Chapter 4: Akane

The scent of blood filled my senses, the sense of a creeping chill began to cover my body as I watched the two last surviving members of my family run from the hellish world that we had been forced to live in for the last four years. While I knew, as I laid there that I would perish, the two last surviving people I loved would survive. I felt peace come over me as I stared up at the pure white ceiling and the light shined down upon me here, surrounded by the corpses of the rest of my family. Even if I died, I would leave this world – this hellish, nightmare of a world – knowing that Yuuichiro and Mika were finally free from this horrible place. My vision began to fall into collective darkness as I felt my breath starting to slow and my heart easing to a still while other Vampires started to check on the corpses around me and I would remain amongst them.

As my mind started to wander to the thoughts of what sort of afterlife awaited me I heard the clack of heels upon the marble and my attention was turned to the new presense before me. She was a beautiful young woman of around fifteen or so with long cherry-pink hair and startling ruby eyes. In her, there was grace, power, and a sense of comfort that sent an unnatural chill to my bones as I watched her and for once in these seemingly endless four years I thought that a Vampire was beautiful. This young woman before me was the Queen of the Vampires, her name was Krul Tepes and from what I had known: she loathed humanity with a zealous passion.

My gaze remained on her as the sudden sound of laughter rang in my ears as the acerbic, vile, disgusting beast known as Ferid Bathory sat up and began to speak with her. My gaze remained wide as she engaged into an argument which he dubbed a lover's spat – how it was though, I doubt I would ever understand – he said these words as he stated that he loved her; however, I sensed resentment in her form as she looked to him and sighed before frowning as she cast me a glance and narrowed her eyes before they softened and for a moment I thought I saw something I wasn't aware a Vampire could feel: sorrow. Her expression read her regret and sorrow for me as I watched while her gaze turned back to Ferid.

"This is a joke, right Lord Ferid?" she inquired as she kept her gaze on him and he laughed.

"Here I am with a gunshot wound to the head and you think I'm joking? How cold of you my Queen." She frowned.

"No, I asked if you were joking because of the fact that you were clearly trounced by two twelve year old boys…..even though you killed these children and then had the effrontery to let my two Seraphims escape vexes me to no extent!" she snapped as he stood with a sigh.

"Are you dabbling in the dark arts and messing with the bloodline of the Seraphims again, my Queen?" the young woman hissed, bearing her fangs as I found myself coughing up a bit more blood.

"And if I am? Is that truthfully any of your concern? Vile snake?" she probed with a glare.

"Haha~ I know that I cannot defeat you, but what will you do now? Both your dearly beloved Seraphims are gone and it could take decades to find them now that they've escaped you….but…..there is a means to assist in your endeavor." He glanced to me and I tensed as the Queen turned her gaze to me before she once more gave me a piteous look.

"Her? Enlightening me as to how a dying girl can help me?" she questioned.

"Simple, my dear Queen. She seems to be rather precious to one of your Seraphs….having her under your control could prove to be quite a profitable move…" he stated this with a wave of his hand as I swallowed around the knot in my throat.

"Hmm…I noticed his scent on her – interesting. Seems one of my Seraphs gave you his first kiss little girl." She came to me and kneeled before looking into my eyes as I watched her.

"What will you do Krul?" the young woman huffed.

"I do not require your assistance any further Lord Bathory; so please, make yourself as scares as you can. Your presense and smile is as revolting as ever," she stated with a frown.

"Ah, very well. After all Krul, I do love you, my ravishing vixen." With that he left the atrium and the Queen who knelt beside me rolled her eyes before turning her gaze to me.

"Girl, I'm offering eternal life," she said. I swallowed my own blood.

"I….don't….want….it…." she sighed as she tilted my chin up and pressed her nail into my lip so my mouth would open. I knew I didn't have the energy to struggle and because of that, I only watched her.

"Unfortunately for you, there is no luxury in you dying here and now. I need you to live little girl."

