TLB: Chapter 7: Sensual Eating

When they got to the restaurant, all plans became utter chaos. First there wasn't enough seats then waiters got everyone's order mixed up, the whole thing was stressful. It wasn't until Jeffery decided to suggest having Milly make a meal for everyone and them all retiring back at De's. The restaurant though sad to see them go could understand why and were more than disappointed not only did they lose a large group but it was a large group of rich and powerful people.

Everyone followed De back to the limo where they all shuffled inside. She had already called Milly and told her of what needed to be done for when they arrived. It would be at least an hour before they got there and that was to be a long ride with everyone inside.

More than a few times people switched seats to conversed with those around them, all except Zero and Hana who chose to stare out a window. De glanced between the two, something was up. She knew something happened between Zero and Kaname. Although because Zero returned so late she wasn't able to talk with him in private. How could she help her special boy be happy if she didn't know what caused his pain. And for the other boy who just seemed to tug at her heart strings much like Zero had, she wanted nothing more to gather him in her arms and comfort him.

She sighed, unknowingly distracting everyone from their conversations for a moment. Ichiru not one to hold back his comments asked what was wrong, making everyone shush and glance over.

"Ah, nothing to worry about, I just have to talk to both Ro and Hana once we get to my home." De said, "I'm glad that Kuran has found such loyal friends to get along with. I honestly hope that we will also get along the same way if not better." She smiled kindly but both Hana and Zero could tell it didn't reach her eyes for they themselves had made such a smile. They knew the pain it held but didn't comment for they could tell by her eye contact they were to find out just what she meant.

Ruka stared at her cousin as she pressed herself closer to Kain. "Aidou I hope you haven't done anything to upset her." She sneered before glancing over to Dame-sama to see if she heard. Aidou snorted slightly and almost laughed at the face Ruka made when he did so. He could understand for the life of him what Kain saw in the ugly wench.

"You better not for I will be the first one to report on you at home," Ruka said. Hanabusa couldn't help but flinch at the comment but quickly tried to cover it up, although he knew he didn't do to well when he could see both Kain's and De's reactions. He knew Kain would bother him about it but he also knew how to avoid Kain from pressing him, Dame on the other hand he knew he wouldn't get away. He wanted to sigh. If only things could have never pressed this far he would have been doing fine.

'Why the hell couldn't Ruka leave him alone?' Hanabusa thought. Just when things were getting better for him, she said something and all his joy evaporated. It was almost as if she was jealous of him although he couldn't fathom why. Hanabusa mentally sighed once more for he couldn't do so openly without Ruka saying something. He really just wanted to have this day over and done with. Maybe one night soon he'll go to sleep and never wake up so he wouldn't have to deal with anything any more.

"So Hanabusa what are your hobbies?" De asked distracting everyone from their conversations to hers.

"Depends, I like reading, experimenting and anime but I'm good at other things," Aidou said with a smile. His eyes dulled the whole time he spoke and De was sure that only her and Ro noticed. Zero glanced over at De after watching Aidou speak. He knew the signs of abuse since he himself along with Ichiru had went through it when they were younger. Although Ichiru didn't remember much of it which Zero was thankful for; he told De what to expect just with his eyes.

"Ah, well I'm also good at other things then I like, but for the things I don't like it's all a matter on who taught it. Right Hana?" De asked after clearly telling the boy she knew his secret. Aidou slowly nodded his head before turning his gaze only to meet Kiryu's who raised and brow. Aidou then closed his eyes before opening them and trying to blink his drowsiness away. This whole day has just drained him.

"Anyway Ichijou, I've been meaning to ask you how you knew of me?" De stated questioning him to get everyone's attention off of Hana.

"Ah, my father … I over heard some things, he may know more." He replied brushing some of his bangs out of the way of his vision. He didn't really want every one's attention on him at the moment especially when he and Senri were finally holding hands but if he made any sudden movements they might notice. Though he was sure from De's smile that she knew and hopefully that was a smile stating she was happy for them.

