Satomi's POV

"I... I HATE YOU, KANAME KURAN!"

My voice reverberates throughout the room like thunder during a wicked storm. I glare at Kaname, so enraged I'm actually shaking. My hands and arms spark uncontrably as my anger fuels the flames. I'm not even trying to use my powers right now, he's just made me so mad!

The whole Night Class is silent. They stare at the two pureblood vampires, they're anticipating a fight. I can sense their nervousness. They don't want to be around two battling purebloods.

Kaname looks surprised by my outburst. He closes his eyes and lets out a loud sigh.

As I continue to glare at him, I realize I didn't really mean what I said. Sure, I am angry at him... but he was only trying to do what he thought was best for me. He may have wanted to bring me back to this world... but he didn't send that hunter, Yagari, to kill me. I attacked Toga Yagari. Why is it so much easier to push the blame to someone else for my own stupid actions? I bolt down the stairs and out the doors as tears start to fall. I don't want these aristocrats seeing me, a pureblood princess, crying like a child.

Zero's POV

I'd been watching Kaneshiro all throughout her first class. "We've got a loose vampire," I tell Yuuki, preparing to pursue Satomi.

"Zero, leave her alone!" Yuuki chastises, grabbing my arm, "She's a nice person!"

"She's not even human!" I object, yanking my arm from her grip.

Yuuki frowns, "Zero, leave her be. She's done nothing to you. Now, let Satomi adjust! She had a lot thrown at her at once."

"She's done nothing to me, but she ruined Ryo's life."

"Akahina's life is not ruined!"

"For now!" I say, jumping down from the balcony.

"Leave her, Zero!" Yuuki warns as I disappear to do a check around campus.

Kaname's POV

"She seems very... upset..." Ichijo pipes up. He seems very concerned about Satomi.

"Yes..." I reply, "Perhaps the Headmaster's decision has made her feel defeated."

Ichijo cocks his head,"De... feated?"

"Satomi believed that she could safely live within the human world. As a form of pacifism. Her belief was torn to shreds when she attacked Yagari... and was, as a consequence, sent here," I explain.

"Oh..." Ichijo looks at the door, "She is also the cause of her best friend falling to level E..."

Aido comes stomping up now. Fuming, he hisses, "I can't believe she said that stuff to you, Lord Kaname!"

Ruka adds, joining us with Kain, "For once, I agree with you. She doesn't know her place!"

"Ruka!" Kain scolds, "Lady Satomi is in an unfamiliar environment and confused. Don't speak so harshly of her."

"You're siding with her?!" Ruka exclaims, angrily.

Kain shoots her a look. "Look, you and Hanabusa are overreacting. Lady Satomi is just on edge right now. It'd be easier for her to adjust if you'd give her the respect you would give any other pureblood."

"Kain is right. Both of you don't know Satomi. She's always known nothing but pain and sorrow in our world. That's why she stayed away for so long..." I admit.

It was true. Satomi had never known happiness for a long period of time. The deaths of the Himuras, her only remaining family in her line, the attack of a classmate after refusing to drink blood, the deaths of her parents, changing Akahina into a level E, losing the trust and small friendship of Zero Kiryu, the boy she loves. I can remember that even when she fakes a smile on her face, her eyes are still sad. They've always been that way.

Ruka turns away, "Hmmph!"

Aido returns to his desk without a word. His angry aura has somewhat disappated.

Hanabusa's POV

I kick myself on the inside for talking so rudely about Lady Satomi. I had no idea that she was so upset. So unhappy. So troubled. Is life for purebloods really that bad? I had been so worried about Akahina and angry that she'd gotten hurt for protecting Lady Satomi, that I didn't give her a chance. She has been living in such darkness while living in the light. I had let my emotions block my judgement and acceptance of her. I think... I think I'll try to be nicer to her from now on.

Satomi's POV

I know Zero and Yuuki saw me. I book it to my dorm room to avoid getting into trouble. I fly inside, shutting myself in my walk-in closet. I cuddle my knees in the darkness and silently cry. The tears that I held in for so long for Akahina's sake, from my parents deaths, from everything bad that's ever happened to me finally poured out.

