Thanks so much for the favs, reviews, and follows~ *grin*

Warning: unbeta. English is my second. ASL (American Sign Language) is my first. Yes, I'm Deaf. :)

I don't own Vampire Knight. *sob*

Enjoy~ *munching on cookies* Also, please take good care of yourself, be healthy, and be safe~ ^^

Moon Dormitory

Kaname's Dorm Room

Later…

Kaname is laying comfortably on the large indoor lounge white chair. His gaze is reading the reports while his other hand takes a couple of papers from the coffee table that was close to him. The coffee table was messily covered with books, paperwork, and reports. He pulled the new report onto the growing pile with boredom. He has been reading the reports for a while however, he long senses the presence outside of his private room doors.

The pureblood mentally sighed weary, he knew that she won't leave until he acknowledges her. "Ruka…" he called out, coolly as he knowingly she can hear him. "If I just ignore you any longer, are you going to stand there all night?" he said, slightly annoyed. The pureblood wants to be alone with his work.

The door clicked open to revealed nervous Ruka. "Kaname-sama." Ruka step inside and closed the door behind her. The toffee-haired vampire walked closer with red blushes. "I've not gotten any scolding." She said shyly.

Kaname sighed softly as he closed his eyes. "You want to be scolded? What a strange girl." He muttered, he already decided not to deal with Ruka and Aido since he knew they were just protective of him. Maybe he should inform them that they are forgiven but if it happens next time, he will scold them.

"Kaname-sama is a gentle person." Ruka comments with admired and awe. "In front of Ichio… you were helping Aido and me… so that he knew you are in control. That he can trust you. Without knowing that we— Aido and I… are important to you." She said, feeling satisfied and happy.

Kaname hummed in response while reading the paperwork. Ruka stared at him then noticed a letter on the ground. She walked toward it, bend down and pick up the letter. The toffee-haired girl placed the letter on the coffee table. "Thanks." The pureblood appreciates after he noticed her kindness act. He was too lazy to get up and pick up the letter on his own.

"Kaname-sama." Ruka boldly leaned over the pureblood who lowered his reports. His auburn eyes stared blankly at her shy yet coy face. "Please… take my blood. To express my gratitude for you." Ruka used her nails to dig in, blood spill out and drop onto Kaname's cheek, and descend down to the cushion beneath him.

The pureblood raise his hand and covered Ruka's neck. The noble vampire twitches when she felt his hand pressed pressure against her neck. "Ruka." Kaname admonished Ruka gently. "There's no need for that. Thank you but I am not in the mood."

Ruka stared at him then nodded her head. "Hai, Kaname-sama." The pureblood watched the noble vampire moved away, turn, and walk out of his room.

He released a loud sigh before the door shut. Kaname reached his cheek, wipes the blood away while staring at the ceiling. Kaname isn't interested in taking anyone's blood. He only wants the taste of a certain person. He closed his eyes to image her appearance in his mind once again.

[The moonlight shines upon a silver hair that makes it glow, amethyst eyes that makes it gleam like beautiful rare treasures, skin that is so white like pure snow, and standing on the balcony. His appearance was hauntingly beautiful.]

Kaname's eyes snapped open with puzzled. He didn't mean to think about the Prefect as he only wants to think about Yuuki. But whenever he tried to think of her, it's always coming back to a young hunter. He knows that Zero is a fascinating puzzle to learn because he wants to know everything about him. Kaname admitted that Zero is a gorgeous creature, he would make an astoundingly irresistible and exquisite once he becomes an official vampire. And sometimes he does wonder what his blood would taste like.

The Pureblood blink as the realization hit him.

Oh.

Kaname hummed. '…to think my beast wants to taste his blood.' Surprisingly, that didn't disgust him at all.

Which means… Oh.

His auburn eyes lit up with understanding.

Now he understands why he wants Zero to touch his blood.

Kuran, Kaname the Pureblood Prince has found himself to be interested in Kiryuu, Zero.

As in…

…intimately.

And he has no idea how that happened nor why. "Kiryuu-san… Zero… you are truly a puzzle." He muttered, intrigue, and amazed. Never would he have thought that his beast finds someone more interesting than Cross, Yuuki.

.

..

…

Bloodline of Sin

Night Eighteen

"Ponder"

…

..

.

