Hello! A new version of an old story. I hope you'll all enjoy it! Any feedback is appreciated. I don't own Vampire Knight.

Cross-posted on AO3 under the same title.

I sit down on the cold, stone steps of the Sun Dorm. The last rays of sunlight reflect off the lake water and into my eyes, blinding me and turning everything else a deep red. I can't stay here for very long; it's almost time for the Night Class to come out. When they do, the rest of my classmates will be running to see them like the star-crossed fangirls they are. It'll spoil the quiet.

Not that I'm actually taking advantage of the quiet to read my volume of Silver Spoon, anyway. But it's nice to have some peace, all the same. The Day Class, collectively, can be pretty obnoxious. Everyone's always going on about Idol-senpai in particular. He's such a ham—it kind of makes me sick.

Well, not just him. Something about the entire Night Class just… puts me off. I can't explain why, really. I could blame it on their ridiculous wealth and amazing good looks—the whole spoiled rich kid bit, but that's not it at all. I wish I knew what it was.

Granted, they really aren't all bad. Aido's just the most noticeable. Not as many of my classmates are as obsessed with the one Night Class member I actually like. His name is Takuma Ichijo, and he's always got a smile on his face and greets everyone with genuine cheer. He seems pretty nice—and he's cute, which is a nice bonus. Not only this, but every time I've watched the Night Class on their way to campus—which is only a handful of times—I've seen him carrying a manga volume or two. Now there's someone I could go for: sweet, cute, and a manga nerd.

Let's be real, I've already got a pretty decently sized crush on him. I have had since day one—I remember first arriving on campus as a freshman and accidentally intercepting a girl from trying to get a picture of one of the new Night Class members. I collided with her just as Yuki Cross, one of the Disciplinary Committee members, came running over. We ended up falling in a heap, me on the bottom, and the next thing I knew (besides getting the wind knocked out of me), a pale hand was reaching out to me. Ichijo was there, smiling, and he helped me up with a laugh. "Welcome to Cross Academy!" he'd said with clear amusement. I'd introduced myself, but his own introduction was cut short by Zero Kiryu (Disciplinary Committee Number Two) yanking him back by his shirt collar. His shocked face was incredibly comical and I couldn't help but giggle. Kiryu told him in no uncertain terms to report to someone, glaring the whole time. A wave, an apologetic smile, and a "see you around" were all I got before Ichijo disappeared into the crowd of milling students.

The problem is, I can't ever "see him around." The Disciplinary Committee has strict orders to keep the Day and Night classes separate. Not that I blame Headmaster Cross for setting up his little team of two if it keeps the massive hordes of fangirls from attacking the Night students. But it feels like there's another reason behind the separation. I mean, why go out of the way to forbid contact between our classes? I understand wanting to keep fangirl creeping at a minimum, but total separation seems unnecessary, especially from the offset.

The creak of the door opening behind me makes me jump. Time to move. The Day Class is off to watch the Night Parade.

I could go back inside—it would be quiet there, now that everyone is outside. But the outside seems so much more welcoming. And now that I don't have track practice as an excuse to be outside each evening, well, meandering the grounds, it is. There's that one tree toward the east side of campus; I could hide out there for a bit.

Book in hand, I set out. I hope I don't get caught by Zero again. Why is it such a horrendous crime to walk about the school grounds after seven in the evening? They always act like it's such a big deal, like our lives are in danger or something. Lighten up. Sometimes people just want some fresh air.

They make it seem like there's some awful secret about the Night Class. What in god's name could all of the Night Class students have in common that would merit such strict separation? Is there really something so bad that even Ichijo...?

I just sigh and stop thinking about it. My imagination doesn't need to run wild on ridiculous tangents like that. Etsuko always says I think too much, anyway.

By now, the sun has set, and I can see the floods of Day Class girls flocking to the Moon Dorm's entrance to look at the Night Class. I suppress a groan and close my eyes, but I can still hear them. Unfortunately.

The leaves crunch as I walk through the grass to my favorite tree. From one of the middle branches, you can see the school building, both dorms, the headmaster's office, and the lake. It's quite a view. If I climb up higher, I can catch a glimpse of town, too, just beyond the water.

