TITLE: "Night Promise"

AUTHOR: KniteStars

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: If Yuuki remained her vampire. With both her parents. Alive. She must now come to terms of being a pureblood and living up to the responsibility. How different could things be? She must now come to terms of being a pureblood and living up to the responsibility.

DISCLAIMER: Without Matsuri Hino, none of this would exist. Thanks to her for letting me play with her creation.

The Darkness was suffocating, continuously pressing down on him.

A warm hand touched his cheek. In front of him sat a lonely figure. A stranger with grey hood, stray strands of golden hair weaved in the invisible wind.

"It will be alright Kaname, I am with you." Then silence.

Can't see. Can't hear. No presence. Yuuki.

Rido. Then what?

Warm. Dripping liquid down his throat. Nectar? Indescribably sweet.

His eyes flashed open, a glistening red. A young girl kneeled beside him on his bed. Blood dripping off her arm. The door opened suddenly, a flash of golden light blinded him,

An ethereal goddess of beauty walked in, Okaa-sama.

"Yuuki? Where are—Yuuki! What is happening? Kaname? Haruka!"

Suddenly Yuuki was gone, replaced by an older looking man.

"Kaname?" His father's voice was weary, as if he was once again facing his older brother.

"Otou-sama"

"Do you remember what happened?" Softly, quietly, to not scare him.

"Rido. Is he gone? Will Yuuki be safe?"

Yuuki clung close to her mother. Her face was deathly pale; there was no hint of rosiness on her cheeks, nor that calming smile that always graced her features. Her hands were clutched to her mother's dress, her long hair tangled and dark. There was unspeakable grief in her eyes.

"Kaname, everything's going to be fine, you're alright now. Yuuki's alright now." His father spoke, while slowly easing him back onto his pillow. "You will heal now, Yuuki will…watch over you."

"Yuuki?" Kaname whispered. He was losing consciousness fast. He had to say something.

"Kaname-Onii-sama?" Her face was close again, her scent calming his mind.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I let you have such scary memories." He was fading now, He had nothing to grab onto. Sleep.

"Onii-sama. I—I love you."

He chuckled. Even in such times, she made him feel innocent. As pure as an angel, even though he had caused her such fear. Such unimaginable fear.

Darkness. Fear.

"I forgot my own name…Because it's been such a long, long time since...anyone, has called me."

"…In that case. I'll have your name be…Kaname…Spoken and spelled like the name of my home town."

Fragments. Of whose memories?

"If you want to stay there by yourself just do it. I am…I am on a travel to search for others like us, 'people who can't die'"

Alone. Hunger. Sadness.

The hooded woman stepped out once more. There was rain glistening on the tree, the dark clouds loomed ahead, as the wind blew his dark hair back and forth. She spoke to him softly, "It's only natural that the humans would fear powerful beings so different from them. Our people must live away from them. It's for their own good as well… There's a place with people like us. Come. Join me."

_xxVxx_

He awoke to the sound of breathing. Strands of brown hair were strung across his shirt. Hunger. His flaming red eyes gleamed in the darkness. Trails of blood were seemed to be sewn across her neck.

Sitting up slowly he delicately brushed her hair aside and leaned down to press his lips to her neck.

A whisper broke through the silence, "K-Kaname-Onii-sama?"

Silence. He didn't dare speak. Once his lips pulled apart, horrible fangs would show once more. He couldn't afford Yuuki any more pain.

She sat up. Her brother was awake. "Onii-sama?"

He blood pulsed in his veins. Yuuki. How he thirsted for her blood. The thought repulsed him, his beautiful innocent sister. The purest of all Kurans. He glanced up and found her staring down at him, her long hair dangling above his face. Her eyes shown worry, and fear. She wrapped her arms around her brother's head. "I'm sorry, Onii-sama."

She knew she couldn't help her brother. If he needed her she would be here, but for her brother's sake, she left; carefully padding her way down to her parents' room.

