Hello again! I couldn't stay away -- nothing is a better stress reliever than writing, at least in my case. Here is Chapter 10, "The Curtain Rises". I get this weird feeling that this is written differently than other chapters I've done, but I still can't tell what it is yet (maybe it's the tone? Oh well). I want to say thank you to all my reviewers, who now get their shout-out: thanks to Princesa de la Luna, I-Eat-My-Vegetables, MoonBaby2010, flaming-amber, AiyukiRina, Jvonr92, Love Tennis, blackenedrose13, AiAkakoSukiRini, Alice-the dark-angel, dgraymanxxx, Lostinthedragon'sfog, Undeniably Yours x, Chaos Dragon-Fox, and DaTruePrincess! *Whew*!! You all are awesome and really help me write. Anyway, back to what you came to read...I hope this meets with your satisfaction!

Sapphire eyes blinked. "Could I have a glass of water? I'd get it myself, but…" Asraella moved her arm slightly, making the tubing of the IV hanging over her swing. Zero didn't move. After everything, and lying there hurt with me sitting across the room shirtless, that's what she asks first? She spoke again.

"Zero?"

He lurched to his feet, and felt muscles protest as he walked to the bathroom. He hadn't moved for a while. He grabbed a paper cup from the holder beside the sink and filled it with water. As he was turning to leave, he noticed his reflection. A mess of silver hair fell onto a pale forehead, and violet eyes stared back at him, accusing. What do I…no, we…do? As much as he hated it, Asraella was enmeshed in the blood politics of Cross Academy. Another person was tied to the vampires' legacy, now. I have to find out what she knows. Maybe it wasn't too late.

Zero came back into the main office and walked over to the couch, cup in hand. He saw that her eyes were closed again. Did she fall back asleep? He was about to return to his spot on the wall when Asraella opened her eyes. Their gaze fell on the cup. "Thank you, Zero." Her hand reached up, using the arm that wasn't attached to the IV, and grasped it. She then tried to pull herself up into a sitting position, wincing. Zero guessed that it hurt a bit. He bent down to help her, but when his hands brushed her back, she brushed him away with something like a shudder. He decided instead to sit on the floor, leaning against the couch with his back to her. He could hear her sipping the water. Neither spoke. After a minute, he felt her weight shift and heard the bottom of the cup land on the floor beside him. He looked down. She had placed the cup down near his left side, and her hand was still wrapped around it. The edges of a large bandage could be seen on her palm, and two fingers had been wrapped. He reached down and took it from her. Their fingers brushed, and his breath caught. Her fingers were cold, but smooth. Too cold. He crushed the flimsy paper in his fist and looked straight ahead. After a moment, he broke the silence.

"Are you okay?"

She took a breath, and when she replied air tickled the back of Zero's neck. She was facing him, even if he wasn't ready to face her. "Yeah. I'm just…worn down, I guess. It takes a lot of effort just to move. Everything kind of stings." Her voice was less hoarse, regaining some of its smooth quality.

"That would be the antiseptic the Chairman used."

Three more times her warm breath brushed Zero, and then Asraella asked a question, one he dreaded. "Why am I here?"

"You got hurt."

Annoyance crept into her tone. "I know that. What I want to know is why I'm here, in the Chairman's office, still in a dirty gown and hooked up to an IV!"

Zero didn't answer. He had no idea how. How does he explain last night's events? How does he describe the insatiable bloodlust shared by him and the Night Class? She would run screaming. That particular predicament was solved for him, and another was presented, when his least favorite person in the world walked in. The individual in question didn't knock; he just let himself in. Shit! What is he doing here? That door should have been locked! And why didn't I notice him coming? Damn pureblood. Zero stood to face the arrival, Kaname Kuran.

"Zero. Leave." Zero froze. He didn't want to obey, but part of him desired to walk away right then. The pureblood influence, no doubt. He struggled to not move. The task became a bit easier when Asraella spoke up, reminding him of her presence.

"Why is a Night Class student here?" She can't know. What is Kaname doing here? What does he want?

"Fine, Zero, stay. I don't care. I see she's awake."