My foot finds a stable spot on a tall root and the smooth bark provides a good grip for me to pull myself up to the first branch. I ought to be too old to enjoy climbing trees, but it's a nice place to sit and think without being bothered. Besides, the leaves make it harder for Kiryu and Cross to see that I'm here, and both the leaves and the weather are going to turn soon, so I should take advantage while the season is still nice. Ish. It's a little cooler than I'd like, but it's not too bad.

Being alone gives me time to think. If Kiryu and Cross are so strict that they have to enforce the school rules, then why do they break those rules by falling asleep in class all the time? It doesn't fit. If they were so uptight, they'd obey all the rules, all the time. Which would mean there's a reason why they don't want us to be around the Night Class.

But why?

I can only sigh and give up thinking about it. If I've thought about it once, I've thought about it a hundred times over the past three years, and I still don't have an answer.

My gaze drifts out onto the lake, where the moon's reflection shines white on the water. In the distance, a chorus of singing frogs provides a lovely musical backdrop. A light breeze rustles my hair. I sort of wish I'd brought a jacket.

"Hello?"

Whoa—geez!

My heart's racing like a rabbit's and I'm only saved from falling out of the tree by instinctively gripping the branches on either side of me. Through some miracle, my book is still in my lap. God, you can't just sneak up on someone like that! Besides, what do you think I'm doing up in a tree, trying to be social? Go away!

I look down to give this interloper a piece of my mind, but below me stands none other than Takuma Ichijo.

I swallow all my anger and stare down blankly for a few moments before I recover. "Um… hi." An inspired opening line. Sheesh—can't I do any better? He's going to think I don't have two brain cells to rub together. "You scared me!"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you," he apologizes with a smile. "May I ask what you're doing up there?"

"I needed to find a quiet place," I say, hoping my heart isn't beating too loudly. Why on earth is he on this side of campus? Though I probably shouldn't question my luck. "You know how the Day Class gets this time of night."

"Don't I just!" He chuckles uneasily. "It's quiet now, though. You could come down." His green-gray eyes look up at me expectantly.

He's not wrong. "One second." Climbing down is easy enough, though I have my book to contend with. Normally, I'd hold it in my mouth. Call me crazy, but I'm not eager to do that in front of Ichijo.

I clear my throat. "Could you please hold onto my book?"

He leans over far enough to see me gesturing through the leaves and nods. "Sure thing!" He tucks his books under one arm, and I lob mine gently towards him. Easily, he catches it, then turns it to look at the cover. "Silver Spoon! That's a fun one!"

I smile as I turn around to begin the descent. I'm so glad I decided to change out of my uniform and into jeans and a blouse; otherwise, I'd be giving him quite the view. "I just started reading it. I loved Fullmetal Alchemist, so I thought I'd give it a go."

"You'll enjoy it," Ichijo promises. "Anything Hiromu Arakawa does is excellent."

My hands find the final branch after my feet do, and I swing myself down before landing as lightly as possible. I stand tall as I face him, attempting to look like I might be a reasonably proper person and not a human disaster.

I'm not entirely sure what to say next. What does one say in such situations? I look him over nervously and my eyes are drawn to the books under his arm. Besides mine, he's got three manga volumes, each one the latest issue of its series.

"I didn't know the next Blue Exorcist volume was out!" I blurt out before I can stop myself. "When did you get it?"

He laughs. I love Ichijo's laugh. It sounds so pleasant and genuine, rich and light. It's infectious, and I find myself grinning back at him. "So you're into more than just Arakawa's work, then!"

"Absolutely. My roommate's always telling me I have too much manga," I admit with a grin. "My bookshelf is overflowing."

He nods. "Groaning shelves—I know the feeling! What's your favorite series?"

"I never have an answer ready for that." I shrug. "It's too hard to narrow it down. Maybe Fullmetal Alchemist? And I have a soft spot for Wallflower and Ouran High School Host Club."

His green eyes shine brightly in the moonlight as he grins. "Those are all really good, yeah! I've been into Jojo's Bizarre Adventure for a long time."

"Have you read Bakuman?"

"That one's a lot of fun!" he responds cheerfully. "I've got some mixed feelings about it overall, but it's a fun read."

