A/N: You guys, deserve this. End of story. (Feel free to ignore my ramblings)
The last chapter had some significant points, but let's face it, even I knew that it sucked. It was one of those much dreaded, 'recap' chapters. I had been away from the story for so long, that I had to even remind myself of what the hell was going on. But I'm back, and I'm wrapping up the council arc. (Oh God, I've actually placed arcs in my stories.) Now, the tension gets worse as the deadline for Kaname's decision looms nearer. This chapter has been written past its normal 4-4.5k words and extended into a critical snowballing chapter of *nearly* 6.4k. (6 pure, not counting A/N's)
Translation - we're on the brink of a first breakthrough for the initial genres of the story, mystery and romance, which I think I might have successfully combined in equal parts in the last part of this chapter.
Second Translation - It's the story's first (leading up to a) climax. (I don't count the opening, as that's the attention grabber.)
Don't be confused - No one will actually, literally be climaxing in this chapter. XDD (Sorry, wait for a bit.)
But don't you worry, the story is far from over.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
It was as if a thousand bodies, a thousand presences appeared at once, and Kaname was sure that Rido had them engaging in cannibalism, feeding on their families, seduced by power and lulled into a false sense of security for their own futures by a person who might have already been dead.
Dogs indeed.
Kaien could sense them too, gripping his sword tightly. He knew right from wrong. Never again did Kaien want to slay another vampire, but he knew that if he didn't do something, both humans and innocent vampires would be slaughtered and consumed like cattle.
Kaname rose from the floor, having gathered as much information as possible about the AP incident. The rotting scent was definitely connected to something, something that was pulling the puppet strings to all of these broken dolls, and Kaname would find out who, or what it was. He paced leisurely to the foyer in the sun dorm, preceded by Shiki, Rima and Takuma, flanked by Zero and Kaien on either side, Touga bringing up the rear. Haine could feel the power radiating off of the group in waves, instilling a note of 'stay here, humans' in the atmosphere. He decided to hang back and protect the students as best he could, notching an arrow in his bow.
"Look, the pureblood wishes to oppose the council." a vampire purred in amusement when their party emerged from the dorm.
Touga turned to close the doors securely behind him, Kaien embedding a hunter's dagger into the oak frame, it's power silently spreading to bar entry to any vampire, for a time.
"Does this mean you wish to take the side of the hunter, Kaname-sama?" another vampire asked, hissing the honorific.
"I take Zero's side." Kaname said with conviction, staring them down, feeling their auras seep into the atmosphere between the falling snow. "But your visit is hardly about punishing him for killing a pureblood. No, you've come for your own selfish desires, and to satisfy your master."
A single snowflake fell on the tip of Zero's nose, drawing his attention away from the throng of vampires before him. By the time his eyes could refocus on the group, a massive wave of power diffused in the area, freezing what was left of the council in mid lunge.
Crimson irises shone brightly, Kaname's face scrunched in concentration. Shiki's group realized that he was exerting much more power than necessary, judging on how focused he looked. What was happening? They should have been turned into dust by then! The all powerful pureblood had abilities akin to a God in the vampire world, save for resurrection, and they could easily have stood up to time! But something as simple as destroying the lower class? It was perhaps their most abused right, so why couldn't Kaname kill them?
Had they drunk Rido's blood? Was that where the rotting stench came from? Kaname knew he recognized the scent, but couldn't place it because of the stint.
"Shiki, are you absolutely sure about Rido?" Kaname snarled, heels digging into the ground, clenching his teeth in an effort to keep his control over them.
"Positive." Shiki frowned, wondering if cutting in without a command from his cousin would be his ticket to death.
"Rido wasn't the type to let others drink his blood, but I can't kill them. I see no other reason for them to be able to resist my powers so well."
"Hehhehheh, it's... because you are... weak." a vampire in the crowd laughed through his bonds.
