A/n: I know I promised this sooner, but several things came up which could not be avoided. One of them being my awesome CAPE results XD. I also want to thank everyone for such lovely reviews and I hope you can forgive me for my absolute lateness.
…
Chapter Seven: The Dawning
Kaname had managed to fall asleep next to Zero…the silver haired curling up next to him as if unconsciously seeking protection from reality and his dreams. It would be a good few hours until the Pureblood would awaken again.
The sun was still up, bordering dangerously on twilight when Kaname managed to stretch his arms and crack a few bones. He looked at the sleeping figure near him with a tenderness and affection he did not know he possessed. He allowed his smooth fingertips to barely graze the soft skin of Zero's cheek and he smiled in contentment. This situation…Zero in his bed…this was how it should be…always.
The Pureblood snapped out of his reverie and decided to get some breakfast downstairs, knowing full well that no-one else would be awake. During his slumber, he had vaguely sensed Aidou's return with his cousin.
His inclement rage had soared again in his subconscious, and it was Zero's hand, which clutched to his shirt tightly even in the throes of sleep, which managed to keep him still and in his bed in the fear of waking up the resting boy.
Finishing up the last of his scrambled eggs with a glass of dissolved blood tablets, he noticed the sun was beginning to set and wondered if he should even go to class. He would very much prefer to stay with Zero and aid the hunter with his recovery.
The sound of footsteps could be heard from the staircase and Kaname waltzed into the main foyer to greet his fellow vampires, and perhaps catch a glimpse of Aidou, the man of the hour. He beckoned one of the maids and said, "Please serve them in the kitchen today."
The purple haired maid nodded and took the trays back in the kitchen.
Kain and the rest of the vampires were making their way to the dining hall when Kaname them.
"You will be having your meals in the kitchen today," he said stiffly, looking at everyone with a calm which usually screamed danger. Aidou flinched at Kaname's heated stare. He knew he was in trouble…and big trouble. He really was hoping that he would make it out alive…Kaname would have every right to kill him if he so pleased.
"Aidou, I believe you and I have some matters to discuss. Stay," Kaname ordered. The rest of the vampires hesitated for a moment before giving Aidou an apologetic glance and continued on to the kitchen.
"Aidou, I believe you know the position you're in…" Kaname spoke, his face calm and collected, not betraying the raging war within. He wanted nothing more than to rip the stupid blonde to shreds and decorate the foyer with his bloody bits.
Aidou gulped visibly, his brow beginning to sweat in nervous anticipation.
"Kaname-san- "
"I did not give you permission speak," Kaname commanded softly, his eyes narrowing precariously.
Aidou nodded and he was sure his fellow vampires could hear his heart thundering in his chest like a war drum.
"You understand what you did, didn't you?" Kaname asked, and help up a hand to silence the blonde who was once again ready to interrupt.
"There is nothing you can say which could possibly defend your actions, Hanabusa. You have truly angered me," Kaname spoke, picking up a rose from the nearby vase and twirling it lazily between his fingers.
"Kaname-san…with all due respect…I do not understand why you care so much about the ex-human. It would matter little to us if he was dead," Aidou defended, his voice shaking as he spoke. The blond had not forgotten what he had seen in Zero's head…and certainly, it was regrettable. He had not even gotten a decent night's (or day's) rest because of the haunting images…but he still did not think that Zero was worth Kaname's attention and time.
Suddenly, Aidou felt a stinging pain in his left shoulder, and a few drops of blood trickled down his formerly pristine white uniform and onto the tiled floors. Aidou looked to his shoulder to examine the source of the pain, when he noticed that it was a rose stabbing his flesh.
With lightening speed, Kaname held Aidou's neck with bruising force, his fingers digging deep into his flesh.
"I will be the one to judge, Hanabusa…and right now, the one who matters the least…is you," Kaname replied coldly, and he released the smaller body. Aidou coughed instinctively, and he could feel the bruises on his neck without touching them. He was not too worried though, he figured it would take a few hours to heal.
