Firstly, I should have mentioned this a while back, this is my first Vampire Knight fic. And I'm still totally nervous about writing it in case I get something wrong D: Forgive me if I do *bows head* * Wow, 1,000 hits...I'm honoured!*

Secondly: This chapter took me sooooooooooooooo long to write, it even shocked me. I suppose because it's my fist proper fic that I've put the correct dose of effort into, I'm still slightly staggered by the amount of information I want to put in...but it would take me ages to put it in...and that would mean you get your chapter really, really late xD.

Aaaaand onto the review responses! I actually really enjoy doing these: I always think it's nice to keep in touch with reviewers because they're the ones who tell you what you're doing right and/or wrong. This really helps me out. Especially if there's something that's confused you guys. It wouldn't confuse me because I know my own plot, but if there's something that doesn't make sense, it's nice to be able to clear it up. I reply to reviews in the order I receive them...sooo:

LuanRina:

Shower fetish is a good thing because he wants to be clean for Kaname ;D I'm glad I'm not the only one enjoying that thought process. *Makes me seem like less of a perv if there's multitudes of us* She has to be good at something lmao. I agree with you on the Zero front, many a KaZe fic have had both boys somewhat lusting after her: I think this is a good concept, but it only delays the inevitable (it is a KaZe fic after all). As for how Kaname will take the news: You will be finding out soon...

Cocodrillo:

I'm glad you're saying goodbye to her, it seems like you are the only one who is bothering XD. But, you're right, it certainly rids us of her annoying presence.

Starry Night:

I thought so too haha. Ah that's alright, as I said, some people are going to like Yuuki ^-^ However, here she would have just caused the boys more grief and, as you say, she is out of line with her accusations. As for her leaving so easily: that will be explained a little more as the fic progresses. I didn't want to explain everything in this chapter, because then all the questions would have been answered. But you will receive an explanation – and that includes Kaien- It seems that everyone loves the idea of Zero having a shower fetish...I know I do!

I hope I don't disappoint any of you with this chapter ^_^'

IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT!

I'm announcing a mini-fic. Well, I say that, I consider it more of a DVD Extra for this fic when it is finished. The current title for the DVD Extra is currently: Zero Kiryuu and the Discovery Of Bubble Bath. What do you think of the concept, ignoring the pathetic title? Add a comment on the end of a review haha, I'm curious and want your opinions.

I would also appreciate some feedback on this: What are your thoughts on having a small Kaname part? Just Kaname on his own, just like with the Zero parts? Any feedback is appreciated. I'll enlighten you as to why I'm asking this:

I'm at a point with the fic where I have two paths that I could travel down, plot wise. What with going back to Sixth Form and this predicament, you will receive a delay in the fic. Either that or a shorter chapter. So, that's where that feedback comes in handy for me, as the writer.

Let's put it this way: You will end up with your answers, but your feedback is dependent on how you get your answers. And the less feedback I get, the more time I will have to sit there pondering how this will play out. So you get an input as to how you want this to go, which is nice, don't you think?

Warnings: Nothing serious, except a HINT at some of the truth. I do love teasing you all.

This is Un-Beta'd, just warning you.

Even though it was early night-time, the heat of the day was still there, hanging in the air over the school grounds. The Day Class girls were still waiting, or perhaps they were trying to hide and weren't doing a particularly good job, outside the Moon Dorms, even at this late hour and, at this moment in time, Zero didn't have the heart to jump down and tell them to move. Zero had decided that he couldn't bear the heat any longer and undid the buttons on his white shirt, leaving it open. He sat on his desk, right up against the open window. He was staring at the Moon Dorms waiting for the right moment to jump from his window and move the Day Class girls out of the way, and manoeuvre the Night Class into their dorm safely. He had a feeling that he would be doing duty by himself that night, and he couldn't help but feel slightly grateful. He certainly didn't want another round of glares or another earful of Yuuki while he was doing his duty. His sensitive hearing picked up on the old oak doors two floors below him opening, and he swung his legs around, dangling them out of the window and, using his arms, he vaulted out of the window, landing perfectly in front of the Night Class.

"It is a rather warm night, is it not Kiryuu?" a smooth voice asked from somewhere behind Zero. Zero turned around to face Kaname Kuran. The pureblood, probably having the same thoughts as Zero, had gotten fed up of his shirt but, instead of just unbuttoning it, he had taken it off and tied it around his slim waist. Zero averted his gaze from the taller vampire's muscled arms and toned stomach, along with the line of hair that travelled down to... a hiss alerted him to him being in company and Zero cast his eyes to Aido, who was glaring at Zero. If only looks could kill... Kaname held his hand up in front of Aido, silencing him. "Let Kiryuu think for a moment. He is not accustomed to me speaking to him." Kaname said, staring intently at Zero with amused eyes. Zero coughed.

