Author Notes: Here is the next chapter! But before you dive in, I need to explain a couple of things so bear with me for a moment, OK?

Firstly, I know the story title doesn't really fit now since the story has deviated quite a lot from how I had originally intended for it to be – a collection of separate encounters between Kaname and Zero that almost became something else, but didn't. So since the word 'almost' no longer fits this story, I may change the title later on. Secondly, I know I told a few of you in my review replies that each chapter is complete in itself but this one got way too long so it is not complete - sorry! But I promise to update the next chapter by end of this week if I can, OK?

Appreciation: I was enamoured and inspired by a certain scene from Clue-sama's The Used (a delicious and romantic KanamexZero fic, by the way!) and have a variation of it in here :D

Summary: Both Kaname and Zero continue to struggle with their feelings for each other. But when someone else notices their soulful exchange of looks, Zero has to decide whether or not this is something he really wants. His hesitation affects Kaname deeply and the result is disastrous for them both.

-- Chapter Start --

Another week had passed since Kaname and Zero's first argument and the latter had given up trying to stop himself from thinking about the pureblood.

Zero sighed as he lay in his bed in the Sun Dorms. He couldn't deny that if they pushed past the barriers of mistrust and prejudices that had always been there between them, there was something there instead. It wasn't all attraction and desire, although those too, were present. There was also a kinship and a deep and comfortable understanding that went beyond words even if they didn't really know all that much about the other. Zero wasn't sure what it was exactly, but he treasured it deeply and it warmed his heart to know that Kaname felt the same way about it, and about him.

But still, other factors continued to nag at the prefect. One of them was still the undeniable fact that he and Kaname were both males. Zero huffed as he flopped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. In the past couple of years, after he had grown to be more aware of Yuuki, not as a bossy little sister, but as an attractive female, he had dreamt of giving his first kiss to her and getting hers in return. Only now he couldn't because he had given his first kiss to Kaname instead. And his second one. And third.

All of his subsequent ones as well, in fact.

Granted, Zero had never told Yuuki of his feelings and he knew that she continued to think of him as a brother only but was he - was he gay, then? Zero made a sudden, sharp movement in bed as a fist of uneasiness squeezed his heart. Never once had he considered that fact or even thought of it but... no, of course he wasn't! He loved Yuuki and he could appreciate a pretty face or an attractive female figure when he saw one, even if the ones he mostly saw nowadays belonged to the silly and besotted Day Class girls who fawned and swooned over the Night Class vampires all the time. Despite his behaviour that suggested otherwise, Zero was also aware that Ruka Souen and Rima Tooya were very attractive females, not that he would ever be attracted to them. Besides, he had never spared a glance for any of those snooty Night Class males even though all of them were undeniably very good looking – Ichijo, Aido, Kain, Shiki… Sure, they were a very handsome bunch of guys indeed but he had never been turned on by their looks, the way he was by -

Zero frowned. No, that wasn't true either. After all, he had known Kaname for a few years now but he had never before been drawn to the pureblood's good looks, and vice versa, he was sure. It was more of who Kaname was on the inside because that had only been revealed to him recently, whether deliberately or accidentally. Zero's frown deepened even as his heart lightened a little.

Yes, that had to be it - he was drawn to Kaname whenever the pureblood dropped the confident, composed mask he habitually wore and let Zero see the person he really was on the inside, whether it was the mischievous individual who happily played truant from class to catch a movie and have dinner with him, or the playful pureblood who out-finger licked him at that fast food outlet, or the honest person who hadn't realised the 'proper' etiquette of consuming food and beverage that was meant to be shared, or even the hurting and lonely individual who craved his reassurance, his kisses and his touch so much.

Zero drew in a tentative breath, feeling relieved and almost lightheaded all of a sudden – so this meant he wasn't gay, then? OK, so he did find Kaname kind of attractive now – Zero knew he would only be lying to himself if he pretended otherwise. The young pureblood leader was indeed extremely good looking – perfect, even. Perfect hair, perfect eyes, perfect bone structure, perfect skin, perfect smile. Kaname looked good, smelled even better (if that was at all possible), held himself with perfect grace, oozed eloquence and effortless charm that hid a sharp and intelligent mind, but the important thing was, Zero wasn't gay.

Or perhaps, Kaname was?

Zero shook his head an instant later. No, Kaname couldn't be gay because he knew the pureblood loved Yuuki, too. Besides, what did Zero have in the way of good looks compared to the outwardly perfect Night Class vampires? And how could his rude, grouchy behaviour, trademark icy glare and usual monosyllabic replies be considered attractive in any way, especially to someone like Kaname?

