I roll back and forth across my bed with no clear purpose. I have nothing to do and I'm so bored. I have a few hours until the doctor comes. Reiji told his brothers not to bite be for the time being because of the appointment being so close.

I sit up with a groan. I should go bake a cake or something, anything to occupy my time. I have been with Shuu in my free time for the past week, and I'm beginning to think I'm becoming bothersome. I don't want to annoy him or anything, so I think today will be best spent giving him his space.

I roll off of my bed and onto the floor. I walk to my wardrobe to change out of my pajamas. I don't know when the doctor will come, so I should get dressed for it now I guess. I learned that it is best to wear flowy clothes such as dresses and skirts during an appointment because it isn't a guarantee that they'll need me to change. I find my black and white skirt and a blue blouse. I go to the bathroom to brush my hair and I gaze at myself in the mirror. I quickly open one of the drawers and take out my white headband. I put it in my hair and look back at my reflection. I actually look...cute. I smile at myself and leave the bathroom to head to the kitchen.

I make it to the kitchen, debating on what to make. I made a cake last time, so that doesn't seem so fun. I guess cookies are sufficient, I haven't made any in awhile. I quickly mix the ingredients and put the batch of twenty in the oven. Knowing I have time before taking them out, I leave the kitchen and race back to my room. I find my book, Things We Know by Heart, and head back downstairs.

"Whore-chan," I hear a voice coos behind me as I make my way down the stairs. "Where are you going?"

"Am I required to answer?" I ask, turning around to give the vampire an icy look.

"Why are you so cold?" Laito says, holding his arms like he's freezing. He is behind me in an instant, making me flinch from surprise. I turn around, a second from continuing my descent of the stairs. He snakes his arms over my shoulders and down my torso. He leans into my ear and whisper. "How come you know longer want to have fun with me?"

"Laito, stop," I say, looking away from him. I feel his weight pushing me, knowing he is mostly leaning on me. He moves his hands down my stomach and under my shirt. "Stop!" I shout at him. I turn around to push him off. I lose my footing, stepping off the stair, causing me to fall. I close my eyes and tense my body, preparing for the impact. Instead, I feel two arms catch me. I open my eyes to Laito, a brow raised.

"You rather protect that book than yourself?" he says. I notice that I clench my gift from Shuu tightly to my chest. "Where did you even get that from?"

"It was from Shuu, please put me down," I say. He does so and I thank him.

"So you're his exclusive whore now or something?"

"No," I say harshly, giving him a glare. "And about what you said last week, I am not toying with his heart or anything of the sort. I love him, and I don't know why you feel entitled to know this."

"Hmmm," he hums and says under his breath, "I guess I don't have a chance." He turns around and continues up the stairs. "Just to see if he really his ready for this, ask him to tell you about Sakura. I believe the outcome will be fun."

"Sakura?" I question, but the vampire is already gone. I shake my head not, not bothering to think about it. I race to the kitchen, hoping my cookies aren't overdone. To my relief, they actually still have some time. This leaves me time to think about what Laito said. Why does it seem like he is always infected my mind with bothersome things? He said to ask about Sakura, who is that? Could she be Shuu's 'last heartbreak'?" Is she important in some way?

Get a grip, Hikari, Laito is just messing with your head. Stop pondering about it and ask Shuu like he said. But if Laito told me to do something, then I bet little good can come from it. I sigh and try to focus on the task at hand. I remove the cookies from the oven and place them on the cooling tray. I repeat this with the second batch. I stare down at the three dozen cookies I made. Did I make too many? I shrug it off and put them on a dessert display. I leave them on the counter and clean the small mess I made. After I remove my apron, I leave the kitchen.

Trying to figure out who Shuu's past lover only makes me think of mine. I still have the picture, even though I told myself I have to get rid of it. I go to my room as I try to make a plan in my head. I open the door to my room and go straight to the nightstand. I open it and pick up the frame, look back down at the picture. I remove the photo from the frame and slide it into my skirt pocket. I think I should talk to Yui about this. It will help since I can't really bring this up with Shuu at the moment. I head to my sister's room, hopeful she can help.

