Disclaimer: …Refer to earlier chapters.

Guys, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. But I'm an on/off person. Vampire Knights had lost my interest for some time… Anyways, I won't give you any more excuses. I will not promise a sooner update, since I'm known for disappointing people... D; But what I can promise is that this story WILL be updated! So keep hanging, all!

Warnings: Somewhat graphic lemon? (I'm horrible at lemon. Excuse me.)

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His peripheral vision was failing. The door slammed shut behind him and he fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. He'd made it to his room.

Sharp stabs of pain plundered his chest, leaving him breathless. Zero groaned in pain, pushing himself up trying to gain some leverage, but couldn't. He collapsed again. Struggling to breathe, his eyes darted everywhere around the room unseeingly- was he blind as well?

The ex-human felt paralyzed- never had he felt such pain before. This pain was indescribable- but resembled somewhat the feeling of falling into a pit of broken glass shards.

Zero couldn't even think properly, his mind a jumbled mess. He thought he was going to die, and strangely, the hunter was at peace with the thought.

Zero could hear a voice somewhere in the distance, but another sound drowned it out- a very loud, droning noise. It went on and on, and Zero frowned in annoyance. If he was to die now, why not give him a peaceful, quiet death?

It took him a while to realize the noise was his own scream.

The pain was gone as quickly as it came, and there Zero was, lying sprawled on the floor, clutching his throat. He was fine. Lightheaded, but very much fine.

And then the door opened so hard that it banged loudly on the walls. Leviathan rushed in and his expression of horror changed quickly into one of confusion. He sensed distress in the bond before he'd heard his lover's scream, so he'd reacted to the signal and ran as fast as he could on unsteady feet to reach Zero… But all the panic, pain and alarm, everything disappeared so quickly, leaving the lord fazed. So where was the damage?

Dropping to his knees beside Zero, who was still on the ground, Leviathan tenderly picked him up bridal style and carried him to the bed, wearing a confused frown. "I can walk." Zero said to him, but it was too late, since he was already on the bed.

"What?" Came a startled reply from somewhere.

Annoyance.

"I said I can walk!" He snapped, glaring at nothing in particular. "Now tell me what happened back there!" Zero was downright furious. Leviathan was hiding something from him, something that had caused him pain. The ex-human wasn't going to let this drop without an answer.

An awkward, lengthy pause from the other participant in the conversation made Zero look up from the bed.

Leviathan's eyes were wide open, staring at Zero with disbelief. The man was speaking, and speaking with a perfectly good voice, too. Was it the scream…? And the attitude… He didn't know whether to jump for joy or punch the nearest wall.

After meeting Kaname, his previous blood mate, Zero had gained a bit of himself back, but seemingly not the memories. This meant Kaname could awaken Zero again, which was something he himself couldn't do. Should he be grateful, or is this more the reason to chase the couple off of his property?

Zero was looking at him now.

'He cut his hair… By himself.' Leviathan thought absently, eyes traveling everywhere.

Tentatively, the vampire lord then reached forward to pull Zero into his arms, but the hunter slapped his hand away angrily.

"I asked you a question! Are you going to answer it or not? I know you're hiding something from me!"

Shocked at Zero's sudden change in attitude, Leviathan kept silent, deeply confused. The bond throbbed at Zero's rejection and accusation, even though it was true.

"I'm not sure myself, Zero …But right now are you aware that you can speak properly again…?" It was a distraction, a change of subject. Leviathan's mouth was dry and his voice came out slightly hoarse, somewhat like what Zero's voice sounded like before now.

Zero looked away, and an awkward silence followed.

"What happened to Kuran?" The voice came softer now, and it almost seemed like the distraction worked. Leviathan was relieved as well, because using 'Kuran' instead of 'Kaname' proved that Zero still had no memory of him.

"I told him to get some rest and help his wife."

"Oh yeah… Why'd she faint? And I was in pain after I heard his name. Why? Just who is he?" The voice grew hard again, and lavender eyes narrowed.

Great. More questions. Leviathan shifted uncomfortably at the foot of Zero's bed, and tried to think of a reasonable answer. He wasn't sure what to say- because he didn't want Zero involved in anything more. He didn't want to admit it, but right now, Zero having a mind of his own was extremely distracting.

"I don't know. I'm as confused as you are, trust me." He moved closer experimentally, but Zero's cold glare stopped him. This could be troublesome…

"I have a feeling you know a lot more than I do at the moment." Anger.

