Unexpectedly Close To The Edge

Set 3 years after Vampire Knight Guilty, however, certain enemies aren't as dead as they were thought to be.

~{}~ signifies a change in time or perspective

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, these awesome characters do not belong to me in any way. They belong to Matsuri Hino. I just stole them and put them to use for my own sick mind ;)

Summary: Yuki's death brings the two former enemies Zero and Kaname closer than they ever expected to be. As the two of them - both broken in their own way - struggle to pick up a life again, will they cope by putting each other together again?

Rated M: mature emotions, rape, violence, M/M lemon (seriously, rated M for good reason!)


AN: OMG, so many reviews - I didn't expect to get so much attention *blush* - Thank you so much for all your comments. I spent 2 weeks rewriting this chapter and I'm still not sure I've got them in character. Let me know what you think.


Chapter 3: An Unpleasant Awakening

"Lord Councillor... ?" the trembling figure of a Level C vampire bowed hesitantly.
"What?" the voice from behind the desk snapped instantly in answer.
"There... there is news from the Kuran mansion."
"Yes?" the snapping voice held a slightly more interested tone this time.
"Kuran-sama has left the mansion without his Praetorian." Still nervous, the Level C appeared to be counting on the value of the information to please his lord but he flinched slightly anyway when he suddenly had his full attention. Cold blue eyes pierced right through him.

"Source of information?" his short-clipped voice snapped.
"The three watchers you sent, my lord. They reported the Praetorian leaving yesterday on a flight to South America. Kuran-sama left his mansion two hours ago - alone. He did not follow her to the airport."
"Kuran's condition?"
"Subdued."
"Where is he now?"
The Level C shifted uncomfortably.
"Tracking was aborted due to complications..."

"We have a potentially lethal pureblood on our hands and you abort tracking? Why?" the voice growled very dangerously.
"He crossed into Hunter Territory near the Association's Headquarters."
There was a long pause in which the Level C vampire squirmed and fidgeted, even though he knew that there was nothing he could do to appease him if his lord lost his temper. But the vampire behind the desk was not in the least interested in the messenger, pondering the events delivered in the message instead. The Level C was a nervous wreck by the time he finally answered.
"In that case, continue to survey any possible exits on the outskirts of their territory. If nothing changes in three days, abort mission and return. You may leave."
The Level C bowed and hastily retreated, obviously relieved at the lenient outcome of his report.

The echo of the door closing had not yet faded, when a shadow swirled behind the man at the desk. While he sat in quiet posture, contemplating the newly received information, he felt the familiar, unpleasant tingle of being watched from behind his back. Very slowly he turned and blanched as he was confronted with the gaze of two differently colored eyes.
"K.. Ku.. Kuran-sama?"
The swirling shadow materialized completely revealing a vampire dressed in a black suit over his bare torso. The telltale dark tresses inherent to all members of the Kuran family framed his beautiful face in tangled disarray, and it would have made an enticing picture if it hadn't been for the cruel smirk plastered across the perfect features. The mismatched eyes seemingly pierced straight through the vampire at the desk. His lips turned into a sneer.

~{}~

"So my nephew has finally decided to put himself to a heroically tragic end... How endearingly noble of him." the contempt in the pureblood's voice was almost tangible, dripping to the floor like poison. But then he continued in a light, conversational tone. It only made the noble at the desk quiver more with unease.
"I think I rather like the way his demise is progressing. Very befitting his personality, don't you think?" the pureblood chuckled in cold amusement, not expecting an answer.

"And the choice of location... beautifully orchestrated - for a trashy novel, that is... Usually, I'm not one for the theatrical plays. Hmmm, but I think I'll make this an exception. Perhaps I might actually stick around for the last act." The pureblood laughed at this. It was a cold and sneering kind of laughter. But then again, it wasn't meant to soothe his listener. He grinned to himself, watching the shudders run across the noble vampire's spine with every chill his laughter triggered.

