Sorry for the delay. Here's new chapter, with some difficult questions.
Back at Shibuya HQ, Mika told his teammates his story with Akane and Yuuichiro. The young man had spent five days in a coma following the Shinjuku incident. The rest of his escaped family from the vampire capital was also present. All were moved to tears to learn that Akane was alive.
« I see. So it's thanks to the prince of vampires that you're here today. » summarized Shinoa.
« But it's weird, he was transformed at the age of 8, but how did he found himself in the presence of the queen ? » asked Yoichi.
« No idea, but I bet he was adopted before. Yuu brought a lot to us, and if he didn't kept Ferid busy during our escape, we would probably be all dead. » answered Mika, sat on his bed.
« A human raised by vampires ? Are you sure ? » wondered Kimizuki.
« That would be the only explanation, however. » said Mitsuba.
« And Yuuichiro told me that he always has lived in Sanguinem, for as long as he could remember. » added Mika.
What a story ! What could have induced them to adopt a child? How had they even found it ? No one had heard of this story before. Still, the presence of the young vampire had certainly avoided a tragic fate for the Shinoa squad in Shinjuku. The red vampire they met there was according to Mika, the adoptive father of Yuu. The child had spoken about him during the captivity of the blonde. In short, the fact that he was once a friend with Mika and had not forgotten him, had momentarily distracted the adult vampire.
Shinoa did not forget that it was this same Yuuichiro who had bitten her. Mika said he was nice, he finally bit her anyway.
« And now what ? » asked Mitsuba.
« Honestly, I don't know. Yuu is a vampire, and me a vampire extermination unity member. It's a bit conflicting. But Akane is also a vampire. She's part of my family. » sighed Mika.
The young vampire always seemed to regard him as his friend. Such friendship did not seem frankly realistic. Not anymore anyway. Meanwhile, Mika was planning to look into Akane's case. Could she become human again ? The blonde pushed back his blanket and stood up.
« Hey wait ! Where are you going ? » questioned Mitsuba.
« I've been lazy enough. » simply said Mika.
« The doctor has to examine you first. » objected Shinoa.
« No need. »
He asked his friends to leave the time he get changed. His family brought him spare clothes. Mika was planning to dive into books. So he went to a library. As he read, the memories of the games he shared with Yuu came back to him. What would they do next time they met ? Would they fight ? Mika wondered if he wanted to kill the little brown. He owed him so much, and his family too. Only, one and the other would certainly undergo the pressure of their species on this subject. None of the soldiers here could understand. He did not know what to do about it.
« Say Mika. » suddenly said a familiar voice.
His younger sister, Yuki (blue hair and glasses) was standing on the doorstep. She then approached Mika.
« I was wondering … what are you going to do about Yuuichiro ? » she interrogated.
« I was precisely wondering it too, why ? »
« Well I don't know. I never forgot that he defended me one day, when a guy wanted to take me a toy. Yuu has always been very kind to us, he does not deserve to die. » resumed Yuki.
« I know all that Yuki. He seemed happy to see me in Shinjuku. But can we honestly stay friends given that we are ? » responded Mika.
« But it's the same for Akane, isn't it ? »
« That's quite true. » admitted the blonde.
Or it might be very different.
Some time later another battle was about to take place. Ferid spoke with Crowley, whom he had invited to his mansion. The nobleman told him about his suspicions about Krul and his intention to capture her. For Crowley had to act as a distraction, and therefore be forewarned. The redhead fixed his interlocutor.
« What ? » asked Ferid.
« No it's … »
« Well spit it out ! » resumed Ferid.
« Don't you have the feeling that you'll betray Yuu ? » questioned Crowley.
Ferid blinked.
« Krul is his mother. How do you think he'll react when he'll learn you attacked her ? You already betrayed him once, remember ? » precised Eusford.
« But if his mother betrayed us, she betrayed him as well. You'll surely protect him if you do as I tell you to. » responded Ferid.
« I don't know Ferid. I don't think he'll understand. We shloud find something else. » resumed the ginger.
« There's no other way. You will recover your son and put him to safety. » continued Bathory.
« No. »
« Pardon ? »
« No, I can't do that to him. And you cannot either Ferid. This kid loves you! Truly. Less than me I grant you that, but he still loves you, since always. You're important to him. Even if you hurt him four years ago, he came back to you. He gave you a second chance. For us who are tired of everything, this child has been a real ray of sunshine, he has changed our lives, acknowledge it. » pleaded Crowley.
Ferid lowered his eyes. Yet he had to do it. In accordance with the plan that the one who had transformed it had established. The image of child and human Yuu crossed his mind. Crowley conjured him to think again. Then he left it. Ferid stared at the floor for a moment. Then he heard a cheerful voice.
