Chapter 13

by lightpathetic

HE'D LEFT HER. He'd left her with him! How could he? How could he have done such a thing?

Zero leaned against a tree as he caught his breath in long sobs. He had run until he'd thought his lungs would burst, finally ending up near the tree shrouded entrance to a shrine, where he'd finally collapsed. Collapsed and, after he had stopped feeling sorry for himself, had begun to think about Yuuki, where he had left her and who with. Damn. He was such a loser...

Zero pushed away from the tree and stumbled back in the direction he had come. He was in control of himself again, his fingers and teeth had returned to normal. He had to go make sure she was okay…

Zero stopped, a haunted expression coming over his face again. She'd called him... "monster"...

"Come. I'll take you home."

Zero swung on the voice.

"What did you do to her?! If you've hurt her...!"

"Now you care?" Kaname retorted, flicking his hand dismissively. "Or maybe, you thought she would be safer with me."

"Fuck you."

Zero turned and walked away. He would find out. Then Kaname's life would be forfeit if he'd even dared to...

"She's fine. I left her in the alley with her gun. I wasn't in the mood for a shrill brunette. Zero, come. Let's leave before... Where are you going?" Kaname asked walking after him.

"Anywhere. Away from you. I'm sick of this."

"Zero..."

"You damned bastard!" Zero screamed, whirling on Kaname again, his face set in furious anger. "Why in front of her like that? Why?! Why did you have to... to let her... see me like that? I hate you! I hate you!"

Zero swung and missed but connected on his second try and third and fourth... Zero zoned out as his fists connected over and over with Kaname face and body. The form sank to its knees and still Zero continued until he was exhausted, until his fists were raw and bloody, and not only from his own blood. He too sank to his knees and began to sob into his hands. She had been all he'd had left. She had been what he had been hanging on to. Now he was alone. This... "monster" was alone and...

Zero opened his eyes in surprised as he felt soft hands gently hold his wrists and a wet, warm tongue began to lick his aching knuckles. Zero was so stunned and wrung out he let Kaname have his way, even letting him pull them away from his face, first his left hand then his right. The sting left them almost as soon as Kaname's saliva touched them but Kaname cleaned his hands until most of the blood was gone, taking a moment to suck on a gash where Zero's fleshy palm had clipped one of his fangs.

"Are they better?" Kaname whispered, when he'd finally finished.

"...Yes." Zero answered, not caring to fight anymore, avoiding Kaname's own horrifically bloodied visage.

"Good." Kaname reached up to stroke Zero's hair but he flinched away. Kaname sighed.

"Let's go home."

Zero said nothing as Kaname picked him up gently and leapt into the air.

ZERO spent the next few days in bed, vaguely aware of someone coming or going, sitting next to him, talking, stroking his hair, kissing him... He wanted to die. Yuuki had called him, him, a monster. And she was right. There was nothing left of his humanity. He was no better than Kaname. A killer. A parasite that fed on people. There was no place for him anywhere but…

Kaname sat on the bed and watched Zero's vacant stare. When he was tired of it he made him sleep. He thought about erasing the last episode and then mentally smacked himself for it. He couldn't keep doing that. They had to deal with this. They had to move through this and go on with their lives together. For that to happen Zero had to remember Yuuki's reaction to his true form. He had to remember he wasn't human Zero anymore. That person was dead.

Kaname ran his hands through his hair and looked up at the setting sun. He had to go out. He was feeling the stress of his recent exertions and Zero's last meal. He was fighting the small tremors of extreme hunger, forcing his hands to be steady, but if he stayed too long, he would be too out of it to hunt safely or he might blank out, only to wake and find Zero's severed arm sticking out of his mouth. His impulse control sucked when he was in pain, when he was starving. He had to go. He didn't want to leave Zero like this, but he knew he had no choice.

"Zero, I'm going out. I want you to go to sleep now..." Kaname began tiredly, not expecting Zero to move farthest answer him.

"Are you going to hunt?"

Kaname nearly died from happiness. He crawled up the bed from where he sat on the corner and looked into Zero's eyes.

"Zero! I was so afraid you'd never speak to me ag..."

"Why are you going out? I'm right here."

