IMPORTANT: There is going to be a time skip soon, but there will still be flashbacks to when Zero was younger. There will be KanamexZero romance later on. Is everybody okay with the time skip?

Some people only want it to be a family fic, while others want slash. So it'll be both. I hope you guys are okay with that!

Also, in case anyone didn't know, when the words are in italics then it means it's a flashback. This chapter is a bit shorter, but the next one is longer I promise. Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

"Lord Kaname?"

"Yes Ruka? Is there something you need?" Kaname asked, his voice hushed. In his arms was Zero, whom he had finally managed to get into a peaceful sleep.

"Well...I just couldn't help but think about Zero. He's a child, Kaname."

"And?" The pureblood raised an eyebrow in question.

"Well, don't children enjoy playing? It's been almost two weeks and he does nothing but follow you around with his head down." The female aristocrat explained. "I was just thinking that perhaps you could find out what he likes doing for fun."

"Oh," Kaname blinked. "You're absolutely right. Why don't we take care of that tomorrow?"

Sure enough, the next day Kaname sent a few of the night class to go buy things that would entertain a ten year old. About an hour later, Zero's room was now filled with numerous toys. Puzzles, games, books, stuffed animals. Kaname took Zero by the hand and led him up to his bedroom.

"Hopefully you can find some use to these things Zero. Are they to your liking?"

Zero only stood there at first, processing the new things. Then he slowly went over, tugging Kaname along with him, to a mini chess set. He probably wanted to play it since he knew Kaname liked it. After all, Kaname had played chess with Zero using his own set numerous times. Not once had the child beaten him. Kaname found himself smiling as he sat down on the floor.

"Alright Zero, let's see if you can win this time.."

Some of Zero's days were really bad. They were 'memory days', which were days when he couldn't stop thinking of his parents and twin brother. He missed them so terribly that it would even turn into a physical hurt. His stomach would ache, and often he'd be nauseous. There was really nothing the others could do when he had these days, except just be there to hold and keep him safe.

However, today was not a 'memory day'. Today was a very good day. Well, rather a very good evening. He'd woken up an hour or so before sunset. After getting bathed and dressed, he tiptoed quietly down the staircase, as to not wake anybody up. He was about halfway down the stairs before someone else spoke.

"Zero? What are you doing up so early?"

The child stopped dead in his tracks, turning around to see Takuma, who was still in his pajamas. Senri was standing a bit behind him, in the same attire.

"What are you doing up so early?" Zero echoed the question, perhaps a little bit defensively.

"Well I couldn't sleep! I was going to read some manga, but I accidentally knocked my whole pile down. Senti awoke to the noise, and we decided to get an early start of the day." The cheerful vampire answered.

"That's why you shouldn't keep books in such big stacks…" Senri said. It was hard to tell if he was irritated or not.

"...Anyways" Takuma said quickly, a little flustered. "You haven't answered my question yet Zero. Is everything okay? You aren't having trouble sleeping, are you?'

"No," Zero scowled slightly. They always assumed that something was the matter. What worry-warts. "I just woke up. Now I'm going out."

He was about to continue on his way, but then Takuma started panicking. "W-Wait Zero! Where are you going? Have you asked Kaname, or anybody at all? It's still daytime...the day class students will still be out."

"I'm not sure where I'm going. I won't go near the day class though." Zero promised. "And I haven't asked Kaname because I don't know where I'm going."

"That doesn't mean you can just leave without notifying anybody!" The blonde vampire said, and then gained a thought "I know! How about Shiki and I go with you?"

"Hmm?" Senri hummed, while at the same time Zero debated.

"Well, I guess you could come. But you might get bored." Zero warned them both.

"That's fine, we're up for anything!" Takuma promised.

They ended up going to the stables, since Zero realized that his night class family had never met his first ever friend before…

Lily had not been happy that he'd brought the other vampires with him...

Although Senri may have seemed indifferent to Zero on the outside, he was actually quite attached to the child. It went the other way around too. Although Kaname was Zero's favorite, Senri and the boy were close too, just like Zero was with the rest of the night class. He wasn't exactly sure what Zero was to him...until Takuma mentioned that he and Zero acted like brothers at times.

Brothers...well, Senri had never had siblings before. Mostly it had just been him and mother when he was young. But Takuma usually knew what he was talking about, and so Senri took what he said to heart. He made an effort to do anything he could to make Zero happier.

"I'm back Senri...oh, Zero!" Takuma was surprised to see Zero snuggled up to Senri, who was holding a storybook.

"I'm reading to him…" The brown haired vampire finally decided to explain. Takuma was in mild shock for a moment as he registered the situation. The ever emotionless and quiet Shiki reading a children's storybook aloud? He couldn't help but laugh.

"Well then by all means continue, but I must insist that I stay to hear this." He finally said, once his chuckling was over for the time being.

"Unfortunately I just finished." Senri responded, giving his roommate a small glare. Then he glanced down at the third person in the room, who was more asleep than awake. Then, with perfect timing, Kaname came into the room.

"It's time for bed Zero...and thank you for reading to him Shiki," The pureblood said. Zero obediently rose from Senri's bed, rubbing one eye with his fist as he walked over to his favorite vampire. Kaname took his hand and together they exited towards their chambers.

Takuma was still standing in the middle of the room. After a silence, he smiled. "So Senri, does this mean that you'll ever read aloud to me? I love hearing a good story."

"Go to sleep Takuma."

"Hey Zero?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you never come over to play anymore?"

The silver haired child felt bad as he avoided Yuki's gaze. He really did miss seeing her, but he was dangerous now! Kaname said that he would be fine, but that didn't calm the ex-human's fears. Tonight was one of his rare visits, and he had only come because Kaname pleaded him to. Apparently Yuki was 'missing and worrying' about him.

"I'm sorry..." He finally muttered. 'I just don't want to hurt you...'

"It's okay!" Yuki was suddenly beaming. She reached out to take his hand. "Just promise me that you'll be okay, alright?"

Zero felt like crying. Yuki was so nice, he was lucky to have such a friend like her.

"Alright."

Kaname had been visiting Yuki one night, as he still did quite often. Tonight however, Kaien had sent Yuki to bed slightly earlier so that he and Kaname could have a heart-to-heart" chat about Zero.

"Lemon square?" The overly cheerful Headmaster offered, shoving a random plate of then into Kaname's face.

"What did you want to discuss with me?" The pureblood asked impatiently, shoving the other man's arm away.

"I wanted to discuss…." Kaien began in an ominous voice. "Zero's future!"

"What?" Kaname blinked. "His future? What do you mean?"

"You know that he comes from a family of vampire hunters. It's in his blood." The Headmaster elaborated. "He's might want to continue that path someday."

Zero...as a vampire hunter? Kaname had to admit that it wasn't a pleasant thought, but unfortunately Kaien was right about considering that fact. To be honest, the thought of Zero, even an older Zero, going against level E vampires made him him growl lowly in the back of his throat. "It's too early to be talking about things like this," Kaname finally dismissed him. "Give it a few more years. Besides, Zero's condition is much too fragile at the time for me to even consider it."

"I understand." The Headmaster was serious for once. "But remember Kaname, this matter won't just go away. He's a natural hunter...it's what he was training for before the incident."

"I understand…" Kaname managed to get out from gritted teeth.

For now the discussion was dropped, but he knew there would eventually be a time when it would come back to haunt him.

The plot is really going to pick up during the next chapter. As mentioned above, there will be a time skip. Zero will be the age he is in the actual anime. There will still be flashbacks though, with missing pieces that are important.

Is everyone cool with that?