I'm sorry the update schedule keeps slipping. I promise I'm not losing interest, autumn has just turned out to have very busy weekends, which means I have less time to write. Thank you for your patience, and please enjoy the chapter.


XXIX. Climb the Peaks, Descend to the Valleys

Kaname pinches the bridge of his nose, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "Aido. I leave for one night - one - and you decide to disobey my direct orders to remain at Rosehill. Why is that?"

Collapsed on the floor of Kaname's study and quivering like a leaf in a gale, the blond noble looks like he's about to cry. "I'm so sorry Kaname-sama!" Throwing himself face down on the carpet, the tears begin to flow, and Aido blubbers his explanation in fractured heaves. "I had a breakthrough analyzing the Shirabuki sample - and I needed the equipment in my lab - I, I got too caught up and decided it would be okay since it was important - and I'd only be gone for a few hours - so I went!" Further explanation dissolves into more wailing and garbled apologies.

Despite Aido's infraction, Kaname is finding it difficult to summon true anger. His whole body is suffused with the afterglow of their tryst last night, and all Kaname wants to do is sit at his desk and savor the memory - Zero's sweet cries and the way he shook and came apart as they played with his lovely, innocent body. And the taste of him - Mother Night, Kaname can still remember Zero's taste on his tongue, the heavenly flavor of him! Kaname licks his lips, greedy for more. It makes heat drip down his bones, and awakens a desire to hunt his Consort down and repeat that night all over again. The pureblood never thought he'd enjoy their encounter so intensely.

Mate is strong and beautiful, of course we will love his sweet, delicious hole! scoffs his alpha. Now tell alpha-mate about -

Kaname waves his hand, cutting off the flow of nonsense both inside and outside his head. Yuuki does not need to discover Ouri's offer when the terms are unacceptably steep. "Aido, just tell me what you discovered."

Aido jerks upright, his nervous enthusiasm temporarily overcoming his remorse. "Ah, about the sample...I was right, but also wrong at the same time. The sample bears clear similarities to the poison I found in Kiryuu-sama's blood. It was definitely made by the same person - someone with the same facilities and knowledge of Shirabuki family techniques."

The noble's voice loses strength, and he begins to fidget with his hands. "But the resemblance is...superficial. The two are kind of like isomers - their composition is similar, but the structure is different. Except our drug is missing the critical ingredient that made Shirabuki's poison so deadly - the substance distilled from pure blood. The sample I stole is a new designer drug, and nothing more. But if you want to get really high..." Aido trails off under Kaname's narrowed eyes, 'eeping' and cowering down in terror.

"So it's useless to me," Kaname bites out. "You went only to the lab, and nowhere else?"

Aido nods furiously. "Yes, Kaname-sama. I borrowed one of the estate's cars, went straight to my lab, and returned as soon as my analysis was complete. I made no other stops, and followed our secrecy protocol to leave no traces in the lab. I did say hello to a few colleagues, but I did not mention my errand."

"I think you will forgive me if I find it difficult to trust you right now," Kaname replies with ire, gathering power in his throat. His next words have the ringing tone marking his pureblood power of command. "Is anything you have told me in this conversation a lie?" Kaname dislikes compelling lesser vampires, but is incensed enough by Aido's disobedience to make an exception.

Shaking his head, Aido swallows, his eyes watery as he looks up at the pureblood. "No, Kaname-sama. Everything I told you is the truth."

"You were lucky not to encounter Shirabuki's agents," Kaname says, hands relaxing on the arms of his chair. Aido's response proves he is not being controlled by another pureblood. Any order set by a pureblood's power of command can be overridden by a succeeding order, with the exception of Master and Turned thrall, where the Master's order always takes precedence. If Aido had been compelled to lie, that order would have broken under Kaname's newer, conflicting command.

Kaname may be relieved nothing came of this escapade, but his anger is not yet spent. "I cannot afford to rescue you a second time. I trusted you to follow my order willingly, but you've proved my trust was ill-placed, and I can't allow any further risks."

Aido flinches.

Summoning his power of command again, Kaname orders, "You will not leave Rosehill until I lift this prohibition."

Showing the whites of his eyes, Aido shivers as the command takes hold.

Letting the power fade, Kaname continues in his normal tone. "As insurance, I will assign you a watcher. You will remain in their presence at all times. Am I understood?"

Aido nods dumbly, and when Kaname's brows furrow, the noble hastily gives a positive response, knowing better to argue.

Kaname rubs his temples, "Get out, Aido, and tell Steward Inukai to assign one of the guardsman to the task. And for Night's sake, don't do something so foolish ever again."

The noble backs away, still on his hands and knees, and when the door shuts behind him, Kaname is left with blissful peace.

Now where was he? Ah, yes, Zero's - Kiryuu's pink little cunt, and the taste of his slick on Kaname's tongue...


As the shower spray cascades down Zero's back, he presses his face harder into his knees and closes his eyes, trying to block out his circling thoughts. Zero fled the master suite as soon as he could, pretending to sleep until his spouses left, and then hiding in the Consort's suite like a coward until he was sure Kuran and Yuuki had gone for the day.

Why did he do that? Zero was fine last night. Everything went perfectly - there were a few scary moments, but Kuran stuck to Zero's rules, Zero loved being able to connect more intimately with Yuuki, and everything they did to him felt really, really good. And Zero was okay with what happened! He was! Or thought he was, until he woke up this evening and compulsively froze when he heard Yuuki moving about.

Why is he being so stupid? Zero finally made some progress, and if screws this up by acting frightened, there's no way Yuuki will allow them to consummate the mating this year. The Hunter tightens his grip on his shins. What's wrong with him?

A lock of sodden hair slips over his forehead; when Zero inhales reflexively, the air is thick with steam. Before Zero came to Rosehill, when was the last time he had a hot bath, or even allowed himself a warm shower?

Maybe, Zero reflects, that's part of the problem. Maybe he's avoided any form of comfort for so long that pleasure itself frightens him, the way rain frightens young infants raised in a desert. The Hunter breathes out, forcing himself to examine his feelings.

Zero feels...Zero feels dirty. Last night he allowed a pair of pureblood vampires to touch him - had asked for it, even. What would Zero's parents think, if they could see him now? The last Kiryuu, a skilled and respected Hunter, on his back and moaning while he allowed filthy bloodsuckers to play with his body? Zero has said he's a whore before, but now he really is, isn't he? Paying the purebloods who bought him with his body. The other Hunters must think he's disgusting.

