Let's dwell in the past...

XxXxX

"Annoy me? You have got to be kidding!" taunted Rido.

Kaname let out a yawn purposely. "Exactly what I am doing, uncle."

Rido grunted and floated away. "I'll be back, you... jerk!"

"Blah!" and Kaname waved at the soul as it disappeared.

Once Rido disappeared from sight, Kaname dropped his hands and returned to his grim expression.

"Finally, he's gone. I never welcome such interruption in my meditation." He stepped down from the coffin and walked toward the door, deciding that the time he spent inside the room was enough. He walked slowly, knowing that rush was not the option since there would be no one to greet him when he went back upstairs. The bats that came earlier reported that Yuuki was still on her search for the other remaining Purebloods family and would not be expected home, yet. Kaname was not worried despite knowing the fact that his love was a bit clumsy, Aidou was there to accompany, guard and watch her. "It is still daytime."

Kaname paused in his steps as he turned around and looked at the surroundings. In a mere seconds, the room that was filled with voices of Kaname and Rido, as well as the sounds of the bats, suddenly turned quiet and cold. It was now empty.

Empty?, a voice asked.

He held out his hands and murmured, "And this place was once filled with happiness and love, but there is no more–"

Feeling his vision starting to blur, Kaname clicked his heels and walked out from the room. He paused at the door and looked behind once more, as if searching for a clue... a piece of memories that was long ago forgotten. "What was it again, I wonder?"

Closing his eyes as his head started spinning, Kaname decided that it was time for a short nap. He was tired.

And a dream visited Kaname in his sleep.

XxXxX

Deep in the mountains, three vampires stood proud at the edge of the cliff, the leader standing in front of his two followers as they waited for his command. As the leader closed his eyes, he felt the soft touch of the wind. The wind blew softly but the sound it made was not of harmony. It was rage, the feeling of destruction. The monstrous feeling.

"A blizzard is coming," he murmured to his followers. "Mother Nature has given her judgement. She'll try to block our ways by sending us a surprise visit from the blizzard. Humans will die from this impact but we are risking our lives to surpass the blizzard."

The first follower asked his leader. "Does that mean we will continue with this war? The Mother Nature has not given her consent, perhaps–" his words were cut off by his partner. "Touma."

"They asked for this war, if we back off, they'll fight us. What choices do we have, Shoutou?" Touma questioned, his face showing his displeasure.

Shoutou sighed at his friend's reply. "I understand that, Touma. However, we have a blizzard coming our way and this will not benefit both sides. The humans will perish and the vampires will have little chance of survival. We'll lose our people. Do you wish for that?" he questioned his friend. "Perhaps it is better if we do not participate, Kaname."

Kuran raised his right hand and waved a negative sign. "We will proceed, despite I myself know how senseless this war is."

"Then why?" Shoutou asked helplessly.

Kuran glanced behind and answered, "If we retreat, the enemies will continue to charge forward. We have no choice but to fight them. However, we will try to limit the deaths of our kind. Thus, go to your stations and warn them to be careful. Let the older ones fight in this battle, the young ones remain. There is no need to sacrifice the innocent ones."

"Understood." Touma stepped backwards and fled from the place while Shoutou remained.

"Please tell me you'll visit your wife after this, give her the last kiss before you depart for war. As of right now, we have no idea of the outcome of this war. The blizzard is coming. Our chances of survival is limited. Before you lose the chance, go and see her."

Kuran smiled and replied, "She is fine, Shoutou. Do not worry. I trust her and she is to me."

"Where are you going after this?" he asked.

"Flying, perhaps." Kuran stepped forward. "I will return to the base once I've done my search in the skies. See you, Shoutou."

Shoutou sighed. Stubbornness was his leader, the King of the Vampires, Kuran Kaname's first trait. "Have a safe journey, my friend."

"Thank you, brother."

