A lot could happen in a year. The delicate fluctuations of seasons, the glorious beginning of new lives, the violent endings of others. No one knows the weight a year's time can carry better than Yuki Kuran, for even the name of Kuran is a new addition to her life this year.

More than anything, Yuki wishes she could turn back the clocks a year, to a time when her name was Yuki Cross and she was nothing more than a compassionate, human high school student. But the previous year had seen the abrupt end of Yuki's youth, her innocence, and her blissful ignorance.

The night that Yuki awakened as a vampire was also the night in which her memories were returned to her at last, when she discovered that she was a proud pureblood daughter of the Kuran line. After her traumatic experiences during the near-destruction of Cross Academy, Yuki knows she is no longer a child. She is a woman, and a lethal weapon who does not even truly know the extent of her own pureblood powers. She doesn't really care to know.

It's midmorning on a day like any other when finds herself standing quietly in the living room of the home that Kaname has secured for her secret dwelling. Until the cultural climate of the outside world is safer for the vampire community, she's confined to the house, and she feels like little more than a prisoner. She is grateful to Kaname for taking her safety so seriously, but also tired of being treated like a child.

Kaname stole any childishness from her long ago, and she wants nothing more than to be treated with the respect that her age and lineage should command. She knows that although she was not the most experienced fighter, there are few left in this world who can pose as a threat to her now; but Kaname still insists on keeping her under lock and key and exerting his influence over all of her doings.

When Yuki thinks of things that can threaten her, her mind unwillingly strays to the one person that she tries her hardest not to think about. Zero. Sweet, tragic, deadly Zero. The thing that he became on that roof top during the fight with Rido was nothing Yuki wanted to face again, but in her heart she knows that her most beloved childhood friend still remains beneath the stormy surface.

It is painful to reflect on their final encounter, their kiss that had seemed to be filled with more hatred than love. Why do I think of this so often? Yuki wonders, scolding herself sadly. The past can never be rewritten now.

She is brought forth from her musings by a cold hand sliding along her neck.

"Kaname-sama," she breathes in mild surprise.

"Yuki, please just call me Kaname. We are equals now, and hardly strangers to one another, in mind or body," he replies smoothly. A deep blush steals its way across Yuki's cheeks as the meaning of his retort strikes her. Of course they aren't strangers. They are like family, they're lovers, but sadly Yuki has begun to suspect that her lust for Kaname's blood is far greater than her lust for his body. Her reddening cheeks draw Kaname's attention to her own blood, and she feels his fangs graze over her neck, politely requesting entrance.

"Go on," Yuki says dryly. "It's been days since you've fed." Without hesitation Kaname sinks his fangs hungrily into her neck. The pain is distant to her now. She focuses on the steady sound of her breath and the firm grip of Kaname's hands which squeeze her shoulders forcefully. When she tires of the suction she breaks free of him easily enough, grabbing onto his arm and spinning around to face him.

She loathes herself for what she wants next. Yuki has not come to accept fully her new set of vampire needs, but nonetheless they will be satisfied. Kaname knows her desires well and lifts the sleeve of his tailored black silk shirt, offering her his wrist. She takes his hand, studying his face for moment before feeding; she sees the affection written in his eyes, a trickle of her blood lingering on his chin. He is so good to me, she remarks to herself sadly before delicately sinking her fangs into the throbbing vein of Kaname's wrist. So why don't I love him anymore?

The exchange of blood is an intimate act. For Yuki it feels more personal than sex, and in her current state of confusion regarding Kaname, drinking his blood feels almost like a cruel exploitation. Kaname's blood is spiked with his regard for her, almost possessive in its intensity. But she doesn't reciprocate those feelings. Yuki can't help but wonder if Kaname can sense her own doubts when he feeds on her. She hopes not. The thought makes her nervous.

Once they've fed, Kaname had attempts to bring Yuki to bed, but she lamely excuses herself to her parlor to read. She hates that she doesn't want to make love to him anymore, but the fact remains that something is missing between them. Yuki feels nothing while wrapped in his strong embrace. Nothing when his lips hold hers, nothing when his commanding voice tells her that he loves her.