"No," Kaname said firmly, pulling away. "I need a bit more than a tame sip from you. I'll be back in a few hours..."

Kaname turned to stand and felt Zero grab his arm. He looked back to see what was the matter.

"Don't go. Please. Look at you. You are shaking. Here let me help..."

Kaname grabbed Zero's hand before he could do it, before he could draw blood. They sat there staring at each other, then Kaname, with a monumental effort, stood and walked away.

"I have to go..."

"Kaname..."

Zero whipped off the sheets and caught up to him, trapping him within his arms. He pressed his lips to Kaname, sucking then nipping until Kaname moaned and also flung his arms around him, his head tipping to get more of Zero's taste, his body pressing into him hungrily. Kaname found Zero almost impossible to resist: his blood and his body. Kaname had been dying for just this contact, any contact for days and now he almost forgot his caution when Zero just reached out and touched him...

Kaname stiffened as he tasted blood on Zero's tongue. He chased it and drew it to his mouth to suck, his tongue licking urgently for more, searching for the source. His fangs lengthened and Kaname pulled away quickly as a tremor shook his body. No.

No!

"Zero," Kaname gasped, as he felt his body changing… "I promise. When I return we'll finish this."

"No! Now! I have what you need. Come and take it."

Zero pulled off the pyjama top Kaname had dressed him in and revealed his pale smooth skin. He trailed his fingers along his chest, down his stomach to the waist-band of the pants, he then slowly and deliberately, drew his fingernails up his flat stomach...

Kaname stood, mesmerised by the trail of blood on Zero's stomach, his fangs were now fully grown and it was as though the scent of Zero's blood was the only thing that existed. Kaname's body began to prepare to remove it from the ex-human's body in the most efficient manner possible.

Zero next found himself flat on his back on the bed before he even saw Kaname move. Zero turned his head and stretched his neck eagerly. His eyes drew tears as he felt Kaname's long tongue on his neck, knowing that he would soon have an end to his suffering. He held his breath as he waited... Then was all confusion when Kaname just lay there, breathing heavily against his neck, considering he had been licking it quite enthusiastically a while ago.

"Kaname! Go on! Don't you want to taste my flesh?"

Kaname didn't move.

"Kaname? Come on. Don't you crave my blood?"

Zero felt the dampness on his neck. He frowned. It didn't smell like blood. What was going on?

"Kaname! What is it?"

Zero shoved his hand into Kaname's hair and pulled his head away from his neck. He looked into Kaname's red eyes that were... filled with tears...

"I know... what you are... trying to do. I know... you are trying to get me to kill you."

"I..."

"... I almost did too. I want to so badly. My body hurts..."

Zero's face stayed cold as he took one hand, turned his head and deliberately traced the vein on his neck. Kaname convulsed on a surge of agonising pain, squeezing his eyes closed to exclude the sight of it. He was both incredibly hurt that Zero would weaponise so callously the gesture of a lover's offer he'd taught him, and desperately fighting the urge to accept. He pulled away as Zero hung on…

"Do it, you bastard! Come on! Eat me!"

Zero began to hit Kaname, punching, slapping... Kaname quickly held his hands and rolled to pin him.

"Nooo! Kill me! Kill me...!"

Zero slumped back into slumber and Kaname quickly dismounted the bed and ran to the balcony diving off in one motion. Then, he impatiently wiped his eyes as he drifted upwards, before making his way downtown.

ZERO came to consciousness as lips were pressed to his. He fought, twisting his head, but it was held firmly and soon his mouth was pried open and his mouth was filled with blood. Zero coughed as he gagged, but the stream stopped until he recovered, a hand stroking his hair gently, then it resumed again.

Zero began to shake in revulsion at himself but he drank, his nature taking over at the allure of fresh blood. He didn't need as much as he had the first time. He wasn't starving. Therefore, when Zero shook his head the second time, the stream stopped but the lips stayed, changing to a firm, wet kiss.

"Do you want to continue where we left off?"

"No. Get off of me."

"Such a tease." Kaname grinned but stayed where he was. Zero opened his eyes and looked at Kaname whose face was inches from his own, his eyes looking at him with some interest.

"What do you want? You'll get nothing from me. I've had it with you...!"

