Hey guys! Sorry the chapter updates are coming so slow. I've been super busy with school. They're going to come fast and furious now, I promise! I aim to have most of the story done (YES DONE unfortunately) before September. The end has already been decided! So enjoy the events leading up to the end!

Thanks for sticking with me,

Belle.

Ruka stood and walked over to the window. "I think I know." She said, peering out. Nodding as if to confirm what she expected, she looked at me and pointed out the window.

Once I go over to the window I looked out and saw Aido and Kain standing on the ground below, Aido with more ice in his hand. Ruka opened the window so we could hear them and Aido called up, "Ruka! Kisa-chan! Why don't you come down and finish the walk with us?"

I nodded and Ruka called down, "Be there in a minute." We left Aido and Kain's room and Ruka led me down another staircase and out a side door.

We saw them standing a few feet away and walked over to join them. Ruka immediately went over to Kain and began talking rapidly in a hushed voice, and I glanced away, not wanting to invade their privacy. Suddenly an arm wrapped around my waist and I was whirled around, staring into the face of an aqua-eyed, blonde haired vampire.

"Miss me?" Aido purred, invading my personal space.

I twisted away and shoved him. "You wish."

"Hanabusa, stop harassing Kisa-san." Ruka turned to look at us.

He laughed and moved away. "We were just going to walk up to 'our spot' and wait for the sunset." He looked directly at me. "Should we be expecting any company?"

I blushed and looked away. "No."

"Sounds good." Ruka said.

We made our way up to the spot where Rei had taken me before. Kain and Ruka took up a spot standing under a nearby tree and watching the sun slowly move below the horizon, with Aido and I a few feet away.

Aido leaned down to me. "I'm going to take you back after sunset, so hopefully we can avoid any... unwanted attention."

I rolled my eyes. "You know, the fact that you fuel their attention by playing up to their advances and just flitting away when they get too close is what creates all that 'unwanted attention'."

Aido blinked, and then quickly recovered, feigning mock-hurt. "Oh Kisa-chan, you wound me so!"

I groaned. "Not to mention being unjustly handsome." I said under my breath.

Aido perked up. "Mmm? What was that, Kisa-chan?"

I could hear my inner hiss loudly in my head, WHAT?

I've missed you. I haven't heard from you in a while!

Yeah, well, I've been pretty shell-shocked lately. Apparently the heart and I haven't been speaking lately.

I guess, if you had to practically beat it out of me.

Yeah, well I'm feeling everything it wants me to now. I could feel my inner wince.

I'm sorry.

Not your fault. That part burned with sincerity.

I fought the urge to smile. Thanks.

"Kisa-chan?"

I snapped out of my daze. "What?"

"You said something." He raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow and turned me toward him so I was facing him.

"No I didn't."

He frowned. "Yes you did."

"Nope."

He narrowed his eyes quickly; there was a movement too quick for me to see, and then there was an ice cube sliding down my back.

"AHH!" I shrieked, instinctively arching my back forward.

Aido made a huge deal of wrapping his arm around my waist, leaning forward slightly and pressing against me so we both dipped a little.

"Kisa-chan, are you getting fresh with me?" He asked quietly. "...pressing up against me like that." He grinned.

"You did that to me on purpose."

"Did what?" He asked in a tone so innocent I almost believed him.

"Put an ice cube down my back! Or did you think I'd forgotten your abilities?" I hissed.

He leaned his face down closer and whispered in my ear. "I have many other... abilities... I'd love to show you."

I flushed, and staggered out of his grasp and to my feet. My inner wasn't happy.

He's killing us here!

I'm aware. I thought back. I'm trying to get away from it, okay?

Try harder. Please.

I'm on it.

I looked and to my relief, the sun had just disappeared, and it was starting to get dark. I pointed my thumb behind me, over my shoulder. "You know, I should really be going." I said, taking a few steps backward.

Kain and Ruka looked over, confused. "Are you leaving, Kisa-san?"

"Yeah." I smiled without happiness. "It's getting dark now, so I should be able to sneak back to the Sun Dorm without being noticed."

"I thought you were going to take her, Hanabusa?" Kain rumbled lowly, seeming to get Aido's attention.

"Yes, I am." He said, frowning.

I had already taken several steps down the path, hoping he'd decide not to follow me.

I wasn't so lucky.

"Matari-san!" Aido jogged to catch up with me. "What was that back there? You became distant all of a sudden, and I was just playing around."

I turned to face him. "I know."

"Then what happened?"

"I don't know..." I trailed off.

I friggin do.

Be quiet. I don't want to tell him.

If you don't, the pain'll never stop.

If I do, it might only get worse...

"Listen, uhm. I can just go home by myself, it's no big deal." I said, turning back around slowly. "You don't have to trouble yourself."

"It's no trouble." He assured me. "I'm supposed to watch you."

"You're supposed to make sure I don't talk, Aido, not be my bodyguard."

He didn't know what to say to that, instead opting to take a step back. "If you're sure."

"Yes." I nodded, starting to walk forward again. This time he didn't stop me.

The walk back home my inner was busy trying to talk to me.

I have never felt this awful before. Is this what love is supposed to feel like?

I don't know, I replied, I've never been in love before.

Well when we get over this, do us both a favor and never fall in love again.

I'll try. I laughed to myself.

That girl... who was she? My inner showed me an image of the girl that kissed Aido's cheek in the hallway outside his bedroom. It already seemed like forever ago.

I'm not sure. I thought back. I've never seen her before.

Well I don't like her.

I laughed inwardly again. Me neither.

Let's get rid of her.

I laughed out loud this time. Yeah, that'll go over well.

"Is something funny?"