Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight… Such a sad thought.
A/N: This chapter is a little late due to the fact that I'm trying manage 4 different stories at the same time; the ideas just won't stop. However, I am trying to make this story my top priority since it is the most popular. I will endeavor to keep the updates coming, if not every day, than every other day. This chapter fluctuates between Zero's mind and the outside world; I hope it doesn't get too confusing. More of it will be Zero's mind though. In Zero's mind will be in italics while the outside world will be in regular print. Anyway, here is the chapter, please enjoy!
Awakening
Zero groaned from his position on the floor. He was tired of being trapped inside himself. It also didn't help that he was stuck here with his other half; Kagami was such a trouble maker. Really, the guy couldn't act normal to save his life.
"Zero-chan!" Kagami chimed as he leapt on Zero.
"Ooof!" Zero grunted as his other half landed on his stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs.
"What ya doing Zero-chan?" Kagami asked from where he sat on Zero's stomach, tilting his head cutely.
Zero glared at him, "Are you a damned child! Get off me!"
Kagami pouted, "But Zero-chan!"
Thumping his head against the floor, he cursed whatever god decided to give him someone like Kagami to share his mind with. The guy suffered more mood swings than a woman. He went from calm, to angry, to childish at the flip of a switch. Honestly, it was more tiring than putting up with Yuuki.
"What are you thinking about?" Kagami asked, shifting to straddle his host as he rested his chin on the other's chest.
"You," Zero mumbled softly.
"What about me?"the other asked just as quietly.
"Just wondering why you're so different from me… To be blunt, you have some hellish mood swings," Zero explained as he relaxed under his other half.
"I thought I told you… I am your other half. I exhibit the emotions that you won't feel. I am made up of all the things you repress. Your emotions, your thoughts; anything you don't want to acknowledge," Kagami told him.
"So what repressed parts of me are you made of?" the hunter questioned curiously.
"Well… I'm sure you've noticed the anger; that's an intrinsic part of who you are so we both have that. You're entire life has been made up of anger and hate. Other than that… Your inner child. You've never allowed yourself childish tendencies; it didn't fit with your image of a hunter. Happiness… You've never let yourself be happy; you always squash it down before you get too used to it… There's a lot more, but even I don't understand it all," Kagami spoke softly, rubbing his face against Zero's chest.
Zero sighed, "I think I get it… It's just odd thinking about you as a part of me, made up of things that I won't deal with… Kind of makes me feel crazy."
Kagami chuckled, "I suppose it would have to. After all, how many people can say they have someone in their head who talks to them?"
"Yeah," Zero murmured, eyes closing.
"Your body is healing nicely," Kagami stated suddenly, changing the topic.
"Is it? How do you know? I can't tell the difference," Zero wondered.
Kagami yawned softly, "I don't know, I can just feel it. I think I'm just more in tune with your body because you are intrinsic to my survival."
"Can you tell me anything else that's going on out there?" Zero asked, curious about what was happening while he was unconscious.
Kagami closed his eyes and concentrated, "Not really… The only things I can tell are what immediately affect your body. All I can tell you is that Kuran-sama has been feeding you his blood everyday… He also… Well, nevermind."
"Kaname is feeding me?" Zero was shocked.
"Why does that surprise you, after all that you've seen in your memories here? He's gone to great lengths to help you," the other murmured, entirely too comfortable on his perch.
"Well yeah… I guess you're right… Wait, he also what?" Zero asked, the last part of the sentence finally registering.
Kagami chuckled, "It's nothing."
Rolling over, Zero held himself above his other half, "Tell me."
Grinning up at Zero, amusement danced in Kagami's eyes, "I do believe Kuran-sama bathed you."
A blush lit Zero's face, "He what!"
Kagami reached up to pinch Zero's cheek, "Aw! Zero-chan is blushing!"
Burying his head in Kagami's chest, he moaned pitifully, "I'm never gonna be able to look him in the face again."
Not one to pass up an opportunity to tease his host, he was relentless, "Why? He's the one who saw you unclothed. If anything, I doubt you have to worry about him looking you in the face… He'll probably be looking elsewhere."
Thumping his fist against Kagami's chest, he groaned, "Stoooop."
Kagami laughed softly, "Sorry, you're just too easy to tease."
"You're evil," Zero muttered into his chest.
"Aw Zero-chan, you hurt my feelings," Kagami pouted.
"Pfft, you know it's true," the hunter said.
"You have a point," Kagami said softly, as he wrapped his arms around his host and pulled the hunter down to him.
"Don't I always?" Zero muttered, shifting around to get comfortable, knowing Kagami wasn't going to let him up any time soon.
