The nervous, and excited flutters in her chest persisted for the entire walk to the location of the ball. Even Kaname's obvious show to place himself between her and Maria when they exited The Moon Dorms couldn't dampen her spirits. She was about to spend an entire evening with her friends! No Vampire nonsense getting in the way, just a party with elegant decorations, hairstyles, dresses, and food. Teenagers of high-class society were not nearly as stuck up as Akane had originally feared when coming to Cross Academy. So, she knew her evening was going to be filled with entertaining conversation and fun.

Aido walked beside Akane, as did Ichijo, both telling her little tidbits of information about how to conduct herself at such an event, but both could tell their words fell on deaf ears. The blonds grinned. They could practically feel the excitement radiating from her. The smile on her face as the building came into view, the quickening of her steps, all showed how eager she was for the night to start.

Akane spotted them, all by the entrance of the building, waiting for her. She'd had to control the sudden rush of emotions she felt at the prospect of being able to be with them after seeing them all standing there. When Miu spotted her and smiled, Aido could do nothing but follow as his date nearly ran up the path to be embraced by her friends.

"You went with green then?" Miu giggled as they parted. Akane smiled and nodded. "And what does your date think?" she asked, leaning around Akane to see Aido as he caught up, followed by a beaming Ichijo. The rest of the Night Class stepped into the building around them, greeted by Kaien at the door.
"He thinks she looks beautiful, and I doubt tonight is an exception. Right, Aido?" Ichijo teased his friend. Aido frowned at Ichijo with pinked cheeks but one look at Akane had him smiling at her shy glances.
"Precisely," he agreed, pleased to see her light blush deepen, and lengthen down her neck.

"He's not wrong, Miss Nakamura," Kenshin agreed with a charming smile.
"Thank you, Matsumura. Kurosawa, you look stunning!" Akane complimented. Yasu blushed and smiled happily from Kenshin's side, holding the crook of his arm. Her long, coffee-coloured hair had been pinned in a delicate updo and her full-length dress was an off the shoulder, pale coral blue, with a floral lace pattern running the length of the dress, as if blossoms fell from above. Sheer, open sleeves draped to her feet, giving her a regal look.

"Thank you, Nakamura, so do you," Yasu replied in her sweet-sounding voice, dipping her blushing head down shyly.
"Eh, hem!" a cough sounded from the group as Miu gestured to herself, looking at Akane expectantly. Miu's hair was only to her chin but she'd curled the ends and tousled her locks to make her hair appear thicker tonight. Her makeup was much like she usually wore, except with a little more blush and a pink-tinted gloss on her lips. The dress she'd told Akane about before, but it was still a gorgeous thing to see in person. As she's described, the dress fell just passed her knees in layers of azure blue fabric. The skirt was tiered, allowing it to flare out delicately around her thighs. The bodice was silk with a sweetheart neckline, and white sheer fabric made up the sleeves that came to her elbows. She looked like a little dancer as she spread her arms out to allow Akane to see the entirety of the dress as she twirled.

"You look beautiful, Miu, and you Inoue, Abe, Jin, and Kimura." All the girls smiled, dainty blushes on their cheeks as their dates looked on with pride and grinned at their respective girl. Kimiko wore a cherry red asymmetrical dress of satin with a natural waist. It was sleeveless, with a sweetheart neckline and was more daring than Akane would have thought from her more stoic friend. But Kimiko pulled off the look of a model, stood there with a small smile on her lips, and her golden hair flowing freely down her back, holding onto the arm of a boy in Naomi's class, named Haru Ikeda.

Haru wore the Day Class boys' uniform (as did the rest of the Day Class boys). The same red roses in their breast pockets as their Night Class counterparts. He was 5'9 with striking red hair, cut into a choppy, mussed style, coupled with the most beautiful violet eyes, framed with thick, long, envy-inducing lashes. His skin was a soft cream colour, and he held a similarly stoic look to his date's usual stare, as he stood beside her, watching the exchanges between the group passively.

Kohaku's date for the evening was Nori, who looked proud as punch at the vision in gold his date appeared. Kohaku's dress was strapless with a sweetheart neckline, and a natural waistline, made of crack ice tulle, in a dazzling pattern of crystals reaching the hem of her dress, which kissed the floor. Her hair was relatively short, so, like Miu, she'd curled the ends and used products to give the appearance of thicker roots. Kohaku had always used more makeup than Akane, Miu and Kimiko but she was an expert at the application, and tonight, she was highlighting her movie-star looks.

The couple, Kaede and Shun stood hand in hand, quietly whispering to each other. Had Shun been anything like Rin, Akane would have been disgusted or retching, due to his lecherous comments. But Shun was whispering sweet and flattering endearments to his girlfriend who smiled and ducked her head shyly.

