A/N: Am I a year late minna?~ howdy! Sorry for the super late delay again. I was busy with my studies and my board exam. I just got my license to kill so get ready Level-E's. (grins) Anyway… I realized VK had end. And the ending was… I was completely flabberghasted at the major turn of events. One after the other and then when the last page of the last chapter was turned—Why! Seriously, I kinda felt bad for Kaname. In the end, he lived as human and got to meet his daughter and Zeki's son. Talk about awkward ending though. Lols. Anyway, enuf said. Here's the chapter that's a year due. Thank you for the wait minna~!

Oh yeah... thank you for all the reviews and favorites. You have no idea how guilty I was. Or not. Lols. anyway, I've decided not to drop this and fail you guys so I hope you will enjoy this chapter!~

DISCLAIMER: The italized paragraphs in the story are lyrics derived from the song entitled "Darkness" by SKE48. I'm becoming an SKE-Oshimen... gomen nee my beloved Akiba... T3T Anyway... let's get this show on the road!~

Notie: There's a lot of swearing. You've been warned. *grins*

Trial 27: Love is Darkness

At the very utmost reaches of an unknown galaxy,
Life without answers will be reincarnated.

If night were to fall upon the two of us,
everything would vanish like a shooting star.

Kaname rushed inside the manor like a rabid dog in search of Yuuki. She was near. He could feel her and yet at the same time feel that her essence was slowly fading.

"Yuuki!" He shouted as they neared the door where she laid. "Yuuki!"

He strongly smelled her blood drifting in the air. He pushed the door open with all his might and the scene in front of them shook him to the core.

'Kami-sama.' He stared wide-eyed at Yuuki who lay cold in front of the coffin. She was basking in red liquid, her wrist dripping with her blood.

He heard his comrades sniff with abhorrence.

"W-what— Yuuki-sama is—" Aidou murmured.

He slowly walked towards her. 'Yuuki…' He sensed for signs of her breathing, her pulse, but heard nothing. He stopped advancing unable to grasp if his worst fear had become reality. "Yuuki." He tested if she would respond. "Yuuki… Wake up." He continued his march, a little faster this time until he was beside her. He hesitantly touched her cheek. He was mortified as his hand was embraced by coldness. "Yuuki." He tried again. He leaned in and grabbed her injured hand. He licked the wound until it closed. He used his powers to manipulate her mind but he saw nothing but darkness.

He felt numb. There was a hollow feeling flowing in his veins.

"Kaname-sama…" Aidou placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yuuki-sama… s-she's…" The blonde paused. "…no longer with us."

'No!' He roared. 'NO!' He hugged her lifeless body. 'I can't lose her. I won't lose her!' He lifted his wrist towards his lips.

"Kaname-sama!" Ruka shouted as Aidou grasped my hand.

"Let go." He ordered icily.

"Kaname-sama, don't do this anymore. Yuuki-sama isn't—"

He glared at the blonde who was stricken with fear but Aidou's expression changed to sympathy. Aidou shook his head. "Don't do this anymore Kaname-sama… Yuuki-sama won't like it."

"She doesn't have anything else to say anymore… so why bother." He grumbled nonchalantly. "I'm doing this for myself." He hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry Yuuki." He kissed the top of her head. "I failed you once again."

"YUUKI! KANAME!"

All eyes turned towards the newcomer except for Kaname. Even without looking he could sense who it was.

He looked at her pale face. Her sadness even followed her to her endless slumber. The nightmares he promised to save her from had completely engulfed her. He stood up holding her in his arms.

"Kaname! I-I…" Takuma had a guilty expression shown in his face. The blonde bowed. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. I'm sorry this is my entire fault. I should have—"

He stopped in front of Takuma. He knew it wasn't the young vampire's fault and yet he couldn't control his emotions. "What's done is done." With a stoic face, he passed his comrades. He wouldn't show any weakness. After all, it wasn't their fault—it was his. He should have ended this battle a long time ago. Maybe then, he could have spared her life.

"Don't worry. We'll be together again… Yuuki." He whispered in her ear and walked out of the room.

This time, he'll make sure to fulfill that promise.

I'll disappear
I'll go beyond this sadness
Where my memories are just fragments
Stars that can't shine
Despair will swallow everything up

"Where the hell do you think you're going to?"