Kagami's face turned serious once again, losing his child-like appearance, "Have you thought any more on what we talked about before?"
Zero sighed, knowing this was going to be a long conversation.
Meanwhile, Kain and Ruka sat on chairs off to the side of the unconscious hunter, beginning their guard duty. Kaname had gone to check on Yuuki and had ordered them to stay in the room. It was humiliating, having to watch someone other than Kaname.
"I hate this," Ruka muttered.
Kain snorted softly, "You should have thought about that before you suggested we go after him."
"I know," she whispered, "But I never thought we'd have to do this. What is Kaname-sama thinking?"
"Kaname-sama will tell us when we need to know," Kain said, staring at Zero's unmoving form.
"Did you know Kaname-sama has been feeding him?" Ruka asked softly, wanting someone to tell her she was wrong.
"I've suspected. We've smelled his blood numerous times over the past few days since Kiryu has been unconscious. It's really the only conclusion one could come to," Kain answered, knowing it wasn't what she wanted to hear but not wanting to lie to her.
"It would be so easy to snap his neck," Ruka frowned, not liking the idea of the hunter feeding on her precious Kaname-sama
"That wouldn't be advisable," a new voice floated across the room.
"Takuma!" Ruka shouted, standing in a flash.
Takuma observed the other two nobles with harsh green eyes. While he had agreed with Kaname about them guarding the hunter, he still wasn't too comfortable with it. It bothered him while the hunter was unconscious; Zero wasn't able to defend himself.
"I-I didn't mean it," Ruka mumbled as her eyes stared at the floor.
"Then don't make such rash statements… How do you think Kaname would have reacted had he heard that?" Takuma questioned softly. Seeing Ruka's eyes turn remorseful, he continued, "Kaname trusts you, all of you, to make sure Zero remains safe. Do not make him regret his decision."
"Of course, I would never do such a thing," Ruka stared, staring at Takuma with determined eyes.
Nodding, he told her, "Good. Now, am I able to leave the two of you alone with him or do I need to remain here?"
Kain spoke, "Don't worry, she won't do anything. Even if she tries, I would stop her. He is safe with us."
Takuma nodded once more, "Good."
With that, Takuma walked out the door. Glancing to the side, he saw the other three standing there.
"I trust you heard that?" Takuma questioned softly. Aido, Rima, and Shiki nodded, "Then remember it. Neither Kaname nor I will be pleased if any of you try something. We left you off relatively easy with your punishment; do not make us regret it… Now, I believe you had some restrooms to clean?"
The three nodded before wandering off to change into appropriate clothes. Takuma stepped away from the door, but glanced back at it. Just how long would it be before Zero woke up?
"I have thought about it," Zero murmured softly.
"Care to share?" Kagami asked, wanting to know what his host thought.
"Kaname… he confuses me. We have always hated each other, from the moment we met… Well, at least I have. After stabbing him with a butter knife, I doubt he's been too fond of me either. After four years, we've never managed to get along. It confuses me… That he would do so much to save someone he hates," Zero said, letting his inner thoughts out.
"Have you ever considered that maybe he didn't hate you? That he just didn't understand you or how to approach you?" Kagami inquired, wanting to help Zero come to terms with his thoughts.
"I guess that could be it… But Kaname is always so sure in everything he does… I can't see him being unsure about anything," Zero mumbled.
"Well, you haven't made it entirely easy on him. Your attitude towards him has always left something to be desired," Kagami muttered dryly.
Zero huffed softly, knowing his other half had a point. He always shot the pureblood down, even when he was trying to be nice. In his mind, the pureblood was always after something, after Yuuki, and that was why he was being nice. He never considered the fact that those efforts could have been solely for him.
"What about your hatred?" Kagami questioned, wanting to move the conversation along.
Zero thought for a few moments before answering, "It's hard to let go of. I mean, I was taught as a hunter that vampires could not be trusted. I was taught that they are beasts in human form, that they didn't feel like normal humans did; they were only out for their own gain. I also cannot come to terms with them hurting humans so they can survive."
"Why? Humans kill cows, chickens, and fish in order to survive. They take from the earth in order to live. How is feeding on blood any different? Just because they have different needs doesn't make them any less of a person," Kagami spoke, wanting his host to truly think of the answer.
"I understand that… I just… I don't know. It's just so different. It's hard to relate humans to cattle," Zero's brow creased at the analogy.
Kagami understood, but he still needed Zero to understand that vampires were not that different from humans, "It's not like they need to kill to survive. While it is sometimes the case, it is not necessary."
