Chapter 2

Subaru carried the frail girl away from the mansion and into the woods that lay just beyond. The sky continued to brighten, until a blend of purples and oranges painted the horizon. He felt the cool air brush his skin, and brought Yui a little closer to him. Though he knew his body was usually ice cold, her blood had warmed him enough that it might've provided her with some comfort.

Birds began to chip overhead as Subaru arrived at the lake, but he ignored them in favor of setting Yui down. Her bare feet padded softly over the grass as she looked out at the lake, her tense shoulders seeming to relax.

Subaru felt something strung tight within himself ease in relief. His mother had always requested he take her to see the roses when she'd gained a semblance of awareness. He was pleased with the way Yui gently clasped her hands, peace radiating off her in waves. The sun peaked out above the trees on the distant hills, bathing the lake in a warm glow. Subaru watched as light fell on Yui's face, and he couldn't recall ever seeing her in the daylight. He rubbed the back of his neck, slightly tired, but willing to endure the sun, at least a little while.

He turned and walked to his usual tree, folding his knees beneath him and resting against the trunk. He didn't have hobbies or interests like his brothers, and had often been accused of being a recluse, but he supposed being out near the lake was something he considered 'nice.'

Watching Yui silently, Subaru imagined her turning and smiling self-consciously at him the way she'd used to. He pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbing the tenseness of his brow.

Now what?

He couldn't protect her, didn't trust himself to do so, and a part of him refused to be relied upon again.

~"Christa."

"K-karl-sama? Is that you?"

"Stay away from her! I won't let you touch her again!"

"Karl...you've come back to me."

"W-what? Mother...no. Mother, wait! Don't go near him!"~

The sight of his mother, rushing to embrace the man she'd feared just a minute before, had severed any amount of trust he'd placed in her. When his father had left her alone once more, Christa returned to the frightened woman that hated his touch. The servants had come in search of him, because of course, a son would always provide comfort for his mother, but he'd refused. Subaru could endure her hate for him, the mood swings, her slaps, her pleas for him to kill her, but no amount of love he held for her would make him forget that moment. Because he'd thought...she was someone he could trust to stay with him.

But he realized that he was alone.

That was why he'd followed his brothers to live in their own mansion, far from the Vampire King, though not far enough.

Subaru's breath shuddered, and he glanced up, finding Yui several feet away. He started when she bent to her knees and sat before him, her eyes still vacant, though her face seemed vaguely worried.

"What's up with you?" He muttered, slightly uncomfortable by her direct stare.

When she didn't answer, he clicked his tongue and growled. "Quit it, you know there's no point in looking at me like that. I can't...I won't be able to help you."

Yui blinked and shifted slightly, making Subaru glance away. He knew why he'd forced himself on her earlier. It'd been similar to when he'd visited his mother, in hopes that his feelings of love would reach her, heal her. But love didn't cure illnesses. He couldn't stay with Yui and constantly hope that she'd be magically healed by any feelings he might've felt for her. This was who she was now.

Just as his mother had become mentally ill, Yui was another product of a vampires cruelty. If he wanted to protect her, care for her, then he'd have to care for the person she'd become. But monsters weren't capable of kindness.

Subaru's gaze fell back to her and he sighed."Besides it's not fair for you to be stuck with someone like me. I'll destroy what's left of you."

I'm more than capable of it, you know that too.

Yui twisted her hands in her lap as Subaru huffed under his breath. "Tch...crap, why am I doing this? I shouldn't even be alone with you." He trailed off, looking at her tired face and feeling his expression soften.

A twig snapped somewhere close by.

Subaru's head shot up, finding a newcomer shadowed in the cover of the trees. "What're you doing here?" He growled, getting to his feet and standing beside Yui.

Richter stepped forward, crimson eyes observing Yui from head to toe, making Subaru stiffen. His uncle frowned, as if finding something lacking. "My visit is long overdue, seems I was too late."

"Too late for what?"

Richter glanced at him, giving a condescending smile. "I suppose there's no point in hiding it from you. Have you never wondered why your father ordered you and your brothers not to kill this girl?"

Subaru's hands drew into loose fists at the mention of the Vampire King. "Sometimes 'that person' doesn't need a reason to do things, he just plays twisted games with people."

