Chapter 3

Subaru's fingers dug into his arm as he leaned back against the wall. He gave a lethargic yawn and frowned, annoyed from being woken up so early. He longed to return to the dark confines of his coffin.

The source of his irritation came in the form of a human girl, who'd walked into their mansion the same way a deer would wander into a den of wolves. The Triplets now circled her with a hungry glint in their eyes.

Kanato scraped his fangs against her neck, frustrated when she drew away with a panicked squeal. She turned, grabbing something from her pocket. "Take this!" She petulantly cried.

A rosary was clutched in her shaking fingers.

Reiji already seemed displeased with her, commenting on the foolishness of mortals.

Subaru's gaze drifted back to her as she eyed each of them fearfully, focusing on him for a moment. Subaru lifted his lips in a silent snarl, flashing his fangs. She quickly looked away, and he felt somewhat satisfied by this.

She was an incredibly frail looking thing, as if a mere puff of air might knock her over. Subaru inwardly sighed. She was just another Sacrificial Bride that would break. He silently refused to join his brothers in tormenting her, as the Triplets clearly were, slinking around and taking delight in her reactions.

This is such a pain in the ass. His grip tightened on his arm. He felt inclined to snap her neck and end her soon to be miserable existence.

His fingers froze as he found himself catching her scent, and Subaru looked up sharply. His throat immediately flared to life.

The blood underneath her skin called to him teasingly. Even without tasting it, he somehow knew that it would be of a rare quality. Reiji and Shuu seemed to sense this as well, though they kept their distance, rolling their eyes at their brothers antics. It was too much of a hassle to get involved with the Triplets when they were this stirred up.

A tentative voice broke through the heavy blood lust in the air.

"I-If I'm going to get my blood sucked by someone then... I want to choose for myself!"

The Triplets paused, visibly stumped. Even Reiji rose an eyebrow. Subaru's attention turned fully onto the seemingly meek girl, who clenched her fists and stared at them levelly.

It was strange. The girl had just found out they were vampires and in the face of terror...she made a request to belong to one of them?

Ayato was the first to break the silence. "Eh?"

The girl blushed as if she'd said something scandalous, though it was clear she'd blurted something inane by accident. Subaru rolled his eyes. She clearly had no sense of what had just come out of her mouth. To belong solely to one vampire...to even suggest it so thoughtlessly, showed she clearly had no brains inside that head of hers. Belonging to all the brothers at once was dangerous, but placing her safety in just one vampires hands brought a whole new set of problems. It spelled intimacy, and ruin.

Reiji made a comment about her offering herself as if she were a common whore, but Subaru had heard enough.

His heel drew back and he turned, not sparing the girl another glance. "This is stupid. I'm leaving."

Laito chuckled lowly, but it was Ayato who spoke up. "Heh, it's your loss."

Subaru frowned. "Hmph."

He began to walk away, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Delicious blood or not, he wouldn't challenge the Triplets for her. Any prey that belonged to him would only die.

Shuu and Reiji stated that they were also uninterested in the human, but Subaru was barely listening.

Something loud drummed in his head, hard and fast. It was like a pulse, but it couldn't be his. He slowed, his body feeling heavier with every step. What the heck was wrong with him?

Subaru grit his teeth, thinking that perhaps he was hearing the human's heartbeat, but then it began to hurt. He sucked in a sharp breath and stopped. His brothers didn't notice his odd behavior as they were too distracted with teasing the girl, but if they had they'd have seen him clutch at his head.

His lungs protested against the air, but he couldn't help but gasp and pant. Blinding pain exploded in his head. He squeezed his eyes shut so tight he saw stars. Amidst the confusion and raw, dizzying ache in his head, Subaru grasped for something. Not with his hands, but with his mind. He needed something to calm him down, a memory. He sought his mother in the wreckage of his thoughts, reaching for her as if straining for a light in the dark.

~ "Come on Subaru-kun. Everyone's waiting." ~

That voice... it wasn't his mothers.

