Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight.

Summary: Zero was trying all he could to forget everything about him. Yuuki's blood no longer satisfies him and the cravings are a hundred times stronger. As he once hunted the presence of Yuuki he can't help but hunt for Kaname's blood once more.

Warnings: Rated T, M for safety. Yaoi, don't like then don't read. Blood and death. Spoilers for Chapter 30 and below, if you haven't got there and wanna risk the chance that's fine with me. My story starts at the end of the chapter 30.

Pairings: Kaname/Zero mainly, Kaname/Yuuki, Zero/Yuuki

I do not accept degrading reviews of my story but I do accept constructive criticism for I'm still learning to write and I could use some people to point out mistakes that I have made or ways to make the story better. Typos are things you do not have to mention because I'm the typo queen. But don't worry… I'll check the story like 10 times fully before posting, so it won't be a typo craze!

"Kuraaaan…" Aidou whined. His cousin stared at him with boredom. "Really, when can we drink some real blood? These tablets hold nothing. No taste… no satisfaction…"

The pureblood vampire looked at Aidou nonchalantly as he swirled the wineglass gently in his hand. The blood tablet had dissolved seconds ago but it was unneeded. Kaname leaned his cheek onto his knuckles and watched the red liquid turn into a small whirlpool. He had placed three within the liquid before being interrupted by Aidou and Kain, hoping that the taste would somehow arise.

The cold substance splashed against his tongue and he grimaced. God it was horrible. No taste or warmth. Nothing worth satisfying an unimaginably hungry vampire. He placed the wineglass down and stared out the window.

The vampires in the Night Class were getting restless. Having to be around full, warm-blooded creatures before class started always stirred the hunger within them, especially if one was cut. One of them was going to go past the barrier the Chairman had created and cause a tiring havoc. Aidou was, as he long ago suspected, the first.

Kaname could last much longer without blood than the nobles of his class. But even so… it was started to get to him. His girl was bleeding often now because of her partner in the Disciplinary Committee. Every time he saw her, there were bandages and gauze wrapped around her neck or her wrists. She always waved it off saying they were accidents, and any proud vampire would know that it was a lie pushed through her teeth. Especially since he could smell her blood the minute her flesh was punctured and his body went hard with envy.

Zero Kiriyu…

A normal vampire, who was on the brink of falling into Rank E, had the weekly taste of Yuuki's blood. His girl, and it vexed Kaname to no end. His hands itched to wring Zero's neck every time they passed each other in during his short trip to the school. He wanted Zero to bleed and then drink the warm metallic blood, knowing that the taste of Yuuki would be in there somewhere.

"Aidou… behave. One day, these blood tablets will hold what you want…" Kaname was positive about that. He and a few others, tired of the artificial blood, wanted to infuse a bit of real blood within it.

Aidou murmured and slumped himself over the table. He touched his own glass and turned it into ice. "It's sickening… isn't it, Akatsuki?"

Kain idly nodded but continued to stare at Kaname. Soon, his brow began to furrow. "Kuran… Are you alright? You haven't been yourself lately…"

Kaname's shoulders stiffened slightly. Has he? He hadn't noticed. He wrinkled his nose and leaned back in the red and gold chair. The complicated artwork carved into the ceiling was all that was in his field of vision. His red eyes flickered gently, tracing the lines the best they could. Kain watched him with a raised brow.

"I haven't? I'm sorry if it's bothering you, Kain. Something has…" Kaname closed his eyes and slumped in the chair. "Become a heavy burden on my mind that's all."

Aidou stared at the pureblood then back at his cousin. His eyes then narrowed as he thought of last week. "Is it because of that abomination?" Aidou asked. "Because he made you bleed and drank it?"

Kaname turned his head to Aidou and Kain, his eyes glowing eerily. Kain ran a hand through his hair and let it rest at the base of his neck. His cousin was reckless, and he could understand the anger swelling up inside of him—it was the same inside of Kain—: Kiriyu had spilled his blood. But even so, it was best not to snarl like that. Kaname had locked himself up in his room, refusing to meet with any businessmen, or anyone else for that matter. Kain, Aidou, Seiren, and Ichijou were possibly the only few he allowed to enter his room.

