Disclaimer- I don't own Vampire Knight

Chapter 10

Moment of Weakness

A little girl with white hair that was pulled up into a neat bun and dressed in a long, flowing pink dress, ran through the field of tall green grass and into the forest beyond. She giggled happily as she skipped through the trees and bushes. A few minutes past as she wandered around under the green canopy of the trees just breathing in the fresh scent of the earth and touching some of the trees with her little hands to feel the rough bark against her soft skin.

Her head tilted to the side as a strange smell wafted to her nose. Blinking a few times, the little girl followed the scent through the trees until she came across a little boy sitting on the leaf strewn ground looking at his bloody knee that was propped up before him.

The little boy's dirt and tear stained face snapped up as she stepped forward to look at the boy curiously.

"Who are you?" the boy sniffled as he wiped at his eyes.

The girl just smiled at him before looking back to his skinned knee. A strange look crossed her face as she stepped closer to the boy. Sensing something was off the little boy scooted away from the approaching girl.

Reina fidgeted in her bed and a small whimper escaped her clenched teeth.

'No, I don't want to see this again,' she thought frantically as she tossed and turned.

The boy suddenly disappeared and the woods grew dark as the trees grew and changed shape to become more sinister and nightmarish as they towered over her.

The little girl was replaced by an older version of her in a white school uniform.

The girl's sapphire eyes widened and she leapt aside as the glint of steel flashed passed where she had been standing moments before. Landing on a branch in the trees the girl stared down at her attacker, a blond girl in an identical uniform, only black.

The blond girl looked up and cocked her head at the white haired girl she had tried to attack. A dark chuckle resonated through the area as the blond climbed into the tree to once again lunge at the other girl. Leaping away and landing on the ground fluidly the white haired girl watched as the blond slipped and sliced her palm open as she fell from the tree.

The coppery scent of blood filled the air and the white haired girl fell to the ground gasping for breath as her chest began to burn.

"Reina, Reina, wake up," someone called.

Sucking in a deep breath, Reina's sapphire eyes flew open and looked around wildly. When her eyes met pale blue she sighed in relief before a wave of pain washed over her and she curled up reflexively.

"Reina?" Aido asked worriedly, putting a hand on her back.

"Tablet," she whispered hoarsely through clenched teeth.

Her eyes clenched shut as the pain cascaded over her and knocked all air from her lungs. Aido scurried off to get her water and a blood tablet while she tried to focus on her breathing. Instead of breathing in the fresh scent of lavender that usually lingered in her room, the coppery scent of fresh blood filled her nostrils. She knew it was just the lingering vestiges of the dream, but she couldn't shake the captivating scent. She cried out and curled into a fetal position, wrapping her arms around her legs and holding tightly, her nails digging into the soft flesh.

Having heard the cry Aido came running back into the bedroom, nearly spilling the glass of red liquid onto the floor in the process.

The door to the bedroom opened and Kaname stepped inside, Reina caught a brief glimpse of a white uniform and pale blond hair and knew that Ichijo was still keeping his distance from her. Their argument had taken place two nights ago and the attacks were becoming more frequent and intense with each passing hour.

Kaname said nothing while Reina pushed herself upright and grabbed the glass from Aido, her hands shaking as she raised it to her lips. The instant the first drops slid down her parched throat she had to resist the urge to cough it back up. She drained the glass and pulled it away from her body, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she began to feel the band around her chest loosen ever so slightly.

"The attacks are becoming more frequent," Kaname stated. It wasn't a question, he was aware of the fact that Reina was having these attacks continuously and that her stomach had still not fully healed.

"I'm fine, Kaname," Reina said tiredly, setting the glass down beside her bed.

Kaname sighed. "We're leaving for class now. Aido will be staying with you again."

Reina nodded and cast a glance towards the door.

"He's fine," Kaname assured her, having caught the glance.

She nodded again and sighed as she laid back down. "I wasn't concerned."

"Aido will be returning to class tomorrow, Ichijo will be staying with you for the next few nights," Kaname told her before he turned to leave the room.

Reina glared at his white clad back until he had left the room and the door had shut behind him.

"You and Ichijo should really talk, he feels bad for what he said," Aido told her, plopping himself back in to the chair by Reina's bed and resting his elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand.

