Hello! It's May 8, 2017 and this story ended ages ago but this scenario has been knocking around in my head and I had to write it down or it would just torment me and stop me writing other stuff. And now that I've written it, I thought, maybe other people may want to read it. It doesn't fit in anywhere (Sayori is not mentioned and the family knows about Kaname, warts and all) and is fairly mundane but it was just something my mind kept turning over and over about their relationship. There isn't even any lemon! It's basically a 12000 word drabble.

To stay safe, end at Chapter 40 if you want to stick with the original story. Otherwise, it's here for whoever to enjoy as much as I do.

The Vampire Trust Problem

by lightpathetic

"WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, ICHIRU. They're like family…"

"But what about Yuuki? And Kaname…?"

Zero stalled as he looked over to where Yuuki sat on the cart, watching them anxiously. No doubt, she had an idea of where this discussion was going. The whole town was alive with the talk of forming a posse and getting after those "varmints". They couldn't even do any business. Everyone was preoccupied with planning the rescue of Mayor Cross and his wife.

"They kidnapped Cross and Luca. We can't just do nothing..."

"I know that!" Ichiru snapped, insulted Zero would think he meant that simply for trying to be practical.

There was no way they would refuse to help the mayor that used his influence and money to protect them while they waited for their parents to return. He'd intervened many times when Mr Fernley and the sheriff tried to use the law to stop them from standing between Mr Fernley and their land. He was the first adult they could count on to support them. It was unthinkable to stay behind, knowing that he needed them now. And Zero knew he knew that, the bastard...

"All I'm saying is," Ichiru continued in the reasonable tone that always drove Zero up a wall, "we can't leave Yuuki here alone and he'll hit the roof if we don't…"

"I never said we both had to go, Ichiru. You return with Yuuki and explain…"

"I won't let you go alone! Are you crazy…?!"

"Why not?! Yuuki can't go home by herself and I don't like the idea of leaving her in town. She's safer at home with Kaname. Besides, why risk the both of us? Someone has to take care of Yuuki and the ranch."

Ichiru turned and kicked a pebble away in frustration. The hell he was letting Zero go off to God-knows-what by himself. He was on the verge of insisting Yuuki come with them instead – at least they'll die together - but he remembered a crucial point.

"We have to go home anyway," Ichiru pointed out. "We don't have enough weapons and ammo between the two of us to be of any use to anybody . I say we ask them the direction they intend to head and we go home, load up and meet them. Then Yuuki will be safely home…"

"And what do we tell Kaname, huh? That we're going on an impromptu hunting trip?"

There was good reason for Zero's sarcasm. If things were at all normal this course of action would be easy. By now they would have agreed to join the posse, deposited Yuuki home with strict instructions to lock the door and await their return, while they grabbed every gun and piece of ammunition in the house and ridden hard across their land to catch up to the other men. It was what you did in these parts. Help each other. Even their father had been injured going after some cattle that had been stolen from the Souens. You never knew when you'll need your neighbours.

But things weren't normal. If Kaname'd been a normal hand they could leave Yuuki at home with instructions to take care of things while they were gone. If he were a normal hand, they wouldn't be so nervous. But No. Kaname was not normal. He was a vampire that got snippy and tense when they were late for dinner and you always knew he was in a snit because weird stuff started to happen. Unintentional stuff. It was clear that all hell would break lose if Yuuki showed up without them or they just left her there and went off on their own to, say, hunt criminals...

"I see your point…"

"Ichiru…!"

"Alright. We tell him we're going to visit the neighbours and we'll be back by the end of day tomorrow. That'll buy us time before he becomes suspicious. We'll take Yuuki over to Wendy. She'll watch her for a couple days. That way he doesn't get out of her what really happened."

"He'll notice we're armed to the teeth…"

"We'll say it is just in case. That we heard of some trouble in town and want to check on them. He'll buy it. He likes us to be careful. And he'll figure we'll be close enough to hear if anything does happen..."

"God, it's like we have to ask his permission to do anything…" Zero muttered bitterly. It wasn't lost on him how frustrating it was to have to plot this much to go help a friend.

"You know it's not like that, Zero. He's just… protective. He worries about us. You know, it would be great if he could come along…"

"Absolutely not! Then we'll have far more to worry about. Do you want to explain why he needs to be wrapped in a blanket during the day and why he doesn't need a gun? That's creepy enough in itself without him actually doing anything."

"But he'll easily get Cross and Luca back for us," Ichiru commented, without much commitment. He was of the mind to leave Kaname out of this as well. The vampire did as he pleased, which was fine on a secluded ranch with people he cared about but even Ichiru had an idea that Kaname had no qualms about killing and it would be hard to stop him if he got the mind to do it. Hell, Zero eventually told him how close the Sheriff and Mr Fernley came to biting it…

"Alright," Zero stated with finality. "We're wasting time. Let's get going."

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND. All of you are going?"

"Yes, Kaname. We'll be back by…"

"Tomorrow evening. You'd said."

Zero moved around the vampire to continue his preparations in the basement. Ichiru eyed him uneasily but resumed collecting the weaponry at their disposal.

"What sort of trouble did you hear of in town?" came the seductive baritone they were so used to by now.

"Some farmers were robbed. We were warned to be careful. We heard the Souens might be one of them…"

"No. That's impossible."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard nothing to suggest this."

"On the vampire grapevine?" Zero quipped bitterly, loading his second favourite revolver and eyeing a couple other pistols and a shotgun he did not realise they had…

"No. I literally heard nothing to suggest there was trouble at the Souens."

Zero looked over at the brunette who did look away a tad uncomfortably.

"You go onto their land at night?"

Kaname folded his arms and met his eyes defiantly. He'd be damned if…

"Kaname!"

"It adjoins ours. I can't turn off my senses."

"That's not an answer!"

"The Souens are fine," Kaname replied stubbornly.

"We'll still go check, Kaname," Ichiru interrupted, knowing that the two were this close to an argument they couldn't afford right now. "We've been meaning to pay them a visit, anyhow. You'll be fine for a day. Right?"

"Of course."

Ichiru pushed Zero away from Kaname and up the stairs to where they had collected a few of their things.

They'd arrived to find that not only was Kaname awake but he had started dinner knowing they would be hungry, even though it was, at best, late afternoon. They were grateful for what amounted to a major bit of kindness from Kaname. He hated being up during daylight and was now walking around in a blindfold to protect his eyes from the numerous lamps and candles he'd lit as a concession to them, the windows being covered as was his custom at this time of day.