I nod. "Yeah, it's a little sexist."

"Only slightly," he says with cheerful sarcasm. "And the subplot between Mashiro and Azuki gets a little trying sometimes."

I smile and shrug my shoulders. "It's unrealistic, but they've got some cute moments now and again." I can't suppress a shiver as a cool breeze rushes around me. It must be later than I'd thought.

His eyes narrow a bit as his smile widens. "Definitely!" He looks at me for a moment in silence. "It's Hikari Yagari-chan, right?"

I nod. "Mm-hm. I'm surprised you remember!" Which is a true statement. I hadn't thought he'd remember me at all, let alone my name.

Ichijo's smile all but lights up the night. "I have a wonderful memory for cute faces."

Oh, my!

"I... I don't know what to say, now." I swallow heavily. I don't blush very often, but how can I not when he says things like that?

He chuckles. "You don't have to say anything. Though I should probably introduce myself. Kiryu-kun kept me from doing so properly the first time. I'm Takuma Ichijo, though I suspect you know that by now."

I smile and bow in return. "And all this time, I'd thought you were Ichij—aaaughlk!" I imitate the choking noise he'd made when Zero had pulled him away from our first encounter. Geez, that must've made for an attractive impression, my making faces and dumb noises and poking fun at him. I compose myself. "It's nice to meet you properly."

His laughter is, again, infectious and genuine. "Nice to meet you, too. Properly."

I clasp my hands behind my back and lean up against the tree. What in the world are you supposed to say to your crush who isn't supposed to know that you exist? Not only that, but—"Shouldn't you be in class?" I ask then. "Not to chase you off or anything, but..."

He completely avoids the question. "I saw you in your tree there, and decided to see what you were up to. You don't see many people climbing trees at this school" —he's not wrong— "and I realized after coming over that you were the girl who'd done a fantastic imitation of a pancake on move-in day."

I have to laugh at that, even though I can feel my cheeks heating up (so much for not blushing). "Ah, yes, one of my finest impromptu performances. I'm glad it struck a chord with you." There's a pause, wherein I shiver again in the cool night air.

"I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?" he asks then.

I shake my head. "Only sleep." Gosh, it's cold out tonight! My nice, warm bed is sounding pretty good, but I'm not ready to go just yet.

His expression changes and he straightens as though to begin leaving. "I shouldn't keep you up too late. You should rest so you can keep your grades up. Only think how I'd feel if I were the cause of a failing grade!" He lifts his hand to his forehead dramatically, and I giggle.

"My grades are fine. And that's what coffee was invented for, Senpai."

Ichijo grins at me. "We're in the same grade. I'm not really your senpai."

It's rich thinking that we're even remotely peers. The Night Class takes high-level elite courses; I wouldn't presume to think we're on the same playing field. On the other hand, I'm not stupid enough to turn down his invitation. "Ichijo-kun, then."

A pleased expression lights up his face for a moment, but then he shifts his weight to his other foot, looking a little more serious. "Grades or no, if we don't go soon, the Disciplinary Committee will be after us."

He's right, but I don't want him to leave. Suddenly, I'm very aware of how well the conversation has been going so far. Then again, maybe I should quit while I'm ahead—I'm liable to jinx myself at any moment.

As my mind volleys between finding excuses to stay and how to say goodbye, Ichijo kneels to place his books on the ground. Before I know it, he removes his jacket with a flourish and places it around my shoulders. His smile makes mine appear again, and I know it's not the warmth from the jacket that's making my cheeks heat up. "You really should be getting back to your dorm, where it's warmer," he remarks.

"You don't have to go cold for my sake. My dorm's not that far away." And yet I can't bring myself to take off the jacket. Instead, I tug it closer.

He smiles. Such a delightful smile. "It's fine! I don't get cold easily, so it doesn't bother me." I am more than a little surprised by his kindness. I wonder what all the rest of the Day Class would say if they knew the poor scholarship student was approached (and lent a jacket to) by none other than the Moon Dorm Vice President. "And you look like you need it more than I do."

"You might be right, there," I agree. I notice his books are still on the ground, so I bend down to pick them up. "Here—so they don't get damp."