So if neither he nor Kaname were gay, then what was this weird attraction between them then, that made them gravitate towards one another, that made them want to protect the other, that made them long for each other's company and just want to be with each other all the time, as Kaname himself had said?

What exactly was it?

And what was that thing that had to have happened in Kaname's past? The proud and controlled pureblood had broken down twice now, both times in Zero's presence. A troubling frown appeared on the prefect's forehead. It had to be something that had been traumatic enough to give Kaname nightmares, even now, and something that made him fear that Zero would find him, in his own word – 'pathetic'.

No, he wasn't, thought Zero fiercely. Not in his eyes... but his heart still ached to comfort Kaname. He was torn between wanting to know what had happened in Kaname's past, a bright, sparking fury at whoever it was that had carved a scar this deep in the pureblood's heart, uneasiness that he appeared to be the only one Kaname had inadvertently confided in and a contradictory pride at the very same thing.

This was... frightening to Zero. To know something Kaname's close followers didn't, to have the power to sustain the respect the others had for him or to destroy it, to be able to put a smile on Kaname's face or to take it away. This was evident by that brief argument they had had last week, behind the art gallery.

Zero sighed. His life was now turned upside down and he knew it. Kaname Kuran was a pureblood prince, and hence, the natural enemy of a vampire hunter. He, Zero Kiriyu, was both a hunter and a vampire who had been painfully and unwillingly turned by another pureblood. Why then did he empathise so much with this pureblood? With this vampire? Was it just the mere novelty of finding out that a person he had always seen as being arrogant and supremely confident was actually someone who had a stunning vulnerability in his soul that he had allowed Zero to see? Was it merely that? Or something a lot more deeper, a lot more special? In spite of his fears, Zero actually preferred the latter. He - he wanted this to be special. Even if such a thing was highly improbable, he wanted Kaname to think him different.

And now that they had acknowledged this – attraction - between them, then what? How could they continue this? How long could it last? Where would it lead them? And dear God, what about Yuuki? What about Cross and everyone else?

Zero turned onto his side, ignoring the silent Hello Kitty sitting on his nightstand, to stare unseeingly out of his window. So many questions and so little answers. The only thing he was sure of now was that he still wanted to see Kaname again, to talk to him and to be near him with an intensity of a teenage boy suffering his very first crush.

A moment later, a disturbing thought crossed Zero's mind and he shifted uneasily. What if the Night Class students found out about this attraction between Kaname and himself? Would they react in righteous anger that he, a mere Level D vampire, descended from a line of distinguished vampire hunters and Kaname's once enemy no less, had presumed to claim their beloved pureblood leader's attention? Or worse, would they just laugh at how pathetic he had become, just one more hapless soul that had gotten trapped in the fascinating, enticing light that was Kaname Kuran?

A small shiver shook Zero's body. No, he didn't want any of those bloodsucking nobles to know about this. He couldn't imagine meeting their gazes or hearing their taunts if they ever found out.

- o -

It was class changeover time again.

Despite his very recent fears of the other nobles noticing and very possibly deriding his hopeless infatuation with Kaname, Zero was still powerless to ignore the pureblood's presence when the Night Class students walked past him and Yuuki on the way to class. The prefect still found himself happily lost in Kaname's increasingly soulful gaze when he suddenly detected someone else's eyes on him. With a start, Zero shifted his gaze to the face next to, and just behind Kaname's, bringing it into focus.

Takuma Ichijo.

Zero felt his stomach suddenly drop to the soles of his shoes as he realised that the noble's green eyes were watching him with a knowing, speculative look in them. It made the prefect feel hot and cold. Damn, damn, damn! He knew this was a stupid thing to do to begin with – staring at each other like besotted fools – how on earth had he thought that no one else would notice?! And now look at what had happened – they had been found out, and by one the Night Class nobles! The Assistant Dorm Leader, no less!

Frozen on the spot and blushing furiously, Zero didn't dare look at Kaname anymore, nor did he consider the fact that his shocked expression would not be at all difficult to decipher. With his stomach feeling strangely weightless yet queasy at the same time, Zero spun around abruptly and strode off, cutting a path through a group of startled Day Class girls and leaving behind a surprised Yuuki, a stunned Kaname and a chagrined Takuma. The even more delirious Day Class girls gave loud and happy squeals as they surged closer to the nobles in Zero's absence. In the resulting chaos as Yuuki made every vampire's ears ring with the shrill screams of her whistle, no one except Takuma saw Kaname staring at Zero's swiftly retreating back with a puzzled, concerned look on his face.

