VK belongs to Hino-sensei.

Shadows are Cast

Shinojo Library was a behemoth of a building, the center of knowledge in the city, the place where scholars came to scour its bountiful wealth of manuscripts on limitless subjects. It holds an age-old secret within its vast halls, a secret to which the majority of human society is oblivious. It is home to the Hunter's Association, a covert faction whose war with the vampires rages on in the shadows. Yoshiro Kawasaki, Kieji Morimto's second-in-command, sat in his spacious office, brow knitted, reading over the file he held in a hand. He cast a glare at the photograph clipped to the upper right-hand corner of the first page. Toga Yagari. The Yagari clan was one of the three strongest Hunters clans that had ever served the Association, tying with the Cross family and surpassed only by the mighty house of Kiryuu.

A sigh escaped him. Toga was too clever. He'd somehow discovered that Hunters were vanishing and had confronted him about it hardly ten days ago. Of course, Yoshiro lied, claiming that he knew nothing of the sort. Toga simply stared at him with that single piercing azure eye and stormed out of his office, but not before dubbing him a two-bit liar. Dammit. Toga was not the best hunter simply because of his strength and speed, but because the man was dogged. When he caught whiff of a scent, he was like a bloodhound, tracking his prey tirelessly until either he was killed or his quarry lay dead at his feet.

He hadn't heard hide nor hair of the hunter since he saw him last and he was worried. If Toga determined exactly how many hunters had been abducted and how long it'd been happening he would be exposed. And if he was exposed, he would have to face Morimoto-san's wrath. He cringed, not from the thought of facing his superior's fury, but from the notion of his true superiors' displeasure.

The telephone next to his desk lamp rang, giving him a slight start.

He uttered an expletive and picked up, gulping down the nervousness roiling in the pit of his belly. "Hello?"

"Have you found Yagari yet?" A diabolical voice rasped.

Shit. "No, not yet. He's proving harder to find than anticipated."

There was a long silence, the other person's anger evident when he finally spoke, "you are becoming more trouble than you're worth. Do whatever you must in order to find him."

"I will."

"You have four days."

Four days? He swallowed, attempting to wet his parched tongue. "I will have him by then, I promise."

"This is your last time Yoshiro. Failure will not be accepted." The voice warned malevolently.

His heart palpitated hard in his chest and he swallowed the knot forming in his throat before replying, "I know Masters, I promise not to fail you."

"For your sake I hope not." The mysterious voice hanged up the phone, prompting a dial tone.

Yoshiro chewed his bottom lip anxiously. How in the hell was he supposed to find Toga in four days? The world was a big place and not to mention that accursed hunter was quite clever. If he didn't want to be located he wouldn't be found. Then a thought entered his racing brain. Toga had friends, that delusional pacifist Kaien Cross and Zero Kiryuu. He smiled craftily, and got up from his comfortable leather chair.

He walked down the halls casting fleeting glances at the many portraits hanging upon the wall, each of which depicted a piece of Hunter history, and the young hunters he passed on the way to his CO's office. He stopped at a large door with inscriptions carved into the wood and knocked on the door.

There was silence then came a booming "enter."

Yoshiro slicked his messy blonde hair from his face and smoothed down his beard, hey he couldn't go into his superior's office with such an unkempt appearance. He blinked his dark eyes a couple of times and opened the door, giving a polite bow once he entered Kieji's palatial office.

Kieji was a handsome man in his late forties with dark brown hair graying around the edges and stunning viridian eyes that gleamed with wisdom. His appearance and voice were gruff, belying his true good-natured and tolerant character. At the moment, he was reading over a few reports written by hunters. "Ah, good evening Kawasaki-san. What can I help you with?" He asked gruffly without taking his eyes off the official papers in his hands.

Yoshiro refrained from fidgeting and straightened. "Good morning sir, I wish to ask for a leave of absence."

Kieji raised his eyes from the paper to regard the man standing in front of his desk. "And why is that?"

"There are things that I need to take care of personally sir."

He dropped the stack of paper clipped papers on top of the desk so he could give the blonde his full attention. "A leave of absence you say?"

"Yes," he answered humbly, trying to keep from growling in frustration when the other did not seem to be in a hurry to make a decision.

"And does this personal matter have anything to do with the Association?" He steepled his fingers, his keen eyes digging into the blonde.

"No, it is my own problem."

"Is it urgent?"

"Yes sir."

"How long will you be absent?" He kept searching the man, watching for any sign that he was lying. The vibe Kieji picked up from the lower ranking man told him that if he wasn't lying then he was at least hiding something. Fine, let him hang himself.

"Four days." He crossed his fingers behind his fingers behind his back, hoping that the Commander would agree to his request.

Kieji shrugged coolly. "Your request is granted."

Yoshiro bowed gratefully. "Thank you sir." He exited the room and shut the door behind himself, giving a sigh once he was in the hallway. Now, to go pay Kaien Cross a visit.

Toga walked into the burlesque club, gazing through the haze of cigarette and stogy smoke hanging in the air, and surveyed his surroundings. The burlesque club was quite lush its décor consisting of wine colored booths, satin tablecloths, velvety carpet, and thick silk curtains poised over the stage. It was reminiscent to a forties lounge. He walked towards a seat in the corner and sat down, eyeing a particular scantily clad waitress balancing a tray of alcoholic beverages. He lit up a cigarette and dragged on it contentedly, allowing the music to which the performers danced to slide into the background.

A rather buxom brunette attired in a corset that propped up her ample breasts like a succulent offering and short ruffle-hemmed hoop skirt approached his table. "May I help you monsieur?" She asked in a melodious French accent.

He examined her for a moment, then took a drag of his cigarette. "Oui. Can you tell me where I can find The Countess?" He asked cordially.

Her expression changed. "I am sorry monsieur but I am a waitress. The only information I can give you is which wine is on special tonight," she answered amiably, but the bite of acid in her tone was not unapparent.

He raised an eyebrow and inwardly smiled. He would watch her carefully for the rest of the night. "Then I'll take a glass of Beaujolais wine." Usually he would take a harder drink besides wine, like a Barbary Coast, but he didn't need to be hindered in any way tonight.

She looked at him suspiciously. "Tres bon monsieur." She gave a bow. "I'll be right back."

"Take your time." For a moment he fixed his eyes on the stage, enjoying the clothes the women wore: embellished corsets, bikinis, garter belts, fishnet stockings, and stiletto heels. He smiled when the group of women began gyrating and shimmying erotically around the songstress sexily belting out the lyrics to the music played by the band. The men in the club cheered when the gorgeous singer tore off the bottom of her dress to reveal a sparkly red bikini and wrapped a leg around the microphone stand, caressing the metal pole suggestively. Toga grinned lopsidedly. Damn, he loved visiting France.

Tearing his eyes away from the stage, he directed his gaze to the bar in the far side of the room. The young woman chatted with the bartender, casting a suspicious glance his way. Damn, they were talking about him, how sweet. He blew out a breath of smoke, thinking about the nearest exit should they decide to attack him. Nonchalantly, he burrowed his fingers through his hair. He promised himself that he would only lose his temper if they tried to kill him. His thoughts drifted to Zero and Kaien. Maybe he shouldn't have got them involved, because that jerk-faced twit, Kawasaki, was no doubt going to call on them. Damn, perhaps he should have allowed them to remain unaware. Even though he knew both men could take care of themselves, he also knew that they both had weak points. He raised his eyes to the waitress when she sat the glass and bottle of wine in front of him. "Merci."

She put a hand on her hip and glowered at him. "Mademoiselle Countess has granted you an audience. Ten minutes to seven she wants you to go to her dressing room only then will she talk to you."

He glanced up at the wall clock over his table. 6:15. Dammit, he still had forty-five minutes. "Where's her dressing room?"

"Backstage, last room on the right." She answered and strutted away.

He slouched in his seat, resigning himself to watching the performers on the stage. Later he walked down the dimly lit backstage hallway with a hand resting on the handle of his shotgun just in case he was ambushed. He stopped at the last door, rolling his eyes when he saw the gold C inscribed on the doorway. Jeez, why did all entertainers have to be friggin' divas? He grasped the doorknob, focusing his senses, and opened the door. The room was as expected, extravagant to the point of gaudiness, at least to his tastes. There was a large vanity set against the far wall with light bulbs surrounding the mirror, a clothes rack full of both elaborate and lingerie-like costumes to the right, a table littered with unopened presents and flower bouquets, and a chaise lounge nearly covered with frilly pillows. He scoffed and sat down on the armchair, tilting his head back to look up at the ceiling.

The door creaked when it opened.

He raised his head to look at the intruder and his eyes looked as if they might pop out of his head. Holy shit. He got to his feet and continued to stare at the beautiful woman standing before him. "Angel?" Goddamn, she was still gorgeous. His greedy eye blatantly slid over the auburn hair cropped into a fashionable bob, her slate gray eyes, to the plunging neckline of her fitted dress. "What the hell?"

She smiled coyly at him. "Hi Toga." Without much warning she wrapped her arms around him, interlacing her fingers through his inky hair when she drew back to look him in the eye. "Still handsome as ever I see."

Fate, you sonofabitch, he thought bitterly. This was friggin great. Out of all the people to run into he had to run into one half of the Knightley twins. Angel was one of the few women that could pierce his heart right down to its very core simply by being in his company. He broke the embrace and walked to the chair, needing space to focus his mind. "So, how've you been?"

She sat down on the lounge and crossed her legs, the slit in her dress giving him a view of one of her creamy thighs. "Wonderful. You?" She asked in that husky voice that dripped with sexuality.

He gave a shrug. "Can't complain." Their eyes met for a single moment before he broke it. They had history, something that he didn't wish to relive, but he couldn't help but feel protective of her. "What are you doing performing in a place like this? You're too smart."

She rolled her eyes. "So my sister can run a portion of a local mob, but I can't perform in a burlesque club?" She asked indignantly.

He lit up a cigarette and took in a deep draw, letting out a stream of smoke. "Basically."

She snorted and stood, walking to the mini-fridge in the corner. "Would you like something to drink? Sake maybe?"

He declined. The last thing he needed was to get drunk and end up sleeping with her. That would only ruin everything he'd worked for all these years. "I prefer to keep a clear head when I'm out like this."

"Okay." She bent down, purposely sticking out her bottom to give him something extra to look at, and picked out a bottle of soda. With feline grace she glided to him, taking a seat on the armrest of his chair. "Besides, I own this club." She unscrewed the top and took a drink.

His eyes dropped to the silky thigh near his arm. It was time to get straight to the point before he did something he regretted. "Do you know anything about the disappearance of Hunters?"

She shrugged, wanting to rip off his clothes and ride him until the sun came up, and traced the features of his face. "I haven't had my ear to the rail lately, so I haven't heard anything about Hunters disappearing." She leaned down until their lips were inches from each other and brushed her nose against his, dropping into his lap so that she straddled him. He smelled so delicious, the sensation of his angular muscles pressing against her inundating her with desire. "Toga, make love to me," she purred into his ear.

He maintained his cool, but on the inside his body was urging him to take that which he desired. "Angel-chan, you know I can't do that." Not that he had any trouble in that department, it's just that if he slept with her it would only complicate things further.

Tears filled her eyes. "Why?"

"You know why."

She glowered at him. "So my sister is good enough to screw to kingdom come but I'm not. Is that it?" With those words she got off him and walked to the chaise lounge, vainly trying to hide the pain from his rejection.

He sighed heavily, sure that by now Fate was laughing at him. "You know that's not the reason why." He cleared his throat. "So, where is your sister?"

She rolled her eyes, taking another swig of soda. "You know we don't talk much," she replied venomously. Damn Toga with his good looks and that damn dangerous air that surrounded him, driving her mad with desire.

He burrowed a hand through his hair. Chrissake why couldn't The Countess have been someone else? Why couldn't she have been a person that wouldn't hold that day over his head? "Still, though, she's your sister I know you guys have had some contact, if not to just inform each other of your whereabouts."

She shrank away when he sat on the coffee table in front of her, not wanting to look into that incredible cobalt blue eye because she was sure she would do exactly what he wanted. "Toga…"

He smiled softly at her. She was so beautiful, but unlike her sister, he would never allow himself to get involved with her. Angel deserved better. "Angel-chan, it's important that I get in touch with your sister. I need you to tell me where she is."

Angel's shoulders fell. She absolutely hated when he used that tone with her, because it made want to do whatever he asked. "She's in Prague." She stood and walked to the vanity set, scrawling the address on the paper of a notepad before returning to him. "Here's the address to where she is." She proffered him the square piece of yellow paper.

He took it and stood. "Thanks."

She folded her arms, hiding her agony. "No problem, please be careful Toga."

He nodded. "Yeah." Jeez how many frickin' times was he going to hear that phrase? He smiled slightly and turned away, stopping in the doorway when she touched his shoulder.

"Toga, why can't we be together?" She asked softly, struggling to hide the pain in her voice.

He cast his gaze to his feet. "You deserve to be with someone whose hands aren't stained with blood." After uttering these words he left the building, hailed a taxi, and headed towards the train station.

Kaname and Yuuki lay sprawled out on their king-sized bed, both naked, riding out the shattering bliss they'd just experienced. She cuddled to her mate's side, licking the drying blood from his satiny neck. Only Kaname's blood could sustain her, only his life-giving wine could taste so delicious. She rose up, after doting on him a little more, and looked down at him with undying affection, gently weaving her fingers through his chocolate locks. "What's the matter sweetie?"

He smiled up at her, able to see her perfectly in the darkness of their bedroom. "Nothing dearest." He didn't take a fancy to lying to his mate, but for now it was necessary. His breath caught in his chest when she beamed down at him, her russet eyes sparkling in the moonlight filtering through the windowpanes.

She looked down at him, unconvinced of his words. He'd seemed preoccupied with something for the past few days, avoiding the subject when she pointed out his different behavior. Something was amiss. "Dreading the meeting you have with the Council of Elders Thursday?"

He inwardly cringed, because in truth he'd been so engrossed in his own ponderings that the appointment had actually slipped his mind, which was rare for him. Abruptly, he sat upright and climbed out of bed, baring all his masculinity. He didn't have to turn around to tell that Yuuki was blushing like a schoolgirl.

Yuuki tilted her head to the side when he failed to say anything that would make her blush even harder, as he usually did with great pleasure. "Kaname, what's wrong?"

He didn't answer; he simply flung open the doors of his immense walk-in closet and began searching for an outfit for the night. Two wiry arms wrapped around his middle, pulling him close. "There are things that lie heavily upon my soul, love."

She pressed her forehead to his naked back, projecting her aura in an effort to salve the bothered air surrounding him. "Then tell me. Let me hold half of your burden."

His heart melted at the fact that she wanted to bear half his burden, that she could speak so determinedly even when she didn't know what load he carried. "I cannot, my dear. The burden I bear is not for you."

She closed her eyes, wishing that he would deem her strong enough to help him with the responsibilities and obligations he had as a pureblood. "Then I'll stand by you, cheering you on so that you never despair."

Kaname turned to her, the expressionless mask that he kept in place shattering into a million shards. He wrapped her up in a warm embrace, kissing her deeply, and nuzzled her nose. "Thank you my love." With Yuuki by his side, there was nothing he could not conquer.

She smiled fondly up at him, basking in his love for a few moments until he let her go and began sliding clothes across the racks. "Where are you going?" She sat down on the ottoman in the middle of the closet.

