A/N: There was a lot of catching up to do in one chapter, and I'm not sure this flows too well. sigh but its necessary stuff, so hopefully you'll bear with me. Don't forget to check my bio page for where to find my review responses!

Chapter Twenty-Five: "With Friends Old and New"

"Thank you for inviting us, Kaname-sama," Aido's smile was bright as he and the five others other vampires in his party entered the large, well appointed living room to which they had been directed upon arrival.

Kaname was sitting in a comfortable looking wingback chair, elbows resting on the arms, fingertips steepled thoughtfully together as he regarded the chess board resting on the table between him and Zero. The hunter was comfortably slouched in his own chair, fingers lightly playing with one of his captured pieces while he waited for Kaname to make his move. He didn't have to wait long. The black bishop glided across three squares and came to a stop. Kaname had moved it without touching it as he had a habit of doing when playing chess. Zero frowned as he studied the board, realizing that no matter what he did, Kaname would have him in under three moves.

Not that that was surprising... you just didn't beat the pureblood at chess. Actually, Zero had never played all that much before, so Kaname was trying to teach him the finer points. He was getting better... or at least, he could now see it when he was about to lose, which rarely took long. Kaname had to practically bribe Zero to play him, but the ex-human resignedly indulged his lover's passion for the game. Sometimes.

Kaname looked up when Aido, Kain, Ichijo, Ruka, Shiki and Rima entered, giving them a welcoming nod. "After spending so many holidays imposing myself upon the hospitality of your house, Aido, it is only fitting that I should return the favor..." he said with a small smile.

"You were never an imposition, Kaname-sama!" Aido protested immediately and predictably, gathering smiles all around. Kaname was teasing the younger vampire and everyone there knew it. It was Aido's fault; he made himself such an easy and amusing target.

Zero wondered silently if Aido realized that the fact that Kaname would tease him like that meant the pureblood was quite fond of him. There was a lot about Kaname that he himself was only beginning to understand.

"I know," Kaname replied, his smile warm as he gestured to the comfortable couches and chairs nearby. "Won't you sit? You've had a long trip," he bade them leave to be at ease in his presence and they took him up on the offer, some of them taking seats, others lounging more casually against couch arms and chair backs.

There was no trace now of the weakness and infirmity that had haunted the young pureblood a few days ago, before Zero had awakened. He was once more his usual, handsome, compelling picture of strength and charm. Although they tried to hide it, all the guests were visibly relieved to see him looking so well. The comfortable picture that he and Zero made, sitting there and playing chess, was also pleasant to see.

It was holiday break now at Cross Academy, and Kaname had invited the small group to spend it here at his new villa. In truth, perhaps, he would have been just as happy to continue enjoying the quiet privacy of the place alone with Zero, but he knew the others had been worried about him, and it would be pleasant to have them all here for a little while. He would always have spent the holidays alone if not for them.

While the nobles all softly chimed in their warm and respectful greetings and compliments on the new house, Zero rose to his feet, obviously more than glad to let the chess game be forgotten. "I'll go let Izumi know they're here and see if she needs help with the drinks," he offered, intending to slip away and let Kaname and his friends have their space.

Kaname shot Zero an unreadable look as the hunter started to retreat. He'd given up trying to get Zero to quit attempting to assist the staff, even though his housekeeper only barely tolerated having someone else trespassing in her domain. This time though, saw the excuse for what it was, but said nothing. He wanted Zero to stay with them... but would let him go if the hunter was more comfortable that way. It was often hard for Kaname, trying to balance when he should stubbornly pull Zero closer to him, and when he needed to let him be free. It was a balance he wasn't sure he would ever get right. The perceptive pureblood was a little concerned though that it might not be merely Zero's natural anti-social tendencies prompting his exit.

In the past, it would hardly be remarkable for Zero to try to duck out of mingling socially with vampires. However, much had gradually changed these past months. The hunter actually had no objection to being around this particular group. In truth, although he would not admit it to himself, it might have been pleasant to remain – to catch up on what was happening at the Academy... to just... be with people he knew. But he was kidding himself if he was even thinking of treating them as his friends. They were Kaname's friends, and there was a world of difference. He didn't belong in this setting, and although he would be tolerated for Kaname's sake... he didn't feel like being tolerated.