Something was wrong with their prince. But Kain couldn't tell if it was Zero or Yuuki. Kaname had been ordering for immediate protection of Yuuki at night by Ichijou. Of course, Ichijou had taken the offer with a bright smile. He had grown rather fond of Yuuki. At the same time, he asked Kain to question Zero if anything weird was coming up in the lesser vampire.

Both Ichijou and Kain understood that part. If the pure blood really prolonged Zero's life, it did the same for his thirst. It was all to protect Yuuki. Every one of them noticed the bite marks on her body and was disgusted at Kiriyu. He needed to learn more self-control, other wise he'd give away their identity. Of course, they could just destroy him, but they wouldn't dare try. They knew in the back of their heads that Yuuki would throw herself between all of it and try to find a cure.

But Kaname's blood was the purest. Most likely, he was using Zero as a test subject, for no one has ever drunk his blood.

"As ghastly as that may sound, no. What Kiriyu did isn't on my mind. In fact," Kaname stood to stand behind the window that helped lock them all in.

Outside, he saw Yuuki jumping on Zero's shoulders and cheering. A ghost of a smile was on Kiriyu's irritated face. He spun around several times until Yuuki was dangling loosely on his back from the dizziness. Zero then placed her to her feet and patted her head. That smile that Kaname loved was on her face and she hugged him.

Again, he was washed over with the dangerous envy that killed thousands. His arms crossed themselves over his chest and he stared down at Zero with resentment. That boy could do so much to make his girl happy where as he could do so little. It was not what he wanted. He just wanted Yuuki to be safe, and Zero was the only one powerful enough to be there at the right time when he was not able to.

And those times were a lot.

"Kiriyu…" Kaname murmured, grasping the spot where Zero had drunk from him. It tingled slightly, "is possibly one of the last people on my mind."

Zero then looked up at Kaname. Kaname's face was expressionless while Zero's was filled with the same resentment that etched the pureblood's face not too long ago. Actually… it surpassed the bitterness that Kaname had for him. Was he upset that he had been cornered into a situation where he had to drink from a pureblood? He must've been.

He was distraught when he left, leaving Kaname drained and exhausted in his bed. Zero looked like he wanted to kill Kaname on the spot. He could've, his enemy was too powerless to stop him:

Kaname sighed as Zero placed him on the bed. Or rather, threw him onto it. Zero's lips were covered in his blood and his once lilac eyes shined bright crimson. A hand flew to his mouth and he stared down at Kaname who was sprawled over the dark comforter. His hair was matted and stuck on his sweaty skin, the punctured wounds on his neck continued to ooze blood.

Kaname's hand flew to his neck to stop the insistent flow. He panted as felt the emptiness within him grow wider and wider. Zero had taken too much blood. Dull red eyes shifted to the door. The others must've smelt his blood by now…

"Zero…" he grunted. "Get out of here…"

Zero blinked and looked at the window, his fist clenching and unclenching. Kaname closed his eyes and he tried to calm down his rushing blood and instincts. It was painful; having your blood drained from your body had more pain to it than he ever thought. He had put Ruka and others through this?

There was a click and cold metal was placed against his temple. A faint but vastly irritated smile rested on the pureblood's lips. "You still want to kill me?"

The Bloody Rose gun trembled slightly. "You know… if you kill me… it's going to be hard to calm down your new vampire instincts…"

"I'll find a way," Zero snarled.

"How?" Kaname opened his eyes half way. "Drinking the blood of Yuuki? You'll kill her eventually. She can only give you so much."

The lesser vampire's bloody eyes narrowed and he pressed the gun harder to Kaname's temple. He bared his fangs that were coated with his blood. His hand shook once more. Kaname's eyes pressed down to slits.

"Kiriyu… you know there are not that many purebloods out there anymore. Your thirst requires more than a noble's. Blood more powerful than a noble's… You'll die if you kill me as well… As soon as the effect of my blood wears off you will fall into Rank E, and there will be no turning back after that."

