Thank you very much for all those who have reviewed the last chapter! =) And for those who have just started reading this fic, I hope that you guys would like how this story would play out. Anyway, a lot have happened in the last chapter and this next update would continue from where we left off…

This chapter also focuses a lot on Zero and Kaname… as well as a certain meeting between two unlikely people…

So here it is, please Read and Review! =)


Chapter 7 – Resolutions and Encounters

The journey back to the hotel was rather uneventful compared to what happened a few hours prior to that. But for Kaname Kuran, it meant so much more than he could possibly describe. He had found out so many things that he felt his mind was going on overload from all of it. He did not understand when it had started but his care for Zero was steadily growing. He could manipulate others into doing things he wanted them to and he could play with lives as though they were nothing but a pawn in a chess game he had devised himself. He did all of those things all because he wanted to defeat his cursed uncle. He wanted to seek revenge on all of the hurt the man had done to him. Yet Zero was a special case. He could sacrifice so many in his quest for victory but he could never subject his partner to that same treatment. The hunter was the only person he didn't want to involve in that power struggle. The only person he didn't want to use for his own gain.

He knew that the hunter was strong. Stronger than everyone else he had met in all of his lifetime. But he didn't want to risk placing Zero in danger just because of his own problems and whims. He was a pureblood and he was confident enough to be able to protect the people he cared about but then, wasn't his enemy one as well? It would be a difficult battle and though his rational mind told him that Zero was an asset in securing his victory, his heart would say otherwise.

Because he understood so easily that he didn't want to lose Zero.

Yet it seemed that no matter what he thought and did, fate was against him.

Because he knew.

He damned knew the truth.

That the person he had grown to care about was dying.

Zero was going to die soon.

How could he have missed that fact? Was he really off his game this time? He should've known that such a thing was possible the moment he discovered that Zero was an ex-human vampire. The memories the hunter shared with him had been a concrete proof of what transpired four years ago. Zero had not yet taken his sire's blood and the vampire poison that was used to change his genetic make-up from human to vampire was slowly killing him inside. He could not even fathom how his partner managed to stay alive for four years. By all rights, most ex-humans either descend to level E or die a few days after the initial bite. He didn't know how it was possible that Zero managed to make it this far.

He glanced at his partner from the corner of his eyes before focusing back on the road and his thoughts.

It only occurred to him a few hours ago that he had just figured out the reason for Zero's strange disappearance that day when he first arrived in the library. He partially understood why the hunter didn't want others to know about his sickness. If he were on his partner's shoes, he figured that he would do just the same.

He already knew that a lot of things lay ahead of him and he wanted to be prepared to face all of them. He needed to get stronger than he was now. And he was all too aware that he had another potential enemy on his list. Another pureblood one at that.

Even if I have to die a thousand deaths, I will find a way to save you…

He had uttered those words with such surety that it frightened him for a second. How could one life mean so much to him? He was someone who could not afford weaknesses but despite that, he couldn't bring himself to push Zero away. He was very selfish, he already knew that. So selfish that he didn't want to let go of the one person who would be placed in danger because of him. The one person who would one day break his heart when the time came for them to be separated. God, he was a complete idiot.

He wondered what the others would say when they all saw him now.

The moment he saw that memory. The night that started this chain of pain and sufferings. He became aware of the fact that his feelings for the hunter were deeper than he could have imagined. There was no describing the sadness that he felt when he empathized with the hunter. The grimoire's spell made him privy to the emotions accompanied by those memories. He felt the hunter's pain, guilt, anger, and despair. Those feelings were still with Zero and the hunter hid it deep within his guarded heart.

The pureblood wanted nothing more than to heal that darkness and save the hunter from his fate.

His promise would never be broken.

He would ensure that Zero would be freed from the chains binding him to that painful past. And most of all, he would never let the hunter die.

