Falling

by LuanRina

By making Zero drink his blood Kaname traps the silver-haired hunter in the world of despair and his dark desires. Now the pureblood is the only one who can save him from falling to the End. But will he save Zero or make him fall even further with him..? KxZ, some non-con&rape - ON HIATUS.

5. Inside the Void

A/N: Damn FINALLY! Even despite all the University work that I'm practically buried under, I've managed to finish this chapter and bring it to you!~*_*~ I am very sorry for taking so long though *bows deeply*

But before we go further...Let me clear something. In this story I'm in no way trying to make you hate or even dislike Kaname. The fact that I present him here the way he is doesn't mean that I myself hate him and want to make you feel the same, no. I love him. Very much so, as well as Zero-chan and when they're together, I love and adore them even more than usually. And the reason why I show him like this is simple: I want to give him some freedom. Not to mention that this is exactly how I see him or at least one of his sides. Unlike the stupid annoying Yuuki, I'm not naive and foolish enough to think that he is all sweet and kind and generous and etc. No one can be this way. At least not fully. We have an immense amount of different and opposite sides and masks within us. Every person sees us differently, because it depends on which side of ourselves we prefer to show them. Ask different persons from different circles to describe you in one word, and the chance that they'll say the same word is close to nil if not equal to it. With each person we suppress some part/parts of our true selves, even if in the slightest – it is natural and mostly instinctual.

People, seriously, I am NOT trying to show Kaname as an asshole or a total bastard or something. It's just that in most stories he is all sweet and kind and gentle…aren't you folks curious to see his dark, vampiric side? I am. Don't you think that it's too monotonous to control and restrain yourself all the time? I do. Don't you want to stop being all strained once in a while? I do. And I like it. Thus, I decided to give such opportunity to our beloved Kaname-sama too. Why not? He deserves it, you know.

I love him and I love Zero-chan. And regardless of what side they show, I'll still love them no matter what. I've been looking for stories with Kaname's predatory side for a while, but found only few, and in every there was some detail that I either didn't quite like or disagreed with, thus I've decided to write him the way I see him and that side of his.

I am sorry if you disagree with me, but it's not my problem. I'm just being honest with you and most importantly, with myself. Plus, you can't judge him just by this few chapters since the story only progresses and you have to see the full picture to take it all in – no offense, I'm telling you my opinion, it's your choice whether you'll listen to it or not since, once again, I'm not forcing anything on you.

And another thing. Some people were disappointed/displeased with Zero's reaction. Well, I am sorry for disappointing you, but firstly, I still haven't finished with this whole thing (honestly, did you think that I'll wrap it all up only in one chapter? That's impossible, at least for me.) and secondly, every individual reacts differently. Yes, mostly reactions are alike, but not fully because everyone has his/her own traits of character. And not everyone will go mad and kill/attempt to kill him/herself after rape. I've chosen my variant of Zero's reaction, so, once again, forgive me for not being able to satisfy you. But did you really think that I'll go that way? Sorry, but Zero is not this kind of person, at least not in my view – I don't know how about you. Regardless of all that, I'll still keep doing everything in my own way.

That said and we're moving on. Thank you for all reviews, alerts and favs – they always inspire me, for which I'm immensely grateful.

The disclamer, warnings and etc are the same and I still hate a certain someone (the stupid useless girl) more than anything in this world. Also, this chapter is unedited yet, so please bear with my mistakes until I post the edited version.

Oh, almost forgot. There are some bits of flashback in this chapter. And since I don't really want to show it by writing the word itself, I'll mark it with -00-okay?

Sorry for all my rambling, but I had to tell you that. Now...If you're still here with me, please enjoy! :D

Chapter 5: Inside the Void

It was odd... Frankly, until now he had always thought that his future as a vampire hunter was most likely fully destroyed. Of course, he always wanted to continue his training since it was his dream to do what he was born for – not only to make his parents and master proud of him, but also for Ichiru.

Actually, it was a strange way of looking at it...No matter what he chose, it would be unfair either way. Because regardless of what he did...his smile would never be sincere. He would just look at him with those eyes, so alike yet so different from his own. He would smile gently, but behind that seemingly kind gesture would be a cold, cruel smirk. And usually it would be filled with loathing. With satisfaction when he was struggling with himself. But sometimes, though rarely, his smile would be sincere with affectionate feelings. Though Ichiru knew and could read him so much better than Zero would ever be able to, at least this much the ex-human knew for sure. Why? Because once, they were whole. He knew that Ichiru had loved him, at least somewhere deep inside of his heart. And, though he would never admit it even to himself, in the very depths of his being, he hoped that his twin still felt for him something aside from hatred. Because no matter what, he would always remain his younger twin, his other half, his family. Though he would never say it out loud. It's not his pride, but his stubbornness that wouldn't allow it.

It wasn't his first assignment for a hunt – surely not, he had done it a few times already. But somehow...For some unknown and inexplicable reason, tomorrow's mission and this hunter routine reminded him of his past: his parents, brother, trainings with Yagari, more or less carefree time comparing to the current reality. His life was ruled by either the purebloods – like Shizuka or Kuran – or the Association, and nothing could be done about it. Once again, period.

"Hn...!" The ex-human was jolted back into reality when he felt the sharp fangs going deeper into his neck, making him gasp in pain and unwanted pleasure.

Great, so much for trying to distract himself in an attempt to renounce. The asshole just couldn't allow even this much, could he? Of course, it wouldn't be satisfying enough for the sick leech if he didn't feel everything even for a mere seconds, right?

The teen scoffed inwardly. His previous questions themselves were stupid.

"Kuran...t-that's enough. Stop..."

Somehow, he was lying across his bed in the Sun Dorms with the pureblooded freak pinning his form to the mattress. As usually, the bastard didn't comply with his previous request since 'His Majesty' would finish only when he wished so. Naturally, it was the almighty Kuran Kaname after all.

He felt his body weakening further as haziness started taking over his mind. After a few more moments of being engulfed in sensations of his blood being sucked out of him mercilessly, Zero felt fangs sliding out of his bruised throat. Instinctively, he moved to touch the bitten place with his fingers, but this gesture was stopped by Kuran's hand almost immediately.

"Don't." Though his face was void of any emotions as ever, his voice sounded a little husky and impatient.

The ex-human watched him silently, his mind still a little cloudy due to the blood loss, but he could tell that the pureblood's eyes were fully concentrated on his neck.

Kaname lowered himself to the pale, slender column once again. Today he had drunk from Kiryuu twice – not much though, it was more like an appetizer to tease his hunger. Still, as of late, it hadn't been quite enough. Though the boy's blood was exceptionally satisfying – which was unusual, indeed – he wanted something else. But since he himself couldn't name it no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn't take it as simply as the teen's blood.

Sometimes he wondered why he liked to feed on the hunter's life source so much. The sheer sadistic pleasure he was getting from inflicting physical and psychological pain to the younger vampire, the satisfaction from knowing that during these moments the insolent brat was under his control, and sweet, delicious taste of that blood weren't the only reasons. It seemed like the silver-haired prefect was addictive just like the red elixir in his veins.

Cruelty was natural for every vampire – for every inborn predator, and the higher the rank, the harder it was to suppress it. He couldn't allow himself to show this side to anyone since the image of good, honorable, principled pureblood prince shouldn't be shattered, thus no living soul should know about the ruthless beast inside of him. Well, except for Kiryuu, of course. The teen wouldn't utter a word about it because of the humiliation he felt from submitting to his archenemy. Not to mention his status in both vampire and hunter society and the fact that his word against that of the pureblood was nothing. And they both were very well aware of it.

The brunet noticed that the body under him had relaxed. Probably because he didn't bite again, but merely started cleaning the wounds he had caused. The bite marks were deep...there were even traces of his blunt teeth, indicating how hard he had bitten. To tell the truth, sometimes he wasn't quite aware of his own actions during their feeding sessions. He would simply drown in the mix of Zero's emotions, exploring the boy's inner world further until the latter's form was limp in his arms. Guilt, remorse, affections, hatred, fear, doubts, suffering, sadness and the deepest kind of sorrow Kaname had ever seen or felt. No one could see it since all these and other emotions were never on the surface. They were buried deep inside and the pureblood was sure that even Yuuki didn't know about these feelings. But one fact remained unchanged: Kiryuu was a complicated, inscrutable being that was hard to unravel.

It had been a little more than a month since they had started to fulfill their agreement. Needless to say, the younger vampire wasn't eager to do it at all: the idiot would continue to suffer alone, locked up in his room, lying on his bed shaking and curled into himself. At first Kaname had to force the other to drink from him since the insufferable brat was really stubborn. Despite his fears of falling to Level E, hurting Yuuki and other people, death, madness and oblivion, the impudent creature kept struggling and suppressing his urges obstinately. Though it angered him, the pureblood could admit to himself that he was impressed. He doubted that any noble wold be able to resist for so long, and the boy was the lowest rank. At least for that Kaname could give him some credit. However, the fact that sometimes he wanted to tear Kiryuu to shreds hadn't changed. The male prefect just had to oppose him in everything, didn't he? But regardless all that, in the end the hunter would come to him, not having any other choice or simple escape.

Even with healing ability of his saliva, the twin puncture hadn't closed. Not able to resist, the brunet scraped his still aroused fangs on the pale skin and sucked on the two identical wounds, taking a few more drops of blood and earning a weak, quiet moan from the silver-haired teen.

Kaname lifted himself up, but neither moved away nor released the wrist he was pinning to the silk sheets. He looked over the ex-human's face thoughtfully. When his attention returned to the teen's half-closed tired eyes, he smiled in a slightly mocking manner and noted teasingly, "Today you are unusually docile. Why is that, I wonder?"

Zero held the other's gaze for a few seconds before sighing wearily as his heavy eyelids slid close.

"Get off me."

"I believe I have asked you a question, Kiryuu. Answer me."

"..." The hunter looked up at the vampire above him. Understanding that the pureblood wouldn't budge, he started lifting himself up. However, his back hadn't left the mattress for long because Kaname was faster, and now the prefect had his movements fully restricted. The anger filled the ex-human's eyes as he glared at the older male hatefully.

"Damn you, Kuran! Cut it out!"

"I suggest you to keep your voice down. Here walls are surely not soundproofed like in the Moon Dormitories. And you wouldn't want other students to hear you, would you?"

No verbal reply followed, as the younger vampire's firmly set jaw was an answer enough. Silence lingered for a short while before Kaname smiled faintly and resumed speaking quietly, "Do you really think that it will be finished sooner if you lie motionlessly, not resisting me in the slightest...?"

"..." He stayed still, simply staring up at the pureblood. What the other had said was right and he wouldn't deny it. Why not? Why couldn't he at least hope for it?

The sudden touch to his cheek startled Zero and he flinched slightly, using his now free hands to push the other male away when both of Kuran's palms rested on the sides of his face, keeping him in place when he tried to get free.

"Foolish...foolish boy." The brunet leaned closer, way too close for comfort and it made the hunter feel uneasiness, urging the panic inside of him to rise considerably, yet the silver-haired youth's glare didn't falter. Kaname stroked the smooth skin with his thumb leisurely, smile disappearing from his lips and expression becoming detached and somewhat wistful, as if he was contemplating something.

Still holding the other's gaze, the pureblood lowered himself to brush his lips at that of the prefect in a light, barely perceptible touch. The form underneath him stiffened immediately, lilac eyes widened slightly and a sharp shaky intake of breath reached Kaname's ears. But the next moment, unlike what the ex-human expected and feared, the brunet released him and got up in one swift movement. Zero followed, instantly, sitting up and bringing his hand to his mouth to wipe it in order to erase any traces of Kuran. No matter how faint and intangible the touch was, he always felt it too clearly.

Easily noticing the boy's visibly anguished expression, the pureblood folded his arms over his chest gracefully after finishing adjusting his white uniform jacket and asked, eyeing the sitting on the bed figure, "Is it that repulsing for you?"

Completely motionless, the teen kept staring in nowhere with his eyes pensive, seemingly looking somewhere far away. He stayed silent for some time and Kaname was ready to repeat his question again, but Zero's quiet voice response earlier, "...What do you think?"

"I'm asking you."

The hunter snorted dryly, closing his eyes with bitter smile playing on his features. "As if you care about what I think."

"Is it so hard to answer even a single question of mine?"

"..." He still hadn't moved an inch, nor had he raised his head to look at the pureblood. Letting out a tired sigh, Zero leaned back on the wall behind him, eyes resuming closed. How he wished to open them and find himself alone in his room, and not with this devil who constantly made his life miserable. Well, even more miserable, as much as it was possible, that is.

But unfortunately, it wasn't that easy, for he felt that attentive gaze practically boring holes in him. Couldn't the damn leech just find something other to stare at?

Slowly, the ex-human brought his hand to the right side of his neck, where the bitemarks left by Kuran's fangs were supposed to be. They had already healed, but the feeling still lingered, too palpable to ignore. The teen's nails pushed at the now sensitive area. He could feel his pulse beating against the tips of his fingers. He had a sudden urge to claw at his skin there. He added the pressure, but stopped himself in time so as not to draw any blood anew.

Absent-mindedly, Zero lowered his hand and turned his head to the side opposite from the vampire still residing in his room.

"What else do you want? Just say it and leave already."

Silence lingered for a short while as the pureblood watched the younger vampire, unable to understand the other's strange behavior. Slender hand raked through the wavy chocolate tresses before Kaname's velvety voice sounded, "I expect you to come to my rooms tonight after you are finished with your prefect duties."

His heart beat especially loudly before seemingly stopping at those words. He was afraid, no, terrified of that. Of even hearing this phrase coming out of the other's mouth. Nevertheless, he kept his facade, no matter how unstable it might be.

"...What if I don't?" The ex-human stayed still in an attempt to keep his inner struggle from showing. However, the brunet easily noticed the slow tightening of the hunter's fist that was clenching the bedsheet. Kaname smiled sweetly, though it didn't reach his eyes as they remained cold.

