CH 10

"Spare with me today, Aido-sempai.""What?"

"You heard me, I have a sword, so please spare with me."

Aido bowed, "With all do respects, Yuuki-Sama, you…might not be ready to start jousting just yet. Why don't we take it a little slower? Plus we need to get you a sword that will work with you fine. You've gotten stronger I can't deny that. Much stronger than I, but you'll need a sword that will be the perfect length for you."

"No, I can do it now." Yuki pulled Artemis out from the strap on her leg.

"Wait…does that mean…but how!" Aido goggled.

"It's exactly as you expected, Aido-sempai. Artemis does change based on my strong feelings."

"Ah well in that case, I guess I can't say anything wrong with a short joust but…"

"But?" I was getting tired of all the talk. I was clearly strong enough, so why was he hesitating. I wouldn't be severely hurt in battle. Maybe a few bruises, but if any blood was shed, it would heal quickly. Plus, Aido-sempai knew better than attack for pure blood's blood. It was forbidden.

"But…well it's nothing, let's get started Yuuki-sama."

"We jousted for a full half hour before I threw down my sword in anger."

"Aido-sempai, why are you going easy on me!? Do you not believe I can do it? Do you think I'm that weak!?"

"Yuuki-sama, please…if Kaname-sama found out we were doing this."

"But nothing, Kaname this, Kaname that… so what? Aren't I a Kuran as well? Isn't what I say also law?"

"Well yes, that's true…"

I smiled, secretly on the inside, the lessons that Aido and Ruka-sempai and been bent on teaching me for the meeting were coming into use. Being commanding was a very important skill.

"Then in that case, do not go easy on me. Don't be afraid to hurt me, I'll never learn otherwise."

"Yuuki-sama, sword fighting is dangerous, do you understand that? Not to say that you can't do it but…""Aido-semapi, I have someone that I love. In order to protect that person, I need to do this. If I get hurt for a reason like that, it's ok, I don't mind. So will you help me?

Aido-sempai gave in to the very persuasive skills he had taught me the week before.

"Yes Yuuki-sama."

"Now good, come at me! It's an order!"

After Aido-semapi got serious, time after time, Artemis was knocked out of my hands, by the end of the day I still hadn't been able to get through Aido-semapai's defenses.

"Ah, that was a failure." I sighed in resignation.

"No, it wasn't. Vampires aren't usually this good when they start out. It took me years to get to where I am today. Yet still, in one day of jousting, you were able to keep up with me. You should be able to get through my defenses soon enough, Yuuki-sama."

On my way home, I thought about what Aido-sempai said. It was true that I had learnt much faster than I expected. But would it be fast enough for the meeting on coming up the next week? I worried. I still didn't know what was going to happen. All I knew was that Kaname was going to be attacked.

Or wait.

What if that was just a dream? What if Kaname really wasn't going to be attacked. What if I was doing all this for nothing?

NO.

I had to believe in myself. No dream had ever felt so real in my whole life. It wasn't fake, it was real.

"Yuuki? What are you doing standing there. Is something wrong?"

I snapped out of my daze. "Kaname! Ah, no I was just thinking about the meeting next week.""Are you worried?" He asked solemnly.

"No, of course not. This is merely some stupid meeting the senate has planned to try and control me. It's nothing to worry about, I've got it under control." I spoke from my heart. I truly was not worried. With everything Aido and Ruka-sempai had taught me about politics and behavior, I was not worried. I only wished that I had learnt this sooner. I felt so much more confident with all the knowledge I had gained.

"I see, those lessons truly have had a good effect on you, my dear girl." He caressed my face, "But I wonder what this bruise behind your ear is from? Could it be that someone possibly attacked you? No that is silly, no one would be so foolish. They would executed on the spot now wouldn't they. So where did it come from Yuuki?"

"It's a secret." I said, looking him straight in the eye.

"Not even one you can tell me?" Kaname questioned.

He was grasping my hand tightly. He clearly wanted to know.

Well two could play at that game. I reached up and grabbed his neck just as tightly.

I whispered in his ear: "No not even you, Kaname-oni-sama. You have your secrets, and I have mine." I let go off him and with a little effort, broke free of his grasp.

"Yuuki, don't do anything reckless, that's all I ask. I'm trying to protect you the best I can, but a little help on your part would be nice."

I thank you for that Kaname, I could be happier that you care about me so much. But it's not my safety that's at stake here. Sure I have you to protect me, you always will and I trust you completely, but who's going to protect you?" I turned around and walked to my room.

I let out a heavy sigh and slid to the floor. I loved him more than life, but Kaname was, by far, the most intimidating person I knew, and for the first time in my life, I had really stood up to him. This was it, this was where my real life as a vampire started. The strong and confidant pure blood: Yuuki Kuran.