Aidou Hanabusa noticed that Kaname-sama seemed happy today, very very happy.
The pureblood smiled almost all day, and nothing like the type of faking-polite smile as usual, but the one of sheer joyfulness and satisfaction.
How did he recognize that? Easy, is there anyone else in the world know more about Kaname-sama than him? There is nothing he does not know about him: from likes to dislikes, from special powers to abilities, from clothing styles to tastes of food, from…
Anyway, back to the main topic, that today Kaname-sama is happy. But the reasons why, he'd no idea, and that makes the blond vampire wondered since the morning. What can make his nonchalant President show such delightful expression like that? Is that Yuuki-sama? Did Kaname-sama do 'it' with her already? He has always waited for that day since he released the locking charm for her… but if he thinks carefully, Yuuki-sama's reactions are normal as before, and she's not the type to hide her feelings inside like her brother, so she's not the one. But if that's that, what more could cause such an impressive change in Kaname-sama?
So confusing…
Kain sighed as he looked over at his cousin who was twisting his hair desperately. Really, though they've been together for ages, he still doesn't understand what happens in that so-called genius brain of Aidou.
.
.
.
Kaname smiled n-th times on the day. His mind clearly recalled what happen the night before; Zero's warm lips, his blushing face when he kissed him, and the hunter's freezing hand tightening its grip on his when they holding hands while coming back to the dorm.
And Kaname smiled again, ah, Zero was so so cute, how in the world that the cold and irritated Day Class prefect can be that cute? And he wasn't even angry with him, or bluntly refused neither but saying 'give me more time' only. It means that he still can continue dating him right? It means that he still can see those embarrassing and blushing expressions freely.
But then the pureblood frowned. Oh right, he's not the only one to see Zero like that. There still be the other pureblood Tsubasa Hamasaki…
The more he remembered it, the more annoyance he got. It's obvious that Zero was too easy on that bastard, and he thinks he can just do whatever he wants. Hah. Embrace, hug, hold, those who knows nothing must be sure that the two of them has something romantic… Hamasaki'd wanted to ply alcohol on Zero before, hadn't he? And they had to live together thanks to the Peace Treaty between Hunter and Vampire; isn't it too favourable for Hamasaki anyway?
No, Kaname decided, today he had to meet up with Zero to propose everything and also tell him to keep his distance from Hamasaki. There is no pureblood to be trusted in.
Of course, Kaname was exceptional, because he truly cared about Zero, did he not?
Feeling almost content with his future plan, Kaname relaxed as he glanced out the window, looking up to the Day Class building.
Kaname has never looked forward to the evening class change hour anymore than this.
.
.
.
Tsubasa was enjoying what happening in front of him at the moment.
Zero Kiryuu, the vampire hunter was sitting dully on the chair with his full lunch set, his gaze lost in somewhere far far away. He blushed occasionally, then sighed, and blushed again, then looking somewhere far far away all over again. He did this nonstop for ten minutes. Needless to say, Tsubasa knew the reason behind all this. The pictures from the night before were still in his camera which had entertained him quite a lot when he'd been watching it on his bed. Hah hah, who knows this morning Zero turned out that way, much to his amusement?
Tsubasa waved his hands in front of Zero as he said.
"Zero, Zero, what are you thinking so hard about? The food's getting cold."
Startling, Zero blinked and turn over to look at Tsubasa – "Huh? What did you just say?"
"I said you should eat your lunch, the food is getting cold." Tsubasa pointed at the dish on the table.
"Oh… Ye…Yeah…" The prefect quickly took the chopsticks and started to eat. Really, how many times is that? Isn't a full sleepless night enough for him? Why does he have to daze out thinking vaguely 'till noon again…?
Zero suddenly felt his heart jumping at the thought. He blushed once more, n'th times on the day when he remembered what happed last night. Kaname's soft breath on his lips, the gentle expression on his face when they kissed, and the pureblood's low, warm voice calling his name on the way home, Zero, Zero, Zero.
"Zero!" the raging hiss from Tsubasa cut through his minds. Frowning in annoyance, Zero said, utterly irritated.
"What? You want me to be deaf by yelling like that? Have you ever heard the phrase 'even God's rage goes after appetite'?"
"But you did not. I saw you daydreaming…" Tsubasa reply with his utmost hurting voice as if Zero was bullying him.
"It takes time! I don't need you urge me to eat." Zero said shortly as he turned around, decided to care nothing about that annoying black-haired pureblood anymore. Instead he tried to concentrate on the dish before him to quickly forget… er… those 'not very good' things last night. Yes, come on Kiryuu, you can do it, think about it no more…
"Oh, what did Kaname-san go find you last night for?" Tsubasa smile innocently as his head bowed down to lie on his arms.
And all Zero's efforts to forget turned into dusk.
"Wha… Why…Why do you know Ku…Kuran… came here?" Zero's expression suddenly changed over to embarrassment, his cheek burning red while his voice was shaking.
"You underestimate me so much, I am also a pureblood by all means, and how can I not notice another pureblood came to my house?" Tsubasa pouted – "Anyway, it's not important. In short, why did Kaname come here? Did he do anything to you?"
Clank!
The spoon in Zero's hand dropped to the dish. His behavior was just like a bad kid being discovered by adults – "You… you… why are you asking me this?"
Seeing the frustrated reaction from Zero, Tsubasa became more and more interested. He tilted his head to the side innocently – "Er nothing special, it's just that I think you seemed strange since you went out with Kaname, 'cause I'm afraid you guys had a fight because of Yuuki which is not very good, especially when things between you and him are getting better."
