A/N: Enjoy the read! Please review!

Satomi's POV

Today, just like yesterday, I get to witness Yuuki and her posse of Night Class students walk with the rest of us to our morning lessons. Akahina and I just shrug it off, feeling that we might as well get used to it. Though, out of the corner of my eye, I spot maroon hair in the tree line. I know only one person who has that shade of hair on campus. It has to be Senri.

And then it hits me. Senri is one of Takuma's closest friends, if not his best friend besides Kaname. I get real excited, figuring the ice-blue eyed vampire might possibly have a clue as to where my betrothed is hiding. "Senri!" I call out, breaking for the trees.

Amaya comes flying out of nowhere, latching onto my wrist and yanking me back.

"A-Amaya?" I stutter in surprise more than anything.

She glares in Senri's general direction, warning me, "That is not Shiki. Stay away from him, Satomi."

I raise an eyebrow in confusion. "H-huh?" I ask, "B-but... if he's back, isn't Takuma?"

"I'll make sure he gets in touch with you. I promise. Just stay away from Shiki," my cousin responds before jogging away to catch up with the other Night Class students.

I stand there frozen for a few seconds. "That means..." I murmur aloud, "Takuma is back... but... he didn't tell me..." With all my feelings of worry rising to the surface along with the feelings I have for my fiancé in my heart, I dash away from Akahina's side, doubling back, and racing straight for the Moon Dorm.

Akahina yells out, perhaps surprised by me sprinting away or trying to call me back, "SATOMI!"

I ignore her and keep running. I don't care that I'm skipping class. I don't care how much trouble I can possibly get myself into for doing so. I have to see Takuma. I have to know that he's alright. I need to know if our relationship is alright. Most of all, I just want to know what's going on. I burst straight through the dorm's front doors, rushing up the stairs and screaming for him, "TAKUMA! TAKUMA! TAKUMA!" I continue running down the halls like an insane person, heading for his dorm room. "TAKUMA, WHERE ARE YOU?!" I screech even louder, probably disturbing any and all vampires sleeping peacefully in their dorm rooms.

Upon seeing my betrothed step outside of his dorm room to investigate, I literally take three full strides before jumping onto him with enough force that knocks us to the floor. I hug him, crying harder than I ever think I have before. I intake his scent, realizing how much I missed it and how much it actually relaxed me.

"Sa-Satomi! What are you-!" he starts to say before I cut him off with my lips. Takuma kisses me back, sitting me up and wiping away my tears from my face.

I bring my lips away only to rest my head on his shoulder as I hug his neck. I whimper quietly, "I... I was so worried..."

Takuma hugs me tightly before standing on his feet. He offers me a hand to assist me to my own feet. Not willing to let his hand go, my fiancé leads me into his bedroom where he closes the door to give us the privacy we definitely needed. "I'm sorry I worried you..." he apologizes, squeezing my hand.

"What's going on, Takuma?" I ask, getting straight to the point.

Immediately he shifts his eyes to the corner of the room. That's a bad sign. Then he lets go of my hand. Bad sign number two. Takuma mumbles, "It's nothing..."

"It doesn't seem like nothing," I disagree, gently touching his cheek, "You don't seem like yourself. You're too quiet."

"I don't know what you mean," he answers quickly.

I gesture my hand to show him his example. "That's what I'm talking about! Takuma, what's going on? I'm your fiancé! What's going on?! Why won't you tell me?!" I go into complete hysterics, demanding him to give me an answer. Though, the sound of a loud crash from down the hall cuts our one-sided conversation short.

"Damn!" Takuma curses, running out of the room. Not giving up on him so easily, I follow after him.

I follow him directly into Ruka's dorm room. The vampire girl is sprawled on the floor while Kain has Senri pinned against the wall by his collar. What in the world happened in here?! Kain never ever gets angry. I don't think I've ever seen him using his emotions.