So there really was something going on between them, Takuma mused to himself as a harried Yuuki finally restored order and the Night Class students walked on unmolested to the classroom. The blond noble had been aware of Kaname's growing friendship with the taciturn, silver haired prefect for some time now. It had started from last year when he had found Zero sleeping soundly with his head leaning on Kaname's arm at that piano recital in town, and the latter's strange reluctance to wake him up. Kaname was also nonchalant about his wrinkled and slightly soiled jacket sleeve, which was surprising given how fastidious he usually was. Then there was the time when Takuma had caught Zero sneaking puzzled, almost hurt glances at a remote looking Kaname while listening almost absently to the noble's explanations about them being in town to check on a report of a group of renegade hunters hiding there.

That evening had been a worrying one for Takuma. Kaname hadn't come back that night and the blond noble couldn't help feeling that something wasn't right. He was on the verge of breaking school rules and going back to the town with Shiki to look for him, when the Chairman came with his timely message from Kaname. Cross had seemed rather distracted at that time, saying something about having to make unexpected phone calls before he came over to the Moon Dorms. Even though he knew then that Kaname was actually fine and would return to school later, Takuma still hadn't been able to shake off the worry niggling at the back of his mind. He knew he shouldn't have left the pureblood by himself that night but Takuma couldn't refuse Kaname's earlier request for him to return to the school either.

The blond noble had kept to his room after thanking Cross sincerely for his message, and waited out the next few hours sitting by his window, Shiki pretending to rest but all this time but eyeing him worriedly from his bed. Takuma was relieved when his vigil finally paid off and he saw Kaname walking back to the Moon Dorms. But the pureblood hadn't been alone… Zero was with him and Takuma's acute hearing couldn't help accidentally overhearing a couple of Kaname's softly spoken words meant for the prefect's ears only – something about his 'warm hands'. Of course the Assistant Dorm Leader would never presume to question Kaname about that comment, other than enquiring if he was all right.

During the past Treasure Hunt, Takuma was almost sure that Kaname had somehow switched the last four pieces of folded up paper containing the participants' names, thereby ensuring that he would be paired up with Zero. If that wasn't evidence enough that something was afoot between them, then what about the Christmas Eve dinner and the mistletoe Takuma had stuck to the ceiling above the piano? If it hadn't been for Kain and Aido's childish squabbling, none of the nobles nor Cross nor Yuuki would have had the chance to witness the strange way Kaname and Zero were looking at each other that time, as if – even though it was a hard thing to swallow – they had actually wanted that kiss. It wasn't until later when everyone had left the Moon Dorm living room and Takuma was absently placing all the used glasses on the coffee table to be collected by their staff later, that he realised Zero's present was no longer in the now empty red sack by his chair, and that the other sprig of mistletoe he had stuck to the top of the door frame was missing. Of course, anyone could have taken it when they had left – even Chairman Cross if it came to that – but Takuma now wondered just when had that little green sprig been plucked from its place... and by whom.

And now, for the past week or so, Takuma was aware that Kaname had apparently been exchanging subtle and – judging from Zero's reaction – very meaningful glances with the prefect. The noble frowned to himself, glancing sideways at the quiet pureblood walking by his side. If the two of them continued staring at each other like this, however discreetly they did it, there was a chance that someone else would notice if they hadn't already.

Takuma would never dream of speculating about this with anyone, not even Shiki, but he decided to keep a closer eye on his pureblood friend and the prefect, even if it was just so that he would be in a position to hint to Kaname should their behaviour become a little too obvious and there was a chance that someone else would notice. Takuma was determined to protect his friend's honour and guard his happiness no matter what. Even if both looked like they were now tied to the unlikeliest person imaginable – Zero Kiriyu.

- o -

Back in his room, Zero paced agitatedly up and down, berating himself for being so careless. He had only meant to steal a quick glance at Kaname but like the past two weeks or so, the pureblood's soft, compelling eyes had fully captured his attention. Zero scowled heavily at the silently knowing look of his Hello Kitty toy. Even though he knew at the back of his mind that it was only a matter of time before the others noticed, the very fact that Takuma Ichijo had seen him making cow's eyes at Kaname mortified Zero deeply.

He – he wasn't ready to let anyone know about this. It was still too new, too uncertain, too raw. Zero was now quite sure that he wanted this thing he had with Kaname (whatever it was) to continue, at least for a bit more, but not about other people knowing and very possibly talking about it behind his back. At least, not yet. Not until Zero had sorted out his own doubts and reluctance and was comfortable enough in accepting or ignoring the others' opinions, whether favourable or not.

He knew Kaname appeared to enjoy his company very much and had always seemed very approachable, even normal, when they were together but what if this was nothing more than just a novelty to the pureblood? Worse, what if all of this was only just a game to Kaname?

