Hi guys! I know, I know, I'm late on updating. Sorry! It's been super busy! I love all of you though, I really do! Your reviews got me through this entire weekend and half the week…yes, it's been that long. Anyways, here it is! This is the chapter where…*insert angsty music* Kaname goes out to the Ramen shop. Enjoy!

Oh, and remember the poll! I'm going to write a Halloween fic with Kaname and Zero, and I want to know what you should have me have Kaname-Sama force…ah…BRIBE Zero into wearing.

The evening air was brisk, and Zero had to force himself not to flinch at the gusts of chilly wind against his still unsteady body. His gloved fingers yanked his dark grey pea coat closer to his chest now as he hunched into the kiss of chilly wind. It tossed and whipped his silver bangs against his sensitive cheeks, and he was none too pleased about it. There was something about the cold that made him resent it. Perhaps he'd become far too accustomed to that natural body heat he'd shared with Kaname.

He had to shake his head furiously at this, warding off the beginnings of the all too familiar picture of Kaname's handsome face, his bedroom eyes, and the soft wave of that silky dark hair over alabaster skin. His body gave a lurch of pure need at that and he winced, trying to remind himself of the abandonment he'd suffered at that bastard's hands. It worked…for a split second. He was back to picturing those sensual lips, so full and soft-so hungry. He remembered, though he didn't want to, the way they devoured him, inch by agonizing inch, and how often they brought about that peak of pleasure in him.

The first chance he could, he slammed that wall of bitter anger back into place between him and that nagging feeling of…loss? No, that wasn't loss he told himself. It couldn't be loss. They had shared passion, anger, and mutual need, but he refused to acknowledge any loss akin to that of lovers. They WEREN'T lovers, he hissed internally, feeling his already aching chest give a throb of painful disagreement. He coughed, and the uncontrolled fit cleared his mind-momentarily-of the pureblood.

Three days. He had been out for three days, he thought as he covered his mouth with the black leather of his gloved palm. Perhaps a brisk walk through town in fall had been a poor decision. Still, the crisp air had cleared his mind, at least momentarily. The infirmary, as with most hospital facilities, had been stifling in its medical-sterile-scent. He supposed he felt better than he COULD have, though, and ignored the tingle in his neck. It had only intensified in his restless sleep and every muscle still ached. He was, however, up and moving about now. With his anti-vampire weapon back securely at his hip, he'd been striding leisurely behind Kaito, who had been considerate enough to slow and match his still wobbly pace.

Now, though, as he bent forward, bracing himself with a hand on his knee, the other over his mouth, he was grateful Kaito had slowed enough to take notice. The hand on his back was large and soothing as it drew broad circles, easing the fit long enough for Zero to inhale a deeply greedy breathe of autumn air. The breath was sweet, chilly in his aching throat, and it momentarily righted the parched-sandpaper-feeling inside his mouth. When he was sure he was fine, he shot Kaito a rare look of gratitude and stood at his full height, though he relied heavily on a nearby building front to support most of his weight now.

At any other time, he might have argued over the hand still positioned calmly around his waist. At that moment, however, as the world began to tilt at awkward angles and distort before his still bleary vision, he felt himself leaning against Kaito's black cloaked chest. As if just then noticing the change in his childhood friend and classmate, Zero's forehead rested on the broad chest. Kaito had filed out, grown taller, and what had Zero done?

He might have been a top shot, but he wasn't extremely tall or strong like Kaito, and he supposed there was a core of friendly envy in him over that. It wasn't malicious, and he was actually happy for the boy. Still, he was grateful for the support, nearly melting as the heat of Kaito's large grey gloved hand continued to pat and rub his back soothingly. Ah, that was a gesture not even Kaname had bothered to rely on.

The strange part was, he realized, forgetting for a moment that he was still leaning on his fellow hunter, fingers clinging tight to the black front of Kaito's jacket, was that the gesture held no intimate appeal-no passion. It was a gesture he might have offered Ichiru in their youth. It was meant to provide comfort and mutual strength, and the beast inside him-the one whose hackles were constantly on the rise-eased. Thirst-what thirst? For once, he could forget that he was free falling into an oblivion he didn't care to dwell on.

