Disclaimer: Oh. Hey. It's you guys. … this is awkward…
Innerself: Aren't you supposed to say something else in this corner??
Me:…uh… … … … I am?
Innerself: …Don't make me hurt you.
Me: I fake karate for a living!
Innerself: …(-sweatdrop-) This is a DIS-CLAIM-ER. Does that mean anything to you??
Me: Uh…it does remind me of the painful fact that I do not own Vampire Knight. Only Matsuri Hino-sama does.
Innerself: …well, at least that's done.
Me:…
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight, anyway---
HUGS to all who reviewed, and a GIANT APOLOGY SIGN to all since I know it's already freakin' late and some of you have murdered a voodoo doll of me somewhere… at least I hope not since I am doing a special today!! It's called BLOCK UPDATING, which is just a fancy term for me updating more than one chapter at once…
I've babbled on for long enough (months, even). Here's what y'all came here for!!
Oh wait-- WARNING: some swearing ahead (-bad Zero---pokes the chibi--)…and some 'suggestive' scenes that can cause nosebleeds to some sensitive people…like me XD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water.
It makes up around 70 percent of the earth's surface.
It is the only state of matter that forms in visible three states on the earth's surface, namely:
Solid -- like the glaciers found in the Antarctic area
'…Yeah, I could use some glaciers right now, or even a small chunk of them, if they can help lower this bastard's temperature and not force me to--'
Liquid -- like the commonly seen sea water and ocean water
'… … … Water comes out from the shower, right? …Warm water if I spin this red-centered one and cold if I spin the blue-centered one…? … … Don't they have specially-made vampire temperature ones?? Can I even open these knobs at the same time?? What would happen then, huh??'
Gas -- like the invisible water vapor that makes up clouds once they accumulate in the higher regions of the troposphere
'… Lightning forms in the troposphere, right? … I wonder if it's too late to do a lightning dance…'
…
Kaname's body was warm against Zero's side. Even through the semi-thick layers of fabric they had on, he could still feel it… Which was BAD…VERY bad, indeed. And Zero was also trying to ignore the fact that the body next to him was getting warmer. Or the fact that a bit of an expanse of creamy skin was right in his reach--
-Ok. He did NOT just think about that…
Trying to distract himself, Zero looked around the enclosed shower stall. It was fairly big, simple but elegant. Well, he did expect nothing less for the Night Class accommodations, much less to their pureblooded prince…
Ok. So to start this off, he should probably check on his…uh…materials. Yuuki once told him it helped people not forget things. Zero, even though he did not look like it, had a certain knack in forgetting the most miniscule things. That didn't mean he needed a diary to remember the whole Shizuka incident though--
As if a switch had been turned on, Zero's stare at the pureblood hardened.
Why should he act so…concerned for this…this…pureblood anyway??
Wasn't he the same kind as that woman who killed his parents, who took away his brother…that monster who ruined his life and tore it apart by the seams--
-That's because he's sick and he needs help right now. Your help.-
'……..'
-Just because their kind had been heartless to you does not give you the right to do the same to them…-
'…….'
-…Right???!!??-
'………'
-Uh…Zero…? Zeeee--rrrrrooo??? Hello??? THIS-IS-THE-VOICE-INSIDE-YOUR-HEAD. IS ANYONE HOME???-
'No. Because some monster like this one killed them all.'
-Oh. … … … there….you….are…-
Zero turned around, leaving Kaname's still fever-infused body semi-leaning against the cool shower wall.
-OI!! YOU JUST CAN'T LEAVE HIM ALONE!! HE'S SICK!!!-
'Damn right he is. He's wrong too, all of them…'
A blank and cold look had masked Zero's amethyst eyes. His heart throbbed painfully against his chest for reasons he thought he already knew. He's just remembering the hurt, the anguish he had to go through because of those damned purebloods. However, he never thought of the other reason why his heart felt constricted. He'd rather not think of that right now…
Just when he had formed what seemed like a stone-hard and unbreakable resolve to leave Kaname to his doom, Zero heard a small almost imperceptible whine.
"…Alice…? (1)"
Zero turned to find Kaname looking at him through half-lidded eyes. His breath came out in small puffs of steam, signifying how completely warm he was in contrast to the inside of the shower. His right arm was extended, hand reaching out almost desperately.
"Alice……don't leave…...."
The silver-haired teen stood, frozen in his place. Who the hell did Kuran think he was?? Maybe he was suffering from hallucinations because of the fever…That was bad…really bad…
Pulled from his thoughts, Zero heard an almost agonized breath from the brunette, followed by a shudder. Then he spoke in barely above a whisper.
