14 weeks, that's how long Akane had been a Vampire. When she'd woken that morning, on the first day of her first school break as a member of the Night Class, she hadn't realized she'd even been counting, until that was the first thought her mind had produced. She was up earlier than usual due to the unusual hustle and bustle of the other Vampires. She climbed out of bed, collected her toiletries, and exited her room to use the bathroom down the corridor. She was slightly startled when the door opened for her, and a Night Class girl stepped out. The Vampire gave Akane a once-over with her critical brown eyes before she turned away and strutted off down the corridor, her long brown hair dancing behind her.

Realizing that it wasn't just her floor, but that the whole dorm was livelier than usual, Akane stopped a passing Vampire, walking with a small bag in his hands.
"Hi, umm… Why is everyone up so early today?" The Vampire looked at her dully. He had blond hair and honey-brown eyes. He was tall and lean and exceptionally attractive, as all Vampires appeared to be until you got sight of the beast lurking just underneath the skin.
"Extended weekend due to teacher training. We've been permitted to leave for the short break. We'll be gone until Wednesday," and with that, he walked away. Akane nodded and quickly stepped out of his way, then entered the bathroom to finally prepare for the day. By midday, the majority of the Night Class had left the academy.

Akane was sat in the lobby doing some revision, ignoring Kaname as he stood by the door watching her and waiting for Ichijo to finish herding everyone out.
"Miss Nakamura?" the enthusiastic blond called as he neared her revision space. "You'd better get your bag if you're going to be coming with us." Akane stopped her writing to give Ichijo an apologetic smile. I forgot to tell him. Don't do the face!
"Sorry V.P. I decided to stay here." Akane cringed at the disappointed pout that came to the sunny Vampire's face but sighed in relief when she was saved by a grumbling aristocrat as he came down the stairs and caught the blond's attention.

"Everything alright?" Ichijo asked Kain.
"Yeah, he said he's not coming."
"Oh, well, it doesn't matter. At least Miss Nakamura won't be here alone. I'll update the headmaster when we leave," Ichijo assured as Kain came to the bottom of the stairs and turned to Akane who'd gone back to her studies.
"Shall we be off then?" Kaname called once his patience had been stretched thin by his progeny's lack of acknowledgement.

Ichijo turned to his friend happily, giving Akane a cheery wave as he went. Akane waved back amused until Kain caught her eye. He'd come and stood next to her chair, looking down at her with a strangely severe expression. His posture portrayed his discomfort, with his hands deep in the pockets of his black travelling coat and his shoulders hunched forward. She arched a brow at the Vampire, silently enquiring to his odd behaviour.
"Whatever's going on, just fix him already. He's more of a pain now than he's ever been." Akane sat dumbfounded. Her mouth opened and closed as she tried to think of a reply, but it was apparent she couldn't verbalize her inner thoughts, so settled for nodding and lowering her blushing head away from the scrutinizing gaze of the tall Vampire. Kain nodded, despite Akane not being able to see, and turned for the door, where Kaname remained waiting for the last of their group.

The Pureblood caught Akane's eye briefly before he walked out and let the door close behind him with a heavy click. She sat quietly for some time, unable to immerse herself back into her work. She glanced up the stairs towards her friend's room. She and Aido had been rather distant after Shizuka and the appearance of Zero's would-be executioners. The issue was not that they hadn't spoken, because they had, the problem was, the polite conversation Aido would start up whenever she tried to say more than a greeting to him.

Nowadays, Aido kept his 'Day Class' voice and smile in place, keeping Akane at arm's length, emotionally. There was no more teasing, whining, or sidling up to her and whispering inuendoes in class just to fluster and amuse her. He didn't come to her room to tutor, invade her personal space, or even drop in just to talk after school. He was being the perfect gentleman, and she hated it!

He continued his charade with the Day Class, flirting and seemingly enjoying their attention, even going so far as to toy with Miu and Kohaku more during the changeover. Miu had asked Akane more than once if they were fighting again, because, despite his best efforts, Miu could see through her Idol's act and knew he played up to the Day Class out of habit rather than enjoyment.
"Whatever you've fallen out over, talk to him before school is out," Miu had advised on Friday at the changeover. "He's your friend, he'll forgive you."
"What makes you think I did anything?" Miu had stared back at her incredulously.
"That sentence said it all," Kimiko answered with an arched brow and folded arms.