"Okay. I understand. I'll wait."

"Kaname. I mean it! You might as well kill me now. At least you'll get a meal."

Kaname's grin became an indulgent smile. He borrowed deeper into Zero's softness, pressing into his body, curling his arms tighter until there was no space between them, one hand burying into Zero hair to stroke his scalp.

"I couldn't kill you. I love you. Besides, I know you'll forgive me someday. We have a long time together."

"I'll kill myself first!"

"You'll have to find the opportunity and I won't... let you..." Kaname whispered as he began to move up and down against Zero's body. This was really when Zero realised he was naked. They both were. And Kaname was gently and expertly massaging his entire body with his. Even...

"Kaname..."

"Mmmm," Kaname moaned. "I love when you say my name like that. Relax. Close your eyes. Don't you think... my skin is the softest you've ever felt? Don't you love... how it feels... against yours like... this...?"

Zero groaned, his body beginning to respond to Kaname's insistent pressure. He was warm, soft and comforting. His hot breaths stirred his hair, his skin was heaven. Zero raised his hands and ran them down the length of Kaname's back, sliding over his behind. Kaname gasped and picked up the pace a little.

"Kaname..."

"Yes? Tell me. Instruct me. I'll do anything..." Kaname breathed, half moaning as his eyes closed on the sensations inside of him. His erection was tucked between Zero's thighs and the friction was making him...

"Promise me that when you are finished toying with me that you won't leave me alive. Promise me, after all of this, you won't just abandon me too."

Kaname stilled and lifted his head from where he had dropped it onto Zero's shoulder. He searched Zero's eyes for a while as if trying to find a clue for the strange request, but saw nothing. Kaname's brows knitted as he thought to deny that his feelings weren't genuine, but then he closed his mouth and decided it was best to just show him.

"I promise I will never leave you, Zero. I promise, despite everything I will always appear at your side. Always."

Zero closed his eyes again and sighed. He relaxed against the bed and Kaname stroked his hair tenderly until he drifted off again to sleep.

YUUKI pulled open the shop door and peered inside uneasily before entering. It smelled of incense and decay, but this was the place. She couldn't turn back now.

"Hello? Is anyone here? Hello?"

Yuuki approached the counter and leaned on it, craning her neck to see behind it in case the old biddy had fallen and couldn't get up. She pulled back and blew in frustration. Hadn't she called to make sure?

"Good afternoon."

Yuuki leapt at least a foot off the ground and spun quickly to bring the smaller, elderly man into view, just avoiding a shelf of desiccated matter of dubious origin in the crowded store. He seemed not to have reacted to her fright, but Yuuki could see the amused, playful sparkle in his eyes. Son of a bitch...

"Aidou-san?" Yuuki asked, bowing in greeting.

"That's right. In the flesh. My, you are a pretty little thing. What can I do for you?" Aidou-san asked, as he ambled away to lift a board and cross to behind the counter, his face a picture of regret that she hadn't come by fifty years ago instead...

"I..." Yuuki paused. How do you say something like this?

"Come on! Out with it? Boyfriend cheating on you? You want someone to stop bothering you? You think your breasts are too small and you want a C-cup without surgery. Go on, I've heard it all before..."

"I want to kill a vampire. Can you help me?"

Aidou-san paused in his careful perusal of his shelf for the breast-growth lotion and pills and slowly turned back to the small girl. Okay, that's one he didn't often...

"Did you say, 'vampire'?"

"Yes. I asked around. People say you are a very powerful 'doctor'..."

"For real-life problems. Vampires are fiction. Like unicorns and elves..."

"Fine. I'll find someone else."

Yuuki turned and walked out of the shop, slamming the door. Another dead-end. She was beginning to think she would have to sharpen a stick and stab him herself...

"Wait! Young lady!"

Yuuki stopped and turned back to the shop. The man raised his hand to signify that she should wait and ran inside. He returned and closed the shop and locked it.

"I didn't mean to offend you. It is a strange request..."

"Can you help me or not, ojii-san?" Yuuki demanded, just a shade under rudely. The elder gentleman sighed resignedly.

"I can... take you to some-one who can."

to be continued

lightpathetic wrote this but these are not my characters. They belong to VK.