A/N: Hi there to all readers! Thank you for all those who reviewed the last update and for continuing to inspire me in creating another chapter for this quite long story. Also I would like to thank those who've added this fan fiction to their favorites and alerts list. ^_^ Anyway, I had been sorting out my ideas for this story and if anyone wants to share some ideas with me, I'll be quite welcome to it. Since the two week break from college is around the corner and there are finally no more paper works for a while, hopefully I'll be able to update the story or begin the new chapter sooner than scheduled.

Last chapter, several important things took place along with that startling revelation of Kaname's feelings for Zero. Chapter 10 also ended with quite a cliffhanger and I'm sure that you guys definitely want to know what happened to Kaname and especially Zero. Lots of things would happen in this chapter and this time we'll find out about everyone's fates and also several new characters that would be important in this story would also make an appearance. Well then, I hope all of you would like this chapter and don't forget to drop me a review so that I'll know what you guys think and if I'm somehow lacking something in this story, and hopefully I'll be able to remedy that…

By the way, you guys must've noticed that I've switched the ratings to M since I think that the events that would be featured by the next chapters would not fit into the present rating…

Let's not keep you guys waiting and here's chapter 11…

Please Read and Review… ^_^

Chapter 11 – Lost Days and White Future

Zero's silver-amethyst eyes gazed at Kaname's own garnet ones for a second as he whispered the name of the pureblood. Is this really the end? Am I going to die like this? He thought as the sword slashed through his throat in one smooth motion. He watched everything as if from the distance and saw Kaname running towards him before he fell to the ground in a heap. The sounds and noises seemed so far away and he couldn't comprehend anything anymore. It was like he was completely detached from the world. Unimaginable pain tore inside of him before everything started to turn black.

The scent of the hunter's spilled blood seemingly filled the room. Rido's laughter roared above the silence as he watched the features of his nephew. Vampires should never fall in love. It made them weaker just like it did to Kaname, Zero, and countless of other vampires he had crossed paths with throughout his lifetime.

Love was only an illusion that would bring about the end of their race. And Rido knew better than to fall to such a devious trap.

I'll win this battle this time and there would be no one to stop me, Rido thought darkly as he remembered all those who've tried to thwart him in his plans. Countless of times he failed but this time was different. This meaningless world filled with confusion will be changed by my will. A new order… a new balance… I will build it all.

Kaname was stunned. His mouth hung open, lips moving in a phantom word, which his voice now refused to supply. His uncle raised the sword again, and without thinking, Kaname merely reacted in a split second. He sprang at Rido and his only thought was of getting that sword away from that bastard before he could further harm the hunter.

Rido smirked, raising his sword to strike, only to have it blocked by his nephew. A second later Kaname's fist slammed into his own face with a satisfying sound. He stumbled back, raising an arm in what could have been a gesture to protect himself.

Kaname went for another blow, putting as much force as he could behind the attack. The punch never connected though, his hand only punched through the air as Rido leapt away from him, throwing him off balance. He twisted around, anger burning in his eyes. It didn't last long though, as someone cried out Zero's name, making him remember himself in spite of his anger.

He gazed at Shielle who understood his message quite clearly. Get help fast! The pureblood used his power to break the chains holding Shielle captive and she stood up shakily from her spot. She looked at him thankfully and hurried to inform the other hunters outside where Kaname directed her to. Within a moment, she was gone as she ran full speed despite her own injuries. Her heart praying that Zero would be all right. That he wouldn't let himself die in that man's hands.

"Zero." The hunter's name came out only as a breath. The pureblood rushed to his beloved hunter's side, ignoring his uncle completely. Kaname bent down beside Zero, trying to calm the hunter's pained cry. "I'm here," he tried to say soothingly. "I'm here. I'm here." He kept repeating those two words over and over again. All his focus was on trying desperately to do something to stop Zero from bleeding to death. The hunter was loosing far too much blood.

Even though I promised to protect you… why couldn't I keep that? Why?

He had been too late again. Why was it always like this whenever it concerned the people that mattered to him the most? He had the urge to shout to the heavens about the unfairness of it all. He couldn't lose the hunter too. Zero was all that he had left and Kaname felt that he would die as well if he lost Zero as well.

