A/N: Thank you to everyone who has waited so long for this and is still interested in reading! I'm considering changing the genre to romance, rather than friendship. Depends on where the muse takes me. Let me know your thoughts! Without further ado, I present chapter 7.

The warmth of Kiryuu Zero's body and eyes still lingered on the young pureblood's skin as he strode through the corridors of the empty Moon Dorms. He felt lighter, the memory of Zero's touch lending him a momentary burst of strength that flowed through his limbs. It dissipated as soon as he walked into his private chambers to see Ichijou sitting comfortably at his desk, looking as if he had no intention of moving any time soon. Well, it wasn't as if Kaname had not known all along that he was there. It had been pleasant, though, to simply not care for the briefest of moments.

Kaname left the door open and paused a step away from it.

'The car will be here shortly,' he declared, eyes fixed on the older vampire.

'Thank you. Come here, Kaname. Close the door.'

Kaname closed the door, but remained where he was. 'We have paperwork to go through before you leave, do we not?'

Ichijou waved a hand dismissively in the air. 'That can wait until the next time we meet. And it won't be long until then, I'm sure.' He bared his teeth in a sneer disguised as a smile, and didn't hide the hunger in his eyes as he let them roam over Kaname's body.

The youth did not look away. It wouldn't be much longer now, until this nightmare was gone and he could breathe. He just had to hold on for a few minutes more. The strength that Zero had given him was still there, inside, a diamond nestled within the fear and rage and darkness that clouded his heart. He could bear this for a little longer.

'Kaname...' Ichijou was suddenly on his feet and standing in front of the pureblood. 'I will miss you,' he murmured, cradling Kaname's face between his hands gently, as a parent or lover would. Kaname went stock-still. 'We were so intimate once, were we not?' His voice was soft, but crisp as the crackle of lightning. The intense desire in his eyes frightened the younger man.

The cold fingers cupping Kaname's face suddenly became hard and claw-like. Nails dug into his skin, threatening to draw blood as his voice took on a musing tone. 'The things I desire from you, Kaname, I'm sure you know some of them. There are things that all vampires, even those in your closest circle, want; your title, your power, your blood. Your body.' The fingers roughly drew Kaname's face closer to Ichijou's, until their lips met in a harsh kiss. The younger man did not struggle, even when his former guardian's tongue forced it's way into his mouth. An arm snaked under his shirt and around his waist and he felt himself being pulled tightly against the bodily evidence of the man's fierce desire. Still, he did not struggle; this was nothing compared to what he had already been through. The realisation that by now, this barely affected him sent a wave of self-repulsion coursing through Kaname.

Ichijou felt the shudder and broke the kiss, dragging his lips over Kaname's chin, savouring the ivory skin of his neck. Kaname could hear the older vampire's breathing become heavier as he surely felt the pulse beneath his lips quicken. He moved up to Kaname's ear, moist breath making the pureblood turn his face to the side.

'Of course,' Ichijou continued, 'to have you, a Kuran, as a political puppet is a dream for any of the more ambitious of our kind. And we both know that I am ambitious, Kaname. But that couldn't possibly satisfy me, not after what I have tasted. I want more. I want to own you. I want the submission in your eyes, I want the quiver in your hands, the sheen of your naked skin.' Kisses that were too rough, too possessive to really be called kisses accentuated each phrase, each expression of desire, trailing up and down Kaname's neck. Ichijou's voice became a low rasp, thick with hunger. 'The taste of your sweat. I want to see you break.'

With that, Kaname finally allowed his body to move, stepping forcefully out of the reach of his former guardian's wandering hands. He did not miss the way that Ichijou had relented, allowing himself to be brushed off. Allowing Kaname to escape. The youth shuddered again at the realisation of his own vulnerability, and inside him, a great, sickening lump of darkness and terror suddenly churned, trying to tear its way up out of his throat. His vision dimmed and he clamped a hand over his mouth, fighting back a scream. His breath came in harsh gasps. No. No no no. Was he going to break down now, of all times? Even though he had turned away from Ichijou, he could feel the other man's triumphant eyes planted on his back. Pushing him. Cheering on this abrupt tumult of suffocating emotions. And try as he might, Kaname could not push back.

He strode to the door and yanked it open, wincing at the way his hand shook. Quivered. He steadied himself as he walked out into the corridor and headed for the main door, where the car would eventually come to pick up Ichijou Asato and take him away from here.

