Author Notes: Hello everyone and thank you for all your wonderful reviews! -beams- I'm so happy you like my Kaname -huggles him- LOL it's a miracle but somehow, I've managed to snatch minutes here and there during this school hols so here is the next chapter! Enjoy...

- Chapter Start -

Zero felt his stomach drop to the carpeted floor at the combination of Kaname's words and the utter conviction in those dark eyes. His own eyes widened in shock.

"W-what?" he finally whispered past dry lips. His brain had retained the two phrases Kaname had said - 'sensual experience' and 'sexually aroused' - and was busy chattering the words back at him, over and over again. Kaname quickly nodded before he lost his nerve.

"Your fangs arouse me each time, Zero. Your bite has the power to affect me that way," he admitted steadily.

I know it's risky telling you this but still, I want you to know.

"I - you... b-but that's impossible!" Zero blustered, his face going from pale to red and back again, his fingers digging into the fabric covering the arm rests of his chair. A small part of Kaname's mind decided absently that he probably would have enjoyed the rather amusing sight if he weren't so nervous about the hunter's reaction.

"No, Zero, it isn't," Kaname countered as calmly as he could with his heart pounding away in his chest. "That's why I long for you to bite me all the time. That's why I couldn't take it when you reduced the frequency of your feedings over the years. That's why I... arranged for those Es. I - Zero, surely you must have suspected something of this sort?"

It was obvious from Zero's dumbfounded expression that he hadn't. Kaname already knew that but he was desperate for the hunter to believe his words - he had just laid bare his second last secret and was feeling horribly vulnerable. Kaname felt like he could possibly die if Zero scorned him now. Zero was in fact opening his mouth to deliver a scathing retort when the pained doubt in Kaname's dark eyes made him close his mouth again. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair instead. He had never before considered the possibility that Kaname might be feeling this, of all things, even though he had just learned this morning that the pureblood craved his bite.

But this - this very latest revelation! It put a very different slant on the agreement they had.

On how things stood between them. On how things had always stood between them, with Kaname being Zero's well off, powerful and generous blood donor.

On how they saw each other. On how they had always seen each other, with Yuuki being the one who had first brought them together.

On their friendship, now that they respected each other's strengths and character.

And most importantly, on the taboo feeding sessions that up until now had been the main backbone - or discourse, if you will - of their relationship.

"You're joking, Kaname. And it isn't funny," Zero said flatly, predictably choosing denial over the terrifying possibility that the pureblood was actually serious - he couldn't be! Kaname swallowed past a painfully tight throat. Had he honestly expected Zero to nod calmly as if they were just discussing the weather?

I knew it. He thinks me a freak.

"I'm not joking, Zero! Why would I even joke about something like this?" Kaname protested, striving to keep his voice steady. His hands were trembling and he clenched them tightly in his lap.

Why would I risk your scorn and put my pride on the line if it weren't completely true?

Zero pressed his lips together as if he had heard the silent plea. It was true - a pureblood didn't made jokes about being dependent on anyone else, much less a hunter and a Level D. But it wasn't right! So perhaps it was only uh... well, could vampire hormones would be the culprit, perhaps? After all, he couldn't deny he wasn't affected when he bit Yuuki...

"All right, so you're just confused then," Zero came at it from a different angle but he was starting to panic and he knew it. "Look, it's hormone-related, isn't it? I knew it! I just never - damn, we - no, I should have used cups or something-"

Zero broke off abruptly and glared at Kaname again when the pureblood gave a little gasp before uttering a surprised chuckle. Kaname couldn't help it - his stomach was all tied up in knots and he was shaking with nerves but what Zero said sounded like something Yuuki would have said!

"Damnit, this isn't funny, Kaname!" Zero insisted through clenched teeth. The pureblood quickly schooled his features. "I know," he began soothingly but Zero had started speaking again.