"You couldn't.... stop him... from, becoming the true cause of death for your mother and.... ngh, father, and you can't stop us... who hold... his blood in our bodies..... You owe him too much, you fake heir!"
A bullet flew through the dense crowd, splitting several bodies, turning a few more into dust. The loud sound of gunfire shocked students inside, earning screams of panic from the humans. Zero stood with Bloody Rose at the ready, teeth grit as he took his place besides Kaname.
"I've heard enough of your bullshit!" he growled, emptying his chamber into the crowd as Kaname's powers wavered.
"Filthy-blooded creature! We'll fucking Kill you!"
Roars of approval broke out along the crowd as they swarmed over the hunter, forcing him a good thirty feet from Kaname in his attempts to dodge. Kaien didn't wait for approval, rushing in with Yagari at his heels to help out.
"Zero!" Kaname cursed under his breath, Shiki's party taking that as their cue of approval to battle to their heart's content, feeling the approach of ice and fire from the distant, opposite end of the battlefield, hearing Ruka's feint battle cries.
The pureblood drug his fang along the length of his palm, summoning a trio of blade forms, all made of his blood. He cleaved through bodies on his way to Zero, unable to help the cause and murder any of them. He could see the silver-haired hunter, blood splotching him, thankfully none of it was his own, and a hill of sand at his feet as he trusted his back to Kaien and Yagari.
"Zero! Pay Attention!" he yelled, offering his slit hand to the hunter.
Zero grasped it without hesitation, trusting in Kaname's judgment as the pureblood pulled him close to his chest, raking a fang in the same manner over the hunter's left palm.
"Lend me your power." he whispered into his lover's ear, squeezing his hand so that a strong pulse of his own blood coursed though Zero's veins.
Kaname used to think that Shiki was a fool to share his blood, his power and manipulation over the life's liquid, with Rima that way for something so trivial as Uzumaki Drop, but now he saw other ways in which the blood bond could be used. He unleashed his power over the surrounding vampires once more, keeping them frozen in place until either Kaien or Touga could get to them. The seal held better this time, since there wasn't only his own blood coursing through him in that moment.
"Concentrate, pull the power from deep within you. Remember back in the alley? Bloody Rose is merely an extension of your arm, use that to your advantage. I'll guide you."
The power, the sheer pleasure Zero felt was indescribable. It nearly turned his legs into a quivering pool at just how relaxed and aroused he felt with Kaname's blood coursing through him. The heat and intimacy of the moment blocked out all else as he grasped that fragment of power, that small bit of knowledge that he had Kaname by his side. This time he had more to protect than just himself, he had to protect his lover as well.
It was painful and wonderful at the same time, like an orgasm that had been delayed for far too long, as the metal of the gun melted and fused into his arm, though perhaps it was only because Kaname was ensuring that there was pleasure along with the pain. It splintered and tore as metal vines grew, flexible like a plant, the thorns akin to hunters weapons. Zero found that he could move them of his own will now, instead of them lying uselessly like the last time they had appeared.
"It's not enough." Kaname growled, trying to force more of his blood into Zero.
Their hearts raced as one, but the return rate wasn't high enough, and it would soon tire the pureblood out. Kaname maneuvered around him, the thorns avoiding their two masters as they sought out more carnage. Kaname embraced Zero with his free arm, running his tongue along the hunter's neck. He brought his hand up to press Zero's head into the crook of his own neck, encouraging Zero to drink as well.
The vines grew longer, more lithe as they pierced through and crushed countless bodies with their thorns, tipped with the metal of the enchanted bullets inside of the Bloody Rose, but neither teen was paying attention.
They were consuming each other on the battlefield, drinking from each other, creating a continuous flow between themselves in order to keep their powers up. It was a give and take that neither could lose out on. The vines wrapped them in a wall as they continued out, multiplying, protecting them as it sought out the enemy.
