Disclaimer: Vampire knight belongs to Hino Matsuri, but this plot is completely mine! Though I will be using some scenes from the Manga, after I scan through them, but expect some lines they say to be the same or some kind of scene.

Summary: She hated it, she hated the fact that she needs it, that she cannot go on without it. She hates the fact that that she needed the thing that changed her, but most of all, she hates the fact that she cannot hate him.

Warnings: OCC's, AU, HUGE twist with Zero and Ichiru's GENDER! Yuuki is NOT a pureblood vampire, or a vampire at all! AND I really don't like Yuuki that much, so don't expect kindness towards her from my part.

Main Pairings: Kaname/FemZero, Kaito/FemZero

Minor Pairings: Asahi/Hanabusa

One-side Yuuki/Kaname

It has been forever since I have updated this story and I sincerely apologize. Please enjoy this update! Love you all

Chapter 20:

Party with the Blue Rose

Kaname closed the door behind him and walked from his sitting room to his bedroom. The queen size bed covered by the dark red comforter was very inviting and he set the girl down. He took off her boots and stripped her from her socks as well as her jacket and ribbon. He looked at her calmly and admired her beauty against the dark covers contrasting her pale skin. He sat down on the edge and wonder where Kaito was.

He was sure that the vampire would be gone by the morning, unless he wanted to face his rage. He had already found the vampire responsible for the attack on the day student. He sighed and took off his uniform and changed into his sleeping clothes. A pair of pants and he debated on putting on his shirt, but he left it on the drawer. He walked back to his bed and smiled softly at the sleeping girl. The Pureblood missed her so much. He just couldn't understand what was happening, for him to still be sane after she rejected him.

As the stories go, all Purebloods that were rejected by their mates would fall into insanity and then to their death. He was never sure if that was so, but he had at least expected something. When he remembered back at Haruka and Juuri, whenever they were separated for long periods of time –which that itself was rare- they were cranky and sometimes just depressed. He remembered that the more they were apart, the more it drove them to physical pain.

But here he was, free from pain and insanity. Maybe it was because they never mated, maybe it was because it was all just between Purebloods, or maybe –he didn't want to believe it- they weren't true mates. He frowned and lay next to her, he ran his hand through her long hair; the last time he saw it so close up had been a week ago. He blinked confused, why was her hair growing so fast?

Just last week her hair reached under her shoulder blades, not the middle of her cage ribs. He looked over her once more and started to see what he hadn't seen before, the beauty she was exposing to the world, yet still hidden by her normal appearance. He ran his finger over the now visible -yet 'barely' there- natural blush. He sighed and kissed her forehead, if only he could stay with her like this for the rest of his life.

He had always been alone, always wanting to be with humanity yet unable to stay with them for a long while. It had taken one of his kind to pull him from the darkness he was once more in and he wasn't sure he wanted to lose the light he found. He was still in the dark and letting the fog take him once more, but at the same time he was holding on tightly to the warm light. He hated the darkness.

Until now, he hadn't known what heat was, what light was and what comfort was. Not until he looked at Zero. When he had finally taken the courage to do so, he found Paradise. Kaname found his happy world to be at, the world of darkness with a moon to light his nights. A warm, comforting and lovable place to be; he had found his reason to keep living and fighting. He had found her: his mate.

A gasp brought him from his musing and he searched Zero's face. She looked pained, as if something was trying to drill through her.

She stood in the darkness once more, looking at nothingness. Her surrounding was pitch black, the only thing she could see was herself, but even that was dim. The girl took a step forward and wondered when she would find it again, after all, this is where she had seen it first.

Zero kept walking, looking around to try and find it, but her bare feet only hit the cold, hard stone floor.

The Princess came to sudden halt as she felt a warm liquid under her feet, she tensed as the sweet and powerful scent reached her nose and she looked down. The body on the ground was dim, slightly covered by shadows but she would recognize that hair anywhere.

Zero fell to her knees as she crawled to his side, reaching for his pale face, looking at the empty eyes. Tears fell down her face and she whispered brokenly, "Daddy…." The huntress' hands tremble as they moved over the wounds on his chest, the blood had long since stopped, but his light shirt was covered by the distinguished blood. The copper taste didn't rest in the air, instead, it was silver. She sobbed as she buried her face in his chest and let go.

She had forgotten how much it hurt, what pain was. She had forgotten this pain to a greater one. Footsteps echoed in the darkness, she looked up and froze at the woman in front of her. The milky skin was starting to break, the blood from her chest flowed and the heart in her hand beat slower and slower. Her long hair waved as she moved to them, red staining the tips and she got on her knees before lying next to the man.

