Author Notes: Tell you what. This chapter bores its writer. Seriously. It was a pain in my ass because it's mostly dialog, so I'm rather relieved that I'm over it. I initially wanted to just skip this, but it rebelled against me, screaming on my face till my ears ringing, so I have to comply in the end and write it out. Well, just go on and read it. Tell me if you have the same opinion with me or not, even though I can't do anything about it anymore.

(A shoutout to YenGirl) Thank you for helping me closing any loophole in this chapter! –sending a warm hug and a box full chocolate cookies-

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight. But I do want Kain for myself though…

Never in my wildest dreams

dare I imagine you

as mine…

Because I know broken dreams

can be as unsettling

as those that come true.

Chapter 6. The Question

Ryuji could see various expressions playing and changing rapidly in Ruka's large eyes. Disbelief… distress… confusion… outrage… anxiety…

"What for?" she demanded shakily, in total disagreement with his request.

"Because I'm your big brother. And this is what a brother is supposed to do when he finds his precious little sister being mistreated by another man. No − don't argue with me…" he sternly cut Ruka's attempt to interrupt his words. "I wish to talk with him. Now."

Ruka fell silent at his words and masked her expression. Slowly, she nodded. "Fine. But could you wait for just five minutes?" she inquired.

"Why?"

Ruka closed her eyes again for a brief moment. "I have to get my blood tablets for him." She said reluctantly.

Ryuji clenched both his fists, his blood boiling with fury. So, in addition to his decadent act on Ruka, the boy was also unable to control his own bloodlust. He automatically scanned Ruka's neck again for any leftover sign that could be perceived as bite marks, and found none. Whether Kain had refrained himself from doing so, or whether Ruka had erased the evidence herself, Ryuji couldn't tell for sure. But the insolent boy was lucky this time, because if only Ryuji had found even one tiny bite mark on his sister's beautiful neck, he would surely have crushed him before the wretched school boy could even say "fang".

Ryuji forced his body to relax. "Okay, go get them. I'll wait here"

Kain let himself slide to the bathroom's cold marble floor. He rested his forehead on top of his right hand that lay on his bent knee, as his other hand moved to clutch at the front of his shirt. He was trying hard to dampen his own senses, to ignore the mild trace of Ruka scent that still lingered on his shirt and almost every part of his body. It was cruel – her scent slowly but surely seeped into his body and mind, like a deadly beautiful poison, ensuring Kain would never forget it.

Since when, he reflected, did he start to react so strongly to her like this? Hadn't he been fine the last time he held her close and danced together on the school dance night?

Quiet footsteps coming from outside of the bathroom broke Kain's train of thoughts and he lifted his head expectantly towards the door, relieved that Ruka had returned with the tablets.

Only instead of looking up into Ruka's calm brown eyes, Kain's gaze clashed with a pair of very cold − and furious − blue eyes. Kain was startled, he didn't expect anyone other than Ruka to walk in and find him at this very unfavorable moment. "Ryuji-san? Why are-"

Kain never finished his words.

Quicker than the eye could follow, Ryuji suddenly bent down and snatched Kain's collar to hoist him off the floor. He hurled the brown haired noble violently against the bathroom's ceramic tiled wall, making the tiles crack. Then he placed his forearms on Kain's chest to lock him tightly in place against the wall, fingers with the strength of steel clasping his collar in a choking grip.

The rough impact made Kain's breath rush out of his lungs with a whooshing sound, but he didn't let that stun him long enough, as his hands flew to close themselves around Ryuji's wrists, trying to struggle free. He bucked hard, bluntly ignoring the screaming pain from the back of his head that had collided with the stainless steel towel bar fastened onto the tiles. He didn't know for sure what had caused Ruka's brother to appear out of nowhere to attack him, but he certainly wasn't going to just let him do as he pleased.

