The sharp song of a guardian whistle spooked everyone in the courtyard. All attention turned to Yuki, who had taken the stairs like a normal person to get outside. She held up her hands to the group.

"Ok guys, the late bell rang! That means every one of you should be in class!"

No one moved a muscle. Ben choked on a laugh and looked up to see Zero hadn't taken his eyes off her. A smile stretched over her mouth, "Hey . . ."

He echoed her low tone, "Hey . . ."

She took him by the lapels and turned him away from the guardian that was slowly making everyone leave, "Skip class today."

He gave no resistance, "Oh, would you like that?"

"You know, I really would," She guided him away from the school one slow step at a time.

He followed, "And what would we do?"

"Weeeell, I think I can let you buy me an ice cream or something."

"Let me?"

"Yep. You should consider yourself very lucky."

"Zero?" The two glanced back at Yuki walking towards them. The sight of their entangled hands brought her to a halt. She met Zero's gaze directly, digging for an answer. What was going on? Who was this girl? Why was this the first Yuki was hearing about her. He gave her nothing. No matter how hard she tried, she could never tell what he was thinking.

He could see the questions swimming in her head, but in all honesty, the last thing he wanted to do at the moment was explain everything. He had so many questions himself, and how could he tell Yuki who Ben was when he wasn't even sure himself anymore. He needed her right now. Yuki could wait until he had his answer.

"Take notes for me." He said with the cold tone she was familiar with as he let the girl take him away.

The words hit her chest like a dagger, ". . . What? Where are you going?" She tried to follow.

"I'll be back before sunset." He called as he turned his back to her.

She stopped in her tracks, an ache filling her stomach, ". . . You better be, you jerk! Zero, I swear!"

Ben waved, "Thanks for the tour!"

And with that they were off, rushing to the gates of the school. Yuki stood in the mud, fuming with confusion as she watched the stranger whisk her friend away. He went with her so willingly. Not a single fuss or attitude like he would normally give her.

Yuri, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped to her side, "Yuki?"

Her hands balled into fists. Yuri touched her shoulder, "Hey, are you ok?"

She finally threw up her hands and shouted, "What just happened!?"

Zero opened the gate, letting Ben slide out.

"Oh, thank you, kind sir." She teased, bowing at the waist before dancing through the gate and into the street. He let the gate fall shut and paused, "Ok . . . Ben, how?"

She turned on her heels, "Me, how!? You, how!? Zero, you were dead. I saw you lying on the floor in a pool of your own blood. She killed you."

"I passed out. I lost too much blood."

"Well, yeah. Your . . . Your neck was ripped open." The memory made the blood drain from her face.

He stepped closer, "I'm alive, Ben. Look."

She glanced up, their eyes meeting with a tenderness. His voice lowered, "They told me they found you at the scene. You were outside and bleeding from the neck, but when they tried to help, you ran off and no one has seen you since." She swallowed hard and nodded, her eyes glossing over at the memories. He touched her hand, his voice hardening, "They said you were probably dead. What happened, Ben? Where did you go? How did you survive being turned?"

She wiped her eyes, "Um . . . I . . . went to your window like I always did and . . . neither of you were there so I snuck in. Your whole house smelled like blood and I . . . I followed it and . . . found you. And your parents. And him."

"Him?"

"Ichiru. He . . . and her were talking about you and . . . I got so mad; I couldn't . . . I tried to kill him, Zero, and she attacked me. We were fighting out in the snow when Yagari and some others arrived. They scared her off." She trailed off.

Zero squeezed her hand, "Why did you run?"

She glanced up at him, "Because I could smell them . . . and it scared me."

He understood immediately, "So you ran."

She nodded.

"How did you survive?"

An ironic chuckle found its way up her throat, "Uh . . . A vampire found me actually."

He frowned, "A vampire?"

She nodded, "Aimi Saito. She was a recluse. Lived in the mountains because she was tired of the vampire politics. The society left her alone as long as she checked in every few years to prove she wasn't just beasting out in the woods. She was heading home and found me at the base of her mountain. She fed me and took me with her."

"So, you've just been hiding in the mountains?"

"I didn't think there was anything left for me down here."

"I was here."

"You were dead. And where were you? I noticed that you didn't exactly look for me?"

"I was a little busy trying not to eat anyone."

"Honestly, that's fair."

All conversation died when their eyes met again. She reached up and softly tucked a strand of his hair into place. It was the first time in years he didn't back away from a touch. Her warm fingers trailed down his face, taking a moment to trace his cheek bone and jaw. Zero studied her, watching as her memories were pushed away by some sweeter thought. Her eyes glowed in the morning sun. She looked so different now. So angular and strong. There was a wisdom in her face. A softness for him she could finally indulge in.

She looked so much older than she was. Her childish wonder that always confused him had transformed into a spontaneous bravery. She was no longer the rebellious kid he knew, but he could still see the fire in her. All that had happened didn't extinguish her spirit, simply modified it a bit. She still looked like she could take anyone in a fight, but maybe she wasn't starting as many anymore.

A chuckle left her lips and his brow creased, "What?"

Ben shook her head, "You just . . . you grew up nice, kid." She patted his cheek, "You're so handsome." He could feel his face warm and she burst into a song of laughter, "Oh my god, your face. I find it hard to believe no one at this school tells you your attractive."

"Most of them just say I'm scary."

"Hm," She hummed, her hand drifting down to the collar of his shirt, pushing it down to reveal the tattoo on his neck. He watched her closely for a reaction, but all she said was, "Nah, you're not scary at all." Something inside him calmed. He didn't have to say anything, she could read it on his face. He had missed her so much. So, with a smile that said 'I missed you too,' she looped her arm with his and the two began their walk into town.