"Look, it's not funny and it's wrong. In fact, we shouldn't even be having this discussion in the first place!" he spoke tersely. But again, that strange raw hurt flashed in Kaname's eyes and Zero paused. Damnit, why did chastising the pureblood make him feel like a heartless bastard each time? Who was the one who had just gotten the shock of his life here? In fact, who was the one who had gotten nothing but shock after shock ever since he got here?

Zero reluctantly took in the faintly mulish cast to Kaname's lips that suggested the pureblood had told him the truth despite already knowing the other's reaction. That, more than anything else stopped Zero from going on with his tirade even though he felt he was fully justified in doing so. So could that mean this whole confusing thing about bites, addictions and being sexually aroused was true then?

Zero didn't want to consider it for even a second but there was a very small part of his conscience that had already known this. He had just never given it the chance to be processed by his conscious mind and had instead squashed it flat each time it arose... usually when he had sunk his fangs deep into that pale, tender neck and felt its owner's response. Zero groaned and sank his head into his hands, pushing long fingers through his hair and gripping the damp silver strands hard. What a mess!

Kaname stayed silent, his anxious eyes resting on the bent silver head. After half a minute of silence, Zero looked up and leveled an accusing glance at the patiently waiting pureblood.

"How could this have happened, Kaname? And why didn't you tell me?" Zero's gaze narrowed accusingly but Kaname merely sighed and spread his hands helplessly.

"Believe me, Zero. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have offered in the first place," he answered quietly. Zero opened his mouth and shut it again. He uttered a sigh before slumping back in his chair and closing his eyes. Kaname's fingers found the tie of his black robe and fiddled with it. He was usually very articulate but right now, his mind was a complete blank. Finally, Zero sat up again and eyed the pureblood with a thoughtful frown.

"If this is true," he began slowly, his tone warning Kaname not to make an issue about how he was accepting it as the truth. "If this is true, Kaname... then I had Yuuki to go back to. I always had her to return to. But you - well, you must have had..." Zero broke off, his embarrassment showing in the flush on his face. He hunched a shoulder. Heart to heart talks with Yuuki were easy enough with the love and wholehearted trust they had between them but this was different. He and Kaname didn't have talks, much less heart to heart ones.

Nope. Just very intimate sessions that had both your bodies pressed close together while you pushed your face into his neck...

Zero shifted uncomfortably as that small bit of his conscience perked up again, gleefully pointing out this fact and reveling in the truth being noted at last. Zero scowled at it but Kaname saw his reaction as a a warning that the hunter would accept nothing but the honest truth from him from now on even if it was horribly embarrassing and degrading. But as always, Kaname felt the need to obey this man and his lips twisted in a humourless smile.

The honest and simple truth was that Zero held his heart in the palm of his hand... and didn't even know it.

"What did I have, Zero? I had cold showers. I had cold showers and as many blood tablets as I needed."

And my right hand as a last resort whenever neither of those methods worked.

Zero read those silent, deprecating words in the eyes looking back at him and his mouth fell open. Then he closed his mouth and gulped. He truly hadn't thought much about Kaname and female companionship but surely the pureblood must have had someone - or rather, a lot of someones - to... well, to be with? Purebloods were rare and prized and Kaname was a real catch - there had to have been thousands of female nobles if not purebloods lining up - or fighting each other fang and nail - to throw themselves into his arms!

What was up with all those cold showers? And blood tablets?

Kaname saw the patent disbelief in Zero's eyes and quickly dipped his head to hide the blush flooding his cheeks again. Zero's reaction made him feel inadequate. Lacking. Old fashioned. Stupid. As if there had to be something seriously wrong with him for not taking full advantage of all the privileges his blood gave him and for wanting only one person's affections. It sounded so stupid when one put it like that. No, it was stupid but it was also the truth - Kaname just didn't want anyone else's affections but Zero's. He didn't want anyone to hold him or love him except his beloved hunter. Kaname's blush made Zero even more uneasy. He didn't like the way this conversation was going and he didn't like the strange urge inside him that made him want to lean closer, put the tips of his fingers under Kaname's chin and tip that face up to-

No. It was time to change the topic. Way past time.

