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02: Lies makes it Better.

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He could feel Ichiru getting further away. Their sibling bond stretching, making Zero frown. His younger brother was distressed and Zero couldn't do anything. Minutes later, and the older Kiryu brother was left feeling alone, almost empty.

Ichiru was now so out of reach; heading towards his new residency and leaving Zero behind.

He ran one hand through his silver locks and letting a deep sigh. As he sat on the bed, Zero kept his eyes on the window. He just witness the pureblood take his brother away.

When he saw them entering that ridicules vehicle, Zero wanted to jump out the window and shoot that bloodsucker right on the head. But he didn't; Zero held back and simply saw them depart.

And now he had to wait. His handler would arrive at any moment and take him away from his home, from his parents.

This is so fucked up.

Slowly his mind took him back to the time when the monster – who Ichiru was supposed to live with – arrived. It was somewhat dramatic in Zero's opinion.

A few minutes; just a few minutes after the pureblood – Kuran – had left, a new arrival appeared. And the most surprising, it was another pureblood. Though his time around it was a female vampire.

Zero just manage to get to his room where Ichiru was, when he heard the front door of their home open with a loud bang. The young Zero decided to see what was happening downstairs, but his twin stopped him.

"No, Zero stay here please this one has to do with me."

He saw his younger brother disappear from the hallway after their small talk. Not wanting to be kept from anything, Zero slowly went back but stop near the staircase. Crouching down Zero watch his parent and Ichiru stand in front of a beautiful woman.

Once his eyes landed on the woman, the small silverette could easily tell it was one of those purebloods. He couldn't really make up what the conversation below was about, but he knew that the woman came for Ichiru.

It was surprising considering not a lot of people had the knowledge of the Kiryu's having twins. Many people – not related with the family or close friends – believed that the hunters only had one son. The thought surged only due to Ichiru's fragile health as a child.

His younger brother spend most of his first years alive bedridden. Ichiru's lungs hadn't been strong at birth and that made the younger Kiryu stay in bed. The times Zero went out; people had labeled him as the only child and he didn't like that at beginning.

Yet slowly as he learned of vampires and such, Zero felt it was actually better that many people thought of him as the only Kiryu son. In Zero's mind he felt that if something was to happen in the future Ichiru's life wouldn't be in danger, and he begged his parent to not correct people's mistake.

Years went by and soon he meant Kuran; then the tragedy that stuck when the hunters lost came. Zero of course was frighten, but at the same time was relieved. Ichiru was a very well hidden secret of the Kiryu's and no one was going to take him away.

But that changed by the simple visit of one Shizuka Hio.

The pureblood – who had almost the same features as the Kiryu's – stood in their living area. She was talking calmly but Zero could tell something was wrong with her. A few seconds passed until the once calm vampire began to get agitated. She wanted to take Ichiru but their parents wouldn't budge.

"I have all the right to take Ichiru-kun with me."

Zero simply watched his mother hold Ichiru against her body, and their father standing in front of the two blocking the vampire from reaching the boy. Their argument went for at least five more minutes.

Ichiru at first seemed afraid but he then pulled away from their mother and stood in between the vampire and the hunters. The youngest Kiryu stood his ground and faced the female pureblood.

"I will go with her."

Zero couldn't believe it and neither their parents. Ichiru was willing to go with someone he didn't even know just to stop the conflict? Zero wanted to go downstairs and do something that would make his brother see his error, but he stopped when Ichiru send him a knowing look. It was apparent the younger twin knew Zero was watching.

So he stayed where he stood and continue to stare at the scene below him play. Ichiru kept his place between the adults. Their was exchange of words before his younger brother ended the talk and the pureblood left; with out Ichiru.

"In five years Shizuka Hio, you can come for me."

He blinked a couple of times and Zero found himself staring at the wall on the other side of the room. Letting out a loud sight, Zero stood from the bed. He walked up to the window, parted the curtains and looked over the horizon.

Indeed it was a beautiful day; yet Zero couldn't see beyond his grimace feelings. He was anxious standing there simply waiting like some sort of pet waiting for its new master to arrive. His life was about to turn into complete hell, with a pureblood woman as his breathing-living demon.

Shit. Zero felt a small ripple of shudder ran through his body. He sensed a vampire coming closer to their home. The young silverette gave one last look outside before he stepped away. Just as he did the front door of his room opened.

"Ichiru?"

His mother had enter the room, and Zero smiled at the beautiful woman who he was deceiving. He walked up the lavender eyed woman and let her cup his face. "Ichiru, honey you must be brave. I know this is hard for you but I need you to be strong just like Zero is. I don't know when you or your brother will return but please don't lose hope."

Zero averted his eyes from his mother, he know she could easily read him. The silverette didn't want his mother figuring out what Zero and Ichiru had done; their parents would be either angry or horrified.

"I will."

He simply stare down as his mother caressed his face. Whatever happened Zero wasn't going to let his mother know he was not Ichiru. He felt his mother's hand lowering and touching the side of his neck and he almost jumped.

"Ichiru please look at me."

