Thank you once again to everyone who has reviewed the last chapter I've posted! =) I would also like to show my appreciation to those who added this story to their favorites and alerts list. I've still got a long way before the end so lots of things are still bound to happen. This chapter is going to focus a lot on Zero and Kaname since last chapter barely had any. =)

Anyway, here's another chapter to Final Code Arcana.

Please Read and Review…

Chapter 9 – Light and Shadow

Kaname Kuran held his partner tightly to him as he glared at Shizuka Hiou with intense hatred. The sight of that woman reaching out to Zero Kiryuu sent him in a rage he never knew was possible for him. He even noticed from his partner's body language how much he loathed and feared being face to face with the woman who ruined his life. "Let me take care of this for you, Zero," he whispered to the hunter's ear as he stepped forward and shielded Zero from Shizuka's view. He would never let her touch or hurt Zero ever again.

He never really expected to be in this kind of situation so soon but it couldn't be helped. He had been walking around town just a few moments ago picking up some supplies he needed back at the library when he felt a sudden spike of two familiar auras nearby. One was from his beloved partner and the other was from the person he least expected to find in this place. Thinking of the worst possible scenario had him rushing to this location.

It was a good decision on his part since he came right on time. He didn't want to think about what would have happened had he not come. He almost broke his promise to Zero and that pissed him off pretty badly. It took a lot of his willpower to keep himself calm and collected on the surface. It wouldn't do him any good to show his enemy any weaknesses that could be used against him. His raging emotions wouldn't help him or his partner as well.

"Like last time, you dare to stand in my way," Shizuka said seriously as she gazed at Kaname with equal hatred. "Tell me, are you really that eager to die by my hands?" she asked as her eyes glowed brighter and her aura flared dangerously.

Kaname's calm expression didn't waver and he kept his gaze focused on Shizuka. "I have no intention in dying this day or in the future. Not when I have a promise to keep," he replied instantly. "Therefore, I should warn you beforehand that I am not going to allow myself to lose to you in this battle," he added in a deathly cold voice.

The area around them was filled with apprehension as they eyed each other with something akin to revulsion and anger. Stormy garnet colored eyes glared at light crimson ones who seemed to share the same sentiment.

"Such confidence coming from a mere child like you," Shizuka said mockingly as she played with a dagger she brought out and gazed at Kaname with hostility as pure and concentrated as acid. This young pureblood had been quite troublesome and always seemed to stand in her way. She chanced a glance at Zero and saw that the hunter was also preparing for a battle. Two against one. "How pointless. No one will be able to identify what you are once I'm through with you," she continued in a venomous tone as she held the dagger in some form of stance that she knew the hunter was familiar with. Her only target was Kaname. She had already decided that she wouldn't harm Zero. After all, there were several ways to get the hunter to come with her.

Kaname let the insults pass as he thought of a way to end this fight sooner. The last thing he wanted was for his partner to relive the memories of that terrible past. But most important of all, the chance was here to help the hunter and he didn't want to waste this golden opportunity. The sooner he settled this, the better. He then pulled out his own weapon as he faced Shizuka. He settled the knife's weight so that it was evenly spread, ready to fight in a moment's notice.

The two circled for a time, making tiny feints, testing each other's reflexes. Shizuka was fast, no doubt about that; probably faster than himself, but he wouldn't let such a small detail deter him from his goal. He wouldn't lose this fight no matter what.

Shizuka sent a quick slash towards Kaname's face; it was parried away with a sharp ring of steel against steel. Kaname countered it with a thrust of his own, jabbing his own blade toward Shizuka's gut, but she turned it away easily. She then shoved her foot into Kaname's chest. But he was faster than that and he rode the force of the push while he slashed across his enemy's leg. He regained his balance as she retreated to a safe distance.

"You're faster than I thought you were," Shizuka remarked as she gazed at Kaname. The cut had only scratched her but it did leave a tear on her clothes. "It seemed that I've underestimated you," she added as an afterthought.

Kaname rushed towards her and attacked, a high thrust followed by a mid-slash. Shizuka countered them all away, and then she returned in kind, a fast combination that Kaname handled easily. It seemed that they were testing each other, probing for weaknesses. Neither of them was fighting to their full potential yet.

