Author Notes: Things are starting to escalate and my chapters are getting longer too... Enjoy!

-- Chapter Start --

"Zero"

Even though he knew who it was once he'd seen the name displayed on his ringing cell phone, that low voice still had the power to make Zero's knees go weak. "Kaname…"

"I'm so sorry. I thought I could fly back tonight but something's come up - again" The last word contained a world of thwarted frustration and Zero's resentment melted on the spot, even though it was mixed with uneasy relief. But he didn't say anything and there was a pause now.

Zero tensed slightly, knowing that Kaname was expecting a blow up at any moment on how arrogant and callous he was for ordering Aido to feed him last night. But Zero wasn't going to say anything now. Perhaps he should have – neither he nor Aido has asked for this after all - but Zero was suddenly hoping that Kaname wouldn't bring up that subject. Not now. And not when the pureblood had other and more urgent things to take care of.

After a pause, Zero sighed soundlessly. "It's OK, Kaname, you get those things sorted out first" he said softly as he held open one side of the curtain and looked out the window of his small dorm room. "No, it's not OK" Kaname sounded a little cautious, almost as if he were treading warily, still wondering when the outburst was going to come. And a little curious on how it had gone as well. After all, Zero wasn't exactly bosom buddies with Aido. But the imminent explosion didn't occur at all. And surprisingly, Zero changed the subject. "So… when are you coming back?"

A puzzled smile graced Kaname's lips at Zero's evasiveness… perhaps he was embarrassed? Well, he would ask Zero about it face to face, when he returned. The pureblood allowed Zero to change the subject for now. "Friday night... Zero, I miss you" There was a soft yearning in his voice now and Zero's heart gave an answering throb in return. "You do?" he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

"Mmm... and I ache to make love to you, right now" Kaname's voice was still soft but rich with desire now. Relieved that he wasn't going to be questioned about his session with Aido for the moment, Zero soaked up Kaname's suggestive words and voice, both causing a delightful shiver of anticipation to course up his spine. Kaname...

"Tell me you want the same thing, Zero" Kaname's voice was too throaty now to sound commanding and Zero leaned against the wall. "I want the same thing" he parroted obediently, grinning now. It showed in his voice because the pureblood's chuckle sounded a second later. "Say it, Zero"

Then, as Zero still hesitated "Please" coaxed Kaname, his voice almost a whisper. Zero clutched his cell phone tighter as he closed his eyes against the sudden hot sting he could feel. Damn Kaname – when he used that tone of voice, Zero could promise him anything and everything. Even his pride.

"I – I want you to make love to me, Kaname" he said, aware that the pureblood knew just how much he was blushing.

- o -

Zero was slightly relieved as he walked past the lit classroom on Tuesday night. The Night Class were having their lessons now and during patrol for the past two days, he'd lost count of the number of times he'd caught a certain pair of wide blue eyes staring at him. Hanabusa Aido's eyes, to be exact. The ex-human's heart sank even lower even though he steadfastly ignored that gaze.

It had been three days since he and Aido had accidentally created their bond and since then, the noble had been acting strangely, even popping up during lunchtime in broad daylight to look for Zero. During class changeover, Aido would stare avidly at the silver haired prefect as if he were an unclothed Greek God, then when he saw that Zero had noticed, would flush and quickly look away, as if caught in the throes of a classic schoolboy crush. Alternatively, he would be openly ignoring Zero in such an obvious and disdainful manner, even going out of his way to avoid meeting him head on, that the other Night Class nobles would start asking either of them if Kiriyu had insulted Kaname Kuran in front of Aido again.

But Zero knew what the symptoms were - he had them too. He was also fighting an intense and completely illogical attraction to the playboy vampire noble. Zero knew he was just slightly better at hiding it because he knew what it was like… being blood bonded to someone you didn't like in the first place.

Zero also thought he rather knew why Aido didn't seem as good - he was pretty sure it was the younger vampire's first blood bond, and for some reason, purebloods and nobles seemed much more affected by it than ex-humans… possibly their blood being purer. Even though sometimes, Zero would find his own fingers lifted to his neck of their own violition, to the side that Aido had bitten him, just below his tattoo. If he concentrated on the faint stirrings of emotions there, he could feel… guilt… anguish… confusion… And he was familiar with those feelings because he felt them too, in his heart and in his conscience.

Zero knew he was relatively safe from behaving as strangely as Aido had, as long as he kept away from him. And it looked like that was Aido's resolve as well because the noble hadn't glanced at him even once this evening.

