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.

7. The Gunpowder in Our Blood Ignites

A/N: Wah! I'm so sorry for updating this so late. But I had finals two weeks ago and spent my spring break trying to come back to the living world.

Sorry, sorry, sorry! But here it is, chapter 7. Enjoy! ^^

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Chapter 7 : The Gunpowder in Our Blood Ignites and We all Burn with the Flames

Kaname stirs slightly. His consciousness flickers and has his fingers twitching. It rustles his thoughts from rest, and he faintly realizes that blank haze he was under must have been sleep. He exhales softly.

Does he need to wake up right now?

He rather sink back into whatever formless darkness sleep is, but awareness tugs at him. The peace, the blissfulness of sleep slips out of his fingers as his mind disentangles itself from the deep embrace of slumber.

Mmn. He grimaces as his eyelids, still so heavy with slumber, blink open on their own accord. He gazes blearily around, but the colors blur by and nothing registers.

Kaname murmurs indistinctly and closes his eyes briefly again before they flutter open again. This time, the world around him wavers slightly before the lines and shapes sharpen. He blinks again, eyes roving around. He dimly recognizes that this isn't his room - remembers that it's Zero's - but sleep still has its heavy imprint over his thoughts and the fact does not incite as much surprise or alarm as it should.

Something feels ticklish on his neck.

Kaname breathes in slowly and tiredly opens his eyes to look towards the source. He stares blankly down to see a mass of silver hair under his chin.

He stills and blinks. Zero?

What?

Surprise prickles through him, clearing away some of the dusky fog dampening his thoughts. Kaname stares down with increasing bewilderment. What?

His drowsy mind finally registers the warm, heavy pressure pressing down on his side.

Kaname pauses and notices that he is lying on his back, a little turned towards Zero, but Zero is sleeping entirely on his side, turning towards him.

His eyes travel down and widen at their position.

Zero has his head resting innocuously on top of his chest, warm cheek pressed against his shirt. He has an arm resting on Kaname's stomach, fingers gripping the shirt, and a leg thrown haphazardly over and in between Kaname's legs. Kaname himself has an arm curled around Zero, hand resting on Zero's back while his free arm rests loosely by his side.

He reflexively starts to shift, but Kaname immediately freezes when the movement drags against the limbs pressed against him. He widens his eyes and flexes his limbs cautiously.

He…he can't move without waking Zero up.

His mind, completely awake now, rummages immediately through the memories of yesterday – or well, technically, of this morning.

He gave blood to Zero, didn't he? Kaname remembers the soothing warmth washing over him, how easy it was to surrender to the odd serenity… He must have dozed off then.

Kaname glances down at Zero, careful not to jostle him as he does so.

Zero did not wake him up?

He pauses. Somehow he feels a little more surprised at that fact than their current position. Kaname gazes down wonderingly at Zero before his lips twitch into a small smile.

Zero is…decidedly more soft-hearted than anyone would assume. The thoughts of last week surfaces through his mind again. It reminds Kaname of the tenderness in those reckless fingers, that unexpected concern, those impulsive words that he finds himself so fascinated by.

Kaname's eyes flick over Zero's face softened with sleep. He looks . . . peaceful. Calm.

It is not an expression that he sees often on Zero, if quite ever. At least not around him.

Unable to help himself, he curiously reaches out with his free hand and brushes a knuckle lightly across Zero's cheekbone, barely grazing the warm, smooth skin. Zero does not stir and only continues sleeping on, head still pillowed on Kaname's chest.

Kaname marvels at how utterly oblivious Zero is to this situation, at how Zero is clutching on to him so innocently. He does not know whether to be amused by the irony, the outright bizarreness of the situation, or be bewildered at how they reached the point where they could sleep like this, side by side in bed.

His eyes flick back to Zero. There are no lines of stress or tension shadowing Zero's features. No scowl, no frown marring his skin. No, he looks completely at ease. Content even.

Something tightens inside of his chest and his neck tingles as Kaname continues to gaze down, fixated on the peace emanating gently from Zero.

. . . It feels rare, precious even because of that very same reason. It makes Kaname want to hold his breath in fear of breaking this trancelike peace, this moment that feels achingly fragile in his hands. There is such an . . . an innocence that he would never associate with Zero here, a vulnerability that tugs at Kaname.

His fingers reflexively twitch and Kaname tightens the arm around Zero unthinkingly. Transfixed, Kaname brushes his thumb over the soft curve of Zero's cheek wonderingly again.

He looks so vulnerable. So vulnerable and peaceful even though he's sleeping right next to a pureblood like him. The inherent trust, the careless innocence in that gesture makes Kaname swallow.

Kaname gazes down at Zero again.

He wants to keep this moment at a standstill, just so Zero can hold onto this peace. Even if only for another minute. All of the burdens that Kaname knows Zero carries deep down in himself are so breathlessly gone right now.

If anything, he wants to give Zero at least this, this moment where the gears of the clock seem to still and their whole world shrinks down to this small room.

He . . would not mind seeing this expression more often on Zero, not when Zero wears it so well.

Kaname wonders if Zero could feel this peaceful outside of sleep. He wonders . . . if he is the first person for Zero to ever show this expression to. The intimacy in this moment feels so sacred. He is torn between reveling in the rarity of it all and pulling Zero even closer. To hold him tight and sequester everything in this moment away so this delicate blissfulness does not shatter and dissolve in the air.

Kaname blinks abruptly. The undeniable possessiveness strumming through has him reeling back, and he stops himself, speechless at the unexpected thoughts and feelings.

What on earth is he thinking of right now?

Zero shifts slightly then. Kaname's eyes immediately snap to him. He holds his breath, but Zero does not wake up. Instead, he murmurs something indistinctly and curls even more into Kaname, head burrowing into Kaname's chest. There is another soft grumble before Zero brings his hand up to scratch at his cheek in agitation, swiping aside the strands of hair that tickle his skin and drop down into his eyes.

When he does it again, Kaname hesitates before he brings up his free hand up again, fingers carding gently through the soft, silky strands to brush them back from Zero's forehead. Zero sighs in contentment and relaxes, reminding Kaname for all of the world a lounging cat.

He watches fascinated as Zero unexpectedly turns into his touch and unable to help himself, Kaname runs his hand through again. And sure enough, the repetitive, gentle movements soon lull Zero back to sleep.

Kaname pauses. What…what is he doing? Shouldn't he waking Zero up instead?

He looks helplessly down at Zero, unable to understand why he finds the whole sight more endearing than he should or why the warmth from Zero pressing into him feels so comforting.

His eyes flick to the clock on the side dresser. It's about 7pm. He frowns slightly. They slept for quite a long time. Everyone must be wondering where he is by now.

What should he do?

The most rational thing would be to wake up Zero, but when Kaname looks down again to see Zero still holding on to him, peaceful and oblivious, he can't seem to find the resolve to disrupt that tranquility.

Kaname sighs and settles back, relaxing even further into the mattress as he tries not to think too much about this. The shared warmth from being so close together bleeds into his skin. It settles over him soft and heavy like a blanket.

Underneath his palm on Zero's back, Kaname can feel Zero's steady heartbeat drumming under his fingertips, the slow heave and rise of Zero's chest moving against him.

Over and over and over again until the cadence unknowingly soothes him.

The rhythm catches in his thoughts and his fingers idly dance across in sync, trailing random shapes and circles lightly across Zero's back without much thought.

Zero's scent drifts through as well. He can smell the odd mixture of the lingering haze of vanilla contrasted with the crispness of fresh detergent. It permeates the air and interweaves with the radiating warmth in a way that is simultaneously soothing and coaxing.

Nondescript thoughts flutter and drift away, blurring into white noise. It's tempting to fall into this nice sense of ease. He slept for far too long to be soothed back to sleep, but at the same time, Kaname can already feel himself succumbing to the languid atmosphere.

He exhales softly. It's fine. A few more minutes would not hurt anything.

---

Zero scrunches his nose as his mind gradually surfaces from the dark haziness of sleep. He exhales slowly, relaxed and satisfied. It feels like forever since he slept this deeply. No dreams, no nightmares. Nothing. Just that blank slate of uninterrupted sleep where nothing registers and matters.

It feels good. This is exactly what he needed after everything.

His eyelids start to flutter open and he blinks, a little dazed. The first thing he registers is the warm points of pressure gliding along his back, tugging at the cotton so that the fabric grazes lightly against his skin. Ticklish almost. It feels nice. Soothing even.

He feels incredibly warm too. Warmth presses against his side, thrumming and steady.

He widens his eyes in alarm as his mind finally realizes that there are some details here that seem off. Because…because whatever he is resting on is definitely not a pillow. Pillows don't feel this firm nor do they have what feels like a heartbeat vibrating through. Nor – as his eyes widen even more – are they adorned in white collared shirts.

He swallows as his mind needlessly offers him a recount of yesterday. That unique, distinguishable musky scent could only belong to one person.

Oh, shit.

With a growing sense of bewilderment and dread, his eyes travel up and Zero cranes his neck up to see that yes, it's Kaname.

The only thing that stops the panicked stream of curses and senseless thoughts threatening to burst out is the faraway look on Kaname's face. It reminds him of how Yuki looks when she's daydreaming in the middle of the day. Kaname looks completely at ease, and it softens his features into an uncharacteristic gentle expression.

It makes Zero pause for a moment before his mind takes over in a flurry of half-formed bewildered thoughts. Awake. Kaname is awake and he…why didn't he wake him up?

Zero starts hesitantly, voice still hoarse from sleep. "K-Kaname?"

Kaname visibly jolts in surprise, and Zero feels those slender fingers come to an abrupt stop on his back. They rest, splayed out, and a burning heat warmth seeps through the thin cotton of his shirt. Zero wonders for a moment if Kaname realizes he was doing that before he bites his lips.

Why the hell is Kaname still here? Why didn't he just leave? Kaname clearly already woke up before him and – Zero's mind screeches to a stop.

Wait, how long has Kaname been awake?

Kaname does not notice Zero's growing panic and asks unsurely, "Zero? Are you awake?"

Before he can answer, Zero's mind finally takes in the full details of the position they are both in. He…he is practically hugging Kaname. His cheeks immediately burn, and Zero can feel the heat already crawling up to his ears. His eyes widen. Reflexively, he jerks up, much to Kaname's surprise and pain, as Zero head bumps him in the jaw.

Zero freezes as he hears the murmur of pain. His head immediately swivels back as he sits on his knees now, on the bedcovers just to the right of Kaname. Shit. Did he just - ?

Kaname sits up, a hand rubbing his jaw. The pain is fleeting. To be honest, he is more dumbfounded by what happened in that short expanse of time. "Zero?"

Zero mentally berates himself. Goddamn it, what the hell is he doing?

Kaname looks questioningly at him and Zero feels himself reddening again at Kaname's expression. He says weakly, "Sorry. I didn't mean to."

Kaname's eyes automatically trace the dark rosy pink flushing across Zero's cheeks and up over his ears before flicking back to Zero's wide eyes. He blinks, a little thrown off by the expression, before he says slowly, "It's fine."

Zero's cheeks flush even more and he ducks his head to mumble again, "Sorry."

Kaname gazes at him for another moment before he says reassuringly, "It's fine, Zero. Really."

A hesitant pause drops down into the room. Zero hesitates before he looks up and asks aloud the pressing thought swirling in his head, "Why didn't you wake me up?"

All that time and Kaname did not wake him up or…or move him? His thoughts scatter off once more in an incoherent mess of senseless words.

Kaname lifts an eyebrow and says lightly, a teasing note sneaking into his tone, "Waking you up seems… too dangerous."

Zero flushes again at the reminder and says indignantly, "I said I was sorry! I didn't think we were so close toge- "

Zero stops abruptly when he sees the amusement flickering warmly in Kaname's eyes. He bites his lips and mutters, "I'm being serious. You could have woken me up. I wouldn't have gotten mad like last time."

Kaname glances at him before his expression softens and he admits, "You looked so peaceful that I did not want to."

Zero stills and blinks, stunned at the unexpected answer. Because he looked peaceful? Just for that reason, Kaname didn't move away or push him off?

He surveys Kaname unsurely. Kaname's eyes are soft and honest and Zero feels his cheeks inexplicably flushing again under that warm gaze.

Kaname continues, eyes still focused on Zero and that rosy blush staining those cheeks, "You didn't wake me up either."

Zero swallows and shrugs. "That – that was because it was more troublesome to wake you up." He mumbles, "And besides, I just took blood from you."

Kaname does not answer. Zero glances at him uncertainly, shifting a bit when Kaname gazes back with that same expression and a small smile on his lips.

Kaname says quietly, "Is that so?"

Zero makes a noncommittal sound and averts his eyes. He doesn't want to say that it was because Kaname looked so exhausted and he couldn't find the heart to wake him up. Instead, he tries to change the subject and asks, "What…what time is it right now?"

Kaname thankfully glances over at the clock and says a little surprised, "It's almost eight now."

Wasn't it seven the last time he checked? How lost in thought was he?

Zero swivels his head back with wide eyes. "Eight? At night?" His eyes dart to the clock for confirmation. What? They – or well, he – slept until eight? How exhausted was he? Or both of them even?

He glances at Kaname and asks slowly, "You didn't have any important meetings, did you?"

Kaname pauses at the concern in Zero's voice before he reassures, "I didn't have any." He hesitates and furrows his eyebrows. "Or well, I suppose, I should meet with the chairman sometime today or tomorrow."

Zero gives him a deeply exasperated look and grouses, "What do you mean you suppose? Didn't you say that you had a big meeting this week?"

He scans the room quickly for Kaname's blazer and finds it at the foot of the bed, mashed against the footboard. Damn. That better not be as wrinkled as it looks.

As Zero crawls over the bed covers to get it, he continues distractedly, "Wait, did you say anything before you left? Like an excuse?"

When he hears no answer, Zero furrows his eyebrows and glances back at Kaname who looks uncharacteristically sheepish. Zero stares disbelievingly at him before griping, "Kaname! Do you know long you have been gone?"

Kaname looks slightly chagrined before he sighs and responds dryly, "What was I supposed to say? I'm going to go give blood to my mate? That rather defeats the purpose of keeping this a secret, doesn't it?"

Zero flushes again at the word mate before he retorts, "I said, excuse, didn't I?" He moves back towards Kaname and settles on the back of his heels, the mattress creaking slightly as he does so. Zero shoves the blazer at him and grumbles, "If the whole goddamned Night Class is out there having a search party or something, I'm going to hit you."

Kaname lifts an eyebrow before he reaches out to grab the blazer. He gives it a cursory scan. The blazer is a little rumpled at the sleeve and the collar, but for the most part, it looks decent enough. There are no blood stains on it at the very least, and Kaname is thankful for that saving grace.

He sits up straighter and pulls on the blazer, fingers idly buttoning it. Kaname is about to comment that he trusts Takuma to have things under control in the dorms when he sees Zero scrutinizing the blazer heavily.

He pauses. Does it look that bad?

Before he can question him, Zero suddenly leans over and tugs at the collar to straighten out the edges with an annoyed frown on his face. Eyes still fixated on the blazer, Zero mutters distractedly, "It's your fault that you left it out so carelessly, you know."

Kaname glances back at Zero and feels his lips twitching upwards at the sight of the tousled hair and the petulant frown. He remarks amusedly, "I didn't say anything, Zero."

Predictably, Zero starts in surprise at the sound of his voice. Kaname watches recognition cross Zero's features before pink sweeps across those cheeks again. Before Zero can shift away, Kaname impulsively reaches out and tugs him back.

Zero makes a noise of surprise as he stumbles and falls over him, eyes darting from the hand clasped around his wrist to Kaname. "Kaname? What are you doing?"

Honestly, Kaname doesn't quite know either. But, as his eyes catch that tempting rosiness again, mischievousness sparks up and has him murmuring teasingly, "You blush so easily."

Zero's eyes dart to Kaname in bewilderment before he sits up and tugs at Kaname's grip. He retorts, "I do not! Kaname, you -"

He stops when Kaname tightens his grip on the wrist, pulling him forward, and wraps his other arm around his hip to keep Zero steady. And it's then that Zero finally realizes that he's practically sitting in Kaname's lap, legs on either side of Kaname.

He widens his eyes and this time, he can feel red-hot heat flaring across his cheeks and crawling down to his neck. Zero tugs again, but Kaname does not relax his hold. In the back of his mind, Zero vaguely wonders just why Kaname has this annoying habit of grabbing his wrist. And for god's sakes, why the hell are they in this position again?

He splutters, "What the hell are you doing? Let go! What-"

Zero freezes when Kaname suddenly brushes a thumb across his cheek. His eyes dart to Kaname who marvels at the heat emanating from the bright feverish pink skin at the touch.

Kaname wonders if he should stop teasing, but another glance at Zero's wide-eyed, beet red expression makes him repress another grin. So instead, he deliberately murmurs, amusement still heavy in his voice, "Really? You're a bright red right now."

Zero stares at him, thrown off by the rare playfulness in Kaname's tone. What is…What's going on? Is Kaname…teasing him?

Kaname raises an eyebrow at Zero's speechlessness and Zero recovers himself. He pushes against Kaname's chest and retorts, "That's because I'm – we're - sitting like- this! It's because of you. I don't blush this much normally. " He tugs at his wrist again and adds more exasperated, "Kaname, let go."

