Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight, nor do I profit in any monetary way from this story. It is written for my and other's enjoyment, and I am taking creative liberties with the characters. The only character that is mine is George Rosenburg. Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty are property of Viz Media and Matsuri Hino. Support them buy purchasing manga and dvds legally from your favorite retailer! The rating is posted above, and I cannot be held responsible if a reader who is too young reads this story without permission.

Author's Note:

Special thank you to all reviewers! Thank you, too, "Anlia" and "(person with no name)" for being a loyal non-member reviewers! (If I forgot to mention any others, it isn't done intentionally, I promise!).

This chapter focuses on me imagining Kaname and Yuuki going on a date. I had to get it out of my system. ^_^ So, since the "picnic date" from the anime isn't very enlightening, I am guessing at how Kaname would act. Please humor me, or throw in your two cents afterwards.

On a side note, I realize this story is more like a 'T' rating than its current 'M,' but that could change in later chapters.

Chapter 7: Queen of Hearts

Yuuki went through the day doing her work in a chipper mood, and tried with every effort to push the thought of George to the back of her mind. This both served to make her feel happy and terribly guilty.

The closer the time of her date approached the more the butterflies filled her stomach. She had never spent quality time like this with Kaname, not-to-mention she hadn't seen him in a long time. He always was so business-like, and she wondered if he ever had any fun. In that regard, he was just a less grumpy version of Zero.

"It seems like your talk with Kaname helped. I'll have to call him in sooner next time," said Kaien, watching his daughter with an amused glance.

"Here are the papers you wanted copied. Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked, ignoring his comment.

"No, I think that is all for today. You can go get ready for your date."

Yuuki froze and a scarlet blush covered her cheeks. "My d-date? Did you s-spy on m-me?"

He closed his eyes with a warm, knowing smile. "Please, Yuuki, I didn't have to. I wouldn't be a good parent if I didn't recognize the signs." Suddenly, he took a familiar turn for the dramatic. "Daddy is just so proud of his daughter for confessing her feelings!"

Yuuki made a move for her room. "Goodbye Headm-, I mean, father!"

"Don't stay out too late!" he chimed after her. Little did she know that he thought she was meeting George.

She made a bee-line for her closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. As per her habit, she donned a pair of shoes that she wouldn't feel restricted in. Settling for a cute, elegantly-simple white sundress with a powder blue cardigan for this unique occasion, she began combing the tangles out of her straight hair. As she pulled the brush through her chocolate tresses, the reality of what was happening sunk in.

"I am going on a date with Kaname Kuran," she said quietly to her reflection. Calm down, Yuuki. Just be calm and be yourself. No pressure. We are just going as friends...for now.


The walk to the fountain was a peaceful one. She had small talk with the few students that stopped her on her way, with some of the hormonal boys complementing her attire. She thanked them, anyway, with her usual nervous laugh, oblivious as ever to their blatant advances.

The skies were blue, and the temperature was relatively mild considering that it was late Fall. The swan fountain brought its usual smile to her face, and the calming sound of the splashing water calmed her nerves. As she approached it, she sat down on the cool stone and watched a stray yellow leaf dance on the ripples of the water.

"Good evening, Yuuki. You look lovely," said Kaname. He stood just a few feet away from her, and was dressed in his usual casual attire, which was still fairly formal for most people.

Yuuki gasped at hearing his words. She hadn't even heard him approach. "Hello, Ka-Kaname. How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to see that your thoughts were elsewhere," he said. That irritatingly-familiar expression invaded his wine-tinted eyes. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No, no! Of course not. It's just finally sinking in that this is happening. I've never gotten to spend time with you like this before now," she said with a blush and a giggle.

A small smile crossed his face, loving how she still cherished their time together. "Shall we go then? I thought we could spend time in town so that we aren't stopped by the students."

"Yes, that sounds great."

He offered her his arm, and she gladly took it after a brief surprise at the gesture. For the few students that saw them, they complimented them in whispers saying how perfect of a pair they made. A few wondered what happened to the other handsome young man that she had been seeing several weeks before. The conspicuous absence of George, predictably, led some to jump to conclusions about Yuuki's morals, and the jealous gossip began circulating among the students.

Kaname and Yuuki did not notice them, and took their time walking to the small town, just enjoying each other's company in the crisp breeze.

"Thank you," she said out of the blue.

"You are welcome, but what are you thanking me for?" Kaname asked with an amused tone.

"For saying I looked...lovely, earlier," she replied shyly. "I never thanked you." He complimented her fairly regularly, but she still cherished it.

