Chapter Seventeen: Quid Pro Quo

Kaname P.O.V.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the tie of my uniform when I saw the bandage I had wrapped around my neck. I touched the mirror and pressed my forehead against it, clenching my fist.

There was a knock on the door and I looked up. "Are you ready? Kana-..." Shiro came in, carrying a box. I noticed he was wearing a tux instead of his uniform*. "Eh? You're wearing your uniform to the ball? Even though we're working, we can take turns dancing."

"Yes...but the headmistress asked me to keep an eye on everything. So I can't help you guys set everything up..." I said as I put on my arm badge.

"What a mean mother...she doesn't want you to have fun?" He asked.

"No, it's not like that..." I said.

"Here. This is for you, Kaname." Shiro held the box out to me.

I took the box from him. "From who...?" I opened the card and blushed when I saw the name on it. "It's from Yuki..."

Zero P.O.V.

I stood outside the door to the ballroom, my head hitting the wall behind me as I thought about the other night. I thought about Shion in that boys body and the girl that was with him.

"You cannot kill me...because I am your master..." I clawed the wall when I heard his words repeating in my head.

I was only able to calm down...after devouring Kaname's blood... "How disgusting..." I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth.

"What's disgusting?" Headmistress Cross surprised me when she came around the corner. "Thanks for doing your job as security." She said, smiling.

"...If I'm told that it's an order from you, I have no choice but to do it..."

She chuckled. "You have a strong sense of duty. By the way, Ichiru Kurenai from the night class seems to have disappeared..." her smile faded. "You wouldn't know why, by any chance?" Katrina crossed her arms. "Just...wondering."

I watched her closely. "...You really don't know anything, chairman...?"

"I'm sorry...I'm troubled because I don't get anything."

There was a tap from someone's footsteps and we looked over to see Kaname exit the ball room wearing a tux.

"Oh, Zero!" He seemed surprised to see me there. 'I didn't think you'd be here before me!"

Katrina became excited when she saw him. "Wow! Kaname came all dressed up! Dance with mommy later, my son!"

"...Alright..." Kaname seemed uncomfortable. "Later then."

"YAAAAAY!" Katrina yelled in excitement and ran off while Kaname just waved.

He turned to me. "We should get going, too! It'd be nice if we could keep watch and enjoy the party at the same time, don't you think?"

I couldn tell he wasn't acting like himself. "...I thought you said you weren't looking forward to the dance."

He had a strange look on his face then he turned away. "...did I?"

I wasn't falling for his act and we walked into the ball room.

Kaname P.O.V.

When we walked in, I looked around the room, glad to see everyone was having a good time. The day class students were dancing with each other while some of the night class students were standing around, chatting.

"Good. it looks like everyone is having a good time. Come here, Zero!" I grabbed her by the jacket she wore over her dress. "Girls should look decent! Just for today!" She looked surprised. "What? Are you going to argue with a member of the disciplinary committee?" Zero looked away and shrugged off her jacket. "There. And..." I took the rose out of my pocket and placed it in her hair. "...a rose in the girls hair. Here you go." I couldn't help but chuckle. "Now, if you just stop frowning, you'll look beautiful!" I just now relaized what I said and saw that she was watching me.

"I don't get it...why are you always smiling?" She finally asked.

I thought about that before answering. "Well...I think that's because...I want you to smile, too, Zero..."

Kain P.O.V.

I stood with my back against the wall, my eyes closed with my arms crossed over my chest as the nigt class hung around, keeping to themselves. "Um...excuse me, Kain." Someone said. I opened my eyes and saw the headmistress' son standing there. "Is Yuki here?"

I looked to the other side of the room. "The dorm president is alone on the terrace."

"Thank you." He said and walked away.

I looked over and saw Ruko standing there, glaring. "...I shouldn't have told him?"

He turned away. "...whatever..."

"Ru-Ruko-san. I've finished my work with the greatest efforts just for today!" A day class girl said, her face turning red. "Would you dance with me?"

"Do it, like the headmistress wanted. It's to enhance friendship." I told him.

That annoyed him. "No way! Why would I dance with a strange girl?"

Kaname P.O.V.

