AN: OMG I'm so so so sorry for the late upload. I got really stumped over how to get this story where I wanted it to go, and it took me forever to write anything... Actually, I wasn't expecting this story to be as popular as it is...heheh -sweatdrop- And, I've also been really distracted writing my Shima fic, The Bluest Eyes. If you're into Shima, check it out and leave me some feedback? -heart- Anyway, I've been working a little more diligently on this fic, with another chapter or two almost finished, so updates shouldn't take as long next time. I'm really sorry!

The last time they'd parted, Aidou had told her, "I'll see you soon." Of course, "see you soon," coming from Aidou, meant, "I'll see you when it's possible." Which it wasn't, for quite a while. Yori attempted to maintain her routines, although she was often tempted to take a peek at the class changes or wander closer to the Night Class grounds than she might have otherwise. Occasionally, Aidou would drop by the library or stop her outside on the grounds for a chat when no one was around, but for the most part their meetings were short and few. Unfortunately, although she busied herself with her studies, with reading, with horseback riding...she couldn't help but miss the blond vampire's company. Against all expectation, she really did like Hanabusa Aidou. There was no denying that anymore, and as Yuki spent more and more time in Zero's company, she scolded herself less and less for that fact. At least Aidou made time for her, even when it was dangerous and even if that time was brief.

Feeling a little crestfallen, Yori knew she was being unfair. With Zero in such a state and the presence of dozens of vampires on campus, of course Yuki was going to have very little time for anything else. Nevertheless, Yori couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed...and perhaps a bit lonely as well. She hoped something, anything, could be done for Zero soon, and that things could return to normal for everyone's sake. Yori glanced over at her friend, who was daydreaming out the window today rather than sleeping. The caramel-haired girl supposed that was an improvement. At least Yuki was awake for one class, not that she was retaining anything from it.

The lecture continued on at a sluggish pace, the hands of the clock creeping around in their circle until at last the bell rang. More than happy to be released from a thoroughly unexciting class, Yori realized Yuki had not moved from her position for the entire hour. Her expression was vague, eyes unfocused as she stared out the window, obviously lost somewhere in her mind. Yori was absolutely certain now that her friend had not absorbed even one word of today's lesson.

"Yuki-chan." Hearing her name, Yuki snapped out of her daze, confirming the caramel-haired girl's thoughts. "Okay, you've been distracted all day," Yori said at last, squinting suspiciously at her friend. The entire class was gone and Yori was packed up, but Yuki still hadn't budged. "Spill." Something was on her friend's mind. The question was, what? The only subject that leaped immediately to mind was Zero. Apart from that, she had no idea what or who could be so effectively distracting the brunette prefect.

"It's n-nothing," Yuki stammered.

"It sure doesn't seem like nothing..." Yuki flushed pink and Yori gave her a sidelong, measuring glance. "Is it something to do with Zero-kun?"

"W-what?! No. No. Why would it be?" Yuki gave a nervous laugh, quickly tidying up her untouched notebook and pencils, and Yori folded her arms, sure beyond a doubt now that whatever was plaguing Yuki, it most certainly had to do with the silver-haired prefect.

"What did he do?"

"Nothing!" the prefect insisted. Then, seeing the expression on her friend's face, flushed red and mumbled, "Nothing. I was just thinking...Zero...um...he has a very nice smile... It's nice to see it sometimes...I know it must be hard. I think Zero must be very lonely..."

Yori raised an eyebrow. "Oh? He can smile?"

"With me he does!" Yuki countered defensively, then blushed yet again, hiding her face in her hands. "Well...that's what I was thinking about. He only smiles...with me."

Yes, because he's madly in love with you, Yori thought dryly, though she kept that particular thought to herself and instead answered, "Isn't that good?"

The tiny girl groaned. "No! I mean, well, yes, but it's so confusing."

"Why?" Yori pulled her friend out of the classroom and they began to make their way back to the dorms.

"Because...," she mumbled.

"Because...?" Yori was already sure she knew the answer, but she wanted Yuki to say it anyway. It would be good for her to admit that her relationship with Zero had changed.

The petite brunette groaned and then admitted, "Because...Zero is like...I mean we were both taken in by the Chairman so he should be like a brother, like Kaname-onii-sama, but..." Her voice dropped off as she continued, "But...I think Zero is very handsome when he smiles..."

