Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year, and merry (insert winter holiday here) that you get to celebrate! Chapter is about 7000 words or 32 minutes on average.

Uraboku is not owned by me; please support the official release.

Chapter of the Tragic Anemone

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Story 6

Home

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The world outside the car remains silent. The car itself glides down the road with its quiet engine. Without Tooko and Tsukumo here, there is no one to start a conversation. Takashiro would've definitely started some conversations, but he flaked out on riding at the last second. Yuuki looks out the window to see the city life at night. It looks so very serene. Streets are deserted, however it doesn't create a feeling of emptiness, but rest for a new day.

Sodom, the miniature dragon, rests on top of her head, weighing a button. If his body temperature weren't so high and if he didn't make little bya and byu sounds, Yuuki'd forget he's there. Such a strange day today. I think the little guy really likes me.

Yuuki opens her phone as quiet as possible, and looks for any new messages. There is no signal, but there are new messages from before the signal cut out. One is about Uzuki and his efforts to repair the greenhouse, the other is about Kanata wishes for Yuuki's safety, sent just after he departed for his apartment.

She closes the phone. Luka looks over, sees her puffy cheeks and slouch, and says, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Um - " Conversation. No way was she going to talk about her melancholy. "It's really quiet in Shinjuku! I never thought it could be possible like this."

The driver of the vehicle looks at her through the rear-view mirror and says, "That is due to the barrier surrounding us. No humans can cross through here. In fact, without permission, we would not have been able to cross it back there. However, Miss Light-of-God, we are almost at our destination. It is just at the end of the tunnel."

"Thank you. So, the Twilight Mansion is this close?" Nervousness makes her stomach tighten. Or is it happiness? "Luka, are you nervous?"

His face remains apathetic. "No. Why would I be?"

"Er, it's a silly question, anyways," she says awkwardly, "you seem well acquainted with them." The problem with being subtle around dense people...She doesn't blame him at all. It would be weird to expect someone like him to be nervous.

He arcs a brow in questioning. "We need to talk. About earlier."

"Um...about Minami?"

"No, your dream."

"My dream? I don't remember my dreams. Not recently." She tries to recall Monday morning, sleeping against Luka, snoozing. She remembers waking up and hearing the Murasame siblings converse. Then she fell asleep, and...woke up in a fright. What for? "I think I had a bad dream. But I could have also startled myself on accident. Something like sleep paralysis...having your body jerk awake. Things like that."

"Those things have never happened to me," he replies.

"Is that so? That's pretty lucky; they're both terrible ways to wake up!"

The driver adjusts his hat with one, gloved hand, and says politely, "Miss Light-of-God, I hear sleep paralysis is a symptom of lucid dreaming as well. Perhaps you should try it to see if you can remember your dreams better? Lucid dreaming is having control and awareness of your dreams."

"Huh..." To have absolute control over something as enigmatic as dreams. She would be like a god. "...it's a nice suggestion. I'll think about it. Whatever I do remember of my dreams, it's usually sad. I wouldn't want to see sadness..."

"If that is the case, I do believe you will receive happier dreams, madam." The driver reaches the end of the tunnel: a bright light awaits to engulf them. "Because you are no longer fighting alone."

The words leave Yuuki's mouth as the mansion comes into full view.

It's massive, old, beautiful.

It's tall; it's almost like a castle than a resting quarter. And Yuuki can feel every bit of magic oozes out of the place. If said magic were visible, the mansion would be a beacon in a darkest abyss. With her wonder and awe comes a faint sense of nostalgia and déjà vu.

Without thinking, she takes a photo not to send, but to cement in her mind that this is home.

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"Welcome back, Yuuki! I know the sound of that car from anywhere!" Tooko leaps down the stairs four steps at a time. She wears casual clothes compared to before. Her skin is somewhat pale due to her recent nap. Yet the warmth and energy she has right now betrays that.

She races to Yuuki, arms outstretched for a hug -

- but stops when Yuuki steps back. "Eh? Yuuki?"

The high school girl sets down her only bag, subconsciously hiding her throat. "My powers...aren't you worried about them? I can't control them yet."

"What? We're family. We share all our problems! Now get over here for your welcome back hug!" Tooko glomps Yuuki, pinning her arms to the side as she squeezes.

The cozy hug doesn't last too long. Tooko notices someone staring at her intently. Looking up, it's Luka, holding Yuuki's bag, mildly vexed.

"It came to this again?" Tooko says. "Sorry, Luka, but the power of hugs are stronger than your scariness."

