Ren-sama's Note:

Hi, everyone~! It's been a long time since I last updated so I made sure to satiate your thirst for KaZe with this one! Enjoy reading! ᶺoᶺ

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Chapter 21

Zero opened his eyes with a groan. The light from the morning sun did nothing but annoy his mood and irritate his eyes. As usual, he forgot to close the open window it seemed. Or so he thought since he was so sure he closed that last night, just like many other nights. But in the end he just shrugged the thought as something trivial.

He thought of ditching class since he could pass all the tests without studying anyway. He was home-schooled before he became a hunter so most of the topics at school were already taught to him and also to the other hunters. But the mere thought of Yuzuru and Yuuki's combined nagging about attendance and proper student conduct somehow made him decide otherwise.

He sighed as he got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. It's been a week since he last saw Kaname and to say that he was thirsty for the pureblood's luscious blood was an understatement. Only he could continue torturing himself with those blood pills without getting tired. He leaned onto the sink and brushed his teeth before he looked at his reflection on the small mirror in front of him. He hadn't seen Kaname ever since that night. And he had yet to apologize too… His pride was preventing him from actually going to the Moon Dorm to talk to the pureblood so he was reduced to patrolling every night in case he'd see the brunette. But still, to no avail.

Lately though, all he could see was Aido shadowing him. Sometimes he'd sense Takuma nearby even though he couldn't see the guy. But that was that. He somehow knew something was up the moment the two blondes wouldn't leave their eyes off him. Did Kaname somehow tell them to follow him or something..? He's not an idiot. He's a hunter even if he's actually a vampire. And he could feel it if someone was following him for days, especially if vampires were following him for days now.

"Zero-kun..?" He heard Yuuki's voice from the door and he knew he's running late… again.

"I'm awake." He called as he dressed up for school. "Tell Yuzuru you two can leave me if you want." He added grumpily. He started hating Mondays the moment he became a student.

"Nah, we'll wait." Yuuki's overly enthusiastic voice made the hunter arch an eyebrow but he didn't put much thought into it. Maybe her date with Yuzuru yesterday went well. The two spent their whole Sunday outside the school doing Kami-knows-what. He hasn't experienced dating anyone so he wasn't really sure what they could have done.

He went out of his room and out of the dorm only to wish that he'd stayed in bed instead. He didn't remember that today was the day of the School Festival. He hated festivities as much as he hated Valentine's Day. And especially now that he has a pretty good reason for doing so.

"I can't wait to perform later! And nii-sama said he and the others are coming to watch too! I'm getting nervous!" Yuuki exclaimed excitedly while hugging Yuzuru's arms. The act only made the older male laugh while it only added to Zero's grumpiness. That's exactly the reason why he hated this day… that hellish performance…

All in all, many students were running around the school in a hurry of some sort. Some were squealing in excitement over something or another while others were so excited to go to some booths or buy some stuff. The lively atmosphere, not to mention the crowded grounds, busy and excited students, and the fact that the sun was particularly hot today did nothing to improve the hunter's mood at all.

"Zero, are you alright?" Yuzuru asked when he noticed his kouhai's discomfort. "It's pretty hot today. Are you hurting or something?"

"No, I just need some shade I guess." Zero sighed. Yuuki and Yuzuru smiled at him before they all decided to just explore the booths inside the classrooms instead of the booths in the open field.

The hunter's mood didn't improve at all, especially since he was being harassed by females in every corner he turned to, starting from the maids who wanted him to at least take a look at their café. They couldn't move an inch near Yuzuru since Yuuki's devilish face – jealous face actually – was scaring them. And so, every booth and every fan girls wanted to at least have a chat with the silver-haired male, seeing that his senpai was no longer available. Zero only glared at them all and didn't even stop walking to check out their offers. Who knew what fate awaited him inside those classrooms?

And now that he thought about it, he could feel a very dark lurking presence that was making his skin crawl. It's like someone very perverted was breathing on his nape. He couldn't help but shudder.

"Err, Kaname..?" Takuma called quietly, afraid that his friend might actually lash out at him. To say that the pureblood was fuming was an understatement. Not even Aido or Kain could talk to him now. Ruka and Rima chose to just stay a little farther from the pureblood and Shiki chose to stay beside his lover no matter what.

