AN: We're getting into the series of little plot twists. I hope you will find it *ahem* intriguing ^-^ as always, reviews are appreciated.~

~8th Night, Dance of Betrayal~

Kai sighed for what felt like the billionth time that morning. Zero was still ranting and raving, as he had been doing for what felt like several hours. He absolutely could not accept the fact that Kai was the daughter of a pureblood, or the fact that she was seriously considering becoming one of them.

"Kiryu-kun," the chairman said gently, "I know you're upset, but this is for Kai's own good. Don't you want her to be happy?"

Zero finally stopped pacing, "Of…of course I do," he said, "But this…"

"Zero," Kai stood and wrapped her arms around her brother, "I know this is hard to accept, but my mother is a descendent of the vampire that created the hunters, you know, so it's not as if we'll be totally estranged. I just," she paused, choosing her words carefully, "I know this seems like I'm taking the easy way out, but I realize that, either way, I'll become a member of the night clan. The only question is whether I do it painlessly or not."

Zero glared down at the carpet, "I just…I've lost...It's so hard to…and Ichiru…and mom and dad…and…"

Kai smiled gently, "I'm sure they'd respect my decision," she said, "And I know how you feel about purebloods, but my mother is different. Can you at least accept her seeing as she's on good terms with the association? You'll be under our protection as well," she added.

"I still don't like it," Zero replied bitterly, "I don't like that you're going ahead with this!"

"Nothing's final yet, Zero," Kai said, "I'm still taking some time to think, but will you please at least, meet my mother?"

Zero exhaled, accepting defeat, "Fine, when do we set off?"

"She's coming here," Kai replied, "On the night of the ball."

Zero blinked, "O-okay," he said, "Fine, but it'll be brief, right?"

"And hopefully painless," Kai said, "The only part I'm not looking forward to is the night class finding out, though, I suppose, it had to happen sooner or later."


"Actually, this could work to our advantage."

Ryusuke looked up from his book, "Father?"

"It would have been one thing if Eri-sama had had a son," Lord Nakamura said, "But providence has given her a daughter, much to our benefit. Get close to her, my son, and make her fall for you. I, meanwhile, will try and persuade Eri-sama to arrange a marriage between you."

Ryusuke smiled, "Yes, that would work to our gain," he said, "We win in either situation, for if she does not become a vampire, then Eri-sama will need an heir, no doubt."

"Now you're thinking more like politician and less like a rock star, Ryusuke," Lord Nakamura said proudly, clapping his son on the shoulder, "Now, go back to your dorm and get ready for the ball, I will return to where the other proud parents are lodging and do the same.


"Package came for you, Kai," Kyoko said as she entered their room. She handed the nicely wrapped box to her roommate, who looked rather confused.

"From who?" she asked as she began undoing the ribbons, "There's no card on the outside."

Kyoko shrugged, "Hell if I know," she said, "Some butler came to me and said it was for you…though he called you Kaida-dono…"

Kai blinked, then groaned, "I told him not to do that here," she said, "don't worry, Kyoko, he works for my mom," she said. She removed the top of the box and stared at the contents.

"Wow," Kyoko said, "Just…wow…"


The ball was upon Cross Academy at last and Arisa was determined to show off her beauty to its fullest extend. She had left her hair down and adorned a long, halter-top evening gown in a dark crimson that she knew would best compliment her complexion. She worn an ornate diamond necklace that accentuated the plummeting neckline of the dress and heels the same color as the dress. In short, she new, with the money her father spent on her, she would be the most beautiful girl at the ball. She was sure to catch the eyes of all the boys in the night class.

And what was better, her father would be there as well. Her rich, powerful, daddy. He was sure to point her out to the other parents who would come to the ball, and would no doubt get her together with one of the night class boys.

With these thoughts in mind, Arisa strode confidently into the ball. She sighed longingly at all the handsome night class students. She took a look at their parents, who were also attending the ball, and knew immediately where they all got their looks from.