It was still a few more hours before they arrive back into the hotel and Kaname found the silence quite peaceful despite his inner turmoil. The sun had already set and night was fast approaching. He gazed once again at Zero and it came to him how much the hunter occupied his thoughts lately. It only took a short time for him to become attached to this person. It was as if Zero was someone he had always been waiting for.

Being with Zero just seemed so natural.

As if it was meant to be.

"Talk to me, Zero. Trying to bottle up all of those feelings isn't good," Kaname said meaningfully as he turned his attention to the road after giving the hunter a gentle look. "I know that from experience and I can say that it isn't the right thing to do at all," he added with a hint of sadness present in the tone. "It doesn't help that I'm worried about you too," he concluded and waited for his partner's response.

Zero was momentarily surprised when Kaname suddenly spoke to him. It wasn't that the pureblood talked to him that caught him off guard but rather the words that were said in that gentle tone. The tone of voice he associated with to people who cared. He wasn't lying when he told himself that he didn't know what to do with these foreign feelings. He had never thought about finding happiness ever again.

But how could the pureblood make him feel this way.

Make him believe that there is hope when there is none.

When there isn't a future waiting for him.

"You always worry about people around you, don't you?" Zero said as he gazed at the window and saw Kaname's saddened expression reflected there. "I'm all right now," he added and he realized that it sounded untrue for the pureblood so he continued, "I'm not lying about that. It still hurts a bit and I doubt that I won't forget this feeling any time soon. But it's better than before," he concluded. Because you were there with me, Kaname, he thought afterwards.

He could still feel the pureblood's arms and the warmth it brought, chasing away the coldness that those memories left him in. He would never admit it in front of others but Kaname's gesture meant a lot to him. Ever since his parents died, he had never found it within himself to care about many things. He lived through each day waiting for the end to come.

"Very well, I won't pursue the matter any longer," Kaname said simply, satisfied with the answer. "You should rest for a while," he added. "Using the grimoire must have taken a lot of your strength."

The hunter didn't answer but he watched as Zero laid back comfortably on the seat.

"I hate to admit it but I was afraid that you'll think of me differently when you saw my memories," Zero said after a while. "That you would think of me as weak and make me realize that it was really my fault that my parents died," he continued with a hint of sadness in that otherwise indifferent tone.

"There is no way I would think of you that way," Kaname replied gently. "And it wasn't a fault of yours, she was just stronger that time and there really was nothing you could have done," he added and somehow, those words applied to him as well. "Things just happen no matter how unfair it may seem."

"But other people seemed to harbor a different opinion."

Kaname came to a realization then. "Is that the reason why you left the Hunter's Association?" he asked.

Silence met his statement and Kaname felt that it was best not to pursue this topic for now. He realized that he couldn't make Zero remember another painful aspect of his past. It made him think that a lot more had happened after that incident with Shizuka and it pained him to guess that Zero's suffering didn't end that night.

"When I came back to my old home, I wanted to discover if anything would change," Zero said breaking the uncomfortable silence earlier. "If I could continue just like I had before."

"Of course none of it would change. And even if it did, no matter what you or everyone else tells me, my feelings on the matter would not change. I would never abandon you," Kaname said in a serious tone. "That is why you don't need to take everything alone anymore."

"Even if being with me means you'll face even more danger?"

"Of course."

"You're so sure of yourself, Kaname. I wonder where all that confidence came from."

"I'm a pureblood, after all," Kaname said in a lighter tone of voice.

Zero resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the simple answer. "Arrogant bastard," he muttered.

"I prefer the word reliable comrade," Kaname answered back.

Zero sighed. "I know that I'm acting weird right now and I guess you can blame it on my tiredness," he reasoned as he finally made eye contact with the pureblood. "I never regretted working with you despite the fact that you annoy me at times. I feel as if you're the only person I could ever trust to be my partner and the one I want to have by my side," he concluded and he knew that he said those words because of everything that Kaname had done for him. Maybe the pureblood was right, he didn't have to try taking everything on alone.

Not when there were a lot of people offering their hands to him.

