Thank you for your patience, dear readers. First promised chapter is up; and a Happy Thanksgiving to all. I am grateful to have you all splendid readers in my life.

Now, let me ask you something in return.

I want you guys to think. Really think for a second. Think back on the initial page. Think back on the summary. Think back on the prologue. Do you see a connection there? Yes or no?

If yes, you'll find the answer to what awaits in future chapters.

If no, read again.

That's all I have to say.

Enjoy.

THE MOON THAT EMBRACES THE SUN

Chapter X

Teddy's Acrimony: Part II

Drawing the golden handle inward as the immaculately polished door came to a close before him, Kaname stood still for well over a minute - pensive - about all that had transpired in Hime's room, just moments earlier. Enclosed within the silent hall by the cast shadows of the mid-dusk breaching the windows behind him, his actinolite irises smoldered beneath their green shade like tormented hellfire; reflecting the chaos that bubbled within.

Releasing the handle in his grip, while the slightest of 'rattles' echoed within the chamber, Kaname ventured -with a heavy heart - onto the darkened hallway; guided by nothing else than the flickering glims upon the sconces overhead. By the time he realized that his walk had prolonged in length, and that he had blanked out for most of it, he was already standing amid the silent dormitories of the unmentioned East Wing.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" He whispered his frustration onto no one in particular, slamming his open hand onto the wall with restrained force, as he turned back just as instantly from the path he had strayed from.

He had known full well, from his earlier wandering, that this part of the manor belonged solely to the Sakamaki brothers; and, he hoped to get out of there as soon as possible before having to deal with another 'unwarranted' meeting with his bastard of a Father. Honestly, he didn't know how long he'd be able to hold up the pretense of withstanding that vexing vampire, if the case didn't go in his favor. Especially since Laito had proven himself to be a formidable nuisance.

A weary, heavy sigh escaped his lips at the prospect of encountering the olive-eyed vampire once more; and covering his eyes with a single hand, he thought back on a question he had - since - kept at bay.

'What's going to happen to us? Now that we're set to live within this antiquated manor,' he stared out at the stormy sky from the curtained window beside him, 'and alongside these six pure-blooded vampires?'

Would they be treated like the family they were meant to be?

'Not likely. They are brothers, and hate each others' guts with a fervency that surpasses that of an enemy. What are we to expect from them, but the same?'

Perhaps, housemates?

A dry scoff escaped his lips at the internal joke.

'We're more like pests they feel need to be eradicated.'

Looking out onto the pervading darkness before him, he felt the impotence within him rise once more, at the reminder that his age was the limit that incapacitated him beyond the maturity of his mind.

Why was it that people believed him blind to things, simply because he was young and inexperienced?

Youth was nothing, when the mind was full-grown.

And just because he was 12 years old didn't mean that he didn't understand what surrounded him. After all, from his granted perspective, he had come across the animosity that had grown between the dhampyres and their respective Fathers, since the start of their arrival; and most of it dealt with the pureblood's distorted memory of the woman - his Mother - that had supposedly 'abandoned' them without cause, or reason.

Now, whether or not those elusive emotions of theirs came across from some twisted form of unforgiving resentment toward her existence, or if it was all due to the Princes' own melancholic longing for the runaway bride they so-obviously missed - Kaname held little incentive to care.

It wasn't in his immediate disposal to care.

Not when his concern lied elsewhere.

And yet, a part of him did.

It was the part he least wanted to listen to, and the one that most screamed within him.

Yes, he had wanted to know the truth just as much as the next guy, but what was the use of finding out what had happened, when his reason constantly fought his faith?

His faith in his sister's own, toward the Father's they had just met.

His faith in his Mother's words, of the past she had shared, and the presumable love she had felt for each one of these brothers.

And even his own, that there was more to them than what he had gotten to know in a single glance.

But despite his fortified belief, there was also a standing reason, which prevented him from shaking away the feeling he had - of the mystery shrouding the past of the runaway bride with these six sadistic princes; which, to add salt to wound, apparently no one in their right minds had an answer to!

