Yui awoke the next day, her body sticky from the night before with Yuma. Smiling to herself, turning over to see the other half of the bed empty. Wrapping the sheet loosely around her body and walking slowly over to the window that faced out. Admiring the greenery, it appeared Yuma did finish his work in the garden as it looked well maintained.

Running her fingers along her lips, smiling again to herself, turning her gaze to the moon. Thinking about how he tasted, being able to experience his memories, and learning more about the other brothers as she fed. It was a sensation she was getting more used to as her first blood began to awaken further. Her vision was turning back towards the ground level; she blinked a little quicker a second time upon her eyes readjusting; unsure if she just saw something that she hadn't seen in a while.

"Shin?" Her lips mumbled. Thinking about it, it was two eyes that she thought she saw, not just one. That would mean Carla and not Shin. Pondering why he would be lingering outside in the garden piqued her curiosity. It was still early in the evening; no doubt school would be soon. Walking into the bathroom and running a hot shower before getting dressed. Satisfied with her level of cleanliness, wrapping a towel around her body and wandering back into her room. Turning around towards her armoire, pulling out a school uniform and beginning to get dressed when she heard a knock at the door. Quickly pulling a sheet to her body, laying the towels to the side.

"Eve?"

Yui stared at the door for a moment before answering, "Yes, Azusa?"

Opening the door and letting himself in, "The car is ready for school." Eyeing Yui up and down in the sheet she was standing in, his eyes transitioning over to her arm. "It's healed already, hasn't it?"

Looking over at her arm, "Yes, It has."

Azusa frowning while looking over Yui's body. The fang marks from Yuma were almost also fully healed up. "Eve…"

Reading his features, he looked worried about something. Stepping a little closer to him, "Did you…"

Slightly unnerved that they all seemed so concerned with who she picked. "No, I didn't."

"So you haven't selected an Adam yet?"

"No, not yet."

Perking up a tiny bit, showing a small smile at the edges of his lips. This made Yui smile to see him somewhat in a more friendly state of being.

"I need to get dressed, Azusa. If you don't mind…"

"Oh. Right, I will be just outside Eve..." Eyeing her up and down, "If you need anything..." Closing the door behind him, exiting the room.

Turning to the bed and allowing the sheet to fall to the floor around her feet. Leaning forward and picking up the clothing that lay on the bed. Slipping her panties and bra on, followed by her dark black skirt for her uniform, lacing up her white shirt, vest, and jacket. Taking her neck ties over to the mirror and working them on. Out of the corner of her eye, noticing Ruki walk in.

"Ahh, you are nearly done then." He chimes.

"Yes, nearly."

Finishing her knot on her second bow, turning around and walking towards Ruki. Looking up at his appearance, his tie was slightly off center. Unusual for him, but she could fix it before they headed to school.

"May I?"

Ruki was looking down at her for a second before nodding his head in acceptance of her offer. He was having a rough day so far dealing with the bickering of Kou and Yuma; he hadn't given as much attention to his attire as he normally did. The smell that Yui put off was enough to make him glimpse a small headache; it was indeed sweet and intense. He was now beginning to understand part of the reason why the two of them were fighting.

Yui is reaching up, pulling up his white collared shirt, running her hands down and buttoning it the rest of the way up. Her hot finger tips are touching Ruki's cold chest. Getting all the way up to the top and untying the tie only to work on rewrapping it around his neck and properly aligning it. Moving it all the way up, Yui began properly to crease the collar of his shirt and jacket properly. Running her hands in a familiar manner down his jacket, smiling at her handy work.

"There, all done!" Patting the area over Ruki's heart with her hand, giving his chest a light tap. All the while Ruki watching her intently, as if he was stalking his prey but within direct line of sight.

Walking out of the room and down the hall, Yui shuffled quickly to make it to the car on time. Looking at the back of it, Kou, Yuma, and Azusa were all present, but Ruki was still missing.

"Oi! Sow! Where's Ruki?"

Yui was giving him a stern glare, still hating the nickname, refusing to answer him.