A clock chimed in his ears. Subaru held onto that soft voice even as his mind splintered. He didn't understand what was happening to him, yet the voice brought with it a feel of gentleness and sanctuary.

~ "Please stop!" ~

Subaru frowned. The voice sounded closer, clearer than before.

"I said stop! I-I'll choose, so please don't-"

His eyes snapped open and he turned back, focusing on the human girl. Ayato had grabbed hold of her shoulders, impatient to taste her blood.

Subaru's breath shuddered out of him. That voice...had been hers?

"If she wants to choose, let her choose."

The Triplets turned to face him, and it was only then that Subaru realized he'd spoken. He squared his shoulders and masked his surprise as Laito swept his gaze over his tense form.

"Have you decided to change your mind, brother? Fufu, this makes things interesting."

Ayato grinned. "Heh, yeah. It's unusual for Subaru to join in."

Subaru locked eyes with the frightened girl, gritting his teeth in annoyance. What the hell was he doing? He just wanted to go back to his damn coffin.

The girl squeaked as Kanato leaned towards her, trying to keep her attention on him. "If you don't select me... Hey, Teddy? Let's rip her apart together?" He addressed the stuffed toy in his arms.

Ayato set his hands on his hips and grinned, flashing his fangs. "Naturally you're going to choose me right? Isn't it obvious?

A heavy sigh caught Subaru's attention, and he glanced at Shuu, who rubbed the back of his head tiredly. "Whatever is fine. Just hurry up and end this farce."

The girl cast her eyes around the group fearfully, yet with a directness that was unusual for prey. Subaru was still reeling from whatever the hell had happened to him earlier.

He also wasn't certain why the sight of her looking at his brothers made him shake. Whoever she chose got to keep her, but why did it matter to him what happened to her? Why did a surge of jealousy grip him fiercely when she hesitated to look away from Ayato?

Subaru glanced away. Something gripped his chest tightly, as if fingers wrapped around his heart and squeezed.

"I-I'd like to choose you."

He raised his head, expecting to find Ayato smirking with triumph, but his face was painted with a sour expression. Subaru blinked when he realized that the girl was staring at him.

His body stiffened, mind whirling into a frenzy of confusion. "Ha? You've got pretty weird tastes. You want me to kill you?"

That was the only reason he could conceive for why she'd choose someone like him.

The girl quelled under his gruff assumption, gripping her hands worriedly. Laito sighed in dismay and whined. "Bitch-chaaan, how cruel! You'd really pick this caveman over the pleasure I can give you?"

Subaru pushed his turbulent thoughts aside and buried his emotions. Confusion only served to irritate him anyway. He glared at her and stuffed his hands into his pockets once more."Well, whatever. If you wanna be killed so much, just as you wish, I'll kill you."

As predicted, the bravery in her eyes fled at his words. "Ah…"

Shuu spoke up. "You'd better show some restraint. 'That person' said we're not allowed to kill her."

At the mention of their father, Subaru tensed, locking eyes with the oldest sibling. "What? The hell's with that?

Reiji tutted under his breath. "Such impudent words. You're welcome to kill her, Subaru, if you're all right with disobeying his orders, of course."

Subaru cursed foully. He hardly cared what his father wanted. If the girl annoyed him then he'd do as he pleased.

The Triplets muttered threats and vague insults, both directed at Subaru and the girl, but they soon slinked away. Reiji seemed to grow bored of the conversation and also retreated from the room just as Shuu muttered; "Anyway, that's just how it is. So keep her from dying."

Subaru scowled and watched as he left. "Tch, this is stupid."

The room lapsed into silence and Subaru tensed when he felt her eyes on him. He glanced at her and growled lowly. "Oi, it doesn't matter what Shuu said. You'd better not piss me off, or I'll kill you. Got it?"

She cowered under his words, but nodded. She wet her lips before speaking, and Subaru watched the action before realizing what he was doing. "I-I'll try not to annoy you." She said quietly.

