Kaname's lips on him moved agonizingly slowly, pressing, pulling, and tugging to make him open his mouth again. His long beautiful fingers were gently cupping and guiding his face for a better angle. Their breath mingles and it makes Zero feel lightheaded. The brunet's hand on his back supported him well from either backing away or falling off his hold on him because his knees are starting to go weak.

The pureblood didn't seem to mind much that he wouldn't open his mouth and got himself busy peppering his lips with wet open-mouthed kisses that ran up and down, back and forth his jaw and chin. The way he breathes him in was so loud and the satisfying moan that comes after it each time does weird things in Zero's insides.

He smells so good but Zero would rather starve than admit it to the pureblood. But the more he allows him to go on, the weaker his resolve becomes. His hands-on Kaname's chest have now started to crumple his uniform in the middle of keeping their bodies from fully being pressed on each other and holding on to him at the same time.

Fuck…

Zero finally decided to let himself feed on the pleasure that's coming from Kuran Kaname's smell, warmth, taste, and the feel of his skin against his that are all overwhelming his senses, overloading them with delight that his body has learned to crave. He somehow eventually realized what Kaname means whenever he says 'everything about you entices me' and when he says he's thirsty but not for his blood.

He snaked his arms over his nape and welcomed him in. His tongue met the pureblood's own eager one and let it sink into his mouth and when a moan came out, Zero wasn't so sure anymore if it was Kaname's or his.

Good. So good.

Actually, good is an understatement. Zero felt something in him was getting full, with each long deep kiss they explored each other as Zero learned to sink himself into Kaname's inviting mouth.

"Oh fuck!" Now that expletive didn't come from Zero. This is honestly the first time he's heard the pureblood curse. His hot mouth came onto him again and kissed him deep and the deeper he went, the more pronounced this little pain in his lower region is becoming. Then Kaname's tongue traced a delicious line down his throat while his other hand kneaded and traveled lower and lower before they settled on one of his ass cheeks.

Just like that he was pressed hard against Kaname's body, every inch of his body hummed in satisfaction when Kaname started moving in a delicious way, rubbing against him. Unfamiliar longing emerged from inside Zero's body, that while he's feeling so full right now, he continues to want more… and isn't quite sure what that more means. His chest tightened before his heartbeat quickened, and his breath hitched when Kaname nipped and sucked at a sensitive spot just under his collarbone.

It's too much.

He's feeling it. Something is happening to him. Zero felt suddenly scared. Any moment he feels like his body is going to blow up or something and his shaking right now is an indication. His insides are rioting and even though he doesn't know how it feels to have a heart attack of some sort, he feels like that was what's happening to him.

"Stop." That came out of Zero's mouth, but the moment it sank in, a small part of him opposed it. He quickly shut it down and fought hard to keep control.

He pushed the pureblood who surprisingly easily acknowledged Zero's resistance. Kaname let go of him and Zero would have believed it was because he was cajoled by him until they heard the sound of the wooden door being pushed open.

"Kaname-sama, you're here!" Yuuki's surprised voice was like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over Zero that managed to cool his burning body.

Zero saw the brunet's lips smile at Yuuki and felt his face heat up once again when he remembered that those same lips were kissing him seconds ago. He balled his fist and felt really embarrassed. He was facing the pureblood's direction and his back was on Yuuki so he took a nice long breath first before he turned to her.

"Yes. I'm just here to ask Zero about something." Kaname smoothly said, walked towards Yuuki, and reached for her head to pat it gently.

Yuuki looking like a puppy wagging her invisible tail looked so pleased that she even leaned further to encourage it. "Oh, I see." She responded looking so out of it again, like always whenever Kaname is around.

The fond look on Kaname's eyes towards Yuuki wasn't new, and Zero has witnessed it several times. He always turns to look away, because he couldn't stand watching a human, looking so unguarded around a vampire.

But now he couldn't take his eyes off them. Off of Kaname. It feels weird and it's making him frustrated. He suddenly felt privy to the pureblood's treatment towards others and himself.

"I'm going to class now. Don't be a stranger, Yuuki. Let's have tea soon, okay?" Kaname said.

Yuuki nodded. "Okay. See you then!"

For a moment before the pureblood took another step out of the stables, he turned to Zero and gave him a little nod. His face impassive, gone was the intense warm glow his eyes had for him earlier and Zero felt a little tug in his heart at the difference between how he treated him just now compared to Yuuki.