A pointed gun stopped Daichi in his tracks. He cursed softly. This was not the way he had planned. He smirked at the vampire hunter. "You people are always slow… It's too late."

The silver haired male didn't even flinch at his taunt. "Shut up blood sucker. I don't know what the hell is happening in there but don't think that I'll simply let you run away from your faults."

'Koyuki… we were so close.' He clenched his teeth in frustration. He needed to follow that bastard. He didn't have enough time. He needed to—

Suddenly he felt his insides tear. Damn, he didn't expect that. "Who-?"He turned his head with horror.

"Payback's a bitch." Sara pulled out her hand from his chest. In a matter of seconds he saw his own heart beating in her hand.

'Forgive me.'

He looked at Sara and grinned. "Why do I always get duped?" He chuckled at his stupidity. "See you both in hell."

Sara frowned and gripped his heart until it splattered into pieces and darkness engulfed him.

"Y-yuki."

Both the hazy light and sound...
Even the warmth that I held in my arms
Will be blotted out
Dark... dark...

"What the f*ck is wrong with you blood sucker!" Zero pointed his gun at the female pureblood.

Sara stared at him coldly. "I just did you a favor, hunter."

"I never asked for one bitch."

She smirked at him. "Do you think you should keep standing there, hunter-san? Didn't he say that you were too late? Aren't you worried about that girl?"

"Answer me first. What the hell are you blood suckers planning?"

"I don't have the answers you are looking for." She frowned and shook her hand disgustingly. "Perhaps that person— that conniving old man has the answers." She looked at him sympathetically. "If you want to avenge that girl, this is your chance. That bastard might have fled once again but his scent is still close. We should be able to catch up with him if—"

"Avenge? Don't f*ckin kidding me you blood sucker!"

"Don't ignore what your instincts are telling you. By the auras below, you could tell don't you? But now's not the time to lament. You can mourn like Kaname all you want but that girl's life will not return." She passed through him ignoring the weapon threatening her. "If you do not wish to make amends, then stay here."

Zero clenched his gun. "Damn it!" Then followed after her. "Don't make decisions for me bloodsucker. I'll be the one who'll destroy you all."

'That girl…' Sara closed her eyes and tried to sense the direction where Ichijou escaped. 'Did the ritual… was it completed? By sensing Kaname's feelings, it seemed that way. But why did Daichi and Ichijou-san flee? What happened?'

...

As she opened her eyes, she saw the carriage that Ichijou-san rode in. It was closing near her, a few feet. The driver saw her and attempted to avoid her but to no avail, he lost control. The car swerved and stopped.

She walked towards the door and opened it. "Game over Ichijou-san."

"It is far from over… Sara-hime." A voice whispered behind her. "Although, yours had already reached its limit."

My heart is closed
The curtain has already dropped
The future has no meaning
Time has already stopped
If there's no new sky
Neither is there the scent or movement of air...

Kaname laid Yuuki's body in the vehicle. He tucked her body in a blanket and kissed her head. "I'll be back. Wait for me here Yuuki." He touched her cheek lovingly. His fingers trembled at her unresponsiveness; his own heart stopping as well at her unconscious state.

He felt Zero's presence behind him.

"I told you before didn't I? You broke your promise pureblood." Zero grabbed his shirt and shoved him to the vehicle. "What the hell were you thinking letting those bloodsuckers do that to her!"

"HEY! Let go of Kaname-sama!" Aidou placed a hand on Zero trying to fight him off.

Zero ignored Aidou's protests. "Because of you she had to endure the pain! Damn it!"

"Before you try to throttle Kaname-kun, I think you should remember that the person at fault has escaped." Kaien Cross placed his hand between the two males and shoved them apart. "Calm down Zero. Blaming anyone will not help. You need to get the mastermind behind all of this."The Chairman sighed and shook his head.

Kaien stared at Kaname sadly. "I'll stay here with Yuuki."

Kaname nodded and glanced at Yuuki. Then he looked at Zero and extended his hand. "You can kill me later. We need to finish that bastard first."

Zero eyed on him vehemently before slapping his hand away. "This isn't a truce pureblood. We'll settle this after." Then he took out Bloody Rose. "That female pureblood went after him. Can you sense where they are?"

"They're near. Try to keep up." Kaname walked away from Zero and looked at his comrades. "I need your cooperation. Let us end this stupidity once and for all."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Seiren appeared behind him and bowed. "Sara-hime is currently engaging Ichijou-dono in a fight. The odds are against her."

