"Kaname," Takuma Ichijo said, sitting on the edge of said pureblood's desk, "What were you thinking?" Kaname in response messaged his temples.
Takuma's green eyes narrowed slightly as he frowned, "They all smelled his spilled blood, Kaname. We all did." He then shook his bangs out of his face, crossing his legs, "It was me who told them to ignore it."
Kaname gave an exasperated breath, "And for that, I thank you, Takuma. It might have been a mess if Aidou had intruded on my plan in progress."
Takuma seemed interested now, "Your plan? What does biting Zero have to do with anything? In fact, I can't believe you got away with it; well, you know, before he threw you out your window." The intuitive blonde gave a soft chuckle at that. "You must have had your guard down for him to do that."
Kaname had stopped rubbing his temples by this time, and had taken the glass Takuma had offered him earlier, and downing it. "My plan has nothing to do with you." After he finished, he licked his lips before continuing, red wine eyes narrowed, "I did hypnotize him in order to proceed; and though I expected him to retaliate in some way..."
"Throwing me out my window was something I could not have expected."
Takuma nodded thoughtfully, getting himself a glass off the trolley that he brought into Kaname's room, and he took a dainty sip, "Hm... are you sure you don't want to discuss this plan of yours, Kaname? It's always good to have a second opinion, you know."
The pureblood prince found himself thrumming his fingers on his desk again; considering Takuma's words. "Well... Zero said he had -somewhat- come to terms with what he is, and that it cannot be changed." He glanced up at his childhood friend, "He also seems to be questioning whether or not the Association is justified in their beliefs." There was a chuckle before the explanation continued.
"He asked me why the Night Class hated him; if it was because he was a Hunter turned vampire." Kaname paused as he prepared another glass.
Takuma looked at Kaname curiously, "If we hated him for that reason? Well, I can't say I hate him... in fact, I don't feel anything towards him. Though I have to agree the way the others treat him isn't right." He frowned then, his vibrant green orbs darkening, "Although, his attitude doesn't score him any points."
Kaname allowed a small smirk to grace his features, "Exactly what I told him. I also mentioned his disrespect toward me; how it gets on your nerves." Takuma chuckled, "Hm. Yes, that definitely is a big part of the situation, Kaname."
There was a relaxing silence as both vampires nursed their drinks, before Kaname continued.
"I plan on helping him whether he wants it or not. He will never be happy if he does not completely come to terms with everything; and realizes that he should not let the Association define who and what we are." Takuma nodded thoughtfully, watching the prince carefully before he asked.
"What would you like me to do then, Kaname?"
Truthfully, there was only one thing that Takuma could do at this point in time:
"Keep Aidou and the others under control."
"... understood, Kaname."
Immediately after returning to the boys' Sun Dorm, Zero ran upstairs to his room and got into the shower; wanting to wash away the feel of Kaname, his scent and his touch.
"Damn it... that bastard..." the Hunter choked as he stood under the steady stream of hot water. He growled lowly before he slammed his fist against the wall. "Why does he have to be right?! Damn it!"
After he'd calmed down enough, he scrubbed up about 2 or 3 times, and got out after the water turned cold.
He hardly felt better after he was dry and dressed in clean night clothes. All he did was lay on his bed and stare at the ceiling; thoughts of what had transpired that evening haunting him.
"Damn it," he whispered; biting down hard enough on his lower lip to draw blood. He was slightly disgusted when his tongue acted on its own and licked up any stray droplets of crimson.
He shuddered and rolled over on his side, thinking about how it had felt... for Kaname to drink from him.
'It... he didn't have any right! But... I...' Zero closed his eyes at his inner musings, 'I... it felt... it didn't feel wrong. It didn't hurt... but it felt...' He opened his eyes as his right hand once again, of its own accord, raised to his Hunter's tattoo, where Kaname had bit him, and rubbed gently.
"Good." He whispered softly. "It was... different than I could have expected. Doesn't mean he should have done it.." Zero groaned in frustration, "Damn it all to hell! Why does he want to help me in that way?"
Zero exhaled, before glancing out his window where beams of moonlight lit up his dark room. "Kaname..." he whispered; suddenly not just remembering the uninvited bite, but the kiss also.