"I'm sorry, Mother... Father... I've been a terrible daughter. I've broken my promise to you. I turned Akahina into a vampire! I've destroyed all the hard work you accomplished. Akahina... she's suffered enough without me! All I wanted... all I wanted was to allow her to live a happy, care-free life! I wanted her to never suffer again! But... I've caused her so much pain." I bury my head into my knees, screaming until my throat goes dry and my voice gives out.

I hear my door open and close. Someone's in my room. I forgot to lock the door in my haste. Defensively, my eyes turn red and my hands hum and spark with deadly electricity. If Zero's here to confront me, I know I'm a goner. He's much quicker than I. My closet door slides open.

"What?! You gonna electrocute your partner-in-crime?!" Akahina jokes, pretending to be offended, flipping on the lights in my room, "Well, I must say, madam, I am hurt!"

I can't help but smile. I question, "How'd you get in my dorm?"

"Yuuki told me you ditched class..." Akahina pauses, "I'm very disappointed in you, young lady! Aww, who am I kidding?! I'm sooo proud of you! You grow up so fast! I didn't think you had it in you, you goody-two-shoes!" She laughs a bit. My best friend is still in her pjs and her fuzzy slippers are on her feet instead of shoes. "So, yeah. Yuuki escorted me here. She's waiting for me downstairs."

I sniffle, bringing Akahina into a more serious tone.

"All joking aside... Satomi... what happened? Why did you leave class? What are you crying about?" she questions, sitting down across from me.

I admit, "I flipped out on Kaname. I... I told him that I hated him."

Akahina sighs, "You know he won't be mad. I bet he knows you didn't mean it."

"I just... I hate it there! I hate being in the Night Class!"

"But why? You have Ichijo and Kaname."

"My morals-"

"Just promise me you'll go to class to tomorrow!"

"But-" I start to dispute.

"Promise!" my friend snaps.

I nod, accepting her demand, "I promise..."

To please the one person still on my side, I suck up the catcalls of the Day Class girls along with killer glares from Zero and head to class the next day. I keep my head held high until I'm out of eyesight.

Toga Yagari is waiting for me outside the class. He sneers at me, still pleased that he was able to aggravate me. "Welcome back to class, Kaneshiro," Yagari quips.

I flush with residual anger. Playing it safe, I ignore him and stick my nose in the air. I still can't shake his ominously familiar presence as I take my seat. Takuma and Hanabusa join me, both sitting on either side.

"Lady Satomi, you feeling alright?" Takuma presses, "You're intently staring at our teacher."

I mumble, "I'm fine... it's just... this hunter seems so familiar... it bothers me..."

"But you didn't say that before..." Hanabusa interrupts.

"But I was thinking it. It makes me so uneasy that I can't place him," I admit, drumming my nails on my desk. I ponder my thoughts, scraping my faded memories as to figure out why I know his face. Why does his dark low tone send my reflexes into a panic? Where have I seen that cold glare with that eyepatch he always wears on his right eye? Then, it hits me; I've matched him with a memory.

"He murdered the Himuras!" I hiss.

I've obviously lost Hanabusa. He asks, "Why are the Himuras so important?"

I apologize," Sorry, I wasn't clear. The Himuras were my family, a branch of the Kaneshiro clan. They were the last remaining branch in my clan. My cousin Amaya, my aunt, and my uncle... I witnessed him murder them." I send a harsh glance at Yagari, "Their names wound up on the Hunter's List. They were innocent and not charged with anything. Yet, he murdered them! Three innocent vampires that did nothing wrong!

"You serious?" Hanabusa exclaims, "I was told they were eliminated but not why or who did it. News that deals with your family is sure kept on the down low."

I nod, "I remember that day more clearly now. My cousin was 6 and I was 5. We were playing in the courtyard under the watch of our parents inside," I lowered my head, "We'd never seen a vampire hunter before. We didn't sense anything was wrong when he appeared down the road. I only had a feeling of something was wrong once Auntie Kazuko and Mother came flying out of the house with Father and Uncle Yoshiaki close behind. Father and Uncle Yoshiaki defensively blocked his way while my mother took me one way and Auntie Kazuko took Amaya the other."

