I woke up to see sunlight streaming unabated through unfamiliar windows. The light was strangely unpleasant and I immediately rolled away from it, pinching my eyes closed. It was weird – I was usually a worshipper of the sun, chasing its rays to try and get the impossible tan. I sat up quickly – finding myself on a metal bed with white cotton sheets that was most definitely not mine – and had swung my legs over the side of the bed before the dizziness hit, giving me a pounding headache. Regardless, I got to my feet and stumbled away from the sunlight blindly, crouching behind another bed and waiting for my eyes to adjust. I didn’t register the paper that fluttered to the ground, upset by my sudden movements. Looking around, I seemed to be in some sort of hospital, or…oh! The events of the night before rushed into my head, a blur of images flickering into the blank spaces of my memory. I figured that this must be the school infirmary that…Kain was going to take me to. I wanted to go thank him, and maybe find that strange silver haired boy…but first, I figured I should go and find some proper clothes. It wouldn’t do to wander around a school filled with teenagers in just a white nightdress.
I crept through the blindingly white room and past a closed door that was most likely hiding someone who would stop me. Wondering mildly where my clothes would be, I waved the idea away; they would probably still be covered in blossoms of dried blood. My blood…my trembling fingers searched almost automatically over my neck, resting on the two puncture marks. I wondered about the legends…Was I going to turn into a vampire too? I swallowed nervously, but discarded the idea until I could talk to the headmaster. There was no point in worrying myself unnecessarily – yet, at any rate.
In front of me was the infirmary door. I didn’t really want to leave until I had found some new clothes…looking around wildly, my eyes landed on a small wooden wardrobe. I tugged the doors open nosily, and was shocked to find my own clothes, blood-free, hanging up carefully. ‘I thought you might want them when you went off looking for everyone.’ The airy voice drifted over, coming from a stern looking woman in a grey dress, but she offered no other explanation and retreated back into her office. I was left to assume that she was the nurse, and clearly lacking in social skills. Slightly bemused, I changed quickly and slipped out of the infirmary while I pulled my many silver accessories on.
This school, it was so big – and there didn’t seem to be any students anywhere. It was almost eerie, but I figured that most of the students would be in class. I thought back to last night…both of the guys – very good looking – were wearing different colour school uniforms…the silver haired boy in black and Kain in white. I wondered what that signified. All of the questions were getting annoying now. I wanted answers, but I didn’t know where to find them.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realise that I was still walking until a gentle hand was placed on my shoulder, making me jump. I looked up to see a boy in a white uniform, blonde hair shocking out from his head – but I was disappointed to see that it wasn’t Kain from last night. This guy seemed to be the same age, but somehow seemed less mature, and he had turquoise eyes that sparkled teasingly. A mischievous grin licked over his face, illuminating his pale skin and showing his dazzlingly white teeth – which looked a little sharper than the usual.
‘You must be the girl they brought in last night,’ he said, before I could speak, ‘Akatsuki’s been really worried about you since then. It’s made him impossible to live with – and it’s only been a few hours. He gets into a real mood when he’s worrying about something, which totally sucks since he is always worrying about some unimportant thing or another. Come on, I’ll take you to see him.’ This boy didn’t seem unfriendly, but the hand on my shoulder warned me that I had no choice in the matter – not that I wouldn’t have followed him anyway. He led me purposefully through the extensive grounds to a tall, gothic building. Its spiralling towers twisted high into the sky, casting a long shadow that crawled across the perfectly manicured grass.
‘Moon Dormitory,’ the boy threw back to me, ‘Oh, and I’m Aido.’ I nodded, feigning interest and trying not to let my nerves show, and followed him through the front doors into the gloom, exhaling deeply in relief at the shady refuge.
‘Akatsuki,’ Aido called loudly, ‘Akatsuki, I brought that girl over here to see you. She was wandering around the school getting lost.’ I glanced quickly at Aido and followed his gaze up the stairs to see Kain stumbling down them slowly and unsurely, one hand combing through his unruly hair pointlessly, the other rubbing his eyes drowsily. He blinked blearily at Aido before looking at me. Once his tawny eyes landed on me, they widened slightly and his jaw went a little slack.