Realized Tsubasa may not really mean it, Zero sighed in relief, reassured himself that no one notice the truth of 'getting better' in the relationship of him and Kaname. So he tried to reply to Tsubasa in the most normal way he could manage – "Nothing at all, I did not fight with Kaname last night, we just discussed something related to Cross."
"Oh yes, good lies Zero" Tsubasa smiled in amusement as he stood up to come to Zero and patted his shoulder.
"Aiya, that's good then. I thought it'll be difficult if there's something wrong. You guys would meet each other later today anyways~~~" Tsubasa quietly observed Zero's expression as he spoke. The result turned out as expected.
Tsubasa's words sounds like thunder to Zero. That's right! The class change hour, why didn't he think of this sooner?! He will have to face Kaname, will have to escort him and the Night class to classrooms while they've just kissed last night! Urghhhh, how can he face him now? He behaved like an idiot, got angry at him with no reason at all, and even forgot to say goodbye when he took him home…
And he still didn't give the pureblood a proper answer, and due to his seriousness last night, the meeting between them will become very very awkward.
Zero groaned as he slammed his head on the table in front of the what-the-hell gaze of Tsubasa. He' . .sure!
Zero has never despised the class change hour anymore than this…
.
.
.
"Idol-senpai! We love you!"
"Ah, Wild-senpai! He's looking over here~~"
"Shiki-san's just so cute!"
"Kyahhhhhh!"
Sometimes Zero wonders how the girls from Day class have such good voices after shouting like crazy almost every day. Outsiders must think this is some kind of psychiatric hospitals for those crazy bunches out there. Tsubasa said the words he used are not very appropriate. He can't compare these pretty ladies to crazy bunches like that. So sorry sir, you just deal with these gals for three years and you'll know. At least his job is far easier than Zero's since all the girls are fascinated by his perfect looks and perfect attitude, unlike Zero had to scare those girls all the time which was not very effected…
Come to think of it, Zero turned over to the pureblood to make sure that idiot bastard still could control the crowd. Instead, surprise hit him when he saw no body stood guard while the female students were busy with their mobiles and camera to be 'on mission'. Zero immediately ran over there to prevent another disaster to happen without thinking, even forgot to curse that useless bastard as usual.
"Hey, you there, come back to your line, and put back your phones and cameras right now!"
Unfortunately for the Day class prefect, the girls on this side immediately ran like mad out of the line when they saw him turned over to the other side. When he realized he's been tricked, it's already too late. All the students have become insane; they pushed and pulled others out to run to the Night class despite his desperate effort to stop the crazy crowd. "Tsubasa you bastard, do you even understand why there are two prefects to guard?!"
But his effort was meaningless, because the girls have gone mad to the point of pushing him out of their way and Zero, who was stuck inside, lost his balance and fell down hard. The hunter closed his eyes tight waiting for the ground hitting his face, silently regretted for not take out Bloody rose and shot right away…
Three seconds later, no pain came to Zero, and his face didn't hit anywhere either, instead he found himself in a person's warm chest, and his strong arms around his back. This familiar smell…
"Are you okay, Zero?" Kaname asked gently. Seeing Zero about to fall, he rushed to the hunter's side with his vampiric speed to save him. Fortunately no one saw Kaname ran in such situation.
"Ka… Kaname?" Zero stuttered, the memory of last night flowing through him. Shit, at the time he thought he could get it out of his head, the pureblood came and made him remember everything again – "And you thought you can avoid him tonight, Kiryuu, you're such a genius."
"Zero?" Kaname spoke again, reached out his hand to tuck Zero's hair on his ear, worry appeared in his voice because Zero still not answer him.
Kaname's gesture surprised Zero, then he realized himself leaning on Kaname's chest, in front of the whole students of Day and Night class, no least – "I… I'm ok, lemme go" – Zero said as he pushed Kaname away. What did Kaname think anyway? Though there were a lot happen between the two of them, to everybody, they still are arch enemies. How can he do such caring things to him like that? Not only Kaname saved him from hitting the ground, even Kaname noticed he's in trouble is a huge problem already.
Kaname looked at the bowing head of the Day class prefect amusingly. Zero is feeling shy? Is it because Kaname's holding him? Or he's just embarrassed because he did that publicly without hesitation? For whatever it is, Zero's reaction right now entertains him more and more.
Honestly, although he really wanted to chat with him some more, he can't let Zero in such awkward situation, so Kaname had to turn over to the girls who still continued to squirm around him and calmed them down.
"I am very appreciated your affections for Night Class, but can you please stay in your lines once more? Zero has worked so hard, we should not bother him anymore than this."
Just like magic, all the girls who've been gone out of their minds before suddenly became tamed as ever. They quietly went back to the lines making no noise. Zero frowned at the sight, he felt bereft, why didn't they follow his words at all although he's a bloody prefect?
"Alright, you should go home and rest, we can go to class from here. Thank you very much, Zero."
Zero looked up to Kaname to see the pureblood was smiling at him, then turned towards the Night Class where Takuma and others were waiting. When Kaname was about to walk away, Zero grabbed his sleeve.
Kaname looked over his shoulder, confused.
"Thanks… er… you know, for that," Zero stuttered as if he's afraid others hearing him saying, but Kaname still can hear every word thanks to his pureblood power. A wave of sheer satisfaction came through him made his heart warmed, that was the second time Zero thanked him.
"You're welcome. Good night, Zero." He smiled at the boy and walked away.
"You too, Kaname." He replied as he let go of Kaname's hand so he could go back to class. Amethyst eyes never looked at others but the pureblood's silhouette as he walked towards Aidou and Takuma.
"Call each other by name, don't you?" Akuma's voice sounded behind Zero's back. He quickly stood aside far from him and threw the man a suspicious look. Remember what he'd just said, he narrowed his eyes at Akuma as he asked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Huh? I just said you and Kaname seem so close recently, to the point calling each other by names, not "Kuran" or "Kiryuu" anymore, only that." Akuma giggled.
