A few hours later, the men Cross had sent out returned. Akari's information was right, Rido's followers were still in the area, watching them. Cross decided not to attack them yet, he was almost certain that it could lead to Akari being discovered by Rido. All he had to do now was talk to Kaname.

Since Yuki's death, Kaname had been hidden away in his room, refusing to talk to anyone. He blamed himself for not being there for Yuki, not being able to save her. He was angry at Cross and Zero too, he trusted them to keep her safe and they failed him. Akari was now in Rido's grips, her mind being poisoned by him. How could the people who were meant to be the strongest and smartest fail him miserably? The thought of Akari returning back to Rido that day and then taking her as his, made him sick to his stomach. He wondered what else Rido would do to her. Would hurt her? He often wondered if Rido truly knew what love was, it was clear he didn't understand the love that one should have for their family. He always felt that if Rido truly loved Juri, he would have let her be happy. But thinking that way, it could be argued that Kaname should have let Akari go. But he knew her safety would be jeopardised if she was allowed to be with Rido.

A knock at the door broken him from his thoughts. He just wanted to be left alone. No one seemed to understand that, they wanted to care for him and make everything better again, but that would never happen. The only way he would feel the slightest of happiness was if Akari walked through the door but he knew it would always be too good to be true. She had made it very clear on her beliefs when it came to humans, so why would come to a place that represented the opposite? She had also pointed out something he wished she hadn't, he had all but completely forced her into coming to the academy. He wished he had gone over things differently, she may have stayed or something would have been different, something that benefited him anyway. Or at the very least, changed her opinion on humans.

"Kaname, I know you don't want to see anyone." Cross's voice was muffled by the thick wooden door. Once again bringing him out of his thoughts. "But I have received word from Akari." Kaname's head spun. Why had she written to Cross and not him? Why would she even write to Cross and about what? Questions spun in his head. He quickly got up, failing to straighten his appearance. His shirt was unbuttoned and creased, his trousers hanging from his hips, no longer maintaining the sharp crease down his legs. His hair was sticking up at odd and strange angles. He was a sight to behold. The normally sharply and neatly dress man was now scruffy mess. He swung his door open and looked down at Cross.

Cross handed him the letter, nothing said between the two grieving men. He slammed the door shut before looking down at the letter in his hands. He cradled it as he sat down on his bed. He took a deep breath as he unfolded it. He was half expecting harsh words towards Yuki but he smiled as he read. Akari was finally seeing sense. She had finally seen Rido for who he was. Kaname had suspected that she did know Rido was at the academy when he came back to the carnage of that night. Why else would she dance around where he was? But now he knew she didn't know, Rido must have known that she'd stop him. He may have even lied to her about where he was going. It would have sent him on a wild goose chase if she had told him where Rido said he'd be. He was glad that she was willing to help them. But at the same time, he wanted her back at the academy with him. For now, he could live with this. But he would come for her if he even got a whiff of danger floating towards her. He was pleased to see she was willing to change her views, and like she said, it may take a while. It would be the same for the rest of vampire kind.

"Maybe I should write to Kaname?" Akari wondered out loud as she got herself ready for bed. Rido stared at her like she had grown another head. She looked at him through her dressing table mirror. "To distract him silly." She giggled.

"Isn't writing to Cross distraction enough for him?" Rido asked as he got into bed.

"True, I bet it's eating away at him that I haven't written to him." She laughed as she too got into bed. "I guess I just can't help wanting to stir the pot even more."

"I know but we have to let it simmer for a bit." He joked, using her metaphor against her. Akari laughed again and cuddles up to him.

Kaname watched the gates to the academy every night, waiting for another letter. Cross was always nearby during the day. It had been a week since the first letter. Kaname was worried that Rido had found out. He wasn't sure how, maybe the vampire who delivered the letter was caught, or had she tried to write again, only to be found by Rido. Takuma had tried to get Kaname to rest, but he was having none of it. He was worried about his friend; he was worried that the loss of Yuki and Akari would be too much. He was worried Akari's sudden helpfulness could be a ruse orchestrated by Rido.

"Kaname, how do we know that it's really Akari and that she really wants to help us. We don't know that she didn't know about Yuki." Takuma had finally spoken up. He had to be the voice of reason while Kaname seemed to have thrown reason out of the window. Kaname growled in response, a simple warning. "It's true, he used Senri and he could be using Akari." Takuma continued, ignoring the warning. "You're also ignoring her clear dislike of you before all of this."

"It was that obvious?" Kaname asked, he had always thought that she just came across as nervous and old fashioned.

"Yes, we all thought she was sleeping with Senri but we had no proof. Besides, Ruka told everyone about how much you wanted her but she would never give you more than a kiss." Kaname's head snapped up at the mention of Ruka. He had forbidden her to speak about the nights they had together, he didn't want rumors running wild and upsetting Akari. Takuma quickly realised his mistake. He doubted he would be able to get Ruka leniency like he had with Senri. After all, Senri's actions weren't his own. "Look, all I'm trying to say is, walk on the side caution. She may be tricking us, Rido may be tricking her or she could genuinely want to help. But my issue is the sudden change in her behaviour. She didn't like being around you, and you knew that."

"She was coming around to me." Kaname snapped at him. "Rido had had years to convince her to love him. I only had mere months so far. She knows what's the right thing to do..." Kaname paused.

"But her heart was and most likely always rule her." Takuma finished and Kaname nodded.

