Author's Note: Hey guys! I didn't think I'd be posting another chapter so soon, but this seemed like a good point to stop, so here's chapter 2! :) Enjoy and please review :)

To the guest reviewer on the previous chapter: Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! It really cheered me up and gave me the motivation to continue working on this! I shall try hard to live up to your expectations haha ;)

Disclaimer: Credits to Matsuri Hino, Blackened Wing and TammyTBoneTTB!

PAST

'Zero? Are you okay? Wake up!'

A shrill, high-pitched voice pierced through Zero's hearing and cut sharply across his mind, causing pain to shoot behind his closed eyelids.

'Mnngh, too loud...,' he groaned, scrunching up his eyes, hoping the discomfort would pass quickly. Kaname must've fallen asleep with the television on again. You would think that with the ability to manipulate air itself, he would be able to at least flip the power switch before he dozed off. Apparently not, he thought wryly, as his headache gradually lessened and his mind started to clear. As he started to fully awaken, his senses began throwing information about his surroundings at him. He appeared to be lying on a patch of grass, head pillowed against something warm and soft. Mmn, he smiled, nuzzling his face against the warmth. Kaname's thighs? He must've gotten more lax in his training if his thighs had become THAT soft.

In the next second, he heard a familiar squeal coming from somewhere above him, right at the moment feedback from his nose reached his brain's olfactory processing centres. Zero immediately stiffened.

It couldn't be...

Eyes snapping open, the hunter's urgent gaze locked onto the face of the person whose lap he was lying on.

'Yuu...ki?'

The brunette girl smiled down at him, a mix of worry and relief evident in her bright eyes.

'Mou, Zero, I was so worried when you suddenly keeled over. How are you feeling? Do you need to go to the infirmary?'

She lifted a hand and placed it gently on the hunter's forehead, trying to gauge if he had a fever.

Still dazed, all Zero could do was to stare up blankly at her. Yuuki. The woman who held a spot in his heart that no one would ever be able to replace or erase. The feel of her warm palm against his cool skin felt immensely comforting and familiar. She had always been next to him, especially when he was ill, diligently and painstaking looking after his bedridden self, even sacrificing her sleep to monitor him throughout the night.

'Yuuki,' he whispered again. It had been so long since he had last been able to call her name without knowing there would be no reply.

She cocked her head to one side, worry obviously growing as she frowned down at him.

'I'm right here, Zero. Are you alright?'

The ex-human raised a hand to capture her hand in his, observing it even as his fingers lightly caressed her palm and fingers, tracing the creases in the skin. It felt so very warm and full of life... for a dream hand.

For a dream it must be, if Yuuki were here with him again. A gentle, wistful smile spread across his face, and his eyes fluttered shut, hand still lovingly holding onto Yuuki's. If only he could remain in this instant forever...

'I'm fine, Yuuki. Now that you're here,' he replied truthfully, without opening his eyes.

He could almost hear the blood rushing to her cheeks as she flushed and sputtered.

'Mou, Zero! I was really worried, you know,' she puffed, using her free hand to not-so-lightly smack his forehead.

'Mmm,' hummed Zero. He was loathe to open his eyes, knowing that the dream would end soon. He wanted to stay this way just a little longer, feeling Yuuki's soft skin, inhaling her delicious scent, drinking up the sound of her voice.

'Huh Zero, weren't you in your uniform? Or am I remembering wrong? And where did you get this beautiful necklace from?'

The questions were so unexpected that Zero opened his eyes instantly. Yuuki's free hand was now tracing the shape of his memory necklace as she admired it with bright eyes. How weird, he thought, that Kaname's necklace would turn up in his dream. Not unexpected though, he guessed, since it was now a permanent part of him. As he recalled Yuuki's first question, he glanced down at himself. He was dressed in a light grey tee and black jeans. In a flash, he remembered how he had put them on after his shower, when he had been going to prepare some breakfast for Kaname and himself after their rather... energy-expending activity. How did I end up falling asleep? The last thing he remembered was closing the bedroom door behind him, having kissed his lover goodbye. Had he been more exhausted than he had realised?

'Zero?'

Yuuki's voice cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. Well, whatever, he thought, smiling up at her, as long as it had led to the beautiful vision before him.

'It was a present. From someone very dear to me.' Warmth crept into his eyes as he waited for her satisfied and delighted smile. He knew dream Yuuki would instantly understand and embrace his words.

But instead, she raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, asking, 'Someone dear to you? Who? I can't think of anyone beside Headmaster and me. I didn't give you that. And it couldn't be the headmaster, because I'm sure he would've mentioned it...'

Then her eyes widened and pink tinged her cheeks.

'Oh, Zero! Do you have a... a girlfriend?'

Dream Yuuki was weird, surmised Zero. She should've known immediately who he was talking about, but here she was, all clueless. Was this a dream set in the past, then? Before the three of them had settled into their three-way relationship?

Makes sense, concluded Zero, finally noticing Yuuki in her prefect's uniform, and how they were in the school campus in the middle of the night, as if they had been on their night patrol. It would've made more sense if he, too, were dressed in his uniform, without his necklace, but he supposed dreams weren't meant to make sense. Reluctantly, Zero lifted himself off Yuuki's lap and gingerly stood up. The girl had released his necklace as he had moved, following him up. Her gaze remained fixed on the intricately-designed pendant.

Zero smiled down at her, knowing she was still waiting on his answer.

'Kaname gave it to me on our first date,' he teased lightly with a playful smirk, waiting to see dream Yuuki's reaction. There was no harm in telling the truth anyway, since this was all in his head. What should it matter if he told a figment of his imagination the secret that he and Kaname had been hiding from the rest of the world? 'It's a memory necklace that his father gave to his mother.'

Her response was even better than he had expected. Her jaw dropped and her eyes were wide as saucers.

'Kaname? Date? Wha- uh- huh?' She appeared so shocked by Zero's words that for a second, she couldn't even form a coherent sentence.

Thoroughly relishing the sight of Yuuki's bewilderment, Zero chuckled. And found that he could not stop. The amused chuckle soon developed into a soft laugh. A real laugh, one that had him doubling over, clutching his sides, tears welling up in the corner of his eyes. Maybe he was slightly batty, having such a strong reaction to something that used to be an everyday occurrence to him. But that was exactly it. Seeing Yuuki and all her adorable expressions and actions used to be just a normal part of his daily routine while he was still a prefect at school. He had never really appreciated them, having taken it for granted that he would continue to see them for the rest of the short life he had left, before he fell to Level E and had to be taken out – he had never once doubted that he would one day descend into that madness – by, he had hoped, Yuuki or Yagari, or even Kaname, before he could hurt anyone. He had never expected that Yuuki would leave this world even before he did. And now, only in dreams could he once again witness the beautiful vision that Yuuki made.

After getting over the initial surprise at hearing Zero's hearty laugh, dream Yuuki's expression softened and she couldn't help smiling as well.

'Zero... my heart stopped for a few seconds. Don't say such outrageous things or I'll get a heart attack one day!'

The hunter knew she had misinterpreted his statement as simply a joke, but he didn't bother to correct her. Why waste precious seconds of the dream quibbling over such details, when he could just enjoy her company?

He turned to face her, a slight grin still lingering on his face.

'Well then, should we continue with our patrol?'

Yuuki gaped at his proffered hand, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. The hunter stifled a laugh, knowing that this Yuuki had never been asked by him to hold hands before. Her eyes flickered from his hand to meet his amused yet sincere gaze, then back to the waiting hand. Flush deepening, she hastily put her hand in his, turning her face away. Even in the darkness, Zero could still see that her face was beetroot. Slowly and deliberately, he linked their fingers, then letting their clasped hands fall comfortably between them. Yuuki gasped softly, turning to him in surprise, then quickly kept her face hidden behind her hair.

'Y-yeah, let's go...' she mumbled faintly.

Zero's grin widened at her shy, uncertain tone. Giving her hand a small squeeze, he started walking again, her following slightly behind. They strolled leisurely in silence, Zero focussed completely on the girl by his side. He was conscious of her every movement: every falter in her step; every flick of her hair; every turn of her head. While Yuuki spent most of the time glancing around her, keeping a lookout as they were supposed to be doing, all the while studiously avoiding looking in Zero's direction, the male spent that time observing her from the corner of his eye.