Not even the ones he knew were the cause of the bride's plight, to begin with!

'I can't let my guard down around them,' he decided, as he set again to walk down the path, 'We haven't come to terms with anything yet! Mother must have left for a reason. Otherwise, she wouldn't have abandoned the men she loved, while bearing their children! And if she left...if she truly left them out of her own volition, then it must be because of something they did to her. That being the case, there's no telling what they're capable of doing to us, especially if - when - they find out that Nee-san isn't...'

A heavy knot rose against his throat like a lump, constricting the words his thoughts had invoked. Rising, in its stead, something that Akumu had uttered shortly before leaving him and Hime to wonder where their own hearts lay in the matter of their sister's mortality.

"...the least I could do was give her more time."

Standing directly beneath the intersecting corners of the Central Manor with the Eastern Wing, Kaname felt his body root firmly against the carpeted ground. His blood pulsing in rapid beating to his heart, as he welcomed the hollowed emptiness of the diverged path.

Lost within scattered remnants of his thoughts, he gazed deeply at his hands, as if the answer he was searching for would be found within the tassels of his palms.

"Akumu..." he uttered his brother's name amid the emptied hall.

Despite all he had said about being aware of his surroundings, how could he have missed Akumu's nobility? It was evident since the moment his brother had stood against his Uncles, even against his own Father, to protect their Nee-san!

And he had inwardly known of it, with every fiber of his being, that Akumu's lie was said for none other than Regina's sake!

Because he also knew, that no one's love was more honest, and more devoted, than Akumu's when it came to the eldest daughter.

He had known that since Akumu first faced his Father to defend Regina.

Known that since they first moved in to live with Father Komori at the Church.

And, even known that, since the day his red-haired brother was born.

Still, how could he have blinded himself to none other than his brother's intentions?

'Why?'

Then, he remembered Reiji.

The man was an intellect. This meant that, by nature, he was a consistent observer. So how could it be possible that he'd put the observation on their powers to rest, simply because Akumu had made it sound reasonable enough that Regina may be a powerful dhampyr like them, to discontinue his questioning?

It wasn't as though they were dealing with just any child. It was the man's own daughter! A daughter, that had no yearn for blood, nor strength, nor speed, nor levitation, nor even immortality!

And because of this immediate acquisition - not just from the 2nd prince, but from all of them - something hadn't clicked well with him.

They weren't dealing with simple half-breeds! They were dealing with 5 gifted children, whose own powers could either go in favor of them, or against them at the slightest incentive. Meaning that - regardless of how harmless their inherent ability appeared to be to the outside world - including how conceivable they were to the mortal eye, the truth remained that they were nothing more than children.

Thus, incapable of gaining control of their own powers as soon as they awakened them, because there was too much that was left for them to grasp, too much that was left for them to learn; and given the circumstances of their orphaned upbringing, he highly doubted that the knowledge on how to control their powers, would be as easily accessible as searching in a public library.

Of course, this also brought to light a different reminder that, in having lived encased within a constantly secluded life, the proficiency of powers regarding their case, would also make things fairly difficult for them to adapt to as adults, if not - limit them.

Now, Kaname held no qualms that Father Komori's restraint on their freedom of openly experimenting the height of their prowess, was intended to avoid withstanding issues - apart from internal conflicts - with the same Church that both cared for them, and abnegated existences like theirs from the natural order of the world.

But...had that been a good thing?

'If we had properly learned about our powers, maybe we wouldn't be having this kind of issue right now.' His eyes roamed onto the sconces above; and Akumu's previous trick with the candles, came immediately to mind.

It wasn't unusual for them to restrain their abilities, but in doing so (especially when willingly summoned) often took a greater toll on their bodies than invoking it unconsciously.

So how much had Akumu practiced to be able to do what he did?