The house shook as the thunder boomed outside their estate. The bright lighting cast fearful shadows upon their ancestors' portraits.

She ran past all of them, their eyes glared down at her, as if accusing her for the terrible injuries her brother had suffered. However, there was one photograph.

She could do nothing but spend a moment silently admiring the talent of the artist of the piece- being able to capture such beauty in a standstill moment was a clear sign of talent. No detail of him was left undone; everything down his last eyelash was perfect in the picture.

But what clenched the young girl's heart, was the way that, even in the picture that must have taken hours to complete, his eyes were trained to her, just the very corner of them watching her as she stared. It was all too familiar.

Quietly she entered the master bedroom; the large curtains above the headboard of the bed made her feel small and insignificant.

"Okaa-sama, Otou-sama. Onii-sama," How should she phrase this, she paused. "He's hungry" she stated bluntly.

Juuri nearly leapt out of bed. "Yuuki-chan, did he bite you?" Her eyes stared questioningly at her.

"No, Okaa-sama. Will he be okay?" Her brown eyes, seemed to liquefy, they gleamed in the dim light, and showed her worry for her beloved brother.

Juuri leaned down and patted Haruka, "Anata… I'll give him some blood, watch Yuuki okay?"

"Mmmmm," he muttered, evidently still asleep. Juuri was rather annoyed, her darling son is starving and injured, her daughter was nearly bitten. Here he was. Sleeping, Peaceful undiluted sleep.

"Haruka," she shook him, nothing happened. She turned to her child, "Yuuki, you're in charge of waking your Otou-sama alright? I'll take care of Nii-san."

"Okaa-sama, can I help?"

"Yuuki, you can help when you become older." With that, she left, gliding across the hall, not making a sound.

"Otou-sama! Otou-sama!"

"Yes Yuuki?"

Young Yuuki leaped back, her mother said that her daddy was still sleeping. His snoring was so realistic, that after a brief moment a shock she burst out laughing.

"Otou-sama" She said, still smiling, "Why can I not help take care of Onii-sama?"

Her father's grin faded. "Yuuki-chan, you're going to grow up soon, and you and Kaname will be together"

"Really? Thank goodness, I want to take care of my Onii-sama."

Deeply touched by his young daughter's proclamation, Haruka whispered, "Yuuki, sleep, Okaa-sama will wake you up when Kaname is awake."

"Kaname?" Juuri slowly walked through the room. He seemed so young. Sitting in the center of his bed, with his hands tangled in his air, he breathed in the deep scent of his mother.

"Okaa-sama…I-I almost bit Yuuki. I'm sorry. So sorry,"

"Drink," She ordered, and placed a cup of water next to him. "A friend recently developed these," There was a clatter of sound, as a box was harshly placed on the bedside table. "Blood tablets, they should help regulate some of your thirst."

There was no drinking. Rather, Kaname leaned sideways to grab the box of tablets and shoved them down his throat.

"Kaname! Not all at once," Juuri whispered. These pills were test subjects, if they don't work…

"Thank you Okaa-sama, I'll be fine now." Calmly, his eyes no longer the burning, fearful fire. He gracefully snagged the cup with his fingers, and dropped a single blood tablet inside. The color of red spread from the center of the liquid to the whole.

_xxVxx_

The family sat downstairs in the dining room. All was quiet except the tinkling sound of silverware as the family digested their morning meal of pancakes and sausage.

"Ahem," Haruka clears his throat. "Kaname, today you will be accompanying me to the Aido family, there I hope you will meet the future group of your closest acquaintances. "

"Otou-sama, I promised I would stay home with Yuuki today. I'm sorry," Kaname quickly rejected the idea, he had promised to himself to help Yuuki create much better memories to replace the more frightening of ones.

"Onii-sama, I'll be fine, I have Okaa-sama. Otou-sama needs your help, Right? Otou-sama?" Yuuki questioned. However, if indeed her father did not require her brother, she would rather have him all to her herself.

"Yuuki-chan, I'm bringing over a friend to meet you today." Juuri announced, "Kaien Cross."

