Disclaimer : Vampire Knight does not belong to me, although that would be lovely if it did. Credit is for Matsuri Hino, and for her alone. Other than that, please enjoy my own OC's and their storyline in this fanfiction series! :D

1. Arrivals

It was a quiet night, the long cobblestone road scattered randomly with creatures of stunning characteristics. An air of elegance and sophistication surrounded the creatures as they padded in pairs and singles down the open stretch, heading toward the gentle glow up ahead. There were exchanged words, soft chatter brushing the air, but their voices reaching no higher than a whisper, the atmosphere continued to remain as a soft hush.

Elegant cut dresses whispered quietly along the paved path as young women with striking features were led towards the center, accompanied by men equally attractive. The females- their hair down up in tasteful decoration, faces painted expertly to expose delicate bone features -were breath-taking. The men, thrown into sharp cut suits of their school's uniform, looked fashionable as well, and although not as extravagant as the ladies, they too posed a beautiful sight.

Any viewer exposed to such a scene would have been awe-struck, left breathless by their beauty. But here everyone was the same – although their features varied greatly due to the influence of a widespread gene pool, everyone present retained a striking loveliness that would have put any mortal noble to shame.

Here, everyone was a vampire.

As the quiet gathering continued to draw out, couples still arriving down the open stretch, a twig suddenly snapped. A moment later another crack sounded, followed by another, then another. Soon the area was filled with the cacophony of sharp cracks and sudden breaks as branches groaned and leaves fluttered wildly in the air. Birds fled to the sky in a rush of wings and the vampires passing by shifted, disturbed by the sudden distraction, the beautiful atmosphere broken. Then without warning a young girl appeared from a clutter of broken bushes, stumbling blindly into the open road and collapsing into a soft heap to the ground.

She gave a surprised cry, followed by a small whimper of pain as she grazed hands and knees into the rough gravel, scraping pale skin against the ground. Recovering from their daze, the vampires gave her distasteful looks as they passed, refusing to lend any aid to the girl as she tried to regain her balance. Still on her hands and knees, the girl seemed unaware of the attention she had drawn, her gaze kept carefully to the cobblestone road, until a loud and extravagant voice sounded across the courtyard, echoing confidently across the road, and her eyes shot up, startled.

"Oh-ho!" It cried excitedly and before she knew it the ground was disappearing in a dizzying whirl as arms swept down and retrieved from the soil. The hands continued to grip her as she was brought firmly against its body, its voice - distinctly male - whispering down her neck in a warm line. There was an unsuppressed edge of excitement to the voice as he began to speak. "Look who decided to attend Ichijou-sama's party!" Fangs pressed against the line of her neck as the person smiled. "Mitsuki," he breathed softly.

Involuntarily, Mitsuki felt herself shiver at the intimate whisper. Then, blushing brightly, she tore herself from the embrace and faced the being, a foolish-grinning Aidou greeting her. Her face was contorted into an expression of livid embarrassment and slight humiliation. Mitsuki was a shy young thing.

Now here she stood trying to speak, the words jumbled and tumbling clumsily out of her mouth as her shy nature started to get the best of her. "A –Aidou! How…How could you -!" She stopped abruptly, suddenly aware of the pair of eyes staring at her. Mitsuki looked hastily about and then squirmed in place. The onlooking vampires, frowning at her improper etiquette and failure at completing a proper sentence, didn't help her current situation, and her eyes darted quickly to the ground, ashamed.

Aidou waved a hand incessantly in front of him, shaking his head with a half smile. Unlike Mitsuki, he was perfectly comfortable with the crowd she had drawn. He liked attention.

"Mitsuki, Mitsuki," he chided in an almost tired voice, which drew more eyes to the scene, and he peeked up at her from beneath long lacy-dark lashes. "You were always such a timid thing. Come," and he swept out a hand gracefully toward her, "allow me to escort you to someone dear to you." Aidou was suddenly behind her, just as close as he had been earlier. Quickly, quietly, he led her forth, easing past vampires and barely disturbing the atmosphere that Mitsuki had upset moments ago.

Aidou sped through the court with swift grace, protecting Mitsuki from doing any more damage. They began to near the middle of the pavilion, a soft light emanating from the main attraction, and Aidou felt her footsteps – once uneasy and uncertain – quicken with eagerness. Mitsuki knew who was waiting there, a breath held tight in her chest as they finally drew just outside a ring of light. The middle was empty save for an elegantly furnished table with a soft white cloth draped over it, adorned with beautiful utensils and an amazingly designed, three-tier cake. Beside it, his back to her, stood a young male, his baby-soft blond hair twinkling in the dim light.