Yori squashed down a grin, attempting to remain serious for her friend's sake despite being enormously pleased with the confession. "Is he really like your brother, though? I mean, have you ever thought of him that way?"

"Well...no..."

"Then, I don't really see any problem."

Suddenly Yuki slapped herself on the forehead, coming to an abrupt halt in the middle of the hall. "I forgot, I was supposed to pick up a new armband today. The other one got torn on a tree branch the other night."

Yori wasn't sure she wanted to know how that had happened. Or rather, she wasn't sure she wanted to know what had actually happened. Perhaps the old armband was permanently stained with blood. She grimaced. At least, somehow or the other, Aidou hadn't gotten a single drop of blood on even one article of clothing. But, the differences between a starving Level E and a noble vampire had to be vast.

"I'll catch up with you in a few. See you!" And with that, Yuki was darting down the hall and out of sight.

Shaking her head, the caramel-haired girl continued towards the exit. Instead of going to the dorms, she thought she might head to the library instead. There were a few exams coming up, and it couldn't hurt to spend an hour or so studying for them. As she approached the set of glass doors that led outside, she slowed as she passed the Chairman's office. She hadn't thought of it before, but...Chairman Cross definitely knew about the Night Class. Meaning, somewhere in his office there had to be some kind of information regarding it...

Yori peeked into the office, an excuse poised on her lips, but after a quick survey of the room, she determined that she was in fact alone. Already, her heartbeat was accelerating, her pulse quickening as she contemplated a definite breach of school rules and even, perhaps, morals. The curiosity was killing her, though, and how else was she going to learn anything new about the Night Class? She wouldn't have long before someone returned, at the very least to lock the door, so with haste she stepped inside and glanced around.

To her disappointment, the room was largely empty and the bookshelves filled mostly with old school yearbooks and attendance records. Even if the vampires appeared there, such records would provide her with no additional information. Her only option, therefore, was the desk itself. Looking over her shoulder and finding herself still alone, Yori hurried over to the large piece of wooden furniture and tried the drawers on the left. The first opened easily, revealing an assortment of pens, pencils, and other such items. The second opened as well, and the manila folders inside contained nothing more than detention slips and report cards. Such papers might have tempted someone else, but Yori already knew that she'd achieve straight A's this term. The third drawer down was locked, and after a cursory search over the desk, she didn't see a key.

Turning her attention to the other side of the desk, Yori opened each one. The first drawer contained more supplies. The second, personal items, including a rather adorable Polaroid of Yuki as a child. The third drawer down, however, was also locked tight. Blowing out a sigh, the girl realized her search was in vain. There was absolutely nothing here that would provide her with any of the information she desired. Briefly, she actually considered confessing to Yuki the truth, that she knew about the Night Class, and asking her friend to tell her more. But...her shoulders slumped. She couldn't risk it.

Giving up, Yori quickly exited the room...nearly bumping into the Chairman in the process. Startled and chagrined, she stuttered, "Ch-chairman Cross!"

The Chairman blinked, just as surprised as she was, and then asked cheerfully, "Yori-chan! I didn't expect to see you here. Did you need something?"

Quickly, she answered, "Sorry, a few exams are coming up and Yuki-chan has been so tired lately. I wanted to volunteer to take her place for a few days and patrol the campus?" She almost let out a sigh of relief for thinking of the excuse at the last moment. Not only was it plausible, but if the Chairman agreed, it would give her more opportunities to observe the Night Class.

The Chairman patted her shoulder. "How sweet! My darling Yuki has such a good friend. Don't worry though, I'll make sure she gets some rest!"

A little deflated as Chairman Cross denied her even that small chance of investigation, Yori nodded and replied, "Well, I'm always happy to help. Have a good evening!"

"You too!" And with that, the unsuspecting Chairman was back in his office.

Relieved and disappointed, Yori made her way to the library to study. Would she ever find out anything more about the Night Class? She could hear Aidou's words as though he were standing beside her, reminding her, 'For now, you'll have to leave these mysteries unsolved.' She sighed. More immediately, she wondered when she'd be able to spend more time with the blond vampire. The days seemed so tedious now...

AN:Ehh, I know it isn't much, but I've got some better chapters in the works I think... Also LOL Yori needs to learn how to be a better detective.