Chapter 8

Kaname sat in the dark, starring at the sleeping figure on the bed and wondering how something that brought him so much joy could also bring him so much pain. He had waited what felt like a life time to have Yuuki once again by his side, but now that she was there he was almost regretting waking the pureblood inside her. He had such hopes of finally not being alone any more. It was that thought that got him through most on those days when the daunting task of being a pureblood, and therefore bounded by protocol made him unbearably lonely. He just wanted her there because not only was she his Yuuki, but because, since she was also a Kuran, he would not have to have the pseudo relationship that he was doomed to have with every other vampire because he was seen as the "young prince". That small piece of heaven that he found while with Haruka, Juri, and young Yuuki had him wistfully anticipating the day he again have that refuge, but now.

Kaname let out a sigh as he swirled the wine around in the glass that was in his hand, hopping it would help to clear his mind. This was the last glass of the second bottle of bloodwine he had gone through since he had returned. The images of what had happened at Cross's still fresh in his head.

Upon walking up to Cross's home, Kaname could feel the distress rolling off the man. He knew Cross must have been tending to Zero and knowing the extent of what he had done, knew it was no small task. Preparing himself for the lecture and questioning he knew he would get from the headmaster, Kaname walked in to the house without even notifying anyone of his arrival.

Cross was having a tough time trying taking care of Zero because all the bleed had stopped, and now they had to deal with the excruciating pain Zero was in. His vampire rate of healing was working against him this time trying to regrow muscle tissue but not having the proper places to form was causing an inflammation at the in logged sites. Cross froze when his hunter senses pick-up the alert of a powerful vampire, but not before noticing the flare of hate blaze in Zero's eyes. He quickly stood and turned to the door, hoping to stop Kaname from entering the room, but he's heart sank when he saw the pureblood standing there. He knew that if Kaname tried to do anything to Zero in this condition there was both no way for him to defend himself or any chance he would survive another attack.

Nervously Cross started, "Kaname…

"Leave us," he said with no hint of his mood in his voice.

"Kaname, I don't know what…"

"You have my word as a pureblood, and as the son of Juri and Haruka Kuran that I will not kill him, but there are some things that we 'vampires' have to discuss. Privately."

Cross turned to Zero to see if he was alright with being alone in Kaname's presence. Zero nodded his head in agreement, knowing without a doubt that Cross would not leave otherwise.

Cross let out a heavy sigh, than looking Kaname in the eyes but talking to Zero said, "I'll be just out the door if you need anything."

Kaname understood that Cross was being cautious with him and bobbed his head in respectful acknowledgement, both knowing perfectly well that if Kaname did want to harm Zero the pureblood could have it done before the ex-hunter even had a chance to react.

In the meantime, Zero was thinking what would be the best way to kill the pureblood bastard that he didn't notice Cross was gone until Kaname spoke, "I would love to kill you right now just for that disrespectful glare but that would not make this situation any better. Instead I'm going to make you an offer that you will not refuse."

Zero lightly chuckled, "Like hell I would agree to anything you would want."

In an instant, Kaname had Zero by the neck, reminding him who was the one with the real power here with the pain from the jolt awaking Zero to the actual danger he was in for he could not even lift an arm to try to get Kaname to let go. Kaname tighten his hold just for a moment just to get his point across before letting go, causing Zero to breathlessly fall to the couch. "Now as I saying. I want you gone as in off this campus and far far away."

Zero looked at Kaname wanting to tell him to fuck off, but thought better of it given the condition he was in. for now he would let Kaname continue because this actually sparked his curiosity. If Kaname hated him so much, and since Yuuki was now a vampire ,therefore no longer needing his protection, why not kill him like any other pureblood would? Was it something to do with Cross? Surely the all-powerful vampire prince he was, could easily get some outside third party to do the job for him if he didn't want to get his hands dirty. Moreover, why did Kaname not kill him earlier? It was all so puzzling to him because it didn't add up. Therefore he decided to play along to see what Kaname was trying to hide, but he wouldn't make it that easy. "And just where would I go? I don't exactly have anywhere else to live."