Just as well, because Kaname was flying back on Friday and would be arriving at his penthouse apartment around midnight. He'd requested for Zero to meet him there, since he had to fly off again to a different destination the following night. The pureblood wouldn't even have time to step into Cross Academy or even see the other nobles. In any case, he didn't want to waste a single second of the limited time he had with anyone else but Zero.

This meant that Zero would have to miss Saturday morning's classes… but he didn't care. The following two weeks would be hectic for Kaname, courtesy of a multi national deal he was trying to close. He would be overseas most of the time, calling for meetings, looking over schedules and making sure everything went as planned. So Zero understood Kaname's wish to spend as much time as they could together, because to be honest… he wanted it too. He missed that damn, arrogant, compelling, gorgeous pureblood so much. And he hoped that being with the pureblood would take his mind off his bond with Aido. The very thought of it made Zero's heartbeat quicken. This was something that had happened by mistake. It was also something that Kaname must never find out.

Ever.

- o -

An hour later, Aido finally spotted Zero standing beside the lake. The silver haired vampire was adopting his trademark Kiriyu stance – head bent slightly forward, hands resting in his uniform trouser pockets, feet apart as he stood on the bank of the lake and gazed frowningly at its still waters. It was dark, but Aido recognised that head of silvery hair immediately. And even if he didn't, the strange feeling… the strange pull in him just knew it was Zero.

Aido's steps faltered. He'd seen the ex-human hundreds of times. He'd seen the way he stood just as many times. But he'd never thought of it as being attractive or – or compelling, the way Ze – Kiriyu – just… stood. Or just… existed. He'd never thought of those things at all, except for this week. This week, he'd thought of him ceaselessly.

If Zer – Kiriyu - really knew how Aido had suffered this week… using every single curse word he knew, and then some, calling himself all sorts of an idiot for that one fatal mistake when he'd lost his cool. The young noble had deprived himself of food and sleep, trying his best to ignore the suddenly deadly attractive silver haired prefect… but in the end, it was no use.

Aido had escaped from the boring lecture just now on the pretext of going to the washroom, unable to concentrate on his lesson. But after washing his hands, he was loathe to return to class to be bored stiff again and he'd found himself walking away, deep in thought. Just a momentary lapse of his concentration and ten minutes later, here he was, far from the classrooms, far from the Moon Dorms and subconsciously looking for Ze - Kiriyu. Aido was completely unable to fight this strange, intense and insane attraction to the ex-human, and he was unable to keep away from him.

The vampire noble stopped short, his breathing accelerating even as he stared, unable to tear his eyes away from the other vampire. His wayward thoughts were making him angry again - just what the hell was wrong with him this week? He'd been so off-kilter and just plain distracted like never before. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep, hell, even the group of screaming 'Idol-sempai' screamers had somehow lost its appeal…

And it was all the fault of this ex-human. This presumptuous, bloody, irritating, gorgeous jerk – just the thought of him made a boiling surge of anger blossom in Aido's heart. It was his fault for making him feel this way… so uncertain… so nervous… so – so unwillingly attracted… and not to an attractive female which was the only way to be, at least where he was concerned, but to a guy. A guy, for crying out loud. And not just any guy, not Kaname-sama or another fellow noble, but a Level D. The only ex-human on campus. The one he disliked, even hated the most. The one who didn't even want to be a vampire in the first place. The one who always treated the Night Class and especially Kaname-sama with utter disrespect and contempt.

Yes, Ze - Kiri - Zero was a guy. And no, he was not feminine or effeminate in any way. He was an angry sullen boy with a tormented past, filled with anger issues as yet unresolved, fearless, heedless, careless. That hateful ex-human… he was… he was… strikingly beautiful with that strange silvery hair the soft evening breeze loved to tease. The fine strands that grew long in the back and brushed Zero's shirt collar, that also grew long in the front and half obscured his eyes. Oh… those eyes… Aido could get lost in them… just staring into the silvery amethyst irises, fringed with thick eyelashes just gray enough to be visible. Aido swallowed. Zero was normally expressionless, but the noble had seen those eyes spark with unwilling desire and longing whenever they rested on Kaname. But Aido had read other emotions too – horror, confusion, guilt, anger. All those in the same pair of eyes. Last week. In Zero's room.

Aido's breathing turned ragged and he screwed his eyes shut, his fists tightly clenched. He'd only meant to fulfill Kaname's request to give blood to Zero, nothing more. He definitely had had no intention of biting him or creating a blood bond with him. But despite knowing that it wouldn't be pleasant, having seen - and tended to - the deep wounds on Kaname's neck created by the ex-human last time, Aido had not prepared himself sufficiently for a potentially painful bite. He'd been too mortified that he had to yield to Zero in the first place and that had been a big mistake. Angry, hurting, hungry, Aido had bitten the ex-human back in retaliation even before he realised what he'd done.

