Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight.

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"I - I care for you, too," Zero answered quietly, surprising himself with his daring for the second time that night. He was just absolutely astounded that the stunning prince seemed to return his feelings.

Zero heard the door close behind Kaname and rose his head shakily. He could not believe what had happened, or that he had been the one to initiate things, and he was still flushed. He had been so depressed and lonely since being brought to this dingy cell, and seeing Kaname had just evoked so many emotions in him.

He felt very glad that he had been honest with the pureblood at last. About some things, at least. It had been amazing to find that he and Kaname both shared the same past, even though Kaname had been brought up in what Zero had thought would be a sheltered environment. He felt like he understood the prince a lot better now, and he realised that he really wasn't playing a game; he really was such an amazing person, as unbelievable as that seemed. And that wonderful, sweet, caring man had actually said that he cared for Zero. It was astounding.

Zero lay back on his hard, uncomfortable bed, feeling his stomach flutter with excited butterflies. He heard the door slam again. The high squeaking of chair legs shortly afterwards told him that it was just the guard coming back in. Zero felt quite angry at him. He had interrupted his moment with the pureblood.

It was shocking how things had changed in the past twenty-four hours. Not long ago he had been in a state of numb horror, contemplating his own death. And now all he could think of was the kiss he had shared with Kaname Kuran. He found that even though he had been brought up to think of homosexuality as something dirty, now that he had actually kissed another man, held another man in his arms, he just could not think of it that way. Others might think his feelings were wrong, but just as his initial prejudice for vampires had not held up to close scrutiny, neither could his intense feelings for Kaname still seem wrong.

Zero's mouth still tingled with the lingering taste of the pureblood's lips, a beautiful cocktail of mint and something else, something delicious and exotic… Zero found himself wanting to hold Kaname again, to feel the heat of his body so close…

_x_

Zero stretched uncomfortably, trying to get rid of the pains in his back. He had grown extremely fond of sleeping on a mattress, something he had never done before leaving the camp, and this hard pallet was a horrible contrast. As he sat up, trying to blink the sleep from his eyes, he realised that he still held the same optimistic views as he had last night. He had half expected to wake up feeling guilty, and he did feel a little like that, but he did not regret the kiss he had shared with Kaname. He desperately wished that he could be totally honest with the prince, even though he knew that it would be a bad idea. Kaname had not bothered to hide the hatred that he had of the hunters.

Zero was growing tired of lies. It seemed that every time he opened his mouth he was lying to someone he cared about. However, he knew that if he just came out and told the whole truth he would end up dead. The vampires would probably go right ahead and execute him, even if Kaname still wanted to protect him. If he somehow did manage to get out of Nine-Orchids alive, he had no illusions that Yagari would let him back into the hunter group. They would probably try to kill him too.

But admitting his feelings last night had been wonderful. Zero did not want to harm the bond he now felt with Kaname, and though it would mean lying to the man he was starting to really care for, he told himself that as soon as the time was right he would tell him everything. About his hunter blood, about his loyalties to the hunters, everything.

But what about Yagari? What would Zero tell him? Yagari had as good as raised him, protected him from the harsh reactions of the other hunters after he had been turned. Zero's parents had died when he was young, and though he still held a fierce love for them in his heart, he had now come to think of Yagari as his father…

He did not want to let the others down, but he knew that it would be wrong for them to keep attacking the vampires. Zero wished that he could just tell them that there was no revenge to be had here. The vampires who had hurt and tormented his people during Shizuka's reign were no longer present in Nine-Orchids. They had been driven out by the firm and fair hand of the Kuran house.

All the hunters were achieving with their raids was to further the bad blood between the two races. Zero wished that he could show Yagari the side of vampire society that he had seen so far. Kaname had been through the same situation as most of those in the hunter camp. If only they could focus on what they had in common, instead of on their differences. Such understanding from either side would not come easily, but perhaps it wasn't impossible…

He would tell Yagari that he could not kill the pureblood, and that they would have to approach things from a different angle. His master would be extremely angry at him, so perhaps Zero would have to bend the truth again. But it surely it wasn't a bad thing to lie if something good came of it?

Things were still complicated, and Zero was lying a lot more than he wanted to, but now that he had made up his mind to honour both loyalties as best he could, at least things seemed less confusing in his mind. Kaname was amazing, and Zero felt great that the prince seemed to feel the same way about him. He was a little worried that Kaname would regret what had happened between them, but the pureblood had told him that he cared for him first.

There was a knock at the prison door, causing both Zero and his guard to jump. Zero felt his stomach lurch in excitement and anxiety as he saw the stunning pureblood enter the room. Kaname was dressed in a beautiful white suit that complemented his shinning ebony hair and garnet eyes. Zero couldn't help his eyes from scanning the man in appreciation whilst the pureblood spoke to the guard. When Kaname turned a glittering smile to him, Zero tore his eyes away, embarrassed.

