I thought I'd tell you that this is a very special chapter! It marks the beginning of the actual plot (and romance I guess). Gosh, I can't believe it took me 10 chapters to get here. I'm just that kind of writer, I guess. I like test the water before going too deep. Please enjoy! Read the note at the bottom too.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight in any way.

Chapter 10: Declaration

"Miss Harugichi, I'm sure you understand the importance of the situation you've stumbled into. This 'secret' is one that could alter our whole world; for better or wore, I can't say," the Chairman paused as he surveyed the crowd that had gathered in the main hall of the Moon Dormitory. "Night Class, you've all be summoned here tonight to discuss the fate of Taura Harugichi, who, two nights ago, became aware of the existence of vampires."

The group hushed, all perfectly still; the hall might have been filled with marble statues rather than adolescents. Takuma stood among them, his emerald eyes dark in the gloom of the Night Class's house. He never dared to sneak a glance at me where I stood a few feet from Kaien Cross.

"Ahem," Kaname cleared his throat, and was given directive to speak by the Chairman. "I would like to make it clear that this girl is neither a Hunter, nor a unique human in any way. She simply witnessed a Level E attack."

"Where?" A blue-haired girl asked. Her voice was high, but enchanting. I knew she must be the one they called Seiren.

All eyes fell on Takuma, and he laughed awkwardly. "Come on, guys. Way to sell me out." He became more solemn as his lips parted once more. "It was at my family's estate, I'm afraid. I had invited Taura to my Halloween celebration when three Level Ends appeared out of nowhere. There were many human guests there, but she was just unlucky, I'm afraid."

"It wasn't Ichijo's fault, Chairman," said Akatsuki Kain. "I was too lenient when I tried to put her to sleep."

Lenient? He'd nearly knocked my head right off!

"Yes well, it doesn't really matter how it happened. The point is, Taura knows your secret. Kaname and I discussed possible solutions. My first suggestion was to have her memory erased, but it seems we would have to remove a week's worth of memories, and that would have to be taken care of in multiple sittings. So, we were left at an impasse. Kaname proposed we hold a vote. I thought it was a fair idea, so here we are; however, I will have absolutely no jurisdiction here. Taura wasn't on school grounds during the attack, so it's not my business to tread where I'm not welcome. As much as I think she would remain a loyal caretaker of the Night Class's secret, it's up to its members to decide her fate."

I looked at all eight of them individually. Takuma Ichijo, the red-head, the orange-haired girl, Akatsuki Kain, Aidou Hanabusa, the light-brown haired girl, Seiren and Kaname Kuran… the pureblood, leader of them all. It amazed me that such a powerful creature could care so much for little Yuuki Cross. She was nothing but a human, after all. The thought made me realize that there was much more to these 'vampires' than I would ever know. They could be cruel, certainly, but they could be faithful as well.

"Shall we get this started then? Night Class, you'll each have one vote. You'll either vote to have Miss Harugichi to keep her memories, or for them to be removed. Write your choice down on the notes Kuran gives you, and then fold and return them."

There was a bustle of movement as the vampires took slips of paper from Kaname. They filled them in with pens, and then gave them back one by one. Takuma smiled at me reassuringly as he passed his to Kaname, who then wrenched it from the blond vampire's hands.

"Here they are, Sir. Eight votes."

"Thank you, Kuran." The Chairman crumbled all eight pieces of paper in his hand. He nudged me. "Are you ready, Taura?"

Swallowing, I nodded.

"I'll let you read them out, Taura. It's the least I can do," he said as he dropped the papers into my cupped hands. I didn't even want to look at them, but still, I inhaled and directed my attention on the Night Class. They looked so unreal in this light. I wondered silently how many of them wanted to get rid of me.

Well, I thought with a small smile as my eyes fixed on Takuma and he beamed again. At least I know I'll have home vote.

I picked up the first paper from the pile and unfurled it. "A-against," I read in one harsh breath. I saw Kaname raise a finger, but noted that he already had two in the air. I guess that meant he'd voted against me keeping my memories too. "Against," I read the next one, and my heart sunk. I was sure the next one would be the same, but as I flattened it against my palm my eyes widened. "For." I read the next one. "For." And the next after that. "For." Three votes for me to keep my memories in a row? I was literally speechless. But who… I suddenly understood as my eyes locked with the orange-haired girl's. I remembered how I'd told her red-haired companion to go to her at the party. Could it be...?

The next paper was another "Against," and the last, I announced with a throbbing heart, was a "For."

I looked at Kaname, who's eyes were angrier than I'd ever seen them before. I had no idea why he hated me so much, but it seemed that he'd thought more of his fellows would vote to have my memories removed. He didn't know about the little interaction I'd shared with two of the people standing with him.