My life as a human being ended that day, the same day that I lost everything. I question myself even now as to why Krul Tepes, the Queen of the Vampires decided to keep me alive. Why would she let me live? Why would I survive when the others hadn't? As the years rolled by, my mind gave me the answer to those questions and it left nothing but a bitter taste on my tongue and a sharp pain within my heart: they wanted Yuuichiro and Mikaela back. And I, was the key to that.

{Present Day: June 7th 2020, 9:35pm: Outer Area of Hiroshima}

Humans gathered into shelters along the streets while people in white uniforms with black detailing walked amongst them. These uniformed persons were Vampires from Sanguinem, sent by Queen Krul Tepes to gather up the humans and provide shelter in return for blood. Standing off to the side, was a person with the hood of their cloak up while their arms remained folded across their chest; this figure, was sixteen-year-old Hyakuya Akane. Her hair had grown well past her shoulders and down to her waist; however, it was still done in a side-braid that spilled down her shoulder appealingly as her bangs framed her fair skinned face and expressive brown eyes.

She wore black thigh-high boots with black leggings under them and a white skirt with black detailing with a black button up shirt and white jacket. Her white cloak clasped with a golden buckle that had a crest upon it while at her side was a traditional Highland sword known as Bloodied Rose. With a sigh, her brown-eyes flickered around between the humans and the other Vampires as she pondered how much longer it would be until she was able to return to Sanguinem. Her white gloved hands tightened upon the sleeves of her jacket as she frowned and glanced down to the ground as her mind wandered.

Akane was bored despite her tasks outside of the city. For four years now, she had questioned about the day that her life had changed and why while she was given protection and aid from Queen Krul Tepes. As she considered these events her thoughts trailed into something she had been recently told and she closed her eyes. Ferid had told her news not even five days ago that sent a chill of excitement and fear through her: Mikaela and Yuuichiro were both alive. While this should have made her happy – and there was no question that it did – she deliberated now what knowing this meant. In her mind's eye, she saw the image of the last day that she had seen Mika and Yuu. They were both wounded, Mika had been barely clinging to life while Yuu – the same boy who always seemed so guarded around others – was in tears over the horrific events that had transpired.

A frown met her face as she looked down to her boot clad feet in dismay. So many things had changed in four years, and there was still much more that could come to change even more. Akane felt her eyes begin to burn as she considered the possibility that the two of them would despise her as she also thought of what they were doing and hoped above all else that they were safe, that their lives were good and that they had made new friends and had a family that could protect them. As she wiped her eyes slightly, her mind revived the words that Ferid had said to her.

"In case you're wondering about why I came to seek you personally: we found your dearest knight and your precious angel. I did tell you that no one can stay in hiding forever, and just as I feared….they're being manipulated by those treacherous humans….especially that sweet angel of yours…."

A sharp glower appeared upon her features as anger filled her. Every fiber of her being despised Ferid Bathory with a passion; however, the way that he referred to Mika as a Knight and to Yuu as her angel set her teeth on edge in a bad way. It was true that as the three oldest of the eight of them, they had to always stand up for the younger ones, but it had always been Mikaela who shielded them and Yuuichiro who had kept their spirits up and fought for them. Akane had persisted after a year's worth of Ferid pestering her for him not to bother her until he had located the two boys or found out more details – which he had, naturally – but the information that she had been given had not been enough to make a move on. A huff left her as she thought of that detail once again: Akane despised how stagnant she was right then. Both Mikaela and Yuuichiro were somewhere out there – maybe not even far from her – and she wasn't capable to go to them.

"I miss you both so much…..Mika….Yuu….I wish I could see the two of you again…..I want to embrace you both and know that you're okay….I want to so badly that it hurts…"

"Hey, princess?!" she looked up to the idiotic fools she was forced to work with, Ferid's lackeys: Rene Simm and Lacus Welt.

