"Rima!" I looked up from my manga sighing heavily. My agent was standing in the doorway, hand on her hip, looking extraordinarily sassy. "Rima Touya, I'm not going to tell you again. You need to meet Senri Shiki. He's amazingly good looking, and the perfect accent for your own modeling.

"This is ridiculous, I hope you know that." I glared at her and rolled my eyes. "Minne, I don't need to do anything. I do just fine on my own."

"You could do so much better. Please, I'm begging you just do this for me once." When I thought more about it though, to be honest, Minne had never really been wrong. I nodded and she squealed, turning and grabbing her phone from her assistant.

Just a few minutes later she came back. "Okay Rima. It's all taken care of. We're going to head over to one of the Ichijo's estates. Senri is staying with his friend."

I nodded absentmindedly. The Ichijo's family was very powerful, and so were the Shiki's. Their families were some of the strongest nobles in the vampire community, not that Minne would know anything about that. She was only human after all. I felt my fangs descend, bringing forth my own hunger. I grabbed my small pouch of blood tablets from my desk and ate one. Well, we needed to go ahead and get this over with.

I followed Minne to the car and let her drive, barely acknowledging the things she was saying. "He truly is splendid to look at Rima," she told me when my attention had focused on her again.

"If he is half as good looking as you seem to say he is Minne, then I owe you an apology. But this is becoming tedious. Please hurry." I heard the sound of the gas pumping faster as our speed increased.

I'm not going to lie. The Ichijo family spares no money when it comes to showy fashion and architecture. It was some of the best that I had seen in quite some time. I knew Takuma, distantly, from his connections with Kaname Kuran the Pureblood. When he stepped out I was once again momentarily stunned by his beauty and kind face.

"Rima Touya!" His voice carried across the grounds and I waved Minne forward, who had stopped to stare. "Come. I have been told that you wish to meet Senri, eh?" He winked at me, his bright blue eyes dancing in the light.

"Well, you could say that." I was still rather detached, something that I was rather gifted at being. Emotions weren't my strong point. Takuma just smiled though and motioned me forward, gently placing his hand at the small of my back. "You have a lovely home Takuma," I told him, looking up at him sideways.

His eyes crinkled as he smiled, giving me a small bow. "Thank you Rima. I've heard about the Touya estates and can only give you my gratitude that you paid me such a compliment." It was true, that our own estate was lovely as well. Perhaps more so, but I was surprised Takuma knew. From what I had been told, his live revolved around Kaname by choice, and the council, by his grandfather.

"Senri!" Takuma's voice carried through the foyer and I heard quiet footsteps. A young man appeared at one of the side doors. I was momentarily stunned by his appearance, which was just fine as Takuma made introductions.

Senri Shiki had dark rust brown hair that was messy, yet managed to be perfectly stylish at the same time. His brown eyes looked bored and tired, but when we made eye contact I saw something flicker in them. He was of slight build, much like Takuma, but just a bit shorter. No more than one inch. He was wearing white slacks and brown loose top with a neckline that was curiously low. He bowed after a brief pause, and I quickly responded, taking the time to compose my features. Minne had indeed been correct. Again.

"It is nice to meet you, Rima Touya." Senri's voice was soft and elusive, and yet at the same time warm and kind.

"Indeed, it is nice to meet you as well, Senri Shiki." I was only too aware of what I was wearing, mid thigh stockings with four-inch spiked black heals. My skirt was flared out and a good four or five inches above the stockings. My top was tight and clingy with cuts through the back and a low v cut out of it. I was instantly struck with the curious notion of what it would be like it Senri were to run his long fingers down my back.

We bowed again and Takuma led us to the couches. "Rima, I have a few errands to run. I'll be back in a few hours if you need anything." Minne was excusing herself and I motioned her off.

As soon as she left Takuma sighed and let himself lean back into the sofa. "Humans make everything so difficult," he murmured softly. I knew he felt passionately about protecting their rights, but he had a good point. They complicated matters.

I snuck a sideways glance at Senri and was startled when his eyes were on me, staring it seemed, very intently at my clothing. "Takuma," I said, my voice sounding exceptionally bored which pleased me considering my own inner turmoil. "Why don't you have maids or servants?"

"I asked them to leave for today. I know Senri would be here and sometimes he makes them nervous. Between the two of us, sometimes all of the chores don't get done." He smiled again, a light blush topping his cheeks. Getting up suddenly he ran to the kitchen, only to return with a tray full of cookies and tea.

