Chapter 24

"Are you not going out again?" Hide asked as she looked up from setting a pile of collected work on her desk to see the brunette still on her seat. "Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure." Yuki feigned confusion at Hide's surprise and got up to walk closer, waiting to hear the favor, but now the brunette was confused as the teacher narrowed her gaze.

"Agreeable as of late, Sakamaki-san."

The brunette only smiles as she accepts a stack of manilla folders; instead of responding or correcting her, she changes the subject." Where to?"

"Take them to the teachers' office on Ueno-san's desk."

"Okay. ~"

Yuki walks off to fulfill the errand with a happy hum leaving the teacher to stare after her with bewilderment.

After delivering the files, Yuki walked to an empty hallway. Sighing as she leans on the wall near a window, looking up to the night sky.

"Yuki-chan."

Yuki turns to look behind to see Yui standing behind her, the brunette frown not liking how easy it had become for others to sneak up on her after she lost herself in her thoughts or zone out.

"Yes?" The blonde girl looks around nervously before stepping closer and taking hold of her hand, ignoring Yuki's protest at suddenly being touch and made to follow; it only took two steps for the blonde to come to a halt making the brunette bump onto her. Kanato stood few steps away, anger radiating off him, disguised by his bottom lip quivering and teary eyes threaten to spill.

They watch as he raises and turns Teddy to face him as he now smiles before turning it back for Yui to see. "Hey, Teddy, isn't it exciting to see the fear in her eyes at being caught betraying us too? She's so mean..."

Yuki manages to pull Yui to take steps back before quickly shielding her as Kanato snaps and reaches for the blonde. Now Yui was left to watch as Kanato ended up grabbing onto Yuki by the arm.

"Why do you keep infecting others to betray us!? What gives you the right? WHY!?" Yuki places her hand on top of his as he tightens his hold on her shoulder; he only laughs as tears run down his face. "DO you enjoy it? DO you enjoy hurting us and taking what belongs to us to keep to yourself? Like you did with Mei? How greedy."

"Let go of her, please." Yui pleaded as now the brunette closed her eyes in pain as he shook her back and forth, the blonde's gaze going back and forth between the siblings as one continued to fight to get freed from the painful hold and the other wasn't willing to let go.

Yuki opened her eyes and caught Yui's gaze. "Leave."

"Don't talk to her!" Kanato yelled as he dropped Teddy as his other hand shot and grasped her jaw. Yuki gritted her teeth as his nails dug onto her skin. The brunette closed her eyes as she became aware of the footsteps and curious voices coming near, yet Kanato did not care.

Yui gasped and watched with wide eyes at hearing an apology from the brunette before Kanato let go of her to slap her across her face after kicking Teddy. Yuki covered her cheek and ran towards the blonde, taking hold of her wrist pulling her to ran away, passing by the students who had come curious at the shouting.

"Yuki-chan, are you okay?" Yui asks as they now walk; the brunette still holds onto her wrist; Yuki ignores her, still covering her cheek, but she shouts as soon as she sees someone familiar. Reluctantly, Subaru stopped and turned around to see what his sister wanted; he ended up extending his arms out to steady Yui, who was pushed towards him by the brunette.

"Yuki-chan, wait." Yui tried to hold onto the brunette, who shook her head as she moved away and finally walking away. The blonde turns to look at Subaru, who asks her what has happened.

-Library-

Yuki jumps and opens her eyes at suddenly feeling something cold being dropped in her lap; she looks up to see red eyes staring at her before looking down at her lap to see an ice pack. Once again, she looks up and raises a brow at the albino; Subaru rolls his eyes and moves to sit beside her, grabbing the ice pack and placing it on her reddened cheek seeing as she didn't make a move to pick it up. Once, she held onto the icepack and thanked him, closing her eyes after moving his hand away.

After a few minutes of quietness, Subaru turned to look at Yuki as she placed the icepack on her shoulder, just feel a bit of relief at the left-over coldness of the pack. Yuki wanted to say something, but she knew if she spoke, it would be mean and something she'd regret right after, so she stayed quiet, yet she couldn't help but be curious as to why he didn't leave or why he even came. Thoughts cut short, a shadow fell over them; looking up, they found Reiji, raising a brow seeing the albino finally get up and leave. Yuki turned away as his footsteps got quieter until they faded, indicating he was far gone.

The brunette looked up as Reiji offer to help her stand and walk her to class before the bell rang; he waited patiently as she decided on his offer. Even as she felt conflicted, she nodded and placed her gloved hand on his own.

"You must also want an explanation from earlier, right?" She asks as they get closer to her classroom, knowing he wasn't only looking for an explanation as to her lightly red cheek.

