Disclaimer: Neither Harry Potter or Vampire Knight is mine. I don't claim the characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling and Matsuri Hino respectively. I also don't make a profit from writing this. Thank you.

Warnings: Foul language and some bashing.

A/N: Ok I want to clarify something real quick. It's about how Kaname/Willow/Zero pairing won the poll. I just want to let some of my reviewers know that Kaname won't be getting with Willow anytime soon. I won't say much about when they will start getting closer, but it will be hard work for Kaname to win her affections. It doesn't help that there is Zero getting in the way, making it harder for him of course. Lol.

"Vampire." - Talking

'Vampire.' – Thinking

Chapter 10

"Why are you always so mean, Willow?" Yuki demanded the moment they left the Moon Dorm grounds.

"What do you mean?" She asked indifferently.

"You know exactly what I mean!" She exclaimed, walking faster until she could stop in front of Willow – making her stop as well – putting her hands on her hips with a glare on her face. "Every time you are around him, you're always saying really mean things. I don't know why he puts up with it, but you should cut it out. He hasn't done anything bad to you, instead he's been nothing but kind and polite. So I don't understand why you treat him – or me for that matter – so cruelly."

"Calm down." Zero growled, rubbing his temple trying to rid himself of his building headache. He wasn't in the mood for the two to argue right now. 'I just want to go to Lily and relax.' He thought mournfully.

"You want to know what he's done to me, do you?" Willow asked with a cruel smirk forming on her face. "I'll be more than happy to tell you. It started on a snowy night about 10 years ago. At first it was just me and my Otou-san sitting around the house, minding our business when all the sudden we felt a dark presence approaching our home. Imagine our surprise when we opened the door and found a young boy and an even younger girl standing there, waiting for us to let them in. Can you guess who those two were?"

However before she could say anymore – or Yuki, who had a confused look on her face and was opening her mouth to say something – Zero grabbed her arm firmly and started to pull her away. He knew what was going to come out of her mouth would end up crushing Yuki's heart and though he wasn't very fond of the girl himself, he wouldn't want her to be hurt in that way either.

"Sorry, Yuki. Can you go back to class and tell the teachers that we won't be in class for the rest of the day?" Zero asked without looking back, he just continued dragging an unresisting Willow behind him towards the stables. "What has gotten into you? You were about to crush her." Zero asked with his eyebrows pinching together on his forehead.

"Tch. How do you expect me to treat her when she made you her slave?!" She growled in answer, ripping her arm out of his hold.

"You know Yuki didn't know that was going to happen." Zero interjected reasonably making her look off to the side with a scowl. "You also know she won't use the Spell after what you did to her either. By the way, what did you say to her exactly?"

"I just told her what I would do to her if she were to ever use it for anything other than to save her life. That's all I am going to say on the subject so don't even bother asking for more details." She answered with a stern look in his direction making him huff a little.

"Fine. But really, chill out a little before you end up saying or doing something you will regret. This isn't like you, well not really. You're more…how do I say this…hmm…I guess you're more indifferent about those around you really. Never really talking to them until they say something to you first. Now, it seems as if you are starting to go out of your way to insult them. Yuki and Kuran being the main targets. Not that I care about Kuran, but Yuki?" He said haltingly.

"Are you starting to feel something for Yuki, my dear Zero?" Willow asked with a slight purr in her voice though the glance she shot him was sharp enough to cut diamonds.

"What? Of course not. However, if you keep on the track you are on, nobody would want to be around you." He warned with a slight blush of offense on his cheeks. 'She's not the one I have feelings for.' He thought with a deeper blush.

A second later he was forced to a stop when Willow threw her arms around his shoulders before pressing herself full body against him. Then she put her lips right next to his ear making him feel her slightly cool breath on it. He wasn't able to withhold his shiver from the feeling of it or of her body pressing against him.

"Wi…Willow what do y…you think you are d…doing." He stuttered nervously.

"Are you going to leave me like the others would?" She asked him in a husky voice, tightening her hold on him. She was trying her best to resist the temptation of digging her nails into his neck at the very thought of him ever leaving her. 'I would never allow that to happen.'

He squeezed his eyes closed trying to think of anything but her body pressed against him so he didn't end up having an embarrassing reaction that he wouldn't be able to hide. His breathing was becoming more ragged as the seconds went by and he knew that if he didn't answer soon and get her off him, he wouldn't be able to hold back anymore.

"No. I would never leave you willingly. No matter what." Zero swore with his eyes still squeezed shut missing the dark and possessive smirk crossing her face.

