SERIOSLY A HUGE THANKS TO WWW.L.O.V. , CLAIRE9505, gRayLu010 AND ANY OTHR ONES I'M FORGETTING TO THANK FOR REMINDING ME THAT THERE ARE STILL FANS OUT THERE WAITING TO READ MORE. YOU GUYS AND YOU'RE AWESOME REVIEWS GAVE ME THE STRENGTH TO COME BACK AND FINISH WHAT I STARTED OVER 3 YEARS AGO. IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY AND THOUGH THIS ISN'T THE LAST CHAPTER, I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WHO HAVE BEEN WITH ME FROM THE BEGINNING STAY UNTIL THE VERY END THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CHAPTER 34: DISCOVERY

RIMA

IT turned out that Lillian was not the only vampire that had been kept prisoner for countless years. In total there were 12 of them. Three of them who had been deemed as dead judging from the seperate piles of ashes and the distinct smells. Everyone watched in horror as the survivng ones were quickly attended to and given medical attention.

None of the hunters seemed to have known of this trecherous act.

Everyone, including me had been taken by complete surprise when Rokoru had said she was his fiance.

A fiance that everyone had thought to have killed herself. I watched as Rokoru helped the medics care for her and wondered what he was feeling at this very moment. To see that she was alive and would be well.

As I watched him intently I saw the change in him, in his eyes and was a bit relieved that he now had a new purpose to keep his mind and most importantly his heart busy.

But still the fondeness I had for him couldn't stop me from wondering and worrying what this was doing emotionally to him. It must be more than one should be able to handle.

Then again, he wasn't just anyone. He was Rokoru, savior to ones heart and soul.

"You're worried about him aren't you?" Shiki asked lightly placing is hand on my shoulder.

His touch felt good on my skin and I couldn't help but smile, glad to know just how well he knew me.

"I am. This has to be very shocking for him and he's helped me so much, and you as well. I am deeply indebted to him," I confessed burying my face in his tender but healed chest.

Almost fully healed, but I knew he wouldn't be complete until the hunger he now felt was quenched. A hunger so strong and intense that showed in his eyes.

A hunger he hid from me because he was worried about all the blood that I had lost. I felt his hand caress my hair as he held me close to him and I gripped his torn shirt, afraid to lose him for even a second.

Taking my hand he began to lead me forward. I was about to ask where we were going when I saw we were making our way to Rokoru. He barely noticed us.

"Is she going to be alright?" I asked lightly.

He seemed a bit taken off guard but answered with a small nod.

"This whole time we- I thought she was gone forever. I can't imagine what she's been through. Rokoru explained.

Beside me I felt Shiki nod in response. He knew what it was like to feel something similar when he saw me die because of Kaori.

I gave his arm a small silent squeeze to let him know I was here.

I was still beside him because he had fought so hard for me.
I realized how lucky I was and just how much I didn't know of what Shiki had been through in that time period. I wondered how he must have felt.

"I have to take her back. Back home. I want her to wake up surrounded by those who love her. I have to take care of her," he explained.

I listened and knew what this meant; I wouldn't see him again. Not for a long time.

Maybe not ever and I felt a lump in my throat. And here I had thought that we had said our goodbyes already.

"I'm leaving, Rima. I have to," he stated with conviction, resolve.

I looked up at him and nod a small nod. Gently he takes me by shoulders and embraces me.

"I won't ever forget you Rima Toya. You have changed me completly and you will always have a special place in my heart. I know just as much as you that you made the right decision and now, so have I," he whispered in my ear.

"And here I thought we had said our goodbye," he smiles reading my mind exactly.

"I wish you nothing but happiness Rima. Senri-san, I know you will take care of her. Thank you for everything," he continues louder as he pulls away from me and turns to Shiki.

"No, thank you for being there for her when I couldn't be," he replied with gratitude.

"Take care."

We watched in silence as he turned and followed the medics that were transporting Lillith outside where an emergency chopper had probably been called.

Eveyones attention was called to order and immediatly the environment became quiet. Kaname, Yuuki and Zero stepped into everyones view.