"The Hunter? You're bringing a hunter to see Yuuki?" Kaname demanded, surprisingly calm, considering the degree of worry flowing through his mind.

"Ex-hunter" Juuri corrected, "He has changed Kaname. You have to give people a chance; you've never met Hunter-san. Yuuki will always be by my side. Do you really trust me so little Kaname-kun?" Juuri griped, while pushing her meal away from her. "Come Yuuki, we need to get you dressed up,"

"Okaa-sama, but Onii-sama—is leaving. Wait!" Yuuki was lifted from her seat and taken.

"Juuri," Haruka called, "I'm sure you'd be needed as well. We could all make a trip to the Aido estate."

"Haruka, Yuuki can't go. She's too young and—" Juuri protested, Yuuki was still too fragile, too innocent to be exposed to the horrible wonders of the vampire world.

"Juuri, I'm sure the Aido Faction will be there. Yuuki will be plenty safe. If you consider it, all the nobles: Ichijo, Kain, Aido, Souen, and Toya are present." Haruka argued. "Besides, Yuuki can't stay here forever."

"Kaien-kun is coming today. We already scheduled this Haruka, he's my dearest friend."

Haruka got up from his chair and walked over to Juuri. "Anata, I'm your husband, and I know you love me more." He smiled and kissed her nose playfully.

She wasn't falling for it. Two can play this game. She pushed away, and handed Yuuki to her brother. "Haruka, we were betrothed from birth."

"But you love me, and our family, Juuri, you can't deny that." With that, Haruka stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace once more. "I love you Juuri."

Juuri sighed and looked at her darling baby. Her bright brown eyes shined with expectation, her hair still a tussle on top her head.

"Haruka," she acknowledged. A moment's pause. "I hate you" she said with a grin and pulled away.

"I know," Haruka reminded her, "Kaname, come we must prepare." With that he and his son left the glowing dining room.

"Yuuki, let's go get you a pretty dress. You're going to meet some friends," Juuri frowned; she did not like to lose her own argument.

Yuuki jumped up the stairs holding her mother's hand. "Okaa-sama? Where are we going?" She asked, why her mother was so annoyed, confused her.

Her mother didn't answer, but instead pulled Yuuki up and entered her bedroom. "Yuuki, you have to always stay with your Onii-sama, Understand?"

"Yes, Okaa-sama," She was worried, her mother was anxious about something, was the scary man with the blue eye going to come back?

Mother and daughter entered her room. A large queen sized bed dominated the center, and little veils of sash hung from the ceiling and drooped over the pale circular resting place. There were no windows.

Books scattered everywhere. A well-decorated mirror was hung to the right of the bed. A pink chandelier hung from the side of the room, dyed the whole bedroom in an evening rose color.

"Yuuki," Her mother spoke reproachfully, "your room is a mess."

Sheepishly, Yuuki turned away from her mother and danced into her closet. Thousands of dresses enclosed the tiny space.

Her mother pulled a lavender dress over her. The light magenta flowers danced around the rim of her dress and accented her rosy cheeks and her maroon hair.

Yuuki struggled from the brush as her mother attempted to put her hair in a braid. Frustrated her mother vented, "Yuuki, braids are pretty, and you need to look especially nice today, you're going to be going outside."

"Okaa-sama, Onii-sama says that he loves my long hair." She voiced honestly.

Her heart softened by her child's belief in love and in her brother. "Alright Yuuki-chan, but try not to mess your hair up too quickly, alright? Go find your Onii-sama"

The little girl jumped of her velvet stool that she'd been standing on and rushed out of the room, "Oniii-saaaamaaaaa!" Juuri laughed quietly, she had never been that appreciative of her elder brother when she was younger. Maybe this time, they had made the right choice, Yuuki and Kaname would truly be happy with each other.

"Yuuki, you look beautiful." Kaname breathed as he smoothly whisked her up into his arms. He buried his face in her sweet-smelling hair and sighed, content.