I looked around until I found her on the terrace. She was leaning over the railing with her back to me. She was wearing a light blue strapless ball gown that covered her feet, even though I could see the tops of her heels. Her hair was down, like always, but I could see that she had two long braids on the sides that were tied in the back. "Yuki...!" I said, getting her attention.

She turned around and smiled. "Good evening, Kaname. I'm happy that you're wearing the tuxedo."

"Ah, yes...I wanted to say how thankful I am for this..." I felt my arm band slip down to my wrist and ai quickly put my arms behind my back to hide it and bowed. "Thank you!" I was always this nervous around her. I stood up straight and saw the worried expression on her face.

"Is something wrong...? You have a weird look on your face, Kaname."

"Eh?" I patted my face with both hands.

Yuki giggled. "I'm just kidding. You look handsome. That tuxedo really does suit you." I couldn't help but blush when she said that. She took my hand in hers. "Will you dance with me? In return for the tuxedo..."

I knew my face was bright red at this point as she moved closer and I put my other hand on her back.

Zero P.O.V.

I stood against the wall, keeping a watchful eye oon the students as they all danced and chattered. The headmistress was watching as well. I looked to in the direction of the terrace and I saw Kaname dancing with Yuki Kuran. Even though I didn't show it, I felt my blood boiling at the sight.

Kaname P.O.V.

We turned and that's when I noticed something. "Yuki? Why aren't we dancing to the music?"

She had her eyes closed. "Because I wasn't paying attention." She opened her eyes and looked at me. "Let's dance slowly...just like we used to..."

I couldn't help but smile. "...I remember. Back then...I had just learned the waltz...and I could only dance to it slowly..." I never imagined that the day I can dance with her like this would come again... "You're mean Yuki. When do you intend on stop treating me like a child?" I smiled at her.

Yuki smiled back. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really...?" I looked away from her for a moment. "That night...the one who put me to sleep and tampered with my memory...was you, wasn't it?" She didn't say anything which means I hit the mark. "You kept me away from that place...almost like...you were stopping a child...from meddling..." The memory of that fateful night resurfaced as it dawned on me.

"...No..." She hugged me tight. "I'm not treating you like a child. I just wanted to protect you. I thought it was the best way to keep you safe..."

Zero P.O.V.

Seeing Kuran hug Kaname made me think twice about something and I looked at the ground until I heard Hana Aido nearby.

"Hey, Takatsuki. Can you come with me for just a moment?" She asked and the two of them walked out.

"Kiryu-kun..." I looked over and saw one of my classmated standing there. "Um...would you dance with me...?" He asked.

I could hear two other students talking nearby. "Wow! Shindo's so brave." One of them said.

"I know. Kiryu-kun always has that scary aura around her. Her aura, it makes me like...she'll kill me..." His friend said.

"I know. I understand how you feel...'

Shindo continued. "You saved me once before, so...maybe we can just talk."

"...I'm sorry, but I can't dance and I'm busy...I'm sorry." I turned away from him ad walked away.

Kaname P.O.V.

Kaname...if you want to save Zero, how about we make a deal? Kill Yuki Kuran. I stayed where I was, Yuki holding onto me. Yuki Kuran only lets her guard down in front of you. It's something only you can do...but if you don't want to do that

I pushed her away as I made my choice. You only have to be yourself, Kaname. Yuki's words echoed in my head and I smiled sadly at her. "I'm sorry..." I turned around and ran away from her. I don't know why that man wants Yuki's life...but I choose...

Yuki P.O.V.

I stayed on the terrace, watching kaname as he ran until Zero appeared. "Kuran. What happened to Kaname?"

I looked over my shoulder at her. "...I told you what your role is...you are Kaname's shield...you should not be forgetting it..."

Her expression changed and she kicked off the railing as she jumped off the terrace. i glared in her dirction as the glass of the door cracked from powers.

I could barely hear Takuma in the distance. "Hold on for just a sec, okay?" She said to her dance partner as she came out. "What is it, Yuki? You lost your temper for a moment."

"...I need someone to tie me down..."

"Huh?" Ichijo said behind me.

"So I don't do anything rash..."

Normal P.O.V.

The door creaked open and there was a rush of cold air as Kain and Aido started down the steps.

"...It's chilly..." Aido said. "This must be it."

The two cousins walked down the spiral staircase, their footsteps echoing off the walls. "Hm...there's really..." Kain didn't finish her sentence.

