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

Chapter 3 - Of Bites and Plots

Sara didn't know what to do. She kept changing her mind as to what she wanted. To go to school or not to go to school...that was the question. She had her uniform on, ready to go, but she wasn't sure that she was ready to face going to school. She was not good around crowds of people because she had been in almost total isolation with only servants for company.

She also felt like a child and felt too innocent to be taking on the leadership of her clan. Most of her cousins were aristocrats, not too hard to handle but could easily taint and manipulate her if she let them.

She decided to take the plunge and try to socialise with her peers. She had to try sooner than later, so it was better to get it out of the way. She stood up from her bed, straightened out her uniform and slipped past her two body guards, giving them the slip. She walked down the corridor and saw Ruka Souen, Akastuki Kain, Rima Toya and Senri Shiki sitting in the parlour. Sara crept down stairs and cleared her throat. They all turned heads in her direction and stood up quickly as a sign of respect. Sara shook her head.

"Please, be seated. I just wanted to come down and...talk." Sara tried to put them at ease. They nervously sat back down but they didn't take their eyes of the pureblood princess. "May I join you?" she asked. They looked at each other and nodded, giving her the go ahead. She sat down next to Ruka. "I just want you to know that I don't want you to feel nervous around me. I just want us all to be friends." She smiled and made eye contact with each of them. She could sense them all relaxing and Ruka turned to her.

"So...Lady Sara..."

Sara interrupted her by shaking her head. "Not 'Lady Sara', please, I want to be friends with you. Just call me 'Sara'." Sara smiled. They all looked at her with surprise.

"But, you're a rare pureblood princess! We have to treat you with the utmost respect!" Ruka exclaimed. Sara pondered for a moment.

"Yes, but I would prefer it if you wouldn't be overly polite when speaking to me." Sara said. Her new friends hesitated but nodded and they carried on their conversation where they left off. Sara occasionally contributed to the conversation but most of the time, she stayed quiet and listened to everything they said, quietly enjoying the warmth of her new friendship.

Meanwhile, Hanabusa and Takuma had discovered that their ward had slipped away.

"Where did she go?" Hanabusa asked exasperatedly. Takuma looked around Sara's suite but found nothing.

"Kaname will kill us if we cannot find her." Takuma said in a matter of fact tone.

"How can you be so calm? Lady Sara is supposed to be protected and guarded at all times!" Aidou said frantically. Takuma nodded.

"True, but she can't have gotten far. I think she's still within the building." Takuma said. "Come on, let's search the building." Takuma's calm behavior was starting to irritate and anger Aidou.

"You're too calm for your own good." Hanabusa grumbled. They walked around a while, asking around about her whereabouts. When they saw her downstairs in the parlour, they both breathed a sigh of relief. "There, nothing to worry about." Hanabusa said calmly. Takuma turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"And you call me too calm." Takuma said, shaking his head. Takuma turned around and walked downstairs. Sara was so engrossed in the conversation her friends had included her in. Takuma tapped her on the shoulder and Sara screamed in fright, causing everyone to look up at her.

"Ichijo, you gave me a fright," Sara said, clutching her chest. "I don't need anymore surprises."

"Really? Well you gave us a shock by running off," he said with a hint of anger in his voice. "Aidou nearly had a heart attack."

"What? So I have to completely cut myself off from everyone as well," Sara burst out, "I am not a child."

"No, that's not what I'm saying," Takuma said calmly, "We just wish that you would tell us where you're going when you wish to leave your room."

Hanabusa joined them. "Lady Sara, please return to your room," Hanabusa said. Sara glared at him.

"Why should I? I've been socially isolated for all my life! Allow me this opportunity," Sara shouted. Her voice echoed, leaving everyone speechless. "Just leave me alone." Sara sobbed. She ran towards the staircase but Hanabusa caught her by her wrist. Sara tried to pull her delicate wrist out of his grasp. Takuma moved silently behind her and placed a hand over her eyes, making a blue light appear. Sara collapsed backwards against him.

