I am only reading the manga and only up to volume 6 so I may not get everything right, I do know that Kaname gave Zero his blood to keep him sane and that some incident with Rido cause Ichiru to be fatally injured. I know Zero's twin gave him the last of his blood before he died. I won't be using details from those parts but I will use those two bits of info because I need them. I may make a passing reference to something- I've gotten the impression that Zero was a tortured prisoner of Rido's somehow so that may be thrown in there somewhere too.
A big part of the AU here is that Yuki is actually human in my fic but she is a psychic, which is why her blood is so strong so any part about her being a vampire is here by ignored and disregarded. As I said in Kink Meme 2's summery, that story will be used heavily in this one as I used it to get some things about Hunter society down. It was more so that I could get some situation ideas written where I wouldn't forget it. Plus Zero's new look... I like the idea of him having spikes with more piercings maybe an additional tattoo or so too so that stays... Assume he's already like that here.
Edited on 8/5/16: Added about two pages of material here.
Unspoken Questions
Zero lay back on his bed, staring blankly at his ceiling while he tried to keep his mind blank. His body burned- which was nothing new but it wasn't with the usual bloodlust this time and if he wasn't careful the feeble bond between him and Kuran might catch the pureblood's attention. The tremors wracking his body were intensifying as time seemed to crawl by and there was nothing he could do to stop them. He wasn't going to be able to block the bond. He wasn't in any condition to do so now and the whole thing had hit him with no warning and no time to react when he woke to this new fire. He mused that he should get some of those glow in the dark stars to stick to his ceiling or maybe a poster. At least then he'd have something to stare at while he suffered. The silvette rolled on to his side and curled up, trying to ease some of the pain he was feeling as well as to get away from the painfully bright sunlight. His short silver spikes were already soaked with his sweat and his pale skin was flushed a light red with fever. The heat he felt was suffocating in the small room even though he knew that the room wasn't actually any warmer than normal.
Of all the bad things happening to him the teen was grateful it was Saturday morning, so he wouldn't have to worry about patrolling until later today. Even then it would be mostly just to ensure than none of the students were out of the dorm areas. Maybe he would have recovered by then, at least enough to walk the grounds. He hoped so, or someone might come looking for him- say Yuki or the Chairman- and he desperately wanted to avoid anyone who might see him like this. While it may not necessarily be considered a bad thing, he didn't want to deal with all the trouble that came with it. He wasn't ready for all the attention he would get, not yet. He needed more time. No one can know. His mind whispered, not even Yuki, who wouldn't understand but who would likely go to her father and he would.
~*O*~
Kaname shifted uncomfortably in bed, feeling like his skin was too tight but not understanding why. His neck was throbbing oddly on the left side where Zero fed from. The vampire wasn't sure what to make of this new feeling. He'd felt things from Zero before through their one way Blood Bond which wasn't unusual given the nature of their bond but this was unlike anything he'd felt before. It wasn't like the bloodlust that flared across the link and it wasn't even like the rolling waves of pain he'd felt when Zero had continued to try the tablets his body rejected. The pureblood thought of going to the other vampire to investigate what the cause was, at least that was the reason he told himself, but decided against it. He knew the taciturn prefect wouldn't want him there or any vampire around for that matter. Zero had never been friendly to him especially. From what he was feeling the last thing the smaller vampire needed was a being he hated anywhere near him.
Maybe he should tell Cross or Yuki and they could check on him. The teen wasn't fond of Cross but he put up with him. And there wasn't much Yuki couldn't get out of Zero, but then he'd have to explain how he knew something was wrong and why he cared enough to have him checked on. And while he might have been willing to tell Yuki that he had taken her place as Zero's donor to keep her safe if he had to, he wasn't anywhere near ready to acknowledge why he actually cared about the silvette. Kaname sighed with resignation and rolled on to his stomach, face buried in his pillow. There was nothing he could do that wouldn't draw unwanted attention to both of them, so he settled into as comfortable a position as he could and braced himself to wait out the heat and pain he felt from their bond.