"What? Not going to answer him after you were so vocal last night?" Kou blurts.

Yui is throwing another visual dagger at Kou, what the hell was with them today she wondered?

"I'm sure he's coming," Azusa claimed.

No sooner had Azusa finished, Ruki climbed into the car. Yui was eyeing him over, did he change his clothes? Inspecting him closer, no that wasn't it. He had unfurled his tie and messed up her handy work as if nothing had happened. Raising an eyebrow, getting ready to ask about it but deciding that there must have been a reason for it. Deciding not to press the issue, for now, smiling to herself as it was the closest she had been to Ruki outside of being forced to sit next to him in class.

"You've got lots of catching up to do, M Neko-Chan!"

"Catching up?" Yui asked inquisitively of Kou while a look of confusion washed over her expression.

"You've been out of class for two weeks. You will need to borrow some notes if you hope to pass!" Kou is giggling at the fact that Yui was going to experience a hardship as a result of her lack of consciousness that occurred.

"You mean…" Dread coming over Yui, a pound of butterflies hitting her stomach with force. Anxiety surfacing quickly as she realized that she would be buried with school work. "Oh…no!" She exclaimed under her breath. Trying to come quickly up with a solution as to who she could borrow notes from.

The list in her head was short, all of the second years she knew were all vampires. Ayato didn't seem like the note taking type, let alone attend class for a full two straight weeks. Kanato spent more time talking to Teddy than paying attention. While he didn't skip class, he didn't exactly pay attention either. Laito might keep notes but typically spent more time toying with the girls in class than note taking. He would be an absolute last resort. Thinking further, there is one other person, Shin. Doubtful, but it might be possible if he even half paid attention that Yui could get notes from him.

Zoning back to the reality of the car ride at hand, Yuma and Kou continued to bicker; over what, it was unsure. It seemed to be a battle of egos between the two of them. The car was finally coming to a stop, and Yui was quickly climbing out of the car. Before getting to a fast walking pace away from the car to her first class, she felt a cold hand grip her wrist in a firm and slightly painful manner. Turning around, she was surprised to see it was Ruki.

"I can't have you with us today, but be careful."

Yui was staring at Ruki; it was strange for him to care about her well-being outside of his or his brothers' self-interest. Nodding at his commentary and shaking his hand off her wrist.

Staring at the back of Yui's head as she walked away, why did he feel conflicted about letting her out of his sight? Shaking the idea from his head, looking back at the exit of the car seeing Yuma and Kou still bickering. Finally, Azusa joining them, the four of them walking to the classroom. "You two – would you give it a rest?"

Kou and Yuma were looking at one another before turning back to their brother, nodding at his request. They knew better than to question him, often when he spoke it was out of necessity and not wasted on needless banter. Walking past Yui's classroom, putting his hands in his pockets and checking that she made it to her seat. She was too busy to notice him stopping by but instead shuffling through her book bag looking frantic. Smiling to himself inside, he continued with his brothers to their third year room.

Digging through her book bag, it seemed emptier than she was expecting.

"Biiiiitch-Chan…" Laito cooed, his face leaning towards Yui, his elbows resting on her desk as he sits in his chair that is in front of hers. "What seems to be the trouble?"

Trying to ignore Laito, digging through her book bag. "My book, it appears to be missing. I swore it was in here before…" almost letting it slip that she was on a date with Karl when this whole mess began. Biting her tongue as Laito was sitting so close, Ayato no doubt in earshot and Kanato would undoubtedly go into a rage.

Looking towards a loud sound to her left to see Shin pulling up his desk to hers, "I can share my book with you." Plotting the deliciousness that he could inflict upon Yui being so close to her as it had been too long.

"I've got this!" another voice coming from her right. Ayato was sitting in his chair with a smile so wide, staring at Shin. Ayato's desk was already moved next to Yui's, and his book open to the chapter that the class was on.

Shin growling at Ayato's smile, Laito looking at Shin with a grin on his face. Enjoying the sight of the mini victory in his brothers' favor. Class beginning, Laito turning back around to face the front, and Yui squeezing her body together to avoid touching Ayato, but all the same doing her best to take notes.

