Disclaimer: I do not own VK. All rights belong to Matsuri Hino.

Warnings: none

Author's Notes: I'm honestly not sure how long this will be. However, please enjoy and feel free to leave comments!

Preview Line: A part of Aido knew he didn't want to hear any of this, but another part of him couldn't seem to break away and force himself to leave.

The Stained Marble

Chapter Five

Deceived

Aido sat in the classroom, anxiously glancing between Kaname and the clock. His nerves were getting the better of him. It had been five days since Kaname had declared that they were lovers, five days since Kaname had touched him, and Aido's heart was in utter turmoil.

Kaname acted like his usual icy-self, and Aido knew he was supposed to be okay with that. Kaname had told him not to expect anything, and that Aido was just there to ease Kaname's suffering. Yet somehow, Aido's heart still managed to get wrapped up in Kaname. Aido had fallen so far that it hurt every time his ocean-colored eyes even glanced at Kaname.

Aido had spent the past four days brooding over Kaname and wondering why Kaname hadn't approached him as his lover. Just what was he to Kaname? Why had Kaname said they were lovers if he wasn't planning on touching him again? Aido's own emotions and thoughts were all over the place, and he hated it.

He hated it partly because he knew how weak and pathetic that made him, but mostly, he hated it because when he looked at Kaname every day going about his business at the Academy, Kaname didn't seem affected by Aido's presence at all. In fact, Kaname barely seemed to notice Aido.

Aido, on the other hand, spent nearly every waking moment thinking about Kaname. He thought about Kaname's slender fingers as he traced Aido's skin, his soft lips as they brushed the tip of Aido's nipple, and oh, his fangs as they sank deep into his flesh!

Aido knew it was shameful and even painful, but not a day had gone by since Kaname had touched him that Aido hadn't touched himself thinking of Kaname. He longed for Kaname's touch again, so much that it hurt. And today, he had finally resolved to do something about it.

But of course, class still ticked by slowly, and Aido impatiently tapped his fingernails on his desk, while his gaze switched from the clock back to Kaname. Kaname stood by the glass-paned window as usual. His eyes were locked outward and distant as if his attention could not be deterred from some important and intriguing object.

Grudgingly, Aido guessed that it was most likely Yuuki, or that annoying one called Zero. They were the only other two people allowed to roam the Academy grounds area at night.

Irked, Aido turned away from Kaname's longing expression and tried to focus all his attention on the actual class for the next boring 15 minutes. However, instead of listening to the lecture, Aido found himself once again thinking of Kaname.

How the hell would Aido start the conversation once he confronted Kaname? Aido was completely inexperienced in how to approach any subject with Kaname, let alone how to bring up the subject of their previous encounter and why Kaname hadn't approached him again for another go-around. Even in Aido's mind, it sounded silly and childish.

Aido's resolve was slipping and he began to wonder if it was even worth the hassle of approaching Kaname and getting scolded and made fun of by Kaname. However and perhaps a bit unluckily, Aido reminded himself of the real reason he had to face Kaname. It wasn't about the sex for Aido. Yes, that had been nice, really nice actually, but Aido wanted to know, no, needed to know, if Kaname was serious about him.

If Kaname had just been messing around with him that one time, then Aido would somehow force himself to walk away from Kaname, even if it killed him. But if for some reason Kaname hadn't been messing with him, then... No, Aido didn't even want to start hoping. He had to wait.

Aido's heart thumped so loudly inside his chest that it throbbed in his own ears and dulled the sound of the teacher dismissing them from class. The Night students didn't have a loud bell like the Day students since it would disturb the Day students who were sleeping.

Aido shuffled out of the classroom before Kaname, too afraid to meet his chocolate eyes now that he knew he'd soon have to face him. Hurriedly, Aido walked over to the Moon dorms and went up to his bedroom to change. He realized halfway through his rushed movements that he was moving too fast and with trembling fingers no less.

Aido managed to pull on his shoes and noticed the clock on his nightstand proudly displayed that it was just past midnight. Aido had really rushed in getting ready, but he didn't falter and stepped through his door, out into the hallway. He wanted to be sure he caught Kaname before Kaname made his way up to his room and past Aido's room.

Aido saw no sign of Kaname out in the hallway, and when he glanced down towards Kaname's door, he saw that it was shut. It looked untouched, but Aido couldn't be certain. Determined to find Kaname, Aido walked down the hallway, the opposite direction from Kaname's bedroom, and down the stairs and into the large sitting room to await Kaname's return.

