My Life to your Life

By Liera Antionette

Author's Notes: Hello Readers and those that are joining us. I apologize for the lack of updates. It has been terrible for me and I haven't had a chance to sit down and type anything up. I have read some stories and even reviewed a tad bit, but I had lost my will to write due to unforeseen circumstances. I had death in the family and with my beloved grandmother went my muse. But I'm going to try and keep writing since I've come to terms with it. I will be slow…So again I apologize once more, but like I said I am NOT giving up on this story. Thank you very much for your continued support.

Finished this a little earlier than I expected so I'm posting it up now.

Story Start

Looking up at the moon with a sigh, Kaname adjusted his cloak wondering where this sudden chill came from. Rido was evading them it seemed and it was pissing him off. He and Kaien were confused at these sudden changes in tactics and trying to find his location was proving a most difficult task. He left clues, but they hardly made any sense and it was starting to bother them greatly.

"This time he went north. His movements seem erratic and frantic as if he's running from something…or to something…I'm not sure…"

Kaien had a map out and was looking over it, making a line and marks from the last locations trying to predict where he would go next to no avail. Granted the path almost looked like a crooked spiral, he was certain Rido was going somewhere. Each house they visited, Rido made sure to leave some sort of evidence that the hunter he had with him was well. Whether it were paintings that surprised them both, or more explicated things like his blood clinging to a bedroom, he made it clear that he still had Zero in his grasp.

Neither knew how to make heads or tails of this strange behavior or why he was doing this anymore. But Kaname knew he had to get Zero out of his clutches. He wanted him to be safe and recover from this entire traumatic event he had put him through. It would be a miracle if Zero forgave him at this point. That made his heart heavy. Zero would surely hate him for everything he has put the hunter through knowing how he feels about being an ex-human.

"I didn't know the Kurans had so many estates scattered all over like this and just keeps running to the next ones it seems."

"Then that's how we'll trap him. We have to get ahead of them." He pulled the map from Kaien to look it over himself before nodding his head and pointing out a few more of the homes. "Here. There are about four more houses in this part of the city he can go to before leaving this area completely. If we can figure out which one he will be in or even head to next we will gain an advantage and be able to surprise him."

"So do you suggest we split up?"

"Yes. I'll have my familiars search the areas we are not in and if they find something I'll be able to move there much more quickly than you can."

"I don't really like this idea Kaname-kun. Something is very wrong with that man…"

"…I know better than you think Cross…It's all the more reason we have to find Zero lest something worse happens to him. "

With a sigh, Kaien and Kaname took the time to divide the remaining houses to search between them before going their separate ways. Kaien looked to the sky however and he felt his heart grow heavy. He had promised Haruka and Juri that he wouldn't hurt Rido, but this was the last straw. He attacked his campus and now he was hurting Zero. He could no longer stand by and let the mad Pureblood do as he pleased.

"May he find peace once I cut his head from his body."

Clutching his sword, Kaien began to make his way to one of the houses marked on his side of the map. Kaname however had already arrived at his first house, not wasting time or speed to get there. He needed to find Zero. He just wanted his hunter safe now. This whole plan to use Zero to kill Rido had spiraled so far out of his control it wasn't even funny. He couldn't understand how Zero managed to change the game so drastically. Everything was so close to being perfect. He was so close to being freed from his uncle's thrall, but a few words and actions from Zero changed everything.

Kaname got to see behind the angry façade he wore and saw the truth behind those fierce eyes. Zero was lonely, abandoned and the only thing keeping him going was Yuki, but soon even that changed. He felt his heart tighten as he thought about those whispered words to him that night while he searched the house for any signs of Rido and Zero as he tried his hardest to keep his aura suppressed.

Something tickled the edges of his senses and he frowned wondering what it could possibly be since he masked his entire presence before walking into the place. Following the weird sensation, Kaname carefully followed the small pulse of whatever it was. The sight that greeted him where he was led to made his blood boil. While he knew it was not real, it didn't stop the rage that came from seeing the impressed image Rido purposely left behind this time.

Zero had his wrists bound a bit above his head on the railing of the bed as he supported himself on his knees. His face was twisted in such exquisite painful pleasure it was hard to tell if he was really in pain or if he was enjoying himself. There was no sound, but he could tell he was crying out every time Rido moved within him and the bastard made sure not to leave out a single detail. From the red, angry marks he left on his hips to the way Zero's hair was gripped in his hand, he made sure to pronounce every mundane detail to make it feel like Kaname was standing right next to them. He could clearly see Zero's fangs as he tossed his head back and let out a particularly loud cry from the looks of it when Rido happily claimed the throat that was bared for him.

