A/N: This conclusion is almost entirely lemon in content, so please enjoy this little shake up of roles.

Chapter 03: Willing Willingness

Zero shivered as he walked across the campus grounds, guided only by the faint light from the crescent moon that was fading into the claiming dawn. He hunched his shoulders forward against the cold as he quickened his pace, eager to get inside of the warm sanctuary of a dorm. Focusing on the need for finding reprieve from the bitter night, Zero didn't allow himself to be distracted by thoughts of what had driven him to leave the warmth of his own room.

It had almost been a week since Zero had failed in his goal to best Kaname in the dungeon. Although he had successfully discovered the answer to his question of Kaname's fluctuation of taste, Zero still largely considered the incident to be a colossal failure. He had lost control of the situation and thoroughly embarrassed himself with his wanton display; knowing that he had caused Kaname to lapse in judgment was of small consolation.

Once again, Zero was left with a frustrating conundrum and he hated it. If he went to Kaname at the first pang of hunger, he would seem over eager; if he held out, then it would look like he was afraid of a repeat of last time. He just couldn't win and Zero knew he had to find the right perspective on the subject or else he would go mad.

As much as he was loathe to admit the reality of the situation, even Zero was past the point of denial when it came to subsisting on Kaname's blood. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so good, so clear of mind, and so free of the burden his Level D status imposed upon him. His reflexes were better, his sense more heightened, and even Yuuki commented on how his training seemed to be earning him positive results. Little does she know, he thought with a frown, still feeling that annoying pang of guilt when it came to the girl. He wanted to think that she would be devastated that he and Kaname were engaging in such behavior, but Zero suspected that it would only further improve Yuuki's opinion of the pureblood.

It was frustrating that Zero couldn't even posit it in such a way to believe that he was exacting some sort of revenge on the pureblood for the atrocity committed by one of his kind. Kaname's touch had been too gentle, his eyes too kind in that moment, and it unsettled Zero on multiple levels. Yes, his inner demon had driven him to the desperate act, but Zero knew that his enjoyment of their encounter wasn't just because of his vampiric nature. It had felt good, almost too good, and it left Zero yearning for more than just another taste of Kaname's blood.

That was the reason why he was traipsing across campus grounds in the graying dusk of a dying night, having his doubts about whether or not it was a good idea to seek Kaname out under such circumstances. It's a little late for that now, Zero reprimanded himself, having spent the great majority of the week planning for the meeting. He would not allow himself to be caught off-guard again and Zero had done thorough research in order to make sure everything went according to plan. It had been somewhat humiliating at first as he poured over the textbooks and various resources that he had compiled in his quest for knowledge, but Zero challenged himself to think of it as research for the betterment of his skills as a hunter. "Know your enemy," was the mentality Zero was using as his justification, but something nagged at him inside that Kaname didn't really qualify for that status anymore. He was more of a rival than an enemy and Zero wasn't entirely sure what to make of that.

Sighing softly at the thoughts, Zero scowled at the visible puff of air his warm breath made in the cold air. It was almost a relief when the Moon Dorm came into sight and Zero quickened his steps, even as his nervousness returned full force. Steeling his resolve, Zero approached the dorm, but avoided the main gate. He didn't want to have to deal with the security guard, so he masked his presence using a technique he had learned to his advantage as a hunter and walked around the outside wall to find Kaname's room.

It took a few minutes for him to walk around the massive dorm grounds to reach the back of the building, but Zero quickly spied Kaname's balcony and was somewhat glad to see a light was still on; he didn't know what he would have done if the pureblood was already asleep. Scaling the wall of the dorm gate with a practiced ease, Zero did the same until he finally swung himself up and over the balcony railing. Pausing briefly to catch his breath, Zero tested the door handle and was pleased when it gave way without making a noise.

Entering soundlessly and shutting the door behind him, the blast of heat from the furnace was almost too much to bear after spending so long out in the frigid cold. It was almost unbearably stuffy and Zero waited while he accustomed himself to the heat, fully expecting Kaname to confront him at any moment.

