Chapter Three

Healing The Ties That Link

-Her XV Year-

quintus decimus

Something felt . . . off. The foreign sensation of a second presence tenderly caressed the deeper chambers of my mind, and it found refuge under the weight of my inner thoughts.

It was the first thing I realized when I woke up two in the morning - four and a half hours too early for class, but as quick as the ambiguities of my health popped up, they disappeared seconds later, hiding once again. With Sayori knocked out cold, I stretched a foot away from my bed and tested my mildly agitated arm. The pain relievers were still in effect since I could barely feel any stinging except for a few tolerable aches, and when combined with exhaustion, they were the most probable reasons why everything - moving, thinking, even breathing - seemed like a disoriented dream.

Deliberately making my way to the girls' dormitory bathrooms, I was somewhat stuck in a hypnopompic state. The soft click of the door's lock was like a gunshot in the dead air, and I cringed at the sharp sound, wondering if that roused anyone from their sleep. Each languid echo of my footsteps rumbled against my retired eardrums, aching in pain when I crashed into the door. "Ow," I yawned dismissively, rubbing my bleary eyes with the back of my hand.

Slipping inside, I flipped on the light switch and stared at my absent-minded reflection in the mirror. A weary girl of short height stood in front of me with thick locks that reached to the middle of her back, a pair of brown almond-shaped eyes surrounded by tolerably thin lashes, and tan skin - from all the days she spent under the sun either training or painting landscapes; she being me. I inched closer and scrutinized the smaller details of my facial features - the dull edge of my cheekbones, the straight alignment of my nose, the overwhelming bottom lip of my small mouth . . .

All in all, I was the relatively average-looking girl who could earn the compliments of cute and pretty, but never gorgeous or beautiful - a person that could've been lost within the growing clusters and wouldn't be worth a second glance. I cannot ever compare to Yuuki . . .

Shortly scolding myself with my jealousy once again, I tied my hair into a loose ponytail, twisting the faucet knob for cold water and splashing it on my face. It alleviated the unbearable heat that warmed my irritated skin. As I worked, I tensed when the lights flickered feebly; chills shot down my spine. What is going on? When I glanced at the mirror again, I wanted to scamper back in shock - a scream clawing up my throat - and panicked when I couldn't.

A gleaming mirage of a celestial vision materialized behind me, my gaze unable to rise above the level of her bloodied torso. Everything was suddenly stained with glistening, scarlet pools, and it colored the bare bathroom in bright crimson. I gripped the edge of the marble sink with the swelling urge to vomit and took in a revolting lungful of the metallic stench. My hands were slowly being bathed with sickening plasma that leaked from the darkened ceiling. Drops of it splashed on my pajamas, skin, and even my face much to my horror.

The supposed apparition was a unique, desolated beauty - she looked so lonely - and I was practically suffocating under her melancholia just inches away. The woman was taller than the usual females in Japan, her posture elegant and strictly refined. Her thin limbs scantily contrasted to her long, formal gown made of opal white silk. Soaked dark brown waves cascaded past her frail shoulders, covering most of her oval face and hiding her lusterless eyes from sight. It was perhaps a courtesy on my behalf that they were hidden from me. Who knew what would await underneath her drenched hair? Shrunken holes?

Blood. Red. Tile. White. Then red. Then white again. Blinded, I felt my heart threaten to burst from my chest. Red. White. Red-

Wake up, she seemed to have said, but I wasn't quite sure. Her mouth was a jagged black hole.

Whirling at my feet, I wheezed for breath when nothing was there. How delusional . . . yet again. I'm hallucinating.

My pulse could've ceased to beat when hot liquid trickled down the nape of my neck, seeping into my shirt. Don't look, don't look-! I looked up . . .

. . . and ran like hell, not bothering to turn off the running water or lights as I did so. Wake up? From what? A million possibilities ran through my mind that was now full of adrenaline and shock.

I was eager to believe I was being haunted by a ghost, but then again, there was a much bigger chance I was losing my mind. Ever since the accident three years ago, things had happened that really shouldn't. But what to do now? Run back to bed? Go to the chairman? Awaken Zero, who surely didn't believe in ghosts and the like? A part of me was desperately hoping it wasn't all in my head. I didn't want appear crazy, and would rather face a poltergeist than sound like a potential schizophrenic.

It's not me, it's not me, it's not-

A shriek escaped me when a feminine hand clamped down on my shoulder, the other one covering my sight with her palm; I was being pressed against someone. But poltergeist didn't have physical bodies, did they? "N-No, wait!"

"My apologies, Kiyoe," a whimsical voice murmured against my hair. Is this . . . Yuuki Kuran? "Let me be selfish for a little longer."

The next time I opened my eyes, it was several hours later. My heart was beating a marathon, and my breathing came out through choked gasps. Sweat thinly coated my entire quivering body and to my disgust, the bed sheets clung to my slick skin. What an odd dream. The more I prodded the murky memory with my curiosity, the more it drifted away from my reach until I completely forgot what brought me so much fear.

I was dreaming then, I assured myself uncertainly as I searched through my closet, pulling my hair out from its ponytail.

Huh? I frowned, scrutinizing the hair tie on my hand. When had I tied my hair last night?

Shaking my head, I dared a glimpse at the clock and disregarded my suspicions. It was a nightmare, that's all . . . Holding back a small whimper, I slipped my now throbbing limb through the right sleeve of my collared shirt. The chairman had apologetically given me stitches in three different areas of my arm before I went to bed - four stitches in total. It had been hell. For a girl who became uneasy with sharp points and the sight of blood, it was natural that I hated every terrorizing moment of it.