"You will not touch Zero, do you understand?" Kaname asked, his eyes cold and hard of deadly steel.
Aidou nodded nervously, not wishing to further anger his superior.
"If you disobey me, Hanabusa, I will not hesitate to kill you."
He nodded again, knowing that Kaname spoke the truth.
"Right now, I cannot think of a suitable punishment for your…actions. However, I am aware that you were privy to some of Zero's…memories…" Kaname trailed, studying the blond for his reactions.
"Yes…" Aidou whispered.
"Were they…horrible?" Kaname curiously asked.
"Very," he answered honestly, his shoulder still throbbing from the rose still lodged in his skin.
"Do you think you could handle that as your punishment?" Kaname asked, and he watched in grim fascination at the emotions which flitted across Aidou's face in quick succession: horror, fear, pain, despair, resignation.
Surely, Kaname-san will never do that…please Kaname-san…not that…anything but that…
"N-No, Kaname-san…Please…not that…I will do anything else you ask of me, anything but that. I beg you," Aidou pleaded, his eyes wide with the unspoken fear.
A bit of guilt was making its way through Kaname's conscious. It was very rare to see the proud, arrogant Aidou reduced to begging and pleading. And somewhere deep down, it hurt to see his friend (?) in such a state.
"Fine, Hanabusa, stop your sniveling. I don't know what you saw, but I reckon it was bad enough to induce such…behaviour, especially coming from you," the Pureblood said and Aidou hung his head in shame.
"I think you should just leave with the rest of the class. Do not talk to me unless it concerns Zero. I also do not wish to see you until I can think of your redeemable act. Leave," Kaname commanded once more, and he watched him go in the kitchen with a bloody shoulder and a bruised ego.
….….
Kaname had gone back upstairs once the other vampires had already left for class. To his pleasant surprise, Zero was wide awake and sitting up in bed. From the looks of it, he seemed a bit dazed and his eyes were cloudy and unfocused.
The Pureblood stepped tentatively towards the youth and sat on the edge of the bed. Zero looked at him.
"Hi," he said feebly.
"Hey, how are you feeling," Kaname asked.
Zero shrugged, "A little better. My head hurts…and I feel a bit weak."
"Do you need some more blood?" Kaname asked again, hoping that the boy would agree. However, Zero shook his head and looked at Kaname curiously.
"You lied to me," the hunter deadpanned. Kaname froze.
Lied? Lied about what? Kaname racked his brain desperately for the offense.
"You told me that you were helping me for Yuuki's sake. Is that true?" Zero continued, his eyes and voice devoid of all emotion. Kaname froze again. Did Zero possibly hear his whispered confession the night before? It was impossible! He was unconscious…well sleeping, but same thing.
Kaname didn't want to scare off Zero so soon. He had only just gotten to know the boy…he wanted to hold on to him for a little while longer before the hunter rejected him.
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden, Zero?"
"Because…just because," the ex-human finished lamely, his face turning away as a cute blush decorated his pale cheeks.
Kaname reached out with his hand and allowed his fingers to brush Zero's jaw in a swift gentle move. The hunter stiffened under his ministrations but did not flinch. He held Zero's face in his hand and shifted its angle so the hunter was staring directly into Kaname's wine coloured orbs.
"It's not all for Yuuki."
"…I…Know. I heard you last night…" Zero trailed, trying to look away again in embarrassment, but Kaname's hold kept him in place.
"Really? Well then you know how I feel," Kaname casually remarked, still stroking Zero's jaw with his fingers.
"I…don't know, Kaname. I don't really know how you feel. We've hated each other ever since…how did things change so drastically. I do not understand," Zero explained in confusion, his eyes misty with puzzlement and uncertainty.
Kaname had to admit that Zero looked absolutely adorable with his blushing cheeks and his eyes wide with wonder and hesitation. He grasped the hunter's shoulders and brought him closer, enjoying the warmth and softness of Zero's delicate body.
"Zero…what do you feel? For me?" Kaname asked gently, hoping against all hope that Zero did feel something positive in concerns to their…relationship.