A faint blush colored his pale cheeks; two fingers raising to touch his lips. 'I was so caught up in him biting me that I completely disregarded the fact that he kissed me!' The prefect huffed in frustration; noticing that he didn't really mind that at all. "Damn you, Kaname." He whispered before rolling over again to go to sleep.
The next morning, Zero had trouble concentrating; and Yuuki wasn't helping anything either.
"Hey! Zero! Earth to Zero!" Zero was brought back from his thoughts when the petite girl continuously waved her hand in front of his face. He growled, "Damn, what Yuuki?"
She blinked in surprise, but then narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips, "Well, if you haven't noticed, Zero, class is OVER. You're usually the first one out!"
The silver-haired prefect blinked, and looked around the class room from his desk; realizing that his annoying 'sister' was indeed correct. They were the only ones left.
Yuuki let out a breath of exasperation, "You've been like this all morning, Zero." Her brow wrinkled in concern, "What's wrong?"
Zero closed his eyes and stood from his seat; his hands immediately going to his school pants pockets, "It's nothing, Yuuki," he walked past the girl, heading for the door, "Nothing for you to worry about."
And of fucking course, that would NEVER be enough to satisfy the worrisome Yuuki Cross.
Zero didn't know how -seriously, he didn't- he FINALLY got away from Yuuki, and escaped to the horse stables to see his one and only; White Lily.
He was still gasping for breath from his run when he opened the door to Lily's stall and collapsed on the hay. A surprised nicker came from the mare, as she lowered her head to mess with his hair.
The ex-human gave a soft, breathless smile, "It's... good to see you too, Lily." He drew his hand across her elegant face softly, patting her. "I'm just... I don't know. Confused, I guess; but Yuuki could never understand that..."
The horse didn't give any notion that she understood; all she did was raise her head, before laying down next to him.
That significantly raised Zero's mood, and he continued to stroke her side as he spoke more about his feelings to her.
"You know, truthfully, not all vampires are... beasts." Zero frowned in deep thought, "Not all. And the Association teaches, that as Hunters, we are to hate all vampires because of what they are... but I think they forget they are individuals as well... with their own thoughts and feelings... in the end, they can't help what they are, Lily," he breathed softly, whispering the last part, "And... neither can I."
By then, Lily seemed to have fallen asleep, and Zero smiled.
"Oh Lily... thanks for listening."
Kaname smiled as Yuuki ran up to him at the fountain later on that evening.
"Kaname-sempai!" She rushed into his arms and instinctively, his arms wrapped around her.
"It is nice to see you too, Yuuki. How are you doing?"
The girl hugged him for a bit longer before pulling back; her eyes looking disturbed. Kaname frowned, "What is it, Yuuki?"
They sat together on the fountain, and Yuuki proceeded to tell him about Zero's strange behavior that day, and how he didn't show up for duty at the crossing.
Kaname looked thoughtfully as he ran a hand through her soft strands, "Yes... I also noticed his absence. I do wonder what could be wrong with him." Yuuki shook her head lightly as she leaned into the pureblood prince. "I don't know; like I said before, he just ran from me. He really didn't want to tell me..."
Kaname nodded softly, before speaking, "He will be alright, Yuuki; but... would you like me to speak with him?" Yuuki looked uncertain at that suggestion; she knew very well how Zero felt towards Kaname especially; because he was a pureblood.
"I... I don't know if that would be a good idea, Kaname-sempai; you know how he feels... about you." Kaname gave the young girl a squeeze, before releasing her completely and standing, "Let me handle this, Yuuki; I promise, it will be alright."
Kaname figured it would be too dangerous to call Zero out in the woods, so, after stopping by class to let Takuma know he needed to watch the rest closely, he returned to his room in the Moon Dorm and closed his eyes; concentrating his power on finding Zero.
He smirked as he finally reached him, and sent a message through the open connection. Come.
He could feel Zero's surprise and confusion, before he dropped the connection, and fixed himself a drink before he had a seat at his desk; glancing back for a second to admire the new window that was purchased to replace the shattered one.
"Hm... it actually looks better than the original," he murmured softly, taking a slow sip of the crimson liquid as he awaited Zero.