Kaname was surprised he wasn't told off. Maybe zero did realize how much of a threat he could be. "As for that, I am going to give you the funds you will need to live."

"why the hell would I ever take your money? Do you think you can buy me with it? I don't need anything form you?"

"come now, we both know that that is not true. You need something form me more than any other vampire." Kaname leaned in closer to Zero and with a smirk on his face said, "My blood."

Zero tensed at the intrusion of his personal space and became even more unsettled by the fact that Kaname was right. As much as he hated to admit it he did need Kaname's pureblood to stop the maddening fall to an E. It was only a temporary fix though. This gave Zero to idea to test just how far would Kaname go to be rid of him. "Just say I do do as you ask and leave campus to go elsewhere. What would I do for blood? We both know where I have been getting my needs meet. Without me being here what am I to do when I need to feed?" choosing his would well to bit the pureblood without angering him.

Kaname, following everything he was implying, tried to down play the situation. "You know fully well it would be nothing for me to arrange someone to be with you so you will have fresh blood available at all times."

"Yeah right, so you can have someone keeping tabs on me. Sorry, I won't let you put me on a leash, besides we both know that just not any type of blood will do; I need a certain variety of blood to stay sane, something I know I'll have no problems getting if I stay here, " Zero pushed, trying to act big despite the fact that his head was spinning around the room along with his stomach that wanted to hurl from the pain he was in. If Kaname wanted him gone, Kaname would have to give him everything he would need to live. No, not just live but to thrive, and it would cost Kaname dearly.

Kaname sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but at least it was going better than he expected. Although he did want Zero gone, and would do anything to make that happened, he didn't expect to have to pay such a high price, but Zero did have a point. If Zero stayed, they both knew that Yuuki would feed him like she always had, doing more so now because she could; her pureblood would be all that he would ever need. But if there was one thing Kaname knew for certain it was that he need to keep those two apart. Things would only get worse if Yuuki feed Zero, forcing Kaname to make his decision—a sacrifice that would shock them both. "I'll feed you for as long as you like. It doesn't have to be every time you feed. I would have to caution against having pureblood blood around. It is something most vampires are willing to kill for if they got the chance. Therefore I won't be giving you vials of it for use whenever." Kaname stopped. He really did not want to be doing this but there was no other way. "I think we could work out a schedule. I'll meet you at whatever location you are on the set date, allow the feeding, and leave just as quickly as I came. It's as simple as that. Although you will have to have a blood source for the in-betweens, I wouldn't think it too bad to have a servant of some type to tend to your other needs."

Zero was too stunned to respond to the last part. Kaname was willing, no, volunteering his blood on a regular basis to get Zero off of campus, which he was planning on doing anyway as soon as he could move. He had had it will all these vampires, especially the purebloods; the less he saw them the better. He had wanted leave long ago, but there was always the situation of what he would do about blood and falling to a level E. Knowingly or unknowingly, Kaname had just given him one of his biggest wishes. How could he actually say no, and now that he thought about it didn't Kaname also offer him money? "And the funds you offer. What type of compensation were you thinking about?"

At Zero's words Kaname wanted to smile, but thought better of it. Those words just as good as a 'yes' and It wouldn't do well for him if he let Zero exactly how happy he was to hear them. To answer Zero's question, Kaname would willingly give Zero as much as he wanted; money was not object for him, but he didn't want to appear any more eager than he already had. "Enough for you to have a decent life. Let's just say you won't have to worry about ever not having a place to live, food to eat, or close on your back. In addition to, you might even have enough left over for a few luxuries in life. I set up an account for you and make monthly deposits, but for in the mean time I'll have some cash sent over within an hour."

"Why?"

"Because I want you gone tonight. Failure to do so, and I will take back my offer," although he really wouldn't. He wanted Zero gone, and hoped Zero didn't call his bluff.

"And just how do suppose I do that. Thanks to you I can barely move on this couch. How in hell am I supposed to leave campus?"