"It seems we have a deadlock," he said in a low hiss. "What now, Chairman? Will you vote as one of us, or—" Kaname paused when the Chairman began to shake his head back and forth. "I don't understand, Sir."

"There's nothing to understand, Kuran, and there's only one thing that can be done. The Night Class has spoke its wishes, but there is another who should have equal say in this matter," his warm earthy eyes fell on mine, and suddenly I understood. "It's your turn to vote, Miss Harugichi. You've heard what my other students want, now tell them what you want."

"I…" my voice faltered as I looked at them—all of them, from Takuma to Kaname. In that moment, I realized that I didn't know what I wanted. I remembered my life as a normal girl. I'd loved that life, and so had the people around me, my family and friends. How could I abandon then like this? How could I choose this secret over the safety of those I loved?

Still, I didn't want to simply cast aside my memories like this. They had happened, whether I wanted them to or not. I'd become aware of the existence of vampires, something I'd never thought possible until the moment Takuma Ichijo spoke to me on the pier. It's true that he was the person who had helped me to overcome my initial frustration and anger towards this establishment. It had only been a week, but somehow, knowing he was here had made me want to strive. He was a vampire, and I could never be everything to him, but he'd been a good to me so far. I had no reason to doubt him.

"You give something up, and in return, gain something."

Right then, there was no other option in sight to me. Never would I come to regret my decision, whether I was sixteen, twenty-five or sixty; not even in the wake of the maelstrom that my life would become. I was completely sure about it, though I didn't quite know why. I straightened, brushed my hair from my eyes, cleared my throat and shouted my desire to the entirety of the Night Class, "I WANT TO REMEMBER!"

After my declaration, the Chairman stepped across the tiled floor, towing me along by the arm. "I suspected this would happen," he said in my ear, smiling cheerfully. "I'm so excited. There are things you'll be privileged to know now… things about your family. But before that you should introduce yourself to the Night Class!"

He practically threw me into the crowd of vampires! Thankfully, Kain caught me. We both watched with very confused expressions as the Chairman danced around the room like a complete fool.

"You'll get used to him," Kain said, scratching his forehead with his index finger. "But maybe not entirely."

"Taura! Taura! Tell me your blood type now!"

"Shut it, idiot! Sometimes I find it hard to believe we're related." Kain caught Aidou by the sleeve, stopping him from crashing into me in his haste. "Besides, you voted for her to have her memory removed! I saw the paper."

Aidou bowed before me apologetically. "I'm sorry for doing that, Taura. I just thought there were already enough humans here who knew our secret."

"It's okay. I'm not mad—"

I was silence by Takuma's cheery voice. "Miss Harugichi! You made it!" In seconds I was wrapped in a very tight embrace. He spun me around with him. I was practically crying by the time he finally set me down, stumbling a bit from dizziness. "I knew you wouldn't be forced to forget. Even if they'd voted against you, I would've found some way to remind you," he patted me on the top of my curly-haired head, and I felt my face redden with embarrassment.

"Let me go," I grumbled, and turned my back on him. I could hear him laughing again as shoved me forward.

"Rima, Shiki! Incoming!"

I fell forward and nearly hit the red-haired boy and orange-haired girl. "S-sorry!" I sputtered as I caught myself with my arms.

I noticed a hand extending for me, and looked up. It was the girl. "I'm Rima Toya, and this is Shiki Senri," She said, and then added in a single breath. "Take it."

"Thanks," I said, nodding. "And you're welcome."

They seemed to understand my gratitude because I noticed them eye each other awkwardly as I left. I shoved the crowd aside, heading for the front door. I was about to take my leave when the Chairman called me back.

"Taura, you can't go yet."

"B-but why not? Isn't this whole thing over with? I'm keeping my memories; isn't that enough?"

"I'm afraid not. There's still a matter we need to discuss."

He led me back to the head of the room, waiting until the Night Class calmed down again. It didn't take long. Soon, they were all watching the Chairman once more.

"So now that Taura has decided to keep this secret, what should be done with her? Oh, don't look so frightened, Miss Harugichi. I'm just wondering what position you should fill. All those who know of the existence of vampires at this school have to take extra precautions to make sure the secret doesn't slip. Naturally, I've already considered making you a school guardian, but I think your skills would be better suited elsewhere. There's something I've been considering for a long time, and this event has given me the opportunity to explore the idea further. After witnessing the connection my daughter shares with Zero Kiryuu after four years, I can't help but wonder if other vampires could benefit from a similar bond—"

"Zero's a vampire?" I interrupted suddenly, darkly shocked. I thought back to Zero's constant absences, his frustration, his inhospitality. I had thought he was holding back a secret since last week, but never something of this magnitude. Somehow, this revelation made the joy of my success fade a bit.

