A/N: CAUTION! STOP! I just uploaded 3 chapters in a row. Make sure you're caught up before you read this one. =)

A/N 2: X3. Just sayin'. (You shall see 8D)

Disclaimer: Don't own VK.

Yuuki had never been so happy to be left alone. She danced around the room happily. Kaname was gone! At least, he was gone for a few days. She didn't have to hide the letter. More importantly, it wasn't an issue for Aidou to take her letter to Yori.

"Really? Really?" she asked, practically jumping up and down in excitement.

"Yes, yes, really. You've been working hard to be presentable at the ball. You at least deserve a little reward. So, I'll go ahead and deliver your letter now, while there's an opportunity. However, next time there will definitely be a test."

Yuuki spun around, "I could hug you right now!"

"Please, don't," he held up a hand, but he was smiling.

Yuuki passed him the letter eagerly. She could get her response from Yori right away! She had just received the last letter only a few days ago, and already Aidou was offering to bring her another.

Yori-chan, just wait. I'll make you tell me who it is you like! She grinned victoriously.

"I keep telling you, I'm really the best teacher in the world. No one else would put up with you," he said melodramatically.

"Hurry back, okay?" she asked, ignoring his statement.

He glared. "I go on my own schedule," he replied airily.

She sighed. "Pretty please?"

"No!" he snapped. "I'm already doing you a favor, don't push it."

"Ugh. Fine. Whatever. But are you sure you'll be okay?" She frowned. She wasn't sure if Aidou was the best choice in letter courier, although he was also the only one. He seemed to be even worse lately. She could swear he'd been downing a few tablets every hour.

"It'll be fine. Don't worry. I won't eat your friend."

"If you do, I'll have Kaname slowly torture you for a hundred million years," she smiled innocently.

"Guess it's a good thing I won't live that long," he muttered. "Anyway, I'm going. Try to behave yourself, okay? If I come back and you've even stepped one foot in the front rooms…"

"Yes, yes, I know, I know. I'll be good. Pinky swear."

"That's okay… Just be sure you stay where you can't be seen by anyone passing by."

"Okie dokie."

"Okay. See you later," he grabbed his coat and hat off the rack and headed out.

This was definitely a good day. Yuuki raced upstairs, digging out her sketchpad and colored pencils. Since she had so much free time, she might as well do something enjoyable. Besides, it would help distract her from the continuous ache of her thirst.

"Aidou-kun?" Yori's expression was just short of shock.

"Well, you did say we were friends…" he put on a hurt expression.

"What are you doing here?" Just like Yuuki. Ignoring the question. "Not that I'm not glad to see you, but…"

He held up the envelope. "Delivery."

"Already?" She looked pleased despite herself, and opened the door to let him in.

"Well…certain circumstances have made it easier to go ahead and bring you the next one now."

She waited a moment, but when she realized no further explanation was coming, she shrugged and moved to take the envelope.

"I see you reverted back to your old style," she gestured at his outfit.

He grinned. "The hat hair just wasn't doing it for me."

"That's a shame. I really think you could have built your entire image around it."

"Hat-Hair Senpai?"

She giggled, "See, it's perfect."

"I might consider trying it out if you'll admit you're attracted to me," he teased.

"Oh, please," she rolled her eyes and sat on the bed, opening the envelope.

"In that case, I guess I'll just have to stick with the style I've already got." He sat near to her this time, instead of on the opposite bed. "What a shame."

Yori shook her head, smiling. "You just don't want anyone to know that your hair doesn't always look like it does now."

"What do you mean? My hair always looks like this."

She chuckled. "Right."

"Anyway, how have you been?" he asked sincerely.

"Good," she answered, and with that began telling him much of what she told Yuuki in her letters. The events at the academy, classes, the weird and random actions of the Chairman. He couldn't really tell her about his own life at the mansion, but she understood and didn't seem to mind. Even if he couldn't respond in kind, he just liked listening to the sound of her voice and watching her face as it changed expressions.

It took her longer to read the letter than usual. Both of them kept getting distracted with their own conversations, and by the time she had reached the end of the letter it was already growing late. Once, she had flushed hard at whatever she read, but she didn't offer to explain, and he didn't ask.