Zero stopped pacing for a moment, his breathing ragged and his thoughts in a turmoil. Dark fear and insecurity swept over him, leaving him cold and nervous. What if... what if Kaname was nothing more than a damn good actor and Zero had fallen for a few achingly sweet smiles and some well acted tears? After all, Zero had met Kaname at Cross' house a few years back and they had hated each other on sight. Well, on his sight, in any case.

Kaname was a pureblood, the same level vampire as that woman who had bitten and turned him on that fateful night four years ago - they were the same! But something ached in Zero's gut at the very thought. They could not possibly be the same... and Kaname was not cruel like that woman. After all, hadn't Kaname seen the fear in Zero's eyes and promised that he would not bite him, even though the prefect could see that he wanted to? Surely this must mean that this pureblood cared something about him?

Zero clenched his shaking hands into tight fists and took a deep, calming breath. Of course Kaname cared about him, even if he had not said it - neither had Zero to be honest. But they had made plans to go to that town this weekend, since it was further from the one next to Cross Academy. Perhaps they could catch another movie together... and make an attempt to actually see it this time. Perhaps they could also get to know the other a little more.

So this was OK, this was fine. Zero took another deep breath. Even if the Assistant Dorm Leader had found them eyeing each other - or more specifically, Zero eyeing Kaname - it was still all right, it had to be... Zero knew of the fierce loyalty the nobles had for Kaname, especially Takuma, whom he was closest to. If any of the nobles had to know about this, Zero would rather it be the friendly and understanding green eyed blond than someone else like say, Aido, who would have probably frozen him solid in an instant.

This was cool... this was still OK. Zero sighed and raked his fingers through his silver hair, wondering if he was as desperate as he sounded, even to himself. It was now dinnertime for the Day Class students but his appetite had completely vanished. Perhaps a walk would do him good. He could always find something to eat later.

Still dressed in his school uniform, Zero went out of his room, intending to take a stroll down to the lake to clear his thoughts.

- o -

Half an hour after the Night Class had started lessons, Kaname excused himself quietly, saying that he had a discussion with the Headmaster that could not wait. It wasn't true of course, but for the past fifteen minutes or so, Kaname had been wondering why Zero had suddenly rushed off like that. Then he thought of how the prefect's soft, violet eyes had shifted a little past him, as if suddenly noticing the person standing beside Kaname on his other side. It had to have been Takuma – the blond noble was the one who usually walked beside him.

Kaname knew that this was mostly his fault for looking at Zero until the prefect couldn't help but colour up so attractively. At first, the pureblood was a little discomfited to realise that his longtime friend had sensed that there was something going on between him and Zero. After all, Takuma had seen Zero sleeping on his arm the other time and had also seen him returning to school with the prefect after coming back from the hotel when he was injured. But the lonely part of Kaname just... didn't quite care. So what? So what if Takuma knew? He would never tell anyone, Kaname was sure of it. Besides, if anyone had to find out about this, Kaname would rather it be Takuma or perhaps Seiren since both had proven that they would never betray him in any way and would keep their opinions to themselves.

Kaname sighed soundlessly. He had known that it would be almost impossible to keep this from the others. After all, he and Zero hadn't actually ignored each other and the way they had stared at each other under the mistletoe last Christmas Eve had been a total giveaway. It was only a matter of time before someone noticed. Perhaps Zero hadn't quite realised this or had perhaps been too caught up with it to think clearly.

Kaname was more than aware that if they continued to see each other like this, the way he wanted to, the others would eventually notice as well. After all, Takuma already had – who was to say the others hadn't? Could Kaname and Zero handle this? And what was the pureblood to do with his feelings about Yuuki, about having cherished her for as long as he had known her? And Zero... despite how wonderful the prefect had been to him so far, would he stay the same if he found out the actual truth about Kaname's dark past? Or would he throw the pureblood aside and be content with trying to win Yuuki's affections?

As Kaname walked towards the Sun Dorms, knowing that all the students would be at dinner now, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was aware that the enmity Zero used to bear him had lessened considerably ever since the night of the piano recital, to the point that it was practically non existent now. Kaname knew since long ago that the anger between them had mostly been on Zero's side. He hadn't hated the prefect at all, he never had... but he had never thought that he would be attracted to him either. A light flush settled softly on Kaname's cheeks at the very thought. Although it was common for vampires to indulge in lovers of the same or of both genders, Kaname had always believed that it would be Yuuki and only her for him and for always. Now, after a few months spent in Zero's company, he wasn't so sure anymore. He only knew that he wanted craved more and more of Zero - his shy hesitancy, his surprisingly gentle touch, his deliciously sweet kisses, his delightful responses and that undeniable, protective concern that made Kaname feel treasured beyond anything he had ever felt in his life.

