After Kaname's death, the entire vampire society was in a frenzy. Loosing not only Lord Ackerman but the only son of the Kuran line was utterly heartbreaking. Course, his friends knew that they never really cared for him, only his title.
Because of this, Rose was consistently being thrown into the jaws of the senate. Pureblood vampires were even more rare because of these events and they longed to get their hands back in control of one.
A couple weeks after his death, Rose refused to attend his funeral but rather instead, started to move into that large estate that was once her prison. Because she was the only family Carson had, that meant that she was the sore predecessor of his wealth and property. Lucky her.
She stopped attending summit meetings and instead focused on the life ahead of her. Kaname told her to live, so that was exactly what she was going to do.
Three Years Later
Rose ran down the large steps of the estate in an excited hurry. If she didn't hurry up then she knew she was going to be late, and that was one thing she didn't want.
She thought about how long it had been since she was chained to the senate. It was already three years since Kaname's death and Rose had taken his advice to heart, forgetting about her pureblood duties and instead focusing on what really mattered.
The estate still made her slightly uneasy but now that Hanabusa had moved in with only a couple maids, she felt less like a prisoner and more like home.
Finishing her high school life at Cross Academy was something that wasn't easy for her but in staying determined she entered until that diploma was in her grasps. Some of the Night Class students welcomed the new her while others still remained stay in their old ways, always staring and whispering. Course, she had gotten used to it.
Running down another flight of stares, she stopped when she saw her friend waiting for her on the landing. She smiled slightly and gave him a greeting. "Good Morning Hanabusa, can't talk. Gonna be late!"
Rose zoomed past him when he quickly grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Whoa, hold on Rose. Not so fast. You are going to hurt yourself."
She just responded by playfully rolling her eyes and slapping him on the arm. "Am not. Sorry, I'm just really excited."
Buying into her childish nature, she chuckled a bit and gently patted her head. "I know I know but you can't go out the front. Seems that they have gathered again."
His smiled dropped, truly understanding what he had just said and sighed. Rose seemed to notice this and joined him, slowly moving towards the window. "They never quit, do they?"
Slightly opening the curtain she found a rather large group of aristocats gathered around the main gate. Not this again.
Hanabusa just grabbed the curtain and pushed it back into place before moving her away. He didn't want the mob to know she was watching. "It can't be helped. Your recent choices are worrying them. Guess they have never seen a pureblood quite like you."
Rose just nodded her head and closed her eyes before crossing her arms. "Yeah but this isn't going to change my mind. I don't care what they think. I'm not appearing before the senate."
He just smiled sadly before reaching in his hand and pulling a white envelope out of his pocket and showing it her. "I know but, that doesn't mean they won't keep trying."
She looked at the envelope with such disgust and practically ripped it out of his hands. Then without reading it she turned to her left and opened a drawer filled with the same type of letters and throwing it in. "Well, maybe one day they will get the memo."
Then she just turned around and spoke over her shoulder before heading in the opposite direction. "I guess I'll just use the back door again. Thanks Hanabusa. See you later."
Rose quickly hurried back up the stairs and out the back door. Then she jumped to gracefully land on top of the wall and hit the ground. She looked at the mobs of vampires a couple feet away from her and smirked as she tightened her hoodie over her head. There was no way they were going to ruin this for her.
She arrived at the Hunter's association fairly quickly and came upon the same gates she was welcomed into her years. Expect now, she was not.
It seemed being a pureblood vampire and punching the president was something frowned upon by the association and just a couple weeks after it happened, Rose's license for hunting was revoked.
At first she was rather depressed about it but thinking back, she knew she would have made the same choices given different options. She certainly didn't regret trying to save Kaname's life.
A younger man met her at the gates and smelled her aura right away. Carefully putting a hand behind his back to draw his weapon he spoke. "Who are you? State your name and class right now before I have to use force."
Rose just sighed at the man's stupidity and removed her hood, doing what he asked of her to get this done quickly. "Rosabella Adelaide, pureblood vampire. I have no intention of entering the association, just waiting outside of it. Or is that a problem as well hunter?"
The man gasped at the name and removed his hand, yet still decided to remain cautious. So this was the girl everyone was talking about. "You, you are that vampire that masqueraded as a human and became a Level S hunter, right?
Rose just sighed in exasperation when she noticed the scent of who she had been waiting for.
He approached the gates, not realizing she was there and playfully slapped the shoulder of the man who was with him. Must of been his new hunting partner given the already close relation they had.
She watched his silver hair glisten in the sunlight as a couple of unloosened buttons revealed his collarbone. Geez, she shouldn't have been this entranced by him and yet she was.
His new partner seemed to notice her first as his eyes widened into something of fear, quickly tapping Zero and reaching for his weapon. "Zero look. That aura, it's a pureblood isn't it? What the hell is that thing doing at the association?"
Zero's eyes traveled to her's and when he noticed her presence, all his could do was smile slightly.
He strolled up to her with his partner in tow and eyed her questionably. "Rose, what are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet up in about an hour or so?"
She just blinked a few times before playing with the ties on her hoodie and muttering. "Well yes, but is it wrong that I wanted to see you sooner?"
Zero's partner just watched the scene, baffled by the conversation they were having. Why did they seem so close? "Who, who are you? Zero, do you know this pureblood?"
Not enjoying his tone, Zero just narrowed his eyes before taking his hand and intertwining it with hers. This was sign of their relationship and the man couldn't believe his eyes. It couldn't be, they were-together?
Zero just ignored his partners and everyone's staring and started to pull her away from the crowds. The way everyone looked at her bothered him. Like she was some kind of monster. "Let's go."
