Ayato squared his shoulders up, his hat carefully hiding the sparse grey hair behind his ear very well. Fortunately, the weather wasn't sunny, so he could walk around in the day without being scorched by the light. He felt his cape flutter against the wind, rich velvet against his back as he looked up at the looming church building. He'd never felt repelled by holy ground, but perhaps, today was different. He shivered as he ascended the stairs, leading him up to the central altar, where the old man was hunched down, reading something.

"You are not allowed to come here." Komori had this monotonous voice that made Ayato cower in fear. How was he doing this? This puny little old man, how could he make a creature like Ayato feel helpless?

"How's your arm?" Ayato knew the old man would be hurt hearing the things Ayato had done to his daughter, but he couldn't help but hope that he'd get on Komori's side. Yui would probably kill him if he disrespected her father.

Who cares? Ayato thought, sitting down on a pew, she's going to choose that bastard Ruki over me anyway.

"Thanks to your father, it's healing quite fast," the priest looked a bit solemn and lonely. Maybe he always had been lonely, and this was when Ayato had just realised it. "Are you sure you came to check up on my well-being?"

Ayato breathed heavily. He knew the pastor would not let him go unharmed if he was totally honest with him. How could he even break the news to the oldie? Your daughter was supposed to be my responsibility and I fucked up. Yeah. Pretty smooth. Sometimes Ayato wished some vampire hunter would just finish him while he was at it.

"Listen to me before you jump to conclusions, hunter," Ayato turned to face him, unsure of what to expect from him. Komori was focussed on his bible, a pair of circular glasses on the edge of his nose, appearing totally uninterested.

"I am listening," Komori sounded way more welcoming than Ayato expected. Strange, seeing that this was the same man who tried to kill his elder brother days ago.

Ayato tapped his foot in nervousness. "I want to protect your daughter as much as you do."

That made him stop in his tracks and look up to Ayato. Age had been generous to Seiji. He still looked as is he'd have looked in his thirties, save for the greying hair. Komori rubbed his fingers on his temples, closing his eyes, as though revolted by his words. "What makes you think that you care about her as much as I do."

Because at least I tried to rescue her when she was taken away from me. "You're right, I'm being too proud."

"I think you mean pretentious." God damn this old man and his whole family. Now Ayato knew why Yui acted so sassy sometimes. She'd caught it from this bastard.

"I'm sorry." Ayato looked away. "I want to fix whatever damage had been caused to your daughter and you so that we may remain cordial in the future."

Komori smirked, looking back at his bible. "And how do you plan to do that."

Ayato wrung his hands, knowing it would probably kill him. "I'd like to apologise on behalf of my brother and my family for treating you like this," the words were heartfelt, but there was only so much emotion that Ayato could muster up in his voice. Komori looked unfazed. Maybe he was going to refuse to forgive them and demand something else. Perhaps Ayato's head on a plate for him. But then again, Ayato would more likely prefer being dead rather than being in the circumstances he was in right now.

"Accepted."

"What?"

Komori was pretty composed when he nodded his head. "I accept your apology."

Ayato knotted his eyebrows, and then felt some tension leave his body. "I'm very glad that you are being so gracious to us, Father Komori."

"Please," Komori insisted, his face still having that deadpan expression. "The only thing I would want to grace you with would be death."

Ayato rolled his eyes. Normally, someone threatening him would make him flip out and attack them, but Ayato was aware that if the priest wanted to hurt him, he wouldn't be talking to him in the first place.

"Secondly, I want you to accept some compensation from my side," Ayato continued, "since you had been so gravely hurt by that encounter with my brother. It might not be much, but I want to offer you a bit for your service."

"You think I served you?" Seiji lifted an eyebrow. Ayato knew that this was walking on eggshells. He'd just nullified everything that this man had done for him by saying such a mean thing. Ayato waited for Seiji to burst into anger, but Seiji appeared to be waiting for a response. As though studying him.

"You think I'm an animal, don't you?" The words came spewing out of Ayato's mouth, and the sheer disgust in his tone made him cringe inwardly. "You don't think I'm incapable of offending you because I can't think like you do. Like the pathetic human being that you are."

