Chapter 11:

Chapter 11, Meeting the Families

*~* Somewhere in Mongolia *~*

The phone rang only twice before it was lifted off the receiver. "Yes? ... I see. ... I will inform him. ... Farewell young one."

A man with deep blue eyes looked at the phone before setting it down again and turning towards the office he was originally going to enter under different circumstances prior to the call. Other than that phone call, nothing new had been happening with the company. Being a medical supply company usually kept things relatively quiet unless someone was trying to dispute certain facts or a Coven member needed some help. Tiger-Leaf Medical had been running for several centuries in the Medicinal Arts and he was proud to be part of it. Although the company had originally begun to aid Kin and Companion, it had spread to help the rest of humanity and the other races that came about as time moved along. The man took a breath and knocked gently on a white oak door.

"Highness," he spoke softly. "May I enter?"

"You may," a gentle voice replied.

Opening the door revealed a room that was a mix of modern and ancient. There were electrical lights, a computer and a couple television screens playing separate but interconnected programs, but everything else was done in the traditions of old. There were no high back chairs but several sitting cushions and a low table being used as a desk. Behind which sat someone most would confuse for a teenager just out of middle school or partly through high school instead of an eons old vampire. Trekiva had pale blond near white hair that shimmered like silver mercury, a face that showed a child's innocence but carried blinding blue eyes that held a deep intellect from thousands of years. Although Trekiva was nearly six feet in height, it was hard to tell when he was seated. And his relaxed posture always belied his quick and lethal nature. Soon the man felt those ancient eyes turn to him from the computer.

"What bothers you, Asuda?" Trekiva asked, his concern genuine.

"There are two matters," Asuda replied with a deep bow. "Originally just the regular concerns of the humans in this company and their worry for your "health", majesty. The other comes from the young one whom we have recently given aid to."

Trekiva tapped his chin before smiling. "What bothers the young Ootori?"

"He did not say. Only that it would be of great importance to you and he requests your visit to Japan."

Asuda held back his fear as Trekiva's soft expression darkened for a split second. Even those who had known Trekiva for years usually mistook him for a young child. Asuda was very well aware of how old the man in front of him was. It wasn't that hard, not only did he hear about it daily back at the estates but Trekiva had given him the gift of Change nearly 5 thousand years ago. It was in that moment that he understood whom his family had served so faithfully. There was so much knowledge in his Master, his Sire. So much so that even to this day he had a hard time comprehending his own memories from that of Trekiva's without his Master's aid.

"Was his voice strained?" Trekiva asked. "Was he pressed?"

"From what I could tell," Asuda replied, barely managing to keep the quiver out. "It sounded as if he was merely exhausted. I could discern nothing else around him. There was a slight edge indicating that haste would be appreciated."

Trekiva tapped his fingers on the wooden top of the table. The young Ootori had asked for very little of him in terms of the Medical Field, other than what he was already willing to give. He had also made sure to look into the child's associates. That memory caused him to pause before opening the files up on his computer. "Asuda, has anything from the young Ootori's file changed?"

"Not that I am aware of."

Trekiva pulled the files quickly and started going over them again. Could I have missed something? he asked himself quietly. As he looked through the file again, he paid close attention to the pictures attached to each file before pausing. To untrained eyes, the photo was of a child and parent or specifically a son and mother; but to his eyes, he could see the faint nuances that reversed the genders. With a few quick key strokes, Trekiva zoomed in on the two before closing his eyes and letting out a small laugh as he places his hand over his eyes. "Oh I feel silly..."

Asuda looked at his Master in shock. He...feels...silly? Flashed through his mind. "Majesty?"

Leaning back, Trekiva had a growing amused smile. "I feel so silly for not seeing it sooner. As well as not making sure that they were okay..."

"Majesty? I am confused."

Reaching out with a soft hand, Trekiva touched the screen over the face of the younger person in the picture. "You look just like Atsu..."

Asuda's eyes snapped to his Master before venturing closer to see. As he moved around the desk to see the screen, his own eyes widened at what he saw. There on the screen was a picture of a younger Atsu, the man whom helped his family gain favor with his Master to be Companion and Donor. And although Atsu was vampire himself, he never acted like it. It had taken Asuda until he was changed to learn why. Atsu himself was changed but never forgot his humanity. "Atsu never Sired...at least...not that we know of..."

"He did," Trekiva answered, his eyes soft.

"Why were we not told?"

"Because his children were human. We would not have felt it unless the child was a vampire or had awakened."

"Atsu's human child?"

"More than likely grandchild of some degree. Atsu only had one son with his love before she died to illness. Atsu himself soon followed in his grief."

Asuda looked down at the table, his heart filled with shame and self-loathing for not noticing sooner. He had given his word to Atsu to watch over whatever family he had, be they blood children or birth. Sensing his child's distress, Trekiva placed a hand on the younger Vampire's arm. "Do not hold yourself in pain, Asuda. He left three decades after your change. Since it is not known the full heritage of this little one, we cannot say if there is any fault."

