Everyone had gathered in the Headmaster's office. Mitsuko had been seated in a chair. The Headmaster had wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, and left to make himself a hot cup of tea. Beside her stood Yuki and Kaname, both of them the only ones daring to get so close to her. The rest of the night class students, were lined along the walls of the office, waiting patiently to hear what Headmaster Cross planned to do with Mitsuko Ito. Aido couldn't help but smile to himself.
'Here it comes,' he thought to himself. 'I am not Mitsuko Ito I am some legendary vampire of some legendary clan pretending to be a human so I can fulfill some ulterior motive for harming the night class that I know are vampires. I can hear it already. Then, Lord Kaname will punish her justly so!' The boy genius thought to himself. The Headmaster returned, and took a seat at his desk.
"So Mitsuko," he started staring her down, "care to explain?" Mitsuko looked down at her tea before letting out a very heavy sigh. She looked up at Headmaster Cross.
"I'm so sorry this happened at your academy, Headmaster. Please understand these were not my intentions," She told him. She looked down and sighed again.
"My name is not Mitsuko Ito," she started, much to Aido's pleasure. He couldn't wait to hear her cliche story, then her beg for forgiveness!
"I am experiment one seven eight zero twelve dash seven B (178012-7B) of Fujiwara Facilities," she told them. Aido's expression suddenly dropped, and soon, he was just as lost as everyone else.
"Experiment?" Headmaster Cross asked, not truly understanding.
"Yes," Mitsuko admitted. Everyone in the room was now unbelievably interested in her explanation.
"Seventeen years ago, A scientist name Katsurou Fujiwara was experimenting with the genetic material, pulled from over one hundred thousand samples, in an attempt to create a DNA strain that was immune to disease. It was a heavily funded scientific breakthrough that could cure everything from the common cold to cancer. He thought that he had narrowed the results, and needed to isolate the strain that he believed would serve as the cure, so he acquired twenty-four artificial wombs, and began growing various test subjects. Of all twenty-four specimens,I was the only one to survive," Mitsuko explained. "However, I was a failure. Upon testing I proved incapable of immunity, and I was to be terminated. That is, until Fujiwara discovered my incredible powers, upon which he began testing immediately." Mitsuko paused and looked around the room of shocked and exasperated faces. She looked up to the Headmaster, who nodded for her to continue.
"I know this might sound crazy, but that creature you saw me fending off… it was a vampire, and part of that creature lives inside of me. The genes Fujiwara pulled from were those of humans, deformed by the state of vampirism, and somehow this gene has manifested itself perfectly inside me. This mix of vampire and human has given me the incredible gift, of being the perfect weapon against vampires," Mitsuko explained. The Headmaster was puzzled.
"The perfect weapon… against vampires?" He reiterated. Mitsuko nodded.
"The first power Fujiwara discovered was my gaze, and the calming and alluring effect it had on vampires," Mitsuko told him. Aido perked up this time.
'Her gaze,' he thought to himself, 'That's how she enchanted me. That's how… she escaped the horde of level E vampires.'
"The second power Fujiwara discovered, was my ability to manipulate light into a concentration that is powerful enough to cause serious harm to a vampire, and to manipulate shadows so I may move about them freely and stealthily without being detected; however, it was the discovery of my third power that kept me alive and funded in Fujiwara facilities," she told them.
"Your third power?" Headmaster Cross asked. Mitsuko nodded.
"The power to restore to a vampire, its humanity," she told him. "It was the focus of Fujiwara's research. All of the powers I possess, though incredible, are very unstable, and the control I have over them is very limited; most of the time they are just a reflexive reaction to fear. Sometimes I cannot even tell when I am using my powers. However, Fujiwara believed that my powers were the key to the extermination of vampires like the ones I took care of earlier today and tonight. He also believed that with proper training and testing, that I could not only have control over my powers, but that my ability to restore humanity to a vampire would be an effect that could last a human lifetime, rather than a matter of minutes" Mitsuko explained.
