On Tuesday afternoon, when Akane left her room, ready a solid hour early (as usual), she didn't expect to have company in the lobby while waiting for the rest of the Vampires to rouse themselves. She had just sat down in her usual seat when the main doors opened, and Maria Kurenai stepped into the building. Akane visibly bristled at the sweet smile she gave as she happily skipped over.

"Night Class are not allowed out during Day School hours. You can be expelled for that if The Disciplinary Comity catches you," she warned as Maria sit in the couch opposite her.
"Oh, I'm not worried about The Disciplinary Comity. Besides, I've had permission to use the old Night Class dorms. I must leave there, to get here, ready to walk to school. So, they can't be mad about that." Her tone was syrupy and light as if she was amused by what Akane had said. All it did for the ex-Human was to raise her blood pressure.

Akane sat back in her chair, bringing the book on blood-tablets she'd been about to read, closer, and sniffed at the meek cherub sat across from her.
"Well, don't go taking advantage of that. Yuki Cross is the headmaster's daughter and Zero Kiryu is a Hunter. Neither of them takes kindly to rule-breakers." Akane's dull response caused a giggle from Maria. Akane looked up at the girl over her book with a frown.
"Oh, Yuki and I are good friends, and as for Zero…" Akane noted a sudden spark in the girl's eye when she spoke of the Hunter. "He won't be any trouble." I have the feeling I'm missing more than the sweet tooth needed to deal with this freak! Akane thought as she lowered her eyes back to her book and ignored the petite Vampire.

After a beat, Maria stood and walked around the table to sit beside Akane. She'd become bored with the silence and lack of attention. The hairs on Akane's body stood on end as Maria lowered herself into her seat, tucking her skirt under her daintily.
"I hope we can be friends too, Akane." Akane stiffened as Maria leaned closer. "I want us to get to know each other better," Maria cooed, raising a hand and gently stroking Akane's chin, drawing her eyes from the pages. "You're an interesting girl Akane, and I'd love for us to be closer."

Akane's eyes were frosty, freezing the mirth in Maria's eyes. Her hand lowered while her body visibly shivering when she locked her lavender gaze back to Akane's cold emerald stare.
"I don't believe you and I will become anything more than acquaintances, Kurenai," Akane replied flatly, forcing her hands and her book to her lap, attempting to mask her shaking.
"We've always been more than that, Akane," Maria breathed, leaning in, and sighing at Akane's scent, before she stood and skipped away to the kitchen, leaving Akane shaking in fright or fury, she couldn't decide which.

Aido's frown was deep and his eyes were searching. Akane was walking beside him, silently reading a textbook, not offering him so much as a glance. Her friends had been too far back to bustle their way to the front today, so had settled for yelling over the cries of the crowd. Akane had smiled, replied, and waved. But then, went right back into her book. She'd said one word to him this evening, just one. He'd gotten up and dressed, left his dorm to meet Akane in the lobby, as always. Finding her sat reading or writing up her notes was no surprise, but for her attention not to leave the pages long enough to smile and greet him, was unusual.
"Good evening Akane!" he'd said as he'd sat beside her, a cheerful smile on his face.
"Evening." That was it! That was the one word she'd said to him. Every attempt he'd made to start a conversation as the room filled up, was met with a fleeting look or a distracted, hum.

He'd known she was off when he'd seen her stood on the landing, earlier in the morning, after he'd returned to The Moon Dorms. It was rare for her to leave her room after they studied, as Akane would normally prefer to sleep. His little talk with Zero had been occupying his mind at the time too, and he hadn't wanted that worry to loosen his tongue. The look of realisation on the boy's face, when he'd brought up the blood bond between him and his sire had been all the validation Aido needed to confirm Maria Kurenai's identity. It left him with quite the moral dilemma for a long while before he'd drifted off to sleep.

On the one hand, not to tell Akane would feel dishonest. This woman killed her mother, destroyed her family, and condemned her father to years of suffering! He knew Akane would want him to tell her, as she did about her Unfortunate status. But the other hand showed him nightmares of what this knowledge would bring. Akane would be enraged! She'd try to confront the woman and would do so alone, because, she'd know, Aido and Kaname would forbid it. She would die, but not before Shizuka played with her lost toy first, making sure to get all the entertainment she could out of her.