The pureblood smirked as, not even 5 minutes later, he felt Zero's aura enter the Moon Dorm and rush up the stairs. "Someone is eager, hm?" Kaname asked himself as he mentally unlocked his doors right before Zero threw them open.
The silver-haired beauty was panting; shock and confusion still apparent on his pale face as he entered the pureblood's room. "What the hell was that, Kaname? I heard you in my head!"
Kaname sighed as he took another sip, "It's from the blood exchange. The connection does not really work like that, but my powers pick up the slack, Zero."
Zero rolled his eye, "Oh, I see." He walked further into the pureblood's room and had a seat across from the pureblood, crossing his arms in annoyance. "Well, whatever the case, what did you call me here for?"
Kaname watched the Hunter closely as he sloshed the red liquid about the glass. Well, he supposed that it was now or nothing.
"The fact that you are coming to terms with your own thoughts about vampires, Zero. I wanted to speak with you about it; and help you."
Zero rolled his neck and then his shoulders, "There's nothing to discuss, Kaname. I really do feel that... the Association's belief that 'all vampires are bad and we are Hunters so we need to hate them' isn't completely justified. Not all vampires are bad -I've witnessed that myself- and at the end of the day, it's not like you and the rest of the vampire race can help what you are. Though, I didn't appreciate you taking from me without my permission."
Kaname chuckled softly, "You liked it, though." It was clearly not a question.
Zero growled, "Yeah and what if I did?! You STILL need to ask! And.. and... and what was that damn kiss about?"
The room was quiet; yes, it seemed as if the prince had forgotten about that himself. "Oh..." Kaname cleared his throat, "Well, to be honest with you, I harbor feelings for you that I do not completely understand myself." He looked directly into shocked lavender eyes, "That... is what that kiss was."
Zero was at a total loss for words; and Kaname expected no less. Hell, he hadn't even planned on bringing up that subject with the stubborn Hunter. He wouldn't have even brought it up.
Oh well.
Can't be helped now.
During the lengthy silence, Kaname drained his glass, wishing he had more. The fact that Zero had yet to speak was starting to bother him; but he figured he should be gratefully. For the fact the Hunter had not started yelling, ran out the room or...
Thrown him out the window again.
Which, from then on, Kaname was going to be prepared for things like that. Apparently, when it came to anger, Zero had no restraint.
Finally, very softly, Zero spoke; his cheeks tinted a light flush of pink, "Well... I guess it's not completely inconceivable." Kaname let out a light chuckle at Zero's choice of words; not completely inconceivable indeed.
"Well, I do not suspect you want to get friendly just because you feel as if not all vampires deserve to have the reputation we have." Kaname stated, shrugging his shoulders. "Although," he murmured, a dark smirk crossed his features, "If you do not mind, I would love to indulge you."
Zero smirked easily, "Not in this lifetime, Kaname; that's not a game you want to play with me."
The pureblood prince examined the smirk on the Hunter's face, deciding that it looked really good on him, before replying, "I do not believe that you realize who you are speaking to here. I am a master of games, Zero."
Zero had relaxed, but then he crossed his arms again, raising an eyebrow, "Sex is not a game of chess, Kaname; it's not the same."
Kaname's eyes narrowed, but then he gave a dark chuckle that resonated through out the room, "Oh, do not be a fool, Zero; it is all the same in the end. Every move can be calculated; you just have to know your opponent."
The ex-human tapped his foot on the ground thoughtfully, "And so... you think you know me well enough to play this game?"
Kaname conceded, "I know your character. I know you will wish to be dominant, but I am afraid it work that way with me."
Zero raised an eyebrow, "Oh you think so? Well, I can tell you right now, Kuran; that if you want to dominate me, then you'll have to fight." Slowly, he allowed a seductive look overcome his sharp features, and his eyes lidded before he continued, "You'll have to fight if you want to have control over me. It won't be easy."
All was still for a moment while Kaname considered this before giving Zero his own look that sent shivers down the Hunter's spine "Challenge accepted."
A/N: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... cliff hanger. But honestly, I had to. I already feel it's too long, even though it's probably not... anyway chapter 4 shall be the last chapter in this supposed to be 3 shot and it will be called Checkmate. It's fitting, I believe. Anyway, thank you for your reviews thus far and I hope you like this one as well! Reviews are welcome. ^^ ~Aly~