Luka doesn't reply.

"Yuuki...?" is Tsukumo's voice from the stairs. He sees Yuuki smiling and his eyes light up.

Soon he's hugging Yuuki as well, as Tooko watching with glee, Luka with mild irritation. "Welcome back, Yuuki."

Yuuki hugs him back, delighted and somewhat embarrassed. Is this how families great each other? I thought only kids still hugged.

Tsukumo pulls away and eyes Sodom resting on her head. "What is that?"

"He's - "

"Is she here? For real? My little Prince-kun?" The voice is from somewhere far away, but getting closer. Luka frowns deeply. From out two doors, the third person comes barreling in, ready to hug Yuuki, "Prince-kuuuun!"

Yuuki starts to accept the hug just before Luka pulls her to the side. The new third person completely misses the girl and runs head first into a wall.

The third person looks back and whines, "Eh, Zess-kun, why are you so cruel? Why can't I get a hug from my Prince-kun?"

The Duras remains immovable. "Shut it."

Yuuki looks between the two, at a lost for words. Why would Luka do that?

"Ah, I get it!" the new person continues. "You're trying to keep the prince all to yourself! You player!"

"...I don't know what you called me, but I will kill you - "

"Well then!" The person interrupts; he gets to his feet, dusts off his clothes, and now with a better look, this man seems something special. He's got a wide grin, followed by an absolutely random hat that no one should wear indoors. Yuuki feels like this man has no idea about self-preservation. "Nice to meet you, Prince - er, Yuuki! My name is Giou Tachibana, superintendent of this household." He smiles gently.

Yuuki smiles back. "It's nice to meet you. You made quite an entrance..."

"Ah, my little Yuuki, it isn't me who makes grand entrances, entrances make me." With his faux-arrogance, the man named Tachibana pops his collars to his ancient-looking trench coat. "Feel free to chat with me about anything troubling you, or suggestions you'd like to make. Or even..." His smiles turns impish. "It must be confusing, right? Being in a new body like that? Well, I'm a guy, and you and I could relate to th - "

Much to Yuuki's bafflement, Tooko elbows Tachibana and continues talking with a bright, "Moving on! The next person you need to meet is her."

She points to just behind her, where a demure girl stands clad in a beautiful, pink kimono - the sleeves covers her hands, the bow is a bit too big - with flawless black hair and eyes. She flushes under Yuuki's awed gaze and bows to avoid it.

"This is Kureha Aya," Tooko says. "She's in charge of taking care of everyone, like cleaning, doing errands for us, and being a great friend for us girls!" Tooko lowers her voice to a state whisper. "As you know, we girls are surrounded by guys and it's only gonna get worse!"

"Um, please refer to me as simply 'Aya,' Yuuki-sama," Aya says with a demure smile.

Yuuki blinks, awe temporarily gone. "Huh? Y-Yuuki-sama?"

Aya's smile drops. "Does Yuuki-sama not remember her name?" Yuuki can practically see the fear leaking out of her.

"N-No, just - ah - 'Yuuki-sama' is a bit too much!"

Aya breathes a sigh of relief before innocent confusion takes over. "I refer to everyone with 'sama.' Wouldn't that be impolite to...?"

"Hey, Aya." The girl looks over to Tooko who smiles encouragingly. "Yuuki says that's too much. You'll listen to her, right?"

"Ah, I see. Then...is 'Miss Yuki' all right?"

Yuuki laughs. "Yes, that's just fine." Being called "Yuuki-sama" felt like she was some sort of master or a lord; it didn't feel comfortable to be in that position.

"I see. I am glad that Miss Yuuki is here. I do my best taking care of this house, but no one can do it better than Miss Yuuki herself." Aya nods.

"M-Me?" Past lives. Her previous self must've done much of what Aya does today. "Thank you. I won't infringe on your job - honestly."

Her big eyes brighten. "Oh no, it's not a bad thing at all. Miss Yuuki's warmth is beautiful and more potent than mine own - and that is all right with me." She seems giddy.

"...thank you." Her face is redding.

Tooko, Tsukumo, Hotsuma, Shuusei, Tachibana, Aya, Luka....So many names to remember, but each person makes her heart feel a little different. She'll remember the names in no time. Yuuki looks around the antique, quaint, majestic room, doors, and stairs; a sense of peace settles within her. This is where the life of Giou Yuuki begins.