Zero took a few seconds where he soften his gaze as much as he could then looked up. His mother was smiling softly at him with moister in her shinny eyes. "I will miss you. I feel as if I had failed you both as a mother. I should have fought harder on that day. I don't know what happened but I'm so sorry."

Seeing his mother looking guilty and broken make his lilac orbs harden. It wasn't his parents fault the vampires had won. Like the rest of the hunters, the Kiryu's to was caught off guard five years ago.

That pureblood Kuran, had come to their house with a small army of strong vampires – mostly nobles – and of course not even the best hunters could fend themselves off with such threat. His parent to had to think about their children's safety and couldn't afford a fight knowing their sons could be harm, and they surrender without even having the chance to fight.

Zero didn't even realize he began to shake with anger as he once again lost himself in the past.

How can his mother blame herself for the outcome of the war ending. It wasn't anyone's fault; it was just how things went and how it was afterward. His lovely mother shouldn't feel as it was in her hands to have made a change if she only had the time to–

"Zero?"

He return his gaze back to his mother; who was looking at him intensely. Schooling his features, Zero smiled warmly hoping to sell his Ichiru act. But try he did and it didn't seem to work as his mother's eyes widen.

"Z-Zero what are you doing here? Oh my Ichiru..."

Her lavender eyes became worry and it was Zero's turn to comfort his mother. He took both of her hands and looked right in her shinny orbs. "It was my idea, Ichiru just went along with it. If anyone is at fault here it's me."

"Why?" One world holding everything she wanted to ask.

Sighing softly the silverette hand no choice but to speak. "Shizuka Hio has a grudge against you. Don't forget it was you and father who killed her lover, and I don't believe in one second she won't hurt Ichiru because of what happened. I'll handle whatever that pureblood will throw at me and Ichiru is better off with Kuran. It's better this way I know it and now you do."

"How did you learn of what happened between us and Shizuka Hoi?"

"Kaito told me a while back."

At the sight of his mother looking guilty, Zero embraced her. He soothed the woman telling her everything would be alright. The silver-head held his mother closely for a long time. He assured her that he could take care of himself.

"What you and father taught me hasn't ever vanish from my mind. What I learn from Yagari-sensei is still fresh in my head. Don't worry I'll be fine."

Slowly he pulled his mother away and wiped the small tears that manage to escape her. He smiled and kissed her on the check before stepping back and getting his belonging. The pureblood had arrived.

"Zero."

He turn and gazed at her longing. He would miss his parents so much and the silverette didn't know when he would see them. "Don't tell father please. He might actually go get Ichiru and that would be bad."

His mother nodded and led him out. Once downstairs Zero saw his father waiting. The man of course didn't knew it wasn't Ichiru he was holding. His father told him to be strong and apologize for everything. Zero didn't blame them and stepped out from their home.

• • • • • • •

She waited patiently, the morning air brushing softly against her skin. Silver-white locks swaying with the breeze. Pallid pink orbs shimmer with the morning light. Shizuka Hio smiled at the silverette steeping out of the house.

The young boy had grown and Shizuka couldn't hide her excitement. Her Ichiru turned into a handsome man. Each step that brought the young man closer the pureblood's heart beaten just a tiny faster.

Not being able to hold back, the kimono wearing woman met the silverette not even halfway. She encircle her arm around the slim figure. Shizuka held her Ichiru; just as she did when he was just a little boy.

"She always hugged me when we met."

What Ichiru told him of the pureblood truck Zero and hard. He would have pushed the monster away if not for his psyche reminding him otherwise.

"And I responded."

Damn it.

Awkwardly and with cautious, Zero lifted his hand that wasn't holding his suitcase. His palm landed on the upper part of the pureblood's back. The touch did nothing but encourage the woman to tighten her embrace.

Breath Zero don't do anything that might anger this thing. You're Ichiru remember sweet and delicate.

Feeling like he wouldn't be able to keep his facade up, Zero slowly pulled away from the vampire. "We should get going." Zero didn't want his parents to see them being all friendly.

Shizuka held on the silverette's shoulder before her hands reached upwards and took possession of the young man's face. "I missed you," and what she did next sent Zero to hell.

He saw her face coming closer; then a small pressure met his lips. Zero could only stare with his large-as-plate eyes as the pureblood kissed him. He felt a jolt of nausea in his belly and Zero turned his head away.

Ichiru never said anything about kissing. What the hell?!

Taking Ichiru's sudden action as nothing but shyness, Shizuka held the younger mans' hand and led him to the waiting car. The driver took the suitcase and the two entered the vehicle.

Once the car began to move did Zero finally snapped out of the small trance. He saw tress and bushes pass by as the car drove further away from his house. His attention went back to the pureblood as Zero felt his hand being squeezed.

Looking down the silverette found the pureblood still holding on to him. A small frown mare his features as he stare at their hands and again he cautiously tugged his hand.

"Ichiru."

His lilac orbs met soft pink ones. The pureblood was invading his personal space and Zero's hunter senses screeched in his mind. He pulled his hand until it was free, but that apparently wasn't a good move.

He look at Shizuka as the woman's eyes suddenly became cold. Zero shifted further away from the monster– and right about now Zero was wishing the vehicle could have been a limousine maybe.

