Chapter 23: Lost in the Flame

{Within the Western District: 10 Miles from Guren's Location}

Several things ran through the groups mind as the six of them considered the plan they had formed. For Mika, it made his stomach twist into a knot that would not settle despite his efforts. While he believed that Shinoa's plan was the best they could do considering the situation, he also couldn't help but feel his anxiety levels intensify when he considered all that could go wrong. His mind went to his brother once again, and he took in a deep breath wondering what would happen to the two of them in this fight, and also what might happen to the others during this time as they were heading into an unknown situation. It made him wonder though, would it happen again under extreme duress? Would they be able to stop either of them if something triggered what hid within them? Mika didn't know, and it quite honestly scared him; however, it was less for himself, and more so for his brother.

"The others don't know as much about me and Yuu as they think they do… and that's dangerous…"

"Mika? Are you alright?" sapphire-blue eyes glanced to lavender ones, seeing Mitsuba give him a concerned look.

"I was just thinking about something… its got me a bit on edge," he admitted as they continued moving.

"What is it?" the blonde glanced to the side.

"Something… happened to Yuu four years ago, and it was anything but good. When we were starting training and exposure to demons, Yuu ended up getting hurt, and so did I… and I'm honestly nervous about it happening again," he informed her as they snuck along the rubble, hiding from the Vampires as they drew closer to Guren's location.

"Why would you think it would happen again?" Mika glanced to her.

"Because what happened was due to extreme duress. Yuu doesn't remember, and I even have a scar from it that I'm careful not to show so that it doesn't trigger any memories," he admitted as Mitsuba looked down.

"He doesn't remember what happened? How is that possible?" the other blonde shook his head.

"I'm not sure, and… I'm honestly not sure what entirely happened that day, but its better if he doesn't remember until he needs to…" Mitsuba gave him a worried look.

"Until he needs to? What do you – "sapphire eyes locked onto her.

"Mitsuba? Can I ask a favor?" he probed as the girl gave him a somewhat confused expression.

"W-Well… what is it?" Mika took in a steadying breath.

"I need you to promise me that if something happens, and Yuu starts to act differently or something happens with him… that you'll stay out of the way, and not try and go to him if I do. I want you to let me handle it, please," he asked as the girl bit the inside of her cheek.

"Why? I mean… what if you need help?" the blonde sighed.

"If I do, I'll ask for it. However, I don't know what to expect with Yuu or even myself honestly… so please, promise me you won't try and help." Mitsuba took in a deep breath.

"I'm not sure why you're asking, but… okay, so long as you don't get yourself killed. I care about you and your brother Mika, so promise me that the two of you will be careful and not get yourselves killed," she asked as Mika gave her a small smile.

"Don't worry, we won't. But, regardless of what happens, I have to protect my brother… and don't look at me like that, you know how he can get, and he's the only family I have left, I'm not letting him get hurt, or the rest of you. Okay?" the girl sighed, nodding a bit as Mika placed a gentle hand on her head.

"I understand…"

Shinoa glanced back at the two blondes with a small smile as she noticed how gentle Mika was being, and had heard catches of their conversation while Yuu, Yoichi, and Kimizuki were keeping an eye out and acting as their frontal guard while they walked down a series of alleyways to avoid the masses of Vampires. It was nice to see a small relationship blossoming like it was between the two of them. Personally, she hoped that Mitsuba would admit that over the last couple of days, she had started to get a bit of a crush on Mika, and that she needed to give it a chance. Sighing, she thought about her own admittance of her feelings towards Yuuichiro, and how their dynamic had changed, and they'd grown closer in many ways since they'd started this relationship.

However, Shinoa also was able to admit that there were things that made her curious and a bit confused. While he was his usual stubborn, sarcastic, mouthy self, she had also noticed that Yuu was extremely uncomfortable and anxious when it came to intimate things of any nature, and at first, she merely assumed that he was just trying to be polite to her, which she appreciated, but as time went on, she noticed his anxiety, and her mind started to think about the things that Mika had mentioned about how the Vampire City functioned, and instantly had put together why the black-haired boy felt as uncomfortable as he did. Taking that into account, Shinoa decided that she would discuss it with him carefully, and if he resisted, the periwinkle-haired girl would let him know that she was there for him when he was ready to talk.

"Then again… by letting him know that I'm aware of what's most likely happened to him… I might push him away…"

"Shinoa? Are you spying?" the girl turned to look into emerald eyes.

"No, just thinking is all. Do you think the two of them will admit they may have a little bit of a thing for one another?" she asked as Yoichi and Kimizuki swapped places with her and Yuu, leaving the two of them at the very back while Yuu glanced around, keeping himself alert as they talked.