After all, in order for Hime to summon the glacial element she possessed, even if in small amounts, she had spent nearly 2 weeks in bed-rest with a full body frost bite that had almost consumed her, had not Regina been there in time to stop her. All because the idiot had felt that particular Summer to be too hot for her!

So, what of his brother? What had he suffered, and for what reason?

'I know the reason,' He heaved a sigh. 'But then, what about me?'

Thinking back on it, he had never truly pushed himself beyond his outward limits. Mainly because there was never a need to. His ability required more of a mental preparation, than a physical sustenance.

Besides, it wasn't as if anyone had ever been hurt from mind reading before.

But, now that he reasoned with his assessed gift, he could see that it was just as equally unpredictable and averse as Akumu's fire. So much so that he recalled, once, how he had tried to initiate the invocation of his mind-reading, while being in the safety of his quarters at the Monastery, only to end his 'practice sessions' in a string of consistently futile attempts.

Yet, when he didn't try to, especially in those times he didn't want to use it, the images of another person's life would appear within his mind's eye like a flash of lightning, and just as quick as a passing thought, fade back into nothing. Proving to him, time and time again, how unbalanced his dominion was.

Chastising himself, he slapped a hand against his forehead.

'I'm such a hypocrite," he thought; and no sooner did he think that, did self-recrimination open up the rising guilt within him.

And beneath that barely lit hall, Kaname could feel the remorse within him, in every sense he possessed.

Pounding strongly,

Indignantly,

Furiously, against his rib cage.

His hand, the one he had been staring at for the longest of times, had leaned out toward the soft candle glow overhead, watching as the light refracted off the reddened glass encasing the tiny flame, before its rays gleamed inconspicuously throughout the gap between his fingers.

He had intended to be unyielding in action.

To chastise his brother about thinking things through before acting upon them.

He had wanted him to see that, by throwing them all under the bus as he did, he had practically pushed them into shark infested waters; where their Fathers' harbored hatred resided.

And now, because of what was done, all of them - every single one of them - was expected to comply to the verbal warnings, or face a repercussion to the given banter - despite the nobility behind the second son's lie.

'Nevertheless...' He looked at his hand, once more.

The lingering sting of that mercilessly granted slap, had engraved itself onto the skin of his palm - pulsing - as a constant reminder of his inner torment; like the beating thrum of a wounded heart.

"Why did I slap him?" he wondered aloud, glancing up at the ceiling, before he rested the back of his head against the nearby wall. "Why did I do it?"

It wasn't easy for him to admit his mistake, but he knew he had screwed up.

Because Akumu may be many things; annoying, uncontrollable, hyperactive, rowdy, reckless...but he was his annoying, uncontrollable, hyperactive, rowdy, reckless little brother.

And despite all of his misgivings, when Akumu set his mind to do something, he proceeded forward without holding anything back. Much more fearlessly, and bullheadedly, than any one of the other siblings.

But the one thing he admired most of his brother, was that he tended to wear his heart on his sleeve - much unlike him.

So much unlike him.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, practically leaving behind two indented dots on his skin (from the sheer pressure behind his fingertips) Kaname's back slowly slid against the wall propping him up, until he finally sat against the carpeted ground.

Despite how calm his exterior personality appeared to be to others, especially when facing these kinds of stressful situations, he was no more than a crystal cup withholding large amounts of water. Likewise, he was ready to spill over, or worse - shatter.

He was well aware he had been holding back many emotions, particularly the negative ones, since they were first notified of the transfer from Church to Manor.

In not wanting to stand against Father Komori's decision - sudden, though it was - he had intended to silence his initial opposition to it. Plus, he hadn't wanted to be a killjoy on his siblings' excitement for the parents they had never known, so he said nothing on the matter; regardless of how much resentment lay hidden beneath the easy smile he gave, toward moving into the same house where the Father he had hoped - never in his life to meet - lived.

And it had worked.

At the very beginning, his anger was nothing more than a tinge - hardly a speck - obvious to all but the cause of his aggravation; as he was constantly reminded of Laito's presence in his life.