"You don't want a repeat of your first time with me...now do you? Although I certainly wouldn't mind hearing those cries and pleads again."

His knuckles turned white from gripping the cloth too strongly. "You're really sick."

The pureblood tilted his head slightly to the side, faking a hurt countenance. But his voice and gaze showed amusement clearly enough since he didn't care to hide it. "Why so unwilling, Kiryuu? All of a sudden..." He smirked at the obviously seething teen in front of him. "I was sure that you enjoyed our last time..."

"Shut up..." Zero's voice was nearly a whisper, strained and almost quivering.

"And if I'm not confusing anything, you even begged me to– "

"Shut up! Why can't you just leave me alone? !" In an instant, he stood before the pureblood, clenching the Bloody Rose tightly, hardly holding back from pulling the trigger and shooting the beast in front of him. His breathing became faster and chest heaved from sizzling ire.

"...That is why you always get in all sorts of troubles, barking at everyone around you..."

"I don't care what you think, Kuran." He hissed out, voice dripping with venom and apparent hatred at the mere sound of the older vampire's name. "You have no right to say that, because you know nothing about me to judge."

"But same applies to you, Kiryuu-kun. Yet you easily allowed yourself to assume that I'm a threat, making my precious girl believe it and slowly steering her away from me." Kaname's eyes narrowed to slits, morphing into a faint red for a few short seconds.

"She doesn't need me to understand that." His grip on the gun tightened as he spat out scornfully, "And you think that all your actions would prove otherwise?"

"Your opinion is of no importance to me. I only want you to never forget your true place in your new world among us."

"You're not the one to decide."

"There is nothing to be decided." The brunet raked his hair back, closing his eyes and sighing tiredly. "For as I've already said, you have no choice left. You have been able to postpone it for quite a long time, but the moment you claimed Yuuki's neck with your fangs was your end. By now you should know it yourself."

Zero dipped his head, causing his bangs to prevent the flood of emotions in his eyes from showing. His form was tense and screaming of agitation when he spoke hoarsely, "Get out."

With an unreadable expression, Kaname eyed the silver-haired prefect, standing in place for a few more moments before turning around and heading for the window. He put his hand on the frame, ready to leave the ex-human's room, but stopped in his tracks to cast one last glance over his shoulder at the other.

"Do not forget where you must be present today after midnight, Zero," the pureblood said quietly and then disappeared, as if he had never been there in the first place.

However, it wasn't so, because Kiryuu felt all traces too clearly. After another second or two, the hunter let his arm fall in place, with the Bloody Rose aimed at the floor and Zero's fingers gripping it loosely. He drew in a deep breath before exhaling shakily and tiredly, another hand going to the recently bitten side of his neck to clutch at it, wanting to hide the still supposedly there bitemarks, even if they had long vanished.

Suffocating...That was how everything felt to him, had been this way for the last month or so. Especially with Kuran around. But it wasn't only that...What he had done, what he himself had done was even more mortifying. Because that time he had been the one who had come straight to that beast's den, regardless if he had been stable or not back then. And furthermore, what had happened later...Frankly, he didn't know what was worse: the first time where the bastard had raped him or the last one, where he had...

Pale hand rose to partially cover his face, features of which were contorted in anxiety and uneasiness as the teen let his heavy eyelids fall closed once more, slightly dipping his head forward. Shame and utter humiliation still hadn't receded as well as memories that were too fresh despite the amount of time that had passed.

What had he become?

What was Kuran making him become?

Finally moving from the spot he had been standing in for some time now, Zero tucked the Bloody Rose in the waistband of his trousers and went to close the still wide open window. After doing so, he remained in place for a few moments, looking at the view outside absently. The sunset was approaching...

The next second the ex-human left the room, to escape from yet another haunting memory of his degrading fall...

-00-

The hazy veil he was wrapped in dulled practically all his senses with sheer exception of one, and the only thing he was more or less aware of was a thick, warm, rich pure blood sliding down his aching throat. There also were some occasional light caresses on some parts of his body, but he couldn't care less about it as all he could think about at the moment was the delicious dark liquid pumping in the vein under his lips.

A feral growl sounded as the ex-human buried his throbbing fangs deeper, drinking the heavenly life essence ruthlessly. He fisted the chocolate locks and pulled at it slightly to have a better access to the slender neck that he was devouring mercilessly.

Distractedly, he thought that he had heard a pained hiss, but being too absorbed in his current doing, dismissed the noise easily with little regard to it. Fully surrendering to the carnal needs of his inner monster, Zero indulged himself in satisfying the burning craving further.

Somewhere in the back of his mind the hunter kept noting a stroking sensations along his form that were becoming more palpable with each second. Somehow it was urging him to drink more and without any doubt or protest, he did so. The next particular touch made the teen shiver and he whimpered quietly, subconsciously shifting his body into more comfortable position. Though these touches didn't feel threatening, it seemed strange to say the least. However, he didn't give it much thought because honestly, at the moment he was barely aware of it as his sane part still remained mostly dormant.

But only after a few another moments it got harder to ignore. For some reason his breathing and heart rate quickened, his body started trembling more frequently and he felt a little warmer than usually.

An involuntary gasp tore out of the ex-human's throat and he detached his fangs from Kaname's neck when something akin to jolt of electricity coursed through him. Only at that moment, when the intoxicating crimson liquor stopped messing up with his sanity, his mind started getting clear enough to take in his surroundings, and he was terrified at what he was doing.

Strangely, despite the amount he had taken, he hadn't had enough blood to function fully and properly yet, but at least some part of him was conscious and aware of his actions. Although, maybe it would have been better if he stayed in oblivion for a while longer. Because his current behavior and state were hardly of anything welcomed to him seeing as right now he was positionedon top of his archenemy, practically pinning him to the couch with his body, which felt oddly weak and shaky – contrary to the way it was supposed to be.

Staring at the bloodied skin that was presented in front of his eyes, he stayed still for another few moments, except for the small accidental tremors the pureblood was causing with light nips and licks that he was giving to his exposed throat and shoulder. When he had finally gathered enough of both mental and physical strength, the prefect lifted himself up slowly, carefully watching the brunet's reaction. However, it made him wish he hadn't done so, for after that he felt even more horrified as he became aware of another thing about his actual situation that was not only unthinkable and unwanted, but also highly disturbing and utterly humiliating. Not to mention repelling and dangerous, for he had already realized by now that he had fallen into another trap schemed by the older vampire. But more than that, he was disgusted with his own responses.

Another gasp escaped Zero as he gripped the other's broad shoulders tightly when Kaname's grasp on some part of his anatomy got firmer and he tugged at it, preventing the silver-haired prefect from fully getting off him.

"What..." He didn't get to finish as the brunet answered him with a lazy smirk and a slow stroke to his now more sensitive organ. The ex-human screwed his eyes shut, trying to suppress all degrading sounds that threatened to leave him when the pureblood didn't stop, but instead continued with his previous actions. "Ngh!" His breathing was labored as he struggled to keep talking, "Kuran...!"

What was he doing? Why was his body responding? After what had happened, after everything the pureblood had done to him...Despite his deep hatred towards the older vampire...Why was his damn body reacting regardless of all aforementioned and of much more that was left lying in the back of his consciousness as he still wasn't capable of forming any coherent enough thought. What the hell was wrong with him...?

"Well isn't it a nice reaction you're giving me, Kiryuu?" The free hand that had been previously resting on the small of his back moved farther up his body, caressing every inch of his clothed form until it reached the nape of his neck. Slowly, Kaname started pulling the other down, easily ignoring the useless resistance from the boy above him. Rich voice toned down to almost whisper when soft lips got closer to the hunter's ear, "It's always so fascinating to watch how your body conflict with your mind...How much you don't mean the words of protest that come out of that mouth of yours."

The formerly unhurried and deliberate pace started getting more intense, strong grip occasionally tightening, drawing out a barely audible whimpers from the shaking form. The task of concentrating was becoming harder to accomplish with each passing second.

"Enjoying ourselves, aren't we?" Kuran's taunting words brought him to reality again, "It looks like you are no different than any other vampire...Just as yielding to your flesh's wants and needs, as greedy for pleasure and blood, like any of us, whom you so fiercely claim to despise."

"No..." It sounded more like a pitiful attempt to utter something when the teen spoke. He inhaled deeply, lips quivering ever so slightly as he braced himself. But despite his utmost efforts the hunter's voice still seemed hoarse and broken, "Like hell...like hell I am!"

"You just can't be honest with yourself..."

Those deft fingers swirled and squeezed: gradually, slowly, deliberately – torturously and unbearably so. It was disgusting how his own body betrayed him so easily, how it was getting more and more of that sick pleasure from ministrations of the devil under him.

Velvety lips closed around the cold silver earring, greedily sucking on the lobe as hot tongue played with the patch of skin in the pureblood's mouth. Kaname released it after a few more seconds and gave a teasing lick to the ear before blowing at it lightly, causing another wave of cold shivers to run up the ex-human's spine.

"You react this way because you are the one who wants it, Kiryuu. Your body craves for it as much as your true self. For if not mind, then your flesh knows well whom it truly belongs to..." the brunet let out a quiet chuckle before continuing, "And clearly, it is not you."

"In spite of everything you claim with your words and actions, you enjoyed that night." The older vampire paused to look into the stormy violet orbs "Who is the beast out of the two of us...when it is you who craves for my touch after being 'forced' into submission and almost killed during that." He gripped the white column of the hunter's neck – too strongly for Zero's liking. "You liked our little play back then...How I made you struggle for every breath and bear every second filled with agony, not letting you slip away, into so desired and welcomed oblivion."

The ex-human opened his mouth to give a retort to the insane pureblood's words, but that attempt was cut off shortly when Kaname tightened his hold on the other's neck – sharp nails now digging into the fair skin painfully – and abruptly pulled him forward. In an instant, the silver-haired prefect found himself sprawled on the couch, in place which Kuran had been occupying less than a second ago, with the said vampire pinning him to it and looming over his form. Panic now settled firmly in the pit of his stomach, evoked by the position that made vivid flashes of memory run through his mind, and the teen started struggling, pushing at the pureblood's shoulders and using his legs to kick the other off while trying to scramble back and away from the brunet. He didn't want that. He knew where it was going to – had already guessed at the very least and the whole prospect was anything but promising.

Yet his attempts were futile as he wasn't allowed to even move anywhere from under the older vampire. The bastard's grip only got securer as he kept smirking down at him, obviously enjoying the situation and the younger one's actions. Though maybe not as much actions as the display before him – an uncovered, raw fear and panic that the hunter couldn't contain. Not now. Not when that night's events started repeating themselves with sheer exception that now it was the ex-human himself who had been foolish and blood-crazed enough to let himself come to the beast's den.

He knew he shouldn't show it – everything he felt at these moments was only pleasing Kuran further, wasn't it? He knew, but he couldn't control it. And frankly, right now it was the last thing not even on his mind, but somewhere in the back of it, where it surely couldn't be considered. Thus he kept thrashing frantically in the pureblood's clutches.

However, much too soon he felt himself going weaker, with every second and each – even the smallest – movement of his body. It came too suddenly and that sensation kept spreading through him, making his limbs heavy and mind drowsy. He wanted and tried to move, but only succeeded in gripping the fabric of the other vampire's shirt clumsily before his hands fell down on the couch. It seemed like even the agitation he had felt had quietened down, and quite considerably so as he was lying there still, watching the one above him with half-lidded eyes, struggling to keep his concentration.

What the hell was that...?

"Now that is much better." The realization dawned on him the moment he heard Kuran's voice getting closer. Cool fingers brushed his cheek before cupping it in an unusually gentle and careful manner, hot breath was on his skin as the brunet got closer to him, continuing, "You wouldn't want to get yourself unnecessarily hurt again...now would you, Kiryuu?"

"What-...you..." It was Kuran...His doings...He had fully perceived it the moment the pureblood had taken his face in both of his hands and leaned in, almost touching their foreheads together, speaking quietly in a calm, soothing, seducing tone.

"I can cease the pain, make it disappear or become dozen times worse...The same way as even without ceasing it, I am capable of making it pleasurable for you as well...So much so that you will crave for it yourself, to the point of being ready to beg for more, until you can't bear it any longer." Obviously, to prove his words he lowered himself further and nipped at the ex-human's lower lip a few times before leisurely licking off the tiny beads of blood he had drawn in the process, and Zero noticed how highly sensual that touch felt – it was hard not to notice that one very disturbing fact. Yet it didn't stop the cold, unpleasant shiver from running through his body – he didn't want any of this and the mere thought of what was going on and about to come was nauseating.

The body heat that was coming from Kuran was oppressing and assaulting, he didn't feel any warmth from it – only cold and imminence, it was menacing and frightening. It made his skin crawl of disgust and sickening terror.

"Be grateful, Kiryuu...for this time I will make sure to do everything properly... And in the end you will be the one to cry for it like someone of your standing is supposed to do."

"Fuck you," the teen hissed out, doing his utmost to somehow gather enough will and strength from himself to at least struggle away from the other's hold. Which certainly was useless, but despite knowing it quite well by now, he couldn't just lie there doing nothing – it was and would be even worse than then. "I never will."

The brunet pushed himself up a little, still not diverting his cold calculating gaze from Zero. His lips curved into a grim, slight smile, expression openly flouting and somewhat indulgent, as though he was speaking to an immature, ignorant, disobedient child, "That we shall see..."

-00-

The steam clouded the whole room as well as his vision as the ex-human sat on the tiled floor under the hot, almost burning current that made his usually snowy pale skin flushed. His lilac eyes were glazed as he stared unseeingly at nothing in particular with his head hanging low, recalling the repulsive memory again.

Gradually, a feeling of slight dizziness started getting to him and Zero couldn't help but wonder briefly how long he had been sitting like this. It was only now that he noticed how fogged the room was...or how his flesh was almost red from punishing stream. Yet he didn't feel anything. He just watched, as if observing someone else and not himself.

