Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Vampire Knight.

Chapter 2

Rima was watching the moon through her transparent glass window in her dorm room when she heard a soft knock on the door. She got up and opened the door. Shiki stood there and shrugged, asking permission to enter her room. Rima let him brushed past her and closed the door again. She settled down on the couch beside Shiki.

"Hey, Rima," Shiki called.

"Hm?"

"Do you have any problem? You looked quite weird today."

"No. I'm just fine," she assured him.

"You sure? You could tell me if you want to."

"Yeah. Well, I was just--" Rima stopped suddenly when she noticed that Shiki's body was shaking. His silvery blue eyes turned to red as his bloodlust took control of him.

"Rima," he whispered hoarsely. "I'm thirsty…"

Rima sighed and moved closer to him. She tossed her hair, exposing the smooth skin of her neck. Shiki slowly approached her and licked her neck, making her shuddered. Rima held her breath and sighed as Shiki's fangs pierced through her skin. As Shiki sucked her blood, she realized how much she loved it every time he dug his fangs into her skin. She breathed in deeply when Shiki devoured her blood like there was no tomorrow.

She turned to look at him and smiled as she caressed his cheek. At that moment, she suddenly realized that she had loved the vampire all this time. Loved him so much.

A few moments later, Shiki withdrew his fangs and licked at the two holes he had punctured earlier. He wiped his blood-stained mouth and turned to look at Rima.

"Thanks, Rima. Are you ok?" he asked. The worried tone could not be missed from his voice as he saw Rima panting heavily. Beads of sweat were formed on her forehead. Shiki caught her hand, trying to keep her stable.

"Yes. I'm… I'm fine. Just a bit dizzy, I guess," Rima said softly.

Suddenly, Shiki pulled Rima's hand and wrapped his arms around her, letting her head to rest steadily on his chest. Rima's breathing slowed down. She calmed herself as she listened quietly to Shiki's steady heartbeat.

"Shiki?" she called softly. Shiki tilted his head to look at her. "Aren't you going to class? It's ok. You can just leave me here."

"I'm not going to the class without you," he replied. "Go to sleep. I'll take care of you." He patted her head to reassure her.

"I'm sorry, Rima," Shiki said after a long moment of silence.

"No, don't be. I'm happy to help you. I won't let you suffer," Rima whispered back and placed her hand on his chest.

"You could drink my blood, Rima. I will give it to you whenever you want," Shiki offered, looking into her blue eyes firmly.

"It's ok, Shiki. I could still stand the blood tablet," she replied, flashing him a weak smile.

Shiki smiled back at her and pulled the black ribbons on her hair. He stroked her light orange hair gently. Then he closed his eyes, letting the moonlight streaming on both of them.

'Thanks, Rima.'

"Ohayou, Shiki-kun! Rima-chan!" Ayako greeted when she saw Shiki and Rima strode toward her. She pulled both of them and called Karen to come over.

Rima was curious. 'Why must Ayako called Karen?"

Karen walked elegantly towards them and flashed Shiki a bright smile. Rima scowled slightly as she glared at her.

"Now, now, everyone is here, right?" Ayako started, smiling brilliantly. "Well, I would like to suggest something and I hope you will agree with it."

Rima and Shiki watched Ayako closely, waiting for her to finish.

"What if we pair up Shiki-kun and Karen-san for our next photoshoot?" Ayako said excitedly.

Rima was speechless while Karen smiled triumphantly.

"But Ayako, what about Rima? She--" Shiki started to protest but his words were cut short by Ayako.

"Oh, we will put Rima-chan into rest. I noticed that she had been working too hard lately and I'm afraid it is bad for her health. Even Karen-san had noticed her pale face," Ayako explained seriously.

'So that was Karen's suggestion, wasn't it?' Rima thought.

Shiki frowned and looked at Rima. His face was full of guilt and worries. He realized that he had been taking her blood too much. He stared at the two-hole scar on her neck. It was almost healed, thanks to their healing ability.

"That's ok, Shiki," Rima said, bringing the red-haired vampire into reality. She decided she should get some rest too even though she was afraid that her worries could come true…

"But, Rima--"

"No buts, Shiki. You should give a chance for Rima-chan to rest. She looked tired too. Perhaps she did not have enough sleep," Ayako said, putting a hand on Shiki's shoulder.

'She looked tired because I had taken too much of her blood,' he thought. 'I'm sorry, Rima, for my selfish act.'

Rima squeezed Shiki's arm, reassuring him. "I will be fine after some rest. You worry too much--"

"Why would you protest, Shiki-kun?" Karen interrupted rudely. "Rima-san had given her approval. Futhermore…" She grabbed Shiki's other hand and whispered, "don't you like to be with me?"

Rima inhaled deeply, trying to control herself from tearing out Karen's hair and smashed her umbrella on the human's head.

"Ok, now!" Ayako clapped her hands, catching everyone's full attention. "Since all of you had agreed, we shall begin our photoshoot."

"I'll be watching at the side," Rima said, releasing Shiki's hand.

Shiki wanted to stop her but he was pulled back by Karen. Karen snorted proudly and tossed her long hair, much to Shiki's annoyance.

Rima watched the photoshoot between Shiki and Karen at the side. She leaned against the cold wall of the building, waiting for it to end. During the photoshoot, Karen had purposely flirted with Shiki, making Rima's heart burned. She always pulled Shiki's face closer to hers. Sometimes, she would wrap her arms around the vampire's neck and glanced at Rima to see her reaction.

Rima gritted her teeth. Though she knew from Shiki's expressions that he hated to be with Karen, but she couldn't take it anymore. Without even a glance, she quickly walked out of the studio.

When he saw Rima slamming the door behind her, Shiki wanted to go after her very badly. But Karen prevented him from doing so by striking another pose with him, causing the camera to flash non-stop. He couldn't just walk out like that, remembering his professionalism.

'Let's finish this fast,' he thought impatiently, glaring at Karen. 'What an annoying human!'

Then he looked at the door, hoping Rima would return. But she never did. Shiki bit his lower lip.

'Rima…'

A/N: As usual, pls R&R!!