Only after what had happened earlier, Kaname was pretty sure that Zero would have reverted to denial stage again, like what had happened last week. In fact, the prefect was probably getting cold feet right now. Kaname sighed in frustration. It hadn't been easy getting Zero to even admit that their kisses had affected him and the pureblood didn't want the very precious and fragile progress they had made so far to go to waste. Hence his going to see Zero now to talk to him privately.

The silver haired prefect was such a prickly person to tackle - rather like a chestnut, Kaname thought with a sudden, fond smile. Hard and thorny on the outside, repelling all attempts to crack it open. But when it did, you were rewarded with the delicious, sweet tasting flesh on the inside. Kaname knew that Zero was worth any risk he took and any effort he made. He only hoped that Zero would think the same thing about him.

Suddenly, the pureblood paused. The cool night breeze had shifted and he could scent Zero. The prefect was nearby, Kaname was sure of it. There – he had caught sight of a tall figure still dressed in his Day Class uniform. Zero was making his way down to the lake with both hands pushed deep into his trouser pockets, silver head bent low as if deep in thought.

Kaname smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes and made them glow softly. It looked like he would not need to go to the Sun Dorms this time. "Perfect," Kaname whispered.

- o –

Staring down at the lake, Zero sensed Kaname's approach and swung around. The pureblood was standing about ten feet away, the slight breeze lifting the long, wavy strands of his hair.

"Kaname!"

Kaname nodded. "Zero," he said quietly. He was looking searchingly at the other's face, a little surprised not to see total denial written all over it. Zero gave a nod as well but didn't say anything more, only dug his hands even deeper into his pockets and looked down. Kaname took a step closer. "Zero, why did you run off earlier?"

As Zero kept silent, Kaname asked, "Was it because of Takuma?"

The prefect just nodded again, not bothering to look at him. Kaname frowned at the continued silence but persisted nonetheless. "Well, what did he see, exactly?" he asked.

Zero looked up and scowled – Kaname had apparently hit a nerve. "He saw me making stupid cow's eyes at you, that's what he saw!" the prefect growled and Kaname blinked. Cow's eyes? That was an expression he had never heard before but he had a pretty good guess as to what it meant. Kaname couldn't help smiling a little upon seeing the light blush spreading over the other's pale cheeks.

"Zero, if it came to that, I was also making, er, cow's eyes back at you."

Zero just snorted then looked towards one side. "He didn't see you, he just saw me," he said tersely.

Ah.

"Are you embarrassed that Takuma saw you looking at me like that?" Kaname asked softly.

A few seconds of silence passed.

"Yes," Zero finally whispered then dropped his gaze to the ground in front of him again. Kaname swallowed, feeling his heart squeezing oddly - it sounded like Zero was perhaps… ashamed… of him? Kaname knew he shouldn't have let Zero even glimpse the scarred person he was on the inside. He shouldn't have... because he knew that this was what would happen.

"Zero, are you... ashamed about – about us?" he asked, as steadily as he could manage. The prefect's head jerked up at once, amethyst eyes stunned. "No, Kaname!" Zero protested at once. "Of course I'm not!"

But Kaname found it a little hard to believe that now. "Perhaps you're not serious about this?" he asked bleakly. About us?

Zero opened his mouth and closed it again. Was Kaname reconsidering this again, like he had last week? It sure sounded like it. Or perhaps he was just offering Zero a way out of this potentially very messy affair? Zero didn't know what to think now but his silence struck a death knell at Kaname's heart. So it was true - Zero wasn't serious about this, like the pureblood himself was. Well, what did he expect?

"I see," Kaname said dully. "Then I will just have to wait until you're... serious, won't I?" His eyes were starting to smart but the pureblood controlled himself even if he couldn't quite keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Zero stared at him then exhaled in sudden frustration. He jerked his hands out of his pockets and fisted them tightly at his sides. "Don't you care that someone else saw, Kaname? Doesn't it matter to you that Ichijo knows about this?" he asked. About us?

Kaname shook his head but didn't say anything. Zero exhaled again - sometimes, the pureblood was just so stubborn! "It does matter!" Zero insisted but the pureblood only shook his head again. "No, Zero," he said softly. "No, I don't see why it matters."

Zero uttered a disbelieving laugh that sounded almost like a sob. "You're just kidding yourself! Look at what we are, Kaname - you're a pureblood, I'm a Level D! That in itself makes us impossible." He saw Kaname shaking his head and hurried on. "And what about Yuuki? I know you love her, you always have! And – and although I love her too, it's you she wants, it's always been you!"