He inclined his head towards her. "You are welcome, then, and I meant every word." Her cheeks became rosy with an intense blush. "You look even more lovely when you blush. I'm happy that you are happy."

She turned her head away in embarrassment, trying to distract her mind with looking around her. As they entered the bustling town, they stopped near the town square. It was filled with children from the smaller public school running home, and their parents trying to keep up. A few other younger couples wandered around the vendor's stalls, who were eager to sell their wares.

"I thought we could do some shopping and then have some dinner. Or would you prefer to eat first?" Kaname asked.

Her stomach rumbled, and she looked mortified. "Um...heh. I think we should eat first."

He chuckled. "Of course. What would you like? Any place you choose is my treat."

Uncharacteristically, choosing a place from the ten options presented before her in the town became a daunting one. Her eyes darted around looking at the signs, trying to make up her mind, when a familiar one came into view.

"How about that place? I've been there many times, and it's one of my favorites."

"Of course. Let's go," he said with her arm still entwined in his.

The twinkle of the doorbell alerted the waiting staff to their arrival. The restaurant was partially full, and several eyes turned to see who entered the establishment. A cheerful hostess greeted them.

"Hello Yuuki. Welcome back! I see you've brought a new guest," the hostess said. She was the waitress that had mistaken Zero for a Night Class member many years before, and was poised to become owner, one day. She still had a tendency to speak before she thought about what she said, but she had gotten better at it.

"Yes, thank you. This is Kaname. He is a very close friend," Yuuki replied vaguely.

Kaname almost frowned. Patience is a virtue, he thought to himself.

"How wonderful! I'm glad you both came this evening. Would you like a booth or a table?"

"A booth please. The one that is more distant from the other patrons," Kaname answered with his usual politeness.

The hostess found herself blushing a little. "Not a problem. Follow me." After they took their seats, she placed the menus in front of them. "Your waitress will be with you shortly. Enjoy your meal!"

Yuuki flipped through the familiar menu a little nervously, trying to decide from her usual selections. One that sounded particularly good was, naturally, the more expensive one, and she was debating about getting one that was cheaper.

As if reading her mind, Kaname spoke up. "Please, get what you want. Money isn't an issue." If she didn't know him, she might think this statement sounded arrogant.

"Are you sure?" she asked, not wanting to be a burden.

"Very. Actually, I was hoping you might recommend something," he said.

With sudden realization, it occurred to her that she had never seen him eat anything before, even when the Headmaster provided snacks. The closest she had come was at Takuma's birthday party back when she was sixteen, but even then he only drank.

I have NO IDEA what he likes! What do I do? What do I do? She decided to fish for a hint. "Um, what do you like?" she asked. Surely he has to eat sometime. Of course he does! What am I thinking?

"I'm not picky. I'll just order whatever you do, as I am sure that it will be wonderful."

Argh! That was no help at all! She paled imagining ordering a dish that might accidentally make him gag. "O-okay."

The waitress came and took their order. They talked about trivial things while they waited for their meal, getting to know each other again. Once it came, Yuuki couldn't help but stare every once and a while at the simple act of him eating. Thankfully, he hadn't gagged yet.

He noticed her stares.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked as he took a sip of his warm tea.

"N-no, nothing! It's just...well, I've never seen you eat before." She giggled nervously, knowing that she sounded ridiculous.

He chuckled. That does sound like something she would say. "I require nourishment just as you do, Yuuki."

"I know. It's just..it makes you seem...like a person," she said truthfully.

He raised an eyebrow at this, and she realized that he might have taken it the wrong way. His expression didn't seem bothered by her comment, though.

"Oh, um, I mean, it's just that, you were always so distant, and it's strange seeing you with your defenses down."

"It's fine, Yuuki. I think I know what you are trying to say. Our previous meetings were rather short and I don't recall sharing a meal with you," he said with a half-smile. "Would you like dessert?"

At the shining look in her eyes, he took that as a 'yes.' She ordered her favorite – the parfait (which the waitress had anticipated), and eagerly stuffed it into her mouth. He was bemused at how much food she packed into her tiny frame. It reminds me of her mother...

After several bites, she realized that she was being selfish.

"Sorry. Do you want some?" she asked with a spoonful of ice cream hovering near his face.

"No, that's fine. You enjoy it. Besides, I think that if I were to try, I might lose a hand." He didn't say how he imagined getting that stray drop of chocolate off of her pink lips. So beautiful, and she doesn't even know it.