I just need a break, Yuki decides resolutely. I need to take a walk, to get out of this smothering closeness. So she resolves to leave. The next time that Kaname departs to speak to the Hunter Society, or what remains of the council, or with Aido, or wherever the hell he goes all day, she will sneak out, disobeying his will for the first time in her memory.

Her chance comes sooner than expected, for she hears the front door slam shut a few short hours after their rendezvous. She knows that Kaname is gone when his scent has left the house. Yuki stands from her easy chair in the parlor and ventures back into the living room, looking out the front window as Kaname disappears down the front drive in a sweep of his long, dark travelling coat.

When he's out of sight, she cautiously opens the front door and steps into the chill autumn afternoon. Autumn, Cross Academy has just begun a new semester, Yuki recalls sadly. Clutching her arms tightly around her slight frame, she realizes that she didn't even bother to don a coat before venturing out. But it's no matter; she feels free, happy, liberated. Breathing in the fresh air, her eyes well up with joyous tears. This is exactly what she needs.

Yuki sets out down the empty lane. The house Kaname chose is not in a neighborhood but in a small forest outside of town. Her leather boots thud lightly on the dirt path as she makes her way quickly in the direction that she hopes will lead her to town. Already she can smell the city filth, along with cooking food, human blood. When she finally emerges from the dense trees, Yuki finds the urban center looming ahead. Although she hasn't been out in some time, she isn't afraid or nervous at all—only excited and brimming with anticipation. It has been too long since she has had a day to herself that didn't follow Kaname's strict itineraries.

She walks along the city streets, window shopping and watching the people for near an hour. She gets a few strange looks along the way, and attributes it to her extremely long, rather unkempt hair, and the fact that there is probably blood on the collar of her grey blouse. I must make quite a sight, she thinks with a chuckle, catching her reflection in a well-polished shop window. Her waist-length chestnut hair still retains its healthy sheen and her pale skin is smooth and unblemished. Her brown eyes glow with the light of new possibility, but they are ringed by dark circles from a lack of restful sleep, and her hair is tousled and wavy. Just as she expected, there is blood on her collar and even on her neck itself. She wipes at her skin hastily before moving on. It won't do to arouse too much suspicion in the human citizens.

Rounding a corner, Yuki proceeds into an alley that she thinks will lead to an iced cream shop she used to go to with Zero when they were students together. The alley is dark, shaded by overhanging tall buildings on either side, and deserted. Just as she considers taking a more public and likely safer path, she is suddenly startled by strong arms grabbing her and a hand flying over her mouth to cover her screams. Though she fights against her unseen attacker, their grip is strong and Yuki is pulled out of the alley and into a dark apartment.

When the door shuts behind her, she frantically tries to regain her senses and forcefully pushes herself out of her attacker's grasp. A little too forcefully, for she staggers backwards and falls to the floor before a dark shape. Paralyzed with fear, Yuki stares up through the murky darkness of the windowless room, trying to make out the tall figure standing a few feet in front of her. Whoever it is, they make no move to harm her.

When Yuki's eyes finally adjust, her heart skips a beat, her breath catching in her chest. No, she thinks frantically, her eyes filling with tears, a sob welling in her throat already. Silver hair, falling carelessly across lavender grey eyes, a dark tattoo inked onto a scarred neck, the glint of a piercing on the ear, and the strong stature of a familiar boy—no, a man.

"Zero!" Yuki cries, rushing to her feet and flinging herself at the man before her. His last promise to her is ringing in her ears but she pushes it away when, to her surprise, Zero relaxes his stiff stance and returns her hug, his long arms enveloping her in comforting and familiar warmth. The past year of no contact and the ominous threat he made at their last meeting melt away into irrelevance. Yuki can tell by the gentleness of the eyes she knows better than any others that Zero would not hurt her. Not now, not ever.

"Yuki," he responds simply, his voice a choked whisper. Her name on his lips is almost more than she can bear, something she never dared to hope for again. In spite of herself she gives way to sobs of sadness at their long separation and relief at the sight of him alive and whole. Zero merely strokes her hair in silence, trying to calm her.

