A Little Different *COMPLETE*

Chapter Fifty-Four

Hard Times

Zero ran to Yukis side. "I'm sorry my lord! She wouldnt let me take her inside, she wanted to get some blood tablets and go home..."
   "Idiot. What happened?" Zero cupped her face and looked down at the bleeding hole in her stomach.
    "There was a man, a hunter. He was trying to kill her."
    "What are you doing he- yknow what that doesnt matter. Aidou, I need you to leave."
     "My Lord- " He looked over at Yuki and then back at Zero. "Right..." Aidou got up and left.

     "Yuki... I know you dont want to but you have to dr- " Yuki hugged Zero and bit into his neck. Zero sighed and placed his hand on her back. He was glad he wouldnt have to convince her to heal. "Why are you here?" He whispered.
She pulled back and looked at him. "I was given a letter... I knew something was off but I thought that maybe you were just... off."
    "You're not making sense."
    "I was given an invitation to your dance tonight. I thought it was from you but someone sent it posing as you. Even gave me a dress."
    "What?" Zero asked with a tinge of anger.
    "When I got here, there was a man waiting for me... there was another letter that said you had sent a hunter to guide me back here."
    "Well that shouldve been your first clue. I'd never leave you to roam around here alone with a random hunter. I'd escort you myself if I'd invited you."
     "Why didnt you?" Yuki asked.
     "That's what you're worried about right now?" Yuki stared him down. "Because you were spending the weekend with your brother, and I figured that was better for you then a den of vampires judging you."
      "Yeah but- "
      "In any other case... I'd tell you to turn your ass back home. But..." She furrowed her brows in confusion at him. "...I'm really happy to see you." He hugged her.
      "Heh... I missed you too..."
Zero quickly pulled away and stared at her. "You cut your hair?!"
      "Yes... I did." She laughed. "I know you liked my long hair but- "
      "I like this too... you look cute." Zero said.

°•°•°

      "Do you really think it's best for Kuran to come to the ball? Shell be singled out in a moments notice." Ichiru said. The three stood around in Zeros room, discussing what they should do about the situation at hand.
       "They want me to show up at this thing and since they assume that my lover is gone they're going to introduce me to random suiters."
       "Maybe..." Yuki spoke. "...maybe you should take one of the girls instead..."
       "What?" Zero turned to look at her. "Yuki no."
       "All this wouldnt be happening to you guys if you just- "
       "Just what? Leave you for some bland brainwashed idiot who only wants money and royal blood? Hell no." Zero took her hands. "I get that you feel responsible for what happened with Sayori and Ichiru, but you have to stop sacrificing yourself."
      "So what then?" Ichiru said. "Serve her up to the Council?"
      "No." Zero rolled his eyes. "We show up. And dance, and introduce ourselves, and socialize just as our parents did. And if anyone has anything to say about her..." Zeros eyes flashed red. "...I'll burn them myself."
      "Alright then. The Masquerade is in 4 hours, go visit Ruka, she probably has something for you to wear."
      "Actually." Yuki said. "I just need a mask."
      "I got that covered." Ichiru smiled and left the room.

Yuki sighed and sat on the bed. Zero sat next to her. "You okay?" He asked.
      "Yeah, its just... " She looked at him. "Nothing." She let out a sigh as she said it. "So this dance, I dont think we should go."
      "Yu- "
      "Itd be embarrassing to be seen with your dancing!" She teased.
      "You!" He lightly pushed her face away. "Go get ready or something!"
      "Theres 4 hours!" Yuki pushed his face back.
      "Well... you do need to change, your shirts been ripped to bits." He pulled her coat aside and looked at the tear in her stomach and the blood spilled around it. He moved the shirts torn bits out of the way to look at her stomach. "You're still healing slow but the bleeding has stopped." He looked up and saw her blushing. He smirked. "You're so... easily flustered."
      "Shut up." Yuki mumbled.
      "If you need more blood I can-"

Yuki stood up and hugged Zero as he sat. She held his head against her stomach. "I'm okay."
      "The blood that's coming from your stomach, for one, means you need more blood. And two, you're in a building full of vampires."
      "That will know when their purebloods blood has been spilled, and I really dont need Ruka demeaning me because of it."
      "Then promise me you'll take some blood tablets and rest before getting ready..." Zero looked up at her.
      "Of course." She smiled down at him.
Zero tightened his arms around her and fell back. Yuki propped herself up above him.
      "Or you could just take my blood and your wound will close up in seconds."
Yuki sighed with a slight smile. "Ze- "
The door opened and Ichiru stopped at the door way.
       "I was going to say Ruka asked if Yuki needed makeup as well, but I could come back..." Ichiru chuckled. Yuki hid her face, blushing behind her short hair. Zero looked up at her and then at his brother.
       "Shell be down in a minute."
       "Oh I'm sure." Ichiru teased. He shut the door.

Yuki smacked Zero on the chest. "Uhg. What?"
       "I'll take your stupid blood if you'll stop teasing me."
Zero laughed. "Okay."