« Yo the artist ! »
Yuuichiro. The young vampire stood at a window on the outside. Ferid thought with amusement that he rarely came in through a door. The brown gave him a big smile. That childish smile that had not changed since he was able to smile. True. Sincere. Happy. Crowley said the truth about him : Yuu loved Ferid quite simply. He did not covet anything on his part.
« Are you alright old thingy ? » inquired Yuu before the serious face of the vampire.
« Old thingy ! There you go again ! If it's for this kind of flattery you're here, you can leave. » retorted Ferid.
Yuu answered with a laugh, before entering completely and then with a caprictive step towards the nobleman.
« But you're an old thingy ! It's the truth. But if it can comfort you, you're my old thingy. » he resumed.
« Mph ! »
The young vampire then offered him a drawing with four hands, which the vampire accepted. Yuu went to find the material needed in the vampire's cabinet. Who returned to his thoughts on the little prince. The other vampires found Ferid wierd because he had other interests than blood. Not Yuu. He thought him normal. On the contrary, it seemed natural to him to occupy himself. The latter came back whistling, placed paper and pencils on a table, and waited until the nobleman came to join him. Then together they agreed on the object to be drawn and each one began to draw a part of it. The difficulty would be to obtain a coherent drawing.
As time went by, Ferid relaxed. That's another thing the vampire child brought him. He changed his ideas and amused him.
With him, no struggle for influence, no conspiracy or treason. Which made him think of what his right hand man had said : did he intend to reward the affection of the child by treason ? But he had already advanced so far in his plan, no doubt he could not back down. Yuu's cheerful face, human or vampire, crossed his mind again. He remembered the signs of tenderness : a kiss when he was a baby, his defense in front of his mother, his joy at seeing him - no one was really happy to see him- his hand he had taken in Shinjuku, admitting himself glad to see him intact.
« Hey look where you drawing ! » said suddenly Yuu.
« Oh sorry. » apologized Ferid.
« My, those grown-ups ! »
He did not think so well, thought the adult. They and their twisted shots. Their machinations.
« But I have to do it. It has to be done. » thought Ferid.
Really, said a voice in a corner. Who would benefit ? What more could there be ? Was it worth all that Yuuichiro had brought him so far ?
« Yuu, could it be you're a second chance sent to me ? » wondered suddenly the noble, looking at the dark-haired head.
Now that is a strange thought ! A second chance of what, in the first place ? No more boredom, of salvation ? Surely not. He was never bored with the little one, but as far as salvation was concerned, it was probably already too late. Ferid wondered what his parents thought. Krul and Crowley had a boundless affection for the little one, which left him thoughtful. How had he done that ? He found his comrade more peaceful than ever. Since ... since the boy had designated him father. Krul herself gave Yuu a warm look. Could the child have the power to warm their hearts, to remind them of what it was to love ? Even Crowley's two aides were melting down in front of the little one.
And him ? Well, Ferid had also come to appreciate and love this little fellow. Yuu had distracted him with his evolution and apprehension of the world, had amused and interested him. Ferid had been quite as surprised as everyone else, to see this human smile to him with as much joy. No fear. Just an innate confidence in him without expecting anything. And a tenderness that went hand in hand. Who, in this world of madmen, had ever testified to it ? What would have happened to him, if he had known Yuuichiro earlier ? Like, before being a vampire ?
« I might not be one. Neither Crowley nor Krul, no doubt. If each of us had ended up with this little one in his life, it would certainly have been very different. » thought Ferid.
He waved his pencil between his fingers.
« Ferid, are you okay ?"
Astonished to hear him call him by his first name in full and without addition, the vampire fixed the child round eyes. Yuu stared at him.
« Yes yes, I'm just a bit thoughtful. » responded the one.
« Hmm. »
Ferid smiled again, then looked at their sketch. Yuu had practically finished it. Bathory stretched a bit and then dismissed the vampire, arguing that he had business to do. Yuu bent his head, then stood up. He thanked the nobleman of this past time ... with an embrace. That did not help Ferid. Yuu went away gayly, unconscious of the trouble he had just sown.
"Someone who loves me. » said Ferid in a low voice, staring into space.
What a funny thing, seriously. But it was true. A person in this twisted world loved him. Just like that. Ferid chuckled. But what was wrong with this squirt ? Why ? Why was not he afraid of him, why did not he hate him ? How ion hell could he love him ? Bathory felt a kind of hysterical laughter swell. He was suddenly angry with him for sowing disorder. All went well before Krul brought this kid. Everything was ordered, followed his train and his way. And there, everything changed. Everything was ass over head. Ferid took his head in both hands and raised it to heaven.