Zero's eyes went wide at the feel of the fangs in his throat making him thrash under Rido. Kaname grit his teeth at the lifeless glaze that took over them as he panted and just let Rido do as he pleased. He could see him still moving with Rido however and it this was the last straw as Kaname let out a burst of kinetic energy that left the house in shambles.

That bastard…That low slimy bastard was turning his beloved hunter into his little whore! Kaname needed to find Rido and put his hand through his heart and end him. He had never felt such an intense bloodlust and hatred for one individual person such as this and he got on the hunt. No more playing game and no more stupid rules. This was personal.

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Frowning, Kaien felt an immense flash of something come from the direction Kaname had left in and he turned to face said direction. He was not sure if he should continuing going the way he was heading or turn to make sure Kaname had not found Rido. His eyes widened however when he saw the large black cloud that seemed to rise up in the distance. Normally, no human could see from such a distance, but Kaien was no mere human.

"…Kaname?"

It was almost as if he could taste the livid hate that was pouring from the dark mass in the distance. Something had seriously set him off and it worried him greatly. Kaname had never lost control of his emotions like that even with Yuuki. Tightening his grip on his blade, Kaien continued on his path to check the next house. He just had to trust that Kaname would regain himself.

It took him an hour or so to find the house and he frowned when he caught the scent of the cologne Zero used. Searching around to make sure no wards were up, Kaien slowly made his way into the house hiding his presence and narrowing his eyes as he stepped over bits and pieces of destroyed furniture and pictures. He could hear muted voices in the distance coming from upstairs and he thumbed the hilt of his blade as he made his way upwards.

He could feel Rido and Zero the closer he got to the top of the stairs still hearing quiet words meaning the other party in question was resting. Not wanting to alert him just yet, he peered into the cracked door carefully to see that Zero was indeed fast asleep on the bed with Rido hovering over him possessively. He was speaking quietly to the slumbering Zero and Kaien frowned at the words being said.

"…I met you far too late, my pet…You are…so very much like Haruka…You could have killed me many times when I let my guard down, but you are a man of your word." With a sigh Rido closed his eyes and bowed his head whispering something so softly not even Kaien could catch before Zero's eyes opened and caught a glimpse of Kaien at the door a split second before said former hunter found himself dodging out of the way of three whips of blood.

"So it seems we have a rat in our humble abode. Seems we need to clean house pet."

Rising to his feet, Zero looked pained at having to fight Kaien. "…You shouldn't have come looking for me. Kaien, leave please…I don't want to fight…"

Kaien shook his head as he held his blade before him before unsheathing it. "I'm sorry Zero. I am afraid I cannot abide by your wishes…or theirs."

At that Rido's eyes sharpened and he growled deeply. "You are the fangless one Juri and Haruka told me about."

"Then I need no introduction." With a flick of his wrist and a turn of his blade, Kaien wasted no time in charging Rido intent on killing him quickly. He expected Zero to retaliate, and much to the surprise of the young hunter, he sliced his gun barely after he had a chance to draw it. "What?!"

Rido blocked the oncoming slash with his whip before summoning up another to slash at Kaien who pushed off of the pureblood in an effort to dodge. Twisting his sword before he moved away quickly, he managed an upward slice and cut Rido's cheek. The mad Pureblood chuckled darkly as he trailed a finger across the cut before licking his own blood.

"You're pretty skilled Fangless…Then again…you've taken for granted one little detail!"

With barely no time to react, Kaien barely managed to block Zero's kick with the base of his sword sending him sliding a bit towards Rido who ensared him with the blood whip. Kaien froze as the whip more alive than he originally thought coiled around him as Zero sighed and shook his head. He told him to run! Why didn't he listen to him? The amber eyed hunter glared as Rido placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear lowly before Zero nodded his head and turned to leave.

"Zero!?"

Looking over his shoulder, Kaien could see the pain in his eyes as well as the resignation for his fate. "…You should have stayed away…"

Continuing down the stairs, Zero left his sight. Turning his angry gaze onto the pureblood before him, Kaien growled even as his own eyes turned into slits. He was beyond enraged at the state Zero was in. He just merely accepted his words with no fight what so ever and that was not like him in the least! He even attacked him in defense for this monster!

"What did you do to him? So help me when I escape I will feed your heart to you before you die if you do not return that boy to me!"

"Temper, temper Fangless one." Rido smirked as he leaned on his hand watching Kaien trying not to struggle against his whip. "This isn't your fight. He is right you know. You should not have come."

Frowning at that, he noticed something was off about Rido. He hadn't seen him this calm before. He knew he did something more to Zero…that much was obvious. Just what effect was Zero having on this mad pureblood? "What do you mean? This is my fight as long as you have him!"

"I can't return him…Not yet…It's too soon. He's not ready. I'm not ready. You'll just have to wait patiently."

"What? Nngh!?"

