Yikes! So sorry. I didn't realize it took me so long to post…. Normally I don't take so long. Sorry.

Bruises

Chapter 2: Spar

This time Kaname took the offensive and he launched himself at Rido. First he feigned left then ducked to the right and came up behind to land a solid hit on Rido's left kidney. If he had been human that impact would have had him peeing blood for a week. But Rido thanked his pure blood for the fact that the damage was healed in the next heartbeat. Rido Ducked Kaname's next blow and landed a solid hit on his chest to knock the air from his lungs. Kaname wisely retreated and tried to catch his breath but his uncle was too fast and swiped Kaname's legs out to knock him to the mats. Rido pressed on knee into his nephew's chest and pinned his arms above his head. "Got ya." Rido said triumphantly.

"And I give up…" Kaname huffed. He was still trying to regain his lost breath and it hurt to be forced into this position. But once again he didn't mind being pinned by his uncle.

"Good." Rido stood and offered a hand to Kaname.

Kaname shook his head. "Just want to rest for a bit. You know catch my breath."

"Fair enough." Rido took a seat on the mat close to Kaname. "You're not as bad as I had you pegged for." Rido smiled.

"Thanks. Takuma, Shiki and I practice a lot together." Kaname ran a hand through his hair to brush his bangs off his sweaty forehead.

"Impressive. Well hopefully I can teach you something."

"I'm sure I still have a lot to learn." Kaname sat up an Rido admired the way his muscles rippled under perfect skin. "But right now I've got to go shower and change. I promised to meet Takuma in town. Can you take me?"

"Sure thing Kido." Rido stood and offered his hand again to Kaname. This time he took it and was hoisted to his feet.

* * *

Kaname strode into the coffee shop with Rido in tow. Just as he did every other time Rido went to sit on the other side of the room from his nephew. From that vantage point he could still watch Kaname but couldn't really hear their conversation. Kaname sat down with a huge grin on his face. "What is up with that face?" Takuma leaned forward.

"So good story for you. Actually it's more of an observation…" Kaname leaned back in his chair and grinned even wider. "It feels amazing to be pinned down by Rido."

"OHMYGOD! Spill."

"Well there isn't much to say but damn it's hot to have him straddling me all hot and sweaty."

"Who made the first move? I can't wait to tall Shiki.

"He did."

"No. Fucking. Way."

"Yes way." Kaname nodded and smiled even wider.

"And why isn't he sitting over here with us? Hmm?" Takuma looked over his shoulder at Rido.

"Because he pinned me when we were sparring."

"You little fuck!" Takuma took a swing at Kaname but the Pureblood just smacked the fist away. "You have me going! I was so happy finally thinking something went on! I mean fuck it's been long enough!" Takuma was practically shouting.

"Sush. I don't want Rido hearing."

"You would deserve it! Damn! I was totally excited and everything. Damn Kaname. You give me such fantastic mental images for nothing."

"You're such a perv." Kaname attempted to scowl but it was just too funny and he ended up laughing.

"And you're such a tease." Takuma smiled. "Hey you want to go see Shiki? He's at work just around the corner."

"Sure. Just let me tell Rido." Kaname stood to go to his uncle but a hand stopped him.

"Chill we'll be back in a few."

"Okay. Let's go." Kaname felt so bad ass sneaking out of the coffee shop. Once out in the street the two Vampires took off running.

The pastry shop was almost empty when the two dashed in. "Hey!" Shiki beamed when he saw them.

"Hi ya cutie." Takuma winked.

"Where's your sexy body guard?" Shiki asked Kaname.

"Still I the coffee shop." Kaname felt a small twinge of guilt.

"Oh damn. Going against the rules. Hot."

"Speaking of hot." Takuma leaned casually on the counter. "Our little Romeo over there sparred with Rido and got himself pinned."

"Damn… how'd that go for you?"

"Managed to keep my cool." Kaname smiled. "But you should see him shirtless…" Kaname heaved an over dramatic sigh. "Totally killer."

"I bet. So when you making a move on him?"

"Oh not that again." Kaname rolled his eyes. His phone started to ring. "Ooops guess Rido noticed." Kaname made a face then answered it. "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" Rido growled.

"Around the corner."

"Where around the corner?"

"At the pastry shop." The line went dead. "I think I'm in trouble."

"Least he's hot." Shiki winked. They all jumped when the door banged open.

"Kaname we're leaving now." Rido stared his nephew down.

"O-o-okay." Kaname threw his friends a worried glance. "Later guys."

"Byeee." The two said in unison.

Rido stalked back to the car. The ride back to the mansion was filled with one long awkward silence. Kaname got out of the car and raced into the house. He just wanted to get away from Rido. He knew that his uncle was angry and he didn't want to see that. But Kaname wasn't lucky. Rido slammed his nephew into the wall. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"What?"

"Why did you just wander off like that?"

"I went to go see Shiki."

"You should have told me! When I didn't see you I panicked! What the hell were you thinking. You could have been killed!" Rido shook Kaname.

"I didn't think it was that serious."

"Well it is. Don't you dare do that again!"

