XoXoXoDesertRoseXoXoXo

Kaname glanced up from the book he had been reading for the past hour or so. He picked up an unwanted presence nearby first, before his nose caught the distinct scent of blood. Undeniably blood, and one belonging to a person he knew too well. Maintaining his calmness, he placed his book on his side table and shuffled off his bed. Swiftly, but quietly, he headed towards the origin of the scent.

As he walked closer to the main doors of the Night Dormitory, Kaname paused. They were there. But something wasn't right. Apart from the one blood he recognised, there were several others. Although it was slightly masked by the scent of an animal, multiple other vampire bloods was reeking in the air. The brunette frowned right away.

The large, double wooden doors swung open under the force that Kaname had used telekinetically, and true enough, he found the two people he suspected from a while ago. What he hadn't expected was the two of them being in a bloody mess.

Both Zero and Sacred had blotches of red all over their skins and clothes. The hunter was unconscious in the arms of the taller brunette – an arm under his knees and the other across his back. His head rested close to Sacred's neck, and Kaname could clearly see the two puncture marks in the neck.

Kaname narrowed his gaze at his cousin. He walked up to him and backhanded his face. Sacred never let out a flinch, or even a sign of pain. He took it without a remark, only staring at the spot where his vision came in view to after the blow.

"You should have known better than to let him take your blood," came the words harshly.

Sacred averted his gaze back to the pureblood, hissing. "If your dogs didn't drain every ounce of his blood, he wouldn't have needed mine."

Kaname studied the other for a second or so.

"You killed them, I'm guessing?"

"Found them first before Zero. Just as I carried him he bit me," Sacred paused, looking as if he was trying to pick his words carefully. "He was… choking after. Quite heavily. In fact. I thought he was going to die."

"He could have easily, if he was a born vampire. I can only hope the half humanity of him manages to suppress whatever," Kaname said angrily. He tried to ignore the possibility of Zero becoming a 'made' Exile. Turning around, he glanced over his shoulder. "Follow me," he ordered, and Sacred glared at him, but did as told.

The only ones in the dormitory at the moment were the pureblood, Exile and ex-human. Other students were in classes, and the bodyguards who hung around were hiding in shadows, quite like his trusted Seiren. They would only appear when called for.

Kaname led the way to his room, closing the door behind the other two after Sacred stepped into the room. He took a seat on the couch first, signalling for the other to have a seat as well. But Sacred chose to distance themselves, and stood where he was still carrying Zero.

"So, why are you here? I'd never expect you to bring him here, of all people."

Sacred took a quick glance down at the sleeping human in his arms.

"Call it instinct… he's a pure bearer."

Kaname was taken aback right away. He didn't bother to hide the shock from his face. He looked at Sacred in disbelief.

"That's impossible. The odds of a pure bearer…" The brunette covered his mouth with a hand, forcing himself to think before speaking. "Did you mate with him?"

Sacred let out an offended growl. "I'm not a low-life. It's just what I have a gut feeling about."

And werewolf instincts are rarely wrong, Kaname thought to himself with slight dread. He didn't know what to feel at the moment. Disappointment? Interest? It was one of those times when feelings were being juggled to no end.

"Just what are your intentions, Sacred? What is your reason for being here, when you know your kind isn't welcomed?"

Sacred's amber eyes bore into brown ones which had red tints in them.

"You disobeyed uncle, wiped out multiple dozens of his soldiers and broke your way into the human realm. Made yourself a criminal, a fugitive to your own family… Was Zivkovic really worth all that?"

This time, it was Sacred who couldn't hide his emotions. The brunette bared his teeth and growled, the feral side of him about to be released.

Kaname was rather amused by this. The normally calm, unaffected cousin of his was actually reacting to the topic about this particular person.

"I met 'it' by chance. Even its last breath was taken away by me."

"You-"

"It was its wish. It didn't want you to find it."

"Shut up," Sacred hissed.

"It couldn't let you die, so it gave its life."

"It wasn't meant to be his decision… " the Exile clicked his tongue, hanging his head. His grip on the unconscious form tightened a little. "But I know he's dead. I let my guard down then, and got into a big of a mess. But Zero helped me-"

"The same, pure lilac eyes. The world seems too coincidental, doesn't it?" Kaname asked softly.

The Exile closed his eyes, taking a silent, deep breath. He opened them, and they were faint blue.

"My father will know what Zero is eventually, and I'm the only one who can prevent any other vampires from leaving Hell just to claim him."

Kaname couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "And you're giving him to me?"

Sacred glared at the pureblood. "I'm entrusting him to you. If there was a day where I could come back for him, I will." He walked to the bed, unheeding of the eyes on him. He placed Zero down on the bed gently, and as he did, rested his forehead on Zero's gently. For a few seconds, he registered the human warmth from the skin contact, before pulling back.

He reached for the side of his leg, pulling his dagger out. He put it on the bedside table and his gaze averted to his cousin when he spoke.

"Zero isn't going to forgive you for leaving him like this."

"I don't expect to be forgiven. As long as he's safe, I don't care what happens to me."

"That's rather selfish of you."

Ah, Sacred had heard that line before. And his answer wasn't going to change.

"Is it really that selfish of one to protect another?"

XoXoXoDesertRoseXoXoXo

Yes, a mini flashback to get my gear kicking. I'm going to be pretty busy next week, real-life things (lol) and all. Now this chap pretty much saves you guys from thinking 'what the hell happened then?' ya? xD haha.

Zivkovic will be explained in future chaps. For now, all you need to know is that he's dead lol. And he's someone close to Sacred.

As for the previous question, you guys are so funny XD. A handful were juggling between the two brunettes, and frankly I am too. Well, I mean I've set out what I intend to do already, and the results of the poll may or may not affect the end judgment =) Many have asked me to surprise them, and surprise you I shall try to haha. But anyway, here are the results:

Sacred: 23
Kaname: 28

It's a pretty close fight aye? For those who passed chap 7 and didnt get to voice your opinions, you're always welcome to speak your thoughts with this chap, I for one do not mind. Or the poll on my profile page, either or.

Just a clarification: it is not my intention to make readers dislike Kaname. I just need him that way to thread the story.

I do apologise for this short chap though haha... Please though, give me your thoughts on Desert Rose so far. What I can/should improve on, and what more you want to see. Smut is out of the question btw rofl

More tidbits! I've put up a pic of Sacred and his brothers. The link is on my profile page, and a small spoiler is the next line.

His brothers will appear in the story later weee