Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight. Anyone have a tissue?

I consider this my introductory chapter. It is not really told from Aidou's POV, but it's necessary. The chapters after this will follow Aidou. As they would say, this is just to get the ball rolling. The story begins after a short proluge from our favorite VK vampire, Aidou.

Enjoy! ^.^

A pair of ancient doors blocked my path forward. They were very large and ornate, perhaps fifteen feet tall with intricately carved details. As my smoldering gaze bore into the aged wood, I wondered when these doors had last permitted someone entrance to the room beyond. Despite the years of disuse, the heavy doors opened readily, albeit with much groaning, before the immensity of my wrath.

Never before had I been so completely consumed with fury. It filled the very core of my being and I still had plenty to spare. I had my reasons for being angry. Very good, reasonable reasons. Honest, I did! You see, out in this world somewhere, a despicable person had played me, tricked me, pulled the so called wool over my eyes. This may be impossible for you to believe, but at times I had even questioned my own sanity! However, despite the hardships I faced, this ordeal would soon be over. As the sunlight illuminated the dust drifting softly in the stale air, I looked upon the face of my enemy, the one who was brainless enough to frame me. And I promise, they would deeply regret involving Hanabusa Aidou in their crimes!

But this is not where my story begins. No, this story started nearly a month before. It began with a cool autumn night, some sweet smelling blood, and an innocent prank gone too far.

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The darkness of night cloaked Cross Academy. Pale moonlight glittered on the delicate frost that laced the edges of the academy's windows. Inside, students wearing the white uniforms of the Night Class were stretching as the last classes before dawn came to a close. The gentle murmur of talk blanketed the room as the students gathered their things and began to drift into the slightly frigid air towards the Moon Dorms.

For the most part, the Moon Dorms were like any other dormitory. During the school year, the students are housed inside the cozy buildings. Unlike most schools, however, Cross Academy held two such dorms. The Moon Dorms, which is where the Night Class students relax, and a second one known as the Sun Dorms. This is where the Day Class students sleep. The Moon Dorm, however, is unique in itself. Most notably perhaps is the iron spiked wall that encompasses the entire building. Only a select few knew if the wall had been built to protect the students within, or to keep them contained. Because the children who attended the Night Classes were very special. Different. In fact, they weren't even human.

Cross Academy is the only school in existence who teaches both humans and vampires on the same campus. For various reasons, this little fact is kept secret from the Day Class. Over time, the headmaster of Cross Academy hopes to be able to reveal the truth to the human students without worry of causing a panic. Because the academy's ultimate goal is to establish a mutual relationship of understanding between both races.

Despite the benefits, attending the academy is not an easy choice for the vampires. The Night Class students who go to the academy are forced to rebel against their desire for human blood. To stave off this ever present thirst, a blood tablet was created. For some vampires, however, the transition is not easy or even possible. For those, the most merciful path is a swift death. For the unlucky, a slow decent into something little more than an animal who possess an insatiable thirst for blood. The vampires who choose to attend the academy strive for a new future. And so they readily accept this risk, dreaming of a new dawn.

^.^

Five such vampires, Akatsuki Kain, Ruka Souen, Takuma Ichijo, Senri Shiki, and Rima Touya, walked together in the early morning predawn. Separately or together, these individuals possessed an impressive aura, even among their peers in the Night Class.

Leading this striking group strode Akatsuki. Considered tall among vampires, he was one of the tallest in the school. With his untamed, light orange hair, deep amber eyes, and mostly unbuttoned shirt, he had earned the nickname of Wild among his fans from the Day Class girls. Matching his pace, Ruka was striking in her own way. She possessed an elegance that showed in her delicate facial features. Waist long, dark peach colored hair fluttered in the breeze as distant rose tinted eyes gazed ahead steadily. Trailing a short distance behind the pair, good friends Takuma, Senri, and Rima were immersed in their own private discussion. Takuma was the vice-president of the Moon Dorms. Uncharacteristically cheerful and friendly for a vampire, he has short, pale blond hair and bright green eyes that smile softly. Indifferent to the conversation taking place around him, Senri displayed a striking beauty. Peaking from between strands of his dark hair, clear blue eyes contrasted perfectly with the reddish-brown hair that fell messily about his pale face. Walking close enough to brush against Senri, Rima is the youngest of the group. Wearing her strawberry blond hair in twin pigtails, she has glassy dark blue eyes and possesses a detached quality about her. Certainly anyone who looked upon these five inhumanly attractive vampireswould become mesmerized.

Akatsuki set a brisk pace for the dorm building. The tall vampire was in a bit of a rush to return to his roommate. He was slightly concerned for his smaller cousin, Hanabusa Aidou. As the sun had begun to set over the school earlier that night, he had been alarmed to find his roommate was running a slight fever and coughing a little. Although it didn't look to be serious, Akatsuki had insisted his cousin stay in bed for the night and rest. Naturally, the blond had protested, claiming he couldn't disappoint his fans from the Day Class. In the end, however, Akatsuki had won the argument. Perhaps threatening to tie his smaller cousin to the bed was a bit over the top, but Akatsuki was fine with it if he got the results he wanted.