"What?" Kaname answered distractedly while his glare hardened when he saw some fanatic girls glomping his hunter. He couldn't help but growl. He was on a building parallel to where Zero and the others were. But he'd see Zero even if the latter was on the other side of the town. The silver-haired hunter looked irritated the whole time and that was fueling Kaname's annoyance. If he hated the girls so damn much, then why wouldn't he just push them away!? He had been so busy these past few days that he didn't even have enough time to flirt with Zero. And yet, the moment he saw the hunter was the moment his anger rose beyond boiling point. It seemed he needed to tell those girls who the hunter really belonged to.

Takuma looked at his friends for help. But Aido didn't want to have anything to do with Kaname's anger this time… especially since he's also angry that Zero was just letting himself be jumped by everyone. It seemed those fan girls liked their idols better when pissed. Kain looked elsewhere since he never intended to get even an ounce of the pureblood's anger. Shiki only smiled at his blonde lover cutely, obviously urging him to do something else… in private. Rima only ate her pocky without any care.

"Kaname-sama, why don't we approach them?" Ruka was the one who voiced the suggestion. She and the others were still a little more than shocked to confirm that Kaname indeed has feelings for the silver-haired hunter. But who were they to tell the pureblood who and who not to love? They were just mere servants and loyal followers.

"I think that's a good idea!" Takuma beamed at Kaname, hoping against all odds that Kaname's mood would at least get a little better.

Kaname walked on his own without answering at all. He needed to get to Zero soon or he'd lose it. He needed to hear the hunter's cool voice soon, inhale his intoxicating scent… and maybe taste him a little…

Zero shivered involuntarily when he felt that someone wanted to swallow him whole somehow. He turned around and found out where the feeling was coming from. He scowled just as Yuuki brightened and Yuzuru glared. Kaname was smiling at them brightly but the aura surrounding him was so dark even normal students knew better than to approach him so carelessly.

"What the hell happened to him?" Zero muttered under his breath. He knew Kaname wasn't the type to easily get angry. He felt pity to the poor soul who caused the pureblood's anger.

"Kaname-senpai!" Yuuki greeted with a beam much similar to Cross's. Kaname patted her head while he sneered at Yuzuru who also did the same. The silver-haired teen felt that it already became a sort of greeting for those two.

"Ah, Zero! It's good to run into you here!" Kaname acted like he just saw the hunter when Zero knew better. He shivered inwardly at the sadistic gleam in the brunette's eyes. Kaname's acting was so faked!

"Kuran. How cocky of you to actually call out a prefect when you're supposedly banned here during the day…" He simply said, making the brunette chuckle for real. He knew he should be saying something else but he also knew he wouldn't find a chance what with the lack of privacy.

Takuma chuckled when he felt Kaname's anger immediately dissipated. How ironic it was that the cause of their leader's anger was also the cure for it. Kain and the others managed to finally breathe easily. Shiki was thankful that his lover wouldn't flirt with the hunter that much anymore since Kaname's mood immediately turns for the worst when that happens.

"Since you're so rightful, Prefect-san." Kaname smiled innocently, though Zero knew he's planning something. "Why don't you show me around so you can keep your eyes on me better?" Everyone waited in bated breaths as Zero thought about the suggestion. He scowled at Kaname when he felt like he actually wanted to tour the pureblood to the booths when just earlier he's so sick of it. Kaname's smile turned into a smirk when the hunter nodded with a scowl.

"Do you want to go with us?" Kaname asked his vampire friends though no one said they wanted to spend their time with the pureblood, much to Zero's suspicion. As far as he knew, they wanted to be where Kaname was. So for them to actually pass the opportunity to spend their time with the pureblood was unheard of. Little did he know that Kaname gave a not-so-subtle glare when he asked them. And not even Yuuki mistook that glare for something else. She actually stepped on Yuzuru's foot subtly when she thought that he'd react violently to the fact that Kaname wanted Zero alone.

"What?" Yuzuru pouted when he saw Zero walking away with Kaname, an act which he didn't know he was capable of prior to dating Yuuki.

"Don't you see nii-sama wants to have Zero-kun alone?" Yuuki's pout was more intense and he couldn't help but sigh in defeat.

Takuma laughed at their antics, until he met the hunter's glare. "What was that all about, vampires?"

Takuma feigned innocence while Aido answered smugly. "Kiryuu is out of your league, Takahashi! Since Kaname-sama likes him so much, we know that Kaname-sama will get him no matter what."