Kaname's voice startled me.

"He's a Level D, soon to be Level E, and a vampire hunter. Kiryuu has led quite the ironic life; he was born into a family bent on destroying my kind, and when he was turned into one of us, he suffered immense hardship. He's really quite pathetic."

I hated to hear him talk that way. Even if I'd only ever spoken with Zero a few times, I knew that Kaname was wrong about him. "From what I can tell," I said, biting back anger, "you're the only pathetic one here. You're completely in love with a human, yet you think less of Zero for something beyond his control. You disgust me. Zero didn't ask to become a vampire, and I didn't ask to discover your secret, but you still resent us both. I won't listen to someone like you badmouth Zero Kiryuu."

"You little—"

The tawny-haired vampire had risen to her feet, and seemed prepared to attack me. Kaname stopped her with a single look.

"Back down, Ruka. Let the girl speak."

It was my turn to smirk as I looked from the Ruka to Kaname. "I think you're just jealous that Zero gets to spend so much time with Yuuki, while you're confined to the Night Class. Being a Pureblood clearly has its limitations, isn't that right?"

I expected Kaname to become furious with me, but he only nodded his head. "You're right. I do wish that I could see my Yuuki more often, but I'm certainly not jealous of Kiryuu. You shouldn't talk about things you don't understand."

"And you shouldn't judge people for things they can't control."

"Silence! Harugichi, Kuran," The Headmaster warned us to be quiet with a sharp nod. Our attention was drawn back to him, but I couldn't shake the feeling of Kaname's eyes on the back of my head. I would have to watch out for him in the future.

"As I was saying, I've come up with the idea for a new disciplinary team faction: you, Taura Harugichi, will be an Interracial Coordinator from this moment on. Your job will me to initiate bonding between the Day and Night Classes. You won't have to protect the Day Class if anything goes wrong, or supervise the Night Class—that's my daughter's job. The time has come to take another step forward, my young students. Things are different from the way they were in my time. I think that, in the future, humans and vampires will be able to coexist in harmony. But for that to happen, we'll need to test my theory. You'll be an excellent subject, Taura. Later, you'll travel to other parts of this country in order to interact with other vampires and humans who know your secret. You'll observe how they're conforming to the change."

"But Sir, you don't honestly expect her to do this all alone! Regardless of how well-informed she is, she's still only a human." Aidou shot me a worried glance.

"I realize this, Aidou, but I've already come up with the solution. One of you will become her guide, guardian and her helper. One of you will introduce her to the dangers and beauties of the vampire world."

The Chairman scanned the group, his eyes meeting the eyes of each Night Class member. They fell finally on a ruffled-looking Takuma. He pointed to himself, emerald gaze widening to a practically impossible degree of surprise. "Me?"

"Yes, Ichijo. You." Kaien Cross's somber gaze suddenly transformed. He became completely exuberant once more, and blushed vibrantly. "Won't it be wonderful! Vampires and humans working together like never before! I'm so brilliant! Taura, Yuuki will come by to see you in your room tomorrow morning, so be sure to greet her kindly! And Takuma, be sure to take care of little Miss Harugichi! The Night Class plus Taura is dismissed!"

There was slight commotion as the vampires each bid me goodnight and disappeared up the double stairs that led to the bedchambers—well, three of them didn't. Seiren, I noted, had left a while ago, and Ruka and Kaname obviously didn't bother saying a word to me. I didn't care, though. I wanted about as much to do with they as they wanted to do with me.

Takuma offered to walk me back to the Sun Dorms, and I accepted after a few minutes of insisting. It was cool outside, and the Academy was fresh with the signs of approaching winter. The moon cast its silver light on the path on which Takuma and I strode. I breathed it all in; the moon, the cold, and the sight of him walking at my side. The dark reminded me of something, and I broke away from him, striding backwards as he observed me from the front.

"You could see me that night, couldn't you? When we met on the dock, you knew exactly what I looked like the second you got there. Your eyes are much better than a normal human's. That's what you meant by 'unfair advantage' in your letter."

"Yes," he admitted, cocking his head to the side. "You mentioned it yourself. I was reading in the middle of the night on a new moon."

I stopped in my tracks, flustered. He halted a few steps before the spot where I now stood. "If you knew my face already, why on earth did you suggest we go through that whole game? I was stressing about it all last week! Were you just trying to trick me or waste my time, or did you think playing with me would be fun? If so, that wasn't very nice of you—"

He quickly interjected. "N-no, that's not it at all."

I waited for him to continue, but he only began to walk again. He paused when we reached the Day Class's courtyard near the entrance to the Sun Dorms. His fingers laced together.