However, once things happened - as such they did - that irascible fury bubbling within him, made itself known as unbidden and relentless wrath. To this, he couldn't help but wonder how differently things would've been, had they remained at the Monastery with Father Komori.

Surely, he would've come to terms with meeting their Father's every other weekend of the month.

Maybe then he would've coped with the living arrangements.

At least that would have been easier to manage.

But that wasn't it.

No.

The problem here was that - without a way to vent that slowly rising anger of his - he had begun to unconsciously fuel it.

'I fanned the flames of my own pyre,' he thought, bitterly.

And when things continued the way they did, it was inevitable for him to one day end up releasing that anger without restraint.

Which he did.

Toward his own brother.

The sigh he released after the revelation, almost sounded like a choked sob.

When he had been with Regina, tending to her bruised neck; her touch, her words, her warmth, had managed - as always - to quell those high-strung emotions that seethed within him in silence, but burdening his Nee-san with his own problems was not in his nature. Especially when he knew of the sorrow she masked behind the smile she gave.

Which was why, by the time he realized the kind of volcano that resided within him, it had blown out of proportion; and far beyond his control.

'Of course I was outraged, just like everyone else, over Uncle Ayato's aggression against Nee-san!' He clenched his teeth as he thought of Akumu and Hime, 'Of course I was just as indignant as you all!'

But unlike his unbridled brother, who held no qualms in voicing his indignation to his Father, and his Uncles altogether; Kaname prided himself in knowing when to hold his tongue.

To think that doing so would be reason enough for Akumu to believe that he didn't-... to accuse him of not caring for Regina's well-being - of not loving her - all because he chose to remain silent?!

'Of course I love her! I've always loved her! More than any one of you would ever know!'

So how could he confuse his prudence for indifference?!

Slamming his closed fist against the wall beside him, hearing the hardened creak of antiquated stone rebound off the walls, the twelve-year old's eyes were hidden behind his messy bangs.

Akumu's words had cut deep through him, deeper than he would've thought, and had - no sooner than spoken - become the proverbial drop that spilled the cup, afterward.

By the time he realized it, he had already swung his hand out toward his brother's cheek, striking him on the spot, while the restrained emotions he had tried so hard to keep locked away, had poured the irascible truth from his lips as quickly as a broken dam.

"Nee-san..." he thought back on the eldest, of how she must have felt as Akumu claimed her to be just like the rest of them, before her reticent Father. Knowing, that it was all a lie to deceive the taciturn man.

Of course he wanted her happiness, above all else. That was why he had not gone against the move-in, despite every warning bell ringing off in his mind that this wasn't going to be a very pleasant reunion - for any of them.

But he had never seen her look so happy as she did, the day she told them all what Father Komori's decision had been. Hope had alighted her eyes in a way that made the morganite hue blossom like a rosebud in June. The smile she gave them was just as equally contagious as the happiness that brimmed from her heart, that for a moment - those same sirens in his mind - had been silenced by that unwavering faith that he deeply admired in her.

Even Father Komori had praised that about her.

He had called her 'the white lotus blossom that blooms in the murkiest waters.'

But to Kaname, she was more than that.

She was their guiding light.

The second brightest star in the sky, apart from their Mother.

Because if not for her - for her existence - God knows what would've become of them. Had she not been there for them with her nurturing kindness and immeasurable dedication to take on a position no one had asked her to, none of them would've been able to smile again, especially on so short a time after their Mother's passing.

Regina had done so much for them these past few years to fill in the loss of their Mother, that it had been so easy to forget that she too was orphaned like them.

Now that he thought about it, it was almost alarming on how well she had coped with becoming a mother-figure for five young children, her own siblings, while being his age at the time.

'Especially when she's nothing like us...'

Grabbing the side of his hair with a single hand in visible cafard, he remembered how Regina kept her composure, even while all others broke apart around her, standing alongside their Mother's deathbed.