"Mom?" she asked in disbelieve. Shizuka smiled and then nuzzled her face on the crook of the man, before her hand squeezed her heart giving one last beat and she slowly crumble to nothing.

'We're finally together, Kazutaka,' she heard her whispered before she was gone. Zero cried as the ashes and body disappeared slowly, and a new one appeared. Zero gasped at the tortured man in front of her, and watched: on his knee, blood slipping down his arms which were chained up, to the bare and scarred chest. The once light olive skin was pale, and the rich wavy brown hair was covered with blood.

"Kaname," she breathed and ran to him. She stopped and fell to her knees as she tried to break the chains, one came off and his arm fell limply to his side, soon followed by the other. The Princess held his cold body as she sobbed, "Kaname… Kaname… please…." She ran her shaky hand through his hair and shook at the barely there heartbeat. The huntress sobbed harder as she helped him lay down and she rested his head on her lap.

His lips were dry and his skin was sandy, almost ready to break just like his life.

Kaname watched as his beloved gasped and breathe heavily while quivering and sobbing. He held her close and wiped her tears, but new ones would follow.

"Kaname!" she yelled and kissed his face all over, hoping it would help but his heart was slowing down. "Please, wake up! Stay with me, Kaname, please!" she begged but he wouldn't open his eyes.

She started to thrash and he held her tighter, not wanting her to hurt herself. She gave a heartbreaking sob, "Ka-" she choked out. The Pureblood looked at her and started to shake her, hoping it would wake her but it only seemed to send her deeper into her nightmare.

"Zero, wake up! Ze-chan, please opened your eyes," he whispered kissing her forehead gently.

His eyes opened and he tried to smile, "Ze-chan," he rasped out.

"Don't talk, love, don't talk," she asked softly, running her hand through his hair before kissing his forehead tenderly.

"Go," he ordered weakly. "Go before he returns," he told her as he narrowed his eyes with determination.

Zero shook her head stubbornly, "I'm not going anywhere without you," she told him. Kaname smiled and closed his eyes, letting the warmth embrace him.

"I love you," he told her softly.

The Kiryu heiress gasped, "I love you too, so much Kaname, so much," she told him and kissed him as gently as she could. Her lips comforting his dry ones and he sighed as he returned it.

"Please, go," he told her. Zero shook her head, "He will kill you, Zero. You need to stay alive to kill him, not the other way around," he scolded lightly.

"I already said it. I am not leaving without you," she hissed angrily.

"You have to," he glared and sat up before pushing her away and turning around. "It's the only way for you to live."

"I will not let you die! You are everything I have left!" she whispered painfully.

"You have Kaito," he replied dryly.

"He isn't enough," she let out softly. "He isn't what I need most. I need him, but I need you so much more," she told him as tears fell down.

The Pureblood held Zero tighter as she started to cry once more, her body was still shaking, but it was only minimum.

"Please…" his heart wanted to break at the pleading voice.

"Don't do this… I can't take any more pain. Anymore deaths… anyone else leaving me."

"Stay… with… me… Ka…" she whispered and Kaname closed his eyes as he brushed him lips with her. Zero gasped and he sighed.

"Who are you talking to? Who are you wishing of? Is it me or is it Kaito?" he asked.

Fire burst to life and the two looked at the direction it had come from. A man stood in the dark, his wicked smile glinting through the darkness and Zero got up and stood protectively in front of her mate. The man cracked into a smug laughter and she growled.

"Zero, run!" Kaname ordered but she stood where she was. Even when the sword came to her, she didn't move, she knew it- her eyes widened and warm tears fell without restrain. Kaname choked and smiled before blood interfered and he coughed.

Zero shook, "Ka-Kana-me?" she cried softly. "KANAME!" she caught his body as it started to fall, she held him desperately and was about to take the blade out when she all but remembered what its purpose was. Not even a Pureblood would be able deal with it as it pierced the heart, "No… no-no… NO!" she yelled brokenly. Tears cascaded down her face as he pushed her away with the last of his strength.

"Go… go, Ze-chan," he whispered as his skin started to fall like sand.

The Princess shook her head, "No… Kaname, no… I can't, you can't…. You can't leave me!" she screamed and she hugged him.

The man stood behind them and smirked, "Then join him," he said darkly and pushed the rest of the anti-vampire sword through.

Zero tensed as it tore its way to her heart, but she knew better. Kaname choked but she held him even as he slowly vanished from her arms, crying over his last words. "Live, my Princess, I will wait for you forever… my love."