He wasn't kept waiting for long, since Kaname walked out of the bathroom, toweling his hair as droplets of water trailed down his body from the shower he had clearly just finished. Zero swallowed hard at the sight of the otherwise naked pureblood, realizing that the pale beauty was even more stunning in the proper light of the bedroom instead of the shadowy flickering candles of the dungeon.

Judging that Zero wasn't going to say anything anytime soon, Kaname spared him by saying, "I'm impressed," as he approached the hunter. "I almost thought you would try to hold out for a month to prove a point."

"Yeah, well," Zero muttered gruffly, briefly looking away in his shame. When he looked back to where Kaname had been, Zero was startled by the appearance of the pureblood right in front of him; he hadn't even heard the vampire move.

"It is a most welcome surprise," Kaname continued, reaching out to stroke Zero's cheek. His bordeaux eyes went wide in shock at how cold Zero was and Kaname felt a chill run along his heated skin.

Even though the touch was gentle, it almost burned against the coldness of Zero's cheek, causing him to shiver from the heat. "Oh?" Zero managed to ask, curious despite himself.

"Come away from the door," Kaname instructed, causing Zero to jump when it locked without assistance. "Do you want to take a shower to warm up, or…?"

Waving away the concern with a simple, "I'll be fine," Zero complied without complaint, shedding his heavy coat that was infused with the cold as he walked. He could feel the heat more easily now and he shivered once more, noticing the way it made Kaname narrow his eyes in displeasure.

"If you insist," Kaname replied, his eyebrows still furrowed in disapproval as they approached his bed. "So to what do I owe this visit, Zero?"

It was the first time that Kaname had addressed him by his first name while they were both calm and rational and it made Zero blush faintly. "Well, I know that you stay up later than the rest of them, so…" Zero tried to explain, but the words still felt so awkward to him.

"So you came to me in the hopes that we would not be otherwise disturbed under the circumstances of time?" Kaname guessed, receiving a sheepish nod for an answer. "You needn't worry about disruptions; no one else would dare to enter my room."

"Except for me," Zero inferred with the smallest of smirks, knowing that most of the nobles would be absolutely incensed at his presumptuousness.

"Except for you," Kaname confirmed with the faintest glimmer of amusement in his maroon eyes. "Not that it is necessarily a complaint…"

Turning the words over in his mind, Zero repeated, "Not necessarily?"

One again closing the distance between them with a sensuous sway of his hips that momentarily distracted Zero, Kaname clarified, "That depends entirely on the reason why you're here, Zero."

"You know why I'm here," Zero muttered, before adding, "Kaname," as an afterthought and thoroughly mortifying himself in the process.

The look of satisfaction on Kaname's face at hearing his name went straight through Zero and he had to draw in a shuddering breath as the pureblood's hands sought him. "Is that so?" Kaname murmured with a genuinely pleased grin that was a little too sly for Zero's comfort as the pureblood embraced him.

Zero had imagined a lot of different reactions to his revelation, but he hadn't even considered that Kaname could be pleased without being a smug, condescending bastard about it. Returning the embrace with minimal hesitation, Zero couldn't help but chuckle at the way Kaname pressed closer to him with a gasp as his cold fingers trailed down the pureblood's warm back. "So it would seem," Zero replied, letting his hands trail down to Kaname's bare ass and fondle it daringly, but gently at the same time.

Arching an eyebrow in surprise at both the boldness of Zero's actions and the guarded violet gaze that was looking at him so intently, Kaname did nothing to discourage the touch. "Let's get you out of these cold clothes," Kaname suggested, even as he was unbuttoning Zero's shirt.

It was almost embarrassingly intimate to have Kaname undressing him and Zero dissuaded the pureblood from continuing with a sharp, "I can do it myself."

Shrugging in response, Kaname stepped back and out of the embrace and allowed Zero to do as he wished. Instead of watching the process, Kaname walked over to his bed and dropped the towel to the floor before getting on his sheets. Only then did he allow his eyes to drift back to the tantalizing display of Zero bearing himself one article of clothing at a time, causing the hunter to falter. That momentary hesitation and the wide lilac eyes made Kaname question, "Did I misunderstand?"