"But... your father didn't perish then... how?!" Aido interrupts.

I sigh, "My uncle told him to go and protect his own wife and child, not die trying to save his niece and sister. So, Father met up with us..." I paused, trying to retain my composure as the memory became more vivid in my imagination, "... just as we heard their screams... their dying screams, mixed with the sound of gunshots."

Takuma places a hand on my shoulder, "How awful... for you to witness something like that at such a young age... and it being someone you were close to."

"Yes, it was awful. My mother and father lost their sister. My mother, she lost the twin sister she so adored... all because of him," I growl.

Hanabusa inquires, "How... how did Lady Moriko cope? I mean, your mother always seemed so cheerful. I don't think I ever saw a frown fall upon her face." He is referring to the countless balls and soirées we attended, "And he was able to kill a pureblood without consequences?!"

"He got away with it because they were vampires on that accursed list! That is the hunters' defense and we can't do anything about it," I grumble, "My mother bore that pain of loss until she died... with my father."

Takuma solemnly adds, "Your parents died along with the Kurans, Kaname's parents."

"Where did you live all these years?! We had all been told after you'd been missing fir a while that there was no chance that you were alive. We were told that you had been murdered... and your parents... they committed a double-suicide, like Lord Kaname's parents..." Aido ponders.

"NO!" I snap at him at the thought of my parents taking their own lives, "They would never!" I take a deep breath and chill out. It was only information he had been relayed by the Senate. "Akahina and I lived on our own. Kaname helped us too. Don't ask me how my parents died... my memory is blurred... I don't remember much of my past." I glare at Yagari again, "He could have even been the one to kill them."

Yagari's POV

Now I know why that girl is so familiar. Listening to her conversation, I was enlightened. Satomi Kaneshiro was there when I eliminated the Himuras. Kaneshiro was a lot younger back then. I remember the fearful eyes she had. I also remember the fierceness of maternal instincts within her mother and aunt's eyes.

So because I killed the Himuras, this childish "princess" believed that I was the cause of the death of her parents.

"Kaneshiro!" I snarl, getting her attention, "You... me... hallway... now!"

Satomi's POV

"Kaneshiro!" Yagari snarls, calling me out, "You... me... hallway... now!" The hunter stomps out and I receive many ranges of looks from my peers.

Hanabusa tries to lighten the mood, "That's what she sai- OWW!"

I backhand the back of his head as I get up, cutting off his sentence. I descend down the stairs with my head held pretty damn high. Yagari can't hurt me, not while I'm in class. I step outside, he's leaning up against the opposite wall, arms crossed.

"Yes... Teacher?" I mock with a smirk.

"Cut the crap, Kaneshiro!" Yagari yells, "I thought I'd seen you before when I first saw you with Zero. You were there when I got rid of the Himuras."

"Who were innocent, by the way... in case you didn't know."

"I just did my job."

"You're job is to get rid of threatening vampires, not murder innocent vampires and their child! It really wouldn't surprise me if you went to finish off my parents too!"

"I will admit to killing the Himuras, innocent or not, but I had nothing to do with the deaths of your parents!"

I hiss and bare my fangs, "And why should I believe a hunter like you?!"

No sooner had the words left my mouth did Yagari slam me into the wall by my shirt collar. "If I had killed your parents, you wouldn't be alive to have this conversation with me! Watch your mouth, little girl, it's gotten you in enough trouble as is!"

My hands reactively spark with high voltage currents. My eyes turn scarlet and I show my fangs again. "Unhand me! You know damn well I'm untouchable in your world as well as mine!" I add with bitter resentment, "Though I guess you don't follow that rule very well, you already killed Lady Kazuko Kaneshiro."

Yagari growls, smacking me against the wall once more, "I'll say it once more. Watch. Your. Tongue." He drops my shirt and storms back into the classroom.

