NEW NAME! I was Kittychan99 but I couldn't handle my username cringe. New name: Bleeding-wing. I... Yea I'm sorry. My absence this time was a combo of being busy and being scared to write when I wasn't busy. I'm a wimp with self confidence issues.


Zero woke up warm and feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time. He was practically vibrating with energy and itching to go. A quick glance confirmed that they had turned the cameras off last night but hadn't turned them back on, the green light absent. He knew he shouldn't, knew he would probably get a stomach ache later, but if he didn't go deep it wouldn't be a problem, right? He eyed the opening with longing and finally made his decision.

Just for a little bit...

He swam forward, pausing at the edge of the exit and staring into where the water darkened drastically. He forgot how deep his tank was sometimes. He would have to swim directly up -quickly- if he wanted to not get sick again. He darted out, tail propelling him towards the surface quickly, he broke the surface with a gasp, wincing as he was to exposed to the air, and quickly dove back under. The sun glittered through the water and Zero sighed happily. It was so much warmer here and he could soak all the heat in.

A low noise caught his attention and he glanced down, he saw a flash of scales and a tail dart behind a large stone and gasped.

Another Mer? Out in the middle of the ocean?!

He quickly chased after the person, following the little flashes of color until he finally caught them. The other Mer turned around, eyes narrowing as they hissed lowly and caused Zero to drift back a little in slight worry. The smaller male didn't want to get attacked. He coughed slightly before using his voice, vibrations soft in the water.

"Hello? My name's Zero. Could you tell me where the more shallow waters are?"

All he received in answer was a slow blink before the other Mer swam up to him, causing Zero to tense slightly as it crowded up past his personal space bubble.

They sniffed him and made a low humming noise, smirking and burying their face in the crook of his neck to inhale deep breaths of his scent.

Well, that definitely wasn't just simple friendly interaction.

Zero jerked back with a hiss, but the other Mer followed, making a low sound of amusement as it continued to sniff him and rub against him.

Not only was the situation totally inappropriate but the water was getting colder again and he needed to go back; should've already been back.

A low growl vibrated the water around them, the force of it making Zero feel like his insides were vibrating. That was the only warning given before the other Mer was yanked away and Kaname was upon them, teeth ripping into their neck and hand sinking into their chest, blood swelling up in the water.

Zero's eyes widened as the screams finally made him realize what was happening and he did what any sensible person would do, he turned and swam as fast as he could back to his tank.

Right as he passed the gate he felt it, the drastic change in the water. Everything suddenly grew still, the fishes passing to and fro from the tank fleeing in a flurry as the temperature dropped noticeably.

Zero spotted a large stone structure in part of the tank, purposely designed like a castle and any other time he would've snorted at it but now it was his protection. He darted into the structure, barely squeezing through the opening and curling up inside as far from the entrance as he could get, tail twitching nervously.

A shadow fell across the entrance and he flinched as Kaname lowered himself so that he could peer in, eyes blazing red and fangs and mouth covered in gore that was slowly fading in the water. He was silent, so quiet, And Zero knew that if he moved forward just a little bit that would be it. Kaname looked so close to snapping.

"Zero... "

Zero felt arousal and fear pool in his belly at the same time, that deep rumble of a voice making him tingle. Even if it was like that because of anger.

" Come out, little one. It's okay, you're safe."

Zero snorted at that. Lying wasn't going to lure him out. Besides, he was perfectly fine staying in here, though a bit a crowded it was comfortable for the most part. He looked at the pureblood and stuck his tongue out, which earned a growl that had him changing his mind and shrinking back more. Nope, acting bratty was definitely unwise. Don't provoke the pissed off asshat.

After a few more seconds of staring Kaname huffed, eyes dimming as he backed up and swam away. Zero sighed in relief, tension draining from his body as the other Mer left.

Zero gasped lightly as his chest heated up a little bit, the warmth pulsing through him and making his thought process slur, body going limp and eyes drooping as he seemed to completely lose control of his body. Right as his eyes closed he saw Kaname's figure appear by the entrance again. Had he been more coherent he would've realized that the stone hanging from his neck was glowing dimly and pulsing steady waves of heat against his chest, would've seen the satisfied smirk on Kaname's face. As hands reached in and gently pulled him out. But by then he was gone, drifting off to sleep.

XxXx

Yuki sighed softly as the stone around her neck pulsed a little as well, though not as much. The warmth spread through her and she slumped back in her chair as her advisors and some businessmen droned on about something. She licked her lips, wetting them as she realized she felt so thirsty.

Not that should could do anything about it now, another pulse went through the stone and she looked out the window into one of the tanks, eyes glowing red for a split second. She needed to drink something after the meeting. After all, killing your advisors was frowned upon, and lacked class, even if nobody would never know.

She smiled as she felt amusement pulse through her that was not her own. Glancing back into one of the tanks. She hoped Kaname wasn't being too hard on Zero. The poor thing was probably still overwhelmed.

XxXx

Well, overwhelmed wasn't the exact word but when Zero woke back up he certainly felt something.

He groggily forced his eyes open, wincing as they protested to being so quickly put to use after being closed for however long it had been.

He shook his head a little, thinking back to what had happened after he hid. He had felt warm then everything else was blurry, he couldn't remember.

He tensed as Kaname suddenly swam up, hovering over him, gaze dark. Their eyes met before Zero looked away, cheeks heating. God, he was such a wimp.

He inhaled shakily as a hand drifted feather-soft against his arm, moving to get closer and groaning lowly as he tingled where Kaname's fingers touched. And touch they did.

Kaname's hand trailed up to his face, brushing against his neck in the process, and his fingers traced Zero's lips for a few seconds before the silence was broken.

"Don't ever leave here without me, understand?"

Zero nodded, licking his lips nervously and shivering as a thumb brushed across his bottom lip suggestively, lightly tugging before moving on to brush against his cheek.

Kaname smiled a sharp smile, full of teeth. His eyes flashing and the water heating.

"Good. Now sleep, you need more rest."

Zero was going to protest but he was half asleep still and settled for closing his eyes again, dozing off in seconds as Kaname watched, eyes becoming more gentle.

He reached out, touching the gem around Zero's neck, watching it flash and pulse in reaction to his touch. It was a good thing Zero had hid, if he hadn't Kaname would've immediately gone and scent marked everywhere the now dead Mer had touched. He wouldn't want to face Yuki's wrath because of that, plus he didn't want to scare the younger Mer that much.

His eyes flashed as he stared into the distance, gaze looking through the gate and watching the occasional fish swim by.

Soon... He hoped they could do something soon. He was tired of waiting. This was their revenge, their victory that they would have. And Zero, they would teach Zero how good it felt. To rip his enemies to pieces, to take what he deserved.

Sweet little Zero. You need someone to corrupt you just a little bit.


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