It was an entirely inappropriate moment, but Kaname couldn't help himself as he rubbed his erection along Zero's, both of them hard from the pleasure the others blood brought to them. The hunter jerked when he felt it, groaning into Kaname's neck, trying to shy away before he hit the wall of vines which shuddered as a single thorn pricked Zero's skin. Kaname pulled him closer, away from the wall, feeling the need surge up within him.
Out on the battlefield, the vines grew like weeds, encumbering weight destroying the remaining vampires left and right. They were erratic, just as the two lovers felt from within their fortress of vines. They filled the grounds of the sun dorm, forcing Shiki and Ruka's party to retreat to the gates, Kaien and Touga stranded, unharmed in the center, but being quickly overrun by the growths.
"What's happening to them?" Ichijou yelled to the other group, lest they knew anything that his did not.
"We don't know." Kain yelled back.
Ruka's fist clenched. The remainder of the council was destroyed, so the vines should have stopped, if they were being controlled by Kaname, and not just Zero by himself. Her caramel eyes lit up brightly with the glow of her mind control, worried for Kaname. Both Aidou and Kain could read her intentions; if Kiryuu was the only one left standing, she would tap into his mind and make him destroy himself. She lept from the top of the gate, dodging vines here and there. The men flanked her, keeping a thin wall of fire and ice between themselves and the vines, lest they needed to use force.
The vines were avoiding the cousins, however, opting to bat at Ruka instead. What had she done wrong? If this was truly Kiryuu's doing, then surely he would have gone for them first, as they had been the ones to openly threaten him if he made a move against Kaname.
A tendril caught Ruka's boot, curling, thorns puncturing deeply into leather, piercing her skin to drain the vampiress while the rest began to climb higher along her leg. It burned so badly, like an allergic reaction as the hunter's metal left wounds within her that would not heal any time soon, not without sustenance. Stubborn as ever, Ruka bit back a scream, intending to free herself so she wouldn't fall behind.
Kain's eyes widened as he panicked, rushing in to help her. He conjured flame, trying to burn away at the vines, but only partially succeeded in heating the metal thorns, the hunter's elements. The fire would not touch the earthen, plant like flesh of the tendrils, Kaname's vampire elements, meaning that he was still alive, and he had no idea what was happening to Ruka. Kain called for Aidou's ice, applying cold to hot with the intent of breaking the thorns as more still climber her thighs, a single tendril curling around her torso.
"Kaname-sama!!"
The cry awoke Kaname from his trance. His fangs were still impaling Zero's skin as he realized what was going on--they were still on the offense. He immediately relaxed his hold on the vines, reluctantly withdrawing from Zero's skin with a sigh, the hunter following suit. His wall of vines collapsed to reveal them both in each others arms, palms together, fingers laced, blood trailing down their necks as the wounds closed.
Everyone save for the lovers surrounded Ruka, even Kaien and Yagari, who was checking on the wounds on Ruka's feet and legs. They were bleeding out, painting her paling skin a dark crimson.
"I'll be fine." Ruka murmured sleepily, blowing a few messy strands of hair off of her face. "I just need to rest for a few minutes is all." she sighed, head lolling back as her eyes fluttered to a close.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
"Didn't I tell you? They're strong because they share." A young girl smiled, her voice less childlike than when Ruka had last seen her.
Her body was a bit bigger, leaner now too, surpassing the size of an older toddler to that of a middle aged elementary student. Her hair was longer, brushing over her shoulder blades. The dress she wore was the same snowy one she had on before, the exact same garment, stained with blood along the front, the hem of the dress rising just above her knees.
"What happened to you?" Ruka sulked, laying on her back in the white abyss.
"I'm getting stronger because I'm 'sharing' too. whether you've realized it or not, Ruka-san, we've already shared something. The proof lingers from the last time I visited you."
"Do you do this to everyone, or am I the only one lucky enough to be going insane?"
"Of all the people whom have called me, you and oneesan are the only ones whom I've been able to share with. I have no idea if sharing is gender specified, or if it's because they're protected. I haven't been able to reach oniisama, and I couldn't influence oniisan when I did see him..." she trailed off thoughtfully.
