Author Notes: Hey everyone! I've not forgotten about these two boys either -smiles- Thank you for your patience, enjoy reading this chapter and watch out for the next one!

- Chapter Start -

The next morning...

As was his habit over the past month, Zero got up early despite the little sleep he had. He wanted to visit Yuuki. He had been away for only a couple of days but with all that he had learned, it felt as if a week had passed. There was a dull, heavy ache in his heart that he knew would never completely go away no matter how much time passed but it seemed a little less heavy, a little less acute this morning. Quietly, Zero made his way past the neatly laid out graves. He knelt down beside a very special one and laid down the bunch of white daisies in his hand.

"Hello dearest, I'm back," he murmured softly, reaching out to touch the young blades of grass that had grown on the ground. "I miss you so much and I'm sorry I couldn't visit over the past two days. I followed Kaname, remember? He had a meeting and oh, you wouldn't believe what he-"

The words were there... right there on the tip of his tongue and just waiting to be said out loud but Zero's voice faltered. He flushed with embarrassment and looked down instead. There was an uneasy lump of guilt in his heart and he knew why that was. He needed to talk to someone and he wanted that someone to be Yuuki. After all, they shared everything, they always had since the day Yuuki declared her love for him with Kaname as her witness. It was that same day that Zero finally found hope to go on living. Hope, love and a solution to his impending fall to madness. But right now, the words just couldn't be said out loud. Zero wasn't quite sure why. Yuuki would never condemn her beloved nii-san if she knew. To her, Kaname could do no wrong. And even if deliberately causing her husband to be injured by those Level Es was undeniably wrong, she had always been a loving and generous soul. It wouldn't be difficult to earn her forgiveness once she knew of the true reason why her brother did that. Being human, she had never experienced the pain of blood lust but she did understand loneliness, the need for companionship and a sense of belonging.

Zero sighed and dipped his head, oblivious of the cool morning breeze flirting with his silver hair. He so wanted to tell Yuuki about the revelations he had learned during the trip. He had probably found out more about Kaname in those few hours than he had over the thirty odd years they had known each other. The pureblood wasn't just this omnipotent perfect being who looked and behaved like he wanted for nothing and needed nothing save for the occassional visit to see his younger sister and her family. He was very, very human in that he was lonely and that he had cravings and needs. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, if you stopped to think about it - everyone had needs, even leaders and people whom others looked up to, placed on pedestals, worshipped and obeyed without question. But the extraordinary thing was not that Kaname was like everyone else but that those needs were centered around and inextricably linked with Zero, and that he needed the hunter to assuage them. Zero felt his cheeks burn even hotter at the thought. He took a deep breath and tried again - very haltingly - to explain to Yuuki how Kaname had felt all these years but he had no idea if the disjointed and often mumbled words made sense to her, if she could hear them. Zero finally fell silent, his fingertips gently traced his beloved wife's name engraved in the unforgiving marble.

"Yuuki," he finally murmured, "I swear I didn't know... honest to God, I never knew just how he felt all these years about me biting him. I'm sure you didn't either, otherwise you would've told me. To think we've been so happy all this time while he..."

While he suffered in silence.

Zero paused to swallow a sudden lump that appeared in his throat. Nothing could affect him like guilt could. He was a softie, that's what he was... Zero roused himself and shook his head wryly, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Funny, huh? A Level D hunter sympathising with a pureblood?"

But he knew and he knew that Yuuki felt the same way he did, that Kaname wasn't just a pureblood. Just like Zero himself wasn't just a Level D. Not to each other. They were related by marriage and connected by a very gentle soul whose love had brought them closer to one another. But more than that, they were now bound by an act that had started out of love for that same special soul and had now grown to something that left one of them helplessly dependent on the other and the other scared and confused. Still, Zero couldn't help thinking that Yuuki would have accepted it more easily than he had if she were still here.

"You've always known, haven't you, dearest, that Kaname is more than just your brother and more than just my benefactor?" Zero frowned as he searched for the right words to say. He didn't realised that in speaking to Yuuki, he was also trying to clarify the confusing whirl of emotions inside him.

"I mean, he's always been there for us but we've not been there for him. He's never said it but I know he's protected us all these years from the other purebloods... those who would harm us if they knew of our importance to him. He's..."

