Im sorry the last chapter took so long. My internet was done so yeaa..... well i just finished reading the Godchild manga series and i would highly recommend it. Its defiantly not like your average manga so if you're looking for a great manga try the godchild but you might want to start from the 1st installment of the series which is called count cain and the drawings are very well done you even feel a connection to the characters too. Anyway with that aside I hope that you enjoyed the last chapter and alot happened. We got to see Shiki's version of the how him and Rima met and how it was that he entered the night class. I guess in a way its safe to say that he over thinks everything and so does she. The whole thing with Kaori drinking his blood too wow...what will happen at the dance?! Read and find out ~ ;)

RIMA

Chapter 6: Denial

Staring at myself in the mirror while wrapping the red ribbon to my ponytails I wasn't sure if I should wear the hair pieces that Rokoru had got me last night. I couldn't lie to myself. I did have fun last night. I'm not sure how much I like him right now but he does make me feel comfortable around him. Standing there looking at the jewlery in the small box I wondered what the right thing to do would be. I didn't want to offend Rokoru by not wearing but I also didn't want to give Shiki any more reason to think that me and Rokoru are together.

Seeing his expression last night made me hate myself. I couldn't believe that after all I did to avoid ever seeing that expression on hid face I was the one who caused it now. I wonder how much he blamed me. The blame I would be able to live with but if he were to hate me, I don't think that I'd be able to bear it.

With my mind made up I put the lid on the small box. I wasn't going to do anything to hurt him again, so long as I could avoid it and at any cost I would. But I stil wasn't sure how I would ever face him. I'm not sure that if I acted like nothing had happened which was really what did happen between me and Rokoru would be alright but I also didn't want to hurt Rokoru's feeling.

A knock on the door followed by Ruka calling to me interuppted my thoughts.

It was Akatsuki's regular morning knocks to come pick Ruka up.

"Rima" she called out again.

Walking over to her at the door I felt relief and some disappointment when I saw that Rokoru wasn't there.

I had been walking in silence with them when I heard Akatsuki say something that at first sounded very wrong so I listened closer.

"Yeah, I saw her this afternoon with Honjou-kun. He was asking her to the dance but she turned him down. She said that she was being escorted by Shiki. I didn't believe it but I haven't asked him myself either. Still I find something weird about that girl."

Slowing my pace even more to the point that I was at the very back I tried to look indifferent to what I had just heard.

It's only a dance. It's only a dance. It's only a dance. I repeated that to myself over and over again trying to make myself believe that it didn't mean anything. But it did mean something because every year since we came here Shiki amd I always went together. We dissliked parties so we found it better to be around each other but now it seemed that I was going to go alone. I saw Ruka look at me with curious eyes. She must know ver well what I was feeling right now. I had never seen any girl suffer over a man more than Ruka. Yes she knew ver well what I was going through.

I was starting to feel uneasy and lonely knowing that something could be going on with Shiki and Kaori. It seemed to me that she had it out for me the moment she laid eyes on me. The very first day meeting her I almost fought her but I was stopped by Shiki too. Why I still wasn't sure. Walking and trying to look like nothing happened I couldn't help but long for the old days between me and him. Nothing would have made me happier. I was beginning to feel that I was losing the love of my existence. Coming to a stop at the waiting room inside the dormitory building I saw when both Shiki and Rokoru walked out side by side. Rokoru had a small smile on his beautiful face and Shiki the same bored expression that I came to love.

There was something about the way his eyes shone and yet seemed non-existent at the same time. I never understood what he was thinking but I always knew when something troubled those beautiful blue eyes. When they both spotted me I felt a panick go through my entire body. It was almost like I had to chose sides. I didn't know what to do so I only stared at them. Noticing my shock Rokoru smiled and gave me a small wink before going to Ruka and putting an arm around here engaging a small happy chat. It took me a second to notice that he was giving me my space. I somehow felt worse.

Seeing Shiki stand there I couldn't help but see him as he was the first time we met. He seemed so innocent, even now too.

Making his way over to me I felt even worse then I already had. It seemed like I was the unfair one. Assuming that he was taking Kaori just because I over heard someone talking about it. I should have asked him first.

"Good morning" he said yawning as he reached me with his books in his hand.

