Author Notes: At long last, the next chapter of Hold Me! Hang on -checks bio profile- it's only been 2 weeks - not that long, right? :D Hope you enjoy it...

Well, this is a multi parter and I will try my best to get the second part uploaded by middle of next week. Don't forget to hop over to my bio profile for more comments.

-- Chapter Start --

Yuuki hummed to herself as she walked back to her room after washing the dinner dishes and straightening up the kitchen. Zero was patrolling the grounds with the Chairman now but would be coming to her room once he had taken his own shower. He had looked paler than usual today and they both knew why that was.

Going over to her clothes cupboard that stood beside her bed, Yuuki opened the door, looking for her pyjamas. She saw the satin yellow pyjama set and reached for it, smiling a little to herself. Zero had recently confessed he liked her wearing this set as it brought back memories of how he had taken from her that one time, in his room.

Yuuki caught sight of her own reflection in the long mirror attached to the inside of the cupboard door and her eyes focused on the two healing puncture wounds at the base of her neck.

Actually… Zero had already taken from her the other day - Sunday night to be exact. Yuuki had seen his bloodlust symptoms as they came back from town, after having dinner with Aido and Yori. A slight frown drew Yuuki’s delicate brows together. Zero had drunk more than he normally did too… so he shouldn’t need to drink her blood again so soon, right? It was only Thursday, after all.

Shrugging to herself, Yuuki grabbed her towel before going to take her shower. Well, it wasn’t as if she minded another session with Zero… A smile of anticipation appeared on her lips this time.

- o -

Zero shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. He could feel his slightly grown fangs pressing against his bottom lip, and he didn’t like it. Because he had already taken from Yuuki that day. He shouldn’t need to feed again from her so soon but there was no mistaking the by now familiar pangs of his bloodlust.

“Are you OK, Zero?” asked the Chairman quietly as they walked back up to the main building. Zero glanced sideways at him. “I’m fine” he muttered. As the two of them walked into the living room, the older man put out an arm to halt the younger. “Wait a moment…” Chairman Cross’ surprisingly shrewd eyes saw the glint of fangs as well.

“You need to feed again?” he asked. There was no accusation in his tone, no indication at all that this was in any way abnormal or disgusting, and that made it easier for Zero to look at him. “Yeah”

Chairman Cross looked like he wanted to say something but he thought better of it. He gave Zero’s arm a quick squeeze. “I know you won’t take too much from Yuuki. Then both of you go to bed… Good night”

He turned away then swung back a moment later. “Not the same bed, mind you…” he added, causing Zero to press his lips tightly. “Yes, Father” he said in an exaggerated tone this time.

The older man resisted the urge to chuckle at his own little joke as he went on towards his room. Zero found himself staring at his back. What had his Father wanted to say earlier? Had he wanted to offer his own blood? It was strange – that thought would have disgusted him at one time, but now, he was merely touched. Shaking his head, Zero went off to his room to grab his towel to take his own shower.

- o -

Fifteen minutes later, he was dressed in his pyjamas and knocking lightly on Yuuki’s bedroom door. Yes, he’d have to be sure to take less this time, otherwise Yuuki could be weakened. His lips pressed tighter at this thought, because even though he knew she wouldn’t really mind, he did. Even now. Especially now.

“Come in, Zero”

His heart warming at the smile he could hear in that soft voice, Zero relaxed a little as he turned the doorknob and stepped into her room. Yuuki was sitting cross legged on her bed, smiling at him. Zero returned the smile, his eyes roving over the enchanting picture she made, dressed in that pyjamas set. His favourite.

“Hey” he said softly, walking over to her.

