Rewind 4

"…I mean absolutely nothing to you, that I'm only here because your magnanimous and loving self wanted to do Yuuki Cross a favour, I know!" Zero resisted the urge to flip the table, settling for simply pulling away and storming toward the door. But at the doorway he paused, refusing to face the Kuran, but speaking loud enough that he could hear him.

"It's my problem. I know."

The door slammed.

Kuran Kaname was left alone in his room, with a sinking feeling of guilt and a dull throb that he couldn't identify as he heard Zero's angry footsteps fade down the hall.

The next few days saw Zero completely ignoring Kaname's existence. He didn't greet him in the evenings, the early mornings went by without a word, with Zero speaking to everyone else but Kaname (hell, even Ruka got more words out of him than the Pure Blood). The silver-haired boy tried to stay out as late (or early) as possible before returning to the dorm and just showering and heading off to bed, without so much as a glance in Kaname's direction.

Zero decided that since the Kaname had established the fact that he wasn't wanted as Zero in his presence, then he would stay out of the older boy's life as much as he could. He would be just Yuuki's friend, and that meant a total stranger to Kuran Kaname. The Kuran had drawn the line, and Zero would respect it. What Zero didn't know, was how much this behavior affected the subject of the treatment.

Kuran Kaname didn't like to be ignored. In fact, no one dared to ignore him, and frankly, no one really wanted to. Kuran Kaname was just not someone to be ignored.

And the fact that he was being ignored by some Level D vampire did not do anything to lift his already foul mood from the worried glances that Yuuki has been sending him every five seconds their eyes meet. It was frustrating, because those looks almost accused him of doing something to upset Zero, and anything that upset Zero upset her. It was like a sick chain of events that always had Kaname as the loser.

Kaname frowned, stubbornly keeping his gaze trained on the nearest tree branch outside his window while thinking about the silver-haired boy and his terrible attitude. It seemed that losing his memories didn't help his character development very much at all.

The day came fast, although Kaname was sure he wouldn't have noticed if not for the lethargy he was feeling. He put away the remaining paperwork on his desk, deciding that it could wait until later in the evening. He gazed over to the beds wearily, the ex-prefect was sleeping soundly, as if he hadn't a care in the world; Kaname sighed, pushing himself off the chair and toward the bathroom to have a quick shower before bed.

He had just begun to towel dry when he heard it.

Soft sobbing.

He was sure that if he didn't have superior hearing, he would have missed it completely.

But it wasn't what he heard that disturbed him as much as where he was hearing it from.

His bedroom.

Kaname slipped on a robe and stepped out, immediately heading over to the beds, where he saw a thrashing ex-hunter, tangled in his silk sheets and crying, but undoubtedly still asleep.
The soft, helpless voice he heard next caught him completely off guard.

"No, please…" Zero's voice was hoarse; his face was no longer that peaceful expression the last time Kaname had checked, but a tragic, soulful look of pain, so much pain.

It sent shivers down Kaname's spine as he stood at the bed side and watched the silver-haired boy continue to plead with his dream, as he watched those perfect features contort in sorrow and despair.

"Stop…Don't…"
Kaname could no longer stand the look on the other boy's face, deciding to wake him, he gently touched the younger boy's shoulder.

He was with three people – a woman, a man and a boy. The boy looked just like him, but he was somehow smaller and a bit more sickly. The woman was all smiles and hugs, her voice was soft and comforting, her touch warm and gentle. The man was strong, his laughter was charming and full of love. They were talking to him and the other boy, stroking his hair and his cheek.

He was laughing too.

Then the door opened.

Both the man and the woman turned to face the intruder. He heard a soft laughter as the lights went out.

"Both of you go upstairs, now." The woman pushed him behind her, towards the stairs. Zero instinctively took the other boy's hand, and led him quickly up the stairs.

They went into their room when the sound of fighting started and didn't come out even after
it ended.

Something was wrong.

They were hiding underneath the covers, huddled together. Two little boys with silver hair and lilac eyes, holding onto each other tightly.

They heard the door click open.

"There you are."
The voice was foreign, but smooth and sweet – and Zero had peeped out from under the sheets to see that woman.

