A/N: I'm back! Finally! Gomen, but this was kind of a difficult chapter to write, just because I kept losing my ideas. It's sort of a filler - there are developments, but not much action, sorry! Still I hope you like it!

Oh by the way, there sort of a Japanese culture/language lesson at the bottom. Read it if you don't understand Kaname's joke (You'll know what I'm talking about). But if you see any errors, don't hesitate to point them out to me! I'm not actually japanese, this is just what I learn from a life's worth of reading different translations, watching anime, etc. So if you're actually japanese, and see that I'm wrong, just let me know!

Disclaimer - Not mine

"Yuuki," Hanariko told her the next night during breakfast*, "Tonight, we'll have a very special guest, so you must be on your best behavior, okay? After he leaves, then we'll start your lessons."

"A guest? Is he a friend? Will he play with me?" Yuuki asked.

"Yes, he is a friend, and I'm sure he would love to play with you and Kaname both –" Kaname fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat, imagining the scene. He took his water and drank. Luckily for him, Hanariko continued, "but unfortunately, he, otou-sama, okaa-sama, and I have very important things to talk about, so he won't have time to."

"Oh," Yuuki said dejectedly, but then perked up, "Onii-sama will stay with me, though, right? While onee-sama and everyone are talking?"

Hanariko chuckled, "Of course."

"Yuuki loves her onii-sama, doesn't she?" Juuri chuckled.

"Un!" Yuuki agreed. "Because onii-sama is really strong and kind!" Kaname blushed just slightly at the table. He took more sips of his water.

"And kawaii* too!" Juuri added, giggling. She reached over and mussed his hair.

"Okaa-sama," Kaname protested as politely as he could, clearing his throat slightly, "Please don't." He tried to duck out of her way.

"But when Kaname is looking so cute, I can't help it!" Juuri cooed.

"Juuri, Yuuki, if you keep this up, otou-sama will be jealous," Haruka said, pouting a little.

"Haruka is cute like that too," Juuri smiled, placing her hand on his.

"Juuri…" Haruka sighed, leaning closer to her.

"Haruka…" Juuri reciprocated the action.

The atmosphere around them turned almost visibly pink, and Hanariko and Kaname discretely inched back from it.

"Uwa…grown-ups behaving like teenagers…" Hanariko muttered matter-of-factly, unsurprised.

"Those two are in a thousand-year long honeymoon mode*," Kaname added in the same tone. He cleared his throat again.

Feeling another bright aura coming from the other side of them, Hanariko and Kaname turned to see Yuuki watching their parents admiringly.

"Otou-sama and okaa-sama seem happy!" she said.

"Too happy…" Kaname mumbled.

"We'll be just like that, right, onii-sama?" Yuuki asked, looking at him with shining eyes.

Hanariko coughed to hide a chuckle as Yuuki waited for Kaname's response.

"…"

"Come on in," Haruka greeted the man at the door. Hanariko and Juuri were just a few paces behind him and Yuuki and Kaname were towards the back of the foyer. The clock chimed 9 o'clock just as a tall man in a large overcoat walked into the Kuran mansion. Yuuki noted his broad shoulders and lean but muscular stature. However, she kept her gaze on his face, which was covered by a top hat, waiting anxiously for this slightly intimidating man to reveal himself fully to them.

"Ojamashimasu*" said the man in a mildly deep voice.

"Thank you for coming," said Hanariko, holding her hand out, palm up.

Yuuki watched in fascination as the man took off his overcoat and placed it in the waiting girl's palm. About to take off his hat as well, he caught sight of the two other children in the background.

"Oh, these must be your other children?" he said, hand still on the top of his hat.

"Mmhm, they are," Juuri confirmed.

Yuuki waited anxiously for a response.

The man hovered over them for a moment, a superior aura around him. He opened his mouth to speak.

"…Kyaa! They're so cute!" The man took off his top hat, revealing a friendly face with glasses and a large smile. He crouched down and took one of their hands in each of his.

"You must be Kaname-kun, and you must be Yuuki-chan, yes? Ah you two are so cute! I need to take pictures right away!" he exclaimed. Yuuki could almost see the pink flowers popping up behind him. She stared in shock, though Kaname merely looked bored.

"Cross-san," he reminded him politely, "you've seen me before. Several times, in fact."

"I know, but you just get so much bigger and cuter each time I see you!" the older man replied.

Kaname sighed.

"But this is my first time meeting you, Yuuki-chan. Ah, kawaii!" He let go of Kaname to squeeze Yuuki's small hand between both of his. "I'm Cross Kaien, Yuuki, a friend of your parents. Yorushiku*! Call me Kaien oji-chan*, okay?"