Their eyes met once again. This time fiery red orbs clashed fiercely with freezing blue ones. Ryuji had to use all his strength to keep Kain pinned to the wall and he ignored the bone-crushing grip on his wrists which was, undoubtedly, enough to snap the bones of any living mortal and hurt the flesh of any normal class vampire.

"Now you listen to me," Ryuji hissed past a pair of gleaming sharp fangs. His icy blue eyes rapidly turned crimson in anger. "I know what you did to my sister Ruka. And I certainly don't like it," his arms added pressure onto Kain's neck and chest to emphasize his statement. "If I ever − ever find you again, doing your obscene play to my little sister or hurting her in any way, I swear I'll rip your h−"

"Ryuji-nii-san! What are you doing!" Ruka lunged forward between her brother and Kain − placing one hand on each of their chests, trying to separate the two vampire nobles who seemed to have molded themselves together as their respective hideously angry auras swirled around them. "Akatsuki! Both of you, stop this foolishness at once!" she grated irritably.

Kain loosened his grip almost immediately at Ruka's command, while Ryuji let out a low menacing growl before releasing his own iron grasp and stepped back, his murderous eyes locked heatedly with Kain's.

Ruka shot an incredulous look towards both males, noting Kain's dishevelled form and Ryuji's faintly discolored wrist. "What is this all about?" she inquired wearily, like a mother who'd caught two of her sons fighting over something.

"Just teaching him his place" Ryuji's voice was a low frosty murmur.

"But you said you just wanted to talk with him! Can't I hold you to your words anymore?" Ruka folded her hands in front of her chest. "I've told you didn't I, Nii-san, that it wasn't like what you thought! You have misunderstood us."

Ryuji look at her with evident disappointment on his face. "Misunderstood? You would like to entertain me again with your story on how you lost one of your earrings?" he asked Ruka while throwing Kain a furious glare. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Ruka," his eyes shifting back to Ruka again, "did he debauch you that much? For you to go down so low as to try to cover him who− "

Ruka opened her mouth fast, wanting to deflect Ryuji's unfair accusation, but Kain was faster. In one fluid movement, he had stepped forward and placed himself in front of Ruka, displaying a protective stance over her. "That's enough already, Ryuji-san," he interrupted the dark-haired noble with a calm yet authoritative voice. "You can condemn or insult me to your heart's content and I'll take it all, but please, don't speak ill or dishonor your sister because I will not take it lightly, even though you are her blood brother. It is entirely my fault this happened, so it would be wise of you to hold me responsible. Not her," Kain's eyes valiantly held Ryuji's, challenging him to say something.

A moment of deafening silence followed the end of Kain's sentence, in which Ryuji's initially furious expression subsided into mild astonishment and Ruka found herself speechless, staring at Kain's straight broad back, her eyes huge. She'd never had expected him to defend her like this as well as shoulder all the blame while in actual fact, it was her fault to put him in such a tough position in the first place. She was the one who had enticed him. Kain could have easily gotten himself out if he wanted to… but he hadn't. Instead, he'd stood by her.

Ruka felt her cheeks warmed. What Kain had said and the way he defied her brother for her made her feel so... cherished.

"Very well," Ryuji finally said. His expression showed that Kain had exceeded his previous assessment. "Then let's hope that I will never catch you responsible for the second time," he turned on his heel, ready to step out of the bathroom when he suddenly stopped to glance at Ruka's direction. "You're playing a risky game, Ruka-chan. Be careful, you are walking down the same path as mine," he said to her with an uncharacteristically soft voice.

Ruka's gaze followed her brother's back until he disappeared behind the door. She felt a slight twist inside her chest as she caught the hint of remorse inside his words and knew very well its reason. But her brother was wrong. She wasn't following his path. She would not let what had happened on him happen to herself or Kain.

Ruka turned to face Kain, relieved to see him looking down at her with his normal brown colored eyes. Apparently her friend's bloodlust had settled down in the midst of the argument. Ruka watched him absently rubbing the back of his head now, and she realized that Kain must have hit it. Had her brother flung him against something earlier? Ruka's eyes flicked towards the spot on the wall where she had found the two of them tangled together and her gaze fell on a metal towel bar, at the exact height of the back of Kain's head.