"What?" she snapped.

"I was telling you that it's time to go…" she tisked and started walking towards them while Rene held out a yellow folder to her.

"Queen Krul said that I should give you this, something about it being important to you," he stated as she took it.

As she started to follow them she looked at the folder and decided to open it. The items within the folder were large photographs that piqued her interest further as she started to pull them out. The first image that greeted her was something she never expected to see: it was Mika. Her eyes grew wide as she looked at the picture of him while shock and astonishment filled her as she took in the details. Mika had grown into a handsome young man – his blonde hair was still the same tone it had been when they were younger, but it was a tad longer – his eyes were still the same sapphire blue and his fair skin was still present. A sigh of relief filled her when she noticed that he had both of his arms and appeared to be in good health.

He was on the roof top of a school in his uniform reading a text-book as a purple-haired girl made a gesture towards him as if to tell him something before she filled to the next picture and further relief came to her as she saw the other person she had hoped to see. In the midst of them arguing with the purple-haired girl, was Yuuichiro with an annoyed expression upon his face. She pulled out the next picture and she smiled as some of her fears were eased. Not only were he and Mika still safe and together but they had made a friend. A sense of peace overcame her for the time being as she looked at the next picture.

This one was of Yuu standing outside of the school waiting. Chocolate-brown eyes took in the image carefully memorizing the details there. He hadn't grown very tall, but he was still just as attractive as he had always been. He was still rather slender and small in build for his age and he had kept his silk-soft messy black-hair, his tan skin that she remembered was soft and warm like his touch, and his luminous, expressive, and striking, emerald eyes. Akane smiled at the image fondly as she realized that in these four years, not only Mika had grown into a fine looking young man. As she looked at the image though, Akane could also tell that he had grown stronger, and had changed a great deal. She placed her finger tips to her lips and felt hope swell in her chest.

"Can I see you again soon? Mikaela? Yuuichiro?" she muttered as she placed the images back into the folder and sealed it before holding it close to her chest.

For the first time in four years, hope, warmth, and joy spread through her instead of confusion, fear, and pain. Akane couldn't help but find the sensation of walking on air surrounding her as she thought on the prospect of finally being able to see her two brothers and put her arms around them again, to feel their warmth take in their scent, and hear their voices. As of that moment, Akane was positive that no matter who or what stepped in her way it wouldn't be capable of removing her from her jovial high – not even the creep Ferid Bathory and his stalkerish-molster vibe could make her feel that way – as for the time being though, Akane had to begin putting her plan into motion whilst keeping herself under detection. For now though, she would bask in the moment of hope whilst Rene and Lacus remained oblivious as she looked ahead with a skip and started back to the capital city of the Vampires with nothing short of joy thrumming through her veins.

{Sanguinem, Throne Room: 11:14pm}

Settled upon her throne with a rather dulled expression was the Third Progenitor, Queen Krul Tepes as she looked around her. The glamour of the inner palace was long since lost to her; because, after having lived for centuries, many things such as this had lacked the proper effect due to her having seen something similar at one point or another. However, one thing had never quite changed: she found that watching those she despised squirm and collecting beautiful, unique, and powerful things never did quite grow boring. Her mind wandered to her choice to change a certain brunette girl by the name of Hyakuya Akane into a Vampire four years ago and found herself smiling.

It was an added achievement she supposed if she thought of her long-term goal. The girl had proven to be quite useful since then and with her choosing to grant the girl photos of her two Seraphs as a bit of a reward on her progress and assistance from these years. As her mind continued to contemplate her planning someone entered the room and her slight smirk turned to a scowl as she turned her gaze to one silver-haired thorn in her side that she greatly wished would find the nearest available Curser and do her a favor by seeking his eternal rest as a pile of ashes upon the floor.

"Well, well look at you my Queen; as ravishingly gorgeous as always I see," he said with a smile. The young woman was not amused.

