Chapter Twelve of Twisted Truth

For Disclaimer see Prequel.

Warning: Fluff, romantic fluff!

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Spellbound

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Tangled web...

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Yes, it looked like one of those. That's what his life seemed to be, because right now he didn't seem to understand his own heart. Didn't he have everything he ever wanted now? Yet, there was a sudden emptiness under his playful surface. Hadn't he been envious of that previous prefect now turned pureblood Zero?

Yes, he had been terribly envious seeing as Kaname-sama seemed to give Zero-sama all his attention and even some strange gentleness he'd never seen in the pureblood leader's behaviour. Something new, their treasured pureblood leader was changing in front of their eyes, someone more happy – so they should happy too, shouldn't they? Yet, at first he had only felt envy ... but that was then, so how did he feel now about this?

Was he envious now? No, what ever it was it certainly wasn't envy. Maybe a little left out, but he hadn't really been that close before, so ... No, he hadn't stopped caring for Kaname-sama. No, that wasn't it for he very much cared and wanted him to only to be as happy as possible.

So what was it then, he asked himself while trying desperately to find another reason but the one his heart already knew. He failed miserably, because every time he thought about it all he could see was a pair of dark eyes, so similar to another pair yet so different.

They were far more innocent than Kaname-sama's eyes.

No, it came all down to her. Why did it have to be her? He knew that he could not have her, so why then couldn't he stop thinking about her? Thinking about her big soulful eyes, about her compassion and beauty? Thinking about how sweet her blood had tasted.... like bitter-sweet strawberries with all the love and longing in it. A longing, he knew wasn't for him, but he couldn't help but wish, wish for something ... maybe hope that things could change even if it was highly unlikely.

Oh, he knew that he should stop, because it lead to nothing but pain, but he couldn't stop, couldn't stop hoping for a wonder; hoping for a wonder that maybe, just maybe he and her could be together some day.

To say that it was frustrating was an understatement, so to say, but he just couldn't help it. He opened his eyes and turned around to face his cousin, noticing that he wasn't alone any longer. How long had Kain been watching him like this, he thought with a frown on his face, which made him look only more serious than normal. Had his cousin seen through his fascade then? He probably had, knowing how well his cousin knew him too.

"You know, you're going to be only hurt if you continue that way." Kain murmured after having watched his cousin continuing to brood even during their time off. Really, it was impossible to relax and have fun, especially after they just started speaking to each other again.

"I know." Aido nodded then shook his head running a hand through his messy hair. "But I cannot help it." He smiled wistfully, thinking of how sweet she tasted and how cute she had been then. "Can't help Yuki-chan's sweet blood." He tried to excuse his behaviour, yet knowing that it was only a part of the truth. No, he wasn't exactly blind to notice how cute she looked every time he made her uncomfortable and blus, in reaction to it. She had become quite the young woman indeed, no matter that she was also a hunter now.

"You know what she is, right?" Kain tried again to reason with Aido but sighed in defeat after noticing the dreamy look in his eyes, which didn't seem to leave his cousin's eyes.

"Yes, of course. I'm not that stupid." He snorted in return. "It would never work out any way."

"Exactly." Kain nodded but then shook his head, knowing that that little detail would mean little enough to the blonde noble. "A vampire and a hunter? Impossible." He added with a little more fervour in a helpless try to make Aido come to his senses.

"I know." Aido murmured to himself. "But I can't help it. It's like she has me under a spell or something." He added, only half-jokingly for it was the truth in any but the literal sense. Some how there was something utterly adorable about Yuki-chan – and seeing her maturing like this did nothing to change that. No, instead it made it worse because he became aware that she was now a beautiful young woman and not the little annoying girl he always thought her to be – and then, there was the added spike of danger, of knowing that she was now a hunter.

Yes, indeed he could get easily in trouble there too, not that that had ever prevented him from pursuing something he wanted before. Aido knew it and his cousin knew it too, but he was aware of that too. So, he sighed and nodded, pretending to be mature for once.

"Aido..." Kain muttered then stared for unknown period of time at his blonde cousin then finally shook his head seeing that Aido probably would do as he always did after all.

"I know, I know." Aido said in tired voice.

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xxx

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Closing in...

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Kaname and Zero were closer than before. Their relationship had taken huge step forward and they knew it too, yet both were shy about it, cause they were afraid of destroying it with the wrong word or action. Things were still awfully tender and somewhat fragile but too important to risk easily.