Shoutou stepped backwards and fled in the same manner as Touma's, leaving Kuran alone to sort out his feelings before heading out. Shoutou managed to see the back of Kuran before he decided that Kuran was able to take care of himself. There was no need for someone like him to protect the vampire, their king. It was true that they were all Pureblood vampires, but in actuality, the ranking was different between them. Thus, Kuran was the highest ranking of them all despite the youngest among the Purebloods.

It is something inside his blood, the Great Elder once said to the vampires surrounding him, which included both Touma and Shoutou. His blood has the incredible power than none of you have. I fear that if Evil finds this child and strips him off of his powers, we shall all perish. His powers are strong but will the vessel be able to restrain the powers from destroying him?

A question, that until this day, was unable to be answered. There was no answer for such questions.

Back to Kuran, he thought of his friends' words. It started with Touma.

–They asked for this war, if we back off, they'll fight us. What choices do we have?–

Humans asked for the war against the vampires, but the truth was simple, they were used by vampires. The war, in Kuran's point of view, was the opposing factions' method of dealing with the supporting factions, in which one of them was personally led by Kuran himself. These vampires were unhappy with Kuran's method of leading a more gentler life for the vampires, thus decided to oppose him. "It is not my fault if they come to hate me," Kuran once said to his supporters in a faction meeting. "What I've done is considered for every vampires standing on this ground. If they refuses my offer, it is their loss. To simply blame me for something they haven't done, it is not my bloody fault!"

"I am not saying this because I am the king. You have chosen me to become your king, therefore I will do my best to make sure we can live without fear."

The blizzard was no excuse to postpone the war. The opposing factions care less about the current weather. Blizzard or no blizzard, they would fight, even if it meant sacrificing the entire human race for the sake of the war. It was senseless, Kuran admitted, yet it was sad and foolish.

There were no other choices unless the vampires; the supporting factions fight as well. And Kuran was about to do just that.

Having cleared the question with Touma, it was Shoutou's question.

–Please tell me you'll visit your wife after this, give her the last kiss before you depart for war.–

My wife, Kuran thought. He wanted to ask Shoutou one question, why was he so interested in his wife's well-being? It was not that Kuran has no interest in his wife. He believed in her, if he asked her to remain at home, then she would. Plus, without the busybody Shoutou asking him to visit his wife, Kuran would have gone home and visit his wife anyway.

"I need to fly; refresh my memories and clear things inside my head before this war begins!" he said and jumped off the cliff.

This act of jumping cliff to fly, it brought another memory inside his mind. A meeting that changed his life. Their first meeting.

XxXxX

She was nameless when he found her by the river bank, kicking and splashing water as she spent the joy alone. It was a pity, Kuran thought when he saw her, enjoying the water with no one else by your side save for yourself, it was nothing enjoyable. To him. He crawled as discreet as possible in attempt not to surprise her but his method was not working. She was dazed from the water that his arrival near her was unnoticed.

"Hello?" he called her, not knowing what to call besides the one question. She was a female, but not yet a grown adult but not a child as well.

She turned to face him and looked surprise, quickly shifting backwards to get away from him. "St... Stay away!" she said.

"Please, do not be afraid! I mean no harm to you," he quickly said to stop her from fidgeting. "Forgive me for startling you. I didn't mean to bother you with a surprise. I promise, I will not do it again," he soothed her with his words and waited for her reaction. Finally, she slowly returned to normal. Kuran smiled. Now he could clearly see her face and she was beautiful as he expected.

If a bee would be attracted to a flower for its sweet nectar, a male like Kuran would be attracted to this nameless female. He observed her while she adjusted herself to his watch. Her skin was pale, similar to his own skin colour. Her eyes were crimson red. The eyes of the supernatural being. Instantly he knew, she was of the same kind as him. He was a vampire and she too was a vampire. Strange indeed, his mind said, Why is she living here alone? Does she not have a family?, he wanted to know. However, his next question was not of why she was at the river bank, sitting alone with nobody by her side.

