So I know that I said I'd just write a one shot and be done with it? I was wrong. The evil plot bunnies show no mercy on me of course. Anyway this is a sequel to Tainted but this time from Kaname's side of things. I hope it's as good as the first. It's past one in the morning here and I'm about to go flail off to bed. I hope everyone who reads enjoys in leaves me nice reviews. Goodnight and Happy Holidays!

~Fae

Disclaimer: I do not own Kaname, Zero or Vampire Knight. So don't sue me!

Regretting: KanamexZero

The warmth from the sun melted away the chill that had settled in the air of the night class dormitory. Normally Kaname would be dressed and waiting for papers from the Senate to be brought to him. On this particular day however, he lay unclothed beneath the sheets of his bed staring at the indention left by Zero's body.

"I thought you would have stayed with me. At least till I could tell you what I really wanted, but I suppose that would be too much ask of you now would it?" he thought, surprised at how bitter he felt.

Kaname could hear the voices outside his room and he shuddered slightly at the thought of facing the night class students. It wasn't uncommon for the aristocrats to gossip about one another, especially if the rumor involved their very own President Kuran. After all, what would such a low class vampire like Zero be doing in the room of his worst enemy? Suppressing a laugh, Kaname tossed the sheets aside and slowly began searching for a fresh set of clothes. The answers would come soon enough, he was sure. Not that Kaname cared. Or did he? Zero seemed to. Why would he of left otherwise?

"Kaname, may I come on please?" Headmaster Cross shouted on the other side of the door.

He hissed and hastily kicked his torn clothes underneath the bed and dressed quickly. The headmaster wasn't privileged to know what occurred the night before. Once he was properly clothed, he said in a calm but cold voice "Come in Headmaster, the door is open."

The wooden door creaked open and Cross slipped inside with a happy go lucky smile. Kaname returned the smile with a cool nod and gestured for the headmaster to sit in one of the chairs.

"Ah, Kaname," said Cross. "I've been meaning to speak with you all morning but the other students told me you were still sleep."

"I didn't sleep well last night," Kaname answered automatically.

"What an understatement. If only he knew how much Zero wanted to scream," he added to himself silently.

"So I heard," Cross said, clearing his throat. His tone grew serious and Kaname stiffened. Damn those aristocrats, one of them must have told the headmaster. Who else could of?

"Zero came into my office this morning looking quite upset. He would only apologize for neglecting his duties and say that if I really wanted to know what troubled him to ask you. And indeed, I want to know. This isn't his normal behavior Kaname," he said.

Kaname felt the heat rising in his face and he looked away. So Zero really did regret what they had done last night. In truth, he himself didn't feel any regret. More surprise at his lack of self-control. He acted on pure instinct and Zero followed him without protest.

"If only I had known. If only I hadn't let my emotions overrule my judgment. But… he didn't even stop me even as we joined together. What have I done?"

Avoiding the headmaster's gaze, he began to walk away with a unusually long stride. Cross began to protest but Kaname hissed violently silencing him.

"I will speak to him myself. Now leave before I change my mind and rip out your throat," he said coldly.

He didn't mean it of course. The headmaster had taken care of Yuki since she was a child and it would sadden her greatly. In the back of his mind, Kaname wondered if she knew the change in Zero. Or maybe he hid his guilt too well for even her to find. Kaname contemplated these things as he walked down the grand staircase. He ignored the glances exchanged between his fellow students and headed outside.

The sunlight stung his eyes and Kaname blinked several times before he could adjust to the sunlight. His breath came out as a fog in the chilly day. The roses died after fall passed, leaving only the dead bushes in the winding garden. Winter soon would take a turn for the worst. Snow would fall in flakes till it covered the landscape in a blanket of pure white. Mother Nature in her full fury. Vaguely, Kaname wondered if the winter would bring a change such as Yuki into his life.

"Yuki is different now. She's such a lovely young thing, but so fragile. I could break her as easily as I could kiss her. She deserves better than Zero and I. All we've done is cause havoc in her life," he told himself forcibly.