After their meal, the couple walked to the nearby shops and looked at their many wares. He convinced her to look wherever she wanted, while he tagged along. The pureblood thought to himself how fun it was just to watch her happily walk around in ignorant bliss. She hasn't changed.

He saw that a butterfly barrette caught her eye. It was made of a fine cloth, meant to appear as a real one, on the metal clasp. It was a soft white color with lace overlaying it.

"Would you like it?" he asked. He walked up behind her as she looked at it through the window.

"Oh, no that's fine; I look at things more than I buy them. That's sweet of you to offer. Besides, I still have that rose encased in resin that you bought me. That's more than enough."

Kaname was flattered by this, but felt bittersweet towards her cherishing the gift that held more significance to her than she would ever realize.

The town clock chimed. "Oh, I guess we have to go back now," she said with a frown. It was still light out, but it wouldn't be within the hour.

"Yes, it seems so," he said. I'll have to send Takuma to get the hairpiece later.


They walked arm in arm back to the Academy, their steps deliberately slow in order to lengthen their time together.

"I hope you had a good time, Yuuki."

"Yes, of course I did. It was fun to be around you without worrying about vampires or Day Class students."

"I agree." He paused for a moment. "Yuuki, I don't mean to ruin the mood, but how long have you been having nightmares?"

Her brows furrowed slightly as she considered her answer. "Since just before your arrival, I think."

"What do you see in them that scares you so much?" He saw that look in her eyes. "Please be honest."

She reluctantly answered. "Blood. Lots of blood. Sometimes there's a hand reaching for me, or a large number of bats that fly around my throat. It's a haze, really, by the time I wake up. I only remember pieces."

His lips formed a thin line and his eyes were in turmoil as he realized his suspicions were confirmed. "When did they begin?"

Now she looked ashamed. "When I started trying to think of my past a little more. It was just recently, though."

"What brought that on?" he asked nonchalantly. It seems that Rido and the Kiryuu twin timed their appearance perfectly – too perfectly.

"Oh, just wondering, that's all."

He could practically hear the 'Because I felt alone' in the air. He didn't press the issue, as the mood around them was getting dark. Arriving at the main house, he bid her goodnight, even though he might run across her again during her patrol.

"It seems we must part ways for now," he said.

"Yes, it does. Thank you for spending time with me, Kaname. It was nice."

He gave her a small smile. "You are welcome. May I enjoy your company again soon – in a more romantic sense?"

She looked undecided, and was rubbing her hands together nervously. "I would be lying if I said 'no,' but...I just need some time. That way, I can make sure it's the right decision. I have to factor in that two hearts are being held in my hands."

More like three or four, counting yours. Kaname nodded. "That's fine, Yuuki. I'll wait as long as you need." He leaned a little towards her. "Forgive my selfishness, but may I kiss you goodnight?"

Her heart rate immediately picked up, which he, of course, noticed. His face was encompassing her entire view, and his lips were hovering so close to her face. Still, he didn't move forward as he waited for her reply.

"Y-yes."

Kaname moved forward and kissed her reverently on the cheek, trying to be a gentleman the way he remembered Haruka had told him about while still in his care. As he pulled away, he noticed she looked disappointed, or maybe confused. So, being bold, he moved for her lips (as Juri would have suggested). It was a chaste kiss, but it still caused her eyes to go wide.

His lips were warm against her own, which surprised her; she had half-expected them to be cool. That aside, they were just as soft as she imagined. His scent enveloped her senses, as his unruly hair tickled her face.

He pulled away with a look of satisfaction on his face. Even after an eternity passed, he would always remember this moment. Her blush truly is adorable, he thought. "Goodnight, Yuuki. Be safe." With that greeting, he walked faster than the eye could see back towards his awaiting nobles at the Moon Dorm.

Yuuki stood dumbfounded, watching his retreating back disappear into nothing within a second. She began a quick daydream of how it would have felt to kiss him back a bit more, but quickly cleared her mind of that train of thought as she thought of the decision that was set before her. As she turned to go into the home, she realized with horror that they had been watched.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?"

Ending A/N:

Dun, dun, dun! LOL. I know, I am terribly mean, but it should be easy to figure out who it is that is yelling at her. If not, just ask me and I'll tell you if you can't wait to find out.

Rido and Ichiru will appear more often, soon, as well as, George. I'm having fun with this plot, and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out!

For those who are sympathetic to George (if you are, I have accomplished one of my goals!) don't worry. I am not going to kick him to the curb story-wise and stomp all over him - unless he does something terrible in the future. o_0

Your reviews and comments are welcome loyal readers! Let me know if you think the pacing is getting way too slow.