Zero knew from being told that the nobles had all worked together to save his and Kaname's life, but aside from Takuma and Shiki, the last memories he had of them were from the library, before the flood. That whole scene was deeply tinged with pain and shame that he did not like to recall. It was hard for him to meet eyes that last he had seen filled with shock, anger and confusion. Hard to look at familiar faces and not feel like when they looked at him, they were still seeing him cowering on the floor at Kaname's feet, or worse, against the wall... but Zero shut those memories down quickly as he headed for the door. It did him no good to feel sick all over again, and it wasn't fair to Kaname who had repeatedly apologized and done everything conceivable to try to make up for his loss of control that day.

He and Kaname had made their peace with the past... or at least, they were making their peace with it. Some days it felt like an ongoing process. Zero knew it had all been a hideous misunderstanding which had spiraled out of control. But he wasn't sure the nobles who had witnessed that scene would ever forgive him for attacking the pureblood, or forget what they had seen afterwards. Zero felt like he had been reduced to an object in their eyes and his status as Kaname's ex-human thrall firmly demonstrated, even if it wasn't true. It was a pity; he'd almost... almost started to feel comfortable with them before that. But what was done was done and the hunter simply wanted to avoid any awkwardness. It was no big deal. He'd always been a loner. He was used to fading into the background; comfortable with being invisible.

Aido was standing with his arms leaning on the back of Kain's chair. He straightened up a little when he saw Zero starting to move off. "Hey... Kiriyu... it's good to see you looking better," he said by way of greeting, as if wanting to make sure that Zero was included in the pleasantries being exchanged amongst the others. Actually, Zero looked better than good. It wasn't a change that any of the nobles could have exactly put their finger on, but there was something about him that seemed to have subtly changed.

Zero was almost to the door, but paused at the comment, his gaze turning back towards the group. "Uh, thanks," he mumbled, not sure what exactly he was supposed to say to that. Aido being nice to him wasn't a scenario for which he had a lot of responses.

"You mean better than when you were kissing him on the riverbank, Aido? I figured you must have thought he looked pretty good then..." Ruka commented innocently, the tease more directed at her notorious playboy friend than at Zero.

There was a mental image that Zero and Aido could have both done without and a warm flush colored both faces. Zero looked away in embarrassment and Aido's blue eyes widened comically. "Hey! I was giving him CPR, that was not kissing!" he protested, a little too adamantly, causing a couple of the others to chuckle.

"I don't know... lips were involved and there was some heavy breathing going on..." Shiki drawled in lazy mirth.

Takuma grinned in amusement, but shot a small glance towards Kaname to gauge his reaction. Purebloods were notoriously possessive of their lovers, but Kaname seemed to be taking the teasing with good humor. He'd been there after all. He appeared to be watching Zero's reactions carefully though, unsure if he should let this continue.

Zero had his hands shoved into his pockets, his head was down and he looked almost painfully embarrassed. Yeah, because the ex-human would kiss anybody, right? That's what thralls were for. That's what they meant...

"Shame on you, taking advantage of an unconscious person," Rima grinned over at a furiously blushing Aido before shooting a wink at Zero. "Don't worry; we protected your honor..."

And suddenly, Zero realized with a soft jolt that they weren't making fun of him... they were pulling him into the joke. They were teasing him like they teased Aido... or perhaps more accurately, they were using him to tease Aido. The realization brought a strange little swell of relief and self-deprecating amusement that seemed to loosen the tense knot that had been unconsciously curling in his gut. Lighten up, Kiriyu; stop taking everything so damn seriously... he chided himself.

He shot the amused vampires one of his nearly patented glares and then pointedly ignored them. "Kaname, shall I tell Izumi to make sure there's nothing too strong in those drinks? Since we seem to be surrounded by children..."

Kain and Takuma shook from trying not to laugh aloud at the rebuttal.

Kaname's eyes danced in proud amusement and a faint hint of relief at seeing Zero dish back as good as he got. "Yes, I think you'd better..." he agreed mildly, keeping a straight face as only he could.

Zero smirked, albeit still a little flushed, and turned to go.

"I'll go with you," Aido mumbled unexpectedly, his words indistinct because of how fast he said them, but his motion as he stepped away from the others unmistakable.

Zero stared at him, as did several of the others. Aido's flush deepened as a couple of chuckles and low whistles sounded. "Want some alone time, huh?" was the clear, unspoken sentiment.

"I can help with the drinks," Aido said through his teeth as he headed for the door, although considering his usual disdain for doing anything remotely related to work it was a poor excuse.

Kaname watched him searchingly, but his smile was curiously soft. "Thank you, Aido," he said quietly. "And... Zero? Come back and join us when you're done," the pureblood's request was also soft... almost beseeching. Zero swallowed, realizing that no matter what he'd intended, he couldn't say no to that.