The morning sun caught Subaru's eye, making him wince and raise his hand. Once his eyes were shielded, he focused on Richter once more, only to find him standing a little closer, his eyes on Yui. "Hmph, as naive as ever. This girl has something within her that is singular. It's the secret behind her superlative blood."

Shifting slightly so that he blocked Richter's sight of Yui, Subaru frowned. "Like it matters anymore. If that guy thought she was important, he wouldn't have handed her over to this family. She's like this now because of us."

"You're mistaken if you think her sanity is needed. Admittedly, I left it a little late to see her. I was so looking forward to meeting her again, but it seems her presence within this girl has faded."

Subaru frowned, searching the older vampires face for answers. From his expression and reverent way he'd spoken, it was almost as if he were speaking of a lover. The only woman he'd ever spoken so fondly of was Cordelia, the Triplet's mother.

Richter's calm voice interrupted him from his thoughts. "No matter. Her heart is all I need."

Subaru growled possessively and stepped forward. "You're not taking Yui."

"It's obvious that you don't want to keep her, nor will you let your brothers have her. What will you do? My brother won't let this situation stay as it is if it yields no results."

Hot, white fury assaulted his bloodstream. He bared his fangs, hands balling into fists. "What the fuck are you talking about now? What results? Are you telling me that Yui's just another of his experiments, that he gave her to us, to study how we'd react off her? Is that it?" Subaru snarled, trembling violently. The Vampire King had taken Christa as his third wife, even though they'd been related by blood, and forced her to bare his son, all in the name of an experiment. An experiment to see what would result from creating a child of incest.

~ "Is he deformed?"

"No, but he looks just like our King and his mother. A splitting image."

"Then the sickness must be in his head. You know what they say about children born from inbreeding when the lines are too close." ~

Richter's sorrowful crimson eyes glowered at him. No matter what expression he made, his eyes always remained tired, as if a thousand wishes had failed to be granted during his lifetime. Subaru supposed that was what became of second born sons with inferiority complexes.

"Regardless, I need that girls heart. Do you really think you stand a chance against me, Subaru?" His uncle shifted, seemingly ready to launch into a fight.

Subaru held his ground, feeling the heat of Yui's blood thunder through his veins.

A lethargic sigh broke the tense silence.

Richter was first to look away, his gaze landing on the mess of blonde hair that was only just visible under the cover of the trees. Subaru straightened and rose a brow.

"I was wondering when you'd show your face...you've been lurking around the outskirts of the mansion like a creep for days." Shuu drawled, addressing Richter without opening his eyes. "It's not like I care why you two are squabbling past daybreak, but keep it down." He shifted against a tree and crossed one leg over the other as he leaned back.

Subaru rolled his eyes and turned to Richter, prepared to fight once more, but his uncle seemed distracted. He kept his eyes on Shuu, who appeared to be sleeping. His chest rose an fell with easy breaths.

"...It's not as if I need to wait long." Richter murmured, almost to himself.

Subaru looked at him incredulously. "What?"

"You and your brothers have already pushed the girl beyond her limit. It won't be long before you destroy each other in an effort to possess her. I'm content to wait until that time comes to pass."

"Hey, wait! You can't just-"

Richter turned on his heel, giving one last lingering look at Yui, before stepping past the tree line and disappearing.

Subaru's muscles gradually relaxed, though his mind continued to race. Yui had asked him before if he'd known anything about her situation, the circumstances behind why she was brought there. He'd figured she was the same as the other Brides, who'd been supplied by the church thanks to Karlheinz's influence and power.

He leveled his gaze at Shuu, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "It's weird to see you outside past sunrise."

"Mm, didn't feel like moving. Too troublesome."

Subaru huffed lightly. He'd probably never know if Shuu planned his actions or just showed up at the strangest of times by accident.

"He had a point though. What will you do with her now?"

Subaru looked at Yui, and felt his chest tighten once more. "I don't know." He knew that so long as she lived, he would constantly confuse her situation with his mothers, and would carry guilt within him.

Several ideas had formed in his head once he'd learned that Yui had snapped, though they were things he didn't want to consider.

One was that he could end her tormented existence by doing what he'd promised and failed to do for his mother; End her life.