The sound of Akane's screams during his fitful sleep had been agonising. But her voice, being suddenly silenced, during one such dream, had thrown him from sleep panting and sweating, his heart, beating painfully fast against his chest. If he told her, he would lose her. Walking beside her now, as they entered the school building, he racked his brain for what could be behind her obvious avoidance of him. Had he said something? Done something? Was this because he didn't tell her why he needed to speak with Kain? No, Aido affirmed, shaking his head. She wouldn't hold that against me, and Akane would tell me if I'd ticked her off. So, what is it?

Deciding he had to be more forceful about this, Aido gripped Akane's arm and pulled her to a stop in the corridor to their class. She turned with a frown but Aido was pleased to see a more confused than angry expression.
"What's wrong, Akane?" Her frown deepened as she pulled her arm away, but she didn't walk off. Good, that means she wants to talk, at least. But the unsure glances she sent the curious eyes of the people that passed, would probably hinder her confidence in answering.

"He, he!" a giggle sounded from behind them. They turned to 'Maria' as she walked by with a sweet smile. "Don't dawdle," she warned. "Or the Disciplinary Comity will get you." Both Aido and Akane glared at the girl as she danced off, tittering down the corridor.
"Nothing's wrong," Akane assured after the passage was truly empty. Aido said nothing but crossed his arms and scowled. After the way she'd acted, there was no way she could lie to him so feebly and expect him to drop it. "Alright, but I'm not doing this here," Akane yielded tiredly while rubbing her temples. "We'll talk later. Ok?" Aido nodded and gestured for Akane to take the lead, but he wasn't happy he had to sit and ponder the ways he may have fucked up until school ended. Or the worse (and slowly growing) thought that Akane may know more about 'Maria' than he gave her credit for.

They entered the classroom, enduring inquisitive and intrusive looks from their classmates, which they ignored, and walked calmly up to their seats.
"Trouble in Paradise?" Rin jeered quietly, with a grin, as the Aristocrat walked by. Aido glowered back while Akane walked on up the steps without pause. Kaname was sat at the back of the room, near Akane and Aido's usual seats. Akane frowned, seeing him sat there again, but kept her gaze on her desk and disregarded the other Vampire.

'Maria's' eyes had followed the latecomers with a deceptive smile. The cold look of her gaze was what would have given her away if anyone had been watching her closely. They stared at the pair with a piercing calculation. Her gaze briefly flickered to Kaname, who was watching her intently, over the rim of his book. The Vampire in disguise smiled cheerily before turning back to the front of the classroom as their tutor entered for their Ethics class.

Two hours later, after their Classical Literature lecture, it was time for their first break of the evening. Aido quickly packed his materials away and turned to Akane as she finished doing the same.
"Wanna go for a walk?" He was being optimistic. Aido hoped, he could get something out of her about why her mood had taken such a depressing nosedive. She'd been unusually quiet all lesson.

In Classical Literature, Akane would normally have something to say about the passages they were studying. More often than not, she'd give everyone a more Human interpretation, something Kaname said he found fascinating, especially when looking at some of the more famous Vampire works. Even their lecturer, Professor Tsuji, commented on Akane's lack of involvement, asking if she was feeling unwell. She'd brushed him off by saying the piece was new and that she'd be more comfortable increasing her knowledge before she joined the discussion. This wasn't a lie of course, but all the Vampiric Literature had been new to her until she turned. Nevertheless, their professor took her excuse without comment.

Aido saw the hesitation on her face as she looked up at him, but, eventually, Akane nodded and stood to follow Aido down the steps and out of the room. They walked aimlessly for a time until Aido turned down a corridor which leads to the main hall.
"Come on, we can talk a little in the hall before we need to go back." He waited for Akane to either follow or turn away. Thankfully, she turned, falling back into step with him as they headed to the hall.

Aido was somewhat perturbed. He knew Akane wanted to talk, she wouldn't have agreed to follow him after he'd voiced his intention to speak with her if she hadn't wanted to tell him something. The silence was just so disconcerting. When Akane was this quiet, it had his head scrambling for things to do or say to have her conversing with him again. Because, when she was this quiet, it was never usually a good idea to let it continue and her thoughts to fester.

Eventually, they reached the main hall, where the Day Class had their lunches and assemblies during Day School hours. Aido held the door for Akane, who offered a weak 'thank you' as she stepped into the vacant room and walked to the stacked chairs and benches, all tidied away after the Day Class had eaten earlier in the day. She pulled two chairs down and faced them towards each other, before sitting down in one, and waiting for her companion to take the other. Aido sat and checked his watch. Still, 25 minutes before we need to head back. Good!