"Who said you were an oji-san*" Kaname muttered almost imperceptibly under his breath. Dealing with Kaien always wore him out. "Yuuki, don't feel the need to do what he says okay?"

"Wah…Kaname-kun is so mean…" Kaien sulked.

"Now now, Kaname," said Haruka, smiling. "You're going to make Yuuki completely distrusting of Cross-san."

Kaname said nothing, although his face said, 'Good.'

Meanwhile, Yuuki watched all this with fascination. This was the first time she was being introduced to someone outside her family, and other than Naoko, the first time she could talk to someone outside of her family. She wasn't very nervous though, despite Kaname's antics. To her, Cross Kaien seemed like a very nice man, just a little silly.

"Ne, Yuuki-chan? You like me, right?" Kaien asked, directing her attention back to him.

Yuuki just stared at him blankly as the rest of the room waited for her answer. She took in Kaien's overly hopeful face, seeing a shining background filled with revolving flowers.

She smiled, and giggled.

"Ah…kawaii…" Kaien trailed off, "…but for some reason I feel like she's making fun of me…"

Kaname patted her head. "Well done, Yuuki."

Haruka chuckled, but prompted "Yuuki, your manners?"

"Ah! Gomen*!" Yuuki said, "It's nice to meet you, Cross-san. I'm Kuran Yuuki, yorushiku!" It was the first time she had the opportunity to say that, and she couldn't help but feel very happy.

"It's a pleasure, Yuuki-chan. But please call me oji-chan!" Kaien insisted.

"Ah…" Yuuki hesitated. "Onii-sama said you weren't an oji-san though…"

"Give up, Kaien-san," advised Hanariko, "It's too late, now that Kaname's gotten his word in."

Kaien sighed, pouting. Juuri smiled and laughed. "Gambatte*!" she encouraged.

"Ne, Cross-san," Yuuki piped, tugging on Kaien's sleeve with the hand he had let go of, "Will you play a game with me?"

Kaien teared up. "Yuuki-chan! Of c—"

Hanariko coughed gently. Kaien's face fell. "Ah, I would love to, Yuuki-chan, but unfortunately I can't. I have some things to talk about with your parents and sisters. Being a grown up is no fun at all…"

"Oh, that's okay, Cross-san!" Yuuki said, "I'll just play with onii-sama then."

"Actually that's a good idea," said Haruka, "Kaname, why don't you take Yuuki around the mansion? Show her all the rooms she hasn't seen yet. We'll be in my study."

"Let's go, shall we? Yuuki." Kaname said.

"Un, onii-sama!" Yuuki agreed. Kaname gently led Yuuki to the stairs. As he passed Hanariko, however, they exchanged glances and Hanariko gave a slight nod in understanding.

"Here, I brought it," Kaien said, placing a thin white package on Haruka's ornate desk. "I tried making some improvements, but the formula is tricky. It's still at the point where only purebloods can stand to take it."

Juuri looked at the rectangular box sadly. "Here, let me see," Haruka said.

He went to a nearby coffee table, where a maid had placed a jug of water and three glasses for the Kurans and their guest. He poured the water into one. Juuri opened the tab in the box and gently shook the mouth towards her open palm, so that one circular tablet fell out. She silently handed this to her husband.

Haruka dropped the white tablet into the full glass of water, where it fizzed and slowly dissolved. Slowly he took a sip.

He sighed. "I think you're right. Though I can't be sure. I've come to the point where I've become…desensitized to other flavors other than Juuri's."

"And therein lies a reason why only purebloods can take this right now," Kaien said, "Well, at least, adult purebloods. The ones that have lived at least a thousand years. They don't care about the taste of the blood they drink anymore, since they've drank so much."

"They don't care much about anything, for the most part," Hanariko added.

"Still, he's right," Juuri mused, "As purebloods walk through their long and endless life, they drink so much blood, and so much variety, that they cease to be picky. If they find a partner, like Haruka and I, they will only drink their significant other's blood as well. Even Rido-onii-sama, though, stopped caring about the taste of the blood he drinks." Her expression became bitter. "He only cares for the power within the blood now."

I wouldn't be so sure of that, Hanariko silently cautioned. She and Kaname alone knew of Rido's hidden…obsession with their mother. They also knew that that was just part of the reason he desired Yuuki.

"Perhaps it would be better if you try, Hanariko," Haruka suggested. His daughter nodded and took the glass from his offered hand.