Zero felt still uneasiness about his current status he couldn't shake away, as he had never been so much on display like now. He sighed to himself, feeling kind of helpless; more so than even when he had been a future-less level-d vampire. Now, he had a future, what kind exactly he still didn't know quite as it was too foreign to him, yet he knew that 'that' would get only worse in the future, given the fact that it he'd expected to do his pureblood duty to full extent.

Yes, there was hope and a future but he felt like it came with a heavy price to pay, too so he could only hope it was worth it in the end. Worth all this hassle, he thought and smiled at that, remembering the look in Kaname's eyes when he woke up for the first time after his tattoo had been redone. He remembered the laughter he heard that evening, the warmth in both Yuki and Kaname's eyes.

Yes, it was definitely worth to go through all these troubles and things were already becoming better. Good enough, that after a time both their mood became good enough to tease each other and others.

Well, Kaname remained the regal pureblood to anyone but Zero and sometimes Yuki, but he did smile more as well, which didn't go unnoticed. Yes, even Zero's relationship with the other Night Class students become more relaxed as they became more used to his recent change as well. So he found himself spending time discussing class topics with Takuma and Shiki more often than not. On other nights even Aido, Kain and Ruka would join but they were still more reserved towards him, but it was a far cry from the open hostility they had showed before all this began.

It felt good, even if it felt most unnatural to Zero that he felt this light-hearted and normal for once in his life. Strange, that only a few days ago he had seriously considered suicide because he had been afraid that his change would endanger the lives of the people most dear to him.

True, while he wasn't completely at ease with his new reality he felt less out of control now despite the fact that he still had more than enough unanswered questions. He pushed them away for now, focusing on the now and there.

Yes, the night was too beautiful to spoil it with too much brooding.

The night was strong in his senses, in all its glory and beauty and Zero couldn't help enjoying it because it felt so right now. It felt right to him, like he belonged, but there was more than that.

Yes, it was far more than just that. He felt strangely happy because he could share this ... peace and beauty with someone, who had become close to him even if he had never suspected this to happen. He had loathed Kaname Kuran before this all started, hadn't he?

Yes, he had but now did not – and knowing that the other one was close, enjoying the same very things like he did. It felt right that, because ... of that obnoxious pureblood he felt a such warmth ripping through him, that he wondered how he could ever feel cold again.

Yes, he admitted to himself, he felt attracted to that annoying gorgeous pureblood, but who wouldn't? Zero couldn't help but smile at these thoughts and at the sight beyond the window. There was a full moon surrounded by clouds, looking awesome -- not so different from another night ago, but then he hadn't noticed its beauty at all.

It was strange, that even the night reminded him a bit of Kaname as it was so similar in many ways. It was beauty and dangerous as well – and it made his heart yearn for something he didn't quite know.

"I want to see that again." Zero heard a voice whispering behind him, Kaname's. He turned around and froze, seeing the way the dark haired pureblood was staring at him. He couldn't help but stare right back so caught up was the ex-hunter with the warmth he could see in his and decided that he was wrong – Kaname's eyes were so much more alluring than any night could ever hope to be, no matter how many stars and moons it might have to gaze at. They was such an unusual soft glow in them. Damn, he was becoming weak, wasn't he?

"What?" Zero muttered in return, not quite knowing what this was about, yet he had trouble to fight the spell the other had him under, again. Hadn't something like this happened before? Yes, he decided but couldn't break the spell, couldn't break the pull the older pureblood had over him. "What do you want to see again?" He finally got out.

"Your smile," Kaname said and took Zero's right hand into his own one. Yes, he knew that he was staring; yet he couldn't help it, because he had been caught unaware by that moment when he saw Zero smiling and his eyes brightening for moment to a hue he had never seen before. He wanted; no he needed to see that again.

"My smile?" The silver haired pureblood managed to say but it came out more husky than he intended to, because he was very aware of how close the other one was -- just like that other time. He swallowed, his breath hitching in his throat, but it went only worse because Zero realized that they were close enough … for kissing? Kaname seemed to get closer and closer, was he going to kiss him? Again?

Did he want that? Now and here? Yes, Zero's racing heart seemed to yell quite loudly yes at that -- but a little voice far away seemed to warn him that he wasn't ready yet. He forgot that voice quickly as he became overwhelmed with the sense of Kaname – this close.

It wasn't enough. The ex-hunter wanted him closer – much closer than this.

Zero shivered and moved closer, his lips opening a little, yearning to feel Kaname's lips on his own again. Zero couldn't help but feel this, longing to taste Kaname's lips, enough that he closed his eyes in awaiting a kiss and his hands moved on their own, pulling them even closer together.

