Here is chapter 4! There is a little action between Zero and Kaito ahead. Hopefully you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight, the song Burning for You or Mallrats.

Burning for You

Chapter 4

Home Isn't My Way

Kaito

Even though he had very little sleep the night before and was still nursing some injuries from the hunt, Zero was not at all tired. He had finally finished with his special dessert preparation and gotten everything put away for service the next day. His felt his best this week were the sweet strawberry tarts. They were individual servings and with a delicate, flaky shell that had a layer of dark chocolate ganache, then a layer of the strawberries topped with a dark chocolate mousse and chocolate shavings. He was happy with how everything had turned out. He had even made a few extra quiches for the following breakfast rush since they were anticipating a sizeable crowd and he knew that they sold out of those faster than anything other than his weekly treats. Turning off the lights he grabbed his things and left through the back door only to find Kaito leaning against the wall with a large bag of Chinese takeout in his hand.

"What do you want Kaito?" Zero snapped, exhausted as he locked the door.

"Well seeing as how you refuse to take care of yourself properly I decided to bring you some dinner and hang out for a while," the brunette replied with a smile.

"Whatever. Let's go then."

The two men headed off into the early morning hours, silently walking the blocks to Zero's apartment. At least the location was convenient to his job and the Hunter's Association.

Kaito walked slightly behind Zero, watching his graceful movements as he moved toward his home. It was harder to see with the clothes he was wearing at the moment but Kaito knew that the silverette was far too thin. This is why he showed up a couple of times each week with some kind of take out. Strangely, even though they had not gotten along well as children, Zero now seemed to trust Kaito and he was the only person he would let near him on a regular basis. This is how Kaito ended up being the go-between for Zero's "fathers" Cross and Yagari. They were fiercely worried for the young man but he kept them at arm's length, refusing to see them most of the time.

Even as children, Kaito had always liked the silver-haired boy. He knew from the start that Ichiru was a slippery shit, not to be trusted, even if his twin was blind to his scheming. But Zero, oh he was another story. Honesty and honor blazed in his eyes and he trained harder than any of the other boys, even though he was younger. Back then Zero did not have the strong hatred for vampires that he developed once he was turned into one. He loved his twin more than anything and often fought the other boys, including Kaito, for picking on his baby brother. Zero knew it was not Ichiru's fault that he was born weaker and would not likely be strong enough to be a hunter. The Kiryuu legacy rested with Zero alone but he bore the burden with strength and grace. Kaito admired him very much back then. He still did. Loved him, actually, and it had only taken one brilliant smile.

Zero and Ichiru 9, Kaito 12

"Zero! Zero!" yelled the younger twin breathlessly as he ran toward his older brother.

"Ichiru!" cried Zero, "Stop running!" the older boy yelled worriedly as he ran to meet him.

He threw his arms around his younger self and leaned his forehead onto his twins.

"Ichiru you can't run around like this" he said softly. "I don't want you to get sick."

"Zero I know my health is poor but please do not treat me like a doll that is going to break," he replied, exasperated. Honestly, his brother was too overprotective sometimes! "I brought you something!" he told the other boy.

Zero pulled back from Ichiru, a small smile playing around his lips. But it was not his petal pink lips that caught Kaito's eye. It was the way his eyes sparkled as he looked at his brother. Ichiru pulled an orange out of his pocket and handed it to Zero whose smile then lit up his whole face as he threw his arms around his younger twin. Kaito thought it was breathtaking. He knew then he would do anything to keep that smile on Zero's face, even if it was never directed at him. Not that he stopped picking on him. A blushing, furious Zero was almost as beautiful as a smiling, happy Zero.

Kaito had only trained with the twins for a short while before he moved on to the higher level and started going on missions. He still saw the twins occasionally as technically Yagari was his master but he was so busy with his training and missions that it was not often enough for him. After the death of the Kiryuu hunters and Zero being turned into a vampire, Kaito cut all ties to Zero. It was impossible for him to face the truth of what the one he loved most had become. It hurt as much as it would have if Zero had been killed that day. He was heartbroken that he had lost another loved one to a pureblood beast and could not face him for fear he would not be able to keep his heart hardened against the boy he knew was living on borrowed time. Had he known what path the silverette's life was going to take he would have thrown caution to the wind and tried to be with Zero to the end. He even would have taken his life, no matter the cost to his own heart, when the inevitable fall to level E hit Zero. He would have done anything for Zero.