The silence stretched out. The gun continued to quiver before Zero's arm fell listlessly to his side.

"Wise choice…" Kaname sighed and buried his face in the comforter. "Because I would hate for Yuuki to find either of us dead. Now get out… but not through the door. You'll be torn to shreds if you do."

"I'm not stupid."

"Could've fooled me," Kaname hissed.

He wanted the boy to leave. He was starting to suffocate in the presence of him. Kiriyu drove him up the wall with irritation. Although it wasn't as bad as the Chairman, it was enough to make him want Zero to be countries away.

There was a grunt and a loud creak from his windows. Air as cold as ice brushed against his sweaty skin, but he barely felt it, for he too was as cold as the Arctic.

"Do not forget who gave you the blood Zero…" Kaname repeated.

Zero snorted before closing the French doors and jumping off the balcony.

Everyone was roaring for Zero's blood after that. He even asked the Chairman to have Yuuki beside Zero at all times. They wouldn't dare attack him if she was near him. They know the consequences for hurting his precious one. So he supposed they protected each other. And even if he didn't bring the attention to the Chairman, Yuuki was sure to have notice the hostile looks the Night Class was giving to Zero.

The vampires continued their staring contest before Zero turned her around and they walked back to the front gates with his arm around her shoulders.

"Kuran!"

Kaname snapped his head to Aidou and Kain. They'd backed away from the mahogany desk as it turned to dust and ashes as if it had been burned. The pureblood placed a hand over his face and sighed. His powers were getting out of control, as were his emotions.

"Leave me, please," he whispered.

Aidou gulped and nodded. There was a smudge of ash on his cheek and his hair was mussed up like his cousin's. They left without another word and Kaname immediately grasped the flesh where he had been bitten. It burned.

"Damn you Kiriyu…" he snarled, hearing the wineglass that he barely drank out of burst.

"Zero?" Yuuki asked as she and Zero were outside on the second floor. "Are you ok?" She brushed her fingers against his forehead then his cheeks. "You're temperature seems fine… I mean… for a… you know…"

Zero gave her a long sideway glance. She was still uncomfortable with calling him a vampire? No lie, he was reluctant to call himself the thing that he was sworn to destroy. Yet, he was the blood sucking monster. Whether he admitted it or not, it was what he was now. He sighed and swung his legs over the stoned wall.

"I'm fine, just…"

Hungry.

Zero shook his head and looked the opposite direction of Yuuki. He shut his eyes tight and willed his random hunger down. Her pulse was pleasant on his ears but painful for his heart. How could he do this to her? How in the world did he end up staying by her side, knowing the immediate consequences?

This whole vampire situation was far too out of hand. Yuuki was in danger, and so was he. He had to learn control or death would finally get a hold of the two who had escaped its clutches once before.

"Just what?"

"Just tired that's all." He cast a quick look at her like he normally would. He then turned his gaze back to the winking skies.

Yuuki giggled. "I suppose. I mean, we have to be more careful now! The Night Class has been sneaking out as much as the Day Class girls have."

Several students from the Night Class, mainly Kain, Aidou, and Ichijou, have been leaving class early and heading off to the Moon-Dormitories, and it was putting the girls in the Day Class in danger. Especially the ones Aidou found irresistibly and bloody cute. Zero's fingers gripped the stone beneath them tightly.

He knew why they were sneaking out. Kaname hasn't been to class lately. And they always did what was best for their pureblood prince. That also meant hunting down the one who had drank very sacred blood. Several times he caught the looks of hostility and bitterness thrown at him, as if the looks could kill him right on the spot.

As much as he felt them wanting to do so, they couldn't. Not while Kaname was there. Kaname only left the Moon-Dorm to see them off then back, greet Yuuki, thank her for her hospitality, stare at Zero with the most emotionless face he had ever seen, and then went back to the Dorms. As much as Zero would hate to admit it… Kaname was protecting him.

He snorted. He didn't need protection. He could handle the vampires by himself.