"Zero, I only want what's best for you, and I think this is something you shouldn't be involved in…" Leviathan was suddenly at a loss, because this new Zero was capable of striking back.

And then Zero exploded. "Okay, Lord Leviathan Drake. Let me get this straight. You imprison me in this mansion for almost a year, not telling me ANYTHING about my previous life, leaving me to wander, and now as soon as I start voicing my own thoughts you deny me the right to know what happened. You know, if you want the best for me, you'd tell me the truth. I know I was difficult, but I think it'd be best for both of us if you'd just spill the beans!"

Shocked silence.

Leviathan needed to get out of here. The way Zero worded his thoughts hurt him deeply, and if Zero kept talking, he couldn't guarantee what he'd do. So he kept looking at the ground, concentrating, trying to understand what it was his lover wanted… Trying to say something- anything. But he couldn't rein in his growing frustration and anger any longer. He needed to leave.

So when Zero saw the lord walking towards the door without a word, the action was like pouring gasoline on a fire.

"Fine! Be like that! I'll find him and ask him myself!" He spat, voice laden with venom.

And then the door closed.

Zero felt cold all of a sudden. He pulled up the thick sheets to his neck, but he didn't feel any warmer. Silent tears slid down his cheeks, because he knew he'd done something he shouldn't have done. What just happened was chaos. So much was trying to get into his head, get organized, and Zero couldn't function anymore. He had been anticipating at least some kind of acknowledgment to his grand achievement of hair-cutting, but it seems like he was not fortunate enough. The sun was coming up, and the night had been very eventful. He drifted to sleep still not understanding anything.

--

Everything was still. That was, until those powder brushes fluttered and Yuuki woke up. Kaname was treated to a tirade of questions and quite a bit of yelling, but he produced no answer to each one.

Yuuki didn't even want to be here anymore.

"I thought you said he was dead!" She was crying now, almost knocking over a glass of blood on the bedside table as she moved off the bed and approached Kaname.

"I thought he was!" Kaname was backed into a wall, not knowing what to say.

"Then who was that?!" Yuuki cried shrilly, tears streaming freely down her face.

Shushing Yuuki once again with a tight embrace, Kaname struggled to speak. He reprised the emotions that ran through his mind like angry demons the day he'd finally found out about his second blood bond nearly a year ago. He had been completely devastated. But Yuuki didn't know- Kaname made sure.

He'd even sent a search party, trying to find Zero, come to an understanding, but he was gone. It was too late. From then on, Kaname couldn't feel him anymore, and assumed he was dead. For months he'd lived in this misery, this guilt. Not once did he feel complete, even in Yuuki's arms.

And now, to see Zero again… It was certainly an experience. First, there had been shock, then confusion, anger, and utter devastation as Zero ran off. He didn't even pay attention to Leviathan's struggling form, leaning heavily on the wall. Emotions had overwhelmed him, making sight impossible. There were so many questions he didn't have an answer to, and he didn't like that.

Yuuki seemed to have calmed and was reaching for a glass of blood. She drank in loud unladylike chugs, and soon the delicate wineglass was empty. She reached for another one. There was a whole tray- Leviathan had been prepared for their bloodlust.

"Alright." She started, unable to hold her husband's gaze. She would look at him and look away quickly. Her hands were trembling. "You'll be honest with me."

Kaname nodded.

"What was that?"

"I don't know."

"You'll sort this out, won't you? Zero has always been a part of my life, and I can't bear to know that he's alive and well, yet I can't be with him…" The female pureblood put down her glass gently and moved away from Kaname. She didn't want to have any part in this. She was interested in the end result, not the problems along the way. The subject was touchy, best left for a man to handle.

"Of course…" An empty promise. Meant not to be kept, but to soothe.

The sun was coming up. Yuuki downed one more glass of blood, leaving three for Kaname, and left for their private bathroom. She would go to sleep soon, donning a robe provided. But Kaname had other plans.

--

Kegan's POV:

I watched in mild amusement as Leviathan paced around the room, back and forth. It was sunup, and I was he was exhausted, but he made no move to go to the room him and that wretch shared. I was honored that he kept me with him in his time of need, when even Zero was not allowed.

"How can he say that? After all this time… He…"

It was the same thing, over and over again. Like a mantra; a chant. I wasn't allowed to speak, because every time I did, Leviathan would stare at me as if he hadn't realized I was there… So I just let him vent. I wasn't too crazy about the effects of Zero's 'Rejection', as my lord had put it. Humph. It would take a while for Leviathan to get used to this new side of Zero. This man that could not be babied.