"And your smile and rapist demeanor is as revoltingly unappealing as usual." Her response came with a smirk; her feelings towards him bluntly stated as the man settled down in a chair before her with a smile.

"Oh, now is that any way to greet the man who loves you?" the Queen scoffed.

"The only thing you love is my power and the nearest tender throat to sink your fangs into, you impudent scoundrel." He shrugged.

"I don't deny that much; however, your earlier comment is quite condescending. But, enough about that, I was wondering if you could enlightening me as to why you seem so pleasantly happy today?" Ferid inquired.

"Because, if your brain is far too infinitesimal to contemplate it: the little princess has been jovially skipping through the corridors humming tunes. Which is because I suspect someone gave her photos of my Seraphs? Now who could do that? Lord Ferid?" she watched him smile.

"Well, she does deserve to be reunited with her long lost love," he stated with a coy tone.

"Oh? She wants to be reunited with Yuuichiro? Remind me again….when did the likes of you decided to become Cupid?" the man laughed.

"I have always been a connoisseur of love," he explained.

"The way I see it you are an insult to all cherubs you demented worm…." Krul sighed, knowing very well where this conversation was going.

"I am no worm….besides, that darling girl so desires to embrace him, feel his warmth, and spend eternity with him enraptured together!" the woman rolled her eyes.

"Your eccentric behavior is starting to make me feel like I'm watching a poorly done reenactment of Sweeny Todd," she muttered as she placed her hand to her forehead as her tolerance was reaching past the point of exasperation.

"I much prefer classical Shakespeare; however, I have come to make a suggestion….if you would like to hear it…." She frowned, internally debating on whether or not locating a few hellhounds – or a potentially irate Seraph or two – would be worth the trouble of killing this slimy oaf before her.

"On with it then," she said in frustration.

"You have long since desired the return of your two Seraphs, and sweet little Akane seems to still be harboring feelings for one of them. Therefore, why not….procreate the Seraph gene?" the young woman before him gave a thoughtful look at the statement.

"Ferid? Are you suggesting that I mate one of my Seraphs with a Vampire? Or a human?" Krul inquired.

"Whichever you believe could carry the gene best. However, breeding one or even both of them and procreating the genetic lineage will not only give you more Seraphs, but give us, the Vampires an edge. Also, if you were to successfully breed a Vampire with one of your Seraphs…the Progenitor Council may not need to know about you dabbling too much in forbidden arts." the Queen narrowed her eyes.

"Hold your tongue you putrid snake! Do not threaten me or I will grind your bones into dust! Am I clear?" she snarled.

"Oh-ho~ no need for such vulgar statements my beloved Queen. I am merely stating a point." She narrowed her eyes once more.

"You do have a point; however, who would be best for this? Consider the fact that both of my Seraphs are half human and no Vampire would dare mate with one of them." Ferid gave her the same sickening smile that he had since they had met a century ago.

"I recommend Akane for the job. So long as she has her angel she will probably proceed with our wishes," he stated.

"I will consider this….you may leave." He smiled once again.

"Very well, and I do hope that you can catch the angels, my sweet Krul," he said as he left. Krul frowned.

"Yes….definitely slimy…."

{Shibuya High School: June 8th 2020, 3:00pm}

Since beginning the Imperial Demon Army's academy the group of four people had become five and now were adapting further into their new lives. Mika, however, seemed to be channeling an apparent dead Shogun only because since his brother had been sick the blonde had been nothing short of menacing. Today, they were at the two brother's apartment with Shinoa assisting Yoichi as he started cooking something for them to eat while Mika was running some errands. The apartment wasn't large, but it was descent in size with a kitchen that lead into a living room, a bathroom, and two bedrooms that were about the same size.

Kimizuki had come with them, hoping to further help out and get used to the two brothers who were constantly nagging his mind.