"Ahh… Yuuki!"

A shiver went up Zero's spine. Ichijou. Speak of one of the damned.

"Oh! Ichijou!" Yuuki left her spot and ran to the vampire who acted very much like a human sometimes.

"How nice it is to see you! How are things?"

"Fine, just fine. Not a single Day Class member for over an hour. And the Night Class seems to be ok too."

Zero rolled his eyes. They were too busy plotting a way to get his hide that's why.

"That's good. How about you, Zero…?"

Lilac eyes looked over his shoulder at the vampire whose smile did a terrible job of masking the real feelings he felt.

"What do you think?" Zero snapped.

Zero pushed himself off the balcony of the second floor and landed in a dangerous crouch on a large tree limb. He rested his back against the trunk and he closed his eyes. He could hear Yuuki degrading him from above and chuckled lightly. She seemed to love pointing out the flaws in him. He wasn't the even the least bit mad at her for doing so.

He hummed to himself lightly and rubbed the tip of his tongue on his fangs. A disgusted frown grew slowly on his face as he continued to play with them. Girls might've found elongated canines sexy and scary at the same time, but that's what led most of them dying as soon as they met someone with them and the teeth weren't fake.

A lesser vampire. How quaint.

He was once part of a prestigious clan of vampire hunters. And now he was a step closer from the most vile, dark, and uncontrollable things in the world. What would his parents think?

Zero flinched as he accidentally nicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. Great. He sucked on his tongue and waited for the metallic taste to vanish. The prefect could feel his fangs starting to lengthen and breathed heavily. It was one drop, no need to go crazy because of it.

Ba-bump.

The vampire grunted and gripped his stomach as his instincts started to call out for blood. What the hell? He loosened the tie and ripped his collar free from its buttons. The tattoo on his neck was stretched in several directions out like ivy on a wall. His hands flew to the tattoo as it and his throat started to burn.

Ba-bump.

'Damnit! They all lied to me!' he hissed inwardly.

Keep him from descending to Rank E his ass. He let out a raspy breath, feeling the cold air grow sultry. Why was he so hungry?

Ba-bump.

'I gotta get away from Yuuki…' he thought and looked up at her. She was leaning over the balcony with Ichijou, both of them laughing at something he couldn't hear. All he could hear was his blood pumping loudly in his ears.

"Zero!!" he heard her call.

Ba-bump.

Zero sunk back into the shadows and grabbed his head as it hung between his knees. The beating of a heart shattered his eardrums. He gritted his teeth and tried to decease himself from growling in frustration.

Stupid blood lust.

But…

This one felt different…This didn't feel like his usual thirst for blood. The hunger felt like it was denied its fulfillment for years. Zero got his share of blood a week ago. Hell, he didn't even feel the hunger start to grow at all. It was low. It was a hunger that he could easily ignore and forget. He almost felt… Human again.

His usual hunger grew slowly and painfully as the days went by. Tonight… it just randomly attacked him, tearing at his innards.

"Zero!" Yuuki screeched. The limb shook and small hands grabbed his face. "Zero! What's wrong? Are you… hungry?"

The blood within him picked up speed ten times faster and he resisted the urge to grasp her and hold her close as he drank from her. No… he was stronger than this.

Ba-bump…

"Zero… it's understandable… you haven't drunk any blood for over a week…" Yuuki hugged him and pat the top of his head.

Zero caught her hand tightly. His fangs bared at her wrist as if he was preparing to bite her. He brought her palm to his lips and he kissed it, scraping his fangs lightly on the tender flesh. Yuuki's heartbeat quickened. Zero started to nuzzle her hand and wrist.

Ba…bump…

The scent of her skin made him shiver and he rested his head on her shoulder. Her scent was nice. Sweet, almost like honey and chocolate. His arms wrapped themselves around her middle and he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Yuuki's heart rate just seemed to keep on rising. She knew what was going to happen.

But strangely enough… the hunger left as fast as it came.

"Yuuki," he purred, feeling the last bit of his sudden blood lust ebb away. "I'm not hungry…"

"…Are you sure?"