"Wh... why hunter territory?" the frightened noble asked as a means of distraction, his fear enhanced by not knowing what exactly it was the dark haired vampire was here for.
The pureblood saw through it immediately, but humored him with a chuckle. He was enjoying this immensely.
"Meeting an old friend of his."
"A hunter?"
But the pureblood had already changed his mind on humoring his evasions. The sitting noble flinched as Rido appeared very suddenly in front of his desk.

"Speaking of old friends, Councillor... I believe we have unfinished business to attend to. And its nature is rather unpleasant..." the pureblood's voice held a dangerous edge to it.
"Wh... what business would that be, Kuran-sama?" perspiration was glistening on the noble's face in the dim light.
Like a cat, the pureblood now crouched on his desk, leaning in close to the other's ear - knowing full well how he was terrifying the other vampire and enjoying every moment of it. He just loved the stench of fear when he was the one inducing it. He briefly toyed with the idea of just tearing his fangs into the noble's throat. But he would wait for that until after he was done playing. So instead, he settled for a quiet, dangerous whisper into his ear.

"You betraying me."

~{}~

Zero's consciousness felt muddled and overwhelmed when it finally returned. He growled as he felt a flash of guilt remind him that he should stop drinking. But for some reason, his mind didn't seem to stick to his body. It kept drifting, elusively shying away from his grip. He knew he should stop, he could feel he needed no more blood. The gnawing ache of the cold in his chest that had accompanied him for three years had subsided. Instead of the sharp tendrils of that bitter chill, there was a delicious warmth in his body again. He could stop now... but it tasted heavenly.

So long... he thought, it had been so long since he'd had any real blood. And now he was being allowed to have the blood of a pureblood. The most delicious, strengthening and fulfilling draught of blood there was. The drug every vampire desired. The fix every blood sucker would die for. He tightened his hold on the pureblood.

The vampire inside him delighted in his drinking, craving more. But there was something else, too. His vampire self demanding more - that was a trait in himself he could pinpoint and knew well how to handle. He could douse that flame - but this haze in his mind, this jumble in his thoughts - that, he was unaccustomed to.
He knew about the power blood had, the power to show the drinker what his donor was thinking. But this was different - it was closer to his mind, not just disconnected flickers of incomprehensible images, but almost as though it was somehow part of himself... Was this the pureblood messing with his head? And why did he feel this need to... share a part of himself? No way! That was not himself. It had to be the pureblood.

That went too far. He scowled fiercely and clawed brutally into the skin, his own skin stinging as well. No messing with my mind, vampire! Suddenly angry, Zero pulled free, none too gently either. A flicker of pain shot through his own throat at the same moment he tore out his fangs from the pureblood. He glared at Kuran, anger focusing his muddled thoughts.

"You didn't expect this...?" Kuran asked him, an eyebrow slightly raised but otherwise completely composed. He seemed to be completely ignoring the fact that he was still bleeding his pure blood all over his torso as the scratches and bite wound closed slowly.
"Expect what?" Zero shot back confused and angry. He was still on a blood-high, exhilarated and brimming with energy he could barely contain, but strangely dizzy and disoriented nonetheless. He couldn't help staring at the gash he'd torn into the perfect skin. It was calling to him. But he was disgusted by what his state made him want. It didn't exactly improve his mood to know his eyes were still glowing red.
Kuran breathed deeply as the torn skin on his naked chest mended completely. Zero looked at him impatiently. "Well?"

"This." the pureblood said and deliberately tore a painful, bone-deep gash into his own lower arm with an elongated fingernail. Zero gasped in pain and looked at his own arm where it echoed the painful wound without bleeding. He stared into the chocolate eyes horrified.
"What did you do to me!" he yelled jumping up, face burning in anger. He tripped and stumbled backwards into the small table but he kept his eyes fixed on the pureblood ignoring the broken glass from Yuuki's portrait. Realization struck hard suddenly, when he saw a short wince flicker across the other's face as his own back collided with the table.

