I really hope that reviewers start to review again because it's discouraging now. I miss all my readers who tell me they want more and love it. Please review and leave me feed back on how you like a chapter, or else it will be very slow updates! Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you the readers who reviewed.

Crimson Hearts

Chapter 12

New Alliance

A week has passed since the arrival of Maria, and ever since then Zero had been tense. Amu noticed, and tried to ask him about it but he shut her out. It was like that night a week ago never happened between them, like he forgotten. Zero felt guilty, but he needed to do this alone. That was how Zero found himself thinking of that night.

"Make hatred your nourishment and become an adult quickly my lovely Zero." Shizuka whispered, caressing Zero's young bloodstained face. "You want to kill me. This Shizuka Hiou, don't you?"

Zero stared at her eyes, watching the amusement dance in them silently. "I want to watch you closely, forever. Those eyes of yours that are filled with hatred are just mine. I'm happy that you and I are bounded by the bond that can never be broken."

Zero sighed in his bed, feeling nothing but mix emotions. Anger and hate mixed with guilt and sadness. Guilt and sadness for Amu, not even engaging in a conversation since that day in her room. Glancing at the wall the separated them, he listened for a heartbeat- but found none. Amu had made it a habit of disappearing more often now.

Zero groaned, what the hell he was doing? He had no god damn clue. His mind was in one place and his heart was in another. Eventually Zero got up and made his way to class, finding Yuki easily. Yuki was with Yori in the school hallways, and yet again there was no sign of Amu.

"Zero-san." Yori called. "Is Amu-chan alright? I went to check on her last night, but she wasn't in."

Zero gave a confused look for a second, but recollected himself, "Amu hasn't been feeling well. She must have gone to the infirmary."

Yuki gave him a look, but it was short lived Yori brought on a new topic. "I hope Amu will be well for the dance. Are you going to the dance Yuki?"

Yuki sweat dropped, "I'm not really interested in dancing with anyone. More than that I feel depressed about the final exam that's coming up. Right Zero?"

"You have really forgotten it, Traditional Cross Academy's dance party. The rule is that the class does the poorest on the final exam before the party is forced to help the dance party's backstage preparation." Yori reminded as a dark aura came from behind them.

"I'm worried Miss Yuki Cross, you are always lowering my class' average score."

Yori sweat dropped, "Class Chairman, that's a cruel thing to say."

The Class Chairman gave the three a serious look, "In which the Day Class and Night Class can attend together. If I lose an opportunity to dance with Ruka-san from the Night Class, I'll hate you forever. Why don't you as your father to look for an excellent tutor."

With that the Class Chair man walked away. Yuki let out a defeated sigh, feeling as if the weight of the world was on her shoulder's. Zero's head suddenly snapped to the side hearing a voice that shouldn't be out here at this time.

"You can't go that way!" Aidou's voice yelled as he chased after Maria. "Day Class is still there at this time Maria.

Utau and the others noticed the commotion, looking over at the two Night Class students chasing another Night Class student, Yuki, Zero and some other girl. Utau furrowed her eyebrow in confusion, usually Amu was with that group. Glancing around, Utau saw Amu walking the opposite direction with a cat following after her,

"It's strange that Amu's alone." Nagihiko muttered. "She's been like that the past few days, which means that something had too have happened."

"Where did she get a cat?" Rima asked.

Kukai sent Ikuto a smirk. "Hey at least she still likes cats Ikuto."

Ikuto couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips, "Should we follow her?"

"I'd leave her alone." Kyou interjected as he stepped up to the group.

"What the hell do you know about her that we don't?" Kukai scowled.

Kyou shrugged, walking away leaving the group. Utau was already following Amu with Rima right behind her. They were lead back to the music room.

"I'm doing this all for you, I'm doing this all for me..."
Well, "doing it for us both," I'm going to hide my face and cry my eyes out...