Arisa quickly sought out her father and found him talking to an extremely beautiful woman. He saw his daughter and motioned for her to come over.

"And this," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "is my lovely angel, Arisa. She's my pride and joy, Miss Kirihara."

Miss Kirihara smiled as her and Arisa marveled at the woman's radiance. The silver dress she wore would look simple on anyone else, but on Miss Kirihara, it was stunning.

"Miss Kirihara is a former concert violinist," her father said to her, "Her daughter attends the day class university, perhaps you know her."

Arisa shook her head, "I'm afraid I don't," she said with a curtsy, "She may be in another year, perhaps ahead of me, but I am sure she is just as beautiful as you."

Miss Kirihara laughed, a most beautiful sound, "You flatter me," she said, "You remind me of the Kuran girl. Oh! why there are the siblings now!"

Kaname and Yuki approached them and Arisa was ready to faint with excitement. Kaname was indeed the gem of the night class, more beautiful than all of them combined. His little sister also looked very pretty in her pale pink dress.

"Eri-san," he said, "What on earth brings you to this event?" he asked, "Even Sara-san is here, though she says it's for Takuma."

Miss Kirihara smiled, though Arisa sensed there was something mischievous in her eyes, "Oh, Kaname-kun," she said, "Stay with us for a moment and you will discover my juicy little secret."

Kaname looked confused, but acquiesced all the same. They chatted for several minutes before a servant came up to Eri and whispered something in her ear. She then smiled and whispered something back in a language that Arisa did not understand, though it sounded like French.

"The grand unveiling has come," she said playfully, gesturing to the entrance into the ballroom. Arisa's eyes widened as she saw both the Kiryus come in as well as Kyoko. Kyoko was dressed in a nice, yet simple, forest green dress, a color the artist habitually wore. Zero looked devilishly handsome in his suit and tie, the rebellious tattoo on his neck just peaking over the side of his shirt collar.

Then came Kai. She was dressed in a strapless, midnight blue dress, with silver embroidery on the bust and waist that shimmered like dancing starts, complimenting the girl's eyes. Her bangs still covered her left eye but two small braids adorned the side of her head, meeting in the back and fastened with pins, continuing on into the rest of her dark tresses, which hung loosed down her back. She'd switched out her normal black piercings fore silver ones and on each of her wrists hung a plain, silver bangle.

Kai seemed to have spotted them and looped her arm in Zero's. The trio approached and Eri took Kai's hand, "This," she said, "Is my daughter, Kaida."

"Kiryu-san…is your daughter?" Arisa exclaimed.

"Surprising, isn't it?" Kai said with a smile, though Arisa knew it was one of smugness, even if it didn't look it. Kai turned to her mother, "This, she said, bringing Zero, who had been lingering a little ways away from the group, closer, "Is my half-brother, Kiryu Zero, the one I told you about."

"Oh yes!" Eri said delightedly, embracing the boy, who looked surprised and uncomfortable at the same time, "Kai has told me so much about you," she said, "I'm glad to finally meet you!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Zero replied, bowing stiffly, "Kai has also told me about you."

"I'm glad," She said, then laughed lightly as she saw the stunned look on Kaname's face, "You look like you've seen a ghost, Kaname-kun," she said.

He blinked, then cleared his throat, "It's just that this is completely unexpected," he said, then looked pointedly at Arisa and her father, "Perhaps we ought to continue this conversation on the terrace."

"Well, Kaname-kun, I would like to get a little more acquainted with Zero-kun here," she said, "Why don't you and Kai go get to know each other? You can give her advice, seeing as she will have to appear in society soon enough."

"It would be my pleasure," He said, "Yuki, why don't you stay here as well."

Out on the terrace, Kaname turned to Kai, who was leaning against the rail. She looked a him questioningly, "You don't believe it, do you?" she said.

Kaname shook his head, "It's certainly a surprise," he said, coming over to stand next to her, "Are you really going through with this?" he asked.

Kai nodded, "Zero's come to accept it," she said, "though it took a while. He's also agreed to help me with the complications that are going to follow."