They, of course, realised that sunlight was more painful to him than candlelight simply by the way he coped and reacted to either circumstance. For instance, Kaname was far more irritable and covered up, as well as far less likely fully to explore his culinary inclinations when they – Zero – insisted it was their house and they should not be banging around in the dark when the sun was up, wasting perfectly good candles…

Anyway, even Zero was persuaded – eventually by a judiciously aimed kick to the butt by Ichiru – that some things were not worth one of them number being in pain. It was also persuasive that Kaname started making candles himself. He would place more of them when the children were home during the day. One corner of the basement had literally become a stack of the damned things. So, after they'd begun to sell them in town – the apple and pine scented ones became something of a hit – it had been fairly well accepted by everyone that Kaname should have his way in the household, at least while he was awake, Zero grumbled.

Now, they were digesting a very good meal as they prepared to leave, and Kaname had made sandwiches from the roasted beef for their trip. It was these little things, these thoughtful, selfless things, that made him so irresistible. Made them forget his origins and tolerate many hardships just to include him in their life. Even if they had to plot to safely get away from him.

When they returned to the main floor Yuuki had come down with her bag. Anyone could tell she was nervous and not herself. They were lying to Kaname and she didn't like that too much. Also, her brothers were heading off together into danger and it was anyone's guess if they would return. She thought Kaname should be told and should go with them. After all, they were going after bad people, right? They behaved as though Kaname was dangerous or something.

"Are you ready, Button?"

Yuuki looked up at Zero's use of her nickname. It was an attempt to soothe her that made her more nervous.

"Yes. It'll only be a few days so…"

"Days?"

Kaname was next to her in literally an instant. She gasped from her fright but Kaname knelt and took her hand apologetically. He sometimes forgot himself when he was troubled.

"What do you mean by a few days, princess?"

"We might stay on a couple more days, Kaname," Zero intervened quickly, while Yuuki was riveted by his meaningful stare. "Mrs Souen likes having guests. She usually invites us to stay on longer. With you here, we just might."

Kaname said nothing to this, which made them more uneasy, he knew. He turned his gaze from Zero and silently regarded Yuuki. He could tell she was in distress, even without her nervous twitching. It alarmed him that she was afraid. Of him? No, Kaname discarded firmly, annoyed with this insecurity and remembering their fight last night over the ending to a story he'd told from his life.

You see, he'd gotten a bit testy – for no reason, whatsoever, as Yuuki wouldn't know the "devastatingly wise and handsome prince" had been himself – because of her reaction to how he'd handled the tribal dispute over a neighbouring watering hole. Okay, maybe she'd had a point about the witness testimony… Anyway, the point was, the argument had reached such animus that Zero had had to come part them so he could get some sleep. It didn't make any sense for her to be like this.

"It's okay, princess. I understand," Kaname said quietly, smiling. He tried to calm himself down, knowing what it did to her. Clearly, they felt they had to hide the reason for their absence. He could become forceful and get the truth. He could let fear, his worry that he was the reason they were leaving, rule him and ruin their fragile relationship. Or, he could trust them. Whatever it was, it was important enough for the children to close ranks. "I'll just miss you terribly, you know that."

Kaname was glad for the cloth over his eyes when Yuuki hugged him. She was just relieved, that cynical voice screamed as he ignored it and held her back, his pale slender fingers splaying her small back as he clasped her to him. He too was relieved. He wasn't the reason for the sudden evacuation. It was something else. But not the Souens. He was certain of that.

Kaname had taken an interest in the children's immediate neighbours. Partly out of boredom. Mostly because he could. When he went in search of materials or hiding places or perfect burial grounds for his victims he had to pass over their lands and, depending on how the children spoke about them, he extended some concern and assistance to them or well… was less than sympathetic.

Kaname stood with Yuuki in his arms and looked over to the boys. He was certain they were holding their breaths. What could possibly be so important?

"Whatever this is… you know I can help. I've proven that to you, haven't I?"

Yuuki tensed and lifted her head to look at her brothers. Bingo. Kaname now knew where Yuuki stood on the subject. Kaname's eyes narrowed inside their cloth prison.

"What is it? Is it something I did…?"

"No, Kaname. God!" Zero declared, pushing forward to gather his bag. "Can't we handle a check of our neighbours without the third degree? You won't be happy unless you control everything about our lives!"

Kaname bit his lip as he controlled the impulse again. The one that made him think on what complete control would really be like….

"All I'm saying is… I can assist you. Even to get you there. If you wait until sundown…"

"No, thank you, Kaname," Ichiru assured, also going for his bag as Zero stormed out the door, leaving it open as Kaname automatically sought the shadows. Ichiru closed it quickly and turned to the seething vampire. "I know you're worried but don't be. We'll be back in no time. Now, do I get a kiss goodbye, sugar?"

Yuuki sighed and rolled her eyes as Kaname planted a kiss on her cheek and lowered her to the floor. He then came over to Ichiru, who couldn't believe his luck as Kaname moved close against him, removing his blindfold as he did and pinning him with his gorgeous stare. So close he could feel the heat of his body, the lengths of his thighs and…

Even Yuuki cocked her head in puzzlement and suspicion as Kaname cupped Ichiru's face. She'd concluded that Ichiru was just looking for punishment because Kaname had never responded with more than a slap in the past to the teen's harassment. But Kaname seemed to be considering it. Was he that worried about them?

"Tell me what's going on and I will," Kaname whispered, his lips so close Ichiru actually could feel the light brush of them, the vampire's hot breath on his face. He began to tremble for other reasons… "You won't be able to stand on your own afterwards. I promise."

Ichiru was just as stunned as Yuuki as his lips parted in anticipation and his body… responded. Damn, Kaname was… sexy. Before he knew it he was reaching for his head, mesmerized by his sultry eyes, his red, moist lips. It was an invitation he longed to accept, his body thrumming sweetly at just the promise.

"Uh-uh," Kaname whispered coyly, pulling away just enough to thwart him. "Tell me first... what I want to know."

God knew Ichiru was tempted, his fingers digging into the brunette's shirt at his waist. He felt like he would die if he didn't get that slender, hot body beneath him, around him...

Yuuki coughed loudly, effectively breaking the spell as Ichiru recalled she was there. He silently swore on everything he could think of in his mind as he closed his eyes and pulled away reluctantly. Jesus, Kaname was... dangerously talented.

"Come on, Yuuki," Ichiru ordered huskily, ignoring the curious looks from his sister. "We'll see you soon, Kaname. Keep it warm for me, sweet lips," he added, kissing at the morose vampire before he left, closing the door behind him.

Kaname stayed where they'd left him for a long time, listening as the children prepared fresh horses and left. Then for a long while after that as the candles extinguished around him and he waited, listening until he could no longer hear the horses' hooves to the north, waiting until the sun disappeared from the heavens. He felt powerless to move before then. Nothing else seemed important.

Nothing.