"Love and self," this I decide, and so here is my reply:
No one's murder shall be done; instead, us two shall be as one
"I'm doing this all for you", "I'm doing this all for me";
Let us have them be good friends, and hold each other to the end... "

Amu's voice was full of emotion, raw emotion that Utau could tell she was having a hard time controlling. A small meow, Utau was looking to see the black cat purring and rubbing itself on Amu. Amu petted the cat before resuming the song. Utau could practically see the sadness rolling off of Amu. It broke her heart.

Utau looked back at the rest of the group, telling them to stay right here and quietly entering the room and closing the door.

"Love and self" - now that we know, I and you are free to go
To smile and laugh, and more than those, we'll also cry, if so we chose
If this world's a loveless one, and we're to keep living on,
There's nowhere for us two to be, not anywhere that I can see-"

Amu cut herself off, cutting the music abruptly as she stared at the widow. She seemed to be distracted. Utau reached out and put a hand on Amu's shoulder, causing her to flinch.

"Talk to me." Utau whispered. "I can see you aren't okay."

Amu stayed silent and Sakura took the hint, beginning to hiss at Utau in warning. Utau smiled down at the small cat, then looked back at Amu. "We may not be close anymore Amu, but you're hurting. You aren't coming to classes, or hanging out with Yuki and Zero."

Utau saw the reaction the last two names brought out in Amu, instantly knowing something happened between the three perfects, but Amu spoke. "It's stupid feelings I have."

"Feelings?" Utau asked.

Amu gave Utau a sad smile, "I wish I could tell you, really I do- but I can't."

Utau made an ah-ha sound, "Because the Night Class secret is that important to keep right? We went through Easter together, and we made it out alive. What is it about the Night Class that's so secretive? Huh?"

"Stop, you think I wanted it to be like this? You have no idea how lonely it is. How dangerous it is." Amu confessed as she stood.

"Then tell us- tell me!" Utau exclaimed.

Amu shook her head, "I can't."

"You're clam today about this." Utau pointed out, noticing Amu had no fight in her.

Amu sighed, "I'm tired Utau. I'm just tired of everything."

"I thought Zero and Yuki-"

"Everyone has their secrets." Amu suddenly snapped. "I'm trying to figure them out still too."

Utau's eyes widen, "Oh Amu."

Amu's eyes watered up but she adverted her gaze, "Please stay out of my business."

"You're hurting because of him and her." Utau defensively said. "Like hell I will let you hurt by yourself."

"I am by myself!" Amu yelled, causing the music room door to open. "None of you know anything, so what makes you think you can help me!?"

"Then tell us Amu! Tell us what the hell is going on!" Utau yelled back, but the girl was already leaving with her cat in her arms.

"If you can figure it out, I'll tell you the truth, I'll tell you everything." Amu confessed, glancing back at Utau. "Because sometimes I find myself wishing I could talk to you about my life."

Then Amu was gone once again, leaving behind a stunned audience in her wake.

"I think this is going to be a problem." Ichijo muttered as he glanced around the Day Class girls who were excited to see him and Aidou out and about.

"How exaggerating! I just wanted to have a look at the cafeteria!" Maria giggled as she caught Zero's gaze. "He-he, so amusing."

Zero stared with wide eyes as Maria left with Ichijo running after her. Yuki sprang into action, but quickly Zero grabbed Yuki's arm. "Don't go near that new student; tell that to Amu too if you can actually find her. Leave Maria to that Vice President will do something."

"Yuki-chan~" Aidou purred, grabbing Yuki. "Hello! This is the second time we meet during the day isn't?"

"Aidou-sempai came too! Noooo! He's hugging her!" The Day Class girls cried out in protest.

Aidou chuckled, "You shall be ill-treated by the girls who have gone mad with jealousy Yuki Cross." Then Aidou pouted. "I'm surprised to not see Amu around. Usually she's wherever Zero is."

Zero grunted ignoring that comment, "May I talk to you for a moment Aidou-sempai?"

Aidou nodded, letting Yuki go and turning serious, "Huh, that's good. I wanted to have a few words with you too."

Zero began to walk away, "Be careful with Maria Kurenai, Yuki."

Yuki huffed, watching the two vampires walk away, "It's you two that should be careful not to fight!"

