A/N: I am very sorry to those who were following this story. It HAS been three years since my last update. Things have been hectic and new and crazy for me after graduating college. I proceeded to a masters degree right after and six months ago, I finally graduated. Now I am working and felt like I need to publish the chapters I failed to post years ago. I have already finished almost four chapters of this story and they were just sitting on my drive and I never really got the confidence to post them because I am still insecure with my English until now but.. I suddenly had this motivation to finish the story mostly for my satisfaction lol.. I will just do a bit of editing before I post the other three chapters after this and then will start writing the next parts again.. anyway, please bear with my poor English haha
"Did anything happen to you in the camp?" The headmaster asked, worried about the possibility of Zero's transition finally happening. "Did you..." Kaien glanced at Zero's neck again. The tattoo of the hunter's symbol on his neck- the part where he was bitten- isn't just there for proof that he's officially become a true hunter; it also contains a seal that protects hunters from pureblood vampire bites due to the nature of their jobs and for those that were already bitten, would help slow down the transition and suppress their vampiric side, and by that it means their thirst.
" No , I haven't felt anything." Zero sputtered. Although he knows the inevitable, it still feels a bit too soon to talk about falling . He just got his license. He can't turn yet.
"I'm proud of you."
Kaien Cross may look like a frivolous man but Zero knows first-hand that his blond guardian is capable of being serious whenever the situation calls for it. The eyes that met his own conveyed genuine pride and happiness and it has been years since the last time Zero received such. He couldn't help feeling appreciative of Cross for at least trying to look out for him despite his awkwardness due to inexperience and Zero's constant rejection of his skinship. Kaien Cross didn't have to keep him, but he did anyway and whatever his reasons are, Zero owes him. That is why he's the first person he wanted to know.
"We should have a celebration!" He suggested, eyes twinkling and Zero knows how advanced his guardian thinks when it comes to party-planning and might have already planned everything just now in his head.
"No." Zero reacted fast. The headmaster pouted un-prettily. "But a delicious dinner is fine." He uttered as he turned his back. "… I guess."
Kaien Cross squealed in delight.
The human blood has that acrid metallic smell and aftertaste. It's because of iron in blood. Warm stored blood from the blood bank has it stronger than fresh blood, that is why some vampires, if not most, still prefer to get it directly from live source.
Kaname had long since desisted from human blood. First of all, vampires aren't allowed to, second, a pureblood's bite is especially dangerous to humans, with the rising number of humans getting turned and worse falling to Level E.
Purebloods have been known to drink from their subjects ; the nobles who usually take pride in being chosen . But ever since Kaname has had a taste of one little hunter-to-be's blood, he can't be satisfied by any others anymore.
The nobles blood makes him full, gets rid of the urge for a while but it comes back anyway. The new pill doesn't totally remove the thirst , it only calms him down enough to make him feel sleepy which by being asleep makes him not feel it. Ichijo started requesting a stronger dose for him, worrying that he's gonna get worse.
After feeding off Kiryuu consecutively for months, it felt like he was suddenly forced into a fasting without any preparation when the boy left. It made him feel irritable and occupied, his mind can't stop thinking about that damn silver-head and how much he wants to suck him dry when he comes back. He's so unreasonably angry and he knows that. Ichijo's constantly reminding him that what he did to Kiryuu was wrong on so many levels and that it has to stop, that he has to think of his name and position.
Kaname knew he was acting strange, so out of character. No one wants this weird phenomenon to end more than Kaname himself.
Ruka just left minutes ago and his thirst is temporarily sated. Kaname feels disgusted at how he now feeds not because he is genuinely thirsty but just because he wants to dispel his craving for Kiryuu's blood and that all that effort is still just temporary.
He was basking in anger and longing when he suddenly felt that familiar aura and tug in his chest, it made his senses blare in alarm as his back straightened and his fangs automatically ached. Kaname's body never felt so- for the lack of a better word- alive.