But Zero could ignore all that, drown out the condemnation from his Hunter heritage, if it weren't for how much Zero enjoyed it too, how he squealed and writhed in mindless pleasure like a sow.

Zero never wanted to be like this! He never, not for a moment, wanted to be living inside this omega's body. And now, to learn this body demands he play the omega bitch, or stay unsatisfied...It feels like a betrayal of himself, a betrayal of his own identity, the way he bucked and panted and chased his second orgasm. And his changed flesh is so grossly sensitive, quivering and lustful and weak! Now the memories from last night just make Zero feel guilty for giving in to his urges.

It would have been easier if the sex had been dull, if it had hurt, if Zero had hated it with every fibre - anything but the truth. Zero liked it. And some part of Zero wants more. The Hunter is so disgusted with himself he wants to claw his skin off. This body doesn't even belong to him! If Zero didn't want this body, he shouldn't want this body's pleasure either. If it feels wrong to look at himself in a mirror, it must be wrong to enjoy having those parts.

Letting his hand fall between his legs, Zero tries the same experiment from before, intending to brush a single fingertip against his omega parts. But his heart starts hammering and his skin goes cold and his hand freezes, just shy of contact. Zero surrenders, taking his hand away and letting his head tip back to stare at the ceiling.

What does he do now? Every effort Zero makes to ignore this body, it refuses to stay quiet. But as his failure just now proved, Zero can't face it directly either. The Hunter doesn't know how to reconcile this. If Zero were still on his own, he'd go running until he collapsed. But he's forbidden from punishing himself that way anymore.

Dragging himself out of the shower, still preoccupied with his mental struggle, Zero searches his closet for the plainest, most masculine set of robes he owns. Throwing the robes on - an unrelieved black - he wavers, considering what to do next. Best to make sure he's alone in the house, he decides.

Casting his Hunter senses out, Zero is surprised to find Kuran still in his study, his pureblood strength burning clearly in the Hunter's mind. Zero's speed and precision using his normal Hunter abilities have all been improved by Kuran's training. Perhaps, if Zero isn't allowed physical training, Kuran will let Zero exhaust himself with a session testing his new powers? Worth a try, even if Zero cringes when he thinks of looking Kuran in the eye again.

Zero wavers as he knocks on the pureblood's study door, and nearly flees when Kuran calls out, "Come in."

Hand tightening on the doorknob, Zero swallows. What if Kuran is cruel or vicious or mocking, now that he's gotten a taste of what he wants? Better that Kuran do it now, instead of with Yuuki nearby, Zero tells himself, pulling the door open.

Kuran looks up, his dark hair falling around his russet eyes, and gives one of his more genuine smiles. "Zero. This is a surprise. What can I do for you this evening?"

When he smiles like that, Kuran is a little bit attractive, Zero concedes, taking a step into the room and shutting the door behind him. "Maybe I just wanted to see you."

The pureblood raises an eyebrow. "Come now, kitten. You never seek me out unless you need something."

Old enemy or not, Kuran is right. Zero feels intensely ashamed and guilty for treating another person that way, and immediately abandons his earlier plan. "No," the Hunter says, coming closer to Kuran's desk. "I don't need anything right now. Can I - can I stay here for a while?"

Studying Zero for a minute behind an impassive mask, Kuran finally inclines his head, and his expression relaxes. "You may."

"Thank you," Zero replies, wondering exactly what he's gotten himself into as he heads toward the couch.

"No, not there!" Kuran corrects, a suspicious grin creeping onto his face.

Zero eyes him with sudden misgiving. "Then where can I sit?"

Kuran's smile widens; Zero's look deepens into a glare. Nothing good comes of that stupid smile.

The vampire pats his thighs. "This seat is free."

Zero's glare kicks up a notch. The sheer audacity of this perverted fang-licker!

Kuran, the bastard, just continues waiting patiently, acting like Zero is jumping at his offer. Still, Zero did say he wanted to spend time with Kuran. It would be cruel to back out now…

"You better not tell anyone about this," Zero demands, striding across the room and dropping his whole weight ungracefully into Kuran's lap.

Kuran just smiles, wraps an arm around Zero's waist, arranges the Hunter's legs more comfortably, and goes back to his work.

The room is quiet, except for the soft scratching of Kuran's pen, and the rustling noises of papers. Even the normal ambient noise in the hall is absent; the servants avoid walking past Kuran's study in order not to disturb their master.

It's a little lonely, actually, Zero reflects as he leans his head back to rest against the pureblood's shoulder. Zero tries to breathe louder. Just to irritate Kuran, that's all.

"I thought you were working from the company offices today," Zero finally ventures, after ten minutes of watching Kuran's neat calligraphy bloom onto paper, an oddly fascinating and almost meditative exercise.

"An unexpected piece of business cropped up," the pureblood says casually, without looking up. "One that necessitated my presence here."

"Ah," Zero replies, and falls silent.

This is actually not completely terrible, Zero reluctantly admits to himself - not that he'd ever tell that to Kuran. The pureblood is firm and warm, and smells like safety to Zero's vampire. Zero is relaxed, but engaged enough not to be bored. And somehow, all the awkwardness he expected hasn't appeared. It's like last night - well, not like it never happened. But like Zero never fled, like he woke up in their arms and they stayed tucked together until forced to part. Zero drapes himself more restfully over the pureblood, laying his cheek on the wool of Kuran's suit jacket. Time slips away; Zero drifts, his thoughts wandering.

Without planning it, Zero hears himself saying, "The Hunters...they don't really know anything about omegas. Our lore says omegas are so desperate for sex they'll fuck anyone with a dick. Even animals. We think of them as hypersexed, slutty broodmares, basically."

Kuran's hand pauses, pen hovering above paper. Then he lays the pen aside, and his arm around Zero's waist tightens. "The stories have a grain of truth. Society emphasizes an omega's childbearing duties because they are vital to the future of the vampire race. But omegas are not naturally driven to frequent, casual sex, except by personal inclination. They only lose control during heat - though when you're bonded you'll become more responsive to our arousal even outside those times."

Zero senses that Kuran is looking at him, but doesn't turn his head to check.

"Your reactions last night were completely normal, my sweet boy. You needn't fear you are turning into some sex-crazed monster, or that you are unnatural in any way. You're still my innocent virgin." Kuran's voice is full of fondness, and a broad hand comes to rest in Zero's hair.