Without looking towards his Master, Asuda nodded. "Shall I make preparations for your departure?"

"Please," Trekiva replied with a soft smile. "You are a Historian Asuda, so I will need your gift."

Asuda bowed and left the room to get the jet, lodging arrangements for them in Japan and inform Kyoya their estimated arrival time. This will be an interesting visit to the Island, he thought as he began making calls. I have not been there for several years. I wonder how much it has changed.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Michiko let out a sigh as she hung up. She was finally done talking to the Historians in England and Spain. The Curators of England held the archives belonging to the Detrio family and had learned that a few Honored Historians were available to arrive in the next few days to check the validity of her words. Although she had nothing against the English Historians, she did have issue with the fact they were calling her, a fellow Historian, into doubt. "We cannot lie about what we see," she huffed. "That is the core trait of our gift."

"I take it part of your conversation didn't go well," a deep voice spoke.

Michiko turned to see her husband standing at the door to her study. "Yes...the Historians in England who care for what remains of the Detrio family's possessions have thoughts of my Insight being a lie."

"Historians do not lie and as such should not doubt each other," Yorihisa stated, one of his hands clenching into a fist. "Or call another's Insight into question."

"Yet that is exactly what they have done," she replied. "Although I have hope that the one that questioned is a purely human. One of our own would not ask so much about something such as this."

Yorihisa walked over and wrapped his arms softly around her. "What of the other?"

"The Antiago were a bit more sure of themselves. They will be arriving around the same time as the ones from England. They stated that they "do not doubt my Insight but would like to See for themselves the child born from one they loved". And I cannot really deny them that but I did tell them of the conditions."

"Did they accept them?"

Michiko nodded. "They did but were curious as to why. When I mentioned her age and the training she's starting as an Arcana user, they completely understood. Unlike the rest of the Clans and Covens of Europe, the Antiago believe that a Donor must be over the legal age. They don't take from the Flesh unless they are at least 19 and Haruhi is only 16."

"What of the ones from England?" Yorihisa asked.

"They wanted to argue the fact that her age did not matter," Michiko sighed. "They will learn either from us, the Antiago or her dragon, that such conditions must be met or there will be consequences."

"Such as facing the wrath of an eons old Emperor," a cool voice stated.

Both vampires looked at the door and saw Kyoya standing there with his Shadow's wrapped tightly around him. "He answered?"

"Not himself but one of his children that I have met in the past during their visits to the main branch."

"Do you know when he arrives?" Yorihisa asked.

"With as quickly as that one works," Kyoya smirked. "We will either see them later tonight or tomorrow."

Michiko nodded. "Where will they be staying?"

"I offered a Sanctuary to them out of hospitality that is near here. It was accepted."

"How well defended?"

"Being made purely of Darkness and Void Matter," Kyoya stated with a growing smirk. "Unless they wish it and they themselves want to be found, none will."

Both vampires nodded. To track a Shadow you must be a Shadow but Kyoya was no Shadow, he was a part of the Void; and the Void was something else all together.

"I have my best there waiting to greet them when they arrive. When they know, I will."

"And in turn," Michiko smiled. "So will we."

Kyoya nodded and stepped away from the door. He had been shocked when only thirty mintues after he made the initial call, he was called back with the details of the flight and a request of possible recommendations of stay. He had smiled when Asuda stuttered at his offer before thanking him for his thoughtfulness. Even though Kyoya wasn't a vampire, he knew exactly how important Trekiva was to them. After all, the Emperor of the Orient was one of the very few vampires that was still around from the Beginning.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

Fernando looked out of the window of his office. The call he had just finished ran rapidly through his mind. The only remaining cursed child has been found... he thought with a mix of joy and sorrow. If what Lady Michiko has said is fully true, then these children need to know and brought home. He stood quickly before walking out of the room with a smile. "Hannah! We must prepare!"

A woman with long black hair walked out of a nearby room and looked at him confused before asking. "What is it, dear brother?"

"Lady Michiko of Japan has just spoken with me."

Hannah's eyes widened. One of the Mothers in Japan? she thought worriedly. "Why?"

"She is a Historian, as you are sister. She has found the last of father's cursed children."

"Are you certain?!"

"I do not doubt her but I would like to be sure," Fernando sighed. "From what she shared, they are descendants of him. Some time after he had been cursed, he had fled, and he was found and changed by willing omission by another. I am not sure how much time had passed before he sired his own line but they were born human. They are Crystals that still slumber."

Hannah stood there in shock. Their cursed brother accepted his change? And became a father? "We must hurry then!"

Fernando looked at his sister with an amused smile. "So stop standing still like a puppet with taught strings and go pack!"

Hannah jumped and ran to her room as Fernando's laughter followed. She sent a quiet prayer to God and whatever Gods she had heard the Japanese followed that the children were not in any pain or had suffered too much. Being cursed was bad enough but there are times when the curse followed into a crystal child causing them to go insane. She hoped dearly that they were okay.

