Akane and Aido had gone right to her room once they'd returned to The Moon Dorms. She settled herself in her chair at her dressing table, which she used as a desk during their study sessions. She pulled out the notes from their first lesson (Ethics Studies) and began reading and redrafting them. Aido followed suit but watched Akane as she worked with an unnecessary urgency. He'd hoped she'd snap out of her worrying habit after a few hours in class, but now he was concerned this behaviour was caused by more than the apprehension of seeing her friends.

Not knowing how best to broach the subject, he started their session as usual, with a brief explanation of what they'd be covering and the timescale he expected to be done. Akane nodded but continued to write as Aido emptied his bag and gathered his own ethics notes from some time ago. For four hours, Aido lectured Akane on not only the ethical implications of Kaien and Kaname's pacifistic idea but the limitations and pitfalls that came with it. Akane added in with opinions of her own. Despite her previously voiced scepticism, she told him she believed Vampires could accomplish the necessary changes to their society and culture to accommodate Humans, and eventually co-exist, if given the time and patience to do so.

"I thought you said the Headmaster's idea was stupid?" He couldn't help it. He remembered their previous conversation, back in her room in The Sun Dorms. He'd told her then about Kaname and Kaien's ideology and she'd shot it down.
"I said, why did the Headmaster think people could deal with the knowledge of Vampires, I never said Vampires would be the problem." Akane stopped her notetaking to engage with her tutor. "I also said it'd be a disaster if Humans found out about Vampires at the wrong time." Aido gave a perplexed expression. "If you use an animal's logic for the argument, on whether it would work or not," Akane began to explain, placing her pen down on the open pages of her notebook. "That would mean, Vampires, are competition as well as a threat to Humans. It's easier for a predator to empathise with its prey when it can talk back, but prey can never empathise with its predator. See what I mean?"

"You think they'd try to wipe us out." Akane nodded.
"If that Hunter, Yagari, is a representative of his people, then I wouldn't doubt they'd use their influence to stir up fear and point fingers. Every missing person, every unsolved murder, robbery, attack of any kind, would be explained away by the existence of Vampires. So, no, I don't think Vampires would come up against many homegrown issues, adjusting to the new status quo." Aido nodded with a frown.

What Akane said made sense, he supposed. He didn't understand Humans on an in-depth level but the analogy she depicted certainly made him think. Humans are prey, but we are also Hunted by them. They'd feel on an even keel, despite the difference in strength. Huh? Never thought about it like that. Aido was silent but impressed by Akane who'd turned back to her studying.

She'd made a valid point; one Vampires might not have considered before. He knew, from his high status, many believed they should stop hiding from Humans and take control, believing their strength would overwhelm any uprising. He doubted those dusty, old Vampires ever considered what would happen to their species if the Hunters decided to train ordinary people, handing out Vampire killing weapons like food parcels. There were many more Humans and Hunters than there were Vampires in the world, after all. They would be a minority.

A confident knock at the door broke Aido's train of thought. Akane stopped her writing and took a slow breath, her eyes closing in concentration. Aido cocked his head, confused but walked to the door when a second knock sounded, slightly more impatient than the last.
"It's Kain and V.P.," Akane announced, turning to Aido for confirmation before he opened the door with a nod, not understanding why Akane smiled at his assent.

The door opened on the two Noble Vampires, one cheerily grinning, the other, wondering why he was there, to begin with.
"Nakamura, the Headmaster wants to see you." Akane stood, her smile falling to a blank face Aido realised he hadn't seen in months. It was the face she'd given him on their first meeting, and it made his insides squirm uncomfortably.
"But it's the middle of the morning?" He protested, turning to the sun shining in through the window, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow.
"We're to escort you to the Headmaster's office, and Yuki will bring you back, once you're done," Ichijo continued as if he hadn't been interrupted, which caused Aido's frown to deepen in irritation.

Akane nodded and donned her blazer before passing Aido and following the two down the corridor. Aido followed, closing her bedroom door behind him.
"What does he want?" He didn't like the implication he was not to go with her. He didn't think Kaien would have much of a reason to speak to Akane, and if he did, he would usually come to the dorm rather than ask for one of the night students to his office.

