Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story and make no claims to them. The world I'm writing in, and the people that inhabit it, belong to Matsuri Hino. This story is strictly for entertainment, not for profit—no copyright infringement was intended.

Chapter Five: Blood Calls to Blood

So, he didn't feel anything, did he? Akatsuki wasn't sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry. It seemed that, for the past decade, he done nothing but look out for Ruka. He had known that his only feelings for her would never be accepted, so he'd swallowed them and stayed by her side, offering her what support he could. Now, he was supposed to realize that none of that meant anything to her? That she had never taken any stock of his emotions, at all?

"Well?" Ruka demanded, her voice crackling like lightning. He knew that she had never been a patient person, but, honestly, it had been less than an hour. Was her anxiety so high that she couldn't sit still for that long? And if it was, was he missing something vital in adding to her discomfort?

Akatsuki heaved a great sigh and ran his hands through his hair, pushing back the spiky red-blonde strands in a calming gesture. Finally, he stopped, tucking his hands in his pockets and gazing back at Ruka.

"It's not so bad," he offered lamely. "I mean, at least we're not being attacked by Level E's anymore, right?"

Ruka looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. Her dusky eyes widened in disbelief for a moment before narrowing dangerously in temper. Akatsuki realized his mistake a moment too late—clearly, the last thing Ruka was interested in at this moment was a logical conversation.

"'It's not so bad'?" she repeated in a hushed, furious tone. "It's not so bad? Akatsuki, we're trapped in an elevator. The world outside us is ending, and we have no idea where Kaname-sama went. How the hell is that not that bad?"

Ruka hadn't spoken this much to him in weeks—months, even. They hadn't really had that many proper conversations, lately. Usually, it was enough for him to just be in close proximity to her; to see her expressions, the light in her eyes—sometimes caused by happiness, more often by fury—it was enough, he had decided long ago. So, now, even though she was angry at him, Akatsuki couldn't help but feel deliriously happy. After all, she was paying attention to him.

"Hanabusa will come back." Akatsuki shrugged. At least, he thought than Hanabusa would comeback. His genius cousin had been known to disappear at the most inconvenient moments before, but Akatsuki liked to believe that the other noble was always around when he was most needed. At least, he had to think that way.

"Then why isn't he back already?" Ruka demanded scathingly. "This entire stupid school is deserted, there are enemies everywhere, and he's our last hope? Excuse me if I don't hold up much hope for our rescue."

She brushed past him, heading straight for the closed metal doors. She beat her small fists against them, over and over, as if her strength might force them open.

He stood watching her, for a moment, utterly perplexed. He could not imagine feeling so much—he couldn't fathom how so much emotion came out of such a small person.

"Ruka…" He made his way over to her, grabbed her wrists and forcing her away from the door. "Hey, Ruka, calm down." He had meant his voice to be soothing, but it came out bland—and uninterested.

"Don't touch me!" Ruka snapped, squirming out of his grasp. As she slapped him away, her nails grazed over his cheek. He stepped back from her immediately, unable to refuse an order of hers.

He backed away, aware that she'd cut a small nick in his cheek. He brushed the blood away impatiently as it began to trickle down his face. It was only a drop or two, but Akatsuki ended up raising his hand to his lips and licking away the blood, anyway. There was no point in letting it go to waste.

Ruka was breathing heavily, now—she had worked herself up so much. Akatsuki gazed wearily at her, wondering when her next tirade would approach.

But it didn't. Ruka gazed at him for one long moment, then two. Her pale eyes narrowed dangerously, her eyebrows shooting up in question. Unsure of where that expression was leading them, Akatsuki took another step back.

It was then that he realized that he hadn't lowered his hand after licking the blood off of it. In fact, he realized, he nicked his fingers with his teeth, and hadn't even noticed the steady stream of blood flowing into his mouth, down his throat.

"Akatsuki…" Ruka took a step towards him, a warning tone in her voice.

He hadn't realized it, but the Night Class had been away from the dorm for days, now. When was the last time he'd had a chance to cram a few blood pills in his mouth? Thinking back on it, he really couldn't remember.

Usually, he didn't need to drink very often. Nobles had a higher tolerance for thirst than other vampires—it was yet another perk of being near the top of the pyramid. But using his powers was one draw on his strength, and losing blood was another—he hadn't been wounded badly during the battles, but he had been hit several times. He hadn't stopped to think about it…hadn't had the chance to think about anything, really, for the past few days. Things had been too hectic.

"Akatsuki…" Ruka said his name again, more temper in her voice, now. Was it his imagination, or did she sound calmer than she had a few minutes ago? And what with that look in her eyes?

He took another step back, hitting the wall of the entirely-too-small elevator. Ruka looked at him probingly, a the keen look in her eyes worrying him.

"When was the last time you drank anything, Akatsuki?" she asked with deadly quiet.

A/N: If you were waiting two months for this chapter, I apologize! I've been writing it in stints, but my schoolwork had to come first! Now that the school year is over, however, expect to see much faster updates to this story and my others. Anyway—we're headed back towards the scene in Chapter One, and I hope you're enjoying this! Thanks so much for my 25+ reviews, I appreciate them so much! And, as always, thanks for reading "Captive Reverie."