Thankyou so much for reviewing!!! YAY! I'm so glad people like the Riho/Shido paring as much as I do! : ) Please let me know what you think of the latest chapter.

-----------------------

"I don't know- here I'll check." She changed the station to the TV guide.

"10:00 AM"

"We must have lost track of the time."

"You mind if I borrow your couch?"

"No, I'll get you some blankets." She went into her bedroom and returned with a pile of white blankets grasped to her chest. He stood to take them.

"Thanks." It was then he realized she wasn't letting go of them. "Errr… these are for me right?"

"You… you want to share my bed? Its bigger than the couch."

Those two sentences made Shido's body go completely numb. He wasn't quite sure if he had arms or legs because he certainly didn't feel them. The only thing he did feel was the thumping of his heart. He shut his mouth with a click. Riho looked down at the floor; an attractive rouge grew on her cheeks and she held on the blankets as a child holds a stuffed animal for security. He brushed her auburn hair away from her eyes and cupped her chin.

"Are you sure, Riho?"

"Hai, Hai."

A slow smile crept across his face and he nodded accepting the invitation. He followed her into the bedroom. This room in particular smelled like her shampoo.

"I guess we won't need these after all." said Riho placing the blankets back into the closet. "I'm going to change clothes. I'll be right back" Riho went into her bathroom and closed the door. I wonder why she was so nervous about me being in here before. He sat down on the bed that squeaked in protest.

"Mr.Shido, I'm use to sleeping on the left side of the bed, next to window, ok?" Called Riho from behind the door.

"Oro." Shido stood and walked to the other side of the bed and sat down again. It was impossible to sleep with a necktie on, and upon further contemplation, he decided the same thing about the vest. The room really did smell like Riho. He started to unlace the necktie. I wonder what she wears to sleep in. I guess I'll find out... I wonder if she is changed yet. I wonder if she sleeps without a bra. I wonder if she is naked right now. I wonder...His fingers had somehow composed several intricate knots out of his necktie. It was difficult to breathe and he had one hand stuck in the mess. This had certainly never happened before. Its not like untying one of these things was difficult. Well it was now that his hand was tied close to his throat. Several attempts to pull in random places only made it tighter. I could undo this if I had a mirror. The bathroom door opened. I look like an idiot!

"Mr. Shido? What... are you doing?" He flashed her his best smile, felt the heat rise in his cheeks, and attempted to simply pull his hand out of the knots. It didn't work. Breathing was challenging, talking was more so, especially with her staring at him.

"I... ah..."

She came closer. The frantic pulling really wasn't helping.

"Mr... Shido..." He could hear the giggles that bubbled up between his name.

"Its not like this normally happens."

"Of course not." And with that the giggles turned into outright laughter. He pulled at the knots more and the tie constricted around his neck.

"Do you have a mirror, Riho?"

"I think I can handle it, Mr. Shido." She sat down upon the bed. "Chin up." He had to met her gaze, not that he had been avoiding it exactly. Amusement still played at the corner of her lips. She wore a blue fuzzy tank top with suns and clouds on them, and matching pants. Perfect sleepwear for a vampire.

"Ouch that hurts."

"Sorry Mr. Shido." He sighed and resigned himself to the stupidest situation he had ever gotten himself into. Gradually his fingers were released from the knots.

When at last he had his hand free he said, "I think I can undo the rest." Riho giggled.

"Perhaps you just ought to let me finish this?" He sighed. Undoing the rest of his knot work took quite a bit of time. "I don't know how you got this so tangled." A smile still played upon her lips.

"Apparently I have an immeasurable skill that even I was unaware of." Yes this is so very romantic. How did I even get this far with her with such talent? "I am just glad Yayoi and Guni are not here to see this." Her smile grew larger. "Of course you are not going to mention it, right?"

"All done." Riho smiled a little too innocently and dangled the crimson tie before him. I may not wear that for a long time. "You better be careful with it. I may not be there to rescue you next time." She giggled and almost skipped her way to the other side of the bed. She switched out the light on the nightstand and slipped under the covers, murmuring "Goodnight Mr. Shido."

He couldn't help yet another sigh that escaped him. He picked up the seemingly innocent necktie from his lap and placed it on the nightstand on his side. He peered down at his vest. There is no way anything could go wrong with buttons... I don't think there is anyway. He suddenly had an image of a button flying off and hitting him in the forehead. Maybe I will just sleep in the vest. He glanced over at the silhouette of Riho's form. I had hoped we would be doing more than 'just sleeping'. He privately reprimanded himself. Riho may be a creature of the night now, but she still is innocent. Innocent in ways, I once was, before they were robbed from me. I won't do the same to her.

He slid under the covers; then stared at the ceiling as he contemplated his contradictory emotions. Shido wanted to protect Riho even if that meant protecting her from himself. Yet, he wanted her too. And a part of him, he didn't want to acknowledge, felt like she was his Riho, and would be endlessly broken if she choose another over him; which lead to the further complication that Riho would eventually hate him for turning her into a vampire. It was all rather overwhelming.

SLAM

"What was that?"

"Oh, I think something fell off my nightstand. No big deal. I'll get it at dusk," replied Riho. The ceiling really wasn't all that interesting. The mattress shifted as Riho rolled onto her side to face him. "What are you thinking about Mr.Shido?" she asked with a yawn.

"Oh... just how people change I guess."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Not really." She snuggled up against him and laid her head against his chest.

"I'm glad you are here, Mr.Shido." He smiled and wrapped his arm around her. So am I.

-------------------------------

I have to warn you … I have the story completely written now, the last chapter is just perfect… but the two in-between are not. So it may be a little while before I get them up. I will do my best to post it ASAP but I need to rework some things.