7~ Will It Click?

Zero sat shivering on one side of the room, turned away from Kaname with his knees drawn to his chest and his head down. His neck ached, though it was probably more of his fault than the bite itself. He had started to fight the second Kaname's teeth had sunk into his neck, thrashing beneath him and trying to escape. Zero was fairly certain he had been screaming, but he couldn't remember. He knew he had been kicking, flailing as best as he could with Kaname's weight on him and his arms pinned.

It had been nasty when he had gotten his hands free.

Don't go there, Zero warned himself, trying to slow his breathing. Kaname sat on the bed, his back to him, refusing to speak just as Zero was.

That had been to familiar. Way too familiar for him. He knew he'd lose it if Kaname spoke, if Kaname would even swallow his pride and apologize to him, he'd lose it. That had been unexpected and brought back a memory Zero was desperately trying to push back into the back of his head.

In the exact moment Kaname had bitten him, he had taken the place of the monster that made him what he was, for just a moment. Before Zero had broken away from him, and if he was remembering correctly, he had scratched his -previously- flawless face in the process of getting away.

But he couldn't remember it clearly. He just knew it had been terrifying. He had felt completely powerless, pinned beneath Kaname while only being able to try and throw him off. Kaname had turned out to be a lot stronger and heavier than he looked, and that realization had only fueled Zero's fear. He hadn't liked being... 'fed' from, if that was what it could be called. His blood had been roaring in his ears, pounding from the adrenaline from the bite. It had hurt after he had started to struggle, Kaname's fangs rubbing against the parts of his neck he hadn't been aiming for.

But before he had started to struggle... he had been fine. Before he had realized what was going on, that Kaname was drinking his blood, he had felt... good. His neck had tingled pleasantly, spreading throughout his body and making him feel heavy. Tired even. As if some of the weight of his worries had been lifted, and he liked it. Not having to worry. In fact, he hadn't wanted more of it after he had broken away and thought about it for a few seconds, but he had quickly pushed the thoughts away.

Then Kaname had shifted, moving the angle slightly and it had startled Zero. It had reminded him of what was happening. He had thrashed for a few minutes, then finally he had raised his knee, hitting the brunette in his stomach. Kaname had pulled back, pain and surprise clear on his face as he gasped, choking even when what blood he had had in his mouth at the time was forced down. When he had leaned back Zero had misinterpreted it and lashed out, dragging his nails across the pale skin of the brunette's cheek.

Now, Zero sat in his little corner of the room while Kaname sat a good distance away, silent and completely still. The first few minutes Zero had watched Kaname wipe the blood off of his chin then lick his lips clean from what was left. Zero knew the puncture wounds in his neck were still bleeding, probably from some extra veins Kaname hadn't been planning to bite being ripped open from the struggle. Kaname's were gone though. Just small red marks on the side of his neck, that would probably fade to faint scars and be gone by the next week.

Zero jumped when Kaname stood up, not sure if anticipation or fear had coursed through him quickly when the brunette moved.

"Zero," Kaname started quietly, his tone almost unbelievably soft. He flinched as Kaname took a cautious step, glaring at him harshly when he paused. "Zero, I'm sorry. Really, I don't know what happened," he said, red eyes carefully hiding whatever he was feeling. "I didn't think... I didn't know that it would effect you so badly, nor did I realize what I was doing until you reacted so... violently," the brunette tried, his tone almost close to pleading.

Almost.

"Get away from me..." Zero said softly, watching carefully as Kaname took five more steps closer, still at a safe distance, then sat down on the dark wooded floor, fluidly moving his legs so that he sat Indian style.

He really should have known Kaname was a vampire from the start. Unnatural beauty, superior air, fluid movements. Just like the vampires that had attacked his family. He hadn't seen Kaname eat once actually. Then again, those could have been the signs of an arrogant man who took a liking to dance, and just happened to be gifted with good looks, but may have been anorexic.

But that was a stretch, wasn't it?

"Zero, please," Kaname tried again, a small amount of desperation in his voice. But that could have just been a trick. He was the worst of the creatures. He could control his emotions, control what he wanted others to see and hear.

And Zero so happened to want to hear him beg.

"Please don't ignore me," Kaname continued, ignoring the fact that Zero was shut down, unwilling to speak to him. Zero could hardly believe it! The man thought he could just apologize for what he had done and expect to be forgiven. "Just listen to what I have to say. I don't expect your forgiveness."

"Then what do you expect?" Zero spat, lifting his head to glare at the brunette.

"I just want you to listen," Kaname replied wearily, pushing his hair back only to try and blow it out of his face when it fell back.

"Why should I listen to you? You're a monster... a monster in disguise," Zero growled, pushing himself farther back. Kaname recognized the moment but made no move to follow this time.

"You are too, Zero," Kaname said softly, his eyes taking on a sympathetic light. "There's nothing wrong with it. There's nothing wrong with being a vampire," he added, tilting his head to the side as he watched Zero.