"No..." he whispered, eyes wide in horror.

Zero swallowed hard and closed his eyes breathing deeply to focus. This isn't true, it's not true... this isn't happening... he had to test his theory. He grabbed a shard of glass from the broken portrait and jammed it deeply into the palm of his left hand. The pureblood grunted, clenching his left hand to a fist.
'Be gentle to your body, Zero... you're hurting me. And stop yelling at me that it's not true.'
Zero stared at Kuran. Had he just spoken into his mind?
'Yes, I have. Now stop YELLING into mine...'

"Wh...what?"
Zero had figured out by now they had to be blood bound, but knowing only the general hunter theory about it, he had no idea what that actually meant when you were personally involved. And more importantly, how that could have happened or what to do about it. He scowled at Kuran fiercely, anger mixing with the swirling energy the pure blood induced in him. This was all the fucking pureblood's fault.
"KUUURAAAAN..." he roared, lunging at the calm figure on his bed.

Perhaps Zero had underestimated his anger a bit, because instantly, his hands turned to claws as he went straight at the pureblood's perfect face. He had meant to punch him - but his angry claws tore deep gashes into the smooth skin. And yet, even through the haze of his fury, Zero felt the pain of every single slice on his own skin.

Frustration threatened to engulf him as he realized it was useless. This was like fighting himself... Actually, it was worse. Fighting himself was easy - he knew himself, he knew how he would react, but this was Kuran he was clawing at. A freaking pureblood vampire. Claws frozen in the middle of their movement, the hunter stopped, staring at the torn skin slowly rearranging itself in Kuran's face. But the chocolate eyes betrayed no emotion at all. He hadn't flinched a bit at the hunter's outrage. The pureblood could have been a statue, for all the hunter knew. How could he be so freaking composed? Zero's own skin was throbbing where he had sliced at the pureblood. Alluringly delicious blood was dripping from the sharp ends of his talon-like fingernails while his thoughts raced everywhere and nowhere.

With Kuran healing this fast, the pain faded from his own face quickly. And the pureblood's eyes remained absolutely composed holding his own with their steady gaze. But it didn't help in the least - Zero's mind lept from one thought to the next. It took only a few small instants for the ugly truth to register in full. His world had been torn apart around him... again. And a pureblood vampire was involved… again.

A few years ago that revelation would have induced a righteous fury, but now... where was the point? Internally, he grimaced as he felt his anger drain from him. His clawed fingers returned back to their usual self and he let them fall uselessly to his sides, even though the shard of glass was still embedded in his palm. But his eyes did not leave Kuran's as he tried to wrap his mind around the situation. He was bound to that face now, he was chained to Kuran, shackled to the whims of a pureblood vampire, invisibly snatched from the sanity of even being the one to own his fucking body and mind. Let alone his life - which he hadn't really ever had much say in to begin with anyway.

Zero wasn't stupid. He immediately realized the full scope of hopelessness he was in. This wasn't Cross Academy anymore, no playing the game of cuddle-the-vampire, this was the bitter reality of a Level D vampire facing a pureblood. Hunter or no - he never stood a chance against Kuran. They were bound, and when a pureblood and a Level D was involved that only meant one thing: Kuran owned his mind and body now. And with that little outburst he just might have gotten himself into a little more trouble than he could handle.

He wasn't afraid of the pureblood, he wasn't afraid of pain or dying - but he still knew fear. A person without fear was dead. Yes, he had fear - of all the things he was afraid of, the thought of losing his mind to Level E madness scared him the most. Whether he admitted it to himself or not. His mind - his mind was his own. He feared the loss of control over his mind. His mind was his sanctuary. Nobody had a right to be there. It was the only freedom he had left. His body was that of a vampire, craving things that were disgusting and unnatural. And even if there was still strong hunter blood flowing in his veins, half the time he didn't even consider the vampire body to be his own. And his heart, well... that was another story, save to say, his heart was gone, shattered. He had given it away never to be returned. So his mind was all he had left. But what did it matter in the end?