‘Aido, you know it’s the wrong time of day to be shouting,’ a girl’s voice sang musically, ‘Sometimes I wonder if you really are a vampire or not, you’re just too active during the day. Well, that and the fact that you’re always munching on some human snack.’ I couldn’t stop myself from looking, and sure enough Aido was nibbling on a chocolate bar. The girl jumped into sight from the sofa she had seemingly been napping on, her eyes narrowed. ‘Who’s this, then?’ she asked mockingly, circling me. I stood, waiting patiently for her to finish. It would not be prudent to start a fight already – especially not with a vampire.
‘Leave her alone, Ruka.’ Kain’s voice boomed out commandingly despite his seemingly sleep deprived state, and the girl stopped to look at him, her head cocked flirtatiously.
‘Fine,’ she said teasingly, licking her lips with a pointed tongue, ‘but hurry up and kill her. The human smell is grossing me out.’ This Ruka laughed, a tinkling sound – and yet it had a distinctly sinister undertone. She flipped her purple hair back and smiled at Kain, showing as many of her gleaming white teeth as she could.
Kain was level with us now, and waved her away, one hand taking my wrist gently. ‘I am not going to kill her. We are going to go talk in my room now. Hanabusa, don’t intrude. That goes for you, too, Ruka. We have…lots to discuss,’ he said evenly before leading me up the stairs and into another shadowy room – his bedroom. It had two beds, barely made, bearing grey sheets. On the far wall was a large window with a comfortable looking seat, and near that an open door led off to an en suite bathroom.
Kain regrettably let go of my wrist as he closed the door with a snap. He gestured to the farther of the two beds, the one by the window, and walked a step behind me as I trailed shyly over to it.
‘You…must be worried,’ he said quietly, settling into the windowseat as I perched on his bed. I fixed my stare on his hands, not trusting myself to look into his eyes and remain coherent, as I next spoke.
‘I don’t know. I should be...I know I should. I have about a million questions, but…I don’t feel afraid the way I ought to. If this were happening to any one of my friends, I’d be scared for them, but…I just don’t know.’ I sighed. Why didn’t I feel scared, worried?
Kain frowned slightly, crossing one ankle over his other slender leg gracefully, in spite of his thick muscles. ‘Well…I was hoping to answer some of your questions. And there are a few questions that I hope you would indulge me with. But first and foremost: your attack. Unfortunately…we were unable to track down the monster that attacked you. We do, however, know that they are a pureblood. And that means…you will…well, you’ll be…one of us.’ He paused before clarifying, ‘You’ll become a vampire.’ He spat the last word with disgust, but his face stayed deliberately expressionless.
I jumped up and stepped closer to him, noticing that he watched me carefully, following every movement with his eyes. ‘Why..?’ I closed my mouth and swallowed nervously before trying again; my mouth had suddenly gone suspiciously dry. ‘Why do you sound so…revolted by what you are?’ I asked softly.
Kain’s eyes narrowed involuntarily as he formed his answer. He seemed to be contemplating the question as though it had been deeply philosophical, when really I had simply asked on a curious whim. ‘We are beasts,’ he whispered, ‘Beasts in human form. Most of us don’t mind what we are…but…The smell of blood. It used to repel us all…when we were human…and yet now we can’t help but be attracted to it. Isn’t that proof that we’re monsters, to be feared and despised and avoided? And yet we accept the kindness of others. You have seen how lavish this dormitory is, how expensively decorated. This is not something we deserve. And besides…look at you…think. In weeks, months, maybe years, you will be…there is no way around it, you will be like us. How can we do something like that…how can we inflict our curse on others? That isn’t right, that isn’t fair…you have done nothing, there is no sin large enough, that could warrant such a…nightmarish punishment. We have our secrets…we prey on the weak…We are disgusting, foul beasts. You would have done well to avoid us yourself, but…I suppose there is no choice in the matter anymore.’
Kain turned his head to look out of the window, shaking with anger and self-loathing. ‘I’m sorry,’ I breathed, falling to my knees in front of him, hating myself for causing the troubled expression that shaded his face.
‘It is not your fault. I just…I despise what we are. What…what you will become,’ he consoled me, resting his forehead against the window and his hand on my shoulder.
