I wasn't surprised when I found that Zero had joined Aiko on the sofa. Her head rested on his lap as he delicately stroking her hair. He had even managed to calm himself down, his breathing now more even and regular. He didn't shift to the sound of the door as I pushed it open. But, even though I knew that Aiko never looked at Zero romantically, I couldn't stop the feeling that something suddenly grabbed my heart and twisted and jerked it in some random direction, each time he combed her hair with his fingers. I held myself back, threatening to crush the doorknob with the slightest move of my fingers. Zero sat with his back to me, hiding her from my view. He continued to stroke her hair gently, each movement mocking me. I could only turn my head away.

"I still need to thank you."

The line was hoarse and raspy but I could hear the sincerity he had in his voice. I walked over, slightly amused, and lightly plopped myself on the bed, crossing my legs.

"For what?"

His hand trembled and hesitated before he spoke.

"For catching her." His voiced cracked slightly.

"When she fell off the roof."

That day was hard on him. He had managed to run out of the school building just as I caught Aiko. I could see his eyes were wild and could tell that he sprinted out as fast as he could. When he saw her in my arms, he fell to his knees with relief. From what I heard from Kaname, Zero continued to carry the guilt of how a slight misunderstanding nearly killed his sister.

"Tsuki knows that I tend to pause. ... before I lie. But that pause was because the question shocked me."

His hand curled into a fist and I watched as he squeezed it.

"No-one before had questioned how I felt towards Tsuki. Not after our parents died."

I felt I understood some of his pain. After Haruka and Juuri sacrificed their lives, the distance that I had with Kaname only grew. The burden of being the Head of Kuran fell on his shoulders. Only now do I realise how much he has sheltered me from the bureaucracy of the Nobles and the Senate. I placed my hand on his shoulder. He flipped his head violently.

"She will understand how you feel. I'm sure of it."

His gaze fell, before it hardened as he pushed off my hold from his shoulder.

"Don't touch me, you filthy pureblood."

I could only chuckle. The line was old. Not only that, the push he did was so weak, it didn't match the harsh words he was saying. Like a baby kitten roaring.

I stood up and ruffled his hair before heading towards the door. I chuckled again as that icy stare bore into my back.

"Take care of her."

As I placed my hand on the doorknob, Zero stopped me.

"Wait. What is she to you?"

I could hear the protective growl that laced his words. Looking back, I sent back a hard smile.

"She is my precious princess. "

XxXxXxXxXxX

"Takashi-san?"

I turned to the girl who held onto the corner of my sleeve. She held her head down.

"How's Zero?" I chuckled, remembering the small kitten.

"And Tsuki?" Her eyes were full of worry. I looked carefully at her face before choosing my words.

"I just had her moved to a hospital. She had fainted while we were out."

I looked passed her and out of the window of the school building looking over at the Moon Dormitory, where she had been moved.

"She's being cared for by my friend who has medical experience." I sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"She'll be fine. She's in good hands."

I smiled back at her, but deep down I knew, who knows what could happen.