Intense pain lanced through Zero's heart, almost making him double over. At first he thought it was the same old pain of knowing that Yuuki would always choose Kaname over him, but now he knew, it was the same old pain but mixed with jealousy and understanding. Jealousy because he wanted Kaname to care about him and not Yuuki. Understanding because he now knew why Yuuki was enamoured of Kaname. Because he was, too.

Zero knew he was a fool and an idiot because even now, stupid tears were welling up in his eyes.

"Zero, are those all the reasons you can think of?" Kaname's voice was softer, more subdued now. When Zero blinked away his tears, he could see the obvious hurt in those deep brown eyes. The prefect sniffed even though he had no intention to. "No," he said stubbornly but he refused to say anymore.

"Zero, did you think I hadn't thought of this, of all the things you have said?" Kaname finally asked incredulously, shaking his head slightly. He had, and on a lot more things. For example, how he and Zero saw themselves and how others would see them... the opposition they would face as a couple from the vampire world and from the hunter world. Even humans would them as an oddity. Moreover, Kaname was a pureblood, one of the few remaining left in the world – his life was something everyone wanted to control and have a part of. He had responsibilities that Zero did not, he had powers Zero could never dream of having. Their perspectives, their lifestyles, their opinions - everything was different. Even their life spans were so different.

Everything was just so frighteningly impossible for both of them, so seemingly impossible that those thoughts had haunted Kaname's sleep for days. Zero remained silent as he read the pureblood's fears in his pained eyes. Despite his better judgment, the prefect felt his anger cooling down but he shook his head. "Then why are we doing this, Kaname?" he pleaded. Kaname's lips twisted wryly. He wished he knew...

"Do you not want to, Zero?" he asked instead.

Zero gave another disbelieving laugh. "I wish I could say I didn't... but I do," he muttered, raking a hand through his hair. Kaname exhaled softly in relief, a tremulous smile forming on his lips. "I'm glad," he said softly.

Zero frowned suddenly, wondering if Kaname was trying to change the subject again. "Why are you glad?" he asked, somewhat rudely. "It's not like you really care about me!"

Even as the words left his mouth, Zero knew he should not have said that. Even before the words slammed into Kaname and made him gasp, Zero knew that they weren't true.

"But I do care about you!" Kaname protested, seemingly uncaring of how weak, even dependent he sounded. At the unexpected confession, both their eyes widened. Kaname was a little shocked at what he had actually said out loud. He had thought of Zero very often, he had found that he missed the prefect's company very much but no, never in his most private moments, not even when he was lying alone and awake in his bed had he ever thought about his own feelings where Zero was concerned.

But it was true and Kaname meant what he had just said aloud. He did care about Zero, very much. Speechless, he stared at the prefect who was blushing again, his gaze darting all around him as if he didn't know quite where to look. Zero gulped and scrunched his eyes shut for a moment before looking directly at Kaname. Yes, they had kissed. They had hugged. They had exchanged tender words and gestures, even holding hands on a couple of occasions but an outright declaration of caring?

Kaname took a step forward, making Zero freeze. "Tell me you don't feel the same," Kaname said but the prefect remained silent.

"Tell me, Zero. Tell me if you can that you don't care about me," Kaname insisted. He intended for his words to sound confident and authoritative but they came out sounding mortifyingly like a plea. Zero swallowed again, feeling that unstoppable pull that made him want to comfort Kaname all over again. He couldn't deny what the pureblood had said – it would be an outright lie. Looking into the pureblood's eyes, Zero gave a little shake of his head. "I can't, Kaname. I can't deny that," he admitted honestly.

For a moment, Kaname's eyes closed in sheer relief but he found himself trembling again. "Oh God, Zero," he breathed then he closed the gap between them, throwing his arms around Zero and hugging him tightly. "I want you to care for me," he whispered. "So much..."

Hot tears burned again in Zero's eyes but he closed them tightly as he wrapped his arms unhesitatingly around the pureblood's back. How could he deny anything when it felt so right to have Kaname hug him like this? How could this not make any sense at all but feel so right at the same time?

In unison, their heads tilted towards each other and their mouths sought each other out, needing the contact and the reassurance. Kaname kissed Zero deeply, his mind still swirling with hurt and confusion. It was frightening how their kisses always made him feel so vulnerable inside, as if Zero could sense all his secrets and his fears from his lips alone.