His focus returned to the chocolate eyes. The pureblood had let him tear up his pretty face - why? There was no reason for him to tolerate that. Zero was a hunter-turned vampire. He grimaced internally - wasn't like he didn't know he was the bottom end of the food chain here. It took no more than a thought and the hunter could writhe in pain or die or do whatever Kuran wanted him to do.

So what if he had wanted to die only hours ago and the hunter had given him his blood. Kuran had the right to take his blood, and they both knew it. No vampire was allowed to attack a hunter - and technically, Zero was a hunter - still, he was a vampire, too. And he seriously doubted the Association would defend him against a pureblood. And especially this one. No, he was on his own here with Kuran. And the pureblood had the right to take his blood or body or mind whenever he pleased. And Zero certainly did not have the right to turn around to tear him up... No pureblood just allowed that. So why did he just sit there, calmly staring back at him like this?

Of course.
You idiot - he won't even waste the words to tell you that you're worth nothing. He just made you see it for yourself... humiliating you. Without even wasting a word. It was that merciless voice in the back of his mind - the one that kept pointing out what he didn't want to see.
Struggling hard to get a grip on himself, Zero closed his eyes. He snorted mirthlessly and shook his head. He wanted so badly for this to be nothing but a nightmare. But it wasn't happening. His life had a bad tendency to do that to him.

If you're serious about not caring about anything anymore, it doesn't matter what happens to your mind.

~{}~

"Are you done tearing me up?" the pureblood asked quietly. Kaname had been overwhelmed with their connection himself. Ever since the hunter had regained his consciousness during drinking, Kaname had been bombarded with his thoughts and emotions. He was trying his best not to leak his own thoughts toward the hunter, fearing he wouldn't take that very well. But it was more of a challenge than he had anticipated.

He should have been used to it - but the two weeks without Yuki had left him to cope with a terrible silence in his mind. Having it filled again in the blink of an eye took some getting used to. Zero's presence was very different from hers. It ran deep and was filled with a multitude of raw edges - every emotion was crystal clear and intense. Kaname hadn't expected that level of intimacy in their bond. When Zero had stabbed his hand with the glass it had really hurt. With Yuki he had only felt a slight sting when she accidentally hurt herself.

And Zero's incessant repetitions of disbelief had really grated on his nerves, because they were so loud in his mind. But perhaps he shouldn't have spoken through their bond so soon. The hunter's sudden anger was to be expected, but still it had been a challenge to remain composed enough to face it without flinching. He knew it was Zero's usual initial reaction toward feeling controlled by someone else. He didn't really blame him for it either.

But the hunter had slashed him only once. He had had enough anger pent up to do a lot more damage. But he hadn't. Instead, he had stopped immediately, though Kaname hadn't understood why at first. Maybe he had matured during his training as a hunter.
But the hunter's train of thought that followed after that, was almost painful to witness - even for someone who was not close to him. The anger had disappeared as suddenly as it had come, leaving in its wake a hollowness that stirred unbidden memories in the pureblood.

He would have lost himself in those thoughts, if the hunter's mind hadn't occupied his so thoroughly. It made him sad for some reason, to feel that same emptiness from the hunter. But in turn, he also couldn't help feeling proud that the hunter stubbornly refused to fear him. He wouldn't be the same if he did. His determination remained. That was a good sign - Kaname had hoped it would. He would need it.
Still, he would have to tread carefully here. Explaining their bond to the stubborn hunter would not be a simple task. But he had to try.

Zero was still standing there when Kaname reached out to him with his hand. It wasn't meant to be a threat. But instantly, the hunter had dropped to his knees, rolled over and grabbed his Bloody Rose. For the second time that night, the pureblood faced the barrel of that gun. Kaname almost nodded in approval. He had never before seen the hunter move this fast.
"I wasn't going to attack you." he said as soothingly as he could.

