The showdown, unfortunately, it isn't yet the ending.

XxXxX

Two versus four. Four versus eight. Eight versus sixteen. Sixteen versus thirty two. The battle to death.

I had finally found one possibility, perhaps the only thing that can kill us is ourselves.

"It doesn't matter how many are in this war, in the end it's just a battle between the two of us."

Kaname murmured nothing. He agreed with him. "Apparently you contradicted yourself. If it doesn't matter to you, why bring all the troubles here?"

"...Troubles? What are you talking about?" he asked.

He pointed his finger, the direction of the town, explaining; "The smoke coming from there, it isn't the forest burning, it is the town. The only one who could have come here from that direction would have been you and your grandson, besides the two of you, who else? It was unfortunate that we couldn't do anything to help the town because you made sure of their deaths before coming here. It was my error for not realizing what was happening earlier."

"I wondered what was bothering you? You figured it out in the end and this mistake shouldn't be made by you." He chuckled. "But... as long as both of us are alive, all is set. Before we begin, I like to introduce my grandson to all of you. He looked a lot like me, doesn't he?" he asked. At the zero response to his question, he shrugged and immediately said, "All of you have no humour at all. Shoutou, nice to see you in a new look. I'm sure it's not intentional, right? Long hair. Different clothes. It is so unlike you. Oh, Hiou, you are still keeping the tradition of your family. I heard a lot about the Hiou family nowadays. Too bad such bad things have befallen you. Hanadagi! I keep asking myself, 'Is that really Hanadagi, one of my eldest and respected brother?' because you have changed a lot." He laughed in the end. "However... that is normal."

Shoutou grunted. "You are a bastard, Touma."

"Is that all you can say about me, Shoutou?" he teased. "I am just saying what's inside my heart. Don't treat me coldly just because we are in bad terms."

Hanadagi shook his head. "Your heart never exists, Touma, even if it does, it's black and dirty, full of your foolish desire to get rid of the creatures and recreate the world into a new one. What have the townspeople done to you? You didn't have to kill them just to spite Kuran, they were innocent of your schemes!" he roared.

"They were innocent...? Humans are innocent? Goodness, all of you have turned from strong vampires into weak humans?" he looked at them with shock but it was only an act. "Kuran accused me of burning the town, Shoutou called me a 'bastard' and Hanadagi scolded me. Hiou, do you have anything else to say about me?" he invited.

Hiou waited for a moment and murmured, "You have no right to decide anyone's fate. Also, shut up about my family. It is none of your concern."

He was silent at the answer, not expecting that to come out from his mouth. "You were never in good terms with Kuran during our time. You were a rebel, just like Ouri, Shirabuki and I. When Kuran entered the period of slumber, all of us were divided into two sides! One side remained with the Great Elder while the others chose to walk on their own path. You chose to walk out from the family, like me, Hiou. You didn't care about Kuran as the King of Vampires or the precious Hana-sama."

Hiou gripped his hands, controlling his anger. "Please don't do this," he pleaded.

"There's no use denying it, Hiou. You walked out just like I did, you left!"

"Enough! Stop guilt tripping me, you bastard! I did walk out from the family, I admit it! But that doesn't mean you can put me in the same place as you! I have no such desire to get rid of the weaklings in order to create a new world. It won't change anything besides bringing more suffering and pain; to see happiness is like digging on dirt! If I have truly forgotten about Kuran's kindness and hard work to restore our existence in this world, I would have no desire to connect my family to his family!" he yelled at him.

Touma clapped his hands, applauding Hiou's beautiful words. "It would have been interesting... but the marriage never occur because both sides clashed with one another, one hunt for another while keeping their lovers hidden from the eyes of society. The same can be said to the union between Shirabuki and Ouri's two descendants. Hmm... " he hummed, "...I think there's a vision of that, too." Letting out a long sigh, he lifted his hands and said, "Kuran, while I believe the important battle is between you and I, we need more than just us. We need something to satisfy both sides, something that will proof to you and your allies that I hold my threats seriously. That is why..."

With a flick of his fingers, a series of explosion occurred around the mountains, alarming Kuran and his companions, as well as the people at the Kuran manor.

"Touma...!"