‘So,’ he said, and his tone became suddenly more businesslike again, ‘I will take you to see Headmaster Cross later tonight. I am sure that he will want to talk with you. You should also be introduced to the President of the Night Class, Kuran Kaname. But before that…I would very much like it if…if we could…I mean…you will probably have to join us soon, right? And…well, maybe I could show you around? This place is pretty confusing when you’re new – but it wasn’t that bad for me, I came when it first opened. Everyone was new back then.’ I smiled and nodded as Kain pulled me up by the hand. The way his hand fit around mine was comforting and warm. It felt right, somehow. It felt like it belonged there.
Kain didn’t release my hand as we walked gradually together down the dorm’s stairs. Aido and Ruka were no longer in the large common room, but somebody else was just entering. The doors opened slowly, and a tall boy with long, dark hair stepped in. He had an almost majestic air, and at the sight of him Kain immediately dropped my hand and took a half-step to the side, so we were not even nearly touching. I figured this must be the President of the Night Class.
‘Uh, Kuran…this is Alice. She was brought in last night, after the…vampire attack,’ Akatsuki explained, bowing his head respectfully. I made sure to mirror him quickly. Kuran turned slowly, and I glimpsed his scarlet eyes before dropping my gaze anxiously to the floor.
‘Um, nice to meet you…’ I mumbled, made nervous by his very presence. An inexplicable, invisible power seemed to radiate from him in waves, and suddenly I felt very small.
‘I know who she is,’ Kuran said regally, ‘and I am pleased to meet you, Alice. But, Kain, you are not taking her to see Headmaster Cross, are you? She must meet with him immediately. I shall take her, you go back to bed. After all, you must be tired after the interruptions. Do not worry about her; I will take very good care of Miss. Whitlock. I will take it as my duty to protect her in your place – not that there’s anything to protect her from, of course.’ At Kuran’s command and the colourless laugh that followed, Kain nodded deferentially and backed away.
Kuran looked friendly, but I was still nervous to be alone with him. I followed him closely, two steps behind at all times, as he led me back to the main building and up several flights of stairs before stopping at a door. Rather than look at Kuran, I stared at my feet and my dirty boots, but I could feel his gaze on my face. After a fleeting reassuring smile, he knocked three times.
‘Enter,’ a mysterious voice boomed.
Kuran pushed the door open, nodding for me to go ahead of me. I smiled nervously, swallowed, and took several unsure steps into the room. In front of me was a long, mahogany desk, covered in assorted papers and other stationery. Behind the desk, a slight man in his twenties was sitting in a luxurious armchair, his chin resting on long, slender fingers. He was pale with cruel eyes and a slightly malicious smile, and his dark hair was cropped short.
Kuran was standing behind me, and was just about to speak when he was interrupted by a knocking on the door we had just entered through. A tall, slim girl came in, gazing around in confusion as she walked up to the desk. I couldn’t help but notice that she kept staring at me – she was clearly curious, but she did keep trying to look at other things. Other things like Kuran Kaname, I noticed…But I was grateful that she was at least making an attempt at not gawking. I already felt awkward enough.
‘Uhm…excuse me sir, I’m sorry to interrupt, but…where’s Headmaster Cross?’ the girl asked in an airy voice.
‘He’s away on important business,’ the man behind the desk informed her coolly. ‘He should be back soon. I would suggest you come back tomorrow. But in the meantime, can I help you at all?’
The girl shook her head, but didn’t leave.
‘Hatori, sir, this is Alice. She might become a Night Class student soon. I intended to introduce her to the Headmaster, and have him explain the basic situation. I did not even entertain the idea that Headmaster Cross may not be here,’ Kuran explained. ‘I apologise for intruding. I did not mean to interrupt your work; you must be very busy.’
The man nodded, but before he could reply the other girl coughed slightly. ‘Erm, Kuran? Could I maybe have a quick word outside for a minute?’ Kuran glanced at me, and I smiled weakly.
‘Don’t leave without me,’ he whispered, and I nodded obediently. Then he turned back to the girl and followed her out to the corridor.
