Chapter Eight: Find Your Harmony

Hello. Again. Late. As usual. You all are probably used to my sporadic postings, but at least I'm still going! I am sure we only have a couple more chapters in here anyway before I tie things up. Here is the next chapter, and I apologize for my tardiness. A lot happens in this one, but we get some badass moments, too.

Alright – I am sure, sure, sure this one is riddled with errors. Sorry in advance. I've read it a few times but I put it aside for a while and didn't read it again before posting it. If there are, I'm sorry. Just know that I adore you all and hopefully you adore me enough to ignore them. LOL

Onward. Thanks! Let me know how you liked this turnout.

x…..x

Rain pounded on the tin roof of the tiny café. Lily palmed her steaming cup of tea with little interest. Her eyes were on the large storefront window, watching the rain cascading down, but her focus wasn't on the storm—instead on the small figure that ran between the busy streets, toward the single door to the shop.

The green door sounded the bell that hung over it as Aki swiftly shuffled inside. The little vampire shook the rain from his black hair, and then closed his umbrella. More beads splattered the black and white checkered floor as he juddered them loose from his red windbreaker.

"The storm is pretty bad," Aki said. "Did you order me anything?"

She nodded toward the brown ceramic mug sitting near an empty chair across from her. "Carmel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso."

He sat in the vacant chair across from Lily, tucked back in the corner of the coffee shop next to a wooden wall strewn with green peeling paint. They were the only two patrons in the rundown little coffee shop. He took the cup to his mouth and nearly purred as the warm coffee slide down his throat and warmed his icy skin.

He set brown ceramic coffee cup down, picking flecks of speckled acrylic free from along side the curve of the mug. "When do we leave Tokyo?"

"Now."

His lips pursed, brows drawn as he regarded her words. "Right. You know it's like a fortress around him? Security on their home has been increased ten fold. I've heard rumors that Kuran-sama won't leave him. Not right now." He looked out the window, watching the lightening flash across the sky. The thunder rumbled the foundation of the tiny shop. "I think he knows we aren't finished. He's smart."

"Probably," she said.

"But we've come this far, right?" Aki smiled large enough to flash a full set of white teeth. "Do we really need his blood? We have the research and all of the files on him?"

"We need it only for the completed research. We have Kiryu's blood samples from start, but we do not have it finished. If we hope to recreate it, we need to find out why his cells were favorable to the change. We need his changed DNA. Like a chimera, really. Katz started his research years ago based on an article he read, about humans that went from one blood type to another after receiving a bone marrow transplant. So he started his own cell mutations based on pureblood venom, splitting and multiplying until those cells consumed the original. And now we have our first successful patient. We can't pass this opportunity up."

He hummed in agreement and picked up his mug, sipping on his coffee slowly. "What happened was unexpected, uncalculated. I know Katz didn't intend to use that pureblood spell unless he absolutely had to."

She pushed her cup to the center of the table and leaned in, her long hair fanning out onto the small wooden tabletop. "Katz invested his entire life on his research. You know why, Aki. It's more than the impurity of our lineage. So much more. You already know of the successes we've had in noble mutations, like those simple modifications to powers and strength—the same modifications that gave him the ability to wield that spell."

Aki again nodded. "I know. Do you still plan on going through with it, even if he's…you know, gone?"

"It is what we wanted more than anything, and Kiryu's cells are the key now. It worked. If I can recreate that…" Tears started to form in her eyes, her bottom lips pulling inward as she fought back her emotions. She tucked a loose lock of brown curls behind her ear. "You know how important it is to me—to us."

Aki covered her hand with his. "I know. But it won't be easy."

"I know, but I have a plan. We don't need to take him again unless absolutely necessary. We just need a sample, that's all. Just a few drops."

She slipped her hands into the pockets of her green dress, pulling out a vial with a liquid so neon blue it nearly glowed. She set it on the table and slid it towards the little vampire.

"Not much can harm a pureblood, but you know Katz was the genetics genius, and I dabbled in more of the mystical side of our powers." The tips of her fingers tapped on the corked top of the small glass bottle. "If we get even a drop to mix with Kuran's blood, we win."

He huffed out a loud sigh. Leaning back on his chair, he folded his hands behind his head. "Alright. May as well finish what we started. It's what he'd want. "

x…..x

"It's raining," Zero said. "Raining hard. I can't go out there."

Kaname cupped Zero's face with his palm, smiling at Zero's terrified countenance. "Do you not remember anything I taught you? I've taught you how to block out all of those smells and sounds."

He threw the white button up shirt he had just pulled from the closest down onto the bed with more force than intended, lifting his hands up in the air dramatically. "Right, I get that. But it's different when we talk about it, but actually having to do it. Yeah, it's so easy."

Kaname reached out, hooking his fingers in the loops of Zero's black dress pants, yanking until he was pressed firm to him. Freeing a hand, he slide it up Zero's exposed stomach, causing his lover's breath to catch at the contact. With the hand now at the back of Zero's head, he pulled, until their lips were crushed together in a slow, deliberate kiss.

Panting, Zero broke the kiss. "We don't have time for…that."

He nuzzled his cheek to Zero's, his mouth close enough to nip the bare skin near Zero's ear. He felt his husband's body shudder and he knew it'd be too easy to convince Zero to delay their departure for a few more minutes. He had already won. But his spouse was right. They were going to be late if they delayed it any further.