The hunter glared back from where he was crouched on the floor ready to jump if need be. He said nothing and except for his famous glare, his face revealed nothing either. But his thoughts filled Kaname's mind betraying the nature of his distrust.
What does he want? First he watches me tear up his face and then he says he doesn't want to attack? He's stalling for something. What does he want?
Kaname sighed, closed his eyes and re-opened them - still facing the weapon.
"I want to talk. Talk - as in, no weapons and no bloodshed." he said, hoping a hint of sarcasm might appease the edgy hunter.

Ever the one to make things as difficult as possible, Zero Kiryu, right?

~{}~

'Yeah, right. Like I'm falling for that.' Zero thought, his temper rising again.
"About what?" he growled. Without lowering the gun, he moved to stand a few feet away from the pureblood eyeing him with suspicion.
'How about our bond?'
It was Kuran's voice - in his freaking head!… again. Making fun of him. Zero clenched his teeth. He did not appreciate the intrusion.
"Get. Out. Of my head. Now." Zero growled lethally, eyes narrowed.
Kuran was still sitting there, looking as though nothing at all had happened. But he could hear his thoughts now, he could feel his emotions in his own mind. Even though he didn't want to.

Zero wanted to scream out loud, tear something, break something - anything to get the pureblood out of his head. He wanted to shoot the bastard and send him to hell, if only he'd leave his mind.
'We're blood bound, if you shoot me, you'll hurt yourself.'

"I don't care. Get out. Now." he had wanted to shout it, but he only heard a hoarse whisper of those words when they left his mouth. He was hearing thoughts that weren't his own, seeing flashes of images that weren't his, that didn't even make sense to him. He felt like he was going to lose it, and fast. It was messing with his orientation. The Bloody Rose in his right hand still pointed at the pureblood, he caught his face with his bleeding left hand and dug his claws into his cheek, hoping the pain would keep his sanity in place.

'Zero...'

"That's Kiryu to you, Kuran! Now get out of my head... dammit."
Zero started tearing chunks of his own skin from his face as he clawed at his head in earnest - all the while driving the glass more thoroughly through his palm, barely noticing. He needed the pain to concentrate.
"Get out of my head right now." he yelled almost hysterically.

It didn't help. Now not only were there things in his mind he didn't understand, but he even felt Kuran there - in his fucking mind. He was infesting his thoughts, like a plague. Zero fought the deceiving warmth he was spreading with everything he had. He didn't belong there! No one belonged there! He tried shutting him out, bringing up walls of defenses in his mind - but nothing he had learned with Yagari was working. Everywhere his thoughts turned, the pureblood was there... his head spun as he struggled for control trying to shut him out of his brain.

Get out. Get out. Get out... he was reeling as he repeated it endlessly.

His anger, his helplessness, the pure blood in his body - it all swirled in him creating a vortex of confusion inside him he couldn't reign in. He lost his balance and fell onto the already overturned table. This time he stayed there, hopelessly overwhelmed. He dropped the Bloody Rose, clutching his face in his hands, holding onto his head as tightly as he could, as though it would somehow remain his to control that way. He didn't even care that he had accidentally smeared blood across his entire face and neck. He couldn't get him out of his mind. He snorted bitterly. It wasn't like it mattered if he ever got up again.

Nothing mattered anymore. Kuran would command him to do something insane and he would have no control over himself at all. It didn't matter - let the pureblood have his slave. He looked up, fixing the pureblood's gaze with disgust and loathing.
"What are you waiting for, Kuran," he challenged, "you want to break my mind? Then fucking hurry up and just get it over with."

But the pureblood just looked at him with a mild expression on his face and Zero could have sworn he detected a trace of sadness in the chocolate eyes. Kuran's presence slowly retreated from inside his head. But the static of confusion still remained, albeit somewhat dimmed.
"I have no intention of breaking your mind, Kiryu." Kuran said very softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice.
"Yeah right..." Zero snorted unbelieving. He refused to believe that. "Cut the crap, Kuran. Stop lying. I know your kind. What is it you want?" Even if he didn't want to break his mind he would not believe there was no hidden agenda. That did not happen with purebloods. It simply didn't. A shocking idea entered his mind. If he didn't want his mind... would Kuran be an animal and just rape his body? He glared at the brunette.