Lips brush the shell of Zero's ear, and the alpha croons, "Only two cocks will ever sheath themselves inside you, my Consort. I am a jealous man - I would slaughter nations if anyone dared violate you. And if you willingly invited another into your bed, I would murder your lover and tear humanity to the ground."

Squirming, Zero feels each word like a crackle in his groin. His vampire really likes it when Kuran acts possessive, showing off how powerful an alpha his suitor is.

"Oh, what's this?" Kuran chuckles into his ear. "Did you enjoy that? Shall I tell you what else I would do?"

Zero swallows. With that deep, throaty voice in his ear, the Hunter's worries seem very far away.

"I was a king, Zero. In the old days, that would have made you my Consort-Queen. If you had been mine back then, my sweet boy...I would have ordered my followers to kneel before you, would have made them kiss the ground you walked on and worship you like a deity. I would have made you famous as the greatest beauty of the age and forbidden anyone to look upon you, hidden your beauty away in secret palaces and behind silken veils."

Zero can imagine it - he would have utterly hated such a life. But the idea of being so profoundly wanted makes him feel tingly. Zero turns his head to make sure Kuran is joking.

But the pureblood's eyes burn hot, and his smile deepens when Zero meets his gaze. "Although, you wouldn't have liked that, would you Zero?" Kuran continues knowingly. "Perhaps I would have shown you off instead, made you my lovely, deadly Hunter Queen. I would have paraded you around draped in my treasures and neglected my duties to linger in your bed. I would have taken you to battle at my side, my silver knight, and never left your presence whenever your womb was full of my babe."

Zero feels a wrench in his stomach, longing and desire both, and his thighs reflexively tighten. "Stop playing around, Kaname."

"I'm not, kitten." Kuran nibbles at Zero's throat, and his hand strokes Zero's lower back, just above the muscles of his ass. "Hasn't anyone ever praised you before?"

Not really - just some silly human girls who didn't know better. To Hunters he was a vampire, and to vampires he was a Level D. Kuran must be joking. "Yes, but that's just the vampire allure!"

"No," Kuran disagrees, "it's because you are a rare, extraordinary, beauty with an equally unstained soul. Shall I teach you how desirable you are, Zero?"

Zero hears himself whimper when Kuran's hand slides up his thigh. "You're hard," he says, feeling the organ twitch against his ass.

"I've been thinking about you all evening," Kuran rumbles, and tangles Zero in a kiss the Hunter feels down to his toes. Arousal seeps into his blood, and Zero feels himself start to get wet when he thinks about that skilled tongue in other places.

"You're not in your pretty dresses tonight," Kuran purrs when they part, "Yuuki will want to see you in something nice. I'll help you out of these clothes, shall I?"

Zero wants to feel good again, the way he did last night, but his earlier doubts stab at him. "Is this - is this really okay?" he blurts, warring with his mind and body.

The pureblood pauses, catching Zero's face in one hand and aligning their gazes. "You don't need to feel guilty for what your body naturally enjoys, Zero. Accept what good it can offer you, even if it's not what you want."

Permission given, Zero nearly sobs with relief, going limp in Kaname's hold, some part of him easing. It's not healing, nor absolution, but Master Yagari's words from before his marriage echo in his mind - Zero should do what he needs to survive, and not feel guilty for it. If learning to enjoy his new body aids Zero's integration into his new life, and eases his dissociation, Zero doesn't need to fight it.

"Zero?" Kaname calls, testing Zero's state of mind.

Narrowing his eyes, Zero squirms very deliberately against the hard bulge beneath him, feeling a spark in his groin when the shape nestles in the valley between his thighs. "Weren't you - if you're going to do something - "

Kaname swiftly regains his hungry look, and picks Zero up by the hips, showing off his effortless strength - the pureblood kind that makes Zero's vampire swoon - as he turns Zero around and drapes them chest to chest, tweaking Zero's peaked nipples so the Hunter squeaks. This position is an unusual choice for Kaname; Yuuki and Zero almost always make love face to face, but Kaname prefers Zero underneath him or in front of him. But Zero feels...glad Kaname chose this instead.

They kiss slowly and deeply, in ways that make Zero's cock fill and his underwear dampen, until Zero extracts revenge for Kaname teasing his nipples by palming Kaname's cock through those expensive wool slacks.

The pureblood groans into Zero's mouth, the scent of aroused alpha thickening, and teaches the Hunter a new trick: how to part his thighs and straddle his alpha's lap so Zero's cock and Kaname's ridiculous penis slot together, fully aligned through their clothes.

Zero's breath hitches when Kaname bucks up and their lengths press together.

Kaname looks devilishly pleased. "I'm going to ruin your robe," he announces, "It's not lovely enough to suit you." Then Kaname repeats that devastating roll of his hips, except this time Zero's hole grinds against the pureblood's solid thigh at the same time their cocks rub.

Zero's core throbs at the double stimulation, and he tries to clamp his thighs together to relieve the want - but Kaname's solid body braces his legs open, and Zero can only shiver in frustration.

"Leave me something to wear," the Hunter protests when he can string words together again. He doesn't care about the robe, but even with arousal swimming in his blood he's not shameless enough to walk around naked!

Stupid Kaname just smiles, and rips the fabric of Zero's tunic from the hem of his skirt to his crotch, giving himself easy access to Zero's sex.

Blushing so heavily he fears he might faint, Zero tugs the remnants to each side, rather than protest. Thankfully, Kaname doesn't destroy Zero's trousers, just slides them down until Zero's cock springs out, straining and eagerly erect. A nice, warm hand wrapping around the base distracts Zero while Kaname frees himself from his slacks, and the pureblood's heavy cock rises up, fighting gravity to swat Zero's equally naked sex.

Zero bites back a moan - the contrast between him and his alphas is always so shamefully arousing, so satisfying to his primal beast. Zero's cock is a blushing pink, ordinary in every way, but Kaname's cock is thick enough Zero needs two hands just to wrap around it, and it's even longer erect than soft, flushed furiously red with the foreskin peeled back to reveal its bulbous head. Without the puffy swell of Kaname's knot at the base, meant for plugging come inside a mate, Zero's cock seems bare and immature. And Kaname's cock looks even more powerful with the round, smooth, testicles beneath it, full of potent seed ready to conquer whatever womb they fill.