~*O*~
Zero winced as a sharp spike of heat hit him and quickly rolled onto his knees, nails clawing the sheets into shreds. In the back of his mind, where some part of his normal self still operated under all the pain, he noted with disdain that he was making a hell of a mess he would have to clean up later but even that small part of him was being scorched out of existence leaving him trapped in his mind and body with only the heat and pain. Much of the pain was focusing into one point and the fever was reaching a new high. The hunter felt like there was fire in his blood, consuming his body until not even ashes would remain. He knew why, knew what was coming next, and he feared it, feared what it meant. But there was nothing he could do to change what was about to happen so he did the only other thing he could and buried his face into his mattress to muffle the scream he also knew would come. Even knowing what was coming he couldn't stop the scream of pain when he heard the rip but at least he'd had enough time to prepare for it. The scent of his own blood filled the room and woke a small part of his mind that noticed it with irritation. That'll be a bitch to clean. Was his last conscious thought before darkness claimed him.
~*O*~
Kaname shot out of bed gasping. He was halfway to the door before his mind caught up with what he was doing. Shoulders slumping the vampire changed course and moved to lean against the desk beside him instead of running out the door and to the Sun Dorms as he had first intended. Braced on his hands, head hanging, the pureblood stopped to think about what had just happened. A surge of pain had shot through their bond at the same time Kaname scented Zero's blood. His first instinct had been to go and check on the other- despite knowing that he'd probably end up facing the barrel of the Bloody Rose. It would almost be welcome, if only to prove to himself that nothing was wrong with Zero and he was over reacting or imagining things. However unlikely either scenario was. After several minutes of fighting against himself he finally forced himself to move back to his bed, against both his instincts and better judgment.
Why did it bother him so much? A sarcastic snort was his own reply. He knew damn well why it bothered him. At some point he'd begun to feel an affinity for the hunter. At least an affinity was all he was willing to admit to anyways. Anything more and he was putting himself in a place to get hurt. Though he had gotten through enough of the denial stage to stop blaming it on the bond and acknowledge that he was coming to appreciate the hunter's strength and resilience. And though he was certain that admiration and affinity where not the right words for what he felt, the vampire was not going to give it any other name. Kaname wasn't ready for that yet, even if he knew he couldn't hide his feelings forever. The hunter still regarded him coldly most of the time but had refrained from outright hostility after he'd accepted the fact that Kaname was going to keep him alive and sane whether he wanted it or not. Lately, Zero had been a little less cold, no where near welcoming, but more indifferent to him. It gave him hope that just maybe he could get Zero onto more friendly terms first. Then he could tell the hunter and have his feelings accepted, if not returned. It would be better than outright rejection even if it wasn't what he wanted. The heartbreak was bound to be less that way, right?
The vampire prince sighed again as he moved back into his room and lay sprawled across his bed. He was restless, disturbed by the things he couldn't explain but could clearly feel. There was nothing he could think of that would cause these things, which unsettled him further. He could try researching but given what he knew, what he'd already researched, it was likely that whatever was happening was hunter related. Unfortunately, less was known about the hunters than about the vampires due to their reticence with the peace efforts, which meant that the only two hunters in the Academy would be his only source of information. Cross would be the better option for getting information since he wanted the peace but again, he would have to present a reason for asking. The old hunter might act ditsy but it was of course just an act. If he wanted answers without exposing his reasons he'd have to ask the younger hunter and Zero would hardly be willing to talk. The best he could do for now was to wait and see how things went. He could do it. As a pureblood he had long ago learned the art of patience. Of waiting for what he wanted. This would be no different than all the times before.
He'd see the hunter later, he promised himself silently, trying to calm the restlessness he'd had since the bond had first started throbbing. There were some papers he had to deliver to Cross' office and Kaname was likely find the boy on his way there as the hunter prowled the school grounds. Contenting himself with that the pureblood tried once again to get some sleep and take advantage of the numbed pain the bond now held. Which actually bothered him more after the intense pain he'd just felt. He found himself hoping that it was nothing more than a sign that Zero was over the worst of what had happened.
~*O*~
Kaname sighed as he tucked away the papers he brought to Cross' personal office. The note left behind by the chairman both apologized and explained that he'd had to leave for an important matter concerning the hunters and asking him to leave the folder in the top drawer of his desk. It said nothing more than that and it wasn't his place to pry into hunter business. The pureblood's steps were slower than normal since he still ached from the episode with Zero's bond to him earlier. Kaname felt like the ache should have left him by now, but when he thought about it- it had been a while since the last time Zero had fed. And by the strength of the scent of his blood earlier, Kaname guessed that he'd been badly injured in some way. That meant that the wounds were more likely to linger and that they were both going to hurt until they were completely healed.
