Chapter Four:

Aftermath!

Zero's memories cracked through his sleepy consciousness like water from an old dam, first trailing down in drops and then bursting through completely, rushing through him in a flurry. Groaning, Zero tried to bring his hands down to shield them from the natural light flooding through the partially closed curtains only to find that they had been secured tightly to the bedframe. Struggling to sit up on the bed a small scream escape his lips as the movement sent jolts of pain from his bottom and up his spine, making his breath hitch. For several moments he stared up at the ceiling, trying to reign in his horror but his breaths came out loud and choked. His stomach squeezed and ached frantically until it finally rebelled. Lurching to the side of the bed, Zero dry heaved, nothing but a burning acidic spit drenched his tongue.

Thankfully that bastard was not here, Zero did not know what he would do if he was still next to him. Every small movement, every breathe caused a shooting pain through his body, Zero wanted nothing more than to curl up into tight ball and forget that this nightmare had ever happen but he refused to break, refuse to give in to that bloodsucker.

He dropped his head against the pillow, sweat dripping down his forehead; exhaustion gripped him as he tried to battle against the tears that had threatened to spill. Pain clouded his mind, Zero tried to figure out how they had ended up in this position, when had Kaname's interested changed to that? Nothing made sense, Kuran hated him! Hated him so why would he do that? It hurt him, really hurt him, how could that be pleasurable to anyone? Who would want to do that willingly?

Twisting violently Zero tried to yank his hands free but all he succeed in doing was causing the rope to dig deeper into his skin. Jumping at the sudden clang of the door swing open, Zero closed his eyes, trying to pretend to be asleep as the sharp clicking of Kaname's footsteps made closer and closer. It was useless, even Zero could hear the fast, eccentric beating of his heart, his swallow breathing and the tremble consuming him, every inch of his body screams his fear and hatred.

"Get the fuck away from me!" screamed Zero, panicking, kicking out as Kaname settled down next to him, his fingers trailing through zero's hair, softly " You fuc-"

Slap across his cheek, ringing in pain as Kaname return to stroking his hair, calmly. "You do not swear at me Zero. You do not fight me, understand?" His strokes changed, more savagely; more brutal as he dug his fingers into his skull, tugging his hair, "Understand?"

"You basta-"

Lashing out, Kaname gripped him around the throat, putting pressure, listening to Zero gasp for breath: " I said no swearing." His voice was soft, gentle and he removed his hand from his throat. Taking deep breath, Zero fought himself, trembling and shaking, determined to find some sort of control. He cannot deal with this, not now he need some time to gather some control, some way of slamming up his defensives, it just too much.

"I told you to behave, didn't I?" Kaname soothed gently as he began calmly stroking, petting Zero's hair again, ignoring the hitching of Zero's breath, the gentle trembling of his muscles and blood dripping down from his wrist. "None of this was necessary."

"Necessary?" snarled Zero, trying to pull his hands free, a fresh wave of anger consumed him, he just wanted to cause as much pain as possible, wanted to cause him a fraction of pain that he had caused him and to make him scream. "You fucking rapist, bastard!"

Kaname sighed, shaking his head with an amused smirk on his face, that boy will never change, his arrogance and attitude needs to be more fitting, more suitable of a pets. Looks like he will have to take more dramatist, harsher punishment. Grasping Zero's hair, yanking his head back sharply, earning a sharp gasp from Zero, Kaname met Zero's eyes. The lavender eyes still shone with all the anger and hatred for his kind but now they were haunted, a sense of pain and fear, no not fear. Apprehension. Yes, apprehension that what hiding in his eyes, Kaname smirked.

"Your mouth is going to get you into serious trouble, pet" amused Kaname, sliding over the side of the bed, rooting around in his side cupboard, and came back holding his belt. "Let's see if we can curb it."

"No. Don't you dare," snarled Zero, as Kaname tore the blinding from Zero, forcing his to bare his back towards him, ignoring his blows, kicks as if Zero was mere child attacking him. If anything, this was worse, making it so clear that he could do nothing to stop him. " Get off me, now!"

Zero felt the nudge of Kaname's knee in the small of his back, in one hand he held Zero's wrist and with quick sharp movement he brought the belt down, squarely across his back. Shock ripped through Zero, he had not imaged that this could hurt so much, the second hit caused tears to spring to his eyes, threatening to spill, the third had him biting his lips, determined not to scream. After the 10th Zero lost count, tears finally spilled down his face and the 15th strike had him screaming in pain, enough was enough.

Another and another strike came down on his back until the scent of blood filled the air, sickly coppery smell that churned Zero's already sensitive smell. He would do anything to make the pain stop, anything. He could not take anymore… Just make it stop… please…

"ST-STOP" Zero pleaded, his voice echoing his pain, "Please, Kaname, please. I'll-"

The belt still, resting against Zero's back. "Apologise."

"What?"

"Apologise."

A few moments of silence passed, Zero flinched as he felt the belt leave his back

"I'm sorry." Smirking at his small victory, Kaname tossed the belt away, realising Zero's arm and removing his knee, watching as Zero curled up into a ball, tears pouring down his cheek. It was obvious to anyone that the boy had had enough for today; he needed a bath, rest and something to eat. It was a master's duty after all to look after his pet.

Zero heard Kaname walk away but he did not really care. Everything ached, everything hurt and his body screamed in protest as he tried to wipe away the tears. Shivering Zero tried to dig himself deeper into the bed; he could not do this anymore. Exhaustion settled in and Zero really could not bring himself to move now. Why was everything against him? How had it turned to this? Was this his life now? To be raped, beaten and treated like.. like a slave?

His gentle trembling turn more violent, tears rushing down his face as he felt the dip of the bed once more, he jump, panicking as Kaname reached for him.

"Please.."

Knocking aside Zero's out stretch panicking arm, Kaname pulled him closer to him, pulling him against his chest. Holding him tightly as Zero squirmed violently.

"Please," whispered Zero desperately. "Please.. It-"

"What Zero?"

"It hurts," it was barely a whisper; if it was not for Kaname's vampire hearing he would have missed it. So desperate, so painful, so scared. "I don't want this, please."

"Hush pet," murmured Kaname, he wrapped his arms gently around him, securing him to his lap, rocking him gently as the tears pour more and more violently down his cheek, burying himself against Kaname's shoulder. Part of Zero wanted to submit to Kaname's embrace, he was tired, but another part of him was so disgusted with himself. Seeking comfort from his torturer, how weak could he get?

"Now this is what going to happen, you are going to have a bath, food and then you are going to get some rest."