"Hmm… if they want to they will… but, you know what they say about wars." Yoichi loosed an arrow, nailing a vampire and destroying it as they kept walking, being ushered over by Kimizuki.

"No, what about them?" she questioned as the boy's sharp eyes glanced to her.

"Love often blossoms on the battlefield." The girl rose an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?" she inquired, feeling a tad trounced by the statement.

"Well, like how war and battles can bring people together? How even people who absolutely despised each other can become comrades on the field? Its emotional response, because you realize that this may be your last chance to say or do something about how you feel, or make a difference." Mika glanced to his brother.

"Think about it this way, during a war, if you're a soldier, you can't hold your family anymore, so what do the soldiers do? They write to their families, send photos, recordings of their voices… even videos if they can," he explained as Yuuichiro looked to his girlfriend.

"It's to tell the others, that they love them, and that they're with them always." Shinoa felt her eyes widen.

"Who knew you could think like that, I mean, I know Mika can, but…" the black-haired boy smirked a bit.

"I'm not stupid, just a bit reckless," he said as he traded places with Mika and Mitsuba, which was part of their plan. By rotating every so often, they weren't letting any one member take to much strain by taking to much on them, and it was surprisingly affective.

"Is that kind of like when children would put stuffed animals into their parent's suitcase when they were going away for a long trip?" asked Yoichi as Yuu nodded.

"Yea, it was to remind their mother or father that they were with them too. If you look at the old war items, they were able to salvage from the museums and archives, you'll see pictures of fathers holding something like a stuffed animal or photo of their child, or even someone they love." Mitsuba sighed.

"It's kind of sad… we don't really have things like that to leave our families," she mentioned as Mika looked to her.

"We don't need too." The girl glanced to him along with the others.

"Well, yea, I guess there's no point, right?" mentioned Kimizuki.

"No, there isn't because our family is with us. The Moon Demon Company, they're our family, did you forget what Guren said?" the others smiled.

"Good point." Yuuichiro looked around the edge of the alleyway.

"We're almost to the area where Guren and his team is, so… whose ready to kill some fangs?" the others gave a firm nod and they continued weaving through the alleyways.

For now, the group had to focus on what they were doing, using their skills and determination to get too Guren and his team, and hopefully stop the onslaught of the Vampires. However, in doing this, all of them knew they had a chance of most of them not walking away from this fight, but they had a reason to be there, and that was because their family was out here in this battlefield, and they would help defend their family with the power they possessed.

{Within the Western Zone: 7:38pm}

"Oh Akane, you don't have to keep playing with him. He's just a human, so kill him… this is becoming very boring," Ferid said as he watched the two continue to fight.

The silver-haired noble had to admit that it was strange to see Akane acting in such a way. Normally, the brunette girl was very reserved, and calm, always doing what needed to be done before walking away with not a word to anyone; however, something about this human had gotten her upset. Ferid didn't particularly care though, seeing as he was aware that Krul wasn't fond of his idea, even though she seemed to be considering it, and as such, Akane was vital to the plan he'd formulated to reproduce the Seraph Gene; therefore, she could not be killed here, and he was hoping that two certain people would be found by her somewhere in either Shinjuku, or Shibuya, but for now, he was becoming just a tad concern on what was happening.

"Don't you recall what I said if I get to that precious brother of yours… the one with those pretty eyes? Oh, I nearly forgot! They both have lovely eyes… but that one… he's younger than you, right? Then, I'll be sure to enjoy the small taste I intend to get from him," he told her as Akane shot him a glare.

"The fuck you – "Akane dodged Guren who cut her off from speaking with Ferid.

"He's distracting you," he stated.

"And I bet they've grown so handsome! How old are they? You're the same age as one of them, while the other is what? Three months younger than you are? Born in October, correct? Seems so innocently sweet." Akane glared at him.

"Shut up Ferret!" Guren nearly dropped his sword he started laughing so hard.

"Haha! That was inventive," he said.

"I am not a slinky rat-like creature!" Ferid huffed as he tossed his silver hair over his shoulder and frowned in Akane's direction.

"SHUT UP!"

The two of them locked swords again, Guren still smiling from the comment that Akane had dealt to Ferid. The girl had a certain way to her that reminded him of Yuuichiro; sharp tongued as he was, and how he seemed to be able to banter with people during fights. If Guren were to be so blunt, it was a gift in itself, as the boy could have his enemy so flustered with his comments that they didn't pay attention to their surroundings, and either he or Mika – and recently his other teammates – would come in and handle the opponent alongside them. However, as he glanced to Akane, and the smirking silver-haired Noble, he felt as though something was gravely wrong, and his threat to drink the blood of her brothers, caused Guren to question what to do as he considered that the disturbing vibe made him to not even want to imagine what he'd do to the boys if he got a hold of them.

