The two Sides to the Affair

by lightpathetic

Prologue

The City of … was on tenterhooks, awaiting the implications of the horrible news: the country's forces had fallen and the Monolith Army was finally invading the country. They were a major city; rich, prosperous and proud. Many of the able bodied men had joined the army to fight against the evil they had heard were the Monoliths, a regime born of a country in transition, seemingly for the worse. Its eventual leader, the victor in a civil war that had raged for almost half a century, sought to unite her devastated, war-ravished, virtually barren country by promising the one thing they still had - their ability to wage war - would be used in conquest, like their proud ancestors before, to bring in riches and prosperity beyond their wildest dreams. She wrought a vision of the enemy: those rich, immoral states that had stood idly by as their children burned in the streets. She told them they deserved to taste their steel and their resolve, for their children, for their future!

There was overwhelming support as the unpopular surrounding countries were suddenly targeted, they having committed the sin of indifference as the losing faction had torn their country apart. It was a solution, they thought, as they watched people in their luxury furs and full markets and hoped to simply take it for themselves as they sought to survive. The past supported this stance, they were told. In the past their people had control of the entire continent. They were only taking back what was theirs.

Understandably, the people of this city, who had simply been minding their own business, were rather concerned as they stood to be conquered by their rather irritable neighbour. Many persons with means, simply fled to another part of the country or the world while others stayed to protect what was theirs. This was their land, their property. And they would be damned if the Monoliths would destroy their own country and then simply take theirs without a fight.

Chapter 1 – Meet Cute

"COME ON, ZERO. Wish me luck."

Zero looked up from the point on the train platform he'd been focused on as Ichiru and their mother said and kissed their tearful goodbyes. He was almost near tears himself but he was too angry to let them fall. Ichiru sighed as his identical twin brother, save for their hairstyle – Ichiru preferred a rather rakish tousled shoulder-length cut with bangs that just swept his eyelids and Zero chose a more practical tapered style that didn't get in the way of the work he did on their land. Their hair, though, was a stunning silvery-grey which matched their eyes in a way that made them both appear frosty and aloof on occasion, when Ichiru wasn't being a complete ass, that is…

"Come on, Zero…"

"Good luck," came the terse reply.

Ichiru sighed again and turned back to their mother who was just shaking her head in despair. Shizuka Kiriyuu knew better than to either make Zero be civil or to beg Ichiru to stay. They were both right in her eyes and equally set on their course of action. Ichiru wanted to leave and fight the Monoliths. They were already marching into their country unhindered as their leaders had surrendered. But there were still pockets of resistance and Ichiru hoped to join and fight a war against the invaders. Zero thought he was a naïve idiot. They had watched as these people had all but destroyed their own country in a civil war that consumed a generation and many lives. People had fled to many countries, including theirs and now welcomed the Monolith army with open arms. He felt that to lead their country into a similar civil war with these occupying forces would defeat the purpose, would destroy everything they held dear. He wanted to stay and hold onto their lands, keep to his obligations and survive under the Monoliths until the tide changed. Of course, Ichiru had responded, quite forcefully, with: how did he expect the tide to change if they didn't fight? Shizuka had heard the shouting and disagreement for months now and she knew that the only way for peace to reign in her household was if she saw her younger child leave her. He was old enough to decide, she'd decided. They were both nineteen this last January. Perhaps, he would make the difference he hoped for. Perhaps, she would be able to see him again.

Shizuka reached for her "baby" again and hugged him as the train's whistle sounded. He had to board. He was going to the south where it was rumoured that the rebellion was forming in a remote town. He promised her he would return victorious… and write every day. She made herself let him go as he turned to hop onto the train.

"You'll regret not kissing me goodbye, Zero. You know you will."

Zero stayed stubbornly silent as the train began to move. His tears were already pricking his eyes, clouding his vision. He impatiently wiped his face and looked up to find he was in a tight embrace, one he returned with some desperation.

"I'll be back. I promise. Take care of mother for me."

"Don't go. This is madness, 'Ru…"

"Goodbye."

And he was gone. Running to catch one of the accelerating cars. Zero was next trapped in his mother's embrace.

"You both are so close. It took a lot of strength for you both to do that, I know."

"He'll get himself killed, mother…" Zero sobbed, liberally soaking his mother's silk covered shoulder.

"No, he won't," Shizuka pulled away and looked into her son's distraught face. "You know he is too smart and immature for that. He'll be back. You'll see."

"SIR!"

The room rose as a tall figure entered and marched resolutely to the head of the table. He gave the room a brief once over, noting each of the twenty-four odd officials present, nodded and sat at which time there was a chorus of scraping chairs and relaxed stances.

"General Ichijou. Your report."

