º

Unlike Yuuki's father Kaname's mother didn't die. His parents decided to divorce when he was two years old and he didn't have any memories of her. Rather, he grew up with the inconsistencies of a single father much too devoted to his work and other women than his son. Well, the last portion was contingent to his schedule but most of Kaname's memories were without a father. Haruka would spend meager minutes with his son once in a blue moon. Like Yuuki who was self-taught and independent, Kaname's first friends were his household maids, butlers and neighbors. His closest comrades that were predominantly of the noble class came at a later age from encounters at conferences and social galas.

Hands on hips, Hanabusa Aidou surveyed the suite and the balcony. Raptly he flung the curtains apart and gaped into the night flushed with the silver moon. "Who'd have thought after allll the evasion you'd end up living with your father again?" He smirked at the pureblood who had locked eyes with the chessboard. Perhaps too occupied by the game or disinterested in the conversation to respond, Hanabusa couldn't tell yet because Kaname effortlessly outsmarted his opponents without concentration.

Across from him sat an extensive opponent, challenging and worthier and a rare loser compared to Akatsuki Kain. Ruka Souen moved the queen and glanced at the icy vampire hovering the balcony as her river of gold hair shimmered over her arms and delicate shoulders. She smirked dreadfully at the blue-eyed noble and said. "If Kaname wants to spend time with his father he can do whatever he likes. He doesn't worry over your opinions."

This much was true and Hanabusa didn't need proof. It was the speaker he had problems with that made it worse, his lips curled in disgust. "You just love filling his ears with sweet talk so he'll be nice to you."

"Jealous?" She pouted.

Therein how incepted their competition for Kaname's attention.

He snarled like a maniacal lion. "I understand how Kaname feels and know the depths of his disapproval toward his father's marriage better than you. He called me here, not you. Why'd you follow me?"

"Oh really?" Ruka rolled her beautiful eyes. "'Cause he called me over and said he wanted to make up for missing the soiree." Shrugging her white shoulders, she gaily returned to the chessboard where Kaname had meticulously laid out his knights and pawns. She clenched her jaw and narrowed her eyes upon the pureblood. "What if I beat the champion of champions, what will be my reward?"

Not thinking much of it, he smirked at the silliness of the question. "A drink."

"Not from your neck I hope!" Hanabusa squawked.

Quietly the brilliance of her eyes swallowed. Observing her like a specimen on a petri dish, Kaname added. "You are a good friend, Ruka. Thank you for coming to see me. If I were alone with that ice block, I might have beheaded him from lack of control."

Strangely he was touched and sank to his knees. "La-lack of control? Does this mean I have such a deep affect on you?"

Ruka scoffed under her breath. "Didn't you hear he would've killed you if I hadn't come?"

"That's not what he meant!" Hanabusa hollered and fixed his collar with a pleased smile. "I have a deeper affect on him than you. That's all that counts."

Ruka tsked at the pitiful noble. "Why don't we go out tonight since I'm here? You can show me around the mansion."

"No point in such a meaningless thing. I don't imagine staying here for long. When the time is right I'll leave discreetly. I'm merely here to appease them after making an agreement with the woman's daughter that I would respect the woman's requests like attending family dinners and whatnot." He droned as he inspected his nails.

"Where will you go afterward?" Ruka sat up.

"I wish to be alone for a while." Kaname replied. "Don't adapt to following me around. I'm not your mother hen."

Hanabusa looked more hurt than Ruka was insulted, her lips trembled. "But, Kaname, I -we- don't like it when you go off on your own without contacting us for months. You leave us fretting and curious of your wellbeing, not to mention it's hard to figure out where you go. What other hideouts do you have?" She leaned forward and grasped his knee. "You, purebloods, are not known for taking care of yourselves so don't be put off by our caring too much. We're always here for you and are ready to do anything you want but don't lock your pain to yourself."

While Hanabusa nodded in approval word per word, he charged abrasively and shoved her hand off. "His knee is off limits to you!"

"For crying out loud, Hanabusa, can't you see I'm trying to make a point?" Ruka growled.

"Which I recall can be done exceptionally without touching him."

"Aren't you just an insufferable pest?"

"I is. I'll be as insufferable as I want but don't try to cleverly sneak touches."

Ruka was appalled. "What exactly are you accusing me of?"

"I know all about it, Souen. That's right you know what I'm accusing you of, don't you?" Hanabusa pointed.

She glared. "Shut up or I'll shut it for you."