"It certainly is a warm night, Kuran. It's a shame it's not a tad cooler, I feel like I am about to explode." He muttered, feeling embarrassed. Kaname laughed at some seemingly unseen joke. Zero shook his head, not knowing what to say to the crazed pureblood and moved forwards towards the Day Class girls. He didn't need to say much; his approach, demeanour and his scowl sent them running, in fear for their lives and for spending a late night detention with an angry Zero Kiryuu. A snort from behind him somewhere caught Zero's attention.

"You certainly know how to attract the ladies, Kiryuu." Aido said, smirking from behind Kaname. Kaname stood in front of him, saying nothing. Zero smirked back at the blonde.

"I'm saving them all for you Aido. I know how you love your ladies in large quantities. I mean, someone has to fawn over you, lest you die from lack of attention." Zero replied smoothly, allowing his reply to sink in. He had already embarrassed himself enough in the presence; now it was time for his own little revenge. He heard a small growl and what could have been a small laugh from Kaname – it certainly sounded like it- and continued moving them on towards the Moon Dorms.

Reaching the gates of the dormitory, Zero stopped and watched as Kaname passed him, giving him a small smile while the others either ignored or glared at him. Once he was sure that they were all inside the building, Zero took a slow walk back into the main building, towards his room, musing about how Kaname really was a beautiful nightmare.

Zero paced around his room restlessly. He didn't know why but he just couldn't sit still. Perhaps it was because he could still feel his heart pounding from the sheer mortification of actually looking at Kaname as being attractive...and getting caught. Although, for someone being caught red-handed, the object of his appeal hadn't uttered a single word, but that smile as Kaname had passed him...Zero slammed his fist on the table. Why was the pureblood so damned irritating?

Of course, in his own mind, Zero knew that Kaname would act slightly different towards him; after that strange meeting in Paradise, the pureblood certainly couldn't ignore Zero. To the pureblood's credit, he had handled the situation rather well. Zero was only looking at things from his perspective; he couldn't imagine how difficult it must to be a rather private but powerful pureblood, who is accustomed to his own space, having to share a dream with an ex-human: a level-E such as himself. This thought was part of why Zero had made this, what he liked to call, 'near-friendship' with Kaname: because he was experiencing the same weirdness. He felt totally out of place and he knew that the pureblood must feel the same, even though he seemed to have been trained to mask his emotions, hide his true feelings and school his features into ones that Zero was familiar with. Zero stood still, shocked. He felt like he knew the pureblood...like he could actually see into the darkest depths of his soul.

Zero shuddered, willing those thoughts away. That wasn't what he needed to be thinking: Kaname could take care of himself after all. Speaking of that, he wondered how Kaname was dealing with the news of Yuuki leaving? Or didn't he know yet? Zero scratched his head thoughtfully and led back on his bed, with the duvet underneath him. It was still too hot to get into bed. Perhaps that was why he just couldn't sleep. Usually, Zero would be happy with this, and would sit up all night and stare out of the window, or go for a walk to the graveyard just beyond the school grounds and just sit there, thinking. But tonight was different. He wanted...NO, needed to talk to Kaname. As if that thought was the trigger, Zero felt his eyelids quiver, before he fell asleep.

"Back again, Zero?" a voice said, breaking through Zero's mind. Zero moaned and clapped a hand to his face. He slowly opened his eyes, expecting to see the dark corners of the living room, but was shocked to see himself lying in a field of the most beautiful, soft green grass. He felt the grass strands tickle him as he sat up and stared at his surroundings. The field itself was a huge expanse, so much so that, even if he squinted into the distance, he still couldn't see the end. Delicate, luscious red roses were dotted in groups all over the field, splattering the delicate colouration of the green with a stark and contrasting red. The roses blew in a light wind, as if they were dancing along to a gentle melody. Zero cast his eyes round to see a huge tree, within a small distance of where he lay, which cast a large amount of shade to the heat of the field that even the light wind couldn't cool. The tree itself looked old but strong, with long limbs and stable roots, it stood proudly on the grass, offering potential shelter. Below, Kaname Kuran sat, led against the bark of the tree on what seemed to be a large amount of cushions. Kaname held up a long finger and cocked it at Zero, beckoning him to join him under the cool shade of the tree.