"What are you doing here?" he asks at last. "It's dangerous for you to be out. I thought that he made that clear to you." Zero spits out the pronoun as if it's something filthy and obscene. It's obvious that his disdain for Kaname hasn't diminished, but Yuki doesn't blame him.

"I felt like a prisoner," she explains through her tears. "I needed to see outdoors, to see people."

"Well. You were obviously not well prepared for an attack," Zero points out stubbornly. "I got you here effortlessly."

"Where is here?" Yuuki asks in confusion, looking around the modest apartment. It features a living room that apparently doubles as a bedroom; a small bed is situated in the corner next to a table with two chairs. A kitchenette and a small bathroom is visible on the other side of the room through the dark. The whole place is simple and unadorned. Very fitting for a pragmatist like Zero, she muses.

"My home, for now. The Chairman gave it to me, because I cannot take living at the Academy anymore. You seem to be having a lot less trouble dealing with the past than me, though. Cozily situated in your new country home with Kuran." Zero's answer is cold and Yuki finds herself recoiling from him involuntarily.

She'd wished for this reunion every day for a year, but would their differences divide them again after all this time? No, I won't let that happen, Yuki says to herself firmly. Looking up at Zero indignantly, she finds she can't be angry. Not really.

She misses him too much. She misses happily touring the halls of Cross Academy by night with him, coaxing the smitten day class girls back to their dorms. She misses accidentally walking in on him getting ready in the headmaster's bathroom, misses late nights doing math together, taking care of each other the way best friends should. She loved Zero so much then, it seems insane to her now to let the horrific events that had torn them apart continue to drive a wedge between them. "I'm sorry," she says simply.

"I know."

"But I… I'm a vampire. A pureblood vampire, aren't you going to kill me?" Yuki asks in wonder, looking up into Zero's beautiful, unreadable eyes.

"No, Yuki," Zero replies in a barely audible whisper. "I know what I said, but I could never do that. All I've ever tried to do is keep you safe. It would kill me to cause you harm."

She's unsure how to respond, having wanted nothing more dearly than to hear these words from Zero; it almost feels too good to be true. The silence is dragging on for an uncomfortable span but Yuki finds herself unable to break it.

Mercifully, Zero speaks instead. "Surely you know that. You have to realize by now that everything I've done, it's been for you. Isn't it obvious that all this time I've lo—"

Yuki quickly silences Zero with a finger to his lips. She can't stand to hear those sentiments now. Not when so much fear and doubt hangs between them. Not when she doesn't know what the next moment, much less the next day holds for them.

Zero solemnly assents, lifting his hand to hers and lacing their fingers together. He places a gentle kiss against the back of her hand in a wordless endearment. Yuki can feel her heart pounding from nerves, but Zero's proximity isn't helping matters much. All of the chemistry they'd had before was evidently still there and the very air between them feels like its vibrating with tension.

She leans in closer, tilting her head to the side, pulling her hair out of the way and exposing her neck to him. She can sense his thirst, it's palpable, tormenting him as it always has. "Drink," she says, standing on the tips of her toes to whisper softly into his ear. "Like old times."

At first, Zero is hesitant, she can tell that he isn't sure what to do next, but she won't be deterred. There's a yearning inside her—perhaps it's always been there—to give herself to the tortured man who meant so many things to her. She wraps her arms around his waist, pressing her body against him firmly. The scent of his own blood assails her nostrils, mingling with the familiar fragrance of his hair, a hint of cologne perhaps. It all works together to ignite her own appetites, but they can wait.

Zero's hesitance evaporates under her assertive touch, and she feels his calloused, battle-worn hands at her neck just before he digs into her throat with his fangs, abandoning formalities as if no time has passed at all. It's like they're back at school, stealing away into dark corners so that she can satisfy his thirst. She supposes that some small part of her has always enjoyed it, even when she was human. Zero's rough handling has always made her feel desirable, made whatever was between them seem primal and inevitable, so very different from the easy manners of Kaname.