"Yes, do," Kain agreed. "We need someone to keep my cousin out of trouble..."

"Or get him in trouble," Rima amended with a happily wicked smile.

Aido rolled his eyes and grabbed Zero's arm, stalking out of the room with him. "Royal pains in the ass..." he muttered as they moved off down the hall.

Zero shot him a look as they walked. "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" his gaze seemed to ask. "Yeah," was all he said, however. "I noticed." Carefully, he disentangled his arm from Aido's distracted grip.

"So... why did you want to come?" Zero inquired curiously. "You don't really have to help with the drinks. Izumi probably won't even let me touch them. I'm just going to let her know everyone's here." He was certain that a burning desire to involve himself in menial kitchen tasks usually reserved for servants was not Aido's motivation for tagging along.

Aido studied his feet as he walked. "Oh... I... uh, I just wanted to be away from them I guess," he fibbed horribly. Jerking his head indistinctly over his shoulder.

"Away from Kaname? That's not like you..." Zero said dryly, raising one eyebrow.

"Not him!" Aido amended quickly. "I meant the rest of them... or...well..." Aido looked frustrated, his quicksilver temper flaring up to cover his awkward embarrassment. "Well okay, fine. I wanted to really see that you were okay before you disappeared, all right?" he blurted angrily. He'd accurately guessed that Zero had been intending to make himself scarce on the pretext of the errand. "I half killed myself trying to keep you frozen properly; I guess I wanted to make sure I didn't screw up. But you seem your normal, annoying self, so I guess everything's fine!"

Aido hadn't seen Zero since the hospital, since he'd sat vigil beside the ex-human's bed for hours while Zero was lost in deep unconsciousness that no one could break. Only Kain knew how Aido had fretted and feared in those long hours. Especially initially, it had been a pretty bleak time. Aido had still been hung-over from his over-exertion. There'd been no word from Kaname or Takuma, no way of knowing how the injured pureblood was fairing. Zero remained insensible and the doctors could tell them nothing but 'wait and see'. Aido had agonized wondering if the coma was his fault, if he'd not done enough to keep Zero's cryonic state stable on the way to the hospital, if he'd caused irreparable brain damage. He'd been terrified he'd let both Kaname and Zero down. Even after the doctors were fairly sure brain damage wasn't a factor, some part of Aido's stomach had not been able to unknot until he'd heard that the hunter had finally woken up. Given all that, it was very good to now see both Zero and Kaname looking so well, even if it killed him to admit it.

Aido turned on his heel as if to stalk off, but Zero's hand shot out and caught him by the elbow, arresting his departure.

The silver haired vampire was shocked to see a hint of earnestly and real concern behind the blonde's stormy blue eyes. Shocked and... a little touched. Aido had actually eschewed the chance to spend time with Kaname to follow along on an errand with him so he could be sure he was okay. The world had turned on its ear, apparently.

"Hey... um... thanks," Zero said softly. It sounded about as awkward as they both felt, but it was also earnest. "For what you did when you pulled us out of the river and... you know..." For caring whether I made it through okay or not. The last part was easier left unspoken for both of them... but they both felt it.

Aido calmed at once, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Yeah, no problem," he mumbled. "I said I'd pull you out if I had to, just didn't imagine it would be like that." Aido couldn't help a small grin at that, harkening back to their long ago conversation by the Academy's lake.

It took Zero a moment to get the reference, then he smiled slightly as well. "Yeah, guess you did." Zero started to turn away, but was stopped when Aido added softly. "Thank you, too."

Zero looked back and blinked quizzically. "For what?"

Aido bit his lower lip hesitantly, but his eyes were serious as they met Zero's. "Well, for doing what you did with Kaname to keep us all from getting swept away for one," he said wryly, as if surprised that Zero didn't think of that. "But mostly... because when all hell was breaking loose, Kaname wasn't standing up there alone. You do what I can't," he whispered. "He lets you stand by him, and you make him happy. For so long, there has always been pain in his eyes, pain I could never figure out how to ease. But you can... I can tell," the noble admitted, swallowing his pride with effort in order to get that out. This was obviously difficult for him to say, but he felt that it was something that needed to be said.

Zero held his gaze with an indecipherable sea of startled emotions swirling behind his violet grey eyes. Perhaps Aido was imagining it, after all, he hardly knew Zero as well or for as long as he'd known Kaname, but he could swear that somehow at this moment, there was a little less pain in the hunter's eyes as well.