Ruka winced, feeling a sharp stab of guilt. "I'm sorry," she murmured tremulously.

Kain exhaled. "I don't know what you're apologizing for, Ruka," he answered grimly. "And you've said those words three times already today. If it's about your brother, please don't mention it anymore. He had every right to be mad, and if there's anyone who needs to apologize, it's me, you know. I'm−"

Ruka shook her head fast, thwarting Kain's words of apology from rolling off his tongue. "No, please. Just forget about that. I was the one who started it…"

And not only started it but she'd also responded ardently to his delicious, fevered touch, and almost instantly melted into him the moment he...

No! Stop− that− now! Ruka gave herself a hard mental slap to stop her own mind from going too far. But nonetheless, a series of still vibrant and lively memories of what Kain had done to her and the way she'd felt was playing in the corner of her mind, making her cheeks flame anew.

Oh, this was so not right. She shouldn't be reacting so strongly to Kain like this. Because aside from his accidental bloodlust, his whole conduct clearly stated that he'd only been testing her, and nothing more. Naturally, she should be completely shocked at his change of manner, but no, she had been too engrossed, enjoying his impingement rather that feeling uncomfortable and she'd also done zilch to help herself.

Well, she had done a few things actually, but none of them could even remotely fall into the 'sensible' category.

Geez... What would Kain think of her now?

Since when did you value his opinion about you? A sinister voice suddenly asked inside her mind, startling her.

Yeah, that's right. She didn't realize it before, but she wasn't accustomed to giving a damn about what Kain thought of her. She usually just did whatever she wanted, and never took Kain's opinion − and even his caution − into her consideration. Since when then?

Ruka found the question circling inside her head without any apparent reason until she unexpectedly caught herself recalling the moment she had been looking into Kain's glowing red eyes. Eyes, that had surprisingly shown more than they should have...

"Ruka, are you all right?" Kain sounded a bit worried upon seeing her lost in her thoughts.

"Oh, yeah − I'm just thinking…" Ruka answered unevenly when she saw Kain's quizzical gaze on her. He looked ready to ask about what was occupying her mind and Ruka quickly came up with something to distract him. "Oh, I almost forgot, here are my blood tablets," she extended her hand, holding out a small black plastic box with the Cross Academy crest printed on both its sides. Kain took it from her hand and went to extract a glass from the medicine cabinet to mix himself a much needed blood tablets solution.

Ruka leaned on the bathroom wall, watching Kain down the crimson-colored liquid. "I'm causing you too much trouble," she finally said. Softly, half to herself.

Kain put his glass carefully onto the bathroom marble counter before turning back to Ruka. "No, you're not, Ruka. Please don't think like that, would you? Speaking as if you have becoming my burden…" he stepped in front of her, inviting her gaze up to meet his gentle eyes. "…because you're not. And you never will."

Ruka could only nod. She couldn't answer him, because all at once she felt her throat constricted and her heart overflowed with warmth, moved by Kain's words.

Kain gave her a tentative smile. "Good. Now, you should go back to your room, and change your clothes." He propelled her softly by her shoulder out of the bathroom.

"Eh…? But why?"

"Because I have made up my mind to help you," Kain answered with some wasn't-it-obvious-already tone. "And we need some excuse for our disappearance should your parents ask. Which I'm sure they will. And oh, I assume Ryuji somehow knows about this…?"

Ruka tried to hide her worried frown. "Yes, he knows most of it. He forced me to tell him, but don't worry, he promised me to be silent about all this." Ruka confirmed, but not so convincingly despite what she had just said.

"It's okay, don't worry. I think he is capable of holding onto his own words. Besides, if things turn out differently from what you've planned, I will try my best to help." Kain said reassuringly.

