Disclaimer: I don't own vampire knight or any of its characters. I just use and abuse them.
If you missed chapter 7 go back and read it! It has important plot elements.
Yori stepped out of the car and headed towards the main gate, the two vampire cousins following behind her. She was fuming. Aidou had been so completely out of line in the car. She couldn't believe how annoyingly persistent he was. All she wanted to do now was get away from him as fast as possible.
She waited impatiently for the gates to open. Aidou and Kain were talking to each other with muffled voices several feet away from her. She tried to listen in on their conversation but she couldn't make out what they were saying.
He'd noticed the bruise on her knee. Clenching a hand and pressing it to her stomach, she tried to suppress the shame. Though it was true that it was from a fall, she'd omitted the fact that it was because Simon's father had knocked her to the floor. Last night, the man had been reeking of alcohol, stumbling and angry. She hadn't quite made it to her room in time to avoid him. Luckily he'd fallen over drunk before anything else happened.
Things had been different before her mother died. Back then, Simon's father had been sober most of the time, only drinking occasionally at a party or at dinner on a Friday night. It wasn't until later that everything had changed. Running away with Simon had crossed her mind a number of times, even though the man only had it out for her and never hit her brother. But where would they go? There was no money. She couldn't find a job that would pay enough for her to support a child on her own.
It wasn't until recently that she'd finally found a solution.
"May I escort you to your room?"
Yori jumped at the sound of Aidou coming up behind her. She glanced up, noticing that Kain had already left. "It's fine," she said quickly, "I can head back on my own."
"Nonsense," he insisted, stepping up beside her to offer an arm, "I'd be a terrible escort if I didn't at least see you back to your dorm."
Yori rolled her eyes, "Right. Because you're such a gentleman."
"What? Can't I be polite?" he asked with a pout, "Perhaps if you took me up on my offer to take you on a date, I could show you just how–"
"That's alright," she cut him off, "I'm sure you can be very nice." Like when he thought it would lead to her giving him blood...or whatever else he wanted.
His frown deepened, his brows creasing in an expression that looked like confusion. With his looks and charm, he probably wasn't used to being rejected.
"Well, I should get going." Yori took an awkward step backwards before turning to head in the direction of her dorm. "Thanks for the ride."
Aidou jogged to catch up with her. "Sorry," he said when she cast him a glare, "Our dorm leader said to see you home safe, so you're stuck with me until then."
Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Yori kept walking silently. Fine. He could follow her if he wanted to.
Aidou proceeded to do just that. He shortened his strides to match hers, his taller frame casting a shadow at her side, the sunset an orange hue over his shoulder. He was wearing sleek beige slacks and a dark jacket that offset the color of his eyes. As always, he was annoyingly handsome. Yori could only hope that none of the other day class girls happened to see her being escorted by the most popular idol of the night class.
"So," he began, his voice cutting through the sound of their footsteps on the cobbled pavement, "have you ever been on a date before?"
"No."
"But I'm sure you've been asked out plenty of times."
"Not really."
"Not really?" he repeated, his interest peeked, "So you have been asked out before. By who?"
"No one imparticular."
"Awe, c'mon Yori-chan, you've gotta give me more than that." He stepped ahead of her, then turned, walking backwards with his hands in his pockets, "Who was it? One of the guys in your class?"
Yori sighed. It wasn't like it was a big secret or anything. "It was the class president."
"That kid with the glasses?"
She nodded.
"You turned him down?" he asked, his gaze never leaving her face. For some reason, he seemed fascinated with the topic of conversation.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"A number of reasons."
Aidou rolled his eyes. "Okay, so what was the main reason then?"
"It was because of his response when I asked him why he wanted to go on a date with me." She was going to stop there, but Aidou was giving her an expectant look, so she explained further, "He said I looked like one of the night class students."
"He actually said that?" Aidou asked incredulously.
"Yes."
He brought a palm to his face. "Wow. I knew some guys were idiots but..." he trailed off for a second, then after a pause, his curious gaze returned, "Which one did he think you looked like? Ruka?"
"He didn't say." Being that she hardly ever even saw the night class, Yori didn't know who this Ruka was, so she couldn't say one way or the other. Still, she couldn't help but be curious. Most of the night class students, including Aidou, were strikingly attractive.
"Is she very pretty?" The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them.
"Who? Ruka?" Aidou asked, and when Yori nodded in response, he answered with, "Yes. My cousin certainly thinks so."
Yori bit her lip, a question pressing at the tip of her tongue. She didn't know why she wanted to know so desperately, but she couldn't seem to help it.
Feeling a little timid, she glanced up at Aidou and asked, "Do you think I look like her too?"
Aidou seemed taken aback by the question, his gaze briefly meeting hers with surprise. Yori braced herself for teasing, but instead he tilted his head to the side and pondered her for a moment. "Your hair is similar in color I guess," he said as his keen eyes studied her features, "but your eyes are different. And you're a little smaller." Then he moved back to her side and leaned in as if to tell her a secret, "And much cuter."
