Zero paced around his room, trying not to hyperventilate. He knew what he had to do, but he couldn't find the strength to do it. He wasn't some... some devious master manipulator like Kaname, he couldn't do.. those things to Yuuki. Just thinking about it made his face turn red. Kaname had given him suggestions, things to say, how to do ... but no, there was no way he could go through with it. So what was he going to do when Yuuki came over tonight!?

Earlier that evening, they'd both been leaving the chairman's house after dinner. Yuuki had been staring at the stars, and he'd stood beside her companionably, until she turned to him. "Kaname sama says you need to learn how to dance for the upcoming party this week. You need my help? I learned how to waltz a few years ago."

Zero had jumped like he'd been stung by a bee. "Dance? Oh, yeah, I don't know how at all. Do you mind?" Dammit, Kaname hadn't warned him.

Yuuki gave him that innocent smile that she always gave him, and he felt himself blushing. Yuuki's eyes widened, not sure what was causing him to be embarrassed.

"Zero..?"

Zero turned and started walking back to his dorms quickly. "I'll see you around 11." He had to force himself not to run.

Now here he was, going crazy, waiting for the knock on the door that would put this all in tugged on the dark gray round necked pullover sweater, adjusted his faded jeans, trying to flatten his silver hair. He never had time to find his courage,because the dreaded knock came. Head snapping up, he went pale. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. Yuuki was in jeans and a red tank top, staring up at him. She had a CD player. "Hello Zero!"

Swallowing his fear, Zero smiled. "Hey, come on in." His room wasn't very big, but he'd pushed most everything to the side of the room to give them dancing space. Yuuki went over and set the CD player on the top of the dresser.

"So, why are you attending this party anyway? Isn't it for like, nobles and the council?"

Zero nodded. "Yeah, that's why I'm going. I'm going to be watching over them for the hunters. Since I'm ... part vampire myself now, they'll allow me in where they wouldn't like the other hunters."

Yuuki nodded in understanding. "I see, but why do you need to learn how to dance?"

Zero laughed nervously. "I don't know, maybe I'll have to escort people into the dance hall."

Yuuki frowned, but shrugged it off. She would never suspect him of lying to her. "Okay, well I have a classical CD in here so we can practice with that."

For about an hour, she instructed him on the bowing, the footwork, different moves. He felt silly, but it was nice, dancing with her. When she began showing him how to slow dance though, Zero got more nervous. In this dance, he had to hold her close, and Zero wasn't exactly in control of his instincts yet. Yuuki's scent rose off of her like a perfume, sweet and intoxicating. He watched her hair brushing along her shoulders, teasing him with glimpses of her throat. The hunger flared up in him, strong. Ever since he'd been visiting Kaname, he'd been under some strain. When he made love with Kaname, it was always rough, and he always seemed to lose some blood. Kaname let him drink from him afterward, but the result of constant blood loss was wearing him down. He was more hungry than usual. He'd tried to keep from feeding on Yuuki too much, but he could feel himself losing it again.

He pulled away, getting as far across the room as he could from her. He slid down the wall, huddling against it, his hands over his face. "I'm sorry Yuuki, I can't... you should go now."

He heard her soft footsteps, felt her crouch down in front of him. Her fingers pried his away from his face, forcing him to look at her. Her eyes were gentle, calm. "Zero, you're hungry aren't you? You don't have to hide it from me."

He watched as she brushed her hair to one side, and Zero knew his eyes had gone red as he felt the fire in his throat as he stared helplessly at her pale smooth skin.

"Yuuki." Against his will, he felt himself pulling her close to him. With the last bit of control he had left, he made sure he was gentle. His fangs slid into her neck, and he felt her body tense up as the hot blood flowed into his mouth. He felt her small hands balling up in his sweater, and he drank.

Words couldn't describe how she tasted. Like his favorite food, or the sweetest juice. She made him feel giddy, almost like her blood contained some sort of drug, making him drunk. He heard her soft whimper, and couldn't help the convulsion that made him bite down harder. Her gasp of pain brought him back to his senses, and he loosened his jaw, pulling his teeth out of her skin. His tongue slowly lapped up the blood, and finally, shuddering, he pulled back. He expected fear on her face, or disgust, but he never expected the look of drowsy pleasure on her expression. Her eyes were closed, lips half parted, cheeks flushed. Zero's heart thudded against his chest as he watched her eyes slowly open. She looked lost, wonder and confusion warring with desire. Before he could think about the fact that he still had blood dripping down the corner of his mouth, before he could think about how she would react, he bent his head, capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

Zero had never felt this good before. He'd wanted to do this for so long, and now, he was. Yuuki didn't pull away, she pushed forward, deepening the kiss, delving her hands into Zero's hair, holding his head up as she kissed him. He was surprised by her reaction, but didn't stop to question it. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her body into his. She was soft against him, and Zero felt his body responding. His right hand crept up her waist, grabbing her in a place he'd never thought he'd be allowed to. He felt her nipple harden under his hand, and she moaned softly against his mouth. Pushing her onto the ground softly, he positioned himself on top of her, continuing their kiss. He felt Yuuki's hands on his chest, felt them tentatively sliding under his shirt. The feel of her fingers on his skin made him mad with desire. He pulled her tank top up roughly, exposing her bra. It was pink, and lacy, and he groaned at the sight of her contained in them. She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling, mesmerizing him. His fingers pulled the top of one side down, exposing her to him.

