Zero watched White Lily happily munching her carrots. He stroked her head for the last time and murmured. "I have to go now."
As soon as he said that, the white horse looked up and rubbed her nose into his neck that made him flinch. White Lily noticed it and paused, neighing in worry that she must have hurt him.
"No, it's okay. I was just surprised." He pat her again and guided her face back to her carrots. Then he exited the stable, one hand rubbing the side of his neck.
His neck feels really sensitive. It only started two weeks ago. The tingling sensation under his skin makes it very itchy and at times- hot. And he's not talking about the side where the witch bit him.
He paused. This must be a sign that the transformation is coming.
He clenched his fists. Stop. He's not going to think about that. At least not today. Not on the first day of school. Not on the day the night class starts their pretend schooling. He has to focus and do his job well. He's the only one who's sane and levelheaded around here now. Cross and Yuuki are both enamoured by that egoistic pureblood and his gang of bloodsuckers. Lives are at stake here.
Zero has seen them. He's observed them since they came two weeks ago. The old staff building was turned into a dormitory for them. The headmaster said it was only temporary because he's constructing a bigger one for them. The old blond is too far gone.
Squeaking and susurrations made Zero turn to look at where it's coming from and to see what had caused it. He followed the whispering voices and it turns out there are a couple of day class students gathered outside the old staff building.
"Hey! What are you all still doing out here? Classes are about to start." Zero started but when the girls saw him, they all gasped and ran towards him, giggling like some magical hands are tickling their soles.
"Kiryuu-kun! Tell us, we have new students today don't we?"
"Which classes are they attending?"
"What are their names?"
"Where are they from?"
"Why are their uniforms different in color?"
Zero rolled his eyes on the first few questions but the last one enraged him. It only means that the night class went out prancing around the campus so early in the morning, most likely teasing the day class students and was indeed very successful.
"Go to your classes now or I'll list down your names and submit it to the headmaster for detention." He threatened them.
The girls began throwing him sharp glances and cutting stares.
"You're so selfish Kiryuu-kun."
"Right! Just because he's the headmaster's adoptive son and he knows everything he's treating us like this!"
That is it. "I wasn't adopted! And go to your classes now or you'll regret it!" He threatened them once again, showing them his pissed off look. That did it though. Hell, he's thoroughly pissed at having to deal with this so early in the morning.
"So condescending!" Said one for the last time.
"What?" He yelled and the girls started running away.
He can't do this after all. He'd rather be sent on a mission. He'd choose dealing with Level Es anytime. "Agh!" There goes that burning sensation on his neck again.
Takuma gritted his teeth. Despite the distance, their vampire hearing allowed them to hear the conversation- or rather confrontation between the silver-haired prefect and the day class girls.
Earlier the fool Aidou was trying on the uniform that just came last night. He sighed, already feeling tired even when his job as the vice president of the night class has just begun.
"Takuma." Called the pureblood who's now standing by the window. Eyes still looking out the window.
He stood immediately, all the while thinking of what kind of punishment is appropriate for the foolish noble. "Yes, Kaname." Takuma answered. He only usually uses the honorific -sama for when the other vampires are around and omits it when they're alone. He wanted to lead everyone on how to show respect to the pureblood. But before all that, they are childhood friends and the pureblood doesn't mind the honorifics with him.
"Still no update on my inquiry?" He heard the pureblood ask. Takuma squinted as he tried to remember which inquiry he was referring to because all the communication letters and messages he received yesterday for the council member was already turned over last night.
"Which-"
"From Dr. Akiyama." Kaname finally turned to him and Takuma gasped at the sight of the pureblood's glowing red-blood eyes.
"N-no, not yet." Takuma walked towards the brunet. His eyes watched as Kaname tried to blink the crimson evidence of thirst in his eyes but failed to do so. Takuma finally remembered the letter for the Vampire Council's head medical specialist who is also a hematologist. It seems to him that the pureblood's condition has gotten worse. Personally, he's bothered, and if he could be blunt with the brunet right now; he's outraged. The thought of a pureblood with Kuran Kaname's caliber being so affected by the blood and scent of a soon-to-be-Level-E and a hunter on top of that- is so outrageous. It is offensive when even the nobles would be honored to give their blood to a pureblood.
"I see." Kaname uttered, glancing through the window really quick and then pulling the curtain close. "I'll just be in my room and I do not wish to be disturbed." The pureblood moved to get past him when he decided to step in front of him.
"I would like to offer my blood to alleviate your thirst." Takuma raised his arm to indicate that he wants the pureblood to bite on his wrist, his eyes trained on the carpet.
Pain raced down the blond noble's arm when Kaname swatted his hand away.
"Raise your head, Takuma." Kaname ordered and based on his cold and threatening voice alone, he knows what to expect.
