I haven't updated this story in forever, huh? Well, I took a little break and decided to read a book I've been meaning to read. It's the Odd Thomas book series and it's AMAZING. The main character has the most awesome and witty personality ever. (I ~love~ Odd!)

On a different note, I started a new VK short AU story (only going to be four chapters). It's called Inferno and it focuses on the childhood of Sara Shirabuki and her complicated, jealousy-filled friendship with Yuuki Kuran. Please read and review.

This story is an AU story and I decided to make some changes dealing with Zero's past. Rido died before he had the chance to put Shizuka's lover on the Hunters Association's execution list. Therefore, her lover lived because the Kiryu hunters were not ordered to kill him. Shizuka and her lover escaped after Rido was locked away and the council was not able to catch them. After much convincing from the Kurans, who really had no problem with Shizuka, the council agreed to stop pursuing her. She may appear in later chapters…possibly…probably…

So, Zero is not a vampire in this story. That way he will be a lot less angsty than he usually is, even though I do love my angst-ridden vampire hunter. You will find out more about his life in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the amazing manga that is Vampire Knight. I did get Yuuki Cross's necklace from a friend for Christmas, though. But I still don't own the manga…

Socialize

Most people thought Shirabuki Sara had one of the most beautiful voices. The perfect quality of her voice could make someone listen to it for hours. It could be alluring, strong, and innocently sweet all at once. Yuuki was probably one of the few who could see no loveliness in it. When Yuuki listened to Sara's voice she could hear the cruelty, hatred, and…ugliness in her tone. Of course, there was a possibility that Yuuki only thought this because she had such a strong dislike for the pureblood in question.

As the nobles rose from their bows, Yuuki turned to face the female pureblood behind here. Sara looked strikingly beautiful in a deep blue knee-length dress that matched the azure color of her eyes. Her golden-blonde hair went to her knees in perfect waves. Yuuki felt a twinge of jealousy as she observed the other pureblood princess. It was gone quickly when Yuuki's eyes landed on Sara's lovely face. Sara's perfect lips were pulled into a confident little smirk. She seemed to pick up the anger and jealousy coming from Yuuki and found it highly amusing. Sara's eyes darted to Kaname, and then back to Yuuki. She was challenging the female Kuran. Yuuki clenched her fist tightly.

"Ah, yet another beautiful women has arrived," said Kiyoshi, breaking the silent staring contest that Yuuki and Sara were having. He walked over to Sara and lightly grabbed her hand. Instead of kissing her hand, Kiyoshi leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"You will have to get Kaname away from Yuuki for your plan to work," he whispered against her ear in a tone so low that no one could pick it up. The nobles in the room started whispering as they observed the seemingly intimate moment between Sara and Kiyoshi. Yuuki and Kaname just watched them suspiciously. Sara placed her hand against Kiyoshi's chest as he awaited her reply.

"Of course. All you have to do is be there when Kaname breaks her fragile little heart," replied Sara smoothly, in an equally low voice. Sara was too good at manipulation for her plan not to work. She gave Kiyoshi a meaningful look which Kiyoshi answered with an assuring smile. He stepped away from Sara and allowed her to walk past him and towards Kaname and Yuuki. Sara's eyes were totally trained on Kaname as she gracefully walked up to him.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Kaname, after so long. You sure have been paying so much attention to your other engagements," said Sara in captivating voice. She titled her head slightly and the movement caused Sara's tempting neck to be in view. Her burning gaze remained on Kaname's face and Sara acted as if she didn't even notice that his arm was already wrapped around another pureblood female.

"It is also a pleasure to see you, Sara." Kaname made a move to pull his arm away from Yuuki, so he could greet Sara more courteously, but Yuuki prevented him. She gripped his hand, which was resting on her waist, and squeezed it firmly in warning.

"Kaname, don't steal all of Sara's attention. I want to greet my…dear friend," said Yuuki innocently. She smiled sweetly at her fiancée, but her eyes held a totally different message. They told Kaname that if he so much as touched Sara he would be in trouble. Yuuki let go of Kaname's hand and turned to Sara.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Sara. I didn't think you would have the time to come here tonight." She had been praying that Sara wouldn't show up, but apparently her prayers had not been strong enough. Sara was standing there, acting as if she was meant to be the center of attention at Yuuki's engagement party. She glanced at Yuuki when she was addressed, but quickly moved her eyes away as if the other was not worthy of her attention. She kept her eyes on Kaname as she replied to Yuuki.

"You know what I always say, Yuuki. We purebloods have to stick together. Right, Kaname?" She gave the male pureblood a sexy smile, but her attempts to catch his interest were ignored. Again. Kaname quickly spoke up before Yuuki could squeeze his hand any harder.