Yet as the sun highlighted Yui's lifeless eyes, he knew himself incapable of willingly doing it. He was no saint, and had killed many, but he couldn't do it. Not to her.

Another was that he could steal her away, take her to a hospital where they could care for her. Subaru stiffened at the thought. His brothers would undoubtedly search for them, and he was uncertain if his powers would be able to hide her scent long term.

He knew that if he took her to a specialist facility he'd be unable to leave her there alone. Something possessive clawed at his heart. She was under his care.

Thoughts of the tower came flooding back and Subaru quickly stifled the terror that rose up to claim him. He'd once been trapped in that damn room for over a month with his mother, enduring the brunt of her insanity alone. He felt that a part of him had slipped away behind those silver bars, some semblance of stability.

No, he couldn't do it again. He wouldn't.

So that left the other option. Visiting the Vampire King in person.

Without warning, his body convulsed and trembled with crippling anger, threatening to send him to his knees. Subaru sucked in a sharp breath, mastering his senses slowly, carefully building his barriers once more. He had a good reason to demand to see him; Yui.

If she was as important as Richter said, then Karlheinz would have little choice.

He dreaded going to that wretched place again. Sometimes it was a necessary to visit the castle for royal gatherings, but he hadn't seen his father there in many years. The thought of talking with him made Subaru's lips lift in a silent snarl.

However, he wouldn't subject himself to that torment unless he knew for certain that his father could give him what he wanted. He'd heard, once, from his mothers disconnected ramblings, about a power Karlheinz possessed. Subaru had dismissed it initially, but later felt there was some truth in it. If he could use it...maybe it could fix everything. Perhaps it was stupidly naive to ask but if his father was behind everything, then Subaru knew the man would never allow Yui to be free. He had to try.

He sighed irritably. "Fuck, what a pain in the ass."

Shuu's eyes had slid closed, but he shifted and opened them once more, focusing on Subaru's tense form. "What is it?"

"...I need to ask you something."

Servants usually lurked in the shadows of the castle, but the less stealthy and prone to gossip were abuzz with activity.

A familiar had sent word to them that one of their Kings sons had been sighted in the area, heading their way. Unable to quell their curiosity, maids now lingered on the outskirts of the courtyard, each of their loud exclamations reaching Subaru's ears. He grit his teeth and stepped closer to Yui, whom he'd clumsily helped slip into her school uniform earlier that day.

He let out a breath and clicked his tongue. "This place never changes."

The walls of the castle had been a prison experienced by all six of the Sakamaki children. Subaru looked up at the sky and was glad to have the open air around him. It was beginning to draw into late afternoon, but Subaru shrugged off his tiredness, hoping to get things over with quick. If he dawdled, he knew some of his brothers would come in search of Yui.

"Where...am I?"

Subaru glanced down at the lost looking girl. "The Demon World. Remember, I took you from the mansion and brought you here?"

Yui stared at the tall turrets and the sheer size of the castle surrounding them. It practically dwarfed their forms. She stopped as she lay eyes on a fountain a few feet away. "I-I feel like...I've been here before."

"W-what! When?" Before he ask anything more, an elderly servant approached them, bowing silently and gesturing they follow. Subaru took Yui's hand and felt his defenses slam down.

He hadn't seen his mother in awhile, but he was certain she was near. He could feel her presence. It was gentle, but fragile, almost like vapor in the air for how little it grasped ones attention. But he recognized it, and felt compelled to walk faster. Yui's hand settled over his own, but he was too distracted to wonder if she'd done it of her own volition. Instead he dragged her into his side and inhaled her floral scent, letting it overwhelm his senses. His shoulders eased, just for a moment.

A heavy aura crashed down upon him, making Subaru stop dead. His fangs lengthened, inwardly seething at the unwanted scent of his father. He tightened his hold around Yui and didn't hesitate when the servant stopped in-front of a large ornate door. He pushed it open, making it swing wide on its hinges.

Heavy curtains were drawn, blocking the evening's comforting light. Instead, flames roared to life in the fire place, casting large black shadows in the room. Subaru walked inside, searching for any sign of movement. A form drew closer, as if unfurling from the darkness of the room. Long white hair glowed with a silver tinge in the firelight, and Subaru pressed his lips together, body becoming rigid.