Kaito would still do anything for the silver haired vampire. He just wasn't sure how to break through the despair Zero had fallen into after that pureblood beast left him. But oh how he wanted to. He wanted to be the one to put him back together and make him whole again. Especially now that Zero would not likely fall to level E. He would be forever grateful that Yagari and Cross had reunited the young hunters. Being able to stay at the silver haired hunter's side was enough, for now. He had not given up hope of one day winning the younger man's heart.

They reached the front of Zero's building and Kaito stopped musing about the past. It wouldn't do any good now. It was not like he could change the things that had already happened. Zero unlocked the door and held it open so Kaito could pass through with the food. Now that they were in better light Kaito was able to see the dark circles under the other man's eyes. He winced when Zero took off his chef's jacket and he saw how much thinner Zero had gotten in the short weeks since Kaito had last seen him.

"Zero!" he exclaimed, "Have you been eating anything at all? You look like shit. No wonder Cross and Yagari worry so much about you. You need more than blood tablets you know," he admonished.

"Shut up Kaito. I don't need you mothering me too! Why do you think I tell those two to stay away from me? If this is how you are going to act then you can get the fuck out!" Zero hissed at him while pointing to the door.

"Calm down Zero. I was just surprised and I cannot help but worry about you when I see you this way" he explained. "I was only overseas for a month and you look like a refugee that has not eaten in at least as long."

"I don't need you to worry Kaito. Things are fine. I have just been doing extra missions for the Association lately and it leaves me little time for much other than sleeping when I can," was his reply.

Kaito turned back to the kitchen and grabbed two plates out of the cupboard as Zero grabbed napkins and cutlery. They sat at the table and served the food. Zero wrinkled his nose and picked the mushrooms out of the chow mein.

"You know I hate mushrooms yet still get them . Is it really too hard to ask for them to leave them out?" he almost whined at the other man.

Kaito laughed heartily and said, "You never change Z. Always so adorable when you are bitching about what you don't like."

Zero blushed but did not say anything else, choosing instead to pick out the rest of the offending mushrooms and then viciously stabbing at his noodles before twirling them around his fork. He set his fork down and reached into his pocket for his blood tablets. He took six and dropped them into his water glass. Once they were dissolved he drained the glass. As he set the glass back down he noticed Kaito staring at him curiously.

"What's the problem now Kaito?" he demanded. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing Z. That was quite the amount of blood tablets though. You sure you are ok?" he asked the other man.

"Don't worry. I'm not falling to level E. The night before last I was rocked pretty hard on a mission and during the pursuit I lost my tablets. I am just a little sore still and need to build my strength back up." He told Kaito.

Zero began moving his food around rather than eating after only a few bites. The older hunter bit his lip, wondering is he should say anything. Against his better judgment he decided to try to get the silverette to eat a bit more.

"Hey Z, how about you eat a little more? You look like it would do you a lot of good," Kaito suggested.

"It still tastes like mushrooms Kaito!" Zero yelled. "If you want me to eat properly than try bringing something I actually like next time," the younger man grumbled.

Chuckling Kaito reached a hand over to cup Zero's face. "You want me to come see you again Zero? Careful, I might think you are finally falling for me." He teased.

Zero smacked Kaito's hand away from his face, blushing brightly and growled "Don't fucking touch me. And I will never fall for you, idiot."

Kaito dropped his hand to his lap and tried to keep the pain from reaching his eyes. It was so hard for him to see what had become of his beloved. He knew the other man had the right to be bitter. His life had been a cruel one. And the younger man hadn't done anything to deserve what had happened to him. They continued eating in silence and finished quickly. Zero cleared the table and stored the leftovers in the fridge then quickly washed the dishes while Kaito dried and put them away.