"What we discovered here today is indeed very lamentable but it just shows us that as vampires and hunters, there really needs to be a mutal ground, one where nothing is hidden and no one is ever placed in such a situation as we have seen today. That is why today, everyone present, both vampire and hunter will stand witness to our agreement of peace and justice for the sake of both our races. if anyone objects to this, please voice your opinion now," Kaname said.

Everyone watched in silence, looking to see who would dare try to stand in the way of this newly found peace.

Turning to Zero Kaname bit his wrist where blood elegently danced onto his hand and quickly filling the room with it's intoxicating scent. He extended his hand out to Zero.

"With my blood and as representative of the vampire race, I Kaname Kuran swear to do everything in my power to make sure that vampires will not harm an innocnet human or that any hunter will be unjustly harmed by one either. I will do everything I can to maintain peace with the human and hunters world. I take full responsibilty for their actions," he vowed.

Zero looking serious as ever followed and biting his wrist extnded his hand out to Kaname. They didn't shake yet.

"I Zero Kiryuu, by my blood and as president of the Hunters Association swear to make sure that hunters do not unjustly harm or hunt a vampire. I will work together with Kaname Kuran in trying to create the perfect balance for humans and vampires to live in peace. I take full responsibility for their actions," he vowed facing Kaname.

After a moment of silence they shook hands.

The vampires all bowed out of respect while the hunters clapped.

A new world for peace started to seem real and possible.

Lightly cupping my chin with his hand, Shiki's soft lips met with mine.

We were going to be alright.

As everything returned to a somewhat normal environment once again, there were many changes that also took place.

Young hunters who wanted to learn more about vampires were encouraged to join the night class. Older ones were encouraged to give lectures for the night class on their history.

Its amazing what learning something from another's point of view that you thought you knew so well made you realize how little you actually do know of them.

To say that problems never arose between us would be a lie. A confrontation would ring out every now and then and with swift action, a punishment was in agreement by both vampires and hunters.

Aside the vampires that were found, it was said that Shiki and I sustained the most critical wounds and were given special permission to take a break from classes.

I went back home to visit my mother who had to be confined to the underground mansion after they reported the news of my death to her.

She was in hysterics when she saw me.

I had never seen her like that. She was always so well composed and I couldn't help but cry with her when she threw her arms around me. It was a once in a lifetime moment that I thought I would never see.

After that she was afraid to let me out of her sight and I didn't really want to be away from her either. Like a little child, I felt safe in her presence. She loved me.

After a few days, Shiki came as well. My mother was glad to see him and welcomed him with open arms for my sake.

Often I would take a nap in the middle of the night and see them take a stroll in the garden lit up by the moonlight. I wondered what they would talk about.

When I decided it was time to go back to class I learned from my mother by accident that Shiki hadn't been home at all. he had stayed in the dorms.

"Ne, Shiki, Why didn't you go and visit your mother?" I asked on the train ride to school.

He didn't say anything.

"You should go see her," I told him.

"I- ...I don't want to see her hurt again because of me. She must have been in a lot of pain." he explained in a low voice.

"I wrote her a letter to let her know I was alright now, and that you were too."

"Still, you should see her personally," I adviced.

"I'll go with you," I encouraged reaching for his hand across from me.

As we entered the mansion from the front, there stood his mother in a flowing black evening gown. Her blood red hair, like his, in a deliberate mess.

Shiki's mom really was beautiful.

"You naughty boy!" she cried running to him, a sob caught in her throat as she threw her arms around him. She buried her face in his shoulder and began to shake uncontrollably.

"Mother, I'm home," he whispered gently stroking her hair.

I stood there watching, feeling as if I shouldn't have come. I felt like I was intruding on their mother-son moment.

But before I could say anything, Shiki held her at arms length and smiled at her, a genuin smile.

"Mother you remember Rima," he said turning to reach out for my hand. I walked over to them still slightly uncomfortable.

"Rima! How you've grown!" she quickly asessed me with a smile.

"Thank you for taking are of my careless boy," she said.

And before I could stop myself I spoke the first words that my heart threw out," I love your son very much."

It took them both by surprise but he pulled me in close to him. His scent was all over I noticed inhaling deeply.

"Mother, I came because I wanted to tell you, I'm going to marry her. I'm going to marry Rima. My Rima," he announced. He looked down at me with intense eyes.

His mother began to cry.