Okie dokie here's part two! Sorry for the wait I've been tinkering with the ending…. Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Enjoy!

Beyond My Reach

Part 2

Kaname sat behind his desk tapping his fingers in irritation. This meeting was running long and it was boring. Then his cell phone started to buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out intending to send the call to voicemail but when he saw Toga Yagari's number he picked up bringing the meeting to a screeching halt. "Kuran speaking." Kaname stood and walked into a private room attached to his main office.

"Kaname. It's Toga." The old hunter sounded shaken.

"Why are you calling me so late? Is everything okay?" Kaname's mind jumped to Zero ad he prayed that it was not about Zero. Please just be about Association business. Not Zero. Please, God, not Zero.

"It's Zero." Kaname's heart stopped and it felt as if the world had dropped out from under his feet. "He's been in an accident."

"WHAT!" Kaname yelled into the phone. This had to be a dream.

"Calm down. He's in the hospital now. He's still in bad shape but he's stable now." Yagari sounded chocked up.

"Which hospital?" Kaname was already walking out the room to fetch is jacket and leave.

"Kaname-Sama the meeting?" A dark haired Vampire said.

"It's over." Kaname grabbed his trench coat and walked out of his office as Toga spoke.

"He's at the Hunter's hospital at the Association complex. He's in intensive care. The reason I called was because I was hoping that you would be able to give him blood." Yagari held his breath expecting Kaname to decline. He knew the Kaname had left Zero six years ago but Kaname still seemed interested in what Zero did with his life.

"Of course." Kaname met Seiren in the lobby and told her where to drive too. "Is Zero healing at all on his own?"

"The improvements his body has made are minimal. He hasn't taken tablet in about a week I'd guess and other then that he's in poor health. It's a miracle he's still alive now."

Kaname's heart hurt. "Very well I'm on my way. I will be there in twenty minutes. That's the fastest I can get there."

Toga looked at the pale and bleeding Zero. He crossed his fingers that Kaname could get here before Zero just stopped fighting and gave into death. "Okay. He's in room 504."

"Thank you Yagari-San." Kaname hung up the phone and stared out the window as they sped toward the Association Complex.

"Kaname-Sama what is the urgent rush?" Seiren asked as she flicked her eyes toward her master.

"Zero has been in an accident." Kaname said numbly.

"I suppose it's serious."

"Yes. He could very well die before we get there…" Kaname took a deep breath to hold in the tears that were pricking his eyes. "I need to give him my blood."

"Very well Kaname-Sama I will try to get there as fast as possible." Seiren pushed the accelerator down.

"Thank you." Kaname focused on keeping his composure and the second they pulled up to the hospital Kaname sprang from the car before Seiren had even pulled to a stop.

He didn't bother with the elevator instead he used his Pureblood speed to run up the stairs. The distressed Pureblood skidded into Zero's room. Yagari looked up. Kaname's heart froze at the grave expression on the old Hunter's face. "You made it." Yagari stood.

Kaname's eyes were glued to Zero. The silver hair was matted with blood, despite it being wiped clean a few minutes ago. Crimson stained everything white on Zero and the smell of the blood was driving Kaname crazy. To know that Zero had lost so much was painful to think about. Without hesitating Kaname walked over to Zero's side and sliced his wrist open. "Drink my love." Kaname held his wrist to Zero's lips and brushed silver hair with the other.

Cold lips latched onto Kaname's wrist and the Pureblood relaxed a little. If Zero could still smell his blood and hunger for it then there was a chance that the Hunter would live. After a few minutes of Zero drinking feverishly Kaname had to pull away or faint. Zero's body relaxed into the bed. Yagari watched with baited breath as Zero drank. He did not want to see his student die.

Kaname noticed small changes taking place. Small cuts and bruises were healing and Zero's breathing was evening out. His heart beat with joy that Zero would not die. The Pureblood reached over and took the cloth that Yagari had been using to clean Zero up with. He dipped it in the warm water before rubbing it over Zero's face. Once the blood was wiped away it did not come back. "Is he going to be all right?" Yagari asked as he came to stand by the bedside.

"Yes. He is healing now."

"Thank you Kaname." Yagari rested a large hand on the Vampire's shoulder.

