Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knights, nor any of its characters.

After the Kuran's left the office, Touga turned to face his long time friend. "You do realize that with all the attention Zero has gained, it is likely to begin soon, don't you?"

"Yes, it seems so, or at least, our participation in it needs to start. I have set up a meeting with our opponent already. We will be meeting in four days, a day after the new students arrive."

"Good, until then I will try and find out as much as I can from the old Association records. It's still hard to believe to what extent the former president betrayed us."

"Yes," Kaien agreed solemnly, but then his eyes transformed into those of a starry-eyed school girl, "but you'll be true to us, won't you Mr. President."

"Kaien, such behavior is not befitting of a senior hunter."

"Ex-hunter, Touga"

"Sure, see ya soon Kaien."

"Good bye Touga, and take care." Yagari nodded as he exited the office. The game was about to begin.

Yuki and Kaname ventured back to the Moon Dorms unaccompanied, they unpacked their belongings in their separate rooms, and then joined the others in the lounge downstairs. Evening was falling and everyone was gathered together to reacquaint amongst themselves before the new students arrived; both Kuran's enjoyed watching Takuma's childish glee, with Kain, Shiki, Rima, and Seiren in their usual monotone, while Luca instigated behavior more childish and less gleeful from Aidou. In the midst of they playful banter the young hunter's scent wafted in through the open window.

"I'll go check on that," Takuma's cheerful smile reached his eyes as he headed for the door. Everyone's gaze followed Takuma, with the exception of Rima and Shiki, who simply exchanged knowing looks.

Takuma pulled open the large oak door, just as Zero made his way up the steps of the Moon Dorms and into view.

"Zero-kun, it's been a while."

Zero peered into the room where seven vampires sat and stared at him, reticently his eyes moved towards the sweet beaming face of Takuma.

Zero gave a nod, "Yeah, has everything been okay?" His eyes strayed back to the other vampires, giving him their full unwanted attention.

"Yes. Everything has been wonderful, though I've missed your company and cooking." Takuma smiled, his eyes trailing Zero's towards his friends. The look on Luca's face was priceless, Kain's mouth was slightly agape and his eyebrow's raised in disbelief, Aido looked like he was having a fond memory, Yuki looked wide-eyed as ever, but a smile was beginning to form in them, and Kaname managed to keep his features almost completely in check with the exception of one slightly raised brow. Rima and Shiki's faces held no shock, they only exchanged a look once more and remained as stoic as any professional model would, preserving their faces from wrinkling with unnecessary emotion.

Takuma's eyes found their way back to Zero who was giving him a stern look, like a parent would a child after saying something inappropriate. "The chairman requested to see Aido, Kain, and Luca-sempai," Zero informed.

Aido whined, Luca rebuffed him, and Kain commented on the childishness of them both, as they strode out the door, all four leaving for their destination. Takuma sighed and closed the door behind them.

"Poor Zero-kun"

"Uhn," both Rima and Shiki agreed.

"Zero-kun?" Kaname questioned his childhood friend ligthtly.

"Yes, I guess I didn't tell you, did I?" The unwavering calm of Kaname's face remained just that, and Takuma took it as a sign to continue and did so with a slightly nervous laugh. "Ha, well, after all of the chaos of our last battle, the Moon Dorms were slightly uninhabitable, so until the mess was cleaned up, we stayed at the chairman's residence to remain on campus."

Kaname nodded, and Yuki's smile seemed to grow by millimeters with every passing second. Both seemed to want him to continue, and looking to Rima and Shiki, neither of them seemed interested in adding to the story.

"While we were there, we had to… no, we had the pleasure of interacting with Zero. When someone was agitated, a glass of water and blood tablets would appear. At mealtimes, Zero-kun would cook for us. He would even lend his ear on occasion, if one of us was truly anxious."