For the past few years, Zero had always been there for him, the only person who treated him like he was normal. There was never a time he felt alone whenever Zero was there with him. All those times he convinced himself that what he felt was just mere friendship and nothing more. Yet looking at things now, there was no way he could deny that what he felt for the hunter was love. Even his damned uncle knew what he felt though not once did he admit those feelings.

I haven't even told you I loved you!

He forced his tears not too fall as he tried to calm himself. Panicking wouldn't do him much good at all.

There was a way. There always was. He had to think of something. Damn it, Kaname! Think of something, the pureblood thought angrily.

Zero was very pale now. There was an ugly gash at the base of his throat, and one of his wrists had been slashed, leaving gaping, ragged-edged wounds. Kaname knew that whatever weapon Rido used was definitely causing the wound not to heal. He had long figured out that Zero was indeed a vampire but none of his regenerative abilities were working.

Please don't let this be happening… he thought desperately.

In a mad frenzy, he tore a part of his shirt for bandages. Not once while he worked did he stop murmuring words of comfort to the hunter. He wrapped the clothing around Zero's bleeding wrist, effectively covering the wound but Kaname knew that he couldn't do the same with the wound in the hunter's throat.

He felt a presence moving around the room and Kaname whipped around to find Rido watching him with dark amusement from the distance. The young pureblood bristled at him, but otherwise went back to focus his attention on Zero. Don't let yourself be distracted, he thought to himself. Think only about saving Zero.

That didn't stop Rido from commenting softly. "You're not going to be able to save him. Just like how you were not able to save anyone in the past, my dear nephew."

Kaname didn't even bother to spare him a glance. "That's what you think," he snapped back fiercely. "You have no idea how stubborn Zero could be." There had been a wry smile on Kaname's face, and that was a statement he very much believed.

"Everyone has their own limits," Rido retorted silkily. "He'll be lucky to live long enough for the next hour." Kaname was silent and Rido knew that his nephew was trying hard to deny his claims no matter how true it might be. "You've seen wounds like that before, you should know his –"

"That's what you think, Zero's –"

"Stubbornness won't save him from blood loss," Rido answered back.

There was a long moment of silence. Kaname's hands trembled as he fought to hold on to Zero. "I won't let him die," he stated determinedly.

"Believe that for as long as you like, Kaname," replied Rido while his voice was growing fainter. "It'll be all the more fun to watch when it all comes tumbling down on you. Until next time, Kaname."

Kaname turned towards Rido, a sharp retort on his tongue, only to find that part of the room was completely empty and Rido was nowhere to be seen, even his aura was gone. His uncle had gotten away again but he knew that he had more important matters to attend to. Zero's life was more important than his stupid revenge. Zero being alive meant everything to him more than anything else in this world. "Hang on, Zero," breathed Kaname, not sure if the hunter could hear him. "Please just hang on."

A cold feeling hit Kaname's guts, making his insides twist sickly. He wasn't going to let the hunter die. He wasn't going to let such a thing happen. He was still on his knees on the concrete. He felt utter pain at touching Zero's bloodied skin as he slid his hands under the hunter's head, pulling him up into his lap. He also felt the terrified childish horror he remembered when he was a little boy and having broken his mother's priceless vase. Nothing, said a voice in the back of his head, will put these pieces back together again.

"Zero," he whispered, touching the hunter's face. His heart ached painfully in his chest, feeling like any minute it would break. And when it did? His breath caught slightly. He didn't want to think about it. His heart had been broken at his parent's death, and this time… he was certain he wouldn't be able to pick up the pieces. "D-Don't give up yet," he couldn't keep his voice steady when he spoke again. His usual calm demeanor was shot all to hell, and there was no sign of it recovering any time soon.

Time was running out.

Zero gasped suddenly, arching upward in the pureblood's grasp. Kaname gave a start and caught at Zero, pulling the hunter up towards him. Zero's eyes were wide and blind and terrified. He reached up. Kaname wasn't sure if the hunter was trying to touch his face or claw at him, not knowing who he was from this point on.

"It's me," the pureblood said, gently pushing Zero's hand down to his chest, lacing their fingers together. "Zero, it's me. It's Kaname." The pureblood's hands slipped on the hunter's; when Kaname looked down, he saw that they were wet with blood from Zero's injury and from the tears that had slid down his face without him noticing. "Zero, I love you," he said.

The hunter's hands tightened on his in return.

