AN: Ummmm, so... I don't feel particularly satisfied with this story as it is, but if I wait and keep changing it, it will literally never be published. So...I decided to put up this chapter to see how people feel about it. If you don't like it, I can always take it down and try again, no harm done. But I really need some feedback, so I'd appreciate any/all reviews.

Anyway, this was meant to mirror My Scarlet Letters in the sense that it would be in the same universe, the universe I created because I was unsatisfied with the end of the manga (pre-VK Memories, which I have issues with and am planning to rewrite, too, but that's another can of worms..). In the end, it's kind of in it's own universe? This chapter (as you will see) takes place prior to the start of the manga, although not by much, and I had the school year start in January, after Xmas break, since, considering the events of the manga, it made sense to do it that way.

I disliked that Hino wrote Shima as childhood friends, because (IMO) it completes ruins any character development for Shiki. It's not as compelling a love story if they've known each other for most of their lives, vs them meeting and Rima changing him slowly. Not to mention, I feel like Hino totally brushed aside Shiki's rather tragic past? His mom is crazy and neither does he have a father figure, although he has to know from stories just how psychotic his father was. I mean, he was instructed to live like a doll by his own mother..? I think those circumstances would definitely be traumatic to grow up with. So... I felt that I should bring out those elements, to really showcase how important Rima's role in his life is. Otherwise, his character seems really flat and uninteresting to me, because he doesn't change and grow.

Additionally, I have added 2 more changes. 1- I gave Rima a little more emotion, at least internally (in her head)... Not a LOT, but a LITTLE because otherwise it's boring to read AND write... And, 2- I have Shima already friends with Ichijou and calling him Ichijou-kun(in the dialogue) rather than Ichijou-san, which is how both of them refer to him in the manga. Idk, minor changes, but worth mentioning to avoid confusion.

Anyway, on to the chapter. -nervous- -nervous-

Soon it will be...January...

Those words reverberated curiously through her mind. At last, there would be a change to her monotonous existence. Day after day, minute after everlasting, repetitive minute, Rima had been growing bored. With work, life, everything. Continuing the same humdrum routine everyday was enough to make her want to roll over in the mornings and sleep through the day. Her dreams were far more interesting than anything the real world had to offer her. They immersed her in a world of color and sensations completely unlike the routine world in which she dwelled in. So, perhaps out of desperation, she had found herself vaguely eager when she had been approached to join the pureblood Kaname Kuran at his pointless endeavor of creating peace between the humans and vampires via the Night Class at a nearby human academy. The class had been around for a few years, though the idealism was lost on her, because in reality she thought that such a thing like peace wasn't possible, nor did she have any real interest in humans. They were just another boring aspect of the world that she could care less about. Another cardboard puzzle piece to a one dimensional, black and white picture. Not to mention, considering she was a noble vampire, if she was in need of blood she had only to ask one of her servants. Feeding was, like everything else, tedious and routine. Annoying, even, because she didn't want to be troubled by it.

And then, in addition to the small scrap of change that the academy offered, she discovered she would have a new coworker at the agency where she modeled, and not just any coworker. Her new colleague would be none other than Senri Shiki, aristocrat vampire like herself. He, like her, would be attending Cross Academy this year. It wasn't Shiki's sudden appearance itself that excited her, but rather the fact that she was an avid fan of his mother, who was a prominent actress, even though lately she had dropped off the map. Rima had wanted to become an actress since the first instant she'd seen Hana Shiki grace the screen. Compared to Hana's performances, modeling in photos was disappointingly shallow. She wanted something 3D, something that moved and lived and breathed and plunged her into fantasy. A photo could only express so much depth. A film, however... That was entirely different. That wasn't a sepia newspaper or a monochrome magazine cover. A film was multicolored and iridescent, glowing richly like a jewel in sand. That was what Rima really desired, even though her parents advised against it, because fame brought with it many impertinent questions, such as: what's your secret to looking so young? Unfortunately, vampirism wasn't on the list of accepted responses.

The creak of the door opening interrupted her thoughts. Lazily, Rima adjusted one of the navy blue ribbons that adorned her golden pigtails before turning towards the sound. Her expression was nonplussed and serene, even as her nerves hummed with a hint of excitement. Perhaps Shiki would introduce her to his mother. Perhaps she could become friends with the woman she adored. Perhaps, then, she would even be given a chance in the acting industry. Even if her acting career would be short-lived due to her parents' opposition and her vampiric genes, she still wanted to experience it. With the sound of that door opening, it finally seemed as if the world was flickering with static, colorful possibilities.