He had tried to make the procedure as painless as possible without the ingredients to numb it first, but no amount of painkillers would force away the nauseating feeling of the needle slicing through my skin. It didn't help when the chairman had continuingly advised me to seek out Yuuki Kuran again and accept her supernatural gift of healing, or when Zero would snap at him in retaliation to stop being stupid. The only assurance I could get was Zero's hand - the one he reluctantly offered under the chairman's persistent suggestion, squeezing it in a death grip as I had blinked back tears.

I glanced at a sleeping Sayori after I gingerly - and in an achingly slow manner - dressed into my black Day Class uniform. The rising daybreak slipped past the closed blinds, making it publicly known that St. Xocolatl's Day already began. I packed my notebooks, as well as the painted tokens I created in the art studio, into a messenger bag, cringing each time the strap brushed over my bandaged arm. Feeding the slight vengeful side of my softened personality, I was tempted with the idea to throw one of them in the garbage, the very one I made for the curly-haired blond.

Then again, I didn't have the heart to; in other words, I chickened out. It was to be expected that he and Akatsuki would face punishment, and from the way Yuuki reacted to my injury, Hanabusa must've suffered enough. I'm not that cruel . . .

Sayori didn't stir as I slipped through the door and closed it behind me softly. Utterly opposite to the rest of the girls in our dormitory building, she didn't bother to wake up early on this special day, and was amazingly able to sleep through the noise the girls caused just by rushing down the hallways half an hour ago, giggling excitedly as they went. When I turned around, I squeaked in surprise. Zero was leaning against the opposite wall, his arms crossed and his expression bored as usual.

"Hey, w-what are you doing here?"

"How's your arm?" He asked, stretching his left hand like I was still using it as a stress ball.

I ran my fingers over my smooth blazer, feeling the extra fabric under my layers of clothing. It made my arm - from my elbow to my wrist - look bulky and oddly shaped, not to mention the undying itch it roused that I couldn't reach to scratch. "Not that bad. It's, er, manageable."

He arched an eyebrow. "Does it hurt?"

Since the medicine wore off the moment I was conscious, the answer was an absolute yes! I was in agony to put it simply. Faking a nonchalant shrug, I replied, "I'll ask the chairman for pain relievers later. Don't worry about it so much." I would've brought a handful of my own inside my dorm to make the healing process quicker, but any type of acetaminophen weren't allowed anywhere on campus except for the nurse's office and the teachers' lounge, the chairman's residential building being the only exception to that rule.

"It's nothing I can handle."

"I can smell it. Her too."

"Smell what? And who?" I inquired curiously, inhaling nothing but the lingering stench of the girls' combined perfume. Aware that vampires were sensitive to strong fragrances - bordering pained when it was too concentrated, I didn't use perfume at all, appeased with the simple whiffs of my floral shampoo, hair conditioner, and citrus-scented fabric softener. So far, no one from both classes complained that I smelled too much like the earth when the clean musk gradually faded way as time rolled on. I was environmentally friendly in their eyes.

He shook his head but grew tense, almost baring his teeth. "Tsk. What was she doing here?" At my puzzlement, my partner sneered to the wall in front of him. "Never mind."

Is he talking about Yuuki Kuran? She had told us she was bringing the girls back to their bedrooms, but from what I remembered, Asami and Karin's dorm rooms were on the other side of the building.

"Zero . . ." My worries for him disappeared as I suddenly gawked at the lavender-eyed boy before me, noticing something significant that I didn't realize soon enough. "Oh, my God - Zero! What are you doing here!?" He was about to answer when I added snippily, "Have you lost your mind? This is the girls' dormitories!"

"So?"

"H-How did you get in?"

"Through the back," Zero answered too casually for comfort, not fazed by my outburst.

Slightly awed by his audacity, I echoed, "The back way . . ? It was that easy?"

"It's poorly guarded, and the lock's pretty pathetic."

"And you didn't tell the chairman this?" I hissed. Why didn't I heed the weak locks months ago, considering I was commonly the first one to leave in the morning and the last one to return in the evening? "The boy dormitories are just over there! What's gonna stop them from sneaking inside here?"

He scoffed in reply. "Any schemes with the Day Class boys trying to sneak in here are the least of my problems. They're nonexistent." As unwilling as I was to admit it aloud, Zero had a point there.

Whether it be males or females from the Day Class, they were both equally enraptured by the vampires' presences and hardly gave the other a second thought - which was pretty sad, now that I mulled it over in my head. Vampires and humans wouldn't mix well together - it wouldn't be allowed, much less accepted - and I was peculiarly saddened by that thought alone. It was the wall that separated practicality and fantasy in my mind, and it didn't break at each hopeful blow I hurled upon it.

So even with my intense admiration towards Kaname Kuran, I somehow accepted that our situation would remain as such. An unrequited crush . . . I was beyond hopeless.

"You . . ." I hesitated. "You don't come here often, do you?"

Zero blushed, miffed at the implication. "Of course not, baka!"

"Okay, okay! Shh! Yori is still sleeping!" I cried out, grabbing his arm and yanking him to the end of the hallway. Peering down at both sides to find them empty, I let him go when he pulled away angrily. "Did anyone see you come in?"

He glared at me before answering curtly, still upset, "No, they're all gone." I followed him outside in silence when he stormed ahead, squinting at the bright rays of the glowing morning sun. It was a beautiful day for the females to hand out chocolate and candy favors of warm affection to their crushes, but it was discouraging when someone in particular didn't think the same. Zero was almost grimacing as he spat out with disdain, "Today's St. Xocolatl's Day."

Defensive, I retorted, "Girls give guys stuff for free. You should be honored."

