Author Notes: Hello and thank you again for your reviews! Enjoy this next chapter. I look forward to hearing your feedback :D

- Chapter Start -

Kain reached Ruka's side in exactly three seconds with the sound of her terrified screams ringing in his ears and the image of her equally terrified face burned into his brain. His first thought was to get her away from the fire. His second thought overrode the first one – put out the fire on her first. It was already spreading to her neck and shoulders.

Kain flung his arms around her, using the speed from his desperate sprint to spin them around so that his broad back faced the forest fire. It was his element so it shouldn't be able to harm him. His own power never did. With his heart lodged in his throat and hammering away, he frantically used his hands to smother the flames eating at her hair and skin, choosing speed over gentleness. He was a mere hairsbreadth from all out screaming and losing his mind panic, his stomach roiling with fear.

Suddenly, Ruka's sobbing screams stopped. Kain caught her as she slumped unconscious to the ground. At first, his panic rose a notch, but he realised it was better this way – at least she couldn't feel the pain right now. Dropping to his knees, he made sure every bit of the fire on her was out. He would later wonder how he had managed to do that without actually noting the severity of her burns, but the sight probably would have been too much to take right now. Besides, the spreading fire behind them was getting hotter.

Kain's shirt was practically burning right off his back. He scooped Ruka into his arms and stood up. He started stumbling towards the Saab before he remembered that it was parked inside the safety circle he had burned. That was not good. He hovered indecisively for a few precious seconds, looking around.

Then he remembered the cave.

During one summer many years ago, he had followed the Aido family up here. Hanabusa was ten at the time. He had sulked after a scolding from his father and ran off the moment his parents' backs were turned. As usual, Kain had volunteered to go look for him. He had searched for almost twenty minutes before he found the tousle haired blond huddled in a small cave with his knees drawn up and his thin arms wrapped around his legs.

Kain looked around, recalling the small landmarks from that old memory. The cave had to be somewhere around here. He felt the violent shivers wracking Ruka and glanced down worriedly. She was likely going into shock. Her face was white under the streaks of ash, dried blood and tears. The brief glimpse of her raw flesh on her shoulders made the guilt swell inside him. The smell of burnt hair and skin more than succeeded in masking the scent of her blood – Kain was almost physically sick. He swallowed and took a deep breath through his mouth. The fire was still raging up ahead, but he ignored it. It would stop once it reached the burnt circle he had created.

Spinning around, Kain made his way through the smoking underbrush, following the path he had used only once. It took him almost four minutes to find the cave since its entrance was covered by creepers. They were situated far enough from the fire that the air was much clearer here. Unfortunately, that also meant the sunlight was stronger. It was uncomfortably hot on Kain's exposed skin. His eyes were still stinging from the smoke and his lungs hurt with every breath.

Pushing aside the curtain of creepers with one shoulder, he peered inside. It took a couple of seconds for his vision to adjust to the gloom. The cave was musty, but thankfully empty. If there were any animals sheltering here, they had long fled because of the fire. He strode in and lowered himself to sit cross legged on the floor of the cave, near the entrance. He needed the daylight to check the extent of Ruka's injuries.

Taking a deep breath, Kain shifted her gently in his arms and took a good look at her.

Oh God.

It would be a miracle if he managed to keep this incident from Ruka's overprotective brothers. Forget mere beating, bleeding and burning. They were going to obliterate him in ways that no one had imagined yet, probably give a whole new meaning to the word torture at the same time.

Most of Ruka's gorgeously long, honey coloured tresses were gone. Unknown to Kain who only used shampoo on his hair, Ruka always applied an oil based hair serum after washing and conditioning her hair. It kept her crowning glory beautiful and silky, but it was also the main reason why the fire had spread so fast. The honey blond locks now ended just above her shoulders with ragged, blackened ends. It looked as if it she had been given a bob haircut by an angry child with impaired vision and armed with garden shears and a lighter.

Kain would have wept if he weren't still in shock. Just a few short hours ago, he had slid his fingers through long, shining and shimmering masses of silk. He mourned the loss. Then he shook himself.

Idiot! Hair isn't important! Hair can grow back...