"Let's get going then. We have to be at the Vampire Council Headquarters in just under an hour," he said with a grin, sliding his fingers from Zero's and relishing in the dissatisfied expression that formed on his lover's face.

"I haven't left the house in nearly three weeks, and now my first stop is right in the heart of the vampire race. Yippee. Tell me again why it has to be done there? Zero said, pulling his arms into his button up shirt.

Kaname filled the space between them once more, but this time, his hands were on Zero's shirt, going up from the bottom one button at a time until the shirt was completely closed, deliberately leaving the first few buttons undone, as Zero liked.

"Because the only vampire in Japan, which we used once before, with powers to bind us in the Union is there today. You didn't want a giant ordeal this time, so it's easiest to meet him on his terms and just complete the ritual on his availability, which happens to be today." Kaname looked Zero over once more. "No dress coat?"

Zero was at the mirror, pressing the loose strands of frizzed silver that failed to stick to his head with an irritated sigh. "No. Nothing formal. We are already married, so we don't need anything fancy. This is just to complete what was lost. Nothing more." Zero spun around, panicked. "Wait! Am I going to run into any of those douchebag council members?"

"I will not lie, it is likely. They will sense your arrival even before we are in the carport. Their curiosity may best them. A new pureblood is too tempting to pass at least a glance."

Zero narrowed his eyes. "You used the 'P' word again."

Kaname grabbed his car keys from the top of their dresser. "I only call it how it is."

Zero sat on the edge of the bed, lacing up his black dress shoes, a glare fixed firmly on his husband. "You enjoy this too much."

"Perhaps a little, yes." Kaname moved until his body was between Zero's legs, his hands on his lover's shoulders and eyes locked with the vivid lavender ones below him. His knees touched the mattress. "I am sorry for being careless with your feelings on the subject at times, but Zero, don't blame me too much. I nearly lost you. And now you are here, my equal, with a life as long as mine. How can I not be slightly delighted at those benefits?"

Zero shoulders slumped and he left out a defeated sigh. "I know. I know what you mean, and I'm trying. I am trying really hard. It's just still a lot to take in. I think I'm still in shock a little. What I was…being a hunter…" His expression morphed, his eyes near pleading. "Everything I was is gone."

A miserable smile graced Kaname's face. "I know." He squeezed Zero's shoulders. "But you're still you."

"And I'm trying hard to remember that fact. I am," Zero whispered.

The silence was interrupted by Kaname's phone beeping, an alarm reminding them that it was time to leave or they'd be late.

"I think it'll be easier once we complete this. When the Union broke…" Zero got off the bed. "I just didn't realize how quiet it was until I couldn't feel it anymore."

Kaname intertwined their hands together. "Likewise, so let's go get that semblance of normalcy back."

Once downstairs, Kaname grabbed a large black umbrella from the hooks near the door. He wore a black dress coat over his black button up shirt, and a pressed pair of blank pants, so he opted to not grab a jacket. Zero slipped on his black pea coat, following close behind Kaname until they reached the garage. Kaname insisted on driving instead of calling on a driver to get them to the Vampire Council.

Once in the passenger seat, Zero connected his phone to the Bluetooth of the car and put on his favorite band. Kaname pushed the button near the rearview mirror, opening the garage door, but not before making a disgusted noise of disapproval.

"Mozart, Bach…all great musicians, Zero," he said, his head swiveled around to peer through the back window as he backed out of the garage. "Anything is better than this…whatever this music is."

"You just have no taste," Zero responded with a chuckle. "Your music is for people over a hundred years old."

A coy smile spread across Kaname's face. "And you've never asked just how old I truly am. Perhaps I fit into that category."

A pregnant pause filled the small car. Zero eyed Kaname with worry, his lips poised as if he was going to ask, but then he shook his head, his mouth drawn into a tight line. "Nope, not going to go there today. I have enough to deal with."

As they rounded the bend of their property and onto the smooth asphalt, they hit a hump in the road that jolted Zero. His eyeteeth, which were pressed against his bottom lip—a bad habit he picked up when the outside world started to overwhelm his senses—sliced through his lip. Blood immediately beaded atop the tiny puncture wounds.

Kaname slammed on the brakes. Where they lived was rural and far from the city, so he knew there was little chance of someone tailing close behind him. He immediately looked at Zero with concern. But under that worry, a deep hunger festered.

Zero licked the blood from his lips. "Sorry, bit my lip. My new fangs seem so much…pointy-er than my other ones when I was a level D."

He let out a breath of relief and put the car back into drive. "They are. Purebloods are fiercer and stronger than any other vampire. We have to be."

He shuddered as the Zero's blood filled the car. He wanted to taste it, even if he had just fed from Zero earlier that morning. Without the Union, he found his hunger for Zero's blood increased a hundred times over, and now, as a pureblood, the flavor was rich, vibrant and powerful. The very thought of consuming Zero's blood made his hands tremble.

The wounds had healed already, but the scent lingered still. Kaname used the open road and annoying music as a needed distraction.

"One thing that is strange is the bitterness… I don't think I'm explaining it right," Zero said, fumbling with his phone. He found a new song, a softer song, and pushed play on the touchscreen. "It's just at first. I noticed it the first time I bit you. And every other time since. And just now."