"Where have you been?" Ayato whispered to Yui. Laito's ears are perking up at the ensuing conversation.

"I was unconscious for a couple of weeks."

Ayato is balling up his fists, "Did those bastards drain you that dry that they nearly killed you?"

"So I take it you haven't talked to Reiji?"

"Why the fuck would I talk to Reiji?" Ayato was raising his voice. The teacher clearing his throat giving a solid look to Ayato to keep it down.

"He could tell you what happened to me."

"Why don't you just tell me?"

"Umm…" Flipping the corner of the page she was writing on with the edge of her finger. Debating the best way to put it so it wouldn't cause a scene.

"Your father…"

Ayato held his breath as she spoke the first few words, waiting to hear the rest of it before warranting a response.

"He took me to the demon world and put me in a barrier to test my strength." The furling of the page with her finger coming at a slower pace, as her gaze turns to Ayato, who has yet to speak.

"Bullshit."

"Richter was there too. Professing his love to Cordelia who he tried to coax out."

"What?" Ayato muttered.

Laito after hearing this news, leans back in his chair a little bit more to gather more of the conversation. Clasping his fingers behind his head, using his body to block the view of the teacher a bit of what's happening behind him.

"Karl teleported me out when I threatened to kill him."

Ayato and Laito began chuckling under their breath. "You. Kill? The Demon Lord…" laughing a little harder.

Yui annoyed at the fact that they didn't believe her. The lunch bell rang as she finished telling the two of them. Standing up, she needed a breath of fresh air, the thought of her lunch on the roof sounded appealing. Just as she was ready to exit the classroom, a familiar figure blocked her leaving.

"Kou!"

"Hi M Neko-Chan! Ready for lunch?"

Looking at Kou quizzically, she wasn't expecting him to show up out of the blue. Nodding at his offer. Kou wrapping his right arm around Yui's shoulders, looking at Ayato and Laito with a knowing grin. "She was telling you both the truth."

"How the fuck would you know?" Ayato chimed, irritated that Kou was adding his two cents.

Kou winked at Ayato and then turned his gaze to Laito, "He knows the truth I speak of." Looking down at Yui, "Let's get some pasta! They are serving something delicious today!" Humming while walking off with Yui to the common area to get food.

Ayato turning to Laito, "What is he talking about?"

Sighing to himself, he was hoping to keep that secret to himself. It looks like one other knew about that night. "You know that 'he' has been visiting. It's been to check on Yui. You know she has the heart of Cordelia."

"Yes, that woman resurfaced that one night, we hauled her off to the dungeon."

"Do you remember the night at the party?"

"Yes, we all ran off to search for Yui because she disappeared."

"I stayed behind to ask 'him' some questions as something didn't add up."

Ayato is staring at Laito at this point, intently listening to what his brother is saying.

"I later found Yui, I thought alone, but it looks like that guy was nearby when I found her."

"Why would 'he' want to take her to the demon world?" Ayato asked.

"She's awakening as a progenitor, as a first blood."

Ayato was staring at Laito stunned, "… Seriously?"

"Didn't you notice? She smells different now than she did before. Her eyes are also a different color. He's up to something." Laito finished, putting his hands into his pockets and walking out of the classroom for some lunch.

Ayato contemplating to himself that he hadn't noticed any of the changes that he just discussed, but something did feel differently. Looking up at Shin's desk, he was sitting there staring at Ayato. Shin really did piss him off, just the smug look on his face seemed to irritate him to his core. "Fuck off!" he spouted at Shin, growling under his breath before walking out of the room.

Shin was getting ready to get up before seeing one more person in the room. Kanato was walking towards him to join his brothers for lunch, stopping by Shin's desk and giving him a cold, sleepless stare before walking out of the room.

"What the hell was that about?" Shin wondered. Overhearing the conversation, it appears that the purification process was working. He and Carla would need to continue the process if there was any hope of ensuring the future of their race.