"Forgive me for misusing your territory, Kuran, but..." he paused, continuing a short while later after another explosion, "I do not work with people I do not trust but that doesn't mean I can't manipulate nature into becoming my minions. While both of us have a pleasant fight, I have chosen my grandson to lead the battle against the three of you and the people residing at your residence, Kuran. Have fun!" He disappeared, leaving a devastated Kuran and his companions standing still against the young Touma.

Kaname's initial thought was to return to the manor to warn the people he have called but in doing so, he was letting Touma do his destruction against nature. "Damn...!" cursing under his breath, he turned to his three companions who were more than ready to fight, warning them to be very careful with the young Touma. "Seiren will return to the Kuran manor to warn them, I'm unsure if they have to fight but they know what to do. Until then, I wish all of you the best and... please survive!" he said, disappearing.

Hanadagi slapped his forehead, closing his eyes to think of a strategy. With both Kuran and Touma gone from their sight to who knows where, although he suspected they have gone down the mountains, the place where Hana-sama fought with Touma that time, he's left with the young Touma and his two companions. As the eldest between the three, naturally he would be the one to lead the entourage against the enemies... but, "Honestly, we have to deal with a child while Kuran fights Touma somewhere."

"Don't forget the one standing in front of us is not a child any more," Shoutou reminded him, still rustling over his long, unkempt hair and the clothes he wore.

"I see you understand it well, gentlemen." Touma murmured with a sly smile. "Grandfather have left me to face the three of you alone, it is an honour to be given the chance. I am sure all of you are thinking that is it possible for the descendant of the Touma clan to get rid of three of the most powerful ancient Purebloods of our species?" he asked, then answered his own question, "However, do not worry because I have no intention of stepping down from this sacred battle. Grandfather left you some surprises."

Surprises, the thing most of us hated.

Touma lifted his hand just as his grandfather did a moment ago but instead of the series of explosions as the trio have feared, what greeted them was...

The armies of bats.

Lots and lots of them.

XxXxX

The sneaky raven easily snatched the Artemis from Yuuki's hands. She intended to use the weapon to help Kaname but the raven was a lot faster than her thoughts. With a cry of anguish, Yuuki cried out loud as she chased after the raven, "Give it back! Please return it to me! Everyone, please, help me catch the raven and take what's mine!"

Some of the guests did her bidding while most remained, amused by their hostess' action, but none of them managed to get their hands on the raven as it flew higher and higher, away from their hands' reach. Yuuki grunted at the sight unfolding in front of her, "Why are the ceiling of the manor so high? Give it back, you nasty bird!"

Hmph, describing me as a nasty bird is such a ridiculous idea, Kuran Yuuki!

You are still helpless and weak, there's no need for you to hold the weapon for any reasons, I've hidden it at a safe place, away from your grasp, ungrateful child!

Also, you have no right to complain about the structure of the manor!

Yuuki stopped chasing after the raven, surprised by the words she heard, especially on the last sentence over the structure of the manor! Turning her head around, she looked at the guests, "Did you hear what I heard a moment ago? I thought I heard someone speaking to me."

Sir Aidou denied hearing anything but he asked if she heard something instead. Puzzled, Yuuki tried to speak to this voice. It was a female, sounding overly annoying but this person was confident with her words. It was as if... she was a superior. Who are you?

"Who are you, whoever is speaking to me a moment ago?" she asked. It felt silly.

You could not recognize me yet, Kuran Yuuki? What a pathetic child, indeed, worse than the generations of the Kuran family!

At that time, Yuuki was definite that the time of the world was frozen at her request. She heard that. She heard the insult! The bloody, ridiculous insult!

"...Hana!" she cried, looking straight at the ceiling, direct at the raven circling around the place. "Come down this instant and change your form! I should have know it's you!"

The raven heard her call and flapped its wings toward Yuuki, stopping a moment to murmur the words. "About time for you to figure it out. It's such a shame that I have to insult you first!" she said, transforming into her human form and stood still across Yuuki. There was a different contrast between the two Kuran ladies. Yuuki, although wearing high heels and a long blue dress, looked plain when compared to Hana, wearing a black and red dress and a low heels shoes, but it was more of her self conscious.

Yuuki was the Pureblood Princess while Hana was the Queen of Vampires. It were two different levels.

"We meet again, Yuuki-san," she greeted, her finger playing with the curl of her hair. "Hello, everyone. I am Kuran Hana."