Zero swallowed quietly, suddenly finding his throat a little tight. The truth was he didn't feel like he knew how to do those things for Kaname, although... he found that he wanted to. Very much. For Aido to say that though... maybe there was something to it. He was trying to find something to say, but nothing came. He swallowed again, gesturing vaguely down the hall. "Um, we should... probably..."

"Get the drinks, yeah." Aido nodded quickly, no more comfortable with the emotional overtones of the moment than Zero, although also equally quietly moved. The two vampires exchanged hesitant smiles. Somehow, it felt like they understood each other, even without knowing how to find all the right words. Or maybe for them it was better than words – a shared understanding that circumvented pride and went deeper than speech could adequately convey.

Turning another corner they almost ran into a pretty vampire woman carrying a huge tray laden with an ornate pitcher and glasses as well as other refreshments and snacks.

Aido and Zero both reacted swiftly enough to avoid any upset. Kaname's housekeeper frowned politely at them. Zero was of the opinion that for Izumi, courteous tyranny was an art form, but she seemed to be on 'company' behavior today. "Can I do something for you?" she inquired.

"We were looking for someone about drinks," Aido replied, glancing towards the tray she was carrying and automatically putting on the charming, flirtatious smile that seemed to appear whenever a pretty member of the opposite sex was present. "I don't suppose you could help us with that...?"

Zero smirked quietly. If ever Aido was wasting his charm...

Izumi looked at him coolly. Does it look like I'm carrying a tray of bricks? She smiled with practiced cheerfulness. "I have them, sir. Why don't you rejoin the others in the drawing room and I'll bring them right in?"

Zero hid his grin, turning and heading back up the hall with Aido in tow.

"Geez... and I thought my power was ice..." Aido murmured under his breath to Zero as they re-entered the room where the others were chatting amongst themselves in a pleasant, friendly manner.

"We found the refreshments," Aido announced, as if they'd actually done something other than merely run into them on the way. He was obviously trying to annoy Izumi, but she remained professional and happily ignored him as she set the tray down, poured out the drinks and then respectfully withdrew.

Zero saw that Seiren had joined the party as well and was standing quietly near Kaname. He reflected that he'd never seen her socialize much with the others or join in very many conversations, but she seemed comfortable and relaxed in their presence.

Kaname had moved from the chair he'd been occupying before and was now sitting on the couch across from his guests. The way the room was arranged, the comfortable sprawl of couches and chairs loosely circled a central coffee table upon which the refreshment tray rested. The layout seemed to be designed for casual entertaining.

Kaname picked up one of the freshly filled glasses from the table and held it out towards Zero, patting the cushion next to him in invitation.

Zero felt warmth prickle under his collar, but he understood a little better now why Kaname would do this. The pureblood wasn't necessarily intent on embarrassing him to death... he wanted to indicate to everyone present that Zero belonged by his side, wanted to make a place for him in their circle.

No one stared anymore, or made much of the fact that not only did Kaname offer Zero the coveted place beside him, but he was also serving him before the pureblood took his own drink, which was indicative of special honor. Zero quickly and quietly crossed to the couch and accepted the glass, hesitantly taking the seat offered. Kaname took his own glass now, and at the unspoken signal, the others began helping themselves to the refreshments as well. It was obvious from the way everyone kept right on chatting and laughing together that this group no longer found it strange to see the pureblood and the ex-human together.

Perhaps in truth, it was an intentional acceptance. It seemed a lifetime since the disturbing scene they had witnessed in the library the day of the flood. If any of those present thought of it now... it had the opposite effect from what Zero would have expected. The pain of the situation, the horror and anguish of seeing Kaname injured and then seeing him lose it, the confusion of aching like they did at seeing Zero hurt, and how deeply torn up Kaname had been afterwards... they never wanted to see that again.

Something had indeed changed that day. However, rather than lowering their opinion of Zero, the events, especially what had happened during the flood, had brought home to them the realization that the ex-human was not a passing infatuation for Kaname, nor merely a matter of necessity. The pureblood and the ex-human were inexorable intertwined both physically and emotionally. This was not something they could expect to ever change. The world was never going to understand or look kindly on this unlikely pair, so it was their job both as Kaname's inner circle, and more importantly as his friends to be a safe place, to be accepting and understanding, to support Kaname... and to do the same for Zero too.

Even Ruka was willing to be civil to the hunter for that reason, to inwardly grit her teeth and not display whatever she might be feeling when she saw him with Kaname. Strangely, she now found it wasn't as terribly hard as she'd feared as she let her gaze linger on the pair across from her on the couch.