"That's good." Willow purred before she did something that made his eyes shoot open in shock.

Chu

'Did she just kiss my cheek?' He couldn't help but think in a stunned daze, resisting the urge to lift his hand up to press against the spot she just kissed. She had never did that before either to him or to her father from what he has seen of their interactions.

"Are you coming? I am sure Lady Lily is awaiting for us to show up." She asked a few steps in front of him now, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Not able to say anything without the fear of making a fool of himself; he just started walking doing his best to ignore the amused look he was thrown. When they got to the stables he went straight to Lily, still not saying or even looking at Willow.

"Oh, come on. Are you going to ignore me for the rest of the day?" Willow called with amusement still in her voice. All she got was silence for her efforts. Rolling her eyes, she went to say her own hello to the beautiful white horse that only really liked Zero but tolerated her since she was always there as well.

"Hello, gorgeous. How have you been?" She cooed while rubbing her nose gently, getting a gentle nudge in return. Zero was in the middle of getting a brush from where all the grooming tools were kept. Normally, they would have a brush already available at the stall, except other people would end up using it and not put it back, so they just starting putting it with the other tools instead.

"Sorry, love. We don't have any carrots at the moment so we will just bring double the amount next time." She continued to coo. So, ok, maybe Lily puts up with her because she has a habit of spoiling her rotten.

"No we won't." Zero said when he came back and heard what she said. "If you continue to give too many carrots to her all the time, she's going to get fat." He teased.

"No she's won't. Don't you listen to him, you will never get fat. He's just jealous of your figure."

"Sure I am." He snorted. He went into the stall and raised the brush to start brushing her, except that she moved out of the way every time he went to do so. "Come on Lily. Let me brush you." He growled.

"You shouldn't have called her fat." Willow called with a crackle.

"Shut up. I didn't call her fat. I said if you are not careful then she will be."

"That's the same thing."

"No it's not."

"If not, then she wouldn't have any problems with you brushing her." She said when Lily continued to evade him.

"Urge! Fine. I give. I am sorry for calling you fat Lily. I didn't mean it. It's impossible for you to ever become fat." Zero said exasperated when she still wouldn't let him brush her. He could still hear Willow laughing at him in the background.

Lily stopped to stare at him to see if he was telling the truth. When she was satisfied with what she saw she snorted in his face and gave him her side to start brushing her.

"It always amazes me how she can move so swiftly in such a small space." Willow mused. While the stall was big enough for two Lily's to fit comfortably, it wasn't big enough for her to move the way she did without hitting the walls at least, but she never did. Hit any of her walls, that is.

"True." He agreed getting another snort from the mare.

"That just means that Lily is just the best and most intelligent mare in the whole wide world." She started to coo again.

"What amazes me is how you act so differently with animals and humans." Zero said.

"What do you mean?" Willow asked curiously.

"Well, other than me and your Otou-san, you are always cold and indifferent and sometimes even down right cruel. To animals, on the other hand, you are always so nice and sweet to them. I just want to know why?"

"From my experience, one can never trust mundanes. They would turn on you at the drop of a hat. If you are not their definition of normal, they would do everything they could to destroy you. It doesn't matter if it is mental, physical or spiritual. As long as the one they think is a "Freak" is put in their place – beneath them – they are more than happy to do it. Don't get me wrong, I have encounter some mundanes that aren't like that. It's usually 100:1 chance of meeting that type of person. Animals, on the other hand, follow their instincts. They don't give a damn what race, religion, or anything else one might be as long as you don't threaten them in any way, shape or form. That is mostly for the wild animals, for the tame ones –on the other hand – as long as you feed them and love on them when they want to be loved on, they are good to go. Well, as long as you don't mistreat them of course."

"One: What's a mundane? I have always heard you say the word, but don't really know what it means. Two: How would you know if a human is that 1 out of 100 if you never give them a chance?" Zero questioned after a pause. He didn't like the distant and saddened look she got, as if remembering some horrible things.

"One: A mundane is an ordinary human with absolutely nothing special about them. Two: It's the eyes that tell me if they are that 1 out of 100." Willow answered seriously after she snapped back to the present.

"The eyes?"

"Yes, the eyes. No matter how one tries to hide their thoughts or feelings, if one is patient, they will show. It's those unspoken thoughts and emotions that tell me if they are that 1 out of a 100." Seeing the look he cast her, she couldn't help but smile. "It's part instinct too."

"Uh huh. What emotions or thoughts do you look for?" He asked with a roll of his eyes.

"Acceptance." Was the easy answer she gave.