She looked up with broken eyes and saw the shadow come near…

Amethyst eyes snapped opened as she broke free from the arms around her. She panted and looked around before facing the man. Zero's eyes were glazed and unfocused, something Kaname knew better than to trust.

The girl blinked tears and she launched at him, making both fall back to the mattress and she cried brokenly. Kaname, confused, held her tightly and hoped for her to calm. Zero pushed herself up to cup his worried face, "Ka…na…me," she leaned in, making Kaname's heart skip a few beats. Her lips closed in on his, but she stopped and clenched her teeth and hissed, as she moved lower and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Her trembling body stopped as the fresh scent of her Prince drowned her in comfort and she felt his warm skin under the palms of her hands. She sighed relieved, "Forgive me… Ka-chan…" and her body relaxed as the darkness pulled her in once more.

Kaname breathe shakily in and looked at the girl with pure confusion. He placed his hand on top of her head tenderly and she curled around his body and nuzzled close to him. The vampire sighed and covered the two of them. He would think about all of this later, for now, he wanted to enjoy her fully.

She stood in front of the locked door. Her eyes stared intensely at the old wooden door when a shadow appeared next to her. Zero didn't bother looking at it, she just looked at the mesmerizing door. Hoping to gain the key to open it, but in the wide area it seemed impossible.

"When will you open that door?" a female voice asked, soft and proud, hiding power in the depth of it.

"I don't have the key," she replied turning to the shadow. It was as tall as her, and it seemed to be cover in a cloak.

"You have it, you just don't want to use it," the ancient voice replied.

"It's not time," she said softly.

"Then when will it be?" the cloaked figure asked turning to her.

"Soon." The shadow hissed at her, making her look into the same eyes she has.

"Soon? Do you not understand what you are doing?" the eyes glared heatedly.

"I know, but it's to keep him safe," she glared back. "I am doing this for him, to help him," she hissed.

The cloaked figure looked at the door, "Open it soon, unless you want to lose him," she said coldly.

"If that happens, then it is alright. As long as he is fine, I care not," Zero told her and calculative eyes turned to her.

"You will die," she commented matter of factly.

"I know."

"He will resent you."

"I am aware," she nodded solemnly.

"Even so, you are willing to go through with this madness?" the shadow moved closer, standing in front of her.

"I am," Zero smile softly.

"Even if it hurts him?"

"I will never hurt him," she replied.

"This will harm him, just like it will harm you shortly," the voice was superior.

Zero smiled sadly, "I blocked him," she told her.

The eyes widened in astonishment, "Do you know what you are doing?" she questioned.

"Yes."

"And you will keep doing it?"

"Yes."

"Even if he finds someone else?"

"As long as he is happy, there is no reason to why I should take it away from him," Zero asked narrowing her eyes.

"Because I don't want us to die," was the soft and regretful reply.

"We won't."

"How do you know?" she asked glaring once more.

"Because," Zero began walking past her. "I will not die until he is truly happy."

The shadow turned around and followed her as Zero walked closer to the door. "Then open it! Open this door and let me out," she said.

"It is not time," the Princess said again.

"When is it? When will you face your past? When will you open this door?"

"When he awakens," she replied passively.

"We will lose him!" the voice said desperately.

"As long as he is free and alive, I don't care. I will deal with the pain alone," she turned to look at the shadow with determine lavender eyes. They glowed with the power of the promise, radiating the love she has for Kaname.

"What about your other mate?" the shadow asked.

"Kaito is strong. He won't be affected by this decision like Kaname would."

"Still, he will suffer," she said turning to the door.

"Just like Kaname," she smiled sadly.

"Why haven't you asked?" she questioned.

"What? Who you are?" she wondered and the shadow nodded. "Because I will find out sooner or later, but if you wish to tell me now," Zero shrugged.

"You are me and I am you," the shadow replied in her musical voice.

"Do you have a name?"

"It doesn't matter. I haven't had one for a very long time… my new name will be the same as yours," she said.

"Who were you?" she asked softly.

"I thought that didn't matter right now," the voice sounded amused.

Zero shrugged, "It doesn't. I was just wondering," she said.

"I am you. We are one in the same. I am the past and you are the present, but together we are the future."

The Princess turned to the shadow, "The future?" she asked.

"If you want to know so badly, open the door."

Zero smirked, "No, as much as I am curious, I will not," she told her. "Not yet."

"The Mist has started to move."

"Yes, I have been told that," she replied.

"The Ice will unite with the Rock," it was a light comment.