"Take what it is you want and then leave me alone."
Kuran got up gracefully and offered the hunter a hand in getting up. Zero had almost forgotten how the pureblood usually moved when he wasn't torn up with emotion. He'd forgotten how freaking controlled and perfect every movement he made could be. How inadequate it made him feel. How the bastard had always grated on his nerves. How strong Kuran was, and how weak he was in comparison. And how he had always passionately hated that about him. But now he resigned himself not to care.

Kuran actually smiled. A perfect smile. Unreadable. Real or fake? It didn't matter.
"I said I have no intention of breaking your mind - or any part of you for that matter. I know you have every reason to mistrust me. But contrary to what you might think of me - I will not control you and you are not chained to my will. And I will not rape you."
Looking at the outstretched hand, Zero's first reaction was to smack it away. But he hesitated. The words Kuran had just used, they were exactly the ones he'd thought to himself. So he'd heard all of that. Kuran nodded as if in answer.

"As long as it's up to me, you will keep your sanity and your mind is still your own."
"Then why are you in it?" the hunter growled.
"If you had let me talk, then I could have explained the extent of our bond to you. You are not the only one who has to deal with another presence in their head, you know."
Zero refused to stare at the pureblood. Instead, he scowled.

Kaname sighed. "Let me explain and you can continue being angry again later on." the pureblood said in the same soothing voice. Zero snorted and got up, ignoring the offered hand. Perhaps, he was making a fool of himself. He resigned warily, calming himself for whatever was next. Whatever the pureblood wanted - if he'd wanted to do it - he'd already have done it, unless of course, he was seriously toying with him. But that was a level of sadism even Zero didn't attribute to the pureblood. Composing his features, he looked at Kuran silently, ignoring the fact that there was blood all over his face and hands.

"You decided to save me. I want to thank you." Kuran's voice was still soothing, unsettling the hunter because it was saying things that purebloods just didn't say. This had to be some freak dream. So what was he expected to say? 'You're welcome'? How would he make that sound sincere if what he really wanted to say was more along the line of 'Get the hell out of here and never show up again'?
"Thank you for saving my life." Kuran said gently, inclining his head in a bowing gesture and smiling at the hunter with a solemn look on his face.

"Save you... ? Because I let you...?" Zero began.

Wait... This was his fault?

"I had no idea this would happen, Kiryu, honestly, I didn't." The pureblood shrugged slightly. Zero clenched his teeth at how believable and yet offhanded he was letting that sound. He snorted. 'Honesty' and 'vampire' were not compatible.
Kaname continued unruffled.
"I came here expecting you to kill me, I never thought that Yuuki would be right about you... I never expected you... to... care." the soothing voice quieted to an astonished whisper.

Zero shivered at the tone of voice. Was that possible? Kuran didn't do this? Didn't expect this? Seriously?
"No. Kiryu, you must believe me - I truly didn't expect this. And... and I am honestly sorry that it was at the cost of your own freedom that you saved me ..."
Kuran looked right at him and Zero saw the honesty there. The hunter couldn't help but think that the pureblood was telling some version of the truth right there. The vampire had asked to be killed. It had been the hunter's decision to let him have his blood.
Zero groaned internally. Probably the pureblood had better things to do than bind a useless Level D ex-human hunter to himself.

"Sorry." he said gruffly, not knowing whether he was apologizing for getting angry, for not believing him or for getting them both into this mess - maybe it was just an all-in-one apology. His mind was full of crap - things he wasn't supposed to be feeling, uncertainties he wasn't supposed to be having. Folding his arms in front of his chest, he hoped the pureblood would get the hint and just leave.
But said vampire surprised the hunter as he slid his slender arms around the muscular torso to hold him gently.
Zero stiffened.