"Zero, I have very good news! Your execution has been suspended!" Kaname said warmly.

Zero felt like the ground had opened under his feet. Just suspended? Was he still to be killed, after a long and terrible wait?

Kaname saw his less than overjoyed expression, and hurried to finish his news. "There will be a trial later today, and your sentence will be decided there. But don't worry, you've got a very powerful defence. Or at least you will, when I speak up for you," the prince finished, looking proud. In actual fact, he was very happy with his work. Ex-human's were not considered worth the effort of a trial, but Kaname had pushed his weight around a little. With him standing in defence of the young ex-human, Zero was as good as saved. Kaname hoped that this would be a good precedent for any low bloods to be arrested in the future.

"You're going to speak for me? Thank you, Kaname," Zero said, relieved. Now that the pureblood was actually in the same room again, he found himself blushing and feeling awkward.

"No. I should be thanking you. You saved my life," Kaname said sincerely. The guard at the table gasped audibly, but both Kaname and Zero ignored him. Kaname was ashamed that he had almost died, and really did not want everyone to know of his weakness, but after the trial it would be common news. He would never be able to keep it a secret. Kaname could not feel too bad about it though, as it had helped him to get closer to Zero.

"And now you're saving mine," Zero said, smiling self-consciously.

"So we're even," Kaname smiled back. "I'm sorry, but I have to go and prepare for the trial. I'll see you later."

Kaname left, leaving Zero alone with the guard again.


Kaname had not been able to stop himself from smiling around Zero, even though he knew that he should not broadcast his feeling for the ex-human too obviously. If it was discovered that he had feelings for a low blood, let alone a man, then those nobles that did not like Kaname's ideals could legally have the pureblood excommunicated, or even killed. The laws of Nine-Orchids were far from fair, but Kaname needed to keep his feelings hidden until he wore the crown. Only then could he begin to change the rules.

Still though, he had been very surprised that Zero had acted so calmly, if a little shyly, around him this morning. He had expected that the ex-human would be contrite over his bold actions last night, although it was the last thing that Kaname wanted him to feel. The kiss they had shared had haunted Kaname's thoughts ever since.

Kaname knew that he was jumping to conclusions, but couldn't help himself. He knew that Zero might just have been grateful that he had saved his life. Perhaps he really did regret their kiss… but Kaname couldn't really believe that. The look of embarrassed shyness that Zero had worn, the warm, excited way that those gorgeous lilac eyes had glittered… No, Kaname was pretty sure that the younger vampire felt the same stirrings inside that he did.

Kaname realised that he had a happy smile on his face, and tried to look serious as Takuma came back into the room with a stack of books. He and Kaname had been reading through a lot of the old laws pertaining to the trials of ex-humans, trying to find something that they could use in the trial. Kaname knew that his blood status would ensure the outcome of the case, even if he hadn't had a persuasive argument. However, Kaname found himself unwilling to bend the rules any more than he had to, even if those very rules were hideously biased.

He had rubbed quite a few of the high blood nobles the wrong way just to ensure that Zero was allowed a trial at all. He didn't want to exacerbate things anymore than was necessary. It did seem like a hopeless search, though. All of the laws had been made at a time when ex-humans were nothing more than toys, there to service nobles with their blood and their bodies. Reading such things grated on Kaname, but only increased his determination to avenge his parents and create a fairer world.

"Hey, Kaname! I think I've found something we can use!" Takuma exclaimed. Kaname knew that the noble was ashamed that he had almost been responsible for Zero's death, and he was going to great pains to help prepare for the ex-human's trial.

Kaname leaned over the desk, peering at the passage that Takuma was pointing to. A smile spread over the pureblood's lips again. Perhaps he wouldn't have to break any laws after all…


"Aido! I've got great news!"

Hitomi knocked the noble's office door again, smiling as she imagined the blonde's expression as he heard her voice. She had been coming to see him every so often, now that Zero was imprisoned. Aido had been there when Zero had been arrested, and Hitomi had wanted to know what was going on.

"Why do you keep coming here?" he asked, pulling the door open with an expression of annoyance. "I told you before to leave me alone!"

Hitomi pushed past him, entering his office and perching on the end of his desk. She was not normally so insolent, but she just couldn't help herself around Aido. He was so delightfully easy to wind up.

"W-What do you think you're doing! Get off of my desk!" Aido stammered, turning a pretty shade of pink.

Hitomi purposefully ignored the remark, finding the noble quite funny as usual. He never knew how to react around her.

