Thanks again to those who keep reading and sending a review and dont worry I know what Im doing and where Im going with this story. ^^ I never really thought that I was the good writing type but Im glad that all of you who read this seem to enjoy it. Thanks and enjoy.

RIMA

Chapter 10: Intertwined ; Sweet Blood Bite

Since I had arrived at the dance I tried not to look for Shiki.

I promised myself that I would not look for him. Part of me wanted to but the other half, the much stronger one didn't allow me to break my promise. I found my self almost slipping every now and then, every time I thought his scent was very close to me.

"You seem distracted. Are you sure you want to be here?" Rokoru asked as we slow danced.

Feeling his arms around me made me feel more safe, calm. I figured that this was the closest to happy that I was going to come to now, but a small part of me was content with that. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there for me.

I was lucky that he was so sweet and understanding. That he was willing to wait for me, until I got better. What I didn't know was when that would be or how long that day would take to come but he was willing to wait.

Looking at him now I hated that I was the one who caused him to worry so much.

"I'm having a good time. Thanks for taking me" I said and it was an honest answer.

He looked at deciding whether to believe me or not.

"I'm glad" he smiled.

For most of the dance we stayed together. It seemed like he wanted to keep me near him to be sure I was alright. It made me feel more guilty that I was being selfish in keeping him around. I was using him to make myself feel better and every time I was reminded of that I felt worse. I was truly a demonic being.

The next slow dance song seemed to hit me. Listening to the lyrics it was almost as if she knew what I was doing, how selfish and weak I had become.

Cause when I'm with him

I am thinking of you

thinking of you

What you would do if you were the one who was spending the night

Oh I wish that I was looking into your eyes

Listening to this I started to pull away. It was becoming too much for me. But I wasn't going to let him know that something was bothering me.

"I'm going to sit for now. It's getting hot in here" I lied.

Before I could walk away he tightened his arms around me.

"It's alright. I know it's hard for you, but don't forget I'm right here for you." he whispered in my ear

He drew me close to his chest and we continued to dance as I tried not to cry. I wanted to show him that I wouldn't cry for Shiki anymore. That I was going to accept that he was no longer mine.

When we went to finally sit down I saw as Ruka make her way to the table I was seated at. It felt like I hadn't seen her in a long time.

"Seems like you and Rokoru are getting along great." she smiled sitting beside me.

I looked at Rokoru who seemed to smile at her statement.

"You were right Ruka. She is very different. I'm glad I came here" he added looking into my eyes.

Those purple eyes of his made me feel better.

I wanted to tell her about what had been happening, that without him I would be a mess on the inside but I couldn't. Instead I just smiled as best as I could for him.

"Rokoru, could you go find Akatsuki for me please? I lost him along the way here" she said changing the subject.

"Sure" he said getting up.

"I'll be right back." he said as he kissed the top of my head and with that he was soon gone.

"You seem to be having fun" she said

"Yeah. I am" I agreed.

"How are you taking it?" she asked.

"I thought that we would be fine, like before. But it was stupid to think like that. He found someone and I would never ask him to choose sides especially since she apparently makes him happy and we don't get along at all" I said remembering the fight that took place hours ago.

She listened without saying anything letting me know I could talk to her about it.

"After so long of knowing him and spending time with him, I was so sure that he was the one, and that I was the one for him. I would always wonder what it would be like tasting his blood. If it would fill my thirst and I always thought even now that the answer was oblivious."

As I talked I could feel a small lump forming in my throat.

Looking up at her it seemed that she was remembering how hard it was for her too.

"How did you do it? You knew that he was the one for you and though it turned out differently, how were you able to move on?" I asked her.

"It wasn't easy. Though we are vampires we are also very fragile beings. Many that do know about our existence don't know that. They think we are selfish creatures of the night who feel nothing and can only kill, but we suffer the most. Honestly I don't think I'm still over it. There will always be a piece of me that will stay there loving him. "

I hadn't known that she still felt this way. I wondered if I would still feel the same way as her years from now.

"We may live a very long existence but we also need so much time to heal from something like this" she went on.