Kaname did let a smile grace his face at this question. Acting quickly and before Zero could comprehend the meaning of the smile, Kaname, using his mental powers, remedied the problem, calling forth every piece of wood that was in Zero which violently opened all his wounds again.

Zero screamed from the surge of pain cause by the brutal treatment, alerting Cross, who soon started to pull at the door but still unable to enter. Kaname was using him powers to keep the door close at the moment because Cross's concerns were moot for soon Zero would be healed. Walking forward, Kaname cut himself on his neck once more and offered his blood to Zero. With all the blood he had lost today there was no way for him to refuse the advance. With lengthened fangs, Zero instinctively punctured Kaname's proffered neck and started to drink deeply.

Kaname wished that Zero's fangs in his neck didn't feel so damn good, but they did, sending him into a haze of intoxication. The twin peaks ejecting an erotic elixir into his system along with soft lips forming a gentle suction had his nerves under his skin firing in rapid bliss, shooting the pleasure throughout his body. In an attempt to ground himself, he took deep breaths and closed his eyes, which was a mistake for he didn't see what Zero was about to do.

As the blood started to immediately repair his body and give him strength, driven by need, Zero swung his body around onto Kaname, grabbing and tugging at chocolate strands, while leaving his fangs in the pureblood's neck which caused the exquisite flesh to tear. The action came as a total surprise to Kaname for two reasons. Firstly, He didn't think Zero had the strength need to act. And more startling still was the arousal that zipped within him at the feel of the ripping of his flesh. He would have moaned if he had not caught himself in time, and somewhere deep inside him, he was hopping that Zero would do it again.

Zero was in no better shape than Kaname, but neither knew it. The amazing taste of Kaname's blood was just as perfect as he remembered it to be, causing bolts of ecstasy shock his core. And even though Yuuki was now also a pureblood, her blood was still not as tantalizing, and if Zero was more honest with himself he would have realized that this was the real reason that he had given into Kaname's request. Subconsciously, his body got his brain to get it exactly what it wanted. A task that should be praised for its glory—an ex-human persuading a pureblood to be his blood source—which was something Kaname hoped no one would ever find out about. As exalting a feat this was from Zero's position, it would be seen as ten times more degrading for Kaname to the other vampires, but there was one saving grace in this arrangement, one that only purebloods would knew.

Kaname could feel Zero slowing down, and he was both relieved and saddened by this, but he, unlike Zero, knew why he was having these feelings. Relief came from knowing that this was ending and he would no longer have to hold himself back. Zero had taken a lot of blood, and now Kaname was hungry with bloodlust greater than it had been in years. The torture of holding himself back from biting this ex-human was harder than he would have ever thought possible. And saddened for all the same reasons because the masochist in him loved the torture it produced.

All vampires were sadist and masochist on to some extent, which pulled more to one way than the other, depending on their status. The lower levels biologically falling to the more masochist side than sadist. But there were exceptions, and of course, purebloods were in them. They were both equally sadist and masochist because for them it simply didn't matter; biting, being bitten, the pleasure was all the same. Whether it was their fangs ripping the flesh or their flesh being ripped by another, it was all ecstasy. The erotic ritual of one's pureblood merging with the other pureblood was a great titillation that other vampires could never experience, therefore never understand. And it was just one of the many curses/blessings purebloods were destined to face. Many pureblood vampires in the past had fallen because of their obsession with only one of these traits. There was a need to have both desires in equal proportion to keep the pureblood sane, but their predisposition for bipotentiality would prove to be their greatest tribulation. For if ever the scale were disturbed and tipped in one way or the other, it would continue to fall in that direction until only one personae existed, and it would take over, not caring about anything but sating the overdriven craving. This was the secret of what usually happened when pureblood vampires would, what non-purebloods called, "go mad", and would no pureblood would ever correct this misconception because this half-truth was crucial for their survival.

