Chapter Two: The Ball
As it was almost a tradition, the vampires of the ex-night class were spending their time at Aidou's family vacation house. Well, not all of them, because there were only invited the ones of the nobles families. So it wasn't weird to see them walking alone, as they were almost in their own houses.
It was going to be morning, so everybody was going to bed. They were all in the same room, as they were told about a ball that was going to be hold in a month. They usually attend to this kind of reunions, so why this one was particularly important? They were told that assistance was obligatory.
Almost everybody had left the room, except for Ruka who was waiting for something, Akatsuki who had never left a room if she was still there (who knows, something could happen in that exact moment) and Aidou, who was waiting for his cousin.
"Come on, Ruka, hurry"- Hanabusa said as he knew that if she didn't, he could get stuck there for hours just because of her.
"Um…"
"Something happen?"- Akatsuki asked her.
"I would like to talk to you… if you don't mind.
"Of course not." - He answered immediately- "Go ahead if you want." This last sentence was for his cousin.
"Ok, I'll be in my room". And he left.
"Are you okay?
"Yes! - She hurried to say- it just…
"It's about the engagement?
How does he always managed to know what she was thinking? Well, maybe it was quite obvious as the new was still fresh. It had been only a week since their parents told them the plan. In that time, she has been thinking about it, accepting it, and now she really wanted to know how Akatsuki felt, as his emotions were never shown.
"What do you think about it, about we… getting married.
"Actually, I like the idea."
He had promised himself that now on he would say the truth about that theme in particular, no more hiding his feelings. Well, he wasn't going to confess them either, but he wouldn't deny them anymore. So if she wanted to know how he felt, he would just say it. After all, they were getting married, so there was no place for lies.
Ruka felt warmth in her heart. He likes the idea… of marring me? He has always been so nice to her, she knew now why her parents chose him. By his side, she felt special, no matter what happen; he would take care of her and make her feel loved.
She smiled.
"I'm glad it's you the one I'm marring, we have a good relationship" - Since she had assumed the idea, she had calmed down.
"I'm glad too." - If she knew how "glad" he was…
"Where do you think we're going to live? Are we supposed to buy a house? Or to live in mine, or at yours…
"I don't know, but don't worry. I'll take care of that, and when I know, I'll tell you.
"I'm not sure if we are going to decide. It's not like we decided to get married... Anyway, thank you. I wanted to know how you felt about this... with me".
ººº
They were tired of every single vampire they saw congratulate them. Ok, ok, it was a big new, especially if you count about their family line, but come on! It was really tiring and even stressing!
Now they knew which was the difference between this ball and the others: Ruka and Kain were presented there as an engaged couple. It wasn't an idea anymore; right now it was a fact.
"Wow! Why didn't you tell me? How mean! - Ichijou complained - I didn't even knew you were together!
"We weren't allowed, vicepresident. And anyway, we're telling you now- Akatsuki replied.
"No! No you're telling everybody! Not me!
"Why are you complaining?" - Ruka was so frustrated with the congrats that her patience had almost reached its limit.
"I'm happy for you. Congratulations!
"Thank you very much, vicepresident. If you excuse us... - Kain wasn't going to let Ruka loose her temper. She probably wouldn't, as she knew how to act in that kind of meetings and she really cared about her public image, but precautions are never enough.
All the night they had to be together, their parents had insisted in that. But as they couldn't really enjoy the ball (they could hardly talk without being interrupted, and it was still kind of awkward the hole situation), they were really happy when the ball ended.
"Thank god! I couldn't keep doing that anymore! - She exhaled deeply.
"Why are you complaining, you love being the center of attention.
"Don't bother, Aidou.
"I'm serious! I meant it.
"Don't bother her, Hanabusa.
"Of course you had to defend her, right? Things have been like that, since we were little!
"You mean you and me? Because I can't remember Akatsuki being as little as we were.
"What are you trying to say?
"Nothing. It's not like I'm saying that you have been always smaller than Akatsuki...
"Hey!
"Please, don't fight.
.
After the ball, Akatsuki took Ruka back to her home, as they were not staying at Aidou's anymore. When the vehicle stopped, he went to open her door and offered his hand so she could get of the car easily. At the door, he asked Ruka for her keys to open the door for her. Of course, he was a gentleman, but anyway she blush a little. Even if she was used to this kind of attention, it was still a nice thing, and now it was her fiancée the one doing it, so somehow things weren't the same.
They passed the gate, and walked to the porch. He opened the door, but before she get inside, she looked at him.
"Thank you, you didn't have to.
"Of course I had.
"No"- she said, putting the keys in her purse.
She looked straight into his eyes. Akatsuki couldn't help it, his face turned red, so he smiled trying to distract her attention from the color of his face. He loved smiling at her, because she usually smile him back, and her smile was something he really like. This time she also did, but then she took one step closer to him and gently kissed him. It was a kind, short kiss, but that was enough for him to feel he was loosing control. Actually, as he said, she was starting to like the idea of marring him.
She entered the house and closed the door.
He stayed there some seconds, starting to feel kind of excited. As it would be weird if he stays there too long he went back to the car. Good idea, as she had been watching him through the window of the second floor, wondering if he had already left. After she saw him getting in the car, she went to her room.
Once he was inside it, he let some minutes pass while he was trying to calm down. He couldn't believe how agitated he was after one little kiss like that. He felt like a teenager (is not like he wasn't, but he felt like a human teenager).
Once he got to his house he found his cousin in the kitchen. What was Aidou doing in his house? What was he doing in his kitchen? Well, who cares?
"You won't believe this. Ruka kissed me"
"What?! - He let the glass in his hand fall, but Kain managed to pick it before it could crash.
"Tonight. Ruka kissed me, after I left her at her place"
"Looks like things are going right, huh?"
He couldn't hide his happiness anymore. How long has he been waiting for that? It was funny how something as foolish as that could affect him so much. But what afected him wasn't just the kiss, but also the idea of kissing her againg in the future. This was just the begining, and she seemed as commited to their new relationship as he was.