A/N: Hey guys! Thank you to all the new readers! I'm so sorry for the irregular updates, but I've been struggling with motivation. Every time I sit down to write, the will just leaves me. Honestly, this chapter here is supposed to be longer, but because it's so late and I don't want you guys to wait any longer than necessary, I'm going to publish it as it is. The next chapter is going to be SUPER long, just to keep with my intended length of this story, so I hope this will tide you all over until then! Thank you for your support, and please enjoy!
Rima stroked Senri's face gently as she nibbled his earlobe, grinding herself on his leg where she straddled him on the couch in the foyer. Her baby blue lace panties were soaked as Senri snaked his hand down the back of them, his nimble fingers stroking her forbidden hole. A lewd mewl escaped her lips, her hand drifting down the exposed skin his shirt bared until she was fondling his arousal. They locked crimson gazes, drowning in the euphoria of their act when they heard a similar groan from the couch parallel. They glanced over, slightly annoyed when they remembered Takuma and Hanabusa had come to watch a few moments ago.
Hanabusa made obscene noises as he sucked hard on Takuma's flesh, the green eyed vampire returning the favor by playing with him through his pajama pants. "Isn't this peculiar? You never showed this sort of interest in me before, Aido."
"Well, can I help it?" he moaned in annoyance. "It's not like we have anyone else to slake this lust on!"
Takuma frowned as he pinched the other's hip. Hanabusa yelped before biting him viciously and shoving him away. "What the hell was that?!"
"It doesn't feel nice to be told you were settled for," he replied, folding his arms. "Although . . . I'm too horny to really care . . ."
"I wonder what has us feeling so frisky?" Hanabusa murmured thoughtfully, watching as Rima and Senri resumed their carnal act like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Not that any of this is uncharacteristic for us, but . . . we normally have more class," he said, glancing at Takuma, who looked just as confused. "And more self control, for goodness sake."
"It's a phenomenon that affects vampires once every millennium," came a voice from the stairs. Everyone's gaze turned to Kaname, who leaned against the railing dejectedly. His hair was ravenous, his shirt was undone, and he was barefoot. The lust inside of the room intensified at the mere sight of him, but respect overpowered their desires, and they remained perfectly still as he cleared the flight and strolled into the foyer. "It's something akin to what . . . werewolves, and other inferior animals suffer. It's the one thing that brings us down to their level: a period of heat."
"I didn't know vampires had a mating season," Senri drawled, his and the others' gazes locked on the pureblood. At that very moment, no matter anyone's preference, everyone in that room wanted no one but Kaname.
"Are you . . . unaffected?" Rima asked uncertainly, licking her lips as she took in the sight of his magnificent abs. She drew herself off of Senri and moved to the side of the couch nearest to Kaname. "Is it because you're a pureblood?"
"I wouldn't say I'm unaffected," he replied, combing his fingers through his hair in frustration. "No vampire escapes the ramifications of this period-not even the purebloods, or the Level Es." They all gasped as he took a seat on the arm of the couch Takuma and Hanabusa occupied. "Not only is there an intense craving for sex, but bloodlust and violence soar to catastrophic heights as well. The only thing that will grant one the smallest semblance of sanity to endure the heat is . . . pure blood." He looked at their guilty faces and smiled. "Don't feel bad about your reaction towards me. It's instinctual. In fact, I'm going to help all of you."
"What?" Hanabusa gasped, almost breathless.
"You're . . . gonna have sex with us?" Senri asked in confusion, a hint of excitement on the edge of his voice. Their expressions turned hopeful as they awaited an answer.
"No," he replied, to everyone's evident disappointment. "Only my blood will suffice. I'm going to need everyone here to be levelheaded for what's about to come. There's no telling when this heat is going to end. It lasts for different periods every time."
"Is something going to happen?" Takuma asked worriedly. Kaname sighed.
"I can't say for sure . . . but I've had this bad feeling in my system since we've returned," he confessed, rubbing a spot just above his stomach that was paining him. "There's going to be a lot of activity going on until the heat passes, and we need to keep the peace at all costs." His expression turned grave as he looked at each of them. "Naturally, being that Yuki and I are the last remaining purebloods, we're going to be sought out here."
Everyone exchanged uneasy looks before Ruka, Akatsuki, Seiren and Maria appeared at the top of the stairs, dazed looks on their faces as they simultaneously locked their eyes on the pureblood. Kaname smirked sardonically, looking to the others and motioning towards them. "Every vampire still alive is going to come for me, just like that. Only, they'll be much more crazed, and brazen enough to attack me."
"What's . . . what's happening, Lord Kaname?" Ruka asked, her body shivering as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"I'm so thirsty," Seiren added, everyone practically drooling as they watched him.