Zero lets out a strangled moan as her blood rushes past his lips. His grip on her is so tight that it's almost uncomfortable, but she's limp in his arms, eyes closed, relishing the sensation of his hot mouth on her skin. What is this? Yuki wonders as her pulse pounds harder in her ears. What am I doing? If Kaname finds out… She's unwilling to even finish the thought. His rage would be beyond measure. She falters at that, pulling away from Zero suddenly, peering up at him with an apology in her eyes.

"You were thinking of him," Zero says knowingly. "I can taste it."

"I-I'm sorry," Yuki stammers, "I snuck out… I'm afraid of him finding me, especially here."

"You're free to go at any time, Yuki," he reminds her, looking away dejectedly. "You know that."

Yuki stares at Zero, at his powerful frame that's been reduced to a miserable shell of a man merely by her presence. He really does still love me, so what do I feel for him?

Stepping back up to Zero, Yuki pushes him up against the wall of the apartment. "My turn," she announces gravely, pushing his high-collared coat off of his shoulders for better access to his throat. Zero is wide-eyed, astonished that she's staying, that she wants to drink from him. She grabs his broad shoulders, drawing him closer, standing up on her toes again to reach him. When she bites, just beside his familiar tattoo, the hot liquid hits her mouth with startling force. Zero's blood is thick, so warm, so satisfying. She sucks harder, crushing him to her as the crimson liquid flows into her. She can taste Zero's passion in his blood, his love for her, his thirst for her own blood, and his surprisingly heated lust.

Yuki is caught off guard by the intensity of it, by the depth and sincerity and Zero's emotions as they come in through her parted lips. His love is as strong as ever—it's all so clear. Zero's been her devoted admirer from the first, and the realization has her reeling.

Zero brings her back down to earth with the pressure of his own embrace, grabbing her slender waist and lifting her off the ground to give her lacking height better access to his neck. She wraps her legs around him and breaks her face away to take a breath. Her chest is heaving, breaths raspy and uneven.

Her eyes meet Zero's as his blood runs off her lips and drips onto his chest. Yuki leans down to lick it off, tasting the salty sweat of his skin.

"Yuki," he says in a shaky whisper. His eyes drop to her lips in an unconscious signal, and he presses his mouth to hers with a heated kiss.

There's no time to be shocked; Yuki knows in the back of her mind that this is exactly what she wanted to happen, and now is the time to react. She kisses him back in earnest, tasting her own blood on his lips. Zero's slick tongue winds its way into her mouth and involuntarily Yuki groans with longing. He bites at her lower lip in response and she exhales sharply in pain, but in truth it only stokes her desire further.

Hurriedly she begins to unbutton Zero's shirt, but he sets her back on the ground, bracing himself with a hand on each of her shoulders, pushing her back.

"Yuki, what are we doing?" he asks, his hands trembling, sweat dampening his shirt.

"Something we should have done a long time ago," she answers seriously.

A tiny voice protests in the back of her mind, reminding her that this is wrong, that Kaname will be hurt, betrayed. But what she has with Zero is something she and Kaname never quite managed to find. She needs Zero because he needs her. She's always known, really. It's been clear in each brush of his hand on hers, in every lingering look of his captivating eyes. Some part of her has always known that Zero loves her fiercely, is addicted to her very essence.

Kaname loves her too, it's true. But at times his love for her feels almost fatherly. The spark is gone.

For once in her life, Yuki does not want to do what is expected of her. She wants to do what feels right, something reckless, something heartbreaking in its beauty. Being with Zero is something she has unconsciously yearned for for what must have been years, and she is finally going to answer her heart.

But despite her resolve, Yuki finds that now that the opportunity is here, she feels shy. She's had sex with Kaname before, but it has always been careful, calculated, missionary position. It didn't hold a candle to the unbridled passion she feels now with Zero. She isn't sure where to go from here.

Yuki looks up at Zero's now exposed chest, at his milky vampire skin, so smooth as it ripples over a warrior's muscles. There's a deep-seated need within her that has nothing to do with blood, and she suspects that Zero feels it too. But she also senses that he is equally shy; after all, Zero has loved her since childhood and here they are now in such a compromising position. She decides to make the first move.