Zero paused for a moment thinking about the question. Honestly, he did not really know. Kaname visited him when he was in the infirmary; was patient and kind and even strangely gentle. How did he feel? Zero remembered a time when he hated said Pureblood vampire, but now, hate was the last thing on his mind.
As if sensing the emotional turmoil raging a war within Zero's mind and heart, Kaname spoke, "Zero, it's alright. You don't need to answer now. Besides, I have not been completely honest with you."
Kaname felt a tad bit guilty for all the time he had hurt Zero with his cruel barbs and taunts, and ridiculed him for being a Level E, a situation he had no control of.
Zero looked up at Kaname, and unconsciously snuggled deeper into the Pureblood's arms. Kaname placed his chin on Zero's head and thought it was best to tell Zero everything.
"Zero, you think too highly of me," Kaname started, and he felt the smaller body tense against his chest.
"At the beginning, when you were missing, I cared very little whether we found you or not. I would have easily rejected to participate in the search of it wasn't for Yuuki and her love for you. She practically begged me and I gave in.
When we did find you, I only bothered to help you because Akatsuki asked me too," Kaname said as calmly as possible, trying to ignore the stiff body in his arms.
"Kain? Why?" Zero whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Yes, Kain. He has a…liking for you, if you want to put it that way. He cared for your health and well-being in ways I didn't," Kaname explained, feeling the tinges of jealousy as he spoke. At the beginning, Kain's feelings had never bothered him, but now, the very thought of Kain even thinking about Zero in any lewd perverted manner made him want to kill the fire user.
"Kain…likes me? He never really said anything," came Zero's muffled bewildered voice as he tried to sit up, but Kaname tightened his hold on the boy.
"His "liking" is of the unhealthy kind, trust me. He even admitted it, that's why he never bothered to pursue you. He wants to possess you…like an object. The Kains are known for collecting beautiful artifacts, so it's not surprising that Akatsuki singled you out," the pureblood replied, moving his hand to stroke Zero's silvery stands.
"You – think I'm beautiful?" Zero shyly asked, his voice still muffled slightly because of his position. Kaname halted for a moment.
"Yes, Zero. You are very beautiful," he answered honestly. Zero relaxed a bit in Kaname's arms until he began to speak again.
"Zero, I will admit that I did not like you very much…it was my own Pureblood prejudices which barred my thinking and clouded my judgment. At first, I did not want to help you, but now I cannot stop. I've seen you for who you truly are, and not the Level E I scorned," Kaname confessed, or as far as Pureblood confessions can possibly go without losing too much pride.
Zero was silent for a long time, and Kaname had wondered if the hunter had fallen asleep during his confession.
"So what are you trying to say?" Zero asked suddenly, and with strength he did not know he possessed, he broke out of Kaname's restricting hold and sat up on the mattress looking at Kaname through guarded eyes.
Kaname sighed to himself. He knew that Zero would not immediately believe him. He wouldn't be Zero if he didn't.
"I feel very strongly for you. I feel more for you than I have ever felt for Yuuki," he replied honestly.
"Do you love me?" Zero asked bluntly, and Kaname almost choked on his saliva.
"Love?" he asked in confusion, but Zero took that as an answer as he looked away. Mentally, Zero was berating himself. He realized that he was beginning to fall for the brunette vampire and it had unnerved him greatly. Zero knew his feelings were strong when Kaname had "kissed" him in order to feed him blood.
The intimate contact set his heart on fire (in a good way), and a pleasant feeling began spreading all over his body. The way Kaname handled him with such care and gentleness only fuelled the flame of desire.
"I understand, Kaname. You do not love me," Zero spoke with no animosity or sadness. It was resolute, as if he were stating a mundane fact of the world.
"I do not love you either," Zero finished, and Kaname felt something slice his heart and an unfamiliar feeling was pooling in his gut. His face hardened and he was unsure why he was even working up himself over such a matter.
What did you expect, Kaname? A bloody love letter? You just confessed that you did not love him too, so why the hell are you acting a lovesick moron. Pull yourself together dammit! Kaname thought to himself as he continued to look at Zero's entrancing lavender orbs.