"Aido." He stopped at the gentle but commanding tone from Kaname. He was waiting at the top of the stairs for Akane and co. "The Headmaster just wants to check how Miss Nakamura is adjusting. I'm sure there's nothing more to it." Akane's eyes narrowed at the red carpet as her mind worked a mile a minute. Honestly, she was surprised Kaien hadn't called her sooner. She knew he'd recognised her.

Lifting her eyes to the Pureblood, confirmed her guess he had no idea why she'd been summoned. He eyes were enquiring, causing Akane's frown to deepen further. A silent demand to drop it. Kaname stepped aside allowing the trio to pass, leaving Aido glaring after them on the landing, watching Kain hold the main door open for the others before stepping out into the gloriously, sunny day.

Akane breathed deep with her eyes shut, just enjoying the feel of the sun's rays. There'd been a small part of her that had been anxious about her first time in the sun during the changeover. It was an irrational worry. She'd seen the others unaffected by the light for months, but it didn't stop her mind cooking up images of her bursting into flames and dissolving into ashes when she first stepped out the evening before.

Ichijo gently took Akane's elbow and urged forward. She complied and began walking to the gates, letting her mind wander, and faintly grinned at the small accomplishment she'd been striving to achieve. She'd correctly identified Kain's scent. At the time, it'd been an almost guess, his scent was very ambiguous. It wasn't any less potent than Aido's scent, for example, just harder to pin down.

Aido, despite his name, smelled faintly of peaches and apples, and something tangy that she couldn't quite put her finger on, but it was mouth-watering, none the less. Ichijo, she had already realised, smelled of grapes and the manga and books he read. Kain had a woody smell, but that could be the cologne he wore. He smelled rich and took Akane's mind to thoughts of dark chocolate, but even that wasn't quite right. Rima also smelled of this dark chocolate-like fragrance, and a rich, deep aroma, maybe wine? Akane thought, amusing herself by trying to decipher the scents of her classmates as they walked.

Kaname smells like a port or bourbon. Bitter and strong, burning your throat but leaving you wanting more. Ok, that's enough! The less thought about that the better! Akane shook herself, forcing her mind off her sire, but that just served to take her mind back to her current situation. Her mood soured as the main doors of the academy building came into view.

Kain and Ichijo left her at the entrance, repeating that Yuki would escort her back to the dorms when the Headmaster was done with her. She thanked them and smiled convincingly as she waved them off, envying them for going back to their beds to rest. Akane had barely slept since the party, the weekend had been very stressful. She took a calming breath, forcing her heart that'd decided to start galloping around her chest to calm.

Akane walked into the quiet building, listening to the faint sounds of classes in session. She noticed the mingled scents of her former classmates as she walked the corridors to the main staircase. She'd done this journey so many times, but only twice had she had this feeling of trepidation in her gut as she slowly climbed the stairs. Subconsciously, she fiddled with the gem on her mother's necklace, running the pads of her fingers over the trinket.

She'd realised, during Aido's explanation, and when he'd dropped some names of Hunter lines over the last week, and back in her room when she was Human, that her mother had once been counted amongst their creed. Her mother's maiden name had never been a secret to Akane, but the names of her estranged family members were never things her mother had been comfortable discussing.

Things her father had said too when he was having a particularly bad day, made her think more deeply after finding out about Vampires. He would curse her mother, in the confines of his room, asking, why she hadn't been able to kill it. How could she have let this happen? She was supposed to sense them! And more of the same that Akane didn't wish to think on further.

Her father had adored her mother, hearing how angry he'd become at her had always upset Akane, even if she didn't understand his reasons at the time. She was thankful it never lasted long. On a good day, he would almost be the same as he used to be. Joking, talking about all the things he and her mother had wished for her, how proud he was of her, how much he loved her, and how much he loved and missed her mother.

