I might be writing a Fruits Basket fic, but I doubt I'll return to VK. I ideally would like to write for Fruits Basket, Karin, and Inuyasha. I actually just started writing for Inuyasha last night (it's about Sesshomaru's rise to power when he finally is able to assume his role as Lord of the West, and Jaken pesters him to find a mate to produce an heir, but Sess doesn't pursue it since he doubts he can find a woman worthy and powerful enough). I also have a concept for Karin, and have started writing a bit for that (though that will probably come out later as it is definitely my most mature fic and it focuses on Ren, 'nough said). Fruits Basket, unfortunately, is my least developed idea. I'm also hesitant to touch it because I think FB's pretty much perfect. I also rewatch episodes all the time when I write, and Fruits Basket makes me cry like all the time, so I'm not so sure.
Do any of those interest any of you though?

Zero

I refused to look at Yuuki as we stood in the elevator together.

"Zero, I-"

"Shut up, I don't want to hear it."

"Zero, I can't help what I am any more than you can!" she yelled, frustrated.

"No, but you could have helped leaving with Kaname, the man who used me, who used everyone around him. You could have helped leaving me to wither away- some ally you are. And do you even try to hold back on biting people?" I spat.

"Zero, of course I try, and I do-"

"Then what was that with Jemmea? Just for fun? Was it supposed to be funny?"

"Zero- I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for all of it. But even though I'm different now, even after I left, I still care about you," she said softly.

I gritted my teeth. I hated her for everything she had done. I hated her for using that same tone. It was like Yuuki was being used as a puppet now by some evil creature.

"The only reason I'm not killing you," I snarled, still refusing to look at her, "is because Mea begged me to. Don't think for a second that it's anything more."

"Fine, I won't," she said quietly, but her tone seemed to suggest that she thought she knew better.

We reached B3 and the doors opened. When we stepped out, one of the nearby researchers acknowledged me. "Mr. Kiryu, you're not scheduled to be here today."

"This girl is a pureblood who has agreed to help," was all I said.

Then he yelled out, "We've go a live one, boys!" and they started to scramble to get things together as he said, "It's very nice to meet you. Thank you so much for contributing-"

"Anything to help!" she said in her old perky way, smiling. I gritted my teeth.

"Please, this way..." the researcher said as he escorted her away.

I stood by the door and waited patiently for the better part of an hour, keeping an eye on the floor operations. Eventually, they brought her back. They were joking with each other and smiling, getting along quite well. I grabbed her arm and pulled her away, "It's time to go."

Once we were in the elevator, it was quiet. I tried to contain myself, filled with hate for the container next to me. And then she reached out, pressing a button and halting the elevator.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

"Zero," she turned, looking up at me with those big eyes, "I didn't come here to only give my blood to the project," she said, turning and gathering her long hair to one side.

I sharply drew in a breath and my eyes widened. "What are you-"

"Come on," she urged. "I came once I heard you were still alive, when I heard there may still be hope for you yet. But human blood can only sustain you for so long, my blood will help prolong your life."

"No!" I spat. "I fed off your foul blood for the last time-"

"Zero, you know you need this; you know it will help. If you won't do it for me, and you won't do it for yourself, then do it for her. It will allow you to give her a break, and I heard what she said to you, about not being able to lose you..."

This made me recall the scene from earlier, starting me on a train of thought. I thought about all she had done for me, all the faith she had in me, the promise she had made. I remembered that first time in the woods, "Please, Zero, you're the only person who has ever looked out for me. You're the only friend I ever made, so please don't let it end this way. It would break my heart." The sorrow she possessed, and the anger she had that this had happened to me, starting with that first time she found out under the stars, "It's just, you're the best person I have ever met, and this is what happened to you. And I finally made a friend, and you're telling me I have to watch you slowly go mad, turning into everything you hate?"

