A/N Yes, both Nat-chan and Rat-chan are aware that this is a very long time to wait for an update but we're just warning you lovely readers now that there won't be any quick updates due to time constraints on our lives, yes, college and university tend to do that to a person...
Nonetheless, we hope that our story will be worth waiting for!
Act I
A stark silence filled the study in response to the Pureblood's question, the Chairman looking into Kaname's face in obvious disbelief.
"Kaname-Sama," he began heavily, "I understand your wish to do all that you can to bring humans and vampires together, after all, it was your parents who began the movement, but I can't allow Yuuki to be used purely as a tool to achieving these ends!"
Rarely was anyone to see the Chairman getting so worked up but now he was standing at his desk, knuckles white from clenching at the wood, a look of slight desperation in his face, "Please Kaname! Think of what you're asking! A young girl to give up her life and dreams for the sake of a war. I can't accept this as an alternative plan." Whilst it was true that Yuuki was not his daughter in biological terms; he had come to view her as such. Haruka and Juuri had sacrificed their lives to give Yuuki the life she had now. He had been entrusted by them to protect it at all costs; Yuuki had been used as a pawn once already, even if it was indirectly. He wasn't going to let it happen again
Kaien,
If you are reading this then it means both myself and my wife have lost our lives.
The council used us for its own gain during this war; we have already lost one of our children to this war, though Kaname isn't bad himself. We love him even if he isn't our real son. As such we want you to do whatever you can to protect Yuuki…
Cross turned his back to the Pureblood and dropped the ruined peace document into the waste basket beside his desk just as several panes blew out of his study windows. Jerking back in surprise to face Kaname, Cross wished briefly that he had his old Hunter weapon to hand.
The Pureblood's eyes were glowing deep red, making his skin look even paler and more ethereal than usual; his fangs had extended below his bottom lip as he let out a low hiss of anger.
"You dare imply that I would wish anything for Yuuki other than her absolute happiness?" he asked threateningly.
Kaien Cross swallowed slightly nervously in the vampire's darkening aura,
"Ah, that is, Kaname-Sama, she is so young," he let his sentence trail off at the end and Kaname appeared to be slightly mollified that the Chairman was not implying that Kaname wished harm on Yuuki.
"You should be aware Chairman, more than anyone, of how much I care for Yuuki and that I would never force a decision on her that she didn't want," the Pureblood's tone wavered slightly at his last words and the Chairman's face glowed with sympathy for the vampire.
"Kaname-sama… I promised your parents that I would care for Yuuki for as long as she let me and was happy. She is still happy and has never realised the truth of her inheritance. You would ask me to turn that around and to overthrow her simple world?"
Yuuki's memories have been sealed. She has no memories of us, or being a vampire at all. From now on she is a normal human. We want it to stay that way for as long as possible. Whilst we did this to give her a better life; it's also one of the factors of the peace plans (or the only one) out forth by the council.
We hate to use our daughter this way, but please show the Hunters organization this letter.
The Chairman's tone had taken on a plaintive plea as his eyes begged the stoic Pureblood to allow Yuuki to remain his daughter for a little longer.
Kaname paused to take in Cross' obvious dismay at the thought of loosing Yuuki, his brow was furrowed and his hands still clenched themselves on his desk but Kaname had already waited so long and suffered so much,
"I would ask that you would entrust me to take care of her. Or do you doubt my ability to do even that much?"
The Chairman was unable to answer the rhetorical question and had no doubts that Kaname was only being this patient with him so far because he had raised Yuuki and loved her as his own.
"No Kaname," Cross sighed, "I don't doubt your ability to care for Yuuki, to love her, as she deserves but Yuuki couldn't possibly understand what kind of world she would be entering if she agrees to your proposal and it is her final decision as to whether she will accept or not. I will stand by her if she does not wish to marry you and she is also so young."
The loss of three pureblood vampires will have a large impact on the vampire world. By placing our daughter in the care of you, a former hunter and a human - but also friend, we hope that the Hunters Association will see this as a peace offering…a sign of trust. And that it will encourage more positive negotiations. Though we didn't erase our daughters memories with this in mind; we just don't want her to grow up in a world that revolves around war. Please take care of her.
Kaname recognised the Chairman's words as the acceptance of defeat and allowed a satisfied smile to break out on his features as he replied, "Of course Chairman, I would not force Yuuki to marry me is she did not wish it but I have few doubts that she will refuse. As for her age, she is old enough by human standards to marry and perhaps we could have several years of engagement. That would also serve the purpose of allowing greater insight into the vampire world."
Cross nodded in grudging agreement to the Pureblood's words. Yuuki quite obviously adored Kaname and the same vice-versa, even if Kaname was slightly more sophisticated in his attention of her, "And how do you propose to tell Yuuki of her heritage and past?"
By the time this letter has arrived in your hands the Pureblood vampires Haruka Kuran and Juuri Kuran are no longer in this world. Their daughter, Yuuki Kuran, has lost all memories of being a vampire and her family. Her body is that of a human, and she is to be under the care of Kaien Cross of Cross Academy.