The pink-haired teen was currently tending to the younger of the two as Shinoa made her rounds between the living room and the kitchen. Kimizuki, couldn't quite wrap his mind around what the two had discovered via Guren about the two Hyakuya brothers. What he had learned was that they had been the only two survivors of the Vampire Reign, that they had watched their family die at the hands of the blood-suckers, and that they had suffered and struggled for four years to get to where they were at this point in their lives. With a sigh as he looked at the boy who was lying on the sofa near him taking in rattling, shaky breaths as his eyes remained closed. Yoichi looked over to the place where Kimizuki was while he finished cooking and put some broth and rice into two bowls before taking them into the living room.

"Damn, and I thought that I had bad colds. You're breaking a record here Hyakuya," Kimizuki stated as he watched the boy.

"He needs to sit up and eat something or this fever's going to get worse…." Shinoa moved towards him and took the thermometer to check his temperature before looking to Yoichi.

"Just set it down on the coffee table okay?" Kimizuki frowned as he looked at boy while Shinoa took the thermometer away and checked the temperature reading.

"What's it say?" asked Yoichi.

"A hundred and three….it went up again…." There was a sigh from beside the others as they looked to see tired and dull looking emerald eyes glancing towards them.

"Yea….I know…." Shinoa smiled.

"Nice to see you coherent. Are you feeling okay?" she questioned. He shook his head.

"No….I feel like hell…" Kimizuki sighed.

"You better learn to get those powers under control then Hyakuya; otherwise it'll make you useless out on the battlefield," he stated.

"I'll just use it to my advantage…and you have permission to call me Yuu…." The boy gave him a long look.

"It's not polite to call someone by their first name if you aren't acquatances," Kimizuki said.

"When were we not? We have classes together and you're in my apartment…..so enough with the proper bullshit….besides, nobody really calls me by my surname." The boy gave him a small smile as Shinoa shook her head and placed a cold cloth on his forehead.

"Why am I not surprised? You never do anything half-way so why would you getting sick over some stupid Gift acting up change anything?" he laughed a bit before coughing.

"You've been tailing me and Mika for eight months….I thought you knew that by now…." Yoichi smiled.

"If you can talk then you can eat, come on, sit up," he said as the boy frowned.

"I think I'm fine….." Shinoa shook her head.

"Come on, Yoichi's right….besides, if you get any skinner you'll look like a street mouse caught in a rainstorm," she stated.

"Says the peanut gallery…" she frowned.

"Oh? Keep it up and you'll be wishing that you were still unconscious! Because I'm going to make this much more entertaining," she said wickedly. Tired green eyes glanced to her.

"Your bedside manor sucks Shinoa…." The girl huffed.

"Shinoa, be nice! Yuu is still sick," Yoichi scolded as she sighed and reached over to feel of the black-haired boy's pulse.

"Your heartrate is elevated…." Her mentioning was lost on the boy who snuggled into the comforter over him.

"Hmmm…" in a matter of seconds, the three of them realized that the black-haired boy had fallen asleep again. Shinoa smiled as she looked to him and momentarily took note that his breathing was steadier than earlier as she tucked the comforter over him better.

"Sound asleep. You know, he's a lot calmer than I thought….well…when he's not trying to be a smartass upstart," Kimizuki said. Yoichi nodded a bit as Shinoa sighed.

"He's actually a really nice guy if you attempt to get used to his blockade of excuses, the harsher side of his personality, and how fiery his attitude is." The purple-haired girl's statement had Yoichi thinking a bit.

"You know…..I've been in the same classes as him and Mika for as long as they've been at the school. Honestly, when I first met them Yuu scared me because of his presence but….I had always heard that despite their relation to the Lieutenant Colonel they weren't too bad once you got to know them….I had heard more good things about Mika than Yuu though. But I never tried to approach them for some reason until about a week ago," he said.

"Are you both telling me that either Hyakuya brother is a nice guy? Particularly Yuuichiro? He's a chibi with a death wish." Kimizuki received a frown.

