AN: Sorry this has taken so long. You'll find out more about the overall storyline next chapter. I wrote this a while ago, and it was meant to be a sort of bonus chapter, so there isn't anything to do with the whole Kaname vs. Zero deal in this one. Please read and review. =)
Thank you all for your kind words. You definitely are convincing me to write more now, seeing as I finished my first year at university yesterday.
The Chairman had hired two teachers to do surveillance in Zero and Yuuki's absence from the job. Life had gone back to normal besides the lack of chores, but Yuuki found she could concentrate more easily on her studies and actually managed to stay awake through all her classes. Thus, she had gotten much better marks on the latest quizzes with one exception – math; no amount of studying could improve her skills in that area! Father had congratulated her most thoroughly and as a reward he was taking them out for dinner.
She was quit excited about dressing up to go to a fancy restaurant. It had been years since the Chairman had taken them out for a classy meal, mainly because he enjoyed cooking what could only be described as "interesting" delicacies for his children. Zero had never really appeared happy about these outings, which definitely had dampened the Chairman's boundless bliss. However, today, when the news was announced, Zero had barely flinched. The news had elicited no groans, headshakes, or penetrating stares from the grump, and his expression remained carefully neutral as Yuuki and the Chairman looked on in wonder at this change.
Zero schooled his natural response to anything that made the Chairman leap around in unrestrained enthusiasm. He did this only because the flickering flame of Yuuki's spirit was just beginning to reappear in her eyes, and he knew that doing things she liked would return her back to her normal smiling self faster than anything else. So he grit his teeth against the thought of having to wear a suit. While he grudgingly was donning the clothing, back in her room Yuuki happily picked out what to wear.
She had finally settled on a dark blue dress, short and flirtatious. It was plainly cut to the middle thigh, skimming cozily over her body, but the fabric had a beautiful sheen that dimly reflected the light. The bodice was cut in a heart shape, held up only by thin lacy straps. Yuuki twisted in front of the mirror to look over her shoulder at the dipping back. Smiling, she shook out her hair, deciding to leave it hanging down. Pairing the dress with silver slippers and necklace, she sighed, convinced that she was - finally - ready.
Peeking out into the hallway, she caught a glimpse of Zero's long, lean figure leaning against his doorframe, obviously waiting impatiently. His foot tapped on the floor, casually beating out a nervous rhythm. Silvery hair covered his face because his head was tipped down, presumably so he could stare at the floor. The creak of the door as she opened it wider drew his attention, his eyes flashing to locate the sound. Then he saw the figure standing in the doorway and his breath caught in his warningly very dry throat. Gulping unsteadily, he refused to give into his vampire instincts, especially on a night like tonight. Tonight was all about Yuuki.
Standing up straighter, he tried to loosen the confining tie that threatened to choke him. Giving her a second look over, he thought with no small relief that at least she had enough sense to leave her hair down. He deliberated on the fact that there was a lot more skin showing that more than made up for the small part that was covered by her hair. Jealousy crept up his spine at the thought of Kaname - or any other guy for that matter – seeing her like this. His mind then revisited the fact that Kaname and she had been sleeping together and his anger almost got the best of him.
Instead, he marched down the hallway, gave Yuuki a glare, and carelessly offered her an arm. It was the nicest he felt like being right now, with images of her and that asshole tangled in sweaty sheets. Grimacing, he didn't notice her offended look and the way her chin wobbled, a prelude to tears. Luckily, the Chairman chose that moment to make an appearance. He exuberantly called down the hallway towards them, waving at them to move faster. Neither of them complied, but eventually they made their way out to the waiting car.
The drive to the restaurant was short, but uncomfortable silence filling the vehicle made it seem that much longer. The Chairman was unnervingly quiet, too transfixed by the scenery to make much conversation. Yuuki let out a breath that felt like she had been holding in since they left and got out of the car, trying to be graceful. She almost tripped and fell on the curb. Inside, it was surprisingly unpopulated, when normally this was supposed to be dinner rush hour. There were a few other patrons dressed in similar formal attire, but the atmosphere of the room was hushed and calm, reminiscent of the earthy tones of the decoration.
A waiter showed them to their table and Yuuki was pleased to find the seat cushions delightfully fluffy. Zero made no comment, but his lips twitched upwards in a small smile at the expression on her face, forgetting his recent resentful thoughts. They ordered quickly and got their food in short order. The meal was good but not worthy of much attention, so conversation was their main concentration. Even Zero managed to loosen up considerably, stringing words together to form actual sentences.
About halfway through the meal the Chairman's cell phone rang and he was called away on urgent business. He left them plenty of money for paying for dinner and any desert Yuuki managed to put her mind to, plus some for the taxi ride home. He yelled apologizes over his shoulder as he stampeded the doorway, coat flapping in his personal hurricane. Zero and Yuuki looked at each other and sighed dramatically. They continued their dinner in good humor, until the smell of fresh meat hit Zero like a train when a wrong gust of wind from the kitchen hit his nose.
His eyes flew open, the iris's turning completely red. Yuuki could see his fangs length between his parted lips. Even though he wasn't looking at her with that predatory gaze, she shivered uncontrollably before she could come to her senses. Taking charge of the situation, she swiftly surveyed the room to find out if anybody had discovered that there was a vampire among them. Fortunately everyone was intent on his or her meals.
"Zero! Get to the bathroom. I'll be there in a second." Yuuki muttered quietly, knowing he would hear her. She flapped her hand desperately in the direction of the restrooms, trying to catch his attention. When he tried to shake his head, she furiously overrode his protest. "Now!"
Sharply, he rose from his seat, almost knocking it over. His legs moved choppily as he willed himself to the bathroom, trying to ignore the smell of fresh blood in the kitchen. Sliding down the wall, he left the door unlocked in anticipation of Yuuki. He knew that taking blood from her was so wrong, so dangerous, but he couldn't help himself. If he didn't have blood soon, he was going to loose his control and he knew that he would drain another person to the point of death. Yuuki bursting into the room and quickly locking it behind her interrupted his thoughts.
She moved over top of him and knelt, straddling his tensed thighs. Her deep auburn eyes were filled with concern at his health, which only angered him. She shouldn't be worried about him - she should be worried herself! She was trapped in a room with a vampire! His gaze took in her slender neck, where he could easily discern her pulse. Pulling her into his arms, he planted a kiss on her throat before pushing his fangs into her skin, effortlessly taking her life's blood.
Please read and review! I have edited Chapters 1 through to 12, and I am offering them as a pdf file. If you wish to have this, please email me: ahzureas AT gmail DOT com