"It's been a long time my son~" Karlheinz stepped forward, his voice smooth and pleasant. Subaru bristled, hearing the underlying apathy in his tone.

He pushed Yui behind him slightly, ensuring his body was in front of her. "Tch, yeah. Pretty sure last I saw you was when you'd ordered your servants to drop me in the middle of the Eastern Sea."

His father brushed long flowing hair aside. "I'm afraid that's what becomes of those who break statues of my likeness."

"I couldn't fucking swim!"

Karl closed his eyes for a moment, as if stilling the urge to laugh, before opening them and smiling, his crimson orbs glittering with dark mirth. He then turned his sights on Yui. "And who might this be?"

Subaru froze, his limbs locking. He could endure his fathers presence so long as he stayed clear of Yui. Her fingers tugged at the tattered back of his uniform, easing the frantic pounding of his heart that was still fueled by her blood. "Drop the act. Richter already told me."

The elder vampire moved like water, slinking to the fireplace silently. "Just how much did he say?" His eyes met Subaru's, who held his gaze.

"Enough. Look, whatever fucked up reason you had for messing with us and this girl, it's not important. I'm just here to show you the evidence."

Karlheinz chuckled lowly, staring into the open flames that danced and quelled in his presence. "Of what, prey tell?"

Subaru bit back a snarl, knowing he was toying with him for amusement. "Of your failure! The experiment you set Yui up for is over. She's too far gone to be used for anything more."

"Let me be the judge of that." His hand was suddenly beneath Yui's chin, tilting her head up to meet his intense gaze.

Subaru's eyes widened and he growled savagely, turning on his heel. "Don't you fucking dare!-"

His fist was mere inches away from Karlheinz's chest when it froze. Subaru chocked, struggling against the mental bind placed upon him. Nothing physically restrained his body, but the crimson eyes he'd come to loath pinned him in place. "Please do not interrupt."

Karl then turned his back on Subaru and gave his full attention to Yui, who seemed to have enough sense to shrink back on instinct. His grip tightened on her chin and she had no choice but to return his intent stare. He made a low noise of appreciation, his gloved hand caressing her pale jaw, down to her neck. "Christa was able to give birth even in her fragile state. For what I have in mind for Eve, her compassion is certainly a needed factor, but not her sanity."

Subaru trembled against the mental binds that shackled him. Eve?

He didn't make a sound until his father bent to inhale her scent, and then he snarled so loudly his throat threatened to tear, the sound echoing around the room and seeping into Yui's bones. She tore herself free from Karl's grip, who just smiled, unfazed.

"I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed, Subaru. I thought for a moment that you'd come here to kill me."

Subaru started as his father drew near, raising a brow inquisitively even as his tone remained passive. "If not for that reason then, why are you here?"

Subaru shifted uneasily as he looked at Shuu. "Is it true...that he can reverse time?"

His brother gave him an assessing look, as if silently wondering what he would do with the information. He seemed to know who was being referred to without speaking his hated name. Finally, Shuu nodded slowly. "From what I've heard, yeah. Think so."

"Shit." He cursed, unsure what to feel.

Shuu smirked. "Heh, seriously. You're willingly going to see him, all for a human?" His gaze slid to Yui, a teasing edge to his voice. When Subaru remained silent and tense however, vague surprise lit up the older Sakamaki's eyes. "...Rather you than me."

"Turn... back time." He managed to grit out, before Karl released him from his mental bindings. Subaru staggered, managing to remain standing. Karl's eyes widened, momentarily thrown.

"How unexpected. None of you have ever approached me to ask this before, in any of the life times. I'm not certain if it's refreshing or frustrating."

Subaru raised his head, looking at him in confusion, before it finally clicked. "Y-you mean you've reversed our lives before?"

Fangs flashed in the warm light. "Foolish boy, I have dominion over time, do you really think I wouldn't use it? If you're truly content with giving up your role as Adam in this world, then I suppose there's no harm in making you understand."

His father raised a hand slowly. Light began to pour from between his fingers, spilling onto the floor and rushing out, covering the room. Subaru shielded his eyes and felt a strong force pull him forward, making his heart leap in surprise.