"Zero…" Kaname whispered as he heard the words he had wanted to hear from the hunter. The proof that his partner didn't hate him despite what another pureblood had done and that his partner admitted that he wanted him to stay. It was far from what he truly felt about Zero but it was enough for now. To know that Zero needed him somehow. It truly was enough. The rest could wait for another time.

My times has finally started to move at a furious pace. Until now, I thought that I could continue to face my everyday life the way I always had. But I know that's not the case anymore. Because you are here now and I won't let you go, Kaname thought seriously.

-xxXxxXxx-

Kaname had been walking along the streets for quite a while just to gather his thoughts and he had a feeling that Zero needed some time alone to speak with Kaito who had arrived at the hotel almost an hour ago. It was a quiet evening until he felt something in the air. He steeled himself and forced his expression to be neutral as he turned around an alley through the park where he felt an unwelcome presence. He glanced around him and noticed that there was not a human in sight. Good. None of the innocents would be caught in the crossfire while he dealt with the enemy. He already knew who this person was and he had no intention of letting this person come to close to his partner.

Now that he knew the painful memory that Zero hid deep inside his heart and mind, Kaname was certain more than ever that he wanted to protect the hunter from those who would hurt him. He just couldn't let the same pain and sufferings happen again to the one person he decided to care about. Who cared if it was some foolish emotion that he could not afford. He would never break his promise to the hunter no matter what.

'If ever there came a time that I cannot follow you into hell, Zero…'

'I only need to drag you back out of it…'

'No matter what the cost…'

'That is my promise…'

Yes, he had told himself that when he finished the disastrous first mission. Zero had asked him and he replied honestly, knowing that he was already too drawn in by his mysterious partner. The pureblood was brought out of his thoughts as a jet black bird stopped in front of him and perched on the nearby tree.

A raven.

Its crimson eyes were trained on him and Kaname felt the foreign presence inside of its mind. The bird then looked around as though searching for something and he was glad that the city would help hide Zero's exact location. He walked closer and gazed at the bird with his garnet colored eyes. That was when the presence grew stronger and a voice echoed from within the animal.

"You do not even know a single thing about Zero. Why do you keep on insisting to have him by your side?" a woman's voice said bitterly. "That's right. You're just some pureblood brat who doesn't know anything about him or his purpose. Don't even believe that he cares about you when in fact, he just might be using you," she continued in the same tone of voice.

Kaname didn't speak at the moment and he believed that she was wrong in her statement because he knew some things about Zero now. The hunter had trusted him with his own memories and shared the profound pain of losing everything. Zero had risked coming back to that place so that the fragile trust they had would grow stronger.

"But still… you have him by your side," she concluded in a tone that belied her curiosity.

Kaname noted that the last statement also held some pain and loneliness. He was aware that it was what she had felt all those years when she lost the person she loved. Shizuka Hiou was another victim of his uncle's cruel plans but Kaname couldn't bear to show pity on her. Not when she was the cause of Zero's pain. Not when she was the reason he was going to lose Zero if he didn't do something soon.

"Certainly, it is as you might perceive but I'll have you understand that I could not and would never leave Zero," Kaname replied calmly as he fixed the bird with a serious gaze. "I know for a fact that there is an exit somewhere and I would figure it out even if it is the last thing I do. That is one of the reasons I have to be with him," he continued and he watched as a hint of anger flash in the bird's crimson gaze. "There is no exact reason as to why I feel this way but know that I'm only following the conviction inside of me," he added softly. "And that is: to save him from his own darkness."

Silence greeted his statement and he could only guess of a couple of things Shizuka was thinking at the moment. He already knew that he was picking a fight this way but he was certain that it was something he wanted to do. Harming her would not ruin his reputation in the Vampire Council since her name was already listed in the list of vampires to be liquidated by the Hunter's Association. It seemed that her crime would not go unpunished but she had eluded capture for four years.

He felt another presence join them but he did not react, knowing that it was one of their trusted allies. He was relieved to know that someone else was there to offer assistance should things go out of hand. Though, he wondered briefly as to what that person was doing here.

