(A/n: Please enjoy)


Chapter 39: Storm Clouds

It is quiet inside Henrietta's office, dinner is about to end very soon. Even though the room is quite small compared to the Principal's and Luther's own offices, which are all located along the same hall, it's size didn't stop Henrietta from decorating it as if it was her bedroom. There's more black than purple, white, and dark blue, thus resulted in it being named 'The Cave' by the students that were sent or have been in her office once before. The woman is sat behind her desk, occupying her time on Damien's phone while the three siblings are sitting on a two cushion purple sofa close to the left side wall.

Covering up a yawn, the red haired girl looks over at Henrietta, surprised to see what's in her hands. "When did you start liking smartphones?"

Henrietta stops what she's doing. "Smartphone?" Quirking a questioning eyebrow, she raises the rectangular device for the girl to see. "That's what you kids are calling these things now?"

The girl smiles, her boredom gradually beginning to disappear. "There's a difference between a cell phone and smartphone. People nowadays are using smartphones, because of a lot of reasons."

"Let me guess one of them, cuz of the apps?" Henrietta assumes.

"Yep." The girl reaches into her jackets pocket, pulling out her own phone with a red and black case on it. "I have one too."

Henrietta shakes her head playfully. "Of course you would have one. What about Ed and Yuna?"

The two shake their head. "I tried teaching them how to use one before, but it felt like I was teaching old people. They don't even know how to turn it on!"

Edward and Yuna pout, the girl's cheeks a faint pink. "Hey I do know how to turn it on, all you do is a press on a button on it's side," Edward says, defending himself.

"Yeah, but there's two buttons see," the redhead smiles comically, showing her little brother the side of her smartphone where there are two thin gaps in her phone case. One of them is slightly longer than the other. The boy deepens his pout, earning a giggle from both his sisters.

Faint, muffled voices erupt within the halls all of a sudden, a small smile forms on Henrietta's lips. "Leon should be on his way." The three children smile at each other, excited to see their eldest and sane brother again after so long.

Much to their satisfaction, they didn't have to wait no more than a minute, the young trio rising onto their feet when someone knocks on the door. Henrietta tells them that it's unlocked. The door pushes forward, peeking in first is a few strands of curly apricot colored hair. But before the man can fully enter the room, multiple footsteps as well as giddy filled voices shouting, "Leon!" quickly approach him, forcing him to hurry and open the door all the way to embrace his siblings.

"Rosa, Ed, Yuna!" Leon beams, hugging them tightly.

"We missed you so much," Yuna says softly, relaxing into Leon's strong yet comforting hold.

Regret shows in Leon's smile. "Me too." He forces the feeling away before pulling back. "But it's great seeing you guys again, Ed's just about the same height as you two now." Edward giggles with light pink coloring his cheeks.

"This is why you need a phone," Rosa says, waving her smartphone not too close to Leon's face. "You hardly ever call cuz you always have to use the school phone. Even Aunt Henrietta has one, and she hated them before."

"This actually belongs to someone," Henrietta admits. "I'm just borrowing it for awhile."

Leon raises a curious eyebrow. "What made you give in and try 'em out?"

"Boredom." The kids and Leon laugh, he should've expected that answer.

Someone groans unceremoniously, sounding really close to the door from out in the hallway. Leon had almost forgot they were out there, he steps out of the doorway.

"You guys can come in."

Sauntering in is the second oldest with two unfamiliar boys trailing behind his tall frame, his face utterly blank of emotion and his hands stuffed casually in his pants pockets. The atmosphere around them immediately darkens, and no one says a word for a few moments. Rosa glares into Craig's dull amber eyes, nothing but intense hatred in her blue orbs.

Leon sighs, then frowns deeply. "Look I know what you three are thinking, but Craig is still family. I couldn't just exclude him."

"Yes the hell you could've!" Rosa exclaims angrily. "He fucking killed our parents remember?! How is he still considered family?!"

"Wanna join them?" Craig offers coldly with a smirk.

Rosa grits her teeth, almost crushing her phone as she balls her hands into fists. "Rosa don't!" Yuna panics, her and Edward hold her back from attacking the noirette. "I know you're upset, but please calm down." Upset is a huge understatement, Rosa is pissed.

"No fighting in my office," Henrietta warns them flatly, her attention to the small screen in her hands. She presses her lips into a quivering tight line at the message she receives from Christophe, bullying him is so much fun and even more funnier through texts.