Kaname apparently does not understand the awkwardness of this situation. Or how Zero thinks if he's going to turn any more red, he might make dying of embarrassment a very and real thing. No, none of those things because Zero sees Kaname's lips twitch into another smile.

. . .He is torn between punching him and being stunned at the unexpected light-heartedness from Kaname. Zero ends up staring at Kaname in disbelief.

This isn't a dream, right? He didn't wake up in some weird dimension or anything? Because none of this makes sense. None.

Kaname says lightly, "Only because of me then?"

Zero widens his eyes at that because the way – the way that Kaname says it makes his cheeks burn impossibly even more. His heartbeat stutters a beat and god, what the hell is wrong with him? No, with Kaname? Or this sudden situation?

He stammers, "That isn't – I didn't say that."

Kaname glances at him and represses another chuckle. It does occur to him that he might be enjoying this a tad too much, but Zero's reactions make the undeniable urge to tease him too irresistible.

He hums and tugs Zero in closer, hand letting go of Zero's wrist to rest idly on the other side of his waist. Zero makes a strangled sound of surprise, and it makes Kaname pause for a moment. He glances at Zero curiously before he continues casually, "I can't find my tie."

Zero swallows at the sudden close proximity and at the way he is very much aware of the hands on his waist, the warm pressure burning through his shirt. It takes a moment for him to register Kaname's words. He furrows his eyebrows and asks confused, "What does that have anything to do with me?"

"It's your room, isn't it?"

Zero stares at him incredulously before he demands, "And? Why do I have to know where your shit is?"

Kaname raises an eyebrow in mock innocence and asks, "You're not going to help me?"

Zero shoves at him with both hands and snaps indignantly, "How can I help you if I'm in your lap?!"

At that, Kaname's hands press in ever so slightly and tugs him even closer, fingers stroking lightly at his sides and Zero immediately flinches. He looks at Kaname wide-eyed before he glares and struggles again. "Stop! You – Kaname! Let go! I'm seriously going to hit you."

Kaname only hums and grabs a flailing wrist again when it comes close to hitting his face. He tightens his grip and comments, "Are you always this violent when you wake up?"

"And do you always have your screws loose when you wake up?" Zero hisses, lilac eyes flashing with irritation and an edge of panic. He struggles again before his mind reminds him again of where he is sitting and that maybe he really shouldn't be moving around so much.

Kaname watches curiously as Zero suddenly flushes again before he looks at Kaname with pleading lilac eyes and says helplessly, "Don't you need to go?"

Kaname pauses, a little thrown back by the expression. In all honesty, he expected at least a punch at this point instead of Zero acting so…so endearing. He hides another growing smile and instead shrugs, answering unconcernedly, "Well, I need my tie, don't I?"

Zero glowers at him and mutters, "I'm going to choke you with it if I find it."

He scans the bedcovers just in case the stupid thing is lying somewhere nearby. Zero narrows his eyes when he sees a sliver of red behind the pillows. He exhales shortly in frustration and leans forward, forgetting just how close he is to Kaname as he fishes for the tie.

Kaname blinks as silver hair suddenly covers his vision and Zero presses against his chest. The sudden light pressure disappears abruptly as Zero pulls back with a scowl and a tie in his hand. Kaname's eyes flick from the red fabric clutched in those fingers and back to Zero.

Zero scowls again and pointedly thrusts his hand forward. "Here's your stupid tie. Now let me go, you bastard."

Kaname bites back another smile and says innocently, "Can you put it on? I'm a little preoccupied here."

Zero blinks before he stares at Kaname in pure disbelief. "You – you – What do you mean you're preoccupied! You stupid asshole! You want me to actually choke you with this thing?"

Kaname does not answer and the gleam in his eyes and half-smirk on his lips immediately sends Zero's eye twitching. He leans forward and roughly loops the blasted thing around Kaname's collar with a scowl. "I can't believe I'm fucking doing this. What the complete fuck? Did you use up all your brain cells in dealing with the stupid council?"

He mutters some few more choice words under his breath about Kaname being an insufferable bastard with a messed up sense of humor as he carelessly flips up the collar to make it easier to tie the tie.

His eyes trace the pale collarbone peeking from under the shirt and Zero is suddenly overcome with the realization of just how close he is to Kaname. He glances up at Kaname, heart skipping a beat, when he sees Kaname gazing back straight at him, mahogany eyes warm with barely repressed merriment.

Zero ducks his head and lightly pushes Kaname's cheek to face the other way, complaining, "Look that way. Don't look at me."

At that, Kaname finally chuckles aloud, chest vibrating with laughter. Zero stills at the rare sound, the notes deep and rich slipping out and filling the air. He glances wide-eyed at Kaname who looks so completely at ease now, an open and affectionate expression softening his features. It's such an unguarded look for Kaname that Zero is awed, completely speechless.

He quickly turns back before Kaname can notice. It...sounds nice. And it's a little difficult to be entirely pissed off at Kaname when he sounds so genuinely amused, happy even.

Zero shakes his head a little at himself. Where the hell are his thoughts going?

He focuses instead on the tie and tugs on it. Deft fingers wrap one of the ends around as he grumbles resignedly, "You're so weird."

Kaname chuckles again. Zero bites his lips. There has to be something wrong with him because the sound vibrates in the air and registers pleasantly to his ears. Kaname murmurs from above him, his thumb absentmindedly caressing Zero's side, "Then so are you."

The mirth brimming in his voice sounds so bright and fond that the infectious humor has Zero's lips twitching upwards involuntarily. Zero quickly fights it down and instead comments wryly, "I don't want to hear that from you of all people."

Kaname makes a noncommittal sound as he watches Zero fastidiously loops one of the ends through to form a knot. Zero's hair falls forwards and hides his expression, but Kaname thinks that just for a moment, he saw a hint of a bemused smile playing on Zero's lips. He smiles softly at that and relaxes back against the headboard to let Zero finish, deciding not to tease him anymore.

At this distance though, Zero's scent drifts up again, cloying and alluring. He can feel the heat that still clings to Zero from sleeping. It swirls through the scent and the soft haze of sweet vanilla and something undeniably Zero, something brisk and fragrant, wraps around his senses again.

Kaname's eyes instinctively turn to Zero's neck. They trace the barest hint of blue peeking from underneath the pale ivory and the etched black lines of the tattoo. His fingers twitch with an inexplicable urge to reach and run his fingers across the soft, vulnerable expanse of skin that Zero does not even realize he is baring.

Soft. Soft and vulnerable. The thoughts dance in and out of his head and circle back to the sudden tempting image again.

Zero does not notice Kaname's sudden heavy gaze and continues to slide the knot up to tighten it. He carefully adjusts it before he is satisfied with it. Although at this point, he's not even sure why the hell he even gives a damn about it or why he didn't just go and strangle Kaname with it.

He inwardly sighs. He has no freaking clue about anything anymore.

Zero furrows his eyebrows as he finally notices Kaname's silence. He leans back and looks up at Kaname questioningly, distantly noting that Kaname's hands have grown lax at his sides now. "I'm done. So get ou - "

Zero jolts when Kaname's hand suddenly reaches up and strokes the side of his neck where the tattoo is. The contact immediately triggers a wave of goosebumps that prickle his skin and inflames all of his nerves that seemingly end there. Zero represses a shiver. His eyes widen in alarm as they dart to Kaname's face.

Kaname looks…distracted, an almost wondering look in his deep eyes. It makes Zero feel strangely antsy. He shifts away and stiffens when Kaname's other hand grips him on the waist to hold him into place. He asks uncertainly, "Kaname? What are you doing?"

Kaname does not answer and instead runs those fingers gently, fascinatedly across again. Zero flinches again as Kaname does it one more time, thumbing over the lines of his tattoo. He feels warmth pooling in the side of his neck, flaring out at the edges. The gentle strokes sends tingles sparking through his skin and Zero shivers again at the feeling.

A sudden thought strikes Zero and has him staring at Kaname warily. This….this isn't the bond, is it? Because isn't this the side where Kaname bit him?

Kaname suddenly leans down, one hand curling around the other side of his neck and the other still on his waist. Zero swallows and represses another shiver at the warm lips brushing against his skin. "K-Kaname?"

Kaname inhales deeply and instinctively noses the soft, vulnerable skin, drinking in the comforting scent that wafts up. He murmurs, "You smell so sweet."

Kaname's voice deepens and the words vibrate against Zero's skin. Zero swallows again and feels his cheeks reddening. He feels his heartbeat quickening under his skin, and wonders with a pulse of apprehension if Kaname is thinking of biting him. He tries to shift away, but Kaname's hand tightens on his waist, fingers clutching tightly on his shirt and the other hand pressing in slightly on his neck.

He pushes against Kaname's chest and protests quickly, "W-wait, Kaname, stop. Do you hear me?"

Kaname makes no sign of hearing and leans further into him. Zero shivers again at the warm air that fans across his skin. When those warm lips brush his skin, sending yet another wave of tingles, and press against his neck, Zero winces in anticipation. But, to his surprise, Kaname doesn't bite him and instead sucks lightly on his neck.

Kaname's eyes trace the skin again and the scent overwhelms him. It smells so innocent. Sweet and vulnerable. Tempting. So tempting.

He feels his instincts take over, the urge to mark, to hold close and never let go. He can hear the heartbeat strumming through that pale, slim throat and it's so easy, so, so easy to imagine the warm vibrant crimson rushing through the blood vessels. The heartbeat picks up though, and Kaname can sense, taste the slight fear now. It undeniably arouses his instincts, but it also lodges in his head with an intuitive sense of wrongness that chafes him.

No. He shouldn't then.

He leans down and sucks the skin lightly, tongue darting to taste the intoxicating scent. He can feel the heat radiating off, the blood welling up as he worries the skin. It would be effortless to pierce it, have his fangs slide into the soft flesh that would yield so easily, and feel the warm blood course down in bright rivulets.

But no, this is his mate. He can sense the apprehension, and even in this haze, he intuitively recognizes that that is important to remember, to recognize. He should not –cannot- hurt his mate.

Zero makes a choked noise at the soft and insistent touch tugging and grazing his skin, the wet warmness on his neck. He quickly shoves at Kaname again. "Stop it! What are you doi- Nngh!"

His cheeks flush again both at the way Kaname keeps mouthing at his skin and at the sound of his own moan slipping out. It sounds embarrassingly loud to his ears and emphasizes just what kind of compromising situation they are in right now.

Zero stares down at the dark locks with wide eyes. Is Kaname out of it or something?

He flinches when Kaname does it again, lips teasing at the skin and sucking it. His neck flushes again and between his inflamed cheeks and the burning heat on his neck, Zero thinks he might just dissipate in the white hot flames.

God, it feels like his nerves are all on fire, golden electricity and fire carving through his skin, shooting pulses of static through his blood. Zero swallows and bites back another moan. He tries to push Kaname away again, but those warm lips suddenly move across his throat, leaving a trail of sporadic kisses that make his face redden and sends sharp tingles rocketing through. They add to the increasing pleasure that builds and buzzes through his skin, and Zero drops the hand to press it against his mouth and stifle the moans.

Fuck. He needs to stop, stop Kaname. He knows that, he does, but it's so hard when this feels exactly like when Kaname touched his neck that first time. All of his senses focus on Kaname and he is painfully aware of everything. Every touch, every graze against his skin only heightens the keen edge that he feels. Kaname does not stop, lost in whatever daze he is in, and the sensation only swells and crackles through Zero, searing and electrifying.

It threatens on the brink of unbearable. Zero's thoughts fragment in the swirling heat. His fingers twitch restlessly. They tighten on Kaname's collar, and Zero doesn't know if he is trying to push Kaname away anymore or if he is just holding onto something to ground him.

When Kaname sucks hard at a particularly sensitive spot, a bolt of pleasure jars through Zero and a ragged whimper tears out of his throat. The sound thrills though Kaname, raking goosebumps across his back in its wake. He blinks, startled. Kaname pulls back from Zero's neck, and feels the wave of bewilderment and panic crash over him as his mind finally catches on what he has been doing.

What…what is he doing?

Kaname widens his eyes as his eyes quickly sweep over Zero's trembling form. He hears the hitched breathing, the thundering heartbeat that drums as loudly as his own is starting to sound. Kaname catches his breath as he sees the color high on Zero's cheeks, the way those wide eyes gaze back at him, dazed and stricken in that impossibly deep amethyst hue.

His gaze slides down to Zero's neck. He swallows at the red love-bites scattered across, all the more glaring by the paleness of Zero's skin.

He swallows again and manages to strangle out, "Did – did I do that?"

Zero can only stare back at Kaname, taking in the wide dark eyes gleaming a redder shade than usual and the shock etched plainly on Kaname's features. He bites his lips, still feeling the buzz tinging throughout his neck. Kaname didn't realize what he was doing?

Kaname widens his eyes even more at Zero's speechlessness and he glances once more at Zero's neck. What – what came over him?

Unthinkingly, he reaches out and brushes an especially red patch of skin gingerly, utterly shocked and incredulous at himself.

Zero immediately flinches at the aching tingle that shreds through him, and lets out another half whimper. He reddens once more at the sound and slaps his hand over his mouth again.

Kaname immediately stills at the sound and withdraws his hand, eyes darting to Zero's face. The mortified expression brings a flush of heat to his own cheeks, and he says quickly, "I'm sorry. I didn't – I wasn't thinking." His eyes dart back to Zero's neck and Kaname continues helplessly, "Your scent was – was just so overwhelming. I couldn't control myself. I acted without … without thinking."

Instincts, he let his instincts take over him completely, Kaname realizes with a start. He swallows. He usually has perfect control over himself, and yet…yet how could he act so recklessly? So impulsively?

It felt so natural. He didn't even realize the moment that he lost control of himself. God, what if he didn't stop then? What if - ?

His eyes snap to Zero in concern. He notes that Zero is still in his lap, and chastises himself for teasing Zero too far. That was not a smart decision, not with them being bonded like this. Kaname quickly straightens and gently shifts Zero aside, who starts a little at the sudden movement and moves off to sit to the side. Sliding off the bed, he stands up and looks urgently at Zero, eyes scanning him carefully. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Zero pulls his legs in closer to him and hugs his knees as he tries to recover himself, thoughts racing a thousand miles per second, heartbeat echoing loudly in his ears. Oh god, did they just - ? What happened?

Crap. Crapcrap. Crap.

Kaname repeats his question, eyes roving over Zero hurriedly, "Zero? Are you alright? Did I hurt you? You need to tell me. Zero?"

Zero finally lifts his head and blinks at the barrage of questions. He takes in Kaname's worried expression, the panicked edge in his tone. Zero hesitates before he says haltingly, "No. You…didn't hurt me."

Kaname frowns at the slightly shaky tone, but there is no apprehension, no fear in Zero's eyes. God, if he – if he did hurt Zero, he wouldn't have forgiven himself. He inwardly frowns in frustration and disbelief. How? How could he have lost control so easily?

Is this because of the bond? His mind flashes back to the feelings of pure instinct, the deep-set urges taking over. It feels so instinctual that he does not know what to think of it. If it's another effect of the bond or – or if it's due to his own nature as a pureblood.

Still half-stunned at what happened, Zero blankly watches Kaname relax slightly at his answer before Kaname drags a hand across his face and murmurs another apology, eyes still bewildered and troubled.

Hell, even Zero doesn't know what to make of it, if it's some weird side effect of the bond or if this would be normal behavior for vampires or if - if. . .

He doesn't get it.

But, the concern in Kaname's voice is genuine and there is an edge of self-recrimination in Kaname's demeanor that Zero thinks is unwarranted. Zero does not what to say to reassure him though. Not when for that brief moment, he really did think Kaname would bite him. Nor can he say that it…it felt…the opposite of painful.

Zero inwardly cringes. God, he definitely can't say that, not when hot embarrassment floods him just at the mere thought of it.

Kaname asks again, "Are you alright, Zero?"

Zero glances back at him, but no words come to his tongue. Fuck, it's so odd and awkward to look at Kaname while remembering what just happened, his mind still fumbling to come to terms with any of this. Instead, he swallows and nods soundlessly.

Concern flickers in Kaname's eyes again, and Zero inwardly grimaces at himself for not giving a more solid answer. Kaname looks at him searchingly and says quietly, "I think I should go. Is that alright?"

Zero blinks and looks back uncertainly. He shrugs and manages to say, "I'm fine, Kaname. You – you should go." He looks away and adds, "It's already late."

Kaname wavers for a moment before he nods wordlessly and walks out, although not without glancing uncertainly back at Zero.

Zero waits until the door closes before he slumps down and buries his face in his arms. His cheeks darken again as his mind sadistically flips through the memories again.

He can still feel it. The imprint of those lips pressing and kissing his neck lingers over his skin in a very tangible reminder. Zero swallows and runs a finger carefully across his neck, and flinches at the sudden flush of heat, the aching tingles that race through.

Red hot mortification burns through him once more when he remembers his reactions, the sounds that he let out. Damn it. What the hell is wrong with him?

And Kaname's words, the way he didn't wake Zero up, the odd teasing side that Zero didn't know he had…the images stream through his head and Zero immediately shoves those thoughts away. Pointedly ignoring the buzzing sensation in his neck, Zero closes his eyes and buries his head again into his arms with a muffled curse.

He doesn't know anything anymore.

Goddamn it.

