Opening his eyes and taking a deep breath, Zero stepped back and placed his hands on Rei's shoulders. She looked up at him, her almond eyes a deep shade of violet. Suddenly it hit him like a jolt of electricity that this really was the first time that he had been alone with her since that intimate night between them so many years ago. He let the gravity of that reality sink in- the last time that he had been this close to her had been the night that they had conceived their child..

He had been looking at her all this time but he hadn't been really looking at her. He allowed his eyes to slowly roam her face, taking in her delicate features. It had been 8 years, but time hadn't changed her much. Her eyes shone with the same will and strength that he remembered since their youth.

Focused, he let his eyes linger on the scar lining her face. He took the pad of his thumb and gently grazed the trail of the scar from the tip down to it's ending just above her chin. As he slowly moved his finger, Rei closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. He took this opportunity to let his mind wander. He didn't mean to, but it brought to mind the mental photo he had taken on his way out as he left that morning. Rei's innocently sleeping face, and her nude body curled contentedly in the sheets of her bed.

Zero's heart skipped a beat and he paused, caught off guard by the sudden feeling. 'What is this?' He wondered. Without thinking it through, he found himself reaching with his other hand around to the back of Rei's head. With no thought, he pulled the pins from her hair and watched as her locks fell around her. Rei's eyes opened and she looked at him with mild confusion. Zero's concentration didn't break. He continued to stare, remembering Rei as she once was and finally seeing her again now. He reached out a hand and grasped a wavy lock that had fallen in front of her face, running his fingers down it's length and savoring the silky feel of it in his hands. "It's grown quite a bit in the last 8 years hasn't it?" He murmured quietly, not taking his eyes off of her face. Rei flushed, "Yes, it's not where it was before, but I'm growing as much as I can…I think that I'll need it soon".

Zero nodded absently. He understood. Rei was growing it out with the intent that she would once again have to cut it when she faced the woman who held their other son. Zero said nothing, but in his mind he knew that it wouldn't come to that. He was forced to sit back helplessly while Rei cut her hair to battle Rido, but he had absolutely no intention of allowing that to happen again. When Rei found this woman, he would be there, and she wouldn't have to rely on her strength alone when that time came. With a solemn smile, he once again looked into her eyes. He remembered the earnest look in them that night. She had offered herself up, given him her everything in order to provide him just a small bit of comfort, and she had asked nothing of him in return. All that she had offered him she had delivered and so much more. That night had been nothing short of memorable, and how was he to have known that such an amazing kid would have been the end result of it as well? Holding her gaze, he smiled sweetly at her, stroking her scarred face once more. "I don't hate you Rei. And there's nothing to forgive- you did what you thought you had to, in order to keep our children safe. You don't have to worry about this alone anymore. We're going to find him, I promise"

Rei's lip quivered, she was sure that she had never cried this much in her entire life- combined. Carrying the weight of this for so long had been unbearable.

"Hisachi." She said quietly. Looking up at him through tired, tear-flooded eyes. Zero scrunched his face at her. "What are you saying, Rei?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, "His name…It's what I named him…Hisachi…".

"Ah. Okay, Hisachi. Well don't worry then. We'll find Hisachi together."

Looking into Zero's eyes Rei saw gentleness and strong determination. Finally, she wouldn't have to carry this secret anymore and she wouldn't face it alone. He didn't hate her for it, and he could forgive her as well…

"That's…so…good…" Rei mumbled, as she faded into blackness a small smile of relief on her face.

Zero saw Rei as she began to lose consciousness and easily reached out and caught her. Checking her breathing, he attempted to wake her, but she seemed to be out cold. He again looked at the sleeping woman and brushed the hair from her face. He couldn't imagine what she had endured on her own these past years. He hugged her limp body to his. He meant what he said, she wouldn't be alone any longer and together they would find their son.

Gathering Rei up in his arms he set out to the area that had been arranged for sleeping. It had been a long day and she probably needed the rest more than any of the rest of them. As Zero walked along the corridor towards the sleeping cove, he found Kaname standing against a wall, deep in thought and apparently waiting, possibly for Rei? Kaname looked at the passed-out woman in Zero's arms and quickly strode over to meet him.

"What has happened?" He asked, not giving Zero a passing glance, but roaming his eyes over Rei's face and body for injury.