Cross Academy

Cross' Resident

Basement

A Week Later…

The sound of gun firing heard shooting at the target in the shooting range area inside of the basement where it's known for the training room. The silver-haired hunter used his trustworthy gun to practice his marksmanship. Which he didn't need to since he never once fail his target. Zero couldn't help but recall when is the last time he actually fought with his Bloody Rose with someone he completely trusts?

His finger froze at the trigger when he remembered that dark time of his other life.

[Flashback Memory]

A bitter wind swept the hillside and the ground was slick with ongoing rain. The town is littered with bodies, gore, and blood. Crimson-red, jet-black, and forest-green are the new colors of what was once a spirited town, which has now become the stage of a long, destructive battle. The air was heavy and thick with the scent of smokes, chopper-blood, burnt fleshes, and harsh wind along with the sound of downpouring rain along with bullets released from guns and snarls from creatures of the night.

Vampires and hunters are fighting each other supremacy. A silver-haired hunter dart out of the hiding and pulled his trigger to rabid vampires' headshot gracefully and effortlessly.

"Zero!" the silver-haired hunter halted when he heard the voice that he was long familiar with. He jerked his head over, but the bodies were in the way of his views. So, he leaped over the abandoned car's roof and whirled around until his amethyst eyes spotted one of his trustworthy friends. Zero immediately bound over to the next vehicle, hopped to the automobile after automobile effortlessly.

Instantly, his gaze found large rouge vampires fighting against one hunter. A tall, lean hunter with messy, ash-brown hair with nose-length bangs, sharp hazel eyes, and wore tight black tank top, black leather ankle-length jacket, black jeans tucked into black combat boots, and silver stud belt with chain hanging on his left side. Blood was splattered painted on his face and hands. His boots somehow got covered with soaked crimson-blood despite there is still on-going rain. His hair slicks to his face as his bang was pushed behind to reveal his fierce and determined eyes. The hunter held twin sai daggers as he slashed across one of the vampire's chest and blood spurts out.

Zero immediately raised his Bloody Rose and pulled the trigger to one of the vampires who nearly bite the hunter's neck from behind. The hunter whirled around, kicked the dead vampire away as the corpse flew back, collide against the enemies, and fell back. The hunter jerked his hazel eyes up to meet the calm amethyst eyes.

"Took your time, Zero!" the hunter grinned sharply at his long-time friend.

The silver-haired hunter snorted, leaped over, and gracefully fired his gun to each vampires' head and heart. While the hunter stabbed and beheaded the enemies with is sai daggers. Before the enemies knew, two hunters were back-to-back in the middle of the large circle. "How the hell did you managed to attract them surrounding you, Kaito?"

Kaito chuckled humorlessly. "What can I say, Zero? I'm practically appealing to vampires." He joked which made Zero rolled his eyes exasperatedly yet fondly. "I mean, even you couldn't stay far away from me more than a day."

"Sure." Zero sarcastically said, knowing that his long-time old friend was only joking. "If I recalled right, Master said that you love flirting with Death too much to the point that Death will eventually get tired of you."

The hunter chortled. "You really think Death will stop seducing me? As if…" the hunters used their weapons against the enemies, killed them one by one effortlessly and gracefully as if they are dancing in the rain of the battlefield.

After a moment, the hunters killed the vampires as they are scattered around them. Kaito sighed heavily as his sai daggers are dripping with blood while he leaned back against Zero's back. "Damn… I want gum." He blunted, craving for tasting flavor of gum.

Zero shakes his head as his lip twitched. "You and your gum." Yet he took out a pack of mint gum and handed it to Kaito who perked up with excitement.

"I knew you love me, Zero!" Kaito grabbed it not unkindly and ruffled his friend's wet hair messily. "Thanks." He sharply grinned at the silver-haired hunter. "Now, let's finish this battle." The hunter stated before he popped a piece of gum in his mouth. Kaito twirling his sai daggers in both hands skillfully.

Zero watched his friend threw one of the sai daggers and struck into one of the enemies' eyeshot in the distance. "Not bad." The silver-haired hunter commented, calmly.

Kaito winked at him, playfully. "Let go before Master scold us for dilly-dally." He joked, then dart to the dead corpse while slashed the vampires with his other sai dagger then pluck his dagger out of the dead body's eye.

