Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters

Rated M: Sexual Themes and Language

Chapter Thirteen

"….should have known you'd bring me heartache; almost lovers almost always do…"

Yuuki rolled over, momentarily thrown off by the loss of heat. Her ruby eyes glanced around the dark room until they landed on the alarm clock, flashing in its red persistence of just how early in the morning it was. Instantly she realized that Kaname was not beside her. Before she could even throw the sheets off her body there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." She called out. Her voice was raspy and she was surprised at how dry her throat felt.

"Lady Yuuki-sama, how are you feeling this morning?" Aido asked her as he stood in the doorway.

"I'm fine. Where is Kaname?" She asked curiously. She was thirsty. She hated to admit that she was craving him, especially if he was busy.

"Kaname-sempai had some paperwork to take care of with the chairman. He sent me to wake you up and prepare you for class."

Class….at this time of day? She glanced out the window to eye the night sky and laughed lightly to herself at how she could have possibly forgotten that she was a vampire now. Of course this was the time of day when the Night Students went to class.

"Lady Yuuki-sama…?"

"Stop calling me that!"

Aido frowned. It was no secret that Yuuki was to be Kaname's intended mate after her 18th birthday and they were all properly prepared for her transition to the night class. They were expected to show Yuuki the utmost respect for her royal heritage, not that he had any problem with that. Neglecting his orders, and refusing to use an honorific on her name would no doubt anger Kaname.

"Lady Yuuki-sama, I cannot. Please understand. You're the heir of the Kuran bloodline. I don't know how much you remember from your childhood but your title is a very big deal. I can't just call you whatever I want." He stressed to her anxiously. She was not used to her power yet so she was probably unaware on how they were intensifying in the room. He wanted to calm her before she broke anything. Proof that he had angered her wouldn't fair well with him in the long run when Kaname returned.

Yuuki took a deep breath. Kaname's unique spicy aroma clung to every surface in the room. When she was human she could only faintly make out his natural smell, but with her heightened senses everything about him intensified. She licked her dry lips and climbed out of bed. Aido said nothing as he watched her walk over to Kaname's closet.

"Kaname left your uniform over there, Yuuki-sama" He mumbled cautiously, as he pointed to the victorian lounge chair in the room. She picked up the white fabric and marveled at its texture. In truth, it was the exact replica of her old uniform, only it was white with black detailing and a bright red bow.

"Thank you, Aido-kun. Will you leave so that I may get dressed?" He looked apprehensive but he complied anyway.

She got dressed quickly. All of her things were in Kaname's room, and for some reason that relaxed her. She ran the brush through her long brown hair and pinned a few strands back with a red ribbon that matched the one of her uniform. Once she was completely dressed and her weapon Artemis was secure on her garter she walked outside the room. Aido, of course, was waiting for her outside the door, along with Senri and Rima who bowed lowly when they met each other's gaze.

"Ohayou Gomenasai, Lady Yuuki-sama" They all chanted in unison. She gawked at them.

"Stop that! Act normal!" She nagged. Senri and Rima gave her blank stares and Aido ranted on about how they were not allowed to comply to her wishes. She ignored them all as she began to walk down the long unfamiliar hallways. The only comfort she felt was Kaname's lingering scent in the air. She followed it.

Just as she was about to make a left turn she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Lady Yuuki-sama, class is this way." Senri pointed in the opposite direction.

"Oh...um...right."

She really wasn't interested in going to class, but she knew it was for the better. She nodded as she allowed them to lead the way. Senri offered her some pocky and Aido chatted conversationally about how he forgot to finish his homework. Rima seemed to be acting as a watch guard because she was completely silent and alert. Yuuki could feel the tension in her body and it made her feel slightly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure why Kaname had sent her an entourage to guide her to class, but she realized how grateful she was when they turned down another hallway and all the glowing eyes from the young vampire aristocrats that went to Cross Academy trained on her. She visually flinched at the swirl of powers that flowed through the room. Some she could tell, were more powerful than others. Others she could tell, were more accustomed to their restricted diet than most. The most adamant feeling in the room was their curiosity over her relationship with Kaname.