Fortunately Kaname had always been the greater of purebloods, standing out as the exception to even their rules. If there was one pureblood who could withstand this challenge it would be him. As Zero pulled away, Kaname composed himself almost instantly, than looked a Zero to judge his condition. Zero appeared to be fine. There were no more signs of bloodlust in his violet eyes, and all wounds that Kaname had inflected for a second time were all healed and closed with no indication that they had ever existed.

But on the inside Zero was a wreck, with his mind fighting what felt like a phantom. He didn't understand what was going on because for some reason there was this unexplained sensation that just didn't fit in with all the other thoughts going in his head. He knew that he was mad at himself for giving into his vampire needs but what was really strange was a small part of him felt pleased with himself for having just feed off of Kaname, causing himself to become sicken with himself on a whole new level. Up till now every time he had feed off anyone he had always been nothing but totally disgusted with himself for being a vampire which reminded him of what had happened in his past, causing him to feel guilty because he could not save his family. But this time that guilt wasn't there and that made him feel even worse for it scared him because it meant he was changing. Right now more than ever he could feel his vampire nature stirring, and it was all due to the copious amounts of pureblood running through his system. Over the course of four days Zero had consumed more pure vampire blood than most noble only dared to dream of in the entirety for their super long lives. And here was Zero, a level D, who had won the jackpot lottery of sorts, for not only was he allowed to drink pureblood but Kuran blood at that, and he hated every minute of it, thinking it to be the bane of his existence. If Zero's life had not been defined by such a tragic moment and hence changed his entire world, these thoughts would not be able to get through the euphoric buzz that strummed though his body from the intake of pureblood. A feeling one day would swallow him completely; it was only a matter of time.

The blast that came from the door stole both vampires attention as two men rammed their way through it. Apparently Cross had went get Yagari when he couldn't get in after he heard Zero scream, figuring that with the other vampire hunter they would have enough power to at least slow Kaname down. Both men were ready to attack, but stopped when they saw Zero sitting up on the couch and looking more alive and well than they had ever seen him.

"I thought you said that Kaname was killing him. The idiot looks plenty healthy to me," said Yagari to Cross as he examined Zero's condition more closely.

"Well I heard Zero scream, and then I couldn't get in, and after what had happened this afternoon I…,"

"What happened this afternoon?" Yagari asked a little alarmed.

"Nothing happened," Zero said sounding as cranky as ever, while he stood up and took a few steps forward.

"But Zero," Cross started.

"Look everything's fine. Alright? It was just a misunderstanding."

"Zero, how could you say it was just a misunderstanding you were…"

"But I'm fine now. Kaname even apologized. So let's just drop it," Zero said with a note of finality in his voice.

Cross looked between Zero and Kaname trying to find a hint of that was going on with the two. He knew that Zero was covering for Kaname, but the question was ' why?' After witnessing the fight himself, knowing the extent of the damage done, why would Zero want to cover for Kaname? Nothing about this entire day made any sense. Speaking of which he still hadn't seen any sign of Yuuki. "Kaname, where is Yuuki? You said that you would be bringing her by this evening." Cross noticed Zero slightly flinch at the mention of Yuuki's name, and it gave him the realization that whatever was going on between these two boys had to do with his daughter.

Kaname, who had been waiting for a chance to leave without arousing more suspicion, turned to Cross as if nothing out of the ordinary had ever happened today, "She is in my room at the Moon Dorm being taken care of by my most trusted and loyal followers. She was feeling under the weather, so I thought it would be best for her to stay and rest. I can guarantee you that she is perfectly safe. You know I would never put her in any danger. Rest assure they wouldn't dare harm her knowing she has my protection" Though they wouldn't hurt her without it now that her pureblood lineage has been awakened.

Something about how Kaname had so casually said that Yuuki was at the Moon Door and being cared for by Night Class students put Cross even more on edge. On the few occasions she had actually gone there, Zero was usually with her on school related duties, or if it was to speak to Kaname, in which she would come back immediately. Cross was getting the feeling he was not going to like the reason behind all of this knowing who Yuuki really was. He wanted to ask, but in case he was wrong, he couldn't while in front of Yagari and Zero.