"Oh, thank you." His fingers brush mine in the transaction as he separates his books from mine. "Let me walk you back to your dorm. Or to the gate, anyway."

I smile. "How gallant, Ichijo-kun. Are you always so chivalrous?"

With an elaborate bow, he holds his arm out to me. "Only in the presence of such a beautiful maiden fair."

I roll my eyes even as I giggle, then switch Silver Spoon to the other hand so that I can take his elbow. "'Maiden fair?' More like a street urchin. You did see me climbing that tree earlier, right?"

"Perhaps 'wood nymph' or 'dryad' would suit you better," he responds teasingly. His green eyes turn to me as we stroll towards the sidewalk.

"Wow. I can certainly say that's the first time I've been called either of those."

"It's not often that I get to escort such a pretty girl. I have to give out compliments when I can. Just to keep my hand in, you know." His teasing smile lights up his whole face.

Talk about smooth.

There's a part of me that really wonders how he can mean that when he's constantly surrounded by the likes of Rima Toya, Ruka Souen, and the other Night Class girls. Toya is even a model—I've seen her in magazines before. But there's something in his voice and expression that makes me want to believe him. Or at least, believe that he really thinks I'm pretty, though maybe that's wishful thinking.

Frick—ow!

Suddenly, the ground's coming up to meet me, and my knee collides with the pavement before I can catch myself. My book goes skittering down the cobblestones.

I guess I got so caught up that I didn't watch where I was going and tripped. My knee got a little scrape, but it's not too bad. It's not really bleeding. Not much, anyway.

"Are you okay?" Ichijo asks quickly. He kneels beside me as I blow on my stinging kneecap.

As I finish aiming a puff of air at my knee, I nod. "It'll be fine. I'll put a bandage on it when I get—"

I'm not sure what I was expecting to see on Takuma Ichijo's face, but it sure isn't glowing red eyes or sharp, white fangs!

Before I can stop myself, I scramble backwards and then stand up hurriedly. Never mind that this should be impossible. Suddenly, it all makes sense: the Disciplinary Committee's unwillingness to let us wander around at night, why they kept our classes apart so fiercely, and why everyone in the Night Class is so talented, beautiful, and nocturnal.

And why I'm so constantly unnerved by them.

I should run. I need to run. Get away from him. I'm fast—I can probably outrun him. Unless vampires are faster than humans?

The red in his eyes dulls a bit as his expression becomes carefully neutral. He doesn't move, and neither do I. My heart pounds furiously and I bite back on the instinct to run as fast as I can in the opposite direction. While he's clearly not trying to approach me, I'm still ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

How can this be happening? The sting in my knee keeps me from wondering if this is a dream. It's too real. Even the scent of dew-wet grass in my nose tells me this is too visceral to be anything but reality.

"You… you're a v-vampire?!" I stammer. What else could he be?

But how? How can vampires exist? Someone would've known about this by now—even some conspiracy theorist would've posted something on the internet! Shouldn't someone have known?

But this is real. I don't know how, but it's real.

Ichijo's expression remains calm. "Yes. That's what we are, the Night Class. Are you afraid?"

Is he joking? "Afraid? Of vampires? I think I'd be an idiot not to be!"

But his eyes are calculating now, searching my face for something. "But you're still here."

"S-so I am." I swallow again. My heart's still thumping hard in my chest. The initial shock is still there, but I'm starting to feel less like I need to bolt.

"Are you afraid of me?" He straightens his back and stands up a few feet ahead of me.

A light wind blows through the trees and catches at the hem of the white jacket around my shoulders; I clutch it closer. A warm, soft smell from the fabric reaches my nose. I'm not sure if that's his cologne, or his shampoo, detergent, or heck, maybe even just the smell of him. But it's such a nice smell.

Maybe it's incredibly stupid of me, but it seems like I shouldn't be afraid of him.

I hope I can trust my gut on this one.

I shake my head, my gaze not leaving his.

With that, his familiar smile begins to reappear. It looks a little different with his red eyes and fangs, but it's still unmistakably friendly. "I'm glad."

The piercing shriek of a whistle makes us both jump. "Hey! You know better, Ichijo-senpai!" cries Cross as she races across the grass toward us. "What would Kaname-senpai say if he found out?"