Yuuki couldn't wipe the smile off her face while listening to her adoptive father asking Zero questions about his experience in the Hunter's camp. They knew that Kaien Cross knows the ropes but what the retired hunter wants to know is how Zero feels about it. She's also really interested because it seemed like in a span of three months, a lot has happened to Zero that she didn't know and she doesn't want to miss out on those.
"Have you had your first mission yet?" Kaien remembered asking after a sip of his black tea.
"Yes." Zero answered, eyes to the chairman. "Eight, in four cities up north."
A surprised sigh escaped Kaien's mouth, "Eight! What were they thinking?!" He was dumbfounded. It hasn't even been a full three months or two since he got his license.
A smirk graced Zero's lips, "They were thinking I was exceptional." He is proud of himself.
Yuuki laughed out loud saying, "More like suicidal." She commented but when her adoptive father gave her a look to remind her that it's a sensitive word, she was quick to clamp her hand over her mouth and uttered an apologetic look towards Zero. "S-sorry."
"It's okay." Zero gave Yuuki a nod. That's the furthest thing from his mind right now. He sat straight, looking really calm and collected on his seat. "Now that I'm officially a hunter, I just want to focus on my missions and to continuously train to get stronger and stronger so I can make full use of my abilities before I-" He hesitated for a moment. "-before I fall." He continued and then looked away.
"We will find her, Zero." Kaien said, who smiled after remembering something. "In fact, Kaname-sama gave us a lead some time ago, and now I have Toga-kun checking it."
"That's great!" Yuuki clapped her hands, so excited about the possibility of Zero being saved and with the help of Kaname too! There's finally a chance of them being on good terms and for Christmas dinners to be peaceful!
But the moment Yuuki laid her eyes on Zero, her smile faded as fast as Zero's mood had soured.
That scheming pureblood is at it again. Zero knows that everything Kuran Kaname does only benefits himself even if it may appear to be helping others in any way. He needs to expose him to Yuuki and the headmaster. The two think so highly of that pureblood and it's just ridiculous how they believe he's incapable of being bad just because he saved Yuuki once ! Zero will not forget how Kuran played him.
But there's one thing he wants to skip.
You are so sweet. And I mean it literally.
Unwelcome heat crept across Zero's face faster than lightning. Fuck that voice! And fuck how he can still remember the feeling of that disgusting pureblood on his mouth!
He absent-mindedly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand in abhorrence. In order to get rid of the pureblood's image in his memory, he focused on getting dressed into his school uniform. He's going to attend his first class after his long break tomorrow morning since he arrived late in the afternoon today, but tonight he's going to do his duty as the school's prefect and as a vampire hunter .
"Oh my god! Is that-"
"He's back!"
Squeaks.
"He looks different."
Murmurs.
"Kiryuu-kun looks more mature now, did you know where he went?"
"I heard from the chairman that he was sent for special classes on some camp."
They all stopped in their tracks when Zero looked- more like glared- their way. But only for a bit, because the moment he turned away to look for Yuuki then to his wrist watch they started again.
"Agh! He hasn't changed one bit!"
"He still scares us."
"I think he's gotten more handsome."
Zero rolled his eyes at that. Did they really think he couldn't hear them when they're only just about two meters away from him with their annoyingly pitchy voices? If flattering him is a tactic to distract him by making him fall for it, they're dead wrong.
Not a minute later, Yuuki arrived at the gates gasping for air, sweat trickling down the side of her face.
"Sorry Zero-kun, the teacher held everyone in class until we were able to finish our seat work." She reasoned.
Looking back at the group of girls gossiping, Zero knew Yuuki was the only one who was held back or the last one to leave since some of their classmates have been standing behind him since earlier. She's never been that good at studying and with him gone for months, she must have had to do her homework by herself. "Whatever, just go watch your line." He told her before starting to shoo the girls on his side of the lane like a shepherd to his herd of sheep.
