Chapter 12

I have not seen Shamal in a long time and I miss her. I have never encountered someone who shared so much in common with me, someone who understands me. She is very open about herself and has shared a lot of her experiences with me. I am truly glad to have met someone like her but her absence is beginning to affect me greatly, especially since she has been gone for long periods of time. I do not expect her to know how I feel about her because it is not like I told her about it, yet. However, now as time passes, I am missing her more and more and I long for her company…

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

It was late and Signum was clearing up her desk before she headed home. Kamui was watching her silently, Signum knew. It was a usual thing of his, just to watch. He was always observant and a very intent listener. Signum did not feel ungrateful for his feelings toward her but it was just difficult to be with him when her heart is so against it. There is something wrong about them being together, something unusual that is preventing them from connecting. Signum has almost given up trying to figure out what it is. She got up to leave and had exited the room when Kamui caught her arm.

"Signum, I don't know what has been going on lately but I'd like to find out and I need you to tell me what you're feeling now," he said. His voice was full of concern.

"Kamui…" Signum did not know how to continue.

"I need you to tell me what is wrong, Signum," he urged.

"I-I just… I don't know how to explain it Kamui. I just don't. It just doesn't feel right, I…" she could not find the words to tell him that they might as well end it now.

Kamui felt hurt but even more so because Signum did not know what was bothering her. He just wanted to show her how much he loved her and he wanted her to love him but if she is like this, how can he go on? How long can he continue being patient? He tipped her chin up, their eyes meeting. Kamui did not even give Signum a chance to retaliate, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss. He pushed her against the nearby wall and pressed further, his lips slanting against hers. Signum tore away, upset with Kamui's behaviour. This is not what she wanted and not what Kamui expected. He saw pain in her eyes and he was angry with himself for causing that hurt. Signum pushed him away and left. He watched her go with sad eyes. It had been months already and Signum was still acting distant. Was there nothing he could do about it?

Not far down the hall, behind a pillar, Shamal was crouched down on the floor in tears. She had not known that Kamui was in love with Signum and finding out now after so many months of building a solid relationship with Kamui, all her efforts had gone to waste. She saw the look in his eyes and knew that he would never leave Signum for her. Shamal got up and ran, leaving the office by another route. She had no idea where she was running to the moment she reached outside but she did not care. She just kept on running until she came to a stop in front of the local Cranagan library. This is where Yukito worked. Shamal went inside and found the entire building lighted dimly. She kept walking until she came upon a familiar figure with light brown hair. It was Yukito. He turned around to see who it was at this late hour and found Shamal standing there, not far from where he was. By the looks of it, she had been crying because her eyes were swollen and puffy.

"Shamal, what are you doing here so late and are you all right, you look like you've been crying," he got up and approached her, concerned.

Shamal took one look into his worried green eyes and broke. She ran into his arms and cried her heart out. Yukito was surprised, not having seen her act this way before, but then again, he had not seen her in a while either. He put a comforting arm around her and used the other to lift her up and carried her bridal style as he sat down in a nearby chair, propping her up on his lap like a little girl.

"There, there, stop crying and tell me what's wrong," he said in a soothing and caring tone. Shamal stopped sobbing and looked up at him. Yukito offered her a handkerchief. She took it and blew her nose, wiping away loose tears.

"I'm sorry I haven't been coming to see you lately. I've been busy," Shamal apologized.

"It's ok. I guessed just as much anyway. Now, tell me what's making you cry?"

"I, well, it's just that I fell in love with someone…" she said, trailing off. Yukito felt his heart clench in pain and jealousy but he kept his face straight.

"Ok, then what happened?" for what it was worth, Yukito would not mind punching whoever this guy was in the face for hurting Shamal's feelings.

"I thought if I built a strong relationship with him as a friend first, I might get to know him better and we'd get closer in the course of time but I didn't know he was in love with Signum," she felt the tears coming again.

"Oh, Shamal, it's ok," in fact, it was not. Well, by Yukito's count anyways.

"I thought at first that he could still love me if Signum didn't show interest but I took one look at the expression in his eyes and I knew he would never love me that way. He looked at Signum as if she were the world. He cares for her yet she could not even feel the same. I don't mean to speak ill of her, but, oh, I pity him so," she said with a sob and sniffle.

Yukito patted her on the back. He did not know what to say. He did not know how to comfort her without letting on the way he felt for her. So he hugged her instead. Shamal leaned on him and buried her face in his chest as she felt his warm arms hold her close to him. Shamal cried silently to sleep in his arms. Yukito just let her. He got up, lifting Shamal up with one hand and then went to switch of the lights and lock up. It was a good thing he was a vampire. He was not sure as to whether it was a good idea or not to take her home with him but he saw no harm in it and he was not going to do anything to harm her. He would never commit such a crime. When he finally arrived back at his apartment he put Shamal in his bed and pulled the covers over her. He put his hand lovingly on her cheek and then gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

"Good night Shamal, sweet dreams and, I love you," he said, a loving look in his eyes.

Yukito then left the room to sleep on the couch. Before he closed his eyes to sleep, he had only a single thought in his mind. He would, will, never allow anyone, even himself, to ever hurt Shamal until she cries, like today. He would not let it happen again. She deserved better than that.

x-x-x-x-x-x

Forgive me for the late reply... got caught up with my RP and assignments so much that i forgot and i lacked time during the weekend... now, this chapter and the following chapter will mark the end of the Shamal arc so bear with me a little longer, I saved Signum's story for last since it's the best... ^^