The blonde, blue-eyed officer sat forward in a self-assured way that immediately made his superior feel that the worst was over.

"We have sent troops into every major town and city in the country. We have met some resistance but this has been dealt with. Efficiently. The country will be assimilated in a matter of weeks. We are working on securing the borders now."

"Good. How long before we can open a Southern front?" The Monoliths were not going to stop with just this country. She wouldn't stop with just this country….

"…Perhaps a month or two. Right now we need to establish order, a new, stable system of government. The sooner we can develop a peaceful way of life and convince these people that life can be normal under our control the less trouble we will have with resistance. We can concentrate our efforts elsewhere…"

"Good. I will expect regular reports."

At this the Second Leader stood and left the room, again with the chorus of scraping chairs and vocal acknowledgement. There was a palpable sense of ease amount those present as they began to disperse. Once he was happy, none of them should lose their heads.

THE SECOND LEADER nodded to the officer holding his car door as he ducked inside to a much needed respite. He removed his hat and slapped it and the many decorations on the brim onto the seat beside him as he rubbed his temples, his fingers disturbing the bit of grey nestling there that marred the otherwise pristine head of black, silky hair. He was hoping for a full night's sleep tonight, this offensive seemingly, finally coming to a close. But he'd yet to find out where he'd actually be staying…

"Commander Souen?"

"Sir!"

The glass rolled down between the driver and the back seat of the armoured vehicle he was travelling in. A woman of some beauty could be seen on the passenger side beside the driver.

"Have you sorted out my sleeping arrangements?"

"Yes, Sir! We found an estate that fit your specifications."

"Not too far from…"

"No, Sir. It is perfect. It belonged to an old aristocratic family. They seemed to have held on to quite a spread as the City grew around them. It's just that…"

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you want to stay on a farm? The Presidential Palace has been prepared for your arrival…"

"Yes. I am sure, Commander." What was the point of doing all of this if he didn't get what he wanted? "Take me there immediately. I will deal with everything else in the morning."

"Sir!"

SHIZUKA watched as her son dropped their hastily stuffed bags onto the floor and walked over to the window of the cottage. She saw as he leaned on the windowsill, the muscles in his arms bunching tellingly as he tried to again console himself. She wasn't like him. She couldn't bear to look. She walked over to a chair and dusted it off as she sat, suddenly exhausted.

"We have to clean this place. I don't think our staff will be allowed to help us…"

"They are… looting our house. Loading our possessions onto trucks like its Christmas…."

"I know, honey. I know…"

"If it wasn't for you I'd shoot every last fucking one of them."

"Maybe that's what Ichiru's doing now. I wish he would write."

Zero turned towards his mother, watching her face become taken over by worry for her other son. Zero came over to her and stroked her greying pale-blonde hair.

"We did get that letter, mother…"

"That was weeks ago. And this was when he was still making contacts…"

"He probably found them. These cockroaches are everywhere. It's probably too difficult for him to send the letters."

"I guess…"

"I know. What we need to do is survive this."

"Yes. Which means you can't go killing them. That one, the Second Leader… I can't believe he's here. It's the worst thing…"

"Mother, please. I'll be fine. We'll co-operate. He won't have a reason to hurt us…"

"Someone like that doesn't need a reason, Zero."

Zero nodded and bent to kiss her cheek before going back over to the window. She was right of course. They'd seen in the last month how their city had gone from a bustling metropolis to a ghost town of fear and distrust. The Monoliths marched into their city in triumph and declared all they saw, all that had existed in peace and prosperity for centuries, theirs. Companies, lands, homes, stores were confiscated. They began to round up the city's officials and imprison them. Some they shot in public for defying the new order. People were thrown onto the street as the Monoliths moved in to occupy the finest their city had to offer. Some of the oldest families became servants in their own homes, their money now belonging to the Monoliths or was worthless. Zero knew it was only a matter of time that they would come. They hid what they could and waited. And waited. Now they knew why it seemed they were taking forever. It seemed their home was being reserved for someone very special indeed.

"The thought of that man lying on our sheets…"

"At least we are alive. In a way, I am glad Ichiru left. He would have actually tried shooting him. And the entire household would have been sentenced to death." They had heard of and witnessed the results of the Monoliths zero-tolerance policy. They thought nothing of riddling dozens of citizens with lead from their machine guns if they thought it was warranted. And leaving their bodies on the street for days, as unholy, psychological war-fare.

"Yes. He would have had the balls to do it," Zero whispered in reply, pursing his lips as the first of the trucks began to move off with furniture, artwork and other possessions that had been in their family longer than any of them remembered. His father must be rolling in his grave.

"I'm glad father didn't live to see this."

"Me too, Zero. Me too."