Zero could sense that the tension in the room was not going away any time soon. "If you would excuse me I'm going lay down in my room. I'm starting to get a headache." he said knowing that Cross would not argue, understanding the condition he was in just minutes ago. At that Zero swiftly left the room passing Cross and Yagari without another word.

Since Zero had left Kaname thought it likewise time to make his escape. "Sorry for having disturbed you, but I must be going. Even though I know she is safe from the vampires, her health is something I cannot be so sure about and I wish to be by her side. Headmaster Cross if you would like to visit the dorms, where I'm sure you will find her to be safe in the least."

Cross was slightly surprised by the invitation, seeing the meaning behind of it that Yuuki would not be leaving the Moon Dorms, but he didn't think much more about it, being that he would soon be seeing Yuuki and then he would know if his apprehensions were correct.

"I will head there first as I'm sure you will want to have a few moments to speak with Yagari." Then Kaname elegantly made his way to the door and left.

Kaname wished he was drinking something stronger to take his mind away, but knew that would not be a good idea in the event kuro Yuuki decided to come out. Instead he would have to do with just a dull numbing of his mind because he needed most of his power to bine her darker half. Purebloods usually could not bend the will of other purebloods, but since Kaname was the ancestor of his clan and Yuuki was not but a babe compared to him, he did have some level of control over his blood that was in her body. One of the many pureblood secrets, but he being the only pureblood that actually knew and could use it. Although, he did feel remorseful for having to do so.

So for now he would keep the "vampire" part of Yuuki dormant deep inside of her. It wasn't actually the vampire he was suppressing but the insatiably destructive self-centered nature of a pureblood. Purebloods had the tendency to do exactly as they pleased whenever they wanted and the hell to anyone else since they were so strong and no one could stop them. It was an impulse that purebloods learned to control as they got older usually around the time of what humans could equate to puberty. In hind's sight, this was something he should have foreseen, since she went through that adjustment period when she was a human, but Kaname thought that since Yuuki was always the respectful child, who never showed any type of pureblood child mischief, that maybe she would be able to control these urges naturally as he had. He knew he could not keep her like this forever but didn't think right now was the best time for her to learn to control that side of herself since she had to adjust to the reality of being a pureblood vampire and knew all the stress would just make it that much harder to control.

Kaname had been glad Yuuki was asleep by the time Cross had gotten to the Moon Dorm. The sedatives in the tea that he ordered Rima and Ruka, knowing they would have done it together since he mentally instructed both on which tea to use and where, as well as how to make it before he made it into Cross's house, to fix had worked just in time for he felt she was still awake when he had exited the headmaster's residence, but didn't worry much since it would take Cross twenty minutes by foot, giving him enough time to arrange a plan to have Cross out of the Moon Dorm almost as soon as he was in it.

Upon Cross's arrival, Kaname informed him that Yuuki was asleep and suggested for Cross to simply get a peak of her from the door, as not to wake her, to confirm that she was indeed there and asleep, effectively keeping Cross far enough away for him not to sense that she had changed back into vampire. Kaname would tell him eventually, but not until Zero was gone, that way he would not have to chance the Kuro Yuuki coming out in front of Cross. "That" was a secret in which he wanted to keep a secret from all. It would be even more dangerous for her if anyone would find out that she was not whole. Even though he doubted that Cross would ever harm Yuuki, it was just too precious a chance for him to take. Yuuki was his everything, his life, his reason for living, for everything he had once lost he found with her.

Kaname would do everything, anything, to keep her by his side, having already known the unbearable pain of lost. It was the reason he had went into hibernation in the first place. Millennia ago, Kaname did have someone he cared for greatly. Someone who had been as kind and tender as a pureblood could be, and she did make him happy for a time for they had been blessed with many children which he loved all dearly. Tragically, she had been killed by other envious purebloods, and after he had gotten his revenge, he wanted to die himself, but always thinking about others, knew that if he killed himself everything they had built together would fall into ruin; for the hierarchy would once again become unstable, and there would be war. Not wanting anyone to have to suffer as he had, Kaname decided that the best thing to do was to sleep with the instructions only to his children of never to wake him. A request that was respected and passed down the family line for nearly 10,000 years.