"I want you all to live happy lives for my sake, I want neither of you to hold no grudge against Craig," Leon recites with a sad smile. "Remember? We promised mom, didn't we?"

Rosa, Edward, and Yuna appear immensely saddened at their mother's departing words, while Craig remains inexpressive. On the outside. Rosa relaxes with a tsk, then she is let go. She directs her scowl to the boys behind Craig. "Who the hell are they?"

Before either can say anything, Craig says, "None of your business." He looks to Leon. "Can I go now?"

The man sighs again. "Sure go ahead."

He walks out mumbling about how this was a complete waste of his time, the sky blue eyed blonde shoots them an apologetic smile as he closes the door.

As soon as they're gone, Rosa lets out a shrill of anger, startling Yuna and Edward. "What a fucking asshole! He is the worst!" She marches and plops down on the sofa, pocketing her phone then burying her face into the palms of her hands. Yuna and Edward are hesitant to comfort her, whenever she's angry she much prefers to be left alone.

"Guess he didn't wanna see us after all..." Edward mutters with a crestfallen smile.

"I actually wanted us to sort this hatred towards each other out, but Craig wouldn't have came if his 'friends' didn't tag along with him," Leon explains woefully.

"I'll stop hating that bastard once he's dead," Rosa seethes.

The venom in her muffled voice unsettles Leon. "The fact that you actually meant that worries me."

"Yeah! Because he killed our parents for no Goddamn reason!" Rosa shouts, face out of her hands, her eyes glossy. "There's no way any of us should ever forgive that murderer." She clamps her teeth together to keep herself from crying out, the tears slowly trailing down her cheeks. Yuna gathers up the courage to comfort her, relieved that she isn't pushed away.

"Just how did he turn out like this?" Yuna wonders sadly, voicing Rosa's and Edward's exact thoughts.

A short flashback of a young and irate Craig taking their mother and father's life flashes through Leon's mind. "Just what was his real motive for killing them? I'll try to get the answer outta him tonight." He shakes the thought away. "I wish I knew, but even if I did..it's too late now." Giving Henrietta a sheepish look, he scratches the back of his head. "Sorry Henrietta, for..you know..." He trails off.

She waves him off, shutting off the phone and getting up. She walks out from behind her desk. "It's fine, hopefully one day you all will be a family again."

"Yeah," Leon sighs dejectedly. "I hope so too."

"I wanna go home now," Rosa declares tiredly. With help from her sister, although she didn't need it, they both stand from the divan.

Henrietta nears and opens the door, allowing the Edgewood kids to exit first. "Micheal and Mr. Valentine should be done or close to finishing, let Mr. Valentine know you're ready to go just in case." She closes the door, and they begin making their way back to the ground floor.

Although dinner ended minutes ago, students and a few teachers still linger in the halls. Walking up to the group is a very annoyed Christophe, a nearly finished cigarette in his mouth.

"We'll continue on," Leon says lowly to Henrietta, his lips forming into a small amused grin.

Paying no mind to Leon and his siblings passing by him, Christophe stops in front of Henrietta and holds out his hand. "Give me zhe damn phone."

"Why didn't Damien come and get it himself?"

"Cuz 'e's a fucking idiot for lending it to you in zhe first place, now 'and it over."

Henrietta rolls her eyes, that didn't answer her question. "Fine," she practically slams the smartphone down on Christophe's palm, causing him to intensify his glare. "Only cuz I've bullied you enough, and I'm tired. You should be thankful." She smirks.

Christophe's glare stays firm. "Hmph, you wish." He teleports back to his and Damien's room.

Well that saved her the trouble of returning the device to it's original owner. Henrietta walks back to her office, remembering that she needs to lock the door before heading to her room. She can't wait to sleep.

Upon reaching the foyer, the quartet spot Micheal and Vincent seemingly conversing with a male teacher. Though as they get closer, the teacher turns out to be Kurai, and the atmosphere around the three is not very pleasant.

Leon frowns confusedly as they come to a stop. "What's goin' on?" He asks, eying Kurai and Vincent.

The expressionless Vincent soon develops an untroubled smile on his face as he turns his attention away from a scowling Kurai. "Nothing to concern yourself with." Once he notices Rosa's weary and tear-stained face, his eyebrows slowly knit together in surfacing anger. "Rather I'm the one who should be doing the questioning. Who made my little rose cry?"

