Hello! I'm sorry for disappearing! But, I'm back and in with a new chapter! Sorry for the long wait! It's not an easy life where I'm at hahaha..

Please note that UN-italicized lines in flashbacks are thoughts. XD

Warning: OOC-ness

The woman ran into the forests as she felt the presences of vampire hunters quickly approach where she and the twin children were. She knew that it won't be soon until they could catch up to her so she kept running. Her feet ran speedily on autopilot, drawing herself away as fast as she can until she reached safety.

The forests were dark. The high trees almost blocking the sun out completely except for a few beams that were able to see through the thick leaves above. She felt like she was running for hours, but all of that worry soon dissipated when she saw a clearing. She was finally going to get out of the forest and hide once more. How long will I continue to do this? She thought before she stopped in her tracks at a silhouette appearing a few meters away from the clearing.

"Going so soon, Shizuka Hiou?" The silhouette said, calling the woman from her given name. "Or should I call you, Kuruizaki-hime?" She snarled. She hated being called like that, especially if it's from a person she doesn't know.

"Out of the way boy, before I bite that head of yours off your body." She threatened. She didn't have time to be stalled. The hunters were fast approaching. But, her words didn't even faze the boy.

"I can't let you pass, Kuruizaki-hime." The boy walked forward, making his form more shown and known. He was slightly shorter than Shizuka, has brown hair, and red wine colored eyes.

"My, what do I have here? Dear Prince, I'm honored to be in the same presence as you." She mocked bow before she darted at him. She didn't care if she was facing off with the Prince of Vampires. She was already considered an outlaw. So, a little taste of this brat's blood wouldn't hurt her anymore than those hunters.

Her fangs elongated and she let out a wild snarl. She could see it. She could see the veins - those veins that contain the luscious flow of red salvation in the boy's neck. She was almost going to taste it. Her mouth was just a few inches away from latching onto his neck.

But, her vision went blurry before the boy disappeared from in front of her. What? She was about to turn around when she felt a slightly smaller arm wrap around her torso, trapping her arms in the vice grip like hold. How did he-? Her thoughts were stopped abruptly at the feeling of sharp objects at her nape. It was his teeth and later did she know it, she was bitten. "KkkHHaa!"

The excruciating pain felt like it went on forever when it only just took a few seconds. When a pure blood bites prey, they feel sated, but when pure bloods are bitten by a person who is not their mate or not someone they deem deserving to drink their blood, it hurts like hell. Especially if it's another pure blood. Shizuka cried out regrettably for she knew that the hunters could hear her right now.

She had to get out of his hold. If not, she'll be found. Shizuka kicked the pure blood's shin. successfully getting his grip on her loose, but what she didn't expect was for his bite to actually hold its place onto her neck, restricting her movements yet again.

...

When the guards heard the painful cry, they instantly knew who it was from. The captain of the squad sent 5 of his men to send the princes back into the kingdom while the rest went with him to find the crazed pure blood.

The shrill cry they heard was in the forest. They searched everywhere -only to never notice the pile of sand on the rocky pavement being swept along with the wind.

There was silence in the room. Kaname had made sure to tell parts of his explanation with caution. He didn't want to let Zero imagine him as a bloodthirsty beast. So, he telepathically told the Kings and Queens the gory details, leaving Zero safe from a predictable panic attack.

"I see. I see.." Haruka pondered for a moment before he bonked his son on the head.

"-tte, what was that for?" The younger brunette raised an elegant eye brow. He knew better than to fight back so he just dealt with the blow. That was before he stared at his father in confusion. He could see his mother gasp a little behind Haruka, clearly shocked.

"I specifically ordered you that time to not go out of the kingdom because everyone's blood is at stake. But, you actually disobeyed me and went on your own hunt? That's why I asked the help of our dear friend the hunters to catch Shizuka, so you wouldn't be put into danger!" A vein was nearly popping out of Haruka's right temple. He could just give his son another bonk on the head but he tried his best to go against that thought.

Kaname just looked to the side and muttered a small 'Well sorry for having nothing else to do on that day' and received the hit to the head again. Zero had to excuse himself from the gathering to compose himself again. Seeing the brunette in such a state was something he never saw before and he was surprised. He was cracking up at seeing it, momentarily forgetting his worries over his brother.

But then, everyone started to get serious.

"So, Kaname, can you eliminate the seal on Ichiru?" Zero was the first to break the silence that was slowly oozing in. Lavender eyes met with wine and Kaname was quick to decide. The process was easy, it wouldn't take him an hour. Sever all his silverette's problems and distress. That was everything that was going on in his mind.

"If you'll excuse me for just a moment.." Kaname went out of the room and into the nearest bathroom, coming back a few minutes later with a clear glass of thick red liquid which everybody suspected was his blood. "Can you please step outside for a moment?"