A knock at the door.

Kaname placed Yuuki down immediately and shielded her behind him.

Barely noticing her mother's voice ["Kaien-kun, how have you been?] Yuuki peered cautiously from behind her brother's back. "Onii-sama, I'm not scared."

Her brother turned around and kneeled in front of her, "Yuuki, stay with me alright? Stay by my side. And don't trust this man."

"Kaname-Onii-sama, I'll never leave your side," Yuuki whispered.

He gently kissed her forehead, and picked her up and settled her upon her hip as both brother and sister awaited the inevitable.

_xxVxx_

Juuri calmly waited at the bottom of the stairs until she heard the sound of galloping hooves drawing closer, and then a screeching halt. The clumsy tapping of a man's shoes were making way up to the door until the final knock. She danced to the door and pulled it open.

Outside stood a handsome man. His hair a dull gold and the customary glasses propped upon his nose. His lean body was covered with a deep brown trench coat, and a joyful smile landed on his lips as he noticed the smiling flower waiting for him inside the doors.

He looked much older than when she had last saw him, Juuri was saddened by the days passing and the ages that she would never have to suffer.

"Juuri," He leaned forward and embraced his old friend; however he suddenly stiffened and looked beyond the goddess-like beauty. In the shadows a man stood, his straight brown hair flattened against his forehead, and looking deeply protective. Kaien immediately stepped back.

"Apologies, Juuri-san, Haruka-kun for intruding upon your humb—Uh, rather gorgeous estate."

Juuri glared at her husband, he should not be quite so cold, this was her oldest and her most dearest friend, "Please, Kaien-kun, ignore my husband, he's feeling quite ill this morning, aren't you Haruka, why don't you go upstairs and rest."

"Actually Juuri, I'm feeling quite fine," Haruka grimaced, his wife was embracing another man and yet she expected him to go sleep.

"Well Kaien-kun please come in," Juuri gestured quickly and moved out of the way of the doorway, meanwhile brushing up against her mate. Haruka, taking advantage wrapped her in his arms and buried his nose in her warm hair. She quickly shook him off, her cheeks reddening.

Unnoticing this small exchange, Kaien Cross's face lit up as he gazed at the old mansion. The white rails of the staircase on either side of the room glided their way up to the center of room, the railing a detailed design. A large crystal chandelier dropped in at the center of the room, and in the evening sun spread rays of light throughout. Beneath the chandelier, was a small table, and a vase filled with blood-red roses. Beyond that and bordering the staircase were pairs of pale white columns, dwarfing any human being by a large comparison.

The whole room shined, as though owned and lived through thousands of generations.

"Kaien-kun? Yuuki," Juuri gently reminded, for she was aware of his fascination with the great hall.

The couple led the stranger through the center of the staircases and into future rooms. And each, were beautifully clean and bright as the first great hall they had entered. However, the walls soon dulled in color and eventually were none other than the deepest red ever seen. Meanwhile the tiles were still pale gold and salmon, contrasting oddly with the shade of the walls. Even more odd, were many portraits of ancient Kuran ancestors.

The eyes of the ancestors seemed to follow the trio as they walked.

Finally they arrived at another set of stairs bordered by a set of deep amethyst curtains. Juuri and Haruka gestured for Cross-san to descend the stairs. This time, however, the stairs were scarlet, finally dawning of this family's secret. Vampires.

The pair of vampires led the man down the marble stairs and eventually arrived at a pair of deep violet curtains.

As he descended the stairs, he realized that the pictures of ancestors continued as they arrived to the present. The final portrait was of Juuri-sama and Haruka –sama. Both smiling happy at the artist.

A small boy stood at the center of the room in the midst of many chairs and sofas. His small feet dented the carpet a little, showing the great thickness of the ground.

Beside him stood a tiny girl. Five years old according to her parents, and a duplicate of the younger Juuri. Her light brown hair flowed down to mid-back before layering out. Her small face was bordered by small wavering bangs. Her eyes were wide as she took in the stranger in front of her, her rosebud mouth a small "o". The most noticeable thing was her gracefully hands, wrapped tightly and possessively around her brothers pant leg.