At the gasp from the guests, including the Vampire Hunters themselves, Hana asked Sir Aidou if they have known the truth of the truth. At his denial, again, Hana sighed at the response. "I see that he has not been kind to the people of this time, oh, papa. I am sure that he has no problems if I tell everyone, after all, this is a dreadful situation."

Yuuki protested. "Kaname does not give you the right to tell them anything unless he gives his permission!" she said.

"I am his daughter."

Another gasp. "Kaname-kun's daughter?" Cross asked.

"Have you known or is this just an expression of surprise?" Hana pressed the matter. "I sense an air of familiarity in you, if I may know your name?"

Cross immediately said, "Cross Kaien!"

"Are you in relations with that idiot?" she asked, glancing at Yuuki. "If I recall, your former name is Cross Yuuki and he's definitely someone you will associate with. You are formerly human and he's a human, although your scent doesn't seem like it's of a normal human, Cross-san. I understand that you and those people are the Vampire Hunters and you are here at papa's request. Let's see what else I can say about you. You are a serious but a bit naive and a happy go lucky person. You try to make people happy but end up hurting yourself but it doesn't matter to you. You have a special fondness over photography and you will photograph those that are important to you. Lastly, you are the source behind the Peace Treaty."

Cross was dumbfounded, Yuuki too. Hana laughed, she was indeed his adopted daughter, the resemblance was classic.

"How did you know everything?" he asked.

"It's a guess but I doubt you believe it. I don't trust humans but I have a feeling that you can be trusted. Papa trusted you, by the way."

Again, Cross realized that Hana has the same mood as Kaname. The same... spirit. "I see. But may I ask why you have a dislike over Yuuki?"

"Perhaps the better question is to question the truth of the truth? Why do you think there's a threat under the name of Touma, one of the ancient Pureblood family, unheard for generations? Why is he, an ancient one, despises Kuran Kaname and wishes to kill him in this time? I shall tell you even if you opposes it, Yuuki-san, because it is important that all of you are aware that this is not a game. You have witnessed the appearance of three ancient Purebloods; they are Hanadagi, Hiou and Shoutou. In total, there are seven ancient Pureblood vampires at the start of the vampires, which includes the Kuran family. Kuran Kaname, son of Kuran Haruka and Juri, the one that you have been led to believe, is not the actual son of Haruka and Juri. He is not the actual brother to Yuuki-san. Her real brother died under the cruel hands of Kuran Rido."

Yuuki was surprised, too surprised! "You shouldn't know about any of this! My parents...! My brother! It's sensitive!"

"I apologize, I am reading what's inside his memories. Out of all memories, this is the most evident and clearest of all. I have a feeling that this is perhaps the start of his memories in the second chance of life. I've looked through, the memories of Kaname as the ancient Kuran have been compressed and it's difficult to unravel the spell," she said, changing the tone of her voice. "Kaname, my father, is one of the ancient Pureblood vampires. The strangers that you have seen a moment ago, all of them are related to his past. Even I am related to Kaname's past for I am his daughter. The generations of the Kuran family started with my father and mother, continued with me, then my children and so on. In a way, you can consider that Yuuki-san is my great descendant although... I don't have the heart to accept it, yet. I will... if you let him go first."

Yuuki protested right away. "No! Return the Artemis to me, it is mine!"

"Then... you have my answer, Cross-san. While I do not understand how one is able to withstand the stubborn nature of this girl, I am thankful for your care over her. In my form as a raven, I have journeyed across the mountains in search of Touma but before I continue with the dreadful news, may I know who is the actual representative of the Vampire Hunters Association? I believe the president is you, Cross-san but the acting president is that ugly one over there but as you need a new, strong leader..." her eyes roamed among the hunters present in the room, completely ignoring Touga Yagari's annoyed remarks over her comments, and she murmured, "...that silver haired one."

Silver... haired...?

Hana's eyes widened as the memories stabbed her deep inside! "Silver haired...? Are you a member of the Kiryuu family?" she asked, eyes dark.

"...Yes."

It was that answer that resulted in Hana almost attacking Zero instead of smacking Yuuki to death but... she didn't. "It's not worth to kill you, I realized."

"You planned to kill me?" he murmured. It surprised Yuuki but never him. "Kurans and their attachment to kill the humans. It is always like that."

