Author Notes: Hello, I'm back at last! My apologies for leaving this story hanging for so long -winces- and for not focusing too much on Ruka's brothers. I will get to that pivotal scene perhaps in a flashback at a later date but for now I'd much rather write about our sweet hero -smiles- For now, enjoy this chapter and I promise to update sooner, OK?

- Chapter Start -

Ruka and Kain followed the butler down the long, elegantly appointed hall of the Souen house. As they neared the study where the two older Souen siblings waited, Ruka gave Kain's hand a final squeeze and released it.

"My aunt will be here any minute. I have to get changed," she said regretfully. She was regarding Kain with something like mild concern in her brown eyes and the tall noble quickly forced a smile to his lips.

"I'll be fine, Ruka. Your brothers probably just want to say hello," he reassured her before changing the subject. "So... will your aunt be staying long? Or can I take you out for pizza later?"

Ruka smiled at the hopeful note in Kain's voice but shook her head.

"She's going to be here for a couple of days, Akatsuki. I'm not sure when I can sneak out but it definitely won't be tonight," she said with a hint of a pout. Kain shrugged - he had suspected as much anyway. He wanted to kiss her again right there and then but the stony faced butler had stopped walking. They were already outside the study so Kain merely nodded at Ruka before turning around. The butler knocked on the door, opened it as a voice bade 'Enter' and Kain walked in.

- o -

Ruka's two brothers were standing beside the enormous oak desk that faced the door. The butler closed the door quietly behind him and Kain stepped forward, resisting the urge to tuck his hands into his jeans pockets as was his habit.

All the Souen siblings had honey blond hair and brown eyes but they each looked different. Tokutaro was the eldest son. He was tall and broad shouldered with a handsome face and strong features. His eyes were the exact shade as Ruka's but Kain would bet his beloved Fury that hers could never be half as cold as her brother's. Yasahiro was the second son, as tall as his brother but more slender. He also had a more ready smile and if Kain remembered correctly, a sweet tooth as well.

"Akatsuki-san," Tokutaro greeted cordially. He stepped forward and shook hands with Kain, both nobles taking pains to use the proper amount of strength in their grip and subconsciously gauging the strength in the other's.

"It's good to see you again," Yasahiro added as he stepped forward and shook Kain's hand heartily in turn. "Let's not stand around on ceremony. Come on, take a seat."

He gestured carelessly to the set of comfortable leather armchairs placed around a low coffee table on one side of the room. Kain nodded and followed them, politely waiting for the two older nobles to seat themselves before doing the same.

"Good evening, Tokutaro-san, Yasahiro-san. We've not met for the past three months," he greeted. He usually met Ruka's brothers at the various noble parties and gatherings since they moved in the same circles but the they had been absent at the most recent ones. Kain crossed his legs and made himsef comfortable on the sofa. He told himself firmly that he was comfortable and more importantly, he was relaxed. Ruka's brothers were well groomed and sharply dressed in expensive, expertly tailored suits but Kain didn't care that he wasn't dressed the same way. He was comfortable as he was in a long sleeved shirt and jeans. After all, he wasn't a businessman.

Yasahiro chuckled softly at Kain's comment.

"That's because we've been busy flying for the past three months," he said with a wry glance at Tokutaro as if that were his brother's fault. Tokutaro merely shrugged.

"The plans have been finalised since six months ago. It was past time to implement the changes," he replied dismissively. Kain nodded cautiously, trying to recall the bits and pieces of information he had heard here and there. Which really wasn't much.

"The Souen family business has indeed expanded much since you two took over," he complimented politely. The Souen family were in the import export industry and they had several large subsidiaries around the world. Ever since Ruka's father handed the family business over to his two sons, it had expanded almost two fold in less than a year, very impressive when you considered how large the entire conglomerate actually was. It was obvious that the whole expansion was Tokutaro's idea. He was an astute businessman - cold, sharp and calculating in everything he did, whether it was for business or for pleasure, family or personal. Kain couldn't help thinking wryly that that would of include the matter of his only sister's suitors.

"Everything is going according to plan so far," Tokutaro nodded with more than a tinge of satisfaction. Kain nodded again - woe betide any schedule or manager in the Souen business that dared to let anything slip. There was a moment of slightly awkward silence and Kain was relieved when a discreet knock soon sounded on the door. He couldn't think of anything else to say to Ruka's brothers. Anything that didn't involve her, that is.