Zero found himself having to choke back his own displeasure at the level of concern that he registered in Kaname's eyes as they travelled across Rei. He wasn't sure why Kaname's interest in Rei should bother him, but still Zero found that he didn't much care for it.

"Nothing has happened." Zero snapped curtly, pulling Rei back from Kaname's prying eyes. "She's just exhausted is all. I think the day's events finally caught up with her. I'm going to go lay her down so she can rest."

Kaname looked sharply at Zero. "I can take her," he offered, reaching his arms out to take Rei. It was an offer, but to Zero it still felt more like a command. Even as a human, Kaname still had an air of authority about him that rubbed Zero wrong.

"It's okay, I've got h-"

"I believe that your partner has been awaiting you." Kaname cut him off abruptly. The tone of Kaname's voice agitated Zero. He could hear the undercutting of annoyance in it, but Zero couldn't determine if it was annoyance at Zero's unwillingness to relinquish Rei to him, or annoyance that Yuki was awaiting Zero's return. Either way, Zero didn't want to give into Kaname. However, he himself was beginning to feel conflicted about the strange reactions he was having towards both Rei, and Kaname's affection's towards her. It seemed best to just hand Rei off so that he could return to Yuki and fill her in on everything.

With a grimace, Zero held Rei out, while Kaname carefully pulled her into his arms, cradling her close and then carefully brushing the hair from her face. Zero watched this exchange with an unsettling tinge of anger. Ignoring the throbbing ache in his chest he turned and went in search of Yuki. There was much to be discussed and he really needed to be near her right now.

Kaname, laid Rei down as gently as possible on the makeshift mat that had been prepared next to Roihichi. He watched her sleep and marveled at the purity of her expression. He chuckled to himself. Angelic was what it looked like, but this woman, Rei, when she was awake could be fiery and wild. 'What a contradiction' he thought to himself, 'she really is rather amazing'. Sighing Kaname, laid down near her. He had finally made up his mind about what he would do regarding his memories, but it looked like he would have to wait until tomorrow to tell her about it.

The next afternoon, Roihichi was sent to a far part of the cavern to practice his training while the four adults met to discuss their next steps. Zero had already caught Yuki up to speed on everything, so everyone waited while the situation was explained to Kaname as well.

After it was explained, Kaname turned to look at Rei. "You've dealt with this for the past 8 years then?" Rei nodded quietly. Kaname's eyes saddened and he frowned. "That must have been hard for you." He reached out to lightly touch her hand. "I'm willing to help in any way that I can to assist you."

Rei found his voice soothing, and the look in his eyes was reassuring. A genuine smile touched her face. "Thank you Kaname, I'm sure you already know that you don't have to-"

"Of course I will." Kaname cut her off. Cupping her chin and lightly placing his thumb upon her lips, he gave her a small smile that Rei couldn't help but notice just didn't seem to reach his dark brown eyes.

Zero loudly cleared his throat, and attention shifted back to the circle where an uncomfortable tension wafted lightly in the air. The discussion resumed and it was quickly determined that Kaien and another Association member who Zero had immense trust in, would be the obvious starting points for information. Rei breathed a sigh of relief at this. Kaien and Yagari had been one of the first contacts she had wanted to use, but her fear of the Association had made reaching out to him incredibly dangerous at the beginning and his skill had made him basically impossible to locate. Kaien's research skills and historical knowledge were legendary and Rei knew that he would come up with some fresh leads for them to follow.

After deliberation it was decided that they would split into two parties. Rei and Kaname would go directly to Kaien's New Association's N/A Outpost so that they could fill him in and he could immediately start researching. Rei could share all of the research she'd acquired and compiled over the past 8 years and together they'd be able to narrow down the most relevant information to pursue.

The second party would consist of Zero, Yuki, and Roihichi. The three of them would follow the current lead that Rei had already been working on with Roihichi when they had all ran into each other. It was relatively close and and would only take an additional day or two for them to look into it and meet everyone back at the Outpost.

Rei was still not comfortable with the Roihichi decision, but Roi had expressed that he would like to go and spend more time getting to know his dad. She had already taken him on more dangerous adventures than this so she couldn't very well use that as an excuse. Plus not only would he be with Zero who was more than capable of taking care of him, he would also have a pure-blood vampire with him. Zero and Yuki had successfully ran this long so it proved they could stay hidden, and Roi was well versed in evasion as well now too. She knew that he would be safe. It would just be the first that he had ever been away from her and it would be difficult to deal with.