Looking to the side, the hunter's gaze fell on his left hand that was lying motionlessly, laved by the flowing water. Lifting it up, he turned it over to examine his wrist, slender fingers moving to trace along the flushed skin there slowly, stopping for a couple of seconds when they reached the inner side of the elbow and then returning to the base of his hand. He kept sitting that way for a minute or so, staring at one spot abstractedly before repeating the motion with his other limb.

It was gone...long gone now. Yet the sensations still lingered. He could feel everything just as clearly, as though those hands and claws never left him even for a second. It continued this way, not ceasing in the slightest no matter what he did or where he was. Though it got worse, so much worse when someone – regardless of who it was and of the fact that hardly any ever did that – touched him. Even Yuuki's touch that had always brought him warmth and comfort...that used to be so kind and gentle, giving him something he had long lost, was now causing nothing but trepidation and uneasiness, intensifying his sense of disgust and hatred towards himself.

But why...?

Why should he feel all that? And over none other than himself ? Why should he go through all this when it was Kuran whom he was supposed to loathe and despise with everything he had in him...?

He did. He truly did, but he wasn't certain what – or towards whom – that emotion was stronger. The pureblood was the one who had destroyed any sense of self-worth he still had had left in him before, but...He just couldn't escape that feeling.

What did he need to do to feel at least a little less filthy and polluted...?

He did nothing to deserve it. Never in his life...Was there even something you should do to deserve such a treatment from anyone...? He truly had no idea. Was that what Kuran was talking about? Did some stupid laws in that damn vampire society allowed it?...And so easily too? Then why the hell was he involved in it? He wasn't one of them...never had been, never would be...Because he wasn't meant to. Not to mention how much he detested the mere idea of it.

It had been some time already, but he remembered every detail of his...assault too clearly. He tried not to think about it. All the time, it was practically the only thing on his mind, but no matter what it got back to him, never ceasing in its horrifying intensity. He couldn't stand being around someone, yet didn't feel secure alone. And that feeling of not belonging here – or anywhere at that – only got stronger. Especially now...after what had happened then...

Digressing from his not so cheery thoughts, the silver-haired teen diverted his attention from his limbs to his chest, slowly tracing the skin in the middle up and down before stopping his hand mid-motion somewhere close to the area where his heart was located.

Here too...Not even the slightest traces left...

Well, naturally. It had been how long? A few weeks or something? Of course all wounds would've healed by now. On the next day after inflicting them at most. He was a vampire after all...

Yet it was...it felt like it was still there. Because everything: sensations, images, perceptions, emotions – it was there. So clear and palpable, as thought it was happening to him even now and every moment of his existence when he had nothing else to preoccupy his mind, to distract himself with.

Just like those injuries...He wished he could get all these memories and impressions erased just as easily. So that no trace would be left to excruciate him further.

-00-

Zero couldn't suppress a long, pained groan as sharply-clawed fingers started their travel down from the hollow of his collarbone to his navel in deliberately slow manner, easily drawing the small rivulets of blood from his flesh. After a few seconds, probably when enough of the life-giving crimson liquid welled up, came the feeling of the pureblood's tongue lapping at the freshly made wounds.

The ex-human's chest was rising and falling frantically as his breathing noticeably accelerated. His panic and dread were getting the better of him and he couldn't stop or even control it. He wanted to fight the other off or to simply put up a resistance, but he couldn't. Because his damn treacherous body wouldn't listen. He couldn't even lift his hand or move any of his limbs to struggle – they felt too heavy and it seemed as though he was debilitated and completely robbed of his strength. And he could do nothing but lie there, motionlessly and flabbily while Kuran was doing anything and everything he wished to him. Which was – or felt at the very least – worse than the previous time. Then he could – and sure as hell did – oppose against the other whereas now he wasn't even given such luxury as control over his own body.

He needed to get away, needed to do something, anything to try and free himself from under the bastard's control that he was forcing on him. He wouldn't just...He wouldn't simply stay like this, lying meekly like he was mutely ordered to, as if he really was surrendering to this sick leech...right?

However, no matter what he thought and hoped for, it was lost and completely forgotten the moment the pureblood's eyelids were lifted and the older male looked up, locking his gaze with Zero's while still continuing his ministrations. The silver-haired teen glared at the other hatefully as his eyes met with the brunet's red-tinted ones, coupled with dark jeering smirk that was plastered on the blood-stained lips, and it was the only thing Zero could do to somehow express his unwillingness to be here, in his current position and situation. But apparently, the only thing it did was amusing Kuran further, judging by the widening of that annoying grin of his.

Previous deliberation left behind, Kaname moved forward, finishing licking off most of the remaining amount of blood. A quiet snarl sounded when the vampire's mouth hovered inches from his neck and the next second Zero found the pureblood's lips on his once again, moving against them fervently. Right in that instant came the assault of the bastard's omnipresent hands. They returned to sliding up the silver-haired teen's thighs, stopping to slightly squeeze his taut buttocks before tugging the lying figure closer to the brunet's form in one jerky, but sure movement.

Even such action as turning his head to the side was difficult to accomplish. And it looked like with each passing second the effects of the pureblood's powers were worsening – it was getting harder to handle for Zero. If being almost completely paralyzed wasn't bad enough, now he also started feeling slight lightheadedness every so often, which surely did nothing to help him in his delirious anguish now.

Kuran continued to practically devour his mouth and soon he started having troubles with getting enough air in his somewhat aching lungs. It was disgusting...Disgusting and abominable on itself, but much worse than that was the fact that he had actually reacted to the other's touches – and still was doing so no matter how repulsing not only the action, but the mere thought of it was to him. Yet his stupid body was reacting to it, clearly proving what kind of a twisted beast he himself was.

No better than that bloody leech above him...

As if he didn't know that already...

A hiss sounded in the quiet room when the hunter's arousal was taken in the pureblood's tight grasp, and it was all Zero could do to not let other, much more embarrassing sounds leave him. However, the task was progressively getting harder to accomplish as the older vampire didn't stop on exploring only one area of the teen's physique. His lips were finally released, but humiliation was just getting started. He felt the other's tongue travel up his cheek and to the side, leaving a wet trail on its way to the ex-human's ear – slightly elongated fangs occasionally brushing the moist skin as Kaname played with it.

After giving his attention to the sensitive ear and toying with its multiple piercings, the brunet descended further down, continuing his slow exploration. He gave a special attention to the pale neck, adoring it with long leisure strokes and sucking at the soft skin every so often. The next were the prefect's collarbone and already healed by now chest – the torture got even more humiliating when Kuran started working on his nipples, sucking and lightly biting on one with his mouth while the other was being squeezed and pulled at with the vampire's skillful fingers – all that coupled with the hand on the silver-haired teen's member never ceasing its persistent ministrations.

With great effort Zero's hand moved to push at the pureblood's shoulder in another fruitless protest, but when he did so, the brunet bit hard onto the aroused by now bud before taking it between his soft lips and then into his mouth, swirling the hot, wet tongue around it, and Kiryuu failed to prevent – or even muffle – the half-gasp half-moan that – to his utter shame – escaped him. Instead of pushing the other away the ex-human only managed to curl his fingers around the silk fabric of the pureblood's shirt, fisting it weakly, which in turn evoked a low chuckle from the one above him.

Thankfully, Kuran left his upper half, but it didn't help much as the vampire's hand proceeded working on his lower region. Zero's eyes that he didn't even noticed he had closed shot open when familiar scent reached his senses, alerting him once again. Even though it should provide him salvation he always sought for, by now he knew all too well that it would be nothing but another blow that would bring him even lower than he already was. And he was right as the next thing the brunet did after coating his fingers in his own blood was placing them at the ex-human's mouth and smear it with the thick liquid before forcing it slightly open to dip into the warm cavern.

Tasting the delicious blood once more, the hunter couldn't stop himself from sucking at the two digits, prompting them into going deeper. Kuran's life essence started clouding his mind again and no matter what the still sober and rational part of his brain was screaming at him, Zero couldn't stop his body's response to the crimson liquor that his voracious inner beast always craved no matter how much it got. He despised himself for that, yet wasn't strong enough – neither mentally nor physically – to prevent this degrading reactions of his.

The blood that had been covering the long fingers ended and the pureblood removed them, instead leaning in to return to the prefect's neck, also giving the latter the opportunity to have the remaining dark-red liquid that was still staining his throat. Which the silver-haired teen took quite eagerly, latching onto the creamy skin and lapping at the provided blood almost fervently.

But he didn't get to indulge in the small piece of this basilisk oblivion much longer as an involuntary gasp tore out of his mouth when Kaname hurriedly finished pulling his pants off and Zero felt the wet digit probing at his entrance before plunging in. The brunet kept doing his unhurried exploration, moving his finger in and out of the hunter before adding another, deepening his insistent probing, yet again never ceasing the movements of his other hand.

The mix of sensations – both pain and pleasure – caused the haze to become thicker and he almost couldn't grasp what was going on. His body was shaking, but he didn't know what exactly was causing it – the terror that was coursing through him at being so fully exposed, so vulnerable before the pureblood and being in this kind of situation again or the unwanted pleasure that he was certainly feeling due to Kuran's doings.

It was sick. The way he was responding. The way his flesh was responding to that twisted leech's touches. One part, the one that was truly him and not some distorted monster within, was repelled and wanted nothing but to stop it all while the other was enjoying every second of this encounter and was ready to yield at any moment. To simply give in to this strange – and strangely intoxicating, almost thrilling at some point – blend of feelings. All thoughts mingled together, it got harder to cling to his reasoning and by now he could suppress neither his labored breathing nor the sounds he was emitting.

Disgusting…It was disgusting…He was disgusting…

Suddenly Zero threw his head back and arched off the couch, unwittingly letting out a soft cry as a seemingly jolt of electricity ran through his form. He had no idea what it had been or what Kuran had done, but that action practically made everything before his eyes go blank for a few moments before disappearing, leaving the teen trembling ever so slightly. The ex-human started trying to even both his heartbeat and breathing then, but alas, Kaname didn't allow him that with another deep push of his digits. He kept up the assault, smirking smugly at the quivering form below.

Zero clenched his teeth tightly, barely holding back his vocal responses, but failing miserably when the pureblood lowered himself again and started adoring the length of his throat with small bites with his blunt teeth while also speeding up the hand that was stroking the hunter's arousal. He felt the other's body heat and it was hot, too hot for his liking. Zero couldn't get enough air and his chest kept rising rapidly as muscles of his stomach tightened – the warmth that had coiled there increasing.

'God, no…please not that…' Of course he knew what was coming – he dreaded it, and inside of his head he continued repeating the silent prayer like some mantra.

Suddenly a hoarse cry tore out of the ex-human's dry throat. He threw his head back, straining the muscles of his neck and arching his spine as the older vampire brought him to the edge with his hands and fangs – biting ruthlessly at the very last moments of the hunter's struggles for any remains of his sanity. His body shook almost violently before it calmed down to a small tremors running through his entire form. Somewhat hazily and absent-mindedly, he noted the barely perceivable shudders coming from the vampire above him, whose sharp canines were still firmly embedded in his throat, but he had neither time nor the opportunity to dwell on that particular fact, for Kuran denied him that. And frankly, he himself surely was in no state to do so.

The brunet rose to hover over the silver-haired teen, licking the remaining blood off his lips. Zero's brows knitted slightly when he noticed that the other's breathing was a little irregular as well, but his confusion was dismissed quickly upon witnessing the small wicked smile that began pulling at the pureblood's lips. Kaname brought one of his hands – the one that was coated with sticky white liquid – to his mouth, slowly putting one finger in to suck at it lightly, licking the digit clean haughtily. He repeated the action with other fingers, taking his time to do so and seemingly enjoying the process – which in turn only further proved to Zero what kind of a sick leech this pureblooded bastard was. Alas, it didn't help to cease his shame and mortification in the slightest.

Was it possible to fall even lower…? To be even dirtier than he had already become…?

He turned his head away, repulsed with the sight and even more so with himself. However, he was forced to divert his attention back to Kuran as the vampire took a hold of his chin and swiftly guided it to the desirable for him position before latching onto the ex-human's mouth roughly. Zero could taste himself on the other's lips. It made him feel sick, to taste the raw evidence of his shattered pride so clearly.

Abruptly, he was brought back to the not so promising reality and the teen's eyes widened in terror and panic when he registered the pureblood's touch on his still flushed skin once again. Their not so gentle kiss got harsher – almost brutal – when Zero attempted to break free from Kaname's mouth by twisting his head to the side. But naturally, the older male wasn't having it – he only tightened his hold – both mental and physical – on the hunter, and soon enough Zero could also taste some of his own blood between them.

All of a sudden another course of jolting assaulted his whole form, bringing out of the ex-human a startled, breathless cry, which was efficiently muffled and swallowed by the other vampire, whose mouth still refused to release that of the prefect. Again, those hands on him…those…those merciless fingers moving inside of him, exploring, testing, torturing, clouding his head and making his senses go crazy. At this rate he was almost completely unable to think, only feel and further hate and curse himself for his stupid body and its shameful responses, for being this way in hands of none other than his archenemy and the one who did everything to make his life a living hell, for being such a lewd sick monster, for what a disgrace he had become.

The brunet continued ravishing the younger vampire's mouth, not giving him any opportunity to get away until Zero was sure that he would die from the lack of oxygen, and when Kuran had finally decided to give him a break, still a little dazed, the silver-haired teen hadn't realized what was coming until it was too late – he was just glad that the pureblood had stopped, because he was sure he couldn't take it anymore.

Letting his head drop to the side while trying to catch his breath, the hunter only vaguely registered the cool hands moving from his thighs to the underside of his knees, pulling him a little forward with one smooth, but somewhat impatient tug. It was only when he felt something thick and moist brush against his entrance did he return his gaze to the other male present in the room. His eyes widened and breathing hitched in dreadful comprehension when he saw the still viciously smirking pureblood spread his legs and position himself between them before leaning closer to the silver-haired prefect.

