Author's note : I need to apologize to all of you .

I've been gone for YEARS , and didn't update as I promised …

To excuse myself , I REALLY thought that I was going to update soon . But my life became suddenly so complicated that I just couldn't find the time to write something down .

Suddenly , I had to deal with things I had never experienced , like death , and loss , and so much more . It's too much to explain .

I'm really sorry if I disappointed you guys …

But I always keep my promises , so , I'm here to let the story end , even if I think everyone lost interest in it .

I hope you'll forgive me and understand … :)

Enjoy the read !

P.S : I changed a bit every chapter , because there were some parts I think that didn't fit very well with the story . Oh , and I changed the rating too . I know the characters are a bit too OOC , but that's what fan fictions are for too , right ?

P.P.S ( XD ) : What did you think of the latest chapter of VK ?

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(Un)Scathed

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Zero moved so fast to go to pick up the phone that Yuuki just saw a blur . She followed him in a rush .

They had given the Chairman a number to reach them just in case of emergency.

Something must have occurred .

Yuuki's heart was still jumping and she didn't know if it was for what had just happened between her and Zero , or because she was damn worried . Or both .

'Chairman?'

Zero answered breathlessly .

Yuuki heard an agitated and confused voice at the other end of the line .

'What ?'

Zero listened carefully . He seemed worried .

'…And you trust him to tell the truth ?'

Water was dripping on the floor from their clothes . Yuuki suddenly felt very cold .

'I see .. Yeah , I get it . Yes , I'll be careful … Thank you .'

He hung up and crossed the room in three long strides .

'Change into something dry , and pack only the stuff you really need , we're leaving .' He said , while he started pulling random things out from the closet .

'What ? Just like that ? But , -!' she argued .

'No buts ! Now . The Chairman thinks we've been discovered . I'll explain everything when we are in the car .'

He removed his shirt in a swift movement and took a clean one from the dresser in a rush . He seemed a bit agitated , and Yuuki started to hyperventilate . Zero was never agitated .

' Should I be panicking ?' she asked in a shrill voice . She felt like she couldn't move .

He went back to her , took her face in his hands and looked her in the eyes .

'Do you trust me ?'

'Yes !'

'Don't worry , then . ' he rolled his eyes .

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Hanabusa Aidoh had always been extremely happy for meeting Kaname Kuran . Every time someone told him that the pureblood trusted him , his heart swelled up with pride . He had once told that even if his adored Kaname–sama would betray him , he woudn't mind .

He really meant that when he said it .

But things had started to change .

During the year he had spent in the Kuran Mansion , he had also started to care for another Kuran .

Yuuki Kuran didn't look like her brother at all . She didn't have elegance , or finesse ,and she wasn't interested in culture at all . She lacked of tact and did the stupidest things . But she was also the most adorable person he had ever met . You just couldn't hate her – it was impossible .

Yuuki had treated him in ways Kaname had never had , in the ten years he had known him . She treated him like he was family .

When Kaname had told him that the Princess had been kidnapped , Hanabusa hadn't believed it for a second . He could have believed it only if the kidnapper hadn't been the other Guardian .

Zero Kiryuu was rude , and extremely grumpy , but he could never do anything against

Yuuki's will . Hanabusa knew for sure that the Hunter guy loved her more than anyone . Even more than Kaname himself .

And he knew Yuuki loved him just as much .

How many times had he caught her writing letters to him in her room , during the last year ? Or crying silently hidden somewhere …?

In the past , he would have never put someone else's happiness over Kaname's .

But that night , he made a choice .

A choice that broke his heart , but that deep down he knew that it was for the best .

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' … and so the Chairman told me Aidoh warned him that Kuran was coming to get us . He found out about our hiding place , somehow …'

Zero and Yuuki were in the car , driving away from their shelter . Zero was explaining her better why they had to get away .

'Aidoh – sempai told him that ?' Yuuki looked incredulous and scared . Aidoh could have easily been lying for Kaname …

' Yeah, I couldn't believe that either . But the old man told me we could trust him , and I ..' he stopped .

' You trust the Chairman's judgement .' Yuuki finished for him , and smiled .

Zero looked at her for a second and smiled too .

'Yeah , I guess I do ..'

They stayed silent for a while . It was still raining outside , but in the car it was nice and warm and Yuuki felt a little sleepy . She yawned .

'Why don't you rest for a bit ? You must be tired ..'

Zero said , worrying about her . She turned to her side and stared at him .

'You too .. I'm sorry I can't help you with driving ..'

He chuckled . 'It's ok , I can handle it ..'

