With You

~o~

It's…

Yuuki tossed and turned in her bed, her eyes open and watching every speck of dust that flew in front of her. It had been two days; she had gone to school regularly, like every Cross Academy student did, holding her head up high. One couldn't tell she was worrying constantly, or that she spent part of each night having the blood sucked out of her.

She stopped moving entirely, spreading her legs far apart and sitting up. The air around her seemed to be closing in, and she gasped so very quietly and brought her fingers to her hair. She pulled, her eyes wide and her lips trembling.

Nightmares were common now that Zero wasn't going to school anymore. It worried her and somewhat relieved her, because he had a previous history of lusting anywhere there was blood. And no one in the Day Class was particularly careful; someone was bound to get a paper cut or something. She calmed down, feeling a hand on her shoulder she knew wasn't there. The fingers were long and the hand was pale, and she wished that it was who she thought it was.

"Zero…" her voice was merely a whisper, but there was so much affection in the way she said his name. They were childhood friends. She helped him through as much as he shared with her, and even saved him a few times. She brought her hands down, watching as they crash-landed on the sheets of her bed lazily, and she felt tears burn her eyes. "I… I wish you'd just…"

It's alright, Zero…

-x-

Zero didn't exactly like letting people into his life, mainly because it either ended in betrayal or bloodshed. Not saying that he would've been the one betrayed.

He stood in front of his mirror, staring at his face; he was standing shirtless, but his face was pale and ridden with sweat. His pale hair was combed into his eyes, and his hands were dropped lazily at his sides. He knew he couldn't keep fighting it. The transformation into a Level E vampire had started a while ago.

He'd locked himself in his room, having sporadic lapses of time when he'd be curled on the floor, vomiting and wishing he could taste Yuuki's sweet blood. It was disgusting… he was disgusting.

"It's alright, Zero," Yuuki had whispered in his ear as he licked her neck, readying for his fangs' impact on her soft skin. He knew it wasn't alright, but he could hardly control himself when she exposed her neck like that. Looking at him like that. "It's alright…"

"Yuu-ki…" his body pulsated and he fell onto his knees, his hands shooting for his hair. "I… I'm…" his eyes glowed red with lust and he covered his nose and mouth quickly. Someone was bleeding, somewhere on campus, and here he was… bent over, gasping, sweating, practically moaning Yuuki's name. He needed her, maybe not just for blood, but just someone to stay near.

"Yuu-ki…" the lust started to fade as the smell did, and he uncovered his nostrils and mouth. He looked up at the mirror. He continued to glare at himself with those horrified lavender eyes through the mirror, and he shakily stood back up. "I'm sorry… Yuuki."

-x-

The cool crisp air hit her face in one elegant swoop of wind. Yuuki knew she didn't feel right, that she was constantly getting emptier. She knew it was because something was wrong with Zero.

She ran hard, surprised her shoes weren't slipping from her feet as she stumbled down the cobblestone path leading to the fountain. If there was anywhere she should stop first, it was there, because Zero enjoyed walks to that spot.

Yuuki couldn't help but feel a little triumphant that she knew that secret about him.

When she reached the fountain, she desperately looked around for her friend. By the arches, the garden on the outside, and the fountain in the middle. Zero wasn't anywhere near the fountain. She walked forward, throwing her head under the water. It dribbled down the side of her neck and off of her collarbone, and she stared at the marble carving in the middle. If I can't find him she thought, her red eyes filled with worry and a hint of hurt does that mean he's left the academy?

She pulled her head out from the fountain and smacked both cheeks with each hand confidently, "Don't think things like that!" she told herself as she spun on her heel and took a step forward. "Oof!" it took her a second or two for her brain to process that she'd bumped into someone, and she backed up hastily and bowed in apology. "I'm so sorry, I should've been watching where I was going, and…"

"Nonsense," the calm voice spoke from above her, and she looked up to stare at the dark eyes of Kaname. "It was a little odd of me to see you and not get out of your way when you're clearly in a hurry. Are you alright, Yuuki?"

If she told him she was looking for Zero, he might stop her. And I can't have that happen she thought, determined. She looked up and flash a semi-innocent smile. "Oh, I'm just cooling off after a rough night in. Shouldn't you been in class now, Kaname?"

The vampire smiled and bent down to rest his forehead on hers. She staggered back a little; she had been so in love with Kaname, but now… he was becoming a little overbearing. How could you think that? She chastised herself, Kaname saved my life! Of course he's going to be overbearing, he's looking out for me!

"Kaname…" she breathily said, and he pulled back, pivoting on his heel and walking back in the direction he came. "Have a nice night… Kaname."

And, as soon as he disappeared from her sight, she ran off in the direction of Zero's dorm.

-x-

By the time Zero had finally made it to his bed, he was physically drained.

It had taken so much will power just for him not to go out and find whatever was bleeding moments before, but not only was he too tired, he was also in a bit more control of himself. He leaned against the wall his bed was pressed against, his head bent back exposing his own neck to the cool air.

His skin was dripping from a cold shower after he'd had his episode. He hated that one in particular, because he had to fight it with every ounce of himself. It wasn't Yuuki's blood, which relieved him, but that didn't mean it wasn't as sweet as hers. No. Yuuki's blood is sweet because she has a kind heart. (Which, in truth, had nothing to do with it. All blood was sweet to vampires, even half-bloods like him).

He'd just closed his eyes as the quiet settled in his room when a knock shook him awake.

"Who's there?" Zero asked getting up from his bed, and he met the stranger at his door, speaking through the wood. The knob turned and the door opened ever so slightly, where he found a panting Yuuki. "Yuuki, what're you doing here? Go back to your dorm."

The brunette looked up at him, lower lip protruding in a pout. "And why should I? I just came to see if you were alright, because… I had this fleeting feeling, like…" she rambled on as he carefully pulled his door open and pulled her inside. "Like I was losing you again."

Zero made a surprised noise in his throat and made a face at her. "Keh. Losing me? You won't lose me, even if I become a Level E. If and when, I mean," he kept his voice low and she cut across to sit on his bed. He joined her.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked plainly, and she watched his eyes grow wide. Yes, he was thirsty for her blood, but no he wasn't going to accept it like he usually did. He looked away, feeling that warm feeling on his face again. "Because I ran all the way here, so my blood is pumping. It's okay, Zero, if you are or if you aren't."

He leapt at her in one swift motion, but not directly for her neck. She was now pinned to the bed, his hands on either side of her ears, and his eyes were covered by his hair. "Yuuki… I…" he said through the lump in his throat, but he couldn't tear himself away from his spot. Yuuki didn't even protest, and instead arched her back a little and tilted her head to the side. Zero ran his tongue across his sharp fangs and bent down slowly… If I'm going to do this, then I have to fight off my bloodlust with every inch of me.

Yuuki closed her eyes as his cheek rubbed against hers and expected the feeling of his warm tongue on her neck. Instead, she felt him shake. He was trying to fight himself. She placed her fingers in his hair and pulled his head down a little more. "Zero, I told you it's alright." She sounded a little demanding, and he bent down to her neck. She felt his warm tongue on her neck, but this time she couldn't feel the want for blood in the way he did it. His tongue wasn't as hungrily flirtatious, just… flirtatious, and she looked at him through slitted eyelids. "Zero?"

He ignored her worried voice and pulled his face away from her neck. "Yuuki?"

"Yes, Zero?"

"I'm… going to try something. Something different. And I want you to just stay still, alright?"

She nodded, loosening her hands in his hair and gently placing them on his shoulders. "Alright." She closed her eyes and felt him come down again, but this time she didn't feel the sharp sting of his fangs. This feeling was soft and very shy, and she opened her eyes again. She tried to say his name, but found it came out in more of a gasp. "Z-Zero…"

I'm going to screw this up… I'm going to screw this up… The half-blood kissed her neck gently, minding his fangs. He felt her legs spread from beneath her, and he scooted close to her, pressing his chest on hers and burying his head in her shoulder. He knew his cheeks were going to be flushed, and was aware that hers already were from how hot her cheek was at this moment as it slowly settled in what it was he was doing. He pulled back, panting slightly, and launched again for her skin. He kissed her neck, the curve of her jaw, and her chin before picking his head back up and looking at her. Red locked with lavender and the rest was history.

"Zero…"

"Yuuki… I'm not sure how long it's been since it started, but… I love you."

Her eyes widened in shock. "You… you love…"

"But I know we can't be together, because…" he continued on, leaning forward and resting his forehead on hers, "…I could kill you at any given moment. I could never live with myself if I hurt you more than I already am."

Yuuki was in shock; she knew she harbored feelings for Zero, more than just-a-friend feelings, but she was never sure if he felt the same. He was very protective of her and thought of it only as a sibling-like protectiveness. She sighed and looked up at him with that same smile she always wore. "Zero…" she couldn't bring herself to form the words, but her mouth was moving before they could reach her vocal chords. I love you… I love you… she mouthed, and he chuckled slightly. "What's so funny?" she asked quietly, yet sternly. The look in his eyes showed he was smiling, but his mouth was turned into a slight frown.

"Nothing. I just didn't expect you to look at me in any other way than a friend. I've known you for almost five years, and all you've done is take care of me in some way. I didn't think it was because you felt something for me."

Yuuki smiled at him, letting her eyes become gentle with that same loving look she only gave him. "You knucklehead… that's not the complete reason why. You'd had a terrible event happen in your life, and since then have been trying to stop yourself from prematurely transforming. All I'm doing is trying to make sure you understand that… you can lean on me a little more."

Zero was taken aback; never had he harbored such feelings for a person before, and never in his life has someone offered to take a bit of the burden he bore. He was always told it was his burden, and he had to live with it. He felt an odd sensation at his eyes and felt something prick his eyelids. He buried himself in her shoulder again, making no motion to either bite or kiss her again. She wrapped her arms around his head, holding him close.

"It's alright, Zero," she said in a loving whisper as a gust of wind blew his curtains apart. She closed her eyes, sighing as the air crashed into their bodies like a wave and sent her into a frenzy of sighs. Zero's breathing had calmed some, and she turned her head slightly to feel his warm, steady breath on her neck as he slept soundly on her shoulder. She smiled and rested the bridge of her nose on the side of his face. "It's alright. I'm always going to be with you. I promised."

And I don't intend on breaking that promise.

~o~

Yes. I know you've seen this before. But I decided to organize all of my Zeki one-shots into one collection. It's much more organized that way.

Since this is the first of the collection, I'll say this and mean it throughout the entire thing: I don't own any material, it belongs to Matsuri Hino and the producers of the anime. I'm merely borrowing.

Ooookay. Please review, even though you have once already!

~Cookie

PS: Updates are going to be utterly random and whenever I finish a shot. Ratings will vary, but I'm keeping it at an averaged T. Expect between K-M, maybe.