He rolled his eyes and addressed the servants lingering in the shadows. "Oi! Someone show this girl to her room."

She jumped when a servant appeared behind her, bowing politely. With that, Subaru walked away. He was curious about her blood but he'd leave it for now. A headache was drumming in the back of his mind and was irritating him more than usual. He needed to be alone.

Subaru woke with a start. Uncertain what had disturbed him, he focused on his room, finding it untouched. Next, he spread his senses out towards the rest of the mansion, finding human scent mixed with that of his brothers.

With a growl, the lid of his coffin flew open.

"-just a mistake, right Bitch-chan? You can choose someone else~ It's not like he's touched you yet."

A silky voice reached Subaru's ears the moment he materialized into the hallway.

His hand snatched out and grabbed the girls wrist, pulling her away from Laito's grasp. The snarl that escaped his lips was fiercer than he'd expected, and even Laito looked surprised.

"Subaru-kun~ no need for the hostility. I was just chatting with little Bitch-chan."

The girl whimpered as Subaru's grip tightened around her wrist. "Like I give a crap. Stay away from my prey."

Something vicious and hot boiled in his veins as he strode away with the girl, marching her straight to his room. It was unlike him to be so possessive of his prey, heck he'd never had prey that belonged solely to him before. The moment the door closed behind them, he released her wrist, hearing her sigh in relief.

"Thank you, Subaru-kun." She murmured.

Subaru turned, vaguely surprised. "The hell are you thanking me for?"

Seeing her confusion, his expression darkened. He supposed it was time to acknowledge her as his prey. It was a pity in way...her eyes unclouded by fear were somewhat refreshing. They were a gentle rose-pink colour. The light in them dimmed the moment he leaned towards her. "Don't get the wrong idea, human. You're just prey to me, nothing more."

Subaru's movements were mechanical as his hand slammed into the wall beside her head. Her protests fell on deaf ears as all he could think about was the blood under her skin. He pulled the prey's shirt collar aside, leaning in close and biting into her neck without warning. That delicious red substance rose up to meet his fangs, flowing into his mouth and spilling down his throat.

He pulled back slightly and panted, eyes wide. Her blood was incredible. It sweeter than anything he'd ever tasted before.

Subaru put an around around her waist, holding her still. The girl whimpered, eyes squeezing shut as he bit down once more. He tried to ignore the strange feeling that tried to claim him once again, it played across the edges of his mind like static. The moment he felt it leave, Subaru heard her voice again.

He panted, pulling back a breath away and fanning warm puffs of air onto her skin, making her shiver. His tongue instinctively snaked out, dragging across the bite marks and tasting her flesh. She winced, and pressed her hand against his shoulder weakly.

"Heh, your blood is amazing. I'll give you that much." He muttered, voice drenched with hunger.

"P-please, stop."

The hands on her wrist and back drew away, and she quickly stumbled away from him. Subaru caught sight of himself in the floor length mirror. His blood red eyes practically glowed in the darkness of the room. The girl trembled violently, unable to look away or move. His tall shadow from the moonlight swallowed her whole. She wouldn't leave herself so open and trusting around him again.

"Good. Seems like you understand now. You're my food, Yui. Don't forget that."

Subaru eyed her for a moment longer, his heart, fulled by her euphoric blood, pounded in his chest. He made to leave, but her voice stopped him.

"How do you know my name?"

He blinked. "Huh?"

"My name, Yui. I haven't said it, but you knew..." The girl, Yui, trailed off.

His hands at his sides clenched into fists, before he turned and walked out the room. Once the door slid shut behind him, he stopped, listening as her breathing escalated. There was a soft thump, and he imagined that she'd sank to her knees.

Yet despite her labored breathing, she did not cry.

~ "I-I have a name you know! It's Yui. Yui Komori." ~

Subaru frowned slightly, before slowly walking away.

Days passed by until they turned into weeks, and the noise in his head only grew louder the longer he stayed in Yui's presence. It caused his thoughts to scatter and hide, and often times the thirst was the only thing that brought back his self awareness. Was he going mad, just like his mother before him?