Ruka gave him a curious look. Why did Kain sound like he had an extra plan? Wasn't she the one who owned all the plans?

She was about to ask, but Kain guided her to the door. "Okay, you should really leave now, before another member of your family pops up again in my room."

Souen Kyousuke dropped down tiredly onto the chair inside his cozy drawing room. He rubbed his face with both hands then eyed his wife who sat beside him, perfectly composed and undisturbed while her nimble hand steadily flew across her design book lying on top of her lap, filling out its pages with her famous fashion design sketches.

"Rena," he began.

"Hm?"

"How can you be so calm at a time like this?"

Renata chuckled lightly. "I'm always calm, aren't I? That's the reason why you married me in the first place, or have you forgotten?" she sent Kyousuke a fond look. "Besides, aren't you the one who always sweat over matters?"

"But, Rena, aren't you worried about what our Ruka decided to do?" Kyousuke asked her sourly. Ruka's exceptional and unexpected interruption to his speech tonight had completely shocked him, and given him a hard time during the party afterwards.

"We haven't asked her regarding this matter, have we?" Renata smiled, her pair of amber eyes back on the design book and her hand continuing its work.

"Mother is right, Father. Ruka must have her own reasons."

Kyousuke turned his head towards his third son who also sat calmly in his favorite spot reading a newspaper, a perfect mirror image of his mother's upbringing. For most people who didn't know him well, he would simply look like some schoolboy brat, with his longish dark hair that grew past his shirt collar. But the impression usually only lasted until the subject of business was brought into their conversation and revealed the fact that behind the defiant look that was never absent from Takehiko's olive green eyes, he actually possessed a brilliant business skill which surpassed many veteran vampires'.

Kyousuke glared at him. "Hah! You always follow what your Mother has said. And you're also taking Ruka's side because both of you are birds of the same feather!" Kyousuke rasped his irritated retort and glanced towards his wife and son in turn, exasperated by the fact that Takehiko and Renata always shared the opinion, and showed little concern regarding various matters.

Takehiko tore his eyes away from the article he'd been reading to give Kyousuke a slightly annoyed look. "I'm not taking sides, Father. I'm being neutral. And please don't put me together with Ruka, I'm not as hot headed as she is," he stated blandly.

"Yes. Not hot headed, but stone headed! Have you forgotten how much trouble you put us in four years ago? And now Ruka has followed your no good, ominous path!" Kyousuke roared hotly, then stood up and began to pace around the room. He didn't care that Takehiko was ignoring him, as long as he could release his pent up anger. "Am I the only one here who still have some sanity left? You know what Shugo Tenma said to me? I swear I will..."

"Kyou-chin, please calm down and control yourself" Renata said softly without diverting her eyes off the pages on her lap. "I have my precious china here, and I certainly don't want to lose them to your nasty temper."

Kyousuke grunted but he relented to Renata's request as he always did and sat back down in his previous spot. "Fine then, as everyone suggested, I'll ask my daughter and her man of choice some questions. Saeko, inform them that I wish to talk to them now. Here."

Saeko, who had been standing silently on the corner listening to their banter swiftly stepped ahead and bowed in a perfect servant manner to Kyousuke's request. "Right away, Kyousuke-sama." She turned and went out of the room.

Kyousuke shook his head resignedly. "The two of them even dared to leave the party before it finished. I thought this time, I would get myself the minimum of headaches because Ruka is a girl, but apparently, she is the one who gave me the biggest headache! And this is only the beginning. I can't imagine−"

The room door swung open as Kyousuke was speaking and Yoshiko came in. "What is it, Kyousuke? Did I just hear you ranting like a woman?" she gave her son an amused smile.

Kyousuke jumped from his seat and stepped forward to welcome the old lady. "Mother! You come at the right time! I've just summoned Ruka and Kain here. I want to question them both."

Yoshiko nodded in agreement. "Good decision. I want to hear about it from them too." she said as she seated herself on Renata's side.

