Author's note: I've also started writing a one-shot fanfiction of how Zero and Yuki deal with things after each other's departure in volume 10. Note that while Death's Kiss is continuing from volume 11 (I'm referring to MangaFox), part of the story in the one-shot is relating to volume 11. Also, the one-shot is not related to Death's Kiss.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters (well, except the ones I came up with), and traces of the original plot solely and wholly belong to Matsuri Hino. Sorry for forgetting to put this before in the first 2 chapters of Death's Kiss!

Death's Kiss

Chapter 3

Itsuki entered the warm, cheery cafe, with Zero on her heels. They were barely in the cafe when Zero asked, "What do you want to order? I'll order for you, you grab a seat somewhere."

Itsuki nodded. "A hot chocolate, please. And I'll pay for your share too later. My treat." She then moved towards a table by the window, where there was a view of Nijo Castle. Itsuki's thoughts began to wander. She thought of her parents, and her heart clenched tightly. The mask that Itsuki always wore so that people would not know what she was feeling began to fall away, and tears began to prick at the corners of her eyes, revealing the lonely, vulnerable girl inside. Itsuki rarely let people see her go this way, and she was glad Zero had gone to buy food.

Moments later, Itsuki saw a white cup descend in front of her, and looked up to see Zero's face. She felt the mask coming back. "Your chocolate," he said simply, then sat down opposite of her and looked at her inquiringly.

Itsuki asked herself once again if she wanted to do this, if she wanted his help. The answer was yes. She took a deep breath, then said, "I know of your hatred towards purebloods. I know how much you want to exterminate them. So now I'm giving you a chance to help me kill two of them. Two of the most high-ranking purebloods, in fact. And I believe you know them. Kaname and Yuki Kuran."

Zero looked at her, with his mouth hanging open. He couldn't believe what he was listening. All along he had wanted to kill purebloods. And now a golden opportunity was presented to him. Ironically, from a pureblood.

As if reading his mind, Itsuki added, "If you want to kill me afterwards, no problem. So long as I get to kill them, I don't mind not living. Their deaths are worth mine."

Zero's mind was in a whirl. Why were Kaname and Yuki so important to Itsuki, that she was willing to sacrifice her life for theirs? What really transpired between them? And... Zero found himself wondering if he could really kill Yuki. Yuki still looked... like Yuki, even though there were some minor changes that made her more beautiful than before.

Wake up, Zero! Zero told himself angrily. Yuki only looked like Yuki. She was nothing like the old, human Yuki. She was now a vampire. A cold-blooded, pureblood vampire.

Meanwhile, Itsuki had been watching emotions play on Zero's face. First shock, then bewilderment, then indecision... And then his eyes had a faraway look, as if he was remembering something. Which he probably was, about Yuki. Zero then looked angry, then determined, before slipping back into an expressionless face. He asked calmly, "What do you want me to help you with?"

Itsuki nodded, then said, "I understand that there is a ball about to be held for vampires, and that Kaname Kuran will be attending the party. I haven't been invited to the ball, so I need you to sneak me in, since I understand that you are guarding the place as a vampire hunter."

Both vampires eyed each other warily. Itsuki held her breath, wondering if Zero would agree to her request and help her, or she may have overestimated Zero and Kaname's feud. Perhaps the two were on close terms, and Zero would inform him of Itsuki's plan to assassinate him. On the other hand, Zero wondered why Itsuki was so determined to kill Kaname. Was she planning to usurp the Kurans' positions in the vampire society? Will she kill Zero too? He did not know how to answer her.

Right on cue, Itsuki took out a card and wrote something on it. She then passed it to Zero. "This is a card of the hotel that I am staying in, and behind the card is my hotel room number, as well as my contact number. You do not have to give me a reply right away. Considering the close relationship you once shared with Yuki Kuran, this is a tough decision. But I hope to hear from you soon." With that, she took out a thousand-dollar bill and added, "The money for the drinks. Keep the change, since it has been a long time since I could talk to someone... who understands me in a way."

Itsuki turned to leave, but just at the door, she turned to Zero, "I really hope to hear a positive answer." She left, with Zero's steady gaze and his unsaid message.


Zero emerged from the shower and flopped down on the bed. Though he was tired, Zero could not sleep. Remembering his meeting with Itsuki earlier on, he went to his jacket and retrieved the card.

Itsuki Hikaria, thought Zero. What an enigmatic vampire. Though Itsuki had not spoken much about herself, Zero could sense a... humanity in her. Zero shook his head. What? Vampires with humanity? Next I'll be thinking that they are benevolent!

Yet, Zero could not help remembering the look in Itsuki's eyes when she told him to consider her offer. That lonely look that Zero often felt himself. Perhaps they had a thing in common: they were lonely.

Zero decided to keep the card. He would give himself a few days to think about it, at the same time seeing if Itsuki really needed his help.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Zero panicked for a split second before hastily keeping his card. The door opened and Headmaster Kaien's head poked through. "Are you going to bed, Zero?" he asked.

"I was going to, before you came in," Zero replied. "Why are you looking for me?"

"Just to see if you are prepared for the party this week. Have you got a tuxedo?"

"A tuxedo? No. Perhaps I can rent one soon," Zero said, not that he really cared. He didn't see the point of dressing up to go to a ball, held by vampires.

"Rent one?" Kaien appeared mock-cross. "No student of mine goes to a formal party in a rented tuxedo. Here, take this." He popped outside for a moment, then retrieved a tuxedo packed in a clear protection case. It was a well-cut one, accompanied with a smart bow. Probably a very expensive tuxedo, Zero thought.

Kaien held out the tuxedo to Zero. "What?" Zero asked. "Don't tell me you are lending it to me."

"Well, I'm giving it to you, not lending it," Kaien replied.

"But I don't need it!" Zero protested. Suddenly, Kaien was overwhelmed by a sense of nostalgia, and in his eyes Zero had become 5 years younger, who was then a child who refused to leave Yuki's side when he had opened up to her.

"You are my son; you deserve the best," Kaien said, his hand on Zero's shoulder, his eyes staring unblinkingly into Zero's silver ones.

Looking into his eyes, Zero sighed. "All right, I'll wear the darned tuxedo, for your sake. Now will you leave so I can get some sleep?"

"All right, all right, Kaien said," leaving the tuxedo on a chair. "By the way, I'm making strawberry pancakes for breakfast tomorrow," he added, winking as he had the pleasure of seeing Zero's face contort in disgust.

Kaien left the room, and Zero sighed. Strawberry pancakes made him remember Yuki, and her love for sweet things. He really missed her, and wished everything would stay just like they were before. Holding that thought, Zero turned in.