He looked at the outfit he held in his hand. No, he'd worn that to lunch a few days ago. "To see your brother."

Her eyes widened eagerly. "Can I go too?" She hadn't seen Zero since the party, which was a mere four days ago (but seemed like a month to her), and longed to be in her 'brother's' presence again.

Kaname shook his head. "You have midterms to do Yuuki."

Dammit. Why did he have to remember everything? "So? I can still go."

He picked out a wine colored button-up shirt and dark pants. "No, if I remember correctly, you said that your midterm counted for half of your grade."

"But—" She lost her train of thought when he bent to pick up a pair of shoes. The man was a god, a living breathing work of art.

"No buts this time, Yuuki." Last time he'd yielded because she gave him that puppy dog pout, she'd nearly flunked out of the entire semester. This time, however, he was determined not to give in. "If you want to finish your final year of college then you have to pass." He said firmly.

Her shoulders slumped and she stood, striding away dispiritedly. She plopped down on the bed and pouted. Stupid college midterms. "Will you tell them I said hi?"

He nodded and disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower. Moments later, Kaname tipped his head back, allowing the hot water to beat down upon his face and flow into his already wringing wet hair. No matter how he tried his traitorous thoughts continued to wander to a certain silver-haired Hunter. He never guessed that he and the openly hostile young man would ever have had such a civil conversation. In truth he'd enjoyed their little tete-a-tete and the warm milk and delicious cookies only added to his delight. He smiled to himself, taking pleasure in the fact that he and the Hunter had actually appreciated each other's company instead of quarreling.

Perhaps, he could prevent the already strained threads binding them from severing. Then he thought about Aidou and sadness fell over him. The irrepressible vampire had phoned him two nights ago disconsolately assuring him that he would do anything to make certain the pureblood's level of trust and affection in him remained intact. He'd assured the smaller vampire of his affection and confidence in his loyalty, stating that he was still one of his favorites. He had contacted the Council and made an appointment to discuss Tsukiko's treachery so that they didn't jump the gun and massacre the entire clan unjustifiably. He dreaded Thursday, going before that panel of duplicitous curs always sickened him, but if it meant saving a clan that had sworn their allegiance to the Kurans centuries bygone, he would do it. It just seemed infinitely uncharacteristic of Tsukiko to betray him, especially using a means that could be so easily traced back to her. She was a daughter of the Aidou clan, a vampire family renowned for their intelligence, Hanabusa being the finest jewel upon their crown of intellectual brilliance thus far. He took in a breath.

He wanted Zero with him during the appointment, not for support (he had Takuma for that) but more for reasons he had not quite sorted out, yet. Perhaps as a bodyguard? Or perhaps he wanted to strengthen their bonds? Yes, that was it, he wanted to fortify the chains that linked them.

Zero blew on his hands as he waited patiently for the florist to arrange the bouquet of flowers. Her name was Reiko Yazawa and she was a masterful ikebana artist, although how she maintained the different seasonal flowers in this frigid weather was beyond him. "Again, thank you so much Yazawa-san for staying open a few extra minutes for me."

The full-figured thirtyish woman looked over her shoulder and smiled affably. "No problem Kiryuu-san." She returned her attention to her task, scrutinizing the flower arrangement until it was to her liking before performing a few changes. "How's work?"

He shrugged. "It's great." He shifted his eyes to the bare shelves on the shop's walls, which, had he not been late, would have been lined with exquisite flower arrangements. "My boss really likes my work, although…" he trailed off, when he felt a tingle down his spine. Someone was watching him.

She turned and handed him the bouquet of assorted flowers, each matched to compliment the other perfectly. "There you are."

He took them from her hands, eyeing the naked paper swathing the flowers. "Do you have a pen?"

She opened the drawer of her desk, fumbling around in it until she produced a black pen, and proffered it to him.

Zero took it and penned down a message on the paper. "Thanks." He paid her and exited the shop walking a stone's throw away until he reached their apartment building. After climbing the flight of stairs, he stopped at their door and inserted the key, pushing the entrance open slowly. He and Umi had an argument two nights ago (yes it was his fault) and she hadn't spoken to him since. Despite the fact that he expected the silence, it still wasn't any less painful, not to mention his side of their bond was yowling miserably from lack of physical contact and blood drinking. So he girded himself for the anticipated 'silent treatment' which he hated with a deep heartfelt detestation and entered their home, shutting the door behind himself.

Umi sat on one of the stools in front of the island, sipping on a cup of what appeared to be cream soda while flipping restlessly through a catalogue. Their bond tugged at her, bringing the taste of his blood to memory. He smelled so good, like the cologne she'd purchased for him a few weeks ago and his own undeniably individual scent.

The aroma of freshly cleaned linens hit his nose, notifying him that she'd finished cleaning a short while ago. He stepped out of his shoes, pushing them to the side with a foot, and hanged his coat on the hat rack. "Hi." She said nothing, but did decide to send him a knife-edged glare that Zero swore would have ended his life were she a pureblood. "Um, I got these for you." He held up the flowers for emphasis, getting only the bored toss of her raven locks in response. His anger began to build, but he calmed himself knowing that blowing up at her would only make things worse. Plus, he was on a mission of peace, because he couldn't go another day without touching or waking up beside her. He placed the bunch of flowers on the counter next to her soda bottle.

She glanced up through her eyelashes as if she were uninterested and picked up the superbly arranged bouquet of flowers. Her eyes fell upon the message written on the paper 'Sorry for being such a dickhead. And yes, I do know what I did this time. So I'm sorry and thanks for putting up with me.'

He sighed when she glanced up at him once before going to the empty vase on the table. Goddammit how long was she going to stay angry with him? He followed her with his eyes as she filled the embellished glass vase with water and sat the flowers in it. His hungry eyes fell to her graceful neck, his mind straying to the taste of that rich blood that never failed to send him spiraling into euphoria.

She placed the vase as the centerpiece of their table, turned, and walked towards the hallway.

Zero watched her leave his sight, giving a deep exhalation. Another night on that damned futon. Before he decided to drink her soda, she reappeared, wearing nothing but a very flattering panty and bra set. His eyes plastered themselves to the beautiful sight before him, vivid images of what he wanted to do with her, to her, racing through his presently lecherous mind.

She flipped her hair, allowing a hand to travel past her neck. "So, you ready to make up for those two days?"

The look she sent him turned his mind to jelly. He walked to her, brushing the tips of fingers down that sensitive part of her velvety neck, allowing his eyes to capture hers while the extremities of his hand trailed southward. "Are you?" He allowed the hand to slide over her bottom, groping the rounded part of her rear.

She jumped, her cheeks flushing pink. She couldn't stand it anymore, she needed him. Now. She grasped hold of his hand and jogged to the bedroom with him in tow.

Later (much later), the two lovers lay on their backs trying to regulate their breathing. He cracked open an eye when he felt her finally move, giving a tiny smile when she rolled atop him and cuddled her head into his chest. Automatically a hand shot up and tangled itself in those luxurious inky tresses. It was these times, after they made love or just after awakening from a good night's rest, that he felt safest, like it was only him and her in their own little bubble, floating heavenward to where no one, not their enemies, or the pains of this life could reach them. It was the only time that their happiness seemed untouchable. The wonderful friction she created between their nether regions when she scooted upwards so their faces were level earned a grunt from him. The naughty grin on her face told him that she'd done that on purpose.

He looked at her with interest, noticing that those amber eyes dropped to the fleshy part of his neck. Then he remembered. She'd been unable to drink his blood due to the positions they'd been in. Ah, she was hungry. When they'd first started drinking from each other, he'd always been nervous when it was her turn, despite their bond advising him that feeling her take of his blood was the most wonderful thing in the world. But by now he'd become less nervous if not excited. Of course, some small part of him deep down in the recesses of his soul still harbored a bit of hatred for his vampiric needs, some remnant of him still disliked the fact that he needed her blood to thrive. There were times that same detestation would rear its ugly head, sending a pinch of self-loathing spiking through his very being, but instead of nurturing that feeling until it festered, he'd disregard it, telling himself that as long as Umi was happy he was happy. He'd never tell Umi about those instances, because if he did, she would never drink from him again, no matter what the bond dictated, and would drive herself insane with need to make sure he never felt an ounce of self-hatred.

The pleasant warmth of her tongue sliding over his bite area roused him from his musings. Despite trying to hold it back, he shuddered, turning his head to give her better access. The bond between them whined in expectation of her bite, filling him with an intense anticipation to which he'd become pleasurably accustomed. He took in an expectant breath when her small fangs scraped lightly over his neck. Then, she pierced him. He shut his eyes, swimming in the heightened ecstasy the bond created in them. The sound of her lapping up his blood, the alluring aroma of his own crimson essence, and the sensation of their bond purring in utter satisfaction embraced him, stroking his own vampiric desires until finally he punctured that delicious neck. They lay there simultaneously drinking, mixing their blood, sharing their essences, following each other headlong into the blazing flames of ecstasy.

Reluctantly he dislodged his fangs, lovingly licking the blood from her neck until the tiny wounds sealed, and erased the ruby streams from the corner of his mouth with his tongue, savoring every last delectable drop. He looked up at her with amethyst eyes half-lidded from bliss. A deep exhalation left him when she cuddled her head in the side of his neck and licked his earlobe playfully. He hated to admit it, but there were few things in the world that he enjoyed more than drinking her blood, and that fact frightened him because he feared that one day he may drain her dry. "Umi."

"Huh?" she asked, basking in the warmth of his embrace and currently peaceful aura. She closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation of his lean, corded muscles pressing against her own wiry frame. Sometimes she wondered if the gods themselves molded him.

"I may drink all of your blood one day. I think about it sometimes," he confessed softly, a self-condemning expression etched on his face. He hated to think about it, because it terrified him. Sometimes it was as if he could never get enough of her blood, no matter how much he drank, it was never sufficient. Every time he feasted, he thought about drinking the scrumptious liquid flowing through her veins until there was nothing left, until he'd consumed every single drop of blood in her body, until her very essence resided within him. Was this how all vampires felt about their bondmates? Was this how Kaname felt for Yuuki? Kami, he was becoming more of a monster every passing day. His heart sank when she just stared down at him, a peculiar look on her face. She probably found him disgusting, because he was becoming more like those damned beasts in human garb, lusting after the blood of others to cull their own horrid desires.

An adoring smile spread over her face, the light from it extending through her amber eyes. "Then if you do, I'll just wait for you on the other side of eternity," she whispered warmly, tunneling her fingers through his silvery hair.

He cast his eyes downward, not wanting her to see the water forming in their lavender depths. Though the gods had cursed him from the day he was born, collaborating with Fate to set his destiny in stone, and his life had been one hell after another, they'd allowed him two blessings. Even after one of his blessings had been spirited away by that bastard pureblood, they'd bestowed him with another godsend. They'd given him the woman sitting atop him gazing down with an utterly adoring expression on her face. No matter what, he knew that he would always be the same person in her eyes. He would always be Zero Kiryuu to her, not a dog bound and collared by a pureblood, not a worthless waste of space, not a stigma upon the Kiryuu name, but the man that he was constantly striving to be.

Her eyes sparkled slightly when she smiled at him again, leaning over until only a mere hair's breadth separated the tips of their noses. "I'm hungry," she whispered suggestively, her cool breath sweeping across his cheek.

He pecked the rosy lips hovering over his own and raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Again? But you just fed chouchou."

She grinned at him, nuzzling his nose with hers. "For food my love. I would like to have some fish and chips."

He glanced over at the clock. 8:30pm. "The Merry Lass doesn't close for another hour and a half." The Merry Lass was a portside bistro owned by Samuel 'Sammy' Hughes, an entrepreneur that moved from London and decided to establish a restaurant after pining away for the native cuisine of his homeland. It was a local hotspot for humans and at times it even attracted the denizens of the night, and was well-known by a select few for its delicious fish and chips. It was one of their favorite eateries at which to dine.

They shared another kiss before she got up and started donning herself with an outfit from her bigger closet. He climbed out of their warm bed, missing the warmth of her skin almost instantaneously, and put on the clothes that his mate stripped off of him earlier. His voracious eyes slid over her bare form, taking in every curve, and enjoying the healthful glow of her ivory skin. Perverted ideas formed in his mind. Maybe he'd have dessert when they returned home.

They sat in the classy bistro, enjoying the relaxing pub-like ambiance. Zero slouched in his chair, taking a sip of his fifth of stout, closed his eyes, and simply took in his surroundings, the unmistakable aroma of cherry blossom standing out more than the odor of fresh beer and sizzling meat. He swept his aura over her, stretching outward. A radiant warmth resonated through him when she reached back, until it felt like their souls were hand-in-hand. He cracked open an eye and looked around the patrons dining and speaking quietly amongst themselves at their separate tables. It was certainly a colorful bunch present in the pub today, some appearing less than savory. He shifted his gaze to Umi, who sat across from him supping her Rob Roy daintily while surveying the room, and sat up, wanting her attention. They were enjoying a rather engaging conversation when a powerful aura rippled over him, causing his skin to prickle.

He growled in his throat, incredulous that the bastard always seemed to find them when they were trying to enjoy themselves. With an angry sigh, he looked towards the entrance. The door opened, letting in the frigid winter air, and Kaname and Takuma strutted into the establishment.

Umi smiled when she saw the two regal vampires. "Look Zero-kun, there's Takuma-san and Kaname-sama."

"I see them," he grumbled. What the hell was he doing here? Wait. Hold the damn phone, how in the hell did he know they were even here? He threw back a swig of beer, knowing that he would probably need the extra alcohol to even tolerate the damned pureblood. Ah, scratch that, there wasn't enough beer in the world to make him tolerate that asshole.

Kaname ignored the pairs of eyes following him and Takuma as they approached the table. He didn't have to study the vampire's face to discern that he was not happy about his presence. The Level D's displeasure was evident in his raging aura. He smiled at Umi, who stood and gave them both a respectful bow while Zero on the other hand just sat there, the rim of the beer mug pressed against his mouth wordlessly stewing. He sat down in one of the two chairs Takuma pilfered from a nearby table.

"Hi Zero-san," Takuma said cheerily, the large grin on his face brightening his emerald eyes. He leaned forward a little in his seat, turning his head away quickly when those incredible lavender eyes rested upon him.

Zero nodded to the blonde aristocrat. Besides Yuuki, Takuma was his favorite of the vampires, more than likely because he seemed more human than any of them and that in high school he was the only one that bothered to be genuinely nice to him. "Takuma," he said with a tinge of warmth in his tone. "Where's Yuuki?" he snipped crankily. Dumbass pureblood intruded on his and Umi's relaxation time and still didn't have the presence of mind to bring Yuuki. He took another sip of beer, holding a hand up to let the bartender know his mug was almost empty.

Kaname crossed his legs, settling into the cushioned chair elegantly. "She had to start on her midterms, but she sent her greetings to you both," he stated, succeeding in the effort to maintain a neutral tone when he saw Takuma make goo-goo eyes at the Hunter. Honestly, the noble never seemed to tire of ogling pretty boys. Not that he thought, Kiryuu was pretty or anything. It's just that Takuma was rather blatant about it even in the presence of the Hunter's mate. He glanced at Umi, who seemed unperturbed with the noble eyeballing her lover.

A nervous waitress approached the table. "Do you two gentlemen want anything to drink?"

Takuma smiled at her, making her blush even worse. "I'll take a glass of sherry. Kaname?"

"Merlot."

