"Kiryuu..."
Was it possible for such a word to be drenched in venom when spoken? It may sound implausible then, but now that it was spat in Zero's face, Zero would beg to differ.
With shoulders squared, he directed his piercing eyes into the ones of the person who had just spoken his name. Kaname Kuran. The proud, pureblood that felt like he was born specially to be a thorn in his side. His fingertips hover over Bloody Rose instinctively.
Over the past few years, you may have thought that their hatred would have lessened, but their relationship only grew more strain as time passed. When it was outed that Yuki was a pureblood herself, Zero hadn't been the same. He tried. He really did for her sake, to live with vampires and be civil with Kaname, but how does one easily forgive and forget the monsters that left him orphaned. The monster that caused him constant pain and acted like they were superior to others. The monster that was now a part of him.
Whenever they met, either with Yuki or alone, it would be a constant clash from both sides. He doesn't know if it was just his hatred of the other or only their personalities, but he knew that they were not compatible.
Yet, it was strange. Zero's hormonal body would beg to differ. For some cursed reason, Kaname was the one that appeared before him in his dreams. The one that would make him wake up with an unwanted guest. But no way in hell would they work out, plus seeing Yuki so happy with him; Zero did not wish to get in between their relationship. If Kaname kept his word and kept her safe, Zero was content if Yuki was content. He would rather bury these feelings deep within himself than burden her with it. It would be for the better.
Zero pretended not to notice Kaname's usual somewhat taunting eyes looking at him and instead, focused on Yuki, who was hanging beside the tall figure of her real brother. Seeing her small body wrapped around Kaname took a stab at his chest, it felt mocking to look at it, but Zero persisted.
The air in the room was growing thicker and thicker by the minute. You can hear the air crackle. While Zero knew with Yuki here, he would be safe. His hunter instincts screamed at him to grab Bloody Rose and be ready to aim and shoot at any given moment.
A hunter and two vampires in the same room, what strange circumstances.
The petite young vampire's voice quickly dispersed the silence in the room, trying to alleviate the tension in the air.
"Thanks for coming at such short notice, Zero-nii! I thought you wouldn't come." The youngest pureblood was beaming with delight. With his sharp trained eyes, Zero could tell that something was amiss. It seemed like, under that facade of her usual cheerfulness, she was worried about something.
"What do you bloodsuckers want?" He would rather be anywhere, but here. Now in enemy territory, his skin prickles in discomfort. His words may have sounded harsh, but he had no time for whatever antics they had instore. His body felt exhausted from both having to take care of his duties, and the churning hunger slowly crept within his frame like a starved wolf. It was almost time for his next feeding. He knew he did not look nor feel the best at the moment.
He was supposed to be on break right now until Yuki called and told him she had something important to discuss with him. It took everything within him to convince himself to come here.
Apparently, Lady Luck wasn't on Zero's side as he saw the elder pureblood standing beside Yuki, instead of the anticipated thought that it was just Yuki meeting with him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Zero began to feel impatient at the whole situation. Were they going to stand here all day without speaking? He has better things to do.
When Zero was about to turn his heel and leave, Yuki finally decided to speak. He could make out her fidgetting from where he stood.
"I, no, we wanted to let you know that we are planning to get married," Yuki said excitedly, "I wanted you to be the first to know and, if possible, have your blessing as my dear brother." Kaname lovingly squeezes Yuki's waist and tilts his head down to give her an indulgent smile. Yuki returns the favor by looking up with love shining in her eyes; a soft content smile appears on her face. It was clear to Zero that the two were entranced with one another. Zero tries to press back the painful jolt of pain that forces itself upon his heart and goes straight to his head, leaving him with a splitting headache and a grimace that wanted to appear on his face.
He knew this day would come, but he still wasn't prepared.
It was painful. It hurt.
As much as he hated that bastard, he fell for him. No matter how much he tried to convince himself or tried to downplay his feelings, it would always come back to the realization that he liked Kaname Kuran.
Tsk. What would your parents say if they knew? What type of hunter falls in love with a bloodsucking monster? Zero's thoughts taunt him coldly. It didn't have to remind him; he already knew.
I'm a goddamn hypocrite. Zero bitingly resigns in exhaustion.
The two vampires seemed to have shaken awake from their intimate moment, as Zero could Yuki's bright eyes turning back towards him. Anticipation was evident with the way Yuki had her hand tightly holding onto Kaname's.
Stillness echoes in his head for a single thought squeezes itself through the clutches that is his current turmoil.
It just wasn't meant to be.
As much as he wanted to tear the image of the two together, and scream at the being that thought of such a sick joke to torment him, he knew it was but a selfish thought. As much as it tore him apart, he knew that it wasn't right to tear away two people that loved each dearly. It wasn't right to burden them with his feelings.
