Thanks to Gingiie666, Akihcawas, narugirl14, Krizteena, DofD, animeluver3460, abiecula, and jorie for the reviews. Wow, 8 reviews! Thank you guys so much. I'm glad you are enjoying the story. And I hope you are all still with me since it had taken me so long to update! I won't keep you any longer! Enjoy!
Chapter 4
She is the healing and I am the pain.
She lives in a daydream where I don't belong.
A week had passed since that little revelation from Zero. Yuuki was honestly shocked beyond belief but changed the subject. She decided to not even try to digest what he said because what the hell did it matter what he thought? So what if he thought differently than any other guy she has ever met? It didn't change anything. He was still his arrogant, annoying self.
Anyway, even though a full week had passed, Yuuki was still having a hard time in Calculus. And even though she hated to admit it, the fault didn't fall on the silver-haired man. The fault befell on Yuuki's fellow gender. Who knew they could be so annoying? Every time it felt like they were getting somewhere, they were interrupted by a group of girls asking him out or trying to get to know him. Couldn't they clearly see that they were doing some work? Yuuki even got into it with one of the popular girls that weren't taking the hint.
After that, rumors started to circulate. Some would say that Zero had done the impossible and seduced the Ice Queen. And then others said Yuuki was blackmailing the transfer student. She had a feeling as to where that one came from. She just tried to ignore them except she always felt everyone was whispering about them.
So now Yuuki was eating in the lunchroom, with Yori as usual. Luckily, her blonde friend didn't have the courage to ask Zero out or anything. She didn't want her friend's feelings hurt and it would put more tension in their already tense tutoring sessions. But anyway, Yori had been good about not really talking about Zero all that much and for that she was grateful.
"So did you hear the latest rumor?" Yori asked, amused.
Yuuki rolled her eyes, "No, and I don't really care, Yori. They are all not true and get completely ridiculous by the day."
Her best friend giggled. "But that's the best part about them. They are so false and completely blown out of proportion that you just have to laugh."
She did have a point. Some would take offense to them but Yuuki didn't really have a lot of friends because of her inability to trust people. Yori was the only exception because they have known each other since preschool. So she really didn't care what people, at this school, thought of her. So she smiled and asked, "Ok, what's the latest on the Yuuki and Zero scandal?"
"Apparently, you slipped me some sort of drug because why else would I be talking to you?" A voice came from behind the two girls.
Yuuki already knew who it was and slowly turned towards Zero. Yori, not knowing the voice, whipped her head around but then quickly looked away shyly. The brunette looked up at his face and replied, "Seriously? Why is it always me? You could have been the one that wanted to talk to me so badly that you had to resort to desperate measures."
Zero scoffed, "Yeah, like that would ever happen… people here just need to mind their own business."
Yuuki smiled to herself. He was clearly in a very grumpy mood because he wasn't going out of his way to make her mad. So what better way to get back at him then to worsen said mood? "So what's got your panties in a twist? Did you get a B on the Chemistry pop quiz? Because I got a 100 on mine might I add?"
Smirking, he replied, "Well I hate to burst your bubble but I got a 102 because I corrected a mistake in one of the questions the teacher made."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed and didn't say anything. He really knew how to piss her off. 'Why did he have to be so god damn smart?' she thought angrily. "Well whatever. What made you come and decide to bother me?"
Zero suddenly got serious again which was weird. He usually stayed in that annoying mood for awhile. "Well I came here to tell you that I'm leaving right after lunch so I won't be able to tutor you in study hall today."
Finally, Yuuki noticed, Yori got the courage to look at Zero. Sure, she still had that dreamy look in her eyes but it was so subtle that no one else could have noticed. But then Yuuki processed what the silver-haired man said. "Wait! You can't! We have that Calculus quiz tomorrow that I'm nowhere near ready for and I can't fail anymore of them!"
Zero shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Look, there is no way I can get out of the plans I have for today. Looks like you will just have to try on your own."
Yuuki knew what they could do. But no way in hell did she want to do it. But what other choice did she have? "Well… there's… uhh you could come over to my place after school."
Simultaneously, Yori and Zero's eyes went wide, especially Yori's. She knew how rare this truly was. Her best friend never ever asked anyone to go to her house, let alone a boy. This definitely showed how desperate Yuuki was to passing Calculus.
Zero was in a little bit of shock at first. Because over the week that he spent with the brunette, he got the feeling that she didn't trust others easily. And like him, she didn't like weakness. Bringing someone over to the place where you eat and sleep at is showing vulnerability; a weakness. He looked down at Yuuki who was looking anywhere but at him. He found this interesting. A spitfire like her was being all nervous about asking him over.
He smiled lightly, "Well you are in luck. It's my day off of work so I guess I can come over."
Yuuki looked up at him. She was hoping when she asked him that he didn't think she liked him or anything like that. But looking back at him, she clearly saw that he understood why she was so nervous about asking. And that confused her a bit. But she replied, "Well good. Just a second and I will write you out directions."