A faint breeze ruffled his hair, and Subaru opened his eyes once more, hearing nothing but silence. He glance around him frantically for Yui, finding she was no where to be seen.

"Bastard." He spat, certain that his father had just subjected him to an illusion in order to steal her away.

The smarter part of him whispered that he could've done so earlier, and Subaru felt himself somewhat relax.

"Where the hell am I?"

White mist curled in the air, rolling away from his feet as he began to walk. The world around him seemed to only be made up of blue skies. Even the ground under his feet was missing, instead replaced with a surface that reflected everything above.

Subaru stopped as he caught sight of a single tree in the distance, and felt wary as he continued. A strange sound, like gears turning, grabbed his attention. He looked up to see a large structure spinning slowly above his head. It was similar to a cathedral's ceiling, with stained glass windows around it's sides, yet the whole thing floated in the air.

Subaru blinked in confusion and carried on, reaching the lone tree. It's leaves were faded brown, and several dead flowers lay on the reflective floor. Subaru noticed something lying in a heap on the other side of its trunk, and quickly rushed over to it.

"Yui!" He bent to his knees, hesitating before taking her in his arms. She was unconscious, and looked strangely peaceful under the shade of the tree. Her chest rose and fell with steady breaths, reassuring him. Fingers that were cradling her head twitched, a wet substance coating them. Subaru set Yui down and drew his hand away, his shoulders stiffening.

Blood.

His throat automatically burned, but the sight of it on his hands only made Subaru draw away. Panic stifled him, and he stood up shakily.

"Recalling unpleasant things, my son?" A smooth voice caressed the air.

Subaru spun on his heel, snarling. "Shut the fuck up! What did you do?"

The voice remained unruffled, and though he couldn't see him, Subaru felt his fathers presence bare down on him. "I did nothing. This is simply a reflection of her mind, and the untapped potential within."

For a moment, Subaru thought he saw an apple lying at the base of the tree, but the image distorted and vanished. "Because of her blood, right?"

"Hm, she is Eve. A girl capable of birthing a new race, one that would be superior to both humans and vampires. The Adam of Apple plan, was to find her a suitable vampire to breed with."

Subaru bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut. When he and his brothers had left the castle, they'd done so with the intention of never being pawns in this mans hands again. "So that's where we come in."

"Mm, take a look."

A part of him wanted to disobey, but something stronger bid that he look up. When he next glanced at the stained glass windows, each shard reflected a different light. He closed his eyes, but upon opening them, images bombarded him, too numerous to comprehend.

Ayato and Yui passed by, hand in hand. A blink, and in another image, she was restrained with handcuffs, tied to a dartboard as he took aim at her. Tears spilled from her eyes. Kisses were stolen from lips in some, blood was shed in others. But in the same heartbeat, Subaru witnessed a genuine smile come to his brothers mouth as one image simply showed them embracing each other as fireworks painted the sky.

Turning just slightly, Subaru was drawn to the sight of Yui struggling to carry Shuu as he leaned on her back. The weight had her tumbling to the floor, and Shuu seemed to make a snarky remark that had her blushing. Subaru couldn't hear their words, but it was shocking to see the liveliness in Shuu's blue eyes. More images passed by, some of Shuu drinking from Yui and casually stripping her, others were of her clearly trying to motive him to move from the floor. But then everything grew dark as Reiji stood over her prone body and Shuu cried actual tears, making Subaru's chest tighten.

Another turn, another shard of light caught his attention, and there was Kanato, curled in her arms. Another blink, and she was curled in his, covered in blood.

What followed was different experiences that Yui had shared with his brothers in individual lives. Some made him green with envy, others made his eyes fly wide with shock. One particular scene with Laito had him running forward without even comprehending his actions, but there was no stopping what was happening. He grit his teeth and shakily turned away, unable to watch as she was raped.

Once he'd seen Reiji's experiences, four boys around his age took center stage. He'd never seen their faces before, but they wore his school uniform. All of them were evidently vampires as each shard showed them biting Yui's pale flesh.

Just as before, some scenes were dark and twisted, fraught with pain. Others were quieter and full of mundane things, while some showed her being embraced lovingly. As two more strangers entered his sights, Subaru began to understand his position.

The world he'd inhabited all his life was not special, and was merely part of a bigger plan set up by his father. In that sense, his actions only changed the world if 'Eve' was affected.

"Do you understand now?"

"Don't show any more," Subaru tried to turn away, but was halted by a familiar flash of white hair. "S-stop! I don't want to see it!"

Yui was holding his mirror images hand, following after him quickly. In a flash, their positions had changed, as the other Subaru faced her with evident anger, shouting as she cowered.

Subaru trembled and quaked as he watched himself continually push her away, trying to distance himself to no avail. As he witnessed himself shout and throw things like a child having a tantrum, he struggled to keep watching. You idiot, the hell are you doing?

But he knew himself better than anyone, and the results of his self destructive nature played out as Yui raised a knife to her chest. His mirrored self ran to her with wide, frightened eyes, but was too late as she drove it into her chest.

Yet in another moment, Yui raced into his arms and held him close, crying in happiness.

It somehow felt worse to witness the happier ones. Things that he'd always thought himself incapable of having, because he was too repulsive, corrupted and vile a creature, were shown to him. Yui dancing with him under the moonlight, Yui holding him close, pushing the hair out of his eyes with no fear and complete fondness. Yui in a wedding dress, and...

Subaru fell to his knees as the image of a child drew closer, looking him dead in the eyes. The little girl smiled and reached out, as if to touch his cheek. Something wet rolled down to his chin, and hit the reflective floor. In an instant, the girl, Yui, and his content, mirrored self were gone.

"Can you still throw your role as Adam away?"

His hands that rested on his bent knees drew into fists. He took a moment to stifle the surge of longing. "If that actually happened, then nothing you've said makes sense. If my brothers went on to become 'Adam' or whatever, in their worlds, why reverse time over and over again? Your plan succeed, wasn't that enough? "

"It was, but I'm afraid I've reversed it too much. The different time lines are tied to me, and my power. One of my many goals in creating the Adam of Apple plan was for that chosen vampire to kill me. It wasn't enough for Adam and Eve to become one. If they ignored my wish to die, I reversed time again, in order to find an Adam that would end my life."

The voice paused for a moment. "But even then...when I finally died, I found I'd unwittingly created alternate realities by time-travelling. Something went awry, and ever since, my powers have cursed me with awareness of my past time loops, refusing to let my soul rest. Thus, a part of me will always be alive to continually repeat time."

"Tch, as if I care about your suffering." Subaru muttered, his eyes lowering as thoughts of Yui's empty expression clouded his mind. He raised his head and got to his feet, trying to forget the images he'd just seen. "I haven't changed my mind. Reverse time."

"If you're certain, but by doing so, you know that Eve might choose someone else in the next world."

Subaru hesitated, shoulders tensing."That doesn't matter." He managed to grit out. He looked over to the tree, where Yui was still laying prone on the floor. "But, just let me talk to her...one more time."

His fathers chuckle made him glower. "Naturally, but you will have to locate her. It appears that whilst we were here, she wandered into the depths of the castle without permission."

"W-what!"

Subaru swayed forward as a harsh light blinded him once more. When he opened his eyes, Karlheinz stood before him, bathed in the glow of the fireplace.

He wasted no time in turning on his heel and disappearing out the door.

A figure drew out from the shadows not long after, taking the Kings offered arm.

"Karlheinz-sama, who was here just now? I thought that...that I might have heard something."

"No one my dear Christa, no one at all. Perhaps it was your delicate nerves playing tricks on you~"

"Yui!" Subaru called out desperately, following the familiar scent that drifted in the wind.

He raced through the empty halls of the castle, hoping she hadn't been snatched away by a visiting nobleman. Any vampires finding a human unchaperoned in this place would assume she was expendable prey.

His throat felt dry again, but he ignored it, searching a little frantically for any sign of the quiet girl. His feet carried him out past the main gates of the castle, leading to a long stone walkway that had his stomach dropping.

The tower stood tall and imposing before him. Subaru stopped dead, hoping Yui's scent would lead away from the somber building. However, a breeze picked up, and he sensed her exactly where he feared.

~ "Please! Please let me out!"

"You know we cannot, my lady. When you grow hysterical like this, it's better to be restrained, lest you hurt someon-"

"Subaru! Subaru don't let them do this! Free me!"

