It's time once again for another chapter.

I'd like to give a thank you to someone who gave me some help earlier, when I got a pretty hypocritical review. Thanks randomnessgirl, this chapter's going up today for you! Since you got me into the mood to write again. and i apologize to everyone for the long wait.

Chapter 13:

The Price Of A Pureblood's Honor

-Tenma's Pov-

"Ichijo, there has always been one rule, or code type of thing anyone in my family must oblige to: if we give our word on any matter, we cannot go back on it, no matter what may happen" I said quietly, my expression downcast.

"Just get rid of it then, you can always restore honor tenma, but a life cannot be restored."

I felt my body shift slightly, and my eyes widened. I would not give in now, I'd come much too far to let someone and their words change my mind.

I repeatedly tried to force myself still, but my cries and struggling feel on deaf ears and limbs.

Ichijo seemed to sense it as well, because he stiffened and bolted in the direction of my dorm room.

He set me down on my bed quickly before putting his hands on my shoulders.

"tenma, it's our choice to make. Do you want it or not?"

"want what?" I asked, still dazed from the quick movement.

"You know what I mean…" he answered.

My eyes widened as I heard the sound of his steady heartbeat, beginning to ring in my ears.

But I heard the door quickly close, but only to be reopened and shut once again.

"tenma, drink this." he said, holding out a delicate looking glass.

"why're you…."I trailed off.

"you wouldn't believe me if I told you" he said, standing somewhat closer and holding out the glass.

But as my hand began to reach out for the glass, I had pulled back slightly. "I…can't…"

"yes you can, but it's your choice. Others can only do so much. You need to make some initiative, and stop torturing yourself."

I exhaled and put my hand on the glass, but I found no more strength inside my body left to pull my lips to the cold rim.

But, with some strength I never knew, I moved from my sitting position on the bed, and to the floor in front of him, sitting on my knees.

He then sat down from his standing position, gently smiling as he put the glass to my lips. The one hand that I still had on the glass tipped it slightly, letting the crimson liquid pass smoothly by my lips.

But as it slid smoothly down my throat, I felt an odd sense of numbness overcome me, forcing me to loose every feeling but the blood running through me.

As I came closer to finishing the literally life-giving drink, I felt the numbness in my body increase and spread, till I couldn't move a single muscle.

"are you feeling better?" ichijo asked, once I had finished, and now laid on the soft floor.

"If by better, I can't feel a single damn thing, then yes. But why am I numb?" I answered, asking my own question in the process.

"You're only like that because you've starved yourself for so long…" he answered, helping me sit upright, leaning on the side of the large bed.

"Wow, what's up with you two?" kilo asked, standing in my doorway.

'busted' "nothing much kilo" I answered.

"you see, I don't believe that…" she remarked.

"ok…but why?"

"Because you have blood dripping from your lips, and ichi's got this weird smile on his face" she answered, smirking.

"why not ask him?" I asked, looking over at ichijo.

"I don't want hear him tell me, I want to hear it from you." she said, giving me a 'I'm not gonna give up' look.

"Sorry, but I'll have to tell you some other time…" I said, some feeling returning to my limbs.

"well well, what's been going on in here?" aido questioned, leaning casually on the doorframe.

"your face, that's what!" kilo said mockingly.

"What makes you think anything happened?" I asked, patience growing thin.

"oh, just a little something I saw on my way in…" aido answered, a smirk plastered across his face.

'fuck!' "and what did you see, aido?"

"I saw a horribly pale girl being carried this way, and then I smelt ichijo's blood. Now, here I see you almost perfectly fine." aido said, his smirk turning into a deep scowl.

My breath caught in my throat. But then aido turned to leave, leaving one last message in his wake:

"if you drink his blood again tenma, I'll kill you. No matter what punishment I receive." he threatened, walking out of the room.

"so, you drank ichi's blood? Was it voluntary?"

We both nodded.

"ok then!" kilo said happily.

"by the way, where's mr. pretty?" I asked out of nowhere.

"he's in timeout!" she pouted.

"by who?"

"evil kaname…." she glowered.

"dare I ask why?"

"I'd think not."

"kaname, why're you here?" ichijo asked.

"go get him" kaname said, pointing off towards his room.

OK!" she bolted.

Then kaname turned to look at the two of us, his gaze softening slightly.

Before he turned and left, I could have sworn he said, "be safe, chibi-hime." but it was so quiet, it was like he was saying it to some invisible figure.

However, the words rang through my head, digging up memories I never thought I knew.

-…-

There I was, out in a snow storm, my body covered in the freash blood of my loved ones.

"tenma!" I heard someone shout.

I wanted to scream back, but the cold had me frozen from the inside out.

"chibi-hime! Where are you!?" I heard a familiar voice call.

"Kana-kun!" I shouted, but my desperate cries fell on deaf ears as he slowly walked away. As I watched his retreating back, I tried to run after him, but I slipped and fell to the ground, quickly being covered by the raging snowfall.

"help me..."

-…-

"tenma! Are you alright?!" I heard a worried voice shout, then the vague feeling of being shaken swept over me.

"tenma-chan! Please wake up!"

I slowly opened my eyes, ichijo's worried one's inches from me.

I felt his grip tighten around me. "what happened? You suddenly collapsed, and a second ago you were screaming for help." he questioned, the worry evident in his voice.

"it was…nothing. Just dizzy spell." I lied, standing up and walking away, only to be pulled back. He touched my face lightly and pulled back, his hand covered in…

"It's really got to be something, if it puts you in tears." ichijo said quietly. "I'm going to go practice…" I said, walking to the door.

"you need to rest" he said, standing statue-like in front of my door. "I'll never get to sleep." I said, my eyes downcast.

"why?"

"it's…never mind" I said, moving around him and picking up my pace. "tell me" he said, standing in front of me for the second time.

"It's nothing, really…"

"let me in tenma. Tell me what's wrong." he said, puttin ghis hands on my shoulders.

"there's nothing to tell…" I said sighing.

"why do you shut yourself out form the world? Why do you always keep us in the dark? Why do you keep everything to yourself!? We can help you know….if you just let us…"

I gave him no reply as I walked outside to my practice area, far away from the moon dorms. Ichijo was silent the entire rest of the trip, and I had to admit, it made me feel just a tad uncomfortable…

That's all for now folks!

Hope you enjoyed my chapter, and updates might be a little slow, since I loan out the notebook I write the story in to my friends so they can read, but good news: I've got all the way up to chapter 17 written up, so I will be posting those as quickly as possible.

Don't forget to review!

Ja Ne!