"Acceptance?" He asked confused.

"Do you remember the day we first met?"

"Yes. You were quite the demanding little thing. Urge!" Zero gasped when Willow hit him in the side for the "little" comment.

"I was never little. Anyways, do you remember what you felt when you first saw me?"

"Other than you being pushy, not really, no." He said protecting his side just in case she tried to hit him again. Luckily for him, she didn't. She just gave him an amused look.

"Wariness but acceptance." She told him with a warm smile on her face.

"Say what?"

"Ha. Even back then, I knew we would always be side by side. Even when you didn't know anything about me, you were already accepting me into your life. For that, I accepted you into mine."

"Oh." Was the only thing he could think of saying. He turned back to Lily to help hide his blush and to finish brushing her as well.

"Hahaha. Don't be embarrassed. I am glad to have you in my life."

"So am I." He told her honestly, turning back to her with a warm smile of his own. "I am done."

"Good. It's almost time for the switch over." She told him.

"What?"

"Yeah, we were here longer than what you thought."

"Whatever."

Finishing up taking care of Lily, they went to the Gates for the second time that day. When they got there, they saw that – once again – Yuki having trouble keeping the fans under control.

"Same old, same old. It gets kind of boring after a while doesn't it?" She asked rhetorically.

"It does." He asked on a tired sigh.

"Zero, Willow! Get over here and help me!" Yuki called out desperately when they were close enough for her to see them.

"Well, here we go." Willow said before both she and Zero started to get the fans back in order to where the pathway from the Gate doors to the school was freed up for the Night Class to walk without problem.

After the Gates open, it was just like any other night. The Night Class comes out, fans go crazy, Aido acts like an idiot, get scolded by Kuran and then everybody leaves to their respective places. The only thing different this night was that instead of going with the other two to their spot below the Night Class, Willow diverged towards the woods.

"Where are you going?" Yuki asked when she saw her going in a different direction. Zero turned when he heard the question and looked at Willow as well.

"To be alone for a while." Was what she said, not stopping to answer.

"We'll go with you, if you want." She said shyly.

"No, thank you. I want to be alone at the moment." She saw the down look in Zero's eyes and wanted to coo. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

"So, see you tomorrow?" Zero asked

"But Zero! She shouldn't be out alone. What if she gets hurts." Yuki demanded, twirling to look at him, not noticing that Willow had ignored her and just kept walking. By the time she tuned back after Zero just rolled his eyes and turned away, Willow was already gone.

"Urge! She never listens." She cried. She turned to complain to Zero, except he was already walking away. "Hey! Wait up." She called before running to catch up. When she did, she started to talk his ear off.

'I can't wait for this day to end.' He thought annoyed, trying his best to tune her out.

XXX ~ With Willow ~ XXX

"I am finally alone." She muttered with a happy sigh.

For the past couple of weeks, she hasn't had a moment to herself, something she can't stand. The only time she had any time to herself was when she was using the bathroom or sleeping. Or when she was going from place to another looking for someone.

When she got to a clearing she went to the biggest tree lining the clearing to lean against it.

"Death." She called out when she was comfortable. It took a few moments before she started to notice the woods go silent and the air go still.

"Mistress." A voice called from the shadows.

"As always your voice sounds like dried leave rustling in the wind." She said by way of greeting.

"Why have you called me?" He asked with his normal deadpan tone.

"I missed you I must admit." She admitted. "I haven't talked to you since the night I died. Before I came to this world, I talked to you at least once a week. Even if it was you bringing me back to sanity."

"…"

"Really? Silence? Fine be that way." She huffed. "Anyways, I have been wondering about the other Hollows. I know where the Cloak is since it's been with me from the beginning as you know. But I have been wondering where the other two are."

"Why are you wondering now?"

"I have been wondering, I just never really cared to look for them. You and I both know when the Hollows are gathered in one place, their combined auras end up gathering all sorts of trouble. Before now, I haven't been strong enough to even go look for them, let alone protect them. Even now, I doubt I have enough power. I can only use up to fourth year spells at the moment. The barrier around my magic is so damn stubborn. I attack it with everything I have every single night, and still it holds so strong." She couldn't withhold the sorrowful note in her tone at the end. She missed her magic so much. Every time she used her magic, she can feel the resistance because even though she got through to some of her powers, she can feel how the barrier is trying to rebuild itself and draw in what magic had escaped.

"…"

"Your silence is inspiring." She grumped.

"What is it that you want me to do?" He asked.

