Hello my lovely readers!

These next few chapters are going to be really exciting, so I'm going to get them out as soon as possible!

Disclaimer:

ZERO: What's with the song in the story?
ME: I like it and I was listening to it when I was writing.
ZERO: You know that you don't own it right?
ME: I AM WELL AWARE I OWN NOTHING! *runs and cries*

The song in italics is Distance by Christina Perri :)

Happy reading!

The sun is filling up the room
And I can hear you dreaming
Do you feel the way I do right now?
I wish we would just give up
Cause the best part is falling
Call it anything but love

The twinkling chirp of the morning bird roused a drowsy Yuki from her deep slumber. She shifted in the soft sheets, enjoying the waves of calm that lolled over her. That was the first peaceful night sleep she had had since the appearance of her reoccurring nightmares.

She finally felt refreshed.

A small smile graced her features as she snuggled her head deeper into the pillow, not yet opening her eyes. She rested there for a moment, enjoying the bird's song, until she noticed a weight across her waist.

Yuki cracked an eye open and peered down. A large, pale arm rested across her body. She gasped.

What?

Her head snapped over her shoulder to find the striking silver haired man sleeping contentedly right beside her. His thin lips were parted softly as he took in even breaths causing the gentle rise and fall of his shoulders. The sheet had fallen away from his body to reveal his t-shirt clad chest and the prominent muscles in his arms. His long eyelashes rested against his cheekbones with the softness of a feather as strands of silver hair fell about his eyes. Yuki's eyes drunk in the man's face; following the lines of his strong jaw. He just looked so peaceful, with no hint of anger or hatred or pain on his face. He appeared almost childlike in this state, such a contrast to his usual indifferent self. She felt the urge to reach out and stroke his face, to hold the Olympic God in her hands if only just for a moment...

At that time, she noticed him shift in bed. The arm around her waist tightened, pulling the young brunette closer. Yuki fell forwards at the movement, landing on her palms just next to the sleeping man's head.

A warm current shot through Yuki's body and painted her cheeks a lovely shade of red at the proximity of her body to his. She flushed. Embarrassed, Yuki dipped her head, however causing the soft ends of her hair to lightly dance across the man's face.

Zero stirred in his bed, allowing his long limbs to stretch out. Swiping away whatever intrusion that fluttered on his face and disturbed his sleep, he let out a long yawn and rubbed his eyes as they peeped open.

To his ultimate surprise, Zero woke up to a sight that he only ever saw in his dreams. His eyes locked onto a pair of wide, ruby stones. The flushed face was so close to his that he couldn't believe that it was really there. And despite his better judgement, Zero slowly reached out a hand, cupping her cheek. Warm and solid. The face didn't disappear by his touch.

Zero's heart swelled.

"Yuki." He breathed.

Another rush of blood painted Yuki's cheeks as she averted her gaze from those striking amethyst eyes. Combined with the warm hand that cupped her cheek, Yuki's heart began to stutter in her chest.

She gulped.

She couldn't understand the emotions coursing through her body. She felt embarrassed, happy, nervous, jittery, joyful and lastly, confused. These reactions in her body didn't make any sense. Why was she feeling like this? Yuki's mind was swimming with questions, yet she couldn't forget about Zero's palm holding her face and the arm wrapped around her waist.

Zero's eyes took a moment to register that Yuki – his Yuki – was actually in his bed. Words couldn't describe the way his heart raced, wanting to leap out of his chest and escape into the radiance of this moment. He had been so preoccupied on Yuki's face that he didn't notice that he had an arm wrapped around her slender waist.

"Oh," A groggy sound escaped his slightly parted lips, as he removed his arm from her body, "Sorry."

Yuki almost immediately missed the contact between them.

"Ah," Zero scratched the back of his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed himself. Never did he ever imagine that the two of them would wake up in his bed like this. Sure, he had wished that is would; he had dreamed and prayed. But he didn't think it would ever actually … happen.

"How did you sleep?" He asked, trying to break the thick silence in the air.

"Good," Yuki answered quickly, nervously, "Great actually. Um," She let her ruby eyes fall to the space in between their bodies.