He sat expectantly, but when all Akane did was glare at the floor between their feet, it became clear he had to prod and poke to get started.
"Well, Akane?" Her eyes were round when they met his. "What's got you thinking so damn hard?" A frown creased her face, but there was no anger. Aido tilted his head and leant forward in his chair. If she wasn't angry, then what was the problem? Honestly, an angry Akane he'd become good at defusing, this was different.
"I know something's going on!" Akane said, finally. Aido remained silent, unwilling to utter a word of what he'd found out, for fear of what it would do to the girl he was tragically close to adoring. "You're not the only one giving it away either. V.P.'s smiling too wide, Kain and you are eyeing the new girl, and Kuran told me to stay away from her. He said Kurenai might not be who she says she is."

Aido was surprised and angry Kaname would tell Akane so much. Didn't he understand how badly this could go? What this could do to Akane? Wait! He doesn't! I haven't told him it was Shizuka Hio who attacked Akane's family, and that she knows it! Panic began to bubble in his gut at the danger he could have placed Akane in by letting her keep her privacy. He had to speak with Kaname right away and tell him everything he knew about Akane and 'Maria'.

"You don't need to worry about Maria Kurenai, Akane." Akane's gaze became quizzical at the tone of Aido's voice as he suddenly rose to his feet. "But you should listen to Lord Kaname and stay away from her. Do you understand?"
"Yes, but…?"
"Good! Now head back to class. There's something I have to do real quick." He turned and jogged to the door.
"Hanabusa? Wait!" He didn't, he had to find Kaname and make sure he understood the severity of this. He couldn't believe how royally he'd screwed up! He just hoped his Lord would have a plan to keep Akane out of harm's way when Shizuka decided to make her move.

Akane sat blinking in surprise at the hasty retreat of her friend and flopped back into her chair with a sigh.
"Well, that went well." Akane knew she had, roughly, fifteen minutes before she had to head back to class, and usually, she would be glad for the quiet. Aido was nowhere near as persistent as Miu for imposing himself on her, in fact, he was rather pleasant to be around, nowadays. But right now, Akane found herself missing the interaction, the banter, the distraction. "We've always been more than that, Akane" I don't like the way she said that. Akane frowned, as her mind worked towards figuring out this conspiracy. No! I don't want to know any of it! She rose to her feet and left the hall, beginning her trek back to class at a leisurely pace.

As she turned the corner to the corridor that housed her class, she found the corridor occupied. Rin leant against the wall near the classroom door. With a deeper frown, Akane walked on, ignoring him, but that didn't stop Rin from engaging her.
"It's unusual, not to see Aido following you around. Did someone get dumped?" Akane stopped and turned to his broadly grinning face.
"If you did, I'm sure there are more comforting shoulders than mine, to cry on, Yamiyo." Akane continued into the classroom without further interference, and sat, waiting for Aido to return.

When Aido left Akane in the hall, he headed for one of the breakrooms on the second floor. He knew Kaname preferred the quiet during breaks and often retreated to the seclusion of these rooms. He wracked his brain for how he was going to explain himself to his Lord about keeping such important information about his progeny from him. Aido knew Kaname was a fair leader, but he did so hate surprises.

As he neared the first breakroom, he heard voices coming from the partially closed door. The unmistakeable timber of Kaname's voice and the now, familiar tone, of 'Maria Kurenai', became clear as he stopped to listen. 'Maria' sounded flatter, less childlike while speaking to Kaname, he noted as he strained his ears, not daring to take another step, in case his scent alerted the Purebloods to his presence. If Kaname was confronting Shizuka now, Aido bursting in could be a catastrophe!

Kaname had, indeed, come to the second-floor breakroom, intending to speak with the Pureblood in disguise. He'd discreetly caught her eye when he'd left the classroom, and was not disappointed when she showed, some minutes after he'd settled into his chair and his book placed on the table.
"That body… that name" Kaname began, unprompted when Shizuka entered. "At first, I was unsure of how to act. I wondered what your intentions were."
"Oh, and are your curiosities satisfied?" Shizuka quipped with her borrowed lips.
"What a vulgar woman you are. It became clear to me very quickly that you were playing with us. This was all for the sake of entertaining yourself." Shizuka smiled slyly. A grin that looked out of place on the youthful, innocent face she wore.

