Phoenix POV

I sat in front of the vanity in Ruka's room, facing away from the mirror as she attacked my hair with bobby pins and hairspray. Out of all my adoptive brother and sister's comrades, I'd have to say she was my favorite.

"Ouch, Ruka!" I declared when she shoved a bobby bin in too far and poked my scalp.

"Sorry!" She declared and started to pull out a fairly large cosmetic bag.

"No! Not makeup! I always feel like a clown when I wear it!" I swatted her hands away as she started to apply the different types onto my face.

"Phoenix! Lord Kaname was very firm when he told me I was to do your makeup too."

"He doesn't have to wear it though!" I continued to struggle against her.

"Please, Lady Phoenix. I promise I won't make you look too done up." Whenever she said my name like that, I couldn't help but oblige to her.

"Fine " I finally said, allowing her to do her work.

It was moments later when she spun me around and I faced the mirror.

"All done. Do you like?" She asked in a cheerful voice.

I had to give it to her. Ruka Souen really knew how to make a girl look like a star model.

"Wow, Ruka. You should really think about becoming a stylist." I praised her.

With the makeup she chose for me and how she pinned my long hair into a bun with some hanging out loosely, I looked like a goddess.

"Now to finish with your outfit." She said, beaming as she helped me step into the black silk gown the Headmaster had picked out for me.

I smiled, enjoying the feel of the material against my skin as Ruka zipped up the back and tied the red ribbon into a bow on the back of it.

"You look gorgeous." The aristocrat said, stepping away from me and admiring her work.

A knock on the door had us turning.

"Wow, Phoenix-chan, you look beautiful." Yuki walked into Ruka's room, wearing a golden gown and appearing very much like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Kaname followed close behind her, wearing a simple yet elegant black tuxedo.

"Very beautiful and elegant." Kaname remarked and I blushed at the sudden attention from everyone.

"Can you believe today marks eleven years of when Kaname rescued you and you moved in with us?" Yuki asked, getting slightly teary eyed.

"No. Wow. I can't believe it's been that long..." I admitted aloud, getting emotional myself.

"Don't cry! You'll ruin your makeup!" Yuki declared, wiping the corners of my eyes with a tissue she pulled from the small handbag she carried.

"Oh, Yuki." I giggled.

"Now, you look very beautiful, but something is missing." Yuki said and suddenly her face lit up. "I know! Close your eyes."

Confused, I did as I was told and felt something metal slide around my neck and being clasped.

"You can open your eyes now." Yuki told me and I gasped when I saw what she put around my neck.

A beautiful ruby red crystal pendant hanging from a golden chain, sitting perfectly in the middle of my neck.

"It's mine and Kaname's gift to you. Happy birthday, Phoenix." Yuki hugged me quickly, placing a kiss on my cheek.

She then walked over and began to conversate with Ruka.

"Thank you both, Kaname..." I told him as he walked over to me.

"Your mother told me to give this to you on your eighteenth birthday." He whispered, standing behind me and looking at the pendant in the mirror I stood before. "It was hers."

This almost brought tears to my eyes, hearing him say this, but then a loud bell rang throughout the campus, followed by the Headmaster's voice.

"Hello, my fellow students! I am pleased to announce there is only twenty minutes left before our little ball we are holding for our dear Phoenix Thorne!"

"Oh, no! Come on guys! We're going to be late! You don't want to be late for your own birthday ball, do you, Phoenix?" Yuki began ushering us all out of the room and downstairs.
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As we approached the ballroom, I couldn't help, but notice how quiet and deserted the hallways were.

"It seems like everyone is attending." Yuki stated, as we reached the rooms leading in and she and Kaname disappeared through them.

"Aren't you coming in?" Ruka asked beside me after several moments passed with me staring at the doors, motionless. Atakasuki stood beside her, holding her hand.

"You guys go ahead. I'll be in there in a moment." I gestured them to go ahead.

"Alright, but don't be too long, Lady Phoenix. This ball is after all for you." The couple left me standing alone outside then.