"Zero?" she whispered.

Zero lowered his head slowly, watching her eyes as his wet mouth covered her. She gasped loudly, new to the experience, and he could feel her shaking limbs. His tongue flicked across her nipple, eliciting another gasp, and then sucked at it, hardening it further. His hands were traveling down her waist, until they reached the top of her jeans. The inability to easily get around the buttons turned his brain back on, and he slowly took his hand away. His mouth released her, and he stared at the vision she was, cheeks pink and eyes glazed with emotion. Even now, she was still so innocent. He swallowed hard a few times, and began readjusting her clothing. She blinked, trying to think.

"Zero?" That one word was full of confusion, embarrassment, dejection. He smiled at her, the back of his hand caressing her cheek.

"Yuuki, I...I love you. I don't want to hurt you." That was true. He did love her. Even without realizing though, he'd done almost exactly what Kaname had asked. As soon as he'd gotten to close to her, he'd lost it, and the result had been the same as if he'd planned it all out coldly. He'd seduced her.

Yuuki digested his words. "I... I love you too Zero." The way she said it let him know exactly what she was thinking. Kaname. What about him? She was officially torn between two men. What she didn't realize, Zero thought cynically, is that was exactly what they'd planned on.

"It's okay, you're confused, you don't have to think about it too hard tonight. I'll go along with whatever you wish." He knew it was part of the line, but he couldn't help the feeling of remorse that washed over him. What if she did choose Kaname, and not him? What if she couldn't handle both of them, and just chose one? Zero had grown to love Kaname, in his own way. He didn't want that relationship to end, but he didn't want to lose Yuuki either.

Yuuki sensed the pain in his voice, and hugged him. "It's okay Zero, it'll be okay."

She stood up awkwardly, her face still red. She was embarrassed, as was expected. And, like expected, she was too concerned about Zero to let it harm their relationship. Kaname must be a mind reader.

"I'll... I'll see you later, Zero." She opened the door, CD player in hand. She turned back to him. "Don't think that just because... this happened... you'll be going without blood. I don't want this to stop you from asking for what you need."

She smiled and left, closing the door behind him. Zero didn't know whether to laugh, or cry. He was a mixture of so many emotions; guilt, worry, lust. And, if he'd admit it to himself, he was elated. She really felt the same way for him. He wound up doing both, laughing and crying.

Yuuki couldn't sleep. She lay in her bed, restless, trying not to think about what had happened earlier. Zero... she sighed. She couldn't believe what had happened. She had been dancing with him, and he'd lost control of himself. When she'd seen him huddling against the wall, full of pain and longing, she couldn't stand it. She'd offered him her blood, and he'd taken it. She knew she'd do anything to ease his suffering, and she was glad she could help. Of course, then he'd kissed her. It had been so gentle, unlike his feeding on her. She'd tasted her blood in her mouth, but didn't care. She'd felt her heart melting, her body responding to Zero in ways she'd only responded to Kaname. He'd done things to her she'd never had done to her. She blushed again, her hands on her face to cool them. Then... just when she thought she'd die of pleasure, he'd stopped. At first, she was worried he'd gotten tired of her. But seeing the gentle look on his face, the mixture of hunger for her body and something else, something tender, she'd realized that wasn't the case at all. He'd stopped because he didn't want to hurt her. She was a virgin, and he knew that.

Now that she thought about it, Kaname had done the same thing. They really were more alike than they realized.

Then it hit her. Oh no! She'd done things with Zero, even though she'd done things with Kaname! She'd betrayed both of them! She'd loved Kaname since she could remember. He'd always been so kind to her, and he loved her. Then there was Zero. Lovely Zero, who was always conflicted. His pain over losing his family, the struggle to keep his identity even though he was turning into a vampire. His obvious affection for her. She'd grown to love him too, and couldn't imagine being separated from him. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was a horrible person. What she'd done wasn't fair to either of them. And now she had to decide. It's not like she could have them both, although she wished she could. No, they hated each other, didn't they? Remembering the way Zero and Kaname had acted earlier, she realized that they didn't hate each other. Not anymore. Maybe they were even beginning to like each other as friends. That didn't matter though. Even if they were friends, no one would actually consent to sharing one girl. She wouldn't even dream of asking it of them.

Yuuki pulled the covers over her head, letting the tears fall.