"Yes," He agreed as they stopped just outside the class, "it will have to wait for later."

Yuki nodded, looking up at him and half-smile as she quietly thanked him before making her way inside the classroom.

Yuki stares at the idol with wide eyes as he pulls away from her, stopping from fiddling with his necklace for the third time on the same day, the previous conversation forgotten. Taking hold of her hands as she attempted to pull him back by his school blazer, he laughed in amusement as she pouted, turning into a smile as she giggles as he pushed her back onto the wall. The brunette watches closely as he releases one and the other one up towards his face up towards his lips, rolling her sleeve to reveal her wrist about to bite into it but stop and move away as Yuki pulls her sleeve back down as they heard talking. Coco enters first, followed by the others which cease their conversation as they spot them.

Yuki leaning on the wall in the back of the room, and Kou few feet away from her. The brunette shook her head, a sigh leaving her as she heard the complaints of some of the girls as to why they were alone and too close to each other. Coco intervenes by sending them to start warming up while she speaks with Yuki.

Yuki sat on the table near the sound system, swinging her feet back and forth, not paying attention to the others as she played with a loose thread on her hoodie sleeve. Stopping to focus back on Coco, who was in deep thought as she considered Yuki's request, the brunette laughed and nodded as she was asked if it was her final decision.

"Okay, then let me see who your picks are." Yuki nodded and got off the table and near the third-year girl to point at a few names from the club's current members. Coco highlighted the names and turned to look at Yuki as the brunette went back and laid down on the table; the third year shook her head and laughed. "You're lucky that last night they continued practicing to the point of exhaustion."

"That's a bad thing, though." Yuki mumbled as she looked at their group, who was resting in the corner of the room where mirror and wall met. "they could have hurt themselves."

"You're not wrong, but Shizuka has been hard on them too."

"Your sister forgets that she was asked to help because we wanted to make our performance special, not that we want to become a girl group." Yuki spoke her mind, and seeing Coco's expression, she sighed. "but at the same time, it's good because without her strictness, we would be slacking off or for in my case, I would be lost without her guidance."

As the time to leave came, Yuki was approached by the idol who quietly said something to her, and once she nodded in understanding, he turned to walk back towards Yui. However, the brunette stopped him, not caring that others had been watching closely since the idol had approached her; she took hold of his arm and leaned towards him, both getting stuck in a hush conversation.

"Yuki-chan, Kou-kun..." They both turn to stare at the blonde who had walked towards them, seeming nervous. Yuki was confused about why Yui seems that way and unconsciously squeezed the idol's arm; then, it clicked on her as she heard collective gasps and angry murmuring. Finally, she let go of his arm and near Yui with a smile.

"Let's get our stuff and get ready to leave?"

Yui nodded and followed the brunette.

"Is it really okay?"

"Yes, it wouldn't be a good idea to let you walk by yourself, and I have to speak with Reiji-nii-san." Yuki raised her brow as she felt Yui tug on her sleeve to halt her from continuing walking. The blonde waited for her to turn around to face her. "What is it? We're almost there."

"Aren't you scare of getting attack again?"

"I'm more scared for the people I hold dear getting attacked. Come on, let's hurry."

Yui shook her head and pulled on the brunette's sleeve again after attempting to resume walking; Yuki huff looked defeated as she faced the blonde once again. Yuki observes as the blonde looks indecisive but soon finds her resolve as she clenches her hands into fists and looks directly in the eyes.

"Is it true you knew my mother?"

The brunette wasn't expecting that as she stared wide-eyed at Yui, who waited patiently for her to give an answer. Yui waited for her to say something, but Yuki stood straight at the sudden feeling of being watched. She looks at Yui and frowns as the feeling wasn't caused by her gaze.

"We'll talk later. Right now, let's get you home."

"Ileana-san!" Yui slapped Yuki's hand away as she had tried to get the blonde to start walking. Yuki was momentarily shocked as this was the first time Yui called her by her actual name and used san instead of chan. "Tell me r-"

"Don't you see it is night, and I have nothing on me that could be used if the need to protect us arises?" Yuki extended her gloved hand for Yui to take and smile as she was stubborn. "We'll talk later, but for now, let's get you home."

Reluctantly, after glaring into pleading golden eyes did Yui started walking, passing by Yuki, who sighed as she lowered her arm down and followed the blonde.

-Sakamaki Mansion-

Yuki watches as Yui walks upstairs before turning to stare back at Reiji and smile, ready to make her escape now that Yui left. "Excuse me. I need to be on my way."

