Hm, a Vampire Knight one-shot. This falls before Maria showed up at the Academy. Just a random idea. I hope you like it.

Maria Kurenai took the chance of possessing her own body for the trip with both hands. Not that she resented Lady Hio controlling her, but sometimes the actions she wanted to take were perceived incorrectly by others. Especially the boy sitting beside her in the car.

She glances up at him through her grayish-purple hair with her light lavender eyes. Her pale, sickly complexion did not strengthen her looks, but she tried not to stress over it too much. When Shizuka-sama allowed her to drink her blood though, all would be right.

For now, she only wanted to express her true self. Even with such a fragile body and was an aristocratic vampire, she couldn't conform herself to the living expected by the Senate. Not after learning what a once member of them had done to Shizuka-sama and this boy with their apparent knowledge.

"Ichiru-san." She started in her quiet tone. "What will you do once we arrive? Do you know?" Maria tried not to let the worry she felt overshadow her words to much.

The light purple eyes didn't look away from the shadowed window as he answered her. "Whatever Lady Shizuka asks of me. I'll be protecting the two of you as well." His silver hair was up in his usual ponytail and she wondered if it had been Shizuka who had given the tie to him.

"You're really loyal to her, aren't you?" Maria kept her eyes lowered, already knowing the answer. He was more then loyal to the pureblood, he was in love with her. He would do anything. He would die. She was very aware of this.

"Of course." He answered as though it was a challenge.

She nodded. "I am sorry to have asked. I trust you Ichiru. So does Shizuka-sama."

Sighing, his gaze turned to her. "Maria-san, it's quite late in the day. Why don't you sleep so your body is rested. It wouldn't be good if you became sick."

Maria wanted to stay up though. She wanted to spend as much time as she could with the human. She hadn't planned on him becoming a friend, or herself to become attached. Instead of speaking though, she leaned her head on his shoulder, breathing in his scent and very tempted to bite him.

She didn't though. She closed her eyes and enjoyed her chance to be near to him.

Was it sweet? I hope it was. Please review.

~Willow