A/N: Firstly, I want to say that even though it's a bit late now, the lemon that I asked if I should have in Just Simple Folklore was intended for later in the story!! Sorry for any inconveniences, but I will repay you all here with this dark-ish, smex-filled fic!

Rating: M, MA, R... dear god...

Characters: Kaname, Zero.

Themes: Angst, romance, etcetera.

True Value

Written by law-chan23

"I'm just so sick of you! I am nota thing. If you think that I'm just some amusing toy for you, I don't care; I'm leaving!" Zero was in a fit of rage. Not only had the pureblood called Zero a 'thing', he kept stating that the ex-human was his! Zero had had enough. He was not an object, nor was he a possession that Kaname could claim. He refused to be called Kaname's ex-human toy!

"Zero, stop this nonsense," Kaname said with a stern voice. He wouldn't lose his composure here merely for some kind of false impression. His pride would not allow it.

As Zero turned to run, Kaname grabbed the boy by the wrist.

"Let me go!"

Kaname frowned. "Zero, stop," he whispered sharply.

Zero struggled in the pureblood's grasp. "Let me go!"

"…No," Kaname said, brows dropping in further agitation.

Suddenly, without realizing he'd actually said it aloud in a deadly serious tone, Zero uttered the words, "I hate you."

Kaname let go of the hunter immediately – half in shock, watching with wide eyes as Zero broke away from the gathered vampire nobles and out a carelessly left open door.

Zero no longer cared for what Kaname did with himself as he stormed out into dark streets, nor did he give a damn about the scene he had just made at the pureblood's little social party. Screw Kuran Kaname! It was time for Zero to make himself known as just Kiriyuu Zero. Not Kaname and his pet.

Zero rounded a corner and then turned into a dark alley, instantly freezing as he spotted a lone figure slumped up against the brick wall. "O-Oi," Zero said, softly at first but then escalated into a shout. "Oi! Are you okay?" He approached the figure of what seemed to be a man as Zero made out broad shoulders, a bulky build, short hair and a scruffy beard. He knelt down and patted the man on the shoulder. "Hey, are you okay? Hey!"

The stranger gave no response.

Zero narrowed his eyes. "Sir?"

Nothing.

Zero took out the mobile from his coat pocket and began dialing for an ambulance when the stranger suddenly sprang to life, leaping to wrestle the ex-human to the dirt laden asphalt. Zero's phone smashed on the ground as he fought for dominance over his attacker. "What the hell are you doing?!"

The man smirked, sending a creepy shudder down Zero's spine as he managed to get the upper hand. He sat atop the hunter's middle and pinned down both wrists either sides of his head.

Zero kicked and struggled, but to no avail as out of nowhere another man came into view and covered the ex-human's face with a damp cloth. Zero's struggles began to slow as the drug took effect, and soon, he was nothing more than a sleeping kitten to his attackers.

--

'Sorry, but the person you have called is busy, or is not available at this time. If you would like to leave a mess-'

Kaname snapped his phone shut, uncaring as a fissure tore its way into the expensive item. He'd just buy a new one. He couldn't however, buy another Kiriyuu Zero. Kaname had sent all the participants of the party home so he was the last one left in the extravagant hall. It had all been such a disaster. As he crossed one leg over the other and sat back in the chair, he mulled over his lover's words from earlier.

'I am not a thing!'

A dipping crease formed in the center of the pureblood's forehead. He had only been thinking of the safety of the ex-human, at no stage was he implying that Zero was just a 'thing' to him. Zero was the exact opposite. Kaname had just been protecting him, damn it! He'd seen all the looks the other vampire nobles had been giving the ex-human, they were positively predatory, and since Zero was only a level D to them, their mindset could have been that Zero was there only to service them. Kaname would not have that. It might've actually been easier just to kill them, rather than try and introduce his love to them, Kaname mused.

Kaname sighed as he stood quickly. He knew very well that Zero was a stubborn boy, so it would take some convincing to return home with the pureblood… so he'd better start right away. Zero had misunderstood greatly and had been intensely hurt this time and Kaname doubted highly that the ex-human had just gone home to make him peppermint tea so he grabbed his keys and headed outside the hall to the car.

--

It was far too weak. Far, far too weak. Even with his pureblood instincts, Kaname couldn't sense his other half, and that worried him. Not having Zero by his side worried him, not being in control worried him, not being able to get a strong sense of Zero, worried him. Kaname had been driving around the city for over three hours by now and had come up with nothing but a weak, untraceable signal of Zero. Oh god. What had happened to him?

Another hour passed…

…and then another, and another, until the early rays of the morning sun started to irritate the pureblood vampire, even with the near black tinted windows Kaname had installed a few weeks back. He sighed and started heading back to the mansion, hoping silently that Zero was there when he returned.

--

Zero slowly regained consciousness, and at the same time felt the beginnings of one hell of a headache. He sat up and gripped his forehead in pain. "W-What… happened?" he gasped out.

"Oi, you ready to start?"

Zero squinted and saw a fairly familiar man looming over him and another behind carrying a video camera giving him a thumbs up. Zero realized with a start what was happening and kicked the man back weakly. "S-Stay away!"

The man whom Zero had kicked merely smiled and crawled over the ex-human again, apparently having taken no damage from the attack. He pulled Zero's pants and underwear down slowly, enjoying the horrified face the boy made.

"Stop!" Zero shouted. He tried to punch the man away, but he only gripped both wrists in one big calloused hand and yanked them above his head, thus rendering Zero completely helpless as he began probing and touching where only Kaname had.

Somebody…

… anybody… help me.

--

Somewhere shady downtown, men, young and old were lining up outside a small theatre, awaiting eagerly for the night's main event. All were hoping dearly for a new pet to quench their desires. The lights in the street began to dim, and as they did so the 'men's' eyes turned to crimson red…

…

TBC!

A/N: There, I did it! My first new project after my long holiday. Phew, this is going to be an intense one guys!

I enjoy your reviews!!

So, um... want me to beg? Because I will - happily!