"Is there something we don't know about you Rose? Well, I'm sure there is, but is there anything we can help you with?" Yuki asks.

I think for a moment. I am not sure if they'd even understand if I tell them. But would they believe me? "No, not at the moment. But if the time comes I'll tell you."

Zero stares at me for a moment. Then he asks, "Do you know who Shizuka Hio is?"

No, not her. Why did he bring her up? WHY?! I start to freak out and I bring my hands to my head. Thoughts start racing through my head. How does he know her? Does Yuki? Do they know what she did to me? DO THEY ALREADY KNOW?!

"Rose, Rose. Are you okay? Please answer me," Yuki says.

I open my eyes and notice she's over me. I look around and see that I fell on the ground. Great, just great.

"Did I pull a trigger?" Zero asks teasingly, yet sorrowfully as well.

"Shut up," I say. I try to sit up, but I fall back. "I'm fine… I'll be fine."

"Zero, go get someone," Yuki says.

"No, you go," Zero commands.

Yuki doesn't refuse and leaves in a hurry. Zero stays by my side, but when I look at him, he looks sad and angry.

"So you know her," Zero says in his impatient tone.

"What does it matter to you? I'm sure all vampires know who she is," I say acting calm. I don't trust him enough yet to tell him I know her personally.

"You've seen her. I can tell," he says without any reason.

"And? Have you?" I ask.

"Does it matter?" he says with a sad look.

That's when it hits me. She attacked him. I could just tell it was him. He hates vampires, and apparently I remind him of her.

"I'm sorry," I say.

"For what?" he asks.

"She's cruel, isn't she? Kills without a reason."

"What did she do to you?"

Zero helps me sit up. Now that I know who he is, sort of, I think I can tell him.

"Zero, can you keep quiet?" I ask, hoping he will.

"Yeah, why? Is it bad?"

"She killed my family. But first you have to know something else. I wasn't always aware of vampires."

"But you-"

"Let me finish. You'll understand more when I do. I grew up with humans, like you and Yuki. I had two sisters and one brother. I didn't even know who Shizuka was until my father told me to watch out for her. He said she had escaped prison and was dangerous. I of course didn't think someone so beautiful could be evil, but I was wrong. She came to my house on a snowy night. It was my birthday. I was turning six and we were going to have this elaborate party." I pause. The memory was hard to remember. I haven't thought about my past since it happened.

"Are you OK?" Zero asks.

I look up at him. I let a single tear fall, and I continue. "I had gone into town with my oldest sister to get some last minute things. When we were walking back to our home, I noticed some sakura blooming. I didn't know that Shizuka-" I don't finish what I am going to say. Yuki comes back with Kaname and Hanabusa. I can't tell them or they might treat me like I'm toxic.

"Rose, are you alright?" Kaname asks. Hanabusa doesn't come near me.

"I'm fine Kaname," I say.

Kaname walks over and helps me stand. Hanabusa still stands at a distance. Apparently it is too late for toxic. But I'm just over reacting. It's probably because Zero is so close.

"What happened?" Kaname asks.

"Um, uh, well…" I couldn't tell him it was the mention of Shizuka. He'd kill me.

"I asked her if she knew who Shizuka Hio was," Zero says bluntly.

"Oh. Is that right?" And now Kaname is mad. Shit.

"Uh, yeah, that's about it." I laugh just a bit. Then I look at Kaname's face and wish I had never come here.

"Well, then I suppose you are curious why this happened," Kaname says.

"No, anyone would act like that if they knew what she did," Zero says. He glares at Hanabusa for a moment, and then he walks away. "Keep her out of the sun; it might give her a sun burn."

That ticks me off. Even though I know he is just trying to cover up for me. "How dare you, you jerk! I don't get burned. Besides, I'm the most-"

"Be quiet Rose," Kaname says.

"Bite me." Then it cross my mind who I am talking to and what he is capable of.

"You sure?" Kaname had a smile on his face. Not the sweet kind, but the creepy, psychotic, sadistic kind.

"No, no, please no," I beg. I even get down on my knees because he would if he wanted to.

"Hey Kaname, you know that's against school rules," Yuki says.

Kaname looks at her and smiles the "sweet" smile. "I wouldn't bite her. It would be shameful to go against headmaster Cross's pacifism."

"Suck up," I whisper.

"Heard that," he whispers in my ear.

I freeze. I look to my left and see his face. I don't remember him getting so close. He looks me in the eye, (still wearing his sadistic smile) and then he straightens up. I am a little scared, but I can handle him, maybe…

"Time to go Rose," Kaname says.

"But I wanna stay with Yuki," I whine.

"Yuki has things to do, Rose. Besides, you don't understand enough of the rules to go with someone."

"I can teach her," Yuki says.

Kaname pauses. I pray so hard he lets me go with her. If not, I'll just hide from him or something.

"No, I don't think-"

"PLEASE!" Yuki and I both say.

He stumbles with his words and facial expressions. How can he say no to sweet Yuki? Ha! Sucker!

"All right. But you better be on your best behavior," he warns.

"N'kay," I say and pull on Yuki's arm.

I don't look back at Hanabusa. I know he is probably hurt, but I can't stand Kaname. We meet up with Zero and start walking with me leading.

"Why did you want to stay with Yuki?" Zero asks.

"Because I don't wanna get my butt chewed out for walking around by myself," I mutter.

"I bet Hanabusa said something," Zero says, completely forgetting I was dating him. I let it slide though because he is probably right.

"Well, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that I don't see Kaname at the moment."

We walk for a while, just in complete circles. They don't mind. But all of a sudden, Cross comes out of nowhere again.

"Oh, there you two are. I've been looking for you. I thought you were at the fountain last, but you weren't when I looked. Hello Rose," Kaien says politely.

"Hello Kaien. You seem happy," I say as I bow, and wonder yet again where he came from.

"He's always like this," was Zero's comment.

I giggle, but to myself.

"I have an errand for you." Kaien gives them an envelope. "This is very important. Get it in the mail before three o'clock."

"But it's just eleven," Yuki says.

"Then you can spend the rest of the day in town if you want."

I feel lonely now. What am I going to do all day long without Yuki? I watch him walk off. Then Zero yells, "Can Rose come with us?"

Kaien stops and turns around. "Well, why couldn't she?"

That was a definite yes. "Oh, thank you so much Kaien," I say cheerfully.

"You can go anywhere with them. You don't even have to ask." He walks away and we head for town. This ought to be fun.

Chapter 4 is now complete. I had some problem with how Rose would explain her story, but it came out OK, I think. I only wonder how many of you knew that Zero was the one that Kaname was talking about? Anyhow, review, review review if you have time. Please and thank you!