"I don't like Zero in that kind of way!" Yuzuru's eyes widened at the blonde's implication. "But that doesn't mean I can just sit idly while that pureblood takes Zero's innocence away! I'm sure he'll do something–!" He stopped in the middle of his statement when he realized that the guy was his lover's older brother. "And for the thousandth time, my name isn't Takahashi!"

"Whatever." Aido simply said, adding to the brunette's anger.

"So, shall we follow them?" Yuuki exclaimed excitedly. "It might be their first date so I want to see!"

"Nah, I'd advise you against that, Cross." Aido waved his hand, as if saying Yuuki wasn't that bright. That action made both Yuuki and Yuzuru glare at him. And as if remembering that Yuuki was actually Kaname's younger sister, the blonde immediately cleared his throat. "I mean… I should advise you against that, Yuuki-sama. Both Kaname-sama and Kiryuu are vampires. They'd immediately know we're following them. And instead of relaxing in each other's company, they'd feel like we're invading their privacy."

"Oh…" Yuuki's shoulder slumped in disappointment. But Yuzuru's cheer made her smile again.

"Ah, how about we take their example and have a date of our own with our lovers for now?" Takuma beamed as he eyed Shiki indecently. They were all sure he's not thinking about the date at all but the thing that couple normally do after it.

"What about me?" Rima simply pointed to herself. "I'm the only one in this group who doesn't have a lover. And I don't want to be anyone's chaperon."

Zero walked a little further ahead and Kaname could do nothing but admire the hunter's body. "Don't burn holes onto my back, Kuran."

"Oh, but I'm not looking at your back… but rather, a little bit lower…" Kaname's voice was seductive and Zero shuddered to think where the pureblood was looking while having that intense gaze. His eyes were traveling from the hunter's nape down to his plump ass, imagining how it looked without those tight school pants.

"Whatever, you should walk beside me so you won't burn holes in any part of my body." Zero scowled, a little uncomfortable because he knew Kaname was checking him out. He shivered at the thought. No, he's not disgusted at that. He just felt like shivering, that's all.

Kaname easily took up the offer and walked beside the hunter, earning them some stares from other students to which both vampires readily ignored. "I want some takoyaki." The brunette voiced coolly before his eyes darted to a small booth where the takoyaki was sold.

Zero shrugged before he walked towards it together with the pureblood. It somehow made the corner of his lips twitch into a smile. He just couldn't imagine the proud pureblood Kaname eating street food so casually. The brunette ate gracefully no matter what he ate and it somehow made the hunter admire him a little more. "I didn't know you like eating these kinds of things." He voiced as he munched his own food.

"Don't worry. I still like your blood and body infinitely better." Kaname smiled, making Zero's eyes wide and almost made him choke on his own takoyaki. He blushed despite himself, coughing and glaring at the laughing brunette.

"Did you just compare me to a takoyaki, Kuran?" Zero glared when he muttered the question, earning him another laugh from Kaname.

"I think they're enjoying themselves!" Yuuki voiced quietly as they observed Zero and Kaname from the third floor of a building.

"Don't you mean Kuran is enjoying himself while picking on Zero?" Yuzuru answered with a hiss. Aido immediately glared at him.

"Kaname-sama likes Kiryuu very much! He'd never pick on Kiryuu intentionally!" He growled before his eyes darted once again on the two figures amongst the throngs of students on the ground below. "I'm sure that's only his way of talking to Kiryuu without making the hunter feel awkward."

"I think Kaname just likes seeing and making Zero blush." Takuma chuckled when he saw how Kaname whispered something to the hunter's ears, earning him an immediate blush and at the same time glare from the said teen. Shiki agreed to his lover's observation while Kain kept on secretly urging Ruka to just leave the others and explore the place on their own. The latter was already on the verge of agreeing. Rima just kept on eating her pocky, already glad that she wouldn't be left alone anymore.

"I heard your class will do a role playing of 'Alice in Wonderland'. So, what's your role?" Kaname asked as they walked side by side, arms brushing once in a while. They just went to the booths selling siomai and dango, as well as the booths for games – all outdoors. The sun was high up in the sky but for once both vampires didn't mind.

Zero immediately froze and stopped walking. He immediately faced the brunette and clutched the other's off-white uniform tightly. "Don't you dare watch that!" His eyes widened a lot when he saw Kaname smile as if watching that role play would be his sole happiness.

"I think Zero-kun is already confessing!" Yuuki chuckled happily, watching the scene unfold not quite far from them. Yuzuru almost fainted at that. He'd never take it if Zero was taken advantage of by an obviously perverted and carnivorous pureblood, if the chocolate eyes that seemed to devour the hunter whole were any indication.