"I'm worried Yuki." Yori said, and Yuki turned to see all the glares.

"Hold my book's Yori-chan." Yuki said, running away as the Day Class girls ran after her demanding answers.

Yuki ended up running and climbing into the same hiding spot as Ichijo. Who admitted that Maria ran away when he was being chased by the Day Class girls- causing Yuki to sweat drop. Yuki then realized for the first time how hard the Night Class had it, and stayed there with Ichijo until the Day Class girls calmed down.

Aidou laughed from the spot her stood on the roof of one of the Academy buildings with Zero, looking down at the Day Class girls with amusement. "Hah, when you are next to me the girls can't come near because they are scared."

Aidou chuckled and looked back at Zero, "It's convenient for a time like this. Although I feel a bit lonely."

"So?" Zero said, engaging in conversation. "Does Maria Kurenai have any relations' with that woman?"

Aidou's blue eyes narrowed, " narrowed, " That women?"

"Shizuka." Zero muttered the name is distaste.

"What a rude fellow to not refer to our Pure Blood Queen of all people with an honorific title." Aidou sighed. "But I guess it can't be helped. She is the one who cruelly murdered your family."

Aidou shrugged as he continued. "Oh well. The Kurenai is a really old, distant relative of Hiou. That's it. Got any problem?"

Zero never lost his serious expression, "Isn't it because her appearance changed. That nothing has been heard of her for four years?"

Aidou huffed, "Only a other pure blood would be able to sense Shizuka Hiou or a Kiyomizu witch, but that bloodline has died out."

Zero's eyes widen at the mention of Kiyomizu, but Aidou still continued. "What's more important is how you are feeling right? I also want to know that. Only you would know- the one who has a bloody bond with that woman. Only you."

With that Aidou left Zero on the roof top, once again going out to search for Maria himself- seeing how Ichijo lost her a while ago while speaking to Yuki. Kaname was going to have both their heads.

Amu sat in the abandoned church, Sakura seated right next to her. The young witch had thrown herself into a type of solitary confinement. She drew herself away from people. Amu wasn't stupid, she knew Zero had been hiding something; Not only that, Amu saw distantly how Zero and Yuki interacted and she knew there was something there.

Utau had tried to talk to her, but Amu ignored everything and everyone. Amu had a pain in her chest, a pain she never really felt before. Amu didn't like it.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sakura asked gently.

Amu sighed and looked up at the church ceiling. Everything was falling apart. "No, not really."

"It helps." Sakura coaxed. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong."

Amu's fist clenched, "I don't know what's wrong myself. I just, I don't understand anymore. Zero, he always told me never to push him away when I was in a bad place. Now that I see Zero falling, he pushes me away."

"Then don't let him go." Sakura said, grasping Amu's hand.

A tear ran down Amu's cheek, "I can't help him when I don't get what's going on. It hurts more that Yuki does, and he chooses to confine in her."

Amu wiped the tear away in haste. "I feel alone. I can't go to my friends because I'm trying so hard to keep them safe. Yuki and Zero are too busy. Kaien is busy with the school. I'm not close with the Night Class. I am the only witch, and I am burned with the past. I am alone."

Sakura couldn't do anything as she watched Amu finally crumble. The tears made their way down her face, Amu's honey eyes held nothing but pain and sadness. Sakura didn't hesitate to embrace the girl into her arms. Amu buried her face into Sakura's shoulder, and Sakura gently cooed her witch.

"You will always have me Amu." Sakura reassured. "This pain in your heart, you need to have control. You are always liable to losing control, of losing yourself to the dark blood in your veins. Remember who you are."

Amu cried harder, "I don't know who I am anymore."

Sakura hugged Amu tighter, then she tensed up. "Someone is coming Amu, calm down because I sense a vampire."

Sakura had turned back into a cat, running off to hide and watch over Amu. At first Amu thought that maybe it was Zero who was approaching her, but it wasn't. Instead there stood Maria, gazing down at Amu with distaste.

"What the hell do you want?" Amu snarled.

"Such bad manners." Maria taunted. "Aren't you a naughty girl Amu?"

