Hanabusa gasped awake and shot up straight from the place where he lay. Breathing heavily he looked around to find himself in his room at the estate. How long had he been out?

He couldn't begin to try and comprehend what he had just experienced. Touching the side of his face he went a wet line and was surprised to learn that is was tear.

All of the experiences and emotions that Rose felt sweeped into him like liquid as he kicked his leg out from under the covers and stand. He knew one thing for certain, he needed to find her.

Racing down the hallway without worrying about proper manners he tore through the area looking for her.

When he reached the sitting room he found a familiar head of blonde hair and he raced forward to face her. Then without a word he grabbed her arm and dragged her out to the room.

Once they were free from wandering eyes he pushed her back into the wall and grabbed her wrists.

She looked at him with understanding as he carefully lifted up her skirt and found what he was looking for, there on her thigh was a red scar, the same scar he saw in her memories.

The realization that everything she had just showed him wasn't a trick found its way into his mind as he stood frozen.

All Rose did in response was close her eyes before removing his hand and muttering. "You are set to leave tonight, pack your things."

Then before he could respond she was gone. He put a hand to his temple and tried to think about everything that had just happened. Could he really just leave after what he now knew? She didn't have anyone who understood her.

After he had fully packed his things he lay against the suitcase in front of him and sighed. He should have been happy, he was finally able to live his life how he wanted. No whiny pureblood and no orders, just cute girls and freedom.

That was all he had ever known, never really remaining serious about anything besides Lord Kaname.

Lord Kaname. That name still brought a shiver to his spine. He was only watching Rose because he had asked him to. It was a sign of total trust and adoration from Hanabusa's part to have agreed. That's how it started out anyway.

It seemed that as the days moved by in the estate he found himself growing more and more attached and he realized that he didn't really think her as Lord Kaname's finance anymore but as Rose. As a person with hopes and dreams that he wanted to keep safe.

Hanabusa had never felt this kind of thing before expect with Lord Kaname when they were kids. It was new.

Suddenly Hanabusa knew his answer as he stood to find Rose when the door swung open and a maid entered. "Excuse me, your car is here but Lady Adelaide wishes to see you before you depart."

He looked at her before bowing his head and following her out of the room without his suitcase.

When Hanabusa opened the door to Rose's room he found her sitting on the bed reading another one of Cross's journals. Feeling his presence she turned and put the book away before smiling. "All ready to go?"

He slowly stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. "Yes I just finished."

She nodded her head and hopped off the bed. "Good. Safe travels."

Hanabusa realized this was his only chance and he felt himself moving on his own, only to grab her arm. "Wait. None of this makes sense."

Rose looked down at his arms but didn't try to shrug it off. "What are you talking about Hanabusa?"

He gripped his hand a bit tighter and poured out the words he had been thinking about for hours. "Why me? Why did you show me your past, those books, that aristocrat? I know you said that it was because I'm leaving but I've been in your head, your memories, and all of your logic revolves around not letting anyone in. So why? Why did you let me in?"

Just then it clicked and realization hit his eyes as he removed his hand. Taking a shaky step back he tried to scan her face to see if he was wrong but found nothing.

Trying to process what he just realized he spoke. "You asked to see me before I left. Are you planning on erasing my memory?"

Rose stood silent and Hanabusa got his answer. That's exactly what she was planning.

He threw his hand out in fear and shouted. "Is that why you showed me everything?! Cause you knew it wouldn't matter in the end?!"

She closed her eyes before suddenly throwing her hand out and having thorned vines snake around Hanabusa's arms and legs. He was trapped.

The thorns didn't touch him though as he tried to break free. "Was this his idea, or yours?"

Rose looked up and took a step closer to him before giving him a blank expression. "It was mine but my uncle agreed in the matter."

Hanabusa struggled as he dismissed her tone. "Oh no don't do that. Don't try to hide your emotions. I know you don't want to do this."

Not expecting that response Rose's mask melted away to show her distraught of the situation. She didn't want to do this either. "It doesn't matter. I won't have you get involved. You saw what happens to everyone I associate with. I will NOT make that same mistake again, even if you can't see that what I'm doing is right."

He scoffed at her choice of words and fired back. "You always decide everything by yourself. Did you ever think about anyone else's opinion?!

Rose took another dangerous step forward as she laughed bitterly. "I know I'm right because this is the only option I have. It's either this or you make the blood bond and become a slave for the rest of your life."

Hanabusa watched her ball his fist as he whispered carefully. "I wouldn't mind."

Rose's head shot up as she darkened her eyes threatenly. "What did you say?"

He gulped nervously and tried not to make his voice shake. "I wouldn't mind forming the blood bond."

Suddenly a loud crack could be heard through the room as the side of his face exploded in pain. Had she just hit him?

Looking up he found himself face to face with her crimson eyes. "If you say that again I will break your arm. Do not use those words so lightly."

He looked at her and held his ground. "I'm not taking them lightly."

Rose growled in response as she narrowed her eyes. "If you've been in my memories then you know what a blood bond is like, what it does. It's slavery, and I wouldn't wish that on even my worst enemy."