"I have seen them, and they will. Maybe not now, but soon," the Princess nodded.

"It will help."

"Indeed it will, but the Mist," she looked at the shadow from the corner of her eye.

"The Mist will do as it pleases, but something will prevent it from getting what it wants."

"What?"

"Use those eyes of yours. Use your blood," the shadow looked at her seriously.

"Cross," the heiress eyes widened in realization.

"Yes," the shadow nodded.

Zero smiled and soon, it was a smug grin. She laughed, it was the only thing she could do and by the way the shadow's eyes were glimmering, it was a perfectly normal reaction. The Princess laughed with mirth, "I had always wondered where she had come from, always wondered why her blood was so different… now this is priceless," Zero smirked darkly and sighed.

"You know what will happen if she is bitten."

"Chaos," the huntress replied curtly.

"Correct," the figure nodded.

"Well then, I will have to… rethink my strategy," she said and snorted.

"I will see you soon, Zero," and the shadow was gone.

The huntress sighed and stared at the door before she turned around and walked away from it. She could feel the heavy weight of the key around her neck and resting on her chest. She knew that to open the door, she would have to open up in ways she never wanted to open. She knew she would have to bring the walls of her heart down and close off both of her mates from her. She knew she would have to do it alone, but she would do it.

For Kaito. For Kaname.

For her mates.

Zero came to her senses while being wrapped in the greatest warmth she had ever felt. Not even her father had made her feel so safe and loved. Her eyes opened and widened when they met the peaceful face of Kaname. She thought back to what had happened and sighed as she snuggled more against him. After today, she would stay away from him no matter what. She had made a promise, and she would keep it.

She would protect Kaname even if it meant her happiness. As long as he was safe, she would stay away from him even if it killed her.

The huntress inhaled deeply before she slipped away from the person she loved most. She gathered her things in a silence that was difficult even for a high-level vampire. With that done, she left through the window of Kaname's study-sitting room.

…

Seventeen days passed, and a Prince and Princess grew very out of character.

Kaname was short-tempered once more, getting easily irritated by every little thing. He had started to get near Yuuki, only to soothe the anger by walking deeper into the mist. He had kept his distance from Zero, since the day she left him on the bed alone he had set his mind to forget about her. If he hadn't grown physically ill by a week after that, he would forget her. He hadn't, and so he has tried.

Zero on the other hand had closed herself off even more. She was passive all the time and her rude self had come to the surface once more, only worse than before. She would bottle everything and let it out in small parts whenever she was with Lily. She would keep her hunters out of her personal life and the headmaster on his toes. She would stay out of Yuuki's way even when Aido told her that the brunette was getting closer to her mate.

When Kaito had come back the day after the vampire incident, he had come home to an almost broken Princess. He had asked her, demanded, and ordered her to tell him what was going on, but she wouldn't say a word about the subject he wanted to speak of. Instead, she would shut off and keep him out. He was worried, extremely so. He knew she avoided Kaname all the time, and since he had returned, she was grown weaker and was easily tired.

Zero no longer went out to hunt for level E's, instead, she would send the three hunters and sometimes Aido when Kaname asked for volunteers. It was usually Hanabusa and Asahi going, and that led them to experiencing something new. They grew closer together whenever they talked about their Princess and her problem. Aido had told him the legend of the Fallen Purebloods, one that told about Purebloods that kept their mates away, would fall ill.

He knew it was useless since he was the only one that knew of Zero's real status in both worlds and even if she was just barely reaching level B, as weak as she was, it was affecting her much more than Kaname. He knew that Zero was keeping all side effects for her only, trying to keep Kaname in the dark as much as she could, but it was taking a great toll on her and he hated it. He would look for her every class-exchange, but she was always away.

Asahi on the other hand knew that the blond was worried, and he thought that the Princess was only depressed. He knew he should listen more to him, but he didn't want to believe something that would shatter all his hopes. He knew that like him, Ito felt the same and wanted all happiness to return to Zero. He knew that Kaito was doing everything in his power, but it just wasn't enough. The two bodyguards knew that Zero needed Kaname in her life, but they just couldn't understand why she was keeping him out.

Kain Akatsuki was a very insightful person when he wanted, and when he took in the self-assigned task to figure out why his cousin had done what he had done, he kept looking for answers. He tried talking to the girl, but after that day she had been absent from meetings with any vampire. He had tried to make his roommate spill it, but the blond was stubborn and loyal, something he was well aware of. So, he had put the task at hold until he knew more.

