The Colors in Our Blood

by LostLoveLetters

When a blood bond accidentally forms between Kaname and Zero, things...are different. But with war hawks for hunters, power-hungry foes for council members, and a darkness that threatens everyone and everything, Kaname and Zero increasingly find strength and trust in each other. Perhaps, everything happens for a reason because the colors that run in my blood run in yours.

4. Wrinkles are just Ripples from Pebbles

A/N: In which there are burnt chocolate chip cookies, fangirls, guests who are RSVPing without an invite, and a sleep-deprived author.

I might have had too much fun writing this. Enjoy! ^^

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Chapter 4: Wrinkles are just ripples from the pebbles of our thoughts skipping through our minds

Yagari sighs as he leans against the wallpaper. He brings the cigarette up and takes another long drag. The smoke rolls back in his throat into his lungs, lazy and heavy. The sensation buzzes through him until he exhales slowly out. Tendrils of white-gray smoke curl in the air, and the bitter tang of nicotine swirls idly in the room.

Yagari shifts his weight on the other foot and tilts his head back against the wall.

It's 2 o' clock in the afternoon, and one of these days he would like to spend his lunch break eating lunch for once.

Honestly, it's getting a little pathetic how lately most of his lunch breaks are turning out to be impromptu caffeine and smoking breaks. God knows his stomach is definitely not pleased with that.

He brings the cigarette up again and watches the cloud of vapor absentmindedly twist and fade when the door of the office swings open, and a very familiar voice is humming a tune very off-key.

Extremely off-key.

Yagari straightens up, heel pushing off against the wall. Finally.

Cross steps into his office, a cheerful bounce to his gait as always. He pauses, already noticing there is someone in the room. He shuffles what looks like a stack of notebooks under his arm before tilting his head to the side.

Slight surprise crosses his features before Cross smiles brightly.

"Toga? What a surprise!" Cross gestures to the large oak desk and the chairs with one hand. "Sit, sit! Here, I'll pour you some coffee. Oh, wait. Let me put down this paperwork. You know, you have such good timing. I just made cooki-"

He stops suddenly and sniffs the air before frowning in disapproval. Cross's eyes instantly focus on the cigarette dangling from Yagari's lips. Yagari can already hear the lecture before Cross can even say anything.

Yagari inwardly sighs and drops down carelessly in one of the armchairs.

As expected, Cross complains, "Put out that cigarette! Honestly. How many times do I have to tell that there is a no smoking policy on campus? Smoking is bad for your health. Not to mention the risks of second hand smoking. I won't have you endangering my precious students! Smoking is a real-"

"Yeah, yeah. Spare the lecture, will you?" Yagari grumbles but jabs the cigarette down on the clear glass cigarette tray on the desk regardless. "I'm in your office, not a classroom. Who exactly am I 'endangering' here?"

"Me! And my poor lungs!"

Yagari snorts. "I think your lungs can handle a little smoke." He nods towards Cross's outfit of bright blue slacks, a white collared shirt, and a deep gold vest with black zigzag lines. Complete, of course, with those absurd lion slippers. "My eyes, on the other hand hurt just by looking at you. You running a circus or a school here?"

Cross takes a moment to pour the coffee in the coffee cups before he registers the question. He answers cheerfully, "Bright colors make for a happy environment, Toga."

Yagari only lifts an eyebrow. "For interior décor, maybe." Not for wandering down the halls of an academy as the headmaster, he adds silently.

Cross looks back at him in amusement before he begins to amble back to the desk with a tray balanced precariously in one hand.

Yagari's eyes flick warily to the cups of coffee jostling each other, sliding up and down the tray. He cringes at the sharp sound of china tinkling against each other. The contents of the plate are also wobbling dangerously back and forth, almost careening off the tray and down onto the floor.

Cross, only Cross, can make serving coffee as nerve-wracking as a watching someone walk down a tightrope.

Cross, of course, looks perfectly unperturbed at the near accident in his hand. Hell, he's still holding the tray as if the thing is not at all tilting dangerously forward at a forty five degree angle.

Yagari sighs. By some miraculous act of defiance against gravity, nothing actually does fall and Cross plops down as carelessly as ever onto the leather chair.

"What's with that tight expression, Toga? If you frown so much all the time, you're going to get premature wrinkles," Cross comments candidly.

Yagari grumbles, irritated, "You're the cause of most of my stress, you know."

Cross ignores that and instead pushes forward a plate towards Yagari before resting his cheek against his propped hand, eyes suddenly expectant. "Here, have one."

Yagari blinks and peers down dubiously at the plate. There are misshapen blackened blobs of….something.

Something that definitely does not belong in anyone's stomach.

He questions suspiciously, "What are these?"

Cross beams at him. "Chocolate-chip cookies, of course." He raises an eyebrow curiously. "What did you think they were?"

"Chunks of coal," Yagari says bluntly. "I really hope you haven't been passing these to anyone."

"Why?"

Yagari's eyebrows knit in disbelief, "What do you mean why? These are charred black! How the hell are these even edible?"

Cross frowns and argues in a chiding tone, "They're not that bad. Don't be so harsh."

"Yeah, well, let me take a rain check on the food poisoning."

"Food poisoning? This was only the twentieth batch I made today!"

"Only?" Yagari pauses. "You…you really should not be allowed in the kitchen."

Cross looks immediately affronted. "I'll have you know I'm an excellent cook! You all simply don't understand the innovation and creativity of my cooking. I-"

"Just give me the coffee," Yagari interrupts, exasperated.

Cross frowns and much to Yagari's growing exasperation, continues his lamentation of the apparent under-appreciation of his culinary skills – or lack thereof- for at least another ten minutes before he finally places the cup of coffee in front of Yagari.

Oh, for Pete's sakes. Yagari bites his tongue though and instead reaches for the coffee. He raises an eyebrow at the tiny bright turquoise sharks decorating the rim of the white porcelain cup before sighing.

Of course, the silverware would be as eccentric as the man who owns it.

Yagari takes a careful sip, checking the temperature before he drains the entire cup in one go. He ignores Cross's appalled expression and instead revels in the way the liquid burns down his throat, both from the heat and the sharp, bitter smokiness of the coffee.

Thank god for caffeine.

Cross reaches out and grabs the coffee pot to refill the cup. With an overly self-satisfied expression already plastered on his face, he asks coyly, "It's good, isn't it?"

Yagari grumbles, "I take my coffee black. Even you can't mess that up."

Cross only smiles, eyes flashing in amusement. "Sure, sure."

Yagari has another retort on how this does nothing to prove Cross's imaginary culinary skills, but refrains from doing so. Instead, he lifts the cup and takes another sip of the coffee this time. "Mn."

Yagari kind of wishes that the coffee was in a mug instead of a cup for several reasons. One, it feels incredibly too dainty in his hand. And two, this holds nowhere near the amount of caffeine he needs to drive back the sleep deprivation.

Cross gives him another amused look before he flips through some of the files on his desk.

A comfortable silence eases into the room. The only sound is Cross's fountain pen scratching against the paper as it moves fluidly up and down. Yagari lets the silence carry on for a few more beats and takes another long sip before asking casually, "How's Zero?"

Cross continues annotating the document but smiles knowingly at the subtle concern in Yagari's voice. He chooses not to tease Toga on it, and instead laments rather dramatically, "Ah, Yuki-chan and I are so worried about him. Zero should confide in me more. I don't know why he doesn't. I'm an excellent confidante." He pouts. "So little consideration for his guardian."

At Yagari's impatient stare, Cross then elaborates, "Zero stays locked up in his room mostly. His teachers tell me that he hasn't attended class for a week now, but he still does his daily patrols. Though I suspect that's more out of consideration for Yuki-chan than anything."

He pauses and then admits, "I really do wish he would talk to someone though. It does no good to bottle up everything inside."

Yagari stays silent for a moment. Cross is, of course, worried about this than he lets on. Even if the man insists on regaling every unfortunate guest with theatrics straight out of Shakespeare's playbook.

Zero on the other hand…

He knows how stubborn the kid is. He's the type who never asks for help despite the situation, who shoulders on everything even when he doesn't have to. It's hard to admonish Zero for that when Yagari isn't exactly the most open or expressive person either. More so when the old guilt of not being there for Zero and Ichiru as the sensei that he should have been surfaces again.

Really, the whole thing makes Yagari feel older than he should be. It brings back the weariness that's getting a lot harder to shake off these days.

Yagari sighs and pushes those thoughts back. Looking at Cross, he says simply, "Zero's strong. He just needs time."

Cross nods, eyes meeting Yagari's briefly in understanding, before he abruptly suggests enthusiastically, "Ah, I know. I'll drop by and give Zero the cookies. That might cheer him up."

"Or make him stay in his room forever." Yagari remarks dryly.

Cross pouts and counters indignantly, "How mean. I'll have you know no one has died from my cooking yet. Not everyone is such a harsh critic like you."

"Whatever delusions you want to tell yourself, Cross."

Cross smiles and flips through another booklet, jotting down some more notes. "So what brings you here?"

Instead of answering, Yagari looks at him for a moment before asking, "Did you know that we have a new president now?"

Cross glances at Yagari's serious tone and questions, "You mean the president of the Hunter's Association?" At Yagari's terse nod, Cross makes a sound of surprise. "Oh. That's unexpected. I had no idea."

"I didn't hear about it either until I returned from my mission."