Komori chuckled.

He found it funny. This fucking god fearing priest found Ayato funny and immature.

"Your brother was nothing compared to the vampires I have killed before."

"Oh yeah?" Ayato fumed. "Then why did that shitty arm of yours got ripped off, huh?"

Komori shook his head, still sporting a warm smile. "That creature was using a load of magic. I never expected aristocrats like you to harness such immense power, or else I would have come prepared."

Ayato made a face at him. "Pshh. You're just making excuses."

Komori flashed a grin at him. "I'd accept your compensation, but I'd give it away as soon as you give it to me."

"It's not meant just for you."

The priest let all the candidness slip away from his mannerism, and looked at the vampire squarely in the eye. "What do you mean?"

Ayato's palms were sweaty, his heart beating inside his chest so loud he knew even the priest could hear it. A part of him wanted to kill himself for doing this to himself, but he knew he won't be able to live with himself unless and until he had done this little bit.

Because, believe it or not, that little minx had taken his heart, and it would kill him slowly to have to lose her to that shitty half-blood.

"I want you to take Yui away with you." Ayato took off his hat. Biting the inside of his cheek, he continued, "I want you to take her as far away from Japan as possible. Make her grow into a better human. Give her whatever she wants. Let her study well and enjoy her short life."

Komori sighed. "I can't."

"You asked me if you could take her away and I'm giving you the opportunity to do it," Ayato said, exasperated. "She deserves this, after what she has been through."

"The church and your father had a contract." Komori got up from his seat, brushing the lapel of his coat. "If she is taken away, your father would declare siege on the Vatican. I can't risk being labelled a traitor."

"But you'd be able to live with the label of a horrible father, wouldn't you?"

Komori looked at Ayato, a certain sadness in his eyes. "I like you, kid. You're not like your brothers anymore. Though I know you're sending her off for a selfish motive, deep down even you know that this isn't ideal for her anyway."

"Take it however you want to." Ayato turned away from him. He couldn't face the reality anyway, but the priest made it even more scary to think of the consequences.

"The awakening has been hard on you, hasn't it?" The priest sounded concerned. "You're even… ageing."

"I'd look better than you when I wear that salt and pepper hair," Ayato said, his tone flat. The humour had drained from his voice.

Komori looked dejected. "Give me one good reason that she'll be good while on the run from the church and your father's minions."

Ayato's eyes stung from the emotion that spiked inside his body. "Ever since she came to our mansion, I'd always seen her smile a lot. There would be times when she'd be scolded by Reiji, or when me and Laito would tease her or irritate her, or when Kanato threw one of his tantrums, when she'd just try o smile her way out of everything. Even when she knew she'd not be able to get away so easily."

"Ayato…" Komori said, his patience wearing thin.

"I don't want to hear it," Ayato said, shaking his head. He blinked a few times before declaring, "Nowadays I've only seen her cower in front of me. If she has a place beside you, I would rather she take it instead of rotting away inside our mansion. I know the last time someone tried to lock a human up in the demon realm, it ended in a disaster."

"I won't have the resources to defend her from the hunters." Komori paced back and forth. "Even if we run away, we'd just attract further attention from the rogue vampire hunters who'd just see a human girl with a demon heart. It's reckless."

"Living with my family is far more reckless."

"Listen to yourself, Sakamaki." Komori stopped in his tracks. "Where was this concern when you watched her die there every day?"

"I was selfish, okay?" Ayato admitted. "I wanted to keep her with me no matter what the cost."

"And what's stopping you now?"

"I…" Ayato started, but withdrew his argument. "Forget it. It's not like you'd get it."

Komori chuckled. "Oh I see, you're afraid that my daughter would change you."

"Change me?" Ayato laughed, his voice hoarse from the built up tension inside him. "What do you think I am?"

"You're a monster, and you don't intend on changing, but you think being with my daughter would weaken you."

Ayato uttered a growl of pure rage. "Of course it would! I want to be the best, but that stupid bug would just bring everything down with her if I don't keep her away from me."

Komori suddenly went quiet.