Breathlessly, he tried to protest, "Wh–?…No, wai–…!" But it was in vain and Zero didn't even get to finish his sentence as another throaty, this time only pain-filled cry escaped him.

Just like the first time, it hurt. It burned him from the inside and tore him apart. He had to take a deep intake of breath to somehow calm down and at least try to ease the terrible pain he clearly felt in his lower region. Thankfully, Kuran didn't start moving straight away, which gave him some time – no matter how laughable the amount was – to adjust, but it didn't help much as the inevitable came way too soon.

The pureblood withdrew, slowly, deliberately before making a forceful, confident movement forward and sheltering himself deeply inside of the hunter. He repeated the action a couple of times, starting at an unhurried steady rhythm, stretching the ex-human at an unbearably slow for the said teen pace, and each time Zero had to stifle pained groans from leaving him. The bastard was doing it on purpose – letting him literally feel his every move as he penetrated him unhesitatingly.

Zero cringed, biting on his lower lip painfully as another – but this time more powerful and persistent – thrust was made, burning his insides further. It was an unbearable agony and he wanted it to stop, to go away, to at least cease a little, but yet again, it wasn't in his powers to do so, just like the last time.

Abruptly, his eyes that he hadn't noticed he had closed at some point, shot wide open as the brunet slammed forward harshly, going even deeper than previously, directly hitting that one spot that brought him to near ecstasy. Smirking smugly, Kuran leaned in, bending over his form.

Coming down from his short high, Zero opened his mouth to say something against the other's actions, but only a surprised gasp sounded as Kaname repeated his previous motion, now going faster and more intensely. His legs were forced open wider when the pureblood clawed at his hips and slightly lifted them off the cushion, positioning himself at another angle to have a better access, at the same time never ceasing his by now vigorous movements. He felt the older vampire's hot breath at his ear before a low sultry voice reached his consciousness.

"Let's see how long you can hold on to your resistance…before starting to beg me for more…"

-00-

Sometimes the boy's actions were just too amusing. Amusing, foolish, inexplicable, unsettling, but most of the time so very entertaining. Regardless of what he did, the lowlife's obstinacy and open tendency to challenge his authority never ceased, giving him even more freedom for his heart's amusement. Well, most of the time it really was so and he actually enjoyed it in a way, but for some reason now it was…somewhat dissatisfying and simply getting on his nerves.

First the defiant brat missed his prefect duty of escorting the Night Class students to the school building, which resulted in a mob of constantly squealing, hormone-crazed females behaving even more wildly and inadequately than they usually did. In all honesty, during those moments Kaname seriously thought that his eardrums would explode. It was the first time when he had to be so careful with his every gesture and emotion, for if not, the consequences would have been drastic. Not to mention the fact that if it hadn't been for Kiryuu, his dear Yuuki wouldn't have had to endure all that nightmare of trying to keep the insane fangirls in check. Naturally, she had failed that task of hers, but it was to be expected. The silver-haired prefect was the only one who could accomplish such a thing and whom those inadequate human girls would listen to, if only out of pure fear and self-preservation instinct.

Although it wasn't like Zero would hurt them anyway…It wasn't like him, not in his nature. Kaname knew, because he had felt it. He had perceived it from his blood, and that was something that could never lie. Quite clearly, he had sensed this and some other things. Not so much though as he hadn't gone too deep yet. Even despite the fact that the sweet temptation was always present there. He guessed he liked to tease himself, but it wasn't like he wanted to know what Kiryuu truly was like. It was just a matter of mere natural curiosity – neither more, nor less. He could easily satisfy it whenever he liked to anyway.

…Or so he wished to think and had rather successfully convinced himself of it…

But nevertheless, that stubborn disgrace never missed the opportunity to prove him wrong without even trying to do so. Just like he had done today, once again openly ignoring and disobeying his direct order to come to him this night. It wasn't the appointed time yet, no, but the moment he hadn't seen the ex-human at the class changeover, he had very well understood the boy's intentions. And it had been confirmed when a little later he checked that guess with his senses, extending them to define Kiryuu's location, and had found out that the Level D wasn't anywhere at the Academy grounds. Which was…well, a little unexpected maybe, but not so perturbing. He knew that the younger vampire wanted to get away, to escape him by all and any means, but the fact that the possibility of Zero actually doing so was thin bordering with naught easily drove away all probable disturbance, as trivial as it would be. The ex-human had nowhere to go anyway: he had no other family or place to live in left, furthermore confidence in his own ability to stay in his right mind and not go berserk and start feasting on the blood of humans that would be so unfortunate as to be anywhere near him at that moments. Not to mention the amount of his strong unwillingness to leave Yuuki practically alone, and Kaname would mentally quote, 'with a filthy beast like him'.

An amused chuckle sounded from the pureblood, instantly drawing the Ichijou heir's attention to his brunet friend, his green eyes reflecting the unrestrained curiosity he was feeling at the older vampire's rather playful mood. He was in less than half of a second from voicing out his question when Kaname made a dismissing gesture with his hand, signaling for him to forget about his mild distraction and proceed with matters at hand, namely the reports from the Vampire Council that he had been reading to him before the pureblood prince had caused him to pause. Thus, as he and any other of their kind usually did, Takuma complied with the Level A's wish, simply shrugging off the small incident.

Not minding the inquiring gaze that the noble was giving him, Kaname continued on with his current musings, some of which actually did bother him a little. Something seemed to be different about Kiryuu. It had been so for a while now, but recently it had become more evident. He had easily noticed it as he always watched over the boy. He was used to it because he had been doing so since the youth's appearance in Yuuki's life. Thus by now it was like a habit of his to observe the silver-haired hunter and detect every shift in his aura.

It was always easy for him to pick up at every subtle change around himself – he had to, as such was the world he had been born and lived in, therefore it wasn't surprising that he was aware of something others could hardly know about. But this time it was his dear girl who had discerned it and as a result was worried sick about her adoptive brother. She hadn't told him anything in particular, but she didn't have to, her behavior was a sign enough for him to understand. And naturally, the fact that recently he had been seeing them together less frequently hadn't gone unnoticed.

Well, personally for him it wasn't a bad thing, for he didn't want to see anyone else but himself with his sweet Yuuki. Especially Kiryuu who only kept putting up a bigger distance between them. During all those years that the boy had lived with Cross, he and Yuuki had been close, and every day that bond of theirs had been strengthening until it had become too strong for Kaname's liking. He never liked it – on the contrary, the mere thought always awakened his ugliest and most hideous emotions. The ones he had never felt before his meeting with Kiryuu.

Yes, he had and quite possibly still was jealous of the obstinate teen. Yes, he hated him for that. Yes, he wouldn't deny that he wanted to avenge for that stupid and absolutely uncharacteristic for him, frustrating and irritating feelings. With every passing year it had been getting more and more persistent and even now it refused to leave him, also being fueled by how extremely anxious Yuuki was for that disgrace. He had seen it in her eyes, had heard it in every tone of her voice, had perceived all of it from her gentle presence.

And it got mixed again. Those emotions he felt: satisfaction on one hand and indignation on the other – one coming from him personally and another for his dear girl.

A bitter smile pulled at the corners of the brunet's lips as he closed his eyes wistfully for a few seconds, a soft sigh escaping him.

Ah, if only she knew that it was none other than him who was responsible for the ex-human's sudden change…

Would she come to hate him? To resent and fear him? Probably. No, most definitely yes. Though she did love him, she loved Kiryuu as well. So endlessly and selflessly…Her kind and forgiving heart allowed her that, but what would happen if she knew what he truly was like? Not one of his parts that he had fully devoted to her, but his whole self…with everything he had in him? Would she be able to accept and forgive this vicious, cruel, damned part of his? To keep loving and admiring him…?

He truly doubted that. No matter how much Kaname wanted to believe otherwise, he truly did doubt that and was apprehensive of finding out. Humans could never understand the ways of vampires, like prey could never understand its predator.

If she ever witnessed that side of his, it would be horrifying for her. If she ever knew what it-no, he, what he had done to one of the most important persons in her life, she would certainly come to feel nothing but dread and disgust towards him. Even though what he had done to the ex-human was perfectly right in vampire society, for humans it was something considered a terrible crime. And a beast like that can't and shouldn't be loved. It should be dreaded, bewared of and despised.

Nevertheless, simultaneously, the pureblood was afraid of that exposure and felt tempted to test his precious girl. But he was just being foolish as that idea was absurd per se. For he knew that the result would be devastating for him, which he surely didn't want. He couldn't and certainly did not wish to lose the only light he had in his life of eternal cold and darkness.

However, he knew he didn't need to worry about this particular matter. No one but Kiryuu was aware of that dark nature residing within him, and the boy would never say anything about it due to obvious reasons.

Kaname's sad smile turned into pleased, darkly amused smirk at the memories that his last thought had evoked. How distinctly he could still hear it…How clearly he could see all those 'events' only closing his eyes…

The first night, full of blood and screams…Soft, white flesh that he had torn and made bleed, drinking warm, crimson blood from it and licking fresh wounds, had caressed moist from dark thick liquid skin that felt as smooth and silky as it looked, slowly embedding his elongated fangs and claws inside, ripping it with them, spilling more of that sweet elixir…All the while listening to the agony-filled cries of his prey…

It had driven him insane. It had immersed him in madness with its absolute thrill. From sick, twisted pleasure, excitement, sadistic satisfaction, delight, from devouring fire of carnal desire, passion, voracity, from craving to take more, to show and assert his control, from all his screaming instincts. Not to mention the enjoyment he had received from those emotions Kiryuu had felt – the strongest forms of despair, loathe, terror, pain, contempt, shame, endless agony, humiliation, desire to die...Such a mixture to feed a starved ruthless monster within…Never in his life had the pureblood been as intoxicated, overwhelmed and satisfied.

Only during their second night, when the ex-human reacted on his own accord, when his body surrendered to the temptation, to pleads and wants of the suppressed vampire residing in him and responded to the pureblood with eagerness. And it had continued responding no matter what the boy had thought or wished, taking the pleasure from something that he had given to him, that only he could give to him.

Kaname had merged pain with pleasure, giving the hunter a complete combination of it, allowing him to feel that exquisite sensation. And Kiryuu, or his body at the very least, had gladly agreed to and accepted it – and quite eagerly too despite all claims of its owner. Over and over again, until he couldn't take it anymore, until he became nothing but a lewdly squirming under him bundle of nerves. And it was such a sweet sight to witness – the brunet had fully enjoyed it. It had caused his own bliss to go over the edge. Well, that and the silver-haired teen's mortification at his yielding reactions to his body's lusts. That time the pureblood hadn't used any violence, yet had been merciless, not restraining any of his ardent desires – fully letting himself out and indulging in his cravings.

Even now, recalling all that, Kaname could feel small shivers coming over his form, traveling through it and bringing him excitement, agitating him. That dark pleasure was just addicting. It was so thrilling to give in to those inner predatory urges.

The brunet opened his darkened eyes, his left hand's grip on the armrest of the leather armchair he was seated in tightened. He barely contained the low animalistic growl that had rose in his throat along with the reddening of his chocolate orbs and lengthening of his fangs. As he touched his teeth with the tip of his tongue, the pureblood could feel the slightly protruding canines. Absent-mindedly, his fingers let go of the armrest and moved to his neck, lightly stroking the side of it and lingering there for a few moments.

'It's irritating. These onslaughts of thirst.'

Kaname remained that way for another short while until the sudden silence distracted him from his musings – he realized that his friend's voice had stopped sounding in the room. The older vampire's ruby eyes moved to the blond noble, an elegant eyebrow rose questionably, "What is the matter, Takuma? Why did you stop?"

The said male shifted a little, giving the other a somewhat nervous smile as he answered, slight uncertainty discernable in his voice, "…No, it's nothing."

The pureblood's gaze stayed focused on Ichijou for another second or two before leaving the vampire's form and coming to rest on the pile of documents that had been lying on his desk for a while now. He had to concentrate. Those distracting matters would wait.

- - o - -

It looked like quite pointedly and persistently, he was being ignored. Was and had been for the past hour or so, and rather successfully too. In addition, it seemed that the boy didn't even have to put any efforts into it. He just sat there quietly without giving him as much as a brief glance. And normally Kaname would have been content with that – it wasn't like he cared about it anyway. Besides, at the moment the only thing that mattered to him was his precious and so rare time in company of his dear girl. Nothing else did or should matter. Only these warming, irreplaceable moments with his sweet Yuuki…

However, for some reason, it was just getting on his nerves.

The pureblood kept trying to concentrate all his attention on the words coming from Yuuki and the Chairman, to keep up with the conversation. But that task was and had been proving to be hard throughout the whole evening as he couldn't prevent his focus from swaying across from him, where the source of this annoying distraction was currently sitting, proceeding to disinterestedly pick at the food in his plate, obviously not giving heed to his surroundings.

Which was just too unlike Kiryuu. He always watched any vampire's every move, following it cautiously, always wary and ready to attack at any given opportunity – especially so when near him, a pureblood. But aside from the usual glare that he was rather accustomed to getting from the obstinate hunter as a sign of 'acknowledgement', he hadn't received anything other from the teen. Of course his open unwillingness to see or have him anywhere near himself was as obvious as ever, but this time there had been no sharp retorts thrown in his address, no heated angry looks, no attempts to kill or at least shoot him – just a single glare, which hadn't even lingered there for long. He had been actually looking forward to seeing Kiryuu's reactions to him when he went to Cross's house, but strangely, he had received only something close to naught.

After half a second Kaname returned his gaze back to Yuuki who was sitting next to him, babbling excitedly about her day in the town with her human friend, 'Wakaba Sayori', the brunet recalled the name he had heard from his dear girl on several occasions. The petite prefect was as sweet as ever, blushing adorably each time he looked at or talked to her, replying to him shyly with small voice, her big brown eyes expressing happiness and slight uncertainty, still giving him her endless warmth and kindness…

'His heart and respiratory rates are regular…He doesn't seem disturbed or even concerned.'