There was no way Kaname was letting Zero go anywhere. He'd fought so hard all these years to protect Zero, sacrificed so much to be with him, loved the hunter to the point where his heart would burst, and he would be damned if he let Zero die here.

Nausea rose in the back of Kaname's throat, his hand tightening on the hunter's. Zero wasn't dead yet. There was still hope. But God, the pain, it must be terrible. Zero couldn't heal, couldn't regenerate, not without –

Not without blood.

Kaname wiped away his tears and let go of Zero's hand for a moment and dragged his right sleeve up with his teeth. Using the jagged tip of the knife he had, he slashed a deep cut lengthwise down his wrist. Blood gushed to the surface. He dropped the knife; it hit the floor with a clang. He could smell his own blood in the air, sharp and coppery.

There was no time to think about anything else. He didn't care about the consequences if it could save the hunter.

He looked down at Zero, who hadn't moved. The blood was running down his hand now, his wrist stinging. He held it out over Zero's face, letting the blood drip down his fingers, spill onto the hunter's mouth. Kaname moved closer, his breath making white puffs in the cold air. He leaned down in his position, pressing his bleeding wrist against Zero's mouth. "Come on, Zero," he whispered. "Drink my blood."

For a moment nothing happened.

Then, Kaname felt a sharp sting in his wrist, a sort of pull, a hard pressure – and Zero's right hand flew up and clamped onto Kaname's arm, just above the elbow. The hunter's back arched off the floor, the pressure on Kaname's wrist increasing as Zero's fangs sank deeper. Pain shot up in the pureblood's arms but he urged Zero to keep on going.

Zero's eyes opened. The silver amethyst was gone; in its place was bright crimson hue that made Kaname's breath catch in his throat. There was a color on the hunter's cheeks, a hectic flush like a fever. His lips were slightly parted, the white fangs stained with blood.

"You have to take more," he coaxed the hunter, knowing that Zero was still out of it to refuse his order. If Zero had been more aware, he was sure that the hunter would not do as he was told. Zero was the type of person who always thought about the well-being of others and Kaname had a suspicion that Zero sees this action as something that would hurt someone.

He guided Zero to the hollow base of his neck and tried to force the hunter to take more of his blood. He waited for a while until he felt the hunter's fangs pierce his neck. He started, gasping at the sudden pain but remembering that he'd offered this. This was his idea. Still, this was the first time he had ever been bitten and he was unfamiliar with the feeling.

The pureblood twisted his hands into the hunter's hair and held the hunter's mouth to his in case Zero tried to pull away again before he got enough blood to help him.

Zero wasn't hurting him – not really – the pain that had started out sharp faded to a sort of dull throbbing. A drowsy sense of peace stole through Kaname's veins and he felt his muscles relax; his hands that had been trying to coax Zero to drink a moment ago now pressed the hunter closer to him. Kaname could feel his own heart, feel it slowing, its hammering fading to a softer echo. A shimmering darkness crept in at the corners of his vision, beautiful and strange. The pureblood closed his eyes –

Pain lanced through his neck. He gasped and his eyes flew open; Zero was moving away from him, staring at him with wide eyes, his hand across his own mouth. Zero's wounds were fading, but fresh blood stained the front of his shirt.

The hunter took his hand away from his mouth. The fangs were gone.

I could've killed you, Kaname. A familiar voice whispered faintly in the pureblood's mind. There was a sort of pleading in that voice. There was also a distinct smell of roses. As soon as he heard that voice, Kaname gave a start. He didn't know how anyone could've breached his secured mind.

But that alarm faded away as he realized whose voice it belong to. Strangely, it was Zero's presence.

For a moment Kaname sat paralyzed. Knowing that it really was Zero's voice. Realizing that Zero could communicate directly with his mind was very different from actually feeling it. His first reaction was that he was hallucinating; it was impossible. But it was truly something real. Zero possessed the rare gift of telepathy and quite a strong one at that.

But he knew that it wouldn't be this powerful had Zero not taken his blood. The shared blood was linking them together little by little and Kaname was a bit afraid that Zero would freak out if he found out about that thing. We're partially connected now, he thought suddenly. We share half of the bond now.

"I would have let you," said Kaname wholeheartedly and tucking that new discovery for later. Right now, Zero's physical condition was more important.

