A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it.

Chapter 2 - Indifferent

As Hikari stepped out of the limousine, her eyes fell on the large, gothic Kuran mansion. This didn't feel like home at all. It felt cold and unwelcoming. Kaname hadn't spoken to her throughout their long journey. Haruka and Juuri did try to prompt the young prince into speaking but he didn't bother at all.

A couple of servants came out to meet them, taking Hikari's bag to her room. She would have her own room to retreat to if she needed it, but would predominantly share with Kaname, something which scared her greatly. She would almost certainly refuse to consummate the marriage on the wedding night and nothing in the world would make her do it.

A servant came from behind and removed Hikari's coat from her shoulders. Hikari tried to make sense of her surroundings, "Hikari, dear, come this way," Juuri beckoned. Hikari nodded, not casting even a second look at her future husband. Juuri led Hikari up a grand staircase and down a maze, no, labyrinth of hall ways towards what she assumed to be her bedroom. Juuri opened the bedroom door and beckoned Hikari inside, "This is your room, dear," Juuri said kindly. She nodded and obediently walked inside.

Hikari's mouth dropped. It was beautifully decorated room. As she walked inside, to her right, was a magnificent four poster bed with gossamer drapes held back by gold ribbons. To my left was a beautiful, white dressing table with a matching stool. The walls were painted a warm magnolia. There were three bay windows with window seats and soft yet shimmering curtains. There was also a cream reclining chaise at the foot of the bed for light naps. In addition to that, there was a table with a pretty little tea set on a silver filigree tray, "Do you like it, Miss Hikari?"

Hikari snapped out of her stupor, "Oh, yes…it's wonderful."

"This will be your room when you're not sleeping in Kaname's room."

"You mean…I won't sleep in his room….as his wife?"

"Well, it would have been different if you knew each other, but we thought that you would like your own room."

"I see…" Hikari played with her own slim fingers, "Lady Kuran, may I ask you something?"

She nodded, her shiny auburn curls bouncing as she did so, "Well, will I be expected to…you know…consummate our union on our wedding night…?"

Juuri gazed in shock at her daughter in law to be but she shook her head, "We understand that you don't know Kaname and Kaname doesn't know you. We will not expect you both to consummate the union until you are both good and ready. We also understand that love cannot be rushed and if you indeed develop feelings for Kaname, then that will benefit your relationship for the better."

"I am grateful for your understanding, Lady Kuran," Hikari said politely. Juuri smiled and caressed Hikari's cheek in a motherly fashion. Juuri smile before beckoning the young girl towards a door in her bedroom that Hikari hadn't noticed.

"This, my dear, is your walk in wardrobe and there's a surprise waiting for you in there too."

Hikari walked forward and opened the door. Her blue eyes widened when they fell on what stood before her. It was her wedding dress on a mannequin. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was beautiful in it's simplicity. She walked forward and touched it. The dress was made of fine white silk and there was silver embroidery on every hem and on the bodice silver roses were embroidered all over it. It was a sleeveless dress with short, puffed sleeved bolero with silver trim. The dress also had a flowing train.

"It's beautiful."

"I knew you'd like it. You father told us that you like simple things. We've tried to make this feel like a home from home for you…knowing that you haven't ever been away from your father."

Hikari sniffed, "I beginning to miss him already."

"That's normal, my dear," Juuri said, wrapping an arm around Hikari's shoulders, "I will make sure that you're comfortable here and that you're happy. We don't expect you to get along with Kaname straight away, but at least try to be civil."

Hikari smiled a watery smile, "Of cause."

Hikari knew that it was better just to nod. There was nothing she could do to stop what was happening. Then a question, which had been weighing heavily on her mind, came to the forefront of her mind, "Will Kaname take a mistress during our marriage?"

"Kaname would never do such a thing," Juuri said slowly, "He is an honourable young man…he will never betray you."

She wasn't sure whether she could believe her future mother in law, but it was all she could do at that moment in time. She took one last, fleeting glance at her wedding dress before walking out and closing the door.

Meanwhile, Ichijo had made his way over to the Awayuki mansion. This was the mansion of his fiancée Sara, a pureblood princess. He walked along the long path leading towards the beautiful mansion. The mansion was made of white marble and limestone. It was also blue roses growing all over it as if it was a vine plant.

As he approached the mansion, he noticed that his fiancée had seen him through a window. Before he knew it, Sara had opened the door and run straight into his arms, "Hello, Sara," Ichijo said cheerfully, "You're energetic today."

