A/N: Hey-hey~ fellow readers. As you can see, this story has not been abandoned yet. We're deeply sorry for not updating in forever and rest assured, Nami-chan and I are definitely picking it back up and working on it. I hope you enjoy~

Important Notes: This chapter introduces a third POV from a day class fangirl (Aizawa Himeko) because there really was no other way to describe the events except from the POV of a third person.

Characters:

Kuran Yuuki: Written by LeVampireCat

Kiryuu Zero: Written by Shizza24

Aizawa Himeko: Written by Shizza24

We do not own Vampire Knight.

~Chapter 7~

Guarding your Life

~Yuuki Kuran POV~

I wake that morning feeling a lot happier than I've felt in a long time. The usual fears and worries that plague my waking moment…homework I've forgotten to finish, letters I need to write to my parents, keeping up appearances for my family name…they all dwell in the farthest recesses of my mind this morning, as I sit up in bed, yawning and stretching. I peer over at Yori-chan's bed, a smile plastered on my face as I note she is still there. A quick glance at my clock informs me that somehow…I've managed to wake up early for once! It might have something to do with the light sensation swelling within my chest, or the knots of eager anticipation forming in my stomach…but whatever it is, I feel completely refreshed, even though I'd only managed to enjoy a few hours of sleep…they had been deep, dreamless and restful. As a result I leap out of bed, eagerly preparing myself for the day ahead, taking extra care over the presentation of my uniform, over the neatness of my hair….I even brush my teeth for an extra two minutes in a bid to make sure my breath is pleasant enough for him…I have a boyfriend now. The word sends joy pulsing through every fiber of my being, and I can't stop grinning giddily to myself the entire morning as I prepare to meet him.

~xoOox~

The day has been perfect…the kind of day I'd only ever pictured in my wildest dreams. It's nothing grand as such, anyone unaware of what has happened between Zero-senpai and I over the past few days probably wouldn't be able to notice the shift in our relationship. We meet in the morning, bicker as always, meet for lunch…all of the normal things...our relationship is a secret for now, until I'm able to find the time to tell Kaname onii-sama….and somehow, the element of secrecy only makes everything seem more magical. When his fingertips brush against mine as we both reach for our drinks at lunch, lingering a few moments longer than they should…the inconspicuous way I allow my hand to caress his arm for a few moments when we pass in a quiet hallway between classes. Every tiny gesture seems to send my heart galloping, and I can barely contain my elation. I glance longingly at his hand as we walk to class that morning…it looks so inviting, and I want to lace my fingers with his. I want to cuddle with him at lunch as we sit beneath a shaded tree…I just want to sit beside him and soak up his presence…but I restrain myself….now that we're together…I want to be greedy. I want too much too quickly…the sweet romantic gestures I've noticed the older students enjoying…nothing intense, just holding hands and passing notes…now that we're a couple, I want to enjoy these things with him. At the same time, I also want to pace myself and only allow myself one small moment at a time so that it's not all over too soon. There's still so much I don't know…about romance.

~xoOox~

I emerge from the girls' changing rooms, my skin is instantly bathed in a clammy warmth as I step out into the Academy's indoor swimming hall. The humidity created by the heated room causes my black bathing suit to cling to my body even more uncomfortably than it already was, and glancing around I see my classmates fanning themselves as they too step into the room. They all huddle by the side benches, hugging their towels close to their bodies, whispering and giggling as the boys emerge from their changing rooms, wearing black swim shorts with white stripes, the male variation of our swim suits. All of the uniforms for sports are based on the main Academy uniform. The Day Class's uniforms are always black with a white striped pattern in some form or another, the Night Class's identical, only white with black stripes.