"Hunters!" she snapped. "We don't kill humans without reasons, as you have always known but choose to ignore that, it is hunters we don't like. After what your ancestors have done to us, it is unwise to believe in the promising tales of the hunters especially such like yours. It doesn't matter if the vampires are able to accept the humans and coexist but history will never be forgotten, it will never be rewritten. I have no time to deal with you so I shall dismiss this issue and focus on the news: the town nearby has been destroyed in a fire by Touma. All are dead."

The initial reaction was expected; the rage of the vampires hunters!

"You have breached the treaty!" they accused without care. "Shameful vampires! They called us to help them but they let our people died! We refuse to accept this humiliation! This is war!" the rest cried, protesting their silence to their leaders inside the Kuran manor. The leaders, however, remained still.

"War?" Hanabusa's tone was alarming. The windows crashed again as the Earth shook beneath them.

"Oh... no!" Maria cried out. "My owl... It has seen a series of explosions just outside the barriers of the mountains!"

"Explosions...?" Hana turned around, rushing towards Maria. "What else do you see? Where are Kaname and Touma? Where are the other four people?"

Maria tried to calm herself and focus; Hana's sudden questions nearly burst her confidence. She looked the same age as her and everyone else but her air was different. "Aah, Kaname-sama and his enemy are at the other side of the mountains, after the two giant arches, going downwards to an edge of a cliff. They are exchanging bolts of energy towards one another, non-stop and aah...!" she staggered a bit, quickly assisted by Ruka. "Forgive me but it is too much for my owl to handle. It has to stay away from the battlefield or else it will hurt itself."

"It is enough, thank you, Kurenai-san," Hana patted the girl's shoulders and rose. "The edge of the cliff...?" she murmured, her eyes widened in surprise. "Father!" She immediately ran toward the balcony, only to pause when Seiren suddenly landed there, her head low and she greeted Hana. "I have an information for you."

"What is it? Kurenai-san has seen that Kaname and Touma are fighting at the same place I fought Touma thousands of years ago. This is ridiculous!"

Seiren lowered her head. "It is much worse. Kaname-sama sent me to notify you that the young Touma has launched his armies of bats against the Purebloods. A large number of explosions as well as different creatures are thought to make their appearance soon and it will be difficult for the four of them to handle everything alone. They need everyone's help to assist them..."

"...since Kaname is busy with Touma, he won't be able to help them!" Hana finished the sentence. "What I have feared has come true. Everyone, please, forget your fears and join me in this battle to death! If you let Touma win this war, he will destroy this world to the extent of recreating a new world that seems suitable to him! Hunters! As much as I loathe you, I need your help to secure the borders of the mountains! I have no doubt that your weapons are able to kill our enemies but..." she paused, then cried the words out aloud, "...these are familiars! Even though they can be destroyed, as long as the master is able to recreate the creatures, they will return and live! Until the Purebloods can kill the ones controlling them, the familiars will live!"

"Familiars...?" Yuuki asked. "What are they?"

Hana stared at Yuuki, wondering if she lost her mind, but she turned to Seiren. "Where is Kou-san?"

"He's assisting the Purebloods against the young Touma. Kaname-sama refused to let him join his battle with Touma."

Satisfied with the answer, Hana began her battle plans. "Aidou-san, you will assist the Purebloods! Take your children and their friends and go towards the place, now! Kurenai-san will remain inside the Kuran manor to keep watch on the owl. Others will secure the borders just as the hunters! Those that are not involved, strictly remain in this ground level!" When she noticed Yuuki trying to slip from her sight, she surprised her, "Kuran Yuuki! You will remain!"

"What...?" she cried. "I wanted to help! He did so much for me! I don't care what you are trying to say but it won't stop me! Return the Artemis to me–"

"Hush! You seems to enjoy provoking me with your words to the point it is irritating. He is meaningful to you, I get it, but do not depend on him. I am never in love but I am in love with him, not as a woman... but a daughter. He made it clear to me that whatever love he has for me is the love of a father so please don't get it wrong, Yuuki-san. He is strong, loving and responsible but at the same time, he is manipulative, possessive and obsessive. I am not in place to state whose love is stronger but I believe that during his time here, he is in love with you. His feelings are genuine, Yuuki-san. Never doubt his words; you are the colours to his grey life, he really means it. BUT! At this state of your immaturity, your powers are not yet strong! You can't fight only with Artemis! You need the skills to handle this weapon! Simply swinging it around to show off is not what considered as a skill! It will kill you instead!"