Once they were away from everyone, Rose could feel the iciness in his grip as she tried to reason with him. "Are you mad? I'm sorry, I should've told you first that I was coming. Being seen with me, it must be hard, right?"
At that last comment, Zero abruptly stopped walking at turned to her. "Of course not. I'm not mad it's just, doesn't it bother you? You were practically thrown out of the association and now everyone looks at you like some sort of trash. It irritates me."
Rose just gazed at his sad eyes. These eyes were for her and it pained her to have caused them. Lifting one hand up, she cupped his cheek and smiled. "I know, but I'm okay, really. I swear. Yeah, it hurt when it happened but I don't regret it. Now I can just come visit you instead."
Not fully believing her words, he gently grabbed her hand and kissed it before speaking. "You would tell me, right? If something was bothering you?"
Nodding her head once she smiled softly and pulled away her hand. "Of course."
He seemed satisfied with this answer and reached for her hand again, this time intertwining both of theirs together and continued on the path. This life wasn't perfect, but it was what they had.
Catching a ride on the incoming train, Zero and Rose squeezed into the crowded space filled with a hundred other humans. Although, Rose didn't seem to mind one bit as it gave her an opportunity to be so close to Zero while he shielded her from the people.
When he got off, he hurried in the direction of the nearby university and moved to their classes. Hanabusa didn't patically like the idea of Rose attending a University without him but she knew that if he came along then there was a better chance of being discovered.
Both of them checked before applying if any vampires were also students here but they were delighted to find it to be only humans. This felt so good, so normal.
The two of them wandered the halls together, hands intertwined and Rose found it very refreshing not to have to hide herself in such an open space. This was the closest to humanity she was allowed.'
Shortly after classes, they found themselves in the library next door, studying and researching for quite a large project coming up.
Rose watched Zero has he turned a page in his book, eyes fixated on the material in front of him. He looked so wonderful in this moment.
Zero felt the stare and turned only to find her blush with embarrassment. "What were you doing?"
She shook her head once and tried to cover up the blush with her large book. "Nothing. Just researching."
He smirked at her defense tone and pressed his hand on the book, causing it to lower. Then he reached forward and removed her fake glasses and spoke playfully. "Right. Cause it looked like you were staring at me again."
Rose reached for her glasses only to be caught in the embrace of his scent. Transfixed with his eyes she tried to counter his comment. "I don't know what you're talking about. It's not my fault you are so dang attractive all the time."
Not expecting that answer, Zero himself found a light blush sweep across his face. She was too crafty. "Whaa you can't just say that out in the open."
Rose smirked knowing he got him right where she wanted him and leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling away, challenging. "I just did. What are you going to do about it?"
All he could do was smile at her challenge and lean forward on his book. "I don't know. I guess we will have to see after we finish studying."
The blush returned to her face as she flipped another page in her book, switching to a more solem conversation. "Have you heard anything from Yuki?"
Zero's eyes saddened at the sound of his old friend and sighed loudly. "Nothing. She's still locked herself up in that building. She won't even see me anymore."
Rose just looked at him sadly and drummed her hand on the table. She didn't even attend Kaname's funnel. It seemed Yuki was so lost in her grief that it was sucking the life out of her. And with the Kuran daughter gone, it just brought more pressure on Rose to step up. Of course, she supposed that this was her punishment for taking something so special away from her. Maybe this was fate.
Gazing at her clouded eyes, he narrowed his own and just snapped her back to life. "No no don't do that. I know those eyes. None of this was your fault so stop blaming yourself. Kaname's choices were his own."
She just smiled sadly at his statement and raised her hands in anxiety. "Then why does it feel like my fault? I shouldn't even be here and yet, I am. I'm sure Yuki blames me for his death cause if it wasn't for me, he would still be there for her."
Understanding her thought process, the hunter just brought his hand up and slolwy stroked her hair before letting it slowly fall to her face. "Even if she does, it's not your fault. The rumors can say what they want but you know what happened. He loved you Rose, and if I were in that position, I would have done the same."
Rose's eyes widened at his proposition and glared at him angrily. "Don't you dare say things like that. If you die then, I'd die. Even if your aren't serious please, don't say that."
He realized he may have taken his words too far and in an unspoken word of apology, he leaned in to feel the heat on her breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I would never do that to you."
Then he watched her smile a bit at the close content before she moved and kissed him lightly, placing their foreheads against one another.
When they pulled away, Rose rested one hand on his cheek and slowly ran her fingers around the jawline, looking into his eyes with absolutely devotion. "I know."
Zero then noticed the book in front of him and smirked a little before pointing to the pages. "I guess we should go back to studying."
Rose frowned at the thought of separating but knew it was the smart thing to do and soon enough they settled back into her chair. All while,ignoring the scent of Zero so very close to her.
Zero awoke to the very dim lights of the library to find that they had both fallen asleep in the mist of there studying.
Feeling a small weight on his shoulder, he smiled when he found Rose sleeping soundly on him, almost like she had meant to.
He lifted his hand up and carefully pushed a stray hair from her face when she mumbled. Her eyebrowed frowned drastically she she whispered clear as day. "Don't leave me…"
Bringing his own expression down, Zero thought about all of the hardships she had gone through in the past couple years. Ignoring the senate's constant messages could not have been easy and yet she made it look so flawless. Course, he knew the truth.
Throughout the rumor mill of the association he had heard the whispers directed toward him and their relationship. Some of the things spread around were absolutely horrible and he hoped Rose haven't experienced any of them. Thing like she killed Kaname for his title or that she had downgraded herself to a hunter were everyday gossip now and he hated it, hated that he couldn't protect her.
