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Like Cinderella

By: Lena

Chapter nine: Changes

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A/N: This is the ninth chapter!! I can't even think straight! haha. I'm trying to incorporate a Aidou/Yori and a Zero/Yuuki parts so please don't hate me if they're bad!! But there will be a Rie/Kaname part, look forward to it folks!

Happy New year!!

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'Vampires...I'm scared....' Light blue eyes shot open and Rie flew up in her bed. She looked around slowly and gave a sigh. Dropping back in to bed she turned her head and glanced at the clock. It read 4:30.

'Only?' Rie turned her head and continued to stare at the ceiling. 'What kind of a dream was that? And why the hell was he in that dream! Where did that voice come from?'

Rie was currently thinking about a strange dream she had. One that involved a very handsome (A/N: i would use sexy but then Rie would have to strangle me! haha!) maroon eyed man.

'Is it so weird that I had a dream about him? But then again...'

" " "Rie's Dream" " "

Rie walked silently through the forest. It was a bit misty but light poured in gently through the tree tops. "Hello?" Rie called out quietly.

"Rie?" a deep silky voice said.

The voice made Rie shiver. "Yes?"

A figure rose out from the mist and walked over. He was wearing nothing but a black over coat and black pants. The coat was wide open showing a very good amount of muscles. "Kaname?" She said his name slowly, as if it was foreign to her.

He gave a smile and walked forward grabbing hold of Rie's hand. "You must be cold. I told you not to come outside."

"I came to see you." Rie said.

"I missed you." And slowly he pulled her into a deep hug. Rie could feel his tight muscles and she inhaled deeply. His scent was wonderful. It smelt like old spice. They pulled apart and looked into each others eyes like lovers. Kaname lowered his head and placed his forehead on Rie's forehead. Then all of a sudden he took her lips in his and kissed her. Rie's eyes shot open but then she closed them slowly and wrapped her hands around his neck. It was a passionate kiss.

They broke apart for air and Kaname gave a small smirk. He kissed her once again on the lips then slowly kissed her jawline, traveling, kissed her neck and Rie gave a shiver. He slowly kissed it and Rie titled her head backwards. Rie felt it. A small pain on her neck.

"Kaname?" Rie looked up at his eyes but they were bright red instead of dark maroon.

Rie gave a gasp. She was scared. What was he doing? "Vampires...I'm scared..." a voice quietly said.

" " "END" " "

Rie covered her face, mortified. 'I just dreamed about having a hot make out session with my boss!! Someone kill me!' Rie gave a groan.'It's all because of what Kaname said yesterday.'

"I'll show you a sweet dream the next night." It left Rie speechless. And now that stupid dream about her and Kaname kissing!

"You've got to be kidding me." Rie rolled over and gave a sigh. 'But why did me neck hurt so much? Kuran's eyes weren't dark maroon they were a light red. He looked so scary. That voice, who's was it?'

"Maybe I don't get enough sleep..." Rie considered waking Yori and telling her but the girl needed her sleep. 'She's been more tired lately. Wonder if Aido-sama is working her too hard...'

Rie gave a small yawn and looked at the clock. 'I've got one more hour....better get some more sleep, that is, if I can.'

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Kaname signed the last agreement sheet and rested it on top of the other ones. He gave a sigh and cracked his knuckles. A knock came from the door.

"Come in." Kaname said.

The door popped opened and Aido walked in with stacks of papers. A couple of books were stacked on top also. He lowered his stack on top of a round table in the middle of the room. "These are all the old money budget from last week. I found a couple of old ones in these bank books also."

"That took you a while Aido."

"That's because Yori placed them on top of the wrong shelve! I had to rip the whole library apart just to find them! That girl is going to get it!" Aido yelled furiously.

"It seems that you have taken a liking to Miss. Wakaba Aido." Kaname said quietly as he picked up one of the thick books and flipped through it.

"What?! I don't even like her!" Aido said too defensively.

"Then why did you wish for her to be your personal maid?" Kaname asked.

"Thats-I didn't- she was good at sorting things so I thought of recommending her. That's all." Aido gave a huff of breath and glared at the stacks of paper.