"I believe we have something to discuss pending."

"Yes, but that cou-"

"Come." The brunette watched as he walked away, leaving her with no choice but to follow him, she sighed knowing this was her reason for bringing Yui home, but now that Yui had questions, she wasn't ready to repeat what little she told last time, not that the blonde would remember.

Reiji had led her into the seating area and asked her to wait while he went to prepare them something to drink.

"Hold on!"

"Lower your voice."

"Sorry, but if it's no trouble, I would like to help." He raised a brow, studying her, his gaze landing on her hands as she was pulling at one of her gloves: She was nervous.

Fixing his glasses, he sighed and nodded. "Very well."

Yuki watched as Reiji worked on their drinks as she had been told to just watch as she had almost dropped a cup. Reiji turned to look at her to find she was staring blankly at him, clearly having zoned out as she once again started to pull at her glove. The brunette jumped as a hand was placed on her shoulder, surprised at Reiji standing right in front of her, staring at her with an unreadable expression.

"Go and have a seat while I finish here." Yuki nodded and did as told.

Yuki smiled as Reiji sat a teacup in front of her yet didn't pick it up. After he sat down across from her with his own cup, he finally commented on her mood. "You're on edge. Did something happen?"

Shaking her head and smiling at her brother about to assure him it was nothing and was about to start telling him the details he wanted to know of. Only for the feeling of being watched coming back more intensely as if someone was sitting right next to her, breathing into her ear and glaring daggers into her, she was pretty sure she was feeling a weight there, but there was no one there. Reiji observed how her eyes started to water with her heart rate and breathing quickening and how she tried not to move at all.

The bespectacled vampire got up and started to slowly approach the brunette and, in a slow, calm voice, spoke to her knowing what the signs he was seeing meant even in his confusion to understand what was triggering this response of her.

Reiji sighed, looking down at the brunette who now slept curl up into his side, hugging him as tightly as she could even as she slept. He turns his attention towards a soft unsure voice coming from the entry to the sitting area to see Yui peeking in, expression filled with worry.

"Is she okay?"

"Yes," He answered, watching as Yui walked in to sit across from them, "Did something happen on your way here?"

Yui shook her head before stopping the motion as she recalled something. "Actually, there was a moment she seemed to become tense, and then she spoke of not having anything to use to protect us with if we linger, but I didn't think much of it at the time as I was annoyed at her and thought she was just trying to change the subject."

The vampire nodded in understanding as the hand hugging the brunette started to gently move in slow, gentle motions across her shoulders as she had started to tense in her sleep and one of her gloved hands took a fistful of his vest. Reiji and Yui turn as the brunette's phone started ringing from inside her school bag.

Samira watched as Yuki trudged out of the room after being told to wait outside. Before anything else, Samira bows her head and thank the vampire. "I appreciate you for taking care of Lady Yuki despite not being on good terms."

"As for the reason she came to speak with you, I would assume it has to do with Lady Adela, and as much I'd like to speak on Lady Yuki's behalf, thee should speak with Lady Ileana's aunt or grandparents."

"Umm," Samira turns to look at Yui, "does that mean it's not safe for Yuki-chan to say?"

Samira stayed quiet and changed the subject. "You seemed to want answers from her if you wish I could answer them as best of my knowledge."

Yui nodded, ignoring how the subject was changed, and watched as Reiji let it go as he walked out muttering about, hearing a lot of noise in the entrance hall.

"I ask if she knew my mother?"

Samira's teal-colored eyes study the blonde, who stares back nervously and straighten her posture as she is given a nod.

"Yes, your mother was a sacrificial bride and former lover of hers who she helped escape."

The blonde nodded as she processed this information, then looking back at Samira. "Would it be the same bride that she regrets not drinking from her?"

Samira laughed and shook her head.

"Don't look so mad about it. Lady Ileana tends to say hurtful things to protect how she actually feels." Yui watched as the woman sighed as she was serious once again. "When she found out about the deaths and your disappearance, she acted indifferent as if she didn't care, just not show her true feelings."

Samira was ready to ask Yui something but the sound that Reiji had left to investigate increase.

They walk into the foyer to see Yuki and Shu arguing as the triplets and Reiji watch the pair who used to be close now fighting. Samira finally stepped in as Yuki started to look wan; she was quick enough to step in and steady the brunette.

"Remember you should try to remain calm and not exert yourself." Yuki only nodded as she placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes, ignoring the door opening.

"Subaru-kun, Kou-kun." Yui greeted albeit nervously as the idol observed the scene, then his gaze landed on Yuki, who had now open her eyes to look at him before her gaze once again turned to Shu, who had muttered something as he looked between her and Kou.