"Don't worry, I plan to get that bastard back somehow," Rosa vows, greatly worrying Leon, Edward, and Yuna. Craig doesn't deserve to experience happiness, no one nor nothing should ever provide that heartless monster with any sense of bliss. Witnessing the noirette appearing to be enjoying his time with the brunette and blonde going who knew where in the opposite hallway did not sit well with Rosa. She doesn't get how he can even think to be at ease after killing their own parents. "I wonder how he'll feel when he loses the two people he holds dear one day." She acquires a sinister glint in her eyes at the thought.

It takes a moment, but Vincent's posture loosens. He'll question her when they get home, if he has time that is. "Well let's go, it was nice seeing you again Leon. Sorry I can't stay longer and chat." The children near and stop in front of the double doors.

With a small smile, Leon shakes his head in understanding. "No worries, maybe next time you visit we can."

Vincent returns the smile, then joins the children by the doors and opens one of them. They walk out with the door leisurely shutting closed behind them.

"That man isn't to be trusted," Kurai says, still looking distrustful.

Leon looks puzzled. "Why do you say that?"

Micheal sighs. "He thinks Vincent's hiding something from us."

Leon blinks dubiously.

"Forgive me for saying this Principal, but you're an oblivious fool if you think otherwise." Kurai shakes his head in disappointment.

Micheal looks mildly offended. "Hey I've known the guy for over two decades now, so I would know if he's being secretive or not."

Kurai crosses his arms, clearly not believing him. "So you say, yet you didn't notice even when it was blatantly obvious just a few moments ago?"

Micheal stares at him blankly. "It was not, because he's not hiding anything. In fact, we actually managed to get some info outta the hunter thanks to him. And before you doubt and ask how, he used hypnosis. That ability of his has never let him down."

Kurai remains unconvinced. "Hypnosis huh? That makes me doubt him even more." "Have you ever thought that he could use that ability to deceive you? Like this for example, he could've had the hunter provide him with false information to give you, and since you said you weren't with them, it worked well enough for it to sound believable."

Micheal frowns in thought. Leon copies him, Kurai did have a point... "That is possible, but Vincent would never do something like that. Anyway tomorrow morning I'll make an announcement for an early evening meeting for the teachers and staff, I'll tell you all what Vincent told me."

Kurai forces a smile. "I look forward to the lies he told you then." He takes his leave by disappearing in a puff of black smoke, that gradually starts to fade away.

"I don't know about you, but I believe he hates Vincent, though I have no idea why," Micheal shrugs while shaking his head. Leon gives a forced laugh, getting the feeling that Kurai's supposed disliking towards Vincent is because he and Micheal have similar personalities.

The two bid each other good night, but Leon doesn't go to his room. He thinks back to what Rosa said before she and the others left. Just what did she have in mind? How was she going to exact revenge on Craig? And when? Wondering about those things puts Leon on edge, he presses his lip into a line.

"Don't do anything stupid Rosa." He just hopes that Ed and Yuna would be on time to stop her before she attempted whatever rash plan she cooked up.

With a worn-out sigh, Leon trudges to his room, no longer in the mood to pay Craig a visit. He'll question him some other day...


"This place again," Tweek thinks to himself, glancing around his surroundings. He's standing in the vividly expansive snowfield, this time there is no snow falling from the grey clouds in the sky. The still, peaceful silence is suddenly interrupted when Tweek releases a startled shriek, the cause being an all too familiar man dressed in nothing but black stood before him.

The mystery male chuckles. "Seems you needed some time to finally accept who you are, but you still need to work on being familiar with your extraordinary senses."

Tweek frowns resentfully, he had no choice but to accept that he's a vampire now whether he wanted to or not. "Are you ever gonna tell me who you are?" This is their third time meeting, yet he has no clue who this guy is nor his purpose for seeing him.

The man is silent for a brief second. "Hmm, you can refer to me as Shadow, as well as your guardian angel, because I've come to you with another warning and guidance along with it."

Tweek is momentarily at a loss for words. He feels far from being at ease, that's for sure. "What's your reason for helping me?" Then he remembers that this man knows Luke somehow. "Did..Luke put you up to this?"

"Oh no no, don't misunderstand. I'm doing this out of my own volition. Little Luke is merely indebted to me since I've helped him before in the past."

