New Year Resolution

A/N: There is a lemon, as always. And this is not a continuation for any of my works.

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New Year

A holiday that Zero was less than fond with. The hunter absolutely hated this holiday because of the 'family gatherings' that other families had. Of course he had family gatherings too. They took place in the Kiriyu cemetery.

He would go alone, all wrapped up, leaving Yuuki and Kross behind, telling them that he wanted some time alone. He brought offerings to their graves and made a prayer.

Zero would always spend at least half a day there, despite the freezing cold weather. It meant nothing compared to his chilly heart and emotions, which had refused to melt through the warmth that Yuuki or the chairman brought. He could still remember his cold reply to Yuuki…

"Don't touch me with the hand that you touched him with!"

Since that day, he had frozen his already-starting-to-melt heart. He had first thought that Yuuki would be able to help him, but no. She did not understand. He was young, the young tender age of eight, when he learned to shield himself from the harsh world.

Even so, Zero could not help but smile inwardly when he arrived back at the house. Yuuki and Kross always waited for him to come back before eating. Sometimes Yuuki would invite Kuran Kaname, but Zero never said anything abut it. It was a New Year after all; he didn't want to start it by making Yuuki cry.

After dinner, Yuuki and Kross would drag Kaname to play karuta. Zero, who had more than enough civilized contact with Kuran, would not join in.

Sometimes, Kross would take Zero, Yuuki and Kaname with him to go to the shrine. They would all pray for good fortune except Zero. Zero would pray for happiness.

But this year was different.

--

"Kaname?" Zero whispered softly. The ex-human was aware of the small jolts of hunger running through his body. He was sure that the pureblood knew too. Why else would he sneak into the hunter's room at 2 PM in the afternoon?

Zero was trying to get some rest before the New Year party at night. At least until he was rudely awoken by the painful stabs in his stomach. What a way to enjoy the New Year.

Zero could feel the pureblood in his room. Kaname's presence was very strong; stronger than many other noble class vampires. But unlike the other nobles, Kaname's presence was not dangerous. It did make him feel slightly uneasy though.

Unable to take the prickling in the back of his neck, which happened every time he was being watched by a vampire (damn instincts), Zero sat up to try and find the pureblood… only to find out that he couldn't. Somehow, in the span of two minutes, the pureblood had wrapped himself around the hunter's middle. The pressure was light, so light that the hunter did not realize.

Zero blushed. It always seemed that when the pureblood was around he was unable to control his emotions. Zero placed a hand on Kaname's hair stroking softly, not knowing if the pureblood was already asleep or pretending to be asleep. Either way, Zero didn't feel like getting up, nor did he want to remove the warm body shielding him from the cold air.

Kaname sighed into Zero's stomach, slowly and contented. The pureblood lifted his head slightly when Zero dropped his hand.

There was a pained look on Zero's face that Kaname didn't like. The pureblood leaned upwards, knowing what Zero needed. Thankfully, Zero needed less and less blood each time and his time between feedings had started to decrease. It was a sign to the pureblood that he was moving farther and farther away from being an uncontrollable ex-human with a desire for nothing but blood. Yet it also worried the pureblood. If it ever came a time when Zero would not need to depend on the rich elixir that the pureblood provided, would he leave?

Kaname didn't want to think about it. It was the one thing he feared other than Zero finally falling to a Level E and the pureblood being forced to kill him. Part of him wanted to ask the ex-human, but he was scared. Scared of Zero's reaction. Would he reject the pureblood? Or would he merely ignore him?

Zero slid his fangs in slowly and carefully. Blood flowed rich and thick into his body, driving away the bloodlust. It also caused some other, pleasurable sensations. But Zero didn't want to tell Kaname that. It would probably disgust the pureblood. And if he refused to offer blood to him after, the hunter would be in trouble. He fully depended on Kaname's existence to survive.

Truthfully, he was scared. He was always alone and now that he found someone that would help him, protect him, he was terrified that he would lose the one precious to him again. Zero didn't want to be hurt anymore; he didn't want to feel the pain alone anymore. Zero didn't want Kaname to hate him.

But at the same time, he wanted to push the pureblood away. Nothing good came out of mingling with the ex-human after all. Everyone who was associated with him always ended up betraying him or, worse, dead. First Ichiru betrayed him, then his parents died, then Touga, his own teacher, turned his back towards him.