I calm down, returning to normal. Yet, I feel nauseous. His lust to kill me permeated off of him, he smelled just like Zero. It makes me want to vomit. I feel my legs tremble beneath me, threatening to give out. I drop to my knees, a hand to my mouth to stop myself from puking in fear.

Takuma surprises me, peeking his head out the door. "Lady Satomi?" he asks, then takes note of me on the floor, "Are you alright?!"

"H-his hatred for us vampires... it's so strong. I can sense am unsettling amount of darkness deep within him," I shakily reply. He's so much like Zero. The resemblance is uncanny.

Takuma takes a knee next to me and Kaname comes to the doorway.

"Come on, it's time for class," he quips before striding back to his seat. He's upset, I've embarrassed him. Somehow, I feel that I can live with it.

Takuma graciously helps me up.

"Thanks," I quickly mumble before heading back in to take my seat.

For the whole entire lesson, Toga Yagari did not once peel his eyes off me. It felt so similar to how Zero never stopped observing my every move now that he knows my secret. I had two hunters out for me. I wasn't at good odds.

After Night Class was finished, I nearly bulldozed my peers over to escape to safety in my dorm room. I remain there, having a restless sleep on the account of my anxiousness and nervousness for the next meeting I would ultimately have with Yagari.

So, when Takuma comes by the next evening, I have barely gotten any sleep in. I am not planning to go to class looking like the exhausted mess that I certainly feel like.

"Lady Satomi! It's twilight! Class is about to start!" the flaxen blonde vampire announces through my door.

I fake cough, sounding pretty convincing if I do say so myself, "Tell... the teachers... I'm sick... I had... a fever... when I woke up... earlier..." I cough a few more times, just in case he doesn't believe me yet.

Takuma's POV

"Alright... get some rest..." I reply and start heading to class on my own. I don't believe her. She's a pureblood. They don't easily get sick like normal vampires such as aristocrats. I think whatever Yagari said to her in the hallway last night has her freaked out.

A voice breaks me from my thoughts. The tone isn't shrill, so I know it's not any of the girls here that adore me. "ICHIJO!" Oh, it's Ryo.

"Hmm? What seems to be the problem?" I question her as she reaches me.

She explains, seeming to know that I'd be able to answer her, "Where's Satomi?"

"She told me she was ill. However, I believe she is skipping."

"What happened?! Did that Yagari guy do something to her?! What about Zero?! Did Kiryu mess with her or approach her?!"

"I... I'm not sure..."

Ryo sighs, "I'll leave her be. I think she's still overwhelmed..."

I nod in agreement. "I've got to get to class," I say.

"Yeah, and it's curfew for me anyway... see you," Ryo replies, turning away. Worry is written all over her body. I grab her shoulder to stop her.

"Don't worry... I'll keep looking after her," I let her know.

Akahina's POV

I would not have worried about Satomi, if her skipping class hadn't turned into a problem. It kept getting worse and worse. She began only skipping a class every once and a while. Then it became more and more frequent. Something was up.

I go find Yuuki and pull her away from our classmates. "We need to talk," I tell her.

"About what?" she raises an eyebrow.

"Satomi," I sigh.

"What about her? Come to think of it, I haven't seen her around."

"That's because she's been skipping!" I shout, annoyed, "She's skipped every day this week! Yuuki, she's absolutely miserable! It's Thursday, she's not planning on passing anymore. She doesn't want to be there."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Playing it off like she doesn't have a clue. Typical. I explain, "Sending her to the Night Class squashed her. Do you not notice that every single person in our class bullies her?! The decision to move her to the Night Class is like caging a swan. Satomi deserves to soar freely, not stuck in a cage where she can be poked, prodded, or fantasized about!"

Yuuki retorts, "What do you want me to do?!"

"Tell Kaname to transfer Satomi back into the Day Class!" I shoot back.

"She's a pureblood vampire, Akahina!" Yuuki answers, "The Night Class is specifically for vampires!"

"Wow," I mumbled, heavily accenting my annoyance. Typical selfish Yuuki. The world revolves around her and 2 other people. I should have known.

