Yuki dressed in a short sleeved light blue blouse and a knee-length flowing dark brown skirt complete with high heels. She paced nervously across her bedroom, waiting on Yagari to come for her. After waiting for fifteen minutes she began playing with the 12 karat princess cut white gold engagement ring Zero had given after dinner the night before. She had been captivated by it instantly, crying a little at how beautiful it was. Zero had been uncomfortable and had awkwardly patted her shoulder mumbling that it was okay. She wore it now for the Council meeting that morning, if only sensei would come to her to let her know it was time.
How would everyone react now that she was engaged? Would they congratulate her and Zero or judge them? Would they think he had gotten her pregnant? Would the Night Class respect her more if they knew she was saying Kanames' life?

Yuki jumped when a sudden knock on her door reached her ears. She almost ran to the door, flinging it open in her haste. "Yes?"

"I am to escort you to—" Yagaris' words died as he looked up from his papers, his eye staring straight at her. "Wow, you look . . . very nice. Ehem, now let's go to the um meeting room for the erm conference."

She blushed and followed her escort out of the room, only to halt suddenly and run back in. "Oh shoot I almost forgot! I have a paper or two for Zero and the headmaster to look at after the conference."

She hastened over to a white folder on her bedside table, opening it to make sure the papers were inside and finished before running out to her escort. He had gained a few feet in her absence, he always walked fast. He also appeared to be wondering what was in her folder for he kept discreetly looking at it. She decided to let him wonder because she was going to show Zero and the headmaster first. The headmaster had been very excited about the wedding, and asked to be informed of the progress daily. Zero wanted Yuki to plan the wedding and just looked over the final product to agree or disagree. He had received money from a trust fund his parents set up for him and the headmaster had begun paying them for their duties. They had attempted to protest but Kaien wouldn't hear or it, pleading them to accept it as a gift for their loyalty and services.

Before she knew it she and her escort stood in front of the door to the conference room. She could hear the headmaster discussing the arranged marriage, though it sort of wasn't arranged because she volunteered to go through with it. She took a deep calming breath through her nose and opened the door, stepping into the crowded room. The council members, and extra guests including Zero, turned their attention to Yuki and Yagari but focused on her. She smiled and blushed, waving shyly. Zero's silver eyebrows disappeared into his bangs, and his jaw all but dangled when he appraised his fiancés' attire. The rest of the group around the conference table seemed speechless and not an eyebrow could be spotted in the room.

"Please excuse my appearance; my uniform is in the process of being cleaned, last minute coffee accident." Yuki joked lightly, smiling a little embarrassed. She saw Zero smirk across the room, amused at her clumsiness. She followed her escort to her seat beside he fiancé. She smiled warmly at him, taking his hand under the table in assurance.

"So, as I was saying, I have chosen the two people. They will plan their wedding according to their wishes and the best part will be announced later on. Without further ado, I hereby officially announce Zero ad Yuki as our new couple. Stand up you two! Show them you lovely ring, Yuki." Kaien gushed excitedly.

Yuki and Zero stood hand in hand, and lifted her left hand to show her ring. She was aware of the looks she was receiving, especially the look from Kaname. He looked like he was about to lose his temper, and was glaring right at Zero. She shook off as much as possible and accepted the parade of "congratulations" from the Hunters Association. Several men actually rose from their seats and shook Zeros' hand. Kaien looked as pleased as a kid who received all the Christmas presents he asked for. She smiled at him, knowing he would very much like what was in the folder.

The conference moved slowly, Yuki forced herself not to glance at her watch every so often as the headmaster talked about the privileges Zero and Yuki would receive. They were allowed to live together more extensively than they were now. She had permission to move to Zeros' private quarters in the remote part of the main building. They were allowed to visit each other during the other class if something was needed. Zeros' quarters (and Yukis' future home is she wished) had its own bathroom so there was no need to worry about sharing with other Day Class students.