"And… How did Fujiwara test and train you?" Headmaster Cross asked. Mitsuko bit her lip nervously and looked away.
"Every day I was in the facility, I must have had to restore or kill two dozen vampires. I can remember finishing my training, and being covered in the blood of all those poor innocent people. I can remember the expression of every face of every person I ever slaughtered," Mitsuko told the headmaster, her head falling into her hands. "So many of them were scared, a number of them were sad… But most of them… Were hungry. They were driven only by their thirst for blood, that their own demise and self worth was absolutely meaningless! The only thing I ever found, that helped me to cope with the constant bloodshed was music. When I play, it's the only time I don't have to remember and count every single person that has ever died at my hands," Mitsuko explained. She sat their for a moment, allowing herself to cry while the room around her remained silent. Aido felt his heart ache for Mitsuko.
'It is no wonder… the music she plays… is so bittersweet,' he thought to himself as he remembered the song she had played for him. He quickly shook those thoughts out of his head, but continued to look on, over Mitsuko. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't look away, and no matter how often he tried to allow his mind to wander, it always came back to the aching in his chest. He couldn't help but wonder, if Mitsuko was using her gaze to influence him, even now. Mitsuko looked up at the headmaster, who had remained quiet through her spectacle.
"I still don't understand," he said, "why you are here at Cross Academy." Mitsuko gasped a bit, surprised by his question, before a very deep visible sadness swept across her eyes.
"Fujiwara worked in the medical field, and I had been the focus of Fujiwara's attention for nearly twenty years; however, after he failed to produce any comprehensible research, that benefited his field, his funding was cut, and he could no longer experiment with my powers. Although the control over my powers improved in the time I worked with him, I had to be kept a secret. He told me that no one would understand my creation, and that the world wasn't ready for me yet. He had planned to terminate me, for these reasons; however, he told me if I could keep my powers and true identity a secret, he would help me to integrate among humans so… I accepted," Mitsuko explained.
"You wanted to integrate among humans?" Headmaster Cross asked, a bit surprised by her reasoning. Mitsuko nodded.
"Yes… You see because I was to be kept a secret, I never left Fujiwara facilities, and being here… Being at Cross Academy… this is my first time out of the facility, and around people who are not Fujiwara," She told him. You could hear a collective gasp among the night class students and Headmaster Cross.
"You've… never been in the real world until now?" Yuki asked Mitsuko. Mitsuko nodded.
"This experience has proven to have many firsts for me; first friend, first car ride, first grass, first tree and so on," Mitsuko explained, "things I had only read about in books prior, I finally have gotten the chance to experience them, and I am grateful for that."
"I still don't understand though," The Headmaster told her, "Why did you choose Cross Academy as the ideal place to integrate among the real world?" The Headmaster asked.
"It was Fujiwara's idea that I come here. In my time in the facility, he had supplemented me with everything I wanted; books, toys, and instruments. He knew music was my passion, and when he told me that a world renowned musician was a Professor here, I couldn't say no," Mitsuko explained.
'Is it purely coincidental that this Fujiwara guy would send his unstable science experiment to Cross Academy, a school full of vampires… or… Did he send her here for a reason?' Aido thought to himself while he looked long and hard at Mitsuko.
The Headmaster was quiet for a long while, and then he turned to Mitsuko.
"Mitsuko," he addressed her, "may I call you Mitsuko?" He asked. Mitsuko nodded.
"What would happen if I expelled you, and sent you back?" He asked her.
"I would be terminated," Mitsuko responded coolly.
"What do you mean by terminated?" Headmaster Cross asked. A wave of fear swept over Mitsuko, before she gulped it down.
"Fujiwara would kill me for my insolence, and wait until the necessary funds were more abundant before trying to recreate me," she explained. Headmaster Cross nodded in understanding.
"My goal here is to protect my students. If I were to keep you in the day class, I would be putting all of your peers at risk of being hurt by you. But I don't know if I could send you back in good conscience knowing that you would die shortly after," The Headmaster told her.