He felt a jolt of nausea when he Ichijou's voice followed him down the corridor. 'We haven't finished our conversation, Kaname, my boy.' A hand firmly grasped Kaname's wrist and tried to pull him to a standstill, but the pureblood tore his arm out of the hold with a snarl and continued walking. There was a pause, and then the breath flew out of him as he was shoved gracelessly against the wall. Ichijou's arm pressed into his chest, holding him back, although the pureblood did not struggle.

'My, my. You're a pureblood. You should have felt that coming.'

I did. Kaname told himself accusingly. But he hadn't reacted.

'We haven't finished talking. There is more that I wish to say to you.'

'I think,' Kaname's mouth was dry and he had to swallow to continue. 'I think I can guess what you have to say to me, and I don't wish to hear it.' Ichijou smirked. 'So let go of me.'

'As you wish, my lord.'

The pressure on Kaname's chest was withdrawn, but the noble vampire did not step back. He watched as Kaname struggled to keep his expression calm, mildly impressed that even though he was obviously in a state of severe distress, the pureblood still made sure to meet his gaze firmly and challengingly. And he was in no condition to challenge anyone.

Kaname briefly imagined what the night class would say or think if they were to see him in this situation. Seeing their precious pureblood leader tolerate – no, not tolerate, submit to – such indignity both verbal and physical would surely have them sneering in disgust and disappointment. Even Takuma would scoff at him, and perhaps even resent him all the more for making his grandfather seem a villain.

A low chuckle from Ichijou tore into Kaname's jumbled thoughts. 'I believe I already own you, Kaname. Look at you. Pitiable. And so beautiful.' He laughed again, the sound as ill-natured as any Kaname could imagine. 'Do not worry, I won't touch you again. My car is here. But I will have you listen to me, before I leave. Tell me, my pureblood prince, what is stopping you from tearing off my head?'

Silence.

'Oh, come now. We both know that you are capable of it. And quite entitled to do so, considering the circumstances.' This was added with a wry, tooth-revealing smirk. 'You could render me a pile of stinking dust and be praised for it, and yet here we are, cat and mouse, with you trembling at the very sound of my voice. Tell me why.'

Inexplicable panic tore through Kaname's chest. He felt sicker than he'd ever felt before. He fought to slow his breath. Why? Ichijou asked. If he didn't already know the answer, he would never have begun this hideous game. Kaname knew the answer, but it wasn't something he could articulate. His eyes broke away from Ichijou's expectant stare and settled on the man's thin lips and the way they twisted in condescension.

'Is it because we both have something to gain from this?'

Silence.

'Or rather, is it that were you to tear off my head, you would lose everything?' A cruel laugh. 'Or everyone.' Kaname's eyes closed. 'It seems it is a case of both.' Ichijou pulled away slowly. 'For a pureblood, Kuran Kaname, you are very foolish. But wise enough to know when to yield. I'll give you that. Come to me before the end of the month. I will see myself out.'

Kaname wasn't sure exactly how long it had been since Ichijou had closed the door and disappeared, but he knew it couldn't have been too long because he was still standing against the wall, where the older vampire had left him.

'Kaname?'

The pureblood opened his eyes, although he hadn't known they were closed, and saw Zero standing at the doorway.

'I saw the car leave a while ago, so I thought...' He paused. 'Are you all right?'

Kaname watched wordlessly as the hunter cautiously crossed the room to where he leaned against the wall. His body was tense. Zero always seemed to notice when something was wrong. Or was it that he could feel the aura radiating from the pureblood? Kaname couldn't tell if he even had an aura at this moment. He absently wondered what it would feel like, to Zero.

But something was indeed wrong. Kaname acknowledged this while ignoring it at the same time. He felt like he could barely see. Oh, his eyes knew Zero was standing there before him with that suspicious, concerned look on his face, they knew that the door still stood slightly ajar and that only one of the lights in the large room was turned on and that there was a small table sporting a decorative blue vase about two metres to his left. And yet, he felt like everything around him was thin and dark and obscured from his vision. His hearing suffered, too. Zero was saying something, and although Kaname understood the words, he was under the strange impression that they were not real, and thus there was no need to respond.

I want to see you break. Suddenly, the words from earlier echoed through his mind, and Kaname flinched. He stared at Zero, who was staring at him. Zero had not said those words. Kaname knew whose words they were, and he knew that it was those words that were crushing him right now. Oh, God. In a moment of clarity that it seemed only the insane are ever privy to, Kaname realised why he had so easily begun to come apart on hearing those words. He realised why he had so easily – so willingly – been able to play the vulnerable victim around Ichijou. He realised why right now, he so wanted to feel the touch of fingers and lips warming his cold skin. He was already a puppet, a slave, a whore to that man, and he would do anything that he asked, even break for him. Because at least it meant that he, Kuran Kaname, was worth something.

