Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or Vampire Knight Guilty or the characters or story line affiliated with either the anime or the manga. All rights are reserved for its creator Matsuri Hino.

oOo

Chapter One: A Ghostly Appearance

To watch her brought an ache to his chest…

To want her went against his beliefs…

To go without her

was something he dared not

think about…

Zero Kiryu stood on the balcony outside of the ballroom. He was well hidden within the shadows cast by the waning moon and the twinkling stars above him watching through the open French doors as the object of his affections danced with the man she called father. A slight smile curved his lips as he watched Kaien Cross spin Yuuki in an elaborate twirl and her gentle laughter, mixed in with the festive music, carried out to him.

His smile faded as he caught sight of her smile and noticed the tiny hint of fangs peeking through her rosy lips. Turning away from the sight of the party goers he looked out across the grounds of Cross Academy. As far as he could see there were twinkling lights that reflected in the beautiful pristine snow that had fallen days before.

Glancing over his shoulder to make certain he was not sighted he vaulted over the balcony railing and made his way into the tree bordering the school grounds. He wanted away from the music, away from the laughter of those who had not a care in the world, who knew nothing of the monsters that danced along side them. Shoving his left hand into his coat pocket he met with a small resistance. Pulling out the small jeweler's box he flicked it open and stared at the tiny silver pendant that adorned the silver chain. It was a pendant similar to the one Kaien had given Yuuki when he thought she might have a need to subdue him if and when his vampire blood became too much for him to handle the only difference was that it did not have the power of subjugation. It was merely a replica of something from their past, something he knew that Yuuki would find the significance of.

Snapping the lid closed on the little box he shoved it back in his pocket and leaned against a tree keeping well into the nightly shadows. Zero wondered still what had possessed him to have the replication made, what had driven him to buying something for the girl who he seldom spoke to anymore. It had been while he was out on a hunt that he stumbled across the silversmith. On a whim he had commissioned the pendant when an image of Yuuki's bracelet had flashed through his mind. He had not given it a moment's thought as he had drawn out the design and left the silver maker to his work.

Now he felt foolish for doing such a thing knowing that he would never give it to her. It would remain with him as a constant reminder of the beautiful human girl that used to be his Yuuki. She would never be that girl again, her vampire blood had completely devoured any and all trace of who Yuuki was in his memories replacing her image with one of a being he despised above all else. No Yuuki would never be human again. She would forever go on being the Pureblood princess of the Kuran family.

A gentle night breeze stirred up the snow and carried Yuuki's laughter down to him. She seemed almost human when she blended in with the other students of Cross Academy. The way she acted, the way she smiled and interacted with those around her almost made it easy to forget just what she was, to make it easy for Zero to believe that she was still human, but he knew better, unlike the others around her he would always know her secret, always know what she had become…no what she had been born.

Zero felt the biting chill as the wind picked up and listened for a minute as its howl drowned out the music from the Christmas ball. He closed his eyes a moment to shield them as the wind swirled the snow around in torrents blasting the tiny flakes of ice at him. When he opened them again he stared at the apparition before him not believing what his eyes could plainly see.

"Ichiru…"

It can't be…he died that night…I…I drained him of his blood so that I could defeat that bastard Rido.

"I see that you're quite surprised to see me Zero."

"How Ichiru? How is it that you're here?"

Zero saw a sad smile flicker on his brother's face before it disappeared to be replaced by the carefree smile of his youth. "I assure you that I did indeed depart from this world. I've come back to show you what you refuse to see in your heart."

He eyed his brother with a glare still unsure that he was really seeing Ichiru or if it was some form of dementia brought on by his vampire blood. "To show me…what I refuse to see? What are you talking about Ichiru?"

Ichiru sighed causing Zero to glare all the more. "It's simple really brother. Your hatred is clouding you, keeping you from seeing what your heart truly desires."

Zero shook his head trying to make sense of what his brother was talking about. Whatmyhearttrulydesires?Myhatred?"I don't understand what you're talking about. Tell me what nonsense you're talking about Ichiru. I'm not in the mood for your riddles."

Ichiru inclined his head and studied Zero for a moment before striding over to him. Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, almost as if he was going to impart some kind of brotherly advice, he shook his head and looked at Zero. "It would be easier if I show you."

"Show me? What are you talking about?"

His brother didn't answer. Zero was about to open his mouth, but before he could he felt his body grow light and darkness seemed in for some unknown reason he let it embrace him. Before he closed his eyes he saw the look of determination on Ichiru's face and with a fleeting thought he let the darkness overtake him.

Ichiru what are you trying to tell me…