"Onii –sama," she whispered as the two arrived in the middle, slowing just before they reached the man. Releasing her, Aidou stepped back, back into the crowd, and Mitsuki began her way forward.

Catching her quiet words even in the crowd filled night, the fair, blond haired man turned slightly and smiled at her approach. He was incredibly handsome and his soft green eyes gazed adoringly at her as she rushed forward into his embracing arms.

The cheery voice she remembered from years ago met her ears once more. "Mitsuki – you've finally arrived!" he exclaimed, combing a hand through her ink-black strands. He bent his lips toward her and brushed them against her brow, Mitsuki closing her eyes at the affectionate touch. When she felt him pull back Mitsuki opened her eyes, blinking softly, and felt her throat tighten as a well of emotions began. He hadn't aged at all since she'd last seen him, even though a year and a half had passed between the two.

Although he waited for a reply with considerate patience, Mitsuki, too overcome, found it nearly impossible to speak, tears appearing in her eyes. "Hello..."she finally whispered and pecked him softly on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, Ichijou onii-sama."

Ichijou smiled and wiped away the mound of tears beginning in her lovely eyes with the pad of his thumbs, and then hugged her close once more. "Mitsuki."

They were cousins. First cousins, actually, and each held one another dearly. After all, it was Ichijou who had turned her, Mitsuki Amamiya, into a vampire.

Their silent and deep adoration for one another was soon broken as Aidou appeared without warning behind Mitsuki, throwing his arms about her waist and tugging her snugly to him. "Pretty girl," he mused, then spotted Ichijou, who, having Mitsuki ripped from his arms, stood to the side mildly perplexed.

Immediately, Aidou's voice rang across the courtyard with all its brilliance. "Isn't she adorable!" he exclaimed, holding her slim figure close and nestling his chin into her lightly perfumed skin. "She has grown up since last we saw her, hasn't she, Ichijou-san?" Before Ichijou could reply to the question that had been asked at such an outrageous level of exuberance, Aidou reached up with one hand and turned Mitsuki's face towards him. They became extremely close, almost too close, and Mitsuki fought to keep the color from rising to her cheeks.

"Mitsuki, there is someone else wanting to see you," he informed gently in her ear and she suddenly noticed all trace of mockery and wit had disappeared from his countenance. She now stared into eyes that were severely solemn, ones that held grave importance and anxiousness. Startled at the change in Aidou's character Mitsuki nodded, though turned her eyes to stare at Ichiou. Parting - and so quickly? Her reunion with Ichijou had been too swift and it left her mildly distraught. Even from Aidou - she had been absent from him as long as her cousin.

Aidou looked over Mitsuki's shoulder and caught Ichijou's eye. The two had a moment to exchange a look of understanding, Ichijou loosing a bit of light in his eyes, and then Aidou was offering Mitsuki his hand once more. "It is a bit of a way," he explained and nodded in the direction he was going to take her. It was farther up ahead and in the way stood a crowd filled road of vampires. "Let me see that hand of yours or you might end up tripping again." And Aidou winked, flashing her a playful smile as he regained his natural personality.

Despite the encouragement, Mitsuki hesitated at the awaiting hand, fingers pressed to her bottom lip in uncertainty. Her eyes flickered toward her cousin, as if seeking his advice.

Aware of her reluctance, Ichijou pressed forward in an attempt to reassure her. "Let Aidou guide you, Mitsuki, everything will be fine," Ichijou urged. "I'm not going anywhere. We may have our time together soon."

He smiled lightly and, comforted at her cousin's words, Mitsuki allowed her hand to be taken, only glancing behind her shoulder to show her mild unease as Aidou led her away.

As Ichijou watched them vanish into the crowd, he let out a heavy sigh, turning back to the table and resuming the activity he had begun before Mitsuki's arrival. He picked up a long silver knife to the side, delicate tracings decorating the handle prettily. Later, he thought as he ran a thumb nimbly along the sharp blade, there is always another time to discuss matters later.

His gem-like eyes narrowed a notch, for he was well aware of who was waiting for her farther up ahead. "I just hope it does not traumatize her," he murmured softly and began to slice the sweet confection.

[***]

Aidou held Mitsuki firmly as they passed by neighboring vampires, the crowd parting easily before them in a spill of elegant dresses and the light scuff of shoes as they arrived upon a shadowed dais. A round of lights flickered dimly, lighting the area and casting faint shadows to dance about the platform. While the lights continued to illuminate the area, Mitsuki noticed that it never touched the inside of the deck, almost like it were purposefully being held away by some mysterious force.