Akane sat contemplating her relationship with the Vampire for about forty minutes before she decided to put her work away and see if Aido was up to a heart to heart. If he gives me that grin one more time, I'm gonna slap it off his face! She thought irritably as she entered her room and dropped her books on her dressing table. She collected her nerve and checked her appearance in the dressing table mirror, viewing the determined expression she wore, then exited her room for the blond's current hiding place.

Akane took a second to breathe when she got to his room and then knocked. She heard him walk to his door and couldn't help the uneasy flutter that assaulted her heart. What should she say? How should she start this? Too late! The door opened and Aido stood with that damned grin on his face, but instead of angering Akane, it saddened her, filling her with anxiousness.
"Good morning, Akane! Already up? Studying, I'll bet." Akane fidgeted with her fingers, unable to hold eye contact as hers stung along with the twinge in her chest. What is wrong with you? Suck it up, don't cry!
"Umm…" She folded her arms and began tapping her foot. Aido's smile fell slowly from his face. "Do you wanna… go for a walk today?" His chest tightened at the unsure look on Akane's face and the anxious tapping of her foot. He'd continued to feel that awkward feeling whenever they were together and scolded himself for his embarrassing behaviour after every interaction. He was upsetting her, but he couldn't find the right words with her lately like he usually could.

"I've got something to do today." He cringed as her head lowered even more with a small nod. "But when I get back later…" Akane's head shot up with bright hopeful eyes. He inwardly smiled at the quickening of her heart, his pride elevating further as her cheeks blushed when he smiled more naturally at her. "I'll knock on your door when I get back tonight, I just have to speak to the Headmaster today, Night Class stuff." Akane nodded, not even thinking to question why Aido was dealing with 'Night Class stuff' when school was out, and the Vampires had left, save for them. She was just glad to see him smile, for real, not that stupid Day Class cop-out he'd been giving her for nearly a week.

Akane walked with Aido to the door. She happily obliged him with small talk about school, it was a safe subject, and as long as he wasn't trying to talk to her about the weather, or how her day was, she was placated. Later would be the true test. Akane decided to distract herself to pass the time, she didn't feel like going back to studying anyway. So, she made her way to the archive room beneath The Moon Dorms, once she waved Aido off at the door of the dorms. She may not have the head for Mathematics, Science or History, but she was still intrigued by the mystery of the Unfortunates. Akane had been neglecting the three books lately and wanted something she could thoroughly immerse herself in to occupy her mind until Aido came back.

Yuki walked listlessly through the school grounds. Since Friday evening, and her conversation with Zero, her head had been reeling. It was exhausting! What is Zero to me? This question had seemed so easy to answer. He's my friend, my partner, my companion, but none of it fit. Yuki felt those words were empty somehow, despite the sincerity behind each declaration, it was almost like, they were a lie. She stopped and sighed. It was too much being in the dorm alone with her thoughts, without Sayuri. Her feet brought her to the boys' dorms? I have so much to say, but I can't get anything out! My head is so scrambled!

"Miss Cross? What are you doing at the boys' dorm?" Yuki jumped at the sudden voice of the girls' Dorm President, Shinobu Abe stood with the final list of students that would be remaining at the academy ready to be taken to Kaien Cross's office.
"Dorm President Abe, I was just…" Yuki began to explain her wandering mind when Shinobu interrupted.
"Yes, well, you may be The Headmaster's daughter, and hold the title of Academy Prefect, but that doesn't give you special privileges to enter the boys' dormitories so casually, it leaves a bad impression on you."

Yuki silently grumbled as the girl she'd confiscated Night Class pictures from, not two months ago, scolded her. That's probably why she's lecturing me so much.
"Perhaps I should recommend someone more suited to prefect duties to Headmaster Cross, as this is not the first time I've told you about coming to…"
"Excuse me…" someone interrupted, causing both girls to turn to the newcomer with a gasp. Aido was walking towards them, his attention directing at Yuki. "Can I borrow you for a sec? I can't find the headmaster, he's not in his office or at his home. Is he out?"

"Idol!" Shinobu breathed while a blush flared across her cheeks as Aido's aqua blue eyes turned to her. "What are you doing here? The dorms are set up, so the students can't go between them so easily?"
"Sorry," Aido began, morphing his face into a coy smile, sending Shinobu's heart skyrocketing. "I'm running away from my dorm, so, just between us, you didn't see me, ok?" he said, leaning closer and whispering in her ear. Shinobu giggled, sighing fondly up at the academy Idol with a smile.
"Of course," she announced as she began walking away happily. "It's our little secret. I'll let Miss Prefect take it from here." Yuki sighed at the blatant favouritism her Dorm Leader showed to the Vampire. He didn't even get a scolding. But why is he running away from the dorm, and why hasn't he gone home with the others?