Kuran mentally cursed himself. What the hell was he doing? Who cared about that lowlife's behavior? He finally had a chance to enjoy these priceless moments with Yuuki, what in the world was he thinking about?

Yet this little mental reprimand did nothing to prevent his next thoughts from forming and running through his mind.

'He is not tense as he usually is when in vampire's presence...When in my presence…'

The pureblood crushed the urge to growl rising in him. The brat just had to get to him with each and any of his actions, with that annoying attitude of his, with that behavior. Yet he kept glancing sideways from the female prefect, almost constantly watching the ex-human from the corner of his eyes, barely covering his distraction.

'Judging by his posture and aura…'

"Kaname-sama?"

The brunet's head shot up and to the side, eyes immediately leaving his plate when he heard his name being called out by that soft voice. He saw Yuuki's inquiring gaze resting upon him, a somewhat worried expression on her features. Damn, he had missed her words. Again. For the umpteenth time this evening. Because of that lowly disgrace.

It was ridiculous.

"Yes?" He gave the girl one of his sweet, faint smiles, asking in gentle tone, "What is it?"

Red tinge appeared on her cheeks as she stumbled with words for a few seconds before responding, flustered, "W-would you like to try the cake Zero made for dessert?" Her excitement returned shortly as she started to talk about her apparently favorite food, just like when she still had been a small child, "It's really good! You should have a little, it's my favorite one!"

"I thought you were going to cook it. Didn't you ask Zero-kun to teach you, Yuuki?" The Chairman interjected lively before Kaname could answer to the girl's by now dreamy babble, successfully distracting her from going further.

The female prefect blushed even more, slightly ducking her head before letting out an embarrassed laugh and answering sheepishly, "H-he did. But I couldn't make it right, so…" She trailed off, looking at the other abashedly.

"Aww that's my cute little daughter! You're just like your father~!" The older Cross gave out a delighted squeal, goofy smile appearing on his lips as he made another one of his dramatic gestures of pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye, touched. Kaname stifled a small chuckle at how that scene affected Yuuki – the girl turned even redder than before.

"Don't worry, Yuuki. I am certain you will improve soon enough." The brunet vampire offered his comfort, patting her head and stroking her hair affectionately with an appeasing smile on his face. "And yes, of course I would be delighted to try that dessert you like so much."

After receiving a happy nod from the younger Cross, Kaname watched as both father and daughter got up from the dining table – the former deciding to help the younger of his two children, obviously no less excited than the said girl. Sometimes the pureblood couldn't help wondering if the two really weren't related by blood. They were just too alike in some aspects.

As the said humans left, Kaname's previously slightly amused gaze hardened, turning almost grim as it landed on the remaining occupant of the room who was still sitting silently across from him. It had been this way the whole evening. Unmistakably, Kiryuu wanted to stay unnoticed and detached, and Kuran had to admit that the boy had managed it rather well. Naturally, Cross and Yuuki had tried to involve him in one of the conversations going on, but those attempts had been responded to either by a curt nod or a short reply that hadn't left any chance to further prolong the talk with the teen. All in all, the ex-human was doing a remarkable job of delivering on that little plan of his. Even now, with Kaname's eyes practically boring into him and tension palpable in the air, the hunter continued to plainly disregard it all.

The still silence lingered in the room for a short while before Kaname decided to speak – his voice was smooth and silky as ever, yet completely devoid of previous affectionate emotions that were reserved for Yuuki alone, his tone neutral and disinterested, "How long are you going to keep that façade on, Kiryuu? You know it won't decide anything…neither will it affect me or my decisions in any way."

"…I'm not trying to. And I don't give a damn about your stupid thoughts or 'decisions', you bastard." His features and tone clearly showed his distaste for conversing with the pureblood as Zero hissed out those words, finally locking his fiery lavender eyes with dark burgundy ones. The sight and response caused the corners of Kaname's lips to lift slightly, forming a barely noticeable, pleased smile, eyes narrowing in mild amusement, "Of course…You never did."

Zero scowled and growled in response, his form visibly tensing and glare intensifying. It so reminded Kaname of a small white kitten trying to scare off a lion, with its soft fur bristled up and small canines bared because of feeling frightened by the obvious threat. The image suited Kiryuu so much that the pureblood couldn't contain the quiet chuckle that escaped him.

His moment of mirth was short-lived though, and Kuran quickly returned to his usual composed self. He regarded the silver-haired hunter coldly before speaking, "You left Academy grounds last night…Where were you, Kiryuu?"

"None of your fucking business."

The brunet's countenance hardened, tone steeled, "Wrong. Here I am the one responsible for you. I will not allow someone like you to become a threat to everything I've worked so hard to achieve. And you're doing exactly that with your foolish actions."

"Bullshit. You just want to control everything before your eyes. What, you were so pissed because you failed to keep me in check?" Zero scoffed, "Again."

"I could," Kaname's voice got silkier, "If I ever wanted to. You know it, yet you keep pushing your luck and trying my patience. Do you think I am going to permanently tolerate your insolence?"

"Why not save the trouble then? Stay the fuck away and you won't have to deal with it," the teen spat venomously.

He felt his eyebrow twitch. The brat, he just knew how to get under his skin. Nevertheless, Kaname easily kept irritation from showing in his words, "…You still haven't answered my question, Kiryuu."

"And I'm not going to." Abruptly, he stood up from the table, with obvious intention to retreat for the night.

"Sit–" Kaname's all but growled command got cut off shortly when the Chairman's cheerful voice reached them, signaling of the two humans' arrival before, after only a few seconds or so, the said individuals appeared in the room, all but hopping in excitedly. The pureblood schooled his expression immediately, small pleasant half-smile back in place.

"Zero?" Yuuki's smile faltered when she saw her adopted brother up and evidently not keen to keep them company any longer.

"I'll do the dishes now. Don't feel like eating anymore."

'Or at all,' the ex-human mentally added. He hadn't wanted to be here in the first place anyway. It was all the Chairman and his stupid antics coupled with Yuuki's worries and persuasions. Otherwise he would have never sat here with this filthy monster right in front of him, boring holes in him the entire time.

"But…" She never finished the sentence as Zero had already exited the dining room. The girl watched the teen's retreating back with concern and disappointment visible in her features. She kept hesitating for another few seconds before putting the plates with dessert on the table and quickly following the silver-haired hunter to the kitchen.

- - o - -

"Zero…?"

The brunet girl's soft and uncertain voice was answered with silence and only sounds of splashing water breaking it for another few seconds of Yuuki's hesitation.

"Zero? Are you okay?"

Kaname didn't even have to strain his senses to hear the conversation – his oversensitive hearing was bound to let him catch it so effortlessly. It was actually too loud for him not to hear the two prefects' talk.

A short sigh sounded from Kiryuu at the auburn-haired girl's question before the actual answer followed.

"Of course I am. Really, Yuuki, stop asking me that already." It returned to being neutral, calm and detached once again, but appeared somewhat disgruntled as well – the boy's voice, that is.

"You seem…different…You're…you're withdrawing again, like that time…and all those years ago. I…" The girl paused, apparently choosing her next words and trying to muster enough courage to say them. And seemingly succeeding in it as she sounded more confident and rather determined next. "I know I'm right! Please Zero, tell me what's going on! You know you can, don't you? You know you can always trust me with anything and…"

No response, all the brunet vampire's ears perceived was occasional quiet clattering of dishes coupled with running water. Then a few slow paced steps, slight shuffling of fabric after another moment of stillness. Kiryuu's movements seemed to cease.

"What?"

"Please, Zero…I just want to help you…"

A soft sigh, after which the ex-human spoke, "I know. I know you do, Yuuki. But I've said that already, haven't I? It's–"

"I know you're not 'fine'! And it's not alright…I told you I can see it, how you're distancing yourself again, becoming even more…unreachable than before."

A short pause, "You're just imagining things. Like always." Some kind of smile, a bitter one, sounded in the hunter's a little uneven voice. Kaname wondered if his dear girl had also detected it. Then came another shuffling of fabric, more clear and rough, the clattering of dishes ceased at the same time.

"Stop worrying about something that isn't there, Yuuki. You're fussing over nothing." A kind of rustling that was rather familiar to the pureblood and he guessed Kiryuu was ruffling the brunet girl's hair as some sort of reassuring sign. But not that was the thing that left Kuran in no small wonder. It was the boy's tone and intonation, which took a scarcely perceptible, subtle gentleness to it, the one Kaname wasn't accustomed to hearing.

The trick had worked, it seemed, though the pureblood could clearly hear the doubtfulness that was still lingering in Yuuki's words when she asked her adopted brother, "Really?"

Apparently, Kiryuu nodded, as the girl continued after a few seconds of silence, "Okay…"

Another short while before those occasional clattering sounds returned, it looked like the ex-human resumed doing his previous task. The female prefect, however, wasn't hurrying to leave the kitchen as she didn't move an inch but stayed in place – Kaname could tell. For about a minute or so none of the two teens spoke. Until Yuuki, once again, decided to voice out her doubts, "You would tell me if something was wrong…Right, Zero?"

Probably another nod, judging by the auburn-haired girl's response, "…Okay then…"

"Now, will you go already? I'm sure your beloved 'Kaname-sama' is tired of waiting for you there." Obviously, the hunter was teasing the younger guardian, stressing the pureblood's name scornfully. Quietly sipping his tea, Kaname hid a small, amused smile at Zero's words and Yuuki's reaction that would surely follow – he could almost literally see it when closing his eyes.

And the girl's next response was exactly what he had mentally predicted.

"Y-you stupid jerk!" A turn of rather loud thuds with Yuuki repeating those adorably sounding little insults at the ex-human in her apparent embarrassment. The pureblood almost let a chuckle slip from his lips at the image he was seeing in his mind – how his dear girl was giving the other small punches with that angry flush on her cheeks. Sometimes those two were just so much fun to 'witness' with their antics, even without having the actual picture in front of your eyes.

A soft, quiet laughing that continued only several moments, the one that Kaname had never heard coming from the grumpy prefect before. He hadn't noticed that Yuuki halted in her previous actions until Kiryuu's voice invaded his thoughts yet again.

"What now?"

This time there were relief, happiness and certain fondness present in her voice.

"Uh-uh…it's nothing…I just like it when you smile like that, Zero. You really should do it more often, you know."

'Kiryuu smiling…?' The brunet vampire truly doubted he could imagine that. Unconsciously though, he couldn't help wondering how it looked, what his precious girl had seen. And strangely, it didn't bother him in the slightest.

The hunter didn't respond, at least not verbally. The only thing that followed Yuuki's words was another short-lived rustling among stillness and then steps that were slowly coming towards their direction – to the dining room that he and Cross were currently occupying. The girl came in, happily taking her seat – blushing the moment she spotted him, as usually. She was immediately engaged in conversation with the Chairman who had been going on with his carefree babbling all this time.

But once again, Kaname couldn't concentrate on what they were talking about – only occasionally catching some bits, for frankly, he wasn't really as interested as he was supposed to be, at least not today for some unknown to him reason. Yet what was going on in the kitchen where the ex-human was right now failed to escape him.

The silver-haired teen let out a shuddering breath, seemingly relieved by being left alone. The water in the faucet was turned off and there were no sounds left to break the still silence of the room. Then a long sigh after another short while. The boy moved, and barely audible, retreating steps was the only thing Kaname heard as Zero left the house, inconspicuously.

- - o - -

Soft quiet rustling of clothes was followed by rapid clanking of chain that was gleaming in the darkness every so often due to the dim moonlight permeating through the window.

After finishing attaching the metal item to his waistband, the hunter lifted the Bloody Rose gun, holding the familiar weight in his palm. Slowly and gently, the youth trailed his fingers along the cold surface, tracing the carved letters of the weapon's name and never averting his far-away gaze from the object of his attention.

It calmed him down. He didn't know why, but somehow, it brought him that much needed, sought for, even if tiny piece of serenity, reassurance and at least some sense of control.

It was necessary to him right now. The control over himself, over the situation, over this damn current state of his. All of this was driving him insane, pushing him towards the edge. He was…he was tired, hungry, devastated, angry, exhausted, ashamed, humiliated…Worthless and undeserving of anything that he had, that was offered to him. He felt it all the time. And especially so since then and back there, in the kitchen when Yuuki gave him that brief hug that had been supposed to be reassuring yet had done nothing but making him feel even more filthy and nauseous, after which he had that sudden urge to take another punishingly hot shower to get clean – at least partly as he had already realized that it was impossible for him to fully wash away the dirtiness he was in. No usual warmth or comfort – only terror and coldness growing rapidly within him at the mere touch that was coming from none other than one of so few people he loved and cared for.

It shouldn't be that way. He shouldn't feel that way, it was wrong. Neither Yuuki nor Cross or anyone at that had done anything to evoke such reactions from him – it was all that damn pureblood's fault. Yet he couldn't help his responses no matter how hard he tried to suppress them. Granted, it seemed like no one had noticed and he had managed to hide it from others, especially from his two overly concerned family members. For right now he wanted nothing more than to be left on his own, untouched and isolated. So that no living soul would notice neither his emotional nor physical condition, for both were highly unstable – he wasn't stupid to not understand that simple fact.

He needed blood…The constant pain in his chest and frequent assaults of the strongest thirst were an evidence enough. It got worse every second of his existence, slowly but surely – he felt it. As well as the calling of that beast's blood to which he, or rather, his internal monster answered with greatest relish – all to his utter shame and torment.

Even now, standing here, in complete silence and obscurity of his room, he clearly perceived it.

And he was still, refusing to move from his place – because he could already feel it. Not the presence, no…The bastard was concealing it brilliantly. Again. As he always did. Because he damn well knew that Zero was sick of it. Of feeling those dark, red-tinted eyes watching him, carefully observing every motion he did with precision of predator following each of its prey's gestures. And he knew that in those eyes he was the prey, not the other way around. He knew what was reflected there, how he was regarded and looked at. It never failed to make the coldness crawl up his spine and spread through his entire form.

Long, tired sigh left his lips before the ex-human asked, "God, Kuran…Can't you just drop it already?"