Hanariko took a small sip, and then another, smacking her lips slightly, thinking. "Actually, the taste is not that bad. Of course it lacks the…vividness that fresh blood has, but I don't think it's intolerable."

"Really?" Kaien said, eyes widening. "Then maybe…?" he trailed in implication.

Hanariko shook her head. "The problem isn't the taste, though. It's true, Kaien-san. Only purebloods would be able to make their diet solely this. You're lacking a few nutrients."

"What? Hm…maybe we didn't get the plasma component just right."

"But even then, I doubt many nobles would choose this diet anyway, Kaien-san. Although the taste is not that bad, it does lack that kick. And it's off the mark just enough to annoy nobles after just a week."

"Maybe there's another way to remedy that?" said Juuri, "Perhaps if we mixed it with wine instead?"

Kaien shook his head. "The balance of chemicals in these tablets is delicate. The only substance that can dissolve the tablet without altering its chemical make up is water."

"Well, maybe we can trick the brain?" said Hanariko, "If you were somehow able to make the color of the solution after it dissolves red, some minds might unconsciously relate more with actual human blood."

"Human psychoanalysis, right?" Haruka smiled slightly.

Hanariko shrugged. "What do you think I studied in London? History?" She grinned. Haruka laughed.

"Well, in any case, we can try," said Kaien, "As for the missing nutrients, I really am at a loss at what to do. We're at a dead end there. We don't know what exactly vampires pull from life blood."

Hanariko thought hard. "Ah, maybe we can get a vampire scientist to work with you guys? But who…"

"That might work," said Juuri, "But it's not just a question of who would be suitable for the task, but who would agree."

Hanariko thought some more, and then smiled. "Lucky for us, we have a perfect candidate, I think. I'll ask Aidou-san at the ball."

"Yes, he'll be perfect, actually," agreed Haruka. "Speaking of the ball, Cross-san, would you mind pulling some strings so that someone you trust monitors our ball? You are invited duty or no, of course."

"Already done. I trust this man completely, though not for his love of vampires," said Kaien, "He's fair, though. Objective."

"That's all we need. Thank you."

"No problem. I'll probably stop by myself, but not too long. I might be retired from an active participation in the Hunters Association, but many of your guests, I think, will remember bad memories of me," Kaien added.

"We wouldn't allow anyone to harm you under our roof," Juuri insisted.

Kaien smiled, "I know you wouldn't, but better safe than sorry, yes? Besides, tensions are going to high enough at that party, with Yuuki-chan's debut and all."

"You're probably right," Haruka conceded.

"Yes, and that's exactly why we must hurry to get your school open to us, Kaien-san," said Juuri. "I won't make Yuuki human anymore, but I still want her to grow up in an environment where she can smile happily and live like a normal girl."

Haruka put an arm around his wife's shoulder. "Yes, we should start discussing the Academy now, actually."

Kaien and Hanariko nodded. "I think the key is these blood tablets," said Hanariko, setting down the glass to take the white box of tablets from Juuri. "Once we get these perfected, the senate and the Association should both leave us, for the most part, alone. And then once we send Kaname and Yuuki there, the other nobles will follow."

Kaien nodded again. "We are very close. I guarantee you, Juuri, that it will be ready before it's time for Yuuki-chan to enter high school."

"Thank you." Juuri smiled.

"I did promise, after all," Kaien responded.

"And we are eternally grateful," Haruka added.

"Yes. In any case, though, what exactly is the plan?" Hanariko brought the conversation back into focus.

"Well, I was thinking that we would have to split the vampires and humans into two different classes so that the vampires can avoid the sun. In accordance to that, the vampires would be called the Night class, and the humans the Day class…"

And so, the three vampires and ex-hunter began to plan.

"And this is the music room, Yuuki," Kaname opened the door to reveal a royal blue-painted room, with ornate crowning and molds, filled with various musical instruments of all types.

"Uwa…" Yuuki said, amazed. "Onii-sama, can you play something?"

"How do you know I can play something in the first place?" Kaname teased, tapping her nose.

Yuuki shrugged. "You're onii-sama, you can do anything!" she said as a reason.

"Oh really?"

Yuuki nodded happily.

"Well I'm sorry but I shall have to pass on the opportunity this time," he said, "I don't want to ruin that mental image you have of me, after all."

Yuuki pouted. "Aw, onii-sama! Please?" Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.

Kaname looked at loss of what to do. "Don't cry, Yuuki! How about this, why don't you play for me instead?"

