Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Diabolik Lovers.

Sweet Sacrifice

Chapter 11

Everleigh and Yui skipped out on their classes the next evening, feigning a similar stomach bug they had mysteriously came down with. Reiji thought it odd, considering they only eat the finest of foods, but didn't question it. The boys, Shu and Ayato, offered to remain behind to keep an eye on them, but the girls assured that it was common among humans and would be fine. After much convincing, and some much needed shoving for Shu so the boy would at least be productive, the brothers left for their evening classes.

Once alone, the girls quickly hopped out of their beds, rushing to get dressed.

"What are you wearing?" Yui asked in passing as she noticed her friend leaving Shu's empty bedroom, wearing one of his sweaters.

"I needed a sweater…" Everleigh said in her defense. The cream sweater she wore smelt heavily of the boy and hung loosely off her frame, dangling just about her thighs. It was far warmer than any sweater the girl could've hoped to own.

Yui simply shook her head, going back to her room to finish packing. The girls, after their talk with Subaru, had decided that leaving would be the best choice for them both. They had homes and families, they had lives they had left behind and needed to get back to. Yui was awaiting her father's safe return home and anticipating the joining of her church choir. Everleigh had track records to keep in her name, places she wanted to see, and family she had to support. Not to mention both of them were trying to finish high school. Sure they could always take night classes with the boys like they had been, and it wasn't like they didn't make a few new friends at the new school, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't home.

Of course there was guilt to be felt, lying to them? Leaving without saying goodbye not only when they'd given the girls food to eat and warm beds to sleep in, but had also confessed their feelings (more or less). But Everleigh and Yui were doing what had to be done, all personal feelings aside. Everleigh just hoped they would be far away from the mansion by the time the boys returned home.

Everleigh avoided glancing back at the mansion as their cab pulled away, settling deep into her seat and Shu's sweater.

"Ever," Yui called softly. "Are we doing the right thing?" She too felt like there was a weight sitting on her chest, making it hard to breath.

"I don't know…" Everleigh replied distantly. Her eyes had been fixed on the passing structures outside her window, her hand resting thoughtfully under her chin.

"But… I like Ayato… and don't you like Shu?"

"I do… I guess… but… I'm not ready to say goodbye to my family just yet. And being with them means we have to give up our humanity. Are you ready for that, Yui?"

Yui didn't reply.

The girls were dropped off at the train station by their taxi, leaving them standing out in the cold with the few bags they carried. They had agreed to stay at Everleigh's aunt's home in Tokyo for the night, and head out to their own separate homes the next morning. The travel to their final destination was quiet, both girls far too deep into their own thoughts and emotions to say anything as of yet.

'What are you doing?' Everleigh's inner voice raged. 'All this time you've been secretly wishing for a guy to be genuinely interested in you, and you run away?'

'Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting my future boyfriend to be a vampire and I sure as hell wasn't expecting me losing my humanity to be a requirement to be with him! So I guess we're all stuck like chuck.'

'But what about Shu? The boy keeps to himself, keeps people at a distance, and doesn't let anyone in… much like you. You're probably the first person he's allowed to get close to him, and what do you do? You cower and run away!'

'For you to be myself, you're awfully judgmental. What am I supposed to do?'

"Ever… Ever…"

Everleigh blinked, it was Yui that had been calling her name and gently shaking her.

"We're here," Said the blonde, pulling her jacket and pack close.

The girls got off the train in downtown Tokyo, Everleigh leading the way, as she found them yet another taxi, having just enough to get them to her aunt's house.

As the taxi pulled up to the all to western home, located in the nice part of town Yui noted, a man of reasonable height opened the door to greet the arriving girls.

"Who is that?" Yui asked, having had enough surprises for her lifetime.

"My Uncle David," Replied Everleigh as she led the way up the stone pathway.

"I was expecting you girls weeks ago." The man said as he stepped aside for the girls to enter. David Gerald was Everleigh's mother's brother, meaning the tall man had the same pastel green tresses with purple and blue accents and pale eyes, just like the teenage girl did.

"I know… some things came up." Replied Everleigh as she kicked off her boots, not bothering to give the man an explination.

"Well, you're here now." He smiled kindly. "Oh, and you must be Yui. So sorry we're meeting under such circumstances, I've heard so much about you from Everleigh." Uncle David said gingerly, extending a hand for the blonde to shake.

"It's nice to meet you too," Said Yui. "You have a lovely home."

"My wife did all the decorating," The man chuckled as he gestured for them to follow him into the kitchen. "I just paid for it all. You girls must be hungry; I have some leftover meatloaf I can heat up for you." He offered.

The growling of two empty, exhausted bellies was his answer.

The gentle giant chuckled, going about making the girls plates as they settled in.

"Where is your aunt?" Yui asked as Everleigh made her way to the spare bedrooms on the second floor.

"Probably out of town on business," Said Everleigh. "Her and my mom are in the same line of business."

"Which is?" Questioned Yui.

"Magazine editors," Replied Everleigh. "Only my mom and my aunt handle their jobs differently. After my dad died by mom just did it to keep the bills paid and grew bitter. My aunt? Oh she loves it. Offers for me to travel with her all the time, but my mom won't let me. That's why when I'm done with school I'm moving to Tokyo and traveling with her."

"So you'll be seeing the world while I'm working at the church?" Asked Yui.

"Yep," Grinned Everleigh. "But of course we'll still see each other; I'll be living in Japan." She gave her friend a playful push.

Their plans, their dreams, their goals for their futures filled the room a bit more. And for a moment all hints of sadness and doubt of leaving the Sakamaki boys behind had vanished.

Everleigh changed out of her clothes and into something more comfortable, sinking back into cashmere material of Shu's sweater. Yui eventually decided to do the same, changing into a large pair of Everleigh's old pajamas. The girls ate their dinner, shared a few more lively conversations with Everleigh's uncle (whom was just as lively and fierce as Everleigh herself was), and then quickly retired to bed.

XXXX

"Where are they?" Ayato roared as he finished searching every bedroom in the mansion, finding them all empty and no traces of the girls.

The boys had returned home from their classes in an anything but enthusiastic mood. After having the girls around constantly it seemed a bit unnerving for them to suddenly not be lingering near. That, and though they wouldn't admit it aloud, the boys felt a tad bad for allowing themselves to be swayed into leaving the girls home alone when they felt sick. But as Ayato made his way to Yui's room to check on the girl, he was shocked to find it empty and all of her things gone. The fiery red head had rushed to Everleigh's room, throwing the door open and finding her room in the same condition. He roared out in anger, calling for his brother's attention. Even Shu now seemed to be upset and the unsettling realization that the girls had left.

"So they left…" Reiji said, adjusting his glasses.

"How can you be so calm? Just because it doesn't involve you doesn't mean you-"

"You're right," Said the boy. "It doesn't involve me. I wasn't chosen, I didn't just lose a possible mate."

"Aw, Shu, you scared little peacock away." Laito said, all but pouting. "You just should've let me have her."

"As if I was going to let you have her," Said Shu, a slight growl in his voice.

"Instead of you idiots fighting over who got them and who didn't, how about you actually go out there and try to find them if you care so damn much before he shows up?" Subaru piped up among the rising argument.