Again, Zero paused as he searched for the right word to say. It was as if Yuuki could really hear him and he wanted her to understand how he felt. He needed her to understand how he felt even though he himself wasn't quite sure what it was.

"He cares for us very much. He's a good person," he finally concluded softly. Zero knew he was talking to the last person in the world who would disagree with him on this and yet, that stupid warmth in his cheeks refused to subside. Was it because Kaname was a pureblood, the natural enemy of a vampire hunter? Was it because he had never really praised Kaname in front of Yuuki? Or was it because he was a hunter, trained to believe that there was no such thing as a 'good' pureblood even though he knew there was? Or was it because Kaname was just so darned... appealing, something that had never bothered Zero before?

Zero continued to absently trace the engraved words on the tombstone as he thought back to those hours in the hotel room. Kaname had looked so lost, earnest and even almost helpless as he tried to explain his actions, as he gave the reason for them, as he pleaded for Zero to believe him, as he tried to get the hunter's assurance that he would continue to take from him. Zero closed his eyes as his body gave a strange little shiver. Strange because it wasn't borne of disgust. He couldn't help finding the images of Kaname like that disturbingly attractive and incredibly, undeniably compelling.

Zero did understand now why Kaname deliberately got him injured in those missions. He did believe the pureblood's words that that was the only reason why those Es were there. He did intend to go on taking that pure blood for as long as it was offered. But he still had no idea what to do about the additional baggage that would continue to come along with the feedings and the emotions that would inevitably arise. There was no one he could go to now. The very thought of visiting someone who would want payment for her services was an abhorrent thought for him. Yuuki... he could never forgive himself if he did that, especially if there was no love involved. He didn't want to even contemplate a meaningless transaction like that. But even more abhorrent was the other alternative, that of Kaname and himself er... assuaging each other's feelings - no! Completely out of the question! They were related for God's sake and they were males!

No. The only viable outcome was for each of them to take care of their own problem. Zero nodded his head grimly to himself, having come to the only conclusion he could accept.

I'll have to deal with it myself, the way Kaname always have. End of story.

Zero realised it was getting hotter now. The sun was steadily climbing in the sky so he got up reluctantly and brushed off his pants. He had some grocery shopping to do.

"I'll come back to see you tomorrow morning, dearest," he said softly as he gazed at the picture of the sweet heart shaped face embedded into the marble before walking away. He felt calmer now after telling her what had happened. Anyway, there were a few days left before Kaname's next visit so there was no point in thinking about what would happen when the pureblood did turn up.

But again, there was that stupid warmth tingling in his cheeks! Zero scowled as he made his way to the gates. He wasn't going to think about Kaname anymore, he wasn't!

- o -

Four days later...

Zero gulped down the rest of the water from his bottle before running a hand over his sweaty forehead. Phew! Enough. He looped his towel around his neck, switched off the school gym lights and closed the door before heading back to the main quarters. He had just completed another grueling regime of running, jump rope skipping, push ups and crunches - an hour and a half of non stop physical exertion. His muscles ached and his entire body was trembling with exhaustion, indicating he had punished it enough. But the trouble is, it wasn't enough. It still wasn't exhausting enough to make him forget about Kaname Kuran or the things he had said that turned the hunter's world upside down a week ago.

Zero frowned without realising it as he made his way back to the Chairman's quarters. Things had actually gotten a little better in the past few days. For one thing, he could walk around the school and even take meals at the school canteen without his memories overwhelming him. There was still a sweet, sad ache in his chest each time he came across a certain spot in school that held sweet memories for him but he could and did still walk past that place with his head high. He could actually think of what to cook for his next meal... and eat all that he cooked. But Zero still couldn't stop thinking about that dratted pureblood... and the things that he had learned.

Actually, the rest of that trip with Kaname had actually been pretty uneventful. After getting changed, they had gone to town and spent about half an hour watching a few street acrobatics who were actually normal class vampires making use of their natural strength and agility to either earn a living amongst the unsuspecting humans or just for kicks. Kaname had been careful to mute his aura completely - the last thing he wanted was draw attention to himself by having the other vampires bow to him.

