As the memories solidify
I can feel the void in my heart fill
With so much love that I once again
Feel whole.
----------------
Whole – Epilogue
Rima walked back and forth in the lobby, chewing feverishly on a Pocky stick while her black pumps reverberated against the shiny tile. Ruka sat lazily on the couch, legs crossed while busily inspecting her nails. On the coffee table in front of her was an assortment of nail polish bottles. Ruka bent over the coffee table, grabbed a rose-colored bottle and began painting her nails.
She looked up momentarily from her work. "Rima really, Shiki is going to be fine. More importantly you're ruining your toe nails walking in those pumps." When Rima did not stop nor even acknowledged her presence, Ruka shook her head and returned to her manicure.
After Rima had finished two Pocky boxes, which was her only way to track the passing time, Rima halted in her pacing and glanced up at the clock. It's been nearly three hours. What could be taking so long? He couldn't have…no it's not possible. But what if something happened? Oh no…and it's all my fault. Oh my god! What the hell is taking so long! Somebody tapped her shoulder.
When Rima didn't respond, the person announced her name, "Rima"
That stopped Rima in her thoughts. She only knew of one vampire that held such a powerful yet suave tone to his voice. If Rima were any other mere human, she was sure she could have literally melted to that very word. But she knew better. All nobles knew better than to mistake the words utter by him to be just purely words. They knew the hidden authority underneath. And Rima knew that there was no escaping his wrath. She turned apprehensively and faced the dorm leader and leader of the vampire world, Kaname Kuran. Kaname stared at Rima with cold, formidable eyes, as he always did.
Rima bowed. "I'm s-sorry Kaname-sama. I didn't realize it was you that needed my attention."
"Actually it's not me that tapped you." Kaname's expression softened when Yuuki, his younger sister and future wife, popped up from behind him, "It was Yuuki."
Yuuki stepped out from behind Kaname, wearing a plain night class uniform. On her arm was the band that identified her as a prefect, a job that she took seriously. Rima could never get used to the idea that Yuuki, the innocent girl that Kaname had always cherished, was indeed the pureblood princess.
Rima was about to bow when it was Yuuki that did it. She smiled sheepishly, "I hope I haven't intruded on anything you were thinking about Rima-sempai."
It took a moment for Rima to bounce back from the shock. Finally regaining composure, she returned the bow. "No not at all Yuuki-sama. I'm sorry I was so rude." She smiled uneasily. "Is that anything you need Yuuki-sama?"
Upon hearing that, Yuuki's expression brightened until she was smiling. But she shook her head, "No its nothing important, I just wanted to know if you were okay with everything that happened…" She trailed off.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern Yuuki-sama," In truth she was absolutely not okay. Rima couldn't think of another time she had been so afraid for Shiki's life. After years and years and years of protecting him, Rima hated feeling helpless. She knew he was in good hands and Shiki, being a vampire, had an incredible healing rate. Nonetheless, Rima was without a doubt worried out of her mind. Ki had stabbed him only inches away from his heart, breaking plenty of ribs to kill a normal human. Even the thought of Ki made Rima's vision turn blood red with murder. She kept replaying the scene from the forest over and over again, hoping that it was all a horrible, horrible dream. Being as smart as she was, Rima knew it was not. Ki was out there, somewhere, with Shiki's blood permanently stained on her hand. She had ran away after nearly slaughtering Shiki, leaving Rima to carry him, in her weakened state, all the way back to Cross Academy. He was immediately taken to the hospital wing before Ichijo insisted to the human nurses that they let Shiki stay in his own room. Rima had not seen him since, which fueled most of her concern. Rima sighed.
"Rima-sempai, are you alright?" Rima shook her head, clearing away all her dismal thoughts and focused on the petite pureblood princess in front of her.
"Yes I am fine Yuu–" She stopped in mid sentence, staring at the figure walking down the grand staircase, heading in her direction.
