First of all: Sorry because I am late with this new chapter. Had lots of things on my head these days. Very much work to do, little time.

Second: I have flu. Nasty thing if you ask me.

I didn't want to rush and write it because I wanted to make it realistic. I hope it is. I also want to thank you for reading it and for the patience and also for reviewing it. Thanks, I appreciate it a lot.

Enjoy it. See you next time.

Chapter 3 – Gazing at snow

Hey, do you remember how we first met? You had such a sad look in your beautiful eyes. And your body was covered in blood. Such a terrifying view! Let's dance…

"How long do you keep on sleeping?" the girl said. Yuki was sitting in a big cheery tree, with a small bird on her lap patting it with her small fingers. The breeze was cool and nice. Zero was sitting on his back, with his hands under his head looking above him at her.

"I'm sleepy! What do you want?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering…"

"At what?"

"At your sleepy face…it's funny…ha ha…"

"Stop doing that! It's annoying…"

"You know…I wish we could be like this forever…" Yuki's eyes were following the white clouds and then at the bird on her lap. Her face was somehow serious and sad. The sounds of nature made the silence between them hurt a little.

"Pink strawberries…" Zero said all of a sudden.

"What?"

"Your panties…Childish"

"You…you…PERVERT" she was shouting. Her face became all red and flustered.

"HA HA HA…Why so serious…HA HA"

"Hey, Zero…Want to see more?" the atmosphere changed suddenly. The storm was coming. Everything died in an instant. The violent landscape made Zero become serious and cold.

"Can you tell? I'm on your lap…Feels good? You filthy mongrel…Staring at me with those lustful eyes. You should be ashamed. You disgusting pervert." Her eyes were red and the look on her face angry and crazy. She put her hands around his neck starting to choke him. "Feels good? You filthy vampire! Do you want my blood? You bastard…Have you ever asked yourself if I really wanted this? You made me like this…ZERO!"

Cold drops of sweat were falling on his temples making the white skin shiver on their touch. Zero had another "Yuki Nightmare". He was panting really fast and he was startled. His eyes were trying to focus on a certain point so that he could gain his composure again. Everything seemed so real. He could swear that he has felt her there: her whole being near him made him remember all those times their friendship bonded them together.

The guilt was consuming him inside, his heart was aching and those were the moments that reminded him the pain of loss. I must stop myself for giving in to those stupid nightmares. Yuki is not like that, it's not her I am dreaming of.

Then he inhaled and finally realized the change of the environment: Zero wasn't sleeping on a cold ground in a dark forest. It wasn't that cold anymore and it was almost cozy. A pleasant smell was invading the room. He was lying under dark blue silken sheet on an enormous bed with canopy. The canopy was handmade with an original design. The transparent curtains that were falling from top to the floor were tied on each wooden pillar of the canopy with blue ribbons made of silk. Every inch of the room seemed to be ancient: the grey carpet on the dark brown floor which was rent failed to cover a big black spot that appeared to have been made long time ago, the handmade furniture that had the same design as the pillars was covered in dust and, in a corner near the windows, there was broken glass. Zero was gazing outside the big windows. The storm was at its peak.

Suddenly Zero felt the cold air touching his skin; the room had a chimney but the fire wasn't that strong. On the right side of the bed there was a night stand. Zero could see a glass of water and some pills near it. There were also some red candles and some matches. He searched the room with his lavender eyes. He was alone.

Zero got off the bed and he realized he was naked. What on earth is going on? Where am I? He was confused. Well, it was pretty normal to be that way. The last think he remembered was the torture he received. Then he realized; he searched his body: all his wounds were healed. The only things that remained were the scars. What the…Who… but his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden opening of the door.

The hunter's eyes became wide opened, his jaw felt on the floor. He was staying still, petrified. His mind became blank and couldn't mutter a single word. He was standing there, near the bed staring at the one in front of him. Zero couldn't believe his eyes. How long has it been since he last saw him? It was five long years. Five…long…years.

Kuran Kaname was staring back at Zero, with an expressionless face. His facial muscled weren't moving: not even in surprise. Have you ever seen the face of a statue? Well, Kuran's face was even more expressionless than that.

"I see you came back to your senses. It was about time." even his voice didn't sound like he was really talking. No emotion, no nothing. It was as if he had no soul in his body.

"What…Where…" Zero had so many questions but he couldn't overpass his surprise. Am I still dreaming…Maybe I really am! Or, maybe I finally found them: after so long I finally found Yuki.

"Stop daydreaming and lie down on the bed." Kuran said while he opened the closet. He brought a box and put it on the night stand. Then he saw the pills. "You didn't take them? What's wrong? You still can't bring yourself to drink them? This is such a childish reaction. That is the reason you became so weak. You are indeed a fool. You didn't change much, at least that is what I can see." The pure blood was talking, but Zero couldn't hear a word. He was in shock. Not to mention the way he was spitting the words out: no emotion in his voice. He was too damn calm and it made Zero nervous.

The hunter managed to move his legs and sit on the edge of the bed. He was still naked but he really didn't care. After a few seconds he finally surpassed his surprise and started questioning the vampire.

"What is this place? Where am I? What happened in the forest? How did you find me? Are you alone here? Why didn't you let me die? How did my wounds healed? Where are the others? Where is…" He asked all this so fast that he made Kaname blink in surprise. He put his hand on the hunter's mouth to cover it and to stop him from speaking.

"I will answer all of your questions. Just shut up and listen carefully, don't make me repeat myself. Turn around so I can see your back. What?" Zero was staring at Kaname with distrustful eyes. "I'm not going to do anything to you. Don't glare at me! Just turn around, shut your mouth and let me tend to your wounded back. You really are such a weakling." Zero slapped his hand of his mouth. What's wrong with him? He's ordering me around as if everything didn't even happen, as if we are still at school. Who does he think he is?

"Look, I don't have time to waste on you. If you want answers do as I tell you. I don't have the patience I once had." Kaname frowned. Zero was speechless. He finally turned and now he was looking at the falling snow.

Kaname opened the box and brought out some medicine and ointment. He started to attend Zero's back. It was cold and stinging. Zero shivered. Kaname stopped for a few seconds, he stared at Zero's back, breathed on his wounds and the he applied again. Zero shivered more and more. What the hell is he doing? I'm not a child; I can stand this kind of pain. Kaname started talking in a low voice.

"This is my mansion. It's very old. But you probably figured that out already. I've been here for the last three years. Of course, not all the time, because I traveled. But I always came back here. Three days ago, I felt a familiar presence. I didn't want to look into the matter but I remembered something so I went out to find what bothered me. Then I saw the old cottage and you inside it. You were sleeping. I thought it was a mistake: you being so close to us. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realize you are here, in this cursed country. Then I saw you chasing that child. So pathetic I could say. And you didn't even catch him. What kind of hunter are you?" Kaname was very sarcastic and ironic. Zero didn't like the tone of his voice. He turned his head to face Kaname and to give him a piece of his mind. He was furious. If he saw me there, why didn't he help me? Oh, right, I forgot…he hates me. But no more than I still hate him.

"I told you, stop staring at me." Kaname turned Zero's head and continued talking while searching for God knows what in that box.

"Anyway, after that, I saw the whole thing: you being kidnapped by those filthy hunters. Ohm yeah, they were hunters. You see, hunters in this country are very violent. They hate vampires and they kill any kind of vampire: Level E, Noble, and Pure Blood. Doesn't matter what kind of vampire they find, they just kill him. And the killing isn't the problem. The problem is that they like to torture us to death for many days until we go crazy. They developed some kind of drug that stops our powers, I mean our regenerative powers, and it makes us weak. And everything is legal. Or so they say. Also, the Association in this country always claims that the only vampires they kill are the violent and dangerous ones. But that is just a lie. So, I watched while you were tortured and came to rescue you. Am I not nice?"

Zero was boiling with anger. He wanted to have his gun with him and shut him. Nice? What's so nice about watching someone being tortured to death?

"What about the child?" Zero asked between his teeth. His fangs started growing and his eyes changed their lavender color becoming redder. He was furious. These last five years he's somehow forgotten all the hatred he had for Kuran. But now all his feeling come back to surface, more intense than last time he faced the pure blood. The hunter clenched his hands on the sheets.

"That was someone from the village I suppose. There is one a few miles away from here. The people there fight everyday with Level E. His parents probably turned and he wanted to save them giving them pills. Pills are very rare around here. They would kill for some. Pills are considered drugs and are banned. But the smuggling is at its peak. Of course, the medicine is expensive. After I saved you, I gave you my blood. It was the only way to save you."

Zero stiffened and he wanted to glare again. He bit his lips and blood came falling down to his chin.

"Trust me; I don't like the idea more than you do. But I had to do it." Kaname said in a disgusting voice. He closed the box and got up. He went near the window and started looking outside. He crossed his hands on his chest and he leaned on his shoulder. Zero was fallowing him with his gaze.

Kaname didn't change much. His face was the same. Only his hair was longer but still that beautiful brown. His physical features didn't change. The only thing that was different was his personality. He was still the same proud pure blood vampire. But his eyes were colder and he was like an empty shell moving around. When he felt Zero's gaze on him, he turned his eyes to look into the boy's eyes. They looked at each other for a moment. It was as if Zero was searching for something. He was confused. He didn't understand.

"What? Why are you staring at me? Well, I admit, it had been a long time. I didn't miss you, if that is what you are thinking about." Kaname said sarcastically. "I'd rather preferred never seeing you again for the rest of my cursed life. But some might say it was fate. Then I could say that my life is more cursed than I ever imagined it would be. I gave you my blood. You should at least thank me."