"Yuuki and I must speak with the other guests. Please excuse us," said Kaname. Sara nodded, disappointed, but Kiyoshi quickly grabbed Yuuki's hand. Kaname's eyes narrowed dangerously when he saw the contact.

"Save me dance, Yuuki?" asked Kiyoshi charmingly.

"Um, sure," said Yuuki nervously. She looked at Kaname's face and noticed he was trying his best to keep his composure. Kiyoshi gave Kaname a victorious smile and turned to talk to some nobles that came to greet him.

Yuuki and Kaname walked into the crowd of chattering aristocrats. Some of them bowed their heads respectfully as Kaname and Yuuki walked past them. Whenever a noble would come up to greet them or offer their congratulations, Kaname silenced them with a cold stare. Eventually, Yuuki noticed that Kaname was making a straight path towards Haruka and Juuri. Their parents seemed to be having a conversation with Ichijo Asato, known by most as Ichiou. He was at the head of the Council of the Ancients. Yuuki felt a shiver of disgust when she saw the man. Ichiou had caused so many problems for her family and the noble didn't even have the decency to hide his lust for her family's blood.

Yuuki's face lit up when she saw that Takuma was also with Ichiou. Takuma was always a good friend to her. The only reason Takuma was allowed to spend time with the Kurans was because Ichiou wanted him to spy on the pureblood clan, but Takuma was too kind-hearted for such cruel activities. He treated Kaname as his best friend and Yuuki as a little sister. Ichiou turned to see what had made his grandson smile so suddenly.

"The guests of honor have finally arrived, I see," said Ichiou gruffly. He bowed his head slightly as a sign of respect. "Congratulations on your engagement."

"Thank you," replied Yuuki. She knew that Kaname wouldn't thank the man. For some reason, Kaname seemed to hate Ichiou more than anyone. He barely gave Ichiou any acknowledgement as he stood there.

"Once they are married, I'm sure Kaname-sama and Yuuki-sama will be as strong and out-spoken as their parents. Don't you agree, Takuma?" said Ichiou. It was a thinly-veiled insult at her family's pacifism and it was easy to pick up on. Ichiou looked at his grandson for a reply, but Takuma just stammered nervously. Yuuki decided to save her friend the trouble of having to answer.

"Actually, Kaname and I came to discuss something with our parents."

"Privately," added Kaname. He gave Ichiou a pointed look and the older noble got the hint that he was being dismissed.

"Come, Takuma. Let us give the Kurans their privacy," stated Ichiou. He grabbed his grandson's arm and started to drag him away. Takuma quickly looked over his shoulder.

"I'll talk to you later, Kaname, Yuuki," he told. Yuuki gave him a smile and nod before he was dragged into the crowd. Once the Ichijos were out of view, Yuuki and Kaname turned to their parents.

"Can we talk to you on the balcony?" asked Kaname calmly. Juuri gave her husband a nervous glance, but nodded. Haruka and Juuri followed Yuuki and Kaname to one of the balconies of the ballroom. The glass doors closed as they walked onto it. Once they were on the secluded balcony, Yuuki and Kaname both spoke up at once.

"How could you invite that womanizing man here?"

"Why did you invite that condescending woman to the party?"

Juuri stared, frightened, at her children as the glared at her. She took a quick step away from them.

"Well, your father did help with the guest list…" Haruka turned to Juuri in shock. How could she bring him into the drama? He was the one to suggest not inviting Kiyoshi and Sara to the party. He let out a defeated sigh as Kaname and Yuuki's glares turned to him.

"Listen. It would have been viewed as rude if we did not invite them. I know you dislike them, but I'm sure they will not cause any problems," Haruka explained. Yuuki gave an uncharacteristic snort at that comment. Juuri's crimson eyes turned to Yuuki in confusion.

"But you were such good friends with Sara when you were younger, Yuuki." Juuri had introduced Yuuki to Sara when they were both children. They seemed to get along fine back then. However, once they reached adolescent age, Sara and Yuuki started acting colder and unkind towards each other. Juuri hoped that eventually they would make up. She was oblivious to the fact that they were only acting like this because of their affections for Kaname.

"I refuse to speak to Sara and if I see her so much as look at Kaname, I will personally kick her out of the ballroom," said Yuuki. Her words were spoken fiercely, but Juuri couldn't find it in herself to take her daughter seriously. She pulled Yuuki into a hug.

"Oh, Yuuki. You are so adorable when you're angry."

"I'm serious, mother!"

"Come on, Haruka; let's go talk to the other guests. Maybe we can arrange a little get together between our children, Sara, and Kiyoshi," said Juuri excitedly, grabbing her husband's arm. Haruka gave his children a slightly apologetic look because of their mother's eccentric behavior. Once they left, Kaname and Yuuki were alone on the balcony.

