Warnings: This is a yaoi (m/m).

Pairings: Zero fans, rejoice!

Preview Line: Zero's lips curved into his usual half-smirk, showing fang in all the right places.

The Stained Marble

Chapter Six

Little Pet

"Hey! Hey, Hanabusa?"

Aido lifted his tear-stained and snot-smeared face from his knees to see sparkling violet eyes and silky silver hair, which seemed almost white in the glow of the moonlight.

"Ack! What the hell's wrong with you?" Zero asked as he half-leaned over Aido, looking down at him skeptically.

The young noble huffed and, embarrassingly, wiped at the tears, which still lingered on his face. He tried to sniff and wipe at his runny nose but resolved that he was only making it worse.

Deep down when he'd heard Zero's voice, his heart had skipped a beat, and like a damn fool, he'd looked up, hoping it was Kaname. The pureblood had really done a number on him. He'd deluded himself into believing Kaname would really become his and his alone.

The young hunter still stood over him, arrogantly looking down with his lips half-pulled into an amused smile at the noble's misery. Aido's heartache vanished as anger took its place. He wanted nothing more than to wipe Zero's cocky smile off his face.

So what if that bastard had been correct in calling him pathetic? He would never admit that to him, and he sure as hell wouldn't let Zero make fun of him anymore because he had no intention of being chained up by Kaname anymore. Enough was enough.

Aido pushed up himself up off the ground by his heels, almost hitting the top of his head against Zero's chin if it weren't for the hunter's fast reflexes. Zero moved at the last second just as Aido predicted he would.

"Shut up, Zero," Aido said, trying to sound menacing like Kaname somehow always managed. "This is all your fault anyway; you and that girl, Yuuki's."

He really hadn't meant for that last bit to slip out, but the visual of Yuuki and Kaname wouldn't leave his mind. He knew how close Yuuki and Zero were so why not blame it on both of them? That didn't make a lot of sense, even in his mind, but at that particular moment, his brain wasn't functioning properly since his heart was all knotted up inside.

"Huh?" Zero protested and gave him a curious look. "How the hell is it my fault? And just what did I do anyway? If anything, I'd think the reason you are out here like this would be because of that bas—," he began, but Aido abruptly cut him off.

"Shut up! You don't know anything!" he yelled and cursed under his breath when the back of his throat felt hot and tears threatened to fall again. "You don't know anything, Zero, so don't talk like you do," Aido continued, trying to distract himself from the tears, but his voice came out soft and barely above a whisper.

Zero tsked, as if annoyed by the whole conversation, and said, "Seriously, what the hell? Why the hell are you and Yuuki so hung up on Kaname? What's so great about that bastard anyway?"

Aido didn't respond. He couldn't. What was so great about Kaname? Everything. But if he answered Zero with that, he would surely make fun of him, and Aido was tired of arguing already. Perhaps, it was from too much crying, but he was worn out from his emotions running too high. He needed to find a way to end this conversation and head back to the dorms. He hoped once he returned then he could sneak back into his room without running into Kaname. However, the following day, he would definitely have to face him. He didn't know if his heart was up to the task.

His thoughts drifted back to Kaname as he stared off past Zero, forgetting his current situation. But when the hunter said his name in a tone so completely different from before that Aido almost mistook him for Kaname, he immediately snapped back to the here and now and glanced at Zero. But his violet eyes were still cold and cruel as if they could melt the polar caps themselves. Confused, Aido was sure he'd heard that distinct seductive tone in Zero's voice, and yet, his eyes reflected none of that. He was relieved, but when Zero took a step forward, almost like a hunter stalking its prey, Aido froze.

Wait, was he misreading the signals here? He studied Zero's expression more closely and saw his lips were pressed together and turned slightly down as if he were irritated, or perhaps, infuriated. The conceited Zero had utterly disappeared from sight. When had that happened? Why was Zero pissed?

"You truly are pathetic," he said, his words hitting Aido like daggers. But his tone was not harsh, and instead, he almost whispered those words like a lover would.