ZERO and Ichiru were able to leave Yuuki with Wendy without incident. Well, unless the screech by Wendy at Yuuki's "state" counted – really, there were worse things in the world than a sun-tanned girl in trousers if you worked for a living.

They arrived at the encampment by the Belvedere Pass after just over two hours of hard riding. They were brought up to speed on the tracking, the pros thinking that they should meet up with the criminals in half a day or so. It seemed their progress was slowed somewhat. Perhaps, by the hostages they'd kidnapped and the loot they'd stolen. This was good news. Zero and Ichiru nodded their thanks and found a spot for the night as they unpacked their sleeping rolls and sought to make camp. The sooner they slept, the better rested they would be when it came time for their watch. They only hoped that they weren't too late to save them.

"HEY, KIRIYUU! Get up! You're next!"

Zero rolled over and rubbed his eyes before sitting up. He noticed Ichiru come up onto his elbows and groan before pushing up onto his knees. This made him feel better about the situation as he came to remember where he was and why a rocky outcropping and stars had replaced the familiar ceiling of his room.

"Here," Zero said, proffering one of the rifles they'd kept beside them before gesturing to the fire near the centre of the camp. "You go on ahead. I'll get us some coffee."

Ichiru yawned and took the gun as he got to his feet. He looked up at the sky to gauge the time. Probably around one, he thought as he headed towards the other lookout on duty. Damn. It felt like he'd just went to sleep…

"Just quiet, huh, Jones?"

"Yes. Almost too quiet."

Ichiru sat next to him and looked out over the camp and the sleeping men, then beyond to the undulating rocky downward slope, all touched by the silvery dusting of moonlight. Bits of brush broke up the monotony at random and the grassy valley through which a trickle of water flowed without much conviction, bisecting the valley before the same landscape repeated on the other side. The rains or the melting snow normally made things a bit more interesting, but until then the placid trickle matched the atmosphere of the night.

Ichiru looked behind him up the equally unremarkable rock-face that towered behind them and served to protect the encampment from this angle, then back at Jones.

"Trying to get me in the mood for a ghost story?"

"I mean it, kid. Listen. Not a cricket, owl or jackal. Hell, the mosquitoes ain't even biting."

"Good. Go get some rest, then. I heard tell the Sheriff is leaving at the crack of dawn."

Jones gave him a look that made Ichiru think he disagreed with the lateness of the departure before heading down to the camp. He saw Zero pass him, heading up with the two cups of coffee.

"What's his problem?"

"Jones thinks it's too quiet."

"Really?"

"Probably just being paranoid. Shizuka said that ever since they put in that new telegraph in town, he's become convinced the government is listening to his thoughts."

"He is right, though. It is quiet."

Zero eyed Ichiru meaningfully over his cup, just before wincing at the taste of its contents.

"Come on. Kaname loses us when we go North at the best of times. Besides, why wouldn't he come get us if he's here?"

Zero grew nervous and stood, looking out over the camp. He was also "listening" for him. The faint trace of unease that came with a furious Kaname. Nothing.

"You're right. Let's just get through this hour without going crazy."

JOSIAH SKERRIT finished taking careful note of the number of men in the encampment below, including how many were on lookout, before carefully pushing himself backwards on the ledge, hoping not to dislodge any stones that would alert the nervous boys. He had his gun out, just in case either of them spotted him, but the scouting party of three was under strict instructions to observe and report back. The bandit leader would not tolerate disobedience.

He soon found that he was far enough away from the ledge to stand and creep away back to where the others were waiting. Looked like every man was away from the town. He chuckled to himself. The raid should go without a hitch. Such idiots. They'd done this twice already. Kidnap some well-respected official in town and every able-bodied man was out the door to help. When they came back, they usually found much worse…

"Chad! Michael! Get up!" He stage-whispered as he got down the hill and headed to where his cronies waited. "Must be about fifty men and horses out there…!"

Josiah came to a stop and stared at the seated men. They had stopped at the foot of the hill to the North and decided he should climb above the camp and get a look. They would wait for his return and head back. He'd left them not an hour ago. Not much time to fall asleep. They hadn't the luxury of falling asleep! So, for them to not respond was odd.

"Chad?"

Josiah followed his instincts and went straight for his horse. He didn't make it. He was plucked from his descent to the animals and thrown towards the seated men. He landed bodily onto them, knocking them over, his fall cushioned by Chad's now headless corpse and Michael's entrails. Josiah inhaled and loosed a scream of which no man should be capable. It reverberated through the entire valley and killed the peace hitherto complained of.

"DID YOU HEAR THAT?!" Ichiru shouted, grabbing his gun.

"Of course I did! Where did it…?"

"I don't know. It sounded like it came from up the Pass."

The boys were up and down from the look out to the main camp in no time, doing their best to rouse the sleeping men.

"Get up! We heard a scream!"

You'd think that would be enough. But no-one stirred. Zero dropped his rifle and knelt next to one of the men, bending to examine him.

"Is he breathing?" Ichiru asked nervously.

"Yes. But I can't wake him."

"What?!"

"He's in some kind of deep sleep."

Zero took up his rifle and ran to another bundle. The same thing. Ichiru ran off to the other look outs to see if they could help. He came back as Zero reached Jones, who was also out cold.

"They're all out, Zero! Even Bertie over there. I don't understand. Was their food drugged?"

"Do you mean by the bandits? But how would they have…?"

Drugged…

Zero stopped and slapped his forehead as this word knocked around in his mind. He'd accused Kaname of the same very thing often enough for it to stick. He stood, grinding his teeth as his jaw worked in fury, turning to look around him with some fatalism. Ichiru noticed his anger and resignation, quickly cluing in on Zero's conclusion. He looked back at the comatose men in something akin to embarrassment.

"Shit. Why would he follow us already?"

"Why wouldn't he? Fucking control freak!" Zero shouted this last into the night, fairly certain of his theory.

He didn't have to wait long to be proved right. Eventually a certain vampire stood up from the recently vacated look-out bearing a man's body over his right shoulder. He leapt off the ledge and landed with effortless grace about fifteen feet away from where they stood. He sauntered forward as Zero stared daggers at him and Ichiru wished he were anywhere else…

"Is he dead?" Zero demanded, pointing to the man Kaname was carrying like a sack of flour.

"Not yet. I think you'll want to hear what he has to say."

Kaname shrugged the man onto the ground with the same regard as he was carrying him as Ichiru approached him, wincing on his behalf.

"Kaname, listen. We were just…"

"Isn't it a bit late for explanations, Ichiru?"

Ichiru faltered as he heard the note of hurt in his voice, the sting of betrayal.