And who was Zero to say no? It appeared that Paradise didn't have a temperature regulator and seemed to be on par with the temperature in real life. Zero couldn't help but wonder, as he walked slowly towards the tree, what it would be like if it rained in Paradise. What a strange sensation that would be. Zero reached the tree and stood there, looking down at Kaname awkwardly. The man looked exactly the same as when Zero had escorted him back to the Moon Dormitory, except there was an added sheen of sweat that had clung to his chest. Just at the thought, Zero felt sweat bead on his own forehead. He wiped it away with the back of his sleeve. Kaname gestured to a place on the grass beside him, out of the sun.

"Please, sit." Kaname stated, his hand still hovering over the place beside him. Zero sighed and allowed himself to almost fall onto the cushions, surprised by the softness of the fabric that embraced him. Zero sighed again, but this time it was from relief. He'd been feeling the heat all day and he wasn't sure if being in the presence of Kaname Kuran was helping or hindering him. He cleared his throat.

"I've got some questions for you." He said quietly, his confidence seeming to have evaporated the moment the pureblood trained his eyes on him. Kaname pulled his arms up from by his sides and pushed them behind his head, resting it against the tree more comfortably.

"Then please, ask away." Kaname responded, closing his eyes and feeling the delicate wind brush against his exposed chest. The wind was almost a breath, tickling its way up his torso to his long neck. He shuddered at the thought. He was being teased by Paradise, he was sure of it.

"First, why am I even here? I mean, did you want me here or was there something else that pulled us together in this place?" Zero asked gesturing to the surrounding area.

Kaname's heart almost stopped beating. If only he could tell Zero the true reason that he was here and that he had no idea that his...fantasies would become a somewhat twisted form of reality. The moment that Kaname had seen Zero, he had been curious. While visiting Yuuki as a child, he was always aware of the hunter's presence, like a hum in the background, something that was always lingering there. As they had all grown, the hunter had developed into a seemingly moody, depressed and over-active man, but he also had a talent; his senses were sharp and he seemed to have an open mind to the impossible. Perhaps that was why, up until now, Zero had not pushed Kaname into a full answer. Kaname opened his mouth to tell Zero the truth, but he closed it.

"You're not ready to hear the answer." He replied mysteriously, his eyes guarded. Zero stared at the pureblood. Wasn't ready for what?

"You assume I'm not ready to hear the answer." Zero argued, trying to persuade an answer out of the pureblood. But said pureblood merely shook his head.

"I know this. If I was in your position, and I heard the truth, I would not be willing to believe in the possibility nor see the reality of the situation." Kaname said, piercing Zero with a stare. Zero just looked at the pureblood. He laughed.

"Are concerned for me Kaname?" Zero mocked, donning a shocked face. Kaname just smirked. The hunter had no idea.

"Am I not allowed to be concerned for anyone?" Kaname retorted, moving to fold his arms over his chest. Zero almost laughed. Did Kaname realise how petulant he looked right now? But the pout that had appeared on his face...now that was adorable. In fact it was almost kissable...Zero shook his head, ridding himself of the thought. He was not hot for Kaname! It was against some unspoken law! He just needed to stop thinking about it. He'd only really begun to understand and get to know the pureblood after...what? One day? He blamed his hormones, talk about fucking with his brain. He laughed again, purely because he didn't know what else to do to make up for the small silence that had come between them.

"Concern for someone else? I am shocked. I didn't know you had it in you." Zero said with a smirk on his face. Kaname locked eyes with him.

"I do believe you have other things to ask me rather than sit here teasing me." Kaname stated shortly, his eyes moving to gaze into the distance. Zero almost sighed. It looked like Kaname had locked himself away again. Well, it would be up to him to bring Kaname back out of himself. Although, like with Yuuki, he didn't know why he was trying so damned hard.

"Okay, so the Night Class." Zero said, looking back at Kaname to see if he would take the hint. He didn't.

"What about them?" he asked quietly. Zero frowned.

"They keep giving me these weird stares." Zero brought a hand to the back of his head. "And, if I'm honest, it's really starting to creep me out." Kaname just sighed again.

"Why do you pick the questions that I currently cannot give you an answer for?" he muttered quietly, but not quite quiet enough for Zero to miss it. Zero growled, a low sound that vibrated in the air around them.

"Fine. I give up. Fuck the questions." Zero snapped, choosing to lie down on his back in the grass. Even though he was suddenly riled up, he could still appreciate the big tree that he was beneath. The shade that it provided really was a blessing. He had cooled down, but he was still burning hot. Kaname laughed silently; the only way Zero could tell he was laughing was by the outline of Kaname's broad shoulders, moving up and down as he laughed.