"Umm… Aido what…" Yuki's question was cut short by a yell from above.
"Kiryu!" Zero landed a moment later next to the duo. He'd jumped from the third story window after the boys' Dorm Leader pointed out a Night Class student was in The Sun Dorms grounds. Zero stared the Vampire down with an irritable expression. Of all the Vampire's in the Night Class, Aido Hanabusa was the most annoying.
"Night Class are not allowed within Day Class grounds Aido."
"That's right, you should go back to your dorm," Yuki agreed. She watched as a strangely far-off look crossed the Vampire's face.
"But I don't want to stay at The Mood Dorms… and you can't make me!" And he's back, Yuki thought as the Vampire slipped back into his petulant persona.
"Yuki," Zero called. "Fetch me some rope!"
"You have to catch me first!" Aido exclaimed as he raced away with Zero hot on his heels in pursuit. Yuki was left at the entrance to the boys' dorms, perplexed and concerned. What was all that about?

Eventually, Aido got his way and an exhausted Zero lead him and Yuki into Kaien's private residence within the academy grounds.
"Don't waste my time with your stupid games!" Zero complained as he caught his breath while Aido sat comfortably on one of the couches in their living room.
"If you'd helped me in the first place, this could have all been avoided," he said with a smug grin at the tired, lesser Vampire, gulping on air on his hands and knees.
"I hope it'll be ok to stay here, you could always go to Zero's room in The Sun Dorms instead," Yuki pondered.
"No way!" the boys coursed in unison.

"I'm hungry," the Vampire mumbled and frowned as Yuki quickly hid, peeking from behind the doorframe of the room. He wasn't sure why her behaviour annoyed him, it would usually amuse him to have frightened Yuki a little, but instead, he had the sudden urge to grab her and drag her from behind the door. That's the kind of thing I would've done to Akane, back when she was Human. He sighed, he didn't want to think about Akane right now, he still had to figure everything out! "There's no need to be so cautious, just cook me something, anything's fine," he assured, waiving her from behind the door.

Zero stood from his crouched position on the floor, now recovered from the chase and turned to give the Vampire a piece of his mind. This isn't a restaurant, damn it! But Aido had other requests/demands for his hosts.
"I'm going to need a nice, soft bed to sleep in, with lavender-scented sheets or I won't be able to sleep. I'll also need my own towel and a toothbrush. I prefer the smaller head and soft bristles…" As Aido continued to rattle off demands, Yuki was doing her best to hold an irate Zero at bay, while doubt kept niggling at her. There's something wrong here.
"Aido, why don't you want to stay at your dorm? Did something happen?" Yuki watched as that distant look appeared in his eyes again.
"It's nothing," he answered wistfully.

After some coaxing on Yuki's part, Zero was wrangled into cooking for the arrogant aristocrat. The girl was busy cleaning away the Vampire's third helping when he began complaining yet again about the food.
"If you didn't like it, then why did you eat so much of it?" Aido frowned.
"It's not like it doesn't suit my palate, it was fine, there just wasn't enough of it." Yuki sweatdropped. This guy! "Is there a problem?" Aido asked mockingly.
"No, I just hope Lord Kaname doesn't scold you too much when I tell him you ate us out of house and home." Yuki fully expected an explosion of whining and pleading not to tell the Vampire Lord, but Aido merely sighed, causing Yuki's confusion and concern to increase.

Akane had spent hours with the Unfortunate books in the Archives below The Moon Dorms, concentrating on the research conducted over the centuries. There was something about the records that bothered her. It was as if some of it was missing, it had to be. Some of these records had been copied from manuscripts from nearly three millennia ago, so some of the material could have been lost over time. What bugged her though, was that when there appeared to be traction on an idea, the research would stop, only to be picked up years later, or when another Unfortunate was discovered.

In one such case, an Unfortunate had been captured and thoroughly studied. Akane had come across this particular passage before, but after reading briefly over the treatment the child endured in her final days, she'd stopped reading. This time, she was determined to look over everything with a detached mindset. This child was dead, they all were, getting upset would do nothing to diminish their suffering and only lead Akane to loathe her situation even more. No, she had to be clinical about this if she had a hope of finding out the secrets of her bloodline, and maybe, preventing further mistreatment of her fellow Unfortunates in the future. If she had an eternities worth of time on her hands, this was a mystery she was determined to solve, for her sanity if nothing else. She still couldn't believe that not knowing didn't bother many Vampires enough to tackle the mystery.