She gave a bow and scurried away to give the order slips to the bartender.

Zero glared at the pureblood, wishing he could make him disappear in a cloud smoke. Why couldn't he ever relax without one of those damned parasites showing up out of nowhere? It was like it was against some universal law for him to unwind without the company of Kaname Kuran or one of his underlings.

"We need to talk," Kaname stated emotionlessly, thanking the waitress when she sat his glass of merlot in front of him.

Zero snorted. "The hell we do. I'm trying to eat dinner. I'm not in the mood for any of your bullshit tonight."

Umi inwardly groaned. "Zero." She hoped Zero would be nice instead of causing a scene this time.

Kaname supped his wine. "Don't make a scene Zero. Just come outside with me so we can talk."

Zero sat back in his chair, folding his arms stubbornly. "Piss off Kuran."

Takuma put his glass to his lips, taking a few sips of sherry to try and defuse the tension of his lord's aura buffeting him while hoping this wouldn't be his last drink of sherry.

Kaname's eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. Why was it that Zero continuously forced his hand? Reluctantly he exerted a fragment of his power, compelling the lower ranking vampire to do his bidding. "We'll talk outside Zero," he spoke in a slightly hypnotic tone. He scooted his chair back, standing gracefully.

Zero's eyes hazed just a bit as he came under the pureblood's thrall. Robotically, he pushed back his chair and stood, shrugging into the thick coat hanging on the back of his chair and followed the brunette into the frigid winter night. He growled murderously at the pureblood when he realized the man had taken his free will away in order to force him to go outside. Mumbling peevishly, he leaned on the railing fencing in the harbor. It was a clear night, the moon and stars were shining brightly in the sky, and the anchored ships bobbed in the gently lapping waves of the harbor. He took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the salty sea air, and let it out, causing a white puff to come from his mouth.

Even though he loathed the pureblood, he understood him well. Kaname was one of the few Level As that did not abuse his ability to puppeteer lower vampires. So for him to have resorted to such means right now, meant that whatever he wanted to discuss was urgent. Despite knowing this however, he couldn't bring himself to even mildly accept that the man had manipulated his mind, making him more susceptible. He would rather Kaname use his death aura to compel him to perform to his liking, instead of using his powers to control him. It was better to feel fear than to have his free will taken away.

Kaname examined Zero with intent russet eyes, noting the way the moon highlighted his silvery tresses and danced in his enchanting lavender depths. The warmth the hunter had shown him last Friday was gone and the gentleness in those amethyst eyes had vanished right along with it. Not that he wanted Zero to express such amiable emotions or such concern for his self-worth. It's just that it felt nice to have a conversation with the volatile man without ending up at his throat or vice versa. That however was gone, no more, overcome by the hostility directed at him.

Zero glanced at the pureblood with an arched eyebrow. Why was Kaname just staring at him? Was he plotting a new twisted way to torture him without Yuuki's knowledge? "What the hell? Are you going to start talking or stare at me all night long?"

Kaname's face remained expressionless, but inside he was kicking himself and trying to cull the blush creeping to his cheeks. "I hadn't realized…," he stopped before he said anything else to embarrass himself.

What? He hadn't realized he was staring? Jeez, what a creepy bastard. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Thursday I need you to wear your best suit." He commanded, resting his forearms on the harbor railing. It was a cloudless night, perfect for a hunt. In the Olden Days, a pureblood like him would have been tracking down his prey, a helpless human female. But, those days were long passed, now was not the time for useless bloodshed, but for coexistence, for peace between the two races. Now was the time to fulfill his parents' dream. However, before that could happen, obstacles needed to be conquered, namely the enemies that plagued them.

Zero scoffed. "What for?" He wasn't going to put on a suit just because the damned sadist commanded him to, but he felt like humoring him.

"Because you will accompany me to the Council of Elders and I need you in suitable attire," he answered matter-of-factly, casting a glance at the man standing by his side.

Zero chortled derisively. "You must be fucking crazy if you think I'm going there with you."

Kaname turned to look fully at the Hunter. "I need you to come with me."

His honest words did not affect the silver haired man. "Why? As a bargaining chip so they won't kill off the Aidou clan?"

Kaname was thrown for a loop. How could Zero think for a second that he would hand his life over to save his allies? In his eyes the Level Ds life was just as important as the nobles of his court. Although it was a rather ingenious idea and the Council's acceptance was quite plausible. Zero was the last of the strongest Hunter clans, a vampire, and not only that, he still walked in the day. He was a threat, and the Council would turn a blind eye to any crime to have him in their filthy clutches. It would make things proceed more smoothly, but it was out of the question. "I would never allow you to fall into the hands of those villains," he replied, looking into the man's lilac eyes to assure him of his honesty. "However I have no reason to tell you why I need you to accompany me to the Council Hall."

He bit his bottom lip, irritation welling into him. "So I'm just supposed to come with you because you asked?" A growl rumbled from within him when the pureblood gave him an arrogant look that seemed to say 'yes'. "Then you're screwed, because I'm not going. Talk to another of your cronies if you want blind obedience," he growled harshly. He turned to leave chafing at the brunette's presumptuousness. Friggin' jerk. He was not one of those tail wagging sycophants that catered to Kaname, he had his own mind. Before he knew it, the pureblood had grasped his arm and slammed him into the steel railing of the harbor.

Zero bared his fangs at the other, his eyes blazing defiantly. He was no longer a teenager; he would not allow Kaname to dominate him anymore. "Get off me, bastard!"

The pureblood snarled, resembling an angry alpha male wolf growling at a young upstart in his pack. Only Zero had the stones to challenge him so shamelessly, even though he knew that Kaname could suck the life right out of his body with his death aura, he still stood up to him. He pinned him against the railings, restraining the struggling man. "Why do you constantly force my hand?" he rumbled, his usual emotionless face twisted with vexation and annoyance. "You're a Level D but yet you're always challenging me, forcing me to drop the indifferent façade I've strived to perfect all these years, treating me not as a god but as a normal person."

Zero stopped struggling and stared at the pureblood, easily seeing the uncharacteristic flurry of emotions fluttering on the brunette's stunningly handsome face. Holy crap. What was the matter with Kuran? Was he having some sort of breakdown? "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Kaname averted his gaze pressing the hunter harder against the steel railing careless of the bruises that were sure to form on the others waist. "Why is it that you only seem to extend your hand to me in warmth when I am suffering?"

"Because that's the only time you're not a sick fuck." He shot back, feeling a hint of remorse when the pureblood's eyes mirrored the blow his words had dealt him. He could feel the bruises forming on his lower back from being so roughly pressed against the solid steel railing, but to his infinite surprise he did not resist Kuran, instead he stood there, too comforted by the wonderful aura the pureblood projected to push him away.

Kaname drew closer to the Hunter, his eyes searching the other's expressive violet pits. Not even Yuuki could dig down to the nucleus of his being like Zero. The Level D should not have been capable of evoking such feelings from him; he should not have been able to strip him bare. "I know you hate me and I understand why you are reluctant, but I want you to accompany me to the Council Hall," he stated, leaving only a remnant of commanding edge in his tone. His eyes dropped to those amethyst depths, noticing the enthralling intensity in them for the first time. Gently, he began stroking the silvery mane atop the Hunter's head, much like an owner of a beloved pet.

Zero shifted his weight to his other leg. "What, do you want to be friends or something? Is that why you're being so nice to me?" A shiver ran down his spine as Kaname continued stroking his hair. He didn't push the pureblood away, because if he did, they'd just end up fighting and could possibly attract the attention of some passersby.

Kaname sighed, thinking about drawing away from the Hunter, but doing otherwise. Whether Zero knew it or not, there was a warmth that he emitted and that same warmth gave those of the night a glimpse of the light, something that eluded even purebloods. He looked down into Zero's bewitching eyes meaningfully. "The three of us Zero are bound in ways not yet discussed," he said softly, holding up a finger for emphasis. He brushed his fingers over the shell of Zero's ear, past the piercings, and over the contours of his jaw.

Okay, this was getting weird. Why in the hell's kitchen wasn't he pushing him away? "What do you mean three of us?" It was bad enough he was bound to Kaname, but being tied to another vampire was downright unfair. With his luck, it was probably Aidou or some other bloodsucker he abhorred. Fate, a thousand curses upon your head.

Kaname leaned closer, enchanting the silver-haired Hunter with his hypnotic eyes. He'd never realized how handsome Zero was, not even during those times he'd drank his blood. It was only now that he grasped he was behaving in a way completely atypical for him, but he wasn't inclined to cease at the moment. "Why are you the only one that strips away the flawless veil I've hidden all my life and reveal to me the vulnerable creature I truly am?" His voice was soft, breathy as he leaned closer to the other man. A need to be closer to Zero rose within him, prompting him to inch nearer, until he was almost flush against the silver-haired man.

Zero tilted his head back, he wanted to push the brunette away, but for some reason he was incapable. "Every rosebush has to be trimmed," he said slowly, still trying to shake away the feeling of enchantment, but unable to look away from those sorrel eyes.

Kaname took in a breath, inundating his nostrils with Zero's distinct odor, which was quite different from Yuuki's sweet scent but nonetheless pleasant. He'd never known that Zero was so enticing. Maybe that explained why Takuma was always shooting dreamy glances his way. "Then what must I do for you to forgive me?"

Zero saw the tips of Kaname's fangs when he spoke, finally noticing how dreadfully close the taller man was to him, the arm wrapped around his waist, the hand in his hair, the lustful glimmer in his eye, and the lips nearing his. What the fuck? Was Kuran off his friggin' rocker? What was he trying to do to him? He shoved the pureblood.

Kaname, who had been quite wrapped up in the events transpiring, was caught off guard by the sudden action, but still managed to move away before the other's knee made contact with his abdomen. He gathered himself, taking a moment to find the mask that he always held in place. What the hell had come over him?

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I have a mate already you sonofabitch!" His hand shot to his inner coat pocket, ready to draw Bloody Rose. "If you want to screw one of your goddamned minions go find Aidou." He dropped his hand, thinking it better not to provoke the other's currently lustful mood. Shit, why him? Why did all the vampires he came in contact with seem to see him as an exotic piece of ass, women and men? It's not like he was special or anything, although there were maybe one or two people outside of his family he'd seen with his color hair.

Kaname finally gained his bearings, composing the shroud he continuously concealed his true emotions behind. Zero was right, what was wrong with him? Of course, vampires were not ones to differentiate between the genders, not having it written in stone which sex one should choose as his mate, because the males were just as beautiful as the females. But why would he even try to use Zero as a pet, surely one of the aristocrats in his court was more appealing. He swept his eyes over the furious hunter again. Maybe not. Surely if he was equal in sexual appeal then they were indeed more accommodating. Wait, what was he thinking? He loved Yuuki. "I… apologize for my actions. I do not know what came over me."

Zero sidestepped around the pureblood, giving him the stink eye the entire time. "Yeah, well, just don't do it again." He took a few steps in the direction of the pub and stopped, turning to the pondering pureblood. "And I'll accompany you to the Council Hall. I don't know why I should be there, but if it's important then I'll go."

Kaname turned, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards at the Level D's words. "Thank you, I greatly appreciate it." Surprisingly, Zero's face hardened. What? Was thanking him wrong?

"I told you I don't give a shit about you, but I'm doing it for those I do care about," he stated with less venom than usual. "That's clear to you right?"

Kaname didn't speak at first, taking his heart off his sleeve and returning it to the hard cavity he'd locked it in for so many years, allowing the silence of the harbor to envelope them for but a while. "Yes."

He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Good." Before he could turn to leave, Kaname spoke again, this time his tone was back to normal, but with a tinge of more gentleness and less arrogance.

"Fate has tied us together Zero, interweaving our destinies, so that darkness does not consume us all. We must learn to get along."

Zero regarded the man for a moment, wondering what it was that he was hiding, and jerked his head towards The Merry Lass. "It's cold, we should go in." They returned to the bar and sat down to have dinner. The other three participated in stimulating conversation while Zero sat there eating his shepherd's pie, brooding over the brunette's last words to him. Was this the same darkness Toga spoke to him about on the pier? Was the same enemy plotting to attack? Or was it some sinister new source? He took a glimpse across the table at the woman that was smiling largely at the blonde noble as he recalled a rather witty joke. Was the porcelain-like happiness he held so carefully in his hands about to crumble?

Kaien sat at the dining table in his home eating a very well-cooked breakfast when the ring of the doorbell echoed throughout the house. He swallowed a spoonful of rice and got to his feet, walking to the door. Who could be visiting him at this early hour? He peeped out of the side window and his stomach did a somersault. Standing outside of the door was Yoshiro Kawasaki. The ex-hunter had a good idea about why the man was paying him a visit, and it was no doubt not a social call. He took in a breath, adopting the perfect façade to hinder the man's efforts, and threw open the door. "Kawasaki-san!" He threw his arms around the man, squeezing tightly.

Yoshiro almost pushed the frivolous man away, but knew it was better to be polite to the one that possibly had the information he wanted. "Cross-san it is nice to see you."

Kaien drew away, stepping aside so the other could enter, and shut the door. "You haven't been here since the fall of Rido," he stated saccharinely, taking the man's coat and placing it on the hat rack. "I'm happy you decided to come visit me."

Yoshiro nodded, still pondering how Kaien managed to be taken seriously by his students with the outlandish garb he chose to wear. At the moment the man wore a red ruffled shirt, denim jeans, and a pair of furry boots. What a weirdo. "Indeed."

Remembering the hospitality he was obligated to show as a host, he ran to the kitchen. "Would you like some tea Kawasaki-kun?"

"Jasmine." He sat down at the breakfast table, casting a peculiar glance at the pair of leopard print gloves sitting next the bowl of half-eaten rice. "So, how's the school been?"

Kaien turned on the teapot to start brewing the jasmine tea. "The students' overall GPAs rank Cross Academy among the top five in the country. So quite well." He picked out another teacup, not one of his finest china since Yoshiro was an unwelcomed guest. "Would you like some steamed rice. I had an omelet, but I only fixed one so all that's left is rice."

Yoshiro smiled. "Rice will be fine, I had a large breakfast in my hotel room."

Kaien prepared him a bowl of rice and walked to the table, resting it before him then taking his seat on the opposite side of the table. "How have you been? That cushy position you have in the Hunter's Association treating you well?" He said, his congenial tone contradicting his true feelings.

Yoshiro swallowed a mouthful of rice. "Quite well."

Kaien settled into his seat, taking a sip of tea. "So what brings you here?"

The Hunter shrugged. "Just dropped by to say hello while I was in town."

Kaien wolfed down a few mouthfuls of rice, chafing at the man's shameless lie, and smiled largely. "If you wanted to say hello Kawasaki-san, you would've sent me a fruits basket, like last year instead of showing up personally." He leaned forward in his seat.

His dark eyes narrowed and he chuckled, not surprised in the least at the other man's forwardness. "Someone's been keeping company with Yagari-san too frequently." When the honey haired man held his gaze unwaveringly he gave an annoyed smile. "Fine. Toga has been absent from the Association for over a week now." He scrutinized the eccentric man's face, searching for any hint of emotion in his expression, but he saw none other than the current amiability.

"Really?" he feigned shock.

"Yes."

"Why come here?" He asked, taking a gulp of tea, and stood, returning to the kitchen to check on the tisane. He stirred the decoction, seeing that the leaves were tender, a signal that the flavor was well married into the tea. He poured it into the kettle, then into the teacup, steaming hot, put it on a small saucer, and walked carefully to the villainous hunter at the breakfast table teacup and saucer in one hand, kettle in the other.