She had just stood there, holding onto that angelic smile of hers, while she brushed the blonde strands of hair on the woman's head, while she lay sickly - and frail, extremely frail - on the bed; looking up at them all with the same gentleness in her gaze that time and time again reminded them how much they were loved, as the rest practically threw themselves on the ground in anguish and sorrow. Trying, with all their might, to understand and assimilate what was happening to their beautiful Mother.

They were simply children at the time, and too young to understand what loss meant.

But so was she.

And yet, she hadn't cried.

Instead, she had stayed by their Mother's bedside, watching over her, taking care of her, praying softly with her, memorizing every last word uttered from the woman's lips before the Angel of Death came one night, and took her from their side to reach the Lord's Gates in Heaven.

And though he had seen in her eyes the vulnerability of a frightened 12 year old girl that had, not only lost her beloved Mother, but also her best friend; not a single tear escaped her crystallized eyes, and not a single quiver dropped the heart-wrenching smile that remained plastered on her lips as she hummed the lullaby* that their Mother had reserved only for her, in their early infancy.

Once they were separated from her side, Regina had taken them all to her dormitory at the Convent where they could scream and cry and yell out their injustices upon heaven, upon God, and upon the world for taking away what they most cherished and loved; all while embracing them, and their pain, and reassuring them that everything would be alright.

That God had not abandoned them.

The rest of their lives leading to now, had been an attempt of five orphaned dhampyrs trying to find their place in this world, alongside a human sister who was all they had left of the Mother they lost too early in life.

Hot tears threatened to spill from his burning eyes, as he took a deep - and much needed breath.

"Now is not the time to think about that." He wiped his nose with his hand, "There's still the matter of covering for Nee-san's supposed 'power'".

On one hand, he considered this a good incentive (though he hardly gave credit to Akumu for thinking that far ahead) for the siblings to learn control. As dhampyrs, this could be beneficial for them to - not only learn the extent of their reach - but also be able to one day conceal it, properly, from the rest of the world.

On the other, it was also a very dangerous lie to uphold, should things not go as planned.

Because if one of them should fail to control their powers, especially when near Regina, and this was to be found out by Reiji, of all people, she would - sure as hell - be blamed for their inability to control the power they possessed.

And knowing Reiji's character would apply equally to his methods of punishment, it would surely be severe, even against his own daughter.

Frustration overcoming him at this, he hid his face against his knees, groaning in contempt of his own incompetence - once again - to do more than his age allowed.

"What should I do?" he whispered, "What should I do?"

But before he could usher an answer to his hushed question, a soft waft - laying undetected for a while - somehow reached his nose; and a perverse scent parched his throat with an unquenchable need that had him immediately stand, fangs at ready, and follow its source.

~S.O.V~

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?!" Subaru questioned, choleric over the fight that had prolonged for well over 30 minutes, with his half-brother.

"Nothing! But that doesn't mean you aren't to blame for it!" Kanato pointed, his eyes scowling angrily as he crossed his arms against his chest.

"Are you fucking serious?!"

"Of course, I am! You-! Wait a minute..." The mauve-haired vampire stopped as he looked behind him at the empty seat, where he was sure he had left his son, along with his niece, before this stupid fight broke out. "Where's Luka?"

"Ha?" Subaru furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Luka! He's gone!" Kanato threw every cushion in the seat, as if hoping his son would pop out from behind them. "Where is he? Luka! Luka!"

"Idiot, how the hell should I know-? Oi," The white-haired vampire stopped in his tracks as well, scanning around the area for the other missing child, "You lost her too?!"

"Huh?" Kanato stopped, staring at his brother as though bewildered by the mention of a second child, while he was so busy looking for his own, "Who?"

"Luna!"

"How the hell should I know?!"

"You bast-!"

"Never mind that," Kanato looked around, wondering where the two might've run off to, "Stop whining and start helping!"

'Tch!' Was Subaru's sole response as he worriedly searched for his daughter alongside his brother.

Terms Definitions

*Lullaby - "Nana de Mercedes" from Pan's Labyrinth