Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight.

After classes finished, Rima had dragged him into the garden, looking very serious.

"Shiki, I've got something to tell you." She said, staring at him straight in the eyes.

"Sure." Shiki replied.

"I'm dating Ichijou-san."

"Oh, that's nice. Congratulations."

Rima smiled. "Thanks, Shiki. Good night."

"Good night."

Rima skipped off, looking extremely happy. This was such a large display of emotion from Rima that Shiki was surprised. Rima seemed so happy; she must have liked Ichijou for a long time. Well, it was probably normal. Rima, no matter how impassive, is still a girl. Girls are always into those things. Shiki remembers her reading a romance novel once, and when he wanted to see it she wouldn't let him.

Yeah, Shiki was happy for her.

And then he collapsed.

"Geez Shiki, how did you get sick?" Ichijou muttered, putting the wet cloth on Shiki's head.

Ichijou was always one of the last ones to get back to the dorms after classes, so he was surprised when Shiki was not there. Ichijou went searching for Shiki, because he wanted to tell him the news himself, and found him lying in the garden, sleeping. He quickly took him back to the dorms.

And there he found out Shiki was not sleeping. He was passed out.

But in Shiki's case normally those were basically the same thing.

Shiki looked pitiful. His cheeks were flushed and there were beads of sweat on his face. His hair was messy and he just looked plain sick. Ichijou, being his kind roommate, automatically chose to take care of him. Because Ichijou is kind, he didn't open the curtains when morning came, either.

"Ngh…Ichijou-san," Shiki rolled on his back and rubbed his eyes. "I'm not…"

"Yeah yeah, like I'll believe that."

Shiki opened his eyes, finding no reason to argue with Ichijou. "Hey, Ichijou-san. Is it true that you and Rima are…"

Ichijou smiled. "Yeah."

"Congrats."

"Thanks, Shiki." Ichijou took off the cloth and wetted it again, then placed it on Shiki's forehead. "Now go to sleep. Sick people are supposed to rest."

"Mmm,"

Ichijou smiled again.

Shiki tried to sleep, but felt oddly restless. He couldn't get Rima and Ichijou's words out of his head; those words made his stomach turn up side down, making his sickness imbued body feel nauseous.

"Ichijou-san, I'm gonna-" Shiki threw up in the rubbish bin that just happened to be conveniently next to the bed.

"Ah-ah. I figured you'll need this." Ichijou sighed. "You really need to take care of yourself more, Shiki. I wonder how you'll survive without Rima-" Ichijou suddenly covered his mouth, just realising what he had said. "N-no, I didn't mean it that way-"

Shiki threw up again. Why were those words so unsettling…

He fainted.

When Shiki came to be aware again, someone was stroking his hair. That soft, slender hand, such a familiar hand…

"Rima." He opened his eyes to see.

"Oh Shiki. Good, you're awake." She took her hand away and stood up.

"Wait…"

"Ichijou-san, I'll go get some water for Shiki." Rima called. Oh, right, Ichijou.

Rima left and said persom approached him. "Sorry, Shiki…"

"For what?" Shiki sat up.

"I…I'm not taking Rima away from you, I just…" Ichijou clenched his hands into fists.

Shiki sat up. "I understand, Ichijou-san, it's ok."

Takuma smiled. "I'm sorry; you and Rima are such good friends..."

"Like I said, it's ok. I want Rima to be happy." Shiki said and he stared at Ichijou. "Me and Rima have known each other for a long time, we're as close as siblings. Ichijou-san will make Rima happy, so I will leave Rima to Ichijou-san."

"Shiki…" Ichijou looked at Shiki in surprise; Shiki was acting so mature, so wise.

Shiki chuckled. "Actually, it's Rima that has always been looking after me, isn't it?"

Ichijou laughed. "It sure is."

Shiki suddenly looked at Ichijou straight in the eyes. "I'm handing Rima to you, Ichijou-san."

Ichijou looked back into Shiki's blue irises. "I'll protect her, and make her happy.

Shiki gave a smile.

Uwahh...it's holidays so I'm starting so many new stories...hopefully I'll finish them T^T

Writing so much on Shiki and Rima because right now the manga is so INTENSE a-and y-you can't decide whether to write about kxy or zxy anymore. even though you still ship one and you know it but THE INTENSENESS IS SUPER EFFECTIVE!

Ok, bai ^.^