"Just playing? When did you grow up and start thinking so methodically? We're the same. Our lives are all about games." Kaname frowned at her patronizing tone. "Speaking of games," she continued, running a finger over the table, where Kaname's book rested, forgotten. "My toy is dead, and my Unfortunate is tarnished. You ended my game too early. It seems only fair I interfere a little with yours."
"Miss Nakamura, as well as any student in this academy, are under my protection. Whatever your plans, Shizuka Hio, they will not involve my progeny!"
"Hmm… protective, are we? Then we shall see." Shizuka mocked before turning on her heel and leaving the room. Kaname's frown deepened as his anger rose. The white queen chess piece he'd taken to carrying, whined in his hand, protesting to the pressure inflicted upon it.

Aido hurried away as soon as the conversation sounded close to its end. He'd gotten more information than he'd bargained for. Kaname knew Shizuka Hio attacked Akane's family! He knew she'd hijacked the body of Maria Kurenai, and was using it to prance around the school, cooking up some undisclosed scheme. It was obvious she still had an interest in Akane, even if just to wound her in revealing herself.

When Aido returned to class, Akane was already seated, writing in her notebooks, no doubt, correcting her notes from her previous classes. He settled in beside her, offering a charming smile at her inquiring look. She was not convinced, and the gaze she shot him before turning back to her scrawl, was nothing short of frosty. Bracing himself, Aido sat discreetly in his seat as Kaname and Shizuka returned, not wanting to draw either of their attention, for fear of revealing what he'd heard. He and Akane returned to their normal routine (minus their usual conversation during breaks). Kaname and Shizuka, he noted, disappeared after their second break.

Akane was jittery. She still wanted to speak with Aido and express her thoughts, but she still couldn't piece her words together without sounding like she was trying to get rid of him. She was worried her nerves would hinder her vocabulary. Also, Aido's behaviour irritated her. She wanted to know what had been so important when he'd pestered her to speak with him all evening. What had he needed to do so urgently, that he just up and left her, when they were supposed to be having a serious discussion? As much as Akane wanted to separate herself from the affairs of the Night Class, this just seemed like something she would have no choice but to get involved in if only to understand Aido's behaviour.

When classes were finally over, Akane turned to Aido as they walked the corridors to the main entrance, following the line of white-clad students.
"You know… we still didn't get to talk earlier. Everything ok?" She watched Aido's reaction and was not surprised when he turned with his 'Day Class' smile.
"Oh yeah, sorry Akane. I didn't mean to just leave you like that." Hmm… The 'Day Class' voice too. Someone's nervous.
"It's alright, we can talk more freely in the dorms anyway," Akane replied with a forced grin, trying to quell his nerves, somewhat.

Aido sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He wanted to know what was bothering Akane and help her if he could. But he also wanted to explain the current situation at the academy, so she didn't go running into trouble, without giving too much away.
"Sure. How about we… Akane?" Aido turned to his friend as he spoke, to find himself alone. He looked back and up the corridor at Akane standing and staring down another passageway. "Akane?" he called, gaining the girl's attention. She looked slightly startled when her wide eyes met his.

"Umm…?" Akane began, unsure. "I think I left something in class," she said lamely. Aido cocked his head with a quizzical expression. "I'm just gonna go back and get it."
"Akane, we're not supposed to stay here after Night School."
"The Professor's still here. Just wait by the entrance for me. I'll be two minutes, ok?" Aido raised a brow as she hurried back to the stairs, scratching his head in confusion before deciding to just do as she asked for now, and question her about it later.

Akane turned back to watch Aido as he continued down the hallway. She waited until he was out of sight and earshot, and then jogged back to the corridor that had caught her attention. It was the corridor leading to the main hall she and Aido had gone to talk, mere hours ago. Except now, there was a faint but distinct scent of blood. Kaname had already explained to Akane, ex-Humans sometimes had a stronger sense of smell than born Vampires, and she was sure she recognised this scent. Which is why she refrained from telling Aido. She had also been asked not to divulge his secret. But what had happened?

What are you doing? I thought you didn't want to get involved in the drama, Akane! she berated herself as she neared the double doors to the hall. Opening the doors, Akane crept into the room. There was no particular reason for her caution, other than the owner of the scent inside the room with her. With the strength of the smell of blood, she could only imagine his grumpy demeanour would be exaggerated after taking a beating. But who could have done it? Coming around the decorative pillars by the entrance, Akane finally found the source of the aroma. Zero Kiryu, lay flat on his back, unconscious. There were wounds to his shoulders, legs, and torso, inflicted by a blade (if the neat tears in his clothing were any indication). It was the sight of so much blood that had Akane rushing to Zero's prone figure in a panic. She knelt at his side and scanned his body, alarmed when she realised his wounds weren't healing.