"Are you sure it's okay?" she asked, glancing at the clock. "Do you need to head back?"

Yuuki's annoying plea for urgency passed through his brain briefly, but he could really care less. "No. I can wait as long as you need."

"Okay," she smiled, and began to write her reply. Aidou decided not to sidetrack her this time, and waited patiently.

Instead, he preoccupied himself with memorizing her features: the hint of bronze in her hair with the lamplight, the curve of her nose and lips, her thoughtful expression as she wrote. He watched the movement of her hand and listened to the sounds of the pencil, of her respiration, of her heart. Everything about her was soft, warm, and undeniably beautiful.

This short time together wasn't enough. He wanted to see her more, talk to her more, be closer than ever. He wanted to touch her… Wanted… The familiar ripple through his chest surfaced suddenly. Not now. Not right now. He must have taken a whole box of tablets throughout the day, just to be on the safe side.

But now that he was here with her, now that he could smell her and hear her pulse and feel the heat from her body radiating towards him… The thirst was returning, more sharply and insistently than ever before. Every day, it only grew stronger. No matter how many tablets he took, it was always there, a constant reminder of what his body craved so viciously. No amount of tablets could subdue the hunger he felt. It was a thirst that haunted even his dreams. He nearly choked on it as it shot through his throat.

Shit. No. This wasn't happening. Control yourself, Hanabusa! He could not afford to lose control right now. He shut his eyes quickly. He could practically feel them losing out to the vampiric nature within him. His fingers gripped the edge of the bed. He had to find something else to think about. Anything. It was hard to concentrate. She was so close. He grit his teeth.

"Aidou-kun, what's wrong?" she stopped writing, staring up at him anxiously.

He kept his eyes shut, unmoving. She shouldn't see him like this. He didn't want her to have a bloodthirsty image of him locked into her head. He didn't want to give her any reason to fear him. It was just…her scent…

"What's wrong?" she repeated in obvious concern. She shifted closer, worried.

No, don't do that. He had to get away. If she moved any closer, he wasn't sure what he might do.

"Look at me," her voice brooked no argument. Still, he didn't want her to see him like this.

"No," he shook his head.

"Look at me," she insisted.

He took a breath. Yori was smart. If she knew what was wrong maybe she would know best how to give him a moment to collect his breath and ride out this wave of bloodlust. Although…he wasn't entirely sure he would ever be able to fully ride it out. Giving in to her request, he opened his eyes slowly. He could feel them blazing crimson through the room, reflecting bloody pools into her own eyes.

"It's best to keep away from me right now," he warned.

"You're thirsty…"

He took another breath, trying to steady himself. It didn't help that every time he did, her scent plunged into his lungs, spiking upwards into his throat with a thousand microscopic needles. "Yeah…"

"You didn't eat anything before you came? I have the crackers…" she offered uncertainly.

He laughed a little, humorlessly. "I ate, Yori-chan. If you can count those disgusting tablets as a meal. I eat them every day, but it doesn't seem to be helping…"

"And neither would the crackers," she finished, voice matter-of-fact.

He smiled wryly. He was a little glad that he didn't have to pretend they did, though he would have if it would have put her at ease. "Not really," he admitted. "But…the taste might be a distraction."

"Or make it worse," she pointed out. "If it tastes bad it might just make you want blood even more."

"It's possible," he laughed a little, feeling breathless. The air seemed to be leaving the room. His chest felt cramped, stiff and sore. He held back a spasm of pain. Still, talking to her like this was helping a little. Not enough to unclench his death grip from the bed, but a little.

"You don't drink blood normally?"

He forgot how little she knew about the world of vampires sometimes. He shook his head. "To do that requires a special relationship with someone. Usually it's family while you're young, maybe an occasional close friend. More often, though, it's between lovers. Blood drinking between vampires is…an intimate experience. Right now, I'm staying with Kaname-sama and Yuuki. Who am I going to take it from?" He gave her a cynical smile. "Besides, pureblood is forbidden unless explicitly offered, and creates a powerful bond…"

"Then…" She seemed to be thinking for a minute before she asked, "When was the last time you drank blood?"