Somehow Akatsuki, Ruka, and Takuma had shuffled through the crowd of vampires to wish her good day and flank her side.

"Step aside. Let the lady through." Aido ordered as he shoved some people out of the way. Not a soul said a word as they reached the classroom doors, but their eyes...those eyes said everything.

Just as Takuma reached to open the door for her, the whole atmosphere in the hallway changed. The tension in the room rose expediently, and she turned around at the sound of disgusted gasps. Standing there, at the end of the hallway where she had just come from, was Zero.

"Zero!" His name tumbled off her lips like a forbidden word. He stopped walking to eye her, with his hands stuffed in his pocket and an annoyed scowl on his face.

"What are you doing here?" She thought she said, but she couldn't be certain by the lack of response on his face.

"Yuuki…" He finally nodded. He didn't bother answer her question but she took in his silence, taking the time to study his features and his demeanor. He looked as he always looked: tired, determined...reserved. She wondered why she didn't have the burning desire to go running into his arms. She wondered why a part of her felt as if that would be a natural thing for her to do….what's happening to me?

"When you addess Lady Yuuki-sama, address her properly Kiryu Zero." A random student shouted from the crowd. Suddenly more and more students began to chime in. Some even had the audacity to shove him, or slap him across his face. Zero did nothing. He allowed them to bully him, never taking his eyes off hers. She felt as if silently, he was punishing her.

"That's enough!" A deep voice barked authoritatively. All eyes turned to the source of the command. Leaning lazily against the wall was Yagari Toga.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go inside!" He yelled and the students casually filed into the room. Yuuki felt frozen where she stood as she watched Zero. He made no move from his spot either, frozen in time like a handsome greek statue. She felt a tear stream down her face but she couldn't figure out why. Her mind felt so jumbled at the moment. Memories she had of them together flashed before her eyes, but then suddenly were replaced with memories of her childhood with Kaname. She cried out weakly as a migraine came on.

"Lady Yuuki-sama...are you alright?" Akatsuki asked her, as he was the first person to notice her distress. Soothing hands ran along her shoulders and she opened her eyes to find Takuma smiling gently at her.

"The transformation is a very delicate process. Try not to fight everything you're feeling. If there's any way I can help you, feel free to ask."

She slowly nodded her head. She didn't resist Aido when he grabbed her hand and led her to some empty seats towards the middle of the classroom. She glanced behind her tentatively to eye Zero in the back corner. He wasn't paying any attention to her, absently glancing out the big windows at the night sky, his mesmerizing red eyes glowing in the darkness. The longer she looked at him the more she felt he looked most natural as a vampire.

What are you saying! You know how much he loathes vampires! A voice in her head shouted at her. She felt her temple throb. She was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't hear Yagari calling out to her.

"Kuran Yuuki...Earth to Kuran Yuuki"

Her head shot up from the desk. He gave her a disapproving scowl.

"You weren't a very attentive student when you were in the day class. I expect better performance this time around."

"Hai-i" She stuttered as she nodded her head.

"You're a little behind on the discussions. I assume Kuran Kaname will catch you up… Don't expect me to extend to you any special treatments because you are the pureblood princess. I will not tolerate disobedience or unnecessary disturbances like what happened earlier in my classroom. Am I clear?"

Before she could even agree Aido was barking at him about how disrespectful he was acting. Yagari, as usual, ignored him.

"That goes for you too, Kiryu Zero." He nodded at his former pupil, but the gleam in his eyes carried more weight than his voice did. Zero simply scoffed before he turned his attention back to the night sky.

"And I...will not tolerate such a distasteful manner of addressing my bride, Toga Yagari." Kaname warned darkly as he materialized into the room.

"Kaname-senpai! Thank goodness you're back!" Aido wailed affectionately as his blue eyes shimmered at his king.

"What's your excuse for why you're late today, Kuran?" Yagari asked expectantly.

Kaname nodded in Zero's direction.

"Just getting another one of your students acclimated. Maybe next time it can be your job." He issued back to him casually before he walked past the hunter and stopped in front of Yuuki's desk.