He inspected the cheerful man placing the teacup and saucer before him closely, trying to discern any change in behavior. "You two are close friends."

He returned to his seat. "I wouldn't exactly call us friends." He lied. Of course in his eyes he and the moody hunter were friends, best mates, but he wouldn't admit it to this jackass.

Yoshiro sneered at Kaien. "He fought alongside you during the siege of Rido, he's over here more than he's at his own apartment, and he's defended you fiercely before the Association. I would say that makes you friends," he stated sensibly.

"So?" He steepled his fingers, maintaining the same unreadable countenance, and stared him directly in the eye. Yoshiro, suspected that he knew where Toga was, but he wasn't going to say it outright, instead he was digging hoping to trip him up with words. Kaien, however was cleverer than that, and had done this pas de deux before.

"So, I wanted to know if you saw him, out of concern for his safety of course."

Kaien poured himself a cup of tea and spooned two lumps of sugar into the steaming liquid. "Really?" He looked over the rim of his eyeglasses piercingly. "Funny thing, he's gone absent from the Association for weeks at a time before this." He insinuated, pausing to let his words linger in the air. "Why are you really here?" The tension pervading the atmosphere around them was chowder thick, choking whatever ease the sun's rays brought to the room.

Yoshiro held the ex-hunter's gaze, wanting to attack him and bludgeon the truth out of him, but knew that such a hasty course of action would prove detrimental to his task. "The last time I saw Toga, he had this insane idea that Hunters were vanishing and the Association was covering it up."

Kaien's eyes widened, feigning astonishment. "Really? Oh my." Damn he should win an Oscar for this performance. "Well why would he have reason to conjure up such an idea?"

Yoshiro raised an eyebrow, resourcefully coming up with an explanation. "Oh you know Toga, he can be a bit paranoid at times."

Kaien flashed a tight-lipped smile. "So why would you want to know if I've seen him if he's just chasing smoke?"

"Level Es are running rampant more than ever. He could get hurt going off on his own. And it would be a most disadvantageous occurrence for one our strongest members to get killed."

"I see." He blew the steam from the tea and took a few sequential sips. "Well, I haven't seen him in about ten days myself. He said he was going somewhere. When I asked where he told me not to worry about it." Kaien inwardly smiled. That's it; give him information so he thinks he's getting somewhere when he's just spinning his tires.

Yoshiro perked up, settling back into his chair, getting into his interrogative mode. "Do you have any idea where he would go? Do you know any contacts that he might have, any informants that he might look up?" Kieji gave Kaien too much credit; his shrewdness did not hold up to the acclamation the screw loose bastard spouted.

Kaien tapped his bottom lip, thinking about what he would cook for dinner instead of what he was pretending to think about. "No…I don't think I do. Toga's rather private about such matters."

Damn. Of course, Kaien could be lying, but there was nothing he could do about it. Kaien might seem blithe and merry-go-lucky, but he had been the strongest vampire Hunter alive over twenty years ago, slaying countless of the bloodsuckers before he conformed to his pipe dream. Attacking the man would indeed be foolish. "Has he contacted you in these past days?"

Kaien shook his head. "No he hasn't." Truth was, he'd heard from Toga three days ago.

"No letters?"

"No."

"No phone calls?"

"No." He put the cup to his lips to keep the corners of his lips from pulling up into a smile when the brown-eyed man grasped the bridge of his nose in obvious frustration.

His expression twisted to one of anger. "You know what I think? I think you're lying Cross-san." He braced his hands on the tabletop. "I think you know exactly where Yagari-san is."

Kaein looked up at him with a controlled countenance. "Do you now?"

"Yes," he rumbled. "Now, tell me where he is now!" He slammed his hands down on the table, causing the dishes on the table to tinker, and glared heatedly at the other man.

Kaien continued to nonchalantly sip his tea, unruffled by the Hunter's vexation. "I told you, I haven't heard from him, so, how would I know where he is?" They locked eyes, staring each other down like two male wolves contending for dominance. It was Yoshiro who yielded first, sighing heavily.

"Fine then." He stood from his chair, walking towards the hat rack.

"Going so soon?" He asked, sifting the bite from the inflection of his voice. He stood and followed the fair-haired hunter to the hat rack.

"Yes, there are things I must take care of." He shrugged on his coat, buttoning it up to the collar. Interrogating Kaien was a bust, so he had to move on to his second option, Zero Kiryuu.

"Oh. Well, come again!" He chirped jovially, grinning from ear to ear.

Yoshiro snorted disdainfully and exited the home, drawing his shoulders in when a strong wind gusted past.

Kaien shut the door and was about to put away the dishes when the phone rang. He jogged to it, hoping that it was Toga to confirm that he was unharmed, and picked up the receiver. Before he managed to say anything Toga spoke.

"Do the walls have ears?" He stood in red phone booth on the corner of a busy city street, the towering Gothic buildings of Prague visible in the background.

Kaien let out a sigh, happy the Hunter was alive, and strode to his study. "Possibly." Yoshiro was a scoundrel, eavesdropping was probably one of his hobbies.

Toga growled. Damn Yoshiro to hell. "Then don't ask any questions. I'm in Prague, there's an informant of mine that I'm going to look up tonight. When I finish here, I'll call you again."

"Okay." He burrowed a hand through his honey-blonde hair, giving a sigh.

"Give Zero the heads up."

"Sure." He wanted to bid the Hunter to be careful, but felt it unwise to do so just in case Yoshiro was listening in on what little conversation they were having at the moment.

"Goodbye."

"Bye." Kaien hanged up the phone, heaving a sigh, and dialed another number.

Zero, finished toweling off, cursing when he found only Umi's myriad of toiletries instead of the blow dryer on the bathroom counter. "Dammit." He scanned the various bathwater additives, perfume, beauty creams, and other things he believed would explode if mixed together into one bowl. No blow dryer. "Umi!" He called loudly, even though she was just in their room. "Where's the blow dryer?"

The phone rang once, twice, three times.

"Umi! Pick up the phone!" He called, picking up a can of shaving cream and a razor.

"Do you want your rice to burn?" her voice wafted from the kitchen.

The phone rang insistently.

He growled and exited the bathroom, picking it up and putting it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hello, it's me Cross-kun."

Zero leaned against the wall next to the vanity set, water dripping from his hair. "Oh. What's up?" Kaien only called early in the morning or late at night if something was not right.

Kaien stood in his bathroom, phone to ear, whispering into the receiver. "I just heard from Toga."

"Yeah, where is he?" He frowned when he spied the blow dryer on the dresser across the room. What was it doing in there?

"I can't tell you, but Yoshiro visited me today. I was calling to warn you that he'll probably be either visiting or summoning you to his office pretty soon."

Zero nodded, holding his head at an angle so the water dribbling from his saturated hair did not leak into the phone. He never had liked Yoshiro Kawasaki, and if he was involved with the Hunters' disappearances then he was going to dislike him even more. "I know."

Kaien nodded. "He'll kill Toga if he finds him."

Zero didn't like that thought. Toga was more like a father than any other man in his life. "I know."

Kaien didn't like the idea of Toga dying either, because he was one of the few hunters that did not ridicule him for his pacifist view. He knew Zero had a will of iron, and would not break if Yoshiro somehow captured him and decided to try his hand at torture. But he wouldn't need torture to get Zero to talk. "Zero-kun, be mindful. Yoshiro will threaten to harm what is most precious to you in order to get the information he wants."

Zero gripped the phone, staring at the towel-wrapped woman that had just entered the room with concerned eyes. Let that little shit try to touch her, he'd be eating silver faster than he could blink. "He'll try."

Kaien chuckled when he heard the dangerous edge in the man's voice. "Just be careful, there's no telling what types of villains are at his beck and call."

"I-we will be." He said, winking at her when she looked at him inquiringly before turning the blow dryer on. "Bye."

"Bye." He wanted to talk more but knew Zero had to get to work.

Zero hanged up the phone and walked over to his mate, stealing the blow dryer, and playfully aiming it at her face so that the warm air blew back her hair. A small smile graced his face when she giggled girlishly. His heart ached, because darkness was starting to infiltrate his happy circle.

Toga rode in the back of the brougham coach, taking in the eerie scenery of Prague. It was a beautiful city in the day, the sun glinting off the stained glass windows that many of its towering buildings sported, but as soon as dusk hit, without the sun's rays, it became dark and gloomy, sending a chill down the normal human's spine. Good thing he wasn't a normal human. He groaned when the coach hit a bump in the road as it turned onto another street. The buildings were starting to become much more refined, signaling that they were coming to the posh side of the city. They passed apartment complex after apartment complex, each more fancy than the other until they came to a stop. He got out of the coach, paid the driver, and gave the horse a friendly pat.

"You have a nice night sir." The driver said, dipping his hat to him, and cracked the reins. The horse promptly took off down the street at a steady trot, the sound of its hooves clopping against the cobblestone echoing long after it was out of sight.

Toga looked up at the towering apartment building, taking in a breath as if bracing himself. The penthouse was his destination, because that's where his informant, Abigail Knightley, resided. He walked into the building, disregarding the elaborate décor of the lobby and went straight for the stairs. Finally after climbing up ten floors, he came to a large exceedingly ornate door. He stopped and rapped on the door, promising himself that he would at least try to keep it in his pants and get the information he needed.

He knew the Knightley twins from way back. He'd met them on one of his escapades in France when he was barely out of his teens and the three of them clicked, but therein was the problem, they meshed too well together. Angel had always been the one that he preferred but she was too innocent to get involved with the likes of him and Abigail was a self-proclaimed ice princess that saw men as sex toys, nothing more or less. So, one night after one too many shots of whiskey, he woke the next morning butt naked next to Abigail. It all went downhill from there, well at least between the twins. He and Abigail remained friends with benefits, up until about ten years ago when they had the 'fall-out' and after that she went off the grid. You can think of him as a dog if you want, but in his line of work, relationships usually ended up not succeeding or the women came to a violent end. So here he was, at her door.

He knocked on the door again and waited, none too patiently.

The door opened and a young girl that looked to be no older than sixteen stood in the doorway. She was thin, almost too thin, with fiery red hair that pulled into a bun, wise emerald eyes, pouty lips, and a black and white maid's uniform concealing her slender form. "Mister Yagari, her ladyship has been expecting you for quite some time now," she spoke emotionlessly, fading to the side so that he could enter the palatial apartment. "May I take your coat?"

He gauged his surroundings, noting the extravagant furnishings that were a throwback to the old Romanesque style of the early centuries with a fusion of Victorian flair. "That's okay." Just in case Abigail double-crossed him, he would need his weapon to defend himself.

"As you wish."

He trailed the housekeeper down the dark hall and into the reception room, which itself was rather spacious and impeccably decorated. Looks like Abbey was doing well for herself.

"Have a seat Mister Yagari." She gestured to the ornate sofa in the center of the room. "Would you like anything to drink sir?"

He sat down on the sofa, delighting in the comfort of the couch. "Talisker Scotch would be nice."

The corners of her mouth twitched, scotch was one of her favorite drinks. "Anything else sir?"

He shook his head. "That'd be it."

"I will notify the Mistress of your arrival." She bowed and disappeared from the room, letting the blush creep to her cheeks when she was out of sight. Quickly she scurried up the magnificent staircase in the foyer and to the second floor of the spacious home, knocking on the first door to the right before pushing it ajar. "Mistress, Mister Yagari has arrived."

The beautiful woman identical to Angel in shape and form, except for the length of her hair, standing in the expansive floor-to-ceiling window looking out over the rooftops of the city, ran a hand through her long hair. "Tell him I'll be down shortly, Vanya." She took in a deep breath. It was time for the dance to start yet again.

"Yes Mistress." Vanya jogged down the stairs composing herself when she returned to the room where the dangerously handsome Toga stood examining a portrait of a long dead poet. "She says to inform you that she will be down shortly sir."

He regarded her for a moment, giving a nod to let her know that was fine with him. After a few moments, he was inspecting a complexly designed Faberge egg when someone spoke, "that's the genuine Faberge egg made by Svad Spirakova for Prince Henri Lemont over a century ago."

He glanced back at the woman standing in the doorway, opting for a small smile. Abigail was just as beautiful as ever, and the red evening gown she wore did everything to help accentuate her curves (not that she needed any). "Abigail, nice to see you."

She smiled warmly at him, embracing the hunter; despite the fact that she knew he wasn't one for hugs. "Still as handsome as ever I see." She released him, swayed to the armchair to the left of the sofa, and sat down, crossing those long shapely legs. "So what's so urgent that you simply had to see me? Of course I can think of a few things." She threw him a suggestive smile, blatantly allowing the desire in those eyes to show.

Toga settled into the back of the sofa, acting as if her advances didn't disturb him in the least. "I need information."

She placed her hands in her lap. "Why didn't you let Vanya take your coat?" Then she remembered, knowing that he kept his shotgun under the thick overcoat. "Ah, you always had a problem with trusting people Toga." Damn, he was still strikingly handsome and with that certain je ne sais quoi that seemed to make sex appeal ooze out every pore in his body.

He sent her a snide smile. "Just you."

She giggled, not at all offended by the smile he'd just thrown her, and hungrily licked her painted lips. "I see ten years haven't tempered that tongue of yours." When he gave her an impatient glower she sighed, smiling at Vanya when she brought in their drinks: a glass of scotch for Toga and a martini for Abigail. "Now, why would you assume that I have the information you need?" She took a sip of her martini, leaning forward to set it down on the glass coffee table.

He allowed that single piercing eye to fall upon her. "You're a powerful chief of the Underworld Abigail...nothing shady happens without your knowledge."

She smiled craftily. "True, so tell me what you want to know and I'll see if I've heard wind of it." Her eyes continued roving over his broad shoulders, remembering their nights of unbridled passion and pleasure. He still looked good enough to eat.

Memories of their late-night trysts sent a spike of want through him, his traitorous libido reminding him how deprived it currently was. Ah shit. "Hunters are vanishing and I think the Association is covering it up. I need to know if you have any knowledge of how many have gone missing or who or what is abducting them and possibly where they are."

Inwardly she cringed. They'd made her promise not to tell under penalty of death, but could she betray his trust like this? "How important is it that you gain this information?"

"It could affect the world Abbey. You and I both know that if enough Hunters go missing it'll eventually come to the attention of the Vampire Council. And if they no longer see us as a threat they'll attack. It'll be the Second Age all over again." Had he not picked up the glass of scotch and knocked back another gulp, he would have seen the discreet glance she sent to the window.

She sucked up her emotions. "I wish I could help you Toga. But I can't. I haven't heard anything about any hunters vanishing."

He put the glass down. "You don't have to give me a lot of info, I just need maybe a little to run with."

She shook her head. "I don't have anything to tell you. I'm sorry." She rose to her feet, hiding the guilt attempting to sneak into her voice.

Why was she lying? Was this to get back at him for breaking things off with her for no reason? "Look if this is because I pulled my gun on you that time and broke it off with you for no reason…"

She folded her arms, appearing cross. "Guess next time you'll think twice about being a jerk-face to a woman like me." That's it channel the rage you felt then. "Vanya!"

Vanya appeared almost immediately as if she had been eavesdropping. "Yes Mistress?"

"Escort Mister Yagari to the door."

"Yes Mistress."

