Akari watched over him for days, not moving from the room. She couldn't bear to leave his side, that was until she got word that Kaname had been seen close by. She guessed that he was following the trail that Rido had left behind. She ordered that Rido's sleeping body was to moved to her family mausoleum to hide him from Kaname. She insured that any trace of Rido was gone, she wouldn't allow Kaname to kill Rido no matter what. He would have to go through her first.

She was awoken in the middle of the day by a servant. Her gut instincts were right, Kaname had arrived at her home. The servant also told her that Kaname said that she didn't have to change, just cover up. She scoffed at the Princes' words. He was so arrogant, she hated it. She quickly pulled a red floor length silk dressing gown. It covered her black silk knee length night gown, hemmed with red lace. She had tied her hair in a loose braid, pulling it over her right shoulder, covering Kaname's faded bite mark. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before stepping out of her room.

"How can I help you Kaname?" She practically growled at him, glaring at him as she stood at the top of the stairs. Kaname smirked as he stood in the hallway. He could completely understand her hostility towards him after the bite and awakening her at this time. He couldn't help noticing how black and red silk made her skin look even more creamer and softer. He couldn't wait till he could take her as his own. He would have her as his own.

"Rido made his move at last. I came to see if he made any attempt to see or contact you." Kaname explained. Akari eyes softened. She may not like Kaname but he had just lost his family.

"I'm sorry Kaname." She said with care, coming down the stairs. "Rido hasn't contacted me in anyway." She added as she stepped in front of him. "What happened to Yuki?" She asked curiously, she only knew that Juri and Haruka were killed. Kaname sighed and looked down.

"Akari, I need to know that I can trust you before I tell you everything." Kaname pointed out, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"I understand Kaname." She looked down at her feet. She wasn't sure what she had to do. She looked up at him the moment he felt his hand moved her braid.

"I'm sorry." Kaname said as he looked at her neck. He didn't get a chance to apologise before. He had to earn her trust as much as she needed to earn his. "I never meant to hurt you."

"It's OK." She told him with a smile. Kaname shook his head.

"No, It's not. Never allow me to do this to you again." His fingers ghosted over the marks. "Sometimes I get ahead of myself, if I hurt you, please stop me." He told her as his hand moved to the back of her head. He brought her lips to his. Lust filled the air, his other hand pulled her body closer to his, resting on her lower back. Her hands gently pushed against his chest. Kaname slowly released her and smiled as he saw a light blush on her cheeks. She would be his. "Sorry, I just find you irresistible." Akari gave him a small smile. She had never had anyone be so forward with her before, only ever Rido. Maybe it was a Kuran thing.

"Do you have anywhere to stay?" She asked him, trying to take his attention off her appearance.

"The Ichijo's have offered me sanctuary." Kaname informed her.

"Oh…" Kaname smirked, she must have wanted to offer him a room.

"But I would like to rest before I head back to the Ichijo's." Akari smiled, now she had a chance of getting close to Kaname and get the information Rido needed.

"I have a number of rooms you can chose from; they are already made up in case of guests." She gestured for him to follow her. When they reached the landing, she pointed to their left, explaining that it was her room. There was a total of five bedrooms including her own on that landing. She showed him the door to the staircase that lead to the tower bedroom if he preferred something a little more private.

In the end he chose the bedroom next to hers. It was decorated in the typical Victorian style, one colour for the whole room with shade variations, in this room it was green. He got a glimpse of red in Akari's room. He could smell Rido in this room. He guessed that Rido must have stayed in this room a number of times. It made him feel a little jealous but now, at least, he wouldn't get interrupted while he coaxed her into his arms. Maybe he could convince her to join him at the school he was building. It would be in a few months but it would pull them much closer together.

Kaname sat in the dining room, waiting for his breakfast, he looked around the room, analysing every detail. Deep purple walls and dark wooden floors. Kaname was sure that the house itself hadn't been redecorated since the Victorian era in Europe. He wondered why Akari had kept it this way. In fact, he wondered how a European mansion was built in Japan and kept the same for so many years. His thoughts were broken by Akari entering the room. She was wearing a light blue short sleeved dress that ended at her knees. The dress fitted her perfectly, flaring out at her waist in clear crisp pleats. It was simple but it looked elegant on her. She had pulled her hair into a low bun, letting a few stands frame her face.