"Lord Kaname managed to get a trial for Zero! I was on guard duty in the palace when I heard, and I came right here! Oh, and Lord Kaname's going to stand in Zero's defence! You don't have to worry anymore," she said, smiling. Aido had been extremely worried about Zero, despite the mutual dislike they held for one another. He had been upset that he had been the one to diagnose Kaname as being inflicted with a type of hunter poison, shortly before Zero had been found in the possession of a hunter blade. At first he had suspected the ex-human too, but Takuma had quickly informed him that Kaname had been poisoned on his way from the dissident hunter camp.

"Really?" Aido asked, brightening. "I- I mean, not that I care. But can you believe how amazing Lord Kaname is? Helping out a 'D like that… He's so noble and forgiving!"

"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked, frowning. "Zero hasn't done anything wrong. There isn't anything to be forgiven! But I know what you mean about Kaname. Lord Kuran is one of a kind, alright."

She slipped off of the desk and grabbed Aido's arm. "Come on! If we leave now then might be able to watch the trial."

Aido shook her off, "I don't think so! A 'D wouldn't be welcome in the court!"

Hitomi ignored his harsh words, gripping his shirt again and dragging him behind her. Aido was grumbling, but he didn't really seem to be put out at all as he followed behind her.


Zero was led to the court room, feeling a nervous leaden knot settle in his stomach. He trusted Kaname, but he still felt unhappy about the prospect of standing in front of so many strange high bloods. He had been cuffed again, but this time his hands had been secured from the front, which was a lot more comfortable and left his hands more accessible to him.

He was led, much to his annoyance, by Masato. The brown haired man acted just as aloof as ever. Nobody would guess that they had met before now, and Zero didn't even bother trying to start up a conversation with him. He was brought to a mahogany stand, in view of everyone in the court. Most people were not looking at him, however. Almost every gaze was fixed on the stand to Zero's immediate right, and Zero didn't blame them.

In that box stood the magnificent figure of Kaname Kuran, pureblood prince of vampires, dressed in the beautiful white suit he had worn this morning, the fine material helping to enhance his already impressive form. Kaname met his gaze and winked, allowing him to see a delicious, pointy-toothed smile. Zero felt his heart leap painfully in his chest. How had that amazing, exquisite man be interested in someone as plain as Zero?

The trial began with a young high blood announcing the elders, a bunch of attractive but unimpressed looking vampires. Zero began to feel a little uncertain. Despite the confidence Kaname had shown, Zero could not see these people letting him live if they could help it. Any time that one of the elders' eyes alighted on him, they always showered him with a deep well of disgust. Zero looked back at Kaname, who had now been joined by Takuma and Aido. Kaname saw the uncertainty in the ex-human's expression, and merely shook his head. Takuma leaned forward to whisper something in the pureblood's ear, and then the two smiled. That was reassuring, right?

One of the elders stood up and took the podium in the centre of the room. "Ex-human Zero Matsuda, has been accused of treason. It is said that he attempted to assassinate the pureblood prince, Lord Kaname Kuran. Is this true?"

Zero, quivering with nerves now, opened his mouth to answer but was spared the bother.

"That is far from the truth," Kaname's voice echoed out over the large chamber. "This young man actually saved me from assassination."

There was a loud murmur rumbling through the room at his words. Kaname continued to tell the court of how Zero had prevented his death. At the end of his speech most people were looking shocked or wore an expression of disbelief. The elders in particular seemed less than impressed.

"That is certainly a pretty tale, Lord Kuran. But you have not explained why he was holding the knife in the first place," the man at the podium said, after the pureblood had finished. "Have you got an answer for that, my Lord?"

"The reason for his possession of the knife is a simple one. He had been mistreated so often that he found it hard to trust in others. But I really don't feel that it's relevant. Nobody was hurt through this young man's actions, and there are no grounds for his imprisonment or execution," Kaname spoke the last word like it disgusted him.

"My Lord, far be it from me to contradict a pureblood, but that level of evidence has never been needed in a case like this. The man was accused, and has been found with a very offensive weapon. No other requirements are needed to prove the guilt of one of his kind. You would be going against your people's age old laws to claim otherwise, and someone as refined as yourself would never behave in such a way." The vampire smiled a slow, deliberate smile at Kaname. He did not even bother to look at Zero at all.

"You are right, Elder Watanabe, I would never dream of breaking such old rules." Kaname's had spoken quite mildly, and the elder at the podium, Watanabe, looked quite put out that his words had not evoked a more extreme reaction. It seemed things were not going as the sour faced noble had thought.

"But is there maybe something that you are forgetting?" Kaname continued serenely. "You see, my adviser brought one case to my attention. It was quite similar, and actually prompted the creation of new laws. New for their time, of course. I believe that they are actually five hundred years old now."

Watanabe blanched. It seemed he was familiar with the case Kaname had brought up, and was not happy about its mention.

