Ayama was unlike any other vampire. She was raised differently than most vampires. She was born on a rainy night in the middle of winter. Her parents were one of the few remaining purebloods, mainly because they had hidden themselves from their vampiric society.

It was in the midst of a small town that Ayama and her family lived after her mother and father had fled their riches and respect from the Elder Council. Chiyo and Akemi Wakahisa wished to raise their daughter in a political free environment. They wanted Ayama to have a human-like childhood and experience things each of them had always wished to have had themselves. They especially wanted their daughter to live a simple life, one without bitter war and corruption.

So, it was in the small village, under the pretense of being a watchmaker and housewife, that Chiyo and Akemi raised their only daughter. Ayama was happy and would play with Iku, her best of friends under her parasol all day long.

But, as all children, she would grow and discover the truth. Sadly, she was forced to realize she was not human after a disastrous first kiss. She was sixteen when her crush, Hiroshi, had taken her hand and led her away from a friend's birthday party. And, it was inside the closet where Hiroshi had kissed Ayama, and Ayama's inner vampire was awakened. It was in the darkness amongst the coats which reeked of mothballs that she had sucked his blood.

The end result was Hiroshi's transformation into a vampire, and the fleeing of the Wakahisa family and Hiroshi. Hiroshi, now bonded with Ayama, refused to leave her side as her parents took her and left the small town. It was through these consequences that Ayama learned of what she was and what she could do. Hiroshi willingly became a servant and confidante to Ayama after much despair over losing his human life, once the truth was out. The two of them together comforted each other as each realized their lives were no longer to be the same.

Chiyo and Akemi had decided in the end to reenter their society and send their daughter to a boarding school. They chose a special school because it had a separate class for vampires and because it was a place where Ayama would be able to have blood tablets, instead of feeding off Hiroshi.

And so, Ayama, possibly the most human of vampires, entered Cross Academy. But, little did she or her parents know, fate and destiny would twist and turn, and Ayama's purpose would be more than any could have foreseen.

But, of course, her trail to Cross Academy and her destiny would not be one traveled without watching, waiting eyes.

--

A light rain fell from the smoke colored sky. Low rumbles echoed across the trees and dorms as a black carriage slowly made it's way onto the academy's campus. The white horses' hooves clacked against the brick drive as the hooded driver guided the carriage into the Moon dorms courtyard.

Ayama stared out of the small window, her heart terribly missing Iku, her best friend. But, now, she knew, she had to accept Hiroshi as her main friend. There was a part of her that was delighted she would meet more of her own kind and make friends with them, but there was another part of her that wanted to make human friends also.

Her parents had strictly told her that, at school, she was to abide by the school rules, or else. The set of school rules she had received had explained that there was to be limited contact between humans and vampires.

Flipping open the guide to Cross Academy, she frowned and threw it across the carriage. Hiroshi placed a comforting hand on her arm, but she simply shrugged him off.

She had only known she was a vampire for two weeks, and already she was being sent off. Ayama still felt a sort of bitterness towards her parents and strongly fought against their wishes since they had left the town.

The driver opened the door, and Ayama stepped out. Feeling the cobblestones beneath her feet reminded her of her own town's marketplace, but the building before her resembled none of the buildings there.

It hovered over her, staring down with curtained windows and shadows. She felt as if the building was sad, as if the ornate carved building was weary with hiding secrets.

Her heart broke a little as she realized she could relate. Ayama would give anything to turn back time, to refuse her instincts. And, as much as she wanted to place blame, she knew she couldn't. Her parents had only wanted what they thought was best, and Ayama knew she wouldn't-couldn't- be upset with them for long.

Hiroshi extended his arm. "Come, Ayama."

She slowly linked her arm through his, wishing she could run away. She was nervous.

The driver gathered their belongings and followed after them silently.

Hiroshi's steps were quick, and she could tell he was eager to get out of the rain. He was never one for enjoying storms, but she loved them. She loved the cool rain on her face, and she loved running through tall, wet grass, like she had done so many times in the fields that had surrounded her little home.

Home.

Touching the light colored building, Ayama joined her sadness with it as Hiroshi knocked. It wasn't long until the doors, by magic it seemed, opened wide to reveal a commodious entrance. The whole Night Class, dressed in formal livery, stared at the newcomer and immediately bowed.

She tensed and gulped, gripping Hiroshi's arm tightly. Together, they glided in. Ayama titled her head in respect at the other students as a tall, lean vampire stepped forward.