"No, I want to hear onii-sama's song," Yuuki said, using her fist to wipe her eyes.

"Ah…" Kaname raised his hands, unsure of what to do, "Al-alright Yuuki, I'll play."

Yuuki, who had had her head down in dejection, suddenly perked up, tearless, and said exclaimed "Yay!" quickly opening the piano and sitting herself on the left half of the bench. She smiled happily.

Kaname couldn't help but smile back as he took a seat next to her.

Then he began to play.

The reason he did not want to play at first was in order to not give himself away. Although in this life, he had only been taking 'lessons' for five years or so, in his previous life he was actually quite adept at the piano. Ever since he unsealed his memories, though, it was a trial to conceal his skills in front of his tutor. He did not want to go through the same efforts with Yuuki, but as he played, with Yuuki leaning her warm body against him, he felt his fingers move quicker, and more notes came out simultaneously. A beautiful, complex melody resounded around the room. He couldn't help it. He couldn't hide himself with Yuuki.

Yuuki closed her eyes and immersed herself in the music. It touched her heart. She could feel her onii-sama's emotions through the lilting sounds. Love and happiness. But also an undertone of loneliness. Always loneliness. A small furrow appeared between Yuuki's brows. She didn't like that. Trying to erase the loneliness, she began to sing. There were no words – she just opened her mouth and let her voice add to the music.

When Kaname heard this, the room began much brighter. Focusing on the warm voice, he let go of his anxiety and worry. He just listened, and played.

When he was done, Yuuki stopped as well. Kaname looked at her nervously, bracing himself for questions.

Instead Yuuki clapped enthusiastically. "See? Onii-sama is amazing!"

"Thank you, Yuuki," he smiled again, feeling relieved. He should have known. Yuuki was the most accepting and unassuming being on Earth. "You were wonderful as well. But that's enough for now. Why don't we go back to the living room? Otou-sama, okaa-sama, onee-sama, and Cross-san might be done now."

"Alright!" She hopped off, and her tiny feet quickly skipped toward the door.

He chuckled and followed.

Before he reached the door, however, he heard Yuuki squeak from the hallway. "Ah!"

Panicking, he quickly rushed out of the room and to her, where she laid face first on the rug. "Yuuki? Are you alright?"

She lifted her head and laughed sheepishly. "I'm fine, onii-sama. I just tripped." Kaname sighed in relief, but froze as Yuuki struggled to her feet.

"I-itai*…" she looked down to see a shallow but slightly bloody scrap on her knee.

Kaname swallowed heavily, trying to sooth the burn in his throat. Her blood called to him. Now he could see the pulsing in her veins, hear the lush rushing sound of blood through her body, the thumping of her heart in her chest…he couldn't resist anymore.

"Yuuki…" he slowly knelt down. Carefully, he licked the blood off, trying to ignore the heavenly taste. Yuuki's whimper of pain helped keep him grounded. "I'm sorry, Yuuki. Don't worry, I'll take the pain away…" Now he pressed his lips to the wound, and a small glow emanated from the area of contact. He pulled back.

"Ah, thank you onii-sama! It doesn't hurt anymore! The pain is gone!" She bent down to kiss his cheek.

"You're always welcome, Yuuki," he tried to smile. She smiled back and continued to run toward the stairs.

Alone in the hallway, Kaname breathed deeply through his nose, trying to calm himself down. The taste of Yuuki's blood lingered on his tongue, like nothing he had ever tasted before. Out of all the blood he has ever taken in this life and his last, Yuuki's by far was the most delectable, the most exquisite. Those few drops warmed his entire body, like liquid sunshine that didn't burn. His fangs elongated. If only he could get more…

Kaname groaned, covering his eyes with his hand. He couldn't. He wouldn't. Not while Yuuki was so innocent. He just stood there, breathing, pleading for his body to calm down.

The adults had indeed finished. They were now having tea in the living room. Yuuki ran down the steps.

"Otou-sama! Okaa-sama! I got to see the entire house!" She jumped on to her father's lap. "Now I can go anywhere I want!"

Haruka chuckled and patted Yuuki's hair. "That's great, Yuuki. It's a very big house though. Are you sure you won't get lost?"

Yuuki looked insulted. "Of course not, otou-sama!"

Juuri laughed. "Women are clever, Haruka. She won't get lost."

Hanariko added. "It's men that don't follow directions."

Haruka merely grimaced.

"Yuuki-chan!" Kaien exclaimed, "If you're done exploring, then let's play!"

"Play what?" Yuuki questioned, looking at the bespectacled man.

"Hm…what about hide and seek?"