Zero's cheeks were flushing, almost like he was coming down with fever again – only this time he wanted this fever, very much. He almost got it too, then – he could almost feel their lips touching, but then felt the loss of Kaname's closeness like cold water being split onto his face.

Damn, what happened? Wha-- what's she doing here?

Zero wanted to object, but knew that it was better not to as they weren't alone any more – and it wasn't just any one too. He could only hope she hadn't seen too much as he wasn't sure how she'd react to it.

A moment later he opened his eyes only to see Yuki watching them with a strange look on her face. He looked from her to Kaname and back again unsure of what to do so he did nothing, even if he was very much aware of how close they still stood together. Had she seen it? Well, if so he couldn't see any signs that she had so, but she surely looked being puzzled of what was going on. Zero relaxed a little at that thought, moving also a little away from the older pureblood, just to be safe.

"Kaname-senpai? Zero?" She muttered, sounding very much surprised at the very moment but seemed to be completely clueless at what had been going on just moments ago. "What are you doing here? I thought class break had ended about ten minutes ago." She added with frown, fixing them with an unusual glare at that. Well, they might be her friends but she still was a guardian and it was her duty to see that rules were followed, by all students at that no matter if they were her friends or not.

Zero stared at her, then looked down and nodded. He couldn't help it, but he really wished she hadn't interrupted them ... cause he'd really wanted that kiss.

"I'm sorry." Kaname intervened. "I should've noticed this." He gave her a polite smile but couldn't completely hide that he was at least a little bit annoyed that they had been interrupted. "We'll leave right now. Won't we?" He added with a knowing glance at the younger pureblood, hinting that they'll better do what she implied for now.

"Oh, sure." Zero replied hesitatingly since he felt reluctant to go back to class after having what had almost happened and somehow hoped they could get Yuki to leave so they could continue where they stopped. It seemed like the perfect opportunity too, since really didn't feel to chance to run into any of the nobles while doing that.

No, he really didn't want that to happen, at least for now. It was still very new for him as well, together with the whole being-pureblood stuff on top of that. Well, that meant that in the end they didn't get any chance to be alone this night -- at least not that kind of being alone with each other that was.

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xxx

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Troubled waters...

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"Ah, Yuki-chan," Aido said and walked up closer to the brunette prefect, who in turn eyed him warily. What was he up to now, she wondered.

"Aido-senpai?" Yuki half asked, half warned him to try anything she wouldn't like. She could already feel Zero and Kaname's auras twitching nervously over there. They'd to have followed her after all, she noticed, watching over her? She snorted and clenched her fists only to calm down again after a few deep intakes of breathe. No, this was silly, to react angry about this, but she wasn't a child any more, right? She could take care of herself now too. Still, she felt kind of nervous around the blonde noble, knowing his mischievous nature all too well. She had been on the receiving end more often than not, but still, the young hunter could've sworn that things had changed some how. Yet, something hadn't Yuki realized as she glanced back at the two purebloods, who now had turned to the next window talking quietly with each other. They seemed relaxed and not focused on her, yet she knew them better than that. Kaname and Zero had both a protective streak a mild wide at that when it came to her. She sighed again and forced her attention back to Aido in front of her.

The blonde noble should better not try anything, so she sent him another frown -- in vain.

"Hmm, you look as sweet as always…" Aido whispered then trailed off, noticing how menacing the two purebloods suddenly appeared. They moved from their position at the window, yet something had definitely changed for worse.

He wasn't doing anything bad, right?

They couldn't do anything if all he did was talking, right? Well, at least he could hope so, and nodded to them, trying to sent them a silent message that he would've be on his best behaviour too.

Aido swallowed but remained where he was and gave Yuki one of his best smiles and froze. "You're different." He said suddenly.

"Yep, I am." Yuki grinned and pointed playfully her anti-vampire gun at him making him blanch in shock. Obviously, he hadn't expected that move from her.

"You wouldn't shoot me?" Twin pools of blue eyes widened slowly, displaying innocence, which wasn't really there or was it? She surely had changed a lot he noticed, seeming to be far more confident of herself too. He couldn't help but like it, even if it was to his disadvantage now. It suited her well.

"Hmm, only if you're not behaving," she said with a smirk, which was so unlike the Yuki the blonde noble remembered -- it was far too mature, less innocent. Now, he wasn't sure if he liked this new Yuki. She was very different, yet rather intriguing to him, a challenge – and if there was something he couldn't resist it was a challenge.

"B-but I haven't done anything … bad." He half muttered, half pleaded all the while making innocent gestures to make her understand that he truly meant it; but he was right? All he had done was talking and there was nothing wrong with that, right?