Desperate to hush those fears, Kaname pressed closer to the prefect's warm body, angling his face so that their lips fitted better, letting their hearts thump against each other. A soft sound tried to escape Zero's throat but it was swallowed by their passionate kiss. The prefect could sense Kaname's desperation from the way he pushed against him as if Kaname wanted to melt right into him. Even though the small voice in Zero's brain told him that this was not a good idea, he still let the pureblood ravish his mouth, aching to share whatever he had with Kaname. The kiss grew correspondingly deeper, more passionate and more fierce.

Kaname lost himself in the sweetness of Zero's kisses and the feel of that strong body trembling against his. This time, the pureblood wasn't careful enough. This time, he kissed Zero like how he had longed to and held nothing back, not even when dark desire threaded through him and sharpened his fangs.

What happened next was inevitable... Kaname sucked Zero's lower lip into his mouth and a razor sharp fang pierced the soft and tender inner flesh. In an instant, a single drop of blood welled up from the tiny cut and blossomed between their mouths, making both vampires freeze.

The taste of Zero's blood to Kaname right at that moment was delicious, intoxicating. To the emotionally stirred up pureblood, nothing on earth could have tasted that good, that beautiful. He needed more of it... or he would go crazy. Kaname tightened his arms around Zero, his heart pounding now with desire as well as bloodlust as he sucked insistently at the prefect's bleeding lip. So sweet, so unbelievably sweet... A world of crimson exploded in Kaname's eyes and in his senses.

Zero had recognised the taste of his own blood and struggled to get away, inborn panic clawing at him and chasing away his desire. Oh God, this was a mistake... letting Kaname kiss him like this was a big, big mistake. But the tip of Kaname's fang was still buried in his lower lip and as Zero yanked his head back, it tore a bigger hole in the sensitive flesh, making Zero cry out softly. The startled sound of that cry and the way the prefect was trying to get away made Kaname react instinctively, the way a predator would react when he sensed his captured prey trying to get away from him. No... he would not let that happen. Kaname's arms curled even tighter around Zero as he pressed their bloodstained lips together. With a feral sounding growl rumbling deep in his throat, Kaname bit down on Zero's lip again.

This time, it was deliberate.

Zero's body jerked and he gasped in pain but Kaname swallowed the sound, his darker side reveling in it as he slid his fangs free then greedily lapped up the blood spilling out from the twin wounds before pulling back slightly to lick at his own lips. Zero forced blind panic down, breathing hard. He placed his palms flat on Kaname's chest and pushed himself backwards, breaking the pureblood's hold on him. Zero stumbled backwards a couple of steps before regaining his balance. Free at last, he found himself staring at a Kaname he had never seen before. Eyes morphed to a complete red, skin stretched taut over his pale face and throat, lips and fangs glinting in the moonlight, painted with blood – his blood.

For a second that seemed to last an eternity, both of them just stared at each other, their breathing and their heartbeats overly loud in their ears, their chests heaving. Zero's brain was screaming at him, telling him to shoot Kaname, shoot him now before the pureblood attacked him again. Another part of him was telling him to just get the hell away now. Zero decided to listen to the latter. He spun around and the adrenaline surging through him helped him move, faster than he ever thought he could. One step... then another... then Zero was running flat out, back to the Sun Dorms and relative safety. Back to a place where he could hide, lick his wounds and cry over a beautiful dream gone wrong...

Before Zero had gone more than a few steps, he was caught. Slender arms with the impossible strength of a pureblood snaked around him from the back– one around his wildly thudding heart, the other around his stomach. Zero was pulled hard against Kaname's chest, both of them tottering to one side, almost falling as Kaname's momentum made him crash into Zero and spun them around. The pureblood's grace and surefootedness came to his aid and he righted their balance a second later, pulling Zero more firmly against his chest to steady him.

Before Zero could do more than draw in a startled breath, a face nuzzled into the right side of his neck and hot, panting breath brushed the suddenly vulnerable pale skin. Zero froze, his mind splintering to pieces. No... Kaname, no! Please, no!!

Warm, moist lips latched onto his neck. That was the only other warning Zero got and he cried out sharply as long, sharp fangs sank deep into his flesh.

Kaname's entire world was painted in red. Zero's first cry escaped unnoticed as the pureblood drank deeply, finding the prefect's blood much more satisfying than any he had ever had. Zero was struggling wildly, clawing at his arms and kicking at his legs, his breath sobbing out between his lips... but none of the pain he caused Kaname registered in the pureblood's senses. It was only after a few mouthfuls of Zero's blood, when the prefect had cried out again, that the panicked sound finally penetrated the red haze filling Kaname's brain. His arms loosened in shock and this time, Zero managed to struggle free. Once again, he spun around, legs planted wide apart and the Bloody Rose appeared in his hand, the long, swinging chain sparkling in the moonlight.