Kaname nodded. "Yes, it's venom. You're a pureblood now. We alone have the power to turn humans into vampires. It's always there. Vampires don't notice it, as the amount is so small and they are already vampires so it doesn't do anything. But each bite, a small amount is initially released."

Zero's face scrunched up in disgust. "That is sickeningly repulsive." Horror filled Zero's eyes instantly. "Shit…if I slip up again, like I did before. Yuuki, anyone…"

"No, you probably will notice your control is far easier than before when you're around her, right? The only blood you probably crave is mine."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. It's still hard to manage, but definitely easier than before."

"We have an easier time with hunger than other vampires. Not that it's not difficult, but it's not as intense, except for…"

Zero eyed him suspiciously. "Except for?"

"When you were human. I nearly did lose that battle. It's instinct to want to claim your mate, and with you, it was more than that. A dark part of me realized that you were open to be claimed by me this time," he said, ashamed.

"Oh, yeah…" Zero trailed off, his focus on the rain splatter window, fingers tracing the beads that moved across the glass. "Guess that didn't work out the way either of us thought."

"There is still a lot you do not know yet. Your powers, you've been too afraid to explore them—except when you break things around the house with your emotions. But you are strong, Zero. Very strong. Stronger than any other pureblood I've felt. We will need to figure out just how much stronger you are when you are in more control and not too intimidated to wield them," Kaname explained.

"I'm not sure I want to. Not yet. I feel it inside of me. It definitely wants me to use it, but I don't think I'm ready to face that yet," Zero whispered, the last part low enough he wasn't sure Kaname heard him.

"In time, Zero, but sooner rather than later. If you resist it too much longer and not allow it to be a part of you, then you may very well split the rest of the house in two."

Zero didn't laugh, even if Kaname was grinning.

Kaname continued, "How're you doing right now? With the rain?"

"It's…manageable. I smell everything, even from here. It's distracting, but not like before. I'm focusing on other things, like you and the music." But as soon as he mentioned it, he let the rain fill his mind and with sudden clarity he smelled the sharp crispness of minerals in the drops collected on the windows, and the heavy bursts of precipitation that swirled around the air. Even the dirt and gravel steaming as the cool rain pressed down on the warm asphalt drifted into his senses.

"Zero," Kaname said. "I lost you for a moment."

"Sorry, it was easy, until you had to be a bastard and bring it up," he replied.

They were on another stretch of road. Nothing but fields was on either side of the small two-lane country street. In the distance, only a few homes were plotted out against the bright green horizon. On either side of the roads, were tall grassy fields, but the shoulders of the roads were littered with waist high Japanese Asters—the white flowers a vibrant spec to the lush green beneath.

They turned around a sharp bend in the road and a loud pop reverberated throughout the car, the wheels skidding slightly as the vehicle shook.

With quick reflex's, Kaname gripped the steering wheel until the car realigned, pulling over on the dirt shoulder until the car was completely stopped.

"Don't tell me that was what I think it was?" Zero groaned. "A flat tire, right? And me with you, the world's biggest prince when it comes to anything having to do with manual labor."

"I can change a tire, Zero," Kaname argued. "I just choose not to, because I am usually not the one driving."

"I'm going to get wet, aren't I? And dirty." Zero let his head fall against the headrest in frustration. "Just perfect."

"I can call someone to come change it. It won't take long." Kaname already had his phone out of his coat pocket and was sliding the device unlocked.

"We have to be there in thirty minutes, Kaname. By the time they get here, change the tire and we are back on our way, we'd be late. Just shut up and let me do it." Zero unbuckled his seatbelt and slid his arms from his pea coat. He spun around on the leather seat, his body arching and reaching behind the passenger seat for something on the backseat floorboard. "Ah ha. I knew there was a reason I left this here. I usually carry a second pair of clothes with me when I was on a mission." He turned around in his seat, cradling a khaki backpack to his chest. "I think I have a spare set of clothes in here. They were in the backseat the last time…yeah…"

He rummaged through the opened bag, hissing and pulling his hand sharply from the bag. Silver metal glinted against the black shirt tucked in the middle of the backpack. "Bloody Rose…" he whispered, his eyes fixed on the weapon as if he was seeing an old friend. "Why is this in here?"

"When I went to find you, the night you were taken, I found it. I found your backpack and put it with your belongings. I figured you'd want it back…need it back. I didn't know…" Kaname fumbled with his words, trying to find the right thing to say, but it all seemed so wrong. "I'm sorry. I should have moved it."

"No, no, it's okay. I know I'm not a Hunter anymore. I'm just…" Blue sparks ignited once more as he ran a single finger over the barrel of the gun. "It's odd, to have it sting like that. To know that everything I was before, a Hunter, is truly gone…"

"Zero…" Kaname said, his voice trailing, heartbroken at the sight of his husband's gazing longingly as the weapon that had been as much a part of him as his blood.

"It's fine. Really," Zero said in a rush. "I can't focus on this right now—not yet. I can't…I'm just not ready to go there yet." And with that, he pushed the gun to the bottom of the bag, like he did with his thoughts around in, putting them deep in the back of his mind.