*~*0o0o0o0o0*~*

The rest of the day seemed to pass quietly for everyone else in the Haninozuka estate and continued on to the next morning. Hunny and Yasuchika had made a temporary truce with each other that stated they wouldn't attack one another unless it was in the dojo or outside. Mostly for the benefit of Haruhi since she worried about both of them hurting themselves despite their reassurances on the contrary. Satoshi had promised not to hit his cousin as much for his smart mouth, only needing to be reminded of it when Haruhi would look at her dragon who would then hit him upside the head with his tail which caused him to land on his face. Mori had taken to standing or sitting near Haruhi but not in such a way that would be suffocating. He kept a respectable distance from her but remained close enough that if something were to happen, he would be able to react just as quickly as Qurdox could. His reasoning was that she was in a new place and wasn't fully familiar with but he had known since childhood. He would also point out some things to her that he thought would catch her interest and did his best to answer her questions about them when she asked any.

Everyone was somewhat surprised that that normally quiet host spoke so much. Well, everyone except Satoshi and Hunny. Yasuchika kept his shock at bay as best as he could. He was somewhat relieved with he saw Kyoya walk towards their group.

"Hello Kyoya-senpai," Haruhi smiled.

"Good afternoon Haruhi," he replied. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah. Sorry for making you worry."

Kyoya shook his head. "It's all right. There are times I had the same reaction. My body is half human so there are some of my Darker Arts that will cause a great deal of strain on me no matter what."

"How often do you use Spell or Incantations?"

"Very rarely. I have only used such Darkness twice before and was nearly hospitalized for a whole summer. Fortunately it was merely passed off as a very bad case of the flu."

"What were they used for Kyo-chan?" Hunny asked.

"One was to make the Sanctuary that is still standing to this day," Kyoya replied. "And the other was when I learned how to call upon the Void and Shadows to gain my Summons."

"A Sanctuary?" Haruhi asked.

"It is like a Fortress that is impenetrable unless you carry greater Magic than the one that made it. I am classified as a Level 4 Dark Mage. With that knowledge one would think that another Level 4 Dark Mage would be enough but that is not so."

"How come?"

"Because Kyo-chan is part demon," Hunny explained. "His demon blood over-powers any human magic except his own."

"Oh," Haruhi muttered.

"Did your calls go well Kyo-chan?" the Loli-Shota asked.

Kyoya nodded. "They did. Everything has been set."

Hunny nodded with a smile. "That's good."

"When?" Mori asked.

"Either in the next few hours or early tomorrow," Kyoya replied. "It depends on the weather conditions for them."

The stoic teenager nodded and placed a hand gently on Haruhi's shoulder. She turned to him and gave a soft smile at the reassurance in his eyes. Hunny smiled as he watched them in their silent conversation. It was easy to see that Haruhi was nervous about meeting the ones that "made" her father's family. Probably a lot more than she should be but with a simple smile and reassuring touch made most of the fear fade.

"For now, how about we just have some fun?" Hunny suggested.

"What do you have in mind?"

"I think we should cover the lessons you were to take this evening little one," Alyona spoke as she and Umehito walked out of the house. "I would like to see what you have read thus far in your mother's books."

Haruhi nodded and Qurdox moved next to her as Vaska stepped next to the blond Sorceress. "We shall start off light then work our way up."

Haruhi nodded again and Alyona motioned for the others to take a few steps back. Once they were a distance away, the Elder Sorceress created a dome made of pure arcane energy over herself and her student.

"What's this?" Haruhi asked as the dome flickered slightly.

"This is just to prevent any Spells from hitting someone unintentionally," Alyona explained. "Accidents happen when training with an audience or other students when one is not aware of their surroundings."

"Oh, okay. I read about the duels, is that what we are going to do?"

Alyona let out a pleasant laugh. "No little one, we are not. You are not yet ready for such a thing yet. Perhaps when we have a better understanding of your Arcana. For now, this it to help you grasp your spells without accidentally hurting someone. One tends to learn more with actual practice tower the lessons of text. I can easily shield myself, as can Vaska and your dragon; however, not all of your friends here have the ability to outmaneuver magic far older than they are."

Haruhi nodded in understanding. Unknown to her, Ranka and the other adults were on the covered walkway over looking the area she was in with the others. Michiko had actually been the one to ask Alyona about Haruhi's lessons in Arcana. It had surprised the others to know that they had only really covered the Call of a Familiar. Umehito had then explained, with a bit of Ranka's help, that most of the other Spells and things she knew came form the books her mother had left behind. When asked for a demonstration, Alyona was hesitant but with Michiko's rewording of the question, she agreed. Haruhi did need to get to her actual lessons.

The Elder Sorceress began giving soft but firm instructions on how to form and cast the beginning Spells. It took a couple of tries before Haruhi was actually able to hold a Fireball without panicking about being burnt or getting frostbite from an Ice Bolt. Some of her reactions caused Hunny to giggle despite him trying his best not to which ended up distracting her causing her to lose control of the spell. Qurdox's quick movements spared her from temporarily going blind when in one such instance she was trying to cast an Arcane Blast.