Kaname knew that he had tied himself to the hunter by giving his blood but the pureblood also knew that there was no one in this world he would want other than Zero. If it could save the hunter from dying, he was willing to face the consequences.

I'm sorry. Zero's mental voice told him. Before the pureblood could answer, the presence in his mind was muffled by an enormous sense of weariness – even of dizziness, of illness. Kaname realized that he wasn't just feeling his own fatigue. Zero was on the verge of collapse. He was –

Kaname watched in surprise a few moments later as Zero began to fall and only his quick reflexes saved Zero from tumbling onto the hard ground. He called the hunter's name a couple of times but to no avail. Even the presence in his mind had disappeared completely. The pureblood was terribly worried but the hunter's vitals seemed to be stronger than before despite how shallow it still was.

Without wasting any more second, he scooped the unconscious hunter in his arms and quickly left the chamber. The pureblood expected a wave of dizziness as he stood completely, but he felt only a little weak and tired. He left in a rush and focused on finding help for Zero who seemed to still be in terrible condition despite taking his blood.

I'll make you pay for this Rido even if it's the last thing I would do, he vowed silently as he held the hunter tighter to his chest.

"≈≈ΩΩ~Ж~ΩΩ≈≈"

The vampire's frantic breathing slowed down to a steady rhythm as he stood warily on the corner of a dark and empty alley. He bared his fangs in anger as he remembered how close he was to drinking the sweet blood of that girl. Yet some damned vampire hunter had to interfere with his catch. He wanted to tear that person into shreds with his claws but he knew that without any form of sustenance for the past few days, it had left him weakened and no match for that mere human.

He had not hunted for days since he discovered the traces of some powerful individuals in the city especially back in the Old Town where he glimpsed the demise of one of his kind in the hands of a pureblood and a silver-haired hunter. An alarming feeling overcame his desire to ambush the two and he knew how dangerous it was to show his presence. His whole body had reacted to that fear and he had no choice but to escape without attracting attention.

Not this time though. Things had gotten more quiet than normal and he had not felt any strong presence around. He considered this event a lucky break and a perfect time to hunt for his prey.

He looked behind him in haste and was relieved to see that no one had managed to follow him. He decided to lurk in the darkness, intent on catching another prey off guard. His throat was burning quite painfully now and he needed to satisfy his thirst immediately. He longed for that sweet, crimson liquid. One that had been denied from him since several hunters had been chasing him relentlessly for some time and all he did was keep on hiding until they left him alone. He never even had a chance to catch his prey that way.

The sound of footsteps echoed dimly in the silence.

From across him, he found his long-awaited human and he licked his lips in anticipation. His enhanced eyesight picked out a young woman with long and way white-blonde hair whose startling light blue eyes shone in the dark. She was walking quite leisurely as she made her way across the street and straight into his hiding place. His crimson eyes narrowed into slits and his fangs lengthened considerably. She was almost close and she would finally be his next victim.

The vampire came towards the young woman at an inhuman speed and his fangs was bared towards her fully as he eyed the pale column of her neck. But before he could reach her, his movements stopped suddenly and he was jerked backwards by some driving force. He forced himself to move but he found that none of his limbs worked anymore and he was suspended in mid motion. He kept on struggling until he noticed thin silver wires wrapped around the various parts of his body. He was then lifted of the ground and the wires cut into his body quite painfully.

His blood oozed from the cuts made by the wires and he stared straight at the young woman who was smiling gently at him. Her fingers were guiding the wires that had captured him in an instant. He finally realized his mistake as he bared his fangs at her in hate. It was another one of those damned vampire hunters.

"You fucking hunters won't get away with this. You can kill me now but there will be others like me out there," the man growled as he stared at the young woman before him with disdain. He couldn't understand why they were being hunted like this. After all, he was only doing this for his own survival. He kept on struggling against those bonds that held him captive but to no avail.

"None of those things matter to me at all. I am merely doing my job and I would continue to do so as long as he needs me. Now then, enough of this pointless chatter and answer me, vampire. Who turned you and sent you? I will be merciful depending on your answer," the young woman said as she pulled the wires tighter and the vampire howled in pain.

"Do you think I would tell you, you damned human?" the vampire shouted as he tried to claw at the calm hunter who captured him in her trap. He stared at her and his fear escalated as he realized that he had been mistaken once again. The aura he felt now was something akin to the ones he felt back at the Old Town. He knew then and there that this mistake would cost him his life.

