Disclaimer: I do not own the Diabolik lovers storyline or the boys. do own the OC(Original Character) and do not want her to be used by anyone, anywhere else.


Shuu rushed through the woods, his keen senses already picking up the sounds and smells from the village. Letting him know that even though the sun was barely halfway sunk on the horizon, that the Harvest festivities were already in swing. And leaving earlier had been a chore with his brothers all watching and questioning him. But then again, he flexed her powers and abilities, making them back off and earning several hisses and dark glares. Even Cordelia was not happy with what he was doing, screeching that it was setting a bad example for his younger brothers. But he had earned his right, doing everything his mother had asked of him.

Frowning and shaking his head to get rid of the memories of the last week, Shuu finally broke the edge of the forest. The village was lit up; people were moving about wearing clothes that were a bit brighter than usual. Pausing to watch them for but a few moments, Shuu finally made his way to the edge of the village, to the small barn that he knew belonged to Edgar. Who was waiting in the shadows of the building, delight in his eyes as his impatience showed on his face? It was rather comical to see.

"What took you so long?" Edgar snapped.

Raising an eyebrow, Shuu muttered about family matters. Which had his friend pulling a disgusted face? Not too concerned about what Edgar thought, he let his blue eyes rove around, looking for someone in particular. Not spotting them, he narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

"She was taken by the Gypsies earlier. It is a tradition. All girls of a certain age that are unwed or betrothed are taken to perform with the Gypsies," Edgar supplied, a small smirk appearing on his face.

Curious now, Shuu looked at his friend, seeing it morph into something that clearly said he was not happy about this. Shuu gave a non-committal grunt. Causing Edgar to sigh as he began to walk towards where it seemed a large bonfire would be set ablaze soon.

"I can say that she is in no trouble. But the fact that while dressed as a boy, one of the elder Gypsies came and took her by the arm and said that no female would be left out. Rosa, she tried to deny the claim. But the quick look in the old hags face silenced it," he growled out. "And I had to watch Rosa being dragged off to get ready. I mean, I know that everyone was aware of Rosa being a girl, but this will only make it more... obvious, Shuu."

Not sure if he liked what he heard, Shuu gave a small nod of his head. He was aware of how Gypsies were. His father had servants who traded with them. They were humans that were not normal. He knew from having to read a tomb on them at one point when he was younger than they were spiritually gifted. And it varied from talent to talent. And that they were known to make pacts for power with other creatures from the demon realm, to help strengthen the skills born into their family lines. Meaning he was at risk of being spotted, but a smart Gypsy would say not a single word.

The moment they reached the large open grassy field, the bonfire was burning. The flames danced high into the sky as it started to darken for the night. His gaze locked on it until Edgar tugged on his sleeve, drawing his attention to its base. Where there was a line of girls, all dressed in almost obnoxiously bright dresses lining up; he quickly noted that each girl wore colors, though bright, complimented their natural skin, hair, and eye colors. It was near the middle of the second line of girls he spotted ahead of blood-red hair that looked like it had a golden halo around it.

He was blinking his eyes, before bringing his hands up to rub at them. Because he couldn't believe what he was seeing, Shuu looked at Edgar, who had his mouth drawn into a thin, tight line and was not happy. Seeing that he was and was not looking at their friend, Shuu followed where his eyes kept darting too. And he also felt the shock at seeing her fade away. Several of the other village boys and some of the male gypsies were looking at her. She stood out, like a rare flower amongst the field of other flowers.

Her pale, sun-kissed skin glowed from the fire, just like her hair, giving it a deep blush hue. While her red hair was unbound and handing in waves down her back. The dress she wore had the shoulder's cut out to give the illusion that the sleeves were not attached. And the dress was done in layers of what seemed to be the sheer fabric in greens, browns, reds, oranges, and white. In her hair was a wreath of twigs that had a few bright yellows, orange, red leaves stuck to them — holding back that thick mass that was always worn in a braid.