The researcher had been a Level C, Russian Vampire, by the name of Nikolai Kuznetsov. He'd been commissioned to investigate the phenomenon by a Noble who'd stumbled across the child and realized her abnormality. Akane frowned at this word, 'abnormality'. Through all the research papers, she'd been able to read thus far, the researchers had all labelled the quality of an Unfortunate as some 'abnormality' or defect in their genetic structure that was likely the cause for their desirable scent and taste. She understood the thought process. What prey item would evolve into a more desirable target for their predator? Evolution did not work like this. The strongest and fittest survive, while the weak and frail, or in the case of Humans and Vampires, the more desirably fragranced, get picked off one by one. Why would nature paint a target on your back?

Part of his study was proving or disproving previous theories. One such theory was that the blood type could be considered in finding the next Unfortunate. Nikolai's predecessor had found two Unfortunates in his lifetime and had found they both had AB+ blood. The child Nikolai had 'researched' was of the blood type O-, debunking the previous notion that the blood type of the Human could be factored into the search for future Unfortunates.

He'd kept the little girl of twelve for ten months, experimenting on her with little care for her emotional distress. It was harrowing, but Akane forced herself to continue reading and understanding what the Vampire had learned with his torturous methods. He'd found that Unfortunates were likely more common than the general population was aware, though he merely brushed over this with a brief description on Level E's reacting to the child. Nikolai noted while Level E's had little to no control over their craving, their reactions to the girl had been vicious, roaring, and writhing, slamming themselves against their cages and tearing at their flesh to free themselves from their shackles. Their reaction had been so explosive, Nikolai had to exterminate them, to prevent them from escaping and killing his subject.

What had been more noteworthy to the scientist was that the child had been found before she'd begun her first menstrual cycle, which had previously been proven to be the final stages of their blood 'awakening' as Nikolai had put it. For the Level E to react so violently at the faintest scent of her, proved for Nikolai, that Level E's, and possibly all turned Vampires, could scent Unfortunates before they reached puberty. This he theorized but never fully proved as he did not introduce other Vampires to the girl after the Level E incident.

Akane pondered this thought, however. A level E killing a young child wouldn't even make it onto The Vampire Councils' radar, unless they killed multiple and were then found by The Hunters Association. But the Level E's described by Nikolai didn't react like Hanabusa had taught Akane. He'd said they were driven by instinct, ambush predators with the capability to coordinate their attacks if needed, like lions or wolves. Nikolai's notes suggested the Level E's he introduced to the little girl had struggled violently in their attempts to reach her with little to no care for the hunt, it was just the kill they wanted. He'd also noted they paid no attention to one another and all just lunged, squeezing, and pushing themselves through the bars before Nikolai exterminated them.

Another observation Nikolai made, was the child had a faster than average metabolism which meant her recovery time from an injury or fatigue was slightly reduced. "It's nothing extraordinary," Nikolai wrote. "But after examining the subject's bowel movements and faecal matter, she breaks down and absorbs the nutrients from her meals and liquids more efficiently than regular Humans. I hypothesize the subject's genetic defect has manifested this weak attempt to defend the Unfortunate, however, that could also be the primary function of the defect and the unhealthy consequence could be the more potent scent. Regardless, the subject was able to heal the finger I broke within two and a half weeks rather than the four-six weeks generally needed for bones to repair in Humans. This was due to her body's efficiency at absorbing and storing energy."

In Akane's mind, this wasn't wholly more fascinating than the reaction of the Level E's, but she concluded, Nikolai simply couldn't afford to allow his subject to be damaged. It was at this stage, the most interesting thing happened in his papers. It was noted that Nikolai's secure laboratory was attacked, by blood-crazed, Level E's that had forced their way in and killed Nikolai, and the girl. Nikolai's notes were saved and added to the meagre amount of information on Unfortunates and that was that until the next scientist took up the never-ending task.

The interesting thing was in the last paragraph Nikolai Kuznetsov wrote, he said:

"While I am certain in my understanding of the cause for the Unfortunate gene, I cannot help ponder what answers my experiments have produced. The subject is sickly and frail, yet her body is holding together far more soundly than I would have anticipated. The draw of her blood grows stronger every day, so much that I dare not take more. I have not taken a fresh blood sample for over a month at this point, for I must keep my subject healthy if I am to explore my latest findings and confirm my latest theory in full."

