"She's not small. In my heart… her existence isn't small." Zero's words resonated through his mind. He had never divulged his true feelings for Yuuki aloud; he hadn't even been able to fully admit it within his own heart.

Yuuki Cross seemed so far beyond his reach. Even when she was really the only person in his life he'd ever really known; the only person he ever trusted. Trusted. He didn't trust himself; though he'd never been fully certain until that night…that night when he'd lost all self-control and human sanity…and Yuuki, she was a victim to his uncontrollable lust for blood. She had been in the 'right' place at the wrong time…no, no it was his fault. Yuuki wasn't to be blamed for any of it; he had lost control, it was his lust for blood, unrestrained that had eventually led to his downfall. And the most important…the most precious person in his life suffered the consequences. But Yuuki didn't hate him; she held no resentment whatsoever towards him in her heart. Even when he saw her later that same night, she looked at him with the same gentle kindness. That sweet expression of compassion on her face, her eyes smiled; even for a moment, it was as if she felt truly happy deep down in her heart.

Zero rarely saw that look of peace in her eyes. It was mostly a look of determined bravery, a nervous anxious expression, or a deep sadness hidden by a mask of composure or casual passiveness. He hated it. He hated when Yuuki felt like she had to mask her feelings; even with him. Why? Why won't she show me her heart? All she ever shows me is how much she worries about me or...how she feels about Kaname, but there's a part of her that I can't get close to; even if I try, she puts on that stupid fake smile and laughs it off...why? Then suddenly, his mind drifted back to that first time when he caught a slight glimpse of what Yuuki kept hidden from everyone. It was … when he first tasted her blood. Something in that taste; he could sense all of her feelings, the thoughts of her heart, and even the deepest secrets…no…almost. For a moment, it was as if there was a window unlocked and cracked opened just enough… but then, Yuuki wrested herself from Zero's grasp, the window slammed shut and there was nothing. Nothing save for Yuuki's form in front of him, trembling, her eyes wide with wonder and horror.

Zero's throat burned with a searing pain at the memory; the thought of that taste…he clutched his neck, gagging as he struggled with each raspy breath. He stumbled outside, struggling for air. Leaning heavily against the cool strength of the brick wall, the mark on his neck glowed as his eyes flamed a bloody red. His legs gave out from under him and he sank to the cold ground, still gasping.

"Zero!" A soft voice called alarmingly.

"Y…Yuuki."

Yuuki appeared from around the corner, her white ball gown flowed about her, caught by the evening breeze. Zero's eyes froze transfixed upon her. She was so beautiful. She had always been so, but Zero realized that he'd never really, really opened his eyes and looked at her…as a woman.

"Zero, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Yuuki rushed to his side, she clasped his face in her hands, worry lines creasing her forehead.

"Yuuki, don't…!"

"Zero, you need help, you don't feel well, and you need someone to take care of

you; no matter how hard you try to push me away, I'm not leaving you!"

Zero's breathing began to slow; the intense thirst was not quite as strong as he concentrated on breathing in and out. His eyes dimmed to stormy grey again and he looked at Yuuki. "Yuuki, you shouldn't have…you of all people should know not to come near me when I'm…in that state. You don't know what I could do to you."

Yuuki shook her head. "Zero, I'm not afraid of you, I know you could never hurt me." Zero gasped."Yuuki! What do you think those bite marks are on your neck! Those are my fang marks, I did that to you; and you say I could never hurt you!"

Zero's voice was angry but Yuuki could see the remorse and agony in his eyes. She touched his face. "Zero, I know what's happening to you…if you don't …you'll sink to a level E Vampire; you'll completely loose your human self and all of your sanity; you'll…"

Yuuki's voice caught in her throat, tears streamed down her face as she wiped them away fiercely with the back of her sleeve."I won't let you die, Zero! If my blood will keep you alive, I'll gladly give you as much as you need, I don't care what it takes; I made a promise that I would take care of you and I'm keeping my promise!"

Zero looked at her. Her eyes plead with tears shining in the moonlight. "There is no reason…that you should care about me so much; you shouldn't care what happens to me after what I did to you."He turned his face away, his eyes hardening. "My fate is deserved; it is justified for all the harm I've done. And most, if not all of the pain, I've caused to you…I can never forgive myself for that."

Yuuki could not answer. Although she felt his motives weren't valid, she well knew that no matter reasoning, what Zero felt was very real. No matter how much she tried to persuade him, no matter the genuine kindness shown to him, from now on, she would be his source of comfort as well as his source of torment. Her head ached with pain and her heart viciously throbbed.

"I don't understand!"She grasped hold of Zero's shirt, tightly and pressed her head to his chest. "Why? Why when all I want to do is ease your pain; to help you I, I only hurt you more, why?"

Zero's arms hung stiff to his side. A small cry escaped Yuuki's lips as her small body shook with a great sob of anguish. Despite himself, Zero was powerless to remain indifferent; his heart had always been sensitive towards Yuuki and his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly.

"Yuuki…why is it that you concern yourself with being so strong for everyone else; for your students, for Chairman Cross, Kaname…and even for me?"

Yuuki pulled back and looked up at him.

His eyes held an expression of sadness and deep sympathy. "It's as if you give no thought to yourself. That isn't good you know, you're constantly wearing yourself out and then you have these terrible fits of exhaustion."

Yuuki's eyes widened in wonder.

"You need to take care of yourself for once…"Zero stood up, supporting Yuuki with his arm around her waist. "And stop worrying about the rest of us…who are meant to protect you."

What? Meant to protect…"us"? What is Zero talking about? Does he know as well as Kaname that there is something I need to be protected from? What is…how could he know? Yuuki felt so confused and her head ached from the bewildering thoughts that tumbled through her mind. She felt dizzy and leaned heavily on Zero. "I'm…I don't understand, I'm so confused."

Zero touched Yuuki's face gently. "It is alright, Yuuki, don't worry…"

Exhausted, Yuuki past out. Zero caught her and lifting her up effortlessly in his arms, he carried her to Chairman Cross's house and up to the spare bedroom. He gently laid her down and pulled the covers over her. Pausing momentarily, he gazed down at her still form.

She's so gentle; so fragile. As if the slightest pain or sadness would crush her…and yet, she bears so much…and doesn't complain. How can someone so fragile, so innocent be so strong? Running his hand through his hair, he turned and walked slowly towards the door. It closed softly behind him, and Yuuki opened her eyes, catching one glimpse of his fleeting form.