Hey guys! This is just a little something I wrote kind of as a side chapter. It might be divided into two chapters, but, you never know. This revolves around memories/flashbacks of young Zero and Yuki, because we just don't get enough of those in the anime. Hasn't anyone wondered what happened over those 4 years of their childhood together, and when Zero might have fallen in love with Yuki? You're not alone because I have too. That's why I'm writing this. You can apply this to the story if you feel the need. It would, most likely, fall into place with the rest of the plot (if you squint and tilt your head a bit; you can do that, right?). Also, a very special thanks to magicalgirl100591, because you inspire me a lot and you drove me to write this :D. You rock, and I love you and your fabulous stories, they never cease to amaze me. Anyways, on with the show!

A/N: 'Zero'= Thinking

"Zero" = Speaking

Zero = Present time thingy

Zero = Past time thingy

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(Present)

As Zero lay on his bed in his dorm, duties already having been fulfilled for the day, he thought. He thought because, as of late, he needed some time to himself. He sighed as his thoughts drifted and he succumbed to the memories that came flooding in.

(Past - 4 years ago)

Zero panted as he landed on his feet, Bloody Rose in hand as he crouched into a defensive position again, pointing his new weapon at his mentor, Toga Yagari. Yagari smirked slightly as he surveyed his tired apprentice. "I have to say, you're an impressive boy, Kiryuu Zero. You are strong for being only 13 years old." Yagari dropped his own defensive stance and holstered his gun. "That's enough for today." Zero stood normally and lowered his arms, turning on the safety of the Bloody Rose. He wiped the sweat from his forehead as Yagari approached him. He looked up at him and grunted as his mentor ruffled his hair. "You're also getting quite good with that gun. A little more practice and you'll be a top-notch shot."

Zero nodded and said, "Thank you, Master." Yagari grunted in response. He was about to say something else, but a musical voice cut through the air, preventing it. "Zero~!" Zero had barely any time to turn around before he was tackled to the ground by a young girl with long almost auburn-brown colored hair. She and Zero both hit the ground in a heap- well, sort of, considering Zero was under her. The poor boy was all but pinned under the girl and he glared up at her, a tinge of pink staining his cheeks, but luckily for him, not enough for the girl to notice. "Yuki! That hurt! Couldn't you have just calmly walked up to me instead of nearly murdering me?" The girl known as Yuki giggled nervously and got off of Zero.

He got up and brushed the dirt off of himself angrily. "Sorry, Zero." Yagari, who was standing to the side watching the whole amusing encounter, cleared his throat. Yuki jumped and turned to him. "O-Oh! Hello, Mr. Yagari, sir!" She bowed to him politely, which he waved off. He glanced at Zero and his lips twitched as he watched the boy's angry expression melt off and his silver-lavender eyes soften at her, before his expression turned hard and his eyes lost their softness. 'That boy does that too much, putting on a mask to hide his feelings,' Yagari thought. "No need for formalities, Miss. Cross. Now, why don't you go back to the Headmaster? It's going to be dark soon and I'm sure he wouldn't want you out late." Yuki nodded. "Hai!" she turned to Zero and gave him a warm smile. "Be back soon, Zero." and she took off, calling behind her, "Sayonara, Mr. Yagari!"

Yagari watched her and he looked from the corner of his eye and saw Zero was doing the same thing, but he had a longing expression on his face, though he hid it quite well. However, he didn't hide it so well that Yagari couldn't see it. He looked up at Yagari as the man walked up beside him. "You like her, don't you, boy?" Zero looked away and clenched his fists, and Yagari chuckled. "I knew it. I saw the way you were looking at her. It will stay between you and me, don't worry." Zero sighed and turned his head once again, staring into the distance as the sun was beginning to reach the distant mountains and tree-line.