"Ah, I see that you realise the case I speak of, and I'm sure that you notice the relevance between that situation and this one."

"I-I think I know the one you refer to, My Lord," Watanabe replied falteringly, a hint of ill concealed anger flittering across his face. "But, Lord Kuran, surely you don't think that this is the same thing? I mean, the defendant in that case was a noble! This creature is nothing more than a mongrel dog!"

Zero watched the exchange full of confusion. He had been chagrined at first, when he realised that as an ex-human he was not supposed to talk at his own trial. But now he was glad to have the pureblood speak for him. He didn't know how he would have reacted if he had to respond to that arrogant bastard Watanabe.

"Oh, but Elder! The laws do not mention that the defendant must have been a born vampire. They simply proclaim that any vampire to save the life of a pureblood is to be knighted. And as you know, there must be very solid proof to order the imprisonment of a Vampire Knight. And as I plain to recruit him as a Kuran knight, that will make him even less vulnerable. I believe that this case is closed," Kaname's voice had grown more cheerful as he had went on, while Watanabe had gotten more and more furious.

Zero was frozen with shock. He had come here hoping to regain his life and his freedom, now it seemed that he would have that and more than he had imagined. If Kaname was right, Zero could end up in one of the most coveted positions in Nine-Orchids.

"Lord Kuran! Are you sure you want to do this? This man has no worth at all!" Watanabe sounded frustrated and confused.

"I don't believe that the heir of the Kuran House needs to explain himself to anyone. What I plan is entirely legal, so what does it matter?" Kaname had become regal and aloof at the elders words.

Watanabe sighed loudly, but seemed to concede that there was no way for him to stop the pureblood's decision. "Of course, Lord Kuran. The ex-human Zero Matsuda has been cleared of his charges."

There was another loud ripple of conversation spreading through the vampires present, and the court began to disintegrate slowly. Zero looked around, astounded at how things had gone. But what happened now?

Masato, who had stood behind him during the entire proceedings, grabbed his arms and unlocked his cuffs. Zero rubbed were the bracelets had been chafing his skin, wondering if he was supposed to leave yet. The door Zero had entered through burst open, revealing a very pleased pureblood. Zero found his face splitting into an answering grin.

"Wow… Kaname, Thank you!" Zero said, his usual shyness eclipsed by his joy at having been cleared. He found that he wanted to pull the pureblood into a bear hug and only just restrained himself.

"Hmm, no need to thank me. Seeing the smug satisfaction wiped off of Watanabe's face was enough," Kaname said, smiling. "But I think it would be best if you went home right now. I'm sure this whole situation had worn you out."

When Masato and the rest of those in the large hall had cleared, Kaname leaned closer to him, causing Zero's heart to speed up. "I'm really sorry, Zero, but it would not be good for us to been seen together right now. People will be suspicious enough at my intervention on your case, and though I really care for you, nobody can know. At least not yet…" Kaname seemed to be feeling guilty about his words, but although it made him feel a little sad, Zero understood. Society would never accept them as a couple.

The pureblood was standing so close to him, and Zero could not stop himself from reaching out to run his hand through Kaname's glittering black locks. Zero loved the pureblood's long hair, and how good it felt between his fingers. Kaname leaned closer and pressed his warm forehead against Zero's. Once again, Zero felt his body acting on its own. He kissed Kaname's soft lips, unable to hold it in any longer. This kiss was different, sweeter and more gentle, but still very delicious as Kaname's lips moulded against his.

Kaname's hands slipped to Zero's waist as he pulled away. "Please, come to my quarters tomorrow. We need to discuss your upcoming knighthood, no one would find it strange." Kaname treated him to another bright smile.

Zero found an embarrassing, girly blush spread across his cheeks at Kaname's words and cheeky grin. "Of course, Kaname."

He followed the pureblood back through the thick doors, and was immediately greeted by a pair of slender arms wrapping around his waist.

"Oh, Zero! What happened? They wouldn't let me in!" Hitomi exclaimed, leaning back to get a better look at him. "I was so worried about you," she said, sapphire eyes shining.

"Ah, hello Hitomi," Kaname said. "Perhaps you should go back to your dorm house, and bring your friend up to speed, Zero. But I would still appreciate it if you came to see me tomorrow."

"Of course," Zero answered. He was a little put out that he would not get a chance to be alone with Kaname yet, but it would be nice to catch up with Hitomi. She was his friend and it touched him that she had been concerned for him. He and Hitomi said goodbye to Kaname, and headed back to Kyoko's boarding house together.


I hope you liked it!

Once again I found myself struggling, and I actually tried to write this chapter four times. I wasn't sure about this one, but I finally decided to post this chapter despite my misgivings.

Please let me know what you think! =3