Things in his mind went silent then-peaceful-and he waited a beat to pull away again, still with his gloved hands braced against Kaito's broad chest for support. He stared up into those bright amber eyes now and smiled-albeit weakly-at his friend. He felt sturdier somehow, and calmer. "I'm fine," he managed, feeling his throat still inhaling deep greedy gulps of air-though at a normal rate now. In the silence, he'd begun to focus on their hearts. They were beating steadily, and the sound was the only constant he seemed to focus on. It was, like Kaito himself, sturdy-strong.

Here it came, he thought with bitterness. He'd begun to improve his ability to notice the impending thoughts before they could materialize. And, as per usual-the images flashing through his mind were of Pureblood eyes, of soft lips, of a voice so rich and dark it could pass for warm dark chocolate, and of hands. Oh yeah, those hands were talented indeed. Each finger had found its own unique method of pleasuring him, and the effect was mind numbing. Those hands-like pianist hands-were smooth and practiced, deliberate in the easy sort of grace that could only be described as animal.

He gave a shudder at that, recalling-in a brilliant white flash of insight-every single thing those hands had done to him. Those brilliantly dark eyes-like a predator-had smirked at him, aroused him, and devoured him, as those sinfully deliberate lips had done oh so many times. His breathing hitched at that and he pursed his lips tight together, fingers gripping Kaito's jacket again in a death grip that clenched the leather of his black gloves.

No, he thought, pushing back against the memories. No, he couldn't let himself dwell on those times. His expression fell slightly at that and he heaved a sigh, grateful that Kaito seemed to understand in that sharply empathetic way that linked them as comrades-as brothers. When his fellow hunter said nothing, he drifted back into internal thoughts long enough to ignore the various dull aches that cramped and strained muscles in him that he'd never known he had until waking. His violet eyes began to ache, and thus he let them flutter slowly shut to block out the dim overcast rays of sunlight. The wind, still intent on berating his pale face with his silver bangs, had eased some, as if feeling his pain.

He had to remember the fact that Kaname had walked away-had abandoned him. He'd seen the impending threat-they both had! They'd seen it the moment that door opened and he'd been led down into the vampire Nobles of the Moon Dorm. Kaname had sensed it-he MUST have sensed it. Why hadn't he reacted? Why hadn't Kaname rushed back to defend him? It couldn't have happened that quickly-to render a Pureblood's senses too slow to react. Or…had Kaname decided he wouldn't act? His heart lurched at the thought and the corners of his eyes stung slightly. He fought it back and leaned into the warmth of the gloved hand that cupped his cheek.

Kaito was nothing like Kaname. Kaito would have rushed to save him, would have fought to get to him in time. Zero would have done the same, naturally, and that was what confused Zero. Hadn't they shared their bodies? Had they not shared blood? His neck began to ache with a sharper pain now and he cursed. Had something happened in that pit of lost memories? Those doubts lent themselves to darker thoughts now. Kaname's heart had always been faster, had always been strong and dominant, like the crest and fall of choppy waves. There had been no peacefulness in that heartbeat. Lovers were peaceful around one another, weren't they? His heart and Kaito's were steady, they mingled and blended well.

Why couldn't he feel those feelings for Kaito, then? A glance upward told him Kaito was worrying about him, and this brought on a weak smile. "Sorry," he managed, swallowing back the sudden rush of emotions. Whatever he'd done to his neck, it must have affected his head. Whenever it began to ache, his head filled with thoughts of Kaname. His weak smile was a bit stronger now as he pushed off to stand on his own, feeling Kaito's hold around his waist ease slightly.

Kaito blinked, and his thoughtful frown etched itself stronger into his lips as he studied Zero. He knew already-hell, it wasn't that difficult to read Zero (it never had been)-knew what emotion lingered there in his comrade-his brother. His thoughtful frown found itself a somber smile now as he brushed back silver bangs from Zero's eyes.