"Come in," called Yasahiro. The door opened and a uniformed housemaid wheeled in a trolley. All three males paused as she served placed sandwiches, pastries and cake on the table and poured out strong, fragrant coffee. Yasahiro beamed at her.

"Thank you, Marilko-chan! You remembered my favourite croissants!" he beamed at her happily and took one of the freshly baked pastries. The middle aged housemaid laughed and nodded.

"How could I not, Yasahiro-sama? You've been after them for years!" she teased but after a glance at the stern faced Tokutaro, she quickly bowed and wheeled the trolley out. Tokutaro didn't touch the pastries. He merely took a sip of the scalding hot coffee, his assessing eyes resting on Kain.

"Do have a drink, Akatsuki-san," he invited. "I know you intended to take Ruka out for dinner but I'm afraid our aunt's visit has spoiled your plans."

Kain shrugged and sipped at his coffee, his hand steady. Just one tear in Ruka's pretty eyes could bring him to his knees but he was immune to the watchful gaze of her older brothers. He was hungry earlier when he dropped to pick Ruka up but his appetite had deserted him now. Still, he reached for a sandwich out of something to do. Kain vaguely wished that he knew enough about vampire politics to comment on it but he had never been one for politics. He preferred straight talking to polite double meaning words that could so easily make an enemy out of an acquaintance...

"No need to apologise," he replied easily. "We can have dinner another time."

Another moment of silence ensued. Yasahiro reached for another pastry, glancing covertly at his sibling at the same time. Tokutaro took the hint. He glanced at his Rolex and appeared to realise that he didn't have time to sit around. His gaze met Kain's and despite his resolve to be relaxed, the younger noble found himself sitting up just a little straighter.

"Let me get to the point, Akatsuki-san. Are you courting our sister Ruka?" Tokutaro asked. "And do you know what that means?"

- o -

Back in her room, Ruka took off her shirt and jeans. She had already showered before going out so all she had to do was get dressed, do her hair, add some lipstick and she would be ready. Her maid had already laid out a dress on the bed but Ruka wandered absently to her vanity table instead. Her attention was elsewhere. To be exact, in her father's study downstairs. She wished she could listen in on her brothers' conversation with Kain. Ruka scowled to herself. No doubt they were putting him through their infamous 'One Hundred Rules to Stick to if You Want to Date Our Sister and Remain Alive and Unharmed' grill. Honestly, those two were worse than her father!

But still, if there was anyone at all who could pass those one hundred rules with flying colours, it was Akatsuki. He was without doubt, the most honest and honourable man she had met. A true gentleman. Ruka glanced at the vanity mirror and realised that she was smiling. Then her smile disappeared. So Akatsuki Kain was definitely dating her, wasn't he, if the past couple of weeks were any indication? So they were a couple then? As in officially?

A small frown marred the smooth perfection of Ruka's forehead. It wasn't that she hadn't thought about it. She found herself thinking about Kain all the time... while she was waiting for him to pick her up, while she was lying in bed about to go to sleep, while she was eating, reading or doing anything else. Come to think of it, she had thought about Kain more than she did Kaname Kuran ever since the school holidays started. The thought of her pureblood leader made Ruka pause. There was that same ache in her heart... but it was less painful now. Her eyes no longer blurred with useless tears. Yes, she still felt a sense of hopelessness but it was more wistful than anything else. After all, Ruka had always known that what she wanted was impossible. She just hadn't wanted to give up dreaming... and wishing.

She sank down onto her vanity cushioned seat, absently chewing on her lower lip. Someone else was very much available even if she wasn't sure if what Kain felt towards her was mere brotherly kindness with a dash of teenage hormones or something far deeper. And did all this uncharacteristic ruminating mean that another man was about to enter the one place in her heart that had always belonged to another? And if it did, did she want him to? Would she allow him in?

With a start, Ruka realised she was wasting time mooning about Kain while everyone else was waiting for her to show up. Her maid was going to come upstairs to knock on her door if she wasn't down within one minute. With an impatient shake of her head, she got up and moved towards the bed. Then she froze. Of all the dresses her maid had picked out for her, it was that one. Ruka's cheeks burned as she stared down at the sleeveless white knit dress. White... symbolising purity. Innocence. Ruka inhaled sharply and swung around, catching sight of herself in her vanity table mirror once more. Her eyes were huge and her cheeks deeply flushed with the memory of what had happened that night. Slowly, a slender hand came up. Trembling fingers curled loosely over her pounding heart. To be exact, over the breast that had once felt the imprint of a large, warm and gentle hand. Ruka shivered, her breath escaping her parted lips in a soft rush.

