Twisted Truth - Chapter Three.

For Disclaimer see Prequel.

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Surrounded by Quicksand

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"How many times? How many times did you bite her?!" Kaname Kuran asked, no more like shouted. There was a frantic note to his voice, something that sounded so very strange coming from Kaname-sama of all people, but at the same time headmaster Kurosu thought he had never heard him more serious then now.

"What was going on?" He wondered, but he remained silent, waiting for the pureblood to explain himself. He looked from Kaname to Zero, noticing the shocking difference between them -- and yet they were both far from their usual state of mind. The Pureblood was agitated like he had never seen before, but Zero looked like made out of stone. Normally, it was the other way around, with Zero being the moody young man and Kaname the polite controlled one.

There was no reaction from Zero, as he was still in a state of shock. Shock, which had come back when Yagari had spoken of the incident tonight, the reason why he had to shoot him. Zero had done what he swore never doing again, attacking her. He had hurt Yuki and became what he hated most, a beast in human form -- wasn't he?

"Zero!" Kaname shook him by his shoulders. "I need to know. Please?"

"Why? W-why is that important?" Zero replied puzzled but his eyes were staring into nothing. "I've bitten her once that's bad enough." His voice sounded like he wasn't truly here; maybe he wasn't. He shouldn't be. "Isn't it bad enough that I hurt her!" He spat out, sounding forlorn. "I attacked her for all that's holy!"

Then he realized what Kaname really had been saying and stared at the pureblood in front of him with a horrified expression on his face.

"What!" Kaname exclaimed and stopped suddenly. He eyed him closely, not aware that he was still holding him by his shoulders -- clenching them. He was puzzled, not knowing what to make out of Zero's reaction. He shook his head softly. "Oh, darn he doesn't know."

"Yes, Kaname-senpai, why is it of such importance to know how many time Zero-kun had bitten Yuki?" A very agitated headmaster Kurosu inquired. "She's well as you can see." He gestured at Yuki, who stood next to him.

"Y-yes, why is important?" Yuki asked shyly then met her adoptive father's gaze, who nodded to her. She turned to Kaname. "I know what he is. Father explained it to me. Believe me Kaname-sempai, I am fine." Her eyes were shining softly with sadness for her best friend.

Kaname sighed. "It is most important." He returned his gaze to Zero, taking in his still very battered appearance, but he could already see the change underneath the surface. It was very subtle yet visible to his senses.

"You can't stay in Day Class anymore." His voice sounded dead serious now, but it had lost the frantic under tone to it -- instead there was more than a little curiosity to it. Now, that he knew for sure that he hadn't bitten her a second time, there were other issues, he needed to deal with.

"What?" Zero asked. "I won't go that fast insane."

Kaname shook his head. "It's not about that. You are not in danger of becoming Level E." He couldn't help but he had to smirk at this. So, he thought himself in danger of becoming Level E?

He turned Zero's face to him, cupping his chin in his right hand, so that Zero had to look him into the eyes. "There's no danger of you going insane, Zero." He said seriously. "Well, only if you decide to do so, Kiryu-kun. Well, I guess everyone can become insane, don't you agree?" He chuckled softly. Ah, yes this was ironic. "Even purebloods." He sniggered, which it-self was shocking. Kaname Kuran did not snigger. Well, that was what they had thought. Obviously they had been wrong.

"What?!" Zero finally glared at him, losing his temper. "What are you talking about Kuran?"

He had thought he knew what was going on with him, but now he felt lost, completely lost. "What was he talking about? He was an ex-human, a level D vampire who would turn eventually into a Level E, but Kuran thought differently, why?" He felt himself going cold. "No, that couldn't be. He was Zero Kiryu, wasn't he?" Who ever he was, now he felt ill.

Kaname just smirked at him. Oh, yes, this was fun. Irritating Kiryu or whoever his real name was. Oh, well he couldn't bring himself to think different of the other one, even if he should.

"I'm glad you didn't bit her since your first time. I doubt you want her -" He suddenly shook his head, as if listening to something far away.

"This needs to heal, fast." Kaname said with his gaze on Zero's still bleeding wound. It wasn't deep but not healing, as it should because of the anti-vampire weapon, Yagari had used on him, which meant he needed blood to heal this. Kaname gave the Zero another look, noticing the lost expression -- and for a moment or two he considered to offer him his own blood but dismissed the idea as not practicable, knowing it would only cause more problems than they already had.

"Headmaster, I need a glass please."

Headmaster Kurosu nodded, and reached for one of the wineglasses in his cupboard and gave it to him; his expression clearly saying that he had no idea what the pureblood had in mind.

Kaname took the glass, but then shook his head, this wouldn't do. "I'm sorry, but this won't do. I need a larger one."

"Oh, of course," headmaster Kurosu said, heading for the kitchen to return with a large goblet, made of fine crystal glass.