"You're such a bother to deal with." Yuki finally spoke after she sighed tiredly, her gaze turned to Reiji, and she bowed. "Thank you, and I apologies for causing you trouble."

Reiji pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he closes his eyes momentarily before they land on the retreating back of Yuki, who followed Samira. They stop near the idol who still stood next to Subaru, who rolled his eyes at witnessing the silent communication between them.

"Ileana."

"Yes?"

"Why don't you stay? I believe you are to come back before the end of the week."

"I-" Yuki started but closed her mouth as she furrows her brows and frowns, still not knowing how to proceed, and it also didn't help to get glared at by two of the triplets.

"We believe that Lady Ileana is better living the lifestyle she has adapted to; a sudden change may cause her health to decline more."

"She doesn't have to make changes," Yui interjected, hoping to convince Samira to let Yuki stay. Yuki and Samira share a look even as Yui continues. "The lifestyle of the Mukami isn't as di-"

"Samira doesn't refer to their lifestyle even if it's the nearest to the one I've become accustomed to; she's referring to the people surrounding me."

"But what about the consequences of not following orders?"

"If you want to give it a try, I'd recommend you either ask one of the Mukami or a Zadik to stay with you, like that you still have a constant in your current life."

"We'll stay." Yuki's response was to roll her eyes and was ready to walk out, and yet she was pulled back, and an arm wrapped itself around her middle, palm resting on her stomach to pull her back flush against his chest. The brunette turns her head and glares at the idol.

"You could stay. I'm leaving." Yuki said matter-of-factly as her hand pulled at his to free herself, but that only made him wrap his other arm around her, which angered her more.

"Then let's call Olympia-san to stay here with you." Yuki's anger banishes as she thinks of that option; she frowns, attempting to disguise her amusement.

"That's not a bad idea, maybe like that my aunt could relax."

"I shall contact her immediately," Samira said, leaving quickly, even as Yuki called after her to not call her.

"Who is Olympia-san?" Yui asks, watching as Yuki groans and let herself finally relax on the idol's hold.

"Neko-chan's grandmother." The idol said, chuckling as Yuki grab his hand to stop patting her stomach gently after hearing grumbling. Reiji left, saying he'd prepare drinks for when the guest got here. Meanwhile, the triplets lost interest and left behind Laito, leaving Shu, Subaru, and Yui to stand in the foyer and Laito leaning on the stair railing on the fourth step.

"You two seem close," Subaru commented, still near the two and observe their body language and how Kou teased Yuki about her stomach growling. "Were the two of you together all this time?"

"Don't bother asking; they won't say," Shu said, walking towards the stairs, stopping near the first stair when Kou answered with a, yes, admitting to what Yuki didn't want to reveal before. The older Sakamaki turns his head to look down as Yui finally joins in the conversation, and Yuki answers truthfully.

"Someone seems annoyed," Laito commented, smiling as he looked at the group, then at Shu, who glared at him before walking up past him; after that, his gaze went back to the group, specifically to his sister and the second oldest of the Mukami. They were bickering back and forth, prompting Subaru to leave annoyed and Yui to watch in a mix of amusement and nervousness before quickly excusing herself with an excuse of helping Reiji.

In the end, Olympia only came to speak with Reiji in the middle of their conversation, Samira was shooed off to check on Yuki.

"Are you okay, miss?" Was the first thing Samira asked after finding Yuki outside.

"Yes."

Samira watches the brunette closely, not convinced with the answer she had given. Not convinced with her response Samira placed her hand on Yuki's forehead to find her to be okay. The brunette laughed at seeing a mixture of relief and confusion in Samira's face. Yuki reaffirmed she was fine as she closed her eyes and breathed in and out.

"If it is not physical, then it must be something in your mind that has you not feeling well."

Opening her eyes again, she turns her head slightly just to stare back just for a moment at Samira before shifting her gaze to look at the dark sky. The dark-haired woman stayed quiet, not pushing for Yuki to say something she didn't want to say, knowing that if she was ready, she would speak. "Did Kou-san leave?"

Yuki shook her head and half-smile, "Last I checked, he was talking with Subaru-nii-san."

"Have you decided to stay the night?"

"Yes, I'll give it a go, but it's not because of orders or the fear of punishment due to the consequences."

"Then, is it to protect?"

"No, I need to understand that I can't protect them all and more so because they are all capable of looking out for themselves."

Samira tilted her head as Yuki played with her gloves.

"Do your scars bother you?"

"A bit; I had been used to them healing slowly then disappearing as if I never was injured, but now, they're there to stay, and I deserve them. It would've been better coming from the people I've hurt."

