"I'm back, Kaname-san, and I brought you a gift I think you might like." Kaname's uncle called as he came in the front door of the Kuran mansion. Kaname opened his bedroom door, moving to the front door at vampire speed to greet his uncle. He could smell a human, and sure enough, when he entered the foyer, there was a small boy of eight or nine standing with him.
"Welcome back, Rido-sama." Kaname greeted. He waited as one of the servants took his uncle's coat. Rido stood beside his nephew and looked at the small silver haired boy in front of them.
"He's a hunter. Shizuka murdered his family when she found out they killed her ex-human lover. I found this guy lying unconscious in a snow bank in front of the house. He might help you resist those cravings you've been having." He whispered the last comment in Kaname's ear so the boy wouldn't hear. Kaname nodded.
"Thank you, uncle." Kaname said, taking in the sight of the shaking boy.
"And I can do as I like with him?" He asked his uncle, still looking at the boy thoughtfully.
"Anything you want. I figured you'd probably want to change him, so I haven't bitten him." Rido explained.
"Just promise me one thing; that you won't let him waste away. His hunter blood makes him precious." Rido asked.
"Of course. I understand." Kaname agreed.
"Okay then. You can go get settled with him if you want." Rido dismissed.
"Thank you, Uncle." Kaname said again.
"Come." Kaname said to the boy before turning and heading for his bedroom. Zero quickly followed, not wanting to get into trouble. Kaname opened his door, stepping aside to let the youth in. Zero stepped cautiously in, head bent down as the pureblood closed the door behind them. Kaname walked around in front of the small boy and, kneeling down, lifted his chin up. He inspected his face for the first time. Zero trembled as he found himself looking straight into the eyes of his new master.
"What's your name?" Kaname asked, looking in the youth's eyes.
"Z-Zero." Zero stuttered.
"Good. You'll address me as Kaname-sama." Kaname said as he moved down, brushing the short silver hair off Zero's neck. Zero shook as Kaname sucked on his neck before finally biting down. Zero gasped at the sharp pain. Kaname made sure to only drink a little blood. If he was going to keep Zero sane, he would have to feed him after, and the more blood he took from Zero now, the hungrier the boy would be when he fed off him later. He finally released Zero's neck and licked the wounds clean. Zero's heart was racing and he was breathing erratically. Kaname straightened up slightly and held Zero's face against his own neck.
"Drink." he ordered. Zero clamped his mouth shut reluctantly. He pushed away, eyes shut tightly. Kaname raked his nails across the porcelain skin of his neck. Zero's eyes shot open at the scent of blood as he stared at the fine crimson lines. Kaname pressed the boy's face against his neck once again. This time it was much harder to resist, and Kaname soon felt small fangs pierce his skin. Zero suckled softly on the man's neck at first before he began drinking eagerly.
"That's enough." Kaname said after a minute. He'd given enough blood for the boy to transition smoothly. Zero continued drinking, oblivious to anything else.
"I said that's enough." Kaname repeated, pulling Zero off him. He cringed slightly as the tiny fangs tore his skin when they were yanked out, but he didn't care. Zero struggled in his grasp, whining like a puppy as he tried to reach Kaname's neck.
"Fine. You can lick the blood off, but no more drinking it unless I tell you." Kaname gave in, releasing the boy. Zero flung himself at the man, wrapping his arms around him as he licked the healing neck gently. Kaname wrapped a single arm around the small boy, his other hand stroking his hair comfortingly. When Zero was done, he rested his head on Kaname's shoulder. Finally, Kaname stood up, clutching the child closely. He walked across the room and laid Zero on the bed. When Kaname went to get up, Zero yanked on his shirt, whimpering softly.
"Shhh. You can sleep for a few hours before dinner." Kaname explained as he brushed Zero's cheek with his thumb soothingly. Zero's eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay awake.
"Sleep." Kaname instructed as he pried the boy's hand off his shirt, kissing his palm gently. For the second time, Kaname tried to rise, but was pulled back down. He lost his balance and almost crushed Zero as he fell, but he managed to catch him self in time, his hands planted on either side of Zero's head. Zero looked up, wide eyed at the man over him, his hand still clutching the pureblood's shirt loosely.
"Sorry." Kaname said, supporting all his weight on one arm as he rolled over, coming to rest on the far side of the bed. Zero let go of his shirt, his hands resting on his chest.
"Sorry." Zero whispered. Kaname smiled at the quiet sound of the boy's innocent voice.
"'S'okay." he dismissed.
"You should sleep. It'll take awhile for you to get accustomed to a nocturnal sleep pattern. I'll get you up in time to get ready to show up to dinner." Kaname explained. Then, remembering that Zero probably wasn't familiar with a vampire dinner, particularly a pureblood one, he went into detail.
"There will be regular food, blood wine and probably a few ex-humans." he said, a little cautious about mentioning the last part, but wanting to warn the boy so he didn't freak out.
"Okay." Zero said quietly. He closed his eyes, ready to follow the pureblood's instructions. Kaname pulled the sheets over the boy before he got up, kissing him on the forehead. Zero's eyes fluttered slightly at the movement, but remained closed.
"Sleep well. I'll be back to get you up in a few hours." Kaname said.
"Good-night, Kaname-sama." Kaname smiled to himself as he walked out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him.