Zero didn't see the shifting that was done by the tall silhouette stepping out from the darker part of the room near the door, but he very much sensed it, with his skin itself. It was that repulsing feeling again. Then the pureblood spoke and his voice evidently indicated his discontent.

"I don't like having my questions unanswered, Kiryuu. As well as being unaware of my paws' unauthorized actions, which you are too fond of. You ought to know it rather well by now, I believe."

Very unusually and surprisingly for the brunet, he wasn't graced with any kind of response from the silver-haired teen. Kiryuu simply didn't react to his words at all. Neither did he acknowledge his presence in any way other than that question he had asked earlier. No snarky retort, bared fangs, dark scowl or even heated, hatred-filled death glare that the boy was so good at giving to him. It was highly uncharacteristic of the hunter to behave this way in his presence and it stirred a spark of curiosity and bewilderment within Kaname.

The prefect just kept standing there, giving his undivided attention to the anti-vampire weapon resting in his hands. Unconsciously, the pureblood's gaze slid to the lean pale fingers – as much of the sight as he could witness from this position with the other's back almost completely turned to him – that were still carefully grazing the lines of the silver gun the youth was holding. It stayed there for a few moments as Kaname watched the motion, partly perplexed partly entranced, before darting up and lingering there as after a couple of seconds the brunet started towards the younger vampire slowly.

He doubted he did it wittingly as he thought he had been rather unaware of his actions when his hand moved up – it was just some kind of impulse or urge that had him making this apparently not so smart movement.

Loud smack followed by the clanging of chain and rustling sounded in the room as the formerly still atmosphere was broken by the sudden motion of the hunter, and the pureblood found himself in lying position with his back slammed into the bed mattress rather violently. The fingers that had been previously gently touching the steely surface were now firmly clenched around his throat, trying to squeeze it as hard as the boy only could. Then there was that all too familiar click and Kaname felt the cold barrel pressing against the side of his temple. There was a spike of irritation in the brunet when Kiryuu continued to push the Bloody Rose to his skin, already drawing blood with the applied force and preventing the small wound from healing with the gun's anti-vampire poison that certainly didn't do anything pleasant to his system. Of course it wasn't like it could harm him much – if anything, it only gave him mild discomfort, but he despised the vile thing nevertheless.

Yet he remained motionless and didn't make any attempt to stop the other in his actions. Naturally, he could easily prevent it with his natural sharp reflexes, but either from some kind of distraction or simply from lack of desire he failed to do so. Not that it was of any importance anyway, as nothing the boy above him did could actually cause him some damage. On the contrary, most of the time the pureblood was almost looking forward to the silver-haired hunter's next actions that sometimes – mostly always to tell the truth – were just too amusing and entertaining to him. They often surprised and made Kaname wonder, but either way, never failed to be rather...fascinating.

Yes, just like now, as he watched the ex-human on top of him, obviously seething with hate and anger, body trembling ever so slightly from rage and intensity of desire to kill and rip him apart. He knew and felt it, for it was so palpable coming in waves from the teen.

The prefect's eyes were shielded by his silver bangs as Zero refused to lift his gaze to look at the brunet, but Kuran was sure that those lavender pools had darkened and now were practically burning of sizzling emotions in them. And his suspicion was confirmed when after speaking, the hunter finally met his eyes.

"Don't touch me..."

The Level D's voice was quiet and raspy and almost barely perceivable, but of course Kaname had caught it with his vampire – and furthermore, pureblood – hearing. Kiryuu spoke again, this time louder and lifting his head to lock gazes with the older male.

"Don't you dare touch me, you bastard!"

Yes, he had been right in his assumptions when he had imagined how the boy would look at him, how he would give him one of his heated glares. The only difference was that it was red-filled and with even more contempt, loathing and bitter desperation. Slightly elongated fangs bared, eyes narrowed to nearly slits, shining in the darkness as the ex-human kept looking daggers at him.

"I'll shoot. I swear I'll shoot out that twisted brains or that rotten excuse for a heart of yours if you even have one! Even if it can't kill you, I'll make so that it will and I don't care what your stupid little dogs will do to me after that, you damn freak!"

For the first time it looked like the boy truly meant it. Still, it didn't threat or put the brunet on guard – surely not, the mere thought of it would be just too ludicrous – but only...it kind of thrilled him somehow, giving that pleasant life-giving shivers of purest and darkest excitement. Which actually wasn't too surprising seeing who he was and what his true nature was like in reality. Thus, it honestly didn't bother him in the slightest, he only was taking his little fun in it. And that was the only reason why he still hadn't thrown the Level D off him or switched their position to prove his control over the situation. After all, they both knew that Kiryuu's threats couldn't be taken seriously. Not only would the boy be unable to fulfill them, the whole idea was foolish and impossible.

Regardless of how desperately the boy wanted it…

Unconsciously, Kaname smirked at his thoughts, evidently angering the ex-human further judging by the fingers that had suddenly tightened around his throat. The pureblood's smile darkened at the hunter's expression of pure ire.

"Oh…Why don't you try then?" His voice was quieter, but sounded calm and smooth as ever, as though nothing of the current situation could affect him. "Because you know you are not capable of accomplishing anything you've said so far? Especially now, when you're shaking of hunger and hardly holding back from plunging your fangs into my neck and draining-" He stopped abruptly, hissing when the silver-haired teen dug his nails into the sensitive skin of his neck and pressed the Bloody Rose's barrel to his temple harder. Deep vicious growl emitted from Zero's throat as he continued to watch the vampire beneath him.

God, how much he wanted to do it…

For once, at that very moment, the youth honestly didn't care what would happen to him if he did actually execute on that previously said words of his. Neither was he concerned by what Yuuki would think of him then…Frankly, he just forgot all about it and none of that thoughts had even occurred to him as hatred and fury in him boiled too strongly, to intensely.

He just...God, how he wanted to kill this monster before him. The one that had broken and destroyed something in him and kept doing it repeatedly at every convenient opportunity. Cruelly and mercilessly, not giving him neither time nor strength to even try to regain at least a part of himself – another one of those that had been lost.

Never in his whole life had he craved to literally tear someone's heart out of their chest and crush it with his own hands so strongly. To see someone perish in front of his very eyes, slowly disappearing from this world…He truly doubted he had hated someone so much until now. Well, except for Shizuka, but…But that had been and still was entirely different story, and now…now…

Why…?

Why the hell did that two beasts just have to do it to him…? To ruin and take away everything from him? First that woman who had taken his family, humanity, significance, meaning of life, and now this hypocritical, deceitful, scheming son of a bitch…

How he wished to be strong enough to destroy this monster that kept killing him from the inside, all the while enjoying and openly feeding off his constant struggling – the asshole just kept flouting him, relishing in each and every moment of it. As even now, Zero could see how much of that sick pleasure Kuran was perceiving.

From the very beginning, that bloodsucker had started robbing him off no matter how petty, but still some sense of peace and safety. And he had only continued doing so during all those years that the ex-human had been living in this place with Cross and Yuuki. Then it had been his revenge, for which he had been literally ready to die. That stupid vampire had stolen it and now…Yeah, now, as if it wasn't enough already, the bastard decided to take away his dignity, self-respect or what was left of it at the very least…his personality, his soul, his right mind…and all remaining parts of his original human self that he wanted to save so desperately. Slowly, Kuran had begun to demolish all of it…

A sudden gasp right next to his ear snapped the teen from his thoughts back to reality. Opening his closed at some point eyes, the prefect realized that somewhere during his musings he had lowered himself to the pureblood's already bloodied by then neck and started lapping at it before biting viciously, as now Zero could clearly feel the taste of pure vampire blood in his mouth, running down his throat as he drank rapidly. But instead of stopping even when he had perceived what he was doing, the Level D did the opposite of what he was normally supposed to do and buried his fangs deeper, gulping down as much as he could manage. And as usually, instead of satisfying his unquenchable hunger, the crimson liquid he had consumed so far only made him crave for more until no drop was left.

And he complied with it, simply giving in to that poisonous, but so reviving temptation one more time as he always ended up doing…

And for that he despised himself even more…

The hunter went on with his feeding, uncaring of anything around him, only further losing himself and falling into the deep abyss of his monstrous hunger, continuing to chase after his scarlet-colored high. For, no matter how much he loathed admitting it, at this rate the moments like these were his only salvation from the nightmare-like reality he lived in. And right now he was already too tired of everything to fight it. Thus, he surrendered, all the while hoping that somewhere in the process either he would drain Kuran to death or the leech would have enough of him and decide to finally get rid of him for good.

However, the brunet proved him wrong once again, as instead of being pushed away, Zero felt the other bringing him closer – hands running over his body in that same demanding, impatient manner that was becoming almost familiar to him by now. Next came the warm and slightly erratic breaths on the side of his neck and it was all Zero needed to snap out of his short-lived oblivion and he sat up abruptly, earning a pained hiss from the pureblood, whose neck was now torn by the recent sudden movement of the silver-haired youth.

Looking up at the one above him, Kaname knew that his eyes were a violent red at this very moment. The boy had taken too much. But not only that, the anti-vampire poison from the Bloody Rose had started taking its effects after getting into his system. He felt his healing abilities slowing down and the wounds inflicted by Kiryuu still hadn't closed as it was supposed to. It was strange and uncomfortable. Not to mention annoying, having to descend to such a state because of the filthy, obstinate Level D.

He was hungry and needed to feed, which was exactly what he had been going to do seconds ago before the brat pulled away, bereaving him of the chance to quench his by now intense thirst that was caused by none other than this same glaring, insolent being. The hunter had taken too much and too fast, not leaving him any time to even begin regaining his normal condition.

Well, it looked like this time Kaname really had struck the chord inside the other. As this kind of behavior was certainly uncharacteristic of Kiryuu. True, the boy never cared about his comfort during their feeding sessions, but the pureblood doubted he had ever been bitten so brutally by the teen. But not that it was…

The feeling of steel leaving its former position near his temple and slowly moving down to stop right under his jaw distracted the older vampire from his musings. He growled discontentedly as the younger male pressed harder, making Kaname tilt his head slightly up. However, that dissatisfied response quickly turned into a soft, almost inaudible small moan caused by the shifting from the ex-human, which reminded him of another one of his little problems that the insufferable disgrace was to blame for.

Honestly, he was getting too sensitive and too accustomed to the influence of the hunter's organism on his own. Kiryuu's bite seemed almost too pleasurable to him, getting to the spots clouding his rational thinking the most. And all too naturally, he couldn't help but feel rather aroused by the truly well-performed stimulation, no matter how unwittingly it had been made – he knew for sure that the boy had no idea about the effects that his way of feeding had on him and doubtlessly did it unconsciously, thinking that instead of pleasure he would cause pain, and an immense amount of it. Well, the male prefect was right to some degree, but both sensations always blended so beautifully to him that it was just irresistible balance.

But nevertheless, it was the boy's vampire side that had called to that of his so insistently. And he just couldn't – and had no wish to – deny himself that small act of indulging. After all, he had been rather looking forward to it all this time…And why not? In the end, the only way to pacify the desire was to surrender to it. Or so he supposed and wanted to think. Thus, he didn't really fight it this time.

This time it was a sharp intake of breath that broke the silence after another movement of Zero's lower half that was positioned so closely to the pureblood's as the youth continued straddling him. Then there was another shifting, this time with added pressure to the brunet's groin that caused Kaname to let out a soft shaky exhalation as his eyes slid closed unconsciously.

A dark humorless chuckle sounded from above him and the next second the older male's a little clouded orbs were revealed to regard the Level D still sitting on top of him in the same compromising position. His brows furrowed slightly in confusion when he noticed the bitter, clearly mirthless smile playing on the ex-human's lips before they started moving to form a question.

"You sick leech…You're getting off even on it…aren't you, Kuran?" Neither waiting nor caring for the answer, Zero made another motion to once again confirm his suspicion. And this was exactly what happened when he did so, as this time, albeit somewhat weakly, the pureblood's hips moved up ever so slightly. His hands were gripping the silver-haired teen's thighs and Kiryuu could both see the other's darkened lust-filled gaze and quite literally feel the state he was in.

Which in turn only further showed the real face the beast had underneath that impeccable, perfectly deceiving mask of his.

Filthy, abhorrent monster…The true form of the Devil himself.

Pushing the anti-vampire weapon harder to Kaname's neck, Zero lowered himself to it once more. Leisurely, he began licking the remaining blood off it in long deliberate strokes, each of which elicited a small shudder from the brunet lying under him – at the same time preventing the said man's attempts to drink from him in his obvious state of hunger.

The hunter went on with what he was doing for a minute or so, cleaning the long, crimson-stained column unhurriedly before embedding his by now elongated canines in it, greedily and furiously sucking the exquisite liquor from it for the second time this night.

The sensations Kaname received from the ex-human's actions caused tremors of absolute delight to run through his entire form as he arched off the bed, groaning loudly. Pleasantly distracted for now, the pureblood let his head roll back as much as the mattress allowed him to. Involuntarily, a breathless gasp escaped him as Zero pinned the older vampire's form down with one harsh movement, making Kuran automatically respond accordingly to his currently clouded mind's urges.

Shakily, he tried to reach up to bring the silver-haired prefect even closer, and it was then when he noticed how weak he felt. Yet it didn't bother him as much as it should have or stopped him from wanting more of that fulfilling high. He very well knew that he needed to force the boy away from his throat, but his body all but screamed for more…just a little bit more…

Thankfully for his system, but quite disappointingly for his flesh, after another few blissful moments, it was over and Zero's teeth disappeared from his skin. Immediately, the brunet's burning eyes shot open, locking with the hunter's angry ones straight away. His gaze fell on the full, covered with blood lips and instinctively, he licked that of his own before dazedly, attempting to follow the swiftly retreating form of the other.

However, the next second the warm weight on him was gone and he was left alone in the dark, empty and now completely silent – save for the sounds of his heavy breathing and rapidly beating heart – room.