"Well, she seems to be the only girl whom has not been giving you the necessary attention. Maybe that is it." Kaname quietly said.

Aido looked at him and he could see the amusement in his eyes. The prince thought that making him mad was entertaining! One of these days...

"Aido, I would like it if you did not get attached to the maids. We wouldn't want unnecessary things to happen, now would we."

"No Kaname-sama. I'll make sure. But I'm not attached to her." Aido said the last part childishly.

"Now that's clear, take these and sort through them. Give me an average total then report that to the council."

"I have to do all of this?" Aido asked. He was hoping to go and have a little fun with one of the night maids.

"Your a math genius, I trust you'll get them finished?" Kaname walked back to his desk and started on another set of paper work.

"Hai, Kaname-sama." Aido picked up the stacks again and walked out the door.

Kaname waited for the door to click close to stop writing. He tried to fill his head with paperwork but it wasn't working. The monster inside his head was growing impatient. He wanted and needed his meal. Kaname leaned back in his chair and thought about a particular good tasting girl.

'Thank goodness I have well self control.' Kaname would have taken Rie then and there when they were talking. But he didn't and he was glad. He remembered though, the taste of her blood. It was sweet and tangy, he had never experienced nothing like it before. He knew that if he ever got a chance, he was going to take it. Rubbing his temples he glanced at the paper work.

'Maybe I should get some sleep.' He didn't get much sleep in the morning and his spar with Zero made his body sore. In all honesty the spar with Zero got him fired up. He hadn't been training that much and was lacking in sword defense. Sparing with his instructor was just sword play, he needed a real challenge. Zero was an excellent fighter, his moves were unpredictable and he had a very skilled combat style.

Rising from his seat Kaname walked over to a mirrored door and pulled it open. It was a secret passage into his room. It was hidden so well that not even Ichijou knew about it. Ichijou knew every passage crack and ninny in the castle. But not this one, no one knew about it. The door lead into his wardrobe. He shuffled through his clothing and opened the wardrobe door. It gave a small creak and Kaname climbed out. His bedroom was his favorite color, a deep maroon. Unlike his father, Kaname despised a bright color of red. It reminded him of fresh blood.

He settled on his bed sheets and took a good whiff of his sheets. After Rie had slept on it, her smell had stuck to the fabric. It smelt like jasmine and a hint of citrus fruit. So calming and innocent but with a bit of a fight, a wild side. The smell reminded Kaname of spring and Rie. The smell was intoxicating and some how it was soothing. Maybe because his mothers signature scent was jasmine. That was all he smelt when his mother held him in her arms. Kaname gave a smile and slipped into his pajama pants. He threw off his shirt and settled into his sheets again.

With one last intake of the smell Kaname drifted off into a sleep.


Rie used the last of the dough in her bowl to make tea cookies. She gently placed them on the cooking sheet and put the sheet into the oven. She closed it and began to clean her mess. Baker Shin whizzed into the kitchen and gave Rie a hug.

"Super, just super work! Are the cookies baking?"

"Yes, I think i'm going to take a small break." Rie said.

"I think you deserve one. Go on, i'll check them and take them up to the nobles."

Rie gave a nod and walked out of the kitchen. She walked down into the courts, Rie felt like talking to Zero.

"Hey you! Get off the courts!" Rie spun around and looked at the person. He had red spikey hair and blue eyes. He ran up to her and grabbed her by the arm.

"What are you doing?" Rie tried to pry him off of her.

"Getting you off the court so you don't die!" Rin said as he pulled her along.

"Why?" Rie asked as she looked around. There was no fight going on.

"You'll see." He dragged her until they reached a clearing.

Rie watched as Zero walked onto the court. "What's Zero doing on the courts?" Rie asked.

Rin looked at Rie astonished. "You know Zero?"

"Mhm...how do you know him?" Rie asked as she looked at the young fellow.

"Zero and I went to-." Rin's voice was drowned out by the shh's from the knights around him.

"Be quiet Rin." Gin said.

"Always me isn't it..." Rin mumbled.

Rie watched as Zero got into position. A small excited feeling bubbled inside of Rie. She hadn't seen him fight in a while. This fight was going to be good. Zero was up against a very tall man. He held his sword at a stance Rie had never seen before.