Kaname placed two hands on the hunter's shoulders when Zero stopped drinking to ponder. He gently pushed the ex-human back when it didn't appear that he needed anymore blood. That was not a lot of blood. Kaname could not feel the flicker of bloodlust that he usually felt when the ex-human feed on him.

"I'm sorry."

Kaname looked up, startled at the apology uttered by the silver haired vampire. Lilac eyes lifted and stared into his own mahogany colored orbs. They had done this countless numbers of times, yet the ex-human had never apologized before. The fact that he was much gentler this time than all the other times made Kaname even more rattled. Zero had no reason to apologize. Kaname had come to him, knowing that he had to offer blood. Zero probably did not realize it but… the hunter was usually kind. Even when he was pointing the Bloody Rose at the pureblood, Kaname did not feel threatened.

When Zero pointed the Bloody Rose at the pureblood at Takuma's party many months ago, Kaname could feel, not anger, but sadness radiating off the hunter. It was as if… Zero knew what he was going to become and accepted the idea. Kaname would never admit it, but it hurt. He wanted to take his words back when he saw the look of complete resignation in those lilac orbs. Zero had given up on life when realization dawned that he would never be able to live a full and happy life.

Kaname was hurt by it. That look was the first time that made him see Zero, not as a pawn or as a shield to Yuuki, but as an ex-human hunter. He finally understood the loneliness and pain the hunter had to carry. It made him ashamed at what he was doing with Yuuki at that time.

Kaname understood, because the pain and loneliness was similar to the ones he used to have. Before he met Kross Yuuki and after Kuran Yuuki had vanished from the world, Kaname had to carry the heavy burden around. It constantly felt as if he held the world over his shoulder. Kaname did not wish the same fate upon anyone, no, not even the ex-human, because he understood how painful and how lonely it was. Yet he unconsciously had placed that burden on Kiriyu Zero, when he changed Kross Yuuki back to Kuran Yuuki.

Kaname was ashamed. So he did his best to remove, at least, some of the ex-human's pains. Yuuki tried as well, but she did not and could not understand his pains.

Zero was all alone in this world, with the exception of Kross Kaien, whom Zero did not consider a friend, and Kaname knew it.

No, Zero should not be the one apologizing, the pureblood thought, I should. It is my fault that you have to shoulder this weight.

"Why are you sorry?" Kaname asked softly. His neck had already stopped bleeding, but there were still droplets of blood staining it. Kaname dabbed the blood away with a napkin, frowning when he saw the state of the napkin. Did the ex-human drink at all? The napkin had a couple blotches of blood, but did not soak through the thin paper.

"Does it hurt?" Zero asked, purposefully steering away from the topic of his apology. I'm sorry for depending on you for blood; for trying to make you the place where I can relax. It's my fault you have to suffer through this…

Kaname shook his head, wondering why the ex-human avoided his question. He released his grip on the hunter's shoulders and stood up. Zero, what you don't realize is that the safest place I feel is in your arms. "I shall be taking my leave then."

"Oh," Zero said softly. Of course. Kaname must be busy. Zero didn't want to be a hindrance to the pureblood. Not after all he had offered him. The hunter was unable to stop his next question, "Will you be back?"

Kaname froze three steps away from Zero's bed. He turned around to face the blushing hunter. Zero looked away. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Why would he come back? I no longer need blood often so he shouldn't. The pureblood's reply half shocked half relieved the hunter.

"Yes. But if you need me, you know where to find me." The pureblood walked back to the hunter's side, "If you need my help, I will be there to help you."

"Why?"

Kaname put a reassuring hand on the ex-human's shoulder, feeling him tense slightly under his touch. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Zero's cheek. "Because I can." With that, he gave the ex-human's shoulder a final squeeze before letting go and walking to Zero's door. He gave the blushing hunter a smile before walking out the door.

Zero stuffed his flushed face into his pillows. Small advances like that were exchanged every now and then, but Zero never thought much of it after the first time. They were pretty much friends after all, and Zero was not familiar with vampire greetings. Perhaps it was something that was always exchanged between vampire friends. Zero had no way of knowing for sure unless he asked someone.

--

Kaname walked back to his dorm in a very cheerful mood. Zero wanted to see him again! He felt kind of stupid that he was happy about something so small but it was an improvement in their relationship. Yuuki was spending the day with the Chairman so Kaname was met with an empty room. He collapsed in his pillows and fought the urge to roll around like an idiot.