"She's experienced too much trauma for any stress to happen. She will probably be upset with me," Takuma said with a dry laugh. Ruka walked up to the unconscious girl and gazed at her.

"I feel sorry for her," Ruka whispered. "She's incredibly strong, yet incredibly...innocent and...childlike; she hasn't any real knowledge of the world she lives in."

Everyone agreed, "Take good care of her, Takuma, Hanabusa...and I'm sure all of us will help support her too," Ruka said.

"Ichijo, let's get her back. She must rest. Kaname will not be happy if she is out of her room."

"Yes, I know," Takuma said. He turned on his heal and walked back to Sara's room.

Takuma laid her down on the bed. He felt sorry for her, he really did. Takuma didn't want her to feel trapped, she'd already had enough of that when she was back on the Awayuki estate. Would Kaname have anything planned for her? He knew that Kaname always had some kind of hidden agenda. In addition to that her fiancé was still at large. Would he find out where Sara was and come to make trouble for her? He hoped not.

"Let's just hope that you can cope with what's to come."

"How is she," Hanabusa's voice came floating from Sara's lounge. He walked into her bedroom.

"She's still unconscious," Takuma observed. "We'll see how she is is the morning." Takuma sat in the armchair beside Sara's bed. "Why don't you go to class? I relieve you of your duties tonight."

Hanabusa looked affronted. "What?"

"You heard me." Takuma smirked.

"Fine, but I'll take the next shift," Hanabusa said, before departing for class.

When Sara woke up again, she was confused. She turned her head and saw Hanabusa sitting in the armchair beside her bed. She noticed that it was morning as a tiny stream of light shone through the curtains. She sighed and squeezed Hanabusa's hand to wake him up.

Hanabusa groaned painfully as he raised his lolling head. He squinted and rubbed his bright blue eyes. He jolted to attention when he saw her staring at him. "Sara," he exclaimed, "You're awake!"

Sara looked at him dryly and said, "Yes, well done, Aidou." Sarcasm laced her sweet voice.

Hanabusa stood up. "You must be hungry. Are you," He asked. Sara looked doubtful but nodded.

"I am a little hungry...I suppose," Sara muttered. Hanabusa nodded.

"What would you like to eat," he asked helpfully. Sara pondered for a moment.

"Anything...as long as it's not too big," Sara said quietly. Hanabusa nodded in understanding.

"Of course, Lady Sara."

"I've asked you to please refrain from calling me 'Lady Sara', please. It feels too distant and cold," Sara whispered. Hanabusa looked shocked.

"But...but..." he stammered, "You're a pureblood vampire and I don't feel comfortable addressing you less than you deserve!"

"Yes, so? Your point? I just...want to feel like everyone else...just...please do it...for me," Sara pleaded. Aidou was about to protest, but he earned a glare from Sara, "We've been through this! Please just call me Sara in private!"

"Fine," he sighed in defeat, "Well, I'm going to get you that food." He walked away, leaving Sara alone.

Sara stood up and walked into her bathroom. She decided to have a shower and freshen up. She undressed and stepped into the shower, loving the feeling of the hot water on her skin. She washed her hair with the strawberry shampoo, which had been given to her by Ruka. She then stepped out and turned the shower off, wrapping a towel around her small form.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, Hanabusa was standing there with a tray. When his eyes fell on her and blushed beat red and so did Sara. They stood there, motionless, not daring to move. "Eh...Sara..." Hanabusa managed. Sara felt herself getting cold due to the fact that she was still wet from the shower and her hair was dripping.

"Aidou...just put the tray down...and get yourself out. It'll be easier for the both of us," However to Sara's dismay, Takuma burst in too.