"I don't care, he was out of line," Reina replied.

"He cares about you, we all do. We want you to get better, Reina-sama. You should have healed by now," Aido said.

Reina turned her cold glare to Aido who instantly looked down as if he was a child who had just been scolded and told he was grounded. "I'm fine."

Aido said nothing only continued to look down at the floor.

"I would like another glass of water and a few more blood tablets if you don't mind, please," she said.

Nodding, Aido stood and disappeared from the room. He reappeared a few moments later with a pitcher of water that he used to fill the empty glass Reina had used. He dropped a few of the blood tablets that sat on the nightstand in the water before handing the glass to Reina.

"Thank you," she said curtly.

She drank the blood substitute eagerly and felt as the cool liquid made it's way through her body. Her chest only tightened slightly as she drank and she handed the glass back to Aido when she finished. Lying back down, Reina turned away from Aido and closed her eyes.

When she awoke later that evening, Aido wasn't in the room and she slipped carefully out of the bed and made her way into the window seat. Drawing the curtains aside, she noted the the crescent moon was high in the dark cloudless sky and it was probably somewhere around three or four in the morning.

Her door creaked open but she didn't bother to look up as Aido looked at the empty bed in confusion before looking into the window seat and walking over to Reina.

"Can I get you anything, Reina-sama?" he asked.

"So we're back to using sama, are we?" Reina asked wearily.

Aido didn't reply as he looked down at her, the white haired girl hadn't taken her gaze off the scenery outside of her window. She let her eyes wander over the green trees and the dark paths that led to the Academy beyond. Sighing, she turned her head to Aido and met his bright blue eyes with tired and worn sapphire eyes. Her eyes alone made her seem older than she was.

"Sit with me, Aido," she said as she nodded to the space that was across from her.

Aido sat, but was careful to keep his distance from her. She had been acting much colder than usual towards him and even Kaname and it was upsetting. All they wanted was to help her but she seemed to want to refuse everything and turn away from anyone who cared about her.

"You're upset with me too?" she asked quietly.

"No," he replied simply.

Reina frowned at him, she knew he was lying. He may not have been angry with her, but he was at least concerned by her change in attitude and her need to push people away. She scooted over in the seat so that she was curled up between Aido and the windowpane. She rested her head on his shoulder and felt him tense at the contact.

"I'm sorry if I have been mean, Aido. I just don't really care for people who like to pry into the business of others. Ichijo may be worried, as you are, but he had no right to say the things he said to me. I reacted in the only way I know how. To push him and everyone else away, I'm not used to all this attention. It's a little overwhelming," Reina said.

"Are you really going to be okay, Reina?" Aido asked.

She smiled softly. "Yes, I will be okay, Aido."

"As long as you say so, then I'll believe you," Aido replied.

"Good. I know I'm not supposed to be out of bed and Kaname will be probably be angry with me, but do you think I can sleep here, like this for awhile? I'm sure you've noticed that I'm not sleeping very well."

Aido's eyes grew wide and he made to stutter out a refusal, but Reina ignored him and adjusted herself so that she was curled up in the crook of his arm, her knees against his leg and her head against his chest. Her hair fell into her face and she brushed it away before resting her hands in her lap. Knowing he wasn't going to be able to deny her, Aido rested his cheek on her head and sighed resignedly.

Reina shifted slightly and let out a content sigh as she snuggled against Aido. She was asleep shortly after, as was Aido, and they would remain that way until Kaname and Ichijo walked into her room not long after classes had finished for the day and the sun was beginning to rise.

"Aido," Kaname said as he walked over to the sleeping pair.

Aido stirred slightly and his eyes fluttered open. He looked at Kaname and then down to Reina who was still huddled against him, one hand in her lap and the other loosely wrapped around his waist as if she was trying to ensure he wasn't going anywhere. He chuckled nervously at Kaname and looked over to Ichijo who was grinning at him but the look in his eyes betrayed the sadness he felt.

"How is she?" Kaname asked, he knew Reina had become very attached to Aido and that they would often fall asleep curled up together. He didn't particularly care for the fact but he wasn't going to reprimand either one, Reina was a grown woman and her decisions were her own after all.

"Fine. She's been sleeping soundly for awhile," Aido replied.

"Any attacks?" Kaname asked.

