Chapter 4

"Deliver everything to Cross Academy's moon dorm, the hunter orders taking his receipt and credit card, ask for Takuma Ichijo and tell him to have them place in Zero Kiruy's room" he pockets the card and bill.

"Understood dear customer, the clothe store manager bows deeply, we appreciate your generous purchases, please come again" the other female employees copy their boss.

"Sure, sure" the silverette absently response, replying to a message while leaving to his next destination.

'Zero' arrived back at the academy at sunset, first stop by Kaien's house (to give him his purchases) then head to the moon dorm.

Entering the lobby lounge, a few night students loiter about doing their own thing but pause to stare and or glare at his presence. Ignoring them completely, 'Zero' continues to fiddle with his phone, browsing for items he still need, walking to the ascending stairs.

"Ah, Kiryu you're back" a familiar voice addresses him from atop the steps.

The hunter finally looks up from his device to see the smiling vice dorm president.

"Did you do what was asked with the deliveries?" 'Zero' continue pass the noble who then follows after him.

"Yes, but you could have warned me"

"I don't have your contact info"

"Then we can exchange now"

Their voices got further away while the other vampires are left more than curious and confuse at what just happened.

"What was that about?" Rima asks curious as the duo disappear from sight down the hall.

"Not that it matters, Kain sigh, its not our business, remember what Lord Kaname said, don't provoke or start a fight with Kiryu unless you're willing to deal with the consequences" he stares pointily at his scowling cousin.

"Whatever" Aido huffs looking away with a pout.

Kain sighs tiredly then shift his gaze to a quiet Ruka, staring out the window with a frown.

Meanwhile 'Zero' was checking and unpacking the clothes delivered earlier then notice Takuma was still in his room, silently watching him.

"Is there something else you need, Takuma-senpai?" the silverette inquires placing a neatly folded yukata in his new Chester draw.

"I could order the maids to do that for you" the blond offers.

"No, I prefer doing this myself but don't evade the question" 'Zero' states folding another article of clothes.

"Well, the noble starts cautious, there's going to be a party tonight and I was hoping you would come" he ends nervous.

'Zero' pause for a second then continue his task, "What's the occasion?" he asks curious.

"It's my birthday-but if you don't want to, I understand" he adds quickly.

The ex-human pause to glance at the noble vampire, hearing slight disappointment in the male's tone, "I'll stop by, 'Zero' avert his gaze at the blonde's happy smile, once I'm done here, he continues folding, save me a piece of cake."

"Of course, see you later Kiryu!" Takuma exit in a happy flourish leaving behind a smiling hunter.

'What a strange vampire, but most importantly, I get to attend my first party, ever, what should I wear!' the alter ego ponders excited.

True to his words, 'Zero' walk into the open area ignoring the stares and whispering vampires to see someone he rather not, ever, sitting next to Kaname Kuran.

"Zero, what are you doing here?!" was the first thing out of her mouth upon noticing him, standing quickly, agitated.

"I could ask you the same" he counters deadpan, honestly rhetorical.

"Ichijo-senpai invited me" Yuki answers fidgeting, glancing between the quiet pureblood and emotionless silverette, mostly surprise by Zero's outfit. Having never seen the usually grumpy male dressed up before, especially so provocatively? Seductive?

'Zero' wore a black, high collar, long sleeve, fitted shirt with an oval cut out in the chest area, rimmed with red trim, exposing a portion of pale skin. Tight, black, low hip, leather pants and black goth boots (all new).

"Kiryu, you came, Takuma breaks the heavy tension, I thought you had changed your mind" the noble walks to the hunter, handing him a glass of cold beverage.

"I'm a man of my words, 'Zero' takes the drink then a sip, delighted at the sweet liquid, drinks more, besides I want that slice of cake, he tilts his head thoughtful, though had you told me before I would've gotten you a gift, senpai" down the remainder of his drink in one gulp then licks pink lips (unintentionally sensual).

"Really, Takuma swallows, turn and walk to the buffet table, well it's the thought that counts" he cuts a generous slice of strawberry decorated cake, serve on a plate with a fork then offers it to the hunter, who'd followed him.

'Zero' takes it easily, place down the empty glass then forks off a piece and eats without hesitation.

The onlookers stare, not believing their eyes, never would have imagine the usually hostile hunter would eat-let alone drink anything from a vampire, his most hated enemy, yet he did both.

"Will you be staying for long?" Takuma ask hopeful.

"The food may be worth the extended stay, if its good, the silverette reply slyly around the fork in his mouth, consider it my gift, now be a good host and fix me a desirable plate to eat after finishing this" he speaks teasingly.

Takuma chuckles amuse, "As you wish."

"Since when did those two became friends?" Yuki mumbles bewilder, voicing everyone there thought. She never thinks the day would come to witness Zero being kind? Friendly? To a vampire.

And it seems the male prefect is still upset with her, 'Guess he needs more time to get over it, he can't stay mad at me for too long anyway.'

Forty minutes later, 'Zero' sat in the dark on the lower rail, off the right away from everyone but still in view of Kaname's and Yuki's position(brooding).

'How dully disappointing, this isn't what I expected, the ex-human frown eating his second slice of cake (after eating two plates of food), guess I expected too much from noble vampires, boring~, or maybe its just an upper-class thing?'

The scent of blood draws his attention to a redhead vampire licking Takuma's bleeding finger.

The teen stabs a strawberry with excess force then eat it with a pleased hum.

The new atmosphere was starting to ruin 'Zero's' current appetite, feeling a certain someone gaze (that had been following him since arriving) he glances in the culprit's direction and curious lavender meets intense burgundy.

Holding his gaze, the silverette pop another red fruit into his mouth, unblinking, chew slowly then swallows. Feeling mischievous 'Zero' coat the fork in the creamy frosting then licks it off, teasingly slow, still maintaining eye contact.

Something primal flash in the pureblood's eyes then visible swallows, 'Zero' raise a challenging brow in response, secretly pleased.

Coating the utensil again, the hunter repeats his action with a sly smile, amuse and excited by the male brunette's burning gaze on his lips and tongue.

'Maybe our feelings aren't so one-sided after all. This will change certain plans and be advantageous, if he plays his cards right.'

The other vampires were too busy doing their own thing to witness the (flirty) exchange, except the two close females.

Seiren who didn't really care and Yuki sitting arm's length from Kaname (getting front row seat) feeling unease and stun at what she's seeing.

'What the hell is going on! When she had said they should get along she didn't mean it and especially not like that!' Yuki screech inwards trying to suppress outwards reaction.

'Zero' relish every reaction Yuki attempts to conceal poorly, honestly, he'd hope she would continue avoiding him but given her reaction at the café and at his arrival earlier, it seems like wishful thinking.

'The girl can be persistent when she wants her way' then he wonders what kind of face she would make when he seduces the male she loves into his bed, that would be the greatest start to his revenge for stringing his naïve Zero along.

Finally shifting his gaze away, 'Zero' decides to leave after sending one last lingering, meaningful, look over his shoulder, plate in hand with his half-eaten pastry.

'Now, let's see if the fish will bite.'

To be continue…