"No, I'll just come back to school a little after the last bell and I will follow you."
Yuuki nodded, "Ok, I will wait outside by the parking lot."
Zero nodded and then went on his way up to the cafeteria doors because the bell was just about to ring. After he left, Yuuki knew Yori was going to jump her with questions. She was wrong. The blonde was just looking at her, wide-eyed. "Yori, I didn't have a choice. So stop looking at me like that."
Yori shook her head, "Sorry, it's just not normal. I mean you haven't had anyone over besides me in like forever. And this is the first boy ever to be able to see your house."
"I know, I know. But I'm nowhere near ready for that quiz tomorrow and we don't have to deal with all the girls that seem to crowd around him all the time. That means we might actually get it done. No wonder he thinks girls are annoying."
"He does?" Yori asked.
Yuuki looked over at her and instantly wished she hadn't said anything. She forgot about the blonde's obsession with the lavender eyed man. "Forget I said anything. What does he know?"
Yori gave her a small smile and after the bell rang, the girls separated and went to their separate classes. Yuuki, all the while wondering, what she got herself into.
Zero really wondered what this was all about. His social worker called him in to her office stating that she had something real important to talk about. Since he was already the age of eighteen, he thought he didn't have to deal with her anymore. He didn't particularly like her. She just seemed too nosy and always scolded him about being bounced around the foster homes. So walking in to her office room, he felt like he was 6 again which instantly put him in an irritated mood.
As soon as he walked in, the studious social worker looked up and smiled. Zero inwardly winced. "Hello Zero, how are you doing?"
"Fine." He replied shortly. He wanted this visit to hurry and be over with.
Her smile grew, "Well good, why don't you have a seat and I will tell you what I brought you here for."
He remained standing, crossing his arms. "Look, I got something to do right after so I want to make this quick."
"Alright then, grumpy as always," her smile diminished just a little. She was never the caring type, just nosy. And that is why Zero did not want to prolong this visit anymore that was needed. She already kept him waiting 45 minutes past the appointed time. "I have come to tell you that your grandfather has requested that you attend dinner at his private home."
Zero felt numb. "Wait a minute… I have a grandfather? I was told that I don't have any other family."
"Well we were under the impression that you had no family either. But apparently, it seems that your grandfather wouldn't provide a home for you at the time and your case worker at the time of the incident didn't have the heart to tell you that he wouldn't take you in."
She got up from her chair and made her way over to the filing cabinet to get out his file. Zero was a little disturbed at the thought that his only grandfather wouldn't take in a 6 year old child. So he got angry, "So what's the selfish prick's excuse for wanting to see me now?"
The woman made her way back to her desk, opening his file before saying, "It seems he has become terminally ill, pancreatic cancer it says, and has requested to see you."
The silver-haired man simply let it all try to sink in. Feeling everything seeming to close in on him, he quickly said, "Tell him he can stuff it. I have been fine on my own and I certainly don't have any need to clear his guilty conscience."
So without another word, he walked out of the social worker's room and went on his way. He felt it all coming back, the pain of knowing that there was no one in this world that loved him. No one wanted him. And now it was confirmed. He had a grandfather that couldn't take in his frightened 6 year old grandson. Let the bastard burn in hell for all he cared.
Zero made his way back to his car and while driving back on his way home, he decided that he was not going to let this rattle him. He would go home and make sure to repress all the emotions that were bubbling back up to the surface. Then he would sleep it all away. And when he got to his apartment room and saw the Calculus book lying on the kitchen counter, a pretty brunette's face flashed through his mind. 'Yuuki' he thought. He almost forgot. Well he couldn't back out of helping her. He had said that he would come on over to help her with her work and he would not let this unexpected news make him go back on his word.
So he hurried to change and made his way back to the high school.
Yuuki was on her way out off the school. She already waved to Yori and was trying to find her car keys and it was proving to be difficult. Why did she get such a big bag? After pushing through the doors and finally finding her keys, Yuuki looked and saw Zero leaning up against one of the poles. He was dressed out of the school uniform so he had on a gray buttoned shirt with a tan trench coat over that and black jeans. And those jeans truly showed how long his legs were. The brunette was actually a little confused as to why that made her stomach flip-flop. 'It must have been that lasagna I ate for lunch. I know better than to eat cafeteria food.'
Yuuki grumbled a hello when she shook that flip flop feeling in her stomach. Zero looked over and pushed himself off the pole and she took that as a sign that he was ready to go. They walked side by side out to the parking lot. "Hey, I'm over there so just follow my lead."
He nodded and went over to his car which was located at the end of the row. The brunette watched him, curiously. Used to hearing his taunting remarks and condescending attitude, she was puzzled over him not saying a word. Here she was worrying all the rest of the day because this was different. Hopefully, everything would go smoothly.
