Prologue: In the Beginning…

Summary: My first memory was seeing two sets of eyes, gazing at me. One gaze was filled with adoration… the other was filled with lust…

Juri x Haruka

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight

Juri's earliest memories began at the time when she had met her older brothers.

At the time, Juri had been a newborn, just a few months old and barely aware of her surroundings. But she was no ordinary newborn child, for flowing from within her body was the blood of the Kuran, which would grant her a long life, unnatural beauty, and the ability to record all of the events in her life into lasting memories for the time to come.

Unaware of such power within her veins, she gazed up at her mother innocently as she rocked her back and forth. Her mother, Tsukiko, smiled with pride at her daughter. My darling is barely a full year old and already she's gorgeous. Tsukiko took in her wide, brown eyes, perfectly shaped nose, and full, pink lips and smiled. She noted that her daughter's facial features were close to her own, but the color of her eyes and her short, wavy head of hair were more of a light brown in contrast from her own jet black hair and obsidian eyes. "You are just stunning, Juri. And I have been so blessed to have three beautiful children that I can call my own." As though she understood her mother's soft words, the Kuran infant gave her a wide smile. "And nothing is more beautiful to a mother than the smile of her beloved children."

A slight knock was heard from across the grand room as the door opened slightly, revealing two young boys. "Mother?" The eldest son, Rido, called out as he stepped forth with his younger brother, Haruka, following behind. "Did you need us?"

"Ah, Rido, Haruka! My children, please come come." Tsukiko smiled as she motioned them both to come closer so that they could see the tiny bundle of joy in her arms. "Momma is feeling a lot better now and she can hold your new sister, Juri." Upon hearing her name, both boys stopped and looked at each other reluctantly, thinking the same thought. They weren't sure if they could get along with a new sibling, since they barely got along with each other, so how on earth could it be possible that they would get along with her in the mix?

"Oh, why the uncertainty?" The young mother giggled softly and began to rock the chair again. "Don't be shy, come on now, say hello to your sister."

Neither of the brothers moved for several seconds until Haruka sighed and gave in as he made his way towards his mother. As he came closer, Tsukiko leaned in closer so that he had a perfect view of Juri. "Isn't she precious?"

Upon seeing her, Haruka's heart began to both race and stop at the same time. His eyes widened as a strange feeling came over him, causing him to feel something warm throughout his body.

When Juri's gentle light mahogany eyes met with his crimson gaze, Haruka was drawn towards his innocent sister. He knew that at that moment he would do anything for her, make her happy, keep her safe, and most of all love and cherish her.

Oblivious to Haruka's thoughts, Tsukiko looked over at Rido, who still stood glaring across the room. "Rido, darling, come on, you must meet Juri, she is your sister, you know." Rido gave his mother an annoyed look as he came over. "Yeah, I remember meeting Haruka for the first time, but he wasn't all that great."

Haruka tore his eyes away from Juri and glared at Rido. "Shut up Rido!" Rido was his older brother, but they looked almost nothing alike. They both had dark hair and a pale complexion, but what set them apart was the color of their eyes. While both Haruka's eyes were the color of a dark crimson, Rido's were each colored differently: One was blue and the other was of the same dark crimson that ran within their bloodline. Since they were so dissimilar in features, perhaps this was the reason why Haruka felt drawn to Juri, because she resembled him more so than Rido ever could. He turned away from Rido and returned his gaze to Juri.

Rido merely smirked at Haruka's outburst, each of his eyes darkening as he stood next to him and looked down. Unlike Haruka, Rido hid all of his emotions. A dark smile came across his features as his eyes glinted mischievously down at the young Kuran. She squirmed a bit from his gaze and whimpered, causing her mother to make soft, comforting sounds to try and calm her. "Sh, now now darling, be good for your older brother." But Juri didn't stop her whimpers as she closed her eyes to block out Rido's image. Before she could let out a distressed cry, Haruka gently placed a hand on her forehead, rubbing it slowly as he calmed her with his soft voice. "Don't worry, I'm here for you…" He kept on repeating that phrase, like a tranquil lullaby. His soothing voice calmed the infant, ceasing her whimpers as she slowly fell asleep.

Tsukiko beamed at Haruka. "Thank you sweetie for helping her sleep. She must have been very tired." Haruka nodded in response, glancing over at Rido warily as his mother spoke.

"Now you two remember, take care of your sister, okay?" Tsukiko leaned forward so that her forehead touched both of her son's heads. "Watch out for her and protect her. For she is the one most precious to us all." Her mother let out a sad laugh and closed her eyes. "Mommy has tried really hard to ensure that Juri could exist in this world." Very carefully, Tsukiko lifted her forehead away from her sons. "Rido, Haruka, look at me."

Immediately they gazed at their mother, giving her their full attention. "Promise me that if something ever happens to Mommy or Daddy, the both of you will take care of Juri in our place."

"Yes Mother." Both brothers vowed simultaneously, knowing that they would keep their promise forever.

Juri…

o-o-o-o-o

The moment that Rido and Haruka had set eyes on Juri was the moment that started it all.

Juri wasn't sure who the two unfamiliar faces were, but she was very aware of the intensity of their gaze. Although she wouldn't know what those gazes meant, she will someday be able to differentiate between them.

Someday, she will realize that...

One gaze was filled with adoration; the other was filled with desire.

One would love her; the other would lust for her.

One would create her world and happiness; the other would destroy her world…

~End