Nearby, someone made himself known and Zero reacted instantly as soon as he felt the foreign presence in the vicinity. His enhanced vision allowed him to see the enemy's attack and without thinking twice, he headed towards Kaname's direction. He had always hated his vampire side and he would've done anything to be human again. But this time, he was willing to accept the part of him he hated just to help his partner. Just before it reached Kaname, he managed to intercept the knife heading straight to the pureblood's back.

He held the silver knife in his left hand and glared at the coward who dared to attack his partner that way. He focused his attention to the person who appeared from out of nowhere. The young man had jet black hair and had a ring; an exact copy of the one Shizuka wore, on the hand that held a wicked-looking short sword. He was wearing a smirk as he stared at the hunter.

"Nice! I never expected librarians to be able to fight this well," the young man remarked as he sized Zero up. "Then again, you're a vampire so that's to be expected," he added. "So what do you say we have some fun, huh? Name's Kira, by the way," he remarked as he positioned himself to battle.

Kaname turned his attention to Zero as Shizuka jumped away from his attack. He watched the hunter nod at him and he knew instantly that his partner had the other new enemy covered. This was very troublesome. He never expected that another member of the Order of Lost Souls would be here. He looked away from Zero as Shizuka attacked once again.

His eyes flashed in a brighter crimson as his power detonated in a deafening explosion of white and collided with her. It blew Shizuka away, and she crashed through a large tree trunk and flew back out on the other side in a storm of leaves and splinters.

On the other hand, Zero avoided Kira's attack with ease and he reappeared behind the man using vampire speed. Kira followed his movement without wasting time and delivered a slash of his short sword as he whirled around. The attack was met with the sound of metal striking against metal. He saw in Zero's hand a silver gun and he was momentarily nonplussed at that sight.

"A vampire using an anti-vampire weapon?" Kira questioned as he held Zero's impassive gaze. It was his first time seeing something like this. It was impossible for a vampire to be able to touch a hunter weapon without repercussions. Even purebloods suffer from minor burns upon touching it. But it seemed that the vampire he was facing was different. "You're quite something, aren't you? You're definitely different from all of those weaklings I've faced before," he said with amusement as he jumped away from a kick aimed at his gut.

'The knife is both a weapon and a shield. That is why when fighting with knives, as long as you can block the enemy's knife, you will win.'

Zero remembered that lesson from his hunter training days and he had learned that by heart. He had found it useful as he became a librarian and fought against individuals who used weapons. He knew that Kira's dagger was coated with a powerful anti-vampire poison and he didn't fancy getting injured by such a thing. The last thing he needed was to go on a bloodlust and end up losing his fight. With that discovery, he realized that this person was a former vampire hunter as well.

He saw the surprise that flitted across Kira's face for a second when he drew out his Bloody Rose. He understood that the enemy was wondering about how a vampire like him managed to use a powerful anti-vampire weapon without suffering from any pain. He was used to such a reaction though. He had gotten the same looks along with hostility and disgust during his time as a vampire hunter at the Hunter's Association. Bloody Rose was supposed to be a gift to him by his parents when he graduated from his training and when they died; it was left in the possession of Head Librarian Cross. The gun was given back to him when he started working as a vampire hunter. It was mentioned to him by Yagari that it seemed Bloody Rose was a customized weapon that only he could use just like the katana he received from the older hunter.

In a flash, Kira sliced his short sword at Zero's throat, but the silver haired vampire instinctively ducked, surprising the enemy with his agility. Knowing that Bloody Rose was useless against a human hunter without any real bullets, he pulled out a knife from his belt. As Kira swiped his weapon down again, Zero swung his blade up, catching the enemy's blow with a clash of metal against metal once more. His enemy pushed down, hard, but the silver haired vampire held his ground, refusing to let his enemy overpower him.

Kira's foot suddenly connected with Zero's chest and slammed him into one of the large trees behind him, his back crunching against the wood. The wind rushed from the silver haired young man's lungs. Kira launched another attack before Zero could even catch his breath. There was another thrust of the sword and Zero rolled away. The weapon embedded itself into the tree and Zero took his chance to counter.