Summoning her courage, Yuki steps backward until she can feel the bed behind her knees. She sits and then lies down, motioning Zero toward her with one finger. He's frozen for a moment before walking over to join her on the bed. He climbs up, the sheets rustling under his weight as he positions himself over her, looking down at her with his characteristically grim face, but behind that expression Yuki can see the yearning in his eyes.

Leaning in, he kisses her again, taking his time and slowly moving from her mouth to her jaw line, her ear, her neck, her throat. He unbuttons her shirt and slides the blouse from her shoulders as he kisses down her chest, stopping between her breasts. It's the most assertive Zero's ever been, and the image of him straddling her body has Yuki overwhelmed by her need for him.

Suddenly all of their clothing seems to her an absurd barrier between her flesh and his, and she reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra herself. Zero smirks in amusement at her urgency as she tosses the bra aside, leaving her nude from the waist up under his scrutiny.

Zero pauses then, drinking in the sight of her but seeming a little uncertain. Yuki grasps his hand, guiding his palm to her chest encouragingly. He takes her cue enthusiastically, moving to massage her breasts with both hands, his deft fingers working her nipples and sending shivers down her spine. A slow moan of approval escapes her lips and she notices Zero blush at her reaction. She realizes this could be his first time with any of this. After all, he's been devoted to her for as long as she can remember, never straying. But even if Zero is inexperienced, his hands feel knowing and right on her body and she can't imagine a more loving touch than his.

Yuki reaches up a hand and knots it in his smooth silver hair, pulling his face down to her chest to signal what she wants next. Zero's eyes flick up to hers in a heated glance before he obediently sets to licking and sucking her nipples. His sharp fangs hurt a little but she finds that she likes it. "It feels so good, Zero," she murmurs, her breaths coming fast and hard.

He grunts in reply, his aggressive nature bubbling to the surface. Desire replacing his apprehension, he bites her gently, earning him a squeal of delight from Yuki. Without needing to be prompted he's kissing down her belly and pulling her skirt insistently off.

Yuki kicks off her boots and moves to unclasp Zero's belt but he grabs both her hands and holds them still. "Let me take care of you," he says forcefully. Intrigued, Yuki lies back and raises her hips to assist as Zero removes the last troublesome boundary: her lace panties.

He simply stares for a moment at Yuki's womanhood, appreciating her flawless pink folds, glistening with arousal for him. He runs a shaky hand between her legs and Yuki gasps when his fingers graze her most sensitive spot. "Here?" he asks hesitantly, touching the area again. Somehow she finds the focus to nod her head and Zero rubs the spot gently with this thumb, watching her face intently.

The friction is exquisite and after only a moment she's panting and thrashing under his attention, her insides coiling with tension as she approaches climax. Sensing this, Zero stops for a moment and strokes his hands over her snowy thighs, leaning up to kiss her waiting lips.

"Don't tease me," she pleads desperately, breaking away from their kiss and entreating him with her eyes.

"Alright," he says with a smug smile, clearly pleased to hear her begging.

He resumes the work of his thumb, tracing small circles against her swollen flesh before carefully inserting two long fingers into her opening, eliciting a small whimper of surprise from Yuki. He sets a swift rhythm then, pushing inside her roughly. It's not long before she's close again and Zero pulls his hand away, scooting down the bed and situating himself between her knees. "Please don't stop," she asks him again in a small, helpless voice.

Zero chuckles at her eagerness. "You're greedy." She simply nods in agreement as he presses his mouth to her skin, kissing up her thighs, but stopping just short of her sex. She feels a sharp jab as he sinks his teeth into the flesh on her inner thigh and drinks from her, raising his eyes to meet hers as his lips redden again with her blood. The pain under these circumstances is a heady pleasure and Yuki grips the bed sheets furiously.

When he's had his fill Zero retracts his fangs carefully and trails his tongue up to finally kiss her there softly. Instinctively she arches her back in response and he reaches out with one hand to steady her before deepening his kiss and pressing his tongue in past her folds. "You taste even better than your blood," he murmurs against her with a devilish grin. "I think I want some more." Yuki spreads her legs wider to allow Zero better access and he licks up the entire length of her, pausing to close his lips over the sweetest spot. He sucks gently on the sensitive nub and then slides his fingers inside her again.