"Kiryu!" she called urgently, shaking his shoulder repeatedly. "Kiryu, wake up!" A small groan was her reply, but it was enough to lessen her anxiety somewhat. "Kiryu, it's Nakamura! Can you hear me? Open your eyes." Zero shifted slightly but the pain from, not only his wounds but his hunger, froze him, causing his eyes to pinch shut as a wave of nausea hit him. "Kiryu, please, you have to get up and out of here. Day classes will start soon!" Akane continued to nudge and coax him to wakefulness, but her attention kept being drawn to the wound on his right shoulder. It stretched down to his stomach, coating his front in crimson. It was still bleeding profusely and didn't look any closer to stopping than when she'd arrived.

This isn't right! He should be healing. Why isn't he healing? He's a Vampire, isn't he? Akane reached out to try and pull his arms, hoping to get him to come too faster, but the sight of her hands stilled her. They were shaking, with spots of red from his blood staining her fair skin. Her blood thundered in her ears in tune with the rapid beating of her heart. Blood. He hasn't fed. Why hasn't this idiot been taking his tablets?
"With the state, you're in, I'd say you haven't had a proper meal for weeks. What kind of moron are you?" Akane reprimanded shakily as the Hunter's dazed, red eyes squinted up at her.

The Day Class were not supposed to know about Vampires. Kaname told Akane, she couldn't divulge Zero's secret to anyone. His wounds weren't life-threatening, but it would take a few more hours for Zero's body to heal on its own. She couldn't call Aido, and she couldn't leave him either. What was she going to do if she couldn't get him out of here? Get the headmaster? Then, there was the question, who had done this to him? Where they still nearby?

Zero's eyes were open now, still a little unfocused but Akane could see he was beginning to take stock of the situation. She watched as his hands fumbled to his blazer. For a heart-stopping moment, she thought he was going to pull his Vampire Killing Weapon on her but was relieved to see him fish out his pillbox instead. His coordination was appalling and Akane frowned pityingly as his face hardened in concentration to open the box. Not being able to watch anymore, Akane took it from his numb fingers and popped out two tablets.

Zero's brows furrowed, but he allowed Akane to drop the tablets past his parted lips. She shifted back with a sigh, not wanting to look into those demon eyes any longer. They still chilled her to the bone and caused a cold sweat to break out over her body. She reached into her satchel and pulled out a packet of tissues she carried to wipe the blood from her still shaking hands. Her attention was drawn back to the Hunter when he suddenly began coughing violently. She immediately pushed him over onto his side and slapped his back repeatedly. The tables sprang from his mouth to the floor, along with a few drops of blood. Akane's anxiety skyrocketed as Zero's body went limp. She pulled him back onto his back, shaking and calling out to him again. Her voice rising the longer she went unanswered.

She trembled from head to toe, trying to think of what she was supposed to do. Should I put him in the recovery position? What do I do with a choking Vampire! If Zero couldn't take the blood tables, these wounds could take more than just a few hours to heal, and if she left him here, the Day Class would go into a panic! Realisation dawned on Akane. She thought later that this would have been the only way to help the situation, but it didn't make it any less terrifying to consider.

Zero had been in immense pain, unable to move since Shizuka Hio and her masked companion left him on the tiled floor, near the stage, in the middle of the hall. He hadn't even realised he'd passed out until he felt someone shaking him, and a distant voice calling his name. He tried to open his eyes, but they were unresponsive. He tried to reply to the person with the panicked voice, but all he managed was a groan. He tried to move, to lift himself, but a tidal wave of nausea hit him, coupled with the pain he was already in the feared to move and feel that agony a second time.

He tried to relax and calm his body, cataloguing his condition in his head, ignoring the insistent beckoning of the girl beside him. Zero recognised her voice now, from the few times they'd swapped insults and grumbled that he was currently being helped by a Human who chose to become a monster.
"With the state, you're in, I'd say you haven't had a proper meal for weeks. What kind of moron are you?" he heard her say in a chiding yet unsteady voice.