Takuma gets in between the two vampire boys to avoid a fist fight to break out. "Stop!" he barks, "Senri! Go back to your room!"

"So... you're ordering me around now?" Senri smirks, raising an eyebrow at my husband-to-be. He then eyes me, and once his gaze falls on me, I flinch.

There's a weird presence coming from Senri. He feels like a pureblood and yet he doesn't. This is not him. I know for a fact that he does not have heterochromia. And even so, his eyes are two completely different colors. My instincts cause me to tense my muscles slightly, in a defensive, non-threatening manner. "Who are you?" I ask, my voice hinting at my suspicion.

Takuma snaps at me, "Satomi! You need to leave!"

"Just who do you think you're talking to?" the maroon haired vampire threatens, looking directly at me. Though, I can't tell if that was directed at me or my flaxen haired fiancé. Either way, I feel threatened.

"Satomi!" Takuma pleads, "Go!"

I stay put, arguing, "You still haven't told me anything!" He's been missing for almost 2 weeks after break ended. He's hiding something from me. And I bet it has to do with "Senri."

Takuma ignores me and murmurs politely to the maroon haired vampire, "Please... go on back to your room..." Why is he treating him with such superiority? Why does Senri feel like an aristocrat and a pureblood at the same time? Why is Takuma dodging all of my questions? I don't understand!

"Well... since you asked nicely this time," Senri sighs before giving me a smile that sends chills up and down my spine, "See you around." He slowly walks out, passing me within literally centimeters in between our shoulders, causing me to shudder.

You're becoming too curious, my dear Satomi. You really shouldn't have seen that.

I had been wondering when the voice was going to come back to harass me some more. I haven't heard from it since the Aido soirée. And now, it's back again. I may as well demand answers from it, since I won't be getting any from Takuma.

What the fuck is going on?! Why do you keep taunting me?!

Now, now, there's no need for the language. You'll find out soon enough, I suppose.

Hey! That doesn't answer my questions!

Sure enough, as quickly as it appeared, the voice vanished. I should have figured it wasn't going to tell me anything. But I do know, it is somehow involved.

"Ruka... are you alright?" Takuma asks, helping her to her feet.

Ruka nods, responding quietly, "Yes... Takuma... what's wrong with Senri?"

"Why don't you try and let me handle him for now?" the green eyed vampire suggests with somewhat of a fake smile, perhaps to soothe her, "And please, don't say anything to Kaname." Red flag. Takuma never hides anything from Kaname. He doesn't usually hide anything from me either, but definitely not Kaname.

"To Lord Kaname?' she repeats, sounding confused and alarmed. I wouldn't blame her. It looks like Senri, or whoever that was, threw her into the wall.

Kain's anger flares again. He bares his fangs, arguing, "But he-!"

"Akatsuki!" Takuma shouts, sounding just as angered as well. I can feel the tension in the room rising. I don't want a fight breaking out between my lover and a fellow vampire. Especially since Kain, even though we never talked much, was very pleasant and kind to me while I was stuck in the Night Class. So, I use my eyes to plead with Kain to not press Takuma any further.

Perhaps seeing my silent message, the ginger haired vampire sighs, backing off, "Fine... as you wish..."

"I'm really sorry about all this," Takuma apologizes quickly before beginning to briskly walk out of the room.

"Wait a second!" I yelp, latching onto his sweater's sleeve. I don't want us to part like this. I'm still not done talking to him.

Takuma turns, his eyes flashing in what seems like annoyed rage. He snarls, ripping his arm out of my grip, "Just drop it, Satomi!" My betrothed storms out, leaving me in an awkward silence with two innocent bystanders in our lovers' quarrel.

I begin to tremble as my mind races around with jumbled thoughts. I can't believe Takuma would raise his voice to me like that. I know I was being a nuisance, demanding an answer from him. I know it was none of my business to pry, but I am so concerned about him. Not wanting to cry in front of Ruka and Kain, I stumble out of the room and out of the Moon Dorm. I hold back my tears, swallowing them in my throat, all the while hyperventilating. I can't go to class now. I won't be able to handle myself in class. My emotions are everywhere. I power-walk back to the Sun Dorm, burrowing myself underneath my covers as I don't feel well any longer.