The Pureblood merely smiled at the Chairman's apparent concerns, "Don't worry, I have a plan for that also. I have no intention of revealing Yuuki's past before asking her to marry me, that way she will feel no pressure to agree."
Cross couldn't decide if this were wise or not but gave a nod of agreement to show that he could find no more objections to Kaname's proposal.
Or at least he didn't want to voice his own views on the matter. He knew perfectly well that Purebloods often married and reproduced within their own families, Haruka and Juuri had proved that but his own personal opinion of this tradition was quite the opposite. However he wasn't going to risk the pureblood's wrath by mentioning it out loud. He had a funny feeling that Kaname already knew his opinion and was tactfully choosing to ignore it…
"I plan to ask Yuuki tomorrow and would appreciate if you were to keep this quiet. I don't want the Vampire Council or Hunter Association finding out more than necessary sooner than necessary. To the rest of the world it must appear that I am a Pureblood vampire marrying a human girl."
"Of course Kaname-Kun," the Chairman murmured agreement and gave the Pureblood an inclination of his head, "I don't think you parents would have wished for this… "
Should the need for such an occasion arise; our son, Kaname Kuran, has knowledge of reawakening her vampire side. We hope this can be avoided, however. We don't want our second child to be manipulated the same way Kaname was.
Sincerely,
Haruka and Juuri Kuran.
Kaname hummed non-committally but also bowed his head slightly to the Chairman before turning from the desk and slipping from the study, his footfalls making only a whisper as they moved along the corridor.
Now alone in his study, Cross collapsed back into his chair and tried to wrap his head around the events which were moving so quickly. 'I expected tonight to sign a peace treaty and instead have found myself giving permission to ask my daughter's hand in marriage. Not that it was ever my permission to give,' the Chairman thought bleakly.
Only the feel of a cold draught on his neck pulled the Chairman from his thoughts and reminded him that his room now had several new ventilation shafts and a large amount of sharp glass on his carpet.
'Honestly! He could have chosen something a little more convenient to destroy! Wonder if I could arrange for some anger management sessions,' Cross mused as he moved from his desk to try and find a dustpan and brush, cardboard and plenty sellotape.
The Next Twilight
"What!? A ball!? Rima, you had better not be joking!"
The sounds of Yuuki's screeching sliced through the grounds of Cross Academy. Ruka and Rima covered their ears in a vain attempt to protect their sensitive hearing,
"Yes Yuuki! And no, I'm not joking. Kaname-Sama is organising a ball, or rather, Kaname-Sama desires a ball and a legion of caterers have taken up the challenge." Rima repeated calmly.
Yuuki gaped in apparent incomprehension, "Kaname-Senpai wants a ball?"
Ruka gave a light growl in her throat, "Yuuki, we're not repeating it again. What Kaname-Sama wants is his own private business. We aren't going question his motives."
The awed tone of respect that Ruka gave Kaname's business made Yuuki blush lightly in rebuke and offer a feeble apology to the slightly irate female vampire,
"I'm sorry Ruka, I just didn't realise that Kaname-Senpai would want a ball and you don't know what for." A slight sniff from Ruka proved Yuuki forgiven.
"Well you were the one who wanted to know what all the action in the Night-Dorms was over." Rima commented, fishing around inside her box for another stick of Pocky.
Yuuki nodded in agreement and they continued their walk along the fountain path, the setting sun creating a glorious light display in the sprinkling of falling water and ripples of the large pool.
It was the only time that the three friends could meet and talk comfortably without the day-class boys stalking, or the sun burning, the two vampire girls.
Yuuki mused over their as she watched the birds darting amongst the treetops, "Do you think the Day-Dorms will be invited?" She doubted it since none of the girls in her class were making a fuss but she had to ask; just to be safe.
At Yuuki's question Ruka looked a little awkward. Rima just ate her Pocky, offering the other two girls one of the chocolate sticks.
"I think it's unlikely. Kaname-Sama has invited the most prominent members of the Vampire Council and Vampire community, including several other Purebloods. I doubt that the safety of the human students could be guaranteed in that environment and therefore he shall not invite them." Ruka said uncomfortably. She was trying not to offend the prefect too much. It wasn't that she didn't like humans… they just didn't belong in the Vampire world… with a few exceptions. She filled the silence by taking one of the pocky sticks from the box.
"To keep the human students safe," Yuuki repeated mildly.
Ruka cast a concerned glance but Yuuki had a bitter sweet smile on her face and Ruka felt a little more uncomfortable. It was these events that reminded the both of them how unusual their friendship was and how fragile it could be if they let it.
Even the normally blank-faced Rima showed some signs of not being completely at ease.
Yuuki tore her eyes from the darting birds and gave her concerned friends a smile. "Well you'll just have to show me what you're going to wear and tell me all about the ball afterwards!"
Rima's face became blank once again; a good sign. Ruka relaxed slightly even though the smile didn't reach Yuuki's eyes,
"Of course I will and you shall help me choose what to wear. There's going to be a lot of prominent young vampires that need to be impressed."