She recognized him the moment he stepped through the threshold. His tousled, burgundy hair and blue eyes were the mirror image of his mother, even if the rest of him was somewhat different. He had already been assigned as Rima's partner on their next project, which began this afternoon, and she could see why. He was tall without looming over her, lean, with a fine bone structure that leant his features more towards the description beautiful than handsome. In short, he made a perfect counterpoint for her own slim-boned build and pretty features. Not to mention, she rather favored his trendy, low-key style, even if the staff had chosen it for him for the shoot. He was dressed in jeans and a form-fitting, low-necked grey shirt that contrasted well with his hair and eyes. She decided, rather distantly, that as her model counterpart he was perfect. As a vampire, she wasn't yet sure if he won her approval. Certainly, his blood had a distinct scent to it, something akin to rain and dusk, with perhaps an undertone of agar. It was difficult to know if that mixture of subtle fragrances appealed to her or not. Either way, at least it wasn't something offensive or terribly vivid, like her friend Takuma Ichijou's scent. That scent made her crinkle her nose at times. This one did not.

"Nice to meet you," she told the vampire, tone as impassive as her face. She was cautiously optimistic about their partnership, but nevertheless this was their first meeting. Although most aristocratic vampires tended to have a passing familiarity with one another, the Shikis and Toyas were on opposing ends of the political spectrum and moreover both of their families were somewhat reclusive.

"Nice to meet you," he murmured in an automatic response. Her words barely processed in his eyes as he scanned the room and settled down at the other table beside hers.

"You're Senri Shiki aren't you?" the blond asked, though it was more of rhetorical question. Obviously she knew who he was. It wasn't as if she had seen every movie his mother had been in...or anything...

For a moment, she wondered if he had heard her at all. Then, belatedly, his eyes rose to meet hers, moving so sluggishly that she had the impression that they were anchored by heavy weights. In photos, his eyes had always been a cool blue; but here, in person, they registered as more of an overcast grey. Grey, and rather lifeless, really. They barely flickered in recognition of his own name. She could almost see dusty cogs rolling behind the screens of those eyes, processing her question. She detained a pensive frown before it marred her lips.

He said nothing. His expression did not even waver for an instant. Perhaps he was shy. And then his infuriating reply sounded: "Obviously."

Narrowing her eyes at this sarcastic, mechanical response, she declared, "I'm Rima Toya," though he was sure to already know her name.

There was another pause, one that buzzed loudly into the air. Abruptly, she felt a wave of impatience rush over her, refraining from tapping her foot to contain her sudden irritation. Her fantasies of having him introduce her to his mother were dashing to bits almost immediately, crashing and breaking like waves against the rocky grey of his eyes. She didn't want more monotonous grey in her life. She didn't want model work to be drudgery like it sometimes was. But that's what his expression was promising her: monotony. Monotony, when she desired color.

At last, his voice came, so softly that she might not have understood it at all without enhanced hearing. "Yes, I know."

That was all he said.

She shot her new partner a glare, not bothering to mask her emotions this time. How utterly rude. Sure, his mother was famous, but that didn't give him any right to dismiss her. It wasn't as if she was no one. She had quite a bit of popularity as a model herself, and besides, she also happened to be an aristocratic vampire of status, like him. She wasn't an insect to be brushed aside. The thought of working and attending school with this rude statue of a man was enough to give her a headache. After several more moments of protracted, thunderous silence, she stood, exiting the room and moving to sit rather indignantly in one of the chairs the staff had placed just outside the space taped off for the shoot, away from the vanity tables where she received last minute touch-ups.

It was not only in their exchange that Shiki failed to display any interest, however. For the course of the entire photo shoot, he remained impassive and silent. When spoken to, he scarcely bothered to respond. Stranger still, it was almost as if he was nothing more than a machine, going through the motions of the shoot without any investment or concern. He did as he was told, precisely as he was told, and never spoke a word to anyone. It was as if he was a living doll. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She could almost imagine him as a mannequin, features painted on, hair sewn directly into his skin... He was hardly the Senri Shiki that she had imagined. Ichijou had mentioned that he was good friends with Shiki, but what was there to be friends with? He was hollow, flat, a blank canvas without a drop of color. The disappointment was a bitter pill to swallow.

Nevertheless, in spite of her misgivings, she decided to give it one last effort for the day. Approaching him as he gathered his things to leave, she launched immediately into what she had to say without any formalities. They would undoubtedly be wasted on him. "By the way, I've always liked your mom's movies. She's a talented actress."

Those dull grey eyes regarded her stoically. It was as if they were gravestones, indicating that all was dead within. It certainly seemed that way to her. "Thanks," was his only answer to her words.

