So this was supposed to be posted weeks ago but I kinda got side tracked….. Anyways I've been holding this story in my head for a while and I finally decided to write it! I would like to thank my amazing beta Elantina, go check out her Inuyasha stories! I will take constructive criticism only and if I get flames I will set PrincessRev on your butt! Thank you and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing…..but Zero shall be mine! MWAHAHAHA!


Bloodlines

Chapter One

The gates loomed distantly over the canopy of the trees, the night stroking its iron bars imprudently and begging for entrance. The stars turned their gaze in earnest to the entrance of the prestige academy as a short figure emerged from the obscure blanket of the shadows. The moon wove its delicate, silver fingers through her ivory tresses, creating a stark contrast against the darkness of the autumn night. Kiyomi halted near the gates, her violet eyes narrowed in suspicion as her hand reached to stroke a smooth, iron bar. Her rosy lips curved into a smirk.

A sudden weight pressed down on her shoulder. She turned, nonplussed, to find a crow taking refuge on the curve between her shoulder and arm. Recognition glimmered in her eyes. "I was wonder where you had gone off to, Tadashi," she said, addressing the crow casually.

"I apologize, my lady. There was more important business that I had to attend to," he replied coolly in a smooth, velvety voice. The sound sent shivers gliding down her spine.

"More important than me, eh?" She chuckled humorlessly, smirking.

"It was important for you, if you wanted to get into the school without being identified by the purebloods."

Kiyomi gave Tadashi, her gracious servant and protector, a sideways glance, a frown marring her lips. "Can you please drop the disguise? It's only me."

"Of course, my lady." Tadashi obediently took the air, only to land seconds later at a short proximity from her.

A halo of ivory light enshrouded him, its fingers slowly concealing him until he was masked by brilliant light. The light slowly grew until it reached the height of a typical human male, and then slowly began to disperse. In place of the crow was a tall, lanky, thin man clad in an ebony cloak. He was as any pureblood vampire should be: inexplicably handsome, a high and mighty, but proud look, with an aura that forced upon-to both humans and vampires alike-the potent emotion of fear. His messy, wavy, chin length hair looked as though it had been crafted from the fabric of the night. His eyes, like two bottomless pits, glistened darkly in the moonlight.

Despite the fact that they had known each other for and traveled together for years, his inexplicable beauty never ceased to amaze her. She always wondered why he stayed with her. He could have gone back to the luxurious lifestyle of a pureblood, but no….he decided she was worth more. She still couldn't understand why.

She was startled from her reverie when he spoke, "This choker will change your appearance and scent to everyone but me and you," he said as he pulled the small necklace from his coat pocket.

Kiyomi admired it with wide eyes as it dangled from his fingers, the obsidian gem glinting in the silver spotlight from the full moon. Intricate designs such as vines and swirls decorated the surface of the black ribbon like chain, and she felt her heart swell at the beauty of it. The vines seemed to wind around her heart in violet ropes, intensifying her feelings. However, she had no name for these powerful sentiments.

She combed her fingers through her hair as he tied the necklace around her neck. His cold, ashen fingers brushed her skin for a moment, the brief contact sending electric tingles down her spine. She shivered involuntarily.

Then his lips were at her ear, whispering in a velvet, elusive voice, "Be safe, Kiyomi."

Kiyomi grinned wryly. "No promises."

He lingered there for a moment, his gaze locked with hers for several haunting moments, before the inexplicable glow haloed him again and his body transformed. He took to the air with silent wings, the only evidence of his presence being the ebony-drenched feather that slowly descended to the ground.

She fingered the locket affectionately, a soft, contemplative smile glued to her rosy lips. "No promises," she murmured to the night.