Vampire Knight

Guilty Temptations

Chapter Ten: The Partners.

I stared with wide eyes at Zero. "Uhm, uh…" I tried to find my now lost voice. "D-Did I say love?" I said with a weak smile. He didn't react, though. I gulped, then suddenly feeling my feet move by itself, I ran away from the scene as fast as I could, breathing heavily with a hammering heart. I continued to race out to nowhere. I stopped in front of my bedroom door. I cried, breaking open the entrance to my room only to slam it loudly again. I breathed, tired from the exercise I did. I know I shouldn't have been, but I was genuinely scared. Questions began to fill my mind. What does Zero think? Does he like me in that way at all? Why did Aidou seem so angry when I admitted it? How could I have been so stupid to say it at that place? Will Zero respond to my feelings? How will I be able to look at Zero in the eye again? And what about Aidou?

I sank down to the floor, sobbing at my humiliation in front of the guy I liked. "I can't believe how stupid I looked in front of him," I scolded myself. Normally, I wouldn't be the type to cry about another man, but then again, Zero's the first person that has made me feel this way. Sounds corny, I know. I felt my pocket vibrate then, and I took out my phone. "H… Hello?" I sniffed, trying to make it not sound like I've been crying.

"Shiori-chan?" My boss' voice went through the speaker. "Do you think you can teach a class today? One of our teachers went out sick, and I was wondering if you could fill her space for today. I know you have another class to commit to and all, and I know you called in earlier to say you were a little under the weather, but it would be great if you could take this one just for one lesson. All the other teachers are very busy. Please?"

I didn't hesitate to accept. "Yes. Of course," I nodded. I needed something to get my mind off my problem right now.

I got changed into my sweats, a loose jacket, and a plain t-shirt. I know it sounds unattractive. Once leaving my room, I was confronted by Kaname. He stared down at me. "Where are you going?"

My throat went dry. "Uh, to my job."

"You'd better be referring to Yuki," He answered, still no emotion on his face.

"Actually, I'm going to my part-time job. They suddenly called, and they need somebody urgently," I replied, feeling my hands go a little clammy. "Please, Kaname, could you let me out just this once?" I acted polite so I wouldn't have to deal with an argument.

Still, he only stood there with an unemotional expression. He sighed. "Very well. Don't stay out for too long. You still have your classes this evening."

I agreed, running down the stairs, wanting to get out of the campus grounds as soon as possible. I walked out the Night Dorm gates, realizing that it was break time for the Day Class, meaning they had lunch now. A few lurked outside, and a lot recognized my face. I quickly wore my hood over my head, hoping nobody approached me. I began to run. I ran down to the town, into the local dance studio. I took off my hood, and my boss greeted me with relief. "Oh, thank goodness," She sighed. "I was hoping you would get here quickly. Now, most of the students have already arrived, so please make them feel at ease while the rest come."

I pasted on my fake smile, and nodded. "Great. I'll just talk to them for a bit."

"That would be wonderful," She grinned. "Oh, I think I may have forgotten to inform you, but there is a recital coming up, but this time, there will be a program at the end where the teachers get to dance a piece. They can decide if they want to bring a partner or two. It just shows that the parents can trust us that there are professionals here at our studio."

I gawked a little. "D-Dancing for the parents? On stage?"

"Well, yes! I assume you've already performed for some people already, correct?" She raised her eyebrows. "At least, that's what the young man told me when he wanted to schedule your interview."

What the heck did Aidou tell her? I'd never performed in front of anybody. Except Aidou. But that was hardly a performance. "Ah, actually…" I mumbled.

She looked confused. "Is there a problem? I'm sorry, but if you've never actually performed in front of a live audience, then I'm afraid we might have to fire you. No personal reasons, really, it's just that this studio strictly hires professional dancers. I must say, you are a very fine dancer yourself. I'm very sure you are a professional, correct?"

Get me fired? Because I'm not a professional? Sheesh. "N-No, no problem. I'm a… professional. I've been dancing my whole life!"

My boss smiled with relief. "Oh good. Now, your class is in that other room. Try to be a little childish today, okay?"

"Childish? Why?" I gave her a funny look.

"You'll see," She giggled, as she led me over to the dancing class.

And I saw why she told me to be childish. The whole class was filled with children. I smiled nervously when my boss left the room. Normally, I taught people who were either my age or a little older. But children? I'd never worked with them before. I breathed quietly as I approached a small girl. She gave me a big, toothy grin. I lifted up the corners of my mouth, and said, "What's your name?"

