Title: Tenebricose
Author: Corroding Muse
Requested By: ben4kevin
Main Pairing: Kaname x Zero
Word Count: 1542

Tenebricose
Chapter One
"Changes"

So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test
-David Bowie

He no longer saw himself when he looked at his reflection. Who was that man gazing back at him, eyes darkened and uncaring? He was not the person he once was. He could not connect the reflection with the past him. He could hardly remember who he was in the past. It was a faint memory that danced right outside of his grasp, silken tendrils slipping from his fingers

At one point, this fact would have brought on a tidal wave of angst, causing him to slam his fist against the wall, baring his teeth to his reflection in the mirror. Those days were over one hundred years ago. Those days… when things were far more complicated than they needed to be… Were he a lesser hunter, he'd cringe at the memories. He'd been driven by emotion during those days, and it only resulted in hurt. Even so, it had always seemed so worth it when he'd gazed into her eyes, and into her heart... But he could no longer recall how that felt.

He'd abandoned her just as she had him as soon as she'd flounced off with him leading the way. At first it was tough giving her up, but he threw himself into his work and eventually, he felt her slipping away from his mind. The hold she'd had over his heart had weakened and crumbled, but he survived.

He realised he didn't need her.

Zero Kiryū was stronger now; far stronger than he'd ever been in the past. He was far more in control of his emotions and he was one of the best at the association. He worked diligently, often sacrificing the pitiful social life he'd maintained in favour of working. He became a rogue hunter, rather than tying himself down to another corrupt association. He would still take jobs they sent him, ignoring the thinly veiled begging inscribed into the wording. They were pitiful, and he was the best. Even so, he never lingered too long in one place. It did not matter; his work took him everywhere.

Many hunters that he could loosely refer to as friends joked that he'd become the next president in a matter of years. Zero allowed them to laugh about it, but he always shot them down, explaining that he was not interested in such a position. He was a free man, and even now, a century down the line, he was thoroughly enjoying it.

His frozen amethyst eyes caught his reflection once more, and he was allowed the smallest upward quirk of his lips before he turned his back on himself and exited his small bathroom.

His apartment was not the largest, but it was comfortable for him. He lived with only himself and that was all he needed room for. The walls in the sitting room were lined with bookcases holding titles on various subjects. The kitchen and dining room were one, as a small table and two chairs (guests were rare, but not non-existent) were located in the far corner. His bedroom had only enough room for his small single bed and his wardrobe.

The ruthless hunter exited his home, prepared and keen.

Yūki had known there was a problem for some time now. She hadn't wanted to approach the subject – least of all with Kaname – but her dearest's behaviour increased in reclusiveness over the years led her mind down a track that she'd never once considered before. While she often thought of Zero, she'd never given time to remember. The memories were all too painful. However, the hurt caused by Kaname's cold indifference became all she knew. It was then that she knew she was ready.

She willingly threw herself into those memories. With the knowledge she held now, she analysed each interaction with her prince and her knight. The deeper she dug, the more her chest began to constrict. She was discovering the truth. The harsh truth that had been so obvious in the past. She'd willingly looked past it all, blinded by her worship of Lord Kaname.

In that moment she realized that her innocence was the cause; the very innocence that Kaname had encouraged her to hold on to, she realized that it was no coincidence.

Throughout her past, she recalled Zero giving for her. He just kept giving and giving. He selflessly protected her from every threat, and he was always there to hold her when she was hurting. He helped her dig into her past. He ignored his own suffering in favour of helping her. The love he'd felt for her was pure. He would have given anything for her, and he'd never ever ask her to retain a particular trait should she no longer desire to hold on to it.

She could hear his voice clearly.

"I won't tell you to keep your innocence if you feel it's holding you back, but I will ask that you think this through. Are you ready for the real world?"

"Yes, I'm ready." She would reply, her tone solemn and steady, as unwavering as her resolution.

Undoubtedly, she'd been ready long ago. However, Kaname had always urged her to stay naïve. For the most part, the order was subtly veiled with poetic confessions of love, but she'd learned the ways of the world, and had been exposed to how cruel people truly were. From there, Kaname had begun isolating himself.

At first, Yūki had blamed herself. She'd been so overcome by depression; mourning for the loss of her naivety that she felt had driven away her beloved. However, over time, she realized the problem was not of her cause. Kaname began to feel like a stranger to her; someone cold and uncaring, and a person she'd never willingly interact with. As she reached toward her feelings for him, all she felt was desolation.

She'd fallen out of love with Kaname, just as he had with her, long ago.

With that realization, she immediately thought of Zero. She was free to find and peruse him, to surround herself in his pure love and honest embrace. But… was he even still alive? She knew that the actions he took whilst depressed were often detrimental to his health. In the past, she'd always stopped him. But she hadn't been there… She'd been with Lord Kaname…

With a dead heart, she decided that she no longer cared. She was free to retaliate, to investigate, and she'd face the consequences proudly. She would never forgive Kaname. She would never forget… Zero…

Kaname's impatient finger tapped rhythmically against the polished oak of his desk, crimson gaze narrowed into intimidating slits. As he was, the vampire king was completely oblivious to the blackening of Yūki's heart. All he felt was his own rage, thick and hot. The cause was out of grasp. He refused to acknowledge. Yūki. He'd loved her once. Right? Surely he had; this whole thing could not have been born of obligation, could it?

Yes, he'd loved her. He'd loved her tenderness and innocence. He'd loved the way he could move her. But it had grown so tiresome. She was too willing, too submissive to satisfy his needs inside and outside the bedroom. Aidō had often challenged him, but in the end, even he folded. They couldn't offer what he needed.

There was only one… only one person who had truly ignited the spark of black within his chest. A hate and love so rich, he'd wanted to tear the hunter apart, rip him to shreds, drain him of blood, and then kiss his wounds better, sleep by his side, before repeating the whole performance again. He craved that pale knight, wishing to sink into that ivory flesh and destroy it. He needed to build him up and worship him. He needed to destroy. He needed Zero.

He'd made his move. All that was left was to wait. Zero was drawing near. He'd made his decision almost impulsively. Capricious decisions were quite out of character for him, but his need was driving him mad. It was like a slow burn that steadily increased in intensity, and whilst one could previously ignore it, it began to take over their thoughts and they acted thoughtlessly to extinguish it before they lost themselves.

He'd tried to find a replacement. He'd used gold and instructions of 'don't submit' to vampires who'd been all too eager to please. It wasn't enough. Either they found themselves submitting to him, or they continued to challenge, hoping to please, and in the end found themselves of the verge of death. If he'd offered them his blood beforehand, he'd more than likely find the challenge he was seeking, but it was not so. He couldn't bring himself to part with his blood. He couldn't allow anyone who wasn't… He'd yet to find one worthy of feeding from him – aside of Yūki. In the past, they'd drank from each other in tender passion, but that felt like so long ago.

There was a knock on the door – his next soon-to-be conquest – and the vampire king loosened his tie, gaze heavy. He knew that he would not be satisfied, but he was already straining. He'd try… He'd try not to kill this one.

A/N: Written at the request of ben4kevin! I hope you're enjoying it so far! This first chapter is simply to show at what point our main characters are at with their lives.

At first I was a little unsure about writing this - especially since I'm not a fan of Kaname's character - but I've begun to enjoy it! It's a little darker than what I usually write, but I don't mind a challenge! It was actually a Code Geass fanfiction that kicked this into gear, as I'd given up on it whilst still on Zero's P.O.V !

If you're interested in submitting a request, please see my profile for details.

Shout out to irmina for catching my little error! Thanks a bunch!