"I don't care about that."

His response brought me to a halt. What would Zero do if he discovered the pocket-sized painting of a silver, velvet rose - inspired by his truly? Compared to the art favors of seasonal flowers for some members of the Night Class, the present I arranged to give him was one of my most dedicated pieces yet. I patiently took the time to create every miniscule detail, bringing a few sleepless nights in my past schedule. It was actually my long-term idea of influencing him to finally open up to me; if Zero could also see how important he was to someone - to me especially, would that convince him to talk?

I had planned to finish it this morning, but with the aching muscles of my drawing hand, I would most likely ruin the entire picture instead of doing any good completing it. But what will I give Zero now?

Flushed nonetheless at his obvious contempt, I gripped the messenger bag closer to my hip. "Let's hurry. They're probably bombarding the gates to the Moon Dormitories."

How right I was. When we reached the tall iron gates - our walk strangely uncomfortable, the scene before us was astounding to say the least. Mobs of girls crowded the gate's entrance, clouding the atmosphere with fumes of anxious estrogen. "It's still morning! Are they really planning to wait here all day for the Night Class?" I scowled when Zero shrugged - not an ounce of care in his being. He proceeded to dawdle around the clusters, shooting glowers at the groups who dared to take another step closer.

One girl questioned nervously, "Do you think he'll like this? It's for Ichijo-senpai."

"It's fine! It's so pretty!"

"Who are you giving chocolates to?"

"Kuran-senpai," her companion exclaimed, "he's the best!"

My teeth started to gnash together so tightly that I had to take a gasping breath to calm down, surprising myself in the process. Was I . . . jealous? Enough, Kiyoe. Wake up from your fantasies. Flinching, I could've sworn I saw a bloody blur in my peripheral vision, only to turn and spot a pair of laughing Day Class girls instead. Huh?

"I can't wait for tonight," someone confessed, breaking me apart from my thoughts.

Delving through my bag for my whistle, I blew on it sharply - the striking sound of it piercing the air - and yelled, "Classes will be starting soon for all Day Class students! Everyone, please, go to your classrooms and wait there!" A lot of them opened their mouths to argue, but my ears were deaf to their defiance when I saw a girl straddling her friend's shoulders, attempting to climb over the edge. She was a familiar face in the crowd with plastic round glasses, two weaved braids, and hazel doe-like eyes. "Hey, you two! Get down!"

"Keep going, Nadashiko-chan!" A girl cheered, "You're almost there."

"No!" I disagreed hastily. "That's dangerous! Stop!"

"But I need to give - aah!" Her hold on the bricks loosened until it disappeared altogether, causing the brunette to slip and plummet downwards.

As I dashed forward, I heard myself shout in desperation, "Zero!"

But it was too late.

I caught her in my arms with extreme difficulty before any part of her body could touch the cement floor; she was a handful of pounds heavier than I was, a bit curvier too. We both collapsed to the ground with my shoulder absorbing most of the shock, but I was able to break the most brutal part of her of fall. Striking my pride, I couldn't hold back a sob when my arm burned hotly. I discerned in dread that my stitches tore apart, and my wound mercilessly reopened.

"Ah, ow, ow, ow-!"

She jumped off me and hurriedly choked out, "I-I'm so sorry-"

"What were you thinking . . ?" I trailed off and winced, remembering all those impolite curses Zero would be shouting if he were in my position. I didn't dare repeat them, however.

A shadow veiled over my seemingly tiny figure, and I looked up to see Zero standing above me, his expression rigidly dispassionate . . . though his voice was another matter. It was skillfully laced with menacing venom, a warning to those who would foolishly ignore his words. "We have said this numerous times, and you will only have yourself to blame if you're ever suspended from participating in St. Xocolatl's Day events each year until you graduate."

Someone confronted, "You can't do that!"

"You'll find that I can. The Night Class will not leave their dorms early for any of you, and it will be better for everyone if you will all leave." When there were audible boos from his audience, he bargained grimly, "Come back when the classes change over - after school when it's nearing dusk - unless you want to be spending detention on the same afternoon. . . ."

"Why must Kiryuu-san spoil everything?"

"Can't you see? Kurosu-san got hurt," her friend replied matter-of-factly. "Of course he'd get mad."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She waited for an answer, but Zero shot a glare at their direction and scared them from their spots half an hour too early for class.

"Are you okay?" Nadashiko bit her lip, guilt flooding through her apprehensive eyes. She was successful in startling me, and I recognized that I was being distracted with my thoughts more than usual. "I-I didn't mean to get you hurt!" Uncertain with how to help with the pain, her bare palms skimmed over my blazer that was now soaked in blood. "It's just . . . I wanted to give my chocolates earlier than anyone else, and when my friend suggested it-"

"Shindo-san . . ." To be honest, I found it hard to keep the annoyance out of my voice. My head was growing giddy at each passing second from the loss of blood, roiling my irritability under the stinging torture. "You were worked up for St. Xocolatl's Day, I suppose I can understand, but do you know how much you would've gotten hurt by that stunt?"

"But-"

"No buts! Don't try anything like that again!"

My wary bellow rang loud and clear across the bridge, and it attracted more attention than I was comfortable in dealing with. The crowds exchanged astonished glances between each other, shocked at my aggression. More importantly, Nadashiko was gaping in dumbfoundment. "K-Kurosu-san . . ."

Zero cut in coldly before she could say anything else. "You should leave for the main building." With a fast nod of consent and one last apology, she rushed to her feet and scuttled back to the amenity of her companions.