"Uhn, he even apologized to me for killing my biological father." Shiki almost, but not discernibly, smiled at the memory of Zero leaning against the doorframe, eyes downcast, and scratching the back of his head while he awkwardly spluttered out an apology, that left a confused tear on Shiki's cheek. Shiki still wasn't quite sure how it had managed to grow sizable enough to escape over the precipice of his eyelid, but with the sheer humor in the irony of the situation, and all of the emotions floating within him, that one tear managed to escape and reveal he was not the complete absence of emotion he pretended to be. That one tear had been a startling revelation to himself, and it had freaked Zero out so much that Zero actually let down his guard and spent time talking with Shiki. The next day Shiki found a bag filled with boxes of Pockey outside his bedroom door, and Zero in the kitchen unloading the groceries.

"He's really not so bad," Rima added, remembering how well he had treated Shiki and Takuma, while the former dealt with the death of his evil father who had possessed him, and the latter with his betrayal of his family, and the blood that Takuma seemed to be unable to wash from his hands. He had treated her well too; just, she had not been suffering the same turmoil as her two dear friends. But Rima was lifted from the memory by the excited aura of Yuki Kuran washing over her.

Yuki remained sitting by her brother's side, but her knuckles were white as she clutched the hem of her short skirt, wringing its fabric between her hands. The slight scent of salt filled the air, causing Kaname to lift the chin of his sister's downturned head. Yuki's pursed lips were upturned in a smile.

"Yuki," Kaname breathed out her name at the sight before him, in the past month, he had not once seen her so uncontrollably happy, and yet simple references to Zero could bring this about.

"I'm sorry Kaname," she snuffled and brought a sleeved wrist up from her lap to dry her eyes. "I'll try to control myself better in the future," she murmured.

"Yuki," Kaname muttered again, this time his voice hitting a low tone of sorrow. All the time she was trying to restrain her emotions, her sorrow, her annoyance, her joy, because she was trying to become like him, a pureblood. Kaname wrapped his arms around his sister and drew her closer.

Takuma turned his head away from the scene to allow them privacy, and was about to send Rima and Shiki upstairs when Yuki pulled away from her brother and perfuse apologies and sniffles, requested their attention.

"Takuma, Shiki, Rima-san, Kaname-kun, I am sorry, I won't have another outburst, but could you please tell me more, about Zero-kun I mean. Like, has he made friends?"

Takuma looked to Kaname, who nodded, so he proceeded. "Yes, since he stopped glaring at everyone, Zero-kun has become quite popular. It's actually a bit funny," Takuma chuckled to himself, "without his old demonic aura and with most of the night class missing, I think most of the girls come to the class change-over now just to ogle and giggle about Zero-kun."

"Oh? Then does Zero have a girlfriend now?" Yuki asked eyes big, and fist clenched against her chest.

"He's private, so I honestly don't know, but from what I can tell, I don't think he does. Truthfully, he actually seems a bit agitated with this current development, and he just does his best to ignore it."

"Oh."

After looking down at his sister Kaname took a moment to clarify, "so he has a fan-club, not friends?"

"I guess that may be an accurate description, at least for the Day Class; but as for myself, I consider Zero-kun one of my friends, though I am not sure if the opinion goes both ways," Takuma noted a tad hesitantly. "But he doesn't seem as against vampires as I imagined him to be."

"Yes," Yuki's tone held conviction, "do you remember, when you where all away on break, and Aido-kun stayed behind?" They all remembered. That was the break Shiki was possessed by Rido, the break when all hell started to break loose in their little utopia. "Well Aido came and visited us, and Zero, he cooked for him, even offered him some blood tablets. He seemed concerned for Aido even back then, so he can't be as against vampires as we all thought." By the way her voice began to die away by end of her tale, by the way she had included herself amongst them, it started to dawn on the group what she was seeking. She needed assurance that Zero would find away to accept her, once again.

As realization hit, Takuma did his best to answer her unasked question, "Did you know the Hunter's Association is restructuring under their new president, Yagari-sensei."