Excitement. Who was this man? Why is he here?

"Yuuki," her mother called, "This is Cross-kun, and he's been helping us keep you in hiding,"

"Okaa-sama, if Cross-san helped us successfully, Onii-sama would not have been hurt." Yuuki's small eyes gleamed defiantly.

Kaname felt a surge of pride for his sister, well done Yuuki.

Juuri was stunned, she had no insight of her daughter's extent to vocabulary, and even more so the harsh words she used against them.

"Kaien-kun I'm sor—"Juuri began.

Kaien Cross held up his hand to stop her storm of apologies. "Yuuki-chan, you're right. I'm sorry for allowing your brother to hurt, but I promise that won't happen again,"

Yuuki was taken aback; this man was not as cruel as she had been told. She glanced up accusingly at her brother; however he only had eyes for the threat in front of them.

"Cross-kun, I accept your apology," her mask wavered. It was not like her to be so cruel to a man she had first met. A rueful smile slowly spread along her small face.

A moment's silence.

"Yuuuuuukiiiiii-chaaaaaaaan, So cuteeeeeee" Kaien danced forward, his hair flying all around him, Kaname pulled Yuuki to his side resulting in a fall on the face for Kaien.

"Kaname-kun, that's mean," Kaien complained rubbing his forward, a purple bruise already blooming on his forehead.

Juuri laughed gently, oh Kaname, so protective of his darling sister. "Kaien-kun, please stay for tea, I must hear how your school is coming along."

"Okaa-sama, what school?" Yuuki curiously questioned her mother,

"It's an academy. Cross Academy to be exact. This boarding school that Kaien-kun is establishing is for humans and vampires. Kaien-kun wants to prove that both races of species can live together in harmony."

Yuuki smiled. Humans. She stopped, "Okaa-sama, they aren't for food, are they?"

"Oh heavens no Yuuki-chan! They'll become your friends," Juuri explained, although she had already expected this answer from her daughter, after all, these were the lessons that her books had taught her.

Evidently Kaien-kun was shocked. Food? He looked at Juuri who was still staring adoringly at her daughter, maybe this won't work after all. He frowned, however he believed strongly that his idea of pacifism could succeed. After all, what is life without a few conflicts.

Eventually Juuri spoke quietly, "Did you bring them Kaien?" She asked as he quietly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small white box.

"I'm not sure how much better they are than from the ones that I last gave you," he said as he opened the box to reveal 100 small white tablets.

Kaname froze. Reacting to her brother, Yuuki stopped moving also. After a moment, she frowned "Onii-sama, I smell blood."

"You do?" Kaien Cross asked excitedly. "Do they smell real, are the chemical ratios between erythrocytes and leukocytes right? Are—"

"Kaien-kun, my daughter doesn't know." Juuri refused to believe that her daughter had actually smelled blood from these odd tablets, she herself had smelled none.

"Indeed she doesn't," Cross said as he picked two tablets up and dropped them into an empty wine glass, he then proceeded to fill the glass with water from an amphora that was off to the side of the table and watched as the water started to churn.

"You are the first ones to try this new batch," he carried on and pushed the glass towards the Kurans.

Yuuki made way to grab it before Kaname stopped her hand from reaching the table before picking her up and setting her on his lap.

Juuri looked around at her family before sighing silently and lifting the glass of water, which had now turned a dull scarlet, and pressed it against her lips. She made a pained expression. She silently gave the goblet to her husband, who in turn handed it to Kaname.

Kaname hesitated before he spoke, "Cross-san, they need to be stronger, indeed they do help regulate thirst but vampires won't want to drink this compared to human blood if this is the final product." Kaname grimaced.

"Ahh, but luckily, these aren't the final product."

Juuri sighed and leaned back into her chair. "I refuse to give up," she said, "I want this for my children."