The woman in the white kimono.

She came closer, and the both of them sat upright, alert, defiant.

She backed away again then, a small smirk on her beautiful, doll-like face. She left the room with one last look.

Come.

Zero frowned. He could feel the boy in his arms shivering.
"Wait here." The older of the two boys crawled out of bed, softly padding down the stairs.

What he saw made his throat dry up and his heart break.

The woman in the kimono was standing in the middle of the room, her hand on the man's neck. His feet were clean off the ground. He seemed to be in pain. The woman was collapsed on the floor, there was blood trailing from the large wound at her side. The woman in the kimono was laughing softly, her slightly glowing eyes were crimson, and trained on the little boy standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Nice of you to join me, Zero-kun."
Who…?
The man's eyes snapped open, and he shouted at the boy, but the child couldn't register what he was saying. He couldn't breathe. He was too taken with the red flowers that were blooming on the woman's kimono –

"Zero, RUN!"

The boy heard a loud crack, before he heard the sick sound of thick liquid splattering to the floor.

Zero's eyes snapped open instantly and he started to scream, frantically pushing away Kaname's hand, struggling to pull himself free of the sheets, retreating to a fetal sitting position, his hands covering his ears, his lilac gaze shifted around the room blindly, unable to register his bearings. Kaname moved closer again in an attempt to calm the boy, reaching for his arm this time when –

SLAP!

Both boys sat in shock as the sound resonated in the large, dark room; Zero too affected to have withdrawn his hand just yet. Kaname was now facing the floor from the force of the slap, a dark brooding look in his amber orbs. The younger boy was still shaking, and his hand was still held up, in mid-air, slightly outstretched.

Lilac eyes regarded amber ones with shock.
"I…I…"
Zero didn't know what to say. He was still so affected – he hadn't meant to do that. He never meant to wake like this. But the dream, the dream was so real!
Kaname ignored the ex-prefect's stuttering. He took the younger boy's hand into his own.
"What did you see?"
Zero's eyes flicked to the tangled bed sheets now, as if trying to avoid Kaname's strong gaze. He brought his arms around himself.
"I saw…I saw…my family…"
Kaname's eyes narrowed as he continued to listen.
"They were killed, right in front of me…" Scenes from the dream he had just woken from returned – The blood, the blood, the blood.

He could hear their screams as their throats were torn out.

…The gurgle of the red fluid that had flown out of their broken necks and the soft laughter that echoed off the walls in the darkness. The flash of silver fangs painted with scarlet. The feel of those very fangs on his neck -

Fair lashes were moistened with tears.
"I couldn't do anything."
At that moment, something in Kaname snapped.
"I couldn't-"
Zero's lips were suddenly and none too gently pressed against a strong shoulder as the Pureblood embraced him; he could feel the older boy's breath against his ear, and the warmth and scent of the older boy was just so comforting at the moment that Zero had forgotten all his anger and pride, he simply felt. He felt the warm hand in his hair, gently stroking him, he felt the warmth of the Vampire's body against his own. He closed his eyes and just cried.

After what seemed like forever, Zero found the strength to push the pureblood away.

He avoided looking at the older boy's face, wiping his tears with the back of his hand; he turned to look at the other side of the bed.
"I…don't need your pity, Kuran."
Kaname didn't reply, but merely watched as the slightly smaller boy turned, pulling the covers over himself again, trying to hide his still shaking hands.

When Zero woke Kaname was already dressing for classes.

Zero sat up, his head still a little giddy from the events of last night, and the sound of Kaname's voice didn't help matters much.

"I've spoken to both the principal and the teacher, Kiryuu-kun. You're to stay in bed today until you're recovered."
Zero scowled.
"I'm not sick."
"I'll have Aidou take notes for you. Should you need anything you know how to call for the maids-"
"I said I'm not sick!" Zero's temper flared, his lilac eyes turning a stormy violet.
"I'm perfectly fine!" He glared at the pureblood, annoyed, dizzy and now sporting a headache. Kaname had just looked at him for a moment, his face expressionless, before he headed for the door. Zero flung his comforter off himself, trying to stand, but failing as the world turned to swirls of colour. He tried to grab the nearest thing he could to cushion his fall when he felt the familiar qualities of gravity acting on his tired body, but what he grabbed was a shoulder.
He felt Kaname's strong arms holding him up, gently placing him back on the bed.
The silver-haired boy was too embarrassed to say anything. He didn't catch the slight look of concern on the brunet's face.