He was extremely relieved to find that Ruka's scalp and face had been spared. But her beautiful, gorgeous hair...! He scolded himself a second time and checked her neck. Her once white sleeveless linen top was barely hanging onto her shoulders. She had sustained burns on the back of her neck, ears and shoulders. The rational part of Kain's mind knew that while her injuries were inevitably painful, they weren't actually life threatening. Not even for a human. But the rest of him was wallowing in guilt. Bile rose swiftly in his throat and threatened to choke him. He didn't think he would ever forget the smell of her burnt hair and burnt flesh.

Kain took a deep breath through his mouth and forced down the gibbering panic welling up inside him. Giving into it would do neither of them any good. He forced himself to check her wounds with clinical detachment. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as he had initially feared.

Despite Ruka's exhaustion, her body was already beginning to heal itself. Clear liquid had started to cover the raw flesh to protect the open wounds from any possible infection. Kain was thankful to note that the lower half of her top and jeans weren't burned, just streaked with the ash from the smoky air. She wasn't hurt anywhere else. In fact, being a noble born vampire, she would even heal without scars.

The only thing she needed now was fresh blood. A lot of it to aid the healing and lessen the pain.

Just then, Ruka stirred and moaned softly. Her eyelids fluttered and then she gasped. Eyebrows drew together and pale lips pulled back in a grimace to show two delicate, sharpened fangs – a clear sign that her body needed blood.

Kain nodded to himself. Ruka's hunger and pain right now would easily overpower her resolve and natural shyness.

"Ruka?" he whispered. Her eyelids fluttered again.

"Hurts..." she whispered.

"I know," he whispered. The two words were almost impossible to get out past the huge lump in his throat.

"It's OK," he promised. He drew her closer, gritting his teeth as she cried out in pain at being shifted, however gently. Her eyes opened, showing soft brown irises mixed with red. Kain guided her face to his neck, instinctively choosing the same spot she had bitten before. Her soft gasp of need brushed against his skin. Kain's heart automatically started to beat faster in anticipation.

"Drink," he said firmly. Almost before that word left his lips, Ruka had already bitten down.

She had never before experienced such unbearable, excruciating pain on her neck and shoulders. Her eyes, nose and throat stung and ached. She was weakened and hungry. She also had a pounding headache. There was only one way to ease all of the above. Right now, she couldn't be bothered with trivial things such as modesty or principles or inconvenience. If Kain hadn't offered, she might have begged or even - heaven forbid - attacked him.

As it was, she dug her fangs into his neck and began to suck ravenously. A tiny part of her brain was rejoicing in the familiar and delicious nectar that flooded her parched mouth. The rest of her just tried to get as much of it into her and as fast as she could. Kain leaned back with one arm around Ruka's back and the other gingerly pressing the back of her head to his neck. There wasn't anything else he could do now other than let her feed on him.

Take as much as you want, little Ruka. Take it all if you need to...

Kain had never cried before, but he was quite sure he would have bawled like a baby if he weren't still reeling from the shock of the past few minutes. He had anticipated Ruka's next bite so damned much. He just never expected it to happen under this circumstance.

"I'm so sorry, little Ruka," he whispered hoarsely, his voice little more than a low rasp in his raw throat. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he murmured endlessly against her hair. He rocked her gently in his arms as he choked out the words. He didn't know if she could hear him, but he still needed to say them. It didn't help to alleviate the awful, pressing weight in his chest, but he continued to chant his apologies.

- o -

The more Ruka drank, the better she felt. She was young and healthy. Although the burns were painful, they were mostly surface wounds. Kain had snuffed out the flames before they could do serious actual damage. Her body was quick to absorb Kain's strong blood, using it to build and mend, repair and rejuvenate. To her utmost relief, the stinging pain was the first to recede. Then her body started mending the exposed nerves and wounded flesh.

The pain was initially replaced by a numbing sensation. Ruka wasn't exactly sure when it took hold, but it helped her to focus on her feeding a lot more. Then it was replaced by a ticklish sensation on her head and neck that turned to almost unbearable itchiness. Ruka drank even faster to distract herself. With each mouthful of fresh blood, her body rapidly produced new cells to replace damaged skin and flesh. The burn wounds grew smaller as new skin knitted itself and stretched to cover the patches of raw flesh. What would have taken months of pain and therapy for a normal human took only an hour or so for a healthy young noble born.

The more Ruka drank, the faster she healed. She had no idea exactly how much she took. In fact, she was still far from completely healed when the flow of the warm liquid slowed down. It soon became increasingly difficult to get more into her mouth. It was akin to the sensation one got when trying to suck the last mouthful from an emptying packet drink. Distantly, she heard a low groan. There was a familiar ring about it that jerked her out of her blood filled daze. She blinked her eyes open. Slowly, she realised she was leaning against Kain with her fangs buried in his neck. She gasped and jerked her fangs out.