No one hugged him. Period.

His hunter senses certainly were not amused. But he couldn't sense anything threatening beyond that, quite the contrary - somehow Zero knew it wasn't meant to be anything but a comforting embrace. Was Kuran trying to comfort him? But before his indignation could get the better of him, the pureblood dropped his forehead onto the hunter's shoulder and Zero felt the vulnerability this gesture was representing. Waves of it seemed to flood him from the pureblood. There was no possessiveness, no hidden agenda. Just an embrace for the sake of comfort, because Kuran needed it. But purebloods just weren't...
"There is no reason for you to apologize, Kiryu." Kuran said quietly.

Zero didn't move. He was not used to being hugged. Not for a long time now. There was good reason for that, too. Being this close to someone else did all sorts of things with his senses. His hunter senses were always on guard - the closer he got to someone, the more they alerted him to potential threats, especially with vampires. But there was another reason - much more urgent than that.
He would always be thirsty when he was this close to someone else. Always there was the danger of him not being able to control it - he didn't allow that to happen if he could help it. Even though it was in his nature to want to care for others and he just couldn't afford to.

He could smell it - even now, the alluring scent of Kuran's pure blood he had spilled, that was caked across his perfect neck and chest. But he battled it, refusing to let it overwhelm him. It was just another sign of what a monster he had become. Even a harmless thing such as a hug was something he didn't deserve. Even the capability to show a touch of humanity had left him. What had brought him to comfort the pureblood the other day he didn't know himself. There was no humanity inside himself to spare.

Kuran seemed to notice his hesitancy. He pulled away, but it seemed reluctant to the hunter. He ignored the loss of warmth that followed.
"I apologize." Kuran said quickly not meeting the hunter's eyes. Zero followed the pureblood's gaze and landed on his hand.
"You're bleeding." he remarked.

Aside from the fact that they were both covered in blood, he was right: blood was trickling sluggishly from where the shard of glass was still embedded in the palm of his left hand. It was actually still painful - so Kuran must be feeling it as well, he realized. Zero dug his fingers into the wound and pulled it out of his hand without even flinching.
"Sorry 'bout that," he muttered, tossing it to the floor.
Kuran smiled at him.

"It's ok." The dark brown eyes looked at him patiently. Zero could feel warmth emanating through his entire body. He knew that Kuran was doing it on purpose, inducing the warmth, but for some reason it felt comforting, it felt... good. Not threatening. He struggled to figure out why he knew it. But before he could decide on whether he would fight it or not, Kuran interrupted him.
"Let me?" the pureblood lifted his bloody palm into his own delicate hand.
Zero shrugged.

He didn't want to care. He didn't want to acknowledge anything about what Kuran was making him feel, but he couldn't suppress a shudder as the pureblood began to lick the torn skin in his palm. He couldn't help noticing how the pureblood's tongue felt like soft velvet caressing the pain away from his nerve endings. There was no way he could shake the memory of that tongue on his skin as the pureblood had drunk from him. He had to avert his eyes as he saw his own blood on Kuran's lips. Heat began to rise in his body, and Zero fought the disgusting longing he was feeling, fought the desire to lick it off those lips.

I do not want to feel this way...

It lasted only a few seconds, then his palm was healed. A few seconds later, the back of his hand was healed in similar fashion. But Zero was looking at the floor feeling an embarrassing blush burn his cheeks for how it had stirred undeniable pleasure in him. He was disgusted at himself. His longing was repulsive and entirely uncalled for. He loathed his body for it. But still, it was there. He did not look up, so he didn't expect the pureblood's gentle touch on the torn skin of his face. He flinched at the contact and pulled away suddenly. Those were just scratches - they'd heal. He definitely DID NOT want the pureblood's tongue there. He was feeling strange sensations in him, flickers of thoughts - similar to the kind he'd felt when drinking Kuran's blood. Trying to escape the awkwardness, he spoke.