"Satisfied?" Ayato hissed at the priest. "The Eve is a sure shot ticket to the ascension to the Throne of Makai, but if I take that path…"

Komori settled down into his seat, unable to grasp what he was hearing. "You are afraid people would judge you solely because you ascended as Adam."

Ayato remained silent.

"Or maybe," Komori continued, "It's because you do not find yourself worthy of that throne."

Ayato sighed. "I need for you to take Yui somewhere away. I'd get some of my trusted friends to look after you and your daughter. You do not need to tell me your location, and I can assure I won't interfere in your life from now on, and neither would those half-bloods."

"How do you take responsibility of the Mukamis then?"

"You don't need to worry about it."

The priest remained unfazed. "And what of the awakening?"

Ayato appeared confused. "What of it?"

The priest rolled his eyes. "You do know that your fates are now intertwined, right?"

Ayato sat down, shaking his head. "So what?"

Komori blinked, unsure of what he would say next. "I don't have much experience about demon rituals, so I cannot expect the awakening to go all smooth as you are expecting."

"That's my problem."

Komori laughed. "Of course that is," he tossed something towards Ayato, and the vampire caught it in the palm of his hand. Something felt cold and hard against his skin. He opened his palm to notice a strange ball with something engraved upon it.

"What is this?" Ayato asked, getting up.

"Save that for later," Komori said, turning away. "Come with Yui to the harbour tomorrow."


Ayato slowly closed the mansion entrance behind him, knowing everybody would be fast asleep. A slight sliver of silver light came from the skylight, illuminating the hallway ahead. He was about to head upstairs and retire to his coffin, when he heard something near the staircase.

He squinted in the night, and got a whiff of a scent before it dissipated into the air without any warning. Damn, were the Mukami bastards here? He couldn't even breath without them getting in his face. He started to proceed forward when he noticed a small figure laying by the edge of a sofa across from him. A little sob from the shadows was what made him become hyperaware of the presence.

"Chichinashi?"

He flashed across the room to stand right beside her. She was slumped on the sofa, her face drained of all colour and her trembling hands clutching a bible. Ayato knotted his eyebrows in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

She opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile. "Pain hurts."

Ayato felt something coil up inside him. "Where does it hurt?"

She stretched a bit, and then hugged her bible to her chest. "Everywhere."

Ayato looked down at her, and asked, "They've given you painkillers already."

"Mhmm." She rolled over, and then faced him directly. "Makes me feel so woozy."

His heart gave in, and he pried the bible away from her, before laying down beside her and wrapping her arms around him.

"I searched for you everywhere and I feel like you just abandoned me."

He felt the warmth radiate from her body as he moved to rest his head on her chest. Though it made her freeze momentarily, she made no effort to push him off.

"I'm sorry."

"Ayato kun, did you just apologise to me?" Yui giggled.

He gritted his teeth. "Stop laughing or I'll tear you up."

"My hands feel so numb now," she tucked a strand of his ratty hair behind his ear.

"Are they cold?" Ayato reached to grab her arm, keeping it firmly on his shoulder.

"Not anymore."

"Hmm. Now put me to sleep, Chichinashi."

"It's not even midnight right now. You want to sleep so early?"

"I'm tired."

Yui ran her fingers through his hair. He locked his arms around her tiny body, pressing her closer against him.

"Say, Ayato kun," Yui asked, suddenly, "Why did you rescue me from the Mukamis?"

Ayato clenched his hands into fists. "Don't you dare talk about those bastards."

Yui hummed something before she asked yet again, "When you were told to stay away from the Mukami manor, why did you make the effort to rescue me?"

Ayato pushed his body away from her, abruptly caging her between his arms. "What the fuck are you talking about? How do you know that?"

Yui seemed to be in a heavily inebriated state, possibly due to the painkillers she had been administered. And to think that his stupid younger brothers had been letting her roam about with her mind buzzed out. Ayato felt a wave of rage sweep over all rationality inside him, before Yui gently touched the edge of his jaw with her tawny fingers.

"Don't get angry," she said, pulling him back into her arms. "I won't remember any of this once the meds wear off."