"Perfect!" Kyousuke eyes lit up enthusiastically at Yoshiko's confirmation "I think they really owe us some explanation for causing such a disruption to our plans."

"Just remember to keep your temper in check, Kyou-chin," Renata annotated him smoothly, accompanied by her expressive glance.

Yoshiko chuckled, catching the look she knew so well on her daughter-in-law's face. Renata was the only one who could withstand and neutralize Kyousuke's bad traits with her patient and composed demeanor.

A soft knock came from the door.

"Ah, here they come," said Kyousuke in an almost relieved tone, happy that he didn't have to reply to his wife's reminder. "Come in!" he bellowed.

The door swung open, and Ruka entered followed by Kain. Both of them already changed out of their earlier outfits into fresh clothes, and smelled of soap. Kyousuke frowned. So, the reason of their disappearance was to take a shower?

How weird…

"Please sit down, Ruka, Akatsuki-san," Kyousuke gestured them to the chairs in front of him. "Taken your showers already?"

He watched his daughter exchange a subtle glance with Kain as they took their seats. Plotting something, eh? Kyousuke thought.

"Someone dumped white wine on Akatsuki," answered Ruka flatly.

"Who was it? I wonder why they would do something like that?" Kyousuke put a frown between his brows, trying to look surprised and concerned, but his tone of voice failed him and he ended up sounding amused.

Ruka's scowled. "What are you insinuating, Father?" she replied icily, ready to start a fight if needed.

"Ruka!" Kain warned her under his breath, making Kyousuke's suddenly intrigued gaze shift from Ruka to him.

Kyousuke quirked his brow. Why did this boy remind him so much of his own wife?

"Nothing, really," Kyousuke shook his head. He quickly decided that he would proceed asking Ruka first, whom he firmly believed was the main conspirator in this whole plot. "Now Ruka, I would like to know what has driven you to make such an outrageous statement during the party."

Ruka pressed her lips together. "Didn't you pay attention when I said it earlier to our guests, Father?"

"Ruka, that's not the way to talk to your Father." Again, Kain whispered his warning.

Renata lifted up her head and stopped sketching. "Then perhaps you, Akatsuki-san? Would you care to explain to us?" Her amber eyes glowed as they rested on Kain, examining him silently.

Kain offered her his best apologetic smile. "Renata-san, it's precisely like what Ruka had said earlier during the party - it was her choice and I took it as my honor. I very much apologize if I have caused any disturbances for anyone."

Renata regarded him for a while, deciding that it was, after all, her daughter's doing that had dragged this young vampire noble into the whole mess. "It's fine, Akatsuki-san. In that case, it was beyond your control."

Kyousuke cut in. "But really, Ruka, why not just have him participate in your formal courting? No need to cut off the other suitors' chances, by throwing us this dry joke."

"What chance, Father? They don't even have a chance to begin with," Ruka glared at him, seething. "If you think that this was some kind of joke I learn from Takehiko, I assure you, it isn't. I take this very seriously. I have chosen Akatsuki to be my long life partner, and I believe you will let me proceed," she showed Kyousuke a deliberate, taunting face. "I will take what you've previously affirmed as my 'right to choose'."

"But why him, Ruka, of all people?" Kyousuke asked frustratedly. He knew that he couldn't take back his own words, but Ruka was seriously giving him trouble by her selfish, impulsive decision. He exhaled furiously, he didn't understand what her daughter had inside her head at all.

Kyousuke's questioning gaze pierced Ruka's determined one. "Do you know why I didn't invite any of your friends from Cross Academy to this party, Ruka?" Kyousuke chided, his voice softening as he was aware he was treading on dangerous ground. "Because I know about your affection over Kuran-sama! As much as I like the idea of him returning your affection, and eventually joining our family, I'm also realistic enough to know that he does not have any interest in you."

Ruka was keeping her silent, so he continued. "That's why I tried to exempt anybody who has any close connection with him. I didn't even invite Ichijo Takuma whom I honestly thought would suit you. I wanted to lessen as much as possible, anything that could possibly connect you to him, in expectation that you could forget this ridiculous infatuation of yours and get a brighter prospect for your life."