"I hope that you will move on completely. Though it may be hard, just like it was and still is for me I don't want you to stay stuck behind, even if it is the smallest part of you. If you don't, then his blood alone will never be enough for you."

I knew she was right. I knew that I had to move on, that I must. I wasn't going to be the sad girl who would wait for him knowing it was a wasted effort. Though I loved him so much it hurt like hell to say let alone think like this. There was a feeling inside me that felt like it was tearing apart just from thinking such a thing. I wonder if I had never met Rokoru, would I have really been that sad girl waiting for someone who wasnt going to come to me?

I smiled as best as I could for her to let her know that she was right. That I knew that it was going to be hard, but I would move on someday.

"Your cousin is amazing. I would never forgive myself if I ever hurt him. He deserves someone who will love him and when they drink his blood, will savor every second" I added.

"And you plan to be her?" she asked smiling.

"I'll try my best."

"I found him" came Rokoru's serene voice. Akatsuki took a seat beside Ruka.

"Sorry, Hanabusa didn't leave me alone" he explained taking a drink from his cup.

"I don't know how people can drink this stuff all the time" he said with a sour face.

"Come with me" Rokoru whispered in my ear reaching out to take my hand in his.

Standing I let him lead the way. It took a small while making it through the crowd. As one of my favorite songs by a female who's stage name was of a color started we were soon standing outside on the small paved patio decorated to look like a garden.

"I want to make sure that you are really and honestly ready to marry me." he said walking us over to a small corner.

I felt something inside me turn as I thought of what to say.

"I am. I know that if you give me time that I will move on and remember him as someone of the past."

Saying this I felt another lump in my throat and prayed that tears wouldn't betray me.

He stayed silent for a while.

"I just want you to do what you feel in your heart." he finally said as he placed his hand right over my heart. I could feel it quicken in pace.

"And not what you think you should do because of someone else." he added moving his hand to caress the side of my face.

I found myself trying to blink away the tears that were now forming in my eyes.

"You really do look like an angel tonight"

"I wish that I could show you that I am serious. I will try my hardest to move on and love you the way you deserve."

I couldn't hold back and felt the tears start to fall. Apart of me hated saying those words. Though I knew that I had to stop the unrequited love, I didn't want to. That, I couldn't deny but I wasn't going to tell him that because it would hurt him.

He didn't say anything but only pulled me close to him. As always he was letting me know that I was safe in his arms. That I could cry to my hearts content.

"Your too nice to me" I chocked.

I felt his chest move as he lightly laughed. The sound of his laughter was starting to bring me comfort. It would be the sound that would help save me, make everything bearable.

I'm not sure how long we stood there like that. Him holding me while I locked away my feelings for Shiki. I soon felt the presence of someone else. I turned to find Ruka by the entry lightly smiling but it looked like she was troubled.

"Whats wrong?" he asked his cousin.

"It's Kaori. She asked me to find you....to tell you that he wants to talk to you. She said that they broke up." It seemed like she didn't know if she was doing the right thing by telling me this.

I looked into Rokoru's eyes. They still seemed to glow but they looked more gentle.

"Go. Do what you feel is right" he said softly smiling. I couldn't believe I was hurting him yet again.

"I'll be back. I promise" I said before turning around to go and find him.

I was going to say my farewell to him. Having to hold some of my dress so that it wouldn't get stepped on I rushed through the room that seemed to have gotten more crowded as everyone joined in a huge group dance.

I didn't need directions to tell me where to go to find him. I knew all to well his scent. Walking up the stairs to the hall way above and away from everything I wondered why he was here.

Walking down the hall more slowly I felt my heart quicken knowing what I was about to do. But could I do it? If he asked me to stay with him, what would I say?

A part of me already knew the answer.

Calm down. Be brave I told myself as I came closer and closer to a dimly lit room that had his scent all over it. Holding my breath I stepped into the door way.

"There, don't spill so much. It's ok." she was whispering into his ear, caressing his face as he sucked from her neck.

He was intoxicated by her blood. He was drinking her blood. She turned to look at me.

But she didn't say anything. She only smirked at me. She had won.

"It seems that he can't stay away from me.....or my blood." she laughed evilly.