"Wow what?!" the brunette demands, slight agitation in her tone.

I hiss, losing the patience I don't really have in the first place, "You! You selfish bi-" I catch myself before I ruin Satomi's chance.

Yuuki still knew what I was calling her. She's angered now, "What are you talking about, Ryo?!"

"Come on, Yuuki! We both know that you're being an absolute hypocrit right now. We both know that you bitched and moaned to Kaname about keeping Kiryu in the Day Class with you! The jerk is a freaking level E for the love of cheesecake! But when it all of a sudden comes to Satomi, you think it's 'better' for vampires to stay in the Night Class! You've got to be kidding me!" I rant.

"Akahina, this is completely different!" she denies.

"Oh, bullshit!" I snarl, "Zero's bitten you more times than Satomi has ever bitten anyone. I'm the only person she's ever bitten! Yuuki, Zero could kill you at any second! You won't know when he'll lose control!"

Yuuki tries to object, but I interrupt her by grabbing her shoulders.

"Yuuki, I know Satomi! Sure she has a flaring temper... but she's very good at controlling her anger!" I plead, I've got to win her over, "Please! I'm afraid of what she might do. Please, talk to Kaname, he'll listen to you!"

The Disciplinary girl pauses like she's debating. I hold my breathe, praying that she doesn't say no. Finally, Yuuki sighs, "Alright... I'll ask him. But don't assume this is a yes, Ryo!"

I withhold jumping for joy. I know Kaname will say yes, he can't ever deny a request from his darling Yuuki. He'll do whatever she asks him to. I smile, heading back to my dorm. I'll be reunited with my best friend. Satomi will be so excited!

Zero's POV

I just happened to eavesdrop at the right moment. If it were up to me, that beast Satomi Kaneshiro would not return to the Day Class. I'm so pissed that Yuuki's being so lenient on Kaneshiro! I'm even more agitated that Ryo is still standing by that vampire after what she's done to her! That's it, I'm putting a stop to Kaneshiro's little game. I storm away, patrolling campus as it darkens. If I find Satomi, it won't be pretty.

Satomi's POV

I decide to escape my boring and lonesome dorm, venturing into the small line of trees on campus. I steer clear of the Disciplinary Committee posts, no sense in getting caught skipping and dragged to a boring economics class. I sit on a worn-down boulder, humming a tune my mother used to sing to me to cheer me up. I stroke my fingers through my long, soft hair. I sing the short, upbeat song quietly aloud.

No one ever said to me that having to be strong means that you can never cry.

All the sadness soon passes by, so you can hold your head up high

Say goodbye to all the days when you'd run away from every worry that you see.

The wind keeps blowing strong past you and me!

Whether victory or loss, I don't really know.

Does it matter which one of us comes out high or low?

Do your very best in everything you do, and take a deep breath when you feel blue!

Go forward in the path you believe!

Let it ring! Let it ring! Can you hear your heart's fanfare?

Let it out! With a shout! Let it be heard everywhere!

And if you lose a challenge in life, that's okay!

Anything, everything will get a new start,

But you must, yes you must believe in your heart!

I gaze up at the stars, admiring the beautifully lit night sky. I somehow find myself smiling. Even if I couldn't remember how my mother left this world... it doesn't mean I forgot her completely. I really do miss my parents.

"Skipping class again?" Zero's gruff voice growls from behind me, "Vampire?"

I exhale, not turning to face him. Reluctantly I bring myself to my feet and face him, knowing I'm caught skipping. "Zero, I-!" I freeze as I spot the Bloody Rose gun he has pointed at me. Holy shit! How did I not sense this all before?! I let my guard down too much!

"I'm going to punish you for your sins, you filthy bitch!" Zero threatens. He's serious, I can smell his lust for my death.

My hazel eyes widen in terror. I regain control of my feet and ever-so slightly back away. I try to reason with him, "Z-Zero... put the gun d-down... I'm not h-hurting anyone..." My voice is so shaky. I watch as his fingers tense over the trigger, making my body flinch. His deadly, lavender eyes lay solely on me, taking in every movement, every breath.