Yuuki was surprised at Hana's declaration, "–but!"

"Ask your friend to be by your side as we deal with the enemies!" she turned on her heels and prepared to fly towards the enemies. "Relax. Not everyone is participating in this war! I wish I can include everyone but there's no need to clutter everything and make a big mess out of this. Yuuki-san, for once, be the person that Kaname sees in you instead of being a spoiled brat to my eyes. Wish us luck, my dear." She closed her eyes as she stood on the rails, opening to see the sight before her. "Now–"

Hana jumped off the balcony, as she twirled, she transformed into a raven and flew high towards the sky.

Yuuki dropped to the floors, devastated. Sayori rushed to her side, comforting her. "Yuuki..." she soothed.

All this happened while Maria stood still, staring at the two friends. Then she noticed that Seiren has remained. "Kaname-sama asked you to stay here?"

"It's his orders," she confirmed her thoughts. "Kou-san will return soon as well."

Kou-san was Kaname-sama's familiar. The wolf have remained too. "I wonder why...?"

XxXxX

Kaname drove Touma to the edge of the cliff. He didn't understand why he led him there, considering that he had the experience of fighting there with Hana. Nevertheless, his instincts ordered him to bring him there to end his life. Hana might have lost to Touma because of his evil tricks but Kaname wouldn't fall into such tricks. He'd terminate his life, even if it would cost him his own. "Remember this place, Touma, the same place where you fought against Hana?" he questioned his enemy, standing at the opposite of him. They weren't at the same spot, they kept moving down the hills until the edge while sending each other bolts of energy, hoping that one of them hit the other!

He received a snarly laugh as a reply. "This place and the nasty daughter of yours, it's unforgettable! It's a shame that she's an adorable little girl when she's little but a nasty woman when you are no longer there by her side. She has changed, completely changed!" At his comment, without realizing it, he was greeted by a dash of wind, a long slit appeared on his right cheek. Inspecting the small wound, he murmured, "You are angry, I believe...?"

"Why do you abhor such hate towards her? What did she do to you? If it's the misunderstandings between the two of you, it is your fault!" he roared.

Touma licked the blood from the wound. "My fault, Kuran...? Let's see, did you know what happened during the time of your absence? She stayed away from us, talked to no one and refused to attend any of the meetings that required her presence! She isolated herself from everything, coming out only once in a while to entertain her children. Besides, while she's the Queen, it felt as if she's never the one. She never bothered about us so why should we care?"

"That was enough to make you leave...?" he asked.

"It was enough!" he spatted. "How does one continue his or her activities when the leader is unavailable? Oops, that's not correct. She's always available, her home has been lively with her children but it is just her belief that no one cares if she does not come out. After all, we are stubborn, no matter what one says, we will always listen to ourselves instead of others because we are often - if not always - correct, right?" he said, smirking at the end of the sentence. "Besides the whole fact that she's yours."

"...Mine?" The word was distant in Kaname's mouth.

"She is yours, right? The child with the beloved Yuu-sama, the beauty of the vampires whose origins are unknown to us. I wonder, why it's always you?"

Kaname sensed a different tone in Touma's voice. "Why...? What are you trying to say now? Have you lusted over my wife, my Yuu for all these years?"

"Nonsense! I loved my wife and children, never forget that, Kuran! I admitted, Yuu-sama was an enchanting beauty but she lacked so many things my wife had: her spirit! Yuu-sama; too young, too innocent, unsuitable as my ideal woman! I preferred aggressive vampires, you see, but your wife was too docile for my own tastes!" he roared. "I know, Yuu-sama did show her aggressive side but it was only if it's needed. Other than that, she's an easy pawn to be eliminated in the game of chess."

The grip on his hands tightened. "...Shut up."

"Anyway, I wanted to crush you to the point you couldn't learn the meaning of life any more!" he declared, launching a heavy force of wind in his direction.

Kaname managed to deflect it but most of the force wounded him. "Damn!" he cried.

It was then that they realized the ground was shaking beneath them and then...

They fell down.