Toga growled at her, remembering the reason why he stopped dating her (well if you can call frequent empty sex a relationship). She was a coldhearted bitch. "I'd forgotten how vindictive you were," he said scathingly. He followed Vanya out of the penthouse, cursing the entire time it took him to descend the ten floors to the lobby. Well that was an immense waste of his time. He could look up a few more guys he knew, but their information always came with a price, and pulling a shotgun out was not the best course of action to take. He sighed harshly at his luck, especially when a sudden downpour dumped rain from the sky. Sonofabitch.

A few hours later found Abigail standing in the window, martini in hand, eyes staring listlessly out at the rain falling in sheets. This was wrong. She had to tell Toga about what she knew, even if it meant her life. She and her sister didn't get along that well, but if the Vampire Council decided to attack the Hunters, the illusion of safety that stayed before the vast majority of humans' eyes would evaporate. If that happened, Angel would be affected too, and she was not strong enough for such a situation. "Vanya!"

Just as before, Vanya appeared in the threshold of the door. "Yes Mistress?"

"Find Toga and bring him back here."

Her brow knitted. "Mistress?"

"I'm going to tell him what I truly know." She emptied her martini glass of its contents.

Even though she was rather surprised at her lady's selfless act, her eyebrows hardly contracted. "Is that wise Mistress? You know the consequences." Abigail had become a surrogate mother to her and she didn't want to lose her over one single act of nobleness.

"You know them best Vanya. Will they plunge this world into darkness?"

Vanya could not lie to her lady. "Yes."

"Then find Toga and bring him back." She bit her bottom lip when she heard the click of Vanya's shoes diminish. This was her last dance.

Toga stood under the awning of a bakery shop looking out at the deserted streets, which the normal human would not have been able to do because of the deluge of water falling in torrents. He lit up a cigarette, shivering from the cold, and took a long content drag. He was muddling over who else he could contact without having to pay a dear price when his senses alerted him to danger. In the blink of an eye his shotgun was out of its holster, cocked, and aimed at his opponent. His sky blue orb expanded at the event occurring before him. He looked at the figure standing there concealed beneath the red shin-length anorak in stark astonishment. "Who the hell—what the hell are you?" He put a hand on the trigger, thinking about blowing a crater in her skull.

Vanya bowed. "It's me Mister Yagari, Vanya." She pushed back her hood when she took her place beneath the awning.

He stared at her momentarily, still trying to process what he'd just witnessed. He'd seen some weird shit in his lifetime, but that was definitely up there in his top five. "What do you want?"

"Mistress Abigail sent me to retrieve you."

"What the hell for?" He blew smoke from his cigarette, watching it dissipate.

"She has more to tell you." She did not approve of this, but if her lady ordered it, she would perform it to the best of her ability, besides she didn't mind looking at the Hunter again. She decided an explanation was in order when he raised an eyebrow inquiringly. "When you were in her home a few hours ago, she couldn't tell you everything she knew because of… circumstances." She flipped her hood over head and produced an umbrella handing it to him. "Please follow."

He opened the umbrella and walked out into the rain. After walking through the pouring rain for what seemed like forever they finally made it to the apartment building. The duo sloshed through the lobby, up the flight of stairs and into the penthouse.

"Mistress I'm back." She said loudly, placing her raincoat on the hat rack. "I brought Mister Yagari as you asked." She motioned for him to follow her into the living room, which was larger and more flawlessly decorated than the reception room.

Abigail sat on her chaise lounge, one leg bent, revealing a velvety thigh, gaze resting upon the fire roaring in the fireplace. "Good job, Vanya, please take Mister Yagari's coat. I wouldn't want it dripping water all over my Persian carpet."

Yagari acquiesced, allowing the young girl to take his heavy coat, but kept his shotgun in his hand. He flopped down on the sofa declining when she offered him one of the glasses of wine in front of her.

"What's the matter still don't trust me?" she purred.

"Not as far as I can spit." He crossed his arms. "Now why the hell did you get Vanya to bring me back? Don't tell me you all of a sudden remembered some vital piece of information, because that would mean you were spouting bullshit a few hours ago" he said, voice rife with venom.

She almost winced, remembering just how quickly his voice could dice one up into mincemeat. Okay it was time to be honest with him, something she rarely did to anyone other than Vanya and her sister. "First of all, the fact that you pulled a gun on me and broke it off with me didn't cause me to withhold information. We were just fuck buddies to each other, so that didn't hurt me." Okay that was a lie. "But anyway while you were here before, circumstances prevented me from telling you."

He arched an eyebrow. That was the exact same thing that her attendant had uttered. What did that mean? "Okay."

She sat up on the comfortable seat, crossing her leg and looking him square in the eye. "The fact is, I first found out about this a few months ago."

"A few months!"

"Yeah."

"And why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

She shrugged her shoulders sharply, not exactly taking a liking to his tone. "You know if any other man took that tone of voice with me I would cut off his balls and feed them to him on bed of baby spinach."

He smiled crookedly, not afraid in the least. "Guess I'm lucky."

A feline smile rolled across her lips. "Damn straight you are. Now as I was saying. At first, it was just one hunter every two weeks and seemed confined to Eastern Europe, but now… Now it's creeping across the continent." She looked down, hiding her anxiety. "Every time one of my spies came here, I thought that they would tell me that you had been abducted. I'm glad to see you safe." She took a swig of wine, licking the ruby liquid from her upper lip.

He smiled at her, a genuine grin this time. Seems like she still held a torch for him, no matter how hard she denied it. "How many?"

She rested a forearm on her leg. "Seven, as far as I know and the Association has covered it up, on purpose."

Seven. Damn. "Who could be doing this?" He asked, thinking aloud.

A shade passed across her beautiful face. "An ancient enemy that the vampires haven't seen in eras past. A race that walks among us, blending in with us, plotting, biding their time for the right moment to strike. Dark times are coming Toga," she said ominously, her silvery eyes holding a foreboding expression.

An uneasy feeling crept over him, which was rare for a man like Toga. "But why would they capture members of the very faction that fights against those that they hate the most?"

She sneered at the answer she would give. "For the banquet."

"What banquet?"

She smiled. "That's enough for now." She stood and glided to him, gracefully sitting next to him. "I've missed you, you know." Tenderly she licked his lips, pressing her mouth to his while her hands threaded their way through his dark locks. "Tell me something," she said when they parted, "are you still as good at pleasing a woman as you were ten years ago? Or…" she bit her bottom lip sexily. "Have you gotten rusty?"

He grinned crookedly. "All things get better with time my dear Abbey," he replied smoothly, a hand going around her to find the zipper to her dress.

Abigail chuckled and stood, walking a few strides away before turning to him. "Show me." She unzipped her dress, causing it to fall away, revealing the flawless voluptuousness beneath.

Damn. She'd been working out. He stood and walked to her, leaning over to whisper three words in her ear that turned her knees to jelly. "Where's the bedroom?"

The bullet train sped along the track, moving at speeds that made an ordinary train green with envy. Zero sat in his bucket seat next to Takuma, adjusting and readjusting his tie. Takuma had purchased the suit for him, strangely knowing his exact size, and brought it along just in case he wore that black three-piece he put on for every formal occasion. It's not that he didn't like the suit and didn't appreciate the gesture; it was just that the hue of it, which the vampire and Umi said accented his features, made him feel like the blonde noble saw him as some sort of eye candy. He glanced at Takuma, who beamed at him cheerfully.

Takuma turned his attention away from the other and looked at his lord. "Kaname-sama? Are you alright?" He asked the man sitting across from them quietly staring out at the scenery passing by in blurs.

"Why didn't we bring Aidou?" Zero asked, not really caring if Kaname was okay or not.

Kaname sighed and looked at the Hunter with hooded eyes. Zero did look quite dapper in his new suit. "It would be a danger to his life to have him present with us in the Council Hall."

"Oh." He wanted to add 'did we have to leave him alone with Umi?' but decided against it because he didn't want to sound like a possessive asswipe. Truth was he was still dealing with the fact that no matter what Umi would always hold Aidou when he needed to be held, that he wasn't the only man in her heart.

Sometime later, they walked through the gate and onto the Council Hall's grounds. The estate was beautiful but Zero couldn't help but feel an unexplained creepiness sneak into his bones, not to mention his Hunter senses were going haywire. It felt like any minute a vampire was going to jump out and he was going to have to use Bloody Rose to turn their face to pizza. Why the hell did he agree to come here? He could be at home right now, playing cards with Umi, or at least cooking dinner.

"Relax Zero," Kaname said coolly. "You will remain unharmed as long as you stay in your place."

Zero rumbled in his throat, disliking that he had to conform to vampire society's customs. Dammit, he just had to be nice and agree to come with them. "Whatever."

Takuma placed a hand on his shoulder. "We all must play the part Zero-san."

Zero visibly rolled his eyes, swearing beneath his breath.

It was hardly a few moments later that they arrived at the door to the council chamber. Kaname glanced over his shoulder at Zero. "Just follow Takuma's example and everything will be fine." Though he didn't show it, Kaname prepared himself to stand before the cutthroat mongrels by focusing on all the things in the world that he held dear, and the undisclosed plan he had been entertaining for a few days. He pushed the door open and entered the room controlling the sneer threatening to crown his upper lip when his eyes fell upon the panel of men and women seated in a row behind the crescent-shaped table. Each of them were old and dressed in costly garb.

"Ah, Kuran-sama you are punctual, as usual." An old man, one of the members that had taken Ichiou's spot after his death, spoke politely.

Kaname ventured further into the room, strutting to the center of the room where a red upholstered chair was placed, and sat down, crossing his legs unperturbedly. "It is nice to see that you are all doing well." For now. He perceived the way their eyes tilted to his left, exactly where Zero was positioned, and the way their auras subtly fluctuated with hunger for the Hunter. It was obvious that they wanted Zero's blood.

"You as well, especially after being poisoned by that turncoat Tsukiko Aidou," another member, a woman, replied.

"So what brings you here Kuran-sama?" The first man requested.

He placed a hand on a knee, relaxing into the chair. "I am here about the situation we have with the Aidou clan—" he was interrupted by another member, a man with a full beard.

"Don't worry Kuran-sama, we will take care of them."

His eyes darkened at the interruption, but he continued. "Therein is the problem. The Aidou clan is a part of my court and as such I feel that it is my responsibility to handle the situation."

"But the law states that anyone that attacks a pureblood is to be dealt with properly, namely execution, after interrogation." He stated barely culling a wolfish grin. Kaname had always been annoyingly precocious and that had carried over into his adulthood. First he'd taken on his parents' outrageous dream that vampires could see humans as something other than livestock and had thus aided that whacko Kaien Cross in his attempts to 'reeducate' the current generation at Cross Academy. Now, he was all but demanding they allow him to take care of a problem that was theirs to handle. He was getting too big for his britches. Of course that was an odd thing to say for a pureblood.

Zero looked at Kaname, thinking that the man was lying through his teeth. Tsukiko would be interrogated alright, while they were ripping her heart out of her chest. If Kaname thought this guy was being truthful then he was dumber than he thought. Wait, what was he saying? Kaname no doubt saw straight through the man, he was a pureblood after all. And he's pretty smart, he thought. What the hell? Did he just admire one of the sadist's qualities?

Kaname knew very well that they would not interrogate Tsukiko and would take the opportunity to slaughter the entire clan in attempts to decrease his power in vampire society. "Yes, but as the leader of the Kuran court, it is my duty to—" Again the same man interrupted him.

"Kuran-sama you should not sully your hands with such trivial matters. Leave it to us, we will sort out the matter."

The chief councilman nodded agreeably with the other member. "Hyoto-san is right Kuran-sama. I understand that you wish to keep your court intact, but you mustn't grow too attached to those that do not deserve your favor dear prince. Like the Level D Kiryuu," he replied, maintaining his falsely humble tone, while jerking a hand towards Zero contemptuously.

Zero clenched his jaw so hard he swore he chipped off a tooth or two. He willed himself to control the urge to take out a Bloody Rose and put a bullet in the chief councilman's yapping mouth. Focus. Focus. Don't let him get to you. Think about happy thoughts.

Jinjo, one of the three women sneered snidely at Zero. "It seems you have trained him well."

The veins in his neck stood out rigidly, but he maintained his position, fighting the Hunter's instinct to take out his weapon and end the lowlife parasite that dared to speak of him as if he were a trained monkey. Get it together, if they see your anger they're just going to peck at you until you lose control.

Kaname remained as unflappable as usual not even flinching at the calloused words. "It was no easy task, but it was an inevitable eventuality."

Zero almost lost it. For that pureblood bastard to even say that he was trained when he agreed to come here was like a slap in the face. He would have spat bullets had it not been for the calming aura that flowed through him, pacifying whatever ill feelings he'd experienced.

Kaname maintained the same indifferent façade but his eyes told volumes, it was taking a herculean effort not to destroy the man that was making it a habit of interrupting him and the way they blatantly insulted Zero. If he didn't pull rank now, they would take control. "Getting back on the subject at hand, as I said before I was interrupted, the Aidou clan is a part of my court and as such they are under my authority. I will conduct this matter concerning Tsukiko as I see fit." He swept his penetrating eyes over every man and woman before him, staring them down, silently conveying to them that he was not going to concede defeat and allow them to take the reins. "I would be pleased for you to stay out of this affair and leave it between me and my court."

Takuma stared ahead with a serious face, showing no sign of his usual effervescent self. He knew the Council shared his grandfather's opinion of him, that he was weak. But that was the problem with the Council of Elders; they viewed kindness as a weakness. He felt the hunger in their auras when some of them would allow their eyes to flick to Zero then back before anyone noticed, or so they thought. Inwardly he growled. How dare they look at Zero like he was some sort of morsel dangling on a string? If one of them even insinuated that Kaname bestow Zero to them as a pet, he would no longer be able to hold in his outrage. That's why they were degrading the hunter, it was an underhanded game to provoke him so he did something rash thereby granting them a reason to kill him or corner Kaname into granting him as a pet as a peace offering. He returned his attention to the events unfolding before him when his lord rose.

Tension as thick as congealed soup hung in the atmosphere as the Council members glanced at each other deliberating on their decision. Neither of them wanted to grant the pureblood youth his wish, but knew better than to deny him as well. All of them felt if they gave him what he wished he would one day remember their favor and allow them to drink his life-giving blood. The main one speaking, Narita, tempered the glare he threw Kaname from murderous to mild annoyance. "As you wish Kuran-sama."

The pureblood gave a token bow, denoting respect for his elders when in reality he loathed them. "Good day." He turned and walked through the door first, followed by Takuma then Zero. Once they were off the estate's grounds and in the glossy black car that chauffeured them there, Kaname allowed himself to relax. Kami he hated those curs, slobbering after his blood like rabid wolves after a succulent sheep.

"Well, I'm glad that's over. Right Kaname-sama?" Takuma said, wiping a hand through his fair locks.

Kaname nodded, his analytical mind whirring planning his next move and examining it from every side. The Blood Moon was drawing nearer; soon he would have to disclose everything to the Hunter. In the place of the tension that had filled him the entire day and night came a nagging hunger, slamming into him with all the intensity of a tidal wave crashing against the cliffs. He took in a breath, controlling the red tint threatening to creep into his eyes. Neither of the men sitting in the car would be able to satisfy his hunger, that was an ability exclusive to Yuuki. His eyes shifted to the young hunter sitting on the other side of the car, alone. "You behaved well tonight."