"I'm right here, thank you." Asraella's voice made Zero partially turn, surprised at her vehemence. What does Kaname want with her? He just stared as she continued. "Please don't talk like I'm not here."

Kaname gave a small smile, just a slight upturn of his lips. "As you wish. You had some things happen to you that have to do with our kind. I cannot allow you to remember them." His eyes glowed red, and started to walk forward.

Asraella gave a small strangled shriek as she watched his eyes change. Zero whipped around completely to see her trying desperately to go somewhere, anywhere. She was weak, though, and with the IV and bandages, she could only bury herself further in the couch. Zero felt the corner of his sleeve move as Kaname started to pass him. He couldn't take his eyes off Asraella. She was scared. Her eyes were wide and wild, and her fingers were gripping the cushions of the couch until the tips were white. He couldn't stand it. He moved in front of Kaname.

"Stop. She's terrified of you, and she doesn't even know what you all are. Leave her alone."

Kaname's smile disappeared, and he frowned at Zero. "Get out of my way. I have the Chairman's permission in this."

"I don't care."

The pureblood didn't want to start a scene, that much was certain. Zero knew that by making him hesitate, he had won half the battle. Kaname looked over Zero's shoulder at the girl on the couch, who was staying very still. She was still staring at him, but had relaxed slightly. He turned his gaze back to Zero, and everything clicked. Kaname realized that this little thing wasn't worth destroying anything over. In fact, if his plans didn't go as anticipated, this development might come in handy. He turned away.

"You win, Zero." The sarcasm was so thick it dripped from his words. He started to leave, and glanced back when he reached the door. "One caveat, however. You must tell her. Everything. My offer remains open if you can't do that." Leaving the room, he shut the door behind him.

Zero heard a heavy sigh of relief. He couldn't feel the same, however. Tell her everything? I…I can't! What would she think of me? She was so freaked out by the damn vampire; it must have reminded her of Ichijou. His resolve solidified. She needs to know. She deserves to know. He took a deep breath and turned around, to find Asraella rearranging herself on the couch. Zero saw how her hands shook and the frantic look in her eyes. To someone without the senses he had, those little indicators may have been overlooked, but not to him. She was still a little out-of-sorts. He walked over to her.

"What do you remember?"

Asraella looked up at him with a confused look. "Huh?"

"What do you remember of last night?"

She turned her gaze downward. Her voice was soft, but Zero could still catch her words. "Takuma asked me to go on a walk with him. I said yes. We walked for a while, and then I fell, because of my shoes, so I took them off. I was getting back up on my feet when…his eyes…God, his eyes…" Her face screwed up, her brow furrowing as she pulled her knees up to her chest slowly and haltingly. Zero waited. He needed to know what she had remembered. After several seconds, Asraella continued.

"He pinned me, and ripped my dress…he started…licking…my blood." She shuddered. "I thought he was going to rape me. Then—then you arrived." Her eyes rose to Zero's face, and a tiny smile graced her features. "You helped me. Thank you. I seem to need saving a lot." Zero turned away. He couldn't bear to see her expression, or feel the gratitude and kindness that radiated from her. He didn't deserve it.

"Zero?" I can't do this…

"Zero…" Maybe I should just have damn Kaname wipe her memory…

I have to.

His voice was no higher than a whisper, the words sounding as though they were being ripped from his core. "He was a…vampire. He wasn't raping you. He was trying to feed off you. I didn't save you. I just…"

A moment of silence followed this proclamation. When she answered, Asraella's matching whisper was uncertain. "I don't understand, Zero. A vampire? But…they are supposed to be stories, creatures that burn in the sun and can't stand silver or holy objects. How could…" Her eyes widened. "That Night Class student was one, too, wasn't he? But nothing happened—nothing happened! You were there, Zero!"

"Stop saying that I helped you! I did nothing of the sort!" Zero faced her and moved to the side of the couch, faster than Asraella could follow. She gasped. He knelt and looked her dead in the eyes. His voice cracked as he confessed. The dice were out of his hands, now. "I'm…I'm one, too."

Zero, a vampire? The concept boggled Asraella's mind. How could Zero be a vampire? She wasn't even convinced that Takuma and the dark-haired Night Class student were what Zero claimed, although it was the most plausible explanation yet. Their eyes…how red they were…they can't be human. But not Zero.