"Why are you acting distant towards me?"

The tone of her voice wasn't in a questioning way; it was a voice that demanded an answer. Zero shook his head and met the woman head on. "Why did you kissed me?" Believe it or not; that was Zero's first kiss, and it pained him that it was with someone Zero wanted nothing more than to kill.

The pureblood eyes lowered. "I missed you Ichiru and I couldn't help it. You didn't like it?"

Zero just stared at the woman. He was told the vampire was somewhat unstable after the death of her mate, but Zero didn't know how unstable she really was. In his view the pureblood seemed almost bipolar.

"No." Zero said without thinking and somewhat harsh. Few seconds later he realized his seconds mistake.

In a blink of an eye; Zero couldn't breath. The air in the car vanishes and he felt heavy pressure around. Zero's eyes return to the woman sitting next to him, Shizuka was shaking while gripping her kimono.

He held his chest trying to breath, but nothing entered his lungs. It became painful and Zero slumped back into his seat and trying to open the widow with shaking hands.

"Hio-sama, Kiryu-san can't breath."

Upon hearing the drivers voice, Shizuka looked up and at Ichiru. The silver-head seemed ready to pass out. She composed herself and let the young man breath. As Ichiru filled his lungs with oxygen, the pureblood rubbed his back.

"I'm sorry– I didn't mean to."

Zero didn't even listen to a word the monster said, he was busy breathing in the precious air. He almost died damn it, and he was more than happy it was him that found himself in this predicament.

Ichiru.

His brother with his sensitive lungs wouldn't have last this type of treatment.

Minutes later Zero rose from bending down. His eyes landed once again to the woman sitting next to him. The pureblood held his arm and looking back at him with a soft gaze. Zero decided to ignore the being next to him instead and focused to watch out the window.

As they kept passing landscapes, the older Kiryu twin noticed he was now far from home. He inwardly sighed a longing sigh. He couldn't help but curse the day Ichiru met this woman. Zero still couldn't believe he hadn't even catch up to what type of friend his younger brother had made.

Zero only learned of Ichiru and pureblood when said pureblood showed up at their home. After Shizuka Hio left, Zero took it upon himself to get ever bit of information from his brother.

At the end of his small interrogation, Zero was left speechless. Ichiru used to go out at night when every one was asleep for a walk. And in one of these night stroll did Ichiru came across the vampire.

"I was walking when I tripped on a rock I didn't see under the snow. I lay on the ground as my breathing become uneven. I wanted to yell for help, but I just couldn't. As I was about to sleep I saw her. She came to me and helped me. And after that I kept seeing her. Zero she isn't dangerous just really sad."

He had scoffed at his twin. No vampire was sad and not dangerous. Those things are the embodiment of danger and hatred. After his talk with his younger brother, Zero had prohibited Ichiru from seeing the woman.

The younger twin accepted after Zero told him all the bad things that could happen if Ichiru kept seeing the pureblood. But as life has it, the war ended and soon Shizuka Hoi was at their front door demanding for Ichiru.

After Zero learned who Shizuka really was; the older twin promised to never let the woman lay a finger on his brother. Ichiru was in danger at the hands of the pureblood. It didn't matter how nice-of-a-person Ichiru tried to paint her. The woman was still a demon and Zero–

His gazed turn to the bloodsucker siding beside him. The woman had her head on Zero's shoulder trying to snuggle with him. The silverette would have made a disgusted face, but halted after sensing eyes on his person.

Looking forward he saw the driver aver his eyes from them on the rearview mirror. Zero glared at the back of the vampire's head before turning back to what he was doing.

He really tried not to let the woman who kept rubbing her head on his shoulder bother him, Zero refocus on his memories. He may have damned the day his bother met this leech, but Zero cursed ten times more the day when his parents were sent to kill the woman's lover.

According to Kaito; Hio's mate was not in any type of danger into falling to level E. The man was fed by the pureblood and kept sane. But the Hunters Association believed that once someone was bit by a pureblood they were already doomed.

"I don't know why they sent your parents, it's not like the man was left alone and without her blood to keep him study. If you ask me it's like the H.A wanted Shizuka Hio to became reckless after the death of her mate. But then again it's just my opinion."

Kaito's words made him wonder why would the Hunter Association want a crazed pureblood?

If Zero was a sympathetic of vampires; he would have thought it cruel to kill someone who wasn't a threat. Was the Association looking for some sort of fight by killing a pureblood's mate?

No. Why would they? Maybe the man was falling into level E and Shizuka Hio was hiding it. Zero thought. But that doesn't matter anymore the war is far over and we're tuck in this misery.

"Ichiru we're here."

He blinked his light amethyst orbs, Zero shifted his gaze ahead and saw a large mansion. The car entered a long drive way and came to a stop at a curve in between the large mansion and a fountain.

The pureblood stepped out first then Zero followed. He didn't notice but his heart picked some speed. The silverette stood next to the vampire who once again took hold of his arm.

The mansion before him was breath-taking, but it wasn't where Zero wanted to be. The pureblood turn her attention on him and smiled fondly.

"Welcome home Ichiru."

More like welcome to hell. Zero mused dryly, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.