When he was alone and left to the confines of his mind, those dreams, or what he thought were dreams, came to him. Always, always, of her.

He didn't have an answer for why, but he kept everything to himself, hoping the visions would eventually stop.

Unfortunately since enrolling in the same school, Yui had taken to following him around. Whenever he left his brothers company in order to seclude himself, or he went to the roof of the school, she'd not be far behind, setting her homework down and quietly working away at it in the corner of his vision. He supposed it was because she was frightened of being left alone with his brothers, but he didn't like the idea of her seeking him out for protection. Despite this, he liked her scent and begrudgingly allowed her to stay.

However, sitting in his room that night, he was alone. Subaru grit his teeth and fought not to seek her out within the mansion. It didn't matter to him what she did, or where.

When he caught her scent, Subaru cursed, hesitating just a moment before materializing into the kitchen.

Yui had her back turned to him, and this made him frown. Really, she left herself far too open to say she was in a house full of vampires. Idiot, he thought.

Evidently, she was preparing ingredients to cook something, and was half bent over the counter in concentration.

"Oi."

"Ah!"

He flinched at her high pitched yell. The scent of iron filled his nostrils, making him glower.

Yui turned around to look at him, a kitchen knife in her hand as she breathed out in relief."O-oh Subaru-kun! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Never mind that, noisy idiot. You've injured yourself again." His eyes flicked down to her bleeding palm, throat tightening.

Yui at least had the sense to be wary, backing up a little towards the counter. "It doesn't hurt, I'm fine, really."

"Come here." His hand snatched out and wrapped around her thin wrist. Yui turned stiff but quiet in his hold. He both liked and hated that she was so compliant.

He didn't hesitate to dip his head to the wound, dragging his tongue over the cut and savoring the taste. It wasn't overly deep, but wounds on hands reopened easily, so he squashed the desire to bite into her palm.

"Hmph, get that first aid kit thing you keep in your room. If you bandage it tight enough, the wound might not reopen around my brothers." He gazed down at her and tried not to revel in the feel of her scent and warmth. His head was seriously messed up these days.

But Yui just stared at him in bewilderment. "W-what. I don't have a first aid kit."

His lip lifted in a silent snarl. "Don't play dumb, its always been there. You use it on every little scrape because you're so clumsy."

Yui's cheeks turned red, but her eyes were earnest. "I'm not lying Subaru, I swear I haven't used one since staying here."

She wasn't lying, he could tell. Subaru frowned. "Tch, not in the mood for this shit." He muttered, pulling her in close and materializing them into her bathroom. His eyes sought the shelf it always rested on, but found it empty. Subaru stiffened, his hold on Yui going lax.

"Subaru-kun, are you alright?" Her voice was gentle, as if afraid of startling him.

He looked down at Yui dazedly, seeing only confusion and slight worry in her eyes.

The dreams...had they messed with his head so much that he couldn't tell them apart from reality anymore?

He quickly dropped her wrist and turned away. "I'm fine. Damn it..." Subaru trailed off, trying to focus. However, the sweet nectar of her open wound called to him alluringly. "Stay there!" He growled, glaring at her over his shoulder before disappearing.

His feet touched down in Reiji's room a moment later. The older vampire was sitting in an armchair, reading. He glanced up at the sudden entrance.

"You could have knocked."

Subaru glowered, and Reiji sighed, pushing the rim of his glasses up. "What is it you want?"

"A first aid kit, or something."

"Hn."

On any other day Subaru might have bristled at the condescending look his brother threw at him, but as it was he was lost in thought. He started when a white box was shoved into his hands.

"Are her injuries severe?"

"N-no."

Reiji rose a brow at his odd behavior. "Then this should suffice." He said, trying to prompt him to leave the room.

Subaru numbly walked away, his eyes on the all too familiar box.

"You're...injured. You need medicine. We have to...we have to treat it right away."

