SO SORRY for the late update guys! I know I said the 19th but I realized a little too late that wasn't going to work out (and then yesterday my PC decided to be suicidal). Don't kill me! :( Enjoy the chapter, be happy, and... uhhh... I don't know. Sorry again!

Twenty-Third Night: Sedated Thirst

A certain dark haired beauty was about to leave his company and greet the Kiryuu, then perhaps question the hunter's presence here, at a time that is neither too dark nor too light, with an aura of barely concealed menace.

"I will deal with Kiryuu-kun myself, Yuuki." The words came out as a soft command, and though she hesitated for a few seconds – after all, she knew Kiryuu far better than her brother – the princess obliged, stalking out of his room and back to her Guardians.

He could tell she was confused, seeing as Kiryuu and he hadn't engaged in anything more than empty threats, but she had faith in him.

The last thing he saw was the bobbing of her head, as if she accepted his thoughts and knew he would deal with the situation appropriately.

"Kaname will be dealing with Kiryuu, it seems," she simply stated as she walked through the open doors, and dropped near her books, in her original spot.

"And that is safe, how?" Aidou questioned, Yori playing with his sun-kissed locks.

Yuuki acted like the sight was nothing new. "I trust neither to obliterate the other. I'm sure Zero-kun is here with a semi-diplomatic attitude."

Yori snorted, taking three small clusters of somewhat short blond tresses and weaving them into a simple braid. "He didn't even try to control his killer intent. Though I know Kaname-sama won't annihilate the guy, can't say the same for Kiryuu."

"Mmm," Aidou grunted in agreement.

"He might threaten, but he won't open fire unless seriously provoked," Yuuki said, finishing the last of her homework quickly and accurately.

"How would you know, Yuuki-chan?" Yori inquired, one brow arched dramatically.

"'Cause I know Zero." And with that, she smiled.

The tall Pureblood strode gracefully through the main hall, the sound of his dress shoes hitting the cold floor echoing into the darkness surrounding him. When he reached light, signifying that he was at the indoor balcony of their dorm, he blinked once.

Noticing Takuma pace in the lobby, debating whether he should open the door or not, Kaname called out, "Open the door for our guest, would you, Takuma?"

His best friend did so at once, not even surprised with his superior's sudden coming.

Zero walked in stiffly, teeth grinded together to bite back the sudden urge to insult one of the strongest Purebloods in history.

"Come, Kiryuu-kun," Kaname addressed, one arm resting against the banister of the balcony. "I wish for us to speak somewhere more private, seeing as we have quite the audience."

The fair haired teen noted the sudden increase in vampires in the lobby, nodded once, and ascended up the stairs.

When they reached Kaname's chambers, and said Pureblood rested his whole body on a loveseat, Zero took out Bloody Rose, readying the gun for fire.

Kaname merely sighed, his fingers tangled in his hair while his palm covered one garnet hued iris.

The eighteen year old was seething in rage, baring his vampire fangs.

"You know, most vampires of your stature would be showing respect to us Purebloods."

"I haven't killed you yet, have I?"

Silence was his reply.

"Why did you steal my prey!?" he barked, canines lengthening further.

Kaname turned his one unveiled eye to the other vampire, who still stood, Bloody Rose pointing at the Pureblood's head.

"I was doing you a favor, Kiryuu. Shizuka was on the Hunter's List. I even left her alive long enough for you to drink, but it seems you were too slow." He threw the words with the emotionless, calm and bored tone that all Purebloods perfected at a young age.

The red in Zero's eyes, as well as the hunger pulsing through his veins, spoke of the thirst that remained unquenched.

Of the thing he would become, if he didn't drink his creator's blood, soon.

Kaname's gaze at nothing in particular was thoughtful, even as the gun continued to stay locked in place by Zero's fingers.

"Shizuka's blood courses through my veins. Drink from me willingly, lest you want me to force-feed you."

In a flash the taller, stronger vampire had pinned the hunter to the wall, making his unable to use his gun.

Zero felt alive. Reborn. The hunger dissipated, the knot in his stomach loosened. Dripping blood – even the Pureblood's, it seemed – did not enforce his insanity.

For once, he felt in control.

For once, he felt the thirst subside.

The spilling of pure blood did not go unnoticed, but all failed to take a course of action.

It seemed that the hunter was receiving a Pureblood's blessing. Rare, but possible.

Yuuki stood elegantly, as always, about to go check on the two, and to thank her brother for his deed.

She stopped, rigid in place, as she caught whiff of another scent that did not belong to the Moon Dorm.

And the owner of said scent did not hesitate to break the door down.

Next Update: 01-26-12 I swear this time it will be on time! I swear on... I dunno what.

I apologize for all the shortness and the cliffhangers and the randomness... Please review?