"M-mother...I-I can't do anything...I'm sorry." ~

Subaru materialized in the air of the highest room. There, he felt his heart stutter at the sight of Yui standing in his mothers open cell, staring blankly at the silver bars.

Between one moment and the next, he was before her, cradling her cheek in his hand and bidding she look up at him. Yui did so slowly, her eyes a little clearer than before.

"S-subaru-kun, it's you." She breathed.

Subaru's shoulders dropped and his head bowed. All this time, had she not known he'd been with her?

His thumb brushed her skin as he smiled without humor. She looked much more like her old self, as her eyes shone with awareness. He knew he had to say it now before that light slipped away again."Don't run off on me like that, idiot."

"I-I'm sorry." Yui blinked, her brow furrowing. "I feel as if I'm not here Subaru-kun, as if I keep drifting away. It-it scares me. I'm not sure what's happening to me." She rambled, her body trembling with frayed nerves. "W-why did this all this happen?" Her eyes were starting to shake, and she reached out, grabbing his arms tightly.

Subaru flinched, and squeezed his eyes shut. Idiot, don't touch me with such familiarity. Don't you remember what I've done to you?

His lips parted, before he gritted out; "It's because of me."

Yui raised her head in confusion, looking at him searchingly. "What are you talking about Subar-"

"Don't." He warned, seeing her shocked and hurt expression as he drew away from her touch. "Don't treat me like someone you can trust. This is my fault."

Her brow furrowed as she cradled her hands together, clasped them tight against her chest. "I don't understand."

"Think back, if you can, don't you remember something similar to this? You've reached out to me before." Subaru paused, raising his calloused hand to look at it numbly.

He barely registered the ruined classroom, his breaths were coming quick, too quick. The thirst refused to be ignored. Glass coated the floor, crunching underneath weight. Wide, red eyes turned in the direction of the sound, finding Yui standing close to him. Too close. Those wide eyes of hers made something ugly and twisted boil beneath the surface of his skin. She was afraid of him. He knew she was, and wanted it. He wanted her fear to be so palpable he could taste it.

Her hand reached out to him in a placating gesture.

Subaru staggered out of reach. "Don't fucking touch me! Just go, get out of here, right now!" He growled, gesturing to the open door.

"Subaru-kun, I'm not leaving. I want to help, please let me-" Those same fingers reached out imploringly, her eyes were full of conviction.

It made him clench his mouth together so hard, teeth split in his jaw. "Didn't you hear me! GET OUT!"

When he felt her touch, that ugly something within him snapped and roared to life. "I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!"

His arm moved quick, his hand shoving her away from himself thoughtlessly. He didn't think of her human body, the fragility of it. He didn't think of the consequences. The girl was sent crashing to a wall, crumbling to the ground in a heap.

Subaru breathed heavily, not registering anything. When he blinked, realization slowly dawned. "...Yui?"

He smelt blood. His eyes widened as they focused on her broken form. In an instant, he was by her side, his hands hovering uselessly over her body. "Yui...shit. Shit no."

He gently turned her slightly, hands shaking violently. Her eyes were closed.

Subaru quivered, his hand covering his eyes, digging sharp nails into his skin. "Fuck, no, no please. Yui wake up, please." He muttered shakily, almost to himself. He gathered her in his arms, and rose to his feet, holding her close. "Hold on, I- I'll get help."

Subaru raised his head, his visible left eye staring at her. He'd carried her to the school infirmary, but upon lying her on one of the beds, he'd sensed Dr. Reinhart approaching and panicked, materializing himself away. He later heard that Kanato had been seen escorting Yui into their limo, and had sagged with relief, thinking that if she was conscious she might've been alright.

It was only when he got back home several hours later did he learn the truth. Ayato had appeared in the living room and revealed Yui's condition to everyone.

"It's my fault. You're like this now because of me."

Yui stared at him in shock. Silence reigned. Her hand rose to gingerly touch the back of her head, and winced, pulling her hand away. Her expression was unreadable for several long moments.

Subaru wasn't certain what he was expecting, but when she looked at him again, her eyes were sorrowful, weary, but lacking the hate he'd expected.

"...Subaru-kun."

