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.

6. Our Holy Grail Items? Bane of Existence?

A/N: Ran out of makeup wipes for a whole week and…Mascara, we're no longer baes. Like you're awesome to my lashes, but you're too clingy and I need space (at least until I restock). But, seriously guys, what did we do before makeup wipes? What did I do before them?

Been using them since last year. A year! And now, I don't how to remove my mascara without it? Pathetic is what this is.

...That isn't what you guys came for. Ignore that ish. I just had to vent.

Ahem. In which terrible ideas sound great when you're sleep deprived. Enjoy! ^^

---

Chapter 6: Our Holy Grail Items? (Sleep, Caffeine, and Self-Denial) The Bane of our Existence? (Paperwork.)

Akatsuki idly interlaces his fingers together and stretches his arms out in front of him until he hears the satisfying crack in his shoulders. He sighs and rubs the back of his neck tiredly.

God, he needs some coffee.

He is about to head to the main foyer when he sees Hanabusa standing next to one of the window, his fingers pulling the drapes apart slightly and eyes gazing outwards with a suspicious frown on his lips. It reminds Akatsuki of watching a kid who's trying to be secretive but only manages to be as painfully inconspicuous as ever.

He raises an eyebrow at the scene. "What are you doing?"

Hanabusa starts a little at his voice but he doesn't turn back. He's still glaring out the window and only says sourly, "I don't like this."

Coffee sounds so much more appealing than whatever the hell Aido is doing right now.

Actually, it usually is.

Akatsuki sighs again and points out lazily, "You don't like a lot of things."

Hanabusa drops the curtain in irritation. He turns with a scowl on his face and complains, "Why do we even need guards? They're just standing there for a week now." He frowns and glances towards the window again. He grumbles, "It's creepy! I can't concentrate."

Akatsuki blinks at the sudden barrage of complaints before he shrugs, "It's for our protection."

A dry voice intones, "Really? Then why do I feel like I'm under house arrest?"

Hanabusa blinks and Akatsuki turns his head to see Ruka approaching them. She frowns slightly and continues with disapproval, "They take note of everyone who leaves and comes in now."

Well, it's true. It's not exactly reassuring to know that the men the council sent over are now acting like a very unnecessary and intrusive protective detail. Akatsuki grimaces. The whole thing is a pain, but it's not like they can do anything about it.

Hanabusa suddenly says, "It's the council, isn't it?" He stares out the window and accuses sharply, "Are they trying to spy on us?"

Akatsuki stares flatly at him. Even he knows better than to say that aloud.

Ruka looks at Hanabusa with a similar expression before she says exasperated, "You know, there are some things you should say and some things you shouldn't." She glances at him again before she remarks, "In your case, perhaps it would be best if you don't say anything at all."

Hanabusa glares at her and argues, "What? You know, it's true!"

Ruka shrugs. "And? That's why you shouldn't be blathering about it in the open, idiot."

Akatsuki sighs. Man, he really should have gone for the coffee instead. He comments, "It's probably because of the incidents from two weeks ago."

He regrets the words as soon as he says them because Hanabusa's expression immediately darkens and Ruka tenses similarly. Her dark eyes gleam sharply as she asserts, an unmistakable threat in her voice. "Unacceptable. When I find whoever planted that bomb, they will deeply regret it."

Hanabusa nods and says lowly, "For once, I agree with you."

Akatsuki pauses, staring at the both of them blankly before he comments, "As great as it is for you two to agree on something, let's uh lower the homicidal urges in the room, huh?"

Hanabusa and Ruka both turn to glare at him then in unison. He mentally complains. Coffee. Should have just gone for the goddamned coffee.

Hanabusa looks at him with a mixture of outrage and incredulity - Akatsuki finds that he's not all that appreciative of receiving such a look from Hanabusa out of all people - before he demands, "Did you forget what happened? Someone intentionally set off a bomb and injured Kaname-sama!"

He waves a hand violently in the air and continues on to splutter angrily, "It's-This- To think of harming Kaname-sama is already unforgivable, but to actually injure him is…is…I have no words to describe this! How could you not be offended by this?"

"I can see that," Akatsuki notes dryly. "You do know that other people were injured too, right? And you have no idea who that bomb was intended for, Hanabusa."

Before Hanabusa could argue, Ruka cuts in and says coolly, "It doesn't matter who it was intended for. To detonate the bomb in the same vicinity as Kaname-sama is a negligence that cannot be tolerated."

Akatsuki glances at her before he shakes his head. He knows better than to argue with them on this and frankly, it does not necessarily alarm him as much as these two. Instead, he says placatingly, "Let's just be thankful that no one was severely wounded." He pauses after a moment and revises, "Well, except for that Day Class student."

Hanabusa looks contemplative then. "He's still in the hospital, isn't he?"

"I heard he still hasn't woken up yet." Ruka comments before she adds, "Hayami-chan hasn't come out of her room ever since."

Both he and Hanabusa glance at her in surprise. He lifts an eyebrow and asks curiously, "She's still attending school?"

Ruka shrugs and answers nonchalantly, "The council and her family wanted her to withdraw from school, but she refused."

Hanabusa asks, "She did? Why? Isn't it safer for her to?" He furrows his eyebrows and frowns. "She's not…This isn't her way of protesting her innocence, is it?"

Ruka looks at him flatly and says patronizingly, "Why would she? No one here believes that she did it."

"But the hunters-"

"I'm sure Hayami-san has her reasons. We have no need to know about them." All three of them blink at the sudden voice and look to their left to see Takuma walking towards them.

Akatsuki's eyes flick to the stack of documents he has under his arm. More paperwork…Did he come straight from the council then?

Takuma continues lightly as he comes to a stop before them, "If she wants to continue to be a student, then she will be just as welcomed as before." When they all just stare at him, Takuma lifts an eyebrow and asks, "Did I say something odd?"

Akatsuki only shrugs as he says loftily, "Nothing. As expected of our vice president."

Ruka's lips curve upwards and he can hear Aido repress a not so discreet chuckle.

Takuma only shakes his head, "You guys are teasing me aren't you?"

"What? We're just showing you how much we appreciate you." Akatsuki looks at Takuma curiously and nods towards to the papers, "That looks like a lot of paperwork. The council?"

Takuma looks down at the papers before he says with the same light smile, "It does seem like a lot, doesn't it? The council has been rather busy, I suppose."

Ruka frowns then, eyeing the papers warily. "Is that all for Kaname-sama to look at?"

Aido widens his eyes and looks questioningly at Takuma. "Seriously? What exactly is the council doing that – Oh, Seiren. Did you just come back?"

"Yes."

Akatsuki blinks, a little startled to see Seiren appearing from behind them. She always has a knack for appearing in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. Sometimes he wonders if Seiren does it on purpose of if it's just her uncanny stealth and abilities.

Seiren, of course, pays him no mind. Her shrewd eyes then flick to Takuma questioningly. Which Takuma, being him, understands the implicit message and says reassuringly, "I have the report. I'll come with you to the study actually."

She nods and they turn to walk presumably to hand whatever information they gathered to Kaname before Hanabusa interrupts and says, bewildered, "Wait, Seiren. I didn't see you use the front entrance."

Seiren does not even break her stride as she says simply, "That is because I did not use it."

Hanabusa blinks at her answer. After the footsteps fade away, he hesitantly speaks up, "Seiren has been making rather frequent trips in and out of the dorms lately, hasn't she?"

Akatsuki shrugs and notes, "So has Takuma. Most likely the council has been keeping them busy."

"The hunters as well," Ruka adds pensively. She stares off down the hall and comments with a frown, "Kaname-sama has been working non-stop in the study."

All of them pause at that. Hanabusa glances at the windows again and Akatsuki exchanges a wary look with Ruka.

For all of his indifference, Akatsuki isn't blind. The sudden guards, those two incidents, the hunters. Even an idiot can sense that things are far from alright. The whole thing is far more troublesome than he cares for.

And, it has him feeling more uneasy than he wants to admit.

Hanabusa sighs and suddenly asks, "You think if I ask her how Seiren got in, she'll tell me?"

Ruka lifts an eyebrow, both at the question and the sudden change in subject. She remarks, "No. She doesn't like you. You're too loud."

Akatasuki smirks slightly and adds amused, "Are you that paranoid of the guards?"

Hanabusa shoots him a dirty look in response before he glares at Ruka and counters, "I'll have you know that most people find me rather charming. It's not my fault that you're such an unappreciative person."

Ruka scoffs, "I happen to have standards. Unlike those fan girls of you." She continues dismissively as she starts walking away, "Then again, I'm sure stupidity has its charm to some people. There are weirdos in the world after all."

"Oi, you-"

Akatsuki immediately looks towards her. "Where are you heading?"

She glances back, curious at the urgent tone, and says idly, "To eat something, I suppose."

A look of relief crosses his face and he starts after her, "I'll come with you. I need coffee."

She shrugs in response and continues walking. Hanabusa stares after them and calls out indignantly, "Really? You two are just going to leave in the middle of a conversation?"

"I need coffee."

"I don't care."

Hanabusa's eye twitches and he mutters, "You both are so rude." He shakes his head in irritation before he calls out and follows after them, "Hey! Wait up! I'm not done here."

---

Irritated, Kaname frowns at the stack of papers scattered on the desk before him. He knows he warned the council to be more diligent in attaining the correct paperwork and authorization, but…

He does not expect them to take his words so literally.

They keep requesting his approval for anything and everything that pertains to the academy, relevant or otherwise.

Most of them fall under the category of otherwise.

It is obvious, painfully so, that the council is doing this on purpose, and Kaname thinks that it is rather childishly spiteful of them.

The most annoying thing is that there are important proposals and resolutions nestled underneath the layers of vague, lengthy wording, as if there to catch him off guard.

The entire thing aggravates him. It's a blatant waste of time, and he thinks, annoyed, that this was probably the intent.

Kaname sighs and flicks the pen carelessly on the desk.

This whole week has been exhausting.

Between negotiating with the council and discussing possible resolutions with Cross, it's been rather stressful lately.

And the situation at the academy has gradually worsened.

Kaname frowns and swivels the chair around to gaze out the window.

The guards outside have been placing everyone on edge. He can tell that from the hushed whispers and glances around the dorms that most of the night class are disgruntled over the appearance of the guards. Which is understandable.

For all of the council's talk of investigation and protection, anyone can easily see that it is thinly disguised surveillance placed upon them.

On the other hand, most of the Day Class students have accepted the addition of both the guards and the hunters as mere security personnel, which is fortunate. But, from what he hears from Cross, both the hunters and the vampires that the council sent have been getting into frequent arguments with each other during the nightly patrols.

It's only a matter of time before rumors fly, or those arguments spiral into skirmishes and an unfortunate Day Class student wanders carelessly out at night and well...he and Cross will have a difficult time keeping things under wraps.

It is irritating.

The thoughtlessness rankles him. To do that at the academy where both humans and vampires are present….and to implement the sudden 'security measure' so soon after those two incidents too…

Kaname frowns again. One push. Just one more shove and they will all be skidding down the slippery slope in a fall that no one will be able to stop or recover from.

Now is not the time to test the already precarious wobbly bridge between the two sides.

No. Kaname looks pensively at the papers splayed before him. He needs to regain control of the situation here first. Both the hunters and the council cannot be allowed to intervene at the academy.

He needs to remove the guards, both hunter and vampire alike. Immediately.

The only issue is finding an excuse that would justify their dismissal.

Kaname sighs. It also worries him, of course, that Yuki and Zero have had to deal with the new guards as their jobs as prefects. Although, he supposes that it is reassuring that Yagari and Kaito have been aiding them on their patrols.

Yuki…Knowing her, it's far too easy to imagine her doing something reckless and end up either drawing attention to her or even worse, being in danger because of it. Countless of possible scenarios run through his head and all of them have him feeling starkly apprehensive.

Whether it be from the hunters or the council, he cannot let Yuki be at risk.

At the same time, it is so frustrating. Kaname cannot tell her not to patrol. She doesn't have an obligation to listen to him and Yuki always takes her responsibilities as a prefect rather seriously.

