The fresh scent of spring dew - the feeling of it against soft skin of your hand. The comforting chirps of crickets. A clear black night decorated with shining jewels. This was a very typical spring night, a night that was filled with life as lilies and roses shook off the once cold blanket that was covering over them; when the wildlife awoke from months worth of naps and explored the renewed environment around them; the very beauty that even some humans take for granted till it is gone.

Tonight was one of these nostalgic nocturnal evenings.

The kind that the young priest — a man by the name of Seiji Komori — loved to spend with his little bundle of joy — Yui Komori. Sitting on the steps of the church, a owlish smile graced the man's face as he watched his young daughter run around the yard, laughing and jumping merrily trying to catch the nearest firefly that she could find. The little girl was of bright blonde curled hair that fell to her shoulders, and eyes a beautiful and wide pink that radiated her gentle and innocent nature.

Everything about this child screamed innocent; even from her own laughter when she nearly caught the light bug, which the man of god found adorable and chuckled each time it echoed into the air.

It has been 12 years now, and it only seemed like yesterday when a baby girl was placed into his arms and was told to raise it. Even though it was unexpected, the kind man has never once regretted the day the girl he named Yui was brought into his lonely life. She filled the air with much joy and positive energy, her very aura brighten his worst of days. The same could be said about Yui. Though she wasn't aware that she shared no blood relations to the man she calls father, her life has been nothing but happiness and full of laughter. She wouldn't say it, but there were times things were sullen and hard because of the days she was left alone due to her father's work.

However, it was no secret that the two bonded like any normal father and daughter would. A unbreakable bond, as they say. Even if their lives were far from normal, the love they shared as a family was strong. Nothing could possibly break it.

The sound of a clap rang the air, followed by a gasp belonging to Yui. "Father! Father, I finally caught one. I caught one!" The young girl runs back to her father excitedly, a giant grin upon her face at her success. Once she reaches him, she pants lightly as she calms her excitement. "Father, look. See? I was able to catch one."

Seiji's face mirrored the now soften smile the young Yui had as he leaned forward to have a look. "Oh, let's have a look." He said, and on cue, little Yui slowly opened her clasped hands — revealing nothing at first, but then a tiny flash of green light caused Yui to jump a little in surprise. The father and daughter chuckle at that before they looked down into Yui's cupped hand.

The firefly blinked its light a period of every ten seconds. The light glistened their faces in the moonlit night. Though it was hard to see a little, their eyes were able to watch as the insect climbed from the middle of Yui's palm, to the tip of her index finger. She giggles sweetly, raising her finger that the light bug had taken refuge on. The insect made a 180 turn, staring back into the big pink innocent eyes that were narrowed slightly as she smiled softly.

"The light it's making is really pretty." Said Yui as the insect decided to crawl on top of her index, blinking its lime-green light once more.

"Do you like it, my child?" Asked the priest, smoothing the girl's soft hair. Yui glances back at him and nods, the gentle grin still on her face.

"Uh-huh. I would like to make a firefly lantern like the ones I've seen before, but..." A frown forms on her lips. "It's really unfair how people trap them in a jar like they do. They must get very uncomfortable in there." She looked upon the insect sadly, her herself imagining what it must be like to be trapped in a glass jar with no way to run. She shook her head to rid the uncomfortable thought.

"Oh... Yui, look." The priest said in quiet amazement, pointing behind the child. Yui slowly turns her head to see what her father was pointing at, then to feel a soft grin grace her face upon laying eyes on all the other fireflies, grouped together as they seemingly lite their lights simultaneously, creating a serene sight to behold. Seiji places a hand on her shoulder, smiling gently when Yui's grin met his gaze. "It looks like they want their friend to come home now. Time to say goodbye to him, sweetheart." He said hush and gentle.

Yui knowledgeably nods. "Kay! It's time to go now. Bye-bye." The young raises her one finger in the air, watching the bug almost immediately take off and join the others. Yui giggled once more and continued to watch the light show, feeling hypnotized by how beautiful it was. She was too star stricken, she barely notice a figure walking towards them from a distance.

The smile from her dropped, and a curious look crossed her face as she tore her gaze away from the insects and watched someone slowly staggeringly approach them. "Father... who's that?" Little Yui asks. Upon hearing no response, she glanced over her shoulder and saw the look on her father's eyes. She couldn't pinpoint it out, but he seemed... distressed for some reason.

