Heeeelllllooooo Fans! Vanitas here, still alive and kicking. First off, I am terribly sorry for the long delay in chapter 12.

I am taking a Summer Math Course for my Elementary Education program and only just been able to get ahead of schedule.

Re-learning elementary math is pretty hard when your brain is use to doing more complex math.

Anyways, I decided to incorporate something heartfelt in this chapter. It is not as long as I wanted it to be, but I did my best. If this chapter had been longer it would reveal certain surprises that you are not quite ready yet, so bare with me.

Now without further delay, enjoy chapter 12: Intertwined


Kiyoshi struggled weakly against the leather belts binding him to the marble pillar. Nearly a week had passed since his captivity, the pureblood never once showing himself or making his presence known to Kiyoshi; the lack of interaction was driving him to insanity. Not only did Kiyoshi feel like he was going mad, but his hunger was beginning to pain him as well; his stomach giving painful jerks from the lack of food and throat dry from the lack of water —Kiyoshi groaned groggily behind the rubber ball in his mouth, drool trailing down his chin and onto his bare chest.

Kiyoshi hazily lifted his gaze from the stone floor at the sound of footsteps outside his prison, his heart fluttering at the sight of the being prying open the iron door with brute strength.

"Hhrhgh!" Cried Kiyoshi, his lover's name muffled by the gag.

Tears of joy cascaded down Kiyoshi's cheeks when Haruka's beautiful garnet eyes met his own lilac hues. The young Kuran hurried to his mate, falling to his knees and enveloping the silverette in a warm embrace; Haruka held Kiyoshi's face, drinking in his beloved's delicate features: soft lips now chapped, smooth cheeks cut by the leather pressing against them, silver hair drenched in sweat and matted, amethyst eyes still enchanting but no longer glowing as bright as they once did, and muscled body covered in bruises and love bites. Haruka internally sighed, greatly relieved that Kiyoshi wasn't bitten; a little nibbled and scratched, but still perfectly human.

"I'm so sorry, Kiyoshi." Said Haruka, maneuvering his hands behind Kiyoshi's head and unbuckling the straps. "I should've come sooner."

"Haruka…" Spoke the young hunter, his voice hoarse and extremely low. "I knew you'd come for me."

Haruka seized Kiyoshi's lips with his own, lapping at his lover's rough mouth in an attempt to moisten them to softness. His heart froze at the sight of Kiyoshi's weapons discarded in the forest, another vampire's scent molded with Kiyoshi's before their presence disappeared altogether. Haruka's eyes had darkened into blood lust at the thought of another nightwalker touching his mate, daring to drag their disgusting fangs along Kiyoshi's soft neck; no would dare touch the mate of a pureblood…unless they were one themselves. The young Kuran knew one other person who sought everything he held dear, the thought of that being holding Kiyoshi captive made his blood boil and his fangs ache to tear the other pureblood's flesh clean off his body.

"Well, isn't this touching." Mocked a cold voice.

Haruka growled at the sound of that voice, his garnet eyes becoming murderous and lusting for blood. He stood protectively in front of Kiyoshi, his teeth gritting at the whimpers escaping his beloved's lips; Kiyoshi was deathly afraid of the other pureblood, especially after being treated like a possession rather than a lover like the nightwalker had said he wanted him to be.

"Now, Haruka. Is that anyway to greet me?" Mismatched eyes glowed brightly in the shadows of the cell. "I thought you'd be ecstatic to see me."

"Don't take me for a fool." Snarled Haruka, freeing Kiyoshi with his powers and allowing his mate to wrap his arms around his chest. Despite his anger, Haruka felt his blood cool at the feel of Kiyoshi's hands resting against his pectorals and his warm breath caressing the back of his neck.

"Aww, not happy that I played with your little hunter." Laughed the opposing pureblood, taking pleasure in seeing Kiyoshi cower behind Haruka. "Need I remind you that he was to be my mate before the little traitor submitted to you."

"Forcing him to compel is no way to gain a mate." Scowled Haruka, wrapping his aura around Kiyoshi's form in an attempt to calm his frightened lover. "He was never meant to be yours. You only sought him because of his abilities rather than the beauty of who he is."

"Perhaps we should see who is worthy of such a promising hunter." Suggested the lustful pureblood.

Zero shifted lightly in his sleep, warm tears splashing into his silver hair rousing him from his sleep. The silverette was confused, but remembered that the only person whoever occupied the space beside him is his beloved pureblood; Zero peeked through the curtains of his bangs and noticed Kaname's face buried deeply in the softness of his silver hair. Bewilderment clouded Zero's conscious as well as concern, he had never in his life ever seen Kaname look so vulnerable and wondered what could've rattled the pureblood so much to hide his beautiful face in his bedhead silver locks. Zero lightly threaded his fingers through Kaname's silk, chocolate brown hair, his heart giving painful jerks at the soft sobs that reached his ears.