"Don't…..Don't leave me here…. He'll…..come back… I don't want…..him to come…back…" Kaname wrapped his arms around himself, more of a protective gesture than that of seeking warmth. He continued to look at Zero with his blank and sickness-hazed eyes.
The Kiryuu's heart felt like it was getting squeezed even tighter still. Before he could stop himself, he walked back over to the brunette and leaned down. More out of worry than that of curiosity, he asked, "Who will come back?"
"………………that man....who said………he owns me….. (2)"
Zero's eyes widened. He felt a sickening knot form in the pit of his stomach. Who on earth would have been able to-- Who would even DARE, let alone a pureblood---
…
"You have a fever. Let's give you a shower so you'll feel better."
Zero's voice echoing in the shower stall sounded so strange to him, so foreign. Even those arms that gently helped Kaname up and eventually position him directly under the shower head seemed so weird. For a few moments, Zero felt that he was far from here, far from anywhere else.
It was utterly strange.
…
Then again, he never knew, did he?
It wasn't like Kuran flaunted it to the world.
But…who in their right mind would?
To show such weakness, such kind of fear…
It would mean death to him, to all his loved ones.
Maybe that was why Kaname kept quiet. He kept it all to himself because he wanted to keep everyone safe. And, maybe, also because he…was scared of anyone finding out.
…
Ironically, Zero felt the same way.
He never told anyone he was hurting inside, even thought at times he hurt so much he thought he could die.
Yeah, he wished a lot of times that he was already dead.
But he had friends- Yuuki and Headmaster Cross- though they get on his nerves sometimes.
They made him feel that he was wanted somewhere, that no matter what happened to him in the past, he could always try to get over it.
They gave him proper 'closure' with his issues.
…
Kaname, on the other hand, did not seem to have gotten the same thing. Seeing as how his past is still haunting him up to now, so strong that it is able to make itself felt through a single moment of his weakness…
Well, Zero might have done the same thing before but it never came as far as seeing hallucinations and calling people a name they're not.
…
A slight shuffle of clothes dragged Zero's consciousness back to inside the shower stall. Kaname had removed his shirt, letting the article fall carelessly to the tiled floor. It seemed like a natural occurrence now, that pink flush on Zero's cheeks. The tint darkened as the pureblood continued to strip before him, revealing expanses of milky white and unmarred skin…well, maybe except one part…
"What's that?"
Zero couldn't help but ask when he sighted what looked like the remnants of a nasty burn on Kaname's lower back. It looked strange and completely out-of-place on the pureblood's perfect body.
"It's that mark………the mark that says I'm his…." Kaname answered, his voice distant and absent of any emotion. He looked at Zero straight in the eyes, almost curiously. "Have you forgotten, Alice…?"
The silver-haired teen felt that sick twisting in his stomach again, but he also felt a bit of nervousness block his throat. "Uh…yeah, I remember…"
Zero decided that this was a good time to 'play along' with Kaname's hallucinations. It would undoubtedly lessen the 'guilt' after all this was over, especially on Kaname's part. There would be a great flood in hell before the pureblood would let Zero give him a bath, let alone share a shower stall with him…at least that was what the silver-haired teen thought.
"Alice…?"
Oh. Right. Back to earth.
"Yes…?"
Zero could swear that…bastard's eyes narrowed at him, almost seductively,
"Take a bath with me…?"
…
-YEEEESSSSSSS!!!! OH HELL YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-
'SHADDUP!!!!'
…
The Kiryuu twitched, face definitely red now, "Uh…I don't know--"
Before he could finish what was to be the lamest excuse of the century, Kaname's body gave a dangerous sway and Zero's arms just happened to be heroic enough to catch him in mid-fall.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that the catch inevitably brought Zero right underneath the shower head, which 'magically' turned on and sprayed both of them with lukewarm water…?
Okay, I just did.
"Shit!"
Zero couldn't help the small swear as he was drenched. Well, at least he wasn't wearing his full Cross Academy uniform. He'd left the jacket and vest somewhere in the bathroom hangers, deciding he might get a little wet from his task--not THIS wet, though…
He didn't miss the chuckle that came from Kaname's lips. And that devious little smile.
Before Zero, the 'responsible babysitter' (well, that's what he's feeling right now) could say a grand and biting retort, the brunette smirked and remarked, "I told you you'll take a bath with me."
…
'GAH! YOU-- INSUFFERABLE--'
-…hot…-
'--SMUG--'
-…devious and utterly smexy…-
'---BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'
…
Zero couldn't help but peel off his poor doused white shirt (A/N:-not that it had anything else to hide anymore…fufufu…-) and deposit it unceremoniously on the bathroom tiles. A small hunter-oriented part of him was noting that from all the 'vampire essences' his clothes have soaked up, he should probably burn them when he returns to his dorm…that is, if manages to return in one, semi-sane piece after this encounter.
