Hello everyone, got a new story here for you... I couldn't resist myself after watching the anime. -smiles wickedly- So I've got a new story for all of you... As always, please review, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to know people enjoy or hate my fic... -glares at haters- I give cookies to those who review!!

Rating: The reason this is rated M is for future language, situations, and possibly lemony goodness

Pairs: Kaname/OC, Yuki/Zero(not so much, but will still be there)

Summary: Akashi Ayame enters the Cross Academy as a Day Class student and niece of Chairman Cross. She has spent the last several years studying abroad after her parent's deaths. She comes to live with her uncle and meet her adopted cousin, bringing some well kept secrets with her.

Disclaimer: Oh the sorrow... the only things I own in this tragic world are Ayame and the story... -cries as men in black suits pull Kaname away-

Chapter One
Rainy Days
By DarkHeartMistress

The dark hues of the sky told the viewers below that rain was threatening to pour down soon. Despite being nearly noon, not much light was provided by the ominously black sky above. Such was the scene as a white and blue taxi cab drove up the driveway to the Cross Academy. The thunder roared above, warning the inhabitants below to take cover soon or else be drenched in the coming rain.

Upon arrival at the front steps of the main building, a blond haired man stood at the entrance… waiting. As the taxi cab stopped, he descended the steps and smiled brightly at the young woman who emerged from the back seat. Her black hair was pulled back, giving the impression that at full length it would reach just past her shoulders. She looked young enough to be a student and was wearing knee length jean shorts and a light blue t-shirt, not yet wearing one of the uniforms designated for the academy.

In response she offered him a smile which partially showed true happiness in her blue-green eyes, yet hid a sadness which was created by some old memories which held both positive and negative associations.

"Ayame-chan!!" Chairman Cross cried out as he engulfed the young woman in a big hug which picked her up off of her feet. She truly smiled at this. Nothing much has changed about you, huh Uncle? She thought to herself before being released from his over joyous hug which lasted a good minute or so.

"Uncle…" She responded with a nod of her head. Ayame was not much of a speaker and a simple movement was enough for her to convey her thoughts.

"It's been so long Ayame-chan." Chairman Cross gushed as he smiled in glee. Ayame did not quite know how to respond to so much energetic happiness so she just nodded simply and moved to the back of the taxi cab to get her one and only suitcase. Still excited, the Chairman paid the driver then ushered Ayame up the steps of the main building just as the first droplet fell onto Ayame's nose. Glancing up, she sighed as her smile faded. So this was her welcome to Cross Academy… cheerful, wasn't it?

Entering the building, the Chairman led Ayame through the halls to his office. No students were about, seeing as it was the middle of the day and classes were well in progress. Ayame was familiar with the Academy. She had been their once as a very young child with her parents and again for several weeks after their deaths. After their deaths she had decided to study abroad and had not returned for nearly six years.

"Come into my office, Ayame-chan," Chairman Cross said as he opened a solid oak door and led her into the room. Without being offered, Ayame took a seat by the fire and looked around the room. Although it was not extremely cold, it was the beginning of fall, and the air held a definite 

chill to it. She was comfortable in the office and she smiled at a fond memory of it. "We'll be having two people join us soon, so we must make this discussion brief." Chairman Cross said as he sat down at his desk and glanced through the papers that were already neatly resting there.

Ayame nodded and waited for him to begin as she stared at the titles on his bookshelf. "Firstly, you already know what goes on here at the Academy, with the Day and Night class students. You also know how you are expected to behave while on school grounds…" He gave her a pointed look over the rim of his glasses and she nodded her head once more in understanding. "You'll be meeting Yuki and Zero soon. They are the two guardians, so you know how to behave around them." He handed her a packet of papers which included school policies and such as well as a bag containing her new school uniform. Taking them, she placed the items with her suitcase just as there was a knock on the office door and two people entered.

"Yuki! Zero! I'm so glad you two are here to meet Ayame-chan!" Chairman Cross said. Ayame was slightly irked by the high pitched voice her uncle used when saying her name and she got the feeling he just liked using the –chan part because it was 'cute', but she still smiled at the two people who entered. She had never formally met her adopted cousin, Yuki, but had seen her briefly on her last visit to the Academy. Zero was a new face to her and his cold countenance was met with an equally bored look from Ayame. Treat kindness with kindness, was one of her motto's.