She was trying so hard to be happy, to be human and yet it seemed everyone was trying to drag her back into that cage. But Zero knew one thing for certain, he wouldn't let them take away her smile again. She deserved to be happy.
Looking at the time, he decided he needed a drink and carefully moved Rose until she flopped herself on the desk and grumbled a little bit more.
Zero just smiled at her childish attack and let out a small chuckle. She looked so cute.
Moving out the door, Zero turned a corner when he found what he was looking for. A small vending machine shone in the dimly lit garden outside the university. Perfect.
Suddenly, he felt an ominous presence behind him as a new voice entered the area. "It's you, Zero Kiryu."
The voice did not seem welcoming in the slightest and Zero front himself turning around slowly to meet him, putting his hand behind his back in warning. "Who are you?"
The man revealed himself to be about a foot taller then Zero, lengthy but not to be underestimated. His aura was one of a aristocat. "No need to worry about that. I just want to speak to you."
Everything in Zero's mind let out a thousand warning bells as he quickly reached for his gun but found himself unable to move. Turning he found another vampire holding his arm threatening. "What do you want?"
The man chuckled and stepped forward, knowing he was no longer in danger. "You Level E, we come on behalf of the senate. You see, they aren't too happy that a lowly vampire such as yourself had somehow twisted the mind of Lady Adielde. We are just here to undo your spell."
Zero fought angst the vampires with everything he had, all while firing back. "I don't know what your talking about, I haven't done anything. Just leave."
All the humor was gone from the leader now as he raced forward and punched Zero so hard in the stomach that he coughed up a small drop of blood. "You don't understand. Lady Adelaide is the purest of the vampire race, not a drop of blood is tainted by lesser beings. We can not allow such filth as you to soil her with your dirty blood. She must remain pure, that is the order of things hunter and we will not let that happen. Immobilize him."
The vampires were quick to kick Zero's knees out from under him, causing him to fall to the ground in the heavy thud. This was bad. He knew he had to get of there but he also couldn't stand the words they were using. "Why do you have a say on what she wants? Rose is her own person, not someone you can mold."
At the sounds of Lady Adelaide's name without her title the vampires around the area growled at the disrespect and one rushed up, stomping on Zero's leg until he heard a sickening snap. "How dare you call Lady Adelaide without her title?! This goes far beyond her devotion to another, she is a pureblood therefore we must keep the line clean. If you were to lay you're dirty hands on her and have a child, all of her blood would be ruined, because of you."
The vampires approached the hunter threatening when a bright ball of heat cut across the sky and burned a couple of the vampires standing watching. The matter swirled the everyone gasped as Rose stepped out of the shadows.
She looked at the crowd with absolute furry as the dark shadow now loomed over all of them. Her multicolored eyes glowed with anger as the leader stepped back in both and awe.
They hadn't seen or heard anything from Lady Adelaide after Lord Kaname's death and now she was just there, glaring him with her presence.
He watched her eyes darken as she gazed upon the damage his man had charged. "Who has done this? I want answers now."
She gritted her teeth as a couple men stepped forward before bowing at her power. "Lady Adelaide, it's so wonderful to finally see you again."
But it seemed as Rose wasn't having any of him bullshit and lifted her hand. The action caused the men to be wrapped with vines and pulled to there knees, sharp thorns threatening to cut the skin. "You didn't answer my question. Who has done this?"
They looked terrified now as they tried to reason with the pureblood. "Lady Adeladie please! We were only trying to help you! This boy will taint the bloodline you worked so hard to maintain. You don't see because he has manipulated you into believing something else but trust me! We are trying to save you!"
Rose just thought about his petty excuse and laughed sarcastically before lifting her eyebrows, the thorns now stabbing her captors skin. "And you think killing him would set me free? You have got to be kidding me. It's taking everything within me not to kill you right now, do you know that? You better watch your mouth."
Crying out in fear and pain, the men grunted out and turned to Rose to explain himself. "Lady Adelaide please spare them! We are but your humble servants!"
Rose broke out of her rage filled dream for a moment and laughed at his plea. The leader mistaken this as mercy and smiled. "If you say you are indeed my humble servants, might I please relay a message to the senate so you can deliver it?"
The man nodded his head furiously and bowed. "Of course. Your wish is my command. What would you like me to say?"
She smiled slightly at his polite nature. "Oh it isn't much, it's just that…"
Suddenly her smile was gone she she lifted her hand up and grabbed the man by his throat, lifting him off the ground.
While choking for air, he watched her eyes glow from their normal multi color to a deep crimson as she hissed out with absolute authority. "You tell you senate that if I ever find you even so much as tried to hurt him again, I will come to the main head corridors myself and shatter every single one of you bit by bit until there is nothing left, and that is a promise."
The man weakly nodded his head yes and Rose dropped him on the ground, gasping for air to breath.
He coughed out a small amount of blood before panting. "So it's true. You do have the blood of Rido Kuran in your veins. Those eyes, they are unmistakable."
Expect her to get angry he waited for another blow but it never came. Instead she just stepped forward and laughed. "You're right. I do have Rido's blood inside of me. You want to test it out aristocrat?"
He just weakly shook his head and took a step away from her in fear. He had heard the stories but looking at her here, she was absolutely terrifying. "No, that's alright."
Rose laughed at his fear and knew she had him right where she wanted him. She resisted everything in the body telling her to kill this man, for it would just start more of a fuss in the end. Although she had decided this, taking one look at Zero's wounds threatened to send her over the edge.
Narrowing her eyes at Zero she pointed her hand out in his direction and commanded. "Now, you never really answered my question. Who...did...this?
