A/N: And I'm here again with another chapter *waves* It ended up being a little longer than I planned, so it took me more time to write it. Which is why I'm pretty sure that I won't be able to finish and upload the next chapter tomorrow as I originally wanted to do. Sorry about that *bows*

Also, I won't be able to update this story for the next couple of weeks, but that's because I will concentrate on writing the next chapter of 'Eternity'. Sorry about that too *bows again*

But anyway. As always, thank you for your favs and alerts and reviews. Trust me when I say that they all have been a huge support and inspiration *nods*

And you know the drill. Disclaimer stands, warnings and so on remain the same. All mistakes are mine.

Nothing much in this chapter, but I still hope that you'll be able to enjoy it. Would be happy to hear your thoughts at the end of this.

Happy reading! :D

Chapter 9: Choosing A Name

"…It must be nice," Kaname remarked absently, causing Zero's hand to halt in its stroking of the soft black fur of Kaname's familiar.

Zero turned his head to blink at his mate, then tilted his head sideways in silent inquiry, evidently confused.

Kaname's answer was a pointed look in his familiar's direction. Zero frowned with another blink before following the other's gaze down to his lap. It took him a moment to realize what the pureblood meant.

'Oh,' the hunter thought, his eyes widening slightly in comprehension. Chuckling softly, he looked up at Kaname anew while his hand resumed petting the wolf's massive head. A small smirk settled on his lips as he asked teasingly, "Jealous?"

Kaname frowned. "No. Why would I?"

Zero's smirk widened. "Because he likes me more. Even though you are his master."

Kaname's eyebrows rose at the words. It was his turn to blink in confusion. Then a small chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head with fond amusement. "Trust me, that is not the reason." He gave another chuckle and relaxed against the tree they were seated at, side by side, their shoulders touching. Kaname closed his eyes and let out a quiet sigh of content.

"You are, then," Zero's voice sounded again.

"Hmm?" Kaname hummed almost lazily, half opening his eyes and turning toward his mate. "What?"

"Jealous," Zero reminded him of the original topic of their conversation, a teasing smirk still playing on his lips.

That sobered Kaname up from his blissfully peaceful state. "I am not," he insisted stubbornly, unable to help himself, even if he — they both, actually, Kaname was sure — knew he was lying. His alpha — and pureblood, for that matter — pride just wouldn't allow him to concede.

Zero snorted, unconvinced. "You just admitted it, though."

"I didn't."

"You did. Indirectly."

"That doesn't count."

"I say it does."

"I was only speaking theoretically," Kaname kept trying, refusing to give up.

Zero shrugged. "Doesn't matter."

"I say it does," Kaname countered with a smirk, using Zero's exact words.

Zero narrowed his eyes at him, then turned away with an exasperated huff. "You're impossible," he muttered.

Kaname chuckled amusedly at his mate's apparent disgruntlement. "Why, thank you," he replied with a mock bow of his head.

Zero rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he dismissed with a shrug of his shoulder, trying to look nonchalant, but failing miserably, if Kaname's next words were anything to go by.

"Don't sulk, it makes me want to tease you more."

Amethyst eyes narrowed warningly, turning to Kaname sharply. Kaname just barely managed to suppress a shiver of excitement the dark look his beloved hunter was giving him sent down his spine. He couldn't help it; Zero's little glares never failed to rile up his normally reserved inner alpha in the most delicious and sinful of ways, and his body only reacted accordingly.

"I am not sulking," Zero denied the obvious.

Kaname's response was a mirthful smirk and raised eyebrows.

Zero frowned at the other's look. "I never do," he insisted stubbornly, secretly fighting a pout that threatened to overtake his features.

Kaname chuckled. "If you say so."

Zero turned away, not just pouting, but also blushing now. "Shut up."

Kaname only gave another small laugh and shook his head, then leaned in and pecked his beloved's delightfully warm cheek before laying his head on the hunter's shoulder and closing his eyes with a content sigh.

Zero's hand automatically went up to Kaname's head, his fingers buried themselves in the man's thick, silky brunet locks, moving in them gently.

