Chapter 8 ~~ Meddling Aido?

Things went great for Zero and Kaname over the next few weeks. They hadn't officially come out as a couple, but everyone kind of already knew.

The fangirls had backed off Kaname due to Zero's rages when they tried to hang on him. The other night class students, especially those close to Kaname figured it out fairly early on. They did not interfere with their superior's relationship even if they did disapprove. Zero planned to come out to Yuuki, but she had already (of course) known, and he was grateful they could carry on as if nothing had changed. Headmaster Cross had realized the situation when Kaname started spending nights, and sometimes full days, at his house. He had called Zero to his office and fangirled about how it totally proved his ideals and hopes that vampires could coexist peacefully.

The only person who openly rejected their relationship was Hanabusa Aido, a night class aristocrat. He never missed a chance to voice his displeasure that their purest-of-the-pure leader was sleeping with a filthy ex-human hunter. His thoughtless words had earned him more than a few harsh punishments from Kaname.

"Now that I think about it there is one person who doesn't know about us," Zero thought to himself taking his usual seat in the back of lit. Class; late again. "Toga has no idea." Zero was terrified of what would happen if the older hunter were to find out he were dating a vampire.

Yagari Toga had practically raised him and Ichiru when their parents were away on missions killing rogue vampires. He had been Zero's parental figure, his teacher, and his hunting mentor. He was a big part of his life, especially after his parents and Ichiru had died. He respected Toga and was grateful for everything he'd done for him until the time came where he began living with Cross and Yuuki. The man had even lost an eye protecting him and his twin from a level E when they were children.

However, that did not mean he knew Zero well enough now to know he was in a relationship, or that Zero wanted to tell him so. Toga hated vampires with a burning passion and had taught Zero to be the same. "If he found out I was with a vampire, much less a pure blooded one, he'd shoot me," Zero thought gulping.

"But maybe I should just do it; it's really hard sitting in his class and be thinking about Kaname without feeling guilty. Plus better he hears it from me, his pupil, about my inter-species gay relationship."

*BRI-I-NG*

The bell for lunch went off and Zero practically bolted out the door. Why the rush you ask? Because his boyfriend (Yup Boyfriend!) was finally home from back to back meetings with vampire politicians and the hunter's association, and they were going to have lunch together.

With a large grin on his face, Zero ducked out a side door to go to their favorite spot- right on the edge of the woods under a large willow tree. The leaves hung in thick, tumbling ropes that stopped about four feet from the ground, creating a semi-private are for them to spend time together that was dark enough that the light didn't bother Kaname's eyes.

Zero reached their spot and brushed aside some leafy vines to get in the darkened area closer to the trunk. He saw a light blue sheet spread out on the ground, two white cushions on it, and a bag and drinks from a fast food place too. But no Kaname.

Confused, Zero looked around him. No Kaname. He walked around the tree, still no Kaname. He gave a frustrated sigh. Then he heard a soft chuckle. Looking up, he saw Kaname sitting on a tree branch; back leaned casually against the tree, reading. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called up, "hey bloodsucker, why so far up?"

Kaname looked up, well down; just realizing Zero was standing there. "Just reading one of Shakespeare's tragedies. I find prince Hamlet to be quite amusing." He hopped down and landed neatly on his feet. "That and the food smelled good, and I wanted to wait for you to eat it."

"That's sweet to say, but I know you hate this type of stuff. You didn't have to buy it just for me."

"Ah, but it was my turn to 'make' lunch and as you've told me many a time, I burn water. Therefore, your heart-attack-in-a-bag seemed to be the best choice," he said while stalking forward to envelop his boyfriend in a tight hug.

"Mm, I missed you Kaname," Zero said, hugging back and taking in the sweet scent of Kaname.

"And I you," Kaname replied. He went in for a kiss, but Zero's stomach had other ideas it seemed. He smiled against Zero's lips at the growl. "Why don't we eat before the 'food' gets cold?"

Gratefully, Zero went to sit down on a cushion; willing embarrassed blush on his cheeks to die down. Kaname came and sat down next to him and they dug into the greasy mess of burgers and fries.

"You know, I've been thinking," Zero said around a mouthful of burger, "about telling toga-sensei about us."

"What brought this on? I thought you said you didn't want him to find out?"

"Nothing brought it on, I just figured I may as well before someone else does and Toga kills both of us…"

Kaname wrapped his arms around Zero's shoulders "if this is what you want to do, its fine by me, but you don't have to. I know you worry about how he may react and you hope he'll be okay with it, but I doubt that would happen. I just want you to be prepared for that possibility."

"Thanks, but I still think he should know. I might tell him tonight when he comes to dinner with Cross. I'm just really worried he'll try to break us up, he really hates you all." He leaned his head on Kaname's shoulder.

"That won't happen Zero, I promise. Now let's hurry up and finish this up, your lunch ends soon." Kaname gave him a kiss on the forehead, "now stop worrying, everything will turn out fine."

They quickly finished their meal and kissed goodbye before Zero had to hurry back to class. Kaname packed up and left for the moon dorm. Little did they know that the whole time someone had been watching from the shadows.

- :[ -

Aido turned away from the sickeningly sweet scene before him, disgusted. "Why should he be allowed to touch Kaname? He's a hunter! A former human! Double the nasty. The likes of him shouldn't even breathe the same air as my Kaname. Does he not understand that is all a waste of time? He will become a level E unless he drinks from the –most likely dead- pureblood that turned him. If only he could fall soon, and I could kill him. Then Kaname could be all mine."

A layer of frost slowly crept out from his body, covering everything close to him in its glistening white. He reigned in his emotions and pulled back his powers, allowing the ice to dissipate. He was furious. He hated that Kaname had chosen the ex-human wretch over him, a noble of his own kind. "Can't Kaname tell that I love him?!It should be me he is smiling at. Me he's sharing lunch with. He even came straight here after returning from his long trip just to be with this… trash. I hate Zero. He must be dealt with immediately."

His jealous thoughts were interrupted when Zero mentioned that Yagari Toga knowing nothing about their relationship. "I'm worried he'll try to break us up," the trash had said.

"Well, well, well… I can use this to my advantage. If someone should… I dunno… let it slip to him that his 'perfect' pupil is with one of us, it could spell the end of this 'relationship'. Then I could most definitely make Kaname mine."

With a smile on his face and a spring in his step Aido went back to the moon dorm. "I'll just have a word with our dear teacher after class tonight and let the chips fall where they may."