Chapter 11

Zero stared at his long lost brother for what seemed like forever. The last time he saw him was when they were children. "So my big brother remembers me."

Zero slowly reached into his pocket and held onto the bloody rose. He had no idea what Ichiru was capable of. Ichiru smirked at his action "Don't be that way. We used to be very close."

He took a step closer, all while holding on his sword that wounded Rose before. "Look at you, so disappointing. They had high hopes for you and now, well you can barely resist the beast inside of you. In time it will completely control you."

Zero looked at door and was afraid to ask him the next question. "What did you do to Rose?"

Ichiru noticed the anxiety in his voice and played it to his advantage "What if I told you she was dead?"

Zero's heart sank as he moved to stand up. Ichiru laughed at his pain "Wow, you really care for the hunter don't you? Maybe even love her. You even tried to lunge at me when you thought she was dead. Well I hate to break it to you but it won't work out."

When Zero realized Ichiru was lying, he sat back down. "I don't want to hear it from you."

Ichiru turned away from him and continued on "I mean, do you really know who she is? Because I can tell you that she has some nasty little secrets. She's betrayed, hurt and killed people Zero. You are just a pawn in her game."

Zero turned his head and refused to believe his brothers words. Rude, and a bit aggressive? Yes. But she wasn't a twisted person. His heart raced when he thought about where she could be at that moment. Was she hurt, in pain? He didn't know.

His brother turned to look out the window and sighed. "I always hated you Zero. You never knew what it was like, to not be wanted. But Shizuki knew, she knew exactly what It felt because she had gone through the same thing. She was replaced and unwanted. She was like a god. All purebloods are god like in there powers."

Zero scoffed at this "You think that woman is god like?"

Ichiru nodded his head in response "You wouldn't understand. I'm afraid you don't know anything about Shizuka at all Zero. She gave me her word and she kept it, I'm as healthy as I could ever be. You could learn to understand Zero, if you come with me and serve Shizuka."

Zero shook his head at his brothers offer. "No, sorry. I would go with someone who covets being a vampire….are you?"

Ichiru clicked his teeth in response and pulled out his weapon, listening as it collided with Zero's gun. "You don't know anything do you!"

Suddenly a sickly wave went through Zero and he stumbled to the ground. The need of blood was strong once more but Zero tried his best to keep himself focused on the situation at hand. Ichiru laughed at this. "I see, you're already turning into a Level E. Then I won't kill you, I'll watch you suffer."

The door behind burst open and Yagari ran in to check the scene. He was surprised when he saw Ichiru standing in front of him. Then he noticed Zero on the ground and ran to him "Zero!"

Ichiru felt a sense of rejection as he pointed his sword towards Yagari. "Oh that's right, Zero was you're only student. But I'm a different person now."

Instead of responding Yagari picked up Zero and started to carry him away. Ichiru tightened his hand on the blade and lunged at Yagari. Zero quickly blocked his path and the sword went flying in the air. Zero's younger brother braced of impact but when he opened his eyes. Yagari was standing in front of him.

Yagari staggered back and Zero pulled the blade from his back, then helped him stand up. Then without a word, Zero carried his master from the scene.

A few days later the day class were getting ready for the ball and everyone was in a tizzy over tonight. Rose directed a few students where to put some supplies while others were helping decorate. The poison had gone completely through her system and was able to only miss a few days of classes. Yuki hadn't shown up yet and Rose was grateful for that. She needed some time to herself. That was until Zero bursted through the doors and practically ran up to her. "We need to talk."

Then without another word he let her into the back closet. Rose turned around found that Zero was examining her. "Are you ok? What did Shizuki do to you?"

Rose put a calming hand on his arm and smiled "Hey, I'm okay. That poison through was no field trip. But now everything is out of my system so I'm good. What about you, what happened?"

Zero suddenly reached behind her and pulled her close. "My brother, Ichiru said that you were dead. I needed to make sure he was lying."

Rose's heart sank as she patted his back. "Well I'm not dead. Sadly did takes a lot more than some weird poison to kill me."

Rose closed her eyes and she felt his fangs graze the side of her neck. "Do you need blood? You don't need my permission."

After she said those words Rose was pushed against the back wall as Zero snuck his fangs into her neck. She actually gasped at the sudden impact and held onto his back for support.

When he had enough Zero removed himself and looked into her eyes. Rose she sighed and gave a sad smile. "I should've known you need some, I'm sorry for not asking."

He wiped the blood off of him and grabbed onto her wrist. "Did you know Shizuka before yesterday night? Because she knew your name. You're old name."

Rose tried to back away but Zero's hand remained on her arm. She sighed to herself and ran her fingers through her hair. "Yeah, I do know her. After Kaname took me away, a close family friend of his let me stay at there house while I got my hunger under control. It was the Hio household."

Zero's hand dropped her arm in shock. "You lived with her?"

Rose tried not to look into his dejected eyes and answered. "Yes, but only for a short time, before she killed your family. I didn't know that was going to happen I promise! If I knew I would've stopped her."

Zero tried to process everything that was going through his mind at that moment. Rose looked both ashamed and sad about the information she had told. "Look, I think about it every night. How if I knew what she was feeling I could've stopped her from destroying your life. I'm sorry Zero."