Feeling her cheeks go red, Yori quickly turned her face away, hoping he hadn't noticed. She didn't know why she cared what he thought. It was stupid of her to even ask the question.
A cool breeze traveled through the air. Something warm and heavy was draped over her shoulders. Realizing it was his jacket, Yori shot him a look, but he was already glancing ahead as if nothing had happened.
"I don't need–"
"It's cold out," he interrupted, still not looking at her as he walked by her side companionably, "Just take it."
After studying the stubborn set of his jaw – though he was pretending to be aloof – Yori decided it would be easier to go along with it rather than argue. It was getting chilly, and although the jacket fell well below her waist, it was warm. It also smelled like him – a floral scent that somehow still came off as masculine.
Another silence passed between them, this time more comfortable. Though being escorted home had been the last thing she'd wanted, she no longer felt annoyed by his presence. Perhaps it was simply a comfort to have someone with her. She always felt lonely after saying goodbye to her brother.
It started to get dark as they walked through the forest surrounding the school. Dried leaves swept over the sidewalk. Yori stared down at their feet as their steps matched on the pavement. His dress shoes were polished as usual. Her sneakers were scuffed and dirty.
She wondered what his life had been like. His clothing and demeanor oozed money. Did he have servants growing up? Was his childhood home a mansion? The thought depressed her. After seeing her and Simon's house, he probably thought of them as peasants.
"There was something else I wanted to ask you," Aidou said after awhile, bringing her out of her thoughts.
It seemed like he might have moved closer, though she couldn't be sure. His hands were still in his pockets, but his elbow was occasionally rubbing against the jacket hanging off her shoulder.
"The other night, in the library," he went on, his voice slightly hesitant, "that was your first kiss?"
Yori blinked, surprised at the question. Of all the things she'd thought he might ask, that had been about the last one she'd expected.
It would be better not to engage in that particular subject. They were still quite some distance from the school. No one was around. It was getting dark. If ever she found herself in a dangerous situation with him, this would be it.
But she didn't sense that from him tonight. He wasn't trying to make sexual innuendos. He hadn't tried to touch her. Yori wasn't sure what had changed, or if it was even wise of her to let her guard down, but tonight he seemed less threatening.
So, despite her better judgment, Yori found herself answering quietly, "Yes."
He muttered a curse, so quiet that she barely heard it. "About that. I don't normally–" He ran a hand through his hair, sounding slightly uncomfortable, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it like that."
Confused, Yori quietly tried to make sense of his apology. Like what exactly? Did he mean he shouldn't have touched her that night? Perhaps he regretted everything. And why did that thought upset her? It's not like she'd asked him to do any of it. In fact, had she known he was going to appear, she wouldn't have gone to the library at all that night.
Their steps had led them out of the forest, and she could make out the lights of the dorm room windows as they drew closer.
"You maybe don't know this," Aidou was saying, "but a girl's first kiss should be different than that. It should be slower...nicer. Something that happens at the end of a date, or at a place that's romantic – like a secluded beach or during fireworks or something."
"Okay," Yori said, just to say something. Why was he telling her this?
"Every girl deserves a first kiss, Yori," he pressed on, bending slightly to try to catch her gaze, "including you."
"It's a little late for that, don't you think?"
They had almost reached the day class dorm building when he stopped her, moving in front of her to block her path. Her senses would have gone on high alert, but now that they were in an open area, she didn't feel trapped. It wasn't that dark and the moon was bright, reflecting streaks of his blonde hair. He stood far enough away from her that she could walk around him if she wished.
"I want to try again," Aidou said as he stood before her, the light of the dorm building behind him framing his lean silhouette, "Giving you a first kiss, I mean. To make up for last time."
Stunned, Yori could only stare at him. His expression seemed honest. He wasn't smirking. There was no mischievous spark in his eyes. He merely gazed back at her, self-assured.
"You're asking if you can kiss me?" It wasn't like she needed to confirm the question, she was just surprised he was asking instead of simply seducing her until she acquiesced.
The corner of his lips lifted in a sheepish grin, "Yes, since last time we...skipped that part."
"Is this part of your theory on how first kisses are supposed to go?" she asked, honestly curious.
"I suppose so."
Yori stood there quietly, somewhat shocked that a firm "no" hadn't sprung from her lips. Instead, her thoughts traveled to the night in the library, and a rush of desire went through her as her body remembered what it had felt like to have him touching her – his knowing hands, his seductive voice, his teeth gently nibbling her ear...
How had he said first kisses were supposed to go? Slower and nicer? She couldn't help but wonder what that would feel like.
This was crazy. It was the worst idea ever. She couldn't believe she was even considering it.
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Her heart began picking up speed. But somehow what came out of her mouth was an almost voiceless, "Alright."
He took a step closer, his hands leaving his pockets to fall to his sides, "Alright? You'll let me kiss you?"
With her heart in her throat, Yori could only nod.
She'd half expected him to start teasing her, or to follow up by saying she had to donate blood first, but none of that happened. Instead his expression softened as he took one step closer and then another.