Yui turns back to the figure and narrows her eyes to try to see the unknown person better. The trees that lined up along the dirt road blocked the light of the moon, but just barely. Occasionally, a ray of light would hit the person's face. During one of those times, Yui saw it was a young woman. The girl was stumbling on her feet, walking like she had been drinking all night and had just got back from the bar. But the girl looked no more than 14. Finally, the girl stepped into the light, and what Yui saw caused her to gasp — bringing a hand to her lips as her eyes widened.

The girl wore a light brown coat that was unbuttoned, revealing the attire she was wearing underneath. She had a Gothic Lolita fashioned long sleeved button-up shirt, a black ruffled skirt with white on the hem, black tights and white short heels. The moon shined down on her, revealing her fair pale porcelain skin and her strawberry jagged, curled blonde hair that reached below her shoulder blades with a lighter blond at the tips. The girl stopped, and slowly looked up to the moon with ocean blue eyes so hollow and lifeless, people could mistaken her for a living doll because of her already beautiful and elegant, yet unnatural and almost inhuman appearance. But what concerned Yui... was that her entire torso was drenched in dark red liquid... like blood.

As the child watched the teen girl stand like a statue — the said girl's undead eyes glued to the moon — distress and worry ran through Yui's veins. Though she wasn't scared of the woman herself, the broken look upon her beautiful face and the blood coating her body was just a very unsettling sight.

Suddenly, Yui felt a slight tug on her shoulder, causing her to jump. She looked over her shoulder only to see her father, expression full of shock, pulling her back behind him. Once Yui was behind his form, he quickly turned around and bended over — placing firm hands on her shoulder. "Yui, go back inside and get ready for bed. I'll handle this..." Yui didn't say, but she could hear the distress in his voice. Wordlessly, she gave a curt nod before she turned a heel and ran back inside, shutting the door behind her as quickly as she could. However, curiosity scratched at her heart by the presence of this woman. She wanted... no... had to find out what happened to her.

Timidly though, she stood on her tip toes and looked out the window of the church. She watched her father take cautious small steps towards the teen, wary of the appearance of her. But just from one look at her, anyone could tell that something was very, very wrong.

"Miss... Excuse me? Are you all right? Are you hurt?" Seiji questioningly asked as soft as he could, trying not to startle the poor thing.

The teen's head slumped along with her body like a rag doll. She staggeringly walks toward the priest, but she kept retracting her feet, causing her to sway from side to side. Seiji then notice her mouth moving up and down, muttering incoherent things under her breath. The only thing he could make out from her was, "I'm sorry..." to which he furrowed his brows at.

He tried again. "Miss, please answer me. Are you all right?" He asked once more, albeit a bit more slowly so she could comprehend. It may have worked, because the woman jumped in her place like she just now unexpectedly heard his voice. However, no answer. The teen girl's back slouches as she wraps her pale fingers around her clothed arm, the priest could have sworn that he could see her slowly begin to tremble. She began to gnaw at her lower lip, a line of blood streamed from the wound and down her chin; yet she showed no pain.

Seiji was finally only a foot from her, he inwardly thanked god that the girl hasn't made any attempts to turn a tail and run. Gently, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She shuddered upon the touch, but made no noise. "Miss... What happened? Please tell me you're all right..." Seiji said in a hush tone as he went to place his other hand on her other exposed shoulder, but she didn't flinch from the second touch.

After a few awkward seconds of silence, the two standing still with Seiji worrying over the battered girl, the teen finally lifts her head up and showed him her deep blue, doll-like eyes. Her blue orbs glisten with tears that were running down her cheeks, a bewildered expression crossed her face as she looked into the man's eyes. The priest went to part his lips to speak, but then, soft whimpers escaped from under her breath. Her knuckles turned white as she clutched them hard to her heart, her eyes narrowed and more tears began to shed.

Her mouth made the motion of talking, but no words came out. The priest couldn't make any sense of what she was mouthing, but he recognized the some of the words she was motioning out. It was... "Forgive me..." over and over again, mixed in with other sentences that he tried but couldn't comprehend.

Suddenly, as if her entire energy had been drained away with the snap of a finger, her features relaxed as her eyes slowly closed shut and her body went limp. Seiji caught the unconscious girl into his arms just in time, wrapping one arm around her form and another on the back of her neck. He wasn't concerned the least that the blood that drenched the girl's coat was dirtying him; his concern was for this strange girl. Stealing a glance upon her sudden tranquil face after he picked her up into a bridal style, his eyes traced from there to the rest of her body.

His heart swelled with shock and pity, but still curious and concerned. The shirt was torn and shredded at her torso, leaving the skin of her stomach to be exposed. However, he couldn't see a wound. A dark, faded bruise encircled around her neck in the shape of a hard. Seiji tried not to think about what could of obviously cause this. But the next thing he saw caused his eyes to widened like plates and his insides to turn: Two punctured holes on the side of her neck. Though they weren't deep, it was a disturbing sight.