XxXxX

Cross Kaien remained behind along with a few of the vampires guests while Touga Yagari, Takamiya Kaito and Kiryuu Zero led the hunters in the war against Touma. Sayori was staying inside the manor and it would be difficult to leave her behind with the vampires, worried that anything could befallen the girl, a humble reminder of the event in the ball. Yuuki remained as well, even though it was under Hana's strict order, usually she would protest but she didn't do anything at all. Besides the two of them, Kurenai Maria and Seiren remained as well. Both stood near the double doors; Maria watched Yuuki talking to Sayori while Seiren guarded the house. Cross understood if Maria remained because of her health but Seiren as Kaname's bodyguard and not following his orders, it was a bit different, but perhaps...? Could Kaname ordered Seiren to remain? It strange.

A gush of wind came through the doors and Cross wondered if someone other than Seiren was outside. He called, "Yuuki. I think someone's outside."

"Eh...?" Yuuki and Sayori rose quietly and began to walk toward the balcony, followed by Cross himself.

Maria stepped forward to stop them. "Do not worry, it is Hana-sama."

"She's here?" Instantly alert, she rushed toward the balcony, forgetting Sayori and Cross as well as Maria and Seiren who tried to stop her. "Hana! What are you doing up there?" she called, realizing that her ancestress hid something in a hidden part of the roof and she was trying to take it out. "Did you hide Artemis there?" she guessed, smirking at Hana's weakness in height while forgetting her own weak factor.

"It is none of your business! Stay inside as I ordered you to!" the girl replied, trying her best to reach the hidden part with her hands. "I was able to put it there in my raven form but it's difficult to take it in the same form," she murmured, cursing her short stature. "Just a little bit more!" she gasped, slipping but managed to stay still.

"I'm not listening to you, Hana, if it's Artemis, give it back to me!" Yuuki said, climbing the walls as well, much to Cross's horror at his adopted daughter's actions. "Why did you place the weapon in high, open places, Hana? What if you lost it?" she asked, trying to reach the hidden part but it was difficult because it was too high from her reach. She could try jumping to get it but she was wearing heels, the result of the fall would be too much for her sake. "Hana, why do you hate me so much?" Yuuki asked. "Did you realize that your tone changed from time to time? Sometimes you are calm but at other times, you are just as whiny as I am! Which one is the real you? I know you are not an evil person! Kaname too, he's not evil! Both of you are kind but you're..."

Hana snorted. "What right do you have to ask those questions about me? You are annoying, it is frustrating!"

"I have every right as your descendant!" she cried, admitting that their link would never be cut because they were related. "You are my great ancestress!"

Hana was startled. "Your great ancestress...?" she muttered, glancing at Yuuki.

"Yes. I... I wanted to understand Kaname but every time I asked him if I could help him in his battles, he refused my offer."

Hana opened her mouth to speak but closed, thinking for a moment. "He fights alone, he doesn't care about other people, you included."

"Still...! It doesn't give him the right to forbid me from helping him in any way!" she protested.

Hana eyed her with a death glare. "You are trapped inside this manor even though you are out here?" she asked, waiting for the answer. When Yuuki was speechless, she continued; "If you want to understand him, always remember that Kuran Kaname fights alone, even with the assistance of his friends, they don't work together. Vampires will remain as vampires, they won't work together even if you are allies! Every time you pursue him with your offer to help him, he will refuse because he doesn't trust you!"

"What...? You lied! He trusts me!"

"He doesn't. Or at least, he doesn't trust himself when he has someone to protect. It's just a burden; what if he lost you in the same way he lost mama? He wouldn't be able to bear the same suffering all over again! You didn't even know that!" Hana turned and focused on claiming the hidden Artemis. "Why did you dress like that?"

Yuuki's eyes widened before looking at her appearance. "Kaname..."

"He asked you to wear like this even though you have no desire to do this?" Hana murmured. "Pathetic."

"Stop calling me 'pathetic', you rude woman! I dressed like this because I wanted to please him! Didn't he... Didn't Kaname ask your mother to dress like this for him?" she asked, blushing as she looked somewhere else. It hurt to talk about another woman, especially against the daughter of said woman. It made her weak, helpless and impossible. "Tell me, I want to know, Hana."