He was so occupied that it took way longer than it should've to sense the vampire presence that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

'Kaname-senpai!'

Yuuki exclaimed excitedly, making her way over to where the pureblood stood, not noticing that she was dragging a suddenly very obedient Zero along behind her.

'Good evening, Yuuki. Out on patrol?'

The girl nodded in assent. 'What about you, Kaname-senpai? Why are you out here?'

'I was on a walk when I heard your voice, Yuuki, so I thought I'd come over.'

Despite his calm, gentle voice, the pureblood's gaze was locked on their linked hands as he spoke. Still caught up in her surprise and delight in seeing Kaname, it took Yuuki a few seconds before she realised. With a mortified blush, she let go of Zero's hands like it was on fire, heart pounding wildly. What if Kaname misunderstood? She couldn't let him think there was something going on between Zero and her!

'A-ah, Kaname-senpai! My hand was...cold, so Zero offered to w-warm it up for me,' she stammered. Even as she spoke the words she knew how lame and made-up they sounded, but she couldn't very well take them back now. She cringed inwardly, hoping that the pureblood would let it pass.

Thankfully, after giving her an amused smile, he let the matter drop. Switching to a different topic, he soon had her blushing and excitedly rambling on about arbitrary topics.

The two of them were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn't notice how the silver-haired hunter was uncharacteristically silent. In fact, they had pretty much forgotten that he was even still there. Zero didn't mind at all, in fact, he preferred it that way, because it meant that he could watch the younger version of his lover unseen. Back in his school days, Zero had never spared the pureblood a glance more than he had needed to, so he had never truly taken in the other's appearance. His deep, enchanting dark eyes; the way his hair fell in soft wisps around his slender neck; his perfect, pale skin. Zero had had years to memorise all the features of his lover, but having the actual thing before his eyes again took his breath away. Physically, his Kaname hadn't changed much from this one. The years certainly had no visible impact on his body. However, what was beneath the exterior had changed drastically. Though the eyes of this Kaname held a crueller and more calculating glint, they hid less dark memories and suffering than his beloved's did. It was only to be expected, especially since certain memories were still locked up, and certain experiences had not yet come to pass. Zero almost wished his lover could forget those memories and experiences again, if it would lessen some of the weariness behind his eyes. But no, if not for those experiences, they would never have gotten to where they were. They were what had made Kuran Kaname, pureblood, into Kaname, and he loved every bit of his lover, no matter how bad.

'...What?'

As Yuuki and Kaname had been conversing – though actually it was just Yuuki rambling on, with the pureblood prompting and responding at appropriate junctures – his tone had been gentle and soft, a tinge of amusement and interest evident in both his voice and expression. But the last word had been muttered in an abrupt, sharp tone, which had Yuuki flinching visibly, and Zero snapping out of his reverie.

The hunter realised that though Yuuki was staring at the pureblood in shock, Kaname's eyes were piercing right into his, an inscrutable expression in his eyes. Though it wasn't a very friendly look, nothing like the ones he was used to seeing on that face, Zero could not bring himself to tear his gaze away from the other's.

'K-kaname-senpai? What's wrong?'

Worry was etched in Yuuki's face as she eyed the vampire before her. She didn't understand the sudden shift in his manner. Her words hadn't been anything that would've caused this, right? She racked her memory, trying to recall what she had been saying right before this happened. Though it had been only seconds ago, it didn't come to mind immediately. Whenever it came to Kaname-senpai, her mouth would just start shooting off like a bullet train, with her mind trying to catch up as she rambled on. It took a moment for her mind to process what her mouth had just said.

'Ah,' she gulped, remembering what it was. Her face reddened in embarrassment. You're a huge idiot, Yuuki, she berated herself, wishing a hole would open up and swallow her whole. How could you tell Kaname-senpai the joke that Zero told you, even if you were nervous as hell?

'Kaname-senpai, it was just a joke, please pay it no mind!'

The girl's words went unheeded, as Kaname spied the bulge underneath Zero tee, directly over his heart. What Yuuki had said had made him freeze for a second. The memory necklace, surely no one knew about it except his parents, him, and whoever it was that had attacked them? There was no way Yuuki could've known about it, unless someone had told her. And she was saying it was the hunter who had told her. How Zero could ever have learnt of such a thing, as well as come to possess it, he didn't know, but he would find out.