"I guess you can help… if you really want to…" Rima said; blandly as always.
The laugh from Yuuki was slightly more natural and everything seemed to go back to normal.
As they reached the end of the fountain path they turned their separate ways; Rima and Ruka to the Night classes and Yuuki to her dormitory.
As she neared the dormitory Yuuki couldn't help but feel slightly bitter towards her beautiful friends. Times like these reminded her of how far she was from Kaname's station and, however much she may love him, she could never hope for her love to be returned. Suddenly the thought of going to her shared room and starting on maths homework seemed incredibly daunting and she abruptly changed her direction towards the Academy's forest grounds.
Pushing through several branch tangles, Yuuki was able to force her way into the small clearing that housed an old stone bench entangled with roses. Sweeping aside some roses with care; she didn't want to cut herself and bring the vampires out to her secret hideaway, she was able sit down and reminisce about the first time she had met Kaname.
It had been at this very bench that she first encountered the handsome Pureblood and was one of her first and dearest memories. As a six-year old she had been exploring the forest all morning but somehow found herself lost amongst the tangles and had collapsed into tears beside the rose covered bench. She hadn't been aware of crying for long when strong arms had lifted her from the ground and held her close to a comforting chest.
"What's wrong Little Princess?" a warm voice had asked and she found herself sobbing out the story of her being lost. The voice had chuckled slightly at her woes and promised her, "Don't worry Little Princess, I'll keep you safe."
Yuuki still blushed in memory of how small she had been and how stupid she felt in retrospect. Kaname had been true to his words, he had taken her safely home to where her foster father wouldn't stop fussing over her tears but she wouldn't let go of Kaname, even when the Chairman had cooed at her that he had made her favourite pudding.
Yuuki had no memories of her life before she was six, no memories of parents or people loving her and so she had clung to Kaname's promise desperately. Finding out that Kaname was a vampire was a bit of a shock but it didn't change her views on her guardian angel and as a little girl she had often pretended to be a vampire. Never around Kaname though. He always got such a sad look in his eyes when she had run berry juice down her chin and had tried to make sticks into fangs.
Nonetheless, Yuuki hadn't realised the extreme differences of Kaname's species and station until the Night Class had begun at Cross Academy. The first time she had tried to hug Kaname around the other vampires they had stared at her like she was some sort of bug, even though Kaname had returned the hug warmly. Since then she had never hugged Kaname and it had taken several years for the other vampires to accept her. It had taken even longer to befriend Ruka. She and Rima had clicked the first time they met. She wasn't as concerned with rankings and propriety like Ruka was… in fact all she seemed to be concerned about was whether she had any pocky handy. Maybe that was why she got along with Shiki so well…
Yuuki was tugged back into the present day with the sounds of someone approaching her clearing through the undergrowth. Though Yuuki already knew that it could only be one person who could have found her here she still felt a slight thrill of excitement as Kaname stepped forward into the clearing.
"Kaname-Senpai!" she blushed lightly as he reached over to brush twigs out of her hair. Kaname gave a slightly sorrowful smile at her greeting,
"Yuuki, so formal and proper," he remonstrated lightly.
Yuuki's blush deepened slightly and her skin tingled where his hand had made contact with her head. Unsure how to answer to his comment she merely gave a small shrug and chanced a glance at his face.
Kaname was easily the most handsome person Yuuki had ever met, he far outstripped the rest of the vampires and he also had such a kind nature.
'Exactly why he could never love a plain human girl like me' Yuuki reminded herself sharply and she nearly missed what the Pureblood was saying.
"I've been to see the Chairman and can think of no easy way to gradually bring this to your attention,"
Here he gave Yuuki a smile even as her face turned slightly apprehensive.
'Oh no! He's mad because Yori and I can't hold the Day Class girls back! Though they do kind of line up like that… but still! They're not supposed to even be there in the first place! Nooooo! I told the chairman we needed someone else in the guardians! Preferably a really scary guy… the Day Class girls wouldn't dare come near the Moon Dorms then! Ha! Serves you right you obsessive! Wait, FOCUS YUUKI!! You have to explain to Kaname-Senpai!'
As she held a mental conversation with herself he bent his head and whispered in her ear,
"My Little Princess, will you marry me?"
It took several moments for the meaning of his words to penetrate Yuuki's occasionally thick skull.
"I'm so sorry Kaname-Senpai! I've asked the Chairman to at least hire a guy to help me and Yori-Chan but he just won't listen, however please allow us to continue to do our best to control the Day Cla- Wai! Wha! You - I me!?"
On the other side of the town to where Cross Academy was situated a silver haired boy of seventeen looked up from the campfire he had been staring into.
"What is it Zero?" His companion - and teacher - asked quizzically.
"Nothing… it must be my imagination" he replied in monotone, turning his gaze back to the fire.
'Was it just the wind? I'm sure I heard someone screeching…'
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A/N Well thats chapter one finished and we hope it was worth waiting for! Please do leave us a comment!
You know your finger is just itching to push that little button...