And so naturally Akatsuki was the first to walk through the large doors leading into the Moon Dorms. As the tall vampire entered the foyer, his body responded instantly. Instincts took control as his senses became heightened, searching for the threat. Filing through behind, it was apparent to the other four vampires that something was not as it should be. A look of unease shifted silently between the close friends.

Drifting fragrantly on the cool air, the unmistakably, sweet scent of blood tickled their noses.

In unspoken agreement, the five friends rushed from the entrance and headlong into one of the many side passages that led deeper into the Dorms. Takuma took the lead, with the other four following close behind the pale haired blond. Each of them had the same question spinning through their thoughts, 'Who was foolish enough to try something like this? Who was insane enough to break Kaname's most sacred rule? Certainly there was an innocent explanation for this?'

The door, when they came upon it, was locked from the inside. The friends shared a look confirming their resolve. Akatsuki stepped forward and forcefully opened the door with his shoulder. The wood cracked at the hinges and leaned drunkenly into the room. Everyone crowded in behind the orange haired vampire, dying to sate their burning curiosity. Inside, their worst fears were confirmed.

It was apparent the spare room had been unoccupied and unused for ages. First to greet their noses was the musky scent of neglect. Dust had settled thick upon every surface. Abandoned cobwebs clung desperately to the corners as lone strands dangled from the ceiling like tattered ribbons. A battered desk, the only piece of furniture in the room, had been slid roughly against one of the far walls. And framed perfectly against the open window, stood the source of the sweet smelling blood.

A girl wearing the black uniform of the Day Class was clutched in a tight embrace. Her head was thrown back, liquid brown eyes shone brightly with shock and her mouth stretched open in a silent scream. Her spine was arched and she clutched desperately at the clean and pressed white uniform of her attacker. Leaning over the girl, the vampire was latched greedily onto his prey's milky neck. Locks of golden blond hair spilled over the predator's face hiding it from view. A trail of gleaming red blood escaped from around his delicate mouth.

"B-bastard! What do you think you're doing?" A second group of vampires had also followed the trail of blood hanging thick in the air. Rivaling Akatsuki in height, a dark haired vampire pushed his way to the front of the small group. "Taking the blood of a human… Kaname will have your head for this!"

Liquid pools of darkness gazed heatedly across the room at the blond vampire who had lost his mind. Known as Yuuta, the newly arrived vampire was built thin, but had an air of strength that surrounded him. Restrained by a pony tail at the base of his slender neck, long, inky black hair dropped down the center of his back. Already pale, his dark colored hair accented this fact.

Slowly, the blond vampire detached his white fangs from the smooth neck of his victim. Taking the time to lap up the spilt blood, before letting the limp body of the girl drop to the dusty floor. The group of vampires watching tensed. They were prepared to fight this renegade vampire if he chose to resist.

As they looked on, his shoulders began to tremble in fear. Which was reasonable, given the situation he was in. This vampire had just been caught in the act of something terrible. Apparently rejecting the blood tablets, he had given in to his desire for human blood. All the evidence they needed was laying at his feet. Now he was facing crippling odds of even leaving this dusty room alive. And if he somehow managed that, he would then have to face Kaname's judgment. Not an enviable position.

However, the watching vampires were stunned by the sound they were hearing. Soft and low to begin with, it was quickly escalating into pure hysterical laughter. He threw back his golden head and laughed so uncontrollably that tears sprang to his eyes and began streaming down his pale face. Soon the blond vampire was bending over again, gripping his aching sides and gasping for air.

Facing him across the room, multiple pairs of very annoyed, very angry red eyes glared menacingly at the blond who had, without a doubt, lost his mind. Most of the vampires relaxed and shifted into annoyed postures.

"Aidou!" came the sharp call of a commanding voice. Ruka stepped forward. "Explain your actions. What are you playing at?"

"The look… Your faces…!" the blond managed to gasp out. Hanabusa was having a difficult time quelling his laughter. "Priceless!"

Enraged, Ruka raised her fist and took a menacing step towards the defenseless blond prankster. However, she halted as Ichijo brushed past her.

Takuma bent down to examine the 'body' of the 'victim'. "A doll," he explained to the others. " And a very well made one at that. And the blood…?" he questioned himself. Brushing a finger along the lifelike doll's neck, he licked the tacky blood off his finger. "Squirrel?" He turned questioning green eyes up to the blond. "You used squirrel blood? Aidou, you are so mean. To play a trick like that…"

"Che." Annoyed, Rima turned and waved a hand in the air. "Waste of time." Face lacking emotion, Senri followed Rima out of the room, silently agreeing with the other model.

Akatsuki leaned impassively against the door frame, his arms crossed in front of his chest. This was just the sort of stunt his cousin would think of pulling. Childish, out of hand, crossing all sorts of lines, …and brilliant. There was just one fault with his cousins plans, he never considered the consequences. Not once. The orange haired vampire sighed as he heard the declaration he had been waiting for. He opened his amber eyes to gaze at Souen.

"Kaname will be furious when he hears about this!" Ruka was saying heatedly. "You went too far this time Aidou. I hope you're prepared to face the consequences."