"Ayame-chan, this is Yuki your cousin, and Zero. Yuki, Zero, this is my niece Ayame-chan!" Chairman Cross continued. Yuki smiled in return and introduced herself again while walking up to the now standing Ayame.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you!" Yuki smiled.

"Yuki is sixteen and Ayame-chan is seventeen, so you two should get along quite well." Chairman Cross put in.

"It's a pleasure." Ayame responded briefly, nodding in return to Yuki and sending another nod in Zero's direction.

"Don't mind him, he's always like that." Yuki said, noticing Ayame acknowledgement in Zero's direction.

"Now then, go show Ayame-chan to her room. She's already aware of the goings on here, so no tour or rules need be explained. I'm sure she's tired after her journey." Chairman Cross said as he walked back up to Ayame to give her a final hug. "Remember to have fun," he said in a high, cheerful voice and then adding in a softer undertone which only Ayame could hear, "Stay out of trouble."

She nodded once more in acquiescence and then gathered her belongings before leaving his office.

Several hours later Ayame found herself sitting on the bed in her dorm room. Her roommate was at dinner. The girl seemed incredibly superficial and annoying. The storm had not yet ceased and Ayame was enjoying watching the rain fall outside of her window. The rain always seemed to calm her when she was upset. It had been raining the day she was born, at least that was what she had been told. It had been raining the day her parents died. It had been raining the day she left to study abroad. Now it was raining on her first day at the Cross Academy.

She smiled slightly to herself as she gazed out at the water falling from the sky. It was dinner time, but she was not hungry. She had finished unpacking her meager belongings and had decided to skip dinner to avoid the loud noise which was sure to be within the dining room. Once the rain cleared she intended to take a walk on the old, familiar grounds. Maybe if the clouds cleared, she would be able to see the stars, for it was now near sunset.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet of the night as Ayame walked down the concrete pathway outside of the main building. She sighed as she looked up at the night sky, still slightly cloudy from the day's thunderstorm. It must have been well past eleven o'clock and Ayame was enjoying the alone time offered to her at the moment. Her roommate was just as whiny and annoying as Ayame's first impression of her and as soon as she had fallen asleep Ayame had left the room.

The walk was her way of re-familiarizing herself with the school which had offered her comfort after the death of her parents six years ago. Standing on the terrace she walked to the ledge and leaned against it as she peered out over the grounds, illuminated only by the full moon overhead. She took off her jacket and placed it on the ledge before jumping up and sitting down upon it.

She sat there staring out across the grounds for some time until movement caught her eye. Three figures were walking along the pathway below her. Her eyes watched them intently; having a very good idea who they were. The three people were dressed in white uniforms.

Definitely the Night Class…she contemplated for a moment before continuing to watch them. They had stopped walking and were now talking in what seemed like a vehement discussion about something. She cocked her head to the side in slight amusement as one of them with blonde hair shouted angrily at his two companions.

Apparently her slight movement had caught the attention of one of the others and he stopped paying attention to the blonde haired man and was now watching her. His pause had attracted the attention of the other two men beside him and they were now watching her with as much interest at she was watching them.

"Who is that?" Aidou questioned stilling staring at the young girl sitting on the ledge up on the terrace. He had never seen her and usually by now most girls would be screaming and jumping up and down in excitement at being within viewing distance of any members of the Night Class. However this girl was watching them with an amused look on her face.

"Maybe she's a transfer student…" replied Kain.

"Hmmm…" muttered Shiki as he also watched the young woman.

Ayame was slightly amused by their ponderous expressions. She sighed as she looked down at the ground. It wasn't a far drop, only fifteen feet or so. She blinked once and then leaped from the ledge pulling her jacket along with her. She landed in a crouched position with only a slight impact.

The three Night Class students were taken aback by her sudden change in position. Smirking, Aidou approached her first. Shiki and Kain followed suit. The three men stopped several feet from her and she watched them quietly. She was interested in the Night Class and held no fear for them. These students were not dangerous to her. She could handle most things thrown at her and these three were no different, even though the fact that there was more than one did bother her a little bit if things should digress.

"Who are you cutie?" Aidou asked in a flirtatious voice.

Ayame smirked slightly at him and instead replied, "What are your names?"