"You've come just in time, then," he said, standing and walking to the head of the room. As if on cue, every vampire in the dorm suddenly entered the room, their eyes glowing longingly towards their master. Kaname held out his wrists, using his power to slit both at once. Senri and Hanabusa dove to their knees, catching the blood in their mouths before a single drop could spill. "I command everyone here to feed on me. You're going to need your wills, and your strength, to fight the battle ahead of us." He sighed deeply, but silently, as everyone lined up to get their share, foolishly hoping that Zero would be one of the vampires that would seek him out. He didn't care if it was purely instinct - he just needed to hear that the hunter needed him.
Ichiru solemnly slipped on his uniform jacket, slowly buttoning it closed before he glanced towards the mirror. He walked closer when he noticed his pale, weary features in the twilight, sighing as he brushed his bangs away from his eyes. He glanced at the clock, blaring 5:30 a.m. and steeled himself. Zero was an expert at making him feel completely useless at times, but that didn't mean he would stop helping him in any way possible. He loved his brother, and wanted him to be better, even if he couldn't be the one to do it.
He swallowed the bile in his throat as he considered what he was about to do. Why it had to be Kaname of all people was beyond him, but he would smother his pride and beg the pureblood if he had to. It was all for Zero. He effectively crept out of the Day Dorms and headed towards the Night Dorms. He clutched the envelope in his pocket that bore the Headmaster's seal, planning to use it as leverage if the gatekeeper gave him any trouble. Fortunately for him, the old troll was fast asleep, and he easily sidled through, hastening his steps as the path stretched ahead towards the menacing, castle-like structure. He took a few moments to marvel how fancy the grounds were, and how well they'd restored the dorm to its former glory. But now his task was at hand. He stood before the towering double doors, taking deep breaths before raising his hand to knock.
Before he even had to budge, the door was open, and there stood Kaname.
"Kiryu?" he addressed, his expression crestfallen. Not to mention, he was paler than usual, to where his skin seemed to glow in the light of dawn, and his eyes seemed dark and sullen. The sight of him terrified Ichiru.
"K-Kuran," he stammered, oxygen evading him as he stared at the ghastly form before him. "I-I . . ."
"Ichiru?" a soft voice called, before Maria's face popped around Kaname's arm. Her face lit up at the sight of him, and she pushed through to envelope him in a hug. "What are you doing here?!"
"Maria!" he said, her warm embrace melting his troubles away. "I came to speak with Kuran. Why are you still awake?"
"I sensed you were coming," she said, pulling away and giving him a fangy smile. "I was hoping it was for me."
"You shouldn't be here," Kaname interrupted, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. "Your reasoning better be good."
"Zero needs you," he snarled. Kaname's eyes widened before his brows drew together.
"You . . . you're not kidding?" he asked gravely, and Ichiru and Maria gazed at him in wonder. Sucking his teeth, he pushed past them both and stormed off, seeming to forget he was in his pajamas and slippers. They both watched him go before Maria drew away, her lavender eyes burning into Ichiru's.
"What does Zero want with Lord Kaname?" she asked suspiciously. Ichiru opened his mouth to respond, but could say nothing, a drop of sweat forming on his temple. She glared at him for a while longer before the severe look faded away and she sighed, dragging his lips down to hers. "You're a little too good at keeping secrets, even from me," she whispered, licking his lips sensually. "If you're not gonna tell, you better make it up to me."
"What can I do for you, princess?" he smirked, encircling her waist and lifting her in his arms. She grinned mischievously as she ran a dainty finger down his face.
"Have I ever showed you my bedroom?"
Zero sat slouched in the shower, the once blazing hot water now an icy spray repeatedly pricking his skin. He'd been here for an hour now, handling his morning issue until he was positively raw and never wanted to touch himself again. He would even dare to say he'd sprained it in the sheer aggression he'd chosen to manage it with. But aside from his broken member, he was still frustrated. His body still burned and ached, and he was still ravenous, but he was too weak to go out and do anything about it. Lamenting the school day ahead, he dragged himself to his feet and turned off the shower. Toweling his body off, he secured the cloth around his hips, leaving his hair dripping as he returned to his dorm room.
He nearly collapsed inside the doorway, having bouts of severe dizziness ever since he'd dragged himself out of bed. Maybe he wasn't well enough to go to class. But the thought of locking himself up here until his symptoms subsided was enough to drive him even more crazy. He stumbled over to his bed, meaning to sit down and grab the tablets off of his nightstand. He missed both marks completely, narrowly avoiding splitting his head open on the corner of the table as he fell to the floor. His breathing grew labored as he dragged himself to a sitting position, leaning against the wall below the window. His body wasn't listening to him. He could feel the bloodlust slowly corrupt his mind; his will drowning in his need to go completely mad. Before he knew it, his glowing red eyes were gazing out at nothing, his fangs bared as he gouged the tattoo on his throat.
His bedroom door slammed open, and there stood Kaname. He was panting, his wide eyes glowing, his fangs also bared. His hair was a complete mess, his shirt mis-buttoned and still baring his navel and pelvic line. He was wearing pajama pants and slippers, and he reeked of his own blood. Zero grinned like a retard, saliva running down his chin while every nerve in his body screamed for him to attack.