“Hey” Yuuki returned just as softly, her eyes glowing, soft colour shading her cheeks. Despite his discomfort, Zero was awed all over again. Why was it that this amazing, loving and generous girl was never afraid of him? Not even when his eyes were turning crimson like now, not even when his fangs were showing between his lips? And even more amazing - not only was she unafraid, she loved him too. Zero’s breath caught in his throat – how had he ever gotten so lucky? And when he thought he had nothing to look forward to…

Zero sat down beside Yuuki on her left, and bent down to brush his lips against her soft cheek. “Sorry, I know I already –”

Yuuki’s slender fingers against his lips stopped him. “Will you stop saying that?” she chided. Her other hand crept up and she cupped his face with both her small hands, looking into his eyes. “Never say that, Zero” she said softly. “Because I don’t mind. Really. And I love you. Truly.”

Zero’s heart constricted. Had he ever told her how much he not only loved her but appreciated her? He settled for kissing her lightly on the lips, silently promising both of them that he’d give her a more thorough one after sating his bloodlust. “I love you, Yuuki… always” he vowed.

Yuuki smiled, her hands dropping to her shirt button. “Let’s do it…” she whispered. Zero’s larger hands closed over them immediately, even as he continued looking into her eyes. “Allow me” he murmured.

Yuuki smiled again and nodded, half shy, half eager. They both knew she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. They both knew he was going to touch her again. And they both knew she wouldn’t mind that either…

Zero placed Yuuki’s hands back on her lap. His breathing sounded loud… irregular… in the otherwise silent room as he slipped the first two buttons free. Then he saw the healing puncture marks at her neck and paused.

“Zero? What is it?” asked Yuuki after a long moment - Zero was staring at her neck as if transfixed. He started a little and looked at her, guilt written in the crimson depths of his eyes. “I shouldn’t be this hungry now, Yuuki” he said, frowning a little. “I don’t know why…”

A smile trembled on her lips, even though she’d thought the same thing earlier. “It’s OK, Zero, it’s OK” she soothed. “I can spare more…”

Zero swallowed. He hated to bite Yuuki again even before her previous wounds had healed, it reminded him too much of what he was. But he was already staring fixedly at her slender pale throat, where the pulse was beating under the delicate skin, faster than normal now.

Zero twisted aside suddenly. No… he couldn’t take from her neck again so soon. He snatched up her right hand instead. “Here” he muttered, his voice gasping a little.

Yuuki opened her mouth to protest – she was wearing the pyjamas she knew he liked best after all – but before she could say a word, Zero ran his tongue over the delicate skin of her inner wrist and a moment later, his fangs sank into her flesh. It made her wince – it always seemed to hurt more than her neck. And she actually preferred him to take from there too, so that he could hold her close at the same time. But well… at least he’d get to ‘clean’ her fingers, right? That was fun, too…

Yuuki shifted closer to Zero, resting her left cheek against his upper right arm as he sucked at her wrist, his eyes closed in bliss. Yuuki’s intoxicatingly sweet blood was in his mouth again, teasing his bloodlust and he swallowed it hungrily. The first mouthful… the second… and third… But somehow, it still wasn’t satisfying enough. He sucked harder, almost painfully so, but the flow couldn’t fill his mouth fast enough and instinctively, his fangs sank in deeper.

Yuuki gasped a little, her eyes watering with pain even though she kept her arm limp. “Zero” she breathed.

More blood flowed from Yuuki’s wrist now but it still wasn’t enough and Zero shuddered from his bloodlust, the pangs seemed to increase instead of getting less… A low growl escaped his throat and he pulled his fangs from her wrist, unaccountably frustrated. Yuuki’s breath caught in her throat when she saw that Zero’s eyes were still crimson even though they shouldn’t be anymore.

“Yuuki” Zero groaned as he licked at the blood on her skin. His fangs were still extended, his chest heaving as he looked at her. Then his gaze slipped lower, again focusing on her neck. “I still… need…” he broke off and shuddered again, one hand clutching at his shirt.

The next second, he had lunged at Yuuki, burying his head in her neck, his hands grasping her upper arms to pull her closer, his chin automatically nudging her shirt collar out of the way.

