A/N: Thank you everyone for the feedback last time! As you may have noticed, I'm following the anime timeline/script because it's easier for me to follow than the manga. I've also decided to take requests if anyone has any, although I can't guarantee that I'll be able to meet them all or in a timely manner... This drabble's for Sweety8587!

o2. Playing Chef
Estimated Timeline: Before Episode 1

"...and so, that's why this is the only surviving batch. Oh, just scrape off the black stuff... I think there's something wrong with the oven." She held out the tray with confident hands, grinning excitedly as she presented it to him. She hadn't tried it yet herself, of course, having already taste-tested the last six batches of cookies which ultimately numbed her tongue from differentiating between good cookie and bad cookie. But in her heart, as she stood proud and grinning in front of him with her little golden accomplishments before her, she felt the sacrifice was worth it.

Zero could tell, as he stared up at her from his spot on the couch, that she was certain this seventh batch would be her ticket to instant fame in the grand world of culinary arts. But, as much as he wanted her to succeed in the kitchen for once, the mountain of lopsided, charcoal textured, burnt yet seemingly uncooked tray of chocolate-flavored death in front of him needed proper acknowledgement. With a slight frown and wrinkled nose, he leaned forward against his better judgment. "Am I supposed to eat that?"

She made a muffled sound of disapproval before nearly shoving the tray down his throat. "Just try it!"

He choked a little as he spit out the rather large piece of 'food' that'd been abruptly pushed into his innocent mouth by her annoyance. "I -cough- thought you were making cookies."

"And what do you think these are?"

"Your new weapon against vampires -- ow!"

She narrowed her eyes, her grip tight on the edges of the tray as she stormed back into the kitchen. Rubbing his sore head where she had hit him, he got up from the couch and followed her.

"Eight hours. Eight hours Zero! It'd be nice if you could show a little --" She stopped suddenly when she turned around and saw him, albeit forcibly, taking a slow bite out of one of her cookie creations. Wide-eyed and nervous, she tentatively stepped toward him, her hand curled in a loose fist and pressed to her chest as she spoke. "H-How is it?"

He chewed with all his strength, ignoring the massacre of his taste buds as he watched her worrisome and embarrassed expression steadily increase. "It's... actually not... that bad," he lied, his earlier guilt quickly disappearing as a familiar smile spread out across her face.

"See? All you needed to do was give it a chance!" she exclaimed. Giggling, she grabbed an apron from the wall and tossed it at him. "I've still got some of the mix left. You can help me bake more!"

He restrained himself from protesting as he pulled the blue and white striped fabric over his head. Eight hours is a signfcant length of time to be repeated disappointed by one's failures and, if only for today, he would let her entertain herself with the prospect of one day becoming a world class chef.

Besides…

"I think we should give some to Kaname," he said. And she happily agreed.

:)