Kaname couldn't remember moving, but he suddenly found himself pressed against Zero, his hands desperately clinging onto the hunter's back. He could feel the tension and resistance in Zero's body, and it only served to make the pureblood's embrace even tighter. He pressed his face into Zero's neck, breathing in the smell of warmth and life. There was blood coursing beneath that delicate skin, but it was not what Kaname needed right now. He began to press insistent kisses against Zero's flesh, tracing a trail over the hunter's jaw to his lips. He was aware that his breath was once again coming in tight gasps. He was aware of everything.

And then everything stopped.

The air in the room had become suffocating. Zero's arms wavered at his sides, not sure whether they should push the pureblood away or hold him. This was not like the embrace they had shared earlier that day. This was... frightening. He felt Kaname's lips brush his neck and he instinctively tensed up even further, ready to fight if he had to. And then he felt the first kiss, and his arms dropped.

Zero was in utter shock for a long moment, able to do nothing but feel the trace of Kaname's lips travelling up his neck towards his jaw.

'Kaname...? What are you...?' Zero could hear Kuran's laboured breathing, could feel the desperation in his movements, but he could not see his face. 'Kaname, wait. Wait a second, stop.' He tried to urge Kaname to stop, to look at him, but words could not make the dark-haired youth respond. The hunter grasped his upper arms and tried to push him away, gently, but the pureblood only held on tighter.

When Zero felt soft lips press urgently against his, his mind went blank. The kiss was hard, needy, passionate, and although he knew it was Kuran Kaname kissing him, Zero almost felt the urge to reciprocate. It was only when he felt Kaname reach up, take the hunter's hands from his arms and slip them underneath his own shirt, that Zero came back to his senses and tore his hands away from the firm skin they had been so close to indulgently caressing. Instead, he placed them on either side of Kaname's face and gently but firmly pulled away those attacking lips. Honestly, Zero was so dazed by this completely uncharacteristic behaviour that he barely knew how to react. He only knew that Kaname should stop, and that Kaname's blasted pureblood aura was suddenly exerting so much stifling pressure that he wanted to scream.

Surprisingly, the young brunette did not resist when Zero pulled his face away, but released Zero and settled back, his eyes watching Zero steadily. The hunter found himself disturbed by the expression on Kaname's face. The calm in that expression was so at odds with the terrible aura that was being emitted, it confused Zero.

'Kaname?' He ventured softly. He searched Kaname's eyes and found the same calm in them, although this calm was brittle and dangerous. 'Kaname, what the hell is... I mean...' Zero didn't even know what to say. 'You.. you kissed me!'

At this, the aura pulsed violently, and Zero winced in discomfort. Kaname let out a breath that seemed to be a laugh, and nodded.

'Yes, I did.'

'You... are you all right?' The aura was becoming heavier and heavier. It was starting to feel black and murderous. Zero felt the urge to run away, but his concern for the pureblood stilled his feet. Had something happened? Had he again failed to protect Kaname?

The words seemed to bother the dark-haired boy, and his brow creased. He slowly shook his head, not in reply, but as if he didn't understand the question. His breathing was still too fast and short.

'Let's... let's sit down.' Zero began to lead his friend towards a chair, but was met with resistance.

'I'd rather stand.' The words were murmured quietly and absently, as if half-dreamed. The aura thickened and seemed to howl in Zero's ear. He winced again and took a deep breath. By now, he was well aware of the minute cracks in the high windows and in the mirror that hung not far from Kaname's left shoulder. He warily watched a crack extend and tensed, waiting for all of the glass in the building to implode. He was reminded of that time in Kaname's room, when Zero had breached the subject of Ichijou. Kaname had certainly been angry, distressed, then. But he had been lucid and recovered quickly. This was a hundred times worse. This was dangerous. Zero didn't know what to do. He wanted to calm Kaname down, but the pureblood seemed barely aware of what was happening. Barely aware that he even needed calming. A surge of protective anger rose in Zero as he pondered what might have lead to this. Ichijou. Damn him.

'Kaname, I really think we should sit down. Or at least, go over there.' His head was pounding in time with the pureblood aura, making it hard to think. The cracks in the mirror were hissing and multiplying. 'Really.'

There was no reply, and when Zero tried to lead him away again, Kaname didn't make a move. His eyes were now fixed on Zero accusingly, the same look he had given the hunter back when they had met before he left for the business trip, and Zero felt a jolt of fear.