Zero growled. Why? Why did Kuran always make it a career out of making him sound like he was a dog performing to its master's delight? "I'm not your—"

Takuma sat up jumping in quickly to defuse the situation before it escalated. "What Kaname-sama means to say Zero-san is that you are to be commended for keeping your temper tonight," he said tactfully, picking his words wisely because of the other's roaring aura.

"Yeah well he sure as hell didn't help in the Council hall," he growled angrily.

Kaname sat up in the seat, fishing a bottle of bloodtablets out of his pocket and knocking back a handful. After swallowing them, without the aid of water, he eased back in the leather seat, burrowing a hand through his messy brown locks. "Everyone must put on pretenses at times Zero. In both societies."

Zero snorted irately. "Whatever."

"Besides, they were trying to provoke you into attacking so they would have a justifiable reason to exterminate the last of the Kiryuu line." The brunette said casually, enjoying the delicious warmth in the car. Kami he couldn't wait for winter to be over. "They would have kept at you had I not commandeered the conversation our the original topic."

Zero glowered at the pureblood. He comprehended quite well what the brunette meant when by his words. He was telling him that he had saved his life and expected him to be appreciative. Fat chance of that happening. The hunter scowled and turned his gaze to the window, absorbing the beautifully snow-covered landscape.

Aidou lay on the sofa in the living room of Zero and Umi's apartment beneath a blanket (because their apartment was not warm enough for his sensitive body) eyes wide open. How long had it been now since he'd slept? Three, four days? He couldn't bring himself to sleep, no matter if he counted sheep or pocky sticks. Not even Kain could get him to sleep more than half an hour. Anxiety had taken over his thoughts; just about every moment of everyday was devoted to wondering if he was really the son of a traitorous family whose treachery against his beloved pureblood would forever stain their name and haunt him. He didn't think he could stand Kaname scrutinizing his every move because of the betrayal committed by his clan. A heavy exhalation issued past his lips. He didn't want to be alone tonight.

He threw back the blanket and sat up stretching out the stiffness in his back caused by the bed of bricks they called a sofa. Even he felt sorry for Zero if he had to lay on that cursed thing when Umi was upset with him. He yawned and strode through the unlit home to the last door on the right, trying the knob to see if the door was locked. It was not. He carefully pushed the door open, sensing that she was asleep from the slow steady rate of her breathing, and entered the room. Stealthily he crept to the bed and slipped beneath the sheets, cuddling close. Sheesh what a tiny bed, there was barely room to turn over once.

Instinctively she turned over and wrapped her arms around him, drawing him close. Her hands tangled themselves in his hair and her eyes flew open when she felt tousled curls. She looked down at the mass of curls that met her eyes. Shit! She recoiled as if she'd touched fire, sitting up as she tried to gain her bearings. "Aidou what the fricking hell!"

He looked up at her with innocent azure eyes. "Why are you yelling?" Why was she so far away? He wasn't going to bite her. Of course it wasn't because he didn't want to, he was already trying to ignore the melodious sound of blood flowing through her veins, but because it was off limits.

"You're in my bed that's why."

"I'm tired imouto and I didn't want to sleep alone, so I figured I needed your cuddle to go to sleep." He explained simply, reaching out so he could pull her back to the center of the bed.

"You can't sleep in here with me. Zero would breathe fire if he found out." A hand instinctively found his hair and began weaving her fingers through his blonde curls.

He smiled contentedly when she rhythmically stroked his hair, purring happily. "But why? It's not like we're going to do anything." He took in a breath of her cherry blossom scent, wishing he could lose himself in her, but knowing she was not his.

She looked down at him sternly. "That's not the point, it's me and Zero's bed. It's just not right."

He cuddled his head into the pillow, turning that doe-eyed gaze upon her, managing to look utterly adorable and piteous at the same time. "But I don't want to be alone."

Her resolve crumbled. Shit. Why couldn't she say no to that blue-eyed stare? She groaned, reluctantly admitting defeat, and turned over to him, nestling him close until his arms were around her waist and her fingers were tangled in his tousled curls. "God you're a spoiled brat," she stated playfully, with an acidic undertone.

He chuckled. "You shouldn't talk to your oniisan that way," he teased, eyes drooping drowsily. Ah Sandman it looks as if we shall get reacquainted. Then for no reason, he asked her a question he'd never bothered to ask anyone. "Umi-chan, do you think I'm strong?"

She raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Physically?" What kind of question was that? All vampires possessed a strength beyond any human.

He shook his head, causing his hair to tickle her nostrils. "Emotionally." He tilted his head back to look at her and gage her reaction.

She smiled at him. Aidou had never been the strong one of the bunch, because he always had Akatsuki, who was like a rock, to lean upon when he needed support, which meant that he never had to depend upon himself to stay strong. "Aidou-kun doesn't need to be strong, he has others for that."

A dagger stabbed through his heart. He forced a smile and nestled into her, allowing himself to fall into her soothing aura until finally sleep overtook him.

A sleek black car drove through the gates of the estate, stopping in front of the steps of the Council Hall. The driver got out and scampered to the back of the car, opening the door quickly. He bowed his head humbly, offering his hand.

A dainty gloved hand grasped his and a woman with extensive blonde hair that fell past her shoulders like a golden waterfall stepped out of the vehicle. Sara Shirabuki. She wore an expensive mink coat to protect her from the frigidly cold elements, thick heeled boots, and an expression that said that she meant business. Kaname would pay for his criminal acts. Harboring a Halfling was downright sinful. He would be made to atone for the things he'd done to her. His refusal to grant her Takuma Ichijo was his first offense and the way he toyed with her heart, getting her all excited that he would marry her and then forsaking her for that 'awakened' pureblood Yuuki, was enough to turn her heart cold to him. (Now we all know that Kaname never even gave the slightest hint that she was anything to him other than an acquaintance, but I guess things were working differently in her mind.) She strutted down the corridors, the clicking of her rather stylish boots echoing throughout the empty halls. Tonight she would make Kaname know the pain he caused her.

She pushed the doors open, not bothering to knock, and entered the room, giving a bow to the venerable men and women. "Good evening Elder Ones."

Narita spoke on behalf of the Council, "good evening Sara-sama. Forgive us for our inability to grant you audience a few days ago."

She took a seat in the chair and crossed her ankles gracefully. "It is quite alright," she replied courteously.

"Then what brings you here dear one of the Shirabuki clan?" Gingko asked, giving a pleasant smile to the female pureblood in their midst.

Sara was a pureblood they didn't mind dealing with. She was much less rebellious that Kaname, as were all the Shirabuki clan members from times long past. Sara, though she was a pureblood, was impressionable when it came to the Council, seeing them as an order of honorable upright members that did only what was best for vampire society. In other words, because her parents revered them she granted them the halo effect, finding justification for any unspeakable act they performed. She was the perfect pureblood. Kaname on the other hand was a rebellious insurgent, seeing every single crack and shadow that stained their actions, knowing them for what they truly were, bloodthirsty turncoats. He was one to be feared.

"Hanabusa of the Aidou clan threw a soiree Friday, as I am sure you are well aware of."

They nodded in unison. Each of them hungered for her blood, seeing her as more of a candidate for a willing donor than that upstart Kaname Kuran. However each of them knew to be cautious, because purebloods were dangerously unpredictable.

"There at the party, blending in with the rest of the aristocrats... was a Halfling."

The atmosphere in the room darkened dramatically. "A Halfling? Preposterous!" Narita exclaimed. "Kuran-sama may be a lot of things but as a pureblood vampire, he hates them as much as we all do. He knows what the Law stipulates about harboring a Level Zero. That it is a sin against all vampire culture."

Sara grinned sinisterly. "On the contrary, he rescued her from me, stating that she was part of his court and thus not to be harmed." The unhidden outraged expressions on their faces filled her with a happiness stemming from years of unforgotten injuries.

They all cast each other sideways glances. Narita refrained from smiling. This was a reason to strike the Kuran court, and if anyone protested they could justify their actions by stating that they were trying to exterminate a Level 0. Oh how marvelous things were starting to turn out!

"Such an act is treason!" A vampire rather rugged in appearance bellowed, crashing his fist down upon the desk in emphasis.

Narita sighed when the wood beneath the man's hand splintered and gave way, leaving a gaping hole in the desk. If he didn't stop defacing their desks (that was the fourth one this week) they were going to ostracize him. "Peace Kai. Losing our tempers will get us nowhere," he said calmly, a reptilian smile rippling over his lips mirroring the evil glint in his eyes. "Kuran-sama knows the consequences for such a crime." His gaze fell upon the pureblood sitting in the central point of the room. "Elaborate to us Sara-sama, why are you doing this? Why are you giving us information that proves to be positively injurious to Kuran-sama and his court?"

A perverse smile wound its way to her mouth. "Because, Kaname should learn that he cannot do whatever he wants to do without consequences. He is not above the Council and he is not untouchable." He would pay for breaking her heart.

Narita and his fellow members gave satisfied grins. "Indeed he should." He steepled his fingers together. "We will take care of the matter Sara-sama, acting in accord with the Law of course."

She rose to her feet. "I trust that you will." She gave a bow to them before exiting the room and strode down the halls. An unfamiliar aura swept across her, one that was definitely not vampire. She stopped, peering down the hallways that flanked her. "Show yourself," she commanded.

The shadow of the wall moved and a man revealed himself. He walked to her, head bowed, and dropped onto bended knee before her, keeping his head bowed humbly. "Lady Sara-Sama, I am Edo, your humble servant."

Sara curved a delicate eyebrow, her eyes examining the chestnut locks of the man kneeling before her. Who the heck was this? She didn't know anybody named Edo and what was that funny tinge to his aura? "I do not know any Edo, so how can you be my humble servant?"

He stood hating to subject himself to the female youth, but she was one of the pieces on the board and, indeed, the game could not be played without all the members. "I will gladly explain myself if her ladyship would be so kind to take us to a place that doesn't have such a potential for spies."

She eyed him momentarily, knowing that if he attacked she would crush him without hesitation. Without answering she placed a hand on his shoulder and they disappeared, rematerializing into an open space blanketed with snow. "Now, explain yourself quickly before I decide your life is worthless."

Edo culled the spasm of anger trying to creep over his face. "I have been watching you for some time ladyship," he replied, his voice dropping into a seductive drawl. "I know what Kuran did to you." He took a step forward, peering into her eyes. "I know what he denied you, how he broke your heart, how he scorned you." Gradually he began to circle her, boots crunching in the thick snow resembling a predator circling its prey, determining its weak spots and calculating when to go in for the kill.

She raised an eyebrow, keeping eye contact with him as he cycled her in slow steady movements. "If you came here to simply remind me of the pain Kaname has caused me then your life has become worthless."

A wicked grin passed over his mouth, disappearing in a huff. She was indeed a challenge, but he knew her weakness, and he was going to exploit it to the letter. "No, milady, I have not come here to simply remind you of pain. That would be folly indeed. I have come here to simply make a request."

She folded her arms, maintaining her composure. "And pray tell what is that?"

He stopped at her side, facing the opposite way. "I humbly request that you join me."

She laughed derisively. "I am a pureblood. I owe my allegiance to no one."

"And for good reason milady, you are a goddess, your loyalty lies only to yourself," he spoke obsequiously while sustaining the cajoling undertone in his voice. Inwardly he smiled when he caught the slight arrogant tilt of her chin out the corner of his eye. "I am not asking for your allegiance, but more so for your acquaintanceship."

She snorted derisively. "And why would I give an inferior creature such a privilege?" Self-satisfaction grasped her when she saw his shoulders tense.

"Because milady, you and I share a common foe: Kaname Kuran. And as the old saying goes: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. You and I can help each other, we can give each other what we desire." A cold breeze blew by, playing in his air and chilling him to the bone.

She sneered nastily. "And what, will you do for me that the Council of Elders cannot?" She looked him dead in the eye, fighting the urge to project her death aura and bring this man standing next to her to his knees.

He grinned sinisterly and walked to her rear, leaning over her shoulder. "Because…the Council only wants to exterminate the she-Halfling and maybe a couple of his lower subordinates to weaken his power in the vampire social order." He bent closer to her in order to whisper in her ear. "But if you agree to this acquaintanceship we will strip him of everything he holds dear until he lays at your feet a broken sniveling shell fit only to please his queen," he spoke beguilingly into her ear, softly smiling when he saw the change in her expression. She was his.

"Think about it milady. The Kurans have been deemed the mightiest of purebloods since the Olden Age. If you were to bring the last of their kings to his knees, you would be untouchable, a true goddess worshipped by all others," he purred seductively into her ear.

Sara smiled wickedly to herself. Edo's plan sounded enticing indeed. "And what of the Kuran princess?"

He smiled softly. "A queen needs a capable servant girl milady."

Her mind was made up. To see the fall of Kaname and possess his dear Yuuki as a servant were wishes of hers that she thought she would never see fulfilled. But now, it felt like she'd freed some sort of genie and those two wishes were in reach, because this man before her was willing to perform such diabolical actions for her if she simply became his acquaintance. In truth, she felt like he was getting the short end of the stick, because if he at all lost his purpose, she would kill him without hesitation. "You would do all of this for me and ask nothing in return?"

He stepped away from her and faced her, taking in those bewitching eyes. "All I ask, milady, is that I am correct in trusting you and that you give me your word that you will aid me when I request it." He watched her with attentive careful eyes, observing as she mulled his words over in her mind seeking any holes in the plan. If she agreed then everything would be in place.

She finished turning the idea in her mind and gave an agreeable nod. "Fine, then I agree to become your…acquaintance."

He refrained from smiling. "But can I trust your word?"

She grinned charmingly. "I am not without honor Edo. My word is my bond."

He smiled amiably at her, giving a respectful bow. The last piece had been gained. The game was afoot.

Toga stood in the window, half-naked, cigarette in hand, gazing out at the roofs of the buildings in the distance. He cursed himself regrettably. Sleeping with Abigail was a mistake, because it would only complicate things. But, what's done is done; there was no taking it back. Not that he wanted to take back such mind-numbing pleasure. He'd gotten his answer about the missing hunters, now what would he do about it? Concrete evidence would be needed in order to expose Yoshiro. What if this went all the way to the top? Could he fight the Head of the Association without losing his life? A smoky sigh rushed past his lips. If more than Yoshiro was covering up the vanishing of his fellow hunters then the Hunters Association was no better than those corrupt, backbiting cutthroats that presided over vampire society. If the corruption did stem to members in power other than Yoshiro, then there was no way he would continue to be affiliated with such a cold-blooded group.

Two wiry arms wrapped around his waist and two delightful breasts pressed into his back. Abigail was awake.

"Mmm," she breathed, sniffing his hair. "You make a girl wanna start living an honest life." Her wandering hands slid slowly down his muscular belly, stopping to trace a small scar beneath the last rib on the left. She was telling the truth. Toga did make her want to stop being a part of the Underground so she could settle down and sample such pleasure from him on a daily basis, but truly it was not possible. They would never be able to spend a lifetime in each other's arms like she wished.

He blew out a ring of smoke. "Yeah, right."

She snuggled her nose in the nape of his neck. "Do you regret this?" She knew how he felt about her sister, and it hurt at times, but it wasn't his fault. She was the one that said he would never be anything but a good rattle in the sack to her, thereby crushing the opportunity of them being something other than objects of carnal pleasure to each other.