"What is your name?" he asked, his voice soft and kind.

She turned to face him and tilted her head, voicing her uncertainty. Kuran wondered if she didn't have a name or if she didn't know what he asked.

"Your name," he repeated. "Something to call you with. Do you have one?" gently he asked.

She appeared to be thinking but a few seconds later, a shake came from her. "I do not think so," she whispered.

"I... see." He turned around, sitting next to her as both stared at the water. He was not used to this situation. He lived among men throughout his life, the sight of a woman was rare. What should I do, he questioned himself. He glanced at her, wondering if she know what to do but knowing him, if he was not used to the presence of woman, she might not be used to the presence of a man. And he was a man.

And like the tale of a bee and a flower, he was obviously attracted to her. Closing his eyes to think, Kuran found out that he was able to think clearly while sitting by the river bank. Everything was quiet, the sounds he heard came from the river flowing and the chirping of birds. He was in peace, slowly curving a smile. He opened his eyes and turned to her before introducing himself. "My name is Kuran."

"Kuran?" she asked. He nodded.

Shyly, he told her. "I understand that this is our first meeting and I don't know what to say besides telling you that my name is Kuran," he started. "But... I am not sure how to say this but when I first saw you a moment ago, I... I was instantly attracted to you. I think if I return to where my home is, I will never find you here any more. Honestly, when I saw you, I actually followed my instincts. If I leave after this, I may not be able to see you again."

"Really?" she said.

Kuran nodded as he blushed red. "Furthermore, I am on the search for a suitable mate. The Great Elder thought it will be the perfect time for me to settle down, find a mate and start a family. Although, like I said earlier, this is awkward since it's our first meeting but–" he paused, staring at her beautiful face made him lost for words. "I... I..." he stammered.

"You want me to follow you and become your mate?" she clarified.

A pregnant pause followed and Kuran quickly bowed down in shame. "I'm sorry! This is too soon! Ignore whatever I said, I think I'm becoming mad."

Instead of a scolding from her, he heard a soft giggle and looked up. "Actually, there is a legend that says: Not a man nor a woman could find this secret place unless he's the chosen one. You followed your instincts and you found my secret place. Don't you think you are the chosen one said in the legend? Could you perhaps be my destiny?" she said, staring at him with her eyes and a smile. "My love?" she said.

"I... I could be."

A hand slowly moved and touch his hand. "Then, I will be glad to go to wherever you may be. Forever–"

"–And ever." Kuran took and kissed her hands. "Thank you."

Kuran took her to his home located at the other side of the forest. His home was not large, it was enough for a small family, perfect for Kuran and his new found love. He lived there alone, no longer staying with his group of men as the house was a present from the Great Elder. After marrying his love, he soon became the leader of a vampire faction, fighting against the opposing factions, winning each wars ordered by both sides. As time passed, Kuran was called by the Great Elder to receive a special news. His love came with him as they listened to the Great Elder's strong, wise words.

"Do you know why I called you here, Kuran?"

Kuran shook his head and slightly bowed. "I do not know, Great Elder."

The Great Elder proceeded to tell Kuran the reason why he was summoned. He began by asking Kuran if he remembered their first meeting. Kuran answered that he remembered and told the Great Elder that he was a small child when the Great Elder found him and asked him of his well being.

The Great Elder brought him to a settlement and Kuran remembered what he told the leader of the place. "Take care of this child as best as possible and when I come to retrieve him, I will reward you more than you can imagine. Watch what he is doing, make sure he doesn't travel elsewhere without a guard and protect him from harm."

"Consider your life as his life. If he dies, you will die under my hands." With that as his last words, the Great Elder left.

The leader nodded his understanding and took Kuran's hand, taking him inside the house. "From now on, you will stay here. You heard from the Great Elder, he wanted me to take care of you as best as possible. I do not do harm but if you're out of control, I will not hesitate, no matter what the Great Elder said, I will beat you if you go against the rules of the settlement. Understand?" the vampire said.

