DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vampire Knight! This is just a fanfiction! LOL

Prologue

"Are you sure you're doing the right thing, Kaname kun?" Kaien Cross asked him for the millionth time. It was the headmaster's job to watch out for all of his students, and he'd known Kuran for 10 years. He watched the man's dark eyes following the dark expensive car into the darkness, disappearing into the treeline, his expression blank.

"I'll be fine, chairman Cross. Now that the council is gone, Yuuki is safe, and she needs someone to look after her. Zero cares for her very much, and she him. They'll be more than okay."

Kaein cross sensed the truth in what Kaname said, but still worried. "Yes, perhaps you're right, but what about you?"

The young man turned his head to look at the chairman. Dark Mahogany hair framed his face and throat, giving him an almost elegant quality about him. His pale beautiful features and his large eyes showed no hint of remorse. "I am happy because Yuuki is happy. She is my sister, if not by birth, then in my heart. I'd planned on marrying her to protect her from the ambitions of other pure bloods, but there really isn't any need of that now. I'm sad to see her go, but not in the way that you think I am."

Cross sensed the truth in this as well, and his shoulders relaxed. " I see. And what do you plan on doing now?"

'I will not get my hopes up', Kaein repeated to himself. He eyed the man next to him with feigned casualness.

Kaname's lips twitched, in what Cross could have sworn was a smile. "Actually, I was hoping that, with your permission, I might stay on as Dormitory leader, to look after the newer vampires who want to attend the school, now that their elders can't stop them."

Kaein burst into happy tears. "Of course you can, Kaname Kun! I'll need all the help I can get, now that those two are gone."

Kaname dodged under the flailing arms of Cross's attempted hug,sighing heavily. He would miss Yuuki, that was certain, but he had another problem, a bigger problem to deal with than just that. The strange hunger that always attracted him to Yuuki, would not go away with her absence. He knew it wasn't just Yuuki's blood that attracted him that way. He'd met a few other, in his younger years, when he lacked control of his instincts. Each time had ended in tragedy, except with Yuuki. That was because he'd drank Yuuki's blood though. Kaname knew that he couldn't just do this with anyone else he would be attracted to, and now that Yuuki was gone, there was no one to turn to if the hunger was too strong. 'Well' , Kaname swore, 'I'll just have to become stronger, and hope that no poor soul will come wandering into my path'.

CHAPTER 1

2 months later

Mikomi Cross stared up in wonder at the beautiful architecture that was Cross Academy. Her cousin had really meant it when he'd told Mikomi in a letter that the school "was slightly old". It was ancient! She could see actual towers and spires on some of the older buildings, which were made out of some sort of white stone. The walls glinted in the dying sunset. It really was a beautiful place to attend school. She sighed at the sound of a throat clearing behind her. Her driver, Reynold, was an kindly old man in his 70's, with white hair and a large white mustache. She'd hired him to take her and her belongings to the school, and had made friends with him along the way. "Miss Cross, perhaps you'd better go inform the Chairman you're here, while I take your things inside?"

She really didn't want to go inside and meet the Chairman, but she didn't have much of a choice. "Very well, Reynold. I'll see you in about an hour." She straightened her shoulders with determination, and began her march up the steps of the main building. It had a large front porch with columns holding it up, and as she looked up, she could see real gargoyles perches on the roof, looking down at the newcomer. Their faces were horrible and distorted, quite monstrous even for gargoyles. Shivering, she looked away. Steeling herself for what was to come, she knocked on the door loudly, three times. She heard footsteps, and a moment later the door was opened by an elderly woman in a maid's outfit. Hair pulled into a tight bun and looking very professional, she smiled, doubling the wrinkles on her face. "You must be Ms. Cross, the chairman's cousin! Please come in".

"Thank you", she smiled at the lady before stepping in. She took her long red coat off, and fluffed out her dress. It was one of her best, a white short sleeved confection, simple and pretty, with only the red silk sash tied around her waist into a bow at the back to give it color. It went to just a little past her knees, showing her small white heels. She'd dressed her best to impress the chairman cross. Most of her other dresses were quite tattered. She had not been rich, and after her grandmother died two weeks ago, she'd sold most of her things to pay for the funeral and taxes. This dress was all she had left that was good enough to entertain guests. She had rarely done so even when Margaret Cross was alive. The sharp witted old woman had cherished solitude in her last years, Mikomi being the welcome exception. Mikomi quickly brushed her fingers through her long black hair, the sides tied up by a small red ribbon. She was led by the maid through the large and elegantly furnished home, the private residence of the Chairman. Marble floors stretched before her, the view only hindered by the spiral staircases to the second floor. They did not go up the stairs, but instead Mikomi was led down a hallway to the right, and was let into a room that resembled an office. There was no one in it.