"Try it if you dare." Hanabusa provoked.

"Gladly." Ruka clenched her fist.

The pureblood was smirking to himself in obvious enjoyment of his squabbling company that one would wonder if he prearranged it. "I was right, you are compatible."

Ruka bit down on her forthcoming words as Hanabusa gagged under her glower. "Your eccentric humor takes time getting use to. Don't secretly leave. One thing I agree with that man inside a woman-" He pointed to Ruka. "Is you shouldn't disappear. Give us a hint where you'll go."

Ruka made a swipe at his head with her claws. "Care to die, Hanabusa?"

"I only said the truth."

Kaname brushed his knuckles across his warm forehead. "How about I disappear right this very second and erase all trace of my presence and make it immeasurably impossible to locate me like I know you'll want to?"

The bickering vampires halted and exclaimed together. "No!" Glaring at one another, they refocused on Kaname.

"No, you say?" Kaname chuckled and moved his bishop.

Ruka sat back down, glum all of a sudden. "I'm assuming you don't like your new family members. Akatsuki said they are nice people."

"I agreed with the daughter we'd remain strangers. The farther I stay, the better."

Yuuki propped her chin on her hand and bent forward over the trunk of the vehicle. The kneeling blond man twisted the spanner on the bolt and gave another survey of the wheel before climbing to his height and patted his hands dust free. Charming green eyes sparkled warmly beneath a cluster of gold hair toward the pureblood.

"You don't have to worry about flat tires for sometime." Takuma tossed the tools in their respective compartments.

She hadn't stopped grinning in her hand. Nothing was more appealing to her than watching Takuma Ichijou work around the mansion and garage. Blond locks swiveled from the breeze around his luminous eyes as he smiled winsomely in her direction for the hundredth time. Yuuki lingeringly sighed at the noble vampire and ruminated on the whereabouts of his deceivingly bewitching neckline that beckoned her with a tug of the collar in the rapturous breeze.

"You know I could've used my telepathic powers to fix the tire." She murmured slyly.

He locked the toolbox with a knowing smile. "Of course." Inspecting her vehicle one last time, Takuma added. "My grandfather has been an employee of your family for centuries and we owe you a lot. He wants me to continue in his footsteps. It's sensible you sought my help and I hope you do it often in the future."

Yuuki deviated from the trunk toward the hood where he stood. Her boots stepped against the toes of his shoes and her solemn crimson eyes peered radiantly into his eager and hungry gaze. "Often, as in whenever I choose?"

"Whenever..." Takuma breathed under her beam.

Her eyes shifted to his mouth. "Whenever, as in anytime?"

He felt himself bend over her uncontrollably. "Anytime..."

Yuuki tilted her head and blinked mischievously, full of mirth. "Or maybe I purposely flattened the tire to make an excuse and come see you, hmm?"

Takuma's face brightened red. "Surely I'd prefer that more."

"Surely."

He gulped slightly and whispered. "You have to know—you see I-I—Sometimes I feel like, wait, no actually."

Lightly her fingers tickled up his sleeve rendering him frozen and impatiently watchful. "Do I make you nervous?"

Takuma swallowed and shook his head. "Yuuki-sama—I-"

"We've known each other since we were children, what's with the formalities?" Yuuki stabled her hand on his left shoulder, her palm thoroughly delighted in the heat of his body.

"Grandfather insists."

"I don't."

He felt his mouth dry up. "I, Yuuki, I—you see I have a penchant for purebloods." As soon the words were uttered, he felt himself fall out of his body and loop around them.

Yuuki smirked, "Don't all vampires?"

"Quite." Takuma shyly glanced at their feet and continued. "But you might have an idea of my penchant for you."

Yuuki smiled widely and he reeled from his furiously beating heart. "I admit I also have a penchant for you. I have nothing to hide."

He admired the porcelain looking woman, powerful and gorgeous and never overbearing or egotistical. Her open heart was friendly and delicate, transparent and lovable. Never in his life did he imagine growing close to her during maturation. Their families were aligned for twelve centuries or more and looked out for one another. Takuma enjoyed their closeness, his grandfather did not, however.

Her arms enveloped his shoulders and she rested her head on his chest, a natural action done numerously over the years and one neither tired of. Takuma shifted his own arms without hesitation and hugged her with energy that surprised her. She laughed and closed her eyes.

"We're dear to each other. Why can't we hug all the time?" Yuuki inquired.

From over her head, Takuma browsed the garage for spectators. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because grandfather won't approve of us holding each other like this openly. I am risking more than our jobs." He rubbed his cheek against the softness of her hair.

In the moonlight a noble vampire tucked a potent pureblood securely in his arms.

"You are more than our employee." The pureblood said.

The noble vampire gently sighed, high from the warmth of her body and the flowery scent of her hair. "It means a lot, thank you."

Yuuki released him and checked her watch. "Want to grab something to eat? Mother and Haruka are gone for the night."

"What about your brother?" Takuma gestured to the mansion.

A look of surprise fleeted across her face in realization. "Right I keep forgetting."

"Always forgetful. How do you do that even with your stepbrother in the house?" Takuma laughed.

"It wasn't on purpose, believe me." Yuuki blushed.

"I hope so." Takuma grinned.

After dinner Takuma returned her safely home. Usually at night she stayed working at the Elders Council or at Yori's. Tonight she missed the comforts of her home. She entered her room with a smirk as she thought about Yori most likely ravishing Zero nonstop since their last hookup. That darn girl let him know what she wanted and how. Yori was bold and sure of herself.

If Yuuki were to adopt a lover it'd be all over the news in no time. She didn't have the energy to deal with the press since now she was known as the remaining heir of her clan who hadn't a lover, ever.

'Chaste as a nun' coined Yori precisely.

Sometimes she imagined sharing love with Takuma, it felt pleasant and he was also softhearted. She hadn't changed her mind about confessing to him in the future. He'd definitely reciprocate she knew but he wouldn't date her without Ichiou's permission. It's not that she wasn't surrounded by eligible men. Hundreds lined up at school, thousands at the council and millions were willing in vampire society but she dreamed of more.

More raw sensuality and sweeping off the feet and head reeling feeling and more connectedness and feeling of belonging. She imagined a lover who loved her like a mad man. When she went into his arms, he'd flip her world around with so much love she'd lose herself. He'd abduct her in his love to a world where they were solely and passionately devoted to each other. More primitive, wholesome, fiery and thunderous like two souls eternally burning.

Today in her lonesome world of four-walled bedroom and fantasies, Yuuki could go on dreaming the rest of her pureblood life about that ideal love she knew would never come to be. On the other hand Juuri was spinning in that particular world with Haruka. Her mother was able to love again after her father's death. Within that time frame, Yuuki hadn't fallen in love once.

She leaned out of the balcony of her room to admire the lush garden and listened to the sprinkling fountain. The moon spurted through the clouds, spilling white paint over the fields and wet hills. She zoned on the guards and servants retiring to their homes on the corners of the vast land. Her father's massive fortune meant nothing if she couldn't bask in the home he left. It was the remaining memory of him and she wouldn't dare ever leave the place.

Kaname lowered his reading material to study the creature on the parallel balcony.

He sensed her presence in the home. Dark crimson eyes narrowed on her moon chiseled shape. She was leaning over the rail, one leg slipped between the columns, feeding her bare feet refreshing air.

Onee-sama…

He still had a hard time connecting the dots. Weren't it for their parents he and the girl wouldn't have met.

Yuuki returned back into her room silently. With his pureblood hearing Kaname listened to her meander through her room. The sound of her bare feet padded over the carpet and over cool marble, which she flinched from contact and muttered about turning on the heater.

"Do you want something to drink, Kaname?" Ruka spied on the invisible contour in the dark.

"No." He had returned to his reading without a glance at the blond.

She sighed before whispering, "Are you going to greet her or are you waiting for your father to return?"

"He is busy tonight with his wife." Kaname replied, casting a cool glance at his friend. "Do you need anything?"

She blushed under his observant eyes and pulled back. "Not really. Goodnight, Kaname." Ruka strode out of the room, seizing blind glances of the pureblood.

He wouldn't stop her, she knew. It didn't surprise or hurt her anymore. Sometimes she wished to see a different side of Kaname. The one that wanted to smile as much as seek friends when he was a child. As an adult he was a ruthlessly handsome pureblood who now had an equally ebullient family. His stepsister was famous and of utter beauty. The family was a perfect match for each other, four captivating purebloods.

Despite living without a family he acquired great friends who'd bury themselves alive for his sake, Ruka being one of them. He refused to reveal his tenderheartedness but over the years, Ruka caught slight moments of his caring nature and quickly he riveted back to his cool façade. That must explain why she found him cute. Worrying quietly in his heart over others but pretending to be guarded, Kaname could lie his mouth off but he could never change her admiration of him.

Yuuki ought to be shot for her habit. It was her house and didn't care if she was seen. The maids would only blush and shyly dismiss themselves. All male personnel would feel glorified for beholding the sight. If rumors circulated about her nightly habits she was also fine with them. It was another unspeakable notion if someone she wasn't comfortable with found her in her most truest form. Some could say she wasn't brought up right, her mother was to be blamed. The two of them were overly comfortable in their skins. Her mother didn't mind walking around naked in their home when it was only Yuuki around. It never bothered her daughter either.

Her bare legs shimmered against the light rippling through the sky roof. Moonlight caressed the furniture, stairs and windows into glowing sculptures. She toured through the living room, her free hair streamed wet from a hot bath. It was exhilarating to move around in her bare skin. Her soft, plump breasts undulated with her moving steps. She even twirled every few steps, loving the air wind around her body and feather her long hair.

Walking into the dark kitchen, Yuuki switched on the overhead by the stove. Steeling herself, she glared at the dirty dishes on the counter. The maids had left already. Grabbing them quickly, she began rinsing them in the sink. Yuuki examined a glass with a lipstick stain.

Cherry red?

Skeptically fingering the glass in the soap, Yuuki frowned with the steady understanding that her mother hadn't been home the entire day. The maids knew better to wash dishes before leaving. Another woman was in the kitchen after the maids left?

That doesn't make sense.

Scrubbing the dishes clean, she arranged them in the rack. From one of her mother's outdated winery selections, she chose a bottle and a glass. Striding toward the library, Yuuki placed the bottle and glass aside first to create the fire on the fireplace.

When the small matter was resolved, Yuuki picked up the library phone and dialed an extension to the servants.

"Ichiou," Yuuki smiled, "Yes, you may lock the gates. I'm safe inside. Mother and Haruka won't be back."

"Hai, Yuuki-sama."

"Thank you."

She stared at the thriving fire and settled in front of the flames, relishing the heat over her naked body. Her wet hair would dry soon. She was in her domain, the comfort of her impenetrable home. Sticking one of her feet over the fire, Yuuki regarded the flickering fire waver under her leg.

After several glasses of warm wine, her eyelids grew heavy.

He couldn't believe the vision in the study room downstairs: a vitrified goddess lounged in front of the fire. Her creamy body glistened from heat. Brown hair gushed over her narrow waist and the wooden floor. Vaguely Kaname was reminded that she might have forgotten she wasn't alone. He contemplated various reasons for his current state.

Minutes ago he stepped out of his room to check on Ruka who had retired to the guest bedroom but his delving was drawn by the scent of the pureblood downstairs. Inquisitively finding himself in the study room, Kaname browsed the library until he was unable to escape the sight of Yuuki naked by the fireplace.

She had dozed off, a mindless and insensible thing considering her situation. He wasn't the one in a compromising position.

Try if he might, he could dash out of the room and pretend not to have noticed. Yet the more intently he examined Yuuki's flush youthful, sinful and beautiful body fingered by the firelight, he became more transfixed than he already was the first time. Essentially they were two strangers who didn't know each other at all. Kaname imagined her having better sense than to promenade naked despite being that it was her home.

Quickly shutting off his relentless thoughts, Kaname eyed her sleeping face and lingered on her engaging breasts. Her pink nipples were soft looking. He imagined if touched slightly, the skin could coil from friction and harden immediately. Bands of ribs cut across the smooth expanse of her narrow waist. The inward shape of widened faintly into hips, she was shaved. Another demystifying fact his roaming eyes learned. The skin of her mound looked alluring than the rest of her body. If he were to touch her accidentally, he wondered about her reaction. Her even folds were satin, smooth on the exterior before they disappeared into the shadow of toned thighs. One of her leg was planted on the side of the fireplace.

She was so impeccably easy to distinguish from this view, he could even see the delineating folds join into her perineum. Studying her most intimate regions didn't leave him alarmed or nervous, he realized. She was utterly natural and sexy. Intrigue swallowed Kaname and he wanted nothing more than to watch her forever.

Wood cracked into splinters in the hearth of the fireplace and the windows across the room trembled. At that moment, some evasive emotion zinged through Kaname. He struggled on his feet and collected his fists, jaw taut at how astonishingly attracted he was toward Yuuki and the impossible reality that she and he—Yuuki was his...stepsister.

His beguiling stepsister was naked in front of him and they were complete strangers. Why wouldn't he want to touch her? Leaning over, he caressed the cheek and let his hand dip to her revealing neck.

Beautiful...

Every part of her was electrifyingly beautiful. There was no denying how much the world doted Yuuki. He feared he had started to do the same.

In her sleep Yuuki turned into his caressing hand, facing him. Her lips left a blind opening of sharp protruding fangs. Kaname dripped a finger over the cupids bow. The tip lowered onto the moist opening. Suddenly one fang grazed his finger. Shudders rippled over Kaname, quaked coherent thought and nearly rattled him on his knees on top of Yuuki. Gaining better sense of the situation, Kaname pulled back to search the study, ignoring his taunting desires.

She's a pureblood, the same as you. Why shouldn't you touch her? If she had the gall to lie naked without self-preservation why shouldn't you take advantage of it?

There was a throw on one of the seats. His fingers trembled on the material when he picked it up.

Touch her. Keep touching her. She'll never know.

Behind his blinking eyes, he remembered her hard nipples on two bubbly lumps. Before he let the poisonous thoughts win Kaname secured Yuuki with the throw, mauling over her pubes, her ribcage and breasts one last time.

Yuuki awoke as soon as he stepped away. Riveted on the floor, she gaped at Kaname with sleep-laded eyes. A panel of questions strayed through her waking mind. Kaname merely stepped over her toward the bookshelves. Once her eyes seized on the throw over her naked form, she bolted up with a speed the fire crackled in the hearth. Breathing hard, Yuuki assessed him fascinated by a pair of books.

"What're you doing here?" Yuuki demanded. "Why are you here? I use the library from 10 o'clock until 2 in the morning."

He impassively regarded her frazzled expression, eyes moving over the curve of her backside. "Did you forget you don't live alone anymore?"

She would've spat something if his remark weren't true. True, she had forgotten Kaname was around. Clenching the throw, Yuuki shook her head angrily. "Still, that doesn't explain your coming in this particular room of all rooms in the house." Freezing with a mortifying realization, Yuuki looked away frantically, "Did you… see?"

He blinked. "If you mean—"

"Of course!" Yuuki screamed. "What else?"

Kaname blinked twice. "Everything, including your perineum and anus."

There was no room for toleration at his mocking words. Yuuki grabbed the wine glass and threw it at him. "Die!" She dove at Kaname and shoved him against the shelf. "Go die you pervert! Die, die!"

In his inhospitable position, Kaname dropped his book for her beating hands. The throw barricading her bare body, of course, followed.

Her furious state of mind saw no reason. Yuuki kept aiming punches at him but his firm grip on her wrist prevented the blows. She stilled with a shiver, feeling her breasts pound and glide on the hard fabric of his shirt. The air around her legs and back was cold. Judging by Kaname's immobile and calm expression, Yuuki grasped he sensed it eons ago. She was standing naked now against him.

What a sight it was no less. A naked girl pressed dangerously close to an outstandingly handsome man who held her hands over her head.

Yuuki flung back while he turned away, letting her a chance to gather the throw. She tucked it tightly around her and glared at Kaname. "I can't believe you." Yuuki growled.

"What's to believe when you clearly forgot I was around and paraded your nudity as if nothing were out of the ordinary?" Kaname returned.

"I can't believe you saw me." She hissed.

Kaname blinked at her so placidly she thought she was talking to stone. "I never told you to be naked in the library."

Yuuki clenched a fist against her chest. "I swear to you Kaname Kuran that I will get you back for this." His eyes fought from gazing at her bare legs when she strode out.

Upon reaching her room, Yuuki slumped on the floor with a groan. He was right. She deserved the blame for the incident. How could she forget again he was home? How could she look at Kaname in the eye from now on? He saw everything. She wasn't comfortable knowing what his eyes breached. He was still a damn stranger. Every time Yuuki looked at her body in the mirror she'd remember Kaname saw everything. Her breasts, her groin, butt—everything! She was transparent in his eyes, it was mortifying. No more mystery if she walked out wearing a distractingly gorgeous gown for a gala. With one look Kaname would know what lay beneath, all because of tonight.

Yuuki groaned in her arms. She definitely had to get back at him. Yuuki glared at the opposite wall of her bedroom where his bedroom was located. A fire had been brewed. She'd rather cut her tongue if she didn't fan it.

Juuri and Haruka returned the following morning, all smiles and glossy eyed. Yuuki was the first to greet them at the door.

"Where's Kaname?" Juuri glanced at the stairs, upstairs. "Not up yet?"

Instead of answering, Yuuki welcomed Haruka with a short hug. "How was your trip?"

Haruka wrapped an arm around his blushing wife and kissed her hair. She simpered and mumbled about butterflies in her stomach. On queue, Yuuki turned and went to the kitchen. "I'll tell the maids to get breakfast ready."

"Oh, we ate on the way." Juuri said. "We went to a cute a little restaurant with adorable humans! Let's go together next time, you'll love it too."

By the end of the statement, Haruka spotted his son descending the stairs. He blinked at the shadow on Kaname's heel. "Ruka!"

"How are you doing, Haruka-sama?" Ruka bowed modestly and offered her hand to Juuri. "Nice to meet you."

"I'm absolutely great." Haruka grinned. "This is Ruka Souen, dear. She's a good family friend of ours."

Yuuki had been hindered on her track to the kitchen. Juuri's eyes widened on her murderous looking daughter. "Ah, you spent the night here?" Juuri mumbled delicately.

"Kaname and Ruka grew up close." Haruka supplied. "I wondered when you'd show up. Kaname is probably lonely here without you."

"Hanabusa was here earlier but had to leave right away." Ruka shared an understanding smile with Haruka. "I have to head back today though."

"Already?" He frowned.

"She has matters to take care of if you don't mind." Kaname said.

"Oh." Juuri's brows skyrocketed, "Hmm. Well too bad." She gestured to the vigilant figure on their left. "Have you met my daughter, Yuuki?"

Ruka glanced at the hard-eyed pureblood standing with her arms folded. "Not really, I'm sorry for staying over without your permission. Kaname told me you're possessive of your home and about who comes over. I hope you'll let it go?"

Her fangs gritted together inside of her mouth. Calculatingly studying the blond noble, Yuuki eased a dutiful smile. "You wear cherry-red lipstick?"

Ruka bit her bottom lip, "Yes."

"Wash your dishes after yourself."

"Yuuki!" Juuri hissed. "Be nice to Kaname's guest."

Her glaring eyes narrowed on Kaname coldly. "It's alright for now, Souen-san because you're close to my 'nii-chan' I'll overlook it. I didn't know you were over or I'd had entertained you properly. I would like to do it the right way next time."

"But you naturally seem oblivious to your household members, why not do a headcount before going to sleep?" Kaname challenged suddenly.

"I might start doing that." Yuuki smirked. "And keep track of certain voyeurs."

Mocking laughter returned. "If that helps you sleep better—in the library."

Anger ruffled her composure that she turned purple. A drop of blood trickled from her fists. The sound of shivering chandelier skittered through the foyer. "I shall sleep however I want to my heart's content."

"Is that so?" His cunning eyes lanced her. "Next time I will not be the one to rouse you awake."

Promptly Juuri and Haruka watched the trembling ceiling. From experience they were aware a pureblood's temper was worst than hurricanes, tornadoes and tsunamis combined, partly because their temper fused all into one.

"I'd prefer that!" Yuuki spat.

Juuri quickly grabbed her arm. "Sunshine, you have blood."

"I know..." Yuuki licked her palm.

Something about the purely innocent act inflamed hunger in Kaname that he teemed with astounding fervor. Her tongue lapped on the loose drop, soaking in the remnants of metallic heat before they sealed back between pink lips. A sheen of stark crimson glistened across his gaze. Kaname looked away with a mute hmph.

Juuri observed the silent party sitting across the table during dinner. Yuuki's intended seat was next to Haruka while Kaname's was next to Juuri. She noticed Yuuki barely swallowed a bite and Kaname resumed pouring himself wine through the course of dinner.

"Is my cooking horrible?" Juuri blurted.

"No, why do you say that?" Haruka smiled, he had already cleaned his plate. Spying a glance at Yuuki's and Kaname's, he paused. "Are you not feeling well, Yuuki?"

She moved out of her chair, rambling as if she were far away. "I'm not hungry. I'm gonna prepare for school tomorrow. I have a meeting at the council in the afternoon. I won't be home until morning. I'm going now." Yuuki sauntered out of the room.

Juuri stirred in her chair and watched Kaname finish his fifteenth glass and pour another. "Do you want blood?" She asked worriedly.

Kaname stopped with a tentative smirk at the woman. "I'm perfectly stable, thank you for your concern."

Juuri leaned forward to sniff his breath, she flinched. "You should eat if you drink generously."

He helped himself to one bite only. "Thank you. Please, excuse me." Kaname stood up politely.

Juuri frowned at Haruka and hurriedly caught Kaname's sleeve. "Are you and Yuuki are getting along okay, did she bully you? She likes referring to herself as big sister even though you're older, don't mind her Kaname. It's a silly phase."

"We're fine." Kaname strode without much explanation.

Haruka leaned back wearily. "They're only having a hard time adjusting. It'll smooth over in due time once we let them spend more time together."

"I've been thinking about it too." Juuri eyed her food. "I expected Yuuki to be kinder to Kaname considering his personality but she's not being friendly. I wonder if she worries she will lose my attention now that you and Kaname are here?" She was about to stand as Haruka touched her wrist. "I'm going to be firm and tell her to be nice to Kaname."

"Tell her to encourage Kaname to enroll in Kurosu Academy. They will be bound to spend more time together that way."

"How clever of you, my handsome husband." Juuri smiled radiantly and jumped on his lap, kissing his cheeks. "Muah, muah! I just want them to get along. Oh how my heart will sing if we all happily spent time together." She nuzzled Haruka.

"Hm, next time let's take them on a vacation."

"How about that restaurant we just went to?"

"That'll do."

"Except Yuuki is always held up with her work."

"We'll sort something out and tell them to meet us somewhere." Haruka sneakily grinned. "They don't need to know it's a vacation."

"Aha!" Juuri clapped animatedly, "Haruka, you're so smart. Muah, muah!"

As soon as she heard the sound of shower running Yuuki sprang across the hall and disabled the security of the room with her telepathy. She kicked open the restroom door.

There, Kaname stared dully at the brunette.

"H—" Her victorious grin fell at the sight.

He was perfectly dressed, all neat and clean looking. Did he shower with his clothes on?

"Do you shower with your clothes on?" She demanded.

Kaname unbuttoned his collar and within moments his dark shirt dripped on the floor. Smooth white skin covered broad shoulders that connected into his extending arms, his light nipples were another piece of perfection cropped on toned pecks. The narrow torso was lean and long with visible contours of muscle that was detectable between shadows.

"Did you honestly believe I was not expecting you to catch me while I showered?" Kaname touched his belt.

She flinched and cringed her head around.

"Take a look if it quells your wrath." Kaname smirked.

She was supposed to make him feel violated. Firmly Yuuki nodded, "Show me then."

His eyes narrowed in a sidelong glance and loosened his belt. Little by little, her courage withered as he dropped the article and reached for the button of his pants. Yuuki clenched her jaw and felt herself sway.

"I warned you." Kaname unbuttoned his pants.

She was shocked by his audacity. "Are you seriously so stubborn, what the hell is wrong with you?" Yuuki heard herself squawk in disbelieve. This man wasn't in the least perturbed to be seen naked by her. She couldn't help but wonder how he was undoubtedly comfortable or did he like the idea of being seen naked?

Kaname read her thoughts and closed his eyes in a short chuckle. "If this is the only way to stop you from barging into my restroom, you leave me no choice." He went on unzipping.

Yuuki stumbled back out the door. "Stop it!" She covered her face. How had this situation backfired on her?

"There is a lock. Use it well on your way out." Kaname turned.

She could hear the sound of his clothes drop to the floor. The shower glass shuddered and his feet stepped in the hot puddle. He was bare naked. Naked. So far from what she'd seen of his smooth body, she predicted so was the rest of him. All of him. Gasping at the vividness and with fire at her heels, Yuuki darted like a drunk outside, raspy with skewed brain cells. He was a harder opponent than she took him for. She waited around for him to get out of the shower, determined to set him straight. He must've sensed her and walked out with a towel. Yuuki assumed he'd be without one if she weren't around.

"We have to settle this once and…" Water dribbled thoroughly down his chest, wandering idly inside the knot of the towel on his waist. Whoa.

"What you're doing," Yuuki sternly pointed at the pureblood, "Is not right and what you saw—wasn't right either."

"It's also not right to prevent a person from dressing." Kaname alerted.

Yuuki threw a packet of papers at his head. They fluttered about like butterflies, touching him once. "Your enrollment packet to Kurosu Academy. I'll only agree to let you attend my school if you avoid the places I inhabit. You musn't tell anyone we're related."

"Let your guard down, Miss. I have no interest in your academy." The usage of the title made her stare widely up at him for a moment, as if she were being berated. Against his will, Kaname found himself admiring the softness of her large ruby eyes and mouth in detail.