The sight of him made her thirst immediately intensify, and she gripped her throat lightly. He smiled pitifully at her before his hand cupped her chin and he stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"Have they been treating you well Yuuki?" He asked softly as his eyes trailed over all the members of the gang. She nodded her head, momentarily distracted the rich, smooth lull of his voice and the love that resonated in his vermillion gaze. He chuckled lightly at her reaction before he leaned in and kissed her chastely on her temple.

"Sit with me." He ordered nonchalantly, not taking the time to wait for her response before he scooped her up and took a seat in his throne chair near the window, placing her gently in his lap.

"Onii-sama! I can't sit like this…" She gawked nervously as she felt the stares of everyone in the room trained on them. He put his chin in his hand lazily as he whispered seductively in her ear,

"Whyever not? The Queen always sits next to the King. Everyone knows that..." She blushed profusely at his words, but didn't reply as she averted her gaze. This was the Kaname she remembered...the Kaname she loved; haughty, manipulative, and mischievous. Even still, despite all his less positive qualities, she loved him.

Yagari went on with his lesson, acting as if that little ordeal never even happened and for the most part, her first day among the night class went well. She tried to ignore the whispers among the students about her scandalous relationship with Zero and her 'two-timing' ways. It seemed as if they didn't know what they wanted to believe about her.

As soon as they were dismissed she scrambled out of Kaname's lap to catch Zero before he left the classroom. She had been itching to talk to him since she saw him in the courthouse and was upset with herself that she had let the opportunity escape her before class started. Kaname didn't fight her; he merely watched her as she ran after him. He had promised her a moment to speak with him anyway.

"Zero!" She called after him, ignoring the calls from Aido to come back.

"Zero wait!" She scrambled after him to keep up with his long strides. He paid her no mind as he kept walking, his back turned to her.

"Zero why are you acting like this? Stop. Please!" She cried adamantly as her lungs began to burn. She felt unbelievably out of shape as she puffed before him. He glanced down at her blankly.

"What do you want?"

Her eyes widened at his harsh tone.

"Why are you treating me this way?" She mumbled as she reached out to touch him. He took two steps back. His eyes regarded her passively, studying her petite frame until they lingered on the puncture marks on her neck. He grimaced.

"Was it worth it? Would you do it again, if you could?" His words felt like venom. She felt her eyes water at his implications.

"This is who I am…" She mumbled hoarsely. He nodded.

"You know what? You're absolutely right. You are not the girl I knew. Maybe I was blind...maybe I was too young to understand…" His words were choppy and he refused to look at her.

"I-I, I know you hate me…" Her speech trailed off as she eyed the tiled ground. He sucked his teeth at her words.

"What do you gain from this Yuuki? How can being a vampire give you a better life? You chose this life. Mine was stolen from me. I just don't understand!" He shook his head as he finally glanced up at her, his eyes full of disappointment. She felt her heart clench. She wanted to argue with him. She wanted to provide an explanation to defend herself. Instead she bit her tongue. He waited patiently for her response.

"Zero…" She started. He sighed deeply,

"Yuuki, we have two different purposes. I know that. Clearly, my purpose is bigger than me… I was looking for the truth. I thought I found it in you...I was so blind."

"Zero...our friendship doesn't have to end this way" She mumbled pleadingly. He deadpanned.

"Is he ok with you talking to me? Did he give you permission Yuuki? How would he feel is he knew you still wanted a relationship with me?" He stated darkly, his lavender eyes narrowing at her. She slapped him across the face.

"You know what! You're right. I have changed. But what I don't deserve is this treatment from you." She huffed as she eyed him, strength renewed in her glowing red eyes. And then he did something completely unexpected. He smiled.

"Now that's more like the Yuuki I know…" He nodded.

"What are you hiding from me Zero? What are you running from? I know you…."

"I'm not hiding anything Yuuki. I'm just trying to let go of my past. It keeps trying to creep up on me. I've been contemplating on if I'm as strong as I thought. Seeing you at the courthouse...it changed me...so who knows? I might not be. No matter how hopeless I feel, no matter how many times I feel like I'm running off track, I remember that failure for me is unlikely. I've got trouble Yuuki. I've got demons and they won't leave me alone. I've got the past whispering in my ear. I want to feel sane again…" He mumbled weakly, collecting her suddenly into his arms.