The silver-haired hunter added a new magazine in his Bloody Rose and fired it to the rouge vampires while keeping his eyes out for his friend's back.

[End of Flashback Memory]

Zero snapped out of it when his vampire instinct poked him as he sharply turned his cold gaze over to the door. When the door opened, revealed Yagari who held up a mini-black envelope that Zero knew it's from the Hunter Association. "You got a new mission, brat." The hunter handed it over to Zero.

The silver-haired hunter gently set his Bloody Rose on the counter, grabbed the envelope not unkindly, and flipped it over. He saw a blue sealed which means elimination, he unsealed it, took out a folded paper, unfolded it, and quickly scanned it through. "Its C-Rank mission for my to eliminate E-Level vampires from the abandoned warehouse not too far from here." He explained, blankly to his master without caring that he just told someone his true mission.

Yagari leaned his shoulder against the wall with his arms cross. "Sounds like a chore for you." He commented, coolly. "It'll only take a few hours for you to complete the mission. Make sure you write a report and hand it to me in the morning."

"Hai." Zero nods his head, understanding. The silver-haired hunter ambled to the counter, grabbed his Bloody Rose as he prepares for his mission soon.

.

.

Cross Academy

Courtyard

Later…

Yuuki walked around aimlessly while staring at the ground ahead of her. Her hair is covered with her sadness and hurt eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about Zero and Yagari's words. The Prefect girl did play with ideas to confront Zero and trapped him in the same room as her so they could have real talk about whatever the problem was.

The brunette girl sighed heavily as she lifted her head while breeze playing with her short hair. From the corner of her brown eyes. She spotted something silver and black. Yuuki halted, turned her head and eyes widen in astonished surprise to see Zero sneaking off in different outfits through the woods. Yuuki furrowed her eyebrows with confused and followed him quietly.

Yuuki doesn't understand what's going on with Zero exactly, but maybe she will find the answers to wherever Zero's heading off to? Maybe it will help her to get close to the cold-hearted Prefect? Her heart swells with hope while she hid behind one of the trees when Zero reached the fence.

Her eyes widen in stunned when Zero run toward the large fence, double kicked upward on it, and leaped up as his hand caught the edge then pulled himself up easily. The moonlight shines upon him that reminds Yuuki of the mysterious creatures that can fly over the high fence and buildings. When Zero dropped down to the other side as his trench coat flew behind him like black wings.

The brunette girl blinked in shock then shakes her head to snap out of it. She ran toward the fence with hope to caught up to Zero however, a hand dart out and grabbed her wrist. Yuuki squealed in frightened shocked and immediately took out her staff.

However, her staff was easily taken out as it was dropped on the ground and her brown eyes met the stern azure-blue eye. "Y-Yagari-sensei?" Yuuki stuttered nervously and confused.

"…I strongly advice you to continue your duty, Cross-san." Yagari said, coldly while he is holding her wrist.

Yuuki frowned deeply. "B-but… Zero…" she glanced over her shoulder where Zero disappeared over the fence to somewhere.

"He's doing his duty as a hunter." Yagari answered, nonchalantly. "Now, will you leave him be and go do your duty?" he stared at her blankly.

The brunette girl gritted her teeth, frustrated and sad. She lowered her head as she shut her eyes while her wrist is still hanging by the hunter's hand who is waiting for her answer. "…my memory began on that snowy day, ten years ago…" Yuuki released her shuddering sigh while Yagari raises his eyebrow. "The pure white snow and the red blood together with terror. That memory of being hugged warmly by Kaname-senpai. I was saved by him from the bloodthirsty vampire. Kaname-senpai took me to Chairman and because of him, I learned a lot of things…"

Yagari frowned, wondering where Kaien's adopted daughter's going with this strange conversation. Yuuki continued. "I was scared that he was a vampire at first, then later I learned that not all vampires are terrible. Every year's birthday, every special day of the season. It was allowed me to meet with Kaname-senpai even though, it got shorter and shorter. I made sure that it was more memorable and more fun with him more than anything. And then… after that, when that time came, four years ago… Chairman Cross brought Zero…" she trailed off, then slowly lifted her head up and stared at the hunter's eye with teary eyes.