"So what was it that we shared?" her patience was running thin as she turned away from the girl who looked so much like a young Kaname.
"Blood, energy, you absorbed my signature when I visited you. I've marked your vessel as safe, but then you go and get yourself pierced by a hunter's weapon..." she tutted softly. "But I have a proposal for you. It's one I think you should consider, because it will make you uniquely special to oniisama, and if you-"
"Forget it." said Ruka, palms over her ears. "I'm the most loyal to Kaname, I won't betray him, now or ever."
"But this has nothing to do with oniisama, aside from making you stand out in his eyes. This has everything to do with you. If you can grant me this one, itty bitty favor, then I'll heal you, and grant you the power to be able to stand out. In the end, purebloods are all about power, no matter what you might think."
There was no way Ruka could just pass that opportunity up. If what the little girl was saying was true, then Ruka might actually have a shot at being with Kaname in the way she wanted. Yes, she had resigned to the fact that she was always going to be his most loyal follower, but when it came to capturing his heart, his attention... Ruka still cringed when she realized that she would never be able to have any of it, no matter how much she put into loving him. She decided to show some interest, turning to the young girl to ask.
"What's the favor?"
The girl's eyes suddenly dimmed, the spark of life dulling with the heavy weight of tiredness. the dark circles beneath her eyes became more prominent as she padded forward, getting on her knees to sit next to Ruka.
"Let me rest here." she pleaded wearily. "It won't be all the time, just enough to be able to get away from oneesama. Your mind is strong, and I know I won't be disturbed here."
"What are you exactly?" Ruka asked, understanding, yet confused at once.
The little girl looked up, eyes staring off into the distance with unfocused eyes.
"A wraith, a projection, a fragmentation, a memory... I don't know what I am. It could be any one of those or none of the above. All I remember of the last decade is darkness. I used to be able to remember much more from my early existence, but it's gone now. Oneesama has everything."
"So your sister is your keeper?"
"She's more than that. She's my captor, my mistress, I can't free myself from her, so I'm doing the next best thing by taking shelter in someone loyal, who's protective, who has a strong mind. And if you let me, I'll lend you my power. You'll make a difference in these war-torn times, and I can tell you right now, oniisama repays whatever is given to him."
Ruka hesitated, trying to search the mind of the child with her powers, but coming up empty. She was no mind reader, even if she could control others through that gate. Even still, how could she have found the mind of something that didn't even hold a physical body?
"Then what will happen if she tries to get information out of you?"
"Oneesama only knows what I tell her. I can't even access her mind without permission. Lately I've had to talk to her through oneesan, who isn't safe to rest in, sadly. I wish I could pass on, but it seems that I can't even do that without oneesama's permission either, so I'm stuck."
The tale struck a sympathetic chord with the vampiress, though she couldn't help but feel an uneasiness at not being able to find the child's mind.
"That's quite a bit you want to give me in exchange for a place to rest. What if I help you to pass on?" that would have gotten the girl out of her head.
It seemed to her like all the child wanted to do was be freed from her duties. Ruka was a spoiled child growing up, but she saw just how lucky she was compared to people like Kaname, who was responsible for the future of an entire race, or Takuma, who was little more than a tool for his grandfather's whims. There wasn't much she could do for them in her current state, but with power, she would be able to at least be of more use to Kaname. If she got rid of the child, then she would be able to return her favor of wanting to pass on, and wouldn't have to put up with her company any longer.
"You'd do that for me?" the child asked in a whisper.
"Of course."
"Then we have a deal!" she grinned, leaning over to press her nose to Ruka's, biting her own lip. "This won't hurt a bit."