Behind Zero and Kira, Kaname and Shizuka also fought intensely.

Cuts lined Kaname's skin from Shizuka's attack earlier. He wiped the blood and watched his skin heal right before his eyes. His torn flesh wove in and out as though it were being sewn back together with an invisible needle and thread until his skin was smooth and flawless except for smears of blood.

"Not bad," Shizuka commented as her body also healed itself. She had never fought anyone on this level before and though her blood yearned for prolonging this battle, she wanted it to end before she slipped up and ended up losing.

"How nice of you," Kaname said as he struck again, this time knocking Shizuka's blade aside and punching her square in her gut. She gasped and staggered back, hands flying to her stomach.

"I see that you're not holding back this time," Shizuka said between gasps. It seemed that Kaname was breaking through her defenses by a combination of well-planned moves and reckless counter attacks. A knife fighter was supposed to be cautious and defensive, striking only when the opportunity was there. To do otherwise was inviting oneself to lose fingers. But every so often Kaname threw an attack for which she wasn't prepared for, one that simply welcomed a blade to the throat, and purely because of its audacity it overwhelmed her. Her enemy seemed to fight like a person who didn't care about his own life.

This Kaname Kuran is serious about him as well, she thought suddenly.

Kaname suddenly lunged and swiped with his blade. Shizuka was taken aback by the sudden attacks, and her parry had gone sloppy; she got hit across the back of her hand for that momentary distraction. She cursed to herself and pulled back. The cut had not been deep enough to sever any nerves and her hand was still in working order. Her vampire healing would make it good as new in no time. Kaname pressed the advantage, the short blades blurring between them, echoing and clashing as they dodged and lunged, searching for a weak spot.

Just then Shizuka was distracted by a light glow in her ring. Her eyes narrowed in response as the glowing ring flickered in and out. She sighed deeply as she turned her gaze once more to Kaname. "It looks like I'll have to cut this battle short," she said seriously. "The next time, I would make sure that you would be defeated," she added as strong gusts wind enveloped her whole frame.

Before Kaname could send another one of his psychic attacks, Shizuka had vanished from sight. Leaving behind only the distant echo of bells.

At the same time, Kira sent a knife in Zero's path but the hunter avoided it with his speed before it came close to grazing him. He watched warily as Kira began to cast a charm. When the latter raised his hands, bright orange flames burst forth. Without wasting any second, Zero moved out of the way as the flames were hurled in his direction.

"You're not very talkative," Kira said as he continued his attacks. "Or are you mute? Either way, it doesn't matter to me," he added off handedly.

Zero evaded the spell as he moved backwards consecutively, not letting the flames reach him. He knew that it was a powerful charm and would no doubt burn through his flesh if it came close to him. He couldn't be sure if his vampire healing would be able to mend an injury like that in seconds and with Kaname this close, he was worried about it triggering his bloodlust. He jumped away and landed on the fence of the rooftop. He moved away again as another flame was thrown his way and he looked back to see the fence became scorched by the intense heat.

"You're a vampire hunter, aren't you?" Zero said as he glared at the dark-haired vampire hunter when he evaded the attack at the last second. "Hunters were taught to hate and despise vampires. To treat them as monsters despite the facts that humans are capable of even more cruel acts," he continued in a calm voice. "Some hunters hurt even good-hearted vampires. Treating them like trash and beings that didn't belong in this world," he added as his pain and suffering from that time was brought in the forefront of his mind. "In my point of view, you're a vermin that I have to defeat."

"So you can talk," Kira exclaimed in surprise. "Vermin, huh? I suppose so. I admit that I enjoyed killing others as much as I enjoyed living a wild life," he watched for any sign of movement from the silver haired vampire in front of him. He tried to look for any opening but he found none at the moment. He didn't want to admit it but this guy was strong. Also he was a bit unnerved by those eyes. Those deep silver eyes that seemed to see through him even through his own soul.