It's our first swimming class of the year. Having just finished a semester of horseback riding during Physical Education, swimming sounded like an enjoyable change…until we were told that it would be co-ed. The majority of our sports classes were this way, however, I can't help feeling as if the Headmaster has made a terrible mistake with this particular class. My pulse jumps around nervously as I notice the boys' eyes are drawn in our direction…just as the girls' eyes are drawn to them. Although I can't notice any of the boys' gazes straying in my direction, I swiftly become self-conscious and wander over to join the gaggle of girls, feeling more concealed in a group. Soft peals of giggling seem to echo through the vast room every few moments, and curious eyes wander over the boys' bare torsos, while the boys' eyes seem to comb every inch of the girls' lingering for longer over certain areas than others. It's times like this I'm actually somewhat happy I don't have a large chest…but still, teenage hormones and skimpy swim wear does seem like a lapse of judgement on the Headmaster's part, and I try to disappear into the background as the two groups talk noisily.

"It's not fair!" I hear one of the girls whine, drawing my gaze in her direction. She folds her arms indignantly over her chest, wrinkling her nose as she surveys the boys.

"There's not one good looking guy in our class!" She continues, a pout forming on her lips as she turns away from the boys, sticking her nose in the air as if not to give them the satisfaction of knowing she had been peeking at them.

"None of those guys work out…" Another girl mumbled. A little curious, my eyes darted in the direction of the boys, who were busy horsing around, shoving one another and joking loudly. A few of the more confident boys were pretending to flex invisible muscles in a bid to impress the throng of girls, who merely laughed and went back to whispering.

"If the Night Class boys were here…I bet there'd be plenty of eye candy!" Another girl piped up, her comment was greeted with a round of nodding heads, and a chorus of swoons as the girls began to whisper excitedly about the boys they had crushes on in the Day Class. One of the girls began to speak excitedly about Kaname…and the thought seemed very alien to me, the thought that someone would like to see my older brother shirtless seemed unsettling somehow. Not wishing to hear any more about my brother, I wandered a little way away from the group, eyeing the softly moving water, eager for the class to start so that I could feel its refreshing touch against my sweaty skin. Shouldn't the teacher be here by now?

As if on cue, the chattering of the girls, and the rowdy cries of the boys are silenced at once by the squeaking sound of the door opening. I don't bother to glance around, I already know that our teacher will call us to the benches when she's ready to begin the class. Softly, an excited buzz of conversation ignites from the girls, and I wonder why the teacher is telling them to be quiet. A soft giggle, a hushing sound from one of the other girls…curiosity piqued, I turn to see what the commotion is about, and almost stumble backwards into the pool! Emerging from the changing rooms is a rather stern looking Zero-senpai.

I do a double take, certain I must be imaging things, but it's definitely him…but he's in the year above us, why on earth is he in our swimming class? I'm about to approach him when a comment from the girl from earlier captures my attention.

"That's more like it!"

"I know! Who knew Kiryu-senpai was so toned!"

"That chest, his muscles, those arms!"

A frown knits my brows together at their comments as I turn to look at him once more…are they really talking about Zero-senpai that way? I realized that other girls found him attractive but…my heart skips a beat as I notice his lavender gaze is locked on me, and I feel my entire body heat up as if consumed by an inferno. My hands instinctively coil around my waist as if to conceal myself…only that's when I take a good look at Zero-senpai…at my boyfriend.

I grip myself tightly as my eyes are automatically drawn to his finely toned chest and stomach, each muscle carefully defined, a reminder of the training he puts his body through. I try to tear my eyes away, my pulse is escalating with every moment my eyes remain fixed on his body…but I'm fascinated. Curious eyes take in the way his ivory skin is pulled tightly over each muscle of his stomach, the way they become more defined as his chest rises and falls with his breathing. I swallow audibly, gaze dancing over large, strong biceps…those are the arms that held me the other night…they'd felt so comforting and safe, and as I survey him with interest, I realize why. I'd seen him shirtless the other night in the infirmary…but somehow I feel as if I'm witnessing him shirtless for the first time…that night, we'd been friends, colleagues…I wasn't allowed to look at him…but now he's my boyfriend, and I can't hold back my curiosity…I've never seen a man like this before…I run my tongue nervously over my dry lower lip as I take in his wide, broad shoulders, the way the dark tattoo on his neck seems even more prominent in contrast to his startlingly pale skin. His jawline is clenched, and my heart skips a beat as he raises his arm to run a hand through his tousled mop of silver hair…his lavender pools have captured my own now…and I can't bear to look at them for more than a moment…that look…he's never given me such a look before…so intense yet not unkind…I don't know what it means, but it send my pulse racing even more fervently, eyes continuing their descent. Brows knit together just a little, as soft wispy scars become apparent to my eyes…the wounds I had treated the other night. Chest constricting tightly, I can't deny myself just a small glance…his shorts sit lower than I had expected, his hips...I avert my gaze immediately as my eyes meet with the waistband of his shorts. My heart is pounding loudly in my ears, and my stomach is a mess of nerves, constricting tightly in some foreign emotion.

