Vampire Knight

Guilty Temptations

Chapter Nine: The Ignorant Bodyguard

Okay, so Zero's in love with Yuki. I don't see why I should care so much. I mean, really, I shouldn't be watching them from the bushes in the first place, so it's my own fault for hearing all of this. Agh, why did I have to be such a nosy person? I tried my best to sneak away from the scene, but you know, aware of Kaname's skill, he told me to step out of the shadows. Yuki looked at me, obviously surprised that I would want to spy on them. Zero too, gave me a perplexed look; one that didn't look like he wasn't too happy to see me.

I smiled nervously, trying to think of an excuse to escape. I waved slightly, and said, "I was only here for a second! I didn't hear anything, so you have nothing to worry about!"

Kaname gave me a smile with a hidden bitterness lurking behind it. "Don't lie to us, Shiori."

I gulped, beginning to feel the pressure up against me. "I'm not lying," I blurted quickly.

Still, Kaname looked at me with that creepy expression, and that's when I heard the window above me get knocked on loudly. We all looked up, and Aidou waved his hand at me, telling me to come back upstairs. I sighed of relief quietly and ran off without looking back at Yuki, Kaname and Zero. I reached the classroom again, and Aidou wasn't giving me a very welcoming attitude. "What were you doing down there with Kaname-sama and the guardians?"

I caught my breath again, and answered, "It was nothing." I lied again. "Don't worry."

"You didn't look so relaxed. Neither did the other three," Aidou mumbled as I took a seat next to him at the desk.

I shrugged casually, trying my best not to look shaken. "It's fine. Just… fine."

Aidou gave me a long, hard stare, as if he were waiting for the truth. It seems that everyone's been giving me that stupid expression for a while now. Or maybe I'm just covering up myself too much recently? Either way, I was getting really bugged by this. I turned to him, irritated at his emotion. "What!?"

Aidou raised an eyebrow at me, and leaned his head on his palm, shrugging as he looked on at the front of the class. "Zero's right. Your poker face is crap."

"Who gives?!" I said rudely, but of course, unintentionally. I crossed my arms over one another, and breathed, hoping he hadn't felt my sense of anger.

Pssh, as if, sister.

"What did you find so interesting down there, about the other three?" He mumbled in his palm. "I don't see what you have to be so shocked about."

I shrugged, not wanting to get into the topic anymore. I stood up and started my way down to the door. "I'm leaving."

Aidou looked up at me. "What? What about class?"

I shook my head. "I'm not in the mood for it."

So then, I left the classroom, practically ditching Aidou. The night grew colder, and the winds were beating harder than its usual relaxing breeze. I crossed the courtyard, noticing that the three I'd met earlier at the fountain were now gone, Kaname to class, and Yuki and Zero to God knows where. The wind blew in different directions, and as I predicted, the wind made my skirt fly up. I yelped, and rushed to put it back down with my hands. I looked up behind me, and saw Aidou looking through the classrooms large window, smirking, as if it were an accomplishment to see my underwear. My bright hot pink underwear, which had the words 'Naughty Girl' printed on the back of it. How embarrassing. I stuck my tongue out at him angrily whilst blushing madly and continued my way to the Night dorms. Once I reached the gate, I immediately ran for shelter. Sure, it was still a little windy in the open corridors, but I managed to stay away from anymore humiliating moments with my skirt and whatnot.

"What are you doing out here?" I heard a voice say behind me.

I jumped, and by now, you could guess who it was. "Zero-kun, don't scare me like that again!"

"Shouldn't you be in class?" He crossed his arms over another.

I made up another excuse on the spot. Crap, another lie. "I-I was feeling sick, so I decided to head back to the dorms to rest or something."

"Did you get a slip from the teacher?" Zero asked interrogatingly.

"Slip?" I repeated. "Oh, uh, Aidou has it." I couldn't tell him that I just walked out without a teacher's permission. I'd get in trouble. With the teacher. Or Zero.

"Why does he have it?"

"Well, uh—"

"You're lying again."

"I am not," I frowned. I huffed, and brushed myself past him so I could go ahead to my room. But now that I think about it, I really hate myself for being so stubborn. Especially towards Zero. I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door, lying across my bed and grunting.