He can already imagine the conversation in his head. Yuki would pause at his concern but she would reassure him too that everything will be fine and she can take care of herself.

Yuki isn't the type of the person to sit back and do nothing after all. She has a rather strong sense of righteousness. And although that is something Kaname would never want her to change, it gives him a headache all the same.

As for Zero…Kaname knows Zero can take care of himself. He knows that but the same feeling of apprehension sets in regardless.

Zero…he doesn't know what to make of their relationship now. Mates. They're mates and yet the word fails to capture the unspoken words, the complications between them.

All he knows is that the influence that Zero has over him is both unexpected and concerning all at once.

It's so...odd. He didn't think much of his own actions until Zero pointed them out and now Kaname keeps wondering if he really is acting unlike himself.

Kaname sighs. The mere fact that he is questioning himself is already uncharacteristic in itself.

Kaname closes his eyes and rubs his temples tiredly.

Even now, he can see that expression in his mind, those vivid violet eyes looking at him. His mind keeps turning the image over and over, the words of their conversation replaying in his mind repeatedly, but he still can't place that expression.

It…bothers him more than he wants to admit.

Those fingers. Those quiet, troubled words. The concern that he definitely felt from Zero.

The images keep drifting through his mind infuriatingly, like vivid smoldering fireflies that keep fluttering out of his grasp and his mind cannot help but chase after.

He frowns and rubs the left side of his neck idly. There has been a slight twinge there lately, a light pressing sensation.

Kaname isn't sure if it's because of the bond, but the odd ache feels familiar. Like the feeling he gets when he instinctually senses that he should give blood to Zero soon.

He mentally counts the weeks in his head. It's been…three weeks since the last time he gave blood to Zero?

Kaname gazes speculatively at the calendar. The senate has called an open meeting for the entire of next week. The decision to have one at all is already concerning on its own, and it's all the more reason for him to attend.

He has to, if nothing other than because the council wants to handle the incident with the two students, which is something that directly correlates to the school.

But that means that he would be gone all of next week. Kaname frowns. He should give Zero blood soon. Or today even. It is Friday after all.

Kaname stills in sudden dismay. Last time, he gave blood to Zero, they….well, they ended up forming a blood bond. He fingers the side of his neck pensively.

What would happen if he gave blood to Zero, now that they are clearly bonded?

He swallows. This…Giving blood to Zero is a terrible idea. It has catastrophe printed over it.

If Kaname wasn't already stressed over the bond before, he definitely is now. He exhales deeply and closes his eyes again.

Exhaustion presses heavily against him like a thick cloud of grey smog. The amount of work, planning – the bond- the thoughts teem endlessly in his head and his temples pulse dully at the sudden congestion.

He feels utterly exhausted.

"Kaname-sama?"

"Kaname?"

Kaname blinks, startled. He lifts his head up and sees Seiren and Takuma standing there in front of his desk.

Seiren looks equally surprised at his reaction and her eyes scan him in slight concern. "Is everything alright, Kaname-sama?"

"…Yes. Everything is fine. I was just…thinking."

Takuma watches him for a moment before he asks concernedly, "Is something bothering you?"

There are a lot of things, his mind dryly notes, but Kaname only answers vaguely, "The paperwork is becoming tiring. That is all."

Takuma furrows his eyebrows, knowing him well enough not to be convinced. Seiren does not look convinced either.

He sighs and nods wearily towards the papers in Takuma's hands. "Are those more documents for me to look at?"

Takuma winces, eyes already flicking over the files and folders strewn all over the desk. With an apologetic smile, he says, "The council unfortunately sent more documents over."

Kaname frowns and reaches out to take the new documents from Takuma's hands. He quickly flips through the pages, skimming over the content. Another 'request' for the withdrawal of the student in the incident from earlier, it seems. He asks distractedly, "Did the council mention how their investigation is going?"

Takuma pauses before he starts slowly, "Not exactly." Kaname lifts an eyebrow and glances at him over the pages. He continues, "As far as I know, they seem rather focused on keeping the hunters at a stalemate. They keep rejecting the hunters' requests for an interrogation."

Kaname notes dryly, "And this despite declaring the joint investigation." He puts the documents down and leans back in the chair. "Were you able to find anything else about the council?"

Takuma smiles and answers amiably, "Of course. The incident with the two students is not the only reason as to why they called the meeting. There are concerns over the recent activities from the hunters and the increase of Level E's."

Kaname straightens in slight alarm. "What recent activities from the hunters?"

Takuma turns expectantly to Seiren, and she calmly reports, "The hunters are strictly enforcing curfews in the nearby towns now. Vampires wandering around town at night are suspect to sudden interrogations."

Interrogations? Kaname furrows his eyebrows and frowns. "That is rather assertive of them. Have there been any incidents?"

Seiren pauses before continuing, "Four have been injured due to quarrelling with the hunters on patrol. One of them was a noble. However, besides the small skirmishes, there have been no fatal casualties."

Takuma murmurs, "That's fortunate."

Kaname makes a noise of agreement. It is fortunate, but it's only a matter of time before the skirmishes develop into full blown fights and they will have a lot more to worry about than a black eye or a broken arm here and there.

He narrows his eyes. He has a strong suspicion that all of this is due to the new hunter president. Is this a show of force? To prove that a change in leaders will not be a detriment to the hunters?

Or…is this hinting at the president's new agenda?

Kaname asks sharply, "Seiren, do you know the reason for this?"

Seiren frowns, a hint of displeasure glimmering in her eyes now. "No. But, there has been suspicious activity at the hunters' headquarters. Nondescript supply trucks have been observed entering and leaving the compound. I also hear that they are currently recruiting more hunters as well."

Takuma looks pensive. Sharp green eyes flick to Kaname and he asks seriously, "Do you think the hunters are preparing to go head to head with the council?"

Kaname frowns. He has the same suspicions. It's clear that the hunters are planning something. It's not just the council that he need to keep an eye. If he isn't careful, the president will also be a formidable opponent.

Kaname looks towards Takuma and Seiren. He says grimly, "Find out what they are planning." His eyes narrow and he emphasizes, "Both the hunters and the council."

They both nod and he continues, "I'll tell the chairman about this."

He sighs as his mind runs through the new information and all of the implications they bring again.

Seiren clears her throat, and his eyes snap back to her in slight surprise. "Is there something else?"

She nods. "The hunters have been more active in missions as well."

"Isn't it because of the rise in level E's?"

Hesitance crosses her features and the uncharacteristic quality of it makes Kaname wait for her words warily. It takes a moment before she says finally, "There is something… odd about it, but I have no evidence yet."

Kaname exchanges a curious glance with Takuma before he responds, "Seiren, you would be surprised how accurate your intuition is." Takuma nods in encouragement.

Seiren starts a bit uncomfortably, "That is kind of you to say, Kaname-sama." She continues, her usual professionalism slipping back into her eyes, "I have noticed that each time there is an outbreak of Level E's in the room, the hunters are already in the area."

Kaname considers her words for a moment. Takuma speaks up, tone thoughtful. "Do you mean that they are responding too quickly?"

"No. I mean that they are already in the area."

Kaname stills in sudden understanding. He observes, "You think they are the ones causing it."

Seiren does not say anything, but the meaningful, serious expression in her eyes confirms it for him.

Takuma asks in alarm, "But for the hunters to do that…doesn't it defeat their purpose?"

"I agree." Kaname remarks. He frowns and notes, "We know too little about the new president. The chairman tells me that he originally led a clandestine unit in the association prior to being appointed as president."

Takuma observes, "That makes things rather more difficult, doesn't it?"

Kaname sighs and looks towards Seiren to ask, "About the rise of Level E's…have there been attacks lately?"

"Yes. Not in the city, but in small towns near the mountains and in the countryside."

Kaname continues contemplatively, "Are they random?"

"I haven't checked to see if they have anything in common."

He nods and smiles slightly. "Alright. Thank you Seiren."

Seiren only provides, "I was only doing my duties." She glances critically at his desk before she comes over to start shuffling the papers in their proper folders and files.

Kaname is about to tell not to bother because every document he finishes only gets replaced by a new one from the council. But, there is a vaguely displeased expression on her face and Kaname suspects that the mess genuinely irritates her, so he wisely decides to stay silent.

Takuma pulls an armchair over to sit down in. He watches Kaname for a moment before casually remarking, "I could help with the paperwork, you know."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow. "Are you certain you want to make that offer?"

Takuma tilts his head curiously before he smiles in amusement. "Of course. It's only paperwork, isn't it?" He ambles over to his side and continues, "Which ones have you not looked over yet?"

Kaname sighs and gestures to the stack of files to his right.

Takuma's eyebrows furrow. He surveys the desk again and asks incredulously, "All of this is from the council?"

"It is."

Takuma stares down blankly at the papers and says weakly, "You should have asked for help sooner, Kaname."

Amused, Kaname asks with a half-smile, "Are you taking back your offer then?"

Takuma glances at him with a resigned grin. "Of course not." He hums and regards the pile for a moment, "I'll just take…"

He blinks when Seiren suddenly hands him a thick folder practically bursting at the seams with the sheer amount of papers spilling haphazardly out of it. "Oh… Thank you Seiren."

Takuma sits down and places the file down gingerly on the desk, careful not to tip over the neatly arranged stack of finished files that Seiren has started at the corner. His eyes rove over the folder warily, like it's a new, unknown specimen of whose existence he cannot comprehend.

Kaname's lips twitch upwards in amusement. He decides to take pity on him and remarks, "Takuma, you are not obligated to help me with the paperwork."

Takuma is flipping through the folder with a look of growing bewilderment. Without looking up, he answers distractedly, "Are you really turning down help? You are practically drowning in paperwork over there, Kaname." He stops and looks up then, a teasing gleam in his eyes. "It is common courtesy to accept the lifeline offered to you, you know."

"Not common sense?"

Takuma smiles wryly. "Common sense would have been asking for help and not drowning in the first place."

Kaname chuckles and shakes his head. He reaches for another file, and is about to search for a pen when Seiren offers one to him without his asking. He murmurs a thanks, but Seiren is already focusing back on the scattered files with a rather dissatisfied expression.

…It feels a bit like he is the one being taken pity on actually. He represses another amused chuckle and instead turns to read through what looks like another wordy proposal that explains nothing.

An ease and companionable silence softly settles over the room. Kaname can hear the sound of paper rustling as Seiren continues to organize the papers besides him and Takuma humming bits and pieces of a tune as he looks over the papers.

It makes him feel admittedly more relaxed as he continues to look over the papers.

He reads about a fourth of the document and is already exasperated at the unnecessary, pedantic jargon. And unwittingly, his mind wanders back to poke at his earlier thoughts. He inwardly frowns and forces himself to focus, reeling his wayfaring thoughts back.

Kaname reads through the clauses and initials some lines here and there, the pen scratching against the paper as he does so. As he skims forward, his mind stubbornly ventures back and forth from the document at hand to the worries from before.

Kaname inwardly sighs.

He is flipping through another page when he asks unthinkingly and without looking up, "Takuma, what do you know about blood bonds?"

The question floats innocuously in the room. Kaname does not think much of it as he frowns at the next mentioned clause in the paper. Revised curfews for the Night Class students?

Takuma doesn't either as he scans the lines of black printed text. He is sorely tempted to reject the entire thing because he cannot, for the life of him, seem to understand what the council is asking in this.

And to think Kaname has been reading these documents for the past two weeks now…

He furrows his eyebrows and murmurs, "What proposal is this referring to?"

It takes a moment for him to register Kaname's question. And even then, Takuma answers distractedly as he flips through the folder to find the elusive proposal, "Hmm. Blood bonds? You mean the ones between mates or between-"

Takuma stops suddenly as the words finally sink in. He widens his eyes and lifts his head from the papers to stare at Kaname in alarm. "What?"

Distracted from his own paperwork, Kaname glances at Takuma, surprised at the sudden tone and forgetting momentarily his own question. Besides him, he also senses Seiren stilling as the sound of paper rustling stops.

Kaname furrows his eyebrows in slight confusion as he runs through the conversation again. Did he say something odd?