Our gazes meet again, and I wonder if he can see the sweat that's drenching my body right now…the chatter of the other students reaches my ears once more, and I remember that we're not alone…not that this does anything to break the long, lingering look we share. The small, secretive smile tugs at the corners of my lips…the things those girls were saying…what would they do if they realized that Zero-senpai and I are dating?

~Zero Kiryuu POV~

"You want me to what?" Leave it to the Chairman to ruin a perfect day.

"Lifeguard, Kiryuu-kun." The Headmaster replies from where he is sitting behind his desk, his tone slightly amused. "We need one for Class 2-A's swimming lesson."

"Go hire someone. I'm not doing it." What does he take me for? Some errand boy? Man, he pisses me off. I'm turning around to leave when he yells from behind me.

"No, wait!" the Chairman calls out. "I did hire some, but one of them quit last minute, so I need a replacement before I can look for someone else." His tone is rather pleading now. "Come on now, do it pleeeeaaase, Kiryuu-kun? I don't want Yuuki-chan's class to start their lessons without precaution." His amber eyes have a certain glint to them now. I am really not up for thi- Wait.

Yuuki. Swimming lessons... Yuuki in a swimsuit.

I let out a long, reluctant sigh as I turn around. "Fine, I'll do it." Annoyance is painted on my face. "But only this one time. So you better have hired someone by next week's class."

"Thank you! I knew I could count on you!" He's doing his weird-ass "happy dance" now.

Bastard. He totally mentioned Yuuki on purpose. I turn around and exit as quickly as I can. I really can't stand this man for more than five minutes.

The rest of the day passes by in a blur of classes and duties. The only thing I really look forward to is catching sight of Yuuki in the hallway or school grounds, and meeting up with her at lunch per usual. Her cute smile, loving gaze, gentle touch as she casually brushes her hand against my arm, all these small gestures are something that make my day a little brighter.

Swimming lessons are supposed to be the last thing on the agenda for today before prefect duties during class changeover. I have Calculus during that time but the Chairman sent the teacher a note about my absence so I'm excused. Besides, I already know most of the material in that class so it's honestly a relief since all I do is get bored in there. I will have to miss out on my nap though. I sigh.

Soon the time for my lifeguard duty approaches and I arrive at the pool fifteen minutes early to prepare for class. After getting the required equipment ready, I go to the boy's changing room to change into my swim shorts. By the time I'm ready the boys of Class 2-A are already in there and getting dressed. I ignore their excitement over seeing the girls in their swimwear. Most of them also mention certain names of the girls in their class, passing vulgar comments and annoying remarks. I'm slightly relieved Yuuki's name isn't in there. I would probably have strangled and drowned them myself if that were the case.

I swiftly discard my uniform in the locker I've been assigned, grab the lifeguard whistle, my prefect armband and the Lifeguard Guidebook the chairman gave me. I decide it's a good idea to take a look at it since I've never done this job before. I sit on one of the benches next to the locker and flip through the book. By the time I'm done the students have already left the changing room and are outside, waiting for Misaki-sensei, the recently hired swimming teacher to show up for class.

