I Do Not Own Vampire Knight! (Shit!)

A/N At Bottom

PlayList: Gone(NSync) Try Again (Aaliyah) RIP

Damn Bleach is getting GOOD! Loving It!

(But then again so is ONE PIECE! ZorovsPica! Get Him Zoro! And Luffy is about to totally kick Donflamingo's Ass!)

(Yeah I'm a One Piece fanatic!)

Let's GO!

Chapter Four

Vibrant Life

Rain slicked the roof and their feet slipped along the concrete, the rain pounding sound of the rain drowned out their harsh breaths. They moved in a sinuous dance of attack and retreat. Kaname's shadow sword slid against Artemis, catching on the hilt before he pushed her away, his foot lashing out to catch her in the midriff. Yuki grunted and danced backwards lessening the impact of the kick as she almost went to one knee. Kaname was pulling his punches, his face a painting of determination and cunning as he tried to figure out how to teach her without actually killing her. His earlier statement rang between his ears. But it was impossible.

He couldn't kill his sister.

He could sense the blood pumping through her face, evidence of colorful, vivacious life.

So he made sure that each of his blows taught her a lesson. Blood stained the left side of her face, her weaker side, a long, slowly healing gash opened up along her side.

Her eyes were red murder, her resolve to kill him garnering his respect. It was okay. He felt a certain of peace in her battle prowess knowing that she could protect herself in his absence. Soon it became less about getting killed than seeing her skill at work

He moved in close, his hand flashing towards her face, studying the way she sidestepped away smoothly, Artemis sparkling in the light of the massive billboard that swayed overhead. She slid back, then caught herself. Then she was launching another counter attack, her face stiff in anger. Her hair was a sodden mess down her back, terribly lovely in its battle disarray. She scowled and on anyone else it would have terrifying, but this was his little sister. But…..he felt the darkness in his soul encroach, watching her determined attack. Her hair flew behind her in blooded, chestnut waves and he admired the sight before he brought his sword to counter, knocking Artemis away as he pivoted smoothly sinking the tip into her flesh just above her heart. She gasped and stepped back, her impetuous interrupted. Sensing the opening he whirled, the flat of his foot connecting with her sternum. He let eighty five percent of his strength leak in to the kick and she flew backwards, hitting the short wall that fenced the roof. Her head hit the wall with a sharp thump, the sound of her spine impacting with brick mingling with her sound of pain.

He was before her instantaneously, his foot pinning her wrist to the roof, looking down at her with an expression mixed with anger and pity and affection. Her glare was his death imagined and he was surprised that he didn't just drop dead on the spot. He shook his head. There would be no reasoning with her.

"Don't come back here."

"Where else would I be, demon?" She spat back at him. "The only thing that matters is killing you so that my brother can rest in peace."

His eyes narrowed, and he could feel the cold, red flames leaping in them. His foot pressed harder and she gasped at the pain and pressure on her more delicate bones. "Give it up. I'm not dying anytime soon." He swore he could hear laughter ringing through his head at the statement. "Go back to Ichijou, have some children and make your life worthwhile. If you keep coming here I will kill you."

Something dark and ugly moved in her eyes as she surged up against his hold, the heel of her free palm aiming for his dick, her eyes feral. He blocked it almost carelessly, lifting his foot and stomping down with studied ferocity. The snap of her wrist was loud, vying with her moan of agony. She arched against the burning pain as he pressed harder.

"You are an anathema to life, abomination." Her gasping words made his gut clench.

"That's twice you've called me that." He moved, kneeling in front of her so that their eyes were level, the contact a crackle in his blood, the hard stamp of hid foot showing in her labored breaths. "The next time it will be the death of you."

He didn't wait for an answer. He stood and stepped over her, balancing precariously on brick above the wet, swaying night. "Goodbye Yuki."

He didn't hear her response as he let himself fall to the concrete below and it was only with a cursory glance that he bestowed on the roof as he walked away.

Calmly detached, his emotions tightly leashed.

He hoped she stayed away, but his hopes for that were hopeless. She would come again. And again until she killed him.

Or he killed her.

He was going to have to move soon…..