"I have no interest in your reasons for being a member of the Order of Lost Souls. What matters is that you dared to attack my partner," Zero said in an indifferent tone. "You're also going on a rampage and breaking the peace that everyone fought hard to maintain," he continued as Kira gazed at him and listened to his every word. "I'll teach you a lesson here you will never forget," he uttered as he glared at his enemy. He knew that his eyes were already turning crimson with his anger but he didn't care about that anymore.

"Give it your best shot, monster," Kira answered back as he watched Shizuka disappear from sight and leave him in the middle of the battle. He needed to finish this battle before the pureblood Shizuka was fighting came after him as well. He already had a hard time fighting this person and he knew that it would be troublesome if his two enemies worked together.

Kira stood back and all of a sudden, a feral smile appeared on his face. "One of this world's five major elements. The Genesis that blazes with its glory. The life nurturing blessed light. The radiant judgment that delivers punishment unto evil," he chanted as large flames appeared all around him. "Though it brings peaceful fortune, it is a fiery misfortune that pierces even the deepest abyss. Its name is fire! Its form is a sword! Show yourself through my powers, and appear upon this world in your entire splendor!" The fires scorched the surrounding area but Zero didn't seem perturbed by the sight of the towering flames. His eyes remained impassive and his posture remained calm. Suddenly, the flames began to spring upwards to form a huge ball of fire which hurtled in Zero's direction. The silver haired young man didn't move out of the way at all. "Looks like I win again," he remarked as he turned around to assist Shizuka in her battle against another pureblood.

"The fight isn't over yet," an impassive voice said from behind Kira. "Don't think for a second that you would defeat me like this."

He quickly whipped around and watched in disbelief as the flames he created with his strongest spell were blocked by a number of vines that sprung from out of nowhere. He noticed that the vines weren't ordinary ones at all. Instead, they were pure silver in color. He could not believe his eyes. There was no possible explanation for a lower level vampire to have this kind of unique ability. He managed to react in time as Zero moved with vampire speed and appeared right in front of him.

Kira deflected a kick and countered with a punch that only met with thin air. His vision registered the unique silver hair of the vampire he was currently fighting. He then felt pain tear through his senses as his enemy's knife embedded itself on his shoulder. He pulled the blade and let it clatter to the ground. He clutched the bleeding wound as he stumbled backwards.

Zero gazed impassively at his enemy as he tried to look for other ways to defeat a strong opponent. He knew that the same move wouldn't work twice. He had already revealed his vampire ability and he was sure that he wouldn't be able to catch Kira off guard once again.

Kira's face went ice cold and he smiled at Zero. "This is the best! Never expected I'll meet someone as strong as you," he remarked as he stared at his wound. "Who are you really? I've been fighting you without knowing your identity," he added.

Zero was silent for a while, and then he said, dispassionately as ever, "Zero Kiryuu."

"Its nice to know your name. I'm Kira Mcdowell," Kira said as he gazed at the ring in his finger. "I have to leave in the battle? Damn it all to hell!" he shouted as he clutched harder at his wounded side. As his frustration settle down, he gazed with amusement in his eyes at Zero. "It seems that our leader is calling for us. We'll settle this fight some other time," he said as winds gathered around him and he was slowly disappearing.

Zero couldn't let Kira escape but before he could reach the enemy, pain flared suddenly. He stopped in his tracks as it took over all of his senses. Please don't let this be happening now, he thought wildly as he tried to gain control of himself. He could hear Kaname shouting for him but the sounds seemed to come from the distance.

His eyes widened in horror as he tried to take a breath but couldn't do it the way he needed to. The whole world lurched nauseatingly as his legs buckled, knees slamming to the ground. His breath escaped through clenched teeth and finally, he crumpled fully to the ground. It felt like a heavy weight was on his chest and he couldn't breathe at all.

Black spots danced across his vision as he fought to remain conscious.

The pain increased tenfold and the darkness he tried to keep at bay almost swallowed him whole. His body felt like it was on fire and every fiber of his being was screaming in protest at the feeling. He tried to shout for help but his voice would not come out. He tried to move his arms or any part of his body but they remain unresponsive from the blinding pain that settled in his being. He came to a realization that he couldn't do anything at all.