"So… what are you going to do with me?" Mitsuko asked, worriedly. It was then that Kaname spoke up.
"Headmaster Cross, I believe that Mitsuko Ito should be transferred to the night class," Kaname told the headmaster. You could hear the wave of gasps that swept over the night class, and the look of shock and disbelief written on all of their faces. Even Yuki, looked up at Kaname wondering if he was out of his mind.
"I agree with Kaname," The Headmaster added, addressing the night class before turning to Mitsuko.
"Mitsuko, I will agree not to send you away or let anyone know of what took place here tonight, but only if you agree to take up Kaname's offer and transfer into the night class, so that you are not putting the day class students at risk," The Headmaster told her. Mitsuko offered him a confused expression.
"Why… why is it safer for me to be in the night class? Wouldn't I be putting them at risk too?" She asked the Headmaster. She looked around at all the night class students, trying to read their expressions. All of them remained stoic. It was at that moment, that the Headmaster understood.
"Do you know, Mitsuko? About the night class?" He asked her.
"Know what?" Mitsuko retorted. The Headmaster sighed.
"Mitsuko… everyone in the night class… they're all vampires," the Headmaster told her. Mitsuko's eyes went wide. She quickly stood up from her chair, grabbing at her various open wounds, and looked wildly around the room. She realized she was surrounded. And that there was no way out of the Headmaster's office without passing… a vampire. Mitsuko couldn't control it. She felt the tears flow from her eyes, as the fear flowed through her body and a bright ray of light erupted from her. The vampires moved to avoid it and shielded themselves. Mitsuko wrapped her arms around herself, willing herself to stop. She had tears streaming down her face, as she fell to her knees.
"I… I'm so sorry… I just…" Mitsuko trailed off, not sure what to say. Kaname approached her, and knelt down to meet her gaze. Mitsuko shied away, and scooted back.
"You didn't know?" Kaname asked her gently. She shook her head, looking around the room at all the vampires.
"Every vampire I've ever seen has been an abhorrent, disgusting, ghastly abomination of the human form… you all… you're all so… pretty," was all she could say looking around. She quickly returned her eyes to the ground.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…" She felt bad for attacking them.
"It's alright," Kaname said, standing back up. Mitsuko stood up as well, turning to Headmaster Cross.
"Why… Why are there vampires here?" She asked Headmaster Cross. "Why are they all so beautiful? Are you a vampire? What about the day class students? Are they vampires too?" Mitsuko couldn't help but gasp as her imagination ran wild. "Are you feeding these vampires day class students? Is that why the academy is set up this way? Is that what the ball is? A feeding frenzy?"
"Mitsuko, please calm down, I know this must all be a shock to you," He told her.
"Why… why are all these… these monsters… Have they just not turned yet?" Mitsuko was still vivid with fear, anger and distrust. Suddenly, Headmaster Cross put a hand on her shoulder.
"Mitsuko," he addressed her firmly. Mitsuko took a calming breath.
"I'm sorry," she apologize for a third time. The Headmaster smiled at her.
"The vampires that you have been dealing with are known in the vampire world as "Level E" vampires. They are vampires that were once human, but have fallen into a state of madness, brought on by their newfound vampire instincts. The vampires that surround you are known as Aristocrats and Purebloods. These vampires were born into vampire families, and have been vampires all their lives," the Headmaster explained. Mitsuko blinked confused, not understanding.
"But… Fujiwara told me that the vampires I have been saving… The Level Es… That they were brought into the state of vampirism by some sort of disease. Is… that not true?" Mitsuko asked. The Headmaster shook his head.
"Humans are turned into vampires when they are bit by vampires known as purebloods," The Headmaster explained. Mitsuko nodded, and looked down, biting her lip.
"So… vampires… are more than just diseased humans… they're like… a whole species?" Mitsuko asked not understanding completely. The Headmaster nodded solemnly.
"But… Why are they here?" Mitsuko asked, still not understanding.