Even though it was day time, Kaname didn't feel sleepy. The thought of running to Zero's room to sleep was tempting, but Kaname didn't want to freak the ex-human out. Besides, Zero's bed was too small to fit two people…

Kaname sat up as an idea hit him full blown.

--

Zero woke up. For a minute, he wondered if he was still dreaming. The long curtains around him and the fluffy pillows did not belong to him. Zero looked down at the large fleece blankets covering him and lifted the black covers up. And he was sure that this did not belong to him either. Zero looked around to try and rack his brain for answers. Well, I fell asleep in my bed and then… Zero was sure that he had fallen asleep in his own room, so where was this place?

For a minute Zero wondered if he had been kidnapped. But then it was squashed out immediately. The kidnapper wouldn't have made the stupid mistake of leaving his Day class jacket next to him unless… Zero reached in the pocket of his jacket. His gun was still there.

Now Zero was confused as hell. No one in there right mind would leave a prisoner with a weapon. So he wasn't kidnapped. Zero sat up and looked around, recognizing some of the stuff in the room. The couch, the desk… They belonged to Kuran. Did that mean… he was in Kuran's room? Zero looked down as he heard a small shuffle of cloth. Kaname's head peeked out of the covers and his eyes opened as he sleepily murmured, "What's the time?"

Zero's jaw dropped. What the hell?

Kaname looked up to see the ex-human's confused face. Ah! He's awake. The pureblood leaned over to the desk and grabbed the clock. "Only 3 PM?" he muttered. The pureblood yawned and buried his head back into the covers, dragging the ex-human along back into the warm covers. Zero laid there for a full minute before his brain caught up with his body. HE WAS LYING IN BED WITH KURAN KANAME!!!

Zero jerked up, pulling the covers with him. Kaname flinched when the sun light hit his sensitive eyes. "Whaaaat?" the pureblood whined. When Zero did not appear to want to answer, Kaname pulled the covers back over his head.

The hunter froze. Was Kaname nude under the sheets? He wasn't wearing a shirt…

Zero was about to grab his jacket and run out the door before a hand on his wrist stopped him. The hunter tried to tug his wrist out of the iron grip, but Kaname held tightly. The pureblood pulled and Zero, already quite unsettled and unbalanced, fell right onto the bed. Zero aimed to pull away, but Kaname slid an arm around the hunter's back, preventing the boy from moving.

Zero struggled for a while before giving up when Kaname did not seem to want to let go. Maybe this is something that vampire friends do too? Zero found it hard to believe. Who in their right mind would agree to their male vampire friend saying, "Hey you want to sleep together tonight?" Zero snorted with laughter and murmured, thinking that the pureblood was asleep, "Does this mean he shares blood and drags his lackeys to bed too?"

Kaname was wide awake now. Pulling himself up to Zero's ear he whispered, "Did you really think that my advances were for anyone?" In response to Zero's half-stunned face, Kaname continued, "Blood sharing is a very sacred act, Zero, in vampire culture. I wouldn't just give blood to anyone. After I shared blood with you, I've gotten more and more entranced by you. That is why I continued to give my blood to you. As for sharing the bed, I couldn't sleep and your bed was too small."

"Too small…?" Zero said slowly.

"For two people to sleep in and for… this," Kaname said leaning down slightly staring to kiss the hunter's neck. Zero tried to move backwards, but Kaname changed his grip to the hunter's shoulders. Zero's eyes widened when Kaname refused to get off, "Kuran--"

Kaname silenced and shocked the hunter by placing his lips firmly onto Zero's. The pureblood used his tongue to coax the ex-human's mouth open and then intertwined with Zero's. He brushed across the small vampire fangs lightly and purposely let his blood flow into the hunter. Zero guided Kaname's tongue into his mouth and sucked, drinking Kaname's blood through his tongue. The pureblood moaned softly as Zero brushed his fangs over the sensitive wounds.

Zero seemed to snap out of his little daze when he heard the pureblood. He jerked backwards gasping, "What the hell was that?!"

"That? That was a kiss while sharing blood."

"I know that!" Zero snapped back, "But why?!"

"Oh? You still don't understand?" Kaname asked playfully. He pressed his body as close as he could, letting go of one shoulder to grip the hunter tightly. Zero groaned and bucked in Kaname's grip, feeling pleasure shoot through every cell in his body, "Ah!"