Her mind focused back on her surroundings as she stopped to face the door. Her heart thundered in her chest as she stared at the wood and took in the scents on the other side of the door. Earth, from Kaien's plant pot near the door, dust, and the scent of fabric from the old couch, pillows, and seating in the room. The unmistakable taste of Humans in the air and the smell of cigarette smoke. It made for an unappealing mix but not enough to dim the animalistic thrum in Akane's veins at the scent of prey. She was a predator, but she would be entering the lair of one far more dangerous than herself.

Akane took another steadying breath and knocked on the door. Silence greeted her for several seconds before the familiar call of her headmaster sounded.
"Come in!" His voice was loud and full of forced cheeriness. Kaien was nervous. She entered calmly, turning to close the door, and walked to her usual seat, sat down, and rested her hands, palms down, on her lap before raising her eyes to consider the hazel gaze of Kaien Cross.

Akane's eyes drifted lazily to the side and saw her ethics teacher, Toga Yagari, leaning against the wall near the window behind the desk. His arms were crossed, the ever-present scowl scrawled across his face. She watched as his eye narrowed at her lingering stare before turning her attention back to the closed eye smile of her headmaster. The silence continued. Akane, unwilling to start this inevitable conversation, allowed the tension to build, along with the rapid beating of her heart.
"What happened to Megumi?" Yagari finally demanded. A threatening growl dripping from his lips. Akane said nothing, she didn't even offer him the courtesy of a glance.

"Miss Nakamura," Kaien tried in a more placating tone. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but I believe your mother was a…"
"A Hunter," Akane interrupted. She was glad her voice didn't portray the annoyance she felt and stayed in a calm flat tone. "I am aware, Headmaster." Kaien nodded, a little lost on what to say next but he went on, bringing his hands up and resting them on the surface of the table. He leant forward slightly, portraying a friendlier, and more relaxed posture, but Akane recognised the attempt to mollify her. He knew she was getting angry, for as well as her face could hide her emotions, her eyes were liquid fire, burning into him like a branding iron.

"You can appreciate, after the information you've gained about The Hunters Association, I'm sure, that it is a family orientated society." Akane had to work hard not to scoff at this. "We train together so that we can keep the threat of bad Vampires in check. Our doctrine is something one is born into, so, when one of our own goes missing…" Akane's eyes flashed red at this, startling the man into silence. He watched as her deadly eyes stared at him with a cold fury before the green, he was familiar with, chased away the hue but left behind a small frown, a crack in her calm façade.

Taking a slow breath, Akane collected herself.
"Mother always used the word, exiled," she began coldly. "Missing feels like you insulted her." She caught movement as Yagari shifted against the wall. His face was contorted with an even deeper frown, but he was no longer looking at Akane. Kaien glanced back at his former pupil and then brought his eyes back to the Vampire opposite him.

"Apologies, Nakamura. I meant no offence to your mother." Akane nodded in acceptance but her anger still bubbled, hot, under the surface. Kaien nodded his thanks and continued. "Can you tell us what happened to your parents, please?"
"There's not much to tell," Akane began airily, waving the question away. "My parents were attacked. My father survived, my mother, did not. My father being turned into a Vampire should tell you all you need to know about the nature of the attacker. No, I was not present. No, I did not see them, and no…" she stopped here to look to Yagari. "Kuran doesn't know either."

The Hunter scowled and stepped forward, slamming his clenched fist on the table, and leaned into Akane's personal space threateningly. Kaien jumped at the sudden action but Akane glowered back, the first display of the true extent of her ire glowing in her deep red eyes and partially bared fangs.
"I want answers!" Yagari bellowed furiously, spit coming to the corners of his mouth as he bared his blunt teeth right back, his sapphire-blue eye flashing.
"And yet you deserve none!" Akane bit back with a growl to rival the man as she stepped out of the towering shadow of the Hunter and stepped up to look him in the eye. She was a decent head shorter than him, but it made her dark red eyes no less intimidating. He had never seen a Vampire's eyes so deep.