And all of it belongs to Zero! His alpha has already proven when a good sire he is, the omega remembers with glee. And just now, alpha said he wanted to make babies together!

Mesmerized by his instincts, Zero reaches out and loosely grasps the two cocks, so much heat and firmness twitching against his palms, pressing them even closer to stare. Beside Kaname, Zero looks so small - Zero's cock doesn't even come up to Kaname's crown - and Zero shivers when the velvety skin slides together. The pureblood grunts, and closes his fist around Zero's hands, urging Zero to add more pressure. The Hunter pants as the sensation intensifies, and the heat in his belly flares. Oh, that's even better.

"Do you like that, pretty boy?" Kaname murmurs. Balancing Zero with one hand on the Hunter's shoulder, Kaname begins moving his hips, using Zero's cupped hands like a tight sleeve to pleasure their cocks as Kaname and his thrusts provide steady motion. Kaname's tip is leaking so freely they don't even need anything to ease the way.

Zero throws his head back, enjoying the slow waves of pleasure - then his eyes roll back into his skull and his body spasms, as Kaname uses his free hand to slip underneath and stimulate the omega's hole, pressing the flat of his hand into the slippery, wet slit.

"Not inside," Zero manages, before another dual thrust and stroke render him a speechless mess.

The pureblood's fingers tease and skim, dipping into the dripping slick from his hole, but they don't go any further, and Zero gradually relaxes enough to put aside his vigilance and enjoy every moment.

This is so much slower, so much more deliberate than last night; Kaname draws every moment out, and it's driving Zero mad. He draws a sobbing breath; isn't slow supposed to be more manageable? But it's worse, the way his lust builds but never quite peaks, until Zero's mouth is half-opened as he heaves desperate breaths, thighs shaking, trying to squeeze more tightly around their cocks so Kaname will have mercy and let him come. His mind is wholly occupied with the overload of touch, concentrated on the twin feelings of Kaname stroking his hole and its sensitive outer folds, and every millimeter of his cock gliding achingly slow against Kaname's length.

Making a pleading noise, Zero kisses Kaname to distract him, a silent request for the pleasurable torture to end.

The pureblood laughs, and his touch between Zero's thighs firms, turns to harder presses with the heel of his hand. The Hunter is so close to orgasm he shudders almost immediately, and feels the slow relief of release spread through his lower half as his hole spasms. His cock jerks, triggered instantly by his orgasm into a second, steeper release, and Zero's vision whites out.

When Zero regains his senses, there's something damp soaking through his robe that smells musky. Kaname is kissing his neck and murmuring about what a good boy Zero was, and the pureblood's half-hard cock is tucked back in his slacks.

Even with the satisfaction of release, arousal still hovers in Zero's blood like smoke, as though having built for so long Zero needs more than one orgasm to rid himself of it. His cheeks flush; Yuuki and Kaname taught him last night how he can manage more than one now, didn't they?

Zero stirs, feeling a single streak of seed drip down his cheek. Alphas release so much more semen than a human male; Takuma says it's even more when their omega is in heat. But not a single drop of come mars the pureblood's clothing; only Zero got the brunt of it. Typical. At least he dripped slick all over Kaname's hand, the Hunter consoles himself.

"Let's get you dressed," Kuran leers, pulling Zero's loose trousers up to hide the Hunter's genitals.

Ugh, his sodden underwear sticks in unmentionable places. Hurriedly, Zero wipes his face clean of Kaname's release, mindful of being seen. Not that it matters, he thinks with resignation - the smell alone will give him away, even if the vampires can't see Zero's ruined clothes.

Lifting Zero with an arm underneath his knees, Kaname's grin widens as he says, "I'll pick something that will make Yuuki burn to ravish you, shall I?"

As Zero pops come-wet fingers in his mouth, his body tingles with interest.


The Ancestors must have something against her. Yuuki has Zero half-stripped, on his back and looking up at her with dazed eyes - when Kaname's phone chimes.

Not now, silly alpha-mate! We have mate begging for us, and it's our turn to mount him, complains her alpha, sounding very much like a toddler denied candy.

"Kain," her husband mouths when Yuuki shoots him a dirty look, hurrying into the next room.

It's no use; Zero's back to full awareness, sitting up to watch Kaname leave. "Help me dress, please," the Hunter says as the cadence of Kaname's voice quickens.

Yuuki sighs - the alpha mutters sullenly in the back of her head - and is just doing up the last of Zero's tiny, innumerable mother-of-pearl buttons when Kaname returns, excitement buzzing in the high set of his shoulders.

Immediately crossing the room, Kaname tells them, "The Level E disposal group has found an anomaly - six Turned vampires that match our unknown pureblood's victim preferences, including one teenager who matches a missing persons report filed within the last two months."

"The key here," Kaname continues, yanking open the wardrobe and exchanging his suit jacket for a trench coat, "is that two of the vampires are still Level D, and we might be able to get information from them. This may be our opportunity to discover who their master is."

Yuuki and Zero look at each other, then turn back to Kaname. "We're coming with you," Yuuki says, making it clear from her tone she's not accepting anything but agreement.

Zero nods emphatically; Kaname just pinches the bridge of his nose, and waves his hand in surrender. "I am leaving in ten minutes. If you're ready, you can come."

"Then come get me out of this dress, husband," Zero demands, gesturing at the many buttons Yuuki only just finished doing up.

Yuuki sighs once more, and hurries to change.


"One of the Ds is useless to you," Zero says, opening his eyes and straightening from his crouch.

Yuuki shifts curiously, glancing at Kaname, whose face hasn't changed except for a slight tightening of his jaw.

"How so?" Kain asks, hands in his pockets and seemingly immune to the cold night air.

Another noble mutters under her breath, doubtful of Zero's assessment. Yuuki lets displeasure tinge her expression, and the noble quickly subsides, but Kaname seems content not to intervene. Tonight, the Kurans are here only to watch, unless interference becomes necessary. As few people as possible should know they're involved.

Their semicircle of nobles, purebloods and a single Hunter is positioned on a small hill screened by trees, far enough away from the Level Es to remain undetected. From this distance, the pursuers can watch their targets, but not much else.

Except Zero, with his powerful Hunter senses, who finds the distance no obstacle and can discern finer details from vampire auras than anyone else Yuuki knows. Burrowing his chin into the collar of his long coat, Zero replies neutrally, "The vampire is still technically a D, but they're close enough to Level E they won't be mentally stable, except during lucid flashes. You'll be able to identify that one by behavior - they'll probably charge you. The other D will fight smarter."

