AN- So this chapter felt strange to write for some reason O.o I can't explain why…I think it MIGHT be because it deviates slightly from the main plot, so if you start reading this and think 'what just happened?' please bear with me! It will all make sense as things progress, or at least, that's what I'm hoping anyway :P. Just a refresher- In the previous chapter, Yuki learned that Kaname is her ancestor…I didn't write that part itself since I think the majority of people still reading this have probably gotten at LEAST that far into the manga.

Sitting at my cluttered dressing table, I'm not at all certain how I should feel. Gently, I lift the large makeup brush from the wooden surface, daubing it in a compact of blush, before sweeping it across my porcelain cheeks in a couple of delicate strokes. I've never been one for makeup in the past. The heaviness of it has always felt suffocating upon the pores of my skin…even now; I feel the prominent desire to wipe it off again…though perhaps it is not the makeup that feels heaviest on this night. A neutral mask adorns my face. Large cinnamon eyes stare back at me…emotionless…because weeks have passed….and we're no closer to our dream, are we?

My reflection replies almost tauntingly. My stomach knots almost painfully, I wince, my head is spinning just a little, the edges of my vision blurring so that I am forced to reach out, clutching the edge of the ancient dressing table tightly in a bid to stay upright. My nerves are taking their toll on me tonight…even my first soiree had not seemed so terrifying…perhaps it's because last time I felt as if I would have someone there, by my side, supporting me, protecting me from the sharp tongues of other vampires should I make a blunder. I place the makeup brush down, brows knitting into a soft frown.

I feel so conflicted right now…weeks have passed by since I last saw Zero…since I learned the truth about Kaname….Carefully manicured nails dig deeply into the varnished wood as my heart aches painfully at the memory. I'm still not certain how to feel…about anything that has happened in the past month. After Zero and I had promised to figure something out…after he had promised to get in contact, to give me some indication that things would be okay…I'd received nothing. I'd waited longingly beside the door for any mail…scanned the forests nearby from every window for any sign of the silver haired hunter…however, I had not picked up any indication that he had set foot anywhere near the manor. I hadn't been able to sense him…I take a deep, cleansing breath. I'm getting ahead of myself. It's only been a fortnight right? I chew my lower lip gently, counting on my fingers. Chocolate eyes widen suddenly as I realize it has been almost four. Four already? Still…that's not so long…right? My throat feels dry, and I clutch at my throat suddenly….thirst again. Trembling hands seize the dresser drawers open, rummaging around until I come across the familiar tablet box.

Knock, knock, knock

The gentle sound of rapping at my bedroom door draws my attention away from the beast in human form that is my reflection. My stomach summersaults at the sound. So who will it be? Ruka-san? Aido-senpai?...Or?

"Yuuki…" The muffled yet entirely familiar voice of my fiancé pierces through the silence of my dimly lit bedroom, reverberating off of every surface, reminding me of my prison like confinement in this place that should be my home.

"Yes Kaname?" I call back sadly. No 'sama', no 'senpai', no 'onii-sama'…because we have entered yet another phase of our relationship now. I no longer know how I should address him. He is not my senpai, and he is not my older brother. He is my ancestor, but still my Kaname…right?

"Are you ready?" He questions, his gentle tenor making its way through the wood, not the only thing that seems to be separating us lately. I can picture him standing there; hand on the door handle, eager to enter the room. I glance guiltily at the tablet box in my hand…he had asked me to refrain from taking them, but the past few weeks have been hell, I'm ravenous. The bloodlust is becoming difficult to live with…but telling him something like that would be like admitting that a large portion of my heart is in Zero's hands. As if he hasn't realized.

"I am…" I call back to him, hastily replacing the tablet box back in my drawer, beneath a stack of papers. My gaze lingers hungrily on it for a few more moments before I replace the contents of my drawers and attend to my fiancé. "Please come in." I permit him, swiftly grasping the brush in my hand once more, pulling it anxiously through my thigh length locks as the gentle click of the door alerts me that he is here. I catch a glimpse of his tall form, reflected in my dressing table mirror. He smiles warmly at me, and I offer him a small smile in return. It's all I can muster right now.