Of course, Yuuki and Kaname go way back. They are closer. He was Yuuki's savior and he is special to her the way she is to him, while he and Kaname showed each other contempt from the beginning.

That somehow left a bad taste in Zero's mouth. So much has happened between him and Kaname. They started off on a bad note and now they are like this. Zero scoffed then shook his head. Distraction. He needs a distraction. He needs it fast.

So he moved to pull some more hay and carrots from the storage and replaced White Lily's water, making himself busy.

After most likely following Kaname's back until he disappeared from her sight, Yuuki turned to Zero to state her reasons for coming. "So, did you agree?"

Zero's hand paused in the air when he was about to start petting Lily while she happily munches on her food. "With what?"

Yuuki tilted her head, trying to understand Zero's response. "With moving to the Night Class.. wasn't that what Kaname-sama was here for?"

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The door of the headmaster's office opened and slammed on the wall so hard and loud that it literally made Kaien Cross jump from his seat on his desk. At the intensity, the wooded sign that says Headmaster's Office fell and Zero couldn't care less about it as he stormed inside with heavy steps and faced his guardian with the furiousness of a raging wild animal.

"My son… wha- are you okay? Why-" Kaien started talking but was cut when Yuuki appeared by the door, out of breath after running so hard and trying to catch up with Zero. "What happened?"

"Yuuki said that she heard you and Ichijo Takuma talking about transferring me to the Night Class." Zero said, fuming.

Kaien looked at Yuuki whose eyes widened at that, "Ah, uhm.. I was just passing by and the door… the door was a little open so uh.. I overheard your conversation... " She explained so defensively, raising her hands and moving them around as she spoke. "I didn't hear everything!" She appeased the headmaster. "J-just the part about Z-Zero-kun and moving to the N-Night Class." Her voice was getting smaller and smaller.

When Zero turned to Kaien Cross after listening to Yuuki defend herself, the ex-hunter took a deep breath.

"Calm down, okay? I didn't agree to it yet. It was just a suggestion." Kaien started explaining and Zero knew instantly who made that suggestion. "I told Ichijo that I would let you decide-"

"No, I won't! End of discussion." Zero moved to leave..

"Zero-kun, think about it. It might be for the best." Kaien said.

"For the best? You know I'm no longer a threat to the Day Class… so, what for ?" He's getting angry now.

"Zero… Kaname-sa-" Kaien started pleading.

"Fuck him!" Zero yelled and he felt Yuuki flinch beside him but he was too infuriated. "So he saved me once and now he thinks he can control my life? He thinks he owns me just like Yuuki?"

Before Kaien was able to answer, Yuuki stepped in between them. "Kaname-sama was the one who saved you?" She even sounded really happy. "That's great!" She clasped her hands looking like she just got her prayers answered.

"No, it's not," Zero said and then looked at Kaien again. "I'm not one of them. I will not become one of them." This time, Zero lowered his voice.

"If that is your decision, I will support you." Kaien firmly declared and Zero instantly regretted losing his temper in front of his guardian. His prior words - I didn't agree to it yet...I told Ichijo that I would let you decide..- only sank in now.

He nodded, "I'm sorry for yelling." He lowered his eyes in shame and felt the headmaster reach to pat him on his shoulder.

"I will let him know," Kaien said.

Zero's eyes caught yet another familiar envelope on the headmaster's desk. He immediately reached for it to find his name at the back.

"That's mine." He stated the obvious, then looked up at the blond in the eyes.

Kaien shook his head and looked at Yuuki, "Dear, could you please give me and Zero-kun a moment?" He asked her, to which Yuuki gave him a pout.

"Why do you always keep things from me? Why am I always the last to know?" She mumbled as she headed for the door anyway.

The moment the door closed, Zero immediately said, "Do you plan to give my missions to his minions from now on? You know that's against the rules."

"The other ones never made it to me. Only this one. Contrary to what you think, I don't know as much as you think I know." Kaien explained, motioned for him to sit on the chair. "Let me tell you what I know, and then fill me in on what I don't ."

Zero sat on the chair, absent-mindedly reaching for the letter and opening it as the headmaster started talking.

"At this point, all I know is that Kaname-sama wants you safe and close. The bond created by the blood pact between a pureblood and an ex-human hunter is still unexplored and unheard of. You both are still discovering what this bond does and clearly, you both need to compromise." He went on and on about how Zero and Kaname are currently playing something like a tug of war where both are currently pulling and pushing each other trying to dominate one another. Zero on the other hand has finally finished reading the letter and noted his mission for tomorrow, which isn't to hunt a Level E but to investigate a case.