The nobles look unwillingly impressed. Yuuki's chest fills with pride, and she bumps Zero's shoulder, smiling up at him.

Zero's serious air recedes long enough for him to smile briefly back, but he's deeply immersed in his Hunter training and all his focus remains targeted at the Level Es nearby.

"Thank you, Kiryuu-sama," Kain says, turning to the nobles. "Now, while you deal with the Es, I will seek out the D-"

"My apologies, Kain-san, but it would be best if I went after the D," Zero disagrees, rubbing his gloved hands together and shifting from one foot to the other.

"Any particular reason?" the noble asks in his laidback manner.

Like he's reporting to a Lead Hunter, Zero explains, "I don't mean to insult your skills, but live capture missions are trickier than executions. I have experience, and I am the best choice to track the D if they run. Plus, if you need to interrogate them, the element of surprise may be crucial. "

Kain shrugs, glancing at Yuuki and Kaname for orders. Kaname remains impenetrable, and Yuuki keeps her own face clear. She's not going to stop Zero doing what he feels is right, even if she'd rather bundle him away to safety.

"Alright, we'll do it like that," Kain agrees, pulling the other nobles away to give more specific instructions.

Resting his hand on Bloody Rose, Zero waits patiently with the calm watchfulness of someone who expects a sudden attack. Yuuki's heard the stories - vampires are extremely dangerous prey, and that vigilance must have saved Zero's life many times before.

We should steal him, says her alpha.

Yuuki can't steal Zero! That would be wrong!...unless Zero wanted to be stolen, Yuuki mentally amends. Or kidnapped?

Mate does too many dangerous things. Mate could get hurt again. We should steal him, insists Yuuki's alpha, stubbornly sticking to its logic. Then we wouldn't get interrupted during mating!

Yuuki fights very hard not to groan or smack her face in front of the nobles. Luckily, the hunting party moves out before Yuuki's alpha can say anything more.

She settles beside Kaname to watch, her gloved hands curling into fists and her eyes remaining fixed on the silver flash in the darkness. He's circling around behind to flank the Es, while the nobles approach from the front and draw their attention. Kaname lays his hand on Yuuki's shoulder just as a roar of flame signals battle has been joined.

A single Level E is not much threat to a noble. They have ferocious hunger and tenacity, but not much cunning. An unstable Level D still has self-control and the ability to plan, which means Zero is facing the most unpredictable opponent tonight. Yuuki's fists clench tighter when she hears someone scream, and tastes ash on the wind.

"Zero's control of his new sense has improved, Yuuki," Kaname reassures her. "Even with enhanced speed, the last noble-rank prey could not even touch him. This D is no threat."

Kaname is right, but that doesn't stop Yuuki from worrying. Oh! Someone is running in their direction, with an aura too weak for a noble - and loping easily after them is Zero, his silver hair shining in the moonlight! Relief dizzies her, and Yuuki releases a gust of breath.

That first vampire - an older, shabby looking male carrying a long metal pipe - must be the Level D, unknowingly stumbling towards a greater predator in his rush to flee. Yuuki leans further out to watch as the D slows. Zero shouts something, drawing Artemis Rod from the holster on his thigh. The D snarls, and shakes his head. Zero tries again, but this time the D turns and advances with his fangs bared and hungry, hefting his pipe like a club.

Zero doesn't flinch, just extends Artemis Rod to meet the charge and deflects his attacker with a solid shove, sending the D skidding. There's never any doubt Zero is completely in control of the encounter. Artemis Rod whirls in gleaming arcs as Zero deals light blows with the butt of the staff; the D only lunges or tries to run, his attacks forceful but unpracticed.

The way Zero moves around his opponent is almost beautiful, in a way - like dancing. His expression never wavers from confident focus. He's allowing the D to attack and exhaust himself, while Zero searches for a disabling hit. One more strike, and the D howls, dropping the pipe and clutching his hand.

Zero levels Artemis Rod at the D's throat, cold and implacable, the killing intent tangible even from this distance. Beneath the winter moon, as though the pale light has stripped his soul to bone, Yuuki can see a Hunter beneath Zero's skin. Every line of his sinewy body is steel, the planes of his face hardened to icy alabaster, purple crystal in the orbits of his skull. It's the moment before an executioner lets his sword fall, frozen perfectly in time.

Yuuki's heart flutters - this deadly killer is the same as her gentle Zero. Watching it with her own eyes feels different this time. In the last Hunt against the deadlier noble, Yuuki was too terrified to think until Zero was safe. Now she can see how Zero's potential matured into this merciless creature. The knowledge shakes her, knocks her over the head, and settles into the weave of her being.

Yes, Yuuki thinks to herself, watching the killer in her bed lower his weapon, and choose life instead of death, this is Zero too.


Sauntering into his study, Kaname has all the smug satisfaction of a snake digesting a mouse, oozing with good humor and charm in a way that says his plans have gone stunningly well.

"You know who it is!" Yuuki exults, jumping up from the couch where she'd been waiting. "Your plan worked!"

"Doesn't it always?" her husband replies, chuckling and pouring two glasses of wine.

"Of course, unless the plan involves Zero," Yuuki teases as she takes the glass. She can't remember a time Kaname didn't get exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it, even when they were children. There was a good reason Yuuki idolized her 'brother' as the better pureblood for so long.

"Well, tell me who!" she says, dragging Kaname onto the couch beside her.

Leaning on his elbow, Kaname smirks. "The current Lord Touma."

What? The eldest three purebloods of the family are currently in Sleep, so that just leaves…"Isn't the eldest son like, forty-something?" Yuuki says.

Kaname leans back, still smirking. "You're correct. Touma was careless enough he didn't even compel his thralls to silence. The D told me everything I wanted."

"Is the D alright?" Yuuki asks, not seriously expecting a negative reply. Zero insisted on questioning the D himself, alone. To Zero, his fellow Level D was a victim, not a criminal. After all, the D hadn't asked to be Turned or done anything wrong.

"He's received food, blood tablets, and medical treatment. Currently, the D is being kept in a cell below the Senate Palace, to prevent any escape attempts, but his cell is our most comfortable one. Zero is too kind for his own good," Kaname says, leaning back and downing the rest of his wine.