Mission? Cross frowns for a moment before he says in sudden recollection, "Oh, that's right. You were out of town for a month this time with Kaito-kun. How was it?"

Yagari shrugs. "The mission? Good. Just took so long because the town was out in the countryside. It's harder to track all of them down in the forest. Too much ground to cover, not to mention the crap ton of places to hide."

Cross hums. "Well, you two came back safe and sound, so that's good."

Yagari makes a noncommittal sound before he jerks his chin up impatiently, "Well? What do you think about it?"

Cross flips through the pages and asks idly, "About what?"

Yagari frowns and taps his fingers irritably on the desk. "Cross. The new president."

Cross gives him a sidelong glance. "I haven't met the man yet."

Yagari scowls. "Well, you will soon. This Friday. He's arriving to introduce himself to you."

Cross's pen sweeps across the page again as he initials another line or so. Without looking up, he comments loftily, "Isn't that a little unnecessary? I'm no one important."

Yagari's fingers drum on the desk again. He wants to scoff because that has to be the understatement of the year. Cross may have retired as a hunter, but the man's reputation still precedes him. In fact, it's part of why the Hunter Association had reluctantly accepted the existence of the academy.

Instead of saying any of that, however, Yagari merely says, "The president moves fast, doesn't he?"

Cross either does not catch or ignores Yagari's impatient tone because he answers flippantly, "I agree. I haven't even had time to send a congratulatory gift yet much less prepare for an introduction."

Yagari narrows his eye in irritation. "Cross."

"Yes?" Cross still does not look up, and Yagari's fingers twitch to snatch away whatever damned document he's scribbling on so avidly.

Yagari frowns again before he asserts, "I don't like this guy."

At that, Cross pauses and finally looks up, amused. "Toga, you didn't like the last president either."

Exasperation crosses Yagari's face, and he scowls, "Well, of course, I didn't. You didn't either. The guy always looked like he would rather be in some tea ceremony than running the association. He did not even show his face more than once a year, if that, and even when he did, it was stupidly pointless."

Cross reaches for yet another pamphlet and offers, "Perhaps he retired?"

Yagari snorts in utter derision, "Sure, and maybe pigs fly. You know what our last president was like. Despite his flowery appearance, he had that position for more than a few decades now."

Cross glances at him and asks curiously, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that there is no way he would give up his office that easily. And besides, though they tell me that he voluntarily stepped down, no one has seen him ever since his supposed resignation."

At that, Cross stills and places his pen down, hazel eyes serious and thoughtful for once. "That does sound suspicious. You don't suppose someone forced him to step down, do you?"

"The man disappeared, and now, we have a convenient new president." Yagari stares meaningfully at Cross and retorts, "What do you think?"

Cross's eyebrows dip in contemplation. "But who would have the power to? The president was a capable hunter himself. Furthermore, all of the members on the executive board were his allies."

Yagari leans back in his chair. "Actually, some of the former board members are unaccounted for."

"Unaccounted for? Former?" Cross echoes.

"Several of them say that they're resigning to cast over the reins to the new leader and his administration." Yagari scoffs derisively, unconvinced. "Which is bullshit because all of those senile idiots are as stubborn and ambitious as the next. They're all more politicians than hunters, if you ask me. And the others had apparently handed in their resignation letters at the same time the former president did as well."

Yagari shrugs, "Of course, those are all the ones that are all apparently out of the country right now or enjoying retirement and would not like to be bothered."

"No one questioned this?" Cross asks, alarmed.

Yagari taps his fingers on the armchair. "No. There's been an increase in Level E activity lately, so a lot of hunters are out in the field. Besides, the new president replaced the entire board with a whole group of hunters I've never seen before. All loyal to him."

Cross breaks in sharply, "Who is the new president?"

"Masato Takenaka."

Cross furrows his eyebrows. "I don't…know that name. He never was on the board, is he? Was he in charge of any departments?"

Yagari explains, "The department he leads won't be on paper. Rumor has it that he's the one who ran the Strategic Security and Response Committee."

Cross frowns. "Didn't that department end after the last war? It was decided that after agreeing to the truce, such militaristic and covert approaches were no longer needed."

"You know what agreeing to a truce means, Cross. Hell, we re-sign that parchment every decade and all it means is that both sides agree not to overtly fight each other. We kick each other's feet under the table instead of punching each other in the face." He shrugs and continues, "Besides, I hear that that committee was known to go rogue, even when it was official."

Yagari scoffs. "Although, I'm sure it's not like they didn't have support from above. The board and the president had to have known. Probably allowed them to operate even. We have a disturbing amount of 'unofficial missions' on the side, after all, and who the hell knows what else."

"I see." Cross glances at him and says thoughtfully, "So they fed a dog that bit them in the end."

"A wolf is more like it." Yagari comments. He frowns before continuing seriously, "A stricter training regimen has been put into place. People are getting antsy down at headquarters. I don't know what the hell the new president is up to, but it definitely isn't anything good."

"Hmm." Cross taps his pen against the pamphlet, frowning. "The man is not visiting me just to introduce himself, is he?"

Yagari narrows his eye. "The whole charade is a probably an excuse to test you."

"Test me?" Cross repeats, perplexed.

"The new president wants to keep an eye on the school. Or to more exact, he wants to assign some hunters to the night class."

Cross pauses, eyebrows drawn together. Keeping an eye on the school? He would have remind himself to investigate this new president more thoroughly. If what Toga said is true, it is only a matter of time before the balance of power shifts, and things can spiral out of control very easily.

Yagari notes the sudden sharp, resolute expression that gleams in Cross's eyes and sharpens his features. The expression quickly fades away though when Cross turns to him and asks curiously, "How do you know this? Didn't you say you just got back?"

"Because I've been reassigned." Yagari smirks and continues nonchalantly. "So, Cross, you have a position available?"

Cross widens his eyes briefly before he chuckles. "Did you plan this?"

Yagari rolls his eyes and complains, "As if I have time scheming to give myself more work. Assigning me and Kaito this shit to do when we were just done with a job. Am I the only hunter working?" He sighs and leans back in his chair. "The president doesn't seem to know that we're on good terms, but hell if I know what the man is thinking."

Yagari sighs and looks up to see Cross staring back at him, eyes dancing with mirth and lips curving in a smug smile. He narrows his eyes, already vexed at the expression, and grouses, "What?"

Cross suppresses another laugh and teases, "You do care!"

Yagari looks at him flatly. "Shut up. Didn't I just say that I had nothing to do with this? Just consider this a courtesy heads-up."

Cross answers, lips twitching in another smile as he says slyly, "But you accepted the job, didn't you?"

Yagari glares at him. "You-"

Cross continues on, eyes still flashing with too much amusement for Yagari's liking. He looks back down on the document in front of him and declares airily, "It looks like Friday will be even busier then. Well, you know what they say, the more the merrier."

Yagari lifts an eyebrow. "Busier?"

Cross hums again and initials some more lines without looking up. "You know, Kaname-kun informed me on Friday that a couple of members from the Vampire Council will be meeting him on Friday."

Yagari narrows his eyes and asks warily, "At the academy?"

Cross shrugs. "They insisted. They still are investigating Shizuka's death."

"And you couldn't refuse them?" Yagari asks, voice deep with disapproval.

"Well, I can't do that, now can I?" Cross says casually.

He continues, but Yagari catches the slight tension in his shoulders and displeasure underlying his tone. "Although, I would prefer if everyone left the academy alone. Education is important, after all. Adults should know better than to let their issues interfere with the studies of the younger generation."

Yagari chooses not to comment on that. Instead, with eyes still gauging Cross's reaction, Yagari remarks, "You sure it isn't Kuran himself pulling something?"

Cross looks up and admonishes, "Of course not. He isn't happy with this either. Really, now. Why are you always so suspicious towards him?"

Yagari scowls-this whole thing is starting to look more troublesome- and counters sharply, "It isn't out of the question. The whole thing with Shizuka has his fingerprints all over it."

Cross frowns and looks reproachfully at him. "Toga."

Yagari returns the look with an exasperated stare of his own. Kuran's name always comes up when mysterious circumstances and less than favorable situations come up at the school. The kid is dangerous, and he has no idea why Cross always defends him.

Yagari bites his tongue though. Cross would undoubtedly tell him that he's being paranoid, and of course, Kaname-kun would show up at those times since he's the leader of the Night Class, and so on.

Sometimes he wonders just how is it that Cross has kept this academy running for as long as it has.

He sighs. "Fine then. What about this meeting though? You think it's on purpose? That both sides knew about it? Because I sure as hell don't believe in coincidences."

Cross looks thoughtful and hums, "I can't say. We'll just have to see how things go, I suppose." He pauses before smiling again. "Now, why don't we discuss your new teaching job?"

"Fine, I- Wait, a minute. Who said I'll accept a teaching job?"

Cross lifts an eyebrow, and Yagari is immediately irritated by the amusement in his tone. "You wanted a position, did you not?"

He retorts, "That doesn't mean I want to teach!"

Cross suppresses a grin, and starts slowly, "What did you think a position meant?"

Yagari's eye twitches at Cross's accommodating tone. As if he's the one being humored right now. There's only one lunatic in the room right now, and it's not him. "I don't know. Make me one of those guidance counselors that no one ever goes to."

Cross only smiles brightly and waves a hand dismissively in the air. "Now, now. With that attitude, none of your students will like you."

Yagari says flatly, "I don't want them to." He scowls, fingers tapping the armchair restlessly. "What the hell would I even be teaching?"