Mitsuki was given no time to inspect the sight further as Aidou suddenly bowed low beside her and addressed the silhouetted figure with proper conduct. "Kaname-sama," he said and he felt Mitsuki tighten instantly in his arm, "she's here. I've brought her." He pushed gently at the small of her back, then edged silently away to stand off to the side. Aidou's face was unreadable as he stood beneath the dais roof, shoulders straightened at attention.

"Kaname…senpai…?" Her eyes went wide with disbelief and Mitsuki tried desperately in that moment to keep her emotions under control. Unlike what she had felt earlier for Ichijou, these emotions cut her deeper, targeted another level of her heart, and it took everything within her to take a step forward and bow politely.

"Kaname-senpai," she repeated, trying to regulate a neutral tone in her voice, but as she straightened a hand waved out before her and the candles suddenly flared to life.

A lean figure appeared from the shadows, long…handsome…beguiling. His mahogany colored eyes burned through her as he rearranged himself on the cushions, one hand loosening the buttons of his shirt and allowing the cool night air to kiss softly at his marbled chest. He had an arm stretched along the back of the couch, slightly encircled about a figure sitting beside him, but Mitsuki, riveted by the sight before her, didn't appear to notice the second presence. The reassurance she had gained seconds ago seemed to crumble about her as Kaname motioned her forward with a graceful beckoning of fingers.

"Mitsuki," and the words forced her to take a step forward, a pull that sent her up the stairs, across the deck, and before the Pureblood who lounged patiently on the furbished couch.

His hand still outstretched, Mitsuki cradled it between her own and, as tradition required of all vampires below the status of a Pureblood, bent forward and kissed the pale hand. "Kaname-senpai, it's nice to see you again," she murmured quietly, then pulled away, retreating back a pace.

"Formal as always, Mitsuki," he replied cordially and dropped his hand back into his lap. She noticed the pause he took, as if he were remembering something, and Mitsuki made an effort to keep her gaze from wavering under his own intimidating stare as she replied.

"It is as you have always known me," she spoke softly, then winced at her own words. No, she didn't want to have to think of her past now. Mitsuki opened her mouth to speak, but Kaname waved her down, dismissing the attempt, and motioned to the figure that sat silently beside him.

"Mitsuki," he began, "I know it is still early since your arrival, but have you met Yuuki yet?" Mitsuki stared at the young female beside him, dressed apparently in her school uniform, an outfit that separated her from the rest and –Mitsuki sniffed the air delicately –symbolized her existence as a human.

She had an innocent air about her, defiant but honest, her dark doe-brown eyes staring back at Mitsuki with curious inquiry.

"Nice to meet you," Yuuki said, inclining her head in Mitsuki's direction. A sincere smile accompanied the greeting, which made Mitsuki's eyes widen, startled by the girl's honesty.

Kaname finished the rest of the introduction. "She is the Day Class's Prefect at Cross Academy. Yuuki," and Mitsuki did not miss the fond glance he gave to the young girl, "is someone very special at this school."

Though the expression was suppressed, Yuuki appeared pleased by the favored indication as she managed a slight smile."Kaname…" Yuuki's eyes flickered momentarily to the side. "Kaname-sama…" She seemed like she wanted to say more but a gruff sound of displeasure, full of contempt and impatience, interrupted her and simultaneously Yuuki and Mitsuki turned at the same time. Kaname's expression hardened at the distraction, his voice bitter as he added coldly, "And that is Zero Kiryuun, the other Prefect and Yuuki's partner."

Noticing the distasteful tone that matched his own ire mood, Zero whipped his head up sharply, turning a pair of silver eyes that burned coldly in the dim light. "Yuuki," he said stiffly, and jerked his head to the side to reveal his impatience. "There are other matters to look into other than sitting." Mitsuki shifted uncomfortably at the cruel emphasis he put on the last word. "It's time to go. Time to leave."

Before any could reply Zero stalked toward the end of the porch and hopped nimbly from the edge, every action stiff and angry. He was halfway across the road and would have made it to the end, but Kaname's voice, which rang clearly from the porch, halted his footsteps. Kaname was now standing and indicating Yuuki, who had lapsed into an odd silence from Zero's initial anger, her body stiffened anxiously.