"It's none of your business." Zero said nonchalantly, but inside, his heart was jumping like mad, these bastards, including Tsubasa, really are pals. Always acting so damn mysterious and give people heart attacks all the time.
"I just spoke my thoughts aloud, no need for you to be so angry, did I said something wrong? Or you just don't want anybody to talk your secrets out loud?" Akuma threw his arm on Zero's shoulder as he smirked slyly. Hey, I was right, wasn't I?
Click.
Bloody Rose pointed straight at Akuma's forehead – "Say one more word, and you're dead meat." Zero coldly threatened him.
"OK OK, I'll keep my mouth shut then, put the gun down, why so serious?" Akuma raised his hands and fended off – "Tsu-chan was right, can't joke with you."
"Who says you can joke with me? Find your friend to do that stupid thing." Zero put the gun inside his jacket and turned away while Akuma was waving and flirting with Day Class girls who come to farewell him going back to class.
"Hurry and go to class, why are you staying here anyway?" Zero asked after a while.
"Well well, slow down, no need to rush, the Night class still doesn't arrive yet, lemme send these girls back in place of Tsubasa for you."
"Hmph, how thoughtful of you. Why didn't you come when I was in trouble, and that Tsubasa either! Where the hell did he go?" Zero said ironically.
"Tsu-chan? He went to find Hanabusa for a chat. He seems to have taken interest at the boy since the picnic day. He said teasing the boy is as funny as teasing you." Akuma explained enthusiastically.
"Sounds great huh? Do you know that's called irresponsible?" Zero was irritated.
"Yes, so I have to go to him now. Didn't you see I've done sending the ladies home for you?"
Zero stared at Akuma for his words annoyingly. He raised his brow.
"You sounded just like Aidou. Bet you're really good at flirting with the girls, aren't you?"
"I'm not!" Akuma protested right away.
"You're not?"
"Yes. I flirt with both boys and girls!" He pounded his hand on his chest proudly.
Zero's left eye startled, then he rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Never mind then. People like you only know to play that hide-and-seek love game of yours." That's right, vampires are like that anyway, thanks to their naturally attractive faces that they can seduce others so easily.
"No no no, entirely not. Though I like to flirt, I still have my true love."
"Love somebody and then hurt her by toying with other people, how funny your definition of true love is." Zero smirked as he scratched the explanation of Akuma out of his mind.
"But if it's one-sided, how can you call it 'cheating'?" Akuma's next words sounded lightly sad, and in a brief moment, Zero thought he just saw the disappointment deep inside those eyes of the pureblood that always make fun of him.
"You… have an unrequited love? Did I hear it wrong?" Zero blinked at Akuma, emphasizing every word to ensure it again.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. You think we purebloods are saints that we can't have unrequited love? Feelings are not things we can change by our own will." Akuma smiled reluctantly and said – "and that's why I have to get on with different people to forget him. He'll never accept my feelings anyway."
"He? The one you love is a man?" Zero asked, shocking at the revealing truth. He thought that Akuma must be crazy in love with some beautiful girl, who knows it's a boy?"
"I've said that before, to me, ah no, to us vampires, gender doesn't matter whether it's male or female. Only purebloods have to choose their spouse – a female pureblood – to continue the line, but they still can love people in the same sex if they like." Akuma slowly explained to Zero – "the one I love, he only has his eyes for women, so my feelings for him might just be pointless to him…" The pureblood trailed off and ended the sentence with a sigh. Then he turned away and looked at the Night class direction. Sadness rose in those crimson eyes of his. Zero looked at Akuma's direction, only Kaname's group still there. According to his previous words, that person must be a vampire too, so does he also belong to the Night class?
"Anyway, I have to go back, they've been waiting for so long." Akuma spoke after a while. He smiled as he patted his hands on Zero's shoulder. The sadden expression no longer existed; instead it was the usual outgoing face.
Zero froze. Some how he felt… sorry for the pureblood. His feelings seems to be true, not any faking expression or shallow romance anymore. Although he didn't want to get involved, and he had no intention in getting in peace with the vampires either, but he couldn't stop himself saying.
"Akuma…"
"Hmm?" The long-haired man looked over his shoulder at Zero.
"I think… that person… if he knows you feelings, he'll be much moved." Or at least, that was what he expected, because if it's not, isn't it too painful for Akuma?
Needless to say, we all know how shocked Akuma was. Zero Kiryuu, who hates vampires most in the world, are comforting him? Is the end of the world coming right now?
But it's not bad anyway. At least he knew he had the hunter's support.
"Thanks, Zero."
.
.
"Ah, yes, don't be so angry at Tsubasa, thanks to him that you can be saved by that handsome Night Class president." Akuma said to Zero after stepping away a little bit.
"AKUMA!"
.
.
.
"Aku-chan, what takes you so long? You made everybody wait for you all this time" Tsubasa ran over to Akuma when he saw his best friend coming.
"Sorry, got caught up with Zero, but you guys can go first anyway."
The pureblood smiled, feeling uneasy. Tsubasa then pulled Aidou close to pinch his bunny cheeks – "Aiya, it wasn't my fault, because Hana-chan insisted on waiting for you~~"
Akuma immediately threw a surprised look towards Aidou, while the blonde vampire pushed his arm away and quickly explained away, his face reddened – "it's your fault, isn't it because you left your guarding position so Shihebi-sama had to come replace you, right? We should have waited for him, Shihebi-sama is a pureblood anyway…"
"Aiya Hana-chan, you're so unfair! I'm also a pureblood, why did you push me away, say it, you like Aku-chan, don't you?" Tsubasa shouted as he pointed at Aidou. The poor boy tried his best to protest, gave the whole Night class a chance to watch a kiddy fight between a childish pureblood and another baby boy noble vampire. Even Kaname thought it was amusing, this Hamasaki sure knew how to choose people to pick a fight with. If it was Takuma or Shiki, the scene would never happen.