"It's not like that. We thought it would be better to …"

"Lie to me. To not tell me you were running off half-cocked into danger…"

"How did you find us?" Zero demanded, not as regretful as his brother, evidently. The brunette turned to him, a raised eyebrow was the sum total of his response. Zero seethed afresh. Damned know-it-all…

"Did Yuuki tell you?" Ichiru asked, not willing to give up just then. Kaname returned his gaze to the younger twin.

"Are you asking if I've found out she's not at the Souens?" Kaname countered, pushing past them to go to the fire, which died down as he reached to lift the iron pot of coffee without protection. The boys cringed as the hot iron sizzled against his skin but Kaname seemed not to care. He seemed even less worried about his lips as he tasted it then spat it out on the nearest human. God, that really was awful…

"She's safe if that's what you're pissed about…" Zero began, approaching the vampire calmly rummaging nearby for fresh coffee grounds, as if a hot beverage was the most urgent issue right now.

"I'm 'pissed' because you lied to me, Zero. It wasn't necessary. Neither," Kaname paused, as he looked up and met their eyes, "was hiding Yuuki from me."

"Are the Souens alright?" Ichiru asked fearfully. He, like Zero, was well clued in on how attached Kaname was to Yuuki. It bordered on an unhealthy obsession they sometimes discussed when they were away from him. He never hurt her. Far from it. But they worried they would wake up and find her and the vampire gone if they so much as disciplined her too harshly. Perhaps he didn't take her not being at the Souens well.

"You didn't think of the possible consequences before you used them as a decoy?"

"Kaname!" Zero shouted. Kaname was of a mind to ignore them but…

"I figured out she was at the Wilsons. We had a chat."

As mentioned, Kaname had taken note of the neighbours and how the children spoke about them. The only other option in that direction were the Wilsons, which they did speak of in an affectionate manner once, when he'd asked. Zero had mentioned they were a childless couple that had watched Yuuki before when they'd gone to another town to purchase some livestock. Luckily, Kaname's steel trap of a mind recalled it before he'd become really upset.

"God, Kaname!" Zero shouted, ignoring the fact that the vampire had disappeared with the pot having found some coffee. "This is what we didn't want! We joined a posse to go help a friend! That's all. We didn't tell you because we knew you would stop us or fly off the handle…! You couldn't give us two days?"

"No! No!" Kaname suddenly screamed, dropping the pot near the dying embers and facing them, the fresh water from a spring he'd noticed on the way there sloshing from it because of its indelicate placement. "You are not free to make these decisions on your own. Not anymore! Do you understand me? What if you'd hurt yourselves or Yuuki? What if I'd…" Kaname paused and grabbed his hair in impotent frustration, before continuing several decibels lower. "...panicked over something as stupid as this? I would never have forgiven you! Never!"

"Kaname…" Ichiru began, noticing the atmosphere, the subtle vibration. Zero was too angry to notice, however.

"What makes you think we couldn't handle this ourselves? We gave you one thing to do. One! And you abandoned it! God knows what's happening on our land…!"

"You, fool! None of that matters if you're dead! Any of it!"

"Zero!"

Ichiru rushed forward and grabbed him pulling him around to face him. Zero fought him at first, more invested in getting Kaname to see sense, but Ichiru forced him to be still, to look at him. Zero did, noticing Ichiru's attempt to calm him down and his frantic stare.

He sometimes forgot. Sometimes. That Kaname wasn't normal. Or at least, the extent to which he wasn't normal. Zero forgot his anger as he realised the vibrant atmosphere and the persons that were foaming at the mouth as they lay on the ground. Kaname's anger was actually hurting them. The others. Didn't he already know that, aside from their lives, Kaname had little regard for it? It was all well and good to go to the mat on a secluded ranch with no-one else in sight but here, with these people already on thin ice for taking them away from him…

Ichiru released him as Zero got the message. Do this later!

"Kaname… Are you 'hungry'? You've flown a long way..."

"What?" Kaname was a bit flummoxed by the sudden change of subject. He did notice the brief non-verbal conference but not the reason. Zero came over to inspect him, looking into his eyes, his face, checking his hair. Also deliberately providing a warm body to be tempted by. The vampire tended to be stubborn about feeding from him and usually when Kaname was this irritated it meant he was also "starving", possibly from significant exertion.

Kaname pulled away, however. "No. I had something on the way. Thanks," he added flippantly as he returned to the important activity of making decent coffee. Zero looked over at his brother in alarm.

"Do you mean…?"

Kaname looked up from one boy to the next. Their horror made him relent.

"The scout came with two others that weren't as forthcoming as he was. Okay?"

"So you killed…?"

"Yes. So what? They were bandits! Do you really expect me to give due process to every criminal I come across? How do you expect me to eat?"

"Kaname…!"

"He's right, Zero. Just leave it. Thanks to him we now know they were there."

"But…!"

"Shut up, Zero."

Zero folded his arms and stalked away to the unconscious scout as Ichiru came over to him instead, watching as he busied himself with the pot.

Kaname had noticed the boys forcing down this swill and well… something inside of him objected to even that. Became obsessed with it. In his saner moments, he realised he was being over-protective. He was not in a saner moment.

When he'd found they were not at the Souens as they had told him, all manner of things crossed his mind. Things that had made him terrified he'd lost them. It was only the fortunate surfacing of his practical mind that made him think on other possibilities beside the worst. They'd come back from town together, he'd remembered as he'd stood in the middle of the Souens' home, the occupants unconscious around him, cursing the fact he hadn't subjugated them as he'd wanted to do. Something must have happened in town. Something that had nothing to do with him or… they would not have come back to the house.

But why lie to him? They shouldn't have lied to him. He'd resolved there and then to let them know exactly who they were dealing with...

Then, while he'd waivered in agonising emotional paralysis at just the thought of this detrimental course of action, he'd thought of the Wilsons to the North-East. Yuuki was there, fortunately. She explained after a bit of prodding, not noticing his smile didn't reach his eyes. She was more concerned that he didn't wake the Wilsons – she was unaware that Kaname had "dealt" with that issue.

She explained what had happened and that they were worried he would be angry with them or try to stop them if he found out what they were doing and, they didn't want people to find out he was a vampire by coming along. They thought he was safer at home and in the dark, so to speak. Kaname asked her which direction they'd headed through clenched teeth. Yuuki had refused, saying he would only get her in trouble. She had clued in on his anger too. It took several more promises to just check on them and not be angry before Yuuki relented and told him.

Okay, so he'd broken his promises. But, as he focused on taking care of them now, he thought them lucky he hadn't broken anything else. Like their necks...

"Kaname. We're sorry. We didn't want to worry you…" Ichiru began as he watched him work.

