Chapter

He poured the bottle of wine carelessly, the red liquid sloshed around the clear glass, spilling as he filled it up. He tuned out the words coming from the man across the table from him as his fingers drummed on the flat surface. His bored eyes scanned the private room that the man had reserved for this evening and noted with unveiled annoyance the number of security cameras as well the nameless low leveled officials from the association that stood on post at each corner of the windowless room they currently reside.

"My… it truly has been too long since I've last seen you, I trust the trip went well Kakashi-kun?"

He shrugged unceremoniously, not really answering the question.

The lack of response didn't seem to faze the man before him and continued smiling behind the fan he held.

"Enjoy the food Kakashi-kun, I had ensured that they would serve us nothing but the absolute best for tonight, a reunion such as this deserves nothing but."

Kakashi ignored him as he let his empty bottle be taken away and gladly accepted the replacement. He popped the bottle open, resisting the urge to sigh in contentment as the strong scent of alcohol filled his senses. If there was anything good to come out of this meeting, it would be the wine.

The Head of the Vampire Hunters Association smiled behind his fan once more. "My… I see that your stubbornness has yet to change," He then gestured for who he had assumed to be the head waiter to be dismissed. Kakashi openly frowned as the group of servers and members as they had bowed to the waist and immediately vacate the room leaving him alone with a man he no longer held any tolerance for.

He set aside his fan and folded his hands in front of him. "Now that we are alone, can I expect you to be civil Kakashi-kun?"

Kakashi chuckled. "If you truly wanted me to become civil you would've allowed your minions to stay… Okama-san."

"Kakashi-kun, still the rebellious spirit I see…" His smile was disarming yet the look in his eyes spoke of different volumes. "Your fondness of silly jokes hasn't changed a bit."

He smiled under his mask and raised his glass in mock toast, "Of course."

"Oh well, I suppose it is a part of Kakashi-kun's charm. It is refreshing for me to finally speak with a man on equal terms, it has been so long."

"Please stop addressing me so intimately okama-san."

Another laugh. "Again with that nickname, you always amuse me with your cute side."

Kakashi frowned and called out to a waiter. "Can I get some more wine?" This is going to be a long meeting.

"More?" The head frowned. "But we haven't even started on dinner yet, Kakashi-kun."

He downed the rest of his glass and motioned his glass to be filled once more. "I don't think I can get through this dinner sober."

"I had hoped that fatherhood had killed your little drinking problem."

Kakashi smiled. "Oh no, if anything fatherhood had been the cause of my so called drinking problem."

"And yet here you are so accustomed to it," The head chuckled. "Tell me, how is the little flower? I understand that you had to leave her unattended for you to come here."

His visible eye narrowed. "I didn't leave her unattended."

"Apologies," He was anything but. "I was only worried for dear Sakura, it has been so long since I've seen her last. Kakashi-kun, be a dear and schedule a visit soon, I'd love to catch up with the girl."

Kakashi smiled.

"Of course."

It's scary

Yuuki was trembling, her eyes were wide and the hand on her neck barely registered the fact the she was indeed bleeding from an open wound.

I'm afraid

"Z-Zero…you" She couldn't speak. "Y-You're a…"

Yuuki stared at the boy she grew up with. This was not boy that had entered into her family broken and beaten. This was not the boy that grew up to be a sarcastic yet caring dear friend. This was not the boy that she had spent every waking moment with all these years.

This boy was not the Zero she knew.

It's going to eat me

This Zero was not one of her most precious people.

This Zero was now standing in front of her, his eyes glowing an eerie red. A hateful red that she knew all too well and his lips… were stained with blood.

Her blood.

She Knew. This boy is not the Zero that she had grown up with. This Zero… is a vampire.

All this time…

Zero stared at her, his mind finally clearing up and the feeling of guilt finally swallowing him whole. His eyes traveled from her frightened form to the blood splatters that stained the wooden staircase. He felt the blood drip from his lips and resisted the urged to vomit. He paled as realization finally dawned him. He took a step forward, reaching out for her. Yuki was in front of him, He could see… no he could feel her confusion. He could feel the hurt, but most of all he could feel her fear.

She was afraid of him.

"Yuuki—"

His entire being shattered when she flinched away from his touch, cowering as he got close. Zero clenched his teeth, not knowing what to say to the girl. His hands were fisted at his sides so hard that he was sure that he was cutting off circulation but he did not care. Yuuki was his anchor to sanity, she was the one who he had held on to for support but now… she was scared. Of him.

It broke him.

"Yu—"

"Yuuki."

Yuuki turned to see Kaname walking up the stairs with a strained smile on his face. "Kaname-senpai!"

"Have you finally become a hungry beast, Zero-kun?" he asked, his tone was lighthearted as if asking about the weather, but the way he immediately shielded the younger girl behind him for safety betrayed his soft approach. His voice was clear and crisp as he taunted the low level vampire.