Once again, it was Akatsuki's turn to play peacekeeper for his cousin's sake. "Souen," he began gently, "There was no harm done. It was a harmless, albeit distasteful, trick. Leave Kaname be. He has enough to deal with without having to listen to Hanabusa's little joke too."

Takuma chimed in, "Kaname is in a meeting with the Headmaster and is not expected to come back to the Moon Dorm until very late in the morning." Offering counseling, he added, "I would not disturb him with this today. If you insist, then I suggest you wait until tonight when he has gotten some rest."

Although clearly not happy about it, Ruka seemed to be thinking over Kain's and Ichijo's words. It was true, she didn't want to bother Kaname with something as petty as Aidou's pranks. The dorm leader had seemed distracted by something recently. Although he wouldn't tell them any details.

"Fine. I will let it be. This time." Ruka leveled her rose colored eyes at the blond prankster. "Do not ever pull something like this again, Aidou. I promise you, you will not like the results." She turned on her heel, pale peach colored hair fanning out behind her. She remained oblivious to the pink tongue sticking out of Hanabusa's mouth.

Hanabusa was in the clear. It was unbelievable, but it seemed as if he would go unpunished for his little trick. However, they had overlooked someone. "Vice dorm leader," the tall, dark haired vampire from earlier complained, stepping forward, "you can not let Aidou go unpunished for this!"

Drawing Yuuta's ire, Hanabusa snorted with contempt. Spreading his arms wide, he challenged, "What have I done wrong? What rules have I broken?"

"You created a disturbance!" Yuuta threw back readily.

Good mood vanishing, Hanabusa dropped his arms. It was clear this low class vampire was getting under his skin. "If there was a disturbance, you created it yourself," he replied irritably.

At his words, Yuuta's face contorted into rage. He growled, "I will not stand for this! You have mocked everything Kaname has tried to create!" He turned to address Ichijo, "Vice dorm leader, if you do not punish him, then I will go to Kaname in the evening to report his behavior. I am certain he will not be pleased to hear about Aidou's actions or your lack of them!"

"Enough, Yuuta!" Takuma stood to face the irate vampire. "I shall handle the situation. You may leave now," he dismissed.

Shaking with barely contained anger, Yuuta closed his hands into fists, drawing half moon shaped cuts where his fingernails pierced his skin. "Very well," he said bowing slightly, his silky black hair sliding to hang over his shoulder. Tight lipped, he turned and exited the room. The crowd outside swirled and drew back as he stalked away.

Sighing, Takuma raised a hand to his forehead. Easing the lines from his face, the pale blond vampire turned fluidly to addressed the curious vampires craning their heads around the doorframe. "I said that I will handle this. Everyone is welcome to leave now."

Grudgingly, and with much complaining, the crowd dispersed. Aidou stood with his arms folded and a smirk molding his lips, watching with much amusement as everyone filed away.

"Aidou," Takuma said returning his attention to the blond vampire, "to tell the truth, this was a very distasteful prank. You are getting off with a warning this time, but please watch yourself in the future. This could have had a very bad outcome." His jade green eyes searched disgruntled turquoise. "Well, I guess no harm was done," he conceded. As he walked past Kain, he lightly laid a hand on the taller vampire's arm. "Please look after him."

And so, it was just the two cousins left standing in the dust laden room. Akatsuki hadn't moved from his position leaning against the doorframe. Head turned to the side, his deep amber gaze observed his cousin passively. Hanabusa still stood framed against the lightening sky seen through the window. His beautiful, golden locks of hair were arranged in a seemingly messy style around his face. Brows drawn together in annoyance, his sharp teeth had sunk into his lower lip, drawing blood.

After a time, Akatsuki broke the silence, "You crossed a line, Hanabusa."

Spinning on his friend, Hanabusa spat out, "It was completely innocent! Why can't anyone see that? It was just a doll dressed up in a Day Class's uniform. Even the blood was fake!" Pouting childishly now, he complained, "It was everyone else's fault for overreacting."

Sighing, Akatsuki saw he wasn't going to get his cousin to see his mistake. "Be that as it may, I think it would be best if you apologized to them in the evening."

After a moment, Hanabusa lowered his unhappy turquoise eyes. "Fine," the blond consented reluctantly, his shoulders slumping in defeat. As the two cousins entered the hallway and walked side by side back toward their room, Hanabusa added in a whine, "It's not like I would have done something like that for real. Even if they were my blood type."

"I know, Hanabusa."

Whew! Chapter 1: complete!

The concept for this story came to me while I was day dreaming. And it wouldn't leave me alone until I had fleashed it out. So now my Muse has coerced me into posting it up to FF. In total, I plan to have roughly eight chapters when this is done, with the chance of a sequel if it does well enough.

Alright, I have a confession. I do not write for the readers. (Whoa, really?) Yes, I freely admit that I selfishly write for myself. So please reveiw and stroke my ego! (In truth, I want to know how I did. I'm not totally satisfied with this chaper. As writers, I believe we are born with insecurities.) :/

Stay tuned for Chapter 2: is Aidou actually going to apologise? Shocker!

~Iri Wind