I managed to sleep a bit last night but it wasn't enough.

ZzZzZz…

Bonk

'Ow! Ah, that really hurt.' I had been leaning on a tree, sleeping. And then, somehow I had slipped off and hit my head.

I sat back up, rubbing the sore spot on my head. It hurt just by touching it. Great, here comes another bruise. I looked around and remembered why I was outside. Our class was having riding lessons. I looked up just in time to see White Lily rear up and kick Yuki in the butt. Ouch… But I couldn't help laugh out a bit. I mean how often do you see a horse kick someone on the rear end?

Then I saw Lily run towards Zero. He had been napping as well. Damn! Why didn't I think of that? Zero had been lying down on the grass. I gently rubbed the new bruise as I watched Zero get up and calm Lily down. As Yuki ran up to talk to Zero, I sighed and got up. My fingers ran through Lily's mane as she brought her own nose into my hair.

I ignored the conversation between Yuki and Zero. Lily was one of my favourite animals here at the Academy. I loved her bossy behaviour and her overprotectiveness. I just whispered kind words as Lily tried for the second time to eat my hair. I glared at the horse until she finally gave up and released my hair. I fingered the length of my hair. It had grown to about my waist. I sighed and thought: It's time for a haircut.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

Yuki was so excited when she heard that we had to do some shopping. Her jacket flapped as she skipped on the road. 'Ah!' she said, stretching. 'It's been so long since I came out for a walk!' She was happy because Cross Academy restricts the amount of times you can be outside the school grounds. Zero and I had walked behind her, not as excited as Yuki about coming outside. I guess some of Zero's coldness rubbed onto me.

It was great to be out of the uniform and that skirt. I couldn't understand why Yuki had a skirt even now. I was in a pair of jeans and a long sleeve pale blue top. It was way more comfortable than the school uniform.

'Hey guys, I have a errand I have to do. Can I meet you later? I'll buy some of the stuff that the Chairman wanted.' Yuki nodded as she dragged Zero off to some place. I wasn't sure if I should feel happy or sorry for Zero.

I walked to the eastern end of the town and entered a small shop. 'Tsuki-chan! It's been a while since you've come here. Wow! Look how long your hair is!' said a small lady at the desk. I laughed cheerily. 'Well, that's the reason I came here. I was wondering if you could help me get my hair cut.'

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

I stood in front of a small coffee shop and wondered if Yuki was really in there. The bags of food hit my knees as I slowly opened the door and walked in. In a small booth I saw Yuki and Zero. I scurried over and stared at Yuki's massive parfait while Zero and Yuki stared at my hair. It was a lot shorter, now just passed my shoulders. 'Hiya. Um…Yuki, are you sure you can finish that all by yourself?' I sat down beside Zero still staring at the icecream.

She nodded and added 'Nice haircut.' I ran my fingers through my hair and said, 'Thanks. It was getting pretty long anyway. And Lily keeps trying to eat it.' But it was strange. Although I had told her to just cut it and not do anything with it, my hair was short, slightly longer than Yuki's. But it was becoming wavier too.

Then I watched in amasement as Yuki ate the whole dessert. All I heard was Zero's comment. 'You sure eat a lot.' Yuki just replied, 'You're irritating.'

Suddenly, this young waitress and student came up to our table and asked Zero and me, 'Sorry to interrupt, but may I know if you are from Cross Academy's Night Class?' When Yuki dropped her spoon onto the table, the waitress exclaimed, 'I'm right! No wonder you seem different from other people!' Yuki stood up from where she sat and said, 'Please wait!'

But the waitress didn't stop. 'Do you know Aido? Heloves to eat sweet things and sometimes he'd come here…' She was cut off when Zero stood up. 'Please help me tell him that he would be welcome back here again!', the waitress added.

Zero walked towards the door. 'I'll go out first.' I replied with an okay, watching him walk off. After apologising to them, Yuki paid for her food and we headed out to the door. As I shut the door of the coffee shop, I heard Yuki say, 'Zero, did you wait long? Are you alright?' But when I heard no reply, I turned and asked Yuki, 'Where do you think he is?'

A trail of bags was left to show us the way. I groaned and passed my bags to Yuki. When I find you Zero, I'm gonna get back at you for making me carry your share of the shopping.The bags were heavy but I managed. 'Okay, let's go.'

As we wondered down the dark alley, I heard Yuki stiffen. I glanced at her hands and saw a slight tremble. It was getting dark really quickly and Yuki was getting frightened. I put one of her hands in mine and smiled at her reassuringly. I don't think it worked.

Will I be able to keep her safe?