Zero's eyes narrowed at the pure blooded noble. He bit his lip, restraining himself. He had done enough damage for tonight and adding another thing to his list of mistakes would be the last thing he needed right now.

Yuuki watched in silent horror as the two exchanged hostile stares. She had witnessed a scenario very much like this once, a long time ago when she had first met the pureblooded vampire. She was only a young girl then but she knew the dire consequences that came with crossing paths with a powerful being like Kuran Kaname. An image of red staining a snowy white landscape flashed in her mind and panic filled her system.

Zero will be killed…!

"Please stop Kaname-sen…!" She tried to come in between the two in hopes of preventing any form of quarrel but her legs gave out as soon as she made a move to shield zero from the night class student, only to faint at her sudden movement, clearly forgetting that she was suffering from severe blood loss.

"Yuuki!" Zero immediately caught her before she hit the ground, his bloodied hands supporting her small body as he did. He unconsciously brought her unconscious form closer to his, knowing that she was in such a state because of him. 'Yuuki…'

"Oh my, it seems as though you drank too much blood Zero-kun."

Zero's panicked eyes turned to see Sakura walking up the stairs with a smile. Her long pink hair swayed at each step she took. His eyes narrowed at the smaller female, snarling as she drew closer. Sakura smiled at the sight of the distressed prefect clinging onto Yuuki's sleeping form; she made her way and stood next to the pureblood who merely glanced her way to acknowledge her presence. Sakura sighed and shook her head in an amused manner.

"Honestly Zero-kun, I would've thought you knew better than this."

"You…! This is no laughing matter!"

She snorted. "Please, she wouldn't die from that."

Zero tightened his grip around Yuuki's sleeping form and was about to retort back, only to be interrupted by Kaname.

"Don't act like the victim here, you indulged too much of her blood and now she can't even stand…" He tone was dull but the accusation in his voice hurt more than it should knowing that what he said was the truth. Zero allowed the pure blood to take Yuuki into his arms without much trouble and he didn't bother giving a fight.

He had no right to.

Not when he was the cause of all this.

Sakura shook her head at the display of childish anger. She moved to the silver haired teen's side and tried to place a hand on his trembling shoulder, only to have him flinch away from her touch.

She frowned. "Zero-kun…"

Kaname carried the brunette easily and glanced down at her sleeping face. "She has lost a lot," He shifted her weight in his hold, allowing her to rest comfortably. "She needs medical attention." He glanced at Sakura. "I'll take her to the infirmary. Please deal with him."

Sakura frowned at the tone, but shooed him off. "Go, She'll be awake in a bit."

Kaname nodded, trusting her words and began heading towards the staircase. He turned to look at Zero, his deep brown eyes seemed to bore holes into the silver haired prefect's person.

"Tell me," He stared at him. "Was her blood that delicious?" His voice was devoid of emotion and yet the way he had said it spoke levels of mocking and disgust.

"Hey!" Sakura glared. "That's enough from you Kaname,"

Kaname returned her glared, his eyes flashing a dangerous red. "Do not speak to me in such a tone Sakura."

Sakura stood her ground and stared him down. "I'll speak to you how I damn want, don't you dare treat me like I'm one of your lowly minions!"

Kaname raised a brow at her defiance, but did nothing more to address it. The frown that occupied his face spoke more volumes of the irritation he felt towards her at the moment but Sakura could care less. An unspoken message passed between the two of them, this matter was not finished and it will be discussed on a later date. She agreed. They would talk, but not now. Sakura allowed the brunette to carry the unconscious prefect out of the scene without much of a fuss; she stared at his retreating back, eyes narrowing when the pureblood clung to the sleeping girl tighter. Her hand fisted at her sides. "Annoying brat."

"…I hurt her,"

She frowned.

Sakura turned and watched in silence as Zero sank to his knees, covering his face as the guilt of hurting Yuuki finally got to him. He was sitting on the floor clutching his head as if he were in agonizing pain. A broken sob escaped her lips and he only seemed to shrink even more each second he remained in his broken state.

She walked over to him, ignoring his shouts of "Stay away!" and knelt in front of the distressed teens face. Zero's eyes were filled with sadness and confusion as he searched her face for whatever reason she might have for doing this. He flinched when she brought her hand closer to his face; her hand was cool and soothing. He tried to pull away but she reached for him once more at each time he did.

Sakura brought her face closer to his, whispering comfort as she tried to wipe the blood from his cheek. "Zero-kun, Yuuki-san is fine."

Zero stared at her, confused as to why the girl was doing this. He had not known her for that long but from what he had seen this girl in front of him was no ordinary girl. He allowed her to pull his arm so that he was standing upright. Her hands were planted on each side of his arms. He stared down at her, finding a strange sense of comfort in her glassy green eyes. She was speaking to him once again; her voice was low and soft, careful not to provoke him.

"Let's clean you up, okay?"

