T H R E E

In the morning, Rose had to work by herself.

But, in a way, she was okay with it. It wasn't like she truly disliked Zero, and it wasn't like she disliked working with him. Most of the time (give or take a few days) he was on time, leaning on a wall casually glaring at the ground, waiting for her to drag herself out of her dorm and on the job. He was reprimanding her about time, when students had a certain time they weren't supposed to be out and about at. That's always the time he was waiting outside.

Rose waited outside by the normal wall for fifteen minutes before running off to the Morning class dormitories, waiting for the switch to be made. She couldn't think of any real reason why Zero would skip work; after all, he might be late most of the time, but he never skipped out unless it was truly urgent.

The switchover went accordingly with no real problems, like it always had since she'd started attending school. Because she was a part of the Morning class, she had to study hard during the night while Zero was out parading on his own. He did that occasionally, saying it was just a thing he felt like he needed to do. She often brushed him off, her nose buried in a Math or Anatomy book. While she thought he wasn't paying attention, she'd watch him out the window, with one hand buried in his trouser pocket and the other dangling at his side.

Rose sat in her classroom, listening to the teacher drone on and on and found herself face-down with her eyes partially closed. Why she started thinking, am I paying attention to those kinds of things? Why she pressed herself further into the table in hopes of breaking it. She heard the door at the front of the room open and she picked her head up to see a young woman with shoulder-cut brown hair walk in and embrace the teacher, do I always find myself thinking of him?

"Class," the teacher stepped forward, extending his hand out excitedly at the woman, who wasn't looking at any of them. Rose looked up and found herself looking at the woman curiously. "It is my honor to introduce Yuuki Cross, the daughter of Headmaster Kaien Cross and a former student. Rose Cross, where are you?" Rose froze at the sound of her name, and the woman looked at her with a curious gaze. They only had seconds to examine each other's faces before the teacher said, "This is the girl who used to work with Zero Kiryuu on the Disciplinary Committee and also used to sleep in my class."

Yuuki combed a piece of hair behind her ear. "Oh, but the Disciplinary Committee had to work both day and night to watch the switchover. It wasn't like it is now…" she was hushed by the teacher, who was glaring at her, and she shut her mouth and looked back over at Rose. "It was… nice to meet you, Rose." She turned and bowed at the teacher. "It was good to see you again, too." And, just like that, she walked out of the class rather hurriedly.

Yuuki… Cross? Where have I heard that name? I knew that she was the Headmaster's adopted daughter, but… somewhere else.

Zero woke up pressed against the wall of Yuuki's bed, glaring into the curtains that reflected bright sunlight. He was in a sitting-up position, his legs spread apart and bent at the knees and his arms were folded over his stomach. He looked around, still overcome with sleep and not yet having adjusted to the sunlight.

"Nn… Yuuki?" he called out into the thick morning air, looking around for his secret lover. He slipped from her bed, meeting his reflection in Yuuki's full-length mirror. His face looked so old; he dragged his hand over his face and stepped back toward the bed. "She must've woken up early to… oh, shit…"

Zero's eyes widened at the sudden realization. He was supposed to meet Rose at the wall so he could assist in escorting the Morning class, but he had fallen asleep with Yuuki the night before and slept right through his duties. He sighed and walked toward the window to pull down the blinds and shut the curtains. Just as he did so, the door opened to reveal a panting Yuuki.

"Where have you been?" he asked her, and she turned to greet him.

"Oh. I decided to take a look around the new Cross Academy. I also met up with Rose, who is… Zero?"

The half-blood's body had become rigid as she spoke, and she walked over to look up at him with a questioning gaze. "Zero, what is it? Did I say something?"

"N-No," Zero simply said. "So, what do you think of the new campus? Classes are now held twice a day; once in the early morning and once at noon. Headmaster Cross wanted me, as a Vampire Hunter, to roam the grounds at dark so that I can protect the school. We can't have another event like what happened five years ago happen again."

Yuuki nodded absently and turned away to pace toward the window. Zero watched her with hard eyes and turned to stand behind her. "Yuuki…"

"Zero, I'm sorry… about five years ago," Yuuki looked down, pressing her right hand against the wooden frame of the window. Zero came from behind her, leaning on her and placing his hand on hers. She looked up shocked at the silence he was taking on, and relaxed into his body. Hm… just like old times… she thought, and she pushed on. "I… I didn't know what I wanted. I knew that Kaname saved my life, but I wasn't sure what I wanted from him. When… he asked me if I wanted to be a vampire, I completely froze. And then… I found out I was a vampire, and that Kaname was both my brother and fiancée.