In the common hall, Yui stood ahead of Kou to get her lunch. A couple of girls briskly walked past her and started talking to Kou. Ignoring the banter, she began to pick her items for her lunch. Getting towards the end, the flock of girls seemed to be getting louder. Looking over her shoulder Kou was inching his way towards her, but unable to get any lunch.

"Why don't you ever make any plans with us Kou?" Pleaded one girl.

"I have other plans already made." Kou states.

"But you always say that!" Speaks another.

"Have you seen my girlfriend? She's the reason why I can't make plans with you!" Kou giggles.

Yui's ears perk up hearing this come from his mouth. Looking at him in a confused manner, holding her tray of food. She wondered who exactly his girlfriend was considering she had never seen him with anyone.

Walking over to Yui and placing his arm around her in a familiar manner, "This is my girlfriend!" Leaning forward and placing a tender kiss on Yui's lips. Nearly dropping her tray from her hands, she didn't know what to say or do. He just kissed her in front of everyone and proclaimed that she was his girlfriend. Too embarrassed to say anything, looking at the girls standing next to him, all giving her a dirty look, she quickly began her walk to the rooftop.

Opening the door to the roof, it was empty. "Perfect!" Yui thought. Finding a clean section of ground near the wall, sitting down and beginning to eat her lunch. The door opened up to find an individual she didn't recognize, greet her familiarly.

"Hi. Yui."

"Hi." In her mind asking if she's ever met this person before. He looked familiar. Maybe from her current class?

"I wanted to loan you my notes. You were out of class for several weeks, so you probably want to catch up."

Her eyes lit up, someone with notes! Looking up at the boy standing before her, he was in her second-year class and must have noticed that she was absent. "Thank You so much! You are a life saver!"

"You're eating your lunch? Can I eat with you?"

"Yes!" Exclaiming at the fact that this boy was kind enough to share his notes with her to help her out. "It's so sweet of you to do this for me. Thank you so much!"

The boy smiled back at her after she made her comment. "Do those guys always harass you?"

"Hrm? You mean Ayato and Shin?"

"Yeah, they don't ever seem to leave you alone."

"I am a relative of the Sakamaki's, and they are friends with the Mukami's." Yui lied through her teeth.

"Oh, so you aren't dating them?"

Blushing under her most recent mouthful of food, "No, I am not dating them." Looking up at the boy sitting before her, a sheepish look adorning his face.

"If you aren't… busy, and you know, don't mind… you're so pretty…"

A deeper shade of blush adorning her cheeks, realizing what was happening.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

Yui smiling back at the boy, opening her mouth to give him a response but was interrupted by the door opening up again, this time, someone she wasn't expecting walking through it. His menacing golden eyes were piercing her soul and illuminating the night air.

"Cute," Carla muttered. Walking over next to Yui and staring at the boy across from her. "Don't you have somewhere you need to be?"

"You're right. I just needed to go the library."

"Besides, this one is spoken for." Pulling Yui up by one of her wrists, and pushing her against the wall. Slipping his scarf down, and deeply kissing Yui in front of the young boy. His eyes are shifting towards the boy, sending him retreating down the stairs with his interest.

Removing his lips from Yui's, hearing her gasp. "Huh. To think someone finds your frail form beautiful."

"I am not frail!" Protesting back towards Carla, pushing him off of her with her hands.

Walking back over to Yui, pulling his scarf off of his neck, baring his face, nuzzling his face into Yui's neck. A squeak coming from her lips as his tongue ran over the crest of her collar bone.

"You've gotten sweeter since last time. I can smell it through your skin."

"Why'd you have to be so mean to that boy?"

"He doesn't matter. As a progenitor, you have no business mating with a human."

"You forget; I am a human!"

Carla looking at Yui with a look of annoyance as she challenges him over semantics.

"You are out of his league."

"At least he would appreciate me, and treat me with respect."

Carla pulling his face from Yui's neck, "You have no right to deny me. I am your destiny."