"Then why is that my wounds didn't completely heal?" Zero was very rude and his tone was full of hatred and rage. He was disgusted by the mere thought of having Kuran's blood inside of him. The reality almost made him vomit his insides right there, in front of Kuran, on his silk bed.

"The drug the hunters gave you. It does that. It doesn't matter how strong the blood is. The scars will be there forever reminding you not to be so stubborn and admit your nature. If you'd have drunk blood or pills frequently, you wouldn't have become so pathetic and weak. But you are still in denial, still…after five years. How do you think you could ever scratch me when you can't even walk properly? I still don't understand the love Yuki had for someone as pathetic as you are?"

When Kaname said that, Zero remembered the reason of his journey. He jumped of the bed in a second. His eyes were asking Kaname. Some sort of fear suffused his heard and his mind. He could feel Kaname's presence. He could also feel some humans around the house but no one else.

"Kuran…" the words couldn't come out his throat. He clenched his hands into fists, braced all his courage, and tried asking again.

"You should cover yourself. It makes me sick just looking at your face, but at your naked body." Kuran said disgusted at the view.

"Stop changing the subject! Kuran, where is Yuki? Why can't I feel her? Where is she?" Zero panicked and asked without even breathing.

"What do you mean? Are your senses that bad? I shouldn't be surprised. After all, you live because of us, because of me. I shouldn't have expected more from you. You're still at the base of vampire races: you're still so young, childish and stupid. How could I ever forget your stupidity and lack of sense?" The pure blood was gazing outside the window and he was talking as if he was reading from a book. No feeling at all, no emotion. His wards were so empty that made Zero finally snap.

"CAN'T YOU STOP INSULTING ME? LOOK ME INTO MY EYES AND ANSWER MY QUESTION. DON'T AVOID THE ANSWEAR ANYMORE. WHERE IS YUKI? WHERE IS SHE?" Zero was yelling his soul out.

Kaname looked at the vampire for a moment. Zero could discover surprise in his brown eyes. But he could as well be wrong. Kaname turned away his gaze. He sighed soundly. Zero was more surprised than ever. He never saw Kuran sigh. The pure blood closed his eyes and finally opened his mouth to say something. He spoke in a low, sad voice even if he was smiling. Kaname's eyes became wet.

"What do you mean "where is she?"? Can't you see? Yuki is everywhere. Here, in this room, in this house, outside playing in the snow. She is everywhere. She's the snow itself."

Hearing that answer, Zero froze. His made was blank. He refused to believe. He started trembling. He stared at Kuran, he saw his eyes, and he saw his smile. The hunter couldn't stand anymore. He let himself fall on the dusty floor. His shock was even greater than the one he had seeing Kuran again. The vampire's word were dancing in his ears and hitting violently in his mind.

"N…o…No…Y-you're…You're lying. It's a lie. You're mocking me! YOU'RE MOCKING ME!" His tears were falling on his cheeks like rivers. Kaname was surprised by the hunter's reaction.

"But didn't you feel it three years ago?" Kaname came closer to the hunter. Zero started trembling in convulsion. He put his hands on his head and started mistreating himself, pulling his hair, scratching his skin until blood came out. His reactions were violent. He sank his fingers into his face. The pain was mortifying. The overflowing tears made Kaname stare with a strange expression on his face. He saw Kiryu at his most pathetic moments, at his most weak times, but he has never seen his like this: consumed by pain and rage.

"You're not the only one. Stop this. If I could let you die so easily I wouldn't have saved you. I would've let you rot in that chamber. But I can't do that. I promised her. I can't disregard her last wish. So stop being pitiful and come to your senses." Kuran was angry. He wrapped Zero's wrists and took his hands away from his body. "Stop this idiotic and low behavior. You don't know how it is for me. So stop acting as if you understand what her loss means to me. You knew it. You should have been prepared, so stop the foolish act."

The next moment, Zero's eyes became wide opened. His tears stopped falling from his violet eyes. He was feeling warm. Something that never ever crossed his mind has happened. His breath stopped, his heart made a big pause and his brain was like asleep. Kuran Kamane took the hunter into his strong arm in a gentle embrace.

Zero couldn't see Kaname's face but he could feel his breath on his naked white skin. The feeling was so wrong.

"I know. I lost her, too. But this is not the ending. You have to snap out of it. I need yo…" he paused for a second. It wasn't in his nature to ask something like this. "…your help. I need someone that understands the loss to help me punish everyone that made me suffer. I don't care if you hate me because I hate you, too. But you have to feed on this hate; you have to make it flourish so one day you'll make all of them suffer. Remember, you are my Yuki's knight. And that is forever."

Ok, if you liked it, please review it! I will write the next chapter soon. Again, sorry for the wait. :D