A/N: Zero here is a vampire but his need for blood isn't very well-emphasized. *sincerely apologizes* He's a bit out of character here, since he's being nice and all. Andand, Zero here IS a vampire. He does drink blood from Kaname and all, but their rather un-deep hatred towards each other is just that between a vampire and hunter, so it's not really anything to do with rival or Yuki or wtv.

If you're here and hoping for more of Yuki, I'm afraid you're in the wrong place. *dislikes Yuki* Again, sorry, I know the story's a bit messy since the POV seems to be in third person but if it does get confusing, please tell me, I'll make a mental note to be more aware of that in future.

Warning: This is Zero x Kaname. I'm sure you know that. There is implied abuse and supposedly *gulps* rape here. Sorry, but I made Ichijo the bad guy here.

Disclaimer: Yeshhh~This place is called Fanfiction for a reason. These characters do not belong to me and never will. They belong to Matsuri Hino.

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Damn it! What the hell was wrong with the Hunters Association anyway? They usually didn't give such short notices when they sent him on missions, Zero thought, and it had to be today, as he sped through the trees, approaching the clearing. He looked behind. Hell, three Level Es hot on his heels. He thrust himself forward, speeding up even more, his feet now barely touching the ground as he ran. He could feel the whoosh of wind moving past his ears, reminding him of his speed. Yes, he had to admit, his abilities had heightened due to his change into a vampire.

Where was Zero? Kaname thought, a little forlornly, he had said that he was going to come, hadn't he? No, he shouldn't have been this hopeful. Why would Zero take time off to face Asato Ichijou with him anyway? He stubbornly argued with his inner self. But Zero was bothered when he saw his…reaction at the mention of that person's coming here, hadn't he? Maybe… … just maybe he would come, he was just…a little late.

Soon, he thought, as he gave himself one last hurl and swung around gracefully, landing on first, his right foot, then his left, with a mere rustle of grass beneath his feet. He was at the clearing. Bloody Rose in hand, Zero hunched over, and charged towards the three evenly spread out Es before him.

Bang. Bang. He turned eighty degrees to the south, swiftly firing another two shots to the other vampire. Missed. One down. That vampire was fast. He heard a sneer from behind him.

Kaname raised his head up immediately, eyes widening when he heard the approaching of footsteps. He fixed his eyes on the mahogany door. The door knob turned excruciatingly slowly for Kaname. The door was pushed open. His gaze drifted to the face that had appeared. Something behind his eyes flickered, surprise was registered on his features. His tense frame, squared shoulders, stiff arms and of course, that pair of dark-coloured orbs.

It was Asato Ichijou.

Oh, shit. When had the third vampire gotten behind him? And to think he was being alert enough.

The E behind him pulled his claw back and plunged it into his thoroughly shocked prey; grinning as he felt the hunter stiffen, before wrenching the claw back out. Zero doubled over almost immediately, crumpling into a heap on his side, pressing into the soft grass. Using his free arm, Zero tried as best as he could to apply pressure against the front of his wound.

Damn, that had hurt.

Kaname was in his office, facing his former guardian, who had just entered the room. His head was spinning slightly, Ichijou was here, what about Zero…? Where was Zero when he needed him most?

"So, my dear ward, how are you? I see that you've grown up. You look so much more…calm than how you used to," Ichijo stated blatantly, obviously referring to some...things that had happened before.

"I'm fine, thank you," Kaname said curtly, refusing to acknowledge the latter part of what Ichijou said. Those were…bad memories. He couldn't afford to lose his composure in front of this man now, no, not man, beast.

"And so, the purpose of your…visit…?" Kaname inquired coldly, gesturing for his former guardian to be seated in the chair opposite him.

"Oh, nothing much, checking on your, well-being and taking a look at your environment, along with the Academy's progress. I am your former guardian after all. What's with this…attitude? Are you not touched that your former guardian is here to…visit you?" Ichijo chuckled, amused at Kaname's aloofness.

"I think it's time I brought you around the school campus, Ichijou," Kaname replied, standing up and moving around the desk, towards the door.

"Oh? But before that, maybe—

Zero turned his head just in time to see the vampire licking his blood off its claws, looking extremely pleased. He let out a feral snarl at that insult directed at him. The E merely let its arms fall to its sides and dropped into position at the intimidating sound, ready to lunge at the hunter. Zero pulled himself to his feet, ignoring the E in front of him, he spun around to shoot an advancing vampire behind him. One in the leg, while his Bloody Rose aimed straight at the E's forehead for the second shot. There, fired. He didn't even slow down to watch his enemy crumble into dust. The other one was still waiting for him. Zero braced himself and transferred his weight from one feet to another, successfully turning to face the last vampire.