After that, they had taken an early lunch at an uptown cafe frequented by vampire nobles before leaving for the airport. There was the usual round of bowing and scraping for Kaname and speculative, curious glances for Zero who again pretended to be Kaname's bodyguard. Nothing out of the ordinary... except that Kaname was back to his usual composed and implacable self. There wasn't a hint of the insecurity he had openly shown Zero earlier. Kaname didn't mention anything about his past actions or reactions that had stunned the hunter. It was as if those shocking conversations had never taken place at all! Zero, grateful to be spared anymore embarrassing conversations, had responded in kind, playing his aloof but watchful bodyguard role to perfection. Even when they had boarded Kaname's private jet, they merely exchanged casual words before Kaname buried himself in paperwork, leaving a rather nonplussed Zero to leaf through a thriller, sip his orange juice and glance curiously at the pureblood from time to time.

Zero was relieved. It just felt a bit strange... as if Kaname's shy revelations had never taken place at all. By the time they landed and got into the waiting limousine though, Zero's relief was mixed with a dash of annoyance. After being persuaded to believe that Kaname lived for his bite and had even resorted to underhand tactics to get it, it was... well, a bit of a letdown to be so completely ignored for the past two hours or so. The slightly miffed hunter brooded over this as he kept his gaze on the window beside him, hardly taking in the scenery that flashed by. It was only when the limousine stopped right outside the Chairman's quarters in Cross Academy that Kaname brought up the topic again. By that time, Zero was feeling more than a bit annoyed. He muttered a brief, ungrateful sounding 'Thanks for the trip' and reached for the door handle. Kaname was quicker, his hand closing over the hunter's arm. Zero stiffened at the contact and swung around, his heart suddenly leaping into his throat.

"Yes?" he spoke. His eyes filled with instant wariness when he saw how intently Kaname was watching him.

It... wasn't a dream.

"I'm not going in with you, Zero. I'm not going to ask you to bite me now," Kaname reassured him quickly. There was a small, deprecating smile playing about his lips as he spoke.

Even though I would love it if you did.

"Oh," Zero muttered. He felt somewhat foolish but strangely relieved at the same time that Kaname had brought the topic up himself. It made Zero feel a bit better, that he hadn't actually been crazy enough to dream about Kaname craving his bite. Zero couldn't deny the trepidation that had started to fill him as they neared Cross Academy, wondering if Kaname would make his move then. But once again, the pureblood surprised him.

"Zero, promise me that you will call me the instant you need to feed, regardless of when, where or why," Kaname continued, his dark eyes silently adding emphasis to his request. "Anytime, Zero, call me anytime at all."

Call me even if you don't need to feed. Just call me.

Zero nodded slowly. Their driver already gotten down from the limo and was standing outside Zero's door with one hand on the handle. The windows were fully tinted so Kaname ignored him and kept his hand on Zero's arm. He wasn't finished yet.

"I will be here on Friday night... and will leave on Sunday," he added. Zero caught the meaning in those dark intent eyes. It was now Sunday night. Kaname was going to give him five days' reprieve and no more. He wanted... no, he expected to be bitten then. Zero's lips quirked in a wry little smile as his brain came to this conclusion - he couldn't help it. He was in such an enviable position, wasn't he? If only he could get rid of the ever present guilt that flooded him each time and feel that it was a perfectly normal urge rather than a curse.

"I know what you mean, Kaname," he replied quietly. Kaname nodded slowly. In truth, he ached for Zero's bite. He had been suffering in silence for the past six hours or so but he also knew that Zero needed the time to absorb and accept what he had learned. Kaname knew he had shocked the hunter deeply - Zero actually jumping up and moving away from him earlier was ample proof of that. That act alone had hurt Kaname far more deeply than Zero's stunned words of denial. Kaname was adamant that the hunter would not have any other cause to be afraid of him in future. He repeated to himself numerous times over the past few hours that the present situation wasn't actually too bad. Zero hadn't gone mad or run out on him or vowed never to see him again. Kaname told himself that he could wait a few days more if it meant that he would get his reward then. The word 'reward' made Kaname's lips quirk in a wry little smile as he came to this conclusion - he couldn't help it. Zero's bite felt like more and more of a treat to him. If only he could get rid of the hunter's ever present guilt and make him feel that it was a perfectly normal urge than a curse.

Both Zero and Kaname were looking at each other and read the deprecating thoughts in each other's eyes at the same time. For a moment, they were both stunned. Then they started smiling and shaking their heads. In a matter of seconds, the awkwardness that had started to build up between them dissipated. Zero glanced at the heavily tinted window beside him. There was no way the driver could see or hear him so he decided it was safe enough.