"For one you could come out of the shadows and show yourself. Another thing you could do is tell me where the other Hollows are."

Sigh

She turned her head to the left when she saw movement in the corner of her eye. Still all one could see of Death is nothing but his cloaked form and how tall he was. "Still allowing me to nothing of your true form I see. I am starting to fear what you really look like under that cloak." She teased.

"…"

"Oh never mind." She sighed. "Can you at least answer my other question?"

"I know where the other Hollows are yes, as should you. All you have to do is open yourself to the connection you have with them and they will lead you to them." He said.

"Ah, yes, the connection. Only thing is, the connection is blocked."

"Blocked?"

"Yes. The only connection I can feel is the one I have with the Cloak." She told him unhappily. "I know that the bond is still there, I just can't…reconnect with them fully."

"I see."

"See what?"

"The Hollows took more of offense to your rejection than I would have thought. Heh. They're going to make you find them the hard way and truly re-earn their loyalty."

"Did you just laugh at me?" She asked stunned.

"…"

"Not cool man, not cool." She said using really old saying from her old World to get her displeasure across. "Why can't you ever laugh when I make a joke but laugh when something displeasing happens to me?"

"…"

"I don't like you very much at the moment." She pouted.

"Will that be all, Mistress?"

"Are you sure you won't tell me where the Hollows are?"

"Yes."

"Ok, fine. At least tell me if they are in Japan at least."

"…Yes."

"Thank you. For a second there I thought you weren't going to answer me." She said before muttering the last part. "Oh! Are you going to tell me in what shape they are in?" She asked hopefully but when she looked up, she found him already gone. "Damn it."

With Death gone, noise came back to the woods and the wind started up again. "So I learned nothing but that the rest of the Hollows are in Japan. Not if they are close by or what shape they are in. Great. Not only that, I was laughed at." She groaned, hitting her head a couple of time against her tree before leaving it there to rest.

'I just hope nobody is using them; though I know that is just wishful thinking. I wonder what type of powers they would give to their wielders in this World or if they would give the same as mine. I am pretty sure the Stone would have pretty much the same power, however, the Wand is a different story. The Wand was made to be the best tool for its wielder, so if the wielders choice weapon is a gun, what type of gun would it be. Can it even be a mundane weapon? If not, that would leave just Hunter and Vampire weapons. I wish Death didn't already leave so I can ask. I never heard or seen the Wand in a mundanes hand, so I wouldn't know if it would change to fit its wielder or not. So troublesome.'

"Oh God, I am rambling in my thoughts." She muttered. "If I'm not careful I'll end up having another episode. Something this school won't survive now that I have some of my powers back."

"Powers?" A sleepy voice spoke up behind her, making her jump away from her tree and turn around to face the familiar voice.

"Senri?" She asked stunned when she saw the person walk around the tree into view. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class right now?"

"I didn't want to go." He said simply.

"Of course." She uttered amused. "I guess you came to look for me when you didn't see me on the balcony?" She then asked getting a slow nod in return.

This wouldn't be the first time he came to look for her when he didn't see her there. In fact, it happened every time she didn't show up there when they both got to know each other and the Guardians made it their spot. It was surprisingly easy to bond with him. She didn't know why, maybe he kind of reminded her of herself when she was originally young – even if she can't really remember any true details – or something. All she know is the night they first met was when they formed a strong bond with each other.

XXX ~ Flashback ~ XXX

"WILLOW! PLEASE COME BACK!" Kaien cried out fearfully, following her out of the house.

Willow – who was in the middle of running towards the woods to get away from her father – didn't listen and just continued running. There were tears running down her face, making it hard for her to see in front of her. She wasn't even thinking of anything other than to get away from that house.

"WILLOW!" She heard him call again making her flinch and the tears come all that much faster.

'I can't believe this. I thought he loved me.' Willow cried inwardly.

The reason she was there was because Toga gave her a break to spend time with her father for her birthday. That was three days ago. Today was her birthday. Her 8th birthday. Her father – the one she wanted to celebrate with and had to fight and beg her teacher to let her come – forgot.

'How could he forget my birthday?' She thought heartbroken.

At first when there was no mention of her birthday that morning, she thought he was going to surprise her again with a party. He did that when she turned five. She had thought he forgot that day too until they came home to a couple of families with kids from the village in the house awaiting for them to come home to surprise her. It was actually kind of fun.

She, of course, scolded him after everybody left about leaving strangers in their home unsupervised. Luckily, nothing was stolen or broken. So it was a good day.