Blood dripped onto Ruka's lip, making her recoil instantly from it's very real taste and weight, the liquid leaving a burning trail wherever it touched, like eating the spiciest of peppers. The blood burned through her, bringing with it a searing pain that woke her from her slumber.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
With all the pain that Kaname had caused Ruka, it would only be fair if he offered his blood in apology for almost killing her. He was a responsible ruler, and he would do what was necessary to see to the care someone who so faithfully supported him. Zero secretly thought the same, but wouldn't have offered his blood, knowing that Ruka would never accept it from a classless person like him. It was fine though, since the only one he wanted drinking from him was Kaname. He would have liked it to be the same, but felt, knew that Kaname would try to help her.
The pureblood gathered Zero close to his side, the vines already retracted once Ruka came to. Bloody Rose was hooked safely onto Zero's clip and chain, fastened and tucked away in his leather vest. They both made their way to Ruka, Zero nearly dragging in exhaustion from the high stress that had just been put on his body.
Kaname was contrite as he crouched down, offering his wrist to Ruka with sincere, apologetic eyes. The hunter did and said nothing, turning his face away in appease. She shook her head, smiling now that she knew Kaname did return favors, insisting with her eyes that everything would be alright.
The one who was most emotionally unstable, in that moment, was Kain. Tension was a heightened aura surrounding him as he supported Ruka against him, pardoning himself to carry her back to the moon dorms.
"She'll be alright." Yagari concluded, impressing Kaien with his concern for the young vampire. "The wounds are deep, but they're far from her vulnerable points. She'll need rest though, because she was pierced with hunter's metal, and that will take time to heal."
Everyone stared at Zero as if they were seeing him for the first time. The vampires, save for Aidou, had no idea that he had been turned into one of them, and none of them had ever seen Zero's little parlor trick before. Those who hadn't known the truth instantly looked to Kaname, who was ignoring them in favor of wrapping the shawl around the teen more securely, very concerned about his health, even though Zero had probably consumed more than his fair share of healing pure blood already.
To hell with his reputation. Kaname didn't care anymore. He would bring Zero up to his room to let him recover from the ordeal.
"You may leave." the pureblood murmured, dismissing Shiki's party to their pilgrimage to find out whether Rido's path was still crossable, or if it had ended.
The trio hesitated, leaving only when they were sure that they weren't going to receive any further instruction. Aidou followed Kaname at a great distance, crunching through the muddy snow and ash, glad that he had convinced Tsukiko to stay in the dorms.
"Keep up a spread defense, I'm running late for an appointment." Kaien announced shortly afterward, sheathing his sword as he turned to leave through the gates, locking them up after himself.
Touga lifted a brow at Kaien's weird behavior, opting to follow his orders anyway, but being exhausted himself, he had no idea how long he could last either. He would go into the sun dorm and tell Haine and Yuri to rest, so when they awoke, or when he was about to pass out, whichever came first, there would be someone guarding the humans, even if he doubted that anyone would be coming back for them at all.
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
There was a barrier set up by the hunters around the academy as they worked on the investigation. Kaname's powers were weakening the more he used them, for some reason. Kaien, as the legitimate successor of the president's position in the Hunter's Association, commanded the hunters to leave everything in tact, sending Touga to overlook things as he left to take care of some business elsewhere.
Kaname and Zero weren't in the mood to talk to others, let alone answer a thousand questions about their taboo relationship. With Kaname they wouldn't even disrespect him in asking, but with Zero, they would have shouted obscenities until commanded to stop, were it not for the untouchable aura that surrounded his being, enveloping his own presence thanks to the pureblood who so closely guarded him.
They walked down the hallway, receiving stunned expressions of disbelief, even some glares of hatred towards Zero that melted into calm indifference as they were somehow removed by Kaname's presence. It wasn't just those who were left of the pureblood's inner circle, but the entire night class. All of those faceless, nameless vampires from before were staring at them like they were a freak show. Kaname's grip on Zero's hand tightened as he pulled the hunter to his side, like an equal, tenderly wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
He was so unflappable at a time like this, bending down to tear their joined skin apart, kissing the palm of Zero's hand to heal him instantaneously. Moving forward to open the door for them both, Kaname swept him up bridal style to carry him over the threshold into the bedroom, closing the door gently behind himself.
