A big thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story! I can be awful at updating but I think I'm getting better at it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or any recognisable characters or places.

Warnings: OOC's, possible Zero x Kaname, if you know the facts of life we should be good to go. Any significant ones will be added as the story goes on.

Other than that please R&R and enjoy :)

"Nothing," Kaito sighed in agitation, laying back so he was sprawled across the decking. "How can someone just disappear like that?"

Zero was on edge and couldn't seem to relax his racing heart. Memories of his family's deaths raced across his vision as if it was playing on a screen. Shizuka Hio hadn't disguised her presence that night and had left a slaughter in her wake. If this intruder wanted them dead just like she had with his parents then they were defenceless. How could they fight a potential enemy if they couldn't even find them?

"What about your 'vampy' senses?" Kaito drew his fingers up to his lips to imitate fangs and thus effectively bringing Zero out of his musing. The silverette frowned. Nothing had sparked any sort of sixth sense and yet they had both heard those distinct footsteps. They were chasing a ghost.

"Maybe its something in the water," he said eventually whilst sparking up a cigarette. He had quit years ago and had only been a social smoker at that. Both Cross and Yuuki hated the habit but he figured he deserved one to take the edge off right now. The brunette tusked, prying it out from between Zero's pale fingers before taking a drag himself. Ignoring the others protests all the while, eventually the two sat in amicable silence.

"Now what?" Zero voiced over Kaito's ringing mobile, taking note of his sour expression. He knew that look he thought with a smirk. Duty calls. "How long is the mission?" He asked looking out to the wooded grounds of the house.

"Couple of days at the most. If you need me to stay...?" He prompted casually. The elder hunter wasn't thrilled to be leaving at a time like this. Zero had been strangely well put together and seemed to be handling the pressure of losing his makeshift family well. To well, in his expert opinion. He wondered just how long his iron wiled composure would last.

"Nah don't worry about it. Besides it seems like I'll be having some company." He tried to seem nonchalant and not portray the underlying anxiety that was burning in his veins at the thought of their uninvited guest.

"Zero," he said calmly, decidedly not amused. Whilst Kaito didn't want to make a big deal out of it if Zero wasn't, he couldn't help but feel like they had to take this at face value. Someone had been in his house for an unknowable amount of time for no apparent reason. Motive aside, this individual had given two experienced Hunters the slip. Hell, they were dancing rings around them at this point. Kaito had already lost one brother, he wouldn't lose Zero to.

"It's probably nothing, after all- it is an old house. It was just the floorboards settling." Zero reasoned with a shrug but even he had to admit that that despite being rational, the excuse sounded better in his head.

"Yeah that or it's the work of spirits," Kaito commented thoughtfully, giving an undignified squawk after Zero hit him none to gently.

Zero paused his assault as he slowly turned after seeing a figure out the corner of his eye. Rising to his feet to stand to his full height for a better look, he narrowed his eyes against the light of the morning sun. He watched with baited breath as the shadowy form faded into the tree line. Letting out a short cough, he tried to tell himself that it was simply the result of his over active imagination playing into Kaito's hands. He really needed to get more sleep.

"Perhaps its not a replacement phone I need but a Ouija board," he said dryly, more to himself than Kaito. Putting the instance behind him, he re-entered the house to get his first coffee of the day. It was well overdue.

-Line Break-

"All packed?" Zero asked not looking up from the book he was reading in the armchair beside the crackling fire. Hearing no reply, Zero rolled his eyes with a soft sigh. "Kaito, did you hear me?" He said a little louder but a minute later, immediately after his attention was drawn to the top of the staircase where a loud bang permitted from. Sceptical, the hunter watched Kaito struggle down the stairs with all his gear and emergency supplies. Waiting till he cleared the last step Zero pounced out his chair and stalked over to the disgruntled hunter. "How did you do that?" He questioned, a pale arm pointing at the staircase.

Kaito frowned and looked over his shoulder in bewilderment. "Do what?" He asked confused, a bushy eyebrow raised.

The silverette huffed in annoyance at the other trying to play dumb. 'He's just trying to scare me,' he thought trying seem nonplussed. "You...you," he spluttered. "You came down the stairs five minutes ago and then you came down a second time just there. I know you didn't go back up in between that," his voice had raised a few octaves by the end of his explanation.

The elder man seemed lost for words and wordlessly reached to feel Zero's forehead. 'Curiouser and curiouser... no temperature' he thought as his arm was batted out the way.

"Never mind," Zero let out a slow breath. "I guess I'm more tired than I thought." A slow smile spread across his face to try and appease the other. He didn't need the added stress of dealing with Zero's problems while he was on a mission. That didn't mean his own thoughts wouldn't stray and knock up weird and wonderful scenarios to explain the strange experiences they had been dealing with since he arrived. One thing was certain. This activity was a recent development.

Nodding his acceptance Kaito moved to the front door, the stain glass drawing patterns on his high cheekbones. His expression that of slight guilt, Zero waited for the other to open up to him. "There is something I should confess before I go." Kaito said gently as if to tame an agitated rattle snake. "I've known about this job for a couple of days," he looked up from the floor to judge Zero's reaction as he continued. "The person who texted me this morning," he stopped suddenly unsure of himself.

Zero's blank face became one of understanding but his eyes held a sad glint. He had an idea of where this was going. "Who was it?" He asked feeling defeated.

"Yuuki," he said simply. "She wanted to know if I knew where you were."

He felt as if the air had been ripped from his lungs, but he tried to process the news effectively. He should feel betrayed that Kaito had hid this from him but what good would have come from it had he told him the truth? Despite knowing that this news should spark a fire in his pit, the embers never grew. Trust Yuuki to give a shit about his whereabouts now. It was nice he supposed- that she had thought to track him down. 14 hours later. Kaito's actions he could forgive easily, knowing that the hunter would have been acting in his best interests. Realising he had been quiet for quite some time Zero looked at the man he considered to be his brother. Although he seemed composed, Zero could see the insecurity lying beneath the surface. Swallowing past the lump in his throat the hunter fidgeted with his hands. "What did you say to her?" He asked genuinely interested.

An infectious grin grew over Kaito's face and the brunette wondered if what he was about to say was going to earn him a punch in the face. He shrugged good-naturedly, willing to take the risk. "Piss off."

Zero's eyes widened in disbelief. Kaito told the vampire Queen to (in a less polite way) to take a run and jump. For him. An unexpected chuckle came from his throat and soon enough they were both laughing and enjoying the moment. He was glad Kaito told him and that it hadn't gone left unsaid. After all any mission could be their last. Sobering slightly, Zero pulled the taller man into a light embrace and rested his head on the others shoulder. "Come back home soon you crazy man," he muttered pulling back after a short while.

-line break-

Waving to the other man from the window, Zero watched the blue car grow smaller as it trailed down the driveway before it eventually faded from sight. Shivering despite the fire being on, Zero drew his arms around his torso. Turning to return to his book , he caught a glimpse of his reflection, he drew closer to the pane of glass in confusion before he let out a sharp gasp. There alongside his own image was that of the shadowy figure he had seen only that morning. Stiffening, Zero slowly moved his hand back hoping that this was just another vision his sleep deprived mind had coaxed up. Nothing. Just cold air. Relief flooded his system and gave him enough confidence to look back at the glass for a second look. An instant feeling of regret overcame him. Distinct wine coloured eyes were reflected there, as true and as vibrant as his own amethyst eyes were.

"Hello Zero," a voice whispered gently in his ear.