Chapter Three: The Wedding

Ruka was so nervous she couldn't sleep. Two things invaded her mind and didn't leave her alone, but she had to sleep. Tomorrow she couldn't be sleepy, and she got to be perfect: she was getting married.

That was one of the things she couldn't stop thinking; tomorrow she was going to marry one of her two best friends. She was even kind of afraid of what she was suppose to do, because after all this was an arranged marriage, and everybody knows what does that mean: their parents where interest in linking the two families… and also in preserving their status by doing so with their blood. Nobles marry nobles.

She couldn't even breathe normally, thinking what that means indirectly.

She also was having her last night sleeping alone. Because starting tomorrow she'll obviously share her bed with Akatsuki. That made her felt uneasy. She knew he wasn't going to take advantage of her, but well, they were supposed to do… that. She sighed. What was she going to do? She wasn't really ready. She still held feeling for Kuran Kaname.

The other thing bothering her was also related to Kain. How had he managed to appear in her thoughts so much in such a short time? Because lately he had been jumping into her mind way more frequently than what she likes.

Last night, he had proposed.

Yes, they were getting married tomorrow, and only a few hours ago he had proposed.

They were in the living room of his house. He had forgotten his jacket, and they were going out, so she waited him while he went to fetch it. She was clearly not paying attention to him, because he actually got his jacket.

But then he appeared, in the middle of the dark room, with a strange expression.

"What's wrong? Did you find your jacket?

"Ruka… - he kneeled in front of her and cleared his throat, which has unusually dried - Ruka, would you marry me? - He said opening a box with the most beautiful and luxurious ring she had ever saw.

"What?! - He caught her with her guard down. Was he really asking her that?

"But Akatsuki, we are already engaged.

"I know - he stood up - but I never asked you to marry me. I don't want you to, when our daughter asks you how did I propose, having to say something like 'your father never did it, we were forced to marry'. And I'm glad we're getting married, so Ruka, would you marry me?

He was looking straight to her eyes. It felt weird, but she didn't want to look away.

Had he just said our daughter… your father (referring to himself)?

She didn't utter a single word. She just offered him her hand, so he could put the ring in her finger. She noticed he was breathing faster than normal. Was he really worried she would reject him?

He looked at her when the ring was on its place, and he gave her an alleviated smile.

"It's my mother's ring. It was from my father's mother, and so on. I asked for it some time ago, but I didn't have the guts to ask you before - Was he really nervious about that? Since they were already engaged, she didn't think would matter. But somehow, it was different for him. How exactly? She didn't know.

"You silly, of course I'm marring you. - That didn't completely calm him. She said she was marring him, not that she wanted. But he had promised himself that lately she would.

…

Akatsuki couldn't sleep, he was way too anxious to do it. Tomorrow was his big day: the day he would finally marry the girl of his dreams, Ruka Souen… He wanted to be next day already, he couldn't hold it anymore.

Actually, he couldn't believe this day had almost come. Everything was definitely going to be perfect for both, him and her. Last night, he had proposed, and she had accepted. But he still didn't know if she actually wanted to. She had told him that she was ok with it, that she was glad it was him, but still, everything under the context of having to get married, with him or someone else. Well, at least he was her best option. She once told him that if she had had to pick a husband right there, he was definitely her choice.

That made him smile.

But there was a subject bothering him.

From tomorrow day on, they were going to live together. When he wake up, he'll be able to see her pretty face. At lunch time, they were going to go out together. On those boring sundays afternoons, they would get bored together.

But that wasn't everything.

Eventually, she would drink his blood, and she was going to taste his love towards her… she was going to taste him… A chill ran through him. How long has he been looking forward that: having her so close to him, her arms around his neck, her head buried between his head and his shoulder… God, how lucky he was.

But he wasn't going to force her to give him hers. Even if he so deeply wanted it, he wasn't going to take it until she offer it. And also, he didn't want to taste … that she didn't love him.

That made all the warmth in his heart freeze, and it suddenly felt empty.

It was true, she didn't love him; it was a one-side love. But not for long, he hoped. He smiled again, with the perspective.

That wasn't the only thing in his mind. From now on, he would experience intimacy… with her.

.

.

.

Kain was standing in front of the door of the church, with his and Ruka's mother, and also his father. Everyone could see how happy he was, and how nervous, as he didn't want to do anything wrong.