"Stupid Zero-kun," I muttered. "Thinking he's so powerful just because he loves a girl."

Then, I heard a knock at my door. I didn't answer, not wanting to be disturbed at that time. But then I heard a voice.

"Oh Miss Naughty Girl?" Aidou's voice muffled by the wooden door said. "I know you're in there."

My eyes widened, and I blushed furiously, yelling, "Shut up!"

He chuckled lightly at my embarrassment. "C'mon. Why are you hiding yourself in here?"

"I'm tired," I mumbled. It was half true, in a way.

"That's no reason to skip class," He answered seriously. "And don't you have a job you have to get to tomorrow morning?"

"I'll just call them to say I'm sick!" I replied. "And what are you doing out of class?"

"I was worried about you."

Aww… I mean… ugh. You didn't hear that. No, seriously. I didn't just coo over him worrying about me.

"What's there to be worried about?" I added bitter happiness to my tone of voice. "There's nothing wrong."

"You know you're bad at lying," He mumbled.

I growled, "Just leave me alone, Aidou-senpai!"

"You know I won't," He answered again.

"Then I'll just ignore you!" I cried.

"You know you won't be able to."

Hmph.

I got myself off the bed, and reached out for the door, reluctantly unlocking the knob. The door slowly opened, rusted hinges leaving a squeaking sound when I stared at Aidou silently. He looked solemn, and invited himself into my room, taking a comfortable seat on the bed. I turned, breathing as quietly as I could so he wouldn't hear how many breaths I had to take to keep up with my pounding heart. Aidou's lips parted, and asked, "What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "It'll sound stupid."

"I'm sure I've heard stupider things," He replied, gesturing me to sit next to him.

I rejected his offer, still standing stiffly by the door. "I don't know how you'd react. Hell, I don't think I've even reacted yet."

"Depends. Tell me," He said, still patting his hand next to him.

"I mean, I don't even like him!" I continued, my hands clenching with slight anger.

"Like who?" Aidou questioned.

"You know," I urged. "Zero-kun! I just…"

He lifted his head a bit more. "What did you find out?"

I sniffed, wondering why my eyes started to burn. I'd almost collapsed, falling to the ground, hugging my knees to my chest. I breathed, "The bastard loves Yuki Cross."

It looked like he flinched for half a second, but he got up, and kneeled in front of me, just like the time when I'd thirsted for blood for the first time.

Aidou's voice quietly went through my ears. "Do you… want to drink again?"

I'd almost choked on my almost fallen tears, and I refused. "No! I-I don't want to suck your blood again. It's not that I don't like it… I don't want to… hurt you again," I confessed.

"I won't be hurt," He touched my shoulder gently.

I pressed my lips together to form a white line. "Yes, you will be. I saw how you looked last time. I won't suck your blood, Aidou-senpai."

I heard him scoff lightly. "Then, I guess there's nothing else I can do."

Aidou stood once more, and headed to exit my room, but I'd grabbed the leggings of his pants subconsciously. He looked down at me, and raised an eyebrow. And you know, I never even wanted to say it, but the words left my lips before I could keep it in. "Stay with me."

Aidou turned, this time, facing me. "Why should I?"

I wondered why he suddenly had this rudeness towards me. "Well, because…" My bottom lip quivered, not knowing what to say next. "I guess I just need someone here with me."

"Why don't you ask Kiryuu?" He spat quietly.

I frowned. "Because I'm asking you!"

Aidou paused whilst staring at me blankly. Then, he sighed, running a hand through his hair, and helping me stand up. "Fine," He said. "I'll stay with you."

I couldn't help but smile then. It's hard to believe I used to hate the guy so much. I walked myself over to the bed, lying myself across the soft mattress.

"How long do you want me here?" Aidou asked, taking a seat next to me.

I shrugged. "As long as you want to stay."

I felt the bed sink lower beside me, so I turned, and saw Aidou now lying happily near me.

"So close!" I blurted out, quickly sitting up.

"I would stay here all night if you didn't have to think about Kiryuu," He smirked.

"That sounded like you were flirting with me," I mumbled under my breath. Then again, I did want someone by my side all night. In a non-perverted way. I nodded. "Stay here with me so we can talk. Get my mind of Zero-kun."