The young noble's breathing grew even more ragged now. A blood bond with Zero Kiriyu. Aido was so screwed. Even if Zero was a personable and angst-free vampire with noble blood coursing through his veins, Aido was screwed. Because Zero was already bonded with someone else - Moon Dorm Leader Kaname Kuran. The one person Aido really looked up to, at Cross Academy and almost everywhere else - the compelling and dynamic young pureblood whose caring personality and exceptional leadership skills made it impossible for Aido to do anything other than obey and revere him with complete loyalty and dedication.

Aido wasn't just screwed. He was already dead. Dead dead.

The silver haired vampire he had been staring at turned his head suddenly and Aido started. The strikingly beautiful eyes were narrowed at him. "What are you doing here, Aido?" Zero asked, his voice deliberately expressionless.

Aido's lips thinned in anger and he found himself striding towards the taller vampire. Two feet beside him, he stopped, his heart pounding with unreasonable anger and confusion. Zero turned his head to face the lake again, as if he couldn't bear to look at him. "Go away, Aido" he said wearily.

Aido's eyes turned slightly crimson in anger, and he could feel the tip of his fangs touching his bottom lip. "No."

Zero ignored him, looking back at the lake. His shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched. Go away, Hanabusa… I know why you're here, but please go. You're the genius here, not me - can't you tell I'm avoiding you?!

A hand clamped onto Zero's upper arm, swinging him around abruptly to face the vampire noble. "Look at me, damnit! Look at me when you speak to me, Zero!" Aido was almost hyperventilating, so angry that he couldn't even think straight.

Zero shook off his hand immediately, afraid of any further contact that could be dangerous in light of the new bond between them even though Aido had only touched his jacket sleeve. But to the agitated noble, it looked as if Zero couldn't even bear to be touched by him, no, not even through his clothes. But… he'd never done that with Kaname, had he? He'd never done it with anyone else… and that gesture made Aido want to scream with sudden frustration.

Zero understood. He knew why Aido was so angry. He could see the confusion roiling in the blue crimson eyes. He knew because he'd been there too… when he and Kaname had just created their own bond, back in the woods, somewhere on the sprawling Ichijo grounds. That unwilling attraction. That unexpected empathy. The sudden longing to understand and comfort his rival. Zero had been even more confused and angry as hell too, after he'd willingly given his virginity to the pureblood in the warehouse the following night. He knew only too well why the noble had sought him out like this. It was the curse of the blood bond they'd accidentally created last week.

Well, too bad for purebloods and nobles then…!

It wasn't that Zero wasn't just affected – he'd been fighting this strange but compelling attraction to the young and impetuous noble too. Probably the only reason why he hadn't gone to seek Aido out himself was because of his other bond to Kaname. His life was already so complicated, why make it even more so?

Unwillingly, Zero shifted his gaze back to the pale faced noble in front of him. "I'm looking at you, Aido. Say what you want, then leave me alone" He deliberately made his voice devoid of emotion but his heart constricted - something about the desperation in the young noble's wide and startlingly innocent eyes called out to him. Aido was hurting so badly, Zero suddenly wanted to take him in his arms, comfort him and soothe away the hurt with soft words and tender kisses.

His thoughts almost made him faint.

Aido bared his fangs. "You heartless bastard! Thinking you're always better than us. Than me. You're just a Level D, Zero, don't you dare forget that!" Dear God, what was he doing? Ranting on at Kiriyu like a mad man when what he actually wanted to do… was to kiss him.

Zero's hands left his pockets to clench into fists by his side as he told himself to remain calm. Aido is upset, that's all… he's confused, he's just lashing out at you. Don't retaliate… stay calm.

Aido uttered a groan that sounded suspiciously like a sob when Zero said nothing. He wanted to shake that ex-human out of his forced calm. He wanted to see some emotion on that blank face. Aido didn't even care if he got slapped or hit, as long as Zero did something and not just stare at him with that unnerving silence, making him feel like the perfect idiot he knew he was.

"Just because you're bonded to Kaname, you think you're better than us, don't you?" he shouted, uncaring if anyone should hear him now. "You think you're better than me, don't you? Well, let me tell you, Zero, you're not! You're just Kaname's toy, that's all! He's just – he's just using you…!"