Because for all the darkness in his soul….He wasn't into fratricide.

But he wasn't willing to die. Because then he would miss Zero.

And that was unacceptable.

FL

The sleek, black BMW 550i prowled the streets, cutting through the rain with refined elegance and, a subtle power that would have made the streetwalkers tremble in anticipation if they could see him behind the mirror tint. It was late, the prime hunting hour, the moon full and high in the sky. He grimaced, his hands tightening around the wheel. He hated these contraptions, much rather taking to the air and shadows. But appearances must be kept, so it was with dutiful impassiveness that he'd slid behind the wheel earlier this evening, casting Aiko a sardonic smile. Her face had been carefully blank in return, a mask that hid the wealth of emotions that ran through her.

Yet, he'd known her since she was a child, from the night that he'd saved her father's life and been offered refuge within their family. He'd seen and recognized her growing infatuation with him. He'd been saddened by it, unable to return her feelings. Now he felt a sense of responsibility. He'd promised her father that he would look once he was gone, his expanded lifetime guaranteeing it. But he knew things would soon come to head. The look of tempered adoration in her eyes, prickled his nerves. The last five years had been a constant struggle not to walk away as he'd witnessed the growing regard he did not return. Only one thing really mattered to him.

Zero.

Lately he'd been hearing the Goddess in his head more frequently, her quiet laughter taunting him in his dreams and nightmares. Dreams of Zero and nightmares of his death. He couldn't help but think that it was a prelude for Zero's return so he'd been even more vigilant, spending most of his time walking among the people, hoping that his reincarnated love would jump out at him. He felt like a wolf among the lambs, most of his species eradicated by the advancement of technology. The hunters were on the rise and the vampire nation was slowly dwindling.

Not that he really cared. He lived on donated blood, unwilling to turn anyone into the dark thing that he was.

So he existed, his life trivial in his pursuit, his days spent sleeping, his nights spent enforcing the law of the family and searching for the other part of his soul.

So it was with nonchalant reserve that he went about his life, alone, one eye always open. Wishing for a death that eluded him and hoping for a life that seemed impossible. After five hundred years he'd learned to live with the knowledge that his love was doomed. She'd told him that didn't she? He would love and lose until Zero forgave. Over and over the Zero he'd known wasn't a forgiving man. Faced with that prospect, he was finding it hard to care and sympathize with those around him. Not that he ever had. They were weak compared to the strength that he carried in his bones each day, frail in the light of his resolve.

He acknowledged this as he pulled up in front of a dark, discreet building with no windows. It was done in dark stone, muted and understated. Easily dismissed if one didn't know what lay inside. He stepped out and handed car keys to the valet that seemed to appear from nowhere and strode for the front door, disregarding the light mist that fell onto his hair and clothes. He just wanted to get this over and done with.

Five minutes from the club his hearts began to beat against his ribcage like tambourines being banged by hands and his eyelids flinched in pain. He resisted the urged to clutch at his chest, sexy, mysterious laughter ringing in his skull. He rubbed his chest and cursed under his breath. He would have to find his silver and soon or he was going to kill over from a heart attack.

And the Goddess would just love that.

A tiny door opened in the wood of the door, and he eyed the black eyes that looked outward at him with emotionless eyes, not bothering to voice the password that they insisted all who chose to tread here have. They knew his face so the door swung open with little fanfare.

And he stepped into an erotic, peaceful atmosphere.

It wasn't blatant but you knew that you were here for bodily comfort and nothing else. Black couches decorated the massive room, each an earth unto its self, each utterly private, the ambience perfect for a midnight rendezvous. The walls were a dusky light smell of jasmine and vanilla wafted through the room, lending fresh to the room.

He stepped over the threshold and paused, the clanging of his hearts was so painful for a moment that his hand rose to his chest in an attempt to rub away the discomfort. It was still early and no one was in the building yet, so there was no one but the bouncer to see his faux aux. The bouncer glanced at him in concern, stepping forward to offer assistance. He waved him away, his deep breath low in the dimly lit vestibule. He hadn't felt his hearts this keenly since the day he'd sat before the goddess and been offered redemption. He breathed through the pain, his heart thumping against blood and bone and then forced himself forward into the room lit by flames encased in cherry blossoms. It spread rose colored light over the entire room, a soft luminance that could put the sun to shame.