"I see," was Kaname's eloquent response and he decided it was probably best to leave and clear his head somewhere. As he was about to stand, a small hand latched onto his wrist and Zero was looking at him though lowered lashes.
"Kaname, that does not mean that I do not feel something. I feel…strongly…for you as well," Zero admitted softly, "stay with me, please."
And that was all Kaname needed as he scooped up the frail boy and placed him in his arms once again, tightening around him in a protective gesture. Inside, Kaname's heart was beating hard in his chest, and his stomach was doing weird somersaults. Zero's body felt so right against his own, and Kaname realized that he was turning into a sap, and he didn't mind in the least.
Kaname nuzzled Zero's silver hair and Zero purred in contentment. They remained like that for a while until their brief moment of serenity was disturbed by a rushing Sieren. She barged in without hesitation and positioned herself in front the two "love" birds.
Kaname hastily removed himself from Zero and angrily looked at Sieren who looked unapologetic.
"Sieren, what the hell are you doing?" Kaname half yelled at the imposing woman.
"I apologize, Kaname-sama, but the tracer has been activated. They are in the main town. The rest of the vampires are ready to move, and Kain has gone to retrieve Yagari," she spoke calmly, not once once looking at Zero.
The ex-human on the other hand, sat up immediately and winced at the throbbing in his head.
Kaname completely disengaged himself from the bed and turned to Sieren, "I will them outside in five minutes. Do not go anywhere without me, I need to brief you on a few things."
She nodded and left promptly, shutting the door on her exit.
"Kaname, is she talking about the Kronos?" Zero asked quickly, his heart beating a mile a minute.
The Kuran hesitated for a moment and replied, "Yes. And before you say anything, you are not coming with us."
Zero made a sound of protest and before he could vocalize his objections in words, Kaname beat him to it.
"You are still weak, Zero, and honestly, I don't want you near them. They can hurt you again," Kaname explained, sitting down again and putting his hand over Zero's smaller one and making comforting circles on the back of his hand.
"Kaname…I –" Zero began.
"Please, Zero for your own safety. I don't know what I will do if something happened to you. Just let us handle it…let us take your revenge. I promise we won't be gentle," Kaname tried to joke, and was rewarded when Zero's lips twitched grudgingly.
"So am I supposed to do? Wait and sleep? What if something happens to you?" Zero rushed, not liking the thought of something awful happening to the Pureblood.
"Don't worry. You've told us enough about them. We'll keep our distance and watch out for the Fury. We'll be fine, please trust me," Kaname half-way pleaded with the stubborn hunter.
After a few moments' hesitation, Zero nodded and said, "Be careful, Kaname. Do not underestimate them."
"We won't."
And with that, Kaname placed a kiss on Zero's cheek and left. Zero remained staring at the place at the door where Kaname had just departed until his eyes felt heavy and sandy, and promptly fell asleep.
…
"Did you get everything?" Kaname asked.
"Yes," they obediently chirped.
"Remember, don't let them get close to you," Kaname stressed, hoping against hope that his band of stubborn vampires would heed this warning just once.
Yagari nodded, and began explaining to them the uses of the Fury whip and the best ways to avoid getting hit.
The house was small and quaint, a complete contrast to the huge mansion previously used by the Kronos. There was a carving of a sickle in the wooden door, and once again, there was a force field protecting the house.
"Wait," Yagari said suddenly as Kaname was about to use his crazy Pureblood powers to get through the field.
Yagari stretched his hand out and to everyone's amazement; it went right through it, allowing Yagari safe passage.
Kaname raised an eyebrow at this.
"I can disengage it without alerting the occupants inside. It's a hunter spell they used," the older hunter explained and after a saying a few words, the field was down and Kaname nodded.
Aidou whispered something which sounded like, "show off."
Kaname glared at the blonde and whispered, "Split up."
After a handful of nods, Kaname and Yagari decided to go through the entrance due to the smallness of the house. It was flat with no basement, meaning that there were only a few other ways to get in: back door, and the windows.