"Hey, Yui," I say, knocking on the door to her bedroom. I hear a sound from the other side of the door. I twist the door and open it. "Umm, Yui, I ne-" I stop mid-sentence when I look at my sister. She is turned towards Subaru his arm around her waist. Her hands are on his shoulders her face flushed. All of our jaws seems to drop in unison. By the redness of her face and her breath a bit harder than usual, I make a guess of what I walked in on.

I take a step back slowly. "Never mind, it can wait." Right before I close the door all the way, I say, "Have fun you two love birds," and shut the door completely.

I smile as I hear murmuring from the other side of the door. I can't believe I walked in on that, I wonder how they feel. Trying to contain my laughter at their discomfort, I head down the hall. I think I will just go to the music room for the time being.

I open the door to the music room, wondering if it will help me. I enter the empty room, the calmness of it already soothing me. I walk to the shelf with the music sheets on it. Mines and Shuu's violins lean against the shelf in their cases. I pick up and open mines, smiling at the wooden instrument. I take it from the case and hold it in my hand. The feel of the instrument gives me a sense of joy.

I place the violin under my chin and raise my bow. I play a slow and calming piece. I give every note it's due and allow my body to relax as I play. The melody sounds throughout the room, echoing back to me. I finish the piece, lowering my bow and instrument. My nerves and mind seemed to have calmed, no longer raging messes.

"Johann Bach's Partita," a voice says. I open my eyes to see Shuu leaning against the frame. "No sheet needed and played perfectly," he praises me.

"Thank you," I say with a smile. "Care to join me?"

"If you'll allow it," he jokes.

"I shall," I respond, gesturing him to come in. He finds the moment as funny as I do and walks into the room with me.

He stops and studies me up and down. "You look nice today," he compliments.

"Thanks." I try not to let my cheeks color too much at the compliment. "You look good every day, though."

"I'm going to pretend I believe that."

"I'm serious. You always look nice. Your style of sweaters and collared shirts is very nice." A roll of his eyes is his only response. "Want to play a duet?" I suggest.

"Sure," he says.

"You can take over the violin, I'll take the piano." He nods. I pass him my instrument so he can put it away as he retrieves his own. I take my place at the piano bench, adjusting the seat from the last time Shuu played.

"Who do you want to play?" the vampire question from the shelf.

"Beethoven."

"Picking favorites now? I can tell you like his work a lot."

"Coming from the person whose alarm is Fur Elise."

"I change it ever so often. If the same thing wakes me up repeatedly, I will grow to hate it."

I nod my head, understand his logic. He picks today's piece and hand me the sheet. He stands by me and we look at each other. After giving a knowing look, we begin to play. One thing I love more than playing is doing it with another person. There is a joy that comes with sharing the love of music with someone you care for. It is like when our tunes are sync, so are our souls. We have this kind of connection with is created by our music.

We finish the melody and we both let out a sigh. I look up at Shuu, a smile plastered on my face. He smiles softly down at me.

"Have you finished that book yet?" Shuu asks.

"No," I answer. "It is getting really good, though."

"It's the one out the heartbroken stalker girl, right?"

"Yeah," I say. Heartbroken. The word reminds me of what Laito said earlier. I look back at Shuu. Is it really the best to ask him about it directly? No, that will be bad.

"Shuu?" I question.

"Yeah?" he replies, lowering his violin.

"You said if something every bothers me, I should tell you, right?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Well, um, was there someone before me?" I say hesitantly.

"What do you mean by that?"

I being to idly twirl my hair around my finger. "Like, someone you loved," I explain. I look over at him and he is giving me a questioning look. "It's just, Laito said something about you having another heartbreak and something about a 'last time'. I was just wondering about it. If you don't want to talk about it, it's perfectly understandable." I know it is a bit unfair to ask him about his own past love when I haven't told him about mine, but I doubt he's as troubled as I am.