"Your mother is surprisingly mischievous woman," muttered Kaname. Yuuki looked up at Kaname.

"She's your mother, too," she stated. Kaname just cleared his throat.

"Should we return to our wonderful party guests? It seems that they are waiting for us," said Kaname, changing the subject. He titled his head discreetly towards the clear balcony doors. Yuuki turned and saw that a lot of the guests were staring at them and whispering. Their stares were either filled with admiration or filled with lust. The union between two purebloods was anticipated because it meant that a powerful bloodline will be continued. Nobles, especially the females, wanted a male pureblood to take a lover from a noble family. They had hopes that their clan would be strengthened. Yuuki didn't want to think about how many families would be pushing their daughters upon Kaname tonight.

"Actually, I want to stay here for just a moment longer. Just until mother calms down, that is," replied Yuuki. Kaname smiled and wrapped his arms around Yuuki's small waist.

"Are you afraid that mother will try to force you and Sara to become friends?" he whispered in her ear. Yuuki's soft hair brushed against his cheek as she nodded.

"Yes. I don't think I could spend one moment alone with Sara without hurting that woman. And you know how much I'm against violence."

"I'll give you a moment alone then." The idea didn't please Yuuki too much, but she just wanted some time to calm her aura. She nodded as Kaname's arm slipped away from her waist.

"Okay." Yuuki watched as Kaname opened the balcony doors and stepped into the crowded ballroom. Yuuki felt guilty that he was going out there alone, but she was sure that Haruka and Juuri would try to protect him. Hopefully, the aristocrats in the ballroom would be polite enough to give the pureblood princess some privacy. She observed the beautiful scenery of the balcony's viewpoint. A few minutes went by before heard the balcony doors open. Yuuki looked behind her and saw one of the hunters supervising the party step onto the balcony. He was tall, dark-haired man wearing a long trench coat. His hair was partially covering his left eye, which was covered with a patch and his anti-vampire weapon was strapped securely around his shoulder. He didn't seem surprised to see Yuuki there and he didn't so as much as look at her as he made his way to the balcony railing. She saw his one, uncovered eye scan the grounds below. After a few minutes of being ignored, Yuuki decided to speak up.

"Excuse me, sir, but who are you? And what are you doing?" she asked. She looked at the hunter's face, and Yuuki could tell that the hunter was torn between answering her or continuing to ignore her. Finally, he let out a sigh.

"Yagari Toga. I'm checking to make sure that none of your blood-suckers are hurting anyone on the grounds," answered Yagari. He was really tired and hoped that if he ignored the pureblood she would do the same. However, he did smirk when he saw the indignant look on Yuuki's face.

"No human is going to be hurt on Kuran property," said Yuuki firmly. Yagari let out a grunt at that comment.

"Whatever, little girl. I don't care how peaceful your family supposedly is. I won't let my guard down when there are so many vampires here. I caught one of the aristocrats trying to sneak a human early tonight," said Yagari. That was what had him in such an irritated mood.

"Well, nothing is going to happen tonight. I don't even understand why hunters are needed here." Cross was the only vampire hunter that she trusted. The hunters that supervised soirees were always cold, rude men, and apparently them man she was talking to was no different.

"Vampires, especially purebloods, cannot be trusted. You truly are pitiful creatures, seeing as even your love is sinful."

"What are you talking about? There is nothing wrong with the love in my family," replied Yuuki angrily. The hunter looked at her, pity and disgust in his eyes.

"Explain the incestuous ways of your clan. You have no problem marrying your own brother?" The question caught Yuuki off guard. She stared at the hunter in confusion. Her engagement wasn't viewed as wrong in her society. Her parents were one of the most beautiful and loving couple she had ever seen, and they were siblings. Why did this hunter think it was wrong? There was nothing wrong. Right?

"You should leave the princess alone, hunter," said a smooth voice, interrupting Yuuki's thoughts. Yuuki turned around to see Kiyoshi standing in the doorway of the balcony. The male pureblood languidly made his way to them. Kiyoshi gave Yagari a dry look. "I don't believe you were sent her to insult the guest of honor. Maybe you should go back in the ballroom and help your partner out. Kiryu Zero looks a little nervous…"

Yagari let out an annoyed growl and gave Yuuki another glare before stalking back into the ballroom so he could make sure Zero was okay. Yuuki let out a sigh of relief when the door closed behind him. She turned to Kiyoshi.

"Thank you, Kiyoshi. I…" Yuuki cut off her sentence when she saw that the other pureblood had a roguish smile on his face. That was when Yuuki realized something.

She was alone on the balcony with Katoaka Kiyoshi.

I'll try to make my updates faster. This chapter was a little boring but please review.