Yagari kicked down the door with unnecessary force and he froze. Kaname was also in a mild state of shock, but he did not show it.
Yagari raised his gun at them nevertheless, his fingers shaking as he hooked his index on the trigger.
In front of them were Sayori Wakaba and Nadashiko Shindo, two of Yuuki's classmates.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash, and the rest of the vampires entered holding three struggling teenagers shouting profanities. Kaname was confused…very confused. He had seen them before. The two girls and one of the struggling boys went to Cross Academy. The other two boys he had never seen before.
"What?" Yagari managed to stumble out.
Kaname roughly grabbed Sayori Wakaba who offered no resistance except for a constant glare.
"Put her down you vampire!" Nadashiko yelled and suddenly the lights went out.
"Stupid humans, we are vampires ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Aidou yelled as he felt a whip lash on his back. His blood was pouring out of the large wound, and the three previously struggling males suddenly disappeared and more whip lashes could be heard.
"Hunter!" one of them exclaimed, and the lights came back on. Unexpectedly, Yagari felt a blade by his jugular and none other than Sayori wielding the offending weapon.
Fighting and chaos ensued.
(A/n: I am horrible at fight scenes, so I'm not gonna write it. All in all, the vampires and Yagari managed to subdue them.)
After a measly ten minutes of supposed fighting, the vampires and Yagari managed to subdue the offending children without much injury except for Aidou whose back was spurting blood in surprising copious amounts. Kaname's eyes reddened prominently, and he bit the side of his cheek to fight the bloodlust.
The five of them were sedated and Kain, Sieren, Yagari and Shiki decided to carry them back to the Dorms. Ruka sat on one of the chairs in the house and offered her wrist to a grateful Aidou who drank without complaint. Kaname looked around the small space to find several spellbooks and trinkets.
"Do you think we should carry anything back with us?" Ruka asked.
"No," Kaname replied, "it is unnecessary. I am…surprised at these turn of events."
"Hmmm. I did not think that we would be facing students from the school. They are so young," Ruka commented as Aidou licked the wounds on her wrist to heal them.
"We should leave now so we can meet up with the others. What are going to do with the children?" Ruka asked again.
"I have a plan, but these children are not the main Kronos members. There are others…they were probably the bait….?" Kaname trailed a bit uncertainly.
They eventually left the house and Kaname placed a special charm on the walls and the door.
"In case anyone walks in?" Ruka clarified and the Pureblood nodded. If anyone else came in the house without knocking, then he would be alerted. Kaname seriously just wanted to get rid of this Kronos problem for good.
Moon Dorms
"Where did you put them?" Kaname asked as soon as he entered.
"We put them in the basement, and Yagari did some kind of Hunter magic to keep them in, and to stop anyone from trying to rescue them," Kain answered and he took off his shirt to observe the blood stains. His fangs elongated immediately.
"Get yourself some blood pills, Kain. I can't have you biting any and everyone," Kaname coolly commented.
Kaname was thinking long and hard about the Kronos kids currently residing in their basement, how damn ironic. A huge part of him wanted to rip them apart so painfully, even in death they would feel the agony they had put Zero through. On the hand, they were just children…Yuuki's age…they were the classmates of both Yuuki and Zero…hell, Kaname even thought that Nadashiko had a crush on Zero.
It was only after a while did Kaname realize that Kain was still standing there staring at the floor.
"Is there something you needed?" Kaname asked nonchalantly.
"I – I wanted to know if I could see Zero," Kain answered guiltily, to which Kaname raised an eyebrow.
"He may be asleep," Kaname spoke, not really liking the idea of Kain being there in the same room with the hunter.
"He's not. Rima told us that he woke up a little while ago. He's in your room, so I am asking permission to visit him – I won't stay long," Kain halfway pleaded, fixating Kaname with a "puppy-dog" stare he hoped the Pureblood will fall for.
Kaname hesitated for a moment, pondering if he should tell Akatsuki about their relationship (sort of). Takuma knew, Kaname was sure…after all, the blond gave him these annoying "I know something" looks.