A groan of appreciation escaped Kaname at the feeling of Zero's digits massaging his scalp. He turned his head slightly to guide his mate's wonderful touch where he wanted it, nuzzling the crook of the hunter's pale neck in the process.

Zero couldn't help chuckling quietly at Kaname's antics, his mood immediately lightening. "Want me to scratch behind your ear too?"

Kaname snorted, one corner of his lips lifting briefly in an amused little smirk. "I'm not a dog, you know," he replied without opening his eyes.

"Is that a no?"

"That's not what I meant."

"What did you mean, then?" Zero massaged a little firmer, eliciting another grateful groan from Kaname.

"That normally I would never allow it, but I can make an exception for you, if you want it so much."

Zero breathed a soft laugh. "How generous of you."

"Isn't it?" Kaname opened his eyes to peer up at the hunter, an impish smile playing on his lips. "You should be honored."

"Oh, I sure am." Zero's fingers sneakily slid down to rub underneath Kaname's chin.

Kaname's eyes fluttered shut anew as he craned his neck to give Zero better access, nearly purring at the contact.

Another chuckle sounded from Zero, successfully distracting Kaname from his moment of bliss.

Kaname forced a frown and looked up at Zero once more. "I didn't say you could do that," he reproached the silver-haired man — or pretended to, anyway.

"You didn't look all that displeased about it, though."

"I wasn't," Kaname admitted.

Zero snorted. "All the more reason I don't need your permission." His hand moved again, this time sliding over Kaname's sensitive — and he knew for a fact that it was sensitive — neck before moving up behind his ear. Another snort left him at the muffled sound of approval that Kaname gave in response. "Like that?"

Kaname hummed lazily. "Not sure yet," he lied without even trying to sound convincing. "But you can continue, and we will see."

Zero laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Like master, like… Ah, speaking of which…" Zero's attention shifted down to the black wolf still in his lap, his fingers in the pureblood's brunet hair halting.

Kaname's brows furrowed briefly. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and peered up at Zero anew before following his mate's gaze to his familiar. The one that was now sleeping contently with his upper body draped over Zero's lap, looking extremely — frustratingly so, actually — comfortable there, as though he owned the place. Or rather, the one who provided it.

Kaname's eyes narrowed at the sight, his irritation from what now seemed like long before returning. Zero's next question, however, quickly distracted him from it.

"What is his name?"

Kaname frowned up at Zero. "What?"

"His," Zero nodded toward the wolf, "name. I still haven't learned it."

"Oh…" Kaname looked down at the wolf, his attention lingering on him for several moments before returning to Zero, their gazes locking.

"…Well?" Zero prompted after a while of silence.

"Well, what?"

"His name."

Kaname shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know if he has one."

Zero frowned. "You haven't named him?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Another shrug. "The thought just never crossed my mind."

Zero heaved a sigh and shook his head before looking at Kaname reproachfully. "You're a terrible master."

Kaname blinked. "You're the second person to tell me that."

"Who was the first?" Zero asked out of idle curiosity.

"Takuma."

"Well, he was right." Zero's hand on the wolf's furry head started moving again, slow and gentle so as not to disturb the beast's peaceful slumber. "This cute little fellow here deserves at least a name, you know."

"Now I really do feel like a terrible master."

Zero's gaze returned to Kaname. "You do?" he asked with arched eyebrows.

"A little."

"Good," Zero nodded. "You still can redeem yourself, then."

Kaname's brows furrowed slightly. "Meaning?"

"Name him."

That made the pureblood lift his head from Zero's shoulder in favor of facing his mate properly. "Come again?" he asked, visibly baffled.

"Name him," Zero repeated. "He has waited long enough."

Kaname snorted and shook his head with a small lopsided smile. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't care."

A stubborn frown of disagreement creased Zero's brows. "Of course he does."

"What makes you think he is even aware there is such a thing as a 'name' to begin with?"

"Because he is smart," Zero replied without missing a beat, then added with a meaningful smile, "He is your familiar, after all."