The slow pause on each word brought an iciness to her tone as she awaited her answer. It seemed nobody was willing to step up to the plate until one man appeared from the crowd. It was the same one that had broken Zero's leg. "Lady Adelaide, I apologize. I was full of anger but you should of heard the way he addressed you. It was unacceptable. I was just giving him a suitable punishment."
At the word punishment, Rose's eyes widened as she envisioned those long days with Carson, telling her that what she deserved was punishment for her actions. NO. There was no way that Zero would feel the kind of pain she felt. She would tear everyone apart before that happened.
She could feel her control slowly slipping as her powers grew more and more unstable. She couldn't help it. That man's words made her furious. "Punishment you say? Then I suppose it's only fair I do the same then."
The vampire tried to move away but Rose was too quick. In a moment's time she appeared behind the accuser and kicked his own legs out from under him. Then, without emotion, she stomped down on his leg, causing it to break the same way as Zero's.
He crumpled in pain as she repeated his words without showing an ounce of care. "What? I was only giving you a suitable punishment. Now, get out of my face before I actually decide to rip your hearts out of your chests, cause I really am thinking about it."
The leader could only watch the scene in horror as he just bowed quickly and scurried away, afraid he would be next. "The senate will hear of your actions Lady Adelaide!"
The pureblood just scoffed once before muttering and watching them leave. "Oh, I'm planning on it."
Once they were gone, Rose's mask of fury turned to one of deviation as she kneeled before Zero and grabbed his face lightly. "Zero? My god, look what they did to you. I'm gonna kill them."
He felt her stand to finish the job but before she could leave, Zero pulled her back down to him. He knew that wasn't logical. "No, don't. You know what will happen. I'm fine, just need to rest for awhile."
Rose wiped a drop of blood from his lip as she bowed her head. He had seen her in such a terrible way. She was careless. "I'm sorry, I-I was just so angry that they hurt you and Rido's blood inside of me just started boiling. I mean, I've learned to control his influence but when I saw you, I just lost myself."
Zero narrowed his eyes in sadness and patted her head like child, causing her to lift it. "Hey, it's okay. I'm here. I'm not going to leave you Rose. And I already told you, every part of you is beautiful."
Blushing slightly she rolled her eyes and spoke. "Now is not the time for cheesy lines. We gotta get you somewhere safe. I have no idea who might be out there still."
Nodding once Rose left out a sigh of relief and pulled out her phone before hitting a few numbers and pressing send.
Hanabusa was pacing back and forth when he heard the front door swing open. After feeling Rose's anger and fear he wanted nothing but to run to her but unfortunately they had an agreement. It seemed he was a bit too overprotective of her that Rose asked him not to come unless she called, but that didn't make it any less painful.
Running to the door, he gasped when he saw Zero slung over Rose's shoulder, dried blood painting the surface of both of them as they shuffled in. Hanabusa was petrified. "Rose, Zero! What happened?! Why didn't you call me?"
Rose just looked up at him and smiled slightly before gesturing to Zero, he looked half conscious. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
But of course Hanabusa wasn't having it and threw his hands up in anxiety. "It is a big deal! Look at you, your coated in blood. Did someone attack you?! Who?!"
She opened her mouth to answer but instead someone else's voice filled the space. "It's not her blood, it's Zero's. The senate attacked them."
The aristocrat lifted his head to find none other than Kain Cross staring back at him. His coat was also caked with blood which meant that he had helped carry Zero from outside. A small swirl of jealousy pushed its way to the surface and before he could hide it, Rose felt it.
She turned her head up at him before rolling her eyes in unamusement. "Oh don't be like that Hanabusa. I called him cause I knew you would freak out in that type of situation. And don't lie to me cause you it's true."
As much as he hated to admitted it, Rose was right. He would have freaked out if he saw what had happened. Even though he knew she was indeed right, he still didn't like it.
Cross just wiped the corner of his glasses before pointing to the stairs and explaining. "We should get him upstairs so he can rest that break. A couple hours and maybe some blood with fix the problem."
Rose just nodded her head and knew what she had to do. Truly, she welcomed giving Zero her blood if it would make his pain any less. She hated seeing him like this.
After Zero was tucked safely in a nearby guest room, Rose closed the door and sighed against the wood. Hanabusa watched her in question and began pouring everything that was on his mind. "What did those people want?"
She just looked down and closed her eyes in pain, rubbing the side of her temper in answer. "Me. They wanted me."
The aristocrat narrowed his brow in confusion but didn't have to wait long as Rose continued, this time with a bit more anxiety in her tone. "They said they wanted to keep my bloodline clean, that Zero wasn't allowed to touch me or something stupid like that. Ugh! Just their words alone, I wanted to kill them so badly."
Hanabusa felt a strong rush of both anger and fear sweep through him. It was so intense that he had to lean against the wall for support, letting out an uncomfortable grunt.
Rose noticed this and immediately the feeling diminished as she put a hand on him in worry. "Hanabusa? Shoot, I'm sorry. I forget you can feel these types of things also. I'll try to be more careful and block them."
He shook his head in disagreement and lightly grabbed her hand before squeezing it. "You are in so much pain, don't try to shoulder it all on your own,okay? I don't mind carrying your emotions so don't block them ever. You don't have to apologize for your anger and fear."
The pureblood listened to his words with complete awe before responding back with another squeeze. "Thank you. I'm sorry, It's just, I don't know what to do now. The senate will never stop, will they?"
Hanabusa felt a small reasurement by her words but didn't speak on it. Instead he got back to business, letting go of her hand and delivering the hard truth. "I'm afraid not. The senate is relentless when they want something, and that something is you."