That was the problem. No matter what he'd say to her, she'd forget it anyway, so there was no point in explaining it to her. "Shut up and let me sleep. I won't get another chance to stay with you after you leave, you idiot."

He settled in between her chest, her rapid heartbeat lulling him into sleep. He buried his nose in the crook of her neck and nipped gently at her delicate skin. He felt her respond faintly, arching her back and letting a strangled sigh out from her throat.

"We shouldn't go any further," he warned, his thumbs tracing circles into her palm, "You're not fully aware and I don't want to be the asshole here."

Yui shook her head. "Just admit it, you want me to scream and be responsive because you get bored of dead prey."

Ayato smiled against her sweat glazed skin. "Yeah, and that." He paused, unsure if he should admit it. "You're not a prey for me, Chichinashi."

Yui fell silent for a brief second. "Then, what am I?"

Ayato didn't respond.

"You don't have to answer, I just want to clarify some things with you."

"Hmph."

Yui placed a hand in between his shoulder blades, until he relaxed a little bit. "The Traveller is Berawecka. Remember that story you told me?"

"I had my suspicions, but go on."

"She told me a bunch of things that she had discovered while working with you."

Ayato responded by breathing hard against her skin.

"She told me that Reiji san had told you to stay away from me." Yui's grip around him loosened a bit as she said, "He called me a disgraceful woman and said that I should rot with the Mukamis. That was supposed to be my punishment for letting my guard down."

Ayato gritted his teeth. He never knew how angry comments about Yui made him feel. But today, hearing it all from her, witnessing her voice become smaller as she talked about that Reiji, it made his blood boil in his veins. He pressed his lips firmly against her collarbone, earning a desperate moan from her. "Don't talk about that, Chichinashi. It makes me upset."

"Just one time," Yui said, breathless. "I want to know everything. Nobody thinks I'm capable of handling this, Ayato kun, but I am. Just trust me this time."

Ayato shook his head, before lifting his head and looking at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her skin shined with a certain unearthly glow. He could hear her rapid heartbeat clearly, as he cupped her cheek in his hand, letting his fingers stray towards her heart. Her chest rose and fell with her rapid breaths, as he slipped the strap of her dress down her shoulder.

"I was mad at you for letting your guard down as well, Yui," he whispered, smiling at her. "Everybody was forbidden to take you back because Reiji demanded so, and if he had just settled on that, I'd have been indifferent."

His huge frame loomed over her trembling body, and he brought his fangs down on her shoulder, gently sinking them into her soft skin, his mouth flooding with her hot blood. He felt her melt in his arms, arching her body more into his embrace, clutching his hair in order to push his fangs as deep as possible. He felt his fangs hit bone, and he slowly pulled them out, the fresh wound flowing with crimson red blood. He traced his tongue over his fang marks, sealing them with his saliva. The wound was turning a dull shade of purple very fast, which meant it would take days to heal and would probably leave a permanent scar.

"I cannot hear bad things about you, no matter what you do. You've been nothing but kind and caring to me, and I can't imagine how anyone would say horrible things to you." He pecked at her lips, a sweet taste of strawberry now on his tongue. "I'm no saint, I've done things to you that I don't deserve to be forgiven for, but I don't want to see you in distress after all the trouble I've caused you. And when I heard Reiji say nasty things about you, calling you names, I felt something inside me stir, something that I wasn't aware of."

Beady tears trickled down from her wine red eyes, and Ayato rolled his thumb on her cheek to wipe them off. Yui returned him a hazy smile. She closed her eyes in bliss.

"The Traveller told me that Reiji san threatened to kill me if you brought me back."

"Yeah."

"But why didn't he do it then?"

Ayato paused. "I promised him something else in return."

Yui's voice seemed to become quieter as she spoke, "What was it?"

Ayato rolled a strand of her golden hair in his finger. "Nothing of significance."

Yui groggily opened her eyes, her speech slurred. "Ayato kun… please…"

Ayato kissed the crown of her head, and smiled at her. "I promised him the throne of the demon world."

A/N: Happy new year to all of you guys. 2021 has now started. Make sure to start some good habits and be active. learn a new language or skill, start going to gym, start a new hobby and live your life to the fullest. All the best!