*Alondra's POV*

"Well, we're finally face to face. Shizuka-sama has been watching you closely since the day you arrived. Because of you, she is upset. You're trying to make Zero happy." What kind of past could they possibly have? What has Zero missed in telling me?

"She doesn't determine Zero's happiness! No one does! I don't know why you hate him so much, but this isn't right!" I wince when he brings the tip of his blade right up to my flesh.

It digs deeply enough for me to feel a warm trickle start. It's painful, but I don't plan on losing my head here.

"This is Shizuka-sama's wish. I will fulfill it until the very end. I owe so much to her and getting rid of you will help repay the favor slowly." Now is definitely not the time to be murdered. I have this sinking feeling in my stomach that I have to find where Yuki and Zero got to.

Who knows what happened between him and Zero, but I'm not letting it end here.

"You would do that for someone who is out to harm-"

"I helped her kill my parents and Zero got turned thanks to her. So yes, I would do anything for the woman I love. Who saved this weak body and made it stronger." My eyes widen in horror. I had no idea that this was Zero's story. His painful beginning.

"Yeah, not so easy trying to be a hero now, huh? I watched it all, I let her in during their most vulnerable-"

"You were tricked, weren't you? You-"

"Shizuka-sama has never lied to me!" I jump as he snaps at me. Although I should have seen it coming since he says he loves her.

A heavy sigh escapes me. I'm not getting out of this without a fight. Well at least I can pretend to fight. In spite of what he's doing. . . I can't bring myself to fight him. Ah Zero has a heavy influence in my heart.

Here goes. . .

                      ~0~

"Yuki. Don't you want to save Zero. If you give me your blood then I will give him my blood to keep him from turning into a Level E monster." Shizuka smirks at the hesitant, but determined Yuki.

She really wants to save Zero. They've been friends for a very long time and she really cares about him. She'd do anything for him. Sure he doesn't want her blood anymore, but she won't stop helping him.

Shizuka knows she can manipulate Yuki. Even though Yuki won't admit it deep inside of her heart she is jealous of the girl who managed to make him smile in an instant. Who made him open up in a few short days. It took Yuki years for that to happen. She is jealous, but her heart is too good to let that stop her from anything.

She nods her head and approaches Shizuka. Shizuka is every excited by the very willing host. She removes Yuki's hair from her neck. She was about to near her neck when Zero bursts in pointing his Bloody Rose gun at the woman who ruined his entire life. Shizuka Hio. The woman who killed his family and the one who turned him into a monster.

"Get the hell away from Yuki!" He isn't going to hesitate to shoot her, but since he is bonded to her it's difficult. Her bite caused Zero to bind to her. She treats him like a puppet.

"You don't want to kill me." His finger freezes on the trigger. He can't move it. He's trying, but her voice is echoing in his mind controlling it.

Yuki reacts and summons Artemis her trusty weapon. Her weapon is thrown away from her. She is being gripped by her neck. She can hardly breathe. Yuki manages to hear running feet coming.

Alondra's P.O.V.

"Stop it, Zero! Don't hurt Yuki!" I managed to get away from Ichiru. I don't even know how I sensed this danger, but I'm glad I did. I grip the arm that is holding her neck trying to pry it off. It's no good he's just too strong for me.

"Zero, kill her. Now!" Shizuka demands of Zero. I don't understand why, but inside of me I can feel that he isn't under his control. He points his Bloody Rose at me. It's pointed at me, but he is struggling not to pull the trigger.

"Don't do it. You don't have to listen to her. Just look at me. If you have to kill someone kill me, but just let Yuki go." I'm scared, but I won't give up on him. I will not let Yuki or him get hurt.

"No, Alondra, don't say that. You can't die. He needs you." Yuki struggles with every breath, but I understood what she said. I was left shocked at the last sentence. I nod my head and summon my Blue Rose gun. I shoot it at Bloody Rose. It is surrounded in a barrier.

"Ichiru, kill her!" I hadn't realized he had followed me so quickly. He is already behind me. His arm traps both my arms and his other hand is wielding a sword pressed near my neck.

I try to push my head back so the blade isn't so close to my skin. This fear of death is once again in me. But like before I refuse to die.

My eyes are closed, but then I smell blood and the sword is being pulled off my neck. I open my eyes and see Zero. He still isn't himself, but I can see that he's trying to fight off Shizuka's control over his mind.

"Let her g-go, Ichiru." He is telling his younger brother, but he refuses to listen. They continue to pull the sword. I have to do something. I can't slide down. So I do the only thing I can do. I use my legs which are free and so I kick Ichiru's shin. The sword falls.

I don't understand why, but I suddenly bite Zero's neck. The side with his tattoo.

"So, that's how you managed to get him to listen to you." Shizuka says to me angered. She isn't doing anything though. She is only sitting on the couch.

I can feel Shizuka inside of Zero's brain. I imagine desperately pulling her out of him. I don't know if it will do much, but looks like my question is answered by the arm holding me tightly. Not in a menacing way though. I look up at Zero he looks normal again.