When it was just the two of us, the atmosphere lightened. ". . . I . . . I shouted at her." Pressing a clenched fist to my forehead - my eyebrows furrowing together in confusion, I wondered dejectedly, "Why did I shout at her?" I could clearly recall the surge of annoyance that animatedly ran through my veins, but that had been because of my injured arm. Why did I lose my temper so easily, and towards Nadashiko of all people?

My grumpy partner stared at me with an unfathomable expression. "You're bleeding."

"Yeah, obviously." He didn't react to my sudden snarkiness, thankfully. "Ugh, another trip to the chairman then." Getting to my feet, I sighed at his lack of regard for the women's interests in the academy. It wouldn't be long until any one of them would retaliate and take it so far as to throw more than just insults and complaints. "Zero, you didn't have to go that far. You're never gonna get chocolates that way."

"Like I said before, I don't care," he called over his shoulder as he stayed a good five feet away, his shoulders strangely stiff when the breeze passed by. "After all . . . it's my job as a prefect to prevent anyone from discovering what the Night Class really is. Aren't you the one who keeps nagging me to be more vigilant?"

I grimaced at both his mock and the pain on my arm. "I guess you're right if you put it that way. From the way things began today, I suppose we'll have to be extra careful tonight."

The way to the chairman's office wasn't hard to find or memorize. All we had to do was follow the pathway heavily decorated with irises and wisterias to the farthest edge of the main building. There weren't any students nearby since all the morning classes were scheduled on the west division. As we walked, I noticed something weird going on with Zero. When I would move closer to the silver-haired prefect, he would abruptly storm ahead until he was sure I'd stay an explicit distance away from him - not too far for me to lose him from my sight, but not too near for me to start a conversation either.

Is something vexing him as well?

I particularly lagged further behind Zero when we reached the staircase, slamming my knee into the iron railing when I was once again lost in my thoughts. The audible crunch of bone smacking against metal sent shock waves throughout my leg and straight into my muscles. "Ouch! Ow!" I limped to the thick windowsill, leaning between the second and third flight of stairs.

There was a sigh in front of me, three upper steps forward. "So bothersome . . ."

"I'm prone to accidents - so what?" My newest wound wasn't bleeding, but it was bruising bit by bit into an ugly shade of greenish yellow. "Zero? What are you . . ?" I questioned when he edged nearer, his conflicted stare narrowing on my blossoming blemish of broken blood vessels. Then I saw it - the moment he looked down; it must've been a trick of the light, but his eyes fleetly flashed into a threatening shade red.

"Kiyoe . . ."

"Impossible," I whispered, slightly frightened. There must be some sort of mistake. He isn't a vampire . . . he can't be one of them . . . When he reached for me, I couldn't control the flinch that made its way through my body. "Don't-!"

Flustered, Zero wordlessly scooped me up in his arms, changing his stance to support my weight. I felt rather off being this close to him and brushed aside my hesitancy about what recently happened. I'm just imagining things, but it can't be that, can it - my so-called sickness?

Despite the cool rush of the air conditioner, I could feel the warmth that emanated from his muscled chest, especially from his left hand that unwittingly cupped my bare knee. He oddly smelled of spicy noodles and musk, and it was somewhat pleasing to the lungs. My cheeks, already pink with embarrassment, now blazed colorfully. "Er, Zero, t-this is unnecessary."

"Do you really want to risk falling down the stairs?"

"W-What? I'm not that clumsy!" I defended pathetically, not having much ground to argue on.

Zero shrugged his shoulders, making me jump at his movements. "Then humor me." If that wasn't already odd of him to ask, he began to inhale deeply and gritted his teeth with so much tensity, his bottom jaw locked in its rigid position. He seemed to be restraining himself - a test of constraint, so to speak.

But why with my smell?

We must've been a sight for the chairman to gape at as he stood from his leather armchair and inclined forward with interest. Brushing back his stick-straight blond hair, he narrowed his light mocha eyes that were shady behind his prescription glasses. I watched cautiously when his lips quirked up to a joyful smile. "Ooh, what a vision. Have I missed something substantial yesterday between my beloved daughter and son-"

"Shut up." Zero snapped, rudely dropping me on the sofa. He ignored my glare when I struggled to sit up. "I don't remember ever being adopted."

The chairman pouted. "You're so mean to me, Zero-kun-"

Shivers ran through the disturbed, lavender-eyed boy. "Don't call me that!"

"I'm your fa-"

"Er, Chairman," I started awkwardly, avoiding his desperate gaze that longed for a doting child. "My stitches ripped. I was wondering if you'd check it."

He blinked and casted a quick, concerned glance at Zero who lingered back at the closed doorway. I wouldn't be holding his hand for support any time soon. "Interesting," the chairman murmured as he searched for the first-aid kit. I didn't miss the evil eye that Zero shot at him, which he didn't see when he gently tugged my collared sleeve upward. He cleaned the bloodied mess with cotton wipes. "Are you sure you don't want to get Yuuki-"

I interjected, "No, I mean, can't you just do it yourself? You can fix it up like last time, can't you?" Something about confronting the younger Kuran sibling unsettled my stomach, but I didn't know why exactly. When he was doubtful with my plain logic, I pushed my luck and uttered out, "Please . . . Daddy." There was a scoff behind me - full of disbelief, but the chairman and I barely paid any attention to that, both of us focused on what we wanted.

Bingo.

After forty-five minutes of re-bandaging, my arm was newly repaired and the stinging was manageable thanks to the pain killers. I was a little light-headed, to be honest, and wasn't in the perfect state to move about in his pentagon-shaped office, but I dutifully helped the glowing chairman with throwing the used rags in the trash can. "Done!" I announced.