Kaede's dress was a gorgeous lavender with an illusion high neckline. A collar of diamantes revealed a pendant of twisting vines around a diamond centred flower, drawing the eye to her long and slender neck. And looking away. The A-line, floor-length, empire wasted garment was so feminine, so pure, it made the honest and beautiful compliments Shun gave to his girl even sweeter to hear. With her hair pinned high on her head and twisted delicately into an updo, Kaede looked your typical fairy-tale princess, but Akane had no idea how gravity did not affect the hairstyle.

Naomi stood with a third-year student called Ryouta Yamamoto. There had been a rumour before Akane had been well… inducted into the Night Class, that they were to be engaged when Naomi left school. Their families were both very high on the social ladder and political marriages/alliances were commonplace. Her friends had attempted to explain the whole thing to Akane in the past, but she still couldn't wrap her head around it. But looking at the pair, Naomi and Ryouta didn't look too put out by the prospect.

Ryouta was tall at 6'3 with stylish, warm brown hair and matching chocolate, brown eyes, behind slim black-framed glasses. He had a lean figure with slender hands and fingers, perfect for piano playing, and a dark tone to his skin, highlighting the mixed blood of his family. Naomi stood sheepishly beside him in her coral pink evening dress. Her hair was out of its usual ponytail, left to fall past her shoulders in delicate waves of black. Her dress was an A-line, off the shoulder lace. The under fabric was a coral pink, silk material in a sweetheart neckline. It suited her very well, showing off the curve of her hips and the dip of her waist.

Now that the niceties were over, Aido took his date's arm, threaded it through his own, and lead the way inside the ballroom. Akane's friends followed him merrily, along with Ichijo who chatted happily with the girls, all of whom were still very much attached to their dates who shot unfriendly looks at the carefree Vampire.

When Akane entered the ballroom, she was blown away by the grandness of it all. A dozen crystal

chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling by thick decorative chains. All of them falling from large ceiling roses. Along the walls, decorative wall lights hung, made of the same brushed brass as the chandeliers. The candles were all electronic, like the lights in her chandelier at The Moon Dorms, and like that piece, the bulbs all twisted delicately at their tip to give the illusion of fire. The ceiling decorations covered only one half of the room and only covered the walls. It would have been a shame to hide those ceiling roses and cornicing, with even the finest draperies.

A raised platform at the back of the room was where the orchestral band were set up, playing a happy tune to welcome everyone in for the party. Miu giggled at Akane's awed expression and gestured for her to follow their group to the buffet table and drinks station. Aido grinned and allowed Akane to lead them off with her Human friends. Akane's surprise doubled at the spread lied out on the buffet tables. A caterer had been drafted in, Akane expected as much. But the amount of foreign, exotic, and even bizarre, yet beautiful foods and treats on display was over any top Akane could have conceived of. The centrepiece was a sight in and of itself. I was a huge and magnificently carved ice sculpture of a swan in a pond. Waterlilies floated in the water around it, giving the illusion of movement.

"Want something to eat Akane?" Miu asked happily. She could barely contain her joy for seeing her friend and spending proper time together with everyone. She'd known when Akane was placed in the Night Class, that they would see much less of her, but it was hard for Miu at times. She still had the strange and unwelcome feelings since Akane was no longer in the dorm room with her. She'd always been something of a wimp when it came to monsters under her bed or in her closet. She thought she'd grown out of such childish fears like being afraid of the dark. But recently, she'd found it difficult not to succumb to a panic attack when she was truly alone in the middle of the night, waking after a strange and forgotten nightmare.

Shaking her head of such unwanted thoughts, Miu hurried to drag Akane from her date and down the buffet table to choose from the array of colourful foods she wanted her to try. Aido waited patiently while his date was accosted by her friends. It was obvious they had all missed her, Miu, a great deal, but he would be sure to remove them for a little later. He wanted to make sure Akane took a steady dose of blood tablets. The last thing he wanted, was for her first real party to be tarnished by a fleeting desire for blood in and amongst her friends. He also wanted to make sure Ichijo kept his word to occupy Akane for a portion of the evening. Kain had agreed to help Aido seek out Shizuka Hio's body. Aido knew the Pureblood couldn't be too far from her borrowed body or the link would break, and she'd die. Kaname had permitted them to leave the ballroom but didn't ask where they planned to go. Aido had a funny feeling his Lord knew what they intended to do, and probably knew where to search for the missing Hio Princess's body, but he didn't dwell on it.