I looked at Yuuki's neck and sensed the blood running through her veins. Just the thought of blood pumping through the body got the beast in me worked up, and I knew this had to happen. I suddenly lunged at her, pinning her as I had before, away from me, her hands on the wall, and sunk my teeth into her. "Zero..." she said gently, but my rancor only made me sink my teeth deeper into her to get her to be quiet.

When I was done, I extracted my teeth, panting. I pushed myself away and slammed on the button, putting the elevator back in motion. I glanced at her neck to see the wounds had already healed as I wiped my mouth on my sleeve. When the elevator doors opened, I grabbed Yuuki's arm and walked her to the main entrance, pushing her out. She turned around to face me, putting her feet and hands together, her long hair gently brushed aside by a slight breeze.

"Now leave, and don't you dare ever come back," I spat.

Before I closed the door, she said, "I hope they do find a cure, Zero, and I wish you the best." I grimaced, narrowing my eyes as I closed the door, only looking back once I was in the elevator to make sure she was gone.

I spent time alone at the range, firing my frustration out. Some time passed, and I had shot all I could. I was still upset, still rattled by seeing Yuuki. It had been so long since I had last seen her. She was so different now. Seeing her drew me back deeper into that world I hated.

After some time, I got my stuff together and headed for Jemmea's loft. I was greeted by Avery, "Zero, nice to see you. Jemmie's not here."

"Is it ok if I just stay and wait for her?" I asked.

"Of course, though I can't tell you when she'll be back," he replied. I went and sat on the couch, putting my feet up and stretching both of my arms over the back of the couch. After a couple hours Avery disclosed that he was going to bring some more of her stuff to Kaiba's, and I was left alone. It was during this time that Mea came back, a little surprised to see me.

"Hey," she said, kicking off her shoes and hanging her keys up. "What are you up to?" I recalled how every time I initiated any interaction with Yuuki, she would always ask if I wanted her blood, as though blood was all I desired. Mea never did that.

I didn't say anything as she walked around to me, sitting before me on her coffee table. She glanced at my sleeve, seeing the blood, then looked back to me. "Yuuki let you bite her." I diverted my eyes. "It's ok, Zero, I'm glad, because it will really help you, right?" she asked.

I looked back to her. Still without saying anything, I slid forward and took her in my arms, resting my forehead on her shoulder. She was not expecting this, but responded by placing her arms around my shoulders, one hand in my hair. "Oh, Zero..." she whispered.

"I hate all of it," I confided into her shoulder.

She rested her cheek on my head. "I know," she whispered, then asked, "Why did you come back to me, Zero?"

I turned my head towards her, still resting on her shoulder. "Because," I whispered, "I wanted this. I wanted to feel like a real person."

Her cheek still against my head, I felt her smile, then start to stroke my hair. "I'm glad you can at least feel that sometimes," she replied.

I was hesitant to say the next piece, but a part of me really wanted to tell her, "I bit her for you," I revealed, "I don't want to cause you any more pain."

I felt her smile fade. "I don't want to see you in any more pain, but I want you to want to live for yourself, not me."

I was rarely vulnerable and broke down like this. It was hard to show, but it was even harder since I had only really done this with Yuuki, opening myself up only to be betrayed.

Then, as though she knew what I was thinking, "I'm never going to leave you, never going to give up on you. You're my priority now, Zero. For as much as I love Seto, he and Mokuba will always have each other. That's the kind of devotion that I strive to have for you. I am always on your side; you deserve it. You deserve so much more, but that is something that I can actually give." After a minute, she added, "So I meant to tell you this before you pulled that unfunny stunt earlier –I'm getting married in a week."

I didn't move. "You're an idiot," I said flatly, then hugged her a little tighter.


Next Chapter: The Prince

I was getting married tomorrow. Tomorrow. Me. Who would have thought?

I thought about this as the day approached, inevitably getting more antsy. I was on my way back to my loft now, I suppose for the last time. I arrived at my door, taking my key, which again, after today would be useless to me. I opened my door to see my space one last time, but as soon as I laid my eyes on it, I froze, not ever letting go of the door.

Kaname Kuran sat on my couch, drinking tea.