“Zero!” gasped Yuuki, taken by surprise. She gasped as his fangs sank into her neck and he sucked hungrily again and more desperately than before. For some reason, that made Yuuki’s eyes fill with tears. Not for herself but because she could feel Zero was hurting inside. Hurting that he was doing this to her. She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms tightly around Zero, feeling the trembling in his body that echoed the one in hers.

- o -

“I’m sorry, Yuuki” Zero said, his voice thick with remorse. He rested his chin on her head as he held her against his chest, rocking her slightly. “I scared you, I’m sorry…”

Yuuki sniffled, her face buried in his pyjama shirt front. “Don’t - it’s OK” she whispered. Her hands were clenched in his pyjama shirt front but her fingers still trembled. Her whole body was shaking with reaction as the past few minutes played again in her mind.

Zero had taken a lot this time. His fangs had sunk in deeply and he seemed… unaware… of what he was doing, crushing Yuuki tightly to him as he slaked his desperate hunger at her neck. It hurt this time. A lot. And for some reason, Yuuki was scared. She didn’t know why, but there was something different in the way he drank from her this time. She couldn’t understand it. And after a couple of minutes, Yuuki felt herself growing light headed since he had already drunk from her wrist earlier. “Zero” she said finally. “Please stop, that’s enough…”

Only Zero hadn’t stopped. He hadn’t even heard her words.

“Zero… please stop now…”

Zero didn’t know how her pleas had finally managed to penetrate his blood washed senses but he saw the tears trickling down her face the moment he wrenched his face away from her bleeding neck.

Yuuki was silently crying, and had been for some time.

“Why didn’t you stop me, Yuuki?” Zero asked, his heart still pounding with fear and guilt. “Why didn’t you hit me? Or – or use your bracelet on me?”

Yuuki heard the fear in his voice that he tried to mask and she lifted her tear stained face to his. “That’s a last resort, Zero” she said, trying to smile. She hadn’t forgotten about her charm bracelet and the power it contained inside. But she could still remember the look in Zero’s eyes after he had come to his senses and realised he had ripped it off her wrist in the bathroom that fateful day… He would hate himself even more if she had actually used it to stop him.

Zero’s eyes were moist as well as they stared at each other. Then he swallowed and released her, letting his hands resting on her shoulders instead. “Yuuki”

Yuuki stopped breathing. Somehow, she knew what Zero was going to say, and she didn’t want to hear it. Not now. Not ever. “No, Zero, no, don’t say it” she said softly.

Zero shook his head.

“Please” whispered Yuuki, her eyes huge and filled with pain.

“Even if I don’t say it, Yuuki, you know it’s true” Zero voice was steady and his face was calm now. He had to be, for both their sakes.

Yuuki shook her head. “No, Zero” she said. “I won’t let you…”

Zero’s smile was sad as he reached out and tucked her shiny auburn hair behind one delicately shaped ear. “Yuuki… dearest, you can’t stop this. Anymore than I can”

Yuuki shook her head again, then she gave a sob before throwing her arms around him again. “It’s not fair” she sobbed. “It’s not fair”

Zero bit his lip, squeezing his eyes shut again as his arms closed convulsively around Yuuki’s shaking frame. Yes, it wasn’t fair. Life wasn’t fair. Just when he thought he had something in his life to actually look forward to, it looked like his descent into madness had finally begun.

- o -

Yori’s green eyes widened as she saw her friend the next morning. Yuuki looked pale and her eyelids were puffy as if she’d been crying all night.

“Yuuki-chan? Are you all right?” she asked.

Yuuki looked at her but did not seem to hear her.

Yori grabbed her arm and shook it. “Yuuki-chan! Are you OK?” she asked again.

The other girl blinked, seeming to see Yori for the first time. “Oh, it’s you, Yori-chan… I’m fine” she said in a monotone. She shook off her friend’s hand and walked on to class, as if in a dream.