"Well, you're here, Takuma! You make me feel energetic when ever when you're near," Sara said with smile. Ichijo gazed down at Sara with a warm smile. Sara was beautiful girl with an happy attitude. She had dark blue eyes, a little darker than Hikari's and snowy white hair. She was a girl of small stature and a relatively small frame. She also had pale skin but it was soft and silky to the touch. Her lips and cheeks were a pretty light pink colour. Today, she was wearing a black and white Lolita style dress, which wasn't too fussy but it was enough to let you that she was wearing that style.

"That makes me feel good, Sara."

She giggled softly and pulled him into the house by the hand. Sara led Ichijo to the lounge and ordered tea from a passing servant. They walked inside and sat down side by side on the chaise, "So, Takuma, how have you been?"

"I've been all right. I've been helping the Kitamuras out during my time away. Lady Hikari Kitamura is due to marry Kaname within the next twelve hours."

"Oh, I know. I have been invited too. Are you going to the wedding?"

"Yes. I'm the best man," Ichijo said softly, "I'm looking forward to it."

"Ah, I see." A servant brought silver tray of tea and biscuits for them and left the room, "I've missed you while you've been away."

Ichijo smiled and kissed her cheek, "I've missed you too." He pulled her a little bit closer.

"I feel sad Lady Hikari…she's entering a loveless marriage. It makes me feel lucky that I marrying someone I know and trust…that's you."

"Ah, I see and I feel the same way," Ichijo smiled softly.

"I'm glad that our families sought to make alliances with each other," Sara said with a small smile, "After all, my parents are dead and it was the Elders who made the alliance."

Ichijo nodded, "We are just going to take this slow, ne?"

"Slow?"

"Yes…I know we like each other or rather, 'the object of one's affections'," Ichijo said tentatively, "But I cannot say that…"

"You don't love me, right," Sara's eyes began to water. Ichijo sighed.

"It's not that I don't love you…It's just that I'd like to get to know you even better and perhaps that will help our relationship evolve. We've only known each other a year after all."

Sara looked thoughtful for a moment, "I don't mind doing that; it will make it more interesting. I'd rather enter marriage knowing you better than anyway, loving you better than anyone….yes…I'm willing to do that. Yes, let's take it slow."

Ichijo chuckled softly, "Good girl," he ran a hand through the young girl's hair. She was already fifteen and already shown great signs of wisdom and courage.

"Anyway, regardless of any of that, drink your tea before it gets cold," Sara said, sipping her own tea, "Will you stay for dinner?"

"Now, that's something I most certainly cannot refuse."

Meanwhile, back at the Kuran mansion, Hikari was having supper with her Haruka and Juuri. She had been given many new clothes by the Kurans and she was wearing an emerald green silk dress. It had no sleeves and it had petticoat underneath that had lace on the hem, as it was a little longer than the skirt on top. Kaname was at the far end of the room, playing the piano. He'd finished his supper and Juuri had asked him to play for their entertainment. Hikari would occasionally cast her eyes in his direction, hoping to catch his eye. She was too shy to go up and talk to him herself, knowing that she would only do it if Juuri was there to support her.

"Do you like your wedding dress, Miss Hikari," Haruka asked. Hikari's darted from son to father.

"Yes, very much so; it is a beautiful dress."

"We're glad you like it," Juuri said with a smile. Hikari smiled weakly and gazed into her wine glass.

"I wonder if my husband to be would be gracious enough to talk to me," Hikari said, glancing in Kaname's direction. Kaname looked up at her, meeting her sapphire gaze for the first time in about five hours.

"What is it that you wish to talk about, Lady," Kaname asked in disinterested tone. Hikari stood up and walked over to the piano. Haruka and Juuri turned their heads, wanting to know what was developing.

"You…tell me about you…" Hikari said with a small smile. Kaname regarded her in the way a king regarded a peasant or below him in social status, "What do you like to do in your free time?"

Kaname didn't answer for a moment, "I like to play the piano, I like to read and play chess."

"That sounds interesting. Tell me, what genre of music do you like? I like baroque and classical," Hikari probed. Kaname sighed heavily.

"I like the same genre."

"Well, at least we have that in common," Hikari said softly, "What genre of book to like?"

"I like mystery and dark fiction."

"Ah, I like romantic stories, fairy tales and light hearted stories."

"You're the complete opposite of me," he said sardonically. They fell into an uncomfortable silence. Hikari fiddled with her fingers and struggled to find something else to her future husband. When she could find nothing else, she turned her back on him and walked back to the table. Kaname continued to play the piano as if nothing had happened and with a stoic expression.

"Don't worry, Miss Hikari," Juuri said in a motherly tone, something Hikari wasn't used to, "He'll come round eventually."

Hikari doubted that. He seemed completely indifferent. It was as if he didn't want to know her…as though she was just there to bear his heirs and look pretty. Well, she wouldn't let him have her that easily. Two could play at this game for sure.