"He's more like begging to me…" Aido mused aloud.

"I think he's suddenly scared about something." Takuma's eyebrows furrowed. What could Kaname have said that made the hunter suddenly frozen afraid? "Was he… dumped by Kaname?"

"Nii-sama will never do that to someone he likes!" Yuuki shouted beside his ears, making it ring from too much sound vibration. Shiki hoped so that Yuuki was right too. He didn't want Zero to come back to being flirted by Takuma at all. He knew that if the hunter became Kaname's lover, then his lover would definitely stop bugging the teen. Or maybe not, since it was Takuma he was talking about..? Rima just kept on eating her pocky while watching. Ruka and Kain were already nowhere to be found.

"Don't you think they're being a little too annoying?" Kaname asked while maintaining his smile. They've been feeling the others' presences not too far from them and now they were quite sure they were being followed not so discretely.

"You keep on saying that ever since earlier and yet you're still not doing anything about it." Zero said as he spotted an indoor booth. "I think I'm hungry. Shall we eat there?" He pointed at a restaurant-like classroom, complete with sexy waitresses.

Kaname's left eye twitched before he answered. "No. I want something else." He looked for a booth where he and Zero wouldn't be harassed by some sexy waitresses and took the hunter's wrist before pulling him away from the place.

"It's already lunchtime. Shouldn't we at least eat?" Aido whined while they kept spying on their friends.

"We should. But we cannot eat in the same booth as them!" Yuuki chirped happily as she pulled Yuzuru somewhere else. Takuma and the others had no choice but to follow them.

"I think they're gone." Zero sighed as he ate his meal. Kaname, on the other hand, was more interested in thinking up of ways to eat Zero than to eat his own meal. The hunter felt himself shiver from the gaze the pureblood kept on giving him. "And stop that. It's creeping me out." Kaname merely chuckled but didn't actually do anything about his intense gaze.

"So… where should we go next?" The brunette asked, obviously not wanting to stand up from his seat just yet. He wanted to make his lunch with Zero more like a date, not just something of a casual meal.

"We have something to do this afternoon so I don't think I can tour you any further, Kuran." Zero merely shrugged, not really interested in the booths in the first place. And as if remembering something, he immediately gave Kaname a look. "And don't you dare watch that." He didn't want Kaname of all people to see him in that play. He knew he'd somehow lose his face if the brunette watched that.

Kaname was now even more curious about Zero's role. He'd definitely watch that even if it would be last thing he'd do. "Zero, meet me at the rooftop after the play, okay? I want to tour the booths more." The hunter had the urge to roll his eyes but decided against it. He simply shrugged and nodded, earning a beam from Kaname.

The two stood up from their seats without much care about the other students' whispers concerning their relationship. The conclusions of the students weren't really far from the truth, except they were more intense and indecent. They left the place as cool as ever.

"So, are you going to the play now..?" Kaname asked as they walked leisurely in a less populated field. Zero looked at him sideways for the first time and shook his head before the teen looked down with creased eyebrows, obviously bothered about something. Kaname blinked at him in confusion before he voiced his concern. "Zero, are you alright? Do you feel lightheaded from the sun?"

"No, I just…" Zero sighed. He knew he was still in control of his thirst. He wasn't even tempted by all the students around him. And yet Kaname's scent alone was enough to drive him mad with want. He hadn't noticed that earlier because they were in the middle of different scents of students rushing to and fro. But now that he was alone, totally alone with Kaname, he could feel his fangs throbbing longingly. Was he addicted to Kaname's blood now as well?

"Zero?" Zero stopped and looked up to see Kaname hovering over him now, wanting to know what was wrong. The pureblood had stepped in front of the teen so Zero had to really stop and look.

"I'm fine. I'm just…" Zero was about to say it but then shook his head and decided to just change the topic. "Kuran, I need to go now." He initially thought that the pureblood would be his usual annoying self and tick him off just to make him spit everything out. But to Zero's surprise, Kaname only smiled and nodded. His chocolate eyes were full of understanding, as well as… sadness.

"Alright." The pureblood answered as he stepped back to give Zero more space. It was gentlemanly and even a little submissive. That act somehow unnerved the hunter and he couldn't help but blurt out something he never thought he would.

"Make sure you come on time later." He said with a scowl, but also with a slight blush on his cheeks. And yet, Zero couldn't help but stare as Kaname's downcast aura lightened immediately. Those simple words were already enough to brighten Kaname's expression as well as his mood.