Yuki looked at him earnestly shaking her head, "No."

"Well it seems that the previous president was quite corrupt, and took bribes from vampires. Yagari-sensei, who had started investigating the Association sometime after coming to teach at Cross Academy found some evidence against the old ways the former Association president had insisted upon and presented them to his fellow hunters. It seems the former president was in league with the Council in the attack against Cross Academy. Based on the presented evidence, Yagari's own senior hunter status, intellect, and honorable nature he was elected the next president. He has been very open about some of the changes he has been making; one of them has been to make a level 'D' vampire his protégé."

"You mean he's taken Zero on as a student again?"

"Yes, it appears that the Kuran and Cross dream of co-existence may be coming closer to fruition. Likewise, Chairman Cross and Yagari-sensei have both been working with Zero and us, further establishing necessary adjustments to the campus to encourage co-existence. It seems that they have also been influencing Zero to believe that not all 'bloodsuckers' contain the same amount of evil; just like humans and just like hunters. I think Yagari just wants the Zero to ease up on himself, but Cross is encouraging Zero to grow in the ideal of co-existence."

Yuki's eyes brimmed with hopeful tears. Perhaps, she and Zero could be friends again.

Kaname sat watching, as his sister and lover yearned for another man's, Zero's, acceptance. Meanwhile, Shiki watched his cousin's mask, and the sorrow the shone through the openings left for his eyes.

"Kaname-sama, you're the only one here who hasn't tasted Zero's cooking."

Kaname was drawn out of the scene before him, and turned to look at his cousin, a brow raised.

"Apparently, even Aido has had Zero-kun cook for him," Rima chimed in, joining the game of distract-the-pureblood.

"What is your point?" More importantly, what is this feeling, Kaname inclined his head. It was a welcome change from the icy, deep wells of sorrow which had been their before, it warmed him, biting lightly at his soul. It was small, but he new this feeling, he had felt it many times before when considering Zero and Yuki's close relationship, but this time it wasn't focused against Zero, Kaname was growing jealous. Apparently, he was the only one in the room whom Zero still knowingly despised, everyone else Kiryu even went so far as to care for.

"I was just thinking, maybe if you talk with him, you can get him to cook for us all again. Honestly, it's better then Pockey." Rima fed Shiki another stick of said Pockey after he finished talking and allowed the right side of her mouth to ascend gracefully into a half-smile. Shiki had not only been trying to distract the pureblood, but was trying to find him comfort and resolution at the source of the arising problem.

"Perhaps," Kaname replied, already strategizing on how to get said desired meal, it was better then thinking about the alternative concerning his sister's unsettled feelings.

"Yuki," Kaname called, and she nodded, looking at him wide-eyed, "how did Aido get Kiryu to cook for him?"

As the next two days passed Yuki spent time catching up with Chairman Cross over tea, and with Yori as they went into town, and watched Zero from afar, as either he or she always seemed preoccupied with someone when the other came into view.

Zero meanwhile was comforted as the ever growing attention he had been receiving was somewhat diverted back to the returning members of the night class; though to his dismay, he still often received the unwanted spotlight. Yet, this was overshadowed by what he observed of the Kuran's behavior with one another. Though outwardly Kaname was attentive to Yuki, and Yuki trailed along after him, in the same way she always had, something was off. The sorrow, and self imposed loneliness Zero always experienced radiating from Kaname had not retreated, but had instead encroached upon Yuki. It was not overly obvious, except for in brief moments, Yuki would slip; and Zero, having known her for most of his cognizant life, would catch it.

Kaname on the other hand, was observing Zero, still with the goal of obtaining said desired meal. He knew the goal was petty, but he allowed it, for once he did not want his schemes to hold the gravity of a life or death situation, he had spent to long in that world. He had spent over ten years in that world, doing his best to protect his sister, to allow her to grow as a normal human child, to avoid the damnation that came with being a pureblood. In the end though, despite his efforts she had changed, and was now under the scrutiny of the vampire society he had tried to protect her from, and he felt even more cursed for contaminating her with his loneliness.

No, Kaname needed to focus on something trivial. But the more he watched the prefect, the more he couldn't help but feel his emotions strongly stir. He noticed how much the boy had changed, or at least how much his perception of the boy was changing. Zero drew people to him, not only the capricious Day Class student, but also the vampires. Kaname would catch moments when a gentle smile would caress Zero's lips as he spoke with Takuma, Shiki, Rima, and the others. Kuran found himself pleasantly enjoying his new task, though he had yet to receive said desired meal, perhaps it was not yet time.

Midnight, the day before the new students would arrive, Zero stood on the prefect's lookout, and gazed down at the campus. "You and I up here, it's like old times," Zero whispered, as he continued to stare ahead, surveying the grounds.

Yuki walked diffidently to Zero's side, and leaned with her elbows against brick, staring out towards the horizon. "Could it be, like old times, I mean, for you and me? Can we go back?"

Zero tilted his head to the side and looked down at the melancholy form beside him. "Yuki, you drank my blood."

"Right, I'm a vampire now," Yuki's head dropped and her shoulders sagged.

"Yuki," Zero turned and leaned against the brick, placing his full attention on the young pureblood. "You saw my memories."

"Huh?" she looked up at him, moist eyes wide with bewilderment. "Yes, I…I won't ever forget them." Her gaze lowered, as did her voice, "they were beautiful Zero."

"Then you know what I've felt for you. How desperately I needed you in the past."

Yuki blushed, and slowly nodded. "As I need you Zero."

"Yuki, you don't need me. You chose Kuran." Zero looked at her, his voice was hollow, but his eyes were pleading. "You saved me Yuki; I will be here for you, but …"

"But…" Yuki repeated the condition; it had never been there before. Zero had indeed changed. "Zero… I'm tired." She looked up to see him looking down at her, eyes full of the tender kindness she had always seen there.

They stayed frozen for a while, until Zero quietly asked, "what's been bothering you?"

Yuki remained quiet for a while, as tears gathered in her eyes, then like a breaking dam in a flood she burst, "I am no good at being a pureblood. I can't keep myself in check, the social gatherings are embarrassing, I can't remember all the proper etiquette, and I feel like I am constantly failing."

There was a short silence, then Zero whispered "you haven't changed." Zero smiled as he looked down at her, and Yuki was dazzled. "When we were younger, you did the same thing after exams, even a few months ago, you brought down our entire class average."

Yuki scrunched her face, her eye's as close to glaring as she could get them, where was that kindness she was thinking he possessed.

"Yuki, it's been a month, and you've always taken your time to learn things. Be patient, it will come with time. It always does."

There it was, "Zero," she breathed, he was astonishing as always, he knew exactly what she needed, but now there was something new, like he possessed the ability to heal her with his words. So she allowed herself to revert back to being childish and eyed him accusingly, "you've changed while I was gone."

Zero shrugged and slid his hands into his pockets, "I thought I lost everything the day you left. But, I've had a lot of time to think."

They sat in silence for a while, then abruptly Yuki asked, "so you really haven't been hungry for the past month?"

"Only very recently, I've been thirsty," Zero shifted and his gaze lifted towards the heavens, "but Ichiru's blood…it was saturated with Shizuka's, and …I gained his extra hunter strength. I was more than completed by the process… I gained something extra. I can still get thirsty, but most human blood has lost its appeal. I no longer need worry about bloodlust in the middle of class."

Yuki eyed him curiously, "but what about my blood, does it still appeal to you?"

Zero shifted uncomfortably, "its not important Yuki."

Yuki pouted, but let it drop, "Do you think you're safe then, from falling?"

"For now, yes," Zero's tone was slightly curt, and they sat in silence for a while. Then Yuki slowly scooted over and leaned her head on Zero's shoulder.

"Zero?"

"Uhn."

"Can we just stay like this for a while?"

"Something else has been on your mind."

Yuki nodded, but didn't say more.

"Yuki, tell me?"

"I…I still can't understand why Kaname likes me, I'm such a screw-up, and sometimes I think he is just going to marry me because it's his duty."

"Yuki-"

"Zero, I miss you, and how you always know what to say to make me feel better, and how I can yell at you and you fight back. I'm …lonely."

Zero stiffened, "Yuki, Kuran loves you, and you've always drooled over him." Zero felt his pulse quicken, but calmed himself, running a hand through his hair, "when you say things like that, they might be misconstrued. I shall remain your friend." He said the last sentence like it was a mantra he had repeated many times before.

"Yes, of course," she nodded, not meeting his gaze.

"Yuki?" Zero interrupted the awkward silence that had settled on them.

"What?"

"Why did you come back suddenly?"

"Oh." She looked up at him, her former embarrassment dissipating as she thought of her mission, "to protect you."

Zero eyed her skeptically, "from what exactly?"

"The incoming students"

"Are they seeking revenge for killing Rido?"

"No," Yuki peered up at him, "they want you."

"Why? And dead or alive?"

"Alive, and for a number of reasons."

"Yuki, have you adjusted to the vampire schedule, because you seem delusional," Zero teased.

"You…," Yuki made to punch his arm, but he lightly blocked her fist.

"I have to go make rounds again. See you at class change over."

"Yeah, I'll see you then," Yuki gave him one last smile, and he jumped over the corner of the lookout.

Zero started for the woods after landing, then halted. "Kuran, how long have you been there?"

"Since Yuki came to meet you."

Something akin to guilt began to nestle its way into Zero's stomach. "How good is your hearing?"

There was a pause before Kaname slowly stated, "You should believe her, we came back to protect you from those who wish to claim you."

"What are you going to do?"

"Like I said, we are here for your protection," Kaname continued in a monotone.

"That isn't what I mean Kuran," Zero kept his voice low, almost gentle, unease still clenching his stomach.

"It is not your concern Zero," Kuran's voice kept even, but his eyes fixed themselves to Zero's left.

"It is when Yuki is concerned," Zero's voice was calm, but resolute.

Pieces of brick exploded over Zero's left shoulder, and reflexively he drew Bloody Rose and aimed at Kaname's head. But when garnet met lavender, Zero lowered the gun. Kuran may be a threat, but worse consequences awaited Zero if he pulled the trigger.

Kaname watched as in one fluid motion, Zero drew his weapon, lowered it, and then returned it to its holster. Zero's skills had progressed since the last time Kuran had Bloody Rose aimed at him. Zero took several deep breaths, but kept his eyes trained on Kuran and remained quiet.

Kaname anticipated a verbal explosion from Zero, but none came, and to the surprise of both of them, Kaname found himself answering Zero's question. "I won't do anything."

"What?"

Kuran turned to leave, but halted at Zero's next words.

"If you do nothing, then how will she know you care?"

Kaname remained still for a moment, and then continued his motion to leave, rhetorically asking, "And what pray tell would you suggest?"

"Talk with her." His tone wasn't desperate, or pleading, it held all the authority of a command.

Kaname turned with brow raised to look at his former-romantic-rival; this was a sore subject, one he did not want being picked at, especially by this man. But at the same time, he could not deny that it was this man, from whom he had taken all that he could, and who still told the woman they both loved to return to Kaname's arms, instead of allowing her to seek refuge with his level D self.

"I've told her how I feel," Kaname admitted.

Zero allowed his tense frame to minutely relax, and ran a hand through his hair. "That's different from talking Kuran. With Yuki, she'll start acting odd, but unless you confront her, she won't likely tell you when something is wrong."

Kuran was stymied by Zero's words. This beautiful boy, whom a month ago he had inflicted emotional torment upon, wasn't tormenting him with the fodder he just received. Wasn't condemning him for his shortcoming with Yuki, wasn't claiming that he would have done better, Zero was giving him advice. Zero was trying to help selvage the relationship between Kaname and Yuki, instead of steeling Yuki away. It didn't register.

"What do you hope to gain by this Kiryu?"

"You'll make Yuki happy," Zero commanded, making eye contact with Kaname.

After years of allowing his sight to be clouded by pity which grew into discontent then into dislike and ultimately into hatred and jealousy, Kaname had never looked at the boy, except to see how Zero could be manipulated for his personal use. But hearing Zero insists that Kaname could make her happy, though Kaname had his doubts, obliterated had what remained after the past few days of Kaname's previously loathsome image Kiryu. Zero was no longer an enemy.

"I'll speak with her," Kuran finally allowed, unable to take his eyes from Zero's. Zero, however, closed his eyes and allowed some of the stress to leak out of his angelic features. In slight awe of the beautiful scene Zero painted, Kaname felt a slight tension build as he remembered why they had come back to the Academy in the first place. "Kiryu…"

Zero looked up quizzically, having expected Kuran to have left already.

"I will protect you."

The prefect's brows furrowed further, he never expected anyone, least of all Kuran to say such words to him, and yet, both Yuki and her brother had said they would. Unease was beginning to build in him again, "from what?"

"Those that would claim you," Kaname stated, like that explained everything.

"What do you mean 'claim me'?" Zero pressed as he began to tense, but he kept his voice calm.

"You may have proven your prowess, but you are still a level D."

"Meaning?"

"It would be different from the control Shizuka exerted over you, but a similar feeling. Because you are a level D you are susceptible to the whims of purebloods, they can cloud your mind and manipulate your body, or at least such can be done with other level D's." The slight admission that Zero might be different from other level D's was actually quite a step for Kaname, but Zero was too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice.

Zero suppressed a shiver, remembering all to well what it felt like to be controlled. Pushing the memory aside, he mulled over this new information, if it was true, and several purebloods were coming tomorrow to "play" with him, he was fucked. So he did his best to remain skeptical.

"Okay, but why would they specifically want me? Wouldn't it be easier to find a puppet closer to them?" Zero visibly cringed, and anger crept into his voice at the thought of what he was suggesting.

"Kiryu, you are …unique, and have built a reputation as a tempting individual."

"Tempting?" Zero spat the word like it was acid, then contemplated what he had just been told.

"Kuran, do you realize how ridiculous this sounds? Purebloods and nobles are coming to a school preaching co-existence, changing their lifestyles, all to try and 'claim' some lowly level D?"

"According to the general public you are responsible for the death of two purebloods," Kuran stated, trying to explain the plausibility of the situation to Zero.

"So they want me as a weapon?" Okay, makes sense, Zero consented.

"Not entirely," Kaname took a moment to contemplate how he should warn Zero about the situation he would soon be in, and found himself slightly distraught. "Zero there are many reasons that vampires of higher ranks generally are more sought after."

Zero eyed him, not sure where this was going.

"One of them being that higher level vampires, in all reported cases, are stronger then lower level vampires"

Zero nodded, indicating he understood.

"In vampire society, as sometimes among humans and hunters, power is attractive."

Zero expected Kuran to continue, but was met by silence.

"Kuran, according to what you're saying, these incoming vampires are attending Cross Academy to get close to you …or Yuki." Zero, nonchalance gained urgency as his train of thought continued. "Kuran, get Yuki out of here," Zero demanded, eyes wide.

"Kiryu, neither Yuki, nor I are in eminent danger by being here, we can protect ourselves."

"What are you implying Kuran?"

"That to avoid the risk of you attracting the attention of more vampires, you had better keep you're pureblood-kill-count as low as possible."