His friend had lovely eyes-so fiery and intense. Those were the eyes he could always count on to get him through a crisis. If eyes really were the windows to the soul, then Zero had very clear windows. Behind the constant intensity, the constant moodiness, he could see that innocence. It was a vulnerability that was timeless, something bearing the scars by that pureblood witch. He pitied Zero, and his heart ached for him. He was no fool. He knew the recent absence of Kaname to help Zero at his weakest point had brought up those scars again-made him doubt-and it made Kaito wonder about everything.

Kaito had not met the vampire before that night. Hell, he'd only ever read the bio and heard the rumors. His instinct as a hunter, however, had made him distrustful from the start. He had a general dislike for the beasts. After not seeing Zero in so long and understanding that vampires had harmed the silver haired boy, he supposed he might have acted brashly in his initial meeting with Kaname Kuran. A hunter protected one of their own, didn't they? He'd done the right thing, had he not? It would work out in the long run, and Zero would heal from this, as he'd healed from Shizuka-hopefully faster.

This wasn't love; he thought bitterly, pity guiding his hands to continue holding Zero. What his friend felt for the pureblood was a craft created by the purebloods. He was looking out for Zero's best interests, wasn't he? He had to shove away the doubt that welled inside him at seeing the utter look of hurt in those violet eyes.

Yes, he knew about the mark. He'd never seen it before between a hunter and a vampire, but he knew what it was. He also knew how it worked. Zero naturally would feel the need to seek out Kaname again, to be close…but that would fade-it would pass. He had to rationalize it, and found himself blaming the steady decline of Zero's strength to the injuries. He'd heard rumors that a mate's health could decline after a few days without their significant other in the beginning, when the wound (like a new tattoo) was still sensitive and tender. Surely there had to be a way to break the link before either got too attached and Zero got too hurt by it?

The chill in the air tousled his sandy hair and he blinked, coming back to himself. Zero was tugging on his jacket sleeve. He blinked a few times, slowly, and stared in question. Had Zero asked him a question? The silver haired hunter looked worried.

"Hey," Zero sighed, tugging harder. Kaito had always had a way of staring off into space for long periods of time, but this was ridiculous. Why was he spacing out? Zero shivered, gritting his teeth. It was getting too cold to stand around, and someone was bound to walk by and get the wrong idea. "Are we going to get Ramen or not?" He straightened, quite proud that he was standing on his own. The ache in his neck was easing slightly, and it was being replaced with a soft tingle. He'd long since stopped worrying about the situation with Kaname. His stomach was rumbling, after all, and he worried on an empty stomach. "Hurry or I'll order seven bowls and make you pay for all of it!"

Kaito blinked in confusion again and shook his head, a tentative smile gracing his lips. There it was-that spark of the old Kiryuu Zero he'd missed so much. He pushed side his earlier concern and patted the boy on the head like a grownup who was amused by the actions of a child. Ah, he hadn't changed. "Come on, come on." No, he thought, he would stick to the plan and keep the two separate, for Zero's own good. Being with Kaname seemed to do more hurt than help, after all.

It seemed to take a moment for him to move, and Kaito sighed heavily. Ah, the famous Kiryuu glare had yet to change. "I see you still enjoy ramen in this…state, Zero." He smiled, and it was a weak smile now as he stepped slowly away from his fellow hunter, making sure Zero could stand on his own before turning. "Take my hand so you don't get lost or collapse in the middle of the street. We're lucky there aren't that many people out today." It was, he thought with bitter amusement, quite chilly this afternoon. No one was around to observe them.

Zero, violet eyes narrowed in slight annoyance, punched his caretaker in the arm lightly and took Kaito's larger hand in his smaller one. The warmth was reassuring, and it was something sturdy-something that could ground him if those thoughts cropped up again. In this rare moment of calm, however, the chill had wasted no time in making itself known. They'd been standing out there for quite a while-a truth he realized only by glancing at the ever darkening horizon above the tops of ancient buildings. Had it not just been early sunset when they'd left for the Ramen shop? He tried to ignore the childish urge to hurry, in hopes of catching that day's specialty. He supposed that Ramen, after Kaname and blood, was his favorite pastime. At the very least, it calmed him.