He coughed out a laugh, throat too dry to laugh normally. It wasn't a question usually directed at him. However, he was well aware that Yori couldn't know the personal level of her question. "A while ago…" A long while ago. He shut his eyes again, wrestling to maintain his composure. Damn, he was thirsty. He couldn't stay here much longer. "Can we talk about something else? " Anything else. His focus was slipping, ears tuning in to the soft reverberation of her voice, senses honing in on the thrum of her blood flowing through her veins. That subtle autumn and lavender perfume was clouding his thoughts. The beat of her heart was making the space in the room rhythmic. It was surprisingly steady, given the current situation.

He shook himself mentally. He had a very tenuous grip on his control right now.

It seemed as though it had happened in an instant. One minute, Aidou was sitting quietly at the edge of the bed, and the next his eyes were shut and fingers tight on the edge of the bed. She felt alarmed, seeing the strain in his face and posture. His whole body was tense, knuckles white as he clamped down against the mattress. His eyebrows were pushed together sharply, teeth clenched and skin terrifyingly pale. He was trembling slightly, clearly fighting to stay where he was. She couldn't imagine what he must be feeling. All her mind was capable of registering was that he was in pain. Her heart twisted in her chest.

It only took a moment. The decision came to her easily, with frightening clarity. The realization of what she was about to do hadn't set in yet. Instead, she was filled only with cold logic. Taking a deep breath, she set down the paper and pencil, standing up. He opened his eyes to see what she was doing, and her heart wrenched further to see again the glowing scarlet his eyes had turned.

"Do you need a minute?" she offered, hating every word for the way it deceived him. Her heart was increasing its pace with her newfound resolve. She only prayed that he thought the acceleration of her heart was from fear of him instead of herself.

"That might help…" he agreed.

She nodded. "Okay. I'll be back in a few minutes, then."

He looked like he might say something, but merely gave a curt nod, eyes slamming shut again, frame taut. With light footsteps, she crossed the room, removing the key from the top of her dresser. She held the small metal object in her hand for a moment, feeling its weight on her palm. Although it was only imaginary, she felt it engraving itself into her skin. If she continued with this, there was no turning back.

She moved to the door.

Stepping through the doorway, Yori kept the door from shutting all the way as she locked it with her key. She hoped fervently that Aidou was too distracted by his thirst to really notice what she was doing. Then she slipped the key covertly into her sock and stepped back inside, shutting the door behind her with the seal of an unbreakable vow. She was literally and figuratively locked into her resolve now.

Aidou jerked, eyes flaring. "Yori, what are you doing?" his voice was measured, dangerously even. She suppressed a shudder.

Her heart had started to hammer in her chest, her veins chilling, but she steadied herself and continued. She couldn't bear to see him this way. Yuuki had done this. Yuuki had been through the same experience, with only a Band-Aid to show for it. She straightened her shoulders. It couldn't possibly be that bad.

Decisively, she grasped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, leaving her only in her yellow camisole and skirt. She heard Aidou's sharp intake of breath, but merely kept her eyes on him calmly, dropping the material at her feet.

"Yori, Yori no. Open the door right now, Yori. Please," he was glancing around the room franticly; searching for some escape, but the only one available was the door, which was now locked. The window a possible route as well, but frosted shut, and in attempting to jump down he was likely to be discovered. And hungry.

"No," she was surprised that her voice came so strongly.

"Yori, if you don't unlock the door this instant, I swear I'll break it down," he hissed, backing up on the bed.

"You can't. If you did, first of all you'd owe me a door, and secondly, the noise would attract every resident of the hall. I don't think you want to be discovered, especially in this state," she replied, coming closer.

"This isn't funny," he growled. "Do you think this is some kind of joke?! Do you?!" he backed away further, eyes widening as his back hit the headboard with an audible thud.

"No, I don't think it's a joke," she murmured, coming to stand alongside the bed. "But you can't stay like this. Do you want to hurt some innocent person by accident? I'm offering myself to you freely."

"No. Not you, Yori, please. Anyone but you," he was begging, eyes shut to block out her image.