Kain was sitting very still on his chair, listening intently to Kyousuke's tirade. Finally, everything was starting to make sense. Actually Kain had begun to wonder if there was something peculiar about the party he was attending. Originally, he was expecting to find a few of their Cross Academy classmates being invited to the party as well. But he could find none of them there, and that was odd, because logically, they should be invited, considering most of them were from rich and influential families which, without a doubt would well fit with Ruka.

Ruka snorted amusedly and tossed her head. It was a completely unappealing idea, her being paired with the friendly, blond-haired Assistant Dorm Leader. They had no chemistry at all together, to begin with. But then again, neither did any of her other Cross Academy friends.

Really, she just wanted to be left alone.

"You don't have to push it that far, Father. Thinking that I hope in vain for something, or someone to connect me with Kaname-sama," she protested.

"Oh, really? So why is this Kain Akatsuki sitting in our drawing room tonight? Don't tell me that you've forgotten he is Kuran-sama's left hand man?" Kyousuke waved his hand at Kain's direction.

Ruka gave Kyousuke a steady gaze. "Father, I don't care if you imagine I'm still pining after Kaname-sama, because the fact is, I'm not. Not anymore," she paused for a moment to silently study her father's surprised, half disbelieving reaction.

On her right side, Ruka could feel Kain stirring uncomfortably at the mention of Kaname's name, and after a while he shot her a prolonged, intent look. Ruka wilfully ignored him and continued to speak. "I have, for a while, learned to forget about him. I have also offered him an apology for my immature act during all this time. If you don't believe me, Father, you could on any occasion try to mention this to him and get his confirmation to appease your curiosity." Ruka paused, half expecting her Father to shoot more questions at her confident statement. But he didn't, so Ruka just carried on.

"I hope my explanation is enough to answer your question, Father, and if you don't have any further questions, I would like to change the subject." she finished coldly, her chin held high. "Oh, and one more thing, please speak with more consideration. You've been talking to me as if Akatsuki's not present in this room at all!"

Kyousuke determinedly ignored a stifled cough sound that came from Takehiko at Ruka's remonstration. He glowered at Ruka instead, ready to send his comeback, but halted when Yoshiko promptly cleared her throat indicating him that she would like to take over his speech.

"Akatsuki-san," she began, her voice was firm with a hint of dignity, as one may expect from a noble born who had lived for hundreds of years. "Please forgive my son's lack of courtesy, I believe you understand that was because of his concern for Ruka, don't you?" she offered Kain her warm smile. "I won't deny that you are the one our beloved Ruka has chosen. But may I ask you one little question?"

Kain could do nothing but nod. "Anything you please, Yoshiko-san,"

"Very well..." Yoshiko affirmed complacently. "I think… I would like to know, what you can give to Ruka by being her chosen one," her hazel eyes were gentle on Kain, but piercing at the same time.

The question took Kain aback and his gaze dropped to the floor. He hadn't expected that one. Of all questions he had anticipated to receive from Ruka's enraged family members, this certainly wasn't one of them. Yoshiko's question was clearly asking him about his responsibility in being Ruka's future spouse, which of course, had never dawned on him before. Besides, why would he ever need to think of what he would give to Ruka when he was just a… phony?

Everyone turned silent as their eyes were drawn to Kain's brooding figure. Kyousuke had a small, satisfied smile playing upon his lips. Unquestionably, this was not the first time he witnessed Yoshiko plying her chat partners with difficult questions that often silenced them for quite a while.

"Well, Akatsuki-san…?" Yoshiko inquired again after some time.

Kain returned his gaze to the old lady, trying hard to hide any uncertain look in his eyes. He knew what to answer her, but something still nagged at the corner of his mind.

"Yes, Yoshiko-san, I…" Kain could hear his voice lacking self-confidence so he stopped, cleared his throat and started over.