Kaname blinked, suddenly finding himself feeling unreasonably flattered. "Uh… Thank you?"

Zero chuckled, shaking his head.

Kaname frowned, evidently confused by his mate's amusement, but not minding it in the least. On the contrary, he found himself very much content to be its cause.

"So," Zero spoke again after a while, "the name. You have something in mind?"

Kaname thought for a moment, if only to humor Zero, but came up blank. "No," he said honestly.

Zero hummed thoughtfully, his brows furrowing in concentration and eyes growing distant. Kaname couldn't help a small flutter in his chest at the sight; his beloved was so innocently cute like that.

After a few seconds, amethyst eyes cleared and looked up, capturing Kaname's burgundy ones anew as Zero spoke once more, "Kaname?"

Kaname blinked. "Yes?" he asked, inclining his head slightly to the side.

"Kaname."

Kaname nodded his acknowledgement. "What is it?"

Zero frowned slightly, shaking his head. "No, not you."

Kaname frowned back. "I beg your pardon?"

"Not you, him," Zero nodded toward the wolf.

Kaname turned to his familiar. "What about him?"

"The name."

Kaname's confused gaze returned to Zero, his frown deepening.

"'Kaname'. Let's name him that," Zero answered Kaname's unvoiced question.

Burgundy eyes widened a fraction before narrowing sternly. "No," Kaname shot the idea down.

Zero frowned. "Why not? It's a nice name."

"I know. And it's mine."

"So?"

"So it's taken," Kaname reasoned with the hunter, then asked, "How did you even come up with that idea in the first place?"

Zero shrugged. "He is your familiar. And he reminds me of you."

Kaname decided not to comment on that and simply repeated, "No."

Zero frowned stubbornly. He was about to protest, but Kaname didn't let him.

"No. Choose another name," he demanded.

Zero huffed a frustrated breath. "You're so selfish."

Kaname's eyes narrowed warningly. "Zero."

"Fine," Zero conceded reluctantly. "'Kana', then."

Kaname's frown returned. "There is barely any difference."

"Yes, there is."

"Barely."

Zero shrugged nonchalantly. "Better than nothing."

"Zero," Kaname started warningly, but was cut off by the hunter.

"No complaining. I already did as you asked. I'm not giving up this one."

"But-"

"No."

"I-"

"No."

Kaname forced himself not to try protesting anymore, knowing he wouldn't be able to win against his mate — again, frustrating as it was.

"…Fine," the pureblood conceded grudgingly after a short while of silence, turning away and crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the tree.

Zero smiled happily, nodding. "Kana it is, then." He reached up for Kaname's chin and guided the alpha's face toward his own, connecting their lips in a quick yet sweet kiss. That certainly eased Kaname's frustration, but not completely.

Zero shifted his gaze to the black wolf next, his smile still in place as he continued, "Now we only have to wait for him to wake up and-" he stopped, amethyst eyes going wide at the sight before them.

All of a sudden, the furry creature Zero fancied so much disappeared, his warm weight was gone, and there was nothing but black smoke left — and even that quickly dissipated.

It was completely quiet for a few long seconds. Then Zero turned his now narrowed gaze to his mate.

Kaname smirked.

"That is mean," Zero accused.

Kaname's smirk widened. "I know."

"Give him back."

Kaname gave an unintelligible hum and lowered himself on his side. "Eventually," was his vague reply, followed by a sigh of content that left him as he settled his head comfortably in Zero's now completely unoccupied lap. "If you behave," he added, turning to look up at his mate with a cheeky smirk on his face.

Zero pouted sulkily, but didn't say anything.

Kaname's smirk twitched wider for a brief moment, before the alpha turned away and closed his eyes, making himself comfortable.

Zero watched the pureblood for a while, then exhaled a breath of temporary surrender and placed his hand on Kaname's hair.

He would let his mate have his little victory for now, but he would still make sure to get his way in the end.

Zero nodded mentally at the thought. Then, with a secret little smirk curving his lips, he happily resumed playing with Kaname's silky dark locks.

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-to be continued-

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