Finally, he was able to open his eyes enough to see her blurred outline and the mass of dark colour that made up the room around them. She was right, he hadn't fed since the night his old teacher arrived. Forcing his numb hand to rise to his torn blazer, he searched for the pillbox he kept in his inside pocket. After fumbling with the container for a moment, Akane snatched it from him and proceeded to dispense the tablets for him herself. He silently grumbled but accepted the tablets she held to his lips, as his hands had dropped sloppily to his sides again. He knew what would happen before he'd even reached for the box, but he still tried to force his body to accept the foreign substance and recognise it as food. No such luck. His body lurched painfully, moments after swallowing. He coughed until he felt like he'd burst a blood vessel in his skull, and eventually, he expelled the tablets, but the pressure put on his body, coupled with the pain and blood loss, caused him to pass out for a second time.

Akane stared down at the unconscious boy.
"You need blood." It's not rocket science, Akane. You'll heal, you'll be fine, he won't. You have, to do this! The mechanics of it were simple, she'd read about this part of a Vampire's nature, and understood, it was something many considered, intimate. But Akane didn't think like a Vampire. She thought like she always had, like a Human. This wasn't going to embarrass her, and she would not feel ashamed for doing it. Zero needed help, and she was the only one who could help him right now.

So, with a shaky breath and equally quivering hands, Akane lifted her right arm and undid her blazer and sleeve cuff, pulling the fabric back, to reveal the pale skin of her wrist. She brought her arm to her mouth, and after a brief hesitation, she bit down, breaking the skin of her wrist with her elongated canines. Quickly, she forced her bleeding wrist into Zero's mouth and willed him to bite down himself. There was only a matter of time before her own healing kicked in. She need not have worried. As soon as her blood touched his tongue, Zero's jaws clamped onto her delicate wrist like a vice, and his hands shot up to her arm to hold her in place, as his sudden action had caused her to flinch away from him with a yelp.

She stared wide-eyed as Zero's wine-red eyes glared back at her with a ferocious hunger, challenging her to pull away if she dared. It terrified her, to the point she couldn't bear to watch as he fed on her any longer. Instead, she looked around the hall, searching for a distraction. The initial bite had hurt, but the pain subsided quickly. She'd expected to feel the same pull in her veins as when her father had fed on her. Despite the many accounts she'd read in Ichijo's Vampire literature alone, that feeding another, was not an unpleasant experience for a Vampire. Akane felt as if her heart sank into her stomach at the feelings Zero's fangs, embedded in her wrist stirred up. They confused and scared her, but worst of all, they made her feel like a traitor. It shouldn't be him.

Zero didn't know how long he'd been unconscious this time, but the thought was forgotten when a taste of heaven fell onto his tongue. His hands reacted automatically and gripped onto the source of the taste. Zero's blood-red eyes opened his vision, quickly clearing as he took his second gulp of warm, liquid gold, his senses sharpening with every drop. He healed, his blood replenished, and his mind cleared, to allow him to fully grasp the situation, and that was just after his fourth mouthful of Akane's blood. His eyes were fixed on her, unable to look away as he watched Akane's face, displaying her distress at what she was doing and letting him do. He saw as she fought to keep the tears from falling and her bottom lip from trembling.

He was fully healed within a matter of half a minute but couldn't release her. He continued to down mouthful after mouthful of her glorious blood, until he finally wrenched himself away, for fear of killing her if he didn't stop now. Akane reached for her tissues again and quickly wiped up the blood that threatened to stain her white uniform, adrenalin coursing through her veins, making her movements clumsy. She wordlessly handed one to Zero as he raised to a sitting position. He accepted her offer to clean the blood from his chin, but both refused to look at the other.

Once Akane was satisfied the blood was sufficiently wiped from her wrist, and that her uniform was untainted, she stood and plucked her satchel from where she'd dropped it.
"Day class will begin in a few hours," she said quietly, and then ran from the room. Zero remained on the cold tile for a while, eventually standing, looked at the puddle of blood he'd been lying in. With a sigh, Zero walked to the nearest storage cupboard, in search of a mop and bucket.

Akane ran down the steps, her heart running so fast in her haste to get away from that room and that moment. She skidded to a halt and had to back-track to the girls' toilets. She may have wiped the blood from her hands and wrist, but she could still smell it plainly, and if she could, then Aido would as well. Stumbling into the room, Akane washed and rewashed her hands and wrist, sniffing and licking her skin until she could smell and taste nothing but the peach zest scent of the soap. She dried her hands methodically then redid the buttons on her shirt and blazer sleeves before leaving the room.