Yuki stopped playing with her glove as she felt the same sensation as earlier. Samira asked if she was okay as she saw the brunette tense up. They both looked to their left as they heard someone approaching to cover up how she felt Yuki smile wide, and Samira greeted with a slight bow.

"Mother, what brings you here?"

"Persefarius said you were here with your grandmother, so I decided to drop by to see if your brothers are still alive." Adela laughs at Yuki's expression as she turns back to look towards the mansion. She reaches to place a hand on her daughter's cheek to get her attention back. Seeing the smile on her face at the gesture had Adela grinning. "if it's not that, then why is she here?"

"My aunt was busy, so grandmother came."

"Willingly?"

"Lady Olympia seems to have a soft spot for Lady Laura." Samira interferes, watching as Yuki has made herself comfortable wrapping her arms around her mother, closing her eyes, and relaxing. Adela's hand run soothing circles on her back.

"Hmm, and what business did your aunt have? It must have been important for your grandmother to come and be near vampires."

"Regarding your daughter coming back to stay with her brothers." Adela and Samira look up to see Olympia walking out of the mansion with Reiji beside her.

"Coming back? Why wasn't I made aware of this, Ileana?"

"Adela, we barely found out in the morning."

"Yet no one told me." Adela frowned as she pulled Yuki away so she could see her face. "Why didn't you tell me at school, my love?"

"Adela, come on."

"Am I not her mother? Why am I always the last to know?"

"Go and speak with Karlheinz; he is the only reason why you are always the last to find out about what he decides for Ileana." Olympia got closer to Adela, who had release Yuki and gently pushed to stand by Samira. "He decided to take her immortality just before giving her to the hunters, let them give a human poison meant for vampires as punishment."

"You are not in a position to-"

"I admit I've tortured her into starvation, but she wasn't mortal."

"Enough!" Samira yelled, getting glared at by both goddesses for stepping out of place, but she stood resolutely. "Both of you need to take this somewhere else, away from Lady Ileana."

That's when both noticed Reiji taking Yuki inside, Olympia decided to leave, and Adela ran a hand through her hair and looked up at the dark sky as she cooled off then went to follow her mother. Samira shook her head and went in to check on Yuki.

XXXXXXXXXX

-8:13AM-

Olympia watches from the bathroom entrance as Anna measures the length of Yuki's hair to see if it needs more fixing. Her marmalade color eyes landed on the brunette as Anna asked her if she was okay with the length of her hair or if she wanted it shorter, except the brunette tilted her head in confusion as she didn't catch what Anna said. "Do you want it shorter, or is it to your liking?"

"Oh," Yuki looks at herself in the mirror before smiling in satisfaction as she ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair and nodded, "thank you, I really like it... I feel lighter."

"What were you thinking of?" Olympia asks as she leans on the door frame, making space for Anna, who quickly leaves without glancing at the older woman. Yuki took notice and raised a brow in a silent question towards Olympia.

"What was that of letting your pride go?" Yuki grin knowing that the attention has shifted. "Practice what you preach. ~"

"Oh, hush you." Olympia walks into the bathroom and flicks the brunette's forehead in a warning. "Don't start thinking you'll get away from answering."

"It was worth a try," Yuki mumbles as she rubs her forehead, as she stops smiling after sighing and look up at Olympia. "I'm thinking about my mom."

"First, she took all her weapons back, and then last night." Ileana groaned, head tilting sideways, a frown adorning her lips. "I know it's unclear if her intentions are to help him or if she's doing it to gain something for herself. Whatever it is she's aiming for, I don't want to doubt her."

Anna returns and hugs the brunette and smiles as she catches Yuki staring at her through their reflection. "Everything will be fine."

"Your aunt is right." Olympia smiled too, rolling her eyes as Yuki gasp and made a show of covering her lips in surprise at her agreeing with the silverette, but the smile didn't leave her. Anna's soft laugh follows as she squeezes the brunette in a loving hug.

"Get ready; Laura is waiting for you, and Adela will be here soon."

"Okay."

-10:39PM-

"Isn't that Yuki-san?" Coco looks up from browsing through the clothes rack to see Yuki trying to keep up with a silverette girl before said girl stop and then goes back running to one of the women behind them and dragging her away., excitedly speaking in a foreign language. That left Yuki to wait for the other woman who stopped next to her and boop her nose. "Coco-chan, you're close to her. Do you know who she's with?"

Coco shook her head as she took a closer look just as Yuki side-hug the woman finally able to see her face. "She must be Yuki-chan's mother."