"Thank you." Kaname nodded and took it, then turned around, so he was facing the master hunter. He gave Yagari, a long thoughtful, noticing the startled look on his face. Well, it would have to do, he thought, nodding. Yes, this was the best way solving this particular mess.

"Yagari-sensei, as glad I am that you interrupted in time but I need you're help in this." He said softly.

Yagari was frozen by Kaname's gaze, the pureblood had pulled an aura around him, trapping him in place and he couldn't help but feel a slight tremor of horror, being trapped like this. So, he did all he could at this time, giving the pureblood a confused look.

Kaname smiled, this time more than a little lopsided -- almost a grin. "It'll be only fair if you'll be helping me in solving this mess … after all you're the one who caused it."

Yagari stared with a bleak expression at Kaname, showing that he still had no clue what the latter was talking about.

"You'll know the only way for him to heal fast enough, do you?"

Yagari let out a slight gasp but still couldn't move under the purebloods gaze. "Manipulative bastard!" The hunter cursed inwardly. "Blasted purebloods and their twisted games."

Kaname moved closer and took one of the master hunter's wrists in his left hand and cut it open, letting the blood drip into the glass he held. "This is the only safe way." It was an explanation but not an apology and his tone was icy as if saying that Yagari should be happy that it was this way. Well, he went so far as made the bleeding stop, only added to upset the master hunter even more.

Kaname turned around with the glass in his hand. He eyed Zero, noticing the change in his expression, in his eyes; watching them changing from a steely lavender to an intense red, and smirked. He was so easy to read at times like this, his eyes giving him away.

"Here," Kaname whispered; it was almost a purr. "This is what you want, don't you?"

Zero started to object but his gaze clung to the glass, longingly.

"Ah, don't deny this, cause your body's betraying your true feelings." He cupped the glass and held it to Zero's lips, knowing that the smell and taste of it would undo his resistance soon enough. "Drink," he whispered, watching the younger boys reaction intensely.

Yes, he had been right, this was too much for Zero to object, and he soon gave in by taking a small sip, then another until he finally closed his eyes and drained the glass completely. Yet, Kaname had been so focused on Zero that he forget to give the glass to him, as he originally had planned to do.

He swallowed, looking at the glass in his hands, thinking of the symbolism of it; he had basically shared blood with him, not his own, but it was the same idea. Kaname had tilted the glass that he could better drink from it, but it hadn't occurred to him to simply place it in Zero's hands so he could hold it himself. And, he was still holding it to the younger vampire's lips, which seemed to draw his eyes to them, too, with their intriguing reddish colour and the way they parted to give sight to the tip of a pink tongue, which licked away the remaining blood.

Zero looked up now, and for a long moment they were gazing into each other's eyes, neither of them breaking their gaze, shocked by the intimacy of their situation. Then the younger vampire looked down and up, not knowing where to look; he blushed. Kaname couldn't help but he found it so amusing, seeing Kiryu-kun embarrassed like this that he added some more to it. He placed his other hand on Zero's, only to see what reaction he'll get.

He wasn't disappointed; for Zero blushed bright red, jerking away his hand from the glass and from Kaname's touch, just like he got burned bit it. He glared at Kaname, for making him feel this awkward. How dared he doing this to him?

It only made Kaname chuckle some more.

Of course, Kaname felt slightly embarrassed about this situation too, an action, which was something lovers would do to each other, but it had been so much fun seeing the other's reaction. Yes, he had felt intrigued by the younger vampire's reaction, so much that he had to force his gaze away from him now, so that he could give back the glass where it belongs, to the headmaster.

No, this hadn't been unpleasant but very unexpected.

He shook his head, then caught the confused and frustrated look on the master hunter's face and he had to refrain himself from chuckling. "Yagari-sensei, about Night Class earlier …"

He began but stopped in mid-sentence. "Things are turning out of hand, Yagari, I think it's better if you take a turn, watching Sun Dormitory." Kaname said watching, but in truth he meant guarding of course.

He turned his gaze to face headmaster Kurosu. "I'm sorry to leave this unfinished, but I have to take care of Night Class."

He was gone, the door slapping shut behind him, loudly.

"Zero?" Yuki asked softly. "What did he mean with all this?" She turned her gaze to her father. "Father?" Yuki felt utterly confused, by both Kaname's words and actions. First she had to learn that her childhood friend, her adopted brother was a vampire. Well her father had explained that to her, but this?

Well, her father had slumped down on his chair, not looking all that well. No, he looked rather shaken and it took another long moment until he reacted. He gazed up, meeting Yuki's inquiring gaze. He shook his head; he felt tired. If what Kuran said, was true, and he had to believe it was true; things were in a terrible mess. He didn't even want to think what that could probably mean for his Academy, for his dream. He needed a drink, badly.

He went straight to his desk, pulling out a flask of what looked to be Scotch, by its colour. He took a deep swig. "Ah, that's better." He sighed and slumped down on his chair.