Kaname was listening to Takuma relating an amusing anecdote, one elbow resting on the arm of the couch, his glass held easily between graceful fingers as he sipped at his drink. Kaname never really seemed relaxed but his lithe, composed form was as close to it as any of them ever saw him get. Zero, beside him, looked distinctly less at ease, his posture a little stiff as he sat on the couch, one leg drawn up and folded under the other, his fingers drumming lightly against his glass as he balanced it on his knee. Without taking his attention from Takuma's story, Kaname's free hand slid out across the few inches of couch cushion between he and Zero, coming to rest lightly on the ex-human's thigh.

Ruka's extra senses noted a spike in Zero's temperature, but after a moment or two his body language started to slowly relax. Without looking like she was looking, Ruka saw Zero shift his glass to his other hand so he could curl his fingers ever so briefly over the ones resting on his thigh before he quickly busied himself drinking his iced tea to cover the motion.

Ruka felt a strange, bittersweet ache inside her. She'd seen what those two were willing to risk for each other. It was too good to see Kaname looking well and happy again for her to feel too sad. If Zero put that smile on Kaname's face, then she would tolerate and protect him. Didn't mean she had to like him, and he'd better never hurt Kaname-sama again, but...

"Ruka?" Kain's voice broke into her thoughts and she realized he was handing her a glass of the iced tea. She smiled and took it from him quickly, a bit embarrassed at having been caught so distracted. His long fingers brushed hers lightly as she took the cup and she felt a soft warmth prickle her skin that she wasn't quite ready to think about yet. But she didn't pretend it wasn't there. Her terror at the possibility of losing him during the flood had forced her to realize and face a few things that she was still trying to sort out inside her mind – and her heart.

Slowly, despite himself, Zero felt himself relaxing as the pleasant chatter buzzed around him. He and Kaname had been away from the Academy for some time now, so there was much news to catch up on and the nobles had many stories to tell. Eventually, he even started participating in the conversation, here and there.

Time wore away swiftly and almost before anyone realized it, dinner time was upon them. Takuma glanced at his watch ruefully. "I'm sorry, we really ought to go," he said apologetically as he rose, glancing towards Shiki. Shiki was slouched in his chair as if he'd rather Takuma had forgotten about the time all together. The young model could not stay for the holiday. As was often the case, his mother needed him home. Takuma had finally won the argument over whether or not he could come along, mostly because he simply wouldn't take no for an answer. It didn't look like Shiki wanted to leave, but he finally pried himself reluctantly out of his chair.

His expression betrayed the fact that he didn't know how he'd let Takuma talk him into this, but he resignedly started saying his goodbyes to the others. Rima gave him a tight hug, the only one there who knew almost all of Shiki's secrets, including why he was so reluctant to take Takuma home with him. "It'll be okay, Senri, trust him..." she whispered softly in her best friend's ear. Shiki hugged her back tightly, hoping she was right.

"I had Izumi pack you both a meal to take with you; if you're sure you can't stay for dinner?" Kaname said, leaving the offer open.

Takuma turned back towards the pureblood. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I really wish I could stay." He did, and yet he didn't. He found himself wishing he could be in two places at once, torn between feeling deeply that he needed to be with Senri and also feeling like he needed to be with Kaname. It was too easy to remember the three hellish days he'd spent locked in Kaname's rooms, watching the pureblood toss feverishly in a delirious stupor, each move reopening wounds Takuma had meticulously cleaned and dressed many times.

The pureblood's blood and scent was everywhere. Even the partially healed cuts like the one on Kaname's face seeped crimson and Takuma had to swath them all repeatedly to keep the bleeding contained. It had seemed like Kaname's blood had forgotten how to clot, or perhaps, having never been necessary due to his massively accelerated healing, it actually lacked the ability to do so with any real effectiveness.

It was a good thing Takuma had grown up with him and become somewhat accustomed to that delicious fragrance. It was a world of temptation being surrounded by Kaname's blood, with the pureblood completely helpless. It was a constantly battle having to touch and handle it while knowing that no matter how innocent it may seem, he dare not taste the tempting crimson nectar even to lick it off his fingers for fear of what might happen if his instincts engaged while Kaname was vulnerable and completely entrusted to his care. There was not a moment of doubt in his mind that he would never fall to that temptation, but the inner struggle convinced the noble even more deeply that he could allow no one else remotely near Kaname until he had recovered.

Every so often, Takuma would carefully change the sheets around Kaname, removing them as they became saturated with blood and replacing them with clean ones. He bathed Kaname's forehead and body with cool cloths, trying to bring his temperature down as the pureblood's fever raged and shuddering spasms shook his injured body.

