I've been planning the carnival scene a looonnnggg time. I guess it finally fits in…

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Yuuki and the chairman were cleaning out the hallway closet, looking for something to tide the time. They were both impressed at the true vastness of it compared to the dusty and cramped dark room Yuuki had grown up with. They found more than they could ever want…

There were old, hard cookies. Yuuki wondered if they were spiked.

Hats from the 1900's.

A box of photos of people the chairman never knew. "How did those get there?" he wondered.

There were board games so old, that Yuuki had never heard of them

There was a contraption that he had built in the years before Yuuki came. It was supposed to open a window at the flip of a switch.

There were women's dresses. "Those aren't mine!" He insisted. Yuuki only grinned

There were masses of papers on vampires and wars involving them. "Ahhh. So that's were my report went."

Another box was filled with video tapes, mostly of bunnies. "Ummm, Those used to be yours." The chairman looked down nervously. They both knew he was lying.

The list went on and on. They even found the skeleton of a cat.

"Mr. Cuddlybumpkins!" The chairman was shocked at finally finding his old pet. "I thought he ran away!"

After an exhausting morning, the two had thrown out most of the junk, and went to the kitchen for lunch. Yuuki and her father parted ways after that and she went to the pond to feed the ducks. It was getting really cold, and the most of the ducks had left, save the faithful few who returned occasionally to be fed by Yuuki. She was tossing pieces of bread to them when someone spoke

"The ducks are attracted to you." She turned to find Kaname. He had that bad habit of sneaking up an her.

"I just feed them, that's why." She smiled and offered him the loaf. He took it.

"No. It's more than that." He said this mysteriously, but continued to look at the ducks.

"I doubt ducks can see past the hand that feeds. They just come for the food."

"If you say so." He smiled at her insistence. They were silent for a while

"What do you want for Christmas, Kaname?" Yuuki was surprised she said it, though it needed to be said. She had no idea what he wanted.

"I don't need anything." He was just as surprised as her. "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything. I'm happy right now." They smiled at each other. The ducks began to quack, feeling neglected.

"Kaname, I can't just not get you anything." Yuuki furrowed her brow, looking worried.

"Well…"

"Yeah?"

"How about…would you like to join me in a night at the carnival? I think we both would be happy with that."

"That's what you want? You want to go the carnival? Of course I'll go!" By then the bread was gone and neither of them had an excuse to stand at the pond. Kaname escorted her back to her dorm and they parted ways.

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"Sooooo. Explain yourself!" Yori was on her knees on her bed, staring accusingly at Yuuki.

"What?"

"What happened? I saw you and Kaname walking together!" Yuuki sighed, and related to Yori everything that had happened.

"You're going to the carnival with him? Tonight? That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!" Yori exclaimed.

"What about you?"

"What do you mean 'What about me'?"

"Well, aren't you and Yukio going to do something? You should go too." Yuuki was changing out of her jacket and scarf.

"Yes…we are. He's taking me to see a movie, downtown. As much as I would love to accept, I decline your invite to a double date." Yuuki blanched

"It's not a date! It's a Christmas present!"

"Call it what you will, in my eyes, it's a date." They threw pillows at each other for a while then they got tired and watched a movie.

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The night was very cold. Yuuki could see her breath crystals as she walked in the grounds. She met Kaname at the gate. He escorted her into his limo. The ride to the fair was fairly short, but she enjoyed it nonetheless. They both were silent but relished in each other's company. When they got there, Kaname went off somewhere, leaving Yuuki to wait in the cold underneath a tree. He came back with cup of hot chocolate and roasted nuts. She thanked him profusely and they went off to explore. The decided to wait on the rides, going instead to sideshows and games. Kaname dunked the clown, winning a stuffed tiger which he gave to Yuuki. All in all, they had a wonderful time. Around two in the morning, the carnival began to shut down piece by piece for the next night. They found their way to the limo. Yuuki was half asleep.

"I had a lot of fun, tonight. Thank you." She bowed, though warily

"I should be thanking you. It was your present to me, after all." After that, when they were both in the car, Yuuki dozed off. Kaname smiled, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and carried her up to the Headmaster's apartment. Though the Sun dorm was closer, there was no need to make trouble when he was carrying a guardian…

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Kaname had changed in the past months. He felt lighter, less weighed down, especially around Yuuki. He smiled more and more often and his heavy attitude seemed to be lifting. He sighed. Kaname opened the door to the Moon Dorm, to find Ruka watching him and waiting.

"Ruka…can I help you?" Kaname had closed the door. She now stood between him and the stairs.

"She's changed you, you know. You seem happier, now. Even when she denied you what you most wanted, you still love her. Why can't you love me like that?" Her face was not angry, but sad. She felt unwanted and lost when next to Kaname.

"Ruka, you never loved me or I you. There's some one out there who is meant just for you, and no one else. But I am not that person. Ruka, go find him. Don't let me bring you down. Now please, I'm tired, and I bet you are too. Go to bed." He smiled comfortingly at her and climbed the stairs to his room.