"Everything was just moving so fast for me. After I found out, I knew you'd hate me, because you hate all vampires. But… Well… I think that's why I left. I didn't want to exactly, but… I thought it would be better. And then…"

Zero laid his head on hers, taking in her sweet smell. "Yuuki, I know." His warm breath, although on her scalp, sent a shiver up and down her spine. He wrapped his free hand around her and underneath her chin to hold her close to his chest. He heard her gasp. "I know you were trying to handle so much at once. I was just upset that… that Kaname was taking you away from me."

Yuuki closed her eyes slightly, finding herself comfortable in Zero's hold. "I won't be taken away again. I'm not planning on going anywhere again… it was too much, Zero."

"I know," he replied softly, pulling her hand away from the window frame and wrapping both his and hers around her waist. She melted in his embrace, leaning on his shoulder, exposing her neck. He closed his eyes and looked away, until she pulled her left hand up to rest on his arm. He looked down at her hand, which in turn led him to look at her exposed neck. "Yuuki, I can't…"

"Don't, then," she said, sliding her hand down his forearm and to his wrist, and then taking his fingers in hers. "If you can't fight it right now, then don't. I've never minded, Zero; it makes me feel closer to you. Please, Zero. If I can help prevent you from transforming for just a while longer, you know I'd do it."

Zero hissed and turned his head away, only resulting in a stronger force bringing him down to her skin. He shut his eyes tightly and relaxed there for a while before his eyes turned from soft lavender to swirling blood-red. He stared at a spot on her neck and held his face there before he opened his mouth a little more to expose his sharp vampire fangs. Yuuki felt his warm tongue on her skin. Her shoulders tensed up, and he spoke in his husky, blood-lusting tone, "Yuuki, you have to relax."

She did as she was told and leaned her head on his shoulder, waiting to feel the sharp sting of his fangs penetrating her skin, but she heard a knock at the door instead. Zero's breath hitched and he shut his eyes tightly. Yuuki turned her head, being completely star-struck, and called out "One second!" she turned to Zero, who was beginning to slowly come to. "Zero, you need to hide!" she whispered harshly, pushing him toward her dresser. He was pushed into one of the partially open drawers and grumbled while ducking behind it. Yuuki smiled in apology and ran to the door, fixing her hair and shirt. "Yes… oh, father!"

Kaien Cross stood in the doorway with his usual kind smile on his face. "Oh, Yuuki! You're awake! I'm so glad. We've got to get some food into your system, so I'll call Zero to cook some food for you, okay?"

Yuuki sent a brief look over her shoulder. It would be easier if he could turn into a vampire bat or something… she sniggered to herself, earning a burning stare at the back of her head from Zero. She smiled at her father. "Alright. Can I get dressed first? That requires you to wait at the table."

Kaien nodded and shut her door for her, walking toward the dining area.

Yuuki sighed, sliding down onto the floor and running a hand through her hair. "I should also shower," she said quietly to herself, and she ran for her dresser. After sifting through her drawers for clothes and realizing she had nothing that would currently fit her, Zero stood up with a sigh.

"I can let you borrow one of my shirts," he wrinkled his nose slightly as he tousled her hair with his hand. She turned to watch him walk out and started to say something. He interrupted her with a very slight smile and said, "You've been through a lot; why not go take a long shower?"

She nodded and watched him stalk out of her room quietly, then she walked toward the window again, opening the blinds and curtains and feeling the warmth of the sun greet her body. "There. That's better." She sighed, and she stalked out of her bedroom, closing the door behind her, and headed for the bathroom to take a much-needed shower.

And, there you have it. The third installment. Woo!

I must admit... my writing's still a bit weird, as I haven't necessarily written anything in a while. However, I'm slowly working my way back into writing, so you guys don'g have to worry, okay? *nervous chuckle* It's aaaaaall good!

Oh, please make sure you read the last part of my profile. It's rather important. It's a "maybe", and that's all I'm going to say.

'til next time! *heart*

~Cookie