"Such a beautiful sight…" He murmurs, advancing towards me slowly, but seeming to reach me at an alarming speed despite this. Every movement is elegant and graceful as he plucks the brush from my hand, lovingly running it through my hair. He takes a handful of strands in his fingers, inhaling the locks softly as if they hold a pleasant scent. His eyes, brimming with love tear at my conscience as he surveys me through the mirror's reflection. The burning hunger in my throat is urging me to feed, and I swallow audibly despite the fact I'm trying not to.

"You need to feed again?" His eyes darken ever so slightly with his question, dark brows knitting into a concerned frown. I shake my head quickly, plastering a bright smile upon my face. The only way I've been able to endure the past few weeks has been to drink from Kaname…and while it helps, it doesn't seem to be sating the thirst at all, the thirst that has become worse than ever.

"I'm fine. Just a little nervous." I assure him, trying to meet his gaze as I speak to make my lie seem more convincing. He seems sceptical, but as it is, he doesn't have much time to press me on the matter.

"The guests have started to arrive. It would be impolite to keep them waiting…however, do not think that this means I won't attend to your hunger after the soiree." He tells me a little sternly, although a teasing smile makes its way to his lips. I smile weakly in response. I can't possibly steal his blood again…however, his hand is being thrust before me, and I take it quickly to avoid the subject.

As we take to the staircase, I stare up at him, almost apologetically as our eyes meet…his equal. That was what I had strived to be, but now I realize I can never be as elegant and knowledgeable as he is. Ten thousand years of experience dictate his actions and words. I only have seventeen years' worth of those things…it's hardly surprising that I've never been able to match him in anything. With a heavy sigh, I attempt to create the façade that this is not the case though. As far as the sea of Aristocrats filling our mansion know, we are siblings. Two years separate us, rather than ten thousand. As such, I must act the part, even if it is unattainable.

The sea of bodies engulfs us as we step down from the staircase into the ballroom. The gaggle of beautifully clad bodies is almost suffocating…it's humid, and the warmth seems to cling to small areas of bare skin not covered by my ball gown. My gown tonight is a little less elaborate than the one I wore to my first soiree, but I'm not at all disappointed by this, in fact, I feel a little more comfortable as a result, though not enough to stop my heart from hammering fretfully in my chest. I haven't been in a crowd this large since the last soiree; the closeness of bodies against me is uncomfortable to say the least. Kaname has invited more Aristocrats into our home than I knew existed…

So what is the purpose of such a grand soiree? I stare up at the tall, dark haired man by my side, the man who I feel as if I know even less about now than I had a month ago; however, I understand this political action painfully well. Damage control. Of course it had been inevitable…word of what had taken place almost a month ago now had spread like wildfire. Perhaps if I had merely run away, no one would have learned the truth until much later, but the death of two level Cs at the hands of the most notorious vampire hunter on the scene right now has caused quite a stir among the vampire community. It isn't common practice for vampire hunters to kill a vampire that is not a level E, and my stomach churns sickeningly at the thought that Zero would surely have been punished if it weren't for my pureblood lineage...

To protect one of our most precious treasures, a pureblood princess of the respected and cherished Kuran family, we can let the events of that night pass without further action.

That was what had been decided in a meeting I had not been permitted to attend, even when I had pleaded with Kaname to let me go with him, he had merely told me that neither I, or Zero, as the two involved in the incident would be allowed within the discussion quarters. It was apparently protocol when something out of the ordinary occurred, such as a pureblood being put under threat, a human being bitten under peculiar circumstances, a pureblood turning a human…two level Cs being killed. More often than not, no action is taken, and due to the nature of what had taken place that night, Kaname had assured me that neither I, nor Zero, would be in any danger of prosecution. So why had I felt as if the weight of the world had rested upon my shoulders? I had lain in bed that night feeling nauseous and worried, not for myself, but for Zero. The way Kaname had been behaving whenever Zero's name was brought up lately, the way he spoke his name as if it were poison, or poison watered down when in my presence.