The light from outside the cave allowed her to see Kain's head lolling back against the rock surface he was leaning on. His arms had slipped from her to lie limply at his sides. His face - Ruka inhaled sharply. Kain looked pale and weak. The firm, vibrant skin on his face looked slack, leaving hollows under his cheekbones. His eyeballs seemed sunken in his head.

Oh, goodness. I – I've drained him!

Ruka clapped horrified hands to her face. She was barely aware of the pulling sensation at her neck and shoulders as her sudden movement stretched tender newly grown skin. She had never taken so much before! She didn't even think she could actually drain someone, much less a tall and strongly built noble class vampire.

"Akatsuki!" she cried in a panic. "Wake up!"

He didn't. Ruka grabbed his shoulders and shook him frantically, her eyes welling up with horrified tears.

"Akatsuki! Wake up!" she cried. "Wake up, 'katsuki! Please wake up!"

- o –

Kain had no idea how much Ruka took this time. In truth, he didn't care. He just sat there with her leaning against his chest and enjoyed the feel of her fangs in his flesh, enjoyed the movement of her lips against his skin as she drank. This was the last time he would feel it so enjoy it he would. He even welcomed the cool, numbing sensation flowing through his limbs. He knew what caused it and he did nothing to alert Ruka or to stop her. His life was hers, as was the crimson liquid in his veins. After this fiasco, he didn't have the right to take anything in return.

Kain vaguely wondered why he didn't feel hungry. He had drained a good deal of his power and strength earlier to stop the fire. Ruka was draining him. By rights, he should be starving and in the throes of an unstoppable blood lust. But all he felt was a growing numbness and sleepiness. Then he finally realised – it was guilt that was suppressing his instincts now.

Well, it was only right. The last thing Kain wanted was to bite the person feeding from him now. Besides, it was Ruka who was entitled to his blood. Not the other way around. He was actually feeling quite comfortable now. His body felt as if it was tightly swathed in a thick cotton blanket, he thought dreamily. Just right to sleep in...

From far away, he heard someone call his name. It sounded urgent. Frantic, even. Kain tried to respond and found he couldn't say a word. Then he tried to move and found he couldn't do that either.

The voice continued to call him. A familiar voice that trembled and sounded scared. Something inside Kain responded to that voice. Again, he tried to answer and failed. Now he was being shaken. He tried to move and realised he couldn't. The blanket, of course. It was restricting his movements. He tried opening his eyes. The simple act he did upon waking up every evening seemed extraordinarily hard right now. His eyelids felt unbelievably heavy. He vaguely wondered if there was anything sitting on them. He tried harder and finally managed to get both eyelids up. As soon as his eyes adjusted, his other senses came back – hearing, smelling and touching. He was leaning back against a hard, rocky surface. Kneeling between his legs was Ruka, her face streaked with dirt and tears, her eyes huge.

"Akatsuki!" she cried. Kain straightened up, sudden panic lending him strength. His eyes focused on her neck and shoulders. Then he grabbed her arms and swung her to the side, letting the slanting light from outside fall on her. There was new, pinkish coloured skin covering her neck and shoulders. No more burn wounds or exposed flesh. Kain sagged in pure relief, leaning back again, hands falling off her arms and back to his sides. At least she would be healed. There wouldn't even be any scarring. Not physically, at least.

"You're all right," he mumbled.

"Yes - yes, I think so. But Akatsuki, are you all right?"

Blinking in surprise, Kain looked at Ruka. She looked.. He blinked again. She looked guilty. He didn't know why. He was the one who had put them in danger. He was the one who had asked her to use her powers. He was the reason why she was injured.

"Ruka," he said weakly. "Thank God you're all right..."

He stretched out a hand to touch her cheek. He couldn't. The simple effort of lifting his arm required strength he didn't have. Kain looked down in surprise at his useless arm. He couldn't remember ever feeling this weak. He tried again, forcing his body to lift his arm. It trembled. He gritted his teeth. Finally, he managed to lift it high enough to press the palm of his hand against Ruka's cheek. She sniffled and grabbed his hand.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "I couldn't stop, I took too much!"

Kain was relieved she was holding his hand, otherwise he would have dropped it again.

