Bloody Petals

Chapter 31

Zero could still feel Ruka and Kain's strong battle auras outside when he and Aido finally entered the seemingly deserted mansion. It was too suspicious for some reason since there was no Level E vampire inside the house.

The two males ascended the stairs quietly and slowly, alert for any impending trap or ambush. The hunter knew there were hunters and even vampires who could mask their presence very well. The silence of the house was very unnerving.

When they reached the second floor, Aido could already feel his whole body trembling from the strong pureblood presence in the air. It was very scary... Zero and Kaname were very scary too but that's only when they were angry. Their presences had become much warmer since they became lovers. Ichiru's aura, on the other hand, was oozing of too much darkness and hatred.

Zero could feel it too. So his brother hated him after all... He knew Ichiru must be blaming him for what happened that night. But it was still too painful to personally feel that intense hatred and void in his brother's aura. It's like Ichiru didn't even have any other will except revenge...

The hunter closed his eyes and exhaled before he opened them again. "Ichiru," he voiced with clarity. "We're not children anymore. Let's stop this hide-and-seek."

There was no movement in the surrounding for a while and both of them waited with bated breaths for Ichiru or any other vampire to come out. Finally, a ringing laughter much similar to Zero's if only the hunter would do so had echoed throughout the corridor.

Instead of liking it, however, Aido gritted his teeth so he wouldn't tremble from the coldness of it. Unlike Zero, it seemed Ichiru had already embraced his vampire blood to the point of no return.

"You've become quite cold, nii-san." Ichiru voiced as he appeared not too far from them.

Zero readied himself for the worst. Ichiru appearing in front of him now would mean his brother was intending to fight.

Aido was rooted in his spot when he finally saw Ichiru for the first time. He really was Zero's twin... He looked so much like Zero to the point where even he wouldn't see the difference... And yet, he was also nothing like the Zero they all knew... He was way, way scarier and colder.

Ichiru's hair was quite longer than his older brother's. It was ponytailed at the back. Those amethyst eyes that he liked were so different from Zero's too... Zero's eyes were always very warm and kind. Ichiru's eyes were full of hatred and coldness. Zero would always scowl even when he's happy. But it would still appear very natural and warm. Ichiru's smile, on the other hand, was quite cold. It did not reach his eyes. However... was that sadness he could see behind those cold orbs..? Aido wasn't so sure because it was gone when Ichiru blinked again.

"I was hoping to see you, Ichiru." Zero voiced for the first time, all the cooped up emotions inside him were trying to get out. "But not like this." Now that he had seen Ichiru once again, he could now be sure that it was really his brother. Ichiru was really alive... And yet, it still felt very surreal... especially since the two of them were on the opposing sides.

Ichiru's smile widened. "Don't be too stiff, nii-san." He then walked towards a huge set of oak doors and opened them. "Let's talk inside."

Zero was already about to follow his twin when Aido stopped him. He gripped the hunter's arm quite tightly. "Kiryuu... Are you sure we should follow him?" He looked really worried for the hunter.

Zero smiled kindly at the blonde. "We don't have a choice."

Aido seemed to want to disagree and say something but the blonde looked down and let go of the hunter's arm in the end. He was worried about Zero... and his Kaname-sama. He knew that if ever something happened to the hunter, the brunette pureblood would surely die as well. Not to mention even if their lives weren't bound, Aido felt that he would still worry for Zero just as much. Zero was just too kind for his own good... That pureblood Ichiru would surely just hurt him...