By the time Zero finished speaking, he reached Aido, flung his arms out, and gripped him by the shoulders. He firmly, and somewhat harshly, yanked Aido into his warm embrace and pressed him against his chest. Aido was too shocked to do anything but stare at Zero's black Day Class jacket against his cheek. What the hell just happened?

Slowly, his mind began to work again and he felt the wrongness of being in someone else's arms, someone who wasn't Kaname. His body unfroze and he tried to shove Zero's chest so he could ask what the hell he was doing. Yet, all too suddenly, Zero leaned down next to his ear and whispered, "Don't worry. I'll help you forget."

The hunter pushed back against Aido, who continued to struggle in vain, and Aido vaguely wondered how the other vampire had gotten so strong. He had heard the Headmaster say Zero was bitten by a pureblood named Shizuka Hio four years ago. However, in order to save him from falling to a Level E, Zero would need to drink Shizuka's blood, but some assumed she was dead and others thought she'd gone into hiding. Still, Aido thought it was strange that Zero didn't seem to be struggling with his thirst, and in fact, he was actually stronger than a noble, which shouldn't be possible.

Zero's lips curved into his usual half-smirk, showing fang in all the right places. He bent down before Aido could protest and forced his lips on the noble. For several seconds, Aido lay motionless against those lips, too stunned to move. He stared wide-eyed at the hunter and, inevitably, felt those lips begin to move across his own.

Zero's lips pressed hard into his, demanding and insistent, and as they moved across his paralyzed lips, he felt the need, the familiar desire, and the pure longing that those lips brought forth. He fought with everything he had to resist, and even managed to heave Zero back a bit by pushing up against his shoulders.

Zero didn't move far, but his lips did fall back an inch or so, if only briefly. Aido stared horrified into those dark purple irises and shuddered. He recognized that lustful gaze and wanted nothing more than to escape it. However, in the flash of a second, Zero was on his lips again, ignoring his obvious discomfort.

The hunter brushed against his lips more softly this time and only momentarily. He felt Zero pull back his lips ever so slightly and suck in his lower lip. Despite himself, Aido jolted with the overwhelming sensations as Zero skillfully sucked and stroked his lip with his warm tongue. His guard slowly shattered as wave after wave of pleasure racked his body.

As soon as Zero's upper fang nicked and delved into his bottom lip's tender flesh, drawing out a delicious stream of warm blood, Aido's hands shot up from Zero's shoulders to intertwine with the luscious locks of his silver hair. Distantly, he noticed as Zero's hands loosened on his shoulders, fell down his back, and wound around his waist tightly, urging him close against his chest. Zero's hands kneaded at his back and dangerously trailed lower, increasing the hunter's labored pants.

He sucked with a renewed vigor at his bleeding lip, and Aido found himself desperately clutching Zero to him, internally begging for more. He arched his head backwards and tilted it up so that Zero could have better access. It took all of his concentration not to moan excessively into Zero's mouth, and on top of it all, he felt himself twitch, growing hard. He tried to remind himself not to push the full length of his body against Zero, but as the hunter sucked harder and more passionately, he grew that much harder, which in turn made him want to press against Zero and rub over and over…

Quickly, as if his life depended upon it, Aido detangled his fingers from Zero's hair and pushed forcefully against the man's shoulders. Zero broke free from his swollen lip but didn't move back more than a few inches from his face.

Zero gave him a wicked smile and, in a blink of an eye, closed the distance between them, yet again. He, swiftly and fleetingly, flicked his hot tongue across his entire mouth, as if Zero were promising something, but then moved away again, still holding Aido by the waist.

"See?" Zero said, grinning widely, and he even gave Aido a wink. "You feel better, right? But don't expect me to do this next time Kaname kicks you around. Next time, it'll cost you much, much more, Hanabusa."

What? Just what the hell did Zero think of him? And how dare he treat him that way! That bastard. But more than anything, now that Zero's true colors had been revealed, he felt like a complete idiot for even letting the jerk touch him.

"Screw you, Zero!" he spat back at him.

Even if Zero had gotten a rise out of him, it had only been because he'd been vulnerable. It'd only been because Zero had come at the right moment, while he was all messed up because of Kaname. He would make sure to never make that stupid mistake again. Stupid Zero!