"We should hurry then."

No matter when, no matter what situation
A fate like this unable to reward us is fine being insubstantial

-Kaname's POV-

For the first time in my life, I realize what a weakling I was. Even though, I'm a pureblood it didn't change the fact that I couldn't protect the most important person in my life. Also, I was unable to foresee the sudden turn of events that had led Yuuki to be in this state.

There were a lot of 'what ifs' running inside my head. But I decided to clear those doubts and look at the matter at hand. Right now, Asato Ichijou might believe that he is the most powerful vampire. But I know otherwise, that having great power comes great responsibilities.

I chuckled at my inside joke. Yuuki would have definitely applauded for my remark. Since when have I become a fan of cliché movies?

Ever since I've parted with her.

Yes, he was becoming soft.

I don't think I needed to state the obvious.

"What are you smiling at bloodsucker?" Zero mumbled behind me.

"Thinking of ways to kill her tormentors."

Zero snorted. "Just leave the killing to me pureblood. Even though I hate you and your kinds guts, I don't think you have in you to kill one of your kind."

I should have felt insulted by his remark but what he said was true. I already have enough share of that experience.

"She isn't dead." I shouldn't have divulged that to him but I felt that he needed to know the truth—because he was still her brother. Maybe not by blood, but by bond.

"But she isn't—"

"It's a vampire's instinct. If we experienced too much trauma or injury, our body will shut down all functions. But as long as our heart is intact... we'll survive."

He frowned at me as if I spouted two heads. "How come I've never heard of this before?"

"Not all vampires can survive it—the process I mean. Mind over matter. Do we need to discuss this now?"

Zero looked frustrated at my reply but he didn't push the topic anymore. "Just the basic stuff." He took a deep breath. "How long before she wakes up?"

It was a long time before I could answer him. "Months… Years… There isn't a definite time-frame."

"Damn it! You can't be serious."

"Why would I kid around?"

He cursed and punched the nearest tree. "She's as good as dead then."

"No. She'll survive. Yuuki is a fighter. Right now, she might think she's dead. But time will heal her wounds and she'll find the reason to wake up."

Zero gnashed his fist. "Just hope I'm still living when she does. I don't think I'll be able to withstand not being able to scold her for too long. She always did reckless things like this. First with you, then this…"

I grinned. "Then we should end this quickly and wake her. I don't think I appreciate listening to your bickering."

He looked at me irritatingly. "You aren't special enough for that yet."

"I'm glad."

"Hey you two, before you continue your brother bonding, we should look for my grandfa—I mean Asato Ichijou." Takuma interrupted our conversation and felt guilty remembering what his grandfather had done.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't take it too hard Ichijou. It isn't your fault."

Takum pasted a sulky smile. "It doesn't make me feel any better but thank you Kaname." He shook his head. "I just want this to be over."

I nodded. Then after a few minutes, we reached the place where Sara and Asato were fighting. Like my guess, Asato was testing his new found power but still incapable of completely controlling it.

I clenched my hands to a fist. Through my own experience, I'm well aware that forcing oneself to conquer the power within a short time-frame will result negatively.

"Just don't get in my way vampires." Zero shouted and released his bloody rose. Aidou and the others backed away from him.

I confidently stood beside him. "Don't hesitate on my account."

He groaned. "Don't worry. I'll just explain to Yuuki it's all an accident if I eventually killed you."

Then we ran towards Asato and attacked him. Expecting our attacks, Asato quickly protected himself and threw Sara as a shield against us. In a matter of seconds, I realized that it was already a lifeless body. Her heart was already missing.

"Damn it!" Zero cursed unable to stop Bloody Rose's assault.

I quickly used my powers and manipulated Bloody Rose. I was able to deflect it from Sara's body and directed it towards Asato.

"Useless." Asato shouted and used his powers to repel the attack. Then he countered by attacking us with black shadow-like spears.

We were caught unaware of the attack, luckily an ice shield formed in front of us. Then it was burned down by flame, making way for Zero's gunshot. Thorns emerged from his weapon assaulting Asato. But he easily destroyed it with his powers. He took it out by making a black sword out of his powers.

Takuma suddenly emerged out of nowhere and flicked his katana to his grandfather. Asato grinned at his grandson and slashed it to Takuma.