"I was worried the moment you both gave me that half-baked story and left. You shouldn't… lie to me. You don't know what it takes to… try to trust you," Kaname finally stopped his attempt to be busy but Ichiru was already stooping to make him meet his eyes. Kaname looked away but Ichiru slipped his fingers into his hair, massaging his head the way… he liked. It was a subtle bit of intimacy that reminded Kaname that they did understand him, did love him. Maybe, he had overreacted…

No! They'd almost gotten themselves killed! Blasted humans!

Kaname pulled away and stood as he finished his battle with the coffee-pot. The fire flared afresh behind him as he walked again toward his prize. The man jumped awake as he approached and screamed. Kaname grabbed him by the throat and dragged him to his feet to look into his eyes. He stopped.

"Kaname!" Zero yelled, reaching out to force him to put him down. Kaname "held" him back.

"Not until he tells you. This is a trick. They plan to attack the town while you're out here chasing your tail."

"What do you mean?" Ichiru asked urgently, also horrified by the man's strangled gurgling.

"They go from town to town doing this. They kidnap someone important and while the able-bodied men are away, they double-back and loot the town. They use your loyalty to each other against you."

"I understand," Zero tried again. "Maybe you should put…"

"It's not a new strategy. If you'd told me…"

"Okay, Kaname," Zero interrupted irritably. "We said we were sorry!"

"Put him down, please Kaname? We'll need to get the Sheriff anyway to listen," Ichiru pleaded.

Kaname dropped the man, who wheezed and coughed as he cried afresh. Zero stooped to examine his neck.

"God. How are we going to explain this? Any of this?" Zero asked, seemingly in a panic about the crazy situation.

"Tell them you caught him near the edge of the camp. No one will say differently."

"What about him?!" Zero retorted. "He'll have something to say about you!"

Kaname looked down at the man that lay quietly weeping, no doubt pondering what had happened to his friends as the demon had asked him to do.

"He won't be a problem. Or, I'll come back and get him."

KANAME did eventually "leave", after they'd both had a fresh cup of coffee and he'd made sure they drank it all. He'd said he would stay nearby until they were ready to head home again, which they insisted they were not doing until they saw this through and, thankfully, Kaname saw that knocking them out and taking them home might have its drawbacks in the long run.

The men sipped the fresh coffee appreciatively as Josiah freely explained the plan and the whereabouts of the hostages and the bandits. As Kaname'd promised, he told all but the meeting with a vampire in the wee hours of the morning as the Sheriff, Deputies and elders decided the next move.

The twin had been congratulated on their find, even as Josiah trembled with a knowledge he longed to use against them. They had to remind themselves of what he had planned to do to them, where he'd been found, so they wouldn't pity him.

Ichiru looked over at Zero as it was decided to split up the posse. A third would go on to rescue the hostages, the others would return to the town. There was no time to waste. Thanks to the quick thinking of the Kiriyuus they were a step ahead of the criminals. They wanted volunteers now.

Kaname had asked them what they wanted him to do and they had discussed it briefly. He was capable of travelling faster than any of them. He would be more useful at the town. But when he'd raised his eyebrows incredulously at this suggestion, they knew he would not leave them.

The alternative would be to have him rescue the hostages. If he was capable of walking into a camp of armed men at will, he could effect it easily. Zero balked at this. How would that be explained to the others? And what about his propensity to kill everyone? Zero thought it would be better to handle this themselves. Another factor was the ticking clock. If this wasn't wrapped up by sunrise, they just knew Kaname would make the decision for them.

"We'll join the group to get the hostages," Zero said aloud, apparently to Ichiru but he knew better. Kaname was listening. Ichiru nodded, though, indicating his agreement, going with his brother to get their horses. They wanted to be involved in the rescue of Cross and his wife. That was the entire point of their being here. He was worried that they were too late. That maybe Kaname's catching the scout had endangered them. But, he had to admit: he felt better about the raid because Kaname was there. He knew Zero didn't, however.

"Maybe he should go on ahead and find them. Put them to sleep like he did here. It may save lives."

"Maybe," Zero replied without enthusiasm, packing his horse. He didn't trust the vampire to cause the least harm. He couldn't stop thinking about the scout's wild eyes, the way he'd looked at Kaname. At them… He knew they all had blood on their hands.

"I really wish he would go home and let us deal with this."

"That's not going to happen. After today we'll be lucky if he let's us go out with the herd again."

"God, he could be such a pain in the…"

"Not now, Zero!" Ichiru hissed, looking over his shoulder to the top of the rock-face. They didn't see him but they knew he was there. This knowledge was in the anxiety in the pit of their stomachs.

"What do you think he did to that scout?" Zero asked, his voice lowered to a whisper.

"Zero. Don't…"

"The man had wet himself at the thought of Kaname coming back for him…!"

"What would you prefer, Zero? That he brought the bandits back here and killed us all?"

"Of course not! But Ichiru… He started to cry when Kain asked him if he'd come alone…"

"I know, Zero. But… Kaname's just trying to help us. That's all. The way I see it, if they didn't want to be on the wrong end of a pissed off vampire they shouldn't have taken Mayor Cross. Otherwise, we wouldn't be out here and neither would he…"

"It's not so simple, Ichiru! We keep ignoring what he does and…"

"I think it is that simple! Those people are dangerous. They shot poor old Mr Palmer when they stormed Mayor Cross' house. What if we'd been there? What if Mayor Cross is dead, huh? Even Kaname couldn't stop them taking our land! I think whatever Kaname did was too good for them!"

Zero turned away to finish securing his pack and then mounted the horse. He looked up and began to search the top of the rock-face. He had serious misgivings about getting Kaname to help. He knew what Kaname truly was and how much he enjoyed doing it. There was a big difference between those bandits and the creature lurking on the hill waiting for them to come back to the ranch. A difference in sheer capacity for evil. It was in that moment that he realised exactly why Kaname was here and refused to leave until they did too. It was then he wondered if they shouldn't try more seriously to get away from him.

"Zero?"

Zero turned back to Ichiru who was watching his face with some concern. He wondered if it had betrayed his thoughts but gathered himself to concentrate on the issue at hand.

"I'm fine. Just thinking on your suggestion. If Kaname intervened it could save a lot of lives. Those bastards will put up a fight…"

"Exactly. Especially since they'll be expecting us. The scout didn't return and they'll see our torches."

"Right…"

Ichiru held his breath as Zero became quiet again. He didn't know how it happened but Zero made these decisions, gave such instructions to Kaname. It was not because he was "in charge". Kaname did as he liked, really, which was the cause of most of their arguments. But, sometimes, perhaps when Kaname sensed the stakes were higher where Zero was concern, he waited for Zero to decide, to instruct him, despite what Ichiru might say. Ichiru supposed that Kaname recognised that Zero needed to have that sense that Kaname was tameable by him when it counted or he'll never trust him. Never feel comfortable enough to let him stay. And that was what Kaname wanted most of all. To be trusted and welcome. If Zero turned on him, it was over.

