Chapter 2: Warmth and Chill

Summary: Well....

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight. But I will bait Kaname and Zero and put them in confined are and...and- =^.^=

A/N: I am apologize dearly for the wait. I really appreciate if you are still reading this story. I was recently ill and my story progression went down the toilet. I promise the third chapter will arrive faster. Please enjoy and review. Without your comments I cannot assess my success. : )

Warning: Mild vampire situations, not much language. Rated M for later chapters.

BL-XXXXY

The wind blew gently, swirling frosty digits brushing and licking at the silent beings. The heavy black of the sky glimmered with its sheets of stars. The pieces of crystal surrounding the pampered moon with its blurry aura.

Erie was the audio as nature itself was still. The standoff between the two youths pursued. Chilled by the other's words, the light-haired teen glared. Clinching his fists, the boy seethed his venomous growl cracking the sound barrier. The brunette crossed his arms, amber orbs downcast to thick ebony lashes.

Zero exhaled sharply, brows furrowing. Cautiously moving away from the pure-breed, his breathy comment stabbed at the brunette.

" The fall of the damned must've hurt..."

Kaname twitched turning his back to the other. Handsome features winced to the words; his weak expression shielded from his foe. Posture stiff, the dark haired teen glided across the sidewalk and disappeared in the dim background.

Shaken, Zero's eyes mercilessly remained on the brunette's exit. An odd premonition creped over his shoulders. Regret lingered and tingled his lips, Zero swallowed quickly returning to his quarters.

"...That...reaction... He seemed..."

"Be judged by the perilous God of Chaos and held in the arms of harmony...the fallen angels shall be condemned to eternal misery..."

Misery mingled with the searing reflection of the sun as minute rays of gold peaked between the shades of the small room.

Curling beneath his blankets, a curved leg hung from the side of the bed. Sheets stained with the faded color of pink and splotches of scarlet, the mess dried and clingy. The light-haired beauty breathed heavily in the midst of slumber, the sunshine warming the flat of his neck. Deaf to the knocks, Zero buried his face; belly flat on his bed.

"....Zero...? Are you...awake?" the feminine tone perched on worry and patience.

The boy groaned, thick lashes fluttered open; brow in knots. Rolling away from the door, Zero burrowed deeper into the warmth, ignoring the girl on the other side.

Persistent as always, the petite girl quickly let herself in, closing the door behind her. Eying the half-naked boy she moved cautiously towards the bed. Flattening down the brim of her pleated skirt, Yuki sat on the very edge of the bed. Pressing a palm to the back of Zero's calf, her delicate fingers squeezing gently.

Chocolate orbs wide and bright, the girl's warm hand pierced the frozen skin. Noticing the patch of warmth against his skin, groggy pools of mercury slowly opened. Zero flinched, withdrawing his limb; pocking his head out. Reacting to the contact, Yuki scowled at Zero.

"...Wake up...We hav-" Yuki's eyes widened.

Smeared stains of the color of blood lay woven in the fabric of the sheets intertwined with the boys body.

"A delicate boy lost within a sea of darkness. Eternal misery strangled with the lust of blood. Panting with desperation, fangs and claws tearing soft flesh..."

Yuki shook her head violently disturbed with the vision. Snagging the end of the blankets, the girl jerked them from Zero's body. Frantically examining him, the lass' slender digits pulled and prodded at the male's clothing. Searching for cuts, tears, bruises..anything that would bleed.

"HEY! Stop...why are you so grabby?" Zero fidgeted swatting at the girls prying hands.

Yuki pouted, her eyes watering slightly.

"....Your sheets...Zero..if you nee-"

"STOP...Just, I am..I made a mess last night...it....it isn't...blood." lowering his voice, Zero shifted around Yuki; making way towards the pile of his uniform.

"...But, Zero. Headmaster told me that if you...have 'problems' that you shoul-"

Zero interrupted again, the hairs on his next pricking up.

" I said, I am fine. I will...take care of myself...." faltering slightly, Zero began to strip.

Hurt and blushing, Yuki grudgingly left the room; slamming the door for good measure.

Clad in slacks Zero whimpered, dropping to his knees the half-breed breathed heavily. Pearl lips crumpled as his shoulders bowed with emotion. Wrapping bare arms around his frame, Zero squeezed. Hug the insecurities and block out every one. A plan of despair.

"Ruin every relationship, drive away every loved one, this life is dwindling..."

"Bow and pay patronage to sin. Hold the devils hand and feel the warmth and chill of hell..."

"Now, now Yuki. I will have a talk with him. So don't you fret that pretty little head of yours!" the Headmaster's gently patted the girl's head.

"...This isn't like normal...he..he is acting really strange. I saw blood stains in his bed and he didn't want to wake up this morning. He...even...yelled at me. I-" Yuki stopped, catching her breath.

"Hmm...I'll keep an eye on him. But, in the mean time you should get to class. Worrying won't get you a grade!" Winking at the child, Headmaster escorted Yuki to her class.

Sighing heavily, Headmaster scratched his long locks. Scanning the hall his framed eyes barely glimpsed the back of snowy strands.

"ZERO!" mentally collapsing, the older male ran after the boy.

Reaching the end of the passage, the figure had disappeared. Frowning but determined, the framed eyes spotted the bathroom door. Sneaking into the establishment Headmaster saw no one. Frustrated with the boy, the elder began peeking underneath the stalls. Spotting the tanned shoes, the long-haired male leaned against the stall entranceway.