« What is happening to me ? » he asked.
For his part, Crowley wasn't resting either. Sitting astride a chair, he watched through a window of his manor Yuuichiro playing with Akane. Yes, they were still playing. It was chasing each other, fighting, playing ball. With his chin on his arms, Crowley was thinking. Ferid wanted to attack Krul Tepes. Yuu's mother. And he wanted him, the father of the child, to open the ball. Well then. The tears his son had shed on the day of the vampire's departure for Nagoya came back to him. He had been moved before so much sorrow, to his astonishment. No one had cried for him. Not for centuries. No one had been sad to see him leave. But a child had, though. It was not his blood but it was as if for the little one. And then, did it have to start again ?
Eusford felt his being protesting. He had hated seeing his son cry. He generally did not like the little one to be in all its forms. He did not like it.
« What shoud I do ? If only Ferid could change his mind. » he wondered.
AH ! The good joke. Ferid always followed his own plan. Because yes, Crowley knew perfectly well that his faction leader was plotting something. For a very long time, no doubt. What would become of Yuuichiro in all this ? Had his mother really betrayed her species ?
« Certainly. Otherwise no Hyakuya would still be alive today. Besides, Yuu has found one. What will happen between them ? »
Does this squirt intend to kill his son ? Who knows that these fucking humans had put him in mind. Well, if that was his intention, he should first fight with his father.
« But they seemed happy to see each other. » thought the progenitor.
Maybe this kid -what was his name by the way ?- would not do him anything. But he could not be totally sure. Well. He still did not know what to do. Yuu will be sad when he got wind of this whole story. His mother, his father, Ferid ... they would be nothing but a bunch of traitors in his eyes. And then ... he would go away. He would leave them again in the dark, with a cold, broken heart. Crowley closed his eyes. But what a puzzle. How could he limit the damages ? How to protect Yuuichiro ?
« Ferid … there's time I really want to kill you. » whispered Crowley.
He let his forehead fall on his forearms with a deep sigh.
« Yuu … » he breathed.
Everything was so different since the child had entered their lives at all. He had brought them and given so much... so Crowley was pretty sure that no one wanted it to stop. Yuuichiro had offered them what they lacked so much : a real reason for living. In truth, deep inside, they knew they were monsters. So when this very small being, so fragile had chosen them for his family, for the most important people who were, the vampires had of course been stupefied ... to end up being touched. In the eyes of someone, they were no longer monsters.
« There must a solution. There must be one. » said Crowley, rising his head.
Outside, Yuu and Akane were no longer visible. The redhead sighed again. There were at least two solutions : talk to Krul and kill Ferid. Which was the best, and would preserve Yuuichiro at best ? How can it be done without Bathory first realizing it ? Eusford thought that the noble would certainly watch him, now that the bicolor had signified a refusal.
« Daddy ? »
Yuu had entered. Akane, on her part, went to a meeting of the High Council to which Ferid had asked her to assist him. The little vampire approached his father, looking questioning. Crowley stretched out his hand to stroke his head, feeling magically his temporary anxiety disappear.
« Are you alright ? » inquired Yuu.
« Yes, don't worry my son. » answered Crowley, softly.
Yuuichiro smiled at him and moved closer and closer until embracing him. Eusford leaned over and kissed him on the head. He would find out how to protect him. Even against his mother. Yuu released his embrace. Crowley took advantage of it to get up and stretch. He and the young vampire then left the large room. Yuuichiro took the road to the palace. Suddenly he heard a kind of rumbling. Come on, what was happening ? Yuu approached and perceived his mother's angry voice. She was addressing Ferid visibly.
« What have done this old thingy again ? » wondering Yuu, sticking to the door.
Ferid spoke of secrets for his plans to reach the High Council. Yuu frowned. What was that story again ? And …
« The seraph of the end ? Isn't that thing suppose to be forbidden ? Oh mom, what have you done ? » thought Yuuichiro.
He then heard footsteps and he slipped away. Ferid came out of the room with a joyful look on his face.
Yuu came a moment later in the opposite direction. The rubies of Ferid rested on the young one. The brown raised his to him. Bathory stopped. The words of his right hand man came back to him. Just like memories between him and the little one. Ferid heard him call him cheerfully, and smiled again. But quickly he recovered, putting on his smiling mask to greet Yuu. The latter chuckled.
« Really Ferid, I don't know how you do this. The habit, I suppose. » said the youngster.
« What ? » wondered the interested one.