However, they were home all day with not even a "Happy Birthday" to her. She waited until she couldn't wait anymore, so she finally brought it up with her father. The surprised and guilty look he gave her was enough for her to know that he forgot.

The fight that happened next was mostly one sided. It mostly consisted of her yelling at the top of her lung about how ever since Yuki – which was spat out as if it left a nasty taste in her mouth – came, he cared for nothing but her. That he forgot all about her and that if he just wanted her in his life, then fine, she will go elsewhere, where she was wanted. Then she ran out the door in tears, not giving him a chance to respond.

So here she was, running without direction or care. When she came upon a clearing with a tiny stream in it, she stopped to catch her breath. Her side was killing her and she was gasping for breath from having trouble getting any air what with her running and crying at the same time.

She didn't know how long she was there – crouched by the stream crying her eyes out – but she wasn't as alone as she once thought.

"Why are you crying?" A voice called out curiously, startling her to fall on her butt.

"What? Who's there?" She demanded through her sniffles, cursing herself for her inattention.

"I am here. Other than you." The voice answered.

"Show yourself now!"

"Tch. What a drag. Fine. Not like I was trying to hide anyways."

From behind a tree an adorable boy came out into the moon light. He had dark hair that she couldn't really see the color of – she would later learn it's the color of mahogany – with light colored eyes of blue-grey. Pale skin stretched over a petite body and a heart shaped face.

'So cute.' She thought. 'But non-human. Vampire.' She then thought when she got a feel of he's aura.

"What's your name?" She asked more calmly now that she saw who she was talking to.

"Why should I tell you when you haven't introduced yourself?" Came the bored reply.

"You sure got a dull look to your face." She snapped bluntly, unhappy about not being answered right away.

"Ouch. Aren't you mean." He said in the same bored tone.

"Yes, yes. I am a cruel and evil person. Better run before I suck out your soul." She said sarcastically with the "Woo" hand gestures. All she got for her efforts was a confused look making her pout a little.

"…?"

"Never mind. I guess I can tell you my name. However, if you don't give me your name in return, I'll go over the stream to you and give you a wedgie you'll never forget." She swore childishly, forgetting for the moment why she was at the clearing in the first place. "My name is Cross, Willow."

"Shiki, Senri." Senri answered dully.

"Senri it is then. You can call me Willow. Call me Will and I'll give you a wedgie." She warned. She couldn't stand when people tried to give her the nickname Will. It sounded so stupid to her.

"What if I don't want to call you by your name?" He asked uncaringly.

"I will still call you that." She shrugged uncaringly back.

"Whatever. What's a wedgie anyways?" He asked with a curious tilt of his head getting a gasp of surprise from her.

She launched into a detail description of what a wedgie was and some of the stories she heard or saw in her last life. She just made it seem like they happened recently. From there they talked about anything mundane they could think of. More her than him since he didn't really care to talk.

It wasn't long before the reasons why they were there came up. Her for her forgotten birthday and him to get away from his mother who was in town for one of her last shoots. Hearing how his mothers' mental health was deteriorating made her heart go out to him. She remembered how her godfather was after his stay in Azkaban. He mostly had clear moments when she was with him, however, she saw the moments where he still thought he was still in school with her father. It hurt her and Remus to see him like that. To know that a little kid was going through that without an out, broke her heart.

The only thing she could do was demand that he comes to that clearing the next two days for she would go back to the Kiryu's on the third. She then told him that she expected him to keep in contact with her through the phone and letters after she went back. It saddened her to see the shocked and slightly hopeful look he tried to hide from her.

They left with numbers and address exchanged to homes they didn't really want to return too. The next two days they saw each other and just talked or read manga and just relaxed. She didn't talk to anybody at home and he did his best to stay out of his mother's sight. After they went their separate ways, they stayed in contact and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

XXX ~ End Flashback ~ XXX

"So, you said something about powers?" He asked, bringing her out of her memory and back to the subject that she didn't want to talk about. The only people she ever told about herself in this World was Zero and Toga. The two people she trusted the most in this World. She was so happy when they accepted her whole heartedly. Well, after they got over their shock and Toga tried to kill her.

'Trigger happy asshole.' She thought fondly.

"What do you mean by powers?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, not giving away how nervous she really was. All she got was a blank stare that she knew she would end up giving into. She couldn't figure out how those blank eyes could get her to talk, but they do and she curses the moment he found out about his evil powers.

'What am I going to do?' She thought with her heart speeding up in pace. She opened her mouth to say something with him leaning forward slightly to hear what she was going to say with a more intense look on his face. This just made her even more nervous.

"I…"