Zero was hiding in the entryway of the ballroom. He wouldn't admit it, but he'd seen Akane inside the ballroom, surrounded by her Human friends and Aido, and instantly ducked out of the room so he wasn't seen by the ex-Human. The memory of her taste had faded slightly, but was, by no means, less on his mind. It was the sight of her tears, her fear, and trembling hands, that were as fresh as ever behind his eyes whenever they closed. He had always thought of Vampires as monsters, even labelled himself as one, but he'd never felt quite like a monster than when he thought of that night.

She had never conducted herself like the other Vampires. She didn't walk like them, talk like them, and it was apparent, she didn't think like them. True, she had once been Human, just like him, except she didn't have the threat of falling to Level E hanging over her head every day. Was that the difference between them, between her and other Vampires, including himself? She had a choice whether she became a monster and terrorised humanity as the Night Class did. Zero was counting down till the day his choice was made for him.

A flash of silver out of the corner of his eye had his mind instantly returning to the cause of all his turmoil. He had not seen Shizuka enter the ballroom with the rest of the Vampires, and he'd only seen the silver dress of a passer-by, but it was enough to boil his blood and fuel his anger. She'd called him a servant. No, a slave! Catching up with Yuki after he woke only to scent that woman near her had caused his anger and fear to rise higher. He'd only been able to cool down after drinking from Yuki, taking all that he wanted, becoming the monster.

"Disgusting!" he spat bitterly to himself.
"What's disgusting?" Kaien asked as he came to stop beside his young charge. He had on a flamboyant suit, reminiscent of a Luis the 15th style courtier, minus the large breeches, tights, hair, and makeup. Zero didn't reply but sent an irritated glare in his direction. Kaien blinked before smiling cheerfully and patting Zero's back. "Thanks for agreeing to chaperone this evening," he said happily. Zero shook the man's arm from his shoulder with a scowl.
"If the Chairman orders me to, I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

Kaien sighed at the boy's sour mood before getting to why he'd been looking for the prefect in the first place.
"Well, aren't you just a little trooper. Anyway, I wanted to ask you if you've seen the new student, Maria Kurenai. Kaname said she left the dorms, but I fear she's decided to play truant." Zero stared at the man with a hard look, an expression Kaien appeared puzzled by. "What?" he asked after Zero stared at him for a solid minute.
"You really don't know?" Zero asked surprised.
"Don't know what?" Kaien asked tilting his head quizzically.

Before either man could say more, Yuki stepped through the door, surprised Zero was there at all. She would have thought he'd shirk his duties as he did during the changeover sometimes. She was pleasantly surprised by his appearance.
"Wow! Yuki's all dressed up!" Kaien gushed as his adopted daughter came over to greet them. "Make sure to save a dance for Daddy," Kaien called as he walked back into the ballroom.
"Ok, but just for a little while," Yuki agreed begrudgingly. Dancing with my Dad because I don't have a date, how pathetic. She sighed as she watched her embarrassing father figure flounce out of the lobby in a ridiculous costume.

She looked up at Zero. He was staring at her, which quickly brought an awkward smile to her lips as she turned to beckon him into the ballroom.
"Come one Zero. It'll be nice to see everything while we're keeping an eye on everyone."
"I thought you said, you weren't interested in the party?" Yuki gave another awkward chuckle.
"Did I?" She walked quickly hoping to push down her embarrassment and anxiety to get her mind back on the job. She was supposed to be chaperoning this dance to ensure everyone was on their best behaviour. Zero followed silently, wondering where she'd gotten her dress. Kaien was surprised she's dressed up at all. That left only one other possibility, and he sighed unhappily at the blush he knew the Pureblood had caused.

"Good, everything looks fine," Yuki declared after surveying the room from the main doors. She was right. The Night and Day Classes were mingling, to a degree, and everyone looked like they were having a nice time. But she really did need to find Kaname, to thank him for the dress and assure him she'd return it in perfect condition.

Akane talked with Miu and Kohaku as the rest of their group got drinks or danced with their dates. Aido had disappeared a few minutes ago, leaving Ichijo to watch her, something she did not like. She knew he was up to something and didn't like she was being left out of it. Thankfully she'd shaken her guard-dog off by innocently suggesting Kaede and Naomi should ask him to dance.
"This might be the last chance you get before you're both permanently spoken for." The incentive was clear, and the girls had taken her up on the suggestion easily, leading the Vampire out onto the dancefloor.

She had just been about to excuse herself to hunt down her missing date when a flash of silver out of the corner of her eye stilled her limbs like a stone. Zero had just entered, following his prefect companion into the ballroom. Akane's mouth became dry as her hands began to shake, her heart hammering in her chest. Don't look this way! Don't look this way! Don't look this way! I've got to get out of here! He couldn't see her. She'd avoided him all week by sticking to the centre of the group during the changeover. No more it seemed.