"O-okay." Kaname stuttered. He'd never seen his uncle this angry ever!

"Fine." Rido pushed away from Kaname and stormed off. The younger Pureblood just stood there and watched his uncle leave completely puzzled by what had just happened. Shaking his head he moved off toward the library with the intent to find something good to read and waste the rest of the day.

The huge cases full of silent books greeted Kaname when he opened the double doors. This was one of his favorite places to be. No one bothered him here and it was easy to just forget you were a Pureblood if you choose the right book. So Kaname choose a nice thick leather bound book of Greek Myths. Flipping through the old pages he wandered over to the window and took a seat on wide ledge. Looking up he saw that the gardens were splayed out before him and it being spring meant that all the flowers were in full bloom.

The colors were amazing and Kaname was distracted as he let his eyes wander over them. Then he caught sight Yuki running through the flowers. It looked as if she were laughing. Kaname smiled. The book in his lap called to him and he started reading. The young Pureblood was so absorbed in the tale of Hades and Persephone that he did not hear the door open. SO it was a complete surprise when a lovely voice chimed. "Kuran Kaname… so nice to finally meet you." Kaname's eyes darted to the silver haired woman leaning on the book shelf. He leapt to his feet.

"Hio Shizuka!" He bowed. "It is a pleasure. I've heard so much about you." Kaname felt a little uneasy around her but he had to endure.

"If you heard it all from Rido…" She leaned in to whisper, "Don't believe it all." She smiled and to Kaname she looked pretty.

"It's a shame we have not meat before now."

"Indeed. Rido speaks very highly of you. Says that you are progressing in your studies quite well."

"I suppose I am."

"But you'd still rather be at school with your friends. Ne?" She walked to the window and looked out.

"Ya… I still miss it."

"I can imagine. I had a very hard time as well when my parents pulled me from regular schooling. In fact I never got over it. It made me decide when I have children they can stay in regular school as long they want. Their Pureblood studies will be done after school."

"Lucky them. Wish my parents were so understanding."

"All the Kurans are so traditional." Shizuka laughed.

"Tell me about it." Kaname leaned on the wall next to Shizuka. He couldn't imagine why his uncle hated this woman. She was so nice…

"So, Rido tells me you two have started to spar. He has some skill, but weaknesses to go along with it." Shizuka looked to Kaname with a smile on her face. "I'll be moving in here till Rido and I marry. So I'll have a lot of free time. If you would like… you and I could also spar. And if during that I happen to tell you some of Rido's weaknesses it would be a mere slip on my part." She let out a giggle. Kaname's grin was huge.

"That would fun." This was going to be fun.

"Perfect! Oh I am so glad we get along!" Shizuka hugged Kaname.

"Dido." Kaname hugged back.

"Shizuka!" Rido barked.

"What?" She answered and pulled away from Kaname.

"Did you get all…" Rido pulled up short when he saw that Shizuka was with Kaname. "Kaname."

"Rido-Sama." Kaname bowed and bit his lip.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was reading."

"Leave." Rido barked. He was still very angry at Kaname and it showed.

"As you wish, Rido-Sama." Kaname grabbed his book. "It was a pleasure to meet you Shizuka-Sama." Kaname mad to bow but Shizuka pulled him into another hug.

"I hope to be seeing a lot more of you Kaname." Bowing to his uncle Kaname ran from the library almost in tears. He hated having Rido angry at him. And it wasn't even anything serious!

"Are you normally so harsh with him?" Shizuka asked as she took a seat on the window sill.

"No. But he wandered off without telling me where he was going while we were in town. It was reckless. And why were you talking to him?"

"He's still young. Everyone needs a chance to be reckless, don't be angry when I'm sure you did the same thing when you were younger. As for why I was talking with him… simple. I wanted to meet the nephew that you speak so much about. I find him adorable." Shizuka looked out the window and watched Yuki running about. She had met the youngest Kuran earlier and played in the same garden as well so it was nice to see Yuki still enjoying the flowers.

"Hmm. Well please refrain from seeing Kaname often. I would hate for you to corrupt him." Rido didn't want to talk to Shizuka anymore. He felt like vomiting at the idea of her and Kaname spending time together. He spun to leave the library.

"Why do you hate me?" Shizuka asked in a low voice.

"I hate the fact that I have to marry you." Rido left.

Shizuka just sat at the window and watched the pretty Kuran play in the garden. How I wish I were but a child again. I would not have to deal with all of this…Being a Pureblood sucks! Having to act all prim and proper. Why do I have to do this so young! Tears stung in Shizuka's eyes and she felt jealously gnaw at her. I wish I had the life Kaname has. He doesn't have to get married anytime soon! Shizuka rubbed the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to pull herself together. Now that she was living with the Kurans she had to keep her guard up all the time. There would be no time for her to mourn the loss of her old life. She had to do what was expected of her even if she did not want to. She had to bear all the bruises on her heart simply for the blood that ran through her veins.

Ta-Da! Thank you ever so much everyone for the nice comments! I'm going to do my best to update in a more timely manner!