He inwardly grimaces as soon as he remembers. Kaname silently berates himself and represses the urge to rub his temples. God, he must be more sleep deprived than he thought.

He looks down at the papers again and waves a hand dismissively, "Never mind. Disregard what I said."

To his unhappiness, Takuma does not and instead protests, still alarmed, "Wait a moment. I-It's just unexpected."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow and glances warily back at him.

"Did you-" Takuma stops himself and a calmer, more resolute expression settles over his features as he asks carefully, "What exactly did you want to know?"

Kaname looks at him again, deeply reluctant to continue this particular topic. Takuma only gazes back at him with his usual patient, sincere eyes and Kaname finds himself hesitating.

It's a terrible idea. He knows that, reluctance still running strong through him.

But…this is Takuma. Kaname knows whatever he says will be held in strict confidence and Takuma knows him well enough to recognize when and when not to push things.

Furthermore, it…wouldn't hurt to ask for another opinion.

Kaname pauses before starting slowly, "Hypothetically...if a blood bond formed unintentionally, how strong would the bond be?"

Takuma blinks at the sudden question, but he takes it in stride and answers thoughtfully, "Well, even if it is unintentional, I would imagine the blood bond would have the same effects as it would normally."

A memory flashes through and Kaname asks, "Such as… feeling when the other person is in danger?"

Takuma thinks for a moment before he nods, "That seems reasonable."

Kaname sighs. That confirms what he already thought. "I see." After a moment's deliberation, he continues carefully, "Are…pheromones usual?"

Takuma can't conceal his surprise this time and his eyes widen. "Pheromones?" He ventures hesitantly, "We're still talking… hypothetically, right? Or… did something happen?"

Takuma surveys Kaname in growing concern and he asks more urgently, "Kaname, you didn't form one by accident, did you? Or did someone form one with you?"

Kaname pauses and remarks, "Is there a difference between the two?" At Takuma's reproachful gaze, he sighs and comments, "Takuma, you're starting to act like an overprotective parent."

Before Takuma can argue or lecture, Seiren observes calmly, "There might be because the bond was formed unintentionally."

Both he and Takuma turn to stare at Seiren with differing degrees of surprise. Kaname asks, "Seiren?"

She shrugs slightly and continues placidly, "It is not strange for the bond to compensate for the lack of emotional connection or physical contact by chemical means."

Kaname considers her words for a moment. To compensate?

Takuma glances at Seiren before nodding in agreement. "Hmm, that does make sense."

Kaname furrows his eyebrows. "I…see."

What does that mean though? It explains what…what happened that night. What it doesn't tell him though if it is going to happen when he gives Zero blood again.

His mind stops on an even more alarming thought. Does he even need to give Zero blood for the pheromones to possibly appear again?

Takuma suddenly leans forward and Kaname starts in surprise at both the proximity and the odd look of determination emblazoned in his green eyes.

"Takuma?"

Takuma instead asks, "Hypothetically, does the partner of this person who formed the blood bond by accident know anything about blood bonds at all? Or is even aware that there is one between the two?"

Kaname blinks at the barrage of questions. Before he can even register them though, Takuma continues on and answers them for him, "Because if so, these two should talk this over with each other. Communication is important in every relationship."

Kaname stills and exchanges a bewildered glance with Seiren. Or at least he does. Seiren has her face devoid of emotion, but Kaname thinks that there is a hint of agreement to Takuma's words in her eyes.

What…exactly is happening here?

"Kaname?"

He stares at Takuma blankly and finally manages, "That… seems like a rather elaborate scenario for a hypothetical question."

Takuma only shrugs and with an affable smile, continues on without missing a beat, "I have watched too many dramas. Indulge me in this role-playing."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow and asks dryly, "If I agreed, wouldn't I be confirming this scenario?"

Takuma asserts patiently, "Nothing will leave this room."

At that, Seiren turns to look at Kaname and asks calmly, "Should I leave, Kaname-sama?"

He pauses to glance at her, a little bewildered at the sudden turn of the conversation. "No, it's fine."

He looks back at Takuma and is exasperated to find him still gazing resolutely back. "Takuma."

Takuma only gives him a reassuring expression in return. How someone can look so patient and insistent is baffling. He think wryly that Takuma gives the phrase, to kill with kindness, a whole new meaning.

Kaname sighs and humors him. "Hypothetically…in this situation, let us say that both of them already know about blood bonds."

Takuma muses silently as he takes in Kaname's answer.

Kaname, on the other hand, does not know if he should be worried or amused that Takuma is taking this so seriously.

"I…see. Then, are you bot-are the two in the scenario simply taking it as things go then?"

Kaname stares at him, not missing the slight slip up. He remarks exasperated, "This is starting to feel ridiculous."

At Takuma's expectant and patient gaze, Kaname inwardly chastises himself for bring this topic up in the first place. He offers wearily, "Yes?"

"Then, I think it's fine as long as you both make sure to talk things over. I think she'll understand."

Kaname furrows his eyebrows and says unthinkingly, not for the second time that night, "She?"

Takuma blinks and asks blankly, "What?"

Kaname inwardly cringes. Perhaps he really is suffering sleep deprivation. Extreme sleep deprivation for him to say things so carelessly like this. He shakes his head and brushes the comment off, "Never mind."

"Kaname, who-"

He interrupts and says firmly, "Takuma, let us stop this - this hypothetical scenario."

"I-"

Seiren smoothly cuts in and announces, "It's about time for the class exchange. Will you be attending class today, Kaname-sama?"

Kaname nods his head, admittedly relieved at the change in subject. "I will."

At that, Takuma blinks again in surprise, "You are?" He glances at the paperwork and looks up again. "Are you sure?"

Kaname shrugs, thankful for Takuma's distraction, and remarks, "Even if I take the day off again, this paperwork is not going to disappear overnight."

Or at all, he adds silently. Especially since every time he completes a document, another one just miraculously takes its place. It's a rather cruel and unwanted cycle of resurrection.

"Alright then. I'm sure everyone will be relieved to have you attending class again."

---

"Why are they here at the class exchange too?"

Hell if he knows.

Zero narrows his eyes in irritation. Ever since that incident with the bomb and those two students, things have gone from shit to….to whatever the fuck this is.

Hunters, vampires. It doesn't matter what side they belong to. As far as Zero is concerned, they're all a pain to deal with.

And there goes his entire sanity down the drain. Along with all of his sleep.

God, he can't remember the last time he has felt this sleep deprived.

He can't even understand. Are they all fucking idiots? How the hell does this make anything better?

All of them aren't even investigating for shit. Every time Zero and Yuki are doing their nightly patrols, it's less the usual looking for students skipping curfew and more like trying to stop the goddamned Armageddon from breaking out every time.

It always starts from a snide remark from one of the so called guards on either side and then things go all downhill from there.

Kaito had grumbled that it's just like watching a bar fight unfold, and Zero thinks that he is probably right.

He scowls. He's a prefect, not a goddamned babysitter.

Even the chairman is rethinking the entire situation. It says a lot about how screwed up this situation is when the man wearing lion slippers is annoyed for once.

The only thing that Zero is thankful for – although it's a miracle that he finds anything about this to be remotely thankful for - is that everyone mostly stays out of the way during the day. The hunters mostly patrol around the perimeter during the day and the vampires assigned to the moon dorms just stay there.

Yuki takes in Zero's increasingly aggravated expression and asks warily, "Zero?"

Zero clenches his jaw before he says vexed, "I don't know, Yuki. I have no idea why they're here other than cause us more problems."

Yuki frowns and gazes in the distance where they can see the five hunters keeping back a group of the usual girls from the Day Class. She must feel the same way because she doesn't lecture him about his harsh phrasing. "Do you think the chairman knows?"

Zero shrugs and grudgingly admits, "Probably not. He wouldn't let this happen if he did."

Yuki nods and says quietly, "I don't think it's a good idea for them to be here and around the students so openly. Not with – "

"Not with how they acted during the patrols at night?" Zero interrupts with a raised eyebrow. "We're lucky that everyone has been following curfew or I don't know how the hell we would have explained things to them."

Although that is probably due to Ishihara's suspicious absence.

It was only explained to the rest of the students that Ishihara had suddenly collapsed while walking around school. And although no one has objected, the hushed whispers and the unspoken words circulating through the air tells a different story.

That's exactly why Zero thinks that it is reckless for the guards to be here at the school during this time.

He sighs wearily and nods towards the entrance. "Come on, Yuki. Let's go before they cause even more shit."

When they get closer, Zero's frustration spikes and his eyes narrow at the scene. There are five hunters all bodily standing in the middle of the crowd, forcing the girls to part and stand on the side. One of them, a tall muscled man with short tawny hair, orders with a clear frown, "Stand back! We will not repeat ourselves."

The other man next to him adds, "We will manually remove you from the premises."

"Re-remove us?"

Alarm and dissatisfaction simmers through the girls and one of them says hesitantly with wide blue eyes, "The headmaster said there would be more security, but you guys are…"

"Yeah. What is this? Are you guys actually security guards?"

The girls exchange a nervous look with each other, and Zero cusses under his breath. That is exactly what he was afraid of. Yuki stills and glances at Zero, silent apprehension in her wide brown eyes.

Shit.

The hunter from before only repeats himself, "Vacate this area. Now."

Zero can hear one of the other hunters muttering, "What the hell is wrong with these airheaded kids?"

A girl with a high ponytail, who Zero recognizes as one of the usual leaders of the group, turns to sidestep the hunter in front of her and blinks as the man moves to block her way. When her friend, a girl with a side braid falls down as another hunter shoulders past them too roughly, she widens her eyes. "Kaori! Are you ok?"

Her friend winces but nods her head. "I'm fine, Sayaka." She turns and yells at the hunter, "Hey! What are you doing? Don't push us!"

Yuki immediately stiffens next to him and Zero tenses as well. What the fuck do these assholes think they're doing?

Zero immediately strides up to them, with Yuki following behind him. He moves in between the girls and the hunters.

Some of the girls immediately pause behind them in surprise.

"Kiryu-kun….and Yuki-chan…"

Zero pays them no mind and instead stares in irritation at the hunters, who are now glancing at him warily. He asks curtly, "Why are you all here at the class changeover?"

The light hazel haired man raises an eyebrow and answers just as harshly, "We are clearing the area. What does it look like we are doing?"

Like you're causing more problems for everyone, he silently retorts back.

Zero surveys him guardedly, having met the man more than once during the patrols.

Yuki speaks up, voice firm and eyes flashing in determination, "That is our job, Sato-san. Us prefects have this covered. Isn't your job to patrol around the school?"

Kato looks at her dismissively and asserts, "Our job is to handle and eliminate any issues or threats that pertain to the safety of this school."

The patronizing tone immediately pisses Zero off and he scowls. It's a bunch of bull. Sure, it might be a pain to deal with, but since when is a bunch of enthusiastic fangirls a security threat to the academy that needs to be 'eliminated'?

He is fed up with the way all of these guards spout the same pretentious excuse as if they are all doing the academy a favor by being here.

A shorter man with closely cropped black hair next to Sato adds sharply, "This shouldn't even happen in the first place. That chairman of yours for all his talk is too careless."

Zero narrows his eyes at that, not appreciating that snide remark. Yuki stiffens too in dismay as well. The girls behind them pause and whisper agitatedly at hearing it.

Zero frowns even more. Do these guys even remember where they are right now?

Another hunter with dark blue eyes nods shortly in agreement before staring critically at them. He orders, "You two move out of the way too. We will take over this from now on."

Take over the class exchange? Zero stares back at the hunters in disbelief. What do these guys think that they're doing?

Yuki widens her eyes and asks in alarm, "What? Did the headmaster approve of this?"

A noise of agreement ripples through the girls behind Yuki and some of the girls call out more bravely now:

"That's right!"

"What authority do you have to do this?"

"Aren't you just hired guards?"

Sato merely stares at all of them impassively and repeats briskly, "We will move you by force if necessary."

When none of the girls move, his expression steels over in resoluteness. As if on cue, all of the hunters start pushing their way through the crowd, manually directing the girls always from the entrance.