My eyes flickered up when a ray of sunshine warmed my face. Beautiful . . . Behind his wooden desk, three sets of French windows gave him the amazing view of the academy's courtyards, even the rooftops of both Sun and Moon Dormitories could be seen. The sublime scene stretched for miles until the break of the horizon; it was the perfect place to watch both the sunrise and sunset everyday - which I was sure the chairman enjoyed doing.

Speaking of the chairman, jaunty stars had yet to leave his sparkling eyes as he bounced around buoyantly, enveloped in his aura of happiness. "She called me Daddy!"

Glancing at the wall clock and realizing that we were very late for class, I interrupted, "Chairman, about St. Xocolatl's Day-"

"Aw, so cute! My daughter's absolutely adorable-"

"Uh, Chairman-"

"Kawaii!"

I only took a step forward to calm my adoptive father down when Zero took it to his own hands with this sense of urgency. Using tight fists, he gave an impressive straight punch to the chairman's shoulder. "Get on with it-"

"Ow! You torment your papa so brashly!"

"-crazy, old man . . ."

The chairman whined, "But Zero-kun~!"

That half sentence alone broke Zero's patience. If possible, he looked like an irritated hornless demon, clouded in a haze of umbrage; it was a scary thing to witness. In a dizzy rush, I took out the watercolor portrait that I hid behind the chairman's shelves, picking at the baby pink wrapper as I shoved it to his face. "Er, Happy St. Xocolatl's Day! This, erm, is for you . . . Dad."

He could've been crying with joy when he snatched it from my hands. "My lovely, darling, dear daugh-"

"Just open it." As much as I loved him like any child would love a father, his excessive affections were sometimes unreasonable . . . and embarrassing. "So? What do you think?"

His reaction to my gift was not what I had expected. Instead bursting into a lively display of fireworks, his expression suddenly become grave. "Oh, Kiyoe . . ."

I peered over the canvas, checking if I had accidentally given him the wrong one. Much to my relief, it was the scenery I had imagined for the chairman - he was standing alone in a filmy field of grass, looking out in the distance. Clouds of shadows were his only companions in the leaking swirls of red orange, misty gray, and lime green. Natsuko Yamamoto had actually approved of this piece since, in her opinion, it held some sort of mystery within its image that had yet to be solved.

"Y-You don't like it?"

"It's not that at all. I like it very much . . ."

Risking a glimpse at Zero, I frowned when he offered another nonchalant shrug and asked, "Then what is it?"

"Where did you get the, er, inspiration for this?" He inquired curiously.

I paused, affronted. That had been his problem? "I didn't copy it if that's what you're asking."

"I'm not - no, I wouldn't dare. I know it's yours, Kiyoe, but I'm more interested about your muse."

"My muse?"

From as far as I could remember, a few select people were exactly that to me - the chairman, Yuuki, Sayori, Zero, and above all, Kaname. I felt my cheeks redden again, shy about remembering the stacks of sketches - all on the various angles of Kaname Kuran's face - under my bed that only Sayori knew about. He was perhaps my true inspiration, explaining my favor for darker and much more abstract colors in all my pieces, perfectly matching his mysterious personality. It would be humiliating if anyone else saw my secret doodles of my also very secret crush.

His nostalgic eyes lingered a bit too long on the midnight blue horizon, his fingers brushing over the rough ripples of dry paint. "Yes. What made you think of this?"

"A dream," I answered in all honesty, scratching my head in sheepishness. "That's where I get most of my ideas for my projects - from dreams."

He sharply looked up in alarm. "Have you been taking your medicine every night?"

What did that have to do with anything? I straightened from my slouch uncomfortably; even Zero stopped inclining against the wall. Truthfully, I considered lying until the chairman gave me a stern stare. "Er, I would forget sometimes." When I saw his disapproval, I added hastily. "It's hard to remember after patrolling after school for hours."

"What about last night?"

I struggled for the words. "W-Well . . . with what happened . . . I sorta forgot."

Putting the canvas aside, he rummaged through his storage cabinets and handed me a single, white pill and a full glass of water. "Here, before you start the rest of your day. Take this." He added, catching my grimace, "Please~?"

I had never liked taking these daily, but I found myself drawing much needed confidence from the familiar, moody presence beside me. Even when we were young teenagers, Zero didn't think less of me despite his knowledge of my medication intake, which I was thankful for. "Fine."

The chairman visibly relaxed when the oval tablet slid down my throat alongside mouthfuls of water. "Remember you have to take these every night, alright? They'll help with the headaches - that's why I gave them to you."

"I haven't had any for a while," I argued. "I'm . . . better without the pills. Can't I just stop taking them?"

"Kiyoe, you still need these tablets. The head injuries you suffered three years ago, they're still in effect." He appeared sympathetic when I cringed at the unwanted memories and returned to his leather seat, propping his chin over his intertwined fingers. "Better safe than sorry, especially with today's planned events. You'll need your strength."

"You make it sound like we're going war."

"Might as well. I know it's St. Xocolatl's Day - a means for celebrations, but I also realize that the school is faced with a large risk. There's always a wager of something going wrong, especially with the high danger that the true identity of the Night Class will be exposed . . . and for that reason, I expect the two of you to be very sedulous with your duties as the academy's guardians."

Weakly, I corrected, "Prefects. You mean prefects."

"There's not that much of a difference, really."

"It's a bit too overwhelming, isn't it? For me and Zero to keep watch alone?"

Zero scoffed again. "That's why we should just ban it. Saves all of us the wasted effort."

"That will only inspire a revolt against your beloved papa! You don't want that, do you?" He wisely moved away from the glaring, silver-haired boy and continued with affection, "After all, my darling vampires are too radiant to conceal - such dear little creatures of the dark. I could never be so malicious as to withhold them from their adoring fans."