What had him was the bodice of the dress was form-fitting, leaving next to nothing to the imagination of how well endowed she was. Which was garnering the attention of the other males? Not wanting to draw the eyes of the Gypsies as he kept his aura smothered, Shuu fought back a low growl that wanted to tear its way from his throat. Only to hear Edgar doing it, earning several dark looks and a few sneers. Though he noted that people were looking at him as well, a strange face in the crowd, it could be attributed that he had snuck in with the Gypsies.

Soon a low thrumming beat reverberated through the night air. And movement drew his gaze back to the bonfire where the girls spread out in a circle around the base of the fire. Their bodies were shifting and swaying in time to the beat, which was gradually picking up the pace. The way they lifted their legs in kicks as they twirled exposed their feet and calves. Revealing that none of them wore shoes. So Shuu got a rather enticing view that made him glad that he had gorged himself when he had been offered a human to feed on yesterday because the last thing he needed was to be hungry and attack any of them.

When the sound of flutes, a few different stringed instruments mixed in with the drums. The dance changed, and it dawned on him what was being told without words. They were dancing the change of seasons. From Spring into summer, then into fall and finally it slowed and the girls hit their knees, bodies still swaying side to side as they slowed, before bending forward, laying their bodies to the best of their abilities on the ground, indicating Winter. It showed the cycle of life. And he could feel the magic it stirred.

Though he was more focused on one particular dancer, as was Edgar by the low whistle, he gave at points when she was in front of where they were standing. Her movements graceful, in time with the others, as if she had done this her whole life. Born into the feel of it. And the way she smiled, happy, free of all worries and pain as she danced. It left him with a new appreciation for the girl. But he couldn't forget that he knew she was more than a landholder's daughter because he knew that Nobles would never partake of this type of festivity.

"Shuu... you... did you... Rosa was..." Edgar mumbled to him, drawing him from his thoughts.

"I agree. But the fact that those clothes reveal what Rosa tries to hide is going to be a problem, Edgar," he stated, his voice low as his eyes landed on the younger, unattached human males.

The hiss of air between teeth was all he got from Edgar, who didn't want to even think about it. Soon a call was made, and they watched as the girls got up and walked out of the light provided by the bonfire. Ready to follow, he was stopped by Edgar, who just shook his head at him to not follow. Knowing what was being implied, he felt impatient now.


More than thirty minutes had passed since the girls had left. And over half had come back to join the partying that was going on. But still no Rosa. It was agitating him and Egar. Though he was able to mask it better, he had the urge to reach out and punch a few of the local boys. Their comments on Rosa were less than pleasant and had him feeling exceptionally protective. Edgar, though had outright challenged a few to a grappling match, which made the boys stop and move away.

Smiling darkly, Shuu looked at Edgar. A silent agreement to find her in that look. As one, they turned and shuffled towards where they saw the girls leave earlier. His nose quickly picked out Rosa's scent among all the others. He let Edgar do most of the leading, subtly directing him the direction her sweet sugar and vanilla scent came from and leading them to the Gypsy Camp altogether.

It was a bit unnerving that most of them stopped and looked at them, well him mainly, as if saying they were trespassing. And underneath that, he felt the slight hostility towards him. Meaning even while masking himself, they knew what he was, but probably not who. But he wasn't going to back down. Shuu knew that Gypsies would kidnap people who they thought would provide good breeding for their clans, or had talents. And he would not let Rosa go with them if that was the case.

The group before them parted and revealed the center of their wagon based camp. Where an ancient-looking woman was pouring something over Rosa, who was on her knees, back bowed and staring up at the sky. And he could see her eyes were glazed over as tears streamed down her face before she jerked upright with a loud gasp. The feel of magic rolling off the older woman and Rosa, telling him that something had been performed.

