Nariko hurried around the estate cleaning swiftly everything that came to mind.The living room was tidied effortlessly,the kitchen glew radiantly,and the many bedrooms decorated with new furniture that had been brought in the day before. Nariko saw fit that only the best would do for her mistress Ruka. She was returning home and was finally on break from school, so she made sure that everything was in its place to her perfection.

[center
[pic https://41.media.tumblr.com/6ff95404031c49aa434f87b5a0e98ee3/tumblr_no57w3C7Ho1rccpveo1_500.png]
It was in the middle of the night when Ruka was in front of her families manion gate. It was also the middle of the night but luckly enough being a vampire had it's perks, so she could see clearly and so could her guest Kain, who was helping her get home because even though she was a fersome creature of the night she was a emotional wreck after what happened with Lord Kaname... She loved him so, even now after a weak or so her being was breaking for him, begging for him to need her blood again..

Though she knew he would never need her again , he wouldn't act like he was attracted to her again even if it was for her blood, to torture her heart more she had wished even if she were to keep Kaname's attention for that purpose only.. she would gladly accepted it because it was better than having no attention from the powerful male vampire, who she had always respected as her lord but loved as a man....Yuki or should she say Lady Yuki now, either way she was ... the source of Ruka's torment..

Ruka wanted to kill the girl for taking Kaname's attention from her for good, but the power that the new previously awakened vampire had was far beyond her own.. Yuki was Kaname's sister and lover now, so Ruka couldn't touch the girl because she knew Kaname would never forgive her even if she just put a scratch on the brunette's face...

Now she was home.. where she could rule over anyone in it and not feel so small, so weak, so vulnerable like she was now, she was so depressed so distraught, broken and crushed that her companion Kain a fellow vampire who went with her to the same academy as Lord Kaname and his beloved sister Yuki. Was helping her walk towards the house because Ruka's family car had broke down a mile down the road, so they both had to walk the rest of the way to the mansion.

The orange haired man was less distraught, in fact he had a expression that he was bored and a little annoyed about the rain but other than that he didn't express any emotion not even to Ruka because he didn't believe in sympathy and of course he was certain Ruka was the kind of woman that didn't appreciate sympathy even at a time like this because it would only make her seem weaker and she would rather die and feel weaker than she was now, so he was doing her a kindness by helping her walk on her own feet even with the blonde girl's eyes were blank with sorrow like she had already drowned herself in it and the rain was only there to cover the tears she was shedding.. or rather making tears for her because she already cried them all out...

Either way Kain didn't speak to Ruka, who started using him as a boyfriend to try to get her mind of Kaname recently, the two of them where close now to the point Ruka would let Kain see her vulnerable side because he wouldn't give her a sympathy expression or any words, just held her when she needed him to and slept next to her when she started to cry in the night, Kain was closer to her than any other 'boyfriend' Ruka had and despite he felt some feelings for the blonde he didn't think they were as strong as Yuki's and Kaname's feelings for each other, but it was enough for him to know he cared for Ruka and didn't like the thought of the woman like this, so he thought the sooner they got to the mansion door the better they could get dry and get Ruka to bed.

Soon they where at the door, at this point Ruka couldn't walk anymore, so Kain had to carry her in bridal style but he put his coat on top of her to cover her vulnerability because he knew she would hate the thought and the knowlegment that somone had seen her like this without her say so or absolute trust.

Once he did that he knocked on the door and once it opened he stared down at the maid in front of him giving her a unreadable expression that seemed deadly with the weather the darkness and being the creature he was, he opened his mouth faintly to speak to the lowly maid that belonged to Ruka's family.

[+Orange " Move aside now maid..."]

Kain's voice was dark from his need to get Ruka inside dry so the world wouldn't witness her weakness anymore, a vampire shouldn't have emotional weakness, emotions shouldn't exist in a vampires life but they felt them none the else like if they where human... Being around human's have made Ruka soft and made her undying loyality for Kaname seem like love...

Love was something that vampire's shouldn't feel because it could cause a creature to become like Ruka a emotional mess when the emotion 'Love' is only one sided.. Kaname only felt lust and need for Ruka's blood and because of Ruka's feelings for him it was enough for her.. As long as she got the vampire lords attention she would accept anything from Kaname.. but even that got taken away from the blonde by the once human... no a girl who had always been a vampire, who regained her powers and memory of her family and Kaname, became the lover of the one Ruka was devoted to...

Kain gritted his teeth at his memories of it and shoved passed the maid if she didn't move to take it out of his system because he didn't need or want human emotions clouding his goal to make Ruka become herself again, so he next destination was Ruka's room, which he immeditally walked to, not caring if he was followed by anyone..

Nariko at seeing them enter froze at the sight of the tall wild-haired male,his eyes cold and threatening as he pushed past her.She couldn't see Ruka's face but she knew her scent well knowing it was her the ominous male was carrying inside. She started to follow behind the man carrying her mistress,worried that she was physically hurt,but sensing the tension coming from him,she believed it best she stayed away.She had been so excited about her mistress returning home and now it seemed like someone had took a pin and popped her bubble.
[+red "Maybe its best i try to find some way to help..." ] Earlier,in the bathroom that was down a few halls from the sitting room, Nariko had prepared a hot bath in the heated tub for Ruka so that she could relax when she came in from the cold weather.She had even prepared Ruka's favorite for dinner,tempura udon.

She hoped that her hard work had not been in vain.After about half an hour of contemplating in her head,she mustered up the courage to go back up and check on her.Politely,she knocked on the door gently.[+red "Hello,may i come in please to see Lady Ruka?"]

[Center There was an almost dead silence in Ruka's room. The only sound was the faint tinking of an clock in the hallway and the thundering rain outside the mansion...Kain was almost grateful for the silence if it wasn't for that Ruka wasn't normally silent, she had always had something to complain about every day.... Kain couldn't beilive it himself at first but he did indeed miss that Ruka and he wanted the old Ruka back in his life, so it wouldn't be so dull as it was now, so with ease the orange haired male vampire put the blonde haired female vampire onto the bed gently and started to undo her clothes from underneath his jacket.

They had done this before long ago when they were about twelve years old the both of them were soaked to the bone and Ruka at the time had a immune difency, which was a strange for an vampire to have but she got sick none the less and Kain was the only one with her, so he was the only one who was able to undress her out of the wet clothes so she wouldn't get anymore sick. Though as the decent man he was and still is he respected his female companions dency and figured she wouldn't wish him to see her naked, so he undressed her under his jacket like when they were kids and he did so in silence and with an expressionless face.

Once he was done he smelt the presence of that maid again that he met at the door and told to move out of his way, the presence caused him to turn his head slightly, so he could see the door handle move in the corner of his eye before the maid actually came in through the door asking if she could see her mistress.. Kain had an idea to help Ruka further with this maid.. Though he needed to know how close this maid and Ruka were before he even allowed the maid to approach Ruka's weak state.

[+Orange "Come no further maid... How close is your relation with Ruka. If I deem it's close enough you might be some use to her... If not then I suggest you go and occupy yourself with other duties-"]

Kain put his arm out sideward making it to appear across Ruka's body as he was protecting her weak state as he spoke to the Maid. His tone wasn't threatening it was simply dull and slightly dark, but his aura was making it clear that the maid shouldn't test him. Though before he could finish of what he was saying to the maid. He felt dainty fingers touch his side.. The only one that was close to him was Ruka, the realisation caused him to looked down and see it was indeed Ruka's fingers tugging at him.

Kain leant forward and brought his ear towards his jacket and what he heard was a faint voice.

[+gold "Kian.. She's my personal maid.. Let her in.., but don't let her see my face like this."]

Ruka was finally out of her emotional trauma but only a little bit. It was caused by the smell of her maid.. and secret childhood friend, her presence caused Ruka to come to her senses slightly, so she could explain to Kian who Nariko was...

Yes.. Nariko.. Ruka's brain was functioning slowly again and tried to focus on the maid rather than the tremendous heartbreak she came to unwillingly possess. The explanation caused Kian to nod slightly sit up straight before turning towards the Maid again.

[+Orange "You're fortunate maid. Your mistress will need your help after all. Go to her bathroom and make her bath with whatever relaxing essences you can find. I'll follow shortly."]

The male vampire stated that Ruka will need the young maid's help after all before instructing the maid what to do for Ruka. For now what Ruka really needs was a relaxing bath with good aromatic bath salts or candles to relax her senses. With that the maid left to do what she was told and as promised Kian lifted Ruka in his arms, with his coat over her of course and brought her into the bathroom were the bath was running.

Luckily enough the water ran quickly in Ruka's home, so after a good few minutes the bath was ready and Kian walked towards the bath and lowered Ruka in with his coat still on her, Kian didn't seem to care let alone mind his coat getting wet. He simply seemed to only care about the health of the female vampire.

Once Ruka was in the bath full with bubbles and aromatic smells Kian removed the coat but kept Ruka's face hidden by hugging the woman against his chest after he got in the large Japanese indoor hot spring looking bath with his clothes still on. He sat there next to Ruka without much of a care for his soaked clothes before turning towards the maid once more.

[+Orange " I presume you have washed her before maid?...If so come and wash her, then once your done fetch her some clothes and something to eat."]

Kian soon spoke again towards the maid who was standing outside the hot spring look alike tub waiting for further instruction as she looked at her mistress in a concerned way. Once he had done speaking he stared at the maid with dull orange copper eyes as if he was waiting for the woman to answer him.

Nariko nodded bowing slightly taking care to avoid looking at the young aristocratic male in his eyes, respectfully addressing him. "Yes,I'll bathe her.I've done so before so it shouldn't be a problem.Th-Thankyou for your help." As he Kain exited the bathroom hesitantly,he closed the door behind him. With that,Nariko rushed to her mistress' aide. She grabbed a dainty loofah and bath cloth hanging nearby the hot spring like tub and Ruka's favorite aroma therapy creamy body wash that smelled of sakura and sandalwood.

Nariko lathered the sponge gently with the soap warming it in her hands before gently starting to clean her mistress' delicate skin carefully,starting at her neck and continuing down to her feet.As she bathed her, she refused her eyes access to Ruka's face,respecting her wishes.Her heart ached to speak and question her about what happened. Ruka had called her the night before and she'd sounded so excited about today"s events.She had told Nariko that she was finally going to tell Kaname her feelings for him.She had known since they were little of Ruka's love for Kaname when Ruka started confiding her secrets to her about the handsome pureblood prince.So she had cheered her on to tell him her feelings when she told her the plans of her confession.

A part of Nariko wanted to be happy for her mistress' new found bravery.But hearing of Ruka's plan tore away at her like paper engulfed in a flame:She loved Ruka.She always had.

Nariko didn't realize this until Ruka was sent away from home to start school.Nariko awoke the morning after her departure and the revelation hit her like a train.She and Ruka would be driven further apart now that Ruka was a young woman.

While she was away,Nariko's life became dull and gravely uneventful.Without Ruka there,days were longer and time dragged on endlessly with an emptiness that hollowed her.It was this that mae her realise-Ruka made her life meaningful.Not just because Nariko was her servant. But hearing Ruka's voice,comforting her,their inside jokes,their relaxing evenings in the library-Everything that Ruka did filled her head with memories plagued her mind like a curse.

Even when her heart protested, Nariko made sure Ruka felt she was happy for her and hoped that the love between her and Kaname would prosper. But in reality,Nariko was jealous of Kaname.She didn't blame him,but she felt that he had everything she didn't-Ruka's unyielding love.