Cross makes a show of flipping through the documents on his desk before he pulls out a booklet. He opens the booklet and runs his finger down the page but not without glancing mischievously at Yagari first.

Yagari's eye twitches even more. Five more seconds. Five more seconds, and he'll throttle him right there.

Cross ignores Yagari's increasingly darkening impression, and takes his time to drawl, "Hmm, well, our art teacher resigned. You could-"

"No." Yagari scowls, and the resolute tone of his voice brooks no argument.

Cross hides a smirk, and wisely moves on. He glances at Yagari once more before scrolling down his list. "Hmm, I guess Kaito-kun can take that position then…You can…let's see …teach…ethics."

"Ethics?" Yagari grimaces. He doesn't even know what that class is supposed to entail. Is he supposed to teach a group of bloodsuckers how to be upstanding citizens? Tell them to help the elderly and don't shoplift? Don't bite non-suspecting individuals in the middle of the night?

….A hunter teaching a class of vampires. Well, isn't that sadistic irony at its best?

Cross sees the doubt on Yagari face and proposes, a playful lilt in his voice. "Well, if you don't want a teaching position, the only other job open is a position in the infirmary for the night class."

Yagari pauses and looks skeptically at Cross. "…do they even need an infirmary?"

"Of course! I take the safety of every single one of my students very seriously."

"Funny how you say that and yet you're more than happy to assign me to your precious Night Class. You're delusional. There's no way that this is going to go well." Yagari grumbles. He sighs and says resignedly, "I'll take ethics."

"Great!" Cross hums in satisfaction and starts writing in the booklet. Yagari narrows his eyes. There's a wide grin on Cross's face that looks entirely too self-satisfied…

"Wait, Toga! What are you doing?" Cross yelps, fingers scrabbling to grab the booklet back from Yagari's hands. Yagari wrenches the booklet away from him and stands up before Cross can lean over the desk. "Toga!"

"You're bullshitting me, aren't you? Those can't be the only positions available!"

---

Yuki frowns. It's so gloomy out today. She squints to look up at the sky and notes that just like yesterday, the sky is still a smooth white tinged with grey clouds.

It doesn't look like it would rain again like it did last Friday, but sunny weather is definitely not going to be in the forecast for this week.

She pauses. Well, they are entering rainy season. Maybe that's why the weather looks so dreary.

It does absolutely nothing to cheer her up though. It's rather a sad reflection of what she feels right now.

Yuki sighs and bites her lip. Is Zero ok? Did Kaname talk to him?

She feels so useless right now. Zero has always been there for her, but she has no idea what she is supposed to do now.

It's so frustrating and the feeling of helplessness once more wraps around her, smothering in its heaviness.

She hates it.

She hates how she can't do anything right now. She hates how others, already carrying a mountain of worries and pains that she has never climbed before, can take on her burdens so willingly. Her shoulders, on the other hand, feel shamefully light.

It's not okay. She does not want to rely on others so much. She wants to be reliable enough that she can support others too.

Yuki frowns again. She doesn't know what to do with Zero.

There is only a door between them and yet Yuki feels like they might as well be worlds apart. The thought is a needle that pricks her with an inexplicable sense of pain and sorrow. Zero always tells her they're from very different worlds, and that for her own good, she should leave him alone.

He says things like she does not understand the very real danger that he poses; that it would be best if she would just forget about him and leave him to his fate.

Yuki swallows hard. She hates it whenever Zero says that to her, whenever he talks about himself like that. It's not right. Yuki doesn't know why Zero can say those words when she can see the sorrow and pain in his eyes so easily. She doesn't know why Zero keeps calling himself a monster when there's a gentleness, a goodness in him that begs to differ.

Zero is the one she always complains to, whines to, shares her worries and insecurities with, jokes around with, argues with, and rants to.

He is her best friend, her family.

She clenches her fingers and stares unseeingly down at the pavement. Even if Zero tells her to abandon him, even if everyone else has given up on him, even if Zero himself has too, she won't. She never will.

But…but it's so hard to make Zero understand that.

Ever since Zero's bloodthirst became difficult to handle, he has become more distant with her. He had always looked so torn, so guilty every time she forced him to take blood from her. And even if it was selfish of her, it was her decision, the choice she made of her own free will, and she does not regret it.

He keeps shutting her out now, and - and it's so frustrating. He won't tell her anything about what's he feeling, what's bothering him - all the more important things - anymore and avoids the topic whenever she mentions it to him.

She…she cannot even begin to imagine the pain Zero must be feeling right now. She knows that. And it makes her hesitant to approach Zero because it feels arrogant of her to try to cheer him up when she hasn't endured anything like that.

How can she begin to even understand what Zero is going through then?

Yuki doesn't know what to do, and the more she fumbles for the words that aren't coming, the more of a distance she unintentionally puts between them. She does not want to make light of the situation, but everything she comes up with seems so trivial to her.

It is times like these that Yuki wishes she could be less clumsy and have the eloquence to express her feelings in words that would reach Zero.

She just wants Zero to be happy. And maybe it really is naïve of her, but Yuki believes that can happen.

Yuki sighs heavily. She'll go and visit Zero again after the class changeover today. And if Zero still refuses to come out, then…then…well, then she'll stage an intervention or something. She needs to do something- she has to - and if she needs to drag Zero out by force, then well… that's that.

She should probably ask the headmaster to come too. That way, Zero might-

"Huh?" Yuki immediately blinks, jerking her head up as something suddenly flicks her in the forehead- and out of her thoughts. There is a twinge of pain that fades as quickly it comes, but she still brings her hand up to her forehead before peering up to see what hit her. "…Yori-chan?"

Yori tilts her head and gently pokes Yuki again. "What's with that miserable look on your face? You know frowning a lot can give you premature wrinkles."

Yuki smiles slightly at that. "Really?"

Yori shrugs. "I don't know."

Yuki shakes her head before she has to giggle at that. "Yori-chan…"

Yori's lips twitch at the sound of Yuki's laughter before she laughs as well. When the both of them calm down, she asks lightly. "You're worrying about Kiryu-kun again, aren't you?"

Yuki hesitates, but at Yori's knowing gaze, she sighs and admits, "I can't help it. He didn't come to class either today. He won't come out of his room. And even though I asked Kaname-senpai to talk to him…I don't know… I think I made things worse." She frowns and asks more quietly, "What do I do?"

Yori blinks at Yuki's frazzled expression, and her eyebrows dip down in concern. She is about to reassure Yuki before her eyes catch something behind Yuki.

Or rather someone. A certain someone with familiar silver hair.

Her eyes widen in recognition before she smiles gently. "It'll be fine."

Yuki bites her lips. "How can you be sure?"

To her confusion, Yori smiles again and points. "Look behind you."

Behind? What is Yori saying? Her eyebrows furrow and Yuki turns her head around to glance behind. Her eyes immediately widen, and she whispers incredulously, "Zero?"

Yuki blinks, unable to believe her eyes, but it is Zero. No one else has that color of hair and he's walking towards them in his usual uniform.

…Er, well, sort of. It does not seem like he noticed that she and Yori are sitting here, even if he's walking in their same general direction.

Yuki raises her eyebrows. Actually… Zero is not even looking at where he's going either. Instead, his eyes are narrowed and he is peering at his hand with the strangest expression Yuki has ever seen on him.

…which is odd to say the least. But, it doesn't matter. Zero is finally out of his room for something other than patrolling, and that means everything to Yuki.

Yuki's face immediately breaks out in a smile, thrilled and relieved all at once. She waves her hands and calls out happily, "Zero!"

Zero jolts slightly in surprise at her yell before he lifts his head up and stares at them. He looks hesitant for a moment before he strides over to them. Nodding shortly to Yori, he then turns to Yuki and says quietly, "Hey."

Yuki can't help it, but she's just so happy, relieved. Her lips involuntarily curve into a smile. Her eyes quickly scan Zero's face. He looks tired, a little stressed, but he's ok, and the dark, tangled ball of yarn sitting in her stomach all week finally starts to unravel.

She gazes at him with wide brown eyes, and says a little breathlessly, "You came."

Zero shifts a little, but nods again in acknowledgement. "Yeah."

She bites her lips. There are those one-word answers again, and Zero… doesn't seem any different than he is during patrolling. Did she get her hopes up too early?

More concerned now, Yuki asks hesitantly, "Are you…alright? Yori and I could take care of the class crossover. Really."

Yori nods and smiles reassuringly at Zero. "Yes. I don't mind helping Yuki."

Zero rubs the back of his neck before he says carefully, "Thanks. Sorry for worrying you guys, but it's… fine."

The answer does not quite reassure Yuki, but Zero does not look like he's lying. He's actually somewhat less tense than before, so that's a good sign, right?

She says slowly, "…if you say so."

Yori, capable as ever, deftly switches topics and asks casually, "Will you be coming back to class tomorrow then?"

Yuki blinks and holds her breath as she waits for Zero to answer.

"Yeah."

Yori smiles. "Good. I'm glad to hear that." She pauses and adds, "Oh, Kiryu-kun, if you want, I can give you the notes we took last week."

Zero still looks a little uncomfortable, but he nods his head. "Sure. I don't know how else I would get them."

Yuki, more relaxed now, objects, "Hey! I took notes too."

To both of the girls' relief and satisfaction, Zero snorts and complains, "Notes that only you can understand."