Aido shook his head. "No."

"Good. Don't forget you're to attend classes tonight, you've missed enough," Kaname said.

Reina stirred and raised a hand to rub at her tired eyes. Sensing the presence of more than one person in the room, she blinked open an eye only to open them both when she saw Kaname who stared at her for a moment before speaking.

"I thought I had said that you were to remain in bed," he stated evenly.

Still not fully awake, Reina glanced at Aido and then took in the fact that she was huddled against him in the window seat.

"Close enough," she mumbled, once again trying to huddle against him again.

"Return to your bed, Reina. Let Aido get some rest before classes," Kaname replied. "Ichijo will stay with you."

Reina's eyes narrowed slightly and she looked up at Kaname defiantly. "I don't need to be watched over like a child."

"Then stop acting like one," Kaname replied coolly.

"And exactly what is that supposed to mean, Kaname?" Reina asked coldly.

"Forget it, I didn't come here to argue with you. Now let Aido rest and if you insist, I will have Ichijo check in on you frequently after he has rested as well. However, once classes start tonight he will not leave your side," Kaname stated.

"Fine," Reina replied icily.

Aido stood up from the window and would have helped Reina up, but she shook her head. He sighed and exited the room.

"I'm retiring for the day," Kaname stated as he turned to leave the room leaving Ichijo and a quiet, withdrawn Reina in the room.

Reina glanced at Ichijo before turning away and looking out the window as the sun began to rise over the hills in the distance.

"Is there anything I can get you, Reina?" Ichijo asked.

"No."

There was a few moments of tense silence as Ichijo stood looking down at Reina who was completely ignoring his presence there.

"I know you're angry with me, but I wanted to apologize. I don't know what came over me. I had no right to say the things I said," Ichijo said sincerely.

Reina didn't reply or make any sign that she had even heard him, she just continued to stare out over the orange and red sky.

"I'll check in on you later, if you need anything before-"

"I'll be fine," Reina said quietly as she stood up and brushed lightly passed Ichijo to the opposite side of her bed. She sat down on the edge of her bed and poured herself a glass of water and dropped a few blood tablets in it.

Ichijo sighed and made his way towards the door. "I'm sorry, Reina," he said as he left the room.

She huffed stubbornly and leaned back against her pillows. She knew she was being stubborn and yes, childish, as well, but she couldn't help it. Ichijo had said many things she hadn't wanted to hear. It was new having people fuss over her and her well being in such a real and caring way. She wasn't used to it and she wasn't sure how to handle the attention. Her pride wanted to lash out at anyone who tried to help her but the rest of her was well aware of the fact that what he had said was all too true.

She needed blood, even now she could feel the tightening and burning in her chest even though she had just finished several tablets. Drinking blood just wasn't an option for her. She refused to drink blood even if it was from a fellow vampire, the thought of drinking blood from anyone frightened her. Kaname knew the reasons which was also why he hadn't forced Reina to drink, he was hoping she would come to terms with her fears and drink when she realized that her body needed the blood. It wasn't happening, however, and the attacks she was having were growing worse. If she didn't do something soon she would be putting others at risk. Still she refused, hoping that her body would heal and she would be fine without needing blood.

Knowing sleep wouldn't immediately come to her even though her body was still tired and worn she decided to take a hot shower and let the water rinse her troubles away. Her stomach was mostly healed, the skin however was still a strange red and slightly sunken looking. Once the rest of the tissue finished repairing itself she would be fine, but it was taking a lot longer to regenerate then it should and she was left with a weird hole in her stomach that was covered by a thin layer of new skin.

Once finished with her shower, Reina stepped out of the steamy room with a towel wrapped around herself. She was thinner than usual since she had spent so much time sleeping over the past few days and had lost so much blood. She made her way into her closet where she dropped the towel and slipped into her long dark blue nightgown that laced in the back with silver ribbon. Making her way back to her bed she snuggled under the sheets and let herself drift off to sleep.

She awoke a few hours later and made her way to her closet to change into a pair of loose gray slacks and a black tank top. It wouldn't be long until the other students prepared for classes and even though Kaname had basically forbidden her from leaving her room she wanted to be somewhat presentable for once. She had worn nothing but nightgowns since she had been injured. After brushing out her hair and washing her face she went and sat in the window seat to watch the sun as it began it's descent behind the distant mountains.