A twinge of pain made him wince and Kaname put his hand to his heart. He felt surprised once again at this strange new pain. How many times had he even given Yuki a thought recently? Of course, he smiled and made pleasant conversation with her during the change between night and day. But it was always Zero he watched. Zero who never spoke about the night he took his blood in exchange to protect Yuki. Zero who nearly lost all sanity except for the deal Kaname made with him. They rarely even spoke civilly to each other. But last night. Last night had been different, a change in both of them.

"Where are you Zero? Why did you leave my bed so soon?"

He walked down the slippery pathway into the woods next to the school. Somehow, Kaname knew he was in there. Most likely wandering like a lost puppy with Bloody Rose clutched in his hand like a lifeline. He could smell the faint scent of his blood that still stained Zero's neck, a reminder of last night. Kaname moved quicker now, till he was running with inhuman speed. His heartbeat rang painfully in his ears till he almost couldn't hear the sounds of the woods surrounding him. But then a shot rang through, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"Stop right there before I shoot you bastard," Zero growled.

Kaname almost laughed. Zero stood several feet from him among the trees. His violet hues darted to and from him and his silver hair was still disheveled. So were his clothes. He never looked so intimidating or beautiful.

"And what will you do if you shoot me? How will you explain to Cross that you shot a vampire that wasn't even threatening you? A pure blood no less. Where are your manners Zero?" He asked mockingly.

"Fuck you!" Zero roared and took another shot.

The gun clicked and another bullet rang through. Kaname dodged easily, it was a clumsy attempt. Before Zero could anticipate it, stood before him, ripping the gun from his hand. He growled and threw a punch that hit Kaname square in the jaw. Caught off guard, he stumbled to the ground, Bloody Rose flying from his hand. Zero cursed and leapt on top of him, throwing another punch after another. He didn't even try to fight him. Kaname laid there, making no sound till Zero finally gave in and collapsed. His head rested on his shoulder and Kaname faintly nuzzled him. Already the bruises were healing. The beating did little to injure him but the pain and bitterness radiating from Zero troubled him.

"Zero, tell me what's troubling you," he said and slipped his arms around him, giving him no room to escape.

"Damn you just leave me alone," Zero moaned, "Stop sugar coating everything and let me go you fucking bastard."

"Not until you tell me why you left. I thought…" Kaname began but his voice trailed off.

What did he think? In all honesty, he realized that he didn't know what to expect from Zero. The night him confused, unsure of what to make of his past hatred and animosity for him.

"You thought that this was more than just a one night stand? You know Kaname; you really do make me sick. One minute you speak for your love for Yuki and the next minute you fuck me senselessly till I'm begging," Zero spat and pushed away from him.

Kaname growled angrily, his fangs sliding out without hesitation. How dare that low life ex-human speak to him in such a manner! The nerve of him to even think such thoughts when he willingly gave his blood to keep Zero from losing all sanity.

"So all am I to you is a obstacle in the way of you winning over Yuki? I'm surprised she hasn't run away screaming after all you've done to her," he said coldly in reply.

Zero's face darkened with anger and Kaname smirked, pulling himself to his feet with cat like grace. He'd gotten underneath the other's skin and he knew it. Zero glared at him venomously but didn't speak. Kaname watched without another word, waiting. Neither took their eyes off one another or made a move to retrieve Bloody Rose from the grassy clearing nearby. They only stared silently with hatred. Or maybe hurt. Kaname could feel Zero's words stab him like a knife through his heart.

Finally Zero let out a sigh of resignation and walked passed him. No words spoken. He only reached down and slid Bloody Rose into his jacket, walking away further and further till Kaname could no longer hear his footsteps. In the distance, Yuki's voice called out in worry. He imagined that Zero would ignore her anxieties and pretend that nothing had happened.

"Pretending. You were always good at that. Till you couldn't control your thirst anymore. Then the illusion of your life fell apart in a instant," he thought.

It was easy to find his way back to the night class dormitory. Kaname could see that several students stood outside waiting for him. All it would take would be a simple explanation. He was walking through the woods and had a small argument with Zero. Nothing to cause troubled over. But Zero would avoid him now more than ever, trying to forget the raw emotions that guided their actions. They both paid a heavy price for letting go of everything.

If only I knew that I'd become someone else you'd find yourself regretting, Zero.