… … …

Kaname Kuran could feel it even before his dark eyes fell silently on the two lone figures standing half a block away. The sunset with its gentle golden hues had cast the two into dim shadows, stretching them out across the cobblestone in exaggerated outlines. One, the taller one, with broad shoulders and dressed in black, stood with his arms around the slender waist of the other. This taller figure, with the dark blond hair and the calm honey gaze, was smiling angelically, though those soft eyes remained watchful all the same. Still, Kaname was a pureblood. The act of going unnoticed was not a new concept, and this young hunter had obviously missed that small detail.

His calm vermillion gaze fell onto the silver haired teen now. He felt his heart lurch even as his eyes widened in open shock. The mark at his neck throbbed and something new coursed through him. Was that jealousy? No, he thought bitterly, Purebloods didn't GET jealous. That was immature. Still, his heart kept throbbing, and the pit of his stomach felt hollow.

As if it hadn't been enough for this foolish new hunter to demand Kaname stay away from Zero-from HIS mate-the man, this Kaito boy, had the nerve to touch what was his. His fingers curled at his sides beneath black leather gloves, and the ever present autumn breeze took on an almost painful chill now. It whipped his wavy dark bangs and put color in his pale cheeks, yet his sharp dark eyes remained unobscured as they locked on the expressions on those two faces.

Behind him, he listened to the silent footfalls ghosting over pavement. Seiren was moving, and he was about to wonder why when her calm hand came down firmly-bravely-upon his broad shoulder. He flinched inwardly, yet outwardly his rigid posture did not change. He could feel that grip tightening-not in threat but as a means to calm-and he had to admit that it was working…slowly. His fists unclenched, and he glanced back over his shoulder with a wounded and open expression, unable to hide the pain in his eyes, though his lips remained tightly pursed. The fact that Seiren's patient gaze was so calm had taken away any anger he might have had…and now there was nothing…nothing but anguish.

"Go to him." That calm voice, that ever steady rock, hummed in his ears and snapped his mind abruptly back to attention, though his neck still throbbed with the ghost of an ache. It seemed being closer to his hunter had that affect, and it slightly amazed him. He had never seen the affects of this sort of mating with his own eyes before. "The hunter, Kaito, is human, and you are pureblood, Kaname-Sama. If you truly desire Kiryuu-Kun as your mate, then go to him."

His jaw clenched at that and his spine straightened momentarily. Yes, that was an easy thing to say-especially for Seiren-who had nothing much to lose from any of this. As for himself, however, the thought of confronting the hunter in public raised the hairs at the back of his neck. His hackles rose again and his eyes, partially hidden behind waves of dark hair, narrowed in contemplation. Yes, he could confront them on the street, but that was far too undignified. At the very least, Kaname wanted to save his pride. Still, after realizing Seiren wasn't about to give up, he nodded pointedly and glanced back. The figures were moving now, walking into the dim golden glow of the sunset.

He had obviously gone unnoticed, he thought as his fingertips grazed the sensitive expanse of his pale neck. That was good, for now. He would simply have to 'run into' them at the Ramen shop. He sighed inwardly at that. Human food was…interesting, to say the least, and the many different flavors always impressed him. Ramen, however, seemed to strike him as odd. Was that not what poor humans ate? Why would Zero enjoy it? Yet another oddity, he thought, smirking thoughtfully. His feet were moving now, and he remained standing tall against the wind, hands in the pockets of his black coat. The Ramen shop wasn't too far from here.

… … …

Zero's mouth watered, though he remained stoically at Kaito's side as he scanned the sandwich board outside the shop. Yes, he thought with inward glee, the specials for that day hadn't changed. On any other day, he might have simply shrugged and taken his usual seat at the Ramen shop. However, it had been a little over a month since he'd had this homemade Ramen. He had missed it, had missed the one true link any living being could have with humanity-food.

