A/N: To all my readers, thank you for your patience! =') I have made some slight changes to the first chapters of this story, so I hope you all indulge me.

As this piece was originally meant to be a one-shot, my format for the first chapter was too drawn out for a single chap. So I decided to chop it into two for easier reading. Thank you Altrino123 for your suggestion! I have also corrected the grammar mistake as pointed out by kookey. Many thanks to you too! And to VampireMaddy, who sent me a message and prodded me to update. =')

And to all those who read and/or reviewed [and waited, waited, waited for updates] thank you very, very much! The changes aren't too substantial, but you may read it if you wish to be reminded of the plot (considering that it had been ages since the last update). I'll try my best to map out the story so I would not have to tinker with the earlier chapters from now on.

Disclaimer: Matsuri Hino? Not me. VK? Not mine.

Full Circle I: Sister-in-Law

Zero Kiryuu sat with his back flat on the seat of the classy limousine, arms crossed over his chest and his feet stretched out, left leg slung carelessly over his right one. His pale eyes glittered with uncharacteristic intensity as they studied the beautiful, somber face of the pureblood vampire sitting across him.

Yuuki's face was turned towards the tinted windows, her smoldering eyes half-lidded as they stared at the passing scenery outside. She was the picture of perfect serenity, sitting there with her delicately beautiful face solemn and her hands clasped elegantly on her lap.

How could she look so damn cool at a time like this? He thought, scowling. That expressionless face…so inhuman

Suddenly she turned to look at him, chocolate eyes expressionless. "What is it, Zero? Are you hungry?"

Zero's scowl turned more menacing by a degree. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, you have been staring at me so intensely for the past hour or so, as if you want to eat me."

He scoffed and replied sarcastically, "I am quite full, thank you very much. Your blood isn't the only one to be had on this side of town, you know."

The pureblood princess let the sarcastic remark pass without even much as a shrug. Hell, as if she hadn't heard anything at all. Zero would have given up his Bloody Rose just to hear her snap out at him, like the way she was supposed to.

Not that Yuuki had been showing any feelings about anything or anyone, ever since that time. She was still warm, caring, and full of optimism, but her sunshine – that quality that set her apart from the rest of the world, human or vampire – seem to have died.

Her eternally young face is an unreadable mask, kind and beautiful but always cool and distant. And her eyes – those wide, chocolate orbs that could pierce through a man's soul – were always carefully veiled, just like her fangs.

The only time those eyes would betray any hint of emotion is when she hears the name of that man.

"You didn't have to go and see him, you know."

Yuuki chuckled softly. "What is this, Zero? Jealousy?"

"You know very well I am beyond that." Zero replied, frowning. "But shouldn't I be asking you the same question?"

They passed by a schoolyard, and Yuuki's face lightened a bit as she looked at the children happily walking out. It was late in the afternoon, just about time for classes to be over. "Onii-sama is one of the founders of Cross Academy. As Headmistress, it's only natural that I confer with him on issues regarding the school's pacifism issues, isn't it?"

"You haven't seen him since – that time. You could have just sent a representative, or had a teleconference or something…"

"Zero." Yuuki's voice was soft, but powerful enough to make Zero stop talking immediately. "We've been all through this before. Please."

Her voice was so calm, the words so assured, that Zero could have believed it – if only her eyes didn't betray that profound loneliness which no amount of her pureblood pride could contain.

"Yuuki," Zero said quietly, reaching out to lay a hand over her clasped fingers. "You don't have to go through this if it kills you."

She smiled at him and shook her head. "But I am already dead, Zero."

*****

Sara Shirabuki glared impatiently at the lady-in-waiting who tugged on her corset with clumsy hands, attempting to tie the flimsy knots into place. For the nth time, the lace slipped through the poor girl's trembling fingers, falling in a useless heap against Sara's back.

"Unhand it," Sara snapped, her usually syrupy voice cold and menacing. The lady-in-waiting immediately relinquished her hold.

She did up the knots telepathically, at the same time shooting an angry force towards a nearby figurine to show her displeasure. The expensive artwork shattered into a thousand pieces, a few shards flying quite intentionally and embedding themselves into the arm of the lady-in-waiting.

Calm down, Sara, she told herself, watching the lesser vampire lick her wounds like a forlorn puppy. An agreement is an agreement. There is no need to feel so – irritated.

The note from that child had arrived two days ago, beautifully handwritten in stationery bearing the seal of Cross Academy. Sara could still remember very clearly the short, polite message that so infuriated her: I shall be paying a visit to Kuran mansion by the week's end to discuss Academy issues with my brother. Please be advised accordingly. Signed, Yuuki Cross.

"Leaving already?"

Even in her angry state Sara could not help but smile at the soft drawl. "Yes, Kaname."

Kaname Kuran stood on the doorway, his beautiful burgundy eyes pensive as he watched his wife finish dressing for her journey. Sara motioned to her lady-in-waiting, who abruptly took her leave with a deep bow of respect, dragging Sara's suitcase along with her.

As soon as the maid was out, Kaname walked towards her in quick, purposeful strides and enveloped her in his arms, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss that clearly elucidated his message. "Don't go."

Sara chuckled, burying her face into his neck. "I will just be away for three days, Kaname. There is no need to be so miserable about it."

"But I don't understand. We have just paid your parents a visit during the holidays. Why go back immediately when there is even no important family event?"

"You don't need an event to justify visiting your family, my love," she answered, nipping his neck lightly. "Besides, won't you be having your private family reunion too?"