Flushing a deep scarlet and unaware of the way the smell of bloodrush made Kaname feel, Zero mumbled, "No," under his breath and he hurriedly stripped out of the rest of his clothes. He was careful to keep his secret weapon hidden from sight, letting it go to rest on the bed only once Zero was confident that his body would block it from view. "I just…"

Instead of pressuring Zero to finish his thought, Kaname let the topic drop as the hunter straddled himself over the pureblood's hips, caging him with his arms. Still seeing the lingering doubts, Kaname commented, "Much better than the dungeon floor, wouldn't you agree?"

Even though he secretly agreed, Zero said nothing as he looked deeply into Kaname's eyes, trying to find an answer to a question he wasn't even certain how to ask. He was still nervous, but the close proximity to Kaname made him feel that pang of hunger that was desperate to be satiated in more ways than one. Slowly lowering himself, Zero placed his lips on Kaname's fluttering pulse point in the softest of kisses, feeling the way it made the pureblood under him tense.

Inhaling deeply and taking in Kaname's scent, Zero's eyes slid shut as he experienced the pureblood on a primal level. It urged him to lick Kaname's neck, to taste the pureblood's addicting flavor before delving deeper like he so desperately wanted. Zero's fangs started to throb with a need that he wasn't prepared to deny himself, so he opened his eyes and slowly penetrated the tender flesh of Kaname's neck with a soft moan. Kaname's flavor exploded on Zero's tongue and his hips instinctually moved against the pureblood's as pleasure flooded through him.

It was so saccharinely sweet with the slightest undercurrent of heat and Zero couldn't get enough of it. He lapped at it slowly, savoring the taste with a contented sigh as desire started to take hold of him and warm him up in a more natural way. The feeling of Kaname's fingers slowly trailing along his back made Zero shudder and he buried his fangs even deeper, causing them both to groan. And there it was, that distinctly Kaname spice that had Zero coming back for more, that singular sensation that prevented him from fully cursing his downfall. Why does it have to be so good? Zero wondered with an internal scowl before everything got pushed aside by the realization that Kaname was starting to get aroused. Does he seriously get off on this?

Any further thoughts were stopped by the feeling of Kaname's fingers brushing over his tattoo. It made him take a shuddering breath and he growled low in his throat when Kaname laughed at his reaction. When Kaname drug his nails along the design, Zero accidentally keened and released the pureblood from his fangs. As the vampire's claws drew closer to the center, Zero shifted uncomfortably as he started to pant, the feeling causing him to harden with a groan. "Why do you keep doing that?" Zero ground out, trying to move away from the torturous touch and succeeding only in rubbing their arousals together.

"Because it fascinates me," Kaname honestly answered, leaning forward to run his tongue over it.

"Don't!" Zero hissed, hardening further as forcibly pushed Kaname back onto the bed.

"Do you really mean that?" Kaname teased, boldly trailing his fingers along Zero's erection. "Because I think you actually enjoy it, judging by this…"

Thrusting into Kaname's grip, Zero was annoyed with his own reaction. "Shut up," Zero snapped, although that didn't stop him from bucking into Kaname's ministrations again.

When Kaname chuckled, Zero decided that it was time to step things up a bit; he would not lose control of the situation this time. He scooted back a little and began kissing his way down Kaname's chest, missing the way that it made the pureblood's eyes widen in surprise. Zero started to lose himself as he continued moving down, latching onto one of Kaname's nipples and teasing it into a hardened peak. At the same time, he rubbed the other nipple with his fingers, tweaking it and earning a sharp inhale from Kaname. Encouraged by the sound, Zero nipped at the nub in his mouth and was pleased as it continued the trend of vocalizing the pureblood.