"So - uhm, all those times you sicced those extra E's one me, they were because...?"

Kaname's flush hadn't dissipated but he raised his head obediently and gave a single nod. A warm swell of hope was slowly unfurling inside his battered heart because Zero was still here and miraculously, he didn't sound angry. In fact, he sounded curious more than anything else.

"Yes. I swear there was no other reason," Kaname replied quietly. Zero stared at him, unable to tear his gaze away from the strangely beguiling sight of a rosy cheeked Kaname. He was still a little horrified at the pureblood's startling revelation but he was also... impressed, however reluctantly. Zero honestly didn't know if he would ever have the guts to say something as embarrassing as this if the tables were turned but there was nothing but transparent honesty in those dark eyes. Once again, Zero was forced to face the fact that Kaname Kuran trusted him a whole, whole lot.

It was dangerous to both the giver and the receiver of such trust. It was dangerous for a pureblood to give that much trust to someone who wasn't his mate and yet... here he sat - Zero Kiryuu, a hunter and a Level D, holding in his most unwilling hands, the knowledge that Kaname Kuran craved his bite and found it arousing and alluring. The sheer power of what that meant terrified Zero - why wouldn't he be? And yet... a part of him couldn't help but find it paradoxically fascinating. To know that you had the power to render such a powerful, exalted, sought after and beautiful being helpless and weak kneed... practically yours to command as you wish... to do as you would... Kaname blinked and wet his lips nervously under Zero's unblinking and intense scrutiny.

"Zero, can you truly say that you are unmoved each time you feed from me?" Kaname asked at last. His calm tone belied how anxious he was that Zero would not deny whatever it was he felt each time he latched onto his donor's neck. Kaname just wanted the hunter to admit that he wasn't the only one left trembling and full of longing from each encounter. Zero tore his gaze away from the earnest looking pureblood. His mind was conjuring up all sorts of strange ideas and even stranger images from Kaname's words.

"That's different!" Zero protested and the words were telling in themselves. "I - I never wanted to..." he floundered and even though Kaname was relieved at what the words meant, the smile that hovered on his lips was sad.

"You wouldn't be betraying Yuuki's memory by admitting to your vampire side," he said quietly. Zero set his jaw and folded his arms across his chest, the need to be honest warring with the need to protect his love for Yuuki. But really... why did he need to do that? At least, why was there the need to pretend when he was talking with the very person who loved her just as much as he did?

"I loved her too, you know," Kaname prompted very gently. Zero gave him a startled glance before nodding. "All right," he murmured. "All right, so it can be uh... arou - uh, affecting..."

Kaname found himself torn between a smile and a sigh as how stubborn Zero could be. Any other vampire would have exulted in the power they held over him and taken full advantage of it but Zero still looked like it was a curse more than a privilege. Still, admittance was the first step towards... acceptance perhaps? Kaname's heart begged for more but he refused to let it hope any further than that. Not now when everything looked so uncertain and he still felt like he had laid himself bare.

"That's all I need to know for now, Zero. Thank you," he murmured but instead of being appeased, Zero looked even more annoyed.

"This is wrong so don't thank me!" he insisted. "I'm not supposed to feel anything when we - I mean, I'm only supposed to feel like that with Yuuki!"

Kaname sighed. Acceptance was apparently still a long way off and there was no way to force it closer. Still, at least he still had the feedings to look forward to.

"You will continue to take from me, won't you?" he asked quietly. Zero hesitated before he nodded slowly and pretended not to see the relief in Kaname's eyes.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" he answered bluntly. Kaname flinched and looked down again. He might be Zero's only donor now but the hunter didn't quite have to put it quite like that, as if it he were being forced - Kaname's thoughts broke off when a warm hand squeezed his briefly. Zero had leaned forward, his amethyst eyes steady and sure.

"Look, I didn't mean it like that. I am grateful, Kaname. You've never hesitated to give me your blood all these years. But..."