"Zero…" Whispered Kaname, withdrawing from his lover's hair and capturing the silverette's lips with his own and giving him a loving and passionate kiss.

Zero moaned against Kaname's lips, relishing in the feel of that petal soft mouth. The young silverette did not understand what brought on such passion from his pureblood, but he wasn't complaining; Zero enjoyed the passion behind Kaname's actions, especially when Kaname's loving him deep into the mattress and making him beg for more. However, this form of passion was different than the rest, a sense of desperation, unyielding love and relief coursing through Kaname's very soul and cradling Zero in a warm embrace.

Kaname broke the kiss, gazing deeply into Zero's bright lilac eyes. How long has he waited for his beloved to return to him? Too long, Kaname had once convinced himself that Rei was gone forever and had chained his own heart to stop the burning pain he felt inside; however, one little boy with firey amethyst eyes and silver hair changed all that and made his heart skip a beat at the sight of his courage and anger.

"Zero." Kaname said, his voice soft and endearing.

Zero blushed at the way Kaname said his name, such tenderness and love pooling into his tone that it made something in Zero's heart pulse with longing and hope.

"Do you remember me, beloved?" Questioned Kaname, his gaze enslaving Zero.

Zero stared at Kaname as if the pureblood had grown a second, equally handsome, head. The back of his mind pulsed harshly, his brain throbbing inside his skull as a memory flash before his eyes.

"Kaname…" Called a weak and familiar voice.

Kaname turned to his left and his beloved in a pool of blood. The pureblood panicked and rushed to his precious ex-human's side; he gathered the younger vampire in his arms and felt his freeze. Hair drenched in blood, many cuts and bruises marring his beautiful face, and large bullet wound in his chest bleed profusely.

"Rei Softly spoke the ancient vampire, cradling his beloved in his arms and tenderly stroking his red-stained hair.

"Kaname…promise…promise me, you'll never give up on our dream." Weakly choked the silverette, his eyes slowly losing their light.

"I promise…" Kaname held his beloved close, never letting go when his precious ex-human began to turn to ash. "I'll find you and we'll be together again."

Zero gasped and scooted feverishly back, hitting his head against the wall behind him with a harsh 'crack'. The young hunter breathed deeply, hyperventilating at the memory that had just surged through his subconscious—Amethyst eyes slowly met gentle garnet orbs, Kaname's eyes were filled with affection, hope and desperation. Rei? Zero thought long and hard on the name, a warmth blossoming in his heart as realization calmly settled into his head and soothed the raging storm in his soul. The young silverette shakily lifted his gaze, lilac eyes staring into Kaname's gentle brown orbs; Zero slowly rested his hand against Kaname's cheek, his heart fluttering as the older vampire leaned into the touch and tenderly kissed the skin of his palm.

"Kaname…" Whispered Zero, tears threatening to spill from his eyes at the beautiful smile overtaking Kaname's lips.

"Yes my beloved." Answered Kaname, garnet eyes glittering with tears and a spark of hope.

"K-Kaname…" Choked the younger nightwalker. "Oh Kaname…Kaname!" Sobbed Zero, throwing his arms around the pureblood's neck and burying his face into soft brown locks.

"Zero…Rei" Kaname lovingly wiped away the stray tears from Rei's face, his eyes seeing both Rei and Zero at once. "My love…I've waited endless years for you. I-I thought I had lost you forever."

Tears cascaded down Kaname's handsome face as he embraced his lover once more. At long last, his precious hunter has finally returned to him; Kaname had chained his own heart to prevent anyone from ever taking his beloved's place—Kaname embraced Rei in a strong embrace, holding him flush against his body as he drank in the intoxicating the young Kiryuu's blood, to have his ex-human back after so many centuries alone was both unnerving and enlightening.

"I'm so sorry, Kaname." Zero said in a hoarse, tear-filled tone. His heart ached at the fact of his wonderful pureblood waiting for his return; 5, 000 years of drifting and waiting to be reincarnated had broken his spirit and caused him to seal away his memories once his soul had entered the body of newborn. "Forgive me, my King…I n-never meant to cause you so much suffering."

Kiyoshi stared in horror at the scene before him. Blow after blow was dealt between the two purebloods, one fighting to protect him and other battling to prove his worth as being his mate; the hunter trembled at seeing his beloved seething with rage, his garnet eyes burning with rage and lusting for the blood of the other.

(What should I do…) Wondered Kiyoshi, his amethyst eyes following Haruka's every move.

(Kiyoshi…Don't try to interfere. I would never forgive myself if you got hurt). Kiyoshi felt his soul swell with delight at the sound of Haruka's voice inside his head; their bond had been strong enough to establish a mind link between them despite Kiyoshi being a human and Haruka a vampire. (Leave this room and run Kiyoshi, I will follow you once I've finished here).

Kiyoshi knew Haruka cared deeply for him and would do anything to keep him safe and happy; however, running away like a coward was never Kiyoshi's style, the hunter would rather fight until he was exhausted then flee with his tail between his legs.

