The meeting with the Aristocrats went as expected.
To be frank, Yukashi could barely focus on half the things he had said or was said to him. He received support from all vampires, uncaring of the fact Yukashi and Kaname had them in the dark for quite some time. Their loyalty toward Kaname nearly amazed Yukashi from how patient and understanding they are and for a moment... he wanted that too.
Considering Yukashi's power, he doesn't see himself fitting anywhere who isn't of the same era as him. Even with his descendant, Isaya Shoto things are rather awkward. All Isaya seeks is to return to slumber until he has to continue the Shoto bloodline if Yukashi were to go into slumber again. Everyone Yukashi knew thousands of years ago were either gone or in slumberâwith the exception of Hanadagi.
He could remember a time when Hanadagi and Yukashi were great companions, combining Hanadagi's destructive ability to Yukashi's foresight served a great deal for the war. All Yukashi had to do was tell Hanadagi who and where, minimizing the casualties they would have suffered in the battle.
On one side, Yukashi saw Kaname as a brother he never had but Hanadagi... he was Yukashi's mentor. Yes, Hanadagi was younger yet he was far wiser, accepting of who and what he was, he learned of his abilities, expanded them. Yukashi had a hard time accepting his giftâhe still doesâall it does is destroy the things he cherished.
Some people wished they could they the future to prepare for what it will throw at their face except they have no idea what exactly they are wishing for. Yukashi doesn't just see the future, he sees what is fated to happen in more than one way. If someone is meant to die, no matter what Yukashi did to prevent it, they died one way or another; whether it was in a few days, weeks, months, or years. He could never truly tell.
Unfortunately, Yukashi had to learn the hard way and the only one who could help him through it was Hanadagi. They were two sides of the same coin. Which is why Yukashi is the only one who can bring him down no matter what he has to do; it has been quite a long time since Yukashi voluntarily used his ability.
It was naïve of him to think because the war ended thousands of years ago, he would no longer have any use for his power. There is always a battle or war against someone or amongst each other.
However, the reason for Hanadagi's wrath is entirely Yukashi's fault.
Due to Yukashi's deep pensiveness, he unexpectedly creates a gaping hole through the wall of his bedroom exposing the hallway. Heaving a sigh, he rubs his eyelids tiredly hoping Kaname wouldn't be too tough on him about the wall later. This hasn't happened to Yukashi in a very long time, he is usually careful with his powers and how indulged he'd be in his thoughts.
If he isn't careful enough, he could end up subconsciously burning the entire dorm to the ground. Yukashi doesn't lose control of his abilities, his abilities tend to act upon what he subconsciously feels. Standing from the bed, Yukashi exits his room, fingers making sure the bandage is around his neck until he halts frowning to himself. He doesn't need this anymore, not when everyone already knew everything they needed to know.
Fingers grip onto the thin fabric tearing it off his skin and allows it to fall to the ground, his eyes flicker toward it in a glare. The bandages set on fire by his strong gaze before proceeding down the corridors hoping to find something to keep his mind off unnecessary things. Especially after last night, Yukashi couldn't allow himself to be reckless.
"Yukashi," Kain regards the shorter Pureblood in a respective tone. It startles Yukashi at first, acknowledging the brownish-orange hair Aristocrat with more than six foot of height and burnt orange eyes. Yukashi doesn't associate with some of them as much but whenever Yukashi was around them, Kain always remained calm and perceptive.
"Can you really see the future?" His question causes Yukashi to study the muscular vampire before him.
"Yes." He answers cautiously.
"I want to know-"
"If you will have a future with Ruka Souen." Yukashi finishes for Kain. The taller male doesn't respond to him, unsure if it is out of embarrassment or to confirm the speculation Yukashi had made of Kain's feelings toward Ruka. "I don't need my power to know you have feelings for her. Here, grab my hand."
Offering his hand, he isn't insulted by the Aristocrat's momentary hesitance; once Kain's large hand wraps around Yukashi's slimmer ones, the Progenitor's eyes glow a bright crimson. His veins grow hot, rapidly pulsing throughout his body as the images flow into his mind and enter Kain's from the way his eyes shift to the same color as Yukashi's.
Lightheadedness hits Yukashi unexpectedly, losing the strength in his legs and falls forward, out of reflex Kain catches him in his arms. Pain assaults Yukashi's mind as if dozens of needles at once is being jabbed into him, "S-Sorry, it's been quite some time since I've done this." His voice strained, glancing up at Kain whose face expresses concern for the Pureblood.
