"You cant be serious." His eyes near burned holes through the expensive fabric that was dangled by a finger in front of him.

"Oh, Zero! I think it would look really good on you!" Her chestnut eyes shined before a deep blush suffused her face.

A quick start at her words, then he schooled his features once more.

"See? Yuki likes it. It's only for one night, Zero. Will you not do this for your adoptive father? Or are you truly an ungrateful son?" Rivers of tears streamed down the headmaster's face. They were quickly stemmed by a forceful collision of Zero's fist and the hardwood desk.

"First off, I am not your son, adopted or otherwise, nor do I not understand what you have done for me. But you are asking me to do something against my deepest nature." Lilac eyes blazed in protest as he stood tall over the spectacled blonde.

Yuki crept up beside her temperamental counterpart with intentions of diffusing the high tension situation. With a wary eye, she extended a hand in his direction. His body visibly softened and turned to face her as her small hand wrapped around his arm

"It's just one night, Zero. You don't have to dance. Just like last time, okay? It'll be alright. We'll be together." Soft brown eyes pled with him as her timid smile tugged at his heart. Helpless against her innocent wiles, his shoulders sank in defeat.

"Fine." The word was barely an utterance but incurred a huge reaction from the other two.

"Oh, Zero, you are such a good boy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The headmaster practically vibrated with happiness as Yuki's voice buzzed behind the sullen boy of her great excitement and the myriad of hygiene tasks she had to perform before the 'big night'.

'Idiots' Silver bangs swung over pinched brows as he shook his head in disgust.

Zero snatched the dark silk suit from the headmaster's happily flailing hands and left quickly for his room slamming the door on their ridiculous ravings.

"Stupid night class and their stupid dances. They have nothing better to do than have those naïve, dimwitted humans fawn over them. They have no idea what those monsters are capable of. They're nothing more than live stock to those arrogant bastards. Tch."

He pushed against the other day students as he made his way, elbows and shoulders leveling the ignorant few that failed to deviate from their paths, others parting without prompting. Their eyes did not meet his directly, as he had a murderous aura about him, and only after his passing did they dare to turn back and scowl. The menacing cloud that was Zero continued on this way, complaining and cursing, until he finally made it to his room in the boys' dorm.

He shoved open his door kicking off his shoes as he crossed the threshold. After taking another glance at the distasteful garment he was obligated to wear, he threw it into the far reaches of his closet. Pulling off his uniform coat and tie as he walked to his bed, a deep ache permeated his chest. An ache so strong it stole his breath and buckled his knees.

'They're getting worse. So much worse.'

Sinking to his knees, he fought for air as his vision doubled. The room grew unbearably hot and stifling resulting in pearl buttons flying as he ripped the shirt from his chest. Dropping to the floor on all fours, he curled in upon himself hoping to alleviate some of the pain, fists clenching on the cool floor as he rode out another 'epsidoe'.

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"Yuki, I also have something for you." The exuberant headmaster, who had settled down after Zero's assent and retreat, turned to head to his closet. Opening it, he pulled out what had been on a wire hanger, a protective sheath of plastic covering it.

Yuki's eyes grew large then filled with tears as she looked upon what she personally felt was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. She slowly came to stand in front of the garment and the wonderful man holding it. Running two fingers across its corset bodice, she felt the lush velvet and crystal beading that adorned it in simple vertical lines. The skirt fell in soft, heavy waves and would trail a bit once on her body. The deep garnet hue reminded her of a certain rose that sat upon her dresser.

The headmaster shifted nervously, worried her silence meant she did not like the bank breaking gown.

"Do you not care for it Yuki?" His honey eyes were sad as he waited for her reply.

"It's beautiful, father." A lone tear ran down her cheek as she embraced him.

Careful not to spoil the moment with his normal over the top antics, he laid his head atop hers.

"You're welcome." He smiled into her hair.

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The deep chill in his bones is was woke him, that and the violent ones that were racking his body. His muscles ached from their seizing and he swore he had swallowed a desert at some point in his slumber. Levering himself up to a sitting position, he leaned back on his elbows, head resting against the edge of his bed.

"Why can I never make it somewhere soft?", he grumbled to himself before rising to his feet.

He staggered to his sink, splashing icy water into his face. He was so weak and hated himself for it. With the monsters that paraded around the grounds hiding behind their so called pacifist ideals, it was dangerous to resemble anything close to prey. But, he hated the alternative more. Grabbing the small tin beside the faucet, he tossed back the bitter tablets from within chasing them with the cold water he took into his mouth directly from the tap.

'That's the third time today I've had to rely on these vile things.'