"He isn't that short," she stated snippily.

"Well, defending your man's honor in his time of need; I'm impressed….I didn't know you loved him so much." The girl went red in the face.

"That is personal! Regardless of how I feel it is none of your business!" Kimizuki grinned at the notion before deciding to get a bit of revenge on the hellish dwarf.

"What? He's not interesting enough or something?" the girl puffed out her cheeks.

"No, it's just that I don't see him or Mika that way….I view them as…." The pink-haired teen rose an eyebrow.

"As what? Friends?" Shinoa looked to the black-haired boy and brushed his bangs from his face.

"I suppose so….and the more I watch the two of them, the more I realize how much stronger they are. You don't know anything about them Kimizuki and what you've seen and heard about is nothing compared to some of the things that Sayuri or Shinya have told me…" the pink-haired teen glanced down.

"I still don't know if I can put any stock in these two morons….they're…." the door opened with a click and they turned to see Mika entering the room before he shut the door and walked over to the counter of the kitchen and sat down a bag.

"So, where did you run off too?" Kimizuki asked.

"I went to get medicine for Yuu….his fever has me kind of worried so I got something for it from Guren." Shinoa looked to it.

"What is it?" the blonde smiled a bit.

"A natural remedy that he would give us when we got sick as kids." He pulled out a medium size bottle while grabbing a cup from the cabinet.

"Herbal? Why would he do that?" Shinoa asked.

"Despite what you think, Guren has a soft spot for us. He adopted us to keep us safe….he trained us and got us back to good health and even took care of Yuu when he was still too wild for others to handle him. Even though he drives us insane sometimes, we do care about him like a parent and he cares for us like we're his kids." Yoichi rose an eyebrow.

"Weren't the two of you from an orphanage before the virus broke out eight years ago?" the blonde nodded.

"Yea….both my parents died in a car crash and….Yuu's family was killed…." Mika started to stir the liquid into the cup.

"I read that your original names were Shindo Mikaela and Amane Yuuichiro. I guess you didn't keep your last name because you saw no point in it but what was the reason for Yuu not keeping his?"

"That's something you'd have to ask him. It's not my place to say, but if I had to guess….I would think that Yuu and I both had some of our gifts showing through before the world went down and because of that; people saw those talents as something wicked instead of how their viewed now," Mika stated.

"Gifts….that's what the Imperial Demon Army elected to call them; however, none of us are really certain about why or how humans started to display signs of having supernatural powers…." Shinoa sighed at Kimizuki's statement.

"Unfortunately, it still rather rare for someone to manifest their abilities; therefore, the Army doesn't waste time trying to experiment on them nor do they try to artificially create them," she said with a sigh.

"So, what does happen when someone shows up with an ability?" Yoichi's question caused the girl to smile.

"They cultivate the talent and train the person to use them in combat. Which, I assume is what Guren did with the two of you?" Shinoa explained as she looked to Mika.

"Yea….unlike most holders of these abilities; Yuu and I have three Gifts. One of ours is identical and two of them vary. From what we've learned it stems from a rare genetic trait we have." Yoichi frowned.

"But the two of you aren't related, right?" Mika shook his head.

"No, as far as I know we have no blood relation….um, Kimizuki? What's with the gloomy face?" he asked.

"I was wondering….have any of you heard of a Naturopath?" Mika paused in his actions momentarily before looking to the side as he thought.

"I think I've read a little on the people like that, but I've never seen one…." Shinoa nodded.

"That's because amongst all the different types of abilities, a Naturopathic is one of the rarest. From what the records indicated there is less than point one percent of the human populace with even a trace of that gift," she stated.

"How do you know so much?" the periwinkle-haired girl shrugged.

"I read quite a bit and I wanted to know more about the Gifts. That's why I know so much. But why were you wondering Kimizuki?" she inquired. He took in a deep breath before shrugging at the question.