As more questions pointlessly start to arise, Tweek wonders if Kyle is aware of this person and his relationship with Luke. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to ask him. "Well, what is it you wanna tell me?"

"First let me ask you, did you happen to see an unfamiliar man earlier?"

Tweek doesn't need to rack his brain to remember seeing whom the dark individual was talking about. "Yeah, he had long hair and he was with the Principal and a teacher."

"That man is Vincent Valentine, he created Valentine Academy after the deaths of the owners of that building." Tweek is shocked after hearing that revelation. "He'd also taken in their children and is friends with the Principal, thus appointed him that role. However those aren't the most surprising things, that man is acquainted with the vampire hunter."

Tweek is still speechless, only composing himself to ask, "H-how do you know all that?"

He can't see it, but he gets the feeling that Shadow smiles at his query. "I have my ways." The way he said that creeps Tweek out. "You must be very cautious of Vincent, the Principal is seemingly unaware of his connection with the hunter, and it could very well end badly for everyone in that school."

Tweek begins to panic. "T-then should I tell him about them?"

Shadow shakes his head. "Unfortunately simply telling the Principal isn't going to be that easy, he wouldn't believe you without any evident proof. Which is why I've decided to help since this is a difficult situation." Nervousness bubbles up within Tweek's stomach. "Vincent plans to return to the school in the next three days, both he and the Principal are going to discuss the hunter's punishment, and you're going to pitch in an idea of your own-"

"Wait what?!" Tweek shouts, not liking where this was going one bit. "Why do I-"

"Because you're the only one I'm telling this to- oh and that reminds me. I have another warning, but this is for you specifically." Tweek's body goes taut at the cold, unseen stare from Shadow's abysmal hood, unable to look away. He knows he's absolutely serious when he says, "Do not tell anyone, especially Luke and Kyle, of our encounters. You haven't thought to do so until now since this is in fact our third time meeting, I would really hate for my next visit to be the final one, wouldn't want all that I'd done for you to be in vain. Understand?"

..Has he been reading Tweek's mind...? The teen manages to avert his eyes elsewhere, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat. "Y-yeah."

The ambience around them seems to brighten back to how it was originally. "Good. Now as I was saying, you're going to voice a very cruel form of punishment for the hunter, and from there...well things will run on auto-pilot."

How the hell is Tweek possibly going to come up with a way to torture the vampire hunter in the upcoming three days?! Why can't that just be handled by the adults? Instead of asking the bunch of questions he has concerning the issue, because they will sadly not get answered outright, he decides to question a particular word that caused him deep confusion. "..What do you mean by..auto-pilot?" He'll at least answer that he hopes.

"I mean you won't have to worry about further progression afterwards. I would say more, but I don't wanna spoil the surprise. Must have you focused on that day after all."

Tweek is even more skeptical and anxious than before. He can't get any form of help from Kyle or anybody else since he must keep whatever relation he has with the dark man a secret, Tweek truly doesn't like the fact that he's going to do this alone. That really terrifies him.

"B-but what if I can't think up anything?! I'm not insane enough to-"

"Tweek." Said blonde's body flinches with a start, the soft deep voice pulling him from out of his panicked rambling. His wide eyes gape at the snow. "I know you're extremely nervous about this, but don't worry. Remember, you were changed for a reason, and this task is one of those reasons. Everything will go smoothly, trust me."

Pressing his lips into a line, Tweek shakes his head, hugging himself with his head still held low. He can't find it in himself to trust this being, how can he when he doesn't know a single thing about him? It is impossible to trust someone who's so enigmatic.

Suddenly, something cold gently touches Tweek's chin, wincing at the contact. He feels his head being lifted followed by a rush of fear when he looks into the man's hood, his once invisible eyes are shining in a foreboding white. He places his other palm directly in Tweek's face.

"Get some rest, you need it."

With his body growing weak and his eyelids sliding close, darkness takes over Tweek's vision.


Further into the night, a sharp thunk belonging to a shishi-odoshi briefly disrupts the peaceful semi-quietude, the moon reflecting off of the ripples of a pond. The crickets proceed with their soothing chirping. Some fireflies let their presence be known by occasionally lighting up in random places within the garden. In one of the rooms inside of a traditional Japanese home, amber light diffuses though the shoji (A thick sliding panel) of the engawa (An outer corridor that wraps around a Japanese house). The shishi-odoshi makes another sound.

