~Present~

I stepped out from the taxi and pulled my luggage from the trunk. The taxi driver smiled and waved me good-bye. I inhaled deeply and clutched my hands tightened in my white wool mittens. I straightened my white wool cap and tightened my soft scarf. My pink coat stood out against the white snow like a beacon in the dark. I picked up my suitcase and dragged it into the golden gates of Seiyo Academy.

I quickly made it to a set of snowy steps and attempted bringing my suitcase with me. It was remarkably hard considering I was such a klutz. I slipped and fell onto my bottom as my suitcase stood upright, mocking me. If suitcases could anyway. I sighed frustratedly and picked it up, dragging it the rest of the way.

My uncle had better treat me well.

"...so she gave me her number." He continued as I sipped my apple juice. He grinned and held up five slips of colorful paper. "See? First day and look at me. As popular as I was in high school."

"Shut up, Souma," I muttered rolling my eyes. He was really full of himself. He's never changed.

"Oh, come on Ikuto," he said stuffing the papers back into his pocket. "You just have to look at a girl and she'll be all over you."

"I do have a rather attractive figure," I admitted with a sly grin.

He snorted. "That's the Ikuto I know."

"I haven't gone anywhere," I said finally standing to leave the cafeteria. "Let's go."

"Alright," he stood and we both threw away our garbage before exiting the room. "Hey, who's your roommate? I got a guy named Tadase."

I shrugged and continued to our dorms. "I don't know. He's supposed to be coming later on in the semester because he's traveling overseas."

"Huh," Kūkai stretched his arms as we crossed into the outside halls. The snow gave a distinct chill in the air and had most of the students go the long way to avoid going outside. But I didn't mind seeing as it was only a little cold.

I looked out from under the stone arches and across the snowy courtyard and the frozen fountain in the center. The empty branches overhead waved in the wind like black streaks across a gray canvas. Kūkai continued talking about his popularity and I completely zoinked out. He was always the talkative one and I was always listening - sort of. I stared out with a breathy sigh. A flash of pink came into focus across the yard as it struggled up the steps with a full suitcase.

"I betcha that's her," Kūkai whispered next to me, halting to a stop.

"What?" I asked peering at her closely. She struggle with her suitcase up the snowy steps slipping unexpectedly.

"That's the head's niece," he explained. "I just told you this."

"I wasn't paying attention," I said absentmindedly.

"Sure, sure." Kūkai started again. "I heard she's here because he specifically wanted her to finish college here."

"Why?" I asked genuinely interested. "This craplot's in the middle of nowhere."

"It's probably a family thing," Kūkai shrugged. "Now, anyway. I think this hot girl Rima..."

I focused on the girl closely as she wiped her coat off and got up again. Her pink hair was tucked into her white cap and she wore shiny red boots with silver buckles. I shook my head and kept walking. Was she serious? She looks like five-year-old in college. I bet she's fresh from the city.

"What's her name?" I asked as we re-entered the building. The elaborately decorated halls were lined with tall glass windows and left us with breathtaking views of a frozen pond and the other half of the building - the girls dormitory.

"Eh..." Kūkai scratched his head. "I think it's like Emu or something..."

"Hmm..." That didn't sound right.

"Well, I'll see ya later," Kūkai said as we stopped in front of his dorm.

"Yeah, bye." I nodded and continued to my own dorm around the corner nearest to the pond. I unlocked my door and slipped in throwing my keys on the desk. I took off my jacket and hung it in the back of a chair. I collapsed tiredly on the couch.

The window next to my bed offered a view of the girls dorm but it didn't matter to me. The thought of having something intimate with a human made me remember what happened in the wonderful year of 1819. And most girls these days were a bunch of idiots with nothing but skimpy skirts and scented perfumes. I've had a few flings here and there but I remember that girl from long ago I disposed of. Her sister was put into an insane asylum shortly afterwards because she kept muttering something about shadow creatures and jinxes. A little years later, an old couple adopted her and they founded Seiyo Academy. The school has an image of her in the great hall.

I still remembered her blazing gold eyes and strange pink hair as well as the faint scent of determination mingled with strawberries. Curiosity and fear in her eyes as well as a strong sense of protection. Her soft but harsh voice as well as the lingering 'curse' she left on me. It had been well over a few hundred years ago but I remembered it like it was yesterday. Her cotton nightgown...her pattering heart...

"Well, better find some dinner," I said to myself as I rose. I went to the small kitchen and opened the freezer where frozen blood was held. I grabbed an AB positive bag and warmed it up in the microwave. As I waited, I tapped my fingers against the tabletop patiently and hummed a few notes of Für Elise softly. A faint ding rang as the microwave finished.

I opened the microwave door and took out the bag, biting into it almost immediately. I felt stupid but I was hungry and needed to relieve the hunger before I went berserk. In this modern day, it was much easier to get a hold of blood than it was back then and a lot easier to hide from my family. We brushed a few times but nothing major. My sister was still in love with me and my parents were patient. They would find me. Eventually.