"Of course, Zero." He smiled again, happier this time, before he walked the other way. And yet, Zero kept his gaze locked on to Kaname's figure.

The hunter watched the pureblood leave. He even stood there minutes after Kaname was gone from his sight and his senses. It was so shocking to see first-hand how Kaname's expression changed in a span of seconds. It was more startling to think that he's the one who caused it. He felt so… guilty. If he thought Kaname was joking about his feelings, then he knew by now that the pureblood was in fact serious about him. He sighed as he started walking again.

He knew that he would only hurt Kaname by making him wait like that. But he didn't have the gall to actually reject the pureblood thoroughly, especially since Kaname didn't ask anything of him. He felt so guilty that Kaname had become so emotionally transparent in front of everyone just because of him when the pureblood used to be cool and calculating in everything he did. He felt guilty that he was causing the pureblood pain and sadness because of his unreciprocated feelings. He felt guilty every time Kaname would smile at him like he was the most precious existence in the world and he couldn't do anything in return but scowl. He felt guilty because he felt that he's somehow using Kaname's kindness and feelings for his own advantage. He felt guilty… or was it really guilt that he felt right now?

He groaned at the thought of having some headache over this. He knew he wouldn't be able to take his mind off of the pureblood for the rest of the day… again. He'd been doing that for the past week now. It's all that pervert's fault for looking so sad… And now he realized he hadn't apologized to Kaname yet – for last week and earlier. Maybe he should've just told Kaname about his thirst.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Where've you been, Zero-kun?!" Yuuki scolded the moment he entered the backstage where the preparations were being made. "We've been looking all over for you!"

"Sorry." He mumbled before he immediately went to the changing room to change into his costume. He sighed in defeat as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. It was so embarrassing…

"Oy, Zero! Don't be a princess and hurry up changing!" He groaned when he heard Yuzuru's voice on the other side of the room. "We still need to get ready for your makeup and stuff."

"I know." He voiced in annoyance as he opened the door, scowling deeply at the giggles he heard from his female classmates. Yuzuru smirked at the sight of his kouhai dressed like that while Yuuki immediately grabbed the teen and made him sit on one of the chairs for makeup.

"Kaname, you're really going to watch?" Takuma asked as they all sat at the front row of the gymnasium.

"Of course." Kaname looked at him sideways before his gaze went back to the red curtain once more. "Zero doesn't want me to watch simply because he's embarrassed. It's not because he really doesn't want me to." Kaname and Shiki sat on Takuma's either side while Aido and the others were a row of seat behind them. A red curtain covered the stage while the announcer introduced the play, indicating they just arrived in time.

Takuma chuckled, nodding in understanding. It seemed Kaname knew Zero better than any of them thought. "Are you really serious about him, Kaname?" He asked instead. At this, all of his companions' attention turned to him. They'd never really heard him say his feelings. They just read it from his actions toward Zero.

Kaname exhaled deeply before he looked at Takuma in the eyes. "What made you think I wasn't?" The seriousness in his voice was so prevalent no one would dare question him about that subject again.

Takuma blinked in surprise at the sudden question but nevertheless managed to put on a smile. "I never thought you weren't. I just wanted to confirm my suspicion."

Kaname looked in front again before he closed his eyes. "My feelings for him are sincere." He voiced coolly before he opened his eyes again at the sound of the other students clapping.

The curtain slowly opened from the middle and appeared what seemed to be some kind of forest setting with a little garden in the middle. The scene seemed so real that one would even hear the chirping of birds. It was so amusing to think that mere students were capable of making these grand backgrounds.

"Ah, it's Yuuki-chan." Takuma voiced as they all saw the girl came out from the backstage wearing a white apron on top of a blue dress. She was holding a book in one hand and a cat in the other, humming to herself as she settled under the shade of one tree. There, she continued to read the book while sitting contentedly together with her cat.

"Ooh! I'm late, I'm late!" Yuzuru suddenly came rushing from one side of the stage to the other while repeating the same words.

"So Takahashi is the White Rabbit?" Aido mumbled as they all watched the scene unfold before them. Yuuki immediately set down her book and followed the white rabbit into the hole. After that, the curtain closed. When it opened next, the scene was already the room where Alice fell from.

"I want to be Alice too." Rima mumbled while eating her pocky, eyes fixed on the scene before her. Ruka patted her head in understanding.