Some of the girls stumble at the unexpected move from the guards and their friends quickly help them up and pull them towards the side corridors. Others are staring wide-eyed at the guards and the entire scene with a mixture of bewilderment and apprehension. Several of the girls struggle against the hunters and protest in outrage:

"What are you doing?"

"What? You- Hey!"

"Let me go! I can walk just fine on my own, you - you pervert!"

Zero narrows his eyes and quickly moves to his right where the two girls from earlier with the side braid and the ponytail are dragging their feet against the pavement to prevent the hunter from corralling them towards one of the overhang hallways.

He steps sideways between them and quickly presses his arm against the hunter's chest keep him back. Nothing too rough but the added pressure forces the hunter to take a step. Zero drops the arm then and glances behind, "You two should stay back."

The two girls blink and are about to argue before Zero scowls at them. With another wary glance towards the hunter, they nod and walk back towards the other girls.

Zero surveys the man warily. It's the one from earlier with the closely cropped black hair. The man frowns heavily and demands sharply, "What do you think you are doing?"

Zero glares back and says curtly, "The class exchange is our job. It does not concern you."

The man says condescendingly, "The mere fact you two cannot keep back a crowd of adolescent girls already has me questioning your abilities as prefects." His jaw clenches in irritation as he continues, "I have no idea what that headmaster of yours is thinking, leaving the security of the entire school to two children."

He deliberately steps closer to Zero and Zero tenses with a frown. "Let the adults handle this and move."

Zero stares back unflinchingly in challenge and answers resolutely, "I will not."

The man's expression darkens and he threatens in a low voice, "Do not make me manually remove you."

Zero grits his teeth and warns, eyes flashing in irritation. "You are interfering with my duties as a prefect."

Zero catches the slight narrowing of light green eyes before a hand grips his collar. In that split second, Zero's eyes flick briefly to the girls standing on the periphery staring wide-eyed at the scene.

Shit. Are these guys idiots? They're doing all of this in front of the students.

Zero restrains his own instincts that have his fingers twitching to grab that hand and twist it back. No. He can't make this more of a scene than it already is.

He lets himself be shoved roughly away. Zero stumbles a half step back before he rights himself and scowls at the hunter.

He is about to retort scathingly on the man's warped priorities when a blur of black and brown flutters in front of him. Zero blinks before he scowls again. Yuki.

Yuki steps in between them, eyes blazing in outrage and determination. "Stop that! You cannot lay a hand on the students!"

Her declaration rings out firmly in the air, and the genuine, reproving tone has everyone in the courtyard pausing for a moment. The hunter watches her warily for a moment before he says coolly, "If you are going to interfere, then I will remove you as well."

Yuki tenses, but she does not back down. She frowns and says firmly, "Violence is not tolerated. If you disagree with the way we handle class changeover, you need to voice your objection to the chairman. You cannot forcibly intervene like this."

The man narrows his eyes and this time when he steps closer towards Yuki, Zero does not even stop to think. He quickly moves in front of Yuki and catches the man's wrist in midair, fingers tightening to hold it still.

The man blinks, surprise flashing through his eyes briefly, before his eyes narrow in anger. "You-"

Zero tightens his grip deliberately, the tendons twitching under his fingers. He says brusquely, "Causing injury or harm to a student is against the policies of this academy. If you violate this, I will remove you from the school grounds."

The rest of the hunters tense at his statement and Zero surveys them out of the corner of his eyes. Sato comes forward then to the man's side and says calmly, "You need to let us do our job."

Zero narrows his eyes and roughly lets go of the man. He stares back at Sato and says lowly, "And you need to let us do ours."

The man rubs his wrist and frowns in irritation. "You – The role of prefects is no longer needed."

Zero answers tensely, "That is for the headmaster to decide."

Yuki nods and speaks up in agreement, "That's right. We will continue to act as prefects until the chairman says otherwise."

A blond haired hunter comes forward then with a disapproving glare and comments harshly, "You two couldn't even handle a class of adolescent teenagers. What makes you think that you two can maintain the security of the academy?" His hazel eyes narrow and he says warningly, "Children should listen to their elders."

Zero glowers at him, bristling at the patronization, and retorts, "I don't take advice from assholes."

"You-"

Yuki announces again and more firmly, "All of you need to clear this area. The class changeover is our responsibility."

Sato raises an eyebrow and says sternly, "You do not have the authority to give us orders. We will resolve any security threat as we see appropriate." He gives a meaningful glance towards them and continues, "Anyone obstructing our responsibilities will not be tolerated."

Zero narrows his eyes and demands, "What are you saying?"

Yuki frowns and after gazing worriedly at the girls who are now looking anxious, she protests loudly, "Stop it! You are causing a disturbance and alarming the students."

Zero does not break his gaze with Sato and says darkly, "I will not repeat myself again. Remove yourself. We will deal with this matter ourselves."

"We cannot let you do-"

A voice intones condescendingly, "Oh? What is this? Are the adults arguing with children now?"

They all look up to see seven individuals ambling towards them. Zero frowns. Vampires. These are the guards that the council sent.

Yuki shares a concerned look with him. Zero frowns again and looks crossly at the new arrivals. Judging by how their patrols are going lately, they are going to have to play the unwanted role off referee again. Damn it.

The vampires deliberately don't stop until they are about two steps away from the hunters.

Sato immediately stiffens and asks sharply, "What are you doing here?"

A woman with raven hair shorn in a blunt bob tilts her head to the side and answers amusedly, "To escort the Night Class, of course." She pauses and continues with a warning hint in her tone, "Not that we answer to you."

Sato frowns, eyes roving over them in suspicion, and says coldly, "They need to be escorted to class now?"

The woman shrugs her shoulders and intones casually, "We take our responsibilities seriously." Her eyes flick to the girls standing in clusters to the side. Her lips curve in a smirk and she adds slyly, "You might find it hard to understand, considering the…caliber of your work."

All of the hunters tense and Zero's irritation increases at the familiar way this conversation is going. Sato's expression darkens and he warns, "Watch your words."

The woman raises an eyebrow and comments coolly, "Actions speak louder than words. Do not look so affronted if you have nothing to show for your misplaced pride."

The hunter with the closely cropped hair interrupts and says harshly, "Shut your mouth. We will not be lectured by the likes of you."

Zero frowns at all of them who have clearly forgotten the rest of the students watching this strange face off. He says in irritation, "You both need to calm down."

The woman turns to him then and raises an eyebrow. "Shall we lend you a hand, prefects?"

Sato answers for him, "Do not interfere."

A long blond haired man standing next to the woman smirks at that and remarks condescendingly, "That is rather hypocritical of you, isn't it?" He looks pointedly towards Zero and Yuki. "The prefects do not look so happy with your assistance."

Before either of them could continue, Yuki cuts in and says calmly, "Please continue this conversation elsewhere. You are starting to worry the students."

The man blinks in mock surprise and offers, "Are we? We apologize." His eyes flick to the hunters again and he continues nonchalantly, "Although, prefect, it seems like we are not the ones who are causing the students concern."

The hunter with the closely cropped hair frowns and demands, "What are you implying?"

"Just that all of these girls look alarmed long before we approached." The man smirks and continues, "Tell me hunter, did you forget what you are here to do?"

The hunter narrows his eyes and steps closer until they are both face to face and his voice drops as he hisses, "Don't mock me with words, you filthy bloodsucker." He continues contemptuously, "Escort? Don't screw with us. What are you planning?"

The man narrows his eyes and Zero's fingers are already tensing on the gun. He looks meaningfully at Yuki and nods towards the girls. Yuki frowns before she takes another look at the guards and heads over to the girls to persuade them to leave.

The woman from before speaks up and counters smoothly, "We should be the ones asking you that." Her blue eyes flick to Sato and she says with a dangerous lilt in her tone, "Why are the hunters suddenly so concerned over the class exchange?"

Sato looks impassively back at her and responds shortly, "I have no idea what you are implying. This is a security concern and we are merely addressing it."

"Security concern?" She remarks before her eyes narrow. "Or harassment?" She stares coldly at Sato and commands, "Stop interfering in the class changeover."

"Interfering?" One of the hunters, a tall burly man with dark brown hair, continues brusquely, "Then what are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be busy playing watchdog over at the dorms or did all you lose your leash?"

The woman intones darkly, "I suggest you watch your words."

Sato looks at her and says tensely, "I suggest you do the same."

There is a second of tense silence where both of them are silently gauging each other before Zero catches the sudden lurch of movement and hears the scrape of metal.

He tenses and lunges forward.

Zero reaches out and grabs Sato's arm, twisting it behind his back. He hears a clatter of metal – dagger probably – and shoves forward so that they both collide with the woman. Her eyes widen in surprise in that split second. He takes advantage of it to pull out the Bloody Rose with his other hand and presses the muzzle against her stomach.

Shit. All of this is going to shit.

Zero wrenches Sato to the side all the while keeping the gun on the woman to angle them away from plain view.

Adrenaline streaks through him, and all of his instincts are on full alert. Zero's eyes flick warily to his sides where both the hunters and vampires have stilled and survey him with wary eyes.

He'll be outnumbered if this becomes a full-blown fight, but he's so done with this shit.

Zero can hear the girls whispering off in the distance. Yuki moved them far enough now to not hear anything clearly from where Zero is, but they can still see the colossal mess that this has become.

Zero grimaces and inwardly cusses again. What the fuck is wrong with these bastards? The students are standing right fucking there and these two just decide to duke it out in the courtyard?

Sato tenses under his grip. Zero prepares himself for any sudden move, knowing that if Sato becomes serious, he could probably break out of this hold. The woman glares at him and says lowly, "Prefect, what do you think you're-"

She stops as Zero tightens his grip on Sato and presses the gun warningly. He glowers and hisses, "I suggest you both calm the hell down and argue somewhere else. Or did you both forget where you are?"

---

Kaname stops abruptly, and Takuma blinks at the sudden pause both in the discussion of the paperwork and in walking. "Kaname?"

He turns his head to look at what has Kaname's attention and then murmurs, "Oh. That doesn't seem good."

Kaname barely hears him as he stares at the scene in increasing alarm and displeasure. Yuki is standing off to the far right under one of the arches, where she is keeping back a group of the Day Class students who all have varying degrees of alarm and uneasiness.

In front of him, however, right in the center of the courtyard, is a group of what he can distinguish as the group of hunters and vampires who have been assigned as guards.

Kaname immediately focuses on Zero, the silver shock of hair making it easy to identify him. Zero seems to be in the middle of the group, but the crisscross of limbs around him make it difficult to see what he is actually doing.

What Kaname does sense is the animosity that crackles ominously through the air.

Behind him, Aido murmurs in surprise, "Is Kiryu fighting them?"

Kaname immediately narrows his eyes and strides quickly over there, with Seiren following right after.

There is a pause before the rest also follow after him in alarm.

Takuma though gives Kaname a sidelong glance as he catches an uncharacteristic gleam of anger in Kaname's eyes.

Zero can sense the Night Class coming towards them, but before he can think much of it, Sato speaks up firmly, "Unhand me, Kiryu-kun. Or I will be forced to retaliate."

Zero answers coolly, "Not if you cannot behave calmly, Sato-san." He looks towards the woman and adds, "The same goes for you."

She narrows her eyes and hisses, "Don't think I don't know what you have done. You insolent Level D. First you murder a pureblood, and now you threaten someone assigned by the council?" Her expression darkens. "You need to learn your place."

"And you need to learn yours," a voice states sharply. Zero widens his eyes as the vampires suddenly shift uneasily and part to let Kaname stride through with a grim frown on his face.

Kaname's eyes quickly flick over him, narrowing when he sees the grip on Sato and the gun. These guards truly are too inconsiderate and rash. To provoke each other at the academy and in front of the day class is unacceptable. A liability. Not to mention…

He looks briefly up to share a look with Zero.

Zero slowly lowers the Bloody Rose, trusting that Kaname can deal with the vampires. Good. It's one less group of assholes he needs to deal with.

The woman gives him a dirty look before Kaname stares disapprovingly at her. She visibly stiffens and starts carefully, "Kuran-sama, we-"

Kaname cuts her off and criticizes, voice edged with displeasure. "Have you all forgotten the terms under which you are assigned here?"