Time had passed us so quickly, so when I opened my eyes, the room was bright through the open windows, and my head was leaning against Aidou's chest. I yelped, getting myself off the vampire, and falling off the bed clumsily in the process. I gasped, escaping the massive blankets that fell on top of me. As I stood, I looked over at Aidou, who was quietly snoring. I found it cute the way he slept, with his mouth slightly open and all. I walked over to his side of the bed, and shook him gently. "Wake up!" I commanded.

He twitched, and grumbled, "Piss off, Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki!?" I raised an eyebrow. "Idiot! I'm Shiori!"

"Shiori?" He said with his eyes still half closed. "Ah! Shit!" He sat up, and rubbed his eyes. "What happened!?"

I shook my head. "Nothing happened. We fell asleep."

"I can see that," Aidou smirked. "Judging with the status of your hair."

"What?" I blinked. I ran over to the mirror, and found my hair in a tangled mess. "Ehhh!?" I whined, grabbing the nearest brush, trying to smooth out my messy hair. "I hate it when my hair gets tangled! Ow, ow!" I flinched as the thick brush pulled my hair apart.

"Stop fretting, Miss Naughty Girl," Aidou stood up. "Take a shower and wash your hair. It makes it easier for yourself to brush it."

I groaned. "When will you let that go!?" I complained, referring to his nickname for me.

"Never," He chuckled. "I think it's cute."

"It's not cute," I growled. "It's embarrassing!"

"Go take a shower, Naughty Girl," He shoved me towards my bathroom.

Before I could resist, the door opened, and at the doorstep, Kaname stood highly. He looked at the both of us with a raised eyebrow. "I will not report both of your missing absences from class last night, so in return, you two will become Yuki Cross' bodyguards."

My eyes widened, "Bodyguards!? I can't be her bodyguard!"

"That wasn't a question, Shiori," Kaname solemnly answered, this suddenly chilling aura radiated from him. "You will start today, when her classes start."

I was about to protest, until my lamp on my bedside table smashed into pieces. I squeaked, looking at Kaname, who obviously did the damage. And with that, he left the room. I breathed, holding onto the frame of my bed. "I don't want to be her bodyguard… It means I have to see that Albino again!" I gripped the wood in my hands, until my knuckles went white.

Aidou placed his hand on my shoulder. "Ignore Kiryuu. Just don't talk to them and you'll be fine. We can't go against Kaname-sama's orders."

I didn't reply to him, but I stomped over to the bathroom and slammed the door shut. Once I was done showering and getting my hair back to its normal form, I exited the room, seeing Aidou still waiting for me.

"You didn't think I would let you go there alone, did you?" Aidou murmured, leading me to where Yuki Cross was to show. I'd recognized Rima also there, with Akatsuki. The Day Class students where staring, whispering amongst themselves.

The doors in front of us opened, revealing Yuki, Zero and Sayori. We, meaning the bodyguards, kneeled in respect for her.

"Yuki Cross-sama," Rima said unemotionally.

"We were assigned from Kaname-sama to become your bodyguards from now on," Akatsuki explained, no particular expression written on his face.

I felt Zero's eyes burn into my hidden face.

"…What did you do to annoy Kaname-senpai, Yuki?" Sayori asked, looking over at all of us.

Yuki shook her head, looking embarrassed. "I-I didn't do anything!"

"Let's go," Zero suddenly ordered, walking ahead of Yuki and her friend.

We followed them, a few meters distance separating us. You could tell Yuki felt uncomfortable by Kaname's gesture, but it didn't occur to her that some of us felt equally unsatisfied. Not that I'm that surprised, because everything seemed to be about Yuki Cross. As we walked in an awkward silence, more and more girls from the Day Class bad-mouthed Yuki and her having 'special treatment' from the Night Class. Yuki looked irritated by this, and then turned around to face us, and with an angry tone of voice, she said, "I'm sorry, even if it's Kaname-senpai's orders, why don't you try thinking about who's here and where you are! Listen to what these people are saying about me!"

"Shut up, Yuki Cross," Aidou muttered under his breath, with a dark grimace.

"-Sama," Rima added with her eyes closed.