Kuran, who was a small child, knew nothing of what to say to the vampire. His only answer was, "Yes, sir."

"You will sleep over there," the vampire said as he pointed the room at the end of the area. "When I call for dinner, you will come out and eat. Judging by your age, you are too young to hunt, so stay here and wait until some of our people come back with a feast. You will only eat the amount I'll give you, nothing more and nothing less."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"Now, do whatever you want. I have things to do right now." The vampire left Kuran and headed toward his office. "But never leave this place without permission! If you die when I am not by your side, I will blame you even after your death, despite what the Great Elder may say. If you care about my life, then care about yours first. If you die, I will die as well. If I cannot punish you while we're living on this Earth, I will chase you into the depths of hell!"

Kuran stiffened and went to his room to sit and be quiet.

He lived there until he was a little older. When he was old enough to hunt, the leader gave him permission to join the hunt. They hunted humans, sometimes animals but the blood of humans were delicious than any other. As time passed, the leader paid little attention to Kuran's daily activities, knowing that he was capable of managing himself. He would go out and walked without destination in mind. When he had enough, he went back to the settlement.

It was until a few years later that the Great Elder came to the settlement to retrieve Kuran. He was impressed on the visible changes he saw on Kuran and gave his reward to the leader. Kuran said his goodbyes and went to stay with the Great Elder, although he never questioned one doubt in his mind. Why did the Great Elder sent him to a settlement instead of raising him? He had the strangest idea that the Great Elder was his father but the doubt was resolved when the Great Elder said he was not Kuran's father. "I do not think you even have your parents, my child."

"If I do not have my parents, how on Earth do I came to exist?"

"People just exist," the Great Elder gave his answer. "Think of the chicken and an egg. Which came first?"

"I do not know. The egg will have to come first but for an egg to be laid, the chicken must exist."

"There is no answer, are you clear now?" the Great Elder said.

Kuran nodded. "Yes, I am."

The Great Elder introduced Kuran to the other vampires under his care, some of them included the young adult vampires; Shoutou and Touma who became fast friends with Kuran. He was also introduced to the older vampires, which included Hanadagi, Ouri, Hiou and Shirabuki. Upon meeting them, Kuran realized he was the youngest of them all. He was only an adolescence vampire while the rest was older than he was. Despite that, the Great Elder placed his trust on Kuran.

"Whether you are young or old, Kuran, you will become the best if you do your best. I ask these two to guide you while you adjust yourself to this place," he said, indicating both Shoutou and Touma. "The six vampires you met today, they are the Purebloods. Today, we have seven Purebloods and the seventh is you."

Kuran's mind returned to the present as the Great Elder told him the reason. "You have found yourself a mate and you will have an offspring from your union."

Kuran nodded. It was what the Great Elder told him a couple of months ago before he departed for his mission to find his true abilities. His friends, the six Purebloods had either found their mate (and trying their best to have children) or were still bachelors. Sooner of later, they would be told to find themelves a mate and get children from their union. "Yes. I have found my mate, my love. I've given her a name since she has no name."

"What name have you given her?" the Great Elder asked.

Kuran smiled before answering, "I have chosen a gentle name for her, it is Yuu."

"A beautiful name. I am glad you are able to find a suitable name for your mate. If the name suits your wife, then she will be obedient and will always love you."

"Thank you, Great Elder. Now that I have a wife, I must have a child, but I–"

The Great Elder calmed him and explained, "To create a living child from your union is not as easy task, son. Vampires age slowly and so, the chances to create a child varies for every couple. A human age one year after another but a vampire age slowly that several years of human years will only make one year of vampire year. How many human years to compare with your vampire age is different from one vampire to another. If you look around your surroundings, some of them are only a few decades old as vampires but their human age are passing very quickly. In reality, some of them might have been 3000 years old if you count using human years but they are young if you judge by their appearances."