"Mistress." Jeffery said through the intercom of the limo.

"Ah, good we're here, I hope many of you will spend the night so we may speak tomorrow also." De said as the limo pulled up to an old castle that appeared to be built into the side of the mountain they were at. No one knew which mountain it was but they wondered why no humans had ever discovered this sight for it surely would have been called one of the great wonders of the world.

"Welcome to my home here in Japan," Dame said with a kind smile. "Let's go inside and see what Milly prepared for us. If you want to spend the night I'm sure I can find some decent rooms."

Zero started walking down the hall towards the table as De was discussing something with Jeffery by the door. He glanced back to see Kuran and his friends standing in wait. With a sigh he spoke, "Idiots, follow me, I doubt De wants you to know what she's speaking about, hence the old language."

Zero turned and didn't look back to see if they followed him or not. He wasn't surprised to see Hanabusa at his side a moment later. The blond give him an odd look as if to ask what De wanted to talk to him about. Zero knew but to the crowd behind him, he shrugged his shoulders while whispering she knows.

Hanabusa's eyes widened, before he cursed just as lightly. Obviously, Kuran and his friends knew nothing and that pegged the question as to why. Zero was sure he would be told before he asked so he would wait till De was around.

Hanabusa had tried so hard to act as though nothing was wrong. All it took was one greeting to a pureblood and a secret that he managed to keep from his friends was noticed easily. Hana knew that his friends weren't that great to begin with considering that they really only banned together to help Kuran one of the last few pure bloods. Kuran was kinder than many so it was a great honour to be close to him let alone to be his inner circle. At least that's what Hanabusa grew up thinking. Being Kaname's so called friend was harder than anyone could imagine, especially for him.

He had his role, and when he didn't act up or give information necessary he was looked down upon. He was seriously tired. Ruka used to be one of his best friends, that was till he told her he was a homosexual. Then everything changed. He could only thank his lucky star if he had one for being able to escape his family since then. His father was the one that made sure he had respectable jobs helping those who really did want to better the world for all vampires.

"This is where Milly will serve." Zero drowned as though he wanted to be anywhere else. He sat down next to the head of the table and told Hanabusa to sit across from him.

"B-But that's where.."

"You'll sit there, it will make Dame happy." Hana's eyes widened and he nodded his head quickly and sat down. Apparently Ruka didn't hear what Zero said or ignored.

"Hanabusa-" She hissed.

"Hana! You're sitting-" De said as she entered, "Oh, you're already there, good lookin out Ro." She winked clearly and Zero sighed at her antics as she sat down. She glanced at everyone else as if to ask them why they had not already sat down.

Kaname took the seat beside Zero, Yuki was then next to him, followed by Ichiru and Rima. Next to Hana sat Akasuki, then Ruka followed by Senri and Takuma.

"Oh yes before Milly bring out her fantabulous cooking, I wanted to know who could stay the night and who couldn't." De said as though she was commenting on the weather.

"I believe everyone wishes to stay De." Zero said his cheeks slightly flushed. If De noticed she didn't comment but Ro was having a hard time with Kaname's hand resting on his thigh. He wanted to hiss at the man but he knew that would bring unwanted attention towards them. He pinched the top of Kuran's hand, the result of that was Kaname squeezing his thigh and moving his hand closer to groin.

Zero openly glared at Kaname and glared even fiercer when he was met with an amused smile.

"Ro is there a problem?" De asked as Milly and a few other servants walked in and began dishing out platters of food.

"No, t-there's not." He stated trying to keep his voice even as Kuran's hand inch even further. If Kuran's hand moved anymore Zero wasn't sure he'd be able to keep his composer. He mentally sighed in relief when Kaname removed his hand so he could eat as everyone else had already started.

Zero could only hope that the rest of dinner would be uneventful.

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Hi, sorry this took sooooooooooooooooo long. It really shouldn't have but life B!tch slapped me with a lemon before telling me to feel the burn as it was squirted in my eyes. Moving on If you read this story you should read my other ones, all will have an update or two by the 15th of September.