A thought flew into my mind that chances are; their relationship might not work out. I smirked. Oh well. I could always hope. But before that happens, I will continue to act like the submissive servant. This realization made me feel smug. The ex-human didn't deserve someone like my lord. Never in a million years.

"I imprisoned him! That's what he said…"

His usually handsome face was set in a worried frown, which made my mouth sour. What was he getting himself into? If only my lord and Zero could have a clean break. A painless, no catch, unproblematic separation.

"I knew I shouldn't have let them stay! I knew, but oh, I couldn't refuse. I…"

Occasionally he would make a move to open the doors, and I would stand up from my place in my chair, but then he'd let go of the handle as if he was burned, and go back to his pacing.

"How can he say that?!"

I sighed.

-- Kaname's POV --

I couldn't resist. I had to go see him. The blood bond between him and I were vague, but still there, and being in the same building as him after so long… It was unbearable. Was he feeling the same thing? I was getting chills just by thinking of his face… But he wasn't mine anymore. He belonged to Leviathan Drake now. But was he really? Did he want to? What was he to him?

My mind kept playing tricks with me, telling me Zero would be happier with me than he'd ever be with Leviathan, and I wished it was true. I wondered how Leviathan had treated Zero- with care, love and respect, or… Anger spewed forth from my chest, and I could hardly breathe. I had to go see him.

Thus explains why I'm here now, peering into his room through a crack in the door. I only smelled Zero's scent in the room, meaning the lord wasn't with him. 'Did he simply see Zero as a concubine? A sex slave?' My eyes narrowed at the thought, and making sure no one was in hearing radius, I pushed open his door slowly and closed it gently behind me.

Well… At least he was in a good, soft bed. His face looked so innocent as he lost himself in his dreams, and I found my hand on his left cheek. The contact brought a shiver down my spine, and my eyes filled with tears. It was probably too late now, but I loved Zero. I really did- even if it was the bond's doing. And seeing him now, in a place where he might not even be loved… It made my blood boil. I wanted him. Body and soul. I wanted him to stay with me forever. Then I would be whole again.

And I clung onto the thought that Zero would be happier with me, as I began to reestablish our bond. At the time, the thought that Zero may be bonded to Leviathan never entered my mind. The blanket was lifted gently.

To reestablish a blood bond wasn't easy. It took more than blood. Far more.

The worried face of Yuuki popped into my mind when my hand found Zero's thigh, its warmth radiating through me. Pushing the image of Yuuki to the back of my mind, I watched soundlessly as Zero stirred, but I knew he was a heavy sleeper, so I was not afraid.

I eased him out of his robe, careful not to wake him. I undressed as well, shrugging out of the sleeping robe I was wearing. My cock hardened even more at the sight of Zero- naked. Once we were both gloriously bare, I came onto his bed. He was Mine. I had every right.

The bond buzzed back to life as I settled even closer, now hovering above him, looking down at his beautiful face, still sleeping. He was just so… Molestable.

My thoughts were quickly replaced by incoherent commands, pleads, desires, whispers. The bond was taking over, after being neglected for so long.

I parted his thighs and my heart lifted at the sight of him. He looked well- no scars or bruises. This only sent me higher, and I brought two fingers to my mouth, coating them with saliva. I prepared him slowly, watching his reaction intently. I'd try to get as far as I could without him waking. Then, my fingers struck something that made him arch off the bed and gasp, writhing. His eyes were open now, and he stared at me in shock. I reviewed the thick undertone of fear in his eyes, and my mind told me to stop, but the bond was urging me to continue… A flicker of undiluted desire hit me.

I withdrew my fingers and placed myself at his entrance. "No!" He began to pull himself back on his elbows, and his eyes were wide. But whatever he said couldn't distract me from his possibly unwillingly hard cock. 'Yes…' The voice said to me. 'He's getting pleasure from this… Don't listen to him- you want to give him pleasure…'

It tipped me over the edge. My eyes glowed a dark red, and I plunged in ruthlessly, the smell of blood immediately filling my senses. My head spun from the sheer heat and tightness of him, and I fought to keep my leverage. I heard nothing, saw nothing, and couldn't control my actions anymore. I buried myself deeper in this delicious warmth, and realized I was holding Zero up in a sitting position of sorts, and I was ravishing his mouth as I thrusted into him. His blood was everywhere- but it wasn't exactly the scent I remembered…

This thought brought me down a bit, and my mind cleared just a little, just enough to hear Zero's screams and feel his nails digging into the flesh of my arms, trying to scratch me in defense. He was crying now, earnestly, but I couldn't stop. I kept rocking into him, and he kept trying to escape, and our limbs tangled in the mess.

