Author Note: In honor of the title, here's Sunburns. Angst warning.

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight and make no profit from this.

"You went out without an umbrella. Idiot." I chastised Shiki. "You're completely sunburned. Why did you go out without an umbrella? I may have to kill you now."

"Please do. I'm in pain. I would like it to end." Shiki was not his normal self today, he had even run outside and away from cross academy without a shirt. And it was noon.

"I'll get the aloe gel. Stay." I stood and went into the bathroom.

"Is he ok?" Takuma asked, peering into the bathroom while I searched the cupboards. "I heard Shiki got sunburned."

"He'll be fine." I chose not to mention Shiki's odd behavior to Takuma. "He's had worse." I pulled the bright blue aloe gel out of the cupboard, squeezed past Takuma, and then darted into Shiki's room.

"I know." Shiki was talking into his cell phone. "I know. I don't know where she would be. I looked for her. Yes. Ok. Keep looking. Thank you." He clicked his cell shut and threw it across the room, without breaking it.

"Is that about...?" I asked, uncapping the aloe gel and squeezing some into my palm.

"Yes." Shiki nodded sadly. "My Mom ran away."

"You went looking for her." My anger melted away. I worked the gel into his chest and stomach, and then went to his arms. "You don't have a clue where she would be?"

"No. I checked everywhere she could be." Shiki flinched as I touched the back of his neck, a particularly sunburned spot.

"Sorry." I knelt behind him on the bed and focused on his lobster-red back. "I don't think it would be wise for you to go outside in this condition... so maybe I should..."

"You're not going anywhere, Rima." Shiki whipped around and grabbed me by my shoulders. "She's not stable. She's hurt people before. I'm not risking losing you too."

"I'd be fine." I argued, but the look in his eyes told me I wasn't going anywhere. "Fine. If you want me to I'll stay. Turn back around."

He obeyed and I finished coating his body with the medicinal gel.

"I have to do your face now Shiki." I murmured and he turned around to look at me. "Everything will be ok, I promise." I kissed his lips one, carefully. "Your Mom might not be stable, but she's not stupid. I've met her, remember?"

"Yes." Shiki whispered and flinched as I tried to gently rub the gel onto his face. "I just hate that she does this... she knows I worry."

"They'll find her." I gave him a small smile. "It'll be ok."

"Rima..." Shiki shook his head and I almost jabbed his eye out.

"Even if she was completely insane, she would still love you." I capped the bottle and set it on the nightstand. "And I bet she knows that you're worrying and she's headed home now."

"Why do you always have such a positive outlook," Shiki began slowly. "When it's clear that things aren't going to end up that way?"

"Don't be such a drama queen. She's run away before." I squeaked as he pulled me in tight against him. "Shiki? What are you doing?"

"I just... need you right now..." He squeezed me gently. "Do you have somewhere you need to be?" He looked at me with the eyes of a scared child.

"No. I can always be here." I whispered. He smelled medicinal, and kind of like pocky. Somehow, that was comforting.

"Thank you." He lifted one hand from my back to pull the ribbons from my hair.

I didn't bother to ask what he was doing, mostly because I didn't care, and I didn't want to say anything and risk upsetting him again.

The next day, Shiki's Mom was found dead.

Author Note: Angst-y ending, I know. I'm sorry. I just read about Shiki's Mom and all I could think about was her being unstable. Reviews and PMs about my stories are welcome! Thank you for spending some of your time reading my story, I appreciate it!