Bang. Bang.

The hunter's movement never even registered in its mind. The sneer was still locked onto its face.

Pity, it didn't even get to see what killed it. Well, maybe it was better that way. A quick and painless death.

"That was for your unforgivable insolence for even touching me," Zero said, the venom dripping from his words. He watched the hateful thing crumble before him.

It ended as quickly as it started.

"—maybe we could, catch up a little on…old times?" Ichijou said, standing up and slowly but steadily approaching Kaname.

Kaname stepped backwards almost immediately, determined to put some distance between him and his former guardian.

"So, what do you think?" Ichijou smirked as he backed Kaname closer and closer to the wall opposite the door.

Kaname's eyes frantically darted to the exit over Ichijou's shoulder. Could he make it in time? No, that didn't matter, he had to try no matter what.

Zero backed into a tree trunk and quickly pulled off his jacket, peeling his shirt off.

Good, at least he had two.

Ripping the shirt apart with his teeth, he hastily wrapped the shirt around his wound, efficiently curbing the blood loss temporarily. He just had to rely on his vampire healing.

There's no time, Zero thought, frustration tearing through him as he tore off through the trees, along the path where he came from.

Wait, why couldn't he move? Kaname looked up from his shoes to where Ichijou had been standing. He was gone. He felt a warm breath at the base of his neck. Oh no, Ichijou was holding him, and he had entwined an anti-vampire charm in there too.

How had he done that? Kaname's mind was blank as he tried to tap into his powers, but to no avail. It was the same as that time…

Faster, faster, Zero thought, it's already been more than half an hour since Ichijou's expected arrival time at the school campus.

Chest heaving, Zero stopped, right in front of the school gates, all the others must be in class. Zero bent over, one hand on his chest while the other at his knee, supporting himself as he tried to catch his breath.

No time to lose, what if something went wrong? Judging by the reaction Kaname gave yesterday, something must be very wrong.

Zero straightened up and made a dash for Kaname's office.

Ichijou had wrapped his arms around his ward's waist and now rested his head on Kaname's right shoulder. Slipping his hands under Kaname's shirt, he moved his hands upwards, towards that pale and firm chest. Kaname's breath hitched, as he clenched his jaws tight, painfully, but it was nothing compared to the abject terror he felt currently. He didn't want to remember, the same hands, the same situation, it was all the same. All his senses screamed at him to push those hands away, but he was helpless, he couldn't even move his hand. Keeping one hand firmly rested against his nephew's bare chest, Ichijou slipped the other hand downwards and stopped at the buckle, preparing to slip his fingers in.

The door was flung open. Zero saw the look of abject terror etched onto Kaname's face and curled his lips in disgust. He could smell the scent of an anti-vampire charm. His penetrating glare rested on Ichijou.

Damn it! Where the hell does that creep Ichijo think his hands are?

What had Ichijou done to Kaname for that look that should never have been on any pureblood show on Kaname's face? The charm, their positions. Zero took in everything in his sight. A flash and the next moment, Zero had pulled Kaname from his former guardian's grip and was standing protectively in front of Kaname, face to face with Asato Ichijou. His Bloody Rose had been removed from its holster and was now jabbed, none too gently against Ichijou's forehead. By now, Ichijou had released the charm on Kaname in surprise at this daring…boy before him.

"So, so, who is this we have here?" Ichijou asked, cocking his head at the sudden intruder, not the slightest bit fazed by the Bloody Rose.

Zero curled his lips back and fought hard to force down the growl in his throat, which threatened to be followed by a shot at the man in front of him. He was reigning in his anger at this man, but only barely. From what he saw just now, where Ichijou's hands were placed, Kaname frozen to the spot, and Ichijou's face pressed against Kaname's neck, he could pretty much guess what happened while he wasn't around. That thing previously wrapping its arms around Kaname was the reason for Kaname's fear yesterday.

Gazing a little intently at the peculiar tattoo on Zero's neck, Ichijou raised his eyebrows and went, "I see, a level D. I have heard of a boy with lilac eyes and silver hair from Kaien Cross. I suppose this is… …Zero Kiryuu."

"Stay away from Kaname, you monster. Touch him again, and I will blow your head off right after I wipe that smirk off your face," Zero spat, unable to erase the look on Kaname's face earlier from his mind.

