Prologue

July 5, 1798

The south of Ireland near Askeaton Castle

"Kaname! Kaname get into the tunnels now!" his father roared.

Kaname Kuran couldn't move, shocked. His father had been gone for more than a year, though he had sent word every few weeks, and though he was only eleven years old, he was acutely aware of the war at hand. Vampires verses vampire hunters, in a death battle, god only knew how many were killed with so much hope-and so much fear.

He was so relieved to finally see him again and dreadfully afraid. He was afraid that his father was hurt-and he was afraid of far worse. Kaname had never seen his eyes so wild. Dear God. "Kaname listen to me get into the tunnels!" his father roared again, looking at the small child. "Everything is going to be fine," he added softly, "Just get into the tunnels and don't come out unless me or your mother come for you." he finished as the front door slammed closed.

Kaname blinked back tears of despair and ran toward the tunnels. He would be safe there no matter what happens he will be safe. Mother and father are going to come get him. He had to get to the tunnels. Fear made him feel faint as he ran.

Finally he got to the tunnel door just as he heard the front door open , "Come out Kaname, no one is going to hurt you." he heard the voice say, as he punched in the code to open the door. Come on, come on. At last the door open and in he went, before closing the door again. Then without thought he ran towards the peek hole he had carved when he was young. What he saw made him sick. Thousands were dead. Not just from one side but from both. He was only eleven but he knew a slaughter when he saw one.

Suddenly he saw several vampire hunters surround his father, whose hands were bound. " To whom do I have the honor of this acquaintance?" his father mocked. "I am from the Kiryu family my first name is not of importance." the hunter returned, smiling coldly. He looked toward the door, hearing noises.

"Come on out Kaname, I know your in there." he heard a man say outside the door. "Don't make me tear down the door." There was nothing else to do so he did what his parents taught him, he heated up the door, so when the man rammed it he would get burnt. Then he turned back to the peek hole only to see the hunter unsheathed his sword and struck his father, severing his head. But not before he heard his father voice in his head telling to run far way from here.

Kaname stared-beyond shocked-as his father's head rolled to the ground, both eyes open and still filled with rage. Then he ran, ran as if his life depended on it., which it did.

A burning began. It began somewhere deep inside his soul, emanating in huge, hare, dark waves, creeping into his very blood, until it consumed him, bitterly acrid, red hot.

One day he would have his revenge. One day, when the time was right. The Kiryu family would pay the price for killing his father and mother.

April 5, 1812

Richmond, Virginia

This couldn't be happening to her. Why…why now. She asked herself as she attended the funeral of her parents. Who would help take care of the plantation her parents left her, and what about the strange letter she received from her cousin in England, Zero. No I wont think of that right now there are debts that are owed and I must figure out how to paid them. I must! She thought with renewed determination.

The next day wore on as expected, that is until she learned that her cousin had put the plantation up for sell. "No this can't be happening how can he do this!" Yuuki screamed when she saw the newspaper add. "This is unacceptable. I wont allow him to do this. I swear I will…I will go over to England this instant." She said angrily, hurrying towards her bedchambers. "Sara! Sara help me pack my thing." "Miss wouldn't it be logical if you went to the bank for a loan first." Sara said. "Yes, I guess your right. But then that's why you're here Sara, to keep in check and at my wits." she said partly smiling still picking at her clothes. "Tomorrow, we shall go into town and visit Charles Jr., the president of the First Bank of Virginia. My father's good friend. And if I have to move heaven and earth to get that loan I will." she said as she still packed her things just in case she did have to travel to England to ask her cousin Zero.

She was wearing her Sunday best, as she tried to smile bravely at Tom. Yuuki intended to move heaven and earth¾more like Charles Jr.¾in order to prevent Nachtfälle (Night falls) from being sold, but the stakes were so damned high. Inside she was terrified, what if Charles Jr. didn't loan her the funds necessary to pay off her father's debts then what would happen. God, she hated her cousin, the Earl of Eastleigh, he hadn't even talked about the state of the plantation with her. In spite that it belonged to her!

Well it would, if it hadn't been sold off by her twenty-one birthday. "Miss Yuki were here." "Thank you Tom." she said as she got of the carriage and entered the bank.

"Yuuki! My dear, how are you faring." "Fine I suppose," she said extending her hand as Charles took it firmly. "Do come in, I suppose you're her to see me about your plantation." He said offering her a chair and some tea. "Frankly yes, I have come her to secure a loan, so that I may pay off my father's debts and save Nachtfälle from sale and even possible termination." "I have help father manage the plantation since I was a child. No one knows better how to plant and harvest, ship and sell tobacco then I do. I assure you, sir, that I would repay your loan in full, with any necessary interest, as soon as possible."

"I'm sorry Yuuki, but I can not help you. His debts amount to a staggering twenty-two thousand dollars." The shock was so great that her heart stopped and her stomach lurched. "This can't be." " I have talked with your cousin's agent and we have decided that the best way to deal with this is to sell the plantation. Even if I was foolish enough to lend a young and untried girl such a sum of money, there is simply on way you could ever repay me. At least not from the plantation."

"Then lend me the funds personally." she cried. "Yuuki, I do not have that kind of wealth. I am sorry." She was in disbelief, as she got up and headed out the bank. Her cousin was an earl. Earls were wealthy. She would borrow the money from him. She knew what had to be done. As her father was so fond of saying, where there was a will there was a way. She'd always had plenty of will. Now she'd find a way.