"Now for the last and best of the surprises. No class the entire week of Zero and Yukis' wedding! Neither Day nor Night Class is required to go to classes! My gift for everyone to celebrate. Speak of celebrating, the week the students have off they will be welcome to a five day party! There will be food and music and dancing. The bride and groom to be will the honored hosts of such a grand event." The headmaster declared happily, jumping and clapping in excitement. "The Night Class will have their own mini-party in the Moon Dorm and the Hunters will join the students of the Day Cass in their party outside the Sun Dorm. The couple will spend time at each party to accept congratulations and any gifts given. No exceptions to any of my news."

The conference room remained silent, so the headmaster released them. Yuki stopped Zero from leaving immediately and led him to Kaien, her folder in hand. "Headmaster! I have something to show you. Both of you." She added, staring at her fiancé pointedly and opened her folder. One paper held ideas for food and the other for decorations. Zero looked at the paper with food for less than thirty seconds, scoffing and shoving it away.

"What's the matter?" Yuki and Kaien asked simultaneously.

"I think the food choices need some more work. They don't seem fit for a wedding. They'd be fine for the week-long party, though." Zero told them directly in his no-nonsense tone.

"So we have one menu figured out and a maybe on the decorations. Zero what do you think about the decorations?" She asked innocently.

"I would like a little less flowers. I'm not a flower guy. And there could be more chandeliers over there by the column." He pointed to the right side of the paper. She left the headmasters side to stand by her fiancé for a look.

"You're right. We can put one above a table in the middle and two more there and there."

"The last one should go another foot away. Yeah, right there."

"Now, about the location where are we having the wedding?"

"Uh, actually I was going to let you decide that. I'm not good at this stuff and it's also you wedding so you should do it."

"Zero, what do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" Yuki asked while writing down changes on each paper.

"Pancakes with white rice and orange juice just like any other day. Why?" Zero countered, eyeing her suspiciously.

"So I can make your breakfast. Why else?" She inquired, gathering her papers and placing them in the folder. She had begun walking away when she paused and turned halfway. "Oh and Zero, would it be alright if we spent today patrolling? Maybe we'll find the perfect spot for the wedding while we're at it."

"Sure, whatever you want." He said dismissively, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I'm to go over to the Moon Dorm later so I could talk to Kaname about the party. Come with me?"

"Yes, why would you want to go in the first place?"

"So we can get everything planned and have time to relax after."

"I don't want you to go without me."

"I can if I need to."

"I don't want you to go alone, Yuki. I mean it."

"What does that mean? Don't you trust me?"

"I don't trust them!"

"Why do you have to keep doing that? There would be fewer problems if you would stop."

"There would be fewer problems if they would stop existing!"

"That is exactly what I mean! Stop it! I'll see you later." Yuki spun on her heel and stomped off to her bedroom to plan some more. She needed to be alone for a while, to think over her argument and her engagement with Zero. Maybe it was a mistake to agree to the engagement. I will never be able to be an actual wife to Zero; I can't even get along with him about hardly anything. The only thing we get along about is drinking my blood when he needed to. And even that sometimes is an issue.

She rounded a corner and slammed into a hard object, uttering a muffled groan as she feel hard on the floor amidst many ruffled papers. She looked up to see the face of the person she had collided with.

by ~poetgirl616

Chapter Three: Important News

She rounded a corner and slammed into a hard object, uttering a muffled groan as she fell hard on the floor amidst many ruffled papers. She looked up to see the face of the person she had collided with. Yagari Toga frowned down at her, his one eye focused on her upturned face.

"In a hurry, Miss Cross?" He asked grumpily, bending down to gather his papers.

"Yes, actually I was. What was your first clue?" She shot back bitterly, kneeling to collect her things.

Her tone seemed to catch him off guard a little, and he glanced at her in surprise. "Is something wrong?"

"I got in a fight with Zero over going to the Moon Dorm. He treats me like a kid some of the time and like I'd betray him to the world the rest of the time. I just wanted to get all the schedules done with, you know?" She paused and wiped her angry tears before continuing. "He got angry and insisted that I not go alone then I got mad and asked if he even trusted me. He went on his tirade about the Night Class being untrustworthy. I asked why he kept saying those hateful things and told him there would be fewer problems if he stopped. Of course that made him even angrier and he said there wouldn't be problems if they didn't exist. I shouted at him and stormed out."