"Better watch it Kiryu." The man said with confidence.

"I should be saying that Hong." Zero said with a small smirk.

"Fighters, get ready!" A man said. He held up a red flag. "Go!"

They took off and slashed swords together. Zero pulled back and took the offense. He jabbed the sword back and forth. The man jumped from side to side to avoid Zero's attack. He swung his sword down and Zero rolled out of the way. He charged after Zero and slammed his sword into the ground. Zero rolled away in time and sliced upwards. The crowd went wild as Hong slumped to the ground, blood seeped into his shirt by his shoulders.

"Get a medic." Someone called and Rin rushed onto the battle field.

Rie watched as Zero dropped his sword and walked over to Hong. He said a couple of words to the man and Rie saw Hong smiling a bit. Zero looked up and to his surprise saw Rie. He looked around to see if anyone was watching then ran over. Once he was in hearing distance to Rie he began to yell.

"What are you doing on the battle fields?" Zero hissed.

"Watching you fight. Oh, by the way, that was a splendid fight." Rie said simply.

"Aren't you scared that you're gonna get hurt?" Zero asked.

"Nope!"

"And how are you so certain?" Zero looked at Rie and her small frame. "You look like you couldn't pick up a sword at all."

"I'm sorry? What did you just say?" Rie asked. Zero was really asking for it now.

"Your a short, small framed girl. You would be helpless in battle." Zero crossed his arms around his chest.

"Get your sword." Rie said out of the blue.

"W-what?" Zero sputtered.

"I said get your sword. I'm going to prove you wrong. Get your sword." Rie looked at Zero bored.

"No! There is no way i'm going to fight you." Zero yelled. A crowd was starting to gather now.

"Are you scared that i'll beat you?" Rie raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Zero scoffed."There is no way you'll beat me."

"Okay then Zero, get your sword." Rie pointed to the gleaming metal a few feet away from her.

"Yeah, grab your sword Kiryu, scared a girl is going to beat you?" Gin said with a smirk.

"Shut it Gin." Zero swiftly retrieved his sword and came back.

"Call her." Zero said quietly.

"I can't." Rie looked at her bracelet.

"Why not? You could always call her." Zero looked at Rie's wrist.

"She won't come out."

"Just...just try."

"Fine." Rie gave a huff of breath. She began a small chant in a whisper. Silence seemed to engulf the field. Suddenly a strong wind blew past. It circled around Rie slowly, is soon subsided. Rie looked down at her hand and there it was a beautifully carved sword. It's blade was only 2inches wide. Small carvings were written down the blade. The hilt were in the shapes of two flower blossoms. Tied to the hilt was a small bell and a red charm. The bell ranged quietly.

The knights watched in astonishment. Rin's eyes bugged out. Was she some kind of a magician?

Zero gave a satisfied sigh. "Alright, get ready."

Rie gave a small nod and smile. She was dressed in a skirt, but she would manage just fine.

"Start." Rie said.

Zero didn't think that she would come at him that fast, and furious. Rie had already began to attack and she was getting the upper hand. She swiftly blocked and attacked all of Zero's movements. She swung low and went straight up. Zero flipped up into the air and landed. Where had she learned to fight like that. He remembered when she couldn't even pick up that sword.

"I'm coming." Zero said.

"Go for it." Rie prepared herself. She knew that Zero was going to take it to another level. Zero ran forward and circled around her. Rie closed her eyes and remembered something interesting that she had forgotten. 'If you listen carefully you can predict Zero's moves.' A male voice said.

'Ah! That's why he told me that.' Rie listened closely to Zero's movements. 'Left, left, right, left, left, right...LEFT!' Rie raised her sword up towards her left side as she felt the impact of Zero's sword. The power weight was to much for Rie and she kneeled downwards. She broke contact and rolled out of the way as Zero swung his sword down. Rie gave a smile as she saw the surprised look on Zero's face.

"How did you doge that?" Zero asked.