"Thank you," Yuki gave Zero a wide smile, which made his breath catch in his throat, "for letting me stay … for everything really. I … I had the best night sleep I've had in a very long time. But … ah, sorry," she sat up, fiddling with the sheet in her lap, "you know. For taking your bed."

Zero let out a deep breath as he clasped his hands behind his head and relaxed into the sheets.

"It's no problem."

A sharp alarm sounded and with a groan, Zero rolled over and hit snooze on his alarm clock.

This jolted Yuki back into reality.

"Wait," her voice rose in pitch, "what time is it?"

Zero's eyes flickered to his clock, "7:37."

"Ah!" A shrill cry came from the small brunette, piercing Zero's ears. How could such a loud noise come from such a small girl?

"I've got to go get ready for class!" Yuki panicked. She crawled over Zero and rolled off the bed.

The silver haired man groaned inwardly as he watched Yuki's tight arse make its way to the door.

"Oh no."

Zero sat up in bed, noticing that Yuki's hand had frozen on the doorhandle.

"What is it?" he asked her, pushing away the fantasies that played in his mind of keeping her locked in his room...

"I'm in my pyjamas!" Yuki whirled around and gestured to herself.

Zero shrugged, trying to remain oblivious to the way her top hugged her devilish curves, "So?"

"In my pyjamas!" Yuki repeated, her shrill voice gaining octaves, "walking out from a boy's room, whilst other boys will be walking around the dorm because they are on their way to class! They're going to see me! Ah! No!"

"Relax, Yuki," Zero tried to keep calm, but the thought of other boys getting to see Yuki in her pyjamas was not something that he was going to let happen.

My eyes only.

"Listen," he rolled out of bed and sauntered over to the chest of draws, pulling out his uniform.

"Stay here." Zero told the brunette as he stepped around her and opened the door.

"Stay here?!" she squealed, "Then what?"

"You'll be able to leave without anyone seeing you once the dorm is empty."

Yuki shook her head, "But I'll miss class!"

Zero sighed at her overly anxious expression, "Would you rather let all the Day Class boys see you in your pyjamas," he challenged, "or be late to class –which mind you, you do quite often."

The brunette opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again. Her shoulder's slumped in defeat.

"Be late to class," she mumbled.

"Exactly," Zero said as he placed his palm on her head, giving her a comforting rub. Zero threaded his fingers through her locks and let the calming sensation fill him up, "I'll see you later."

Yuki watched as her silver haired friend closed the door softly behind him, to leave her alone in his room.

She stared at the door for an immeasurable amount of time; eyes slightly unfocussed. She was still unable to believe that she had stayed in Zero's room for the entire night; that he would even let her.

The brunette turned around and surveyed her friend's room. It was so empty, she noted. Plain white walls, a grey bed, a dresser. There was no colour, no personal touches, no keepsakes. If the bed sheets weren't rumpled, you'd believe that the room was void of any human inhabitants. Much like Zero himself. He never tried to put on a show to make other people happy; very black and white. And yet, Yuki never knew what he was truly thinking. This irritated her to no end at times because it seemed that Zero could read her like an open book. But with him…

The brunette waltzed over towards the bed and sat down gently on the edge. She ran her delicate fingers across the sheets. Zero was still a mystery to her. Her childhood friend could be cold and callous one moment, and then as tender and caring in the next. The way her silver haired friend had looked after her last night, touched Yuki deeply. A gently smile graced her face, warming up her eyes as she reminisced about the way Zero held her in his strong arms and making her feel as if nothing in the entire world could hurt her.

People didn't understand that part of Zero. They only saw the outside, what he shows them. Just like his room. They only saw the hard side, the cold eyes and the stern face and they judged him accordingly. Sure, he was popular within the Day Class, but that was mainly because of his dangerously handsome face and good grades. They didn't see the side that Yuki did. They never saw the way that his lavender eyes would melt when his expression softened; they never saw the hint of a smirk on his lips when Yuki did something to amuse him; they never saw the way he put his life on the line just to help others.

They didn't see him the way Yuki did.

