Jealousy

Aidou was bored. He had been bored since he entered the door of his Economics class. He liked money as well as the next vampire, but what he didn't care about was the inner workings. All he cared about was when the money was in his hand (preferably on his credit cards) not that complicated hooey. He propped his chin upon his fist and tapped his pen restlessly, keeping an eye on the clock.

The bell rang.

He filed out of the room with the rest of his classmates. He chatted genially with his cousin as he walked across the courtyard, excusing himself so he could take a bathroom break. With a sneaky smile, he waited until he heard the tardy bell, pushing the door slightly ajar to peek out. The halls were deserted. With an impish gleam in his eye, he slinked hurriedly out of the building and out into the wintry night.

He gazed up at the bejeweled night sky and inhaled a deep breath. He looked back at the stately school building, before striding across the courtyard. Usually he wouldn't take a walk on such a chilly night, but he needed to arrange his thoughts. He'd tried initiating more interaction with Zero, but it was usually met with aggravation or cold disregard bordering on hostility. It was discouraging to say the least, but he had always been tenacious.

He allowed his feet to carry him wherever, mind elsewhere as he continued pondering his situation. Before he knew it, he'd nearly meandered halfway across campus. He looked around, surprised that one of those prefects hadn't caught him.

"Well, better get back." He had barely taken two steps toward school when the enticing scent of blood tickled his nostrils. Mmm. He couldn't fight the urge; he had to follow that delicious odor. Seconds later, he appeared near the prefects' post.

Zero was helping a girl up from the ground, where she had apparently fallen. He looked at the girl's skinned and bleeding knees and to Zero, who had taken protective stance in front of her. Hmph, he inwardly snorted. Like he would want that girl's blood.

"Cutting class is against school rules, Aidou," he growled.

Aidou only smiled and took a few steps forward. Attentive cerulean eyes detected the small nearly indiscernible twitch of Zero's firing hand. Zero couldn't draw Bloody Rose in front of the girl. "I wasn't cutting class, Kiryuu-kun," he drawled lightly, "I was out for a stroll when I discovered you and your succulent little friend." He grinned charmingly at the girl peeping around Zero's shoulder. "Hello there."

The girl peeked around Zero, blushing despite feeling a tad bit wary.

"Get back to class. Now," Zero commanded stonily. God why did that little prick have to show up? He had been having such a good night.

Aidou regarded his crush for a moment. Even without drawing his gun, Zero was still intimidating. The prefect's killer glare (presently aimed in his direction) could still frighten a lesser man. Aidou however ignored the glare and sauntered closer. "Why are you always so hostile to me Kiryuu-kun?" He said, poking his bottom lip out in a mock pout. "I haven't done anything wrong." He gained some satisfaction from knowing that Zero's fuse was burning. He deeply cared for the prefect but couldn't help but annoy him (since it was the only reaction he ever warranted from the other male.)

"You cut class!" He rumbled and turned to the bespectacled girl behind him. "And you- you broke curfew just to come see your precious Idol."

Honestly, Aidou had forgotten the girl was still present, and he didn't like the way Zero's tone softened when he addressed her.

"I know you want to see Aidou up close, but it's against school regulation and you have to be disciplined," he reprimanded her. Then, he turned his attention to Aidou, arms folded, frown firmly in place. "And you--"

"Actually…" She piped up shyly, but seemed to grow more nervous when they gave her their attention. "A-actually I wasn't searching for Idol-sempai."

They both stared at the trembling girl in puzzlement. Aidou raised an eyebrow. What the hell did she mean by that? No way.

Her cheeks darkened and she tugged on one of the braids peeking out from the hood of her coat. "I-I came here for you Kiryuu-sempai." She reached a gloved hand in her pocket and pulled out a small box swathed in lavender wrapping paper.

Aidou's eyes widened then narrowed to little slits. Bitch! Jealousy burned in his belly as he watched the girl stare up at Zero with expectant cow eyes. This was unacceptable. No one should seek Zero's heart but him. He wanted to snatch the present out of her hands, shove it down her throat, and kiss Zero to let the little cow know that he was taken. He fell into fantasies about getting rid of the competition and as a result didn't hear their conversation.