Kaname wasn't entirely opposed to the attention that was being lavished on him and he entangled his fingers in Zero's silver hair when the teen moved his mouth to the nipple he had previously been teasing only with his fingers. The pale strands felt silken smooth between his fingers and he caressed Zero to encourage the tentative explorations. It was certainly a pleasant surprise and Kaname luxuriated under the attention he had been prepared to be denied.

Although Zero fundamentally objected to being pet like a kitten, he begrudgingly had to admit that it felt kind of nice to have Kaname's fingers running through his hair like that. It was distracting somewhat and Zero finally had to move away from it as he drifted lower with his kisses. He paused to suckle on Kaname's hip bones as he tried to gather his nerves for what he was prepared to do next. Zero had read about it in several vampire texts and was dedicated to committing the act, even though he wasn't entirely comfortable with it. He had his doubts since Kaname hadn't performed it on him previously, but Zero refused to be defeated and would do whatever it took to get the upper hand.

Kaname had been lulled into complacency by Zero's slow explorations and he jolted in surprise when he felt the hunter's tongue dart out to lick his member from base to tip. "What…?" Kaname tried to ask, clearly startled by the action.

Relishing the fact that he had successfully caught Kaname off-guard, Zero didn't waste his advantage. "I should think it's obvious," Zero smarted off before taking Kaname's cock into his mouth.

Kaname was unable to hold back his surprised cry as he was completely surrounded by Zero's wet warmth. The feeling of Zero's tongue lathing over him and sucking on his member was almost more than he could take; never before had he allowed another to do such a thing to him. It was one of the most intimate acts between two vampires and he was in disbelief that Zero had willingly done such a thing.

They both froze when there was a loud knock on the door and Kaname swore under his breath, stunning Zero; he had never heard the pureblood speak in such a manner. Feeling impish, Zero flicked his tongue over Kaname's slit, causing the vampire to hiss softly and tug on a lock of silver hair to dissuade the hunter. "Yes?" Kaname called out loudly, his voice sounding completely normal.

"Kaname-sama, is everything alright?" Ichijou inquired with a slight edge in his tone.

"Everything is fine," Kaname reassured his most loyal of followers, although he did not grant him entrance into his room. Zero had slowed in his ministrations, but had not ceased completely and it made it difficult for Kaname to speak as if everything was completely normal. "I do not wish to be disturbed again under any circumstances."

It was easy for Kaname to imagine Ichijou bowing respectfully as he said, "Understood, Kaname-sama. I shall make sure the others are aware of it. Will there be anything else?"

"No, you are dismissed," Kaname instructed before sighing in relief.

Releasing Kaname's member from his mouth with an obscene sounding pop, Zero's voice was rough as he asked, "Shouldn't he have been able to sense me?"

"You forget that this dorm was constructed with us in mind," Kaname explained, finally able to think thanks to the reprieve from Zero's oral onslaught, "and that I have the mastery of certain barrier techniques that—ah!"

Zero interrupted Kaname with another languid lick at his cock before retorting, "I don't suppose you've mastered the art of a sound barrier?"

Not giving Kaname any time to answer, Zero once again took the entirety of the pureblood's member into his mouth. He could feel the blood pulsing through Kaname's thick cock that was interned in his mouth and Zero felt his own stiffening almost painfully in response. Zero couldn't believe how incredible it felt to have that much of the pureblood's essence accessible so readily and it made him ache in indescribable ways. The taste of Kaname was exquisite and Zero was completely entranced by the pureblood's scent. Zero moaned in pleasure and the sensation caused Kaname to arch his back and muffle another cry as he tried not to thrust into the delicious heat.

Taking advantage of Kaname's distraction, Zero subtly reached back and blindly fumbled to find what he had brought with him and quickly grabbed it. Making another sound of enjoyment to mask the noise of the cap flipping open, Zero poured some of the lube onto his fingers before casting aside the tiny bottle. Zero began to bob his head to distract Kaname from what he was about to do, hoping that the pureblood didn't stop him.

Doing his best to try and swallow around the member in his mouth, Zero subtly slid one finger into Kaname's entrance and groaned at the promising heat. Kaname almost came undone from the dual sensations and his claws sliced into the sheets as he grasped at them in an attempt to control himself. "Zero, what are you—" Kaname tried to ask, but the teen was being absolutely relentless.