All heads turned, even Kaname's. Glancing at the crowd of people staring at him, and then at Rima, Ichijo sighed and said: "Really, why does everybody look at me like I'm the god of all creation?" Sighing yet again at the lack of response, Ichijo turned to Rima's anxious expression and patted her head. "He'll be fine. The wound is already starting to heal. I just had a hard time bandaging him up, that's all." When Rima started to make a run for Shiki's room, Ichijo shook his head. "He's sleeping right now, wait awhile until he wakes up."
With that everybody returned to what they were doing but not Rima. She couldn't help but to keep pacing. Briefly, she caught the eye of Yuuki, who in returned flashed a brilliant smile in her direction. Opening her mouth, Yuuki was about to say something to Rima when the long arms of her lover wrapped around her thin waist. Trying to keep Kaname's arms around her, Yuuki carefully turned and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Kaname looked like he was in complete bliss holding Yuuki, like he always was whenever she was around. Rima felt a pang of jealousy. If only my relationship was like that. She tired to imagine Shiki doing the same thing, with his protective arms around her, whispering words of love in her ear. Already she knew the fantasy was too unreal to even be a fantasy. Her relationship with Shiki was just a friendship – a very close one – but a friendship nonetheless. As she was thinking this, Rima faintly became aware that she was slowly making her way to the pureblood couple.
Coming to a stop in front of them, Yuuki gave Rima a questioning look. "Is something the matter Rima-sempai?"
"Oh it's nothing. I just wanted to ask you something," Rima mumbled, feeling her skin crawl under Kaname's cold stare.
Yuuki flashed another dazzling smile. She gave a quick good-bye kiss to Kaname before tugging on Rima's hand, pulling her to the outdoor balcony. A cold breeze sent goose bumps along Rima's arm but she felt better than she was in the stuffy lobby. There were many stars in the sky with Cross Academy being so far away from any real city. It was surely far past nightfall, probably around one or two in the morning. Either way it didn't really matter to Rima. She felt safe and relaxed out under the light of the moon. Yuuki stopped and turned, her long black hair blending into the outside scenery, creating a picture that was both beautiful yet deadly at the same time. Rima felt herself belittled by Yuuki's majesty; everything about her was something she was not. Tugging on her bright orange hair, Rima became speechless.
Suddenly Yuuki took Rima's hand into hers. "You had a question for me Rima-sama …?" Concern crossed her eyes.
"Um it was nothing," Rima mumbled, turning her head away feeling insignificant.
"It is not nothing." Yuuki squeezed Rima's hand. "Please tell me."
"Well you and Kaname-sama make such a perfect couple…"
At that Yuuki giggled, a sound that sounded more beautiful than music itself. Rima tried to remain apathetic but with her bubbling concern for Shiki, she had a hard time doing so.
"…And you think you and Shiki-sempai do not?" Yuuki said, her eyes sympathetic.
"Yeah…"
Again Yuuki took Rima's hand, which she had let go before to cover up her giggling. "Listen Rima-sempai. You and Shiki-sempai have something that is truly special. Don't ever think otherwise." The sincerity in Yuuki's voice showed that she was serious.
"But…"
Yuuki winked and stuck out her tongue. "No buts." When Rima still looked unconvinced, Yuuki shook her head. "Rima-sempai, I don't mean to be blunt but do you love Shiki-sempai?"
"Wait what?!"
"Do you love Shiki-sempai?" Yuuki stared at her, expecting a definite answer. But Rima had no definite answer. Sure he was a very special friend, and the only person she really ever talked to. They had spent so much time together, Rima felt like she knew Shiki better than herself. But those things couldn't answer Yuuki's question. Rima thought back to the incident in the forest. She thought of her worry for Shiki's well-being and his safety. She thought about how much she cared for him and how much she had tried to make realize that. She thought. Rima couldn't say for sure but somehow, someway, over the years, she really had fallen in love with her chestnut-haired best friend.
"…Um yes. I think so…"
Yuuki jumped up, happy with the answer. "Great!" Then she started to push Rima towards the door. "You should go tell him right now Rima-sempai. I'm sure he feels the same way."
Rima failed to form a coherent sentence. "But…Ichijo…Shiki…hurt…rest."