Zero watches Kaname's face tighten as he orders authoritatively, "Withdraw."

One of the vampires looks at Kaname hesitantly before a determined expression crosses his features and he objects, "With all due respect, we have our orders from the council. We cannot-"

"Do not make me repeat myself."

Zero observes warily that Kaname's aura fluctuates slightly in warning and everyone stills at the tangible sense of danger hanging thickly in the air, like a foreboding black thundercloud.

Kaname's irritation is not surprising – hell, Zero has no words to describe how pissed he himself is right now – but…it feels sharper than his usual cold indifference.

Zero notices Aido and Kain looking surprised at Kaname's rare show of anger. Ruka has a slight frown and Ichigo looks pensive. Seiren, on the other hand, is surveying the vampires with shrewd eyes, poised to move if needed.

Zero glances back at Kaname who stares unamused at the vampires. The vampires exchange a nervous stare with each other before the woman speaks up slowly, "Yes…of course. We apologize."

She shares a look with the rest of the vampires and they all reluctantly turn to leave the courtyard.

Kaname turns his attention back on Zero and the hunter. He frowns, not missing the alert expression in Zero's eyes or the heavy frown on the hunter's face. "What is the problem here?"

Sato does not answer and instead says, "Kiryu-kun, unhand me."

Zero stares at him warily, debating whether it's a good idea to. The guy didn't care when there were Day Class students around – there still are – and Zero does not trust the guy to be any more level headed now that the Night Class students are here.

Still, it's not like he can hold the guy infinitely.

Zero is about to let him go when a heavy hand clasps his shoulder, the touch rough and bruising. "Let go of him."

His glance slides sideways and is unsurprised to see the jackass from before.

Zero is about to counter sharply because like hell does this make him any more happy to let him go when he catches the darkening of Kaname's eyes as Kaname shifts his attention on the other hunter.

Zero widens his eyes when Kaname frowns and starts to take a step forward. Images from the conversation two weeks ago flash through his mind again. The words that he tried to repress at the back of his mind all these weeks surface to the front again and Zero stills.

He isn't sure of this is Kaname intervening because of the situation itself…or because of…him.

Zero's mouth runs dry, half incredulous and half alarmed to see the vexed expression in Kaname's eyes. He furrows his eyebrows in alarm and gives Kaname a meaningful look before he lets go of Sato.

Sato takes a step away and rubs his wrist idly. The hunter squeezes Zero's shoulder, probably for retribution from before, before he lets go and steps away.

Zero frowns, bristling at the move but says nothing. Kaname, on the other hand, looks at him sharply.

Sato looks to Kaname and asserts, "We are simply overseeing the class changeover."

Kaname frowns and says in dissatisfaction, "That is the responsibility of the prefects."

Sato watches him for a moment before he answers frigidly, "That is not for you to decide."

Out of the corner of his eye, Zero sees Aido immediately stiffening in outrage at that before Kain not so discreetly nudges him in the side.

However, before anyone can say anything, Yuki calls out in alarm, "Hey, stop! Where is everyone going?"

Zero immediately turns towards her and blinks at the sudden surge of girls who are all walking back towards them with upset expressions. The girl from before with the ponytail, Sayaka, narrows her eyes and calls out, "Hey! Were you about to manhandle him?"

Everyone stills at the unexpected statement. Discontentment runs through the rest of the girls.

"He totally was."

"He pushed you too, Kaori."

"He did."

Zero blinks at the mob of the girls who are now surrounding the hunters, much to their surprise and everyone else. Zero says bewildered, "What are you guys doing?"

Yuki hurries towards them and calls out hesitantly, "Everyone, please calm down! We have to-"

Kaori, the girl with the side braid from before, interrupts and waves a hand dismissively in the air, bright blue eyes already staring challengingly at the guards. "We got this guys."

Sayaka nods besides her and says matter-of-factly, "Exactly. Besides, we're the only ones who are allowed to bother the prefects."

Zero stares at them blankly. He's pretty sure that no one has the 'privilege' of annoying the prefects on a daily basis.

Also, as he frowns and looks incredulously at all of them, who the hell in their right mind would come up here?

All of the girls ignore him though as they all glare at the hunters for the supposed offense.

…What…is happening right now?

Zero lifts his head and Kaname looks back at him with an equally surprised expression. Yuki furrows her eyebrows as she comes to a stop besides them.

Takuma looks uncertainly to the crowd before glancing at Kaname. Should they intervene?

A girl with short bobbed hair taps her foot impatiently and retorts, "Oi, old man. Corporal punishment is outlawed in school."

The girl besides her with a red headband nods in agreement and says sharply, "I don't know what that all was, and I don't care. What do you think you're doing, putting a hand on us?"

"What are you protecting? The students or your puny, nonexistent pride?"

One of the hunters says incredulously, "You-"

"We what? Huh?" A girl with two long braids frowns and glares disdainfully at him. "Even if we're being brats, you have no excuse for acting violently towards us."

"Shameful."

Sato interrupts to correct them, "We did not attack you girls-"

"You attacked Kiryu! And he's a student."

A curly black haired girl frowns and adds indignantly, "Don't even deny it! We saw you push him on purpose earlier."

"Physical assault!"

"Abuse of authority!"

A girl with short dark bluish black hair stares flatly at them and says monotonously, "Good for nothing ossans."

One of the hunters looks at her and splutters, "O-ossans?"

"Bullies!"

"Police brutality!"

"We know our rights!"

"That's right! Adachi-sensei told us about our constitutional rights last week in class!"

"Why did you even agree to take a job at an academy? Huh?"

"Don't take a job at a school if you hate kids!"

Sato frowns and says, "You all need to-"

Sayaka skips forward closer to Sato, forcing him to take a step back. She tilts her head back and hums, "We all need to what? Hmm? What are you going to do?"

Kaori deliberately sidles up to the guy next to Sato, hands on her hips, and taunts, "Use your fists again?" She narrows her eyes and her voice drops. "I suggest you use your words and remember your position. If you even mess up my braid, I will consider it assault and battery."

"That's right! Have you been watching too many action movies, ossans? Here in the real world, lawsuits are a very real thing."

At their lead, the rest of the girls press even closer to all of the guards and Zero watches incredulously as this time, the girls all force the hunters to take a step back.

"Yeah, old man! What are you going to do to a group of defenseless girls?"

"We all have witnesses! Hey, Ayame-chan, are you taking pictures of this?"

"Pictures?" A girl with two long pigtails tilts her head and flicks her wrist to show off her pastel pink phone case emblazoned with glittering cupcakes. She smirks. "What kind of blogger do you think I am?"

"Oi, tell us your names. Now. I want to know what to put down when I file the claim."

"Don't think that just because we're girls or students that we will be intimidated by you."

A girl with her hair tied back in a half ponytail with a pale blue ribbon crosses her arms and says matter of factly, "My mother taught me better than to let any guy treat me like this."

"Go spend your lives alone with no girlfriend, worthless ossans!"

"What's going on here?"

Zero stops staring blankly – hell, he has no idea what is going on anymore- and turns towards the new voice.

Yagari and Kaito are standing at the steps of the entrance with varied expressions of disgruntlement and wariness.

A hunter frowns and says, "Yagari-san, these girls are-"

Sakaya interrupts to argue hotly, "We're just doing what you taught us in class, Yagari-sensei."

Kaori agrees and declares, "Yeah. We saw a grave injustice committed before us and we will not tolerate it."

"That's right. We are not going to be passive bystanders!"

"We have a voice and we will be heard!"

Yagari raises an eyebrow and gazes warily at the scene. "And what exactly is this grave injustice?"

"They pushed us. Kaori almost fell and they hit Kiryu-san!"

"Unforgiveable."

"Completely."

Yagari frowns then and looks sharply to Sato, "You hit a student?"

"You cannot be serious. You are-"

Kaito interrupts to say harshly, "Putting a physical hand on a student is nothing to joke about, dumbass. What the hell are you all even doing here? No one assigned you to oversee the class changeover."

"This is none of your business, Kaito."

Kaito raises an eyebrow and retorts, "I'm a sensei now, and you're bothering my students. I'll make it my goddamned business."

At that, the girls clap and cheer in approval.

"You sound pretty cool, sensei."

"See? Takamiya-sensei gets it."

"I thought your art lessons were a little weird, but you totally redeemed yourself, Takamiya-sensei."

Sato glances at the girls again before he says disapprovingly, "These girls are out of control."

The girl closest to him immediately spins around and narrows her eyes. "Excuse you?"

Sato stiffens as the rest of the girls all turn to glare at him. "What did you just say to us?"

"Go look in the mirror before you insult someone."

"Yagari-sensei! Do you see this? These security guards are jerks!"

Yagari sighs wearily and he surveys the growing scene once more. He knew having hunters assigned here was a terrible idea. And for the guards to already garner the wrath of what looks like the entire female population in the school is completely absurd.

What he needs is a cigarette. To hell with Cross's no smoking rule.

Speaking of the man…His eyes flick to his right where Cross has finally come out. He regards the scene with a bewildered expression and asks, "What seems to be the commotion here?"

The girls all pause at the sudden appearance of Cross and one of them says quickly, "The new guards pushed me. And hit Kiryu-kun."

"Headmaster! Can you please fire all of them?"

Cross blinks for a few seconds before he finally says, "I see." His eyes flick to the Night Class students who are shifting restlessly and then back to the hunters. He frowns and says displeased, "All of you are to come see me immediately in my office."

"Cross-san – "

Cross raises an eyebrow and says more firmly, "That was not a request. Your behavior of late begs the need for reevaluation."

He stares pointedly at the hunters before Sato tenses and reluctantly follows him into the building with the rest of the hunters following after. Some of the girls start clapping in agreement with the chairman's decision.

Yagari sighs and calls out, "Oi, Night Class. Class has already started. Hurry up and go in before I mark all of you tardy."

He glances at Zero and surveys him critically. He seems fine though and Yagari nods towards Kaito before they both head back in.

Kaname looks towards Takuma who nods and waves his hand to say lightly, "You heard Yagari- sensei. We should all go in now."

Seiren pauses and glances at Kaname. He nods towards the building and her eyes flick to Zero and Yuki before she follows Takuma.

Most of the Night Class students also follow, some throwing curious glances towards the girls or Zero before heading in. Aido pauses and asks incredulously, "Wait…what? We're just going to leave? Is no one – I mean, all of this – This is weird."

Kain sighs and pushes him forward. "Hey! I wasn't done! Oi, Akatsu-"

Zero raises an eyebrow as the door shuts and cuts off Aido's exclamation. Yuki clears her throat besides him and looks towards the girls. She starts hesitantly, "I'm sorry, but everyone here needs to leave as well."

Sayaka waves a hand and says cheerfully, "Oh, don't worry! We'll go right now. We did our part already."

Zero glances at her and comments, "You didn't have to do all of that, you know. The chairman would have handled it."

Sayaka tilts her head and asks confusedly, "Hmm? Of course we did, silly. No one is supposed to infringe on our tradition."

Zero pauses and frowns. "What tradition? Annoying me is now a tradition?"

Kaori sidles up to Sayaka and pouts, "How mean. You don't enjoy the intelligent debates we share?"

Zero stares at them blankly. "…what intelligent debates? All you do is ask invasive questions about my personal life."

Kaori shrugs and counters, "And you prevent us from pursuing ours, so we're even."

"And besides," Sayaka starts as she shares a mischievous glance with the girls behind her and continues teasingly, "It's cute when we make you blush."

Zero glares at her. "You-"

The girls all giggle before they walk away. "See you in class tomorrow, prefects!"

Zero stares after them blankly. There is a pause of silence before Yuki giggles. He turns to give her a pointed look when Kaname comments amused now, "It seems that they rather like you."

Zero glances at him and frowns. "Shut up."

Yuki giggles again before she looks ta Kaname and asks curiously, "Kaname-senpai, shouldn't you go in?"

Kaname pauses before he smiles at her, "Yes, I will." He surveys her for a moment. "Are you ok, Yuki?"