"Yuuki will leave when she wants," Kaname called in a cool voice, his manners in check, then he swung his hand toward Mitsuki as Zero twirled around. "And you have not greeted my guest here. That is quite rude, don't you think?"

Yuuki shot to her feet the moment she saw Zero's face darken, hastening before Kaname with widened arms in an attempt to appeal him. "Kaname-senpai!"

At the same time Mitsuki, unnerved by the tense atmosphere, shifted beside the Pureblood and caught his arm. She feared that the contempt between the two males stretched farther than the indecency to acknowledge a formal introduction. "There's no need to start something so foolish," she began hastily, "We can be introduced to one another next time…!" As Zero approached the deck, Mitsuki felt Kaname stiffen beneath her touch and she tightened her hold on his arm.

Zero threw another hostile glare in the direction of the Pureblood as he neared, and almost instantly the tension between the two seemed to intensify tenfold. Mitsuki recoiled at the animosity emanating between the two, ripping back her hands as if she'd just been shocked by the mere touch of Kaname's skin.

"Zero…" someone called softly and the voice full of concern and unspoken sadness drew Zero's attention away from Kaname to look at Yuuki, standing unobtrusively to the side. The expression on her face forced Zero to lose his previous aggression, submitting beneath the unsaid distraught expressed from his partner's quivering figure.

She repeated his name again, and avoiding his gaze from the awaiting Pureblood, Zero swiveled around, unspeaking. "Yuuki, we're leaving. Now."

Relieved by his calm submission, Yuuki hastened to the male Prefect's side, throwing Kaname and Mitsuki an apologetic look as she leapt from the dais. "Excuse us," she said, bowing, then motioned to Zero as she began to depart.

The atmosphere seemed to lighten as the two took their leave, then –

"You won't even acknowledge her."

Mitsuki's eyes raised to Kaname as he spoke, her violet orbs widening in frightening realization. He was addressing her, not Yuuki. Mitsuki's heart clenched momentarily, fearing what he was going to say next.

"Do you even know who she is?" he demanded softly. There was a notable threat in his voice, the velvet whisper holding an edge of warning. He started forward, a hand clenched beside him while the other was flung out to point at Mitsuki. "This girl is -!"

Mitsuki started instantly, jerking her head toward Kaname.

"Is"...? No. No! That was wrong! Not "is" but "was".

Tormented by his words and at the memories that were now beginning to flash in front of her, Mitsuki gasped loudly and moved forward, clasping him about the waist and driving him a desperate step back. "Ka –Kaname-senpai! Please –no! We don't have to bring that up!" Mitsuki buried her face into the crook of his shoulder, trembling when she felt him take a step forward. "No, don't!" she cried when she saw him start to protest. "Don't say anything."

Stricken by her reaction, Kaname tried once more to speak, detangling himself gently from her grasp as he did so, but when she looked up - Kaname encountering a gaze filled with such silent plea and desperate anguish - he halted. "Don't…don't tell them," she continued to whisper, then buried her face once more and began to cry, tears staining the edge of his silky black coat.

At the foot of the porch Aidou, along with the rest of his fellow companions, stared, shock and appall filling the area as eyes flicked from the vampires at the top and the Prefects still standing at the floor. The scene had not gone unnoticed, their attentions caught the moment Zero had jumped from the dais. Now the whole party faced them, mouths agape in astonishment.

Those who deeply admired Kaname only had eyes for him and the curse-filled girl who now gripped him in a desperate embrace. Who would do that? Who would dare do that? Among them stood a beautiful blond vampire, seething as she glared fiercely at the couple. "Why…she…!" Her features contorted into something horrifying as a snarl of detest issued from her throat. A sudden violent twitch ran through her and the glass shattered instantly into a thousand crystals. "How dare she -!"

She took a step forward, but a hand halted her advancement, gripping her shoulder in a firm hold. "Ruka." The patient tone infuriated the female as she whipped her head vehemently toward the male standing behind her.

Angrily, she struggled in his hold. "Kain! Please. Let me go!"

Kain yanked her back when she tried to move and embraced her more securely. "Leave it alone," he whispered in her ear, and pressure of his hands seemed to jostle her senses back into place as Ruka finally settled. Still she was unable to prevent her eyes from searing angrily at the girl in Kaname's arms.

At the pavilion, Mitsuki was now blind with tears. "Don't…" She shuddered, her shoulders heaving beneath the uneven gasps. "Don't…please don't…"

Kaname gazed at her in silence, then gently he pushed her away. "Mitsuki…" he breathed. She looked up and her eyes widened as he brought up a hand and placed it softly against her purple irises. "Calm down now." He wrapped an arm around her waist just as her body suddenly slumped in his grasp: she was unconscious. Kaname gave her one last look before gazing at the scene.