"Zero, they're almost finished splitting up the posse…" Ichiru urged as he saw the men break up into two groups at the Sheriff's behest. He needed to formulate the plan now or it would be made for them.

"Okay. Kaname?" Zero asked in a normal voice. They were still under the bush where they'd left their horses, the men were further down the hill to their right. He began to float into the air as if in answer. Ichiru looked around anxiously to see if anyone saw.

"Will you stop! Right," Zero continued when his feet touched the earth again after a bit of a struggle. He knew he hated that. "You go on ahead and just put them to sleep. Understand? Nothing more. We'll take care of the rest. Actually, find Mayor Cross and his wife and make sure they stay safe."

"Maybe he could do some scouting for us. Let us know exactly where and how many they are."

"Of course," Zero agreed, colouring a little. He was new at this. "But how will he tell us…?"

Zero found himself suddenly airborne then dropped onto his rump in the dust. He was quite red when he got to his feet again and dusted himself off. Ichiru sighed and pulled Iris off towards the gathered men.

"I guess he'll think of something."

THE RAID WENT SMOOTHLY. A bit of an understatement considering no-one was awake. Not even the lookouts. The men thanked their lucky stars the bandits were so sloppy and thought nothing more of it, it seemed. It helped that the Mayor and his wife were found safely with hardly a scratch on them although, they did cry from relief. The bandits, some of whom were women, were tied up and shoved onto a couple of wagons for the return trip to town.

Not a shot was fired in the assault. Not one. Well, unless you counted the one the Sheriff fired to wake their leader, "Noxious Dave", himself, who was easily identifiable by his black ivory-beaded boots and matching holsters, they were told. Even the twin laughed at the astounded look on his face as he stared down the barrel of eight guns as he slowly got to his feet.

Some of the men congratulated the boys, clapping them liberally on the back. They were called "lucky charms" and the like as grown men rubbed their heads in relief. The boys were instrumental in the way the raid concluded. Few questioned why. They were always an odd sort. Aloof and barely civil. Kept to themselves, holding onto that there land like their lives depended on it. There were the rumours, of course. Of the demon that haunted their land. But that there was just talk. Surely…

Sheriff Kain watched the joviality with a pensiveness that seemed unwarranted. He'd been on many raids, seen all sorts of outcomes. None came close to this one. These criminals were expecting the return of the scout. They were professional bandits. How could they all have left themselves defenseless and gone to sleep?

He thought the answer lay with the boys. The Kiriyuus had found the scout who had spilled his guts as though his life depended on it. They had practically lead them to the camp and had volunteered to go ahead and scout the place, only to return to say everyone was asleep and to suggest they sneak in and arrest them rather than full out attack. He'd gotten a good look at them then. Probably thinking he would see the horns or the tail if he stared hard enough. Not that he had patience for supernatural nonsense but the coincidences were piling up. Something wasn't right. Between Mr Fernley's certainty and the rumours in town he was beginning to think there was something else out here besides them. Probably why he'd hushed his deputies and went ahead with the suggestions.

But all that was nonsense. In the real world, when everything went without a hitch, it was the result of careful planning. And, this had turned out alright, hadn't it? Perfectly. That was the problem. Either something was working with or for or over these boys that he didn't think he wanted to meet face to face. Or, they were somehow involved with these criminals themselves. His rational side knew the latter was usually the case. But why turn them in? Was that part of the trick? One of those Trojan horse-type deals?

"Hey, Kiriyuu!" Sheriff Kain shouted as he saw the boys head away from the general activity and towards their horses. "I'd like to have a word."

KANAME TOO watched the activity as he waited on a bluff nearby, his eyes following the boys as they helped to tie up the criminals, as they found the hostages and hugged them both with some relief. He'd guessed earlier it was the Mayor when he'd found him chained in the cart. He waited with some impatience until the maudlin group parted and the scolding began for their being out here. It was just what he'd been saying! His regard rose a little higher for the curious, bespectacled man then.

He continued to wait until every prisoner was accounted for and until the celebrations were raised. He saw the boys "attacked" and manhandled but forced himself to relax as he realised they were being congratulated. He began to wonder how much longer they would be. He was acutely aware of the lightening sky and this fed his tension. But he would wait, despite the pain. He would not leave them alone.

It's not that they were prisoners. Far from it. To Kaname, the children enjoyed unprecedented freedom where he was concerned. He let the alternatives play over in his mind as he watched the boys with the rest of the men, enjoying the simple camaraderie they probably missed on the secluded ranch.

He was well aware that this could have gone very differently and he didn't mean the raid. When he'd tracked Yuuki down he was furious… no… afraid enough to… make it impossible for them to ever do this again. He alone knew how lucky they were still to be free. From the moment Yuuki cried that first night until she'd explained what had happened today had been a series of decisions to spare them that usually paid off for him. Usually. He'd trusted that again when he'd found them, holding off on ending this experiment he'd embroiled himself in that only seemed to cause him undue stress. He hasn't even had a decent day's sleep since...

No. Whom was he kidding? Not just stress. It was never just stress… to love.

Kaname was unaware of the wistful smile taking over his lips as he remembered how Kara too used to test him. She seemed perpetually curious, always getting up to mischief, as children would, he supposed. He'll always remember the time she'd decided to wash a four thousand year old ceremonial costume in the indoor pool, completely ruining it. He'd been livid enough to kill until he'd heard the reason. She'd said… it smelled funny. The four thousand year old gift from the powerful Surecht clan that acknowledged the sovereignty of his father… smelled funny. He'd no idea when he'd begun to laugh. He'd held her and laughed until it hurt. She was still punished, of course. He'd sent her to her room until he missed her at dinnertime. He'd become addicted to her smile, her laughter. Her innocence. Especially of who he was. What he was. To her, he was just the father who loved her. There was nothing more important to him than her.

He missed her terribly. So terribly. He'd give it all to have her back. For even a moment...

Kaname closed his eyes to clear the tears before searching for them again. He understood that as children they would make mistakes. They wouldn't make the best decisions. Their being human children made it more likely that their decisions would be questionable. They had to function despite their mortality. Take risks that could easily cause them harm.

He had to realise that he couldn't panic every time they did these things. Their courage was what had made him begin to admire them in the first place. He had to find a way to trust in their love for each other and, that they would be okay without such measures. No matter what it would do to him if he lost them.

Perhaps… he had to have courage too.

Kaname eventually saw them walking over to their horses. They would talk when they returned home, he decided. He would listen to their concerns about him and they would find a way to develop more trust between them. That was the solution. It had to be.