"Alright alright, Tsu-chan, it's enough, look, you've made Aidou-kun flushed all over, he just had good intention while you misunderstood him like that, and you think everybody else is just like yourself?" Akuma pretended to pick on Tsubasa, but the truth is, both he and Tsubasa knew this was the time to end that joke.
"Ok Ok, remember it Aku-chan, you stood in the boy's side rather than your best friend's, I won't let you sleep on my bed tonight!" Tsubasa said as he ran towards Zero, didn't forget to stick his tongue out to Akuma like an angry kid.
"Er, better watch out your back first, mate. Zero'll probably kill you for leaving your position." Akuma shouted behind, and then he turned and smiled with others in Night class who were standing still like statues and looking at him after Tsubasa's suspicious words.
"What? You think that sleeping together thing is real?"
.
.
."Hanabusa."
"Huh? What's wrong Akatsuki?" Aidou replied without looking at his cousin, he focused all his concentraton on the bookshelf, 'Foreign Literature' section to find the novel Kaname needed him to. The blonde vampire didn't hesitate to skip his first lesson to do this, because he knew all of them already.
"Honestly… what do you think about Shihebi-sama?" Kain paused to say every word clearly. Somehow he felt uneasy to see Aidou insisted on not coming to class just to wait forAkuma, and that feeling became stronger when he watched the fight between the boy and Tsubasa. It was obvious that Aidou didn't like to be teased like that; however, he noticed Aidou hadn't denied when Tsubasa said he liked Akuma…
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Aidou stopped in the middle as he frowned at Kain.
"Because… I think you seem to care about him, aside from Kaname-sama, this is the first time I've seen you care about another pureblood that much." Kain doubted that Akuma's pureblood position had no involvement in this, because Aidou's attitudes towards Tsubasa were entirely different.
"Ah, that? There are many reasons, but I think Shihebi-sama is a gentle and composed person, not too much hotness in him like Hamasaki-sama, and not too calm like Kaname-sama either, every time I talk with him, I feel at ease, like I can tell him everything without hestitation, for example…" Aidou suddenly stopped as his face reddened, and quickly resumed his finding task.
"For example…?" Kain sounded at the unfinished sentence of Aidou.
"Just some private talks, but why are you asking me this? Come and help me, won't you?" Aidou's voice became irritated. He held the books just been taken down and stomped away, left Kain dumbfounded. What's wrong with this cousin of his? He just cares about him, there's no need to be so angry. But if he thinks carefully, this is the first time Aidou got angry to him with no reason at all, does Aidou hate him interrupt the things between him and Shihebi-sama that much?
Thump.
Kain reached to grab the left side of his chest. The uneasy feeling followed him all that time now changed into pain. He hated this, it gave him stupid thoughts that Aidou would leave him. Someday.
Kain paused, and he froze at the sudden realization.
If that day comes, he'll have no right to stop Aidou from leaving him…
.
.
.
Zero walked slowly around the school ground, one more round and he could go back to sleep. Tsubasa had gone back a while ago after being scolded by him, said that he'd cry all night because of him, that bastard. Who does he think Zero is? Akuma? No fucking way, even if he hanged himself, he still wouldn't give a fuck.
"Zero."
The voice shocked him. "Kaname, what are you doing here?"
"I've this period empty so I think walking around and see you here all alone, so…" Kaname smiled with Zero, hoping he'd believe him. The teachers still in class, and he had no intention on strolling either, it's just that he didn't see that annoying Hamasaki around Zero so he wanted to talked with him.
Zero frowned at the pureblood. Is that right? He remembered that after 20 minutes, only if the teachers still don't come to class, the lesson will be canceled. It'd been just 10 minutes since the Night Class's period began.
"Believe or not, it depends on you. But I do think that you won't be so harsh to shove me back to class, will you?" Kaname answered the unspoken question in Zero's head, his voice sounded amused. But it wasn't curses or swears give back to him; instead Zero continued to walk slowly.
"If it was one week ago, yes."
"So can I assume your impression about me has improved gradually compared to last week?"
"Whatever." Zero replied as calming as possible, tried to stop his heart jumping out of his chest. He's really sick, why does he become like that whenever he sees the pureblood?
Kaname silently walked beside Zero. He noticed the boy was somewhat unnaturally, so he thought it was partially his fault. May be his fast moving made the boy uncomfortable, or may be Zero still be bothered about the kiss last night, or he just hadn't any interest in Kaname at all. It was just Kaname's thought anyway, but still…
"If you don't like, I'll come back to class."
Zero startled as he turned to face Kaname – "What are you talking about? I didn't say that."
"But you're uncomfortable, aren't you?" Kaname smiled sadly.
"No… Really no, it's because you worked up too much." Zero frustrated, damn, he didn't mean to make the pureblood misunderstood him; he just went too deep in his thoughts.
Kaname reached his hand to stoke the silky silver strands gently, his other hand lifted the boy's chin as brown orbs locked into lavender eyes – "Zero, I don't want to force you, if all the things I did made you uncomfortable, then I'd back down and never bother you ever again…" – his voice was slow, warm and deep. "But I can't stand it if that's the reason make you hate me. I don't want us to return to the starting point, you understand me, Zero?"
And that feeling appeared again, the pain stinging in his heart every time Zero hear Kaname calling his name, with the same gentleness of his that took his breath away…
Zero bowed his head a little, his voice trailing silently, "It's not like that, I… really don't hate you."
