OKAY!! I was having difficulty trying to upload this chapter but FINALLY!! HERE IT IS!!! I hope you enjoy it! (I do not own any characters, they all belong to the talented Matsuri Hino)

P.S. A huge thank you to all who have favorited and commented on my story, it makes me happy to know you are reading and likeing my work!! :D Please keep reading and commenting!!


Chapter Two

Ruka had been sitting staring worriedly at Akatsuki's door ever since Hanabusa had emerged looking concerned. Even though he had assured everyone that everything was under control, Ruka was the only one who believed that it wasn't. She was alone in the living room when Akatsuki finally came out of his room. His face was pale, but strangely, just as calm as ever. Her eyes followed him as he came down the stairs and sat on the far couch opposite her.

"Akatsuki?" she asked cautiously. He winced inwardly when he heard fear in her sweet voice. He loathed himself knowing that it was him that put that fear there.

"Is there something wrong?" she continued when he looked up at her.

'Only the breaking of your heart and the end of my hope' he thought, his heart felt wrenched and his stomach was knotting.

"No, I'm sorry for frightening you. I'm fine, I… It's just being confined is starting to get to me." He prayed she would buy his lies.

"Oh. Yes, I suppose it is getting to everyone…"

"Ruka, Kaname-sama would like to see you." Seiren interrupted from the door. Ruka looked up and nodded. Kain watched as her eyes darkened with sadness but slight hope was in the corner.

"Sorry Akatsuki," she apologized as she stood and left with Seiren. Akatsuki's hands clenched and his teeth ground together.

'Find Hanabusa, that's what I have to do' He decided angrily.

* * *

Ruka's head was filled with confusion all the way to Kaname's rooms. She couldn't make out why Akatsuki was so angry. He certainly hid it well, but she could tell that there was something bothering him. From all the years that she had known him, she had learned how to tell whether he was lying or not. The walk to Kaname's rooms seemed long and tedious. Perhaps she could convince Akatsuki to tell her what was REALLY bothering him. She stopped when Seiren held open the door.

"Come in Ruka" Kaname's deep voice drew her in like a moth to the flame.

* * *

Akatsuki ran through the halls, his long legs itching to keep running forever. He ignored the puzzled glances of everyone he passed.

'Before it's too late! Damn it! Where are you Hanabusa!?' he thought anxiously. He stopped abruptly in front of his cousin's door, his heart racing rapidly. Without knocking, he barged in. Aido coughed and spluttered, sending tea all over the small table he was sitting at.

"Bloody hell Akatsuki! Is it your intention to kill me?!" he demanded gasping for air. Kain ignored the comment and looked to the door.

"Hanabusa, I need you to help me, now! Kaname has called Ruka to his room already." Aido paled at the words his cousin spoke.

"But!...I don't…"

"I don't care! Just help me get her out of the house! I need an excuse!" Hanabusa took one look at his cousin's panicked face and took a deep breath. Thinking fast, he explained.

"Fine, here's what we can do…"

* * *

"How may I be of assistance Kaname-sama?" Ruka asked bowing her head. She couldn't look into his eyes anymore.

"Ruka, as you know, I will be travelling very soon. And I don't feel it the right time to bring Yuki along quite yet." Kaname started, closing the book he was reading.

"Do you wish me to watch out for Yuki in your absence sir?" she questioned. She heard her voice beginning to get tight and she mentally kicked herself.

"Not quite," he replied with a sly smile. She looked up confused. He took a lock of her light brown hair and began twirling it in his long fingers. Her breath hitched at his touch. Before he could continue talking, Hanabusa was heard from the door,

"Damn it! Let me in Seiren!" Ruka turned her head to the door startled. Kaname looked puzzled and he made his way to the entrance. He motioned for Ruka to stay put. When she heard the door click behind Kaname, she sensed another presence in the room. Her skin crawled with fear. She turned ever so cautiously to see Akatsuki before her. Putting one hand over her mouth and a finger to his lips in a gesture of silencing as she prepared to scream, he pulled her to the window.

"No questions till we're in the car. Just follow me," he explained quickly when she scowled in confusion. Her eyes flickered around anxiously. Just before jumping, Akatsuki picked her up effortlessly. Before she could protest, he leapt. Her heart was in her throat when she felt them falling. She knew Akatsuki would never hurt her, but she couldn't help but feeling terrified. Too shocked to speak, Ruka clutched Kain's shirt as he ran to a black car and strapped her into the passenger seat. Akatsuki ignored her stares as he sped away from the Kuran mansion. He prepared himself for her screams and accusations… but they never came. At first, he thought she had passed out. He looked over, worried. She was sitting there, perfectly sound. There was neither accusation nor hostility in her pretty face. Only confusion and… thoughtfulness?

'What the hell? This isn't like Ruka at all!' he thought in astonishment. She surprised him again when she spoke.