"Why? Is something wrong with my blood?" she demanded, moving to sit on the mattress in front of him.

"No! Nothing's wrong with your blood!" his eyes flew open in protest, and he immediately closed them again, realizing how close she was. He started to shake with effort.

"Then there's no problem," she stated.

She was afraid, yes. She wasn't sure how it would feel. Would it hurt? Would there be no pain at all? But somehow, she wanted it. As selfish as the thought was, she wanted to feel it, to feel that she had somehow been claimed by him, connected directly to him. To feel him so close… She couldn't really deny it any longer, anyway. She had fallen for him, and she wanted this for herself as much as she wanted it to ease his suffering. She forced herself to take another breath to calm herself. She just couldn't sit and watch idly while he was in so much pain.

"Yes, there's a problem!" he half snarled. "There's every problem!" He opened his eyes, pleading, "I don't want to hurt you. Please, Yori. Don't make me do this."

She smiled, "You won't hurt me. I promise."

"Do you even understand what you're saying?! Dammit Yori, I could kill you!"

"You won't," she whispered. "You won't."

"I could! What if…what if I took too much…," his expression was so distraught that she couldn't bear it.

"You won't," she repeated, sliding closer, hands closing around one of his and bringing it, unresisting, to press gently against the side of her neck. She shivered against the touch, feeling her pulse beating madly against his skin.

A thousand expressions crossed his face in an instant, far too many for her to read or comprehend. She could see the fear, the indecision, but also the desire. She knew that the beast within him craved desperately for him to give in, to satisfy himself on her blood. She prayed that the vampire part of him would be strong enough to overwhelm the human this time.

She felt his hand flinch against her, trying to close, trying to break away, his whole body shaking, warring with itself. He bowed his head, fighting, but she could see how his fangs jutted out, impossible to hide. She was sure that he had never had to want for fresh blood, at least before he had moved into the Kuran residence. She was hoping that fact would work to her advantage in the current situation.

"Shit," she heard him spit out, his hand moving convulsively to grip her shoulder. It took all she had to keep from smiling in triumph.

"I'm sorry, Yori. I'm so sorry," he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

He struggled with himself a moment longer, pressing his lips to her forehead, her cheek, before moving to brush against her throat. She shivered, her heart flying as she felt the feather light touch of his mouth against her neck. The hand that she had pressed there moments before had come around to gently cup the back of her neck, the other held securely around her waist.

"Forgive me," came the last words before she felt his fangs suddenly penetrate her fragile skin.

Her body went rigid with the sharp sting of pain that washed through her. She bit back a gasp, hands coming up to dig her fingers into his shoulders. Her mind was screaming with the after effects of his bite. But when she calmed herself, forced her body to relax and her fingers to loosen, she noticed that the pain was gone.

Rather, in its place, she felt strangely warm… Warm and adrift, a pleasant sensation tingling through her veins. She relaxed further, moving her arms around him, leaning against him. Her mind was fogged, thoughts blunted and blurred, conscious only of the almost seductive feeling that was taking over.

She hadn't known what to expect, but it certainly wasn't anything like this. And Aidou himself was unexpectedly gentle. He was holding her carefully, clearly trying his best not to harm her in any further way. She could feel his trembling still, and she drew him closer still, attempting to convey to him that she was alright. Somehow, she couldn't find the willpower to speak.

With the pull of her blood from her body, she felt her skin draw closer to his. His heart was beating against hers, calming itself, now. She could feel each breath, each swallow, each movement. It was as if her body had been synced totally, completely with his. Unbidden, a single tear rolled slowly down her cheek. She didn't want this moment to end, didn't want to move. She was feeling too warm, too content. For the first time in a long time, she could not feel even a trace of loneliness.

She closed her eyes. She could breathe in his scent now, feel the curve of his spine beneath her fingers. Her body felt strangely aware of him, sparking with his every tiny movement. She flushed, but didn't move. If anything, she only wanted to be closer, if that were even possible.

Abruptly, he tensed. She felt his fangs slide from her skin, his tongue sealing the twin puncture marks. Her body sagged a little, suddenly unsure of how to support its own weight. Her arms fell away from him, fingers catching grip in the front of his shirt to steady herself. She could hear his breathing slowing, and along with it, feel his heart speeding.