"So tell me, why did you avoid me at the evening class change hour?"
Zero stunned, he looked up to Kaname. He knows?
Kaname smiled faintly at Zero's reaction. The boy thought he didn't care? – "I was watching you all the time, Zero, and you always turned away every time you catch my eyes."
Zero's face was burning red. "That… I didn't mean to…" Urghh, so complicated, why did he have a feeling that he owed Kaname an apology?
"So what's the reason, Zero?" The pureblood repeated his question.
Zero kept silent for a long while, but the pureblood was still waiting patiently. Finally, he sighed.
"I just felt awkward, Kaname, I haven't had a proper answer for you about… uhm… that thing you said last night." Zero thought his face was about to evaporate in the next minute.
"The thing I said last night?"
Zero nodded – "I said to reconsider it, but in truth, I still don't know what myself think about you, so… so…"
"Just that?" Kaname's voice sounded surprise.
"Huh?"
And Kaname started to giggle, his hand covered his mouth as Zero was completely frustrated. "What's so funny?"
But no, before the hunter could say that, Kaname had dropped his head on Zero's shoulder and continued to laugh, made the hunter embarrassed and angry at the same time. "What? I wasn't joking."
"Zero, Zero ah, why are you such a cutie?" Although he knew that the hunter would angry being called like that, but Kaname couldn't stop. Just as simple as that? He thought he was hated, but no.
Zero didn't know to fury or to shy at all. On one hand, the pureblood was obviously laughed at him for something or he was trying to annoy him; but on the other hand, this was the first time he saw such a free expression appeared on Kaname's face, not the cold and calm image as usual. The way he smiled now wasn't the savoir vivre he used to put up in front of others but the ones of sheer joy and comfort. Zero had no idea, but seeing a-totally-different Kaname like that put him at ease.
So he remained still until Kaname lifted his head and reached his hand to touch Zero's cheek, made the boy face him once more, and the pureblood's next words sounded through Zero's ears clearly. "I know you're not ready yet, but it's okay, take your time to think about it carefully, I won't do anything."
"Even though I may make you to wait for a very long time?" Zero said softly, his mind slowly drifted back after Kaname's words."
"We pureblood's strong point is patience, Zero," Kaname smiled as he spoke the rest of the sentence out loud – "Although I'd be very appreciated if you give me the answer as soon as possible."
"But why?"
"huh?"
"Why are you willing to wait just for a mere answer from me? As far as I remember, both of us just got out of the history of arch enemies recently." Zero stated his confusion clearly.
"Ah, it's because I…" – Kaname suddenly stopped, what about him? Zero was right, things happened too fast, they've only got closer since the picnic, and the feeling was clearly formed just last night. It's true that he had feelings for him, but to call it by a name at the moment was too soon. The relationship between him and Zero was still vague, the pureblood wasn't ready to confirm anything, at least for now.
"Kaname?" Zero's voice took Kaname back from his thoughts. Looking back at the confusing face of the hunter, he realized he'd made the boy wait all this time.
"I've re-thought it. I'll tell you after I receive your reply. That'll motivate you to shorten my waiting time, right?" Kaname narrowed his eyes amusingly.
Realized Kaname was teasing him, Zero frowned a bit as he growled – "You cheater…"
Kaname just smiled at Zero's reaction, then he dropped his hand and resumed walking. "But you don't really think so, do you?" And Zero just lifted his brow at the pureblood's overconfidence, but he didn't protest as normal. To Kaname, that was more than enough for an answer.
"Can I hold your hand?" Kaname asked after a while.
"huh?" Zero felt his face started to burn as he turned to the other, perplexed. "Wh…Why?"
"Because I love that, can I, Zero? Just holding hand, I swear I won't do anything else except that." The Night class president said consistently, then he held out his hand and waited. Of course Kaname couldn't force Zero to, but he hoped the boy wouldn't refused him.
The next seconds seemed as long as centuries to Kaname, and Zero finally nodded, after slight hesitance. He slowly held out his hand, put his hand on Kaname's warm palm. And when that hand held his, tightly and possessively, Zero had to turn his face to another direction to hide his blushing cheeks. "Here it is…"
Kaname smiled gently yet again when he watched that embarrassed reaction of the prefect. He twined their hands together and pulled the boy ahead – "Thank you, Zero."
And the thing that Kaname had let it pass was Zero's happy smile after that.
.
.
.
.
"AKU-CHAN!" Tsubasa ran into his best friend's room with the speed of a rocket. He jumped on the bad and jerked the blanket off Akuma's rudely – "Wake up now!"
"Hmm… so noisy Tsu-chan, don't you know I've just slept?" Akuma growled, then he narrowed his eyes as he realized the sun had gone up high. "Close the curtains."
"No, you have to answer my question first. What did Kaname do last night?" Tsubasa sat on Akuma's belly as it was the most normal thing in the world as he asked.
"What? Do what?" Akuma groaned at his belly, his hand reached up to push Tsubasa out but had no effect, that rock-head continued to remain where he was.
"Something was definitely happened, if not, why was Zero in such a good mood this morning? Do you know what he did? He woke me up and told me to eat breakfast! Zero Kiryuu woke me up! No punch, no kick, no shout! He WOKE me up very,very,very gently!" He folded his arms in front of his chest, totally dumbfounded. "There MUST be something happened when Zero was on patrol last night. According to recent events, the reason has to be Kaname."
Akuma had to sit up to carry on the conversation with Tsubasa, or else he'd never leave his ears alone ever again – "If that's Kaname, last night he'd gone somewhere right on the first period so I know nothing."