"Sorry Haru-chan!" Hunny yelled. "I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay Hunny-senpai," Haruhi soothed once Qurdox had unwrapped himself from around her. She was actually kind of grateful that Alyona told her to allow him to, or rather insisted, that he be his full size while training.

Hunny let out a small whine, indicating he didn't think the same. "But...Haru-chan..."

"No one got hurt right?" she asked with a sigh.

"Well...no...but..."

"No buts. No one got hurt so it's okay. I should have been more focused on what I was doing."

Before Hunny could try and contradict her again, he froze. Looking around, he could see that his family was in the same state of stillness.

Kyoya glanced at his watch. "I wasn't expecting you to arrive until tomorrow."

Alyona felt the sheer power move softly against her barrier like a wave. Her shields were hard to break but the amount of power gently touching it was nearly enough to shatter it like thin glass. Turning quickly, she saw a young man with silver-white hair and Arctic Blue eyes. His face was full of youth by his eyes showed eons.

"May I enter?" he asked softly.

"Only when I know thine name," she spoke calmly, showing no fear.

"Thou will know who stands before thee," he spoke softly. "All ye need do is look around. What dost thine eyes see?"

Alyona glanced around before looking back at the youth in front of her. Only the vampires were in a state of silence meaning... "You are Imperium Tora...My apologies for such disgrace to you." Alyona gave a soft but humble curtsy.

Trekiva waved it off with a smile. "Not many can place it so quickly. I must admit your spell work is immaculate."

"I am humbled."

She let the dome open and he walked in, his steps soft and the only sound from him was the slight drag of his long haori. There was no design on his black clothing other than a single spider-lily embroidered in white near his heart. Trekiva walked closer before he was stopped by a deep growl. He turned and felt his eyes go wide before a smile spread across his face. "Hello again. You are well?"

Qurdox looked at the vampire before him. If he had the ability to, he would have hugged the small boy. It had been so many millennia since he had last seen the first being to be given the honor of being called friend. As he watched his millennia old friend walk closer to his charge, he let out a low warning. Friend or not, if he was going to hurt the child he was protecting, there would be no mercy. When their eyes met and Trekiva's question asked, Qurdox relaxed slightly and nodded.

"That is good," Trekina smiled as he reached up to gently rub Qurdox's snout. "The last time I saw you was during my first century. I am glad to see you again."

"You know Qurdox?" Haruhi asked shocked.

"Hmm," Trekiva turned to the little one. "Yes. I was born as I am. I am actually only four millennia younger than him. Which by the terms of dragons, is still a child or Hatchling as they are truly called."

"A derogatory term for a young dragon is a whelp," Qurdox added to her through their link. "I was there when he was born. I know him better than even his own blood children."

"I see," Haruhi stated and gave a low bow. "I'm Haruhi. Kyoya-senpai and Haninozuka-san have told me a bit about you already Tora-sama."

Trekiva smiled and softly placed a hand on her cheek raising her head. "You need not belittle yourself little one. Your blood was made of my blood."

Haruhi tilted her head in confusion as she rose.

"In human terms," another male voice spoke, bringing a male with midnight black hair and deep blue eyes to everyone's attention. "You are essentially his granddaughter. Atsu would be counted as my brother as I was changed by the same Sire."

"Atsu?"

"That was his name," the man spoke. "The member of your family that was changed."

"Qurdox," Trekiva spoke. "This is Asuda. He has been my childe for nearly five and a half millennia. He is also a Historian. I ask on behalf of my child if we may learn. I can see that she is truly of Atsu's blood but I wish to know how close. As none of his borne were vampyr, I was made unaware of any births."

"There is a bit of a condition to that," Haruhi stated.

"I will adhere," Asuda spoke.

"Fang must not touch Flesh."

Asuda looked at the female replica of his friend in shock.

"That is the rule," she said calmly. "If you have a problem.."

"It's not that," Asuda interrupted. "It is that you would think I would mar family."

"Huh?"

"Vampyr are not allowed to draw the blood of their family," Trekiva explained. "We are not allowed to take the blood of our Kin lest we wish for a painful death. There is only one ceremony when that rule is different."

"What ceremony is that?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"The ceremony of Union," Michiko smiled.

"You mean when you get married to another vampire?"

Trekiva and Michiko nodded.

"But how am I family to you?"

"Atsu was changed by me," Trekiva explained. "True he was originally cursed by the blood of the Antiago Coven but his complete change was done by me. Making him my blood child. Six millennia ago, he brought Asuda's family to me and five hundred years later, Asuda became my child as well. Thus making them brothers in blood."

"So," Haruhi pondered before looking at Asuda. "In the ways of the vampire, I'm your niece?"

Asuda nodded. "You are."

"Then, how will you Read if you can't hurt me? Don't you need a bit of my blood?"

Asuda shook his head. "Before my change I was a Seer. All I need to is see into your mind and because of my change, I can do the same as a Historian would with your blood without actually taking it. I just need to be near it."

