A/N: I have realized that I am writing WSRG as a series of chapters that can actually stand on their own, they are just "glimpses" after all, but I am sure it will follow a linear timeline. This chapter is in Kaname's POV. Kaname is such a nice little boy, it was fun writing him, a challenge as well since I am trying to accustom myself to a Kaname without the angst, since this is a lifetime I imagined for him where he grows up in the loving care of his family. (Aww… hugs little Kana-chan)The other characters from VK are finally mentioned here, but how they are related will be different, since of course, this is another lifetime. And here are imaginary red roses for those who read, reviewed, faved and placed this on their alerts. Thank you! And again, please review this new chapter and tell me your thoughts!

Disclaimer: I do not own VK.

II. What winter brings

KANAME

I keep dreaming of snow. It's winter, but snow has yet to fall. Instead, it snows in my dreams.

When I wake up, I always feel odd; I can still feel the cold breeze from the dream that has left me. But today was different; I did not dream at all, and I now lay awake pondering what could have happened. Today is my tenth birthday.

I get up very carefully; Yuuki is still asleep beside me, so small, and tranquil. She has pulled most of the thick blanket to her side. I then think about getting a blanket of my own. I reach for my haori and drape it over my shoulders, not bothering to slip my arms through the sleeves. I wander out of our room.

It's early sunset and very quiet, and very cold. The hallways are colder than usual. The wooden floor feels like a frozen lake under my bare feet as I continue to walk around. Most of the household is still sleeping, but I can already hear the faint clang of pots and pans from the kitchen, the sound of breakfast being made. I sharpen my senses and I could now smell rich butter and pancakes. I smile; pancakes have always been my favorite, I suddenly wonder if eating too much pancakes is unhealthy for a growing vampire. I want to go to the kitchen and ask our cook what else he will be preparing for my special day.

I walk past the gardens very leisurely, a bit of excitement forming in my heart as my mind wanders to what presents I will be receiving later in the evening. My four cousins, Takuma, Senri, and the twins Hanabusa and Kain have been asking relentlessly for what I want. Anything is fine I told them, much to their dismay, especially Hanabusa's.

I quickly turn to the right corner and usher myself into the warm kitchen, where I found a very unusual and surprising sight.

Our cook is not around, instead there are two boys busying about. They look like around my age, one is standing on a makeshift box to reach the stove where he is frying pancakes, the other is mixing batter in a huge bowl by the table, and both were wearing aprons. Two miniature cooks, pale and silver haired, they look as if they have been carved from ice. It was intriguing how such small hands where doing the work of a grown man and with such graceful expertise and confidence. I can also feel something very different about them. Their aura is similar to that of Kaien-san, my father's personal adviser and right-hand man.

"You! Are you my uncle's helper? Where were you? Shouldn't you be here before sunset?" says the boy by the stove, looking at me, his eyes shine a mesmerizing lilac hue.

I am confused. Did that boy servant mistake me for kitchen help?

"Please don't just stand there, uncle Toru is still out buying fish, and we have a lot to cook after breakfast. Please find me the chickpeas for the soup," he continues, turning his back again to resume his task.

I have never seen the cook's nephews before, and it seems they have never seen me either. I am now trying very hard not to laugh, it's my birthday and I am being ordered around the kitchen to find chickpeas. I stumble through the barrels and gather a bowl of them from the huge sack under the shelves.

"Here, they are." I hand him the bowl eagerly, observing that they are finished with the pancakes. "What do I do next?" I can't help it; I was always shooed out of the kitchen.

"Chop some tomatoes," he answers quickly, and I follow.

I am looking for a knife when I hear my sister calling me. I can feel she is coming this way, and before I could do anything, her small form is at the door. Yuuki is sure fast and keen for her age.

"Kaname-niisama, come! You have to see!" she exclaims, still in her sleeping garments, her long dark brown tresses in disarray. In a second, she takes my arm and pulls me out of the kitchen quite easily. "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

"Yuuki, what is it?" I ask as she led me outside to the garden, I have almost forgotten the matter of chopping tomatoes.

"Oniisama, look!" She points her small fingers upward to the sky, my eyes follow them.

It's sunset, and the sky is turned into a splendid tapestry of orange, scarlet and purple. Overhead, a huge flock of migrating birds fly in flawless formation; but what takes my breath away wasn't that, but the unmistakable descent of snow, delicate and beautiful.

The first snowfall.

OMAKE

Back in the kitchen, Zero has almost dropped the huge pot of soup. In a flash, Ichiru was beside him, holding the other end.

"Zero-niichan, you okay?" Ichiru asked, panicking just as much as his twin.

"Ichiru, if I heard it right, that little girl just called the kitchen boy Kaname." Zero looks like he was about to faint. "Wasn't that the name of the Kuran's firstborn son?"