The flashes of memories that played through his mind were not as heartbreaking as they had been so many years ago, which made Kaname wonder what happened to the blood bond he had once shared? It was the excruciating agony from the loss of his bond mate that was the reason Kaname had wanted to die, and it was the same with all pureblood vampire. Most committing suicide upon the death of their mate, easily becoming the number one cause of death to purebloods, and was why purebloods didn't let any feed from them, lending a hand in the reason why drinking a pureblood's blood was taboo. The bonds did not affect lower classes of vampires the way it did them, and that made bonds very dangerous to purebloods. A noble could form polybonds with other nobles, because they were not as possessive as purebloods were with their bond mates. Moreover, it was because they didn't feel the connection on the same level as purebloods. It would be correct in saying the degree of difference in the emotional and spiritually connection produced in bonding from a pureblood to different levels vampires could be equal to the difference of power and immortality between a pureblood and other classes of vampires as well. Ironically, purebloods were the strongest, but at the same time, the weakest of the vampire race.

But right now Kaname didn't feel like laughing at the powers-to-be's since of humor, he was too busy trying to figure out what he was going to do about Yuuki's and Zero's bond. He knew it was not something that could be solved by simply killing Zero, nor did he actually know of a way to undo a blood bond. However, he did know that he was no longer suffering the effects of his lost bond. Which had him wondering what the cause of that was? It had been ages since it had happened; therefore, was time the reason why? No, there had been other purebloods that tried to stick it out , some going in to hibernation as he had done, but upon his reawakening he inquired about other purebloods he had known to hear that even in their sleeps they had found ways to kill themselves. If this was true or not, Kaname had no way of knowing, but it was a risk he was not willing to take.

As he gazed at Yuuki he thought about them, thinking back to when they were kids. He knew when Yuuki as a child that she always liked his energy best, kissing him multiple times a day when he was home, though he knew that sometimes it was simply her excuse to kiss him because he knew she couldn't still be in need. "I have to save up for when you go out again," she would say, but Kaname knew it was more than that because she would always find any reason to be with him. For example, when he would be reading, she would come in to the library pick up a book, sit right next to him, and pretend to read, sometimes holding the book upside down or backwards. Those kinds of moments are what drew Yuuki into Kaname's heart, taking away all the pain and longing that was in it. Yuuki captured his heart and soul like no one had ever done before; even the one that was at his side so long, long ago never filled him with such joy. And because of this the vampire ruler was petrified. He knew that he would not survive this time if anything ever happened to her. But something already did.

She had formed a blood bond with another, and it made him both enraged and depress to the point that he wanted to kill and almost did; which strangely enough, he was glad he didn't. If he has killed Zero, given the frantic state Yuuki was in when he had seen her right after his fight with the ex-human, Kaname doubted she would have lasted more than a day even with supervision. Right now the only thing he could think of was putting distance between them. Even though it was only a temporary fix and there would possible be some side effects caused by the separation, Kaname figured this could buy him some much need time to get Yuuki's mind stable once more before complicating things with a blood bond. He would bring her back to his side and keep her there, making sure his Yuuki—the one that saw him and only him—was the one in control.

Kaname throw his head back, swigging the last of the glass's continence into his mouth. This wine wasn't improving his mood; he needed something better. With burning red eyes he leered his target's sleeping form on his bed. He had been holding out for so long, but since Yuuki was again a vampire, all his reasons for self-control no longer had merit . Swaying a lot more than he would acknowledge, Kaname drifted to the bed, fixated on the one thing that would give him release. He sat down next to his unknowing benefactor, sweeping long chocolate lochs away reveling the soft, warm flesh of her neck. Then with lengthening fangs, he bowed down and gave his beloved a vampire's kiss.

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