"Very well, if you insist on having a painful death then so be it," the young woman told him coldly as her light blue eyes turned to a bright shade of red. Her gentle features unchanging yet there was a hint of something darker and frightening on those crimson orbs. "This is the end, fallen vampire," she whispered as the vampire screamed in agony at the pressure he felt in his joints. It was like he was being ripped apart to pieces and every nerves burned in an agony that he couldn't put into words.

Don't lose yourself in your anger, Lilina. You're much stronger than you seemed to think.

The young woman was pulled out of her concentration as she heard those words in her mind. Those words that were spoken to her by the only person she ever cared about. She calmed down and her crimson orbs returned to their normal hue once again. This is wrong, she thought to herself. I shouldn't have made this vampire suffer like that. With those thoughts, she pulled out a silver gun from her coat and fired it straight into the vampire's heart. She watched as the wires came loose and the level end's body crumbled to dust. With a flick of her finger, the wires disappeared from sight.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to no one in particular as she tucked the gun back in her jacket. If he had seen her right now, he would have been terribly disappointed with her.

There was a steady sound of clapping above her and she looked up to see a woman with reddish brown hair and dark green eyes smirking at her. The newcomer didn't even hide the contempt in her eyes. Lilina sighed deeply as she took notice of the familiar presence. Why did she have to appear now of all times?

"Well, who do we have here? For Vanessa Woodsworth to come all the way from the head quarter's… it must be hard on you," Lilina said calmly as she addressed the newcomer without showing her emotions. He had always told her to never show her weaknesses to her enemies and to always keep a cool head even in unexpected situations.

"Looks like you haven't caught that witch yet, have you?" the newcomer mocked as she dropped down in front of Lilina. "By the way, I told you to stop calling me by my full name," she added in an irritated tone of voice.

"We are currently working on a plan for that, Van," Lilina answered automatically.

She didn't want Van to know the troubles within the Hunter's Association and how much the current situation had prevented them from accomplishing the original mission given by the Elders of the two organizations. The recent deaths had all of them cornered and Marco's death had been a heavy blow to everyone especially to her since Marco was her former partner and to Shielle, Marco's prized student and her old classmate. At least, Van didn't seem to be aware of the recent developments as of late. And Lilina was content in letting it stay that way until the association had full control over things again.

"That witch will be captured by us and she'll be kept in custody by my organization," Van said confidently. No doubt trying to break that calm exterior that Lilina had been producing since the start of their conversation.

"I see. That's a lot of trouble for you," Lilina said as she smiled gently at Van who seemed offended at that action.

"That's because all of you are taking your own sweet time," Van cried as she glared at Lilina heatedly. "Even Kiryuu had lost his edge. First-class hunter or not, I can't believe he couldn't even handle a simple mission," she added as she turned around to leave.

Lilina controlled the hatred that spiked from her as Van insulted his name. Van didn't even understand what was happening and how occupied everyone was with all the things taking place at short intervals. She had watched close by how he had always run himself ragged trying to come up with a solution to their problems and how he always worried for everyone else's safety. They were all wrong about him and only a few of them ever understood the pain he always carried in him. She, Kaname, Yagari, and only a few others had seen him for who he was.

"So you want to prove that much that you're better than Zero Kiryuu?" Lilina asked suddenly.

Van looked back at her. "You're as detestable as ever, Lilina." With those words, Van finally disappeared from sight, leaving Lilina standing alone in the darkness.

Lilina gave a sigh. "You haven't forgotten that man's promise, haven't you? That when you become stronger than everyone else, he'll save you." She looked behind her and gave a small smile. "You know that eavesdropping is very rude, Cross-san."

Kaien Cross gave a weak laugh as he strode out from behind the trash cans and approached Lilina. "I never expected to see you once again," Cross said cheerfully as he studied the young woman before him. "It's been quite a while hasn't it, Aria Lilina von Kampfer?"

"You never visited the association much after all," Lilina told her former headmaster politely. "I work there as well and so do your other former students. It's been quite busy so I couldn't drop by the academy," she added as she began to walk out of the alley. The truth was she missed the academy which had been a home to her and where she met her closest friends. At least back in those days, things weren't so out of control like now. And most of them were still alive.