Nikolai never wrote what these findings were, or what his latest experiments had revealed to him. It was on the night this entry was written that his lab was destroyed, and he and the girl were killed. The official report from The Vampire Council within the book had said, the attack was due to the draw of the girl's blood, but Nikolai hadn't taken any blood from the girl for over a month before the attack. It was disconcerting, to say the least, and the following researchers seemed to have the same disquiet as none since Nikola had kept such detailed records or accounts. The scientists who came after Nikolai in the book would also reference his work heavily, acknowledging or confirming previous theories he'd had.

Akane closed the book with a thoughtful frown. It was strange how many had taken up investigating Unfortunates but finding out so little. There had been over a thousand different individuals who had been published in this book. Nikolai had detained an Unfortunate for the longest before his lab was destroyed, but it wasn't until much later that the investigation started paying off. Nikolai had been amongst the pioneers of the research, and his detailed notes were used as the backbone for many theories presented to explain the abnormality within the Human race.

She sighed. The read had been a tough one but not fruitless. She'd learned something new reading Nikolai's notes. The Unfortunate girl had healed a broken bone faster than should have been humanly possible. Her body broke down energy more effectively thanks to her more efficient digestive system and faster than average metabolism. This stirred questions within Akane about herself. Until Mom died, I'd never been sick? This was true. Akane had never caught a common cold, tonsillitis or any childhood illnesses. It wasn't until her father was turned, feeding on her so frequently, that she developed anaemia, which she thankfully, didn't suffer from too much. Her paleness and lack of energy were the outward signs of her condition, her lack of appetite and muscle depletion were easier to hide. But children fall regularly, sprain, break or catch something as they grow, her friends always did, yet she hadn't.
"I guess that proves it, I really was an Unfortunate."

Candles flickered, burning in their elaborate brass mounts, scattered about the dark, lavish room. A large, solid, oak table was situated in the centre of the room where the entirety of the Board of Ancients sat with their respective entourage behind them. Kaname sat at one end, with Kain and Ichijo stood beside him, while Ichijo's grandfather, Ichiou, sat at the head of the table as Kaname addressed the Board of Ancients. This had been the purpose of the Vampires' departure from Cross Academy. Kaname had requested they be allowed to leave during the short break to give this meeting a more plausible cover. He didn't need the wider student body knowing he had met with the entirety of the highest governing body of Vampire society to 'explain himself'.

Ichiou sighed, his sharp eyes watching Kaname's calm and respectful posture after he'd made his stance clear over his decision of defending Zero. Ichiou had been angered and confused by Kaname's defence of a rogue Hunter that had been found at the scene of the murder of a Pureblood. The Council, as a whole, were in an uproar. A Pureblood was a sacred, scarce and valuable asset, even one as unstable as Shizuka Hio. Pureblood females were even rarer amongst those currently still active and known.
"In light of your support of Zero Kiryu, The Board of Ancients will postpone the Hunter's execution, until Lord Kaname has left Cross Academy. Those in agreement?" All thirteen members rose a hand in affirmation, Ichiou included. They couldn't go against the wishes of a Pureblood, a Kuran even less.

Kaname smiled politely but his patience was wearing thin with all this bureaucracy.
"Thank you Ichiou." The aged Vampire frowned.
"I cannot hide my curiosity though, Lord Kaname. The Unfortunate, I understand. The desire to protect your progeny is admirable…" Kaname fought a scowl at the mention of Akane. He still received requests from the Vampire Council to meet her or analyse a sample of her blood, skin or hair. It seemed he hadn't been flexing his authority enough, and the council was attempting to take liberties. The executioners sent for Zero, being their most brazen act so far. The vile of sleeping draft Shiki had handed him after fishing through the ash left behind of one of the unlucky two to be killed that night, proved they were still far too confident in themselves.

"Cross Academy and it's students are under my protection, that is the agreement made between myself and the headmaster, Kaien Cross." There was a visible shuffle at the mention of the terrifying ex-Hunter. "My parents founded this pacifism and I share these ideals and wishes. As head of the Kuran Household, I will continue to honour their memory by ensuring this social experiment succeeds. Also, as head of my household…" At this Kaname lent forward slightly, bringing his linked hands onto the tabletop, keeping his eyes locked on the dull green stare of the Vampire opposite. "I will ask just once more, for The Vampire Council, and by extension, The Board of Ancients, to no longer interfere with Cross Academy, or my progeny."