"A secret." Rie said with a smile. "Get ready." Rie was gone within a few seconds as she charged forward. Zero was prepared, unlike last time. Their swords clashed. Rie swung her sword around in circles. She stepped forward making Zero fall back. The knights were starting to cheer for Rie now. Zero gave a growl and pushed Rie back. He was suddenly behind her, his sword to her throat.

"Surrender?" Zero asked, a smirk on his face. Rie gave a gasp and a frown.

"That was cheap Zero Kiryu!" Rie pouted. But in seconds Rie was behind him, her sword to his throat. "To bad I can do that also." Rie said in a sing song voice.

"Surrender?" Rie asked.

"Fine...I surrender." Zero said with a frown.

"I won!" Rie gave a jump as she flashed a victory sign to the other knights. They gave a cheer and ran forwards. Some gave her thump ups and some gave her a pat on the shoulders.

Zero moved through the crowd to Rie. "Did you learn that from Shishou?" Zero asked.

Re gave a small nod. "I've been going to the vampire hunters association for a while now. Shisou trained me." Rie said.

"He probably only trained you because you begged him to." Zero said quietly to himself.

"Shoot! I have to go back to work" Rie said as she scrambled out of the crowd of knights.

She was half way back to the castle when she heard Zero yell at her. "I'm going to see Ichiru!"

Rie stopped and waved back with a smile. "Work it out with him!"

Zero gave a nod and Rie walked inside into the castle.


"Sorry!" Rie gave a bow. She forgot that she was on clean up duty with Yori.

"It's fine. It was just a simple tea clean up. Not many nobles wanted tea anyway, they just wanted sleep." Yori wiped the counters with a white cloth.

"I still feel really bad about it."

"Well...to make up for it maybe you should go and talk to Hanabusa-san. He has been waiting all day. He's getting very annoying." Yori said as she looked at Rie.

"Ah! I forgot about that also!" Rie gave a small smile. "Yori, what would I do without you?"

"You would be stuck in a ditch." Yori and Rie looked at each other and began to giggle.

"Alright, lets go. I'll take you to him."

"Lead the way Sayori."

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Hanabusa Aido paced back and forth in his study room. He ran a frustrated hand through his golden locks of hair. 'Where is she?'

He heard a knock on his door. 'Finally!'

The door swung opened and Yori popped her head inside Hanabusa's study room. "Sayori!" Aido yelled.

Yori gave a small inward flinch. "Hm?"

"Where have you been this whole time? Don't ever leave the Library that dirty! Do you understand that I had to rip apart the whole library this morning to find important documents, that you had misplaced!"

"Well if you haven't noticed I have other duties to attend to! My life does not revolve around you and your stupid library." Yori shot back.

'I wish it did...wait...what am I saying!' Aido cursed himself for thinking like that.

The two argued back and forth, totally unaware that Rie was in the room with both of them. Rie couldn't help but give a small giggle. Yori and Aido both turned to look at her.

"S-sorry. You guys can keep arguing." Rie gave a small cough and covered her mouth with her hand.

Aido looked around uncomfortably. "Your excused Yori. But i want you to finish cleaning up the library before your shift is over."

"Fine." Yori said. She stormed out of the room mumbling about an inconsiderate jerk.

Rie gave a smile and turned her attention to Aido.

He had returned to his position behind his oak wood desk. "Come and sit." He motioned his hand to the empty seat in front of his desk. Rie took a seat and sat down.

"So...where should we start?" Aido asked cheerfully.

"Hm...why would you want to recommend Yori?" Rie asked.

"She's very skilled at sorting and replacing things. She isn't a slacker and she turns things in on time." Aido said.

Rie gave a nod. "I can agree with those. She is very good at Library work. I think it wont do her no harm. But I think it's best to tell you now...don't hurt her."

"What? Did you just ask me not to hurt her?" Aido asked.

"Physical hurt wont...I'm talking about her mental wise. Sayori is a wonderful person but her past haunts her. She had a step-father that use to abuse her. She hates physical touch. At night sometimes...she has these dreams about him. It scares her to death. It's been over three years, but scares like that just don't disappear. Don't hurt her...that's all I wanted to tell you." Rie stood up and gave a bow. She opened her door and walked out of Aido's study room.