"Found out what?" he asks innocently. "I haven't told her any secrets." Under Cross's quelling glare, he holds up his hands in mock surrender. "I was only escorting her to the safety of the Sun Dorm. Nothing has happened." By now, the light in his eyes is fading, returning to his usual green.

"That's what he wants us to believe," growls a low voice as Zero Kiryu arrives behind Ichijo.

"He hasn't done anything, I swear!" I protest. "It was my fault for being clumsy and scraping my knee."

"And it's amazing we're not surrounded by those bloodsuckers by now," Kiryu mutters darkly. "Yuki, take her back while I take this leech to his classroom." He grabs Ichijo's arm roughly like he's going to drag him all the way there. Ichijo gives a protesting sound, looking more affronted than anything.

"That won't be necessary." Oh, who's here, now? It's bad enough to have the two of us caught by the Disciplinary Committee without even more spectators poking their noses in.

But of course Kaname Kuran would show up.

Kiryu doesn't let go, but his eyes narrow dangerously as the president of the Moon Dormitory approaches. "Please let go of him, Kiryu-kun."

I could swear that sparks are flying as Kiryu and Kuran glare at each other. Kiryu's challenging gaze is finally stared down by Kuran, and Kiryu backs away. I'm not sure Kiryu was obeying him so much as accepting that arguing with Kuran wouldn't be worth it in this instance.

Ichijo steps forward. "My apologies, Kaname. I thought I saw something over here, then found Yagari-chan out alone. I was just escorting her to her dormitory," he says with the cadence of someone who's awfully practiced at giving innocent explanations. What's he ever had to cover up, I wonder? He bends to pick up his books. They must've been dropped when I tripped. I hadn't noticed. "I'll head to class."

Kuran is looking straight at me, now. I blink, but hold my ground. "Yes, Kuran-senpai?" I say in my most innocuous schoolgirl voice.

"Takuma's jacket, please," he says in a velvety tone.

Ichijo's face looks like he wants to protest, but instead bites his tongue. I smile at him, and in return, he gives me a rueful look. "It's okay, Ichijo-kun. The dorm's not that far." I hand the jacket back to him, trying not to shudder in the chill air. "Thank you, though." Kuran keeps looking at me, though. "That's not all, is it?" I ask softly.

"No. Takuma, if you would."

He bites his lip and holds back a sigh. "Yes, Kaname." His eyes are tired, now, and full of reluctance. "I'm sorry, Yagari-chan. I didn't want to have to do this."

"Do what?"

His hand reaches up to my forehead. A dull pink glow starts to swim in my vision. "When you wake up, you will have no memory of tonight." My eyes go wide, which only makes his expression more sorrowful. I think, anyway. His face is moving all… all funny. Everything's going blurry. "I enjoyed our chat this evening."

And everything turns black.

A sharp screech fills my ears. I groan as I feel around the table for my alarm clock. Something else, though, meets my fingers. Something slick and flexible.

"Hey, Yagari! Turn off the freaking alarm!"

My head jerks up to the voice of Etsuko, who looks at me grumpily from her bed across the room. Immediately I shut it off.

Etsuko retreats back under the covers with a groan. I know she's been studying a lot; she was probably up late last night.

I reach back on my nightstand. Sitting there are two volumes of manga—the first volume of Silver Spoon and the latest one of Blue Exorcist. I've been looking forward to that one for so long! But whose is it? Surely I'd remember if someone lent it to me!

I open the cover of the book. In a sprawling, elegant script reads the message:

Yagari-chan:
Return it when you can.
—Ichijo

I look at it in wonder. How did this get here?

A dim memory comes back of a white jacket around my shoulders and the soft scent of warmth and spices. Not that it explains anything. I only dreamed he lent me his coat.

Geez, how sappy am I, dreaming about a boy lending me his jacket.

I really don't have the mental acuity to think about it much yet. Maybe after I've had some coffee—I'm exhausted.

Quietly, I lay the book down on my bed and go get dressed. I'll read it in class and try to return it to Ichijo tonight when the Night Class goes on parade. And maybe I'll get to see his smile.

A brief image of Ichijo pops into my head, only he's got vampire fangs. I shake my head. That can't be right. Vampires don't exist.