Yuki blinks before she asks, "Do you mean from the entire…um… exchange?" At his nod, she shakes her head and says reassuringly, "I'm fine. Zero was the one who…"

Her voice trails off and she looks questioningly at Zero. Kaname also glances at him with a similar expression.

Zero furrows his eyebrows and grumbles, "I'm fine. Don't look at me like that."

Yuki sighs and shakes her head at him. Kaname looks at him again before accepting the answer. He turns to Yuki and says, "I'll go to class then, if everything is fine."

Yuki nods and smiles. Right before Kaname passes him, Kaname pauses and says quietly, "I'll come see you after class."

Zero blinks in surprise – What? Why? – and turns his head to question him, but the door closes and Kaname has already headed in.

He stares at the door before frowning.

"Zero?"

….He hates today. Nothing about today makes sense. Zero pauses and inwardly grimaces. That seems to be a recurring theme lately.

He starts walking out of the courtyard and glances behind him, saying impatiently, "Let's go, Yuki."

Yuki looks at him confused at the tone before she hurries after him.

Sleep deprived. That's what this is. This is all because he is sleep deprived. He needs a goddamned nap and after today, he damn well deserves one.

---

Kaname sighs and looks down at his watch. It's 6 am in the morning. He hesitates before knocking lightly on the door again.

He can sense the heartbeat inside the room. Zero must still be asleep then.

Kaname grimaces. He already knows that talking about this is not going to go well, so waking up Zero to have the said conversation does not seem at all advantageous.

Or wise.

Should he ask later today?

It isn't even Friday anymore. And he's so, so tired.

But, as his mind reminds him, he needs to go to the meeting with the council starting Monday; he needs to meet with Cross sometime today to discuss the issue of the guards; and tomorrow, he needs to meet with another council member to explain why he dismissed all the guards assigned to the dorms.

And somewhere in between all that, he would like to get some sleep.

Kaname is starting to despise the word 'meeting'.

He stares at the doorknob and sighs. He gingerly turns it, willing the metal gears to turn and click open.

He steps inside and takes care to close the door softly behind him.

Kaname scans the room quickly before his eyes land on the lump on the bed. He sighs and makes his way to the bed. Zero is faced away from him, deeply nestled into the covers.

It's a little odd that Zero has not sensed his arrival yet. Is Zero that deep of a sleeper?

His mind wanders back to that morning when it took Zero a painfully long time to notice Kaname. He pauses and stares at Zero hesitantly before Kaname reaches out to shake him gently on the arm. "Zero."

Zero does not stir and Kaname stares warily at him. He shakes Zero again. Zero shifts a little then, away from Kaname and buries himself deeper into the blankets.

Kaname frowns slightly and shakes him again. "Zero."

This time, Zero drowsily mumbles under his breath and a hand comes up to bat Kaname's hand away in irritation.

Kaname raises an eyebrow. "Zero." He tries again, shaking him even slightly harder and this time, Zero turns his face into the pillow with a muffled, "Go away."

Kaname prods him again, although he's starting to get the ominous feeling that waking Zero up might be the same thing as waking up a hibernating bear. It requires a lot of effort and the end result is not that favorable.

Zero growls and shoves the hand roughly away. Kaname thinks for a moment that Zero is finally waking up only to stare in exasperation as Zero only shifts even more away to his right.

"Zero. Wake up." Kaname does not know if Zero is awake and stubbornly trying to sleep or if this is some form of sleepwalking.

He frowns and prods Zero again more impatiently. "Zero." Zero only grumbles again and shifts away from the touch.

Kaname sighs and wrenches the covers away. Zero immediately groans and curls up from the sudden blast of cold air. With arms reaching out haphazardly, he feels blindly for the blankets and snatches them back, fingers gripping them tightly this time as he turns determinedly into his pillow and…Kaname is done with everything.

He does not understand how someone could sleep like this.

He leans down and thinks for a moment before reaching over and running a hand lightly over Zero's tattoo. Zero immediately flinches, hand reaching up to smack Kaname's hand away and grumbling sleepily, "Nngh. Stop it."

When Kaname does it again, Zero flinches again and this time he blinks his eyes open in alarm and rasps, "W-what the hell?"

Kaname watches Zero slowly sit up, sleepy eyes blinking rapidly around.

Zero groans as the room swirls dizzyingly in blurs of gray and white before he blinks again and his vision slowly clears. Somewhat anyways.

Is that….Kaname? No, he's still asleep. Yeah, that sounds better. Right.

Zero squints before he shakes his head and Kaname watches incredulously as he starts to sink back down, hands reaching out for the blankets again.

Kaname immediately reaches over and jerks him straight up. "Zero. Wake up."

Zero's eyes snap open again in surprise. The alarm finally clears away the thick cotton of sleep in his head, and he blinks again. Kaname?

He stares confusedly at Kaname who looks completely exasperated.

Kaname. This is Kaname. Zero blinks again. Why is he here? In his room? Again?

This…This is starting to feel familiar. Like deja-vu. And, fuck, his head hurts.

Zero grimaces as his thoughts come thundering through at a speed that his sleep-addled mind is too sluggish to handle. He closes his eyes and drags a hand across his face.

God, he needs this to be a dream, a nightmare, whatever. It just needs to be some figment of his imagination. Something he can blame on the sleep-deprivation that he can still feel.

Zero winces as his head throbs and manages out, voice still hoarse with sleep. "Kaname? What…what are you doing here?"

Kaname does not answer and Zero peers up at him to see him shift a little uncomfortably and say apologetically, "I had to talk to you about something."

Zero stares at him uncomprehendingly. Talk? Now? At...at…what time is it?

He turns to his right and squints at the clock. What?

He does a double take, irritation starting to overtake his disorientation and confusion. No, the numbers are still there, blinking in red as if to mock him. Why the fuck does it say 6am?

He scowls. 6 am?

On impulse, he hurls a pillow at Kaname who catches it with a look of surprise. Zero glares at him and growls, "You're lucky today is Saturday or I might shoot you instead." He mutters under his breath, "On second thought, I take that back."

It's because today is Saturday that he should be able to sleep in.

Kaname stares at him before he says dryly, "I did tell you, didn't I?"

Zero scowls again and snaps, "When you said after class, I thought you meant at 1 am or 2am. Some of us don't keep to the fucked up hours that you guys do. " Zero glares at him again and continues, voice rising in indignation. "You're such an asshole. Why would you wake me up at bloody six in the morning?"

Kaname frowns slightly as Zero cusses aloud again. Clearly, Zero is not a morning person.

He sighs and waits for Zero to calm down before handing the pillow back to Zero who accepts it grudgingly and with another glare.

"I had to handle the guards after class, Zero. It took a while."

Zero stills, eyes flicking back to Kaname, and asks warily, "What happened?"

Kaname raises an eyebrow at the change in tone before he realizes how his statement came off as. He corrects himself, "I meant that I had to dismiss them."

Zero blinks and asks incredulously, "You dismissed them? As in…kicking them out from the school?'

Kaname shrugs. "They are allowed to patrol the perimeter of the academy but nowhere on the actual main campus itself or near the dormitory anymore."

Zero considers his words for a moment before he says hesitantly, "Are you sure…that it's ok for you to do that?"

Kaname watches him for a moment, surprised by the question, before he answers, "The chairman is doing the same thing to the hunters."

"He is?" Zero pauses for a moment before muttering, "I guess that's good. It'll make patrolling a little easier anyways." He glances at Kaname and asks, "That isn't what you came here to tell me, right?"

He frowns and grumbles, "Because you could have told me that anytime later. Or I would have heard from Kaito or the chairman even."

Zero still is peeved at him for waking him up, it seems. Kaname sighs. This has been a long night. He looks at Zero again and wonders how he should start this.

Zero stares back warily, noticing the slight hesitation. "Kaname?"

Kaname starts slowly, "The council is having an important meeting, so I will be gone all of next week."

Zero blinks, not expecting that answer and not really knowing where this is going either. He says hesitantly, "Alright…Is that…it?"

Kaname looks at him carefully and asks, "Do…do you want me to give you blood now?"

It takes a moment for the words to register and another for him to wonder incredulously why Kaname thinks that's even a remotely good idea. Give him blood? Now? After – after what happened last time?

Zero widens his eyes in panic and blurts out, "No!"

Kaname blinks. "Zero…"

He shakes his head and protests, "No! We might - no. No."

Bad idea. Terrible idea. Giving and taking blood…All of the things that Kaname told him about bonds rushes through his head again as an unwanted reminder.

Even if the bond has not really done anything dramatic or severe – or well, the odd sensation he felt during the explosion was not…normal, but it was not permanent either - Zero is not keen on experimenting with the bond and seeing what else it can be capable of.

No, he rather leave it untouched and locked away somewhere deep in the box of self-denial that he keeps buried at the back of his mind.

…How the hell can Kaname even consider the idea? Isn't it bad enough that they are bonded? And now he wants to go and do the very thing that probably started this entire catastrophe in the first place?

Kaname cringes slightly at what Zero is referring to, but continues on, "It has been three weeks since I've given you blood."

"I know how long it's been," Zero retorts. "The last time you gave me blood, we-" He stops himself and his cheeks redden a little. He says quickly instead, "I have my bloodthirst under control."

Kaname stares at him in exasperation – he isn't particularly enthusiastic about this idea either - and counters, "Zero, you cannot subjugate your bloodthirst by pure will all week."

Zero frowns. "I can."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow and asks dryly, "Are you going to avoid taking blood from me from this point on?"

Zero shifts uncomfortably and shrugs. "I'll take blood tablets."

Kaname looks at him incredulously before saying flatly, "If you were able to take them, would we be here in this situation?" He shakes his head. "You're being ridiculous."

Zero automatically glowers at him and retorts, "Shut up. You-No. I'm not taking blood from you."

"And who else would you take blood from?" When Zero does not answer, Kaname glances over at him and frowns when he sees the contemplative expression. He says sharply, "That was a rhetorical question, Zero."

Zero glances at him and answers sourly, "Taking blood from you is a bad idea."

"And so is taking it from someone else," Kaname responds, voice deep with frustration. When Zero only frowns and looks away stubbornly, Kaname narrows his eyes.

Is Zero honestly considering this?

The mere thought sends hot irritation streaking sharply through him, and he finds himself thoroughly averse at the idea. His eyes darken and he says edgily, "I'm not letting my mate drink from someone else."

Zero blinks at the sharp tone and turns to stare wide-eyed at Kaname, who looks as equally surprised by his own words. His mind trips over the word 'mate' and all his thoughts collapse into a tangle of incoherency.

Kaname swallows, completely stunned at his impeccable ability today to say things he didn't mean to say aloud. He – he should have waited later today to approach Zero about this. Evening would have been more than fine. Why did he feel the need to come as soon as possible?

…All of his usual level-headedness seems to be used up by the paperwork today. Perhaps he really is sleep deprived or…stressed because this is not like him.

"Kaname?"

Kaname clears his throat and says, "Zero, you can't avoid this forever. We're…already bonded. How on earth could this get worse?"

H-How? In multiple goddamned ways.

Zero stares disbelievingly at him and splutters, "What do you mean how? – Do you really want me to say it aloud?"

When Kaname stays silent, Zero says exasperated, "See? Even you think it's a bad idea." He continues quickly, "Let's just put it off."

Kaname frowns. "It doesn't matter what I think. Do you honestly that it's wise to wander around and have your blood thirst unchecked when there are hunters on campus now?"

Zero bites his lips and looks away, unable to find a counter to Kaname's frustrating logic. Damn it. He pauses for another moment before he says reluctantly, "Fine."

Kaname sighs. "Alright then." He hesitates for a moment before methodically unbuttoning the blazer and loosening the tie. He glances at Zero who is still looking uncomfortably away. "Zero?"

Zero turns to look at him hesitantly. Kaname starts slowly, "Where do you want me to sit?"

Sit? Zero blinks and finally notices that he's still sitting in bed while Kaname has been standing all this time. He shrugs and scooches over to his right, limbs still tangled in the bedsheets. He says distractedly, "Here's fine, I guess."

It's not like he has any other furniture in his room. Well, besides the chair next to his desk. And even that is occupied by the stack of textbooks and random papers that he keeps forgetting to put away.