Yori looked at her and turned around, looking for Zero. Perhaps he would know what was wrong with Yuuki this morning. But the tall, silver haired prefect was nowhere to be found.

- o -

It was only the next day that Yori finally managed to get Yuuki to tell her what happened.

“Are you sure?” asked the blond girl anxiously. Yuuki pushed her food around listlessly as she nodded.

“Then you should at least eat more, Yuuki-chan” she advised, her heart aching for her friend. “Don’t make him feel worse by looking so… pale…”

Yuuki smiled wanly at that. “You mean I look terrible” she said with a ghost of her former cheerful smile.

Yori frowned at her own half eaten lunch. “If – if Zero-kun needs more blood -” she began tentatively. Yuuki smiled and shook her head. “Thanks, Yori-chan. But you have Aido to consider now. And Father is available too, you know. We – we’ll be OK” She sounded like she was reassuring herself more than Yori.

Yori nodded reluctantly, her heart aching for her friend. Yuuki looked so different from the happy, bubbly girl who’d gone double dating with her last Sunday…

- o -

A week has passed since that night. The Chairman got to know about Zero’s increasing need for blood last Sunday, during dinner. It was hard not to notice, since it was pretty obvious by now that both his children were miserable again. At least they were still talking to each other… And this time, Chairman Cross put his foot down, insisting that Zero took from him as well, if only to give Yuuki a rest. His adopted son agreed immediately, if not enthusiastically, even as Yuuki protested.

After dinner, she had insisted on watching and the whole thing had taken place in the Chairman’s study, on the leather sofa he kept there, in fact. Zero was wondering whether his Father would offer his neck this time and was surprised when the older man didn’t remove his ever present scarf but bared his wrist instead. It was awkward enough just taking from the Chairman and Zero thought it would be worse with Yuuki witnessing it.

But surprisingly, it wasn’t. Having Yuuki there with him somehow made Zero feel better. Perhaps it was because she’d stood beside him with her arm around his shoulder the whole time, and he could the warmth of her body against his arm. But it hadn’t felt as bad as he thought it would. And Zero was glad he managed to stop himself even before being prompted by the Chairman.

But it was Thursday night again, and the hunger was back. And Yuuki knew it too. She had been giving him pointed looks during dinner which meant she was determined to have Zero take from her again tonight.

Zero’s lips twisted ruefully. Sometimes, he wished Yuuki wasn’t quite so determined where he or his bloodlust was concerned…

- o -

Yuuki was sitting in the living room, waiting for Zero. Even though she knew he would come back after his patrol, she couldn’t stop a surge of relief once she actually saw him walking up the path.

In the past couple of months, she’d practically forgotten about the threat of Zero falling to Level E. And now, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. It wouldn’t happen immediately, of course, but a sudden and increase need for blood was definitely one of the symptoms. And in the past week, there was now a shadow between them, one they’d managed to ignore before, but not now.

Yuuki didn’t tell Zero of her dreams of a bleak future without Zero in it, the surprisingly caring person who had been by her side everyday for the past four or five years now and had slowly taken over her heart, even though it still belonged to someone else. Zero, of course, didn’t dare to tell Yuuki of his recurrent dreams that hadn’t happened in a while, where in his madness, he would hurt, drain and perhaps even kill the girl he loved more than anyone else in the whole world.

“Yuuki” Zero’s voice was soft as he stepped through the door. He wasn't surprised to see her waiting for him.

“Zero” Yuuki stood up and hurried over to him. Ignoring the changing colour in his eyes, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly.

“Hey” Zero gently removed her arms. “I’m still here, Yuuki” he forced a teasing note into his voice.

“I know” she whispered. For now…

- o -

Once again, Zero rested his chin on the top of Yuuki’s head. He’d taken a lot from her this time as well and he could tell she was weakened.