"Are you okay, Alondra?" He asks me with a smile I know I'm not imagining.

"You're talking to me again." I smile back at him. He touches my arm with the tattoo of my Black Rose. She appears in his hand. We are both left stunned. But he quickly gets over it and turns around and shoots Shizuka in the abdomen, and other place multiple times.

I didn't know others could use my weapons. She manages to run past us. Zero tries to go after her, but Ichiru blocks his way. I check on Yuki who is unconscious. Then I see a sword hidden under the couch Shizuka was sitting on. I grab it.

"Zero! Catch!" He turns and I throw the sword at him. He catches it and is ready to face his brother. I don't like the battle that is coming. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for twins so this battle wasn't going to be easy to watch.

They both are very good at handling the sword. I put Yuki's head down gently. I can't take it anymore I have to stop this. I summon my Blue Rose and surround them both in separate barriers.

"Stop it! I can't watch this anymore!" I say trying not to cry. "This isn't right! You guys are brothers and twins at that. Don't fight for a woman who tore you two apart! Who took the lives of your family. It's not fair! I've always complained about not wanting my sister, but I know I don't mean it. I love her even though she really makes me mad a lot. There are times when I want to hurt her, but I don't. I can only think about protecting her. I'm an older sister so I don't really understand much about you two since I'm not even a twin. All I know is that twins have a more powerful bond than regular siblings. Use that bond to fight against that woman not each other!" It's a long speech, but in my heart I'm hoping and wishing that my words enter their hearts and they can see that they don't have to fight.

Zero's P.O.V.

"Ichiru, you told me you love her. But it's not right to love someone who only hurts you. Not even when she awoke did I see your eyes shine with happiness. I don't think you love her. I know you'll find your happiness. But this isn't it. Won't you fight with us, and not against us?"

She is just full of surprises. There isn't a moment where she doesn't impress me. She's special. I can't really describe this feeling. I can't continue my thoughts since she is reaching her hands out to Ichiru and me.

"Please? I know you hardly know me, but I promise you that every word coming out of my mouth is sincere." Her voice is shaky. It's like she is trying not to cry. Her hands are shaking.

I take her left hand. Her right hand is still out for Ichiru. He is torn between Shizuka and this girl. I don't know if her words sunk into him. He sighs and slowly reaches for her hand as he drops his sword. The barrier she had created breaks.

Alondra's P.O.V.

"Now then I'll look after Yuki and you two go after Shizuka. Don't you two get hurt!" I order them. They nod and go together. Yuki is regaining consciousness. I lift her head up.

"Hey, Yuki, open your eyes." She does so very slowly. She looks at me a little dazed and then she sits upright quickly.

"Where's Zero? And Shizuka?!" She is looking around everywhere. I put my hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay, Yuki. I convinced Zero and Ichiru to work together against Shizuka." She is looking at me.

"You- you must be really important to Zero if he listened to you." I look at her stunned, but I happen to notice that there is a bit of resentment in her voice. I hate these kinds of situations.

"Important or not you must be too if he came to save you! So come on let's go check on him." I stretch my hand out to her. She takes it and stands up. We look at each other with unreadable expressions. We nod our heads and run after Zero and Ichiru.

By the time we make it though no one is there except Zero and Ichiru. I see Ichiru kneeling on a kimono. He is crying over it. I see that Zero doesn't look like I thought he would.

"What happened?" They stay quiet for a bit, but Zero finally says,

"She was dead by the time we found her." I look around. I don't think a shot from my Black Rose was enough to kill her. I see Ichiru stand up with this bell and string. He ties his hair back with it. He turns to face me.

He walks slowly up to me, but Zero stands near me in a protective manner just in case. He hugs us both at the same time. We both jump a little in surprise, but we hug him back. Zero's hand is placed on top of mine, but I don't move it.

"Thank you." Ichiru whispers to both of us. I feel very happy seeing that I was able to bring two long lost brothers back together. I can't help but cry. I pull free from him and turn away embarrassed by my tears. I try to blink them away, but there are too many.

"I feel left out." Yuki says in front of me trying to lighten up the mood. She hugs me tightly. I hug her back hiding my face in her neck.

Later:

"What? Where are my Prefects?!" The Headmaster yells at the top of his lungs. "My children! Where are my two precious daughters?!" He yells even louder.

"Two? I only see one daughter. Oh are you insulting Zero?" I giggle at his glare. I knew it wasn't directed at him.

I thought I heard Zero laugh, but it's Ichiru. Sure they may look different, but it's scary that their voice is the same. The Headmaster jumps to try and hug both Yuki and I, but we both move to the sides. He hits the ground. Ouch that had to hurt.

"You know, the ball isn't over yet?" I say as I put my hand up. Ichiru must have understood and takes Zero's hand and puts it in mine.

Before Zero could react I pull him to the dance floor. It's a slow song so I put my arms around his neck. He is a little shocked at all this. I guess his body reacted on his own since his arms went around my waist.

Every voice and person disappears for the length of the dance. Who knows how long we danced, but I didn't care. The only thing that mattered was this moment. Both of us together.