"I asked you first." Aidou said cheerfully. However, Ayame merely continued to watch them without saying anything. Aidou was beginning to be annoyed by her attitude and wanted a response.

"I'm Shiki." Shiki put in before things could get a little uncomfortable. "That's Kain and that's Aidou."

"I wanted her to answer first!" Aidou complained glaring at Shiki. Kain stared boredly at the two men beside him before looking at her again.

Ayame nodded at Shiki and the others before turning on her heel and walking in the opposite direction, her jacket slung over her arm.

"Hey!" Aidou shouted angrily. "I want your name girl." He demanded moving to stand in front of her, blocking her path.

"Aidou, don't cause trouble." Shiki warned as he watched his classmate.

"I just think this girl needs some manners." Aidou muttered as he approached Ayame and stood face to face with her. "Come on sweetheart," he asked cupping her face with his hand, "what's your name?"

Ayame's eyes deadpanned as she looked at him. Her hand shot up, grabbing his wrist upon contact with her face. "Don't," she spoke softly as the pressure she exerted on his hand increased, "touch me."

Aidou stared at her, bewildered by her reaction and attitude, before getting angry. His other hand came up in a move to slap her, but before he could touch her, her right leg shot out and kicked him in the stomach. He was sent flying backwards onto the wet grass.

There was silence as the other two students watched Ayame who remained where she stood, her eyes glaring at the man in the grass. She shot a glance over her shoulder at the two other students, a silent challenge for them to mess with her.

"Hey girlie, that wasn't very nice." Kain spoke as he walked around her to Aidou who was sputtering in fury on the ground where he had fallen.

"How dare that little bitch!" Aidou screamed as he stood up trying to wipe the grass off of his clothing while glaring at Ayame. His angry eyes watched Ayame as she stared back equally annoyed. His anger took over as he stalked towards her, murderous intention in his gaze.

Ayame stood quietly, allowing him to approach until he was directly in front of her. His hand reached out to grab her; however she ducked to the side, aiming another kick at his abdomen. He grabbed her foot and was about to pull her off of her feet, when her hand shot out and punched him in the nose. He screamed in pain and anger as his hands went up to clutch his face. Ayame took the chance to kick him again, this time she sent him flying into Shiki who had been watching from the sidelines.

"That's it!" Kain ground out, aggravated by her blatant disrespect for them. He charged her. Ayame watched him approach, ready for the next attack.

"Enough."

The calm words were barely audible, but Kain stopped immediately and glanced over Ayame's shoulder at the person who had spoken. Ayame could tell it was someone new. The voice was unfamiliar, yet she could feel a strong prescience behind her, which made her slightly uncomfortable. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she turned slightly to view the person who had halted the attack.

Standing before her was a tall man in the dress of a Night Class student. His dark eyes watched her passively as he stood ten feet away. Aidou and Shiki had also paused their movements and were watching him, waiting for something, but Ayame did not know what.

"Kaname-sama." Kain spoke reverently.

Kaname seemed to ignore Kain as he continued to stare at Ayame blankly. She was slightly unnerved by this man.

"Who might you be?" He asked quietly, his eyes never leaving hers.

Ayame watched him in silence with no reply. The name Kaname seemed familiar, yet she could not quite place it. What was his last name? She had an urge to answer him, but her better judgment told her not to. Any connection with him could be bad. He seemed to be an important person in the Night Class.

"Ayame-san!" a female shout echoed through the night, effectively halting the tension filled mood of the group. Yuki came running from down one of the side paths, Zero close behind her. Upon reaching the group, Yuki approached Ayame. "You know you shouldn't be out after sunset."

Ayame nodded and stared ahead quietly, still watching Kaname who was returning the favor, but a soft smile was on his face.

"Kaname-senpai…" Yuki said turning around to face the man who had saved her as a child. He had a strange look on his face as he assessed Ayame. She was surprised by the tension of the atmosphere around the group of people.

"Yuki, Zero." Kaname acknowledged quietly as he glanced at Yuki and then at Zero.

"Kuran." Zero responded blandly. His stare was steadied on Kaname, who had returned to staring at Ayame.

Ayame stiffened almost invisibly, but the vampires around her had noticed the tension in her body. K… K… Kuran… there's no way…Ayame's startled eyes stared into the darker eyes of Kaname before she looked over at Yuki who had begun speaking again.