Kuran raised his hands to cover his lips before saying, "Does that mean it will take me and Yuu a few years, or decades or even centuries to create a child?"

"Yes. It is not only because vampires age slowly but mainly because we are not suitable to create children at all. Our blood is frozen, we are cold-blooded creatures and each attempt for a child may lead to failures," the Great Elder said although he mentally explained further to Kuran about the details of reproduction. "But there are some successful ones, one in every period of time. Their achievements gave hope to all who wished to bear a child. Maybe as time passes, vampires will find a way to increase the number of our own kind."

"I see," Kuran said and sighed, before smiling at Yuu. "We'll try our best then. However, that isn't the reason why you called me."

"Indeed. That is not the reason why I called for you. It is something of your favour I wanted to ask. Are you willing to accept my request?"

"It depends on what kind of request you are asking of me. If it is reasonable for me, I will consider it but if not, I will think about it first."

The Great Elder was proud of the child, he was no longer the one he first met in those years, Kuran changed for the better. "You are the leader of your faction, Kuran. You have won against every war you led, making your enemies feared you while your supporters continue to believe in your strength to lead them. The vampires are increasing but they are fighting against one another, I think it is about time vampires have a leader of their own. We have factions leaders, but everyone has agreed that we all need one leader that will unite our vampire race. After much consideration, we have chosen you."

"Me, sir?" Kuran asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Will you become the King of Vampires and lead all of us?" the Great Elder dropped to his knees and asked Kuran while holding his hands. "You are young, Kuran," he said and continued, "but if you try your best, you will become the best. Remember my words, my child, remember. The decision is not made among those who have powers but the people have chosen you. They has given you the trust to become their king, their leader."

Kuran was speechless. "I am young and I do not know anything. It is true that I have won against the wars but how would I know if I am able to rule the vampires without them ruling over me? I trust them but some vampires will try to manipulate me and take the power. If I am unable to rule, I will become the weakness. How can you place such huge trust on me?" he asked.

"We trust you, Kuran," said Shoutou, voicing out his opinion. "We hope you accept our request and become the King of Vampires because all of us trust you. We chose you not because you're the youngest Pureblood but because you are capable to unite the vampires to become one. There will be some complications but everyone here will do their best to do the best of their capabilities. We will be behind your back, standing to support you."

"Everyone..."

"But the most important person to support you is none other than your wife, Kuran." The Great Elder turned to Yuu and said, "Yuu-sama, not only we trust Kuran but we also trust you. Kuran needs your support, without you, he may as well fall behind and lose everything. I am sure that the heart of a woman will heal the heart of her husband."

Yuu looked at Kuran, touching his sleeves. "I understand," she told him, smiling as she gave her consent. I told you, wherever you go, I would follow.

Kuran pulled her for a hug and whispered, "I suppose I will do it."

"Yes." She said and returned his hug. "Yes, indeed."

Thus, not only Kuran found a mate to keep him company for the rest of his life, he was crowned the King of Vampires but...

"What do you mean I cannot become a queen?" Yuu cried in surprise when he said she would not become his Queen. "You are the King of Vampires, therefore you need a queen and I am your wife! It is my right to be crowned as your Queen and sit next to you at your throne!"

Kuran chuckled at her outburst and quickly explained, "It is not that, Yuu. You are my Queen but the title makes you feel old, in my humble opinion. I much prefer to call you my Princess instead of my Queen, but you are my Queen, the one and only."

"Eh?" Yuu questioned him in surprise. "You're saying I am old if I'm called the Queen? How could you say that to me, Kuran!" she scolded him. "If I know this is how you think of me, I wouldn't have wasted time awkwardly talking to you when we first met!" she sat at one corner, pouting. "And the whole talk about destiny and the chosen one," she mumbled, annoyed with him.