"Okay!" Immediately she jumped off Haruka and disappeared up the stairs, running past a surprised Kaname.

"Ah, wait a minute!" Kaien shouted, running after her. From above, the older Kurans could hear a "Yuuki-chan, that's not fair! I don't know this entire house!"

"Ah…" Hanariko said, "A hide-and-seek game between two people?"

"Kaien-san will probably lose…" Juuri remarked. Haruka laughed. Kaname took a seat, looking indifferent.

"Oh, Kaname, I'm glad you stayed behind though. Here, we have something to give you," Hanariko said. She handed him the white box Kaien had given them earlier.

"Arigatou*," he said, taking the package. Immediately he shook a few into his hand and swallowed them dry. It was good that Cross-san came today. He realized during breakfast earlier that his thirst was beginning to become painful.

Haruka and Juuri regarded this with worry. "Kaname, you should really take blood more often," his mother said.

Kaname shook his head. "These pills are enough. I won't make anymore vampires."

"It doesn't have to be a human," Haruka said, "Vampires will do as well."

Again Kaname shook his head. "I do not wish to lead anyone on. You know how eager they are to have a pureblood feed off of them. They are hoping to get some blood in return."

"But what about from one of us?" Hanariko said, "We are all willing. I take blood from otou-sama and okaa-sama occasionally as well."

This time, Kaname looked slightly uncomfortable. "Forgive me, but, your blood tastes would taste too much like Yuuki's, and I already crave hers enough. I don't need any more reminders of her taste." He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath.

"But there is nothing wrong with that, Kaname," Haruka insisted, "I'm sure Yuuki would not mind if you drank from her now and then." He looked at Juuri, who nodded. "We wouldn't mind either. It's only natural, to crave the blood of the one you love most."

Kaname opened his eyes to look at his family. "Yuuki is still new to the vampire world," he explained, "She knows that vampires need blood to survive, but she doesn't completely understand it, and she won't, until she experiences the thirst herself and grows her own fangs. I will not corrupt her more than I already have. I will not take from her…until she takes from me first."

The three older Kurans exchanged worried glances, but eventually smiled. "I say it again," Hanariko sighed, "She has you wrapped around her little finger."

"Kaname ouji-sama is kawaii!" Juuri giggled.

Haruka just patted his head.

"Don't strain yourself, though, alright?" he told his son.

"Don't worry about me," he said, "There are other things to worry about." He looked up.

As if on cue, a thump resounded from the ceiling, followed by a voice that traveled down the staircase, "Wah, Yuuki-chan! Don't do that!"

"Namely, making sure Cross-san gets out of this house alive."

*breakfast - I'm just using this turn to refer to the first meal of their day. It is night time.

*kawaii - cute

*"Those two are in a thousand-year long honeymoon mode" - I stole this from the Pureblood CD pack, last track "Anti-sentimental memories". (AH Yuuki and Kaname and everyone are SO CUTE in this! Download the tracks from SGK's website!)

*Ojamashimasu - Basically "Sorry for intruding". In Japan, you say this whenever you enter someone else's residence, even if you were invited.

*Yorushiku - It literally means "Please take care of me!" It's most often used when people just meet each other, to show...your good intentions, I guess. Often, in manga, it's translated as "Nice to meet you." Either way is fine, but Japanese people also use it when they are about to work together, or something along those lines. It's also often used as a positive reply when people confess to each other (usually when boy confesses to girl asking her to go out with him. The girl will usually reply with "Yorushiku!" definitely meaning in this case "Please take care of me!" - she is saying she is putting herself in his care)

*Oji-chan = Uncle

*"Who said you were an oji-san" - Kaname is making a pun. In Japan, you don't just call your uncle "uncle". You also call other, middle-aged men "uncle" (Japan is very family orientated). The root term "oji" (actually the root term is "ji" but most people put the "o" in front of it) is what means uncle. The "-chan" or "-san" is the honorific, so it depends on the person, but when calling a middle-aged man (especially a stranger), you would mostly "-san" (unless you're a small girl, in which case you can get away with saying "-chan" because you're being cute). So Kaname is basically questioning whether or not Kaien is a middle-aged man, though Kaien means the term to be "uncle". Kaname is implying that Kaien is not grown up, but a child.

*Gambatte = "Do your best!" A term for encouragement

*Itai - The japanese equivalent of "ouch"

*Arigatou = "Thank you"

A/N: What do you think? Oh yeah, who do you think said the last line? Could be anyone...lol. Well let me know!

PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE REVIEW!