"The Chairman will see you in a moment. Please wait here and make yourself comfortable. I will bring some tea shortly."

Mikomi nodded. "Thank you very much." The maid left, leaving the large wooden doors cracked open. Now that she was alone, Mikomi sighed, letting her face show the worry and nervousness she'd been feeling. Looking around the large office, she immediately was impressed by the occupant's taste. Dark thick red carpeting covered the floor, with full bookshelves lining the walls. Across the room from her, in front of a large window, was a large desk and two chairs. The one behind the desk was a type of reddish leather. The paintings on the wall were mostly landscapes, very beautiful. Mikomi's favorite was of a ship caught in a storm, the dark swells breaking across it's bow looking somehow very real. There were a few portraits as well. The first was of a young man with long white blond hair tied in a ponytail, and glasses perched on his nose. He had a very genuine smile on his face, and although his clothing and glasses would normally make someone look too serious and academic, his personality radiated out of his eyes, making his severity seem like an act. Mikomi smiled, thinking he must be a very kind man, whoever he was. The second portrait was of a young man with short silvery hair and grey eyes. He was very beautiful, but his expression made him seem older. He looked very serious, almost as if he'd seen too much in his life. He didn't look happy to be posing for the portrait. The last portrait was of a young girl, close to Mikomi's age of 16. Dark hair fell to her shoulders, and her large brown eyes took up most of her face. She was beaming happily at her, wearing a blue dress and looking so innocent and joyful. Mikomi walked closer. The girl in the picture seemed very carefree, and her portrait was placed in the middle of the other two, almost protectively so. Mikomi couldn't help but smile. She could tell this girl was loved by many, just by the way she was captured in the painting. Mikomi saw a word written in the right hand corner and got closer, tracing it with her fingers. "Yuuki." That must be the girl's name. Yuuki meant snow.

Mikomi heard the door creak, and she turned to see a young man standing in the doorway. Mikomi immediately recognized him as the blonde man in the first portrait. seeing him face to face, she put his age around 30. He was very handsome, with his blond hair tied back into a ponytail, some of the front and sides loosely framing his face. He had the same glasses as in the portrait, perched loosely on his nose. He wore an elegant dark gray button up coat, a white shirt peeking out from underneath the high collar, with dark matching pants. He really was quite striking, and I couldn't help but blush a little that he'd caught me snooping around his office.

He smiled, a wide friendly smile, and closed the door behind him. "You must be Mikomi chan. I'm Kaien Cross, the Chariman of Cross Academy. Please, sit down." He gestured to the desk chair, and Mikomi smiled nervously and did as he asked, watching as he casually took his own chair behind his desk. "I trust your trip went well? You must be tired. I hear it is quite a long way here from your home in the south."

Mikomi relaxed slightly under his genuine kindness. "Yes, it was a long trip, but an uneventful one. It gave me time to read, and your forests and hills are very beautiful and peaceful."

Kaien smiled. "Yes, it is quite lovely, although the weather can be quite harsh in the winter." He leaned forward, his expression becoming sympathetic. "I am sorry to hear about our Grandmother passing away. She was a very smart and kind woman. You must be very upset."

Mikomi nodded, remembering her late grandmother. "Ayame dono was a very wonderful person. She was kind to take me in 8 years ago, after father and mother died in the accident." Mikomi looked into his eyes. "You are also very kind to take me in. I'm sorry to be a burden to you."

Kaien's expression became kind. "You don't have to worry about burdening me, Mikomi. I have plenty of room for you, and I would do no less for the daughter of Akihiko. Please consider this your home now. I need the company anyway."

Kaien seemed sad, and Mikomi saw his gaze flicker to the portraits behind her.

Mikomi couldn't help but ask. "Who are they, the people in the portraits?"

"My adopted daughter, Yuuki, and Zero, a boy who lived here for a while. They are together now, Yuuki and Zero. They left the school 2 months ago, traveling."

Mikomi saw the sadness, the loneliness in his eyes. Maybe he really did need the company. "Well, I promise to behave myself, and do my best in school, don't worry!" She tried to cheer him up. Kaien laughed at her sincerity, the gloom dispelled from his face, temporarily. "Very well. And I insist you have dinner with me, so I can get to know my cousin whom I didn't know even existed until a few weeks ago."