What should have been a private meeting that had taken place little over a week ago had been the words on many a tongue. Sightings of me wandering the town, not just alone, but with Zero, had sparked wild rumors which meant scandal for our family name if Kaname allowed it to spread unchecked. Aido-senpai had informed me of some of the things that were being said…that Zero had kidnapped me and held me captive in a bid to make some kind of deal with Kaname, that one was utterly ridiculous, others said that it was a cruel set up by both Kaname and the Hunter Association to try and stir things up…that it was no coincidence that the vampire society had only seen me for the first time last month, and in that time such a strange occurrence had taken place. It was a plot to turn the vampires against the Kurans; a plot to turn the vampires against the hunters…each new rumor was more farfetched than the one which had preceded it. The only box left unchecked was the rumor about what had actually taken place…a romance unfolding between a pureblood and a hunter. I was grateful that this had been left untouched…perhaps it had crossed people's mind, but it seemed too crazy to be true.

My attention is brought back to the soiree as I realize I'm merely being pulled along by Kaname, barely paying any mind to the vampires around us. The dark thoughts have brought a frown to my face. My heart is constricting tightly at the thought that maybe after so much trouble and so many rumors, that Zero has simply abandoned the thought of the two of us being together after all…if merely being seen together has caused such a commotion, then what would happen if people knew what else had taken place in Zero's apartment that night? A chill runs down my spine as I notice crimson eyes surveying me, cinnamon orbs quickly darting up to meet with that of my fiancé's. That's another thing I'm beginning to notice…the way Kaname is looking at me is different, as if his gaze holds a certain suspicion…the thought that he knows what truly happens sends fear pulsing through my body, and so I attempt to plaster a smile upon my face, not only for him, but for the people surrounding us.

Even more than last time, people are eager to catch a glimpse of the young pureblood princess who has caused such uproar among the straight laced vampire society. As expected, questions are hurled my way, about that night, about why I had been out on my own, about the level Cs who had attacked me…about Zero. The atmosphere is smothering. Kaname informed me that I should not attempt to answer these questions, the truth would cause more scandal, and attempting to lie would only cause myself confusion…telling the same lie to fifty people in the course of a single night sounds as if it might be easy, but he warned me that I could easily forget details in the process, or end up elaborating on something that may cause them to ask me further questions, and so I spend what feels like hours simply avoiding their questions, changing the subject, giving elusive answers…and it's exhausting. My iron like grip on Kaname's arm weakens as the night drags on…and I'm no closer to achieving my real goal. My search for Zero. I'm aware that there must be at least twenty hunters present at a soiree of this size, especially one taking place in the Kuran mansion…the hunters have been ordered to prevent anyone from wandering…perhaps Kaname is worried that they may find the mausoleum he had slept in for thousands of years in the basement levels of our home…but somehow I get the impression that he has something else to hide. More secrets…

"Yuki, you look exhausted, perhaps you should take a break and have something to drink." Kaname tells me, his voice is laced with concern, his dark brow knits into a frown as he notices me wilting at his side.

"Come, I'll escort you over to the table. Perhaps I made a mistake in not allowing you to feed earlier…" He notes, gently guiding me towards a large table at one side of the room where an array of glasses are scattered. Waiters patrol the room with glasses on trays, but none of those liquids appeal to me…water of life, wine and champagne…My clammy body longs for blood, but I'll have to sate it with water for now.

