"Hardships"

"He- Father, I mean," she corrected after Aido held a saddened look, "he won't... Hate us for this, right?" She was bashful, thinking about last nights events. Of course, the soreness between her legs wouldn't let her forget what happened.

He simply shrugged, not thinking much of it. "How would he know?" Of course. Unless he had a third eye and set up a hidden camera in the hotel, there was no way he could've known that they had made love hours ago. "You needn't hold that flustered face. There's nothing to be ashamed of; it's only natural for a man to have intercourse with the woman he loves."

That didn't help soften that tint on her face. She pulled the covers to her frail body, "Stop saying embarrassing things," she cried a little. He smiled a little, happy to see that he didn't hurt her too much last night.

"You should be happy that I didn't go as hard as I planned to." He snickered when he saw her face turn paler than a vampires. If that wasn't hard, then how would the real deal feel like? She winced to herself. "Anyway, what we did may have gone against my father's wishes, but I'll protect you from him, so relax. Just think of this as getting back at him," he winked.

Even if her father-in-law did do something horrible to her, she didn't want to get 'revenge' on him by sleeping with Aido! She never wanted to make enemies with him, and doing what they just did... She wouldn't be surprised if he shipped her to the other side of the world next. He noticed her troubled atmosphere. "Is there something that I can do to ease your mind?"

He ran his fingertips along her jaw, admiring her defensive state. She tried not to mind it, "I just..." She couldn't keep her mind straight with his fangs protruding like that. She could still feel the burning pain at the side of her neck. With his kind gestures and patience, she wondered why she hasn't fallen head over heels for him yet. "I'm afraid."

Aido was disheartened to hear that his precious treasure was so... Distraught. She could see that he was somewhat expecting something, but he sighed in the end. "When will you come to realize that I won't allow you to be hurt?" He brushed aside her locks, wanting to rid every insecurity she had.

Haruna's heart was constricted with guilt when she just didn't have the heart to return his feelings. When will she realize? He already did so much for her, but what will it take for her to accept them? She figured it was just her insecurities holding her back.

"I already have," she began to dress underneath the sheets. Earlier, he had gone out to buy new clothes for her to wear for the day. She was a bit upset that they all had been brand names. 'You're my girl. How can I let you wear cheap clothing?' Those were the exact words that he told her. She really hated being treated like royalty all of a sudden.

"Are we going home now?" She tried not to sound so devastated. He shook his head, telling her he wanted to show her his school.

Cross Academy

"This is Aido-san's school?" She praised, touching the brick buildings. He nodded, delighted to see a smile on her face.

"You're fascinated by the littlest things, but when I show you a castle or a diamond necklace, you grimace." She shrugged. That's just how she was, he figured, but he wouldn't change her personality for anything else.

"Are you not attending here anymore?"

He shook his head no, "We're on break right now. Speaking of which, when we come back, I must introduce you to Kaname-sama~!" She was a little stunned that there was someone else other than her who he admired so much. "He's a pureblood and head of the Night Class."

She mouthed a silent 'oh,' not too interested. He grabbed her hand, leading her towards the fountain like a true prince. "Thank you," she curtsied, sitting down on the marble. He was a tad jealous when the school stole her attention, but he didn't mind that much.

"Is there something on your mind?" He caught her sighing every now and then to herself. She mentally cursed herself for being so obvious.

"It's just all... Very nostalgic. High school is supposed to be one of the most important memories for a person, but I was never able to attend." He was certainly moved by this tale, but she didn't think too much. "Actually," she wondered, "is it okay if I also attended Cross Academy?"

He immediately fell out of sympathy. "No way, no can do!" He crossed his arms into an 'X' shape. She was surprised at his absolute denial. "There are boys here who'll do whatever they can to get into your skirt! Plus there are vampires here who'll want to suck your blood!"

He was confused when she started laughing, "Aren't you basically describing yourself?"

"I..." Well. It was true. "No, just no. If I have you going here, my hair would turn white from constant worrying."

He jerked a little in surprise when he felt her hands hold his. "If it bothers you that much, then I won't go. I wouldn't want your hair going white," she spoke sincerely, her eyes making him fall in love all over again.

She didn't see his actions as being 'obsessive,' but rather something a father would do - being protective of the one they love. He cleared his throat, feeling stupid that he had overreacted. He felt awful, clearly. It was one of the only things she had ever requested, and he denied it so bluntly.

Before he could try and plant a kiss on her chapped lips, she jumped out of his grasp. "Ah, let's go home now before father-in-law gets even more angry," she walked away, leaving him following close behind wanting more.

Later

Her stomach twisted in knots when she heard the ruckus from downstairs. Aido was having an argument with his father, that was obvious. She turned around in bed, wanting to block out all the noises. She wanted to be down there to take the blame, but after locking her inside the bedroom, she really didn't have a choice.

In the meantime, she was thinking of a way to thank him for standing up for her all the time. "I'm sorry Aido-san," those were the only words she'd been repeating for the whole hour she was stuck in that room.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door open and shut. "Aido-san," she called, propping herself up on her elbows. He didn't say a word while taking a seat next to her. She wondered why he was turning his back towards her, but she realized that he was torn.

This man respected his father, but also loved her. Who would he side with? She didn't know how to satisfy him or to make him feel better. "Is there anything I can do?" She wanted to just let him know that she was there, that he could always lean toward her for help.

"Go to sleep and don't look at me; I'm very uncool at the moment," he scoffed a little, burying his face into his hands. Her old self would've obliged, but instead, she surprised him by embracing him from behind.

"I'm sorry for making things unbearable for you. If you ever get tired of all this, don't hesitate to abandon me-"

She stared up at him after he had roughly pinned her beneath him. His eyes flashed red, glaring at her. "You should already know that I don't plan on doing that," he snarled, annoyed that she'd ever think he would. Haruna faltered a little, but drew up her hand to touch his cold face.

"I know you won't," and she felt so heartbroken that he couldn't. She's truly become his kryptonite. He was filled with temptation, wanting to thrust into her once more, but seeing as now was really bad timing, he satisfied himself by just resting his head upon her bosoms.

Her breath came out, relieved that he wasn't going to do anything more than that. She took the liberty to wrap her arms around him, instantly feeling his body fall into slumber. 'He was that tired...' She thought.

What would the future hold for them? She could only see more hardships.