In the haze that settled on his vision for the past minute or so, he saw someone rushing to his vulnerable form. He turned his head a fraction to see the outline of his partner. He saw quite clearly the intense worry on those garnet colored orbs. He felt the pureblood pick him up and stood in one swift motion. In less than a second, the pureblood was leapt away from the park hurriedly. He wondered where Kaname was taking him or if their enemies have escaped. He didn't have time to think about it as he clenched his teeth at another wave of intense pain.

He heard the pureblood say something but he couldn't make it out what it was. He gently rested his head against Kaname's chest, listening to the pureblood's heartbeat. Kaname's hold on him seemed to tighten.

The pain in that settled in his head as well was suddenly blinding, as if somebody had taken an ice pick and plunged it into the top of his skull. The feeling was excruciating and he almost cried out. He pressed his forehead deeper into Kaname's chest and prayed for respite. It can't hurt this bad for very long, he hoped with all his might.

As the pain grew more and more intense, feeling as if shards of broken glass had rubbed into his brain. He thought he would pass out as strange colorful patterns blossomed before his eyes and the pain continued to build. The torturous feeling came to an explosive climax, circuits within his mind felt like it had overloaded, and before he fell unconscious – it was gone.

-xxXxxXxx-

Zero slowly became aware of himself.

He comprehended that he was lying on some bed. He felt weak and clammy, like he had a bad fever. But for the life of him, the last thing he remembered was being in the park, fighting a member of the Order of Lost Souls, and collapsing afterwards.

Blearily, he opened his eyes and was greeted by an unfamiliar room that he was quite certain not located at the library. Further inspection made him realized that his entire body felt oddly heavy. Heavy and weak. Not a good combination on his part. His head felt as though someone had removed everything and stuffed it full of cotton. His eyes felt like they were being dragged down again but he forced them to stay open. He needed to see what was going on, he vaguely remembered the pureblood carrying him away from that place but afterwards everything was a complete blank.

Before he could wonder anymore about what happened, a voice spoke suddenly.

"I see that you're finally awake, Zero," Kaname inquired in a worried voice as he sat down on an armchair propped beside the bed. His garnet colored eyes gazed at the hunter. "You've been unconscious all day that you had me worried quite a lot," he continued in a softer tone of voice.

Kaname could not forget the horror that threaded through his being when he saw Zero collapse that time. He had feared for the worst and without thinking, he rushed to the hunter's side, forgetting everything that was happening around him. While he tended to Zero, Shizuka and the other enemy escaped. The opportunity to save Zero from a terrible fate slipped through his fingers in an instant. All in all, he felt like a complete failure.

"What happened afterwards, Kaname?" Zero inquired tiredly as he looked over at Kaname. If possible, the pureblood looked more haggard than he had ever seen his partner before. Slowly, he pushed himself up on arms that felt as if they would buckle within the moment. But he got himself sitting, forcing the nausea and the dizziness aside with pure stubbornness.

"I failed to stop them from escaping," Kaname answered bitterly. "They escaped with no trouble at all and I only have myself to blame for that," he concluded as he resisted the urge to look away from Zero.

Zero saw the pureblood's pained expression and he knew instantly that Kaname was blaming himself once again. "It wasn't your fault, Kaname," Zero replied as he held the pureblood's gaze. "Stop blaming yourself for every mistake that happens around you," he continued in a serious tone. "You're not perfect. No one is and I know that you shouldn't blame yourself for things that you can't control."

A heavy weight seemed to settle in his heart as familiar words slipped out of his tongue. Words that reminded him of the pains he had tried to forget all those years ago. He was very much used to the Dark Woods Library and the seemingly peaceful life as a librarian that he had forgotten what he was before. He was a vampire hunter, wasn't he? But the experiences he had there was much darker and more painful than anything else in the world. There was no reason for him to fear his former co-workers. They'd never hurt him physically, but on the inside they'd repeatedly ripped him into pieces.

'He should've died with his parents that night. It would've been better for him and for everyone else.'