Unknowingly, she drifted off to sleep and let her mind wander.

A small girl stood over the body of a young boy in a dark forest. The girl was shaking as something red dripped down her chin to stain the pink dress she wore. A sob escaped her lips as she stared at the still boy before her. He had stopped the violent thrashing and screaming that had consumed him moments ago, moments after she had bitten him.

Little tears leaked from her eyes as she stood in shock. She hadn't known what had come over her. She barely remembered even touching the boy, but the evidence she had indeed touched him, bitten him, was clear on his small neck. Two puncture marks marred the skin and thin trails of blood seeped from the wounds.

Flashes of the little boy crying on the ground as she approached him flashed before her eyes. Then she had tried to comfort him like a child would and gave him hug when he had stood. She hadn't noticed until then that the scent of the boy's blood was lingering in the air. She had never smelled real blood until then and it was intoxicating. Her mind went blank and all she could think of was the sound of the boy's blood as his heart pumped it through his little body. Little arms tightened around the boy as red eyes blinked down at the smooth skin of his small neck.

Sensing something wrong, the boy struggled in her grip but couldn't move. He cried out as something pierced through his neck and he could feel the blood draining from his body.

The little girl sunk her small fangs into the defenseless boy and relished the feel of his blood as it flowed into her mouth.

Reina fidgeted in the window as the dream became so overpowering that the scent of the boy's blood invaded her senses. She could feel the smooth liquid slide down her throat and she coughed as she swallowed in her dream.

Her eyes flew open and her hands flew to her throat. She was having a hard time breathing as she clutched at her throat, struggling to get air to her lungs as the invisible band that had wound itself around her tightened its grip.

She pushed herself up from the window seat and stumbled into her bathroom before closing and locking the door. She snatched the glass that had been left on the counter up and shakily filled it with water before fumbling with the tin that held her blood tablets. Several tablets scattered and fell on the floor as she struggled to stop her shaking hands from trembling so much. She finally was able to drop several tablets into the water and breathed out harshly as they began to fizz and dissolve.

As the pills dissolved, she stepped backwards until she felt the cold, hard bathroom wall behind her. She leaned against the wall and brought the blood infused water to her lips to drink in small gulps. When she had finished half of the liquid the tightening in her chest intensified instead of subsiding and in the moment of pain she clenched her eyes shut and ground her teeth together. The glass fell from her grasp, shattering on the floor in a spray of broken glass and red water. She brought her hands to her chest and clutched at her tank top. Her breathing came in quick, raspy breaths as she struggled to fight off the pain. She stumbled to the shower and turned on the cold water. She didn't bother to undress before stepping into the icy spray.

A soft cry tore through her lips as the cold water collided with her flesh causing the pain in her chest to worsen exponentially. Trying to hold herself up by putting a hand against the chilly tile of the shower, Reina leaned forward slightly and let the cold water wash over her and soak into her hair and clothes.

Another wave of pain cascaded over her and she lost her footing. She tried to steady herself but instead fell back into the wall of the shower before sinking down the wall in a wet heap. Her head was bowed into her chest, rising and falling as her ragged breaths passed through her lips. Her hands lay limply on either side of her and her legs were bent at awkward angles, her knees meeting before her and her feet turned so they rested near her hips.

Her eyes flew open again to reveal not sapphire eyes but eyes that were glowing a bright red, her fangs had made themselves noticeable and her fists clenched tightly.

'Calm down, this isn't like you. To be so weak,' Reina mentally scolded herself.

"Reina, are you alright?" someone called through her door. "Kaname asked me to check on you."

'Ichijo,' she thought as she turned her gaze to the door.

"Reina?" he called again.

"Go away," she managed to choke out.

"Reina, are you okay?" he asked again this time more urgently.

The door knob twisted but since it was locked the door didn't open.

"Go away," she mumbled again, as she brought her knees up towards her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her head over them. Her wet hair fell forward and stuck to her arms and legs as the cold water rained over her shaking body.

There were no other noises from the door and she could sense that Ichijo had left, concentrating on her breathing again Reina blocked out everything else and began to try and subdue the pain in her chest which was flaring up yet again.