He nodded and pulled her into his lap. "Positive."

Yuuki's bright brown eyes twinkled at him before she rested her head on his chest. Her best friend leaned his head back and stared at the midnight blue sky with confusion. This was a very strange situation. It was unlike the hunger in him to act like this.

As he rubbed Yuuki's back, he stared at the Moon-Dorm. It was eerie and dark. Almost like the only vampire that was in there at the moment.

From a distant, a human could spot a room dimly lit up. But with Zero's vampire eyes, he saw the silhouette of the pureblood in a fire light. The curtains were parted, painted orange and continued to hang behind the French doors he once snuck out of.

Kaname was hunched over a table. As the fire flickered, he gently shook his head. He soon tilted his head back and downed liquid from a wineglass. Zero frowned. The blood tablets. Life would probably be easier if his body accepted them.

The white haired prefect buried his face in Yuuki's hair. This horrible burden of his wouldn't be on her shoulders if his body was more cooperative.

"Yuuki…" he whispered, playing with the wisps of her hair.

"Yes?" His childhood friend pulled away from him, tucking a few strands behind her ear.

His head tilted to the side. She was adorable. Always was. What with her big chocolate brown eyes, the tips of her hair curling towards her heart-shaped face, soft cheeks always covered with a light blush, and a sweet smile that was almost always nearby in his presence. He just wished that some of them weren't forced.

"What is Kaname to you?" he asked.

A ghost of a smile graced his lips as she blushed heavily and sharply turned her head.

"Well um… Didn't you ask me this before?" she stuttered, shoving herself away from him. She pulled her knees to her chest and fiddled with a dangling twig.

"Hn…" yes he did. And he knew what Kaname was to Yuuki.

A savior. A dear friend.

Her first love.

It was funny that she was all those to him.

Zero shook his head to hide the forlorn smile and he jumped down from the tree. "Come on, lets do one last round check. The Night Class is about to end, and I'd rather go to sleep knowing that I killed a vampire who nearly drank off the blood of a human girl."

He heard her huff as he started to walk away, his hands buried within his pockets. Not long after, small arms latched themselves onto his elbow and ceased his steps. A determined pout was on her face.

"Zero! You can't just kill them!! I'm sure they can resist the urge! Besides! You're basically saying were not doing a good job of protecting the Day Class and the Night Class! You're so rude!" She drew back an arm and punched his shoulder.

Of course, it didn't make him budge even an inch. He stared at her with a raised eyebrow. Yuuki's pout slowly turned into a smile.

"Just don't shoot anybody," she said, walking ahead of him, her hands linked behind her back. Eventually, she turned a corner and vanished.

Zero's shoulders shook lightly with a small laugh. The night was nearly ending and the moon was on the other side. The prefect looked up and rubbed the back of his neck. Some night. Nothing really special. Just a few jealous glares, intimidating glares, and teasing glares. Perhaps he could get some sleep after all.

However…

The hairs on the back of his neck rose high. A deep frown was plastered onto his face as his eyes narrowed down to slits. His other hand slowly went to his Bloody Rose and he waited.

Damn vampires.

"Is there something you want, Akatsuki?"

Zero looked from the corner of his eyes and spotted the wild looking vampire. His hands were pocketed and his hair was as mussed up as ever. His eyes glowed, as if he had drunk something that was delightful to his demonic tastes. A small frown was on his face as he stared at Zero with anticipation.

"I just wanted a little talk before heading back to the dorm," Kain dusted invisible lint from his shoulders.

"Talk?" Zero questioned, keeping his guard high up.

"Yes, about Kuran," the vampire took a step towards Zero. "Feeling a bit weird, Kiriyu?"

He blinked in confusion. "Weird how?"

Kain snorted. "Nothing stranger? Stronger?" Zero's hands fell limply to his side. His brow furrowed.

The vampire yawned and rubbed the back of his head. "Guess not… goody." He murmured. He walked past Zero without the slightest attention.

"What are you talking about, Akatsuki?" Zero asked. Kain merely waved over his head and continued walking to the Moon-Dorm.