I warned, "Chairman, you shouldn't praise them in front of Zero . . . at least, not to his face."

"You mean secretly?" The chairman chanced a peek at Zero's agitated expression and sighed. "I suppose you're right . . . but Zero-kun . . . I understand that vampires and humans have been mortal enemies for more than a few centuries, but I also accept that there are still pleasant vampires around. They wish to co-exist with us peacefully as I do."

Unable to help myself, I shot a pointed look at Zero which he rolled his lavender eyes at. "I told you."

He retorted, harsh, "What a joke. That doesn't mean anything-"

"Eh~! But Zero-kun, I-"

"Stop calling me Zero-kun."

The chairman scrutinized Zero carefully. "Look, it's important to hold dignity, particularly faith, in participating to bridge the divide between the two species. It may not be today, but I hope you too will believe that it is possible. Forever is a long time to be angry."

"That possibility you wish for so dearly, it's not within reach. Not even forever is long enough to forget what happened." Zero said firmly, "I can't neglect it, Chairman. Don't expect me to so easily."

What partners we make, I whispered in my head. The irony of our affiliation was painfully transparent; the one who wanted to remember and the one who wanted to forget.

My eyes widened in shock when the chairman subtly taunted, "You shall always believe that they're beasts in human form who drink human blood?"

With one last glower, my partner stormed off, leaving the door open with a slam in his wake. "Zero," I called out as I gripped the edge of the door. Why would the chairman ask such things? Was his goal to provoke him?

"Kiyoe, wait . . ." He questioned when I turned back to him, "Have you noticed anything unusual? With Zero, I mean?"

I lied without hesitation, shocking me to a certain extent, "No."

If the chairman was skeptical, he didn't show it and nodded. "You may go."

Ignoring the slight hitch on my leg, I dashed down the flight of stairs and into the balmy, outdoor air. "Zero!" I wheezed as I caught up to him. He had thankfully slowed down to a saunter, his clenched hands buried inside his blazer's pockets. "Are you-"

"Enough, Kiyoe."

"N-No, it's not about that. I-It's about your St. Xocolatl's Day gift. I'll give yours later." If I manage to finish it, I added quietly. When he remained silent, I lowered my eyes to the ground and kicked a few pebbles off my path. "Um, a-and about earlier, I-I thought I saw something that wasn't normal, but it turned out I didn't . . . and I just wanted to make sure that you knew I wasn't scared. Well, you surprised me, but I could never be terrified of you, Zero. I trust you."

I was too timid to take note of his reaction and kept to myself inches apart from his body, exhaling when he muttered, "I don't want it."

"Want what?" When I realized he meant my present, I tried to tell myself that he was joking . . . hopefully. No matter how many times I expected it coming days ago, his rejection hurt more than I previously imagined. "Let me pretend that I didn't hear what you said. I specifically made it for you so I can't give it to anyone else."

He grumbled something I couldn't discern, but his cheeks were tinted pink. I was immediately mesmerized at his display of emotion; it was so unlike him. "Why are you hiding?" I asked bemusedly.

"What?"

"H-Huh?" Frustrated with my heedlessness, I stuttered, "N-Nothing. I'm babbling."

When we reached our classroom after a short period of muted inelegance, the first lesson was nearly over and the professor couldn't have appeared more irritated with our late attendance. She threatened us with detentions until she saw our excused slips from the chairman, settling to fume her way out of the lecture hall. I think the stress of having most of her students disregard her teachings just because it was St. Xocolatl's Day got to her - badly. Everyone, even several guys who weren't bleary-eyed about their lack of fortunes of receiving honmei chocolates, were too distracted whispering with excitement.

Small boxes of chocolates and wrapped packages poked out of their bookbags, glistening in the light. Night Class beware.

As I took my seat, Sayori didn't seem surprised at my tardy, merely requesting the return of her notes that I hadn't copied yet. She later resolved her given right - as both my friend and part-time tutor - by scolding me lightly before returning to her school work. "Favorite number?"

My answer was instant, ready. "Three."

"Hmm, I'm fond of eight. It's constant, steady." Her hazel eyes lowered to where my wound was hidden. "And I heard about your injury this morning."

"It wasn't life-threatening," I assured as class was dismissed, flexing my stiff limbs.

"Everyone's building a sweat for later," Sayori noted aloud. "Are you sure you can handle them?"

I nodded. Gathering my things with my good arm, I questioned in return, "Aren't you giving chocolates?"

"No, I prefer the Day Class. There's only so much attention the Night Class should earn. I suppose I already know where you stand in all of this."

A bit fazed, I laughed her suggestion off. "Eh? I'm not giving chocolates."

"But you're giving something, aren't you?" Sayori's lips curved up to a hint of a smirk at my amazed reaction, and she explained simply, "I'm your roommate, Kiyoe. I would've been blind if I didn't see the tokens on your bedside table."

"Heh. Right. It took some time to complete though. Truthfully, I'm not even done with one of them." One of the most important ones . . .

"Then who are you giving it to?"

Before I could answer, Zero passed by with a scowl. "You seem to be forgetting that you're a prefect. Are you, in all seriousness, handing them tokens?"

"What's wrong with tokens?" I defended, waving Sayori a fast goodbye and trailing behind him.

It was disappointing that I didn't get an answer as we reached the cheering lanes that were posted in front of the Moon Dormitories' Gates. Much to my discomfort, a few of them glanced at me warily as if they expected me to yell again. Perhaps I owed Nadashiko an apology. I opened my mouth to direct them away from overcrowding the entrance when they suddenly scuttled back and eyed my bandaged arm. Their obedience was tolerably disturbing to watch, but I used it to my advantage and inched closer to the clusters, pushing back the distress within my body when the girls continued to steer clear.