"All right. I promise to bite you on your next visit, Kaname," he answered the silent, hopeful question in the pureblood's eyes. Kaname's resulting smile was bright and unbelievably sweet. Despite himself, Zero's breath caught in his throat and his cheeks tingled with warmth. He had seen Kaname give similar smiles to Yuuki in the past but this time... this time, Kaname's smile was for him alone. Zero found himself treasuring that smile. He didn't know why... he just did. Even the pang that squeezed Zero's heart at the thought of Yuuki seemed a little less tight than before.

"Zero," Kaname's eyes glowed fervently. "I would get the driver to drive around the school and come right back again if... if that would count as my next visit." He darted a shy glance at the hunter as he spoke, not bothering to hide the longing in his voice. Zero quickly ducked his head, his face growing even hotter. Trust Kaname to make him feel like a schoolboy all over again! He lifted his head and scowled at the pureblood.

"It doesn't and you know it," he retorted but Kaname only shrugged, still smiling. Zero shook his head resignedly. He was just about to turn towards the door when Kaname did something that floored him completely. The pureblood leaned forward and pressed his lips to Zero's warm cheek in a swift kiss, pulling back before the hunter could react.

"Take care," Kaname whispered. Zero gulped and stared at him, his eyes going wide.

"Wh-what the hell was that for?" he blustered, one hand automatically going up to rub at his cheek. Hell, he could still feel the imprint of those soft lips... Zero scowled heavily at Kaname but again, the pureblood only smiled.

"Just a salutation," he murmured. Zero muttered something that sounded like a "Hmphh!" before he fumbled at the door handle, almost falling out of the car in his haste to put some room between him and this beautiful, confounding creature who always managed to stun him speechless. At that moment, Zero almost regretted the promise he had made.

Almost.

- o -

Zero blinked when he found himself standing outside his bathroom. Today was Friday and it was already ten o'clock at night. Zero hadn't called Kaname all week, not because he hadn't thought about it but because he hadn't wanted to disturb the pureblood. Or more truthfully, he hadn't wanted to seem... lonely. Zero hadn't wanted to seem that desperate for company. Surprisingly, Kaname hadn't called him either. He could have been too busy or he could have forgotten. But then again... and Zero's just only slowing down heart started to speed up again in an annoyingly treacherous way.

Kaname had never forgotten a promise. That meant that he was going to turn up tonight. Unless he was dead.

Zero had never forgotten a promise either. That meant that he was going to bite Kaname tonight. Oh, he was so dead.

- o -

At eleven, the sleek black limousine drove past the Cross Academy gates. The school grounds were quiet since the Night Class nobles were in session and the school prefects were doing their job, making sure none of the Day Class students broke curfew. Kaname uttered a happy little sigh and folded up his newspapers. He took a few calming breaths but his stupid, hopeless heart persisted in its erratic, excited beating. He had come home after five long torturous days. Yes... Kaname did indeed think of Cross Academy as home even though he had many luxurious houses and apartments in his name... because home was where Zero Kiryuu resided.

Kaname sat up a little straighter, passing his tongue over dry lips with almost giddy anticipation. Zero had promised to bite him tonight and Kaname could hardly wait. He had planned well for this visit and was prepared for any excuse the hunter chose to throw at him.

If Zero insisted that they ate first, then fine. Kaname had medium rare steaks, freshly baked pizza, Caesar salad, Chinese takeout and both red and white wine waiting in the boot of the limousine. All them of them were properly packed - kept either warm or cool - and ready to served at a moment's notice.

If Zero insisted that his blood donor was shower-fresh, then fine. Kaname had scrubbed himself thoroughly from head to foot and was wearing clothes fresh from the laundry. He swore he had never felt so clean in his life.

If Zero insisted that there was a movie or a game he wanted to catch on TV first, then fine. Kaname had no problems at all waiting as long as he got to share the sofa with Zero. As long as after that, he got his reward of feeling Zero's fangs deep in his flesh once more, of feeling his blood being drawn with care and most especially, of feeling Zero's strong arms around him while he fed. Kaname would do anything to feel both desired and needed by his beloved hunter.

As long as you keep your promise, Zero, I would do anything you ask me to.

- Chapter End -