Heya friends! I know it's been forever since I've posted... sorry. I get distracted and am currently in the middle of about 20 different stories (I randomly get ideas that just need to be somewhat written and I come back to periodically) and that's including two books, one being part of a series I'm working on, and another book that I've been editing and things. So sorry for all the long waiting!

"Are we supposed to be out here?" I asked as we walked through the city streets. There were so many people around and it was strange to be walking out in the open like this again.

Takuma laughed lightly and shook his head. "Not really, but what the hell. There's two of us, we'll be fine," he said with a smile. "Just don't tell Kaname-sama. He's a bit-"

"Scary," I muttered mostly to myself.

"You think so?" He asked with a soft smile. "A bit intimidating, maybe, but I don't believe that he would be scary."

I shrugged my shoulders as we continued to walk around. I looked into the shop windows at the clothing or other knick knacks that were displayed. We were wandering past a small cafe when I saw a familiar head of hair. He turned toward us and those lavender eyes struck me. He did not look happy to see us. I tugged on Takuma's shirt and he looked as well.

"Uh oh," he muttered. "Kiriyu does not look happy."

He stood and walked out, looking at us. "What are you two doing out here?" He asked harshly.

I looked at Takuma who shrugged his shoulders. "We decided to take a walk around. Anna here couldn't sleep."

"Night class students should not be out during the day," he stated through gritted teeth.

I took a step back from him, somewhat afraid of him as well. I may be a vampire, but I had always been a timid person. Becoming a monster of the night didn't seem to have changed that any. He sent a look my way, clenching his jaw a moment and taking a breath before looking at Takuma.

"You two should get back to the dorms," he advised before turning away from us.

Takuma sighed and looked down at me. "Well, I guess our day is getting cut short. We should probably both get a little rest anyways. Are you tired yet, Anna?" He questioned.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I could use some sleep now, I guess," I replied.

He put his hand on the small of my back and the two of us began to walk back to school. I looked over my shoulder, back at Zero who was walking in the opposite direction as us. I could faintly see him glancing over his shoulder at the two of us before turning a corner.

... ... ... ...

Pacing was all I seemed to be able to do at the moment. I still couldn't sleep and classes had been extra boring tonight. All I wanted to do was learn more about what I was becoming and what was happening to me. Why was I able to break out of Hanabusa's ice? Why wasn't I as thirsty as someone falling to whatever this "Level E" was? I didn't understand any of it. I was scared and lost and I just wanted my life to go back to the way it was.

Fed up, I once again decided to make a break for it. I couldn't stand being cooped up in the room right now, I had to get out. Instead of going out the door like I had tried to do previously, I went to the window and opened it up. A cold, gusty wind blew inside and I welcomed the frigid air. I climbed onto the windowsill and jumped down, landing gracefully in the grass. I went to the front gates and as I was about to run out, I ran into the front of someone and stumbled back.

"What do you think you're doing out of your room?" The same, brooding voice asked me. I looked up to see Zero Kiriyu standing there and a disapproving look on his face. "This is the second time I have caught you outside during the day when you need to be inside."

"I couldn't take it anymore!" I snapped. "I can't sleep, I can't eat, literally, I'm done. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind!" I fell to the ground and wrapped my arms around myself. "It's not fair. Why did this have to happen to me? I don't understand. I just-" I was cut off by a sob escaping my throat.

Zero sighed and helped me back up. "You should talk to Headmaster Cross," he muttered.

"I don't want to talk to him. He's going to make up some bullshit to make me feel better and I don't need that right now. I need to figure out what the hell is wrong with me!" I shouted and suddenly there was a crack that formed in the wall.

I gasped and stepped back as my eyes went wide. "Did you…?" Zero started but trailed off.

"I-I…" I didn't know what I did.

"How did you do that? Only purebloods are able to have abilities. Not-" He cut himself off and looked around before grabbing my arm and pulling me along with him.

"What are you doing? Where are we going?" I shrieked. He didn't answer me, though. I dragged my feet along with him until we had made it to a more secluded part of the campus. He looked around before cornering me between himself and a tree.

"How did you do that?" He demanded.

"I-I don't know. It happened the other day when Hanabusa used his ice on me and I just- I don't know!" Tears began to brim in my eyes.

"You are not a pureblood, you're not falling to Level E…" He trailed off and narrowed his eyes at me.

"I don't know!" I shouted at him. "I barely know anything about any of this! I just-I can't do this anymore!" I shook my head frantically before locking eyes with Zero. His expression had softened some and he pushed away from the tree, turning his back on me.

"How long have you known about your powers?"

"Just since the day I first met you and Hanabusa had cornered me in the hallway."

"Does Kaname know?"

"Yes."

He scoffed and then turned back to me. "Get back to the dorm. Go to bed. I don't want to see you out during the day again, Kimura."

I nodded my head before rushing back to the dorm and sneaking back inside. I had made it through the front door, but then saw Kaname sitting on the couch with a displeased expression on his face. "I see that you're making a habit of escaping the dorms during the day?" He asked.

"I'm sorry," was all I managed to get out.

He stood and walked over to me, he was very tall and I had to crane my neck up some to see him. He was still so intimidating to me and I didn't know if I would ever get over that with him. "Sorry isn't going to be enough after this, Anna. If you are to stay at Cross Academy you must abide by the rules that the rest of us do. Understand?"

I clenched my jaw and took a step back from him before nodding in silence at his request.

"Good. Now, go get some sleep. You still have a few hours before sunset to get your rest," he told me before caressing my hair softly. He gave me a soft, genuine smile before turning and walking away. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding before making my way up to my room.

What do you think Zero is thinking about all of this and what about Kaname? He's not one for others beneath him breaking the rules usually, right?

xxKellyn