"You were probably born like you are judging by how you seem to consider me lower than you. I had no choice, Kuran," Zero spat, wishing that he could erase the past five hours.

"You could say that's correct. I wasn't changed and you were, but that doesn't mean I consider you lower than me... now," he agreed, though the 'now' had been added after a brief consideration.

What was worse was that he had felt like Kaname had betrayed him! And he didn't even like the man, right? Why should he expect Kaname to be there for him to rely on?

~.~.~ (Kaname)

I messed up. I pushed too far without even realizing it, and now he's gone, Kaname thought as he stared at the bristling silverette in front of him. He shouldn't have bothered with him after he had heard the crackle of a breaking mirror. But if Zero had felt pushed to far... if he had broken the mirror to take a shard and use it against himself...

"Zero, I need you to understand that it's not horrible to be a vampire," Kaname tried again. He wanted nothing more than to take Zero into his arms, soothing him. But he knew Zero would just freak out again, probably running before he even got within three feet.

"It's awful, Kuran," Zero snarled. "They killed my family. The only thing I ever had, they took."

Kaname felt a sharp pang of guilt hit him. It was just as hard for Kaname to try and ease the information out of Zero as it was for Zero to talk about it. But there was that one thing that he seemed to not remember, and that was probably Kaname's only hope. To gain his trust before it snapped into focus.

"Things... Zero, even if this is rare, it happens," Kaname started, struggling for his words.

"I'm a vampire because I was bitten, right?" Zero asked slowly, his voice suddenly softer. Sadder.

"Yes..."

"My brother was bitten, Kuran..." he started. Kaname didn't speak, he knew Zero was on to something and he didn't like what it was, but he didn't dare interrupt. "The beast that bit me... he promised my safety. That he would bite me and no one would dare touch me because of the mark. I asked him... I asked him if he could save Ichiru," Zero continued, his words growing softer, but Kaname could understand just the same. "He said that Ichiru was in the hands of someone else... belonged to someone else..."

Zero was silent for a few moments, and Kaname had the feeling he was supposed to question him, so he did.

"And...?"

"Two things; if my brother was bitten, does that mean he's... he's like me?" Zero asked softly, looking away from Kaname as he tried to blink back tears. Kaname felt his chest tighten. He hadn't seen that expression on Zero before...

"If he was bitten by a pureblood... which he might have been..." Kaname replied just as softly. When Zero looked back his gaze was hard, no longer revealing any of his softer emotions.

"Kuran-"

Kaname interrupted him, easily standing up and walking over to Zero. He tried to jerk away when Kaname lifted him up, but froze when he wrapped his arms around him. He didn't want Zero to continue that thought. He didn't want Zero to voice it, or ask him. Because no matter how Kaname replied, Zero knew it was the truth.

"Your brother is more than likely a Level D, like you, Zero," Kaname said softly, pressing his face into the silky white hair. Zero was still as rigid as a board, fear radiating off of him. Then he started shaking, small shudders that ran through him lightly, his fingers clenching the hem of Kaname's shirt. Kaname knew he really couldn't speak this time. It was up to Zero, and he'd only push him away even more if he spoke.

"It's my fault..." Zero murmured, his voice muffled as he had his lips pressed against Kaname's shoulder. Kaname still didn't speak, but he wanted to. He wanted to tell Zero it wasn't. That it was his fault.

Jesus, Kuran. You fell hard, Kaname thought in amusement as he slowly ran his fingers through the silver hair.

"It was all my fault... I tried to take us both but that thing got him... it should have been me..." Zero said, his voice tight as he tried to control it. Kaname knew everything was hitting Zero. It was precisely why he hadn't wanted to tell him so soon. To save him from the embarrassment he felt, and the tears that were caused by that guilt.

"Zero, no," Kaname started sternly, finally pulling away, but just enough so that he could look Zero in the eye. His purple eyes were shining with tears that threatened to fall, and his body was already shaking as he held it back.

"I promised I'd get help but instead I ran into the house... I found my mom... she told me to run. Everyone was telling me to run!" Zero said, his voice rising until he was shouting. "Even the vampire that bit me told me to run!"

Kaname winced slightly, hoping it had gone unnoticed.

"Zero, it wasn't your fault," Kaname said sharply, cupping a pale cheek and forcing Zero to look at him. "No one would have helped anyway even if you had gone. Which I believe you did, but you ended up being classified as insane, correct?" he asked. Zero averted his eyes again, refusing to meet Kaname's. "You need to stop blaming yourself..." he added softly, moving his head back again. Before he could give Zero the chance to reply, he pressed his lips lightly against Zero's, being nowhere near as needy as the first one before he had let himself be bitten.

You fell way too deep, Kaname, he thought, surprise flaring through him when Zero's wide eyes fluttered closed, and he slowly relaxed. But I'm not the only one, he snickered mentally, letting his own eyes close before he gently prodded Zero's bottom lip with his tongue, wondering if the silverette would understand what he was asking.