Ito had been watching, hoping something would unfold, but everything was kept in the dark by Zero. She had talked to her, but the Princess had smiled and told her not to worry, that everything was fine and would be okay in the end. Of course, she had doubted the okay for her Princess, but believed the rest. She had watched and gathered information for her own assurance. She was growing worried with all the dizziness and low energy from her Princess, but she had said nothing.

Today, the four of them had been called to the chairman's office. Zero was reading the card as the four waited patiently, "We'll be ready when the party starts," she said in a monotone voice, nodding to Kaito and the hunters. The chairman nodded and bid them good luck.

The four went out and she told them the orders. Ito and she would have to wear a dress, while the others would have to wear a suit. The four went their separate way and soon, they were ready. They set off to the building in which the vampire gala would be held. The driver took them there, and as Zero exited out with the help of Kaito, her knee long strapless white dress with a black ribbon around her waist, her perfect figure exposed only a bit, was enough to make every man turn her way.

She was soon followed by her bodyguards and she tilted her head when the presence of the noble blond made its entrance, "Zero-sama!" he greeted with a concerned face.

"Hanabusa," she nodded and he bowed before looking at her nervously.

"Cross Yuuki is in the building," he informed.

The Princess tensed and the hunters looked at her anxiously. The silverette nodded, her bangs waving slightly and her elaborated ponytail moved a bit. Her hair was perfectly straight, for the exceptions of the thin twin braids running from the left inside of hairline to her ponytail and down with the rest of the silver hair. Her makeup light, exposing the beauty she had become over the month after her mother's death.

Aido finally looked at her and gapped, she looked beautiful, more so than Ruka and Rima combine. If he didn't know better, he would think that she was a very high Noble or the offspring of one with a Pureblood. That is, if her scent would expose her vampire side, but thankfully, it didn't. He could only smell the hunter blood nothing more. Her power was still sleeping, still hiding.

"I see," she said and walked in followed but shocked males and one female. Zero stopped by the great hall to go into the ballroom, her vampire senses and hunter abilities told her a Pureblood was on the east side of the building, while another on the west. Both, new to her. Kaname was on the east, along the barely there presence. "I will see where she is at," she told them.

"She's with Kaname-sama!" Hanabusa said gulping when she didn't stop.

"Go, Hanabusa. Go back to your family," she said and disappear up the stairs. The vampire stared after her and nodded, he turned to Asahi and smiled sadly before turning and going inside.

Kaito sighed, "I will wait for her, you two go before they get any ideas," he said and they bowed before going.

Zero walked through the hall and stopped in front of a room, doors away from where Kaname and Yuuki were. She turned to face it and narrowed her eyes, she closed them and an evil presence hit her. The huntress hissed lowly and turned around to go to the ballroom. She knew Yuuki and Kaname where doing nothing, and she knew that that Pureblood was invading someone else's body, but she could do nothing to set them free, since it was another vampire.

The Kiryu nodded to Kaito and they moved in, he held open the door for her and everyone stopped to look at who it was, but everyone stood in shocking silence as the girl walked in. Many seemed to be on the verge of bowing, but they stopped before they did. The way the newcomer walked in was with such gracefulness that spoke of power and respect. The only thing they could not understand was why a mere human would emit such an aura.

Hanabusa was standing next to his shocked cousin –he knew even if he hid it well- and a gapping Ruka. He bit his lip as the Princess walked over to them, and the vampires parted ways instantly and the lower nobles bowed slightly. He looked over his shoulder as to see why she was walking over to them, and that's when he noticed his father standing behind him. He gulped as his father stood flabbergasted like the other nobles, his eyes wide and something in them made him walk over to his son and stand tall.

Zero stopped in front of them and nodded, "Aido, I hope our assistance won't be necessary," she said smoothly, sending shivers through the man's spine. The host of the party nodded and bowed his head, but stopped midway and quickly straightened.

"Thank you for coming…" he looked at her questioningly.

"Kiryu Zero," she said and smiled. Hanabusa melted in a second and he knew that the vampire population did, too. His cousin was fighting down the urge to show his gentleman side that had been drilled into his head when he was to meet a vampire of higher rankings. He could tell that Ruka was struggling with keeping her head high and proud, and from the corner of his eye he noticed the vice-president leave.

"Thank you, Kiryu-san," he said politely and turned to his son. "Has Kaname-sama arrived yet?"

Hanabusa turned a bit irritated with the way he brushed off his Princess, "Yes, the vice-president went to get him," he said passively. He saw her turned and smiled softly, his heart skipped a beat of happiness at the show of emotion and turned to the way she was looking.