When the younger boy looked up, the Pureblood was again at the door, and left for his classes without a word, and Zero was left alone in the room, with Bird chirping happily in the background.

Zero closed his eyes for a bit, but the images from the night before crept into his mind, and he felt nauseous all over again. He tried his best to push away those thoughts – it was only a dream, a dream, he thought. It didn't really happen.

…Did it?

He hadn't heard from his family. From all he was told, Kaien Cross was his adoptive father, and Yuuki was his adoptive sister. His parents had died in a car crash. He hadn't questioned how he became a bloodsucker, the information was still too new for him to fully absorb -
But what if they were telling him lies?

What if his parents didn't die in a car crash, and were indeed murdered by a Vampire? A Vampire – the character he was living with now, the same breed of creatures that were walking freely within the walls of this campus. The same monster he had himself become.

…But how?

His head started to ache once more, and he cursed slightly before making his slow unsteady way to the medicine cabinet, only to find it empty, aside from a packet of vita- blood pills.
Zero frowned, scowling a little, before making his way back to bed, annoyed and slightly hungry.

For the first time in a very, very, very long time, Kuran Kaname could not concentrate in class.

He couldn't stop thinking about the silver-haired boy in his room right now, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why it was so. He continued to watch the lecturer busy himself with explaining human politics at the front of the room, but nothing was actually being processed in Kaname's brain.

What actually was going through his brain was the memory of how small the boy had felt in his arms last night, how vulnerable he seemed; his sudden urge to want to protect the boy, how nice his hair smelt, how warm his body was as they were pressed so close –

Kaname stopped his train of thought with a giant pair of scissors.

What in the world was he thinking?

He nearly lost his composure as he realized what his thoughts meant, and as it dawned on him, the colour drained from his face, and as calm as he tried to make himself look, he accidentally dropped the pencil in his hand.

He was starting to…

No, he couldn't allow that to happen.

But then again, maybe he was just feeling pity for the Level E?

….That's right. Pity. It had to be that.

Kaname returned to his room looking slightly ruffled, and he ignored the silver-haired boy who was currently glaring daggers into him.

"Kuran-"
"Don't speak to me."

The younger boy had recoiled slightly in surprise at the clipped tone Kaname was using, before frowning and glaring some more.
"What the hell crawled up your ass and died?"
"That's none of your business, Kiryuu-kun."
Zero's heart ached a little as the room fell silent once more, with Kaname changing swiftly into more comfortable clothing.

So this was it then – they were back to square one.

Zero really couldn't take a minute longer of this. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"When can I move out?"
Kaname paused in his actions.
Zero ran a tired hand through his hair, sighing.
"When can I move out?" he asked again, but this time Kaname merely looked at him quietly.
"Why do you ask?" Kaname's voice was a full degree colder than before.
"I can't take anymore of this."
Kaname nearly scoffed.
"Anymore of what?"
"This."
Kaname didn't answer, but that quiet amber gaze spoke volumes.
Kaname turned away and continued dressing.

"You can move out in another two weeks."

The room fell silent once more.

"What exactly am I to you, Kuran?"

Kaname sighed softly, his gaze now shifting over to the window where a slight breeze was creeping in. He didn't answer the boy until hours later, when he was sure that the ex-prefect had fallen asleep.

He was watching the lump under the comforter - the steady breathing, listening to the soft exhales of breath.
"…You're an existence I can't seem to ignore."

Zero was watching Bird happily flit around its cage, occasionally becoming excited, flapping vigorously, dropping a feather or two. Bird loved the attention, bouncing from one side of the cage to the other, as if showing off to the silver haired boy.

"You seem a lot happier than I am at least." Zero chuckled, poking the cage a little, earning himself a few chirps and a ruffle of feathers.
It was early evening; the faded blue was sinking to a darker shade as the minutes ticked by. Zero had woken early, but Kaname had woken earlier. A particular lecture had been cancelled, which was why Zero was sitting alone in his room, poking at Bird's cage absently, thinking about what was going on in his life.

