So … I'm a horrible author? While I deal with final projects, homework, finals, the dooming day of graduation and my social life (and all the Yaoi I somehow always fit into my schedule o.O) writers block was my biggest foe. I have two Sasunaru stories brewing in my mind but find it only fair to update Night Prison before writing either. I plan on taking Night Prison by the reins again and advise writers block to suck a cactus.

This chapter goes out to all my reviewers, especially a lovely Yaoi-Kineses and The Great Gatsby Soundtrack which I'd been listening to over and over again as it inspired me to write.

WARNINGS! can still be found in the prologue. I must stress there is some foul language in this chapter so …

I don't own Vampire Knight.

Chapter 4

The silence was deafening. There was idle chatter around the room but nothing softer than a whisper escaped the nervous inmate's lips. Guards broke sweats as they maintained a close eye on everyone in the room. As if a fire were about to erupt vampires were already leaving the scene. The prison tried carrying on like before the whole scene had taken place, but that was difficult with the tension between the two vampires blocking access to the food. It was so thick it could dull the sharpest of blades.

There they stood, a mass of bodies missing within diameters from them, obviously keeping their distance. The question still hung in the air and neither male let up their stare. Minutes ticked by as crimson orbs demanded answers and cool lavender remained secret.

Takuma came out of his stupor at last. He was standing near the double doors shock still when vampires fleeing the scene brushed against him. Shaking his head straight for a mere second he started towards the duo and almost regretted doing so when he felt the ominous aura radiating from Kaname. He knew he didn't sense him coming as caught up in his staring contest with the younger male he was.

"Zero!" Takuma says arriving at the scene. It's almost as if the two hadn't heard him, too absorbed in each other's presence. Patting Kaname on the shoulder, he swears he can see steam radiating from the contact. "What a surprise to see you here!" He directs his award-winning smile at the younger lad, praying it doesn't come off as too overwhelming.

Lavender eyes trail from crimson to jade and it's all the acknowledgment Takuma receives. Silver locks again curtain said eyes and hollow face as its owner stares once again at white slippers. He's smiles wider, almost awkward, but it's all he can do to keep from frowning. Someone has to lighten the mood before heads start flying.

"Good job dealing with Tatsuo." He tries changing the subject. He couldn't very well ask him what he was doing in prison, let alone a renowned vampire prison, the very prison where he put so many vampires in himself. He obviously wasn't letting up any answers going off by Kaname's reaction. Thinking back to the elder vampire noble Kaname barked out the cafeteria he at least recalls seeing Zero throw the bulkier male over his shoulder. "I can't believe you managed to pull that off with all the charms around the prison!" he almost gushes. "Tatsuo's respected around here and a vampire noble but I've always thought of him as an old stinker myself!" he throws in lightly. Still the ex-hunter says nothing.

Takuma is reminded of his growing hunger with a miniscule growl from his stomach and a whiff of the meatloaf he'd been looking forward to all day. He grabs the pale boy by the sleeve and drags him to the food, vampires clearing way at their approach. He's almost positive Kaname is behind them, probably not at his heel but following nonetheless. "I'd have done the same thing." He confides. Looking to his friend briefly he sees him staring off, away from either of them but still behind Takuma. "Luckily for me no one's tried anything." He smiles warmly at Zero again but the smile fails its purpose as it can't be received.

"Not that I don't have prospectors. I have many; I'm reminded every time I enter the showers how many would gladly 'show me a good time'." He sweats a little. "Which I advise you never tackle alone considering what just happened and where we're at." He'd let go of his companion's sleeve the moment they fell in line and answered their 'yes' and 'no's' to what was offered. "I fended off a few perverts myself when I first arrived but to be truthful no one's ever really crossed the line." He took a good whiff of the ever endearing meatloaf. There was a huge chunk taking up half his tray whereas the slices usually varied to ¼ of the other inmates trays. Another courtesy granted to him just for being associated with the pureblood.

Zero was next in line and Takuma gave a sweet smile to the server. He nodded towards Zero, beckoning him to give him a larger slice than granted. He complied and others in line frowned, but didn't voice their complaints.