His smile returned when he scored a plain black t-shirt and drew it from the backpack. He unbuttoned his white dress shirt, carefully folding it once removed and set it on the armrest between the driver and passenger chairs. He grinned at the set of burgundy eyes fixed on his naked chest. Even without training the past few weeks, his muscles had stayed toned, but he had thinned somewhat, noticing how sharp his hipbones protruded from just above his waistline.

He pulled the shirt over his head, slowly and deliberately rolling the cotton over his pale chest, smirk widening at Kaname's lust-filled appearance. He kicked off his dress shoes. He did the same once more, lifting his hips gradually as he yanked off his black pants. He felt his own desires becoming apparent against his thin boxer briefs, and realizing his plan of torturing Kaname was backfiring, he swiftly tugged on the faded, holed-kneed pair of jeans. With just as much speed, he slipped on an old pair of black converse.

Kaname narrowed his eyes in irritation. "You are a tease, Zero. And you will pay for that dearly when we're back home."

He smiled a full set of white teeth and shrugged his shoulders. "We'll see."

Before Kaname could respond, Zero was outside in the rain, his silver hair disappearing below the passenger window. With a loud sigh, Kaname grabbed the umbrella and opened his door, popping open the canopy to shield him from the storm and rounded the corner. Zero's fingers were prodding a shredded rubber tear in the side of the back right tire.

"There's the problem. Something sliced right through that tire…" he said cautiously, his head lifting to gaze down the long vacant road they had just passed over. "What could be out here to cause that much damage…?" he said more to himself.

Zero's hair had already soaked into large silver clumps that fell over his face and clung to his cheeks and forehead. Kaname stepped closer still, putting the umbrella over his husband enough to block some of the pouring rain.

Zero waved him away as he stood, walking to the back of the car. "The spare tire is probably under the car and the tools are in the trunk."

Rain continued to fall in heavy drops; pounding on Zero's already chilled skin with increased fervor. He popped the trunk open, digging through the tools. He growled in aggravation. "We don't have a car jack in here. Of course we don't, because it was my luck to stand in the pouring rain—." He stopped.

A car passed by and the sound of the wet road nearly called to him, but he shook it off and focused back on the tire, until the blue car pulled over and parked behind them.

"Good Samaritans, Zero. Just when I thought you couldn't get any cuter all soaking wet," Kaname said, a stray finger reaching out to brush a large cluster of drenched hair from Zero's eyes.

The contact caused Zero's breath to hitch slightly and his stomach to flutter wildly. Even after all of the time they spent together, those simple, endearing touches tingled his body until his heart beat too quickly.

"You seem like you need some help," a woman called out.

Kaname smiled and nodded graciously, his attention on the newcomer. "Yes, that would be most helpful."

But Zero froze, his body locked in fear as the woman's voice registered in his mind—a voice he knew all too well, one he had listened to for weeks as her husband pumped him full of whatever the hell it was that changed him into this. And then it all made sense—the blown tire, the shredded mess of rubber, the vacant road. It was a trap, and he knew they weren't here for Kaname.

He coiled a firm hand around Kaname's bicep as he turned around. She looked as he remembered her: long curls of warm brown that hung just past her shoulders and draped over her arms, and fierce blue eyes, long lashes that blinked a fake innocence, with plump dark, red lips that were as sinister as her soul. But the little vampire next to her, the boy who mirrored Katz' little sidekick, smiled a knowing smile, one of victory. The noble wore a bright yellow raincoat, hood drawn up, with black hair that spread out and clung to his face—a face that looked exactly like Aoi's.

The pieces seemed to click for Kaname, as well, but too late. His husband whirled around, discarding the umbrella, and pulled Zero into a fierce hug, covering his body protectively around his. A gunshot went off, and from behind Kaname's dress coat, over his shoulder, the little vampire held a gun, but it wasn't a deadly weapon, it looked like a dart gun from the angle he could see.

"Zero," Kaname whispered, his voice strained. "Run."

Kaname's body grew heavy against his, but he held tight to his husband, refusing to let him go.

"What did you do to him!" he yelled.

The noble teen snickered in victory, cocked the gun and fired once more. Caught off guard, his focus on keeping Kaname from falling, he didn't move in time as a sharp dart stuck itself in his thigh, the container filled with a bright blue liquid.

"Aki, you idiot," Lily hissed. "You weren't supposed to hit Kiryu-sama. Now his blood will be weakened by the drugs in his system."

Fire spread over his limbs and dragged him down until his muscles felt weighed and useless. Slowly his body fell with Kaname's to the asphalt. Even with little control, he used the last bit of strength to gently lay Kaname down to the road before his legs gave out completely. Kaname's eyes were open, watching him, as his husband could do little more than glare in fury at the two vampires starting toward them.

He sat in the rain, his back to the bumper of the car, as rain pelted his numb skin.

"What did you do to us?" his voice was quiet, strained and it took much effort to breathe let alone speak.

Lily, umbrella in hand, knelt in front of him, those haunted blue eyes staring at him with wonder. "It's like a poison to purebloods. It attacks the center of your powers, weakening you, until people like me, can overpower your own with my influence. I am sure you're accustomed to my power by now, Zero, how tired you feel, how weak your limbs are now…" she said.

Aki stood behind her; just a flash of yellow to his limited vision, but the unmistakable click of the dart gun sounded once more as the noble shot another dart into Kaname's arm.