I smiled at him.

I had been planning to tell him that what he saw last night was nothing serious. But it didn't seem necessary anymore. I was sure if there was anything big with him he would have told me too, especially if it was something like going to the dance with Kaori.

"Ne, Shiki."

"MMhmm?"

"You know that you can always tell me when somethings wrong right?" I felt a bit silly doing this but I wanted to let him know that I was still here for him.

"After so long, it only seems natural." he answered seeming a little taken back by what I said.

"Right" I agreed.

Or so I had thought. Just as I was starting to feel like everything would be alright again, I smelled it.

It was Shiki. Another Shiki. His scent coming from a distance. I quickly picked up the scent. How could I not? I've known his scent for decades. And now it was coming from another location. Or rather another person.

Someone had drank his blood.

Kaori.

Seeing her come to wait with the rest of us I felt sick. Any good feeling of reassurance I had was now gone. Shiki lied to me. Why did he not tell me about this? Even when I told him that he could tell me anything. Unless he didn't want me to know.

So thats what I did. I pretended that I didn't notice his scent coming off her.

Walking to the medium green sofa and sitting down he was right beside me standing. I was trying not to panic. I had been wrong. She did mean something to him. Enough so that he gave her blood.

Noticing everyone bowing I relized that Kaname had made his apperance. Respectfully bowing to him myself I got up from the sofa but ehile everyone was leaving the room to the gates I stayed behind.

"MMM?" With his book in his hand he turned to face me.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I forgot a book in my room." I lied easily forcing a small smile.

He stood there and I realized that he was going to wait for me. Though there was something between him and Kaori he was still with me. It felt like he was toying with me.

"No. You should get to class. Save me a seat" I sighed heading for the stairs.

"....Alright then..." And he left. Turning to see him walk away for sure I saw him stop to talk to Yuuki quickly continuing on his way with the others.

I was at the top of the stair case heading to my room when I heard or rather felt someone enter the room.

I turned to find the prefix standing by the door.

"Umm..Shiki-senpai asked me to wait for you. To make sure you get to class without all the commotion" she explained with a smile before formally bowing.

"Thanks" I smiled walking to my room. But it wasn't genuine. Was he really toying around with me? Why would he do something so cruel? Leaning against the bathroom door I slumped to the floor. It was cold but it didn't bother me. Breathing in hard my chest started to hurt. Like something was pulling it apart from all different directions. The more I thought about him the more the pulling hurt.

Was this how a broken heart felt? Being reminded of his scent on her made it hurt more and before I knew it I was holding my chest tight with silent tears flowing.

I felt weak and disgusted. How could I have thought that he would have stayed with me. All we had ever been was friends. And that was all we were going to be. It was rare when I cried and I hated the feeling of being powerless. I wasn't sure how long I spent in there when I remembered that Yuuki was waiting to escort me to class. I didn't want to get up. I felt broken. Like glass shattered. But I got up and stopped crying. I was going to pick up all the pieces. Eevn if it meant all by myself.

"Oh. Did you find what you were looking for Touya-senpai?" Yuuki asked we made our way to class. The sun had set and soon the stars were going to show.

"No. I think I lost it." I said in my usual laughed silently. I didn't know how she could always smile. Always remain her happy true self.

"You and Shiki-senpai seem to be very close." she innocently smiled. I was starting to feel the pulling again.

"Oh, not that it's any of mu business." she added.

After several more minutes of an akward silence she spoke again but sounded timid this time.

"If something happened between the two of you senpai, you shouldn't let that seperate you. Keep fighting until you know for sure there's no more hope left. But even then if you really love him keep trying to fight, with all your heart and soul." She wasn't looking at me and her eyes seemed to be distant. Her honest feelings about the way she felt got to me.

"Then...when its all over you can say that you honestly tried. With all your being you honestly tried.

"Yuuki... you..." I didn't know what to say to her. To thank her.

"You sure are weird." I smiled.

"Tell Kaname-sama I said hi." she smiled again before turning to walk away.

I hadn't realized that I was standing in front of the class door.

"And remember to fight with all your hear." she waved and disappeared down the hall.

Entering the class I didn't look at Shiki or Rokoru. I headed straight for Kaname. If he was mad then this was sure to get me of the hook.