"What about purebloods? They need to eat as well… But when they do, the consequences are dire," Zero pointed out.
"Yes, but purebloods don't necessarily need to feed from human's directly. They also have the option of feeding from other vampires. Not all purebloods are like her," Kagami also had a valid point.
Zero brought his hand up to rub at his face, "This is getting us nowhere. Maybe… Maybe it's hopeless for me to try and get rid of my hate."
This time it was Kagami who switched their positions, pining his host to the floor, "You need to Zero, you cannot keep living with all this hatred inside you. I told you not try and get rid of it all in one shot. It will take time."
Zero stared up into Kagami's determined eyes, "You seem so sure that I can do it."
Kagami nodded, "I am… I know it will happen eventually."
"Why are you so insistent that I not hate them?" Zero asked softly.
"Zero, you are a vampire. You cannot keep hating your race, you cannot keep hating yourself. I'm trying to help you because I am you… I love you Zero, I cannot keep watching you do this to yourself," Kagami explained, his crimson eyes soft.
"Y-You l-love me?" Zero asked, a blush rising once more on his face.
Kagami chuckled, "Not in that kind of sense Zero-chan… It's more of a… friendly love, or familial if you will. I love you Zero, because you hate yourself."
Zero turned his head to the side, "I can't help it… I hate what I've become."
Leaning down, Kagami nuzzled Zero's cheek, "So you're saying you hate me?"
"What? No! That's not what I said," Zero protested.
"If you hate yourself… If you hate what you've become… If you hate being a vampire… Then you're saying that you hate me, Zero-chan," Kagami murmured against Zero's cheek.
"I don't hate you," Zero reassured his other half, "I just… It's hard to come to terms with."
Resting his body against Zero's, Kagami rested his head in the crook of Zero's neck, "You won't hate yourself forever… I promise you."
Closing his eyes, Zero relaxed, "I'll take your word for it Kagami."
Ruka and Kain had to admit that they were getting bored. It had been a few hours since their pureblood leader had left, no doubt held up by the Chairman's antics. It was too silent in the room, the only sound their and Zero's breathing.
"When do you think he'll wake up?" Ruka asked softly, gazing at the bed.
Kain shrugged, leaning back in the chair, "Who knows. We really worked him over."
Ruka huffed, looking away, "It was his own fault, he kept antagonizing Kaname-sama."
"You forget, we don't need to protect Kaname-sama, he's a pureblood. He can take care of himself. If Kiryu were that much of a problem, Kaname-sama would have dealt with him already."
"I know," Ruka whispered softly.
Glancing at Zero again, Kain's brow furrowed, "Is it me or are his lips moving?"
Ruka glanced over as well, her own brows furrowing, "I think they are."
Curious, Kain stood and walked over to the bed. Ruka frowned and followed him. Standing closer, they could definitely see Zero's lips moving as though he were having a conversation.
"Ka…gam…i," sounded softly, barely a puff of air.
Kain and Ruka glanced at each other, confused. Who was this Kagami that Zero was talking about? They had never heard the name before.
"Mirror?" Ruka asked softly.
"What are you two doing?" a voice asked.
Turning around, they watched as Aido walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.
"Kiryu is talking in his sleep," Kain informed his cousin.
"Who cares," Aido huffed, walking closer.
"He said… I think it's a name," Ruka muttered.
"What did he say?" Aido asked, cursing himself for being curious.
"Kagami," Kain told his cousin.
Aido's brows furrowed now too, "Mirror?"
"Yeah… That's what he said," Kain confirmed.
"Tch, like I care," Aido huffed, turning his head to the side.
"Anyway, what are you doing here Aido?" Ruka asked.
"Kaname-sama told me that he would be gone a little longer and that I was to join you in guarding Kiryu," Aido informed them.
"Ah, well it's pretty boring, but by all means, join us," Kain relented, moving back over to his chair.
"I will," Aido nodded.
Glancing at the bed, Aido felt guilt swell up in him again. He had reduced the strong and relentless Zero Kiryu to an unconscious mess. While part of him felt proud at that fact, he also felt horrible knowing he had somehow hurt Kaname in the process. He just wished the idiot would wake up soon.
Kagami bit his lip, indecisive about telling Zero the truth. He did need to learn to accept vampires, but not only for the reasons he had given. Their silence was so companionable that he didn't want to ruin it. But Zero was placing his trust in him. Sighing softly, he knew had no choice… He just didn't know how to broach the subject.
"What's on your mind?" Zero asked softly, feeling Kagami become restless.
"I… It's nothing," Kagami chickened out.