Aido was almost positive that Kaname hadn't returned yet. He was sure he'd be able to catch Kaname if he waited for him here. Aido sat down in one of the comfy couches and proceeded to wait.

The time etched slowly by, and Aido grew extremely restless and irritated. What was taking Kaname? Perhaps, Aido was wrong. Maybe Kaname had already returned to his room and was asleep. If that was true, then Aido had missed his opportunity to speak with Kaname because Aido did not have the nerve to disturb Kaname once he was in bed.

Aido bit his bottom lip nervously and indecisively. He wondered if he should go upstairs again, or if he should go outside and look for Kaname. After a few more seconds of pure silence, Aido decided Kaname must still be out. If he were inside the Moon dorm, Kaname would probably still be up and most likely talking business with Takuma.

Basing his logic merely on hypotheticals, Aido rushed outside of the Moon dorms in order to search for Kaname. Aido's vampire eyes adjusted to the dark of the night instantly. His eyes were attuned for complete night vision, but with even a sliver of moonlight like the moon's light tonight, Aido never needed to use the full extent of his vampire night vision.

Aido didn't know why any vampire would ever revert back to their primal instinct and wander in the utter darkness of the deep woods in order to hunt their prey. Aido found it revolting, yet at the same time, the fact that their ancient bloodline provided them with their sharp eyesight only further proved that they were indeed meant to be hunters of the night. It was no wonder Level E's were found wandering near forested areas, which were close to small towns.

Indeed, any vampire blood could be considered as something dangerous. With vampire blood, any one could become a killer, and as soon as their vampire senses kicked in, then killing would become like a reflex.

Aido shook his head and tried to clear his mind of such morbid thoughts. What had brought on that train of depressing thinking? Aido wasn't really sure. Maybe it was being out in the chilly night air, or the fact that he still couldn't find Kaname. Perhaps, it was just the eerie way the fingernail moon hung low in the sky above the mostly barren autumn trees, making the Academy ground look ghastly and filled with blackened shadows.

Aido shivered to himself, yet continued to march forward, crunching dried up leaves as he did. Aido was approaching the circular swan fountain and heard its clear cascading trickle of water pouring from the swan's mouth as he approached from the left side of the woods.

Aido was about to step out of the wooded area and onto the pathway of the fountain when he clearly heard the low hum of a voice. Aido froze instinctively and then ducked back behind a large oak tree to his right. From this angle, a tall and white silhouette suddenly came into Aido's view, just at the head of the Swan fountain.

Aido used his vampire senses, keening his vampire eyes, and saw the distinct wavy, almond-colored hair, broad shoulders, and the unmistakable white Night Class uniform. Kaname had not changed his clothes, which meant, of course, he'd not been back to the dorms.

Annoyingly, Kaname faced away from Aido, and Aido couldn't see what he was doing. It appeared, though, that Kaname was talking to someone, but Kaname's tall frame was blocking Aido's view.

Aido didn't have to wait long, though, to guess just whom Kaname was speaking with as a small, weak voice broke the silence, and Aido's vampire ears caught it over the soft hum of the flowing water.

"Kaname…" Yuuki said, her voice was quiet, almost hushed, but Aido would recognize that dainty girl's voice anywhere.

Aido's heart thumped loudly and threatened to escape through his nose as he took a crunching step closer to listen for Kaname's response. A part of Aido knew he didn't want to hear any of this, but another part of him couldn't seem to break away and force himself to leave.

Aido acknowledged to himself that he was eavesdropping on Kaname's private conversation. Aido was automatically immobilized for fear of the repercussions of his actions, the air in his lungs caught for fear that his own breathing would attract too much sound. If Kaname discovered him… Aido's body quivered at the mere thought, but his feet stayed glued to that damn spot. And somehow, he found his ears perking up in order to hear the conversation better.

From Aido's spot behind the trunk of the tree and adjacent to the swan fountain, he could only make out part of Kaname's face and none of the Yuuki's. However, the moment her small voice had reached Aido's ears and she had sweetly whispered Kaname's name like a lover would, Aido's heart had given a gut wrenching clench, and Aido thought he would double over from the shear pain.