"Y-you know you can't... s-shoot me!" I warn him.

He disregards my comment, "Watch me."

I ask, "Why?! Why are you doing this?!"

"You turned Ryo into a level E! A dirty vampire just like yourself!" Zero yells back.

"I didn't mean to," I defend myself, "I... I'm sorry!"

"You're sorry you got caught! You even had Kaname Kuran vogue for you and hide your dirty little secret!" he snaps.

I stop backing up. I shout, "Because he's my friend! And... It's not like I could've told you!"

Zero demands angrily, except he already knows the answer, "Why not?!"

I take a step towards him, "Because you'd try to kill m-!"

BANG!

I let out a horrific, animal-like scream. He shot me! He actually shot me! My brain flutters with panicked thoughts along with sharp, jagged pains. I clutch my bleeding right leg and kneel on my left. The pain is so overwhelming. I've never felt something like this before. Zero's using an anti-vampire weapon, so my healing powers are restricted. It won't heal like normal, more like a regular humans pace. I howl in pain as I try desperately to stop the bleeding from my leg.

I twitch my sweating face up to my attacker, biting my lip, "You... son of a..."

"Hurts doesn't it, vampire?" Zero smirks and reloads. His small laughter shows he's clearly enjoying this. Like a cat playing with a mouse it caught... right before it finally kills it.

"Zero!" I cry, "This is... this is why I couldn't tell you abo-!"

He screams, "SHUT UP!" Then he fires.

BANG!

I scream out again. My other leg has been shot. I'm bleeding profusely, curling into a bloody ball. The pain is almost too much. I wail in anguish, "OH MY, GOD! MY LEGS! MY LEGS, YOU BASTARD!" I feel hot tears pour down my cheeks. My lungs burn as I gasp for air while crying. I choke on my tears, hacking painfully while I writhe on the ground.

Zero's POV

Satomi Kaneshiro collapses into a bloody mess on the ground. She curses at me in pain. I smirk, taking in her suffering, enjoying every minute of her discomfort.

"You think I'm going to let a beast like you return to the Day Class after what you've done?!" I hiss at her. I stride up to her, still pointing my loaded gun at Satomi's convulsing body.

She sobs to no one in particular, "It... it hurts! Somebody... h-help me!"

"Who's going to save you, Kaneshiro?!" I interrogate her, "Is Kaname Kuran going to come rescue you?! Where is he, Kaneshiro?! Go ahead! Scream for help! It'll be too late!"

She rips out an ear-piercing wail, "Ta... TAKUMAAAAAAA! AIDOOOO!"

I lash my foot out, kicking her in her stomach. Satomi falls silent as she loses the breath in her lungs. She coughs up blood, sounding like she's choking. "What about Kuran?! Aren't you going to call him?!" I demand, "Call him, Kaneshiro! Call him!" I start repeat overly kicking her, pausing my words as my foot makes contact, "I thought... he was... your... CHILDHOOD... FRIEND!"

Satomi stops moving. I only know she's still alive from her labored breathing and small whimpers. I hear the low buzz of electricity and view Kaneshiro trying to protect herself by creating a barrier. I watch as it weakens and vanishes, she barely has any strength left. I smirk, but and starting to get bored at her unwillingness to defend herself.

"Fight back! FIGHT BACK, KANESHIRO!" I bark.

Satomi's POV

"Fight back! FIGHT BACK, KANESHIRO!" Zero orders me. He yanks me onto my knees by my hair. My only reaction is to yelp and clutch my newly bruised stomach. I shake from the pain that shoots through my body. I'm in no shape to fight a hunter like Zero.

"N-no..." I murmur to the ground. I'm so tired. Zero tugs my hair so I look at his face. He lets go of my hair when my eyes meet his.

"No?!" he snaps, pointing the barrel near my head.

I stare into those hateful eyes of his, wondering when he would end this. I refuse to fight back. I have little strength even to block myself. "I won't... fight yo-!"

BANG! BANG!