Without warning, the blood whip tightened around Kaien's throat and he scrambled to remove it to no avail. He collapsed to the ground as Rido moved closer to him even as his vision was swimming. Kneeling before the hunter who clung to his consciousness while trying to pull off the whip, he shook his head and tilted his head in his direction.

"When this has ended…Zero will return once more to your side…Whether he recovers or longs for me…is up to you fools to fix. I'll leave my mark on this world with or without that power."

With a cruel smirk, Rido leaned over to Kaien and bit his lip causing him to gasp out weakly wildly wondering what the hell was the point of that before his world went black. Pulling back his whip and licking his lips, Rido hummed. It was similar to Zero's taste, but far less dark. No matter. He was merely curious about the taste Haruka had told him about once before. Tilting his head, Rido smirked as heard the beating of thousands of tiny wings coming closer. It would be a matter of moments before Kaname reached here and their game would continue.

"It's coming sooner than I anticipated…No matter…This was my goal after all…"

Hefting the downed Kaien, Rido carried him downstairs to join Zero who was checking his now destroyed gun with a sigh. He didn't know Kaien could fight like that. He hadn't expected him to split his gun either. Just what the hell was that sword made from anyways? He looked up as Rido came down the stairs.

"He's almost here…Looks like our time together is coming to end. I'm sure you're ecstatic, pet."

Zero felt as if his heart was trying to choke him. Kaname was almost here!? He looked over at Rido with wide lilac colored eyes as he tied Kaien up in a chair with his whip around him to keep him from moving or joining in the clash coming closer and closer.

"Don't look at me like that pet…It almost makes me think you wanted to stay with me longer…"

"Like hell! The hell was the point of this!? The point of everything you have done to me!?"

Rido merely sighed, a secret grin showing when he turned away from the hunter a little happy he still had some fire in him after all…that he didn't completely succeed in breaking him fully. Wiping the smile from his face he made his way quickly to the hunter's side and tilted his head back some watching those beautiful eyes he had come to love most of all from the hunter for a quiet moment making him turn red.

"Wh-what…?"

"…Nothing…I wanted one more moment to look at you, pet…This is to be the final battle after all. Will we win…will he win…Who knows…"

Rido's voice had become soft as he pulled Zero against him. He didn't resist the intimacy of this, but it was making something sound off in his head. Something was horribly wrong. Not just now, but the last few days as well. Rido had calmed down a lot and spoke much more quietly. He had even asked Zero a bit more about himself which surprised the hunter even though he didn't say much.

It was rare…and damn near fleeting, but he remembered making Rido smile. It was during their random conversation after training and he had asked what the hunter liked the most and his grudging reply was the song that Rido was playing the first night they started all this. The smile that lit up his face literally stole his breath away. It was the very same smile he was giving him right now…a smile that someone who experienced a pain that goes beyond feeling and words could give…A smile that Zero could understand. It was a smile he himself had given one person in his life who saved him from the terrible thoughts that plagued his mind when he was younger.

I'm smiling because it feels as if I will lose the last piece of myself if I let go of you…

"…Why have you done this to me…?"

Frowning at the question Rido regarded the hunter for a moment before Zero reached up and pulled him down into a kiss. It greatly surprised Rido and it went against everything Zero was trying to escape from. He didn't want to care…He truly didn't want care about whatever drove this pureblood mad in the first place…But there was a part that slowly began to understand why Rido had chosen him for this. Something so terrible had happened to him that it left some open, festering scar that ate at him day and night until he could bear it no more. Zero knew this pain all too well himself. It's one he has had to live with day in and day out since becoming a vampire himself.

The kiss he was giving Rido was not one of love, but a form of understanding. He understood why Rido chose him. In many ways he hated to admit to himself, he was like Rido. Unable to come to terms to the things that had happened to them in their lives and at that time powerless to stop it. While Zero wasn't one hundred percent sure what exactly happened in Rido's past, he could feel the pain laced within the kisses he half forced on him.

"When I am free…I will kill you."

"I welcome it my pet…"

Pulling away from him, Zero could see the unshed tears in those mismatched eyes, but the smile he wore upon his features told another story. Zero didn't want to understand this creature, but in the end he had. He finally understood just what was going on even if parts of it were not part of his original plan.

"You are to stay out of it until it is time…Do you understand?"

With a jerky nod of his head, Zero pulled away from Rido and made his way over to Kaien with a few moments to spare. The ceiling looked as if it were caving in, bending in impossible ways before the whole thing exploded from the pressure of kinetic energy warping it. Rido easily kept himself and the other two people safe as he grinned widely and fiercely, spreading his arms in welcome as Kaname descended from the sky.

"Welcome Kaname-chan! Don't tell me you had trouble finding this place?"