He shrugged, keeping his gaze to the fore. "Hell, if the world is going down the crapper than there's no reason looking back on something said and done with regrets." He took one of her small hands and kissed it softly. He took a drag on his cigarette, letting out a content puff. He didn't want Zero and Kaien involved in this situation, but the day he told them about it was the day they became embroiled in this whole terrible mess. They weren't like him, he was alone, there was just him. Zero and Kaien were different; they had things that were precious to them. Kaien had the lives of Cross Academy's students to worry about and Zero had Umeko. They both had weaknesses, evident weaknesses. Not to mention there were people in the Association that thought it was an insult to allow a vampire to become a full-fledged a hunter and were near the point of salivation in their eagerness to have an opportunity to attack his former pupil. Kaien was also a risk. The ex-hunter's pacifist ideals did not bode well with the extremists in the Association, thus there were many that saw him as a bothersome thorn that needed to be removed.

He clenched his teeth, nearly biting his cigarette in half. Damn, he should have considered it more before he went and opened his big mouth. Well, at least they could both take care of themselves, not to mention both had the favor of certain bloodsuckers. His thoughts stopped in their tracks when someone knocked on the door.

Abigail released him and walked to the door, pulling it ajar just far enough for her to hold a conversation with Vanya. "What is it Vanya?"

The young lady's face darkened. "I killed a scout in the kitchen."

Fear took hold of her beautiful face. She had to get Toga out of here, he was too important to die. "How many minutes?"

Vanya shrugged nonchalantly. "Fifteen minutes at the most."

She swallowed her fear. "Bring Toga's coat and weapon as fast as you can."

"Yes Mistress," she said humbly, giving a deep bow before turning to walk down the hall.

Abigail closed the door and swallowed the nearly overwhelming trepidation gripping her in its cold clutches before turning to speak to the handsome man looking out the window. "Get dressed." She walked to the pair of pants that lay draped haphazardly on top of the chair and picked them up, giving them a good sniff, savoring his scent.

He turned to her. "What?" He knew she was not the most accommodating person in the world, but damn he didn't think she was so hardhearted as to throw out him in the bitter cold after they'd just finished shagging.

"Get dressed now!" She threw the pants in his face and started picking up the rest of his clothing. "Hurry!" She picked up his shirt. "They know I've betrayed them and are coming to seek vengeance." She shoved the armful of clothes into his arms.

He curved an eyebrow. "What the hell are you talking about? Who are 'they'?"

"That doesn't matter." She crossed to her davenport, produced a piece of decorated parchment paper from one of the drawers, picked up her ink pen and began writing something quickly.

"It does matter!" His observant gaze studied the features on her face as she wrote. What was she hiding from him? He walked to her, leaning down to look her in the face. "Are they going to kill you?"

She did not look up. "Please Toga, get dressed."

"Not until you tell the truth."

She sighed and stopped writing to look up at him with sad eyes. "More than likely."

His eyes widened, and then narrowed. "I'm not leaving you," he said stubbornly.

She finished with the letter. "You must," she said urgently. "You and the information you have are too important to fall into their hands." She gripped his hands. "I know you don't want to leave me, but it has to be like this. If you don't go now, you'll die, and that must not happen. So please, please put your clothes on so you can leave." She pleaded, looking up at him with suppliant eyes.

"But…" he faltered.

"Toga, there are others in your life that mean much more to you than I do, think of them. Please, go," she nearly begged.

He let out a defeated sigh and disappeared into the bathroom to get dressed. He was surprised to find Vanya standing in the center of the room with his coat in hand a serious expression on her normally expressionless countenance. He took his coat and shrugged it on, opting to keep his weapon in his hand just in case he had to use it. "Abbey-chan, you ca—"

She put a finger to his lips. "Vanya will lead you down the secret passageway to safety."

Vanya's eyes broadened in shock. "But Mistress, you said—"

She put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Do as I say," she commanded firmly.

"Yes Mistress." Tears filled the girl's eyes at the thought of leaving her lady to such a gruesome fate.

Toga sighed heavily. He felt worse than scum about leaving her to die. "Come with us." He tried once again, hoping to get through to her.

She shook her head. "I cannot, I must stay as a distraction." She held up an envelope sealed with her emblem. "Take this and deliver it to Kaname Kuran. It will tell him about the turning of the Hourglass." She placed the sealed envelope within his inner coat pocket and pressed her lips to his. She kissed him with every bit of love she possessed in her being, knowing that this was the last time she would ever feel his lips touching hers. Reluctantly she parted them, pushing him away. "Go!"

Vanya grasped his hand and led him to the far wall. Moments later he followed Vanya down the winding staircase hidden behind the walls of the high-rise. "What kind of shady people has Abbey got herself mixed up with?"

Vanya continued trotting down the darkened staircase, wishing that she could transform into one of her many forms to get the Hunter to safety and back to help her Mistress as fast as possible. "A race that was ancient before the Hunters even established themselves," she stated casually, quickening her pace.

He arched an eyebrow. There was a third race? And one that old? "What?"

They stopped at the end of the stairwell and she opened the door. "Here is where we part Mister Yagari."

Reluctantly he stepped into the alleyway and was about to turn to say something but found that the door was already closed. Damn. He turned and started down the unlit alley, senses on high alert to any attack. His conscience gnawed mercilessly at him. He couldn't do it; he couldn't leave Abigail to die. It just was not in his character to abandon a human to certain death. He rounded the corner of the alley and stepped onto the sidewalk. He started his trek towards the train station but halted when he was hardly a hundred yards in the distance. He turned and looked back at the building in the background. Abbey was probably lying in a pool of her own blood with her enemies looming over her preparing to deliver the coup de grace.

His eye narrowed. No, he was not going to abandon her to death. He gripped his weapon and shot off down the street towards the apartment building. He flung the door to the building open and ran through; sprinting up the ten floors like it was a walk in the park, loading his weapon on the way up. Strange auras prickled his senses. He tilted his head to the side inquisitively, creeping cautiously into the house. With all the skill and stealth of a veteran ace hunter he made his way up the staircase, his keen ears working overtime in order to catch the faintest of sounds. Guardedly he pushed the door open with a hand, gun aimed and ready to be put to good use.

He surveyed the nooks and crannies of the room, taking in everything with a glance before he entered. The hair on the back of his neck raised, his instincts both hunter and human alerted him to the presence of another as he ventured further into the deathly quiet bedroom. Blood's coppery odor prompted him to glance downward and he took in a deep breath. Lying in the center of the room with blood pooling around her was Vanya. Damn. He warily rushed to her, finding the extent of her wounds much more grisly up close. Her skin was ripped to ribbons as if someone had started flaying her alive in order to use her skin as some sort of sick trophy. Her throat was brutally mangled, exposing her esophagus.

Fuck. What kind of sick bastards would mutilate a person like this? He wasn't a religious man but he felt like he should at least pray or some kind of shit. He'd been a hunter for over two decades and had never seen anything so ghastly at the hands of the Level Es, and they were supposed to be insane monsters searching to satisfy their near insatiable bloodlust. The poor girl didn't even have a chance in hell at surviving. He crouched low and closed her lifeless eyes, softly uttering a prayer.

He heard a faint groan and then a thick sticky liquid dripped onto his face. Standing quickly he touched his cheek, wiping away the liquid, and looked at it. Blood. What the--? He turned his gaze upward and his eye widened in utter shock. Above him crucified to the ceiling was Abigail. She was naked with barbed chains coiled around her arms, legs, neck, and torso, the cruel spikes from the metal bonds dug mercilessly into her skin causing agonizing lacerations that spilled blood onto the barbs and dripped onto the floor. "Abbey!"

Her eyes opened and she looked down at him, trying to focus through the agony. "Toga?" she inhaled deeply, "I… told you to… run." She gasped out, reluctant to speak because of the spikes jabbing shallow holes into her neck.

"Hold on, I'm going to get you down from there," he said swallowing the lump in his throat. This was his fault; he shouldn't have abandoned her, even if that was what she desired. He holstered the shotgun and trotted to the couch. He had to get her down, he had to save her, no, he needed to save her. No sooner had he moved the sofa an inch then a chain with a bladed end flew from the shadow of the room and went straight through her chest, impaling her heart.

Her eyes bulged and her mouth flew open as if she were releasing an agonizing silent scream.

Toga hardly noticed whoever had thrown the chain. All he could do was stare up at the dying woman eye expanded, features horror-stricken, keen ears picking up the slowing pump of her heart. As he stared into those beautiful slate grey eyes, watching her die, he felt a piece of him disappearing with her life. Before she succumbed to death, he read her lips and the words she managed to mouth stole away a fraction of his soul. For the words were what he'd wanted her to say to him all those years ago. "I have always loved you."

With that last tiny physical effort, she closed her eyes and surrendered to death. As soon as she died her assailant withdrew the chain from her body, causing it to rain blood upon the floor from the gaping hole in her chest.

Toga turned and drew his weapon, nothing short of untouched hatred occupying his visage, and turned towards the point that his senses seemed to tug him towards. These people had killed Abigail, the one woman that he felt like he wouldn't sully if he decided to hand in his bachelor card, like she was some sort of animal. They would be made to pay, with their own lives.

Two women dressed in black outfits similar to samurai but with a goth overtone and white paint on their faces emerged from the shadows. "Well, well, well, I believe we have another hunter on our hands Akemmi-san," one of them stated with a hint of excitement.

"It seems so Momiji-san," she replied in the same tittering voice.

Toga growled at both women, which were both tall in stature and slender in frame, and pointed his weapon at them. "You'll pay for what you did!"

Momiji flashed a twisted grin filled with sadism. "I think he's angry because we killed his girlfriend."

Akemmi nodded in agreement slightly frowning when she heard the cock of his sawed-off shotgun. "Hunters have such moxie don't they Momiji-san." They dodged the shot that he popped off, scattering to opposite sides of the bedroom.

"Indeed Akemmi-san." She sprinted across the room, agilely dodging the bullets of his gun before crouching behind the davenport desk. "It is becoming quite wearisome."

Toga held up his gun just in time to counter Momiji's razor-sharp nine-inch claws. He pushed her back, dodging her attacks with much effort, one of her claws coming just shy of the tip of his nose. What the hell was going on? The girl was fast, like she was a vampire, but his hunter's instincts told him otherwise. Was this the race Vanya had spoken of? Well, whatever race they were, he was going to make sure they died for what they did to Abigail and Vanya. He would not torture and maim them, but they would know death.

Again he used his gun to hold her back, straining against the surprisingly strong young woman. Goddammit. Movement passed through his peripheral vision, alerting him to the danger of Akemmi's assault. He dropped an arm, feeling his muscles bunch and burn against her strength and with the flick of the wrist protracted a kunai which he promptly hurled at the oncoming woman. The resultant yelp that ensued let him know that his kunai met its mark.

"Akemmi!" Momiji cried worriedly, distressed that her companion was wounded.

While she was distracted, Toga delivered a left hook directly to her face and shoved her backwards into the foot of the bed. If they continued to attack individually he may just win this fight, but if they came at him together, with their speed and strength, he would more than likely be defeated. He smiled at her wickedly.

Akemmi pulled the kunai from the left side of her abdomen. "It would seem that this is an exceptionally strong hunter Momiji-san."

The other woman stood, flipping her chocolate locks, and erased the blood trickling from her nose with the back of her sleeve. "It seems that way Akemmi-san." An evil grin rippled across her lips. "The Mistress will be ecstatic to have him at her Banquet." They regrouped and stood side by side, eyes gleaming wildly.

Shit. They were attacking together which meant he was going to have to pull upon all his hunter's charms just to survive. He darted to the left then to the right, hardly eluding one of Momiji's swipes. He concentrated while avoiding their strikes, mumbling softly. There was a small flash of light as the Scield charm activated. The invisible shield crackled with energy as Momiji struck it mercilessly.

"So you do have a few tricks up your sleeve, sir hunter." She struck again and again, giving him no time do survey his surroundings, but to concentrate on upholding the shield against her attacks that seemed to diminish the Scield charm with each blow.

Dammit, this wasn't going to last long. He started loading his gun stepping aside to avoid another assault in order to preserve the shield as long as possible. Then he noticed something, but unfortunately too late. Where was Akemmi? Sudden blazing pain rocketed into him as Akemmi impaled his shoulder with her razor-sharp claws. His eye widened in pure bewilderment. Not only had she managed to puncture his shield but she completely neutralized it and managed to push her claws through the armor of his overcoat to the flesh beneath.

She looped an arm around his neck and drew him close. "Silly hunter, we are not vampires."

Momiji knocked his gun from his hand and, spreading her fingers, sliced him across the torso, tearing through his shirt to leave deep slashes in his flesh.

He growled in agony, feeling warm blood trickle onto his skin from the gashes, trying to work through the red-hot pain to grasp for a charm locked in his memory that would get them off of him. The agony smoldering in his shoulder intensified when Akemmi pushed her claws deeper, seeking to break through the other side.

Akemmi sniffed him. "Mmm, Momiji-san, our hunter smells quite delicious."

Momiji, who'd been busy catching the blood oozing from his gashes with her claws, stopped licking the crimson droplets from her nails and drew close to him. She smelled his neck. "You are right Akemmi-san. He does smell good enough to eat." Both women began to kiss and caress their prey, pressing their feminine curves against him, coiling their arms around him.

Toga took in a deep breath. This would be so cool, if the women coiled around him like serpents weren't trying to kill him. He toiled through his pain, through the torn muscles in his shoulder that screamed in agony, and came upon a charm that would drain a fraction of his energy, but was worth it. He thought upon the words and spoke them authoritatively. Radiant light burst forth blowing the women to opposite sides of the room. Without thinking twice he dashed towards his weapon, thanking heaven that he was ambidextrous. He felt the effects of the Deflectere charm however, the lowered level of energy, the loss of a step; it would take its toll.

Akemmi, who'd collided with the wall across the room, rose to her feet and licked his drying blood from her slender pointed claws. "I'm getting turned on, are you Momiji-san?" She asked her companion, sliding her tongue lasciviously over her upper lip, eyes glittering lustfully.

Momiji stood, rolling her shoulders, and grinned insanely, showing pointy fangs. "Very much so." She observed the hunter that was finishing loading his sawed-off shotgun with thirsty eyes. "Perhaps when this is over, we could take him for a ride."

Akemmi sprinted across the room, flipping agilely through the air to land next to her companion. "Now Momiji-san, I don't think the lady would appreciate us killing him." They giggled together and attacked him, eluding the bullets that he popped off from his gun.

Toga paused in between a shot, taking a split second to determine the course of Akemmi's, who he'd already determined as the weaker of the two, next step. He led his target pulling the trigger just in time. The bullet rocketed from the chamber and raced through the air, upon its intended trajectory.

Akemmi howled and jerked back when the bullet slammed into her shoulder, burning through muscle and bone. She tottered and retreated behind the chaise lounge to nurse the wound.

Toga grinned victoriously and turned his gaze to Momiji who regarded him with flaming eyes. "Looks like it's just me and you."

She chuckled maniacally. "Don't flatter yourself, it's just me." With those nasty words she attacked him full force, driving him back towards the large windows.

Toga fought valiantly but was very well aware that this was the end of their brawl. He was wounded; there was no way he could win this battle. A sidekick to his wounded shoulder made him growl in agony, and a spinning kick sent him sailing through the air and out the window towards the concrete below and certain death.

