Chapter Eighteen
It Begins

Kagome's sleepy eyes snapped open as soon as the scent of both Kaname's and Yuuki's blood reached her sensitive nose. She jumped out of her bed and ran to change her clothes when she felt the presence of another pure-blood vampire come into existence. Yuuki had been reawakened.

No doubt Zero was near them and probably not in such a good mood. After all, he hated vampires. And Yuuki was just "turned" into one. It made her wonder why he didn't seem to mind being around her. It also made her hopeful for their future.

As soon as she was dressed, Kagome took off to find Zero and make sure he was kept out of trouble. On her way to his location, Kagome passed by Rima fighting her father in Shiki's body. She would have intervened, but before she could, Shiki pushed Rido from his body and fell unconscious. She gave a quick smile before continuing on her original path, Ichijou would make sure that Rima and Shiki were taken care of.

Becoming a blur as she felt the need to be by Zero's side grow, Kagome made it to the top of the school within a minute to find Zero staring blankly at a spot on the ground. Reaching his side, she followed his line of vision to see where Kaname and Yuuki had sat before. Drops of Yuuki's blood sat lying on the ground as proof of what happened. She didn't know what to say to Zero, he was obviously hurt that the person he thought of as a sister turned out to be a vampire the whole time, and he didn't know it.

Standing by his side, Kagome waited as he finally came back to his senses to find a somewhat shivering Kagome standing at his side. Immediately he pulled her closer to his heat and held her close. Both for her comfort, and for his.

She encouraged him to return to their room to get some sleep and think about what happened. He did not want to think about it. He wanted to forget it. But he knew it was not over. There was a reason Kaname awoke her then, and Zero had a feeling he was a part of it. Somehow.

They went to sleep, and by morning Yuuki had come by to visit Zero, but was denied entrance. She left, but not without remorse. Kagome listened as Yuuki left from the other side of the door. She could smell the tears that she shed.

Turning to Zero, who sat on the corner of his bed with his head in his hands, Kagome walked over to him and said, "You shouldn't have done that. She was only trying to make things right again." When she saw that an answer was not forthcoming, she continued softly, "She didn't know she was a vampire. And it wasn't her choice."

His head turned sharply to look at Kagome when he heard her. Truly, he knew it was not Yuuki's fault. But it hurt that he never knew that she was a vampire. And a pure-blood none the less. When he thought more about it, he realized... that Kagome was the same. And he didn't feel any different about her knowing that she was what she was. So why did it make a big difference when it came to Yuuki? He had no idea.

Before he could think more on it, a sharp knock came to the door. A moment later and the Chairman was peaking his head in.

"Ah, I though I would find you two here."

"Hello Otou-san," Kagome said softly.

He smiled at the title she called him, but his expression turned serious as he turned toward Zero.

"I came here to get Kagome."

Zero's head jerked up at his exclamation. Kagome looked questioningly at him. Before either of them could ask why he had to take her, he continued.

"It is starting to get more dangerous around here, and I don't want her to get hurt. We are going to start evacuating the students as soon as well. But I wanted to make sure Kagome was safe before I worried about the older kids."

Actually, I am as old, if not older, than most of the students here, Kagome thought idly.

Zero did not like the idea of being away from Kagome, but he knew that something was coming, and he didn't want her to get hurt. Besides, he could feel his bloodlust growing steadily inside of him. And he didn't want to take a chance at hurting her.

Kagome did not like the idea of being left out. But she also knew that it was not time yet. So for now, she would go with her father. But as soon as Rido was in his own body, she was coming back. If she did not kill him personally, she wanted to be there when it happened. Kagome looked up to the Chairman with her eyes wide and pleading.

"Please Otou-san! I want to stay with Zero... nii-chan," Kagome almost forgot to add the suffix. She was thinking about him not being her brother too much lately. When her father gave her no response, she turned her pleading eyes to Zero. Only to find him with eyes narrowed and a serious, thoughtful expression on his face. He gazed down at Kagome when she called out his name, and found her looking pleadingly at him.

Heaving a small sigh, Zero gave her head a small pat before saying, "I think the Chairman is right. You should go with him. It will be safer, and I won't have to worry about you getting hurt."

Putting her head down in sadness , Kagome knew he would say that, but she was still saddened to not be around to help. And yet... she was happy that he was concerned for her safety. But what about his own? Would he make sure that he was safe? And that he returned back?

She turned her blue eyes back into his own purple, before declaring, "Alright, I will go with Otou-san, but only if you promise me that you will come back safe. And you will make up with Yuuki. She may be a vampire, but she is still our sister. She is family."

He hesitated for a moment before giving a small nod to show his acceptance. Whether or not he would actually be able to fulfill his side of the bargain, he was not sure. But he would try to be strong, for her. For Kagome.

She nodded back with a large smile on her face. Turning back to her father, Kagome grabbed a hold of his outstretched hand as they made their way out of the men's dorms.

Zero watched them go with a empty look in his eyes. He didn't even know if he would be able to see her again, but if not... than it was probably for the best. He would never hurt her, and she could find someone her age to love and care for her for the rest of her life.

Even as he told himself this, he couldn't help but feel an ache in his chest at the thought of anyone but him taking care of her. He wanted to spend his life with her, however short it may be, but he wanted her to be happy. And he knew that she would be happier with someone else. Someone... who could provide her with all that she deserved, the best. Someone... who could properly protect her and keep her safe from any and all harm. Someone... who didn't stand the chance of turning on her and sucking her precious life blood from her body.

Someone... who wasn't him.