"You've seen the Night Class too. You know we're… different. Humans are very attracted to us because we possess physical features that are considered ideal for your kind. I don't hold it against them. In fact, I think vampires could learn a lot from humans if we ever gave them the chance to teach us. I think that's what the Chairman wants more than anything. It's been difficult for us to forget our differences, but I also believe that we'll see the light someday."

I agreed with him, nodding.

"Still, our features are deemed very beautiful by humans. Bright eyes, pale skin, soft hair—we're perfect by your standards. I don't like to think about it because as I said, I don't consider humans a lesser species, but I know that if I tried I could entice any of the Day Class girls with no more than a blink."

Great. Now he was complimenting himself. I rolled my eyes and grumbled, "Are you going somewhere with this?"

"I was going to say that the girls frighten me sometimes. I know it sounds pretty ridiculous out of my mouth, but being stared at all the time can get awkward. That's why I was so relieved when I came across you. You were a human girl, but you couldn't see a thing! You were practically blind! All my usual advantages were useless—my eyes, my skin and my hair were nonexistent to you. All I had was my voice. As far as you knew, I could have been a sinister, balding middle-aged gardener with three snaggleteeth and a knife in-hand. I was worried at first that you'd be afraid of me, but instead, you opened up to me completely!"

He opened his mouth wide and laughed, traces of blush visible on his otherwise unblemished cheeks.

"… I loved the idea that you couldn't see me. You were a normal girl. There really wasn't anything special about you, but you still reassured me that kindness and compassion will get you farther with people than looks every time. Be honest, if you'd been able to see me, would you have talked to me the way you did?"

I thought back to that night. He was right, of course. I remembered telling him the story of my aunt and father—it had been so petty, but I'd still felt compelled to talk. "I would have been afraid," I admitted with a shrug. "There's no way I would have said a word. It was like I was confessing something to the night itself. N-not because of what you are."

"Well, at least you're talking to me now. I suppose we're going to have to get used to each other. We'll be working together from now on."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Takuma reached into his pocket suddenly and drew something silvery from his pocket. He unclasped it and draped it around my neck in a few swift motions.

"The Chairman told me to give this pendant to you before the meeting. It's engraved with the symbol of our school. He said he hoped it would remind you that although your life has changed, you don't have to become a different person as a result. He wants us to repair the relationship our races share as a team. Perhaps you can even teach me things about human beings, Miss Harugichi. I think it'll be fun."

I inclined my head, and then gasped in surprise. "CROSS KNEW ABOUT THIS FROM THE START?! How could he possibly have known how the votes would tally?"

Takuma chuckled. "The Chairman's a very mysterious man. I suspect there's much more to him than any of us will ever know. He's definitely the strangest human I've ever met."

"You can say that again,"

For a while, Takuma and I stood in the middle of the wide succession of stone steps that led to the Sun Dormitory. It was a silent way of thanking one another; I knew that, but it was still very uncomfortable. At some point, he took a few steps closer, and I flinched. He didn't miss even a single movement. Honestly, to this day I have no idea what made me deny his gesture like that. I supposed there was still a part of me that feared him and the others like him. Of course, that could not be helped. I was still so new to all this.

For now, Takuma bowed to me. "We were never able to properly introduce ourselves, were we? My name's Takuma Ichijo. It's very nice to meet you."

I bowed to him too, not quite understanding that his formal gesture was not meant in the traditional respectful way. I seemed to realize halfway through bending my spine, however, and blinked up at him. I abandoned the formal approach and took his hand in mine, ignoring the tug of fear that gripped my insides and ordered me to stay away from him. As I shook I said, "I'm Taura Harugichi, a transfer student from America."

"I really hope we can be friends, Miss Harugichi," Takuma added. "Even if you're still scared of me, I'll do my best to fix that. I'll make you understand that our species' are really not so different. Anyway, goodnight!"

"You too, and make sure to get some sleep. You've been up all day."

He pursed his lips, and then his arms suddenly drooped and he became very tired. "I have, haven't I?" I didn't mention that he hadn't seemed to notice until I'd mentioned it. "Must get to bed..." he mumbled, walking away like a zombie.

"One more thing, Takuma. Call me Taura from now on."

With that, I the vampire and I went our separate ways once more—the boy from the dock and the girl who'd cried. As I departed, I couldn't stop the overwhelming of relief that washed over me like waved from a great ocean. They calmed my very spirit, drenching me with consolation like nothing else ever could. I touched my necklace with calm fingers, extending my gratitude for both what it represented and the person who had given it to me.

Note: The more REVIEWS this chapter gets the QUICKER I'll update. 'Nuff said. If I get enough, Chapter 11 will be up by tonight for sure. Please review.