The feel of his supple lips and strong hand is deliciously exhilarating and Yuki gropes her hands on the back of his head, pulling his face against her hungrily. Zero gives in to her body's demands, cherishing her sharp responses to his every move. He flicks at her hard with his tongue, all the while crooking his fingers inside her to brush at the deepest part of her core with every push of his hand. "Mmm," Yuuki manages, writhing on the bed in ecstacy as she clinches around his fingers, her body shuddering into orgasm at last.

Zero withdraws his hand and delicately licks her clean even as she flinches away, hyper-sensitive in the wake of her release. "Was that okay?" he asks, his voice soft.

"'Okay?!'" Yuki is incredulous, giggling. "Zero, that was . . . "

She shakes her head, unable to find the words, choosing action instead. Sitting up shakily, Yuki removes his belt and unbuttons his pants, pushing them down his hips along with his boxers until he assists her and sits back to pull them off entirely. She fails to stifle a gasp at the sheer size of Zero's erection.

Without thinking, Yuki gets on her hands and knees, bending down to take him into her mouth. His breath hitches with at the sensation and his fingers find their way into Yuki's wild hair as she works, sucking him vigorously, desperate to show him the same acute pleasure he'd given her. But when she sits up to take a breath, Zero grabs her before she can return to her task. Effortlessly lifting her up, he lays her back on the bed and straddles her waist.

Yuki understands instinctively and is eager to finally feel him inside her, but at the last moment Zero hesitates. "Are you sure this is what you want, Yuki?" He asks, averting his gaze.

She's seen this look before. He's always so uncertain when it comes to her, and she knows it's her fault. She hasn't exactly been straightforward with him over the years, and she feels a little guilty now, seeing him so vulnerable. "I love you," he goes on, his voice thick with emotion. "I know you don't want to hear it but I do, and if you still prefer Kuran I don't think we should take this any further."

Yuki swallows hard at his confession. Of course she wants to hear it. How long has she been in love with Zero? It feels like some part of her always has. She can't remember a version of herself that didn't love him, didn't wanthim. "I've never wanted anything more," Yuki replies with tears in her eyes. "Of course, I love you, too."

Zero is speechless, but her words light a fire in his eyes as he lifts her arms over her head and pins them down on the bed with one hand. Yuki raises her face to meet his lips with hers, sighing into the kiss as Zero shifts his hips, pushing inside her with tantalizing gentleness.

Yuki exhales in surprise when he fills her up, his angle offering deeper penetration than she is used to. Zero is far bigger than Kaname, but as he slowly grinds up inside her, she takes up a rhythm against him, appreciating his size and skill as the maddening friction wracks her body with pleasure.

Their pace increases and Zero is breathing heavily, gripping under Yuki's thigh and pulling her closer with each ramming thrust. It's everything she's wanted, everything she ever dreamed it could be in her dizziest fantasies. They're perfectly in sync, their bodies melding together like the pieces of a puzzle. His eyes are locked on hers, piercing straight to her soul as he shows her with every caress that it's been him all along, that no one else could ever make love to her like this. Yuki tosses back her head and cries out his name with reckless abandon as Zero hammers her over the edge again, her seizing muscles coaxing him to his own climax.

Her whole body is trembling and sated and she lifts her hand to brush Zero's sweat-soaked bangs aside. He leans down to kiss her once more before collapsing beside her on the bed, trying to regulate his breath. Yuki snuggles close, pressing her forehead against his, and he smiles at her faintly before shutting his tired eyes.

A lump rises in her throat at the tenderness of the moment, and she cannot for the life of her think of a time that she has felt this happy. She has no idea what tomorrow or even that night will bring, but she does know that she is safe and free for the first time in a year. It's all because of Zero Kiryu, and Yuki decides she's never letting go of him again.

A/N: This is something I wrote in 2010 that I'm more than a little unhappy with. It was from my shameless smut stage and I don't think it's particularly well-written. I've recently tried to rework it a bit to be less anatomical and awkward. I'm leaving it up because it surprisingly continues to get a decent amount of weekly reads. Thanks to my handful of faithful readers and supporters. May the Vampire Knight fandom never die :P