He thought about getting up from the bed, but his efforts weren't successful as he didn't have enough strength at the moment. His head spun, he realized. Kiryuu really had taken too much. But it was Kaname who had allowed it so carelessly and – needless to say – stupidly. Had the boy truly tried to kill him…

A small chuckle escaped the pureblood at the turn his musings had taken.

If the boy really had attempted to kill him, then he had chosen a rather…vampire-like way of doing it – amusingly, after denying his true self for such a long time and still doing so. Though seeing as the ex-human had stopped, Kaname assumed that it wasn't his intention.

The brunet sighed softly.

His body still hadn't calmed down. He lay in the same position and state the silver-haired youth had left him in – on the said teen's bed, tired, exhausted, hungry for substance, craving, unsatisfied and unable to get rid of his aroused condition. And the brat's scent all over the place certainly wasn't helping. It was as intoxicating as usually…tempting and enticing him…

Small, sinister smile pulled at the pureblood's lips.

Aah…Kiryuu just knew how to make everything so much more…delightful and entertaining. He truly enjoyed it, just like always. He loved this sweet, dark excitement. And of course, like always, he would get to the foolish disgrace for his not so mindful actions.

However, that would obviously have to wait. For, right now he was in no way able to do anything, much less bring the brat back and take suitable measures.

Slowly and unwittingly, Kaname's eyes slid closed as the familiar – and somehow pleasant – odor coupled with quiet, still atmosphere lulled him to light sleep. Which wasn't surprising in his blood-deprived, weary state where all he needed was rest and proper substance right after that.

But honestly…He was allowing that lowly creature too much…And was becoming too accustomed to both doing it and paying for it later…

- - o - -

It was cold and somewhat frosty outside – an appropriate weather to show the start of the winter season. The streets of the town, as well as everything around the teen, were dark, silent and deserted with no living soul around – just the way it was supposed to be in the nighttime.

Seemingly out of place in that almost deadly stillness, the ex-human walked to his set destination, stumbling slightly every once in a while, without actually seeing – or even concentrating on – the way. A sudden gust of wind passed, playing with silky, silver hair and sending it in different directions before calming down once again. Zero felt a cold shiver running through his form, but it honestly was the last thing bothering him right now.

He felt sick, light-headed and somehow feverish and weakened – despite all the amount of blood he had consumed recently. But he guessed it was the exact reason. He had taken too much – more than ever and it didn't do him any good. His condition was far from perfect and definitely was not suitable for a hunt, but as of now, he had no choice.

He needed to get out of there, to leave that room, that building, the whole Academy grounds – as farther away from Kuran as he could. He didn't know what could have happened had he stayed there or anywhere near the pureblood, but he was sure that it wouldn't have been of anything good to him. Nothing concerning the bastard was. Never. He had learned it too well by now.

Back there he was sure he had been on the verge of practically killing the asshole by draining him. He felt it in himself – the adrenaline and craving to do so that belonged to the voracious monster within. It wanted to absorb everything of the pureblood, greedily and uncontrollably, acting on nothing but sheer carnal desire for blood, power, dominance, slaughter, possession and infliction of pain…It was ready to kill the other gladly, but not because of Zero's hatred and contempt and bitterness, no. It had its own distorted reasons to do so.

And that was another thing that had made him sick to the pit of his stomach.

His seemingly non-existent, but still there beastly urges, and those lecherous, disgusting reactions Kuran had given him. He had almost killed the older vampire – or attempted to at the very least – and the guy not only had not tried to stop him, the leech had in fact openly relished it, practically demanding for more and urging him to keep going – either uncaring of the consequences or simply not believing that he, an unworthy ex-human, would really be able to harm him in any way.

Whether it was both or one of the two that had been the reason, Zero honestly didn't care. He was just glad and truly relieved that he had managed to escape it and anything that could have followed their…brief encounter. For he dreaded it the most.

The hunter faltered in his steps and leaned on the nearest wall to his right for support. White puffs visible in the cold air as the prefect let out shuddering breaths. His vision still hadn't cleared enough for his head to stop spinning and he gripped his silver locks, trying to ease the continuous throbbing.

'Great. Just fucking great.'

It was too much for him to bear. Kuran was too much.

Although it was always like that, Zero still couldn't get used to it. He would feel high, euphoric, and indescribably good when feeding from the bastard, so much so that every time he wouldn't want to stop. Yet when it was over, the effects would get to him and he would be helpless before them, giving the pureblooded son of a bitch one hell of a great opportunities to have his way with him. But not only that. He would also be vulnerable to the other's feelings, moods and everything that concerned the older vampire. Well, it wasn't so new to him, as it had been that way with Yuuki too, with the only exception that he had felt it less intensely. Probably because she was human and her blood was far from being as strong as Kuran's…Or rather, as poisonous as his, naturally. Thus, it was much easier for him to assimilate it.

But this time he had drunk too much and it was even worse. The brunet was too much to handle: everything he did, experienced, thought, planned, perceived…and all emotions running through him…of course it was never on the surface and the ex-human couldn't really interpret or unravel or understand them in any way, but nevertheless, it was overwhelming. Almost too much so. And it got literally unendurable when the pureblood was nearby. It was hard enough for the teen to bear this much of that sick beast inside of him, and having him anywhere around could do nothing but aggravate his if not physical, then mental state for sure.

Of course, gradually it got better and in the end he actually felt great. But it could be applied only to his body, because inside, he knew he was falling apart. And sometimes – especially lately – the knowledge that this way he was saving Yuuki from himself and possibly even distracting the damn leech from going after her sooner didn't necessarily help.

Yeah, Kuran always knew how to screw everything and make his existence nearly unbearable in all possible aspects. Like he had done this time too.

Not wanting to stop and thinking that it would be better if he kept going, Zero inhaled deeply before resuming his steps. Hand trailing along the wall for another few seconds before the teen let go. He was pretty far from Cross Academy now, but the specified in his assignment place still wasn't close. Which was good for him this time around, as by the time Kiryuu reached it, he would be ready to fight.

Unlike now. As turning the corner, his dulled senses failed to alert him of the dangerous presence lurking nearby and changing its previous course to head in his direction.

- - o - -

Clouded, drowsy crimson-filled eyes opened slowly, glowing in the pitch-dark room. After blinking a couple of times to clear his vision, the brunet's brows furrowed in slight confusion as he first saw the unfamiliar surroundings instead of the ones he was used to seeing when waking up. However, the next second it hit him where he was as the memories of what had happened earlier invaded his mind.

With a soft sigh, Kaname ran his hand through his chocolate locks, feeling the dried blood on the side of his temple, the wound of which had already healed. Lean fingers moved to inspect the previously inflicted injuries on his neck, touching the tender skin carefully as heat flooded him and pleasant shivers coursed through his form in response to the mere feather-like contact. There were no bitemarks left anymore – only another trail of his clotted life essence, yet the place Kiryuu's fangs had pierced still was impossibly sensitive.

Hand dropping to the covers, the pureblood let his eyelids slide closed, exhaling tremblingly. It was only now that he noticed the annoying, persistent throbbing in his head and slightly elongated canines and dull, constricting pain in his chest. The symptoms weren't exactly new to him and it was nothing he couldn't suppress, but it didn't mean he liked experiencing it. Besides, he doubted that having around a bloodthirsty, annoyed, close to losing his self-control pureblood would be beneficial to anyone. As even he with his perfect composure could snap when so mercilessly drained. Not that it would ever happen, naturally, but the tiny chance still was there.

Truly, the boy was playing with fire, driving him to this kind of state. It was unwelcome not only because of the dangers that went along with it, but also because of the following outcome that, for the brat personally, would surely be far from desirable. And Kaname knew how exactly he was going to return the favor to the impudent creature for this.

But not that was of the main priority right now. First he needed to regain his full strength and finally get rid of this bothersome assaults of hunger.

A quiet groan sounded as the brunet vampire attempted to get up from the bed he had been lying on for the past…How long he had spent in this room, he didn't know, but he guessed it had been a while seeing as the night had fully fallen already. Not to forget to take into consideration that it certainly should have taken him quite some time to regain at least some of his lost energy.

Well, knowing that, he was glad he had once again used his powers to prevent any scent from leaving this room. As it could've really get rather dangerous otherwise, if any of the other vampires had smelt so much of his blood. For, unlike Kiryuu, who despised the very thought of it and regarded it as nothing but abhorrent poison that he was forced to consume because of his own weakness, each and every one of his kind dreamt of and craved for his pure, untainted blood. And Kaname was certain that none would be able to resist the temptation. Hence his apathetic reaction to any of the ex-human's threats.

As much as the said teen wanted to believe in his words and its actual possibility, he would never be capable of making them come true. And not only because of the difference in powers, no. Kiryuu just wasn't the kind of person who actually could commit a murder so easily. Yes, it was supposed to be in his blood and yes, the boy had killed the Level Es, but that was different as it was something that had to be done. Yet even then, the hunter didn't have enough resolve or desire to slaughter. Once again, very clearly, Kaname had felt and 'seen' it. Through the blood that never lied, during one of those magnificent feeding sessions they had had. And just as well, Kuran had no doubts that the silver-haired prefect would never be able to cause him such harm that would be enough to threat, let alone end his eternal life.

Which was why, no matter what the ex-human may think, it was much safer for the brunet to stay in his presence as vulnerable as he had been and was right now, rather than having nearby any other vampire – regardless of their rank.

And the irony of that just couldn't not cause a small chuckle to fall from Kaname's lips in his genuine amusement.

The pureblood stood up, slight dizziness assaulting him for mere seconds before withdrawing to once again be replaced by that irritating, constant throbbing that was close to driving him insane in his current, very unpleasant state.

He really needed to get rid of it sooner. It was steadily getting too annoying and uncomfortable with every passing moment and the brunet sure as hell was not enjoying it – his dark aura that he could barely contain was a perfect prove of that.

Thus, without further ado, not bothering to consider any other possible option, Kaname unleashed his true inner, primordial self and promptly dipped into his pureblood powers – or what was left of it right now. The next instant, darkness engulfed him, his body merging with it before transforming into dozens of small black bats that formed a thick flock. The closed window rattled loudly at the expansion of sheer dark energy the vampire emitted, and then shot open abruptly, letting in the cold, sharp wind and releasing the flying night creatures out of the room.

Almost instantly, Kuran was in confines of his own residence in the Moon Dorms. The bats flew around for a short while, disturbing the still atmosphere and filling the room with sounds of their rapidly flapping wings, before gathering together in one place in the middle of the spacious chambers and forming a tall silhouette. Within seconds, they were absorbed by the said shadowed figure, the noise dying as each bat disappeared gradually, dissolving in the body of its owner, a part of which they all were.

Taking a deep breath and then exhaling slowly, the pureblood let his head fall backwards a little as his eyelids were lifted, revealing the still burning scarlet pools of thirst. His fangs had further enlarged and the hunger intensified after using his abilities – even the simplest of them.

Not wasting any more time, Kaname quickly went to his desk to retrieve the blood tablets. Taking the metallic box with his by now somewhat shaky fingers, the brunet swiftly opened it and dropped all contents into the prepared water-filled glass standing nearby on the top of the wooden surface. His breathing labored, Kaname took the glass without waiting for the pills in it to fully dissolve and drank greedily, closing his eyes and wincing at the repulsive taste yet seeking to placate the agonizing need in him.

Indeed, it had worked and almost immediately, after the pureblood consumed the first couple of mouthfuls, he felt the pain easing and retreating to dull ache – which was more or less closer to the one he was used to. Evidently calming down and slowing his pace, Kuran finished the remains of the reddish liquid and returned the empty glass to its original position. Lean pale fingers traveled through dark, silky locks as the brunet panted softly, his free hand leaning on the mahogany table for support.

He stood like that for about a minute or so, regaining his permanently forgotten composure and naturally, succeeding in it as he always did. Kaname straightened up, his heart rate along with breathing already returned to being even. He reached to refill the glass and take another portion of the blood tablets then, this time adding only a little more than normal amount. His thirst wasn't as unbearable as it had been before, yes, but it was there nevertheless. Kiryuu had nearly drained him and it certainly couldn't be fixed with such a tiny amount of substance. Furthermore, with fake one. He would still need to feed on the real blood after returning to at least somewhat stable condition where he wouldn't unwittingly kill the donor in his bloodlust.

The brunet seated himself in his armchair, leaning back as his eyelids fell closed, hand moving up to pinch the bridge of his nose between his fingers tiredly. His head still hadn't stopped pounding and despite the fact that he actually felt a tad bit better now, his state was almost literally killing him. He had never imagined that the hunger for blood could be as violent and unbearable as the one he was experiencing at this very moment. It was causing him troubles even with breathing normally, let alone thinking and processing things clearly. Frankly, the only thing on his mind now was that heavenly, dark-red liquor that was the very essence of the existence of his race, and the feel of it sliding down his suddenly dry throat, its taste and texture on his tongue.

'Damn it…' He mentally cursed, almost scowling as another assault hit. He had only thought about it and everything worsened. The throbbing, the pain, the madness, the desire to rip someone – anyone – apart, snap their throats and drink from it, completely draining the body of its life-giving liquid until he was full and sated, until the beast in him decided that it was enough and went dormant again.

Fiercely, Kaname snatched the drink from his desk and gulped it down in one go, but this time it wasn't as effective as the first time. The onslaughts had ceased and become weaker, but it wasn't the entirely desired result. The tablets did help, true. However, it didn't last as long as he needed and clearly, the pureblood did not take delight in it.

The next portions also weren't successful in quenching the enormous, unrelenting bloodlust and he was honestly getting both tired and fed up with the whole thing.

The brunet vampire stood up abruptly, snarling furiously. At the same time, the trembling hand that had been previously gripping the soft dark curls moved suddenly, knocking down the glass filled with another dose of synthetic substance and sending it flying to the nearest wall, causing it to brake to numerous pieces in anger and frustration. Head bowed slightly as Kaname rested his hands on the desk, fingers curved and almost digging into the hard material. Narrowed to thin slits shining orbs looked at the result of his action disgustedly, fangs bared with animosity as the pureblood continued growling quietly, doing his utmost to not destroy everything in the room.

