Chapter 1: The end is just the beginning.

It was raining. The rain poured down incessantly and drummed on the rooftop, window panels and everything solid in sight. The impact sent a dull sound of pitter patter resonating through the halls of the house. Some might find it eerie or creepy but at this moment, the person standing by the window could only describe his feelings as peaceful. It had been a long time since he had felt so, as his previous days were always wrought with the sense of uneasiness and fear of the impending war. There were always plots to curb, schemes to destroy, plans to uncover and people to be wary of.

But now, there is only peace.

He sighed contently, his breath grazing the window, turning the small area misty. The war was finally over, and he now had all the time to laze around and—what was the term again?—Ah yes, to let one's hair loose. But still, he does have his reputation to keep. As much as he wants to go acting around like a three year-old, his more rational and logical mind told him that it was insane. With his side winning in the war, it practically meant that he is the leader of them all. At this thought, despite the serenity state he is in, he could already feel the beginnings of a headache.

Turning away from the window, he sat down on the small couch that was situated in front of it. Rubbing his temple lightly, he felt his hair cascade and cover his eyes. He tugged at a strand of hair absent-mindedly. He hadn't had a haircut in a while. His hair was already long enough to be tied into a short ponytail. But matters of his appearances are not important now. He must find a way to kindly decline his followers from making him the real Master. Despite the way he was raised, tedious paperwork and formalities with people was not really his area of expertise. Now, to think of a person who fits the job description…

Suddenly, his door was pushed open abruptly and a slim and tall figure walked in leisurely. Without even having to raise his head, he already knew who it was. It may be because of him being a pure blood, but the most important thing was that he understood his friends and followers and the only person brave enough and know him well enough to barge into his room without knocking was only him. Therefore, he remained where he was and wait till the other began to speak first.

Glancing at him, and then looking around the room, the person sighed and said: "Really, you should brighten up your room a bit!! It's so dark and gloomy, you always prefer to keep the lights off. I really don't understand why." As he said this, he turned and switched on the lights. "There, that's better now isn't it?" Frowning at his lack of response, the person continued to rant, "You really should be more joyful you know, like me! They say smiling will prevent one from getting old soon. Look at you! With that face, I am pretty sure by the time we become adults, you will already look like an old man!"

Finally, he spoke. "What do you want, Ichijo?"

Ichjo spared him the briefest glance before going on about his ranting. "Really, after the war, you seem an awful lot like a deflated air doll." Seeing the look thrown at him, Ichijo continued, "Well, maybe not so much like an air doll…A balloon, perhaps. Come on, Kaname, must you always look like you are having a headache??"

Kaname rubbed his temple. "If you must know, you are always the main cause why I have these headaches. Can't you speak normally for once?"

Ichijo gasped in mock pain. "Kaname! How could you say something like that to your best and dearest friend?? One who cares so much for you, who is willing to be by your side through thick and thin, who is always supportive and loving, who is ready to help you to do anything, to get rid of your troubles, to…."

Oh dear. Kaname thought absent-mindedly. Here comes the infamous Ichijo-rant. Giving a small sigh, he settled himself into a half-concentrating state. There is really nothing to concentrate about Ichijo's rants as they usually just ended in him running out of breath or words.

So, Kaname listened, his face still as stoic as ever, but his mind wandering. Only catching words and phrases of importance. Friend who cares…(sighs) what am I going to do about the leader issue?...Thick and thin…Maybe, just maybe I can find someone to replace me…But who could that be??...Supportive and loving…Hmm, it must be a person who I could trust though…Help…Who is willing(and stupid) enough to help me?...Anything…These thoughts are giving me a headache…Get rid of troubles…Right, I really have a lot of troubles, don't I?...Wait, what was that again?

Kaname's head snapped up. "What did you say?" He asked Ichijo.

"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?! I said…" Turning towards Kaname, Ichijo stopped abruptly. This is not good. Every single brain cell he had told him so, but somehow, he found that he can't move or talk.

"I said, what did you say just now?" Kaname asked again. Now standing up, he leveled his eye with Ichijo.

Gulp. That. That was why Ichijo was now in a state of paralysis. Kaname had on a scarily polite and calm look on his face, but Ichijo was not fooled by that façade, he had known Kaname too long for the predatory gleam in his eyes to escape Ichijo's notice. It was the kind of look Kaname had before he rendered his opponents weak and then proceed to let them seal the deal with their own signature, or blood. Again, gulp.

"Haha….Err, I don't really understand what you mean…" Ichijo trailed off as Kaname took a step towards him.

"Really? Do you really not understand me? Or did you just simply forgot what you said moments ago?" Noting Ichijo's lack of response, Kaname took a step forward, while Ichijo took a step backwards.

