The broken and loved

Chapter 2

"Tell me about when you were young."

Stretches of yellow mixed with red, it was an illusion of peace so sickingly sweet it tainted the sky with its lies. Yet somehow, almost soothingly, the sky was swallowed with black and the moon shone the ever growing ominous demon that was nightfall. The moon swept, highlighting everything it touched with an inhuman angelic shine that illuminated the world below. But the shadows lurked not far behind, grabbing at the darkness with hunger.

The lonely ache of heartbreak was the only thing he felt, as the air he breathed was heavy and tainted. The moon seemed to ignore his cries, as it refused to illuminate his way through the darkness. Yuuki held out her hands, almost demanding that Kaname give her his broken and bruised hand. When Kaname refused, unable to lift his beaten hand, Yuuki kicked him and stepped on the abused limp.

"I love you." Kaname whispered almost to himself. His sobs filling the air, his whole body shook, but the only thing he could really feel was the sharp deafening slap of Yuuki's laughter.

Maybe it was because he was young, but he couldn't help feel attached to the only real family he knew. What was his pain compared to her happiness? Alone, Kaname contemplated what all the emotions he felt were. With his tiny back pressed against the cold stone of his bedroom wall and his arms wrapped tenderly around him, he thought of everything he didn't know and understand. Kaname held out his hands, though bruised, they were pale and strong. His fingers were slender, perhaps from lack of nourishment, but then he thought with a childish smile, Demons don't need food.

His attention was brought back to his hands; they looked tarnished, as if they were rusted from being in the rain to long. Gingerly he moved his fingers in the hand Yuuki stepped on, he winced as pain shot through them. He examined them carefully now, careful not to move, when a little red string around his slender wrist caught his eyes. Kaname gave a sad smile, suppressing a sob from escaping his throght.

Kaname thought of the few times he had been taken out of his home to vist humans. He remembered fondly yet bitterly the rainbow of balloons and the delicious blue and green cake.

Aren't birthdays filled with happiness?

Kaname's thoughts were broken by a familiar scream that he had known since his birth. Kaname smiled then. "Is it your birthday too?" his voice nothing more than a childish whisper, "I'm seven now too."

Kaname wasn't sure why he thought the being on the other side of his ominous door shared his birthday, but it made him happy to think there was someone he had a common link too. So every year he'd wish that unknown scream a birthday wish, partly because it stung his heart every year when no birthday wish was given to him.

His birthdays went quickly after that. Kaname had grown used to the abuse that Yuuki seemed to relish in. He thought no longer of Yuuki as a sister or mother. As far as Kaname was concerned, a demon didn't need a family. He did however still yearn for the warmth and affection of another being. Love, Kaname thought, was the essence of his life form, almost akin to humans and air. His growing curiosity towards the screams he had grown heavily attached to; seemed to call him, as if they cast a spell only Kaname could hear. But with that curiosity also grew his love for the unknown being.

"I'm coming for you." Kaname declared boldly on his eleventh birthday.

Kaname stood on shaky legs as he put a slender hand towards the wall in front of him. Kaname steadied himself, pale arms stung slightly form Yuuki's experiments. Kaname shook his head, trying to clear the fog that ebbed away his conscious thoughts. Gingerly he stepped to his right, careful not to bump into the strange demonic objects around him. His blood red eyes fell on the door he himself had never the courage to even touch. His fingers moved slowly, expecting to repelled by the simple object. Kaname shut his eyes as he drew a shaky breath in and opened the door.

Perhaps to his horror or relief, the door did not move. Kaname sighed, letting his body slide to the floor. Kaname looked around his room. He had grown accustomed to the harsh darkness he lived in, almost cherished it, because it meant Yuuki was no longer there to hurt him. Kaname felt like crying. "I wanted to see you. To wish you happy birthday." Kaname whispered.

"Why? What's a birthday?" a small shaking voice whispered back.

"Who? Who are you? Are you the one screaming? What are you? Is it your birthday too?" Kaname felt himself smile, despite the fact he was talking to his door.

"I… I don't know." The voice whispered back.

"You gotta know something!" Kaname almost shouted, but stopped himself in case Yuuki heard him, "My names Kaname. I'm eleven now. And I'm a demon, at least that's what she said. Today is my birthday, and I just felt it right here that it's your birthday too." Kaname smiled as he pointed to his heart.

"I can't see you." Was the only reply Kaname received.

"Oh," Kaname looked down crestfallen, "well, I feel it in my heart. I just know it's your birthday too." Kaname smiled lightly, hoping the person understood his feelings.

"My name is Zero." he whispered.

"I wish I could see you." Kaname whined. Leaning his forehead against the large steel door that separated them, he placed a hand on the door.

"Look through the keyhole." Zero whispered.

At first Kaname didn't understand, but not wanting to deniey the boy that had begun replacing the spot in his heart that Yuuki had grasped, he slowly placed a single ruby eye against the tiny key hole. Kaname smiled as he saw Zero's amethyst eye. Kaname was happy there was a door to separate him as a heavy blush covered his face. "You're pretty." Kaname whispered to himself.

"… You think?" Zero whispered back, a smile creeping into his voice.

"You heard that? You weren't supposed to hear that." Kaname blushed.

"Do you really think I'm pretty?" Zero repeated.

"…yeah. You're the prettiest person I've ever met." Kaname whispered firmly.

"Yuuki always says I'm ugly." Zero almost sobbed.

"Yuuki…." Kaname sneered, "She's wrong, she's…. trash and all she does is hurt me. I bet… she hurts you too." This time, Kaname's voice dropped to a hush.

"I love you." Was all Zero said.

Kaname swore his whole body turned red. "You love me?"

"Tell me, what's a birthday?" Zero smiled, Kaname noticed his eyes lightening, almost glowing with light as he spoke now.

"A birthday… is special. It counts the years we've been alive."

"Can it be my birthday too then?"

"Yup." Kaname nodded, feeling somewhat silly that he was nodding to a door.

"Happy Birthday Kaname."

"Zero?"

"I love you too."

I had a lot of things going on with just life in general and sever writer's bloc. But I`m getting back in to writing now. This story has been up for such a long time as just a first chapter, and I just felt that because I hold this story in such a close spot in my heart it should be the first thing I write. Forgive me for any of you that read the first chapter that came out, and read this now.

Review please, it would mean a lot. And this time I promise, UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!