"Yeah, right." The brunette prefect sounded not very convinced at this. "You … innocent?"

"Would that be so unbelievable?" He asked back, sounding completely serious this time.

"Yes." She said drily but couldn't help but smile at that. Yes, it sounded hardly believable yet there was something, something different in his tone that made here pause at that. "Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Hmm." She nodded and went quiet because she didn't know how to respond to this. A playful mischievous Idol-senpai she could handle now – easily, but she didn't know about this person standing now in front of her. He was far too serious in voice, stance and all.

"So, what does it feel like?" He asked after a while.

"Feel like what?" She repeated being puzzled for the second time tonight. What was he up to now?

"How does it feel, being suddenly a hunter and all?"

"D-different." She muttered. "I feel strong, foreign, right but at the time somewhat wrong, like it shouldn't be ...." She caught herself babbling and stopped herself, shaking her had. No, she wouldn't go there, everything was fine. "Just the same as before." She grinned – and almost believed herself, but her smile didn't reach her eyes this time.

"I'm sorry." He caught himself murmuring in return and shook his head as well. He hadn't done anything to feel sorry for, had he? Certainly not, yet the young noble couldn't help wishing that he hadn't asked that – not if that caused such a reaction from her. Somehow he didn't like to see her sad. "You're all right." He added, almost inaudible, and would've said more but was interrupted.

"Aido-kun?" Kaname asked in a smooth tone, which made the blonde noble flinch. How had he gotten there so fast the noble thought with something akin to despair. He never thought he would wish that Kaname-sama wouldn't have this darn pureblood abilities at that but now he did. No, and if that wasn't bad enough, Zero was the same at that and way less polite.

No, this tone wasn't good at all. It was the kind of voice the older pureblood always used when he was very displeased about something -- and if he got that right the other pureblood didn't look too happy too. Aido shivered, getting the brunt of one of Zero's infamous glares, amplified several times now since he was a pureblood now and no longer only an ex-human.

"Kaname-sama, Zero-sama, please…" He tried again, looking down, not knowing how to explain this. He really hadn't done anything wrong, right? Talking with Yuki should be fine, he thought, but he also knew how Kaname-sama felt about her … and if he got that right, the silver-haired ex-prefect felt the same about her. Damn. Why did this kind of thing always happen to him?

"Kaname-sama, Zero!" Yuki exclaimed and moved between them and the blonde noble. She knew she should call Zero by his honorific too but she knew he hated it and well, he had always been Zero to her so he stayed just that. "Aido-senpai hasn't done anything, really." She added in a pleading tone and stared at both purebloods until they calmed down a little. It took a while but surprisingly in the end it was Zero, who calmed down first but his glance stayed frosty.

"Okay." Zero muttered. "But he better behaves…" He said only half-jokingly, which wasn't much since Aido was unsure if he would enjoy that what the silver haired pureblood thought for a joke or if he even knew what a joke was. So, he finally went back to class, but not without a last glance back and was rewarded with a mischievous smile from Yuki in return.

Yes, maybe things weren't that hopeless after all.

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xxx

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Dancing lessons …

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"Just to get this straight," Zero said, "you want me to dance … at the upcoming ball? The winter festival?" He had known that that festival was coming up in a few weeks – and he had dreaded what that meant for him now, knowing that as a pureblood others would expect him to be there doing whatever that was a pureblood did on such an occasion.

"Yes, I do." Kaname nodded then shook his head in an upcoming frustration. "Zero, please, it's expected of you to attend social events like this ball. You cannot avoid it forever and I thought it would be easier to start here, where it's just us." He observed the younger pureblood closely seeing the extreme unease he was feeling about this issue yet Kaname knew that what he had said was also very true. It was expected of Zero to be there, like it was of him. It didn't matter what they thought about it – and Zero knew it too.

"You … can dance, can't you?" The older pureblood added in a more teasing tone, trying to lighten things up.

"What!?" Zero replied being surprised by this new question then nodded. "Of course, I can. I just don't want to."

"You're sure … that is all?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Dammit!"

"Zero…"

"What?" He replied but then shivered under the way Kaname was touching his chin, so he had to look him into the eyes; eyes, which shone with warmth and a calm understanding.

"Zero, you don't have to lie about this to me … " Kaname whispered softly.

"I'm not lying …" He swallowed uneasily. "I know how to dance, but …"

"You've never done it. Am I right?"