"Gotta have insurance. Kuran-sama is very powerful. Can't be too careful," Aki said with a grin.

Even with the amount of poison in his blood, Kaname pushed his body up, arms shaking noticeably, until his red eyes flashed a dangerous warning to the two vampires hovering over them. "Stay away from him," he growled, a rumble so fierce Zero felt it dance darkly across his skin, and he was reminded of just how powerful and deadly his husband was.

"Aki, maybe a third dose is needed," she said, her voice trembling just slightly as the power that rippled through the air. "Just to be cautious."

Something fierce inside Zero snapped when the noble pulled the gun out once more. "Don't touch him!" he screamed.

The capsule that housed the poison in the dart gun shattered, and blue liquid oozed out of the chamber and onto the asphalt.

"Shit," Aki cursed. "This is getting too dangerous, Lily. We gotta move fast. "

Lily tilted her head towards Zero, motioning for Aki to switch his focus. "We need to take him with us until that poison wears off." Her blue eyes were fixed firmly on Kaname, and from the sweat that beaded her brow, he knew she was directing a great deal of power on the fallen pureblood.

Aki stepped over Zero's legs, his little fingers curling in the fabric of Zero's t-shirt until he had a tight enough grip to heave the pureblood forward. Helpless, Zero hung limply in the noble's grip, his legs dragging against the wet asphalt. Panic filled eyes met Kaname's, and they widened when he realized the pureblood had started to stand, hand on the bumper of the car to support his shaking body. Kaname flicked the darts off his body like they were nothing more than a nuisance, and then trained his murderous glare on the little noble.

"Oh shit," Aki cursed, pure fear alive in every syllable.

Aki dropped Zero quickly, the newly made pureblood falling onto the asphalt with a hard thud. The sound of Lily's fast moving heels against the road stole his attention, as she rushed back to their car.

"You will not take him," Kaname growled, each word bring forth a darkness that brought to life a blackness in the air that had nothing to do with the gray thunderstorm rolling overhead. "He is mine. And I believe you've saved me quite the journey trying to locate you both, but I'm afraid it's time to eradicate the last remaining Elite members."

Oh shit was right, Zero thought. He had witnessed Kaname's power many times before, but nothing so strong, so alive. His arm hairs rose with the energy pouring out from his husband. Dark clouds in the sky rolled across the light gray, an ominous embodiment of the raw power that poured from Kaname.

Thunder sounded and a flash of lightening streaked the sky behind Kaname's stiff pose.

Red pumps flashed into his view as Lily returned. He could sense both of the nobles fears, like a terrified ripple that brushed his pureblood sense. He now understood what Kaname meant when he had told him that most vampires fear purebloods—and he knew it, could feel it, like a tangible bitter tang that tainted his skin.

Aki moved first, his little legs swift and definitely quicker than any noble he had seen before. Like how the other vampires moved when they had overpowered him in the medical supply shop weeks ago. They felt stronger than other nobles, too. He could nearly taste all of the vampires' essences, and these two tasted of power that wavered between the strength of a pureblood and noble. Considering their proclivity for enhanced genetic mutations, he should not have been surprised if they had somehow found a way to modify their own DNA to harness more power.

That left two modified nobles against his already weakened husband. Kaname had done well to block two of Aki's kicks, and then a third, but the forth caught his spouse hard to the ribs. Kaname didn't show pain, but he knew by the way the pureblood's eyes slightly narrowed that the hit had been painful. Kaname had told him that he housed a power far greater than he had felt or was even aware of—and he had been afraid to find it, to bring it out, to face what he had truly become. But like a dim fire that flickered in a dark room, he knew it dwelled deep within him, waiting for a moment to burst free and consume him completely until the blaze of raw power licked at every cell and nerve in his now pureblood form.

He urged it forward, testing it. Energy that singed his very soul poured into his muscles, hot like fire yet so cold.

Lily stepped forward again, and from below, he watched, as if time stopped, the noble reach into her purple jacket, a small silver gun clasped in her tiny hand. The aim was directed on his unaware husband, who was overpowering Aki, but not quick enough—not fast enough to avoid.

All of the smells he became fascinated with suddenly made sense: the dew dropped leaves, the sediment, the soil—the Earth. He rolled sluggishly to his right, his elbows propped onto hard asphalt as rock and road dug into his skin. Sparing a quick glace, he hurried his crawl to the side of the road, as Lily popped another capsule of blue pureblood diming liquid into the chamber of the gun.

The rain started to pour harder. His fingers, slow and weak, danced across the road's shoulder and into the dirt where freshly bloomed flowers swayed in the wind.

The power that tingled his flesh with vitality, shot from him without his command.

He screamed when nothing immediate happened. His anger flowed across the vacant road and shattered the glass around the few street lamps that hung over the road. Their car moved from the asphalt and into the mud.

He breathed deep, focused, and closed his eyes, finding the Earth's essence.

Vines like thick rope shot from the soil and around Lily's arms, then her legs, twirling around and around until little of her jacket and legs were visible. Her sudden capture hindered her concentration and her power over him and Kaname lifted.

"That's not possible," she yelled. "You both shouldn't be able to control your powers. Not like this. Not this much."