'Monsters like you have no feelings so don't try to even think for one second that you're just like us.'

'Vampires are filthy beasts that took a human form. They are just monsters, the lot of them. What makes a kid like you any different from those level ends we hunt?'

'Why don't you just give up, vampire. A monster like you would never be accepted no matter what.'

'Don't come near me, you monster! Vampires like you should have never existed!'

Everyday he was treated like some form of trash and he wondered back then why he strived hard to live when all those around him wanted him dead. No matter what commendation he received, what promotion, what accomplishment, no matter how perfect his marks at school, the Hunter's Association, would never accept him ever again. If Cross had never offered being a librarian to him, he would've bet that he would've killed himself long ago.

Meanwhile, Kaname closed his eyes and contemplated some things. He couldn't recall how many times the hunter's words had settled his fears and pains. Yet, he could not do the same for Zero. For all his power as a pureblood vampire, there was little he could do for the person he loved the most. It was frustrating to say in the least. It reminded him so much of his parents' deaths and how he couldn't do a thing to prevent it from happening. It was like that all over again.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that Zero's expression was terribly vulnerable and pained; the hunter seemed to be trying desperately not to break. "Zero?"

As if breaking out from a trance, Zero took a deep breath before answering him. "I'm sorry. I was lost in thought for a while there."

"You're suffering again," Kaname said simply. "It pains me to know that I can't do anything to help you, Zero. Can't I do anything to take away that pain from you?" he said in a soft tone that he would only use with Zero.

The pureblood's heart filled with so much sadness, he could barely take it. He reached out and his hand cupped Zero's cheek softly. The hunter's own hand covered his and Zero leaned into the palm, closing his eyes. It was the first real emotion he'd shown Kaname, like he was letting the pureblood see his soul for the first time. The embrace from before made the pureblood wonder what Zero truly felt beneath the stoic and cold exterior. The hunter stayed there for so long that Kaname lost track of time. Then swiftly, painfully, Zero pulled away, leaving the pureblood empty and longing.

"You've already helped me, Kaname," Zero answered in a gentle voice as he looked at the pureblood. "Just by being here with me, you've saved me from myself and my fears," he added as he gazed at his own hands. He still felt the warmth from Kaname's own and he wondered why it took him this long to realize what he felt for the pureblood.

"It is never enough for me, Zero," Kaname replied as he stood up from the armchair and sat at the edge of the bed, facing the hunter. "I always wished I could do so much more for you," he whispered.

Familiar words.

Zero had heard the same words from his friend, Yuuki Cross, and they were spoken with the same honesty and sincerity. While there were similarities between the two, something was quite different as well. When Kaname had said these exact same words, the weight he felt from them was different. As if the feelings it contained was so much deeper than the friendship he felt with Yuuki.

"Why do you keep saying those words to me, Kaname?" Zero whispered as he looked away from the pureblood. "Why do you say that you want to protect me?"

Kaname's expression turned serious. "I want to protect you because I don't ever want to know what life would be like if I lost you."

Zero leaned toward Kaname, resting his forehead against the pureblood's shoulders, and his hand slid up to Kaname's arm. The hunter held his partner close to him and pressed his lips to the pureblood's arm, brushing his nose across Kaname's skin as the pureblood ran his fingers through the hunter's hair.

Kaname remained still and wished his heart would stop racing this fast just because of a simple contact like this. He lifted the hunter's face, and Zero opened his eyes to stare at the pureblood's own. Kaname couldn't help the smile that formed when he could tell that he'd somehow embarrassed the hunter by those honest words.

"I'm surprised that even someone like you can get flustered like this," Kaname remarked in a light manner as he saw the hunter's blush intensify more at those teasing words. Seeing the hunter like this made Kaname feel a little happy inside. Zero was usually so emotionless and cold that somehow seeing his partner show emotions like this made it more endearing.

Zero glared at Kaname as he tried to control his reactions. "Shut up, Kuran! It's because you always say such things from out of nowhere," he answered back.

Kaname laughed lightly. "Back to last names, Zero," he said as his smile widened. "I apologize then."

"That doesn't even sound sincere, Kuran."