But now, Ruka was here with her once more.But why? Why was she so miserable? What had happened to her? Why was her ever strong and confident Ruka crushed before her like a trampled flower? All these questions you wanted to ask but she stayed quiet for the sake of her mistress.

When Ruka felt like addressing her,then she would speak.But for now she would stay silent.After washing Ruka's face with averted eyes she began to rinse her off with fresh water,The running water and wood wicked candles flickering nearby the only other sound in the bathroom.

[center [+violet ""Yes,I'll bathe her.I've done so before so it shouldn't be a problem. Th-Thankyou for your help."]

As the maid explained that she had indeed bathed Ruka before and thanked Kain. The copper orange haired male vampire just nodded slightly at the girl without much of a expression as he always had on his face when he was around anyone else except Ruka.

Ruka was seemed to be the only one that brought even though it was light she brought a smile to his expressionless and dull being, though that was something he wasn't going to tell anyone even Ruka herself. Because it was a secret he would take with him to the point he was dust that might happen or might not happen in the future.

He didn't know but he hoped that it wasn't going to be in the near future. because he rather favoured living in the world he had become accustomed to, though right now he wasn't favouring anything because..
If vampire's were to have friends without conditions. Kian seemed to think that Ruka was his bestfriend, or close companion.

Whom didn't ask him for anything. If she did; It meant she really need it rather than want it. This was a time she truly needed his help and Kian wasn't going to disappoint Ruka. Though he supposed this whole scenario was her own fault..

He had warned her from the very beginning before Ruka even first offered Kaname her blood. From the very moment she had told Kain that she in love with the Vampire Prince Kaname... He had warned her that many vampire's from female and male had fallen for him. But none of them were good enough for him. Kain didn't wish for Ruka to get her heartbroken.

But she didn't listen to him. She went and offered herself to Kaname in the school as a blood substitute. Like some blood bank, a cheap blood hook** and Ruka might be a bitch most if not all the time, but she was no blood Hooker... Though that what she became to be for Kaname's attention, his acknowledge of her existence and have him need her.

Even though he might have loved her.. Ruka wanted Kaname's attention and for him to need her. For that she would've done anything and she did just about everything for Kaname.. Though it seemed it wasn't enough for the great prince of vampire's. Ruka had given Kaname everything she had except for her 'first time' because Kaname didn't seem to be interested with that. Instead she gave him everything he was interested in...

In the end; she had everything spat back into her face and for good measure he had broken her heart into two because he found or had always known someone he loved.. Yuki.. The human who was really the true pureblood of Kaname's family and was awakened near the end of the school year...

From that day on; Kain had always wondered why... Why didn't Kaname tell them he had someone special in his being.. Why did he let Ruka fall in love with him, He could have told Ruka and maybe Ruka wouldn't feel like this now, maybe she could've got over it a long time ago and found someone new.

But no. Kaname played her for a fool, used her feelings and devotion for him to take what he wanted from the lighter orange haired woman, when he was done with her, he snapped her heart in two and found the love [b he] wanted.. Yuki.. Kain wished he killed the girl when she still believed she was human but he knew that Kaname would've killed him on the spot if he even put a scratch on the brunette..

Though right now he knew killing Yuki would be worth it.. to see Kaname's face at the sight of his dead sister and lover before turning to him and killing the darker redhead..

To make Kaname suffer to understand Ruka's pain.. Kian would gladly die for it, even though Ruka would hate him for displeasing Kamame, giving him the worst kind of pain that was seeing your love slip away like nothing..Even though Kaname broke Ruka's heart in two..

Kian still assumed that Ruka's devotion to the vampire prince had not withered. Maybe paused, she knows her love wouldn't be returned but Kian knew that Ruka wouldn't do or allow anything bad happen to Kaname or those loved by the superior vampire. So; Kian had accepted Ruka's future hatred towards him though now.. It was the matter of figuring how to take the young princess vampire down.

If Ruka did not return to her normal self in two weeks; ..He would storm to Kaname's home and at least try to kill one of them for Ruka's broken heart.. This he silently swore as he held Ruka close to him as he closed his eyes for a moment and reopened them once more before simply observing as the maid washed Ruka.

[pic http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3097/3169009074_12c41041c9_z.jpg?zz=1]

As Nariko washed her; Ruka slowly become to relax in the aromatic aroma's in bathroom that hit her sensitive vampire nose, it was not a heavy and uncomfortable fragrance like those bath salts that the Academy had for the human's. Of curse the human's had to have things with high fragrance because their senses didn't match and would never match the hypersensitive senses of a vampire, especially a vampire like her.

Though Ruka didn't have to worry about lowly things because Nariko knew all her favourite fragrances, how high or low the aroma should be, the maid knew her favourite tea which was Pomegranate green tea. Nariko had always given her that from the first time she had a fever with her immune deficiency as a child. From then on it had been her favourite tea.

Little things like this made Ruka almost think Nariko truly cared for her not because she was her superior but as an person, though as she grew up she had become to realise that the world wasn't all rainbows and sunshine like she thought as a child, she wasn't allowed to become friends with the lesser beings below herself. Because to her parents it was frowned upon, so they gave her a little push towards the other noble vampire's and that was when she met Kain, Lord Kaname and the other's.

Since then she and Nariko's close companionship had faded or rather Ruka didn't know it existed because she was certain that those who worked for her were only kind to her because she was their superior and that was put into her head by her parents and stayed there throughout her life.. Though if Ruka was truly honest with herself she had missed Nariko pampering her like this..

She missed the tea the maid made her, she had missed their little talks about things she had never spoken to anyone, in fact Nariko was the first person. Whom she told she was love with Kamame.. Though she would never speak of, of Nariko and herself to anyone not even Kain..

In this moment she let herself slowly enjoy the sensation of being washed by another, or maybe it was because it was because Nariko was doing it with her skilled yet gentle hands, how she used her fingers to massage the worn muscles as she washed her. It felt so nice that Ruka moved her neck to the side so Nariko could wash more of it. As Nariko used her fingers to massage the stiff muscle in Ruka's neck.

The noble vampire muffled a moan that was pain at first but went into pleasure, causing her to move to the side even more so Nariko had more access. It was like as if her body was sensitive yet deliciously responsive to the maid's tender care.

To the point either Ruka didn't realise from the very start or she didn't care about her sounds of enjoyment. To the point Ruka had removed her face from the comfort of Kain's chest and lead the back of her head on it instead, causing the maid to begin to wash her face..

The sensation made Ruka realise that Nariko must be averting her eyes from her face, because if she wasn't Kain would have snapped at the maid in one form or another in his own way... At this Ruka relaxed again and secretly appreciated that Nariko obeyed her wishes, where other maids would have smothered her and got so concerned about their superior to the point they were no help at all to her.

In fact Ruka supposed that Nariko was the only maid that obeyed her every wish and put her duty to serve her when she desperately needed it and not get into a fretting fit like other maids have done with her in the past and the present, if it wasn't for Kain being with her she supposed she wouldn't have gotten in this bath in peace...

So a dainty yet broken flicker of a smile appeared on her lips as she secretly appreciated Kain's and Nariko's assistance.. Before mentally deciding she wanted a cup of Pomegranate tea and head massage from Nariko before falling asleep that evening, Of course she would miss out on dinner because she wasn't exactly in the mood for food at this moment. Maybe it was because of the heartbreak, or the tiredness she was feeling that came after the heartbreak. Or both..

Either way she didn't feel hungry nor in the mood to eat anything and so with that decided. Ruka continued to enjoy the bath and the washing.. Then the bathing was done as soon as Nariko washed her down with fresh water while she did so. She was gentle with Ruka's hair and even massaged it as she washed it. It was if the maid was trying to wash all her worries away and it was working for this moment.

Nariko had sent her to in a relaxation to the extent she had caused Ruka to become too tired to remember why she was so depressed, though in the back of her now relaxed mind she knew she would remember the next morning.. Though for now she enjoyed herself in Nariko's care.

Once the bath was done; Ruka had her eyes closed still from the very beginning she had her eyes closed, because she was too tired and worn out to even open them though she managed to opened her mouth and form a small conversation.

[+Gold "Nariko...bring me some Pomegranate tea and bring it to my room. Food isn't required. I find myself not in the finest of moods to eat tonight.. Also I'll walk to my room and dress myself tonight.."]

Ruka muttered dryly as she kept her eyes closed or rather was unable to open them because she was too tired to, and in the back of her mind she knew she was too tired to just barely get to her room by walking let alone dress herself regardless of her stubborn personality. Though because of her stubborn personality.

Ruka was determined to see just how far she could push her body to do what she would command it to do.

[pic https://41.media.tumblr.com/6ff95404031c49aa434f87b5a0e98ee3/tumblr_no57w3C7Ho1rccpveo1_500.png]

After Ruka had spoken Kain wanted to protest on the woman's rash decision of walking and dressing herself while she was like this, though he held his tongue. Knowing once Ruka was determined to do something she would do it even if it meant that her body would tip over. In fact it was the only way she would stop... And so he only blankly looked down at her and made a soft hm. Sound before lifting the noble woman up slightly to get her on her way.

Though he didn't carry her like he did before he held her on her feet once the maid gave her a towel to put on, just like Ruka wished he let go of the woman causing Ruka to shakily start balancing on her feet. before taking a deep breath in and out before holding the side of the bath and practiced walking step by step.. Just like a child learning how to walk for the first time...

From then on Kain didn't touch her unless she were to fall. Though she seemed to be doing fine on her own even though it looked like she would fall over at any second. He left her to walk on her own but he too got up from the bath and slowly followed behind her just in case. In the meantime he had hopped that the maid had gone to do what she was told to do by Ruka.

Ruka was now in her room, she sat on her bed...Now she couldn't get back up again.. it caused her to sigh slightly. She had sent Kain away to a spare room in the mansion where he could sleep. Even though that Ruka didn't wish to be alone at this moment.. She was too proud to ask for help... Though she soon realised she actually truly needed someones help to help her get ready for bed.

Then as soon as she thought that; She could sense Nariko at her door with Pomegranate tea in her hand like Ruka wished for. The acknowledgement caused to remain quiet hopping that Nariko would realise what was wrong without her actually asking Nariko for help..

Ruka remained still on her bed because she could no longer move her legs until the next morning, she could bring herself to ask for help either and so she remained silent, hopping that Nariko would remember that when she was quiet and didn't do what she said she was going to do. It meant Ruka could no longer move her legs....]

Nariko places the hot tea cup on the delicate saucer down on her nightstand beside her bed.The warming smell of the pomegranate tea with a light scent of honey drifted faintly in the room.

Nariko was beyond worried about Ruka's current state but remained strong keeping her composure and staying silent unless something truly needed to be said. She didn't truly know how to respond to this.Shed never seen Ruka in this state before.

Her strong willed,prideful mistress was now crumpled before her like a paper ball discarded in the trash.trying to cheer her up would be like trying to unravel the paper and iron out the creases and wrinkles-she'd have to be gentle or shed tear it to shreds

She adjusted Ruka's pillows for her and fixed her blanket tucking her in remembering how her superior enjoyed it.She dimmed the lights lowly,trying to relieve Ruka's eyes of the strain so she could relax a bit more.

The room itself was cleaned absolutely spotless,the antique furniture shining like new.The floor of her room was conditioned and the room smelled like a lovely garden. Ruka's room floor was carpeted, oddly since the other floors of the mansion were wooden or marble. But Ruka specifically ordered for her room to be carpeted with the finest,softest material because she enjoyed the plushy soft feel of it on her feet when she didn't wear shoes in comparison to the annoying cool hard floors in the rest of the house.