I cry out in more anguish as the bullets lodge into my torso. I fall onto my hands. Trembling, I put pressure on my left ribcage, but I'm losing too much blood to make much of a difference. I'm going to die!

I plead, tears in my eyes, "Zero! S-stop this! S... stop! Enough... you're... you're killing me!"

The silver-haired boy that I love smirks, "Good. I want you to suffer before you die. Then you'll realize how much suffering you've given to Ryo!"

"If I die... Akahina won't-!"

BANG!

"AUUUGH!" I howl, he shot me again. This time in my back. The bullet hit between my shoulder blades. My white uniform is stained scarlet. I've got to run... I've got to get help... I've got to get away...

I force myself to stand, panting heavily. Every breath I take in is a punch to my lungs. My legs, not recovering quick enough threaten to drop me.

"So you can stand? You never stop surprising me, " Zero laughs as he reloads again, "It must be taking every ounce of you not to collapse."

I reply, "It... it is..."

"I want you to suffer as much as possible. I hate you, Satomi. I hate you, pureblood princess!" he tells me. I look at him see his hatred. But as I look closer, I almost think I see hesitance in his eyes.

I try to play that to my advantage, "I know... you don't believe... what you just said..."

Zero ignores me, "I'm surprised you've lasted this long, vampire."

I smile at him, so exhausted. I know I'm finished. But I wasn't going to fall before him. "You win..." I murmur before turning 180 degrees, racing away on my injured legs. Hopefully, I can make it to the Headmaster's for assistance. Yet, I feel my body shutting down with each step I take. N-no! Keep going, Satomi... you've got to get... get hel... help!

I hear a gunshot directly above my head. I duck, darting forward and blocking my head with hands. I trip over a branch in the brush and tumble painfully into the courtyard. I can only manage to drag myself a few feet before succumbing to my injuries on the cobblestone. I can't move. My body has completely given up. Is this... what dying feels like? I can't feel... anything anymore... I'm so... sleepy. I close my eyes, passing out as my blood pours out slowly.

Zero's POV

I bring Bloody Rose down, putting it back in my holster. I purposely missed Satomi. I somehow wasn't able to bring myself to finish her off. Why can't I shoot her?! Why can't I deliver the final blow?! Why do I feel that... if she's gone... that I'll regret it? Do I really hate her? No, I realize now I never truly hated Satomi Kaneshiro. I just hated, and it controlled me, that she was a pureblood vampire underneath it all. I never hated her. I never hated Satomi. Now look what I did...

Kaname's POV

I scan the room, observing the Night Class students. My peers are all relaxed, minus Aido who keeps smelling the air. His blue eyes flash red, alerting me to a potential problem. I watch him rise to his feet.

"Excuse me," he mumbles as he descends down the stairs.

"Aido?" I ask, puzzled. Then I catch a familiar scent in the air. I sigh, a little more annoyed than worried. Satomi... what trouble have you gotten yourself into now? I close my textbook.

Aido stops at the door and bows. "Sorry, Lord Kaname. There's something I have to do..." he apologizes before walking out of class.

Ichijo turns to me uneasily. He's caught on as well. "Kaname!" he urgently whispers, "I smell blood! I... I think it's Lady Satomi! She might need help!"

I nod. Once again, I have to rescue Satomi. I almost regret bringing her back into our world. She's becoming such a handful...

Hanabusa's POV

I sneak into the Day Class Girls' Dorm. I slip through the silent,dark hallways, stopping at Akahina's door. I knock on the door and continue to do so until she sleepily opens her doors.

Akahina rubs her eyes. "Ha... Hanabusa...?" she yawns, groggily, "Whaddaya want?" Not exactly what I thought she'd ask, but I'll take it.

I grab her arm and pull her out of her room. "Lady Satomi's really hurt! I can smell her blood!"

She snaps awake, "W-what?!"

"Lots of it!"

"What are we standing here for?! Let's go!"