"No, I have, but..." The younger pureblood nodded slowly. "It's been more than four years since I danced with anybody." At this he almost cried, because that somebody he had danced with, he had spend his dancing lessons with … he was all gone now, far beyond his reach. He could only hope his twin wasn't dead since there was no hope of starting anew with those being dead. Yes, no matter how betrayed Zero felt by him after all what happened there was a small part of him, which hoped that there could be something else than hate.

"I'll make sure nobody sees us." Kaname smiled softly, but there was also a mischievous glint in his eyes which in return made Zero wary of what the other one had planned in detail. "I promise." The dark haired pureblood added in his most serious tone. A kind of voice he previously only used with Yuki, but it seemed appropriate knowing how important the silver haired ex-hunter had become to him.

"Kaname…" Zero muttered weakly, knowing that it was useless to argue when the older pureblood was like this. "It's cold outside." He protested weakly while catching a glimpse on the first snow outside and blinked. It was late October and that snow was early, really early, this year. He hadn't expected to see snow for weeks from now.

"I'll keep you warm." Kaname added with a smile, causing the silver haired pureblood to blush at these words – because it was more than words at that. He had pulled him closer and Zero couldn't help but wonder why he'd put up so little resistance to that. Well, may be it was because ... he liked it?

Then they were alone again … and again at that place, by the pool -- only it was covered now by a thin layer of snow. It had truly gotten cold, only Zero felt sudden heat pour through his body with the way the older pureblood stood close him, touching his back with one of his hands … the way he felt Kaname's breath against his neck too.

How did that happen? Zero thought absent-mindedly then turned around so Kaname would have to face him ... and hopefully give him a little more space – but did he want that?

He shouldn't be surprised after all. Kaname had taken them out here to practice dancing and was holding him close, of course. Well, Zero couldn't help but shiver in response to the older pureblood's action – and not of the cold for he felt nothing of that. Well, at least Kaname kept his promise, both of them and he allowed himself to relax a bit – and then even enjoying this strange lesson.

Yes, it was indeed a strange session for Kaname had even managed to get a CD-player, which would endure the extreme condition so they had actually music to dance to. Only, Zero didn't quite know why the other had picked this to dance to, for it was a bit sad – but it was fitting in a way. It was a classical piece of music, just the kind of music he would Kaname expect to pick. Oh, he didn't mind that for he liked classical music well enough, but it sounded really a little too melancholic to his ears – even if it was music fitting for this kind of weather.

"Why did you pick that?" Zero asked aloud after several rounds when he finally felt more secure and, yes, he started to remembering how to do this, how to dance as well. "It's sad."

"That it is. I'd just thought that it was fitting in a way." Kaname nodded and smiled. "It remembers me something I read when I was younger." He added wryly. "A werewolf novel, would you believe?" He then noticed the scowl on Zero's face and frowned. "Do you wish for me to change it to something else?"

"Um, no, may be." Zero muttered then shook his head. "It's okay, but I'd like something faster, something more ... lively." He tried to explained then stopped while not knowing how Kaname felt about this, how he felt about music at all. The silver haired pureblood felt frustrated that he knew so little of the other one, even now after all the time they spend together.

"Modern?" Kaname asked with a raised brow then.

"Hmm, yeah." Zero admitted.

"What do you like?" The older pureblood asked in return and looked a little unsure about it as well because it was him now, who realized how little he actually knew about the younger boy.

"I don't know," Zero admitted. "I mean I can't think of something that would fit this!!" He motioned toward them dancing and the snowy scenery around them. "I don't know. Most music fit for dancing I know sounds awfully ... mushy." He blushed at thinking that most danceable pop music was awfully romantic and shivered again, thinking what would it imply if they were starting to dance for real, dancing like a date – and not just as a dancing lesson so he would feel more at ease with the thought of dancing at a public event such as a ball.

"How about some Italian pop then?" Kaname nodded with a sudden very mischievous glint in his dark eyes and Zero found himself stiffening in return. The silver haired ex-hunter couldn't help wondering if, what Kaname would pick, Ramazotti may be? Not that he didn't like that but it would be just the exact thing he wanted to avoid.

As if he had noticed Zero's reaction he didn't show as he searched the CDs he had brought out here then smiled brightly. Yes, he thought, this was perfect and placed the CD into the small device and pressed the play button.

"Zero," he said smoothly. "Come dance with me." He reached out and pulled the younger pureblood closer.

"No, why?" The silver haired pureblood frowned at the strange tone in the other one's voice. There was some strange emotion it it – something that made him feel suddenly very warm and shy at that. No, Zero knew that he was attracted to Kaname -- only it still felt very new and unfamiliar to him. They were both guys for God's sake and it was only normal to feel shy about that kind of thing, wasn't it? So, he did nothing but glancing back at the other pureblood, wondering what the other one was about to say about this, waiting.

