Three years passed without much drama for Ruka and Akatsuki. Akatsuki did prove to be a good bodyguard indeed, with surprising skills Ruka never realized he possessed. He seldom left her side, but always remained close to her, his eyes perpetually taking in every detail around them, even in class. It became his custom to constantly wear a long black cloak on his shoulders whenever he and Ruka left the school grounds. Ruka soon learned that this cloak actually hid a belt with a knife and long sword sheathed in it. The sword was no ordinary blade, but one which could deflect and destroy anti-vampire weapons.

Kaname Kuran, President of the Night Class at the Cross Institute, made arrangements so that Ruka and her roommate Rima slept in a room just across from Akatsuki and his cousin Hanabusa in the day. Akatsuki, naturally a light sleeper, did not seem to sleep much at all, but frequently patrolled the corridors while Ruka slept, as if expecting hunters to follow Ruka right into the Moon Dorms. She often wondered if Akatsuki was overdoing things.

That night, the Night Class was buzzing with anticipation. Kaien Cross, the Chairman, had announced that a new student was to join the Night Class. Hanabusa, who had apparently caught a glimpse of the girl already, declared that she was about the most beautiful person anyone had seen.

The door opened, and someone peeked in her head hesitantly. Kaname rose from his seat, and, watched closely by Seiren, walked over calmly, a book still in his hand.

"Ah, so the newcomer has come. You are Akemi Shiga-san?"

"Yes." The speaker's voice was sweet and silvery, like the faint tinkling of melodious bells. "You must be Kaname-sama, President of the Night Class? An honor to meet you. I am most privileged to be able to meet a Pureblood." Akemi dropped a polite, well-practiced curtsy.

She was, indeed, the most beautiful thing anyone in the Night Class had seen. Her beauty outshone the moon and stars, and was of the kind one only saw in dreams. Her long, hair was black and lustrous, so dark that no light seemed to touch it, and her wide, almond-shaped eyes matched the colour of the sea at summer. Her skin was pale and crystal-clear and her features well-defined and lovely. In one word, she was perfect.

"Greetings, Night Class. I am Akemi Shiga. Nice to meet you all." She turned a charming smile on her fellow students, inclining her head slightly.

Takuma stood up and begin the formal introductions. "Pleasure to meet you, Akemi-san. Welcome to Cross Institute. I am Takuma Ichijou, Vice President of the Night Class. This is Seiren, Rima Touya, Senri Shiki, Hanabusa Aidou, Akatsuki Kain and Ruka Souen. We are all most honoured to make your acquaintance."

"Souen?" Akemi's eyes rose dramatically. "Well, that is most…interesting. Ruka." Akemi turned a peculiar glance on Ruka, who narrowed her brown eyes slightly. "Sitting with Akatsuki? One of the Kain family?"

"I'm her guard," Akatsuki replied firmly, annoyed by her ill manners.

Akemi's red lips lifted in what might have been an attempt to smile. "You, Akatsuki-kun? Her guard?"

"Akatsuki-kun?" Hanabusa muttered to no-one in particular. "Since when has she been so friendly with my cousin?"

In his usual efficient way, Kaname took charge, clearly sensing the building tension. "Come now, Akemi-san. Please sit. Yagari-sensei will be here soon for our ethics class."

"Of course, Kaname-sama. Pardon my ill manners. I think I may take some time to familiarize myself with your ways here." Akemi descended the steps and placed herself gracefully on a chair just behind Akatsuki and Ruka.

"What is up with her?" Ruka muttered to Akatsuki, cupping a hand around her mouth.

Akatsuki had paled slightly, looking somewhat disconcerted. "Let's just say that the Shiga family has been a long-time friend of the Kain family."

"And where do the Souens fit in, then?"

"Now's not the time to talk about this," Akatsuki hissed. "Some things are best left unsaid for the moment. Whatever it is, you can trust me to protect you. I won't betray you."

"I know that," Ruka whispered back, wondering why he would talk of betrayal when he had been her most loyal friend.

"Just keep away from her," Akatsuki whispered back. "And don't ask why now. There are good reasons for it, OK?"

"Right." Ruka managed to restrain herself from looking back at the enigmatic newcomer. Still, despite looking straight ahead, she sensed Akemi ogling Akatsuki from behind. A strange sense of jealousy and rage overtook her; ridiculous, really. Why should she care if Akemi already had a major crush on Akatsuki? Many girls did.

But even as Yagari arrived at last for their ethics lesson, Ruka still sensed Akemi's eyes on her and Akatsuki, and knew for a fact that they were bound to embark on a most peculiar and dangerous journey together.

Yeah! One chapter down again! Thank you so much to all my reviewers; you've all been truly great and supportive!