It wasn't right to tear up what would be the happiest moment for the two.
So to mask his feelings, Zero tries to school his face in a somewhat neutral expression. "Congratulations, I'm glad to be the first to hear about it."
"Does that mean you'll give us your blessings?"
Zero did not show hesitation outwardly, but in his heart, it shook when he uttered out what would be warm words of encouragement, but felt heartless in his mind.
"Of course, as long as the two of you have are sure, then I will give you my blessings."
Yuki seemed appeased with Zero's response and looked to Kaname in excitement. Zero, after having his head turn away from so long from the other older vampire's gaze, finally took him in fully. The older vampire seemed quite happy. The two of them were both happy with one another. They were suitable for one another.
If he can't be with Kaname, then it's okay, as long as Yuki and Kaname were happy.
"Promise me, vampire. That you will take care of Yuki and love her with your very being."
"There is no need for you to question my integrity towards Yuki. I will forever love her, that will forever be unchanged."
"Good."
It was about time for him to get out of this place. Without wasting much time, Zero leaves the two lovebirds behind and makes his way out of the Moon Dormitory without wanting to spare the other two a glance, because he knew, if he did, he wouldn't be able to hold himself together. For the beast inside of him wailed loudly like a wounded animal.
Like a mantra in his head, he kept repeating over and over again to himself that this was all for their happiness. That it was for the best, but he doesn't know if this really helped or just made his emotions even more overwhelmed.
He wanted nothing more than to end everything here.
He could feel his face dropping by the minute. His mask was slowly coming off.
All he wanted to do now was get the hell out, for he could feel the threatening tears that wanted to come down. No matter how physically strong he was, he knew his mental state was a bitter weakness. It didn't take much force to make him fall to his feet, quite literally, when Zero's body slams into something firm. It felt like it was made out of bricks, but he knew it had had to have been a person because he heard a surprised sound from the other. He looked up from where he had fallen and saw that the one he slammed into was none other than Takuma Ichijo. Who was quite startled to see Zero in the Moon Dormitory.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see where I was going!" Takuma quickly got ahold of Zero's hand and pulled him to his feet. He started to dust off the dirt on Zero and looked at Zero's terrible face.
...shit.
"Zero-kun, are you okay? Did something happen?" His voice was filled with alarm. Jolting Zero out of whatever state he was in, Zero began to wipe fiercely at whatever embarrassment came from his eyes. He must have rubbed it too hard because when he touched where the tears would be, he only winced in pain. Before he could lower his hands, a pair of hands halt his movement. It takes him a moment before he connected the dots, Takuma Ichijo has his hand hostage in a somewhat tight grip.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Like, one would drop a hot potato, Takuma quickly released his hands. Hands now freed, Zero was quick to whip out Bloody Rose and aim it at the vampire's chest, directly at his beating heart. "Don't make me put a bullet through you. What the hell do you think you're doing, Takuma-senpai?"
He was too careless, even if Takuma didn't act like a vampire and was easier to handle, Zero should've been more cautious. Takuma was still a bloody vampire.
Takuma didn't seem to be fazed at the anti-weapon that was pointed at his chest. Zero sees that the bright smile that was always on his face was still there. Was this guy a masochist?! Zero glares at him in agitation. Takuma only raises his hands slowly in surrender.
"I apologize, Zero-kun. I didn't mean to grab you so suddenly. It was only to stop you from rubbing your face too hard." Instead of a bright smile from before, Takuma gave Zero a helpless look in his direction. Don't ask how Zero knew the difference between Takuma's smiles; Zero just had an inkling feeling that Takuma gave him some sort of puppy eyes.
Zero stared down at his offender in suspicion for a bit, before pulling Bloody Rose from Takuma and storing it back on his body. But his hand doesn't stray far from it; the cold metal was still felt on his fingertips. If Takuma tried pulling anything funny, he wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Takuma steps away to give Zero some space, and the concerned look from before replaces his natural facial expression. "What has you so upset, Zero-kun? Is there anything I could do to help you?"
"That's none of your concern, Takuma-senpai." Since when were the two of them well-acquainted? They usually barely exchange any words with one another, the most being a sentence or two.
His sentence should've been the end of it, and Zero would've left it at that. But this vampire...Zero doesn't know what he ate today, but instead of staying silent or yelling at Zero for being rude, he smiled?
Seriously, was this guy a masochist?
"Of course, it's my concern. We're friends, after all!"
When did I become friends with you?!
---
A/N: How do you guys like the changes? It's gonna be a bit different from before, but endgame is still the same.