No one would see him the way she did…

As Yuki waited in the room, she remembered the reason why she was there. Her nightmares. The image of the book turning into flames at the association was vivid in her mind. It made an unsettling feeling resonate in her stomach. What wasn't she allowed to see? And who was stopping her from seeing it? And who is the figure in her nightmares? Kaname … surely Kaname would know, right? He was there that night. Maybe he could tell her why the remains of two bodies were found. If she could remember more from that night, maybe that would help with her nightmares.

Yuki decided that if she ran into Kaname at patrol that night she would confront him about that dark night in the snow.

The brunette waited a while longer in Zero's room until she thought it was safe to enter no man's land which was the boys' dorm corridor, and then headed off to get changed into her uniform.

"I don't know how you do this," Yori pointed out with a yawn as she crawled into bed, "night after night."

Yuki flashed her friend a bright smile, "I don't mind," she said whilst strapping Artemis to her thigh," and besides," Yuki straightened up and gestured to herself, "someone has to keep the students in check."

Yori just shook her head with a smile, "You have way too much enthusiasm for this."

Yuki just hitched up her Guardian armband and saluted her friend, "Don't wait up!" she called as she raced out of the room.

Yori watched the small brunette blur out of sight as she rested her head on her pillow, "Never do."

A gentle breeze caressed Yuki's face as she wandered around the dark Academy grounds alone. The cool air was a welcome change to the past few humid nights. It had a comforting sound too; the light rustle of the wind through the leaves in the trees made her feel as though she could be swept up and away at any moment. She enjoyed the way the branches swayed as the gazed up at the navy sky; only letting glimpses of the glowing lights as if they were playing peak-a-boo with the stars. Airy on her feet, the small brunette danced along the pathway as she did her rounds, making her way towards the Night Class building.

"Watch where you are going, Yuki," advised a smooth voice from behind her.

The brunette spun around at the sound to find the handsome Night Class president leaning against a tree.

"Ah!" She exclaimed, startled, "Kaname!"

"Did I frighten you, Yuki?" He asked, as he walked towards her, "I'm sorry."

"No, no!" She backtracked, shaking her head, "Not at all … Um … Actually, I'm glad you're here."

Kaname raised a brow, "You are?"

"Yes," Yuki replied, "Of course. I … well …"

The brunette vampire took another step forwards so he was standing mere inches from her small frame. Yuki rocked a little uneasy on her feet at their closeness. Subconsciously, she averted her gaze as a part of her wanted to take a step back to put some distance between the two of them.

"What is it, Yuki?" Kaname asked.

"I … um," She stumbled, "I wanted to speak with you … about something." Yuki felt like she didn't know where to begin or how to start. Her small palms began to get clammy as she clasped them together.

"Yuki," A look of concern swept over Kaname's face, "is something troubling you? You look unsettled. How about we have a seat?" He gestured towards a bench to the side of the path.

Yuki nodded her head and let Kaname guide her over, though she secretly wished that his hand wasn't resting on the small of her back as he did so.

As the pair sat down, Yuki's gaze dropped to her clasped hands in her lap.

"I don't know where to start." She finally admitted after some time.

"From the start," Kaname suggested, "and then we can go from there."

The brunette nodded without lifting her gaze.

"I've … well I've been having these, I guess you could call them nightmares, though they happen when I'm awake sometimes."

"Nightmares?" She could feel Kaname's eyes on her, "And what happens in these nightmares?"

"They … they're of that night," She said, finally looking into his eyes, "You know, the night that you saved me. Well, at least I think they are. It's always the same scene that plays out. It's dark; black. And I can't see anything, or hear anything or even move. And it's always so cold, like I'm frozen into place. Then I finally see a figure move in the distance and it flies towards me with red eyes, a skeletal face and long, sharp fangs." A shiver shot down Yuki's spine and she had to stop for a moment before she could speak again. "But before it gets to me another figure jumps out in front of me and I hear this voice screaming the name 'Akiko'."

Yuki glanced up at Kaname as her words settled down on him. Though his expression was unreadable.

"And you say this happens a lot?" Kaname asked, though Yuki felt as though he was masking something. There just wasn't something right with his tone…

"Yeah, and that's not all." Yuki continued, "It was concerning Zero-"

"Kiryu knows about this?" Kaname interrupted.