"That idiot, always yapping his mouth," Shuu says with a shake of his head. He sits down on the sofa and leans his head back, a sign that he's thinking. "There was a girl that I loved before I met you. Her name was Sakura and she was one of the brides. She was the first person I loved."

So Sakura was his lover. The way he says it kind of hurts me. I know he is allowed to love someone else, but hearing him speak so sincerely about someone else makes me feel a little jealous. But there is also a hint of sadness in his words.

"She died not too long ago, and it really messed me up. Do you remember that time at school when you were saying you killed someone you loved?"

I nod, feeling my heart sink when I think of Kaname.

"Well, I also carry the guilt ending so someone's life. I didn't try and comfort her and understand her wants. She tried to run away, which isn't even possible here. I was unable to protect her and I ultimately lost her."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I say, looking down at the floor. So he knows how a feel, but a hundred time worse. He lost his lover.

"That's why I'm so protective of you at times," he continues. "I don't want to lose someone I care for ever again. It is a pain we share, so you understand how I feel. That day you were saying how you wanted to leave, it just reminded me too much of what Sakura said. I didn't want the past to repeat itself, so I acted in a way I thought would change the situation."

So that's why Shuu acts the way he does. He never talks about things like this, so the information is beneficial. He doesn't want to relive his fears, so he tries to prevent them, which may cause him to express more emotion than usual.

"I have long forgiven you for that day in the game room," I finally say. "Even if you want to hide them, emotions seem to surface, especially when triggered by a memory."

I walk over to Shuu and accompany him on the couch. I lean my head on his shoulder, assuring him I'm here for him. "We've had both loved and lost," I say the words and the picture in my pocket seems to become heavier. "But the experiences change us, and we have to move on."

He moves his arms around me, holding me closer. "True," he says. We stay like that for some time, silently comforting each other.

"I'm going out soon," Shuu says, finally filling the void of silence.

"Can I go?" I ask, excited at the thought of going on another outing.

"Not this time, you have you check up thing soon."

"That sucks, I wanna go," I whine. I sprawl out onto his lap my hand on my forehead. "Why must you abandon me in my most dire time," I say dramatically. "Leaving me to go have fun with Izayoi and Yuzuki."

"Stop acting like that," he says with a smile grin.

"I thought you liked my dramaticness."

"I do."

"Good, because you're going to get a lot of it." I get off his lap to stretch. "Don't have too much fun without me, you big doofus."

"I wanted to bring you this time, but by the time you finish whatever, they'd be closed. I really want you to meet Yuzuki, you two will get together nicely." He stands up and stretches also. "Go get your jacket," he says.

"So you are taking me?" I say with a smile.

"You wish," he counters with a smug smile and I pout in response. "We are going somewhere on the property, I think it should be satisfying for now."

Skeptical yet curious, I nod and leave to fetch my jacket from my room. When I arrive at my bedroom, I grab my gray coat and put on a pair of leggings to defend my legs from the cold air. I head back down the stairs and see Shuu by the front door.

He opens the door allowing the cold air of the night hit my body. I shiver runs through me, but a smile is present on my face. I just love the cold feeling of late fall. I follow Shuu down the stays and onto one of the many marble walkways. The moon and stars illuminate the sky, shining down on the two of us.

"Where are we going?" I question the vampire as I walk beside him.

"Somewhere," he says simply.

"Why do you never give me a legit answer?" I whine, swaying my body like I'm going to fall.

"It is legit."

"Ugh," I let out an irritated groan although my smile only grows. "If you don't tell me, I'm not going."

"Why are you acting like this?" he question, although I can see he is slightly amused by me.

"If you're going to be complicated, so am I," I say. I stop walking and sit down on the walkways. The thin layer of the leggings does little to prevent the icy cold touch of the marble from freezing my butt and thighs. I try not to reveal my discomfort.

"Why do you want to ruin the surprise?" Shuu questions. "I'm trying to be nice and spend some time with you before I leave."