Rapid images crash into him, his body jolts then grow limp against Kain, "Yukashi!" Panic faintly reaches Yukashi's earsâslipping into the vision.
It's all too fast, voices speaking all at once into his ears while feeling and experiencing everything through his body. It feels agonizingly slow for Yukashi when truthfully it has only been a full minute by the time he resurfaces, gasping and shaking against the muscular vampire. His fingers grip onto Kain's shirt tightly, blazing eyes wide attempting to piece together what he saw.
I have to... make a choice
He visibly pales, forcing the queasiness from overpowering his temporarily weakened body. More than anything he hates making choices, especially ones that will hurt the people he cares for.
"Yukashi, should I get Kaname?" Kain asks in uncertainty.
He takes his time to reply, "I just ne-"
"Yukashi!" Zero shouts behind the blonde causing him to jerk against Kain like a frightened animal; his senses aren't completely back to normal and it doesn't help to be shouted at in this state. Blinking, the crimson glow finally returns to its natural blue but the deadly complexion has yet to fade.
Releasing Kain from his deathly grip, Yukashi musters a weak apologetic smile taking a step back not wanting to make Kain any more uncomfortable than he already is. Arms catch Yukashi when he almost falls back to the ground, "What happened to him?" Zero snaps at Kain, the brownish-orange hair vampire frowns slightly, eyes glowering at the vampire hunter at his rude tone.
"I'm fine," Yukashi assures blankly, attempting to escape from Zero's grasps only for the taller male to refuse to allow him out of his hold. "Why are you here?"
Zero frowns at his cold demeanor; Kain remains in place eying the hunter in case he has to intervene for any reason. "To talk to you."
"No," Yukashi astonishes Zero, "I mean you're not supposed to be here; you need to leave."
It is then both Zero and Kain realize Yukashi is panicking.
Fear sparks in his blue eyes, mind trying everything possible to come with an immediate solution except the intervention from earlier has disrupted his thought process. Where is Kaname?
"Yu-" Zero is cut off by Yukashi pushing him back, stumbling forward to which Kain grabs the blonde's arm.
"Zero, you need to leave right now," Yukashi snaps at the hunter leaving him stunned as if he is seeing a completely different person in front of him. "Kain, get everyone out of here and I mean everyone." His commanding tone toward the Aristocrat weighs heavily on his shoulders who frees Yukashi's arm to follow his command.
"What's going on?'
Finally, the Progenitor peers over his shoulder to give the vampire hunter an answer, "They're coming." For me. Yukashi intentionally leaves out aware the kind of uproar Kaname and Zero would cause if they knew what he had seen.
Not only must he make a choice, he must also face the Pureblood he had a mentoring companionship with. If Yukashi didn't try so hard to suppress his power, he could have done things differently, or perhaps avoided this situation altogether. However, they also have his sonâthe sole purpose of Yukashi's existence, the one thing keeping him from wanting to succumb to eternal slumber and never wake up again.
Once his body regains its function, Yukashi moves quickly with Zero following closely behind clearly having no intention to listen to the Pureblood's warning. Halting, Yukashi cuts Zero an irritated glare serving to take him off guard even further at Yukashi's attitude. "Did I or did I not tell you to leave?"
"I work for the Vampire Hunter's Association, not for you." Zero retorts blatantly.
Running his hand through his hair, the Pureblood faces Zero with desperation. "You came here to confirm something and if I give you an answer, will you promise to leave?" This time Yukashi is much softer to the hunter, begging Zeroâdenying to clarify as to why.
More than anything that Yukashi needs is for Zero not to be here. Keeping the vampire hunter out of Hanadagi's sight is the most important thing to him. When the silver hair vampire nods his head, Yukashi exhales in relief disregarding Zero's watchful gaze. "Yes, I was the one who got you out of the house after the attack and because I knew Kaien Cross through Kaname, I convinced him to take you in."
"Was there any way for you to have saved my parents?"
"Yes," He replies aware this is something Zero needs to hear. "At the expense of you and your brother's life."
Noting Yukashi doesn't have enough time, the possibility of Zero avoiding Hanadagi now would be very low. Thunder crackles through the night sky overhearing something falling apart in loud unpleasant bangs, a chill runs down Yukashi's spine recognizing the power rippling the air in cosmic waves.