"Oh, really? I think this…bodyguard of yours, Kaname, will make my stay a lot more entertaining," said the bemused Ichijou. Ichijou ignored the muzzle of the gun pressed firmly against his forehead and merely shifted his head from the line of fire, then made his way to the door. "I guess our session ends here today, Kaname," Ichijou continued, before exiting the room. Those words were directed at Kaname. Zero seethed inwardly.

Momentarily remembering Kaname's presence, Zero turned to face the unmoving Kaname.

"Are you okay Kaname? God, tell me he didn't hurt you." Zero asked, concerned as he held the pureblood's shoulders.

Kaname didn't reply. He simply raised his right hand and brought it down, right across Zero's face. Caught off guard, Zero stumbled a step backwards and stared at Kaname, whose head was still lowered.

It hadn't hurt, Zero thought, surprised. Kaname had splayed his palm sortof, and it was his fingers that connected with his face before anything else. Then what was that fo—

"Because it wasn't supposed to hurt, you idiot," Kaname said, as if reading Zero's mind. "That was for coming too late," Kaname finished, finally lifting his head to meet Zero's gaze.

A wry smile broke out on Zero's face, "I'm sorry, I was held up by an urgent mission. But I came here as soon as I—" Zero didn't get a chance to finish what he was going to say. Kaname had placed his arms around Zero's shoulders and rested his face at the crook of Zero's neck. Surprised yet again by Kaname's strange action, Zero widened his eyes and hesitantly brought his arms up to catch Kaname in a comforting embrace. Kaname instinctively leaned closer to Zero, tightening his hold on Zero, as if worried that he might disappear any time.

"Kaname?" Zero murmured, softly but tentatively.

A shudder racked through Kaname's body as he spoke softly, "You didn't come. I was…worried, very worried. When he came before you did, I was scared, so scared," as if to iterate his point, Kaname tightened his arms around Zero, as if that was his only support.

"I promise it won't happen again, Kaname, I'm sorry I didn't come earlier, are you alright?" Zero asked, pulling away from Kaname to take a better look at him.

Kaname immediately crushed Zero back towards himself again, with a soft "don't move, just hold me". Zero complied and placed his hands in a protective gesture around Kaname's slightly shaking frame.

A few seconds later, Zero had swept Kaname off his feet and was now cradling Kaname to himself gently.

"I'll bring you back to your dorm," Zero answered Kaname's incomprehensive gaze.

The current Kaname in his arms was exhausted and obviously a little…traumatized, he probably didn't even have the power to stand and make his way to his dorm alone. Zero walked briskly along the corridors, taking little notice of Kaname's hands, which were currently clutching on tightly to Zero's jacket. Zero stopped outside Kaname's dorm, taking a glance at the Kaname who was curled up into a ball and sleeping soundly in his arms. Zero gave a tiny sigh. Looks like he had to go in and put Kaname in bed. Zero entered the room, taking in the overwhelming scent of "Kaname" in this room. Zero walked slowly, over to the huge bed and carefully bent over to place the fast asleep Kaname on the bed. Zero was in the middle of straightening himself when he felt a light tug on his jacket. Kaname hadn't let go of his jacket. Taking up Kaname's elegant hands, Zero tried to pry Kaname's fingers away, only to be rewarded by a whimper from Kaname and a slight tug on his jacket.

Ahh…how do I pry off his fingers and keep him asleep? Zero resignedly lay on the bed beside Kaname his head propped up by his left hand, as he gazed at the Kaname inches away from his face and recalled the day's events.

Kaname must have slept pretty badly the past few days to be able to sleep so soundly and in the presence of him, a hunter, too. Was it because of that Ichijou? Anger boiled within Zero at the thought of that vile thing. He had to calm down, yes, calm down.

Zero absent-mindedly continued staring at the sleeping Kaname. Even a pureblood had its weakest moments. It was agonizing, when he saw the look of fear on Kaname's face, no, it was unsettling to think that even this cold and normally aloof pureblood could have that kind of emotion shown so clearly on his face. And it had been in the presence of the thing that terrified Kaname the most too.

No, Zero thought fiercely, I don't ever want to see that look on Kaname's face again. I'll protect him, no matter what. Even if it was a vampire he was protecting. It didn't matter. This vulnerable Kaname was not something he ever wanted or expected to see.

Zero reached forward with his hand, brushing away a few stray locks of hair from Kaname's tranquil face, allowing his hand to rest at Kaname's jaw, tracing from the spot near his ear all the way to his chin, before sliding his hand back up to cup Kaname's cheek in his hand. This peaceful atmosphere…this sleepiness…it was contagious. Zero was starting to feel very sleepy.

Zero's head thumped softly onto the pillow as he allowed the darkness close in on his mind…

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