Watching her walk over to the window in small strides, he heard her internal thoughts, thoughts that were off limits to everyone except him. Hanabusa, I'm going to end up killing him without realizing it, aren't I? What Matthew said was right. I can't do this. I've put him in so much danger.
He just responded by walking next to her and placing a light hand on her back, rubbing it in small circles for encouragement. He wasn't right about anything. None of this is your fault, it's the senate's. You said yourself that you would be able to protect him.
Rose quickly lifted her eyes and Hanabusa could see they were filled with tears threatening to fall. I can't be around him all the time though! What if something happens and I'm not there! How can we have a life together if we are in constant fear of being hunted down!
Realizing she did have a point, he let his hand fall and just watched as one tear fell on the banister railing before. Why was everything so unfair to her? I wanted a life, a child with him. I wanted to be able to feel normal again but now, it seems impossible.
Hanabusa thought about her as a mother, happy and free from the senate's clutches and her pureblood chains. Of course, he knew that as of now that dream could not be. The senate would not accept such a child into the society, never mind the hierarchy. It only spelled pain for his or her future.
Looking back at her, Hanabusa suddenly have found her eyes had changed from ones of sadness to ones to determination. She rushed past him in a flash and opened the small drawer next to her, finding what she was looking for.
Pulling an envelope out of the pile she examined it for a moment before tearing into the seal and pulling the contents out. Hanabusa eyes her with confusion. "Rose, what are you doing?"
She just smirked bitterly and opened the letter, reading the date inscripted on the paper. "There is a soiree tonight and the senate wants me to attend. Might as well give them what they want then."
Her friends eyes lifted in fear as he reached out for her, almost instinctively. "What are you talking about? Have you gone insane?! They will eat you alive in there."
Rose turned to Hanabusa and he pulled back his arm. He knew that look, she was up to something. "Hanabusa. Can you go prepare a dress for me? I'm going to talk to Zero first. Make sure you keep it a secret, please."
Still not liking the situation he knew that Rose wouldn't go in there without a plan and nodded his head once before disappearing. "Of course. But I'm going to go on the record and say that this is a stupid idea."
Rose just smiled at his comment and headed upstairs, towards Zero.
When Rose entered the room, Zero opened his eyes groggily and struggled to sit up. She ran over to him quickly and touched his arm lighty. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to sit up. I know you are probably still in pain."
He complied, but didn't lose contact with her eyes. She just smiled sadly and placed one hand on his face lovingly. "I was so afraid that I would lose you Zero. I thought maybe my nightmares had come true finally."
Zero frowned at her words and gently reached up, covering her hand with is own. "Never. I already said I would never do that to you, remember?"
A short silence echoed across the room until Rose was the first to speak. She sounds so uncertain in her tone. "Zero, I need to talk to you about something."
Nodding his head once, Rose moved to sit on his bed so that they were facing one another. "I think you know this as well but, the senate will not stop. They will keep coming after us unless I go there and give up my freedom again."
A small seeping of worry covered his features as his moved forward, feeling the pain from his wound. "Rose, please don't tell you are going to go there and do that."
He watched her smile sadly and inched closer to him, so they were only a couple inches apart. "Listen Zero, I love you more than anything in this entire world. Ever since I started getting those letters I knew I was in trouble because it seemed I was being drawn closer and closer to you. And now that you here with me, it's something I couldn't have ever dreamed. That being said…"
Rose then slowly reached inside her shirt collar and pulled out the ring he had given her, along with the rose pendant attached to it. "It's time we go through with what we talked about."
Zero let the words sink in with and met her eyes with surprise before leaning closer, I hand snaked around her waist. "Are you sure?"
She just nodded her head once and met him in the middle, giving him a small kiss before pulling away. "Yes."
He searched her face for any unsure features but found none. Then he nodded as well and whispered low. "I understand."
Suddenly, his mouth returned to hers as they embraced each other in a loving, respectable hold. Rose pulled away only briefly and regain her bearings and breathed out. "You're still hurt."
His looked into her eyes before moving towards her ear and letting out a breathy snarl that sounded as clear as day. " I don't care."
They contacted again as Zero pushed her down into the soft comforter and appeared on top, kissing her neck lovely as she let out a small squeak.
Finding her neck, he paused for a moment as heard her call out to him. "Zero, you need blood for your injury to heal quickly. Go ahead, I don't mind."
Zero looked down at his girlfriend. Wait, girlfriend? That was an odd way of putting their relationship. He had never once thought of her as that word, for it seemed too vague for everything they had been through. Rose wasn't his girlfriend, she was so much more.
Bringing his head down, Rose felt his tongue run up and down the side of her neck before biting into her. She clinged to the bedsheets in surprise as he started to feel his wound close up from her pureblood powers.
After a few moments, he pulled away and gazed at her with his blood stained eyes. He never thought that someone like her would ever look at him like this. Even with blood dripping off the corners of his mouth, she still found him beautiful. It was new to him.
Rose sat up to meet him and smiled at his now healed leg before cupping her hands to his cheeks and whispering. "I love you Zero Kiryu."
His eyes widened at his full name but quickly complied by cupping his own hands to her cheeks and smiling under his breath. " I love you, Isabelle Slater."
The shock of her name caused her to become off guard as he leaned in and kissed her quickly before pulling away and starting. "I love you, Rose Belcourt."
Leaning in again he planted another kiss before smiling. "And I love you Rosabella Adelaide."
Another kiss landed as each of her names poured from his lips and onto hers. He truly was something special and Rose knew she would never let these moments end, even if it killed her.
Closing the door behind her, she found Hanabusa standing and waiting with the long dress she requested. All she could do was smile as she took the dress and headed downstairs. "Perfect."