"Reality is a harsh mistress, Kaname Kuran. Things may be all right now, but the time will come when you will become a burden to each other," Shizuka said in a soft yet dangerous voice. "He would be better off without you," she continued and Kaname had to hold in the emotions he felt at that statement. He knew that it would not do him any good to become angered.

He felt a spike of partially hidden aura and he realized that his mysterious companion bristled at that statement. He had to wonder why though since Shizuka's words were certainly directed at him.

"You are severely mistaken, Shizuka Hiou. My own feelings on the matter will go on forever. It had been like that since long ago, and I am sure that it will like that from now on," Kaname replied without missing a beat. "Because I know that my feelings, even up until now, have never stopped once," he concluded and he saw that the bird rose up its wings and shrieked before it flew away. Leaving him to his own devices. "You can come out now, Lilianne?" he called out after a while.

He saw someone approach him and sure enough, Lilianne Meitzen strode out from the bushes looking a bit surprised. Her jet black hair was now pulled up in a high ponytail.

"I'm quite surprised. You and Zero-sama always catch me no matter how hard I hide my presence," Lilianne said with a bit of annoyance in her otherwise kind and gentle features. She stopped a distance from him and surveyed the surroundings for a while.

"Zero-sama?" Kaname questioned since it was the first time he ever heard her refer to his partner that way.

"Oh Goddess!" Lilianne exclaimed as she realized her mistake and she hoped that Zero wouldn't hate her for this. Knowing that there was no way out of the situation, she settled for telling the truth and hoping that Kaname would understand. She sighed. "Let's take a walk, shall we? This place doesn't feel safe yet. And I've been dying to try the coffee in a café here."

Kaname gestured for her to lead the way as they both left the park and headed to a café located close to the hotel where he and Zero stayed. Lilianne placed some orders for the both of them and he waited for her to start the conversation.

"I guess I slipped there momentarily," Lilianne said ruefully. "To tell you the truth, Zero is my master," she said seriously and seeing Kaname's questioning look she continued, "In other words, he is someone I serve willingly. You can call me a maid, a servant, a bodyguard, and so on. But it doesn't change the fact that he had saved me and I am willing to repay him for his kindness," she added honestly as she smiled at the fond memory. "No one except for Cross and Yagari knows about it so can I ask you to keep it a secret," she said hopefully.

"I see," Kaname said as he tried to take in what she had told him so far. It seemed that Zero still had a lot of things he kept hidden. It surprised him a bit since he had never pegged Lilianne to be someone's bodyguard and Zero to be someone's master. "You can be rest assured that I would keep this a secret," he said after a while.

"Oh, Goddess! Thank you very much. I was afraid that Zero would find out that I slipped and he would certainly reprimand me about the way I address him," Lilianne said happily and upon seeing Kaname's confused look she added, "He hates the way I refer to him as Zero-sama in private but I can't call him in any other way because that it how I show my gratitude. He always tells me that it isn't needed and I should have my own life. But I love working for him."

"You are quite a strange person, Lilianne. I don't think anyone would be that serious and devoted to someone who helped them."

She laughed softly. "You're not the only person who told me that. But after living in the dark for so long, when he showed me the light, I found that I owed him a lot. I wouldn't be here for now if it wasn't for him," Lilianne said softly.

Kaname understood how kind Zero was despite how he acted most of the time. He had never quite met anyone who picked up so-called strays without any ulterior motives. Especially one like Lilianne Meitzen who was a talented spell caster. He was also a recipient of that kindness and he wondered how the hunter could always be like that. Zero could be distant yet caring at the same time. The hunter always protected and saved someone regardless of the repercussions or dangers. The pureblood had been a witness to that during their first mission.

It seemed that kindness was one of Zero's primary traits.

"Can I ask you something?" Kaname said after a while and he watched as Lilianne gave him a nod. "What brings you back here of all places? I was under the impression that you left earlier on when you gave us the grimoire. And for its return, Kaito was the one who picked it up."

