Bloody Petals

Chapter 28

"And... his real surname is... Shiryuu." And everyone's eyes widened as they all stared at Zero, who could only blink at them in confusion.

What now..?

"W-What about it?" Zero scowled as he fidgeted in his seat, the guilt about his father's action momentarily forgotten. He's the only one left out about the meaning of the new information and he didn't like it.

"The Shiryuu Clan is a vampire clan with an older history than even the Kurans. Their blood is much thicker and purer than any pureblood family in vampire history. That clan was believed to have been extinct more than a thousand years ago." Kaname explained to his lover. But Zero still didn't get why it made them all shocked. That fact was already included in Seiren's report earlier.

"And what does that mean?" He asked again.

Kaname breathed a shaky sigh. "It's one of the most powerful and influential old pureblood families in vampire history, Zero. The Shiryuu clan has blood purer than anybody else." He then patted his lover's head fondly when the hunter still looked confused. "It means that you hold a power equal to mine in the vampire society even if you are only a half-pureblood. You can also have your own circle of noble vampires following you and even some not-so-powerful purebloods bowing to you. Not to mention, if ever anyone knew of your existence, lower-class vampires will try to get your blood for the immense power that it holds."

Now Zero's eyes widened. "What? But I'm not..! I'm just... I'm just a hunter!" He then looked at everyone and saw, to his surprise, that they were all bowing deeply to him. "Kaname, this is..." He then looked at Kaname pleadingly and immediately received a tight hug.

"I know this is too sudden, Zero." Kaname voiced soothingly as he brushed his lover's silky silver hair slowly while hugging the hunter. "But all the data from Seiren's investigation are always true and reliable."

Takuma and the others watched as Kaname displayed affection in front of them for the first time. Zero was truly fortunate to have Kaname. Or was it actually the other way around? Zero was the reason why Kaname could feel again. The hunter was Kaname's light, to put it bluntly. Either way, they found it cute that Kaname was being sweet to Zero even in front of them.

"Don't worry, Zero-ku–, I mean, Zero-sama. We will definitely protect you." Takuma voiced, smiling when Zero looked at him as the hunter casually pulled away from the hug. They all now knew why Zero's scent was too intoxicating as well as his blood. It was because of the pure Shiryuu blood running through his veins together with his hunter one. Not to mention that he was handsome enough to charm them all even with his ever-present scowl. It's because he was just like Kaname...

"Don't use that term to pertain to me." Zero pointed out, wearing a tensed expression and a scowl to match his confused mood. "Just address me like you usually do." Kaname couldn't help but sigh at that before he smiled. Zero would always be Zero...

"Don't argue with us just because you don't like it!" Aido voiced out before he could stop himself. "You might think that giving you so much respect is just a minor thing in the vampire world. But–!"

"Hanabusa." Kaname calling his name with such a cold voice made him stop immediately. Aido couldn't help but look down in shame and apologize. "I'm sure Zero understands what you're trying to say. But that doesn't change the fact that he didn't know any of these just until some moments ago."

"I apologize, Kaname-sama..." Aido was upset that Zero was treating the hierarchy of vampires as something he could just shrug off if he wished to. But he also understood where the hunter was coming from. Or maybe he was just annoyed that he didn't know how important Zero was until it was told to his face.