Yuki nodded her head, "Yeah. So we went to the Headmaster and he suggested that we go to the Hunter's Association Headquarters to look through their records of that night. But when I found the page that mentioned what happened that night, it burst into flames.

"I feel like …" Yuki's heart began to race in her chest, "I feel like that something or someone is stopping me from finding out what happened that night. And I don't know why!" The realisation of how true her words were caused her sudden outburst of distress and she started rambling, "Why Kaname?" she questioned with frantic eyes, "Why can't I remember anything before that night? How did you know to be there to save me that night? And why was there evidence of two bodies being destroyed instead of just the level E that attacked me? I don't understand anything! Why Kaname?!" In her distress, Yuki fisted Kaname's collar and hid her head in his chest. Her shoulders began to shudder as waves of grief passed over her.

"Who is Akiko?" Her voice broke as she whispered this phrase over and over again into Kaname's silk shirt.

She felt arms envelop her into a deep embrace as her muffled cries continued into the night.

"Why Kaname?" Yuki shook her head roughly against his shirt, "Why can't I remember … why?"

"Shhhhh," Kaname crooned as she rubbed soothing circles on Yuki's back. "It's okay, Yuki. Please don't cry."

Stumbling upon a scene that he did not intend to see, Zero watched from between the trees as his Yuki was wrapped in Kuran's arms. Zero's blood boiled in his veins and his fists balled at his sides. No, no, no! This wasn't right! Yuki was meant to come to him when she was upset. It was supposed to be his arms who embraced her. Zero's eyes turned into slits and his jaw clenched tight.

The burning fire of jealously raged within his lean frame.

He couldn't stand seeing them together. It made him sick. But of course she'd chose Kuran. As much as Zero didn't want to admit it, he knew he never stood a chance against the pureblood vampire. And watching the two of them, was just as painful as if the petite brunette had taken a rusted knife and plunged it into his heart.

Zero couldn't watch it anymore. His entire being was torn between being livid and being devastated.

And I will make sure to keep my distance
Say, "I love you," when you're not listening
And how long can we keep this up, up, up?

Before he could be discovered, Zero staggered off in the opposite direction of darkness; trying to get away from the embracing couple before they noticed him and his empty chest where his heart used to be.

Yuki, unaware of the peeping Zero, settled herself slowly and removed her face from Kaname's chest and sat back.

"Sorry," She apologised, "I'm just … I'm just so confused."

"I know, Yuki," Kaname gave her a small smile, "I know."

"But," She prodded, "but do you know? Any of these things? Do you know, Kaname?"

"Yuki," Kaname started in a placating tone, "I think it'd be best if you forgot about this."

"What?!" She exclaimed and jumped up, "B-but … but I can't! I've told you," she tried to reason, "these nightmares plague me! I can't get away from them! Please Kaname," Yuki pleaded with him, eyes wide, "you've got to tell me!"

"Yuki," Kaname addressed her calmly, "that kind of … information will change your life forever. In a serious and irreversible way. I won't say anything until I am sure that you are willing to adjust your entire life as you know it. And that time isn't now."

Yuki gaped as Kaname stood up and pulled her into his arms once again.

However, this time, she did not want to be there.

"Please, Yuki," Kaname pleads fell on deaf ears, "All I want is for you to be safe and happy. Please, let it go."

The silver haired man stormed his way back through the grounds and towards his dorm room. With hunched shoulders and hands stuffed in his pockets, Zero had had enough for the night.

Just when he believed that things were going well between Yuki and him, he had to stumble upon a scene like that?! And especially after the night they had just shared together? Zero had felt special; needed, when Yuki sought comfort from him. But the way she had curled up against him was exactly the way she was with that filthy pureblood.

A deadly scowl was permanently fixed upon Zero's face.

He was livid with himself. How could he allow himself to believe that Yuki cared for him the way that she cared for Kuran? She idolised him for fucks sake! There was nothing that Zero could do to compete with that. It was never going to be him, was it? It was always Kuran.

She'll always chose him.

A growl of frustration sounded from deep within Zero's chest as he pushed his lean legs faster towards the Boys' Dorm. He had dropped his gaze to the ground and focussed on the path when he heard a small voice … growing in volume.