Yuki gave him a strange look as if asking what to hell he was doing.

He just shook his shoulders. "I really needed it!" He objected in a high-pitched whining voice.

"Father?" Yuki raised her gaze. "This is becoming weirder with every minute." She thought absentmindedly and started to ask again but stopped suddenly, hearing a whimper behind her. "Zero!" She thought alarmed, swirling around to meet Zero's desperate gaze.

"It can't be." It was Zero, who murmured to himself. He was shaking violently. "It just can't!" he yelled in frustration. "No!"

"Zero?" Yuki took hold on Zero, cupping his chin and forcing him to look into her eyes. "What was Kaname-sempai talking about?" She asked.

He didn't answer but he couldn't help shaking.

Yuki moved closer, pulling him to her so she could see his eyes close up. She stopped abruptly, gazing in those eyes. They looked so empty. "Zero?" she whispered again, hoping desperately for a reaction but getting none. It was now her who trembled, feeling helpless in this situation. Help, she needed help, she thought, turning around. "Father?" She pleaded, hoping he knew a way out of this. He had been always there for them, every time they had really needed support, so he should know something, something she could do, right?

"I'm sorry Yuki-chan, there is nothing I can do." Headmaster Kurosu shook his head sadly. "I wished there was."

"Zero, answer me? Please??" She pulled him into an embrace. "Something was very wrong," she thought, feeling his trembling body beneath her; he felt so very cold too.

Zero couldn't answer, couldn't move, because he was trapped in his own living nightmare. His thoughts kept spinning and spinning, making him wondering if he wasn't already insane.

The things Kaname had said; they made sense, in a terrible kind of way, but that would mean that - No! No, no no no! He felt his legs giving away under him. The solid ground, he thought to be walking on, turning into nothing but quicksand. Everything was falling apart. His head hurt and his vision was so blurry he couldn't see right. "No," he sobbed, shaking softly. He tried to deny but deep inside he felt it was true. Oh, how he wished, he could deny it, but he couldn't. He thought he knew what pain meant but he had been so wrong. This meant everything had been a lie. Everything, even the family, he had believed in. Maybe they hadn't known. He hoped they hadn't known since if they had … His vision turned dark. "Oh, please let them not having known anything of this!" he sobbed hopelessly.

Suddenly he blinked. "Yuki?" he thought, staring into her worried eyes. "Yuki?" he repeated.

"Zero?" He heard her whisper in return. "Are you all right?"

"I don't know." He said truthfully, still shivering, feeling awful cold, inside and outside. This was Yuki, his unbelievable lovable openhearted Yuki -- his friend. Yes, Yuki, and he had almost bitten her tonight, again. The last thought seeped through his head; growing stronger until it itself became a yell, crescendoing with unbearable pain and shame.

He shied away from her, but she stopped him, clinging to him; his blood seemed to have turned to ice. So cold, he shivered, but he did deserve it, didn't he?

He shook himself free of her embrace. "Stay away," he said hoarsely, turning around to move away from her.

"Zero? It's okay I don't mind." She tried to soothe him, being all to aware of the agonizing pain in his silver eyes. "I am not afraid." She whispered, reaching out to stop him, stop him leaving her.

"Stay away!" He screamed in an eerie voice.

"Zero?" she whispered. She tried to do something but was frozen in place.

There were tears in his eyes. His eyes, they burned with infinite emotion, burning brightly, a mad silver -- an inhumane silver gaze, which froze her in place.

Then he was gone -- yet, Yuki still stared where he had been standing. What had just happened? How had he moved this fast? One second he was there and now there was not a trace to find.

Zero, he had been crying -- crying. She had never seen him do that before -- and why did she feel like crying too? She touched her face, feeling salty liquid on her fingertips, she was crying. Her legs seemed to be not strong enough for she felt like falling, like the world had fallen.

Someone touched her shoulders; made her racing heart almost stop. What?

"Father?" She looked to him with eyes full of questions. "Why?"

Suddenly she shivered intensely. Suddenly Kaname's words made sense. "Father, what is Zero?" She remembered all to well it had been just a few seconds after her adoptive Father had taken a few drops of Zero's blood to seal him to her. "His blood," she thought. "It's his blood, isn't it? The reason Kaname-senpai came in here, isn't it?" How could this be, she wondered.

"Yes, it is," he answered but shook his head. "But I didn't know of this, I've been just as clueless as you - or even Kaname." He chuckled suddenly. "Yes, I doubt he knew until tonight; strange as it may sound."

"Zero," Yuki murmured, "he is going break under this, father. I have to do something. I have to help him." She felt sick for worry but the worst was this feeling of being helpless. There wasn't anything she could do, was there? But there had to be, yet she knew that she couldn't make this undone.

Nobody could put back the chick into the egg.

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Thank you you for reading -- and for all your kind reviews.

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Miarath