A/N: Hi people! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I was going to say something up here, but I completely forgot what it was. Yep I am just wasting your time by making you curious enough to read this. Sorry . Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 10

By the end of the week Zero felt like he could seriously murder someone... Preferably Kaito. Zero had tried to get alone time with Kaname for a full week with no success. Zero was tired of Kaito and his antics. Why was Kaito not allowing him time with Kaname? Was it because he knew that Zero was planning on confessing to Kaname? It wasn't like Zero hadn't told Kaito already that he didn't like him that way.

Zero had hoped that during the weekend he would finally get the alone time with Kaname he had been waiting for. Zero was crushed when Yagari told him that the Hunter's Association wanted him to go on a mission. Kaito's smug look was hard to ignore and it took all of Zero's will not to punch that smirk right off his face.

Sighing in defeat, Zero stood outside of Kaname's door. He needed to at least tell Kaname that he was going to be away for a little bit. Zero felt he owed Kaname that much for putting up with all of their interruptions this week. Zero bit his bottom lip and knocked.

"What is it?"

The door opened to reveal a ruffled Kaname. Zero froze, taking in the sight before him. Kaname's crimson button-up shirt was rumpled and his pants loose on his hips. Kaname's hair was messy from bedhead and his eyes were half closed with sleep. Overall the look was intimidating for Zero who was blushing like a madman.

Kaname raised an eyebrow to Zero as Zero tried to recover and get a sentence out.

"I-I w-w-was just g-gonna say th-that..uhm…I..I've got to leave for a mission." Zero stuttered, completely embarrassed by the sight in front of him. Kaname leaned again the doorframe.

"You're going alone?" Kaname asked praying Kaito wasn't going to be going with Zero on the mission. Zero nodded not trusting his voice.

"How far away is your mission? Do you know when you'll be back?" Kaname asked scratching his the back of his head and yawning. Zero watched wide eyed with a cute blush spreading to his ears.

"Wh-what?" Zero asked blinking out of his trance. Kaname chuckled and leaned down so he was face to face with Zero who blushed harder at the closeness.

"I asked how far away your mission is, and if you know when you'll be back."

"Oh! Uhm…Not far! It's in the next town over. The mission should be over in a few days, tops." Zero fidgeted. Kaname hummed.

"I suppose so. Promise me you'll be careful, Zero."

"Of course." Zero bit his lip again, "…uh..Kaname?"

"Yes, Zero?"

This is it. I am finally going to be able to tell him!

"Kaname, I real-"

"Kaname-sama~!" yelled a high pitched voice.

Zero cursed a few colorful words inside his head. Mentally shooting the person interrupting in the head, Zero looked over to see the culprit. Why does this always happen?!

"Oh my. I wasn't interrupting anything was I?" Maria giggled at Zero's flustered expression. Zero sighed.

"No, Maria. It was nothing." Kaname frowned at Zero's response. Zero looked so defeated. Kaname wasn't stupid. He had also been waiting to have alone time with Zero. Kaname was getting impatient with all of the interruptions event though he understood a bit why Kaito was doing it. But why Maria?

"Great! I was wondering if I could talk to Zero." Kaname and Zero were slightly shocked. Whenever Maria interrupted she always wanted to talk to Kaname.

"Okay." Zero said nervously as Maria grabbed Zero's arm and dragged him away leaving behind a confused Kaname.

~XxXxXxXx(Line Break)xXxXxXxX~

When Maria finally let go of Zero's arm, they were inside an empty storage room. Zero rubbed his arm where Maria had grabbed him. Zero thought he had heard Kaname mention that Maria was only a noble vampire and a sickly one at that, but Maria had a grip that could rival a pureblood's.

"What did you want to talk about, Maria?" Maria shut the door behind her and turned on the light. She paused still facing the door.

"What are you to Kaname?" Maria faced Zero.

"Me? I'm…" Zero stopped. What am I to Kaname? I haven't been able to confess so we aren't together, but Kaname said he loves me so we aren't exactly friends.

Maria watched Zero struggle for an answer. She smirked before quickly masking it with an innocent look.