"What's so funny?" Zero asked, annoyance lacing his tone. This only seemed to make Kaname laugh more, as he watched the pureblood pull a hand up to cover his mouth. Kaname turned his head towards Zero ,his eyes dancing with amusement.

"Forgive me. But you get so frustrated so easily." Kaname said, trying to keep a straight face. "I have never know a person who cannot seem to control such a fiery set of emotions." Zero snorted.

"Yeah, that's because you surround yourself with stoic vampires who, if I'm being honest, more resemble zombies these days. I mean, I've never seen a single one of those guys smile, or laugh." Zero said seriously. Kaname's expression darkened a little.

"That's because, these days, we don't have a lot to laugh about, nor do we even remotely feel like laughing." Kaname said reverently. Zero looked up while Kaname seemed to be lost in thought.

"So, when was the last time you laughed?" Zero asked, trying to keep the conversation between them flowing. He hated long silences and, although he could sit through them if he were next to an enemy, he just wasn't seeing Kaname as an enemy anymore. In fact, he hadn't seen Kaname as an enemy for a while now. Zero reflected upon his change of opinion. He still didn't know, even now, why he had offered to start afresh with the pureblood. Zero had been acting on impulse as of late and, it seemed, that his mind and soul had wanted him to offer his hand to the pureblood. Zero scowled. But then his features softened slightly when he remembered seeing the pureblood in Paradise for the first time; the lonely, haunted look in his deep, brown eyes. The way he held himself, rigid and stiff, as if he were hiding something behind a mask. Deep down, Zero knew it was all a Facade, he only had to look into those damned, admittedly, beautiful eyes. The only thing that bothered Zero was that he didn't know why he was so bothered in the first place. Only a few weeks ago, sitting in silence with the pureblood would have been normal, and expected, behaviour, but now...now Zero didn't know what it was, apart from awkward. Zero saw Kaname shift at the edge of his peripheral vision, and cast his eyes slyly over at the vampire.

If Zero was being straight with himself, the vampire looked damned uncomfortable all of a sudden. He couldn't seem to find a good place to sit, until he settled with his knees bought up to his chest. Kaname coughed.

"Sorry, I was thinking of something else." Kaname admitted. "What did you say?" Zero couldn't help it; he chuckled, making the pureblood's eyes widen slightly, looking at him as if he were slightly deranged...or as if he'd seen something. Zero stored the memory away for another time, where he could think about it then.

"I said, when was the last time you laughed?" Zero pressed again. Kaname cocked his head to the side, looking at Zero as if he were stupid.

"I do believe that the last time I laughed was here and now with you." Kaname replied. Zero frowned.

"Don't get cocky with me. You know full well what I meant." Zero said, without really thinking about it. Zero shook his head. What the hell has gotten into me... "I'm sorry...I didn't..." Zero began to apologize, but Kaname was suddenly smiling again.

"As you seem to have noticed, I find myself surrounded by serious vampires on a regular basis. To be with a vampire-" Of sorts... Zero thought to himself. "Is actually rather nice. And you needn't apologize. I appreciate someone treating me like a person, instead of a porcelain doll who is fragile, both physically and mentally." Kaname said, that smile still lingering on his face. Zero stared at him in shock. He hadn't considered the way that the other vampires treated Kaname before.

"But I thought they treated you...-" Zero began, only to be cut off by a bitter laugh.

"Well?" Kaname finished. "Everyone seems to think that they treat me well and, in a way, I suppose they do. But they are more inhuman than I will ever be. They are as cold, cruel and as stoic as you see them on your duty. Nothing changes there. They pull on a facade for the Day Class girls, flirting with them like any 'normal' male would do, surrounded by lovely, young girls. But they, as you well know, do not want the girl, they only want her life blood. That is where we are different. I crave a partner in body; the warmth of flesh, as well as blood. They treat me as if I were about to crumble under their fingers and, while they respect me, sometimes respect just isn't enough." Kaname finished, getting quieter as he spoke. A veil of silence fell between them.

"What about Yuuki?" Zero suddenly said, without thinking. The moment he uttered those words, he put a hand over his mouth. Shit! What the hell did I bring her up for? Zero thought to himself. Shit!

"What about Yuuki?" Kaname asked, tilting his head and looking at Zero. Zero squirmed under the pureblood's gaze.

"Well...I thought you and her would be...you know...partners. That she would be that someone that you could do all that with." Zero managed to get out, struggling to think of the appropriate words to say, without offending Kaname or Yuuki. Zero was shocked when Kaname let out a heavy sigh.