Mikomi agreed heartily. She was lonely too, and understood how he felt. Maybe together, they could have a family again.

There was a soft knock on the door, and Kaien glanced up. "Come in".

Mikomi turned in her seat to see who it was, and barely had time to control the gasp that almost escaped her throat. A tall, slender young man entered the room, and Mikomi knew she'd never seen anyone else more handsome. He was very pale, but not sickly looking, just very light skinned. His dark brown hair, streaked with lighter auburn, framed his face, and trailed across his neck to brush his shoulders. His eyes were amazing, almond colored and framed with thick lashes. His features were perfect, and Mikomi had the fleeting thought that angels must look like this. Mikomi picked up her slack jaw before he looked at her, and her face was almost normal when his gaze settled on her. He was wearing a white school uniform, and unlike most school uniforms, this one seemed to suit him. It had dark stitching down the front of the coat, the collar, and the sleeves. He wore a black shirt underneath it, complete with a blood red tie. He studied her from under his dark lashes, his face calm and polite. She smiled back nervously, and she watched as he slowly looked over to Kaien.

"Chairman, if I'm interrupting something, I can come back another time." His voice was light and melodic, and to Mikomi's frazzled mind, just a little sensual. She didn't know much about the opposite sex, but she knew that the girls here must have a seriously hard time with this one.

Kaien looked happy, if a little nervous, to see him. "Not at all. Kaname kun, this is Mikomi Cross, a cousin of mine who is coming to stay at Cross Academy." Kaien smiled at her. "Mikomi, this is Kuran Kaname, and he attends the night class here."

Mikomi frowned."The night class? What is that?" She watched as both of their expressions froze. Kaname seemed to look to Cross for instructions, and Kaien gave him a lingering look Mikomi didn't know how to decipher. Turning to me, he smiled, all traces of the confusion and surprise gone. Mikomi recognized the lie in his face immediately. Something she said had bothered them.

"Mikomi, did your father not tell you about Cross Academy?" Kaien's gaze bored into hers, almost as if he were trying to read her mind.

"No, I'm afraid he didn't, Chairman." She used his name formally, not sure at the sudden change in mood. "I just know that you had one, and that you were my cousin. Father mentioned family very rarely." Mikomi chewed on her lip nervously. "Is there something wrong?"

Kaien smiled even brighter, reassuring. "Call me Kaien, at least when we aren't in , nothing's wrong at all. I just didn't realize your father had been so... quiet about his relatives." Kaname stayed still, watching the dialogue with interest. Something about him bothered Mikomi, but she couldn't quite place it. It might be in the grace in which he moved, which seemed... unnatural to her. Maybe it was his eyes, and the intensity of them, or the way he looked at her, almost too interested. Mikomi shrugged all of these off as affects from her nervous state.

"So, what class will I be attending, Kaien sama?" She asked politely, trying to break up the tension she felt in the room. As she watched both of their expressions, she could tell that she'd done just the opposite. Kaien's expression was one of shock, but the only way Mikomi could tell Kaname was surprised was by the slight widening of his eyes, almost imperceptible.

"The day class of course! Why would you possibly think that you could stay in a class for..." He cut off, a look of understanding in his eyes. He turned to Kaname, smiling apologetically. "Kaname kun, we will have to talk later, it seems as if I need to fill in Mikomi chan on what kind of school Cross Academy is." He looked like he was trying to convey something to Kaname, and Kaname seemed to understand, because he nodded and turned to leave. "Of course, Chairman. I'll leave you... to that. If you need any help, let me know." He turned to Mikomi, a new expression in his face, part amusement, part something else, something darker that Mikomi didn't understand. "Good evening, Mikomi chan. We'll see each other around, I'm sure." The way he said that made her shiver. His lips twitched, and he was gone , closing the door behind him silently.

Kaien Cross turned to her, with an almost embarrassed look on his face. "Mikomi, if you'll sit down, I'll try to explain this to you without upsetting you too much."

Mikomi felt the blood drain from her face. She'd done something wrong, she knew it! She was going to be sent away! She sat down quietly, lightheaded. 'Please don't be angry' she thought desperately, trying to think of what she possibly could have done. Kaien didn't sit down. Instead, he went to stand before the window, looking out of it and seeming to gather his wits. Turning to face her, he said "Mikomi, do you know about what your parents did for a living? Before they had you?"