"Why?" He replied and then smiled warmly. "Hmm, because I'd like to, Zero?" He said and took the younger one's hand in his, leading him back to the place they had spend dancing for the last hour. "I like dancing with you." He admitted. "You're not half as bad as you're thinking Zero."

"Kaname?" The ex-hunter frowned, being surprised by the choice of music Kaname had chosen. What ever he had expected the regal pureblood to pick this wasn't it. "Bello impossible?" What the hell was he implying? It had to be a mistake ... for if it wasn't there was only one possible meaning he could think of ... and that was – no, Kaname was really impossible in this, yet here it was. Why did he have to look like that at him?

"Hmm, yes, I think it is fitting." Kaname purred in return. "Perfectly fitting I believe." He added in a whisper tone. Yes, it was really fitting since Zero looked also impossibly alluring tonight with all the white around them highlighting his silver hair and unbelievable lavender eyes. "Because you are, to me." Kaname whispered. "Bello impossibile."

"I'm not!" Zero objected and blushed at that. "It's not--" He growled. "It's impossible. It's madness..."

"Hush, don't," the older pureblood interrupted again. "Just dance with me, Zero, please?" He pulled the ex-hunter even closer and earned another growl from him but other than that Zero didn't complain. Maybe, he liked this more than he dared to think about, because it made feel this unbelievable warmth inside he could barely decipher. Those words, he thought, they couldn't be really true, could they?

"Kaname," Zero began then stopped not knowing quite how to ask this.

"Yes?" The older pureblood replied with smile and a voice, which sent shivers down the ex-hunter's spine.

"Did you really mean those words, you'd said to me that night?"

"Yes, I did."

"Kaname!" Zero felt his cheeks heating up and his heart racing like a hundred miles an hour or more. "You, you cannot be serious ... can you?" He started babbling because he felt overwhelmed with feelings he didn't even knew he had, cause all the time Zero had assumed that, while he believed the older pureblood to care about him, that Kaname had said those words only to get him back from the abyss, to stop him from killing himself.

"Hush," Kaname soothed while reaching out to the younger one's face, making him look him in the eyes. Suddenly, there was a pleading quality in his eyes, pleading that the ex-hunter would believe his words. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I am serious." Yes, that was how he felt about this, about him and the strength of it did scare him more than a little bit. Feelings like these were dangerous to purebloods for they could easily mean their doom if they went wrong.

Yet, it felt so right, more than ever. It had been a long while for him to realize what this really was but he knew now what it was, that pulled him to the silver haired youth in front him. It had been the same things all these years back, when he had met the other one for the first time, when he had felt such sudden sadness at seeing such strong hatred in Zero's violet eyes.

Yes, was sure, sure that he needed the other one in his life, sure that he loved him. Yes, he had to do this, had to take the risk, he thought while pulling the ex-hunter a little closer to him.

"Suki da yo." Kaname said slowly, almost inaudible, but in doing so he was taking Zero completely off guard, again, and as expected the younger pureblood tried to flee -- and would've succeeded if Kaname hadn't expected that reaction. He kept his arms firmly around the ex-hunter, preventing the other one from such an action. No, he wouldn't let him slip through his fingers.

"W- what?" The younger pureblood trembled in return to … these words. Kaname couldn't mean them, right? He was just teasing him, right? Why then couldn't he breathe?

"But I do, I do mean them." The older pureblood replied ever so softly and again the words seemed to set Zero's very being alight, burning brightly under emotions he had no control over.

"Why are you telling … me this?" Zero finally managed to say yet he didn't seem to be able to stop shivering -- and worse he couldn't stop staring, staring into these dark expressive eyes. Eyes, which looked at him with so much emotion that he felt like melting … but why?

Why now? He thought Kaname wanted Yuki, loved Yuki and he didn't seem like somebody who would use these words lightly -- no, not Kaname Kuran. He did never anything without thought, without meaning it.

"What about Yuki?" Zero asked after half an eternity -- so it seemed. "I thought you loved her?" He asked and shivered at this thought. Didn't he love Yuki himself? But, if-if that was so why was he affected like this by Kana-Kuran's words? How had he gotten in such a situation?

"Yuki, yes, you're right I do love her, but..." Kaname said softly. "She's like a beloved little sister to me, like someone to be cherished and kept safe." He explained and he couldn't keep the sadness out of his voice as he did so. His eyes seemed so far away for a moment as well but then he blinked and it, what ever it was, was gone from the older pureblood's look.