Yuuki smiles, and laces their hands together, "Isn't that why you always call him your 'sweet boy'? You like Zero more than you let on."

Kaname makes a disbelieving noise in his throat, and gets up for more wine.

"What do we do now?" Yuuki asks, allowing Kaname his escape.

"I'm going to pay the young Lord Touma a visit," Kaname says, and bares his teeth in a smile.


The Ancestor of the Kuran unfolds himself from the screeching darkness - shoulder, eye, leg, teeth.

"Good evening, Lord Touma," he croons poison-sweet to the young pureblood in the armchair, dark clothes fading into the shadows where the firelight can't reach.

Touma sits up. "Don't just walk into my house, Kuran!"

"We have business, you and I," Kaname says with perfect composure, uncoiling from the shadows and gliding toward Touma.

The young pureblood scoffs, enraged enough to hurl his empty glass into the fire. "There's no business! You may be a Kuran, but you're only a decade older than me. So don't forget that! And don't get arrogant because of that name. You're no king - the Kuran aren't anything anymore."

Kaname raises an eyebrow without humor. "Lord Touma, I am merely here to discuss your recent unwise behavior."

"Oh? And what do you mean, Kaname-san?" Touma replies, sprawling back into his chair and tucking his hands behind his head in mockery.

Kaname's mouth curls up at the edges. "The Senate will not be pleased to learn you've been making so many level Ds, Lord Touma."

The younger pureblood stills as a frisson of unease runs down his spine. He's old enough to remember what happened to Kuran Rido.

Caught. The Ancestor of the Kuran loves watching the look on the faces of his enemies as they slowly realize their defeat. "Too many humans are disappearing - even their governments are starting to take notice. Your appetite risks revealing our existence. And none of us - the Senate, or the other purebloods - will stand for that. It makes me concerned for your well-being, Lord Touma. I would hate to see your name on an execution request."

Touma's mouth twists, eyes flicking to the door. "You can't prove anything, Kuran."

"I have a witness," Kaname tells him, and delights in the flash of dismay on Touma's face. "You were in a small coastal hamlet on September 1st, where you Turned four humans. Three of them have since been reported missing. That's quite a lot of furor."

Touma tries bravado, waving a dismissive hand. "Turning humans is our right, Kuran-san. I have done nothing worth your threats."

"I'm not threatening you," Kaname says gently, just to confuse him. "And you are quite correct. Turning humans is not illegal - in moderation. But you were also in Higashi on the 7th, Nishigawa on the 12th, the Urals on the 14th -"

"I may have been in Higashi and Nishigawa, but I'm not the one who Turned those other humans!" Touma blurts in a fury. Then his eyes widen, as he realizes what his temper's unwittingly given away.

"Oh?" Kaname breathes, lifting his head, eyes glinting dangerously in the firelight. "Then who was, Touma-san?"

The other pureblood wavers, face emptying as he calculates costs and weighs which rival he is more afraid of. Kaname hopes the deliberation will come out in his favor. Breaking Touma could be messy; he would rather not waste time with this irritating child.

Touma licks his lips. "Probably Shirabuki Sara."

"Why do you think that?" Kaname asks, easing off on the intimidation now that Touma is willingly answering his question.

Waving a hand, Touma says, "I don't go near Europe. That's all her territory." The pureblood youth's arrogance is already returning - he thinks Kaname is no longer a threat. How amusing.

"That's not your real answer, Touma. Tell me why you suspect Shirabuki."

"I'm not lying -"

Kaname waits patiently for the screaming to stop. When the blood scent fades, he continues in his usual calm tone, "Please don't insult my intelligence, Lord Touma."

Touma laughs, raising his blood-streaked face with the first hint of respect. "Didn't think you had it in you, Kuran."

Kaname's face does not flicker. "Do not confuse restraint for inability, Lord Touma." Such a pity; the Touma always insist on doing things according to the old ways. Vile barbarians, all of them.

Grinning, Touma wipes blood out of his eye and replies, "Shirabuki Sara came to me in May, and asked if I was interested in something fun. The Shirabuki play such lovely, nasty games - so I said yes. Shirabuki didn't ask for much. She just wanted me to have some fun with the humans, make a little mess, and she'd remember the favor if I helped her. I didn't need half an excuse to sharpen my blades, even on things so easily squashed. And it's so boring, playing by the rules. So I did what I wanted - I drank my fill and sowed a little chaos."

"Do you know what Shirabuki intended with her request?"

"Nope." Touma shrugs. "But I know she's playing a deep game. And there's bloody violence in the offing. I can't wait!"

Kaname controls his disgust. "Then I will be off. My advice, Lord Touma, if you want to make your problem go away - perhaps take up a different hobby."

"I'm getting bored anyway," Touma drawls, waving his hand. "Too much work."

Kaname's voice lowers. "And one more thing. The Senate doesn't need to know about your business, Lord Touma, but in order to keep these things between us, I may require you to repeat that testimony to other interested parties."

Kaname spreads his hands. A bit of blackmail is nothing between purebloods. "You understand, of course?"

The younger pureblood leans his chin on his fist and grins. "You're less of a prissy gentleman than you let everyone think you are, Kuran. I was betting on Shirabuki, but now I think you might actually stand a chance."

"Thank you for your praise," Kaname deadpans. If only the boy knew who he was talking to...


Kaname is magnificent tonight. Power sits lightly on his shoulders, and every gesture is overlaid with graceful poise. His porcelain cheek flushes with confidence and triumph. The depths of his eyes hold secrets, and flash with good humor. When his smooth voice speaks, every ear in the room strains to listen. Any chair he chooses becomes a throne. On nights like these, Yuuki can imagine Kaname as he was in his youth, the legendary vampire king surrounded by his court.

Tonight, Rosehill is hosting Kaname's most trusted followers to discuss Shirabuki's recent actions and the Kurans' strategy going forward. The inner circle is here, minus Shiki and Rima, who had a sudden engagement, and Takuma, who had Council business, but the inner circle knew everything beforehand anyway. The remaining dozen guests are Kaname's most prominent and useful subordinates: the staunch monarchists, the business titans, the moderate leaders, the scholars, the celebrities, the politicians.