Vincent heaves an exhausted sigh, setting his quill pen inside an ink bottle on top of his desk. There is also a lamp sat at the upper corner, while burning incense is on a table with short legs in the middle of the room known as a chabudai. Three animal heads, one belonging to a bear and the other two golden-eyed wolves, are scattered up along the wall. He covers up a long yawn. Now that the Godforsaken paperwork is done, he can finally go to the comfort of his room and get some much needed sleep.

But the idea is going to have to wait a little bit longer for there is someone wanting see him. Why at this exact moment of all times?

After perceiving their identity, he now knows whom they are, and his rising annoyance plummets. "Come in." The shoji slowly slides open to one side, walking in closing it behind her is Rosa in her pajamas, and she doesn't look happy. "What's the matter?"

Her attention to her bare feet, Rosa's face contorts into a weak scowl. "Gotta lot on my mind." She looks up at Vincent, and frowns sheepishly. "I know you're tried, but..you don't mind listening, do you?"

Vincent tries to give her a smile void of weariness, but fails. Even so, he doesn't have the heart to decline. "Of course not, you didn't even need to ask. Come on." He stands up, going towards the shoji behind him. He pulls it apart and walks out onto the veranda, slipping his arms into his kimono wrap's sleeves as he sits down on the edge. Rosa joins him shortly after. Neither say a word, both basking in the tranquil midnight breeze and admiring the nightlife sounds along with it. Accustomed to the startling sound of the shishi-odoshi.

"This is the perfect atmosphere to vent out your frustrations, no?" Vincent says after a few passing seconds, his closed eyes looking up at the beautiful moon.

Rosa looks impassive as she stares ahead. "I..guess so." She then sighs, frowning once again. "It's just..not right. Craig should be suffering so he can realize that what he did was fucked up. But when we saw him that asshole hadn't changed at all, he's still a selfish, inconsiderate dick yet he somehow managed to make friends at that school! I bet he hid the fact that he's a murderer from them, otherwise I highly doubt they would..-wait..." A thought just occurs to her. "They were with him when I said that he killed our parents, so that means they finally know who he really is now." Just imagining Craig's only two friends abandoning him, and calling him names brings a smile to Rosa's pale face. However that isn't enough. "He needs to suffer more though, way more."

"What else do you have in mind?"

Rosa blinks, temporarily forgetting that Vincent is right beside her. She looks over at the man, feeling a sense of unease at his slightly smiling face that's still facing the moon. She looks back at the garden. "I-I'm not entirely sure yet, but when you go back to the school, can I come too? If his friends actually do distance themselves away from Craig, I wanna see and then make his life even more miserable." She smirks, already feeling giddy at the thought.

"After making you cry today, exact revenge on him in any way you wish," Vincent says.

Rosa nods, glad that he didn't object. "Oh umm can you keep this a secret from Yuna and Ed?" She asks, lightly biting her bottom lip. If those two knew about this, they would undoubtedly disapprove and try to change her mind.

Vincent turns his head to look at her. "My lips are sealed." He tightens his lips as he moves his forefinger and thumb over them. Smiling, Rosa then yawns out "Thanks". "Let's head back in, and gets some sleep," Vincent says, standing up. Rosa follows suit, then they both enter their home with Vincent shutting the shoji. But stops before closing it completely. He opens his eyes halfway, his lips growing into an eerie smile as he spares one last glance at the bright moon, that's oblivious to the dark mass of clouds creeping it's way from the distance. He then catches a glimpse of a silhouette with red pupil-less eyes in the shadows of the garden when he lowers his eyes upon sensing someone's sudden presence.

"We must talk."

His lips forming into a straight line as he holds back a groan, Vincent closes his eyes along with the shoji. "Meet me in my room." The figure eyes the house, vanishing once the amber glow from within is gone.

A storm is approaching.

(A/n: The words in italics:

Shishi-Odoshi- a water fountain in Japanese gardens, consisting of a segmented tube made out of bamboo pivoted to one side of it's balanced point. When filled with enough water, it tips down creating a piercing sound to scare away animals that will cause harm within the vicinity

Shoji (Full description)- a sliding panel made of translucent paper in a wooden frame used for both interior and exterior walls

I hope you enjoyed and the next chapter up soon)