' And besides, even if you could drive , I would never let you use my car. Think of all the people crossing the streets you'd kill ..' he smirked .

She stuck her tongue out at him .

'Oh , all those poor old ladies with a walking stick - OUCH ! '

She pinched him in the arm . ' You deserved that !' she laughed . ' You really think I'm not capable of doing anything , don't you ? '

' No , Yuuki , I think you're perfect . ' he paused. She raised an eyebrow .

' You make my heart beat ! Would you be my lover ?' he said theatrically , in a perfect imitation of Kaname.

They both burst out laughing .

10 minutes later , they started to see a little city from distance .

'We're getting closer to a town' he said. ' Hide your hair in your hat , so that it looks short .'

'Why's that ?' she asked , but she did as she was told .

'To disguise yourself , silly . Just in case the human police makes us pull over …' he said nonchalantly .

Yuuki almost freaked out . 'Oh my god ! I never thought about that ! What if they ask for your ID ? Would you still give them -? '

'Please , I Photoshopped myself a new one months ago' he said with confidence . He playfully winked . 'Yours is in my backpack …'

'Seriously ?' she said incredulously , searching in the bag . ' Why did you have fake ID's ?' she asked , and then added , shocked : 'Were you planning to run away ?'

He rolled his eyes .' No ,' he answered . He stayed quiet for a bit , and then started explaining reluctantly . Yuuki just waited for him to continue .

' Remember how you and Yori always used to talk about the fact that you wanted a crazy night out ? We didn't have the age to go to a club then , but I wanted to take the both of you ,on your birthday … just to have fun , you know . Make you happy . But then …' he let the subject drop .

'… I left . Yeah…' Yuuki finished for him . She smiled bitterly .

All Zero had done , was for her . He had only wanted to make her happy , to make her smile . And she had always ended up hurting him .

' I really don't deserve you ..' she said , breaking the silence .

He looked at her . ' It's not true.'

'See ? You're too good …' she said , shaking her head.

' Am not .'

She smiled .

' You know Z , I've been thinking a lot during last week …'

'About what?'

'Back at the Mansion , when Aidoh sempai used to teach me , I ran up against something in one of those books about the history of Pureblood Vampires . I didn't think , at the time , that I would have found that useful in the future , but now I'm starting to believe it could help us against Kaname … But it's a cruel thing I guess , so.. I don't know if I could ever be able to do it …'

'What's that ?'

'Well , it's kind of complicated , and –'

'Yuuki.' Zero interrupted her , suddenly .

Yuuki glanced , scared , at him . His voice had changed , and she felt alarmed .

He was staring ahead of him . Outside the car , there were at least 20 vampires , blocking the street . They had appeared out of nowhere .

'Fuck !'

He put the car into reverse , trying to get away . There was no use in trying to fight them , because they were outnumbered , and even if Zero was the best Hunter around , and Yuuki a Pureblood , they couldn't do much . Yuuki's heart was racing madly .

He turned the car in a fast movement , but something slammed against it at full force , and the front window broke , all glass jumping around .

Yuuki screamed .

The last thing she saw was Kaname , standing in front of their car .

'Hi darlings' he said , smiling .

Then , the world went black .

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She woke up with the sound of rattling chains and people talking . She tried to focus . She was in a dark room , with a greenish light . Kaname was standing some feet away from her . Beside him , there was Zero , chained to a wall , his face bloody .

' Zero !' she screamed . Both men turned to look at her . 'Yuuki !'

'Oh , there she is . Our sleeping beauty has awoken !' Kaname said .

She got up and tried to reach Zero .

' Don't move , or this sword goes through his heart ' Kaname stopped her . He was holding a weapon Yuuki hadn't seen . He was aiming at Zero's chest .

She froze .

' I would have killed him sooner , while you were asleep , but I was having quite an interesting chat with him .' Kaname smiled .

' I see why you find him fascinating , he's smart , isn't he ? My puppet ..'

'Screw you , Kuran … I am not your puppet ' Zero spat .

'Are you so sure about that ?'

'What do you mean ?'

'Since you'll soon be dying , I'll tell you a story . At least you'll know all the truth . This story starts with me changing a certain hunter list . He wasn't supposed to die yet ,wasn't he ? Level E was still far for him .' Kaname stopped .

'I don't understand .' Zero looked clueless at him.

'What list ? Who are you talking about ? ' Yuuki inquired .

'The executions list ,Yuuki . So that your parents ' he turned to look at Zero , 'would kill Shizuka's beloved ex-human. '

All the color drained from Zero's face . Yuuki gasped , horrified . Neither of them could make a sound .