Aido watched her go. He was confused...and mad. Angry at himself for acting so cruel to Yori. He always kept her awake past the time of her shifts. He would always drag her and try to play around with her. She was just something that made Aido's blood boil. Sayori was annoying, bold, smart, non-caring about his feelings, and paid no attention to him whatsoever. But why did this information about her bug him like crazy?


Zero carefully saddled his horse. He was going to go and see Ichiru. 'Wonder what his reaction will be...'

Rie's reaction was a total breakdown. Ichiru's reaction...would be quiet violent. Zero looked down at his sword, he had a feeling he would be needing it. The horse gave a little whin and Zero gave it a little pet.

"Hold on a minute." Zero reached to fasten the strap below the horse's belly when he touched a familiar hand.

"I got it." Yuuki said as she strapped the strap. She looked up at Zero and gave a smile.

"Your suppose to be inside learning how to sew Yuuki." Zero said.

"Point out the obvious Zero." Yuuki leaned her head on Zero's knee. "I just wanted to see what you were doing."

"I was going to see my brother...I'll be back a little late." Yuuki shifted and looked at Zero. Zero had told her many times about his twin brother, Ichiru. He looked like him, except he had a much more gentler complextion.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Yuuki asked.

"I think I can handle it. We wouldn't want your brother to send out a search party for you." Zero got off the horse and held Yuuki's hand.

Yuuki gave a smile and leaned her head against Zero's shoulder. "No, we wouldn't. Be safe okay?"

"I'll try." Zero said and gave a smile. Yuuki loved it when Zero smiled. It was a smile Yuuki knew that was only reserved for her. Yuuki stood on her tip-toes and pressed her lips against Zero's cheek. It felt nice and cold. Zero could smell her unique smell of white lilies. Yuuki pulled away and walked backwards towards the stone steps. She sung a familiar tune. "My prince is going to battle, but when he comes back, he'll sweep me off my feet like the first time we met..." It was the song Yuuki made up and sung to Zero on the day he went to war. She gave a wave and a giggle and walked up the stone stairs.

Zero watched her go and gave a sigh. Where would he be without Yuuki Kuran?


Yori gave a defeated sigh as she put up another book into the right spot. She had literally pulled out her hair when she walked into the Library. It was in a complete mess! Books were sprawled all over the floor. Documents were damaged underneath books. She was definitely going to kill Hanabusa! She grabbed another stack of books and walked up the aisles slowly counting and sorting out the numbers.

'What a stupid dumb jerk! He makes this mess and demands that I clean it up for him. If I knew what kind of a selfless man he was I would have never said yes in the first place!' Yori had only agreed to do the job so she wouldn't have to do laundry duty. But sorting, numbering, and filing was asking for way to much! Yori was too busy to notice that someone was in the room as her. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him. She gave a small yelp in surprise and tried to spin around. "Don't." he said quietly. Yori's eyes widened. Don't what?

"Dont...don't turn around. Stay like this with me for a few moments."

"Why-"

"Don't talk or move...okay?" His grip on her waist loosened up but he still held her close to him.

"Who are you?" Yori asked.

No one answered and only one man smelt this way. She recognized his smell the first time they met. Yori was never the one to memorize others but he had a particular affect on her. "Hanabusa-san?" Yori whispered.

Then he was gone. Gone like the wind. It left Yori shivering. She wrapped her arms around her body and kneeled down, hugging herself. What was that?


Rie looked at the time as she finished replacing the bed sheets. It was time to go see the horses and birng them inside from the grazing pasteur. She closed the door to the room and walked down the stairs. She exited through the rose garden and foutain and hummed a tune. First love...her mothers facorite song. It had been a while since Rie had thought of her mother and father. Her latest memories were of when she was four...maybe three. It was snowing and they were making a snowmen. Then she was six. It was her birthday. Her mother and father bought her a doll house. If she remembered correctly their first house had no windows...just lights. Seven...when she was seven...Rie couldn't remember. She opened the present to the doll house then...gone. A blur. Something didn't seem right. Rie stopped humming and gave a frown. Why couldn't she remember?