"So now what?" Zero asks quietly enough only the three of them can hear. He's been reserved all evening; Zero greeted the inner circle and has been politely responding to conversation, but otherwise he's been content to slip into the background. Their friends may be used to Zero, but to the other vampires he's still Kaname's strange Hunter omega. Yuuki also thinks Zero is uncomfortable being the only omega at a table full of mostly alphas, but that's the nature of power in the vampire world.

Kaname gives an easy half-smile, a wineglass held loosely between his fingers. "With Touma's testimony, I can request an investigation by the Council of Elders. It won't come to anything, of course - Shirabuki will see to that. But it gives me an opening, and I already know where to look. With official blessing to meddle in another pureblood's affairs, I'm bound to find something incriminating."

He leans back, crossing his legs. "It won't be short or easy, but I have a path to an endgame now, when before I had nothing but suspicion."

"And the Level D?" Zero asks, picking at his plate with a forced neutrality.

"I've told you, there's nothing more I can do for him," Kaname says in a tone that implies they've had this discussion before. "I cannot let him go because he is our only witness. I'm not his Master, so I cannot stabilize him, nor can I force Touma to do so. I have no legal claim to him, and neither do the Hunters until he falls to Level E."

Zero's hand tightens around his fork, the knuckles whitening from the pressure, and he says nothing else for the rest of the meal. Yuuki also finds herself more quiet than before. Zero is right about the injustice of the D's situation, but what Kaname says is also true - there's nothing more the Kurans can do.

When the party spills out to admire the gardens after dinner, everyone except the three of them is in high spirits, laughing and talking with an air of celebration. The guests spread out, wandering among the hedges and orchards as they sip coffee or tea. In time, Kaname will draw each of them away to catch up and give private instructions.

Aido Nagamichi has his arm draped over his son's shoulders and is propounding at length about some political philosophy to his captive offspring; Aido mouths 'Yuuki-hime' and makes the puppy dog eyes.

Yuuki shoots him a cheeky grin and waves as he's dragged away. Serves him right for doing something so dumb and risky! Yuuki wants her friend and tutor to stay rescued, darnit, not put himself in more danger!

Instead, Yuuki finds herself drawn to Zero, taking him by the arm and guiding him toward the distant iris garden, now dormant in winter. "Are you okay?" she asks once they're alone, strolling beside a pond rimmed with ice.

Zero shrugs, casting his eyes downward. "I know the realities of the situation better than anyone. I don't expect Kaname to rock the boat for a single D. But we're using him as a bargaining chip, and we can't even give him his freedom. That bothers me. I know what it's like to fall, Yuuki. It was the darkest time of my life, and I can't help but -." Zero breaks off and shakes his head.

Pulling them to a stop, Yuuki gives her Consort time to collect himself.

Lifting a hand to ruffle his hair, Zero catches himself and traces the chain of his Hoseki instead. "I'm trying not to get involved. I haven't gone to see him, except for that first time. I don't even know his name. If Kaname can't help him there's no way I can -" He shakes his head and runs a hand over his eyes. "I'm sorry, Yuuki. I know I'm poor company tonight. Maybe I should just leave early and go back to my suite."

"If that's what you want," Yuuki tells him, offering a small smile. "But I don't mind. I like you even when you're being all distant and broody."

A laugh escapes him. "No, I think I'll head back."

"If that's what you'd prefer," the pureblood agrees. Her alpha is pleased that Zero will be away from all these other rivals and their greedy eyes, and isn't it a little romantic to have Zero waiting for them in bed, all warm and willing?

But one last thing. "Hug first," Yuuki insists, opening her arms wide.

Zero leans down and kisses her instead. "I'll find Kaname and say goodnight to him too," he says against her lips.

"Just like this?" she asks, stealing her hug anyway and holding Zero tight.

"Mmmn," Zero agrees, squeezing her back, humor twitching his lips.

Yuuki smiles. "He'll like that."


"Kaname?" Yuuki calls, peering into her husband's darkened study. She's just finished speaking to Steward Inukai, and their guests are long gone. Kaname should be waiting in the master bedroom, with Zero, but her bloodbond is tugging Yuuki toward what ought to be an empty room. Why is Kaname here? And why are the lights not on?

"Kaname?" she calls again. "Is everything alright?"

A dark figure stirs, seated at her husband's desk. Kaname's eyes crack open, little shards of bloody glow shining out at her.

The skin of her arms prickling, Yuuki reaches out with her power and flips the lights on.

"Hello, dear girl," Kaname says, a curious lack of inflection in his tone. He's slumped loosely in his chair, only remnants of the power and grace from earlier clinging to his frame. There's a glass tumbler by his elbow, filled with ice, but the bottle is untouched. Kaname tries to smile for his wife, but it falls flat. Yuuki doesn't think she's ever seen that expression on his face before.

As though remembering it's there, Kaname's hand loosely grasps for the bottle, but instead of opening it, the pureblood stares at it instead, and deliberately puts it back down. Lacing his hands together and leaning back, Kaname makes a better attempt at a smile. "Back to square one, I'm afraid."

Yuuki takes a step forward. "What do you mean, Kaname?"

Kaname's expression returns to its normal composure, but somehow it feels forced. "The Level D is dead. Someone killed him. Tonight, during the party."

Yuuki's hands fly to her mouth. Who could have? They were so careful about security - Kaname handled it himself! "How?" she asks, sweeping forward into the room.

"I wish I knew," Kaname says with unnatural lightness, still too relaxed. "The cells have one entry, and are a restricted access area. All of the staff are accounted for, and I have questioned the guards on duty using my power of command. None of them killed the D. The physical guard was doubled tonight, and electronic surveillance shows no breaches. I do not believe anyone entered or left Rosehill. If no one came in, and the local suspects are eliminated, that leaves only one option."

"One of our guests murdered him," Yuuki whispers. "But they are -"

"Yes," Kaname cuts her off, too calm for comfort. "One of my most trusted has betrayed me."

She feels chilled. "I don't mean to accuse anyone, but Aido…."

"I considered it. He denied it under a truth command. It cannot be him."

She frowns. "We'll need to question the rest of the guests too."

"That may not be a good idea," Kaname says shaking his head. The gesture lacks his usual precision.

"Why?" Yuuki asks, feeling young and stupid for not understanding.

"For one, it will let too many people know what happened. I cannot look incompetent in the eyes of my most vital allies. Showing such blatant distrust would not earn me any loyalty, either. Better to keep this as quiet as possible."

"Couldn't we order them to forget?" Yuuki ventures, remembering her trick with Aido.