"I established Cross Academy as a place to teach my pacifist ideology. I believe that it is possible for vampires and humans to coexist without the fear and hate that they have historically shared. The vampires that are here believe in this revolutionary idea, and have volunteered themselves to attend this academy as a demonstration to the higher powers in their world that coexisting is possible," The Headmaster explained. Mitsuko slumped back down in her chair, holding her head, trying to take all of it in. She looked up at the headmaster.
"Mitsuko," The headmaster addressed her again, and kneeled down to be at eye level with her. Mitsuko looked into his eyes.
"I know that this all might seem very terrifying and confusing to you; however, I believe that you and the powers you possess are the answer to a peaceful coexistence between vampires and humans," The Headmaster explained.
"But… why do you want me in the night class?" Mitsuko asked, "I… I've always been told that I was the perfect weapon against a vampire. And… I'm afraid… that, I might hurt someone. And I know this might sound insane, but I don't want to hurt anyone; human or vampire." The Headmaster nodded.
"I understand that you're afraid," he told her, "but I have faith in that the night class can handle you no matter how unstable your abilities are. I believe that they are the only people with the power, tools, and experience to properly train you and expand your abilities," Mitsuko offered him a serious gaze, before nodding.
"If you truly believe that by putting me in the night class, I can learn to control my powers, and that it would lead to a new height of world peace, then I will accept your conditions and do as you ask," Mitsuko told the Headmaster. The Headmaster smiled.
"That really means a lot to me, that you are so willing to volunteer yourself," The Headmaster told her. Mitsuko gulped and nodded.
"Headmaster," Kaname suddenly spoke up, "please don't forget to inform her about Mahara." Mitsuko's eyes went wide.
"What did you do to her? Is she okay?" Mitsuko asked.
"Mahara is perfectly fine," the headmaster assured Mitsuko, "however, because of the situation we had to erase her memories." Mitsuko blinked.
"You… erased her memories?" Mitsuko asked, "why… why would you do that?" The Headmaster sighed.
"I know it might seem a bit inhumane at first," The Headmaster assured her, "but part of keeping the day class safe, is making sure they do not know the vampiric nature of the night class. When the time comes, for the world to know the truth about this academy, it must be done in a delicate manner." Mitsuko understood what the Headmaster was saying; however, it still felt wrong somehow.
"So… she won't remember anything about vampires?" Mitsuko assured. The Headmaster nodded. Mitsuko couldn't help but feel reassured in that Mahara wouldn't know. She didn't want Mahara to have all the fears that she did.
"So… what do you want me to do?" Mitsuko asked, unsure of how to approach the situation.
"We will need a few days to prepare the night class for your arrival, in addition to other standard preparations. Until then you are not to expose your powers under any circumstances, or speak of any of the events that have occurred today. Yuki will be staying close to monitor you, and will inform you when it is time to leave the day class," Kaname told her. Mitsuko nodded although she was still unsure.
"Mitsuko," Kaname addressed her. Mitsuko looked up at him.
"Are you sure… you want to do this?" Kaname asked. He had a serious and emotionless gaze that caught the attention of every vampire in the room.
"No," Mitsuko answered. Kaname was taken aback by her honesty, but didn't show it. "I'm not sure that I want to do this. I am terrified, light-headed and sick to my stomach right now. But… If I can continue to attend this academy, and benefit myself and the greater good from doing this. I cannot find it in myself, to deny you or the headmaster of this request." Mitsuko looked up at Kaname. He remained detached and unemotional, but nodded.
"Very well," He said. He turned to the night class students.
"Seiren," he called out, and Seiren stepped forward, "please take Mitsuko back her dorm." Seiren nodded and lead Mitsuko out of the room. As soon as Mitsuko was gone, Kaname turned to Headmaster Cross.
"You realize how treacherous this situation is for her, don't you?" Kaname asked him. The Headmaster nodded.