She couldn't stop herself from thinking about those days in the academy where all of them would lounge in the tree near the lake, talking about mundane things and being able to act like normal individuals no matter how far from reality that was. It was true that they kept a lot of secrets from each other but still, they had been through a lot in the academy. They didn't talk much about private matters like how some of them were vampires that Shielle feared so much. How there were hunters in their little group. How they were involved in some important matters regarding the organizations. They pretended a lot but wasn't it for the best. Things were so much easier back then as she looked back on it.

She remembered how Zero would lie down on the grass next to Yuki who would stroke his hair in a fond manner while looking cheerfully at them. She would see herself leaning in the tree and reading a book. Meanwhile, Kaito would talk animatedly with Akira and Yori. And Shielle would laugh lightly in the background and turn around to whisper something to Maria before bursting into giggles. Finally, Naoto would arrive to tell them that class would start in a few minutes.

Those thoughts faded as soon as it had come. Those were the old days and those were already long gone. What was left in her memories are just bittersweet feelings and it made her long for the life they all once had. Back when everything else was so simple.

"Still no leads in your end I presume," Cross said as he followed Lilina. He had been investigating himself when he ran into his former student. Lately, he had been doing nothing but trying to get some clues about the recent incidents. There was still nothing but he wouldn't give up just yet. Something would turn up sooner or later.

"Yes, it's true. Things are still looking kind of bleak in our side and without Zero; none had been moving as planned. Come to think of it, most of us had always been relying on him too much," Lilina said seriously. "It made us realize that we left all the responsibility to him. That's why everyone's doing their best now. We can't let him handle this mess alone after all," she added determinedly.

"I'm sure that he'll be glad to hear that," Cross said as he patted Lilina's shoulder.

"Is… is Zero going to be okay?" Lilina said with worry evident in her tone of voice. She had heard that he was badly injured from the last mission and right now, he was confined to a private hospital somewhere. When she had heard the news, she had to stop herself from rushing over to find him and make sure that he was okay. She hadn't seen him after all but she had managed to visit Shielle who looked worse for wear but no terrible injuries aside from the burns in her arms. The moment she walked in, Shielle sobbed whole-heartedly. The sight somehow made her feel like crying too. Whoever said that vampires didn't have emotions at all was plainly stupid. After all, her kind also had human emotions and right now, the prominent one residing in her was terrible sadness.

"There haven't been any changes in his condition and he has yet to regain consciousness," Cross said solemnly as he stared at Lilina. He knew that he couldn't lie to her at all and that she also deserved to know the truth. After all, she had been good friends with Zero since they were at the academy. "He isn't getting worse nor is he getting any better either," he added truthfully.

"I-I see. I hope that he recovers soon," Lilina whispered sadly. "I wish I could visit him though," she added after a while.

"You're also worried about him. The way you're looking right now is the same as Kaname's," Cross said suspiciously as he noticed something quite subtle in Lilina's words since earlier. He knew that Lilina had always respected and held Zero in high regard but did she also have a crush on him? It seemed quite unlikely but something told him that he was getting on the right track.

"W-W-What are you talking about?" Lilina stammered at the statement and cursed herself as she blushed wildly at the insinuation. Was she really that obvious? She knew that Zero would never feel the same way about her as she did to him but it didn't stop her feelings for him. Still, it was quite embarrassing for others to know.

"Nothing really," Cross said lightly as he took notice of Lilina's blushing countenance. "But don't worry, I'll inform you when he awakens and until then, stay alert. The enemy seemed to be targeting our group specifically," he added.

"I know. I'll be careful," Lilina said as she turned around and faced Cross. "After all, I wouldn't want Zero to have more things to worry about when he regains consciousness," she said with a hint of a smile in her gentle features. Please be all right, Zero… everyone else is waiting for you… always…

"≈≈ΩΩ~Ж~ΩΩ≈≈"

A sinister fog was slowly building up that night as a middle-aged man prowled along the alleys. He kept glancing off on his shoulder as though expecting that someone was following him. He knew that he made a grave mistake by losing to a bunch of teenagers and he knew that he would pay dearly for that same one. The light overhead suddenly flickered and he looked up instinctively. After a while, he decided that it was nothing and hurriedly made his way.