But he pushed it from his mind for the time being. His next concern was to clean her up and give her refuge so she could rest.

Yui's eyes widened slightly as she watched her father turn and hurry back with the girl in his grasp. Many things ran through her mind on what just happened. However, the main thing that came to her mind was if the girl was okay. She had so much blood covering her, which was probably the reason she staggered as she walked. As her father approaches the door, Yui quickly went away from the window and opens it for him. Her father frowns upon seeing the young girl.

Instead of scolding her, the priest decides against it for the time being and gives a curt nod with a strained smile to her as thanks. Seiji quickly walks inside and heads to the spare bedroom. Yui gently shuts the door behind him before she glances at his retreating form, her brow furrows as curiosity and worry continue to scratch in the back of her mind.

"There we are..." Said Seiji as he gently laid her limp body on the small mattress, softly taking the back of her head and settling it comfortably on the pillow. The priest stands and takes another look at her frail looking body. Despite how tore her clothes were, and the wounds on her neck, she didn't seem to be badly injured.

He was, however, dumbfounded by the shredded part of her shirt at her torso that was coated with dried blood on the outside. If there was no wound, then whose blood was it that stained her attire? He felt an unsettling air when random scenarios popped in his head. Pulling a seat up, the priest takes careful steps to remove her dirty clothes as to not wake her. Yui stood by the door frame, poking her little head out from the side and watched as he tactfully took off her coat and her torn up shirt. Seiji lays the coat on his lap before he folded the bloodied shirt and set it on the ground. Yui saw the stains of blood, causing a shiver to go up her spine.

Setting the coat and her heels next to the torn shirt, Seiji leaned forward and took a hold of the edge of the blanket and pulled it over the teen.

Yui somehow manged to summon courage to walk to her father's side, the two meet eye to eye as well as mirror their dumbfounded and worried expression.

"Father, is she... all right?" Yui hesitantly asked.

The priest paused, turning his attention back to the girl before he answered. "Well, she doesn't appear to have any serious wounds on her — which is a relief, thank the lord." He sighed and wanly smiled. "For now, let's just let the poor girl rest. Hopefully, she'll be awake by the morning. Speaking of rest..." The man turned a witty smile at Yui. "It's past your bedtime, young lady. Till the morning, leave this matter to me and get some rest." After Yui sheepishly nods, the priest hefted himself up and patted away imaginary dust. Seiji turns and walks away, stopping at the doorway as he looks over his shoulder to see Yui.

"Let's let her sleep for now, Yui. I know you are worried, but we'll have to wait." Before the blonde could even respond, her father left wordlessly, leaving her alone with the mysterious girl.

Hesitantly, Yui traipses closer towards her. Now standing by her laying head, Yui cocks hers curiously as she studied the girl's beautiful face. Truth be told, beautiful was an understatement. Up close, Yui had a better visual of her practically flawless milky creme skin, her baby face features, and her silky hair with mixed colors of light strawberry blonde, and a lighter blonde at the tips and a little ways up till it hits its darker counterpart. If it wasn't for the very slow and shallow breathing Yui could hear, she could have thought she was a life sized doll. Her lips were parted slight, and Yui saw something that made her lean forward questioningly to have a better look.

Her mind must be playing tricks on her, because she could swear that she had four sharp fangs — two on the top row and two on the bottom... like a vampire. She was startled, but she didn't think about it much at first and pushed the matter out of her head.

Yui then tore her gaze away and looked down at the girl's coat. Giving into her curiosity, she kneels down and gingerly takes the coat into her hands. She thought that perhaps there was something in her pockets to identify her. It wouldn't hurt to look. Just as she had lifted it up, a clang noise hit the floor causing her to stop and jump. She looks down to the ground and sees what looked to be a necklace and remnants of paper - likely torn apart, lying below the coat. Curiously, after setting it aside, Yui reached down and took both into hand — examining the small piece of paper first.

The paper clearly tore from a notebook had only one word on it: "Miyuu."

Miyuu? Is that her name? Even her name sounds pretty. Yui thought. She then took the note into her other hand and raised her hand holding the necklace to have a better look. The necklace was a simple chain with a garnet jewel in the shape of a diamond linked to it. Despite its simplicity, it was very well taken care of.

Does this belong to her too? What a beautiful necklace...