"Complications?"

"Because of my hunter's blood," she said, "We have found that, even as a full-fledged pureblood, my body will not accept the blood tablets. Zero has agreed to supply me with blood until I can find myself a suitable partner. I've offered him my blood in return."

Kaname sighed, "I hate you, you know?" he said, making her look at him in confusion.

"For what I said about you and Yuki?" she said.

"I see you've dropped the honorific," he said, "Not that it matters, since you are one of us," he closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh night air, "Yes, that, and this new discovery are forcing me to question my feelings even more."

Kai looked up at the moon, a small smile on her lips, "She seems to be in the same position," she said, "I've seen how she looks at Zero, that must drive you nuts."

Kaname snorted, "I have often wanted to rip him to shreds," he said, "be thankful I've have restrained such impulses."

"You didn't seem entirely restrained when you shoving your tongue down my throat the other night," Kai said darkly, "I wanted to stab you right then and there," she continued, "Be thankful that I restrained such impulses."

The pureblood looked pointedly at the black stone that hung from chain on Kai's neck, knowing full well that hunter's magic was capable of concealing something dangerous in such a small trinket. Still, he couldn't stop himself, he chuckled, "You and Aria… good lord," he said, "with the way you act, I'm not so surprised you are her descendent."

"This Aria," Kai said slowly, "You mean, she's the one who created the hunters?"

Kaname nodded, "Yes, she was my first love," he said, "I thought I could overcome my desires for her when Yuki was born, but it never came to pass. Her blood did not sate me as it should have, as Aria's would have."

"How old are you?" Kai asked in surprise.

"Older than you could imagine," he said, "But ready to be young again. Let me ask you something," he continued, "when you turn, would you let me sample your blood?"

Kai blinked, "Why?"

"A test, to see if Aria's essence lingers is you just as her mannerisms do."

Kai sighed, "Fine, but you better be prepared to give it back."

Kaname chuckled again, "Of course," he said, then added, "Your arm, it healed without difficulty?"

She nodded, "You were not gentle," she said, "But yes, it healed just fine. Though you almost had Zero on you."

Kaname grimaced, "No wonder."

Kai laughed. Now that she was having a simple conversation with him, Kaname didn't seem so bad. In fact, she thought she felt her heart flutter a bit as he spoke to her.

"Excuse me," they turned to see Ryusuke bowing to them, "Forgive my interruption," he said, "But, Kaida-sama, may I speak with you."

Kai looked at Kaname, who nodded, "I must be returning to Yuki anyway," he said, going back inside the ballroom. Ryusuke took his place by the rail and Kai couldn't help but feel an unexplainable pang of annoyance as he did so. It had been Kaname's spot, not this guy's, he didn't deserve-

Oh God, what am I thinking? Kaname tried to kill me, why am I am getting so worked up over this?

She shook herself mentally to clear her head, then turned to face Ryusuke, "What is it?" she asked.

"Our families shared ancestry long ago, Kaida-sama," he began, "And I am very eager, as I am sure you are as well, to reconnect what we once had."

"I was told our ancestor's butted heads in the past," Kai said, not sure where this was going.

"Yes, thus it is our duty to heal the old wounds," he said, taking her hand and kissing it, "and join together and be family once more."

Kai blushed, "You're…proposing?" she said incredulously.

"It would be quite a fitting match, don't you believe?" Ryusuke said.

She tugged her hand out of his, "I'm nineteen!" she said, "I'm in no way ready to be married!"

"Of course there would be the courting stage," he said, "Marriage would be a few years away."

"Try nonexistent," Kai replied, turning away from him, "I'm not sure how the vampire world works," she said, "but my instincts are certainly telling me to stay away from you. You don't even love me, do you?"

"A pureblood does not consider love when considering marriage, but the thought of political gain and keeping their line pure."

Kai shook her head, "I'm sorry," she said, "But I'm no pureblood yet." And she left him on the terrace.