It wasn't long before the gates opened and the scenario Zero was able to save himself from for 3 months played like a movie in front of him. The vampires have apparently left the staff building a month ago and are now staying in the new building constructed especially for them on the other side of the property across the lake with their very own bridge and gate. Looking at the said new dorm shows that a lot more money was wasted in the construction because it looked bigger and grander than the Sun dorm. Zero couldn't help but shake his head when he read the stone sign that says Moon Dorm . Cross truly is as gifted as he is with cooking and naming.
It's the same pattern, the same reaction from the hormonal teenagers who surprisingly doesn't seem to lose their voices from screaming every single day, and same arrogant expressions from most of the bloodsuckers as they bask in the effect of their inhuman looks and aura. Disgusting.
While Zero isn't looking forward to meeting the big bad vampire again, he found himself looking for him and seeking his aura to know if he's around just to be aware, but he couldn't. He's not around and he couldn't sense him at all. The green-eyed blond is also nowhere to be seen. Great! Now Zero can do his job without distractions.
The air inside Kaname's room feels so hot and heavy, weighing Ichijo down like a barbell over his shoulders. It's so thick and suffocating. This can't go on, with Kiryuu this close, Kaname will grow more and more restless again . Not that him being away made much difference either.
The last few months have been difficult with the pureblood's shifting mood affecting the entire night class's own. Most of the nobles have devoted themselves to Kaname, their King . That is why everything that happens to him affects everyone and they all are curious about what's going on. This situation however should be kept only between Ichijo and Kaname… well, now that Kiryuu has found out, he has faith the boy would be too embarrassed or angry to share it with anyone. He could've told the headmaster months ago before he left but he didn't, which proves Ichijo's point.
Now he watches Kaname on his seat, eyes closed as long beautiful fingers massages his temples.
"Say that again, Ichijo." The pureblood demanded, voice strained and subdued.
"The headmaster was upset that Kiryuu left his house to live in the Sun Dorm. He now shares his room with another Day Class student." He relayed what he had gathered.
A cryptic smile appeared on Kaname's lips, then he chuckled coldly.
Trust me when I say that if you let me live, you will never be able to feed off me again and I hope you die of thirst!
That chuckle turned into a loud convulsive laughter.
Normally, it would please Ichijo to hear the pureblood's laughter, as it's as rare as the blue moon. But today, Kaname's red glowing eyes were not laughing along with his mouth. Ichijo is deeply concerned.
Their shift ended with no incident and after bidding a sleepy Yuuki goodbye, Zero coursed the school grounds and forest once more, like he always does before retiring to bed.
The moon was high up in the clear starry night sky. Spring has just begun and the frosty winter air has already started to become less chilly. After finishing his round, he dropped by the stables to check on White Lily, fed her some carrots after apologizing for leaving her behind and then went on his way back to the Sun dorm. The path is unfamiliar since he usually takes a different turn but the choice to leave the Cross residence is essential.
A yawn escaped from his lips just before he turned the knob and opened the door. His eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, his senses telling him about the presence of a warm pulsing aura of another human inside. It's Haruki Ito, his roommate. It was eerily silent and the absence of movement despite Haruki's breathing pattern indicating he's still awake makes Zero curious of what he's still doing up at 1 a.m.
Zero's eyes found Haruki standing straight and facing his direction. "Hey Ito, why are you still up?" It was strange how he had no subtle movements, he was as still as a rock.
His senses flared-up, his hand automatically reached for his holster to take out Bloody Rose but to no avail.
Big warm arms enveloped his body from behind in a bear hug that squeezed him just a little too hard but enough to keep him from moving at all.
"It's been a while, Kiryuu." said the voice that was dangerously too close, breath fanning Zero's neck and making him shiver in the process. That was followed by the feel of the pureblood's warm lips and nose tracing his jugular up to his temple, the sound of him inhaling his scent made Zero attempt to break free. Unfortunately, just like the last time, it was futile. His physical strength is no match for the pureblood no matter the amount of training, and Zero also knows that. He knows that the only way purebloods can be defeated is by chance..and he'll wait for his.