They made it to her house without any problems. She noticed that her mom wasn't home yet but concluded that she must be working overtime. That would mean that she would be bringing home dinner rather than cooking. They both walked up the stairs to the first floor and Yuuki took a deep breath before opening the apartment door.
Once getting in the apartment, Yuuki said, "Hey, I'm going to go in my room and change out of my uniform. Feel free to go on in the living room. I will be out in a sec."
Zero nodded and after she left, he took a quick look around while making his way into the living room. Sure the apartment was small but his was smaller. And it surely looked a lot homier than his. On one side of the living room, there was a worn out couch and small outdated television. On the other side there was a desk with a computer sitting on it. And then on the third wall, there was a bookshelf over stuffed with books. The walls were filled with pictures, mostly of what looked like a young Yuuki. And in one picture there was an older woman he presumed to be her mother, hugging her and smiling. The woman was smiling so big that he felt his heart soften. She looked like she truly loved the little girl in her arms.
"Excuse me but who the hell are you?"
Zero quickly whipped his head around and saw a woman staring back at him. He had to blink a couple times making sure it wasn't Yuuki. Her and her mother surely did look like they could be twins despite the hardened lines of age. Before he had the chance to answer, luckily Yuuki made her way out of her room.
"Mom, what are you doing home early? I thought you were working late?" She asked, stepping in the living room.
"Yuuki! Don't go in there! There's a suspicious-looking young man standing in the middle of our living room!" Juri ran to her daughter and stepped in front of her.
"No, no mom. It's okay. He goes to my school." Yuuki quickly corrected her. "He's also the one that is helping me on my Calculus."
The older brunette put a hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief. "Well that's good then. I would appreciate it, Yuuki if you would warn me and say we have company over."
"Sorry mom, it was a last minute type of thing."
Juri quickly waved it off, "That's quite alright, Yuuki." Then she turned to the 'suspicious-looking' boy. "Please excuse me for being rude."
Zero smiled and nodded, "It's fine. I think I would have been more worried if you just accepted a strange man would be in your living room."
"Well yes I would be too… Yuuki, would you mind introducing us?"
Said girl nodded and turned to Zero, "Mom, this is Zero Kiryuu. Zero, this is my mom, Juri Cross."
They shook hands, "I'm glad you are tutoring my daughter, Zero. She really needs all the helps she can get when it comes to math." The woman said with a wink.
"Hey, you know I resent that, Mom. I'm not that hopeless." Yuuki huffed.
Zero's eyes softened at the two. He could tell their relationship was a close one. "Oh trust me; you are right in every way, Ms. Cross. I think I have my work cut out for me with this one."
The younger of the two shot him a glare and grumbled, rolling her eyes. "Don't be fooled by his good looks, Mom. He is just an annoying, arrogant know-it-all."
"Oh, so you admit that I'm good looking?" He smirked.
He could see her cheeks were getting a red tint to them. Did he actually make this girl blush? Yuuki's mother laughed, "He got you there, hun."
"Whatever…" Yuuki quickly turned to her mother, "Anyway, like I asked before, why are you home so early? I thought you were working late tonight."
"Oh no, my late day is tomorrow. So when I got home, I went out to the grocery store because I realized we had no food in this house." Juri explained. "But since we actually have a guest over, I'm glad I decided to do it."
Zero's hand went up, "Honestly, you don't need to make me anything. I wouldn't want to intrude."
The brunette woman instantly waved this off. "Nonsense, I insist. It's been awhile since we have had any company over."
So without another word, Zero lightly smiled and nodded in defeat. Then she turned to her daughter, "Well Yuuki, why don't you and Zero then go on ahead and start on your tutoring while I make us all some dinner?"
Yuuki nodded, "Ok Mom." Then she turned to the lavender-eyed man. "Come on, it will be easier if we just go and study in my room."
She led Zero down the hall and then came to the first room on their left. She opened it and ushered him inside. "Oh! And Yuuki, make sure to keep your door open! I want to make sure studying is all that you are going to do in there!" Her mother's voice said, teasingly.
Zero saw Yuuki's face instantly go red, clear way to her ears. "Moooomm!"
Yuuki had never been this embarrassed in her whole entire life. Why she was? She couldn't tell you. But as soon as she saw Zero chuckling, her eyes narrowed and she huffed, "Not another word out of you unless it has something to do with Calculus." Yuuki's mom surely knew just what to say to embarrass the hell out of her.
A/N: I know it's been forever since I updated. There is no excuse really. So I'm going to be honest and say the updates will probably be sporadic since my inspiration seems to be gone. The recent Manga chapter inspired me even though I think Zero deserves better than Yuuki. I really hate her character now but I hate Kaname even more so I'm so glad he hasn't been in recent chapters. He must have been the inspiration stopper lol
The quote at the beginning is from 'She is the Sunlight' by Trading Yesterday. Beautiful song! Check it out if you haven't heard it!
Anyway I hoped you liked and review telling me what you thought!