After applying the last bit of makeup in the car, she looked up to find Hanabusa staring at her nervously. "Rose, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, they will probably talk about Lord Kaname and…"
But all she did was place her hand up silencing him and turned to the window. "I know what they will try to do but this is our only option. You could always stay home, although I wish you wouldn't."
Her friend just grumbled to himself and turned himself away as well, frustrated but not leaving. "Of course I won't".
Rose smiled at his annoyance and reached out for something next to him. "Thank you. Now, time for the last piece."
Another party was well underway and any vampire who was a staple in society was there, awaiting a guest that would probably not show up again.
Kain, Ruka, Rima and Senri mingled through the crowds as always and sighed while looking into the glasses of blood before them. It seemed without Hanabusa there, these parties were becoming more and boring.
A couple vampires circled around as Ichijo's grandfather, Ichio, watched the door in annoyance. One of the vampires called out with disgust. "Seems Lady Adelaide has once again rejected another one of our proposals."
Ichio circled his drink around and narrowed his eyes. "Yes, it seems so."
The other vampire tapped his friend on the shoulder and whispered. "I thought for sure she would appear after we visited that hunter. Did you hear what she did to them? It's terrifying. Maybe it's a good thing she didn't attend after all."
Another vampire entered the circle as he appeared to be the one who found Lady Adelaide earlier. "You should have seen her. The rumors, they are indeed true. Lord Rido's blood does run through her veins."
Ichio eyed the conversation and spoke his own words into it. "Yes, well if that is the case, she is definitely someone we need to hold onto, although she is making things rather difficult."
They are nodded their heads and watched Ichio take a sip of his drink before speaking proudly. "If we could control her power, the senate would never need to fear again. Tomorrow let's send a dozen more soldiers to that association. We must hit where she is the weakest. That boy will be our key. "
Suddenly a strong wind blew through the entire party as a cold voice rang through everyone's ears. "I don't think that will be necessary."
Long and loud gasps could be heard throughout the room as they turned to find Lady Adelaide before them. But that wasn't the only thing they were surprised at.
Her appearance was completely different then the image she displayed with Lord Ackerman. Instead, she wore a tight, body fitting gown, gold in color, that traveled to the floor. Her hair wasn't pinned up as usual but rather kept down, reaching to a little past her shoulders. It seemed she had cut it.
But the one thing that surprised the audience the most was her piercing two tone eyes. One blue and one green, staring at the crowd with a blank, placid expression.
She slowly made her way down the steps, all eyes on her as a heavy silence weighted on the room. When she reached the last step she lifted her head and found the eyes of Ichio. "Why is it so quiet? I thought I was invited after all."
Ichio bowed at her presence and held his ground nicely. He knew she was trying to intimidate him. "Of course, I'm sorry Lady Adielde. We are just so taken by your presence that everyone was speechless. It is so wonderful to have you back again."
Rose smirked a little at his answer and decided to push deeper. "Well, how could I not show up when you threatened to kill the ones close to me?"
The area around them turned into heavy whispers as Ichio tried to defuse the situation. "My fellow colleague were only trying to save you from your own blunders Lady Adildede. You are of royal blood. I know that the death of Lord Kaname was rather earth shattering but there are other ways to handle your grief without toppling the hierarchy."
Truly, Rose was furious about how he described Zero as nothing but a method of coping, but she knew she had to stay level headed. "And what is a better method, joining the senate?"
Ichio smiled at her question and knew he had she right were he wanted her. "Of course. As Lord Kaname's fiancee you have a duty to take his place, and now that Lord Ackerman is also gone, you must take on not only the Kuran name, but the Ackerman name as well. Unless you want to disgrace his legacy? There have been rumors that you and that hunter boy were together before his death. But of course, that would be cheating, wouldn't it?"
Rose's eyes widened as the whispered changed into nasty rumors about how she had indeed cheated on Kaname, causing his death. They were too much to handle.
She spun around, desperate to give an answer when she saw everyone staring at her and her new eyes.
A wave of self consciousness flowed through her as she felt her breathing become more and more vapid. Usually Kaname was here to calm her down but now, she had no one.
Suddenly the whispers stopped as a hand reached up and covered her eyes from the strangers, pulling her into them. She was about to struggle when Rose heard his voice. "That's enough Rose. You did well."
Slowly lifting his hand away, she looked up and found Zero smiling at her, before turning to the crowds. "It's true. We were together before his death."
The crowds gasped as the whispering started again and Rose felt a hand on her shoulder, giving her reassurance. "I'm not letting you do this alone."
Rose nodded her head, and with the warm of his hand, found speaking much easier. She turned and addressed Ichio once more. "You are right. I have lost my way in these past years. I will agree to your terms and return to the senate, on two conditions."
An unspeakable joy came over the vampires, knowing they had won but they still going along with her game. "And what are these conditions?"
She turned to the crowds and continued, determination in her eyes. "Give me some time to grieve and finish my time at university. One year is all I ask. Then I will return."
Ichio nodded his head and spoke. "And the other?"
Rose's smile dropped as she turned back to him with a piercing gaze. "And in that year I want the senate to stay far away from us. You will not hurt Zero or any of the ones I hold dear or the agreement is over, deal?"
The vampires as looked between each other as Rose lifted her hand out. Then they watched as Ichio smirked and lighty grabbed her hand,kissing it for the entire room. "Deal."
That last year was the happiest moments of Rose's life, and even though she knew she was on a time clock it still felt special.
She was finally able to do all the things she wanted to do, go christmas tree shopping, bake cookies, sing karaoke, go out to dinner, see a movie together, it felt normal.
