Boundaries

There was no way Yuuki could focus on education. When she let her gaze wander around through the classroom she noticed that Ichijou wasn't there. In that moment something flashed through her mind. Wasn't Ichijou not always awake at daytime? Maybe she could ask him for advice.

The next day she waited until Kaname had left and walked through the manor then, looking for Ichijou. She found him in the library carrying a a heap of books.

"Ichijou-sama?"

Ichijou turned around to face her. "Yuuki-sama!"

"Please don't call me that," Yuuki said and tears were running down her face.

She's right, Ichijou thought. I shouldn't. "Yuuki-chan..."

After Ichijou had brought all the books into his room they headed to the parlor.

"Glad I met you. You're often gone."

"Not that often," Ichijou corrected her. "I'm taking turns with Kaname as you didn't want to work actively for the council right now. When Kaname's at the headquarters I'm always here. Anyway, I always knew there was something not alright with you." They entered the parlor to find Shiki, Rima and Aidou in there. "Oh, I didn't know they were here," Takuma apologized. "Do you want to go somewhere else so we can talk in private?"

"No, it's okay," Yuuki said. "There's actually something that..." She went over to Shiki and Rima. "Shiki-san, I wanted to apologize... for killing your father..."

"And your uncle. So what?" Shiki replied. "He deserved nothing else. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you," Yuuki smiled and took a seat with Ichijou.

"Now tell us. None of us missed your strange behavior," he told her.

"I was going to ask you something, Ichijou-sama," Yuuki stated.

Ichijou waved it off. "Call me Takuma, okay? What is it?"

"Well, I might be mistaken... but you always seem to be a strange vampire. You don't mind the daylight..."

"Yeah, that's what I call strange," Aidou agreed and caused Yuuki to laugh slightly.

"That's true," Ichijou agreed with them. "It's really strange and I can't explain why I don't mind the sun, either. What about it?"

"Well, I noticed it's the same with me. I could still live the life of a human. Kaname said it'd settle by itself soon but..."

"Well," Aidou began. "It's also got something to do with a strong will. As Ichijou-san said we all noticed that you can't adjust to a vampire's life or don't even want to be one of us. You're fighting it."

"You noticed that, too?" Yuuki was shocked. "Then Kaname did as well!"

"Probably," Ichijou said. "But don't worry about it. He'll understand."

"Is it so bad for you?" Shiki asked. "Living the life of a vampire?"

"No, it's great. It's just... I miss my friends. My human friends..." Yuuki added.

Everyone was silent from now on. They were aware of the fact that they couldn't feel what she felt or say something to comfort her. Then Shiki started to nuzzle his nose into Rima's neck and she squeaked. "Senri, stop it!"

"I told you not to call me that," Shiki replied and let go of her.

"Why not 'Senri' at all?" Rima asked.

"Senri's the name Rido gave me. I don't want his name. So I took the last name of my mother," Shiki explained.

"I'm sorry," Rima apologized and stroke his cheek. "I just thought it'd be a little more intimate if I don't call you your last name."

"It's okay," Shiki smiled.

Yuuki sighed deeply. "I'm really envy you two."

"What? Why?" Rima was puzzled. "You have Kaname. Almost everyone envies you. You should be proud."

"Yeah, I really should," Yuuki sadly said.

"That's it! I've had enough," Takuma declared, got up and pulled Yuuki with him.

"Ichijou-sa–"

"Ah, what did I tell you?"

"Takuma," Yuuki corrected herself. "What are you up to?"

"You'll see," Ichijou answered plainly. "Aidou, a little help here, please?" he added, grabbing Yuuki's arm to drag her along.

"Why? Can't you handle it alone?" Aidou said lazily.

"Aidou!!"

"I'm coming!"

Aidou jumped when catching Ichijou's death glare and grabbed Yuuki's other arm.

"Let's go," Ichijou said and the three of them left.

Rima looked questioningly at Shiki who shrugged.

They were outside now, leaving the Moon Dorm and heading for the Sun Dorm.

"Where are we going?" Yuuki demanded.

"There's only one person in the world who can give you comfort right now," Takuma explained.