"Well, seeing that your memory seems to be failing you, let me refresh it, shall I? You just said that you would, and I quote, 'ready to help you to do anything, to get rid of your troubles', didn't you?"

"Err…Ye-Yes?" Ichijo stammered. This is not good. No, this is not good at all. Ichijo suddenly had a brief idea as to where the conversation is heading.

"Well, you must be pleased then, to know that I am taking you up on that proposition?" Kaname continued.

"I wouldn't really call that a proposition…" Ichijo's voice held a trail of desperation in it now.

"Oh, you wouldn't have the heart to deny me, would you, Ichijo? Being my most caring and loving friend, you would help me in my predicaments, wouldn't you?" Kaname then smiled at Ichijo, a sweet and innocent smile which was considered a rarity to occur on Kaname's face, and one which could melt hearts and make fangirls faint.

But in Ichijo's eyes, it was something akin to terror. Whenever he saw Kaname with that smile, it was usually before he 'unintentionally helped', or in other crude words, forced someone to do something he was too bored to do or something he deemed too troublesome to do. And people usually just followed through with it. How couldn't they? When it was a person of such high stature and looks like Kaname who requires it of them, and the polite way he asks and the way he smiles just makes them want to sacrifice more for him. But Ichijo always knew that they were just pawns to Kaname, and Kaname knows too damn well just how much influence he has towards others.

Unfortunately, this particular understanding makes him to use such methods fairly often, and they always worked too. People who are stubborn and determined to not help Kaname in the beginning will eventually fall prey to the charm in his smile, if they weren't already convinced by his suave talk. Come to think of it, the only person that Ichijo has seen that does not seem to be fazed with Kaname's looks, charm, personality, stature, power, voice and speech would be Zero Kiryuu. This makes Kaname quite irritated as he realizes he does not really know how to handle a person who hold no fear or even respect for him, even if he does not show his irritation. And Kaname knows Ichijo is aware of this fact and it irritated him to no end too.

However, back to the current situation. As Ichijo looks at Kaname and takes note of that awfully sweet smile, he understands that Kaname never fails to get his prey. And he was now Kaname's prey.

Again, gulp. How he wishes he were Zero Kiryuu.

**********

Zero stared at the window. The rain still hadn't stopped. He sighed. He had promised Mr. Ogawa to go to the stables to look after the horses today as he had something to do. But now Zero was forced to break that promise by this blasted unending rain. He cannot help but wonder how Lily was doing. He understood just how much Lily hated the rain. Again, he wishes that the rain would stop so that he could go and look after the horses.

Zero sighed again. Glancing at the clock, he took note that it was already near noon. The rain had been going on since the morning and yet, it hasn't stopped. Zero cursed under his breath. If he hadn't been caught by Yuki as he tried to sneak out with just his usual attire, which was long trousers and a plain shirt, he wouldn't be given a lecture at his stupidity for not thinking to bring an umbrella or even wear a raincoat or coat. After the lecture, he was then sentenced to staying in the house until the rain stops. And the loud and noisy chairman just had to help Yuki by putting on a sealing charm on all the windows and doors.

He cursed again. Just where the chairman learnt these he did not know, but he sure as hell is going to make the person suffer if he ever did meet him, or her.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on his door. "Come in." He muttered.

The door creaked open and Yuki popped her head in. "Hey Zero, still mad at me and the chairman at locking you inside?"

"I'm not mad, just irritated." Zero grumbled. He knows he could never stay mad at Yuki. And as much as he would not like to admit it, the chairman holds quite a place in his heart for him to be unable to be mad at him too.

Upon hearing this, Yuki smiled. "Well, that's good. Zero, do you think you could cook something for me and the chairman to eat? We're starving and I really don't want to eat something that the chairman made…." She trailed off.

Zero stared at her. "Both of you locked me in and now wants me to cook lunch? No way."

"Come on, you just said you weren't mad at us! Please…We really are very hungry." And on cue, Zero heard the low rumble of Yuki's stomach. Seeing that Yuki was looking at him expectantly, he felt his resolve crumble.

Groaning, Zero stood up. "Fine, fine."

Hearing Zero's answer, Yuki jumped up and exclaimed happily, "Then let's get going!" Tugging on Zero's hand, she pulled him towards the kitchen. "We were so scared that you weren't going to agree, you know? Because then we would have to starve! We can't possibly ask for take-out as we have to let down the sealing charm to receive the food and we couldn't let that happen…"

Following being Yuki, Zero let himself be pulled by the petite girl. Staring at the hand pulling at him, he couldn't help but smile a little.