Surely, being committed into an institution at such a young age, Zero's first 'kiss' had been the night when Kaname had stolen him away, but really it had been just an hour before. Zero had given in during both of those events before

Kaname fought the urge to smirk when Zero hesitantly opened his mouth, and instead he let his tongue slip in, carefully exploring Zero's mouth. He could taste the faint traces left of his own blood, mixed with mint toothpaste. It was such an odd mix, not necessarily bad, just odd. When he pulled away, Kaname just pressed small kisses on Zero's cheekbones and jawline, completely freezing when Zero spoke, his voice not accusatory, just observant.

"You did it, didn't you?" he asked, hands still lightly resting on Kaname's hips. "You killed my mother, didn't you?" the silverette continued. Kaname said nothing, he just stayed where he was, lips still lightly pressed against Zero's cheekbone. "You killed my mother, than 'marked' me when I stumbled in. That's why Kaien said I was yours, that's why you said you were taking back what was yours. I knew something was weird when you said that. It sounded just like what the vampire had said that night."

The final piece had clicked for Zero.

"You lead the vampires that attacked my family. You killed my mother, some killed my father, one 'marked' my brother, and you 'marked' me," he continued as if it were completely normal. Finally, he shoved Kaname away and glared at him. "You were the one who ruined my life. Who took away what I cherished," he growled.

Still, Kaname said nothing. He didn't deny it. It was useless.

"Was there even a reason?" Zero asked, his voice shaking, his eyes narrowing as he stared at him helplessly. "Was there even a goddamned reason for killing my family. Killing me?" he exclaimed.

"Zero, please-"

"Answer the question, Kuran!" he shouted. Kaname sighed and reached forward, his hand now on either side of Zero's face, and he once again drew him closer, though not in an embrace.

"To protect you," Kaname growled, glaring back at Zero. "To protect my kind. You and Ichiru were a danger, Zero, by putting my kind in danger. The only thing I could think of was to make you one of us, so you couldn't destroy us. It would have been a never ending circle. You put us in danger and we put you in danger because of that," he added, gaze softening. Why did Yagari have to step in? Why did he have to say something? "But... I can regret it. It was a mistake and your father wasn't even intending on training you as a vampire hunter."

"I hate you," Zero growled, but Kaname just smirked.

"You should be more honest with yourself, Zero," he snickered, pressing a kiss to the vampire's forehead.

"Shut up..."

There was still one more thing Kaname had to get though, and he didn't want to tear the room apart looking for it.

"Now you can tell me where you've hidden the Bloody Rose."


A/N= BAM! Over. No, just kidding. It's a cliffhanger ^^ You love me and hate me for it though. Trust me, don't deny it. I've been on that end of the cliffhanger many times beore.

Responses~

Shiruyaki. Apple- Ah, no lemon for a while. There will be one, but not now. (I'll explain this in more detail after I respond)

yuuki24688- No, this is not the end m'dear! I've got a while to go and I've hardly touched the main problem yet!

HoldOnAngel- During Thanksgiving you usually make a ton of amazing food. For instance; my mom cooks ham with honey, brown sugar, and pineapple, then makes a few other little delicious appetizers, and then mashes some sweet potatoes, puts some frosted flakes on top, covers it in honey and brown sugar, and bakes it. AMAZING *dies of excitement* Two more days *squeals*

xSonya- The neck thing was very hot, wasn't it? You know, I'd never want to be a vampire (EVER), but to be fed from one? I could do that for a while. *nods* It could be very sexy. Though I wouldn't become a vampire's whore like the ones in Vampire Academy (they're in it for the pleasure and high a bite causes). I'd be in full control and they'd want me :D (I'd have ways to obtain this)

Okay, now onto the lemon business. Please don't ask me to do a lemon in say the next chapter or something, because one; it rushes me and puts me on edge (like you're just reading it for the lemon), and two; I get conflicted and feel like I'm letting you down by not being able to do a lemon. A lemon is just a treat I throw in for you guys (and myself ;D), and use partially to develop the characters relationship in someway. When I was asked in the last chapter to put it in really soon (maybe this chapter? I don't know), I couldn't do it. I really couldn't do it because they aren't close enough yet and Zero's still on edge so a lemon would be completely unrealistic. Trust me, my pets, I will do a lemon (it's rated M for that reason), and hopefully soon for you guys just not now ^^

Say I did a lemon in this chapter. I would have to bring Zero so far out of character it would be crazy and I don't want to do that. Or, if I left him in character, the lemon could have been considered RAPE. I don't do rape. I'm against rape fics, and rape itself, and feel that writing about it is saying I'm completely indifferent about it and that I promote it (even if that's not the case in the least). When I do a lemon I want it to be amazing for you guys (i.e. intense, sweet, sexy, etc.)

*sighs* That boring stuff over with! Now... review number: 53(+)?

Ah, this A/N was longer than I had wanted, but I needed to get some stuff out of the way didn't I? haha

Get the reviews up quick! You'll get the chapter quicker meaning you clear up some of the mysteries~ *teases lightly*

Snow Whites Poison Kiss