He wasn't moved as he strode purposefully towards the back office where he knew Aiko Takeo handled his business.

Without the chatter and music and its patrons, the building was eerily silent as its occupants readied themselves for the night. He walked through the building as if he himself owned it, every step towards the back room confident. How ever the scent of jasmine and vanilla stayed with him. Until it seemed to overwhelm. So much that he stopped and turned. The bang of his hearts were so loud right then, he thought that the whole building should be able to hear therm, And the laughter, it was killing him. The world pulsed in red around him as agony attacked his rib cage. He frowned down at the tensed muscles in his chest, still standing tall despite the pain that threatened to tear his mental walls down.

"Are you okay?"

And just like that, the balm to the furious stabbing. It was the sweetest honey compress, soothing all of his wounds. It rocked the foundations deep inside him and the Goddesses' laughter swelled for an infinitely stinging moment before it too ebbed away before the sweetness. His eyes rose unbelieving to attach themselves to the most fetching vision since the return of Heaven. A silver haired, lilac eyed dream that was reaching for him. The face was a fascinating landscape of beauty, strong yet delicate. The full lips pursed in speech and he was hard pressed not to grab and hold and ravish with lips and teeth and tongue. The nose was wrinkled in apprehension. He longed to bestow the softest kiss upon the ridge. Hands fit firm over his shoulders.

Steadying him.

Because he was falling. A straight free fall. He could not stop.

Cool hands touched him, cooled his heat.

"Hey." It kept coming. The medicine.

His world burst into vivacious, vibrant life. The world returned in a vicious sweep of color that blinded him. He chuckled softly under his breath, just trying to retain his control. He stepped closer to his salvation, a slim hand caught in the dangerous strength of his. He just needed to be closer. He put that plan into action moving swiftly before his goal was thwarted.

"Hey!" Sharper now with alarm, it was still the sweetest sound this side of the grass. He opened his eyes to Zero, or this incarnation of Zero staring up at him in bewilderment. His bicep was caught in Kaname's hand and he was standing on tip toe to accommodate the height difference. Kaname stared down on him, struck stupid by the ease with which his wish had been dropped in his lap. He laughed again, a little louder and pulled his mate even closer.

Thank you Goddess!

You're welcome!

The breathed answer sent a bolt of warmth through him.

It was not a dream. Zero really stood before him. He was going to have the chance to-

Another smell struck him, the subtle tint of sandalwood, that set a trembling in his throat. He knew this smell.

And it was all over his mate.

The low growl, reverberated the ground beneath his feet and the alarm in Zero's eyes grew. He tried to temper his ferociousness. He took a deep breath. It didn't quite work with the mingled scents of his mate and another. He tried to take a step back and only succeeded in dragging Zero back with him.

"Kuran-Sama!"

He turned to the sound of the voice and the tall, thick man shivered. No doubt his eyes were hades in the making. But to his credit he recovered quickly. "Aiko is expecting you."

Right.

He turned back to Zero, not to be deterred. "You work here," He murmured. It was not a question. "And you will have to work soon. I have business. But I will see you later."

It was a dark promise, muttered in the alcove of warm, soft flesh. He could smell his destiny's fear seep into his pores. It angered him, that his one and only would be frightened of him. He reined his anger in. His mate had much reason to fear him. After all he had ripped his throat out in a past life.

That wouldn't stop him now that he had his vision in front of him.

"Don't leave this club without me tonight," He ordered.

"Hey! You crazy sonofa-"

He ignored the indignation coming through the dulcet tones of his beloved, too happy-fuck it! Too ecstatic to care.

He walked through the door to Takeo's office, his balanced regained, self assured in the wake of this miracle.

His had his baby back.

FL

This was for Ben4Kevin who asked me long ago about updating this story. Well here it is. Sorry it took so long to get out. I lost the notebook that had this story in it and had to write it all over again. And then I had to buy a new Mac….So tell what you think about it!