The posse was breaking up to head back to town, no doubt remembering there were pressing issues to be solved there as well. He saw them look up and search the hilltops for him. He shook his head smugly. They'll never find him if he didn't want to be found. Did they never learn?

"Kaname? We're going home. You still there?"

"It's almost sunrise, Ichiru. He's probably home already."

Kaname lost his smugness as he moved, "flipping" down the boys' hats as he "floated" heavenward, trying to stamp down the stupidly happy feeling as they included him, naturally, in their concept of home.

And then it happened again. He completely forgot what had made him anxious and angry in the first place…

"Hey, Kiriyuu! I'd like to have a word."

Kaname dropped back onto the bluff, only eyeing the light peeking over the hills behind him as the boys turned back to the Sheriff. He hoped they wouldn't be long. Otherwise, the ride back would not be comfortable for them.

"SHERIFF?"

Zero and Ichiru turned back to the approaching official and waited curiously for his reason for stopping them. Sheriff Kain came up close, sighed and launched into it.

"The boys won't like it but I can't say all this doesn't stink to me. Never had an arrest turn out like this. Never.

"I think it is time for you two to come clean."

"What about, Sheriff?" Ichiru asked timidly as Zero tried not to bolt.

"You two working with this bunch?"

"No!" Zero bellowed, mostly in relief. "Are you out of your mind…?"

"Look here. I know it's hard for us to have a civil conversation at the best of times…"

"As sure as heat in July you know why! You're just looking for an excuse to pin this on us!"

"All I'm saying is; you do this peaceable now. Or I come back with the full authority of the law and arrest you. A couple years in one of those work-houses should make you kids polite…"

"No! Wait!" Ichiru finally interceded, grabbing his twin's arm before he said something they both would regret. "Sheriff Kain, forgive my brother. He don't like you much. But that's all. We had nothing to do with this. The Mayor is our guardian. It makes no sense to harm him."

"Maybe it does. Can't be easy managing all that land on your lonesome with little money. Maybe ..."

"But that's where you're wrong, Sheriff. They're not alone."

The twin looked in disbelief from the sheriff to the man standing behind him. They both felt the same sinking feeling in their stomachs as Sheriff Kain looked behind him in surprise to see the tall brunette standing there nonchalantly. He'd heard nothing of his approach on the pebble strewn rocky surface. Nothing.

"Sweet Jesus... You must be that feller Fernley's been on about," Sheriff Kain almost whispered. He took a moment to scratch his beard as he looked behind him, hoping that he would be able to attract assistance from the nearby gathering. It was then he'd realised it had gone quiet. Too quiet. Shit. His eyes came back to the being standing there, his hand automatically going to his holster but then he thought better of it as his hands trembled noticeably. What was this terror? He had goosebumps the length of his body, he was sure.

"It's true. You must be that demon."

Kaname gave no response to this as it required none. Instead, he looked over at the boys who'd yet to speak.

"Are you okay?"

"Kaname, please," Zero began, starting forward to move between the sheriff and the vampire. "We can handle this..."

"Was that before or after he threatened to send you to the work-house?"

"Oh that?" Sheriff Kain waved his hand dismissively. "I was just trying to question the boys about this here ruckus..."

"What is it you want to know? Perhaps I can help you."

"Kaname," Ichiru tried. "There's no need for you to..."

Ichiru's body suddenly slackened where he stood, his head falling forward toward his chest. Sheriff Kain looked over to Zero who'd also gone very quiet. The two boys then floated together then followed Kaname to where he unpacked the boys' packs they had dropped nearby as the sheriff accosted them. Soon they were carefully tucked in on their sleeping rolls and under blankets. Kaname had a thing about their not catching cold...

"You take care of these kids!" the sheriff stated in wonderment, clearly not seeing the attraction of such activity to a demon.

Kaname turned back to the watching sheriff but said nothing in response. That much was obvious.

"I thought it better if we spoke without interruptions. Their fear of you was only making me angry. I'm not the most rational when I lose my temper..."

"Look, I meant no offence to whatever these kids are mixed up in... with you. All I wanted to do was clear up a few things."

"The children are not 'mixed up' in anything, as you put it. Unless... you refer to the fact that I consider them mine."

Kaname paused as if to let this sink in. Usually it was enough for most people. But he continued, considering his audience.

"Therefore, I thought it was time I introduced myself and let you know that they will not be taken from me without resistance. Brutal, uncompromising resistance," Kaname stated emphatically as he met the sheriff's eyes, they registering the suffocating feeling of an invisible pressure engulfing him. Sheriff Kain began to gasp as he was robbed of the ability to draw breath. Kaname released him, allowing the sheriff to fall onto the ground from his slightly elevated position. He came to stand over the coughing man, looking down at him with crimson, glowing eyes in a face that was otherwise expressionless. It was terrifying in the dark and alone like this. The sheriff suddenly began to believe in true evil.

"Now that you understand that, perhaps we can have a more productive talk..."

"There's nothing..." Sheriff Kain paused to gain breath into his unsteady lungs before beginning again. "There's nothing to talk about. This was just a bit of confusion on my part. I'm sorry to trouble you."

"Your curiosity has cleared up so quickly," Kaname observed, squatting languidly beside the supine official. "I have to say this disappoints me. It means that you lose the courage of your convictions when you're not bullying children. That's so unbecoming of a person in your position..."

"I... I wasn't serious. They can be a little stubborn. I was just trying to scare them a little. To get the truth..."

"Oh, so you do want the truth? I understand now. You were just doing your job. Correct?"

"Yes! Of course!"

Sheriff Kain next found himself on his feet as the creature strolled away from him to face the campsite. Kain stumbled as he gained his balance from the almost instantaneous ascent but eventually steadied and watched him. He was tempted again to go for his weapons now that his back was turned... but then he remembered the stories. The disappearances of people that didn't exactly have the reputation of being pushovers. People that had killed far better and more experienced lawmen than he. He began to think on the convenient opportunity he was being allowed to end this... and his fingers retreated from the handles of his revolvers, exhaling in relief as he did so, knowing he had made the right decision.

"I should confess... I was not in the mood to spare anyone when I finally tracked them down," the "demon" began, as he looked over at the sleeping twin. "I was of the view that, whoever had led them to lie to me and leave should be eliminated. As I've said, I'm not at my best when I'm angry.

"However, when I saw them, I realised how happy they were to come out here and help. They didn't tell me because they're afraid of what I might do. Only you now know they were right to be. Since then I came to realise it would be easier all round if we developed trust between us. It was a factor in my decision to help instead. I suppose you've guessed by now that I caught the scout and put the bandits to sleep so you could catch them easily. The boys suggested that. I would gladly have been more... hands on myself."