He stepped forward first, brushing past the low hanging blue cloth that separated the outside world from the shop. His hand still held Kaito's now as he mounted a stool and nodded his usual silent greeting to the man behind the counter. Obviously the shop owner had thought him dead, because the man's eyes widened in an almost comical show of surprise. It went away quickly after that, and he watched the man smile back. Yes, it was obvious the owner still understood him. He watched the man begin to fix that day's special and ignored the bemused smirk Kaito was giving him.

Kaito, pleased at the presence of a potentially healthy appetite in his friend, ordered the special as well and leaned his elbows on the weathered dusty wood counter. The place was old-like everything in the strange town-and he was pleased to find Zero was at home there. Even in childhood, even before the attack to the Kiryuu family, Zero had been a serious person, diligent and committed to his future job as a hunter under Yagari. He remembered respecting the boy, though the five year difference had made it a very odd feeling. He'd not often respected someone younger than himself till then. Even as a child, he recalled the restlessness in Zero.

Now, though, seated at a small shop on a wooden stool, leaning on the counter, Kaito could feel the quaint atmosphere that must have calmed his friend's often fidgety coldness. Yes, Zero had changed quite a bite since their last encounter…though in some ways the boy had improved. That feeling of peaceful happiness must have shown in his eyes, because things seemed to brighten…until the shadows of a pureblood aura fell upon them and the cloth over the door behind them swished.

He heard the steady footsteps approaching over the aged wood floor and his spine stiffened. There were two, one pureblood, the other-if he gauged it right-a noble. His gaze sharpened and he closed his eyes slowly, hand reaching instinctively into his jacket for the weapon he carried, though he didn't move to pull it, not yet. He glanced to the side then, taking in Zero's expression. He had expected the boy to react quickly as well, to pull his weapon and scowl, perhaps even growl a bit, as he remembered the boy had done on so many occasions.

Now, though, Zero sat silently on the stool, posture perfect as his hand grazed the sensitive new mark where the tattoo had once been etched. Those lilac eyes were wide and intense, sharper than he remembered. The paleness of that expression had grown color now, and the change was…unnerving. More than that, though, the mixture of pain, longing, sorrow, and need that swirled behind that expression and in those eyes startled him greatly.

"Kuran Kaname, was I not clear before?" He did turn now, noticing the distinct stillness of Zero's body. The younger hunter wasn't going to turn and face the pureblood? In a snap decision, he shifted and stood to face the vampire, eye to eye as he angled himself between Kaname and Zero. "You were to remain away from Kiryuu-"

A hand came up, long pale fingers ceasing his speech with a deft and careless gesture. The vampire prince's deep voice carried on now with a hint of knowing in it, and Kaito watched as Kuran arched one fine dark brow in…victory? "You stated in your formal report that I was to not make contact with the injured party on school grounds. Now that he is awake and now that we are both outside of the Academy, I do not believe it is valid."

As if the depth of that silky voice flicked a switch inside him, Zero finally turned and, on shaky legs, stood to glance at Kaname past Kaito's broad shoulder, violet eyes wide with shock. What was Kaname doing at a Ramen shop? His hand found his neck again and he winced. What the hell had he pinched to make it ache so badly all of a sudden? He barely comprehended the words as his body focused on the emotion. Each wave of the threatening aura that went from Kaname to Kaito seemed to make the sensitive area pulse and ache more intensely.

His hand dropped slowly when realization dawned on him. Kaname was watching him with burning wine colored eyes, and damn it all, something told him that that possessive vampire aura had reared its shady head in the pureblood. That was the only reason Kaname could have for coming into town. His hand reached slowly for his weapon now as well, and his feet moved instinctively to place himself beside Kaito. A glance up at his friend's worried gaze brought a reassuring smile from Zero. "I'm better, so stop worrying." He watched Kaito shift a moment and bite his lip before nodding reluctantly in response.