"Then you'll have to tell your father and my mother about your decision. They want me to persuade you otherwise."

"How unfortunate to be given such tedious jobs. An ambassador such as yourself shouldn't worry about trivialities like my attending your academy."

"As your onee-sama, I'm obligated to look after you."

Kaname blinked down at her as if she were a little daft. "Your mathematical skills aren't impressive if you make someone younger than he really is."

She nudged his shoulder before sweeping past him. "You may have to get used to it. I'm warning you from coming to the library early morning. I don't know what I'll do if that happened again." Her cheeks flushed brightly. "I'm willing to share the library if only you use it after 2, that would be helpful. Oh." Yuuki strutted back in front of him, imperative anger storming her eyes. "Kindly let me know prior to your guest's visits. I had no idea you were bringing girls over."

"She is a family friend who has always been invited to my home." He simply stated.

"This home has different rules. Don't like them, feel free to leave."

"I may take your advice."

She stiffened and Kaname stared back, "Do you like standing around watching someone dress too?"

"Does your father know you're planning to leave?" Yuuki asked.

"Whether I stay or leave is not your business." He coldly replied.

"Guess not." Yuuki lingered on his words. "But they'll think I chased you out."

"That shouldn't have any affect on you either."

"What would you do if it did?" Yuuki demanded, head upturned to study his peculiarly shadowed eyes.

"Why would a mere stranger have any affect on you?"

Her lips opened and closed momentarily and she tried again. "I'm not against your leaving but something tells me you'll leave without telling. When you do make sure to tell me so I can leave hints to Haruka. My mother is fond of you and it'll break her heart. You do hold responsibility for visitations."

"I don't understand what spew you're spreading." Kaname replied. "I will do no such thing. Once I leave, I will not return."

"I'll give you a fine reason for returning." Yuuki slapped her knuckle upside his head. "Otouto, if you don't get your head on straight and be a responsible member of this family you'll get it from me." She swore.

Kaname shackled the hand raised to scruff his wet hair again. "You will regret having used this hand on me."

Strangely her hand felt fragile like glass in his larger, brawn grip. Yuuki rapped his left temple with her other hand. "You weren't ever picked on huh?"

He scowled, "You have ten seconds to leave this room."

She scoffed and tore her hand from his. "I'll let you dress in privacy. Give me a hint before you go. I don't know how they'll handle it." Yuuki's lips curled indignantly. "Where are you going? Thailand, Mexico? Norway? Some deserted place where no one can find you, why are you running away from your father?"

"This is none of your concern." Kaname bit out sternly.

Yuuki sighed and folded her arms, "I won't tell anyone about this, I won't even think about it after I leave this room but right this second, I'm asking you as your sister—your family." She added, "Can you please not go without telling?"

"That can't be done." Kaname turned away. "Someone will eventually track me. I have no intention of giving that a chance."

"Why aren't you letting him in your life?" Yuuki softly demanded. "He is your father, the only blood related person who loves and wants you around. He wants to be in your life and wants you to be in his. You can't terminate the relationship with your father by running away and blocking him constantly, don't you know that?" Yuuki scowled at his glistening hair locks.

She strayed to a table where a small towel was discarded and began drying his hair quickly. "Some of us actually want a father badly because we didn't get a chance to show them what we can grow up to be. I never told anyone."

Other than his childhood maids, no one ever dried his hair for him. The manner in which she massaged the towel on his scalp was soothing and he felt his chest unravel with relief.

Yuuki gulped the tightening knot in her throat, "Contrary to popular belief, my father didn't commit suicide like all purebloods are known to do. He was shot by an anti-vampire gun." She resumed drying his neck and ears gently as Kaname stood in undisturbed silence. "He tried excising the bullet but pieces remained in his body. He didn't have the heart to tell mother as he died slowly. Poison filled his blood so he stopped giving her his and my mother believed he didn't love her anymore."

Yuuki turned Kaname around. "They had misunderstandings because of it, Kaname."

The sound of his name leaving her lips made him feel alive and exquisitely complete.

"He died and she went on believing she wasn't enough to satisfy him. Before you leave, before you're about done pushing Haruka out of your life for the last time think about what misunderstandings and pains you're leaving behind because someone has to watch you go. That same person is willing to wait for ages with feelings of blame and anguish, that person you're turning your back on-" Her red eyes shimmered up at him. She cupped his warm cheek and sighed at his impassive façade. "Can only love you and love you until he stops living." She set the towel in his hand and walked away.

º