"Aidou, how many times do I have to-" Takuma was interrupted by the sight of Hanabusa's reddened cheeks. Takuma turned his head and he saw Sara in just her towel, blushing madly. Takuma ran out of the room, deeply embarrassed. Hanabusa quickly put down the tray he was holding and ran from the room too. Sara breathed a sigh of relief and continued to dry herself off.

Later on, Sara had put her uniform on and went downstairs to join everyone. Everyone was quite shocked that Sara had decided to join them. "Please do not worry, everyone, I wish to join everyone tonight. It is time that I start socialising. I hope that I reach everyone's expectations." she announced. Sara turned to see Kaname standing behind her with his arms folded.

"Sara, are you sure that you want to go to school? Don't you think it's a little soon?" Kaname asked. Sara thought and pondered for a moment.

"No, I think that I might attend school, Kaname, it will take my mind off things." Sara said flatly. Kaname raised an eyebrow.

"We shall see," Kaname walked forward and opened the door. Sara followed suit with Takuma and Hanabusa following close behind. They were both worried that Sara wouldn't cope with the fangirls' screaming. Unsurprisingly, at least to Takuma, Sara kept falling back behind them, trying to shrink back from the loud screams. Takuma turned to her and grasped her hand reassuringly. Sara was glad for the comfort. Sara had picked a bad time to go to class. It was St Xchoclotl's day and the girls were hyped up because of this.

"Don't worry, Sara, they're harmless really," Takuma said. The girl who had helped her, Yuuki, was keeping the girls in line.

"Okay, girls, stay behind your designated gates and WAIT for the boy you want to come to you," she then turned to the Night Class. "Now, boys, these girls take this VERY seriously."

Hanabusa, overcome by excitement ran forward. "Well, taking chocolates from girls is my specialty!"

"Aidou," Kaname said calmly. Kaname discreetly jerked his head in the direction of Sara, who was giving him a funny look.

Hanabusa finally caught on and blushed in embarrassment. "Yeah...sorry...Dorm President Kuran," He let Kaname and Sara walk past. He thought that he saw a hint of a smirk on Sara's delicate features. Sara looked behind her to see if Takuma was still there. Takuma walked towards her and Sara grasped his hand tightly. However, Sara was feeling a little apprehensive about being with in the screaming gang of girls. Her cheeks went extremely pale and she came to a complete stop.

"I don't know if I can do this..." Sara whispered. Takuma looked over at Hanabusa, who had noticed the girl's hesitation and apprehension.

"Sara...You don't have to do this," Takuma said, "If you're not ready, you can go back."

"But then I'll be on my own," Sara said with a squeak. Takuma sighed.

"What is it that you want to do?" Takuma asked. Sara shuffled forward and took a deep breath.

"I'll go...to class," she said quickly. Takuma nodded and pulled her along, wanting to get her through as quickly as possible, avoiding the possibility of a breakdown on Sara's part.

"Ichijo," one fan girl shouted. Takuma turned his head to see the fangirl was waving a box of chocolates at him. He mouthed that he was sorry and walked away, pulling Sara along with him. Yuuki walked over to him, hands on her hips.

"Ichijo, why are you not accepting any chocolates from the girls," she asked haughtily. Takuma looked around at Sara, indicating that she was the reason. Yuuki nodded with understanding. "Okay, Ichijo. Go on," Yuuki said. Takuma smiled in thanks and walked on with Sara in tow. Sara turned her head to see Zero glaring at her. She quickly averted her gaze and carried on walking. What had she done to warrant such a sour look from him? Was it just her or everyone in general who he hated?

"Sara, don't mind him. He's just been through a lot...he lost his parents too," Takuma clarified.

"So...does that mean that I should go around glaring at everyone," Sara asked ironically. Takuma raised his eyebrows and laughed.

"Oh, Sara, you do have a point," Takuma sighed.

"Well, I'm only stating my point," Sara shrugged. As the approached the school building, Sara breathed a sigh of relief. Kaname approached them from behind.