"You're so beautiful, I can't get enough of you," Kaname moaned, fighting the urge to shred the hunter's pants and take him there. Zero blushed deep red, while fighting to stifle his sharp cries of pleasure. Zero reached up and gripped the pureblood's hair, trying to fight an oncoming scream of release.

Zero groaned in frustration when Kaname stopped. He suddenly snapped back to reality, trying to maintain the chilly air around himself. "Kuran! What are you doing?! Stop it!"

"Oh? But why? You like it too." It was a statement, not a question. Kaname slowly undressed his lover, opening his shirt and removing his pants. Zero gasped as Kaname traced a finger slowly down his slim body. It was followed closely by the pureblood's tongue…

Zero removed his hands from the pureblood's hair and gripped the sheets tightly. He threw his head back and gave a sharp cry when Kaname slipped lower, taking him in his mouth. It felt so good, so hot when Kaname slowly applied pressure. The pureblood held his hips down so he wouldn't make any sudden movements while he was running his tongue down the hunter's length. Zero groaned in frustration when Kaname suddenly stopped.

Kaname sat up, looking for any rejection in his lover's gaze. He was met with frustrated purple orbs asking the question: why'd you stop? Kaname held the hunter's gaze and reached under the pillow pulling out a tube of lubricant. He opened it and smeared some on his hand, not breaking eye contact.

Kaname pressed a finger inside the hunter, pausing as he felt the ex-human stiffen in pain. Kaname placed feather light kisses down the hunter's jaw, trying to get Zero to relax. Zero relaxed when Kaname flicked his tongue against the sensitive skin of his neck. Kaname continued to move inside the boy, while distracting Zero with his kisses and touches.

Soon Zero was panting roughly while squirming in the pureblood's grip. Kaname deemed Zero ready and pulled his fingers out. Watching the hunter's face closely, Kaname pushed himself in as fast as he could to minimize the pain. Zero flinched, but held the pureblood's gaze.

Soon both bodies, slick with sweat and panting hard, were moving swiftly and deeply. Zero gasped and pressed harder against the pureblood as Kaname hit a sensitive place deep within his body with every thrust. Kaname groaned loudly as Zero's warmth covered him. The pureblood held the ex-human's trembling body close feeling himself come close to the edge.

Zero hissed loudly, now thankful that all the other vampires were away, as he also neared completion. The hunter gave a sharp cry of pure never-ending-bliss as he came, hard, onto both himself and the pureblood. Kaname moaned, feeling himself cum completely deep inside the body of his lover.

"You-" Zero gasped, trying to get down from the intense high, "are one- gasp- idiotic vampire. Why the hell were you- gasp- naked under your bed sheets?"

Kaname chuckled and traced a finger down Zero's body, a sign that he was ready and willing to take him again. "I wanted to be prepared," he whispered as Zero slowly calmed down. The pureblood gestured to the bottle of lubricant, "as you can see I was ready for a long time. I was waiting for you."

"You idiot!"

Alas, all good things must come to an end. At least until Kross knocked on the pureblood's door for dinner. Getting no answer, he opened it to see Kaname asleep with his arms wrapped around a certain silver-headed vampire. Moving closer to wake the two (despite how damn cute they looked together) he could smell the faint smell of… well… sex. That left no doubt in his mind about what the two were doing.

He was reluctant to wake the two, but he knew that if he let them sleep, they would be mad at him later. He woke Kaname first and Kaname only nodded to Kross' statement of, 'Dinner is ready'. Then Kross left to tell Yuuki the news.

Yuuki seemed pleased and triumphant when Kross told her. She had noticed her brother's feelings a long time ago, much longer than Kaname himself realized it. But of course, she did not wish to interfere with her brother's relationship.

--

They were at a shrine. Kross, Yuuki, Kaname and Zero were all praying, bundled up warm and bowing their heads. However, each of them prayed for different things.

Kross prayed for continued peace at Kross academy.

Yuuki prayed for her brother and Zero's happiness.

Kaname prayed for Zero; Zero would always remained by his side.

Zero prayed for Kaname; for such an irritable pureblood somehow blessed him with the knowledge and comfort of love.

Zero finished and looked up, only to see Kaname's mahogany eyes staring at him intently. The hunter smiled and took the surprised pureblood by the hand, leading him away from the shrine as he thought:

What a way to start the New Year.

--Fin--

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A/N: How was it? Read and review as usual!

I almost had to make myself write the last bit! Sorry if it's bad!