"You showed me love that was real. Now I can't teach myself to be sincere. This time my questions lay with you. Cause each time, deep inside, I play the fool. Where did that girl go? The one that has my soul...I've been asking all along. Where did I go wrong? Where did you go? When did the sun set? When did you realize our love was on hold?... Is this goodbye?" He whispered into her neck, as he fell to his knees before her, clinging to her for dear life as his tears started to dampen her uniform. She was so shocked by his reactions that she had nothing to say.

"...you'll be the death of me Yuuki…" He sobbed quietly. His voice echoed with so much pain and remorse she felt it all the way to the marrow of her bones. She clung to him too. Neither of them noticed Kaname watching from a distance.

She shushed him as she rocked him in her arms like a child. If Shakespeare himself was there to etch their love on ink and paper, it would be a tragedy.

His soft bed of white hair shifted until his handsome face came into view.

"You're thirsty…" He mumbled. She gave him a confused look.

"How do you-"

"-I can smell it on you...the longing." She blushed. His lavender eyes searched her. She felt relaxed at the relaxed look in his face. She was glad they were able to vent like that.

"You smell like him." He stated softly. There was no trace of distaste in his speech. She nodded her head.

"When was the last time you fed?" He asked her curiously, standing up slowly and pulling her up with him. She straightened out her uniform as best as she could as she thought on it.

"umm...I can't remember." He frowned.

"I think it would be best to get on that. Do you have any tablets?" She shook her head no.

"Would you like some?" He inquired as he pulled a packet out of his pocket. She gasped. Last time she checked, he couldn't take those.

"Why do you have those?" He shrugged.

"Headmaster Cross told me to keep them on me. He thinks the reason why I couldn't take them before was because I was a borderline level E, consuming your blood. But I'm a full fledged vampire now so…."

"Oh...right...you are. As am I…" She giggled thoughtfully. He gave her his usual straight face, but she could see the amusement in his eyes. They had gone back to normal. She hoped nothing really had changed between them. Zero took a glance around.

"I'm surprised your entourage hasn't found us yet." He nagged. She rolled her eyes at his comment.

"Yea me too. Anyway, I better get going before they cause a scene trying to find me. I'm glad we got to talk Zero…" She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheeks and laughed when he blushed. He actually blushed!

"Yea...whatever." He mumbled, stuffing his hands back into his pockets, trying his hardest not to look so embarrassed. His eyes kept wanting to trail back to her plump pink lips, but he resisted.

"Bye Zero!" She waved, as she started to run back the way she came, her short skirt flapping around her. He waved back.

"...bye Yuuki." And after he said it, he regretted it.

Because its implications hurt so much...

"Yuuki...I've been awaiting you." His sensual voice echoed in the dark expanse of his bedroom they shared. He was laid out on the lounge chair, an arm lazily thrown over its curved back. He had changed out of his uniform and was in a black button down and some white slacks. She bit her lip nervously.

"Sorry to keep you waiting onii-sama…" She mumbled as she closed the door behind her. As soon as the lock clicked he was up out of the chair, pinning her to the wall. She stuttered out a surprised gasp as he nuzzled his face in her neck, licking the tender flesh and nibbling greedily.

"Onii-sama! W-what are you doing?" She stuttered again. She felt the vibrations of his moans tumble down his throat and shock the nerves down her shine. Instantly, her legs felt like jello. He snaked a possessive arm around her tapered waist, pulling her into his chest before baring his fangs.

"Onii-" She started, but his name transformed into a long, drawn out moan as he sunk his fans into her neck. Her body trembled as the act awakened the arousal dormant in her core. Naturally, she clung to him, allowing him to drink from her. She knew he could feel all her deepest feelings, and read her innermost thoughts. Somehow it made her even more wet. He groaned as those thoughts went through her head. Her face flushed red as one of his hands longingly fondled her round rump.

"Kaname!" She mewed weakly. When he finally pulled away, she was a panting mess in his arms. His ruby eyes devoured her visually before she was picked up and playfully flung on the bed. In an instant her clothes were off her, besides the lingerie she'd found and put on earlier. He rolled them until she was on top, and she felt his erection digging impatiently into her thighs.