I watched Kuran leave with anxiously wide eyes. He was intimidating, yes, but this Hatori person was…there was no other word than scary.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said in his soft voice, ‘but as I just said, Headmaster Cross is away at the moment. He’ll be back in the early hours of the morning, so I would suggest that you come back when Night Classes end. Although you will not be starting school yet, it is highly recommended that you begin to get into the correct sleeping patterns, by which I mean sleeping during the day and waking at night. We will order you a Night Class uniform and once you are settled in and possibly beginning to transform, you can begin classes. Until then…I would suggest that you stay away from the Day Class. You may have a room on your own soon, but the only free room is being redecorated so for the moment you will share with Ruka Souen. Unless you have any more queries that I may assist with, I bid you a good night.’ His tone was final, so I quickly left the room.
I walked straight past Kuran and the other girl – against Kuran’s instruction to wait – intending to find my way back to the Night Dorm alone, but soon got lost in the maze of a school. It wasn’t ignorance; I simply didn’t want to bother Kuran, and I didn’t want it to seem as though I needed assistance at every turn. I threaded through hundreds of corridors, down stairs, constantly looking for windows to check out of and try to find my bearings. But I was hopelessly lost.
‘Oh, it’s you!’ I couldn’t stop the exclamation, and ran to catch up with the familiar figure. ‘You’re the boy who found me last night! I wanted to find you, to say thank you, I mean, just thank-’
He cut me off. ‘You should get back to the dorm. Day Classes are ending and Night Classes will start soon. You don’t want to get caught in the changeover; it’s pretty violent some nights.’ I jumped. Had I really been lost for that long? ‘If you’re lost, then I’ll take you.’ I nodded and thanked him profusely, but I don’t think he was listening.
‘I heard you were bitten by a pureblood,’ he bluntly interrupted my garbled thanks.
‘…Uhm, yes, apparently so…That’s what Kain said, anyway.’
The boy nodded. ‘Right…so you’ll be like us soon…well, more like me than them.’ I was confused. This boy was clearly in the Day Class – based on his black uniform – and yet he was saying he was a vampire? ‘My name is Cross Zero,’ he said, breaking up my hazy thoughts, ‘I was brought here nearly five years ago…after being bitten by a pureblood. We are the same, see? We aren’t like the others, it comes naturally to them. They…they enjoy what they are…vampires.’ He used the word like an expletive and was shaking with anger, but I still argued.
‘No, they don’t!’ I couldn’t believe I was contradicting him, but it seemed wrong not to when Kain’s tortured expression was still haunting me. I thought then that it might never fade – and I was right. I will never forget that face… ‘No, they don’t,’ I repeated, remembering where I was, ‘They don’t like it. Not all of them. He was so…repelled by his own nature…he was disgusted.’
Cross laughed bitterly. ‘You’re talking about Akatsuki Kain, huh? Well, maybe he was telling the truth…or maybe he just wanted you to feel sorry for him. Either way, you’re already right in his pocket. But anyway, here we are – Moon Dorm. I’d escort you in, but the beasts disgust me, and I them. Besides, I’m sure Kain will look after you just fine,’ he said mockingly. I was about to argue again when the door in front of me swung open.
‘Ah, Alice, you’re back! Thank goodness, I was starting to get worried,’ Kain laughed. I smiled and stepped forward. Cross shook his head, waved once at me, and sprinted back through the gloom in the direction of the main building.
‘Come in, come in,’ Kain said as he ushered me inside, ‘I’ll show you around quickly, but then I have to go to class.’ He gave me a tour, as promised, my hand safely anchored inside his, but Aido soon interrupted.
‘Class, Akatsuki,’ he yawned, seeming almost cat-like as he stretched his arms.
Kain nodded and turned to me. ‘I’m sorry. I hate to leave you, but I can’t skip class.’
I shrugged lightly. ‘I don’t mind. You should go; I wouldn’t let you skive for me in any case. I’ll be fine, nothing to worry about! There are a ton of books here; I’ll probably just read for a while. I promise to wait up for you,’ I said, smiling, ‘so you have to promise to find me when you come back. Don’t go to bed without seeing me again!’ I ordered jokily.
Kain nodded, and was about to speak when Aido dragged him away. ‘I promise!’ he called back, and I nodded, waving. I couldn’t stop a contented smile as I watched Kain leave, pummelling Aido and cursing his interference.