"What? No!" Yuuki exclaimed, figuring which person he was talking about and when that one leaped into view she tried to fight the two boys. "Let me go! I don't wanna see him!"

"You're a bad liar, Yuuki-chan. Don't fight back!" Ichijou said, dragging her further along. "Do you understand now why I asked you to come along, Aidou?"

"Yeah," Aidou answered. "Yuuki-chan, you're a handful. Calm down! He probably wanna see you, too."

"No, he doesn't!" Yuuki spat fiercely back, not realizing that they were already standing in front of Zero who was giving them a strange look. "He doesn't give a damn about me! Huh?" she added when she finally saw Zero.

Ichijou and Aidou let go of Yuuki.

"Here you go," Ichijou said. "Kaname's not here. So do whatever you like. And don't you dare to come back in a bad mood!"

"If she comes back at all," Aidou added and the boys started to walk away, leaving Zero and Yuuki to themselves.

For a moment they simply looked at each other. Then Yuuki exclaimed "Zero!" and threw her arms around him.

"Yuuki..." Zero gasped and hugged her tightly. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"And I thought you'd hate me," Yuuki explained, crying in happiness. "Cause you wouldn't talk to me or even look at me!"

"Just because I thought you were done with me," Zero told her.

"I'll never be," she promised. She smiled and Zero smiled back. "Finally I see you smile."

There they stood rooted to the spot, holding each other and smiling at each other without end in sight.

Yuuki was careful to return to the Moon Dorm before sunset so Kaname wouldn't notice her excursion. However she couldn't hide a smile when she came across Ichijou and Aidou.

"Look, Ichijou-san, do you know this girl? I remember sending an upset one called Yuuki away. This girl can't be Yuuki now can it?" Aidou joked and Ichijou laughed.

"Feeling better?" he asked her.

"Yes," Yuuki nodded. "Thank you very much."

"Never mind."

Yuuki went upstairs into her room and put on her Night Class uniform. When she came out of the bathroom Kaname entered.

"Hi!" Yuuki joyfully said and welcomed him with a kiss. "Have you had a hard day at the council?"

"Yeah," Kaname slowly replied. He was suspicious. Yuuki seemed to be pretty happy all of sudden. She hadn't been in the morning. "You're really happy, aren't you?"

"Yes, you're right. I am indeed."

"Why? Did something happen?"

"Something happen?" she repeated. "No. Like what?"

"Did you see someone?" Kaname kept on interrogating her.

"Who?" Yuuki played innocent.

"You were with Zero," Kaname figured.

Yuuki froze. "No, I wasn't," she began.

Kaname pulled her closer to him and sniffed. "Don't lie at me, Yuuki. His scent is all over you. It's disgusting." Shit, Yuuki thought. Didn't calculate his scent... "Yuuki, we've had this before. You're a vampire now and you have to behave like one. There are sacrifices that have to be made."

"But they're my friends. Yori-chan and Zero-kun!" Yuuki interrupted him.

"As I just said. You have to sacrifice these boundaries. You're different from them, Yuuki. You're done with them," His voice became stealthy at that point, not being able to hide his anger. "Don't ever deceive me like this again, Yuuki. Now have a shower. I can't stand this smell."

Yuuki dropped her head and reentered the bathroom. How could she have been so stupid believing Kaname wouldn't notice? When she turned on the shower a single tear ran down her face. She felt like mouse inside a cage. Would she ever be so discouraged to adjust to the situation or would she bring up the strength to break out?

When they crossed the grounds to the classrooms. Yuuki's good mood had already faded long ago. As they passed Zero Yuuki was careful not to look at him so she wouldn't infuriate Kaname even more. Kaname who was holding her hand during the walk tightened his grip to show Yuuki once more that she belonged to him. Zero glanced at Yuuki's distraught face and felt great sympathy for her. One day I'll free you, Yuuki, he vowed to himself. Don't give up hope. I'll always be there for you.

Sometimes I wish I could save you
And there's so many things that I want you to know
I won't give up till it's over
If it takes you forever I want you to know

That was Chapter 2. The lyrics in the end are from Simple Plan's song "Save You". Hope you liked it! Please review!