"No…"

Zero moved again, this time slowly. He reached out to touch her neck, almost caressing the bandage that covered a rather large area. The pain in his gaze almost made her pull back. "I couldn't…your blood was everywhere…I lost control…" He dropped his hand, and sat back, never taking his eyes off her face. What does he mean? I don't get it, why is he so upset? She needed to see what he was going on about. She needed a mirror.

"I need to get up." She swung her legs over the side, wincing slightly at the stinging sensation all over her. Wobbling slightly, she hoisted herself to her feet, her dirty, wrinkled dress swishing around her feet. Zero stood quickly and backed up a little, still staring at her with pain and some other emotion in his eyes. She grabbed the IV stand and rolled it along with her as she started towards the bathroom door, which was still cracked open. Slowly but surely, she made it. Zero followed, hovering a few feet behind the whole way. Asraella didn't obviously notice him, but mentally took some comfort in having him there. Walking was difficult, and she was slightly dizzy, so someone being present to help in case she fell was welcome, although she would never admit it. She pushed the door open and came face-to-face with the large mirror. She gasped in horror.

She was battered; that was the only word for it. Her face was bruised and one eye was dark. The backs of both arms were mostly covered in bandage, and a large bandage covered a portion of her neck. Damn! I look like I've been in a car accident, not attacked by…well, by whatever. Her fingers traced her face and eye, and then attempted to run through her hair. They didn't make it very far. And my hair's a tangled mess. Just perfect. It'll take an hour to work all these knots out! As she pulled her fingers out of her hair, they brushed the bandage on her neck. What is this, anyway? I don't remember being hurt there… She started to pry up the edge, and then slowly she pulled the bandage off.

She was stunned speechless. Her fingertips traced six puncture wounds in her skin, the small indentations leaving a red residue on her fingers. Are these…teeth marks? They aren't random, they're in sets. They're…teeth. Someone bit me. Her hands started to shake slightly. With a last look at the disturbing injuries, she quickly placed the bandage back on, and washed her hands briskly. Blood…Red…Someone bit me…Vampire…

She looked up into the mirror to see Zero looking at her. Her voice shook as she asked the question that had floated in the back of her mind since he had touched her neck and told her that he was—

"Did you…do this?"

"Yes." He turned, and started to walk towards the door of the office. What? Zero, did he really? Asraella followed as fast as she could.

"Zero, stop!" He paused, giving Asraella just enough time to catch up to him. She reached to touch his shoulder. He stiffened under her hold. "Whatever happened, you still saved me from Takuma."

He whirled and looked at her like she was his torturer. Why is he acting this way? What did I do? What does he think he did? Her hand fell back to her side.

"Don't you understand? I could have killed you!" His shout echoed in the room, leaving nothing but a tense silence in its wake.

It all became clear to Asraella now. He felt guilty. Horribly guilty. But even guilt couldn't explain the depth of his emotion, and why he felt like he seemed to. I just don't get it!

"Listen. I'm alright. I'm bruised, but I'm alive. You didn't kill me, and I'll be okay." She took a step closer to him, but her world swayed. She started to sag, gripping the IV stand for support, but realized that she couldn't hold herself up. She suddenly felt arms around her as she was lifted off the ground. Asraella did a double take. One minute, Zero was in front of her, looking like she had shot him in the gut, and the next he was holding her, walking back to the couch. Again! How does he move so fast? She might have said 'vampire' but part of her still didn't believe. Vampires are stories, monsters of the night that don't exist. But evidence was stacking up against her, and she couldn't deny anymore that something was going on that wasn't human.

Zero didn't say a word as he placed her on the couch. Asraella looked at him as he stepped back, and tried to catch his gaze, but he kept his eyes on the ground. He turned to go.

"Please stay." She didn't want to be alone. Too much had happened in the last 48 hours; she didn't want to be by herself as she figured it all out. Zero stopped and looked at her, his gaze unreadable.

"Sure." He returned to the couch and sat against it on the floor, still saying nothing. Asraella relaxed and stretched out slightly. She was tired, even though she had been out for most of the night. Within minutes her eyes started to drift shut. She was dragged back to consciousness when Zero spoke.