"Oh, I see. You want him to stop behaving like a hateful idiot and treat you like you're trustworthy more."

"Yes! I'm getting so sick of him judging them without making an effort to get along."

"Relationships aren't always easy, Yuki. They need work and you two need to communicate better. Shouting at each other accomplishes much less than sitting down and calmly discussing an issue. Take time to cool down then talk to him, don't shout."

"Sensei, things are so complicated now that we're engaged. I wish none of this ever happened. Back then I could leave Zero without feeling obligated to make up so we still get married. Back then I could not worry about him getting angry over stupid stuff."

"You will forgive him and not because y have to but because you want to. I should go, I have a lot of stuff to go over if we're off school for a week."

"Kay. Help me up first?" Yuki laughed, gesturing at her attire.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Yagari shifted his folders and papers on his other side, reaching for her to pull her up. "I forgot I knocked you over. See you in class, Miss Cross."

She waved and began her less angry walk to her bedroom, thinking over her conversation with her teacher. Maybe Mr. Toga could be Zero's best man? Better let him decide since it's his best man. My maid of honor would be Yori of course and the headmaster would give me to Zero. There would be flower, ribbons, music, and laughter. Everyone would dance and congratulate her on her bedside table. She sat down on her bed, stretching out for a moment before laying down.

Yuki didn't know how long she was asleep before she woke to sunshine in her face. She groaned and rolled over, glancing at her clock. She had been asleep for three hours and was still tired. She jumped when someone knocked on her door and hurried to open it. Zero was staring at the floor with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, come in. I'll just be a second. Make yourself at home and we'll talk in a minute." She closed the door behind him and jogged to her bathroom.

He was seated on her bed with an uncomfortable expression. "Yuki, about before—"

"Don't worry about it. We were both being stupid about the whole thing. I shouldn't have gotten angry that you want to be sure I'm safe. I'm sorry I overreacted." She smiled and sat next to him on her bed she faced him. "I want to forget about it and start over. And I also wanted to know if you wanted to grab some lunch with me."

He smiled at her, turning to face her before responding. "I would like that very much. Thank you for forgiving me and offering me a second chance."

"You're welcome. Can I resume my nap before we grab lunch? We don't get very many hours of sleep going to class then keeping watch a good portion of the night. I'm exhausted."

"I could grab something now while you change into comfortable clothes and bring it back to you. We could eat together and talk about the wedding a little before you go back to sleep."

"Really? Wow, Zero, that would be great. Thank you."

"You're welcome. See you in a few."

"Kay." As soon as Zero left the room Yuki dashed to the dresser and stepped on her white cotton nightgown. She knew he wouldn't take long and wanted to avoid him catching her changing. She wasn't even sure of sleeping in the same room with him. She would have to talk to him about moving after a while.

He walked in carrying two plates of chicken, rice, and potatoes. She smiled and pats the space on the bed next to her so he'd sit down. He gave her the plate with the most rice since he knew she loved rice. "So you wanted to talk about the wedding. Anything specific?"

"Well just stuff like who will be your best man, my maid of honor and who will sign as our witnesses. I've already decided on my maid of honor and I'm thinking about the line up for when the time comes. Do we have the bridesmaid go before the groomsmen or the other way around? Who do you want as your best man?"

"Uh, can't we send them in paired up? After we chose the flower girl, of course. I don't know. Sensei Toga could be since he's my friend."

"That's a great idea, Zero! Oh goodness this is delicious. Anyway who will be our flower girl? I don't know anyone but Yori and I'm nervous about this. I mean we're getting married!"

"Yes. You seem excited about the idea."

"I always dreamed of someday settling down, getting married and working at the marketplace while my husband managed his business."

"That sounds kind of . . . cozy. Are you done with that?" Zero asked suddenly, gathering his and Yuki's plates before standing to place them in the dishwasher. She watched him leave, hoping he would come back so they could talk some more.

She sat on her bed staring out the window, curious about what her new life with Zero would hold. Would they stay at Cross Academy and finish school? Would they leave to go somewhere remote? Would the headmaster let them leave the Academy? Would they want to leave?