"Alrighty, Yuu-chan," Tachibana says, using a nickname Yuuki didn't agree with, "your room will be on the second floor. It's right across from Zess-kun's room - if he ever used it. Maybe he'll settle down now that you're here. Ah, before you go" - he gestures vaguely to his own throat will looking at Yuuki's - "Boss said you need to go visit the doctor. And so does Zess-kun."

Yuuki touches her neck. "...right."

Luka glares even more. "My shoulder will heal soon enough. As will Yuuki's wounds. She doesn't need to see that perverted doctor."

Perverted doctor? Yuki shouts internally.

"Wait, Yuuki's injured?! How?"

"Are you all right, Yuuki?"

The siblings are finally aware of her neck. They reach out to touch the red lines, hesitate, but eventually graze her injuries.

"It's Boss's orders," Tachibana says firmly. "The Duras will attack at random, and they fight to kill; you must be at your best. Unless you want Yuu-chan to heal your wounds and walk around bruised and damaged."

Luka makes a displeased hiss. On one hand, I want Yuuki safe and not healing me. However, she needs to be healed. Stupid human doctor...Reluctantly, Luka starts towards the direction of the doctor's office.

"Ah, Yuu-chan, Tooko-chan, Tsu-kun, come along! To the doctor!"

Tsukumo shakes his head. "Have fun."

Tooko wraps her arms around Yuuki's arm. "I'm going. I'll tell you what happens when I get back, okay, Tsukumo?" Her brother nods in agreement, and the group sets off for the doctor, Yuuki telling the story of her injuries as they go along. Of how she ran into Hotsuma ("I dunno why he was in a tree, but it doesn't surprise me," Tooko says, half teasingly), then Minami and yet another Duras ("Sounds like a Mid-Villain, nothing too dangerous."), and the possession of Minami.

When she finishes, Tooko, pouting, hugs Yuuki's arm tighter. Scary. She's gone for a few minutes and this happens. It's not fair.

"Ah, this is the place, Yuu-chan!"

Before them is a closed door with the sign INFIRMARY juxtaposed against the WARNING, spiralling eyes, and DANGER signs. There seems to be a dream-catcher made out of bones of rats in a few places. The doorknob itself seems dusty. Tachibana notices it and takes out his handkerchief. He wipes the brass knob with a disappointed sound. "We haven't seen him in three days. Who knows what state he's in." Tachibana knocks on the door, calling for the doctor, but the door does not open. He pushes it open. "Doooctooor?"

The others are unfazed. Yuuki starts to doubt whatever man who is going to treat her. The infirmary has the usual she sees in hospital rooms - a table, closet, drawers, cabinets, jars and vials full of liquid, et cetera - and it has the mess of a man. The main table is full with paperwork, and trivial items; the walls are decorated with even more random, messy things. The doctor is nowhere in sight.

Tooko and Tachibana call his name and search around. Luka stays outside in the hallway, leaving Yuuki (and Sodom!) all by themselves. Yuuki starts to look as well. Before she can make some ground, just out the corner of her eyes she spots a massive stack of trash that just moved.

Maybe it was a gust of wind? She's curious now. She squats just in front of the stack, looking at an indentation on an otherwise balanced pile of trash. Sodom leans forward and sniffs, sniffs, sniffs, at least before two hands reach from out the pile and grab the little dragon. Yuuki shouts in surprise.

"Yuuki?" Luka rushes into the room, but he soon realizes that Yuuki isn't in danger - at least not the kind that could kill her.

No, she looks pale and frightened at the shaggy human being from out the trash. He holds on tight to Sodom, mumbling, "Is this real? Sodom, Luka's family's dragon. Wrapped up in a little energy-saving form as he lives within the human realm. Interesting, interesting, very interesting!" Sodom looks at the man, trapped within his grasp. "My research says you can shift into plenty of forms, my little dragon - a cat, a human, perhaps a wolf? Do you mind if I do a little experiment on you?"

"Sodom," Luka calls, "return!" The lump of fur returns to the realm he came from.

"Ahhh! It vanished! No way..."

"Ah, Doctor, I knew you were here!" Tachibana says gleefully, ignoring the gloomy man. "Wait - don't you smell, Doctor? Didn't you bath, or have you been passed out again?"

The Doctor scratches his messy, wavy hair that comes down to his shoulders. "Guess I passed out during my research. Oh well." He adjusts his glasses as he stands. "Yes, it was halfway through my last experiment..."

"Doctor," Tachibana sighs, "you'll die one of these days. Your ethic is impressive, but it's ironically unhealthy."

"Maa, maa, humans are hypocrites at times. What did you want me to do?"

"We need you to checkout Zess-kun," he starts.

"Eh? Z...ess?"

"You know, Luka-kun?"

The Doctor's eyes shine with a hint of madness, sending shivers up Luka's spine. "So he's in that mood now?! Now I'll finally get to investigate every nook and cranny on his body?!" The Doctor shoves everything off his desk (did some glass just break?) and pats it. "Zess or Luka, or whatever your name is! Come get on this table and strip for my research!"

Yuuki notices how flushed and a little green Luka looks.

"That's it, I'm leaving." With Tooko pushing from the front and Tachibana pulling from the back, the two manage to slow Luka's progress to the door.

"Wait, Luka-kun!"

"Luka!"

Luka fumes. "I'd rather die than have that man look at me!" I hate the way he says things, the pervert.

"Luka! You can't go! You need to be at your best at all times!" Tooko is strong and fit, but she can't even push back the immovable wall that is Luka.

"Tooko-chan is right, yanno! Don'cha know Yuu-chan needs a checkup, too? You're going to leave her alone here? And then what after that? You're going to let her heal you?"

At that, Luka pauses. He looks over his shoulder at the girl who looks nervous and awkward and immediately regards her safety being more important than his grievances.

The Doctor, however, steps into Yuuki's personal space, scrutinizing the girl. "You need a checkup, too? Are you sick? Poisoned? Need a pick-me-up? What's wrong?"

"Ah - uh - well..." She point to her neck wound.

The Doctor lifts her chin and bends over to survey her injury. "Very, very red. Must be recent. Judging by the line, did someone attempt to strangle you? And these lines here..." He traces the vertical lines with a gentle finger. "Scratches. Not too deep, just enough to draw a little blood. This is no problem, whatsoever! I have an ointment for relieving pain and taking care of scars. You'll be fine!"

So this man is indeed a doctor! Good. The Doctor releases her chin and she says, "What about Luka? His is a little worse than mine." Because a sword to a shoulder on the night of Walpurgis is, in her opinion, a little worse than her injury.

"I'll get to it," the Doctor replies. "Tachibana, Tooko, you two staying here?"

"No, we'll be waiting outside when you're done," Tooko says, tugging Tachibana as she walks. "H-Have fun..." Truthfully, seeing the wound on her neck already makes her sick. And to see Luka's wound - well - that might hurt her physically.

When the door clicks shut, the Doctor roams through his drawers looking for the ointment. Luka stands by her side, eyeing her wound. "Does it still hurt?"

"Just a little. And you?"

"Fine," he huffs.

Yuuki smiles. He really doesn't like doctors. Besides his quirks, how bad could he be?

"Found it! Come here, come here." Yuuki stands on his left. He shows her a small jar filled with a pink substance almost like body butter. "I'll just apply this and within four or so days, you'll only have a faint, white mark. Not a big deal, eh?" He takes two fingers and gently spreads the cold substance over her wounds. The process takes less than ten seconds. "Next, I'll wrap your neck with a little bandage, just to keep you from messing with it. See me every two days for a replacement." He fastens the bandage and claps his hands.

The bandage feels thick against her throat, but the wound no longer hurts. It does feel itchy. "Thank you, Doctor."

"No probs. As for my Duras friend here...he needs to let me see his wound," the Doctor says impishly.

Growling to himself, Luka takes off his jacket, then his shirt - Yuuki's face turn red seeing him disrobe and her stomach turns to lead seeing his wound.

At first glance, Luka has pale, translucent skin and a well-built body. Then on his arm are the "bloody crosses" Bayou talked about. His beauty is otherworldly -

"Their beauty normally works that way. I've guessed it is so that they may lure and manipulate humans with more ease. What do you think, Luka?"

She clears her head and focuses on his wound. She can see his body working to speed the process of healing, but it looks like a brownish-red mess. Skin closest to the wound take on the color cherry red.

He was hiding this? Doesn't this hurt him? Luka frowns at Yuuki's grimace.

"Ah, that's a nasty wound," the Doctor says nonchalantly. "It would leave a scar, but, oddly, it won't. The body of a Duras is very reminiscent of humans and yet very different."

"What are you going to do?" he says, hoping the man will give up.

"Some painkillers, clean the wound, remove those scabs, close it properly..." He rotates his hand in an "et cetera" gesture. "Your body can only do so much against other Duras."

"Huh?" Yuuki blurts. "How did you know the wound was from a Duras?"

"Simple. The Zweilt aren't killing him anymore and nothing in the human realm could hurt a Duras long enough against their fast healing. That only leaves one category. Luka, go rest on the table and I'll be right back with my equipment so we can begin!" The Doctor practically skips to the next room.

Luka sits on the table and rests his clothes beside him. Yuuki walks to his side, the side with the wound, and focuses on it. "That looks really bad."

"I have a high pain tolerance," he says, "so it doesn't hurt at all."

She runs her hesistant fingers over the wound, noticing how some areas are hotter than others, and how some areas beat in rhythm of his rapid heart.

"I'm sorry. You're only injured because of me. Can't I heal it for you? I know I can - I mean, I haven't healed anyone yet, but I can try - "

"Don't worry. You just need to rest. If you continue to blame yourself for everything during a war, you'll...go mad before long. Accidents happen."

"It wasn't an accident; if I stayed at home - "

" - you probably wouldn't be here," he finishes, meeting her gaze with intense silver eyes. "Not in this way." Not with your free will.

She blinks. "What does that mean...?"

"All set!" The Doctor's has Yuuki jump and step back. The older man walks through the doors, coat filled with items, as he cracks his knuckles. "Won't this be fun? You get to show this lady over here how strong you are!"

"Get it over with," he growls.

"If you're squeamish," the Doctor says to Yuuki, "you might want to look away."

She gulps. "Uh, thank you. It'll be fine."

.

.

Monday night, Yuuki learns she is very squeamish. All the pain Luka didn't feel or react to, Yuuki did so for him. She made a fake smile, but it convinced no one. She breathed a sigh of relief when his shoulder was all wrapped up, and the Doctor left to fix himself up. Luka put his clothes back almost immediately after completion.

"Ah, look at that," Yuuki says, trying for comedy, "we've got matching bandages! I guess we'll come get them changed together, huh?"

Luka looks away. "I don't want that. What if you see me in pain? What could I do?"

"What? You mean...um, I promise I won't wince next time! I'm just really worried for you." She forces herself to laugh. It does little to lighten Luka's mood.

Soon the Doctor returns. Only Yuuki is temporarily shocked at the change. For starters, the man smells like different fruits; it makes her hungry. Secondly, he looks like a man in his late twenties with his clean shaven face, pulled back hair, and clean lab coat. He sips a bottle through a bendy straw. In fact, he takes Yuuki's shock about his appearance to be about his drinking choices.

"There 500 times more bacteria on bottle lids than straws," he explains.

"Is that...really true?" she breathes, shock lessening.

"Oh," says he, "I dunno. But I'm a doctor. People believe anything I say." He winks. "Say, who are you, Miss? We haven't meet before."

"I'm Giou Yuuki. I just arrived here today...or night."

"Wh - WHAAAAT?! You're the Light of God?! You really are a girl this time! (Can hardly tell the difference.) That explains why Luka is even here in the first place! Would you mind if I give you psych tests at least twice a month?" He makes puppy-dog eyes. "I just want to chronicle your mental processing is all!"

Everything about his raving overwhelms her. "Er, uh...s-sure, if you like?"

Luka blocks the Doctor from her. "Leave her alone."

"Anyways, Yuuki, I'm Fujiwara Isuzu," says he, leaning to the side to see Yuuki, "research specialist for Duras and other paranormal activity. I work so that someday we won't have to be so dependent on your power. I'm sure you know that you take on pain to heal pain, right? Nobody wants you to have that kind of fate, but it isn't easy at all. You're just too good at what you do.

"I also make the memory-wiping drugs. Pretty easy, though side effects include an intense craving for hazelnut substances such as Nutella." He stands upright. "As for you, Luka, let's say you come for checkups once a month? You can even double it up with Yuuki's checkups!"

Luka takes a moment to think of his decision. This doctor or her safety...This doctor or her safety...this doctor...?

"I'll do it," he monotones.

"Excellent! You're really obedient when it concerns Yuuki! I'm impressed." He ignores the other's scowl. "By the way, he's going by 'Luka' now? What gives? Everyone called you Zess before."

"He doesn't like giving out his real name so easily," Yuuki replies.

"Oh? Don't be that way, Luka. You've proved to us you're more than willing to stay, even if it doesn't involve your Yuuki. Trust us a little more, eh?"

An interesting emotion passes Luka's face, but it is gone before anyone can decipher it. He starts to guide Yuuki to the exit.

"It was nice meeting you, Doctor Fujiwara," Yuuki smiles as she's led away.

"Eh, makes me sound real old. 'Doctor Isuzu' is fine."

"Right. Nice meeting you. Doctor Isuzu."

"Go wild, kids. I'm just gonna clean up..." He looks around his room. "And maybe get some Nutella."

.

.

"Yuuki! Luka! That was longer than I thought!" Tooko holds Yuuki's hands within her own. "You okay?"

"Yup. I met Doctor Isuzu, and everything. It's nice knowing what he's working for."

"Tell me about it. He works pretty hard to find someways of getting past your power or finding Duras's weaknesses. He's told us that he wanted to make an encyclopedia about Duras."

"Now that Yuu-chan and Zess-kun are back, shall we walk around until dinner? I'll give you the full tour!"

Yuuki eyes her surroundings. The floor is checkerboard-styled and the thin pillars look ancient, but stable. Two steps away is the courtyard illuminated by the night sky.

"I don't think so," she mutters. "It feels like I've walked here before." A long time ago...

The remaining three each think some version of: Will Yuuki get her memories back in a place like this? What to do when that happens?

Tooko stops walking and stares at her feet. The other three soon stop as well, watching her with confused faces. Noticing the attention on her, she proceeds to voice her thoughts. "Yuuki...you have to be scared right now."

The sudden statement silences Yuuki. Tooko continues. "You're brought to a place where you don't know anyone, forced to leave your peaceful life, and there's tension in the air between comrades..." She must be referencing Hotsuma and Shuusei, a calm boy and a wild boy who somehow hates Yuuki. "You've already faced scary and painful things. It's just...not fair."

It's hard for people to accept sorrow in their future or a new day separate from their past. Most collapse in on themselves before anyone can see the signs of their brokenness.

"I'm sorry..." she mutters.

For keeping so many things a secret. I can't even begin to count them all. I can't bear to tell you, yet I'm dying to let you know them.

"I'm sorry."

I -

"Tooko." Even though she is the wielder of the Ears of God, she barely hears Yuuki's tiny voice. She looks up shortly before Yuuki embraces her. "You are so kind. You don't need to apologize for anything. I should be thanking you, because I realize something. Ever since I've came here, it's made me happy...that so many people are looking out for me."

Takashiro, my older brother, introduced me to this new world.

You and Tsukumo teach me love, joy, and protecting loved ones.

Hotsuma yells a lot and seems hostile, but it protected me. I can see his kindness underneath. I don't know much about Shuusei, but I don't feel threatened in his presence.

Then there's Aya and Doctor Isuzu who really believe in me and want to help me anyway they can.

Best of all, there's Luka...

Yuuki pulls away, smiling. Not a polite smile, nervous smile, or a smile with an trace of falseness. It's the kind of smile that immediately warms Tooko's heart and takes away her fears and worries.

"I feel...confident in my future," Yuuki says. "It may be predestined and all, but...if I look at it this way, that the journey is more important than the destination, it gives me hope to move on."

"What's - What's most important to you, Yuuki?" Tooko says, holding her own hands together over her heart.

"Bonds," she replies without hesitation. "That's the most important thing to me." Thank you all for being here...

With a small grin, Tachibana enjoys the scene before him. We've been waiting for you for a long time, Yuu-chan.

"Aaallll right!" he shouts. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Who wants to go eat dinner? It'll be ready soon."

Food? Thinking about makes Yuuki's stomach growl. "Wow, I'm hungry. That's not a bad idea..."

"Let's go! There's still one more person left for you to meet, Yuu-chan! Come on~!"

Tachibana and the girls head off the dinning room. All alone, Luka watches them go, face unreadable.

"Oh? What're you doing out here, Zess? Or, Luka? Give me a moment to remember it, 'kay?" Doctor Isuzu walks to his position with a towel over his wet, freshly combed hair. "Where's everyone else?"

"Gone off to make bonds," he says, calm in the man's presence.

Doctor Isuzu quirks a brow at his behavior. "So, you don't want to go with them?"

"Bonds make Yuuki happy. Right now, Yuuki will be happy."

He's...still not understanding what the other means. "Okay, but I always thought you two never went anywhere without the other. You'd think you two were stuck at the hip!"

Luka finally looks at the man. "I'm leaving now." He does as he says.

The Doctor smiles. This is what he's used to. "Don't go hurting yourself. Again. Versus another Duras. Or yourself. Can you injure yourself and invalidate your fast healing? Ah, Luka! Want to do a quick experiment?"

.

.

Stale, amethyst light filters through the windows of the hall. Shadows still exist under the light, though only slightly less black. It is silent. For that reason, it makes it all the more easy to hear footsteps sauntering toward where he sits.

" - just sayin'. We lost two guys due to the Light of God wimp."

"Better change that 'wimp' to 'wench.' Ya know what's up now."

"Right, right." The steps stop in unison. The two must think they just now entered his hearing range. "Reiga-sama. When're we gonna go out and have some fun?"

"It's boooriiing here. When there's nothin' but chaos, ya can't really do much else."

Jekyll and Hyde. Twins, a Duras pair - the first in over 700 years. They are our "Zweilt imitation." Reiga leans over his wine glass, staring at his reflection. All he makes out are his silver eyes through the shadows.

"Not yet," states he. "You are to remain on standby until I say so."

"But Reiga-sama, Ashley got out. You gonna go and get her? Want us to do it?"

"She is the next phase in the plan. If you want to do something, go dust the Grimoires. You cannot enter in and out of this world and the human realm like the Opasts and I can. You must be summoned."

"Ehh...we're not bored."

"Y-Yeah. Maybe there's a dragon we can go pick on..."

He listens to their steps fade, but silently curses the next pair he hears on his right.

"Is everything to your liking, Master?" says the oh-so familiar voice. "You are...much more reserved and subdued than your previous incarnations."

Reiga lets out a long exhale. "Someone once said that it is more safe to be feared than love. Love is like an obsession; it can be used to break people, to lead them astray. Fear can never hurt the one it is directed to. People would fear your strength and punishment, ergo giving you power.

"Do you think after all these years I've been wrong? Perhaps I am not feared, but hated. Perhaps I was far too brutal and savage in the past, to human and disloyal Duras alike. Being hated is just as bad as being loved, so you know."

"Does that explain your change? I see. Nevertheless, I still sense a feeling of conflict within you. If you are unfit to lead - "

"Nothing will deter me from my goal of eliminating the humans," Reiga says sharply. "Whatever you sense within me is wrong. You do not understand emotions like I do."

Half-human, half-Duras, unable to live on both sides to the fullest. Understanding me is impossible.

"Furthermore," he continues, "I have another plan to draw out the Light of God. It starts by simply summoning an old enemy..."

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Side-Story 6.5

A Twilight Mansion Morning

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It didn't take me long to navigate around such a large and old place. I could get to wherever I needed automatically. There were some areas that I couldn't remember at all, but they were usually empty, quiet places.

I liked to think of Luka as my shadow. He was always behind me, normally quiet. There were few times when we were separated, which didn't bother me too much. It was no fun being alone, anyways. And he's important to me! Not just because he saved my life multiple times now (I felt bad thinking about how troublesome I was), he really believed in me and trusted me; he went the extra mile to understand me, and he was really good at it.

I walked to the dining room with him close behind and opened the double doors. The room was way more extravagant than what I was used to: a large wooden table horizontal to windows on the wall, morning light illuminating the room. And setting up the table for breakfast was none other than Tooma Katsumi, the family chef. He looked real young (though that just may be his boyish looks) and wore his chef hat and coat as always. (He must be so proud of it.)

"Good morning, Miss Yuuki, Zess," he said with a short bow.

"Good morning, Tooma. Do you need any help?"

"No thanks, I'm almost all done." Tooma had taken tons of classes in Italy and truly enjoyed being able to cook for the Giou family. "Viola! This morning, I have prepared northern Italy delights! I made various breads today. This right here is focaccia with a springy texture and parmesan cheese sprinkle onto the raw dough. Over here is tomato bread. If you didn't know, Hotsuma really dislikes tomatoes. There are many other breads. I hope they're to your taste!"

"They smell wonderful." I almost felt like I didn't deserve this. "Oh, don't you want to eat with us? You should taste how amazing your cooking is."

He laughed. "It's quite all right. No, the best thing ever is having my cooking eaten by you guys!" His eyes sparkled and I could see he was getting really excited. "I'm itching to use my skills! My blood is boiling over! One more mouth to feed means more cooking!"

I smiled. His excitement was contagious. I started to reply, but I heard someone slip into the room, slurping something. Automatically, Tooma's face fell. Behind him, I could see Doctor Isuzu strutting, drinking an energy drink with yet another straw.

"Agh, Doctooor!" whined poor Tooma. "Please have breakfast before eating that! I've already calculated your daily nutrition for you! Breakfast!"

Doctor Isuzu didn't look too interested. "Eh, I'll pass. 'M really sleepy - stayed up 4 days without a break. Came here 'cause this is the brightest place in the house without going outside."

Tooma looked heartbroken. I could try to convince the Doctor to eat something else besides energy drinks. But all my reasons involved potential health risks, something ineffective against one who studies medicine.

It didn't matter, though. I heard Tooma shouting, "Tsukumo! You can't be snacking this early in the morning! What even is that?!"

"Roe-flavored octopus dumplings," he said calmly, voice somewhat muffled. "It's yummy. Want one?"

"No, I do not want one! And that doesn't even make sense! Look, look, look, we're having breakfast! You can't possibly eat this and breakfast, can you?!"

"I'll eat breakfast," Tsukumo replied, then burped.

That set Tooma off again. (Oh boy...) "You burped! You burped, didn't you?!"

"Waaah! Tsu-kun!" Tachibana somehow entered without being heard. "You ate my roe-flavored octopus dumplings!"

Tsukumo stopped with a hand full of...whatever it was called...halfway to his mouth. "This is yours? I'm sorry I took it. Want some?"

I've noticed that our superintendent liked to overreact to small things. He cried dramatically. "This - is - horrible! I need to go to the store and buy more!"

"Tachibana-sir! You must have your breakfast!"

Sadly, the two of them were too caught up in their junk food woes. Tooma sulked, recognizing it as well.

"Uh, Tooma...?" I said, reaching out to comfort him. I bet Aya would enjoy his breakfast! Right?

"Tsukumo," Tooma groaned, "what about Miss Tooko? Will she be coming?"

"Tooko is on a diet. She declined breakfast."

I saw him wince. "What about Shuusei? Hotsuma?"

"Shuusei left early, so Hotsuma chased after him."

At my side, Luka noted quietly, "There's no one left who'll eat."

Oh geez...there was nothing that made him more happy than having all of us eat his food...and with no one to eat his food...

Tooma, whining, burst out the room, running. I chased after him, calling his name, but it was as if he didn't hear me. He went up the stairs - first, second, third floor - opened the nearest window, and

"I'm just some kind of idiot, blockheaded chef who's unworthy of others eating my fooood!" shrieked he, tears running down his face, and I tried desperately to keep him from jumping out the window. "I'm unfit to liiiive!"

"Ah, Tooma, Tooma! That's not true!" I shouted. "I enjoy your food so much! I'm envious of how hard you work!"

He turned to me, sniffed: "R-Really?"

Progress! I nodded far too many times. "Yup! That's right! I love your food! Isn't his food amazing, Luka?"

Whereas Tooma and I were a bit out of breath from the running and shouting (I wondered if he done this before), he was unfazed, still bored. "It's good," he said.

Tooma edged off the window's ledge, but I was a little hesitant to let go of him that fast. "That's great, Zess! You're not so scary after all!"

"It's like..." he started, "that instant ramen I had the other day."

Ohhhh noooo...

It was an innocent mistake. It really was. Luka had been trying food, and his favorite was instant ramen. It was a compliment through and through, but before I could explain it to Tooma - No, I didn't explain it immediately because I knew it was a compliment. It took a second or two for me to think: Does Tooma know his favorite food? No, he doesn't! Then he must think - !

At that moment, Tooma tore through my grip and dashed away (thankfully to no windows) faster than I could move. "I'm going back to my parent's hooouuuse!"

"Tooma..." I murmured. Then groaned. "I don't know where he went."

"Ah-ha! Nice job, Luka-kun!" Somehow, Tachibana and Doctor Isuzu appeared from...somewhere. "Man, it doesn't feel like morning for real without hearing a 'I'm going back to my parent's house!' from our little Ka-cchan!"

"It's become a routine now," Doctor Isuzu clarified for me. "It can't be helped - his reaction is far too cute. This is how we show our love."

I wanted to believe those words, but wasn't this a little too teasing?

Tachibana and Doctor Isuzu left to genuinely enjoy the breakfast Tooma made. It sounded like they were pleased. Even Tooko - skipping her diet (correction: starting tomorrow) - ate breakfast as well.

My new home was full of unique individuals. Without a doubt.

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to be continued...

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AN

1) Tachibana is the second exception to the 'no honorifics' rule because he has nicknames for everyone (which really comes to light in the hot springs chapter), and I could not think of suitable nicknames without resorting to suffixes. Sorry about that. I'll try to keep this as English as possible.

2) Miscellaneous: That fear and love quote is from Il Principe (The Prince). Good book. Also, I like writing Tooko's name as "Tooko" and not "Touko" because the latter reminds me of my most hated character, Touko Fukawa. (No amount of extra development can get me to like that selfish, obsessive brat.)

3) First major, butterfly effect divergence in three...two...