"Like hell you are!" Pushing Carla away from her. "I have every right to deny someone!"

Looking on at Yui, he felt agitation, but at the same time, something below the surface was edging at his consciousness. Her words rang partially true, but couldn't understand why he was willing to change his view on the situation compared to before. Was her blood attacking something within his body and changing his perception of how things were done? Or was it something else?

Deciding that he was going to take what he wanted, he pinned Yui to the wall with both of her hands in one of his hands. Yui was struggling under his grip; he was too strong for her. Unable to budge his body, his fangs drew closer to her neck. His other hand was coming up and pulling at her tie on her neck and unbuttoning the first few buttons of her shirt. Licking over the skin on her chest he was to pierce, and savoring the pain he would cause her.

Sinking his fangs in, relishing her delicate face and her body tensing under the pressure of his stamp. Taking a mouth full and swallowing to see how she tasted currently, suddenly taken aback as he experienced a sensation he had no recollection of. A memory of someone that looked similar to Yui, but wasn't Yui.

"What is this?" He asked himself. Licking his lips in remembrance, looking up at Yui. Her wanton face furthering his blood lust, sinking his fangs in again and drinking greedily of her. The more he drank, the more that seemed to unlock within his mind. It was overwhelming to the point that he had to pull away from slaking his thirst, but instead, attempt to regain control of his faculties as the images came faster and faster the longer he drank.

Sighing heavily, letting Yui's hands go. Her body was falling to a soft lump on the floor they stood on. Bracing himself on his knees, his scarf hanging from his neck. His white hair is hanging forward around his face as he continued to pant, almost as if catching his breath.

"Intense…" he muttered.

Yui was quickly buttoning up her shirt, her eyes watering from the behavior. Grabbing her book bag and running down the stairs away from Carla as fast as she could. Her chest heaving as she reached the main floor of the school building. His bite had hurt her a great deal, the amount of blood he took was also substantial. Not feeling well, Yui wandered to the infirmary and sat down on one of the many empty beds inside. Looking around it seemed no one was inside the office at current. In the corner, she was able to make out the nurse prepping some items. Turning around and walking towards Yui, the individual gave Yui a warm but bright smile.

"G'evening my dear. What seems to be troubling you?"

"I am feeling faint."

"Oh my-my-my. It seems you need to rest up a bit. Here, take this." The nurse coaxed.

Yui took the medicine cup from his hand, popped the two pills in her mouth and grabbed the water glass from his hand, taking a drink of it to wash down the medication.

"Now get some rest, it will all feel better when you wake up."

Starting to feel drowsy, looking up at the nurse, he looked familiar but couldn't place her finger on it. "My name is Yui…" Yawning in between her greeting, "Komori. What's your name?"

"Nurse Reinheart."

"Thank you Mr. Reinheart, this medicine is taking effect pretty quickly. See you when I wake up!" Yui was dozing off into a quick sleep.

Taking his glasses off and pinching the bridge of his nose. Karl's eyes changed to match his usual demeanor while keeping the white nurse outfit on in case someone else walked in, keeping his hair shorter to upkeep the facade. Leaning over Yui, unbuttoning her blouse, inspecting the progenitors bite marks. As he touched them, Yui began to stir in her sleep. Leaning forward, wrapping his lips around Carla's stamp mark and suckling lightly to taste her blood.

"It's gotten sweeter, more potent…" Smiling to himself, licking his lips. He wanted to taste more of her, but knowing that if he did, he may very well kill her or prolong her awakening. It was only a matter of time now. Flicking his tongue out, lapping at the wound on her chest, healing it up. Enjoying the flavor of the blood that trickled out of her body as it began to call to him. Buttoning her shirt back up, fixing her attire, and moving a blanket over her sleeping form. He caressed the side of her face as she rested.

"She looks so unassuming… so peaceful… so innocent…" Sighing to himself, smiling in contentment at how his plans were progressing so far. Putting his glasses back on and comprehensively shifting back to his Reinheart form, walking out of the infirmary, leaving Yui to rest and heal up.