In the hall the vampires were in a frenzy, in denial about the nature of their relationship. Within the four walls of the pureblood's bedchamber, Kaname sat down onto the bed, pulling Zero onto his lap with him, kissing his lips gently as he moved to massage his back. He too, was tense. The knots in his back relaxed at Kaname's skilled hands, and he began to unwind somewhat in his arms.
"How long have you felt this way about me?" Zero asked, turning in his arms to look at his beautiful face.
Kaname merely smiled, burying his nose in the hunter's hair, his guilt over Ruka pushed away.
"Since you first stabbed me with that knife. I knew you would be the only one crazy enough to handle a pureblood, and I was right." he joked, kissing Zero's cheek. "How long have you had crush on me?" he asked back with a small smirk.
Zero turned in his arms, pressing himself against the pureblood, feeling their chests rub together, the twin heartbeats beneath them like a comforting reassurance.
"That's a secret." he murmured, turning away in embarrassment.
"Well, I have all the time in the world to unravel your secrets." Kaname smiled softly, bringing Zero down onto the mattress with him. "We have a few hours until the hunters finish the investigation. I have Seiren watching them now. She'll come wake us when they've completed their tasks." he murmured, stroking Zero's silvery hair. "How about we just rest for now? There's nothing we can do until then, and-"
Kaname was silenced when Zero's lips met his, slow and hesitant, as if self conscious now that they were surrounded, even if unseen, by other vampires. The pureblood smiled and kissed back, happy to be able to show affection to his loved one after such a long time of yearning.
"I'm glad that I have you here with me." Zero confessed in a low tone. "I would have gone to pieces if you weren't there to drive me insane." he laughed, placing another chaste kiss on Kaname's lips before burying his head into the crook of his neck, deciding to kiss his skin there too. "Whenever the hunters finish, we'll go down and investigate on our own. It was... unnerving, knowing that I would have to face her murder scene alone, since she was the only one who was with me for so long. But now, with this... arrangement, we'll be able to avenge her together."
And that was where the pureblood's guilt really began to erode this heart.
Zero was there, he was beloved, and he was suffering, all with the same person.
He thought he had to track down a murderer and avenge Yuuki's death. He was probably going to be stuck in that mentality for a long while, possibly forever, as Kaname himself knew. Why else had Yuuki been hidden all of those years? Why else had Kaname been setting up the pieces of this chess game in order to kill the one who had caused his parents death, and the painful, ten year span where he had to act like she was some rescued child? In order to kill Rido, to keep himself from suffering what Zero was suffering through now. Yet his condition was infinitely worse, because he had no idea who had killed her.
Hell, Zero had been suffering like this for over four years from Shizuka alone! But that time he had a drive, he had an objective to accomplish.
So what about now?
The hunter deserved closure, he deserved to know. He had wrestled with the mixed signals, and flirts, and passes that Kaname had given him, as well as his own sexuality issues, and came out in one piece. Zero faced all of those issues head on.
What had Kaname done?
Well, he flirted, lied, waited for Zero to come to him. That was great and all for him to be so patient, as a pureblood of vampire society, but as simply Kaname, without the Kuran name and responsibilities tying him down, he wanted to be like that too. Kaname wanted to face everything head on, honestly, just like Zero did.
With a single decision,one of many that had been made out of pure selfishness, what had he accomplished? Only once had he ever tried the direct approach, and it was during a desperate time.
By deciding that he would reveal their relationship, reveal, and protect his loved one by lending him his strength in such a manner on the battlefield, Kaname knew that he had earned some degree of Zero's respect.
And it had felt so good to be open and honest, even if the night class was viewing him with brand new eyes. What's more, it would help clarify who was truly loyal and accepting and who deceived.
With the hunter's warm weight in his lap, their arms lovingly wrapped around each other, and Zero's faith put into him, how could Kaname remain silent? How could he do that to him?