Angry crimson met green eyes and Takuma had unconsciously gulped in fright. Takuma couldn't look away. Kaname's eyes weren't just glowing blood-red but also it looked-
"Do not mistake this for thirst. I know what it feels like and this isn't that." To the noble's surprise, though Kaname was seething, he looked bewildered. He'd never seen the pureblood look like this before. He looked so lost like he truly doesn't understand what's happening to him and Takuma finally understood that his offer wasn't the solution. Kaname is very prideful and for Takuma to make the pureblood realize that he's seen weakness from him is no good.
"I apologize. I will make a call to the medical department right a-"
"Tonight, you will make sure that the night class stays inside the dorm after the class." Bright red eyes finally stopped glowing and as it start to dissipate from Kaname's eyes, Takuma saw something so familiar in those red-brown orbs. It disappeared just as fast as it appeared.
"What do you plan to do, Kaname?" He asked. Takuma knows that the pureblood is up to something and he usually tells him his plans.
"Just do what I say." The pureblood said, turning his back from him.
Takuma heard the door open and close followed by the clicking sound of the lock being turned. It didn't distract him and continued speaking. Besides, even without looking, he'll recognize the sound of those footsteps and that breathing pattern anywhere.
"The parcel is already on its way." Said Dr. Akiyama's secretary. Hearing that made Takuma release the tension inside him.
"If you don't mind me asking, how is it different from the normal ones?" He asked as he felt his side of the bed sink and warm skin lightly brushed his arm.
"It's four to six times more potent than the previous pill. Please make sure it doesn't get mixed with the other ones, it's not advisable for nobles and below as it may cause hot flashes and dyspnea or shortness of breath that could last for one to two days."
Hearing that made Takuma realize the gravity of the situation. He put the phone back on the cradle and as soon as he did, he felt arms wrap around his middle and his back was pressed on a really warm body.
"Ne, are you sleepy now?" He asked and turned to properly return the embrace. He buried his face in soft mahogany hair as its owner buries his own in Takuma's chest. "It's past your sleeping time, where have you been?" He ran his hands up and down the other noble's back just the way he likes it.
"Where have you been?" Senri murmured, his words muffled by the blond's clothes.
Smiling at the connotation of the question, he guided the young noble in the middle of the bed allowing himself to lay next to him. "Vice-president duties."
Senri's face moved up to the noble's neck and the feel of warm breath and soft moist lips made Takuma close his eyes. "Kaname is not a child. He's too old to be smothered by Takumama."
To others, Senri-Shiki-joking is synonymous to the word never. But Takuma isn't one of those others. He takes pride in being the only one who the younger noble trusts enough to show his other sides.
He laughed like he never did in the past few weeks since they arrived at the academy. After he recovered from the fit of laughter he got himself into, he found red bright glowing eyes watching him. His laughter immediately died down as he suddenly felt the boy's weight on top of him. Takuma gasped when he felt him lazily rub his hard length on his own. "That wasn't a joke." The younger noble said, his warm enticing breath fanning the blond's face. "Stop smothering him."
A sly smile made its way on Takuma's lips and in one swift movement he had the boy under him. "I don't smother him." He clarified, moving to position himself properly in between Senri's legs. "Because this is how I smother-" His head dipped and claimed the boy's ready lips. Their mouths melded like they should always be, tongues working their way to each other, hands busy caressing and unzipping each others' clothes.
"You better not..." Senri uttered breathlessly in between kisses and helping the older noble undress.
Takuma groaned so loud even in his own ears when he felt Senri's hand wrap around his now aching stalk. He kissed him again, his tongue plunges inside his mouth. Senri's hand tightened on his hardness and the other on his hair, their mouths hot against each other. Something like fire ignited in between their connected parts consuming them whole on the inside.
But it seemed like Senri's got other plans and Takuma almost cursed when he was pushed away and had to end the kiss prematurely, only to be surprised by the intensity of desire he saw on the boy's eyes. It was something he's only ever seen in Senri's eyes especially when they are both alone and in the heat of the moment. His usual blue-gray orbs have turned into dark silver that's beautifully gleaming in the dimness of their room and they are trained on his face. The eyes filled with desire. Desire for him.
And that's when it hit him.
'Do not mistake this for thirst.'
"No way." He whispered but what followed that was a scream of pain when Senri bit him none too gently.
"That's your side and this is my side." Yuuki pointed in front of her where girls started to gather. They're all outside the school's old staff building. He called Yuuki to come with him when he noticed some of the girls were running there again.
"They didn't attend any classes today, are they perhaps going to be in the night class?" Asked one of the girls from the class next to them who was wearing glass.
"Yes they are night class students. But please don't mob them when they get out. They're also students like us and-" Yuuki started pleading the girls on her side when another cut her off.
"We're not going to do anything! We're just here to see them!"
"Don't be so greedy Yuuki!"
"Yeah! Don't hog them for yourself!" Said one from Zero's side.