Being more daring than even he expected, Zero dragged his fangs along Kaname's cock on an upward bob as he added a second finger at the same time and the pureblood gasped loudly as he bucked into the sensation. Kaname succeeded both in causing Zero to gag and to slightly knick himself on said fangs and it seemed to make the teen step up his efforts.

The taste of fresh blood made Zero shudder and was so unlike anything else he had ever tasted, but he knew he could very easily become utterly addicted to it. Not allowing himself to get carried away, Zero added a third finger and tried to find the spot he had read about in the books, even as he continued drawing blood from the already healing cut. He knew he found it when Kaname came with a strangled keen, gasping Zero's name as the teen drank him down completely. Kaname's essence wasn't nearly as scrumptious as his blood, but Zero dutifully finished the job before releasing the spent member from his mouth.

Kaname's breath was shaky as he looked down at Zero, still very much aware of the fingers inside of him that had yet to cease stroking him so intimately. Zero couldn't take his eyes off of the faint flush on Kaname's cheeks as the pureblood tried to recover, completely captivated by the bright, glowing crimson eyes that was staring at him with the slightest trace of amazement.

When Zero finally withdrew his fingers, Kaname had to bite back a noise of protest and he continued watching the teen's every movement. This time Kaname saw the small vial of lube and he made the connection that it was responsible for the lack of raw stretching that he was certain Zero had experienced as a result of his impatience and inexperience. Seeing Zero pour some more to liberally apply to his cock made Kaname experience a moment of doubt, but he didn't display any of that in his expression.

Figuring that his intentions were clear enough, Zero leaned forward and looked down at Kaname with a silent question in his eyes, still seeking some form of permission due to some instinctual vampiric notion of desecrating the pureblood's body. It felt like far more consideration than Kaname had given Zero and the pureblood felt oddly touched by it, but that might have been the aftershock of the hunter's blowjob.

Realizing Zero's need for some sort of assurance, Kaname leaned up and kissed the teen, finding it odd to taste himself. Kaname was sufficiently distracted and broke the kiss only when he felt the tip of Zero entering him. He took a deep breath as Zero slowly slid deeper, finding the sensation strange, but not entirely unpleasant. Once Zero was completely sheathed within him, Kaname shivered at the way the hunter moaned his name next to his ear. Kaname felt himself starting to harden again when Zero lightly sank his fangs into him again, lapping at the hormonally laced blood that was calling to the hunter with desires.

"Move," Kaname ordered, bucking his hips to encourage Zero.

Bristling at the request, Zero didn't have it in him to deny himself the pleasure of experiencing Kaname to the fullest. It was surreal having the pureblood spread before him willingly, moaning to him for more and knowing that he was completely in control. Despite having confidence that Kaname's body could handle a harsher pace, Zero started off slow at first, savoring the sensation of the pureblood's tight channel embracing him.

When Zero felt Kaname entangle his slender fingers in his silver hair, pulling him closer for another mind melting kiss, it was finally too much for the hunter. He started thrusting harder and faster, losing himself to the feeling of Kaname's heat and the sound of his breathy moans. Zero shifted his position when Kaname wrapped his lithe legs around his hips and he was startled by the way it caused the pureblood to cry out his name. "The whole dorm is going to realize what we're doing if you keep that up," Zero warned with a frown, "and who you're doing it with…"

"Don't care, just do that again," Kaname growled, sounding very much like the animal Zero used to accuse him of being.

Intentionally slowing his movements, Zero pushed in at the same angle with a wicked smirk, taking advantage of the way Kaname bared his neck when he tossed his head back in ecstasy. Suckling on Kaname's exposed neck, Zero raised a small hickey that he couldn't resist scraping a fang against to taste it. Everything was more intense, richer, deeper, and Zero forgot about torturing Kaname with a slower pace as he sped up again.