Alice's journey in Wonderland continued and the Night class watched in amazement how the students were able to twist the story in such a way as to apply their own personalities into it. Kaname even thought that some students were doing an add-leave in some situations. He felt his eyebrow twitch at the fact that the white rabbit has even managed to flirt with Alice when he's supposed to be in a hurry. And he also couldn't believe that Cheshire Kaori was a very nice cat, though still a joker. But the person that he was waiting for the most still hasn't shown up. And he's starting to be really disappointed.

He saw Mad Hatter and Door Mouse. Even that girl who once confessed to Zero was there. And yet, Zero was nowhere to be found. Was that actually the reason why Zero didn't want him to come? Was it because the teen was excluded from the play? But he also knew that Zero wasn't the selfish type of person so he was sure Zero had to be in there somewhere, especially since he could feel the hunter's presence on the stage.

The Queen entered with her head held high as she walked passed the bowing servants. Even Alice bowed together with white rabbit. Far from the ugly sight the fairy tale usually showed as the Queen, however, this particular play's Queen was rather… stunningly beautiful. Kaname stared at her for a moment longer before he decided that this person was kind of… really, really gorgeous.

Alice stammered in her sentence as she tried to explain why the roses were painted red. The servants were painting the wall red and she kind of volunteered to help them. But she was naturally careless and ended up ruining the once beautiful garden with red paints everywhere, especially on the flowers.

"Is that… Kiryuu?" Aido voiced unsurely as he eyed one particular character on the stage.

The Queen's eyes narrowed at the sight of the red roses and with a voice booming with authority and anger, she shouted. "Off with her head!" And her voice clearly belonged to a male.

Kaname's eyes widened in realization. Zero… He stared at the obviously female, though with a male voice, in front of him. Her silver hair was long, down to her waist and her face was so feminine. Or maybe it was because of the makeup..? But he'd recognize that voice anywhere, even if the person himself looked nothing like his usual Zero.

"Zero-kun is so beautiful." Takuma chuckled beside him and he couldn't help but agree. Or rather, he'd strangle anyone who dared say otherwise. Shiki, on the other hand, couldn't help but scowl before he glared at his lover. He knew Zero was beautiful. But for Takuma to voice that out loud was kind of… annoying.

"But my dearest Queen…" The King smiled at Zero seductively before he plucked out one of the red roses. "This color suits you as well." He brushed his Queen's hair off of his face before he put the flower on her ear.

Kaname glared at the King when he saw Zero's character blush at the compliment of her husband. He remembered doing the same thing to Zero a long time ago, but the rose he gave the other male was blue. It suited Zero best.

More annoyed than glad, Kaname was now emitting dark aura around him as he watched the play come to an end. Alice was saved in the end because the King has managed to convince his wife that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, no matter how the flowers in her garden looked like. By the end of everything, Kaname was already tapping his fingers on his seat impatiently.

Kain could only sigh at their leader's immediate change of mood. He was always like that lately, especially when it concerned Zero. Maybe it was because of the fact that Kaname's love was unrequited that he was like that… Aido, on the other hand, was half pouting and half scowling. His mood was the same as Kaname's. How could Zero wear a girly dress like that and appear in front of everyone without any shame? His Kaname-sama should be the only person in the world allowed to see Zero like that! And yet, Zero kept on flirting with everyone! He really needed to do something. Or else, his Kaname-sama's heart would be broken into pieces.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Zero ascended the flight of stairs and went outside the door, onto the rooftop. He saw the brunette standing just beside the fence. He closed his eyes as he willed himself to stop picturing himself biting Kaname. He gulped as he bit his lower lip, lest he wanted to succumb to his urges.

He was surprised to sense Kaname's aura sulking, effectively making his thirst a second priority. Now what..? The pureblood had his back on the hunter though Zero knew that Kaname already knew he was there even before he ascended the last flight of stair. The teen scowled at the awkwardness of the situation and decided to just clear his throat. "Kuran, do you still want to tour the booths?" His voice came out almost as a mere whisper, but he was sure the brunette heard it nevertheless.

He noticed Kaname's grip on the fence tighten before the latter sighed and turned around. "No, I don't think I want to tour the booths anymore." He smiled at Zero coolly. The hunter averted his gaze as he felt a sharp pang inside his chest. He felt… disappointed..?

"Oh." He shifted his weight on his other feet before he looked at Kaname again. "Then I guess I should be going–."