Swallowing hard and trying to stay in control of my body I nodded my head. I can't believe I had thought that there was still hope.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way" she went on though I knew that there was no truth in those words.

"Yeah. I cant believe I thought there was still a chance" I confessed feeling my voice crack a little with a tear falling. What good was it to lie now?

"Tell him I said goodbye" I asked of her before picking up my dress and walking away.

"Will do" I heard her laugh.

By the time I came to realize what had happened I was in another room. It was dark and quiet. It was perfect. Dropping down to my knees I let the tears flow freely.

I cried my heart out. This time no one would know where I was. I took some comfort in that. It was really over now. There was no way that I could ever see him again. I would live the rest of my existence trying to forget about him. Seeing that scene gave me a rude awakening. I would move somewhere far away and no one would know where I went. I would marry Rokoru and love him. I would make the best of my life with him.

But why did I feel so empty?

It felt like forever when I finally did stop crying and gathered enough strength gather hold my dress and to stand and walk out of the room. My eye lashes felt wet but it didn't bother me.

Seeing Rokoru still outside I tried my hardest to put up a fake smile for him.

But I didn't fool him. Upon seeing me he immediately came and wrapped his arms around me.

"I said..my goodbyes" I swallowed hard.

"Was it the right thing to do?" he asked me.

I nodded my head. "But...but why do I feel so bad?" I cried.

"Why......why can't I ....stop...crying?" I wondered out loud between sobs.

"I wish there was something I could do to make you stop from hurting." he whispered in my ear.

I looked at him through my wet eyes and tried to smile.

"You're already here. Please don't go" I pleaded wrapping my arms around him.

"I will be here as long as you want me to be." he answered.

I leaned up to him and met his lips with mine. His kiss became passionate. It was what I needed.

"Rima."

Upon hearing that voice I felt something painful inside me move. It was his voice. It was Shiki. I quickly turned to look at him. He seemed to be short of breath and there was no blood on him now.

"Rima, I need to talk with you" he said looking at me. The look in his eyes was something I had never seen. I couldn't tell what he was feeling.

"You've said enough." Rokoru spoke up from behind me. He placed a hand in front of me, coming to stand in front of me.

"This doesn't concern you" Shiki said acidly.

"It does now. I told you that I would protect her. That you were the one whose done the damage to her." Rokoru said just as acidly.

"Don't you think that you should leave her alone already?" he added.

I stood there behind him. I didn't want to be here. I wished to be somewhere else. That this was a bad dream.

But it wasn't.

I saw Shiki smirk.

"At times like this I'm glad I'm a pureblood." he said looking him straight in the eyes.

"Are you sure you want to fight here? Rima might get hurt" Rokoru informed him. He wanted to fight but he knew that there was a chance I might get hurt and he wasn't going to take it.

"So why don't you leave while I talk to Rima?" he said in a voice that I never heard from him, but I knew what he was doing. He was using power to control us.

I looked at Rokoru. The color of his eyes changed from their beautiful color to a crimson red. He was under Shiki's control. He was starting to kneel down but stopped before he moved too far.

"That's low." he spat at him. His body was slightly trembling for trying to defy the order of a pureblooded one.

"Are you sure you want to go against an order that I gave you?" he asked looking at him with an icy cold look. I had never seen this side of him before.

I could see that he was making him suffer more silently just by looking at him. The power of a pureblood was something to be feared and this was why.

Not being able to see Rokoru in pain I ran past him towards Shiki. Before he had time to move I drew my hand back and slapped him.

I felt terrible hurting the face of the man that I loved so much, but it seemed to work. Whatever it was he was doing to Rokoru stopped immediately as he looked at me with wide eyes.

I turned back to Rokoru. He seemed to be fine.

"I have to go talk to him" I told him.

"But I'll be back soon" I promised him again.

He didn't have to say it out loud. Just by looking into his eyes I knew he was telling me that as long as I would want him at my side then he would be there.

I didn't know why he took us all the way to his room.

He was silent.

I started to mentally prepare for anything he might have to say. He wouldn't turn to look at me, making me all the more nervous.