Yuki smiles, happy to fall back into their usual banter, and Yori even more so to hear it. Yuki stands up and pokes at him. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean? I take great notes."

Zero says dismissively as he starts to walk over to the entrance. "Yeah, yeah. Last time I asked for your math notes, there were endless pandas scrawled in the margins. Exactly what kind of calculus were you doing?"

Yuki and Yori grin at each before they hurry after him.

Yori nods and says teasingly, "Yup, I asked Yuki for notes for biology once, and all I saw was a rainbow all over the page. For a minute, I thought she gave me her art assignment by accident before I realized it was just highlighter."

Yuki immediately pouts. "Yori! Whose side are you on?"

Yuki glances out of the corner of her eye and catches Zero looking amused now. She smiles inwardly. She missed this: the trivial banter, the comfortable ease between them. And even if it is rather trivial and this doesn't automatically erase all of her worries or mean that Zero is no longer troubled, Yuki is still relieved. It's a step in the right direction, and she'll take it.

"-ou won't imagine the number of times I've caught her sleeping in class, Kiryu-kun. Look even now, she's daydreaming again."

Yuki blinks and protests, "I am not!"

Zero smirks. "I can. Can you imagine the number of times she's slept through her alarm?"

"Hey! It's not my fault I'm a heavy sleeper." She reaches out and pinches his arm. "At least I don't go through a new alarm clock every month like a certain someone."

Zero immediately grumbles about how that's not his fault if manufacturers these days designed such flimsy devices and how no one likes hearing alarm clocks. It's got to be the universal sound that makes everyone cringe, and of course, any normal person's first reaction would be to slam the thing and turn off the goddamn racket. Companies should plan for this thing in the first place.

Yuki hides a grin and thinks that it wouldn't be so bad if things could be like this every day. Yes, she definitely missed this.

---

Zero glances sideways at Yuki, who's chatting animatedly with Yori about some animated show. He smiles softly when she laughs warmly when Yori makes a comment about one of the characters.

Yuki looks a lot more relaxed now, and he's glad. He could tell she's been so worried every time they went patrolling last week, and knowing that he caused her to feel that way had made him feel a little guilty.

Zero sighs and looks down at his hand again. There's a scar on his palm, where the shard of glass had dug in, but the line is a faint pink. Zero can already tell that it's going to disappear altogether in a few more days.

The things that it reminds him of will not, however.

Damn it. He still doesn't know what he's supposed to do now.

When Kaname had left on Saturday, he had spent the rest of that day and the next doing anything possible to distract him. Cleaning his room, doing laundry, sorting out his closet, rearranging his books, rereading every single one of them...

Seriously. Anything that could extend his self-denial, he did.

Actually, it was more out of a need to get out of his room than anything that had him coming to oversee the class changeover today.

Zero inwardly groans. He can't take this anymore.

Every time he thinks about it, about what happened on Friday, about their conversation afterwards, he's overcome with mortification. He just e doesn't want to deal with it. Of course, every time he tries distracting himself, it only makes him feel more restless and his mind stubbornly returns back to the issue.

It's annoying. Even more so when Zero can't seem to shake off the anxiousness that set in when he woke up today. He doesn't know if it's because of some weird side effect of the bond, or if he's just driving himself nuts with his own thoughts.

Knowing his luck, it's probably both.

He's not sure if he can feel the bond right now exactly, but that's probably more because Zero is still trying not to think about it.

Again, self-denial at its best. Which, Zero thinks sarcastically to himself, can last only so long.

Yuki suddenly sighs next to him, and Zero immediately focuses back on the conversation. She exchanges a look with Yuri, and suddenly, both girls sigh.

Zero raises an eyebrow, "What?"

Yuki purses her lips and points forward. Zero's eyes travel to where she's pointing to before he blinks unhappily. There is literally a mob of girls swarming the entrance, chattering excitedly with each other like a horde of bees buzzing around the courtyard.

Great. He doesn't do his duties as a guardian for one week, and suddenly, everyone thinks that it's ok to be as annoying as possible. Sometimes he wonders if the girls attend the academy for their studies or for the chance to show off their fervor as fans.

Zero grumbles under his breath, eyes already narrowing in a vexed expression. "Damn. I did not miss this." He takes a deep breath before he says flatly and in a louder voice, "Oi. All of you. Step away."

Some of the girls that are the closest to him immediately pause and look at him with wide eyes, no doubt surprised that he's back. The others, however, don't hear him and continue to talk as loudly as ever.

This has to be the worst part of being a guardian. How a mob of adolescent girls is more alarming than a group of Level E's, he will never know.

Zero tenses and Yuki and Yori, already knowing what would happen next, immediately take a step away and cringes in preparation. Zero narrows his eyes and yells, "I said move aside!"

His voice carries over the area, and everyone immediately stills before all of them start whispering.

"Oh, no. Kiryu-kun is back."

"What? Why?"

"Things were going so well earlier this past week."

"Right?"

"Damn it. Why couldn't he take another a week off?"

"Yuki-chan was so much easier to deal with."

Zero rolls his eyes at the comments and is about to yell at them again to clear the area before he loses his temper when all of a sudden, everyone is quiet again. Zero raises an eyebrow, and he looks around warily. "What?"

Someone suddenly shrieks, a high pitched wail that has Zero cringing. God, what the hell is that? A clowder of cats whining in the midst of a flock of seagulls?

To his complete bewilderment, as if that extremely grating yell was the signal, all of the girls start running and scattering to various places, like behind the columns, the archways, the hedges, the planters ….all of which are all around or in front of the entrance of the building.

Zero's eye twitches. "Are…you guys playing hide and seek now?"

A girl with a long side braid yells out with a grin. "It's a new strategy!"

Zero balks at that before he yells, incredulous, "Strategy? You shouldn't even have a strategy for this! Save your brain cells for things that count, you idiot!"

"Hey! That was uncalled for!"

"That's because you're so cruel to us!"

"Yes! It's your fault we had to resort to this!"

Zero glowers at all of them. Why the hell are all the students here so bat-shit crazy?

Yuki shifts nervously behind him before tugging at his sleeve. She whispers, "Calm down, Zero."

Zero ignores her, and he's about to walk forward and corral all of the idiots when Yuki tugs him back. He glares at them, and says, irritated. "Yuki, let go already. And as for you guys, I can see all of you. You know that, right?"

All of the girls exchange a look with each other before they shrug.

Someone calls out, "We don't care!"

"Yes! This is a revolution!"

That is accompanied by the whole insane lot clapping their hands in agreement.

Zero looks incredulously at all of them. Is this actually happening? He retorts, "A revolution in what? Stalking?"

"We don't care what you say! You can't get rid of us this time!"

"I'll give all of you idiots detention if you guys don't start clearing the walkway!" he threatens, narrowing his eyes.

At that, several of the girls nervously start shuffling away to the side. They're still in the vicinity but at least they're not storming the entrance or clogging up the aisle, so Zero will take what he can get.

The others, on the other hand, are….

"You can't do that!"

"Yeah, how are you going to give us all detention?"

Zero's eye twitches again, and that's it. He's about to stride forward when Yuki tugs at his sleeve again, harder this time just when he's about to pivot around.

The movement wrenches his blazer and collared shirt to a side - he didn't care enough to do his tie properly today - and Yori suddenly squints at Zero's exposed neck before Zero hisses, "Yuki! What are you doing?"

Yuki instantly looks sheepish and lets go of him. "Sorry!"

He grumbles under his breath and tugs his blazer back on his shoulder before it slips off. Zero then turns back to the rest of the girls, and says again, tone darkening. "Don't make me go through this again. Clear the walkway and the aisle before I manually do it for you."

Yori tilts her head. His collared shirt is still skewed to the side, and she can see something red on the exposed side of his neck. "Kiryu-kun? There's something on your neck."

He's arguing with another group of girls to his right before they huff in irritation and move with obvious reluctance under the overhang of the side hallways. God, they're all crazy. What kind of students are Cross even accepting to this school? Anyone?

It takes a moment for him to register Yori's question and he asks distractedly as he spies yet another group of girls shuffling behind the planters as if they're not at all exposed. "What?"

Idiots. The whole lot of them are idiots.

Yori shuffles closer to him and points to his neck. "Over here."

At that, Yuki also moves closer to him in curiosity, peering at the aforementioned area. "Oh, hey. She's right. Your skin looks red there. Hmm, a bug bite?"

Yori questions, "Is it a bug bite?"

Zero shrugs. "I don't know. It's fine. It doesn't hurt so- Hey, you there. Yeah, you with the red headba-I can see you behind the goddamned pillar. Move. Now. Unless you want me to assign you detention for the next month."

Yuki furrows her eyebrows. "Wait, you have another one."

Zero growls, "Yeah, I know. I can see her behind the bench. I said, move. You can gawk at those idiots all you want. Just stay clear of the aisle and the entrance. How many times do I have to say it?!"

"Mean."

"So rude."

"Stingy."

"Meanie."

"Bully."

Zero glares at all of them again. "Do I need to repeat myself?" He turns and stares at a girl with a high, pulled back ponytail and a yellow ribbon, squatting behind the planter. Zero looks at her exasperatedly, "Move or I'll come over there."

The girl pouts before she stands up and moves to rejoin her group of friends standing under the archway in front of Zero.

Yuki then says, more insistently. "No, it's another bug bite. Zero, how did you not notice them?"

Zero blinks, finally registering Yuki's comment. "Wait, what?"