He wanted to know the truth.

He wanted to know everything in his past. It was his past, he had a right to it. So why wouldn't anyone tell him anything? Why were they lying? Why did they try to hide what kind of person he was before?

…Who was he?

He put a hand to his temples, massaging lightly, trying to ease the building headache.

He heard a knock on the door.

"Zero?"
Zero looked to the door to find a blond head peeking in, followed by a hand full of papers.
"I've got your notes."

The silver-haired boy moved over toward the now open door, his mind still heavy with thoughts about his former self.
"Thanks Aidou."
The blond seemed to note the expression on his face, because he frowned and leaned closer.
"What's wrong with you?"
The ex-prefect put on a fake smile and shook his head.
"It's nothing, really. I'm just a bit distracted."
Aidou shrugged, about to walk out the door when Zero's voice stopped him.

"Can you help me, Aidou?"
The shorter boy turned, looking expectantly at the ex-prefect but not saying anything, with just a hint of playful boredom until he caught the look on Zero's face.

"…Who exactly am I, Aidou?"

There was a pregnant silence in the room, and both boys just continued staring at each other until Aidou looked away and sighed.

"Well, you're you, aren't you? Kiryuu Zero." Aidou was giving him a look, a slight frown on his handsome face. Zero shook his head.
"You know that's not what I'm asking you."
Aidou shrugged, staring at the carpet absently.
"Aren't you thinking too much? Who you were doesn't make you who you are, Zero. I answered your question. You asked me about who you are."

Zero's eyes met bright blue, and they continued staring at each other for a while, before the door clicked open.

"Aidou,"
The Pureblood stood at the door, a small annoyed expression on his face.
"K-Kaname-sama!" Aidou's whole body shot up straight, and he scurried to the door.
"Forgive me for intruding into your room so unabashedly, I was merely speaking to Kiryuu-"
"I can see that." Kaname stalked into the room, quietly, yet making the air around him prickle with tension.
Zero just glared.

"Didn't manage to get the stick out of your ass, did you?"
Kaname had turned to return the hostile gaze, but said nothing as Aidou made a choked noise at Zero's statement.
"K-Kiryuu!"
Bright blue darted from Zero to Kaname's back, and back to Zero in concern.

"Leave us, Aidou." Kaname's voice was icy, demanding immediate obedience.

The door clicked shut.

"Do you want to move in with Aidou?"

Zero's ears pricked at the suggestion.
"Isn't he already sharing a room with Akatsuki?"
"So you do." Kaname paused, eyeing the ex-hunter. "It can all be arranged."
Zero couldn't understand why the pureblood was acting this way.

"Why...so suddenly?"
"You wanted to move out of my quarters, did you not?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Then you shall."

Zero's temper was starting to rise again.

"Are you kicking me out?"
"I'd like the phrase 'asking you to leave' much better."
"Damn it, Kuran!"
Kaname didn't answer, he didn't even look at the silver-haired boy. Zero wouldn't stand for it. He wanted a reason, and he was going to get it.

He walked up to Kaname and grabbed his arm, pulling him to face him, only to hand the hand he used to grab the pureblood captured in turn, before he was hauled into the older boy's arms, his chin forced upward so he was looking straight into the Dorm Leader's face.
"You want to know who you are?"
Kaname's voice was deep and sultry, yet laced with poison.
Zero could feel the taller boy's hot breath on his face – how it was getting hotter as the distance between their faces closed.
He felt the light brush of his lips against Kaname's.

"You're an existence I can't seem to ignore."

A/N: I'm terribly sorry I took so long to update! _ I had writer's block for a while, and I had to do some event planning and sew cosplay outfits and I've been all over the place. I hope the next update won't take as long (for all our sakes). D: Thank you so much for reading, and thank you for the reviews! I'm really honored that people like this story. I hope you forgive me for any mistakes I have made, or any inaccuracies or inconsistencies. I've been trying to keep them all as real as possible. So once again, thank you so much for reading! Drop a review please! Father Complex may take a while more. I'm so sorry~