"I can imagine their surprised expressions when they finally see their beloved sister, and hopefully will be able to live with her again eternally within the hallowed halls of Sanguneim! Living a life of luxury and power as Queen Tepes's little ones, just like you, A-k-a-n-e~" Ferid said in a sing-song voice as the girl visibly bristled.

"Keep your trap shut Ferid! Or I'll do it for you!" Guren nearly got Akane again, and she slashed at him, catching him on his calf.

"But why? I knew them both, they were so beautiful as children, so innocent, fiery, and the oldest of you three was so sweet. However, I'm more interested in your other brother, the black haired one. I already told you what I would do to him, if I find him first. Hmm… I can almost taste the sweet spice of his blood, and yet here you are little Princess… wasting your time with a human, while I could have already found them and had a taste for myself," Ferid said with the same salacious grin on his face.

The girl stilled momentarily at the words, fear apparent on her face as Guren took in a few deep breaths while he looked at the girl. It was evident, that Akane was impossibly terrified of what Ferid would do, and the thought of him actually knowing where the two boys were, was unnerving at best. The notion crossed the Lieutenant Colonel's mind as well while he watched Akane's form tremble slightly. It was one of the most terrifying thoughts he'd come across in a long while, he would admit.

What would this Noble do to him? he didn't want to think of it, but he also knew that without their sister, there stood a chance of the man getting their blood, and then according to his words, turn them into Vampires so they would live with her in Sanguneim. What were they facing? A life as some creature's little play things, like their sister, who clearly hated her current state with every fiber of her being. Brown eyes looked up at Guren with teary eyes as she felt a heavy rush of breath leave her, and he saw the pained resolve within her eyes.

"I'm sorry… but I… have to kill you…" tears started to slip down her cheeks.

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to fight back. I have no intention of dying here, so I'm going to have to kill you," Guren said as he held his sword up. the girl screamed as she ran at him with a speed that rivaled her prior ones, her strikes coming in stronger than previous while Guren found himself being thrown across the way and into an upturned part of the street where the air was knocked from his lungs, causing him to cough up a small amount of blood while Ferid laughed, looking to Akane who was breathing heavily.

"Very good Akane… now… finish him off."

{Western District: 1 mile from Guren's Location}

Their walk had shifted into a flat out run when the roaring sound of crashes and blades grew louder by the second, smoke billowing into the sky's blood color in a thick, black blanket. Their lungs burned a bit, gasping for air as they considered that the last two miles had been a flat-out run amongst the rough pavement in the direction of their comrades location. As the group of six ran into the western district, finally being closer to where Guren and the others were, they heard a series of metalic clangs and looked up ahead, everyone not far up ahead in the midst of different fights while Yuuichiro activated his psychometric gift, and scanned not far ahead, dreading what he saw as a female Vampire was in the middle of a fight with Guren, and terrifyingly, was winning.

"We have to hurry!" Yoichi said as they picked up their pace, the group knowing they would be worn down, but at not even two blocks from where the others were, it no longer mattered.

In the midst of the battle, Guren had found himself losing to the girl even as she screamed and yelled as she slashed at him, wildly, yet skilled while she did her best to end the fight, and kill him. She didn't want this, he saw it in her eyes as tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and it was because this isn't want she desired with her life. Akane didn't want to be like the other Vampires, she didn't want to kill, not like this. Brown eyes welled with tears, as she thought of how this would end, and she in the end, all she wanted was to see her brothers again, Akane wanted to be with her family again, and she wanted to protect them, pushing herself as she said she would to the point of no return in order to save them.

Tears pouring down her cheeks, the brunette girl slashed at him, grazing his front while she felt another tear fall as she heaved in a deep breath. Akane wanted to cry, scream and throw her sword aside, blurt everything out and plead for forgiveness and help, but she knew what would happen, because if she did what she truly wanted, she would gain nothing, and it infuriated her to no end. Ferid's knowing smirk and watchful eyes, Guren's labored breathing and concerned expression, her own racing heart and the sound of battle around them as they all fought until death claimed one side or the other. It was all to much, and forced to great a deal of suffering upon everyone around her while the gravity of the situation was cast upon her.

"Oh, looks like their back up has arrived," said Ferid as he glanced at the six figures coming while Akane hurried her pace, and Guren glanced, breath intaking unnaturally quick as he recognized which unit it was.

"Gods… please let them survive…"

The group looked at the scene before them as they raced towards Guren in fear that they would be too late. Yoichi drew his bow as a silver haired vampire came up to assist the female vampire. He drew an arrow and let it fly before the vampire simply side-stepped knowing that it would be a problem now that this unit had arrived. Shinoa drew her scythe as did the others and prepared for battle. Ferid smiled as he stepped away and looked them over from a safe point, still unwilling to do much else other than observe.