"Is she going to act in any more movies, or has she retired for good?" she pressed, placing one hand on her hip.

He seemed to sigh, cornered into a longer response. "She-"

Before he could answer, however, an approaching older man with graying hair and a well-trimmed beard called out gruffly, "Shiki-sama, come along. You mustn't keep your mother waiting."

Sapphire eyes shot over to the newcomer in sudden irritation. She had finally elicited what she hoped would be a satisfactory response from her new partner, and of course this man chose that very moment to interrupt.

For a moment, Shiki hesitated. She took this opportunity to raise her eyebrows and ask, "Well, is she?"

He opened his mouth to answer, but the older man had at this point reached them and insisted, "Come, I must see you home now."

Immediately, the mahogany-haired model turned and followed wordlessly, completely halting the sort-of-conversation they had been having. Her brow drew together, gaze turning into a glower. Wasn't Senri Shiki an aristocrat, too? So then why was he following after this man so easily, like a sheep? At the very least, he could spare her ten seconds to answer the question. She stomped her foot, the words shooting off her lips like bullets.

"You're just going to obey mindlessly? How contemptible."

His head turned, grey eyes meeting hers for the briefest of instants, but then he had rounded the corner and was gone, as silently and completely as a ghost.

Rima stared after him for a long moment, contemplative and frustrated. Certainly, Senri Shiki's behavior wasn't normal for a human, vampire, or anything else. Collecting her bag and jacket, she thought perhaps she shouldn't completely dismiss him just yet. After all, they were going to be coworkers and classmates for an extended period of time, weren't they?

She sighed.

Clouded eyes stared upwards, colorless and hollow. Slowly, they shifted over, watching the rain outside the window as it traced pathways of crystal liquid down the glass. Those grey eyes saw only darkness; a murky, static numbness that had crept through his veins like anesthesia. His existence had been suppressed down to a flicker of light secreted away in the most hidden chamber of his mind. There, the numbness was so complete, so entirely consuming, that it had become a comfort. Within it, he could not see the world clearly, but rather through a blurred fog. His eyes had drained of color and life, until all that he could distinguish were silhouettes. It was the only way that he knew how to live anymore, the only way that preserved his mother's smile...

His mother… Her descent into the void of madness had drug him under, too. She had told him it was better if he didn´t think, if he didn´t feel. Then, he couldn´t become reminiscent of the man his father was, even if he carried that same tainted blood in his veins. It had been her decision that he enter the modeling world. She didn´t remember it now that her mind was torn to shreds, but he recalled with burning, toxic clarity how she had murmured under her breath that his father´s genetics were best left like that: behind glass, untouched. There, they couldn't fester into the obsessive, vengeful, lustful madness that had drove Rido Kuran to his end.

That was the reason why he sat like a doll every day while the camera did the work. He stood like a mannequin while his father´s features, the ones his mother so detested, consumed photograph after photograph, advertisement after advertisement. He moved when they told him, posed how they told him, wore what they told them. Like a puppet. Like a corpse. And when they praised him or called him beautiful, the words bounced off his ears meaninglessly. He himself was nothing. What was a face? Only a facade. And there was nothing behind it but emptiness. He was trapped, robotically going through the motions of each day. But, he had to remind himself that he was, after all, only a robot in the end. A puppet. There was no one inside his body but a ghost. It was only a phantom that would be attending Cross Academy in the all-too-near future.

Even though, on rare occasions, he forgot how to entirely close himself off, and found himself laughing at Ichijou's antics or enjoying the freedom of being away from his mother or the overbearing, glum servants that abounded the house. Truthfully, traitorously, he was looking forward to attending school. It had been too long since he'd seen his friend. Too long since he'd laughed. If it wasn't for his mother, he would have risked the descent into madness, because really...secretly...he didn't want to live like this...

His eyes fell shut, preferring the soothing void of sleep, where nothing was required of him. He could merely drift in the dark there, and escape the confines of his house, his room, his body. As he gradually succumbed to sleep, there was a moment, only the briefest of flashes, in which he could see a lightning strike of blue and heard that sharp voice demand, "You're just going to obey mindlessly? How contemptible." A resonating echo in his chest answered, Yeah, it really is contemptible...

And then, just as quickly, he had muffled the memory, snuffing it out before it could cast light on the numbness. It was best if he did not think at all...

AN: Be sure to share your thoughts in a review! Let me know if it's TOO different from Hino's characterizations, if it bothers you, if it starts out too angsty, if the whole premise is just terrible, etc etc. The only thing I think I would be unwilling to change is Shima being childhood friends, because I really didn't like that. So, yeah, review please!