"Yagari-sensei," she greeted and the one-eyed man nodded.

"I need to talk to you after all this is over," he said leaning in to whisper in her ear. Zero nodded and asked why he was here, "Vampire, he might appear here."

"Ah, I see," she nodded and smiled sadly. "I have something to talk to you as well, master." She said as Kaito slipped into the crowed to go to a better spot.

Yagari took a step back to look at her and he was able to hide the flinch he made. He nodded silently and the door opened, the hunters turned around while everyone once more fell silent and Kaname walked in followed by Takuma.

…

Takuma had seen many beauties in his life, he had seen a few Purebloods and many beautiful nobles. But in all his life, he had never seen such a beauty that could equal the one that stood in front of him. The silverette huntress stopped his world and overloaded his heart with shock and something he had yet to figure out. The way she moved, the way she smiled, the way she stood. All of it was perfect, mannered, and elegant.

He knew it took years of practice for a human to come to such level, and it was hard to get rid of those mannerisms, but Zero had never showed them. He knew that the girl must have practice hours every day to come to such standard, but it had never appeared in their normal lives. He got the feeling that she could be the perfect hostess or perfect guest, either of the two and they would be top quality. He knew, since Kaname moved the same way whenever he was in front of a vampire crowd.

He moved, it was instinct, but he needed his friend to see this. He needed Kaname to witness such… royal behavior from the huntress. He knew that Kaname was getting close to Yuuki once more and for a reason he hated it instead of being glad. Sure, when he spent a few minutes with her, his temper was better, but it was only for short periods of time. He knew that Kaname needed Zero, not Yuuki.

The blond wasn't sure what had happened, but he knew that it was serious and that Zero was set to whatever she had set her mind on. He was just scared of the outcome, because he knew that it was something incredibly important and that it would change everything that he knew. He had a feeling that Kiryu Zero was going to change them all.

He rushed up the stairs and knocked on the door and walked in to the room Yuuki was staying at. "So, it's you the one calling me, huh?" his friend asked passively.

"Please, don't say it like that," the blond whined. He looked at the flushed face of the girl and wonder what had happened. "Aido's father is waiting to meet you and… Yuuki has awoken. She will be fine in this room," he said. "Why did you collapse, Yuuki-chan?"

The girl blushed again, probably Kaname had asked her that when he walked in. "Um, er… well, there was this kid that I helped and… he kissed me on the cheek…" she was thinking hard.

"Hmm, it was probably one of the guests' kid. They like to steal energy from people…" he looked at the brunet and sighed. "Tonight Aido's father threw a party and many vampires are here. If they knew a human like yourself was here… you can imagine. That is why you are in one of the rooms of the basemant of the building," he said and turned to his best friend.

Kaname looked at him and nodded, he got up with one last command for her, "Stay here," he ordered coolly and left. The Pureblood followed the blond with pure curiosity, the blond looked anxious and breathless, "What else?" he asked as they walked up the stairs.

Green eyes turned to him and he licked his lips, "Well, you see…" he looked away, "Kiryu-chan is here," he said as they enter the great hall. Kaname stopped and looked at him seriously; Ichijo could feel the heavy gaze and he ran a hand through his hair soon followed by dusting his white suit from invisible dust.

Kaname nodded and opened the door with his powers. The two walked in together, Takuma a step behind and the nobles bowed. Kaname's gaze found Zero's in a second and his heart stopped; even after his decision of forgetting her, after the long two and a half weeks of having had zero glanced from her, she sent his heart a mile away once more. He walked in, heading to where she stood proudly in front of her godfather and he wanted to smirk.

Even after all this time, she would not bow to him. She would not go lower than him. She would stand on equal grounds as him, and he loved it. He loved her. He still did, and he probably would for the rest of his life no matter how much he denied it.

"Pardon for the interruption, please go back to what you were doing," he said with a polite smile, one so similar to the one Zero had given before.

A brave vampire raised his voice to ask, "Kuran-sama, is it true that you have under your protection this human for a misunderstanding?"

Kaname smiled lighter, "Yes," he smiled gently to her as he neared. Her eyes were wide and shocked; he had forgotten to tell her what he had done. He walked to her, knowing that even if Zero was the Princess the Hunters he knew her as, she was just another huntress to the nobles in the room. He watched as she composed herself and heaved a light sigh as he stood in front of her and raised his hand.

Zero had no idea what he was doing, but she played her part. She took his hand and allowed him to bring it to his lips, kissing her knuckles like a gentleman would do. Gasps erupted, and Hanabusa's father gapped. His daughter, who stood just behind him, looked down. "Milady, a pleasure to see you here," he said as he let go of her warm hand.

