Twin Fate

Disclaimer: Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino sensei

Synopsis: Zero and Ichiru are the cursed twins born to Hunters. While Ichiru is raised lovingly by his parents Zero is confined, only being let out to train to become a weapon against vampires. However everything changes when Ichiru meets Shizuka Hio. What happens when Ichiru decides to release his brother from his fate? Read to find out.

Prologue

Dust…

That is all he had become, the man that had brought an end to her perpetual boredom was now nothing but a pile of ash being carried away from her on merciless winds. The sound of the bell tied round her obi was the only sound as she knelt beside her former lover caressing the ashes as they fled.

Before him there had only been silence. Silence and a gilded cage to while away eternity, but then he was thrown to her; as prey no less and her silence was shattered. The silence had always belonged to her as the prey that was given to satiate her thirst begged and pleaded for their lives, screaming as her fangs sank into their flesh, mere noise it never lasted long. But he was different; composed and quiet he sat before her and glared. There was no fear in his eyes, no his hatred had burned all traces of fear away; he would not yield and that had caught her attention.

Instead of devouring him she decided to try and talk to him, it was just a whim but the strength of his gaze had captivated her and with it her silence was broken. She didn't hesitate to turn him into a vampire; she knew he would never forgive her but it didn't stop her. He had agreed when she had suggested to flee together, by then she suspected it was his only choice.

She soon learned how fleeting the life of a vampire could be and how easily they could be killed. What remained was all but gone and in its place was a cold fury that would only be quenched by the blood of those who had taken him from her.

As Ichiru made his way home from school a light flurry of snow began to fall, his silver hair peeked from beneath his hood as he tilted his face towards the sky to watch the falling snow. He stretched his gloved hand out to catch one of the stray flakes but was surprised when he found a sakura petal resting in his palm instead. Gazing round his amethyst eyes were captured by the sight of a lone sakura tree in bloom out of season, he began to make his way towards it but stopped when a coughing fit wracked his small body, thinking better of it he decided to investigate tomorrow and for now proceeded along the path he had previously followed.

As he continued to walk up the narrow forest path he could see the trees beginning to thin revealing a stately if not slightly worn house, it was one of the many small hide a ways that belonged to the Kiryu clan. He and his family had resided in the house for the past seven months, which by their standards was practically a life time. As he entered the house he quietly closed the door; the hall was sparsely but finely furnished but it was warm and Ichiru was grateful to be out of the cold.

His parents had offered to pick him up from school, having been at home all day preparing for their latest move but he had declined saying he was feeling al lot better recently. They were always doing that looking at him with eyes only filled with pity but worst of all was how they treated Zero.

Placing his bag on the floor he heard the hushed voices of his parents coming from the living room, pausing he edged towards the door and listened trying to find out what they were discussing this time.

"How much longer do we have to keep it?" his mother asked her voice tight with loathing.

"It's only for a few more years, we've bore it for this long and Yagari has been a great help" His father's voice was soft and placating but it had little effect.

"Yagari is too soft with that thing!" she snapped "he doesn't see it for what it truly is and Ichiru's been asking more questions lately". His father tried to reason with her "Ichiru is young he can't be expected to understand, besides Yagari has been telling him about Cross".

"Do not mention that name!" her yell echoed throughout the house.

The silence that followed was tense but brief.

It was his Fathers voice that broke it "what can I do? He pleaded "what can I do to reassure you Saika?"

Her response was barely a whisper "the vampire seal…you know it would work so why haven't you used it...if not for my sake then for Ichiru's?"

His voice was strained when he finally replied "You know why. It's still too soon, apart from a slight increase in strength and greater endurance he exhibits no other traits; we don't need to use such… drastic measures".

"Akihiro! How can you be so blind? It grows stronger by the day and Yagari only encourages it" her retort was sharp "hasn't it already caused enough suffering? It needs to be restrained!"

Ichiru had heard enough, his parents had been having the same argument for the past few weeks and he knew how it would end. His Father would yield; Ichiru was actually surprised he had managed to go against that woman's wishes for this long.

He had to warn Zero.

Backing away from the living room he made his way down the hall coming to a stop in front of a door concealed under the staircase, he tested the handle but as usual it was locked. With a resigned sigh he reached into his pocket removing a small key; his parents didn't know he had it, the last time Yagari sensei had looked after him and Zero he had given the spare key to Ichiru instructing him to use it sparingly. Ichiru knew it was risky to use the key while his parents were in the house but he needed to talk to Zero; slowly he opened the door flinching with each creek the hinges made.

The door opened to a set of stairs that led to a darkened room beneath the house, the stagnant smell of dust assaulted Ichiru's senses. His eyes adjusted to the dimply lit windowless room, the walls were bare stone and seem to absorb what little light radiated from the few scattered candles placed around the room. Though dark and depressing the room was still well organised and relatively clean, if you didn't count the half inch layer of dust that covered most surfaces.

Zero sat at a desk set against the left wall of the room, looking up from the book he held his almost lifeless amethyst eyes regained some vitality when he spotted Ichiru, however uncertainty quickly entered them "Ichiru I thought Ka san and Tou san had stayed in today?"

"They did but" he was swiftly cut off as Zero dropped his book.

"What are you thinking!" Zero hissed as he stared dumbfounded at his twin "If they catch you down here" it was Ichiru's turn to interrupt his twin.

"I don't care" his voice was low but strong "more importantly their arguing again, I don't think Tou san will be able to go against her for much longer you have to get out!"

Zero lowered his eyes focusing on the fallen book; he couldn't bring himself to look at his other half when he answered in a choked whisper.

"No"

"You know what they'll do!" Ichiru continued trying to repress his rage "what they've already done!"

Zero finally looked at his brother his eyes were sad but resigned.

Ichiru could feel unshed tears begin to prick at his eyes "Zero why do you let them treat you like this? Yagari sensei already said he would take you with him. You wouldn't have to live down here, you wouldn't have to suffer, so why? Why do you choose to stay?

If Zero was going to answer he didn't get the chance. Ichiru fell to his knees as a violent coughing fit hit, he was about to collapse to the floor when the strong arms of his older brother caught him.

"Ichiru" Zero held his younger brother as the coughs gave way to ragged breaths; he could see Ichiru's eyes grow unfocused as he slipped into unconsciousness. Steadying his brother he placed his hand on Ichiru's forehead; he was burning up. Grabbing Ichiru he made to carry him back upstairs when the sound of rushed footsteps stopped him; light flooded the small stairway as the door at the top was flung open.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" the shadowed face of his mother was the perfect picture of fury. His fear had frozen him and before he knew it Ichiru was being taken from his arms, the next thing he knew he was thrown to the floor, his cheek stung from where his mother had struck him. His father stood in front of his mother who was cradling Ichiru protectively; the dagger she had used to finish so many vampires now clasped in her free hand. Turning his back on Zero he clasped Saika's hand and relieved her of the blade "take Ichiru upstairs. I'll deal with this".

Nodding in understanding Saika gathered Ichiru in her arms and exited the room without sparing Zero a glance.

Akihiro's gaze was firm as he activated one of the many Hunter runes located around the room; the room began to glow with an eerie light as an archaic symbol appeared on the floor with Zero at its centre. He didn't try to fight as the spell took affect; his body became heavy as the invisible chains of the curse bound him.

When the curse had taken full affect his father approached him, his eyes hidden behind his silver hair so much like that of his sons. "The fact that you can be restrained like this is proof of your cursed blood". His voice was dead as he approached Zero "as a hunter this is my responsibility".

"Forgive me"

With those ominous words Zero could see the last shred of hesitation leave his father's eyes. Adrenaline flooded his veins as he watched his father run his fingers along the edge of the blade whispering a low incantation, when he was done the dagger emitted a soft purple glow concentrated at the tip of the blade.

Zero fought beside himself, his mind had already accepted what was going to happen but his body instinctively struggled against the binds that restrained him. His body became heavier as he tried to push himself up, his eyes widened and a soft gasp of pain escaped him as the invisible chains constricted forcing him back to the ground. Akihiro let him struggle he knew that Zero was not yet strong enough to break the Hunters binding spell, he knelt beside his son and patiently waited for the boy to tire; it would be easier for both of them if Zero exhausted himself.

Zero knew that if he continued to resist it would only cause more pain but he couldn't fight the overwhelming fear that rose up inside him as his father sat beside him, simply waiting. Gathering his strength with a cry he tried to rise, he could feel the chains straining, just a little more and he might be able to break them.

Any hope of that was lost when the chains sent a jolt of energy through his entire body. The pain was overwhelming as Zero collapsed to the floor, the edges of his vision were tinged black and the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth as he bit down to choke the scream that tore at his throat.

Finally he was still, barely conscious and with no energy left to fight his father finally moved. Zero followed every move his father made, his amethyst eyes tracked the glowing blade as his father lowered it to his neck, "the more you resist the more this will hurt" these were the final words his father whispered to him before he dipped the blade into the smooth flesh of Zero's neck.

The heat of the blade ate at Zero's neck even as the scream tore past his lips, even with the powerful chains of the spell holding him down he managed to squirm forcing his father to hold him down. He could feel every twist and turn of the blade as in slowly and precisely slashed through his skin, after what seemed like hours he could feel the symbol begin to take shape on the now bloody skin of his neck. With each stroke of the blade a new scream was torn from his ragged throat, he writhed on the floor as the tears traced down his face mingling with the blood that flowed freely from his neck. It was only when Akihiro began to carve the final design that he finally, mercifully passed out.

Akihiro looked down at his sons' prone form as he released the seal restraining him. The boys tear stained face was pale. He had used a hunter spell to seal the wound when he had finished but the boy had still bled; nothing spoke this fact louder than his sons once white shirt which was now dyed crimson and his own blood stained hands.

He had to keep telling himself that this was the only way, the only way to keep both his son's.

With that thought he gently lifted his son and carried him to the small bed in the corner of the room, sitting on the edge of the bed he smoothed the sweat drenched silver locks from his sons' face. Regret filled his eyes as he looked at the tattoo he had carved into Zero's neck; the Hunters seal glared back at him, an angry red against the backdrop of the boys pale skin. Sighing he quickly changed Zero out of his ruined shirt before leaving the boy to sleep. Akihiro knew that Zero would take no comfort in him still being there when he woke.

Reaching the top of the stairs he locked the door before checking to see if Saika was still with Ichiru; confirming this he took out his mobile, dialled a number and leaned against the wall as he waited for an answer.

She watched as the petals surrounding her gracefully tumbled through the air mixing with the freshly falling snow. She had been observing her prey for the past few days and had learned much about her quarry, the most interesting being their young son who she had witnessed walking to the house barely an hour past. She knew he was their son; the brief glance she had seen was all she had needed, she could smell the Hunters blood in him though it was weak, far weaker than she would expect for the son of the prestigious Kiryu clan.

She was drawn from her thoughts when a haunting scream reached her ears; the Kiryu clan continued to intrigue her. It seemed at least her revenge would be far from boring.

Author Note: Please let me know what you think. What was good about it? Wat was bad about it? I need to know