… … …

Kaname's dark gaze didn't fail to miss the light wince or the hand that covered his mate's mark. Had Zero bothered to look into a mirror after waking, he wondered. By now, the rose tattoo was intricate and lined with sharply precise dark lines. He knew his own mimicked it without looking, though he'd had the foresight to wear a tight black turtleneck, just in case Zero had yet to notice the mark's presence himself.

He stood now in the shop, posture perfect, and blinked slowly. He was a bit taller than Kaito, and his shoulders were slightly broader. Even without his pureblood strength, he was certain he could take the man in a hand to hand conflict. Having Seiren standing silently behind him, her flat gaze watching intently, helped. As it was, he had begun to smirk now. Yes, he could feel Zero's unease, could feel his mix of emotions, and that urge to claim had succeeded in shutting up the part of his mind that worried like made about the hunter. If he could simply hold Zero again, he would be fine. If he could touch the boy, taste him, hold him, and promise him he would protect him, then he knew it would be enough. Sure, his mate would be stubborn at first. He wasn't fool enough to think Zero would let him go without a few curses and some arguing, but he was a pureblood, and purebloods always got their way-HE always got HIS way. Zero would understand.

Currently, however, the presence of a very large threat to his love life stood like a guardian beside Zero. Honestly, he was finding it difficult to read the hunter's expression. There was fondness, protectiveness, and true tenderness there each time he watched Kaito's gaze slide down to Zero. Having rarely felt these emotions himself, it put him on edge and he clenched his jaw. "I will not pick a fight, if that is what you are looking for. I simply came to see the progress for my own eyes."

He ignored Kaito. Bluntly, and he knew it was foolish, he ignored Kaito and strode briskly until he was close enough to his mate to hear the steady thump of his heart. Yes, he thought, recalling the positive reports Seiren had given him. Zero was healing, albeit slowly. Still, he appeared quite ravenous. No mere bowl of Ramen would fix that, he told himself in slight amusement, drawing a contemplative finger over the soft pale expanse of chilled skin at Zero's cheek, feeling the boy flinch instinctively. This seemed to snap Kaname back into reality quickly now.

… … …

Anger bubbled up. Without warning, and without build up, it burst forth and Zero glared icy daggers up at Kaname. He wasted no time in slapping away the all-too knowing warmth of that hand. Besides the clatter of the shop owner in the kitchen preparing food, the three of them stood in silence, alone in the front of the shop. For a moment, he said nothing, and he watched Kaname's wide eyes level.

The bastard had the nerve to come in and treat him like property after leaving him to nearly be killed? The least the pureblood bastard could have done was visit or write. He wasn't a damn toy, he wasn't breakable and he refused to be put down and picked back up whenever it was convenient for Kaname Kuran. That didn't include the fact that he'd begun to blame the ache in his neck on the taller man as well. After all, he knew it had to have something to do with the gap in his memory. He could feel the ivory of his fangs aching against his gums as they elongated angrily.

Well, he thought bitterly, there went his appetite. The worst part was that he'd been contemplating forgiving Kaname for leaving him there. After all, the vampire had his own job to do, and sometimes, that required privacy. That pending forgiveness had shattered the moment that possessive jerk had dared look at him like a ting, like a TOY. He snarled, grateful the shop owner couldn't hear them from the loud banging and clanging in the kitchen. As his long pale fingers came to rest on the trigger of his anti-vampire weapon, he knew this was escalating far too quickly. "Patient?" he growled, eye twitching. Was that what he was called? "I have a name, you know."

There it was he thought with an inward growl of hostility. There was that look of triumph. He glared at the raised hand and dared it to touch his cheek or pet him like an animal again. Instinctively, his body moved towards the nearest source of protection and strength-which happened to be Kaito.

In response to this, Kaito blinked and studied Zero. Well, at least he didn't have to worry about the boy taking Kaname's side. Not knowing how long that might last, however, he sighed and his grip on the weapon eased. Clearly Zero wasn't about to let himself be swept off so easily. Perhaps the mark WOULD break on its own. He hoped.