The party was going well. The students were dancing, enjoying the music and the company. Many of the Day Class girls had shaken off their dates and stood excitedly next to various Night Class boys in the hopes of getting a dance. Some of the Day Class boys had also detangled their dates to ask a Night Class girl or two to dance. Some accepted in the spirit of the directive of Cross Academy, others, like Ruka, turned away from the Day Class boy, shaking from head to toe as he asked her to grace him with a dance.

Kain frowned and whispered to her that she should make more of an effort for the Headmaster's cause. She retorted that the boy was a stranger, and she was not comfortable dancing with someone she didn't know.
"Umm… Kain? Did Lord Kaname come this evening?" Yuki asked the tall Vampire meekly. She decided to seek out Kaname right away to relay her gratitude, then she could enjoy the party without worrying he'd see her and think she was ungrateful for not thanking him first.
"The Dorm President should be out on the terraces," he replied tiredly.
"Thank you!" Yuki called as she hurried off. Ruka sent him an annoyed look over her shoulder.
"What? Was I supposed to lie?"
"Whatever…"

Akane had managed to slip away from her friends to get some air outside. She was at the back of the building with the open terraces to the ballroom above her head. The music from the orchestra glided through the open doorways into the night air in a calming wave. She sighed as she decided to walk around to clear her head. There was no reason for her to still feel like this. Her body reacted in a way she wasn't used to because she was a Vampire now. She just had to separate these physical reactions from clouding her emotions and her mind.

Speaking of clouding her emotions, she could smell Kaname and Yuki not too far ahead and see them dancing slowly on one of the terraces but couldn't hear what they were saying to each other yet. Deciding to pass and ignore whatever conversation was going on above her, Akane continued, but ears will hear if there are sounds to hear, and Akane heard a lot.

Kaname slow danced with Yuki, listening to the sound of his heart to keep their tempo steady but Yuki was tripping up as she tried to follow the orchestra.
"Lord Kaname, why do you keep missing the beat?" Yuki asked after three wrong steps she was sure she'd timed correctly. Kaname smiled serenely down at her.
"Because I'm not dancing to the music. Can we just dance slowly like this, like we used to?" Yuki's blush darkened on her cheeks, but her heart sank a little.
"Yeah, back then you had to dance slowly because I'd only just learned to waltz. When do you intend to stop treating me like a child?" she asked as she stepped back to look up at him. Kaname stopped his feet and gazed down at the girl in his arms.
"I'm sorry you feel that I treat you like that. It was never my intention, Yuki."

"Really? Then, that night…" Akane involuntarily slowed as she passed under the balcony. "The one who put me to sleep and tampered with my memories, it was you, wasn't it?" Kaname's small smile slipped into a blank expression, but his eyes expressed his distress at the hurt look on Yuki's imploring face. Akane continued, holding her breath, hoping to hear even the slightest whisper and remain undetected. "Like you were stopping a kid from snooping…"
"No!" Kaname interrupted, drawing Yuki to his chest and holding her tight. "I wasn't treating you like a child. I just wanted to protect you. I thought it was for the best."

Akane stopped lying to herself and now stood beneath the couple, listening to their conversation as she leant against the wall, hidden by the shadows from the terrace. Yuki spoke of the night Zero had been attacked. Did she know the Vampire holding her had left him in such a state or were her memories still altered? She didn't believe so. Yuki was feeding Zero. Akane had scented the girl on him more than once since meeting him. The bite in the girl's neck had healed and reappeared at least once since the first time Akane had noticed it. If Yuki knew Zero had been hurt and left by her master, she would be disappointed with him. Something she knew Kaname wouldn't like to happen.

Yuki was enjoying the warm embrace from her crush, but Shizuka's deal resurfaced in her mind. She'd been plagued by for a week, hoping to gain the courage to tell Kaname or her father but always coming up short because she can save him.
"Kaname Kuran only lowers his guard around you, Yuki. You are the only one who can kill him." Yuki pulled back from Kaname, keeping him at arm's length as she looked deeply into his mahogany irises and smiled sadly. "But if you can't do that, there is something else you could do for me."
"I'm sorry." She ran from him, her decision made.

