A/N: Firstly, thanks for all your reviews! I love you guys! And lots of thanks and gratitude to those who put my story under alerts and favorites. Your efforts are much appreciated. So here's the second chapter. Waiting for your reviews! XD

Disclaimer: Again, VK is not mine.

CHAPTER 2

Ruka shuffled from her seat and closed the curtains on Rima's windows. The blinding sunlight was the natural enemy of her pale skin. She disliked sunlight though it could do no harm to her. The room now was dimly lit by the light that escaped through the gaps of the curtains. The dimness in the room reminded her of the shades of sorrow in someone particular's eyes.

"Ruka?" a soft voice called. Ruka turned to see Rima, who was looking at her with speculative eyes. "May I talk to you?"

Ruka moved from her current spot and returned to her seat. "Of course. What do you want to talk about?"

Rima took a deep breath. She paused for a moment to find suitable words to start. "I… I'm not sure how to begin but I think something is missing inside me. I feel incomplete from the moment I woke up. And I keep on dreaming about this person, a guy, but I have no idea who he might be. He had his back facing me and I couldn't see his face. He looked very familiar to me, though. Every time I tried to touch him, he would disappear. It was as if he was shadowed by some kind of… guilt. He was punishing himself. Ruka, do you know who might that be?"

Ruka listened silently. She tried to recompose herself from the thoughts that were banging inside her head. Why did they had to face such hard obstacles? Why couldn't her two friends just get together like the others?

"Ruka?"

"Oh, I- I'm sorry. I'm not very sure, Rima," she lied. Rima mouthed an 'Oh' in disappointment. Ruka felt sorry for her but she wanted her to do it by herself, for her own good.

'Maybe… just maybe… if Shiki and Rima could pass this test, their bond would become stronger,' Ruka thought. 'They won't be separated. They were already held together by their bloody bond.'

The thought eased Ruka a bit. She was sure of it. A vampire's instincts were never wrong.

The classes for the Night Class students of Cross Academy were been held back after the serious damage to its buildings from the recent battle. The students were given a special leave until the buildings were repaired. However, some of the vampires decided to stay back and keep an eye on the academy with Chairman Cross' permissions.

Shiki was one of them. Going home was not his primary option. He spent his free time wandering around the academy. He found a nice place where he could be alone without anyone interrupting. He would give excuses whenever Ichijou or Ruka asked him to see Rima. He couldn't brace himself and find her. Not yet. He was afraid that he would break in front of her. He didn't want her to see the crumbling side of him. She needed strength and support while he was lacked of those. He couldn't even convince himself to look at her straight in the eyes.

Shiki sighed. The events were still playing in his head over and over again, like a film. He couldn't fight back when his father took over his body. Who could go against a pureblood's wishes, anyway? He couldn't tell Rima. He couldn't warn her or anybody. Though she did found out by her own, he still couldn't control his own body. Rido made use of him fully. The pureblood played with Rima's emotions by using Shiki's voice and power. Of course, he didn't want to fight her. He would never do so. When he saw her determination to free him, he couldn't stay silent any longer. He used his last bit of energy to fight back. To resist Rido's temptations.

But the pureblood was more powerful than he imagined. And he finally was knocked out of his mind. He couldn't remember what he did after that, or what Rido had done to her. He was grateful of Ichijou. Their Vice President was responsible for bringing him back and saving Rima's life. Becoming Rido's puppet was the most crucial moment in Shiki's life.

"Shiki."

Shiki turned abruptly, oblivious of the other's presence. Ichijou stepped in closer and settled down beside the younger vampire.

"How do you know…"

"Easy. I followed you all the way here," Ichijou explained, looking at the brunette closely with his beautiful green eyes. "You were distracted."

"Yeah, thanks for telling me that," Shiki muttered.

Ichijou chuckled at his remarks. Shiki smiled a small smile, feeling a little relieved. It was difficult to feel down when you were around the blond.

"Nice place you've got here," Ichijou said, glancing around. They were sitting under a tree's canopy, high above the ground. The tree was probably older than the two of them. The canopy provided a good shelter from the sunlight and they could sit there for hours, unnoticed.

"Shiki, tell me," Ichijou said, nudging at the chestnut-haired vampire.

"What?"

"Why do you avoid Rima?"

Shiki paused and looked away. "I didn't."

"I know that's not the real answer," the blond urged.

"Fine," Shiki shot back. "I couldn't face her, okay? I don't know what I should say. After all the things that I'd done to her, there's no way she'd forgive me." He lowered his head and stared down his feet.

"You're wrong, Shiki," Ichijou replied. "That was not you. You didn't want to do it. You were being controlled. Believe me, she'd understand perfectly well. You must have faith in her."