Qurdox wrapped around her before leveling a dark glare at Asuda, who bowed deeply in respect. It was obvious that walking through her memories was out of the question and should never be brought up as an option again. The dragon looked at his charge when he felt Haruhi place a hand on him.

"He will still have better sight with a drop of your blood," Qurdox spoke calmly. "However I will be the one to draw and give it. His soul is true and pure but he is still unknown to me. Until I know more, he stays at a distance."

Hanruhi nodded and Qurdox shifted in such away that some of his scales rose slightly. She ran one of her fingers along the raised edges before watching a small bead of blood form from the cut.

"አቀዘቀዘ ( āk'ezek'eze ),"* she spoke clearly.

Qurdox then took the small bead between his claws and held it out to a startled Asuda. Everyone that caught it froze when the scent of Haruhi's blood had filled the air for different reasons. Akira, Sayuki, Michiko and Yorihisa had tensed as they did not know the reactions of their guests; Yasuchika and Satoshi were in awe of the gentleness that her dragon had shown with such a delicate task; Hunny froze in shock that Qurdox had allowed another vampire touch Haruhi's blood; Mori was not as shocked but had tensed for the same reasons as his parents; while Asuda was in shock of the sheer power he could feel in that small bead and Trekiva was shocked at the level of skill the little one had despite what he had witnessed earlier. Unknown to those around him, Trekiva could Read blood like a Historian, the only difference was that he just needed a quick scent of it. A small smile graced his face at everything he saw before looking at Asuda.

"I am honored," Asuda spoke softly, still in shock at the power coursing around that one little drop.

Opening his hands completely, Asuda watched as the small bead was placed gently by talons he knew could easily rip him in half. With the utmost care, he took the bead to his lips before letting in enter his mouth. He inhaled sharply and fell to his knees shaking once the blood had touched his tongue. Trekiva was instantly at his child's side helping sooth the tremors going through the younger vampire's body. His body continued to shake for several more moments before they finally subsided.

"Asuda?" Trekiva asked concerned, gently wiping small tears from his child's cheek.

"I...I'm all right," he croaked. "Just...tired...and...overwhelmed..."

"Will you be all right?" Michiko asked. She had never seen a Historian react in such a way in a Reading.

Asuda nodded. "Yes. There was just so much..."

"Of what?"

"Power...so much power...I could feel it even before the blood had touch me...and the memories..."

"Some are quite filled with sorrow..." Michiko agreed. "But not all."

"There are only four generations separating her from Atsu," Asuda stated. "He was her great-great-grandfather."

"Such proximity," Trekiva stated, glancing back at Haruhi. "It is no wonder you look a great deal like Atsu."

Haruhi smiled softly. She was about to ask a question when the sound of arguing met everyone's ears. It would have been counted fortunate to most there that none of them could understand either language. Asuda let out a groan before standing. Michiko sighed before looking at the group coming closer who were bickering.

"Izango duzu, bai, atsegin handiz itxi gora?!"* She nearly yelled. "Duzu zure nazio ezberdintasun erlijioso aurre egin ahal izateko. Mesedez ardatz."*

The children looked at her in shock, as did the two men who were arguing before the younger one whom wore a well tailored blue suit with a white shirt and had his long black hair tied back with a white ribbon bowed softly.

"Barka Lady Michiko maitea. Zure etxea iraintzea ez ekarri dut,"* he said politely, his deep brown eyes showing sorrow. "I am Fernando Antiago. Nire ohorea zu ezagutu da."*

Michiko smiled before turning to the other man who was glaring at the other. He was also in a similarly styled suit but it was black, including the shirt but had a red tie. His hair was a shade of blond that reminded Haruhi of Tamaki's hair color but his crimson eyes clearly showed he was a vampire. Turning away from the Spaniard, the Englishman nodded in greeting.

"Unlike my associate," he said, causing a few of the gathered people to be shocked as he spoke in perfect Japanese. "I know your language. I took the time to learn it after the Second World War. Thank you for the invitation but I will admit, I would rather not have to be alongside a Catholic."

Fernando glared. "I know the language," he spoke hotly, although his speech wasn't as clear. "But I will admit to preferring my own native tongue, Protestant!"

Soon both men were arguing again and Trekiva smiled as the confusion on Haruhi's face continued to grow.

"Fernando Antiago," he spoke quietly so that only Haruhi could hear, motioning to the darker haired man in front of her. "His family is from Spain. Spain itself has always had strong ties to the Vatican and Catholicism. At one point England, where Historian Abraham is from, was once Catholic but due to the ruling of one of the Kings in the past, created it's own religion. I think it was along the lines of because he wanted to divorce the woman he was married to without facing anyone's wrath."

Haruhi let out a stifled giggle at the two arguing men. "What is the difference in their ages?"

"Not much actually. Fernando and Abraham are about the same age. They were just raised differently. Abraham is from the English Historian Archive. He was born a vampyr but his mother was Human. Fernando's family has always been vampyr."

"But that doesn't seem to be their problem."