She clutched her knees tighter and winced as she felt a small line of blood seep from a cut to her lip that her fangs had caused when she had unknowingly bitten down on her lip as the pain washed over her. The small amount of blood quickly disappeared as the cold water ran down her face.

"Reina. Open the door," Kaname called from the other side of her door.

When a few seconds had elapsed and she hadn't answered, Kaname tried to open the door but when he found it was indeed locked as Ichijo had said he narrowed his eyes.

"Reina, answer me," he ordered.

Reina let out a small groan which Kaname's sharp ears caught and the door flew inward as the knob broke apart and clattered rather loudly to the floor. He stepped inside the room and noted the broken glass and pool of red liquid on the floor. Stepping around it, he approached the running shower and looked down at Reina's shivering form.

Reaching over her, he shut off the water and turned his attention back to the shivering, curled up form of Reina. Ichijo stepped beside him and handed him a large fluffy white towel which he draped over Reina's shoulders.

Reina tried to scoot away from him and a quiet hiss escaped her throat.

"Reina?" Kaname said quietly as he knelt down beside the tub.

She whimpered softly and tried scooting away again, but she had nowhere to go.

Ichijo was cleaning up the broken glass on the floor and glanced up at her distraught frame with a worried frown.

"Look at me, Reina," Kaname ordered softly.

Her hands tightened around her legs and she made a small grunting noise to express her refusal.

Kaname sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair before standing up and turning to Ichijo. "I'll be right back, do not let her out of this room."

Ichijo nodded as he finished wiping up the spilled blood tablet water. He stood up and looked down at Reina's quailing body. She sat in the shower, her wet clothes clinging to her small womanly frame.

"Reina?" Ichijo coaxed.

Reina's body tensed as he spoke her name and her shivering stopped. She raised her head slowly, pieces of her white hair sticking to her cheeks. When her eyes met Ichijo's he sucked in a breath at the sheer look of blood lust in her glowing red eyes. Her lips were pulled back slightly to reveal her sharp white fangs behind her soft pink lips.

He saw her fists tighten and her knuckles turn white as she fought the natural desire for blood. Before he even knew what had happened Reina was no longer in the shower, but pressed against him as he stepped back into the wall. The towel that had been draped over her shoulders lay discarded on the floor behind her. Ichijo could feel the wetness of her clothes seeping into his shirt as she pressed her soaked body against him.

She reached a hand up and placed it gently behind Ichijo's head as she rested her forehead besides his neck. Her fingers entangled themselves in his hair and she tugged lightly to get his head to turn so she would have complete access to his neck.

"Reina," Ichijo said, a bit hesitant, as he grabbed her arms and tried to gently pull her off him.

Her grip on his hair tightened and she raised her head slightly so that Ichijo could feel her warm breath on his neck. She was shorter than he was and she pulled his head down slightly so her nose was now brushing against his skin. He suppressed a shiver at the feel of her breath on his bare neck and again tried to pull her off of himself.

"Reina?" he called again.

His words didn't reach her though as she grasped onto his shirt with one hand, while still gripping some of his light blond hair in her other hand. Her breathing began to come out in short gasps as the sound of his blood flowing through his veins rang in her ears. Again Ichijo tried to push Reina off of him, he was afraid of hurting her but he learned quickly she was much stronger than she looked.

Reina's fangs brushed over the soft flesh of Ichijo's neck, her grasp on him tightened and his heart beat seemed to suddenly pound in her ears. She could feel his unease in his quickened pulse and it caused her to falter as she realized what she was doing.

The idea of Reina sucking his blood wasn't what was making him uneasy, it was the fact that he now knew she was used to only blood tablets. He was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop herself, and not only that, Reina was a kind creature, she didn't wish to harm anyone. He knew she would likely regret her actions if he simply allowed her to drink from him. There was also the rest of the dorms to worry about, the scent of blood wouldn't go unnoticed and he didn't want anyone seeing Reina in such a vulnerable position.

"No," she moaned, her grip on Ichijo slackened and her head fell into his chest.

Looking down at the girl who was now huddled against him Ichijo didn't know what to do. Her breathing was uneven and ragged, and she seemed to be having trouble standing.

"I'm so sorry, Takuma," she muttered before turning away from him and clumsily running from not only the bathroom but her room as well.

"Reina," he called after her fleeing form, "Wait!"