Hana was silent, not surprised with Yuuki's request but has no desire to answer her question. "Which direction are you heading, hmm? You dressed like this because papa asked you to, so you assumed during his time with my mother, he asked mama to do the same thing? Since when did Kaname has a good interest in fancy stuffs? Back in those days, you won't find any high heels shoes or frilly dresses! Besides, we are at the mountains!" she said, attempting to get Artemis. "If you want to wear something, do it because you want to do it! I don't know if Kaname's mind is twisted but..." she paused, waiting for the moment, "...if his choices are against yours, follow your heart! You are supposed to be an independent woman, not tied down to some ridiculous rules!"

"He doesn't mind! Even my mother...! After all, the Kuran family is quite noble! Our clothes and tastes...!"

"I see. You are trying to live like your mother? Long dresses, bonnets, ribbons, lace, shoes, what else?" Hana whined at her. "Pathetic. Pathetic. Pathetic!"

"Is that the only word you use to insult me? Answer my question; which one is the real you? The calm or the annoying one?" she cried, battling with Hana over Artemis. It stung when Hana revealed that her mother did not dress to please Kaname or the fact that Kaname did not have any interest with the fashion style, but...! There must be a reason, after all, in her memories, her own mother liked to dress up in the frilly, lace dresses, complete with a matching umbrella as well as shoes. If he didn't enjoy it, then... "He tried to follow my mother's best interests, I see–" she murmured low in her voice.

"Both!" Hana declared, pushing herself as she managed to grip the handle of the weapon. "Got it...!" she cried in delight and jumped down from the walls.

"Get down, you fool!"

"It's too high!" she said, temporarily recovered from the realization. What am I saying? I jumped from high buildings before! I was a prefect at Cross Academy.

Hana sighed. "You know, I didn't ask for your help but you enjoy giving troubles to others, right? Get down, right now, you idiot!"

"Ugh!" Yuuki was frustrated with Hana's ways and tried to jump down but for some reasons, she slipped and fell flat on the floor, as she feared. "Ouch! Damn it hurts! Why did I even listen to you! It hurt!"

"Serves you right!" the Pureblood said, standing erect on the rails. "Honestly, stop interrupting everything! We don't have much time to deal with you alone! Seiren, keep guard of the manor and this little imp of an idiot. I secured everything but it's the best that I could do, the rest is up to you. We have little time left. Kaname and Touma already fell down the cliffs, it's time for me to help him now." Before she could go, she turned to the left side of the manor and cried in anguish, "Shoutou-sama!"

XxXxX

The last cough of blood warned Shoutou to stop resisting the dangers that could harm his vessel. Touma's bats were surprisingly powerful, attacking all of them in rapid speed and not giving them the slight chance of repelling the attacks and even if they managed to do so, the damage returned to him was slight. It didn't include the damages from the morphed monsters created by the young Pureblood. Could the younger generations of Purebloods... became so powerful... than their ancestors? Impossible!

"Ugh. It's just a little bit more but it feel impossible...!" he cursed, landing on the ground while watching the exchange of attacks from Hanadagi and Hiou against Touma. "If only I am inside my own body, it won't hurt this much but if I force myself, I will kill my own descendant of this time. I cannot do this to him..." he sighed, breathing heavily.

It was as if he sensed the situation, Hanadagi rushed to Shoutou's side. "Shoutou! What's going on?" he called, checking his wounds. "They are not healing...?" he asked.

Shoutou slowly shook his head. "I'm at my limits, Hanadagi. I neglected the warnings, at any rate, I can kill him. While my soul can withstand the pain, his body can no longer do that. He's hurting inside, I can feel it in his soul. We are almost done with Touma... but is it alright if I go on first...? I cannot do this to my own descendant."

"It's okay. It's okay, Shoutou. Don't push yourself." Hanadagi patted his old friend's back, murmuring, "It's best if you leave now. We'll both catch up with you soon."

"How about Kaname...?" he asked, still coughing.

"I'm not sure whether he's coming or not but Hana-sama seems determined to bring him back. I'm sure, she would succeed in it. Don't worry, and take care."

"...Thank you, Hanadagi, Hiou." Hanadagi helped him to rise as they exchanged a few final words before heading to their own destination.

XxX

"Isaya-kun!" Cross called out when he saw the lifeless body of Shoutou Isaya on the ground. "Don't tell me you're dead!" he cried in alarm, jumping across the balcony and rushed toward his old friend. "Isaya! Isaya!" Cross shook the body. No response. He shook it harder. Still no response. "You cannot be dead! Vampires will turn into dust!"

