A/N: Greetings. Once again, it has taken me a long time to write and post this chapter. Remember I said things had been stressful? In early March they became moreso. I'm not going to go into details, but I would like to apologize for the horrors that said stress has been inflicting upon my writing. I hope this chapter meets up to the expectations of all who have been reading this fic.
Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A dark figure moved through the shadows on the balcony. The sliding door unlocked before his hand, and opened easily and silently for him. Moving silently through dark hallways, he made his way to the two bedrooms in the apartment. A smirk adorned his face as he slowly opened the door to the room of his young prey. Once inside the room, he stood still, admiring the sight that met his eyes.
Subaru was curled up on his side, hands softly curled under his chin. His lips were slightly parted and a beam of moonlight had somehow penetrated the curtains to illuminate him. The boy looked like an angel, so innocent and peaceful. Oh, how he would enjoy capturing that pure soul.
As enjoyable as observing the sleeping boy was, he had something else planned to do that night. He left the room, the door ghosting shut behind him. It was in the next room that the target of this night's activities slept.
He approached the bed of Hokuto, and carefully placed a hand on her temple. He began to weave a spell, pulling her memories up for him to view.
A recent memory, Hokuto talking animatedly to friends, Subaru walking along quietly off to the side. A close look showed loneliness in eyes that were downcast.
Slightly further back, seen from the eyes of a wildly excited Hokuto celebrating her 13th birthday with her friends. Sugar-filled confections were eaten, presents given and opened, laughter and talking constant among the girls. Off to the side, almost out of view of the girls' memory, Subaru sat on the couch reading a book. He wore a dark green vest with leaves in darker and lighter greens that the memory told him was his gift from his elder sister. His eyes often strayed longingly from the book to the happy group that he was not a part of.
Further back still, the twins no older than 9. Subaru, clad all in white, was chasing a gecko along a pathway. Emerald eyes glittered and glowed with joy as he started to gain ground on it. It became obvious that the boy loved geckos, and was ecstatic to have found one. His smile was angelic and simply beautiful. Hokuto, holding the hand of an elderly woman, called after him to hurry up. The young Subaru instantly headed back towards her, but a slight pout was on his mouth and traces of sadness lingered in his eyes. He took his sisters' hand and they continued walking, but he kept glancing over his shoulder to where the gecko had been.
Those were some of the memories that stood out. The elder sisters' memory was a great resource through which he had just gained access to parts of the boys life he had not watched. His smirk turning satisfied, he slid out of the apartment, blending with darkness.
In his room, Subaru smiled gently in his sleep. There was a small hint of sakura in the air and he enjoyed it even in slumber.
A/N: That was harder to write than it probably appears. It's so hard to convey how adorable Subaru is through words. I hope that you all enjoyed it, please review and give me feedback!
Also, please note that I know my chapters are a little short. They're much shorter than many out there, but still longer than some. I don't structure my work before I write it, I only have the tiniest plan of what will happen each chapter. I come up with it as I go, and when it wants to end, I cannot force my mind to create more, especially with my current creativity drain. My apologies about this, but that's the way it is. Perhaps eventually the chapters will become longer, I don't know.