It was the little things that Nariko made sure personally were perfect for Ruka's arrival,because only she knew how finicky her mistress was about certain things that her other servants had no clue of. She personally felt like even SHE didnt know enough about Ruka-especially since she had been gone so long-she wanted to learn even more things she could about Ruka.

Nariko was one of few who knew so much about Ruka because she shut others who weren't already close to her out and found it to be quite a bother to share things about herself especially her feelings.Some of the info Nariko aquired was from observation of Ruka's behavior towards things when she lived at home.

Nariko always made small notes in her head when she found something that displeased her mistress,wanting to try her hardest to make her happy in any way possible. The only other reason she knew so much about Ruka was because no one really took the time to get to know her - not even her family.Even now when she felt like she was powerless,she did everything she could think of to try to brighten Ruka's mood.

Sensing her mistress' discomfort,Nariko looked at Ruka,keeping her eyes averted from her face as she softly moved the blankets out of the way looking directly at Ruka's legs before clasping her hands together,a pure soft glow radiating from them before she touched Ruka's legs massaging them intensly but gentle enough to prevent hurting her. The touch sent a soothing sensation through Ruka's body,slowly beginning to heal and relieve the pain in her legs.

Nariko's hazel eyes glew pure white until she removed her hands carefully and spoke softly as she helped Ruka sit up carefully to help her get into her night gown.[#ba05b1 "Is that better, Ruka-sama?"]

[center Ruka was silent, keeping her thin lined expression on her lips to keep some sort of pride even though most of it was gone the moment she helped through the door of the Mansion by Kain. Her once prideful, powerful, self-confident self has be reduced to a pitiful, weak, self-hated, sorrowful being that looked like nothing like her except from her body and name... The personality that made her who she was.. has crumbled to nothing.

When Ruka's faithful maid came to help her without her asking for it, just like she wanted.. Ruka's lips curved only lightly as a feeling of hidden appreciation that was earned throughout the years they had together when they were younger although Ruka never outspoken her appreciation towards Nariko ever not since before her parents had taught her that beings lesser than herself was not worthy of her acknowledgement let alone her friendship and appreciation.. though she can't help but feel it coursing throughout her body even though she could not speak it.

Ruka allowed Nariko to do everything silently such as; help her with getting changed out of her uniform that she had replaced from the battle deformed one, even though her uniform was replaced to new... she couldn't replace her memories, the things she witnessed, done and felt during the chaotic stay at the academy. For some sort of reason there was still lightness in her being as she felt Nariko's touches, smelt her scent, heard and saw her movements...

She was lightened that Nariko was that not there with her like Kaname's servant was with him because... of course she felt a little disheartened because she felt like if she had Nariko by her side at the academy she would not feel like this... but on the other hand she wouldn't know what she would do if anything happened to the maid.. Even though she wanted to deny herself the fact.. but she didn't know what she would do if Nariko was killed if she attended the academy at that time.. she wouldn't be able to bare it she knew for certain even though she wished to deny herself of that fact but she couldn't..

Ruka was still silent even when Ruka began to use her healing powers on her legs soothing them with a massage, which Ruka began to make little noises and pleasure a sound of blissful appreciation even though Ruka did not word it the sounds she made; made it clear. Then when she was spoken to Ruka turned her orange eyes towards Nariko or rather her eyes never left her and Ruka didn't realise it or rather she was too disorientated to notice what she was doing or to care what she was doing. Her lips curved into a shaky thin line as she decided to nod lightly as she felt the pain in her legs leave her though not from her unbeating heart.

Once Nariko had helped her change into her night gown; Ruka couldn't control herself anymore she was too distraught too disorientated to care what was she was going to do or say, her pride to know if Nariko would never leave her coursed her to grab Nariko by the chin holding her by her finger and thumb because she knew once the vampire maid had put on her gown for her she would leave to her to her sleep. which would be torturous for her because her lonely thoughts were already agonising experience for her and so she needed Nariko reassurance she would not leave her even though she was a lowly maid a lesser being than herself. Ruka favoured her company more than her own family, her 'friends' even more than Kain.

[+orange "...Nariko you shalln't leave me will you ever?..."]

Ruka tried to make it as an ordered to answer question rather than a plea to answer question as she skimmed her fingers across the maids jawline as her disoriented eyes allowed themselves to look upon Nariko's because she felt she was gaining some sort of control over the situation even though she felt she was losing control over herself... as long as she took control of something she didn't care at this moment even if her once full of pride and lightness of self-confidence eyes had turned to nothing but dull, darkened by grief and numbed by the effect the events of the academy had done to her.

Once that question was asked Ruka was silent once more searching her maid's eyes for a silent answer or something to give herself reassurance that the maid would never leave her quicker than depending on time for Nariko to answer her but at this time she didn't have the energy to conjure up a flicker of her natural vampire strength let alone her powers so she knew to had to depend on time and waited for Nariko to answer her or to react in someway.

[+darkorange "...Nariko, you shan't leave me will you ever?..."]

At hearing this question, Nariko was thrown off a bit. She had heard Ruka use this tone with her before when they were younger. She knew that Ruka wasn't trying to [i order] her to do anything even though her tone implied otherwise-This was how she indirectly [i asked] Nariko to do something from her. She was the only servant that Ruka spoke to in this manner. Nariko wondered if it was because she wanted her to decide for herself what to do.What threw her off wasn't how she asked the question, it was the question itself. Would she leave her? Nariko answered her question after a long pause, deciding how to best phrase her response.

[+orchid " Mistress Ruka, if you approve of my selfish request... I desire to stay by your side."]

Nariko didn't just mean for the night, but forever, little to Ruka's knowledge. Nariko never saw herself being anywhere but by her mistress' side. She never desired for her life as a level A vampire to be any different because Ruka made her happy, gave her a sense of purpose.

While Ruka was gone, these emotions and more were replaced by an aching loneliness and a constant state of neediness. Nariko needed to be by Ruka's side, and now that this opportunity was back to her once more, she would take any advantage she could get tonight after being deprived of her for so long.

Nariko knew her longing to be with her mistress was selfish and out of the conduct, but she didn't care as long as she could be of some comfort to Ruka. Nariko knew her mistress was broken, but Nariko would be there to pick up the pieces no matter how long it took.

Nariko walked to the storage closet of the room grabbing an extra blanket before walking back to the bed where her mistress lay. Since she intended to stay, and knew Ruka was exhausted, she figured sleeping would be the best thing for herself as well right now.

[+orchid "Lady Ruka, where do you wish for me to lay my head?"]

[center [+violet [I " Mistress Ruka,if you approve of my selfish request... I desire to stay by your side."]]

Ruka eyes widened only lightly because she was drained from all her energy to the point she couldn't use her powers not even a little bit, but she was taken back that Nariko wished- no desired to stay by her side.. for whatever reason it didn't matter to Ruka, even if it were money wise, or protection from other vampires and hunters. Or that she simply desired to stay for her..

It did not matter; Ruka curved her lips in and watched Nariko to get an extra blanket from the cupboard which Ruka would often allow Nariko to use while they slept next to each other when they where children so her parents wouldn't smell Nariko on her sheets and scold her innocent maid and herself. Ruka light pale pink lips opened lightly to give Nariko a comment on her request while Nariko had her back towards her.

Then she closed her lips again as Nariko turned towards her again, walked towards her before asking where should she lay her head. Ruka opened her lips lightly again before deciding to speak.

[+orange "...You may sleep here besides me; I have decided to grant your request Nariko." ]

Ruka stated as she sipped her tea that Nariko had given her moments ago the fragrance filled her nose, and she sighed in relief and relaxation and the relaxing and comforting strong smell pomegranate and the green leaves consumed her senses before she began to drink it softly, saying no more, expressing no expressive facial movement except from her tired eyes drooping lightly but due to pride they kept open as she drank her tea silently and slowly until she was satisfied and lay back down on her pillow after she put the empty cup back on the side.

Nariko's eyes lit up with joy, a small smile gracing her lips before being replaced with the bland straight line it had been before, deeming that it had been an inappropriate moment to smile when her mistress couldn't as well.

[+orchid "Th-Thank you Lady Ruka... I'll do my best not to become a nuisance to you..."]

With that Nariko carefully crawled into the bed next to her mistress, wrapping herself up in the extra blanket next to and resting her head lightly on the large pillow, facing towards her looking up as she sipped her tea calmly. She hadn't realized how tired she had been until getting into the immensely comfortable bed. Her eyes were getting heavy as her body that was tense with exhaustion from working so hard all day started to relax a bit.

[+orchid "How is your tea, Mistress? Is it to your liking as usual?"]

It had been a while since Nariko had made her tea, and even though she knew how to make it by heart, she wanted to ensure that Ruka was satisfied with it.

[center Ruka even though she was ill and couldn't keep her eyes open for very long, but due to sheer will power she managed to see the attempted smile that was gracing over the vampire maids lips that Ruka assumed was out of happiness that she allowed Nariko to stay with her; but it soon faintly vanished into a straight line, which Ruka curled her own lips into a small- very small indeed frown- straight line of her own because Nariko's smile was the only one that she didn't find annoying besides her own and Kanames...

The thought of the pure blood vampire male made her lay back her side and sigh before she heard Nariko speak. [+violet "Th-Thank you Lady Ruka... I'll do my best not to become a nuisance to you..."] The comment of the girl made the B Rank vampire sigh but not annoyed sigh but a soft one as if she was about to sleep but wasn't she was thinking how on this earth Nariko thought she was nuisance to the B rank vampire it was beyond the blonde.

In fact even though Nariko seeked Ruka's attention before she left to go to the academy it wasn't annoyingly so, unlike those in the academy that seeked her attention, Nariko knew when she wasn't in the mood to be talked to or bothered when she had her eyes narrowed and her habit of biting her nails or pacing around, always giving her a cup of tea rather than asking if she was alright when clearly she wasn't unlike like those in the Academy who would ask: 'How was your day today' to her while clearly spread across her face or within her powerful aura that she didn't have a good day nor in the best of moods.

So Nariko was the least annoying female she had come across apart from that vampire that followed Kaname all over the place as his guard, though even she was annoying at times when she tried to get Kaname's attention sometimes the short light blue haired girl would come out of no where and disturb them. So yes- Nariko was the least annoying being she knew, causing her to open her lips and comment on what Nariko said.

[+orange "Nariko... you are the one person who is the least nuisance, lets keep it that way shall we?"]

She stated as she turned her head towards Nariko with a blank stare apart from her drooping eyes and once Nariko got inside her bed. It felt warmer psychically and emotionally, even though she shared a luxurious dorm with her fellow noble vampire's it wasn't like this.. Even when Kaname shared her bed when they first arrived in the Academy it get cold probably to his personality, her own and the most likely the deadly and awkward silence that was in the air...

It wasn't like this a foreign; however comfortable feeling the feeling increased as Ruka looked down at Nariko as she just finished her tea the stare of the tired made Ruka think that certain thing that she only thought in a few situations or a few that she would admit to herself- That Nariko was cute.. Yes- Ruka the wicked queen or some sort of villainous character ranked so in the noble vampire's sociality had admitted to herself that Nariko was cute right now with her tired expression, though Ruka showed no thought on her face as she calmly finished off her tea which she almost spat out just as when she saw Nariko's face.