"Took too much?" he echoed blankly.

Ruka nodded quickly.

"Your blood," she whispered.

"Oh," he whispered. "It's OK. It's yours."

He saw her eyes widening in surprise and he smiled sadly.

"It's always been yours," he whispered. Ruka's eyes widened even more. Then she bit her lip, unwilling to think about it right now. Absently, Kain noticed her fangs had retracted. Good, he thought vaguely. It meant that she could heal on her own now and no longer needed more blood. He didn't have much left to give.

"Akatsuki?"

Kain didn't answer. His eyes had closed again.

Ruka clapped a hand to her mouth, her heartbeat accelerating again. She was on the verge of panicking. She had never seen him so weak. Surely there was something she could do? Even as she thought that, she almost slapped her forehead.

Was Kain a vampire or what?

"Blood," she whispered, her huge eyes on Kain's withdrawn face. "Of course!"

She didn't stop to think. She couldn't. She had never been in a situation like this – lost in the middle of nowhere with her only other companion weakened and in need of help. Well, of course they weren't exactly lost. All she needed to do was get into the Saab and drive down the road. She would eventually come to the small town nestled at the foot of the mountain. But Kain – she wasn't sure if she could carry him to the Saab. And what if he went into blood lust halfway? Or once they reached town?

Ruka closed her eyes. She simply stopped thinking and chose the easiest option – slicing the inside of her wrist with a fingernail. Then she waited with her eyes fixed expectantly on Kain's face.

She waited one second. Two. All of ten seconds. Nothing happened.

She frowned. Then she leaned forward, catching herself on one hand and pressed two fingers of the other against the side of Kain's neck. She almost screamed when something caught her arm in a tight grip.

Kain's eyes snapped open. Ruka froze and found herself staring at crimson irises. She gulped. Then those lips pulled back. She gulped again. His fangs were huge. Long. Wickedly sharp. She wondered why she had never seen them like this. Then she realised that Kain had never been like this before. An inane rhyme skittered across Ruka's dazed brain, making it up on the fly.

Tease a flame and you'll get burned. Tease a tiger and you'll get bitten.

With that red, hungry gaze burning into hers, Ruka felt her sliced wrist pulled closer to those wicked looking fangs. She trembled with a strange mixture of fear and anticipation. Her throat was dry and she couldn't seem to breathe. She saw the tongue come out to lick at the blood dripping down her arm.

Oh, goodness. I've awakened a tiger and I'm going to get -

The long fangs sank into her tender flesh an instant later. Ruka inhaled sharply at the twin bursts of pain. She gasped when Kain began to suck hungrily on her wrist, trembling at the sensation of those firm lips moving against her inner wrist. She wasn't afraid, she told herself. Of course she wasn't. She was just... fascinated. Yes, that's it.

Her fascination lasted all of five seconds. It ended abruptly when she heard the low, animalistic growl emanating from Kain's throat. It made her blink. She shivered as those long fangs slowly slid free from her wrist, the fiery gaze holding her captive. She felt the stirrings of fear in her heart. The fact that it was caused by Akatsuki Kain made it worse. Ruka gasped as the large hand on her wrist tightened to the point of pain. Then it was released.

With a groan, Kain swung away and squeezed his eyes shut. Ruka's eyes darted to his throat where his Adam's apple was bobbing up and down.

"No!" he rasped. "Get out of here, Ruka. Now!"

- o –

Kain had thought he had moved past bloodlust. He was so tired, his body felt completely numb. Then he smelled it. The most beautiful, delicious and seductive scent in the world. Ruka's blood.

Just one sniff and every single cell in his body awoke with a vengeance, clamouring to be fed. His body threw off the shroud of numbness and the resultant blood lust was agony. Kain suddenly felt the incessant stabbing of a thousand sharp knives, particularly inside his head and behind his eyes. His veins were half empty and his muscles starving of oxygen and nutrients. His nerves felt like they were burning up.

He had reacted on pure instinct, fingers latching onto the source of that delicious scent even before he opened his eyes. The first lick of that warm, sweet liquid had his body screaming for more. He wasn't even conscious that he had bitten into soft, tender flesh. That realisation only came a few seconds later.

It was the hardest thing Kain had ever done, forcing himself to stop. Harder even than refusing to make love to Ruka that weekend. But he hadn't asked and she hadn't given her permission. Even if he had asked and she was willing, he was no longer worthy of it. There was only one other option.