---

Kaname swallows as he steps out into the cool night air that feels ice cold to his burning skin. He lifts his fingers and flexes them bewilderedly; he remembers the warmth, the touch and feel of that soft skin, the heartbeat drumming through….He…He wanted.

Bond, instincts, whatever it is, Kaname remembers feeling that he just…simply wanted to. Wanted to pull Zero in close and touch, feel.

Something curls in satisfaction deep inside when his mind flashes back to the memory of how close they were together, at those bright red marks that he unknowingly left on Zero.

Zero's expression flits through his head once more: those wide vivid eyes, the flushed cheeks, that sound he let out.

Kaname stops dead in his tracks, eyes widening, and covers his face with his hand in belated realization. Oh god, what did he just do? What on earth is he thinking?

---

Yuki hums as she strolls through the street, enjoying the warm sunshine kissing her skin. She squints and peers up. It is unexpectedly windy today, and she readjusts the flapping envelopes under her arm as a strong cool breeze streaks by and ruffles her hair. She quickly tucks the stray strands behind her ear and continues around the corner.

The sky is still dotted with enormous dark grey fluffy clouds. The sun shines through a bit more today though, but Yuki thinks that the big rainstorm that everyone has been talking about might come soon.

She looks down at the manila envelopes curiously. Probably more paperwork by the bulky feel and weight of them.

Yuki had volunteered to bring them to the post office when she stopped by the chairman's office earlier today and noticed them lying on the desk.

She smiles and shakes her head in amusement at the memory of the chairman's usual goofy antics. Honestly.

Yuki sighs. Zero is probably going to yell at her for going into town alone, but she is, at the very least, capable of going to the post office without any incidents. Her expression turns sheepish as she gives a sidelong gaze at the manila envelopes under her arm, eyes lingering on the smaller, purple envelope.

Or, well, not just the post office.

She sort of promised Hayami that she would deliver the letter to the hospital.

It isn't hard to guess what kind of relationship Hayami has with Ishihara, and Yuki can only imagine what Hayami is going through right now, what with her family advising her to withdraw from school and Ishihara still in the hospital.

She hopes things will go well for these two. It isn't fair that the incident has caused them so much trouble and pain.

Yuki bites her lips. She hears that Ishihara's family has cut off any access to outsiders and have the hospital room carefully regulated. Yuki suspects that it's probably due to Ishihara being from a prominent political family and because…of the hunters' intervention as well.

She frowns slightly. Even she is starting to be wary of the recent change of behavior from the hunters. Something just does not sit right with her.

She exhales and steels herself. If this letter can bring Hayami, no, the both of them, some peace of mind, then Yuki will just have to sneak in if she has to. And even if she can't manage to deliver the letter, any news of Ishihara's condition will be just as reassuring.

"Oh!" Yuki yelps as she bumps into someone, the envelopes fluttering to the pavement with the impact. "Excuse me. I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going."

She quickly leans down to gather the scattered envelopes, fingers scrambling to shuffle the strewn papers back into one of the manila envelopes. She mentally groans. If Zero was here, he probably would have looked at her exasperatedly and commented on her never ending clumsiness.

Yuki flips through the envelopes in her hand. One, two, three, four, five. Good. That's all of – Oh no, where is Hayami's letter?

Yuki stills and scans the ground hurriedly. Oh no. Oh no. Did she lose it?

"Are you looking for this?" A hand enters her line of vision and holds out the purple envelope.

Yuki's lips break out in a relieved smile and she straightens to thank the stranger she bumped into. "Yes! Thank you so…much…"

Her voice trails off unsurely as her eyes take in the features. Curly red-brown hair stopping just before the man's shoulders and different colored eyes, one a mahogany red and the other an icy blue. The colors pierce through her and Yuki is suddenly gripped with a sudden feeling of wariness and unease. The sensation streams though her like dark ink, dripping coldly over her skin and nerves.

She distantly notes the sudden agitated thrum of Artemis on her thigh. Vampire?

The man raises an eyebrow at her pause and dangles the letter pointedly between his fingers. Yuki tenses slightly and hesitantly reaches out for the letter. As soon as her fingers touch the paper, she flexes them to pull the envelope away only to stop when the man suddenly tightens his grip.

She glances up in alarm and stills when his eyes stare straight at her. The shrewd gaze runs over her in curiosity and the man suddenly steps closer. Yuki stiffens.

"Have I met you somewhere?" The man intones in a deep voice. "You look familiar."

Yuki pauses before she answers politely, "I don't think we have before. You must be confusing me with the wrong person?"

His eyes rove across her features once more before the serious expression darkening his eyes suddenly lifts and the man hums, "Is that so? Perhaps I am." His eyes slide back to her, and his lips curl in a lazy smirk. "It is odd how much you resemble someone I know."

He hands her the envelope and adds idly, "Or used to know, I suppose."

Yuki blinks for a moment before she carefully accepts the letter and murmurs a word of gratitude.

He tilts his head slightly, eyes flicking over her black uniform. "A student of Cross Academy? What a coincidence. I have a son and a…nephew attending there." With the same smirk playing on his lips, he remarks, "It's a small world, isn't it?"

Yuki hesitates, unsure where this conversation is heading, and nods in agreement. "It…is."

She wonders if she should question him. It's strange to see a vampire walk around town this early in the day, but this…this man makes her feel wary.

Another strong wind races by, rustling through her hair once more as Yuki tightens her grip on the envelopes. A sudden voice murmurs close to her ear, "Give my regards to them, won't you?"

She stills at the sudden proximity and fleetingly registers the man's speed with alarm. She quickly steps back and whips her head to look at him, but the man is already walking ahead, his long black coat flaring out behind him in the blowing wind. Yuki widens her eyes and calls out hesitatingly, "But you haven't mentioned their names to me yet."

He waves behind him without turning back, and says dismissively, "I'll visit them soon enough. So until then, it will be a surprise, hmm?"

Yuki stares after him with wide eyes. There is something unnerving about that man and his eyes...The image of those heterochromatic eyes lingers in her mind and fills her with an inexplicable sense of apprehension and fear.

She breathes in deeply before shaking her head. The envelopes. What is she doing? She needs to deliver these.

Yuki hurries to a crosswalk. As she waits for the signal to walk though, she can't help but think about that man again. Those eyes…Those eyes remind her of staring in the eyes of a wolf. Wild and dangerous.

What scares Yuki the most is those eyes feel familiar, like…like she could swear that she can remember them from somewhere. But…that can't be right.

---

Rido frowns slightly as he strides down the street and turns the corner again. That scent…there is no doubt about it. Nostalgic.

His jaw clenches. He dislikes it. Dislikes how that scent smells so much like her. Dislikes how it throws him off and makes him twitch restlessly. How it makes him pause enough to wonder.

It taunts him, mocking and alluring as an ever present reminder that he still is not done with the past. That there are still debts that he still has not collected yet, blood yet to be spilt to satisfy the demons that still haunt his bones and howl for the unattainable.

It does not matter that the two are not the same. It does not because the past is a wound that never healed. It festers deep inside him, spewing noxious fumes and dripping poisonous venom. Acidic purple in his veins, broken shards of glass in his head, and crimson on his hands.

This world does not interest him. It has nothing to offer to him. Not when the only business he has left is with ghosts.

Rido clenches his fist, eyes burning wildly. He always thinks that it is amusing when people scream in fear at him, eyes wide, begging for mercy, asking how he could be so cruel when fate is the sadistic one of them all.

The one thing that he wants is the one thing that fate and this world cannot give him. It's unacceptable.

He played this game for so many years now, watched the puppets dance from under his fingertips, the pawns tumble down from the board. No matter how many matches he wins, no matter how satisfyingly things are meeting his expectations, he still burns with this unquenchable thirst.

He will never be satisfied.

Which is fine.

He will just have to take everything. Everything this pitiful world has to offer him and more. Conquer it, see it go up in flames, drench it in blood.

Vindictively subject it to the same chaotic absurdity that keeps unraveling inside of him, plaguing him for as long as he could remember.

And as for the girl… she has not awakened yet. He can decide whether or not he wants to kill her until then. Everything is still going according to plan.

Rido pauses. Perhaps he really should pay a visit to the school sooner than he intended.

But, as his ears catch the sound of impending footsteps, his smirk returns. Rido slides his hands in his pockets and saunters into an alley.

That decision can wait. He has a rabbit he needs to catch first.

---

Sayori watches the both of them for a moment before she says curiously, "What's with you two lately? I know it's Monday, but you guys seem so unfocused."

Neither of them answers and she sighs before she reaches over and claps her hand right next to Yuki's ear. Yuki immediately flinches and blinks, "Wha? Yori-chan?"

Sayori stares at her before she shakes her head and asks, "What's with you today?" Her eyes flick over to Zero who has a distracted expression and adds, "With the both of you really?"

Yuki turns and glances across the table at Zero. He's been rereading that pamphlet over and over again for their literature class, and the reading is not that…interesting or difficult, to be honest. Yuki raises an eyebrow. Actually, isn't that the reading for last week?

Yori nudges her again in the arm and continues, "Yuki? Is anything wrong?" She pauses and thinks for a moment. "Did anything happen when you went to town over the weekend?"

Zero immediately starts at that and furrows his eyebrows, "What? You went to town? By yourself?"

At Yuki's sheepish expression, Zero frowns and rebukes harshly, "How many times have I told you not to do that?"

Yuki protests, "I was just going to the post office! You don't need to - "

"Will the table by the third window please quiet down?"

Yuki immediately blushes at the sudden gazes directed at them, and she murmurs a quick apology to the librarian. Zero looks at her exasperated and demands, making sure to keep his voice low, "Nothing happened, did it?"

Yuki's mind immediately darts back to the man she bumped into, but if she told Zero that, he would lecture her again and be needlessly worried. It's fine. It was a just chance encounter. She mentally frowns. She doesn't know why she feels so troubled by it.

Yuki shakes her head and tries to smile reassuringly. "Nothing happened! I just went to the post office…and went back."

Sayori gives her a sidelong glance, already catching the telltale sign of her lying, but decides not to question it. She can ask Yuki about it later. Yuki probably doesn't want Zero to yell at her again.

Zero also is unconvinced because he narrows his eyes in suspicion and notes disapprovingly, "You're fidgeting. Fess up. What happened?"

Yuki decides on a half-truth and says slowly, "I…I may have snuck into the hospital."

"…What?" Zero looks at her incredulously, "Why?"

Yuki smiles sheepishly and answers, "I had to deliver the letter."

Zero sighs, already expecting to be yelling at Yuki at the end of this. He asks tiredly, "What letter?"

---

Zero bites his lips and rubs his neck absentmindedly. Weird. His neck has been tingling all day since Tuesday.

At first, there had only been slight twinges here and there, appearing randomly throughout the day and fading just as quickly. He had resolutely ignored it, chalking it up to – to –

His cheeks burn at the memory again. Kaname's lips, voice caressing his skin and…Shit. What the hell is he thinking again?

Zero quickly shoves the thoughts away and fights down the wave of hot embarrassment. Goddamnit.

He swallows and runs his fingers agitatedly through his hair again. He mentally groans. Why? Why does he keep thinking of this?

It makes his thoughts flail around again. He does not know what to make of it.

Even if…even if what Kaname had not lost control like that, there are still numerous other details that lodges in his head as an insistent reminder.

Like how Kaname did not wake him up, how he…saw Kaname laughing for the first time like that. It fills him with a sense of wonder and curiosity to see that side of Kaname. And when he thinks of the unexpected fondness in Kaname's gaze, his chest tightens with a warm feeling curling under his skin.

It…feels nice to see those expressions from Kaname. It would not be so bad to see them again.

Zero immediately stops abruptly in his tracks, almost colliding into another student who mutters a warning before walking past him. He widens his eyes. Hold a second, what? What did he just think?

Oh, god. What the hell is wrong with him? Why is his own mind against him?

He bites his lips before cussing under his breath and stalking off to patrol again, much to the surprise of the students around him. Denial, denial, denial. He needs to go practice self-denial, do something to empty his head.

God, Kaname is such a freaking idiot. Why the hell did he go and do that?

He cusses again and vindictively hopes that Kaname feels at least two thirds of his stress right now because it definitely is his fault. That bastard.

---

Kaname suddenly pauses as his neck suddenly tingles sharply again. He furrows his eyebrows and rubs his neck idly. Odd. And just like that, the sudden sensation quickly fades away.

It does not…hurt exactly but nor does it feel pleasurable. His instincts are not bristling in alert, so the tingle does not feel ominous or warning. It just…is distracting.

The tingling feeling keeps appearing and subsiding randomly throughout the day. Kaname frowns. Is there anything wrong? Is the bond being agitated or something of the like?

That does not make any sense. Zero is not even here.

"Kaname? Is something wrong?"

Kaname blinks and realizes that he stopped in the middle of the lobby in the hotel. He nods and walks briskly towards Takuma, who looks at him questioningly by the reception desk. Takuma observes him again and asks, "Is everything alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I was just…lost in thought." Takuma furrows his eyebrows, but before he can ask, Kaname nods towards the desk, "Did you sign us in?"

Takuma nods. "Yes. Seiren is trying to find where they sent our luggage. It seems there was a mishap of sorts by the entrance."

Kaname raises an eyebrow. "I see. Let us head into our rooms first."

Takuma glances at the long line of people stretched before the reception desk, all with various expressions of disgruntlement as they complain to the staff members about their missing luggage. He nods and agrees, "That's a good idea."

---

Takenaka lifts aside the curtain, the sharp golden blades of sunlight slanting into the darkened office. He slowly turns the tumbler and watches the glass gleam, casting white gold ripples of light on the smooth oaken desk. The amber fluid swirls gently inside and glimmers.

Like holding a jewel in his hand, Takenaka distantly notes. It reminds him of the city sprawled outside the window. A multifaceted mirror whose blinding shine perfectly conceals the toxic darkness from within.

A sharp knock on the door rings out, followed immediately by a curt "President."

He neatly turns back around in the chair, tumbler still in his hand. "Come in, Ryou."

The door swings open, and Ryou strides in, grey-blue eyes cold and impassive. Takenaka's eyes travel behind him towards the two guards with him, specifically towards the handcuffed man with a long white lab coat and disheveled white gray hair standing in between them.

Ryou glances at them before dismissing them brusquely. The two guards nod and march straight out without further question.

They picked a rather promising bunch of new recruits, it seems.

The door clicks shut again, and Takenaka gestures calmly to the armchair in front of him.

The man's eyes rove the room warily before Ryou clears his throat and pointedly pulls the armchair out, the legs scratching against the dark blue carpet. His sharp dark brown eyes flick to Takenaka before he comes and settles down reluctantly in the chair with a clink of metal.

Takenaka looks to Ryou and says tersely, "I would like to hear what he has to say, Ryou."

Ryou glances at him before he reaches out and tugs the cloth down from the man's mouth to let him speak. The man tenses and narrows his eyes at Ryou, who deliberately stands next to him in warning, before he directs the dark glower towards Takenaka.

His expression tightens and he says acidly, voice roughened and hoarse. "I am not cooperating, so don't waste your time and mine. Kill me already." He shakes the handcuffs, and they jangle to emphasize his point. "I have had enough of your hospitality."

Ryou's gaze slides to him, eyes narrowing in disapproval. Takenaka only remarks calmly, "Ogata-san, is there such a need to be so harsh? You forced my hand." He gestures to the cuffs and continues, "You are a valued asset to this association. It does not make me happy to have to treat you like this."

Ogata narrows his eyes and answers sharply, "An asset? Don't you mean tool?" He frowns heavily and continues in a scathing voice, "There is nothing I haven't seen before. I have been in this association for far longer than you have and I have more years than you do, Takenaka-kun. Your tactics do not scare me. I am not bluffing when I say it will be over my dead body that you will have any help from me."

Takenaka remarks wryly, "I doubt you would be very helpful dead, Ogata-san." He leans back in the leather chair and continues, "But, I suppose life and death does not matter to someone like you who has lived this long anymore."

Takenaka rotates the tumbler idly in his hand and asks with a note of curiosity in his deep voice, "What exactly has you so against my plan?"

Ogata raises a bushy gray eyebrow before he says scornfully, "What do you mean what? I have no interest in participating in something so asinine and self-destructive. Why do you think we renew that treaty with the vampires over and over again?" His eyes narrow and he rebukes condescendingly, "It is because we cannot obliterate the other side without inviting that same annihilation on us. Have you forgotten what happened in the war?"

At that, Takenaka narrows his eyes, slate grey eyes gleaming dangerously. He sets down the glass tumbler with a sharp clink, and the sound makes Ogata tense slightly. Voice crisp and edged with anger, Takenaka asserts coolly, "I assure you, I have not."

His sharp gaze slides to Ogata, features darkening, as he asks, voice harsh and condemning, "Have you? Have you forgotten the casualties, the deaths that have accumulated over the years, the decades, the centuries?"

He narrows his eyes, fingers clenching in a tight fist on the armchair. "The comrades we have lost? The families that were single-handedly destroyed?"

Cumbersome fools like Ogata have no idea what the blood spilt means. The burdens they all have to carry. Takenaka's jaw clenches and that old-age fury, the hatred burns through his veins, chars his thoughts, and has him seeing red. He stands up and strides towards Ogata in two long steps, hand striking out to grab him by the collar. Ogata widens his eyes briefly before defiantly glaring at him.

Takenaka stares straight at Ogata and demands in a low voice, "Or how about the number of people who are still dying, manipulated, or worse by those bloodsuckers who only wear human faces and are nothing close to human inside?"

