Blood Candy 15- Spring Fling

"Maru-chan, are you going to go with Shiki? I know he asked you if you wanted to." Maru blushes, I notice it out of the corner of my eye, and finishes changing clothes quickly. "That's good. You really like him."

"That's not a question, Hana-sama."

"Of course not. I can tell those things." Again, she blushes and I finish with my braid. Maru is wearing a beautiful white dress, which Shiki picked out, with a single sleeve that is open and hangs to her knees, with one corner of the fabric hooked to her middle finger with a blue rose.

The dress itself is only knee length in the front, but it gets longer in the back and shows sapphire blue skirts underneath. We curled her hair and pinned a bit of it in a small, feathery bun over her right ear. I, however, am wearing a very flashy outfit, a knee length, pale blue dress with floor length split sleeves over a floor length, sapphire blue dress with long sleeves that end in a point at my hand and has a beaded chain connecting to my middle fingers. Both dresses are low cut, the pale blue being a waist length v-cut, and the sapphire being low enough to almost reveal my chest. I've pulled my hair into a half ponytail with three braids hanging from it.

I recall last night and smile to myself. Ah, that was amazing. I reach onto the vanity and grab a pair of earrings, blue roses in the center of a cross that hangs to about my chin, as well as a set of earrings for my upper ears, a pair that I got as a present from Zero's mom. Those are simple studs, but they're very special to me, because they're my favorite color, and the last gift that I got from them. I put the earrings on and then set a thin silver chain around my neck, a silver cross with a blue rose in the center is held at the hollow of my neck and I nod to myself.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Ma'am." We leave the room and meet up with the others in the front room. Maru walks over to Shiki and I notice Toya frowning. I shrug it off and go ahead to the party. I spot Zero and try to sneak up on him. I know it's useless, and he doesn't disappoint me. Zero turns around just before I get to him and he hugs me tightly. There aren't any students here yet. I grab his tie and tighten it, going to button his vest and jacket.

"This is a dance. You should wear your uniform right, if only for tonight."

"Fine. Where did you get those earrings? I seem to remember them from somewhere." I touch the earrings and smile slightly.

"They…were a gift…from your mom." Zero nods slightly, understanding and I jump when Kaien shows up.

"Good evening!" I round on him.

"Kaien no Baka! What are you thinking of, sneaking up on me like that?!"

"Calm down, Hanami-san…you're really tense." I roll my eyes and pound his head.

"Oh! I almost forgot." I pull a blue rose out of my sleeve and put it in Zero's pocket. "There."

"Anyways, it's a good thing that you're here, Hanami. Kurenai Maria-san hasn't been to class lately. Do you know why?"

"No. She keeps to herself." I look over at the sound of footsteps and realize that half of the school is already inside the hall. When did they get here? I gasp and run over to Yuki. "You look so cute, Yuki-chan!"

"Thanks…Zero-kun, you're here already."

"Yuki is all dressed up!" I roll my eyes and go back to Zero. "Come dance with me later! That's my daughter!" My eye twitches and I touch my forehead.

"All right…later then."

"I'll come find you later!" Kaien runs into the building and I sigh.

"That's a really pretty dress, Hanami-sempai."

"You like it? I designed it myself. That dress looks really good on you, Yuki-chan."

"Thanks…Kaname-sempai…" I nod.

"I know. He asked me to make it especially for you." I wink and grab Zero's hand, pulling him towards the door. "C'mon Zero. Just because you're the security detail doesn't mean we can't have fun…" He doesn't struggle, but shrugs and lets me pull him into the dance. I spot the others and wave at them.

"Where's Maru-san? I haven't met her, I think."

"You've met her once. Remember, at the birthday party? She was acting like my shadow except to get cake. She was the one that got cut there…You two haven't been formally introduced yet. But she's with Shiki-kun right now, so yea."

"Oh right." I back up and smile.

"Want to dance?"

"I don't know how…" I smile widely.

"It doesn't matter if you know how. It's all a matter of the lead."

"You mean…?" I nod and grab his hand, pulling him away from the wall.