Ruka mentality claimed that it was just the tea that went the wrong way before she set it down on the side table next to her bed as Nariko spoke again to her. [+violet "How is your tea, Mistress? Is it to your liking as usual?"] Ruka had thought her silence would've been enough for Nariko to know she found it to her liking as usual because she didn't complain like she did when those buffoons tried to make it in the Academy not even a five star tea maker could make it properly but she supposed that she would have to speak once more before she went to sleep.

[+orange "As per usual Nariko it is to my liking, not even a five star tea maker could make it for me in the academy the buffoon..."] Ruka comment as she closed her eyes faintly before opening them again, staring in the brown and cream eyes of Nariko's with her own black and orange ones, she blinked blankly twice for a moment before she closed her eyes once more before hesitantly speaking once more.

[+orange "You may come closer to me Nariko- As a reward for keeping the house in shape until I returned and taking care of me this evening without questioning how I got in the state I was in. I'm sure if I were to leave it to those other maids and butlers they would've irritated me the moment I came through the door...]

Ruka stated as she kept her eyes closed as she wondered why she had a flutter feeling inside herself, she knew that A rank vampires down to the rank that humans are turned into vampire's they still had a heart beat if they didn't they were the vampire's who's only thoughts were to kill and feed on vampire or human; However Ruka didn't expect her own beating heart to jump and get faster or louder for that moment she spoke.

even though it was far away from her mind right now Ruka never did ask Nariko what was her rank in the vampire sociality because assumed that she was human turned vampire or a little higher in the ranks even though she was an old one, she never asked because she didn't see the need to, even know. Though she was unaware- everyone except for Nariko herself knew that Nariko was indeed an A rank vampire- the rank higher than her own, if she knew would Ruka treat her like Kaname?.. or treat her the same but in a different light?..

It was uncertain and she had been keeping unaware because A rank vampires could hid their intense power aura but not the taste of their blood, which Ruka never dared take away from Nariko because how wonderful she smelled a uncertainty of being unable to release Nariko afterwards and not drink her dry had often filled her mind when she was hungry in the mansion so she used over means like animals, the other staff.

Though right now; She closed her eyes softly to sleep as her arms were wide open for Nariko to embrace into which soon she sensed the hesitance because Nariko didn't embrace her immediately, most likely because they hadn't done this since they were small and Nariko was afraid of a thunderstorm and with Ruka's super hearing and not sound proof walls she heard the crying of the maid from her bedroom all the way to the maid quarters, causing the noble vampire to get up and see what was wrong with the maid and it resulted her keeping Nariko company in her bed, and it exalted to the point Nariko nor Ruka slept alone until her mother and father found out because of the smell on her sheets the scent of the maid when the two little girls forgot to wash it and the head maid found out and reported to the Mistress and Master of the house.

Ruka came out of her memory and decided to comment on that fact that Nariko was hesitating. [+orange "My arms are getting tried being like this Nariko, if you aren't in them in five seconds you'll forfeit your reward. Now come I'm not going to bite you despite the state I'm in."] I Ruka stated with a tight frown while her eyes were still closed before awaiting Nariko to move or to say something.

[+darkorange "Nariko... you are the one person who is the least nuisance, let's keep it that way shall we?"]

At hearing this, Nariko's eyes softened with relief and her tiny smile slightly reappeared, as she laid next to her mistress.[+orchid "Yes, Lady Ruka. "] She was slightly surprised at hearing that she was one of the few who Ruka found the least annoying.Then again, Nariko always did her best to avoid being a bother to her, but even that could be difficult- for someone who didn't know her.

Nariko was always extremely cautious with her words if she spoke any when Ruka's mood was sour. She knew what to look out for when reading Ruka's emotions, whether it was something as simple as her tapping her foot as she sat down, or the way her jaw locked slightly.

She knew Ruka would be most irritable when she bit her nails because Ruka had tried been forcefully broken of it by her mother who found it distasteful of a young lady.It was usually when this happened, that Nariko would immediately make her tea to settle her nerves or give her one of the many books she read to keep her hands occupied.

Actions like this became muscle memory to Nariko which is one of the reasons why other maids and butlers were useless to Ruka. They either never cared enough to learn her either because they feared her or were obligated to care for her since they had been hired by Ruka's parents. Only Nariko was close enough to know her.

As she laid there, Nariko glanced up when she felt Ruka's amber eyes subtly focusing on her and did what she could to control the drumming of her heart. After Ruka praised Nariko for properly making her tea and placed down her cup, she paused before laying down as well and speaking again.

[+darkorange "You may come closer to me Nariko- As a reward for keeping the house in shape until I returned and taking care of me this evening without questioning how I got in the state I was in. I'm sure if I were to leave it to those other maids and butlers they would've irritated me the moment I came through the door..."]

At hearing this, Nariko hesitated, slightly caught off guard at first by her mistress' reward that she felt she had misheard her somehow.At this, Ruka's frown deepened, portraying her impatience.

[+darkorange "My arms are getting tried being like this Nariko, if you aren't in them in five seconds you'll forfeit your reward. Now come, I'm not going to bite you despite the state I'm in."]

At this, Nariko didn't waste a millisecond more and almost rushed to embrace her, yet being careful not to hurt her. Not out of fear of angering her, but because she had longed to be held by Ruka again since she had been gone, even though Ruka was forced by her parents to stop sharing a bed with Nariko when they got caught.

Being with Ruka like this now brought back so many memories, but felt a bit different now than it did before. From their history,Nariko wanted more than the relationship she had now with Ruka. Nariko felt as Ruka's warmth surrounded her as she held her closely. She could still smell the fragrance of the pomegranate tea slightly in Ruka's long copper-colored tresses and could hear the steady rhythm of Ruka's heart next to her ear as she laid against Ruka's chest. Nariko felt her face heat up as she blushed when she thought of how close her mistress' body was to hers and how much more she ached for but mentally scolded herself for letting her mind wander to such foolish daydreams.

Nariko had desired Ruka for so long, but they were from two different classes. Ruka was a noble vampire of high standing. Nariko was beneath her as a level C vampire-or at least that's the rank she believed she was to be. At her level, it was looked down upon by other vampire nobles for Ruka to be with anyone besides another noble.

In fact, many had high hopes for her to be courted by Akatsuki, mostly their parents even though they wouldn't force them to. But even if other vampires shunned her, Nariko didn't care about that anymore and was too sleepy to worry about it now anyway. What mattered in this moment was Ruka was back home, and Nariko was going to cherish every second of it.

[+orchid "I missed you, Mistress Ruka. Welcome home... "]

Nariko could feel herself calming down a bit as she stopped trying to fight the sleep taking over her tired body.

[center [+pink "I missed you, Mistress Ruka. Welcome home... "]

The light voice of Nariko stating that she had missed her Mistress Ruka, welcoming her home... Ruka's soft fiery eyes gazed down at her maid and had only blinked once in response until the young maid had seemed to had fallen into sleep.

That was then Ruka pulled Nariko closer to her, bringing both of her arms around the smaller girl and putting her chin on top of the brown haired girl's head before she breathed in lightly and let out a soft sigh before softly muttering. [+orange "I... missed you too Nariko..., more than I missed this house."] Ruka softly stated as gazed into the darkness, thinking that the young girl in her arms was fast asleep, to never know what she had said. It was true if the orange haired vampire was honest with herself... The house she was in now..

Her family home, the one she was born and raised in. It didn't feel like a home. It was one of many things she envied humans for - Their homes were filled with people who genuinely cared for them. In human homes it was 'homely', warm and felt safe. However in a vampire home. It was cold as the 'lack' of soul creature that it belonged to. It was full of strict expectations not love, warmth or anything like that.

Ruka made sure not to show interested in that sort of life, because humans were to her kind nothing but food to satisfy their hunger. But she couldn't help but feel like she would be willing to give up her family fortune and her status just to live one day as a genuinely and unconditionally loved human - or vampire because she knew she would never be human. Even though she would be willing to give those up just to be like that for one day...

Nariko - Ruka gazed down upon her maid once more. Had made her feel like she had been, still is being genuinely cared for by the young brown haired woman. Nariko... Ruka put her hand on Nariko's cheek and caressed it gently while her eyes gave no interest but the interest in sleep; Her actions showed something different. Nariko made her feel unconditionally cared for, made her feel safe, feel at home. Even though she was the mistress.

Then Nariko stirred at her touch, causing Ruka to pull back from the softness of the maid's flesh before resting the hand she used to caress Nariko's cheek on back around the maid before orange fiery eyes closed gently and Ruka was welcomed with darkness and into her dreams. That weren't so kind. She was remembering what had happened between herself and Kaname.

[+orange Kaname... No... you can't... be in love with her... I gave you everything...Kaname..]

Ruka muttered as she slept; Then soon tears slide out of her eyes, by her side Nariko laid. Ruka's tears fell on top of the maids forehead.

Nariko's brows knitted together as she stirred from her slumber when she felt something wet trickle on her face and dampen her chestnut bangs.As her eyes slowly parted to figure out the source, she heard Ruka's muffled voice crying out.

[+darkorange Kaname... No... you can't... be in love with her... I gave you everything...Kaname..]

The pain in Ruka's voice was breaking Nariko inside. She could finally put two and two together of what happened to her listening to Ruka’s words and wasted no time trying to comfort her. Nariko shifted her position in bed to where she was over Ruka and was holding her against her chest as she gently brushed her tears away with the backs of her nightgown sleeve and used the other arm wrapped around her to stroke Ruka’s hair soothingly to try to calm her. Knowing Ruka was a light sleeper, she called out to her to wake her up.

[+orchid “Lady Ruka, it’s okay. You’re home. You’re safe.”]

As Nariko did so she averted her eyes to not watch Ruka cry, knowing her mistress hated to be seen as if she was weak. With each tear Nariko wiped, she felt a surge of anger churning inside of her. Kaname Kuran...he did this to her. For years Nariko had tried to gain Ruka’s love as her own, but he had it without even trying. He had everything that Nariko had wanted for herself, and he wasted -no, he broke it!

How dare he! Nariko couldn’t think of any woman that could hold a candle to Ruka. Yet he decided to drop her for someone else? Kaname didn’t deserve Ruka. He didn’t deserve her love. Although she was pissed, Nariko was happy he fucked up. She had stopped trying for Ruka because she always felt that she was out of her reach and she knew of her feelings for Kaname, but Nariko wasn’t going to sit by and take this any longer if it meant Ruka was going to get toyed with like this.

She knew Ruka’s feeling for him wouldn’t just go away, but Nariko promised herself that she’d show Ruka her love as much as possible to make her forget him. Maybe that was selfish of her, but Nariko didn’t care anymore. She wanted to keep Ruka all to herself. She wasn’t going to hide her feelings anymore. Nariko was still afraid to do this and make herself so vulnerable, but she would overcome any fear to keep Ruka from hurting like this.

She couldn’t afford to bite her tongue any longer. At that moment, she made the decision to make her intentions more clear. Nariko was scared of her feelings being rejected if she let too much slip at once, so she would still take her time, but from this point on, she wouldn’t lie to Ruka anymore. But for now, she’d have to be patient. Ruka needed to heal.

[+orchid “Rest Lady Ruka… I’m here now. I’ll fight the nightmares off.”]

[center [b Ruka could feel the arms around her, maybe some sort of warmth within herself. Whatever it was the orangy brunette buried herself into the softness, into the thing that was holding onto her as she sobbed through the night.