"Special treatment." He clarified Takuma. "Kaname undoubtedly receives special treatment for many reasons." They continue down the line getting their 'fair share' of meals, glares clearly directed towards the newer vampire. "For starters he's a pureblood, an automatic top-dog of the prison pyramid. Next he's crazy attractive." Takuma mentions on the fly. He'd long since known of Kaname Kuran's physical features. "Vampires, and certain guards -as high strung as they come off- drool at his feet. Plus you were also there at his trial." A little shadow falls over his face as he remembers. "The council favors him over normal purebloods considering his crime. He did them all a favor by riding the world of many purebloods. They were willing to let him off easy, remember? Originally he and I were supposed to serve five years here." He went filling his tray with what he pleased, a smile and incline of his head advising all the servers to be generous when serving the new guy.

"But he nobly wanted to serve his full sentence. So what do they do while he's here? Lavish him in pleasantries." Kaname is silently taking his meal besides Zero, almost specifically avoiding contact. Zero takes his meals silently, no sign to whether he's even paying attention to Ichijou or not. "I don't get everything he does but I'm treated loads better than the average vampire as well. I get some privileges and no one bothers me just for being his friend." He smiles brightly at this. "And it's all thanks to the big guy beside you. He's humble about all this but that doesn't stop him from being showered in privileges."

Takuma's tray was considerably full so he stood to the side waiting for the others to finish. "You should sit with us." By now Zero and Kaname were gathering the last of their meals. "If others see you around us you too would get special treatment." He kept smiling as he spoke and for a moment it looked as if Zero was walking towards him. Takuma pointed to a corner where there was an entirely empty table reserved just for them. "We sit over there. Just follow me." He said than Zero walked past him and entirely in the other direction.

When he passes Kaname he brushes against his shoulder. "I will handle you later." He states. It was so low and inaudible, Takuma didn't catch a word of the exchange but Zero faltered a little. Kaname heads towards his table leaving Takuma to question what he said to the ex-hunter. When said hunter settles for a vastly empty table with suspicious occupants, he wonders whether he should push harder on him joining them. Then the vampires scoot away from him, breaking sweats as they purposely look away from Zero. Takuma looks to where some chanced a glance and sees his pureblood friend giving meaningful glares in their direction. Smiling he makes his way towards what he considers daily routine.

III

The rest of the lunch hour goes by with idle chatter. Well, Takuma consisted of most of the conversation while Kaname listened and spoke when necessary. The bright blond noticed he would look off for mere seconds, probably keeping a close eye on the male sitting far over the other side of the room. He didn't mind this; though he was sitting with his back to that side of the room he too was a bit concerned for the stubborn man.

A hunter soon stands off from the wall and declares lunch is over, rather rudely must Takuma add, so he glances towards the table Zero was eating at only to find said male missing.

He looks around the room, scanning far and wide. Gray and white and other hair with discoloration meet his sight but no silver locks are seen. "Kaname!" he worries his lower lip. "Zero isn't here!" Kaname looks up only to chuckle at his friend's distress. "What if those guys at the table took him somewhere?" he mumbles. "Or what if that vile Tatsuo Akihiro got his hands on him while we weren't looking?!' he stresses.

"Relax Takuma." A faint smile grace Kaname's face, his lip quivering up just a tad. "He only finished his meal. He left minutes ago not followed and untouched." 'Besides by eye's.' he added mentally.

"But Kaname." Takuma interjected. "You saw what degrading stares everyone was giving him. How are we to be sure he's safe?"

Kaname gave Takuma a look. "I promise no one will try anything, less they want me to reproach them." Kaname's stare was heavy, his words thick with lead. If Takuma weren't his good friend he'd have cowered at the expression.

Kaname did well to keeping his promises in Night Prison. He protected his and Takuma's 'ass' for the past two years with no quarrels. Still, the world was filled with fools and Night Prison was no exception. There were times Kaname had to put some in their place. The worried blond couldn't help but think of all the moans and whines and cries he hears during light-out and how the numbers increase drastically on recruit days. Millions of unfortunate scenarios took place in poor Takuma's worrisome mind and he gasped in fear for his old schoolmate.

Takuma was ready to advise they go search for him, just to be sure, but a loud crash stops him. They look towards the scene, Takuma with his mouth mid gape and Kaname with mild interest.