"You wanted to explain our bond to me, Kuran."

"Kaname."
"What?" he asked not getting it.
"My name... it's Kaname." the pureblood said gently.
When Zero didn't answer he spoke again.

"We're blood bound, Zero. That's about the closest two separate beings can get. Don't you think that justifies using first names? In a sense, you were right to fear mind control. There is nothing..." Zero heard him swallow heavily. Then he continued in a shaky whisper.
"If you truly want it, there is nothing I can hide from you... or the other way around... " Zero stayed silent, rooted to the spot. For a long time, the words refused to reach him... like there was something wrong with them... like they weren't true. Detached, Zero almost watched, as they slowly dripped into that dark lake in his mind... dissolving, making no sense. Nothing I can hide...
A nightmare come true...

The pureblood continued in a whisper.
"Zero, this works both ways..." Chocolate colored eyes fixed his own uncomprehending gaze.
"In the same way that I can tear through your mind... if you want it... you can break mine. And there is nothing... nothing I can do against it."
Maybe it was this whispered admission by someone so powerful, or maybe that hazy lake in the hunter's mind actually had a bottom, because slowly, the words assembled again and made sense. Fierce denial challenged them and his already tense body froze to absolute rigidness. Nothing I can hide... that... breaking a mind... works both ways...

It sounded like the most horrible nightmare he could imagine. He didn't want it to be true, but he felt the emotions that weren't his own. He refused to acknowledge them. Maybe they'd just go away if he ignored them long enough. He shivered trying to calm down so he would be able to speak.

"You're saying," Zero began slowly in a whisper, "... every thought I have... everything my body feels... you know?" It probably made no real difference... after all the things that had happened to him... maybe this was just one more thing he shouldn't care about.
Kaname nodded slowly. "It works both ways. Tell me what I'm feeling, Zero. Tell me what I'm thinking." he whispered.

Zero closed his eyes as though needing to concentrate. But it was unnecessary - he just knew. It wasn't like invading another person's mind intentionally. He didn't have to mentally reach out or anything of that sort. It was like a part of his own mind, slightly more distant, as though it was a close memory. It was like an undercurrent of his own thoughts, like static in the background. He just knew.

"You're tired, very tired and worn out." He said quietly. "My in-acceptance hurts you and you miss Yuki terribly." his voice caught slightly at her name. "There's regret and guilt... and you tasted her... in me... " the hunter looked up into the sad, dark eyes. "You want me to hold you tight..." he trailed off.

They were so close in his mind - these feelings, they were like his own. He could feel that the pureblood hadn't meant to think that, hadn't meant to let him feel his need for comfort, but he had. For a few strange seconds, the sensations merged and Zero felt the same alien need for comfort. He quickly tried to disentangle himself from it. But he couldn't ignore the plea for comfort. Then he sighed.
"We're so screwed." the hunter grimaced.

He reached out awkwardly to hug the pureblood, putting his arms around Kuran... no, Kaname. And he could feel him crying in his mind, could feel the body shake in sobs and then, as the pureblood held onto him for his own much needed comfort, he could feel that this would be the moment when his own eyes should be dropping tears. But he refused himself their relief. He would endure the raging sadness without it. Instead, he concentrated on holding the shaking pureblood whose body appeared to be rather frail for someone so powerful. But then, Zero hardly had any comparison.

He didn't budge as the pureblood clutched him tightly and it seemed as though Kuran had lost the hold on his thoughts, because they entered Zero's mind freely and unbidden. He felt embarrassed to be listening in on something as private as the other vampire's grief for Yuki's death. But he couldn't help noticing that he felt the same in so many ways.

Yuki. I am so sorry. Forgive me.

So they held each other because it simply felt good to have this comfort. Because they shared their vulnerability toward each other and their grief at losing Yuki, they shared the same emotion and - as unlikely as it was - on this, there was no dissent between them.