A/N: This work is intended to act as an alternate midquel and ending after the events of Night 45 in the manga. While it will stray away from the canon events, it is my hope to treat Matsuri Hino's work (from characters to atmosphere) while adding my own elements. Rated M for: Military / War violence, occasional strong language, supernatural vampire violence, mild suggestive overtones.
i. Decision
"Oh, him?" The man asked. Whatever traces of moonlight there were was scant. It only partially illuminated his features, particularly tufts of his strikingly white hair. Perched idly at his side was a worn assault rifle, its shoulder strap torn and frayed in places. "It's been close to a year since I've last heard about him. She went off with him, too. Haven't heard from her since, but life moves on doesn't it?" Despite his seemingly nonchalant demeanor, a quiet sigh passed through his lips. Not that he had any life of his own. In addition to being caught up in all matters of private contracts since the war had broken out half a year ago, he struggled still to suppress his instincts. A fate befitting for one less than human.
"Is he still causing trouble?" He finally asked after a moment of silence, stumped as to why a pureblood would be of concern to a foreign military. "The Hunter's Association was the last to have any real interest in him, but even they are barely holding on at this point after what happened at the Cross Academy. I'm sure you know about it." He could feel the distaste rising in his throat, slowly but steadily. "Well, whatever. If you feel that I'm the only one capable for the job I'll take it on." He still had his enchanted handgun after all these years too, but his old, beat-up rifle did most of the real work now. Level E's were becoming less of an issue, after all.
Zero rose from his seat now, nodding once at his employer who smirked in return. He thought that he moved on from that part of his life. It was nothing more than a specter that haunted both his memories and dreams. Only deadlines and contracts surrounded him. He'd seen all matters of things in just the mere span of a year, both on the battlefield and more covert situations. It was his decision to take up freelance work after all. He couldn't protect her, so now there was nothing left to protect aside from the public and their interests.
Perhaps with the Kaname's death however, it'd be his time to rise from the ashes. He'd only been saved by him as he was the other's instrument, his pawn, and shield to protect Yuuki. Though he was still a shield in a broader perspective, this was his time to reclaim his identity.
It was time to again begin anew.