Stalking forward, he stopped directly in front of Zero. Quick as a flash, his hand shot out, wanting to pull out the necklace by its leather cord. He had expected the boy to fight him, but to his surprise, the latter just remained motionless, letting him do as he pleased, all the while staring right into his eyes with that weird expression on his face. If Kaname didn't know better, he would've said that looked almost like... tenderness. Pushing the ludicrous thought out of his mind, he concentrated on his task, fingers hooking around the cord and swiftly sliding the pendant out from under the other vampire's tee. Once it was in his palm, stone glittering under the pale, soft moonlight streaming in between the trees, his eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat.

It really was his mother's necklace.

Even though the stone's setting had been changed, as well as the chain, he would still recognise it anywhere. For most of his childhood, he had observed and played with it while it hung around his mother's neck, admiring the feel of the polished stone and how it reflected light off every edge.

Kaname's eyes narrowed and he turned the full force of his icy glare right into the face of the hunter before him.

'How did you get this, Kiryuu?'

Zero's heartbeat had quickened the second the pureblood had looked his way and started walking towards him. With much effort, he had forced it to slow to its normal rhythm, not wanting either of his companions to realise it. When Kaname's fingers had brushed against his neck, he had almost wanted to grab the hand and hold onto it, instead of staying still. This was his dream, for God's sakes, muttered a disgruntled voice in his head. Why should he have to pretend not to love his lover?

But it didn't feel right to Zero. It was like everything was back where it was years ago, with Yuuki by his side, and Kaname by hers. Yuuki was her usual sweet, clueless self, while the pureblood still regarded him with cool contempt. It didn't seem fitting to suddenly proclaim that the two of them were, in fact, lovers, and no longer enemies. Or, perhaps, maybe he was afraid that not acting his part would have the dream ending much too soon, hence reducing his time with Yuuki. Whatever it was, anyway, it had him remaining still and silent as the pureblood examined the necklace.

But it didn't mean he would lie to him.

Without any hesitation at all, Zero answered the pureblood's question truthfully.

'From you.'

As expected, an incredulous expression took over the pureblood's face. The hunter recognised the cold anger that was slowly creeping into the brunette, having witnessed the signs countless times over the past few years. But never had it been directed towards him, as it was now.

'Speak the truth, Kiryuu,' commanded the pureblood, masking his surging emotions behind his normal placid facade.

Zero could feel Yuuki starting to shiver as the temperature around them dropped a few degrees, courtesy of the pureblood's growing anger and frustration. But he didn't budge. He wouldn't lie.

'I did,' he said simply.

Though the brunette's expression did not change, the temperature dropped even lower. His aura started to grow, building up the pressure in the area surrounding them. It was like being pushed against on all sides by invisible hands, and Zero's mind started to get sucked in, just like any vampire's would have. But, like he had before, he managed to pull away from the swirling vortex that was Kaname's emotions. Then, it had been about Yuuki. Now, it was about his parents. Zero was beginning to realise that when it came to the people he loved, his Kaname could very easily get swept up by his emotions and lose himself. Apparently younger Kaname was the same. He didn't even seem to be realising that Yuuki, the most important person in the world to him, had her arms wrapped tightly around herself, eyes screwed shut, as she tried to steel herself against what he was unconsciously doing. His hand was clenched around the pendant, eyes staring accusingly into Zero's.

'K-kaname-senpai...,' Yuuki called, only barely managing to whimper the words. 'Hard...to breathe...'

With a jolt, Kaname realised how his influence was affecting her, and the oppressive atmosphere dissipated instantly. Yuuki heaved a soft sigh of relief and fell into a sitting position on the grass as her shaky legs gave out. In a flash, Kaname was crouching by her side, worry and contrition in his eyes.

'Yuuki, I'm so sorry. Are you alright?'

The girl looked up into his eyes. She couldn't see any of the coldness that had been there before. Thank God, she thought. She would never in a million years have admitted it, but that Kaname-senpai had frightened her. She had never seen that side of him before, and she hoped she would never have to ever again.