Akuma thought everything could end after his reply, but Tsubasa suddenly clapped his hands as he yelled with excitement. "Ah hah! I know that! Kaname must have skipped class to meet up with Zero, so both of them had a date last night. That's why there was somebody had such a good mood today." The dark-haired pureblood pouted – "What a pity! I've lost a chance to camera them…" But then his eyes were glinting – "Oh no, not that at all! So I have to tease Zero more to make him as embarrassed as possible. I deserve an award, don't I? Zero, Zero!" – He shouted and jumped out of the bed and ran downstairs while yelling the prefect's name out loud, left his friend and the messing bed behind.
Akuma looked at the poor bedroom door still open after being attacked by Tsubasa, he laid back on the bed, tired as he buried his face in the pillow and groaned.
"Did my past life owe him or something?"
.
.
.
The Zero teasing plan of Tsubasa has gone with the wind.
Because he was busy talking with Akuma this morning so Zero had gone to class without waiting for him. And when the lunch time came, he was called to the Principal office to listen to Cross' ramblings about him skipping the guarding mission and left his 'baby boy' do it all by himself and all other crazy things in the world. He had to stand on that piece of hell till evening so he had no time to even talk to Zero for a tiny bit.
And now he was here, in the center of a mad crowd of Day Class girls who are asking him nonstop like 'how are you today', 'why didn't you come to guard yesterday', 'were you sick', 'were you busy', 'we think you are close to the Night class so can you pass our presents and letters for them please', blah blah blah. Needless to say, Tsubasa was driven crazy, but because of the courteousness that he had to behave properly and smiled back, while Zero was still standing calmly over there watching other people without having a look at him. Tsubasa didn't dare to do anything, because Zero had warned him before, if tonight he was still treat his duty like crap, the hunter wouldn't let him have any food on weekend.
Tsubasa sighed, may be the luck goddess didn't have time to play with him today.
Zero's mood was very good. Today the pureblood Tsubasa hadn't done anything to bother him; in fact, he'd even completed his duty seriously to make up for yesterday and made the hunter feel super comfortable. Not being teased by anyone was best of the best.
The Moon Dorm gate finally opened, followed up by screams and yells from the girls as usual. But today Zero didn't seem irritated at all, he sometimes turned around to check where the vampires were going. In truth, Zero was just waiting for one man's appearance.
Kaname was happy because Zero'd taken the initiative to find for him, and not avoid him like yesterday. When their eyes met, he smiled softly as he waved his hand to greet the boy, while the hunter just simply nodded back. Though Zero seemed nonchalant but Kaname knew at least he'd cared about what he said last night. And Kaname knew he was right when he saw the prefect's redden ears when the boy turned around and reminded the Day Class girls not to elbow others out. Ah, he liked the way Zero feeling shy so so much.
Yuuki frowned a little, she felt a bit uncomfortable when seeing the greeting between Kaname and Zero. Did they think no one can notice that? And since when did the two of them get this close? And one more thing, yesterday when Kaname stopped Zero from falling, she heard it very clearly that they called each other's name! No way in hell! It was just a couple of days that they detested the other to death!
Bunches of questions whirling in Yuuki's head, an unsafe feeling came across her. What's wrong with her? Didn't she always hope Zero and Kaname could become closer, did she? So why…
Kaname paused when he felt Yuuki's hand squeezed his tightly. He glanced at her, confused.
"What's wrong, Yuuki?"
"Onii-sama, I…" Yuuki hesitated, "You promised to stay by my side forever, right?"
Kaname thought he's answer right away as usual, but somehow he found that so damn hard to reply, as if there was something pressing heavily on his chest and stopping the words came out from his mouth. But to not worry Yuuki, he gently stroked her hair.
"I've promised already, you don't believe me, huh Yuuki?"
"No, I just… it's fine to me when you say that." Yuuki shook her head, then she grabbed Kaname's arm as she leaned on it, silently calm her mind. Feeling better, she let herself go and continued to walk by his side.
Kaname suddenly felt awkward, like he'd just lied to himself. He promised to Yuuki only for some minutes ago, but now, he wasn't sure of anything. His mind was no longer filled with images of Yuuki anymore.
Kaname sighed, sometimes he hated himself so much.
.
.
.
Zero Kiryuu was irritated now.
He had no idea, but seeing the sight of Kaname and Yuuki together made his chest hurts. That feeling was exactly the same when he saw Kaname and Yuuki in the past. But this time, it was different. He didn't have any feeling for Yuuki at the moment, in fact, the one who made him uncomfortable was Yuuki, not Kaname. But why? Was that because he…
Zero shook his head, no way, why so fast? The two of them hadn't had anything real thing yet, so if Kaname was near and dear Yuuki like that, it was just natural. How come the pureblood hated his own sister – his own fiancée, right? That was normal, wasn't it? Just he thought too much.
But Zero couldn't help himself reached his hand to grab his left chest. He frowned. It hurts.
Tsubasa looked at the painful expression on Zero's face and then turned around to stared at the confusing and hesitating reaction of the other pureblood, and moved his eyes to Yuuki's contentment smile after that. He rolled his eyes wearily.
"These two guys are hopeless. Really."
.
.
.
.
"Kaname-san!" Tsubasa ran over to Kaname and shouting his name while Zero was busy checking on the girls.
"Hamasaki-san, what can I do for you?" Kaname stopped to wait for Tsubasa, what's wrong with him? The black-haired pureblood barely takes the initiative to approach him without Zero by his side like this.
"Ah, nothing important, I just remember a question that needs your answer."
"What's that?" Kaname was curious, what kind of question that makes Hamasaki in such a hurry?
"Uhm… well… the question is…" Tsubasa inhaled deeply, "Do you know the difference between 'complete' and 'finish'?"