"Where was her big brother when her parents threw her out on the street with nothing but a rucksack to her name?" Her tone dripped with malice but had been so quiet, so accusing. Yagari faltered, his eye widening.
"Ok! I think we all need to calm right down! Nakamura, please take back your seat, Toga you…"
"No, Headmaster!" Akane interrupted, not taking her lethal gaze from her uncle. "I think we're done here!" She turned and exited the room before Kaien could do more than stutter over his protests.

He'd wanted to make this as painless as possible, but it appeared Akane had been aware of who Yagari was before coming to his office. Kaien sighed as he retook his seat with a defeated flop. He looked over at Yagari, guilt and empathy filling his heart for his friend.
"She's angry, she'll come around," Kaien reassured to the rigid back and bowed head of his friend. "Give her time to calm down. We'll hear the full story when she's ready." Yagari nodded stiffly and walked to the couch (minus one scatter cushion), and lowered himself into the seat, keeping his back straight and placing his hands on his knees. He heaved a sigh and slumped forward in a defeated manner.

"You were just a boy yourself," Kain attempted, gently. "I know you did all you could for Megumi, Akane will know that too."
"Yeah, but I didn't try to find her myself. The kid's right, I don't deserve any answers, least of all, from her." Yagari sighed and ran his fingers through his long, midnight-black hair and gazed out at Kaien's office with his one blue eye, the same hair and eye's his sister had possessed.

Akane stormed down the corridor, then the stairs, in a fury. Her fists were clenched at her sides, her strides, wide and sure. She scowled menacingly at the floor as she walked, nearly missing the girl walking towards her, lost in her own thoughts.
"Oh! Nakamura!" Yuki started as they almost collided. She gasped at the red eyes that greeted her and stood petrified by the dark colour.

Akane's eyes widened at Yuki's voice and the sudden acceleration of her heart. She realised Yuki was staring at her, particularly, her eyes. Akane quickly closed her eyes and counted to herself, calming her wayward emotions and raining in her anger.
"Sorry Cross," she offered, once her eyes and anger and sufficiently subsided. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Oh, no, no!" Yuki replied, waving her arms, and shaking her head. She still had that fearful expression, even with the forced smile she plastered on her face. "I'm sorry, I was daydreaming, ha, ha, ha!" The nervous chuckle at the end of her sentence caused Akane's stomach to sink. She's afraid of me.

An awkward silence ensued as the girls stood at the foot of the stairs, neither knowing how to break the tension surrounding them.
"Umm? Are you here to take me back to the dorms?" Yuki smiled in relief at the reminder of her task.
"Yep! The Headmaster said you may take some time to talk, so, I came during the first break to see if you were done, and, you are!" Her cheeriness was just as forced as her father's had been, except Kaien hadn't been filled with such anxiety. Akane could almost taste it in the air.

Akane nodded to the prefect and followed Yuki's lead to the main doors of the building. The Day Class students were milling about in the halls and outside in the grounds, enjoying the glorious sunshine and the soft breeze that accompanied it during their short morning break from class. Everyone was smiling and chatting happily, but the pair passed them all by, trapped in the pit of silence until it was interrupted by a genuinely, excited cry.

"Akane!" The pair turned to see Miu waving and jogging up to them with some of their classmates in tow. Kimiko, Kenshin and Nori amongst them. Miu squealed as she launched herself at her friend and wrapped herself around her middle. "I've missed you so much!" she exclaimed; a large toothy smile painted her face as she pulled away. Yuki stood, shifting from foot to foot, unsure how Akane would react to so many Humans with no other Vampires around. Her hand found its way to her concealed staff. The cool metal against her fingers, reassuring her of her capability to defend the students if needed.

Akane noticed the subtle shift in the prefect's stance and eyed her hand disappearing under her skirt to rest on the outside of her thigh. Miu didn't notice the sudden build in tension and began bombarding Akane with questions.
"How was your first day? Did you enjoy your classes? Were the other students nice to you? Did you spend any more time with Aido?"
"Miu, stop! Stop!" Akane cried holding her hands up to quiet her friend. Her other friends sniggered at Miu needing to suck in oxygen after forgetting to breathe during her questioning.

