4

Rima woke up the next morning feeling tired and weak.

She dragged herself out of bed and went down the stairs. Fresh snow was falling outside, and Rima could feel the cold air even while she was standing in the tea room. Maybe, She thought. Maybe the only thing that is cold around here is me.

Ruka entered the room, making Rima instantly annoyed. She knew Ruka was going to be extra positive today, since it was Kaname's birthday. " WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY! " Ruka sung. Not for me, Rima thought. She sighed and Ruka looked over at her. Ruka's facial expression went from charmed to sad. " What's wrong? You look like a zombie, not a vampire. "

" I don't feel good, " Rima said. " Maybe I am sick. "

" Yeah, LOVE SICK. " Ruka sat beside her, brushing her long hair behind her ears. " Admit it, Rima, you are ultra depressed because Shiki isn't here. "

Rima was quiet. Her eyes remained in a gaze to the floor, avoiding the eyes of her friend. Ruka waited a few silent moments before she sighed and looked down, too. " Don't ruin my morning, Touya. " She said. " At least try to be happy. It is Kaname-sama's birthday, after all. "

Who cares?, Rima thought. It's not like Kaname cares about any of our birthdays. He doesn't even notice that Shiki, his own cousin, is gone.

" You're right, Ruka. " Rima said, looking at her friend. " Today is a day to celebrate, not whine. " She faked a smile for Ruka, hoping that would be enough for the girl to leave her alone. Ruka brightened, satisfied that Rima had apparently listened to her.

" Mhm. " Ruka sighed, daydreaming. " I am throwing Kaname a birthday party tonight. You should come. "

" I'll be there. " Rima said. What else do I have to do? I have no modeling work today and classes were called off for bad weather.

Ruka nodded, patted Rima's hand, and went to the kitchen while humming.

Later that night, Rima was awakened by music. It was eight, and that meant that Kaname's birthday party had started. Rima dragged herself once more from her bed to her closet. She slipped on a black dress and shoes, then brushed her hair and left. Why would she waste her time trying to look good? No one was there that she wanted to impress.

The party was themed like Ichijou's, but the cake was red. Kaname was sitting while others were dancing and chatting. Ruka went over to him and they started to talk - Yuki wasn't there yet, so Ruka decided that it was the perfect chance. Rima found Ichijou and stayed beside him. That was her safe zone while Shiki was away.

" Hello, Rima. " Ichijou smiled at her. Rima tried hard to smile back, but her lips curled down into a frown instead.

" Ichijou, do you know anything about when Shiki will return? Surely if he does not tell me, he will tell you, correct? "

Ichijou blinked, green eyes wide. " Uh, Rima . . " His voice was soft and he wasn't cheery anymore.

" Yes? "

" I have something for you . . . Something that I should have given you earlier, . . but the time is right now. " Ichijou reached into his sweatervest and pulled out a letter. Rima was surprised. Could it be a letter from . . ?

He handed the letter to her, and she walked to a quiet place - her room. She did not even take the time to tell Kaname happy birthday. Opening the letter, Rima's hands started to shake. She could even smell Shiki's scent on the paper.

The words started to mix together once the tears welled up in Rima's eyes. Shiki was going to be gone for a year? And he didn't even say he loved her in the letter. Rima sat the letter down on her night stand and sat motionless for a minute.

That was when she started to wail. The crying was so loud, even the guests of Kaname's party could hear. Rima felt like she would die - like she wanted to die. She had never been so emotionally wounded in her life.

She screamed the loudest she could and let the tears pour down. " WHY DOESN'T HE UNDERSTAND! " She yelled through the sobs. " WHY DOES HE NOT UNDERSTAND THAT I LOVE HIM! NOT LIKE A FRIEND, . . LIKE A LOVER! ... SHIKI, WHY? "

Rima sobbed until she fell asleep. Once Ruka entered their dorm after the party ended, she took off her coat and patted Rima's hair. " It's okay. " Ruka said . . . too bad Rima couldn't hear her while she was asleep.

^^ Yeah, it's time for me to annoy you.

Vampire Knight belongs to Matsuri Hino. I only own the fanfic ideas I write.

I updated for once! :D

I hope you enjoyed this. You can leave a reveiw if you want!