"I felt Zero-sama's aura return here suddenly when I was scrying and I got a bit worried that he was overexerted himself so I went back to check on him," Lilianne replied. "But before I could do that, I also felt you and another pureblood in the vicinity."

Kaname smiled a bit. "You remind me of someone I know," he stated.

"Who?"

"Seiren. She was my bodyguard before I joined the library," Kaname replied. "She always seemed to be wherever I was and was quite devoted to her job as her family was before her. The only difference is that you are more understandable compared to her. You seem to allow Zero the freedom to do things despite the danger," he added.

"I respect his decision and that is why I let him. Though it does not change the fact that I do worry and forces me to do methods I would never normally do."

"And what are those methods you speak of?"

"Stalking."

A few minutes of silence before Lilianne giggled at her straight-forward response. Meanwhile, Kaname smiled at the young woman's actions. It always seemed to him that his partner was surrounded by kind and eccentric people. And it warmed him that they think of him, a pureblood, as one of them.

"Since you're here I think that you already know about his condition. Can I ask you to ensure that he takes his medicine daily and to watch out for his health?" Lilianne asked softly as she finished her drink and stood up to leave when Kaname nodded in response to her question. "I better leave then. I still have a mission I need to finish after all," she stated.

The two of them walked towards the door and before leaving, she stopped by in front of him. She looked at him cheerfully. Her electric blue eyes filled with kindness and warmth.

"Don't believe what Shizuka told you. I know for certain that Zero-sama isn't someone who would use others for his own needs," Lilianne said sincerely. "It might not mean much since I'm the one telling you this but I believe that you mean a lot to him. He trusts you and is willing to go out of his way to share his guarded past. Something that Shizuka is probably jealous about," she added with a soft smile.

"I know," Kaname stated, realizing that it felt nice to hear that Zero trusted him as partner and friend from someone else.

"He might not show it, given how he acts. But he cares about you just like you do to him. He shared his painful memories. Memories that he buried deep inside of him and he seemed to be at ease in showing his vulnerable side to you. He's a very private person but he seemed to open up a little thanks to you," Lilianne uttered honestly. So please save him from this darkness, Kaname…

With those words, Lilianne departed and left Kaname to ponder her words and its implications. He knew then that his care for Zero was something more profound than just that. It wasn't just a simple thing and today was a proof of that.

He was tethered to Zero as absolutely as though he had been shackled to the wall of some dungeon. And Zero and Shizuka had a bond that required one of them to be the cause of the destruction of the other one. Somehow, this wasn't a simple problem. And the solution was the same.

But it was alright, he would not fail Zero Kiryuu. He would do everything in his power to win this battle no matter what.

How many times had he thought about his partner?

It seemed that Zero had occupied every bit of his waking thoughts ever since they had first met in the Dark Woods Library. He had never expected to become interested in anyone and he only thought that revenge would be the only thing he would be focused on. But when he laid eyes on Zero and gotten to know the hunter on a deeper level, all of his plans changed. Now that he met Shizuka, he thought deeply on what his feelings were. He was always confused for the past few days and he could not define what it was he and Zero had. He could consider the hunter as a close friend, a brother in arms, a colleague. But his feelings ran deeper than mere friendship and care.

He realized it just now that what he felt was apparently… love.

There was no denying it right now. Even if Zero did not feel the same, he would still love the hunter. Somebody once told him that apparently coming to love someone meant that there's nothing one can do about it. It all just happens so naturally. At first he wondered how plausible the statement was but after meeting Zero and realizing this feeling, he finally understood how true it was.

Really, isn't there a limit to how much a person can love somebody?

-xxXxxXxx-

Kaname had just arrived back at the hotel and he wondered what the hunter was doing now. It was already late in the evening and he had only realized that he must've taken a long time in that walk. He headed straight for the hunter's room and was on the verge of knocking when someone called his name from behind. He stopped and looked over to see Kaito heading his way.