"Is that pocky?" I pointed to the chocolate covered sticks and Takuma nodded, motioning for me to take some.

"Senri is very fond of them so all of our houses are stocked for when he comes."

I leaned forward to take a few, very aware of how exposed my skin was when I did this. I heard a sharp intake of breath and smiled to myself. I was glad that my skin had that effect on him. I grabbed three pieces, put one in my mouth, one I kept in my hand, and the other I tossed to Senri, winking at him while it was in the air.

I saw his mouth twitch into a smile as he grabbed it, saluting me with his hand and the piece of pocky. I looked back over to Takuma who had a friendly light in his eyes. "Rima tell me, how are you faring? How is the agency doing?"

"The agency is fine," I said shortly, hesitating for a second before continuing. "The only problem is that I'm beginning to fear they are growing bored of me. As if I'm not beautiful enough to hold them anymore." Takuma frowned and I sighed. "They don't want me to model alone anymore. They keep bringing all of these men in, expecting me to model with them, but I have no interest in people I am not familiar with."

"Well, Senri does modeling too!" Takuma sat up and snapped his fingers. "Senri, you should call you agent. Ask her to set up and appointment so you and Rima can be together."

I leaned forward again, lower this time so I could pour three cups of tea. I could feel Senri's eyes on my skin and looked up, my blue eyes locking onto his brown and I began to see flashes of red across my vision and through his. My fangs lengthened again and I sighed. Something about him brought on my hunger in a way I was not accustomed to. It was glorious.

Senri's eyes never left mine as he stood up and walked towards me. I felt trapped, something that I, as a predator, had never felt before. He drew closer and all I could was stare at him like a trapped bunny in the eyes of a snake. I felt more movement behind me and as Senri reached out to touch my face, I felt hands sliding down my arms. I turned to see Takuma, his blue eyes wide.

Senri's hand gently touched my chin, turning me back to him and he leaned down slowly. "Rima," he whispered my name softly right before his lips pressed against mine. My eyes slowly closed as I relished the sweet feel of his lips on mine, and his hand on my skin.

As we pulled away from each other, his eye softened and he stroked my cheek. "I have never felt like this," he whispered, stress laced through his voice. "I like it, but it's scary." I nodded and he sighed, closing his eye briefly. "Come to the school with me. We can watch out for each other. We can be together without things being extra difficult."

I nodded without even thinking it through. I would do anything for him. He smiled and looked at Takuma who had moved away and was picking up a phone.

There was a knock on the door and I sensed Minne's presence. I jerked away from Senri and turned in time to see Minne walking in. "Rima, we need to go. Your next shoot is in thirty minutes and you need to finish getting ready." She was smiling as she went, which led me to believe that Senri's agent and Minne had already been in contact. I nodded and stood up, smoothing my skirt. I saw a scorch mark from a lightning bolt on the table and blushed a little, knowing that I must have caused it during our kiss.

"I'll talk to you later about that school, Shiki," I said as I left. I nodded at Takuma who was waving cheerfully at us.

"He'll do, Minne." She knew I had been beaten, but wasn't one to brag. She simply nodded her head and told me that she had recently been in contact with Shiki's agent.

"I have it all set up for you Rima. He'll be in the photo shoots from now on."

"Mother, father." They looked up from where they were sitting by the fire. I could see a flicker of irritation flash over my father's face, but my mother smiled gently at me.

"Rima dear? You look stressed."

I could feel her poking at my mind, trying to read what it was that I might be thinking. "Mother stop. I have a favor to ask of the two of you."

My father put down his book at stared at me, his dark eyes flashing a warning. "Well Rima, hurry up. We haven't got all day."

I bowed quickly and composed my face and voice. Emotion was not something that won any battles around here and my parents wouldn't understand my reasoning. Especially when one considered that I myself barely understood. "I would like to join Kaname Kuran at this Cross Academy school. I have been invited by Senri Shiki to attend with him, and the Ichijo heir, Takuma."

"Ah, the Shiki family shows themselves once more through their son." He nodded to himself before giving me the barest hint of a smile. "Rima, I demand that you go. To get close to a pureblood is something that not many have the opportunity of."

I bowed again before turning to leave. "And Rima." I turned to him and saw his eyes flash. "Don't let your emotions control you. Use your head."