Amu glared at the vampire, but she only smiled. "I'm sure you aren't here to pray."

"You're right; I am not here to pray. I'm here to warn you." Maria smiled cruelly. "Stay away from Zero. He isn't yours, and I'm sure you already know this."

Amu's eyes widen, but narrowed, "Who the hell do you think you are to tell me what I can and can't do!?"

"I am the women who took everything away from Zero." Maria giggled. "Of course not in this body, but I am Zero's master."

Maria found herself on the ground in pain, Amu staring intently at her, "Don't piss me off bitch. You may have turned Zero, but he is not your puppet. You don't own him."

"My blood-"

"Means absolutely nothing." Amu snapped.

Maria's eyes widen, "My, my, are you perhaps the queen of witches, a Kiyomizu?"

Amu growled, "Don't address me as if you are familiar with me!"

Maria laughed, "Quite a tempered queen. It seems that Kaname had a piece I hadn't anticipated. How interesting."

"Leave Zero the hell alone." Amu warned.

"No." Maria rejected sharply. "You leave Zero alone, or I will wring Yuki's little neck like a wet towel. Is that understood?"

"Are you threatening Yuki's life?" Amu seethed.

"Of course." Maria smiled. "And those little friends of yours, perhaps I may even turn one."

Amu's honey eyes flashed dangerously, "You're over stepping your lines. Hurt a single human here, I will end your life. Not as a hunter, but as your master."

Maria's eyes widen, "You don't own me."

Amu smirked, "Not you, but I own your bloodline. I own the immortality that flows in your veins, and I'll easily take it away."

Maria growled, "You're bluffing."

Amu smiled, walking past Maria, "I believe this is where I say checkmate for Kaname-sama."

Maria chuckled darkly to herself as Amu left, "It seems we have a dangerous queen on the board."

Amu's self-pity was long gone. Her tears were dried and her heart seemed frozen. She couldn't bring herself to care about anything at the moment. Kyou had noticed the change in the witch when walking past her in the halls. Glancing around he saw they were alone, so he quickly grabbed Amu's wrist and pulled her into an empty class room.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kyou hissed.

Amu raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

" You need to clear all those negative thoughts in your head." Kyou demanded.

Amu chuckled, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Bullshit!" Kyou yelled. "You're falling into the temptation of the dark magic in your blood Amu! You need to pull your mind back!"

Amu glared, "That damned vampire threatened the ones I loved-"

"Don't fall into the hatred, because you are only falling for her trap." Kyou said, snapping Amu out of it. "Once you fall into that hate, it gets even more difficult for you. You won't care about those you loved, you'd hurt them yourself."

Amu's eyes widen then looked down ashamed, "I'm sorry."

"I told you I was sent here to protect you. Even if that meant from yourself." Kyou chuckled.

"You're being kind and I threw you into a wall last time you cornered me." Amu pointed out, giving him a curious look. "Why be nice now?"

"You need someone on your side right now. I can see that." Kyou grinned. "Plus I don't really want to kill you just yet."

Amu shook her head, "A witch and her hunter. You're supposed to kill me."

"If you ever hurt someone." Kyou corrected.

Amu was silent then gave Kyou a serious expression, "Promise me something Kyou Aki."

"Huh?"

"Promise if I ever lose who I am because of magic, because of what I am. I need you to promise that you will end my life if I ever hurt someone." Amu proclaimed. "Promise me that Kyou Aki, as your duty as my hunter."

"You're serious." Kyou said in surprise.

"Promise me." Amu repeated, not backing down.

"I promise Amu Kiyomizu." Kyou vowed, signing a verbal contract with Amu. "But I promise to protect you from that monster inside you."

Amu nodded, turning to walk away. Amu had a lot on her mind, and now she was walking towards the kitchen in the Headmaster's building, but stopped when she heard voices inside.

"You made a mistake on the same thing last time." Zero pointed out to Yuki, both perfects sitting at the table. "Solve it carefully."

"Oh yeah." Yuki said, rushing to fix it. "Uh, this is- if I remember right. Then use this number. Right?"