Her palms began to sweat when he stopped just in front of her. His hand slid underneath the jacket at her waist, his touch a warm pressure through her clothing. She held her breath when his palm pressed flat against her lower back, gently pulling her closer.
Yori stood stiffly, taking a jerky step forward, until they were so close that any movement at all would cause their bodies to touch. She stared at the blueish-purple shirt that covered his flat chest. He seemed taller, his shoulders wide, his breath lightly brushing her forehead. She didn't know why she'd consciously agreed to what they were doing, but she couldn't bring herself to move away.
His hand on her back was the only place they touched, but it suddenly felt so much more intimate.
"Relax," he said softly, "It's only a kiss."
Ha. There was no way it would only be a kiss with him. And he knew it.
"Isn't a girl supposed to be nervous for her first kiss?" She'd meant it to sound witty, but her voice was too breathless.
"She should also be dreamily gazing into my eyes," he said with amusement.
Her heart was pounding so hard, Yori wondered if he could feel it. "With you, isn't that a little dangerous?"
For some reason, he seemed to like that, and a light chuckle emitted from his chest. "Touché. I guess we can figure that part out later."
His head bent over hers and he drew in a breath, as if smelling her hair. Thinking this might be a good time to change her mind, Yori took a shaky breath and started to move away. But then his fingers were threading through her hair, and he was gently tilting her head back, his mouth lowering until it was just above hers.
"This would be a good time to close your eyes," he murmured, his breath warm against her lips. Yori gazed into his deep blue eyes for one last heart-stopping moment before letting her eyelids flutter closed. His arms tightened around her subtly.
His lips were unbearably gentle as they pressed against hers.
And suddenly she remembered why this was such a bad idea, because although this kiss was much slower than last time, it was still with Aidou, and any seduction from him, no matter how nice, was still deadly. His soft, well-practiced movements caused her knees to go weak, her breathing uneven. His lips were soft, pliant, yet unmerciful.
And then his tongue was teasing along the edge of her lips, and Yori stopped thinking. All she could do was feel.
Perhaps she shouldn't grip his shoulders so tightly, or let his arms support her weight, but unlike before, this was a slow seduction, a dance where he knew all of the steps, effortlessly leading her through each turn. Every movement he made was graceful and designed – the elegant strokes of his tongue, his arms pulling her close with just the right amount of strength. Yori soon forgot about where she was or how this had started. It was all she could do to hold onto him, let him lead, and keep herself from stumbling.
"I could do this for hours," he said as he came up for air, his thumb brushing back and forth over her jaw.
Yori panted, feeling light headed. "I don't think first kisses last that long."
That made him smirk with arrogance. "Mine do."
Then he tilted her head to the side and angled his lips over hers. This time he kissed her more deeply. His tongue entered her mouth, demanding more, and hot desire flooded through her.
Without thinking, Yori kissed him back. Lifting up on her toes, she brushed her tongue over his upper lip, curious to know what it would feel like. She'd been about to give his bottom lip the same treatment, when she realized that he'd gone utterly still. Unsure if she'd done something strange, she moved to pull back, but his arms tightened around her.
"Do that again, baby," he whispered, his voice sounding hoarse.
Hesitantly, she brushed her tongue over his lips again and he let out the breath he'd been holding. Her inexperience didn't seem to matter to him at all. When she slipped her tongue between his lips and slid it over his, he let out a long groan. And when she began exploring his mouth, his breathing became ragged, his every muscle going tense.
But she'd made a terrible mistake. She'd forgotten that he wasn't human, and when her tongue moved over his teeth, she cut herself on a sharp fang.
Startled at the pain, she let out a small yelp and the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. A whimpering sound came from Aidou's throat, as if he was trying to resist. But only seconds later, his arms clamped around her, and he sucked on her tongue. Hard.
Suddenly frightened about where this might lead, Yori jerked her head back, a part of her worried he might not let her go. But he got the message.
Releasing her lips with a pained groan, Aidou's forehead fell to her shoulder. He was breathing hard. "I'm sorry, baby. You just...You taste so..." his hand lowered to her backside and he pulled her up against him until she could feel his erection, hard and unyielding against her abdomen. "God, you feel so–"
Just then the sound of the main doors opening interrupted them. Aidou and Yori jumped apart just in time to see two day class girls coming outside.
"Idol-sempai!" they seemed to squeal in unison. They both ran down the steps practically knocking him over as they latched onto his shirt.
Still reeling from their intimate kiss, Yori watched the scene in helpless disbelief.
"When can we come visit you again?" one said.
"You were so mean when you kicked us out of your room last time!" the other whined.
Yori closed her eyes feeling humiliated. She was just one of these fangirls to him.
She took his jacket and angrily threw it at his face. He barely managed to catch it with the two girls hanging onto him.
"Stay the hell away from me," Yori said, enunciating each word. She turned, ran into the building, and slammed the door behind her.
Please let me know what you think so far.