But I'd like to put it off as long as possible.

I sucked it dry and flung it into the garbage with amazing aim and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. The blood was never as good as it was when it was fresh but hey, who was I to complain?

"Alright, classes...classes..." I quickly scanned my schedule and memorized all the classes and room numbers they corresponded to. Today was an easy day.

Tomorrow was when the real work started.

I barely took a step in the room when I was enwrapped in a loving embrace. I inhaled the scent of his strong cologne and started coughing. He held me out at arms length and beamed at me.

"Amu! Darling dear," he cooed dragging me inside to his comfortably chairs. "Sit. Sit, I've waited ages for this day to come."

"Uncle," I greeted him trying to get my voice - and senses - back. "It's been so long."

We both sat. "So, how is my favorite niece?"

"I'm doing great thanks," I smiled and began loosening my scarf.

"Oh, wait!" He quickly reached around and grabbed a random camera. "I'm taking a picture of you right now because you look so cute in your coat!"

"Unc - "

"Say 'spleen!' dear!" He lifted the camera up to his eye.

Not wanting to displease him..."Spleen?"

He quickly flashed a few photos leaving small spots left before my eyes. I blinked them away and resumed taking off my winter articles. I set them in my lap and smiled at my uncle, crossing my legs.

"So, where's my dorm?" I asked. "And my schedule?"

He sighed as the moment passed. "I have it all planned out dear so don't you worry your pretty pink head about it."

"I won't," I assured him. "I just want to experience a normal college life."

"This will be the best four years of your life," he agreed. "I hope you enjoy your time here with the school and me, your endearing uncle."

"I will," I nodded.

"Oh, you'll be alone for the first semester." He informed me. "Your roommate is on important business that she just couldn't be pulled away from. She'll be back soon though so don't feel too lonely."

"Oh..." I sort of liked that idea. I could settle in comfortably for a few months. "Well, that's just fine. I'll just settle in for the time being."

"Oh~!" He squealed like an overactive piglet. "You're all grown up now! You used to be sooo tiny!"

Oh dear God.

"I remember I came over all the time and you'd rush up to me with a great hug!" He hugged himself as he took a walk down memory lane.

"Uh, I'm sure YOU were the one that rushed up to me - "

"And you'd always have the cutest laugh!" I sighed as he continued on. "Oh, you and your mama and papa would be baking the most wonderful cookies together~!"

"That's great but can I have my schedule now...?"

"I even made a scrapbook!" He said enthusiastically. "You and I have to make a new one for every year you're here!"

"Uh..."

"It's going to be filled with fun and laughter my little Amu!" He completely ignored me, I swear. "We'll take photos and glue them in our scrapbooks with little stickers and glittery pens!"

"You realize your forty right?" I asked quietly. "And I'm eighteen..."

"Amu~!" He pulled me into another hug. "Age doesn't matter because you'll always be the little girl I remember!"

"Uncle..." I said as I pulled away.

"Oh! Your schedule!" He laughed as he got up and reached around his desk. I sighed in relief as he finally realized I was here for college and not him in general. He handed me a sheet of yellow paper with numbers and their corresponding room numbers. I scanned it briefly.

"Yikes...culinary classes?" I was terrible at cooking. I didn't sign up for it...I looked at him.

He looked down and turned pink. "I may have added a few classes or too..."

I rolled my eyes and folded up my schedule as soon as I read my dorm number. Maybe I'll give it a try. And I can at least say I tried so he won't be disappointed. I patted him on the head and got up with all my belongings. I rolled my suitcase out the door and paused to say good-bye.

"I'll see you around I guess," I said with a gentle smile.

"Amu..."

"Don't cry!" I said automatically. "I'll come and visit sometime."

He snuffled. "O-okay..."

I shut the doors softly and rolled out. My red boots squeaked slightly on the polished marble floors as I navigated the hallways. I sighed as I paused near a tall glass window. It gave me a wonderful view of the frozen pond that had stone benches littered around the edge. I squealed in excitement and hurried to my room.

I wasn't a good cook but I loved to ice skate! And this was the perfect place! They had an indoor and outdoor rink. What a bonus! I scored lucky with my rich uncle. Ahh...I'm so going to try out the pond as soon as I finish unpacking.

With that thought, I continued to my dorm with a hop in my step.

[A/N] Not exciting, I know. But I really needed something because I love this couple. And from my other fics, I'm known to be a notorious note writer even if I attempt to be brief. And well...just bear with me. The exciting parts are sure to come later :D

You just have to be patient.

~kitana411

To sayhi5 I must say, thanks for reviewing on a stupid story like mine...it was only like four or five words but it gave me much more confidence in publishing this :) (And PolarKitty too)