"Hey, you are the one who gave in so willingly," Zero said and licked his lips as if savoring the taste of him. "Although, I can't say it wasn't worth it. You are truly delicious. I can't wait till Kaname kicks you around some more. I want to taste every inch of you, Hanabusa. Come to me next time, my little pathetic pet."

"I'm not your damn pet!" he yelled but then wondered what the hell Zero meant.

"Yes, yes, that's right. You are Kaname's," Zero chuckled and released his waist.

Aido was concerned by Zero's comment and he was trying to figure out how much Zero knew about his relationship with Kaname. But that damn hunter was already walking away from him, unconcerned by his troubled expression. As usual, Zero had gotten the last word.

Zero had probably just meant he always followed Kaname around like his little pet and not in the sexual sense. There was no way Zero knew he'd become Kaname's lover, right? But then why had he kissed him like that? Was that Zero's way of threatening to expose his true relationship with Kaname? Was he telling him that if he didn't become Zero's "little pet" he'd expose Kaname's secret? If so, why hadn't Zero just said so? Or did Zero really want him to be his "little pet"?

This was why Aido hated Zero; the jerk never made any sense. Regardless, he figured he'd gotten himself into a complicated situation. And still, Zero's heated, tingling kiss lingered on his lips, confusing his thoughts even more.

He shouldn't be focused on Zero. He should be thinking about Kaname and Yuuki, but for some reason, he couldn't even remember the words Kaname had spoken to her, or why they were important anymore. Why had he been so upset?

His thoughts and emotions were all over the place. Maybe a warm shower would help clear his head. Hmm, perhaps, he'd also stroke himself in the shower because as much as he hated to admit it, Zero had turned him on. Ah, he'd think of Zero's fang sinking into his lip and Kaname sliding deep inside of him. Oh, that was so wrong!

Yet, he was getting turned on even as he walked back to the Moon Dorms. He reached down into his trousers and adjusted himself. He didn't want to be sprouting out of his pants in case someone was still up and in the sitting area when he entered. Though, everyone would probably be asleep by now. It was well past Night Class curfew, and he would be scolded if Kaname found him out and about.

Deep down he still ached to see Kaname, but he didn't know what he'd say to him if he did. He didn't know how he'd handle the situation if Kaname pretended nothing happened and continued to act like his lover. He had no desire this late at night to confront him either. So, he opted to be as quiet as possible when he opened the front doors of the Moon Dorm.

A small lamp shone brightly in the sitting area as he entered. Sometimes the lamp was left on by accident; however, tonight Kaname sat in one of the long, white couches with the dim light illuminating his black silky pajamas and fuzzy slippers. His long legs were leisurely crossed, and in one hand, he propped open a copy of William Shakespeare's Othello.

Kaname's gaze lifted over the rim of the book upon hearing the door. He silently closed the book and set it aside. The older vampire's ominous glare sliced through Aido as he stepped into the room and closed the doors behind him.

The noble was not ready for this encounter, and seeing Kaname's dark intent, he lost his nerve. He knew he was supposed to be mad at Kaname, and that bastard had no right to be mad at him, but in the world of vampires, emotions didn't apply. Kaname was a pureblood, and his presence alone demanded respect, demanded Aido bend at the knee. And every time Aido's eyes gazed at Kaname, he was entirely inclined to do so. Every petty thing he was supposed to be mad at Kaname for, everything the elite vampire had done to hurt him was forgotten in the blink of an eye. He only had a pure desire to please and serve Kaname.

The blood that flowed within his veins, years of servitude, and a combination of fear and love had Aido on his knees within seconds. He bowed his head low within inches of the floor, and said, "I'm sorry, Lord Kaname. I lost track of the time. Please forgive me."

He heard the pureblood rise from the couch and take a few steps closer to him until he could see the tips of Kaname's black slippers.

"Hanabusa, I heard you earlier when I spoke with Yuuki," came his edgy and scolding voice. "Why did you not return to the dorms immediately? Where were you?!"