Disclaimer: "Vampire Knight" belongs to Matsuri Hino whilst "Neverwinter" is created by cryptic studios...I think lol

Warnings: OOCness, grammatical errors, profanity, gay vampires, malexmale, Oc's (I'm so sorry lol)

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha

Chapter 3: The body doesn't lie neither do the eyes.

ö~öºö~ö

"Shit, how could this happen? Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck. Fuck, fuc-" Zero swore to the tune of "This old man" nursery rhyme before he was interrupted by the sound of a "whoosh" behind him, he spun around to face the unexpected guest in his room.

The pale, masculine figure was tall with feathered raven hair reaching his broad shoulders as arms folded across his chest. His eye's of molten gold stared warmly at Zero with a small smile.

"Happy birthday Lien hua or should I say Zero-hime." The older male said fondly as Zero threw himself into the man's arms.

"Thank you for coming Tadashi-nii, I'm glad you're here." Zero mumbled against the raven's chest, feeling fingers sifting through his silky locks in a calming manner.

He missed him, he missed the rest of his family. Only on his birthday he would get the chance to spend more time with his siblings, parents and childhood friends.

It wasn't easy being sealed away as a mortal, away from his true nakama (family). He knew it was for his own protection that his parents made him stay with the Kiryuu's when he was a child.

'And look what happened. My adoptive aunt and uncle are dead, caused by their own son and the boy I considered my twin brother.' Zero closed his eye's tightly, unwilling to let himself cry.

He couldn't help but feel like it was his fault for not looking deeper into Ichiru's heart, for not trying harder to keep the younger boy with him.

'I'm a terrible brother...goddamn it Ichiru! Why didn't you talk to me?'

"Ssh Zero-hime, I know what you're thinking of, and it is not your fault Ichiru turned out the way he did. You were young and did everything you could for him." Tadashi said soothingly as he continued to stroke Zero's silvery head, earning a tightening of arms around his waist as the boy trembled in his embrace.

Tadashi knew Zero was facing other problems as well but he'll help sort them out later, one step at a time; right now, what his baby brother needed was comfort and reassurance, their parents will arrive sometime today. His mother along with Zero's bodyguard/best friend would be able to help him with Zero.

'You're too kind, soft-hearted for the life you lead little Lien hua. Im sorry I couldn't always be there for you.'

ö~öºö~ö

A white limousine parked outside the great gate of Cross academy, the door opened to reveal a figure of elegance.

Platinum blond hair tied up into a high ponytail, slightly tanned skin glowed in the sunlight; the woman had a warm smile on her face as her violet gaze immediately found one with eye's so much like her own.

"My baby!" She shouted gleefully, and with the speed of lightning she was instantly in front of Zero, hugging the life out of her youngest child.

Zero smiled and hugged back just as hard, both he and his mother were of similar height and feature. Many people in his hometown (before he lived with the Kiryuu's) would remark on his appearance saying that he took after his mother, he would often get mistaken for being a girl when he was younger; all because his mother and best friend working together to clothe him in a cutesy dress or skirt.

"Happy birthday my baby boy, oh look at you! You've grown so much and so beautiful. Ooohhh I can't wait to dress you up!" Zero's mother squealed happily, nuzzling her son's blushing cheek.

"Meiying, you're embarrassing him." Came a deep voice from a male much taller than the hugging duo; he gracefully made his way to his wife and son. Leaning down he kissed his son's forehead, smiling gently at Zero.

"Happy birthday Lien hua."

"Thank you papa and mama." Zero said softly, elated with being in the presence of his parents. He can see his oldest brother Tadashi standing with his other siblings.

"Happy sweet 18th Zero-hime." His brother Hien, the second oldest, same height as Tadashii with dark short-hair and as handsome as their father Hyun called out.

Shigeru, his other sibling after Hien rushed towards him and slung an arm around his shoulders, joining their mother in hugging him.

"Hey princess, lookin cute as usual." Shigeru chuckled, smiling widely. His brownish-blond hair ruffled against the wind as his light-gold eyes looked upon his baby bro happily.

"Thanks Hien nii-san, and I'm not cute shige nii-chan." Zero glared up at Shigeru who only smiled back cheekily.

"Where's Jin?" Zero asked his mother, who was still clinging to him.

Meiying nuzzled her baby boy's soft cheek, leaving a small kiss before giving him space and moving to her husband's side; with hands on hips she tilted her head and grinned.