Akane watched as Yuki raced down the steps of the building and off into the darkened grounds. She listened for Kaname to either follow or ask for someone to check on her or something. Yuki looked upset. She would have thought he would want to comfort her if he'd upset her somehow. What she heard however had her heart thundering in her chest.
"Kuran! What happened to Yuki?" Zero's aggravated voice called over the sound of the music as he stepped through the door onto the terrace.
"I've told you your purpose, haven't I? You are Yuki's shield. Don't forget it!" Akane didn't have to wait long for Zero's reaction. She was surprised though when he leapt over the balcony and took off after Yuki. Did he listen to him? Kuran knows Zero is the one feeding on Yuki and he's just sent him off after her? What did he mean, he's her shield? What the hell is going on!

"Kaname?" Ichijo's was the next voice that drifted into the night. He'd come out after seeing Zero take off and sensing Kaname's tense posture. "Is everything ok?" Akane couldn't hear Kaname's mumbled reply and it seemed Ichijo hadn't either. But Kaname persuaded him to leave him to his thoughts after a stony look, a look that would not sway Akane.
"Hey!" she yelled, stepping out from the shadows below and walking into Kaname's line of sight. He frowned seeing Akane outside when he had been sure to tell Ichijo and Aido to keep her within the safety of the building in case Shizuka made a move against her.

He schooled his features before he addressed his progeny.
"Miss Nakamura, what are you doing outside?"
"What was all that about? Cross was upset and Kiryu shot out of there like he was fired from a cannon," she asked, not caring for her master's question or reappearing frown at her harsh tone and narrowed eyes. "What does Cross need to be shielded from, huh?" Kaname leant over the stone railing. His eyes narrowed on the girl. She'd done more than just seen his exchanges with both Yuki and Zero, she'd been eavesdropping.

His first thought was to reprimand and punish her. It was dangerous for Akane to be out in the open unescorted, and he was still uncertain if Shizuka had been goading him or serious about her interests in Akane. He didn't want to risk her safety. He'd been surprised by the protective streak he'd developed for the girl, but his devotion to Yuki was absolute and Zero was at a disadvantage against his master. Akane had demonstrated her will to defy a Pureblood's command on her first visit to his chambers when he'd asked her to sit. Could she keep that same power against Shizuka if she tried to compel her?

Kaname sighed. He couldn't be seen to do anything against another Pureblood. Ichiou was still sour about Kaname's rejection when his parents died and would delight in pointing the blame for the death of a Pureblood in his direction. But he would not be the one punished, one of his followers would pay the price for his infraction, a price he wouldn't allow them to pay for his rashness. It was a terrible thought, but Akane was disposable. The Unfortunate phenomenon would endure, another Unfortunate could be found, but not another Yuki. His progeny was important to him but not cherished, as Yuki was, and Akane knew well, his cruel nature, she would not be surprised.

Hating himself for potentially sending her to her death, Kaname spoke.
"Maria Kurenai has drawn Yuki from me. She's in danger and has made a bargain I cannot accept. Zero's job is to protect her." Akane folded her arms dissatisfied. This she'd already gathered from the conversation, except the part about Yuki making some deal with the new girl, but Kaname was not yet done. "Maria Kurenai is, in fact, Shizuka Hio in disguise." Akane's eyes widened as her body stiffened and her anger bubbled. Kaname watched as her eyes took on that deadly red hue. Her shoulders stiffened as her knees locked, listening to his every word. "She has taken the body of Maria Kurenai and intends to use Yuki's blood to strengthen her sickly body before she comes back. Zero, was bitten by her."
"He can't go against her," Akane said, finally understanding why he was revealing this to her now. He knew she would go as soon as he said that woman's name, but now she had to. Yuki was in danger, and she had a connection with Zero, thanks to her Human compassion forcing her to feed him when he was in need. She couldn't let him die. It infuriated her to even think of that woman near him!

In less than a second Akane had turned and bolted after the prefects, not caring for the damage she was inflicting on the heals she'd admired mere hours ago. Kaname watched until she was out of sight before he turned back to the party. Ruka stood to the side of the doorway watching him. She didn't say anything or move towards him but did turn her head away. Kaname sighed, even she thought his preference over his progeny was misguided, but she didn't understand, none of them did. Yuki meant everything!

Aido and Kain had slipped away when Kaname and Yuki danced and when Akane was, supposedly under the care of Ichijo. They'd decided their search should begin at the old Night Class Dorms, where Shizuka had been staying since her first night. Aido deduced Shizuka would need a space to hide her body and keep it close enough to maintain control of her host. Kain lead the search of the perimeter of the building, explaining they were more likely to find something under the structure rather than hidden away in one of its many rooms. Aido agreed, and soon the pair found a metal door towards the back of the dorms.