"Happiness," He said resolutely, his deep voice filled with unquestioning sincerity. He looked straight into Yoshiko's eyes. "I would give my best to ensure her happiness, this I can promise you. I will put her need before mine, ahead of all other matters, and cherish her above anything else in this world."

There, he had said it. He hadn't prepared the answer to this question, he'd never thought about it before. But if – just if − he was given the real chance to be with Ruka for life, then without a doubt, this would be the exact things he would provide her with.

Kain could hear Ruka exhale softly at his reply and he couldn't stop himself from giving her a glance − was that amazement mixed with… delight… he saw in her soft brown eyes?

Yoshiko nodded once, but she didn't look very impressed. "And why would you do that for my dear Ruka?"

Kain looked back at Yoshiko and fell silent at once. He had no idea at all how to answer this particular question, and didn't even know why Yoshiko asked the second question after the first one. Didn't he answer the first clearly enough? That he promised to ensure Ruka's happiness, like he'd done all this time? Why would the old lady asked him for his motive in doing so? Kain swallowed unconsciously, and looked around as if trying to search for the answer he didn't have.

Seeing no reply coming from Kain, Yoshiko sighed and shook her head lightly. She kind of knew from the start that he would not be able to answer this particular question even though the question was so simple. Well, what could she say? The boy wasn't ready yet to find the answer. Yoshiko felt a mixture of disappointment and relief at the same time. At least she could see that Kain was sincere with his answer for the first question.

"I see you can't answer my question yet, Akatsuki-san." she said softly. "It's okay. There will come a time when you will be able to answer it. Or so, I hope." She watched Kain's face – he looked half puzzled and half ashamed.

Yoshiko smiled a little and turned to her son who was observing them wordlessly. "Kyousuke, I'm sorry, but I think you have to let them have it their own way −" she announced and held out her right hand as she saw Kyousuke wanted to utter his objection. " – at least for now. If you want to know why I approve of this, I'll explain my reason to you later. Ruka, Akatsuki, you two may go now."

They didn't need to be told twice. Kain was quick to trot behind Ruka who practically flew out of the drawing room. She walked with quick steps straight to the almost empty living room before finally stopping at the foot of the grand staircase and turning to face Kain.

"Um... Akatsuki..."

"Yeah?"

Ruka was going to ask me about the question, Kain could see it in her eyes but then she looked hesitated. "Ah...sorry it's nothing," she said.

Kain exhaled with relief, didn't know how to answer her if she was really asking him the same question her Grandmother had asked. "I thought you're going to give me further instructions on what to do next?" Kain pocketed both his hands as he waited for her reply.

"No, actually I haven't got any idea - yet. But in general, I think we have to put up some sort of show to make everyone believe us more. Because I can see that my father still thinks that I'm playing some kind of joke on him," Ruka scowled.

Kain gave her an innocent look. "Aren't you?"

"Akatsuki!"

A rare playful grin flashed on Kain's lips. "Sorry," he almost added 'couldn't resist' but quickly deferred as he caught sight of the deadly glare Ruka was giving him. Man, Ruka was so uptight… "Actually, I got an idea of what we'd better do if you want to gain such impression," he said quietly after a while.

Ruka arched her brow. "And what is that?"

"You'll see for yourself tomorrow," he started to climb the stairs.

"Are we playing riddles?" Ruka didn't follow him. She stayed where she stood, asking with a slightly irritated voice.

Kain stopped. "No, I'm not. I just need to prepare it first," he shrugged. "It's still new, anyway."

Ruka watched as Kain proceeded to ascend the stairs, his movements graceful and unhurried, leaving her standing alone at the base of the stairs. And being left like that, Ruka couldn't help but muse who was it between the two of them, who supposed to come up with a plan in the first place.

End note: For those who are not familiar with Japanese honorific, you could visit use google or wikipedia, so you would know why Renata called her husband like that –smirk-