"Huh?" Frankly, Kaname didn't think that question was that nonsense, but due to politeness, and Hamasaki was also a pureblood so he had to answer, "Aren't they just the same?"
"Ai ai, it's not like that, you've great misunderstanding here, my friend, lemme give you an example." Tsubasa waved his hands on the air as he continued – "...Like, if you fall in love with the right person, it means you're completed, but if you fall in love with the wrong person, then you're finished. And worse, if the right person sees you with the wrong person, then you're completely finished." Tsubasa grinned shamelessly, and then he patted on Kaname's shoulder intimately, "Well just me saying, the rest depends on how you interpret it anyway." And he left to where Zero was waiting without saying goodbye.
Kaname was stunned even after Tsubasa had left. What did he mean by that? What did he want him to read between the lines? Kaname turned to the side and looked at Yuuki walking beside him. "Misunderstand?" Did Tsubasa want to say… that he's in love with the wrong person?
.
.
.
"Sensei, can I go out for a minute?" Yuuki raised her hand as she asked the teacher for permission to leave.
"Yes, of course, Yuuki-sama, feel free to do so." The vampire teacher answered respectfully. Whatever the past was, but Yuuki Kuran now was the pureblood princess of the whole vampire society, and also the fiancée and sister of Kaname Kuran, so appropriate manners directed towards her were obviously a matter of fact.
Akuma adverted his gaze to the brunette as he smirked "She's quite sharp, isn't she? Not as useless as I thought."
.
.
.
Yuuki silently followed Kaname from afar, enough for her not to be noticed by him. Her brother was not concentrated at all, he seemed like he was deep in thought of something. And then, don't know if it's coincidence or not, when Kaname catched the sight of Zero on patrol alone through the window, he immediately stood up and asked to leave the class. He even didn't looked at her when she was asking him, it felt like he had nothing else on his mind but that…
Yuuki knew it was wrong, but something inside, urged her so strongly that, following Kaname would give her the answer for all the things she'd been dying to know after all this time…
.
.
.
Tsubasa couldn't believe he had such luck.
At first, he just intended to pretend to come back for Kaname and Zero to have a chance to meet up, while he'd hold a camera and take some pictures. But how surprisingly, the one followed Kaname wasn't him alone, but also the great Yuuki Kuran. And more interesting, that she seemed to know nothing. So, if Tsubasa guesses it right, something nice will come up soon.
Putting back the camera into his pocket, Tsubasa sat down, his hands under his chin and enthusiastically watched the upcoming drama.
.
.
.
"If you're going to skip the class once more time by saying such nonsense reasons like that, I will never believe you ever again."
Kaname slowly strolled to Zero's side and shook his head. "No, I just want to see you."
"Why? Didn't me and you see each other last night already?" Zero glared at the pureblood who was coming nearer and nearer, he wasn't in the mood to talk with him right now.
"You seem unhappy." Kaname honestly reply, he thought Zero might have seen Yuuki hugging him, but he wasn't very sure anyway, so in the end, he didn't say anything about that.
"No I'm not. I'm just tired, no need to worry." Zero said coldly, he knew he was acting like a kid, but the fury in his chest couldn't stop at all.
"It's impossible, because I care about you, Zero."
Zero's heart jumped at that as his eyes widened staring at the pureblood. "You… care about me?"
Kaname nodded, and then, he embraced Zero in his arms despite the hunter's shock at his words. "Yes, I care about you, so damn much. So if I've done anything to upset you, please speak up, don't hide it, yes? Although it was just for a short time, but to develop our relationship to this stage wasn't easy at all, so…" Kaname paused to inhale deeply. "So… I don't want us to misunderstand each other for any reason. I… don't want you to hate me like before, Zero."
Zero's heart beat went crazy at the sincere propose from Kaname. He stood still in his arms; every word came out slowly made him aware of his actions. He knew what Kaname said was true, he did care about him. But in return he… He was wrong, it was all because of him and his silly thoughts, but he vented all of his frustration on Kaname and made him sad. The hunter put his hand on Kaname's back, slowly but sure. The pureblood was surprised at Zero's reaction, shocked to see the boy reply his feelings. Then Zero spoke up, softly.
"I wasn't mad at you, I just felt tired when I woke up this morning so I am a little irritated, that's all."
Kaname knew Zero was lying, but because the boy had talked to him like normal so Kaname let it pass. Bent his head to lean on the hunter's shoulder, he continued. "But if you really hate me, then I know that the reason is."
"What?"
"Student with such a record of skipping class like me sure cannot be the strict prefect's favourite, right?" Kaname joked. Then sounded beside his ear was Zero's laughter. "If you know that already, so come back to class now."
Kaname kept quiet and watched Zero smiling and talking. He realized that this was the first time the boy gave such a free and full smile to him like that. His smile was truly beautiful, he thought, the excitement in that amethyst eyes was so different from the usual coldness. And when he looked at him, Kaname found his heart stopped at that very moment.
Zero looked up and stared at the pureblood after a long while of silence. But he paused in the middle when he saw Kaname's eyes fixing on him. His gaze burning him like fire, made him blush hardly, and when Kaname reached his hands to touch Zero's cheeks and leaned down closer, Zero's heart jumped as if it was about to fly out of his chest right now. He unconsciously grabbed Kaname's shirt tightly and closed his eyes when their lips were just a centimeter away.
Everything would run smooth as ever if Yuuki's yell was not sounded at that moment.
"STOP!"
Startled and shocked, Zero and Kaname let go of each other immediately. They froze when they recognized the owner of that voice. Yuuki was standing right in front of them, tears down her face, painful and furious.
All the things happened after then were like a fast-moving film. But the memory Zero remember the most, was the hurt sensation on his cheek.