Bowing I began.

"I'm sorry I'm late I left behind a book. Yuuki-san says to tell you hi."

I had been right. No one heard us but I saw the change in his eyes at the mention of her name. They went from dull to having a spark in them.

"Please stay after class. I must discuss something with you." he calmly stated in his normal was too kind. He could have ordered me to stay and wouldn't have had a choice but he asked me politely because that was the kind of person he was.

That everyone had seemed to hear. Walking to my seat everyone watched me with curious eyes, probably thinking that I had done soemthing wrong. When I looked at Shiki he seemed taken back also but it was nothing to what I felt when I saw that my usual seat beside him was now occupied by someone else.

Of course. You should have expected this. I told myself. They are after all together now.

Feeling stupid and not knowing where to sit I was glad when I heard Rokoru's voice behind me.

"I saved you a seat." Grabbing me by my hand he led me towards the front of the class where Akatsuki and Ruka where already happily chatting.

Sitting behind them one row higher than they, Rokoru looked at me. He didn't have his usual warm friendly smile on.

"Is something wrong?" I asked him. The hurt inside me was almost unbearable I only wanted to see his smile. Something pure and happy that it would have easied the pain I felt.

"I could ask you the same question" he said leaning in closer to me. Placing his soft warm hand against my face he sighed.

"You are in pain." he stated. I wonder how he knew by just a touch.

When my breathing became harder he leaned away.

"I'm sorry." he said smiling. But it seemed to sad to be his usual smile.

"You're not wearing them tonight." he solemnly added.

"...........I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't apologize. If you don't want to wear them then don't." This time his smile was more cheerful.

"That aside, how has your day been so far?"

I stayed quiet, not knowing what to say.

"Same here" he said intensly looking into my eyes. The way his purple eyes sparkled againt his dark blue hair made him seem more beautiful.

"I don't know much about you. Why not tell me?" he asked amused.

After that class seemed to pass in a blur. He asked questions about me and when he laughed at one of my answers I would mock him after he told me what he liked or did or thought in my stead.

I learned that he wasn't forced to come here. He came of free will. His family had been asleep for 100 years and recently awoken. He had never attended such a place where vampires gathered to study and fascinated by the idea enrolled here. He was an only child like me and did what hos parents asked of they didn't want to let him come here he came regardless.

With Kaname closing his book and the respectful bow to him everyone started to exit the room.

"Would you like for me to wait for you?" he asked leaning against the front desk.

I hadn't noticed until then that he wore a necklace with a ball of sapphire and two stallions engraved on the side looking like they were protecting the sapphire ball from any harm. It must have been his family crest.

"You should go." I told him unsure what it was that Kaname wanted to talk about.

"If you don't come out in five minutes then I'll leave. Okay?" he smiled raising an eyebrow.

With a small sigh I gave in. He was one of those who wouldn't take no for answer.

Any happiness I had felt till then was quickly taken away when I saw shiki turn to look at me from the door with Kaori not so far behind looked from me to Rokoru before walking out with out a word.

"I'll be waiting outside then" Rokoru said walking out.

"Touya. I want to make it clear to you. whatever your going through right now isn't my business. But if something happens to Yuuki because of this prolem between you Senri and Kaori, I will not be easy on any of you." he stated leaning agaisnst the oversized window surrounding him in the night's sky. So he did know then. Not that it suprised me.

"Yes Kaname-sama, I understand."

"I don't understand what she is to you exctly but the feelings you have for her are so very very strong that it makes me want to protect her as well. Her smile is very warm and she is very kind. That I can understand maybe part of the reason why you protect her so." I added.

"Your enhanced ability to let you know how someone is feeling seems to be intact still. Yuuki's warm existence in such a cold world is the thing that I will protect most, even if it means with my life and killing hundreds of others I will do it.......for her...." he said exiting the room. And he was right. There was no trace of lie in those words.

Walking out of the room and towards the dormitory I saw Rokoru standing with his hand in his pocket while the other carried his books. Shiki wouls always stand like that whenever he would wait for me but today he didnt save me a seat like he always did just like he looked at me before walking away with Kaori following close behind him.

"Hmmm?"

