So apparently, I had two chapter "twenty-three"s. O.o' This one was also labeled twenty-three, but it is now twenty-four, and the "original" twenty-four has been combined with twenty-five. I'm going to go back and attempt to give every chapter a name probably tomorrow... sigh.

Almost done, guys.

Chapter Twenty-Four

They both landed hard in the snow, breathing coming quickly, chests heaving. But now a cold, confident smile barely brushed Shirogane's mouth. Akira's blood had left him fully sustained, almost back to completely normal. Homurabi didn't seem to have been expecting it… that pale, mask-like face, usually grinning cruelly, was twisted in anger.

"Upset, Homurabi? You're just as hurt as I am."

"So you say." Slowly those black lips twitched up into a smile, but it was more of a grimace than his usual grin. "But you and I both know the truth."

"And you are the one that is continuing to deny it. You're going to die."

Homurabi scoffed. "You say this because you drink a little bit from a priest boy. You're nowhere near your original power."

"That may be so, but it is still daytime, though the sun is setting. You have no original power in the daytime. I do."

Homurabi leapt forward – Shirogane met him, and they whirled, striking and screaming before splitting off again. Shirogane saw flickers of flame dancing around Homurabi, but that only served to widen his cold grin.

"Why do you think I've kept it snowing, Homurabi?"

"It's useless. He's dead. What do you think killing me now, though you can't, is going to do?"

He didn't have the strength to outright kill Homurabi, that was true. His aim for now was to injure the younger vampire enough that he couldn't rehabilitate quickly, then hunt him down and finish it. His body was aching, though… he had to land a decisive blow quickly.

"It's going to stop this ridiculous cycle."

"It's only ridiculous because you have been clinging to an illusion of love. What did you see in those dirty humans anyway? They're useless, and because of them we're being hunted. We are being unfairly hunted."

"When we slaughter their people, it's difficult to say that the slaughter of our people is 'unfair'. That's what you don't get, Homurabi, and that's what makes you unfit to be ruler."

"And you're any better? Lusting after human boys… you're sickening."

There was a long silence – both remained tense, observing the slightest movement of their opponent, gauging for the right time. Then, at the same instant, both leapt, raising their claws for the last strike -

"Stop."

The voice was quiet, but it rang across the snowy ground. Both skidded to a halt across the snow, eyes widened. They knew that voice, both of them, and slowly they both turned to see Akira standing not too far away, standing in the calf-deep snow. He was still bare-chested, the bloody sheets of the bed held lightly around his frame. His eyes were distant.

"Impossible!" Homurabi snarled.

"Akira!"

It wasn't possible… Akira was dead. He hadn't been breathing… there had been no heartbeat… there had been no response to his wild cries. It wasn't possible. Yet Shirogane's heart was beating hard, and he drank in the sight of the boy standing there, auburn hair whipping about in the wind.

"Akira… is that really you, Akira?"

"Homurabi… have you forgotten me?"

… No. It wasn't Akira. The terror, and the relief, swept through Shirogane. Homurabi's face twisted horribly.

"Ryuuko, is it?"

That was sadness that was dimming those grey eyes. Slowly they turned down, gazing at Akira's skin. The scars left from Homurabi's, and other vampires', attacks marbled the purity. Slowly, Ryuuko raised a hand to trace them.

"This boy is so innocent and pure… he has done nothing to harm you, Homurabi." The hand slid down the length of a scar, new to Shirogane's eyes, that ripped from the chest to the hips. "What has he ever done to deserve this?"

Homurabi didn't respond – his eyes only narrowed. Ryuuko raised those grey eyes again.

"I was hoping you were a more decent person than everyone made you out to be… I guess I was shown the limits of my optimism. But I cannot allow you to continue in this way. I will not allow you to continue to cause suffering to Shirogane or Akira."

There was the normal cruel smile – Homurabi straightened up, holding his arms out invitingly. "Then go ahead, Ryuuko. If you think you're strong enough to stop me, go ahead. I'll give you a free hit."

"Ryuuko…"

He looked at Shirogane, and he smiled. "Hello, Shirogane. I'm going to ask you to stand back."

"Akira… what's happened to Akira?"

"Stand back. We can talk about Akira later."