All his classmates were there, and also many important vampires, because this wasn't a marriage of commoners. When he was told to go stand next to the altar, his heart accelerated, and he got even more nervous and anxious as he waited for Ruka to arrive.

Suddenly, everyone got quiet, and the musicians started to play the song with which Ruka was suppose to make her entrance. He couldn't keep waiting for her to appear through the door. There were probably only a few seconds, but for him they felt as long minutes.

And there, he saw her. Dressed in a glorious white dress, with her hair pulled on a half ponytail, with her long locks falling over her back as a waterfall, and with a beautiful white flowered piece on her head. She looked magnificent, gorgeous, so sophisticated… his heart stopped for a whole minute. Luckily he wasn't suppose to say anything for some time, because he simply couldn't utter a single word.

She walked to meet him with a bouquet on her hands. And as if all that wasn't enough, to complete the perfect image, the beauty owner of his heart was walking with the prettiest smile he had ever seen in his life. When their eyes met, he couldn't hide his own anymore, showing everybody his perfect white teeth.

At the dinner party, everyone was talking about how beautiful Ruka looked and how happy Akatsuki did. They were greeting their guest, when suddenly Ruka started feeling not so right.

She was in front of the mirror at the bathroom, drinking water, trying to feel better.

"Ruka! Are you all right? - he entered cautiously to the bathroom saved specially for them.

"No… No! I can't keep like this!

"Calm down, Ruka, everything is going to be all right.

"I know! I need some fresh air.

And she left the room to go outside. She seated on some steps and buried her face in the fabric of the dress, between her knees. She took deep breath, trying to calm down.

She knew why she was like that. This last month, she had been really calm down, too much for how she usually was. And now, all the anxiety, all the nervousness, were making their appearance. This wasn't the time, but she couldn't do anything about it.

There, she heard some footsteps. Breathing loudly, she turned her face to see her now-husband-ex-best friend standing there.

"I- I'm sorry- she said. Tears were rolling through her face showing no compassion with her make up.

"It's ok, Ruka- he said, sitting next to her.

"No! It's not! Why everybody says that! I'm sorry, but I can't do this - she looked away.

"Do… do what.

"This! Us! - she looked at him - Getting married!

"Ruka, calm down, please. Just breathe. - And as a matter of fact, she started to calm down, but only a little- "Look, Ruka, I know you're upset and scared, but everything already happened. We're already married. Just look at me - and he pulled up softly her face so he could see her expression. - Ruka, it's me. I'm not going to let you get hurt, not even regret about this. Haven't you told me that you were ok with this? That you were glad that you were marring me? - Ruka nodded- "Then, where's the problem.

"I don't know. I just fall apart. I know rationally that everything is going to be al right, but I can't help this feeling, this sensation suffocating me.

"Come here - He hugged her- You can trust me. Everything's gonna be okay. Would you trust me? - Ruka looked up at him and nodded- It's all right, and it's ok to feel this way. It's gonna cease, I promise - I'll do everything so this feeling ends, he though.

…

"Where have you two been? It's time for the waltz!

"I'm sorry, it was my fault - Akatsuki said. Ruka was in front of him, his right hand with her right hand, and his left one on her waist. He raised both, Ruka's and his own right hand, and he kissed hers - but we are here now.

"Okay, hurry! Hurry!

And the music started.

The party was amazing. Ruka, feeling better, insisted on staying at the party, so when they left the sun was already up. Only there she accepted she was really tired, and ready to leave. It had been a really tiring day. Physically and emotionally, so when they arrived to the room at his mansion where the party was been held, she went straight to the bathroom to take off her bride dress, and change it for her nightgown.

Akatsuki let her. He knew how destroyed she was. Really, women were amazing. To be able to dance with those shoes all night long…

While Ruka was in the bathroom changing and preparing to go to bed, he realized he hadn't brought any proper pajama. Actually, we wasn't use to wear a shirt, as he usually slept with only pijama pants, so he had to wear what he had. He hoped Ruka wouldn't matter.

When she came out from the bathroom, she saw him half naked and freaked out. What was he doing?

As he heard her, he turned around and smiled at her, to then go to the bathroom as he also needed to prepare for sleep time.