For several minutes, the only sounds were the noises of their coupling, along with their hushed moans and swears. Zero's entire existence was comprised of Kaname in that moment and he knew that he wasn't going to last much longer. Stroking Kaname's arousal, Zero tried to get the pureblood to come a second time before finding his own release.

He succeeded and Kaname gasped Zero's name as he came, his claws digging into the hunter's shoulder. His eyes flashed brightly as the scent of fresh blood that was so heavily laced with his own permeated the air and Zero keened as his hips rocked to meet the teen's movements thrust for thrust. Kaname was struggling against his inner demon in the aftermath of his arousal and it didn't help that he couldn't resist touching the sealing tattoo that he was inexplicably drawn to.

Between the sight of Kaname arching so beautifully as he found release and the feeling of those deadly claws lightly trailing over his mark, it was more than Zero could take. He managed a few more thrusts before he came with a sensuous moan, dropping his head to Kaname's chest as he panted and tried to catch his breath. Zero couldn't resist a final taste of Kaname in the afterglow and he lightly scraped his fangs against the pureblood's shoulder for the tiniest sample, sighing to himself.

He was completely unaware of the access he granted Kaname to his neck and it came as a complete shock when he felt the vampire's lips on his mark. "K-Kaname?" Zero questioned, completely paralyzed by the sensation.

"Mmm," was Kaname's only response as he flicked his tongue over the center of the design.

Zero's body bucked in reaction to the contact and the resulting pleasure for the pureblood drove him to do what he had wanted to do for months: Kaname sank his fangs into the hunter's neck. He could feel the crackle and sparking of power from the sealing mark activating in protest, but Kaname was too far gone to pay attention to it. As he tasted Zero for the first time, nothing else mattered to the pureblood as he slaked a thirst he didn't even know he had.

It was unlike anything Zero had ever felt; it was so drastically different from the horrible sensation that woman had caused him to experience. He felt heady and disconnected, and yet Zero was so very attuned to everything that was Kaname; the feeling of the pureblood's lips and tongue working against his skin was the single most amazing thing he had ever felt. Zero's every nerve felt aflame and he shouted Kaname's name, completely uncaring of who would hear.

The sound of his name on Zero's lips only spurred Kaname on more and he continued suckling on the hunter's neck, completely lost to the flavor that was so distinctly his. Although Kaname could taste an undercurrent of his own unique flavor that was so intimately laced with Zero's, it was still almost sinful in its perfection. It made him want to know what Zero tasted like without any outside influences, but that was a thought for later; right now, the only thing that mattered was the feeling of Zero sliding down his throat and being absorbed into his system.

Zero's fangs throbbed with the need to bury themselves in Kaname like he was still buried elsewhere, but the hunter was completely incapable of moving. He was paralyzed by the pleasure and Zero could only gasp as Kaname continued moaning softly in the heights of bliss. When Kaname let his hands trail down to Zero's ass and firmly grope it while sinking his fangs in as far as they would go, the hunter was shocked when he came again with the pureblood's name slipping loudly past his lips.

Kaname knew that he needed to stop and he slowly started to withdraw his fangs, ignoring his darkness that was demanding he continue basking in the pleasure that was Zero. It made Zero squirm a bit, pulling out of Kaname in the process. Zero wanted to plead for reprieve and yet beg for more, but he couldn't form anything more than fragmented sounds that were continually interrupted by gasps.

Finally Kaname withdrew completely, sensuously licking the surrounding area clean before laying back down on the bed to look up at Zero. No words were exchanged between them as they watched the bloodlust fade from each other's eyes and only when rationality return did the full impact of what had just happened hit Zero. "You…! How could you…! You—the risk of—" Zero tried to articulate his concerns, his heart now pounding for an entirely new reason.

It was the first time since the dungeon that Kaname had sensed fear from Zero and he didn't like it in the least. Intentionally keeping a soothing tone to his voice, Kaname interrupted to ask, "What are you so afraid of? It is not as if you can be turned again."

"Yeah, but, but the chance of—no, why would you…?" Zero continued to protest, panic taking a firm hold on him. "I mean, bonds and, and—"

"Bonds?" Kaname repeated before understanding dawned on him. "Zero, you are not bound to me by this."