"Zero!"

The silver haired man piped up and glanced over his shoulder. In the distance was the reason for his sour mood as she raced down the pathway towards him. Yuki's hair was wild and windblown and the rims of her eyes were still red from her breakdown earlier.

Just the sight of her brought on a fresh wave of irritation and he continued marching forwards.

"Hey! Zero!" He heard Yuki's voice call again but he didn't stop, "Wait up!"

A few moments later, a slap on the silver haired man's shoulder altered him and he stopped, wielding around to face the brunette.

"Where have you been?" She accused as she doubled over, resting her hands on her knees, to catch her breath.

Zero glared down at her darkly.

"Working. Which is more than I can say for you."

He watched as his words made Yuki's head snap up, "Huh?" She cocked her head to a side, confused, "What do you mean?"

"You and your precious Kaname," Zero spat down at her, igniting the flames of hatred inside of him, "It's disgusting to watch."

Hurt flashed across the petite girl's face, "It … it wasn't like that-"

"Oh, give it a rest," Zero growled and turned away from the brunette.

"But, Zero-" Yuki reached out to grab onto his arm.

"Let go of me!" He roared and shook her off, ripped his arm back. "Don't you dare touch me with those same hands that you touch him with!"

He saw as his words cut Yuki, but at that moment he could not give a damn. There was so much tension in his body, so much anger and hatred towards the pureblood. His tight fists shook at his sides. Hot. He felt red hot. Fangs started protruding from his thins lips and he ground them together, hard. There was an inferno inside of him that could explode at any moment. The instability was frightening.

Please don't stand so close to me
I'm having trouble breathing
I'm afraid of what you'll see right now

He shut his eyes to try and calm himself, but all Zero saw was Kuran's arms wrapped around Yuki. And he hated it! He hated it!

Why did it have to be her?

Snapping his blazing eyes open, Zero grabbed Yuki's shoulders and pushed her against the trunk of a tree besides the path. He was not gentle as he snatched up her wrists in his hands and pinned them either side of her head.

"I cannot stand it," Zero growled in her face merely inches from his own. Yuki's startled expression was blurred by the breast that was raging in Zero's mind. His anger … he was losing control of his emotions and the monster was taking advantage of that. "The sight of you and him together. Him touching you-" the beast pounded against Zero's temples and clawed its way up his throat; leaving him dry and thirsty. Zero's breathing became laboured as his senses became clouded by the floral scent that was wafting from the girl pinned between his body and the tree.

"I hate him," Zero gasped for breath as his hands tightened around Yuki's wrists. His body began acting of its own accord. But Yuki had no intention to move. Her ruby eyes were wide as she watched her dear friend fall apart right in front of her.

Zero's eyes shone bright red as the beast narrowed in on the pale skin of Yuki's slender neck. He needed relief … and was too far gone to stop now.

Blood.

The monster could practically taste the sweet crimson liquid already. He salivated.

Blood.

Zero licked his parched lips and angled his head down towards her neck.

"I hate him," Zero rasped out, "And you love him."

The agony of those words echoed in Zero's own ears. He gave himself over to the beast as his fangs pierced the delicate flesh.

Blood.

Zero drank greedily from Yuki's neck. He pushed his body up against her petite frame so there was no distance between them at all. He needed her. He needed this. He wanted her so much.

As Yuki's life essence poured into Zero's body, the fog that had clouded his mind began to lift as if he was slowly coming out of a dream. Then, with a sudden realisation, Zero's lips halted on the delicate neck and his eyes grew large, fading back to their glorious lavender colour.

What have I done?

Zero ripped his lips from Yuki's slender neck and dropped her wrists. The silver haired man staggered backwards, raising a hand to his bloody mouth. An image of horror reflected in his eyes as he saw Yuki slowly drop her arms and rest against the tree trunk. His eyes flickered to her hands as Yuki rubbed her wrists.

They were red.

Zero dry retched.

I hurt her.

I hurt her.

I've never … I've never hurt her before.

Zero's eyes swam at the red marks around her wrists, then he dropped his gaze down to his own open palms.

How could I …?

Hurt Yuki?