"Yuuki is...a difficult one." Kaname eventually said, running a hand through his ebony locks. Zero didn't say anything. He didn't want Kaname to feel like he was pushing him into answering the unspoken question that seemed to have settled itself between them. He knew that the pureblood would answer when he was ready, especially if he was calling her 'difficult'. "Her attitude has changed, I fear she is turning into quite the monster."

Zero said nothing. He wanted to tell Kaname about Yuuki leaving, but he knew that it wasn't his business to tell the pureblood. He was sure that he would find out for himself, somehow. Kaname always had a knack of finding things out for himself. Zero couldn't help but agree with Kaname: Yuuki had turned into quite the monster. Any mess that she had created, she'd created it herself. The girl that had always been Yuuki's friend, and also the one that Zero had un-intentionally caused her to break her ankle, Yori, had been the first to abandon her after Yuuki had accused Yori of stealing from her. Yori had rightly told her that she was getting paranoid and that she was sick of the accusations. So she had left Yuuki to her own devices and found a new circle of friends to be with. Ones who didn't accuse her and give her lectures on how she should live her life. Zero didn't know how many people had turned away from Yuuki after that. But he did know that his utterances of 'dear girl' had turned into 'dear God' every time he saw her, and he kept his tone civil and polite, after all: he owed the Headmaster that much. She became problematic quite quickly and, as with earlier on today, she seemed to enjoy taking her bitterness and hatred out on other people. Perhaps the students in England would teach her a thing or two about manners.

"I'm meeting with Kaien tomorrow, to discuss the welfare of the Night Class vampires. I am sure Yuuki will be a topic during the conversation. I will try to receive some kind of answer for her behaviour and I shall enlighten you when I do find out." Kaname promised, staring up at the green leaves on the tree. Zero squirmed. He was already hot, and tired, and know he just felt even worse. Kaname would find out that Yuuki was leaving from the Headmaster himself. But what if the Headmaster mentioned Zero. How would he explain that to the pureblood? That he knew all along? He opened his mouth to speak, a habit which seemed to be becoming of him, but Kaname smirked at him. Zero closed his mouth and opted to don a confused look instead.

"It seems like the humidity is getting to you, Zero." Kaname said, a somewhat dark look in his eyes. Zero started to worry. Had his vampire sense picked up on him withholding information from him? Zero's eyes widened. "We've been here a while too..." Kaname trailed off, still delighting in making Zero sweat more. Zero didn't know where to look, so he kept staring into Kaname's eyes. Where was the pureblood going with this?

"Allow me to cool you down, somewhat..." Kaname said.

With a grin, he clicked his fingers and the ground seemed to open up beneath Zero, filling with crystal clear water. Zero, however, stayed hovering over the pool, looking at Kaname still, puzzled. That was until he remembered that Paradise seemed to break all the rules of the universe and that Kaname could probably control the gravity.

"Goodnight, Zero-kun." Kaname whispered with a smile, clicking his fingers again.

With a yelp, Zero re-discovered his centre of gravity and was pulled into the pool. But instead of coming back to the surface, he seemed to be sinking downwards, as if being sucked down a plughole. Even though Zero was travelling further and further downwards, he didn't feel as if he were going to die, he felt as though he were going to drift off to sleep...With the water moving slowly around him, Zero felt as though he were almost being caressed by it and it reminded him of the recent showers he had had, feeling them cool him down and relax his muscles, like a massage. Zero's eyes flickered open and closed. He was starting to be lulled into sleep by the soft ministrations of the lapping water. He smiled weakly, wondering what there was that Kaname couldn't do. And with that thought, he allowed himself to be pulled into the welcoming arms of slumber.

A/N: So, what do you think? As unpredictable as ever?

The reason the fic has ended as such is because of what I said before, about having two possible plot lines. With this ending the way it has, there is a more apparent route for me to take. However, the other is still a possibility. So please try not to be too disappointed with the ending D:

I hope that this...slightly altered ending hasn't put you off, because there are still many questions that I want to answer. To put you out of your misery as such ;)

I am sitting here slightly bemused by the watery ending. Kaname controlling the water...Zero having an apparent shower fetish. It seems that water is the 'in' thing in this fic at the moment XD. But, hey, that's still Kaname comforting Zero, in a way...so it's progressing, albeit slowly ;) So slowly that Zero doesn't even consciously realise its Kaname...XD I'm also beginning to imagine Kaname tucking Zero up in bed every night...seeing as he seems to be the one who realises Zero is tired and tells him , or in this case forces , him to go to sleep for some rest :L

Reviews are always welcome! ~

Oh, and if we have any aspiring artists, does anyone fancy doing some KaZe fan-art for me? I have a DeviantArt account if anyone is interested. Just a thought.

Until next time!