I took a deep breath. Ever since I had awoken that morning, I had the hugest headache and I kept feeling dizzy.

"Are you okay, Lady Phoenix?" A feminine voice said from behind me.

I spun around to see Seiren staring at me with a concerned look on her face.

"Oh, I'm fine, Seiren. Just nervous is all. I'm not used to having all attention on me." I admitted aloud, realizing how silly I sounded. I was a pureblood after all, a princess of vampires.

"I would assume you'd be used to it by now. Especially after being around Lord Kaname and Lady Yuki." The violet-haired woman before me said in a calm voice.

"I should be." Was all I said and Seiren disappeared into the ball.

Several moments later, I sighed and pushed the doors open, instantly being greeted by the sounds of the party starting.

It wasn't until I began walking down the stairway leading to the dance floor, that the room grew silent and all eyes turned to me.

As I continued down the stairs, a deep blush crept up on my cheeks. I kept my eyes down, not making eye contact with anyone until I sensed a certain silver haired man watching me.

Zero POV

As soon as she entered the ballroom, I found myself staring in awe at her beauty. With the black gown she wore, her shoulders bare and the red accent ribbon and pendant, my Phoenix looked like all the pureblood princess she was.

Then her beautiful violet eyes met my grey ones, and I swore my heart skipped a beat.

This young woman always had lured me to her with that dazzling smile, lovely eyes, and fiery personality. She was everything I had ever wanted in a woman and that night, I would ask her to become my wife.

"Zero." I snapped out of my own thoughts when my beloved touched a hand to my arm.

I greeted her with a gentle kiss on her lips, gaining glares from all the Day Class guys around me. It was no secret how much the humans liked my Phoenix. Even some of the Night Class found her alluring.

Well, tough shit! She's mine. I found myself thinking as I grabbed her hand and asked her to dance.

She took my outstretched hand and placed her other one on my shoulder. I wrapped my free arm around her waist, leading her in a waltz. Soon, others joined in.

"Happy birthday, Phoenix." I leaned down and whispered into her ear, causing shivers to go down her spine.

"Thank you, Zero." She replied, leaning up and kissing me passionately.

This sent more glares my way, jealousy definitely in the air.

We danced for a couple hours when I finally felt it was time to set my plan into action.

"Let's go out to the balcony for a little bit." I leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "I have to give you your birthday present."

She just nodded, allowing me to lead the way.

If I hadn't been so focused on my own plan, I would have noticed the hooded figures approaching us hastily.

Kaname POV

Yuki and I waltzed to the music playing. Everything was going according to plan, until the attack happened.

Several dark hooded figures stormed into the ballroom.

Once they all entered, they lowered their hoods and revealed themselves.

"Where is she?" The new leader, daughter to the original one, Sakura Ren, demanded, her fangs  barred in anger.

"You are in no position to be making demands. And I don't recall inviting the Council to this event." Headmaster Cross stood between the vampires and his students protectively, appearing very much like the Vampire Hunter Legend he was. "You will leave my Academy at once."

"And what makes you think we'd listen to a has been hunter like you?" Sakura glared at Cross and he suddenly started to twitch in pain.

"What's happening to the Headmaster?"
"Who are those people?"
"Who are they after?"
"What are they?"

That's why a scream echoed through the room from outside.

"Phoenix!" Yuki shouted when some of the Council members entered the ballroom. The one in front holding a struggling Phoenix in his arms.

"Let go of me!" Phoenix shouted her plans starting to ignite with fire. "Now!"

The one holding her dropped to about the ground, burned badly on his arm

"I don't know who you people are, but you will leave this school!" Phoenix's hands blazed brightly with her silver fire, her expression one of extreme anger.

"Ah, so you're the one my father murdered and then lost his life." Sakura walked towards Phoenix, her fangs barred and claws out. "It will bring me much pleasure avenging my father and killing you!"

"Woah! Is that fire? Is Phoenix some kind of witch?"

"Why is that other women's teeth and nails so sharp?"

"What's going on?"

The night class were growing even more restless and I couldn't help myself thinking it was a bad idea having the two classes join together that night.