"I can come back if you want." Zero stood in the doorway, shifting uncomfortably.

"No, please stay." Yuki scooted over so he could join her.

"I thought you wanted to take a nap?" He asked as he sat down with her.
"I do want to take a nap. I don't want to be alone today, stay with me? Do you mind?" She asked, gazing at him through her eyelashes.

He was silent for a moment, seeming to think about it. She was getting anxious when he hadn't answered after a few minutes. Finally he said, "Yuki, I will take a nap with you this one time."

She sighed and scooted to the head of her bed and climbed in, throwing the covers back on the other side of the bed. He took a deep breath removing his shirt and shoes before laying down, making himself comfortable and covering up. She hesitated a minute before scooting to him and laying her head on his chest, falling asleep quickly. He seemed frozen a moment before wrapping an arm around her, willing her not to wake up. His restraint was being tried enough as it was.

He seemed frozen a moment before wrapping an arm around her, willing her not to wake up. His restraint was being tried enough as it was.

Sometime later Yuki jumped awake when someone knocked on her door. Zero groaned and propped himself on his elbow, facing the door. Yagari Toga stopped in his tracks as he spotted them in the bed. Yuki had propped herself up and covered herself.

"Oh, I didn't know you two would be in bed at this hour. I'll come back another time." Yagari said uncomfortably, looking away from her.

"Okay, now go away. We were sleeping very well before you barged in." Zero growled as he threw the covers back and left the bed for the bathroom.

Yuki stayed put a moment while her teacher stood in her doorway a little longer before ducking out. She sighed in relief and waited for her fiancé to leave the bathroom. Why was sensei Toga here? Was there something wrong? Was there a change in the Academy schedule? Were they supposed to have classes?

She didn't have much time to think about things because her fiancé finally left her bathroom and walked back to the bed. She smiled and stretched a little, settling back into the covers.

"Good morning." She said quietly as she turned to face him.

"Morning. We should probably get up sometime soon to talk to Kuran. Don't we have other stuff to do, too?"

"You mean like make the arrangements for me to move in tomorrow?"

"Wait, what?"

"I'm going to move into your room before we're married. I thought it was a great idea. The sooner the better, don't you think so? We're going to be married so we have so much to talk about. If we really lived together it would be easier."

"Uh, okay. So we make the arrangements."

Yuki smiled and kissed Zero on the cheek before getting out of the bed. She grabbed her clothes from that morning and hurried into the bathroom to change. He stretched lazily in the bed, taking in the clean smell of her blankets and the scent of her perfume drifting from her bathroom. Her scent was different from the other girls, as unique as she was. She smelled like a sweet desert rose after a rain storm. Somehow her smell made him think of her blood, how it tasted to him. Her blood tasted amazing, like a sweet symphony of sugar and delicate fingers of honey suckle. Subtly declining until it collided with cinnamon and peppermint.

He snapped out of his thoughts when she stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed Artemis rod, tucking it into the strap around her thigh. Then she gathered party plans to take to Kaname. She hoped he wasn't still sleeping.

Zero's eyes narrowed at the name, Kuran. What does she see in that vampire? He's a Pureblood and embraces the idea of feeding from humans. No matter what the headmaster and everyone else think.

Yuki watched her fiancé seethe in the bed, glaring at nothing in particular. What could he be thinking about so soon after waking that could anger him so much? She wondered as she watched him, careful not to provoke him. What had made him angry? Wait, Kaname. I have to take him the plans.

"Zero? Wake up, we have to go, I have to take the plans to Kaname. Then we can talk some more before dinner."

Zero jerked, eyes snapping open and daring to Yuki. "Sorry, thinking about stuff."`

She smiled softly, knowing the feeling and that he had much to dwell on recently. "I have been thinking, too. Recently there had been much to dwell on, much to consider since we decided to get married. We'll be fine. This will all be over soon, I promise."

He smiled at her, lilac eyes grateful. "Thank you, Yuki. We should head over to the Night Class quarter's heaven forbid they not wake up."