"You can see him, but I must be in the room," Kaname said finally and Kain gave him a quizzical look but said nothing else.
"Can – I see him now?" he asked hesitantly. Kaname only nodded and led the way to him/Zero's room.
He knocked a few times softly on the door and then entered with the orange haired boy in tow. Zero was most certainly up eating an apple. He was perched on a few pillows on the bed. When he saw, Kaname he smiled slightly, until he noticed the other occupant. His smile slipped.
"Kain wanted to ensure that you were feeling better," Kaname explained, noticing the look Zero was giving him.
"Um – how are – you feeling, Kiryuu?" Akatsuki asked gently, stepping closer to the silvered youth. Kaname looked on cautiously.
"Uh…I am feeling better, thank you," Zero politely answered, remembering that Kain had an "unhealthy" liking to him. Of all the vampires, though, Takuma and Kain were relatively easy to get along with. The former was friendly, and the latter was quiet and reserved.
Kain's eyes skimmed Zero's body quickly, and the ex-human fidgeted under the stare. Kaname, sensing that Zero was uncomfortable and told Kain point blank to leave. For a minute, Kain actually looked as though he was going to protest, but after a healthy death glare from Kaname, he nodded politely to both Zero and the Pureblood and left.
Zero breathed a sigh of relief and said, "that was just creepy."
Kaname laughed softly, and Zero realized that he rather liked the sound of Kaname's laugh. It was musical and…sweet, so unlike the cruel chuckles he had often heard in the past.
"Kaname, what did you find?" Zero asked.
"You're not going to like it. We found five kids…three actually attend Cross," he replied. Zero's eyes widened.
"What?"
"Sayori Wakaba, Nadashiko Shindo and Isi Matsumi were in the house we raided. They put up a fight, but there are very inexperienced. They aren't the main members we believe. The older, more experienced ones are still at large, but we will have them interrogated soon," Kaname commented.
Zero was utterly confused. He knew the three of them, especially Sayori, the girl who hung around Yuuki all the time. They were tight…real tight…and Sayori didn't seem like the type to even think about violent activities.
"Interrogate? How?" Zero asked suspiciously. Kaname sighed and moved on the bed to sit with the smaller boy.
"Do you need some blood?" he asked.
"Don't sidestep the question dammit! How exactly do vampires interrogate their prisoners?" Zero asked dangerously, his eyes glinting warily at the pureblood who then chose to put his arm around the hunter.
"Zero, there are dangerous…we will try every method we have…" Kaname trailed uncomfortably.
"There are children, Kaname," Zero reasoned.
"There are your age, or at least close enough. They scarred you for life, why shouldn't we do the same."
Zero sighed and leaned against Kaname's arms tiredly, too exhausted to even think.
"Don't hurt them too much Kaname, they are just kids…they don't know any better, and they probably weren't even the ones who tortured me…" Zero spoke again gently, closing his eyes, enjoying the rhythmic beat of Kaname's heart. Kaname tightened his hold protectively.
"We'll see."
"Kaname, I'm hungry," Zero whispered, feeling the blush developing on his face embarrassingly. Kaname smiled and positioned Zero's body on top of his, so the hunter was straddling him.
"No…" Zero protested and Kaname looked at the hunter in confusion. Zero leaned in and whispered in Kaname's ear… "Feed me."
Kaname shivered at the request and smiled softly. He brought his wrist to his mouth and bit and with his mouth full of his blood, his lips connected with Zero's full, pink ones, savouring in their suppleness.
Kaname held on tighter to the boy he knew he was falling in love with.
…...
A/n: I know it is short and super late, but it was the best I could do. Things just got so crazy at home, so I collaborated with two of my best friends: IamGhostWriter and SHHH on this chapter and the 8th one.
The next chapter may be short, and this story will be finishing at 10 chappies for sure. And most likely there would be a sequel in the works if anyone is interested.
I know Yuuki was barely even mentioned in this one, but she will be present in the other chapter. This has not been reread, just put together, so WE are sorry for the errors and typos.
