It took over a year, for every last brick of the academy to be wiped clean of the blood spilt on that last day. It was a day that haunted Kaien Cross as visions of his dream of pacifism, were crushed under the rubble of Cross Academy, by the will of his own bloodstained blade. He thought of Juri, and the dream they had shared to finally unite vampires and humans, the dream that there wouldn't be associations dedicated to the destruction of an entire race. To him, Cross Academy was the last homage he had to her, and to watch it be destroyed, it was like watching Juri destroy herself. However, today was a different day. For the past year, Kaien Cross had been overseeing the reconstruction of the academy. Every time he walked into the construction site, it was like that last day was stuck playing on repeat in his mind. Today though, there was no construction. Kaien Cross was sitting in his new office; his new Headmaster's Office, as he met with the royal purebloods, the vampires who had twisted the fate of the academy.

"We are truly sorry that this institution, which was established as a place of peace, prosperity and pacifism, was turned into a battleground for power in the world of vampires," Kaname Kuran told Headmaster Cross, "and as a token of our repentance and to ask for your forgiveness, under the request of Yuki, and in memory of my late mother and father, the Kurans have funded the rebuilding of Cross Academy, and have agreed to reunite the Night Class, so that we may work together, to obtain peace among humans and vampires," Kaname finished. Kaien Cross gazed across his desk at Kaname, and then to Yuki, analyzing their perfectly stoic expressions. He let out a heavy sigh, before offering them a small smile.

"It means a lot to me that, despite all that has happened, you are both still dedicated to my pacifist ideology. And for that, I can't thank you enough. Cross Academy will begin accepting applications within the month, and the first semester will be starting this fall. I hope to see all of the vampires returning. I also hope that with this new beginning, we will not run into new problems," Headmaster Cross finished. Although his voice was soft and kind, there was a very serious, and almost threatening undertone, when he spoke that last part. Yuki heard his distrust, and sensed the danger in his tone, before speaking up.

"I promise you, Headmaster," Yuki told him, "our intentions are pure, and we do not wish to see anymore harm come to this academy." Kaien offered Yuki a second smile; this one bigger, and warmer than the first. He looked kindly at the young woman that stood before him and could only remember her as the small child he had so tenderly taken care of. It saddened him to look into her eyes, that were once so light, happy, and carefree, and to see them darkened and weighed by the responsibilities that came with being a pureblood vampire. He let out a heavy sigh, knowing that no matter what Yuki would grow to be, he could never foresee a time in which he wouldn't trust her.

"It puts my mind at ease hearing you say that, Yuki," Headmaster Cross told her. With the consent and blessing from the Headmaster, Kaname and Yuki then stood to leave.

"It was nice seeing you again, Headmaster," Kaname told him, "and I look forward to seeing you again next fall." The vampires left the Headmaster's Office, both eager to see what the new year would bring. As Yuki walked through the academy, she couldn't help but to get lost in her memories. She remembered Zero and herself at the gates of the moon dorm pushing back the crowds of fangirls, and she couldn't help but to wonder where Zero was now. Was he safe? Was he staying warm? Was he finding sustenance? Was he… still hunting for her? As Yuki and Kaname made their way through the main campus, they passed the cafe terrace, and Yuki remembered eating lunch there with Sayori. She paused at the thought of Sayori. As much as her heart had hoped, she knew that Sayori would not be returning to Cross Academy; she had been accepted into Todai, and had to start taking private prep classes, at least that is what she heard from the guards she had sent to watch over Sayori, and make sure that she was alright. They walked past the swan fountain, and Yuki remembered patrolling the grounds, and how she had always seemed to bump into Kaname at this very spot. It was still strange to her; for so long she had convinced herself that he was out of her league, and she had been raised to believe that incest was disgusting, immoral and wrong, yet here she was, betrothed to be the wife of her brother, the same man with the crimson eyes and dark hair that she believed would never love her. They passed the Headmaster's private quarters, and all the memories from Yuki's time with the Headmaster… with her father, flooded her mind. Yuki sighed to herself; the rebuilding of the academy was bittersweet. In one sense she knew every day it was going to kill her, being at Cross Academy without Zero and Sayori, but in another sense, she knew that this academy was a necessary component so that humans and vampires could coexist, so vampires and vampire hunters alike wouldn't have to keep hunting, and so that Zero could finally come home, and have the normal life of a human that the Kiryu lineage and the bite of Shizuka Hio had robbed him of. Yuki looked down, and smiled to herself, as she followed Kaname back to their ride; they had night class students to gather.

XXXXXX

The day class students that attended Cross Academy on its last day, had their memories of that fateful night erased, and were told that a gas leak had lead to a fire in the school, and that all students had to be evacuated from the premises immediately. No one questioned it, because no one remembered what had happened, all believing to have been affected by the fumes from the gas. The only day class student that remembered the real horrors from that last day was Sayori who, at her own request and at the request of Yuki, kept her memories of vampires, vowing to keep their secret.

When Cross Academy announced its reopening in the fall, many day class students who had attended prior, were eager to transfer back, in addition to a number of new applicants who were interested in attending the prestigious Cross Academy. With the buzz the night class had created, and the number of openings peaking new interests, it wasn't long before classes were filled.

As a personal favor to the Headmaster, for taking care of her most of her life, and as another token of her apology, Yuki volunteered herself as a day class student and as a member of the Disciplinary Committee.