But perhaps the worst was when Kaname finally stopped thrashing and bleeding. When he lay deathly still and did not stir for more than a day as his weakened body fought to heal itself as best it could.

Takuma had done everything he could. He'd had Rima and Shiki obtain an IV drip and other needed equipment from the Academy's nurse and hooked it up to Kaname himself, keeping him hydrated through all the blood loss. Saline only did so much, so Takuma regularly used the equipment to fill the bags with his own blood and let that flow into his friend's struggling body. It was a poor substitute for Kaname's rich blood, but it was the least diluted of anyone at the Academy and it was freely given.

When Kaname had finally awakened, Takuma had thought the worst was over. He'd been wrong. After Kaname was awake... it was time for the bandages to come off.

Kaname sat propped against pillows on his bed, trying not to look as weak and dizzy as he actually was while Takuma gently pealed back the bandages, washing any remaining remnants of dried blood from the pureblood's pale skin with a soft sponge. Kaname was adamant that he had to go to the hospital, had to see Zero right away, so although Takuma wished he wouldn't try to get out of bed yet, he helped his friend start getting presentable to go out. No way could Kaname leave this room with any hint or trace of blood on him for others to smell.

But as he washed dried crimson-brown stains away, it seemed like not everything was coming up, and Takuma pressed a little harder, trying to scrub the funny pinkish lines away. Kaname winced and tilted his head back against the pillows, breathing shallowly. His skin felt unaccountably tender and raw.

Takuma immediately eased up, but a strange, growing dread started creeping over him as he quickly and gently began removing all the bandages, washing Kaname down and revealing the skin beneath until there was no doubt about what he was seeing.

Takuma stared in undisguised dismay at the angry pink lines crisscrossing Kaname's body, making it look as if the pureblood had encountered a madman wielding a dull pair of scissors. He hesitantly brushed one of the scars ever so lightly with his fingertips before quickly pulling his hand away, afraid he was invading Kaname's privacy. Oh God... what had he done? How had he let this happen?

He'd cleaned and bandaged his friend's injuries carefully and tenderly, but the wounds had not been stitched, nor had any concerted attempt been made to close them properly. It was not something a vampire would have thought to do. With their level of healing, scarring was not a concern. Kaname's body should have just dealt with everything naturally. But of course... it had not, and the lack of proper alignment had made the scars worse than they might otherwise have been. Takuma was devastated. He couldn't have known that would happen, but he took it to be his fault anyway. A soft sob shook the noble. He was horrified to tears.

Kaname blinked in numb, dull shock as he looked down at himself. Oh. This was... unexpected. Takuma would never have intended it so, but his initial hesitancy to touch Kaname's scars translated to the pureblood as revulsion because that was how Kaname was feeling. That feeling would not leave the pureblood until some weeks later when Zero's caring caresses would ease away both the scars themselves, and the perception of ugliness they carried with them. Kaname was still pitifully weak and his friend's agonized horror didn't help his own intense feelings of disfigurement much, but when Takuma stopped sobbing broken apologies and started to claw himself, the pureblood quickly pushed himself to get over his own dismay and intervene.

Kaname shot up and grabbed Takuma's wrists, wrestling him to the bed. He had almost no strength, and couldn't have fought much except that the other vampire instantly stopped struggling so as not to hurt him.

Kaname's face was strangely flushed from exertion, his breath coming in ragged pants as he pinned Takuma down to the bed under him, his hands trembling, his body sagging against the other in such a way that it was obvious he was more collapsed on top of the noble than actually pinning him.

Kaname knew. He understood what Takuma was thinking. Takuma thought he'd failed him. That Kaname was bearing these scars because of some error of his. If Kaname had to be marred like this, then Takuma would offer the only sincere recompense he could by trying to find a way to share the same disfigurement, to share his shame. But Kaname wasn't about to let him do that.

"This ISN'T... your fault... Takuma..." Kaname panted, his voice hoarse but commanding, his head spinning. "I order you not to... harm yourself in... any way, understood?" The pureblood's strength failed and he sank down onto Takuma's chest, his head lolling weakly against the noble's shoulder. The exertion had been too much for him, too soon.

"Not your fault... don't... blame you... I promise..." Kaname whispered faintly, delirium not such a distant memory yet as he might hope. Takuma had been nothing but protective, giving and generous to a fault with him. He might not have survived the past few days without the noble's steady, dedicated care.

