A/N: Yay for a new chapter! Don't worry, just because I'm working on 42642364721 things on the side and going to school doesn't mean I won't finish this. In this chapter, Deathsong... does stuff! Yay!

Chapter 7: Taiketsu (Confrontation)

"Hey! Zero-kun, you in there?" called X, knocking on the metal door of Zero's room.

"...Go away, X," came the reply.

X sighed. He really hadn't expected any response besides that. "Zero-kun, you can't stay in hiding like this... Everyone's too worried..."

"...Why? Deathsong can save them now. Why would you want a piece of junk like me?"

X sighed again and brushed a strand of brown hair out of his eyes. "Because you're still better than 99 of the hunters here! Because your technique is better than anything I've ever seen Deathsong do! Because Deathsong only defeated Sigma because he was lucky and got there first! And most of all, because you're my friend, and I care about you!"

"...Yeah, right. Stop lying to make me feel better and go away, please. I'm fine here."

"Zero-kun, you can't stay here forever..."

"I don't need to eat, my recharge capsule is right here, and noone needs me outside. Why can't I just stay here?"

"Please, Zero-kun! All the Hunters are so worried for you! Please come out!"

"...Tommorow, X-san. Please just leave me alone today." Zero's voice sounded weary and as if he had finally just given up on life.

"...Alright, Zero-kun... I'll see you tommorow..." X sighed and walked back through the halls. Somehow he doubted Zero would come out tommorow, but this was still the most progress he had made yet...

Deathsong quietly disconnected the crucial wire and grinned as the system shut down, quickly followed by the lights in the halls and rooms. He shut off the backup generators, then quickly headed back to his room as the first cries came...

X was halfway to his room when the power shut off, leaving him in darkness. He immedatley morphed his arm into its buster form and activated a minor "flashlight" use of the weapon, illuinating a path through the darkness. He resumed his walk through the halls, now much more warily, before bumping into a short girl with brown hair, who recoiled in horror before seeing his face and relaxing slightly.

"X-sama! What's going on?!" Hitomi cried, her voice tinted with fear.

"I have no idea, Hitomi-san... Our backup generators should've kicked in by now... unless this is sabotage..."

"But how could anyone sabotage the system?! There's no way a Maverick could get inside the base!"

"...Hitomi-san... What if we had welcomed a Maverick into the base with open arms?"

"Are you saying it's an inside job?" quieried Hitomi.

"I'm not certain, but it does seem to be the most likely situation... Like you said, how could a Maverick get inside the base otherwise?"

Hitomi shook her head. "We scan all the new recruits. There's no way one could be infected."

"That's true... But several of our Hunters have been in close proximity to the Virus after they were recruited. In fact, I'd say at least sixty-five percent have. What if just one of those was infected...?"

"But who?" asked Hitomi.

"I don't know, but after the power's restored, there's going to be a lot of scans to preform."

Zero barely reacted for a few seconds after his power out, merely placing his manga on the table besides him. After those seconds had passed, however, he got to his feet slowly, picking up his red helmet from the table and placing it over his blonde hair, making sure his saber was attached to his belt, and forcing open the now unlocked door.

He had some hunting to do for the first time in days, and he knew exactly who to start with...

Deathsong lounged alone in his room, waiting for the first Hunter to come to ask him for help. He already had plans on what to say when they came, and grinned as he heard the footfalls outside his door, preparing to fall into a faked sleep mode the second it was opened.

However, the door was forced open not by some innocent newbie, but instead by an almost nightmarish figure. Easily 7 feet tall, clad in red armor and a spiked helmet, only lit byt the eerie green glow of the sword he held in one hand, the figure provided an impressive sight as he stood framed in the doorway.

Deathsong raised one eyebrow. "Ah, Zero-sama... or Zero-san, as the case is now," he said quietly. "I thought you were in seclusion from the world... what happened to force the hermit out of his cave...?"

Zero pointed the sword at Deathsong. "I know you are the one doing this, Deathsong. I know you are Maverick. You're the only one they wouldn't suspect, so you could sabatoge us and not get caught..." he growled.

Deathsong grinned slightly, but his voice remained even. "Are you sure you are not merely delusional, Zero-san? Seclusion can do that to anyone... I assure you, I am not Maverick..."

Zero looked annoyed and raised his blade. "The others are blinded by the lies you feed them, but I will allow you to destroy us from the inside no more!" With that, he charged the silver-haired hunter, who merely picked his staff from off the floor where it lay. A single note sounded, and Zero fell to the floor.

Deathsong slowly rose from his chair, walking over to where Zero lay, twitching. "Do not worry, Zero-san. I have only minorly incapacitated you... but after I tell the story of how you disabled the power and then wnt after me under the cover of darkness, I know not what the Hunters shall do to you..."

Zero was merely able to look on in silence as Deathsong walked out of the room to find the other Hunters...