Ogata tenses at the rage smoldering in Takenaka's eyes, the flashing unyielding grey irises reminding of the gleam of a guillotine blade. This man…is dangerous.

He stares flatly at Takenaka though and retorts, "Is this revenge then? You are willing to sacrifice this many people to what? The dead cannot speak. They will never come back. You think what you are doing will make them happy? They could care less, Takenaka-san. The dead is just that. They have long left this world. "

Takenaka's expression flattens at that and he roughly lets go of Ogata in pure disdain. He remarks coldly, "I dislike your generation the most, Ogata-san. You all are so complacent with conserving this status quo that is nothing than an illusion." His forehead creases and he continues harshly, "An excuse for cowards."

Takenaka gestures out the window, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Look out there. This city with all of these people out there, oblivious and naïve. Shopping for the most mundane things all the while being so secure in their bubbles of perceived wealth and social status. This is your ideal society?"

His eyes flash ominously and his voice darkens, "Pathetic. We cannot even walk out there unarmed. We have to have a curfew at night. All business transactions in our society are run by a company that they own. All of our so called leaders of the country are all in their pockets."

He narrows his eyes, tone turning derisive, "Our own president was working with that head of the senate."

Ogata frowns and argues hotly, "You are going to place civilians who know nothing about vampires, hunters, any of this, in the crossfire! By the time you reach your goal, there will be no one left for you to protect!"

Takenaka leans against the desk and lifts an eyebrow. He responds coolly, "Then, we rebuild. Those who trade their freedom for temporary safety deserve neither and will lose both. Have you heard that expression, Ogata-san?"

His eyes steel over and Takenaka continues, voice firm and resolute, "Every war requires sacrifices. We did not win the last one because we did not have the courage, the will to make those sacrifices. Nothing will change unless we go out there and we place everything we have on the line."

Ogata stares at him disbelievingly and mutters, "You are insane. You all are."

Ryou cuts in then, eyes regarding Ogata coldly. "Are you one to lecture us? You whose own colleagues view you as a mad genius? The association has kept you because your research is valuable, but can you honestly tell me that all of your experiments, your work, can be considered ethical? That they fit in between the cookie cutter lines of black and white?"

Ogata stills at that and frowns.

Takenaka gazes at him and his voice hardens, "You will cooperate. You are still of use to us, and you will come to understand my objectives. So, tell me. What have you done with the drug the lab has been testing on the Level E's and all of its data?"

Ogata furrows his eyebrows and protests, "I told you to withdraw from that project! It makes them degenerate at a rate too volatile for us to control. Yes, they become less coordinated and even more mentally incapacitated. But their bloodthirst increases to dangerous levels. It defeats the entire purpose of the drug."

Takenaka merely frowns and says displeased, "I will not repeat myself. Where is the data?"

Ogata gapes at him, stunned at his insistence, before realization floods his features. He says breathlessly, "You – you do not care. You want to use it like that." His eyes widen and he yells, voice rising with anger and incredulity. "You lunatic! You are going to kill all of us! You-"

Crash!

Ogata bites back a cry of pain as the white hot strips of pain brand the left side of his face. He can feel the warm liquid trickling down his cheek, and he can't tell it it's his own blood or the whiskey. Some of the glass shards scratch against his skin, caught in between the ridges of the wrinkles on his face. The ones in his hair fall off and rain soundlessly down into the carpet. Part of the cracked tumbler rolls over before it comes to a stop next to his left foot.

He swallows, eyes flicking back to Takenaka.

Dangerous indeed.

Takenaka merely wipes his hand with a handkerchief and continues on, unperturbed by his sudden show of violence. "Ogata-san, you are being needlessly difficult. We have men searching for your missing assistant." His eyes flick to Ogata and he raises an eyebrow, "I assume you gave her the formulas, the data? It is only a matter of time until we find her."

Before Ogata can respond angrily, Ryou speaks up and announces carefully, "I apologize, president, but Etsuko-san was just found dead."

Takenaka looks surprised before he frowns and demands, "Why haven't you reported it to me?"

Ryou bows his head shortly and explains, "I have only been notified recently. I apologize."

Ogata swivels his head to narrow his eyes and bellows angrily, "What? What did you idiots do?!"

Ryou glances at Ogata before he answers curtly, "It was not us. She was found drained of blood in an alley."

Takenaka pauses and questions, "A vampire?"

"Yes…And there was a message scrawled in her blood on the wall." Ryou looks meaningfully at Takenaka as he continues, "It says: Give my regards to my masked savior."

Takenaka furrows his eyebrows before realization dawns his eyes. "He has it."

Ryou nods. "What should we do?"

Ogata's eyes flick from Ryou to Takenaka. He scowls and demands, "Who has it? What the hell are you two bastards planning?"

Takenaka looks at Ryou and nods slightly to Ogata. Ryou immediately holds him down and calls for the two hunters from before to come in. Ogata thrashes against Ryou and grits out, "Let go of me! You – Mmmph!"

Ryou finishes retying the gag and orders, "Take him back to the holding cell."

They nod and forcibly move Ogata, who struggles and lets out muffled curses, out the door. Ryou waits until the door closes and asks quietly, "Are you sure you want to keep him? We have nothing to hold over him. He is not the type who can be easily threatened."

Takenaka sighs and settles back into his chair. "We will give him a few days to calm down. He is one of the most knowledgeable hunters in the research field. We need him, and there have not been enough developments on that side project of ours."

Ryou blinks and asks warily, "You want to tell him about it? What if he retaliates and tells some of the hunters who we haven't convinced yet?"

"I was wary that he might still be loyal to the former board members and did not retire only to keep tabs on the research division and us, but as you can see, judging by how much he disagreed with us, if he was still in touch with his colleagues, news of the drug would have already leaked. That being said, I think after this incident, coupled with the unfortunate death of his assistant, Ogata has understood that retaliation is not the wisest idea."

Takenaka leans back in the chair and continues thoughtfully, "It surprised me a bit that he was so adamant in not helping us, but as you know from his history, his ethical beliefs have never been that strong. If we tell him about the project, I will guarantee you that his interest as a researcher will overwhelm any doubts he has. He is that kind of man."

Takenaka flips through the folder on his desk and continues, "People like thinking that they have these firm ideologies they will always stand by, that they are the person they want to believe they are. If you give someone an ultimatum, you'll find that they will change their minds easily if it benefits them. And we humans are nothing if not adaptable."

He sighs and adds, "Place Ogata under house arrest to start with. If he still is not compliant with our demands, we will simply force him to continue his research under our supervision."

Ryou looks at him for another moment before he nods in agreement. He frowns. "And the data? Should we get it back?"

Takenaka smiles wryly and comments, "That would be a waste of manpower, and we do not need any more unnecessary casualties. We will see what Kuran does with it."

Ryou furrows his eyebrows in concern. "President? Isn't that too risky?"

Takenaka taps his fingers impatiently on the desk and explains, "The new curfew, the interrogations have been creating tension between the two sides. Not to mention our more aggressive approach in missions and in dealing with level E's."

He frowns and his voice is edged with sharp irritation, "That is not enough to go to war, Ryou. And no matter what, we cannot be the one who starts it. Publically, that is. Having a righteous cause is advantageous." His eyes flick to the door. "There are still many who do not share our objectives."

"I understand." Ryou pauses before he says carefully, "Considering that this week is when the Vampire Senate is meeting though, wouldn't this be the best time for someone to… pull the trigger?

Takenaka's eyes darken and his voice turns grave. "It is. And all the better if Kuran is the one to do it and not us. That is why we resurrected him, after all." His jaw clenches, fingers tapping again on the desk, and he continues lowly, "We will have to gamble on him. If he can time it right, it will be in our favor."

"I understand. Should I still tighten patrols in case though?"

"Do. "

---

Rido's eyes glaze over in disinterest as they flick over the papers on the desk in neatly stapled and labeled folders. How utterly tedious.

He carelessly leans back in the leather chair and presses his cheek against an open palm. His eyes flick to the door expectantly, already sensing the sharp click clack of high heels echoing in the near distance.

There is a sudden pause right before the door. Rido's lips twitch upwards when he notices the heartbeat accelerating slightly. No doubt sensing his presence.

The doorknob slowly turns and the door opens. It never amuses him to see how people continue on even in the face of danger. Dutifully venturing into the tiger's den, all for the twisted, convoluted mess that is vampire social etiquette.

He represses an amused chuckle, eyes flicking over a young woman with long auburn curls half pinned back and a formfitting dark green dress.

She tenses slightly before stepping in.

Rido watches amusedly as she lifts her head to gaze at him, hazel eyes immediately widening in recognition and surprise. "K-Kuran-sama?"

He lifts an eyebrow and remarks offhandedly, "Why the stunned look? I didn't think I needed an appointment."

She quickly recomposes herself and apologizes with a respectful bow, "Forgive my rudeness. I was merely caught off guard. No appointment is needed for such an esteemed individual as yourself." With an elegant gesture towards her desk, the woman continues more smoothly, "Please make yourself comfortable. I will go inform Ichijo-san of your arrival."

She briskly turns around, intending to open the door and step out again, when all of her limbs jerk back suddenly, muscles taut and frozen into place. Rido sees her flinch, but she only asks sedately, "Is something not to your liking, Kuran-sama?"

Rido sighs and says condescendingly, "If I wanted to see Ichijo, why would I stop by his company? Is this not your office?"

"Of course, I apologize. Then, how may I be of assistance to you?"

Rido's lips curve into a smirk before he commands, "Come."

The woman's body stiffly turns and strides towards him in stilted steps, black high heels thudding unevenly against the deep violet carpet. He lets her stop just before the desk before releasing his hold. She immediately exhales shakily before she gazes back at him, calmly waiting for his answer.

He lets out a deep chuckle and leans forward, fingers interlocking together and bright eyes glittering in amusement. "You seem surprisingly capable. Then again, I suppose, Ichijo would settle for someone no less to run the company in his stead while he handles the senate."

Her lips curve in a small smile and she bows her head in acknowledgement. "You are too kind."

"Kind is not a word many would associate with me," Rido notes before carelessly sliding a wrinkled folder across the desk to her. "Forgive the bloodstains on it." He pauses, mismatched eyes flashing, as his lips stretch in a cruel grin, "The messenger was a tad too messy in delivering it."

The woman merely nods her head and carefully picks the folder up with neatly filed, violet fingernails. She opens it, shrewd hazel eyes quickly skimming the contents in an expression of increasing interest. She observes curiously, "This data…It contains the results accumulated from several trials as well as various chemical formulas for a drug I have never seen before."

Rido raises an eyebrow and drawls, intrigued and pleased. "Oh? You already know what it is. And here I thought you were just doing secretarial work at best."

She blushes slightly, which Rido does not fail to notice, before asking, "Is this drug of interest to you, Kuran-sama? I have to add that this drug has… particularly dangerous side effects for vampires."

Rido waves a hand dismissively. "I already know about the side effects. I want this produced."

She nods and answers without hesitation, "Of course. How much would you like?"

Rido remarks loftily, "You are not going to ask me what I want to do with it?"

"It is not my place to pry into your private matters."

Rido smirks, eyes gazing straight at her, "I want it to be mass produced and distributed inside the blood tablets."

Startled, she widens her eyes and ventures hesitantly, "Inside? Are you saying to incorporate the drug in the blood tablets?"

He lifts an eyebrow, a challenging gleam in his eyes, as he asserts, "Yes. Is there a problem?"

She pauses, eyes flicking unsurely towards him, before she asks slowly, "I...Please excuse my insolence, but does Ichijo-san know about this?"

Rido taps a finger on the desk and remarks, "Did you not say earlier that you would not pry into my private matters?" He leans back in the leather chair and continues calmly, lips curving in a smile too sharp too be safe, "I am placing an order for a product from your company. Are you rejecting my request?"

She bites her lips and bows her head to say quietly, "I humbly apologize. But I have to consider my position. I cannot do this without Ichijo-san's approval or permission."

Rido sighs and tsks, "And here, I thought you would be cooperative."

He stands up and ambles around the desk, his footsteps purposeful and slow. Her eyes follow his every movement, but she does not dare move. He pauses to smirk before he reaches out and curls a hand around her throat. She immediately stills at his touch and the heartbeat skitters under his thumb.

Just like a rabbit, he notes with dark satisfaction.

Rido deliberately leans closer and murmurs lowly, "Do I need to remind you who you should fear here?"

She widens her eyes, and Rido lifts an eyebrow, thumb pressing in ever so slightly in warning.

She swallows before she gives in and says submissively, "I…understand." Her eyes lift towards him, and she continues more assuredly, "Then, I will immediately see that this is carried out to your satisfaction."

"I will accept that answer." Rido lightly runs his thumb over the artery again, pleased at the hitched breathing, the tremor of fear that runs through her. He continues smoothly, "Also, about Ichijo, he does not need to know about this just yet. It will be our little secret."

He steps away and leans against the desk. She watches him with wide eyes, but at his expectant gaze, she recovers herself and nods quickly, "Of course."

She pauses, eyes flicking hesitantly towards him.

He lifts an eyebrow. "Question?"

She asks uncertainly, "If I may, what is it that you would like to do with the blood tablets?"

He gazes at her for a moment before his eyes sharpen and gleam dangerously. "Mayhem. I want to create mayhem."

She stills, and Rido thinks that she might protest or do something as equally pointless. To his surprise, a contemplative expression crosses her eyes before she proposes serenely, "Then, instead of mass producing it, perhaps the modified blood tablets should be sent in a select number of shipments."

He looks at her curiously and prompts, "Oh? Do explain."

"It would make it more difficult to track the drug because only a portion of the vampires would be affected by the side effects. If I may suggest, you may want to persuade the blood banks to do the same. It would be better if both blood tablets and fresh blood are affected to randomize any such incidents that may occur."

Rido pauses, considering her proposal, and observes, "You have a surprising dark side, my dear."

She ducks her head, lips curving in a pleased smile at his impressed tone. "We are a company that strives to satisfy the needs of our customers. And of course, more importantly, this would help deflect any suspicion towards the Ichijo family."

She pauses and adds, "Is there a specific timeline that you want this to be done?"

"Immediately."

"Of course. Then… if you excuse me, I will go and inform my team."

Before she can turn away, Rido reaches out and grasps her arm. She stills and looks unsurely towards him. Her heart rate races when he raises her hand to his lips and croons, voice deep and low in cadence. "The rabbit I caught today was not enough to sate my appetite. I'm afraid I'm still hungry."

Her eyes immediately flick to him, taking in the bright vivid hues gleaming back at her, cold ice in one and bright fire in the other. The unspoken dark promises in his eyes are dangerously alluring and has her tilting her head to the side, baring her smooth, pale neck in invitation. She says softly, "Then please forgive my poor hospitality. Will this suit your taste?"

---

Kaname inwardly sighs as the council continues to argue about the recent activity of the hunters. Takuma glances at him and exchanges an equally exasperated look before he leans back against the red velvet cushioned wooden pews placed behind the arrangement of long, half circular long desks that stretch across the width of the room and have seats for each respective council member.

One of the council members, a man with bushy ashy brown hair with a matching beard, who has been yelling loudly for the past half hour thumps his fist on the desk, the gesture scattering the papers nearby, much to the irritation of the woman with short bobbed blond hair next to him. He growls in a deep voice, "How are we going to respond to the Hunter Association's recent aggressiveness? Stop dawdling already and think of a strategy!"

A man with a short auburn beard and curly hair, sitting in the row in front of him, nods and crosses his arms, "I agree. We can no longer ignore their presence or recent behavior."

Someone leans into their microphone and says quietly, "We should have been more vigilant in the first place. The hunters have always been a threat to us."

The comment sends the room spiraling into another uproar with various council members arguing over each other about the severity of the threat.

Ichijo clears his throat, the magnified sound echoing through the room. Everyone immediately quiets down and looks towards Ichijo with varying expressions. He continues, voice calm and serious, "An open debate does not mean we squabble like children. Calm yourself down."

There is a chastised murmur that runs throughout the room, and Kaname observes them with growing exasperation. It truly is baffling how the council manages to get anything done. This is less like a forum and more like a wild circus.

Someone, who Kaname recognizes as Hiruma from before, says condescendingly, "Let us not exaggerate. It is true that the policies of the new president have been…troubling, but are we so easily threatened by a dog barking?"

The council member next to him, a tall woman with long black hair, counters sharply, "A dog barking may be nothing more than a trifle, but a rabid wolf is a different matter. We need to reassert our authority. You all have heard about how the hunters have been stopping vampires at random on the streets and interrogating them, not to mention the sudden increase in patrols and activity."

There are several murmurs of agreement before someone adds, "This is not only an insult to us, but it is a danger to our well-being. This matter must be addressed."

"To think even some of the aristocrats have been harassed. Unacceptable."

"We need to demonstrate our power as a warning to them. Those hunters have become far too insolent with their recent actions."

"While you have a point, do not forget that we still have the treaty in place."

"The treaty? Are you an idiot? It has become a farce by this point. We all know how many other missions the hunters have been carrying out over the years under the tables or do I need to remind you how arbitrary that blacklist of theirs is?"

"Hold on a minute. We are discussing the present problem of the new president, not going through the history of hostility and violence we have with them. We have not gotten along with then, and we certainly will not now. We all know that, so why are some of you so outraged as if this has never occurred to you before?"