"What do you dream about?"

She sat up. Why does he want to know that? What is it to him? "Why do you want to know?"

"You talk in your sleep." Shit. Asraella would have given her right arm for a chance to see Zero's face, but he was sitting with his back to her. She knew he was waiting for an answer. "It's nothing."

"It's not 'nothing'. You cry in your sleep, too. Don't lie to me, Asraella." Her name coming from his mouth sent a strange shiver up her spine. It's because he's practically ordering you to tell him something you haven't told anyone. Now, what to say? She thought for a moment before deciding to tell the truth, or at least part of it.

"I dream about losing someone."

"That's not the whole story."

"Of course it isn't! I can't—" She bit her lip. She had said too much. May… Zero shifted around to face her, and leaned his elbows on the couch. "Why won't you tell?

"It's just—It's painful…" She looked away from the piercing violet eyes and into the weave of the couch cushions. I haven't told anybody, ever. May, why did I leave you? Why did I get so wrapped up in myself? Why was I so blind?

"Blind? What were you blind to?"

Asraella was stunned to realize that she had spoken the last bit out loud. She didn't look away from the couch. She felt compelled to tell this man her story, and didn't want to fight anymore. I give up.

"At my old school I was into theater, and that was my passion. May was a girl who I met freshman year and we were in shows together. We came to be best friends, practically sisters. By the end of sophomore year I started taking acting to a new level, and started to consider it as a career. May wanted to be a teacher. She was always better with kids. I love them, but she had a gift. I started to spend more time with a script than with her, but she never called me on it. She was a saint...At some point she broke up with her boyfriend during junior year, and I never even noticed how much it hurt her! All I saw was the stage, and the lights, and the magic that happened when I could become someone else, something more than just Asraella, the average teenager. Theater was my air, and my drug. I needed it to live, and to make life worth living. I didn't see it coming. May started acting different, just a little. She would put on a mask for me, and I, the theater geek, couldn't tell!"

Asraella knew that her voice was getting thick, and she struggled not to cry. Anger at herself now tinged her tone. "The last weekend of the school year, I was at rehearsal. My phone rang, and I didn't answer it. Afterward I checked my messages to find one from May, and she had been crying. She told me to meet her in the park by her house, and so I ran there. I tried calling her on the way, but she didn't answer. It was raining. When I got there I was soaked...I got there…I…I saw…she'd…" Asraella closed her eyes, afraid of the moisture that threatened to show itself. She struggled to go on. "I called 911…and ran away…I couldn't stay there…I did it, I did it! If I had paid more attention, if I had cared more, she'd be here! I lost her, my best friend, because I was selfish!" She was determined not to cry. Not here. May, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…

Zero watched Asraella attempt not to break down. He had listened to her story, and still was processing it. Her friend, did she…commit suicide? And she blames herself? Zero was hit with an epiphany. Both of us carry the weight of the dead on our shoulders. He felt horrible now for demanding she tell him about her dreams. He knew that their burdens were similar.

Zero reached out and touched Asraella's shoulder, causing her to look at him, her deep blue eyes glazed over with an unspoken agony. He said nothing, but moved his hand to her cheek. He slid his fingers down, tracing her cheekbone. Then he said the only thing he could.

"I'm sorry."

He pulled his hand away and turned back around, leaning once more on the furniture as he closed his eyes. Why did I do that? Her eyes, her skin…she's beautiful, and tragic.

Asraella was snapped out of her thoughts as she felt Zero touch her shoulder. She looked over at him, and saw understanding dawn in his gaze. What is going on in his head? Why do I feel like he knows where I'm coming from? When his hand touched her face, her heart sped up. What is he… Asraella started to get lost in his eyes. Their violet depths were no longer closed to her; she still couldn't see what was within them, but they weren't ice anymore. His hand left her, and she breathed in deeply. Asraella followed him with her eyes as he turned away. She watched Zero for several minutes more until she drifted off to sleep.

Thank you for reading! I hope you liked this chapter! From this point on the story is going to move faster than it already is (fun stuff, right?) and things will start falling into place. I hope you enjoyed this! TTFN, Slomiti Andeo