He was about to open his mouth in response when they heard a voice from outside the closet say "President? Where did you go? The order of Roses just arrived."

Rose quickly turned to the door and muttered "I should go help them."

Then she ran out the door, leaving Zero by himself.

Later that night, Rose was pacing back and forth in her room. She knew she had to go to the ball as a disciplinary member but she despised them. They gave her horrible memories. And then there was the problem with Zero. She wasn't sure she wanted to see him again after what happened in the closet.

Suddenly she heard a knock on the door and went to answer it. Sitting there was a large white box with a red bow tapped to the front. Rose brought inside and undid the ribbon. She lifted the box the saw a small card sitting on top.

Grabbing it she opened the flap and read it's contents.

"Good Evening Rose,

I apologize for my previous behavior earlier. I know that protecting Zero is important to you. Here is a little gift for you in favor of the way I acted. I hope you will wear it to the ball tonight.

Sincerely, Kaname Kuran

Rose had to smile at his gesture and pulled out a stunning blue dress. A little flashy for her tastes but since she had nothing else to wear, she decided to try it on.

Zero was standing outside in a bad mood. The headmaster had forced him to work tonight and after the events the last two days, this was the last thing he wanted to do.

He opened his eyes when he heard Yuki say "You ready?" and looked to see her in a pink gown. She looked happier than usual.

Headmaster started to swarm her by saying she was so beautiful and so grown up and all Yuki could do was smile politely at the action.

Suddenly he heard a laughed behind them and turned to see Rose standing behind them. She had on a long light blue ball gown with a black choker necklace and a flower hair pin. Her hair was done up into a bun and she had bright pink lipstick to make her lips pop.

Zero was stunned. She looked completely different then this morning. She looked beautiful. Yuki ran up to her and gawked at her dress. "Rose, you look so pretty!"

Rose turned away and tried to ignore the compliment. "Thanks, you look pretty also."

Yuki wanted to ask Rose about being a vampire but she figured that now wasn't the time and instead, turned her heels into the ball.

Zero and Rose stood outside for a few minutes before she pointed her finger to his chest. "Why are you wearing your uniform? If I'm wearing this then you have to wear something also."

She looked around a saw a red rose bush peeking out from the corner. She quickly hurried to it and pick out the biggest one. Then she came back over and placed the flower in his pocket. "There! Now you don't look like a complete dud."

He looked down at her and smiled. "You ready now?"

She looked into the ballroom and sighed. "Ready as I'll ever be."

When they entered everyone stopped at stared at the two of them. Even the night class students were amazed. Rose quickly made her way into the corner and ignored the stares. "I knew wearing this was a bad idea."

Zero glanced at her and then glared at the wondering eyes. "Don't be. You look….beautiful."

Rose's cheeks began to flush as she tried to hide a heavy blush that spread across her face.

Suddenly the current music stopped and a new song played. She looked around the room and realized that every person was dancing with someone, except the two of them. Even Yuki had found Kaname outside and they were slowly dancing together.

Rose looked at Zero and smiled,then held out her hand. "Well, how about it?"

At first Zero was going to protest but something in him made himself grab her hand. She let him to the center of the floor and assumed position. Then without a second thought she took the lead, the led him through the dance.

Everyone gasped at her movements. They were so fluid and graceful. Even the night class was in awe. Hanabusa gazed at the couple in question. "Where did she learn to dance like that? And the way she looks, she almost looks like a vampire,so perfect."

Kain noticed his comment and chuckled "What, are you falling for the hunter?"

In which Hanabusa fired back. "Whaat?! Of course not. As if I would ever fall for her."

Rose led Zero through the movements as he questioned. "You're pretty good at this."

Rose smirked back "Yes, well, you're not too bad yourself."

They glided through the floor with ease, entranced in their own world. They didn't even notice when all the other dancers left the floor to watch them.

Everything about the two of them was perfect and for that moment, vampires and Shizuka didn't exist. Nothing else mattered but the movement of their bodies together. Rose felt no guilt and forgot about her past. She forgot about the saying she always told herself. Halfway through the dance she placed her head warmly on his shoulder and listened to his breath. When she felt him stir she lifted her head up and connected with his purple eyes. They felt each other get closer and closer until their lips graced each others, ever so lightly. The kiss was perfect in every way.

Then suddenly the music stopped and the world came crashing down on her. She noticed the students staring, she noticed that they were the only ones on the dance floor, and she noticed Kaname and and Yuki staring at her across the room. The words that she forgot came back in a wave. "Don't get too close and don't get attached."

She looked back at Zero and her eyes grew wide. She did the only thing that she told herself never to do, she got attached.

Her heart sank as she realized her love for the hunter. She always did, even on that first day they met. She loved him. But she kept telling herself that it was pointless, he would never accept who she was fully. This cinderella magic spell would end soon and she knew that he would end up hating her.

She slowly backed away from him and whispered. "I'm sorry." before darting out of the ballroom.

When she was gone from sight she leaned by a tree and tried to slow her ragged breaths. How could she have let her guard down so easily? She then looked over at the old dorms and sighed. Now was not the time for this. She couldn't afford to be distracted. she had a job to do.