"Miss Hikari, I hear you like to ride horses," Juuri said kindly, initiating conversation.

"Yes, yes I do."

"We have plenty of land for your horses; more land than on your estate anyway. We have unused stables if you'd like to use them."

"Thank you, Lady Kuran; I'll keep that in mind."

"How many horses do you have, Miss Hikari," Haruka asked.

"One, just one…his name is Byakuya."

"That's a lovely name," Juuri said with a small smile.

"He's black with a white diamond shape in between his eyes. He's a handsome horse and he's even fathered a couple of foals with another horse and only mare that we once had. But we were desperate to raise funds for our living expenses so we had to sell her and her foals. Who knows where they are now…my father thinks that the man we sold them to was glue factory owner."

Juuri gasped, "Why did he them to him then?"

"As I said before…we were desperate. We were down to our last yen and the factory owner was the only buyer who offered a handsome price for both the foals and the mare. Byakuya could sense that they were gone and he was quite saddened by this. He refused to go outside for weeks and refused to let me near him at all. It took some gentle encouragement and he eventually calmed down. He is my most precious horse…I could never give him up. He also reminds me of my mother. My mother had raised him from a foal just before I was born. I couldn't give him up…I knew it was selfish but I just couldn't do it."

"We understand…it's hard to give something up if it has such huge value to you."

Hikari nodded, "I beginning to miss my father already," she sniffed. Juuri sighed and stood up. Walking over to Hikari, she wrapped an arm around the young girl's shoulders.

"You'll see him tomorrow at the wedding; he'll be giving you away."

Hikari nodded again, "But will see him after that?"

"Of cause, you're not a prisoner here. You can visit him any time you want. Haruka and I will be moving to a smaller mansion once you get married and Kaname will look after you."

"Why will you be moving?"

"Well, you will be the new king and queen. Kaname is taking over the headship of the family once he marries you, so this marriage benefits both families," Haruka said with a small smile, "Anyway; I think that both you and Kaname should get some sleep now. It's your big day tomorrow and you should get some rest."

Kaname stopped playing the piano and closed the lid on the key board. He stood up without a word and walked out of the room. Hikari sighed sadly. She had no idea why he disdained her so much but it was saddening. Hikari bid Juuri and Haruka a good night and made her way towards her room. She switched on the lights, and walked over to the curtains. She drew them closed and sighed softly. As she was about unzip her dress, a servant walked inside. She was pretty girl with chocolate brown hair and big brown eyes.

"Hello, my lady, my name is Hana. I am your new lady in waiting and maid of honour," she said with a curtsy, "Would you like me to help you in anyway?"

Hikari stared wide eyed, "Er…would you help me with the zip on my dress?"

"Yes, my lady," Hana made her way over to Hikari and she cleared Hikari's silvery blond hair out of the way and unzipped the zip on her dress. Hana walked over to the bed and picked up a night dress.

"I have my own night dress, Hana," Hikari said softly as she stepped out of her dress, "I don't need that one."

"Oh well, Lady Juuri has insisted that you wear this tonight. She wants you to have nothing but the best."

Hikari knew that there wasn't much point in fighting. There was nothing she could do to stop what was happening. Hikari handed her dress to Hana and she took the lacy night gown from the young woman. Pulling it over her head, she turned to the full length mirror. It would do.

"Would you like me brush your hair before you go to bed?"

Hikari looked up at Hana, "That's one thing I will do myself, Hana, you may go now. We have a long day tomorrow."

"Yes, we do," Hana said with a smile, "Good night, Lady Hikari."

"Good night, Hana."

Hana nodded and walked out, closing the door behind her. Hikari turned back to the mirror. She picked up a silver filigree hairbrush and started brushing her hair. As she did so, she found that the Kurans had gone to the trouble of decking out her dressing table with all the beauty and vanity accessories. She felt honoured to have such kindness bestowed upon her. However, she wished that her husband to be would be more accommodating in his manner towards her.

Shrugging, she finished brushing her hair and placed the hair brush back on the dressing table. Hikari walked over to the walk in wardrobe and opened the door. She gazed the mannequin which was wearing her bridal dress. She had tried it on just before dinner and it fit her like a glove. Closing the door, Hikari switched off the light and walked over to the bed, pulled open the duvet and climbing into bed. She snuggled down into the soft pillows and silky sheets, eventually falling asleep in a comfortable, warm sleep.

A/N Hey! Did you like this chapter? I do hope so. I am going to take both relationships quite slow so it's more interesting. Even though Sara (my OC) and Takuma have a history together and are engaged, it is stated that they like each other, but not quite love yet; more like a crush. But I hope to develop both relationships nicely.

Please Review!