"Perhaps this is the best for her," Shiki said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"I mean, it's good for her if she couldn't remember me. She could forget her sufferings. I already hurt her once. I should just let her go."

"And then, what? You're going to suffer alone? Keep blaming yourself over things that weren't even your fault?" Ichijou pointed out grimly. Shiki gave a small smile before letting silence wrapped around them.

"You love her, don't you?" the blond vampire asked out of a sudden.

"What?"

"You truly love Rima, Shiki. I could see it in your eyes. Ask yourself and think about it," the Vice President of Moon Dorm patted Shiki's back, who was startled by the abrupt statement. Then Ichijou disappeared, leaving him alone.

Quickly recollecting himself, Shiki shook his head. 'What was he talking about?' he thought. 'Rima and I are friends. We're good friends…'

And…

I do love her.

Rima had a dream again. It was the same dream, the same person, the same familiarity. This time she was closer to him. With his back facing her, she could only see his tousled red-brown hair and his creamy white uniform. A Night Class uniform.

Rima's hand reached out but before she could touch him, he turned and looked at her. Rima froze at her place. His silvery blue orbs flashed in the darkness and his fair, smooth skin glistened.

'Shiki Senri?'

He didn't say anything. Instead, he lifted a hand and placed it on her cheek, just above her jaw. She was speechless. She wanted to talk and ask questions but her lips seemed to be sealed. Suddenly, a jolt of energy ran through her body. His face became a blur in her vision and what she saw was a strain of images playing before her eyes. Something she called memory.

The scenes kept changing one by one in incomplete manner. There were no voices, only vivid images. There was a scene when she was still a toddler, playing in the pure white snow. The scenes changed drastically from a peaceful, innocent event into a scene where she could see blood drenching all over the place. A flash of light struck over. Rima realized it was her own power but she never uses it unless…

Then a face appeared before her. It was that face again. His face. However, it looked different. Somehow, it reflected a deep vengeance and hatred. The small smile that used to linger around his lips was replaced by a sly, wicked grin. His eyes were what she noticed most. The silver eyes were not glowing in their usual gentleness and warmth. Instead, those twin silver pools radiated an impenetrable aversion. It was so deep that she shuddered involuntarily the moment she stared into it. At that exact moment, she realized it wasn't the real him. It wasn't Shiki!

Rima opened her eyes abruptly and panted on her bed. Her hair was damp with sweat and her heart skipped a beat while her azure eyes ran wild under her golden fringe.

'What was that?' Rima wondered once she had calmed down. 'Why does Shiki Senri keep appearing in my dreams?'

She sank her head back on the pillow, trying to replay the dream in her head. What had happened? The Shiki in her dream… he was totally different from the one she met a few days ago. His thirst for power was unbearable. Rima quivered slightly under her comforter. She closed her eyes, imagining a pair of warm arms wrapped around her. Out of nowhere, his face came into her view.

But it was a face full of sorrow. His eyes were narrowed and his eyebrows drew together as he muffled 'I'm sorry' under his breath. He whispered it near her ears over and over again. Without realizing it, Rima cuddled up in the imaginary arms and murmured, "It's okay… Shiki."

Shiki stopped dead in his track and turned behind, expecting someone to show up. But nobody was lurking around him. Only some dried leaves being blown by the wind.

'Weird,' he thought bluntly. 'I thought I heard someone calling my name.'

He looked at his surroundings and was surprised to find himself standing near the Moon Dorm. 'What brought my feet here?' he wondered, tousling his chestnut hair.

Instinctively, he looked up and saw Rima's half-opened window. Staring at the window, he hesitated for a moment before finally decided to 'drop by'. For one last time, perhaps, he thought again.

He leapt up and landed gracefully on the window-sill. He sneaked in quietly and closed the window behind him. Leaning against the wall, he watched as Rima curled herself under her comforter, sleeping peacefully. Her steady breath seemed to calm him down. She was safe, just like he wanted her to be.

Shiki approached her and slipped his fingers suavely between her strands of golden hair, placing them above her ear so that he could see her face better. He never gets bored of her face. The serene expression she had always sent his heart jumping. He realized that he couldn't leave her side.

'But what would she think if she saw a stranger in her room?' Shiki thought to himself, his confidence melted every second. Shaking his head, he collected the shattering pieces of his heart and moved towards the window. He glanced back one last time and leapt away into the moonless night.

"Goodbye, Rima, koishii…"

A/N: Yay, finished the second chap. Hmmm so how was it? Pour all your opinions/comments in your review. I'll work hard to improve this story. FYI, 'koishii' is the word used by Japanese gentlemen to address their beloved woman. Literally, it means 'my love' or 'my dear'.

Last chapter coming soon! R&R onegaishimasu!!