"Are you doing all right, Sara," Kaname asked. Sara replied with a small nod.

"Yes, thank you, Kaname," Sara said politely. "Better than expected anyway."

"Good, I'm glad," Kaname smiled. "Shall we get to class? It will definitely be a learning experience for you, Sara."

"Yes, I'm sure it will be," Sara agreed, "But may I ask you something with regards to my lady's maid? Will she definitely be coming here?"

"Of course, Sara. She will be here within the week." Kaname smiled.

"Good, because she's a very dear friend of mine and I cannot bear to be away from her as long as necessary."

"Of course..." Kaname said, taking Sara's hand in his. "...my lady." he kissed the back of it and Sara gave him a soft smile.

Then, Sara turned her head and saw Zero throwing a small box of chocolates at Kaname which were from Yuuki. Kaname caught it with one hand and thanked Yuuki for them. Sara made eye contact with Zero. He glared at her fiercely. He approached her, demanding to know what she wanted.

"What do you want, vampire?" he asked brusquely.

"Eh...I'd like to apologise for almost biting you the other day. I admit that I should not have done it. I know that you're already a vampire, so my bite would not have turned you. It was also incredibly insensitive of me since your family was killed by a bad vampire...like mine...but it gives me no excuse."

"Save your apologies, vampire, I don't want to hear them." with that, Zero turned away from her abruptly. Sara flinched and a sad expression graced her countenance. Takuma placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly.

"Come on, Sara, at least you did the right thing." Sara turned to him and nodded slowly. She took his hand and he led her away. Kaname had watched the entire scene and threw a fierce glare in his direction before handing the chocolates to Seiren and following Sara and Takuma. He caught up with them, wondering what was happening.

"What happened," He asked. Sara turned her head to look up at him. She appeared almost scared to tell him.

"May I tell you later," Sara asked, "I really do not want to talk about it." Sara turned her head away. Kaname made eye contact with Takuma, silently telling him to tell him later, knowing that Sara probably wouldn't say anything.

"Fine, I'll leave it for now," Kaname replied. Sara raised an eyebrow, knowing that it really would only be for now.

When they had finally caught up with everyone in class, Sara sat down at her desk. Takuma found her childlike curiosity at something which he took for granted a little amusing as well as adorable. She had never been in a proper classroom before. He also noticed her intense note taking and seriousness of her expression. He couldn't help but smile. Nobody else took notes. They didn't take their classes seriously enough to do such a thing. It was just something to do and somewhere to be.

During the next lesson, they had been separated into pairs by the teacher. Sara was paired with Kaname. They had to do a science activity/experiment. Sara had done science experiments before back at her mansion with one of her many tutors. She enjoyed science immensely. She liked reading the science books her parents had given to her, recognising her flare for such a subject. Even though they weren't around much, they did like to indulge their daughter's interests to keep her stimulated. On one of their very infrequent visits, an eleven year old Sara had announced that she had wanted to be a scientist when she was grew up, specifically either a marine biologist or a biochemist. She would wander around her mansion in a scientist's white coat, in her free time, pretending to be a scientist. As she grew older, she stopped this, but she didn't lose interest in the subject at all.

Their science experiment was to build certain atoms of specific things from equipment. Since chemistry was Sara's favourite subject, she knew that she would enjoy this. Kaname was rather good at it as well, but that came as no surprise with him being a pureblood vampire. They had no picture or instructions to follow, they all had to do it from memory. They'd had to memorize them the day before, something Sara hadn't done due to obvious circumstances. Sara glanced up at Kaname. He had a clearly bored expression gracing his beautiful features. He was building the model with graceful ease.

"You find this boring, Kaname," Sara asked casually. Kaname heaved a heavy sigh.

"It's not that," he said tiredly, "I just wish that they would give us something a little more...challenging...this is humiliatingly easy."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Sara started, causing Kaname to look at her, "I do think it's rather challenging...and so beautiful. You just have to glance at it and you cannot help but be in awe of it." Sara fingered her finished model. Kaname notice that her eyes were sparkling with childlike curiosity and awe.