Bone white fingers dug into the box as he stared down at it. The dead weight in his chest that was his heart, pulsed and ached. The image of a girl dressed in a white nightgown came to him. All too often it was his mother that haunted him, but as the girl turned, he knew her right away. Those rose-pink eyes stared back at him, dull and lifeless.

When he returned to Yui's room, he found her sitting on her bed. She watched as he took a seat beside her, opening the lid of the box. Her eyes widened when he grabbed her wrist and began to tend to her hand. Subaru barely noticed anything was amiss before she softly inquired.

"W-why are you doing this Subaru-kun?"

His hands froze, still holding hers. Their eyes locked. Suddenly he was aware of his leg resting against hers, the sweetness of her scent. Her heartbeat stuttered and picked up as he stared.

Subaru continued with his task a moment later, movements slower than before. "...Just keep quiet."

He'd tried his best to ignore them, to push the fragmented images away and string them up tightly inside his mind. Yet Yui insisted on following him everywhere, even when he tried to put distance between them, worsening the ache. Perhaps the worst part was that he'd actually grown used to her presence as he learned about her, inside his dreams and out.

But the seams had frayed and snapped that night.

Subaru had been fairly proud of himself for avoiding her when the visions got too intense, having locked himself away in his room. He'd warned Yui explicitly about coming to him when he got too disorientated. However, his usual plans shattered when the visions that assaulted him were stronger and more vibrant than ever before.

He barely registered anything other than a splitting, fiery pain in his head. The noise grew, until it spilled out of his mouth, coming out as a drawn out cry that had him collapsing to his knees. Subaru's breath shuddered as he panted, trying to focus.

The thirst spurred on his movements as his teeth clenched, wanting to ground himself in the familiarity of destruction, but at the scent of her, Subaru froze.

~ Her hand reached out to him in a placating gesture.

Subaru staggered out of reach. "Don't fucking touch me! Just go, get out of here, right now!" ~

Wide, red eyes turned to the door of his bedroom, where Yui stared at him worriedly.

"Stay back." He rasped.

He could hear and see so many versions of himself he wasn't sure what was real anymore. A large circular structure spun in the air somewhere in the back of his mind. Stained glass windows glared back at him as they shimmered with his reflection.

"Subaru-kun, I'm not leaving. I want to help, please let me-" Those same fingers reached out imploringly, her eyes were full of conviction.

Her mouth opened, probably with the intention of repeating those words, but Subaru didn't think he could take it if she did.

"I don't- fucking understand- what's happening to me." He panted, cutting her off. She took a few steps forward, seeking to help. Subaru glared at her and quickly stood, balling his hands into fists. "I'm serious. You need leave, now."

It made him clench his mouth together so hard, teeth split in his jaw. "Didn't you hear me! GET OUT!"

She didn't move.

"Just get out! I don't want you here!" Fangs lengthened, eyes squeezed shut as fingers clawed for purchase in white hair. A clock chime rang loud and clear.

When he felt her touch, that ugly something within him snapped and roared to life.

"I SAID DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Subaru's hand flew out. The colours behind the stained glass windows roared to life until they burst free, shattering them. His eyes snapped open as suddenly images bombarded him, all of her, her, her.

Subaru screamed so loud his throat ignited in pain, straining and ready to bleed. Yui lay broken on the floor, her body twisted at an odd angle.

His chest tightened until the ache crushed all the air in his lungs. He knew it. He knew he'd break her even if she were his, because he was twisted, because he was a monster, because-

"Subaru-kun."

Warmth. Why was there warmth? It touched his cheek, light and gentle, bringing everything back into focus.

"It's alright, Subaru-kun."

His palm was inches away from her, poised to push her away. He felt the phantom sensation of shoving her, could see the afterimage of her body on the ground. But Yui stood before him, looking at him with worry as she slowly drew her hand away from his face.

He stared at her, wide eyed and panting heavily. Then he saw it.

Those rose-pink eyes were open and bright, filled with awareness.