The Aidou Manor was abuzz with activity. The kitchen maids were scrambling to put on a dinner fit for a person of Kaname's status, the housemaids scurried around the sitting room to make sure everything was in place, the gardeners shoveled the snow from the entry steps, and the serving maids set the table with their best silverware. The members of the Aidou clan, Hanabusa's immediate family, were in their rooms, picking out their finest outfits. "I wonder why Kuran-sama is visiting us, and without letting us know in advance at that." Mariko, Hanabusa's mother, said as she slipped into her exquisite not too formal red dress.

Setsuna, Aidou's father, finished buttoning up his vermillion velvet vest and shrugged on his dinner jacket. "Who knows my love? We should just count ourselves among the lucky to have such a privilege of a personal visit from him." He walked to his gorgeous wife and zipped up her dress, softly nipping at the tender flesh of her neck. "You look ravishing my dear."

"Thank you, husband." The lust roiling in his aura got her attention, exciting her as well, and she tilted her head to the side, inviting him to have his way with her neck. She shuddered when he tongued her neck lovingly and punctured her.

Setsuna and his wife and children bowed humbly before their vampire lord. "Kaname-sama it is such an honor to see you. Are you doing well?"

Kaname nodded politely. "I am, and how are the members of one of my favored families doing?" He asked, his searching sorrel eyes switching to Tsukiko, who stood next to her father with a shy expression. Was that a shy face or the expression of a treacherous spider ensnared in her own web? He would find out soon enough.

"We all are quite alright, Kaname-sama."

After the greeting and pleasantries concluded they all moved to the family room to sit and enjoy the musical talents of their chamberlain, Vlad, who was a classically skilled pianist. Setsuna sat in the high-backed armchair flanking the exquisite sofa while his wife and Tsukiko, who was the only of his daughters still at home, were positioned on the settee, and the trio of visitors were seated on the sofa. The older bearded man crossed his legs. "So why is Hanabusa not with you all milord?"

Kaname crossed his legs as well, resting his hands in his lap, and sent an impassive gaze to the elder vampire. "Because I would not want to traumatize him should my suspicions prove true," he answered stolidly.

Finally! Zero thought. He was tired of all the pleasantries and small talk, feeling such blather was unnecessary. Why did vampires always have to beat around the bush when it was much more productive just to get right to the point? His eyes shifted to the sizeable grandfather clock in the corner of the room. It read 2:10 am. He inwardly groaned. By the time he got home it was going to be past dawn. Another night without sleep.

The three Aidous regarded their leader questioningly. "What do you mean Kaname-sama?" Setsuna scooted a little in his chair, his undivided attention upon the pureblood. "What suspicions do you have against our clan milord? Have we done nothing but serve you loyally all these years?"

Kaname's face remained stony and his posture rigid. "In general, yes, but individually there have been certain recent indiscretions that casts a shadow upon your spotless record."

Takuma switched a discreet coup d'oeil to the woman in question, seeking to appraise her reaction to the pureblood's words. She had the same bewildered expression as her mother. Was this an act? Or was she truly unaware of the attack as her parents? Or were his fears confirmed that the act of betrayal was a collective decision? If it were, then Zero and he would not be the only ones in Kaname's court that were the last of their line. Please, cosmic entities that be don't let it be true. He returned his interest to the conversation at hand.

Kaname remained docile, for the moment. "You are aware that your son threw an evening party Friday night?"

"Yes milord we are. But what does this have to do with anything? Hanabusa is always throwing wild parties."

He regarded Tsukiko, whose cheeks turned scarlet with a simple look from him, with penetrating russet depths. "Friday, at your son's party, I was given a ring as a gift from a person that I deemed trustworthy. That ring however contained a crippling poison."

They gasped, both outraged and in wonderment that someone would have the audacity to poison a pureblood. "Who would do such a thing?" Setsuna boomed. "If you wish Kaname-sama I will send my guard after the culprit and have them executed with extreme prejudice."

Kaname smiled gently at the outraged man, hating to get him so worked up only to find out the perpetrator was his very own daughter. "Tsukiko…"

Setsuna and Mariko stared at him with broadened eyes, the wind taken right out of their sails. "Tsukiko, what did you do?" Mariko grasped hold of her daughter's shoulders, her nails digging into the sleeves of the girl's dress.

"I didn't do anything okaasan, I swear it. I was here with otousan the entire night, playing in the chess tournament," she replied softly, resting her eyes upon the pureblood as if trying to convince him of her innocence.

Setsuna gave a concurring nod. "It's true milord, we were at home with a few friends playing chess together. Of course I won the tournament."

Tsukiko glowered at her father. "Even after all my practicing."

Kaname restrained the brow that wanted to knit in perplexity. They had to be lying. "That's impossible," he started, "the person that gave me the poison ring looked identical to you, even down to the aura. How do you explain that?"

Setsuna and Tsukiko both grew quiet, unable to find words to argue his question. Mariko decided to speak. "Perhaps it was a vampire with the ability to shape shift."

Takuma wagged his head in disagreement. "The aura would have been off, Kaname-sama would have instantly known it was an imposter."

Zero didn't know why, but for some reason he believed them. The Aidou clan just didn't strike him as traitors, blindly obedient brownnosers yes, but heartless traitors, no. Not to mention that Tsukiko had the same flabbergasted expression as her parents when he spoke about the attack on his life via poison. Either she was a top-notch actress that deserved the Best Actress Award, or she was being genuine. He hoped it was the latter. It's not that he had any affection towards the little blonde snot, but even he didn't deserve for his family to be massacred.

"Maybe it was a doppelganger," Setsuna suggested, unable to hide the anxiety in his voice.

Takuma took the liberty to speak again when he felt the oh so subtle change in his vampire lord's aura. "It would have the same effect." He clasped his hand over a knee. "We have considered both of those possibilities as well. Thus you see our dilemma."

Another deathly silence flooded the room, neither of the Aidous having the presence of mind to say anything more. They could feel the hint of irritation leaking from his aura and spreading through the atmosphere, choking whatever relaxing ambiance had inhabited the room.

"Kaname-sama I swear upon my ancestors' graves, that no member of the Aidou clan would ever betray you."

The brunette changed his interest to the fretting young woman sitting next to her mother. "Did you hear your father Tsukiko? He swears upon the graves of your ancestors that no one of your family would betray me." The shadow over his aura increased, rippling over her bringing out her most primal fears. "He is convinced that you did not shamelessly make an attempt on my life through poison. If you stick with your story I must assume that your entire family was in on the attempt. And I know you are aware of what punishment the Law stipulates for such a crime." He didn't need to say the word because all present knew the gruesome punishment for an aggressor of a pureblood. Execution. "Now, I'm going to ask you and I expect you to answer truthfully. Was that you that poisoned me?"

All eyes fell upon the near trembling girl sitting on the settee. If she answered yes, she would be executed. If she answered no, her entire family would be punished and the Aidou name tarnished forever. There was no getting around it. Yes or no would spell death. But she refused to lie to her vampire lord. "No milord, it was not me," she peeped tremulously.

Kaname's aura darkened substantially, cracking the windows, blowing out the fire flickering atop the candles, forming a dark cloud over the room, and causing all other vampires in the room to cringe. He rose to his feet, composing himself, and beckoned Tsukiko. "Tsukiko, come with me."

"Yes Kaname-sama." Swallowing whatever fear she felt, she obediently stood. Her heart palpitated mightily in her chest and her throat opened and closed spastically.

Mariko gave her husband a look that clearly said 'do something'. She didn't want her daughter to die at the hands of the pureblood.

"Kaname-sama please…" Setsuna started, but stopped when Tsukiko spoke.

"It'll be okay otousan." She assured her father with a tiny smile.

Everyone in the room fidgeted when the two disappeared into the hall.

Kaname grasped Tsukiko's hand once they were in the darkness of the hall, positioning her so she stood facing him. Since he did not favor puppeteering his underlings unless it was a must (like Zero when he was being incredibly stubborn) he'd honed another power that he was about to use at the moment. He stared into her eyes, peering directly into her soul, encompassing her aura, making it impossible for her to lie to him. "Where were you Friday night?"

Her eyes slightly hazed as she came under the pureblood's encompassing gaze. "Here at home playing a tournament with my father and a few friends," she replied emotionlessly.

Kaname raised an eyebrow. She was telling the truth. "All night?"

"Yes, Kaname-sama."

"You did not once leave to attend your brother's party?"

"No, Kaname-sama."

How could this be possible? It had to be, though, because no lower ranking vampire could be subjected to that gaze without telling the truth. If it was not her at the party, then who had poisoned him?

Zero yawned and stretched, playing off his anxiousness, while waiting for the other two to return. He hoped the damned pureblood didn't kill Tsukiko, because to the hunter she was innocent. A prickle ran up his spine and he turned his gaze to the source. Takuma. He looked away quickly, tilting his head back to look up at the ceiling. Kami he couldn't wait to get home and fall asleep in his own bed, for thirty minutes before he had to get up and go to work. He wouldn't even get to hold Umi while he slept because she would already be up getting ready to go to the studio to teach her first class, which consisted of those eighteen to twenty-three, from 10am-2:30pm. Dammit.

Kaname and Tsukiko reentered the room. "She was telling the truth." He announced, managing to perfectly conceal the puzzlement he felt within.

Takuma's expression turned into one of bafflement. How was that possible? "Kaname-sama?" He wanted to say 'are you sure?' but refrained.

Zero inwardly smiled. Umi was going to be so pissed that she lost the bet.

"It was not her at the party." He released her hand, prompting her to scurry to her mother's side. "Aidou-san, I regret that I ever questioned the loyalty of your clan, both individually and in general," he said with a tinge of ruefulness.

"It is quite alright Kaname-sama," Setsuna replied humbly. "I am just happy Tsukiko has been exonerated and our standing with the Kuran household remains untarnished."

Kaname sat down gracefully, casting uneasy glances at the two men sitting next to him. Something was not right. Perhaps this was the Third Race the little girl had professed to be a part of.

The people sitting in the room engaged in easy and light conversation until the kitchen maid announced that dinner was ready. They ate a hearty meal consisting of well cooked dishes and a soup to which Zero later requested the recipe to and took their dessert in the parlor, where they sipped Bordeaux wine. Zero made sure to disappear, thinking that he would no longer be able to keep his tongue and his gun holstered if the Aidous continued to shoot him those disdainful glances.

He found a secluded spot in the hall and fished his mobile phone, something Umi insisted that he possess. The phone lit up when he opened it and speed dialed the number to their apartment. The phone rang a few times before she picked up. They talked for a while. He told her the good news, grinning when she stated that she was happy but so pissed because she'd lost their wager. The two talked about a few more things before he finally said goodnight because she fell asleep on the phone. He closed the phone, trying to figure out if that was someone else's voice he heard in the background or just his imagination.

Kaname gazed out of the window of the moving car, knuckles pressed against his lips, a remote look in his eyes. What was going on? The person that had poisoned him looked like Tsukiko, talked like Tsukiko, and had an aura exactly like Tsukiko. Yet, it had not been her but some sort of double, an imposter and he had not been the wiser. He should have been more cautious. He should have—He stopped himself in midthought. Nothing would get solved with him going through another pity fest.

Both Takuma and Zero tried not to shudder because of the disturbed aura leaking forth from the pureblood to cover them. "Kaname-sama what troubles you?" Takuma asked, placing a hand on the brunette's shoulder in an effort to salve him.

He cut his eyes to the blonde noble. "Hunters are vanishing. Our enemy not only changes shape but can blend their aura as well, yet you ask me such an absurd question," he replied with more venom in his voice than normal.

Takuma concealed the hurt in his voice. "Forgive me for asking a question to which the answer is obvious." He looked down at his hands. It wasn't like this was the first time he'd felt the sting of Kaname's tongue, but it didn't lessen the blow.

Zero growled at the pureblood. "You don't have to apologize to him, because he's being a jerk. He's the one that should be apologizing for talking to you like that." What the hell? Why was he even upset about the way Kaname had just spoken to the cheery noble? He was a hunter goddammit he murdered vampires not defended them.

Takuma turned red in the face, thrilled that Zero would actually stand up for him (not that he needed it). "While I am quite flattered that you would stick up for me, it is quite alright." He put a hand over the hunter's mouth when it looked like he may speak again, using his eyes to plead with the man to remain silent, because they were walking on thin ice due to the pureblood's mood.

Zero conceded. Not that he was afraid of the pureblood; he just didn't feel like getting in a wreck because the damned moody brunette decided to blow the car to bits or something. They rode in silence for a moment until Zero finally spoke. "How do you know about the missing Hunters?"

Kaname turned to him, propping his head up with a hand. "There are not many things out of the ordinary that I am not aware of."

He sat forward, looking past Takuma to regard the brunette. "Why do you care?"

"While the current Council of Elders is in existence, the Hunters are the only shield that prevents them from openly preying upon the humans. It doesn't matter if I harbor animosity towards them or not. They serve an essential purpose in our world. Thus my concern."

Zero grew quiet, mulling the pureblood's words over in his mind. What would happen if the Council of Elders learned about the vanishing hunters? Would they take the opportunity to make their move?

Takuma tilted his head to the side, staring peculiarly at the brunette. What did he mean 'the current Council of Elders'? Was Kaname planning something that would have to do with the Council? Was he formulating some sort of coup d'état? "Kaname-sama?"

Kaname understood what idea was going through the noble's shrewd mind, and he maintained the unreadable expression on his face. "Cutthroat mongrels have no place in the new society." He gave nothing away with his expression when he saw the worried realization on his childhood friend's face. Takuma would hold conference with him later, but for now he would simply allow it to soak in.

Zero, who had been thinking about the incident at the party and what Kaname said a few moments ago, voiced his thoughts aloud. "If our enemies can change their bodies and auras, then how do we trust anybody?" he inquired a contemplative look in his lavender eyes.

Kaname and Takuma both gazed at the silver-haired in silence, neither knowing the answer to that question. The hunter had made a thought-provoking inquiry. Their present enemy had the ability to both change their shape and aura, meaning they could change into anyone close to them and they would be none the wiser. Like Zero said, how could they trust anyone if they couldn't distinguish the difference?

Heavy realization fell upon the pureblood. If there was no trust, how could he keep the filaments that bound them from breaking away and fading into the shadows?

Yoshiro awakened from a nightmare-filled slumber, reaching over clumsily to pick up the insistently ringing phone. "Hello?"

"Yoshiro," a sinister voice rasped on the other end.

"Yes Master?"

"The Protector is a threat to the fulfillment of the Prophecy. We need you to send him to us, we will do the rest."

He raised an eyebrow. They'd merely told him to deliver the hunters to them in carefully calculated plans in previously selected locations and had never discussed any Prophecy with him. "What about the Level Ends?"

"We have that under control."

He swallowed, sensing the person's aggravation with all his question through the phone. But he dared to ask one more question. "And who exactly is this Protector?" The line grew still for a few moments and then they spoke in a rasping sinister voice.

"Zero Kiryuu."

HALLELUJAH! I finally finished this chapter. This chapter is longer than the others I have typed and I guarantee that the following chapters will not be as lengthy. (There were a lot of little parts in here that I wanted to place in the chapter before the end I envisioned and then it just kept going and going until voila). I hope you enjoy this chapter and if some of the characters seem a little OC forgive me, I'm just exploring how they would've grown emotionally as they reached adulthood. Anyway, please R&R. Thank you.

XOXO

Next Chapter: A dangerous hunt. Deception. The whereabouts of Tetsu. Zero's 'death'.