The next morning, however, when she woke slowly due to the sunlight coming through her curtains. Ruka lightly growned at the offending light and buried herself into the softness that she thought was her pillow.

. . .

Her pillows didn't smell like this; Ruka had lavender scented pillows, however, this smell smelled like something sweeter, not frabricated by science or any of the like. It was due to cooking in the kitchen, making tea just the way she liked it - She can still smell it on whatever she had buried her face into.

And the sweeter scent, almost a musk but a comforting sort, an old and familar. The one scent that had always seem to comfort her, that had to be replaced by the scent of frabricated and science-made scents of perfumes, flowers, and the disgusting scents of other vampires and humans. The only one who's scent who could comfort her more than Kaname...

Yes more than him because she had to replace their scent with his, so she would focus on her status in the vampire sociality and try to focus on her Academic work.

Groggly from being half-asleep and hungry; Ruka was intoxicated by the smell her tongue flickered over the flesh when she nudged whatever the fabric was out the way from her prize, thinking that Nariko had changed her sheets or something, so nipping at whatever it was won't harm anything or anyone, she will also get Nariko to season raw meat with whatever this scent was.

So; without further a due, she used her two front teeth to gently touch whatever it was, to check it was soft enough for her teeth to peirce through. It was soft and thinking Nariko might have come in to attend to her, forgetting that the young maid had been requested by Ruka herself to stay.

Ruka grumbled out lightly;

"Nariko; tell the chef to season that I require whatever you have sprayed my pillows with on my breakfast..."

Ruka murmured as she decided not to sink her teeth in since she thought it was her pillow, instead she nuzzled into it Nariko's throat taking it's scent in her nose and the apparent Plus?... A very loud plus?.. Had Nariko been running making even her groggly hearing to pick it up?

"Hmm.."

Ruka hmmed in acknowlege against her 'pillow' of that thought, knowing Nariko would always work quickly so her morning was always the way she liked it and nuzzled her nose against the softness and sheild her eyes with her hair from the sunlight.

Nariko's face flushed as Ruka's tongue slid delicately against her skin, her fangs lingering over her sensitive neck. She froze at the sudden action, but she wasn't scared. She always found it an honor for Ruka to feed on her. She could barely contain her excitement, her heart pounding rapidly and her pulse quickening.

Hearing Ruka's incoherent mumbles, she realized her mistress was not aware of her presence because she was still deep in her slumber. Even though this realization slightly disappointed her, she was still more than happy to have Ruka so close to her.

She felt like she'd just melt from the warmth of her gentle breath on her skin as she snoozed soundly. Suddenly, Ruka shifted her lips from Nariko's throat and nuzzled into her neck, in turn getting closer to the sensitive space under her ear. Nariko bit her lip, holding in the squeak that almost escaped her mouth so that she wouldn't disturb Ruka as she slept.

She could barely hear Ruka as she grumbled into her neck groggily.

[+darkorange "Nariko; tell the chef to season that I require whatever you have sprayed my pillows with on my breakfast..."]

After this statement, she hummed softly and nuzzled her nose against her. Her hair, slightly messy yet still lovely, fell gently over her eyes.

Seeing her in this state once again made Nariko feel even warmer. Nariko inwardly giggled at Ruka's request, not entirely sure what Ruka was asking her to do. She decided to pay it no mind for now until Ruka was fully conscious and aware of what she was saying.

She couldn't bring herself to move from Ruka when she had "trapped" her like this-she'd allowed herself this moment to be selfish. Nariko gently held her closer, a soft smile gracing her face.

[center Ruka soon felt something move around her; Arms it felt like, familiar but she had long been denied it from herself, her parents, everyone from sociality.

Warmth that she hadn't felt for a very long time; The only warmth she had ever felt, even if she denied that fact; Denied the existance, scolded herself for such thoughts let alone feeling it. Ruka's ears soon flickered at a small giggle. It was most likely that Nariko thought her request was amusing - Nariko was the only one that got away with laughing at her demands because Ruka knew that the maid would do the things she asked without mistake.

So Ruka let it pass and nuzzled herself into the warmth once more; Until there was a knock on the door.

"L-Lady Ruka; Pardon the interuption but your parents have come home to the household and demand to see you miss."

...Ruka heard everything except parents, so she grumbled lightly against Nariko's throat.

"..Have whoever it is to come back tonight - I will not be seeing visitors at this moment."

Ruka grumbled out, however, everyone knew if they said such thing to her parents they would suffer a high, yet slow and painful conquience even their own daughter. The first and only time she had ever said no to her parents she was starved for a month When she learned that Nariko was sharing the same fate at the time.

Ruka had to beg her parents to let the maid go; They did but on one condition she is to never play with Nariko again and make her social status that of astrocrate a highly respected and successful one.

The orange haired woman - Once child had promised before letting Nariko out, they had Ruka go to the garden, where she met Kaname and the others. After two/three hours; Nariko was allowed to serve her again.

But Ruka kept her distance; She never allowed Nariko to sit next to her, never to eat with her, to sleep in her room, or dress her. Ruka treated Nariko like she treated the rest of the servants. Just like a servant.

Not knowing it was her parents whom came to visit; Ruka slept peacefully and soundly. that is if Nariko were to wake her.]

"L-Lady Ruka; Pardon the interruption but your parents have come home to the household and demand to see you miss."

[+darkorange "..Have whoever it is to come back tonight - I will not be seeing visitors at this moment."]

Nariko who was fully awake immediately jumped up at hearing this. She felt like the warmth had been sapped from her body and replaced with a chill down her spine. She gently leaned over by Ruka's ear whispering to her intensely, the urgency of the matter clear in her voice.

[+orchid "Mistress Ruka, forgive me for disturbing you, but your parents are here. If you don't meet with them, I'm afraid they'd believe I'd have something to do with it. I don't want to cause any more trouble for you."]

Nariko nervously awaited for Ruka's response, afraid if she kept persisting, she'd annoy her mistress further than she already was with being disturbed from her slumber.

[center Ruka felt the movement, so she narrowed her eye brows - wondering what was going on, how in Lucifers hell was her bed moving. Before she decided to open her eyes, she heard;

"Mistress Ruka, forgive me for disturbing you, but your parents are here. If you don't meet with them, I'm afraid they'd believe I'd have something to do with it. I don't want to cause any more trouble for you."

At the mention of her parents being 'home' Ruka felt like shooting up out of bed, but she was a dignifed and powerful vampire. A creature that showed no fear in front of her inferiors. So she rised like the mention of her parents meant nothing to her.

Slowly, unwrapping her arms from her 'pillow' that she still didn't know what - or who it really was until she straddled her bed and moved her orange/blonde hair out the way, narrowing her eyes in disastifcation or annoyance.

It wasn't at Nariko despite what it looked like; She was annoyed because her parents at to come in the daylight, being so weak as she was the sun that was coming through her curtains irirated her eyes and gave her a migrain.

Ruka blinked a few times; Before realising that Nariko was in her bed, Orangy gold looked down upon Nariko's brown ones with a tired yet pericing gaze. For a moment Ruka wondered why Nariko was in her bed, however, after that moment of pondering she came to the inclusion that she invited her into her bed.

After all Nariko would never dare lay beside her unless invited; It was been quite a while since she had invited the young maid into her bed. The last time was when they were younger and... Her parents forbid her from having the maid in her bed again.

Ruka sighed at the realisation and turned her head from Nariko and towards her wardrobe and turning her legs over the side of her bed and slowly getting up. She still felt weak, she could feel it in her legs, her head, her stomach growled at her without mercy making even Nariko to hear it.

"You maid outside my room; Tell my parents I'm getting changed, Nariko is assisting me."

Ruka stated loudly as she could as she slowly walked towards her wardrobe to get changed and ready to meet her parents to came home far to early, she thought of having a bath and that Nariko should have one too, but that would be too suspious. So Ruka decided if her parents asked about the scent of Nariko on her. Nariko helped her change, and did her hair for her.

"Y-Yes ma'am!"

The maid called out as there was sounds of shoes scurrying away; Ruka reached her wardrobe and placed her hand on it lightly, however, it made a dent in it to keep herself up.

"Nariko wash the bed sheets in the bath - I won't allow my parents deciding to come up here and checking."

Ruka stated, giving Nariko another task rather actually having her aid her with changing even though she needed aiding, she was too prideful to ask as she opened the door to get her clothing out. Ruka felt herself getting dizzy and she leant into the wardrobe door closing it again with her arm that held her up.

Ruka was hungry; Starving in fact. - she had starved herself for maybe five days or so until she brought home by force by Kain, whom must be still asleep by now.

Ruka narrowed her eyebrows gritting her teeth at the thought of Kain of forcing her back here; Upon the orders of Kaname himself after throwing them both out from his home. Yuki - Yuki whom was in Kaname's embrace was the last thing Ruka conciously saw until she became compeletely broken it took a few more days to reach home by car.

Refusing food this long was insanity; or almost sucide if she could die from this, but actually she would become one of those ghouls without her free will to keep control of her own mind.

Ruka knew her rank could go for a year without food and just begin to show the symtoms that is without the intense pain and hunger she would feel first.

Two weeks; Ruka could recall now; She had been gone two weeks without blood. The symtoms were correct for that amount of time. intense dizziness and average feeling of human starvation.

Ruka leaned against the wardrobe and gritted her teeth before pulling it off it's hinges and throwing it to the side with detestful expression on her on her face and gathering her clothes slowly.

...She had only herself to blame for this..

At seeing Ruka rise, Nariko moved swiftly to retrieve her uniform from the bathroom, folded neatly by the sink and started to get dressed.

She pulled her white ribbons from her dress pocket, smoothing out her bedhead and tying it back from her face. She slid on her stockings before pulling her dress over her head and tying on her apron neatly. She tied on her hairband and washed her face before slipping on her doll shoes and hurrying back into the room.

[+darkorange "Nariko wash the bed sheets in the bath - I won't allow my parents deciding to come up here and checking."]

[+orchid "Understood, Lady Ruka."]

Nariko kept her composure so as not to set her heart in a panic. If she didn't keep her emotions in check and steady her pulse, she knew Ruka's parents would suspect something was amiss.

She grabbed the bed sheets and carried them to the tub, grabbing the lavender scented bubble bath from the cabinet. under the sink and started the tub water running. She carefully poured some of the soap in and began scrubbing it gently by hand.

She mentally cursed herself for allowing herself to get so carried away and possibly putting Ruka in a risky situation. She was so excited about Ruka's return, she paid no mind to the rules Ruka's parents had established. Now because of her carelessness, she needed to be sure to keep Ruka from getting in trouble for her actions.

Even though Ruka had proposed for her to be by her side last night as a reward for her hard work, she should have politely declined to protect Ruka.

But Nariko knew she was asking too much of herself- how could she ever say no to Ruka. She had her wrapped around her finger. Nariko would willingly do whatever she asked without question. Not because of her power, but because she trusted her.

[center Once Ruka gathered her clothes; Her mind wondered what her parents wanted, it would be important to see them at daytime, they never come home during the day. They would say it made their skin a bit darker than normal. Racist? Ruka didn't know nor did she care to be honest.

They had stopped caring about her the moment she was born, she was a inconvince, a mistake because after all she wasn't a male, however, they still had use for her apparently to marry off to a nice noble or royal vampire and give her parents status of being the parents of whatever Ruka would become or would've become in their eyes if she had the attention of Kaname Kurin.