"How could I let my love die?" Kaname didn't take his eyes off of Zero's still features. "He means too much too me." Kaname ran a hand down Zero's jaw.

"Then why did you leave?" Yagari picked up on the fact that Kaname was still in shock and didn't care that he was sharing such private details. So he thought at least he could get a little information out of him.

"I didn't want him to be harmed for being so close to me… I thought it was best." Kaname sat on the bed and rested a hand over Zero's now evenly beating heart.

"Are you going to stay with him now?"

"Yes." Kaname looked at the one eyed Hunter. "I'll stay the night with him. If you want to come back in the morning I would appreciate it."

"That's not the staying I meant." Yagari's eyes flashed.

"I know. And I will stay with Zero when he wakes up. Being away from his all this time has done nothing good for me. I don't want to stay away anymore. Even if Zero becomes a target I'll be by his side to save him." Kaname was looking back to Zero now.

"Good. I will see you tomorrow then." Yagari patted Kaname on the back then left.

Over the next three days Yagari and Kaname took turns staying with Zero hoping to see the silverette open his eyes. The Pureblood gave Zero blood everyday hoping to heal Zero faster but Zero remained sleeping. On the fourth morning Yagari came in to find Kaname asleep with his hand twined in Zero's and his head on the Hunter's chest. He shook the Pureblood lightly to wake him up. It was apparent that Kaname had gotten very little sleep between spending nights with Zero and settling business matters during the day. "Go home and sleep Kuran."

"Promise me you will call if Zero wakes up." Kaname rubbed his red eyes.

"Of course. Now go rest." Yagari nudged Kaname out of the room. Then he sat down and looked at his ex-student.

Zero's color was normal and all his vitals were normal. All the teen had to do now was wake up. Yagari flipped open a folder and started to work on a report. An hour after noon Zero groaned. Yagari held his breath as lilac eyes fluttered open. "Y-Yagari?" He croaked.

"Zero!" Yagari stood and went to Zero's side. "I'm so glad you're alive." Yagari handed over a cup of water that Zero downed in a few gulps. Then he sat up and looked around.

"Where's Kaname? I could have sworn I felt him and heard him…" Zero moved his fingers and he felt his body's buzz. "And I drank his blood?" He looked questioningly at his teacher.

"He went home to sleep. He's spent every night with you since the accident."

"How long ago was it?" Zero rubbed his face.

"Four days."

"Oh… so he was here?" Zero felt slightly hopeful.

"Of course. I promised to call the minute you woke up." Yagari pulled out his phone. Zero's hands reached out.

"May I?"

"Sure, kid." Yagari handed over his phone. "I'll leave it to you. I'm going to go get a nurse."

"Thanks." Zero smiled. His heart beat fast as he punched in Kaname's number and held the ringing phone to his ear. It rang again and again. Zero bit his lip waiting for Kaname to pick up. But he didn't. It went to voice mail and Zero stayed on the phone to hear Kaname's recorded voice. When it came time to leave a message he froze up. If Kaname didn't answer thinking it was Yagari with news then maybe he didn't actually want to be around him. Zero hung up after a few seconds of silence.

It felt as if something were crushing his chest as tears threatened to spill over. So Kaname really didn't want to see him after all. Was he just helping him for the sake of Yagari? Was it simply a favor to the Association? Zero set Yagari's phone down on the table.

Yagari retuned a few minutes later with a nurse who checked all of Zero's signs and wrote them down before informing him that he would be able to leave as soon as a doctor signed the discharge papers. The silver haired hunter said nothing of not talking to Kaname. It just hurt too much. Yagari dropped Zero off at his apartment. The young Hunter thanked him and told him that he would call tonight and that he'd be at work tomorrow. Yagari tried to protest but Zero waved them off and went to his apartment.

Even though it was the middle of the afternoon he felt tired. But he didn't want to sleep he knew what dreams would come to him. They would hurt so much more now… to know that he had Kaname's blood in his veins but hadn't seen the Pureblood hurt more than any injury he had ever acquired while on mission. This sucked to put it lightly.

Instead of sleeping Zero opened his laptop and logged onto the internet. He'd engage in his favorite past time… checking news articles to see what Kaname had been up to lately.