The Pureblood grabs Zero's hand hauling him toward the back entrance he saw in his foresight. The mark on his neck burns with intensity, tingles rushing up his arm increasing his fear further; he can hear his own voice in the back of his head telling him he won't make it.
There isn't enough time.
An explosion shakes the dormitory, Yukashi's hand tightens around Zero who tries to match the speed of the Pureblood's feet. Even after they make it out of the building without the ceiling collapsing above their heads, there is no sense of relief. Blue eyes witness how more explosions hit the Moon Dorm until it is nothing but a pile of rubble; extending his other hand, he summons a familiar in the shape of a raven.
"Find Kaname." He commands, the blackbird flaps away, disappearing into the dark sky.
"Yukashi Shoto," Hanadagi's voice flows along with the wind, power can be sensed from the air to the ground beneath his feet. A tall man with long, light hair stands on top of the debris, crimson eyes piercing through Yukashi with every intention of making the Progenitor suffer. "You have not changed since the last time I saw you several thousand years ago."
Stiffening at the man's voice, Yukashi glances up at Zero who glares at Hanadagi. With a firm yank, he draws the hunter's attention and Yukashi shakes his head at him.
"I'd like to say the same to you but for an Ancestor to allow a Pureblood of Sara Shirabuki's caliber to be your master? That is disgraceful." Yukashi says, locking eyes with the man coldly.
From his peripheral vision, the hunter moves swiftly releasing one bullet behind them. Yukashi senses another PurebloodâSara Shirabukiâstopping in their tracks due to Zero's warning. "Don't make any movements." He growls, baring his fangs while squeezing Yukashi's hand for assurance.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Sara warns. "Little Taji would be very sad to know his admirable Zero died."
At the mention of his son, Yukashi's blue eyes are engulfed by bright red; his presence immediately overpowers Hanadagi's, thinning the air to the point no one can breathe. Unfortunately for the Pureblood, he can't attack Hanadagi nor Sara without risking the life of his son and from the glance he receives from Zero, he comprehends why Yukashi stopped him from striking Hanadagi earlier.
Content is evident on Hanadagi's features, taking his time to walk over the debris approaching them while Zero maintains a close eye on Sara's movements. "I distinctly recall you despise having to make choices when it comes to the lives of others. Right now, who will you choose? Your son or your destined other?"
This is what he wanted to avoid at all costs. He simply couldn't choose between the life of his son and the life of Zero. Zero is his other half, the only chance he will have in thousands of years to ever find. Purebloods don't always find their destined other, either because they outlive them, died before finding them, or have yet to be born. Even if Yukashi can always have another child, it will never replace the one he had lost.
If Yukashi can live with the grief.
"Save Taji," Zero encourages, blues flicker to his lavender eyes fixated on the female Pureblood. His alluring face is serious with an impression of understanding. "You are a father before you are a lover besides, I would never forgive you if you choose me over your own son."
Hearing those words shifted the future Yukashi had initially seen, now he knows what he must do. Zero is barely within his grasp after Yukashi told him the secret he buried within. Maybe... he isn't meant to be with Zero after all. This is one of those 'isn't meant to be' he was told by a woman he knew a very long time ago and misses as deeply as Kaname.
Turning to face Zero, the blonde moves his hand away to place them both on the hunter's face. Yukashi offers him an affectionate smile, "Maybe we'll see each other in another life." He says in a trembling voice. Lavender eyes widen only to offer the blonde a smileâa genuine smile from the bottom of his heart which Yukashi had longed to see.
With the mating mark scorching the Progenitor's neck, he buries his fangs into Zero's hunter seal. Tears trail down his cheeks hearing the pains and shouts dropping from the silver hair vampire's mouth; his heart and soul feel as if it is being torn in half. Excruciating misery rakes through his body tempting him to stop but he knows if he did stop, it'd be the worst mistake of his life.
Soon the snowy white skin becomes as pale as a ghost, shallow breathing is barely audible, and the pounding of Zero's heart... stopped. Zero's body crashes roughly onto the ground, Yukashi gazing at the life disappearing from Zero's eyes.
"As I thought, you always chose family over anything." Hanadagi rules down at the hunter's body as if he is looking at dirt beneath his feet; his skin is already turning gray, cracks spreading from the bite.
He can still taste the hot blood in his mouth, giving him a sense of fulfillment from thirst yet heartache at the same time.
If Zero had just left when Yukashi told him to, none of this would have happened... Yukashi wouldn't have to choose again.