She replied, "I'm Miwako! Who are you?"

"Hi, Miwako-chan, I'm Shiori. I'll be your teacher for today," I greeted her gently.

"What happened to our other teacher?" She wondered aloud.

I said, "She got sick. I hope you don't mind me being your teacher for this lesson."

"Nope, I don't care," Miwako shrugged. "Can we get started now?" She glanced at the door as several more students entered.

"Is everybody here?" I asked, unsure, with all the unfamiliar faces.

Miwako turned around, and scanned the class' students. Then she nodded. "Yup. Everybody's here."

"Great," I smiled. I got up to the front of the studio, and then all the children went silent, giving me confused stares.

One of them called out rudely, "Where's Mizuno-sensei?"

I answered, "Mizuno-sensei is sick, so today, I will be your teacher. Uh, my name is Shiori. I'm counting on all of you to make this lesson a good one."

"Alright!" They all replied in their high pitched voices.

Throughout the whole lesson, I'd managed to befriend most of the class. Some obviously disliked me, for taking Mizuno's place, even if it was for one lesson. You know how possessive children can get. An hour and a bit later, we'd finished for the day, and the children who liked me waved goodbye, whilst the ones that didn't really care just left. I sighed once the class exited the room. I sat myself on the floor, and almost curled into a ball. I was stressed; about Zero and about the performance. Not to mention the whole Yuki Cross bodyguard thing. I saw a shadow pass me, and I looked up. No one was in the room but me, but when I looked outside the window… Well, you could sort of guess who was there. Zero and Aidou. I'd almost choked on a breath, and I stood up, quickly packing my things, getting ready to escape. I turned again, but this time, they were gone.

I coughed softly. "Maybe, I'm seeing things. I'm obviously going crazy." I said this while staring into the mirror. Then, Aidou and Zero appeared behind me. I screamed, falling face-flat onto the floor. I looked at them with wide eyes. "You're not real!"

"Yes, we are, Shiori," Aidou answered, rolling his eyes whilst helping me stand up again.

I instantly let go of Aidou, grabbing my bag, and quickly mumbling, "I… have to go."

"No, you don't have to go," Zero said firmly, taking my arm hastily. "What did you mean, you loved me?"

My cheeks went red, and felt ridiculously nervous. "W-Well… I…" My breaths became quicker, and my body felt cold. "I-I said what I said. If you don't believe me… T-Then I guess that's a loss. I'm sorry," I murmured, jerking away from Zero and leaving the dance studio.

"Shiori!" Both Aidou and Zero called out.

Still, they ran after me, and Zero said, "Why are you avoiding me like this!?"

I frowned, angry with his naivety. "You idiot!" I cried, and stopped in my tracks. I glared with all my might at the silver hair boy. "It's not like you even care! You love Yuki Cross! You don't give a crap about me! All you think about is her! It's always about her!" …Oh yeah. Now I decide to tell the truth. After a couple of seconds, I realized what I'd said, and quickly covered my mouth with my hands, gasping quietly at my outburst. It was certainly no way to treat the boy you loved. I shook my head, hating my position then. "…Uh," I mumbled. "I-I need to be alone."

And once again, I ran off, avoiding Zero like he said.

I felt a knock against my bedroom door as I leaned against it. "Shiori?" They called. Only this time, it was a different voice. I opened the door a few inches and mumbled, "Akatsuki."

He gave me wide eyes for a second, then retrieved his composure again, "Shiori, your eyes are red and swollen."

I nodded. "I know… What do you need?"

"I was wondering if you could get Ruka to get out of her room. She's been sulking ever since we got back from class this morning. She won't open the door for me," He answered my question in a concerned tone.

"What happened to Ruka-san?" I asked, feeling a sense of worriment growing.

"She's been moping ever since she found out Kaname asked Yuki to be his lover," Akatsuki replied, a tinge of irritation crossed his face.

I opened the door even more, making myself step out into the hallway. I walked in silence towards Ruka's room. Akatsuki followed me, and as I knocked lightly on her door, I called, "Ruka-san? It's Shiori. Are you okay?"

She didn't answer.

"Listen, I know what you're dealing with right now and uh… You could say I'm sort of in the same situation. But locking yourself in your room will not help," I said in a softer tone.

"Like you should be talking," Akatsuki mumbled.

I glared at him, and turned back to the door, when I heard a small click. "Ruka-san?" I murmured as I opened the door slightly.