(Forgive me, Haruka. This is one request I cannot comply with).

A cry of anguish and rage echoed across the ruins of an abandoned manor hidden deep within the forest of the Kuran Estate. Mismatched eyes glared menacingly at the individual standing far from Haruka and himself; the youthful hunter held a weapon in hand, steadily aimed despite his weakened state, Bloody Rose engraved into the beautiful metal of the gun—how dare such a lowly being raise a fatal weapon against him! This lone hunter should no fear, no disrespect or shows of dispassion, all he saw was a man protecting his mate who he loved dearly from a vampire who only sought to destroy what someone held precious.

"Kiyoshi are you mad?!" Haruka could not believe that Kiyoshi had stayed. He knew how far this monster would go to take what he believed was rightfully his, but Kiyoshi still remained despite the threat.

"Call me what you will, Haruka. Deem me insane and unfit to fight against a pureblood as blood-lusting as him, but I will not back down and run away like a coward while someone dear to risk their own life for mine." Kiyoshi's words moved Haruka, his heart crying at his lover's devotion. This young hunter was truly something else.

"Your disrespect will be the death of you. Enjoy the time you have with your pathetic pet. Mark my words, Haruka, you best keep a close eye on your precious little hunter. I will take him from you, one way or another." Threatened the deranged vampire with an icy tone.

"Not on your life…Rido." Responded Haruka, placing himself between his lover and psychopathic brother.

"We shall see." Rido mocked before turning his gaze to Kiyoshi. So beautiful and strong this human is; a great shame that he must make him pay for injuring him. "A parting gift to you…my little pet."

Kiyoshi stood his ground, hand firmly grasping Bloody Rose and daring Rido to make his move. An unnerving silence settle over the two lovers, Kiyoshi never taking his eyes away from Rido but failing to notice the shadow slowly creeping up behind him.

"Kiyoshi!" Cried Haruka but it was too late.

A cry of agony erupted from Kiyoshi's lips as razor fangs sank deep into his exposed neck. Kiyoshi groaned in pain and hazily opened his eyes to see that Rido was slowly fading away. An illusion! Rido had played them for fools, he had only pretended to be severely injured so that he and Haruka would let down their guard; Kiyoshi damned himself for his carelessness and only hoped Rido would not release venom into his blood stream, and turn him.

"Rido! LET HIM GO!" Demanded Haruka, gritting his teeth at the sight of the tears cascading down Kiyoshi's beautiful face. "IF YOU SO MUCH AS LET A DROP IN HIM, I SWEAR I WILL—"

A muffled laugh echoed across the stone room, Rido slowly retreating from Kiyoshi neck with a smirk. His lips stained with Kiyoshi's glorious blood, more dripping down his chin and staining his dress shirt—Kiyoshi trembled weakly against Rido, Bloody Rose slipping from his weakened grip and landing on the stone ground with a metallic "thuck".

"H-H-H-Haruka…"

"Why do you deny yourself such delicious essence, Haruka?" Taunted Rido, licking the large streams of blood that stained Kiyoshi's mangled neck. "Blood this appetizing must drive you to insanity. Tell me, why have you not feed of your little hunter?"

"I do not wish to hurt him; he deserves so much more. I am no beast, Rido!" Answered Haruka, his fangs itching to tear Rido's flesh to ribbons.

"How pitiful. Your compassion towards this hunter amazes and sickens me." Said Rido, returning his attention to Kiyoshi who was slowly losing consciousness. "However, he is quite beautiful."

"Rido…" Warned Rido.

"Catch." Instructed Rido, tossing Kiyoshi limp form towards Haruka.

Haruka caught Kiyoshi before his beloved hit the ground, cradling his lover close to his chest and feeling his eyes water at the sight of the blood staining his neck and bare chest. The young Kuran glared hatefully at Rido, his eyes burning with blood lust and rage—their father was right. Rido is nothing but a monster.

"He will remain human…" Assured Rido, licking the blood clean off his lips. "I do wonder how long you can rest the scent of his blood." Rido laughed maniacally as a swarm of bats surrounded him. The monstrous pureblood vanished without a trace, leaving Haruka to tend to his traumatized and injured lover.

(Trust me, Haruka. It will be only a matter of time until you completely lose yourself…)

"I will never hurt you, Kiyoshi…I will never turn you. I love you, my beloved. You will never be hurt again…I Promise You."


Damn you, Rido. How dare you hurt sweet and innocent Kiyoshi?! Haruka must be really heartbroken to see such a terrible thing happen to his lover and him not being able to stop Rido. Just what is Rido planning? And will Haruka really succumb to his desire for Kiyoshi blood, stay tuned for the next chapters and find out.

Thank you all so much for joining me. Again, I do apologize for the delay. I am trying to juggle school, work and these stories as best as I can. rest assured I will try to bring more chapters soon.

Please rate and review.

Remember fans, Vanitas loves you. Sayonara my lovely hunters and huntress! Vanitas signing off!