Finally it was determined that a hunter should stay with Roi at all times. Since the outpost had been safe it would be best for him to stay there until the search was over. They would discuss it with Kaien when they arrived, but the only way that Rei would go along with leaving him at the Outpost was knowing that Kaien and Yaguri would agree to watch over him and keep him in their care.

With the plans all settled late that evening, it was determined that everyone would pack up and prepare their rations and baggage for the journeys ahead and then get a good nights sleep. They would all head their separate ways early the next morning.

Raising up from his sleeping mat, Zero opened his eyes and peered around the darkness, blinking to assess his location. He looked down to see a figure laying quietly next to him. Moving closer he saw it was Rei. Her sleeping form captivated him, and he couldn't help but think of the feel of holding her in his arms earlier. Seemingly unable to stop himself, he slowly took his hand and traced the outline of her curves. She moaned lightly in her sleep and turned towards him, her violet eyes fluttering open and looking at him. "Zero…?" He couldn't help it, he leaned in and kissed her. Gently. Rei's eyes opened in surprise, but without allowing himself time to think it through, Zero deepened the kiss, Rei's eyes quickly closed. Zero felt her rope her fingers around his neck bringing him closer to her. He didn't want to allow himself to think- it had already been so long… Quickly he trailed kisses down her smooth cheek, down her neck, and littered them down the side of her body. As Rei grasped on to him and moaned quietly, Zero let his hands explore the rest of her, there was no one else in this space except them and he didn't want to hold back. Gently using his mouth, he licked and kissed his way back up to her mouth, and met her eyes, "Tell me if you want me to stop" he gasped, "Otherwise, I won't."

Rei said nothing, but her eyes spoke volumes to his body. Grunting, Zero rolled her on her stomach, he slid her hair over her shoulder and began slowly kissing from her neck down to her back, again letting his hands hungrily explore from the front to the back of her body. Rei's moan's muffled now by the bedding, urged him further still, and he soon found that he had no patience for waiting. Kissing his way back up, he stopped at the junction of her shoulder and neck and with only a slight pause beforehand, he passionately pierced his fangs into her from the back, savoring her surprise and submissiveness to his bite. He held her hands, fingers interwoven as he sucked from her neck and she sighed in pleasure. Having his fill of her blood, he slowly removed his fangs, letting the remaining blood spill from her neck and roll down her body. He pulled her on her side, then frantically reached down to release himself, his fingers gripped her hip, and with a desperate grunt, he slowly entered her. The feeling was more intense than he remembered. Rei's head snapped back as his name fell from her lips. He kissed her neck, his hands caressing her and roaming freely over her body as they fell into a natural rhythm together. He closed his eyes and focused on the scent of her filling his nose and sound of her calling his name. He just wanted nothing more than to please her. It was the only thought on his mind, his sole purpose at this moment. "Rei…" he murmured passionately into her ear, his fingers sliding forward and nimbly stroking her as he sped up his movements, working desperately to bring her to the edge .

"Rei…I.."

Zero moved faster now, reveling in the sensation of her. She was closer now, he could feel it.

"…I…"

Almost there…he began to move with frantic abandon as he felt her body clench down around him.

"I-I love you Rei…"

The words released from his mouth at the same time as he released and let go inside of her, allowing himself to completely abandon his mind and body to the feelings that had overtaken him.

Still panting, Zero jerked up. His eyes adjusted to the dark surroundings of the cave and the lumpy pallet underneath him. Catching his breath, he looked over to find Yuki still sleeping peacefully beside him. Flushed, Zero ran a hand through his sticky, sweat drenched hair. Recalling his dream, he quickly glanced around the rest of the empty area that he was sharing with Yuki.

'Air. I need air.' he thought, quickly climbing out of his pallet. He walked briskly to the back entrance of the cavern. It led to an opening high up on the mountain where he could feel the cool breeze and calm his mind.

Lost in thought, he stepped into the clearing overlooking the forests below. It wasn't until the moment that he collapsed against the side of the rocky wall that he noticed Rei also within the cavern's opening. She sat on the very edge of the overhang, her legs dangling down, her head turned towards him in confused wonder.

Shit. He just couldn't catch a break tonight.