A cold wind greeted them as they pulled the worn, rusted door open and peered down into a dark, stone, winding staircase, having no idea how far down it travelled.
"It's chilly. It has to be here," Aido affirmed as he took the first step down into the dark.
"Down here, huh?" Kain said as he followed.
"Starting to believe me, are you?" Aido taunted as they descended. Kain didn't comment.

The further they walked, the colder it got, to the point they could see their breath in the air, but they remained silent. The tension was thick in the air and a feeling of anticipation compelled them on. Something was down here, something they were not supposed to find. Finally, they reached the bottom of the stone steps and found themselves in an atrium, with a large opening ahead. Aido moved first, walking quickly towards the obvious entryway, into a cavernous hall where he found what he'd been searching for. Kain followed, his breath catching at the sight of the Pureblood held within a frozen cocoon, suspended from the ceiling.

"Kuruizaki-hime," Kain said in an awed whisper. "It's like you said. She really threw off her body and took over Maria Kurenai's."
"But I don't know why? I don't understand the purpose?" Aido admitted with frustration.
"That's none of your concern." A stranger's voice came from the shadows. The Vampires started as a masked man stepped out into the light, a sword at his hip.

The man stood at around 5"11. A silver mask obscured his eyes and the upper half of his face, so all they could see was the silver hair that peeked from behind the guise and nothing else that could reveal the man's identity. His dark blue coat was long, reaching his knees, the cuffs turned back from his hands. He pulled the sword from its' sheath, causing the Aristocrats to stiffen in preparation for a fight, but the man plunged the thin blade into the ice encasing Shizuka. They watched as the ice retreated, leaving the body of the woman, lying limp on the cold, stone floor. The man sheathed his sword and moved to the Pureblood's body, picked her up carefully and secured her in his arms.

Aido wanted to interfere, wanted to stop him, but they couldn't do anything. If he or Kain attacked and caused the death of a Pureblood, the consequences didn't bear thinking about. Not only would they disgrace their families and cause them pain, but they would also undermine Kaname's authority within the Vampire Council and likely be executed in elaborate ways to set an example and not only that, but Akane would be alone. Sure, she'd have Kaname to take care of her, and Ichijo, probably, but Aido couldn't break his promise to be with her as long as she wanted him there. Heck, he hated being away from her now! Knowing this woman was out of her cage and probably going right to her host's body to be reunited with herself, sent dread trickling through his veins. They needed help!

Kain frowned at the man as he passed them unhindered and unafraid before turning back to his cousin.
"Is it right to just let them go?" He didn't understand all his cousin's reasons for seeking out the Pureblood or his insistence of her interference in the academy, but he knew it had to do with Akane. If Aido had gone out of his way and behind Kaname's back for that girl, she was important to him, and Shizuka Hio was a threat to her. All the Night Class knew of her personal tragedy to an extent, but Kain had only just realised the importance of Shizuka in all of it. He was becoming concerned with what else was happening within the academy and his cousin that he wasn't aware of.

Aido glared at the man as he ascended the steps and out of sight.
"We can't make a move until Lord Kaname orders it. We can't go against a Pureblood, even an unconscious one." Kain nodded.
"You're right. We should report back to Lord Kaname."
"Yeah, go do that." Kain watched as his cousin looked up at the ceiling of the room, the old Moon Dorms above their heads. He knew he didn't have a choice. He had to go back himself and inform their Lord, while his cousin investigated the rooms above in search of the threat to his friend.
"Don't do anything stupid," he sighed but was truly begging his brother-like friend not to get himself into trouble.

Aido nodded before exiting the room, using the same hidden entrance the stranger had emerged while Kain followed the Human's steps back up the stone stairs they'd travelled. There was no sign of the man when he emerged from below the dorms and quickened his pace back to the ballroom to inform Kaname that Shizuka Hio had been found and was making her move tonight. His worry had mounted by the time he'd got back to the ball and was in search of Kaname immediately. However, what he found was Ichijo dancing with many Human girls and had managed to rope in Shiki and Rima somehow. The models looked bored as they danced hand in hand with the Human girls in a circle in the middle of the dancefloor.

"Kain!" Ichijo called when he spotted the auburn-haired Vampire. "Come join in!" Kain sweatdropped at the jovial look on his face. So happy, he accused of the blond in his mind.
"Uh, no thanks, I have stuff to do."
"Oh, that's a shame," Ichijo replied disappointedly as Kain walked away. The girls around him began to bicker and fight over who got to hold his hands next. The blond tried his best to pacify them, but their overexcited nature resulted in one of the girls being pushed to the ground. Kain turned back at the commotion and saw as Ichijo leant down to help the girl up, and frowned, striding back over to the group.