He continued . 'Actually , I didn't change it personally . Rido did it , when I told him his fiancée fancied a mere level D. ThenI freed the Princess and sent her to you , giving her your family's name . I suggested her to keep you alive and turn you , so that you would share the same destiny as her loved one. That was the best revenge she could get against the Kiryuu's , wasn't it ?'

'This is not possible ..' Yuuki whispered . She took Zero's icy hand to give him strength . He looked as pale as a ghost . Kaname simply ignored them and kept speaking .

'Then I warned Cross that the Hiou princess had "escaped" . He could do two plus two , he knew she wanted to kill you all , and he went straight to your house.. but he was too late . How unfortunate ! But he saved you , and brought you home with him . Where you were waiting .' He pointed at Yuuki .

'But why ?' Zero spoke . Yuuki would have expected his voice to be full of anger , but instead he looked lost , broken , almost defeated . 'Why me , us ?'

'Because I knew about the curse of the hunter twins . You were supposed to become the best of the best of the Hunter Association . You were born with the strength of two hunters , and you even became a vampire. You were that chess piece that was missing and that I needed to protect the Queen .'

Kaname looked intently at Zero.

'A Knight . The Vampire Knight .'

He paused . 'You were born for this . To protect her , and to get rid of a man I couldn't kill …'

Zero's eyes widened in realization . 'Rido..'

Kaname nodded . Zero just smiled a mirthless smile .

' I've got to admit , you deserve a fuckin' Emmy for deceiving everyone .. But I'll tell you something : she could've fallen for it but I never bought it … I've always known you were … scum ,you son of a -'

He was about to let rage take over when Yuuki interrupted him and started yelling at Kaname .

'Tell me you're lying ! Tell me you're not capable of such evil …'

Both boys were taken aback by her outburst .

'Tell me you did not destroy a man's life because of a stupid game . Because of me …' her voice broke .

'This is all my fault …! ' she sobbed , feeling lost .

'Yuuki , love ' Kaname looked sadly at her . ' I never meant to hurt you . I just wanted you to be safe .'

' What can I do to make it up to you ?'

Zero had expected Yuuki to snap at him , but instead , she seemed to consider Kaname's words .

'If you ever loved me , please , just let him go . Don't kill anyone else …' she said pleading , moving closer to her brother . She raised a hand and touched his cheek .

' I love you . I don't want you to be like this … Why are you being like this ? I know you're better than that .'

Zero's heart broke . He felt betrayed , he felt like an intruder . Every word she said next were like a knife stabbing his chest again and again .

'You know all I did was for you … '

'Yes .. I know . I-I forgive you , but please let him go . Be a better man . '

'If that's your wish , sweetheart ..' Kaname seemed moved by her words .

She then closed the space between them and held him . Zero refused to look at the scene .

The woman he loved had just turned her back on him , and was about to leave with the man that destroyed his life .

He wanted to die . Why would she want to spare his life , if she knew he was going to kill himself ? What did she –

But his trail of thoughts were interrupted when he heard a gasp of pain coming from Kaname . He looked up . Kaname was clutching at his chest , staring , shocked , at Yuuki . His face had started changing its color , it was grey-ish , and cracks had appeared rapidly on his skin .

'Yuu…ki ?' he was trying to speak , horrified .

'What's happening ?' Zero asked , incredulous , as he watched Kaname fall on his knees .

But Yuuki was still focused on her brother and didn't answer him . She was clutching Artemis in her hand . It hadn't turned into a scythe , but there were electrical discharges coming from it .

' I'm sorry but … I really can't forgive you .' she said , coldly . Her tone had completely changed from before .

' I don't love you . I despise you …'

Kaname fell to the ground . He looked like he couldn't move , but he still seemed conscious .

Zero didn't know what was going on . Was she killing him ?

' I want you dead . But .. Death would have been too kind . ' she said then . Kaname was staring aghast at her .

'So .. goodnight , brother.' She spat the words out like acid .

'I wish you'll rot in hell . '

The minute she said the words , Kaname closed his eyes , unmoving . There was a moment of silence and no one moved , until Yuuki leaped over Kaname's body and went to unchain a stunned Zero .

'What did you do ?' he whispered .

' I put him to sleep .' she sniffled . Zero looked curiously at her . He didn't know what he was feeling .

'Only I could've done that . I-it's a Pureblood thing . ' she kept talking , but she seemed incredibly shaken .

Once he had his arms free , he put his hand on her shoulder . 'Are you ok ? '

She looked at him and tears started to pour out of her eyes . She sobbed .

Zero held her and tried to calm her down .

'It's ok , everything's going to be fine'

'It's over …'

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Yuuki and Zero remembered the day and night that followed as a blur .