For the second time in a matter of minutes, they stared at each other, their breathing even more ragged than before. Kaname's eyes were no longer filled with crimson but with blank shock at the sight of the ragged wounds he had torn in Zero's neck and at the sight of the beautiful crimson stain on the prefect's flesh, dripping onto his white shirt collar. But worse than that was the sight of Zero's eyes. They were filled with betrayal, anger and pain as they stared at the sight of Kaname's bloodstained mouth and fangs and at the sight of his own blood dripping down the pureblood's chin and onto his white uniform jacket.

Then Kaname shuddered violently. His heart was clenching so hard in his chest, he felt like he was having a seizure. Dear God, what had he done? Please... please let this be just one of my nightmares, please...

"Zero," he murmured, shaken with horrified guilt at what he had done. A shuddering sob tore from Zero's aching throat even though the Bloody Rose was still pointed straight at Kaname's heart. Zero's other hand went up to his injured neck. "You... bit me," he whispered, shock and raw pain making up those three damning words.

Kaname swallowed, Zero's delicious blood still sharp in his senses but now, the taste only made him feel worse. "Zero," he whispered, his throat closing up. "I - I'm so sorry..."

The deeply shaken pureblood took a tentative step forward, ignoring the vampire weapon aimed at him and Zero shook his head at once, looking almost terrified as he took a step back. The gun quivered slightly in his hand. "Don't come any closer," he warned tightly. "Don't you dare touch me!"

Kaname wanted to sob in agony at Zero's words. He almost crumpled onto his knees then but blind instinct kept him upright. "Zero, please... I'm sorry!" His voice shook and he swallowed hard. "Please forgive me..." Kaname took another step closer.

Zero shook his head again, stupid tears filling his eyes and spilling over. He dashed them away with his bloodstained hand, smearing his face with his own blood. "You promised, Kaname! You promised you wouldn't bite me!" The gun shook again then Zero started sobbing in earnest as he wrapped both hands around himself. "You promised, damnit!"

It was like that night, all over again... The only differences were that Zero was already a vampire, he was now older and therefore should have known better, and he had put his trust in the one standing before him now.

Kaname wanted to cry at Zero's words and very nearly did. "I know," he whispered in a miserable tone. "I know and I'm sorry. Please believe me, Zero. I just – I just wanted to -"

"Is this what you wanted from me all this time?" Zero's vision of Kaname blurred again and he wiped his wet eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. "Is it, Kaname? Just my blood?"

Kaname shook his head quickly. "No, Zero, no," he groaned. "I never meant... please..." He took a third step forward and Zero shook his head in warning, his quivering lips pressed into a thin line to stop the sobs that were clawing at his throat, trying to get out. Again, he swung his gun up, the only thing that he had to stop Kaname from getting any closer. Zero's shaking thumb nudged the safety catch off and the audible click made Kaname freeze in disbelief.

"You stay away from me, vampire!" Zero hissed out, his own fangs growing out in response, his throat tight, and his voice hoarse with tears and pain. "Do you know what the joke is? That I actually believed your lies! All of them! Well, no longer, Kuran – I hate you and I never ever want to see you again!"

For one heart stopping moment, Zero could not believe the utter crushed look in Kaname's eyes... it was as if something inside the pureblood had died. There was an answering throb of pain in Zero's heart but on top of everything else, this was just too much to take or even believe in. Kaname was no better than that pureblood woman who had bitten and turned him four years ago... and Zero was better off now knowing what Kaname truly was. But as he stumbled on towards the Sun Dorms, not even keeping back his gun or looking out to see if he met anyone along the way, Zero didn't know why his heart was hurting even more than his neck.

Kaname still stood where he was, completely stunned. It was a good five minutes before he actually realised where he was and knew he had to get away... before Takuma or someone else came to investigate the scent of Zero's spilled blood. Kaname forced himself to stumble back to the Moon Dorms, his heart a heavy, beating, crushing agony in his chest, his mind in a numb daze.

I was right when I believed that I would never earn anyone's love...

I was right when I believed that I would never be worthy of someone as honest and caring as Zero Kiriyu...

Kaname finally reached his rooms and collapsed onto his couch, curling up onto himself as he finally let the hot tears of regret and despair escape his clenched eyelids. Despite his best intentions, he had managed to make Zero hate him, even more than he ever had in the past. There was no way in hell the proud, stubborn prefect would ever forgive him now, let alone see him again.

It was... hopeless. And there was nothing Kaname could do about it except curl up and sob his heart out, wishing with all he had that he could undo the events of the past few minutes.

Please.... please forgive me, Zero. I never meant to bite you like this. Never...

-- Chapter End –-