Although; It seemed that it hadn't gone their way, even if they heard about it or not they could not change the fact that Kaname was in love with his sister Yuki Kurin and had always been. He was just using her and the others to protect and eventually bring Yuki back to her vampiric memories.

"hm.."

Ruka hmmed to herself, before catching Nariko's scent again as she rushed past to the bathroom with the sheets in toe. Ruka's nose twitched in response, causing Ruka to cover it lightly, realising what she smelt before was not spray on her pillow.

It was Nariko's scent, because Nariko was running she could sense the blood pumping through the other woman's body.

..It was the same as before, meaning; Ruka eyes widened - She had almost bit into Nariko's throat. Ruka turned from the bathroom, with pink showing it's self on her cheeks.

Even though Ruka knew that Nariko was a vampire, she was certain that the other woman was below herself, because why another noble like herself or a royal like Yuki or Kaname ever want to work as a maid - And she dare think; For her. Ruka knew she wasn't the kindest of mistress's but she supposed that she was the only one that had the decency not to use her lessers has her blood banks.

But with Nariko her blood sensed amazing, almost human like; But Ruka had tasted alot of human blood, not one had become this intoxicating, even when she wasn't hungry. The times she was at the mansion before she left, before her parents forbaid her from playing with Nariko.

Ruka felt strange sensation; Her fangs ached, her pulse raised a couple of times when they would run around, she had captured Nariko once in tag, pounced on her back so she couldn't get away. Ruka was so close, so close to drinking, until her mother called for her, causing her to get of Nariko back then and rush towards her mothers call in vampiric speed, with a tremendous blush across her face.

Ruka blinked at the memory and returned to reality, before shaking her head lightly.

"Get a hold of yourself Ruka."

She quietly scolded herself before returning to her bed still in a wobbly manner, however she made it and sat down as her stomach growled once more.

"...One bite won't harm her..."

Ruka mummbled to herself as her eyes seemed to grow slitted with hunger, but she shook her head once again and her eyes changed back.

"It would kill her, I will not take blood from a maid..."

Ruka stated to herself before becoming stubborn as she's always been, to convince herself even if she needed or wanted something from someone else she'd had to think how it would a honor for them for her to take it.

Ruka felt like she was going to pass out from hunger at any moment, however she started to get dressed without her vampiric speed because she didn't have the energy to, so she went with old fashioned human speed, or not even that since she was weak at the moment.

Meanwhile Nariko was doing the sheets; Ruka managed to get her undergarments on, now all she needed on was her dress. determinded to put it on herself, she gathered the bottom hems of it and putting it over her head. But unfortunately she got stuck half way.

...How embarassing, Ruka could feel her cheeks burn before she started pulling on it, not realising she forgot to release some of the buttons behind it.

Ruka sighed when her efforts were fruitless and so she grumbled.

"Nariko..."

Hoping her grumbling of a voice was heard, all she had was her pride right now even if she wasn't well she would never let go of her pride.

[b XD Ruka is daft]

Nariko carefully wrung out the bed sheets and hung them up to dry on a large towel rack near the tub before wiping her hands with the towel she had removed and folded it neatly on the counter by the sink.

[+darkorange "Nariko..."]

The young maid looked up from her handiwork at the sound of her mistress’ call. She walked out from the bathroom to discover Ruka with her head stuck in her dress.

It took everything in her to hold her composure and not continue to stare at Ruka’s body from the waist down that was exposed since the dress was stuck over her head. Nariko’s face flushed slightly, and she inwardly scolded herself for her perverse gawking.

It was difficult for her not to giggle at the sight as well considering the predicament. She practically had to hold her breath so a snicker wouldn’t escape her lips.

[+orchid “Please, allow me, Mistress.”]

Without another word, Nariko nimbly unclasped Ruka’s buttons and removed the dress from over her head pulling it down to her waist before sliding her arms in the sleeves and redoing the buttons along her back, setting her hair back in order neatly when she finished.

Nariko stepped back and managed to keep a stoic expression on her face. From years of disciplined training, she knew how to control herself from slipping up. She wasn’t really afraid to slip up in front of Ruka.

Even with this boundary in place, she felt like she couldn’t contain her feelings for Ruka. As time stretched on without her, Nariko waited patiently. She felt like her patience and resolve was weakening. She wanted to truly belong to Ruka, even though she felt it was impossible. With her parents sending her off to school wedging them further apart, she was afraid how far they’d go to keep her out of the picture.

They didn’t request for her service often while Ruka was gone since she was her personal servant, but she was still required to tend to the house and keep the other staff in check.

It took her a lot of slip-ups and even harsh punishments for her to get this far and be so skilled at her job, so it was only fitting that she teach the new workers.

So if something went wrong because of one of her understudies, she took full responsibility for their mistake.

Although she and Ruka were close, she still respected her position as head maid of the house.
Even though she always felt at ease and could relax a bit more with Ruka, she NEVER disrespected her. Her loyalty and respect towards Ruka hadn’t faltered even though she was closer to her than the other servants.

Nariko stepped in front of her for a better look at the dress from the front to make sure it was orderly before her eyes scanned to Ruka's face. She gasped in suprise at the red glint that burned fiercely in her eyes and the greyness in the noble's complexion.

[+orchid "You must eat, I'll go and prepare your meal right away."]

[center Ruka could hear Nariko's foot steps coming towards her; The orangy haired woman could feel her cheeks puff up a little in stubbornness, her cheeks still burned with embarassement, even though she was weak.

Ruka could still feel the human like thumping of the heart within her, it was due to being the high level vampire that she was, however, she knew if she kept treating herself like this the heart of hers would stop, she would turn into those ghoulish beasts that hunted vampires and humans alike in order to become somewhat humanlike again.

The heartbeat was beating a little faster than usual, due to the embarassment of her predicaement or of that Nariko- Ruka immeditally shook that thought from her head.

That would be oburd; Ruka wasn't... She wasn't... attached to Nariko - She did feel some attachement towards the other woman, she had to in order for the brunette to even be in her presence during this predicement.

Nariko was the least annoying person she had ever known; Dear Ruka think it, Kaname had annoyed the orangy haired woman more than Nariko, in fact the brunette never annoyed her once, the only time she was ever annoyed in Nariko's presence was of her embarrasement not at the girl.

[+purple Please, allow me, mistress]

Ruka flinched only lightly as she felt her dress being touched because she couldn't see anything, until Nariko unbuttoned the dress and tugged down her head, causing her hair and head to pop out soon enough, along with still pinkish-red hue to her cheeks,luckily enough Nariko couldn't see the colorful display.

Ruka let out a small breath and pursed her lips in and out again, before relaxing them and wondering why was she reacting like this; She didn't react like this in the bath when Nariko bathed her, even though she was semi-concious, she knew Nariko's smell anywhere, her soft touches, her expert procision of taking care of her hair and the right scent in her bath, so her nose didn't burn from being senstive to the smell.

It took only a moment for Nariko to finish the last button, however, Ruka didn't realise until those soft hands ran through her hair and took it out gently from in her dress and softly layed it down her back, where it displayed in all it's soft fiery glory.

Ruka turned to the turn of her eye and saw Nariko look at her in a indifferent way, like she was observing her work, if the woman had dressed her properly. Disappointment... Why did that feeling of disappoint flash into her being, she didn't even know what she was disappointed about.

Did she want more of a facial expression from Nariko - Just a small smile or something, because having that look from Nariko made her feel somewhat self concious, and she never had that feeling before besides with Kaname, so she just turned her eyes back to the front, until Nariko deciding to stop gawking at her like a displeased stone statue.

Then before Ruka knew it Nariko was in front her, probably checking the front side, the same reaction or lack there was of. Ruka had expected some. sort of reaction, a smile, or something that made it Nariko seem that she appreciated Ruka's beauty.

,However, despite the confusing feeling Ruka gazed towards Nariko in the same way, watching the young brunette's eyes and where they went. They went from her feet upwards towards her face where she gasped at.

[+purple You must eat, I'll go and prepare your meal right away."]

At Nariko's comment; Ruka realised just how weak she seemed if her eyes had changed also, she could feel them straining and her pupil had changed from it's normal form to a slitted shape.

She couldn't allow her parents to see her in this state, but what else could she do? Also Nariko would get into trouble for it. She just needed a tiny bite.... Her fangs ached...

Ruka opened her mouth to either speak or ready herself to aim for Nariko's throat, however, she turned away to the side like if not looking at Nariko would her deny the temptation.

[+orange "..Very well; I'd rather not have my parents to see me like this, however, It seems I don't have much of a choice...If they require an answer from you. do not answer, I will explain why I'm like this if they choose to bring up the topic."]

Ruka stated before she began walking slowly, after all she felt dizzy due to the human level of starvation but she was able to stay on her feet.

[+darkorange "..Very well; I'd rather not have my parents to see me like this, however, It seems I don't have much of a choice...If they require an answer from you. do not answer, I will explain why I'm like this if they choose to bring up the topic."]


Nariko nodded and turned to leave, but before she did turned once more and let a small smile slip across her face before hurrying off downstairs towards the kitchen. She straightened out her apron before walking up to the sink and washing her hands thoroughly and drying them with the hand towel by the sink.

She opened the refrigerator pulling out fresh fruits, assortments of high-quality fish, and a carton of grade AA eggs, along with a gorgeous porcelain plate from the cabinet. She washed the strawberries, a pineapple, and a few apples before placing them on the cutting board.

As she carefully prepared them, a flush had spread across her face from letting her mind wander. She still had the image of Ruka’s body fresh in her mind. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t help but admire Ruka’s beauty even when trying to keep her composure.

After she had finished dicing the fruit, she neatly decorated it on her mistress’ plate. After cleaning the board and putting what was left of the scraps in compost for the gardener later, she unwrapped the fish and began cutting it neatly as well.

When she was alone like this, she couldn't help but think about her mistress, especially after an encounter like that one. Of course, she had bathed Ruka before, but tried to avoid staring at her body like a pervert.

But even still, her mind wandered with perverse thoughts as she thought about how adorable she looked trying to force her head through the buttoned dress, and how cute her underwear was, and how beautiful her skin probably looked underne-

[+orchid “Ah!”]

Nariko hadn’t been fully paying attention while she was cutting the food and accidentally sliced her finger while cutting the fish for Ruka’s meal. She silently cursed herself for being so clumsy and careless, before putting her finger in her mouth and licking it. She rushed over to the sink to rinse the blood off before pulling a first aid kit from the kitchen closet.

She quickly bandaged her finger up and glanced at the cutting board.

[+orchid ‘I’m such a fool! Now there’s blood in her fish! What should I do?!’]

She cupped her chin in deep thought.
[+orchid ‘Maybe she won’t notice it? It should be fine, right? It’d be too embarrassing to explain how I made such a mistake! Just hope she won’t hate it.’]

She placed the fish on the plate neatly before cleaning the knife and cutting board that we’re covered in the blood as well. She pulled out a frying pan and fried Ruka’s eggs over easy and sliding it onto the plate before topping it with some fresh herbs.

She rushed the plate and silverware to the dining room along with a cup of blood tablet mixed in water. She respectfully bowed to Ruka’s parents greeting them with a ‘good morning’ when she had finished her task. She called over one of the younger maids to send her to Ruka to let her know her meal was ready.

[center
Once Ruka watched Nariko leave her presence; The orange fiery woman fell to her knees sliding her body against the wardrobe that she broken. The vampire felt sick, due to her own neglect to her body.