"Finish him already, okay Princess? We don't have all day," he mentioned in a jovial tone.

"I…" Guren looked to her, from where he was on the ground.

"Go on, find your brothers, keep them safe," he told her as Akane looked to Guren, who was still trying to reach his sword, but already in evident pain, and having enough trouble keeping himself upright.

"I'm sorry…" Guren smiled just a fraction.

"Do it already!" the girl took in a deep breath, posing her sword.

"This is the end, isn't it? Well… Shinya will know what to do…"

Shock greeted him as the girl's sword pierced his chest – missing his heart and vital organs by a miracle but greatly wounding him. Akane stared as the sword went in deeper and he coughed up blood, tears still burning her eyes as the screams of the others came to her attention while Ferid laughed until she heard footsteps, notifying her that all six of the people approaching, would have to die as well so Ferid would let her go search for her brothers. She turned and looked at Ferid who smiled knowingly, and she felt her heart crack: there was no escape no matter what she did now. Guren would die because she had hoped that the silver-haired Noble would let her go, but she had been tricked into doing what Ferid desired.

"Kill the others," said Ferid.

"But, I…." he rose an eyebrow, almost daring her to defy him.

"If you don't follow my orders and kill those new comers, then I will find those boys before you, and when you find them… they won't be breathing." Akane's own breath caught within her chest, and she gripped her sword, body shaking as she steadied her nerves. There was no choice now, she would have to follow what she was told.

"Ver well, I'll end it quickly." Akane looked to Guren who was gripping her sword to hold it in place, causing her stomach to knot in anxiety. She would have to finish him first, with just a thrust of her sword it would be over for him, and in knowing that, she prepared to do so, when a voice stilled her hand.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO GUREN?!"

The tone was familiar, unnaturally so, and as Akane turned to block the oncoming attack, her brown eyes grew wide, horror filling her body as she looked at the person running towards her. The person coming to her, was in the Moon Demon Company uniform, his hair as messy as she recalled it, and those eyes deep and sharp as emeralds, full of poison and intent to kill as his voice spilled from her lips.

"Yuu?"

The only thing that registered with her senses next, was the feeling and sound of a sword thrusting through her body as she coughed up blood, the wound not fatal, but all the same painful and the effects of the cursed blade he wielded quickly started to ebb into her body as she stared down at the wound and then to him as tears started to fall down her face, eyes widened as she was finally met with those distinct emerald eyes that quickly transformed from aggressive to fearful as the boy stepped back, the sound of a sword clattering to the ground as Akane fell to her knees, the black-haired boy going with her as the others drew their weapons and her gaze turned to the blonde-haired boy who snatched the other boy up, grabbing the cursed gear as he skipped back, crouching just a few feet away from her as he settled cold blue eyes on her.

"Yuu?! Are you alright? What were you doing?!" asked Yoichi as Guren felt his eyes widen as Akane began to silently cry as she stared at the two boys in front of her, and his gaze looked between the three teenagers.

"Please… don't tell me… that they're…"

Realization was not subtle with Guren, it slapped him fiercely across the face as he stared at them as he did the others. All this time, Akane had described a few traits, quirks, things about her two brothers that should have given away the truth, yet he had missed it entirely. Now it was right in front of him as Yuuichiro stared at the girl across from him, and Mikaela had his attention on his teammates who were equally confused. His youngest's face was ghostly white, eyes wide and horrified looking as tears started brimming before he pushed against Mika's arms, which were wrapped firmly around him.

"Yuuichiro!" Mitsuba called to him.

"What's wrong Yuu? You look pale," Yoichi said as he crouched to him while Akane watched.

"They're… with the Moon Demon Company?" she thought, her mind racing as Yuuichiro looked to them and then back to the girl who had her head bowed while she kept her gaze down.

"What were you thinking? That's a Vampire!" stated Kimizuki as the black-haired boy took in a steady breath.

"She's… n-not…" the blonde looked to his brother.

"Yuu? Is everything okay?" the boy settled himself a bit on his legs, and he took in a few steady breaths as if he was near an emotional breakdown while he looked to the girl across from him.

"Yuu? Mika?" blue and green eyes looked forward as tired brown eyes looked to them.

"No way… is… that you? Akane?"

{…..}

From your halo…

{….}

Author's Note: So, yea, I managed to get this one done pretty quickly, and things are about to go crazy like in the original story, but I hope that with a bit more detail and explanation, there should be more depth to the story now, so tell me what you think!

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94.