Kain grabbed Ichijo by the crook of his arm.
"Dorm Vice President, a word!" and pulled him forcibly away. Ichijo looked up at the scowling face of the Vampire with a comically quizzical look. His eyes blinked, dazed by the sudden change in location. "What are you doing, getting all those girls riled up? I hope you aren't planning on snacking on any of them."
"How rude!" Ichijo whispered back with an insulted sideways look at the Vampire. "I'm being friendly. So, what's this stuff you have to do?" He got those girls mad on purpose! Kain grumbled in exasperation. Typical!
"I need to find Lord Kaname."
"Ok, as long as it's not about that new student, he left all that to me. Off you go then. I hope it's nothing serious." He added as he turned back to his admirers.

Kain walked away with a frown. That nosy little… He spotted Seiren near the buffet table and decided, Kaname's bodyguard would be the best first place to check for his Lord.
"Seiren, have you seen Lord Kaname?"
"He's out on the terraces. Why? Is something wrong?" Seiren asked in her dull, harsh voice, a tone fit for a bodyguard.
"Nothing much," Kain lied. He had to speak to Kaname first. This situation was too volatile. Finding the terrace empty when he stepped through the door, just made the situation more delicate. It seemed Kaname was also making his move tonight. "Great," Kain complained quietly.

Akane's mind had been driven by rage for an immeasurable length of time. The scent of blood finally broke through the haze when she entered the disused Night Class dorms. She knew this scent. Kiryu! A sudden fear for the grumpy teen and for what she'd ran blindly towards overcame her. A feeling like a bucket of cold water, dousing out the flames of her fury in an instant. A Pureblood was here, one that was not Kaname and would kill her. The Pureblood who'd killed her mother and tormented her father for years. She'd only ever had anger in her heart for the Vampire that ruined her family and her life, she'd never stopped to think of the danger she'd be in if she ever found said, Vampire. It was a slap in the face to her pride and determination to avenge her parents.

"You said you only wanted my blood!" Akane heard Yuki cry from somewhere above her. "Stop it, please, leave him alone. You're hurting him!" Akane moved. She ran down the corridor, following the scent of Zero's blood to a set of rickety old stairs to the upper level. Despite her racing heart and desire to reach and help Yuki and Zero, her mind had cleared to force her to remain cautious. She walked carefully up the stairs doing all in her power not to growl as she heard that woman's voice for the first time.

Yuki twisted and pulled at her wrists futilely. Zero's grip was merciless.
"You've tortured him enough! Why are you being so cruel to him?" Shizuka removed her fangs from Zero's neck and moved around to face Yuki.
"It's punishment for being so attached to you," she said, taking the frightened girl's face in her hands. "You're cruel yourself, Yuki." The girl started at the sting those words caused. "The choices you make cause Zero to suffer, even I can see that." Yuki's head dropped her eyes stinging with unshed tears. I know that already! she admitted mournfully.
"I thought," she began in a small voice. "It would be ok if I stayed with Zero." Shizuka moved closer, not caring for the trembling girl or her sentiment. "I wonder," she added breathlessly as the Vampire brushed her hair away from her neck. "Will you forgive me one day, Zero?"

Zero had been in a daze since Shizuka had commanded him to hold Yuki. He'd been aware of everything, but his mind was too sluggish to respond to him. But seeing this, knowing Yuki was going to be bitten by the same wretched monster that turned him, he couldn't allow it! He had to protect her! With a will he didn't know he possessed, his arm released Yuki and shot out to grip Shizuka by the throat, pushing her away from Yuki.

Yuki jumped at the sudden movement but was relieved to see the light back in Zero's eyes. Shizuka smiled at the concentration on Zero's face to control his arm.
"It's pointless, Zero. Just go back to being my puppet for a while longer," she taunted as his arm shook with his strain while his other hand loosely gripped his gun. "You can't even squeeze those fingers around my neck."

Akane neared the room where their voices sounded, but now that she was just a few short paces away, her fear of the monster that was beyond the wall halted her. I can't move! The sound of a gunshot from the room before Zero's bellowing voice followed, caused Akane to jump out of her skin but gave her the drive to rush forward into the room.
"I won't let you take anything else away from me!" Zero cried as Akane came to the door. She sucked in her breath in shock at seeing the gun he'd fired at his thigh, dripping blood onto the faded green carpet. Still holding the surprised Pureblood, he readied his weapon and fired three shots at close range into her chest.
"Zero! No!" Yuki cried, pulling at his arm to stop him destroying his chance of redemption.