They're all exploring uncharted territory and have to figure things out as they go. It's not exactly settling but it's good to know that everyone's on the same page.

"Help each other out and try to go easy on each other. He's no longer an enemy now." Kaien continued, voice beseeching. "And I know you won't agree but somehow I think this setup is for the best."

Zero gave his guardian a piercing look of dissension. He opened his mouth to verbalize it but was stopped.

"Now, it might not be that much advantageous for Kaname-sama, but it helped keep you from turning into an E and also keep you from accidentally hurting others when you thirst."

That made Zero shut up. Looking at it from an outsider's point of view, it truly seemed like it's less beneficial for the pureblood.

"You're here, with us.. and sorry for sounding so selfish but that's honestly all that matters to me," Kaien uttered then shrugged.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Case investigations usually take days, weeks, or months even, unlike hunting which is done as quickly as possible to prevent more victims.

It's actually quite boring. He just needs to ask around, observe and make a report, come back after a few days or a week, ask around, observe and then make a report. He's lucky if it leads him to something that involves killing Level Es.

It's a missing person's case. A young girl who was last seen leaving for school. Now this could possibly have nothing to do with vampires and all that, but that's what the investigation is all about, to find proof that she was not kidnapped by some demented pureblood or have fallen victim by some Es.

It has been five days since she was last seen, Erika Mori seemed like a model student. Just a couple of years older than Zero as she's already a university student. Nothing seemed off, which makes it all the more suspicious.

Zero came home that night tired from walking around. The city was too noisy and crowded, the environment was more draining than the actual work.

Since it was a Friday and there weren't any classes the next day and most students went home, there was no need for Zero to patrol but just to make sure, he decided to go one round then straight to bed.

As expected, it was all clear so he went directly to his room in Cross's house since it's the weekend.

His body hummed in the comforting feeling of warm water cascading through his body and the steam filling the small shower space. It soothed his tired muscles and nerves. After coming out of the bathroom and changing into his sleepwear, he turned to get on his ever inviting bed when he saw a pair of red glowing orbs on the corner of his dark room that is only illuminated by the faint moonlight through the open window.

He was surprised and all but not as much as he used to, knowing who it is in his room right now, sitting so comfortably on the only chair next to his study table.

"You smell so good." The pureblood said. With the first two words, his voice was far enough but by the last one, he was already right next to him, nosing him by the side of his neck.

Zero could also smell Kaname and he smelled so clean and good as well.

"Don't tell me you're thirsty again." Zero felt his own mouth drying as he spoke.

"Not me… you ." The pureblood even placed a feather-like kiss on the exposed part of his shoulder and Zero couldn't help but just clench his fists.

Zero could feel it. He was right. He is thirsty. Except, it's not for blood.

"Well, I'm not so…" His steps were heavy and his body uncooperative but he stepped aside to create a distance from the pureblood tempting him so hard right now.

He saw the knowing smile on Kaname's lips, the fiery glow in his eyes slowly dying. "Okay." He stepped back and sat on the side of Zero's bed. "How was your day?"

What the fuck?

He opened his mouth to say exactly just the same in his thoughts but Kaien's words rang once again…

'Help each other out and try to go easy on each other. He's no longer an enemy now.'

Zero walked towards his study table. He decided to attempt doing his first report tonight to keep himself distracted and away from the pureblood.. for his sanity's sake. "Boring… exhausting."

"Looks like it.." He heard Kaname say as he focused too much on preparing the piece of paper and pen that he knew for himself is so absurd. "Do you want me to leave now?"

He stopped. Zero can't believe that he's actually hesitating to say yes .

But without looking, he still said "Yes."

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Yuuki came thundering downstairs with the widest grin on her face and a very familiar uniform vest on one hand and another very familiar letter on the other.

"Oh my gosh! Zero-kun has a date today!" She squealed to get the attention of the two men in the dining room who are getting ready for breakfast.

She saw how her adoptive father's eyes comically transformed from a small confused slit to a wide pleasantly surprised round shape, then he fell into deep thinking and then he turned to Zero with his mouth open, looking like he doesn't know what to say or where to begin saying what he wanted to say.

"You have to quit snooping around you little-" Zero stood quickly and leapt towards her and snatched the letter from her hand.

"No, I'm not!" She exclaimed. "I went to get your laundry since you never bring them down."