"Tch, don't give me that. You make me spill my guts, now it's your turn," Zero grumbled.
Nuzzling into Zero's neck, he asked, "Do you promise not to get angry?"
That set warning bells off in Zero's head. Since when was Kagami worried about angering him? Part of Zero didn't want to know, he wanted to remain ignorant of whatever Kagami wanted to tell him… But he knew there was no use in running away from things. That never got anyone anywhere.
"Is it bad?" Zero inquired.
"It's… not bad per say… I just know you won't like it… Do you promise?" Kagami asked again.
"I can't promise that Kagami… But… I promise to try and understand," Zero told his other half.
Kagami sighed, knowing that was the best he was going to get, "You're… going to be going through more changes than I first anticipated."
"What do you mean?" Zero asked warily, not liking where this was going.
Levering himself off of his host, he straddled Zero's lap, "You know you've lost a lot of blood recently, and that you've feed extensively off of Kuran-sama. He continues to feed you still…"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Zero asked, seeing the uncertain look on Kagami's face.
"I don't know how to tell you gently Zero-chan," Kagami revealed, glancing at the floor beside Zero's head.
"Then be blunt, it's what you're good at," Zero tried to lighten the air between them.
Kagami chuckled softly, "I suppose you're right… I'll be blunt then. All the blood you've drank from Kuran-sama is… changing you for lack of a better word."
"Changing me how?" Zero demanded.
"Zero-chan… You're changing into a noble," Kagami whispered softly, still not looking at his host.
"A-A-A… What!" Zero shouted, his eyes wide.
"A noble Zero… You're going to be a noble," Kagami reiterated.
"B-But how?" the hunter asked, hardly believing his ears.
"You lost almost all of your blood… Out of all the blood in your body, 7/8ths of it is Kuran-sama's… Having that much pureblood in you is slightly altering your DNA," Kagami explained softly, not wanting to further upset his host.
"So that's why you've been so adamant about me accepting my vampiric urges," Zero accused, his eyes looking betrayed.
Gasping Zero's face in his hands, he rushed to explain, "No! That's not it! In the beginning all I wanted was to ease our existence… This is a recent development, I swear to you. I only just noticed it the second day you were unconscious."
"You swear?" Zero asked, wanting to believe Kagami.
"Yes! I swear!" Kagami exclaimed, eyes demanding for Zero to believe him, "I can't lie to you Zero, you are me."
Sighing, Zero brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose, "You keep throwing things on me Kags."
"Kags?" Kagami asked, losing his train of thought at the nickname.
"It's too much of a hassle saying your full name all the time… But don't change the subject," Zero chastised.
"Sorry," Kagami mumbled, "But I really didn't know when I first came to you. I only noticed a little while ago… I just didn't know how to tell you."
Zero sighed again, "Well, it's not like there's much I can do about it is there?"
"You're not mad?" Kagami asked hesitantly.
"What use is getting mad? Like I said, there's nothing I can do about it… Doesn't mean I'm happy about it… But I guess I have no choice but to accept it," Zero conceded.
Kagami laid his head back on Zero's chest, "You're taking this better than I thought."
"No choice really… Besides, what can I do by getting all hysterical? I'm just kind of rolling with the punches right now," Zero explained.
"That's good," Kagami conceded with a small smile.
Aido was getting antsy; he hated sitting in one spot for too long. He couldn't help but wonder at what was taking Kaname so long. The Chairman must really have his claws in him. Aido sighed again, for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"Do you have to sigh all the time? It's annoying," Ruka huffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"I can't help it, I'm bored," Aido whined like a child.
"Just deal with it Hanabusa," Kain grunted, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed.
Aido stuck his tongue out at Kain before standing to stretch. Looking over at the bed, he shrugged and walked over. Leaning down, he nearly stuck his face in Zero's. His brow furrowed as he noticed something off with the hunter.
"What are you doing Hanabusa? I didn't know you thought that much of Kiryu," Kain teased.
Aido didn't pay it any mind, instead paying attention to Zero, "Did you guys notice anything different about Kiryu?"
Kain was confused, "Other than that name?"
"Yeah… He… smells different," Aido explained the only way he could.
"You know what he smells like?" Kain was surprised.
"No! It's that… he smells different than a level D," Aido mused.
Kagami's head shot off Zero's chest, a growl vibrating in his chest.
"What?" Zero asked, confused at Kagami's sudden hostile actions.
"Someone's too close and it's not Kuran-sama," Kagami snarled.
"Who is it?" Zero asked, panicked at the thought of someone close to him when he was unable to fight back.
Kagami snarled viciously, his crimson eyes glowing, "It smells like the one who bit you."