"But what?" Kaname asked when Zero broke off, looking uncomfortable again.

"But what do you intend to do about... it?" the hunter asked, speaking carefully. Kaname frowned. "About what?"

Zero sighed and folded his arms. "Your feelings," he elaborated grumpily. Kaname's lips twisted wryly - trust Zero to make it sound like he had a contagious disease!

"Nothing... I guess," he answered hesitantly.

It's up to you, isn't it?

Zero's eyebrow raised sceptically. "Nothing?" he repeated.

"There's nothing much I can do about it, is there?" Kaname countered a little stiffly, pride rearing its head at last. But relief was there as well - now that Zero knew, at least Kaname didn't have to hide how he felt anymore. He could fully enjoy having Zero feed from him and perhaps even let his feelings show more openly.

Even if I will have to deal with it the way I always have. Alone, while Zero goes back to-

Kaname inhaled sharply as the realisation hit him at last - Yuuki wasn't here anymore. Kaname felt his heart speed up as a ray of hope unexpectedly beckoned to him.

"What about you?" he asked Zero carefully in turn. The hunter frowned at him. "What about me?" he asked shortly.

"How will you deal with your own feelings?" Kaname asked, still speaking in that carefully neutral tone.

Oh...!

Zero's eyes widened. The next time he bit Kaname, he would feel the pureblood trembling again and know for sure how and why Kaname was reacting to his fangs. Worse, he would also feel similar emotions and would have to deal with them himself now that Yuuki was gone. It was something that was rather frightening, highly embarrassing and yet strangely intruiging. Which again, was completely wrong!

Kaname saw the conflicting and uneasy thoughts mirrored on Zero's face and leaned forward swiftly, reaching out for the other's arm. He wanted to reassure Zero that he didn't have to feel guilty about continuing to take his blood but in his urgency, Kaname had moved too fast. Zero panicked. To be honest, he didn't even know why he should since they were just sitting down and talking but all he could think of at that moment was that Kaname was a pureblood male and having confessed how much he craved and was aroused by Zero's bite, might actually force Zero to drink from him and in the throes of sexual excitement might actually forget himself and even... jump... him...

Zero practically leapt out of his chair in his haste to put more space between him and Kaname. In a heartbeat, he was standing on the other side of his chair, eyes wide and both hands thrown up in a purely defensive gesture.

"No!" he said, more sharply than he had intended. "Not now, Kaname!"

Kaname froze on the spot with one hand still outstretched, his wide eyes fixed on Zero's upflung arms with horror.

Oh God.

Did Zero think that he was about to - to attack him? The sheer impossibility of that stunned Kaname and left his heart pounding again in his chest. He felt almost sick with dread.

Oh God. No...

Yes, he was a pureblood with untold powers and strength. Yes, his very word was law to every other vampire who wasn't a pureblood... but he was as helpless as a baby in Zero's arms! Kaname swallowed, his breath hitching hard in his tightly swollen throat. Did his beloved hunter now think that he was nothing but a depraved monster who would just take whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it?

"No, Zero, no!" Kaname protested shakily. "I... I'm not going to do anything!"

Kaname tried to make his voice reassuring but it was trembling. He swallowed again, fighting the pain clenching his heart in vice like grip. For a moment there, Zero had looked like he was actually afraid of him and Kaname couldn't believe how unbelievably painful he found it.

"I would never hurt you," he whispered, his eyes wide and beseeching. "I would never force you to do anything you didn't want to..."

Zero caught hold of himself and felt a cold wave of self disgust wash over him, leaving his face hot with embarrassment. He toook a deep breath and shook his head.

Get a grip, Kiryuu! You're acting like a child - Kaname's a pureblood but he's never attacked you!

It was true. Kaname could have jumped him during any of those missions when he had been injured and weakened but all the pureblood had done was feed him and stayed with him until he healed before secretly dealing with his feelings by himself.