Relief flooded him, and before he knew it, he leaned down, gathering her tight in his arms. I-I thought I'd lost you again.

Yui squeaked in alarm, but he could barely hear her over the sound of her racing heart. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her shoulder, still reeling from the dreams- no- memories that were now swimming in his mind.

How can I remember everything? Why me, and not Yui?

He flinched as he felt fingers brush back the hair on the nape of his neck. Cool breath fanned against his collar as the scent of flowers filled his senses, and Subaru held her tighter. It was alright, he didn't need to know why or how he'd remembered everything. She was here, and this time, she was his.

Subaru blinked as that thought settled in. Yui was his in this world.

He raised his head, pulling back just enough to glimpse her wide eyes. His hand cupped her cheek, before he pressed his lips to hers. Yui started in his arms, but didn't pull away. He kissed her hard at first, still reeling from the lives and memories clouding his head. But when he registered the softness of her lips and felt her shake under his hands, he gentled slightly. She began to kiss back hesitantly, and he froze, pleasure clashing with shock at the feel of her wanting him in return.

When he tried to deepen the kiss, she pulled away in alarm. "S-Subaru-kun!" She blushed. "W-why did you do that!"

"Tch, because I wanted to, idiot." He murmured, lips tilting up into a fond smile.

She quieted, and he blinked, feeling his face heat up. "O-oi, you liked it too, right?" He cursed himself for the uncertainty in his voice.

Yui avoided his eyes, blushing as she clasped her hands close to her chest, before gingerly touching her lips. "Yes, I did but-"

He couldn't stop himself from reaching for her. He tilted her chin up, his thumb sweeping over her bottom lip as their eyes met. "Then I'll do as I please with you from now on." He smirked as her face flamed red.

When she began to stutter, he leaned away, putting his hands into his pockets. "You're too easy to tease, you know."

Yui frowned, but soon dropped the expression, worried once more. "Are you okay now? You've been struggling by yourself with something for awhile now but...you've never told me what was wrong."

"...Yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck, hearing his father's velvety voice.

"The different time lines are tied to me, and my power. One of my many goals in creating the Adam of Apple plan was for that chosen vampire to kill me. It wasn't enough for Adam and Eve to become one. If they ignored my wish to die, I reversed time again, in order to find an Adam that would end my life."

Subaru's fangs lengthened at the thought. He couldn't have Yui to himself until he killed his father in this world. The thought of facing him made his fears race, but he tried to shake them and focus on Yui. "I've got a few things I need to take care of. You, being one of them."

"Eh?"

Subaru stared at her seriously. "We're leaving. Tonight."

"W-what! What's brought this on?" She squeaked, searching his face for answers.

He turned, plans already writing themselves up in his mind. "Instinct. If something happens to me, I don't want my brothers getting their hands on you." His savings were hidden underneath his coffin, that was all he needed, then there was just Yui's things.

He barely noticed Yui behind him as she tried to gain his attention. "Wait, what do you mean 'if something happens,' Subaru-kun!" She caught his wrist in both her hands, stopping him instantly. "Are you planning to do something dangerous?"

He could've laughed if the situation wasn't so daunting. "I'm a vampire, I can survive a hell of a lot of things. But... I can't guarantee I'll win if it's against that guy." His tone made Yui tense. He could see the rigidness of her shoulders, her wide eyes imploring him to listen.

"Please just talk to me, I can help. Please." She breathed, her small, pitiful fingers tightening.

Subaru avoided her eyes and took his hand away, too focused on his thoughts to risk getting lost in her. "We can talk later. For now, get your things. Pack lightly."

ooo

I did say I'd have 3 chapters for this and I was going to end it at them kissing and being all happy buuuut it felt incomplete without addressing KarlHienz again. Also I have a question to you readers! Would you like a lemon scene in the next chapter? Yay or Nae? Comment or PM me to let me know :)

(The last chapter is pretty much written except for the possible lemon, so it wont take too long to publish this time, sorry for the wait ^^')