Yori nods and adds, "Kiryu-kun, maybe you have bed bugs."

The girl, who he had just yelled at, stops in the middle of her walk over to the archway when she hears Yuki. To his surprise and complete discomfort, she skips over and leans in to scan Zero's neck interestedly. She shakes her head, and with a cheeky grin on her face, quips, "Nah. That's not a bed bug. That's definitely a hickey."

Baffled, Zero blinks at her, his mind not at all processing any of her words. "A what?"

The girl nods confidently. "Mmn. Yup. A hickey."

And just like that, the entire area is quiet again before all of the girls immediately erupt in excited giggles and chatting. And to his dread, they all start moving towards him.

Zero widens his eyes. "Oi, what the hell are all of you guys doing?"

"Kiryu-kun has a what? A hickey?"

"Wait, he has a girlfriend?"

A girl with dark short bobbed hair leans forward and widens her eyes. "Hey, wait a minute. Is that why you missed class all week?"

The girl next to her immediately sighs dreamily. "Ah, that's so romantic. Skipping class to spend time with your girlfriend…."

His what?

Zero blinks uncomprehendingly at them. He has no idea why they're all interested in his- what did Yuki say again? Bug bite? - and he really, really does not get why they have to invade his personal space to do it either.

He frowns. "Hah? What the hell are you talking about? And why are you all over here now?"

Another girl with two long braids hums and completely ignores him. "Oh? Is that it? Does she go to another school, Kiryu-kun?"

Zero looks at her and makes a face. "No, that's not what I said. At all. Are you all deaf?"

None of them listen to him, of course. Zero scowls. This is so annoying. He shouldn't have gone to class crossover today. Should have just let Yuki and Yori deal with this. How the heck have those two been dealing with these idiots all week?

Are the girls trying to do this on purpose? Is this some stupid strategy to distract him or something?

…because it's working. He's definitely convinced that they're all lunatics well beyond any professional help.

Yuki breaks in and tries to convince them, "No, wait guys. It's just a bug bite."

The girl with the ponytail again clucks her tongue and shakes her head. "You're too naïve, Yuki-chan."

"Wow. A long-distance relationship."

The girl with the side braid grins. "Hey, despite how you act, you're pretty mature, Zero-kun."

To his growing alarm, the girls press closer, and one of them leans in way too close to peer at his neck.

Zero tries to step away, but another sidles up to his side. He grits out, lilac eyes flashing with irritation. "Oi. What the heck are you guys doing? Back off."

A girl with curly black hair widens her eyes. "Ooh, wait, you have more than one?"

He grimaces. Goddamn it, what is wrong with all of them? And what the hell are they even blabbing about? Hickeys? Bed bugs? Girlfriend? What the fuck?

Before he could think or say anything more, a girl to his left giggles and has a hand covering her mouth. "So scandalous."

The girl next to her twirls one of her pigtails with her finger and grins mischievously, singing out, "Sneaking off to see your lover maybe ~?"

He widens his eyes. Wait, it can't be…did he have marks from - from what happened on Friday? No way. That can't be -

Zero stiffens in alarm when the girl with the side braid leans in as well and says impatiently, "Out with it! Come on, Kiryu-kun. Just tell us. Oh, wait. Is it really someone that goes here then?"

"No way. Really?"

"Oh, my god. Secret lover?"

"Come on, tell us."

"Yes. Don't be shy."

"Love isn't anything you should be ashamed about!"

Shit. Oh, shit. How on earth could he have missed that?

Zero frowns and tries to push his way through, but they're still students. And girls at that. He can't exactly go shoving all of them to the ground. No matter how much they're getting on his nerves.

Crap. Crap. Crap. He has a hickey? Oh god. This can't be happening.

Another girl hums and looks at him for a moment before she giggles. She leans forward, green eyes gleaming in amusement, and says slyly, "Or could it be that this is your first time?"

His eyes widen briefly before he realizes his mistake. "Don't put words in my mouth!" The girls only exchange another look with each other, and when some of them glance towards his neck again, he stiffens and slaps a hand to his neck to cover it. "Stop it!"

"You're blushing."

"Oh my god. This is so adorable."

"He's so cute like this."

"Totally. You know, Kiryu-kun, if you were like this more often, you'd be more popular."

"Agreed."

Zero gives them another appalled look before his eye twitches again. Out. He needs to get out before he loses it. He hisses behind him, "Yuki, do something before I lose my shit."

Yuki nods before she stops, completely bewildered. "U-um, what should I be doing?"

Zero is about to start yelling because screw it, he's done with everything and everyone when he senses that the Night Class has arrived. For once, he is actually relieved to see them. Maybe now all of these idiots will be distracted enough to leave him alone.

---

Hanabusa immediately spots Zero and notes with surprise. "Oh, hey! It looks like Kiryu is back." He pauses, takes in the gaggle of girls and says bewildered, "Huh, the girls are all surrounding him."

Besides him, Akatsuki comments, "Well, that doesn't usually happen. He sure doesn't look happy."

Takuma takes in the situation for a moment before he suggests a little worriedly, "Should we go help him?"

Ruka raises a slim eyebrow, lips curving in a smirk. "Why? I'm enjoying this."

Takuma pauses and gives Ruka an exasperated look. "Ruka…"

Shiki munches on a pocky stick before he says blithely, "I feel sorry for him." Rima nods in silent agreement.

Aido grins and immediately starts to make his way towards Zero. Takuma looks at him quizzically and asks, "Aido, what are you doing?"

"Helping, of course. Isn't that what you said?"

"I'm not sure your definition of help is the one I have in mind," Takuma starts slowly.

Aido only shrugs before he ambles over there with a decidedly amused smirk on his face. Takuma sighs, and after looking pointedly at Kain, Kain also sighs as well before following after his cousin.

---

Whatever relief Zero felt immediately disappears when even after some definitely not so subtle hinting from Yori and Yuki, the girls still refuse to move.

Which he cannot, for the life of him, understand. Why the hell are they all so interested in this? Didn't they line up to see all of those idiots?

Zero's irritation bubbles dangerously through his veins when some of the girls start squealing and giggling before the crowd parts to let Aido through, who is then of course, followed by Kain.

Great. Just what he needs. More idiots.

He glowers darkly at them. "What are you two doing?"

Kain only sighs and jabs his thumb at Aido.

Aido shrugs and with a smile too wide to be sincere, says. "Helping, of course." He adds, blue eyes gleaming with far too much amusement, "Although, when did our lovely female students become so much of a problem for you? Are you slacking off as a guardian?"

Zero seethes. "Aido. I'm going to count to one. And if you don't get the fuck out by then, I'll helpfully escort you out."

The dumbass clearly has no preservation for his life because he goes on to say innocently, "I'm just trying to help. You don't need to be so violent." Aido turns to one of the girls next to him and smiles charmingly at her, "So is there anything I can help you with?"

The girl immediately giggles, blushing at Aido, and someone squeals again before all of them start launching into their very skewed interpretations of the marks on Zero's neck.

Crazy. They're all bloody crazy.

And that idiot isn't helping for shit. Birds of a feather flock together, and clearly Aido belongs in the loony bin with the whole lot of them.

Done. He's so done. Zero cracks his knuckles and is about to wipe that infuriating smirk off Aido's face when Yuki grabs his arm. Again.

He growls, "Yuki. Let go now."

"Zero! You can't hit him!" Yuki whispers-yells at him, fingers coming to tug at his sleeve again anxiously.

Exasperated, Zero hisses, "Why the hell shouldn't I? The idiot is making things worse." He glances at her and adds, "And stop pulling my sleeve."

Yuki widens her eyes briefly, no doubt remembering how this whole thing started, and immediately lets go. She still looks at him though and repeats more firmly, "You can't hit him. He's a student."

Zero mutters angrily, "Too late. The asshole asked for it when he walked over here."

Kain takes that moment to ask curiously, "Why do you have a hand over your neck?"

Zero and Yuki both stop bickering for a second to turn to blink at him.

Yuki stutters, "Um. Well, there's…it's-"

"None of your business. Get out if you're not going to do anything about this." Zero scowls and continues warningly, "I'm already pissed off. So drag that stupid cousin of yours out too before I completely lose it and you find yourself one short of an idiot."

Akatsuki blinks at the sharp vexation in Zero's tone, and decides not to push the issue. Zero really does look like he's going to kill someone. Well, more than usual, anyhow. And besides, they always say that curiosity killed the cat.

He sighs instead and looks toward Hanabusa who's still chatting cheerfully with the girls. Hanabusa really needs to have more preservation of his life. Honestly.

This whole thing looks far more troublesome than he cares for it to be. And seriously, why is he the one who always has to do this?

Akatsuki is about to walk up and grab Hanabusa before he makes things more of a mess when there's suddenly a crescendo of excited murmurs and suddenly, some of the girls are declaring loudly:

"Kiryu-kun has a secret lover!"

"It's so cute!"

"It's true! We saw the hickey on his neck."

"Hickeys, remember?"

Akatsuki pauses and turns back to raise an eyebrow in surprise. Yuki and Yori silently shake their heads. He nods but glances curiously towards Kiryu.

Zero immediately scowls at Kain. Like hell he'll explain things now. He glares at Kain again for good measure before Zero shifts the glare towards Aido who somehow fails to see the murderous intent in it.

No, the idiot walks over to him and says incredulously, "Is that true?"

Zero growls, "No. Now get the hell out already."