It was sundown when Kaname woke up. Strange… I got no phone calls… Kaname sat up. He knew that he had left his phone volume up so he would wake up if Yagari called. He reached for his phone and clicked on the display. "Twelve missed calls!" The Pureblood hadn't registered how tired and worn down he had been but the fact that he hadn't even woken up to his phone ringing showed him clearly that he was exhausted. Kaname quickly scrolled through them. They were work calls or Seiren. Then his heart sank as he saw the first missed call. "Fuck!" Kaname dialed into his voicemail and saved each of the work messages. He would deal with those soon enough. He wanted an update on Zero. The last message was from when Yagari called. But it was silent the only thing that could be heard was the beeping of machines and light breaths. Kaname's heart froze not sure what to make of it. So he called Yagari right away. "Kaname?"

"Yagari-San. I'm sorry I missed your call this afternoon what happened?" Kaname ran a hand through his sleep tousled hair.

Yagari froze and stared at his phone. Hadn't Zero called Kaname? Didn't they talk? "Wasn't there a message?"

"It was blank. Yagari what happened?" Kaname was feeling frightened now.

"Zero was the one that called you. He was discharged this afternoon. I gave him my phone to call you and let you know that he was okay. You mean you didn't talk to him?"

"NO! What the hell! Why wouldn't he leave me a message! Did you tell him I had been with him every night and had given him blood?" Kaname was hysterical. Zero was fine and had called but he hadn't left a message. Was he too disgusted with Kaname? What must Zero think of him? Helping only when Zero was on the brink of death.

"I did and he said he was calling you. Which he apparently did. I dropped him off at his apartment because I thought you'd be there soon…" Yagari smacked his forehead. How had he not picked up on the fact that Zero was upset on the ride to the kid's apartment?

"Shit! I've got to go." Kaname didn't wait for Yagari to reply he just hung up and started getting ready to leave. Then he called Seiren to let her know he would not be into work because he was going to Zero's. She couldn't help but be happy that Kaname was going to be with his lover again.

Kaname walked to Zero's apartment building and stood on the street counting the windows to Zero's apartment and he stared up at it. He had been so sure that he would have the courage to go in once he was here but somewhere along the way he became unsure. What if he doesn't want to see me? He didn't leave a message when he had the chance to tell me he was alright. He hasn't called me either…does he really hate me? Kaname just stared up at the window and thought.

Yagari called up Zero intending to give him a good talking to before Kuran arrived. "Yagari-Sensei?" Zero said into the phone.

"Zero why didn't you leave a message for Kuran this afternoon." Zero's heart skipped a beat.

"I didn't know what to say." Zero told the truth. It was something he hadn't done in a while… but it was so easy.

"I just got a call from Kaname. He was curious as to why he received a call from me but a blank message. He's on his way to your place now." Yagari was a bit disappointed in Zero. He had hoped Zero would go willingly back to Kaname. He had been so much happier with the Pureblood.

"Oh… um… well I guess I'll get to talk to him in a bit then." Zero fought to keep his breath even. Kaname. He was going to be seeing Kaname soon. Dare he believe it?

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine… actually I'm more then fine." Zero smiled like he hadn't smiled since his days at Cross. "I'll see you tomorrow Yagari. I hope you have good mission for me. And who knows I might have my old partner back."

"I hope so."

"Bye."

"Bye Zero." Yagari smiled as he hung up. He felt warm and fuzzy on the inside.

The second Zero was off the phone he started bustling around his small apartment cleaning up a bit then he changed into his favorite outfit. He couldn't wait to see Kaname.

Yagari and Kaito were waiting at Zero's desk the next morning when Zero came in. "So? How'd it go? I heard you had a hot date last night?" Kaito quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh did you?" Zero scowled at his friend. "Who'd you hear that from?"

"Yagari-Sama?" Kaito elbowed said person.

"I don't know what you were playing at." Zero looked at Yagari trying hard to contain his rage. "But you seem to have been mistaken. I stayed up last night waiting for Kaname and guess what? Nothing. I wasted an evening waiting, as I have for six years, on someone who has no interest in me." Zero's tone was cold. "I hope you have a nice mission for me." Zero grabbed the folders Yagari had in his hands. The Hunter was beyond shocked.