Kaname had gotten two squishy rose-shaped bath sponges and tossed one to Zero. After spritzing his with a rose-scented bath gel and working up a lather, Kaname started scrubbing his arms. Zero was about to …start on his half (he was facing Kaname's back- a pretty innocent start, he thought) when he noticed…
"You're…still in your pants…"
The brunette blinked, looked down, and continued scrubbing himself. "I know."
"… You can't take a bath that way…"
"I'll take off mine if you take off yours."
…
-SUUUUUUUUUUUUUURE………-
'O.O'
…
"Y-You--"
Kaname looked back at Zero with a serious dead-pan look, cutting off the silver-haired teen's useless stuttering. Of course, he wouldn't admit he was smirking inside.
In Zero's head, in a small part of it where reasoning still exists, a conscience noted that Kaname was acting strangely. Did he not just call Zero 'Alice' a while ago? This 'Alice' was definitely a girl, so why was Kaname forcing 'Alice' to strip?? Not unless he knew that it wasn't really 'Alice'--
It was a brilliant breakthrough, but sadly, it never did reach Zero for real. Because he was too busy making up weak excuses and saying them aloud.
"Uh…I mean…I guess…it's okay, because we're both…And you're...."
The brunette nodded, as if understanding whatever kind of logic Zero was babbling. He put a hand on the zipper on his pants, deliberately making the 'zzzzip' noise as discernable as possible.
Zero thought he would die right then and there. He really wished he had.
As luck would have it, Kaname's underwear was caught when he pulled his pants down. If Zero hadn't known better, he'd say Kaname had the skills of a veteran stripper. Not that Zero would know what that kind of skill looked like. He only overheard Toga talking about it once and the phrase sort of caught on him.
Thankful that he was only facing his back, Zero was about to resume his back scrubbing 'duty' when a hand stopped his.
'OH, GREAT GOD OF THE SKY, PLEASE- DON'T TURN AROUND--'
Kaname turned around, and it was then that Zero knew that the heavens were making him suffer for some unknown reason. What had he done to deserve such cruelty anyway???
Before Kaname could even start 'helping' Zero with his pants, the silver-haired teen had…fainted.
…
"…Alice…?"
------
(Aido and Kain's Room)
"I'm a goofy goober, yeah! You're a goofy goober, yeah! We're all goofy goobers, yeah!! (3)"
Aido rubbed his still-sleepy eyes. He had gotten at least a few long minutes of good sleep but that bliss was painfully interrupted when he heard a rather distracting noise, most likely hailing from the corner with the T.V. in it. Needles to say, he was annoyed.
"Shiki!! I told you- watch T.V. in your OWN room, and I don't care how the channel always ends up with Desperate Housewives, or something…"
"…Hanabusa."
Aido sat up from the warm confines of his bed and looked at the direction of the noise. Okay, it was either Shiki had swallowed some sort of frog, or that the person watching mind-numbing cartoons wasn't who he thought he was—
After a few more thoughtful rubs on his still half-asleep eyes (-a pathetic attempt to rub the sleep away-), the blonde can not hold back the twitch, "A-Akatsuki??!?"
…
Well…this was awkward.
…
Aido always thought that Kain had enjoyed more…suitable T.V. programs, like Discovery Channel, or something. Not…Spongebob Squarepants. The image just doesn't seem right.
"Uh…so…what are you watching…?"
Kain turned back to face the widescreen monitor, "Spongebob."
Aido sweatdropped at the utterly laid-back look Kain had on the 'disturbing' show. It was almost like he was…actually enjoying it.
"Uhm…What episode?"
The blonde had scuffled out of his bed and was now staring with wide-eyed curiosity at the screen. Kain pulled him down on one of the fluffy pillows beside him.
"The mother of all episodes." the taller of the two responded, watching Aido's reaction from the corner of his eyes. He knew the blonde knew nothing about Spongebob, but he was obviously trying to pretend he did for the sake of a comfortable atmosphere, especially after what happened just a few hours ago (4). Aido was such a lovable goober that way (:3).
"Ah, you mean it's like a really old one? I've already watched that."
Kain quirked an eyebrow. He turned off the T.V. and looked at his cousin, "Oh really? What happened? Tell me."
Aido gulped, though he hoped it wasn't that visible. He had been successfully playing along…up to now, that is. It wasn't his fault that he wanted to be closer to Kain, even more so because of what happened. Call him an attention freak, but he just doesn't like it when a relationship just sparks then goes off. What if what happened a few moments ago was all just a dream- some cursed hallucination? He couldn't take that. It was just too cruel. If this conversation was a proof of how close they now were, even more then before, then he wouldn't want it to end.