I still wasn't certain if I should've cheered or . . . cried. My emotions are all over the place, I thought, noticing that Zero - for once - didn't leave my sight.

A smooth, silky voice murmured wearily, "Man, tsk. This is hell."

Turning to see Senri Shiki running a languid, pale hand through his maroon-shaded locks, I glimpsed past him to stare at the familiar faces of Akatsuki Kain and Hanabusa Aido. Right there, on the curve of his cheekbone and beside a golden curl, lied an indistinct scar that the Apollo chiseled. "Um, good afternoon."

"Ah, Kiyoe-chan," he greeted out of politeness, his gaze lowering to my wound - tinily apologetic, partially smug - before stepping toward the hungry crowd. "Ooh, the girls are getting frisky! Do you see that, cousin? Do you?"

Akatsuki replied with a yawn, "It's too early. I'm tired. Who cares?"

"Liven up! You're making me look bad," Hanabusa retorted.

"Well, the girls came here to give you . . . um . . . tokens," I interjected and cast a glare at Zero's direction, evading their slight looks of bewilderment, "of their affections. Be polite enough to accept them courteously. Please keep conversations strictly regarding St. Xocolatl's Day, because any more than that, it can be means for trouble-"

Hanabusa dismissed hastily, "Yes, yes, yes-"

"Don't be rude, Aido-senpai. This means a lot to the girls - and some guys - so acknowledge their feelings earnestly."

"Trust me never to reject such gifts. I do not have it in me to break such eager little hearts. Their chocolates are all mine~!" He sang, freezing only when someone called his name.

Routinely side by side, Kaname and Yuuki Kuran appeared into view, her slender arm looped around his. I didn't know why a sense of caution shot through my nerves, but I found myself slowly backing away from the respected couple. This was most likely the first time I ever studied them together and not feel insanely envious with what was shown before me. I had always marveled over the pretty brunette for years and endued the respect she deserved . . . so what had changed today?

"Your manners, Aido," Kaname warned nimbly.

When Yuuki spoke, recognizable chills crept up my spine. "Would you wish another reminder?"

"Right, heh, heh. Of course, D-Dorm President," Hanabusa swallowed, finding an escape from their reprimanding pairs of eyes by delving into the mobs.

When the Kuran siblings turned their attention to me, it was only natural that my cheeks would redden; they appeared to be expecting something. A St. Xocolatl's Day present? I debated whether or not to give them anything at that moment and decided against it last second. Shrugging my messenger bag away from sight, I suggested, "Er, just go to the lines that has your name on it, and, uh, have fun!"

"You appear to be better." Yuuki smiled.

Pushing aside my uneasiness, I returned it. "Nothing a thread can't fix." And a very painful needle.

Kaname murmured as if sensing my thoughts, his tone rather weary, "Try not to get hurt so much, Kiyoe."

"Y-Yeah, I'll try . . ." I forced a grin. At the corner of my eye, Yuuki's hold tightened on his arm almost self-consciously. "Anyway, this way please."

Senri mumbled ahead of his class, "This is moronic."

"I think it's very courageous of them." I meekly compromised and led him to his awaiting gate. "They gave a lot of thought to their gifts."

He seemed to be scrutinizing me with his hypnotizing, pale blue eyes. "Do you have someone, Kurosu?"

I recalled Takuma's insistence for familiarity as he continuously bribed Senri with pocky, all to remember my name; still, I was a little embarrassed by his effort. "N-Not in that way, I guess."

"Shame."

"Kuran-senpai!" We both heard a girl cry out from behind. She offered a silver gift bag with a bright red bow in front of the blank-faced Kaname Kuran, her face rouge. "Um, please accept this!"

Her friend echoed, "And this too!"

"Sorry . . . I can't carry any more than what I have right now," he announced a moment later, his hands filled with bundles of St. Xocolatl's Day favors and pieces of chocolate. His eager supporters bowed their heads in apology, clearly disappointed yet not having it within themselves to oppose him. Yuuki was refinedly composed, agreeing to accept some sweets from several drooling guys, while Ruka Souen looked bristled from afar, unmistakably annoyed by Kaname's popularity.

I didn't realize I had been spying on them too intently, unwittingly nursing my jealousy. Senri had taken the opportunity and disappeared from his line of admirers, only to be pulled back by a beaming Takuma Ichijo. "I've got him, Kiyoe-chan! Don't worry!"

In addition to his princely good-looks, his resilient characteristics deemed him to become one of the most adored Night Class students around. Girls practically withered under his charming, genteel remarks. The handsome green-eyed blond waved at me like we were close friends, not just agreeable acquaintances. I waved back sheepishly. "Oh, um, thank you, Ichijo-senpai!"

"Kiyoe-chan~!" He whined lightheartedly.

I blushed. "Uh, I-I mean T-T-Takuma-senpai . . ." My cheeks colored deeper when my informality was awarded with a happy grin.

Aside from Hanabusa's persistence of inciting a complicated friendship with me, Takuma and Senri were the other Night Class students who tore some time away from their schedules - more of Takuma's doing than Senri's - to talk to me once in a while. I had to admit it was a little patronizing, but also a bit interesting, to hold amiable conversations with distinguished vampires; it was a new experience that the chairman approved to perdure.

Senri groaned, endlessly tired. "Takuma . . ."

"Think of the ladies you'll disappoint," he chided to the point of civil mocking. "You like pocky, don't you? I'll give you more when we return to the dorms . . ."