"But Kuran-Sama said he was on his way to your place when he called me yesterday. He obviously feels something for you if he stayed by your side for three nights and gave you his blood every day." Zero wasn't interested in what Yagari had to say. He was looking for the worst possible mission. "Zero he's been worried sick about you."

"Are those his words or ones you put in his mouth?" Zero seethed as he gripped the mission folder tightly.

"Yo Zero calm down. You're starting to Vamp out." Kaito said when he saw Zero's eyes glimmer red.

"That's nice." Zero shrugged. He didn't want to be here anymore it felt suffocating. "Have a good day. I'm going on the hunt." Zero took out the sheet that he needed to bring with him and dropped the folder on his desk. "Bye." Zero strode right back out of the Association and went to where his spare bike was parked.

As he sped off toward the Den of Es Zero let his mind slip into fighting mode. He let his instincts take over his body so when he arrived at the abandoned warehouse he was ready to kill.

Kaito snatched to folder as soon as he got over the shock of what had just happened. Yagari was still stunned. But the sandy haired hunter flipped it open and looked at the mission outline. "Yagari… this is bad." Kaito showed Yagari the mission Zero had picked.

"Fuck! He's going to need back up."

"I'll go with Osaka, Ito, Mori, Fukui, Tanaka and Kai." Kaito punched in the six numbers and sent out a text letting them know they were on assignment starting now.

"Good. You should be able to catch up with Zero then." Yagari nodded and went to his office.

As soon as the four hunters had assembled they left. Kaito was scared of finding Zero dead after all he was going up against forty Level Es. They were only ten minutes behind him and as long as Zero didn't go speeding around they wouldn't be too far behind their friend.

The second the Es realized that Zero was there for kills they attacked. Zero fired the Bloody Rose time and again but it was not enough to ward off the Es. Talons tore at his flesh. His left forearm was bare to the bone and he was blinking blood out of his eyes as he lashed out with talons of his own? He hadn't realized he'd grown them… this had never happened before. Then again this was the first time he had let his Vampire blood take full control over him. With Kaname's blood flowing in his veins it was easy to forget he had ever been human. It also made his wounds heal up fast. But it didn't prevent the blood from flowing from fresh wounds or deep gouges that healed slowly. He felt bones break as a foot connected with his back. It took longer for him to kill the E then for his bones to heal. As the Es swarmed over him Zero knew that this was his death he was facing. But that was perfectly fine with him he was fed up with all the shit in his life. But just because he was giving up didn't mean he had to go down without a fight.

When Kaito and the other Hunters arrived the battle was already in full swing and the stink of blood hung heavy in the air. They were not more than twenty minutes behind Zero's arrival but ash of dead Vampires littered the floor and Zero was fighting on despite how drenched in blood he was. The sight of Zero was frightening actually. His hair was no longer silver but stained scarlet with his own blood. And his left hand had grown into a talon while he wielded the Bloody Rose in his right with devastating effectiveness.

After exchanging a quick glance the seven Hunters charged in to aid one of their own.

Another fifteen minutes saw that the Es were all dead and Zero was kneeling amidst a pile of ashes panting as flesh and bone meshed together. "Zero…" Kaito walked toward the panting and bloody Hunter.

"What the fuck Kaito!" Zero spun to his feet and back handed Kaito with his gun. The sandy haired hunter reeled back as blood rushed into his mouth. "I had this covered."

"Actually." Kaito spat out a mouth full of blood. "You were right on your way to dying."

"Don't you think that was the point!" Zero shouted.

"Why Zero? Don't be such a selfish fuck!" Kaito shoved Zero. "You do realize that Kuran was with you every time I went to see you at the god damn hospital. That he was wearing himself out seeing you at night and working all day. Yagari got a rationing of shit for staying with you from the Association but he didn't give a fuck. You're not the only who gives a fuck about you. And Kuran is the one you can thank for being alive now!"

"He should have just let me die!" Zero shouted as his fists clenched into tight balls and tears tried to force themselves out of Zero's eyes.

"Ya and how would that help? You're so stupid! For fucks sake Kuran saved your sorry ass because he wanted to!" Kaito wanted to wring Zero's neck.