Anger fueling his thoughts, he violently discarded it. The miniature box made a sharp noise as it ricocheted off the radiator jutting out of the wall. He loathed the creature he had become and feared that, whether in the far or near future, he may eventually be the reason another young boy harbors such hatred deep in his heart. No one deserved to suffer a loss so great, no one.

His inner musings were then interrupted by a muffled rapping.

Once.

He glanced at his reflection taking in his wane face and pale flesh.

Twice.

Lack luster, sunken eyes.

A third time.

'She never gives up.'

Wiping weakly at his mouth, he went to open the door for the small girl he knew was there.

"Zero. Are you okay? You weren't at class and skipped patrols. I thought maybe you just needed a little space..." her ramblings trailed off and dark brows climbed in concern as she took in the condition of the frail form before her, petite hands twisting within each other earning her a gentle thump on top her head.

"You worry too much." He stepped away allowing her to step inside fully.

"I suppose I do." A faint blush covered her cheeks. "But it's kind of my job isn't it?" She looked up into his surprised face.

Looking down into her kind and sincere eyes, he wondered what in his life he had ever done to deserve such loyalty? Why did she care so much about someone like him, something like him? He kept her at such a distance, every wall up and impenetrable, yet here she stood.

Clearing his throat, he sat down on his still made bed.

"Well, I'm fine. So if that's all you needed, I'm actually really tired." His back pressed into the wood of his headboard as he let his eyes close.

"Of course. I'm sorry. I'll let you rest." She gave a quick bow though she knew he would not see and left him to his thoughts.

The soft click of the door somehow made it colder or could it be that the sun had just left the room. Opening his eyes, he turned to the window to watch the stars.

'Thank you, Yuki.'

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The next morning found the adoptive family sitting together at the dinning table before morning classes. One of the uniform clad student's plates much more bountiful than the other. Yuki had a plethora spread before, meats and eggs, fresh fruits. Zero's on the other hand...

"What in the world is this?" Zero let the bland colored slop run off his slightly tipped spoon.

Yuki munched happily on her overflowing plate, feet swinging to the tune she hummed.

"It's gruel. And it's as much as you deserve letting poor Yuki do patrols on her own last night." The headmaster shook his wooden spoon as he scolded the young hunter. Although, his kitty print apron did nothing to inspire terror.

"Serves. You. Right." Yuki accentuated her words with quick jabs in his ribs.

"I wasn't feeling well was all." Scooting over to escape the irritating contact, Zero pushed around the contents filling the blue ceramic bowl.

Yuki began to feel guilty for tattling, food forgotten in front of her.

"I see." The animated blonde's expression fell solemn as silent understanding came. "Is everything okay now?"

Zero heard the unspoken question causing him to bristle.

Are you losing control?

Shoving away from the table he stood and moved towards the door.

"I'm fine. Everything's fine."

"Zero, wait!" Yuki jumped up to make chase only to be stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Let him be Yuki. Give him his space." The ex hunter made himself comfortable beside her at the table, placing food upon his plate.

Reluctantly, she obeyed, but continued to worry as she ate her breakfast with a bit less enthusiasm than when the meal had started.

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The day brought only an empty seat in all their classes bringing worry to the front of Yuki's mind. To distract herself, she attempted to pay extra attention and take an unnecessary amount of notes, to share with him. But she was often pulled off course as her mind came back around to the moody boy.

She had ate lunch with Yori and came back to the dorms after dinner with the headmaster. Sensing her concern, he had reassured her that Zero would be there. 'He is a young man with determination and a good sense of responsibility' her father had reasoned.

Yuki prayed that he was right. Zero may not be one for sharing all the time, but he was definitely a big part of her life. With him not by her side, it felt a little...empty.

Uplifted by the talk and fueled by the anticipation of trying on her new dress, Yuki had made haste back to her dorm to change for the evening's festivities.

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"It's the big night, Yori! I am so excited! Do you think he will notice me? Kaname? Is this dress enough to get his attention?" Anxiety, excitement, and pure joy warred inside Yuki as she spun in her new gown in front the antique mirror. And the combination of it all had her feeling a smidge queasy.

"It is gorgeous, Yuki. And you are as well." Yori smiled adoringly at her besotted friend. "How could he not?", she reassured as she pinned the chocolate tendril that had escaped the complicated up-do for the hundredth time.

"Are you sure you will not come with me? It will be a wonderful time. We could have so much fun together." Her smile was bright as she clutched Yori's hands.

"I don't really like those sorts of things. Besides, don't you already have a date?" Yori smiled knowingly at Yuki's reddened expression.

"Zero is not my date." Her insistence punctuated by a childish stamp of foot. "We are simply going together as the disciplinary team. Don't go reading into things."