As the leaves fell and the changed though, she knew it was almost graduation, which meant the end of their time here.
One year Later
Rose looked out the window at the grey cloudy sky and sighed. It seemed a year had zoomed by far too quickly and now it was the eve of her graduation from university.
Dressed in a short length light blue dress, she turned to find Zero looking at her sadly. "Are you going to be okay?"
She just nodded her head once and reached behind her neck, unclasping the necklace that was her treasure, before placing it in his hand reluctantly. "Yeah. Guess I won't need this anymore."
His mothers ring turned around in his fingertips as he closed his own hand. He then turned and put the objects in his pocket before helping up zip up the back part of her dress.
He suddenly felt a weight on his shoulders as Rose's head slumped into him, slightly begging to be embraced.
Zero compiled and wrapped his arms around her slowly, kissing the top of her head in the process and whispering reassuring words. "It's gonna be okay. I promise."
She tightened her hold on him when a loud voice echoed through the room, causing them to break apart. "It's time."
Hanabusa eyed the couple sadly as they intertwined hands and walked out of the door and down the steps.
They were greeted by one of the members of the senate, assigned to keep an eye on them in case they decided to escape the deal after the graduation was over.
He eyed the couple with disgust and bowed anyways. "Lady Adelaide. I've come to escort you to the ceremony."
Rose glanced at the man but didn't answer as they moved past them and into the open car door, welcoming them.
This was it. Everything was going to end here.
The audience of students clapped loudly as everyone received their diplomas. Rose just sat in a chair beside Zero, waiting for her name to be called.
Soon, it was, and everyone cheered as Rose stepped onstage and was met by a heavy set human, giving her what she had always wanted. A diploma.
When she was turned she never thought it would have been possible for her to get a degree in anything but slowly and slowly she discovered that was could in fact be human in some sense. Zero had taught her that.
Zero was next, gaining his own diploma and stepping down to meet Rose as they embraced tightly. He swung her around in a circle as her feet lifted off the ground in utter joy. "You did it. Congrats Rose."
Rose smiled a goofy grin as she playfully poked his chest and spoke. "You too hunter boy. Congratulations. I know your family would have been so proud of you. I'm so proud of you."
His eyes widened at the sound of his family's name as he brought his face closer. "Don't try and separate yourself from them. You are my family Rose."
All she could do was look at him in absolute awe as they kissed each other in the midst of the humans celebrations. This was perfect.
But of course the perfect moment could not last as someone cut into the scene, stepping between them with purpose. "Yes yes, congratulations and all that Lady Adielde but I think it's time we stop these games. There is a car to take you to your coronation outside. You did promise you would take Lord Kuran and Lord Ackermans title, remember?"
Rose's cheery attitude dropped as she turned to Zero and reluctantly let go of his hand, moving over to the vampires side. "I'm sorry Zero. I have to go."
He looked down bitterly as Rose forced herself to look away. It had to be this way, it always had to be this way. "Goodbye."
Rose sat herself inside the senate's car and wiped a tear she had been hiding. The driver looked back at her and questioned loudly. "You knew this was bound to happen sometime."
She just sighed loudly, putting the diploma down next to her and muttering. "Yeah, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. That place, it's all I've ever known for so long."
The driver nodded his head and pointed back towards the car. "But do you remember what I said back at the academy? Love is a beautiful thing. You must hold onto it no matter what. That even means this I'm afraid."
Rose just turned at smiled at the driver before stating. "I'm ready. Let's go."
Turning back to the wheel, Headmaster Cross pulled his cap further on his head in order not to be discovered by the senate, and pulled out of the parking lot.
Lady Adelaide's coronation was a grand affair. Anyone who was anyone was there of course as they are awaited the guest of honor.
Ichio laughed widely knowing he had won this silly game of hers and looked at his watch. Any minute now and then she would be his to control.
The music stopped and everyone turned towards the door, signaling that the car had just arrived. It was time.
The doors opened as trumpets played and an announcement could be heard over head. "Now, it is time to announce our new pureblood princess, taking not only one but two titles. May she be a blessing upon us all. Let us all welcome. Lady Rosabella Adelaide!"
Crowds cheered as they awaited the sight of the new pureblood princess. But instead, no one came.
Strange murmurs started to circle as Ichio stepped forward in anger. "What, where is she?!"
Suddenly, I new voice entered the space and caused everyone to freeze. "She's not coming."
They all looked up and gasped when they saw Yuki Kuran standing before them, holding something in her arms. "Rose will not be the one to take Kaname's title. I will be."
Descending the steps, the entire crowds could see two things. Her determined eyes and a small baby nestled in her arms. It was impossible.
Ichio stumbled on his words as he looked the the landing and shouted. "What, how. Where is Lady Adelaide? WHERE IS SHE?!"
Rose watched the tree line disappear before her and before long, they were at their destination.
She exited the car and into the small building before her, opening the large door and finding Hanabusa before her with Ruka and Rima in tow.
They looked at her and Ruka placed her hands on her hips in annoyance. "Took you long enough. Pretty soon you were going to have to do this yourself, you know."
Rose just smiled and put her hands up in defense. "Sorry sorry. The drive took longer than expected. I'm here now."
Rima nodded her head and pointed to Hanabusa before biting down on a pocky stick. "Hanabusa, get out."
Hanabusa gasped as she flustered to find words, only for Ruka to finish them before him. She then wrapped her arms around Rose in proof. "Yeah Hanabusa, you can go now. Only girls can help."
He looked at Rose in question and she just smiled sadly before being pulled into the room forcefully.
