A few weeks had passed, and Zero was conflicted. Ever since his conversation with Kuro, he'd been overwhelmed with the prospect of another like him. But he had heard that Kuro was not just any vampire; he was a pureblood. Why, then, was he a hunter? He needed answers, and perhaps closure from someone who might know how he suffered. So, as dawn broke and the vampires hastened to their sheltered dorm, Zero sought Kuro out. The latter came willingly as he was called, intrigued and eager to hear what Hunter had to say.

"What is it, Hunter? Have you thought more on my words?" Kuro said, a callous mirth dripping from each word. He hadn't actually expected to have Zero return to talk to him. He had thought that Hunter would wage yet another war of hate on him, as he had the others.

"Why did you tell me? What did you seek to benefit?" Zero retorted impatiently. Kuro bristled smugly; here was an opportunity for mischief.

"Would you believe me if I said I had no reason?"

Zero shook his head, angry that the pureblood saw fit to taunt him at such a time. Zero had felt himself slipping lately into the abyss of a Level E. He needed Kuro to tell him how to control it.

"Well, Hunter. I do have an explanation, and I will give it to you on one condition," Kuro said, wagging his long talon before Zero. The latter growled, and turned away from the incorrigible pureblood. "We are the same, Zero. We both have a twin, but it is impossible for us both to exist simultaneously with them. You will consume yours soon enough, and I will consume mine."

Zero looked up at him, surprised and mildly perturbed by Kuro's suggestion. Consume Ichiru? No, he couldn't do that!

"What happens when you consume Shiro?" he ventured. Although he was curious, Zero was well aware that by tampering with his destiny was a matter of life and death for their twins. How could Kuro consider it so easily and calmly?

"She will cease to exist, but make me stronger – strong enough to overthrow Kaname," Kuro answered, a gleam of ambition and yearning in his bright eyes. Zero did not like it. Kuro was a pureblood, and if he had assumed correctly in guessing that Kuro wanted his help in enabling him to consume Shiro, it would only serve to strengthen the one thing he loathed most. Again, Zero shook his head.

"No. I will not let you consume Shiro! I will not abet the vampire race for the sake of you," Zero declared, his hand twitching at his side as he contemplated finishing the troublesome pureblood then and there.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Kuro said, reading Hunter's thoughts. "By killing me, you will kill my sister too. We are connected, you see, the exact same entity in two forms. The only way for one to survive is for it to consume the other."

Zero frowned; this was unnatural. But he was resolved against Kuro anyway. The pureblood before him was no more innocent than Kuran in Zero's conscience.

"Then I will let Shiro consume you instead!" he protested. In that moment, Zero had lost the comradeship of his only hope of empathetic elations, but it was worth it. He would do anything to hinder vampires in their tyrannical ambitions, and Kuro was no exception.

"Then let it be known that all civil ties between us are broken, Hunter," Kuro spat defiantly. "You are on your own now, and when I consume Shiro, I will come for you and your loved ones too!"

With that, Kuro was gone, and Zero was left to ponder his parting words. His expression hardened and a treacherous smile crept upon his lips.

"I'll be waiting, vampire."

Hey guys! I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. I've been busy with another story that is more in demand than this one. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think! :)