Night finally falls after the hours endlessly tick by and Akahina comes in. She places a pack of work on my desk which I come out of my nest only to quickly complete it. I start towards my bed again but seeing the falling snow outside, I head towards the window to investigate. I don't remember the forecast calling for snow. I open it to peek my head out to only to feel the familiar presence of another pureblood. It felt like Kaname, but not completely. Then, I recognize the presence.

"Y-you sense it too?" Akahina whimpers, nudging up to my side. She's frightened.

"Yes... Yuuki's... reawakened..." I murmur as memories coming flooding back. It feels as though a lock has been opened, allowing the memories of the fateful night to return. I remember cowering with Akahina 10 years ago, locked inside a windowless room beneath the Kuran residence a bitterly cold, winter night. It was this night where I lost my parents. Yes...

"I... I'm starting to remember," my best friend squeaks, holding her hands to her head, her eyes squeezed shut, "Why am I remembering this?!"

I shout, running for our closets, digging out our uniforms, "It must have to do with Yuuki! That person who was after her before must be after her again! They haven't given up! Get changed!" I throw hers at her while frantically stripping to get into mine as fast as possible. Within minutes, we are changed and sprinting out of the Sun Dorm. I can't sense the Disciplinary Committee anywhere. That concerns me. I can't even sense Yuuki anymore.

While we run like headless chickens around campus, Akahina and I unintentionally meet up with Amaya and Rima.

"Don't tell me Yuuki is..." Amaya exhales, looking as though she had also sensed Yuuki's awakening. All the vampires at Cross Academy must have sensed it, there's no doubt in my mind.

I respond, enlightening a secret that's been hidden ever since Yuuki had been born 15 years ago, "She's a pureblood. She's the last Kuran besides Kaname."

Akahina adds, the panic apparent in her voice, "Someone's after her!"

"I think I know who," Rima notes, placing her hands on her hips.

Figuring that we have the same person in mind, I agree, "You're probably right, Rima. It's whoever is inside Senri."

"Well," Amaya ponders, "What do we do?" She's right, we'll need an attack plan before we make a move. Whoever we are up against, it's not good to underestimate them. They are behind the deaths of the Kurans and my parents. If they can take down 4 purebloods in a single bloodbath, think of how much damage they could do to this campus. We don't only have Yuuki to protect, but the human students of Cross Academy.

"First, we find him and my fiancé. Then, we take Senri down," I lay out a general battle plan, or at least the end goal we are aiming for.

Rima looks distressed as she objects, "You must not mean that we are to kill Senri!"

I shake my head, not intending to do that in the slightest. I reassure her, "No, we only have to draw out the person holding Senri's body hostage out. This must be why Takuma has been acting so strangely lately." Somehow, I can figure Ichio is wrapped up in all of this. And Takuma was unfortunately thrown in the midst in order to please his grandfather. This pisses me off to no extent.

Akahina grips my shoulder, looking very brave for someone who'd been shaking moments ago. When it comes down to it, I know she'll always come through. She quips, "Let's go."

"I've got your back if it gets dangerous," my cousin says, knowing that as a level C vampire, Akahina has no powers like the rest of us. The only defense she has is her heightened speed and healing abilities. But she has to be careful.

"Thanks," my best friend nods.

Sensing a strong presence nearby that I can only describe as how I'd felt when Senri was nearby coming towards us, I silently motion for us to head up into the tree branches to hide in ambush. We scatter to nearby branches, spread out enough to see each other if one of us needed help and far enough that we had space to move if needed. I hold my breath as Takuma and Senri stand just below me. My muscles tense as anger bubbles up inside me. Whoever is inside Senri is definitely calling the shots. He, along with Ichio, is forcing Takuma to do his bidding. This whole situation has driven a rift between me and my fiancé. Whoever is hiding within Senri also is responsible for my parent's deaths. I won't forgive them.