Akane stepped cautiously into the room but stopped when Shizuka began to laugh.
"You want to kill me? You should know, that wouldn't be enough." Shizuka's eyes travelled to the lone figure at the threshold and her cynical smile turned sinister. "Little Akane." Yuki and Zero started and turned to the frozen Vampire behind them as she stared transfixed by the pink blossom gaze of the Pureblood. "My secret little treasure. I'll take you back from Kaname once I've taken Yuki."
"The hell you will!" Zero boomed as he fired multiple energy bullets at the Vampire. She dodged them effortlessly as if she was dancing, using the wraps off her pale pink kimono to shield against the projectiles.

The sounds woke Akane from her dazed mind after seeing the woman. She rushed forward to Yuki, pulling the prefect behind her.
"I'm ending this, Shizuka Hio. I've lived this long only to see you dead!"
"No!" Yuki cried, spinning around Akane, and pulling at Zero's arm again. If she dies, Zero will never be saved. He'll keep changing until he's just a shadow of himself.
"He doesn't even need to think about it. He's always known, haven't you Zero? That you want to die with me."

Akane's eyes darkened as a wave of anger she'd been all too familiar with lately, resurfaced. She moved faster than she thought she was capable and placed herself between Zero, Yuki and the Pureblood. She bared her long fangs in a vicious snarl at the woman whose eyes widened at her sudden appearance, but she quickly recovered.
"And you, my little Akane. My little Unfortunate. You sustained my borrowed body for so long without any mishaps from your father…"
"Stop talking!" Akane growled threateningly, and Shizuka silenced.

The Pureblood frowned at the command and the slight push of power behind it. It wasn't enough to take hold, not by a mile, but the very fact Akane had such power, for a Level D, was rare and infuriated the Pureblood. Kaname has found quite the prize, hasn't he? Akane didn't know where her courage or her stupidity came from, but she lunged at the Vampire like a tiger, pouncing on a deer. It had certainly surprised Shizuka. Yuki and Zero cried at her frantically to halt, but the sound of metal cutting through the air, caught Akane's ears and she saw as a thin blade soared towards her. She turned her body but too late, the blade sank into her stomach and pinned her to the wall.

For a brief second, Akane thought she might be dead, but the pain ripping through her body from the blade assured her she was still, very much alive. Akane screamed at the agony but then in vile hate and rage, clawing at the wall when the owner of the blade made himself known.
"That was unnecessary," Shizuka drawled at the masked man who'd emerged from an adjoining room.
"Why are you playing with them Shizuka?"
"Ichiru!" Akane snarled. She didn't need to see his face to know him. The man looked up and smiled at the girl he'd stuck to the wall with the Vampire killing sward he'd stolen from his father.
"Hello Akane, it's been a long time. You've changed since we last met."

Zero was floored, looking between Akane and the masked man who he recognised as his twin brother.
"I thought you were dead, Ichiru," he said coldly, putting himself between Akane and Ichiru while Yuki rushed to help the girl trapped by the sword.
"You remember me, I'm touched Zero." Yuki gasped when the man removed his mask revealing himself to have the same face as her companion. He looks like Zero! "Hello, Big Brother."

Akane screamed in fury again, her eyes almost black at this point, as she scraped at the wall and pulled at the sword in her gut. Her anger had taken over her mind again. She looked like a chained animal, clawing, and pushing at the wall, snarling, and screaming at her enemies.
"Why are you play like this, Shizuka? If you die, it will trouble me greatly."
"Humph," Shizuka scoffed at Ichiru as he placed himself protectively in front of her and his gun-wielding brother. "No need to worry, I have things I still need to do. I have no intention of dying here."

"Get back here you poisonous, old Bitch!" Akane cried as Shizuka walked from the room with a grim smile in her direction.
"Shizuka!" Zero called as he made to follow but was blocked by his brother.
"It's rude to ignore me, Zero, and Akane is that any way for a lady to talk?"
"Get this sword out of my gut and I'll show you how much of a lady I'm not!" Akane roared back as she pushed off the wall, using her weight, trying to pull the blade from the plaster while Yuki held her up as best she could. She'd tried pulling the sword free, but it was embedded deep within the wall. She feared, Akane would be cut in two by the sharp edges and the weight of her body pulling her down, so she'd positioned herself under the furious Vampire, supporting her on her back as best she could.

"It's been so long since we've talked. I'd say the day our parents died; was the last time you spoke to me." Akane winced as the blade cut deeper and Yuki faltered in holding her, but she listened intently to Ichiru as he taunted his brother who shook in despair and anger as he stood in front of him. "Do you know what I was thinking that night, when I saw you lying there, covered in blood?" Zero flinched at the cold tone his brother used as he spoke of Zero's most painful memory. "Do you want to know? Or maybe, you already know the darkness I had in my heart."