Kaname, in the form much like the pureblood Zero had first met years ago, left his expression dark, his eyes small slits as he carefully considered his next move. Before Zero could protest, the pureblood pulled his hand back and then flung it forward with great force, his fingers sliding through Aki's skin and ribs until the noble was left still, blood leaking from the hole in his chest and over his mouth. Kaname's hand was still in the boy's chest, his fingers wrapped hard around the noble's heart.

"I apologize for ending your life, but you've become too great a threat to my life and my spouse," Kaname whispered into the noble's ear. Aki's mouth hung open, his words caught in the blood rushing over his tongue—but he doubted Kaname wanted a reply, because the pureblood simply yanked his hand free. The heart of the noble sat in his hand. Aki dropped lifelessly to the road, his body already decaying and dusting until the yellow raincoat deflated into emptiness.

"NO!" Lily screamed, struggling against the vines that held her immobile. "How could you…?" She sobbed, black streaks of mascara flaking off and down her cheeks as rivulets of sorrow streamed from her eyes.

Kaname's dark gaze fixed on her. "How could I? Yes, me, who killed one to the hundreds of innocent victims you destroyed. Me, who killed the noble who tried to steal my husband. But, yet, how could I, right? You and your research, Lily, for what? How many died to produce one viable creation?"

Zero found his strength returned, but instead of coming to Kaname's aid, he sat next to the roadside, fingers still pressed firm into the soil, too fixated and in awe of the pure strength and power radiating from Kaname. Ever fiber of his body felt the energy, as if it blanketed his skin.

Kaname's other hand reached up to Lily's face, the other still holding Aki's heart. She jerked back, eyes closed in fear as the pureblood's fingers touched her cheeks.

"How could I, you ask?" he whispered. He tossed the noble's heart to the side, the organ becoming nothing more than dust that sprinkled into nothingness in the rain. "More like, how could you?"

"I know…" she cried. "I know what we did. I know we killed so many. But you don't understand. How could you understand?"

With his other hand, he traced the outline of her face with bloody fingers. "You killed so many people. You nearly killed my husband. And you were going to kill me if you could. I know that look better than anyone, Lily. I know what it means to have your heart hardened for Death's purpose." Kaname smirked. "Do you see it in my eyes now?"

"No, please don't," she begged. "I swear… I know what we did was wrong. I know that. But we were just trying to fix the problem" Her sobs increased.

Zero stood, frozen in shock at the image of the man he had once met years ago come back to his reality, his time—a time where they had both shown so much growth to overcome the darkness in their hearts. His hatred for vampires, his hatred for purebloods, and his hatred for his own life were cured by the love Kaname had poured into him. And vice versa. The shadows of black that tainted his husband's soul were far and deep in the pureblood, and he had seen them, witnessed it on several occasions, but slowly over the past year they were chipped away by him, by their relationship, as if gave them both hope to keep going.

Yet, that same blackness consumed Kaname's countenance, his gaze hard and determined, and his lips thinned in revenge.

Testing his newly exposed power, he removed his hand from the mud, focusing his energy on the vines wrapped around Lily's body, his soul whispering to them to stay. Just stay a little longer. And they did. He stood.

Kaname's hand retreated, poised once more to finish The Elite off for good, but a pale hand covered his forearm.

"Kaname," Zero warned. "Don't do this."

Confused eyes locked onto him. "She deserves to die."

With a gentle squeeze to Kaname's arm, he tilted his head and swayed it slightly from side to side. With eyes filled with understanding, he spoke. "Oh, I know, and it would bring me great pleasure in watching this leech turn to dust, but not by your hand." He moved his rain drenched bangs from his forehead. "Not by you. Don't let her death bring back that part of you. Not now. Aki was bad enough and I can see it in you, so just let her go now."

Kaname hesitated, but he could tell the pureblood wasn't committed to the task.

"Please," he said, his fingers curling tighter around Kaname's arm. "Don't let her destroy all that you built inside yourself."

Kaname balled his fingers into a fist. With one swift motion, the pureblood jerked free from Zero's grasp and struck Lily in the face. Her neck sprung back like a doll. Her eyes closed as unconsciousness overcame her.

"I would have killed her," Kaname whispered.

"I know."

Kaname's face softened and the pureblood he had come to know returned once more. "I should thank you, Zero. I would have killed her easily. But she should answer for her crimes properly, and I should not let revenge guide my actions, because there is a darkness that comes with killing out of rage."

He hummed in agreement, his eyes on the limp form of the woman who had held him captive for weeks. He agreed that her death would have brought some peace to him, but he also knew that Kaname's conscience was more important than his need for revenge, as well—and Lily should answer for her crimes, in case there are other files or paperwork they needed to destroy.

"I haven't punched anyone in a long while, and while I know it's not proper to hit a woman, it did feel pretty damn good," Kaname said.

He chuckled. He let the power within him recede until the vines around Lily unwound and crawled back into the Earth. Her body fell to the asphalt, and with it, a small silver flash drive. He knelt to pickup the little device, eyeing it with curiosity.

"We should guard this closely. We destroyed the lab and their computers, but I know she would have made a backup of the files. I can only assume this little drive holds a lot of damning information," he said.

"Agreed."

"Would you be opposed to bringing her into the Association instead of the Council?" Zero asked.

"No," Kaname said. "We have suspected for some time that portions of the Council are corrupt, and we still have no idea how deep the pockets of The Elite were filled with their money. Your old master is the better option." Kaname looked around the open road. "You moved our car into the mud and destroyed my umbrella."