"I want to stay here." Kaname said as his smile turned gentler. "Will you stay here with me for a while to make sure I don't do anything suspicious, Prefect-san?" Zero stared at him with wide eyes as he gulped. The hunter then realized that the painful constriction inside his chest had eased somehow. And now he realized his moods were also starting to be affected by Kaname… That's not looking good for him…

"What's the point of staying here?" Zero asked curiously as he walked nearer the pureblood. When he got near, he also gripped the fence with one hand and looked down. The students were still busy in their booths since it was only mid-afternoon.

Instead of answering, however, Kaname opened another topic without any subtlety. "I watched your role play." Zero bit his lower lip as he stiffened. He already knew that Kaname and the others watched the play since he felt them all in the gymnasium earlier. He just couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Zero looked at him sideways and saw that Kaname wore that sad expression again. "Kuran, I…" He sighed. "I'm sorry." For what, he didn't know. He just felt that he's the one responsible for Kaname's sadness. And he didn't want that.

The brunette chuckled before looking at Zero in confusion. "For what?" Zero shrugged, indicating he himself didn't know. "Zero…" Kaname hesitated at first, but he still touched the hunter's cheek, earning him a look of surprise from the hunter. "You were really beautiful earlier." He smiled as he continued to brush his fingers on Zero's skin with deliberate attentiveness. He was glad Zero didn't try to push him away or step away himself. "But I like the 'you' now infinitely more."

Zero furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he stared at chocolate charming orbs swimming with unmistakable sadness. "What's with you all of a sudden?"

"Nothing." Kaname cupped Zero's face tighter. "I just… missed you I guess." He stepped closer and leaned in before he tilted his head slightly. Zero made a startled sound but it died quickly when his lips met Kaname's.

The pureblood moaned at the contact. Zero was so surprised he could only stare at Kaname's closed eyes while he felt the hungry and needy lips that covered his own. The kiss was full of unrestrained and pent up emotions, the hunger and deep longing evident in his actions. Kaname was trying to be gentle. Zero was sure of that. But he was also sure that the brunette was already losing his control. Both the pureblood's hands were cupping each side of Zero's face while he kissed the teen longingly, his body squeezing Zero in between him and the fence.

The hands cupping Zero's face combed the hunter's silky silver hair and pulled his head closer and the teen couldn't help but groan. It wasn't the usual cool and calculative Kaname that he knew and it was confusing him a lot. But that confusion was just the tip of the iceberg since he never knew the pureblood's feelings for him were this deep. He didn't know Kaname wanted him this much… He felt touched and at the same time embarrassed. Zero recovered a little bit too late and gasped, trying to pry Kaname off of him. He was starting to need the air quite badly and Kaname wasn't indicating that he'd stop any time soon. The hunter almost blacked out from the lack of oxygen. But fortunately, Kaname already pulled away slightly, allowing the hunter to breath but not allowing him to speak, before he captured Zero's lips again.

By the time their second kiss finished, Zero was already trembling and panting, blushing madly up to the tips of his ears, and lips swollen and quivering. He was gripping the fence with one hand while his other hand was clutching tightly on Kaname's uniform. And right now, he couldn't look at the pureblood in the eyes so his gaze stayed fixed on the floor. Officially, his first kiss was already stolen by this very man – the one with Aido didn't count since it was a foul – though Kaname said that the one last time wasn't considered a kiss. And that other kiss with Kaname while he was asleep already ended after he woke up. But this one, it couldn't be called anything other than a kiss. And if that's the case, that one earlier was considered to be his official first kiss! And it was stolen by this man again!

"Zero…" Kaname finally managed to regain his sanity and took a good look at the hunter. And what he saw immediately broke him. Zero was panting and trembling uncontrollably. Obviously, he didn't enjoy it. "Zero, I'm sorry. I lost control… I'm really… sorry…" He bit his lower lip hard enough to bleed because of frustration and apologized some more.

Zero, on the other hand, could hear the apologies. He could hear them all, but he couldn't react. He was frozen in his place, with only the tingling sensation on his lips as reminder of their past activity. He didn't know what to feel right now. He wanted so much to get angry at Kaname for doing that. He wanted to shout and curse the brunette. But he knew he couldn't. Not when he could hear the pureblood apologizing so brokenly like this. Not when he himself knew he didn't struggle that much either… He was about to speak his mind when the unmistakable scent of Kaname's blood pleasured his senses.