"But—"

Trying to be rational, Kaname asked, "Do you feel any different?"

"No, but—"

"Then why would you think that?" Kaname questioned, unaware of the fact that his hands were smoothing calming patterns along Zero's back.

"I've read books," Zero mumbled, his face flushing in embarrassment.

Chuckling at Zero's thoroughness of research, it earned him a defensive huff, "It's not funny," from the hunter.

"No, it's just very typical of your background," Kaname agreed, "and that is not meant as a criticism."

Instead of responding, Zero rested his head on Kaname's chest as the panic started to abate. Kaname ran his fingers through Zero's hair as he wrapped the other around the teen's waist. "You are such a bastard," Zero muttered against Kaname's chest, not expecting to hear laughter in response.

"Occasionally," Kaname conceded, "but you will come to find that I am not an unreasonable one."

Instead of commenting on the issue further, Zero groaned as he realized, "Everyone…they all heard."

"Those who were awake, yes," Kaname confirmed, easily able to scent Zero's embarrassment.

"Shouldn't you be…like ashamed or something?" Zero finally asked, wondering how Kaname could be so calm about the whole thing.

Reaching down to tilt Zero's head to look up at him, Kaname waited until violet eyes were trained on him to insist, "There is nothing shameful about this, Zero."

"How can you say that?" Zero demanded, the ire raising his voice. "You're a pureblood for fuck's sake! And I'm just—"

"Just over reacting," Kaname interrupted.

"You can't keep ignoring that I'm a Level D, Kaname!" Zero snapped as he sat up to look down properly at Kaname. "One day I'll be a Level E and—"

"Stop," Kaname ordered, the authoritative tone of his voice causing Zero to pause mid-rant. "You will not fall so long as—"

The incessant calmness was starting to wear at Zero and this time he was the one to interrupt, "So long as you don't tire of me or cease to have a use for me, right? But what then, Kaname? Huh? What the fuck do I do then?"

"I have given you my word," Kaname replied as he evenly met Zero's accusing violet eyes that were starting to rim red with his anger.

"That's not enough for me," Zero said, sounding deflated as the rage faded from his eyes.

"Does this help convince you?" Kaname asked as he ran his fingers over Zero's mark.

Confusion warred with a spark of pleasure in Zero and he stuttered, "D-does what help convince me?"

Smirking slightly, Kaname ran his claws over the tattoo that had been altered by his indiscretion. "It seems that I am far more powerful than their weak containment spell," Kaname explained, the amusement evident in his voice. "I don't believe that it will be a concern for you from now."

Zero scrambled from the bed and rushed into the bathroom he had watched Kaname exit from earlier. Kaname got out of bed and picked up his towel to wipe away their seed with a scowl before joining Zero in the bathroom. Zero was standing in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection with horror and fascination as his fingers brushed along the extended edges of his mark. Although the fundamental design was the same, it had grown more complex and slightly larger, deeply concerning Zero.

Whipping around and glaring at Kaname, Zero angrily demanded, "What the fuck did you do to me?"

Smirking perversely at Zero's choice of phrase, Kaname leaned against the door frame and examined the mark at a distance. In truth, he wasn't really sure what he had done or how he had done it, but Kaname could feel the hum of power in Zero's aura more clearly now. "I suspect you will discover that you have more control now," Kaname predicted, trying to remember anything from his past that might help explain the situation.

"You caused this!" Zero accused Kaname, pointing at him for emphasis. "I thought you said that we weren't bound or whatever!"

"Do you see a matching mark on me?" Kaname challenged as he slowly approached Zero.

"No," Zero begrudgingly admitted, although it didn't curb his irritation in the least.

Reaching out and lightly brushing against the center, Kaname continued, "I believe you will find that the only thing this will suppress now are your most base of urges should you ignore your needs to that point. Otherwise, I think that you will notice an increase in your strengths and abilities since those will no longer be contained by such a crude spell."