'I'm okay, Kaname-senpai,' she reassured, hand gently patting the hand her had placed lightly on her shoulder. 'It's okay.'

Relief flashed on his face, even as disgust at himself for hurting her welled up within him.

But then, he realised, it hadn't been solely his fault. Someone had caused him to react that way, to end up hurting Yuuki. Someone who had continued to lie to his face about something so precious and personal.

It was his fault.

Zero's fault.

Before either the hunter or the girl had realised it, Kaname had thrown himself into Zero, slamming the boy onto his back on the ground. Yuuki gasped as she saw Kaname crouching over her best friend, hand once against wrapped around the pendant around his neck. Just as she had thought she never wanted to see that side of him again...

Zero blinked, head spinning slightly from the rapid change in position and from where it had collided with the ground. When he glanced up, he was captured by yet another cold glance from the pureblood above him. Before he could say anything or shove the other vampire off him, Kaname had roughly jerked the pendant away from Zero's neck, causing the leather cord to snap. The next second, he was back at Yuuki's side, stone clenched in his fist.

The hunter growled, jumping to his feet. How dare he? That necklace was his, given to him by his lover, linked to his blood, and containing his memories. This Kaname had no business taking it from him.

At the same time, a little voice inside his head was wondering why, despite the pain to his head, he had not yet woken up. Wasn't that how it worked? Once you experienced physical pain in a dream, weren't you supposed to wake up?

Despite being able to see Yuuki here, Zero almost wished he would just wake up from this dream. Having the pureblood as cold and violent as he was right now was apparently something he could no longer bear to watch, after years of receiving his whole-hearted love and affection. What a pathetic, soft idiot you've become, thought Zero sardonically.

Kaname's attention was back on the stone, not realising how Yuuki was staring at him in shock and confusion, and how Zero was glaring at him with frustration and bitterness.

'Give it back,' the silver-haired boy spat, starting to make his way over.

Ignoring him, and using his vampire speed to appear a few feet to the side of where he had been previously, Kaname asked quietly, 'Were you the one who changed the setting and the chain?'

Zero gritted his teeth in anger. Every time it seemed like he was going to be able to just reach out and grab the necklace, the pureblood disappeared, appearing somewhere else instead. Even when he tried to use his vampire speed, it was still slightly lagged and he could not match the other's movements, let alone catch up to him.

'I told you. It was you.' Zero replied intentionally, knowing it would frustrate the other vampire, and hoping it would distract him enough for Zero to get his necklace back.

But Kaname was not fooled. He stared down at the stone, as if he hadn't heard Zero words, seemingly lost in past memories. He never faltered in his disappearing-reappearing act though, making Zero curse violently as he continued trying to get to the pureblood. Yuuki's vision blurred from trying to follow their vampire speed and she rubbed her eyes in agitation, trying to understand why the pureblood was acting so unlike himself. The necklace held a special meaning to him, she had figured out that much. And he seemed to have the impression that Zero had been involved in altering and acquiring it somehow. Like a thief. Zero's answers were definitely not helping his case.

'Yuuki.'

The girl started as the pureblood was once again next to her, gazing down at her with a gentle but clearly distracted look. His clenched fist tightened.

'I have some business to attend to for now. Please excuse me. Good night.'

Before she could respond, he had disappeared. Totally.

In his place now stood Zero, an irritated and livid scowl on his face.

'That bastard. How dare he take what is mine!? I'm going to give him hell for this.'

The boy turned, about to chase after the pureblood once again. Quickly Yuuki wrapped her arms around his middle tightly, holding him back. She knew that if the two of them met alone, they would fight. And it wouldn't be pretty. She might even lose one of them. She couldn't let that happen.

'Zero, please! Don't go after him! I'll help you get it back, I promise!'

She groaned inwardly once she realised what she had just said. There she went again, running her mouth making promises she had no way of keeping. Apparently Zero knew that too, from the doubt and distrust on his face that he made no effort to hide.

But he sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair, before flopping down on the grass next to Yuuki. Just a dream, right? It didn't matter what happened; he would wake up with it around his neck as always anyway. He was an idiot for getting so excited over young, dream Kaname.

Just a dream...

...right?