With that, everyone else quietly stood to abide with what Kaname had requested.

It's been 2 days ever since Kaname took out the Hiou seal. Haruka also took out his but ever since, the younger Kiryu was still fast asleep. Zero was worried but he was thankful that his younger brother won't suffer anymore.

At the moment, the older prince was laying on his side right next to Ichiru, facing him. His hand was in Ichiru's hair, smoothing it out and he smiled when Ichiru stirred slightly. He had always thought that his younger brother was the cutest thing in the world.

Does that mean I am too? Since we have the same face? Zero chuckled slightly and shook his head. Nah, Ichiru will forever be the cutest. With that thought, he kissed Ichiru's forehead and exited the room. He went to the living area where Kaname was sitting, drinking some tea. Yuki was there too, though she was laying down on her older brother's lap reading a book.

"Hello Zero." He was brought from his thoughts by the velvety voice coming from the pure blood's direction. Zero couldn't help but look away, doing his best no to mind that but well, he just felt some oncoming heat to his cheeks.

Pushing that side away from the mean time, Zero went further into the living area, noticing that his parents and Kaname's were missing.

"Have you seen mother and father?"

The pure blood settled his tea cup down and crossed his arms. He turned his head from side to side in check but soon shook his head.

"Huh.. where could they be." Zero muttered, walking towards a seat for one and plopping down on it.

"Earlier I heard them talking about having lunch outside of the palace." Yuki said, not taking her eyes off of her book as she swung her legs back and forth. She was lying on her stomach just so you know.

"You guys weren't invited?" Zero raised an elegant brow at them.

"Nope. Besides, they needed time to catch up with each other. Father and Mother really like to talk with your parents. When I say like - I mean really like seriously." Yuki emphasized her point there and earned a chuckle from the silverette. "But, anyways.." Yuki closed her book and sat up, standing and stretching her limbs a bit. "I'm going to mother and father's room now. I'm going to take a short nap." With that, Yuki left her brother and the silverette to be alone. A small glint was in her eye at the thought.

The two princes were left in an awkward silence. Kaname just paid attention to his tea since he didn't have topic for conversing with Zero at all. Zero on the other hand didn't have a topic either but instead he knew what could make the awkward silence subside. A small smile graced his lips as he walked to the far corner of the living room and to the upright piano.

Zero ran his fingers over the keys gently before taking his seat and positioning his hands above the white and black piano surfaces. He wasn't sure what to play at first but after rethinking what his brother had played long before, he had an idea. Taking a deep breath, Zero started playing.

"Rhapsody in B Minor Op. 79 No. 1". Kaname set down his tea on the table and turned his head to Zero's direction. He didn't know that Zero could also play the piano. Judging from the Marriage D' Amour Ichiru had played nights before, Zero didn't disappoint at all. They were both equally good though have different styles.

Kaname observed how Zero hammered every key. It was a stunning sight. The choice of piece in particular was uncommon since the notes range from slow and melodious to powerful and triumphant. One might say that the piece was made unstable but that was actually the art of it all. It takes the performer and the listener on a musical journey since it contains various amounts of themes.

The pure blood listened quietly, enjoying every moment. He could see that peaceful look on the silverette's face. Is he always like that when he plays? Kaname doesn't know but he questioned himself that. When Ichiru was playing, he had the exact same look Zero had. But the only difference was that it was Zero looking peaceful right now and to be honest, Kaname felt peaceful as well because of that.

Zero had his eyes closed, concentrating on the piece as if his life depended on it. A single mistake has no room for such a wonderful creation. However, his fingers froze when he heard a familiar voice coming from across the room.

"Zero?" The said silverette's eyes widened and he turned to the direction where he had heard that voice. His eyes started to water at the sight of twin lavender eyes just near the doorway entrance of the living room.

"Ichi!" Zero bolted towards his brother and crushed him in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you're awake! Did you know how worried I was?! Gah! I'm so glad you're okay!" Tears of joy leaked from the corners of Zero's eyes.

"Zero, I can't breathe." Ichiru muttered before he felt the grip on him loosen. He heard a small apology form his older brother and to that, he smiled. He hugged his brother back with all his might, gripping at the back of his shirt.

The two brothers' reunion was interrupted by Kaname clearing his throat. Zero had to pull away and stare at Kaname for a while before the pure blood spoke.

"Ahem. Zero, you're missing one little detail." Kaname pointed to Ichiru who looked at Zero then at Kaname repeatedly.

Zero's eyes trailed to Ichiru's. What was different? There wasn't anythi- until he realized it.

"Ichi! You're standing again!"

Thank you so much for the wait everyone. I hope that you liked this chapter because I did. Hahaha. Tell me what you think about it by reviewing.

Don't forget to review, fave, or follow! Until the next chapter everyone! See ya then!