Chapter

"Here's your order milady."

Sakura smiled at the older male who presented her a steaming cup of tea with a cute flower decorating the saucer. Said male proceeded to blush redder than the setting sun before them and stutter out a sentence asking them if he could do anything else for them. Sakura politely shooed him off and giggled at the blank stare her companion was currently giving her.

"Kaname-kun doesn't go out much does he?"

He didn't reply. Sakura giggled and sipped her drink calmly, admiring the red hue of the town as the sun began to set. The lampposts were beginning to light up and stores were beginning to close down. The number of people began dwindling but there were people who came to replace the ones that left. Sakura let her eyes wander around the small café, enjoying the cozy ambiance. Sakura smiled at the elder woman who was minding the counter and laughed when the woman waved back shyly before proceeding to scold the staff members of both sexes who stopped working and began piling up near the kitchen entrance just to get a glimpse at the two students from the famous Cross Academy.

"This is nice," She traced the rim of her cup. "It's been so long since we've spent some time together."

Kaname remained silent, still staring out the window.

Sakura pouted at being ignored and was about to open her mouth to complain when she was interrupted.

"U-Um…" Sakura looked up to see their waiter from earlier. "Pardon the intrusion milady, but the three gentlemen over there had asked me to give you this." The older male set down a cute little dessert platter filled with expensive looking sweets decorated with candied flowers and jewels fit for a princess. Sakura smiled at the waiter causing him to blush once more and she sent a playful wink to the table of gentlemen who was gracious enough to give her some treats.

"I really do wish you would stop playing with them."

'He talks!' Sakura grinned, throwing a friendly wave towards the direction of the group of males who had their eyes on her as soon as they entered. "Aw, but they're so cute."

Kaname stared at her. "I never did understand your strange fascination with humans."

She laughed. "You talk as if I'm not human."

He shrugged and she laughed once more, she reached over to him and playfully flicked his forehead.

"Same goes for you Kaname-kun," She said in a teasing manner. "Your obsession towards Yuki-san is border line—"

"Careful with your words, Sakura."

She grinned. "Always the serious one Kaname-kun."

She picked up one of the bite sized treats and pressed it to his lips with that smile of hers. Kaname slowly opened his mouth allowing the sweet to pass through his lips. He didn't give much of a reaction when the pink haired girl in front of him squealed in a manner that painfully reminded him of the day-class students that gathered in front of the moon dormitory every afternoon. Sakura giggled and helped herself to her plate of goodies.

His eyes softened when she sighed in bliss when she began eating. "…I see that part of you hasn't changed."

She stopped eating at the surprisingly soft tone that came from the man that sat in front of her. She smiled at him, albeit sadly. "I'd like to think I haven't changed at all."

"But you have." He said.

"As have you," She countered.

He didn't bother denying it. Things weren't the same, nor will they ever be. Memories of him and her than were considered fond and sweet were now being buried by the very same girl who he had once called dear. She couldn't blame him though; it was the same for her. Sakura stared at the man in front of her and smiled.

"I have missed you…"

Kaname didn't reply, instead he reached for her from across the table and caressed her cheek as he had done in the past. Sakura closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, smiling, knowing what he had wanted to say. But she knew that this wouldn't last. It never did. Her hand came up to grasp his much larger ones and she stared at him with a sad smile and he didn't return it, but the look in his eyes said it all.

"…It's getting worse," She released his hand and folded hers on the table. "I know that you've noticed."

Kaname reached for his tea. "I have."

She directed her attention towards the large window again, watching the town's folk pass by going about their own business.

"The attacks are getting worse… Kakashi has done everything in his power to help me but it simply won't go away." Her fingers traced the intricate patterns on her teacup. "It's funny really… how ironic it is to see myself in a situation I never dreamed of being in." She laughed. "I fear that my days are numbered."

Kaname refilled her cup. "So you say,"

"I suppose it was fate that brought us back together," She reached for his hand and smile when he didn't pull away. "A final goodbye no?"

Kaname smiled. "Always one for dramatics aren't you Sakura?"

She blinked at the response and slowly pulled away, her face showed an understanding smile but her eyes shone with hurt. She looked up and met his eyes. "Even now?"

Kaname shrugged.

Sakura sighed and shook her head. "…Such a boring reaction."

"It's not my first time hearing you say goodbye," He drank from his cup. "I must have developed an immunity for it."