"I shouldn't... I've only been here for 2 months... And she's in love with Kuran. How can such a gentle girl like her love a monster like him?" Yagari looked down at his apprentice and pursed his lips. "I get the distinct impression that you love her, Zero." Zero visibly jolted and glared up at his mentor, but his glare soon withered and he suddenly seemed his age. Zero grunted, almost as if he was going to open his mouth and object, but he didn't snap. Instead, he said something that mildly surprised Yagari. "I don't love her... But... I'm falling... Falling in love with her... So fast that I can't stop myself... But I shouldn't... Can't! I can't because-" "Because you're afraid of hurting her... or losing her." Yagari interrupted.

Zero drew in a shaky breath and nodded. Yagari chuckled softly and put a hand on Zero's shoulder. "I understand, boy. But listen to me." Zero looked up in question. "If you push her away, or let her go, you will be hurting both her and yourself. Do you really want that?" Zero's eyes widened and he seemed to ponder that. Then, his eyes returned to their normal size and he looked solemn. "I'm starting to not care about myself anymore. Life is starting to seem like only a choice to me now..." Yagari wanted to smack the boy over the head. What the heck was possessing the kid to act like this?

"What are you saying now, idiot? You know that wouldn't help anyone, much less yourself. Tell me honestly, who do you live for? What is your reason for living?" Zero looked surprised at his mentor's outburst, and furrowed his brows. Finally, he spoke, his pre-pubescent voice hoarse. "I... I live for her now... She is my reason for living... I want to give up most of the time and just fade away... But she won't let me... She always says it's going to be alright, and that things will get better, and I find myself believing her, even when deep down, I know it's not true.

When I think of life without her, or imagine her heartbroken face after I'm gone, my chest hurts as if I'd been stabbed, over and over... I want to let her know how I feel about her, but... I don't think I'd be able to take the rejection... And... I am one of those beasts in human form... A vampire... I would hurt her... I can't let myself succumb to my lust for blood. If I did, I would surely kill her... I've tried my hardest to fight it, but it gets harder and harder... I'm getting increasingly afraid that when I'm around her, I'll..." Zero stopped, unable to voice the next words.

The young boy suddenly sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "I shouldn't feel this way! I haven't known her long, but it feels like forever! I'm not sure how long I can keep my bloodlust at bay. That scares me so much. It makes me so angry that she can trust a monster like me! She knows that Kuran is a vampire, yet she can be so close to him! I see the way her face lights up when he visits. I see her eyes fill with such love for that disgrace of a vampire..." Zero looked down slightly, bangs obscuring his eyes. "...Why can't that be me? Why can't I have her look at me that way...? It makes me sick that she loves someone like that. He's spilled blood countless times, probably killed innocent people... Yet she still loves him. I wish I were still human. This would be so much easier."

Yagari, who was listening the whole time, clapped a hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "I'm sure Yuki will realize it's a hopeless crush in time. Maybe she'll pick up on your feelings for her. But, you can't seal up your feelings, or it will push her away. Only idiots push away what is most important to them. Don't disappoint me, or your parents for that matter. I'm sure your parents wouldn't want you to be unhappy."

Zero's head snapped up and he sighed softly, nodding. "I hope you're right, Master..." Yagari chuckled. "Have I ever steered you wrong, boy?" Zero looked up and shook his head, a soft smile slowly coming on to his face. They both walked back to the Cross household just as the sun was beginning to disappear behind the mountains. During dinner, as the Headmaster and Zero bickered, and Yuki in the background, amusingly trying to make them stop, Yagari watched them with an amused half-smile on his face, and shook his head at them. This was quite the bunch, indeed.

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Ok, well that was... Interesting. Sorry if Yagari and Zero were too OOC! I've never really paid much attention to Yagari, so I'm sorry if I didn't make his personality/ character in tune; as for Zero, I think he used to be a gentle kid when he was younger, and I was trying to bring out that side of him, but I was also trying to bring out that cold, bitter, tsundere side of him as well. Sorry if he was too umm... how do I put it... Sappy, I guess, about Yuki. I tried my very best on this chap in particular though hahaha. I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OR VAMPIRE KNIGHT, so don't sue! Leave Reviews please and tell me if I should make another chapter on this or not. I would really appreciate it.