"Rima, about Kaori...I'm sorry-"

"If you came here to talk to me about her I already know, and I wont listen. If that's all, then I'll be leaving" I said lifting the bottom of my dress so I wouldn't step on it.

"So you know?" he asked

"Yes. She told me."

"Did he ask you to marry him?" he asked still facing the other way.

I looked at my left hand and saw the ring there.

"He did"

"And you accepted?" he asked turning to look at me.

The look in his eyes had gone from menacing to something so gentle it was hard to believe what he had done to Rokoru. Looking at him like this I felt my throat dry up again.

What did this mean? That he cared that I was going to marry someone? Did it matter to him. Unless he loved me?

"I did. Were moving somewhere far. It was my decision" I told him staring at the carpeted floor.

"You're moving?" he asked. I could see how much this was hurting him, and how much it was killing me inside as well.

I could feel as the never ending tears started to come again, but this time they felt heavier than normal.

"Rima, you barely know him" he said coming closer to me. Closing the distance between us he wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly.

I tried to break free but he wasn't letting me. Looking over his shoulders I could feel the pulse of his heart coming from his neck. I realized only then that I hadn't fed for some time and now the thirst was burning my throat.

I could see the main vain where his blood was flowing, making the thirst more powerful. I felt like I was suffocating. I couldn't take it. Letting myself fall in his arms he knew something was wrong. He sat me down on his velvet sofa and knelt right beside me.

By now I could imagine how red my eyes were with hunger. Looking away from him was harder than I thought possible but I somehow managed. I felt as his cool finger lightly touched under my chin as he made me look at him.

With his eyes closed he started to loosen his shirt up more and exposed his neck completely.

"Drink. Take as much as you want" he softly whispered into my ear. I tried to refuse but he didn't let me.

Using his nail he cut a wound on his neck. His blood started to come out and I couldn't resist anymore. I felt my fangs lengthen as I bit into his neck. The taste of his blood filled me and I didn't want to stop. I felt him bring our bodies closer and before I knew it we were standing again. I wasn't sure when my mouth had found his and soon we were passionately kissing one another.

I pressed my body closer to his. I wanted him as close to me as possible. Though I had just drank his blood my body felt weak. Making our way to his bed he laid me down. My hands started to take his shirt off as our lips met again.

This was the way it was supposed to have been had Kaori stayed away. And thats what stopped me.

Kaori.I couldn't believe that I almost forgot what had happened between the two of them.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I....I can't" I said sitting up. Breathing hard he quickly got up.

Heading for the door he stopped me.

"Don't leave" he pleaded. I couldn't do it. He was being unfair. With his expression so torn I couldn't leave. Not like this.

I slowly slid to the soft ground not knowing what to do anymore. I didn't want to leave. I loved him so much. How could I leave?

With his shirt back on though unbuttoned he sat in front of me.

"This is what I've known all my life." he said placing a hand on my chest where my heart was beating.

Moving closer he leaned the side of his head on my chest. He didn't say anything after that, instead I held him as he lay in my arms.

It would be better this way I told myself. With a single finger I placed it behind his neck and sent a wave of electricity through him. His body went limp instantly.

"Good-bye my love, Shiki" I whispered into his ear as a single tear drop fell.

I was staring at the empty patio wonder if he had left when I heard his voice.

"I didn't think you were coming back"

"I promised" I said. I tried to talk as little as possible so he wouldn't see how heart broken I was. How shattered and wrong I felt leaving him behind unconscious like that.

"Are you sure that this is what you wanted?" he asked looking at me.

"He already drank the blood of someone else. He seemed to enjoy....." I explained.

"Can........Can we leave? Tomorrow?" I asked him whispering to stop the ache I felt tearing me apart from the inside.

"Is that what you want?" he wondered holding me.

I nodded my head.

"Then that's what we'll do." he agreed silently.

Waking up at human morning hours didn't bother me today. I felt no better than I did last night. I wondered when I would feel glad to wake up again. Have something to look forward to.

Looking in the mirror I could see that my eyes were still red from all the crying I did before actually falling asleep.

I got ready and dressed as quietly as I could, hoping not to wake Ruka. I didn't know what time she came in the room last night after the dance.