'Please,' he said softly, giving Kaname's arm another gentle pull. At this, Kaname snatched his arm away with a snarl. That did it. A second later, the aura swelled painfully, and Zero stifled a pained groan before the mirror shattered and sent its fragments flying.

Zero came back to his senses moments later to find himself crouching on the floor with blood on his hands and pain in the arm he had flung up at the last minute to shield his face. His eyes immediately sought out Kaname, who still stood near the wall, staring down at Zero like he was a piece of meat. Predictably, the shards of glass had not touched him. And his eyes burned crimson.

This is it, Zero thought resignedly. Kuran's gone crazy. He's going to eat me. The hunter stood up slowly, eyes never leaving Kaname's face, and brushed the glass off his sleeve. For a tense moment, the two of them merely faced each other, and then, so suddenly that Zero was left winded, the red bled out of Kaname's eyes and the terrible aura receded. Zero realised that his brunette friend had finally reigned it in.

'Sorry. I'm so sorry... Zero, I...' Kaname's voice was soft and filled with uncertainty and despair. 'Are you all right?' His hands reached out towards Zero, but he seemed afraid to touch him. 'I don't know what I was doing, I – I – I'm so sorry...'

'Kaname, I'm fine.' The relief Zero felt was so palpable he could feel it in his lungs as he spoke. 'I'm really fine.' He reached out and brushed one of the hands that were so reluctant to touch him, and was surprised when it was yanked away. This worried Zero to no end. He stared at the pureblood and was shocked to see the raw expression marring his usually-tranquil features. Kaname seemed to be warring with something inside himself, and would not meet Zero's eyes although his gaze roamed the hunter's body, checking for injuries. He was still breathing abnormally, as if he could not get enough air.

'I'm more worried about you.' Zero stepped closer and reached out again. He was alarmed to see Kaname flinch away from his touch and move back against the wall. 'Kaname? I'm not going to hurt you...' He trailed off, confused.

'I know. But I might hurt you.' The voice was clear and strong, getting his point across directly. Kaname chose that moment to look into Zero's eyes, and the silver-haired boy could see that his friend was still by no means calm. He was for some reason reminded of the kiss that had happened moments ago.

'I can take care of myself, Kaname. Let me help you.'

'You should leave, Zero. If you want... you can come back later. Right now, I – I need to be alone.'

'I don't want to leave you alone.'

'It would be best for both of us.'

Zero hesitated.

'Damn it, Kiryuu, get out!' The building vibrated and Zero flinched. But stood his ground. Although the painful aura had receded, it was still by no means terrifying to be in such close proximity to a mentally unstable pureblood. Every logical fibre of his being urged him to do as Kuran said and leave now, but Zero's heart would not let him.

'GET OUT!' A window burst into pieces on the other side of the room. Zero said goodbye to sense and surged forward, planting his arms on the wall on either side of Kaname so that their faces were centimetres apart. The hunter knew that cornering an enraged and desperate pureblood vampire was the most idiotic plan anyone had ever come up with, but he had faith in this enraged and desperate pureblood vampire. Albeit stupidly, he trusted him enough to test the limits of his impeccable control.

Two seconds later, the look on Kaname's face made Zero regret his actions. Before he was torn apart, the hunter took another leap of faith, and leaned forward until his lips touched Kaname's. The contact made the pureblood

freeze instantly. Zero was about to pull away, when he felt the soft mouth press against his more urgently. He felt Kaname's lips part and the warmth of his breath made the silver-haired youth shiver. He parted his own lips and allowed the heat that was Kaname's tongue to surge against his. The other boy pushed against him desperately, and gave a low moan. It was not a moan of pleasure, but one of distress and it was only then that Zero realised that he had not even been returning the kiss, although he had initiated it. But he couldn't return it. He felt beyond uncomfortable. He was a little bit frightened, and overwhelmingly sad. He did not want this kiss that was so full of pain.

He allowed it for a moment more, something in him thrilled and yet repulsed at the warm mouth moving against his, and almost sighed in relief when Kaname finally broke away. Immediately the pureblood lowered his head to Zero's shoulder, but still did not touch him with his hands.

'I'm sorry. Thank you,' he murmured breathlessly, 'thank you, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.' Zero's arms curled protectively around the trembling body and embraced him tightly. Apology and gratitude tumbled feverishly from the young pureblood's lips, over and over, and all the hunter could do was hold him and fight back the tears that suddenly wanted to spill.