The sound of running water echoed into the empty dorm room. Zero sat on the tiled floor of his private bathroom with his back touching the wall. His arms were lying limp at his sides. His eyes were blank as his gaze was set to the ground, anguish seemed to have permanently etched into his normally stoic features.

Sakura frowned as she entered the bathroom. "Zero-kun you're going to catch a cold if you stay there,"

She wasn't surprised when he made no move to acknowledge her presence.

'This kid…' Sakura sighed and grabbed a clean towel from the cabinet as well a small basin before heading over to the sink. She turned on the tap and hummed in approval when she felt the warm water touch her skin, she allowed the . She stole a glance at the silver haired prefect before picking up the basin filled with warm water and cautiously approached his prone form.

"I need to get you out of this shirt okay?"

Her voice was warm as she began unbuttoning his shirt. She smiled when Zero sat up a bit, silently allowing her to complete her task but has yet to meet her gaze. Sakura removed the blood soaked uniform with ease and tossed it to the laundry basket situated at the corner. She pulled the water basin closer to them both and dipped the cloth into the warm liquid and smiled a little, feeling a bit nostalgic at the familiar act. She pressed the damp cloth to his cheek and began wiping dried blood from his face and neck.

"You know… when I was younger I used to do this all the time," She wrung the wet towel and glanced at Zero who was still staring at the floor. "Kakashi and his friends used to get injured a lot when he was still in active duty. They would come home in the middle of the night bloody and wounded, yet none of them seem to be affected by it at all. It was a different case for me though, an eight year old girl waking up to the sound of yelling only to find one of my dear 'uncles' bleeding all over the kitchen counter."

She laughed upon remembering the first time it had happen, Kakashi's second in command had taken a nasty hit on the side and instead of heading straight to the hospital the group of misfits she had once fondly dubbed as her uncles had opted to stay and plan their next course of attack. She took one look at the wound and began bawling her eyes out, screaming at the top of her lungs to get him some medical attention and to not die before her birthday.

"It was on our way to the hospital at three in the morning that my uncles had promised to be more careful with their missions." She sighed. "But of course I knew better than to believe those empty words, and since no one in our little family knew the basics of first aid I had to take it upon myself to fix up my friends," She shook her head remembering the many times she had been awoken in the middle of the night to tend to a wounded comrade who was anything but willing to be healed. "That was when I officially took over the unofficial role of medic."

"…eight?"

Sakura smiled and looked up to meet his eyes. Progress "Yeah, when I was younger all I had to keep me company were books," She wrung the towel and began wiping down his chest. "an aunt of mine would bring me medical books as presents whenever she came to visit. I learned the basics and everything went from there."

She ran the damp towel over neck and hummed as she finally finished her task. "There, all done." She touched his cheek, "I think you might need a proper shower though, unless…" She grinned at him, eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Get out."

Sakura giggled and picked up the water basin. "Of course, I'll clean this up."

"…Thank you."

She smiled. "I'll wait outside."

Sakura closed the door behind her and sighed in relief as she heard the sound the shower head turning on. She turned towards the window and restrained a groan of annoyance when she saw the sun peeking out from the horizon. She walked over to the bed and collapsed with an unceremonious moan. She grabbed a pillow and buried her face into it, finally feeling tired of the whole fiasco earlier. She rolled on her back and stared at the ceiling and glared at the white chipped paint.

"You know…I find it surprising that a girl trained to retain vampires to not know much about them at all."

She didn't expect an answer, but she knew that he heard every word she says.

"That time at the lake too, she dared to go in between…" She paused. "Five vampires with that metal rod of hers… does she even know how to use that thing?"

She could hear movement from behind the bathroom door. "Well… okay I guess she could, after all she is the daughter of Kaien." She threw the pillow up and caught it with ease. "I don't see why you need to coddle her. I know that Yuuki-san can properly handle herself."

She sighed. "And another thing why is it that—"

Zero exited the bathroom, a towel draped over his head, wearing nothing but a fresh new pair of pants. His bare feet padded against the carpeted floor in sluggish movements. Sakura sat up and dangled her feet against the bed. Zero came up beside her and collapsed on the mattress, staring up at the ceiling as she had once did.

"…Why are you on my bed."

Sakura smiled and tried to pull him up. "It's comfy, come on. Sit up, it's not nice to sleep with your hair wet."

Zero frowned. "You know most girls would be flustered to be alone with a guy half naked."

She snorted. "Please, you have nothing I haven't seen yet."

Zero didn't dare to comment on that and allowed her to pull her up. A second later she was drying his damp silver locks with his towel. "…You really have no problems with touching people."

"I'm a medic it's what I do."

Zero closed his eyes. "…Thank you."

Sakura paused.

"You're welcome."

*Crawls out of a hole*

...Um hi.

Yes I am alive.

Sorry for the terribly short chapter.

Sorry for the late update everyone.

I'm sorry.

Life happened.

Reviews are always appreciated.