Yuuki watched with horror. "No. Is he really dead?" she asked, trembling at the question.

"No. He's alive but from the wounds, it will take some time for him to heal. But..." Hana hesitated, despair filled her. At first, when she saw him, she thought it was indeed Shoutou-sama but a second look and it didn't feel like Shoutou-sama any more. It was Shoutou Isaya, the original soul of the body. "Shoutou-sama is gone. He has returned the body to the original owner, his descendant. If Shoutou-sama's gone, then...!" she clenched her teeth, absorbing the tears. "Calm down, Hana. We are dead. Relax."

Yuuki felt the sadness from Hana as she stood on the rails. How much pain did her ancestor had to go through just to reach this stage? Kaname, too...

Hana wiped the tears with her sleeves, stating that it was no time to mourn for people's demise. "Touma's life is ending. I need to finish the final part and then, we are done."

She left a short while later.

XxXxX

"You are weak, Kuran! No matter how many times you tried to kill me, you won't be successful! I will always haunt your life!" Touma breathed the words as he fell.

"No!" Kaname cried, his eyes watching helplessly as Touma fell deep into the gorge. "Touma...!" he gasped, trying to balance himself from falling. "...Hana."

I... I couldn't kill him in the end, Hana. I am weak, I am still hopeless, like always. I... I am at my limits.

He heard a soft crunch on the ground, prompting his eyes to look up. Eyes widened, "What are you talking about? This is not over, not yet! It's time to end his life!" Hana cried, holding the weapon firmly in her hands. "Come, Kaname! You've made your decision, remember? Don't forget what you have decided! We don't have any time to lose!"

...Hana...

"Papa...! You can do this, you aren't weak, not even hopeless! You're always you; you promised that we'll go back to our place when everything ends. Listen to me, Touma is down there, still breathing! If you let him live, he'll return and stab you from behind! Even worse, he'll destroy the world in an instant. When that happens, you won't have any chances to kill him! I... I cannot be here until you make a new decision! You must do it now! Use Artemis...! Please, do this for me, for mama, for everyone else...! For... Yuuki!"

...Shoutou-sama is no longer here! Soon, Hanadagi-sama and Hiou-sama will leave as well...! We are the souls of the dead, papa, we don't live forever...!

"Shoutou...? Hanadagi... Hiou...? Yuuki...?" Hana held the Artemis toward Kaname and he tried to reach it. "But... Artemis wasn't designed to kill...!"

"It will do..." Hana murmured, a smile curved half a second later. "...I fought him with Artemis before. You must realize its potential, Kaname!"

Kaname saw the deep trust in his daughter's eyes, realizing...

He needed to fight!

In order to defeat the darkness surrounding him, he must face his fears and unleash his wrath against his enemies. It was no longer the time to run away, he couldn't do that any more, he has nothing to fear except himself. Hana was correct; they didn't get to live forever, if he didn't kill Touma now, he wouldn't have the chance to kill him in another time. He'd ran away before; he'd loathed himself before; he was weak and miserable but now...!

He caught the end of the Artemis rod, smiling as he said, "Hana...! Where will you be when all of this are done?"

"At the Kuran manor, with everyone else! You must come back! Remember your will to live!" she cried, her eyes full of determination, hoping he keep the promise. The tears dropped to Kaname's face, making him wonder if she was crying recently. "Papa...!"

"Understood!" he said, looking downwards at the deepness of the gorge. "Touma is somewhere down there. I will go first, Hana. Please take care of yourself. Promise. I'm sorry if I make you cry in this time, I won't do that any more, not to your mother too. I love you, my child."

Hana returned his words. "Be careful, papa. I promise."

He let himself free as he fell into the gorge, visions of Hana disappeared from his sight as he fell deeper.

Hana...

I assumed that my time in this world would end after you mentioned Shoutou's disappearance as well as Hanadagi and Hiou's as well... Touma, too, would die..

I realized, perhaps the only thing that could kill us was ourselves...

What is... contradiction?

- I did not know, Kaname. -

Darkness fell over the sky.

XxXxX

(TBC)

XxXxX

A/N: Aww, not the final! I thought I could include the last part of the chapter in this chapter but it's too long. I just have to extend it to the next chapter.

Read and review! I'm close into finishing the story! I am so excited.