"No matter what I do, she will always hold a flame for Rido. I just wanted the time to prove to her that I can love her, care for her, provide for her better than he or any man ever could." He explained and Takuma gave him a small smile. He understood where Kaname was coming from, but he distrusted Akari, even if her information so far had been correct.

Cross was having the same debate with Toga; they both weren't sure how much of Akari's letter was true and if it was really her. They were waiting on another letter to check the information. Cross was having handwriting on the check Akari had written him for the tuition against the letter. He wanted to make sure that it was really her writing, he doubted Rido would be able to copy the flowing, looped letters, along with the ever so slight tilt. It was feminine but held a strong feel, mainly because it looked like her full stops almost went through the paper. Even if it was her writing, was Rido dictating what to write? Cross truly hoped she had changed, he always wanted to see the best in everyone. Toga was always on the side of caution.

A knock at the door disturbed the two men. Another letter had arrived. In fact, two had turned up.

'Cross,

Rido doesn't seem to be in a rush to attack but he is watching. I think he's waiting on Kaname to do something. He keeps going on about a lack of a reaction, but he never clarifies what he means.

I don't know what else I can do to help you; he won't confide in me. It's like he knows I'm helping you.'

The letter appeared to be cut off, like there was meant to be more. It was clear that this one was from Akari by the handwriting, but he what he really wanted know why the letter had been ripped apart and then taped together. They looked at the next letter.

'Dear Mr Cross,

I hope that I am not speaking out of turn when I write this letter.

My mistress, Lady Akar is in danger. Lord Rido has already come close to finding her out. We worry that his heavy handedness with her will increase.

As the staff, we tend to know more than intended. We know that Rido is planning his wedding to Lady Akari and is trying hard to change her into what he thinks she should be.

We hope that in light of this information, yourself or Lord Kaname will help our mistress. We cannot help unless Lady Akari commands it, Lord Rido has her in his grip and she will not openly cross him.

Regards,

Lady Akari's staff.'

Cross sighed and looked at Toga.

"How do we handle this? Rido is clearly waiting for Kaname to lose it before he attacks." Cross finally spoke up. "And it appears he may be taking his frustrations out on Akari."

"I say we make them leave. Protect our own first." Toga spoke harshly. He understood Cross's intentions, however now wasn't the time to forge peace. Now was the time to defend themselves, to defend all of humankind from them. "Besides, how do we know that second letter was written by her staff or Rido? Or even Akari but with different handwriting? We don't even know if this a ruse or not yet."

"I understand your concern..." Cross started.

"Do you really? All I see is you protecting vampires, vampires who don't need protection. They are strong enough to defend themselves. All you are doing is putting people in danger. You've lost half of your student population so far because of Rido's attack. How do we explain a second attack? No one will believe in a freak accident twice." Toga argued, interrupting Cross.

"We need to speak to Kaname about this first." Cross said, putting his foot down. "You can stay here or come with me. Your choice." He then added, standing up from his desk. Toga ignored him and stayed where he was stood. Cross sighed and went over to the moon dormitory with the two letters.

Kaname wasn't happy after reading the both of them. Rido must have thought that he would be unable to control his emotions, allowing him to be vulnerable, not thinking straight. Kaname knew better, he wouldn't allow Yuki's death to affect his judgment, it would be an insult her memory. But the news on the second letter made him angry. He had to figure out how to check on Akari without arousing Rido's suspicions. "Kaname, do you think the academy is safe from Rido?" Cross asked, breaking through Kaname's thoughts.

"Yes, Rido can be impatient but for now Akari has his attention. The academy is safe whether I leave or stay. I'm guessing that was what you really wanted to know." Kaname answered, looking out of the large window in his office. Cross sighed and nodded.

"Everyone is nervous." He explained simply and Kaname nodded.

"I understand." Kaname responded. "I have a few people to contact. I think I know how to help Akari, or at least get more information without getting her caught." He then added, catching Cross's attention. "It looks like I may have to organise a dance." He then clarified.

"How will holding a dance help?" Cross asked confused.

"We like to keep up appearances, no matter what is going on. If they receive an invitation to a dance and I have the same invitation, it doesn't matter. They will still go, even if I'm there." Kaname explained. "A lot of us have some sort of past with each other, but when it's a dance, it's strictly networking and pleasure. Neutral ground. Any form of violence will not be tolerated, that vampire responsible will most likely become a social outcast. It's not something anyone wants to happen. The only exception of course..."

"Is Rido." Cross finished for him and Kaname nodded.

"However, he may hold himself back for Akari's sake."

"How does that work if her staff have suggested she may be being hurt by him?" Cross asked, confused how Rido's mind worked, let alone how the vampire world really works with all their formalities and culture. But he had to trust Kaname to navigate the vampire world and give them enough warning of war.

"Rido wouldn't openly hurt Akari. I don't think I've ever seen him lose his temper at a dance. The only exception..." Kaname paused as he remembered the night that he first met Akari. Rido had ripped him off her as he took a liberty that he never should have. He always thought that if he hadn't had been so stupid, Akari would respect him more, possible be friendly with him. But the main consequence that came from that night, was the death of people who become his parents, Juri and Haruka. He wondered that if he had never had bit Akari, Rido wouldn't have lost it, he wouldn't have taken Akari home and then returned to kill them.

"Only exception being?" Cross asked worried.

"The night he killed my parents." Kaname answered simply. Cross reached out to touch Kaname's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, they were good people. I wish they could have lived to see this school happen."

"Me too."