"I also would like to add that no one has died in the incidents on the streets. Some of you are going on as if we already are at war again."

"Some would argue that we never stopped being at war."

"It is fine and all if the hunters become more proactive towards dealing with the Level E's, but they cannot be permitted to disturb other vampires like this. It is not safe! And it is only a matter of time before they stop quarreling with us and start shooting us instead!"

"We need to act now!"

Another wave of agreement echoes through the room, this time louder and with a clear hint of anger. Before another argument can break out, Kugamiya asks calmly, "What about our own patrols and guards that we have implemented?"

The woman from before answers, "That has not served as an effective warning. If anything, the hostility has risen between both sides."

Kaname can see some of the council members nodding their heads at that. Ichijo suddenly speaks up then, eyes flickering towards Kaname. "About the patrols, why have you dismissed the guards from the academy, Kuran-sama? I have to say, that seems rather unwise in such a precarious situation as this. There is a significant number of nobles attending there, after all."

At that, the entire room grows still and Kaname can see some of the councilmembers glancing nervously at him and back at Ichijo. He suppresses a frown and merely offers coolly, "I have not dismissed them. They are free to patrol or investigate around the perimeter of the school as they wish."

Ichiou does back down and points out, "We specifically assigned them to the Moon Dorm."

Some members tense anxiously as they observe the exchange of words with fascinated eyes. Kaname raises an eyebrow and counters, voice deep with disapproval, "And I agreed to your decision on the condition that they do not pose as a disturbance. However, their encounters with the hunters were too careless and occurred within view of the humans."

Hiruma speaks up then and remarks, "All the more reason for them to be posted then. The hunters are deliberately provoking them, and it only emphasizes the need for protection for the Night Class."

Kaname frowns slightly. He dislikes how in the midst of the rising tension between the hunters and vampires, the council is still focusing on the academy. He emphasizes, voice sharp with dissatisfaction, "I did not say that the guards were the ones who provoked the hunters or vice versa. Whatever is the case does not matter. Any quarrel or confrontation is not tolerated on schools grounds. Need I remind you that this is a school and not the streets?"

He stares challengingly at Ichijo and continues, "As for the security of the school, if the guards are doing their assigned jobs and watching the perimeter diligently, a threat would be eliminated before entering school grounds, wouldn't it?"

Kaname then raises an eyebrow and asks deliberately, "It seems perfectly reasonable to me. Or is there another reason as to why you want to assign guards to the Night Class?"

Predictably, many of the council members shift uncomfortably at the subtle implications in his words. Ichijo only frowns heavily at him and does not answer. Kugamiya glances towards him and sighs before she says evenly, "We understand. The council would just like to ask you if you could deliberate with us before making such a decision."

Kaname smiles politely and comments, "Of course. We are discussing it now, aren't we?"

A look of exasperation flits briefly across her features before one of the other council members, a young man with wavy blond hair speaks up, "I, ah, agree with Kuran-sama. The situation at the academy seems to be adequately resolved. Let us focus on the issues with the hunters instead. We still have not decided what we should do concerning the new president of the Hunter's Association, after all."

There is a murmur of agreement before various council members argue again over the appropriate response.

Kaname resists the urge to rub his temples. This is going to be a very long week.

---

"Hey, Asano."

Asano sighs exasperated as his partner nudges him once for what? The sixth time since they started patrol?

He scowls. This better not be what he thinks it is again. "What is it, asshole? Don't push me."

Komatsu clears his throat deliberately before he announces, "My bladder calls for liberation."

Asano blinks and stops dead in the middle of the sidewalk. He asks blankly, "….Your what now?"

Komatsu lifts an eyebrow and says exasperated, "Dude, what part of that did you not understand? Do I need to repeat it? My. Bladder. Needs - Ow! What the fuck?"

He rubs his head and glowers at Asano, who smacks him once more for good measure.

Asano shoots him a dirty look and retorts, "Me? Ask yourself that first, idiot! Why can't you say you need to go take a leak like a normal person?" He jerks a thumb towards the nearby park and adds crossly, "Oi, go already."

He mutters under his breath, "Even though it's your sixth time already and we have only patrolled for two hours."

Komatsu flips him the middle finger. "I don't complain when you insist on stopping for all those coffee breaks, jackass."

Asano rolls his eyes and watches Komatsu turns towards the park before abruptly stopping. Clutching his stomach, Komatsu grimaces and says hurriedly, "Uh, I may need more time to win this revolution."

Asano's expression flattens as he stares at Komatsu hobbling away.

Why the hell is he stuck with a constantly constipated partner? A constantly constipated and overly dramatic partner?

At this rate, the only routes they can patrol are the ones that have restrooms available or bars that are open at this godforsaken hour.

Asano sighs. No matter how much Komatsu annoys him though, he'll take the partner with the nonexistent bladder over any of those new recruits any day.

Neither does he want to be stuck with those hunters who showed up out of the blue and are always with the president.

Those guys….Man, those guys just give him bad vibes. He can't really pinpoint it, but the restlessness and determination in their faces instinctively makes him feel wary.

His girlfriend keeps telling him to quit as a hunter and go do something safer, like being a company man or a construction worker. And to be frank, he thinks maybe it is a good idea to reconsider other career options.

Sure, being a hunter means going out there and fighting the Level E's, keeping the town safe, and all of that shit that looks nice on paper.

But they are not heroes. Not the kind emblazoned in comic books or movies.

The association has its fair part of twisted schemes and manipulation behind the curtains. He isn't stupid. He knows that. It just never seemed particularly relevant to him.

All he wants is to go out, do a mission, and hopefully not die in the process of preventing people from meeting the Grim Reaper too soon. The nuances and ulterior motives can be left to the higher ups. At the end of the day, if Asano can help protect just one more life, then that is all that matters.

But, there are some things that don't add up, that he can't ignore anymore, like the bombing in the abandoned warehouse weeks ago or the sudden push to be more assertive and vigilant on patrols.

It is one thing to be dappled in gray and another to be stained in black. The line is there for a reason, and he is not comfortable with how they keep tangoing with it these days.

Damn, everything smells like shit lately.

Clatter!

Asano immediately stills, his train of thought completely derailed and his hand already reaching for the gun in his holster. Who the hell is out at this time in the night?

His hunter instincts prickle suddenly, and Asano tenses at the aura approaching him. Vampire.

Asano draws the gun, finger immediately on the trigger as he looks towards the lamppost on the corner of the street. He furrows his eyebrows as a dark brown haired man in his late twenties stumbles forward, foot carelessly kicking a dented beer can. The can rolls across the cobblestone, and the metal din echoes through the empty street.

Asano watches the guy warily. He can sense the aura rippling with power. Not a Level E... A noble?

He frowns before calling out, "Hey! You can't be loitering here. This is a residential area."

To his irritation, the noble does not hear him and continues to walk forward. Although, Asano notes with some confusion that the man's steps seem strangely stilted and unbalanced.

Man, this better be not another vampire coming to harass them for the increase in patrols or interrogations.

He does not want to deal with that shit. It's not like he understands the sudden need for stricter surveillance either.

Asano frowns. He opens his mouth, ready to give out a warning before to his utter surprise, the vampire suddenly sways and crumples down on the sidewalk, right under the yellow-orange halo of the lamppost.

Asano blinks and stares at the sight with equal amounts of alarm and wariness. What the absolute fuck? What the hell is wrong with that vampire?

God, he hates the night patrol.

He curses under his breath and grimaces. With eyes gauging the vampire for any sudden movement, he approaches closer to the vampire with his gun still drawn and stops at a safe enough distance away. Asano scans the vampire again, who still lies face first on the ground.

Seriously? What the fuck? Is he drunk? That can't be right. Aren't nobles too refined to get this shitfaced?

He sighs and calls out again, voice heavy with irritation, "Oi, vampire! Get up. Don't make me have to escort you." At the lack of movement or response, Asano furrows his eyebrows and asks warily, "Hey, can you hear me? What the hell is wrong with you?"

There is another long pause before Asano hears a low groan and watches the vampire slowly pull himself up, white knuckled hands gripping the lamppost for support. He breathes heavily before he mutters, "Get out of here!"

Asano raises an eyebrow and retorts, "I should be the one telling you that! Look man, you know how things are between us and you guys right now, yeah? So unless you have a death wish, how about you get ahold of yourself and stop wandering aimlessly in the streets."

The vampire tenses and whips his head towards Asano. He yells, voice hoarse and eyes wild and frantic. "Get away from me!"

Asano narrows his eyes at the bright crimson hue of those irises and curses again in his head. Shit, bloodthirst? He mentally groans. God, how the fuck is he supposed to deal with this?

Asano scrutinizes the vampire sharply, all of his senses focusing on the slightest hint of movement. He does not want to shoot this guy if he can help it.

This man is a noble, and while those new recruits or hell, a good portion of hunters, would have already shot first and asked questions later, he is not like those fucktards. Actions have consequences, and he is not going to be the guy who causes a war between the two sides.

Even if that is what their new president seems to be gunning for.

Asano tries to keep his voice even and nonthreatening as he says calmly, "Alright. How about you calm down, ok? And do something about the bloodthirst of yours?" He nods towards the guy and continues, "Don't you have uh, blood tablets or something?"

At that, the guy stares at him wide-eyed – Asano frowns at the feverish flush coloring the pale cheeks and the unfocused, glazed over look in those eyes - and mumbles, "You don't…You don't understand. I keep – I keep trying and – and…"

The vampire lets his voice trail off before he takes an audible shaky breath and runs a hand agitatedly through his tousled hair. He slumps down the lamppost, arms tightly crossed around him, and whispers aloud, "I don't - I don't understand. I normally have myself under control."

Asano stills at the tremble in his voice, the quiet self-admission. His eyes flick over the vampire again and he frowns. What the hell is happening here? Is he…sick?

He immediately tenses when the vampire shifts, gun snapping up again, but the vampire only fumbles through his pockets. Asano watches him pulling out a white prescription bottle and shaking out a dozen or so white tablets on his palm. He widens his eyes when the guy quickly shoves them all in his mouth and swallows them dry.

"Oi! Are you…are you supposed to take that much? What's wrong with you?"

The noble does not answer and instead to Asano's increasing bewilderment, he all but collapses there against the lamppost, arms tightly wrapped around himself again and knees brought to his chest. Asano observes with alarm as a visible shudder wracks through the guy. The guy rocks back and forth on the back of his heels, chest heaving hard. His jaw is clenched, sweat dripping down his face, and Asano can see the taut lines of tensed muscles.

Shit. This is not good.

Despite the high dose, the noble looks no better off. What the hell? Aren't the blood tablets supposed to control the bloodthirst?

Asano frowns. It looks like he might have to forcibly subdue this guy.

He takes a step forward and immediately stops when the vampire's eyes immediately snap to him. Crimson eyes flashing, he yells with a panicked edge to his voice, "Get away from me! You – you need to leave me alone. For your own good."

Asano immediately tenses as the lamp buzzes loudly before the light starts flickering erratically. Power pulses in the air and Asano's eyes catch the electricity crackling across the vampire's form.

His fingers tighten on the gun. Asano says seriously, "You need to calm the hell down, man. I can't leave you alone and let you roam around town in this condition."

Judging by the pained expression, the clenched fists, and the fear creeping in the guy's voice, this noble is clearly fighting the bloodthirst. But, Asano can already tell that it is a losing battle.

Goddamn it. He needs to resolve this situation before the noble loses control of himself.

Where the hell is Komatsu? Who the fuck takes this long of a shit on a patrol?

His eyes flick across the distance once more before his expression steels over. "No hard grudges, but I need to sedate you for a while."

He immediately starts muttering incantations under his breath, a basic ward to make a vampire dizzy enough to fall unconscious. Or at least he hopes this works.

God, he's shit at wards and seals.

It takes more effort to bring down a noble than a lower ranked vampire. Quite honestly, he thinks he would have a better chance doing a blood seal or ward. But that requires blood, and it is an asinine idea to do that when the guy is practically a living battery right now, not to mention the bloodthirst.

The vampire jerks back against the lamppost and clutches his head in his hands. The deep groan in pain makes Asano cringe in sympathy, but it also means that it has some effect on the noble.

He chants the words faster under his breath before a sudden harsh buzz slices through him and he immediately flinches back in reaction. He grimaces, mentally checking for any injuries. That…that felt like electricity.

His eyes widen in alarm. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Darker blue jagged lines dance off the vampire's form, and Asano is not sure if he even realizes that he is emitting the charge or not. Damn it.

He resumes the incantation and moves quickly back away from the crackling buzz and static that he can now see visibly fluctuating in the air. He raises the gun and trains it on the vampire. Should he shoot? Or keep on chanting?

What if he does nonlethal shots? And well if it comes to it, he will have to do what he has to do.

At the back of his mind, he can already hear his mentor rebuking him harshly for being an idiot, that when dealing with vampires or any other dangerous threat, shooting to wound will only endanger himself and the people around him.

Before he can make his decision, the vampire suddenly staggers to his feet and gazes straight at him. Cold dread plummets in his stomach when he sees the elongated fangs and the crazed, maniacal red gleam in those eyes. Hungry. Predatory.

The guy lost it. Shit. Shit. He took too long.

Asano grits his teeth and presses the trigger. The gunshot echoes loudly through the still air and he does not hesitate to fire off successive shots. Shoulder. Arm. Leg. Chest.

The vampire howls with pain as the bullets shred through him, and dark red crimson seeps quickly through his clothes. His features contort into fury and he snarls.

Asano reflexively leaps back as the vampire charges towards him. Damn it. He fires off another shot and widens his eye at the bolt of lightning whipping towards him.

He immediately throws himself as far to his right as he can to dodge, knees and elbows scarping harshly against the gritty, cold pavement. The bolt barely misses hitting him, but the arc of electricity passes over his calf. The searing intense heat scalds his skin like white-hot liquid lava.

Asano chokes back a scream as millions of sharp jolts of pain mercilessly shred through his leg until it dulls in a throbbing ache. He has no time to think about that because the vampire lunges forward, hands outstretched and hissing. Unable to move in time, he raises the gun, finger repeatedly pulling the trigger towards the vampire.

The vampire, this time, does not falter and continues to press forward, using his agility to dodge whatever bullets he can and ignoring any that he can't.

Asano's eyes catch three more bullets piercing through the vampire's legs and another two in the arms. What the fuck? Hell, it should be easy for that noble to kill him now, take advantage of the fact that he's sprawled on the ground right now. The guy has a long-distance ability, and yet he keeps charging forward towards the rain of bullets, eyes blazing a brilliant red.

Asano stills. Bloodthirsty. This guy…. This guy is acting like an animal would when cornered. He is not even thinking. He is running on pure animalistic instincts.

Asano curses and fires the gun again. Shit. Shit. There is a blur of blood soaked fabric before a heavy pressure tumbles straight into him. Wha-?

He widens his eyes at the hissing vampire sitting on top of him. Asano immediately pulls up a leg and slams it into the vampire, one hand raising the gun to shoot it, when the vampire darts out a hand and twists it.

Asano curses furiously at the white hot pain that streaks up his arm as he hears the nauseating crack of bone. The gun clatters uselessly down to the ground and he desperately shoves against the vampire to displace him. He screams when pain courses through him, tears apart all his nerves, and stabs his chest, suffocating and throbbing. His mind dimly realizes the muscles spasms, the violent shudders that wrack his body.

His eyes flick to the vampire and sees the erratic lines of electricity sparking through the guy. Is he being electrocuted?

The vampire roughly turns his head to the side, fingernails digging into the skin, before he leans down and bites down harshly. Asano feels the muscle there twitch involuntarily, but he can't register anything else. Whatever initial pain is only consumed by the razor sharp edges of the buzz shredding him until all he can feel and register is the blindingly white numbness.

His thoughts swirl in distorted images and words. Asano thinks he may be screaming, but he can't tell anything apart from the throbbing deep in his bones that sounds incredibly like his own heartbeat.

A distant familiar voice cuts through the hazy background. "Hey, I'm done. Man, maybe I should cut back on the junkfood or somet - Hey! Get the fuck off him!"

The pressure on top of him suddenly disappears. Asano hears a snarl followed by a string of curses and a clash of metal. He blinks groggily. All of his instincts scream at him to get up already, but everything aches, his muscles his head. Something warm and sticky runs down the side of his throat.

Asano grimaces and slowly sits up, ignoring the deep set ache and the trembling muscles. The world spins in splotches of dark green, and he blinks rapidly to clear away the dizzying swirl of colors. Damn it, he feels faint from the blood loss.

He hears Komatsu cursing again before something metal scrapes against the cobblestone.

Gun. He needs to get the gun.

His eyes rove the ground above him until the silver gleam to his left catches his eyes.

He stretches for it with his unbroken hand, wincing at the strain of muscles. His fingers fumble to grasp the gun, and it takes a couple of tries and cuss words to grab it.

Asano breathes in shakily as he quickly fumbles for another magazine. With practiced motions, his hands quickly move across the gun, reinserting the new magazine with a sharp click and pulling back the slide on the barrel.

"Shit!"

Asano freezes at the loud, gurgled cry and whips his head back with wide eyes. Komatsu's sword clangs down on the ground, the white-silver steel gleaming as it falls. Komatsu lets out a strangled noise as his hands come up to scrabble desperately at the noble's hands around his throat.