"Hanabusa…?"
The blonde jolted, then blurted out random things, "Uh…I think it was the one where Spongeboob—"
"Spongebob." Kain corrected gently.
"Ah, right…I knew that. It was the one where Spongebob..uh…ate this…uh…magic pickle…"
"And then…?"
"And then..uh…he turned into this…vegetarian monster…"
"Go on…"
"But then he started to see everyone as fruits and vegetables and he ended up chasing down his friends Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Lala and…and…annnd…"
Aido paused, face in deep thought.
Kain patted his head, "Po."
"Oh, yeah! Po!"
"Uh-huh. Mind telling me how it ended?"
The blonde fiddled around with his fingers, obviously panicking, "Uh…uh…But then at the last minute, he recognized his friends' voices and he didn't end up eating them. The end…?"
The two stared at each other, unblinking and seemingly dead-serious for a couple of seconds before…
Kain burst out laughing. Aido would have found this annoying, the fact that he was laughing at his expense, but the deep and rich laughter caught the blonde completely off-guard.
After a few moments to catch his breath, the sunset-eyed teen settled a warm smile on his cousin before lovingly ruffling his hair. "Okay, first of all- that was NOT a really old episode. It was the movie. Second –there is no episode of Spongebob that insane. And third- Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Lala, and Po are not from Spongebob Squarepants. Got that?"
Aido missed the smile, head already bowed as he took what he thought was a telling-off. "Sorry I lied about knowing. Maybe you should just get together with someone who knows Spongebob better than I do."
Kain did not miss the hurt in that voice and he hugged the blonde before he could get away.
"Hey, I didn't say anything like that. In fact…I thought it was really sweet of you to try to be interested in something that I like."
The sky blue-eyed teen looked at his cousin's own warm set of eyes, "…Really…?"
"Really." Kain removed a tear from Aido's eye with a gentle sweep of his hand.
…
Aido blinked, not disliking the warmth in Kain's arms (5) but also a bit bored, "What now?"
Kain looked at him, eyes gaining a mischievous little glint, "How about we…"
"We what…?" the blonde gulped. He couldn't really mean—
…
…
…
"Play Tekken."
Aido wailed.
He knew it.
"But I always lose, Akatsukiiiii…"
Kain laughed a bit more, "I'll try to go easy on you."
"That's what you said last time!!! And I STILL got my butt kicked!!"
"Then maybe, you should try a distraction tactic-"
Before Aido could make any wisecracks, Kain leaned down and kissed him. On the lips. For the second time that day.
Pulling away, the taller of the two smirked, "-Like that."
Aido was pink now, blushing adorably, "That was unfair!! You always take advantage of me!"
"Just because I'm taller…?"
…
Oh. Wait. Wrong word.
Kain looked worriedly at his cousin now. Aido was particularly sensitive about height matters.
"Hanabusa…"
"I get player one!!!"
The orange-haired teen sighed. Aido had clearly passed off the insult, which was not an easy thing to do for the blonde because any sane person can see that he was such a prideful person, what with from the way he carried himself around and such…
Kain chuckled inwardly.
'What a lovable goober.'
With that last thought, Kain settled himself beside his beloved cousin and proceeded to kick his butt in Tekken 5.
-TBC-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whew! Done with another one!! Lol, there were a LOT of random things going on in there…especially in the supposed 'shower scene'…
NOTES:
(1)- Alice- This was a random name. Actually, I do have an OC with this name but she's ---- and ----'s daughter, so the one mentioned in this story is not her!! For those of you who have spare time, try and guess whose daughter she is! CLUES: one, they're from the VK universe, two, they're both guys (-don't ask me how they got a daughter-), and three, the dashes I used correspond to a letter, forming their name :D
(2)- I'm referring to Rido here. For those of you who haven't read the recent manga volumes yet…I'll keep my mouth shut on this one. I just used his mention for added drama.
(3)- WE'RE ALL GOOFY GOOB—Oh,sorry. In case you haven't noticed- it's a line from Spongebob Squarepants the Movie. Who's this 'Spongebob Squarepants', you ask?? …
Go join Aido in that dark, Spongebob-less corner over there.
(4)- in reference to past chapter.
(5)- GAH! WHAT FANGIRL DOES NOT LIKE THIS???????? –Sorry, just had to blurt that out. :D
I wasn't honestly expecting so much drama in this one…but what the hey, it happened anyway. (lol, that could be a song!).
Oh, looky!! There's a surprise!!! There's another chapter after this!!!
Press that 'next' button. I know you want to :D
Don't forget to send me reviews, ok? I'd really like that :D This fic-bunny would too :D