Disclaimer; Don't own Vampire Knight.

Theme Song that I don't own either; (It's in French but it's English translated)- on youtube watch?v=g6R770P9wl0

nepenthe (n.)

something that can make you forget grief or suffering.

In the forest that surrounded Cross Academy, a lone female vampire sat on the ground her usually clean and formal appearance was ruffled and tattered. Her long, wavy, toffee colored hair was cut in choppy levels effectively ruining the beautiful hair she had been so proud of.

It was the middle of the day, she should be sleeping she knew, it would only cause more problems for their dorm leader if she was caught outside of the Moon Dorms and yet she couldn't force herself to gather herself enough to return to her classmates. Along with the jealous bitch that had cut her hair in the first place.

Ruka Souen considered herself a proud noble vampire and it simply would not do if any of her fellow classmates saw her shedding tears. Especially as something as petty as hair. She wrapped her finger around one of the longer stands as she lost herself in the memory that had gotten her hair chopped off in the first place.

Yuuki approached Ruka in an ungraceful stomping loud footsteps echoing across the cobblestone, long brown hair swinging behind her, that hair and eyes the same color as many of the Kuran bloodline flashing in undisguised rage, so unlike Kaname-sama's own warm ones, with scissors in hand.

That had been Ruka's first clue as to what would come.

"You." Yuuki hissed unhappily trying to glare at her, but only coming off as constipated.

This was the future queen? The soon-to-be-mother to all vampires? Was she truly Kaname-sama's fiance? The pureblood in front of her lacked grace, humility, and wisdom. Flaunting her status and waving whatever nonexistent charm she thought she had on their leader's face.

All while pretending to be a sweet, innocent, naive girl in front of her brother while lording her influence over the other members of the night class's heads. Every silly order she gave they were forced to obey out of respect for their beloved prince.

"-do you understand?" Yuuki commanded with all the authority of a newborn kitten.

Ruka nodded pretending that she had been listening to their one-sided loosely titled conversation.

Her second clue that something would happen.

Yuuki looked surprised but pleased at the same time that Ruka had agreed so easily.

Her third clue.

Snip...

Ruka stared as a piece of her long beautiful hair fell to the ground.

Her last clue.

Yuuki grinned as she started to snip away at the horrified noble's locks. Luka stood still too shocked to do anything that could get help her get out of the impromptu haircut.

A firm voice broke Ruka out of her thoughts, "What are you doing out of your dorm, vampire?" Ruka glanced up painfully aware that she still had tear streaks running down her face.

Zero Kiryuu's lavender gaze met her's as they stood in silence.

The silverette stood there in silence pondering how to handle the situation. Zero had, in fact, come across more than his fair share of crying girls on his patrols, being upset for rang of bad and usually stupid reasons from a bad break-up to family issues to bullying. Usually, it was something that simple advice could solve. Nothing a sarcastic remark and time couldn't fix.

This, Zero could see would not be so easy, his inner war against his hatred for vampires and his natural urge to help distressed creatures whether they be human or animals raged silently.

Embarrassment flooded Ruka's features, 'Why of all people to find me like this did it have to be Kiryuu?' she thought glancing away from the prefect.

Ruka could still feel cool lavender eyes on her as she tried to put herself together enough to talk to the vampire hunter.

Zero sighed his natural urge winning out as he approached her, "Get up."

The noble blinked up at the normally stern vampire hunter in shock, "What?" she asked numbly not quite believing what she was hearing.

Zero's eyes narrowed, "Get. Up." He said slowly, seeing that Ruka wasn't going to move anytime soon he reached down settled an arm firmly behind her back and another beneath her knees before picking her up bridal style.

Ruka gaped stunned, too busy being surprised to actually do something to stop him, the mere fact that he wasn't pointing a gun at her was surprising enough but willingly touching her? It was certainly unexpected. She didn't even notice that they weren't walking towards the night dorms.

It wasn't until they had arrived at Cross' Office that Ruka regained the ability to speak.

"What in the world are you-" She was cut off when he placed her on the couch grabbed a nearby blanket and settled it across her shoulders while handing her a box of tissues.

Zero didn't appear to be affected by the strangeness of their current predicament instead he chose to head to the kitchen. Before he reached in the cupboard to pull out a pink frilly apron and started to cook.

Zero Kiryuu in a pink frilly apron cooking.

Ruka was honestly starting to think that Yuuki had given her a concussion.

Zero steadily ignored her choosing to continue with his task. Eventually, Ruka had begun to doze off, not used to being up so early in the day.

She soon found herself being shaken awake by a pale gentle hand, slowly plying open her eyes only to be meat with silky silver hair. It took a moment for her to understand where and why she was here. One of her hands unconsciously reached up to stroke her hair.