Kain had never mentioned that night again and Ruka knew it had to be because he didn't want to embarrass her. Ever the gentleman, ever on the lookout for her wellbeing whether it was physical or emotional. Ruka was very grateful for her friend's tact but sometimes... sometimes she found herself wishing that he would bring up that night. She wouldn't be able to say it out loud but she wanted to know if he still thought about that incident or if he had already forgotten about it. She wanted to know if he thought about her bite and if he wanted her to bite him again. She wanted to know if he perhaps... even wanted to taste her blood in turn.

And that would lead to trouble, girl!

Returning a bite was dangerous. It was so much more than a mere exchange of blood because emotions would be involved, feelings would be tampered with. Ruka huffed to herself, folding her arms across her chest. She wasn't quite ready for that sort of commitment yet since it was virtually unbreakable. Just look at how long she had felt the effects of Kaname's bite even though he had only taken from her once...

But biting aside, Ruka also wanted to know if Kain had liked touching her that night - well, any man in his right mind would - and if he wanted to touch her again. There. No. Everywhere. Ruka's flush deepened guiltily. She gave a furtive glance at the mirror and then looked away. The next moment, she huffed again, realising she was behaving exactly like one of those foolish, swooning Day Class girls. All right, so Kain was seeing her practically every night and obviously enjoyed keeping her company but that didn't mean anything! Why was she so desperate that it did?

Snap out of it! This is just a - a classic case of rebound from Kaname-sama, that's all Don't put too much burden on Akatsuki! You've been depending on him for years and now you think he's in love with you just because he's been kind enough to take you out a couple of times...

Pathetic, that's what she was. And an obvious time waster as well because she was still sitting here in her underwear! Ruka scowled at her reflection. She dragged a hairbrush through her hair and swept up the gleaming waves into a high chignon, keeping it in place with a jeweled hairclip. Next, she tugged open a drawer and rummaged for her diamond ear rings. She was going to show her face but then she was going to skip out. She wanted to catch Kain before he left.

White dress or no white dress.

Pathetic or not.

- o -

Fifteen minutes later...

Kain scowled darkly as he exited from the study, barely managing to keep from slamming the door shut. He strode down the hall with long strides. The nerve of those two pompous, arrogant men... how dare they! How dare they insinuate those things right to his face! How dare they tell him what was OK with them and what was not! It was none of their damned business! It was also equally obvious neither of them trusted him with their precious sister... which was actually fine with Kain if it had been any other guy courting her. Any other guy would probably have ulterior motives but not him. Not Kain Akatsuki. He was perfectly safe to be with. He had always been.

Kain knew his self control over his emotions was legendary. He had had Ruka practically handed over to him on a platter that night. She was barely dressed and so deliciously willing and still, he had resisted. It hadn't been easy but he had succeeded and his reward was that she trusted him now. Implicitly. More than ever before. For a moment, Kain was tempted by a need that was one half territorial and one half illogical. He wanted so much to throw that fact right at Tokutaro and Yashihiro's faces but stopped himself just in time. It would have made things worse, not better. It might have proven his honour but it would also have blackened Ruka's at the same time. Kain's handsome mouth twisted as he continued down the hall, reaching the end where the front door was. He needed to get out and cool down before he went back and gave those two morons a piece of his mind. At that moment, another door down the hall opened and closed.

"Akatsuki?"

Kain froze with his hand already grasping the elaborately wrought iron dooknob. Too late. He settled for taking a few deep breaths to calm himself down instead. The last thing he wanted was for Ruka to find out what her brothers had said to him. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel hurt in any way even if it wasn't at all his doing.

Steady, boy. You can do this.

Kain forced a smile to his lips, released the doorknob and turned around. He didn't realised that the metal he had been gripping was now smoking. He was oblivious to everything else but Ruka. She was wearing the same white dress she had worn that weekend. Even though her hair was now swept up and jewels glittered in her delicate earlobes, one glance at that dress and Kain was back in the room he had shared with Aido. Ruka latching onto his neck hungrily. Ruka stripping off that dress and promising him heaven with her eyes. Kain swallowed, a different kind of heat rushing through him now, going up to his brain and down again to his groin. Ruka's cheeks pinked at the way Kain's eyes were glowing and and she glanced down, instinctively knowing what was going through his mind.