"I'm sorry…I'm fine really." I murmur, however both Kaname and I know this is a lie, and it isn't long before we're beside the table, however, before I am able to sate my thirst, whispers are spreading across the room, and a group of aristocrats part to allow a tall, blonde haired woman to make her way towards us. My already nauseous stomach knots as the graceful form of Sara Shirabuki appears…fashionably clad in an elegant gown of baby blue hues, her presence sets me on edge, and I suddenly feel very alert. This woman…I'm even less fond of her now than the last time we met a mere month ago…the memory of the faint scent of blood that had lingered on her sent fear dancing through my veins, and my entire body tenses as she draws closer…the deaths that had taken place in the Aido mansion at the soiree…how had I forgotten such an event? It had slipped my mind over the past month, but seeing the eerily beautiful woman before me again brought it all back again, the pool of blood on the floor, the Headmaster leaning over the dead body of a hunter…the dust that had once been Ouri-sama…the supposed culprit stood before me, though she had not been labelled as such, it had been obvious to anyone who had made contact with her that night.

"Kaname-sama, Yuki-sama, it's a pleasure to see you both again, I must thank you for inviting me into your home, it's such an honour…I believe a soiree hasn't been held here in decades…not since the passing of the late Haruka-sama and Juri-sama." Her friendly tone unsettled me, and the mention of our parents caused my body stiffen further. I don't feel safe in her presence…the way her cerulean orbs wander over my form make me feel uneasy, as if she is surveying her prey. I attempt to shake the feeling off. Perhaps I'm just being paranoid, but the smile on her red lips unnerves me. I wonder if Kaname can sense it to…and if so, why on earth did he invite this woman into our home after the events of the previous soiree? A thought occurs to me…perhaps this soiree isn't a bid to repair the damage I've caused, but rather a trap to try and capture the woman who was responsible for the deaths at the last soiree? I glance up at Kaname for any sign that this might be so, however, he has an amiable expression painting his features, of course, he wouldn't give such a plan away so easily.

"Thank you for attending. Yuki and I are grateful that you have graced us with your presence." Kaname tells her as if she is some kind of old family friend…however; it's forced, just as her niceties are. My blood runs cold as her gaze settles on me. The smile on her face is sugary sweet, like that of an older sister or a mother staring fondly at a younger family member.

"Yuki-sama, you look radiant this evening, white is certainly a color that flatters you." She tells me with mock affection, though anyone standing nearby would probably mistake it for a true compliment. I smile charmingly back at her.

"Thank you Sara-sama, this is a dress that once belonged to my mother." I tell her, examining the sleek fabric that makes up the floor length skirt. Another dress chosen for me by Kaname…perhaps in a bid to strengthen my likeness to my mother, the color white chosen to highlight my innocence…a tactical decision to try and make the aristocrats see me in the same light they had viewed her.

"Yes, you do share a striking resemblance to Juri-sama…oh but Yuki-sama, forgive me, you look rather flustered, are you feeling quite well?" Sara narrows her carefully plucked eyebrows into a frown that mimics a look of genuine concern. The attention of surrounding vampires who have been listening intently shifts to me, and I feel my already warm cheeks burning even more intensely at the attention. This conversation is beginning to grate on me…more than anything I want to escape the gaggle of bodies to go and search for Zero…but I can't exactly leave without ending the conversation, as much as my head is pounding right now…I offer her my sweetest and kindest smiles in a bid to feign normality.

"I'm quite well, just a little warm, all I need is a glass of water and then I'll be just fine." I tell her perkily. The smile on her lips seems to widen, her expression softening…and that's when I notice the glass in her hand, filled with a scarlet liquid that resembles 'the water of life'.

"It is rather humid in here, but perhaps you would benefit more from this? Please, take my glass, it hasn't been touched yet, and it's fresh." She insists, pushing the glass in my direction. I eye the liquid suspiciously; alarm bells are ringing in my heads, telling me that I shouldn't accept something like this. Is it merely my paranoia, or is it that there is something not quite right with the drink in front of me? Chocolate orbs dart around for any sign of reassurance, an indication that my senses are correct or incorrect…however, all I see are the smiling faces of the nearby spectators, their smiles almost mocking, as if this is some kind of game, and depending on my decision, I will win or lose. My eyes search desperately for silver hair…for the hunter I'm so desperate to catch a glimpse of…but in the end, the decision is mine, and mine alone.