The couple walked from her bedroom hand in hand, both silently nervous over the outcome of the visit. Yuki felt herself shaking, fidgeting with her ring as she and Zero crossed the silent grounds. The old man waited for them just after the entrance to the Moon Dormitories. He saw the Guardian insignia and waved them through.

They paused before the large wooden doors wondering if they should risk disturbing the vampires. Yuki took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. The lobby was surprisingly empty of vampire aristocrats. They must still be sleeping or just now waking up and moving about to start the night.

Zero tensed when Aido walked gracefully down the stairs toward the kitchen. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that two people were standing in the middle of the lobby. Suddenly the blond looked up and gazed straight at Yuki, his Yuki.

"Aido, where is Kaname? We need to speak with him about important matters." Zero demanded through clenched teeth. He ignored the shocked look from his betrothed and glared at the blood vampire.

Aido seemed to enjoy aggravating Zero, crossing his arms and defiantly raising his chin maintaining silence. Yuki sighed and stepped forward to break the silent stand-off. "Aido-sama, please tell us where Lord Kaname is for we must speak with him."

Ruka chose to walk down the stairs at that moment, coming to a halt behind Aido. "Why should we admit you? A pathetic human and a half-human Level E. Lord Kaname has more important people to see to than two disgusting mongrels." She spat scornfully, her voice laced with hatred.

Zero drew Bloody Rose and Yuki reached for Artemis Rod, prepared to defend themselves from the hostile vampire. He sank into his defensive position, determined not to let the fuckers near his Yuki. Aido sighed and raised his left hand, which quickly accumulated a covering of ice. "I suppose we'll have to defend ourselves now. We can't let you up these stairs now that you are armed and hostile. It is a danger to our master."

In the blink of an eye the vampires attacked, Ruka striking at Yuki while Aido struck at Zero. Yuki kicked Ruka in the abdomen, forcing her back before reaching for Artemis Rod. Zero was dodging ice from Aido and shooting Bloody Rose at the vampire aristocrat. The human struck at her adversary, thrusting wildly while the angry vampire parried the Guardians' blows with her forearms. After long moments of furious fighting Ruka grabbed Artemis Rod long enough to spin Yuki violently, allowing her to see Aido fling a torrent of ice at Zeros' chest causing him to fly back into the staircase. There were three shards of ice sticking from the ex-humans' chest.

"Zero!" Yuki cried in horror, trying to reach her fiancé but the vampire grabbed her from behind holding her in an iron grip for someone so skinny. Artemis Rod was thrown into a far corner and Yuki was forced to watch with a rapidly sinking heart as Aido picked up Bloody Rose aiming the gun at Zeros' head. "No! Please! Aido, stop it!"

Yuki turned her head away when she saw the blond vampire begin to squeeze the trigger, she screamed Zeros' name and sobbed heavily when she heard a single gunshot ring through the room.

"WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE?" Kaname yelled angrily. "Ruka release Yuki NOW!"

Yukis' head snapped up in intense relief, yanking away from Ruka and running to Zero happy to see Aido missed his head. She began to pull the icicles from Zeros' chest so his wounds could heal properly. She glared up at Aido, silently demanding he drop her fiancés' gun before turning back to Zero. "Zero, you're going to be fine. Can you try to sit up?"

He groaned, slowly pushing himself into a sitting position. "I can take it from here."

She watched him grip the railing to support as he stood. She remembered Kanames' presence at the other side of the room. "Thank you for helping him, Kaname-san."

"I am truly sorry that my students attacked you, Yuki. I assure you they will be dealt with promptly." He replied in a tight voice.

"Come, Zero, you need to rest. Here, Kaname-san, we came here to talk about these."

"You may leave them here with me, Yuki. Take Zero home so he may heal."

"Thank you for your kindness, I will." Yuki put an arm around Zero so he could put a little of his weight on her to make walking easier. She stopped at the corner Ruka threw Artemis Rod, making Zero lean against the wall while she retrieved her weapon and placed it safely in her holster that rested on her right thigh.

Yuki helped Zero change out of his blood soaked shirt and gently cleaned his wounds before helping him into bed. She was about the leave the room to study when he gently grabbed her wrist. "Please stay with me."

She crawled next to him and they both fell into a fitful sleep.