After a minute or two a memory popped up. It was of her, Zero and Ichiru. She was waking the two twins up eagerly and told them to come eat breakfast. That was her latest memory next to the one where she opened her present for her seventh birthday. Rie shook her head.

'It must be something.' Rie pondered. She walked down the steps and heard footsteps quietly approach from behind her. She kept on walking and the person behind her was still behind her.

"You know Ouji Kuran...your not very good at hiding your presence." Rie said as she turned around to face Kaname. He tried not to smile, but instead it turned into a small smirk.

"Who said I was following you?" Kaname asked calmly.

"I certainly didn't. Why are you going this way?" Rie asked. She folded her arms around her chest.

"The prince himself can not go and see his own horses?" Kaname said looking like a little boy who couldn't play with his toys.

"At night?" Rie said with an eyebrow raised.

"Why not? I own them."

Rie gave a small scoff. "Suit yourself." She turned around and walked down the stairs. Kaname quickened his pace and caught up to Rie's pace.

"Are the horses giving you any trouble?" Kaname asked as they continued to walk down to the horse stables.

"Some...but I think i can handle them. Though I probably should say that my favorite horse to feed is Hisana."

"Oh? Why's that?"

Rie turned around. "Hm...because she's-" Rie stepped down to the next step but missed and slipped.

A strong arm grasped her wrist and another one wrapped around her waist. "-amazing..." Rie whispered. Thier eyes were locked and Rie's breathing hitched. They were so close. He was gently holding her wrist and Kaname was holding her around her wrist. She could hear his heart pounding but could he hear her's? Kaname leaned down, his face was almost touching hers. Rie's heart beat faster, a flash back from her dream popped up.

"I missed you." And slowly he pulled her into a deep hug. Rie could feel his tight muscles and she inhaled deeply. His scent was wonderful. It smelt like old spice. They pulled apart and looked into each others eyes like lovers. Kaname lowered his head and placed his forehead on Rie's forehead. Then all of a sudden he took her lips in his and kissed her. Rie's eyes shot open but then she closed them slowly and wrapped her hands around his neck. It was a passionate kiss.

'Oh god! What am I doing! I'm going to kiss the prince!'

They inched closer and closer. Rie could smell his scent, old spice.

"SIA RIE! Get away from him!" Rie was yanked harshly away from Kaname. She turned around and gave a gasp. "Zero!"

Zero looked at Rie and turned back to glare at Kaname. "What the hell do you think your doing Kaname."

Kaname composed himself a bit and looked at Zero. "Nothing, in face Rie was going to take me to the stables to see the horses."

Zero turned and looked at Rie, "Is that true?"

"Um...well...part of-"

"That's a no." Zero turned and snarled at Kaname. "I thought I warned you to not talk to her or touch her."

"And I thought it was the same way with Yuuki. Don't think that I don't notice you two meeting secretly." Kaname said.

'Zero and Yuuki?' Rie thought inside her head.

Zero looked at Rie and could see the confusement in her face. 'Shit! She wasn't suppose to know.'

"Stay away from Rie. Let's go." And he yanked her along down to the stables.

Rie gave one last look at Kaname and then he dissapeared from her view.

"Z-zero! Stop! Your hurting me!" Rie said as she tried to yank her arm from Zero's grip. He stayed silent and kept on dragging her. Zero let go of her wrist and turned to look at her.

"What do you think your doing with Kaname Kuran! He's a dangerous person. He's the prince, I know, but you can't let him manipulate you! He's...if he gets close to you he-he's a va-" Zero stopped talking.

"Zero nothing is going on with me and Ouji Kuran! He....well he just happened to catch me and we just happened to land in that position and..." Rie's voice trailed off.

"You have to understand. Kaname is not the person you can just hand out with. Stay away from him for now on wards."

"Why?"

"Because I said so!" Zero yelled.

Rie looked at Zero. He hadn't yelled at her since they were ten. "Fine." and Rie turned around and slammed the stable doors closed.

Zero ran a frusterated sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He was going to kill Kaname Kuran!

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DONE! And just in time for the new years!! Hope you guys have a good year kays!! Thanks for reading and Reviewing! Happy great 2009!

Most words typed:5,611 words.

Lena :E