'"But-" Zero stared at Kaname, sure, he was surprised by the older pureblood's words, yet, somehow he knew he shouldn't be, not really. This had been coming for a while now, hadn't it? And hadn't Kaname said that once again, when he was so sick, just two weeks ago?

"I don't know." He heard himself mutter then, but somehow, he felt reluctant to let go, to let go of the warmth he felt just a few inches away. Zero was unable to break their embrace, and yes, that was it now as they had stopped dancing right after the older pureblood had uttered those words.

Kaname nodded then frowned like remembering something unpleasant. "What, what about your feelings … toward her?"

Zero looked even more confused then frowned. How did he feel about Yuki? He swallowed then closed his eyes for a moment. Yes, he loved her. Loved her warmth and kindness he would've never survived these four years. He didn't want to lose her as well.

"I do." Zero whispered. "I do love her." He admitted and wished he hadn't said these words seeing Kaname's eyes clouding over with pain. "As the sister I never had." He smiled softly seeing the other pureblood's eyes lighting up with … happiness? Why did that made him feel so fuzzy and warm as well?

Zero concluded hoarsely. "But what about her?" Zero frowned,knowing that he didn't want to hurt her – and if it was true how Kaname felt about her and how he felt about her – that would mean she would be left alone, didn't it? No, he couldn't do that to Yuki he realized; his heart ached with agony at this thought. He couldn't stand to see her hurt as well as didn't want to see pain in Kaname's eyes, so just where left this them?

"Yuki doesn't quite know what she really wants." Kaname said, sighing quietly. "She's so innocent." He smiled. "But that's what I love about her." Yes, it was true, as true that he could never been his true self with her for fearing of hurting her with it. He didn't want her tainted with the knowledge that he, Kaname Kuran, wasn't quite as innocent as she thought him to be. It was impossible, of course, being born into vampire society as the pureblood prince as he was. Not that he didn't wished for that kind of innocence, for being normal, just once – but it wasn't possible.

Their world was too ruthless and dangerous with dangers far worse than death for those, who were unable to fight back. Pack rule, the rule of the strongest was it under all the pretty surface of nobility and beauty -- and all he could do was doing his best to keep the uneasy truce and hope to achieve true peace one day.

"Her innocence." Zero repeated and smiled. "I understand." Yes, he thought, he could see why even he was sure that he was still a long way from really understanding the older pureblood. He had enough trouble to understand himself at that and he knew so little about himself that felt like walking on quicksand once again.

"So, where was I? Yes, -" Kaname continued then smiled a little bitter-sweet smile. "I know even if I'd love her that way it would never work." Yes, it was true. Yuki was hunter and he a pureblood – that would've never worked out, right? "But..."

"But what?" Zero stammered, feeling rather funny right now. Kaname Kuran was touching his cheek and it felt distracting pleasant, made he want more of that, made him wish that Kaname would never stop that. He shouldn't, shouldn't feel like this, no, – not when it would made her sad. He, they should be thinking about Yuki now and yet, he felt helpless and his body had a mind of its own and so had his hands, which trailed up and down Kaname's back.

And Kaname's smile, it was distracting, too, very much.

"Will you have me?" Kaname whispered almost too quiet to hear, even to their vampiric hearing. "Will you accept me?"

"I'm no consolation price," he objected sceptically. Where did that thought come from? A tiny voice in the back of his head asked. That was the wrong thing to say, but ... this had come way too fast for him.

"Neither am I," Kaname agreed, his voice was still in the same whisper tone, only he was now even closer. "I am serious. Please, Zero."

"Huh?" Zero tried to object but was silenced by soft lips on his own.

Kaname Kuran was kissing him? Yes, and not the soft innocent touch of lips. No, this was a real kiss, even if it was soft, almost innocent in the way they touched. It was almost like Kaname feared he would go away at the first wrong move.

May be he would – Zero didn't know, didn't know but the way this made him feel, they way Kaname made him feel. In a way he was still confused about all of this. Hadn't they been always rivals for Yuki's affection and love before, had they? But then Kaname had admitted that Yuki was like a sister to him and so had he.

Kaname broke the touch but silenced Zero with a finger to his lips. "Don't," he said, "Please don't say anything right now. Think about it." And then he would've been gone – that was if not for Zero holding him tightly in place. He didn't want him to go, not now.

"No, please don't." Zero muttered into the kiss, just barely removing his lips so he could speak. "Don't go." He insisted, knowing that he wouldn't, no, couldn't let the older pureblood leave him like this.