"Kaname-sama, the pureblood, has identified you as special. We are obliged to treat you especially as well," Aidou continued, with a hard glare towards the Day Class Guardian. "You wouldn't understand as a human, but this is our aristocratic pride."

I nudged him with wide eyes, and whispering, "Don't say it so loud. Please realize who's listening here!"

"You would be upset about this too," Aidou glanced at me. "I know you don't want to be here."

"Why don't you want to be here, Shiori-chan?" Yuki looked at me with widened and saddened eyes.

Time for another excuse! "I-It's bright. My eyes can't adjust to the lighting anymore."

Yuki smiled, and sighed of relief. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought you didn't want to see me."

Well, not just you. Is what I would've said. Instead, I don't know why, I blurted out again, "I would always want to see you, Yuki-san."

Later on, when Yuki, Zero and Sayori headed over to class, Aidou and I guarded the outside of the classroom whilst Akatsuki and Rima headed outside to keep watch for whatever the hell we're supposed to be looking for. Which was nothing, I'd assumed. Kaname just wanted this girl safe.

What an overprotective creep.

"Why'd you lie to Yuki?" Aidou asked as I took a seat on the carpeted hallway, not caring how filthy it might be.

"You know me," I mumbled. "I say things without thinking sometimes. I lie a lot. And it kept everybody happy, and I'm fine with that."

Then, the door opened, with an image that slightly forced a split in my heart. Zero was holding Yuki dearly in his arms. Yuki had passed out somehow, and Zero looked worried as if his life were about to end in three minutes. I stood up, asking with little fright, "What happened?"

"Yuki passed out. We have to take her to the hospital wing now," Zero said in a breath.

I nodded, running with Aidou and Zero to the sick bay of the Academy. After the fuss was dealt with, letting Yuki rest in the bed, informing Rima and Akatsuki that it was okay, hoping that Kaname wouldn't rage over this, I simply sighed. I leaned against the wall beside Aidou, as he crossed his arms.

"Were you worried?" He questioned me randomly.

I lifted my head to look up at him. "Do you want the truth this time?"

"I always did," He said.

I cringed. "I feel really guilty about thinking this, and I don't have any right to be in the first place. I was annoyed that Yuki passed out. I was a little concerned, but…"

"Let me guess," Aidou muttered. "Her in Zero's arms."

I scoffed and smiled sadly, rubbing one of my temples. "Is it that obvious? I don't even like him."

"I think you do," He told me, now turning to my direction. "You just won't admit it."

"What?" I blinked. "I couldn't possibly like Zero-kun. I don't see why I should."

Aidou rolled his eyes. "Don't play dumb. You have a crush on Kiryuu. The one thing that gets you so worked up most of the time is him. And I know you always think about him. And you talk about him frequently. And when you found out he loved Yuki, you were heartbroken."

I stared at him with a slightly open mouth. "…How'd you know all that?"

"I've been around you enough to know," He answered. "So just admit it so I don't have to hear you drone on and on about him and how much so-call 'hate' him."

I shook my head. More information was being stuffed down my throat again. "Just because I—" He flicked me on the forehead this time. Not softly either. I flinched, holding the area above my eyebrow tightly. "Ow."

"Don't get me angry, Shiori," He replied almost silently. "Just say it. It'll calm you down for once."

And before I knew it, I let the words spill out of my mouth. "I like Zero Kiryuu. I… seriously like him. I might even… love him," I was shocked to hear such words come out of my lips. I felt my cheeks heat up. "No wonder I'm always so irritated over Yuki."

Aidou looked over at me, but then he looked above my head. I turned to see what he was looking at, and Jesus Christ, I was so stupid to say it at that place at that time. Zero was towering over me, and with slightly widened eyes, he said,

"You… love me?"

Is this chapter late? I'm not very sure myself XD It probably is, haha, so I'm sorry if it's late. Sooo, now is the time where I annouce...

WHO DO YOU WANT SHIORI TO END UP WITH!?

All you have to do is cast a vote in your review. Either Zero or Aidou! Yeah, pretty easy, I know. SOOOO START VOTING PEOPLE! I will be collecting votes until the end of this month, which isn't that far away, so get votin' 8D REVIEW PLEAASE! What did you think of this chapter so far? XD