Zero fought down her blush, she knew she would love when he would show his gentleman side and she was right. She smiled gently, "Thank you, Kaname-san," she replied, using his name to cause him the same effects he had on her and to have some fun with the nobles.

Kaname's lips twitched, fighting a smile. The host cleared his throat and came forward, his daughter following after him. "Kaname-sama," he said, "thank you for looking over my son," he smiled.

"Thank you for inviting me to this party, even though I don't come to many, Aido-san," he said smoothly and the man nodded, motioning to his daughter.

"Not to worry, but I do have a favor to ask of you," he said and the blonde vampire came forward.

Hanabusa gasped, giving Zero an idea of what would happen next. "Father!" he said and hoped Zero would not do anything. The silverette was about to turn and leave, but a hand snaked to her lower back and held her in place.

"Please meet my daughter, Tsukiko. It would be wonderful if you take interest in her. Our family would be grateful," he smiled.

"Father! Stop this now," he turned to Kaname, but his voice was desperate for Zero to hear. "Kaname-sama, I never asked this."

The hand behind Zero left, telling her to stay and she did. Kaname smiled, "I will think about it, but I have many things to do at the moment," he told them and soon, everyone was asking him to meet the daughters of their family.

"Kaname," he looked down at the girl next to him and sighed. Zero looked up with hidden emotions, but he could only hope.

He was about to say something, but the door opened once more and a blonde walked in. Everyone bowed and Zero realized that it was the other Pureblood she had felt earlier. "Everyone please stop, can't you let poor Kaname-sama enjoy the party?" the soft and heavily sweet voice of the newcomer said.

Zero narrowed her eyes, something was wrong with this one. Something didn't meet her standards; her vampire side told her to be on guard. "Sara," Kaname greeted and the huntress tensed. "It's been a long time," he said smiling.

"Well, after your school started, we haven't had time to meet, Kaname-sama," she smiled and was about to raise her hand when he circled Zero's waist and brought her closer. Her smile dropped and she looked at the huntress, "Who might you be? Kaname-sama's new pet?"

Kaname looked at her coldly, "Sara, I want you to meet Kiryu Zero," he said politely. "We have to stay on the hunters' good graces after all," he smiled down at the girl and he received a glare. He wince, the way it sounded now that he thought about it seem like he was only using her.

"Oh? Kiryu, the one under your protection, or so the rumors say?" she asked.

Everyone had stopped and Hanabusa wanted to hit the Pureblood for the chosen words he decided upon. He might not realize himself, but that was another way of affirming Sara's comment, to Zero at least.

The huntress looked back at the blonde and held back a hiss at the darkness and hatred in her eyes. It might be well hided from others, but she knew how to look deeper. Her vampire self felt rage at the disrespect deep in those eyes. Zero held it, and nodded calmly.

"I'm Shirabuki Sara," she smiled and waited for her to bow.

Zero held her head up, "Kiryu Zero," and she turned to Kaname. "Let me go, Kuran," she hissed lowly, only for him to hear. The Pureblood took a step back and offered her his hand as he bowed. The crowd gasped shocked, Sara stood stunned at what displayed in front of her.

The Kiryu blinked at the hand, and wonder if it was a way to apologize, or humiliate her more. "Care to dance with me, Zero?" he asked with a smile. The silverette looked behind her, looking at her teacher and he nodded. Zero sighed and looked at the hand, she could take it, or turn around.

She looked up and her eyes met wide brown ones; the girl smiled charmingly as she looked at Kaname and took it. He slowly stood and the music began –it had stopped when he had come in- and he slowly led her to the center of the dance floor while holding her hand gently. He slowly brought her close to him as she slip her arm over his right shoulder and he placed his hand on the small of her back as they extended their hands.

Kaname brought her close, not leaving a space in between them and he moved.

Zero sighed as the warmth she had been carving for touched her, caressed her in a soothing way. She took a step back then to the side, the front and together once more before another back. She had missed this, being so near him and his ways.

The brunet smiled and let her waist go as he let her spin around his arms and hers to meet his chest with her back. He quickly grabbed a hold of her hand resting by her abdomen and started to swing gently to the sides. He felt her shiver as his breath caressed her ear and he remembered how weak it was.