Asano curses and fires his gun. The noble's eyes slide towards him, the bright crimson irises mirroring the red smeared grotesquely across his lips, as he takes that millisecond to pivot slightly to his right.

Asano watches in horror as the bullet tears instead into Komatsu's arm.

Shit. Shit. He can't shoot like this if Komatsu is the way.

Up. He needs to stand up.

He takes a steady breath before he forces himself to stand up. His head throbs dully and his legs quiver violently. He stumbles and nearly collapses again with the effort.

Komatsu. He needs to get to Komatsu.

Asano grits his teeth and forces himself to stand straight, muscles heaving with effort. He staggers forward before he forces his legs to move towards them. His eyes train on Komatsu who looks eerily still now, slumping against the vampire. The loud slurps fills the air as the vampire continues to tear messily into Komatsu's throat.

Crimson pools under the two's feet and Asano can't tell if it's because of Komatsu's wounds or the noble's.

At the sound of his footsteps, the vampire immediately lets go of Komatsu, and Asano watches Komatsu drop down carelessly and lifelessly with a soft thud.

Dead, his mind whispers. He tenses, but his legs tremble once more. He can't run like this.

He hears the snarl, the heavy breathing as the vampire staggers towards him. Cold resignation drowns any fear, and with his mind completely devoid of thought, Asano raises the gun.

He does not flinch or dodge as the clawed hand thrusts forward, piercing through his stomach, and instead steps forward.

At this distance, he won't miss. A guaranteed death shot.

Asano presses the barrel to the vampire's forehead and pulls the trigger.

Bang!

Warm liquid splatters his face as the vampire immediately stills and collapses down. Blood quickly spreads out from under him, spilling over the cobblestone and seeping into the cracks like a morbid, red flower. Asano watches as the noble's body gradually dissolve into a pile of dust.

The heavy coppery scent suffocates the air. A wave of nausea rises up in him.

Asano presses a hand to his stomach, his shirt squelching wetly with the touch. He pulls back his hand and stares at the bright red staining his entire palm.

He blinks before his legs suddenly give out and Asano finds himself face down on the cold pavement. His ears register the gun clattering down as well.

He takes in a shaky breath. Everything spins and blurs together in fragments of colors. He feels his eyelids grow heavy, and he blinks dazedly.

As black encroaches his vision, Asano faintly thinks that he really should have listened to his girlfriend.

---

"Kaname? Are you alright?" Takuma asks again after he observes Kaname rubbing his neck for the fifth time today.

Kaname only frowns and says distractedly, an uncharacteristic edge of irritation in his voice, "I'm fine, Takuma."

He taps his fingers impatiently on the coffee table. This meeting is not going well at all. He did not expect it to in the first place, but annoyance still registers all the same.

The situation at the academy is no longer the pressing issue here anymore.

No. What is more important is how to keep the tension between the two sides from igniting like a keg of gunpowder.

And the most frustrating thing is that even if he does manage to control the council and convince them to tread carefully here, his efforts have no meaning if the hunters do not do the same.

The strings are laid so clearly before him, but the puppets that they connect to aren't his. It is painfully easy to see that the hunters are baiting the council into retaliating. The increased patrols, the hostility on the streets, the very conspicuous increase in activity and supplies.

The president is not hiding any of it. He wants the council to see, and the council members are acting predictably in response. The calls for patrols of their own, closer surveillance of the hunters...the increasing support for a display of power to remind hunters of their place...

Kaname frowns again, and Takuma watches his expression tighten. He sighs, putting aside the matter of Kaname's restlessness this week, and instead remarks, "Everyone seems fired up lately, don't they?"

Kaname answers, voice grave and frustrated, "And if nothing else is done about it, the status quo between the two sides will go up in flames as well."

Takuma gazes at him and asks quietly, "You think things would reach that point?"

Kaname sighs heavily. "I think they already have, Takuma."

Takuma only nods, unsurprised, most likely having thought the same thing. He asks calmly, "What should we do then?"

Kaname pushes aside the files in front of him and leans back in the sofa, the soft cushion sinking underneath him. Instead of answering, he asks tiredly, "Takuma, what do you think would happen if war broke out between the two sides again?"

Takuma reaches out and shuffles the papers as he answers idly, "It would be an apocalypse." He lifts his head up and continues with a small smile that does not reach his eyes, "Correct?"

Kaname nods wordlessly.

The unspoken words loom ominously in the air, and Kaname feels more tired than ever. He ignores the aching throb in his neck and reaches for the cup of coffee instead.

"Do you want to stop the council?"

Kaname stills at the calm words spoken so lightly despite the dangerous implications. His eyes look searchingly at Takuma, whose green eyes look as bright and amiable as always and yet completely unreadable. The words are honest though, and Kaname responds lightly, "The council has not made any decisions yet, Takuma. And while we are on the brink of war, war has not broken out yet."

Takuma considers his words for a moment before he asks, "Do you want me to talk with my grandfather?"

Kaname frowns and says disapprovingly, "No. That is not necessary."

Takuma shakes his head and says with a hint of exasperation, "Kaname, if it would - "

"Things are strained between the two of you already." Kaname interrupts sharply before he continues with a note of concern, "So do not worry yourself over this."

Takuma pauses at his troubled expression and slowly concedes, "If that's what you want Kaname, then alright."

Kaname nods.

Takuma takes a careful sip of his coffee before he comments, "I suppose, the only thing to do is to keep the council from acting too hastily."

Kaname makes a noise of agreement and says, "As well as the hunters."

Kaname inwardly sighs and closes his eyes.

That is easier to be said than done. Even if there is clear manipulation here, both sides still have their own agendas and ulterior motives. He knows that many vampires have derogatory attitudes towards the humans, and recent events have only strengthened their perspective that vampires should reassert their control and power over all of society.

And it is not hard to imagine a similar attitude for the hunters either, a number of them no doubt resenting the vampires for the influence they already exert over the humans.

They are all dancing on the brink of catastrophe, and it unnerves him how it takes only one decision, one action that shoves down the path of no return.

His neck suddenly throbs harshly again, and all of his earlier irritation wells up again.

He does not understand.

That tingle he felt at first has only gradually worsened throughout the week. His neck feels unbearably warm, the burn pulsing and ticking under his skin like a second heartbeat.

It drives him mad.

The sensation pulls his muscles taut like a bow string and sends his fingers twitching restlessly. An inexplicable feeling of dissatisfaction worms itself into his thoughts and chafes against him all day like a scratchy sweater.

Kaname wants to scratch his skin and rub away the feeling, but the feeling persists and scrapes that much more insistently against his senses. He suspects that it is the bond acting out, but god, he does not understand why it is. And why now?

He can't afford to deal with the bond right now. Not when he has to be in these tedious debates and discussions with the council members.

But it does and it has, numerous times this week and even in the middle of conversation.

It is irritating. Dangerous.

He cannot be distracted like this. Facing off with the council is akin to dancing a tango in which all dance partners hold a knife to each other's neck. Any misstep would lead to a crack in his carefully constructed image and mask. Any revealed weakness is one that his enemies and opponents would be all too eager to capitalize on like the vultures they really are.

It is imperative that he keeps his wits about him right now.

But, whenever he tries to ignore the feeling and push it to the back of his mind, the burning pulse in his neck only returns with tenfold the intensity. It throbs and flares wildly, demanding and angry.

It is as if the bond refuses to be silenced.

He needs, wants – wants….God, he does not know what, but the feeling of yearning twists around him and smothers him with its insistence. It courses relentlessly through his blood, drumming and searching, ravenous for something. His chest tightens with the suffocating pressure. All of his instincts bristle and strain against him.

Kaname's jaw clenches. He feels so frustrated with this.

And, the dark tinged irritation only crashes dangerously with the white-hot burn in his neck, the instinctual desire drumming hard through him until the sensation churns violently, a scalding sea of molten fire.

It claws into him, digs deep under his skin with its talons. It flays all of his thoughts to bits and has his hands clenching with an undeniable thirst, craving.

He can feel his beast shifting impatiently, threatening to break out of the cage that Kaname had carefully constructed from years of practicing self-control and patience.

But most of all, Kaname feels like he's being driven insane. How could feelings, the bond, something so intangible, affect him this much?

In one week. In one week, the bond has him on the brink of chaos.

Takuma watches Kaname silently and senses the thick irritation and restlessness that rolls heavily off him. He furrows his eyebrows and asks firmly, "What is wrong, Kaname? You have been distracted ever since we arrived here."

Kaname immediately clears away his thoughts and tries to think past the determined throbbing in his neck. "I…I am just stressed over the meeting, I suppose."

Takuma sighs and the sheer exasperation in that one sigh has Kaname looking towards him with curiosity. He stares at Kaname, utterly unconvinced at the excuse. He says calmly, "Does this have anything to do with how you disappeared off on Saturday?"

Kaname tenses and stays silent. Sitting across from him on the other sofa, Takuma gazes at him for another moment and says quietly, "This wouldn't have anything to do with the ….hypothetical situation we talked about the other day, would it?"

This time, Kaname sighs and smiles wryly, "You already know, don't you?"

Takuma shrugs, green eyes calm and open gazing back at him. "So you did?"

There is no point in hiding it now, and Kaname says resignedly, "I may have." Zero's expression flits through his mind again and he grimaces, fingers coming up to rub his temples tiredly. He admits, "And I may have acted without thinking."

Takuma watches him for a moment before he asks suddenly, voice concerned, "Is it bothering you right now?"

Kaname pauses in confusion. "What?"

Takuma gestures towards his neck and explains, "The bond. You keep rubbing your neck."

Kaname frowns at the obvious detail and wonders if he has done it too often this week and aroused suspicion. He says carefully, "It…something does not feel right."

Takuma frowns. "As in what exactly?"

Kaname stays silent as he struggles to find the words to describe the sensation. He finally settles on, "It…I feel like I'm missing something, something important."

Takuma contemplates his words for a moment before he suggests, "Perhaps it's because you have been away from your mate."

At that, Kaname tenses and says sharply, vexed, "It has only been a few days, not even a week yet. It is not a dramatic time period. I don't understand how the bond can affect like this already." He frowns and continues with an edge of impatience, "It does not make sense. If vampires could not bear to be apart from their mate for a week, nothing would be accomplished. It's impractical."

Takuma blinks at Kaname's rare irritation and says carefully, "Bonds react differently depending on the type of relationship and the person. Kaname…you're a pureblood. Is it so odd that you feel the effects of the bond more strongly?"

Kaname pauses, his mind running over Takuma's statement. Because he is a pureblood?

Takuma glances at him before he continues lightly, "Seiren mentioned this before, but the bond might be compensating for the lack of a solid emotional connection. If the bond feels like the two people involved are not close enough, is it not reasonable to expect the bond to react accordingly?"

"Compensating?" Kaname questions. He furrows his eyebrows and says, "You're talking as if the bond is a living thing."

Takuma shrugs. "I won't go so far as to say that it has a mind of its own, but a bond is the manifestation of the feelings shared between two vampires, right? It's a bridge of sorts between two souls. I think it would have to adapt correspondingly to how feelings fluctuate and whatnot." He pauses and smiles hesitantly. "Or at least that is what I think. You might want to do some actual research, Kaname."

Kaname stays silent as he considers Takuma's words. Blood bonds are to enrich and enhance a relationship, the connection, the love two people had for each other. They are not supposed to overwhelm an individual, but...

He does not really know what to classify the way things are between Zero and him right now. They did not enter this in an already established relationship after all.

If two people are not close enough….a bridge between two souls…

His mind flashes back to all the moments where he could distinctively feel the bond react. Maybe….Maybe it is because he and Zero did not start with romantic feelings that the bond feels this unstable, like it's trying to maintain the connection between them.

And it most likely did not help that he left for a week, away from Zero.

He furrows his eyebrows in sudden concern. If he feels like this right now, then what about Zero? Is he feeling the same?

Kaname frowns. He needs to resolve things here soon.

He mentally rebukes himself. He should have given this more thought. He and Zero are still trying to figure things out; of course, the bond between them would be tenuous and shaky.

Takuma observes the pensive expression and asks hesitantly, "Kaname, who did you form a blood bond with?"

Kaname pauses at the sudden question. Should he tell Takuma?

He glances back and sees bright green eyes gazing back, gentle and open. This is Takuma, after all, and Kaname easily makes his decision. He confesses quietly, eyes surveying Takuma for his reaction, "Zero."

Takuma completely stills at that, eyes widening in surprise. Stunned, he only says, "Oh. Huh. I wasn't expecting - " He pauses as the full implications registers. He looks at Kaname and says incredulously, "You formed a blood bond with Kiryu-kun?"

Kaname shifts slightly under the incredulous stare and answers uncomfortably, "Yes?"

Takuma stares at him speechlessly before he leans back in the sofa and a thoughtful look crosses his features. After a moment's deliberation, he seemingly comes to a decision and his usual amiable smile returns. He comments lightly, "I guess some things make more sense now."

Kaname blinks at Takuma's sudden change in attitude and asks blankly, "Like what exactly?"

"You um let it slip out earlier that it was not a she." Takuma explains and continues to list the other reasons, much to Kaname's growing discomfort and embarrassment. "And you seemed slightly protective of him when the hunters were arguing with the guards. And then Seiren came back on with the strangest expression on her face and said you were resting, which I thought was stranger because you were not in the Moon Dorms - "

"Takuma, please stop…talking." Kaname murmurs helplessly with his hand over his face and the splayed out fingers covering his expression. Takuma smiles apologetically, although his eyes twinkle in amusement at Kaname's reaction.

Kaname stills as Takuma's words run through his head again. Did Takuma just say that – His mind fumbles and he asks bewilderedly, "Hold on a minute. What did Seiren say?"

Takuma blinks at the sudden question and he ventures unsurely, "Oh, she- um- I think she saw you with Zero? When she was trying to find you on Saturday? I thought it was strange when she told me to leave you alone because you were resting since you were not in the dorms." He shrugs and continues, "But I guess it makes sense now."

On Saturday? Kaname freezes, remembering the position he woke up in, and repeats aloud, "She saw?"

Takuma glances over at him, surprised at the rare tone of panic and dread. He starts hesitantly, "Yes? I mean, surveillance is one of her skills and – Oh." He pauses, realization dawning in his eyes. Takuma clears his throat and says again, cheeks reddening slightly, "Oh."

Kaname furrows his eyebrows, confused at Takuma's sudden embarrassment before understanding floods him. His eyes widen and he quickly tries to correct Takuma's completely wrong assumption. "Takuma, that isn't what you think it…is – We weren't - I -"

Takuma winces and interrupts, waving a hand to stop him. He gives Kaname a reassuring look that only increases Kaname's exasperation and mortification. "That is… normal between mates." Takuma pauses before he clears his throat and continues, "Actually, I'm a little relieved to know that the two of you are not fighting or hostile towards each other."

"I-"

A sudden knock at the door interrupts him and Seiren's voice echoes through, "Kaname-sama?"

Kaname glances at Takuma, who only smiles reassuringly again, before he sighs and says resignedly, "Come in, Seiren."

The door swings open, and Seiren immediately steps in, hand quickly reaching back to shut the door. She lifts her head with eyes suddenly blazing and says urgently, "I just received news that - " She stops midsentence as she finally takes in Kaname's and Takuma's expressions.

Seiren raises a slim eyebrow and asks in concern, "Is everything alright? You both look red."

Kaname blinks, and Takuma waves a hand dismissively and quickly says, "Nothing! It's the…heat."

Seiren stares at Takuma for a moment before she says slowly, "…The room has air conditioning."

Kaname sighs and covers his face again. Takuma pauses and starts hesitantly, "I…um have allergies?"

Seiren, unfortunately, does not notice the reluctant demeanors of the two and asks briskly, "Shall I call in a doctor?"

Before Takuma can answer and make this conversation even more painful to bear, Kaname responds instead, tone blunt and slightly exasperated, "No. That is not necessary. We both are fine, Seiren."

Seiren pauses, eyes regarding him with a bewildered expression. "…I see."

Before she can question him, Kaname continues, "Seiren, what did you say earlier? What news has you looking so hurried?"

At that, Seiren tenses, light violet eyes solemn and serious, as she recounts gravely, "I received news that two hunters and a prominent noble has just been found dead in a residential area."

Takuma stiffens and he glances questioningly at Kaname. Kaname's eyes narrow, jaw clenching, and he says sharply, "Tell me all the details."

---

Rido leans back in the armchair and taps his fingers idly. It seems he has been making far too many office visits these days.

Heavy footsteps suddenly echo in the near distance, the stride purposeful and brisk. Rido raises an eyebrow. It seems Ichijo is irritated.

He smirks. That visit to the pharmaceutical company was indeed productive. He did not expect the results to work out so fantastically. Only three dead, and everyone is already in uproar.

How unfortunate that the weather forecast calls for many more casualties to come in the following days.

People might have wavered before, but with these new developments, everyone is certain to pick a side.

Although, quite honestly, Rido does not think he even needed to do that much work on the hunters. That new president must be satisfied in how things are proceeding his way.

He chuckles darkly. How completely naïve.

The door suddenly swings open, and Ichijo pauses ever so slightly in surprise as his eyes flick towards Rido. He recovers quickly though and merely closes the door with a sharp click.

He strides towards the desk and bows his head shortly. In a measured voice, Ichijo intones respectively, "What brings you here to my office, Kuran-sama?"

Rido merely raises an eyebrow and remarks loftily, "You wound me. Have we not known each other for quite some time now?" His lips curve in a razor sharp smile as he continues, "I might even consider you an old friend, Ichijo."

Ichijo surveys him warily, but says in his usual grave manner, "…I apologize. Forgive my manners. Your appearance caught me by surprise. I did not expect you to be so…"

"Alive? Resurrected?" Rido chuckles, "Neither did I. But all's well that ends well."

Ichijo looks questioningly at him, but does not press for details. Rido continues, "I have need of household staff. You wouldn't mind if I borrow some people, would you?"

Ichijo pauses in surprise before he nods and responds succinctly, "Of course not. I will make the arrangements. Would you like an appropriate lodging to be prepared as well?"

Rido hides a smirk. Of course, Ichijo would not refuse the request. Accepting it only gives him a way to keep eyes on Rido, especially considering the abruptness of his resurrection. That is fine. Everything will come to light eventually, and by then, no one will be able to do anything.

He leans back in the chair and says dismissively, "No. I already have a wonderful estate."

Ichijo frowns slightly and asks carefully, "The Kuran family mansion?"

Rido raises an eyebrow and looks deliberately at Ichijo, eyes flashing with dark amusement. He remarks, "Why the surprise, Ichijo? Am I not the head of the family?"

Ichijo's forehead creases, but he only answers briefly, "Forgive me. Of course, you are."

Rido gestures to the chair and comments, "Why don't you sit down? It feels odd for you to be standing in your own office."

Ichijo's gaze slides to him briefly before he strides towards his desk and sits easily down in the chair. Rido watches him and observes, "You seem a little disgruntled. Care to tell what has you irritated?"

Ichijo only reaches for the documents on the desk and says gravely, "It is nothing you need to concern yourself over."

"Coming back from the near dead means I have a lot to catch up on." Rido's eyes gleam as he asserts, a warning lilt in his tone, "Tell me. I insist."

Ichijo looks towards him and answers calmly, "How negligent of me then. Of course I will, if it interests you so."

Rido sits back, a hand against his cheek, as Ichijo succinctly summarizes the proceedings of the council.

Ichijo finishes with a heavy frown when he mentions the recent news of the death of the noble. "At this point, it is still unclear if the hunters provoked the noble into attacking or if there were other factors involved."

Rido suppresses an annoyed sigh. Even with this, the council seems to be deliberating. How tedious. Instead, he remarks, "Ichijo, have you perhaps grown placid in my absence?"

Ichijo glances at him and answers steadily, "I do not understand. What do you mean?"

Rido raises an eyebrow, "Does it truly matter if who is at fault in this incident? A noble is dead regardless, and that is already alarming in itself. You seem to be underestimating the hunters…and this new president of theirs. In fact, I'm a little surprised you have not given a….little show of force already."

He adds, letting deep disapproval sharpen his tone, "I see no reason for compromise here."

Rido catches the way Ichijo's eyes harden, the sliver of cold ire gleaming through. One more push then. He knows how ruthless and cutthroat Ichijo can be; but unfortunately, that meticulous pensiveness of his gets in the way at times.

Rido continues in a deliberately condescending tone, "Those who hesitate lose, Ichijo."

Ichijo stiffens ever so slightly, and he regards Rido contemplatively for a moment before asking curiously, "How will you react to this?"

At that, Rido relaxes and settles back against the velvet armchair. He says indifferently, "React? Why do I need to? Isn't this the role of the council? And yours?" He shrugs and continues lazily, "I am more interested in what my dear nephew is up to these days."

Interest flickers in Ichijo's eyes at that, but he merely proposes evenly, "Perhaps I should rephrase. Would you be against in….offering us your esteemed assistance?"

Rido's lips stretch into a sharp grin, dark satisfaction curling through him. Ichijo has already made his decision then. Perfect.

He stands up, hands sliding into his pockets, and remarks, "I don't think you need my aid in crushing a few bugs, but…" He smirks again, eyes glimmering ominously, "This does seem entertaining. If you need my help, you know where to find me."

---

War, hmm?

Rido smirks as he strides down the darkened alley. Oh. This is almost too easy. They're all falling like dominoes under his hand.

Leading sheep to slaughter has never been this entertaining before.

A voice calls out from the shadows, "You seem pleased. Congratulations."

The figure steps out, the white silvery grey strands gleaming in the shaft of moonlight cutting through the darkness. The man tugs at the sleeves of his lab coat and looks expectantly towards him.

Rido chuckles, pleased. "How talented. All those hunters keeping you under house arrest and you still managed to escape." He nods towards the white gauze on the man's temple and comments, "Although not unscathed, it seems."

Ogata shrugs and offers indifferently, "It makes it more authentic, doesn't it?"

Rido remarks with heavy amusement, "I would say you are dedicated to your craft, but I am unsure if that is your research or your acting." His eyes steel over in seriousness though as he asks, "How long?"

"I have about an hour before the guards change shifts."

Rido makes a noncommittal noise and leans against the wall. "Does he suspect anything?"

Ogata shakes his head and answers briskly, "No. Everything is going to plan. I have access to him, the higher ups, and all of the classified information."

"That is to be expected." Rido's lips twitch upwards and he adds, "You did sacrifice a rather lovely assistant."

Ogata glances at him and asks with more emotionless intrigue than anything, "Did she suit your taste?"

Rido shrugs and answers carelessly, "I almost felt sorry for her. She tried so hard to protect the papers. Even though I was the intended recipient." He frowns slightly and comments, voice hinted with displeasure, "Although, daylight? You could not have arranged for a better time?"

Ogata immediately bows shortly in apology and says in a respective tone, "I apologize. Takenaka was a bit more aggressive than I expected. I didn't expect to be apprehended so soon."

Rido watches him and notes, "You do not seem at all worried by him."

Ogata raises an eyebrow and says matter-of-factly, "As you said, the only thing that interest me is my research. And, if we are going to talk about taking risks here, I would say that you are the most dangerous one here, Kuran-sama."

Rido smirks and nods, "I will accept that answer." His eyes flick over Ogata, fascinated by how there is no guilt or hesitation on the man's face, only cold reason and rationale etched as deeply into his demeanor as the age-old wrinkles on his face. He observes, "The only thing you care about is your research, isn't it? I can see why they call you a mad scientist."

Ogata answers dismissively, "You have quite the reputation yourself."

Rido's eyes flicker with amusement as he agrees, "That I do." He continues, "Any new developments on Takenaka's pet project?"

At that Ogata's silence, Rido's gaze slides back to him and he smirks at the excitement streaking across Ogata's features. He chuckles, "Oh, that seems promising."

Ogata's dark eyes widen in anticipation, and he says, "I apologize for the insolence, but I may need you to donate some blood."

---

Zero swallows and rubs his neck again. The touch only ignites another overwhelming wave of tingles prickling sharply through his skin. He bites back a groan, fingers clenching in pain and the coarse hay underneath roughly scratching his skin.

The feeling…is not pleasant. It does not feel good at all. No, the tingles only add to a deep ache that embeds underneath his skin.

It honestly feels like what a bruise would if he kept pressing against it with his fingers.

Zero grimaces and mutters some more curses under his breath. What the hell is going on?

Is this because of the bond? Because of…of what happened over the weekend?

No, that can't be right. Why would it cause him actual physical pain?

That makes no goddamned sense.

Zero frowns and runs a hand agitatedly through his hair. He doesn't get it.

Even now, the ache still stirs and twists through him. It feels crazy to think this, but it feels as if the bond is retaliating for something.

But what?

Whenever he goes to the class changeover this week, his mind keeps recognizing and cataloging Kaname's absence. It is frustrating and annoying because of course, Kaname wouldn't be there; he's at a meeting.

Zero doesn't understand why he keeps noticing this useless detail.

Or why it keeps registering with a distinct feeling of dissatisfaction within him. It does not sit right with him. The feeling slithers through and twists inside. It makes his fingers twitch restlessly because he is missing something.

Something that does not fit here, like someone jammed the wrong puzzle piece to the jigsaw puzzle in his head. The feeling of wrongness rebounds off the walls of his mind. It nags him, persistent and troubling. It blends into the inexplicable sense of melancholy settling over him, a faded blue that dulls his senses and wraps him up in a fuzzy lethargy.

The fact that these feelings have materialized out of nowhere bothers him more than the feelings themselves.

Zero is sick of it.

It feels like something inside of him is tugging his strings and rummaging through his head. He feels manipulated, and familiar frustration knots inside of him again. He does not want to lose control, not when he has so little of it and not when holding on to his sense of self is like holding water in cupped hands.

Everything feels smeared together. All the colors in his head run together, and he does not know which thoughts or feelings are his own and which ones are influenced by the bond.

Zero frowns. Things between Kaname and him are so frustratingly undefined and different that he does not even have a baseline to compare the normality of his behavior to anymore.

Even the aching pain in his neck is abstract and intangible. He can go look in the mirror, but his skin won't be speckled with blue and purple like the bruise that should be there.

He feels like he is losing his mind.

Lily shifts restlessly at the discomfort radiating off Zero. She nickers softly and drops her head to nuzzle against his cheek. He blinks at the sudden ticklish hairs brushing his skin, and the contact drags him away from his thoughts.

His lips curve in a small smile as Lily does it again. Zero reaches out to scratch her neck and murmurs reassuringly, "I'm fine, Lily. It's just been a long week."

Her ears flick up, pointed towards him at his words, and she stubbornly leans down and nuzzles him again, clearly unconvinced by his words. He shakes his head in amusement and runs a hand over her smooth coat in slow, sure motions to reassure her.

As his hand idly continues to pet her, Zero breathes in deeply, trying to ignore the ache in his neck and lose himself in the mundane peace settling over the stables instead.

The minutes waltz by like this and Zero's mind slowly but surely blanks out.

Lily suddenly tenses under his hand and raises her head, ears flicking back. Zero blinks and turns his head to look behind her. A familiar voice rings out and complains, "There you are, idiot. Making me walk over campus to find you and here you are in the stables. Zero, it's rude to give me this much work. Don't you think I'm already working hard as a teacher?"

The wooden gate of the stall squeaks as it swings open. Kaito ambles in with a plastic bag in his hand before stopping. He eyes Lily whose tail flicks behind her with one hoof pawing at the dirt in annoyance. Kaito watches her for another moment before he asks warily, "She isn't going to kick me, is she?"

Zero rolls his eyes, hand reaching out to reassure Lily that it's fine, and says idly, "Probably not."

Kaito turns to look flatly at him and mutters dryly, "How reassuring. I can see why she gets along with only you."

He sighs and moves closer to Zero, walking carefully past Lily. To Zero's surprise, Kaito plops carelessly down next to him on the pile of hay.

"Kaito?"

Kaito only looks towards Lily, who with a toss of her mane, promptly moves away from them towards the back of the stall. He raises an eyebrow and comments, "She really doesn't like me, does she?"

Zero shrugs. "She does not like meeting new people."

Kaname sighs and leans back against the wooden side of the stall. He notes, "She really reminds me of you. Got your whole standoffish attitude down to a tee."

Zero scowls and reaches out to shove him in the shoulder. Kaito angles himself away and chuckles. "See?"

He leans down and rummages through the plastic bag at his feet. To Zero's surprise, Kaito snaps open a can and sips it without hesitation.

Zero stares at him before he says exasperated, "Is that beer? You do know you're a teacher now, right?"

Kaito returns the flat stare with an irritated look. "Of course, I do, you dolt. I confiscated these from some idiots in the dorms when I was looking for you."

Zero raises an eyebrow and says disbelievingly, "And now you're drinking them."

Kaito shrugs and says lazily, "Waste not, want not." He nods towards Zero and continues, "So what's wrong with you?"

Zero furrows his eyebrows at the sudden question and says slowly, "Nothing."

Kaito scoffs, "Bullshit. Try again."

Zero frowns and says defensively, "I said it was nothing. What's with the sudden question?"

Kaito takes another sip before he says impatiently, "Strike two. Try again. " He raises an eyebrow and says deliberately in a condescending voice, "Maybe you don't know this, but you don't win anything if you keep striking out. You know. The whole three strikes and you're out and all that shit?"

Zero glares at him and complains crossly, "Who the hell cares about your stupid strikes? I don't remember playing a game with you." He leans back and closes his eyes, trying to regain some of the peace from earlier before Kaito strolled in here. "I'm fine, so stop bothering me already."

Zero hears Kaito sigh, and seriously, the amount of exasperation in that sound is completely undeserved. He is about to retort when a foot swings into his leg. His eyes snap open, and Zero turns to glower at Kaito. "Stop kicking me, you jerk."

Kaito pretends not to hear him and takes another sip. "Strike three, Zero."

Zero stares, expression flattening at Kaito's stubbornness, before he shoves him in the shoulder in retribution. Kaito cusses aloud when the movement causes the beer to trickle down his hand and slosh on the ground. "Oi! I'm drinking here!"

Zero scoffs, "Serves you right. You shouldn't be drinking in the first place."

Zero's eyes narrow when he sees Kaito's lips lift in a smirk. He asks warily, "What?"

Kaito slowly sets the can down on the ground and drawls, "I see. You're not going to answer? I'll change tactics then."

"What do you by change of tac – Hey! Stop it! Get off me, you stupid asshole!" Zero grits out and shoves against the arm around his neck. Kaito only grins and squeezes tighter.

He says smugly, "Give in and I'll let you go. Stop being stub – Ow!" Kaito immediately lets go and rubs his shin with a pained grimace. He cusses aloud and narrows his eyes. "You little shit. Come back here!"

Zero leans away from the outstretched hand and retorts, "You deserve it, jackass. You – Stop kicking me!"

Kaito ducks his head and stops a stray fist, grumbling, "Stop punching me then, you dumbass."

Zero scowls and lifts a leg to kick him, and Kaito quickly leans to the side to dodge, leg sweeping out to kick Zero's other leg. Zero curses and stumbles down. Kaito takes advantage of the fall to wrap an arm around Zero's neck and the other securing Zero's arm as they both tumble down onto the ground.

Lily snorts loudly at the commotion, tail flicking in irritation before she leans down to drink from the trough again.

Zero tugs at his pinned arm and hisses, "Let go!"

Kaito merely presses his weight in more and comments, "You're so stubborn. Give in already."

"Yeah, right." Zero grits out before he complains, "You're too heavy, you asshole. Get the hell off me!"

Kaito hums and drawls, "I'm offended. Are you calling me fat?"

"Kaito!"

Kaito merely tightens his grip and looks down unsympathetically. "Give up."

"You stupid, idiotic, retarded jackass! You – Ow! Stop! Fine! I give up. Get off already!"

Kaito grins before he slowly disentangles himself as Zero shoots him a dirty look. Kaito says smugly, "Took you long enough."

Zero cusses darkly under his breath as he sits gingerly up. He roughly brushes off the stray hay clinging to his clothes. Damn it. The stupid bastard.

Kaito chuckles at Zero's disheveled appearance and plops back down on the pile of hair, uncaring of his equally messy hair or the smudges of dirt on his trousers either. He picks up the can and downs it before he asks idly, "Are you going to tell me now?"

Zero huffs in irritation before he stalks over to the pile of hay and sits back down roughly. He scowls and grouses, "Kaito, seriously. Nothing is wrong with me. The only thing bothering me right now is you."

Kaito turns and looks at him, and says unimpressed, "Are you finally going through puberty? Why are you so moody lately?" He pauses and smirks before adding, "Or at least more than usual anyways."

Zero frowns, foot kicking him neatly in the leg for that comment. He mutters, "You aren't the happiest person to be around either, asshole. Don't you have better things to do than annoy me?"

"No. I already did a shit ton of paperwork." Kaito leans back and continues, voice positively dripping with sarcasm, "All thanks to our wonderful sensei and chairman who were gone this whole week. It was great having to fill in for another class that I knew nothing about."

At that, Zero's lips twitch upwards and he snickers, "I heard your lesson on standing up to authority was pretty insightful."

Kaito glances at him exasperated and mutters, "Yeah, well, the other teachers did not feel that way. My students took real life application too seriously."

Zero shakes his head and chuckles. "You're such an idiot."

Kaito opens another can and drinks it before he comments dryly, "I don't want to be judged by the idiot who isolates himself with horses." Leaning away from another halfhearted shove from Zero, Kaito sighs and says more seriously, "You sure you're ok? You're not giving yourself existential crises, are you?"

Zero furrows his eyebrows and asks slowly, "How…the hell do you give yourself one?"

"By thinking too much." Kaito answers lazily before he continues more impatiently, "So? Don't make me repeat myself."

"It's noth-"

Kaito interrupts and warns, "Say nothing again and I'll hit you."

Zero bites his lips and stays silent. There is no way he can tell Kaito what is actually bothering him. Still, a pang of guilt runs through him because Kaito seems uncharacteristically concerned over this.

Kaito watches him for a moment and notes the troubled expression. He sighs and presses again, "I'll be here for as long as it takes. It's Saturday night and I have no plans. Unfortunately. I'm stuck babysitting the school." He gives Zero a sidelong glaze and adds lightly, "And you, by the looks of it."

Zero glances back at him and Kaito continues in an offhand tone, "Guess I'll play twenty questions with you, jackass. Is the seal bothering you?"

Zero blinks at the sudden question. "Seal?"

Kaito gestures towards his neck and explains, "The tattoo. You keep rubbing it lately."

