Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters. I twisted the characters and plot to suit my own twisted desires.

A/N: I am trying to get the chapters of this story to you in a more orderly fashion while also trying to make them a reasonable length. Also, Zero is a little OOC in this chapter… But he has to be a little confused about everything so I believe it fits. Let me know how I do, and please enjoy the chapter.

A Helping Hand Extended

Zero stalked through the woods noisily as the sun finished setting, enclosing the campus in darkness. He was cursing Kaname Kuran and the whole forsaken vampire race under his breath. How dare that bastard say those words to him, reveal his secret, in front of everyone, humans and vampires alike? The pureblood had not right to do that, not right at all! Huffing angrily, Zero stopped in the middle of the woods and put his head in hands, trying to calm himself down. Sighing, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back and held his hand over his heart.

He was so unreasonably angry, at himself and everyone. Yet, he also felt a seemingly unfounded pain. For some reason, when Kuran had stared at him with those eyes filled betrayal and spoke to him in that angry, hate-filled voice… It sent a spike of pure, unadulterated agony that tore through his chest. It angered him but also confused him. Nothing in the day had made sense, from the dream to the encounter with the Night class. Zero sighed once more, his heart and mind in turmoil.

"ZERO!" a voice shouted, shattering the silence he treasured.

"Yuuki," Zero groaned softly.

Just as he spoke her name, she came barreling around a tree, almost running into the very man she was looking for. She shot him a dark look and Zero knew he was about the get the riot act. He knew she thought he was wrong but, oh well… The pureblood and other vampires had deserved every word he had shouted, though he partly regretted saying the things in front of innocent humans and Yuuki.

"What do you think you were doing!" Yuuki screamed hysterically.

Shooting her a cool look, his voice was falsely innocent, "What?"

"Don't what me Zero! Not only did you say all those rude things to Kaname-sempai, you almost drew your gun in broad daylight in front of the Day class. No one did anything to you Zero! Your attack was unprovoked; you said those cruel things unnecessarily! Thank god Ichijo-sempai was there! Who knows what could have happened!" she ranted.

Zero snarled at her as he lost his cool countenance, "You always defend them! You're the same as those sniveling Day class girls! All you care about is Kuran and his fucking feelings… Well what about mine! What about how I feel, Yuuki! I can be hurt too!"

"Zero, you know that's not what I meant," Yuuki protested softly.

"No, that's exactly what you meant! It's what you've always done! You care about me until Kuran rears his smug, aristocratic face, and you go jumping at his legs like a fucking dog! Do you even care! HE TOLD EVERYONE YUUKI! He declared that I'm a VAMPIRE to the entire fucking Night class!" Zero screamed.

All Yuuki could do was stare at Zero in shock. He stood there, panting and red-faced from screaming. It was the first time she had ever seen him this angry, at her or anyone. He had never shouted or cursed at her like he was doing now.

She took a step toward him, "Zero, you know that's not true. I'll always care about you… You're my brother."

She placed a hand on his arm, trying to placate him, but he ripped it away from her with another snarl, eyes tinted red. He wasn't thirsty; his eyes were too light of a red. The anger within his heart had boiled to the surface. All the years of pushing his feelings to the background and acting like nothing affected him had finally taken its toll.

Taking a deep breath, Yuuki's eyes became pained, "How am I supposed to know what hurts and doesn't hurt you Zero? You never talk to me or tell me how you feel; you constantly push everyone around you away. You haven't spoken to me as an equal since we were children! Even then, you always acted like I was below you!"

"And Kuran isn't the same way! He treats you like a little fucking doll for Christ's sake! He dotes on you like you're some fragile little creature! It makes me sick watching the two of you interact! If you love him so much go fucking bother him and leave me the hell alone!" he shouted furiously.

Yuuki's eyes began to tear up, turning she screamed as she ran away, "Zero, you idiot!"

Zero watched her back disappear as she ran until he couldn't see her anymore. With a soft sigh, he turned and continued to trek further into the woods, father away from everyone and everything. He continued to walk and walk, not knowing where he was going and not truly caring. Anger and pain fueled his steps. Before he knew he reached a clearing in the woods. Looking up, Zero stared in shock at the clearing from his dream. With a shake of his head, he dislodged the feeling of déjà vu, of course he had been to the lake before- it was a part of his rounds as a prefect.

Moving toward the tree closest to the lake, he sat heavily on the ground. He leant back against trunk and closed his eyes as he tried to relax. Unbidden, a flash of him being pinned to a tree, bleeding heavily, assaulted his mind. Zero leapt to his feet with a small yell, staring in horror at the tree. Growling, he cursed his mind for betraying him. Glaring at the tree with hate, he walked to the edge of the lake.

Zero sat down and stared out over the dark peaceful waters. He wished his mind was as calm as the lake, not a ripple in sight. Instead, his mind was like an ocean during a hurricane. Pieces of his dreams flashed in his mind, preventing him from losing his anger. He continued to stare out of the lake as he tried to force himself into a meditative like state. It was surprisingly easy… It was so serene there. His eyes closed.

He was holding someone, a male in a white uniform. The man was cradled against his chest as the man cried, the tears soaking into his shirt. His hands caressed the man's back and combed through his chocolate brown hair.

The man began to speak, revealing horrors that he knew too well. A family murdered before your eyes, watching helpless as you knew there was nothing you could do to help… Being too weak to protect something that you cherished.

Blood, the smell of it awaking a primal desire in himself. A beat clawing its way through his mind and flesh. Beating in back down into submission, the man in his arms more important than a meal.

The sudden appearance of others, yelling and violence. Wind. Vines. Ice. Blood.

Except this time… the blood was his.

Zero's eyes flew open in terror, a scream caught in his throat. Groaning, he rested his head in his hands. These visions were tearing him apart. He didn't know whether to be angry as hell or terrified.

A flash of white in his peripheral vision caught his attention. Launching himself to his feet, Bloody Rose was drawn in a flash. He was prepared to defend himself if he needed to. But there was really no need for it.

Takuma Ichijo walked from the line of trees with his hands in the air, a sign that he meant no harm. Zero kept his gun trained on him, his eyes never leaving the vampire. Takuma didn't look scared though, he just looked at Zero with something akin to pity.

"What do you want vampire?" Zero growled.

Takuma stopped in front of him and put his hands down, "Just to help."

Zero laughed mockingly, "And just what could you offer me that would help? To go kill Kuran?"

The blonde vampire's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Don't speak of Kaname like that." Zero's finger marginally tightened on the trigger and Takuma backed up slightly, once more holding his hands in the air, "Sorry… He is my leader and my friend. Believe it or not, he is a living creature."

Zero growled again, "Just say you piece so I can finish my rounds."

Takuma nodded, "Of course… Kiryu-kun, I want to ask a personal question if I may." Add Zero's suspicious look and nod, he continued, "Have you been having… Weird dreams lately?"

The prefect's eyes widened is surprise, "How the hell do you know that!"

A small smile formed on Takuma's face, "Ah, so that is the case."

"Don't mock me, vampire!" Zero snarled.

"No, no! I am not mocking you at all! I had to ask… I needed to know before I told you what you need to know."

"And what exactly is that?"

"Kiryu-kun… Zero, those dreams aren't dreams at all… They're flashbacks."

END

A/N: I wonder how Zero will react this bit of news. Probably in the only way he knows how lol! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it isn't as long as the last one but I believe it is longer than the first few. I feel on a roll with this story so the next chapter will be up soon. Any comments are appreciated :D

And thank you to all those who reviewed on the preview author's note and thank you to those that added me to their favorites or alert lists. I appreciate it!