Several hours had passed, and the final bell rang. The sound waking Yui up from her rest, her eyes opening; looking around her and adjusting to the dark room that she was in. Flipping the blanket off and stumbling to her feet. Opening the infirmary door and walking into the hall with the rest of the students. Making her way to the front of the school she was stopped just outside by a group of girls with a scowl on their faces.

"You. You are that girl. The one that stole Kou away!"

"Eh?" Yui looked at the three girls before her quizzically.

The first one advancing on her and tossing her body to the ground. The cement below her scraping her knee. Not understanding what was going on, dodging the second girl by rolling over onto her side. Standing up only to take a punch to the face by the third girl. Looking at the three of them wondering what the hell their problem was. A low growl coming from within Yui, the three girls jumping at the sound looking around them from where it came from and quickly scattering away.

"The nerve of them…" Yui thought to herself. Huffing and puffing at the incident, patting her school uniform down trying to get the dust off of it. Looking up to see the car to take them home no longer there. They must have left without her. Frowning at the situation, reaching into her bag and pulling out her second set of shoes. Sitting on a nearby bench and slipping those on, putting her other shoes in her pack and beginning the trek to the Mukami mansion.

Arriving within an hour after leaving the school, Yui felt sweaty from the fast paced walk but also exhausted. Grabbing the handle on the door and walking in, she was greeting with a maniacal laugh.

"Oh, this is beautiful!" Kou chimed.

"What's so funny?" Looking at Kou with a less than satisfied look.

"My M Neko-Chan got bullied! How cute!"

"So that was you're doing? You asshole! Why would you tell those girls that we are an item when we clearly aren't?"

"Oh come now, you can't say you haven't dreamed of being mine."

"Honestly? I can't stand you half the time!"

"Aww, is my little kitty jealous?"

Scoffing at his comment, "Hardly. Your attitude about how the world works drives me crazy!"

A hearty chuckle coming from the side of where they were both having their conversation, "There. You heard it from the horse's mouth!"

Kou is looking at Yuma with a touch of anger, looking back at Yui and looking a little disheartened. "Fine." Walking off to his room, brooding as he meandered his way there.

Yui is watching Kou sulk until he was out of sight, turning her gaze to Yuma. "What was that about?"

"He had it in his head that you liked him more than anyone in the house. What you and I were doing last night set him off."

Quirking an eyebrow, "What?"

Yuma was shrugging and walking out of sight of Yui. Sighing and shaking her head, she just wanted a bath at this point. Relaxation, some peace, and quiet. Maybe a little homework to help her catch up and get back into the swing of things. Nearly dragging her book bag behind her down the hall, she passed by a room that had the door cracked. Moving her vision within a shot of it, looking inside she could see Kou muttering to himself. Working his hands across his shirt, trying to take it off but the buttons are giving him a hard time. Remembering that he had previously mentioned he always had a hard time with them and felt a little sorry about it – Yui decided to go in and offer help in getting the buttons off.

Pushing the door open, Kou stopped in his tracks and stared. "Didn't you say you didn't like me?"

"No, I didn't." Sighing at herself, "Let me help you with those. Stand still." Kou reminded her of a little kid having problems with his buttons. Looking him over, he watched intently as she got near him and began to undo the buttons on his shirt. Her fingers sliding the buttons quickly through the holes. Getting to the last one, before Yui could say anything, Kou had grabbed her hands and brought her fingers to his lips. Planting light kisses on her fingers, "Thank You, kitten."

Yui is staring at him for a second, noting that his demeanor had changed in just that brief few minutes. Turning around to head out, Kou called to Yui before she had left the room.

"Don't you want to stay for the show?"

Turning around to reply to him, "No, Thanks, I am…" her response falling short as she saw long lacerations across Kou's back. "What are those?"

Wiggling his shirt off of his back, "Oh you mean these?"

Walking over to Kou, placing her hand on the first one within reach and running her fingers in a tender and soft manner down his back. Yui was astonished that he survived something like this.