“Are you OK, Yuuki?” he asked softly, guilt colouring his voice again. He felt her head nod against his shoulder. “I’m fine, Zero, don’t worry…”

But when Yuuki moved off his lap to stand up, she swayed, her eyes closing and Zero kept his hands on her upper arms, alarmed. “Yuuki?” he asked, shaking her a little. Her face was very pale and she didn’t answer. Zero shook her again. “Yuuki?” he said urgently, panic starting to lace his voice now.

Yuuki’s eyelids were so heavy but she forced them open because Zero sounded frightened. “I’m fine… Zero…” she said sleepily. “Don’t –” She was so tired, so sleepy…

Zero’s heart leapt into his throat as Yuuki’s eyes closed and her body slackened in his grip. Quickly, he swung her up into his arms and placed her back on the bed. She looked so pale… Zero checked her pulse - it seemed weak to him and he jammed the knuckles of his clenched fist against his teeth. Crap… this was not good.

Whirling around, he made for the door and strode quickly, almost running all the way to the Chairman’s study. He rapped sharply on the heavy wooden door. “Father!”

A moment of silence passed before he heard the Chairman’s voice.

“What – come in, Zero…”

Zero burst into the room, belatedly realising his adopted Father was not alone in his study. And even more belatedly realising that his late night visitor was none other than Dorm Leader and pureblood Kaname Kuran.

Chairman Cross stood up from his chair behind his desk. “What happened?” he asked, his keen eyes taking in the agitated look on Zero’s face.

Kaname had stood up as well. “Yuuki’s blood” he observed quietly, having caught the scent from Zero. He took in the anguish in the tortured pair of amethyst eyes as Chairman Cross quickly skirted his desk and approached Zero. “Yuuki? Is she all right?” he asked quickly.

Zero's gaze was haunted as he shook his head. “She fainted” he mumbled. “I – I took too much…” he whispered. He caught the startled look on his Father’s face the same time he heard the snarl as Kaname bared his fangs – then the pureblood was gone from the room, the Chairman hurrying after him. Zero trailed after them, his heart a heavy and aching weight in his chest.

Well, he or Yuuki wouldn’t need to pull the trigger now - he knew Kaname would be more than glad to do it.

The pureblood was sitting on Yuuki’s bed, gently examining her neck when Zero stopped by her room door and looked in. Chairman Cross was hovering nearby, exclaiming over her pallor. Rather belatedly, Zero realised he’d also forgotten to button up the first two buttons of Yuuki’s pyjama top and he flushed in spite of himself. No, he didn’t deserve Yuuki after all. No matter what he thought. No matter what she thought.

Both the men at Yuuki’s bed spoke softly to each other but Zero caught every word.

“Kaname-kun, will she – will she need a transfusion?”

“No. Yuuki will be fine. But she will need plenty of rest while her body replenishes itself”

“Of course, I will inform the teachers immediately”

Yuuki will be OK… he hadn’t drained her completely… Yuuki will be fine…

Zero’s knees felt weak and he sagged against the door in relief.

- o -

“Zero, there you are…”

The silver haired prefect was sitting at the kitchen table, hunched over, fingers clenched tight. He didn’t look up when he heard his Father’s voice. He supposed he’d been waiting for both the Chairman and Kaname to come looking for him. No point making it difficult when he was already as guilty as sin.

Kaname was behind the Chairman and he looked at the boy sitting at the kitchen table. He couldn’t fail to notice how worried Yuuki seemed to be this past week, even though she’d managed to evade his gentle questions. Kiriyu had looked different too - there was a bleakness in the amethyst eyes that he hadn’t seen for a while. Altogether, there was a shared misery between the two School Prefects now. It wasn’t like the week after his birthday when they’d ceased speaking to each other. It was as if something had happened but it was shared between them. There was a sort of… desperate hopelessness in Yuuki’s wide eyes now whenever they rested on Zero Kiriyu, which was more often than ever. And although Kaname had had his suspicions, the Chairman had finally confirmed them a few minutes ago.