"Aido?" Zero asked, a spike of fear shooting through him, remembering what the blonde had done to him in the forest.
Grinning down at Zero, he held his hand in front of Zero's face, "I think it's time you woke up now."
"What? Kags?" Zero shouted, wanting an answer.
"I'll talk to you later Zero-chan... Go get him," and with that he flicked Zero in the forehead.
Aido leaned forward more, wanting a better smell of Zero. It was bothering him, the new smell the hunter was sporting. He leaned even closer, his nose almost touched Zero's. Suddenly, Zero's eyes snapped open, a deep burning crimson.
Aido yelped in surprise, trying to jerk back from the hunter. Suddenly, Aido found himself pinned to a wall with a hand around his throat, a snarling Zero in his face.
"K-K-Kiryu," Aido stammered, fear making his voice waver.
"Aido," Zero snarled, baring his fangs at the blonde noble as he tightened his grip.
Ruka went to go and help Aido, but Kain grabbed her arm, holding her back. His eyes were wide as they were trained on Zero's tense form. He knew what Aido was talking about; there was something definitely different about the hunter.
"That's enough Zero," a calm voice came from the door.
END
A/N: I hope that wasn't too confusing. I also hope you enjoyed the closeness of Zero and Kags. They have been around each other for, in my mind, about four to five days. I also liked the notion of making Kags all childish and such. Anyway, please let me know what you thought of the chapter!
fujoshii92- As promised, Zero is awake, though quite mad it would appear. And I had Kag's reveal what happened in the bathroom; I thought it would be fun to have him tease Zero about it. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
Sasu-Sama' Sarukiji-Sempai- Lol, yeah, bathroom duty. I don't know if I'm going to go into too much detail with that punishment or not. I will probably focus more on the guarding portion of it. Please, let me know what you think of the chapter.
Sonzai Taz- In my head, their eyes are almost popping out of their heads when they hear it. As promised, Zero is awake in this chapter, though only at the end. The next chapter will have more of him awake. I hope you look forward to it :D
ishala8- Now that you mention it, I think I know what fic you are referring to. I also can't remember the name of it, but I do believe it was completed quite some time ago. I didn't remember until you mentioned it, so I hope I didn't step on any toes there. It kind of sucks for Kaname though, as he doesn't have many options for punishment that won't permanently maim his companions. I'm glad you are enjoying the story, I hope you continue to do so :D
ben4kevin- I'm happy to know I've made you laugh :D I don't know about the Zero worship but I might be able to work it in ;) I hope you like the chapter.
CrystelNightandFlameNight- Well there is Zero's reaction to the bath, but it isn't quite over yet. I hope you look forward to it. Please, let me know what you think of the chapter :D
Irmina- Yeah, Kaname broke the taboo, but it wasn't entirely on purpose. It just of happened, as will be explained to Zero late :) I'm glad you liked the punishment of the nobles. I didn't want Kaname slapping them all, he does that too much in the anime, I wanted to do something different. As for the noble's reaction to Zer's status, I believe it will be worth it. The same goes for Zero's reaction to his guards. I hope you liked the chapter!
Kistarus- Thank you :D I'm glad you like the story. There is a method to the madness of the other nobles guarding Zero, I can assure you of that. I hope you continue to enjoy the chapters
SonamySistah96- I hope you have fun at the expo, hope you have some fun for me as well lol. Thank you for taking the time to text me a review :D I am imagining Aido get slapped again, but time will tell :D Thanks for all the compliments; you are making my ego swell ;) I hope you like the chapter :D
Naruta13- See, I came through, our precious Zero is awake :D In the next chapter some of Zero's changes will be made apparent. I'm glad you liked their punishments. I hope you continue to like the story.
Warfang- I'm glad that you think the plot is original. I also appreciate your criticisms. Sometimes I get in such a hurry that I neglect going back and proofreading the chapters. I am just so happy that they are done that I want to share them with everyone. I will endeavor to be more patient and proofread thoroughly so as to avoid such mistakes again. I hope you continue to like the story, and please, feel free to let me know if I make mistakes again; it's hard to pick out my own mistakes. Thank you for reviewing!
queenruby987- Here is Zero waking up, as promised :D As for the private conversation, not quite sure when that is going to happen but it will, I promise. I hope you continue to look forward to the chapters.
xXBlackxxStarXx- The nobles guarding Zero has a greater purpose, of that I can assure you. However, to find that out you need to keep reading ;) I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL MY REVIEWS. ALSO, THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO ADDED THIS STORY TO THEIR LISTS. MUCH LOVE TO ALL!