As I get up to leave the room, my wandering thoughts land on my girlfriend once again. I know I sound like a perverted old man, but I'm looking forward to seeing Yuuki in her swimwear. I walk towards the door and open to to make my entrance outside, slightly creeped out by the sudden silence as the whole class starts weirdly staring at me. I ignore them. They're probably wondering what I'm doing here, or scared of me as always. My eyes are only looking out for one person and when they finally land on her, my heart stops.

~Aizawa Himeko POV~

"Ugh, none of these guys work out." I whine as I stand with my friends and fellow classmates, who nod their head in agreement. Today, we're having our first swimming lesson of the year. I guess I should have known not to expect any eye-candies in my class. The guys are nothing more than repulsive perverts. I steal another glance at them, disgusted at their lecherous gaze. Some of them are looking directly at me, even drooling shamelessly as one of them audaciously waves at me. I roll my eyes and avert my gaze.

"If the Night Class boys were here, I bet there'd be plenty of eye-candy!" I state as the rest of the girls sigh and swoon at the thought of the absolute perfection that are the Night Class boys. I sigh, thinking about the secret pictures of them that Momo-chan and I were able to get our hands on the other day. One of them had Wild-senpai shirtless, and another one had Idol-senpai shirtless too. My eyes have never seen a more beautiful sight. Other pictures also had Ichijo-senpai and Kuran-senpai in their casual wear. And then there was that other one with Shiki-senpai and Ichijo-senpai walking to class.

"The Night Class without their shirts on are so breathtakingly beautiful, aren't they?" Momo-chan says, winking at me as if she read my mind. I giggle, and so do the rest of my friends whom I'd shared those pictures with.

"Yes! I think I'm in love with Wild-senpai." Hiromi-chan says. "His beautiful hair, that wild gaze, those muscles and abs! Kya~!"

"But I love Ichijo-senpai's smile." Kokoro-chan admits. "Isn't he so so charming and adorable?"

"Kuran-senpai is the best in my eyes!" Mizuki-chan says. "His gentle gaze and soft smile, and graceful attitude are just so mesmerizing." The girls squeal in delight.

"I have to say, Idol-senpai is the only one for me." Momo-chan says as she swoons. "Especially after seeing that picture of him shirtless, I-"

"Shhh!" I quickly clasp a hand on her mouth, looking around to locate the prefect of our class, Kuran Yuuki, and sighing in relief as I see her day-dreaming elsewhere, not paying attention to us. She's still standing rather close-by. It'll be troublesome if she overhears us and catches our stash of pictures. "No mentioning of that in public, Momo-chan, remember?!"

Momo composes herself quickly and apologizes, after which we continue to fan-girl, while I'm a little more cautious of the prefect wandering around nearby us. Kuran Yuuki has confiscated our Night Class collections more than once. I hate the way she's able to sniff out every single item we Day Class girls have during room inspection. The first time I saw her, she had been walking arm-in-arm with Kuran Kaname and I have to say, the sight boiled my blood to no end until I found out later that she was his sister. However, it still pisses me off that she's so close to all of the Night Class just because of her brother; and then she has the nerve to look down on us Day Class girls as if we're some lowly nuisance and act all high and mighty as she plays prefect, pretending she has no interest in the Night Class boys herself.

It is then when the door to the boys' changing room opens once again and we take a look, wondering who's the late-comer. The sight I see, however, is not something I was prepared for.

A wave of gasps is emitted, my own voice included in the collection of surprised and amazed whispers as he walks into the opening, silver hair glistening under the warm sun, his black tattoo prominent against his pale features, lilac eyes as beautiful as the moon-lit night. But what gets me desperately breathless is his incredibly well-defined chest. Damn. I can't even believe that what I'm witnessing is real. His entire body is chiseled in such well-toned, defined masculine grace that I can't help but gawk at his definitely hard trained muscles. His triceps, that chest, those abs, good lord.

He's casually walking towards the pool, surveying his surroundings as he puts his prefect arm-band on his hand, then moving to shove some of his silver strands out of his eyes. The muscles on his chest and arms flex with every single one of his movements and I let out a long whimpering sigh at his indescribably breathtaking looks. His facial features had always been extremely beautiful, but combined with his remarkably toned muscles and build, I can't even comprehend how he manages to look so stunningly gorgeous yet rigidly masculine at the same time. Heck, even the guys are staring at him, envious no doubt.