"Stop," Kaname spat, wincing as he covered his nose. The smell of Zero's blood was overpowering, especially now that he was severely lacking in his own. Zero immediately froze, and the pureblood could see that he was floating in limbo, teetering dangerously close to complete oblivion. He shouldn't have waited this long! He should have forced him to eat before. Now, he wouldn't have enough blood to sate the silverette. Not to mention, he could barely control his own lust for blood and . . .
His eyes darkened as he finally took note of Zero's practically naked state. The hunter was notably smaller, but he still had an impressive physique. His broad shoulders, muscled arms, the expanse of his chiseled chest and abdomen. Those perfectly structured legs and feet. His nipples were a dusty pink . . . like rose flesh. He almost growled like a damned beast, his member swelling to attention. He stepped closer, and the hunter jumped, attempting to scramble away.
"Don't come any closer!" he sobbed, holding his bloodied hand out in warning. Kaname felt relief that the other could still reject him. But, God help him, if that didn't make him want him so much more. He closed the door behind him and locked it, risking them both suffocating in the scent of each other.
"Kiryu," he choked out, struggling to talk. "You and I . . . and all the vampires on campus . . . are in heat."
"WHAT?!" he screamed, his face immediately turning pink. In any other circumstance, the pureblood would have chuckled at his adorable reaction.
"It happens . . . once every thousand years," he explained, trying to talk with a rapidly drying throat. "The only way . . . to suppress your cravings . . . is to drink my blood."
"Ohoho?" Zero scoffed, feeling a mixture of shock, denial and anger. "Is that why you fucking stink? Is that what everyone has been doing?"
Kaname managed a sardonic grin. "Are you honestly . . . choosing now . . . to be jealous?"
"Jealous?!" Zero roared, clawing his way to his feet. "I will never be jealous over the likes of you! And I don't want your insipid blood! I'd rather go insane and die!"
All amusement disappeared from Kaname's features as he came towards him. Zero splayed himself against the wall, pushing back as if he could faze through it. His heart was galloping out of his chest when Kaname reached him. Something dark swirled in the pureblood's eyes, and Zero immediately lost his nerve. Kaname grabbed his hip and forced him against his body, their erections crushing together. Zero groaned helplessly, still pained from this morning, but acutely sensitive to the contact. Kaname wove his fingers through his hair, clutching the locks tightly and pulling his head back, Zero's terrified eyes gazing down his nose at Kaname.
"Then allow me to drain the worthless life from your body, will you?" he whispered, his head bowing to Zero's shoulder. The hunter grabbed the pureblood, struggling before his body froze at the touch of the other's tongue on his skin. Kaname made a satisfied sound - one that made Zero's cock twitch - as he slurped up his blood, clearing every drop before going to drink from the gashes in his neck. Zero growled, beginning to struggle again, but Kaname merely pressed him against the wall, effectively immobilizing him.
Kaname gripped him harder, resisting the urge to use his fangs as he licked and slurped the bittersweet substance that oozed from the wound. The hunter still tried to struggle, but his body trembled with ecstasy. It was so hard to ignore the way his nipples were stabbing him, or how his member rubbed so vehemently against his own. But he couldn't succumb. He was the one breaking Zero, not the other way around. As the flow began to slow, he drew away with one last hard suck, marveling at the forming hickey on his skin. Luckily for him, once he healed, the tattoo would pretty much hide it. His eyes returned to their natural wine as he looked at Zero.
"Don't look at me that way," he grinned, as Zero glared at him, passion and indignation clear on his features. "You wanted that, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it."
"Shut the fuck up," Zero snarled.
"If you'd admit you want me, I could do all the other things you desire, too." Zero's cheeks darkened as his eyes widened, and Kaname couldn't help smiling as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Have a drink."
"Never," Zero spat.
"Drink," Kaname repeated, his eyes flashing in command. Zero tried, with all his will, to resist. But he didn't have much will as it was, and the pain was too intense. He grabbed Kaname's wrist and tore into it, instant relief washing through him like an orgasm. He glared hatefully at Kaname, who merely watched him with narrowed eyes. For 'insipid' blood, he sure was taking more of it than anyone else. "Why is it when I offer my neck, you drink from my hand?" Zero lowered his eyes, his brows furrowing with embarrassment. "Ah. Too intimate for you. Just as well," he said, reaching up to stroke the tattoo, now fully healed. That's when Zero jerked away, wiping the blood from his lips. "When you do drink from my neck again, I hope to have you in the most submissive position possible."
Zero's mouth fell open to retort, but he could say nothing as the pureblood afforded him a sinister smile and quietly left the room. He re-buttoned his shirt correctly, happy that he'd redeemed Zero from the darkness, but feeling restless and unsatisfied. How sweet it would have been, to taste those nipples, or to suck him off. Too feel his body shake even harder beneath him as he drowned in a pleasure no one but he could give. He shook his head in annoyance. That was probably just the heat talking. As soon as he exited the dorm, he was met with the first rays of sunlight.
And the furious expression of Kaien Cross.