A sardonic grin graced his lips. "You wanted me to embrace my powers."

"Indeed." Kaname reached down into Lily's pocket and pulled out her car keys. "I suppose she won't mind if we borrow her car. I'll call and have ours towed back home, as well as call the vampire we were supposed to meet and postpone our ritual until we can get her settled in."

The rain let up and shifted into a slow drizzle that misted the air. They were both drenched head to toe, clothes pressed firm to their cold flesh and hair weighed down with rain.

"I'll get my stuff from the car while you load her in the trunk and make the phone call," he said.

"Zero," Kaname called out. "You are truly powerful. To be able to bend Earth's will."

He paused in the road, taking in the words his husband just said. He knew he'd have to face it soon, what he had done, what he could do—but not yet. He wasn't ready for that, so he didn't respond, instead turning back toward their car and pulling out his backpack and filling it with the clothes he had removed before their attack.

Kaname had loaded up Lily in the trunk, binding her with her own power dulling liquid and a pair of zip ties they had found in the trunk. When Zero returned, the pureblood was on the phone in the front seat, belt buckled and ready to go. He slipped into the passenger seat and nodded to his husband that he was ready.

x…x

He slammed the trunk of the borrowed car. "Thanks for coming in to take her."

Yagari nodded at the two Hunters to his left, who came forward and grabbed the still unconscious noble. Yagari threw his cigarette to the ground and squished it with his boot. "Not a problem. Glad you turned out to be a little fiercer than a pansy and stopped her. See, you can remove the Hunter blood, but not the Hunter."

He flinched. Every reminder of what he was not anymore chipped away at the steady steps he had made toward normalcy—but each hit knocked him back more and more and he was terrified of crumbling under the foundation he had built.

A groan broke his misery. Lily stirred in the arms of the Hunters who held her. Her wide, panicked eyes locked on him and she struggled to break free.

"Wait!" she said. "Wait, please… Don't leave me with them."

"Like you left me with your husband," Zero retorted with a snort. "Right. You deserve what's coming."

She fumbled with her words. Her hair stringy and matted from the rain covered her face now, but he sensed the desperation in her posture. "Please, just listen. One more thing. A deal. I can make you a deal."

Kaname grabbed his arm when he took a step forward, but he reassured the pureblood with just a glance that he'd be okay. He, followed by Yagari, walked up the stone steps of the Association until they were in front of Lily.

"Speak," Yagari commanded.

"The flash-drive in my pocket—."

"Already got it," Zero said.

"You have that one, but I made a backup. A contingency plan, if you will."

"Shit," he cursed. "Of course you did. All nobles are generally paranoid bloodsuckers."

"Where is it?" Yagari pushed, taking a moment to flick a cigarette free from the pack and place it between his lips. "And I'll think about letting you live if you tell the truth."

"No," she said, her voice trembling. She shook her head. "No, I want a deal. A blood contract."

Yagari huffed a laugh and then took a drag of his cigarette. "This is the Association, Miss vampire, not vamp court house. We don't make blood contracts with vampires."

"Fine," she said quickly, her voice still carrying a slight quiver. "Then just a deal, but written."

"You don't want to die," Yagari mocked. "And let me guess, you want a lawyer and to claim insanity because you never meant to kill all of those hunters and humans, and hell, even your own kind."

"No, no, no," she stammered. "Nothing like that. Where the flash-drive is hidden, there is a key with a number to a safety deposit box. In that box is another key to a hotel room in Tokyo. Something important is in there… Something I want you to give to my sister."

"A key with another key to a room," Zero said. "Definitely not paranoid."

"What's in the room?" Yagari pressed.

"My life," she whispered. Her arms fell forward as she sagged in the grip of her captors. "The entire reason I started this—we started this, Katz and I. Purify the bloodlines, yes, but it was always so much more to me."

"Tell me," Yagari said, flicking his cigarette to the side of the stone steps.

She looked up at his Master; her hair tangled but parted enough to see the frantic plea in her expression. She shook her head once more. "No, no, not until you tell me you will do this."

"I can't guarantee you anything," Yagari responded.

"You can, you're the President of the Association, so don't try and pull one over on me. I know I had a hand in the deaths of so many people, but I do not care what you do with my life. Just this one promise. Please, a word binding, a contract I can sign, anything, just promise me this and I will tell you where everything is."

Yagari pursed his lips. He knew his old Master was weighing the risk with trusting her, but with the type of data surrounded around The Elites research, he would bet he knew which way his old teacher would sway. The information would be shattering to the Hunter and Vampire worlds. Information that would continually put him in harms way with any other psycho that wanted to recreate a pureblood vampire—to anyone who would seek out his blood and expose his creation. Something he and Kaname had long discussions around trying to figure out how to go about his future amongst the vampires. And the last vampire they had interrogated with attempting to use a purebloods power of persuasion, died. Knowing Lily probably had altered his power to resist a purebloods control didn't sit well and leave many options.

"Is whatever in that room harmful or a weapon?" Yagari asked.

"No, no, I promise. This is nothing harmful, but it's something I need to give to my sister. I swear it won't cause any harm or be any trouble. Promise me this, that you'll keep it safe and deliver it, and I will tell you everything you need to know, as well as the location of the last flash-drive."