Kaname's flick from the bed to Zero again. Zero furrows his eyebrows at the odd expression in Kaname's face as he turns and sits on the side of the bed.

Zero immediately widens his eyes and protests quickly, "I didn't mean it like that. I-this-" He stops and looks stricken at Kaname.

Kaname's lips twitch upwards and he remarks lightly, "I didn't say anything, Zero."

Zero's cheeks redden and his eyes dart away. He says instantly, "I take it back. I don't want to do this. This- this is a bad idea." He glances disconcertedly back at Kaname and catches the amusement simmering in his eyes. His eyebrows furrow and he gripes, "Stop staring at me like that. Kaname, you-"

Zero stops himself and gives Kaname an exasperated glare. Kaname hides a growing smile and hears Zero muttering under his breath about how he has a twisted sense of humor. He represses another smile and says, voice undeniably warm with amusement. "Zero, you're making this more difficult than it is."

Zero gives him a dirty look and retorts, "The last time you said that, we ended up being bonded together."

He bites his lips and hesitates a moment before pushing back the covers to move closer to Kaname.

Kaname notes that he's wearing a light grey tee-shirt this time with black sweatpants. Zero's hair is roughly mussed, silver strands sticking up haphazardly. Red sleep lines are etched on his cheek where Kaname assumes that it was pressed against the pillow from before.

Zero suddenly nudges him in the shoulder as he shuffles across the bed covers to sit near Kaname's side and says crossly, "You're looking at me too closely."

He grimaces as a wave of goosebumps race up his arms and Zero instinctively crosses his arms. Maybe he should start wearing long sleeved shirts when going to bed now.

Geez, it's winter already. He should have been wearing them some time ago.

Kaname does not miss the slight shiver and asks curiously, "Are you cold?"

Zero blinks – he didn't think Kaname would notice – and shrugs, "A little. It's fine."

Kaname glances at the two blankets sprawled messily over the covers. Zero…seems like he gets cold easily. He looks back at Zero and takes in the thin t-shirt. He frowns, "Why don't you wear a sweater?"

"I'm fine." Zero grouses and continues a little irritatedly, "Didn't you want to – Kaname?"

He blinks bewilderedly as Kaname suddenly leans over him and drops down one of the blankets on his shoulders. Kaname does not even register Zero's surprise and only fixes his eyes on him. He admonishes, "You should take better care of yourself."

Zero stares at him. Normally, the patronizing words would automatically irritate him, but they're spoken in a different context right now. Kaname looks genuinely exasperated and the lecturing tone somehow makes him feel like he's suddenly a child.

He idly tugs the ends of the blanket closer and looks away to grumble, "You didn't have to do that."

Kaname only sighs before looking at him questioningly. "Zero?"

Zero looks back and sees the pointed look. He scans Kaname's neck before he asks hesitantly, "What if…what I drink from your wrist this time?"

Wrist? Kaname pauses before sudden realization flashes through and his gaze slides to Zero's tattoo. "Because of the bond?"

Zero shrugs and comments, "It might affect us less."

…And alright, it's also because he can't remember how he used to take blood from Kaname before and it's just…awkward.

Kaname does not press any further and says easily, "Alright."

He rolls up his sleeve and offers his wrist out, inside facing up. Zero glances at it hesitantly and murmurs helplessly, "We're really going to do this?"

Kaname sighs and gazes back impatiently at him. "Zero, please. Just…do it."

Zero swallows and stares down at the proffered hand. He reaches out, the cotton blanket sliding down his back as he does so. His fingers gingerly clasp the wrist, thumb resting over the edge of the open palm. Blue veins peek under from the pale, smooth skin.

Without thinking, his thumb skims lightly across the warm skin to trace the one of the blue veins up from the wrist to the palm.

Kaname stiffens slightly at the touch. It leaves a fleeting tingle, ticklish and light, like a butterfly wing grazing his skin. "Zero?"

Zero bites his lips and says helplessly, "…I can't do it."

He really can't. Seeing that expanse of bare skin feels so vulnerable, delicate. The thought of piercing it makes him shift uneasily.

His bloodthirst is always there, muted but always painfully still present, simmering deep under his thoughts. He knows that, but when the sharp edge of bloodthirst isn't pressing into him yet, the dark, raw desire has not carved into his sanity yet…

He…he doesn't want to willingly delve into that insatiable darkness. Does not want to fall in the claws of a monster he detests so much and cannot control.

Not when the monster is undeniably a part of him and…and not when his bloodthirst should ever be something to be complacent with.

Kaname furrows his eyebrows at the sudden troubled expression that shadows Zero's features. He asks in growing concern, "Zero, what's wrong?"

Zero looks away and says quietly, "I'm not hungry. And it's - it's weird biting you."

Kaname watches him for a moment and says carefully, "Just relax and go by your instincts."

Zero's expression stiffens at that. Kaname pauses in realization and his expression softens. "Zero, I know you don't like accepting it, and that is fine. But you don't need to be on the edge of bloodthirst every time to drink."

Zero frowns and stays quiet. Kaname watches as Zero deliberates for a moment, warring emotions in his deep lilac eyes. He seemingly comes to a decision and gazes searchingly at Kaname. "Stop me if I go too far."

Kaname nods.

Zero exhales slowly. His fingers tighten and he brings the wrist slowly up to his face. His eyes flick over the pale skin, the blue veins once more before he closes his eyes and focuses on the heartbeat thudding over and over and over again. Imagines the warm, vibrant blood swirling steadily through the veins, calling to him.

Kaname gazes down and watches as Zero opens his eyes again, the irises gleaming a bright, startling red. Zero grips his wrist and bites down, sharp fangs immediately piercing through. Kaname flinches slightly at the prick of white-hot pain before the sensation subsides quickly and fades.

There is a sharp tingle that runs through his neck, almost as if in warning, as Zero stops immediately at Kaname's reaction. He looks up concernedly at Kaname.

Kaname is taken a little back at the clear concern filtering through those eyes despite the bloodthirst and vaguely notes that Zero seems able to control his bloodthirst better than he gives himself credit for. Zero looks alarmed though and Kaname reassures him softly, "It's fine. Go ahead."

Zero wavers, but Kaname's blood already spills onto his tongue and makes his decision for him. He sucks lightly in apology before drinking in earnest.

The blood feels warm, tastes warm. Like thick amber honey that pools down and oozes through. It does not taste as devastatingly saccharine sweet as last time, but the blood is still that intoxicating concoction of golden nectar and dark chocolates.

It tastes so rich and heady on his tongue, the taste a beguiling siren that tempts his thirst instead of slaking it. There is a deep instinctive feel – taste - something - to it that is all undeniably Kaname.

Zero closes his eyes and takes another long swallow.

The warmth runs down smoothly down his throat, drops down into his stomach, and spreads out lazily through him. His neck tingles, sending another flush of heat through him.

It does not feel overwhelming though.

Not…not like last time where there was wave after wave of burning heat that swirled and coursed through all of his nerves.

No, this time, the heat radiates out softly and slowly through his veins, lazily curling at the edges. Like sunshine kissing his skin on a spring day. A sense of inexplicable familiarity and ease sets in him. It thrums under the warmth, rushing unhurriedly in time with Kaname's steady heartbeat.

It feels good. Reassuring.

The warmth settles over him with the comforting nostalgia of an old blanket, wrapping slowly around him, through him. He stills for a moment, and feels inexplicably reluctant to upset the sensation less it slips off his shoulders and through his fingers.

Zero stops drinking and closes his eyes, breathing in the feeling and sinking into the warmth, his neck tingling gently as if in contentment.

Kaname breathes out slowly and slumps back against the wooden headboard without noticing.

It feels…nice.

His neck tingles, but the thrum is pleasant but bearable. There is no ache, no insistent demand. The warmth that spreads through him is not burning through his nerves, drowning out his thoughts.

No, it feels subtle and comforting. Light and airy like a caress. It swirls languidly through him, lazy and gentle. He can feel it spreading through his muscles slowly, tendrils of soft sunlight seeping in, undoing all of his knots.

Kaname sighs and relaxes.

The heat is a light, comfortable haze that ripples through and lulls his thoughts to rest, like a warm breeze on a summer day that makes him feel incredibly tranquil and lethargic with sleep.

All of his worries seemingly disappear under that golden sheen of warmth. His mind is startlingly clear and calm like the glassy, smooth surface of a pond.

God, that sudden weightlessness feels refreshing, soothing to his stressed nerves.

He hears Zero's heartbeat steadying, beating evenly and slowly. His mind idly runs through the beats over and over again. Zero sounds calm now. Good…Reassuring….He blinks slowly, eyelids suddenly heavy and lowering down more and more.

Zero opens his eyes slowly as he finally notices that Kaname has not said anything for some time now. Odd.

He lifts his head up, the sense of comfort and peace so full and thoroughly sating that Zero finds it surprisingly easy to stop and withdraw.

He gazes down at the wrist and watches, slight fascinated, as the wound quickly closes up and stitches back together. Zero looks up then and calls out softly, "Kaname?"

Kaname does not answer. Zero furrows his eyebrows as he leans forward in alarm. Did he take too much blood?

He stills in surprise when he sees that Kaname is fast asleep, head dropping to one side and legs still dangling over the side even as his back presses against the headboard. Zero pauses and winces a little at the uncomfortable position.

How can anyone sleep so soundly like that?

His eyes flick over Kaname unsurely. Kaname's chest slowly rises up and down with deep, steady breaths. He really does look like he's fast asleep.

"Kaname?"

Zero bites his lips. What should he do? He can't just leave Kaname there, right?

He scans Kaname again and takes in the exhaustion and weariness etched into his face, the smidges of darkness under the eyes. It looks like he's sleeping for the first time in days.

And well considering how his patrols have left him severely sleep deprived, Zero can only imagine what Kaname has been dealing these past two week with his own issues with the council and whatnot.

Slight guilt nudges at him for not at least noticing this before he took Kaname's blood. And Kaname looks so…peaceful. Zero suddenly feels loathe to disrupt him.

Zero deliberates for another moment before sighing.

Before he can change his mind, he carefully moves Kaname's legs up on the bed. Kaname stirs slightly then, eyes blearily half open. "Mmm?"

Zero gazes at him uncertainly, but Kaname closes his eyes again, well under the pull of sleep. Zero pauses and murmurs, "You're going to give yourself a crick in the neck, idiot."

He reaches out and tugs him gently down so that Kaname can lay down properly. Kaname makes another indistinct noise before easily following Zero's prodding and relaxing once more.

Zero gazes at him wonderingly for another moment. This is a side of Kaname he never expected. It brings with it a trust that Zero wonders if Kaname even realizes he has offered.

Zero frowns in exasperation. What is he thinking? People drop down their guards all the time when they're asleep.

He settles and sits back on his heels on the bed. What...is he supposed to do now? He glances at the clock.

7:30.

…shit, that's still pretty early for a Saturday. He could go and… take a shower and…eat breakfast?

The thought of stomaching food makes him inwardly groan and getting up to walk on the cold wooden floor makes him cringe anticipatorily. He feels completely satiated, the fullness leaving him lazy and drowsy.

Honestly, he wants to go back to sleep and do nothing for the rest of the day.

His eyes flick to Kaname a little crossly. If they had done this at a more reasonable hour, like say at night, Zero could have had the excuse of going out on a patrol; instead of sitting here in his own bed wondering what to do with himself.

Well…it is his bed. He could…just sleep on the other side. Just…sleep and ignore the fact that there…is…someone else in…his bed?

…Zero inwardly groans and cusses in his head. Stupid. That's a stupid idea. It screams stupidity.

What the hell is he even thinking? Is he trying to tempt the universe today and see how much weirder things can get?

Still…his eyes reflexively flick to the empty side of the bed on which he's kneeling on, unable to stop himself from considering what he knows is a completely unwise decision.

Fuck it. It's his bed. It's Saturday. He doesn't care. Doesn't care. Nope. He's overthinking everything. Clearly.

He settles back on the bed and buries himself under the covers, determinedly turning away from Kaname and facing the wall instead.

Sleeping things away is the epitome of self-denial – you see nothing, you think about nothing - and Zero is completely fine with that.