"Are you up for a movie?" Zero asked the other as he grabbed two shot glasses and a half full bottle of whiskey from the cupboard.

"Sure Z, what sounds good?" came the reply.

Zero stopped at the movie shelf and looked through the few titles he owned, settling on Mallrats.

"This sounds good at the moment," said Zero, waving the movie case toward Kaito. "I am in the mood for something funny."

"Nice pick man. I love that one guy freaking out about the kid on the escalator" he said, laughing.

Zero put the movie in while Kaito flicked the T.V. on with the remote. The younger boy moved to sit on the couch next to the other and poured them each a shot of whiskey. He quickly downed his and poured another, recapping the bottle and leaning back to sip his other shot. Kaito started the movie and they both settled comfortably on the couch. While they were watching the movie the older hunter kept sneaking glances of Zero from the corner of his eyes, trying to hide his wandering eyes with his fringe. He noticed that it was not long before Zero was downing shots. Kaito sighed and felt somewhat relieved that the bottle was almost gone. Leaning forward he poured another for himself and drank it quickly only to refill his glass again. At least Zero was not going to be able to get too wasted. His eyes were a little heavy and glazed but other than that he seemed fine. Soon the younger man's head was resting on the others shoulder as he dozed off. Kaito wrapped his arm around the vampire and gently stroked his hair while gazing at the beautiful sleeping face. He sighed and thought about the strange relationship that they had. Whenever Zero was feeling particularly vulnerable he would let Kaito fuck him. Yes, fuck. That is all that Zero would allow between them. Kaito wanted desperately to make sweet, tender love to the younger man that held his heart, but Zero would never let him. It was all rough, sweaty and dirty. Zero would not even let Kaito take him face to face though the older man really, really wanted to. He wanted nothing more than to see his lovers face in the throes of passion, other than winning his love of course. Kaito had surprised himself more than he had Zero when he asked the vampire to take his blood. Somehow it was comforting to the older man to know that a piece of him would always be in Zero.

The first time Zero had bitten him was the single most mind blowing experience of his entire life. Zero had been behind him, his arms wrapped around Kaito's waist, slowly stroking the older man's hardening length while nipping and sucking the skin above the pulsing vein in his neck. Just when he thought he would go mad from the teasing stimulation Zero swiftly plunged his fangs into the tender skin, drawing the blood into his mouth. He began stroking faster and soon the brunette was bucking up into his hand and moaning loudly. The pleasure of having his blood taken while Zero was jerking him off was indescribable. The younger man coated the fingers on his other hand with the pre cum that had begun leaking from the rigid member and moved down to tease Kaito's entrance before slipping a finger inside. He moved in and out slowly, still stroking his lover's cock and soon his other digit had joined the first, curling and probing for the spot that would send Kaito over the edge. He knew he had found it when the older man arched back and tried to push himself harder onto Zero's fingers. The vampire pulled his fangs out of the hunter's neck and licked the small holes until they closed, still working the others body with both hands. He hit Kaito's prostate again and again until he finally came harder than he ever had before. His body sagged against the younger man as he came down from the high of his orgasm. Zero had then quietly moved away and asked Kaito if he wanted to stay the night. He did not seem very interested in having Kaito pleasure him in return but it appeared that he did not want to be alone. The older male was more than happy to grant the request and he was soon spooning Zero as the he drifted off to sleep. Kaito stayed awake for a while longer, wishing that their relationship would someday become more. For now though, he would gladly accept whatever Zero wanted to offer. Something of Zero was better than nothing at all and at least he was able to stay at his side, even if it his feelings were not reciprocated.

A/N - Ok I am going to end it here for now otherwise it is going to get way too long. I have a few ideas for the next chapter but it is going to be a little while before I can get to it. Please be patient with me. This quarter of school ends for me In 23 days so I have lots of studying and exams to do. I have a break coming after that until July so I will be able to get a lot done on the story then. Most of the background of the main characters has now been set up and the story will now move forward a little more quickly I think. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, fav'd, alerted and read this chapter. See you again soon!

Wicked-sama

12 May 2011

Word Count - 2665