The girls on the other side gasped when they met Zero's murderous glare. He couldn't help it. He's not in the mood. His neck is really bothering him. It's just too sensitive even from the touch of his collar and hair. At times it tingles and he'd scratch it until he's satisfied but then by lunch he realized after a trip to the toilets that his repeated scratching caused an abrasion on his neck making it look so red and a little swollen.
Now he still has to deal with these curious girls who doesn't know what they're getting themselves into by attempting to get close to the creatures capable of killing them in a matter of seconds.
Zero used the edge of his shoe to draw a line on the ground.
"What are you doing, Kiryuu-kun?" Asked one of the girls.
"Drawing your self-control for you." He answered, . "See, there's always a line to remind girls like yourselves that there's a limit to your obsessive enthusiasm."
The girls started glaring at him and he's somehow feeling more irritated that he has to go this far.
"See, there's always a reason why you've never had a girlfriend Zero-kun." Answered the girl from Yuuki's side. Everyone laughed. When Zero turned he saw Yuuki's face turning red as she tries to stop herself from laughing.
I'd rather be alone. He almost said that when he heard the door opening.
"Stay in your line or all of you will get detention!" He yelled.
They did somehow try to stay put, but only the ones on his side. When the door revealed the entire night class, the noise, the pushing and pulling made Zero so frustrated.
"Kyaaa!"
"So handsooooome!"
"Waaah she's so pretty!"
"Look at me!"
One of the night class students, a blue-eyed blond started strutting around shaking every girl's outstretched hands.
"Hello everyone! It's nice to meet all of you beautiful ladies. My name is Hanabusa Aido... But you can call me, Idol." Screams were even louder. Of course, every deck of cards has that one Joker.
Zero let all the ugly sound around him become white noise as he focused on looking at the individual bloodsucker's faces. He needs to familiarize their faces and aura. Some never spared him a glance, some glowered at him and gave him such disgusted and threatening look. They mush have sensed his aura.
But out of all the glares he got, one gave him the most unexpected thing. A smile. It came from a tall blond boy with bright green eyes. Still he turned to make sure he's really smiling at him or at the girls behind him who suddenly screamed pretty loudly. After making sure it really was for him, he looked away. When he did, his eyes found a pair of red-brown eyes that reminded him of his mother's favorite jewelry adorned with red spinel gemstones under the light.
Shit. I really can't sense him anymore.
He didn't look away. Looking away is a sign of fear and he's never going to give the pureblood the pleasure of seeing him squirm and discomfited under his arrogant gaze.
But his neck suddenly started to burn. It made him flinch that he has to look away but managed to make it look like he's just turning to the girls behind him and reminding them about the line he drew earlier.
He remained with his back on the students as they all pass.
"How rude." Whispered someone Zero couldn't tell who but can easily tell that it's coming from one of the night class.
"To not bow and have his back on Kaname-sama is a disrespect."
"But what do we expect, he's one of those ill-bred hunters."
That was it, the annoying neck forgotten, Zero turned back and was determined to show them how unrefined he really is when he heard gasps and shrieks followed by Yuuki groaning in pain.
When he looked straight, he found the brunette on the ground most likely was pushed forward by the raging girls behind her. He took a step to cross the distance and help her up when he saw a blurry brown which he realized was hair similar to Yuuki's. It was the pureblood's head he saw dipping to offer Yuuki a hand and assisted her up.
Right. Zero remembered it's not only the day class who are smitten with the bloodsuckers. Here is Yuuki, eyes all twinkly as she looks at Kuran Kaname and her face red as an overripe tomato, who immediately accepted the hand and held onto it until she's on her feet.
He saw her mouth move while a smile was still stretching it and Zero knew they were speaking to each other but he couldn't hear through all the whispering and gasping all around him so he gave up.
"Come on, night class! I don't wanna be here all night, so hurry on to your classes." He reminded. He couldn't stand another minute around their irritating auras if he can't kill them.
The Joker brought his attention on him and was about to attack him when the other taller blond, the green-eyed one, held his arm and whispered something to his ear and the Joker reluctantly started walking forward as are the others.
It was already midnight when Zero decided it's time for him to retire for the night. He's so exhausted mentally, physically and psychologically.
He's feeling so many things and hopes that sleep will give him the calm that he needs.
The night class has returned to their dorms an hour ago and he decided to patrol the entire school to make sure no one from the day class tried to sneak out and that no one from the night class tried to make any funny business.
He removed his jacket as soon as he closed his room's door and put his gun on the table along with his books then headed straight to sit on the bed to remove his shoes.
Zero paused when he felt the air in the room seemed too cold than usual. But before he was even able to complete his turn to check on the window, he heard it close and the air seemed to get really heavy as his eyes settled on the dark figure on the other side of his bed.
His neck started to itch once again and along with it, his heartbeat just went crazy.
A/N: This chapter gave me a little bit of a hard time. I guess because even if I know where my story should go, I feel like I shouldn't jump into the next big thing too quickly without building up something. I dunno haha also thanks for the comments and for reading. I hope you also like Takuma/Senri. :)