They had to ask for the help of the Chairman . He had arrived at the Kuran Mansion , shocked .

Yuuki explained everything to him and she said that her only wish was for Kaname's coffin to be thrown in the ocean , where no one could ever wake him again from his slumber .

The Chairman had been very surprised at her radical choice, but he agreed to whatever she wanted . He took care of it , thanks also to the help of some trusted hunters .

The Night Class , on the other hand , dealt with the Vampires tracking the couple down .

The only people that were still looking for them then , were from the Human Police . So they used Hunter charms on Mr. Cotford to hypnotize him and make him believe a different story .

All accusations against Zero were withdrawn . The Police, the press , they all apologized for the terrible mistake they'd made .

At that point , Zero and Yuuki had nothing else to do , and , extremely tired , they headed back to Zero's apartment .

They didn't speak much during the drive home . Yuuki had been unusually quiet all the time , and Zero wondered what was going on in her mind . She kept avoiding his gaze .

He still couldn't believe what she had done . If he hadn't been chained , he knew he would have probably killed Kaname for all the pain he had caused him . But he surely hadn't expected Yuuki to be his death sentence . He had thought , deep in his heart , that Yuuki would have forgiven Kaname always and forever , no matter what he had done . But he had been wrong .

When they finally arrived at his apartment , the first thing Zero did was to throw himself on the bed . He felt tired . Like he had lived through a 50 hours long day . Yuuki laid beside him , but she looked very uncomfortable .

Zero turned to look at her . 'C'mon , shoot . I know something's going on your mind .'

She didn't reply .

'You're … still thinking about him? ' he said then , sadly .

'HOW can you think that ?' she replied . 'It's not that ! It's just …'

'What ?'

She paused for a bit .

'How can I look you in the eye , knowing that all the bad things in your life were caused by me ? Our meeting was a set up … '

'Why do you care about how we met ? '

'Why DON'T you ?' she almost yelled at him .

'Because it doesn't matter anymore ! Knowing why I met you won't change what I feel !' Zero shot

back .' Kuran might have planned my steps . I might have been a puppet , but loving you was my choice . Only MINE .'

'Are you sure about that ?'

'Wha –' he looked incredulously at her . 'Are you doubting me?!' he asked , almost breathless . 'After everything ?'

'How can you be so sure that your love for me is real , and not induced ?' she asked , looking at him with tears in her eyes .

Zero opened his mouth to speak , and then closed it again , as if he didn't know what to say .

She stared at the floor and continued . 'I'm afraid one day you'll wake up , and realize you don't really love me .. and that you could have a better life , the life that you deserve , a life without a woman that caused you nothing but despair ..'

This time he interrupted her . 'You really think that ? Yuuki , you've been the only good thing in my life …'

'I'm sure that if it wasn't for me and Kaname , you would have had a lot of good things in your life . Not just one .'

' I wouldn't trade you for those things . '

She looked ,shocked , at him .

'You can't be serious..' she whispered , shaking her head .

' Don't get this wrong . It's not like I wanted those bad things to happen . I would do everything just to see my parents ,' he explained, ' and Ichiru , again . I would give my life in exchange for theirs . But … God , Yuuki ! Don't you see ?' he took a step forward and placed his hands on her shoulders .

'We can't change the past . No matter what we do . It's no use for us to think " what if ?" . Things went that way . And as a result , you and I met .' He paused .

His bright moonstone eyes were staring right into her chocolate ones , as if he was trying to make her understand something vital , and she couldn't help but think that he was more handsome than ever .

'So , there's no real problem . Unless you are not sure of your feelings . Because I'm sure I do love you , and that that won't change . I don't need a better life , as you said , if I can't have you . Life will never be better for me , if you're not around . '

She smiled at him through her tears .

' I've always loved you , Zero . I'm sorry if I've never been good at showing it … '

He smiled back at her and stroked her cheek with his thumb .

'I just wish we could leave all this behind and move on , Z . Start over . A blank slate. '

'We can , midget .' he reassured her , and she chuckled . 'We'll start again . Stop being such a worrywart …'

And in that very moment , she believed him .

Somehow , she knew . She knew everything was going to be alright .

She would figure out how to survive , in a way or another .

Because she had Zero with her , and she didn't have to worry about anything anymore .

And when he closed the space between them , she just got lost in his embrace .

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Author's note ( again ) : I hope you didn't get too bored and that you liked how things turned out . I was planning on writing an Epilogue , maybe 10 years later or something , but I don't know if I will , I can't promise anything . Please review and let me know if you'd like to read that ! *hugs *