Zero noticed but said nothing instead handing her a plate filled with tasty looking foods. Ruka quietly took it not knowing what to do in the situation. Ruka's eyes widened at the deep rich velvety taste. He didn't expect her to say something. Instead, he let her eat the meal noting with some satisfaction that she seemed to be surprisingly enjoying it.

Truth be told the prefect didn't think that the undoubtedly spoiled noble would actually like his cooking compared to the high-class meals she received daily. Doubly so since he had added blood tablets in place of water in the meal to make sure she was properly fed.

Zero patiently waited until she finished her meal, in a soft voice many thought him incapable of he said "When you're done there's a shower down the hall. You can use that to clean up while I put your clothes in the washer."

Ruka nodded hesitantly but still didn't say anything. She felt like a small child again being pampered because she was upset and it was honestly making her feel better albeit confused over who was mothering her.

It was... Nice. For some reason it made her feel completely at ease with her surroundings.

Setting down her plate she murmured a small "Thank you." Before disappearing down the hall.

Zero released the deep breathe he wasn't aware he had been holding, picking up the plate he had handed Ruka and put it into the sink to clean later. She would be out soon so he had to cook fast and find a pair of scissors...

When Ruka had finished with her nerve calming shower she found a gray baggy t-shirt and sweatpants waiting for her. Assuming that she was supposed to wear this she begrudgingly put on the clothes. She turned when she heard a small knock on the door.

"Yes?" Ruka asked moving to open the door, but before she could Zero opened the door revealing the prefect who was carrying a chair, a large thin piece of fabric, a small bag and a pair of scissors.

Zero plopped the chair down motioning for Ruka to sit down, deciding that the prefect didn't have any wrong intentions she sat down watching in the mirror as the silverette wrapped the fabric around her neck, gathered her wet hair and set to work.

When Ruka's hair was prepared the hunter brought the scissors up to cut her hair, as soon as he did the Noble shied away unconsciously.

"Relax. I've done this before." Zero mumbled gently.

After a few moments Ruka did and as soon as she did Zero, much to her surprise began to sing. The song was in French so she didn't understand what he was saying instead choosing to listen to the normally stern teen's soft yet strong voice.

Ruka was so focused on the song that she didn't even notice when the snipping stopped and Zero started combing through her hair.

By the time she opened her eyes again, vaguely wondering when she closed them in the first place or when her instincts had deemed that the hunter wasn't a threat. She looked in the mirror and openly gaped at her reflection.

Zero had managed to french braid four different sections of her hair, leaving out two stray strands before elegantly drawing it into a bun, he currently had a few hairpins in hand making the finishing touches. She watched as he grabbed a curling iron that she hadn't noticed him plugging in before wrapping the strands around it, effectively making long defined curls.

It was both beautiful and elegant.

When he was finished Ruka practically threw the fabric that was preventing her hair from getting all over her to the floor as she spun around and wrapped the other into a hug.

"Thank you," Ruka muttered into his chest.

Zero didn't say anything instead waiting until the toffee haired girl let go. Handing her her uniform along with two wrapped bento boxes, "Don't be late for class."

Ruka nodded and as soon as the hunter left the room she started to change into her freshly cleaned uniform. Who knew that such a bad day could turn into such an amazing one?

After that, it had only gotten better. After shoving the bento boxes Kiryuu had made into her bag. She had headed towards the gates as they waited for the class crossover.

As soon as she had met with her other night class classmates, namely Shiki, Takuma, Akatsuki, Aido, and Seiren they had all complemented her change in hairstyle.

Shiki who had been the first was to spot her blinked before saying, "It's a good different." Simple and to the point.

Akatsuki and Takuma had been more composed simply stating that it looked stunning on her. Seiren had given a simple nod to show her approval.

Aido had taken a bit longer to process than the rest of them openly gaping at him, "You!" He pointed "Actually did something with your hair? Since when?!"

Ruka raised an eyebrow about to make a scathing remark but was quickly interrupted by Kaname and Yuki arriving. The girl was standing a couple steps behind the pureblood prince openly glaring at her.

Kaname paused before allowing a small smile to grace his face, "You look stunning today, Ruka." He complimented.

"Thank you Kaname-sama." Ruka murmured bowing her head slightly.

Yuuki grabbed her finance's arm trying to gain his attention, Kaname, however, ignored her instead of choosing to ask, "Would it be rude to ask what brought on this change?"

"Of course not Kaname-sama, it was a rather unexpected change to me as well."

"I see."

Yuuki tugged slightly on Kaname's arm still not managing to gain his attention. The other night class members noticed this and had to suppress smiles, one way or another they all despised the long wine-colored haired girl.

As Kaname began to lead them towards their classes no one noticed the small smile that Ruka gave the hunter as they passed.

selcouth (adj.)

unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvelous.