I cannot thank you enough for reading this, I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. I am not sure whether to expand on this story or not. Perhaps your feedback could assist me in my state of indecisiveness? I really am curious to know what you all think. Thanks again! Enjoy the final chapter. :-D
Ruka gazed out into the nighttime, feeling the cool February air. Her mind was blank and uncertain as to what was reality anymore. Her own feelings did not make sense anymore. The idea of being with Kaname was fading into the realm of a fairytale fantasy, as if in this moment she was growing into the woman and noble lady her family was anticipating her to be. But what of this jealousy that flared up when she observed Kain with Reyes? And then being seductively drawn into the arms of one of her oldest and dearest friends? She was not sure what she was feeling anymore and couldn't rationalize anything.
Not expecting anyone else to be outside with her, she gasped when a hand reached for hers. Kain had approached her from behind and grabbed her one hand that was free and laying loose next to her.
"What are you doing here?" She whipped around, feeling how warm and strong it felt with hers which was starting to feel cold and like marble. Looking at Kain, his face showed that he was feeling nervous, but at the same time an energy of excitement exuding from his eyes. He swallowed.
"I came out here to find you. I was worried when you suddenly ran off like that." Ruka drew her wrap tighter around her shoulders.
"Isn't Reyes going to wonder why you are out here?" Kain shook his head.
"She showed me where you had gone off to." Ruka was confused. Why would Reyes encourage Kain to come and find her?
"I know our actions have been deceiving, but honestly, we are not like that. Certainly not now and never have been, never will be." He answered looking right into her eyes. Ruka was confused. Kain reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope, handing it to Ruka before he sat himself on one of the benches. Ruka drew in a deep breath and took the envelope, feeling around its contents first.
"What is this? Did you write all this?" she asked before beginning to open it. Kain nodded.
"I'm really not very good with words. It took me a few days to figure out the best way to do this. Please, just read it first before you say anything further." Kain put back on his mask and felt his body shake a little underneath his tuxedo, trying to convince himself it was the chilly night air.
Ruka held the pages delicately as she allowed the light from one of the outdoor lanterns to see what was written. After a couple moments past she just looked at the pages stoic like. Kain stood up and approached her. When Ruka's eyes met his, he could easily see that they were welling up in tears. She clutched the pages and held them to her chest. Wanting to say something, but not sure, and finding no way to get words out in that moment, she just looked at him as the tears swelled to a point where they trickled down her cheeks.
With one hand Kain grabbed Ruka's, the one that was not holding his letter. The other gently wiped away tears with his thumb and proceeded to cup her chin and caress her cheek. He kissed the hand he was holding, turned it over and kissed her palm. A couple more tears spilled down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. No sounds were coming out as Kain wrapped his cape around the both of them. A moment later she looked up and saw his eyes sparkle. Once again taking her chin delicately into his hnd, he lowered himself down to her and their lips touched.
"I definitely have never danced this close to a girl before" Ichijio said in midst of a tango with Reyes, who has slipped her body into the extra close proximities familiar with this dance. He nervously fixed his gaze on her mask as her cleavage creped dangerously close. Reyes giggled.
"So do you like it?" she asked flirtatiously.
"Well, it is definitely something I will have to get used to. But I can see it happening quickly." Reyes continued to giggle some more, then punctuated it with a loud sigh.
"Your cuteness is incredibly…appetizing, Takuma-kun." Ichijo felt himself burning up from blushing.
"Really?" his voice shook a bit from nervousness, especially as she addressed him with his first name and the honorific '–kun'. Reyes merely nodded, and the next thing Ichijo noticed was Reyes' pillow-like lips, pressing against his.
Kain and Ruka returned to the ballroom. Joining hands they whirled their way back onto the dance floor in time for a festive waltz. Ruka twirled about and the rest of their friends joined them in a series of interchanging dances. This went on for a few more hours, or so it seemed, because the exact passage of time was not certain. Ruka found herself overwhelmed with emotion, a new found happiness and a sense of freedom from her own emptiness she had been feeling for so long. It was quite a lot of endure. Coupled that with the exhaustion she was beginning to experience from the never-ending dancing, she found her head spinning and her body falling to the ground
She was semi-conscious, because she was note quite certain if it was Kain who lifted her up into his arms and whispered to her: "I am taking you up to you room." Her arms were draped over his shoulders as he firmly cradled her torso and legs in each of his arms. When they reached Ruka's room, Kain loosened the corset Reyes had loaned her for the gown and lay her down on her bed. She began to gain a little more consciousness when she noticed Kain about to leave.
"Akatsuki", she called for him in soft, yearning voice. "Please, can you stay with me for a little while?" Kain returned to her bed.
"Yes, of course I will." He removed the cape and jacket of his tuxedo, followed by the tie, so he could comfortably lay with Ruka until her recovery.
Feeling dizzy again Ruka closed her eyes and rolled over, tucking into Kain's chin and chest. She felt a little frightened and clung to him a little more. Kain managed to soothe her starting with a tender kiss on top of her head. Ruka sighed, and had to smile, feeling the warmth of her body and his, ashamed of herself for being so blind to her own feelings and to a true love that was right before her the whole time. Tears of joy squeezed and silently trickled out once more. When their lips touched once more, cushioned by the cool linen pillow on one side, Ruka felt her body burn with a desire to be closer to Kain.
The two vampires fell asleep in each others arms, uncertain as to what they next day would bring. However, they knew for sure that in this moment they realized and acknowledged what had been deeply embedded in their hearts for so long. And finally, they allowed it to awaken and come forth, for this was something that was meant to be.