"You wanted to know about that time…" Kou was looking down as he began to unhook his belt. "The night they caught us. They made sure we remembered our punishments."

Yui was taking her left hand to cover her mouth in surprise, her right hand tracing the outlines of the scar tissue on his back.

"I was held down by my caretakers and made to be 'more beautiful.' They whipped me so many times in the same spot that my scars took years to heal fully, even with vampire blood running through my body. The night they caught us, they went overboard on me and had left me within an inch of my life. Had 'he' not come by and rescued the four of us, I would have died that night along with my brothers."

Yui is taking stock of his story, noting something that he's mentioned before. "Who is this 'he' or 'him' that you and your brothers speak of? You've never mentioned who this person is."

"Oh? He's our savior. His name is Karl Heinz."

The blood from Yui's face drained, her fingers grew cold, and a rock sank to the pit of her stomach. Wondering to herself that if Karl was using his sons in his sick twisted game, and he saved the Mukami boys – it was undoubtedly for the same plan. Irritated that Karl showed pity to these four, but at the expense of using them as puppets.

Wrapping her arms around Kou as sorrow began to fill her body at the hardship that not only Kou endured but that the rest of them had to go through in the orphanage. To the point that an offer from Karl looked appetizing.

"Why are you hugging me?" Kou asked in a confused manner.

"I am so sorry that you had to go through that."

"Neko-chan?"

"Yes?"

"How did you know that I didn't have this before you met me?"

"I saw it in a dream."

"What kind of dream?"

"After I drank Yuma's blood, I slept and saw visions as if I was looking through his eyes. I saw you four as children, the sacrifices you all made, and how you all met."

Kou is thinking about the gravity of what she is telling him. "So if you drank from me would you see as if it were I?"

"Most likely."

"What about if I drank from you?"

"You'd only be able to see if you were a progenitor, a first blood. So you wouldn't be able to."

"Oh." A look of disappointment was coming over his face.

Yui nearly jumping out of her skin, lightening had struck somewhere outside while standing there. Kou was turning to the window and pulling the curtains closed. Yui was getting ready to leave the room before jumping again and shaking in place at the lightning that started outside. Kou was walking up behind Yui and wrapping his arms around her body. "Stay with me tonight if you are frightened."

"No, I am okay. I promise!" Trying to coax Kou away, knowing that he probably would want something in return.

"I insist." Bending and picking Yui up, carrying her over to the bed and placing her down.

"I need a shower, though."

"It's not a good idea with lightening outside. Get comfortable and I will stay with you until it passes."

Looking intently at Kou, still not trusting him, moving under the blankets and taking everything off except her panties and bra. Snuggling the blankets up to her armpits to hide her nakedness. Kou pushing the sheets up to Yui and tucking her in. Sitting on the edge of the bed and smiling at Yui. Turning to look out the window as the lightning hit again. Walking over to the light switch and flicking it off. Yui was half expecting to feel Kou move onto the bed and was surprised to hear him fluffing a pillow somewhere in the room and throwing a blanket over himself.

"Kou?"

"Yes, Neko-chan?"

"Just checking…" Smiling that he was keeping his word and not trying any funny business.

"If you need anything, just let me know."

"Okay."

Silence is befalling the room, the lightning crackling again outside, making Yui shiver under the blankets.

A light hum began to ring through the room, followed by chorus singing. Kou was singing softly from within the chamber. His voice was crisp and cut out the dead air in the room. Yui was impressed that he could sing and so beautifully, before she knew it, her eyelids had closed, and she was slipping off to sleep with Kou's voice in the backdrop.

As she dozed off, she saw the apple tree appear that grew in the middle of the lake, with a crisp blue sky above it. Her consciousness completely faded until the next morning…

I have created a forum dedicated to the series to assist with idea creation (for those of you that want to see external material) and also for those wanting to submit critique work for typos, inconsistencies, or just general stuff. It's listed under the title of the story name. I will be spending the next several weeks pouring over 40+ chapters (including OneShots) for re-visioning. See you in the threads, or if you just want to PM me; that works too! :)