Yui was almost lost in deep thought, till she heard soft moans and shifting of the sheets. Nearly jumping out of her skin, Yui shot her head in the direction of the slumbering teen and stood. The girl had a pained look upon her face, like someone was causing her excruciating pain. Her body winced continuously, her arms were laying on each side of her head and her hands were clenched so much her knuckles began to turn white. In the position she was making, it was like she was being held forcefully down.

"Onii-san... Onii-san!" The girl cried out in sleep, tears seeping out the corner of her tightly shut eyes. "Forgive me... Please forgive me!" Her words were spoken between hyperventilating breaths. The tone of her voice was clearly expressing unbearable pain and sadness, and Yui couldn't help but watch in shock not knowing what else to do. But an idea popped in her head.

Rushing to the doorway, Yui leans out and shouts. "Father! Father, come quick! She's in trouble!" In a matter of seconds, quicken footsteps were heard and her father appeared in a frenzy. Before he even entered the room, he could see that she was thrashing around as more tears glazed her cheeks and her nails digging into her palms.

In a flash, he was at the girl's side. "Yui, what happened!?" He exclaimed.

Yui clasped her hands to her chest, feeling her rapid heartbeat. "I don't know. She just started moaning in her sleep." Yui explained hurriedly. "I think she's having a bad dream."

Before Seiji could even respond, Yui caught the girl in her sight and gasped in surprise when the teen's eyes shot right open, revealing her light ocean blue eyes. Seiji turned to see what made Yui shocked, and before he could even react, a pillow was met with his face.

"Get away from me!" The girl shouted in fear and glared, jolting out of the bed and slamming her back against the wall, wrapping her arms around her exposed body. "Who... Who are you!? W-Where are my clothes!? What have you done to me!?" She exclaimed, glaring deathly at the priest.

"Now calm down. No one is going to hurt you. See?" He held out his open palms to her, showing her he was defenseless. "I am unarmed. Now please-"

"Your name!" She shouted as her body trembled.

"Pardon?"

"Your name! T-Tell me who you are and where I am!"

The man retracted his arms. "My name is Seiji Komori, a priest who runs the church you're staying in now. And this is my daughter, Yui." Yui bowed to the woman wordlessly, lacking anything to describe what was happening.

The mixed-blonde teen's eyes fell on Yui and stayed on her for a few moments in complete silence. Though Yui began to feel awkward by the situation, she notice the girl's breathing was starting to slow down to a normal pace, as if the presence of Yui soothed her worries.

Her expression softer, yet still with fear in her eyes, she looks back at the priest. "You're... You're telling the truth? You... didn't kidnap me?" She stammers. She inwardly knew it was a dumb question to ask. How could a kidnapper have a child with them? Unless he kidnapped her too!

Seiji smirked. "That, I did not. In fact, you found us. We saw you stumbling towards the church and you passed out, so I took you in to rest."

The girl stared at him in disbelief. "O-Okay... but where are my clothes then?"

"Your clothes were torn and covered in blood, so I had to take them off to be sure you weren't injured."

The disbelief in her eyes didn't leave. "Really? Then show me, because right now, I don't trust anyone." She hissed, which was unfazed by Seiji but made Yui a little frightful. Doing as she asked, Seiji knelt and picked up the folded and bloodied shirt

"This.. is what you were wearing when we found you."

Watching as he unfolded it, her eyes flew open as a hand covered her delicate lips, muffling a gasp. Seeing this, she now had no reason to be distrustful of him, but something still told her to be alert in the back of her mind. The girl lets out a relaxed sigh, the trembling of her body finally stops as he drops the shirt to the floor.

"I-I'm sorry. Please, forgive me." She sheepishly says, feeling a sudden chill slither in her skin from the cold air.

Seiji shook his head and smiles softly. "It's quite all right. I understand. And since you're awake, can you please tell me your name?"

"My name? It's-" Her voice suddenly trailed off, her brows slowly frowned as she appeared in deep thought. "I'm sorry, but... I don't know." Her head slumped in depression, her voice mirroring the image.

"It's Miyuu, isn't it?" Yui suddenly spoke. Both the girl and Seiji look at her in surprise. She then reaches her hands out, holding the piece of paper with the necklace inside it. "I didn't mean to snoop, but I found this note with a name on it and a garnet necklace in your coat. I think they belong to you."

Yui timidly walks to the girl, raising her offering hands up to her. The girl, raising a brow, gently takes both of the items from her hand before Yui goes back to the side of her father. The girl steps away from the wall, peering down at the small paper with hesitation. And just like she said, the name "Miyuu" was there, written in perfect cursive. Beside the name was the garnet jewel, the chain hanging off her hands. She takes the paper piece in her other hand and stares down into the dark red stone in her palm. A strange look of confusion mixed with longing crosses her face.