It was driving him insane.

Out of nowhere, a thought came to his mind, 'Is that what Kiryuu endures every time…?'

- - o - -

A quiet moan fell from quivering lips when the taller vampire's fangs went deeper into the creamy delicate neck. The lean trembling form was gripped tighter and the female couldn't help but tilt her head further back at the amount of pleasure she felt from the bite. Such a fierce, needy, demanding, possessive, seeking for something bite. It was the utmost bliss for her to receive something of that sort from her Lord, however much pain it would cause her later…

He drank greedily and savagely, finally tasting that sinfully delicious, beautifully dark-red liquid he craved. At last he felt it, the satisfaction he sought for, the unbearable thirst subsiding, the dark insanity retreating, the relief and appeasement he was desperate for…yet it wasn't enough.

The blood of the high-ranking vampire was strong, powerful and flavorous enough for the violent assaults to cease and agony to disappear – or at least start to. However, something was lacking – it always was, but this time more distinctly, especially so now, when he had practically forgotten about this sensation, when he was so used to that fulfillment, gratification, to that indescribable satiation he always received from exploring the crimson sea of feelings and perceptions that were so different and inscrutable for him. The ones he fascinated himself with, trying to comprehend and catch them, seemingly so palpable and real, yet so fleeting and elusive. The ones that caused him to forget himself and drown in the mix of the strongest contradictions and ambivalences…The ones he enjoyed experiencing so much.

But it wasn't there now, no matter how persistently he attempted to find it. And it spoiled everything.

The taste and texture – of both skin and essence – also weren't the same, it was failing to give him that something unknown which he craved.

Vaguely, Kaname heard another pleasure-filled sound from his ever-willing donor. And for some reason, unconsciously, it made him slow down in his drinking. Reactions, sounds, tones, intensity, scents, flavors, deepness…Something was missing from all of it, further worsening his frustration.

It hit him suddenly that he was actually thinking of Kiryuu and comparing Ruka's blood to his. Seeking there something that he could grasp only by tasting the other. And it did nothing to brighten his by now once again foul mood. As even during these moments that disgrace managed to interfere, making his blood seethe with darkest and most malicious of emotions that just wouldn't leave him until he gave in.

Another gasp that indicated how much delight the female vampire in his grasp was experiencing from his skilled ministrations – of course, the most natural response for any vampire, especially if a pureblood was involved in the process. The smooth column was bared more, allowing the brunet to bury his aching fangs deeper. Which he did without thinking much, once again hungry, frustrated, disappointed, angry, dissatisfied, and distressed.

Soon the slim feminine body began to go limp, and Kaname freed his bloodied canines from the soft flesh, catching the weakened form of the noble vampire who had lost consciousness. Gracefully wiping off the remaining drops of blood with his free hand, the brunet called for Seiren and gave her instructions to get the fainted Level B in her rooms and take care of her. As usually, the command was fulfilled without delay – the silent bodyguard quickly disappearing to follow every command of her master, unquestionably and with precision.

Left alone in the privacy of his residence, the pureblood came up to the window and stood there still, letting his hand rest on the window frame. He stayed like that for a couple of minutes, his head bent a little and eyes closed as Kaname concentrated on suppressing his screaming instincts – or pacifying them at the very least. But the result turned out to be far from what he wished.

Kaname growled impatiently, narrowed scarlet-filled orbs looking at the unfamiliar reflection of his true lethal self in the glass. Slightly clawed fingers curved sharply when the brunet's hand jerked downwards, leaving deep cuts on the smooth wooden surface with his nails. In an instant, the only thing left from the previously standing by the window figure was dark silhouette. Smoothly and ethereally, it glided away from its previous position and disappeared from the room, as though dissolving into the air, leaving nothing behind.

- - o - -

Something was wrong. He felt it.

A pained hiss sounded from the hunter when he was slammed into the wall with crushing force, a rabid E's claws dug into his flesh – one into his neck and another into the shoulder. The teen's skull throbbed agonizingly from the impact, but he had managed to keep the Bloody Rose gun in his hold and direct it towards the mad creature's heart. In a flash, his head was roughly forced to the side, revealing the expanse of his throat and Zero felt the other quickly closing the distance between his rapidly beating pulse and the blood-crazed vampire's razor-sharp canines. However, the move was never finished as right at that instant, the silver-haired prefect pulled the trigger, loading the Level E's chest with several bullets from the deadly weapon.

Immediately, the vicious growling was replaced with piercing, bloodcurdling shriek and the vampire jumped back, clutching the injured place, its face contorted with excruciating pain as it fell, already starting to perish.

Another few seconds had passed before the body disappeared completely, leaving nothing but pile of ashes after itself. Zero watched the horrible process with unreadable expression, panting slightly as he tried to calm down his agitated senses. He leaned his head back and inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he slid down the wall against which his back was still resting.

It had been the last Level E in the house, which meant that this mission was finally over and he could allow himself some rest. Because uncharacteristically and very strangely, he was hardly standing after it. And the reason for that was definitely not the assignment or its level of difficulty or something. In itself, the mission was usual for him – he had handled the ones that had been much harder than this, mind you. However, tonight it looked like everything was against him.

He had thought that it would get better and calm down as time passed and that he would go on with it as he always did, but alas, he had been gravely mistaken and once again, terribly naive. For even now, after those damn few hours that he had spent to get here, during which as he had supposed, his organism should have been able to return to its normal condition, he felt like shit if not worse. In all honesty, he had no idea how he had managed to hold on until now and actually kill those Level Ends that had been dwelling in the house. Looking back at it now, everything just seemed blurred and somewhat unreal – as if it hadn't happened at all.

Letting the silver gun drop to the dusty floor, the ex-human grasped his head, pulling at the hair in another futile attempt to somehow lessen the nearly unbearable by now pounding in his temples. He didn't know what was going on, but he was sure that it all happened because of Kuran and his damned venomous blood. It was never easy for him to digest, but this time the thing was simply destroying him from the inside. He could hardly concentrate and it was nothing but pure damn luck that there were no more Es and that the ones he had fought had already been too weak to put up a more serious fight. Otherwise, he would have ended up with much more severe wounds than just a few 'scratches' like the ones he had now. Not to mention that they had almost healed already, so it was unlikely something to be worried about. As in contrast with the poison that was the blood of that sick son of a bitch, the venom from some fallen vampire's talons or fangs was nothing.

'Shit…shit…shit!' The hunter kept cursing in his head, a groan that sounded more like a pitiful whimper escaping him involuntarily as he turned to his side, practically curling into himself. Something was not right. Terribly so. It didn't get any better at all and what was worse, the teen had no idea what he had to do in order to stop it.

Suddenly, there was a noise. It lasted only a fraction of second, but Zero was certain he had heard something not so far – in this old house, on this floor. Immediately, the ex-human's previously closed eyes snapped open and hand shot sideways to take a hold of the Bloody Rose. He stood up unsteadily, using the wall behind him for some support, but still trying to get his body under control. Needless to say, it was mostly in vain.

Bleary lavender orbs kept searching the dark, spacious room for any danger, but found none. However, there was another sound, this time seeming like some kind of shifting, and shaky fingers clutched the anti-vampire weapon tighter, ready to shoot at any moment.

Finally able to keep himself up on his own, Kiryuu moved away from where he had been standing all this time and slowly went forward, not letting his guard down as much as he could in his current state. Unexpectedly, Zero sensed another motion and aura coming at him from behind. He spun around at once, firing at the shadow he had caught from the corner of his eye, but it was too late as it disappeared as fast as it came, without any trace to follow.

Having no other options left, the silver-haired teen tried to track down the creature's presence, but before he had managed to do that, the cold body slammed into his from the side and pushed him back. Another gunshot resonated when the prefect lost his Bloody Rose gun as he was knocked down and pinned to the dirty floor by the strong figure. It straddled him, growling wildly while hovering over the hunter.

As he looked up when his vision got at least somewhat close to clear, Zero saw one too familiar and unwanted sight that surely was the last thing he needed now.

Burning with violent red, eyes stared down at him, long white canines bared as the male's crimson-stained lips pulled back in malicious sneer. The silver-haired teen's hunter senses hadn't failed him the first time when he perceived the aura of the other. Clearly, it was a vampire and even though he felt like Level E, Zero had no doubts that this one was much stronger. And not only that…the guy reeked with fresh human blood.

'Dammit…'

Panic settled firmly in the pit of his stomach, Kiryuu turned his head in the direction where the Bloody Rose was supposedly lying, arm stretched out to reach for the said weapon.

'Dammit…!'

It was too far. He was trapped and in no condition to fight, let alone overpower the other vampire. He could barely keep himself from closing his eyes and drifting into unconsciousness to make this torment stop. The only reason he was still awake was that if he did let himself pass out, he would definitely never see this world again. The intense bloodlust emitting from the one above him guaranteed it.

A turn of cold shivers crept up Zero's spine when he felt warm moisture going up and along his jugular vein.

'It's all that bastard's fault…'

No matter how hard he tried to mentally prepare himself for the agonizing bite that would inevitably come, he was not ready when it happened. The pain was much more intense, sharp, excruciating – it felt like a row of huge, razor-like teeth was driven into his neck and stayed there, chewing on a big chunk of flesh it had taken, and Zero couldn't prevent the choked scream from leaving his dry throat. Unconsciously, the hunter tried to move away from the suffocating force that was causing his vision to blur, but it only got worse as those canines went deeper, aggravating the already unbearable torture to an unbelievable degree.

The prefect felt blood streaming from his wounds, some going into the crazy vampire's mouth and some running down his neck and pooling on the floor. It was impossible to move, but not because of some Level E poison or his own weakened condition or something else, no. The bite itself was preventing him from shifting even an inch, because it was too agonizing to do so. However, he had no other choice left and, overbearing the unspeakable pain, most probably in another futile effort, Zero extended his arm and started to look for his gun blindly, not caring that just like the last time, he would hardly be able to reach for it now too. And that was exactly what happened.

Soon enough the silver-haired teen stopped trying, allowing his hand to simply lie on the ground motionlessly. He felt a slight pricking in his eyes along with moisture gathering there as another breathless, strangled cry escaped him.

Torturously slowly but surely, he was being drained. The effects hadn't started showing yet, but he knew what was going on as well as what exactly was going to happen. And quite frankly, he was helpless against it no matter how you looked at it. Even so now, when the initial panic and shock had already passed, contrary to the emotions he should have running through him at the moment, he actually felt…

The lean body relaxed on its own accord. A deep breath was taken as the ex-human attempted to detach himself from what was happening to him once again. It was easier that way…so much easier. If he didn't feel any of it. For by now, he had had enough as it was…

Maybe…maybe it was okay…maybe it wasn't so bad to stay here and possibly die…? Why not anyway? He was tired and sick of everything and felt more exhausted, empty, hopeless, terrible and undeserving of anything than ever. He wanted to get free and leave everything, to go to the place where this torment could possibly stop. Was it really so wrong? To want the constant agony to disappear? To want relief and freedom and even some kind of consolation? He didn't deserve it in this world, he knew, but…would he if he died?

He didn't know. And didn't care actually. He just couldn't take it anymore. Everything that had happened and kept happening was nothing but his gradual, tormenting, agonizingly slow death and lately it had been too hard to bear for him. No matter how hard he tried to get back to normal and behave like it would be alright with the passing of time.

The silver-haired youth closed his eyes, sighing tiredly, a slight frown adorning his face as he tried to block out everything around him.

The blood loss was starting to get to the hunter. Coupled with his own state, it was an efficient combination, and less than in a minute or so, his consciousness was almost completely slipping away, and strangely, he did welcome it, albeit not without regrets – which was only natural for any living being.

However, if the ex-human thought that everything would end so easily, he was seriously mistaken, for just yet, he was not allowed to leave this world and escape into eternal oblivion.

Rather vaguely, the teen felt a flash of what must have been a sharp pain coming from the side of his neck and spreading further, running through his entire form. He thought some kind of quiet groan escaped him, but it could have been only his imagination as well as the feeling of weight and pressure from above him disappearing suddenly. Then somewhat faintly, a howl of agony reached his ears and then everything died down, leaving nothing but cold, empty, lifeless, frightening silence.

It went on like that for a couple of seconds, after which the Level D felt a light, seemingly even gentle and careful touch on his cheek – lingering there for a moment before leaving and coming again, this time going down to his neck slowly and staying there, stroking along the weakly pulsating there vein.

...Somehow, the sensation was achingly familiar to him…And he comprehended why when his unbearably heavy eyelids lifted.

Of course…Really, how could he be so naïve? Over and over again…?

"You just never learn…Now do you, Kiryuu?"

The voice was quiet, a mere whisper as the brunet spoke those words. His dark figure was looming over the lying form of the hunter, one hand resting on the floor near the teen's head while the other continued to trace the visible skin leisurely. Zero thought his eyes were tricking him when he noticed something akin to small, black batwings occasionally protruding from the vampire's arms and shoulders and flapping like the real ones would. However, as the darkness started gathering around the older male, he realized that what he was witnessing was true, and that must be one of Kuran's freakish abilities.

Kaname started to lower himself and close the distance between them. He put his palm on the ex-human's head and Zero felt his lids getting even heavier.

"Your foolish behavior will cost you one day…And I won't be there to save your ungrateful self again…"

That same darkness surrounded him as well. It gave him a strange feeling to be inside of it, but soon enough everything around him died down as his tired eyes slid shut.

'Damn that stupid leech…'

- - o - o - o - -

Ugh…yeah, I know. I have problems with boundaries. I promise to make the next chapter a little shorter though.

Once again, I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. But I truly have been – and am actually – very busy. Next week will be full of exams, so I just had to finish this chapter and post it. Otherwise you would have got it only after Christmas and maybe even New Year.

Please wish me luck with my exams and I truly hope that you enjoyed reading. In advance, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope to see you all in 2011th! ;)