"I'm sorry. I know it's not any of my business. It's just that because I am always sickly I don't get to make many friends, and I just wanted to warn you about Kaname." Maria said shyly, "I mean. Kaname is my friend, but he has a bad habit of going out with random people who catch his interest.

Maria watched Zero closely for any reaction. She could see confusion and anger in his eyes. Zero didn't believe her. Maria's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second before closing with tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes.

"I hope you understand. I only wanted to ask you since you seem to be somewhat close to Kaname. I just don't want to see another person be hurt by his selfishness?" Maria said wearily, "There have been rumors that Kaname has had girlfriends and lovers off and on for the last few years. I wanted to make sure he wasn't going to use you next."

Zero glared at her.

"Kaname isn't like that!" He defended. Maria just stared at Zero sadly. Zero recoiled slightly.

"How well do you know him Zero? Does he tell you everything? Has Kaname said he loved you more than once?" Zero looked away from her. He didn't want to believe her. He couldn't.

Maria hugged Zero from behind hiding the devious smile on her face. The seed of doubt was planted. Everything was going to plan.

~XxXxXxXx(Line Break)xXxXxXxX~

Ichiru had been waiting to see Zero off at the academy's gate when he saw the turmoil on his brother's face. Ichiru knew that Zero had been having a hard time confessing to Kaname. Not that it was his brother's fault, of course. Ichiru had noticed how Kaito was never around when Zero came running to him asking if he was okay. Ichiru loved the fact that Zero was worried about him, but it was obvious that Kaito had made it seem to Zero that he needed emergency care.

No. This emotion on Zero's face was about something else. Something much more important.

"Zero. What's wrong?" Zero jumped just noticing Ichiru's presence.

"Don't scare me like that, Ichiru. You nearly gave me a heart attack. Sheesh." Zero joked half heartedly giving Ichiru a weak smile.

"Zero~. I know something's wrong." Ichiru said worriedly.

"Nothing's wrong, Ichiru. I just have a lot on my mind right now." Zero shrugged, "I am just trying to focus on the mission right now."

Ichiru knew better than to push for answers. Zero shut down from everyone when he wanted to keep something a secret.

"Okay then, but you have to tell me when you get back!" Ichiru demanded.

"Yeah, yeah." Zero waved it off.

"Be careful out there, Zero. Stay focused." Ichiru said seriously.

"I know, Ichiru. You are such a mother hen."

"I am not!" Ichiru denied, pouting. "Why are you so mean to me?! What did I do to you? Wait. Nope. Don't answer that."

Zero cracked a grin at Ichiru.

"Just be safe and bring me a souvenir." Zero raised an eyebrow.

"Seriously? A souvenir? From the next town over?"

"Well duh. Dad found my stash of emergency yummies so I am going to need to start a new one, and this is the perfect opportunity." Ichiru huffed.

"You want me to bring you back a ton of candy after an exhausting mission just because Yagari took away the ones you hid?"

Ichiru nodded his head excitedly. Zero sighed.

"You're lucky I love you, little brother."

"Aww, Zero, you're the best! Who else could I ask to do this?" Zero shook his head at Ichiru.

"See you later, Ich."

"Hurry back!"

A/N: Hooray! Chapter 10 is done! I hope you guys liked it…I'm not sure why, but it feels like I haven't updated in forever…I don't think it was that long O.O ..Also, I have no idea where that Kaname just getting out of bed scene came from .

BIG thank you's to all of my supporters, regular reviewers, new reviewers, new supporters, etc. :P

To dardar1: I am not planning on this story having a sad ending so no worries there. Zero can't really be turned since he is ¾'s pureblooded vampire already.

To cyhap: Yea…Zero is a pureblood magnet. (=_=) I really like Ichiru's new personality. I think I did a decent job. Maria is pretty mysterious in this story hehehe.

To KoolKat: Well as long as you understand now. :D

To KxZ fan girl: I love your reactions lol

To rayie 159: I am being so cruel to Zero in this story . I was trying to keep Kaname in character, but I seem to be having issues with that. I don't know, but I'm glad that you like it anyways. :D

Review/comment/ask questions/etc please :D I love it