She backed away for a moment and Hanabusa thought about her words. He had indeed experienced what she described. Throughout her memories he always felt like someone was watching him, following him. It was a unreplaceable feeling he never wanted to feel then he remembered that those were her feelings, not his. "It's not the same."

Rose froze at his words before regaining her spot next to him. "What's not the same? You've seen what I can do Hanabusa. I can try and deny it all I want but I have Rido's blood in my veins which means I'm just like him. If you made a bond with me then I could make you kill your family, or kill Kaname Kuran. You would be my puppet to throw away."

His words shocked him to his core and Rose could see it. Gaining the response she wanted she slowly backed away and looked at his fear.

Then he did something that was new to her, he smiled. Looking up at her wide eyes he answered. "You are not Rido. Yes I've seen you at your worst and you know what, I'm still here."

Not expecting that response she muttered something under her breath before tightening the hold on her vines and moving forward to finish the job. She wasn't going to be swayed by his fake words.

Hanabusa realized that his words weren't working as she lifted her hand to erase his memories. He didn't want this. Maybe a couple months ago he would have taken it in a heartbeat but now, he wanted to be by her side, needed to be at her side. She couldn't take all of this on her own.

All of his words and emotions floated out as she shouted. "Damn it! Why can't you see I want to help you Rose?!"

Rose paused her hand when she heard him call her without her title for the second time at that estate. But this time it was different. He didn't look embarrassed or frightful like it was a mistake, this time it was on purpose.

Seeing her pause he took the opportunity to continue. "You think you can do this all of your own but you can't live like this! Lean on me Rose, I'm here. I will help you track down Carson's followers, I will keep Zero safe, just please don't do this."

He watched her as hot tears poured down her face and her hand begin to shake. She didn't put it down though as she took another step closer. "No, I can't let you do this. I won't let anything happen to you."

Hanabusa tried to break away from his chains as he saw her approach this was it. He was going to forget everything. "I can't say that anything isn't going to happen to me but if it does it will be my own decision not 's what friends do."

He felt her cool hand on his forehead as he closed his eyes in fear. He never knew if I would feel this kind of feeling ever again.

Waiting for the impact Hanabusa stood but instead of feeling sleepy he felt his hands and feet being freed from their chains.

He opened his eyes to see Rose looking down at the floor in silence, tears falling onto the ground. On further inspection he noticed that all of the vines were gone from the tile.

Rose thought to herself how weak she actually was. She promised herself that as soon as his time was up that he would go on and never remember her. It was better that way. That's why she showed him everything, she wanted a friend for just a little while. She was such a coward.

She stopped thinking when she watched Hanabusa slowly lower himself to the ground before kneeling before her in a sign of respect. "If you will have me Rose, I would honored to be your permanent guardian, not because of Lord Kaname, but because of you."

Rose gasped at his words and stood there frozen until she felt herself sink down to the floor to meet him. She didn't want him to kneel to her, she wanted them to be equal. "Am I allowed to be selfish just this once?"

Hanabusa smiled at her before brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "After today you can be selfish anytime Rose."

She noticed that he stopped calling her by her title which made her feel an unexplainable joy. Was she finally allowed to have a friend?

He felt her move closer to him, finding her way to his neck before pausing and looking back at him. "Are you sure? You can't go back after this."

Hanabusa smiled at her before nodding his head. "I've never been more sure about anything."

Rose glanced at him once final time before brushing her tongue up and down the side of his throat.

Then retracting her fangs she bit into him as he held onto her waist for support. This was different then the first time she had drank his blood at the ball. This time Rose was gentle and caring, making sure not to go too far.

Once she was done Rose withdrew before closing her eyes and repeating the words of the blood bond in latin. Words that Hanabusa had heard long ago but never realized they would be real someday

Per verba, quae ego loquor

(Through the words that I speak)

Permanere vobiscum facere

(I make a promise to you to remain true)

Partem partis animae nostrae

(Share our souls and share our minds)

Et in reditu

(And in return)

Eris sequi meum in aeternum

(You will be mine to follow for eternity)

Usque ad consummationem saeculi

(Until the end of time)

After she finished Rose carefully grabbed Hanabusa's hand and flipped it over to reveal the back part of his wist.

Then without hesitation she moved his wrist up to her face before kissing the soft spot under his hand.

Hanabusa felt a buzz in the back of his ears as he watched the spot where her lips touch revealing a black mark.

Suddenly the spot grew into a scalding burn as he jumped back in pain. He noticed Rose also holding her temple also at this new found feeling.

Flashes and specks of memories and emotions came pouring through him as he felt everything about her, what she was feeling, what she was thinking, everything.

Then suddenly it stopped. He looked down at his wrist to find a black outline that kind of looked like a tattoo, except it was in the shape of a rose. It was a pureblood mark.

He quickly turned to Rose and found her also looking at the mark she created. He felt a wave of fear and anxiety wash over him with thought in the back of his mind saying. Was this right? Maybe I should've just erased his mind. I'm such a coward.

Realizing these were her emotions and thoughts he moved closer to her and did the only thing he knew how to comfort her. He hugged her.

Rose was surprised at first until she felt his voice in the back of her head 's okay, you are not alone anymore Rose.

She gasped at his words and melted into the hug as she realized she finally had someone on her side, a friend.