"He was covered in blood. Completely drenched and… I didn't understand why he was so cold and distant. He hated it, said that some vampire bit him and it made him felt disgusted. I couldn't stand still and leave him alone like that. So, I wanted to help him. I watched over Zero every day, make sure he eats every day, bathe every day, and stay by his side every day… but then…" Yuuki's lips tremble. "…one day, Kaname-senpai visited us. Zero hurt him with a dinner knife and… I learned that he despises vampires. I wanted to comfort him, to let him know that not all vampires are bad. But… it changed everything once Chairman made Cross Academy."

The hunter slowly released her wrist while staring at her and Yuuki gently touch her wrist and pressed against her chest. "I thought… humans and vampires can get along… but Zero said I was too naïve. Too ignorant. But I didn't listen. So, I ended up going to the Moon Dorm and waited for Kaname-senpai. I waited for many hours until I fell asleep. And then… I woke up and searched for him. I found Kaname-senpai drank someone's blood. My thought was, "Vampires are the night creatures in need of blood who drinks it". And that was when I realized how different we are. I'm a human and he's a vampire. That's a fact. And it was also that I was made know what fear means… and Zero helped me, he made sure that I was safe and protected." Yuuki bit her lip after a moment then her brown eyes harden with resolve. "I want to help Zero."

Yagari stared at her then sighed as he turned away while runs through his wavy jet-black hair with is long fingers. "…you want to help him?"

"H-hai!" Yuuki's eyes brighten up with hopeful and eager.

The hunter closed his eye. "Leave him alone." Yuuki froze as her hope fades away.

"W-why?"

Yagari opened his eye and Yuuki never seen such soften in his eye before. "Because Zero isn't the type to open up and talk about his feelings easily to anyone. You said that you were saved by Kuran on a snowy day, correct?"

The prefect was surprised that the hunter actually listened to her story. She nodded her head in confirmed that he was correct. Yagari opened his mouth. "Four years ago, on a snowy night… was when Zero became cold, just like snow." Yuuki furrowed her eyebrows confused yet attempt to understand. "He is never heartless, he just learns not to use his heart often…" the hunter closed his mouth thoughtfully. 'And his heart filled with sorrows which the world knows not, and many people labeled him as cold-hearted when in reality, he is only sad.' Yagari sighed heavily.

"Then he shouldn't be alone…" Yuuki protested weakly.

Yagari examined the prefect carefully. "Have you ever stopped and think that maybe you aren't the right person who can thaw his cold heart?" Yuuki flinched back in hurt as her eyes wide in offended.

"W-why would you say that? What if you're wrong?" Yuuki curled her hands into fists with displeased.

The hunter hummed. "Called it instinct." He answered simply.

The brunette girl lined her lips. "I… I just can't leave him alone."

"…don't say I didn't warn you. But do not trouble him too much, Cross-san." Yagari said while he silently curses his long-time old friend introduced Yuuki how to be stubborn because it was ridiculous. 'However, I cannot help but noticed that she's either obsessed with Zero or she has some kind of hero-complex? Or maybe she just wants to fix him?' he mused, he decided to keep his eye on her form now on.

Yuuki nods her head. "Hai…" she replied with a soft tone, then she grabbed her staff from the ground and walked away.

The hunter watched her quietly until she vanished from his sight and his azure-blue eye gaze over the fence then to the moon. "Tsukiya… please continue watching over your son. I'm afraid that someday he won't be ever free from the depth of darkness and nightmares…" he muttered, worried and uneasiness.

After all, Yagari doesn't want to lose Zero.

.

.

Somewhere

Meanwhile…

The rouge vampire vanished in ashes in front of Zero who fired his gun. His amethyst eyes scanned around the empty warehouse that he has successfully eliminated over ten Level-E vampires. He double-checked the warehouse and was satisfied that it was free from vampires. The silver-haired hunter holstered his Bloody Rose calmly and left the warehouse.

He sauntered down the path with his hands shoved into his pockets. He allows himself to enjoy himself by the cold breeze that touches his skin and hair. A ghost smile appeared on his face as he long used to the cold weather. As long as there isn't snow, he could appreciate the coldness that the weather provides.

Almost immediately, he halted and snapped his eyes open when his hunter instinct pokes him. His eyes sharpen with suspicious and warily his surrounding. Ahead of him, the dark shifted which made his amethyst eyes glow in the darkness.