"Kuran…" Zero voiced quietly, making the brunette stop his continuous apologies. "I'm…"

Kaname didn't know what happened at first but then he recognized the immediate bloodlust in the air. "Zero…" He looked down just as two glowing crimson orbs looked up at him. He smiled warmly before he started unbuttoning his uniform.

Zero, on the other hand, only kept his steady gaze on the flowing crimson liquid from the corner of the pureblood's mouth. He gulped before he circled his arms around Kaname's neck, much to the brunette's surprise, and pulled him close. He licked Kaname's lips tentatively, which earned him a delightful shiver from the pureblood, before he started nibbling the brunette's lower lip. Kaname helped him by biting his own lip to produce more blood while Zero continued to suck on it. He left Kaname's mouth after a while and traced his way down his favorite neck, leaving a trail of shallow cut on the pureblood's skin courtesy of his aroused fangs.

Kaname tilted his head to the side to make more room for Zero while the latter started licking and sucking on the skin, pleasuring the older male so that his blood would taste even more delicious. The brunette hugged the hunter closer and inhaled the scent of the teen's hair before kissing it lovingly. He stopped moving and groaned in delight when he felt Zero's fangs slowly and gently sinking in his skin. To say that it aroused him was an understatement. He wouldn't even be surprised if there was already a huge bulge in his pants right now.

The sound of thick luscious blood rushing into his mouth every time he sucked on Kaname's neck lulled Zero and calmed him down a lot. He felt contented and happy. So blood does taste infinitely best when the owner is high in pleasure… He pulled Kaname closer to him, effectively making the really small distance between them disappear completely. Somehow, he could taste Kaname's affection and love through his blood… It amazed him how the brunette's blood turned sweeter and sweeter every time he took it. Meaning, he was becoming more and more addicted to it…

"Zero…" Kaname sighed as Zero finished drinking. "I… love you."

That statement somehow turned Zero off-balance and woke him up from the trance that he was in. His eyes widened when he realized his arms had circled the pureblood's neck so tightly so that there would be no room for Kaname to move. He immediately blushed up to the tips of his ears and let go of the pureblood, earning him a quiet chuckle from Kaname. "D-Don't say things like that so suddenly!" He averted his eyes as he scowled deeply, unable to do anything else but that.

"You don't need to feel so awkward with me, Zero." Kaname said as he cupped the hunter's face again and made him look up at the brunette. He could feel his heart flutter at the sight of Zero's pink ears, not to mention his pink cheeks. He used his both hands to cup both of the hunter's cheeks and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"I-I don't… know what to say…" Zero tried his best to avoid Kaname's gaze but it was to no avail since the brunette was practically not letting him move his head even for just a bit. After a while of trying to turn his embarrassment into courage, with little success, he actually managed to gaze at the pureblood directly. He needed to say everything now… "Kuran, I… I'm sorry if I always… hurt your feelings. I didn't mean to do that." He was clenching and unclenching his fists in nervousness as he said those words. And yet, and yet, the annoying pureblood had no reaction whatsoever! "What's with him, only blinking at me like he didn't know what I was saying?" He added in his mind as Kaname only continued to stare at him in confusion.

"Zero… why do you think you're always hurting me?" Kaname was almost amazed at the fact that the hunter was so perceptive. He wasn't that proud of displaying his pained expression so he always made a way to hide it pretty well. He didn't want Zero to find out that he's getting hurt because it was only normal for a person in love to get hurt anyway. And since it was unrequited, he was sure that that's the only way it could end up for him – getting hurt and rejected would be normal. But for Zero to notice such things…

Zero was really kind.

"Kuran, I don't like it that you're hurting because of me." Zero took the pureblood's hands from his face so he could move his head a bit. But he didn't let go of the brunette's hands. Instead, he grasped them tightly as he spoke. He knew he might be giving mixed signals to Kaname by being like this, but he knew he couldn't take looking at Kaname's pained expression or his sad chocolate eyes.

Kaname could see the confusion, pain, and guilt swimming in those amethyst orbs and he had to sigh because really, Zero was just too kind for his own good. Who would feel guilty for someone they don't love? "Zero, I know this might not be the time… But can I ask you something?"

Zero looked up and looked at Kaname's composed expression. He smiled a tad before he nodded. And yet, the moment he heard the question, he wished he shook his head instead. "What do you… exactly feel about me?"

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.tbc.

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Ren-sama's Note:

OMG. That's all I can say about that question. You rock, Kaname~!

Now, how about some review~? ᶺoᶺ