I … I …

"Zero."

The distressed silver haired man snapped his head up to see the small brunette slowly walk towards him. A small trickle of blood was still seeping out of his hideous bite marks and escaping down into her shirt, staining the fabric there a sinful red. But there was no hint of anger in her eyes.

Zero staggered backwards.

"S-stay away from me, Yuki," Zero warned.

But the brunette continued walking forwards.

"Zero," she repeated softly, "It's okay-"

"Stop," Zero interrupted, closing his eyes, "Please, if you value my sanity do not … don't tell me that what I just did was … was okay."

"You were angry," Yuki reasoned.

Zero threw his arm over his eyes, "That's no reason to bite you. Hurt," his voice cracked, "you."

A moment of silence passed between the pair, until Zero felt a small pressure on the arm covering his face. His eyes snapped open to find Yuki standing right in front of him with concern watering her eyes. Zero allowed his friend to let his arm drop to his side.

The brave girl then gathered up his hand in both of her warm ones and locked their gaze with earnest eyes.

"I am okay, Zero."

The anguished man tried to interrupt but was silenced by Yuki's determined look.

"Zero," she repeated again, "I am okay."

"How…" the silver haired man shook his head, "why are you still standing here? Can't you see I'm a monster? To hurt the one person I care about, the one person I never ever wanted to hurt…" Zero dropped his head, ashamed, "I'm despicable. How can you still stand to be near me?"

Zero couldn't bear to look at the concerned expression on Yuki's face. He was a miserable excuse of a man. And she was just so caring … forgiving … He didn't deserve to even look at her.

"Because you are my best friend," Yuki responded. Zero was startled when he felt her warm palm cup his cheek that his gaze caught hers again.

The small, reassuring smile that graced Yuki's lips made Zero's heart want to break into two. She was so brave. Like a beacon to a ship at sea, Yuki was Zero's light in the darkness. Her warming glow was his saviour, time and time again. Any normal girl would be petrified of him and race in the opposite direction. He didn't blame them either.

But, Yuki … well, she was in a league of her own.

And was so precious.

The small brunette must have seen the despair in his lavender eyes because she raised her other hand as well, gently cupping Zero's face.

"I know you are angry with yourself, Zero," Yuki gazed up at him, "but … Please don't leave me again. Come … come back to me, okay?"

Zero had no right to refuse a request from the brunette.

He nodded silently.

"I need to go." Zero told her and gently removed her hands from his face. He flinched as he noticed the red marks on her wrists again and turned his head away in disgust at himself.

He began to walk, when Yuki called out after him.

"Zero!"

The silver haired man stopped but did not turn around.

"I'm not afraid of you."

Those words … those sweet words swept over Zero like a wave and all the tension in his body that he didn't realise was there, slowly drifted away. He lifted his head to gaze at the night sky. Those bright little stars … none of them compared to the radiance of the girl behind him.

It was a moment before Zero moved again towards his dorm, but not before he murmured a soft, "I know," to the brave school Guardian.

Yuki stood there, watching the broad back of her friend move further and further away from her and into the night.

He is still in pain.

She was ignorant to believe that his desire for blood was dwindling. Of course it wasn't. And Zero was still suffering.

Her heart ached for him.

A part of her was worried that she would never see him again. Whenever Zero left her sight she had an irrational fear that he would leave the Academy, and her. She couldn't bear it if he left her behind.

She felt fear.

Not fear of Zero. No, she was never afraid of him, ever. No, she had fear for Zero. She knew how he felt about being a vampire; how he hated it with every fibre of his being. And every time he bit her, she knew that it took its toll on his sense of worth. Yuki truly hated that he felt that way; that he couldn't see the good inside of himself, even when she so blatantly could.

But what if this was the final straw?

What if he leaves me?

That thought made Yuki's stomach drop and she felt sick.

The brunette shook her head. She couldn't let herself think like that. Zero wouldn't really do that? Would he?

Yuki just had to trust that he would come back to her … like he promised.

Please review if you want Zero to come back to you ;)

ZERO: Not happening.
ME: Party pooper...

I hope you enjoyed that chapter and get ready for the next one!

Lots and lots of love xxx