Aido blinks before he insists, "But they're all saying it."

Zero takes a deep, short breath because why the fuck is Aido interested in this too? He gripes, "They're insane."

Aido glances at him before he starts smirking again, and oh, Zero is so ready to punch him now. "You know, there's no smoke without fire." With a completely unwarranted triumphant look in his eyes, he asks smugly, "Why do you have a hand on your neck?"

Zero gives him another dirty look, and he says crossly, "I'm not going to play twenty questions with you, asshole. Get. Out."

Aido looks positively gleeful now, and he crows, "So you do have a hickey."

Zero scowls and says flatly, "It's a bug bite."

"A bug bite can't be that big enough for you to cover your neck like that."

"Then it's a rash."

Aido promptly presses, "From what?"

The annoying jackass. And from the corner of his eye, he can tell that all of the girls are also listening to the conversation. Don't they all have better things to do? Zero grits his teeth and throws out curtly, "Allergies."

"I didn't know you have an allergy."

Zero narrows his eyes. "I'm allergic to idiots. In fact, get away from me right now."

From his right, Zero can hear Kain - the useless bastard - snickering. An indignant expression crosses Aido's face briefly before he continues determinedly, "That isn't an actu-"

"Aido, I'm this close to punching you," Zero snaps, fed up with this retarded line of questioning.

"You know, you usually just go ahead and do that without announcing it." Aido's eyes glint and he says smugly, "Could it be…that you're actually really embarrassed about this?"

Zero's eye twitches and he takes a deep breath before lunging.

"Ow! You brute! You violent Neanderthal!"

"You stupid asshole. I've had it with you!"

"Oi, Hanabusa!"

"Zero! Stop! What are you doing?"

"Get off of me, Yuki!"

"Akatsuki, let go!"

"Yori-chan, help me!"

"Er, um. Ok?"

Takuma groans with a palm over his face. "What on earth are they doing?"

Shiki shrugs and holds out his hand for Rima to give him another pocky stick. "What did you expect?"

"They really are getting into the fight, aren't they?" Ruka remarks nonchalantly. "Oh, and so are the girls now."

Takuma glances over at the crowd then.

Most of the girls are yelling at Kiryu to stop hitting their precious idol while some are just cheering in general. Kain has Aido in what looks like a chokehold all the while complaining whenever Aido's flailing limbs come too close to his face. Aido, on the other hand, is starting to turn a beet red because of it.

…Or well, that could just be because he's still yelling at Kiryu. It's a little hard to tell.

Yuki and her friend are tugging on each of Zero's arms to hold him back, and it looks more like a one-sided tug of war than anything. And Kiryu and Aido, of course, are still hurling insults at each other.

Takuma sighs, but before he can go over there and break up the fight, a very familiar voice rings out.

"What is going on here?"

Ruka immediately straightens. Takuma widens his eyes briefly and spins around to see Kaname staring at the crowd with raised eyebrows. "Kaname, it, um…"

"Aido annoyed Kiryu." Shiki interrupts bluntly as he munches on the chocolate pocky stick.

Takuma turns and looks resignedly at Shiki who only shrugs again.

To their surprise, Kaname only sighs. "Of course he did."

Before any of them can say anything, Kaname is already walking over there. Takuma exchanges a nervous glance with Ruka before they all follow after.

Kaname frowns. Aido really should know better than to keep inciting Zero's temper. The girls upon recognizing him instantly make way for him. Kaname ignores the whispers and the interested glances as he moves towards the center of the crowd.

---

Zero is about to make another sharp retort when something deep tugs at him and his hunter instincts are ablaze at the appearance of a strong presence.

Kaname.

He furrows his eyebrows. Kaname's presence feels…weirdly brighter in a sense, a glaring strobe light in the middle of the flickering crowd. It's odd because while Kaname is not exactly hard to miss or detect, Zero has never felt this on edge before. His senses immediately zero in on Kaname's presence with a precision and naturalness that is a little unsettling.

Not to mention the odd twinge in his neck like a brief crack of static that disappears so quickly Zero is not even sure if he did actually feel it.

Zero shrugs off the thoughts. He's probably imagining things. Besides, more importantly, why is Kaname coming over here? His eyes dart reflexively to his left where sure enough, Kaname is making his way through the crowd. Zero inwardly groans. No. No. Damn it. He knew it. He really should have stayed in his room.

Zero stops struggling then and stares in that direction resignedly. Yuki and Yori look at each other, puzzled at Zero's sudden pause, before they cautiously let go. Yuki asks warily, "Zero?"

He doesn't hear her though, and Yuki turns to see what he's looking at. Oh, it's Kaname. She shifts nervously and her eyes flick from Zero, who is still very tense, to Kaname.

This is going to go well, right?

Kain also widens his eyes at Kaname's entry. Startled, his grip on Aido goes lax. Aido, still irritated and very much outraged, hasn't noticed Kaname yet and takes advantage of it to lunge at Zero.

Zero widens his eyes, not expecting the sudden movement and reflexively starts to shift to his left to dodge. Aido widens his eyes. Unprepared for Zero's move as well, he tries to pull back from the momentum of his lunge to stop himself from falling flat on his face.

In that split second, Zero's elbow ends up slamming into his cheek and his knee catches the side of Zero's thigh as Aido stumbles forward before falling.

Zero blinks at the sudden blur of fabric and movement and then winces at the burning knife of pain that slices through his leg instantly afterwards. He wobbles and falls backward. God, that hurts. What the hell? That stupid, idiotic asshole….

Incensed, he narrows his eyes and bites out, "What the hell is wrong with you!?"

Aido groans in pain, a hand pressed to his cheek. Outraged, he cries out, "Me? What's wrong with you? You just elbowed me in the face!"

"You deserve it, you asshole!" Zero retorts. He's about to get up when an outstretched hand suddenly appears in his face. He blinks in surprise and his eyes travel up to see Kaname waiting for him to take it. Zero hesitates for a moment before he grabs it gingerly, fingers settling over the warm palm.

Kaname tightens his fingers and pulls Zero up. Zero blinks at him again before he lets go of Kaname's hand and looks to the side, muttering under his breath, "Thanks."

Yuki observes the scene, eyes bright with interest. Zero would normally shrug Kaname off. She hides a smile. They are getting along better then.

Yori looks at her quizzically. Yuki smiles then and shakes her head. She was worried for nothing.

Akatsuki, on the other hand, is crossing over to help Hanabusa up. He looks unhappily at Hanabusa and mouths, 'You're an idiot.'

Hanabusa makes an offended expression before he nods discreetly towards Kaname's direction. Hanabusa's face immediately begins to pale.

Akatsuki sighs. Idiot. And now he's probably going to be blamed for this too.

Kaname scans Zero briefly and glances towards Yuki, who grins happily at him. He wonders what exactly has her so delighted because nothing about this scene seems particularly favorable. Well, at least, everyone seems relatively fine, despite the skirmish.

He turns towards Aido and says a little exasperated, "Aido. Care to tell me what is going on here?"

Aido reddens but glances towards Zero though and says petulantly, "He started it." At Kaname's disapproving stare and Akatsuki's subtle jab in his ribs, Aido quickly amends, "I mean, I suppose, we both, um, lost our temper."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow, unimpressed at that explanation. Chastised, Aido finally admits, "I apologize for my behavior, Kaname-sama. It won't happen again."

Kaname nods, and both Hanabusa and Akatsuki immediately relax at Kaname's acceptance. "Let's go to class then."

However, to his surprise, all of the girls are still very much gathered around them. Gazing at them patiently, he asks politely, "Is there another issue here?"

The girls fidget before him, exchanging nervous glances. It's one thing to argue with Kiryu because that's practically a hallmark tradition between them and him by now, but…Kuran is a different story.

"Um, well. Not exactly?"

"It's just um, er, that."

Kaname pauses. They're not making any sense. The girls whisper again and exchange a glance with each other before someone finally blurts out, "We're still curious!"

Kaname looks questioningly at them. "Curious?"

"We want to know who Kiryu-kun's secret lover is!"

Kaname blinks, completely caught off guard by that. Secret lover?

He glances sideways at Zero who immediately stiffens and objects rather quickly, "I don't have one! I keep saying this. Do you all have selective hearing or are you all that delusional?"

"You're lying to us!"

"We saw the hickeys!"

"Yeah, you can't fool us!"

Zero flinches at those remarks while Kaname unintentionally echoes aloud, "Hickeys?"

One of the girls points towards Zero's neck. "See?"

Bewildered, Kaname blinks and turns towards Zero. His eyes automatically flick to Zero's right side of the neck where there is no tattoo. There's a small rosy bruise-like spot peeking from under Zero's collar, and another one below his ear. He honestly wouldn't have noticed them had no one mentioned it and if Zero adjusted his collar properly.

He narrows his eyes ever so slightly. Is that really a…oh, no. Did he leave that on Zero from before?

When lavender eyes, flickering with apprehension and dread, meet his own, Kaname stills and says blankly. "Ah…I see."

Zero widens his eyes and hisses under his breath, "Kaname."

Kaname pauses as he realizes the implications of his remark. He clears his throat, "I mean, they look like bug bites to me." He turns and looks reassuringly at the girls, "I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding."

Yuki thankfully nods avidly and asserts, "That's right. They're just bug bites."

The girls pause at that and look dubiously at Zero once more, clearly torn between listening to Kaname or not.

"Are you certain?"

"Really, it looks like a-"

HONK!