THE SECOND LEADER rolled over on the bed and, finding he was conscious, immediately sat up and swung his legs over the side. He winced as he accidentally rubbed some healing scars on his legs but otherwise his expression did not change. It had been heaven to actually sleep in a bed, on a mattress. It had been too long. But it was someone else's bed. Someone that had been thrown onto the street a short time before he arrived, he was sure, judging from the hastily prepared room. Dark-brown eyes roamed the pale-plastered walls and beautifully appointed wooden furniture. It was a masculine taste. There was a larger bedroom they had shown him to. But his sense of it was decidedly feminine, even stripped of the personal effects as he noticed from the brighter spots of floral wallpaper on the walls. He requested an alternative and was glad he did. This suited him better.

He rose and walked over to the window, unselfconsciously nude, the golden, early morning light playing lovingly with his pale skin and taut, pleasing musculature. He was not that old by any means being thirty-two years of age. His greying temples were premature and a testament to his hard work and dedication to the cause. He completely believed his duty lay with assimilating what they needed to make their once great society great again. If you listened to his wife, milk and honey had practically flowed in the streets until it was taken from them, until they were relegated to this patch of earth with no resources. Oh yes, that was the other reason he had risen so quickly to his position of second-in-command. The Supreme Leader. His wife. He had the good fortune to be married to the said orchestrator of the Ultimate Wars, Her Most Excellent and Righteous, Yuuki Kuran – she'd taken his name, approving as she did of his stock.

But, he thought, he'd acquitted himself well, if he said so himself. He'd made sure that he more than earned his own reputation.

He looked over the acres of land that were now at… their disposal. He reached up to turn the latch and pushed, his eyes closing as he tasted fresh air, without chemicals and dust, with just the slightest scent of farm animals, soil and flowers.

Heaven.

It was just like in his dreams. Even as his world for his entire life had been scorched earth and crumbled buildings, he'd let his mind go to this place he'd read about; green fields, gently sloping hills and vegetation of all kinds: flowers, trees and crops. Even as he dodged mortar fire and been engaged in slaughtering human beings simply because they belonged to The Opposition, he'd close his eyes when he could go crazy… and see this place. Including the quaint cottages.

He inhaled deeply as he felt the emotion rise inside him. Yes, he was sure this was what he wanted. He even knew what he wanted to do now. Go horseback riding, get his hands dirty, till the soil and watch with wonder as things actually grew. Maybe he could just…

The knock on the door was soft but it sounded loud in his ears. At that moment, that second, he hated the sound and the person behind it. It wasn't over. Not yet.

He walked over to a chair and picked a robe to cover his nudity.

"Come in."

The person came in carrying a tray. He didn't recognise her. Probably one of the maids. He looked behind her to the sight of a soldier standing guard by his door. He decided to lower his guard a little.

"Breakfast, Sir."

"Thank you."

The maid went over to a table near the window and lowered the tray to table. The fine china jostled a little as she did this. He realised she was very nervous. She turned, curtsied and headed for the door. He thought of simply checking out the meal but…

"Wait."

The maid stopped and turned back to him slowly. Her eyes were on the floor as if she didn't want to set off a wild animal by making eye contact, clutching her bodice to her bosom like a talisman. He wondered if she'd drawn the short straw in the kitchen. He had looked her over from his perch on the bed. Neat, clean, a bit plain but nice legs. This life could have its benefits but, despite his reputation, he preferred… willing, experienced partners.

"Close the door. Please."

He noticed the slight twitch in the guard outside as she reached, with a trembling hand, to close the door. She stayed near the door, all the better to make her escape but Kaname beckoned her closer. She eventually, painfully, came up to the bed…

"Can you tell me," he whispered, leaning in conspiratorially, "where the original owners are? I would like to speak to them."

ZERO ROSE from the seat where he'd been turning the ignition on the tractor he'd been working on, jumped down from the vehicle, and began to kick the hell out of the left, front tire in a practically lethal, bad humour. Stupid, stupid piece of junk! Of course he used more colourful language, certain his mother was several yards away. He flailed at the rusty excuse for farm equipment he'd had to salvage for his own purposes on his own land while that piece of vermin took over all his family's hard won…

"Ahem."

Zero had finally came to a halt as he tired of punishing his own feet on the inanimate object. He panted wildly as he thought he was feeling a bit better, not much, but better. That evaporated, however, as he turned to see this man standing there next to his horse, patiently awaiting a suitable opportunity to speak. Well, it had been his horse, Lily. Poor girl, he thought. She hated being whipped or spurred unnecessarily. He hoped…

"Yes?" Zero prompted, as it seemed they were both were going to simply stare at each other all day.