Biting my lip, I moved down the lanes with a need for a distraction, ushering most of the Night Class students to their assigned posts. "Hey! I saw that!" I pushed a few Day Class girls back, which didn't go unobserved by Zero a few feet away. "Please, stay in line!"

"Why doesn't Wild-senpai come over here?" A girl whined, "So not fair!"

"You'll get your turn - ugh, stop pushing me back, Kurosu-san!"

Shoved to the side, I stumbled away as my bag slipped off my shoulder. I eyed Zero warily when he picked it up, a fistful of art tokens falling out at his hard yank. From his lack of surprise, I knew Zero had done that on purpose. Jerk!

When the tokens sundered over the pavement pathway, they reached the front of Senri's shiny shoes. "Er, where's Ichijo - er, Takuma-senpai?" I managed to squeak out.

He shrugged to his left and glanced over his shoulder at his cornered friend. Takuma was flocked, but it didn't seem like he minded at all as he accepted each gift with a smile. "You made these?" Senri asked, bending over to caress the hardened slabs of small clay. Interest thinly laced his quiet tone.

"I wasn't gonna give them out, actually," I confessed, reaching for the handful and feeling puzzled when he discreetly inched away. "Most of you sounded kinda bothered with all of this-"

"I don't mind it."

"You . . . don't? But before-"

Senri rephrased patiently, "It's annoying, yes . . . but I don't mind it from you. Yuuki wouldn't mind either, I think." With a light flick on my forehead, he headed to the main building without another hitch.

The mahogany-haired vampire was a strange one, I believed. That reminds me . . . I whirled at Zero, finding out with displeasure that he was walking further west. "Hey, you! Don't try hiding!"

He curtly replied, "I'm not hiding."

"Whatever - ugh! I could hit you right now, you know that? How dare you open my bag!"

"It's a little embarrassing to see you moping."

"That's not what a girl wants to hear on St. Xocolatl's Day!" Crossing my arms, I told him with a frown, "They probably took it out of pity. I mean, they . . . he . . . belongs in a different world than ours, and I'm not even worth a fraction of his attention compared to what is required to lead the Night Class."

Zero narrowed his eyes at me. "And the whole reason for this speech is to boast about your darling Kuran?"

"No," I retorted, embarrassed, "but my affections are troublesome. I know you think so." He stared at me - or more at my warmed cheeks - with some flicker of animalistic hunger before he abruptly marched forward to the Sun Dormitories. "Wait a minute! Patrol hasn't started yet!" Whatever reason he had to leave, I hoped it was worth it.

The hour that dutifully followed his departure was exhausting, to say the least. I was crippled with aching limbs when the last clique of Day Class girls left - merely minutes before curfew, lingering around the wooden posts and gossiping of who got lucky for their chocolates to be accepted. Perhaps Zero was right; I was moping about my insignificant failures, considering that the handful of tokens Senri took from me didn't include Kaname's. His lied on the middle of my palm in a molded shape of a closed flower bud, painted vividly in mixed hues of forest green and burgundy.

Something about it made me wonder, though I wasn't certain on what it caused me to ponder on. All I knew was that this simple idea meant something meaningful to me . . . but what? Letting out a drained moan, I made my way to the main building. This wouldn't be my first time making rounds alone in the dark, but I had been comforted by the knowledge that Zero was nearby. Where was he now then? There was only one place I could think of; the horses' stables were to Zero like how the art studio was to me - a safe haven.

When the first ground floor was clear of any signs of trouble, I decided to stop by the studio, maybe even try finishing the piece that nagged my mind. It was too late to buy any giri chocolate for my best friend, and I hardly imagined Zero wanting anything that I already gave to some vampires. What to do . . ?

Someone casually acknowledged, "Good evening, Kiyoe."

That voice . . . My heart could've stopped when I took note of a faint outline at the corner of the room, but it quickened when I recognized his unforgettable face. "K-Kaname-senpai!"

To xXYuseiAkikoXx - 1/10/13: Thanks for your review:) I'll update when I can! I have so many ideas for this plot that I'm just so excited to put down!

To Ishtonayo - 1/10/13: Hello again! To appease most Vampire Knight readers, there will be a few moments between Yuuki and Zero, but not as much as Kiyoe and Zero, and not as romanticized. The story may be inclined to have some sort of love square between Kaname, Kiyoe, Zero, and Yuuki - a few girl/boy drama here and there. Good old drama.

Is Tsukina and Kiyoe the same person . . ? Half of you may think so, the other half - not really. Well, there are factors separating each OC - like age {since Tsukina is "older" than Kaname, and Kiyoe is roughly the same age as Yuuki} and appearance {Tsukina has wild curly hair and gray green eyes while Kiyoe is the traditional Japanese girl with straight brown hair and dark brown eyes}. Then again, who knows? There are always twists and turns to a story that people don't expect. . . . You'll just have to keep reading to find out ;)

When Tsukina and Kaname are six years old, Yuuki hasn't been born yet, to put it simply. This is Tsukina's life without a younger sister and how her relationships are with everyone before Yuuki is put into the picture.

Shiri-sama applauds very loudly: I am totally in shock with the responses - very, very surprised and so, so happy! Most of this update is for the Zero fans {a request from a buddy of mine who is a die-hard Zero admirer}. There will be more KanamexKiyoe and KanamexTsukina moments in the future - I promise ;) I haven't forgotten about him or his smoldering sexiness - lol.

I do not own Vampire Knight, but my OWN OCs are my OWN and made of my OWN ideas. Also, to those who are strictly anime watchers, this story will make a lot more sense if you read the manga. Enjoy it, read it, and review it if you can!