"I was just wondering if anyone had ever seen one before or knew what their power looks like when it's being used. Since they're so uncommon, I suppose it's to be expected that no one knows." Mika glanced down.

"It feels like warmth, a gentle glowing light of a certain color depending on what the person's aura is, and it makes you feel safe and as if you'll never have to worry again…it's like being in the arms of an angel…." The three others gaped at the blonde.

"Mika….how would you know that?" asked Yoichi. The sixteen-year-old took a seat in a chair in the living room while setting the medicine on the coffee table for the boy to take when he woke up.

"When I was brought here four years ago alongside Yuu, I had been attacked by a Noble Vampire during our attempt to escape from Sanguinem. Yuu had a few broken bones and bruising but I wasn't as lucky…..I had been stupid and charged the Vampire…." Kimizuki stared at him.

"Why would you do that?" the blonde shook his head.

"If I had that kind of answer I would tell you. But, I was pierced clean through my abdomen and my left arm was severed. Yuu shot the Vampire in the head and that's what saved me from being killed. After a while of us lying in the snow outside, Guren took us in and cared for us….but when we arrived in Shibuya…..we were taken directly to the hospital for treatment…." Yoichi frowned.

"Then what happened?" the boy looked to them.

"I don't really remember much other than being in a lot of pain and asking for my brother….but when I woke up from the surgery to mend the wound in my abdomen and reattach my arm, Guren told me I was going to fully recover…." Shinoa nodded.

"That's good, but why do you think you know what a Naturopath is capable of?" the boy sighed as he leaned back in the chair.

"The one thing I did remember from my time of just being out of surgery was that someone had laid down next to me and held me close….the sensation wasn't painful but warm and comforting….then the glow came and when I woke up Yuu was lying next to me asleep as if nothing had ever happened. so, what I believe is that one of the hospital workers was a Naturopath or someone brought one in to help me heal quicker," he explained.

"That's impressive, but you didn't see anyone?" he shook his head.

"No one…." Shinoa giggled.

"Who knows, maybe you have a guardian angel watching over you two," she stated.

"Maybe…now, let's get Yuu up so I can give him this medicine…" the girl smirked.

"Okay~" Kimizuki frowned while Mika gave her a pointed look.

"Don't do anything cruel Shinoa, you better behave or I'll have Guren court martial you," he scolded.

"Alright, I'll be nice…"

{Sanguinem: Audience Chamber 7:00pm}

Akane stood before Queen Krul Tepes with anxiety in her system as the Vampire circled her as if she was some kind of strange object. The young pink-haired woman smiled again as she stopped in front of her once more while thinking of the words that Ferid had stated to her several hours prior. Krul wasn't overly fond of the silver-haired sociopath; however, his ramblings and planning did give her opportunity to put her own plans into motion. It would still take quite a bit of time and preparation on her part, but the end results would be fairly gratifying if they were given to chance to prosper correctly. Akane's brown eyes looked into Krul's ruby ones and the Queen of the Vampires smiled.

"How was your outing Akane?" she asked calmly.

"It was entertaining, I suppose. However, I did receive your folder….I wanted to let you know that I appreciate the photos." The girl felt a bit of warmth come to her cheeks and Krul smiled.

"Oh, I'm happy to hear that you liked them. I know how precious they are to you…those two are quite special; however….you are quite smitten with one of them aren't you?" Krul inquired as she took a seat on her throne.

"I…um…." Akane felt the blush return with fervor and at a much darker tone.

"The one you like is….Yuuichiro, correct? He has become quite a handsome young man hasn't he?" she asked as the girl flushed darker.

"Um….how did you know that I…." Krul waved her hand.

"I've always suspected that you had some affections towards him. You did give him your first kiss after all. But that isn't why I wanted you here Akane," Krul said as she looked her over once more.

"Is something wrong?" the Queen shook her head.