Kaname shrugs casually, and then his shoulders droop again. "I suppose I could question them and make them forget, but it would pose an enormous risk. I've built my reputation on my refusal to force obedience. If they discovered my indiscriminate use of power, those relationships would be permanently damaged. Certainly, their trust would never recover. Remember, Yuuki. A pureblood's power will force compliance for as long as the command lasts, but loyalty will gain willing obedience a thousand times."

"What do we do than?" Yuuki says, out of her depth.

"Investigate quietly. Look for anything suspicious."

"And Shirabuki?" Yuuki ventures.

Kaname seems to sag. "I have no evidence against her anymore. Touma will do nothing without threats."

"Oh." Yuuki was expecting Kaname to have some clever plan, some brilliant strategy to snatch victory away from his enemies and make them sorry they even tried. But behind his masks, Kaname just looks tired.

It flies against everything Yuuki knows. Kaname always wins. Always. He's been the watchful shadow at her side since before she was born, a presence she cannot imagine her life without, always the strongest, the smartest, the most powerful. Kaname succeeded with an ease and confidence Yuuki strained to emulate. No opponent could even threaten him, let alone beat him. It was a certainty in Yuuki's world, as reliable as the moon and stars. Seeing him like this now….it frightens her a little, to know Kaname is not as unbeatable as he pretends to be.

That was the image Kaname deliberately crafted, the mask Yuuki lived with for fifty years. Yuuki thought she'd abandoned her idolization after she discovered who Kaname really was. But she hadn't really, had she? Brother or not, even with his murky morals Kaname was still the standard Yuuki measured herself against. And he remained a little untouchable in her mind, someone she could help, but who didn't really need her. Part of Yuuki still expected Kaname to push her away, to lie, to pretend; that conviction was frayed, but unbroken, a relic left to sink unexamined below her surface thoughts. Until now, when Yuuki stumbled on his unintentional vulnerability, this unexpected human part of Kaname.

"This is a setback, but I will eventually find another way," her husband continues. Now Yuuki can hear how Kaname is talking to himself, just as much as he's reassuring her.

"I'm sorry," Yuuki says.

Kaname blinks, surprised, and his exhaustion and frustration shine more clearly before he catches himself.

Her chest tightens, and she comes toward him. "I'm sorry I made you feel it was better to sit in the dark alone, instead of letting me see you like this."

Yuuki reaches his desk, and circles around until she can stand beside him. Kaname has gone very still, watching her like he wants to argue. "I said I wanted to be your equal, but I've been letting you carry most of the burden. I'm sorry for that too."

She reaches out; Kaname takes her hand, allows Yuuki to pull him to his feet. He doesn't seem to know what to make of her; wearing a look of bemused puzzlement, he's examining her like some strange new creature.

Yuuki meets Kaname's gaze, draws him closer. She doesn't know how to explain her epiphany. She's not good with words like him. There's only one thing Yuuki knows how to say. "Please. Let me help you, Kaname."

"If you wish," he agrees, going along easily with her wishes, as he always does.

That's alright. Words aren't everything. Yuuki will just have to prove her resolve.


Kuran sleeps in the middle of the bed that night, with Yuuki clinging tenaciously to his back in an adorable attempt at being the 'big spoon,' and Zero pressed into Kuran's chest with an arm draped over the pureblood's side to touch Yuuki.

It's only the next night that Zero understands the significance. He's not going to pry into a matter that is obviously private, but something between Kuran and Yuuki has shifted. And Yuuki is the epicenter, the one sending ripples of change through their routine.

She keeps acting strangely solicitous toward the elder pureblood - Yuuki asked Kuran if he's feeling alright, for crying out loud! Kuran, the manipulative bastard with a limited emotional repertoire!

Okay, Zero isn't being fair, but it's still weird to watch. The little changes take longer to notice. The way Yuuki begins to hold herself more easily in Kuran's presence, how she reaches out now to touch him without hesitation, the new candor in the way she speaks. She even pays more attention to Kuran in bed.

Zero watches as Yuuki steels herself and charges straight into Kuran's previously untouchable bubble of personal space, tearing apart his aura of cool impassiveness with her single-minded characteristic stubbornness. Things that were 'Zero and Yuuki' gradually become trio events, and Kuran finds himself dragged into all kinds of situations because Yuuki refuses to let Kuran hold himself aloof any longer.

While it's annoying to share more of Yuuki's attention, it's not without benefits. Kuran spends considerably less time brooding, and Zero grows used to the sensation, after a while.

As for the D's murder, the investigation is creeping along at a snail's pace. Kuran's inner circle were all cleared, but none of the other possible traitors have acted suspicious enough to raise alarm. Zero mourns the waste of life, but experience has numbed him to such things. While he tries to do what he can, he's too old to expect miracles, and he's learned to harden his heart. Very few Ds ever receive the pure blood needed to stabilize them. Odds were, the D would have been executed after falling to Level E. That still doesn't make his murder any less wrong.

Zero finds himself especially troubled by the circumstances. The D's death was calculated to occur at precisely the moment it would cause the greatest damage. That requires an opponent with knowledge, skill, and opportunity. Any one of those things would be dangerous, but all three together? Kuran must have similar thoughts; he's recalled Shiki and Touya, and he's making preparations to weather whatever is coming.

And there is a storm coming; Zero can feel it bearing down on them. The flow of Level Es may have slowed, but after comparing Hunter records to reported disappearances, one thing becomes certain: Shirabuki has created a large number of thralls that cannot be accounted for. Zero's Hunter instincts warn of an unseen ambush, waiting around the corner.

So it's best that Zero makes his own preparations, isn't it? There's one last loose end waiting to be tied up.

Zero visits Master and Kaito first, for reassurance and familiarity. He visits Takuma second, for advice and companionship. Then Zero dons one of his most formal outfits - layers and layers of silk with sleeves that almost touch the floor, and the Consort's circlet he wears by the privilege of his rank - and he calls Steward Inukai and Head Maid Sasaki into his suite.

Seated on the couch of his receiving room, Zero raises his chin. "Thank you for coming tonight. I need your help…"


Kaname is surprisingly good at talking Zero out of his harmful thoughts. Or not so surprisingly, since he's good with words and very motivated to keep Zero coming back to their bed.

I had to play with Touma's canon age a bit because I needed him younger than fifty, so in the TWOFT universe, he's actually younger than Yuuki rather than older.