"Your brother Gwang-jin will be arriving later with your friends, apparently your bestie was found starting a bar fight and making bets on who wins." Meiying laughed as her little Zero face-palmed while the others snickered.

Zero rolled his eyes and sighed, though there was a hint of fondness to his expression. He knew his best friend would do something like this, Tori had a knack for getting into fights (most of the times unintentionally), winning bets as well as acquiring items and selling them either by legal means or illegally, which he also knew Tori had probably done whilst betting.

He felt a surge of excitement at seeing his best friend/bodyguard soon, texting and long distance calls wasn't the same as having a chat face to face, talking with a person he trusts with his life and secrets, or just sitting next to each other - sharing jokes and memories - he couldn't wait to have those moments with Tori and his other childhood friends again.

ö~öºö~ö

"Screw you Jin! I wasn't done buying all the food you ass!" A voice grumbled outside Cross's residence.

"Candies and chocolate aren't proper food Tori, are you trying to get diabetes? Because you're definitely on the right track to get one, if you're not already there." Gwang-Jin replied sarcastically at the shorter figure next to him - who was stuffing their face with a huge chocolate chip muffin - sometimes he wonders why he hangs around Tori.

"Go fuck a merchant you hoe. I brought these for Zero, I know he loves cakes and stuff, also some of these baked goods were made especially for him. The old grannies and housewives wanted to wish him a happy birthday so they cooked up a special meal. Who am I to deny free food made of loooovvveee, yeah?" Tori managed to speak around the muffin in his (or is it her?) mouth, earning a disgusted look from Jin and laughter from the surrounding members who came to celebrate Zero's eighteenth birthday.

"Don't talk with your mouth full! And I'm not a hoe!...Why do you always say comments like that?" Jin said with an exasperated expression, knocking on the door to be let in - being around Tori could make any sane person crazy - within seconds his arms instinctively wrapped around Zero when the wooden door finally opened.

Zero hugged his brother tightly, murmuring a "Glad to you see again nii-chan" and hearing a quick "Same here Zero-hime and happy birthday" from Jin, he felt a soft peck on his forehead when he glanced sideways and found familiar blueish purple eye's staring at him with comforting warmth and amusement.

"Kito-chan!" He exclaimed loudly before pouncing on the other, Tori's hands flailing in the air (precariously holding bags of goodies) as both teens fell to the ground.

Zero purred contentedly as he nuzzled Tori's cheek, laying comfortably on his best friends chest.

"Zero, I love you man but could you like not lie on me-no! Don't close your eyes, Zero you can't fall asleep on meeee!" Tori sighed and just laid there with a sleeping Zero. Nothing unusual here. Zero always did this when they were kids.

Their friends began to chatter and were laughing quietly, Zero's parents (including Kaien) came out to see what the commotion was about when Meiying and Kaien both squealed at the adorable sight.

For Kaien it was the first time he's ever seen Zero relaxed so he quickly took a snapshot with his phone, a nice photo to add to his picture album. Meiying on the other hand was filled with delight at seeing her son and godchild together, this was one of many precious moments she will add to her memory bank... she'll definitely ask Kaien for a copy of this cuteness.

"Aww, you both are so adorable!"

"Aunty stop squealing. Uncle, please help me. Crazy man with glasses, stop taking pictures. Zero, Zeroooo, get off me man... I don't want to lie here all day." Tori pleaded but the silverette only snuggled deeper and purred cutely which in turn caused a "Aww Zero's so kawaii!" From their female friends and the two adults (Meiying and Kaien) to fangirl over it.

Tori was likely the only person who Zero instantly felt safe around to let his guard down completely, it's always been that way.

"Shut up Kito-chan, and lemme sleep." Zero murmured, Tori was the perfect replacement for a pillow, or teddy bear.

"Stop callin me that cutesy, girly shit."

"Why not? Aren't you a girl? Wait, are you though?" Shigeru popped up from behind Jin with a questioning look on his face.

He and his brother's sometimes wondered what gender Zero's best friend was, since it didn't help that the name Tori can also be used for a male, plus Tori had a kind of androgynous style to them.

"I'm whatever the fuck I want to be, but I do identify as a female. Although, if I have to protect Zero from guys and unwanted attention you may think of me as a male or something...can someone please pick up Zero? I'm still carrying his presents!" Tori hissed, don't get her wrong she adores Zero, always has and always will, if it were any other time she would let him snooze while she held him, but she was getting a sore back.

Lying on the pathway made of fucking cement isn't actually a nice feeling.