Changing his countenance to that of no emotion, he watched him carefully; making sure Kain wasn't going to do anything without his knowing. Zero bit the inside of his cheek.

He wasn't about to tell him one weird incident. Where he was dying from a thirst for blood for a mere minute. Now if it was several incidents, he would've consulted it with the chairman. As much as that man irritated him, he would prefer to talk to him than seek answers in the vampires.

"Zeroooo!"

Speak of the devil.

Zero took an immediate step back as the Chairman started to run to him. He glared daggers at the man. Cross smiled sheepishly and kept his hands in his cloak.

"Shouldn't you be watching the Night Class with Yuuki? How dare you! Leaving her all by herself… poor girl!" Zero rolled his eyes at the Chairman's overdramatic attitude.

"She ran off without me. I'll be there in a minute Chairman…" Zero shrugged his shoulders and cracked his neck.

"Hm… what did Kain want?" he asked as he walked beside Zero. "I saw him talking to you."

"Nothing, just some nonsense."

"I can only hope so! Vampire's are tricky beings." The chairman laughed. The prefect stared at him then shook his head.

"By the way are you alright? It's been over a week, and I haven't heard about you craving for blood in a while."

"Things are a little different right now…"

"I see this! It's really good!"

Zero almost flinched at the hand that clapped against his shoulder. He refrained from slapping the hand away and giving Cross a look that could seriously kill.

"And self control as well? My, this-"

"Why is everyone asking me questions tonight?" Zero hissed. He buried his face in one hand as if he had a major headache.

"Something bothering you?"

"I think something's bothering them…."

The walked in silence, tiny little chattering from small nocturnal animals was all that reached their ears. Soon enough, they reached the gates to the Moon-Dorm. The Night Class was just leaving the Academy and Yuuki was looking out from any snooping girls from the Day Class.

"Well, I can't really blame them... You drank their pureblood's life nectar. It's a good thing you didn't drink all of it. You wouldn't be standing here beside me right now." Cross waved to the students who nodded and waved back nonchalantly.

Shockwaves ran through Zero's body. "How do you-"

"A little vampire told me. And the only reason they would all be riled up around you for almost a week is if you did something to their most precious star."

The vampires passed them, bidding the Chairman good-night and giving the hunter born prefect their usual upset looks. Zero resisted the urge to roll his eyes and leaned against the column.

"It's not like I planned for it…" he whispered as the last of the vampires left and the tall iron gates slammed close. "Kuran… gave me an offer that I couldn't refuse…"

"Yes… drinking his blood would stop you from descending to Rank E, prolonging your life, but like always, there are consequences." The Chairman looked up at the Moon-Dorm and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"I suggest you take a break from being a prefect, Zero."

"I can't, Yuuki won't be safe." Zero looked at Yuuki who was looking past the iron gates.

She had a look of longing as she touched the gates.

"She would never be hurt by the others as long as Kaname is alive."

The Chairman's serious face shifted to his use happy go-lucky one and he caught Yuuki in a bear hug. He exclaimed how adorable she was and how lucky he was to have her as a daughter.

As much as he would hate to admit it, Cross was right. The vampires would never intentionally hurt Yuuki as long as Kaname was in love with her. Sighing, he looked at the Moon-dorm once more. That place was always catching attention.

The Chairman's exclamations fell on deaf ears as Yuuki and Zero were too busy staring at the dormitory. Cross seemed to not notice it, because he soon bounced back to Zero and dragged him into their little circle of a family hug.

But Zero's attention was no where near the Chairman.

He was staring at Kaname again.

The pureblood's curtains were pushed aside, and the room still glowed from the light of the fireplace. He too was looking at them, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking. Not because he was far away, but because his face was stoic.

"Is everything alright, Zero?"

The white haired hunter turned vampire looked down at Yuuki. Her eyes were drooping from sleep and her cheeks were red again. He patted her head then looked back at the Moon-dorm. The curtains were closed and the light was gone.

"Yeah, everything's fine."

R&R please!