Ruka stood there for some seconds, trying to fight sleep. After that, she opened the side of the bed she wanted, but then she stopped. Will be Akatsuki okay with that? What if he also wanted that side? She wasn't used to share her room.

She was still wondering, when he came out. God! How fast! But of course, as he didn't got any make up to clean up from his face. He walked to her, and letting his hands rest at her waist, he kissed her on her cheek.

Then, she realized the situation… it was their wedding night! And of course she new what that was supposed to mean.

"Um… I'm really tired - she said, trying to postpone the almost inevitable situation. How fool she had been! They were in their bedroom, and she was standing in front of their bed, the one they were supposed to share. She started to breathe faster than usual.

"I'm also tired. - He looked at the bed - So, you prefer this side? I don't really care which is mine.

"Well, yes. I was ho-hopping this could me mine.- The words on her throat were trapped.

"Okay then - he grabbed one of her hands to kiss it.

"Um ...

"What is it.

She was hopping he would just walk to his side of the bed and get inside, but she had to caught his attention. Damn, Ruka. Grow up.

"No, nothing. Just ignore me.

Akatsuki sighed.

He knew what was bothering Ruka. How wouldn't he notice, if he had known her for almost his whole life. He could even smell her nervousness and her face showed how troubled she was inside.

He, by the other hand, was completely anxious, but he wasn't going to let his own desires get over Ruka's wish.

"Ruka, remember I told you that I wasn't doing to you anything you didn't want to? - she nodded - Then just relax. We don't have to follow any of what... we're supposed to do. Really, Ruka, just calm down. This day you have been so freaked out, now it's time for you to finally rest.

Ruka sighed. "Thank you, Akatsuki. I wasn't prepared for… that, you know?

"I do. So now just get in and try to sleep.

She was so relief. Of course, how long was she going to keep on that silly state she was? She had married Akatsuki! The one who had always been there for her! The one who puts her own safety before his. The one who had been her support all her their life.

"Thank you, Akatsuki. I do appreciate it. And not only this, I appreciate all you have done for me all this time.

"It's a pleasure.

He felt a bit disappointed. Deep inside, he wanted to, at least, touch her and kiss her in a romantic way, but it was okay. He got plenty of time to do that, he could wait until she was ready. He just hopped it wouldn't be long.

She got inside, and she adopted a position with her back to Kain. She couldn't even close her eyes, but he didn't need to know that. So the best was that he could only see her back.

When he got inside, she immediately realized it. Not only because the bed moved, but also because his warmth started to warm the bed. Her arms were really cold, so she put the blanket all over her body, with only her head being visible.

She was thinking about how embarrassing had been disappearing with Akatsuki at the party, when she felt her hair being touch. By her side, Akatsuki was playing with her now free hair. At first, she felt all the typical sensations which made her move a little, but then she let herself enjoy it. Everyone, specially the ones with long hair, knows how pleasant it is when someone plays with your hair. She felt him moving closer to her.

She closed her eyes, ready to let herself sleep, when his hand moved from her hair to start stroking her left arm, the only one that wasn't under her pillow.

"You're cold

"Only a little.

He run his hand through her arm up and down softly, trying to get her warmer. It felt strange at first.

Little by little, it wasn't his hand anymore, only his fingers. That made Ruka fell things she had never felt before. It was like when you touch your arm lightly, but not the same. Because now it was a man the one doing it. And he was her husband. But she knew Akatsuki wouldn't take advantage of her, so she let him continue. Then, he moved his fingers and when he got to the base of her neck, it felt even better, not to mention when he reach her ear. He was simply enjoying having her by his side.

Ruka let a growl escape, and when she realized she moved uncomfortable.. How embarrassing! Kain laugh a little. But as she keep moving trying to get comfortable, he took his hand off her. She caught it immediately.

"Please, keep it.

That surprised him, but in a good way.

He had been enjoying not only the possibility to be near her in the dark, all calm down, but also being able to touch her. And now he knew she also enjoy it. That made him feel a sudden joy.

So, as she had asked for it, he was definitely going to keep doing it.

But this time, his hand didn't touch her arm or her back; he touched her neck, under her face, to stop only a few centimeters from where Ruka's sleeping wear started.

Her eyes opened rudely. What was that that she had just felt, when Kain had touched under the base of her neck? It was so wrong to let anyone put his hands so near her chest, but it also had felt so damn good.