"Hey there!" Kaito said as a greeting. He had not been working with Kaname Kuran often and though he had some hint of wariness against purebloods, he was willing to tolerate this man's presence for his friend. "Zero's not in his room. If you want to talk to him, he's at the roof top," he said and was particularly pleased that he was right when he told Zero that the pureblood might want to talk to him after what happened. "See you then, I've got another job to do in the next town," Kaito said as he walked away.

Kaname strode to the stairs and headed to the rooftop where Kaito said Zero was. Finally, he would get to talk to the hunter in private. He had confirmed a lot of things after that encounter with Shizuka and his only problem now was that would he be able to convey his feelings clearly to the young man.

Meanwhile, Zero stood with his back towards the door of the rooftop, thinking about certain things. What did he fell for Kaname? What was he to the pureblood? It was Kaito's fault that he was thinking about this now. Why did that damned idiot have to open up what happened back at his old home? He had asked himself those particular questions a couple of times but he couldn't find an answer to them at all. It was true that they met only recently but being with Kaname seemed so normal. Like it was just an everyday occurrence. There was no need to pretend to be someone and act so distant. The pureblood always managed to draw out his emotions so easily. He knew it was dangerous to be close to anyone like that, seeing as he faced a huge dilemma. But then, it might be his selfishness speaking, he didn't want to let Kaname go. But if all he could do was hurt Kaname, wouldn't it be better to just end it? Before both of them would regret it in the end.

He then looked behind him when he heard it open and he was a bit surprised to see Kaname standing there looking at him gently. He never expected that he would have to face the pureblood so soon after his talk with Kaito. After a while, he composed himself and greeted his partner. Kaname returned it with one of his own before coming to move closer to him.

Despite that, they tried not to make eye contact with each other, knowing that whatever they felt was reflected in their eyes. They both stood silent, waiting for the other to speak first. They both noted how awkward the moment seemed to be despite their own resolution to resolve the issue and their own feelings.

"Sorry…" both of them said at the exact same moment and for that one second, they looked at each others eyes. From Kaname's warm garnet ones to Zero's cool amethyst ones. They were both transfixed by that split second as they saw the genuineness of that single word in their eyes.

"I wanted to apologize for everything that happened since I became your partner. You got hurt in the first mission because I was careless and recently, when I made you remember such painful memories," Kaname said calmly as he regarded the hunter. "I always wondered if I was the one bringing you all of these pains now. That is why I want to apologize."

"There's really nothing you should apologize for. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt when I remembered those things. To be honest, it was though. Tough enough to distract even me. But I'm alright now. I'm the one who should apologize to you after all", Zero said gently as he looked at Kaname.

"What do you mean by that? I recall that you haven't done anything wrong?" Kaname said as he looked at Zero. There in the hunter's eyes he found something he never wanted to see. Zero's silver amethyst gaze was filled with sadness and suffering. He had promised to himself back then that he would take away that pain no matter what but why the hell couldn't he do anything right now?

"Don't you remember what happened then?" Zero said as he fixed his gaze at Kaname. His regret clearly reflected in his eyes. "I bit you and took your blood. I couldn't even manage to control myself from those urges. I don't have any excuses for it and that is why I'm sorry," he said. "Things happened so fast that I never had the chance to apologize for that."

Kaname could do nothing but look at Zero yet every part of him clearly wanted to hold the hunter, to assure him that everything was going to be alright. He didn't want to see his partner suffering like this. Being a vampire. Being a human. Being a pureblood or a hunter. None of those mattered to him at this moment. He just wanted to see Zero smile all the time. He didn't want the hunter to lose that kindness and small happiness. After all, to love someone is sad and painful, but it makes one really happy. If he would experience pain like this, then he would gladly accept them, because for him there will be no one else like Zero.

"I gave my blood to you willingly so there is nothing to be sorry for," Kaname said as his resolve grew. "You protected me and I wanted to help you. I was aware of what would happen but I couldn't care less. What was important was that I was able to take away that pain," he concluded with a determined glint in his gaze.

"I didn't want to hurt you at all. You didn't have to give your blood to me and risk your standing in society because of me. I'm an ex-human vampire, Kaname. I could either die or fall to level E. Aren't you even afraid of me? That I'm just using you," Zero said angrily as he gazed at the pureblood with the same crimson orbs he saw back then. The bright red that reminded him of the blood moon he had always been fascinated with.

"I'm not afraid, Zero. If you thought of using me, I would forgive you. It doesn't change anything at all between us," Kaname said with confidence as he locked gazes with the hunter, showing his sincerity at that statement. "And also, I do not care what those people think of me at all. You're my partner; it is natural that I would help you."

"Hurting you is the one thing I never wanted to do. But that isn't the reality at all. As long as she lives, I feel that my problems won't end and I'll only expose you to more danger," Zero told Kaname as he gazed somewhere else and the pureblood saw in those eyes the pain and sadness as they turned back to their normal color. "I'd rather we parted ways now than have you despise me and leave me behind one day. My biggest fear right now is being abandoned like that again," he whispered.

Zero knew that he was being vulnerable like this and he was laying open his emotions to Kaname. He had always been in control of himself but whenever the pureblood was concerned, the barriers he placed around himself always crumbled. But he didn't think that it was something bad at times. He did change after all those years as a librarian and he learned to open a bit to other people despite the distance he placed. Back then, he couldn't understand the feeling of being in touch with people. At that time, he couldn't understand the feeling of being alone because he never allowed anyone else into his heart again. Those small encounters totally changed the path he was walking. And for the first time in his life, he began to believe that the blissful times would continue forever. But it didn't mean that he would let others suffer for his sake just like what happened to his parents, which was why he wanted Kaname to understand what being with him would do.

After all, everyone he had cared about and loved suffered in some way or another because of him.

"I never regretted once ever meeting you and becoming your partner, Zero," Kaname told him honestly. "I know now that I can never bring myself to abandon you after all those promises I've made. If there is one thing you can be sure of, it's that you would never lose me no matter what happens," he continued as he gazed at Zero and took one of the hunter's hand and held it tightly with his own. For the first time, he managed to fight the oncoming blush. He noted that Zero's hands were a bit cold and he hoped that his hands could warm the hunter's own. "That is why you don't need to worry too much," he concluded.

"If you keep on insisting to be with me, Kaname, I fear that I would only drag you down into the darkness with me. I don't want to do such a thing after all that you've done for me," Zero said seriously as he moved to take his hand away but before he could even do so, Kaname held it more tightly to him. "I'm not pulling away because I hate you. And no matter how much I wanted to have that kind of feeling, I couldn't bring myself to do just that. I might've disliked from time to time but I never hated you," he continued in the same tone. "Just think of this as a way for me to prevent you from all of this pain," he concluded and he noticed that the pureblood moved closer to him so that they were standing only inches away from each other.

Kaname could hear his own heart hammering in his chest. He felt nervous knowing that one small mistake would push the one person he loved away. He wanted to confess what he felt but he knew that now was not the time for that. There was a more perfect setting and he could deal with that the moment when whatever danger they faced would come to pass.

"Don't think for one second that you can disappear after all that we've been through. I'm not afraid of suffering and I know that whatever it is I would face, I would not lose," Kaname replied in a determined tone. "You're an important person for me so I've decided some time ago that I would never let you go anywhere. I am selfish and I know that. But I am only doing this because I want to," he continued in a much gentler tone.

I could not tell you this today but… I realized that if I could be the most important person in your life, how happy I would be, Kaname thought after a while.

"Why is it you make me want to start living again and believe there is a hope for me when I gave up a long time ago?" Zero whispered in pain-filled tones. "Why?"

Kaname gazed at the hunter. "Because there is still hope and I know that I can save you. I don't want you to think that giving up is okay because it isn't. You can't die, Zero. I won't let you."