"It's because you respond so easily that I tease you even when I know that I shouldn't."

"Kuran, you bastard!" Zero exclaimed as the pureblood's words sunk in and he resisted the urge to punch his partner for it. He settled with looking away from Kaname and thought about how weird it was that he felt glad to hear his partner laugh like this even at the cost of his own embarrassment.

"Kidding aside, Zero. Everything I tell you is the truth. My feelings in this matter are all real and sincere," Kaname said seriously as he tried to discern anything from Zero's features. In the end, he came up blank.

Zero sighed. "I know that. It's just hard to believe in something again after all of the times I've been hurt and betrayed. I somehow realized that I may hurt your feelings in the long run," the hunter said sadly. "I've been so used to hiding my feelings that somehow, all of this is quite overwhelming to me and I don't know how to react," he confessed.

Kaname's look softened. "It doesn't matter to me. As long as I am able to continue on with you like this, I do not care about anything else."

The smallest smile formed in the corner of Zero's mouth and the pureblood's gut did a flip. It was the first time he had seen the hunter smile like this and the sight of it was surprising to him. The smile suited Zero and he found that he wanted the hunter to smile more. With that thought, he blushed a little and berated himself for reacting like this.

Zero's smile grew a little more as he saw the blush on Kaname's face. "You're so unpredictable. I've been used to reading people so easily but with you, I don't know what to expect or think," he said gently.

"The same could be said here, Zero. You're the only person who could turn my world upside down."

"I guess we share a lot in common than I realized."

"That is why I want you to remember this. My world revolves around you and only you, now and forever," Kaname said deeply as he leaned in closer to Zero and he saw the hunter's eye widen a fraction at those unexpected words. "Please don't ever forget that," he continued softly as he gazed at his partner and saw that Zero was staring intently at him as well. Breath taking silver amethyst eyes bore into his own. As if searching for a deeper being inside his shell. Looking for a glimpse of his soul, but was he just fantasizing again? Imagining that Zero was also interested in him.

Kaname wrapped his hands on Zero's back and he pulled the hunter more firmly to him. He didn't care about what other people would think if he was letting go of his status to be with someone he truly loved. His pride and their opinions didn't matter one bit. One could not help but love. One could not help hoe they felt. It just happened that way. In heart and mind, he was Zero's for eternity. As he pulled the hunter closer into him and replaced the space between them with his warmth. His head rested on Zero's shoulder and he wondered if the hunter thought he was being too clingy.

"Zero… I…" the pureblood tried to say as he refused to look at the hunter. Afraid that Zero would see the desire and feelings evident in his garnet colored eyes. He wanted to say it. God, he wanted to bare his feelings right now. Yet, he was afraid to say those three words. He could do it with actions but saying it directly was hard. Knowing that once he said it, it was final and so was the hunter's reply.

"It's all right," Zero replied as he also hugged the pureblood back. He never expected for Kaname to show his weakness like this. The person in his arms wasn't the strong and enigmatic pureblood he had been partnered with. It was as if Kaname was on the brink of a decision he couldn't make. As if Kaname was afraid of something.

When he thought deeply about, he felt the urgency to do something. Anything. To just help Kaname as much as the pureblood helped him.

The pureblood pulled away and Zero let go. He saw Kaname's uncertainty and the urge grew stronger. Stupid pureblood, he thought to himself. He was surprised that his partner could affect his emotions like this. He dipped his head and leaned forward, surprising Kaname.

Kaname was very much caught off guard by the gesture. Zero didn't kiss him, but the hunter was close enough to do it. His body locked up and his lips parted. The hunter's body was warm against his, and for that time, Kaname wanted Zero to do what he thought he was going to do. He really wanted the hunter to kiss him, and he could feel his insides tugging and spinning out of control. Kaname lifted his chin and waited, but Zero stopped. There was something in those light orbs and Zero turned his face away and moved back slowly. Kaname deflated.

When Zero saw the look in Kaname's face, he almost laughed. The pureblood looked too cute like this. He never really imagined Kaname to be this expressive and it overrode his doubts from before. His body just moved on its own accord earlier on and he didn't know how Kaname would react should he continued. But the answer was very clear in his partner's expression.