Her eyes twinkled with mischief and the melancholic air of their conversation completely vanished. "Oh Kaname-kun, I remember now why I loved spending time with you."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

She leaned back into her chair and began humming as her eyes wandered to the town once more. "This place is nice… I still don't like it here, but I have to admit that the town has its own charm."

Kaname waved for the bill and Sakura began to protest at being ignored at the same time for him forcing her to end her tea time so early. "You can stay here; I'll fetch you when I find Yuki."

"You're leaving me alone?"

Kaname placed the proper amount of money on the table, and a couple of extra for her to spend if she wishes to. "It's almost dark, I have to find Yuki."

"Ne, Kaname-kun… "She smiled, "It's rude to say another girl's name when you're on a date."

"Forgive me if I hadn't polished on proper date etiquette."

She frowned. "Sarcasm is unbecoming of you, Kaname-kun."

"Please do stay out of trouble."

He didn't even glance her way when he left the café. Sakura's eyes followed him, pouting at the absurdity of the whole situation. Kaname began walking away and Sakura could only watch his retreating back from her place by the window as he slowly disappeared into the sea of people. She sighed and rested her cheek on her fist.

"Always the same as ever… eh Kaname-kun?"

A string of childish laughter reached her ears and she glanced towards the group of children cheering at the sight of thousands of red balloons being released into the air. The little ones began to jump as high as they could, attempting to catch the dangling strings. Sakura smiled fondly at the scene and decided to join in. She extended an arm up and effortlessly caught one of the drifting balloons and blinked in surprise when she head gasps of awe directed towards her. Sakura glanced down to see a little girl staring up at her with large adoring brown eyes, as if she had just done something amazing. Sakura smiled at the innocence radiating from the girl and crouched down in front of her, presenting the large balloon.

"Do you want it?"

The little girl gasped in surprise and beamed at her understanding what she was doing. "Can I?"

"Of course," Sakura nodded and tied the string around her little wrist so that it wouldn't fly away like the others. "Just be sure to go back to your parents and remember to never wander off on your own again, okay?"

"Okay!" The little girl was positively ecstatic as she thanked her and ran up to her parents telling them how the pretty big sister gave her a balloon. Sakura met the eyes of the parents and she acknowledged them with a polite nod, in which the couple returned with grateful smiles.

Sakura began to make her way back to the café but stopped when she spotted a familiar shock of silver hair running past her.

"Oh… found you."

'It's fresh…'

His fingers trailed over the stain of blood on the rocky terrain, frowning at the idea of an innocent civilian getting hurt. A picture of Yuuki's smiling face flashed into his mind and his blood began to boil.

What if Yuuki got hurt?

Zero clenched his hand in anger at the mere thought and stood up in full height, scanning the area once more. "Yuuki…"

Then he felt it.

With trained precision and speed Zero intercepted the falling body of the woman attacking him with a kick to the stomach. The force of the impact had the woman crashing into a door a few feet away from him. Quickly Zero stood up, putting some distance between the two of them. His eyes were set into a feral glare as he stared at the woman's fallen form, pulling out his bloody rose ready to defend himself. The woman pushed herself up in a manner that wasn't human. Her movements were hard and awkward and the smile on her face was unnerving.

Zero raised his gun, aiming for his target with a disgusted glare. "So… you've lost your human side…"

Then she—no, it stood up, it's hair covering her face from view. Zero stood rooted on his spot staring as it snapped its head back with a sickening sound. It smiled again then a second later it was coming for him. Zero stared at its face as it came closer and closer.

And for a split second, he saw the woman before it turned. A human, like him.

"…" He pulled out his gun from his line of fire. I can't do it..!

Just when it was barely a foot away from him, it stopped.

Zero took a step back in shock. "What…"

"Com…."

He blinked at the sound of its voice. It was low and distorted. Its eyes were wide and crazed; it studied his face as if making a wonderful discovery. It smiled again.

"Com…rade."

Zero gasped in shock. No…

His arm went limp and his weapon "No…"

"That's no good Zero-kun,"

Zero snapped out of whatever trance he was in and turned to look at the new arrival. "S-Sakura…?"

Sakura stood a few feet away from there, her hands behind her back and a carefree smile plastered on her face. Her long hair was let loose to dance with the wind as she approached them. Zero stood rooted to his spot, unsure how to react to the situation. The thing beside him seemed to have the same sentiments but its mindless state had it doing the opposite.