"This is ridiculous Kuran. You make it sound …" Zero's voice simply died off, as he allowed his moonlit hair to shade his eyes.

"like you're desirable?" Kaname eventually finished for Zero, "it's true."

Zero looked up, his eyes meeting Kuran's, and in a sure tone he stated "that's ridiculous."

And yet, there Zero stood; the physical embodiment of temptation. Kaname quickly scanned Zero's lithe frame, from his elegant legs, to his thin waist filling out into his broad shoulders, all of which no-doubt held sinewy muscles, strengthened by years of training. His gaze travelling past the smooth, creamy expanse of Zero's neck, past his full, enticing lips, and Zero's perfect nose and cheek bones to his exquisite, piercing, lavender eyes framed by a halo of silver. It was in Zero's eyes that Kaname felt the full effects of Zero's unintentional seduction. The aplomb which had taken residence in Zero's eyes was muddled, not with arrogance as was often the case, but with humility. The combination was utterly compelling, and Kaname found himself wishing he could taste that look, taste those emotions, find the memories and thoughts that had created Zero's tantalizing appearance.

Kaname took an unconscious step forward.

Zero took an intentional step back, and felt the wall making contact with the back of his heel. "Kuran, I need to go."

Kaname just nodded, and turned to leave, agitated with himself. He needed to go, he needed to go and do something … he needed to …talk with Yuki.

As evening crept nearer, Cross and Zero made their way across their way across the school yard towards the Moon Dorms. The new students were supposed to be arriving soon, and as Chairman and prefect, Cross thought it pertinent that they both welcome the new students. Walking up the steps to the Moon Dorms, the large oak door opened and Zero could sense the auras' of two purebloods and several nobles in the lounge. He gently smiled as he felt a happiness that hadn't been their before, contagious among the aura's, originating from a pureblood.

"Zero, we weren't expecting you." Kaname stated plainly, eyebrow tweaked upwards to support the claims of his surprise.

"Of course I would bring Zero-rin, Kaname-kun," Cross chirped while trying, and failing, to give Zero a glomping hug.

Zero just kept to himself. Though he remained highly skeptical about his vampire magnetism, he wanted to get the initial introductions out of the way as quickly as possible. When the sound of wheels on cobblestone hit Zero's ears he visibly tensed, and the present vampires quickly assembled, exiting the Moon Dorms and forming a blockade around Zero, who remained by the door. A light pink dusted across Zero's cheeks as he scanned the backs of their heads. But when he heard the click of the car door, Zero's head shot up in time to see the elegant frame of a pureblood vampire stepping out from the back seat of his limousine.

He quietly gave some orders to his chauffer, then looked up at the awaiting students. Proceeding towards the group he nodded towards the chairman, next towards Yuki, and then Kaname with a saccharine smile. But his pace never faltered, until he was at the barricade, "excuse me," he said, voice like liquid nitrogen. Grudgingly, Luca and Kain parted under the pressure of this new purebloods aura. Smiling he ascended to where Zero stood, Zero did his best to scoot further to the side leaving the doorway wide open. But the pureblood stopped abruptly in front of him, turning towards Zero with a devilish spark in his eye, he extended his hand. Zero eyed the proffered hand, and after it was not withdrawn he reluctantly extended his own.

"The rumors don't do you justice," the pureblood began, securing Zero's hand in his, then he bent his head, bring Zero hand to his lips, "Zero Kiryu."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who commented on or even read my first chapter. I did my best for you guys,and tried to get this chapter finished quickly. So if you find the quality lacking please forgive me, and tell me so I can fix it in the future.

TheSneakyHobo, thank you for telling me about Yagari, I went back and reviewed Vampire Knight, you are completely correct.

LuanRina and catcatcat I am keeping this third person, to the best of my ability, as you suggested.

Again, please tell me if you dislike my writing style, or anything else, including inaccurate character portrayls, or if you think relationships are being rushed, I would like to get better for all of you.

Thanks again for reading.