In that one word, Yuuki had sounded weak, unsure, and yet she obviously loved him. It grated on Aido's nerves. He wanted to rush out from his hiding place and shake that indecisive wretch. She had sounded like she actually wanted to run from Kaname, but even Aido knew that wasn't true.

However, Kaname's response cut through Aido's thoughts, and Aido's world turned upside down yet again.

"Yuuki, I'd do anything to protect you. One day you will be mine, utterly and completely. So, please, don't look at me as if we've become strangers. I can't bare it," Kaname said, his voice ending in hushed whisper, and Kaname turned his body further so that Aido could watch as he pulled a completely docile Yuuki into his arms.

Yuuki didn't say anything and let Kaname embrace her, but Yuuki didn't have to say anything. Aido knew exactly what she must have felt, or at least, he'd one day hoped to feel that rush of warmth he could only imagine that she felt. To have Kaname whisper such heartfelt and loving words would melt Aido's resolve and heart immediately. But such words were not meant for Aido's ears.

Kaname loved Yuuki. Aido cruelly let that fact sink in as he watched the gentle way Kaname wrapped his arms around her. He watched Kaname's tender embrace as if Yuuki would shatter in his arms. That girl was the most precious thing to him and nothing else mattered.

Aido unbearably forced himself to watch as Kaname drew back slightly, his gentle fingertips lingering on Yuuki and tracing the curvature of her neck. From Aido's vantage point, he now saw everything since Kaname had turned Yuuki towards him when Kaname had embraced her.

It was like Kaname was purposefully trying to torture him, and Aido's stomach flipped upside down as Kaname continued to trace Yuuki's jawline, wiping away a few tears that had fallen from her long lashes. Why was she crying? Aido wasn't really sure why but could only guess that she was having some sort of internal struggle about her true feelings for Kaname. She probably wanted to tell him that she loved him, too, but for some unknown reason, that idiot girl kept withholding her feelings for him.

Her pale complexion was now flushed pink, as if to say loud and clear that she did truly and deeply care for Kaname. Her eyes were as wide as saucers as she stared up at him with an expression that could only be described as loving.

Kaname leaned forward, dangerously close to her lips, and Aido's heart dashed up into his throat, threatening to escape. True terror seized Aido, and for several minutes, Aido forgot to breathe until Kaname flashed Yuuki his usual jaunty smile and moved back a few inches again. Kaname's slender fingers trailed through her thin chestnut hair until finally, almost regrettably, his fingers fell away and back at his side, leaving Yuuki looking longingly after them.

"K-Kaname, I-I…" Yuuki began, but her eyes avoided Kaname's even as she stumbled for the right words.

Aido heard Kaname chuckle slightly, and say, "It's all right, Yuuki. I know how you feel. One day, when you are ready, you will come to me. That is good enough for me…for now."

Yuuki's big brown eyes shot up towards Kaname's and suspicion furrowed her eyebrows, but her cheeks had an even deeper reddish tint to them, almost as if she'd accepted Kaname's words as soon as he'd said them.

Aido didn't stay to watch as Kaname reached out his slender fingers, yet again, to brush Yuuki's hair from her face.

This time, despite the crunching of the leaves and twigs underneath his feet, Aido turned and ran. He didn't care if Kaname heard his loud, thunderous footsteps as he ran from them. In fact, Aido hoped Kaname did hear him! That bastard.Kaname was a liar!

As Aido ran, his lungs burned, his mouth was dry, and his vision blurred. And sooner than Aido would have liked, Aido had to stop running because he could no longer see two feet in front of him.

Aido found the nearest and bulkiest tree trunk to lean his back against. He slid down all the way to the ground until his bottom hit the cold, hard dirt and crunchy leaves. He pulled up his knees against his chest, buried his face in his knees, and wailed loudly into the chilled silence of the Academy's woods.

The pain of seeing Kaname with Yuuki like that was too much. Aido had known, but to see it was something entirely different. Aido tried to convince himself that he had wanted to know, that he had neededto see it in order to move on and not waste his entire life on Kaname, who didn't even care for him. But none of those self-comforts seemed to be working.

When it came down to it, there was only one cruel fact that remained; Kaname had never wanted Aido in the first place. He would never love Aido, ever. And that hurt bled into Aido's heart like thousands of needles pinpricking him over and over again until it was the only thing that remained of Aido: the hurt of Kaname's rejection.

Aido sobbed until he could sob no more.