"Don't touch me you lowly Hunter!" Someone exclaims indignantly. The shout is eerily familiar. There's a face that could be put with the obnoxious, loud boisterous shout both of them heard. In the middle of the room there's a flipped table, probably the cause for the loud crash, and two males exchanging heated glares.

One was an inmate guard, obviously pissed off, hand already drawn towards his baton and face fuming red. The other was a much much shorter inmate whose face looked equally as infuriated, though comically so. Of course the voice was familiar, so was the male vampire.

"What do you mean I can't eat?!" he screamed in his face. "I haven't ate all day!" he growled.

"I meant you can't fucking eat! Lunch is over you mosquito!" the guard yelled back, a vein prominent on his temple. Though there was a major difference in height between the two, vampire convict and Hunter guard were face to face.

"Did you just call me a mosquito?" Baby blue eyes iced over as the question was laced with venom.

"I called you a mosquito, bloodsucker, and a leech." The guards hand tensed over his baton.

"Why you- "

"Aidou!"

"What!?" he screams. He snaps his head toward the direction of the voice and Takuma can see his foolish friend's whole profile at once. Clad in a red jumpsuit was a lean, short aristocrat vampire clenching his fist, body tense and ready for action. Electric blue eyes intensified the soft features of his face and clashed with the golden blond of his hair. The Hanabusa heir looked ready to get down and dirty despite his size.

Again Takuma Ichijou was alarmed with the appearance of an old acquaintance. He thought it was his friend but deeply prayed to a higher being it wasn't. "Aidou Hanabusa!?" he shouted. The guard saw the exchange between the two, noticed the displeased look on Kaname's face, tsked and left the scene.

Aidou's face though, made a grand show of changing from furious and annoyed to afraid and anxious.

He started taking steps backwards as he caught sight of Kaname, quivering in his retreat. "Aidou?" Takuma questioned. He was slightly concerned at the sudden change of expression. He gets up from his table and starts towards the retreating male but Aidou only turns and dashes out the cafeteria. Takuma curses under his breath and runs after him.

Kaname hears his friend shout out to his old companion as they pass the double doors. Staying behind to make a show of being unaffected by all this –vampires and Hunters still scattered around the room observed the display as if it were a red carpet TV special, no shame in their blatant stare- the pureblood subconsciously picks up before leaving the cafeteria himself.

III

Kaname is descending the prison stairs deep in thought. Today had been the most eventful day of his two year life span in Night Prison. Twice in the span of one hour he had been caught off guard. At least with the latter he was more composed.

Aidou Hanabusa had managed to make a grand entrance once again, and Kaname found he enjoyed it some. Watching the scene had made him feel like he wasn't in an isolated Island far away from home. For the mere minutes the antic lasted he felt like he was back in his Cross Academy days, long since grown accustomed to the annoying noble man's fickle anger. Fond memories plagued his troubled mind, but then those memories called upon questions.

His lips thinned.

Aidou Hanabusa was in Night Prison. Zero Kiryu was in Night Prison. Why were they there? Why did Hanabusa tremble at the sight of him? What caused Zero to seem so broken? What crimes have either committed to be sent here? What floors are each in? Is Aidou in the sixth floor, the floor for mediocre convicts only in for a few years? Or is he in the seventh or eighth floor, the floor for the hard hitters in for life and existence? What floor was Zero in? Why didn't he get word of their coming here?

Why weren't they with Yuki? He slowed his steps down the stairs. He rid his mind of uncalled for thoughts. Unbeknownst to him he was emitting an ominous aura. Vampires always stayed out of the Kuran prince's way, but at the moment they were all paying special care on staying out of his range of sight less they want to disintegrate from his presence alone.

No, his subordinates would have informed him if she so much as got a splinter. He made sure he was clear with his orders.

He was passing the seventh floor now. He didn't catch sight of which direction Takuma and Aidou took off in. He wouldn't see Takuma until tomorrow considering how he just abruptly ran off. Looked like he'd have to pass the time absorbed in the book he checked out from the library. He mentally noted how he was half ways through and should make true to his promise of requesting more of a variety. His friend was a far more animated reader than him but Kaname liked to pass the time reading novels from the libraries humble selection as well. Takuma only had three more years left but he too would run out of what to read eventually.