Zero pauses, mind running through the possible excuses. Did he really keep touching it that much for Kaito to notice? He starts slowly, "It's fine. I just…have a rash."

He inwardly winces at the lame excuse, a feeling of deja-vu creeping in as he remembers the whole incident with the girls from before.

As predicted, Kaito looks at him utterly unconvinced and frowns. "A rash? That's your best excuse?"

He shakes his head. Seriously, if he was going to lie, at least put some effort into it. Kaito sighs. Zero is always so stubborn about things like this, keeping all of his problems bottled up inside.

He glances at Zero once more and decides to call Zero's bluff. Reaching out, he says, "Let me see."

To Kaito's surprise, Zero immediately flinches back at the outstretched hand and covers his neck. "Don't!"

Kaito stills at the reaction and warily pulls back his hand. Zero widens his eyes, already rebuking himself for the outburst. He says quickly, "Sorry. I…don't like it when people touch it."

Zero glances back at Kaito, inwardly wincing for his response, but Kaito only says easily, "Alright. I won't. Although, I am not convinced at all now." He gazes at Zero for a moment, eyes flicking to the tattoo, and asks with slight concern, "Does it hurt or something?"

Zero hesitates and says vaguely, "Not exactly. I just feel…off all week."

"Off?"

Zero pauses and struggles to explain himself, "Like…like the feeling you get when you lost something or forgot it and it nags at you."

Kaito stares blankly at him and comments, "If you're talking about your brain, I think we all lost that a long time ago."

Zero scowls and retorts, "I can tell from this stupid conversation I am having with you that you lost all your brain cells the day you were born."

Kaito takes another sip and only hums, "Not going to lie, this feels extremely existential." He looks dubiously down at the beer can and adds, "I'm not sure I'm drunk enough to have this conversation."

Zero nudges him in the shoulder and says defensively, "You asked, asshole."

Kaito cusses again as the can jerks and beer spills over his fingers. He mutters, "I'm kidding, geez. Is that all that's bothering you?"

"Yeah."

Kaito observes him for a moment before reaching out and flicking him in the forehead.

Zero immediately frowns, hand coming to rub his skin. "Stop hitting me. What the hell?"

Kaito gives him a pointed look and emphasizes, "Then tell me."

Zero wavers for a moment because Kaito does not look like he will let this go for some reason. He settles on giving a half-truth and blurts out, "I did something embarrassing, alright?"

It helps that the memories from last Saturday run through his mind again, and his cheeks redden a little at remembering. Kaito pauses at that, eyes flicking over the rare sight before a twinge of relief runs through him. So this is what was troubling Zero all week?

He raises an eyebrow and says with slight incredulity, "And it's still bothering you? How sensitive are you? Did you do it in front of your class, your crush or what?"

Zero immediately turns his head to the side, arms crossed over his chest, and protests hotly, "No!"

Kaito pauses again at the defensive edge to Zero's tone and looks questioningly at him. Did he somehow hit the bull's eye?

He idly dangles the beer can and offers lazily, "Just let it blow over and you'll forget it soon enough."

Zero rolls his eyes and says dryly, "Great advice, Kaito. I wonder why I never thought of that."

Kaito shrugs and grumbles, "Shut up. That's all I have to offer. Pretend to be enlightened."

Zero shakes his head and comments, "You would make the shittiest therapist ever."

Kaito finishes the can and crushes it in his hand. "Yeah, well, that's why I'm a hunter."

He leans down and reaches for another one as he continues more quietly, "You look better than the last time I saw you, Zero."

Zero blinks at the sudden change in tone, eyes snapping back to Kaito in bewilderment. Kaito traces the metal rim of the beer can absentmindedly and admits softly, "I'm glad, idiot. I was worried that you were going to do something stupid when….when Ichiru died."

Zero stills at the undercurrent of concern and genuine relief in Kaito's voice. He swallows.

Kaito sighs and opens the beer can. Zero's eyes flick uncertainly to him and sees the distant look on his face. His brown eyes are shadowed with a weariness that makes Zero thinks he must be remembering his own past for a moment.

Kaito takes another long swig before he adds, "We all were worried actually."

Zero bites his lips and looks away. The words slice through his skin, and dark guilt oozes out of the wounds. If…if Kaname did not stop him that night, what would have happened?

Zero swallows, eyes widening in horrified realization. He would….he would not have only hurt himself. He would have hurt the ones around him, leave back a permanent scar as a reminder of his actions.

How could have he been so selfish?

His fingers tremble at the thoughts, and Zero immediately clenches them tightly. It never registered to him then.

He swallows thickly. No. That's not true. It did, but the pain, the exhaustion had smothered everything. In that moment, all Zero could feel was the despair writhing deep in his gut, eating away at his bones, consuming his very soul.

He…did not think he had anything else.

And now, looking back on it, fear and regret almost chokes him as he realizes how easily things could have gone so, so wrong with that one decision.

Kaito frowns at the silence and turns his head to look at Zero. He narrows his eyes at the guilt scrawled over Zero's face, recognizes that familiar pained expression. His jaw clenches and he says sharply, "You didn't, did you?"

Zero visibly stiffens at his tone, and he immediately looks away again in silence.

Kaito tightens his grip on the beer can, the metal denting under his fingers with a creak. "Zero."

Zero swallows at the palpable tension roiling in the air. The heavy disapproval in Kaito's voice grates against him. He confesses quietly, voice no more than a whisper, "I was going to…to end everything that day."

The words linger in the air, achingly honest. Kaito exhales slowly. Zero winces in preparation, already expecting the harsh rebuke sure to come his way. To his surprise, a hand suddenly settles on top of his hair and ruffles it roughly. Zero blinks, wide eyes flicking to Kaito in confusion. "Kaito?"

Kaito's fingers only dig in deeper, and he does it again, breathing out, "You idiot."

Zero stays still and does not comment on how those fingers tremble ever so slightly. Kaito nudges his head gently, eyes solemn and lips quirked in a rueful half-smile as he murmurs lightly, "Thank god you didn't or we wouldn't be here having this fantastic conversation right now."

Zero watches him with wide eyes. Kaito raises an eyebrow and continues, hand dropping down to sling an arm roughly around Zero's neck, "You ever think of doing that again though and I won't hold back on my punch."

Zero has a small smile and notes, "Do you ever?"

Kaito chuckles and tightens his grip, "True. So don't you ever forget that."

Zero looks away and says quietly, "I won't."

"Good."

Zero lightly shoves at the arm and mumbles, "Ok. Let go already."

Kaito chuckles at Zero's predictable response and lazily drops the arm, although not without ruffling Zero's hair again, much to Zero's irritation. He notices the frown and says teasingly, "What? I'm fulfilling my job."

Zero shifts away from him, hands coming up to fix his hair, and mutters with no real bite, "As what? A jackass?"

Kaito lifts an eyebrow and grins. "You know, an older brother."

Surprise crosses Zero's features and Zero stills briefly before he bats away Kaito's hand from his hair again and complains, "You're getting sappy. It's freaking me out."

Kaito decides not to tease him anymore and pulls back. He leans down, hand digging into the bag again, and comments offhandedly, "I'm offended at that. Here."

Zero blinks at the sudden blur of metallic white and green towards him before his hands reflexively reach out and catch the thrown object. He stares down blankly at the beer can and frowns. "What do you want me to do with this? Can't you open it yourself?"

Kaito responds exasperated, "It's for you, idiot."

Zero raises an eyebrow and comments, "It's a crime to give alcohol to minors, you know."

Kaito's forehead creases and he snorts, "Who's going to tell on you? The horses? And besides, didn't I just say I bullshitted my way through the ethics class this week?"

Zero stares flatly at him and sighs. "You're so irresponsible."

"I resent that. What kind of teenager are you to refuse free alcohol on a weekend night?"

"One who isn't stupid," Zero retorts before surveying the beer can in his hands with another frown.

Kaito sips his own can before he looks over at Zero and says pointedly, "I'm not telling you to get shitfaced. It's not bad to unwind every now and then."

Zero only looks back disbelievingly at him and says slowly, "You just confiscated these from some students, and now you're offering them to me…another student."

Kaito shrugs and answers dismissively, "The world is full of hypocrites."

Zero furrows his eyebrows and asks, "Are you drunk?"

Kaito kicks him for that comment and counters, "No. This is just my everyday charming personality. Trust me, you'll know when I get drunk." He pauses and stares down at the beer can dubiously. "Which I don't plan to. It's not like these will do the trick."

Zero sighs before he decides what the hell? He pulls back the tab with a sharp click and mutters, "If anything goes wrong, I'm blaming you."

Kaito looks over at him with a smirk. "And I accept full responsibility. You want that in paper?"

Zero flips him the middle finger before taking a careful sip. He immediately cringes at the bitter taste and stares warily down at the beer, "This tastes like shit."

Kaito snickers at Zero's face scrunching up in clear dislike at the aftertaste. He comments, voice heavy with amusement, "You're such a little kid."

Zero glares at him and grouses, "Shut up. How the hell did you drink so much of this?"

Kaito says in a mock-lecturing tone, "In the adult world, we do things even if it sucks. You endure it. That's called maturity."

"That screams stupidity to me," Zero says dryly.

Kaito kicks him again and says good-naturedly, "Shut up and just drink, Zero."

---

"And that's why I'm banned from ever renting a boat again. The stupid bastards," Kaito finishes. He automatically reaches for another beer can, but his fingers clench on thin air. He blinks and looks over at the bag. Huh. They finished the pack.

He sighs and stretches against the wall of the stall. Time to head back then.

He furrows his eyebrows as he finally realizes that Zero has not said anything for a while. Kaito immediately glances over to his side and pauses at the sight. "Oi, seriously? Don't just fall asleep when I'm talking to you. It's rude."

Zero does not stir though, head tilted to the side as he continues to sleep, oblivious to the world, much to Kaito's increasing exasperation. Kaito sighs and reaches out to shake him. Zero murmurs indistinctly and turns away from Kaito's touch. Kaito frowns and says louder, "Zero! Wake up already! I'm not carrying your ass back to the dorms. Have a little sympathy for me, won't you?"

Zero grimaces and mumbles unintelligibly at the loud sound. He blinks open his eyes and stares dazedly at Kaito. Kaito sighs and stands up, offering a hand. "Hey, come on. We need to go back. It's already whatever the fuck it is right now."

Zero squints at the hand, hand clumsily coming up to grasp it. Kaito tugs him upright and lets go of him only to curse when Zero suddenly stumbles and collapses. Kaito widens his eyes, "Oi, you ok? You – Oi, don't go back to sleep like that, you idiot!"

Zero does not move and only curls up tighter, not caring that he's lying on the dirt, his eyelids already closed again. Kaito stares at him disbelievingly and notices the bright red flushing Zero's face. Is…Is Zero drunk?

How the hell is that even possible? The only can Zero drank was the one Kaito gave him….He thinks. The details are a little fuzzy now.

He picks up the plastic bag and counts the number of crushed cans. No, he's right. He was the one finished the pack.

Behind him, Lily suddenly snorts and presses her muzzle sharply against his back, shoving him forward. He stumbles half a step in surprise. Kaito had honestly forgotten that she was still there or even awake at that. He turns to glare back at Lily, who stomps a hoof down warningly, nostrils flaring.

Kaito scowls and mutters, "How the hell was I supposed to know he had such a low alcoholic tolerance? This is pathetic even for a first time drinker."

Lily snorts unhappily again and Kaito raises his hands up in submission. "Alright, alright! I got it. Geez. It's my fault! You happy?" He walks towards Zero and mutters under his breath, "Why the hell am I getting shit from a horse?"

He stops and stares down at Zero again before sighing. Kaito carefully leans down and after some fumbles and a number of tries, no thanks to Zero, he finally manages to position him on his back. He slowly straightens up and grumbles annoyed, "How on earth did you get drunk from one can of beer? Huh? How?"

The plastic bag slips down his arm, and Kaito mutters a few choice words as he tries to pull it back without letting Zero slip off his back. His fingers brush over an odd bump in the pocket of his trench coat and Kaito pauses. He tightens one arm under Zero's knees to keep him in place as he digs in the pocket with the other hand.

He pulls out a rolled up beige folder and cusses aloud. Shit. He forgot to leave this in Cross's office.

Kaito frowns and thinks for a moment. It's too much work to make it to the main building from the stables. He'll just drop it at Cross's residence instead. That way, he can drop Zero at the dorms and go to his room at the teachers' residence more easily.

Kaito nods to himself and shoves the folder back into his pocket. He readjusts his arms and strides out of the stall.

He suddenly stops in his tracks as a thought strikes him. Isn't Cross and Yagari coming back tonight?

He glances outside and sees the bright moon glowing softly in the deep violet night sky. Damn. He can't tell. What time is it right now?

His gaze slides back to the silver hair pillowed on his shoulder and groans. Oh, man, sensei is going to kill him.

---

A/N:

...Um, soooo let me start by saying happy late Easter! Happy late April Fool's Day! Happy Spring Break for those of you still on it or about to have it! And for those of us who just ended it, I feel you. =_=

Ok, so I guess I'll ramble on about this chapter. Ahem.

I hope that first scene was ok! Honestly, if none of you guys commented on how you wanted them to cuddle, I never would added it. Yup, I was that sleep deprived from finals. And haha, I still managed to write pages of a scene that never occurred to me.

Hopefully, Kaname was not out of character. I kind of wanted him to tease Zero a bit, be more at ease with him. And of course, Zero is too adorable for his own good.

I'm not exactly thrilled with the way this chapter turned out. I intentionally was going to make it more KaZe but for some reason, all of these plot bunnies got too hyper on the leftover chocolate and bam! You guys have this instead. I'm a little hesitant to be adding so many OCs, but as you can see, none of them have particularly long lives here in the fic or this chapter, really, and I couldn't bear to do that to the Night Class.

(Fun Fact: That little dialogue about the bathroom was...um brought to you by my brother, who had way too much fun editing that scene when I forgot my notebook in the car. I didn't include most of his edits, like 99% of them, because pfft, man, it just became a long running joke about pooping. But I included his one liners of the whole bladder liberation thing because...well because it cracked me up and hopefully it made you too.)

(Moral of the Story: Don't leave things in the car with your younger bro when your mom tells you to come help grocery shop. Also limit his intake of watching Gintama because the amount of constipation references and puns in general he edited in made me die of laughter...Although, I need to limit my own intake because have you guys noticed how random and long those previous chapter titles are?)

And yes, I know canon-wise that bullets don't affect humans, but that doesn't make sense to me because something that pierces through a vampire has to affect a human. Even rubber bullets can cause fatal injuries in real life...Not that this is real life and I don't really know why I'm applying logic to anime lol, but...hey, welcome to my mind.

But hey! That plot twist with Ogata tho, huh? Er, hopefully you guys were shocked by that. Will he be mentioned in more chapters?...Not really. He'll mostly be a mad scientist behind the scenes. He's really a minor character. Takenaka, on the hand, you will see more of. I tried to give you a little glimpse in his motives and character.

Rido came out a lot in this chapter. I was surprised actually because I did not plan to. Writing for Rido is just so fun! Pfft, I shouldn't like my antagonist this much, but I just do. I tried to give his character a bit more dimension in this, so hopefully that came across when you guys read his scenes. Although, honestly, I'm not even sure if he is even in character anymore. I'm just going by the image in my head lol.

(Oh, btw, I'm not really sure how people address him or how he addresses others in terms of honorifics, so feel free to correct me! Seriously. i insist. Unless of course, you guys don't care. Then, that's fine too. ^^)

And if that scene with Kaito at the end did not make you aww, then...I am going to have be a better writer because that I am really happy with that scene actually lol. I really wanted to show a brotherly sort of interaction between Kaito and Zero. And White Lily is just awesome.

So yeah, next chapter definitely more KaZe oriented, as you can already tell with the whole drama over the bond. These two have been kind of underestimating what it means to be bonded together, and a lot of issues are going to come out next chap. Also, lots more fluff because um, drunk Zero only equals more adorableness and I've got plans, guys. ;)

And lastly, I would like to thank all of you who reviewed and commented. You guys are so awesome! Thank you to those who always take the time to review every chapter, so big shout out to all of the regulars who visited this story. It's actually kind of cool that I can recognize some names now in the comments, which I find just so mindblowing because I never had this level of active readers before. X)

Also thank you to that one person who took the time to write this amazing note. I have to say that made made me blush because I still have a long way to go on my writing, but you're so sweet to say all of that! Actually, a lot of you guys are so kind to say that you guys like my style of writing. :)

And for those two people who mentioned my AO3 account, first of all, thanks for checking my story out there! And yes, that is my account, so don't worry haha. I'm not really sure if I am going to continue the story there. Mostly because it does not let me import Word docs, and you guys know I write a shit ton of stuff. Also, I tend to edit things on here instead of in Word, so that makes it even more of a hassle to transfer docs.

So in short, always check here for updates instead of A03. I'm so sorry for any inconvenience! (sighs) Leaving you guys with a perpetual cliffhanger over there... (Shakes head in shame)

And of course, thank you to all of those who took the time to read the story regardless.

As always, please review/comment/fav/follow/do whatever makes your day! X)

I always love to know what you guys think of the story so far, what you want to see more of, etc. As mentioned before, I need you guys to tell me actually, pfft, or things like that first scene would never have happened. This author is a very distracted and sleep deprived, so hopefully, you all can be patient with me.