"Think logically, Kaname. You can't control life and death."

"That's the problem with you, Zero. You always think so logically," Kaname told him gently. "There is nothing wrong with believing again no matter how slim that hope might be," he added as he held the hunter's gaze.

Zero sighed in defeat when he realized the pureblood was in one way, correct in his own reasoning. I don't have anything else to lose so maybe I should take another gamble with fate. "You're really an idiot, Kaname," Zero said in a light tone. "But I guess I'm an idiot too for trying to believe in you. Though it doesn't feel as bad as I thought it would be," he added softly. "I don't know why but I feel reassured when you say those things to me. I wanted to… thank you for everything," he told the pureblood and as he felt the warmth that Kaname brought him, he didn't hesitate when he wrapped his arms around the pureblood and rested his head on Kaname's shoulder.

Kaname was taken aback when Zero let go of their contact but his eyes widened in surprise when Zero embraced him. It was really unexpected that his thoughts seemingly ceased to function. He stood there as the hunter held him. As soon as he got his thoughts back together, he circled his arms around the hunters back and also held the hunter tightly. A part of his mind wished that this moment would never end. Being held like this was a truly wonderful feeling and he wondered what brought it about. Zero was never one to initiate close contact.

"Zero, are you feeling well?" Kaname inquired when he thought that Zero hugging him like this would never become a reality. But he was mistaken, wasn't he? I definitely love you… so I want to keep believing that there is still hope for us, he told himself.

"I really don't know what is wrong with me today. I just felt that I should do this," Zero replied. "Just don't let go yet," he added and the pureblood complied without uttering another word. He felt his heart beat in sync with his feelings and the warmth he felt just being close to Kaname. He didn't know why he was doing this but he knew deep inside that Kaname was very important to him. The pureblood was more than just a friend now and it would be like that in the future. He was afraid to be betrayed again by another pureblood but he felt that he could take that chance again. After all, what else did he have to lose?

He knew now that he was steadily growing some feelings for the pureblood. It was the first time he felt that way after the tragedy in his family and all that he had gone through. He didn't understand how Kaname could awaken the feelings he had buried in his heart to protect what was left of it. How could one person affect him like this? There was no way he could say I love you that easily again. Not since he learned that those three little words were so full of precious feelings. But then, it was partially the truth wasn't it? He somehow began to love Kaname.

What will lie for me out there, if I take a step forward? It might be something I'll come to bitterly regret. But even so, I want to be able to accept it. To take the chance once again, Zero thought seriously as he recounted everything he had been through. The two then stepped away from each other.

"Why are you doing this, Kaname?" Zero asked in a quiet tone. "Why do you have to bother yourself with someone like me?" he added with a hint of pain that Kaname hated the hunter to feel.

Kaname reached out and put his hand on Zero's chin, forcing the hunter to look at him.

"It's because you made me care about you more than anyone else in the world," Kaname answered in a tender and serious tone.

Kaname then reached out to kiss the hunter on the lips, and thought surprised was evident on the hunter's body, Zero let him continue. Soft, warm, he loved Zero, a partner, a friend, an ex-human, a hunter. Despite all that Zero was, he loved the silver haired young man. This might be all they ever had, this moment, this kiss, his love. So he gave into it, aware that his fangs were lengthening, that by now his eyes were glowing. Hunger, want, and desire waged their own war inside of him. But he controlled his vampiric nature; he won over it, prevailing as he finished the kiss and took Zero's hand.

"If I have to die a thousand deaths… I will save you," he promised once again. "It doesn't matter what we both feel right now. I am willing to wait for you," he added in a whisper. Zero gave his fingers a gentle squeeze, and the sweetness of the gesture nearly broke his heart. He wished that this happiness would last and that someday his feelings would reach the hunter and be answered. For now, he was satisfied with this chaste kiss and being this close to Zero.

When would I finally have the chance to call you mine? To hear you tell me that you could love me as well…

-chapter 7 end-