A/N: Yes, this one is AU so everyone is human. If you don't read Fireplace, I'm going to try to start updating these collections weekly again, but can't make any promises.
Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Knight or make any profit off of this.
Rima stared at the pile of ashes. The fire was gone, but the smell of smoke still seemed to hang in the air. People were milling around, some hugging their children, a few crying.
But all Rima could remember was her past with that building. It had been where everything began, where her life truly started...
"Little Rima's so independent!" The daycare worker cooed as the small, pigtailed girl walked away from her Mother.
"Yes, she is." Mrs. Touya sighed. "You just have to pay extra close attention that she doesn't wander off."
The grownups' chitchat faded into the background as Rima spied a redheaded, blue-eyed boy in a corner, staring off into space.
"Want to play?" She asked, extending her hand to him. "Come on."
A few moments passed in silence between them. It registered with Rima that this boy didn't want to play, simple as that. So she sat beside him, holding his hand.
"What's your name?" She asked, studying him. His eyes were a shockingly light shade of blue, but they seemed vacant.
"Senri Shiki." He said, looking at her. Rima was shocked by exactly how vacant Senri's eyes were – they were like a doll's almost.
"I'm Rima Touya." Rima said and then they were both silent.
It took a few moments, but soon Senri's hand curled around Rima's, and to the amazement of the daycare staff, they sat there in the corner, huddled together until it was time to go home.
"No one was hurt." A voice said in Rima's ear, and she turned to come face to face with her boyfriend, Senri. He continued calmly, "Everyone got out in time to avoid even smoke inhalation injuries."
"Good." Rima nodded, holding his hand and knitting her fingers through his.
"Too bad, isn't it?" Senri mused, studying the ashes. "It was a great place. But everyone is safe and we've got our memories."
Rima smiled slightly and led Senri away. The most important thing was not the daycare itself, but the relationship she had taken away from it.
When she walked away with Senri, whose eyes were no longer vacant, she was sure of that.
A/N: This came about thinking about an old daycare I went to as a little kid, and wondering if it's even still there. I know I'm rusty at writing these, but what did you think?