Chairman Cross laid a hand on Zero’s shoulder and squeezed it briefly. “Yuuki will be OK, Zero. Don’t worry too much” Zero nodded but kept silent. The older man exchanged a silent look with the pureblood, then went out of the kitchen to go back to Yuuki.

“Kiriyu-kun”

Zero knew the pureblood was still there, but he ignored him. He wasn’t in the mood for an argument or a confrontation now… because suddenly it didn’t matter anymore. He and Yuuki could wish with all their hearts but… the end would still come. Zero had deluded himself into thinking that it could all work out because he could take from the Chairman and Yuuki in turn, even though that only made him deeper in their debts than ever before. But it still wouldn’t be enough to stop his eventual decline into Level E.

And he had still hurt Yuuki in the end. The ever present ache in Zero’s chest intensified now, threatening to cut off his breathing.

“Kiriyu-kun, look at me” Kaname’s voice was soft but utterly compelling.

Slowly, unwillingly, Zero lifted his head and opened his eyes, letting his gaze meet the pureblood’s. He didn’t bother to mask the emotions on his face now. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t.

The dark eyes looked at him silently but surprisingly, Kaname’s voice was soft and the initial anger on his face has disappeared. “Kiriyu-kun, Yuuki will be all right. She’s weak but she will recover.”

Why was Kaname comforting him like this?

Don’t… do anything rash. Not now.”

Why wasn’t Kaname killing him now?

Zero stared at him. “You know” he finally replied, his voice hardly above a whisper. Yes, of course Kuran would know. He was a pureblood - he knew everything. Zero tried to smirk but it was only a meaningless twist of his lips now. “You told me last time, that sometimes, we hurt the ones we love, even though it is the last thing we intended” His voice quivered a little and he swallowed. “Well, you’re right, Kuran. I will. Soon…” His gaze slid away and blinked rapidly as tears started blurring his vision. Make sure you protect and cherish her always…

Again, the dark eyes regarded him silently. Where was the angsty, angry prefect now? Where was that rude ‘to hell with it’ attitude that Kiriyu had honed to a fine art, that he continually displayed in front of him and the other Night Class students? All of it had disappeared, leaving behind this vulnerable boy who looked like nothing in life mattered anymore.

Kaname saw the fear and the resignation in Zero’s face that Yuuki would soon be alone, save for himself and the Chairman. He knew how Zero felt about Yuuki too, and a faint smile appeared on Kaname’s face. "No, Kiriyu-kun"

Zero swallowed again. Was Kaname actually trying to comfort him now? Why? It didn’t make any sense…

“Promise me that you won’t do anything stupid.” Kaname’s voice was harder now, compelling. And his meaning was crystal clear to both of them. He was telling Zero not to end his life because they both knew how it would devastate Yuuki.

Zero found himself staring at the pureblood again, mesmerised. The stern look softened. “For Yuuki. For her sake” Kaname murmured as he took a step closer. Zero wondered if he were dreaming - the pureblood was as close to pleading as he had ever seen him.

There was a long moment of silence as they looked at each other. There was a world of things unsaid but somehow, they both understood. Everything they thought, or said, planned, or did… everything was for Yuuki. No one else.

Then the hunched shoulders drew back as Zero stood up. “I won’t” he promised. “I'll still be around” he added, his voice surer now... confident.

Again, that faint smile graced Kaname’s perfect features. “Good night, Kiriyu-kun” he murmured, inclining his head. Zero stared at him a moment longer before returning the nod and the pureblood turned around, walking gracefully out of the kitchen.

Zero exhaled and sank back down onto his seat, resting his head on his hands as he closed his eyes wearily.

I don’t know how much longer I can hold on, Yuuki. But if this is really what you want… if I am really what you want, then I promise you I’ll try.

-- To Be Continued --