I guess I am being a bit rude. He wants to be with me a bit longer before he leaves. Besides, his surprises are usually very nice. I nod and get off the ground. I rub my butt, trying to unfreeze my nerves. "Let's go then."

We continue to follow the walkway until it makes a turn away from the wooded area. Instead of staying on the path, Shuu continues forward, into the trees. I follow close behind him, not wanting to be separated. I push branches to the side as I walk, wondering where he's taking me.

After what feels like forever, we come into a clearing. I gasp in awe at the view. It is like a small, yet beautiful meadow. There are flowers growing; spotted all over the clearing. The moonlight seems to make the petals glow, like shining silk.

"It's a shame you missed firefly season," Shuu says. "It looks even better in the spring. There are far more flowers and you may even see a rabbit or two."

"It's beautiful, though," I say. "How did you find this place? I don't see you as the person to just wander around the property in your free time."

"I was much different when I was younger," Shuu says. He begins to walk into the clearing and I trail behind him. He sits down on the ground and reclines, facing the sky. I do the same, staring up into the night sky. The stars shine down on us, twinkling in beauty.

"Tell me about when you were younger," I say to Shuu.

"Hmm, I don't know. After you were being childish and everything, I don't think you deserve a back story," he says and I don't have to look at him to know he is wearing his teasing smile.

"Please."

"You tell me some of yours first."

"I don't know whether or not you will tell yours, so I'm not."

There is a pause, then Shuu says, "I'm using one of my 'do anything' passes. Now, tell me."

I roll my eyes at him, although I smile at his decision. "I born in June, a summer baby. I don't remember my biological father or mother. All I know is that Yui and I share our biological father. We were then adopted by Seiji, who we call Father. I don't like him anymore, though. Yui and I grew up around the Church, it being like a home to us. Of course, we didn't live there or anything, but Father was the head priest at the time, so we were there a lot. Yui and I were always close. Other kids messed with Yui because she was very timid and didn't much like Father; none of the kids knew we were adopted. I defended Yui, not liking other people messing with her. I was her big sister, it was my responsibility. I had anger issues."

"Had?" Shuu questions.

"Okay, I still have them. Yui and I were happy with our lives. Then one day, I was taken away from her and Father. It was for my protection or whatever." I take in a breath, I guess now is a good time to talk to him about living with the Keis. I haven't told him yet, but I think it's time, especially after he informed me about Sakura. "I lived with these brothers, Kaname and Natsume Kei. I stayed there for three and a half years. I was fine there at first, but then one of the brothers, Kaname, died. It really messed up Natsume. After that, well….I didn't best eighteen months of my life. It landed me in the hospital for a few months. But I survived and that counts for something."

"I guess it does," Shuu says. "Like I told you before, I was pressured to be the best I could be. I was a fairly happy child, to be honest. Even with the constant pressure, I enjoyed things to the fullest. I left to see my friends when I was upset and even had a dog for some time. Shigure, the dog, was the one the lead me to this area. I used to play with him here a lot when I was supposed to be doing my lessons. With Izayoi, Yuzuki, and Edgar, another of my friends, I didn't care about my responsibilities and I lived carefree. Things changed after I caused pain to all of them. I told myself that being with them wasn't good for any of us, so I tried to close myself off for some time." He lets out a short, forced laugh. "It didn't last long. I saw Izayoi or Yuzuki every time I went to get new music. I couldn't live without them, in a way."

"What about Edgar?" I question.

"He moved on," Shuu says grimly

"I see," I say. I get up and walk around the area. Shuu props himself up on his elbows to watch me. I begin picking flowers, collecting the beautiful plants. Once I have a fair amount, I return to Shuu. "These are nice flowers," I say.

"They are," Shuu says, looking at me with a bit of confusion.

"Mums and pansies, I believe," I say. "They bloom this time of the year. I guess they like the cold season like me." I begin to twist their stems together and Shuu watches with curiosity. I hum a song as I perform my task.

"What are you doing?" the vampire questions.

"Something," I reply with a smile. How do you like vague answers now, Shuu?

