A/N: I hope this chapter somewhat clears the fog out; if not, I can clarify in the next chapter. Thank you for reviewing guys: Shikixxrima, hellopanda23, akiharu-chan, scarletblush, georgiskrua, pinakafaltizan. Honestly, this story is nothing without my reviewers. I'm not sure if I rushed it though =\

I popped one eye open to not feel pain. No warm blood rushing down my temple; I felt normal.

Strange, I thought and the grip that the mysterious lady had around me loosened as she dropped to the ground, wounded, beginning to have a pool of blood form around her.

I stared, wide-eyed, and confused about what had happened. Who shot her? The gun in her hand merely left her grip, but she still appeared conscious, breathing heavily, she snarled and flicked a frightening pair of glowing crimson eyes. "I will not die." She sounded persistent and was, for she struggled to collect herself whilst I stood in awe, my brain unable to think or move. The color red caused me to shiver, particularly, from this woman. Surely, her blood smelled pleasant, but my senses didn't long for it; I perceived it as poison.

"Rima, get a grip and move away from her!" Aiko shouted from the background, and I turned my head to see her crawling close to me; pain written on her face, she bit her lip hard, but bear the throbbing pains running through her body. She also had a gun in hand.

Unconsciously, I listened to the command and attempted to run, but something caught my wrist, and I was whirled around to meet the malicious lady's eyes once more.

I searched into her eyes that showed violence and death. Something I didn't understand because I hadn't done a single thing to her, so I asked quietly with my heart pounding against my ribcage, "Just exactly, who are you? Why do you want to kill me?"

"That doesn't concern you," she fastened an arm on my shoulder then cracked it with a twist; I felt and heard the bones crunching, and I wailed in agony. This lady couldn't have been any worst than to torture me; I tried to pierce my fangs into her skin, but I missed horribly.

She pushed me back, roughly against the ground, where I laid restless and helpless. The aching pain searing on my left shoulder; I don't think I can handle another second. I just felt like closing my eyes and wishing that this was a dream.

"This time, there's no escape," she said firmly, and I heard the trigger click. I'm just surprised that the blood loss hasn't affected her yet.

I shut my eyes tight. This is it; the end of me. I had a happy life; life was very rewarding to begin with when I thought I found him. Who knew life had its obstacles? I never thought that people would interfere between the two of us. And now that he has accepted and become a possession of Aiko, I guess this could be good-bye for me. I will never forget the joyous moments we had Shiki, even though, they may seem like nothing to you. I will never forget you; no matter how far apart we may be. Whether I'm a ghost, a tree, whatever, I'll always be with you.

I contemplated and sorrowful tears leaked out of my eyes. "I'm sorry Shiki; I wish I could have made my move first…"

But the gunshot never sounded as I lay there, sniffling. Instead, I heard faint voices talking with each other.

"Stop this Rin, if it's my aunt who wants me to go surrender my blood, so that I could resurrect my father, tell her that will never happen," a recognizable voice rang through my ears. That voice sounded so familiar; how I yearn to see his beautiful face. I wanted him.

"Rima," a faint voice said nearby, and I weakly shifted my attention to Aiko, who looked so worn out; she looked like she was clinging on to the edge of death. Nothing mattered anymore. I still hate her for what she did, but she seemed to have sacrificed and warned me countless times that I don't know how to compensate for her actions.

"I don't understand anything Aiko, moreover, I'm feeling a bit light-headed," I said softly, taking in deep breaths as I listened to the fighting in the background. I prayed for his safety.

Aiko sighed deeply as if she was prepared to tell me the whole story. I knew something was up her sleeve, but I just never knew what because I hadn't had the chance to ask.

"Well," she started calmly, gasping in between breaths, "It all started when his mother sent me to this school."

"His mother?" I asked confusedly, arching an eyebrow at her.

Aiko gave a small smile, nodding her head slightly, she said, "Yes, his mother. She knew that her sister wanted to resurrect Rido since he had a great deal of power, but in order to do that, he needed Shiki. They summoned him to his coffin, but at the time, Shiki refused to give his blood and that made his aunt real angry. Angry enough that she decided to send Rin to this school to come hunt you down."

"What?" I drew in my eyebrows.

"It's complicated," she sighed. "His aunt threatened Shiki that he'd lose the most precious thing to him, meaning you. I guess his mother heard about it, so she sent me to split the both of you; with me being the replacement as his lover, I thought I might have been able to fight off Rin; rid of her existence, but I underestimated her power. I knew she was capable of transforming yet her powers are beyond."

"She transformed to Ruka for what reason?"

"Well, since you two are close friends, it'd be easier to get close to you, so..." Aiko trailed off and switched on to another topic about her terrible treatment towards me.

"Did the treatment have to be so harsh?" I asked, slightly offended that this whole thing was somewhat a set-up.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done. I felt reluctant to behave that way. I wasn't left with a choice either, you guys are like magnets, you know that? I tried to keep you away from him for many reasons. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to break the two of you," she eyed at me; I swear her eyes sparkled at that moment.

"So, all this time, you have been trying to protect me indirectly?"

"You can say that I guess," she shrugged, not really sure how else to answer my question.

"What about the attacks? I'm still lost," I muttered, frustrated that I don't have a clear image of what's been revolving around Shiki's life. I wished he had told me…that way I wouldn't have to hurt badly.

Aiko turned her attention to the sky, watching the clouds drift past the luminous moon, she smiled and tears swam in her eyes.

I looked oddly at her; I didn't understand what was going on until I saw her body disappearing, bit by bit.

"Aiko, you're…" I was shocked.

"I know, I'm sorry about everything, but let me tell you this; that boy loves you with all his heart," she cracked and lay still, while I watched the rest of her body dissipate with the gentle wind.

I reached for her hand. I couldn't accept her leave. She can't be gone just yet, even though, she has treated me harshly and cruelly, I suddenly wanted to forgive her. She had a reason behind all this, while I hated her without reason. What a horrible person I must be.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

My head shook lightly and I felt nimble movements underneath my body; someone was carrying me.

I pried my eyes open into the same night I had just lived in hours ago. I recognized the school walls and they were fading away from my sight as I grew more distance from it.

"Rima, you're awake," his gentle voice tugged my heart, and I gazed up to see his focus fixated up ahead. His eyes searched warily for something, and I opened my mouth to say something, but he answered me, "Rin escaped. We're going to leave the academy to go somewhere else…I think we should return to my place; it's safer anyway."

Rin escaped. That's a dreadful thought. I don't want to know what's bound to happen to me. "Is she still on the lookout for me? Am I still her target?" I asked worriedly.

He sighed with lament, "Yeah, she's still after you." I know he didn't like the idea of that, neither did I, but some things weren't just fair, I suppose.

"I'm scared Shiki, what if I don't make it, what if I don't--" he cut me off.

"Rima, don't worry because this time I will protect you." His eyes pierced into mine and my heart leapt. I deemed that he was speaking the truth; he would never lie to me, so I let the heaviness in my eyelids overcome me. I can finally rest in momentary peace; in his arms where I felt warm and safe.

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