Yuki showed Zero, who smiled slightly at the brunette. "Right."

"Your neck, you were bothered by it a while ago too." Yuki pointed out, and by then Amu had enough.

"The place where I was bitten at by that woman aches." Zero admitted. "There has not even been a night where I forgot about that woman who played us brothers as fouls and made the sea of blood four years ago, and yet the reason I was able to live on."

He tell her things that he doesn't even bring up with me. That woman.. Amu thought sadly, wanting to leave but she was frozen in place eavesdropping.

"What's wrong with you today Zero? I'm worried because you're too quiet. Or are you just sleepy?" Yuki asked. "Do you want blood?"

Amu's fist clenched at the offer Yuki made.

"Is it because of Amu's distance? Is that what has been bothering you?" Yuki continued to pester Zero, earning nothing but silence. "Zero.."

Amu had enough then finally, turning to walk but Kaien stopped her. The sound of Kaien's voice calling out to Amu caught both Yuki's and Zero's attention. The two perfects stared at the door that lead out into the hall way.

"Amu, are you alright?" Kaien asked, "You've been distant according to Yuki."

"I've been busy." Amu lied with a smile.

"You hardly go to your room anymore-"

"I've been doing extra patrols. I'm having trouble sleeping." Amu said, that wasn't so much a lie. She still had nightmares some nights.

"You're attendance in class is horrible this week." Kaien continued on.

"My assignments are all done, and I will be there to take the exam tomorrow." Amu reassured, turning to leave.

"Where are you going? You just returned to the building." Kaien's integration carried on.

Amu shrugged, "Kaname is in the dorms right? Or in class?"

"Why do you need to see Kaname?" Kaien frowned, and so did Zero. Yuki also turned curious.

Amu smiled secretly, "Like I said, I've been busy. I'll just find that pure blood on my own then."

"He's in the class rooms with the rest of the Night Class." Kaien sighed, watching as Amu went to leave but Yuki and Zero both came out of the kitchen and followed after her.

"Amu!" Yuki called, causing the pinkette to glance at the brunette who ran to catch up to her. "Where have you been?"

Zero trailed after the two, smelling the air around Amu. Amu had different scents, Kyou's, Utau's, cat, and Maria's. Zero's eyes narrowed more at the last scent, wondering what the hell went on between Amu and Maria, and Amu and Kyou.

"I've been here, there, everywhere." Amu shrugged lazily.

Yuki frowned, "Why are you looking for Kaname-sama?'

Amu smiled, "Now that isn't any of your business Yuki."

"It's mine." Zero said, walking towards them.

Amu raised an eyebrow, "Now that's golden. I ask you what's wrong- and you tell me to drop it."

"What does that have to do with this?" Zero asked.

Amu crossed her arms, "I overheard you and Yuki in the kitchen. That women, right?"

"Amu, you don't understand." Zero started.

"Don't do that." Amu snapped. "Don't act like I am a kid that doesn't understand."

"You don't!" Zero snapped back in frustration. "You don't understand what I'm going through!"

Amu stared at Zero with a cold look, and Yuki sensed this was much more personal between the two hunters. Yuki never seen the two fight with each other, but now she had a front row seat.

"I guess I don't understand." Amu chuckled. "You told me once you trusted me more than anything, but yet you don't trust me now. You trust Yuki."

"You're jealous." Zero pointed out.

"I have nothing to be jealous about." Amu whispered. "I asked you once how you felt, and you lied. You lied to my face."

"Amu-"

"I don't understand Zero." Amu repeated. "You're right. I don't understand you and Yuki. Let me ask you something- would you have taken her offer in that kitchen?"

Zero stayed silent, and Amu hummed with a nodded. Her eyes stayed emotionless. "That's all I needed to know."

With that Amu turned on her heel, but Zero moved faster- grabbing Amu and pulling her towards him. Amu though wasn't having any of it. "Stop struggling."

"Let me go." Amu whispered.

"I'm not letting you go until you forgive me and tell me what is going on." Zero whispered, looking down at Amu. Yuki watched, finally seeing it.