"Is that- is that Kiryuu-senpai?" My voice is faltering. "I had no idea he was such an incredible eye-candy!" Momo-chan doesn't even respond, for she's still in a daze. My other friends are also shamelessly ogling our silver-haired senpai as they nod in agreement, squealing and whispering in delight. As I continue to stare at him, I don't know whether to laugh or cry at a certain realization. Those pictures of the Night Class that I so carefully treasure... they don't even compare to the sight that I'm witnessing.

That's when Misaki-sensei shows up and even she does a double-take when she lays her eyes on Kiryuu-senpai. I honestly don't even blame her. However, she quickly composes herself and instructs the entire class to gather around and line up, and starts explaining the procedure of the class. She then also announces that Kiryuu-senpai is our replacement lifeguard for today's class.

Lifeguard... A sly smile spreads across my face. Momo-chan looks at me and gives me a small wink, understanding completely what's going on in my head. I wink back and motion her to meet me once Misaki-sensei is done talking.

~xoOox~

Swimming lessons start and Misaki-sensei is now determining the order in which students will be allowed to enter the pool. No one has stepped inside the pool yet. Kiryuu-senpai is sitting on a chair at the further end of the swimming pool, his demeanor rather relaxed and casual as he surveys the class nonchalantly.

"Are you sure about this, Himi-chan?" Momo asks me once again as I slowly inch closer to the pool, making it so that no one notices.
"Of course I am." I whisper to her. "He's the lifeguard, so he'll definitely do his job seriously. He looks like the type who'd do that." He sure takes prefect duties extremely seriously, and I admit, I have always been a little scared of him when he's controlling class change-over. However, I really can't bear the thought of missing such a golden chance of being "rescued" by someone so breathtakingly handsome. I giggle. "Besides, you don't have to worry, Momo. I can swim perfectly fine, so it's not like I'll drown if he doesn't come." I reason.

Momo looks relieved and then agrees to help me with my master plan. "Okay. Tell me when you're ready." She says as we mentally prepare ourselves. I look at Kiryuu-senpai once again and he's surveying a book in his hand, his expression serious. I look over to locate Misaki-sensei as well, and she's briefing some students on the other end of the pool. I take a deep breath, getting a little nervous now. My scheme, however, is definitely worth a shot.

"On the count of three..." Momo nodds.

Three... two... one!

"Aaaaah! Help!" I let out a theatrical cry, something I'm quite adept at, and dramatically reach my hand towards Momo who also fail-attempts to catch me.

"Himiko-chan!" She calls out my name in a panic-stricken wail. I skid my bare foot across the floor and it's successful in getting me to slip, and now I'm falling head-first into the pool as I close my eyes. Noises and panic cries of my friends and classmates fill my ears.

I'm such a genius. This is perfec-

"Aizawa-san!" Another voice snaps me out of my thoughts and before I can even hit the water, a strong hand yanks at my wrist. I look up to see none other than... Kuran Yuuki.

Her face is stricken with alarm as she pulls me back to the ground. She then pushes me away and throws me towards Momo, as her own foot stumbles and she falls into the pool herself, screaming as a loud splash occurrs in her wake. The whole incident happens in less than 30 seconds.

"Yuuki!" I see Kiryuu-senpai darting past me with such a lightning speed that I don't even see him before he's diving into the pool in order to rescue his fellow prefect.

I watch him lunge into the water, and nothing in this whole world can quell my rage at that moment, my plan completely ruined as it back-fires.

Kuran Yuuki...

Damn that bitch!

AN: Annnnd cliff-hanger! OvO Wow, I enjoyed writing this chapter, haha. *fans self from all the fangirl feels* Zero, my baby you're too beautiful for words to describe~~

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We're coming back with more soon!

-LeVampireCat and Shizza24