Yuu resumed his march and passed by, leaving a perplexed Ferid. Akane left the room in turn, watching Yuuichiro go by. She and Ferid exchanged questioning glances. The young vampire came out of the palace. He needed to think. Once outside, he went to perch on a roof. Well, from what he understood there doing things at the top of Sanguinem. Krul had broken a taboo, Ferid knew and blackmailed her. The prince sighed. This guy was a troublemaker decidedly. But what was pushing him to accomplish all this ? He thought of his father. What did he know ? Was that why he seemed to be preoccupied just now ?
« What should I do ? Am I even concerned ? Mmmh, it's about my mother, my father too and Ferid. All from my family, not to mention Akane. » he thought.
He was unwittingly in the middle of it all. Could the greed of humans run on the vampires ? Yuu thought he should perhaps try to find out more. Could he, for example, go and search at Ferid's ? It was an option. Maybe talk also to Akane, she had to know things. His decision made, he began by the easiest, namely his friend. The latter had just returned from an interview with Krul. And the young vampire saw very well by her look that something had happened. Akane stopped. The two stared at each other. Yuu then signaled her to approach, and she followed. The young vampires perched on a roof, sheltered from the ears. Akane started without waiting. She knew that Yuu wanted her to confide, and she was also relieved to do so. What would she have done without him ?
Yuuichiro, on his part, revealed that he had listened in the doors. So, Krul wanted the seraph of the end to find her brother and the 1st progenitor. Well, that could be understood. But Ferid, what did he want ? Akane did not know, but was of his opinion for the search. All that remained was to plan all that. Yuu proposed to take advantage of an outdoor painting session to explore the area.
« But won't he detect my presence in his house ? » inquired Akane.
« Maybe, your scent probably. We'll have to steal some clothes to hide that. » answered Yuu.
« And how are we going to do that ? »
« That's the big question. »
« Yuu … »
« Yes ? »
« Vampires doesn't sweat like humans, but they still have to clean their clothes. Especially after coming back from a battle. » said Akane.
« Then we have our plan. I'm gonna dirty the old thing, and like right about now. » smiled the young vampire.
And he knew very well how. He thanked Akane and then took leave. He went quietly to his future victim. On the way he met Crowley, who was returning to Nagoya. Father and son embraced each other, the ginger then advised the little one to behave.
« Same to you, old man. » retorted Yuu.
« Old man ! Hey you squirt, show some respect will you ! » smiled Crowley.
Yuu smiled, then the adult saw him go to Ferid's. If only Yuu could make him change his mind ... hope keeps alive. The brown came in.
« Helloooo Fiddyyy ! » he shouted in the hall.
Yuu bent down suddenly, avoiding a book thrown at his head. The book crumbled against a wall.
« Will you stop with that damn nickname already ?! » exclaimed Ferid, not far away.
« My Fiddy ! Glad to see you ! » replied Yuu, pawky.
« Yeah, what is it this time ? »
« Well for painting ! I come to distract myself with my old pal ! »
« Mgrrrr ! »
Yuu stepped up to him, smiling. Ferid stared at him for a moment.
« I quite busy right now. » he said.
« To what ? Throwing books everywhere ? Pleaaaase ! »
Ferid pulled a face towards the kitten's face. Everything but not this face. No, he would not indulge, no, he would not indulge, no, he would not indulge ...
« Come oooon Feriiiiid ! »
« … »
No, he would not give in. He was not like his mother, he would resist.
« It's the only moment we have you and me. » continued Yuu.
Aaand shit.
« Very well. »
« YAAAAYY ! »
And to embrace the noble. Ferid sighed. But could he make him melt like that ? Yuu took him by the hand and dragged him after him. The progenitor found himself smiling, while the child collected the two briefcases containing the painting set. Then they went to the streets of the capital. Yuu suggested painting on the outside, for once. Ferid accepted without difficulty. Thus, everyone settled in a corner not far from the entrance to the capital. The equipment was arranged, the easel and the fabric mounted and installed. Then everyone began to sketch the landscape in front of him. For a few hours, silence reigned, each concentrated on his work. Finally, Yuuichiro began to mix his painting.
« Ah ! I'm out of blue, can I took some from you ? » asked the child.
« Of course. »
Yuu went to the briefcase containing the tubes, then grabbed the desired one. As he passed by, he came to see how his companion's paint was.
« Woooh ! Sure you have a good level now ! » exclaimed Yuu, rising his hands.
He pressed the tube of paint. A blue jet came out to crash into the vampire's clothes.
« Ah ! Yuu ! » exclaimed Ferid.