Unintentionally, Kaname found his face resting very close to Takuma's soft neck. He could feel the tempting thrum of the blood in the other's veins and tried to turn his head away. But Takuma's fingers curled gently in his tangle of dark curls, cupping the back of his head and not letting Kaname move. The noble tilted his head a little, baring his throat in a traditional vampire offering as old as time. It was the highest honor to give yourself to a pureblood... but that wasn't why he was doing it, and they both knew that.

Perhaps Kaname should have refused, but he could not. In too much need to resist, Kaname buried his face weakly against the side of his childhood friend's neck, and bit him. Takuma's blood was good and Kaname sucked it almost desperately, moving softly against him in an instinctive way that would have made someone less familiar with the pureblood either extremely uncomfortable, or turned on. Takuma couldn't deny the warm, pleasurable sensations of the other vampire sucking his blood, but the intense, brotherly affection he had for Kaname twined with the sensation, turning it into a deep, utterly protective feeling towards the unusually fragile body he held cradled in his arms.

It was a little ironic really... Kaname was drinking from him now about as desperately as Zero had a few days before. If this was anyone other than Kaname, Takuma would feel guilty, would feel almost promiscuous considering the number of vampires he'd played donor for now. He'd been raised with a very traditional and conservative worldview on such things. It was especially difficult, since despite everything else they'd done together... neither he nor Shiki had bitten one another yet. But this was Kaname, and Takuma would do anything for him. Shiki had understood about Zero, he would forgive him for this too. He had to believe he would.

Kaname was vaguely aware of bits and snatches of elusive memory as he drank. This wasn't the first time he'd taken from Takuma in the past few days, was it...? He had hazy memories of waking up when Takuma was first trying to dress his wounds. He'd been almost out of his mind with the pain... everything was a blur. But he vaguely remembered Takuma's scent and the other's strong arms around him, holding him carefully as Kaname urgently ravaged his neck.

Kaname frowned softly, the unwelcome question coming to mind of whether Takuma had offered, or whether in his delirious state he'd forced his friend. He'd been very weak, but Kaname knew no physical strength was required. All he would have had to do was demand it of Takuma, and the other would have complied whether or not he wanted to. With effort, Kaname withdrew his fangs. He wanted more, but it was enough, he felt better. He also felt guilty. He hadn't wanted to do this to Takuma and he didn't want to drink blood other than Zero's... but... this was different – a matter of necessity. He knew Takuma had also sacrificed what he surely wished only to give his own lover in sharing himself like this, and he was grateful.

"Last time... did you offer, or did I take?" Kaname murmured faintly against Takuma's skin. Somehow, he knew his friend would forgive him if it was the latter, but he still dreaded the thought.

"Offered," Takuma replied quietly, touched that Kaname was obviously worried about it. To Takuma, it would not have mattered. Even if Kaname had commanded or physically restrained him, that would not have equated to being forced, because there was nothing of himself that he would refuse his friend.

He felt a little light headed and giddy now from how much blood Kaname had just taken, and moist tear tracks from before were still drying on his face, but Takuma also felt warm and contented that he'd been able to do something for Kaname, even if he couldn't make up for the heart-wrenching scars. His fingers stroked gently through the pureblood's dark hair. "Always offered for you, oniisan," he whispered, unintentionally calling Kaname brother before he could catch himself.

Kaname froze slightly against him and for a horrible moment, Takuma thought he'd offered offense. It was unbelievably presumptuous for one of lower class to act like he could be related to a pureblood... but the look in Kaname's eyes as he lifted his head and looked at Takuma told a much different story. The chocolate eyes were soft, warm... touched. The pureblood lightly brushed his lips against Takuma's cheek in a familial gesture of affection before rolling off of him and onto his back on the bed.

"Help me get ready then, brother?" he whispered, using the word with equally gentle fondness while obviously struggling to find the energy to rise. "I need to see Zero, Takuma... I-I need to..." there was a soft desperation in his voice.

Sitting up, Takuma squeezed his friend's hand softly, his heart swollen tight with the incredible warmth of hearing Kaname address him so. He wiped his still moist eyes on the end of his sleeve. "Of course," he promised.

Takuma realized he was staring at Kaname as the pureblood sat on the couch with Zero, drinking up the sight of him healthy and whole. Kaname was wearing a tasteful open-necked shirt, visible proof that he was fully healed and no longer had to hide himself. The noble grinned ruefully at catching himself and quickly dropped his gaze, but not before Kaname had read the thoughts in his eyes.

He knew what Takuma was remembering as the gentle vampire unconsciously rubbed his neck. Kaname regretted that Takuma had to bear the burden of the after effects of being bitten for a time, but there was already such strong affection between them, at least it would not be too disturbing.