His eyes were intense and powerful, his presence just as so. Long, black locks fell to his shoulders and dangled in his eyes. "Welcome, Lady Ayama." He bowed low. "I am Kanama Kuran." He took her hand and kissed the back of it.

He was a pureblood too. She didn't know how she knew, but she could feel it in the pit of her stomach.

Returning the bow, she replied, "Thank you, Kuran-sama." Ayama nearly introduced Hiroshi, but she remembered what her parents had taught her in her crash course of learning the vampire culture. Hiroshi was considered a lowly servant and was supposed to be unseen.

But he was her friend, and she wasn't going to have him hiding in her shadow, especially when she was terrified out of her bones.

Kaname's eyes flashed to Hiroshi for a moment, but his face revealed no emotion. "I understand your trip has been long. Ruka will show you to your rooms." He bowed again.

A pale, blonde female stepped forward, a fake smile plastered onto her face. She too bowed and began the ascent of the grand staircase.

Feeling the eyes of all the vampires, Ayama and Hiroshi followed, the driver following behind them, juggling their luggage effortlessly. Once she was shown her room, the driver left her luggage inside it and handed Hiroshi his as the vampire named Ruka simply gestured to Hiroshi's room across the hall.

And then, with a bow, the elegant vampiress disappeared, along with the driver.

"Do you need any help?" Hiroshi asked.

She wanted to say yes, that she needed help in escaping. But she simply shook her head and closed the door softly. Turning to her luggage, Ayama began to unpack with long, exaggerated movements.

The room was similar to the one she had had when her parents had brought her back into the vampire society. It was a large square with intricate carvings on the paneled wall. It was also very white. A lace canopy hung over her full sized bed which had white, puffy covers and pillows. A potted plant sat in the corner, it's small leaves withering. Velvety, maroon curtains covered the vast window.

Striding towards it, she flung them open to see the Night Dorms courtyard below. A fountain with an angel in the center and cherubs dancing around it sat at the center. And, beside the fountain, was a boy with silvery hair.

His eyes flashed up to her window, making Ayama jump, but not look away. Her eyes were transfixed as the boy stared up at her with a scowl.

Sniffing the air, she sifted through the smells to find his. Before she had left, her parents had taught her, though she was rude and troublesome, some things that normal vampires would be able to do.

Since her childhood, Ayama hadn't realized any of these special abilities. Her parents had explained that her body had subconsciously masked them since she had no need for them.

But, the boy by the fountain wasn't human, nor vampire. The blood running beneath his veins were in turmoil, and his scent was strange to Ayama.

Waving just a little at the odd boy, she could see the disgust and confusion across his face. Adding a smile, albeit fake, she waved again. She wasn't sure what she was hoping for, possibly a human reaction, but there was none.

A girl wearing a black form of the uniform, one Ayama suspected to be the Day Class one, dashed out into the courtyard. She and the silver haired boy exchanged words and headed off.

The girl, however, hesitated and turned. Ayama waved and smiled once again, her nostrils telling her that this girl was a human.

Cocking her head to the side, the cute Day Class girl raised her hand to wave, but was forced to move on as the other boy grabbed her wrist and dragged her away.

Wishing to speak with Hiroshi about the strange boy, she moved to her door but froze at the sound of voices.

"She's so weird, walking arm-in-arm with a servant," it was a female's voice.

"I hear she was raised with humans," a lazy sounding voice replied. "How vile, is that? Terrible humans."

Ayama thrust her door open, with more strength than she realized. The door burst opened and was flung against Hiroshi's door, shattering the two of them. Hiroshi, who happened to be half naked, shouted and ducked under his bedcovers. The two vampires in the hallway turned and glared.

Ayama glared back. She had yet to fully understand vampire culture, but, from what she did know, purebloods were to be respected. "Do you have a problem?" she hissed, a sensation rippling over her skin.

Their eyes went wide, and the two of them shivered and fell to their knees.

"Please forgive us!" the cried in unison.

She blinked, realizing she could see her own breath. An icicle dropped from the ceiling, shattering on the floor in front of her feet.

"Wakahisa-san," the cream-like voice of Kaname Kuran broke through her shock. "Is everything fine?"

Feeling afraid and unsure, she bowed. "I am sorry for breaking the door! It-it happened so suddenly and-"

Then he was before her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "It is fine, Wakahisa-san. I understand. Ruma and Shiki will clean this up. Please, do come with me. If you are not tired, that is."

Another icicle shattered on the floor. Glancing up, she could see them dangling from the ceiling, stretching down both ends of the hallway. Nodding slowly, she followed Kaname.