"Uhm, follow me," she whispered and swung around, hurrying down the hall but making a left turn halfway. Kain knew where she was heading and followed her without question. The kitchen, like every other room in the Souen manor, was large and spacious. It was all black marble granite countertops, gleaming pots and pans and equipped with every modern convenience known to man. When Kain entered, Ruka was telling the maid to make a fresh pot of tea and sandwiches for them.

"Don't you have to be with your aunt?" Kain asked casually as he walked in, his hands tucked into his jeans. Just a mere whiff of Ruka's flowery scent and he could feel his anger draining away. Who the hell gave a damn as to what her brothers thought, anyway? It was what Ruka thought that was important... Kain glanced around, taking note of the presence of a new state of the art multi cooker in one corner. The old coffee making machine that Aido had once covered in ice had been upgraded as well...

Ruka walked over to the counter where comfortable brown leather barstools stood on either side. Kain followed without comment. He was very familiar with this kitchen. He, Aido and Ruka had spent numerous hours here in their childhood having their tea and squabbling (mostly Ruka and Aido) under the watchful gaze of the maids. The stools and counter top had seemed higher then. He watched Ruka hop up onto her favourite stool and was rewarded with a generous view of creamy thigh. The maid placed the tray on the table and went out as if her young mistress entertaining guests in the kitchen were a normal occurence. Ruka smiled expectantly at Kain as he seated himself opposite her.

"Did everything go well?" she asked. "What did my brothers want?"

"Nothing much," Kain reassured her with his usual calm.

Just my head. But you don't need to know that.

"Everything's fine, Ruka. Don't worry about it," he added for good measure. Ruka nodded and reached for the teapot, nodding her head to the sandwiches in invitation. Kain took one. Food had stuck in his throat earlier but now everything looked delicous. He wolfed down the sandwich and took another. He didn't want to think of those two anymore. Not now.

Ruka bit her lip as she watched the sandwiches disappearing at a fast rate.

"Akatsuki? I'm sorry we couldn't go out for pizza tonight," she apologised but Kain quickly shook his head.

"Don't apologise, Ruka. We can go there anytime."

Ruka smiled and nodded. She took a sip of tea but looked up again when a large hand closed over hers. Kain's chocolate eyes were intense.

"Ruka, how would you like to go camping when your aunt's left? Just the two of us up in the mountains for a couple of nights. Sound like fun?"

"Camping?" Ruka parroted. "What - now?"

Kain grinned. "Not right now, no. But we still have a couple of weeks of holidays left. It would be good to go somewhere."

"But where?" Ruka looked around her as if Kain had suggested camping right in her kitchen and he grinned again.

"Up in the mountains. Actually, just a few hours' drive from here," he elaborated without actually naming the place. He didn't think Ruka would know anyway, judging from her sheltered childhood. Ruka nodded slowly as she reached for the teapot and refilled Kain's cup.

Camping wasn't one of the activities Ruka had specifically mentioned in that seaside trip a couple of weeks back but Kain reasoned to himself that it was still an outdoor activity and his father had a truck they could borrow so transport wasn't a problem. Actually, Kain had pretty much cooled down now but his earlier ire had woken up his reckless side. He usually controlled it, tempering it with logic and maturity but his pride was still smarting from what Ruka's brothers' had said. So they thought he wasn't worthy of courting their younger sister, huh? And that he had to have rules and regulations spelled out to him as if he were some dimwitted hormone-driven teen incapable of making matured decisions on his own? Well, he would show them!

"Your brothers are leaving tomorrow night, aren't they?" Kain asked as he watched Ruka's graceful hands. He kept his face straight as she looked up and smiled, her eyes sparkling impishly at him.

"So there's no need to tell them anything then ?" she asked innocently and Kain nodded gravely.

"No need at all," he agreed, accepting the steaming cup of tea with a nod of thanks. Inwardly, he was rejoicing. His invitation might have sounded like it had come straight out of the blue but it hadn't. Not really. Kain had been wanting to confess his feelings to Ruka and after his earlier meeting with her brothers, he decided he might as well since everyone already knew or at least suspected how he felt. He had also seen how miserable Aido was at the recent Ichijos' gala party without Sayori to keep him company and didn't want to be in the same boat as his cousin. The blond noble's words came back to him once more.