He was a supervisor from some shady prison area at a remote town and he had this job for quite some time now. His main orders were to keep the level ends in an area without arousing suspicion especially from both the Vampire Council and the Hunters Association. He had been doing fine for a few months until he met up with a couple of individuals who that little brat had brought with him to that party. Later on, he witnessed his downfall and realized that those people did the one thing that would cost him his life. They exposed what was happening inside the prison. He was not at fault though but he was specifically ordered to keep things at a minimum. Because of those kids, their organization would be found out soon. Things couldn't become any worse than that and his fate had been sealed.

He had been let off the hook by the association after the unfortunate incident but all his work went down the drain and his property was confiscated. Not to mention, the prison which was supposed to be his organization's stronghold was now in the hands of their enemies.

"Damn brats, shouldn't have played with them at all… my work's finally going to shit…" the man muttered to himself as he treaded on his usual path. The first thing he had in mind had been to disappear until commotion's over. Coward - that's what he is. But who cares anyway? His life was more important than his pride after all. There was no way the higher-ups would let something like this slide.

He had made a pretty big mistake.

He turned around the corner and came upon another street which was dimly lighted by a few lampposts. It was pretty dark but he had no problem with such things. He was a vampire after all even if no one would believe that fact. Though, only a Level C. Still, it enabled him to see in the dark and his hearing could easily pick up slight movement. If there is one thing that made him different from other vampires of his level, it was the ability to completely hide his presence. It was an ability that helped him disappear completely or made hunters see him as a normal and harmless little human.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, came the steady tapping of footsteps. Its noise echoing eerily through the silence. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, fear knotting in his whole being. How did it happen? He made sure to hide his presence while on the run.

"Who's there? Show yourself you damn fucking bastard!" he shouted as he looked around for the source of those sounds. He was only greeted by the footsteps getting closer. He had a half mind to bolt and turn back but it seemed that would be quite futile. There was no way he could outrun whoever was following him.

Out of the thick fog came a solitary figure. A young woman in her teens who wore a school uniform beneath her knee-length coat. Her long orange hair flowed gently with the breeze and her dull orange eyes shone in the darkness of the night. Her lips were formed in a gentle smile but the man wasn't fooled for a second.

Upon seeing this person he felt intense fear creeping through his veins, one that he never felt before. Scratch that – he did feel something akin to that a few months ago. It was during that time when those individuals from the Hunter's Association confronted them, he felt it then and he was sure he wasn't just hallucinating. They may be humans but their eyes were certainly frightening him just like now. The mere sight of her frightened him to his wits. He didn't think he had a chance to escape but maybe he could use some smooth-talking.

"Look here, Lady. It's just a careless mistake. Won't happen again, you hear? Didn't think that would happen," he said carefully as he eyed the beautiful stranger in front of him. She gave no response whatsoever as she stood there in the distance. Beneath his jacket, he was sweating bullets despite the cold weather. There was something really wrong with the girl he was with.

The girl walked towards him and her face still bore that gentle smile. The façade she used to hide her true nature. If her aura was anything to go by, she was definitely someone very strong but she seemed so normal and she definitely looked like a harmless school girl. The man backed a few steps until something took hold of him and he was frozen to the spot. W-What the heck is happening to me? He thought suddenly. No matter what he did, his body remained still. What the –

"You're taking way too long," Arisa drawled in a bored voice as she watched the scene from the distance.

"It's none of your business," the young woman told her pointedly as she shifted her attention to Arisa. "Well, it was a waste that Kuran didn't manage to do you in. By the way, was it fun pretending to be dead? The bullet must've hurt quite a bit and I had the urge to thank Kuran for that," she added tauntingly.

"Shut up!" Arisa answered back as she crossed her arms in her chest. "Those bastards just caught me off guard. It won't happen again. Besides, just do your job already," she added.

"You wouldn't even be alive if you weren't a vampire, Arisa. I told you that underestimating them would lead you into trouble. Not that I care though," she finished as she went back to the man.

His eyes widened as he saw her hands coming closer to rest upon his face. It was very gentle touch but there was something terribly wrong with it. From out of nowhere, he felt something probing his mind and he finally understood what was happening. She was viewing his memories –

"Don't move! My dad… this is for my dad!" Kazuto bellowed as he held the gun in his shaking hands. Its muzzle pointed straight at Wesmeyer's surprised features. He cocked the hammer but his fingers didn't seem to want to pull the trigger. Why can't I do it? My revenge is right here, he thought angrily as he remained frozen on the spot.

