Vampire Knight finally turned a corner. The series is by far the most confusing of any that I've read. I still don't know where it's going or how long it's going to take to get there, but at least it finally feels like it's going somewhere.

After too many volumes where Yuki sat weak and useless while Kaname either manipulated her or wreaked havoc on the vampire world, our leading lady is actually doing something! Kaname is missing and Yuki steps in to assume a leadership role. She is determined to renew the positive relationship between vampires and humans that Kaname had forged with Headmaster Cross. The Night class reappears.

Kaname is largely, although not entirely, absent from this volume. I still don't know what to make out of him. I can't say that I like him anymore, but I also don't think he's as bad as he appears to be. I keep thinking that some explanation is going to come that will excuse his murderous behavior.

Best of all, Zero is back! He and Yuki have more interraction than they've had in many volumes. It's not like old times, but there's hints of the friendship they used to share. Even though Zero professes to hate Yuki, I think some of the "more than friendly" feelings he had for her are still there. As always, Hino-san's art conveys volumes of emotion.

The confusion of this series continues to frustrate me, but after this volume, I'm in for the long haul. I have to see what's going to happen.