Speaking of Zero, he hadn't seen the boy since... Well, now actually. Kaname blinked as he halted in front of a stunned and blushing hunter. Immediately he had to tramp down on the irritating fluttering he felt at the sight. Now was not the time and he still wasn't ready to face the facts that fluttering indicated. Instead he focused on the hunter, looking him over and judging the younger male's mood, which was never a simple task given the glares, scowls and frowns typically on the teen's face. The blush was new though, and not only greatly appreciated for the change but a lovely sight to behold.
Zero could have kicked the pureblood from his embarrassment and laughed at the vampire's pain at that point. The bastard was staring at him and Zero was beginning to feel self conscious which wasn't something he was used to feeling. It was just the intense way Kaname's eyes locked onto him that brought out the feeling. It was damned unnerving and he didn't understand it at all. He hadn't known anyone else was in Cross' apartment since he'd been distracted with his own thoughts and he'd left the bathroom wearing nothing more than a pair of worn gray cotton pants and the towel he was using to dry his hair. His mostly revealed body was not helping in this case. Why, he wasn't sure- Zero had never really cared who saw him before this. He and Yuki frequently bickered over the bathroom after night patrol. Though they did see each other more as siblings- even if he had harbored a crush on the girl that was still not fully gone. He supposed it had more to do with the injuries that he had which were still healing. Figuring that was the best answer he brought his attention back to the vampire in front of him. Damn it! Why is he here? And why is he still staring?
The silvette had leaped out a window from the Sun Dorms once he woke and cleaned the mess in his room. He would still have to replace the sheets for his bed and see if the mattress was still good or if that would need replaced as well. The rush here without being seen was no problem- he was a trained hunter and dodging humans was nothing compared to vampires. He would have liked to get the blood off him sooner, but showering in the Dorm's public showers covered in blood was obviously a bad idea. He didn't have a suitable lie if someone saw him. Even if being covered in blood with so many vampires around was disturbing to him, it was better not to risk it. So he'd come to the chairman's knowing the man was gone until Sunday afternoon dealing with some political intrigue with the Hunter's Association.
Kaname continued to study the pale skin in front of him- seeking out any healing injuries or markings that would explain what he'd felt earlier. Even as he kept focused on his search, he couldn't help but appreciate the view he had of the soft, pale skin. He found nothing from this view and intent on his search, automatically shifted to try to look at Zero's back from where he was. Sudden movement brought his attention back to the prefect's scowling face. Once Zero had realized that the vampire in front of him was checking for injuries he'd dropped the towel over his shoulders to cover his back. The wounds back there had not fully healed, which was something the pureblood was sure to question and he had no intention of answering any of them. Even though Zero had a question too: How did he know?
"Our bond woke me this morning." Kaname stated calmly, watching closely for Zero's response. It wasn't entirely correct. Technically he hadn't been asleep yet, he had only settled into bed when the bond had alerted him to something wrong with the hunter but those details were not important at the moment. Zero had dropped the towel over his shoulders to hide something. Kaname was quick enough to gather that much, and the move had been pretty obvious. But when it came to Zero, a certain amount of finesse was required. Which meant he would have to drop the subject for now, no matter what his instincts and curiosity wanted.
Oh, right. He had known that the damned thing would warn the vampire but had forgotten about it in his haste to clean up the mess. Zero tensed slightly but quickly came up with a somewhat reasonable answer. "I tried the tablets again." He lied smoothly. It was doubtful that Kaname would believe it, but he didn't have any solid proof to call him out on the lie. Except of course, the fact that they both knew the tablets had never worked on him and it was silly to keep trying them. At this point he'd rather look silly than tell the truth. Sadly enough, he had continued to try the tablets a few times after Kaname had first fed him, not wanting to be dependent on the pureblood. He hadn't tried them again in weeks though.
Kaname did indeed know that Zero was lying to him. He'd felt the tablets through Zero back when he was still trying to convince the other to take his blood willingly and that was not what he'd felt earlier. Beyond that, the vibe he was getting from their bond was distinctly telling even if it was faint from the hunter suppressing it. But he was wise enough to tell that the violet eyed boy was not going to answer his questions so he did the only thing he could. "If you tired them again you will need blood to repair the damage..." Or at least to repair whatever damage had happened earlier that you won't tell me about.