Yuuki slapped him.
The slap made Zero stupefied; he even forgot how to react and just stood there, silently listening to Yuuki's blames on him, filling his ears.
"I can't believe that you can be this despicable, Zero. Don't you always claim that you hate Kaname? You are the one who knows how much I love Kaname more than anyone else. You liar! How can you steal your best friend's lover from her? Not only you body, but your soul is also filthy!"
"Yes, yes, that right, didn't you act innocent in front of me before, that you desperately shouted that I left you all alone, that you would never be close to any human blood sucker like us! I can't even imagine that you are such a hypocrite! You-"
"Shut up!"
Zero's cry made Yuuki stopped. She stared straight at the boy before her, his shoulders were shaking with anger; his fists were so tight that all the knuckles turned white. But Yuuki didn't want to leave it all that, she still hasn't finished talking yet.
"What? What position are you in that make you think you can shout at me? This is totally your fault. You betrayer, don't you know who's the one stopped you from falling to level E? And now, this is how you return my favor?" Everything she said was like thousands of sharp knives stabbed Zero with no mercy. She couldn't think straight anymore, the only thought in her head right now was making Zero pay for his betrayal.
Zero bit his lower lip till it bleed. Why did things turn out like that? He was slapped, and insulted as if he was the filthiest thief in the world who had played his own best friend behind her back just because of a pureblood vampire. Even if she'd been depend on him so much before. He couldn't let Yuuki have her way to insult him like that. He had his own pride, his very own vampire hunter pride…
Zero turned around and left immediately as he violently pushed Kaname's arm away when the pureblood tried to hold him back. Then he desperately ran away. The aching bruise on his face could not compare to the pain burning in his chest, as if his honor had been crushed to pieces. He was angry so damn much. He hated everything, he hated Yuuki, he hated Kaname…
But over all, he hated himself the most.
.
.
.
Tsubasa frowned as his gaze followed Zero's silhouette when he was leaving. He really wanted to come out and scolded Yuuki as much as possible, then went to get Zero after that. But if he did anything, his ulterior motives at first would all be busted. So Tsubasa could only sat still and mumbled swears under his breath. Couldn't go out and yell at Yuuki, Tsubasa decided to vent his anger on Kaname instead. Hey you stupid vampire, why are you standing like that? Are you nuts or something that you can't even spoke up for Zero when Yuuki shouting at him? Hey hey how can you let her hold your hands and cry on your shoulder like thatttt? OMFG Kaname Kuran, you cowardddd! Tsubasa thought in mind.
But the next thing that he couldn't imagine of, even in hell, was a drastic slap from Kaname to Yuuki.
Tsubasa was totally shocked, but what Yuuki felt was even more than that.
.
.
Yuuki's mind suddenly went blank, she couldn't even think. And when her right cheek burned with heat and her white skin turned red did her realized, she was slapped by Kaname.
Kaname Kuran, the one who always loves her most, who always unconditionally protects her, who always worships and desires to have her beside him. Her brother, her fiancé, …
But .he. slapped .her.
Yuuki stared at Kaname, her eyes widen, frightened and stupefied. She couldn't believe this was true. But no, disappointment and sadness on Kaname's face, and his distant gaze, her silhouette in his eyes only 'reflected' but not 'existed' anymore. Everything was clear.
"Onii-sama, you…" Yuuki's voice was shaking as she tried to stop herself from crying.
Kaname clenched his fists, he looked at Yuuki painfully, he knew he had made a mistake, terrible mistake. Yuuki wasn't the one to blame, she had the right to be angry because she was betrayed, by himself and Zero. He should have apologized, should have begged her for forgiveness, should have given her an explain and found the way out…
But he just couldn't, his body acted on its own, before his mind could speak aloud. He couldn't even think when he witnessed the sight of Zero being insulted by Yuuki, couldn't even keep calm when he saw the pain and anger in his eyes, it was far more clearer than the other time when the hunter talked about his past. When Zero pushed him away and left, Kaname thought his breath stopped at that moment, and his heart broke when he finally realized it was him who'd hurt Zero. And Yuuki. And himself as well.
Took a deep breath, Kaname whisper softly, he closed his eyes as he said.
"I'm sorry."
And the pureblood went away, cared nothing about Yuuki begging gaze following him as if she'd never existed in the first place.
Yuuki broke down after Kaname left. She sat down, staring at the empty space before her eyes, tears dropping down like rain. Kaname'd slapped her, and he even hadn't held her in his arms and whispered in her ears words of love. He had left, with no hesitation, no regret to look at her over his shoulder. His last words to her were all the same…
Yuuki started to cry out loud. Kaname'd apologized, but even if he did that, why did he leave her in the end? He knew more than anyone that he'd just say a word and Yuuki'd be there to forgive him.
But no, Yuuki knew what it meant. And she hurt so much to know that ugly truth.
Kaname apologized, because he had chosen Zero.
Yuuki suddenly laughed as if she went mad. Just a few weeks ago, they still treated each other as arch enemy. But now, because the hunter that Kaname'd decided to walk away from her. She knew nothing. Nothing at all. She believed Kaname with all her heart, she tried her best to mend her friendship with Zero. While the two of them were playing her behind her back and laughed at her like a clown in a circus. She was the victim, but Kaname'd been on Zero's side, as if everything was her fault.
The vampire princess tighten her fists till it bleed. In a second, her face was filled with hatred. No, she couldn't be weak anymore. Kaname is hers, everything is hers. Zero had no right to steal them from her. Just he waits, she'd make him realize, that Yuuki Kuran was not a doll for your entertainment anymore.
And at that very moment, she found her last pieces of human in her broke. Completely.