"No?" Kaname asked hopefully.

"No," Zero agreed and silenced any further attempts at talking with his lips, finally deepening their kiss. Ah, yes, this was much better he thought, far better than dreams. He knew he could get lost, was losing himself in this feeling – and he did it willingly so.

The kiss, it had started innocently enough, but it was far from that now. There was too much passion and suppressed longing in it. Kaname had been wrong in one thing, Zero thought for a moment when they had to stop to draw some desperately needed air – he was keeping him more than warm. He was giving him fever, intoxicating breathtaking fever no doctor on the world could cure.

It seemed like every little touch of their lips, tongues and teeth made him hunger for more, almost like a drug. Yes, on a certain level both knew that things were going out of hand but they were too far gone to really notice that, to notice the way their hands where roaming over untouched skin now, seeking hidden places and claiming unknown private territory.

It was only when things gotten a little further than even that, when a touch over razor sharp fangs sent the taste of blood to their muddled brains when the older pureblood pulled back with difficulties. Kaname felt actually more than little bit shaken about how little control he had about himself – but he forced himself to calm down, forced the bloodlust, which started to claim him back under control, barely.

"Zero," he said in a rough voice; it took all his selfcontrol to keep his voice steady at that. "Please let us slow down." He added while taking a step back, so he wouldn't be too tempted to do what his conscious mind deemed as wrong, at least for now.

"Kaname?" Zero replied, being taken back by the sudden change in the older pureblood's behaviour. What was going on? He was sure that Kaname had enjoyed this as much as he had. He knew it, so what was this about? The silver haired ex-hunter frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"Please, Zero, it's important that we take this slow." Kaname nodded. He had succeeded in calming down a little. "I want you to know exactly what you're getting into, if, when we ... you know."

"Kaname, if this about ... sex," Zero replied, blushing at that as well, "it won't be necessary. I am sure about that." He admitted trying to understand the other's reasoning but failed to understand him in this. While he was pretty innocent in this, he was a virgin for God's sake, Zero knew what he wanted now. Sure, it had not been easy to come to terms with this ... new want, but that was then and this was now.

"I wish it were that simple." Kaname sighed frustrated. "Zero, we're both pureblooded vampires and this is more than serious to both of us. "Do you know the meaning of a blood bond, Zero? What it means among purebloods?"

"I have heard of them." Zero said still feeling puzzled.

"It's difficult for noble's but it's more so for purebloods. It's ... the strongest bond there is and it would bind us together until one of us dies." Kaname explained. "Forever can be really long time for our kind, Zero." He needed Zero to understand, that such a bond was ... like a marriage, only far more binding.

"Forever ..." Zero repeated then frowned, realizing just how serious the older pureblood was in this. "You think we won't be able to continue with biting each other, am I right?" The ex-hunter finally knew what the other meant with his words.

Kaname only nodded. "Yes, I think so. Zero, it's in our nature to do so." He said then almost chuckled. "It wouldn't be that dangerous if ... this was only about sex you know."

"But it's not."

"No, certainly not, I'm afraid." The dark-haired pureblood finally slipped out of the younger one's arms but took hold of one of his hands instead. "Come, Zero. It's time to go back."

"Go back?" Zero answered. "Is it already that late?"

"Hmm, yes, the sun's already coming up and I don't want you to be all tired in class you know?"

"Oh, okay." Zero agreed and followed him back to their dormitory, right in time before the first sun rays hit the ground. Both felt a little shaky after the night's events but they felt also much more happy than either had for a long time and things would be even better if they managed to clear the tangled web, they found themselves with Yuki – that and the fact that Zero still didn't know who had been his birth parents.

Oh, yes, he had a guess to whom he might be related, but that was just it, a possibility and nothing real, at least not yet. There were no distinct proofs but his colouring and maybe his powers, whatever they truly were.

Yes, in a way that had become more frightened than the whole being-a-pureblood issue at all, the not-knowing. For now Zero might be a pureblood, but he was a pureblood without family and without a solid finance background – in short he was a poor pureblood, a abnormality at itself.

It was only naturally that the search for his origins became more important every night now, but maybe, just maybe, the time to unravel this tangled web, would come soon.

--

A/N:

'Suki da yo' = I like you very much or I love you in Japanese.

-

Sorry for the long wait, but I hope it was worth it. I know, there's not much action in this chapter, but I like romantic.

Hope this isn't too romantic or too fluffy but I really like it.

Thankies for reading and review if you like.

Mia