"Kaname," Yuki called to her husband, "if this girl… is the answer to bringing Zero back… then please know that I stand with you and the headmaster regarding the decision to put her in the night class." Kaname looked over at Yuki, to see her eyes filled with all the worry, pain, suffering, guilt and shame, she had been harboring towards Zero. Kaname sighed.
"I know Yuki," he told her with a smile. He turned to the rest of the night class students.
"I have a request," he told them, as they all looked at their pureblood Lord. "For the sake of the Headmaster and maintaining peace at this Academy I ask you firstly to treat Mitsuko with great caution and tenderness. I also ask, that the knowledge of her existence stay in the night class, and does not extend any farther into the vampire world. Do I make myself clear?" His followers respectfully bowed, solemnly swearing their allegiance to Lord Kaname.
"Good," Kaname told them, "You are now dismissed." He told them. The vampires left the room.
"Kaname," the headmaster addressed the pureblood, "are you sure the night class can handle this? If not, we can erase her memories."
"Even erasing her memories could not save her now. The night class is her only hope," Kaname told the headmaster as he left the room. The Headmaster said nothing, but understood.
XXXXXX
"So… Mitsuko Ito, is some sort of vampire hybrid," Akatsuki thought aloud as he walked back to the moon dorm with Aido. Aido nodded, but remained silent. He couldn't help but feel guilty, for wanting Kaname to kill her.
"I thought… she was a conspirator against the night class," Aido told Akatsuki, "but, I can't help but wonder about Fujiwara. Do you think… he sent her here for something?" Aido asked Akatsuki. Akatsuki shrugged.
"It seems odd that someone of her nature would just come to this academy at random… but, she was completely oblivious to all the reasons Fujiwara would want to send her here," Akatsuki added.
"Unless, he didn't want her to know," Aido spoke up. Akatsuki gave his cousin a peculiar look.
"Maybe… Fujiwara didn't send Mitsuko here to destroy the night class. Maybe he sent her here in the hopes that the night class would destroy Mitsuko," Aido suggested.
"You heard what Mitsuko said. If Fujiwara wanted her dead he would have done so himself, not send her here on a whim in the hopes that someone else would," Akatsuki assured Aido. Aido narrowed his eyes in thought. He knew that Mitsuko wasn't sent here on accident, and he knew that if he ever wanted to learn more about her circumstances, he would have to speak with her.
"I… can't help but feel bad. That she is put in such a horrible situation," Aido told Akatsuki, changing the subject.
"What are you talking about?" Akatsuki asked, still doubtful of Aido, "she gets to sit in the lap of luxury within the confines of our aristocracy and under the protection of the purebloods." Aido shook his head.
"She is too powerful to fit in among the human world. But, she is too timid, and fearful of us, to ever live comfortably among the vampires. There is no other being in the world like her. She has no understanding of human customs, no vampire instincts, and a minimal understanding of the history between humans and vampires. She can't even control her powers!" Aido told Akatsuki. Akatsuki was taken aback by the behavior of his cousin.
"Are you sure you're truly that concerned for her? Or just concerned with the taste of her blood?" Akatsuki asked Aido coolly, only half joking. Aido couldn't help but feel annoyed by his cousin's stubbornness.
"I'm serious Akatsuki!" Aido yelled at his cousin. Suddenly he stopped himself and sighed.
"The sun is coming up," Aido said, as he walked back to the dorm. He thought of Lord Kaname, and the day his heart decided that he would be someone who could protect him, and for the first time in a very long time, he felt his heart shift.
00000000000000000000
Hello dear reader, it has been far too long hasn't it? I hope everyone had a blessed holiday, and wasn't too disappointed when Installment Ten didn't make an appearance last week! I figured with the holidays, and my family coming into town, it was appropriate that I take a break from the computer for a moment. I am back now, and ready to continue with the story. I hope you all had a blessed and safe holiday, and an even more blessed and safe 2017! Thank you so much for all of your views, favorites, follows, and reviews and I cannot wait to see where this story goes with the beginning of the new year!
-JW