"So what. He didn't come see me last night."

"Then call him for crying out loud! If you want to see him then make it happen. Okay it's not that fucking hard."

Zero spun away from Kaito so he could compose himself. He had lost complete control and now he was trying to real himself in. Kaito was making it hard though but Zero took a deep breath and tried again. When he turned back to Kaito he had his mask secured in place. "Sorry I hit you man. And thanks for saving my ass." Zero quirked a fake smile.

"Ya…" Kaito looked at Zero and knew that he was faking. It was written all over his face and the way his shoulders were set and how hollow his voice was.

"I'm going home to clean up. I'll catch ya later." Zero thanked the other Hunters as he walked out. He was grateful that Kaito had saved him but at the same time he was pissed that he was still alive. Pulling out his blood tablet case Zero popped a handful into his mouth. The last effects of Kaname's blood had been used to heal the wounds of the recent battle. So Zero drove home fighting nausea and the urge to pass out.

The next day Zero fell back into the role he had been playing for so long. That mask of life was covering a dead Zero. He took on more missions and was out of the Association office every time Kaname came looking for him. But every night Kaname would stand outside of Zero's building before he went to work and look up at his window trying to build up the courage to go to Zero. But he never did.

Kaname was looking up at Zero's window. His was the only one in the building that was still lit. He had done this many times and every time he looked at Zero's window he wondered how the silver haired hunter was. He hadn't seen him since the hospital and he had been sleeping the whole time. Just today Kaname had spoke to Yagari and it seemed Zero was still struggling. By all reports even worse than he had been before the accident which was now almost five months ago. It had hurt to hear that Zero had taken a mission with the full intent to die. If Kaito and the other Hunters had not shown up Zero would be dead. Kaname bit his lip. The apartment would be dark forever… but Zero was still alive, depressed but alive because Kaname was looking up to that window.

Zero sat typing away on his laptop trying to finish a report, as usual. He really didn't feel like going to sleep but he knew if he didn't at least try that Yagari would be on his case again tomorrow. It seemed that his old teacher just couldn't let the subject of Zero's health drop. At first it had been rather nice to have someone care about him but that had been back when Zero still cared about his health. Now he just wanted to be left alone because he didn't care. He'd stopped caring a while ago. Which was why he took on the crazy missions. Which was why he went out of his way to confront Level E Vampires.

Writing up reports was one thing that Zero hated the most. He could have gone on mission after mission and been fine with it. But these reports were so time consuming and dumb! Shaking his head Zero continued to type. He was halfway through when a knock came at his door. Who the fuck wants to see me this late? Zero thought as he set his laptop aside and went to answer the door.

"Zero Kiryu?" A man in a well tailored suit asked when Zero opened the door.

"Yeah. What do you want?" Zero asked. The man's answer was a leap for Zero's throat.

Spinning Zero dodged the attack only getting a shallow cut on his shoulder. Zero slammed the door and turned to the man whose eyes were glowing red and his fingers were lengthening into talons. "A Level E. How pleasant." Zero smiled and crouched into fighting position. The Vampire rushed him and Zero rolled out of the way and made for The Bloody Rose sitting on his coffee table.

A sting radiated from Zero's thigh as the E cut through Zero's jeans. The ex-human wasn't too worried because he could feel his flesh already knitting back together. Tucking and rolling Zero came up knocking a lamp over and grabbed his gun and fired off a shot. It grazed the E's shoulder knocking it sideways from its lung toward Zero. Standing Zero walked over to the whining E and kicked it square in the chest. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"You're a betrayer! You kill your own kind." It said in its odd voice. Like Zero hadn't heard this a thousand and one times. Zero bared his fangs and hissed as he back handed the E with the Bloody Rose. This infuriated it and the deranged Vampire slashed Zero's chest with its long talons. Crimson ran in torrents from the wound but Zero pulled The Bloody Rose up to shoot. The four deep gouges were already half way healed when the bullet missed and the E Leapt in for another attack. This time Zero was ready. He ducked the blow and rammed the barrel of his gun into the Vampire's chest firing for the third time finally hitting the target. The Level E Vampire crumbled to dust and Zero stood up straight. "What an asshole… this was one of my favorite shirts." Zero scowled as he picked at the tatters of the tee shirt. Shaking his head Zero walked to get the vacuum so he could clear his living room of filth.

