Author's Note:

This is an AU set in the anime world of VK and WILL CONTAIN BIG SPOILERS for the 2nd season.

Kaname, Yuuki and Zero are nearing their mid 20s.

Yuuki hasn't had hallucinations yet, as in the later anime episodes, but they are starting. Rido has JUST NOW regenerated fully, and will be taking over Shiki's body VERY soon. Shizuka has died just as in the show, and Ichiru is still alive and serving under Rido. (Long story short, the events of the second season haven't happened...yet).

Rating: this story is rated 'M' for adult themes, just to cover all my bases. For an M, this is probably very tame.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight, nor do I profit in any monetary way from this story. It is written for my and other's enjoyment, and I am taking creative liberties with the characters. The only character that is mine is Ms. Himura. Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty are property of Viz Media and Matsuri Hino. Support them buy purchasing manga and dvds legally from your favorite retailer! The rating is posted above, and I cannot be held responsible if a reader who is too young reads this story without permission.

CHAPTER 1: The New Roles We Have

Four years; that's how long it had been since Yuuki had last seen him. His dark hair, his deep, shining garnet eyes, and his subtle smile where becoming a fuzzy memory that she tried desperately to keep clear. He still wrote letters to her every once in a while, but otherwise their time together significantly diminished after she enrolled in the University at Cross Academy. She had recently graduated, earning a degree in ethics.

After knowing the kind-hearted pureblood all these years, she still kept her heart attached to him, no matter the impossibilities that were brought with that silent decision. Even as an adult, she couldn't let go of the beautiful boy that rescued her from the monster of the night. There was...something...about him that struck a chord with her.

She thought it could be his charm, his hidden kindness, or his respect for humans and vampires, alike. It could just as easily be his comforting presence, his calm demeanor, or his protectiveness of her. Most of all, she decided, it was that he wanted her to be herself, even when he knew she was committing a taboo. She had never felt so guilty in her life on that day he passed her on the path after the first time she had committed it, and he still smiled at her.

Frankly, with how hard she had been trying to remember him and her past, she had been having some strange, sometimes terribly frightening dreams. They had increased in the last few months, happening about once a week, but she didn't know why.

The breaking of a nearby tree branch startled her out of her thoughts, putting her on guard during her patrol during the moonlit night. The young lady of twenty-three years was still at Cross Academy, although in a more professional sense; she was part of the staff.

Her many titles, which could be adapted at any moment, included: "First Assistant to the Headmaster," "Human Ambassador to the Night Class," "Official Tour Guide of Cross Academy" and "Guardian of Cross Academy." Many of her former instructors commented that she had grown into a beautiful young woman, and a few thought she might pass for a girl-next-door model. Her voice was a little deeper and more mature sounding than in her high school days, but it still carried that soft tone to it. The ends of her straight hair now brushed close to the middle of her back, with her bangs long and wispy. The brown-haired dreamer had grown a few inches, but not nearly as tall as she had hoped. Instead of the school uniform, she she wore whatever "dressy casual" outfit she had for the day, careful to wear appropriate enough clothes to be able to chase down a vampire. The top of her head now reached just above her reclusive companion, who looked just as boyishly handsome as he had been at seventeen.

Zero was still present at the prestigious school, as well, albeit in a more discreet manner. The silver-haired young man was in charge of the stables, the head of security on campus, and was Yuuki's fellow Guardian. To the students, he was quite mysterious, more-so than the Night Class. Usually, he only came out between early sunset and late sunrise, so it was unusual for Day Class students to even see him. A few of the boys even thought he was just a myth, or a ghost that was rumored to be around campus, still not believing their insistent girlfriends who had snuck out of the dorms past curfew.