Akahina's POV

I'm freaking out right now. I never expected Hanabusa to sneak into my dorm. And whats worse is that he smells Satomi's blood. She's hurt! I dart in front of Hanabusa and lead him to the courtyard where he smelled Satomi. I see a figure lying in the ground motionless and the stench of blood wacks my nose.

"OH MY, GOD! SATOMI!" I sprint to her and kneel next to my best friend's body, "Satomi! Satomi, wake up!" I nudge her but she won't move. Oh, God... what the hell happened?!

"Is she... is she d-dead?" Hanabusa gulps. I can tell he's just as scared as I am.

I reply, "N-no... she's breathing, but barely! Satomi needs help, now!"

Her breathing is so shallow, almost non-existent. The white uniform she's wearing is soaked in blood. There's barely an inch of it that's still white. Even the ends of her chocolate brown hair is dyed with blood. I shake her again, she still won't move. "Dammit, Satomi! Wake up!"

"I'll go get the Headmaster!" Hanabusa volunteers.

I nod, I have no better ideas. "Right! Just hurry!" I shout as he dashes away. He leaves me alone, my dying best friend in my arms. What can I do?! How can I help her?! I feel like crying, I'm so helpless. I don't know what to do. Who could have done this?! Why Satomi? Then I see the bulletholes in her torso. I could clearly figure that they weren't healing properly, Satomi wouldn't be like this if they were normal bullets. No, she was shot by an anti-vampire weapon. Then I knew. Zero! I'm going to kill him!

There was no doubt Kiryu attacked her. That Yagari guy would've blown her away within seconds. No, this attack was more about suffering. Zero toyed around and waited until she was fatigued. He left her here to die alone. Agonizing... and alone.

I wait with Satomi, holding her in my arms, until help arrives. First Kaname and Ichijo arrive. All three of us try to stir Satomi to no avail. Hanabusa arrives soon after with Headmaster Cross, Yuuki, and a hoarde of nurses. I break down as my unconscious friend is lifted from my arms and rushed away. Ichijo and Kaname follow, urging me that they will watch over her for me. I try to convince the Headmaster to let me go, but he tells me to go back to bed, theres nothing I can do for her right now. I'm such a mess that Yuuki has to lead me back to my dorm. She offers to stay with me for the night, in case I needed someone to talk to. I just want to be left alone.

Zero was no where to be found during all of this. If I had found him, I just might have torn that jackass to shreds. How dare he attack Satomi! He nearly killed her! This is why I want her to let him go. He's no longer healthy for her.

Satomi's POV

Groggily, I open my eyes to find myself staring at a bright white ceiling. Oh, I'm in the infirmary. But how? Ugh, I feel like I've been hit by a bulldozer. I notice a needle stuck in my arm, a blood bag hooked up to it.

"Whaaa... h-how... how did I get here? I... I remember... collapsing... in the courtyard..."

Akahina surprises me, leaning over from a rolly chair by my bed. The circles round her eyes alert me to her lack of sleep. Other than that, she looks relieved, "You were really hurt... so the nurses fixed you up..."

I gingerly sit up, putting a hand to my pounding forehead, "How... how long was I asleep?"

"Two days..." Akahina tells me, "You were shot... five times. You lost a lot of blood too." She shivers, making her seem smaller than she is. She lurches up and hugs me tightly, "I... I was so scared, Satomi!"

I feel tears of anguish brim in my eyes. I pull away from her embrace and flip the blankets over my head. I curl into a ball. Softly, I sob, "It... it was Zero..."

"Yeah, I know," she hisses full of rage, "I figured that bastard tried to kill you!"

I respond by crying even more. All I want to do now is sleep... and never wake up. I don't want to deal with my heart at the moment. I feel Akahina's gentle hand pat my sore back.

"You still love him... don't you?" she concludes after a pause of silence.

She's right... I do. "I can't believe I'm still in love with him!" I cry.

"How can you love him?! Satomi, he shot you! In. The. Back!"

"I... I don't know! Something draws me to him..."

It was true. No matter how much I told myself that I no longer love Zero Kiryu, I knew I was lying. There's nothing I can do right now. I'm stuck in this deadly attraction.