"Comrade?" Its distorted voice was unsure. Zero watched in silent shock as the thing began to back away slowly at every step Sakura took towards them.

Sakura reached for the thing and touched its pale cheek. It flinched but it didn't pull away, instead it took the opportunity to study Sakura closer, repeating those dreaded words over and over, sending zero to pummel down to the deepest pits of his mind. "Co…Comrade?"

"How pitiful," Sakura released its face and the thing stood frozen. "You let yourself go off the deep end…" She sighed and walked over to Zero. Zero opened his mouth wanting to say something, but quickly shut it opting to take a step back to put some distance between the two of them.

"Sakura…You—"

"Kill her."

His eyes widened. "W-What!?"

She stared at him, question him. "You can't?"

Zero bristled at the nonchalance in her tone. A second ago the girl was being compassionate to the woman turned to Level E, now she wants him to end its life!?

He glanced at the woman behind her and studied its pained face. Its mouth was open, mouthing the same words over and over. The he noticed it. It wasn't moving, rather it couldn't move. He turned to look at Sakura who was smiling at him, that same secretive smile she had on whenever there was something happening that he couldn't understand. "What…What did you do?"

Sakura grinned and walked behind him, her hand touched the back of his neck—a possessive act, while the other slowly trailed up his arm holding his bloody rose. He stilled. She tucked his right shoulder under her chin like a lover would do and brought her lips near his ear.

"I made her wait," she said. "I thought you couldn't do it alone, so she's waiting for you." Her smaller hand encircled around his wrist with a gentle grip. Zero didn't know what to do when she pulled at his wrist, forcing him to yield the weapon once more.

"S-Saku—"What are you talking about!?

"Kill her." She commanded. "Pull the trigger, Zero-kun."

"I…I can't—"

"You can't?" Her grip tightened. "Why? She's nothing but a level E Zero-kun, a pitiful human who was so desperate enough to taste immortality that it resorted to allowing a lower class vampire to bite her." She released his hand but his weapon was still pointed at the turned woman. "Just pull the trigger Zero-kun, it would be best to end her life right now, than prolong her agony."

Zero turned to glare at her. "How can you say that so easily!? She's human—"

Sakura glared. "Was, Zero-kun was." The hand on his neck slid down to his back. "She was human, now she's nothing but a mindless beast."

He wavered. "B-but…"

"Why are you hesitating Zero-kun?" Sakura moved away from him, a few steps back. "Isn't she a vampire? Do you not detest vampires? Are you having a change of heart?"

Zero's bit his lip. What is she doing?

Sakura smiled. "Ah I see… You're coming accepting the fact that you're becoming one of them and now you want to stop killing them."

His eyes widened. "How did you—!?"

"But what would your parents think? I heard that the Kiryuu were great vampire hunters, but now here I see their son refusing to kill a vampire?" Sakura smiled. "How sad,"

Zero's gripped tightened around his bloody rose and turned his glare towards the frozen vampire.

"C-Comra…Comrade?"

"Shut up!" He pulled the trigger.

Sakura watched with morbid fascination as the Bloody rose fired. A large red cross appeared the moment the bullet shot through the level E vampire, disintegrating its whole being leaving only smoke and the clothes it once wore in its wake. The coat fluttered in the wind before dropping to the ground in an unceremonious fashion. Zero panted, rage still bubbling inside him. Sakura frowned at the smell of burning flesh, but did not say anything opting to walk towards the silver haired prefect and stand beside him.

Sakura smiled. "Feel better?"

But Zero didn't hear her; instead he was frozen at the sight of a small boy staring at the article of clothing that was once his mother. He paled, the boy looked so eerily familiar that his heart clenched at the mere thought of who the boy reminded him of. "…Ichiru?"

Then the boy laughed.

His eyes were crazed and his mouth distorted into a feral grin. Zero braced himself when the boy jumped and landed on all fours, he moved so that his body was covering Sakura for any incoming attacks. Its small body began moving in an impossible speed and it scaled the wall to their side like a spider would. Zero pointed his weapon to the thing, ready to fire but it was too quick and hurriedly disappeared into the bell tower.

Sakura pouted and moved away from him. "You don't have to protect me like I'm some—"

A scream.