The corners of Kuran's mouth curved as he smiled. "So this is how you scold me when I annoy you, eh?" he teased, quickly hugging her from behind. "Love, listen to me. When I first saw you at the river bank, you know what I thought of you? I saw a female vampire but I'm not sure whether she's a woman or a girl. You were not an adult yet but you were no longer a child," he told her, taking her hand to kiss her palm. "I have nothing against the title of the Queen, but even right now, you are not yet an adult but you are no longer a child, and the title of a Princess fits you."

"I am young in your point of view?" Yuu asked him, leaning close to her husband as he played with her hand. "I am your Queen but you'll call me your Princess?" when he lightly bit her fingers, she yelped but it was not of pain, it was of pleasure. Slowly, she removed her hand from his grasp and turned to face him. "Kuran, I love you."

"I love you, too." He brushed his lips against hers and she enjoyed every moment of their passionate kiss.

As the pleasure increased between the two of them, Kuran found himself lying on his back with Yuu straddling him. She unbuttoned his shirt as her eyes began to fill with lust. Once she's done, she rubbed her open palms against his chest and licked her lips to increase his desire for her. With husky voice, she said, "Can we try for a child, my love?"

"I don't mind, my dear," he told her, lifting himself with his elbows to kiss her. His wife. "The Great Elder did say we have to try a lot of times before we get ourselves with an offspring. Vampires have a complex way to reproduce, we use our energy to bond and in that attempt, a child may be created."

"And your arousal serves no purpose at all?" she teased him and laughed when she saw his changed expression.

"That's... That's different!" he cried, trying to cover his embarrassment but failing at the process as Yuu pushed him back to the bed.

She smiled before kissing his lips. "I am kidding, my love. I love you and your body, as well as this," she said, holding his rigid arousal as he tried to restrain himself from taking over their love making. "I know you're trying your best to constraint yourself from taking over our passionate play, but I want to be in charge, please."

"I'm trying to let you take the lead, so!" he cried aloud before saying. "Take me already!"

She brushed her hands along his cheeks and said, "Thank you, my boy."

XxXxX

Kuran's flight brought him to his home as he intended to visit his wife and like Shoutou told him earlier, to receive her last kiss before he depart for war. Opening the door, he expected Yuu and their daughter, Hana to be at home but to his surprise, nobody was there.

"Yuu?" he called for his wife, stepping inside the house. "Hana? Where are you two?" he asked. He searched the entire house for his wife and child's presence buth both were not in any of the rooms. He walked toward the door and said to himself, "Perhaps they went out to buy some things? Yuu always do that and Hana likes to follow her mother wherever she go. Oh well, I have to go back to the base, I'll search for them later. Yuu is always fine, she told me so!" he said, leaving the house.

However, little did Kuran know that his choice to search for his family at a later time became the ultimate cause to his complete breakdown.

If only I searched for her earlier, none of this would happen! Now... I already lost her.

XxXxX

(TBC)

XxXxX

A/N: It turns out that the second part of this chapter will continue in the next chapter. I never thought this chapter will be so long, guess the past is no small matter to Kaname at all. It's a big matter to him as he's the Ancestor of Kuran and I intended to use all I have to develop what happened in the past that'll affect him in the present. The symbol I used for Kaname is guilt.

I bet you have questions, right? Some of it include; who is the Great Elder, who are the six Purebloods (and why the names are similar to the remaining Pureblood families), the difference of human years with vampire years and how vampires reproduce. Hold your questions since I'll explain it in my journal post, hopefully. One thing I can tell you at this point is, none of these facts are inside the canon! They are part of my theory – the Ancestral Past – which eventually will make people confuse. I understand if you're confused but please bear with me, even I myself is confused with certain things. Plus, the continuation of this chapter will make you more confuse. I apologize in advance.

But if you have questions besides those four, hit right on! As always, I am not good in writing smut and more or less, romance. The key point is not the romance, but Kaname's confessions, therefore read and review. I'm getting myself a short break before I continue with the tragedy of this chapter.