The silver-haired boy slipped the letter into the back pocket of his pants before getting seated again.

"Yes, I do. You just want an excuse to go through my stuff, you nosey parker." Zero said

He's not exactly wrong, but that's one thing Yuuki will never tell.

"So, are you going?" She sat on her seat in front of the boy. Kaien by her side was surprisingly mum.

Zero swallowed first before answering. "I don't have time for that."

"Yes, you do. It's a Saturday and you either just lock yourself in your room or you spend your day with your horse." She insisted. She can't wait for Zero to start living a normal life. Now that he was apparently saved by Kaname from falling into a Level E, he gets a second chance at living like a normal boy.

"The horse has a name, it's White Lily and she's a better company than you."

"But I'm not the one you're going to have lunch with!" She said. "Look, even if you don't like her.. you have to go."

Zero doesn't know much about girls, Yuuki can vouch for that. She's gonna give him a bit of a crash course.

"Huh." He just shrugged and continued eating.

She won't give up. "She'll be waiting for you there anyway. You can't reject her and make her wait for hours. You should at least turn her down nicely."

The silver-haired boy might be rough and cold on the outside but Yuuki knows with her heart that he would not intentionally hurt someone, especially a girl with pure intentions.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"Be nice."

"Shut up."

And then Zero left.

Yuuki jumped in joy and excitement. She couldn't wait for him to be swayed by a girl's charm. This might be the perfect opportunity to soften him up.

She could tell that Zero would be a perfect boyfriend. While he teases her a lot, he's always there to help her with school work and protects her in his own way. She crossed her fingers and silently prayed for it all to go well.

She hummed a tune as she got ready for her own date with Kaname. It has been a while since the last time they spent time together. Months actually.

They're gonna have tea and some desserts while they catch up on each other's lives.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"Holy cow!" Akatsuki almost lost grip on his ice cream cone.

"Is that really…" Rima herself got her jaw drop.

"The prefect." Senri uttered under his breath. They're looking at the awkward hunter talking to a girl inside a cafe from across the street.

"My my my… he's not just a student, prefect, hunter, and now he's a loverboy." Akatsuki laughed so hard he actually shook the cone a little too hard enough for the ice cream on top to fall. "Our man seems to be keen on ticking boxes while we bore ourselves to death."

Rima chuckled in agreement.

Senri smiled at the sudden turn of events. Having a bond himself, he knows things are looking up. The boring days may soon become very entertaining.

"Let's go back now." He wants to see it. How things will escalate because of Kiryuu Zero's stupidity.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"How is it?" Kaname asked after Yuuki took a bite of the cookie.

"This is really good, better than the ones we have here." She nodded and once again glanced at the box of dainty assorted French cookies.

"I'll get some more delivered then." He smiled at her.

He likes watching Yuuki eat ever since, and he finds he actually misses it.

"Thank you very much, I'm sure Zero-kun will love it too," Yuuki said. "He may just look and act tough but he actually has a sweet tooth." She shared and even covered her mouth with one hand as if she was whispering a secret.

"Is that so?" He nodded. Could that possibly explain why the hunter smells and tastes so sweet as well?

Kaname felt that tingling sensation on his fangs again and he once again had to press his tongue to calm them down. The thought of Zero always draws this kind of reaction from him. He can't wait to sink into him again, be it in his mouth or his skin.. and maybe.. soon when he consummates the bond, he'd sink into his deepest parts and-

"Thank you for saving him." Yuuki's voice brought him back. She smiled, a kind that showed so much maturity and sincerity that reminded Kaname the girl in front of him has grown enough to care about others already.

"I would do it again." He said and it is true. He found no regrets and no problems retracing his steps if he had to do it again.

"You gave him another chance at life…" Yuuki looked pensive as if remembering a fond memory. "I can't believe he's out there on his first date right now like a normal boy. Can you believe it?" She even laughed.

That didn't sound right.

Suddenly, there was a loud ringing in his ears and that made Kaname feel a little disoriented.

"Someone gave him a love letter and now they're at a cafe in town having lunch together, it's so sweet..."

Yuuki needs to stop talking because the more words she spoke, the louder the ringing becomes it's deafening. Her next words were no longer reaching his hearing receptors. His vision started to get darker and his body feels so hot.

She eventually stopped talking and went on to fan herself as if she suddenly felt so hot. She reached for the glass of water on the table and cried out while automatically pulling her hand as it hurt.

"Ouch! It's so hot!"