The sheriff jumped and audibly gasped when claws shot from the demon's fingers as if to punctuate this last. He got the message. He immediately regretted this loss of composure, however, when the demon looked up from his thoughtful, contented gaze of the boys and back to the where the sheriff stood watching him warily. He turned back to him and approached as though he wanted the next few words to be a close secret. The sheriff swallowed audibly as he came face to face with the creature. It was more than the atmosphere and his unique... attributes. It was in his face, his eyes. It was the contempt. He was devoid of any regard for him. For any of them.

"I thought everything turned out well, all considered. And then you," Kaname seethed, his face changing hauntingly into a fanged snarl as the earth and atmosphere vibrated around them, "had to... up-set them..."

"I'm s-sorry,"Sheriff Kain stammered, barely coherent as he sobbed in shock. "I-It was just unusual how..."

"Make me undersstand," Kaname whispered, interrupting, using the tip of a claw under his chin to encourage the sheriff to meet his terrifying gaze. "Why... are they afraid of you?"

Well, Akatsuki Kain may not be the best at his job but he had a lot of experience and pretty good instincts. He didn't think that the creature was as interested in the story of he and the boys' tense relationship so much as assessing why he shouldn't be killed right now. He eventually found his voice after quite a few breathtaking seconds.

"It's a m-mistake. Just a misunderstanding. I p-promise."

"Okay," Kaname uttered, after a brief pause as he searched his face. He stepped back as if he'd found what he was looking for. "I believe you. But, just so we're clear. If you ever come up as a concern, a topic of conversation for them or, if I find out you've divulged our conversation to anyone... I will make sure you and your deputies die in a hole so deep, no-one but me will hear you scream. Do you understand me?"

"Y... Yes."

"Good. Now," Kaname said, just before he closed his eyes to do so himself, "do you need time to compose yourself and look like we came to an amicable understanding before I wake them up? Otherwise, I'll never hear the end of it."

"KANAME!"

Kaname turned from the stove and opened his arms to the bundle of energy barrelling towards him. She collided with him bodily but she knew he could take it, squeezing him tightly.

"When did you bring me home?"

"A few hours ago. I prefer when you're here, princess."

"You're so stubborn. What will Wendy think?"

"I left a note but Zero will go over and speak to them this morning."

Yuuki squeezed him again then left him to go out and check on the animals.

The children knew that Kaname took care of most of the work just before dawn, just before he retired indoors. He would clean the stalls, kennels and cages, change the drinking water, milk the cows, dispense the meal or bales of hay for the larger animals and placed the smaller portions for the other animals. All the children had to do was satisfy themselves it was all done and do the smaller bits they'd begged him to allow them to do. Like feed the chickens, ducks and rabbits, which Yuuki enjoyed, or groom and saddle the horses, which the boys enjoyed, all while Kaname finished preparing breakfast. It was entirely selfish of him, however. It meant they could sit and eat together for a longer length of time before taking their leave of him and going out with the herd while Kaname, tired but happy, would retire to bed, and look forward to the next of their few interactions during the day.

Kaname watched Yuuki go for a while before returning to his breakfast preparation. He could hear the boys getting ready to come down and knew that time was running out. He moved over to the oven to check on the progress of the bread and butter pudding.

"Smells good, Kaname!"

Kaname straightened into a warm body. His lips twisted as he was pulled firmly into it.

"Very good," Ichiru purred, his nose tucked into the soft hairs at Kaname's nape. He behaved as though he owned this small area of the vampire's body. The secret was that Kaname let him. Kaname took the time to sigh and close the iron door of the oven, before pulling gently but firmly on the teen's arms. Ichiru groaned as he lost the battle to stay tucked against Kaname's warm body.

"Breakfast will be ready in ten. You'd better get started on your chores. Yuuki's already outside."

"What if I want to take you up on that offer?"

"What offer?"

"The kiss. I've rethought it and..."

"Realised you'd lost your chance?"

"Aw. I was afraid you'd say that..."

"Get to your chores or we'll start breakfast without you, Ichiru," came the voice from behind them.

They both looked up to where Zero stood by the door ready to go out. Ichiru winked at Kaname and turned to go. Kaname thought Zero would follow him but he stopped, closed the door and came over to him.

"Are you okay... with what we did?"

Kaname took a moment to place a dish cloth on the counter before answering.

"No. But... I understand why you did it. I do. However, I expect that you'll include me in such decisions in the future. I've proven I can be trusted, haven't I?"

Kaname met Zero's eyes unwaveringly. They had to understand that was never to happen again. Zero was the first to look away from the brunette's intense stare. He felt ashamed of himself now. They'd caused him such unnecessary worry.

"I'm sorry, Kaname. It's hard to know the right thing to do given how odd... this situation is."

Kaname wanted Zero to feel the weight of his disapproval. He never wanted to go through those hours before he'd found them again. However, he did eventually relent, reaching out and touching his cheek.

"You do mean how 'odd' I am, don't you?" Kaname teased, stepping even closer. "I know what I am will be an adjustment for us all. I'm having some... challenges myself, I have to admit. But," Kaname continued, his face taken over by a smile that warmed Zero's insides immediately. "I wouldn't change a thing.

"Just... trust me more. Please. I'll do anything for you all. Anything. You have to believe m..."

"Okay, Kaname!" Zero cried, hating to hear Kaname pleading like this. They really must have scared him. "I believe you. I do. I'm sorry we lied to you. It won't happen again."

Kaname searched his face before nodding, accepting his apology. He stepped away to the stove to check on his grilled beef strips and vegetables. He was also doing a creamy honey-almond sauce for the bread and butter pudding and he'd just saved it from beginning to burn.

"Go on," Kaname prodded, when he realised Zero was still standing there. "The sooner you get to your chores the sooner you can eat."

"It's not that... It's just..."

"What?" Kaname faced him again. Zero looked away from his stunning visage so he could think.

"What did you say to the sheriff?"

"Zero. I told you. I merely explained what happened."

"That's all?"

"Yes! He confirmed that, didn't he? I don't know why you're so afraid of him. He's very reasonable. But," Kaname came face to face with him again, "if he speaks to any of you like that again, you should tell me. Alright?"

Zero nodded and Kaname dipped in and pressed his soft, warm lips to Zero's. The boy jerked away after a stunned moment or two, his anger flaring.

"Kaname! I told you...!"

"Aren't you adorable? Go on. They're wondering where you are."

Zero stormed from the house, this time taking care to close the door behind him. Kaname began to set the table, a contented smile on his lips.

No, he had no regrets.

None at all.

the end

lightpathetic wrote this but these are not my characters. They belong to Vampire Knight.