Reaching out, Shuu placed a hand on Edgar's shoulder. Knowing it would be dangerous for either of them to head to their friend right now. He couldn't see Rosa's face, but her body was shaking as she got up and stood before the woman. The way she lifted her hands and brought them to chest let him know she was reaching for the pendant she always kept tucked away. Her head shaking as her body went rigid, defiant to the older woman. Who Shuu noted was looking down at their friend in shock, before throwing her head back and laughing in a cheery, bright voice.

"You girl are a stubborn one. But it is your choice. Now go, you have friends who await you with many worries," came her voice, sounding so much younger than it should.

When Rosa turned to look at them, eyes wide, he felt Edgar relax next to him. But he could tell that her eyes were glassy looking as she smiled at them. Something had happened. Something changed in their friend. He knew it was important. That it would affect the dynamics of their friendship, and it had him wary and on guard. He would wait and see what had happened because if that woman did something to make Rosa turn on either of them, he'd hunt her down and kill her. Lifting his gaze back up to the older woman, he met her milky white eyes, seeing her face a blank mask as she met his gaze with one of her own.

The power in that gaze has sweat forming at the nape of his neck. His instincts were telling him that he was no match for her. That she was an older, more dangerous predator than him currently.

"Hey... Shuu...?"

At his name being softly spoken, he blinked his eyes and looked down to see Rosa looking at him worriedly. Her mismatched eyes no longer glassy looking. The tear tracks on her face dry and barely visible, though he could still smell them on her.

"I am fine. Just... you look so different... Are you able to change into normal clothes?" he asked.

A choked gasp from Edgar as Shuu saw Rosa's eyes narrow to thin slits. Thinking about what he said, he mentally cursed himself.

"It's not like that, Rosa! I promise! You... You look... really... uh," he said, only falter and look away from her.

The laughter from Edgar had the fine hairs on the back of his neck rising as he turned and looked at his friend before giving a 'light' tap on his arm, sending him stumbling away. The glare that he received before Edgar tried to tackle him had Shuu glad for the distraction.

"Shuu, you're an idiot. I don't wanna keep wearing this stupid frippery," Rosa said. "I don't like the idiots in the village and Gypsy camp staring at me like I am a piece of prized meat."

Her words halting Edgar as he swung at him, and while he was bringing his hands up to defend against the attack. Both were looking at Rosa, who was smiling her devilish smile at them.


The night had drawn to a close, Edgar had long fallen asleep. A mug of some sweet drink in one hand, the other a plate of food. Shuu had slunk to the shadows when his parents had come to collect him. The gentle looks on their faces, full of love for their son. It had a bit of jealousy rearing its ugly head in the pit of his stomach. Neither of his parents would ever be that way with him or his brothers.

It was the feel of a small calloused hand on his arm that had him looking away and into a mismatched pair of eyes. A knowing and understanding look being directed at him. Frowning, but not shrugging off Rosa's hand, Shuu just grunted.

"Hey, I noticed it earlier, Shuu. At the forest edge, someone was lingering in the shadows of the trees," she said.

This caught his attention, and he was off towards the tree at a fast human pace. He couldn't begin to fathom how one of his brothers had snuck out to follow him. Because he had no doubt that was who the person she saw was. Hearing from her behind him, Shuu mentally groaned, hoping it was not Reiji, Laito, or Ayato. Subaru was not an option, leaving Kanato. The bond they had formed had the boy always wanting to be near him when he could.

So, when the village was left behind, and the forest line came into view, Shuu opened up his senses and found the familiar aura of his brother — frowning as he made a beeline for Kanato, who was curled up at the base of a tree, hidden in the raised roots. However, he stirred as Shuu got closer, standing up and looking at him wide violet eyes, though they looked passed him to Rosa.

"What are you doing here? You should be at home! What you have done is very dangerous," he snapped at kanato, making his younger brother flinch back and curl up into a small ball around his teddy on the ground.

