last time he crossed the living room to the backyard.
“Oh.” He says, “Well, you can tell her to stop worrying ‘cause I’m fine with Daddy. I don’t need her.”
Kaname slowly blinks in shock, slowly sitting straighter to give the child his full attention “….What?” The teacup stopped halfway to his mouth. He almost dropped it at Seiju’s response.
Seiju nods as if his response to not wanting to learn about his real mother was just a casual decision to Kaname’s bafflement. “I don’t wanna see her. Daddy’s teacher said that I shouldn’t miss things I never had ‘cause it's not good for you. Like carrots.”
“….Like..carrots..?” Kaname has no idea what’s currently going on.
“Carrots are not good for you. And seeing things that I don’t like isn’t good for me. So I don’t want to see her. “ He summarizes confidently, eyebrows scrunched and hands braced on the table.
Kaname breathed in and exhaled. He’s admittedly having quite a hard time trying to understand what’s happening. Seiju doesn't want to see Yuki because he never..missed her..? That’s what he hopes is the right answer. He takes a sip of his tea. But why? Seiju’s instincts would never classify Zero- a level D Vampire- as anything other than a caregiver, so it makes no sense for him to not want to meet his real parents. Unless Kaname narrows his eyes dangerously, Zero had done something to Seiju, a seal to suppress his Vampire instincts. He quickly glances at any exposed skin on Seiju. Unfortunately the boy is wearing a cream sweater and sweatpants with socks; the only parts exposed are his hands and neck. And there’s nothing in those areas. But there must be something. How else does it explain Seiju’s apathy towards Yuki?
He needs to speak with Kain and Hanabusa immediately.
Seiju speaks again, nodding despite the lack of Kaname's verbal agreement, “ Uh-hu. So, if you see her, then it's fine. I'm happy where I am!” He smiles brightly, then his smile changes to confusion as he squints at Kaname. “ But you smell familiar..? But I’ve never seen you before. Daddy hates you, but why? You smell like me, why?” He asks.
Kaname breathes for a few seconds while his mind runs a mile a minute, “I will tell you another day, Seiju. I have some matters to attend to right now.” He stands up and leaves the backyard, intending to deal with the potentiality of Seiju’s lack of instincts.
Seiju watches the Kuran leave. The boy turns and jumps from the chair, he looks back at the opened sliding doors. He can feel the older vampire's heavy aura trailing after the man. It should feel bad like Kasumi-san from school, but it doesn’t. It really bothers him, especially with how he looks at Daddy all the time. Seiju walks back to the living room, where his drawings are still on the table, he could continue drawing but the smell of the older vampire is still in his nose. So he leaves his favorite red crayon on the table and jogs to the kitchen and to his Daddy’s hip, not caring that he's on the phone or currently cooking.
“Whoa. Sei, don’t just slam into me.” Seiju feels Daddy’s hand go through his hair before reeling back.
He digs his face into his clothes, breathing in his Daddy’s scent of cold and fresh rain. Apart from that is the nicest scent that his brain immediately recognizes.
Mother.
Notes:
Hello again! Late update, I know, but the curse of being an AO3 writer is real man.
I had to rewrite this chapter like three times, which added up time, but I think it came out coherent enough.Our poor Kuran is not equipped to undestand children logic and definitely not Seijus! Its hard to write Kaname in a way thats caluative, and manipulative while acting like a normal person. It's his core values (apart from yuki, good lord) and I hope I managed it in this chapter.
If theres any mistakes please notify me, Grammarly can only do so much.
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