Once Upon a Vampire's Dream

Chapter Four - Enter Cross Academy

(So, it's been uh, what, three years since I've updated this? Man, how time flies when you're in school. Anyhoo, I'm back, partially 'cause writing is an important part of self-care and mostly 'cause I missed you guys. Enjoy.)

As the door to the Moon Dormitory closed behind them, Claudia found herself reaching for Kaname's sleeve. She grabbed the cuff of it and looked up at him to make sure it was alright for her to be so close to him in public. Just because it had been alright last night when he was bringing her here, she couldn't be certain that it was okay now.

Kaname looked down at her and smiled, happiness showing in his red eyes. "Are you nervous?"

Claudia nodded. 

"Don't worry," Kaname reassured. "You don't have to dive into it head first right away. For now, we're just going to introduce you to the Headmaster and a close friend of mine, okay?"

Claudia swallowed and nodded. She was so far out of her comfort zone. Her whole world had changed in a matter of hours. This time yesterday, she was being prepped for Lord Kaname's arrival and now she was clinging on to his sleeve for dear life as he threw her into his world head first.

The gate to the Moon Dormitory opened silently, the scary gate keeper nodding to Kaname. As they walked to the school, Claudia noticed more and more people were staring at them. The girls were fawning all over Kaname, yet still keeping a respectful distance. Unfortunately, many of them were either fawning over Claudia or glaring at her. Humans were confusing.

"Oh my gosh, isn't she just the cutest thing!" A boy with horn-rimmed glasses and a terrible haircut gushed, grabbing the hem of the pink coat Kaname had handed her this morning. "Oh, please tell me you're a member of the Night Class, goddess, and not a figment of my imagination!"

Claudia recoiled, clutching onto Kaname's arm with both hands in terror. 

Kaname looked over at the groveling Day Class student with a mix of anger and disgust. The Day Class student instantly backed away in fear. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean anything by it, I promise!" he apologized, shaking.

Kaname led Claudia away from the Day Class student, still fixing him to the spot with an icy stare, and toward the building. Gradually she relaxed and resumed grabbing Kaname's sleeve. 

Kaname ran a hand through his hair and looked down at Claudia. "I'm sorry, are you alright?"

Claudia looked up at him and nodded.

They reached the building and Kaname held one side of the heavy oak double doors open for her, following Claudia into the building. He led up her up a flight of stairs and down a hallway before knocking on a door. Claudia noticed that there was a brass plaque on the door that said 'Headmaster Kaien Cross.' For some reason that name seemed familiar to her but she couldn't quite put a finger on why.

"Come in," a light tenor voice spoke from the other side of the door.

Kaname opened the door and entered, Claudia following him. She grabbed his sleeve again as she stood by him.

"Oh, Kaname, how nice to see you." A tall man with a blond ponytail and a green shawl wrapped around his shoulders turned away from the bookcase against the right wall, a red-bound book in his hand. He adjusted his glasses, pushing them farther up his nose. "You must be Claudia," he said, moving forward, stretching his hand out toward her. "My name is Kaien Cross, the headmaster at this academy."