A loud, shrill buzz suddenly blares through the air. Everyone immediately winces and turns around to look at the source of the sound.

Yori shakes the air horn in her hand and smiles sweetly, "I think everyone is all rather late for class. We can talk about this another time." She glances at the crowd. "You guys wouldn't want to cause them any trouble, right?"

At that, the girls blink before nodding and finally dispersing.

Yuki nudges Yori and giggles, "Good job, Yori-chan."

Zero, on the other hand, stares at Yori for a long moment before he asks helplessly, "Why did you wait until now to do that? You literally could have solved this entire thing before it even started."

"Zero!" Yuki frowns at him.

"What? It's true." He pauses. "Wait, is that how you guys have been dealing with class changeover all this time?"

Yuki only looks away sheepishly while Yori shrugs her shoulders with a small smile. Zero blinks and turns to Kaname who shrugs as well. "I didn't attend class last week."

Takuma speaks up, "Things were a bit more…hectic when you weren't here for the class changeover, Zero." He looks apologetically at Yuki. "Not that you weren't able to do your job well, Yuki."

Yuki shakes her head and smiles reassuringly at him. "It's fine. I'm not offended."

Ruka remarks, a challenging tone in her voice. "I personally don't see a difference. Things are as loud as ever, whether or not Kiryu is here."

Takuma furrows his eyebrows slightly and gives her a pointed glance.

"Please. No. My ears can't take that anymore," Aido whines, effectively changing the subject.

Ruka glances at him and shakes her head. "You're such a child."

Aido immediately frowns and complains, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Ruka rolls her eyes. "Exactly what it's supposed to. Remind me again, who's the one who started this commotion?"

"Says the spectator who just stood and watched everything," Aido counters.

Ruka frowns before reaching out to tug at Aido's ear.

"Ow! What's wrong with you? Let go, you sore loser!"

Ruka only tightens her fingers in retribution, and says irritated. "Sore loser? What on earth would I be competing with you for? You can keep the prize for being the number one idiot for all I care. I don't want it."

"You-"

"Er. Let's not start another fight here, guys," Kain says with a smile a little too strained to be cheerful. When the both of them turn to glare at him, Akatsuki sighs - seriously, why is it always him? - and nods slightly towards Kaname's direction.

Ruka and Aido both blink at that before Ruka lets go of Aido and they both take a step away from each other.

Takuma shakes his head at their antics. "All the other students have gone in already. We should too."

He turns, about to usher everyone into the building when Takuma realizes that Kaname has not moved yet. "Kaname?"

Kaname does not answer, and everyone turns to look at him…and Zero with surprise. They are both staring at each other with very different expressions. Kaname looks slightly mystified and Zero looks like he would be anywhere but there.

Takuma pauses. Kiryu isn't arguing with Kaname or brushing him off like he normally would, but then again, Kaname is silent as well. There is an odd tension between them that Takuma cannot place. He looks at them curiously before repeating hesitantly, "Um, Kaname?"

Kaname glances towards him and says, "Takuma, please go on ahead without me. I need to talk with Zero for a moment."

Aido blinks and squawks, "With Kiryu?"

Takuma subtly pushes Aido forward before nodding, "Of course." He turns back and smiles cheerfully. "Let's head in, everyone."

Aido protests, "Wait, but - Akatsuki!"

Kain drags Aido by the collar. "Come on. Let's go. I'm not going to be happy if you end up giving the both of us detention."

Ruka wavers though, glancing suspiciously behind her before Takuma gently pushes her forward. "You wouldn't want to cause any more trouble, now would you?"

Ruka opens her mouth to protest, but Takuma only flashes her another genial smile and she sighs and gives in. It's impossible to argue with Takuma, after all.

Rima follows after her, and Takuma sighs with Shiki following after him, commenting placidly, "Good job, Vice-President."

Takuma shakes his head. "Shiki…"

---

Zero widens his eyes and protests, "Hold on, what? What do we need to talk about?"

Kaname gazes at him, voice tinged with exasperation, "Zero."

"Can't it wait? I have to patrol. I-You want Yuki to do it by herself?"

Kaname frowns slightly. It is painfully clear that Zero is looking for an excuse, but he still has a valid point. Unfortunately. He gives Zero a meaningful look and promises, "Fine, we will talk later then."

Before Zero can respond, Yuki steps in and suggests enthusiastically, much to Zero's unhappiness. "It's ok, Kaname-senpai. Go ahead! Yori-chan can come with me for a while until you two finish."

Kaname blinks at her, a little surprised because Yuki still seems oddly satisfied with something. Zero, on the other hand, complains, exasperated, "Yuki, what are you saying?"

Yuki ignores him. She makes a shooing motion with her hand and smiles, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Go, go. You owe me, Zero!"

"I-what How? I didn't even ask you to!" Zero splutters, but Yuki is already waving at them and walking away with Yori.

He frowns. Great. Is it just him or is no one able to understand the subliminal messages today?

There is no one in the courtyard now except for them. The sudden subdued atmosphere that sinks in is such a contrast to the busy, rambunctious one from before that it feels almost unnatural.

Zero bites his lips. The awkwardness is also slinking back in. He feels self-conscious, all too aware that he's alone with Kaname.

How are things supposed to be between them?

Zero cannot forget that night when Kaname stepped in to stop him. Those words, that expression…

He still has trouble wrapping his mind around that. Kaname isn't the person Zero thought he was, but he doesn't know what to do with that new understanding. It subtly shifts something between them, and he doesn't what to do with that either.

And the bond only complicates things. It leaves him scrambling to find a foothold before he can even decide where he wants to be.

Kaname glances at Zero. There is a troubled slant of the mouth and a contemplative expression in Zero's eyes. Kaname can sense the discomfort and confusion from Zero. He inwardly sighs.

He may have been the one to initiate this conversation, but Kaname doesn't feel ready to face Zero yet. Seeing Zero face to face suddenly reminds Kaname that he still has not thought of a solution or way to approach the bond yet.

He had spent the remaining part of the weekend to delve back into paperwork and preparation for the council's meeting on Friday. Perhaps, it was a subconscious decision to avoid thinking about the bond.

It is not an issue that they should or even can skirt around. Kaname knows that. In fact, he should have done more research on the matter. But, Kaname does not know what he wants to do yet or even how he feels about the entire thing in general.

He doesn't know where things stand between him and Zero.

The spontaneity of the bond throws him off balance. It frustrates Kaname because usually, he has a plan, a strategy. He hates the feeling of fumbling in the dark, of having to navigate the sharp turns and twists in the unknown path before him with not even a compass available.

Kaname sighs. Perhaps he is overthinking things. Didn't he advise Zero not to think to worry needlessly before? He should take his own advice then.

The sound of someone reciting a verse loudly suddenly drifts out of one of the open windows. There is no one in the courtyard, but eavesdroppers are a common and a very real possibility. With the council becoming more assertive, it does not hurt to be more careful.

Kaname assesses the building once more before he comes to a decision. He turns and suggests quietly, "Let's go talk somewhere more private."

Zero blinks blankly at him. More private? Kaname looks like he has something important to discuss though, so he shrugs and agrees. "Alright."

Kaname nods and leads them to a secluded alcove in one of the mini gardens tucked here and there around the school. Sometimes Zero wonders about the architecture because there are more gardens, twisting pathways, and courtyards than necessary. That added with the woods on the periphery of the academy grounds make patrolling an absolute pain.

Why does an academy even need gardens in the first place? It's a school, not some sort of museum. Zero frowns.

Then again, with Cross as the headmaster, what else could he expect?

Kaname stops and looks at him. Zero shifts. There is an old wooden bench nestled in the alcove, and he's not sure whether Kaname wants him to sit down or not. He wavers for another moment and with another hesitant glance at Kaname, Zero sits down carefully.

There is a beat of silence before Kaname sits down as well.

Zero stares absentmindedly around. There are vines curling around the legs of the bench, dark green tendrils against the rough dusty white brown grain of the wood. The bushes of camellias are on either side of the bench, already in bloom. Their soft tea pink petals rustle gently in the slight cool breeze.

Despite the impracticality of them, Zero has to grudgingly admit that the gardens are pretty.

He's still gazing at the flowers when he asks, "What did you want to talk about?"

Kaname does not say answer though. Zero raises his head up to look at him and catches Kaname giving a sidelong glance at his neck. He furrows his eyebrows for a minute before realizing exactly what side of his neck can be seen in Kaname's position right now.

Zero widens his eyes and slaps a hand over his neck. Damn it. He can already feel the telltale burn on his cheeks.

Kaname stares and cannot help but be fascinated by the soft flush of color on Zero's face. Zero normally does not blush this much, does he?

Without thinking, he comments, eyes still tracking the rosiness blooming on those cheeks. "Your cheeks are so red."

Zero flushes even more at the unneeded comment and he glares. "Kaname, I swear to god, if this is what you want to talk about, I'm going to hit you."

Kaname, of course being the bastard he is, doesn't drop the matter, and instead asks curiously, "Why didn't you wear a scarf or at least something to cover it up?"

Zero scowls and grumbles, "Shut up. You suck. This is all your fault. How was I supposed to know you did that?"

Kaname pauses. To be fair, he doesn't remember doing that either. The memories of Friday are still wisps of colors and sensations drifting through his mind, as hard to catch as an autumn leaf on a windy day.