Zero had come to realize, that her weakness on her ears were only for Kaname. She didn't know it if was the delicious aroma of his blood that weakened her and made her melt in his arms, or if it was her desire for him. But, when his breath moved across it, she shuddered. He noticed, and used it to his advantage. "Why have you been ignoring me?" he asked lowly. The girl gasped and he spun her out of their arms. Zero glared at him as he once more brought them together, but this time he added spins and slow, seductive moves.

"Ignoring you?" she hissed.

"Yes, ignoring me," he affirmed and held her tightly as he leaned her back, whispering against her ear.

"I haven't been ignoring you," she told him, knowing what a lie it was.

"Oh? Then why haven't you been on Prefect duties?" He asked bringing her up.

"Maybe because I'm not a Prefect anymore? Maybe because I am taking my place at the Association and have been busy with all the damn paper work? Maybe because I am just too tired?" Her last question hadn't meant to come out, but it did and in a voice she regretted. It was weak, tired and shy.

Kaname had been to spin her when he heard her, and instead he changed and held her close. He looked deeply at her eyes that tried to escape his, but he still saw her realize her slip. "Too tired?" he asked lowly.

"Yes, too tired from all the paperwork I have to do just to get it back in time," she sighed. She hoped that it would be passable, but to his eyes narrowing, she doubted so.

"So you're enjoying writing names down now?" he asked coldly. Zero stopped in place and stared at him wide eyed; she hoped that he wasn't serious, but his eyes were deadly so. The girl gulped hurt and let him go, she looked away and smiled slightly. It was all he needed to know to realize he had hurt her with that assumption. "Zero, I-" she stopped him.

"Shut up! I can't believe… I…" she looked up at him with a hurt glare. "How can you have said that?" she asked and turned around, leaving him to his scolding of how stupid he was. He was in the right track, finally getting a chance to talk to her and he royally ruined it. He mucking messed it up.

He sighed and left, going back to the basement and quickly notice the smell of the girl. He sighed tiredly and opened the door, finding the girl sitting next to the door and what seem to be crying. "What did I say about leaving?" he asked pulling her to her feet and pushing her to the sofa, "Why?" he asked her.

"He came back, the little boy," she said blushing. "Kaname-sama?" she asked. The Pureblood blinked, "I promise that I wouldn't call you sama, because that was, even if you were always so kind… you seem distant after all I know," she said blushing and covering her eyes. "I promised myself… my memory was supposed to be enough, but…" she gasped as his nose touched her neck.

"Humans only live a second to us. Would you like to become a vampire?" he asked her sitting down, caressing her cheek. Yuuki looked at him wide eyed, "A monster like me?" he questioned leaning down. "To stay by my side forever?"

He asked leaning over her neck. "Yes," she gasped as salty liquid quickly mixed with the air.

He pulled away and got up, "Sorry for scaring you, I got a bit carried away," he told her. "Let this be your lesson," and he left.

…

Zero went straight to the west wing of the basement and went into the first room. She rubbed her eyes to chase away the tears and she clenched her teeth as one fell. She wiped it away quickly and bit her lip. Blood oozed out and she licked it, knowing that it would arouse problems. She paced in the room and shook her head.

It had hurt. It still hurts, but she couldn't stay any longer. If she had, things would have gone to a point she did not want to make. A point she was trying to avoid at all costs before he awakened.

The huntress took a deep breath and went out. The party still had a few more hours to go, but the guests with kids were leaving already. Zero leaned against the wall and watched a mother call over her –what seemed like- five year old son. She stared wide eyed at the mismatched eyes and tensed.

Yagari came and petted her head, "He didn't show up," he said.

"You're going back?" she questioned trying to keep her shock minor.

"No, I'll be going back with you until we have our chat," he told her. She nodded and walked away, she had to go. She had to be alone for a second. The girl walked blindly and entered a room, she stopped and sighed, smiling sadly.

Zero walked in quietly, closing the door gently and she slowly placed her hand on top of his head. She smiled as he sighed contently and she sat on the bed, starting to run her fingers through his brown, wavy hair. A tear fell and she leaned down to kiss his head, "Forgive me, Kaname… I never wanted to do this, if he was still in his slumber, and I knew he would stay there… I would have never parted from you," she whispered brokenly.

"I would never think of leaving you… but I must," she pulled away and smiled lovingly. "I must protect you, like you protected me… all from the shadows," she took in the sleeping vampire and sighed. She kept petting him until she knew he would wake soon, but she left after kissing him once more and giving him all that he needed to calm down. To calm his heart and his soul, even if he didn't register it, his body would understand with the last kiss she gave him.

"I love you, Ka-chan."

If anyone cried in this chapter, forgive me, but I did too! I'm heartbroken! Please Review!