"I'm sorry Kaname-senpai; Ayame-san is a new transfer student. I think she forgot the rules a little bit." Yuki spoke in apology.

"So it's Ayame." Kaname said absently. "Welcome." He said smiling at her.

Ayame stared at him once more before turning on her heel and walking back towards the Day Class dorm. She had nothing to say. She was silently trying to regain her composure after the disturbing encounter. Her walk was brisk as she returned to the dorm.

"Yuki, follow her and make sure she returns to the dorm." Zero spoke as he watched the four vampires in front of him.

"Okay," Yuki said as she ran off after Ayame.

"Please stay away from Day Class students." Zero stated as he watched the men in front of him.

"Of course." Kaname replied as he and the other three vampires turned and walked away.

Back inside her dorm room, Ayame sat once more looking out the window at the darkened grounds of Cross Academy. How could things have ended up this way? Why was a Kuran here? Her luck seemed to be pretty bad right now. She knew she was going to end up getting into trouble at this school, but for the time being Cross Academy was also the safest place for her to be. She had spent six years running away from her past. This was the only place she had left to run to.

She sighed quietly to herself as she glanced down at her hands. Several small scars were visible on both of her hands. There were matching ones on her back as well, but not too many. She closed her eyes as several memories came back to her.

Blue-green eyes opened slowly, filtering in the bright light, made more intense by the white room she was currently in. She could feel straps around her legs and arms. Nothing new to the young child who lay on the bed however. The child was only about nine, with a soft young face and midnight black hair cut at her ears in an uneven cut. She would almost look like a young boy, if not for her definitely feminine face.

"How is the little miss doing today?" Spoke a man as he entered the room wearing a doctor's white jacket and holding a clipboard in his hand.

Ayame's eyes glanced over at him briefly and then returned to staring at the ceiling. She did not know what would be happening next, but she could guess.

Several nurses soon entered the room and began checking the monitors which were hooked up to the small body strapped to the table.

The doctor and nurses spoke softly to each other for a moment before they approached the child. One of the nurses handed the doctor a sterilized knife, while another loosened the straps on the table to turn Ayame's hand over. The straps were quickly re-fastened and the nurse proceeded to hold the child's hand open, studying several of the small scars on her palm.

Another nurse stood by with a needle and she walk over to the child who stared absently in front of her at the ceiling. It was best to block out what these people were doing to her.

The nurse inserted the needle into the juncture of her elbow and inserted a small dosage of a watered down red substance. Ayame never quite knew what the chemical was, but she had heard bits and pieces about it while acting as if she were not paying any attention.

It was another five minutes before the head doctor proceeded towards her, knife in hand. He smiled in what Ayame was sure was trying to be a gentle manner, but his smile simply sickened her as the knife in his hand bit slightly into the tender skin of her palm.

She forced herself not to blink as droplets of red blood pooled at the surface of her skin. Another of the nurses stood by with a clipboard, scribbling quickly onto the parchment located there. Not but a few moments later, Ayame sighed as she felt the stinging of the wound begin to ease as the cut slowly knit itself back together, forming a raw, new scar on the skin of her palm.

The doctor and nurses had begun checking the monitors again, calling out numbers so that the nurse with the clipboard could copy down the information. Ayame ignored them, her head finally falling to the side to look at a large glass window which covered almost half of one of the walls.

For the first time, someone was standing on the other side of the window. She was slightly surprised because she had never yet seen anyone other than the daily doctors and nurses which attended to her.

The man's dark features frightened her and unnerved her. Was he the one behind all of this? She could not possibly guess at the moment. All she knew was that this weekly occurrence happened for almost two years. The doctor would come in, she would be injected with the unnamed substance, and then she would be cut. It was the same routine, twice a week.

The only reason this day was different was because there had been an unknown visitor. She had later discovered that the dark man's name was Kuran.

Ayame shivered at the memories caused by looking at her scars. She sighed quietly as she fell back onto her bed. Her eyes closed, but sleep did not find her for several minutes.

So... What did you all think. Reviews are welcome. Lovers and haters are equally invited to flame me as well. Flamers just don't get cookies XD -pulls out an oven tray with cookies on it- Come and get 'em!

Until next time...
-DHM