"No. It is due to the religions of their homelands. Abraham's family was divided even before he was born. His father's family being vampyr and part of the remaining line of the Detrio and his mother's family, were the very ones that helped the Vatican hunt the Detrio down. Fortunately his mother's family does not know of the bloodlines he carries. Protestants and Catholics never saw eye to eye on much but they both agree that vampyr are dangerous to humans, along with a number of the immortal races. Most of the Covens in Europe are hidden and only send a select few member of their families out at certain times to let the population know that they are still around."

"That must be hard on them," Haruhi muttered softly.

"They have persevered," Trekiva soothed. "But I must say, their bickering is giving me a headache."

Haruhi watched in awe as Trekiva's eyes flashed quickly and both men froze, eyes wide with fear before slowly turning to face the smiling ancient Vampire. "Are you two done?"

Both men nodded.

"Good. Now I do believe that you are here for something other than bickering with each other, correct?"

Another set of nods.

"Then shall we?"

Abraham cleared his throat before speaking. "Before that, I am Abraham Belar Anderson. Rank 2 Historian of the English Archive."

Everyone but Fernando nodded or bowed in greeting.

"As I introduced earlier, although in my native tongue," Fernando said with a smile. "I am Fernando Antiago. Current heir to the Crown of the Spanish Coven."

"I introduce to you my Master and Sire Trekiva Tora, Emperor of the Orient," Asuda spoke calmly. "I am Historian Seer Asuda."

Fernando and Abraham gave a bow to Trekiva.

"I take it the little one beside you is that one we were called to see?" Fernando asked, his eyes flicking to Haruhi.

"She is," Trekiva replied. "Asuda has already Seen what I needed. I will wait for you to reach your own conclusions."

Fernando gave a small but sheepish smile. "I am no Historian. That belongs to my sister Hannah."

He motioned behind him towards a woman with equally long black hair and eyes but was in a soft cream colored dress. She smiled warmly before giving a polite curtsy to Trekiva and Asuda. Abraham scoffed slightly before looking back at the young girl.

"Let's get this settled then," he stated before walking forward.

Before anyone could voice for him to stop, Qurdox roared and coiled around Haruhi and Trekiva causing the Englishman to fall back in shock.

"A...a DRAGON?!" he yelled. "How?!"

"Calm down dear friend," Trekiva soothed. "All is well. Not even I would let him too close. As to your question Abraham. This Dragon is the Companion to this little one. He answered her summons."

"If you had any cells in your brain you would have been able to tell that not only was he near but I am sure you got received a call from Lady Michiko stating the child uses Arcana!" Fernando yelled.

"I recall that," he yelled back. "However, in order to validate what Lady Michiko had stated, I need to Read the girl!"

Qurdox let out a loud and long hiss and Fernando pinched the bridge of his nose. "The child is only sixteen. She is not of age to take!"

Trekiva sighed before looking down at the child at his side. He could easily see her fear of the two men arguing in front of her he let out another sigh and was about to try to comfort her when movement caught the corner of his eye. Out of his peripheral sight, he saw the tall child that had begun to haunt her mind at night recently. He could see the worry and longing in the boys eyes to help her. Trekiva gave a small smile before tracing a some Ancient Kanji on Qurdox's scales.

'Allow the one who loves her close,' he wrote. 'He can comfort her better than I can.'

Qurdox's eyes quickly flashed to Mori's when he felt the message Trekiva traced on his scales. In that once glance, Mori felt like he was stilled for a lifetime. When he saw the dragon's body shift slightly, he moved quickly so that few would see, and entered the cocoon of scales and talons. Once inside, he quickly wrapped his arms around Haruhi who tensed momentarily before turning into his hold and burying her face in his chest. He could feel the small tremors of fear that racked her body and he scowled in the direction of the bickering men. Her fear had always made him angry but that anger was never aimed at her, it was at himself and the ones that made her afraid. He loathed not being able to take away her fear, not able to do anything more than hold her close. He tightened his embrace around the shaking girl in front of him but made sure not to squeeze too tightly. He lowered his head and begin to whisper reassurances to her as well as rub her shoulders.

Trekiva watched the two children with a soft smile before turning cold eyes towards the bickering children before him.

'My friend,' he wrote on the dragons scales again. 'She is terrified. I know not how to help without possibly making it worse.'

Qurdox was about at the end of his patience but someone blew before he could. "Will you two be quiet?!"

Everyone, except the ones in the cocoon of scales turned to look at a fuming red-head in a pair of sweats and a loose shirt. Qurdox slowly uncoiled enough to let Ranka see that Haruhi was indeed safe. Upon seeing his daughter in the arms of Takashi Morinozuka and the one introduced earlier as Trekiva, Ranka turned furious eyes towards the now silent men. "You are in the honored home of the Haninozuka Family! Not your own! You are guests here in this house and therefore must adhere to the rules of this House. Yes, we understand that you need a little bit of my daughter's blood to see the truth since her blood is more clear than mine but your yelling is not going to help anything! I am normally not one to yell but in this case I will make an exception because you two are completely moronic! And I have to deal with moronic worms nearly on a daily basis as it is! The rule for my daughter is this; if you wish to Read the Memory of Blood, the blood will not be taken by your Fang but Given by Scale and Talon. Meaning, you won't be biting her or touching her in any way! My Haruhi has already formed two beads for you both to use in your reading. And before you ask, the blood was Given to the Dragon growling at you!" Ranka quickly walked towards Qurodx with a huff and gently placed a gentle hand on the growling dragon before speaking more calmly. "Will you please give them to me so that I may get them away from my child?"

