Cross Academy. Does this place make you happy, Onee-sama?

Mana shook her head, covering her face. She said she'd stop thinking about her but she couldn't help it. This school was built to bridge the gap between humans and vampires. Her sister would be so happy.

Mana glanced up at the Moon Dormitories then glanced at the main school building. The night was serene, not even a cicada dared disturb the peace.

"Yuki, stop slacking off!"

Mana turned and saw Zero approach her. Zero paused and his eyes widened.

"Wait, Aunt Mana?"

Mana giggled.

"That makes me feel so old, Zero," she said. "Just Mana will do."

Zero stuttered, blushing slightly.

"Sorry, I had no idea why I…"

Mana tilted her head as Zero looked to the side.

"It's really odd to see you without your hood."

Mana chuckled.

"I wanted a bit of a change since that night," she sighed then twirled around. "Like it?"

"It suits you I suppose," Zero shrugged. "You changed your hair too. I never realised it was that long."

Mana smiled as she fiddled with her braid that was wrapped around her waist thrice.

"The hood hid most of it," she said. "I never really had the heart to cut it."

"How old are you again?"

Mana laughed.

"Zero!"

Mana tilted her head and smiled at Ichiru as he approached them and pointed to her with wide eyes.

"Aunt Mana?"

"Just Mana," Mana corrected him. "Good evening, Ichiru. You've grown so much, both of you."

"What brings you here?" Zero asked.

"I was hoping to meet with a vampire," Mana gestured to the Moon Dormitories. "Kaname Kuran, do you know him?"

Zero rolled his eyes and Ichiru shrugged.

"One look could send the girls here into cardiac arrest," the younger twin replied.

Mana forced a laugh.

"Ah, a charmer, right."

"Why him, though?" Zero raised an eyebrow.

Mana sighed.

"I haven't been in contact with the family for a while, I thought I should at least visit the current heir to the name."

She grinned.

"They probably only think of me as an eccentric aunt," she said with a giggle.

"You seem to have that effect on everyone," Ichiru smirked.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."

The twins laughed.

"So how long are you going to be here for?" Zero asked.

"Aw, Zero," Mana sighed as her face fell. "You know how I am."

"Thought you changed?"

"Old habits die hard."

"It really is weird to see you without your hood," Ichiru said.

"Yeah, father still has it if you'd like it back," Zero nodded in agreement.

Mana smiled.

"I appreciate it, but he can keep it for a while longer. Throw it out if he wishes."

"No, he'd never do that," Zero shook his head.

"That cloak is special to you, isn't it?"

Mana closed her eyes, grimacing.

"There is sentimental value to it, yes. But clinging to ghosts isn't good."

She nodded. Ichiru hummed as he looked at her outfit.

"Still, I'd say you look younger in this, if I may say so."

"Aw, Ichiru."

Mana grinned as she pinched his cheek.

"That means a lot."

"Even if your bones are probably nearly dust," Zero muttered.

"Watch it, young man, I will send you in a package straight to your parents."

Mana stretched her arms.

"I see you're holding onto Bloody Rose."

Zero patted his jacket, nodding.

"Father's taught me sword fighting," Ichiru grinned.

"That seems very fitting," Mana smiled.

"Hey, we'd better get back to Yuki," Zero said as he grabbed Ichiru's arms.

"Oh, Mana, will you at least come by for some tea after your meeting?"

Mana hummed.

"I don't know…"

"Please! I really want to hear what you've been up to lately!"

Mana smiled and patted Ichiru's cheek.

"I can't say no to you," she sighed and Ichiru beamed. "I may be coming tomorrow night then, this meeting may be a while."

"Looking forward to it!"

The twins waved as they ran off to the school building. Mana waved them goodbye before turning to the Moon Dormitories.

Such sweet boys. It puts my heart at ease that I've at least done the right thing for them.

Mana sat at Kaname's desk. She held the book she was reading to the moonlight, leaning her cheek on her fist. She turned the pages with her thumb, mismatched eyes scanning the pages.

She lifted her head when the doors slammed open and a cold breeze shot through the room. Kaname stood at the doorway, eyes glaring at her. He stepped in, the doors slamming shut. Mana closed the book and placed it on the desk.

"Good evening, Onii-sama," she said cheerfully. "How have you been?"

Kaname crossed the room and stopped in front of the desk.

"What are you trying to achieve?" he snarled. "Do you have no respect for your sister?"

Mana glowered at him as she stood up.

"What about you?" she spat. "Are you just living as you please whilst tarnishing her hopes and dreams for the future?"

Kaname slammed his hands to the desk, cracking the wood.

"You don't know everything," he snarled.

"I know you tried to sic Shizuka at the Kiryus!"

Kaname's eyes blazed as Mana circled a spot on the desk with her finger.

"I didn't want to interfere but it happened," she murmured. "I've wandered this planet for ten thousand years, helping whenever I can, for Onee-sama's wish."

She clenched her fists.

"I knew one day you'd be called back for some reason or another. And I told myself, for Onee-sama's sake, I wouldn't cause conflict."

She glowered at him.

"But seriously, what are you hoping to accomplish?! I've seen the genocide and destruction around you, you're completely throwing her away!"

"If you are indeed trying to achieve her wish," Kaname hissed as he drew closer so their noses nearly touched, "then why do you break your promises to her?"

"I am done being governed by her memory!" Mana barked. "We've never gotten along, she knew that! I'd be more civil, but you are just being too damned difficult! What's next? You going to bump off little Yuki?"

Kaname lashed out but Mana snatched his wrist and slammed it down on the desk.

"No of course not!" she barked. "She looks too much like Onee-sama to you, doesn't she? You couldn't bear to harm her."

Her lips curved into a smirk. She released Kaname's wrist and sauntered over to her satchel resting in the corner. She opened it and scooped out a white cloak. She placed it down on the desk and Kaname held his breath.

"I've worn that damned hood ever since her death," she snarled. "I've spent years patching it up, cleaning it, caring for it and for what? For you to come along and start killing Purebloods and humans alike."

She put her satchel on.

"She died to protect humans so there could be a world where we could live peacefully. In harmony. That's all she ever wanted."

Mana looked around Kaname's office as she headed for the balcony.

"She would have been so happy to see this," she said. "That's why you're here, isn't it? There is still a part of you that craves to fulfil her wish."

She glared at him over her shoulder.

"She would be disappointed in you."

"As she would you."

"She knew me for longer, I'm sure she'd understand."

Kaname took the cloak, thumbing the material.

"If she could see the vampire society today, she'd understand why."

"It's hard work, you should have known that before deciding to try and fulfil her wish."

"We were both young and naïve, it's a useless plight!"

"You are still young and naïve!"

Mana turned fully.

"I have seen vampires teach humans how to mummify corpses in Egypt! I have seen humans work together to provide ways for vampires to withstand the sunlight in Africa! I have seen humans and vampires band together during the French Revolution!"

Her eyes landed on the cloak.

"After seeing what I've seen? You would know that there is still hope. There will be obstacles and there will be outliers! But you mustn't give up and decide to commit another near extinction!"

She walked onto the balcony and hopped onto the railing. She glowered at Kaname.

"I've decided to stay in Japan until you decide to wise up," she said. "Goodnight."

She jumped down.

My body may be failing me but I have found ways to be stronger, Onii-sama.


Requested by a guest reviewer