• Chapter 1: Comfort; Grief•

I sighed as I held Yuuki in my arms. She felt so delicate, so fragile. This made me want to protect her even more. This time, was the time I always looked forward to - the break of dawn. It was the time that I could hold her in my arms; The time that I could let my guard down, and peacefully bask in her warmth.

I sighed again as I gazed at her, sound asleep. She once said to me: "My onii-sama... So strong, so beautiful, how is it possible that you are mine?" I beg to differ. How was it possible the she was mine? It was amazing - the possibility, or rather impossibility of her being with me. She was angelic, pure and innocent, none of the traits I bore. I was just a vicious beast. How was it possible that she is in my arms now?

Because you hold on to her pathetically.

I cringed. This, was a fact I knew. She wouldn't be beside me now if I had let her go. But nevertheless, crying over spilt milk is useless, things that are done cannot be undone. It is too late for me too regret my selfish actions. So might as well cherish her while I can. I held her closer to me. Her gentle heartbeat, breathing pace, made me tranquil again.

Caressing her smooth, silky brown hair, I softly planted a peck on her forehead.

She was perfect - Her porcelain skin, her rosy cheeks, her cherry lips; Everything about her, was the utmost beautiful I've seen among the human and vampire race.

Just when I was about to fall asleep again, I heard her heartbeat. It was increasing rapidly.

A nightmare...?

She was frowning and beads of perspiration began to trail down her forehead. I tried to gently shake her awake. When she didn't, I couldn't stop myself from penetrating her mind. I saw images of Yuuki's dream.

She was in the rain, under the pitch dark sky. There was a shadow, chasing after her. It was Rido. That damned bastard, even haunting her in her dreams. She was frantically running away, till she tripped over a stone. But she didn't fall - a pair of strong arms caught her.

It was Zero.

I couldn't continue to read her mind. It was too painful, too agonizing... her attachment to Zero.

Why wasn't the man who appeared me?

My heart felt like it was violently pierced, ruthlessly.

She struggled with the nightmare for a while more before she finally opened her eyes.

It was wide open. She took a while to take in what was around her.

"Kaname... Onii... Sama?"

I suppressed my feelings, and put on my facade.

A deceitful, deceiving disguise.

I smiled and propped myself up using my elbow. Wiping away her cold sweat with my fingers, I asked, "Yuuki, did you have a nightmare?" She was trembling.

"N-No... It's just a little... cold."

It always aggrieved me whenever she tried to cover up the truth - especially since I knew the truth. Why is it that she refuse to open her heart completely to me?

Zero.

That bond between her and that man, was deeper than what I've thought.

Many times I have wanted to kill him. But I knew that Yuuki needed him. Eliminating him effectively means that I've killed Yuuki as well. I shivered. The days without her were dark, unbearable.

I can't live without her.

I took her into my arms again, only this time she hugged me back.

She might be relieved... If she saw him at the upcoming annual dance party.