Ruka Souen

Ruka Souen (早園瑠佳, Sōen Ruka?) is a female vampire popular with the Day Class students and one of those who are the most faithful and protective of Kaname.

Personality
Ruka grew up as a noble vampire, and this gives her a self-important air. She reflects this persona to the outside world: haughty, bored, and uninterested. She is beautiful, though hot tempered, and is easily jealous, especially of Yuuki because of Kaname's feelings for her. She is tied by loyalty and admiration for the Pureblood, Kaname. This love for Kaname brings out a vulnerable, self-doubting aspect of Ruka, which she only expresses to Akatsuki. It also brings to light her possessive, moody, and extremely stubborn attitude.

Appearance
Ruka is slim, with a pale complexion. She is dainty, elegant, and very ladylike. She has the same ethereal beauty that the rest of her race possesses, with delicate features and light eyes that are a dusky-rose color. She has wavy dark peach-orange colored hair that falls to her waist.

Background


Ruka grew up privileged, as the daughter of a noble family. Her family is part of what is referred to by Ichiou as the “Aido faction,”which is comprises of the Kain, Aido, Souen, Touya, and other clans. Not much is known about her parentage, but her father or mother is possibly part of the Senate or in another high position, as Ichiou refers to her as “The daughter of Souen.” Ruka came to Cross Academy to be closer to her long-time idol, Kaname Kuran, with whom she is "in love" with. On their first night at the school, she asked Kaname to drink her blood to prevent him from drinking Yuuki's blood, but he has since refused it, which deeply hurts her, even though she had expected him to refuse her blood.

Plot Summary
She becomes upset with the fact that Kaname chose Yuuki to be his lover, but finally accepts Yuuki when she discovers Yuuki is Kaname's pureblood sister. She even gives Aido shoes to give to Yuuki to wear. She seems much more mature and level-headed now, recognizing the foolishness of her obsessive feelings for Kaname, though she still shows just as much dedication to him as before but with a new calmness. When Rido Kuran's servants invaded Cross Academy and attempted to attack the Day Class students and present them as gifts to their Master, Ruka alongside Kain, worked to defend the Day Class girls. Currently riding on a train, she, Aidou and Kain are on their way home to see their families for a little while, after deciding that they would search for Kaname and Yuuki after their short visit.

Now that Ruka has fully given up on Kaname, there is a chance that she may finally return Kain's feelings for her.

Trivia

 * In Ruka, the ru means "lapis lazuli" why the ka means "good-looking," or "beautiful." The Sou in Ruka's surname, Souen, means "early" but this kanji also has an obscure meaning of "strong fragrance." The en means "garden".
 * She's roommates with Rima Touya.
 * In the anime, she possesses the ability of mind control. In the manga her powers haven't been shown yet.
 * The Souen family are pro-monarchy like the Aido, Kain, and Touya families
 * Ruka's true name is Luka Souen, which was confirmed by the author in the official Vampire Knight Fanbook, however, most english fans call her Ruka.