Zero was still rather enraged at Kaname for what had happened, but he had to admit that he was somewhat curious about the possibilities. He had assumed that the thrum of power was a result of the copious amounts of pure blood that he had ingested, but it seemed that there might be more to it than that. "I can't believe you," Zero muttered, but the fight was gone from him. "Is that why you did that?"

"No," Kaname admitted, looking the closest thing to guilty that Zero had ever seen. "It was partially instinctual, but primarily…it was something that I have desired to do. I did not predict the spell reacting to me in such a way, however."

Knocking Kaname's hand away from his mark, Zero growled fiercely as he continued to glare distrustfully at the pureblood. "I take it that's the closest thing to an apology as I'm ever going to get?" Zero asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I should have shown more restraint," Kaname admitted, "but I will not apologize for wanting to do such a thing."

"Why? Because you're a vampire?"

"No, because it's you," Kaname answered matter-of-factly, stunning Zero with the bluntness. "You…intrigue me."

Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, Zero snapped, "I'm not your plaything, you conceited bastard! I'm not some form of entertainment for you!"

"I said no such thing," Kaname defended himself before quieting Zero with a kiss that quickly escalated. "I should think tonight was proof enough of that."

Zero hated that his mind was so easily muddled by the pureblood's presence and it took a moment for the simple concept to process. Kaname had offered no resistance to letting Zero top and had even allowed him to perform one of the most intimate of acts and it spoke volumes to the hunter about how serious the pureblood was—not to mention how nonplussed he was about the other vampire nobles finding out about them. "God, could you possibly be any more confusing?" Zero muttered as he looked away. It just didn't make sense and Zero felt too good to concern himself further with something that he doubted he would ever fully understand.

"I could say the same of you," Kaname smoothly countered, smirking at the noise of indignation his comment received. "However, I do believe that a shower is in order for both of us…"

"What? Together?" Zero asked, immediately feeling like an idiot for voicing his question out loud.

Chuckling warmly, Kaname walked over to his luxurious shower and turned the water on to a warm setting that wouldn't scald them. "Are you objecting?" Kaname asked, the smooth tone of his voice sending a chill through Zero.

"Just shut up and get in there," Zero said gruffly, covering his embarrassment.

Bristling at the attitude, Kaname couldn't let it slide completely, so he provoked Zero with, "Are you that eager for another round?"

"What?" Zero exclaimed as he stormed into the shower after Kaname. "What exactly are you implying?"

"I should think that's fairly obvious," Kaname practically purred as he pulled Zero closer under the water.

"You…!" Zero squeaker in a rather undignified manner, annoyed with himself for sounding like that.

Nuzzling Zero's neck with a smirk, Kaname merely chuckled at the reaction. "I much prefer hearing you moan my name," Kaname murmured sensuously, thrilled by the shiver it caused in Zero.

"Then you'll have to do better than that," Zero retorted, crying out wordlessly when Kaname nipped at him in reprimand.

"I shall accept your challenge," Kaname stated with a particularly smug look.

"Bastard, that wasn't a challenge!" Zero exclaimed, but he was already melting against Kaname because of the way the pureblood's lips were trailing along his neck.

"Mmhm," was Kaname's only response before he continued returning the favor to Zero.

A/N: Well, this story is finally at an end. I can't thank everyone enough for their support through this fic. I've been through some pretty trying times recently, so the overwhelming positive responses to this have made a world of difference. This authoress is truly humbled by your kindness and praise, so I thank you sincerely for allowing me to dabble in your fandom.

Although I'm sure it will disappoint many, I have no plans to continue this story at this point. I have a lot of projects in the pipe for my Yu-Gi-Oh! fics and I will be dedicating myself to those for the time being.

I love getting the chance to hear your thoughts through your reviews, so thank you again!

For those of you that follow my Yu-Gi-Oh! stuff, I will be posting an update on Sunday, September 13th. I'm not sure whether it will be one of my current fics (Anywhen, Anywhere or View from the Other Side) or my new AU Prideshipping project, but something should be going up on that day.