Guilt rushed through him, but he didn't care. Because Kanato, like his other triplets and Subaru, was still learning how to control their need to eat. Their hunger still controlled a lot of their actions, being so young. And the last thing he wanted was to put Edgar, Rosa, and the village in danger because of it.

"I... wanted... to see what... had you... sneaking out..." Kanato intoned quietly.

He heard the tears in his brother's voice before they glistened along his lower eyelid. Stepping forward and crouching down, still very angry, Shuu pulled Kanato to him, understanding what Kanato was not saying. With slow movements, he was stroking his brother's pale lavender-colored hair to calm him.

"Shuu... is he going to be okay?"

His body stiffening as well as Kanato's in his arms at Rosa's spoken query. There was no way to explain this off to Kanato how a human girl knew his name. Swallowing as he stood up, forcing Kanato to stand as well, Shuu turned and looked at his friend. Seeing genuine worry on her face as she dropped her gaze to his little brother, only for her face to soften as she smiled sweetly at Kanato, making him feel jealous again.

"Rosa, this is one of my younger brothers, Kanato. Kanato, this is Rosa," he said, holding Kanato a bit tighter in warning.

It was but a few seconds before he let Kanato go, watching as he stepped closer to Rosa. Looking up at her, though, the height difference was not that far apart. No more than three or four inches total. Noting that Kanato relaxed and was not tense anymore as his head tilted to the side as he studied her.

"You... smell...sweet. Like the sugar cookies that Shuu brought home a week ago," Kanato blurted out, making Shuu feel a bit light-headed.

The wide-eyed stare that Rosa gave Kanato, blinking owlishly before she threw her head back and laughed from her stomach. He was not sure what was so funny since he knew that humans didn't have that keen sense of smell and didn't like having how they smelled pointed out. But it was when she stopped laughing and pulled his brother into a hug, that Shuu had the urge to rip his brother from Rosa and growl threateningly at him.

"You are adorable. But I think you caused your big brother a bit of worry, young man," she said, her voice patient and gentle. "And I think you owe him an apology. It is his job as an elder brother to make sure you don't get harmed, Kanato, was it. Think about how he would feel if something had happened. There are wolves and other such dangerous things in this forest."

He was stunned. Rosa had played it off, taking it for the compliment it was, then admonishing his brother for his indiscretion. Shuu didn't know what to think or even how to handle the whole thing. Rosa was redefining what he thought he knew about her. But her words held pain in them as she spoke about an older sibling's obligations, or a human siblings obligation. And Kanato just stood there in her embrace, unmoving and watching her with wide eyes, amazement shining in their depths as he soaked up the attention.

Of course, it was only making him more jealous of her solely focusing on Kanato. She was his friend. Someone he didn't want to share outside of Edgar. And again, it had Shuu wondering where these possessive and protective feelings were coming from. Shaking his head, he stepped forward and drew the two's gazes at him.

"We need to return home to Kanato. I may have received permission to come, but if it is found out that you are out here..." he said, letting his words trail off.

A small tremor racked through his petite frame as Kanato pulled himself from Rosa's arms and ran to him. Latching onto his arm, face buried in his body. Though he didn't miss the fact that Kanato was peeking back at Rosa, a faint blush on his face. Yeah, he had to have a long talk with him about not mentioning Rosa, because it would put her in danger.

At that thought, he glanced at his friend. Saw a dark look in her ordinarily bright eyes. It told him she had to talk to him about something. And it was important. Meaning he'd find out what the change was soon enough. His gut churned as something had his blood singing in his veins as she smiled and nodded her head at him. Though he smelt the worry threaded lightly through her natural scent, which was one thing he could agree with Kanato on, she smelled sweet like Sugar Cookies, though she looked like a human Rose.

With a mumbled goodnight, he turned and led Kanato back towards their home. The Castle just on the other side of the barrier. Already he was talking in hushed tones to Kanato about the situation and hoping that Kanato would be smart enough to say not a singular word.

TBC!