I don't own Vampire Knight or any of the characters in the series.

A/N: Chapter 13 is finally here! :D

Sorry for the wait! This chapter was delayed by some recent computer problems. But, it's up now so please enjoy reading! :)

Also: I'm back at university tomorrow, my holidays are over *sniffle* but, don't worry, updates should still be frequent. :D

Irmina, Evanthe Beelzenef, Kags 21, Aoi. y. love. forward, AokyorRenka, Roxas Sora, Bleach5252, Guest: Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews and encouragement! It was fantastic to see people's ideas about what will happen when Kain meets Zero and Kaname! It's also great to hear that the Kain x Ichiru pair has some support! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!Thank you! Thank you! \(^o^)/

I've noticed that across my fics I've paired Ichiru with quite a few different people...at some stage I want to launch a poll to see which is the most popular pairing with Ichiru...but first I'll have to work out how to create a poll...

Also, I just wanted to confirm again that this fic is KaZe: Kaname seme (top/dominant), Zero uke (bottom/not dominant). :)

Anyways, I've talked for long enough. I really enjoyed writing this chapter so I hope that you enjoy reading it! :D

Please read, review, fave and follow. But, most importantly, please enjoy! :D

Chapter 13: Lifting Secrets

*pant*

"Five."

*pant*

"Four"

*pant*

"Three"

It was several days after Kaien and Yagari had visited them in the apartment. While they were visiting, Yagari, Zero's former teacher and trainer, pointed out the loss of Zero's abilities and also highlighted that he needed to get them back. So, Zero had followed Yagari's suggestion of getting back into shape by getting a set of weights for the apartment.

*pant*

"Two"

*pant*

"One!"

Zero allowed the weight to drop onto the rest above him, relaxing after making his muscles all but scream for mercy. He sat up and reached for his towel as he had worked up quite a sweat. It was as he sat up that Zero noticed Kaname watching him from the sofa, still in his night clothes since he was staying in the house all day. Zero then noticed something about Kaname's eyes.

He's looking at me like a piece of meat…like a good piece of meat…

…W-what am I thinking about! There's no way someone like Kaname Kuran would be ogling me!

Zero felt like slapping himself around the cheek for thinking such foolish thoughts. However, he had no idea how accurate his thoughts actually were…

Although Kaname was hesitant to assume that his feelings were love, because of his past experiences, he knew that he could not deny feeling attraction towards Zero. He did like Zero, very much so. Kaname liked Zero's caring, yet strong, nature. And, now that he had seen it, he was liking Zero's body as well.

He didn't think that Zero would be particularly happy with him ogling. However, Zero was doing his weights in the lounge area (the only place where the set of weights could fit), so how could he not expect Kaname to look?

I know that Zero has lost some of his previous strength, but he still has some muscles and he still looks fantastic…especially since he's topless, panting and shiny with sweat like that…so delectable…

Kaname absent-mindedly licked his lips before he noticed that Zero was staring at him.

Crap!

Kaname quickly averted his eyes towards the clock on the wall, trying to act casual.

"I just noticed that you've been doing your weights for a long time, so I was getting a little concerned. I think that maybe you've done enough for today. It wouldn't be good for you to overwork yourself…" Kaname reeled off his excuse, hoping Zero would buy it.

"Well, I might be done for the day." Zero conceded, still feeling the effect of his most recent session on his biceps.

"Might be?" Kaname asked, wondering why Zero was not sure.

Zero stood and began walking towards Kaname.

Why is he coming over here? Did I say something wrong!?

Kaname was hoping that he didn't offend Zero in some way. However, because Zero had come closer Kaname was now getting an even better view of Zero's torso.

*gulp*

Then, Zero stopped in front of him.

"I want to lift you." Zero stated.

…what?

"Sorry, could you repeat that?" Kaname didn't know what Zero was getting at and had no idea how he should respond to Zero's request.

"Before, when my brother visited and I had to carry you to your room, it was difficult for me. So, if you'll let me, can I see whether I've improved?" Zero explained his question in more detail.

Kaname now understood what Zero's intentions were. Zero wanted to use his weight as a benchmark from which he could judge his progress.

So, he's going to lift me…that sounds embarrassing…

Kaname did not like being carried. He was dominant by nature and would not usually allow anyone to put him in such a compromising situation. If he could choose, then he would much rather be the one carrying Zero.

However, these were extenuating circumstances. Zero was important to him and had asked him politely. It was for the benefit of Zero's training. Also, they were alone in the apartment, so no one else would ever have to find out about this.

Thinking these thoughts, Kaname nodded his head, giving Zero permission to lift him.

…

Akatsuki Kain was dreading this. However, as a favour to Ichiru, he knew that he had to fulfil his task.

He entered the apartment block and walked up the stairs. Soon enough he found himself at the door to Zero's apartment. The hand in his pocket revealed the spare key, which Ichiru had given him.

I would be a lot more comfortable knocking and announcing my presence like a normal guest. But, Ichiru said that I had to go straight in, that I can't give Zero a chance to hide his secret. If I screw this up we may never find out what Zero's secret is, or worse, Ichiru might get angry with me…

Taking a deep breath and preparing himself for the worst, Akatsuki put the key in the lock and turned.

*click*

He opened the door and saw a sight that was completely unbelievable, making his jaw drop.

There, before his eyes, was Kaname Kuran, his leader supposedly deceased, looking very much alive. He even appeared to be blushing, proof of blood flowing through his veins.

"Kaname-sama…" Akatsuki couldn't help but say quietly, still stunned.

Seeing his supposedly dead leader was the first thing to strike him. Yet, slowly Akatsuki became aware of the whole scene he was witnessing.

Kaname Kuran, respected pureblood who was always known for his neat appearance, was in dishevelled night clothes and was being held in a bridal-carry by none other than Zero Kiryuu, a man most people knew was Kaname's rival. It also was apparent that Zero wasn't fully clothed. His chest was exposed, covered in perspiration and he also still seemed to be panting from some kind of heavy activity.

I think I may have interrupted something…

That was Akatsuki's last thought before he fainted, for the first time in his life, from shock.