During the war, he had helped Kuran shield Yuki from all those who were threatening to harm her and the school. For once, a few of the vampire hunters and vampires fought together to keep harm from the school and also the community. Zero was one of the vampire hunters, but come to think of it, he was also one of the vampires, so he figures he was helping both sides at once. The war was harsh. It was a clash between the vampire community actually, as the old council of vampires wanted to get rid of Kuran Kaname and Yuki as they wanted another leader. And somehow, in the end, the vampire hunter council actually agreed to support their plans.

However, there were those who oppose it. A large portion of the vampire community was against it, obviously. But there were also vampire hunters who opposed the vampire hunter council. And together, they fought to end the madness. And it did end, so they were now again restored to a state of peace. There was already a transition of power and a reform in the vampire hunter council. Now, the new council was better than before, as their leaders were not as incompetent as those before.

But the vampire community had not yet elected their new leader. With the vampire council destroyed, they just have to elect a vampire amidst them and then let the chosen leader choose his own council. Zero knew it would be a matter of time until Kaname Kuran gets elected as he was the most obvious choice, being a pureblood and their leader during the war. He had heard from the chairman that Kuran was being the stubborn person that he was by refusing the offer. But Zero knew it would be a matter of time before Kuran would step up due to the pressure from the public.

Zero had had a few realizations during the war, and one of them was that he had accepted his being as a half-vampire. It was hard to come to terms with the fact, but finally he had managed. He understood himself better now and was not as easily offended by the fact now. He had also accepted the fact that Yuki was Kaname's sister and that she was also a vampire. However, it seems that Yuki is special and she does not require drinking blood at all. Another thing that has made Zero even more contented with him being a half-vampire is that he knows he would not descend into a Level-E vampire. It seems that Kuran's blood is more effective than any of them thought it would be and it stopped Zero's descend into the chaotic realm which is a Level-E vampire. He secretly thanked Kuran for it but he won't ever admit it to him as it would be a big blow to Zero's pride.

Another shocking realization was that he found out his affections and feelings towards Yuki was no more than a childhood dream of affection. He now really understood his protectiveness towards Yuki was due to the fact that he placed himself as her brother and it was his duty to protect her. His dislike towards Kuran was also fueled by this feeling. He now treated Yuki as nothing more than what she was to him—A beloved sister and his family. And he was delighted to know that Yuki treated him in the same way too. This new found sense of balance has allowed his mind to be in a peaceful state as it had never been in.

Looking at Yuki as she chattered away in front of him, he couldn't help but smile. His life was really as perfect as he ever hoped it could be.

Suddenly, Yuki turned around. "Are listening to what I'm saying at all?!" Noticing Zero's smile, she gasped, "You're smiling!!"

"What? I can't smile?" Pushing aside Yuki, he walked into the kitchen. Really, he had every reason to smile. Having a place he can finally call home, finding his true self, having an adorable albeit a bit noisy and irritating sister and last but not least, a fatherly fi—

"ZERO!! You're smiling!!" Chairman Cross rushed towards Zero and before he could frown, the chairman had already taken several photos of Zero with a camera that Zero did not even see him whip out.

"Aha!" Hugging his camera lovingly, the chairman twirled around the kitchen. "I finally have pictures of my darling son—Zero's smiling face~!!"

The chairman was in such a state of happiness that he failed to notice the increasing darkening of Zero's face nor the murdering rage he was emitting. However, Yuki took noticed of it and inched away carefully. She knew what it would be like to be caught in one of Zero's outburst.

Zero felt increasing anger as he watched the chairman twirling around. What was that thought he had in his mind just now? He must have completely lost it when he thought this thing twirling over there could be a fatherly figure when he obviously was even more childish than a three year old. And what was the thing that he said just now? Did the chairman just took photos of him smiling?! What would happen to his reputation as the ever foul mood Zero Kiryuu? Clenching and unclenching his fists, he strode towards the chairman, bringing with him the murderous intent. Throwing over his shoulder, he said to Yuki, his voice barely concealing his anger, "I think you had better leave." Gulping, Yuki didn't need to be told twice before she rushed off to seek sanctuary in her room.

When the chairman finally took notice at Zero and the state he was stuck in, he couldn't help but shudder. This was not good, he silently told himself as he watched the approaching Zero, one who was surrounded by an impossibly dark aura. Suddenly, he hoped that he was Kaname Kuran, as Kaname seemed to be only person unmoved when facing this dark side if Zero.

However, he was not Kaname, and he was now officially in deep trouble.

**********

And thus, in this brief morning, as the rain continues to fall, two people learnt the meaning of terror and despair.

*End—Chapter 1*