Rido chuckled as Kaname snarled. His red eyes spied Kaien tied up and slowly coming to when those red almost feral eyes locked with lilac. "Zero…"

Swallowing thickly, Zero tried not to let just the sight of Kaname bother him. He had missed him more than words could express, but right now he couldn't give into them. He had to do one last thing even if it was for the person who brought so much suffering to him in the first place. He wanted to go home and to the people who missed him.

"This ends here, "Uncle". I've had enough of your childish games! Waking me from my sleep…binding me to your will and taking the people I cared for most after your careless mistake! Not only have you bothered me…you hurt another person I care for! I'll not let you live…Enough is enough!"

A darting wave of kinetic energy surged to Rido, but the pureblood didn't move as it made its way to him. In fact it died off before it reached him even as Kaname struggled against the invisible chains preventing him from attacking. He growled as he stalked around Rido who moved opposite of him.

"All that tough talk and you still couldn't manage to scratch me, ne Kaname-chan?" Rido chuckled as he flicked his whip a bit, on guard for whatever Kaname had up his sleeve. He knew his nephew wouldn't come unprepared. "Is that all you came to do? Spout pretty words and throw a tantrum at me? I mean if its blood you want to see spilled…"

Gesturing to where Kaien was bound, the blood whip he had wrapped around him coiled around his throat and bit into his skin as Zero didn't even bat an eyelash. Kaname took note and vaguely wondered if his hunter was under his thrall before reaching under his jacket and removing the silver gun that Zero was accustomed to carrying.

"I'll make sure to put you out your misery…I may not be able to use my power against you, but I have something else that should suffice." Although just holding the gun was burning his hand something fierce, it did not stop Kaname from firing a few rounds after Rido faster than what the hunter could do himself.

A gasp however took his attention for a split second and a painful yelp resounded through the house. Kaname was so intent on taking out the moving Rido that he didn't realize he ducked behind Kaien and Zero.

"Bad form nephew…" Leaning Zero back against him, the hunter hissed at the wound in his shoulder. "I thought you were trying to get him back, not kill him. And look…you broke my concentration on him."

"Kaien!?"

The blonde haired hunter in the chair was being strangled once more as Kaname dropped Bloody Rose from the charms burning into his hands. In that split second the gun fell to the ground, Rido pounced on Kaname with his hands around his throat. He grinned maliciously as he straddled his hips and pinned him down. Kaname tried to claw his hands off his throat and was struggling against him mightily. Rido just grinned as if he were some cute little puppy even as he released Kaien from the strangle hold he had him in.

"Looks like tonight's winner shall be decided finally…After all these years…" He grinned showing off his fangs as he tightened his hands around his throat only looking away for a moment to glance at Zero. The hunter frowned when he felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his thoughts and suddenly his eyes went wide. Whatever mental lock Rido had been using on him, he had finally taken it away. There was no more lurking darkness or demented cruel whispers…or even that small piece that he heard every so often screaming for help. He was willingly freed from Rido.

"Tick Tock pet…you don't have much time…" Kicking his gun from where Kaname had dropped it, he slid it over to Zero's feet. "My life…your life or theirs…Choose only one…But know if you choose mine…It won't be so easy to take."

Picking up the Bloody Rose, Zero was actually relieved to feel that weight in his hands. How long had it been since he felt something as familiar as this? Eyeing Rido while knowing Kaname had only but a few moments left…He took aim.

"You already know my choice."

Squeezing the trigger, Zero fired two rounds at the person he knew could end this nightmare once and for all.

TBC

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Liera: It has been an epic amount of time since I've written for this story. I will admit that it may have even gotten a little bit off track so I will apologize for that. I will also apologize for not being inspired to write for it for such a long time. Not gonna lie…I read the ending for the VK manga and was horribly disappointed in it so I decided to take a break. Of course that's when life decided to become a hurricane and start spiraling into some insane directions one of which cost me my will to write for a very long time. Before the flamers also start yelling at me. No Zero is not in love with Rido as tempting as that is…it would not make sense. Yes…As much as Zero tried to ignore it, he knew Rido was had issues that were not being properly addressed even if I didn't write it all out. Yes, Zero hates himself for it, but, to me personally and this is just my opinion…he's not the type to ignore someone obviously just as shattered as he. It's weird…sometimes it doesn't make sense from the reader's point of view and for that I am sorry lol. Personally I think I need more practice to convey my thoughts in stories properly. Ah well! Two more chapters and this should be the end. I'll try to make them a good read for you and thank you very much for sticking with me this long. It made me so happy to receive my reviews and that's what helped me out my bad funk and start writing again. Also for one reviewer…While it probably wasn't as clear as I intended, Zero remembered the kisses and intense moments he and Kaname shared although said pureblood didn't want him to and that is what led up to the lime in that particular chapter. Hope that helped you understand better if not…I apologize for not being more clear.

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