Standing before him, there's a horse-size of a shadow creature. It crept out of the dark area to revealed a black sabertooth tiger with glowing garnet-red eyes. The beast paws were covered black smokes and its fangs were long and curve. The sabertooth growled softly while Zero stared at it fearlessly.

~Zero~

The silver-haired hunter eyeing at the creature warily as his ears perked up when he recognized the voice. "…Sanctus." He stated with a raise eyebrow.

~I can communicate with you through my creation of familiar.~

"Sabertooth is your familiar?" Zero asked, curious, and intrigue.

~Well, they are known for willpower, courage, personal strength, wisdom, and insight. It matched my soul. However, I cannot use it too often as they are dangerous to use, especially where I am is vulnerable. I use my senses through my familiar in order to deliver you my message.~

The silver-haired hunter with understanding by this fascinating ability. "I see. What is it?" he is curious about what kind of message his ancestor's lover has for him?

~I am afraid that I will be out of touch temporarily. There are some unfinished businesses I need to attend, along with avoiding few stubbornness rouge hunters. However, I promise I won't stop investigating your mother's background.~

"Is that so…" Zero muttered as he crossed his arms with contemplative while eyeing the black sabertooth who is staring at him in rather eerily yet interesting. "…what can I do?"

~I suggest you wait until I have answers for you. I know you want to do something but for now, please wait and if you can, please practice your ability. I doubt that you only have one ability, I am positively sure you will have another ability to unlock. However, I am not sure when nor how it will happen. I want to give you forewarning.~

The silver-haired hunter scowled. "Another ability?" he doesn't know if he likes that or not. Having psychometry ability is very time-consuming and energy-waning. Using it makes him really thirsty. Although, he understands why the ancient vampire wants him to practice because if he practices, then his energy won't fade at a quick speed and his thirty won't be overwhelming. However, that doesn't mean he will like it. And on top of that, he will get another ability?

~Yes. You may have a mixture of three Bloodlines. You are still Blueblood, being one means you will have more abilities.~

Zero grimaced. "I'll be alert for it." He understood why Sanctus has given him a warning since the ancient pureblood vampire won't be available for a while.

~Excellent. Now, I shall leave. For now, farewell Zero.~

Zero watched the sabertooth turned around and quietly padded to the darkness. "Wait." Zero called out and the creature paused. The beast turned its head over as its garnet-red eyes gleam brightly. "…be careful." The ancient vampire may not be his ancestor but that doesn't mean Sanctus was not his family.

~Of course.~ then the beast vanished in the darkness.

The silver-haired hunter sighed softly. "Sabertooth, huh?" he mumbled as his gaze lift upward to the moon. "…I wonder if I will have a familiar?" he pondered with curiosity then shakes his head. Right now, he needs to focus and return to Cross Academy.

.

.

Cross Academy

Moon Dormitory

Kaname's Dorm Room

Meanwhile…

The pureblood vampire placed his chin on his palm as his elbow rested on the desk while he is sitting on his chair. His auburn eyes stared at the paperwork in front of him while his other hand, next to the paper as his fingers are drumming against it lightly. He and Chairman Cross have been debated for a while about the school having some kind of party after the Exam Day which will be next month. He needs to come up with some ideas in order to have both Night students and Day students to attend.

Kaname continues staring at the piece of paper for a moment longer. He wondered what kind of party he could come up with. He doesn't want a common party nor boring type that he used to attend in the past. It has to be something more fun, more unusual, and unique. Especially, he knew that a certain Prefect will be involved. Not only that, but he also wants to hear his song from the piano.

Slowly an idea crept into his mind. Kaname is aware that Zero won't play the piano in front of the audience, since the silver-haired hunter is different. Maybe he could at least make the standoffish Prefect comfortable enough to play it, at least one song.

Moonlight beam through the window, dancing against the floor to the furniture until his tapping fingers paused as his auburn eyes sparkle. "…masquerade ball." He mumbled with interest.

If he could have students attend the ball in formal along with a mask, then it would be more entertaining and mysteriously fun. For both humans and vampires. Kaname smirked with satisfied, now he needs to write down the rough ideas before having discussed with the Chairman Cross.

"I wonder what kind of mask you will be wearing, Zero?" the pureblood vampire whispered with wondered.

It would be very captivating if a silver-haired hunter dress in a formal suit and mask.