"Lord Kaname." Akari spoke up, bringing Kaname out of his thoughts. She tried not to squirm as his eyes undressed her.

"Just Kaname." He told her with a smile. "I'm sure we'll be getting close to one another." He added, watching her blush. He enjoyed making her blush, it filled him with pride that he could do such a thing.

"I trust my staff are treating you well?" She asked trying to change the subject as she sat down opposite him.

"Of course." He leaned forwards in his chair. "There was something I wanted to ask you." He then spoke, getting Akari's full attention as she requested a coffee from the kitchen. "I was wondering how this house was built here and by the looks of things, never redecorated?" She hadn't expected a question like that. It made her pause for a moment.

"My parents fell in love with it while they were travelling and had it brought over brick by brick. I've left it the same since they left again to travel." She explained before taking a sip of her coffee that had been placed in front of her. A small white lie. Her parents had a traditional home surrounded by ponds and carefully constructed gardens. Once her parents left, she built the home she wanted. She loved the Victorian architecture however; she was considering updating the interior to a more modern look. Kaname didn't need to know this, she didn't want to questioned about her personal likes and dislikes.

"Your parents have just left you here, on your own?" Kaname asked surprised. He would have expected them to come running back to check on her after Rido's actions. Akari nodded, she didn't see the big issue with it. But then again, Kaname had never been away from Juri or Haruka.

"As soon as I was twenty-one, they left to travel and I haven't heard from them since. I don't even know where they are or if they're even alive." She shrugged and carried on drinking.

"How long ago was that?" He questioned, he wanted to understand why her parents would have just left her. She could have fallen victim to anyone. Akari thought for a moment. He noticed that she tilted her head ever so slightly as she thought. A trait he found quite cute.

"About two hundred years ago." She finally answered after a short pause. Kaname let out a small chuckle.

"Did you forget you age for a moment?" He said in a joking manger that surprised her. She had never heard him speak in such a way before. She blushed and nodded, she stopped keeping track of her age quite a while ago.

Kaname smiled and finished his breakfast. He stood up and walked over to her. Akari eyed him with caution. "Akari can I ask you a very important question?" He suddenly asked, she nodded after a short pause. "I'm building a school where we can forge a peaceful existence with humans. I was hoping you would like to join me?" Akari stared at him for a moment. He just gave her the best opportunity to be close to him. The only thing holding her back was leaving Rido alone.

"But what if my parents come back? The house will be empty, it just doesn't seem right." She reasoned; she didn't want to make herself look easy.

"Your parents left you to fend for yourself and care for their things. You need to live for yourself now. You can always come back at weekends until you get used to it, you won't need to stop by as much." Kaname pointed out. He wanted her close to him, he had to have her near him. The closer she was to him, the more he could work her into his arms. The less likely Rido would be able to intervene. Akari's head tilted again.

"I will go with you but before I do, I want to know more about what I'm getting myself into." She finally gave in. Kaname smiled as she stood from her chair, he pulled her into a deep kiss. At this point Akari wanted to strangle him. He always went straight for kiss; he didn't even ask. It was something she would either have to get used to, or she'd end up smacking him for it. She pushed gently against his chest, making him pull away.

"Sorry." He murmured, look over her shoulder rather than at her. "I just can't help myself sometimes." He smirked but still didn't look at her. It was like if he did, he would devour her.

"Don't say stuff like that." She scolded him without thinking. Kaname looked at her surprised, he had never been told off by anyone before.

"I thought you'd be use to things like that, after all you must have been close to Rido." He almost mocked back. He wanted to see just how much of a bond they had. He could use her not only as his bride, but also as bait to lure Rido out. Akari huffed at him annoyed.