"Yori?" there was a hint a panic to his tone. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him, opening her eyes to focus on his, clear blue but tinged with apprehension.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I took too much…"

"I'll be fine," she repeated, voice gaining in strength. She forced herself to concentrate, feeling her thoughts sharpen. She was a little weak and her head a little dizzy, but otherwise she didn't feel bad at all. In fact, the warmth had remained in her limbs. She wanted to stay where she was, even though she knew the moment would soon be over.

She bit her lip, feeling a moment of sadness creep over her. Now, more than ever, she understood how important he had become to her, and how much she wanted to be close to him. But already the moment was fading, and the night could only last so long. She didn't have much more of her letter to finish, and then he would be gone.

Aidou leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers gently. His eyes latched onto hers, once again blue, so blue they could make the sky itself jealous. "You're not alone, Yori," he murmured, as if he could see straight into her heart. She felt more than a little dazed now, and not from the blood loss.

Her fingers tightened against his shirt. Her heart was accelerating again, and it was making her more light-headed. She wanted those words to be true. She wanted him to stay close like this for a little longer, so she could lose herself again in the blue and forget about everything else.

The guilt Aidou felt for having given in to his vampire side had vanished. He hadn't hurt her. He had tasted it in her blood, just as he had tasted everything else in her heart. His own heart was practically singing. She had fallen for him? He had fallen for her long ago. And now that he knew how truly lonely she was, he was determined to never let her feel so lonely again.

Looking at her now, he could see that she was still disconcerted from the blood loss, but recovering well. Her expression was slightly lost, captured by his eyes. He shifted her body a little closer, feeling how warm she was against him and wanting to keep her there forever. He had completely forgotten his past irritation with delivering letters, or with this very same girl. She, and the letters, had become the center of his world, and he wanted her to know.

Without hesitation, he tilted her chin up and pressed his lips against hers gently. Her mouth was soft and warm against his, and he felt her fingers tighten again reflexively in his shirt, but she didn't pull away. For the briefest of moments, he held her there, savoring the taste of her mouth, the taste of her blood that still lingered in his mouth, and the pressure of her body against his.

He released her another moment later, watching her face carefully. She wasn't shocked, or angry, but seemed only a little surprised. The only other noticeable change was the faint flush that had crept over her cheeks.

He grinned suddenly, elated. He was about to kiss her again, but he caught the clock in the corner of his eye.

"Shit."

Slowly, Yori's eyes moved to the clock as well. He felt her cringe a little.

"I guess that means you need to go to bed," he mumbled, a little depressed. He had just discovered Yori's true feelings, and already he had to leave. He frowned at her abruptly, "Have you ever considered professional gambling? You have the best poker face of anyone I've ever seen." Hell, he hadn't even had the slightest inkling that she liked him before this.

She smiled at that. "I'll take it into consideration."

"I guess I'll have to show you my hat hair after all," he joked. "Since you just admitted you're attracted to me." His eyes gleamed at her wickedly. Even if he didn't know from her blood, she certainly hadn't pulled away from his kiss.

She flushed a little, but didn't deny it; replying, "That sounds like a deal."

"Are you going to finish your letter?" he asked, releasing her. She slid a little further down the bed, moving to sit on the edge.

Her face grew thoughtful. Then, "Not exactly. I think I'll end it with a sentence or two."

He passed her the paper and pencil, and she scribbled a few lines at the bottom before ending the letter and slipping it into the envelope. "There," she passed it back to him. "I think that should be good."

"Are you sure you're alright? I can stay if you're not feeling well. You should be okay, but I don't want to leave you if you're feeling particularly dizzy."

She shook her head. "I'm fine. It's nothing a little sleep won't cure. But thank you."

He smiled, "Alright." He leaned over to touch her cheek and kiss her again, still gently but this time with a little more force. For a third time that pale pink flush colored her cheeks, but she made no complaint. "Sleep well."

"Good night," she whispered.

During the entire trip home, Aidou couldn't stop smiling.

A/N: Okay, now you know you wanna review this one.