"Where did that come from?" She gasped weakly, implying to his sudden thirst. He smiled up at her slightly.

"I had to replace my scent on you. You smelt like him when you entered my room. That doesn't sit well with me." he stated casually as he brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Are you thirsty?"

She nodded her head. He smiled.

"You don't have to ask Yuuki. Take what is yours," He whispered hoarsely, bringing a finger up to trace the outline of her lips. She threaded her fingers through his mahogany hair and he groaned. She watched as he closed his eyes, probably mentally preparing himself for her feeding. She leaned forward and lapped at his pressure point. Her fangs ached terribly and her throat was constricting so tightly she thought she might suffocate. Kaname waited patiently below her. She could feel the heat from his manhood collecting between her thighs, right there at her sacred place. Her fangs scraped against his skin accidentally, and he whimpered. His hips bucked, and she squeezed her legs straddling him closer together to keep him still.

When he groaned her name again she sunk her fangs into his neck. His head lulled back, and she was sure if she could see him, that his eyes would have rolled into the back of his head. She still didn't understand how she could effect him like how she was, but she was sure that she liked it.

She felt his fingers at her waist tighten. She drank him up greedily. She knew she was making a mess when he trembled at the feeling of his blood running down his neck. She paused momentarily to lap it up.

It was a big mistake.

She was rolled over immediately and her arms were pinned above her.

"Kaname" She breathed hotly, forgetting his honorific. He let out a frustrated, strangled sound.

"When you moan my name like that...I cant…" He moaned into her skin as he littered her with sloppy earnest kisses. Her body flinched at each touch. Her body was erupting each time from pure bliss and she was at a loss of words. She was in such a daze she didn't feel him untangle himself from her body. She didn't see him beeline to the bathroom where he locked the door.

"Onii-sama?" She whispered weakly, drunk off the intoxicating effects of his blood. The arousal in his blood made it more rich, and toxic. She could hardly fight the sleep that inevitably took her.

Kaname let out a sigh of relief as he slid slowly to the bathroom floor. That was close. If he had lingered any longer he was certain he would have claimed her. He squeezed his eyes shut as he moaned her name. Nimble fingers quickly unbuttoned his pants, pulling down the zipper and freeing his erection. He groaned deeply as it flung free, his sensitive tip brushing against the fabric of his shirt. He felt slightly ashamed for giving into the ache his body was enduring, but he justified it for Yuuki's sake. He gripped himself firmly, applying enough strength to the underside of his shaft as he made long, deliberate strokes. In his mind, the enticing sight of her modest body tortured him. Her rosy pink nipples were straining against the lace mesh fabric of her bra, and the beautiful brown curls he was so tempted to stroke threatened to escape the flowery elastic band of her panties. His hands inevitably picked up speed as he thought back to her heavenly, musky scent. It had to have been the most appeasing aroma he had ever smelt. The sound of her melodious moans rang in his eardrums. He would be content going deaf from the sound of her moaning his name. He remembered the way her hips rocked unconsciously against his body, and he felt his own hips buck for her erotic friction. He thought back to the way it felt when her fangs pierced his skin. His mind replayed the sound of her slurping his blood.

And that did it.

That was his undoing.

And he cried out her name in ecstasy as he released his sticky load into his trembling hands.

He slumped weakly to the bathroom floor. He had bit his bottom lip so hard during his release that it was bleeding. He lapped it up slowly. After taking the time to clean up his mess, he exited the bathroom and sighed at the sight of her laying in his bed. God, she looked so beautiful.

It excited him.

It frightened him...how insatiable his thirst for her had become after he had reawakened her.

He sat beside her on the bed after he changed into some fresher clothes and ran his hand soothingly through her hair, just as he had done when she was a child.

Only Yuuki was no longer a child. She was a woman. And one he was finding harder and harder to resist. He pondered silently to himself as first light streamed through his curtain on how he would possibly get his raging hormones under control…

"I could lose myself loving you...Yuuki…"

Author Note: To be continued. Review, don't review. You can do whatever you like.