Once they were inside, Ruka flipped her hair and pointed to the object in the center. "I did the best I could do on such a short notice. Are you sure you didn't want anything more flashy?"
Rose walked over to the object in wonder and touched a tiny bit of the white fabric before smiling. "No, it's perfect."
Hanabusa passed back and forth in anxiety, his own tie becoming crooked in the process. That was, until the doors opened before him.
He took one look at Rose and found himself blushing intensely at the sight. It was something he had never seen before.
Looking at her short, ankle length white dress and medium length veil that covered her eyes, he couldn't help but feel a couple tears well up in his eyes.
Rose took one look at him and then slapped him upside the head playfully. "Hey, are you crying already? Don't do that, cause then I will."
He sniffled up his tears, willing them to stop but was finding it impossible. He was just so proud of her. "I'm sorry, it's just, you look so beautiful."
She seemed taken back by the comment and took a step back in shock before smiling softly. "Thank you."
The bells began to chime around them and Hanabusa responded by lifting his arm out for her to take. "It's time, you ready?"
Rose looked out at his request and raised her own arm to meet his. "More than anything. Can I say something Hanabusa?"
He nodded his head once as her hand rested on top of his. "I'm so happy you are the one to do this. You know, walk me down the alse and all that. I couldn't think of anyone more important to me to give me away. Thank you."
Hanabusa blushed at her words and felt his heart do a flip. She had no idea how much she had changed his life.
All he could do in response was lift her hand up, kissing it softly and speaking. "No, thank you Rose. You have brought out the very best of me. I am so happy to be next to you, more so then you will ever know. I'm so proud of you."
Rose smiled at his words, before leaning into him and speaking softly. "I used to think being turned into a vampire was a curse, but now that I have met you, I wonder if that really if the case. You are far more a blessing, in every sense of the word. Thank you for being my friend Hanabusa."
He nodded his head and heard Ruka from the other side of the door. "You two coming or what? We are waiting."
They just looked at such other a laughed before Hanabusa bowed once and spoke. "Shall we?"
Rose nodded her head and followed him out of the waiting room and into her future.
Zero looked up nervously when he saw her for the first time. Everyone stood to welcome her but he couldn't focus on anyone but her.
She smiled at him all while holding a coupe red roses in her hands, moving towards him in a hopeful fashion.
None of this felt real, that any minute he would wake up at the association and go about his boring life. But no matter how hard he blinked, she wouldn't disappear from her mind.
He thought about how they met that one spring day when he made a rude comment to her in the headmasters office. Little did he know that she was dealing with so much, things he couldn't even begin to comprehend.
Picturing the words his mother said many years ago, he smiled. Zero silently hoped that they were up there, proud of him somewhere.
When she reached him, Hanabusa lifted his hand out and Zero gladly accepted it, taking her from her friend.
Once it was done, Rose turned to Hanabusa before wiping a tear on his face and smirking. "I told you not to cry, dummy."
He shook his head once and reluctantly let go of her hand before taking a seat next to his friends.
Zero realized he couldn't stop staring and reached his hand up to lift the veil from her face. Her two tone eyes were now in full view as Rose looked at him in question. "What's wrong?"
He just placed the veil behind her before taking his hand in hers and whispering. "You are just so beautiful."
Rose blushed at his comment as the Headmaster began the ceremony. An official sermon he was not but it wasn't like it mattered. They didn't want in official ceremony anyways, just something they could cherish.
When it was time to exchange the rings, Zero reached into his pocket and pulled out his mothers ring before placing it on her finger and speaking. "Rose, Isbelle, every part of you, when we first met I didn't think much of it. You were shroated in so much mystery I didn't know what to think. But slowly, without giving up, you showed me how to love myself again, how to love the world, especially if it had you in it. I love you so much and I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you."
Rose looked down and tried to hide a tear but Zero was quick to brush it away. Next, she took out her own silver band and placed it on his finger before answering. "Zero, you were always the one to heal me, whether it be in your letters or just your words, you made me feel normal again. In your eyes I wasn't a monster or an object, but rather just Rose. You accept every part of me and that is something I can't even begin to thank. If you will have me, I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you."
Zero nodded his head as the Headmaster continued his speech, finally hearing the once sentence they had been waiting for. "I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Zero Kiryu, you may now kiss your bride."
Rose excitedly wrapped her arms around Zero's neck and kissed him to seal the deal. Everything had happened just like she had always dreamed. She couldn't believe it.
When they separated, everyone cheered as they basked in this moment. The couple joined hands and walked down the aisle together, to the outside where a car would be waiting for them.
She wished they could have stayed for a reception but it was too risky, the senate would have noticed her absence by now and surely would have started to track her.
Approaching the car, Rose turned and moved towards Hanabusa. "Hanabusa. Are you sure you want to come with us? We won't be able to come back now that the senate is after us. You won't be able to see your friends again. If you want to stay, I understand."
Hanabusa looked back at his friends before walking up to them with sad eyes. Kain was the first to speak as he just nodded his head. "It's okay, we understand."
Ruka crossed her arms but spoke with a sort of compassion. "Well I'm going to miss you I guess, but I understand also. Go, be with them."
He eyed his friends before racing forward and bringing them into a suffocating hug. "I love you guys."
Everyone smiled as Kain push away and playfully push him away. "Yeah yeah, now get going."
Hanabusa nodded and turned back to Rose and Zero before pulling into the car with them.
Rose leaned against the window and waved at the people leaving her sight. They were truly someone she would never forget.
Zero grasped his hand in hers and watched her grin as they set out of there new adventure. "Where to Rose Kiryu?"
Rose smirked and leaned in, kissing him quick before settling back. "Anywhere."