Mindful that she had left Aido by the entrance for quite a while, Akane ran down the hallways until she reached the irritated Aristocrat.
"Took you long enough!"
"Sorry!" Akane panted as Aido held the door open for her. "I couldn't find my pencil."
"You spent all that time, looking for a pencil? Where did you find it, Timbuctoo?"
"I needed to use the restroom too!" Akane replied tartly, sounding indignant to cover for the fact she hadn't been able to look Aido in the eye.

Aido frowned. Akane was avoiding him more now than she did earlier. He supposed, just leaving her earlier, when she was comfortable and ready to talk to him, wasn't the best course of action and maybe she didn't want to talk about what was bothering her anymore.
"So," he began once they walked over the bridge and had The Moon Dorms within site. "Shall we just talk about what's on your mind in your room when we get back?" Akane looked up at him but ducked her head back down just as quickly.
"Sure, but… Umm… I want to have a shower first. It's been a long night." Aido cocked an eyebrow.
"You showered before school?"
"Yeah, well, I want another one, ok!" Akane fired hotly, and stormed ahead, leaving Aido perplexed.

Akane's anger quickly morphed into shame. She wrapped her arms around herself as she tried to force the frustrated tears from her eyes. Why was she feeling this way? She'd done a good thing, helping Zero, hadn't she? Yes! Of course, I did! He was hurt, I was there, so I helped him. Any decent person would have. So, why do I feel like I'm… tainted?

Aido held the door to the dorms for Akane silently and nodded when she thanked him meekly. He walked with her up the stairs of the deserted lobby and stood with his hands buried in his pockets as Akane turned to him with a sheepish expression, her eyes angled to the floor.
"Why won't you look at me?" Akane's wide eyes rose to Aido's ocean blue hues, seeing the confusion, hurt and concern behind them.
"It's not… I didn't… I mean…" He watched as she fumbled with her words, her eyes looking at him one second, then darting away from him the next.

Aido waited for her to collect herself as she pushed out a breath and gestured for him to wait. She ran through her head, searching for excuses, explanations, anything to tell Aido that this was nothing to do with him! That he hadn't done anything wrong, and she wasn't angry with him. That she was sorry.
"Look, Akane…" Aido almost cringed at the look she sent him. "As you said, long night, right? So, go take your shower, and I'll see you in an hour or so, ok? We'll talk then." The relief he saw on her face had him smiling, thankful, knowing he hadn't been the cause of her recent upset. Though now, he was concerned she had run into Shizuka, and if that was the case, he needed to speak with Kaname more than ever!

Akane nodded, teary-eyed, but happy Aido wasn't cross with her and just recognised she needed some space. In a brief feeling of euphoria, at not ruining something that had barely begun, Akane wrapped her arms around his middle and held him close. She breathed a sigh of relief when his arms encircled her and held her just as tightly. She could have been mistaken, but as they parted, Akane thought she felt Aido's lips, ghost across her temple. She hadn't been wrong, but Aido revealed nothing as Akane smiled up at him before turning and walking towards her room.

Her slightly giddy state persisted as she gathered her nightclothes and toiletries for her shower but dissipated once she heard the click of the lock of the bathroom door. The unwanted memory of her emotions when feeding Zero returned, unapologetically tainting her moment with Aido. Hurriedly, she turned the shower on and stripped, scattering her clothing unceremoniously onto the floor before stepping into the spray. After wetting her hair and standing in the water for a few minutes, the thoughts never leaving her mind, Akane turned the temperature gauge up. Scalding water began pouring from the showerhead over her fair, white skin, staining it an angry red. Akane hissed at the pain but forced herself to endure, as the feeling of being stained persisted. Her body was healing the burns as quickly as they appeared on her abused flesh, but soon, Akane realised the feeling was not on her skin and wasn't going away. The guilt only built for the way she'd treated Aido afterwards.

The tears she'd been holding, finally broke free. Akane fell as her sobs came, her legs giving out, but she did nothing to stop herself from falling hard to the tiled bottom of the shower floor. This was where she remained, feeling dirty and low until the sun began shining through the windows. Eventually, she mentally shook herself, pulling herself together, washed and then stepped out. She stood before the mirror, watching as the last of her angry burns vanished, leaving her ghostly, pale skin, healed and unblemished.