"Zero...we need to talk.." no response.

Exhaling sharply Headmaster reached into his jacket, withdrawing a small pocket knife. Slipping a crocked blade from the opening he sliced open his finger. Lifting the wet digit into the air the waft of iron and life flicked the edge of the half-breeds nose.

Slamming his full body weight against the flimsy stall door, both Zero and the Headmaster tumbled to the tiled floor. Orbs filled with unrelenting thrill and blood lust, the cold silver of his eyes folded beneath the stirring red affliction of the vampiric senses. Pupil's dilated and focusing on the liquid, Headmaster's trembled. Never had the boy acted on his offers, never had those eyes glowed so intensely, so hateful and weak. The commanding power of the carmine force, so pitiful.

Covering the cut with cloth, an unearthly effusion exited the vampire. Clinching one hand around the Headmaster's throat, Zero grasped the shaking hand. Lifting the scent to his lips both his heart and head pounded with the familiar taste of the pure-blood. The memory warmed his insides causing his muscles to shiver.

Oblivious to his strength and the finger in his mouth a weak cry pinched the recesses of his sanity. Cloudy vision breaking, Zero regained his bearings looking down at his victim.

Nails digging into the tender flesh of the Headmaster's neck, wrist twisted painfully to accompany his mouth. Gasping for oxygen and freedom, the feminine male felt fear.

Immediately realizing his actions, Zero released the other. Face solid with the appearance of a murderer the half-breed stood and backed away from the hacking prey.

"...No...nononononono........I-..I ...can't...I.." the teen stumbled backwards bumping the side of the stall and falling to the floor. Shuddering with disgust, Zero clawed at his face, tie, hair, collar, everything was suffocating him. The ultimate sin, the line of redemption was no longer visible. Drowning in hate, Zero sobbed. Legs pulled against his stomach and fingers entwined in snowy strands the vampire wept.

Catching his choked breath, the Headmaster regained his posture rubbing his sore neck. Overwhelmed with the affliction, Kaien swallowed gently, softly gazing at Kiryu his heart ached.

"...Zero."

"...SS-STAY..stay away from me...I.." Zero attempted to stand.

Fearing him to run away, the elder Cross stood and snatched the teen. Using his strength to the best of his abilities, the man held Zero.

Wrapping his arms around the shorter, the hug was brief. Zero tugged away, slamming into the concrete wall. Breath ragged and cheeks stained with tears, Kiryu looked at the ground.

"...I..need to leave."

"..ZERO! You can't, not in this condition..you must take more-"

"NO! Those pills don't work, they make me sick and insane and hurt others.....I can't..I won't...just let..let me leave...." Zero swallowed, the once sweet taste of blood turning sour.

"...I cannot." Usually silly, Kaien was stern.

Throat clogged with the insatiable thirst, the stabbing hunger clawed at his nerves. Zero winced, his body challenging the nature of his control. Extending a shaky hand, the defeated boy begged for the medicine. He was ill...this was an illness.

Cross sighed, depositing two silver lined boxes. Gesturing him to consume some of the pills, Zero refused. Still determined to hide his emotions, Kiryu shook his head.

"...leave me..." Lashes damp with the bubbles of misery, the boy dropped his head.

"...Only if you promise not to leave the campus." The deal was unreal.

"....Fine." Headmaster Cross nodded in agreement. Tucking his scarf around the battered flesh of his neck, the older shoved out of the room.

Leaning against the sink, Zero dodged his reflection. Turing on the faucet he pocketed the pills, slipping two of the atrocious tablets between his lips. Scooping a palm full of water the half-breed gagged them down. Wiping his mouth with the edge of his sleeve, Zero calmed his senses. Lifting his face, the image before him was no one. The mirror encased a monster. Brows knotting in frustration, Kiryu drifted back to the hall.

Sneaking into his classroom, Zero ignored the male teachers complaints and slander. Sitting in the back he even avoided Yuki's worried glances. Drifting through the rest of the day, his mind still lingered in the night.

"....He will destroy me...."

The day ending with solitude, the vampire made his way to the night dormitories entrance. Wanting to avoid the dreaded duty of patrolling hoards of fawning girls, Zero could not leave Yuki alone. Unpleasant thoughts of Kuran entertained his conscious as Yuki approached him. In her usual cheery mood, the brunette skipped up to him.

"....Headmaster told me your sick. Zero you really need to look after your health better, I mean if you didn't feel well you should have told me..." her smile was light and intended to uplift the half-breed.

Nodding slightly, both stood on the lines of giggling females. The entourage of the wealthy, beauteous, and immortal strutted down their gory golden road of pleasant victory. Chatting and mingling with their admirers, the group snickered at the 'others'.

Zero swelled with dread. Head lowered with shame, the pretty faced vampire cursed his blood. Smelling the air, Kiryu attempted to distract himself with the dying sun.

Almost completely hidden, the streaks of plum and cerise melted beneath the darkness accompanied with the moon. A wintry breezed spanned across the courtyard, reminding Zero of death. Sniffing the air gently, the musty scent of the pure-blood's cologne and skin traveled.

Grinding his teeth, Zero felt Kuran's presences closing in. Panting heavily, Zero's breath was constrained. Unconscious to the affects of his body and unaware of the lurching danger, the pure-breed crumbled to the toil of his mental struggle. Mind submerging into darkness, Zero fainted at the feet of Kaname.