Zero wanted to frown at that, just barely keeping himself from taking a physical step back though the vampire hadn't taken a step closer to him. He still wasn't comfortable taking blood from anyone, even if he had resigned himself to the fact that Kaname would feed him when he needed it. Even if that required using force to make Zero drink his blood. And Zero knew he needed it now, they both knew it, so fighting was pointless now. Not that it had ever stopped him from fighting before but this time he was in a far more difficult position than merely being weak or starved. So logically his only real option was to comply. However, his back was still too exposed for his tastes. "Fine. But I need to get a shirt first." He moved to walk by the other and was relieved when Kaname shifted to let him by without comment. Allowing him to dart into the room the vampire was standing next to and close the door quickly while he slipped a shirt on and mentally tried to prepare himself for what he was going to do.
~*O*~
Kaname faced Zero from the opposite side of the room the boy slept in when he stayed at Cross'. The teen now wore a thin white sleeping tank with the cotton pants. The shirt looked to be of the same worn cotton, giving the impression that they were used frequently. It was an odd thing to notice, even odder was the thought that he was certain the teen slept in traditional sleepwear. In fact he was uncomfortably certain this was so. Why the change? He wondered, before bringing his mind back as Zero shifted his weight. He kept his body relaxed and his aura non-threatening, not wanting to spook the hunter that was always so skittish when they did this. The paler vampire approached him gingerly, acting almost as if he were the one about to be bitten instead of the one who was going to be biting. It would have been amusing to Kaname, if he wasn't working so hard to get Zero used to the act. For all the prefect's courage in every other situation, he faltered when a vampire's bite was involved.
The silvette tentatively lifted his hands to rest them on the brunette's shoulders, gripping lightly to brace himself more than to hold Kaname in place. Part of it was instinctual even if he didn't really recognize it as such. Kaname tipped his head slightly to help the other out, silently encouraging Zero to take what he needed from him. Since it was a night without classes he was wearing one of his dark button up shirts with a low collar which allowed easier access in this case. Thankfully Zero had gotten a bit gentler with his biting, though he didn't do much beyond the initial lick to prepare the area before sinking in his fangs. He still had to suppress the shiver that went through him when Zero touched the area and his breath ghosted across his skin.
Kaname gasped when the slightly smaller vampire's fangs pierced his skin, trying to keep it quiet and not trigger any kind of reaction Zero wasn't ready to deal with. His hands raised to rest on the slender hips so close to his own to steady himself before he could stop them but thankfully Zero didn't seem to mind. Part of him wanted to hold the hunter close to him but he didn't dare to, keeping his hands right where they were. Both because he knew the silvette would react badly to his back being touched and because he just would not react well to the proximity period. Even Yuki was occasionally pushed away when she tried to get physically close to Zero and she was far closer to the silvette than he was. Kaname had spent too much time getting Zero comfortable with him to screw it up now.
Zero carefully took what he needed and stepped back after cleaning the area. Just because he needed to feed didn't mean he had to be viscous about it and after the first few times where Kaname had used violence to force him to take his blood, Zero had tried to be more considerate about his taking. It took a lot of self control for Kaname not to shiver again while Zero cleaned his neck but he managed somehow. Barely. The pureblood dropped his hands quickly when the other shifted away, not wanting to make him nervous by holding on even though he desperately wanted to. Zero shyly meet his eyes and looked like he wanted to fidget, though he valiantly remained still.
"Thanks Kuran." The hunter meant it, his back was already healing the rest of the way and the residue pain was gone. He knew that in a short while there would be no indication at all of what had happened. He felt better with the surge of strength from the feeding but he also felt heavy, his body telling him that it needed to rest properly to recover fully from his ordeal.
"Anytime." Kaname promised softly. Zero could tell by the look in Kaname's eyes that he meant that too. A slight blush colored his face at all that wasn't being said between them and with a small soft smile, Kaname gracefully left him alone in his room. The pureblood felt much better knowing Zero was well again. A feeling that was amplified by the fact the he was the one that had made that possible. The lingering pain he felt from their bond was no longer there, replaced by a sense of peace and tiredness. He figured they both needed to rest now and went back to his room to do just that now that the bond was no longer screaming at him to do something.
Zero stood alone with his thoughts for several moments before he moved to shut the door and settled comfortably into his bed. It'd been a while since he'd used this room but he didn't feel like going back to his, possibly unusable, dorm room. When he woke he was going to have to get back to fixing things up so he could go on as if nothing had happened but for not he didn't want to think about it. Sleep claimed him quickly without any complaint from him.
~*O*~
Okay, first chapter done. Yay! Sorry if the ending was a bit abrupt but I hit a writer's block and wanted to get this posted...