He reaches the eighth floor with no vampires in sight until he sees them all crowding around his cell. That hadn't happened since his first days in the prison and everyone was in awe of all the pleasantries inside. He grew tired of all the gawking though and 'politely' told them to never come near his cell again. The fact they forgot his simple request meant they all went senile or he gained a cellmate.

He extended his senses towards his cell. He wanted to get a feel of who was in there and also alert the others of his presence and that he is displeased with their encircling his quarters. He reels it back at once after feeling a familiar presence. His expression stones over as he makes way and the crowd shuffles to their designated cells.

He enters his room to see everything in place, all except for the once empty bunk opposite his. He stares at the lithe body hurdled towards the wall faking sleep, silver locks betraying the man trying to camouflage. It was obvious to the pureblood the boy wasn't sleeping, judging by his breathing. His chest rose unevenly.

Kaname wasn't too keen on being in his company either. He strode quickly to his bed and reached for his novel, flashing through the pages to make sure his mark was still keeping his place. He walked back out but stops at the entrance, glancing back at the 'sleeping' vampire. His chest stopped moving as he held his breath. Really, it was almost ridiculous to head to bed around six. He supposed though, when you have nothing better to pass the time with then there was no real room for him to judge.

Kaname didn't leave him holding his breath for long. He made his exit clear with a slam of the cell door.

III

Zero's releases the breath he was holding in and his body notably relaxes after the pureblood's exit. He vaguely remembers hearing somewhere what the cell bars are made of but questions it. The pureblood just slammed the cell door shut. For the second time in his life he'd never felt so naked and on display before the world. Oddly enough, he's thankful for the pureblood. He felt his presence the moment the stares left his back. Everyone seemed to fear and envy him. When he entered and left the cell he appreciated the little help he threw his way. It was not without compensation, though. He was never one to do things from the bottom of his heart when it concerned the young hunter. There was always an ulterior motive.

'Ex-hunter' Zero corrected himself mentally.

Of course the pureblood was his cellmate. The fates hadn't had enough of throwing torment down his path. The world was too cruel to let him just get by. Karma was a premenstrual bitch who wouldn't let him out of her clutches. The odds of him rooming with the one vampire he selfishly didn't want to be near were one to a thousand, yet here he was, sleeping in his cell. It was his cell after all. Going off by all that Takuma Ichijou said to him about the brunette living in luxuries was no understatement. He figured there was a catch to all the great quality in his cell the moment he first set his eyes on it.

The irony of it all was almost humorous. He'd of laughed if it happened to one of his victims were he still the same from his Hunter days. "Serves those lowly blood suckers right." He would have said.

He curled into himself some.

Kaname Kuran was no fool, this Zero was sure of. He was probably away from everyone and everything purposely putting the pieces together. There was no way in hell Zero would mention anything, partly because he didn't want to give anything away and partly because he hated thinking about it. Hated speaking, hearing, or remembering about it. Avoiding the subject made it all seem less real, but he wondered if he even had the right to feel that. 'No.' he concluded 'I don't.'

At this very moment the most powerful pureblood he'd had the trouble of coming across could very well be planning his demise. He wonders what the brunette has in store for him. All different scenarios plague his mind but he doesn't shiver or tense. Briefly he questions whether he'll fight it. Even fainter he wonders whether he deserves to.

Try to keep in mind the cell bars and prison doors are made of tungsten and titanium steel combined. Chapter 1 has a reference for each

Well, a lot and nothing happened in this chapter. A lot of this Chapter 4 was Takuma, while there should have been more between Zero and Kaname, but I really want to build slowly into the story. I don't personally like it when things are rushed. I feel like in certain stories one chapter they hate each other and in the next they're having hot lemony smex (but that's not so bad ;D) and sometimes that disappoints me as a reader. So I want to approach this story with baby steps, but please feel free to tell me if it's all going too slow! I have the plot and chapters all laid out in my head but I don't want to drag my readers around either.

R&R If you will please. You have no idea how it inspires me to write, especially after a horrible writers block.

-ColorlessXrainboW-