Well, who cares, as Kain had taken once again his hand from her. But then she felt it, touching her thigh.

Ok, he was crossing the line of what he was supposed to do, but it made her feel something she had never felt before, she didn't want him to stop. He was her husband after all, so it couldn't be so wrong if it was him the one who had placed his hands on her thigh.

As he moved his hand through her flesh, she could hardly control herself. She was really enjoying that. Luckily she had her back faced to him, because she couldn't let him see her red cheeks and her confused face.

He got even closer. Now, she was aware of every move he did, however subtle it was, 'cause her back now was touching his chest.

She ignored that voice telling her to pull him back, and enjoyed being this close to him. She knew it wasn't ok because she was enjoying having a warm body with her, not having him. But she also knew that if it was someone else, she wouldn't let him proceed this far.

He could take in her soft scent, her warmth, and hear her soft breathe. It felt so right when he touch her, and knowing she also wanted the physical contact, made him feel even better. He was slowly loosing control, little by little. It was as if all his efforts during his whole life to get near her, to get into her heart, finally were reporting a pay back.

He had never done anything for her hopping to receive something back, but to actually get it made the whole thing hardly being able to be overcome.

And then, she shifted her pose. Now, she was lying with on her back.

She felt Kain's body against her left arm. He moved his hand to touch her stomach. Every single move he made sent Ruka a new wave of pleasure.

And suddenly, their eyes met. He got such a strong look in his eyes. Ruka immediately knew that for him it wasn't only something carnal. Maybe, he was glad that she was enjoying both, his company and touch.

She moved a little again, and then something happened so fast that she couldn't get it at first.

Kain have moved over her, kneeling with each knee at each side of Ruka, his arms extended, with his hands resting at each side of Ruka's head.

Now she consciously noticed that her husband was in her bed only wearing pants. His bare chest, now at her eye sight, was firm and perfectly sculpted. Physically talking, Kain's body was perfect.

That last thought scared her. But she didn't got time to do anything, as she found that now he was kissing her neck, her arms… and now his right hand had been placed on her tight and made her leg bent to the side of Akatsuki's leg.

Her breath got faster, the same of her heartbeat.

But she wasn't the only one.

Akatsuki himself could hardly control himself. Since Ruka didn't push his hand away from her leg the first time he touched it, his self control had being ceasing more and more, as she keep letting him touch her. Now, his whole mind was focusing in being careful so he wouldn't go too far and hurt her. He didn't really pay any attention to anything else, apart from how good everything felt, and how perfect the moment was.

He kissed her. They had kissed before, but not like this. He kissed her again, and again. It wasn't just their lips anymore, and they were kissing passionately. Ruka had let herself free, as this was only natural between couples, and they were supposed to do that, so she kept kissing him hard, with her arm around his neck, an the other touching desperately his naked chest.

Everything was so perfect, he was giving her his love in the best way he could think, when he completely lost control.

"Ruka…- some seconds passed where she could only hear his hard and passionate breath - Ruka, I love you.

He kept kissing her lips, laying over her, but now her didn't follow him.

She was froze. Had he just said he loved her? She couldn't believe it.

There were only two options for Kain's words. The first one, was that now he had lost his control over himself an his emotions, and he had spoken his heart without even noticing. But the second, if it was true, it would hurt her so deeply.

The second option she thought while receiving Kain's passionate stroking, was that he actually said it completely conscious. That Akaysuki was just saying it to help her loose control and give herself to the moment. She knew that saying beautiful things at women ears got them in "the mood". Maybe Akatsuki was trying to seal the deal.

Akatsuki, her friend… she couldn't believe he had used the sentence for the second purpose. Of course not, he wasn't that type. But then… why? Because she also couldn't believe he felt that way.

.

But she had already seen the truth in his eyes, even if she hadn't accept it.

"Akatsuki" - she said, pushing his head away from head.

He stared her confused. Actually, he wasn't really thinking; he had given himself to his love and desire.

"Akatsuki, please stop!"

And she pulled him away from her, leaving a confused and scared husband behind. She locked herself in the bathroom for long time, to only leave when she was sure he had calmed down and fall asleep.

At the party, everyone danced till it was too bright from them to stay without getting burn.