Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or any recognisable characters or places.

Warnings: OOC's, if you know the facts of life, we should be good to go. Any significant ones will be added as the story goes on. This is now definitely a Kaname/Zero story so if anyone doesn't support this pairing it's probably best not to read, sorry!

Author's note- It's been near enough 2 years since I updated this story, I honestly just lost motivation with writing (I mean half of this chapter was already written back then), but I think I'm back. Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, stuck with or recently followed this story it means a lot! 😊

I also noticed that a few people were questioning Kaname showing himself to Cross, since this chapter follows on from that I'll just keep this short. I figured that Cross would be a likely candidate for seeing Kaname although I debated about whither to put it in so early on in the story. Also, I wanted to reflect the parallels between Cross and Zero that we see in the manga.

Other than that, please R&R and enjoy :)

Zero awoke dazed, the cloudy fog of sleep threatened to pull him under into its tempting embrace. He nuzzled into his pillow case, keeping his eyes closed in a vain hope to chase the bittersweet dream he had been having and let the illusion last just a little longer. His fingers trailed over the duvet, abandoning the cozy spot his body heat had left on the mattress, searching out another body automatically. The sheets on the other side of the bed were bitterly cold. He sighed. Oh yeah, Yuuki was gone. Turning onto his back he pulled the covers over his head in a feeble attempt to hide from the world. 'This sucks,' he thought humorlessly.

The silence of the room was overwhelming, and Zero briefly though about getting out of bed to look for a distraction. He didn't like where his thoughts went when he was alone. The heavy feeling of guilt weighed in his stomach. The hunter was adamant that his decision to leave Yuuki was the right one, not only for himself but for her to. So why did he feel so ashamed? It was clear that the pureblood wasn't over the death of her husband despite her protests otherwise. Zero had been blindsided to that, perhaps brushing away his concerns hoping one day he would be enough. But it never works out like that. Getting into a relationship doesn't change the past or cure a person's sadness. It's not like waving a magic wand. If anything, it was like putting a porous plaster over a seeping wound. He couldn't fix Yuuki and it would be selfish of him to try.

Ultimately his decision to get out of bed was taken from him. Hearing Cross's exclamation from across the hall, his amethyst eyes snapped open with a groan. Sometimes it was like living with the Addams family. Not bothering to put on a shirt, Zero padded across the room rubbing crusts of sleep out of his eyes. Seeing the hunter's bewildered expression and his would-be savior, Zero slowly connected the dots, his head flicking back and forward between the two helplessly.

"He can see you?!" The silverette confirmed in shock. He had almost forgot about the mysterious man in front of him. But last night, could he ever forget that? This stranger, whose face he couldn't see had stroked his hair until he fell into the clutches of sleep. Had made him feel more comfortable and surer of himself in a few short hours than Yuuki had in the space of a year. And wasn't that telling?

"I didn't think he could, only one other person aside from yourself has seen me." It was stated like a fact, but Zero heard the loneliness and confusion underpinning it. What must it be like to watch the world evolve around you but have no one care enough to see you? How many spirits were trapped in this in-between existence?

Deciding to reluctantly interrupt, Cross ducked his head to smile at the pair as he cleaned his glasses absently. "A spirit. Well that explains everything."

"You can't tell Yagari, he'll phone an exorcist," Zero rushed out, breaking eye contact with the spirit in question.

"And a psychiatrist for us both for good measure," he said good naturedly. Seeing Zero's worried frown, he clasped his hand over his sons as he got to his feet. "This stays between us," he said agreeing to his request. "Only because I know it cannot be seen without love." The blond said before heading out to save his partner from chain smoking himself into a coma. Feeling Zero's shocked gaze on his back, he answered the boys unasked question. "A woman I once knew visited me from the after. She was a kind, selfless soul who passed on long before her time. She told me that I could only see her because of love." His tone was somber, and his face grew dark for a second but as soon as it was there it was gone. "You truly are special Zero."

"Father." Zero breathed out. His heart clenched with sorrow for the elder hunter. Kaien Cross was truly an amazing man. He couldn't imagine what seeing a loved one again only to have to let them go again after a fleeting visit would feel like. He was brought out of his thoughts be a tingling feeling skimming across his waist. He smiled sadly and rested his head on the crook of the spirits neck as he was brought in closer to him. 'Definitely more solid than before' Zero thought curiously.

"And don't even think of asking me who it is Zero Cross-Kiryuu! I won't tell you anything, not even for your homemade food coupons! Besides I can't fully see him either!" Cross cheerfully called out over his shoulder but he was gone from sight.

"I forgot how manic that man can be," ******'s voice said fondly.

Zero furrowed his brows in contemplation. From the sad lilt in the spirits tone, Cross was someone he greatly admired and cared for when he was alive. So why couldn't Cross see him fully? Surely love was love? He scoffed, perhaps Cross was full of shit and knew more than he let on.

"You said someone else could see you?" Zero prompted nonchalantly. He almost huffed aloud as the comforting weight of the spirit disappeared from his side.

"Now that would be telling," he replied, his voice dripping with amusement. The mist and shadows that made up his profile began to fall into itself until he disappeared from Zero's sight entirely. At Zeros squawk of indignation, his laugh echoed in the former prefect's head.

Was ****** seriously playing hard to get? "Unbelievable," Zero muttered before following suit and stalking to the kitchen for coffee.

-Line Break-

"You're in one piece, glad to see the 'rents treated you right," Kaito's voice said dryly as he dumped his hunting gear on the coffee table haphazardly. Despite teasing Zero for being babied these last few days, the silverette noticed his friends eyes scan over his body for injury and focus on his head where the cut had scabbed over.

"I know most people wouldn't trust Cross with an ice-cream van never mind a school or hunting association but he's more responsible than he appears." Zero said as he handed his mug over for a refill. "He cares for me…" he trailed off with a shrug.

Kaito smiled briefly. It used to be a rarity that Zero felt comfortable enough to open up about his feelings but he grudgingly admitted that getting together with Yuuki and accepting responsibility for Ai it happened more often. 'Only good thing the fang- wielding bitch ever did,' he snarked. The hunter was glad to see the break up wasn't regressing Zero's progress. He liked this side of his friend. Not that he'd admit it lightly. "I'd trust him with your life but not with the health and well-being of my kitchen," he said grimacing at the though of Cross's culinary concoctions. How Zero and Yuuki had survived childhood was a sheer modern day miracle.

Zero rolled his eyes, "he only blew a hole in the ceiling that one time Kaito, let it go."

"Twice Zero, twice! I had to replace the upstairs floorboards as well," he said brandishing the spoon he had stirred their coffee with threateningly. "Oh and don't make any plans with Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore. We're going out," he said smirking as Zero choked on his drink. 'Serves him right for thinking he could keep his ghost friend a secret from me in my own home,' he thought.