"Why are you just standing there? Did Kaname-sama yell at you?" he asked leaning really close to my face.

"No, not really." I sighed.

"Would you have preferred I not wait for you?" His expression had gone from amused curiosity to looking a bit sad.

"No, its not that......"

"Then lets go" taking my hand in his he started to lead the way back to the moon dormitory.

"You seem distracted....no rather...sad about something. You want to talk about it?" He was worrying about me. I didn't know why he was being so kind to me. We were practicaly strangers almost. I was being selfish, using him to distract myself from the fact that I was losing Shiki. I was a horrible person.

"Why......why are you being so nice to me?" I asked stopping.

"From the first day that we met you were really nice to me and even now. Why?" I went on looking him in the eye.

Turning, he also looked at me in the eye only his look seemed much more intense than mine. I started to feel my heart beat faster.

"Why? From the moment I saw you seemed sad. The look in your eye seemed lonely. Today when I saw you in class just standing there I felt something strong inside me after seeing you look like you were in some kind of unbearable pain I had to get you. To make sure you were alright, I had the urge to protect you. I knew a vampire who lived for so long that they lost the will to go on living. She commited suicide. The look in her eyes were sad and lonely, you had the same look when I first met you and even now. I don't want you to ever feel that you lost your will to go on living. I wont let you." he confessed and in an instant he pulled me into his arms holding me there.

I didn't deserve someone so nice and caring. I was a horrible person and I wondered if he knew what I was really doing, would he still be so kind? Still smile for me the way he does? At that moment I realized that I didn't ever want to lose his smile, imagining it was painful for some reason. Could I feel this strongly about somone I just met?

And before I knew it I was crying again. I felt one tear stream down from one side, than another and soon they kept coming silently. I didn't care if he saw me or not but I was too scared to reach out for him in return.

Pulling away from me he somehow knew something was wrong but this time didn't ask.

"Sometimes all we need is someone there. Cry it all out, I'll be right here" he whispered in my ear making my tears come faster.

And he did. He stayed there with me for endless moments holding me while I silently cried it all out. My anger, my frustration, he stayed there not saying a word and holding me.

I was so tired by the end of the night I almost collapsed and he carried me back to my room.

Ruka was sound asleep on the other side of the room and for once I was grateful that she was a heavy sleeper. She probably would have never let me forget this night. He sat me down on the bed before starting to unlace my boots. I felt my cheecks turn hot. Placing them beside the bed he got up and smiled at me.

"Sleep well." he said kissing the back of my hand. With that he left the room leaving me alone. I didn't know what to do. I was frozen in place and I kept thinking about him. In more ways than one he saved me. Too tired to get up and change into a sleeping outfit I pulled the covers around me and tried to get some sleep. I wasn't sure how to act tomorrow infront of him but that didn't seem to matter. As long as he was smiling I would be fine. I had lost Shiki and he had been there for me.

I had lost Shiki. Thinking about that again made my chest hurt again. I'm not sure that I would ever get over that fact, but someday I would be able to bear it.

The next afternoon I felt uneasy and content at the same time when I awoke.

"Did something happen last night?" Ruka asked standing before me already fully dressed.

"You went to sleep in your uniform." So she had noticed than.

"Nothing really." I lied camly.

"Its scary how I cant never tell when you're lying or not with that calm face of yours" she sighed letting it go.

"Hurry and get ready. I got another uniform for you hanging by the shower door" she said before leaving the room.

When she came back I was doing my hair.

Taking out the small white box I reached for the pins and centered them onto my ponytails.

"Nice hair barrettes" Ruka complimented holding a cup of coffee.

"Are they a present from Shiki?"

A small pain ripped through me but she didn't seem to notice.

"No, actually they were from you cousin" I admitted.

She looked at me shocked. "I thought you were serious when you said that you weren't going to go for it with him."

I wanted to tell her that I had lost Shiki and it seemed that Rokou was there for me but I couldn't. I was still no where near the point of being over it let alone being alright with it and that would most likely end up in tears again and I was not going to allow that in front of Ruka. I didn't need her pitty.

Hearing the regular morning knock I didn't know what to expect for the rest of the night but I was looking forward to it.

~I'll show you another sweet dream~