Zero told himself that he'd been stunned by the intrusion but the truth was that the man currently patting Lily's nose – the traitor – was fairly stunning to look at. As men went. Thick wavy hair, large brown eyes, full lips, all framed in a face with a slightly feminine edge that made him disarming. If it was wasn't for the tall, muscular stature, the broad shoulders, the square jaw with just a hint of a shadow, you'd almost wonder about his gender.

"I heard you… own this place…"

"That's a rumour. It's overrun with Monoliths now."

Zero turned and got back up into the carcass of a vehicle and began to pull at the controls again. The man led the horse over to him and wrapped the lead around a nearby post.

"Maybe I can help?"

Zero blew a frustrated breath and looked down his body towards the open door. He wasn't gone?

"You know about how to fix junk?"

"…Yes. I do. I was quite handy during the Great War…"

"The Great…?" Zero began, but stopped as he began to colour painfully. The man noticed the light of recognition but began to unbutton his shirt cuffs anyway.

"You're a Monolith soldier, aren't you?"

The man looked at him, frowning in some puzzlement but he continued to remove his shirt, eventually hanging it on a nail under the rudimentary shed.

"I am. Get down. Let me have a look."

Zero recognised the tone of a command. From a Monolith soldier. He scooted off the seat and hopped to the ground. The man looked down at his bag of tools, removed a pliers and hopped onto the rusty chassis, scooting inside the beast, all while Zero wondered about killing him and dumping his body in the river. One less cockroach.

"This is in very poor condition… but if you by-pass this switch…"

Zero hid the wrench behind his back as the man popped up to try the ignition. The tractor rumbled to life and Zero began to think about something else besides killing a Monolith soldier. Gratitude.

"Fuck me! How did you do that?"

"Just experience."

The man hopped down, barely getting out the way before Zero dove under the control panel to get a look at the results. He'd cut away a few wires that did look as though they were broken… Zero looked down his body to where he stood watching him with some interest. Zero decided he had better find out what he wanted or he may not leave.

"Thank you…." Zero muttered grudgingly as he regained his feet. The man smiled knowingly. He had an idea that his being a Monolith soldier would not be easily forgotten.

"No problem. Glad I could help. Perhaps… you could help me?"

Zero folded his arms and waited. Like a Monolith soldier would give him a choice. The man turned away to get his shirt…

"Wait. You'll ruin your shirt. Here."

Zero got a clean cloth from his bag and walked over to nearby pump. He returned and began to rub the dust and grime from the man's back, ignoring the spidery scars over his right shoulder. He hoped the wound had nearly killed him…

"Here. Wipe your hands."

"Thank you."

The man finished and handed back the cloth. Zero took it and tossed it into the corner with some contempt. The man, with deliberation, removed his shirt and began to dress.

"I want a comprehensive tour of the estate. I want an idea of what this place is capable of. I want the grounds to stay just as they are, but maybe with a few more crops. Maybe we can come to an agreement on terms..."

"What terms?"

"You managing the place. You know it better than anyone…"

"Go fuck yourself."

"I see."

The man got back onto Lily and turned her back towards the main complex but he stopped to look back at Zero.

"I don't think you really want us to have free reign with your lands, Zero. I think you really want to take care of it as it clearly was. You have a beautiful place here."

Zero looked away, simply waiting for him to go. He'd rather die than become a groundsman on his own property by choice. He'd had to hold a gun to his head.

"The house is huge. If you agree, you and your mother could move back to the main house…"

"Into the servant's quarters?"

"Perhaps not. If you co-operate, you could even forget we even came. I would be away for a lot of this campaign anyway…"

"You must be joking."

"The offer is better than what other people in this city have been able to say about their own lands. Think about your mother shivering away in that outhouse…"

"She'd rather be there. Trust me."

"Suit yourself. If you change your mind. Just come up to the main house. Ask about the position… of estate manager. I'll know it's you."

The man made to slap Lily's rump, thinking the conversation was over. But…

"Wait! What about this Second Leader-person? Isn't he living in our home as well? Is he leaving?"

The man looked back at Zero, an amused expression on his face. Zero frowned at its portent.

"He won't be a problem. I promise. It's even possible you'll never meet him."

At this the man spurred Lily on galloping off across the field towards the main house. Zero turned back to the humming tractor and kicked the tire again for good measure. He was thinking about it, dammit. The cottage was draughty and unfamiliar. His mother longed for her own home, he knew. Would probably find this situation more bearable just living there. She could almost pretend life hadn't changed for the worst. Wasn't his job to protect her, even from life's harsher realities? Zero shook his head ruefully. Just offering that, his own home, and Zero was almost ready to do his bidding.

How fucked up was that?

to be continued

lightpathetic wrote this but these are not her characters. They belong to Vampire Knight.