"Sorry," Zero said hoarsely. It was true he had had one shock after another but he hadn't meant to make Kaname feel this guilty. "Look, I didn't mean to-" He broke off and flushed uncomfortably again. Kaname quickly shook his head.

"No. Don't apologise, Zero," he said softly. "None of this was your fault. It was mine and mine alone."

Zero shook his head again. "It's not your fault, Kaname," he insisted. "And I didn't mean to imply that you would - uhm, you know..." he drifted off, not knowing how to put it into words. Kaname forced a small smile and a shrug - he would love for the hunter to jump him but the very idea would likely make the hunter jump right out the window instead. Kaname took a deep breath, still trembling at how unbelievably hurt he had been by Zero's mistaken assumption.

Don't ever look at me like that, Zero. Please, please don't.

"It's all right," he said, his voice still shaking a little. "But I would never hurt you, Zero. Please believe me."

Zero only gave a jerk of a nod before forcing himself to move forward to sit in his chair again. In the awkward silence that followed, Kaname felt something hot prick at the backs of his eyes. Why did it have to turn out like this? He couldn't deny that he had hoped Zero would be curious enough to put his words to the test by insisting on another feeding session but judging from his wide eyed expression, it was far too soon.

I've bungled up. Again.

"I still want you to take from me, Zero. But it doesn't have to be right now," Kaname said softly. He was lying but it didn't matter. All that mattered right now was ensuring that Zero had nothing to fear from him. "It's OK."

Zero should be relieved at this reprieve but strangely, all he felt was annoyance. He bit his lip and looked away, angry at having behaved like a child and having to be reassured like one. The silence that followed was even more awkward than before. Kaname decided it was time to let the topic drop even though it wasn't fully resolved yet.

"Let's finish our breakfast, shall we?"

Zero nodded again and the rest of the meal was completed in that same awkward silence, neither of them meeting the other's gaze. Appetite had deserted them both and they merely went through the motions of chewing and swallowing for appearance sake, the food sticking in their throats. Kaname poured Zero a fresh cup of coffee. He knew that he should be happier than how he was feeling now. After all, Zero was still here with him and appeared to have accepted what he had learned so far but well, now what? They still had a good few hours before flying back and Kaname didn't want to spend those hours by himself. He waited until after Zero had finished his sandwich before broaching the subject.

"Zero?" he spoke carefully. "We still have some time before we go back. How about going out for a while?"

Zero hesitated. It was in all likelihood an innocent offer but he couldn't stop thinking about how Kaname was affected by his bite and it now threw a very different slant on everything the pureblood said or did. But that wasn't being fair to Kaname, was it? Zero decided that he was just reading too much into things.

"I... OK," he agreed. It was still better than staying cooped up in the hotel room with their adjoining doors.

"We'll just drive into the city and see if there's anything interesting going on," Kaname elaborated casually. Zero recognised the offer for what it was and nodded. For the first time in the past half hour, he relaxed enough to even give a small smile and Kaname's heart swelled with sheer, sweet relief.

"All right," Zero agreed and his smile turned self-deprecating. "I... sorry I over reacted earlier, Kaname," he apologised. Kaname could have hugged the hunter in sheer joy.

"You have absolutely nothing to apologise for," he said huskily. "I know I've given you shock after shock since we got here and yet you're still speaking to me."

Zero slanted him a wry look. "What else would I be doing?" he returned dryly and Kaname couldn't help smiling at that. Miraculously enough, it dissipated the awkwardness between them and both men relaxed a little.

"Let's get changed then?" Kaname suggested and Zero nodded.

"Give me five minutes," he said and stood up. Kaname nodded and watched the hunter enter his room through their adjoining doors before leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes. All things considered, he should be very happy that Zero hadn't bolted from his room and had even agreed to go out for a while but the heart is never satisfied with what it has attained so far, especially a heart that has been starving for so years.

I'm thankful, I truly am. But Zero, will you hate me if you know how I truly feel about you?

- Chapter End -