And looking at those marks on Zero's neck and then realizing that he was the one who made them is…bizarre, to say the least. Kaname is not sure what he feels about that. He just knows that at times, this entire situation with Zero still feels surreal and incomprehensible, like a dream.

Kaname glances at Zero who is most definitely sulking. It's uncharacteristic of Zero, but at the same time, it's oddly intriguing to see. He says lightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Do you want me to apologize?"

"Yes!" When Kaname looks even more amused, Zero quickly backtracks, "No. You-" He pauses and looks away, a palm over his face, and complains, "You should be more embarrassed about this."

Kaname's lips twitch upwards and he says amusedly, "I would, but it looks like you're feeling more than enough for the both of us."

There is a teasing tone in Kaname's voice that makes Zero surprised to hear it. He gazes wonderingly at Kaname before biting his lip and looking away to mumble, "I'll leave if you don't hurry up and tell me what you want to say already."

The corner of Kaname's lips curve in a smile at Zero's reaction. He refrains from teasing Zero again though- even he knows not to push at Zero's limits- and says more seriously, "The council members are meeting with me on Friday."

Zero blinks at him then. "Here?" He furrows his eyebrows and continues warily, "Why? What's wrong?"

"They want to investigate Shizuka's death," Kaname answers carefully.

Zero frowns. "Didn't they think it was me?"

Kaname sighs, and there's a hint of irritation in his voice. "They are not convinced."

"So this is what? An investigation?" Zero asks suspiciously. Great. A bunch of suspicious, scheming bloodsuckers arriving to his school. Just what he needed to make this week from horrible unbearable to apocalyptically horrendous.

"Of sorts." Kaname looks slightly apologetic before the expression recedes back into his usual composure, and he says seriously, "Keep an eye on Yuki. Don't bring her anywhere near the Moon Dorm."

Zero takes in Kaname's expression before he shrugs and says matter-of-factly, "I already do that anyways." He pauses, glancing at Kaname. "Will you be ok with the council?"

That slight, amused smile returns to Kaname's face again, and Kaname reassures, "You don't have to worry about me."

Zero looks peeved and grumbles, "I never said that." He blinks and asks suddenly, "Wait, did you say that the council is meeting you on Friday?"

Kaname lifts an eyebrow curiously. "Yes, why?"

"Kaito dropped by earlier. He and sensei just got back from their mission. He told me that the Hunter's Association has a new president."

Kaname immediately stills, mind already racing through the implications. A new president? What does that mean? How could have the position changed hands so quickly – and easily? If he remembers correctly, the former president had years of experience on the job, and recent event haven't suggested a reason or a need for a different leader.

Kaname questions sharply, russet eyes attentive. "The Hunters Association has a new president?"

Zero shrugs. "That's what Kaito said." Watching Kaname, he asks in surprise, "You didn't know? Cross didn't say anything yet?"

"No." Kaname pauses and adds as an afterthought, "Although, he did ask to meet with me later this evening."

Zero nods. Then, he probably just informed Kaname too early then. Zero hesitates before he reveals, "Apparently, he's coming over on Friday to introduce himself to Cross."

Kaname narrows his eyes, alert now. "On Friday as well?" He frowns. The timing of this meeting coincides with his own meeting with the council. The odds of it being a coincidence are too low to be reassured with.

"That's what Kaito said."

Kaname says silent.

Zero's takes in Kaname's brooding expression and comments, "It's not good, is it?"

Kaname sighs. "It's rather too convenient."

Zero nods. "Um, is there anything else?"

"…Not exactly." Kaname stops and then starts slowly, "You don't feel any different, do you?"

Zero cringes. "Are you talking about the bond?"

Kaname nods. Zero pauses and answer unsurely, "No?"

Unless of course, different means that today makes no sense - from the looks of things, this week doesn't look any better - and he feels more insane than ever, then yes, he feels different.

Although, that is more because of the idiots he keeps attracting today and the thoughts he can't get rid of than strictly because of the bond.

Zero inwardly groans. There is no way that he will say that to Kaname though. At this rate, he can wave goodbye to whatever sanity he still has left.

Kaname looks at him, both exasperated by Zero's answer and confused at Zero's pinched expression, "Are you asking me or telling me?"

Zero shrugs and offers, "My neck still feels weird."

"Weird?" Kaname repeats, eyes already flicking back to Zero's neck. As in what exactly? It's still sensitive because of the bite? Or is because of the hickeys?

…Kaname truly hopes it isn't the latter. The sight of them is as strange as the knowledge that he is the one who made them.

Or perhaps it's more like…how when he touched Zero's neck from before?

As if Zero knows what Kaname is thinking, Zero frowns and says firmly, lilac eyes flashing in wariness. "You're not allowed anywhere near my neck."

Giving Zero a sidelong glance, Kaname remarks, voice heavy with amusement. "You make it sound like I attacked you."

Zero grumbles, "I don't care. You'll make it worse." He glances at Kaname and asks curiously, "What about you?"

"It is not anymore different than before."

Zero scrunches up his face in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

"Whenever you take blood from me, sometimes there is an awareness that lingers."

Zero immediately freezes and asks quickly, "What do you mean by awareness?"

Kaname looks at him before responding in a dismissive tone. "I mean like vague sensations from you."

"Like as in…you can tell what I'm feeling? Thinking?" Zero asks in alarm.

God, no. Please say no. Zero chants incessantly in his head. Heck, he doesn't know half of the things that go on in his own head. He really doesn't need Kaname to know just how much he's been driving himself crazy over the past few days.

Kaname answers, quizzical at Zero's unease. "Well, not exactly. It's more like sensing when you're nearby." He stops and contemplates, "I suppose, intuition would be a better word to describe it."

When Zero does not answer, suddenly quiet and pensive, Kaname comments lightly, "You're overthinking it. If you frown so much, you'll get early wrinkles, Zero."

Zero blinks in surprise at Kaname's tone before he regains his composure and says a little dryly, "If I get wrinkles, that's more because of the people around me than anything." He shifts and continues, "But I think I get what you mean about the bond now."

Kaname blinks, and now it's his turn to be surprised. "Are you feeling the same thing?"

"Not exactly. It's just, I don't know, your presence feels…sharper now. I can sense it easier." Zero pauses and tries to explain, "I mean, you're a pureblood. So it was never exactly hard to detect. It's just…I don't know. More noticeable?"

"I…see."

Zero frowns at Kaname's bemused expression. "I'm not explaining anymore."

Kaname chuckles. "Alright then."

Zero blinks. There it is again. The light tone catches him off guard, and Zero finally registers the comfortable tone of their conversation. It's…bizarre. They have never had a conversation that extended beyond a handful of terse, blunt lines, and that used to be on a good day.

It's unexpected, but…not entirely unwanted.

Zero clears his throat. "So um, is this permanent then?"

Kaname turns his head. "You mean the bond?" When Zero nods, Kaname hesitates and continues slowly, "I'm not…certain. Nothing significant has happened. And honestly, the sensations we feel right now would be typical of sharing and giving our blood, even if there is no bond involved."

He remarks resignedly. "We will just have to wait and see."

Zero gazes at him helplessly and voices, "So that's the game plan? Just see what it goes?"

"Do you have a better idea?"

"...No," Zero sighs. Silence then reigns between them. Zero glances at Kaname before he shifts again, and asks awkwardly, "That's it, right? So, er, I'm going to go back on the patrol with Yuki then."

Kaname nods. Zero glances at him again. It looks like he wants to say something else before Zero apparently decides not to and moves to stand up instead.

As Zero walks off, Kaname feels the slightest of a tinge in his neck. It's nothing dramatic, a brief sensation that flutters away just as quickly as it comes, and Kaname almost feels like he imagined it. He gazes at Zero's increasingly distant back and furrows his eyebrows.

There are no severe changes yet, but it only takes a small pebble to send ripples through the pond.

Kaname frowns, He rubs his neck idly. No, he can think about this later. For now, he needs to focus on the council.

Kaname sighs before he steels his expression and strides off to find Cross. There are things he needs to discuss.

---

A/N: Yup, yup. I'm sure you guys were like ooh, another chapter and then, huh, that was different.

Haha, I think I might have pushed the boundaries of this chapter too close to a crack filler. After my round of midterms after the past few weeks, I was in the mood to write something more lighthearted and humorous. Besides, this chapter was a way for me to pace the story, give some context, and experiment with writing for the other characters. Hopefully, they're not too OC. I'm still trying to find my rhythm for them.

Also, please forgive my mangling use of honorifics. By all means, correct me if you saw any errors. I'm still trying to decide if I want to include them or omit them all together.

(Shrugs) Like I said, this chapter was an experiment. But, hey that title tho. (Nudge nudge) Did you get how I kept referencing it in the story? If you didn't, that's fine. It wasn't anything important story wise. i'm just weird like that. :D

Hopefully, you guys had as much fun reading this as I did writing it! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

As always, please comment/review/follow/favorite/dowhatevermakesyoulaugh down below! Wah, I'm so glad that you guys liked last chapter. All your comments were so sweet and awesome. Thank you! X)

Also, Happy Lunar New Year in advance! (I know it starts on Monday, but oi, the chances of me releasing a chapter then is low. Like ridiculously low. Like you have a better chance of trying to get a penguin to fly than to have me update that fast.) Unfortunately, I'm not able to come home for the weekend to celebrate with my family (sigh. why a midterm on Friday?), but I hope you guys are all able to spend it with your family and loved ones for all of you who do celebrate it! :)