"Your not going to class today?" came her voice as I headed for the door.

Damn. She caught me.

"No, I have a shot today." I lied. The truth was that I was going to go to the agency but for something else.

"Have fun." she said before laying back down.

Grabbing my bag I left the room.

"Miss Rima, we are very happy that you decided to take the offer. We have no doubt that you will be as successful there as you are here. You will have a contract with them and if you need anything they will take care of it for you. They have been trying for weeks now to get you over there with them." Lidia explained.

She was the owner of the agency and the one who spoke to us to help decide if we should or shouldn't sign to another international agency. She was smart, beautiful and looked amazing for her age and a human.

"Just sign here....and here.........there....and here too" she instructed putting a pile of papers in front of me.

I took the pen and did as she said feeling heartbroken with every stroke of the pen. This was it.

"And that's it!" she smiled when I finished.

"Here, take these" she said handing me an envelope.

"These are your two plane tickets. First class on any plane heading to New York City. It seems the agency over there wanted you very badly. These don't expire for quite some time." she laughed.

"It was a pleasure working with you! Please keep us updated and if anything you can always come back to us" she added standing from behind her desk.

I shook her hand before leaving with a fake smile.

Classes had just begun an hour ago when I arrived back at my room.

I quickly started to take all my things out from the drawers on my side of the room and packed them into my luggage bags that I kept under my bed.

It didn't take long before I was done but when I opened the last dresser drawer I stopped myself.

The stuffed bunny bear Shiki gave me a long time ago that I had kept for so long, seemed to be staring back at me.

Picking it up I held it close to my heart. It smelled just like him. Our scent intertwined.

I knew that I should leave it here, forget about it just like I had to forget Shiki.

But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Pursing my lips together as I tried to hold back the tears I could feel coming I picked the bear up and placed it in my third and last bag.

I don't know how long I stood there when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in" I called out.

I was surprised to see that it was Kaname-sama, but then it seemed unavoidable that he would come to talk to me.

"You didn't request to leave the school by dropping your registration paper." he stated.

"Yes, I signed a contract with a modeling agency in New York City." I explained.

"I don't know for how long I'll be leaving" I lied.

"That's not true is it? Did you do that to Senri?" he asked me seeing right through my lie.

"Yes. I didn't want to make it more difficult than it had to be, saying goodbye. It would be nice to stay here longer though"

He seemed to think as he stood there silently.

"Than I will place your school paper as studying aboard then. If you chose to come back than it should be no problem. Good luck in New York Touya-san" he said in his normal calm voice.

"Thank you very much Kaname-sama." I bowed.

With that he left. He really was kind, just like everyone said he was.

Not to long after he left Rokoru came.

"Are you done?" he asked looking peaceful.

"Yeah. That all" I said.

He came to my side and effortlessly lifted all three bags.

He left, leaving me alone in case I need more time.

But it wasn't in this room that I had to be in. Making up my mind I ran out and to the other side of the building. The males side.

I stood in front of his door knowing he was still unconscious.

Taking a deep breath I twisted the golden door knob and opened it closing it behind me.

He was still there, just like last night on his bed.

I walked over to his side and knelt down. Resting my chin on my hands I looked at him. He looked so peaceful. I concentrated on his breathing to keep me from crying.

I stayed there for a long moment. Remembering all the last years we spent together. I had truly thought he was the one I would spend my long existence with. Getting up I smiled happy to have that many memories with him. Maybe one day I would be able to look back on them and smile without them having break my heart.

Leaving him made me feel like I was also leaving a piece of myself behind with him.

Looking down at him I bent down and kissed his soft perfect lips for the last time.

"Is that all?" he asked standing out by the limo.

I looked into his purple eyes. These would be the eyes that I would come to love with all my heart one day.

"Yes" I answered taking one last look back at the academy.

"Shall we leave then?"

He opened the door for me. Getting in I looked out the window as we drove away. He knew that this was hard for me, which is why he didn't say anything and I was grateful. I continued to look out the window.

The scenery was beautiful but I felt empty on the inside as I watched everything pass me by.

~I'll show you another sweet dream~