"You've finally decided to believe me, Takatsuki?" Aido asked. They stopped when they reached the bottom and saw a body encased in ice. Both of them stared at him. "The pureblood prince...Shion Hio."

"...As you said...it seems he did cast off his body..." Kain pointed out.

Aido thought about that. "...I don't understand why he'd do such a thing..."

Both of them looked over as Shion's companion came in. "...It has nothing to do with you..." Maria said.

Kaname P.O.V.

I was out of breath by the time I reached the old dorm. Ichiru was sitting on the couch, his face blank as we watched each other. He finally spoke first. "So, you've decided, huh?"

"If you know how to save Zero...I want you to do it..." I knew the answer from the beginning. "Even if I give myself to you in exchange."

He held his hand out. "Come, Kaname..." I hesitated for a moment then moved forward, taking his hand as I knelt down in front of him. "...You're a good boy...I thought you'd choose to sacrifice yourself..." He brought my finger up and licked it. "...What is it?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Now that I think about...I guess it's a good thing that...vampires find my blood so delicious...because of that, Zero will be saved."

His grip on my hand became increasingly painful. "...I'm the one who drove Zero into despair...you grew up happily, didn't you..." He swung our arms forward and slammed me into the couch. I sat up and glared at him. "...eyes that look straight into mine with no fear...remind me of Zero when she was a child..." Ichiru/Shion leaned over me. "You've been protected...so dearly...I'm envious of you..."

I almost laughed but scoffed instead. "...Envious of me? Why is a pureblood vampire envious of me...?"

"You think purebloods are happy...?" His voice was cold. I just stared in silence while he sneered. Someone walked in and both of us looked over to see the girl carrying someone. "...That's fine...it's a deal...I'll tell you how to save Zero." He addressed the girl. "Maria...those girls withdrew obediently?"

She nodded. "Yes, Lord Shion."

Ichiru sat back on the couch. "Of course...they are nobles, after all. They know better than to harm a purebloods body..." I looked closely and saw the man had short, straight silver/grey hair and the same pale skin as all vampires. "That's my real body..."

He looks like he's sleeping...

"It's easy to save Zero-..."

Normal P.O.V.

Aido and Kain stood there, the fragments of the case scattered on the ground. "...Was it to let her go?" Kain asked her cousin.

"We can't make a move unless we know what Lady Yuki intends on doing."

Kain sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "You're right. We should report to dorm president Kuran first, I guess."

"Uh-huh...do so...Takatsuki..." Aido said as her cousin left.

Kaname P.O.V.

Iwatched as Ichiru stood up, went over to the man's body and took his hand. His eyes started to open. "You see, that girl...she only has to drink my blood." Both Ichiru and Shion said at the same time. Ichiru fell collapsed and fell onto the couch.

I stared st him. "Your blood?!"

Shion stood in front of me. "Yes...the blood of his master, Shion Hio." He looked sincere. "...That way...Zero will never become a Level E. She will become a true member of the night clan..." He looked at the girl. "...Maria. Lay Ichiru's body down on the bed."

Maria bent down to lift Ichiru's body and even though she kept her face turned away, even with the mask on, she looked vaguely familiar. "...Eh?"

Shion took a step forward. "We had a deal...give your blood to me. I am to be pitied. I am being chased...I need more strength..." He sat next to me. "For that, your innocent blood is necassary..."

Chased...? By a hunter...? "...You still want strength..." I said as he removed my tie. "But if you lay a hand on a student of the academy..."

"Your blood will be enough...you do understand...?" He smiled. 'What it means to have a purebloods fangs pierce yor skin..."

I just closed my eyes as he leaned forward, his fangs bared.

Zero P.O.V.

After following Kaname's scent, I stopped in the doorway when I saw kaname and Shion on the couch. Both of them looked over, Kaname surprised while Shion smirked. I stood there for a second then I finally snapped. I pulled out Bloody Rose, aiming for Shion. "GET AWAY FROM KANAME...SHION!" I couldn't believe my eyes when Kaname drew his sword, protecting the pureblood behind him.

"Get back, Zero!" Kaname shouted.

"Why..." I was ready to pull the trigger.

"THIS MAN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SAVE YOU, ZERO...!"

I just stared at him, taken aback by what he just said.