He had truly fallen in love with Kaname, a pureblood vampire he barely knew before. Even though it was forbidden and unheard of before. He could never love anyone else except for Kaname. He was even willing to hope again and to fight for his own life just to be with his partner in the future.

Without thinking twice or letting his doubt cloud him, he leaned closer once again and saw Kaname's eyes widen in surprise as he gave the pureblood a tender kiss on the lips.

Kaname was so surprised at the feel of the hunter's mouth on his that he went rigid all over, wrapping his arms once again on Zero's as he supported himself. He didn't push Zero away at all. How stupid was he if he did just that when all this time he had been waiting for this. The hunter took it as a form of encouragement because Zero slid his hand behind the pureblood's head and deepened the kiss, parting Kaname's lips with his. Zero's mouth was soft, the same as the last time he kissed the hunter, and the hand that cupped his neck was warm and gentle just like the numerous times when Zero held him. He let his eyes fall shut and for a moment floated dizzily in the darkness and the heat, the feel of Zero's fingers moving through his hair.

Loving someone so madly and helplessly like this… I will never love like this again, Kaname thought seriously.

Zero pulled away, only just, holding Kaname's gaze with his, his lips almost touching the pureblood's, as if waiting for something. Kaname tilted his chin up and parted his mouth until Zero returned, kissing him again, long and leisurely.

The hunter seemed careful, as if he expected the pureblood to have second thoughts about what they were doing. Kaname forced himself to relax and lifted a tentative hand to stroke his partner's cheek and kissed him back as his desire flooded his senses. Zero's fingers trailed up his spine and brushed across his bare throat before threading tenderly once again through his hair, his thumb tracing along his cheek.

God, Kaname didn't know what was happening but it certainly wasn't unwelcome. He had never thought in a million years that Zero would be the first one to initiate something like this. He didn't know what came over Zero but he hoped that when this is over, the hunter wouldn't pull away. He knew since long ago that his partner didn't want to be tied to others, knowing that his life was short and that death might come some time soon. It was a grim future Kaname didn't want to think about.

Zero deepened the kiss with a hunger, fervently, as if his vampire instincts were taking over, but the hunter was still in control of himself. Zero finally broke free, but he didn't pull away. He touched his forehead to Kaname's and closed his eyes.

"I apologize," he whispered.

Kaname's eyes softened as his hands wound around Zero's neck. His hands traced the contours of the hunter's back and shoulders and he felt the muscles lock where he touched him. "Don't apologize," Kaname replied, his hands sliding up into Zero's silver locks.

"I shouldn't have done something like that," Zero breathed, as he dropped his forehead into Kaname's shoulders.

"There's nothing to apologize for," Kaname said gently. "We should take a rest now. We have a mission to finish soon," he continued as he straightened up and so did Zero. He wanted to stand but he didn't want to leave. "C-can I stay here?" he added uncertainly and cursed himself for that. Why did he have to say those words? He knew that Zero was still getting used to these feelings and he was being pushy.

"It's okay with me," Zero replied and he saw the pureblood' disbelief. "Here, let me help you," he offered as he scooted on the right side and reached for Kaname's hand.

The pureblood let him take it and he pulled Kaname towards himself. "You can lie down with me and sleep for a little while if you're tired," Zero said as Kaname also climbed in. "Let me take care of you as well, Kaname," the hunter said gently.

Kaname couldn't believe that Zero had agreed to that request. It seemed that this day was definitely something to be remembered. Even if he couldn't say those three words right now, he was glad that somehow his feelings were being answered by these small gestures. He laid down on his side, the mattress sinking beneath his weight all too intimately, and he slid an arm tentatively around Zero.

Even if loving you means experiencing pain, or solitude, or sorrow. I will never let go of these feelings or you for that matter. I love you, Zero, Kaname thought as he went through all of the things they had been doing since the first time he became a librarian.

Both of them didn't say anything as they lay there, and Kaname fell asleep feeling Zero's warmth and breathing in the hunter's scent.