Episode 10: The Princess of Darkness

Princess of Darkness (闇の姫 Yami no Hime) is the tenth episode of Vampire Knight.

Recap
Something has been bothering Zero Kiryu, and it involves Maria Kurenai. What role did she have in Zero's past, and who is her mysterious helper?

Summary
Zero remembers telling Ichiru, his twin, to flee after Shizuka’s attack. Presently, he and Yuki are on duty for the Night Class, but the evening is quiet due to upcoming exams. Maria reaches out to Yuki’s face, but Zero pulls Yuki back. Maria then smiles. Alone together, Zero again tells Yuki to avoid Maria. Later that night, Zero tutors Yuki and says his old neck bite from the vampire that attacked his family aches. Yuki asks what’s worrying Zero and goes to make coffee. Zero comes up behind her and twines their hands. He says Yuki may be why he’s still alive. Then, he leaves. Meanwhile, Maria and Kaname converse. He knows she’s not Maria and accuses her of toying with everyone. She retorts that he shouldn’t talk morals because they are alike. Kaname plays with a chess Queen and knocks it over. Yuki realizes that Maria is why Zero’s acting funny and runs after him. Zero faces down Maria but can’t kill her. She says he can’t kill his master, who made him a vampire. She tries to kiss him, but he jerks back. She and Zero fight. Alarmed, Yuki calls his name, but Kaname puts her asleep. He erases Yuki's memory of that night, saying that he cannot lose Yuki but that Zero can die if he’s that weak. Zero faints from an injury, and Maria tells her bodyguard to carry him away. The next day, Yuki spaces out during exams as she looks at Zero’s empty seat. Afterwards, she meets Kaname, and they talk about the ball and dancing. Departing, Takuma notes that Yuki has utterly forgotten last night. Kaname says she’s happier that way. Yagari is with Headmaster Cross, thinking how odd Kaname’s kindness to Yuki is. Kain Cross says Kaname told him to admit Maria and that vampires handle their own affairs. Yagari asks if Zero is a vampire but Kain plays stupid. Meeting at twilight, Maria unlocks Yuki’s memories of last night and offers a deal. She'll tell how to save Zero from becoming a level E if Yuki will do something for her. Meanwhile, Zero dreams of Shizuka and Ichiru. Upon first seeing her, Ichiru finds her beautiful but Zero says she’s a vampire. Ichiru says that Zero's amazing and makes up for Ichiru's mediocrity. That night, Ichiru asks if the vampire they saw earlier will be killed and if kindly Zero will be able to hunt vampires. Zero says Master will teach him to. Then, Shizuka attacks the Kiryuus, revenge for killing her lover. Zero sees Ichiru standing next to Shizuka, smiling. He wakes up. Seeing Maria's bodyguard, he coldly greets Ichiru.