"I take it you like science then?" Kaname mused. Sara's cheeks tinted a pretty shade of pink and she looked slightly flustered, "Silly question," he murmured. Sara turned her head away, her hair cascading from around her shoulder and hiding her face.

"Well, I've always had a flare for it...I suppose..." she was clearly embarrassed by this, but she didn't want to show him that. She turned her head back when her cheeks had gone back to their normal colour. Her expression had turned into one of sadness, "Kaname, may I ask you something," she whispered.

"Of course."

Sara fiddled with her hands before asking, "Well, you don't have to answer this, but how did you cope with the death of your parents?" Kaname was silent for a moment and this made Sara panic a little.

"I...just had to get on with it...my sister had also died in the attack. It left be broken on the inside for some time...but I had to carry on," Kaname sighed sadly, the same look of loneliness in his wine coloured eyes. He turned back to her, "You'll find your own way and when you do, you'll be much happier." Sara seriously doubted that. With the look of loneliness shining in his eyes, it didn't give her much hope.

"Ah, I see.." Sara replied finally. She reclined back in her chair, hoping that her life would take a turn for the better and find some security in her new surroundings.

Tamaki Tanigawa sat in his mansion, feeling quite triumphant by his actions. He'd gotten his revenge on Sara and her wretched parents. They had humiliated him and made him a laughing stock in society. They had ruined his reputation, Sara especially. At Sara's birthday ball in her mansion when she had turned fifteen, she had publicly slapped him when she tried to kiss her and saying that she was "disgusted by him". She then humiliated him further by publicly ending their engagement, wanting "nothing more to do with him". He also saw that she was very fearful of him, her beautiful sapphire eyes shining with innocent and childlike fear. He was expecting Sara's parents to contradict her and tell her that she was being foolish, but they didn't. They supported her and humiliated him in front of all the nobles.

Although they were not showing it, they had been secretly laughing at and mocking him. He then proceeded to murder a human family and a few vampires in his anguish, eventually murdering Lord and Lady Awayuki and almost killing Sara.

He lounged back in his armchair, chuckling darkly to himself and he elegantly sipped a goblet of real human blood. Then there was a knock on the door, "Yes?" he hissed rudely. A male messenger came striding into the room. He bowed deeply, yet his countenance was grave.

"I'm afraid I have bad news about the little Awayuki princess. She's still alive." Tamaki growled and threw his goblet at the wall, blood going everywhere.

"SHE'S STILL ALIVE!" he bellowed. The messenger nodded. Tamaki grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, "WHERE IS SHE?" he screamed in the messenger's face.

"She's at the prestigious Cross Academy, a school for both humans and vampires." he choked. Tamaki let him go roughly.

"That school...ah...yes. I know what you mean," he mused, "Cross Academy...it's ran by that pacifist twit Kaien Cross and the Night Class president Kaname Kuran. If she's under their protection, this will make it all the more harder to kill her." Tamaki growled frustratedly. He had wanted her, desired her...he still did want her...she was so beautiful and if he couldn't have her, nobody else could, especially Kaname Kuran.

"She is living quite a cosy life there. But if you plan on attacking her, you had better do it when Kaname Kuran isn't around. He's a dangerously powerful pureblood vampire."

"I am well aware of that." he said gruffly. The messenger took this as a cue to leave and he bowed deeply before leaving. A few moments later, a timid servant tottered in.

"My Lord, Lady Sara Shirabuki is here." she said shakily. Tamaki looked up at her and nodded.

"Send her in." he said emotionlessly. The maid bowed and walked out. The next thing he knew was a a pair of slender arms winding around his waist, pressing his back to her chest, "Shirabuki...what are you doing here," he asked icily, "I have no time for your games."