Even now; Even though she trusted the brunette the most - Ruka couldn't allow Nariko the true extent of damage she had brought upon herself, this hunger, this pain that gurgled in her stomach, making her feel sick in want of food that she rejected even when Nariko had offered her last night.

Ruka knew she was being foolish; She knew her actions were wrong, all of them were wrong from the moment she outbursted in Kaname's home when she couldn't take it anymore, watching him swoon, wrap his arms around Yuki's frame at every minute - No second he could.

Ruka never seen him so affectionate towards another person, however, she didn't realise who Yuki was from the start until Kaname had brought back her memories. As he had bluntly told her; She and the others were simply minor chess pieces of his game to protect or revive the queen of the board.

Even his own loyal servant seemed to have no idea what was going on, however, remained loyal and emotionless as ever as if she knew all along and simply played along with her masters moves.

When the fiery orange haired woman had gathered some strength, after breathing in and out a few times, even swollowing the vomit on her pallete as undignified and disgusting it was to do it she knew she wasn't fast enough to get up and throw up outside her window.

Once up on shaky legs; Ruka walked slowly as dignified and proud as her body would allow her to be, before opening up her door and walking towards the dining room, before a maid came walking towards her, bowing to her.

"Miss, Head maid Nariko requested me to tell you that your breakfast is served."

Ruka eyes narrowed at the young maid, due to the light of morning and her own aching body, also due to the fact that she didn't enjoy anyone's voice at this moment of time except Nariko's, however, unfortunately Nariko wasn't there with her - So she simply nodded in response before deciding to give a vocal one as she walked past the girl.

[+orange "Tell Nariko I shall be down shortly, and to follow my orders in the presence of my parents."]

Ruka stated as she walked down the staircase with a hand softly gracing the surface of the railing, most if not all would think because she was a high dignified woman, but really she was making sure she didn't fall and if she did she would catch herself with some form of grace.

The other woman followed suit on the other side of the side of the railing, passing Ruka with a side glance until the lady of the household glared at her softly, causing her gaze to turn away and towards the floor below in order not to displease Ruka further.

The maid was the first to reach the bottom and her pace was much faster than Ruka's causing her to be the first to enter the dining room - In hopes follow her own orders to key point.

,However, the maid came face to face with Ruka's parents talking to Nariko about her work in the household and she was doing a sufficent job in keeping it spotless and kept the other members of the staff in pristen condition, however, when it came to their daughter.

Ruka's mother pipped up first requesting, or rather demanding in a soft tone how long was Ruka going to keep them waiting, to only have her husband grunt before turning over a page of the newspaper he held in his hands.

Before commenting, that he wished to talk to her about some rumours that they heard about Kaname's estate. Before Nariko could answer Ruka came walking in.

[+orange "Please excuse my lack of hospisality mother, father - I wasn't aware that you'd coming home at such short notice..]

Ruka commented gently before she sat herself down on her chair; while giving a discret gentle expression in Nariko's direction in the corner of her eye as she picked up her knife and fork in her hands before slowly cutting her eggs first.

"Your father and I came home due to some rumors from Kanames estate."

Ruka haulted her cutting for a moment, however, she didn't give much of a facial expression, in fact she lowered her eyebrows lightly as if she was exhausted with everything around her, especially the mention of anything regarding Kaname and wished only to sleep. However, Ruka as per usual kept her feelings and her opinion on it to herself and hmmed lightly towards the statement.

[+orange "Is that so?...]

Ruka mumured before she placed the piece of egg into her mouth and chewed it lightly, as her eyes kept a tired expression to her food rather than to her parents. Until her father slamed one of his hands on the table, enough to cause a dent in the table but not enough to break it or cause any of the equipment or food to fall off.

[+red "Do not act innocent Ruka, did you or did you not make a show of our family name front of Kaname?!"]

The aburben coloured haired male demanded an answer from his daughter, while his wife held his arm gently with a ghostly touch from her gloved hand as the elder woman sipped her tea without much of a emotional response to her husbands outburst.

Ruka was silent for a moment, as if she was trying to figure out how to explain what happened, however, knowing her father he had only wanted a yes or no answer from her, even though he knew the answer already.

Even if she didn't; He wouldn't pick her side over Kaname's - Another opinion Ruka never spoke of, her parents were boot lickers to those higher in rank of them. Then again she was no different than them with Kaname, however, she had some self-worth, some dignity - At least at first...

[+Orange "He provoked me, daring to state that I was a merely a pawn in his game to retrieve his beloved sister Yuki. I have indeed stained our family name by losing control and getting upset..."]

Ruka stated in a ghostly matter, like if she couldn't care less about what was to happen to her or could happen to her, however, truly she cared very much she had not only made a mockery of herself by rising to his insult, however, she had made a mockery of her family for causing such an undignifed scene.

Ruka didn't gaze up on her father, instead she kept eating until her fathers reaction, which earned in a sharp slap across her face.

[+grey "I don't want to hear your excuses Ruka."]

He hissed as he glared down at her, causing her to look at in the corner of her eye. It did hurt, however, she just seemed very exhausted, or angry due to her lightly narrowed eyebrows.

[+grey You... Will apologise to lord Kaname and Madam Yuki, it seems that leaving you alone in this house and allowing you to attend that filth of a school has made you grow soft with those emotions of yours.. I knew I should've turned your mother before your birth..."]

Ruka gritted her teeth within her mouth; How... How could her father tell her to apologise to Kaname, when she had nothing to apologise for, at this moment she had wished her father had slapped her harder or even punch her into the next room instead.

He had to mention her flaw; How she would never be a proper rank B vampire no matter how she acted, or how much she tried in her studies or her hunting skills when she was just a young vampire.

As long as the human part of her ruled over her emotions, as long as it gave her a beating heart unlike the ones in her parents chests or rather they had the power to control their feelings better and shut off the emotions they deemed as a weakness.

[+orange ...Yes father...]

Ruka stated as she sharply shallowed her eggs in her throat that she couldn't thoroughly enjoy at this moment and went to cuting her fish instead as her father only seemed to nod in response as he went to drinking the blood given to him and his wife started to silently drink hers without much of a response to what her husband had said.

...Of course her mother would never stand and defend her; So she sucked in her cheek and ignored the sting on it, before she continued to eat until her tastebuds tasted something... Divine! Ruka dropped her knife and fork elegently as she possibly could, before she stood up quickly.

[+Orange Excuse me for a moment...]

Ruka stated before lightly bowing her head and quickly walking off without allowing everyone to say anything to her to hault her, as she walked out the room to a nearby bathroom. Turning on the tap and quickly scooping water into her hands and drinking it as quickly as she could while her face grew hotter and hotter with need for more whatever that was in her fish.

She had that fish before now, however, it never tasted that good before. Ruka gazed into the mirror as she saw her reflection fading and her body shook due to the lack of blood in her system. The eggs didn't give her anything she needed, she just enjoyed the taste.

So being starved of what she truly needed to only be introduced to whatever it was, in her fish. It was driving her emotions crazy, she covered her nose and mouth with her hand as her cheeks burned with want - No need for whatever Nariko had done to her fish, or someone had done to her fish behind Nariko's back.

Nariko had been standing in the corner of the room the whole time this discussion between Ruka and her father had taken place. She had her eyes downcast and remained silent, but flinched when she heard the sound of the slap Ruka's father had given her. She bit her lip in frustration, knowing she was powerless to help Ruka in a situation like this.

Hearing his demands to Ruka to apologize to Kaname stirred anger within her for him not defending Ruka. How could he even call himself a man to allow Kaname to belittle his daughter? Ruka had every right to be upset with how Kaname had used not only her but her friends as well.

Now that Nariko was more aware of what took place with Kaname that upset Ruka, she was glad she had kept quiet and not pressed her further about it.

Nariko kept her hands overlapped in front of her and did her best to calm herself as her father kept barraging her mistress with insults. It pained Nariko that she couldn’t act against Ruka’s parents even if she desperately wanted to.

Doing so would only get both of them in more trouble, and maybe even get her sent away from Ruka forever. Nariko couldn’t risk such a terrible fate.

Suddenly, there was a clatter from Ruka’s plate causing Nariko’s eyes to dart from the floor to where Ruka was seated across from where she stood. Seeing Ruka’s body tense up briefly after tasting the fish made Nariko immediately regret her decision to not replace the fish she had gotten blood on.

Ruka arose from her seat.
[+orange “Excuse me for a moment…”]
Ruka left the room quickly.

Not too long after, Nariko bowed respectfully excusing herself from Ruka’s parents quietly before following behind her to be sure Ruka was okay. She watched her rush into the bathroom and heard the sink faucet begin to run.

Her heart dropped at the fear that her blood had been that revolting to her Mistress to possibly make her sick to the stomach. Nariko gently raised her right arm and rapped the bathroom door with her tiny fist. She waited until the sound of running water come to a halt.

[+orchid “L-Lady Ruka? Are you alright? I am deeply sorry if the meal wasn’t to your liking. I wasn’t my usual self in the kitchen this morning.”]

Her thumb nervously brushed across the bandage on her finger as her left hand dangled at the hem of her dress skirt.

[center [+pink“L-Lady Ruka? Are you alright? I am deeply sorry if the meal wasn’t to your liking. I wasn’t my usual self in the kitchen this morning.”]

Ruka perked up her head at the sound of Nariko's voice, before that her tapping the combination that both of them only knew. She turned towards the door in the corner of her fiery eyes and bit her lower lip. The cursud heart of hers rapidly beated inside her chest. As it got louder as her ears caught Nariko's words.

Was that blood Narikos? Or was it one of the other servants that the young brunette didn't focus on her meal. How could Nariko be so out of focus; The young maid had never been so careless since they were little girls and that was a long time ago.

Ruka counted herself fortunate that it wasn't posion, however, apart of her wished it was - Now she was craving for the blood that had been split in her fish. Even in the battle of the school, she had tasted blood for the first time before she arrived at the school. Even then it only tickled the animal instincts, the bloodlust in side of her.

But this blood - It was slowly driving her crazy; It was so divine to the extent she knew only a rare blood type could be responsable, or had she starved herself worse than she had realised, her emotional imbalance was somehow effecting as well, causing her to behave this way.

...Nariko; Ruka narrowed her eyes and glared at her own fading reflection in the mirror, her face flustered beyond comprehension, her teeth aching and stomach gurling in excitement and need for this blood. Nariko was reasonable for this, even if it wasn't her blood she had foolishly allowed someone else to drip their blood into her meal.

[+orange "What...What did you put in my food.."]

Ruka demanded softly as she gripped the sink with her hands as they shuck from the blood withdrawl, but also the intense exquisite taste of the blood she had. When there was no answer, except from gentle shuffling Ruka gritted her teeth.

[+orange "ARE YOU HARD OF HEARING?! WHAT DID YOU PUT IN MY FOOD!]

Ruka shouted more from her own vulnerable state and her undignifed need, the way she behaved when she was at the school, she knew she was a secret mockery within their group, she was always after Kaname for his love even when he didn't give her that she threw herself at him in hopes to be his blood bank at least to get rid of the taste of blood pills.

Ruka covered her face as her heart rapidly thudded against her chest the intensity of the blood excited her, her need for more was beyond her own comprehension, she had to get rid of the taste... Or it will drive her wild.

The orange fiery haired woman grabbed her tooth brush and toothpaste aggressively before shakily opening her mouth once more and then started brushing softly at first before she soon got rapidly aggressive to her teeth due to her own frustration and embrassement, and of course due to fact that she won't allow herself to eat a member of her staff no matter who they were.