Kaname was looking up at Zero's window his was the only one in the building that was still lit. Was still lit… Kaname sigh to himself as a light flicked out. Another wasted trip. I should have just gone in…but of course I don't have the courage or the right to ask Zero back into my life. Not after I've ruined it so thoroughly.

Kaname had come here with the intent to see Zero… but that had been almost three hours ago and he was still standing outside of Zero's apartment building staring at the lit window of his love's window. Then the sweet tang of Zero's blood wafted into his nose. And it was no small amount of it either. Kaname's mind kicked into over drive… was Zero trying to kill himself? The Pureblood burst into motion and ran into the building. The elevator would take too long so Kaname raced up the stairs.

Bursting into Zero's hallway, the scent of blood was heavy. He dashed down the hall to Zero's door and threw it open with a pounding heart. "Zero!" Kaname shouted as he skidded to a halt. The room was empty.

Had Zero seriously just heard Kaname call his name? Zero walked out of the bathroom still holding the bloody washcloth he had been washing himself with. "Kaname?" Zero called as he walked shirtless into the living room. Kaname was standing there, panting and staring wide eyed at Zero. "Uh… Kaname…" His heart was beating fast in his chest and it almost hurt to see the man that he had dreamed about and yearned for these six years. He wanted to run to him and burry his face in his neck. But at the same time he wanted to punch him and yell at him. "What are you doing here?" Zero finished rubbing his chest clean of blood and walked behind Kaname to close the door on the way to the kitchen to hang the washcloth on the sink's side.

"I…I…" Kaname didn't know what to say. He had expected to find Zero bleeding and close to death. Now he felt terribly awkward. "I was in the neighborhood… and I smelled your blood… I thought you were dying…" Kaname rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at the floor.

"Why would I be dying?" Zero asked as he walked back into the room.

"I smelled a lot of your blood… and I thought…" Kaname just gave up trying to explain and he just looked at Zero. Yagari was right. Zero really didn't look healthy. Kaname could see all of Zero's ribs poking out and his pants sat low enough on his hips for the Pureblood to see prominent hipbones that were hugged by huge pants belted tight to them. Dark circles were very clear under Zero's eyes and those eyes… they were empty and hollow looking. Guilt twined around Kaname's heart because he knew he had done this to Zero.

Zero watched Kaname stare at him for a few minutes before he started to feel awkward in the silence. "Did you come to ogle me or do you have a legit reason?" Zero asked leaning against the back of the couch facing Kaname. The Pureblood snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Zero.

"I'm so sorry." Kaname had just realized that logically leaving Zero had been the best thing for the Hunter but he had not factored in how close they had gotten and how much it would affect him.

"It's been six years Kaname. Why bother coming back now? You have the perfect life… go live it and forget about me." Zero stood and walked toward the front door intending to open it for Kaname to leave. But as he passed Kaname grabbed his wrist and jerked him to a halt.

"I lost my perfect life when I left you behind. I've avoided you because I knew that if I saw you I wouldn't be able to stay away and I knew it was best for you if I stayed away. But when I smelled your blood I thought you were dying. And I couldn't bare that thought…it was like Yagari calling me about your accident. To think even for a second that you could be dead… it hurts. I never want to be without you. I love you Zero." Kaname looked earnestly at his love and his gaze begged for forgiveness. Zero didn't know what to say. He had finally heard the words he had longed to here from those lips. But now… Zero felt himself freezing up. This must be a dream. Kaname couldn't really be here. Tears stated to sting Zero's eyes he wanted this so bad but he didn't think he could take this being a dream… it felt so real… so relaxing. "Zero…" Kaname cupped Zero's thin face in his hands and looked into the Hunter's eyes.

"Kaname…please tell me this is real." Zero blinked back his tears.

"It is real Zero. I won't leave again…" Kaname leaned in and brushed his lips against Zero's. The Hunter felt his heart expanding with joy.

Zero smiled and wrapped his arms around Kaname's neck to kiss him. He felt at peace now that Kaname was back. "I love you Kaname."