But fear paralyzed his heart.
"Shhhh.... let's rest, we'll be okay. We can look soon." Zero murmured into Kaname's neck, wide palm rubbing between his shoulder blades in a comforting gesture.
Zero could feel the tension in Kaname's body, the painful heartache that echoed his own at loosing a loved one. They were together, and that was what mattered. They would get through the case, the execution, and the entire grieving process together, so they could continue building on their life, together.
The truth or a lie?
It was back to that old debate again.
That was what it really came down to.
If Kaname didn't say a word, then, knowing Zero, they wouldn't move on. He had waited ten years for Yuuki, all for naught, but with Zero, it hadn't even been ten days, and already he was growing weary of what he expected them the face through his silence. No, not again. Kaname wanted closure! One way or the other!
But which should he choose?
Through either of them he ran a high risk of loosing Zero. One option could lead to a murder, the other to a suicide.
Damn it all! Why the hell hadn't he been upfront about this in the first place? Waiting until Zero had a cushion, someone to fall back on sounded like a poor excuse. Kaname should have done this long ago, when the shock was still fresh, but the past was set in stone, and the future was not.
And the present was being carved out right there.
No more secrets. Kaname had to weigh out the options at that precise moment.
He tried to make a mental list of the pros and cons of the truth and a lie, but the simplicity of the choices were lain out before him.
Murder or suicide. Though Kaname wanted to be there for him, he would rather Zero hate him forever than have a mental breakdown. Zero could kill him and escape. It was a much better option than watching the one he loved coil in on himself and die, being powerless to stop it
How laughable, that this too was a selfish decision he was about to make.
Selfish.
Foolish.
And unbeknown to him, the wrong one.
But first, he just had to know.
"Zero." Kaname murmured into his hair, feeling dread grip his heart.
The hunter could sense it, the calm serenity he was striving for to sooth his lover was vanishing quickly, fear replacing it.
"Yes?" he asked, hugging the pureblood closer to him, the sad and longing ache of love washing into his heart.
It was the strangest thing. Since he and Kaname had shared the blood, their transmitting and reception of feelings and emotions were much more intense. It was no longer as if they carried two hearts within, but like they shared a single one between them that mixed and intensified whatever it was exposed to.
This was going to kill the both of them.
"I have something to tell you."
"...go on..."
Kaname clutched the hunter, but they couldn't get any closer than they were right then, unless they were to remove the clothes in the way, but he had a feeling that that wouldn't happen any time soon, if at all.
"...Zero..."
He swallowed; more than once, pulling away slightly so that he could look into the hunter's violet eyes, to make him feel and see the depths of the emotions behind his next three words. His mouth had gone dry once his jaw dropped, voice unwilling to work, for once the sweetness was uttered, the sin would have to have been confessed. Kaname licked his lips, lids drooping as he brought his mouth so close to Zero's that they could taste each others breath, and feel every word that was spoken, feel it, and consume it.
Good, now Kaname could confess with all five senses, the scent of their unity, in blood, fragrant all around them.
His voice trembled as he spoke softly, the first part of his revelation filling the hunter with leaded joy.
"I love you."
"ღ*~+~*ღ"
A/N: There's a new poll in my profile. I'll probably say that in all of the stories' next immediate updates. Please vote, it's about updates.
I'm still wanting to rewrite STS, but I have issues with expansion and deviating from the story. I'll figure something out, because as I was rereading the introductory chapter, I was thinking, 'the idea and delivery are pretty nice, but the way it's written sucks.' And now I feel embarrassed to even keep the original up. I guess that means you're improving when you look at your previous works and see nothing but crap? that's what I was told. now I might have to go badger Blackened Wing for tips on writing an epic. Or what's more, I'll need to study hers, and Uzumaki-sama 's Syntax and try to improve on my own. *frets* Read their fics by the way. :D
Reviews: I still love you guys, do you still love me?