Yori giggled into her hand.

"As you say then. Even so. I think I shall get some studying in. But thank you." After sliding a deep wine matte over Yuki's pouting lips, Yori patted a soft cheek then shoved Yuki out the door, locking it to prevent the nervous girl from coming back in if she changed her mind.

Hearing the finalizing click of the lock, she realized there was no turning back. Setting her shoulders back, she marched with determination to her fellow guardian's room.

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Her skin had cooled minutely on her trek to the boys' dorm and an army of raised bumps could be found along the skin left bare by the velvet engulfing her. Her teeth chattered as she stepped through the unlit halls as she made her way to Zero's door.

"At least Zero's outfit covers everything and he wont freeze to death.", she mumbled under her breath.

Heels tapping across the floors, she tried to envision what Zero would look like in that suit. Her mind hazed over as she pictured how well the silk would mold to his slender, yet muscled form. The light colored pinstripes tracing down the ebony silk, accentuating his tall frame. Yuki felt her cheeks heat at the thoughts running in her head. Dazed, she ran directly into none other than the star of her day dream.

Seeing her teeter in the unusually high, thin heels, he steadied her by a wrist, eyes fixed on her flustered face.

Taking in his serious gaze fringed by silver, hers traveled his face. The glint of metal in his ears. The tattoo covering his hated past peeking out from behind the collar of his crisp, black shirt. The suit. The suit looked every bit of amazing as she thought it would. To her surprise, he had added a thin, lavender tie. A shade lighter than his eyes, hanging at half mast. Realizing she was gawking, she blushed again.

"I-I'm sorry zero. My mind must have wandered a bit." Laughing nervously, she rubbed at the back of her neck pulling the wayward curl from a pin once again.

"You need to be alert. You can't just be wandering around with your head in the clouds like that. Not at this time of day." His irritation was evident, laced into his voice.

His scolding provoking her to tug her hand out of his grip, she stepped back from him.

"Oh shut it! I'm here now and I'm safe. Let's go." Turning on her heel, she attempted to storm off, only to lose her balance. She really wasn't accustomed to such footwear, flats and boots her main staple.

Zero's arm shot out in a blur catching and bringing her close to his body. Her hair smelled lightly of flowers. Her skin, a gentle soap. Beneath that, sweet and coppery. He could taste her on the back of his tongue. Felt her heart quicken as he tightened his grip. Heard the blood cascading through her veins. Especially...especially, the one so close to the surface of her porcelain skin. A royal blue line enticing, twining down the fragile, pale neck.

"Zero." His name was a bare whisper. "Zero." Firmer, commanding.

Pulling back, his eyes flickering red, dimmed from regret. In that moment, he felt he really should be put down like a rabid dog. A braze of fingers along his chin brought his attention back to the girl within his arms.

"Zero? Are you fighting your thirst again?" She did not tremble with fear from the near attack, but stood merely there, face filled with worry.

He turned, avoiding her sympathetic expression. He hated when she did that. How she could have such compassion for a creature that drains her life force like a parasite. She should hate him just as much as he hated himself. Unfortunately, she was not a girl that was lead by logic. She ran free with the whims of her heart.

"Zero. It's okay." The delicate skin of her hand brushed his cheek. "Please. Look at me Zero. Talk to me."

Grudgingly, he returned her gaze, guilt crushed into his features.

"Yes. I am destroying myself by doing so but, yes." There was a muffled thud as his back fell against the wall. He leaned against it, eyes downward in shame.

"I'll help you again, if you'll let me.", she offered, stepping close and turning her head to the side to see his face.

"I don't want to do that to you." The skin across his fingers mottled white as he clenched his fists.

Yuki took his hands into hers, releasing his fingers to lace them within her own.

"I want you to." Her whisper seeming to echo not on ly down the hall but throughout his body.

His eyes shot to hers.

"You don't know what you are asking." Lavender eyes darkened to deep purple with anguish.

"I'm asking you to live. I'm asking you to be by my side. I'm asking you out of my own selfish needs, not to leave me." She had relinquished his hands to gain purchase of the front of his shirt, fingers digging deep into the cloth as if she could make it so by pure will alone.

His normally austere looks softened at that moment. Never had she ever confessed any real need of him. He had always needed her. To care for him. To help him through the dark nights. To keep him strong through her own life essence.

"Okay.", he relented pulling her to his chest. "But not now."

"I don-", she pulled back to see his face confusion writ on hers.

"You can't go among them freshly bitten. Your blood will call to them more than usual with an open wound. I will take what you offer after we are finished. We must go now." Pushing away from the wall, he took her hand in his. They had a fete to attend.

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