"You look unhappy, Ichijo. You don't want me to sacrifice the girl in order to resurrect myself?" Senri chuckles, amused, "Or perhaps it's because you've betrayed Kaname? Or... is it because you've been causing your beloved Satomi so much pain and worry?"

Takuma snarls, balling a fist, "Leave Satomi out of this! You promised!"

So, Ichio and whoever else he's working with is dangling me in front of Takuma to make him do their bidding. I twitch in rage, feeling so angry that Ichio would go so far as to use his grandson in such an evil and twisted way. How dare he use Takuma's feelings to manipulate him in such a way?!

"That bastard!" I grumble a little too loudly.

Rima shushes me, "Shh!"

It may have been that he heard me or maybe he even sensed our combined presences, but Senri just laughs, announcing, "There's no reason for you to keep hiding up there, girls. Just come on down."

Takuma snaps his head up, his eyes locking with mine. His green orbs shrink in absolute horror. His face pales and he gasps, "Satomi!" He looks as though he's pleading for me to leave. I can't leave him now. Not when I know the truth.

"So... just who are you?" Rima demands from beside me.

My hands spark as my anger rises. I growl, "I won't let you... hold my fiancé against his will any longer!" I leap from the tree limb I had been balancing on, dive bombing straight for Senri. I'll send a charge through him, strong enough to draw the person inside out. As I soar through the air, I note a blood rope rapidly approaching. I spiral my body to avoid massive damage, though I am clipped by the arm. I yelp at the sudden, burning pain, having to change my course.

"SATOMI!" Takuma shrieks in fear.

I land a few feet away, shouting to him, "I'm fine!" I see the others jump down from their hiding spots. Fearing for Akahina's safety in this now escalated fight, I order, "You need to stay back!" Perhaps picking on the seriousness in my voice, Amaya takes Akahina by the wrist and flees with her. I assume they won't go far so that Amaya can jump in if needed. I can only hope that Akahina will stay put and out of harm's way. This is not a fight she should take on.

Rima charges a lightning attack, yowling, "Satomi's right! Whoever you are, we won't let you get away with this!" She lunges at Senri to which he easily dodges. She gets hit in the face and arm, jumping back to where I am. The ginger haired vampire hisses, "Injuring a model's face is pretty low. At times like this, I'm glad I'm a vampire. I heal quickly." As she speaks, both her and my small injuries heal.

My flaxen haired fiancé approaches, making me tense in case Senri attacks him. He stands a bit in front of me, almost blocking my way. I squeak, "Takuma, what are you doing?!" Now, more than ever, am I afraid for him. Would Senri hurt him for trying to protect me?

"Satomi, please be careful! You don't know who you and Rima are dealing with," he advises, his voice shaking perhaps with fear for my own safety rather than his.

"Takuma..." I say, as all other words seem unnecessary. I don't care who I'm messing with. I just want Takuma to be free, to make his own choices. And the person who stands before me as my enemy is impeding him from that. I can't forgive them so easily for forcing my betrothed to do the things he has done against his will.

Giving me a contented smile, Takuma turns back around to face Senri. "Please, stop!" he requests with much conviction, "You shouldn't be using Senri for this! You've made your point!"

Senri just laughs as though what Takuma said was the funniest thing he'd ever heard before. Even I am a little rattled by it. He chuckles darkly, "In time... I will destroy anyone who defies the Senate. Exactly how Ichio wishes me to do so."

"Lord Rido..." Takuma gasps in shock. This Rido that's dwelling inside Senri is only doing all this for Ichio's sake? He's going to kill Yuuki just so he can destroy all of the vampires who don't agree with everything the Senate believes in and wants? Did Takuma know this was the plan?