[+orange "What...What did you put in my food.."]

Nariko shifted her weight back and forth clutching her hand, the apples of her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She parted her lips to speak but her words choked in her throat, not sure of how to explain her mistake.

[+orange "ARE YOU HARD OF HEARING?! WHAT DID YOU PUT IN MY FOOD!”]

At hearing Ruka raise her voice, Nariko bit her lip and lowered her head sadly

[+orchid “F-Forgive me, Lady Ruka! I accidentally c-cut my finger when I was preparing your fish. I didn’t think it would’ve bothered you so much…”]

Nariko felt even more foolish for her actions while she was explaining herself to Ruka. She had hoped that her blood wouldn’t have tasted so unpleasant so that Ruka would barely notice it. But it seemed as if Ruka was repulsed by her taste. A part of her was a bit saddened by Ruka’s reaction.

She had always been told stories by her mother of how the best tasting blood to a vampire is that of the one they love. She had always wondered if this was true since she had never had the experience before.

How Ruka tasted could only remain a dream to her, but she wondered if her mistress’ reaction revealed how Ruka felt about her.

Maybe she was wrong?

One thing was definitely clear: doing that was a horrendous idea! Ruka almost [i never] raised her voice. Just the way she said things were intimidating and powerful enough to get her servants to do as she had ordered and know to not cross her. So having Ruka yell at her really made her feel guilty and regret her actions from this morning.

[+orchid “I-I’m really terribly sorry…i won’t let it happen again.”]

[center Ruka clutched at the sink feeling the mere taste of the blood go through her blood stream, despite drinking the large amount if water that she drank. The orange firery woman could feel it spreading inside her, causing her to clutch the bathroom appliance tighter, digging her finger nails into its porcliene body.

[+pink F-Forgive me, Lady Ruka! I accidentally c-cut my finger when I was preparing your fish. I didn’t think it would’ve bothered you so much…”]

Ruka turned her head to the side and stared at the bathroom door in shock, suprise amongst other things. Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest as she she heard that the blood that Nariko had put in her food was her own.

...How.. How.. How could Nariko taste this divine; Rukas cheeks burnt as she turned away from the door and down at the sink, knowing now that Nariko had made a mistake, she had never made one since they were small. Also the sound of the brunettes voice it made Ruka bit her lip gently, Nariko thought she displeased her.

How wrong that was, even though Ruka knew she gave the impression that Nariko angered her. The brunette hadn't done no such thing - she had drove her vampiric desires crazy with how pleasing the blood was.

...Ruka shook her head before glaring at her herself in the mirror; She had to get a hold of herself and behave..

[+pink I-I’m really terribly sorry…i won’t let it happen again."]

Ruka removed herself as she took a deep breathe in and out before deciding to call Nariko in to attend to her finger.

[+orange "..Nariko come in and attend your finger at the sink at once...]

Ruka breathed out before she went to the nearest wall away from the sink with her front towards it and her vack to Narikos direction before gently digging her nails into her sleeves she had to keep control just until Nariko fixes her finger and the orangy fiery woman would be alright once more.

Also as selfish as Ruka could be she didn't wish for other vampires to smell or taste Narikos blood.]

[+orange "..Nariko come in and attend your finger at the sink at once…]

At hearing this command, Nariko was slightly puzzled. She was sure she had bandaged it up earlier, why did Ruka ask her to tend it? When she looked down at her hand, she realized that the bandage was soaked through and some of her blood had ended up on her hand.

She hadn’t realized she was bleeding so much. Maybe the cut ended up being deeper than she thought. She hadn’t really given it much thought when bandaging it.

She glanced over at Ruka, who was faced away from her staring at the wall like a child put in timeout, as she unraveled the soiled bandage and tossed it into the waste bin but paused when her eyes caught sight of the tips of Ruka’s ears that were flush red.

Nariko paused and approached her mistress, curiosity getting the best of her.

She still felt the tension as if Ruka was angry with her and she wanted to try and appease Ruka in any way she could, but she wasn’t completely sure what was bothering her.
When gained the courage to speak, her voice was soft with a slight quiver.

[+orchid "What troubles you, Mistress? Please tell me if there's any way I can help you calm down."]

She gently touched Rukas shoulder with her other hand that wasn’t covered in blood and rested her head on her back, a pained expression on her face.

Was Ruka angry? Was she embarrassed? Nariko wasn’t entirely sure, but she wanted to know what was on her mind.

[center The orangy haired woman turned her head to the side lightly, as she heard Nariko come in, her eyes gazed upon the brunette in the corner of her eye. Before gazing upon the hand that was bleeding...

...foolish girl...

Ruka thought as she turned back to the wall, before pressing her middle finger and index finger to her forehead and began rubbing it gently as footsteps continued to enter the spacious bathroom.

The mistress of the household thought that it would be over soon and that they would continue with their day and their breakfast - Replace the fish of course, however that wasn't the case. The scent of the blood was now stronger as if her finger was being released from the bandage.

It was potent, causing Ruka to immeditally cover nose and mouth with one hand. As her own blood beated rapidly throughout her body, mostly towards her face, her cheeks and her ears.

How... how can she a noble vampire be effected like this by a maid of all vampires, why did it have to be Nariko to have such divine blood - Ruka had always thought she'd marry arranged or otherwise to another noble vampire, preferably to her parents male, that or deny every proposal of marriage she had encountered and spend the rest of her days unmarried.

Ruka never desired anyone in her long life except for Kaname, however, why did Nariko's blood feel that bit sweeter... Ruka gritted her teeth in her mouth as they ached.

Then all of a sudden her body shivered, startled more than just a little as she felt a hand on her shoulder as the voice came into her ears.

[+pink "What troubles you, Mistress? Please tell me if there's any way I can help you calm down."]

Ruka never felt this invulnerable, it was humillating... Hadn't she been humillated and broken enough?; Even though the assucations that was flying in Ruka's mind the older woman knew that the brunette would never do anything to hurt her, not intentionally at least - Certainly not the way Kaname had...

,However, If Nariko where to ever find someone she cared for; She didn't know if it was the blood talking, or the scent of it or of Nariko herself driving such thoughts into her mind. If Nariko found someone she cared more than she cared about her; Ruka knew her days would be more lonely than ever...

A silly thought, however, even if Nariko would never mean to hurt Ruka like Kaname. Ruka knew it would a endless and deep hole in her being just the same... The thought of it, it made Ruka grit her teeth in her gums and caused them to bleed inside her mouth.

Until another pressure went into her back softly; Ruka turned her head lightly to gaze upon Nariko. The brunette had her hand on her shoulder, her head resting upon her back as if trying to comfort the orangy coloured haired woman, however, unaware just how much more problematic she was being to Ruka by doing what she was doing.

So Ruka just turned her head to the wall again and breathed in lightly then out through her mouth, causing her back and her shoulder blades raise and fall slowly yet shakily.

[+orange It's... nothing.. N-Now I [i expect] you follow my orders, so if I didn't make it clear the first time; Nariko.. attend to [i your finger] Unless you want to be eaten."]

Ruka stated as she turned her head to the side gazing down upon Nariko as her eyes flickered from her normal fiery color to red, as her fangs bared showing her own blood that been pricked from her own gums due to her frustration, but also her flushed face.]

[+orange It's... nothing.. N-Now I expect you follow my orders, so if I didn't make it clear the first time; Nariko.. attend to your finger Unless you want to be eaten."]

When Nariko’s eyes connected with Ruka’s, she felt like her heart jumped into her throat and her face went as red as a rose at how intensely Ruka’s eyes were piercing her. The way her voice resonated with urgency sent chills down Nariko’s spine. A pang of guilt rung inside of her from the enjoyment she got at the thought of Ruka wanting to devour her but before she could allow her mind to wander too far down the rabbit hole, she went back to the sink and began to quickly clean her cut.

After she finished cleaning the blood from her hand and the wound, she swiftly grabbed a bandage from the cabinet and applied it fairly tight. After she finished wrapping it up she turned and looked up at Ruka, raising her attended finger bashfully.

Her mind was still reeling with happiness at the realization that she had actually tasted so good to Ruka that she was losing her composure. To be fair, Ruka had been practically starving before tasting her blood, but she was immensely relieved that her blood wasn’t revolting to Ruka.

She still felt pretty embarrassed for putting Ruka in such a predicament by not fixing her error. She had not intended for her slip up to have had such an effect on her, but she should’ve just changed the fish in the first place.

Even worse, what if her parents had found out? They’d never let her hear the end of it. Knowing Ruka, she’d probably go out of her way to try to keep her out of trouble and end up in hot water herself. She bit her lip in anguish and gripped gently at the hem of her apron before bowing briefly to Ruka.

She targeted her eyes to the floor, her caramel-colored locks of her bangs falling over her eyes slightly.

[+orchid “A-Again, I apologize for causing so much trouble with my mistake. Please, Lady Ruka. Let me know how I can make it up to you.”]

Ruka; gazed upon Nariko as if she was a divine creature, that she had the pleasure of tasting it's blood, however, due to the unintented embrossa. It seemed that it took hold of the fiery mistress, causing her to be some-sort of blushing maiden; Something that Ruka never was until now. 

For that Ruka refused to remove her hand from her face; She could still feel the bloods effect throughout her body; By the looks of the injury it was only a drop. Ruka couldn't fathom the possiblities and how she would've reacted if she were to fed from Nariko; That very thought, made her breathe hitch, her teeth were still aching, begging to sink into Nariko's soft flesh.

The fiery woman didn't wish to meet her eyes with the brunette's,afterall, after a moment; She was trying to hold herself back, trying to control herself from either getting on her knees and beg Nariko for her blood; Or forcing Nariko against the sink and taking it aserting and protecting her dignity as the hiress of the household.

Once again she heard the tap running Nariko was cleaning her wound. The was a light whimper; ! Was that the brunette or herself? Why would she whimper of all people; She wasn't a puppy-dog, yet she did feel her own lips move; Why was she acting so strangly towards Nariko?

She didn't act this pathetic around Kaname, or perhaps she did and her mind refused to recall such a demeaning display of weakness, or it was to filled with Nariko that she had completely forgotten her infatuation with the higher rank vampire and the intoxication of his blood.

...Infatuation..; Was she infatuated with Nariko? - Ruka shook the thought away; Even if she was her parents would surely dispose of the sweet maid the moment they found out that her chosen partner was of lesser rank.

[color=pink]“A-Again, I apologize for causing so much trouble with my mistake. Please, Lady Ruka. Let me know how I can make it up to you.”] That pleading sound as if it was Nariko that wronged her; It brought a shiver to the usually composed vampire's spine; now her voice was effecting her body - Nariko saying her name, pleading her to tell her how she could please her again, to earn her forgiveness.

Ruka pursed her lips within her hand even her own hair covered her eyes; Both of them where in a diffcult situation, however, it seemed that the fiery Lady of the house was more affected than Nariko realised; Her ears have become slightly more sensitive, to the extent even the brunette's voice was exquisite; Ruka always found Nariko appealing to the eyes, beautiful even - that she would capture the Lady's full attention, distract her from reading or drinking tea, or from a conversation.

Such a feat was an Abyssal event; Now - It was a brand new experience for both herself and the maid; Lady Ruka was lost for words; Her thoughts were incoherent; [orange= "I..."] The mistress licked her bottom lip gently, sending a tingle within it; [orange="I.. suggest we..] Ruka cleared her throat; [orange= 'return to my parents...']