Amu and Zero were together.

And they hurt Amu unknowingly.

"You're such a hypocrite." Amu whispered. "I'm not telling you anything, now let me go."

"Amu."

"I said let me go!" Amu yelled in anger, but Zero held her tighter.

"I'm not letting you go." Zero argued. "You and Maria meet today, I smell her all over you."

Amu struggled, and forced Zero back with her magic. Amu glared at Zero defiantly. "I'm trying to help you!"

"Amu, calm down." A voice said calmly.

Amu glanced at Kaname, who was now approaching the three. "It's done Kuran. She's exactly where you want her."

"What are you two talking about?" Zero growled.

Amu glanced at Zero, then walked away from the three. Yuki went to follow her, but Kaname stopped her. "Amu is helping me with our Maria situation. That is all you two need to know."

With that, Kaname disappeared into the night- leaving Yuki and Zero to stand there. Suddenly Zero was moving towards a building where he sensed her. Amu would have to wait until later, Zero thought it was best to let Amu calm down.

"That's right you are able to feel me because there's a bond." Maria smiled as Zero made an apperance.

In the middle of the room was Maria. Who stood there waiting for Zero. Zero didn't hesitate to move and pull out Bloody Rose, pointing it at Maria's heart.

"Right now that is filling up the emptiness in your mind not even that little witch can fill." Maria smirked as Zero put his finger on the trigger. "Finally, you've come to kill me."

"Give a punishment to me, the one who has made a mistake Zero." Maria continued to taunt. "If you can pull that trigger."

Maria giggled when Zero couldn't pull the trigger, how his lilac eyes widen. "What are you so surprised at? Is it because you can't shoot?" Maria grabbed Zero's face in her hands.

"Don't touch me." Zero hissed.

"Poor boy. I'll tell you the truth. You can't kill me." Maria didn't flinch when Zero pushed her back and retook aim with Blood Rose. "You cannot kill me, the master who has given you a life as a vampire. You're the first one to not give up. I'm glad I chose you."

Around the corner of the wall was Yuki, who listened to the conversation with wide eyes.

"No matter how I may look, you are so good Zero." Maria laughed. "That you recognize me, the one who took your life as a human."

Zero's lilac eyes filled with hate, "That's right, I'll never forget. Shizuka Hiou. That day your real face was wet with our blood."

"This body is not mine." Maria says as Zero took a shot. "So I don't want you to be so violent."

Yuki glanced to the side, seeing another male getting ready to attack. Yuki lunged forward, shouting for Zero when a hand pulled her back and covered her mouth. Yuki watched with tired eyes as the other silver haired male went and dropped a sword from the second story that Maria caught effortlessly. In the next second, Maria went to attack Zero.

Instead, metal clashed against metal.

In front of Zero was Amu, who jumped from the second floor banister holding Crimson Hearts, blocking the sword's hit. Amu was glaring hatefully at Maria and the other silver haired male. "He may not be able to shoot you bitch, but I sure as hell can."

Maria snarled, going to swing the sword around at Amu once again- but Amu was fast, pulling the trigger and hitting the shoulder of the arm holding the sword. With a cry of pain, Maria dropped the sword, glaring at Amu. By now the second silver haired male came down to stand protectively in front of Maria, picking the sword up himself.

"Amu what the hell are you doing?" Zero hissed angrily.

"Did you think I'd really leave you alone at a time like this Zero~kun?" Amu asked, giving Zero a small smile over her shoulder before turning back to her protective stance. "I may not understand, I may be pissed off still, but I have things to take care of, and that includes you Zero."

Yuki lost consciousness when the other silver haired male advanced at Amu with his sword.

So it's finally done! Chapter twelve, and I am so happy. I really feel like the characters and the plot are developing more at this point. Please please review guys.

Reviews mean the world to me, and make me update faster. Now that I barely get any feed back, I may just update slower. I know it isn't nice but reviews motivate me, so please tell me something about this chapter or what you want to see. Maybe even a scene or a pairing!

Any way please review (so close to 100). Hope you enjoyed.

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