Even if Takuma did, I'm still angered. I knew it all along. Ichio has been planning something since the very beginning. My arranged marriage, Akahina's execution plan, all of this, Asato Ichijo had a hand in it. It was all for a greater, more dastardly plan than I would have ever expected. My eyes turn scarlet as my blood boils at the very thought of Ichio. He used my lover and his feelings for me. He used his grandson's loyalty to him to make Takuma do his bidding. I yowl, "So this is Ichio's doing after all! That son of a bitch!"

"So annoying!" Rima growls, her hands sparking, "Just because you're in Senri's body doesn't mean you can act superior! Whoever you are, I'll drive you out!"

My hands spark as well. I quietly shout a battle plan, "Rima! Get ready! We'll attack him at the same time! One... two-!"

"You won't find that easy to do," Rido retorts, sending out two blood spears towards the two of us before I had even finished counting. If I don't move, we are seriously going to be hurt. If I don't move, Rima will be killed!

Without giving it much thought, in fact my body really just moves on its own, I shove Rima out of the way to save her. Turning on the ball of my foot, I can tell that both will strike me, and at least one of them will cause a grave injury. I brace for impact, knowing full well it's going to hurt like nothing I've probably ever felt before.

"SATOMI!" I hear Takuma scream right before he pulls me to the side slightly. He'd moved me in just the nick of time that as the spear aimed closest to my heart pierces just below my collarbone while the other impales me right through my side. I gasp at the sheer amount of pain that shoots through my body as the spears rip out of my wounds before collapsing in Takuma's arms. I can feel the blood begin to seep out onto my uniform, yet somehow I almost feel numb due to the staggering pain from the fresh wounds.

Rido grumbles in disappointment, "I missed... Don't interfere, Ichijo."

"Lord Rido!" Takuma yells, his fangs bared as he holds onto me tightly, "We were in agreement that you wouldn't hurt Satomi!" His arms are shaking and I can tell he's clearly worried and upset about me.

"T-Takuma... I'm... I'm okay..." I reassure, stuttering over my words as I try to ignore the pain. Injuries like these are going to take a bit longer to heal that the scratch I'd received earlier. I have to ease his burden of me or else he won't watch out for himself.

Rima, however, seems to be completely fed up with this all. She shrieks, "Senri, you idiot! Letting someone take over your body... what are you doing?! You really need to love yourself more, Senri!"

Either it be the conviction in her words or Rima saying the words herself, but Senri snaps out of it. His eyes return to normal for a few seconds before they flash back and forth. His bends over, obviously fighting the person holding his body hostage. Rido growls, "Do not... defy me... Senri!" And then, after convulsing a few times, the maroon haired vampire faints.

"Senri!" Takuma shouts, though unwillingly to budge or let me go. I can't let him worry about me. He has to take care of Senri now.

As much as it hurts me to say it, I know I have to do so. I cough, forcing out the words so I won't back out, "G-go... take c-care of him..." He looks at me like I'm speaking a completely different language. I shake my head as he opens his mouth to argue.

Rima puts a hand on his shoulder. She murmurs, "I'll watch her."

Takuma nods before looking in my eyes. I've never seen them so scared before. I don't want to do this to him. I don't want him to be so afraid for my safety. Why can't he think about himself? He whispers, "Please... be alright..." My fiancé leans his face down to softly kiss my lips. It lasts only mere moments, but it feels like an eternity.

As his lips part from mine, I chuckle weakly, "It... it'll take m-more... than this to... k-kill me..." With that said, Takuma releases me to Rima so that he can carry Senri back to the Moon Dorm where he can recover. I request, "R-Rima... help me back to the Sun Dorm... then you can go watch over Senri..."

"But you're not fully healed!" she argues for a moment.

"I'll heal on the way. There's something... that I need to do..."

So, without more of a fuss, Rima gives in and helps me walk back to the Sun Dorm. We're both still on high alert after our run in with Rido. Who knows who else can be lurking around to help get the job done.