"Aidou," he called and the blond appeared instantly, skipping up the stairs and taking them by the twos'. "Take her to my dorm," Kaname ordered, ignoring the wave of bewildered stares that gaped at him in silent shock. He exhaled quietly, as if trying to calm the deep recesses of his troubled mind, then, sharply, threw his gaze toward the crowd. Though he stared at a gathering of more than one hundred students, his eyes appeared to be addressing each individual vampire, mahogany orbs burning with power and possession. Immediately, the intent murmuring that had been drifting earlier between the students ceased.

Aidou came obediently forward in the sudden silence, his arms held out. "Yes, sir."

Withdrawing his attention from the crowd Kaname began to transfer Mitsuki to Aidou when he paused mid-transaction. He gazed at the unconscious girl for a moment, slowly grazing a finger across her cheek, stroking strands of misplaced hair back to their place. Then something caught his eye and in one swift movement he swept away the item that had caught his attention, an index finger sweeping beneath one of her eyes. Aidou, dumb found by the swiftness and smoothness of Kaname's execution, was left standing with Mitsuki in his arms. Then the noble blood remembered himself and giving a swift bow, he retreated down the stairs, ignoring his fellow classmates as they swept apart for him.

At the dais Kaname remained staring at the single tear he had stolen from Mitsuki, watching as it trembled at the edge of his finger in momentary fascination. Then, his eyes hardening ever so slightly, the Pureblood flipped over his finger and let it splash to the floor, watching it disappear until the last of it seeped into the wooden plates. With an expression of strange disconnect Kaname turned just in time to spot Aidou's hair wink into nonexistent, Mitsuki, somewhere in his arms.

Would he always continue to cause her pain?

[***]

"You're so lucky…to know that he loves you this much…"

These words ringing with a strange sense of irony that was unknown to the noble blood, Aidou, who was referring to his own self-adoration for the Pureblood, set Mitsuki upon the plush bed with a glum down pull in his lips. He would have never - never - been allowed to touch Kaname as Mitsuki had done tonight.

As he began to arrange her more comfortably on the mattress Aidou, despite his neglect for attention, felt no ill will towards Mitsuki. Odd as it was, his eyes roaming up and down her gentle breathing figure, Aidou held concern for the girl. How long had she been away? And why had she reacted the way she did when Kaname had begun to mention her significance? He frowned slightly. He had never seen Mitsuki react that way before. Puzzled, he reached out absentmindedly to fondle a couple strands of her hair, distracted by his thoughts, when her eyes shot open.

Her reaction was instant as she lurched up violently in bed, hands flying out in frantic appeal as she tried to grasp at something Aidou couldn't see. "Kaname-senpai! Don't!" Her eyes were glazed with a feverish heat, large and unfocused, and the high shrill of her voice pierced the room, sending a cold, unwelcomed shiver down Aidou's spine.

His eyes widened, stunned at her sudden reaction. "Mitsuki..." he began uncertainly.

But she didn't hear him. "Kaname-senpai! Kanamei-senpai, please! Don't tell them anything! Kaname-senpai!" Her voice was wild with hysterics, the emotion throwing her into a wash of violent tears and shuddering breaths as Mitsuki bent over and began to weep uncontrollably, hands wrapped about her own shoulders in a weak attempt of comfort.

Afraid that she had been tormented by some terrible nightmare, Aidou moved to help in concern. "Mitsuki!" he called, half shouting. "Mitsuki, what's wrong?" Aidou grabbed the troubled vampire girl by the shoulders and shook her firmly. "What happened?" His hands ran quickly across her face, trying to calm her, pushing strands of her hair away, stroking her cheek softly.

Mitsuki, as if regaining slight control of herself, took his hand in hers and clenched. Naturally a male vampire was stronger than a female but the force of Mitsuki's grip was frightening. It trembled with such strength that her whole body shook; he suddenly pulled her into him, wrapping her in both arms. He felt her grip his shirt tightly in both hands, still trembling.

"Don't tell them," she whispered, and her voice was heavy with suffering. She buried her face into his chest and he had to strain himself to hear what she said next. "Please don't tell them about our secret... No one can know what happened..."

A/N : Mitsuki is a mysertious character, no? I understand this beginning part might have been a bit confusing, but the later chapters will eventually reveal the main plot. Please be patient till then! :)