Drying slowly with a defeated sigh, Akane's thoughts finally drifted to a more important matter than her guilt and self-deprecation. Who had caused those injuries? They weren't from a fistfight. Those tears in Zero's clothes were from a blade or claws. Akane looked at her hands. Do I have claws hidden away? Kuran and Kurenai were MIA after the second break, and they didn't come back. Are they involved?
"This has got to do with Kurenai's identity. It has to!" Akane concluded quietly as she pulled on her nightclothes, a pale pink short and top combo.

Aido watched Akane as she made her way to her room and didn't turn until she was out of sight. Once she was in her room, he left to immediately update his Lord, walking quickly, organising his thoughts, and preparing himself to be reprimanded. He knocked on the large mahogany door and waited to be welcomed. He was surprised Kaname had decided to walk to the door and open it himself, rather than call Aido in as usual, but hid his surprise well.
"Lord Kaname, I have to speak with you. It's about Akane." Kaname nodded, intrigued, and stepped aside, allowing Aido to hurry inside, closed the door, and followed him to the seating area in the middle of his room. Once they were seated on opposite sides of the table, Kaname gestured for Aido to begin.

"Akane's revealed to me, the name of the Pureblood responsible for attacking her family." Kaname raised an eyebrow and waited. "She told me a while ago. The day she caused that scene with Zero Kiryu."
"And you saw fit to tell me this now?" Kaname interrupted as he crossed his legs and rested his head in his hand. Aido gulped. He knew Kaname had wanted to find out who had caused his progeny such pain and suffering for so long. Out of familial obligation if nothing else. But he'd kept it to himself, for Akane's sake. He felt, if she wanted Kaname to know, she'd tell him herself when she was ready. "Incidentally, I already know the identity of the Pureblood who attacked Miss Nakamura's home, and turned her father."
"You… you do?"

Anger bubbled to the surface of Aido's mind.
"And you thought, telling her about Miss Kurenai being 'more than what she appears', was a good idea? Do you know what Akane would do, how she would feel, if she found out that, Shizuka Hio was in her class every night?" Kaname rose his hand to stave off Aido's indignation. He understood his upset and was glad he'd not second-guessed himself when allowing Aido to involve himself with Akane, before and after her transformation. Aido pinked and apologised for his temper towards his Lord.
"I told Miss Nakamura, just enough, to stop her from getting more involved. She knows I do not trust 'Miss Kurenai' is who she claims to be and that she is not to go near her, under any circumstances. Miss Nakamura's knowledge of the Hio Princess was an inevitability. Putting the name and face together of the Vampire she saw the day her family were attacked, was also, inevitable."

Aido sat in stunned silence. Akane had told Kaname more than he'd realised, and the Pureblood had figured out the rest for himself.
"Do you know what she wants?" he asked, hopefully. Kaname shook his head.
"There is nothing conclusive. She's keeping her true motives hidden well, but if I had to guess, I'd say she's become bored and wants to cause as much trouble as she can for Kiryu and Miss Nakamura. It appears living incognito, no longer suites her taste." Aido contemplated this for a time. She's bored? Is that really it, or is Lord Kaname not willing to tell me the truth? He looked up at the Pureblood, who was watching him blankly. Aido frowned and rose, understanding their conversation was over and Akane would be out of the shower soon, and hopefully, in a more communicative mood.
"Thank you, Lord Kaname. I will leave you to rest." Aido bowed and turned to the door.
"Aido…" Kaname called. The blond stopped and turned to face the Pureblood. "Make sure you keep me informed about Miss Nakamura's condition. I wish to know if she is struggling." Translation; Don't keep information about my progeny from me again! He nodded, then hurried from the room.

Kaname sat in his seat for a while, long enough for the sun to be almost at its highest point. He hadn't lied to Aido, omitted the truth, perhaps. Aido was a loyal supporter, to the point of obsessive at times, but his loyalties had been split as of late. He would feel obligated to tell Akane as much as he could if only to keep her safe. Kaname couldn't allow for Akane to become too deeply involved with Shizuka. He'd caught the Pureblood scenting Akane on numerous occasions as she passed by. While the potency of Akane's scent had lessened, she still carried and alluring aroma. The increase in blood tablet consumption had gone down amongst the Night Class students since she was turned but was still higher than before she came to the academy. Also, Akane's very existence was an anomaly. No one had turned an Unfortunate before, after all.