"Oh," she said in a mock hurt tone, "Why are you so mean to me?" she turned him around and traced the contours of his finely sculptured chest with a thin finger. Tamaki growled slightly and gripped her waist. Shirabuki pulled him down by his shirt so that their noses touched, "I'll make you forget about that little failure of a pureblood princess. Don't concern yourself with her and I will make you forget," she could feel his grip on her waist tighten. With one last feral growl, he crashed his lips against hers. Shirabuki pulled him closer to her body. Tamaki backed her onto the couch, kissing her passionately and gently lifting her her skirt.

Meanwhile, Sara had been losing herself in her books. It took her mind off everything. She had spent some time with Takuma. He was such a wonderful friend. He listened to her concerns and fears. He even helped her through her tears. Sara liked him for his gentleness and the tender way he held her when he tried to console and calm her down. Hanabusa was getting jealous by how much attention she was giving him and he couldn't couldn't help but resent the vice president for his closeness to Sara. Kaname had also spent time with Sara. He didn't feel as lonely anymore with another pureblood there beside him.

It was a bright day and Sara couldn't sleep. She was still in her uniform and she just felt big a burst of energy coursing through her body would prevent her from being tired. Also, blood lust had become a problem for her in a way it never had been before. She sat on her couch, gripping her shaking body. Her breathing had taken an uneasy turn as it became ragged and painful. Then, there was a knock on the door. She wanted to answer, but she could barely speak. The knocking became urgent. As she tried to get up, she collapsed on to the floor. The door burst open and Kaname stood in the doorway.

"Sara," he exclaimed. He strode calmly over to Sara and he scooped her into his arms. Sara threw her arms around his neck. Kaname sat down and rested her on his knee.

"Ka...na...me..." she gasped. He turned her head to look at him, revealing her glowing crimson eyes.

"Sara, you're blood lusting! You need blood." he pushed the back of her head to his neck so that her plump, pink lips touched his neck.

"No..." she gasped and she tried to pull away from him, "I don't need your blood! I have blood tablets!"

"You cannot survive on blood tablets forever!" however Kaname pulled out his tin of blood tablets. Sara made to grab them but Kaname put them out of her reach. Sara whimpered and tried to reach for them with all her strength. She was starting to get angry with him and his idea that she was going to drink his blood. The truth was, she was afraid of biting him and she had been brought up on blood tablets.

"GIVE ME THE BLOOD TABLETS!" she screamed at him. Kaname sighed and gave in, handing her the small tin to her. There was already a glass of water on the table so Sara dropped two tablets into the water and she quickly snatched the glass, gulping down it's contents. Kaname sighed.

"You should really learn to drink proper blood," he drawled, "Blood tablets don't have the same effect as proper, real blood. It won't last as long."

"I don't care. I refuse to drink real blood." she said resolutely, she jumped up off Kaname's knee and placed the beaker on the table. Kaname stood up and touched her shoulder, squeezing it slightly.

"You will have to drink real blood some time," he said, "It will be expected of you. However, for now, I will let it go...for now."

"Good," she said stubbornly. Kaname quietly chuckled.

"Now, you should get some sleep. You've just been through a lot. Good day." he delicately kissed her hand and Sara smiled up at him.

"Thank you. I don't know what I would do I you were not around." she wrapped her arms around his waist and felt the once threatening tears falling down her cheek. Kaname hugged her back. But, Sara pulled back, "Once again, thank you for being such a good friend." Kaname delicately cleared away a tear with his thumb.

"I'm glad to be of help to you." he kissed her hand again and then walked out, closing the door behind him. Sara couldn't stop her tears from falling and she desperately tried to wipe them away. Sara swallowed and took a deep breath. She then proceeded to change into her night gown. Sara then climbed under the covers of her queen sized, four poster bed. She drew the drapes around her and lay back on her pillows and closed her eyes, hoping for sweet dreams to grace her dreams that day.

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