Qurdox shifted slightly before placing the two small beads into Ranka's open hand. Giving a thankful smile, he turned towards the shocked Spanish woman. "Here you are dear," he said placing the bead in her hands before leaning over to whisper only so she could hear. "By the way, I am absolutely jealous of that dress on you. I wish I had one."

Hannah looked at the man in shock as he moved towards her brother and Abraham before giggling. "If you would like, I can send some to you. I am sure you would look darling in them."

Ranka turned to the woman with a beaming and hopeful smile. "Really?! Oh that would be fabulous!"

Before Abraham or Fernando could say anything on the matter, Ranka had turned to them with a glare that should only belong to a vampire before handing the remaining bead to the Englishman. Abraham looked at the bead before placing it in his mouth at the same time as Hannah. Both of them had different reactions once the blood touched their tongues. For Abraham, his reaction was much the same as Asuda's while Hannah had merely collapsed as if she had fainted. Fernando had quickly moved to his sister's side when she started to whimper as if she was crying. When he got to see her face, he was shocked to see that she was indeed crying but her scent and aura told him it was not pain she felt of relief and joy. He relaxed and gently rocked his sister as he listened to her quiet whispers as she relayed what she had learned, and everything she had seen in Haruhi's Blood Memory. Just as she finished explaining, they heard Abraham groan before he sat up and began rubbing his temples to sooth the ache he had gained.

"I can not argue the facts that were shown," he stated, still rubbing his head. "I apologize for my reluctance but I had to be sure. I will have to relay what has been found back to the Archive and see what they determine. The land promised to him for his service was taken by humans and turned into a suburb recently. My guess is that they will compensate the loss of land with the equivalent in currency or as if she were the land owner, but I cannot say for certain."

"You have done well for yourselves despite the pain your family had to go through," Hannah stated, tears still falling.

"Your Sire was strong to fight and brave to endure," Fernando continued. "You are Blood Kin to us since he accepted the change, you would have been considered so even if he hadn't. Know that you will always have a home with us in Spain. We will also be sending a monthly stipend for you to use. The first will be rather large as it will consist of the amount promised as compensation for the pain endured as well as the total acquired in stipends to this date."

"I would rather it not be seen by those who would ask too many questions," Ranka stated with an authority that was uncommon to those with humanity. "Haruhi and I have lived as we have all our lives and don't want that to change over night. I am aware we can not ignore the fact of our ties now, not that we did before, but that doesn't mean we want to flaunt it to the world."

"Understandable," Fernando stated. "Just know that it exists for you to use if needed. If you would like, we can set an account for you that you can draw from if needed."

Ranka shook his head. "I already have what I need. If we are to do that, it will be for Haruhi to use as she needs."

Everyone looked at him in shock.

"But...dad..." Haruhi stuttered.

Turning to his daughter he smiled. "I have what I need. A roof over my head, food in the fridge, a daughter I love more than the world, and a job I like doing. The only thing I miss is your mother but I know that there will come a time when I can see her again but I also know that the day I see her again is a long way off. I have always wanted the best for you dear, but I have never really been able to provide that very well as you got older. Think of this as an opportunity to expand your horizons and see new things while you are still young."

Haruhi's eyes widened at the genuinely happy smile on her father's face. She felt a couple tears slide down her cheeks before a soft cloth gently smoothed wiped them away in a soft motion. She turned and saw Asuda holding a soft blue handkerchief towards her. She took it with a quiet thanks.

"I am sorry to say that you won't be able to get away with that with me," Trekiva said with a faint trace of amusement. "I can understand you desire to be as you always have known but you are part of two prominent families in the world of the vampyr. Regardless of if you don't want the attention, you have it. The only issues you may encounter are those of the human persuasion as many are rather finicky.

"Although I doubt you will encounter too much trouble as the only ones that know where you are, are those that are here around you now. The only other people to follow through with the arduous task to search for you would be family. Thus you won't need to worry about any unknown vampyr trying to harm you and I can easily give you a list of those within my own as I am certain Fernando can offer of his own. However most would more than likely leave you be."

"Not unless they want to suffer in utter agony," Hunny mentioned. "As we said earlier, vampire's cannot take blood from another unless they are entering union or a Historian."

"What about awakening?" Haruhi asked, recalling part of the conversations she had with the others yesterday.

"That is done on your own need," Abraham explained. "Awakening for Crystal Bloods changes depending on the Crystal themselves and the reason for the change. Your father would most likely be Awoken if his health ever took a turn for the worse or his body was under too much strain. You on the other hand could Awaken your own blood with your Arcana if you so chose. But because you can Wake yourself, you would not be fully called a Vampire. You would be something far closer to what Emperor Tora is."