He'll just sleep and who knows? Maybe – hopefully – Kaname will wake up before him and leave before things get awkward and this will be one of the things between them that they simply will not talk about.

Of which there are starting to be many.

Zero cringes and sighs as he closes his eyes.

Waking up at someone at 6am…stupid purebloods and their retarded sense of time…

---

Fuck. Fuck.

He narrows his eyes and sprints down the cobblestone street, wind whipping sharply against his face. His boots skid down the slippery cobblestones, and he immediately rights himself.

No time. No time.

He grips the gun tightly and scans around him quickly as he ducks quickly into another alley. Pain sears through his right leg, a red angry throb that makes his heartbeat tick erratically under his skin. Blood trickles down his calf, making his pants stick clammily to his skin.

He bites back another groan and shoves away the pain as he forces himself to race through the dingy alley. Shit. Shit. Where is he?

Downtown Ok. He's somewhere downtown.

He hears the distant thud of boots pounding against the cobblestone and grimaces. Not far enough. He's not far enough.

He needs to get out. Shit. Shit.

There.

The yellow graffiti scrawled on a collapsed brick wall makes him pause, boots scraping against the pavement in halt. Abandoned warehouse.

Adrenaline skyrockets through him, heartbeat roaring in his ears.

He sprints by the graffiti and leaps up, hand grabbing the window sill to vault through the shattered window. He winces as white-hot pain erupts, slicing cleanly through his side. He quickly presses a hand down and frowns when he feels warm, sticky fluid stream against his palm.

Damn. He was shot twice? Shit. This is not looking well. Not looking fucking good at all.

He looks around quickly. His hand throbs dully and he dimly registers that the glass shards embedded into his palm.

He grimaces. He needs a plan. A plan.

White plastered pillars here and there. Metal pipes hissing and dropping down from the walls and the ceiling. He glances out the shattered windows. Pale yellow and pinks are starting to lighten the dark grey sky.

Hell of a way to start his morning.

He tenses. What should he do? He doesn't have much time. He can't hide here. They'll find him soon enough. He stares down at the blood seeping quickly through his shirt and his pants. He's in no shape to keep running either.

His jaw clenches and his eyes narrow. Last stand. He'll make his last stand here.

He quickly digs out the items under his jacket and flicks over the pillars once more.

He's just about finished his preparations when the metal door clangs open and he automatically raises his gun in that direction.

"Quietly turn yourself in, Kawada."

He smirks and laughs. "Quietly?" He shakes his blood covered hand mockingly. "A little too late to say that when you shoot someone."

"You didn't leave me a choice. And you know what you did, traitor."

He scowl and spits out venomously, "Traitor? I don't want to hear that bullshit from you hypocrites."

"Don't look so righteous. You committed the bombing."

He raises an eyebrow and ignores the splitting pain in his side. "You sound angry. Too bad it didn't kill him. Or you." He grits his teeth and glares. "All of you deserve to die."

"You-"

He cocks the gun, the sound echoing in the air. It's a meaningless gesture as the three only do the same. He's outnumbered but it doesn't matter anymore. He hisses out angrily, "I will never forgive you. Never. You piece of shit and that snake you call president now."

His voice rises and he growls, "Or what you have done. What you are doing. Trash like you need to be thrown and incinerated!"

"Tall words for someone who didn't let the fact that it was an academy stop you from detonating. There were other people besides the ones you wanted to target."

He tightens his grip on the gun and scoffs, "Like the lives of some bloodsuckers bothers me or you. As for Cross and the others, well," He narrows his eyes and snarls, "You would know all about acceptable casualties, now wouldn't you?"

"If this is about Hoshino, I told you that was an unfortunate accident. We didn't expect her to be there. I never thought you were particularly bright, but even you exceeded my expectations of how stupid you can be."

He narrows his eyes, jagged anger pulsing through him. The bastard. His fingers tighten impossibly on the gun, knuckles white.

Dead. He wants all of them dead. Shoot them full of bullets, burn them all alive.

How dare they?

How dare they say it's an accident?

Shiori died – he'll never see her again, her smile, the way her eyes glow when she would say that she loved him - and these bastards talk as if they're filling out some goddamned paperwork.

He'll take ten times the blood that was spilt and it would never be enough to calm the fury, the rage he feels right now.

It will never be enough to fill the gaping hole in his chest. It will never be enough to give him back the life that they stole away from him.

They will all pay. By his hand, by their own. In the end, they will all pay.

He says lowly, "Don't ever say her name. I never want to hear that name drop from your lips. And don't think I'm the only one who wants your head. All the ones you silenced, the deaths you covered up…" He sneers and mocks, "They have family and loved ones too, you know. I'd watch my back from now on if I were you."

"And if they're all as reckless as you, I don't think they'll be much of a threat. Is that all, Kawada?"

He laughs humorlessly. "Are you asking for my last words? I don't know what exactly you guys are planning, but all this shit you're doing is going to bite you in the ass. You will regret it."

He smirks, eyes flicking to the pillar, and says darkly, "So let me save you the trouble and drag you down to hell with me."

Beep.

BOOM!

---

Ryuu coughs. The acrid smoke sours the air. Everything swirls thickly with dust and ash. His ears ring incessantly. That crazy lunatic actually went and blew up the entire place. God.

He winces and finally notices the piece of mangled metal door and rubble pinning him heavily down down.

He had heard the beep and reflexively thrown himself as quickly as he could out the door. Some of the debris had probably helped shield him. He winces as white hot pain races through as he tries to get up.

As well as crush him.

It feels like he broke his ribs. He gingerly tests out his limbs and winces when pain flares up in his left leg and right arm. Damn. He probably broke his leg too and his arm is hanging at an angle that he isn't all that thrilled with either.

He takes a deep steadying breath before he shoves at the jagged piece of rubble just enough so that he can slide out from underneath.

Shit. He was too careless. He should not have allowed Kawada the chance to run away much less lure them into an abandoned building.

He will not make that mistake again.

He grits his teeth and slowly leans up against a jagged piece of the brick wall. Ryuu scans his surroundings wearily. There is a charred, blackened body over there in the distance. Kawada probably.

The two hunters he came with are somewhere on his left. One is lying unconscious or dead – he can't tell from here - and the other is spluttering for breath. He narrows his eyes and sees a metal pipe piercing through the man's shoulder.

Damn it. He fishes for his phone and hopes that it has not been crushed. By some miracle, it isn't and he fumbles to press the buttons.

It rings for an excruciating minute where the shrill sounds exactly mirror the ones still echoing in his ears. There is a burst of static before a calm, deep voice asks, "Yes? Ryuu, how did it go?"

Ryuu winces as his head harshly throbs. He rasps out, "Kawada blew himself up along with a warehouse. We're at the lower section of downtown. By the abandoned fabric factories."

The president asks immediately, "Do you need medical aid?"

He nods before realizing that it can't be seen and says hurriedly, "Yes, we do." He bites back another groan and tries to ignore the growing pain and continues breathlessly, "It was my fault. I a-apologize. I was too careless. I should have eliminated him immediately instead of talking."

There are indistinct urgent murmurs in the background before the president continues, "Did Kawada say anything?"

"It seems that he knew nothing of our project. He just wanted revenge for his lover's death."

Takenaka does not comment and instead announces, "The medical team has been dispatched. I will also send some men to help control the scene."

Ryuu winces again and asks, "How are we going to explain this? That Kawada resorted to desperate measures?"

There is a beat of silence and he can tell that the president is considering his words. He finally answers gravely, "No. If it was revealed that a hunter was trying to assassinate his own president, it would invite unwanted attention and suspicions."

"I understand."

"Old buildings are susceptible to gas pipe leakages. It is unfortunate that it happened as all four of you were patrolling."

Ryuu pauses before understanding, "I agree."

---

Takuma sighs and flips through the documents once more. He eyes the desk warily. Is it just him or does the paperwork look like it…has multiplied?

He hears the door to the study swing open and Seiren walks in with the…oddest expression he has ever seen on her. In fact, she seems rather…distracted.

Takuma blinks and asks curiously, "Is everything alright? Didn't you go find Kaname?" He glances behind her and continues surprised, "Where is he?"

Seiren stops suddenly and stares at him, eyes so fixated and scrutinizing, that Takuma stiffens slightly and gazes bewilderedly back. "Seiren?"

She blinks slowly and says finally, "Kaname-sama is...occupied."

"Occupied?" Takuma lifts an eyebrow and comments concernedly, "He hasn't come back since…" He pauses, trying to remember. They had to handle the guards after class. Kaname had disappeared somewhere after that, but when Takuma woke up later today – barely an hour ago – Kaname was not in his room, so…

He continues, "Morning, if I recall. It is already past four."

Takuma frowns. Perhaps, he met with Cross afterwards. But still, would it take that long?

Seiren speaks up then, eyes roving over the now neatly arranged files, "Does the paperwork need to be completed by today?"

Takuma pauses and says thoughtfully, "There are some documents that should be signed and looked over immediately." He shrugs and smiles. "But, the rest could wait until Kaname refreshes himself."

Seiren nods and he continues on concernedly, "Speaking of which, I don't think he has rested at all yet." He sighs. Kaname has a rather bad habit of overworking himself. He immediately stands up from the sofa and says, "I'll go find him."

Seiren's eyes flash to him and she says quickly, "You should not."

Takuma blinks, surprised at the urgency in her tone. "Seiren?"

She pauses to recompose herself before she says more firmly and matter-of-factly, "I was unclear. He is resting at the moment. We should not bother him."

Resting? He gazes back at Seiren curiously. Kaname isn't in the dorms. Where could he be resting?

Seiren looks meaningfully at him and Takuma wonders if he should press the issue. He says slowly, "…I see." He sits back down and starts, "I suppose, I will help with whatever paperwork I can in the meanwhile."

Takuma glances at the desk again and then turns back to Seiren, but before he could even say anything, she states, "I will bring you coffee."

"Ah, coffe-?" Takuma blinks as he stares at Seiren's already retreating back and the door to the study closes with a click. Is…he missing something here?

He stares around at the now empty room and murmurs, "…Alright."

It's just him and the paperwork, he supposes. He sighs. Wonderful.

---

A/N:

Haha, I planned to update this last Friday, but I couldn't manage to. (shakes head) But hey! At least, it's not like a whole month this time!

Pfft. That is so not what an author should say.

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I brought the fangirls back! (You might notice that I included the same girls from before. Yup.) Mostly because you guys seem to love them and because I always had this scene in my head where a group of fangirls would run out and defend a main character, so I thought I would work it into this story.

You know, for prosperity and whatnot.

But dat explosion tho, right? Pfft, you guys are probably like 'am I reading a fanfic or watching a Michael Bay movie?' (shrugs) What can I say?

No, seriously. What can I say? My fingers typed and that was the end result. Huh. Maybe i should change the genre on this.

So far, Zero and Kaname have been pretty mellow about the bond.

That's for a reason. They are bonded. They are not enthusiastic about it, but they can't change it. And besides some odd tingles, sensations here and there, the bond has not done anything severe or dramatic enough for them to be thoroughly disgruntled and alarmed. For the most part, they are kind of tip-toeing around the issue and fumbling around their sudden new relationship.

But ~

What do you think is going to happen when neither of them will be able to talk or see each other for that one week? I'd uh think about what Seiren said this chapter. (Nudge nudge wink wink)

I love Seiren by the way. She needs more love in fanfics guys. She's like unsung hero status.

Also, therapy with Takuma? That sounds so cute - I mean, helpful.

I mean, I made Kaname so stressed in this chapter. It was only right that I allowed him to talk with his two most trusted confidantes….Even though that probably stressed him out even more.

As always, please comment/review/follow/favorite/dowhatevermakesyouhappy!

Hopefully, you guys had fun reading this chapter! Let me know what you think!

Thank all you who reviewed or followed or favorited or taking the time to read this story!

For all of you who commented on how last chapter was interesting, I'm so relieved to hear that. And, aw! You guys are so kind to say that you love my writing. That made me blush. _/_

I hope you guys can be patient with me. I write a lot. And I get distracted so easily. Pfft.