"Yui, was it?" She says as she looks away from it and at Yui. The little girl nods. "You said you found this in my coat, right?" Yui nodded again. The girl's eyes fell back down to the necklace, moving it around a little for no reason or another. Though she said that it was in her pocket, the necklace... didn't bring anything to mind. In fact, nothing came to mind. The more she thought about it, the more confused she was. The last thing she remembered was waking up to the priest standing over her, and nothing else.

She gasps upon the feel of a warm coat being wrapped around her. She snaps her head around to see the soft smile of the man of god. "Miyuu... It's a very beautiful name. It means "beautiful tenderness". Very fitting." The now Miyuu blushes to the compliment. But how can it be fitting? She thought. He doesn't know me. I don't even know me. Why can't I even remember my name?

The priest place comforting hands on her shoulders. "Come now, you need your rest." He said, leading Miyuu to the edge of the bed. Slowly, she plopped on the edge and looked up at the priest stand before her with tenderness in his eyes. "If you can't remember anything, Miyuu, then you are welcomed here till you have regained them."

Her eyes widened with shock. "B-But...! I can't let you do such a thing. I'm sorry, but I-" Miyuu tries to stand, but is held back down on her shoulders by the priest.

"Now, now. Even if you refuse, I can't let you leave in the state you are in."

"But I-"

"No "buts." I'm sorry, but I would be doing the lord a great injustice if I allowed a wounded girl to leave my protection. You don't have to answer right away, but please, stay. You are in no condition to leave. And if by morning you decide to leave, I'll help you look for any clues to your identity. Agreed?"

Her gaze fell shamefully to her lap, gripping onto the necklace lightly. Miyuu was determined to say no. She felt an ache in her chest by this offer that was given to her. Here she was, found with nothing but a few trinkets and no money. Add to she has no idea of her own identity, she would just be an inconvenience to them. She felt she didn't have the right to impose on them with something like this. However, one look into the man's fierce but kind eyes, it would be a slap to the face if she didn't consider it. And he was right too; she was in no condition to leave, especially since she was lacking clothes and a place to go.

Breaking the awkward silence, Miyuu looked away from her lap and nods to him. A new determination took place in her expression. "All right. I'll think about it. Thank you very much."

Seiji didn't answer. He only smiled kindly down at her, following with a acknowledging nod. With that, he places his hand behind Yui's head and turns around to leave. "Come along, Yui. Let's let Miyuu get her rest."

"Oh, wait! Yui." Upon hearing her name, Yui turned around to her. "Could you come here for a second?"

The girl nods, walking away from her father and in front of the sitting Miyuu. Miyuu smiles a very tiny one as her hand patted the top of Yui's head lovingly. "Thank you very much, Yui. I at least have a name, thanks to you." Yui smiles sheepishly from the act and nods curtly. Miyuu inwardly cooed at the girl's adorable smile.

"Have a good night sleep, Miss Miyuu." Yui said, causing said girl to raise a brow by the formality.

"You as well, Yui. And please, just Miyuu." Yui seemed dumbfounded at first by the request, but she smiles and nods. After Yui strolls back to her father, they were prepared to leave till...

"Wait, just one more thing, Mr. Komori. Tell me, why are you helping me?" The man turned a little and glanced at her with the usual soft smile of his. Strangely, Miyuu felt he would look at her like she was stupid for asking such a thing.

"Because, anyone would help another in need. I am a man of god, it would be a great dishonor to the lord to turn my back on one such as yourself." Miyuu felt touched by his words, touched by his generosity that he was giving. This "lord" that he worships must be a very righteous man.

"Good night. And sleep well. Come along now, Yui." With that, he walked out and Yui closed the door gently behind her, leaving the mixed-blonde girl alone with nothing but the trinket in her hand. She took one last look upon the jewelry, and a look of longing came again. But this time, she notice that the longer she looked at the necklace, her heart began to ache terribly with each beat of it. Why? She didn't know. She takes one last look at the paper with her name, resting it in her lap and tracing the loops of the letters.

"Miyuu. Beautiful tenderness. Huh..."

Miyuu brings the garnet to her heart, clutching it tightly only to feel her heart hurt more.

And this pain... I don't like this pain. What... happened? Why am I feeling like a knife is plunged to my heart? I feel like I... lost something special.

— Author's Note —

There you have it^_^ My first Diabolik Lovers fanfic. Was it good? Bad? Meh? Please review, and if you like it, favorite and follow because I'd really love to continue it:)

Till next time:)