The sight in front of me wasn't particularly a good one. Ruka was lying in her bed, head facing the pillow. She was quiet, but you could hear tiny whimpers of sorrow muffled. I looked at Akatsuki. He looked worried, but if Ruka didn't open the door for Akatsuki, then she obviously didn't want to see him. I closed the door on him before he could get inside. He grunted as I locked the entrance to her room. I walked in silence towards Ruka, who was obviously crying on the bed. I sat beside her still body, and I gently touched her shoulder. "Ruka-san? Are you okay?"

Well, obviously not. But that's the first question that came into mind.

"Mmmph," She murmured over her pillow.

I sighed. "Love hurts, huh?"

She nodded, turning her head a little so she can speak clearly. "I can't believe that human got her hands on Kaname before I did."

"I'm not exactly fond of her either," I muttered.

"What? I thought you two were friends," Ruka looked a little confused.

"Hah… You know I'm supposed to be comforting you, and hearing your problems. Not the other way around," I shook my head.

"Did she take Zero as well?" She asked.

I breathed through my clenched teeth. I hung my head. "…How'd you know?"

"I already knew you liked Zero by the way you looked at him. And I knew by the way he looked at Yuki, he liked her," Ruka explained, not really crying anymore.

"He loves her. And thanks to Aidou-senpai, I accidentally confessed my feelings for him," I rubbed my temples. "Agh. I'm so stupid when it comes to love."

"Oh, you confessed? How'd it happen?" Ruka's interest suddenly rose.

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Well, Aidou seemed to be annoyed, and just told me to spit it out. I did, and it turned out that Zero-kun was right behind me and heard everything."

"Really?" Ruka sat up, looking at me with amusement and sympathy. It looked strange.

"Yeah. Right now, I've gotten so worried over such minor things, but to me, they're huge. I can't help it if I freak out a little," I scrunched my nose.

"Don't you know why Aidou was angry?" Ruka raised her elegant eyebrow.

"Eh?" I looked at her with a blank look. "He said he was annoyed about how much I hated Zero-kun."

"And…?"

"What? That's it."

"Oh. How naïve…"

"Eh?"

She smiled. Ruka obviously liked to talk about angry men. "Don't you understand? Or have you not gotten the picture yet?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, I know you won't believe me, but trust me, Aidou's got feelings for you."

"Feelings? For me? No, you're just kidding around. There's no way Aidou-senpai likes me in that way," I blurted, not believing the facts she was giving me. "Aidou-senpai wouldn't see me in that way! He only stays around me because I'm a pureblood. He told me himself!"

"Don't you think that maybe his emotions might have shifted from that?"

Outside in the hall, after speaking with Ruka, I breathed, still not believing what she told me. I mean, it's not true, right? Aidou said it! He's just my friend because of my 'status'… If you can even call that a friend.

So if that's all true, why was my heart skipping beats every so often at the thought of his name?

And would you speak of the devil, Aidou came across the hallway, and spotted me. He stopped in his tracks, and placed a hand in his pocket. "Hey."

"H…" I mumbled. "Hi."

"You okay?" Aidou asked.

I nodded. "More or less… Uh… I'm… sorry."

"About you telling off Kiryuu? I'm fine with that," He replied, taking a few steps toward me.

I shook my head. "No, um, about… running away. When I shouldn't have." I took steps to him as well.

"Oh, well, I guess that's okay too. You were scared, so you ran. It's understandable," He told me quietly.

Soon, we were face to face, close enough so that we could whisper between each other. "Aidou-senpai?" I called his name in a somewhat timid voice.

"I shouldn't have forced you to admit your feelings for him. It was wrong, and I know that you're grieving about what happened. So I'm sorry," He apologized.

"Oh," I squeaked. "Well, you're forgiven. Uh…"

"You seem a little more nervous than usual. I saw you come out of Ruka's room. Did she say anything bad?" Aidou wondered.

"N-No!" I yelped, feeling my blush creeping up slowly. "She didn't say anything."

"Huh," He shrugged. "Whatever you say… Miss Naughty Girl," He smirked.

Well, at least he was back to his old self. I bit my lip in embarrassment, and nudged him. "That's not funny."

"I think it is," He grinned lightly.

I gave him a small, tiny smile, and before I could stop myself (That's happened too many times), I asked him a question.

"Will you be my dance partner for the recital?"

Uwah~ I'm sorry it's been a while for this chapter to come out XD Hopefully you guys can be satisfied with this one for now! And I've also tallied the results for the story, so please stay tuned as to who ends up with Shiori! I have lots planned for this fanfiction, so I ask you kindly if you could review ^^ REVIEW PEOPLE~!