And then he did something he shouldn't have. He bit my arm. The feeling of his fangs in my flesh drove me insane, made me lose what little part of me I'd regained. And I was up in the clouds again, my thrusts turning brutal, my body and mind begging for this release.

I tensed and groaned deep as I shot my seed into Zero's warm channel, feeling my cum fill him. I finally pulled out, and collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily.

Then there was white. Pure white- like snow. Snow… Yuuki…

The thought of my other mate finally brought me back. Beneath me, Zero struggled. Oh no. Zero.

I nearly leapt off of him, horrified at what I had done. I meant to re-establish our bond, yes, but I hadn't meant to lose control, hadn't meant for there to be pain.

His hair was a mess, his eyes teary and red, his entire frame quivering, and he curled up on the bed, pulling the blood stained blankets with him. I approached him slowly, and he gave no response.

"I'm so sorry, Zero… Please forgive me." My apology was genuine, now that we were bonded again, I could feel his pain in my chest. When I received no response yet again, I cautiously put a hand on his shoulder, testing to see if he would shy away.

Nothing.

And then…

A flinch.

A jerk.

He was having a seizure.

Oh god.

I threw my robe on myself again in a rush and ran into the halls for help. Any help. Hollering at the top of my lungs for someone- anyone.

My legs were weak from… Earlier activities and I stumbled ungracefully down the hall, and finally bumping into someone.

Relieved, I began to speak, but before I reached my second word, I was out cold. All I could remember was a pair of deep blue orbs. They were on fire, it seemed.

-Third Person POV-

"We've searched the entire estate. No sign." Four men and one woman sat in a circle formation in a dimly lit room, each face grim and serious. The woman sat tallest amongst the group, her hair a striking crimson, and her eyes pale lavender, sitting upon fair skin.

"Very well." She spoke clearly, like a bell. Her expression did not change. "Is there any sign of where they could have gone?" She hissed through her teeth, as if it was hurting her simply to speak. Her eyes narrowed now, and her face hardened, like a cobra ready to strike.

"We've come across a scent trail." One of the men answered, tensing at the sudden change in her.

"Yes…?"

"It leads to the Drake estates- further up North. It seems they have found refuge with more of their kind. We will be outnumbered, and they-"

The crimson haired woman cut him off. "Search it. Do what it takes." She stood abruptly, and pointed a long finger at the man that spoke.

"Zephri. You will be the leader. You will carry out this mission and bring him back. You are not outnumbered, and never will be if you have me in your heart."

All the men stood, and fell to their knees.

"But milady! I am not fit for this job. I could never… I am just your humble servant!" The man cried hoarsely from his place at her feet.

She laughed then, a deep rumbling sound from her belly. All traces of her earlier ferocity gone. "A humble servant to me? But I am everywhere- the winter wind that blows at your faces, the fires that you extinguish, the water that you drink, and the soils in which everything grows. These things you all take for granted, and abuse. Her expression grew dark again as she continued. "I will not force you to do this for me."

"No!" The four men all said in unison, fear evident on their faces. "However… The path we walk on has darkened considerably, milady."

Another laugh. "Do not be afraid of the darkness, my children." She raised her hands to the sky. "After all, my left hand is darkness, and my right is light." She moved towards Zephri, and pressed a hand onto each of his broad shoulders. "My left hand is needed to shield the world from the blinding splendor of my right. Both are needed to complete this world."

The four men were in shock.

"Now, rise, my children. And brave this task. I will not be cutting off my left hand any time soon" She touched Zephri's face lovingly, and gazed with equal intensity at the other men.

And in a flash, they were all gone.

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Another hillhanger? :O

Sorry for the horrible lemon. REALLY. I suck at writing lemon. My fingers bleed and I flinch at every word I write of lemon. I suppose I'm still too innocent yet.

A big thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. Cookies and bottles of love to you all! As usual, reviews are luffed.

Guess the book that inspired the mysterious lady's speech, and get something written for you by me! …Not sure if anyone would actually WANT me to write something for them… Hmmm…