Aido stopped, panting hard, feeling hot and cold all over. That wasn't true, that wasn't true at all. He knew how Kaname felt about Zero. All the Night Class students did. They'd all seen the way the pureblood looked at Zero, with love and tender longing in his eyes. They'd all seen the way he treated Zero, with respect and cordiality, even when the silver haired vampire didn't deserve it. No, Zero wasn't Kaname's toy… he was Kaname's lover. That meant the pureblood didn't care what Zero was. That meant Zero had attained a status in Kaname's innermost circle that none of the other nobles could even dream of getting. In almost all ways, he was now closer to Kaname than even Takuma Ichijo.

Aido looked up a little fearfully up at Zero. Stark emotion was showing on that pale face now, white with shock. Pain. Denial. Anger.

"Shut up!" hissed Zero, his teeth clenched. He didn't want Aido to know how much his words had hurt but each of them had struck a fierce blow at his aching heart. Things were so unsure as they stood, there was fragility in his tenuous relationship with Kaname - Zero didn't know exactly what Kaname felt for him or thought about him. Oh, the pureblood desired him, that much he knew, that much was certain. But did he really care for him otherwise? Was he really just a – a plaything to the pureblood? Someone to toy with since he gave his blood to him?

Zero couldn't pretend these questions never crossed his mind – they did. Daily. Even with the pureblood slumbering quietly beside him in the dark, that beautiful face buried in his shoulder and an arm around his waist after an incredible session of love making. Even if the mere thought that the pureblood had lowered his guard enough to sleep in Zero's presence showed just how much he trusted him.

"Shut up" whispered Zero. Sudden tears stung his eyes and he turned away. He was so screwed up. First, a blood bond with a pureblood because he needed his blood. Then, a second blood bond with his right hand man. The vampire noble who despised him the most in Kaname's group… Zero didn't want Aido to hate him like this, he suddenly wanted the noble to… to… God, he was just so screwed up.

"I'm sorry" Aido's voice was quiet now, deep and husky with emotion. Zero blinked in surprise, turning back to the noble. Aido didn't look angry now, he looked stricken. "I didn't mean that…"

Zero swallowed. "Sure you did. Because it's true." He tried his best to make his voice sound cold and uncaring but it quivered unforgivingly on the last word. Crap…

"No, it's not!" Aido's voice was earnest now, as was his eyes. "I shouldn't have said that, because it's not true. Kaname's not like that. He – he cares for you. So much…" Aido stopped and swallowed. He was such a mess. Making accusations one minute and retracting them the next. He was an idiot. Just a blooming idiot. Aido flushed hotly, his heart pounding away with his worked up emotions, feeling utterly miserable and ashamed.

"Just leave me alone, Aido. You've said what you wanted to say. Go away." Zero turned away again. Impulsively, Aido grabbed his arm and swung him around again.

"Wait – you must believe me. Kaname's not like that. You're not his – his toy. You're more than that to him…" Aido had no idea why he was blabbering on like this. He only knew he was the one who had caused that flash of awful pain in Zero's beautiful eyes just now and he would say anything - do anything - to take it away again. Zero was getting really freaked out – the noble was acting too strange. He could deal with Aido being pissed off at him. He was fine with the noble's subtle taunts and angry looks. He was comfortable with trading insults with the younger vampire.

Just… not this. Not Aido acting all weird and confused. The bond was affecting him a lot more than Zero had originally thought. "Just forget it, Aido" he said crisply, shaking the other's hand off his arm for the second time and turning on his heel. Zero's breathing was ragged and he wanted to hide away somewhere until he was calm again. He wanted to tell himself over and over again until he believed that Kaname actually cared for him.

He was going away. Zero was walking away from him. No. He mustn't – Aido wouldn't allow it. He couldn't.

"Wait – don't go!"

Zero ignored him, he was finding it very hard now to hang to his composure and he just wanted to make it back to his room to cool down. Aido reached out again and caught Zero's sleeve, pulling hard. That made the silver haired vampire swing around again.

"Let go of me, Hanabusa!" gritted out Zero, hands clenched into fists again, unaware that he'd called Aido by his given name. Aido shook his head. "No, Zero" His voice trembled a little. Zero snarled, fangs bared. "Let go of me or I swear I'll hit you!" Outwardly, he merely looked furious… but inside, he was shaking. Get away from me, Hanabusa, please!

Both vampires locked stormy gazes. They were standing only a foot away from each other, so close they could hear each other's harshly ragged breathing, co close they could smell each other's scents, so close they could sense the roiling confusion and untold attraction that flared suddenly between them, pulling them inexorably closer and closer.

Aido shook his head again. Slowly. "No" he said, his voice almost a whisper as he stepped closer, his other hand coming up to rest on Zero's other jacket sleeve.