"What are you humming, then?"

"A song."

"May you sing it?"

The request takes me by surprise, but I comply and sing my song to him. "You're alone, you're on your own, so what? Have you gone blind? Have you forgotten what you have and what is yours? Glass half empty, glass half full. Well either way you won't be going thirsty. Count your blessings not your flaws." I sway slightly as I sing the song to the vampire. I look at him and my words seem to relax him. "There's method in my madness. There's no logic in your sadness. You don't gain a single thing from misery. Take it from me," I sing softly into the night sky. I believe the song is beautiful and it reminds me of Shuu in a way. I continue to work the flowers together. I take my time, careful not to snap any of the thin stems. I smile when I complete the project. "You can reclaim your crown, you're in control." I place the flower crown on Shuu's head, smiling at my lover. "Rid of the monsters inside your head. Put all your faults to bed." I kiss him lightly on his forehead. "You can be king again."

He sighs and closes his eyes. I sit with my legs to the side and prompt his head on my lap. I stroke his head softly, letting my fingers intertwine with his sea of silky, orange hair. I begin to decorate his locks with my remaining flowers.

It seems as if you relationship is filled silent moments like this, but I don't mind them too much. They're peaceful and calming, yet comforting.

After some time, I let out a sneeze, causing Shuu to open his eyes. "I think that's a sign that it's time to go inside," he says, rising from my lap. He pats his head with a questioning look. "Am I a garden person or something?"

I giggle at his comment. "Sure, the king of the garden."

He raise a brow and picks a white flower from his collection. He tucks it behind my ear with a soft smile. "Then you can be my queen."

I smile at him as he takes my hand in his. He leads me away from the secret meadow and back to the manor. My smile remains on my face for the whole trip, his hand still gripping mine's. He walks me to my room and I feel a bit upset.

"I will see you later then?" I say, looking up at Shuu.

"Yeah," he says, slowly letting go of my hand. We say our farewells and he leaves. I enter my room and collapse on my bed, letting out a sigh. Living here isn't as bad as I originally thought. Being with Yui and Shuu is wonderful.

I stay in my room for about an hour doing work before Reiji comes. He says that the doctor is here. I feel uneasiness in my gut, a bit nervous guess. I nod and follow him to the greeting area.

"Wait here until I get you," Reiji says, gesturing to the seat. I nod and take the seat. He gives me a stern glance before heading to the meeting room. I sigh, hoping it doesn't take long for the two to talk. I've had my fair share of waiting for appointments, but I just hope I'm not here for the next two years. I don't know whether this is going to be like ones I usually go through, or different because it's been a while?

I look around the welcoming area, thinking about my first time here. Shuu was laying in this exact seat when I first saw him. I remember that short stare down we had when we first saw each other. I wonder what he was thinking about at the time. I hope he gets back soon, I want to talk to him once the session is over.

After about ten or fifteen minutes, I hear footsteps coming my way. I sit up as Reiji comes by. "You may go now," he says.

I nod, getting out of the chair. We walk toward the door and he lectures me to behave like I'm a foolish child. We stop at the door and he looks me in the eyes. "Don't give me a reason to have to go in there."

I nod and in an instant, he's gone. I inhale deeply as I take the knob in my hand. I hope it is , that will make everything much more enjoyable. I open the door stepping into the room. I get a glance of the person, before, turning to close the door.

"Hello," I say, facing the doctor. Our eyes meet and I instantly freeze. My nervousness turn to fear and my heart begin to thud loudly in my chest. The air in my lungs escape and I find it impossible to breathe. My palms sweat and I feel as if I want to die like I'm going to die.

This can't be real.

His brown-orange hair I used to play with has grown much longer, passing his shoulder. He has gotten taller and a bit older. But the same cold, blue eyes stare down at me. The sadistic smile that has haunted my nightmares playing on his lips.

"It's been too long, Hikari," Natsume says.

Who likes cliffhangers? I sure as hell don't, but I'm pretty cruel.

:) Love you my lovelies.