Takuma had helped Kaname much in those initial days of his recovery after the flood. He'd helped Kaname shower and dress so he could go to the hospital. Had helped him hide his scars under appropriate clothing and arranged his hair to shield the damaged side of his face. He had supported him on the way to the hospital while being careful not to let anyone else see that Kaname was in need of support. He had helped Kaname move Zero here to this house. He had done everything family would have, or at least should have done if Kaname had had any. The pureblood would not forget that. And he did not want Takuma feeling remotely torn about leaving now.

"I'm glad you're going. You and Shiki enjoy yourselves, you deserve some time to yourselves. Trust me... it can be very nice. Right, Zero?" the pureblood's smile was innocent and intentionally suggestive at the same time. Takuma grinned a bit self-consciously and Zero, beside Kaname, made a concentrated effort not to choke on his drink as he shot his lover a withering look.

More than they needed to know, Kaname...

Kaname grinned incorrigibly, his fingers shifting with feigned carelessness against his lover's thigh.

"With my mother around, riiight..." Shiki muttered, grabbing Takuma by the elbow. "Well, come on, if you insist on putting yourself through this, we had better go."

Takuma, feeling much less guilty about leaving now, gave his good-byes and let Shiki lead him away. The rest of the group followed them, escorting their friends out and seeing them off before they adjourned for dinner.

After dinner they retired back to the comfortable living room again to while away the remaining time before bed. There was plenty on offer for entertainment. Kain turned on the TV on the other side of the room, he and Aido dropping down onto the couch in front of it. Seiren took a seat nearby, half watching while working some kind of complicated hand andRima settled at a table with a deck of cards, althoughthey were doing significantly more chatting than playing. There'd been a generous supply of vampire alcohol with the meal, so everyone was feeling pretty warm and contented.

Kaname caught Zero's eye and glanced towards the chessboard. "You know, we haven't finished our game yet..."

Zero rolled his eyes and leaned over, giving his king a flick with his finger so that the piece fell over on its side. "Now we did."

Kaname appeared amused. "Ceding so soon to the inevitable? That's not like you. Very well, we can start another game." Kaname cleared the board and started setting it up again.

"No, thanks, twice in one day is my limit." Zero shook his head, raising an eyebrow when Kaname didn't stop setting up the pieces. Some people didn't know the meaning of the word no. "Kaname, I said I'm not..."

"Come on, Zero... it will be quick. Honestly, I don't know what you have against the game..." Kaname gazed up at him with that damn look he did so well – the deceptively innocent "why are you being so mean to me over such a small thing?" expression that the pureblood found quite effective in manipulating Zero to do what he wanted. It wasn't exactly pouting, that was too undignified a term, but it was close.

Zero could either be irritated or amused by Kaname's antics. It had been such a pleasant evening, he chose amused and gave a frustrated snort that was partially a chuckle. "Yeah, I bet it would be. And I don't have anything against the game..." Zero glanced around the room.

"Hey, anybody want to play chess with Kaname?" he called out to the others, resulting in a deafening silence as the nobles all looked in his direction, gaze shifting between him and Kaname. Obviously, any of them would if asked, but the majority of expressions gave the impression they'd secretly rather walk on hot coals.

Zero shot a smirk towards the pureblood at having made his point.

"I do!" Aido volunteered quickly, the only one of them who seemed excited by the idea.

Kaname gave his lover a smooth smile, beckoning the blonde to come over. "See? Aido appreciates a good game of chess."

Zero tried to look annoyed but ended up grinning anyway as Aido bounced up quickly from the couch and crossed the room. The blonde would have volunteered to do just about anything if involved Kaname and they both knew it.

Aido looked very pleased as the pureblood offered him a chair and he dropped down into it, quickly arranging pieces on his side of the board.

If they were younger and much more juvenile than they'd probably ever been, Kaname might have stuck his tongue out at Zero, but as it was he just raised a graceful eyebrow.

Zero simply shrugged. It was a win-win situation as far as he was concerned. Kaname got a partner, Aido got to enjoy being thoroughly creamed by his favorite pureblood and Zero got out of another painfully exercise in futility.

Kaname eyed Zero with sudden, amused suspicion as he realized that the hunter had probably intentionally maneuvered the situation to this result. A deep grin tugged at his lips. Zero may still suck at chess on a board, but he was getting pretty good at practical application.

Grinning quietly to himself, Zero wandered across the room and dropped down on the couch near Kain, taking Aido's vacated spot in front of the TV.