Most of the "original" Night Class students of Kaname's circle had moved on, with the exception of Takuma, Hanabusa, Ruka, and Kain. Senri and Rima, the final members of Kaname's closest group, elected to pursue their careers in the modeling business. The level-headed Takuma became the permanent head of the Night Class in Kaname's stead, the "boy-genius" Hanabusa became a lecturer on whatever he felt like teaching that semester, and the elegant Ruka and stoic Kain served as Takuma's assistants. Yuuki and Zero still had to deal with a bored and mischievous Hanabusa playing games with them, but for the most part Takuma was able to keep them all in line. Kaname would check in, periodically, to resolve any outstanding issues that needed a pureblood's influence. Overall, the Academy was running very smoothly.

"You need to quit daydreaming and pay attention. I could have easily knocked you down earlier," said an irritated voice from behind her.

She whirled around, holding her weapon up in a defensive gesture, eyes wide and her heart pounding. "Z-Zero! You are going to give me a heart attack one day, you know that!" Yuuki quickly recovered, channeling her own brief fear into anger. Every once in a while, he would do these impromptu "drills" to test how aware she was of her surroundings. Not knowing when he was going to jump out and startle her stressed her out, most times, more than anything. It was like seeing a flash of lightning and waiting for the crack of thunder to shake the house.

"Once you prove to me that you are not going to get too relaxed during your patrols I will stop," he replied. The intense young man wore a button-up white shirt, with the familiar dark slacks that were just like the uniform that he used to wear on a daily basis. He knew that she was capable of defending herself, but she trusted the Night Class students more than she ought to. Even though it was a very rare occurrence, he also feared that a rogue Level-E might sneak up behind her without her knowing.

Yuuki sighed in frustration. "I know, I know. I have to be ready to beat intruders senseless at a moment's notice." She put her weapon back in its sheath, still in its familiar place on her left leg. "Was it quiet on your side?"

Zero walked beside her, one hand in his pocket near his Bloody Rose. "Yeah, not even a Day Class student. Have you packed for your trip tomorrow?"

The petite girl froze in step, bracing herself for the lecture that was soon to follow. "Uh, n-no, not yet."

He looked at her with a very disapproving glance. "You are getting on the train tomorrow at 10 a.m. and you still haven't packed yet? How many times do I have to tell you that-"

"I know what you are going to say, and I am prepared to run around like a crazy person in the morning. Besides, I don't have to pack that much since I'll only be gone for a few days." She was waving her hands erratically, and smiling sheepishly at him.

"Whatever. Just don't complain to me when you forget something here." He continued walking on, determined to finish his rounds so that he could attend to other matters.

Tomorrow (Thursday) was an exciting day for her, and also a bit bittersweet. Sayori Wakaba, or Yori as Yuuki called her, was getting married this weekend, and Yuuki was the maid of honor. She was set to spend a whole day and a half beforehand with her friend, just enjoying what time they could together. On Saturday, Yori was to be wed, with an extravagant soiree, afterwards. Yuuki was excited to share this time with her former roommate, but it also brought up a few questions about her own life that she wasn't sure she knew how to answer. She had a feeling that it would come up in conversation at some point. Zero had been invited, as well, but he thought it would be too risky to go with his condition, instead citing illness as his RSVP for not attending.

After finishing their rounds, Yuuki walked the familiar path back to the Headmaster's home, where she still lived. Zero elected to have a room of his own in the abandoned teacher's dorm, wanting to increase the distance between the other instructors should they cut themselves if he were present. Yuuki tried to get him to stay at the Headmaster's with her, but he wouldn't budge, not giving a direct answer as to why he was so stubborn about it. Cleaning herself up before bed, she tried to relax so that she could wake up in time for her departure the next morning.

Ending Author's Note:

I know, there was no Kaname. Your patience will be rewarded.

Feel free to imagine the wedding/roles however you want. I am intentionally keeping that part of it vague.

I promise to treat Zero respectfully. For the sake of this story, he isn't pursuing a relationship with her because he is living on borrowed time, he doesn't want her/their potential children to see him go crazy and have to kill him, (insert whatever reason you like best) etc. So, he loves her from afar and is content just to be around her.

Let me know your thoughts! Believe it or not, I take your input seriously. Things will start to get interesting very quickly. Thank you for reading!