"What are you waiting for, Akatsuki? You love Ruka, don't you? You don't have to worry about her family being afraid of you or your family wanting to bite her. You don't even have a reason to hesitate, for Pete's sake…"

Kain had implied that Ruka was still in love with Kaname Kuran then but the more he thought about it, the more positive he was that her feelings had started to change. She had enjoyed going out with him, she had enjoyed being with him and - Kain's heart gave a happy little leap - she had definitely enjoyed his kisses. So perhaps he wouldn't be... disapppointed after all. And to be honest, he just didn't want to wait anymore.

Despite cautioning himself yet again against a possible letdown, Kain's imagination took flight as it was wont to do nowadays. He and Ruka standing in the cool, crisp mountain air with a thousand stars looking down upon them, their light brilliantly reflected in Ruka's beautiful eyes as she gazed back at him while he told her how he felt about her...

"Hmmm."

Kain blinked and snapped back to the present as Ruka pursed her lips thoughtfully then nodded.

"Yes, I'd like to try that," she agreed and made as if to stand up. "I'll go ask Yasahiro-nii-sama right away. I think he's still keeping that tent he used from his schooldays-"

Ruka had obviously forgotten that her brothers weren't supposed to know about this trip.

"No!" Kain said immediately and Ruka's eyebrows went up. Kain quickly swallowed the burning sensation crowding his throat.

No. Ruka doesn't need to know what her brothers had said to him. And they definitely don't need to know their sister is planning to spend a couple of night wth the same person they had just warned.

"I mean, don't worry about it," Kain quickly amended. He reached out to tuck a wavy lock of honey blond hair behind Ruka's ear. As always, it wound lovingly to his index finger and he stopped speaking. His attention was completely caught by the shiny strands and he started wondering absently if the way they behaved was somehow indicative of their lovely owner's feelings. Ruka's lips quirked a little as she stared at Kain's face with its absorbed expression. She could feel the heat emanating from his large hand warming her cheek as she studied the soft, unfocused look in his eyes, the intense way he seemed to be examining her hair. Finally, he looked up and caught her eye. But even then, he didn't release her hair.

"Your hair's so pretty, little Ruka," Kain praised, his deep voice a little husky. Ruka blushed. It was ridiculous but she was pretty sure Kain had a crush on her hair. She just wished she was just as sure of his feelings towards her. For example, it would be nice if he looked at her the way he looked at crowning glory... Ruka blinked and decided she was being ridiculous - fancy anyone being jealous of their own hair! She shifted a bit and Kain's hand dropped. It was his turn now to look self-conscious, the same hand now going around the back of his neck in a gesture that Ruka found endearing and familiar.

"I... uh, I still have a couple of tents from when Hanabusa and I used to go camping together. They should be big enough."

Ruka nodded. "All right. So, what should I bring then?"

Kain smiled and chucked her gently under her chin.

"I'll take care of everything. Just bring a change of clothing and a jacket in case it gets cold. And all the things that females bring regardless of where they go."

And your heart. Because I have something I want to tell it.

Ruka raised her eyesbrows again. "And what are we going to do for food?"

Kain didn't seem perturbed about the practicalities of the trip. "I remember there's a mountain stream up there with fish. Food won't be a problem."

Or you could always bite me. You know I wouldn't mind...

But hopeless wishes aside, Kain had no problem sourcing for food. He planned to treat Ruka to freshly caught trout, drizzled with herbed butter and grilled over an open fire. The copper haired noble wasn't completely useless in the kitchen. He had spent a good many hours watching the cooks in his household at work and could whip up a gourmet meal without even breaking a sweat. Aido often teased him about it when he saw his older cousin with an apron around his waist being coached by respectful chefs but hah - at least Akatsuki knew how to impress a girl rather than just leave all the work to fancy restaurants.

Ruka laughed. "You spoil me, Akatsuki. You really do!"

Kain shrugged with a smile.

I intend to spoil you for the rest of your life, Ruka. If you'll only let me...

- o -

A few happy minutes later, Kain reluctantly took his leave. He didn't want to but Ruka thought she had better return to the living room again and Kain didn't want to run the risk of bumping into her brothers after those ridiculous unnecessary warnings they had issued him. He was also resolved not to think anymore of their words. He and Ruka were going to have a great time up in the mountains and he would take care of her and bring her back safe and sound like he always did. If her arrogant, over protective brothers found out where their little sister went and with whom, too bad. Kain would bring her back with her eyes sparkling, her cheeks aglow with the fresh mountain air and holding the knowledge that he loved her and had loved her for years.

That would show them once and for all that he was the best possible candidate for their sister.

- Chapter End -