"Just follow me and you'll be fine. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly." He always does. The music is rather fast, but a decent tempo, actually a mid-tempo Gravatt. I lead him in the steps for a few beats before he gets the hang of it and takes over. I knew he'd manage. When the music slows to a waltz, I notice that Yuki is nowhere to be seen.

Zero notices as well and we head over to the main group of Night Class students. I face Akatsuki. "Have you seen Yuki?"

"Last I saw, she was on the terrace with Kaname-sama. Why?"

"Just wondering." I head to the terrace and look around. "Where's Yuki?"

"She left." I frown.

"Did you scare her off, Kaname?"

"I'm not sure. She seemed really upset about something." That makes me extremely worried.

"Did she say something to you? You're extremely mad."

"She asked me why I treat her like a child…" I laugh slightly.

"You do, sometimes. It's because you're overprotective. But we both know that she loves you. She can't stay mad at you forever. I'll go look for her. I have a bad feeling." I jump the railing and run to the old dorm. For some reason, I get the feeling that Yuki is there. After a few moments, Zero joins me and I smile slightly.

"You're armed?" I smirk and lift the top skirt of my outfit. There's a strap with my knife and staff hanging down hidden underneath.

"Always." Zero nods.

"Oh. I'm going to warn you now, if a mirror breaks…don't hesitate to stop me."

"Huh? It doesn't have to do with your tattoo…does it?" I nod but we get to the dorm, so there's no more time for discussion. We head up to a room and Zero gets held up by Shizuka's servant. That hair…I have a bad feeling about who that guy is, but I have to help Yuki. I run to a room and spot Shizuka. She's about to bite Yuki. I growl and pull my knife out.

"Shizuka…get away from her…now." I have my teeth clenched, trying to control my anger so nothing breaks. I can see three mirrors around here, and I can tell that my reflection is worried, and pissed at the same time.

'How dare she attempt to bite Yuki? She's Kaname's girl…only he can touch her!' I frown and take a step forward. Yuki gets up, drawing her staff and stepping in front of Shizuka.

"Yuki-chan, don't get involved in this." Shizuka stands up, smiling.

"True, you have a point, Hanami. This is between the two of us. I wonder, will you die tonight? After all, all we have to do is break these mirrors and your true self will emerge. It will be only too simple for Zero to pull the trigger against you." I frown.

"Well, I was expecting something like that. But how do you know that it's not sealed? For all you know, that plan could backfire on you." Zero arrives and aims his gun at Shizuka. Once again, Yuki gets in front of her and frowns.

"Stay back…Zero-kun…Hanami-sempai…" I almost laugh.

"Well, that would be a problem. Oh well."

"Zero…she's the only one who can save you!"

"I already know that." I count the mirrors, three, and all of them would be an easy target without hitting anyone here. Looks like I might actually die here. All I'd have to do is take the gun from Zero, shoot out the mirrors, and beat Shizuka within an inch of death.

'Do it.' I lock eyes with my reflection.

'Can I trust you not to harm Yuki or Zero? If not, then I won't.' Yuki is still trying to stop Zero. Now, he grabs her wrist, about to aim at Shizuka again.

'Yes, you can trust me. Just…I don't want to see…' I understand. With Shizuka in her true body now, she has the power to control Zero, more than I do. The blood bond is still strong in that sense. If I try to counter her commands, she'll just counter back and it will never end.

"This girl has tamed you." I shudder and get ready to grab Zero's gun. Three quick shots and I'll eliminate all of the mirrors. Zero is frozen…I frown and touch his shoulder, glaring at Shizuka. Zero glances at me, but he can't move. I squeeze his shoulder reassuringly and get ready to wrench the gun from his hands.

"Hehe…are you happy to have finally heard your master's voice? You cannot help but obey me. I am back in my body. Now my voice has the power to bind you. Ah, this is convenient, keep holding Yuki." I notice his grip on her wrist tighten and I touch the barrel of the gun, about to take it. "You understand don't you, both of you? I am Zero's master, I made him. He cannot disobey me." I smirk.

"Zero, let go of her." Immediately, Zero relaxes and lets go of Yuki. I sweep her around me and grab the gun from Zero, aiming, not at Shizuka, but the mirrors.