"Thank you..." I manage to say as we slowly walk back. Little by little, I can feel my strength returning. Each step is easier to take than the one previous to it.

Rima just shrugs, lightly smiling, "What are cousins for?"

Well, that came from left field and struck me across the face. I stammer, making sure I heard her right, "W-what did you say?"

"My great grandfather was one of the original Kaneshiro's children. My mother is your second cousin."

"Which makes you my third cousin... y-you're a Kaneshiro!"

"I would have told you and Amaya earlier," she admits almost shyly, "but..."

I smile, shaking my head, "I get it... bad timing."

"Well, I guess now is just as good a time as any. In case anything else happens."

"Don't talk like that Rima. We'll all get through this."

"Satomi!" I hear two voices call for me. I look up to see Amaya and Akahina racing towards us with expressions of relief plastered all over their faces.

Upon seeing my bloodied uniform, Amaya yelps, "You're hurt!"

I soothe, "I'm fine, really. I'm almost completely healed up..." I glance at Rima who seems eager to pass me off to see Senri. I don't blame her. I'm sure she's stuck around this long for mine and Takuma's sakes. "Go ahead Rima... they've got me."

She mouths a "thank you" before bounding off for the Moon Dorm.

"Do I have some news for you..." I softly joke to Amaya, "she's our cousin..."

"What?!" My blonde haired, blue eyed cousin exclaims in shock. I hadn't expected it either. Yet, it seems understandable from Rima's electric ability. It doesn't seem as raw in power as mine, but being of Kaneshiro blood, there is a slight chance of someone outside of the main Kaneshiro family could inherit it.

I explain further, "Great uncle Yohura is her great grandfather." Though both Amaya and I never met him along with our grandparents, we'd heard plenty of stories and being in the main family, I was taught our family tree. However, we obviously lacked information.

"So... the Kaneshiro line does have more branches out there!" Amaya sighs in absolute relief and happiness. The fate of the Kaneshiro line no longer hangs in the balance of the two of us any longer. We've added Rima and her mother along with any other missing Kaneshiros out there in the world.

Akahina mumbles, sliding in, "Hate to ruin the moment, but this really isn't the time."

"She's right," I nod, knowing that I need to focus on the task at hand, "Let me change and then we're joining the battle. Ichio and Rido have to be stopped." My cousin and my roommate help me back to my dorm room where I fish out a Night Class uniform. I change into it quickly, noticing my wounds have completely healed over, the scars beginning to vanish as if I was never wounded in the first place.

Amaya eyes my uniform, cocking her head a bit, "You have one?"

"They sent over a new uniform after Zero ruined mine last time. They never asked me to return it. It's time to face facts. I'm a pureblood vampire. No more pretending to be human, not when we have the academy to save and the Senate to stop. Let's go!" I announce, leading them out of the door, leaving my human self behind. I probably will never return to it, yet somehow... I'm okay with that.

Time for me to show the Senate just what I'm capable of.

A/N: So depending on how this next week goes, I may or may not take a short hiatus.
Recently I've been bogged down with stress after stress after stress. For the past two weeks my college friends and I have been plagued with drama due to people talking and spreading fake rumors about us to start fights between us and other girls along with relationship dramas and other stresses.
Last week, I ended up having an mental breakdown in a friends arms, sobbing so hard that I was hyperventilating from the pressure of handling everyone else's' problems and some text harassment. It was so bad that another friend immediately dialed my mom from her phone.
#what doesn't kill you makes you stronger
However, this past week wasn't pleasant for me either. More drama, more crying friends. I was fine for the most part until Thursday when my mother and I had a huge spat over email where she reduced me to tears during my computer class. I'll see how the upcoming school week will treat me before I make my decision, but I will let you all know if a hiatus will be taking place. Thanks for all the support, guys. I hope to have an update for you all real soon.