He blinked in confusion and tensed as she stepped closer. "W-what are you doing?"

Yui looked as she had before, so quietly determined. She didn't raise her hand, but he knew the intent behind her approach. Subaru quelled the urge to run, and rooted himself on the spot. It was there on the edge of his tongue, the need to say it; 'Don't touch me, just stay away.'

But he couldn't stop picturing her lifeless body, her empty eyes. He couldn't deny her anything even as he felt sick with an unnamed emotion.

He half expected Yui to slap him when she finally stood right in front of him. He flinched when her hand came up, and averted his gaze, stiffening when she pushed the hair over his right eye aside. Shock crashed through him. He turned his gaze towards her once more, and her lips tilted up into small smile that he didn't deserve.

Subaru didn't know how to react, his mind fell away, until all he could do was feel her warm touch. Though he was aware of the pounding of her heart and the blood under her skin, his eyes stared ahead of him unseeingly. His body lost strength, leaning heavily into her until she was pressed tight against him. Yui's arms came up to wrap around his shoulders, and Subaru hid his face in her hair, trembling.

"It's okay, it's alright." She murmured, her quiet voice soothing.

"What the hell are you saying? Do you even realize..."

Subaru started. Gentle fingers combed through the hair at the nape of his neck, almost absentmindedly.

He wondered if this was what she'd intended to do when she'd approached him that day. "You were always too damn kind, but this- I don't understand. The girl you were before would be yelling at you for embracing me so carelessly." Subaru's lips thinned and he rested his head against her shoulder, breathing out heavily. His hands came up to lightly rest over her shoulder blades, before they naturally sought to pull her closer.

"I'm not sure I understand it myself either, but I just felt that you were in pain. I've been so powerless and unable to act on my own, even before what happened. I promised myself that I'd act on my thoughts if I ever gained the chance. So if this is all I can do, then I choose to at least do this. It's not a mistake to me."

She was so warm, and even after all the experiences that had withered her body, she embraced him strongly. He remembered that she'd weathered the storm of his brothers violent natures in those other worlds, and done far more than what was expected of prey.

"Stupid." He admonished softly, both to himself and to the girl in his arms.

He clung to her like a lifeline and berated himself for his pathetic nature, but was unable to move.

He wanted to stay like that, wanted to keep her with him always. Yet something lurked in the back of his mind, a reminder, a warning-

Yui's body went rigid in his arms. Subaru stiffened at the feel of her changing so swiftly, before he remembered.

His lashes lowered, and he drew away from her, finding empty eyes staring back at him.

Her moment of awareness had slipped away, and she was lost to him once again.

"Yui..." His hand cupped her face, but she gave no reaction.

Subaru stared at her for a long, pleading moment. When nothing changed, he gave a small, accepting smile that tore him in new ways. He buried the pain, feeling loneliness insidiously weigh upon him as he strengthened his voice. "Come on, lets go and find that bastard again. Then...everything will go back to how it was. You won't need to worry about drifting away anymore."

He couldn't give her freedom, or promise that things would be better in the next world, but perhaps his father would know not to let their lives go down such a path again. He stepped back with treacle immediacy, feeling the absence of her warmth.

Subaru's hand tightened on Yui's as he led her away from the abandoned tower.

Somewhere in the distance, a clock chimed, listing off numbers with a single note for each. Only four were permitted to strike, before the hands began to spin backwards, turning faster and faster.

When the hands finally stopped and resumed their usual pace, a large ominous cloud began to drift over a glittering lake in the human world. As if racing to escape its shadow, a black car drove off as soon as the cloud reached the Sakamaki mansion.

A girl struggled with her heavy suitcase, eventually righting it on it's wheels and pulling it towards the large building. Something light hit her head, causing her to look up.

"Rain..."

ooo

There will be one more chapter but I'm between ideas how to end it. I guess I'll just see which ending feels like it fits the overall theme or tone. Oh and the part about his heart beating is from the game, where Yui comments that she can hear a heartbeat in the boys chest after they've taken her blood. It isn't always commented on and they don't seem to have a pulse usually, but I think the reason why she can hear it sometimes is because shes fueled their body with her blood. I don't know, I thought it was kinda neat. ^^ Hope you like, please tell me your thoughts.