« Woops ! Now wait, I'll clean you up ! »
He grabbed a rag to remove the paint, spread it a little in passing, and then used a solvent which did nothing but aggravate things. Especially since Yuu had so pressed the tube that he had practically emptied it. Suffice to say that Ferid's clothes were well smeared.
« Well ! You'll have to clean them. » declared Yuu.
« No kidding ! What's wrong with you ? » exclaimed Ferid, fists on his hips.
« I didn't do it on purpose ! I'm really sorry. »
Ferid pulled on the white cloth. A kind of large diluted blue spot spread out over the whole stomach. He shot Yuu with a look who lowered his eyes. The nobleman decided that he had painted enough for today. The little vampire again apologized, while the big one repacked his stuff. Yuu put away his equipment and then followed him. The hardest part was about to begin. Ferid went home to change. A little later, Akane watched him bring his stained clothes in the laundromat. He gave them to a low-ranking vampire. The latter collected them, and then went to put them with the rest and returned to work. Akane slipped among the washerwomen, dressed like them. There, she checked their occupation and then recovered the clothes of Ferid that she slipped into a bag. This done, the vampire slipped away.
Yuu found her at the Eusford Manor. Akane showed him the fruit of her rapine. The young vampire nodded. He would have only to distract him again, so that the young woman could search at her will. He let the morning pass, then went to find Ferid in the afternoon. As always, he was at home. Yuu put down a bottle of blood on a coffee table in front of Ferid.
« What is this, Yuu ? »
« This ? A missile. I thought it was lacking among your crystal trinkets. » he said, dropping himself on the armchair in front of him.
Ferid raised an eyebrow.
« A bottle from my mother's place, as an excuse for this morning dye. »
Ferid grabbed the bottle, uncorked and sniffed.
« Hmmm, a grand cru it seems. Very well, apology accepted. » decided the noble
« Perfect ! I don't like to quarrel with my family. »
Ferid, who had just poured himself a drink, paused for a moment. His family ... so it was like this in his eyes. It sounded so weird all the same. Bathory still did not know what to think about it. He was alone for so long ... well, outside Crowley but it was something else. He served his interests, unlike his son.
« Does anyone ever told you you were a strange vampire ? » said Ferid, between two swollen.
« I had a good teacher. » responded Yuu, showing him.
« Uh ? »
Yuu chuckled. Ferid grunted, then asked if he had planned an activity. To which the young one replied to go and visit a drawing shop to renew their equipment a little. Naturally, he still had to use his charm to convince his elder, who was beginning to think that he gave in a little too easily. Nevertheless, this time was no different. Yuu grabbed him by the hand as usual. Again the nobleman was astonished at the pleasant sensation of this contact. What power had this little one ? In his presence, Ferid felt good. That's all. He forgot all the rest. And it was not unpleasant. It was as annoying as it was disconcerting.
« Maybe I should see him less often. Easier said than done : we live quite close, and he's always the one who come. » wondered the noble.
Meanwhile, Akane had put on the dirty clothes of the 7th progenitor and then entered his house. She went to the nobleman's study. There she looked into the office. Nothing. He had to keep it in a secret corner. Akane who had read a lot thanks to Yuu, knew the trick about the library, in the floor or behind a mirror. She therefore explored these three pistes.
« The wood flooring. It sounds hollow here. » she thought.
Cautiously, Akane lifted a batten. A box was there. She opened it to discover old parchments.
« Look at that ! This one is mentionning Yuu's father ! Crowley Eusford, Templar from the 13th century … wow really … is a Mikaela … uh ? What, is that a specific thing ? Weird. Then, Gilbert Chartres, Roy Rouland … knights as well. All linked to Crowley. » she read.
The name of Yuu's adoptive father was in the middle of a page, with the other names related to him. Then came a little portrait of each one. A mini genealogy of the Eusfords until Crowley followed. Apparently, Ferid had been targeting him for a while. Then Akane discovered a correspondence between the nobleman and a certain Saitou, a 2nd progenitor. The vampire could not remember ever hearing that name. The transformer of Ferid. He was talking about a plan to change the world. Despite this, the notes were vague. In another box, Akane discovered modern paper. Including some dealing with the Hyakuyas and especially Mika.
« The experiments we have undergone. The Hyakuya / Mikado No Oni conflict, the development of demonic weapons. This Saitou, he helped a girl from the Mikado ... a traitor. Ferid surely knows about it. »
So he has some responsibility in this whole story. There was the name of an army officer. Guren Ichinose. This name seemed familiar to her. Akane thought she knew enough. She put everything back in place carefully, then went away. Just in time, because on returning from the laundromat she saw Yuu and Ferid go in. Akane went to the Eusford manor to wait for her friend.