Hyun (Zero's father) shook his head and smiled then stepped towards the two and lifted his son into his arms, receiving a grateful look from his godchild.

"Thanks uncle Hyun. Ugh...my back hurts. I'm too old for this shit." Tori mumbled beneath her breath, Jin who was standing in front of her rolled his eye's.

"What do you mean old? You're only 18, the same age is Zero!?" Jin said incredulously, this girl/boy (he was still unsure if he actually believed she/he was a girl) always managed to either confuse or stress him and give him white hair (he doesn't have white hair but he feels like he should at this rate.)

"Whatever doggy-dog, I'm grown. You just hella jealous you ain't a woman." Tori lazily said, knowing she was getting on the brunets nerves, uncaring if she did.

"That makes no sense! What does your age have to do with being a woman and me being jealous when I'm not!? You confusing ass-" Jin ranted as he was pushed inside the house by a cheery Shigeru, followed by his mother and the group of friends he brought along.

Tadashi quietly chuckled to himself, watching as Hien and Kaien Cross went inside also leaving him, his father (who was still holding Zero) and Tori or Kito-chan (an affectionate nickname given to her by Zero) as the only one's outside.

"You really know how to push his buttons Tori. It's the main reason you get into fights isn't it?" Tadashi asked as he easily pulled the girl off the ground.

"Well, it's one of them. The other reason is because Jin is easy to annoy, maybe I should take him to a strip club... think that's a good idea?" Tori jokingly asked Tadashi, the older male had an eyebrow raised and smirked.

"Let's head inside, the others are waiting." He said as he steered the troublemaker towards Kaien Cross's house, following his father.

ö~öºö~ö

Inside everyone was settled in the lounge, talking and giggling.

On one side of the room sat Meiying who was chatting enthusiastically with Kaien, both exchanging anecdotes about their favourite topic: Zero. Her husband Hyun was at a corner conversing with Touga Yagari.

"Meiying, if you don't mind answering my question. Why did you need to hide Zero? Wasn't he safer with your family?" Kaien asked, curious to know more about the boy he'd come to see as a son.

Kaien hadn't thought Zero wasn't a Kiryuu, didn't know the boy was a hidden pureblood which definitely shocked him. It certainly surprised him when Zero came over with a bunch of unfamiliar people and introduced them as his actual parents and siblings; and he believed Zero was telling the truth.

Zero really took after his mother in looks, now that the seal that kept that part of the silverette shrouded was revealed, the boy seemed more healthier and happier; which in turn made Kaien happy, he had been worried about Zero since the prefect only socialized with Yuki and Sayori.

Meiying smiled though it was a sad one "As much as I would've loved to have Zero-chan with me, at the time a war was going on. The enemy of my people is a cruel being filled with greed and lust for more power to make him stronger, he wanted Zero-chan as a bride and my godchild as his weapon." Kaien's eyes widen in shock, as Meiying continued on "I refused to hand over my baby boy and niece, so to protect them I had to seal my Zero's powers so no-one but us would know his location and placed him with the Kiryuu's who were good friends of ours then I sent Tori, who is Zero's knight, away to be trained by amazons, monks and other different fighters."

Meiying's gaze was watery and she glanced briefly at her son who had his head cushioned onto Tori's lap, sleeping despite how noisy the living room was while the boyish teen (Tori) was teasing a furious Gwang-jin and making bets with Shigeru, she shook her head fondly. She was always happier to be surrounded by her family, and now she would have her baby boy back home. Meiying turned to Kaien, watching as the ex-hunter took in the information as he stared at the teenagers having fun. It pleased him to see this, and it warmed his heart to know Zero still had family left.

"Thank you for telling me Meiying." Kaien said softly, his aura content. He only hoped that this peace Zero has found would last, the boy has been through tough times and he wished he could do more for the silverette. Then a slight uneasiness passed through him as a name of a vampire he trusts to keep the peace between hunters and vampires came to mind.

'Kaname Kuran.'

Kaien believes Kaname is striving for the same goals as him, at least a part of it, and he knows Kaname is a good person... but even he had to admit that the auburn haired pureblood might try something on Zero as he knows the two don't get along. They're like cats and dogs, glaring and hissing at each other or like water and oil, those two teens don't mix well together.

'What will Kaname do if he finds out Zero is a pureblood?' Kaien bit his lips worriedly, he sees both boy's as his children and wants them to be civil to sort out their differences.