Wesmeyer stared at the gun in front of him but his features changed into a smirk as he watched the scene behind the stupid brat. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked mockingly.

"Oops. We got caught," Kaito mentioned half-heartedly as he held both of his hands up in surrender to a number of guns trained on him. He wasn't the only one who met the same problem because Yuki also did the same and Kaname too except he didn't bother raising his hands.

"If you care about their lives, drop your gun," Wesmeyer ordered as he watched the scene in front of him. Looks like the tables have turned; he thought as the kid wavered for a moment but still didn't drop the gun in his hands.

Kazuto heard the order but he couldn't do it. He truly wanted to avenge his father and it was finally here within his reach. These people have helped him a lot but he couldn't let go of it now. "I'm sorry," he shouted out as he kept his gun trained on the man in front of him. He locked his gaze upon Kaname's garnet eyes and turned away instantly. He couldn't bear to look at them because it was his fault. All of it was.

"Your revenge is futile like this. If you're shaking that much, you won't be able to hit the target. If you lift the gun up a bit and miss your target, you'll be in trouble," Zero said in an apathetic tone as he guided the gun and shoved it on Wesmeyer's mouth. "You are going to scatter his hot blood and brain matter, and blast through his skull with a bullet. The vivid image of his eyeballs and the contents of his brain bursting out from his dying face will forever haunt you for the rest of your life. Are you prepared for that?" he asked seriously as he shifted his steely silver gaze at Finn who looked at him in disbelief and fear. Meanwhile, Wesmeyer squirmed from his position and prayed on his mind that this kid wouldn't do anything.

Kazuto looked away from the cold gaze he witnessed from Zero and he hesitated for a while. The way he described the things that would happen frightened him but he didn't want to lose it. His revenge. "Of course!" he answered with confidence as he shifted his gaze to Wesmeyer.

"I see! Well, be my guest," Zero uttered as he took out his Bloody Rose and pointed it straight to Kazuto's head. The silver body of the gun glinted as bright as the necklace on his neck and the chains making its clinking noise on the silence that followed.

As the probing finished, the man sagged in relief but it was short-lived when he felt something writhing within his body. He suddenly panicked but there was nothing else he could do. The girl must be doing something to him. It was pain beyond measure. All over his body fire and heat erupted. He coughed a lot of blood and his eyes had already begun seeing red.

Still, that agony did not cease. Just when it couldn't get any worse, the pressure increased tenfold. With that, he wished that it would end. To let the pain subside once and for all.

The girl was still resting her hands in the man's face in a gentle caress but it was far from that. She was continually forcing her powers to that man. She didn't need him anymore and useless pawns were to be disposed of. There were no second chances. She didn't stop even as blood leaked from the man. It seemed that a level C's body couldn't handle the force of the power.

A strange power. Something that only a few vampires nor hunters possessed.

If only I had this power before, everything would've been different.

A few minutes later, she let go. The man fell to the ground in a heap and apparently dead. She knew that in a moment the body would be nothing more than dust.

No one would dare link this vampire's death to Marco's and she was still safe in the shadows. She could still do her job with no problem at all.

The memories she saw from the man was stuck in her head and her smile widened as she remembered a silver-haired young man in it. There was no mistake on her part. It was definitely him. How long had it been since that fateful day? Far too long if she wasn't mistaken. She thought that they might never see each other again but apparently she was wrong.

It really was him in that stupid ball. As well as in that abandoned building.

She wondered briefly if he or the others could still remember that time. Well, not that it matters except things would become pretty much interesting now. She couldn't wait to see them again. Especially Zero Kiryuu.

She looked up at the sky and remembered such nostalgic feelings especially from Cross Academy. Far too many things had changed all these years. Yet it seemed that one place will always remain the same in her frozen heart. She couldn't wait to meet Kaname and Zero once again.

This time she would finish the job and she would make sure that they wouldn't get in her way again. This time she was certain that she would definitely kill Zero with her own hands. That this time he would know what kind of pain she went through. With those thoughts, she left the deserted alley without a backward glance.

I can't wait to face you again, Zero…

Until then, don't die on me yet…