"Nothing, Ferid just had an interesting idea that could reunite you with Yuuichiro and Mikaela," she explained. Akane felt her heart rate increase.

"What did he come up with?" the pink-haired Vampire smiled as she crossed one leg over the other.

"We are in the process of preparing to take Shinjuku back from those pestilent swine known as the Japanese Imperial Demon Army. His idea is that we should bring Yuuichiro and Mikaela back here; however, due to Yuuichiro's rare genetic heritage…..he thought of perhaps….creating a bloodline from his heritage….and proposed for you to be his bride," Krul told her.

"Ferid wants me and Yuu to have a family?" the Queen nodded.

"The two of you could be together forever and live here in Sanguinem. It does sound rather nice doesn't it?" she said.

"That does sound nice….I would like for something akin to that to happen…." Akane admitted this; however, a knot had formed in the pit of her stomach.

"Still, I don't put a grand deal of stock in Ferid Bathory's schemes. But, I know how much Yuuichiro and Mikaela mean to you….so, convince them to stay with you and then, the three of you can be a family again," she explained.

"I see….that would be nice….it sounds good." Krul nodded.

"Then your mission is simple: when we invade Shinjuku, find Hyakuya Mikaela and Hyakuya Yuuichiro and under no circumstances are you to leave them. Do not return to the city unless both of them are with you…." Akane rose an eyebrow.

"Queen Krul, what do you…." The Vampire came to her and reached out to grab her face before staring into her eyes.

"Listen to me Akane, do not leave Hyakuya Mikaela and Hyakuya Yuuichiro and do not return to the city without them." Brown-eyes grew wide.

"I understand my Queen…" her heart leaped into her throat as Krul nodded.

"Good, now, you've had an awfully long day. Go and get some rest, you must be tired," she said.

"Y-Yes! Thank you. Have a good evening."

Akane remained calm as she returned to her room and kept up her calm demeanor until she was safely behind her closed door. It was then that she felt a shutter leave her. Krul knew something was going on with her personally and for a moment she began to wonder if perhaps she had started to gain an idea of what Akane was personally planning for Shinjuku. The brunette took in a shaking breath before she removed her cloak and jacket before she tossed it to the side and upon her bed as she removed her sword and placed it in a holster near the door of her room. The girl took in another breath as she undid her hair from its long braid and shook her hair out before closing her eyes.

Everything was riding on the next move she made. It would define whether or not her existence would always be what it was now and the notion caused her to grit her teeth. Krul had a plan of her own; however, Akane couldn't be certain on whether or not it was what it appeared as or not. A tremor went through her as she opened her eyes and looked into the mirror – contrary to popular belief, Vampires did have reflections: but she detested what she saw there.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she turned away from the mirror and looked to the window nearby. She loathed her existence, and for many years the only thing that kept her going was the hope that she would see her family again; yet it was slowly becoming too much. The pain from drinking only Krul's blood, the self-loathing for becoming what she knew Mika and Yuu both despised and feared, and her own fear of her plans being discovered before she had the chance to use what she had found to help those she loved. Akane took in a deep breath and pressed her forehead against the cool glass before looking at the garden of the palace in thought.

"I promise….Yuu….Mika….I'm going to help you, I'm going to stop these monsters….I don't give a damn what I am or if this kills me or whose side I have to be on to make this work: I won't let them use us….I'll do whatever it takes…."

{…..}

If you just say the word, I'll be there by your side…

{….}

Author's Note: Whew, Akane's chapter has always been the hardest one to balance out, but I think it turned out fairly well. The question now is: what on earth is Krul planning?

Akane of course has her own plans for Shinjuku, but what is Krul's seemingly long-term plan? And what does it ultimately amount to? Well, you'll just have to keep reading: won't you?

I hope everyone is enjoying the story, but if you have any questions please feel free to PM me so I can get back to you in an orderly fashion. If not, just wait and find out.

Preview:

Chapter 5: The Black Demons