"Oh it's okay! I'll cover up for you. He won't notice a thing." By the time Yuuki had finished talking, she had already pushed Rima to the bottom of the grand staircase. Going to go converse with Ichijo in an effort to distract him, Yuuki mouthed a 'good luck' and gave Rima a thumbs up. Rima sighed. Yuuki was sure an energetic girl.
.
Rima stood in front of Shiki's room, feeling his presence and scent leaking through the cracks of the door. Multiple times now, Rima had reached for the doorknob only to pull back and sigh. Knowing she would never hear the end of it from Yuuki, Rima reached for the doorknob once again and turned her hand. The door produced a creaking sound that reverberated throughout the room. She slowly walked in, taking in the luminance of the moon from the open window. Shiki was on his bed, the radiance from the moon seeming to make his body glow as well. Rima walked up to him and took his hand into hers.
"Shiki…" Rima closed her eyes. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Suddenly she felt another hand on top of hers. Rima opened her eyes and stared straight into Shiki's. He smiled. A sweet, sweet smile. It had been a long time since Rima had seen Shiki smile like that.
"What's wrong Rima?"
Rima shook her head and smiled while tears continued to fall. "No its nothing."
Shiki's hand reached up and with one finger he scooped up a tear. "Then why are you crying?"
"These are tears of happiness. I'm so glad you're okay Shiki."
This time is was Shiki who shook his head. "You shouldn't be giving me any sympathy. This was all my fault." His eyes darkened. "Just like last time." Rima tried to talk but a finger on her lips silenced her. "Don't try to convince me otherwise Rima. You're too nice to me. I'm so much like my father, taking advantage of people and breaking promises and everything. I guess I am his son. Nothing I do is ever right. This time I didn't hurt you physically but I hurt you mentally. I should just lea–" Rima planted a soft sweet kiss on Shiki's lips to stop him. He let out a soft surprised sound but that melted away as their lips moved together. What seemed like eternities later, Rima bent her head back just a little but they were still so, so close.
"You're not like Rido Shiki. You're more than that. That's why…I love you." Rima blushed.
With his lips, Shiki urged Rima's head back up and kissed her again. Their lips molded together like one. Rima had never felt so happy. She felt connected to Shiki in every way possible, like her relationship with him was finally solidifying into something that nobody could ever break.
When Shiki pulled away, he whispered, "I love you too Rima. So, so much."
"Don't–never leave," she whispered back.
"I promise I won't."
Rima laid her head on Shiki's chest while he untied her black ribbons. He ran his hands through her hair over and over, undoing the tangles. He sighed. She sighed. Rima knew that Ki was out there, waiting to get her revenge again. She knew that there were freaks like her that she would need to kill as well. There were many enemies of the vampires at Cross Academy, many of which are going to be just as dangerous as Rido. The thought sort of frightened her. But whatever the odds, Rima knew she could always count on the chestnut-hair boy she loved to protect her. She would always be safe in his arms. And she would protect Shiki as well. Together they would be an unstoppable force. The thought reassured Rima of all her fears. Shiki would be her savior, her lover, and forever her best friend. He Shiki must have been thinking the same thing because they uttered the exact same words at the exact same time.
"I love you."
They had both never felt so whole.
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YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY~! I'm finally done :D This was a wonderful story and I enjoyed writing every second of it :]
I wanna give a shout out to a few people for commenting/reviewing so much :D And to everybody else that commented: THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT! :DDD I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed this ShiMa fanfic and I hope to write more in the future! :P
~hellopanda23 for first comment 3
~georgisakura for commenting on nearly every chapter :]
~shikixxrima for also commenting on nearly every chapter and for providing very...lively comments xD
Oh and also I'm thinking about writing another ShiMa fanfic thats sort of a very LONG prologue of Silent Tears about when Shiki and Rima were kids and how they met and their drama then :P The two stories will probably crossover and the memories you saw in Silent Tears will probably appear in my new story :] If you review please tell me what you think about this idea! And I need a title xD So yeah I need that too :P
Anyway thanks again for the support and encouragement!
-ninja poof-