"Kaien? Are you alright?" Meiying asked in concern, she hated seeing her friends stressed or worried and if she could she'll lend a hand to help. She might not have known Kaien Cross personally but she considers him a friend as he took in her son and cared for him like any parent would to which she and her husband were thankful for. Had he not been a friendly and caring person she wouldn't have left her precious baby in his hands.

Kaien blinked his eyes and gave a smile to reassure Zero's mother he was okay, "I'm fine Meiying. I'm just wondering if Zero would transfer to the Night Class now that he's a pureblood." And an Elf. He never thought Elves existed but the evidence is right here in front of him, he was for the lack of a better word Mind-Blown. To know that there were other species, another realm and that Elves live much longer than Vampires was something he still found amazing. He was excited to know more about their history and culture, maybe one day he could visit their realm.

"Ah yes. It would make sense for Zero to transfer but it is his choice if he wants to, although he's a pureblood he takes more after me than his father. The Elven blood is much stronger and purer in him than my other children." Meiying chirped happily, her purple eyes widening at the thought of her youngest. She was already thinking of designs to model her son in, she can't wait to start dressing her precious Zero again. Slapping both hands on her cheeks she fangirled aloud totally oblivious to Kaiens confused stare, Touga's exasperated expression and her mate Hyun who only chuckled in amusement knowing well why his wife is acting that way.

ö~öºö~ö

"Hey Yori-chan." Tori greeted as she stood from the couch, leaving a sleeping Zero with one of his brothers as she saw Sayori just as she was going to ask the other girl how she was, Tori was tackled into a tight hug by the shorter female nearly losing her balance, "Whoa there! What's with people tryna take me down? First it was Zero now you? Who's next on the list?" Tori said jokingly hugging back as Sayori snuggled into her chest sighing happily.

Sayori could understand why Zero liked hugging or falling asleep on Tori, the taller female just felt super comfortable and the aura emitted from her was protective and warm.

"Gee Yori-chan. If I'd known you liked them that much maybe I'll let you cop a feel of them ey?" Tori teased, laughing slightly as Sayori jerked away from her blushing in embarrassment. "Kito-chan stop teasing Yori." Came a sleepy comment from an awakened Zero who placed his chin on Tori's shoulder which in turn the boyish teen spun around to hold him steady. Tori shook her head fondly when Zero whined for her to piggyback him as he gave her his infamous "kitty eyes".

"Fine. You're lucky it's your birthday you fuck." Tori said amusingly receiving a triumphant smirk and a reply from the silverette "Whatever bitch." Yeah. They're the kind of best friends who use insults as an endearment, it's just how they roll. Although if someone else called them bitch, asshole etc, you can bet your ass they're come after anyone who either slurred or tried to hurt them; even when they were separated for some months, Zero and her will always have each others back.

Now holding her best friend on her back she turned her attention towards a smiling Sayori. "If I didn't know you two were only friends I'd think you were in a relationship." Yori said lightly, observing her leader who was relaxed as he snuggled Tori.

"Yeah, we get that a lot. Many have mistaken me as his boyfriend hahaha, it's funny seeing their reactions when they find out I'm a chick or that we're not together. It's not unusual for best friends to act the way we do even though to other's it can be misconstrued." Tori shrugged whilst still piggybacking Zero. Yori nodded, "So where are we celebrating Zero's birthday?" She asked Tori as the older girl is usually the one that plans out the silverette's birthdays or their outings, she waited for Tori to answer as the taller teen had on a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm...since it's been ages that Zero-hime has seen home we'll all head there tonight. I've already set a transportation point so I just need do the spell and bam! We're having a fiesta!" Tori said happily, grinning at the joyful look on Sayori's face as she knows it would be the first time the younger girl would visit their realm.

Sayori was excited at the news, she's never been to her homeland as she was raised on earth so she's lived here her entire life but has been taught the ways of her ancestors. She's heard stories about their realm; beautiful, dangerous yet wonderfully magical...damn it! She wanted to visit the place so badly, now knowing she was finally going and celebrating Zero's eighteenth would be one of the best moments of her life.

A/N: Oh my f**kin lollies, I'm so sorry for taking ages. I've been waiting for my bro to be free of the laptop so I could finally use it lol

How's everyone doing? Hope y'all beautiful faces are shiny like a...like a thing that's shiny. Anywho! Take care and stay safe, the yaoi goddess loves all her children. Let us pray to her! *prays*...Amen.

Ciao amigos and amigas 😺

p.s. Thanks for reading. following and faving *hugs*