"She's been hyper since the changeover, last night," Nori explained with a grin.
"It's been quite annoying actually," Kimiko added, no hint of remorse at the red-faced glare from her friend.
"Well, excuse me for being excited to see Akane!" Miu snapped at their mirth but her smile was back in place and beaming at Akane as she turned back to her. "So, how was it?"

Akane smiled. Her friends were acting no differently, treating her the same as they had before. They were all smiling fondly as she looked at each of them and had never been more grateful to have befriended Miu than she was at that moment. Impulsively, she hugged Miu tightly, causing Yuki to jump in alarm but Akane ignored her and simply enjoyed the giggle and squeeze her friend returned.
"The first day was good. Classes are, interesting. No, no one was mean to me and yes, Aido tutors me." She smiled brightly at her friend, almost succumbing to the warmth in her chest and crying for joy as they parted.
"Good!" Miu nodded firmly.

"Umm, Nakamura, we should get going," Yuki suggested tentatively, her hand still resting on her weapon, Artemis.
"Aww, can't you stay out just a little longer? We haven't seen you in ages," Miu pleaded in a whine.
"Nakamura needs to get back to her dorm for some sleep," Yuki protested with a nervous smile before Akane could answer.
"You heard the Prefect. Sorry, Miu." Akane stepped away from her friends with a happy grin and wave.
"Ok," Miu pouted. "But I'll see you at the changeover later?" Akane nodded. She was grateful to have friends like these; they had truly missed her just as much as she'd missed them.
"Bye guys. See you tonight!" Akane called as she and Yuki left them to enjoy the weather.

Akane's smile remained. She didn't care that Yuki's heart had been dancing in her chest the entire time they'd been with her friends, or that she gave a huge sigh of relief when they were out of earshot. She was so happy to know, that to some people, she was still just Akane. Not a Vampire, not an elite Night Class student, not an ex-Human, or even an ex-Unfortunate, just Akane.

Yuki turned to her companion as the gates to The Moon Dorms came into view. She felt guilty for the way she'd reacted to Akane. She'd assumed the worst of her, even though she'd been telling herself she was just being cautious, she knew she had fully expected a negative response from the girl when her friends suddenly appeared. I need to apologise. Nakamura would never hurt her friends. I had no right to act like that. She gave no cause for concern and she's been through so much already, I don't want to upset her further.

"Nakamura?" Yuki called as they passed the threshold. Akane turned to her, an eyebrow raised in question. "I wanted to apologise." Akane stopped and faced her fully but remained silent, waiting for Yuki to continue. The silence was nerve-wracking, and Yuki fidgeted under the calm stare. Unable look her in the eye, preferring to look at her hands as she wrung them tensely. "I shouldn't have reacted like that. I know you'd never hurt your friends. So, I'm sorry for not trusting you."

Akane was surprised by the honest admission that she was not trusted by the girl, but understood trust needed to be earned before it could be given. She nodded, accepting the girl's apology.
"I understand Cross. I'm not upset." She eyed the band-aid on the side of Yuki's neck as she smiled gratefully, unaware of the thoughts the band-aid had elicited in Akane's mind. "I suppose getting attacked by something like me, would put you on edge." Yuki's smile dropped as her hand slowly rose to cover the band-aid. The move confirmed Akane's suspicions. She'd been bitten recently. Although, the identity of the one responsible eluded her.

Akane saw the wide-eyed beginnings of anxiety rising in Yuki's doe-like eyes, and turned away, letting her breathe easy in the display of her disinterest. However, Akane was curious to know who'd broken such an important order. Not just one of Kaien's main Night Class rules but also, Kaname's rule. For someone to go against him and bite the girl he was said to favour (Kimiko had frequently complained that Kaname familiarly spoke to Yuki), they'd have no loyalties to the Pureblood. But who? Everyone Akane had met in the Night Class either revered or respected Kaname, at the very least, feared him. So, who would go against him and issue such an insult? She didn't know, but she was intrigued enough to find out.