"I've known Rido for nearly fifty years, and he has never spoke like that to me." She glared at him. Rido only talk dirty to the whores who gave themselves to him. He respected her and would never make her feel so low and beneath him. He had more respect for her than Kaname seemed to have.

"I might even guess that you two are secret lovers." Kaname waved off the end of his tongue. Akari burst out laughing.

"What gave you that impression?" She finally managed to ask as her laughter died down. Kaname looked at confused. How could she not think that people thought they were in some sort of relationship?

"For starters, he got your coat and then helped you put on. He even pulled your hair free from the back..." He started to list off.

"Friends can help each other with coats, not just couples." She interrupted him.

"You trusted him to drive you home and then drive back in your vintage car."

"Again, friends can drive me home and use my vintage car if that's what they need." Again, interrupting him.

"The bedroom next to yours smells like him. He must have stayed over a lot." Akari almost showed her panic. She had forgotten how well Kaname would smell Rido, she was use to his musk. She enjoyed taking in his scent every time he pulled her to him. He only showed his affection for her when they were in private. They both had a reputation to keep up. Rido was meant to be cruel, unforgiving and ruthless. Akari was meant to be mysterious, aloof and particular.

"Yes, he would stop by a lot and stay, especially after a party." She tried hard to hide the smile that had made its way onto her lips as she spoke about him.

"You two were very close then. I'm surprised Rido hasn't snapped you up." Kaname noticed the smile and it worried him. Akari shook her head and looked down. "You love Rido, even if it's a little bit." He finally added. She looked at him shocked.

"I… I do love him but…" She started, she had to come up with something. She knew she could no longer hide her feelings, especially since Kaname seemed to be able to read her like a book. "After what he's done, he's not the same Rido I know. He's someone else now and I don't recognise him anymore." She added with a sigh, hugging herself.

"Maybe you fell for the wrong Kuran?" Kaname mused, glad that Rido's ruthless nature had probably lost him the only person left who loved him. Akari looked at him confused. "Will you give me a chance to be close to you, to show you how to love me?" He asked, gently prying her left hand from her as she continued to hug herself, and kissed her hand. Akari just stared at him like he had grown another head. She was now sure that Kaname was a creepy man. However, he had given her the best opportunity to gain the information Rido would need.

Kaname watched her closely, he knew that it was a risk to ask for more than a friendship and support at the new school. Maybe he should have waited before asking about anything more.

"Let's just sort out the school stuff first." Akari finally managed to speak after quite a long drawn out silence. She didn't know how she was meant to respond. Kaname felt his chance was slipping away, he had asked too soon. He was about to apologise for his rushed words but she spoke again. "Then we can see how things go, I still need to process what Rido has done to you and to my heart." Kaname smiled, he understood her reluctance and was glad she was still going to give him a chance. He knew he had to work hard to gain her affection.

For the rest of the night, they discussed the new school and who would be attending. Kaname could tell she was still reluctant to move from her home. He could understand why, it had been her home for so long, but now she had move on from it. He knew if she stayed, memories of Rido would keep her love for him alive. He wanted all of the love she had, and not to fight with the ghost of Rido past. Kaname had also insisted that she chose one of the aristocrats as a bodyguard, he had already chosen his loyal follower Seiren. Akari never really had followers, she never bothered to go into the politics of being a pureblood. He did suggest Ichijo Takuma, the grandson of the man who was giving him sanctuary. The boy was so going to be in charge of the aristocrats if Kaname and Akari weren't about. She simply told him that she would decide when she met them all. Kaname wasn't overly happy about it, he wanted her to have a bodyguard now. He wouldn't be able to stay again, he had to get back to the Ichijo's and finalise the school. He just hoped that Rido wouldn't turn up while he was gone. To be honest, he was surprised that he hadn't found Rido here, or at least nearby after the way he treated Akari. Then again, Rido only had followers and like Akari had said before, willing sluts to warm his bed. Rido was happy with this lifestyle, to only be surrounded by those who will only serve him. He wasn't someone who loved someone back or who would consider someone else as equal to him. Rido must have just enjoyed the chase rather than wanting a friendship or more from Akari.