Yagari nodded to the two Hunters, who let go of Lily. She fell, her legs curled under her.

His old master put out his hand to her. "Deal, but you tell me everything."

Her fingers shook, but she managed to meet his offer and shook his gloved hand in return. "I promise," she whispered. "The last flash-drive, the backup, is at a club in Tokyo. It's a…vampire club. Aki co-owned the club. We both had a copy of Katz' work, and I had mine foolishly on me, but he hid his, along with the safety deposit key, in the storage locker in his office at the club. You will find it there. The code is his brother's birthday." She smiled. "Even though they were twins, they were born on two different days. He used Aoi's birthday as the code. I will write it down."

Yagari hummed his approval. "Will anyone prevent us from getting the drive? Any bloodsucking surprises I have to watch out for?"

Her brown nest of hair swayed slightly. "You won't be able to get the drive. It's a club only for vampires. No Hunters. They will know you are one before you reach the door and kill you. You need a vampire. The owner…he…he is Aki's and Aoi's father. I am sure he had felt their death by now. But he won't know who killed them, but he'll suspect a hunter before a vampire. Just don't let him catch you—because if he sees anyone near the storage locker, he will not hesitate to end your life. He was sworn to protect it. But that is where it is."

"Ah, simple mission. Sneak into a vampire club, retrieve a flash-drive from a coded locker, and all before the madman vampire catches you," Zero said with a grin. "Sounds like your type of mission, Master." He slapped Yagari on the shoulder.

His old teacher hit him back, but harder and with less playfulness. "Sounds like your mission, kid. You don't have to 'sneak' into any vampire club anymore—you're like their power-filled God now with your fancy pureblood title."

His expression fell flat. "No."

"Yes."

"Absolutely not."

"Absolutely yes. And I'm still your President. It's an order."

"I'm not even a hunter anymore, bastard," he argued.

"Oh, now you want to take back your lineage. You've been crying about not being a hunter for weeks. I thought you'd be beaming with overly cheerful giddiness at having a mission."

He glared, hard. "You're an asshole."

Yagari smirked and lifted a brow, as if to say, "I know."

"A vampire club?" he said with a loud sigh. "Kaname?"

The pureblood walked up the steps to join them. He hadn't even noticed that the two hunters, leaving only his husband and his old master standing on the Association steps, had taken Lily away.

"They are a normal part of vampire culture. They are not well respected establishments for the more…refined vampires, but they are as any human bar or club, which is a place for vampires to gather and without the need to hide," Kaname answered. "They do have some humans there, which are meant as…"

"Food?" Zero said, his tongue clicking in disgust. "They feed on people out in the open? Oh god, I cannot do this."

"The world of vampirism is much larger than the small Academy you attended, or the missions where you hunted Es'. Being a vampire is being part of a society, Zero. We have many of the same things humans do, but catered around our kind. Feeding from a human may have been banned within the walls of Cross' school, but out in the larger part of society, if the person is willing, then it is very common," Kaname said. "Naturally not from a bite like mine—and now yours, but many nobles and Ds do like to partake in such activities.

"It's so much larger than just this tiny society, as I know you know. There are vampires out there that dismiss the Council, especially in a city as large as Tokyo. You are bound to find vampires there who live a littler more…precariously to the old ways."

"Thanks for the vampire lesson one-oh-one, your highness, but Zero and I already knew that. The Association is familiar with most of the unorthodox vampire hangouts and we keep a regular eye on them."

Zero mumbled, "But I didn't know they ate people in public. Disgusting bloodsucking bastards."

Kaname forced a cough and lifted a challenging brow. "Really? You are a pureblood now and you still harbor those feelings?"

"I wasn't born a pureblood and I happened to have been a hunter my entire life, minus a few years where I was technically a vampire. So, no, I can't change overnight. Get over it, Kaname, it's just the way I am."

"Lovers spat on my Association doorsteps. Get out of here and leave the drama for your girly makeup sessions. I'll be over in a couple of hours once we pinpoint the club and get Intel from the hunters in the area." Yagari drew out another cigarette and lit it, then wave his hand at them to tell them to scram. "Go, do whatever it is you two do after nearly being killed."

They took that as a signal and left.

Hand on the handle of the car door, Zero peered across the vehicles roof to catch a glimpse of Kaname. He opened the door, groaning. Once inside, he buckled his seatbelt, his eyes still trained on the pureblood.

"Kaname, why do I get the sense that this will be like Mexico all over again. You remember that club, the ones where we were charmed into humans. Now…a nest full of vampires."

"This will be nothing like Mexico, Zero. Nothing at all."

"Perfect. Just fucking perfect," he said.

_xxxxxxxxx_

We get to see Kaname be pretty Kaname badass. It was time for him to reign and become the Kaname we all fell in love with, I suppose. :P As to his age, if you noticed, in Unholy Matrimony, I left "eggs" hidden there randomly and throughout this arc to hint at that over and over. Just another one thrown in. :D

I hope you all liked it. Your continued support is beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I mean, here it is, years after I started the first, and I have you all still around and telling me how much you love it. It means the world to me. I just wanted you to know this. Thank you. You all keep me going, even on days when I feel like giving up or when I doubt myself. I come back and see the amazing things you all say and it reminds me what is important. So, again, thank you.