"Blood tablets," he gasped out. "In the side pocket... of my... knapsack..."

"No, Akatsuki."

Kain squeezed his eyes shut, the scent of Ruka's blood lingering in the air, the alluring taste of it on his tongue. He clenched his hands into tight fists, fingernails digging viciously into his palms.

"Ruka," he groaned. "Get – tablets. Please!"

I'm begging you.

"No," she said softly. "You don't need them."

Kain would have laughed if he weren't in agony. Didn't need them? He was in the throes of a full fledged blood lust! Of course he needed the damned tablets!

"Ruka – please!" he gritted out. Then he shook his head. It wasn't a good idea to stay close to her right now.

"I'll get them," he said hoarsely. He wasn't sure if he could stand, but he didn't have a choice. Pressing his back hard against the wall, he struggled to his feet, hardly feeling the scrape of stone against his skin as his half burnt T-shirt tore. He shoved his trembling fingers into the pocket of his jeans, tearing the fabric before he managed to hook the key ring and pull it out. After a brief hesitation, he glanced at her.

Ruka was still kneeling on the ground in a temptingly supplicant posture, looking up at him and unintentionally exposing her pale, slender neck. Kain wrenched his hungry gaze away.

"Stay here," he growled. He took a step towards the entrance.

"No," she breathed out, her soft voice skating over Kain's paper thin control. He froze as she stood up slowly and gracefully.

Don't come any closer, Ruka.

She took a step towards him.

Not another step.

She took another step, her usually soft brown eyes were fierce.

Listen to me, damnit!

Kain wondered if he should laugh or cry.

"No tablets," she said. Kain shook his head.

"No, Ruka," he said shortly. "I can't!"

A trembling smile flitted across her face.

"Of course you can," she said. "I'm offering it to you."

Despite his hunger, anguish burned in Kain's eyes.

If only her permission made it all right! If only it were that simple!

"This was my fault. Please, Ruka... don't."

Kain's roughened voice cracked. Shoulders slumping, he shook his head. Even though she had offered, he still couldn't accept. He just... couldn't. For one thing, he was too hungry. He could very well drain her before she even realised. For another thing, she was still healing. Her body needed whatever blood she had. A third reason – he was no longer worthy. But the most important reason of all – it would create a bond between them since she had already bitten him. Twice.

Kain pressed his lips together, ignoring his fangs cutting into his lower lip. He should just get out of here before he –

Ruka was in front of him before he had taken another step. He blinked at her speed. She put her hands on his chest and pushed him backwards. Startled, he stumbled back a step. She pushed him again, pinning him with fierce, determined eyes.

"Don't you dare say refuse, Akatsuki Kain!" she scolded. Her normally soft voice was sharp and stern. "Hang the tablets! You are going to take my blood if I have to force it down your stubborn throat!"

If Kain weren't pressing his lips together, his mouth would have fallen open in shock. Ruka pressed her advantage and gave him another shove. Kain's breathed whooshed out of his lungs as his back bumped against the cave wall. He was staring wide eyed at her like he had never seen her before. She pressed close to him and lifted her hands, pushing her fingers into his hair and pulling his head down.

Kain would never know why he just... let... her.

Perhaps it was because he was starving. Perhaps it was because he had never seen her this determined. Perhaps it was because he could never say 'no' to her even though he once had, in that small seaside town. He had only enough willpower - a very tiny bit left – in him to ask a final question.

"Are you sure?" he whispered. Ruka looked up into those desperate, burning eyes. Amidst the terrible hunger and suffering on his face, she also saw the anguished uncertainty. It brought home the fact that he was Akatsuki Kain, her closest friend, her childhood protector and the boy she trusted above all else. Even Kaname-sama. Ruka felt the very last of her fears vanish.

"Yes," she said steadily. "Yes, I'm sure."

She closed her eyes, her heart racing inside her as those strong arms wrapped around her and crushed her to an equally strong chest. She could feel the shivers shaking him, the laboured breathing that brushed hotly against her hair and the rapid pounding of a strong heart against her chest. Then Kain lowered his head and burrowed his face in her neck. Ruka's heart was slamming so hard in her chest, she almost couldn't breathe. She dug her own fingers into his biceps.

"Then... forgive me," Kain whispered.

Ruka didn't even have time to nod before those long fangs sank deep into her neck.

- Chapter End -