"And that is that?" Haruhi asked, looking at the man beside her.

"I am what was once called Elipsion," Trekiva spoke softly. "A Child Awoken by Talent, not by Blood or Fang but by magic. There are so very few of us. As memory serves, there are six of us; seven counting you if you choose."

"Where and who are the others?"

"Lin Kai is the eldest of us. He is on an Isle of his own creation called Sancturus. His Blood was a mixing of Nephilum and Vampyr. He chose the form of the Keldari side of his blood to protect the Isle he calls home. Elisis and her twin brother Demeter are next, though their location is unknown to me. I do know they are of Anguli and Keldari heritage, thus making them pure Nephilum. Elisis chose her Anguli blood while Demeter chose his Keldari blood. Narvu is somewhere in France last I knew. He was Crystal Blood as you are but chose to Awaken only his heightened senses, and longevity. As you can see of myself, I am completely Vampyr with one difference; I do not need blood. I can eat as Humans do. The last is Alexander, or Aujuri as he prefers. He is Anguli and Fae. He chose to Awaken both sides of his blood and use them together rather than apart. He is also on Sancturus.

"Normally having both magics at the same time would cause one to go mad because the Arts of the Anguli and Fae are very different. Lin Kai does have all sides of his Blood Awoken but chose to let the Keldari portion of his Nephilum blood show more strongly. It has worked to his favor many times. If you choose to Awaken yourself, I would advise you to think carefully about what you choose for yourself. You have a great deal of Arcana in you but very little training. I recommend you learn a bit more about yourself and your skills before you Awaken your blood."

Haruhi nodded. She could understand why that would be a bad idea from when she talked to Michiko and Sayuki about Blood Mages and those that are Cursed with the Scarring. Alyona had also touched on that topic when she had asked as well. She felt Mori wrap his arms a little bit tighter around her and she leaned back softly against his chest. She now had a lot more on her plate than she did before. Only a few days ago, her biggest worries were the tests she had to study for, Kyoya recreating her debt because of something happening that was or wasn't her fault, and her sponsorship falling through due to a drop in her grades. Now she had to worry about learning how to use magic without killing herself or her friends, someone who either wanted her dead or to send her some place far away, the fact she was technically part vampire, and apparently considered engaged to Mori since he didn't die when he had a small taste of her blood because of twins messing around while she was cutting a slice of cake for the guests the other day. Thinking about the twins caused Haruhi to snicker slightly making everyone look at her.

"What is it Haru-chan?" Hunny asked. "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking about how Tamaki-senpai and the twins handled yesterday without us," she replied with a smile.

Hunny's eyes went wide in realization as Satoshi fell to the ground laughing while Kyoya and Yasuchika were trying their best to not laugh at all but carried amused smirks.

"Knowing that moron," Chika stated. "He probably went off the deep end wondering what happened."

Kyoya let out a groan as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "And I will have to hear about it for quite some time before he shuts up long enough to let me try and explain."

"Something tells me you won't get the chance to Kyo-chan," Hunny giggled. "Knowing Tama-chan, he is already looking for us since today is Saturday."

"Meaning he might be on his way here," Yasuchika groaned. "This is going to be annoying..."

The members of the host club sighed despairingly while the parents and guests just look at the young ones in curiosity. The Haninozuka and Morinozuka parents along with Ranka had a good idea as to why they were now out of spirits, the Nekozawa had a fairly good guess as two members of the family standing near by could Scry and one of the two had spent part of last year near him, while Trekiva, Asuda, Abraham, Fernando and Hannah just looked at each other confused. Trekiva and Asuda had a vague idea from the search that was done on Kyoya before the partnership of companies while the other three were a bit more clueless. Hannah decided to try and go through some of the memories that were solely Haruhi's to get a better understanding but came up short as the bead she was given had run its course.

"We will know if they arrive," Yorihisa stated. "For now, let us head in for some tea and a light meal."

Everyone nodded in agreement and followed the Haninozuka patriarch inside, including the familiars of the Magic users that were now a smaller size.

Might as well try to get as comfortable as possible, Haruhi thought. Knowing Tamaki-senpai, we are all going to have a headache.

A/N: Little bites of information

Language translations: The language this is in is called Basque. I think it is something like traditional Spanish from Spain...not sure though.

Izango duzu, bai, atsegin handiz itxi gora? = Will you kindly both shut up?

Duzu zure nazio ezberdintasun erlijioso aurre egin ahal izateko. Mesedez ardatz. = You can deal with your nation's religious differences later. Please focus.

Barka Lady Michiko maitea. Zure etxea iraintzea ez ekarri dut. = Forgive me Lady Michiko. I meant no insult to your house.

I am Fernando Antiago. Nire ohorea zu ezagutu da. = I am Fernando Antiago. It's my honor to meet you.

Spell translations:

አቀዘቀዘ = Freeze ( āk'ezek'eze )