"This is why you were so upset isn't it!" The car screeched to a stop and they both lurched forward.

"What?!"

"You didn't want Kaname-Sama to say something to me did you?!" Akatsuki flinched at the name. "I knew it! Why do you have so little faith in him? What has he ever done to YOU?" There it was; the accusation he was waiting for. Akatsuki didn't answer; instead, he started the car again and drove onto the highway. He put all of his attention onto the road.

"Fine, if you're not going to answer that, can I at least know where you are taking me? I think I at least have that right!" there was the other thing he wouldn't tell her. Partially, because he didn't know personally, And because he couldn't entirely trust that she wouldn't try and contact someone to find her. No, he had to get her to the nearest small, desolate town and wait for his cousin to call once things were safe. He heard her groan in frustration. He almost laughed. Ruka had always hated the 'Akatsuki Silence' when she knew he was hiding something from her. They sat in that silence for quite a while, Ruka switching from glaring at Akatsuki and the window. The trees whizzed passed, all starting to turn green. So many thoughts were running through both vampires' minds. They both had no desire to break the tense silence. Akatsuki couldn't help but look over his shoulder to see behind them every few minutes. Ruka noticed this and guessed that he was afraid that Kaname would be following behind. Part of her was hoping that he was behind… and yet… she was doubtful. Why on earth would he come to get, her? She wasn't anything special to him. Akatsuki had other thoughts. He knew that Kaname would find out that he had taken Ruka. He would find out that Hanabusa had helped him. Kaname would be angrier at Akatsuki for interfering with his plans than worried about Ruka. In a way, that almost hurt more than the fear of being caught. He didn't slow down, he would continue his plan.

* * *

Ruka followed Akatsuki into the small hotel when they had come to the little town. She was slightly shocked when he pulled out two bags from the back of the car. The soft purple one she recognized as her own. She didn't say anything to suggest her shock of him packing her things when Akatsuki gave the sleepy receptionist fake names for their room. Akatsuki led the way and opened the door to their two bed suite. The room was very much like the dorm rooms at Cross Academy. Coming into this room was almost like coming home.

"I'm going to sleep." Ruka announced stalking past Akatsuki after staring for a good few moments. He glanced at the clock; it was only 5 in the morning, much too early to be Ruka's usual bed time. He didn't protest though, he knew she was giving him the cold shoulder. In a way he felt he deserved it. He brought his own bag over to the other bed on the other side of the large window and sat down. He picked up the small book on the bedside table and pretended not to see Ruka flitting around 'getting ready for bed'. It didn't take long for her to give up the 'preparing' and stopped in front of Kain, hands on her hips. He looked up slowly, meeting her chocolate eyes with his own sepia irises.

"Why am I here?" she demanded.

"And don't you dare just ignore my question like usual. I need answers, Kain." Akatsuki sighed and ran a hand through his tousled, red hair. Ruka stared at him expectantly as he stood and walked to the window. What was he going to say? He couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth at this point, it was too angering and he was sure he would hurt her if he tried. He also couldn't think of any good lies to tell either. Just as he turned to look at her again, they both heard a buzz coming from his pocket. She watched as a small black phone disappeared in his hand as he held it to his ear.

"Where are you two?" Hanabusa's voice came in through the phone.

"At a hotel, what's going on Hanabusa?" Akatsuki glanced at Ruka and saw she had moved to her bed and was staring at him impatiently.

"Well, I managed to distract them. They don't know where you are yet...but" his voice trailed off.

"But it won't be long until they do." Akatsuki finished his cousin's words. He felt his heart sink. Hanabusa hesitated.

"Yes." It took a while before Akatsuki answered.

"Never mind that for now. Where can we go now?"

"Well… I have an idea. But you'll have to leave early tomorrow…"

"Anything."

* * *

Kaname paced up and down the room. Anger boiled in his blood. He had known that Akatsuki would be upset, but to go to these drastic actions? He had thought Kain to be too reserved to do such a thing. Kaname couldn't help but smile though; he had finally been able to break Kain's composure. All those years ago when they had first come to Cross Academy, and Kaname had drunk Ruka's blood, Kain was furious with him. He didn't show it much, but the words he had spoken to Kaname were cold enough;

"If you cause her unhappiness, I will never forgive you."

Kaname smiled remembering those words. Kain had looked at him with such hatred. He remembered wondering if he could get a deeper response. Now it seemed, he had.

"Kaname-Sama, what is it you would like me to do?" Seiren asked from the door way, bowing her head. The pureblood looked up from his thoughts and answered,

"Wait. I would like to think this through for a little while before we do anything. This has turned out to be quite interesting."


DUN-DUN-DUUUH!!! Hee, sorry, I just had to do that. Well, seems I'm leaving you with a cliff hanger, (darn those cliffy's eh?) Well, I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! Please let me know what you think of it and I am determined to get the third chapter up as soon as I can!! Thank you again for reading!! PEACE!!! (: