They had settled on a routine following the confrontation between their families. Though in most situations both vampires and witches ignored each other. Shu and Reiji both seemed to be unnerved by the commentary of Ayanna.

"So you plan on going against him…"

"Not directly no. I've always been against him. That's a fact he's aware of."

"Yui isn't who he thinks she is."

The words rang through his mind like lyrics. Once Ayato returned to the school with Lyra from suspencion. Shu felt the shift in the air between everyone. Though they had agreed on some level to try and avoid each other. Each one of his brothers found the witches particularly curious.

Their scents lingered longer than humans. The status they held as untouchable left people like Ayato and Laito on edge. They hated being told they could not do something, especially when something piqued their interest. Ayato felt like he was owed something after the insults he suffered from Lyra...meanwhile Akira merely seemed to excite Laito because she responded to his words in a manner similar to his own way of speaking.

Kanato...kept insisting the scents were familiar. This made sense when Yui was still around, if what Reiji told him was true...then The triplet's mother, Cordelia, was still around at heart. Quite literally. Embedded in Yui's chest.

However Kanato had been muttering about the scent around the other girls.

Subaru and Reiji both feigned disinterest. However Shu knew that Reiji was intrigued by the silver eyed girl that sat near them both each day. Though she wore headphones and often wandered off alone. She diligently did her work, and achieved grades of the highest standing. As did her 'sister' Rayna. The two of them were very intelligent. Though Aya seemed more uncaring about her studies.

The music room belonged to him. Though he recalled the scent of the young woman as she sat, chewing on an apple, with one of his headphone in her ear. He wasn't always one to share. Though she had relaxed more easily when he'd done so.

He guessed he could probably get more information out of her if she felt at ease around him. Reiji had been retreating to his study even more frequently while at home. He mentioned to Shu that he felt like something was going to happen. While running his fingers across the pocket watch he always carried with him.

Shu didn't agree nor disagree. He merely walked off and took a nap.

They hadn't spoken to the witches since that day. Occasionally one would be missing. Shu sti ll skipped class, and Reiji continued observing the two third years with narrowed eyes. But nothing further happened at the school within their view.

Until Ayato returned home late one night and made so much noise that even Reiji complained about not being able to sleep.

"I can't believe that damn bride is just like them!" He slumped into his chair and scowled. "If that's true what is that old man even thinking? If we hurt her aren't we technically breaking the rules? This makes no sense!"

Reiji sighed. "...Honestly Ayato sometimes your reckless and foolish attitude astound me." He pushed his glasses up and leaned back in his seat. Shu was laying across the couch and didn't even bother opening his eyes.

"The silver eyed one…she said that the bride wasn't who he thought she was…" Shu murmurred slowly.

Ayato frowned. "Ah!? So what?"

Laito appeared at the top of the stairs. Peering down at them all and giving a small laugh. "Nfu, Ayato-Kun, you smell like the new pancake~ replacing our little bitch already? You move fast, how scandalous~"

Ayato glares up towards Laito but merely muttered something about 'annoying perverts.'

Laito teleported behind his chair. "Oh come on now~ you can't be that dumb, Ayato-Kun~" He reached up to his fedora tipping it down slightly as his older brother peered up at him in agitation.

"Shu-san explained it perfectly hm? The old man doesn't even know this is happening. The little bitch is actually a little witch...which means her blood is special, right?"

"According to the little kid yeah…" Ayato muttered. Scowling as Reiji hummed thoughtfully. His hand held beneath his chin.

"Just not special in the way our father, expected or planned." He offered finally. His eyes closed and he released a small sigh.

"What else did she tell you, Ayato?" Reiji folded his hands in front of his chin. Watching the hot headed vampire across from him sternly.

"Ha? She only said something about them knowing who it was or something. Her damn scent became distracting after that." Though he wrinkled his nose his eyes darted off to the left. As if he didn't like admitting that to begin with.

"Miss Winters… is less willing to offer information as the Gallagher girls." Reiji murmured.

Shu smirked. "At least to you."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" His gaze darkened towards crimson, flicking towards the eldest son.

"She seems just fine around me. Let's her guard down...does wonders for her scent as well." Shu kept his eyes shut. Speaking slowly and lazily. His breath even and relaxed. He didn't care all that much for the situation. But getting beneath Reiji's skin was useful.

"Hmph, either a miscalculation on her part or she has worse tastes than I thought." Reiji replies snidely. Pushing his glasses up again he paused.

Subaru tsked. Making his appearance near the fireplace and slamming his hand into the wall as usual. "You all are too loud today."

Kanato appeared on the arm of Ayato's chair. " Ne, teddy? Do you think something's happening without us?" His eyes shifted around the room to land on his brothers. Chin ducking down to press into the back of the bears head gently.

"Nothing is happening you damn hysteric...except for our food turning out to be more magical than before."

Kanato cut his eyes sideways to Ayato. "Does that mean she will be more sweet?"

"Nfu, I wonder how they all taste under those little spells~" Laito sighed. His cheeks darkening as he smiled. " I'm getting excited just at the thought~"

"...Pervert." Subaru muttered.

"I wonder. If she is someone that man needs...and they know who it is…" Shu trailed off. " Troublesome…"

"I think it might be time where we approach them from a new angle…" Reiji murmured. "They may be of use- especially if the bride is one of their own...I doubt they will leave her to her fate."

"But they can't get involved…" Kanato whispered. " Ne...teddy? Is 'Eve' like them to?"

Silence reigned for a moment. Before it was Laito who spoke up. "If they can be of use...why not make a deal, Nfu?"

Reiji frowned. Ayato snorted. "What are you going on about?"

"No, Laito has a point...the one in the hat. Lyra. She said that a witch is bound to their words. And Miss Winters explained that she wouldn't move against 'him' directly...with those two facts in mind. It seems they vowed in some way to not directly interfere with the affairs of the vampire king…" Reiji explained finally.

"So…" Shu said. Slowly sitting up. "We make a new deal?" His eyes opened at last, peering towards the carpet.

"Exactly~" Laito murmured his lips twisting into a slow wicked smile. "Those half bloods don't know anything so far~ So this might be the advantage we need."

" tsk we don't need their help!" Ayato argues. Scowling at the thought of Lyra's smug expression should he ever actually ask her a favour.

"More like you expect them to not help you. Considering you've already tried to eat one of them." Subaru muttered darkly.

"I'm sure they can be reasoned with." Reiji muttered finally. " For now I suggest not trying to get any further on their bad side."

His eyes cut across to Ayato. Who scowled.

"Tch...damn it…" Ayato teleported back to his room without another word.

Ruki closed the door to his bedroom. His eyes narrowing as his hand lingered on the door knob. Yui was asleep, after he'd gotten home he'd perhaps sucked too much. Resulting in her passing out.

But his frustration towards the situation couldn't be helped. She had tried to escape multiple times in the week since she's been here. Once she picked his name he decided quickly that he needed to give her an idea of her position within this house…

She was nothing more than livestock. Though truth be told he wasn't sure what to make of this so called new-age Eve. She seemed too...pure. Even for the name. After all, didn't the original Eve end up eating the forbidden fruit?

Yui clung so helplessly to love...affection...sympathy and pity. It made him sick. He had no doubt though that she would try to betray him...as did most humans.

They were not creatures to be trusted…

A face flashed through his mind though as he released the doorknob and made his way to the bathroom. The girl he'd met in the school hall...one of the so called witches who would be joining the third years starting tomorrow…

She'd called him by his name. Her eyes shining with a warmth he didn't know how to comprehend. It filled his chest and made his dead heart lurch in a manner most disconcerting.

It reminded him of another voice...one he did not wish to remember.

One who claimed to love him long, long ago.

It was nothing more than a lie. Still...how did she know what to call him?

And how dare she call to him so casually...as if they were equals.

He'd informed Karlheinz of the situation. When asked if any signs of the Awakening had begun...he told him sadly that they had not. Even drinking Yui to her limit didn't seem to work thus far.

His would be saviour….seemed troubled by the news of both the Witches and his unsuccessful attempts so far at becoming Adam. Ruki refused to disappoint him again.

With great control he shoved the thoughts of the other human far from his head, painting her as insignificant.

Yui would be his Eve.

He had no choice, he had to become Adam.

Wine red eyes narrowed a low hum escaping his throat as he swung around the flagpole at the school, peering out over the town…

"Ah...I think this is going to be fun~" He flashed a grin towards the moon. Watching two bats fly off into the night.