"Yes, and I am truly happy to be able to see Yuuki again after such a long time. But I would even be happier if you can spend this reunion with us."

"Oh, Kaname." Sara sighed, reluctantly pulling herself away from his embrace and looking at him straight in the eyes. "This is a moment that must only be between you and Yuuki-chan. I am merely giving you the time and privacy to catch up with each other's lives. Believe me, my love, it's something you both badly need."

He pondered her words for a moment, and finally nodded his assent with a sigh. "Goodbye, then, my love. Please be careful." He leant down and kissed her again, his eyes full of tenderness, before leaving the room to let her finish getting ready.

Sara watched his back as he walked away. He is hers, she was sure of that. There is no need to be afraid. Nobody can take him away now – not even that child.

She stiffened as a vaguely familiar scent of another pureblood assailed her sensitive nostrils, and her previous annoyance returned with double force as she realized who it was. So she has arrived – much earlier than Sara had anticipated.

Squaring her slender shoulders, Sara walked gracefully, purposely out of the room and towards the main hall of the huge Kuran mansion, her gorgeous, wavy blond hair trailing like a cloud behind her. Her lady-in-waiting scampered behind, struggling to keep up with her bags and a frilly, white parasol.

Sara stepped out into the main landing just in time to see Yuuki Cross emerge from the long black limousine bearing the seal of the Cross Academy. Her servant, that ex-human Kiryuu, held the car doors open for her and helped her to get down with a hand on her elbow. The butler stood nearby, umbrella held open to protect the pureblood from the afternoon sun.

Sara had just enough time to compose her face into a lovely mask of disdain before her sister-in-law looked up and bowed slightly in greeting. "Sara-Onee-chan. Leaving so early?"

"Not early enough, I'm afraid," Sara replied with the same polite smile, gracefully walking down the stairs towards her own waiting car. "But frankly, I wasn't expecting you to arrive before the sun sets."

The Kuran princess returned the cold greeting with one of her sweetest, sunniest smiles. "The trip was unexpectedly hassle-free. Well, it's quite a good thing since I could also go home earlier than expected, isn't it so?"

The older pureblood stared with calculating eyes at the other vampire, noting how she had grown from a scrawny, clumsy little girl to a self-assured, devastatingly attractive young woman. Much too attractive for comfort, Sara thought uneasily. "Oh, I am just about to depart for my family's mansion, and I will be gone for the next three days. So please, take your time."

"I will, Onee-chan. Have a safe trip."

Sara squared her shoulders and walked towards her own waiting car. When she came into level with Yuuki, she retraced her tracks and stepped towards the younger pureblood. Zero immediately took a protective step forward, baring his fangs and hands poised over the gun on his lapel.

Sara's perfect lips twisted in a small smirk as she looked down her nose at ex-human, but wisely decided to ignore the exhibited impudence – for today. Instead she turned to Yuuki and said in the same sweet voice, "Your bravery is truly commendable, child. I can only imagine the amount of courage it took you to step into this house again – even when there's nothing left here for you to go back to."

Yuuki replied with a small, non-committal smile. "Passion gives us the strength to do what we must, Sara-sama. Onii-sama taught me that."

"Indeed. He must be so proud of you." Sara resumed her walk and slid gracefully inside her car. She threw another look at Yuuki before the chauffeur closed the door. "It's a pity, though, that he will never be again the same Kaname you used to know."

*****

"Your brother is still alive."

Yuuki brows furrowed uncomprehendingly as she studied Sara's face. The other pureblood seemed fairly calm, an eerie vision in the midst of the carnage they are in.

"Kaname Kuran is alive." Sara repeated, looking down with an icy expression on Kaname, who lay unmoving on Yuuki's lap, bathed in his own blood. "The real Kaname Kuran. Your brother."

Yuuki gazed long and deep into Sara's blue eyes. Those azure depths were cold and calculating, but brutally honest. Sara was telling the truth.

"You can save him, couldn't you?" Yuuki said finally, "You are a resurrected ancestor. You never truly die."

The other pureblood gave a cold laugh that sent shivers down Yuuki's spine. "Of course I can, child. But I don't grant wishes. I do things for a price."

She is not to be trusted, Kaname's oft-repeated advice rang in Yuuki's head. But Kaname is not in any way capable of giving her advice now. The man she loved lay on her lap, blood oozing from the fatal wound on his chest where Zero had shot him with the Bloody Rose.

The vampire hunter was harmless now, rendered unconscious by Yuuki's blow. She had the chance to stop him, but the last threads of sisterly love she had for Zero had caused her to hesitate at the last moment. And that hesitation had cost her Kaname's life.

No, Kaname isn't dead yet. She definitely won't allow him to die.

"I will pay the price. Anything you want. Just – save him." Her voice broke at the last word. "Please."

Sara's cold face twisted into the most menacing smile Yuuki has ever seen. "Yes, I knew you would choose that." She looked down again at Kaname's handsome, sleeping face, unmarked and as still as a stone statue. "And you do know what I want in return, don't you, Yuuki-hime?"

The Kuran Princess was silent for a moment. A tear fell down her cheek as she realized the gravity of her sacrifice. But for Kaname to live again – she can suffer anything. "I understand."

"You do know that once he is revived, he is no longer the same Kaname who knew you and loved you as he did. He will know you only as the sister he had – and nothing more."

Another tear fell down and this time dropped into Kaname's forehead. "Yes."

"And you are aware that once I revive him, he is mine – for all eternity."

Eternity. Never had Yuuki hated the word so intensely that she did at this moment. "Yes."

"Then come here, Yuuki, and give him to me."