"Ichijou-san!" Senri shouted.

The blonde was thrown into air and then Asato attacked him with the spears but a black shadow protected Takuma. Thunder rumbled down on Asato but he also reflected it using his powers.

"Your attacks are futile. I am invincible!" Asato laughed maniacally at them. "I am much powerful than any pureblood!" Using his powers he released an invisible force pushing us back. Aidou protected us with his ice shield while Senri protected the others using his own powers. "Even the most powerful ancestor will bow down to me!"

"Shut up bloodsucker!" Zero roared and pulled the trigger. Bloody Rose surrounded Asato but he didn't falter with fear instead he chuckled.

"Weak!" Asato disintegrated Bloody Rose's thorns but he didn't expect that it was only an illusion. The disintegrated thorns became bats and disappeared; the real thorns continued to enveloped him.

Asato smirked. "No matter what you do, it will be useless." He flicked his sword at the thorns destroying it. Because he was focusing on us, he was caught unaware of Takuma behind him. Asato avoided the attack but the thorns were able to grasp his foot. Asato frowned. He tried to cut it but the thorns encircled his limbs until it covered his body. Kain then used his fire to burn him and then Aidou froze him.

"That should keep him—" Aidou confidently strode before the ice coffin broke. "Damn, how many lives does your grandfather have Ichijou-san?!"

"Far too many, in my opinion." Takuma replied. "Get back."

Evil seeped through Asato. "As I said, I am invincible!"His voice bellowed. Then he released his powers, the sky darkened and black thunder rumbled down on them.

"Everyone get ready." I shouted and used my powers to protect my comrades. I wasn't going to let anyone die anymore. Mustering all his powers, I looked at Zero and nodded. Trying to deflect Asato's powers back, I moved forward towards him. When we close to him, I toned it down and allowed Zero to pass through. He pulled the trigger and aimed at Asato. Thorns began to encircle him once again.

"The same tactics won't work on me—" He quickly disintegrated the thorns. But he didn't expect me hiding behind the thorns.

"Check mate." I quickly pierced through his chest and pulled out his heart. Then without wasting anytime I crushed it in my hands until it turned to ashes along with his body.

'I've done it Yuuki… Please… Come back.'

Even if a miracle were to rend this darkness
I still wouldn't be able to see the sun
Forever, no matter where I go
I'll just be chasing you for eternity

I want to hide away in this deep darkness

"Yuuki! Thank goodness! You're awake!" Kaien hugged the lethargic girl in his arms. "You've made daddy soooo worried. Are you okay?"

Yuuki stared at the man in front of her with a confused expression. "Chairman?"

"Kaien! Is my daughter safe?" A beautiful woman emerged and looked at her. "Yuuki!" The woman hugged her as well before caressing her face and then her shoulders.

"It usually takes vampires a long time to recover, but I'm glad you're with us now." A handsome behind the woman beamed at her. Then he patted the woman's shoulder. "I'll get Kaname, he'll be excited to know the good news." He walked towards the door and was about to turn the knob when she spoke.

"Kaname?" She tested the name. "Who's that?" Then she glanced at her surroundings and then looked at the couple curiously. "Also, who are you?"

...

Mi-chi: Waaaaah~! Second to the last chapter done! (Sigh) I hope you guys like it. I wanted a more elaborative fight scene but then, I decided not to do it because Asato Ichijou had lived far too long in my opinion and I just want to make him struggle before I cut him officially out of this story. So yeah, hahaha… XDD I'm a sadist, ne? wahaha… anyway, I'm so thankful to those who've kept up with my story. I know I'm such a lazy writer since it's been too long but please don't haunt me down. So, the next chapter will be the end. Awwww…. I'm gonna miss writing this story. But as always a good story must end for another to open. So Let me thank all of you for reading up till now. To those who started this story with me, thank you… and to those who read this in the future… yeah, it took me that long to finish it. Hahaha… XD So count yourselves lucky not being able to feel my sadistic streaks of not updating for a year.

Domo Arigatou minna~! I hope you enjoyed reading this thousand mile journey with me and the VK gang. The next chapter will be updated soon. Yeah, soon… I promise. Hehehe… Okay so I won't promise anymore. Just watch out for it ne? See you on the LAST CHAPTER! Until then~ MATA NE!