There it is. The delectable scent he's been craving for so long, flowing in through his nose and calming every single part of him and making him high with so much pleasure. And that's just Kiryuu's scent alone… Kaname couldn't wait to have a taste of him… and more.
"Hmmm… look what you made me do." Kaname chuckled, nose still buried in Kiryuu's nape as they stood in front of his poor motionless roommate. His fangs ached so hard, he couldn't wait to dig in.
"Bastard! This is all you!" Zero seethed, his body hardened in agitation. "You and your fucking bloodlust, you monster!"
Kaname felt something hard hit his jaw in what appears to be an attempt at a headbutt from behind Kiryuu's head. He felt it alright, it hurt just a bit but he knows by the way Kiryuu groaned that it hurt him even more than it did Kaname.
"No! It is you! " Kaname moved and pushed the boy towards the wall, trapping him with his body and the hard concrete behind him. "You did this to me. I didn't choose this!" Confused lavender eyes met his glowing ruby ones.
The pureblood looked at him with so much distaste in his eyes. Zero remembered the lost look on Kuran the last time they had an altercation in his previous room. He looked so perplexed and angry and so lost and confused at the same time. Just like today with the way different emotions danced across his face.
"Neither did I." Zero said, eyes never disconnecting.
"There's something wrong here." Kaname muttered, his eyes went down to his neck and Zero felt his hold loosening just a bit. The pureblood was getting distracted. This is the chance he's waiting for. "There's something wrong with your blood. There's something wrong with you!" Rage filled the brunet's eyes once more.
"Which is it?" Zero started. " Do you need my blood? Or do you want it?"
It was clear that that clarification hasn't ever been entertained by Kuran, otherwise he wouldn't have paused and pondered in the middle of his assault on him.
The perfect chance has finally come for Zero. Speed was one thing he worked on so hard during his training. It's all they got against vampires, especially the pure ones. Time and chance is everything and learning to use them to their advantage is vital for their jobs as hunters.
The pureblood was clearly taken aback by the questions that Zero was able to break free from him enough to reach for his holster and pull out Bloody Rose and positioned it just right on Kuran's hip then fired a shot.
Kaname felt a hot and searing sting from his hip. It was the kind of pain that was able to make him take a couple of steps back before he recovered from the surprise attack. His wound already started throbbing but his rage numbed it for him to allow him to lunge at the silver-head, fangs elongating instantly as he pushed the boy on the wall so hard that he heard it crack when Kiryuu's back hit it.
"You little shit," He cursed before he lowered his head and dipped further down to the silver-haired boy's neck. His fangs managed to pierce through the skin so quickly and the moment some of the blood came in contact with his tongue, he moaned in so much pleasure. It felt like he had found an oasis.. his oasis, he felt his body hum in satisfaction.
But then suddenly, a huge bolt of electricity coming from the bite wound coursed through his body, electrocuting him so hard that he had to let go for it to stop and it did, the second he pulled away.
Zero watched the mighty pureblood fall on his butt on the floor when he pulled back, body trembling and face extorted with pain. Zero's blood was dripping on the side of his mouth when their eyes met. He never felt so satisfied with the look on Kuran's face.
The brunet finally noticed the tattoo on his neck that was still sparkling with live electricity in the darkness of the room. Zero saw him open his mouth but he beat him to it.
"I told you. You will never be able to feed off me again. Now I hope you die of thirst."
Zero raised his gun towards Kuran again when he felt the air in the room started to get heavy and cold. He braced himself for another attack but three knocks on the door followed by Kaien's voice behind it made Zero glance at the door and saw it wasn't actually locked.
For someone who was so into details, the pureblood sure can still leave some openings for him. When he turned back to Kuran, he was gone.