Warning bells sounded loudly in Zero's mind again, he could see the intent in Aido's eyes, that same look had been in Kaname's eyes too, back at the warehouse just before the pureblood had stolen his first kiss. Like he'd stolen Zero's first time as well. And now it looked like Aido was following suit. Taking whatever he had to give. Again and again… but he had nothing left to give anyone…

Panicking, Zero took a step back and let loose with his fist. It collided with Aido's beautiful and aristocratic nose and blood spurted in the form of bright red droplets, flying everywhere and spattering on both their uniforms, getting absorbed in black and blooming starkly on white. Blood started dribbling down Aido's lips and chin as well.

The young noble cried out in surprised pain but he still stood there, staring at Zero with a heart wrenching look of utter hurt confusion in his eyes.

Oh, crap!

The curse word echoed in Zero's mind even as his eyes morphed red and his fangs grew out. Blood… He barely registered the sting on his own knuckles as his hands came up to rest on Aido's shoulders. The young noble was shaking now, his wide blue eyes filling with tears. The absolutely wretched look on Aido's face made Zero's heart constrict in guilt and self disgust at the pain he'd caused. He swallowed, ignoring the sudden tightening in his chest as the delicious scent of Aido's blood filled his senses. "Go on - hit me. I deserve it" Zero said steadily, his shaking hands curled into tight fists at his side.

Aido shook his head and a single tear rolled down his cheek. He seemed oblivious of his bleeding nose which was swiftly mending anyway. "No, I won't" he said quietly.

Crap.

Zero hated himself. And he hated himself even more for what he did next. Leaning forward, he dipped his head and licked off the blood from Aido's upper lip and chin as his thumb gently swiped away the tear from his cheek, the baby soft skin warmly flushed. Zero could feel the younger boy trembling under his hands and the combination of guilt and blood lust tightened his chest unbearably, making him gasp. Quickly, he released the noble and took a step back.

Aido was looking at him steadily, despite his tear wet eyes. He swiftly undid his jacket buttons, then the top three buttons of his black silk shirt as well before pulling away the collar from one side. The same side Zero had bitten him. "Go on" he said. Steadily.

Zero shook his head. "You should hate me" he gasped out, folding his hands over his chest, trying to breathe normally.

Aido shook his head, still looking at him steadily. "I don't, Zero. Go on."

Zero's eyes closed briefly in despair. What the hell… the bond had already been created, hadn't it? He took a step forward, then buried his head in that inviting neck again, lips seeking the pulse that beat madly just under the pale smooth skin… the noble's scent filling his senses. Aido smelled so different from Kaname. If the pureblood was chocolate, then Aido was vanilla... his scent was innocent, almost reminding Zero of baby powder.

Aido's hands closed around Zero's waist, eyes shutting in ecstasy as the ex-human's fangs sank in his flesh. This was what he wanted to feel… this – this strange closeness with Zero… but it wasn't enough, he wanted to taste Zero too…

Nudging aside Zero's white shirt collar, Aido nuzzled his face at Zero's throat, just under the tattoo, where he had bitten him before. Somehow, he knew the smooth untattooed side belonged to Kaname, and he didn't want to bite Zero there.

Zero groaned, leaning more heavily into Aido. He didn't pull away; instead he tilted his head a little, making it easier for Aido to reach his neck and sink his fangs in. They were lost… drinking from each other… holding each other close… breathing in each other's scents… their bodies awakening and tingling with awareness of each other.

When the two boys finally lifted their heads, they could read the plain desire in each other's eyes as clearly as they could feel it with their hips. Aido didn't hesitate this time. He simply placed his trembling hands on either side of Zero's face, then their lips met fully. The taste of each other's blood on their lips made the kiss deliciously sinful. Forbidden. And deeply stimulating.

Zero's eyes closed, as did Aido's. Both sets of lips parted willingly, Tongues met and tangled, fangs drew even more blood. The silver haired vampire's arms closed convulsively around Aido, feeling his arms around him just as tightly. Both of them remained locked in a tight and urgent embrace as they stood beside the lake and the passionate kiss went on and on even as their bodies trembled under the weight of this sweet and forbidden attraction.

When they finally parted for air, they couldn't stop staring at each other. The blood racing through their bodies had made their bodies hard with arousal and they knew the other was just as affected. With an effort he didn't know he was capable of, Zero finally wrenched his gaze away. "I'm sorry" he said, his voice raw and husky. "Don't – don't come near me again, Hanabusa"

Before Aido could speak, the silver haired prefect turned and walked off swiftly. His groin was hard and aching but he knew how to relieve that sort of ache. It was the ache in his heart that he didn't know how to get rid of.

-- Chapter End --