Mikomi was surprised. "I knew that they were hunters... but they didn't talk about it to me. Why?"

Kaien seemed a bit relieved. "So, then you know about vampires?" Mikomi nodded, trying to understand where this was going. Of course she knew about vampires. Her parents were hunters, vampire hunters, before Mikomi was born. Whenever she'd asked them about it, they'd become very serious and say that it wasn't their life anymore, and it wasn't hers either. She never understood why, but she'd respected them enough not to ask about it anymore.

Kaien sighed. "You've never seen a vampire before, have you?" It didn't sound like a question, but a statement.

"No, my parents never let me near one. I've only ever heard about them from my parents, and they didn't mention it often. Why?"

"Mikomi, Cross Academy isn't a normal school. We have two classes. One, called the day class, is for the normal students, and they attend class in the mornings and afternoons. The night class, however, isn't normal." His gaze watched her carefully. "Mikomi, the night class... are vampires."

Mikomi didn't understand at first, but as her mind drifted back to the young man who'd interrupted them, she gasped in understanding. "Kuran Kaname is.... a vampire?!" She felt dizzy. She'd just met a vampire. She'd talked to it, and it had been only a few feet away from her. "Kaien, what are you thinking? I thought vampires were.... monsters?"

Kaien's expression turned stern. "I know that's what your parents have taught you, but you're wrong. Vampires are different, and they do feed off of blood, but not all of them are bad, you understand? The vampires here are not level E's. They can control themselves."

Mikomi swallowed hard. They weren't level E's, Kaien had said. She remembered her father vaguely telling her the difference. Level E's were vampires that weren't born, but bitten. Bitten vampires went out of control, their instincts taking over, turning into little more than animals. Born vampires were in control over themselves, and didn't have to feed like level E's. She also vaguely remembered something about blood tablets.

"So you're saying that the vampires here are safe?" She asked, a little skeptically. She'd never met one, but she'd always been fascinated by stories that she'd heard. Beautiful, and deadly, they were supposed to be extremely powerful.

"Not necessarily. Vampires are...still attracted to humans, which is why we have the classes separated. There is always a chance of danger, but the vampires here are here for a reason. They want to peacefully coexist with humans, and that makes them safer than most. Kaname kun, is a pure blood vampire, so he's more in control of himself than the others. He's also a friend, and I trust him. I've known him for 10 years, and he's Yuuki's brother."

Mikomi's eyes flickered over to the girl in the portrait. "She's a vampire too?" Mikomi was relaxing some. The chairman didn't seem stupid or reckless. She didn't think he'd endanger his students, not willingly. She also knew that her grandmother wouldn't have arranged for her to be sent here if she though Mikomi would be in danger.

Kaien nodded, seeing her fear slowly subside. He smiled, proud and happy. "I'm glad you aren't ... reacting badly to this. I knew that your parents kept you sheltered from this stuff, I just didn't realize how much. If you don't want to attend the Academy, I will understand completely. I will find you somewhere to live with another relative, one who will treat you well and won't expose you to ... vampires. If that is your wish."

Mikomi looked at her cousin, at his forced cheerfulness. He really did want her to stay. He was lonely, and didn't have any family, just like her. Suddenly, Mikomi didn't care if vampires lived in the Academy. She knew where she wanted to be. "My wish is to stay here in the Academy, with you, cousin Kaien. I was just... surprised, is all."

Kaien beamed at her, and she could swear there was moisture in his eyes. "Great! Wonderful! I had a room prepared for you. Unfortunately, all of our students are paired off in dorm rooms, but we have some quarters you can use that are empty. Do you mind not having a roommate?"

Mikomi smiled. "I'll be fine on my own. In truth, I like the idea of my own room." She didn't mention that she'd taken to having nightmares recently, and had been waking up screaming. It was embarrassing enough as it was, and a roommate would just make it worse. She never remembered the whole dream, she just remembered the very end. In the end, she was laying in a large bed with silken red sheets. At first, everything seemed okay, until she realized the sheets were not red, they were covered in blood. Then, almost as if noticing it makes it happen, she was covered with blood as well. It dripped from her hair, and down her face, warm and wet. She would start screaming, and then, she woke up.

Well, not tonight. Tonight, she was going to take some sleeping medicine she bought before she left for the school. She would have a hard enough day as it was without having no sleep added on to it. Hopefully, the medicine would stop her from dreaming as well. Anything to not wake up screaming into the night.