Ire and jealousy burned brighter when Zero reached for the box. If Zero's hand got any nearer to that accursed gift, he was going to deep freeze that girl. A guttural growl escaped him. He started when he heard it and looked down quickly, knowing that malice etched his face.

The girl looked at him in both surprise and the beginnings of fear.

Zero shot him a deathly glare.

Aidou laughed merrily, trying to lighten the mood his outburst had created. "I was just thinking about something… um my cousin did to make me upset," he lied, all the while grinning sweetly.

Zero cast a side-glance at the human girl to gauge her reaction.

"Oh…" she said softly.

Zero bid the girl goodbye then whirled on Aidou, commanding that he follow him.

Aidou complied happily making sure he remained a few steps behind so he could get a good view of the other's physique. The school uniform jacket hid Zero's ass, but Aidou was content with staring at those broad shoulders and down to his feet. He did like them tall.

An image of the girl emerged in his mind and the felt contempt roil through him. He had to know what the girl mean to Zero, but the prefect was famously tight-lipped. Oh well, it couldn't hurt to ask.


January 25

Journal,

I took a short excursion from school today… I needed a respite from listening to Nazumi-sensei blathering on about Economics in that near insufferable monotone. I smelled blood and so naturally, I followed it and… Some silly girl gave Zero a gift, journal, a stupid gift enfolded in cheap wrapping paper. The bitch actually managed to find a color that matched his eyes! And do you know what happened? ZERO ACCEPTED! He accepted that frumpy ninny's gift.

Aidou growled throatily, noticing his loss of control only when his bedposts were encased in ice. He frowned deeply, taking in a relaxing breath and willing the ice to dissipate.

I wanted to shove that box down her throat and rip out her braids. I wanted to murder her with my bare hands journal, but alas, that would have angered Kaname-sama. I may have been experiencing the onset of malevolent intentions in jealousy but in now way am I suicidal.

Why is she interested in Zero anyway? I know it's quite apparent that he is the magnum opus of Hunter genetics especially in the department of looks. I… She wasn't even interested in Zero. I remember seeing her gush over Ichijo once. So why the sudden crush on Zero? He's mine… Well kind of. Girls are so fickle.

And Zero he…

He stopped writing, remembering the softer tone Zero used when addressing her.

He was fairly nice to her, even going so far as to protect her from me. Like I wanted her blood. Hmph. I thought it was Zero's.

He licked his lips at the thought of tasting Zero's crimson essence.

Zero looked at me as if I was some sort of monster come to prey upon his defenseless lamb. He spoke to me like I was a criminal but her… His tone it softened almost to the same timber he uses with Cross (of course I know there's nothing between them because she's in love with Kaname-sama). But this girl is… different.

A sudden thought about Zero's response to his question of if he was the girl's suitor rose into his mind. His chest tightened at the theory emerging in his psyche.

When I asked if they were dating, he just told me to mind my own business. Oh journal, what if they're a couple? That would explain how nice he was to her and why he gave a more protective vibe than usual. Have I already lost another love before I even began to pursue him? I know he dislikes me… but I cannot help my feelings for him. If he has genuine romantic affection for that girl and I push my own agenda, he'll hate me. And his hatred his something I know I wouldn't be able to endure.

He hung his head and ran a hand though his messy blonde hair.

What do I do journal?

A vivid image of Zero appeared in his mind's eye. He was alone until that girl appeared next to him. They embraced and fell into a passionate kiss before vanishing. Aidou's stomach lurched, fatigue suddenly overcoming him.

I know I may be overreacting but… Hey journal, why does my heart feel like its breaking?

"Are you okay?" Akatsuki asked, bringing the smell of soap and warm water with him as he exited the bathroom.

Aidou rolled to his side and drew the covers up to his chin, a melancholic expression on his face. He shook his head, covering his face with the thick covers.

"Did Shiki and Rima raid your pocky stash again?"

Aidou frowned and pulled the covers down from his face. "My life doesn't revolve around pocky Akatsuki. I do take other things seriously," he answered coldly. He turned his back to his cousin. Silence stretched between them.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Aidou shook his head and drew the covers up until only his tousled blonde hair remained visible. He just wanted to sleep.


A.N.: Woohoo! Another chapter. I told you it would get more serious. I wanted it to keep a light atmosphere but I just can't seem to do that. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. Review please.

TTYL ^.^