Zero turned towards the bell tower. "Yuuki!"

He made a run towards the direction of Yuuki's scream but Sakura blocked him before he could advance further. "You can't Zero."

"Get out of my way Sakura! Yuuki needs me!"

"Kaname is with her, you don't have to worry about her anymore. She's in capable hands."

"But Yuuki—"She slapped him.

"Snap out of it Zero, do you honestly think you are in any form ready to face Yuuki?"

He glared at her. "What are you—!?"

She pulled out a small knife from her pocket and sliced the palm of her hand. Sakura stared at him, challenging him as she showed him the red liquid dripping down her open wound. Zero immediately covered his nose in vain attempts to keep the stench of blood from flooding his senses. He staggered as he tried to walk away from her. Sakura's eyes narrowed when he collapsed to the ground coughing violently.

She pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped her wound and walked over to his fallen form. "I'm taking you back to the Academy."

He didn't answer but he stood up, shakily as his condition allows him and began walking away. Sakura smiled and followed him back into town. She spared a glance at the bell tower, frowning at the sound of bells being rung.

"Kaname…"

"I'm sorry for bleeding in front of you."

Zero glared at the small pink haired girl smiling up at him. No, he would no longer believe that this was just some normal girl. She had proven him wrong on more times than he cared to count. The moment she stepped into his life, he knew there was something wrong with her and he doesn't intend to be kept in the dark any longer.

"Who are you?"

Sakura smiled at the question. "I'm Sakura, we've already met Zero-kun—"

"Cut the bullshit!" Zero yelled, she was still smiling. "Who the hell are you!? How do you know about—"He wavered. "About me…"

He blinked and she was in front of him, her hands reaching for his face. Zero flinched when her hand touched his pale cheek, but he didn't pull away. "I can see it."

Zero's eyes widened when she pulled him close, her face inches from him.

"I can see it in your eyes… the thirst."

He pulled away, glaring at her. "You…"

Sakura smiled and loosened her tie. "Do you want to?" She raised her chin and gave him a tantalizing view of her neck. "Drink my blood?"

He covered him mouth, as if wanting to vomit. His face was pale and his eyes were out of focus. Zero took a few steps back, tripping over his own two feet before turning around and run towards the opposite reaction. Sakura giggled and stared at his retreating form.

"No good Zero-kun, if you act this cute I don't know what I might do."

Sakura laughed and re-adjusted her tie as she walked to the opposite direction where Zero had run off to. She could hear a very loud conversation happening at the end of the hall and she couldn't wait to be a part of it. She hummed a familiar tune Kakashi had once taught her and stared at the large moon illuminating the dark halls of cross academy. She spotted Zero from the building across from her position by the window and stopped. He was at the stairs that led to the south wing of the school staring at the courtyard, a pained look in his face.

Sakura smiled. "Don't be sad Zero-kun, Yuuki-san is behind you."

As if hearing her, Zero's whole body tensed and Yuuki was descending the stairs, her lips moving as she spoke with him unaware of his troubled state. Sakura recognized his body language as of one who wished to flee but his feet were rooted to his spot.

She sighed. "Yuuki-san is really an idiot."

Sakura sent one last look at the conversing pair before heading towards the large double doors at the end of the hall. She pushed one of the doors open and smiled as she greeted the two inhabitants of the room.

"Good Evening Chairman and Kaname-kun,"

Kaname stared at her. "Sakura, where have you been?"

She grinned and closed the door behind her. "I escorted Zero-kun back as you have to Yuuki-san."

Chairman sent her a small smile. "Thank you for that Sakura-chan,"

She shook her head. "It was not trouble, but I should warn you though."

The two men stilled when an eerie aroma of blood reached their senses.

Kaname glared. "The stench of blood…Sakura you—"

She laughed. "Zero-kun is having a talk with Yuuki-san."

Omake:

"He rejected your blood?"

Sakura pouted. "That's right and I tried so hard to be sexy while doing it!"

She pulled out her tie and unbuttoned a few buttons from her blouse, she tossed her hair so it wasn't in the way and tilted her chin up. She raised a delicate finger and traced her neck with a teasing smirk. "Do you want to drink my blood?"

"…What are you doing?"

"Do you think he would've wanted to drink my blood if I did it like this?"

"…I'm leaving."

"Kaname-kun!"

Hiii

Reviews please.