Slowly, Shirogane moved a few paces back. If any harm was going to come to the young priest's body, he would step in.

"I should warn you though, Ryuuko, if you're not careful I'll carry you away." Homurabi's voice sang out in a malicious croon. "And I will be sure to ruin you to the fullest, just as I did with my dear Shisui."

The grey eyes narrowed. "For all your sins… for all you've done to make them suffer… I will send you to hell to receive your eternal punishment."

Homurabi leapt forward, claws outstretched, ready to tear the young body apart, but Ryuuko merely raised a hand, whispered a few words, and light burst from his palm – pure, holy light that burned Shirogane's eyes to look at. He turned his head, and he heard a scream from Homurabi. When the light faded, he turned back to see Homurabi crouched low, holding his stomach. It looked seriously burned.

"Ryuuko –"

"Thank you, Shirogane, but I do not need your help." Ryuuko didn't even look his way. "This is for Akira. I'd appreciate it if you don't interfere."

"What the hell… was that…" Homurabi snarled.

"Divine judgement," was Ryuuko's simple reply. "I'll warn you if you try to touch me now you'll be burned. I'll give you one last chance to give yourself up peacefully. If not… I will kill you."

The vampire sprang again, screaming terribly – Shirogane started forward, but Ryuuko was easily avoiding the strikes, looking almost as if he was dancing. There was another slice of light, and Homurabi tumbled backwards. Blood was now streaming out of the corners of his mouth and from his nostrils. His eyes were contracting.

"Homurabi, accept your judgement quietly."

He leaped up again, but Ryuuko calmly and elegantly whirled his hands over his head – that holy light twisted in his hands, and with a sweep it cut Homurabi. The young vampire fell back, tried to escape out of its range, but Ryuuko was upon him, slicing and blasting him. Shirogane watched in awe as Homurabi whirled, trying vainly to strike back against the flashes that were growing brighter and more brilliant. Ryuuko was hardly even missing a breath as Homurabi fell into the snow, shaking and twitching, struggling to get up.

"Give it up, Homurabi," Ryuuko said quietly.

For awhile, Homurabi was still snarling in anger. Then, his mouth twitched up in a smile. "So kill me, then."

Ryuuko hesitated.

"You seduce and control the king of the vampires, but you're too pure to kill me." Homurabi chuckled, blood staining his pale skin. "That'll cost you."

Flame suddenly erupted around him – Shirogane leapt forward, catching Ryuuko and knocking him away just in time. Homurabi struggled, but found his way to his feet. His laughter was rumbling through the air.

"Your holy light verses my night-borne hellfire… you'll burn alive, Ryuuko!"

Shirogane whipped around, and icy wind hailed against the fire. Homurabi screamed, twisting the flames. Shirogane kept the shield raised as Ryuuko got back to his feet.

"Thank you, Shirogane."

"What should we do?"

A small laugh. "We'll just have to tire him out, I guess. He can't continue on like this, even though it's nightfall."

"You… don't you lose your power at night?" The last rays of the sun were barely visible above the distant horizon. That was why the light had seemed brighter and brighter.

"God's strength knows no time limit. Even if it did, this is for Akira's sake rather than my own. That is more than enough to receive heaven's aid."

"Then… you find the opening to finish him off. I'm going."

"Be safe."

Shirogane was rushing Homurabi – the two clashed again, fire and ice twisting around them as they struck, dodged, and whirled. It had been a long time since Shirogane had had this much power… it had been a long time since he had actually been higher than Homurabi's level. And the young vampire was very weak… it was his final desperate wish to stay alive that was fuelling him. But he was wearing down – his moves were sloppy, and he was losing a lot of blood.

Homurabi leaped forward, claws aimed for Shirogane's face, but there was a resounding blast of light, and he was thrown many feet through the air, crashing hard into the snow. The flames went out, and Homurabi lay still. Slowly, Shirogane bowed his head as Ryuuko passed him to Homurabi. The bishop stood over the vampire.

"It's over, Homurabi."

A weak laugh, coloured with blood. "You can't kill me."

"No, I can't."

"How contradictory of you. I'll make you regret it… I'll make you regret –"

"Good night, Homurabi," came Shirogane's voice. The golden gaze flashed up just in time to see Shirogane's white, clawed hand plunge into his chest.