"It isn't proper for pureblood vampires to weigh themselves with such degrading and mundane tasks," Kaname cautioned her.

"I know it isn't proper," Yuki told him, "but I'm the only person for the job. It's the only way we can allow this academy to function without revealing the secret of the night class. Besides, I really don't mind helping the headmaster with this. I already know what I'm doing, and being a pureblood, I'm more qualified now than ever to protect day class students from unruly vampires. I owe him at least that much." Yuki looked to Kaname. There was a smile on her lips, but her eyes were filled with guilt and shame. Kaname understood how upset Yuki must feel, and knew that he couldn't deny her the opportunity to make up for it.

"Of course, I won't stand in your way," Kaname told her, "I could never deny my precious Yuki." Yuki nodded, grateful that Kaname understood her side of things, and was allowing her to do this.

All of the students in the night class were happy to oblige the request of the purebloods to return to Cross Academy, and eager to serve under both Kaname and Yuki. Outside of Kaname's close circle of followers, few had yet to be introduced to Yuki as the Pureblood Princess, and wife to Kaname, and did not wish to miss this opportunity. It wouldn't be long before classes were in session, and the healing between humans and vampires could finally begin.

XXXXXX

The first semester at Cross Academy had just begun, and everyone who had transferred back seemed to sense the difference. The atmosphere surrounding the school was lighter, the buildings didn't feel as gloomy, even the sky seemed brighter, and the grass greener, as if the dark energy surrounding the school had finally lifted. The Day Class and the Night Class were getting along better than ever, and there had only been a few instances where the disciplinary committee had to take action. Cross Academy's reopening couldn't have been a more perfect one, and it was a mutual feeling among humans, vampires, students and staff alike.

It was an unseasonably warm September evening, when the headmaster came across Miss Mitsuko Ito. Kaname, Yuki and himself were in his office, going over an application they received from her, requesting a late start at Cross Academy.

Dear Admissions,

I apologize for the tardy nature of my application; however, after looking through several institutes of higher learning I have decided to apply for Cross Academy due to its exceptional prestige, reputation and concentration in the arts. I am interested in joining Cross Academy as a first year student, after given an appropriate amount of time to handle a family emergency. I intend to begin my studies with a concentration in music, and working with acclaimed musician Isamu Tachibana as my professor. I wish to graduate from Cross Academy with a musical background, and using what I learned in my time here to successfully apply at the Elisabeth University of Music, with a study of the piano, my primary instrument. Enclosed with this letter you will find my formal application, in addition to transcripts from multiple placement tests taken through the International Baccalaureate Program, and a four-minute video recorded audition tape for the music department.

I appreciate your consideration, and time looking through my application and eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

Mitsuko Ito.

He passed the letter along to Yuki and Kaname and thumbed through the rest of her papers, pleased to see exceptionally high marks.

"A very smart girl,," Headmaster Cross smiled as he passed the papers onto Kaname and Yuki.

"A bit odd that she's joining late," Yuki commented. Headmaster Cross nodded, thumbing through her papers.

"It appears that her family emergency, occurred around the same time as admissions, which would explain why she is requesting a late start," Headmaster Cross noted, handing the papers to Yuki, who handed half of the papers to Kaname.

"It says here she had to excuse herself for a whole month," Yuki told him. The Headmaster nodded.

"Yes, her mother was her only caretaker, and passed away earlier this year from a heart attack. She has been staying with her uncle, Katsurou Fujiwara, but needed time to mourn her loss," Kaname spoke up, reading through her application at inhuman speeds. He passed the papers back to Yuki. Yuki looked down and saw that Kaname had left her application open to the page with her headshot. Yuki took a good look at Mitsuko. Although she had a sense of familiarity when she saw the dark eyed and dark haired girl, she didn't associate her face with anything bad. If anything, Yuki thought Mitsuko looked very sad, and very distant, even though in the photo she was smiling.

"What do you all think?" Headmaster Cross asked them, interrupting Yuki's train of thought, "should she come join Cross Academy?" Yuki looked up from the photo smiling and nodded enthusiastically, but Kaname was skeptical.

"Why are you asking us?" Kaname asked, "is there reason to be suspicious of her?"

"Of course not!" The headmaster replied defensively, "I just thought it was so peculiar for her to be joining late, that I wanted to be assured from you two that she would not be an issue. I ran her name through the Hunter's Association and The Senate, and there is no record of a Mitsuko Ito having interactions with vampires; however, I just wanted to make sure neither of you have heard ill of a Mitsuko Ito." The Headmaster finished seriously looking to the two pureblood vampires for guidance.

"I think she would be a great addition to Cross Academy," Yuki told the headmaster, enthusiastically. Kaname nodded in response.

"I agree with Yuki," he told the headmaster, "I see no reason not to admit Mitsuko Ito."

The Headmaster smiled.

"Welcome to Cross Academy Mitsuko," The Headmaster said as he pulled out an acceptance letter to sign and mail.

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Hello Dear Reader, and welcome to the first installment of many, of my Vampire Knight fanfiction. This is a piece I have been working on for YEARS, and I am so excited to finally be sharing it with you! A little note, I will be publishing one chapter per week every Friday, until the series is complete. I truly hope you enjoy it and continue to read, and review as necessary. I cannot thank you enough for joining me on this incredible journey. Happy reading! 3

-JW