Snow fell around Yuuki as she stepped through the tree farm, located in a more rural escape than that of the more urban Japanese town in the north. They had traveled far from the Academy, more than an hour; the silvery-white moon was full tonight, looking down on them, millions of twinkling stars hiding behind the dark gray clouds from which the white crystals sticking to her hair were falling from.

"Wow, these are all so amazing!" Yuuki's voice rang like a bell in the near-silent farm. There were different sizes of trees around her, from shorter than herself to maybe taller than Akatsuki! A bright smile was plastered onto her fair features as she turned her head left and right to get glimpses of the many trees in this place.

Zero stayed silent.

He was always like this; always acting like he was taking her blood without permission, as if she wasn't giving him consent. Why did he have to be like this? She had told him plenty of times before that she was doing this on her own, no one was making her do this for her best friend. No one was making her care about him so much. So, why did he have to act like it?

Yuuki's steps fell in sync with his as he walked over to the area which held the less expensive trees. She even fell behind him a little bit, just to gaze at his broad shoulders and strong back. He'd grown up quite well, compared to her; she still hadn't the curves other girls her age may sport by now, which made her pout and grumble every time she looked in her mirror. She knew that shapeless women were a turn-off for her best friend; he preferred cool, older women with curves and beauty to match. Both of which, in her opinion, she lacked.

Why does that bother me so much?

"Hey." Zero's voice cut through the cold night air and Yuuki twitched before looking to him. "Stop daydreaming, will you? I need your help, you know."

The two friends spent countless minutes trying to figure out which tree would actually fit and look good and not take up too much space in the Headmaster's living space, before finally deciding that the cheaper trees were so much less than average. "Remember," Zero said softly, "We're on a budget, so don't go over to the expensive trees just yet. We'll go to the next sector first."

That was the most Zero had said to her since their episode earlier that evening, him pressed against the wall and her pressed against him as he drank her lifeblood from her. This time, she couldn't stop herself from the breathless gasp that had escaped her lips as his fangs bit down into her, but she wasn't sure if he had noticed in his condition. He was more desperate than he ever had been, and he'd taken just a little too much, but she'd eaten something to keep from getting too dizzy. And, while she still felt light-headed, she could carry her own weight just fine.

As Yuuki walked away from him, making her way over to the next area of trees priced just a bit more than these, Zero pressed his hand over his eyes; he didn't mean to take so much. He felt so horrible now, and was surprised she wasn't jumping to his words – well, he had surprised her by speaking so coldly earlier – like a frightened chi-

No. Yuuki wasn't a child anymore. She really hadn't been one, but she never had the ability to say so out loud.

I didn't really, either. I was either training or caring for Ichiru. Both of which I didn't mind, but… still.

"Hey, Zero? What do you think of this one?"

With a sigh, the silver-haired boy turned around and made his way back to his partner, a warm look in his violet eyes as he saw just how excited she was to be out here.

-x-

It was cold.

So, so cold.

Yuuki stood beside Zero as they waited to pay for the tree, her arms hugging around herself to trap in what little body heat she had left. They had finally found the perfect tree and the perfect price, and Yuuki couldn't wait to get it back in the car. …Though, part of this was because she wanted to feel the warm heat hit her face and blow her hair back.

"Alright," the tree-farmer smiled at the two before looking to Zero, who had taken out his wallet, "You'd like to purchase the six-footer, would ya'? That'll be…"

Yuuki zoned out as Zero and the man did their business, and she turned her head to look at the other choices of trees around her; they were all dark green, with bits of snow hanging off of their branches, and the rich smell of pine filled her nostrils as she took in a deep breath. Pine and… Zero. That's what she could smell, and she took a step closer to Zero only to find that a heavy fabric had fallen onto her shoulders. "Zero, what're you-?"

"I can hear your teeth chattering," he reasoned, adjusting his long-sleeve sweatshirt over his pants. A light blush made its way onto Yuuki's face as she risked looking up at her childhood friend, who in turn looked down at her with an attempted scowl. "Besides, the car isn't a far walk from here; I'll be fine."

He's become so… thoughtful lately, Yuuki thought as she smiled softly and linked her arm with his. A surprised grunt came from him before he relaxed, giving the tree-farmer a nod as he stuffed his wallet back into one of his pant pockets and began walking back in the direction of the car.

The snow hadn't stopped falling around them, but it had slowed down, each of the flakes much bigger than they had been before. Pieces clung to the tips of their hair and eyelashes. They walked in comfortable silence, arms linked, Yuuki's small hand holding onto his sweatshirt. To anyone else, they'd have looked romantically involved, but to them, this was perfect. It was how they were with just each other, and no one else.

They'd gotten to the car and Yuuki, Zero, plus one of the tree-farmers farmhands had gotten the tree into the car. Zero clapped the man on the shoulder and had given him a bill, which Yuuki didn't see because he quietly motioned for her to get in the car and start it for him. With a smile, she got into the passengers' seat and started the ignition, turning the heat up and shivering as she waited for it to blow the warmest air in her face.

From outside, Yuuki could hear her friend mutter "Happy Holidays" and his boots crunching in the snow. She turned to him, flashing a smile – to which he rolled his eyes at – as he opened the door to the drivers' seat and closed the door afterward, sitting there, waiting for the heat to come on. When it finally did, he put the car into drive and pulled out, driving back in the direction of their home.

Yuuki stared out the car window until exhaustion overcame her, and she could distinctly remember the feeling of someone's fingers interlocking with hers before she gave in to her tiredness and fell asleep with a small smile on her face.

I told myself I would upload this before I left for Maine tomorrow (Friday, 6 July 2012) as I'd be gone for about nine days, left to my writing and other vices. ;D

If you liked this chapter, please let me know through a review, or favorite/alert it/me to your heart's content. But, the reviews are what drive this story, so make sure you do that, too. ^o^

Happy Summer! And, I hope you all enjoyed your Fourth of July! (Mine was spent listening to a thunderstorm and playing Monopoly because the fireworks had been postponed. -.-)

-Cookie-